News Story not available

This story has been published on: 2023-10-31. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.

This story is no longer available on our site.
Zambian president to visit China

Xinhua) 09:29, September 09, 2023

BEIJING, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- At the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping, President of the Republic of Zambia Hakainde Hichilema will pay a state visit to China from Sept. 10 to 16, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying announced on Friday.

"Zambia is an important country in southern Africa. China and Zambia enjoy a traditional friendship. The two countries have deepened political mutual trust, achieved fruitful outcomes in practical cooperation and maintained sound cooperation in international and regional affairs," spokesperson Mao Ning told a daily press briefing, when responding to a question on the visit.

The year 2024 will mark the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Zambia.

She said during President Hakainde Hichilema's visit, President Xi Jinping will hold a welcome ceremony and banquet for him, and the two heads of state will hold talks and jointly attend a signing ceremony of cooperation documents. Premier Li Qiang and Zhao Leji, chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, will meet with President Hichilema. President Hichilema will also travel to Jiangxi and Fujian provinces, and Shenzhen City.

"We believe that President Hichilema's visit will give a new boost to the all-round, in-depth growth of China-Zambia relations and further advance our friendly cooperation," Mao added.

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Sheng Chuyi)
CAIRO, Sept. 9 (Xinhua) -- Arab League (AL) and Egypt on Saturday expressed their sincere condolences to Morocco over the recent earthquake that left at least 820 dead and over 672 injured.

Ahmed Aboul-Gheit, secretary-general of the Cairo-based AL, condoled with Morocco in a statement posted on social platform X, formerly known as Twitter, hoping the country will quickly overcome the crisis.

The Arab Parliament, affiliated with the AL, also expressed in a statement its solidarity with the government, people and parliament of Morocco over the "devastating earthquake" that hit the kingdom.

The Egyptian Foreign Ministry said in a statement that "Egypt affirmed its full solidarity with the government and people of Morocco in facing the devastating aftermath of this horrific accident and painful affliction."

A 6.8-magnitude earthquake hit Morocco Friday at 11:11 p.m. local time (2211 GMT) at a depth of 18.5 km, said the U.S. Geological Survey.

The epicenter of the earthquake was near the town of Ighil in Al Haouz Province, some 70 km southwest of Marrakesh. 
The Ukrainian militarys Main Intelligence Directorate or HUR has recommended awaiting official confirmation of the death of Evgeny Prigozhin , the founder of the Wagner private military company.

Lets wait. Its not so simple... Prigozhin himself was involved in a case where there was supposedly an airplane crash, but he (remained alive). Its Russia, its hard to understand things, Vadym Skibitsky, the HURs spokesperson, said on national television on Sept. 9.

Read also: Ukrainian intel tracks Russian Shahed kamikaze drone production, plots ways to block their manufacture

Prigozhin Plane Crash in Russia  What We Know

A plane crash occurred on Aug. 23 in Russias Tver Oblast involving an Embraer Legacy 600 aircraft. Russias Federal Air Transport Agency (Rosaviatsiya) confirmed that on board were the leader of the Wagner Group, Evgeny Prigozhin, and his deputy, Dmitry Utkin.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

This incident transpired precisely two months after a failed Wagner Group mutinty commenced. According to Rosaviatsiya, there were a total of ten people on board, including seven passengers (Wagner militants, including Valerii Chekalov, an entity associated with Prigozhin) and three crew members.

Read also: Prigozhins mutiny was a planned special operation  Danilov

Among the leading theories concerning the plane crash of Prigozhins Embraer Legacy 600 are an onboard explosion and a ground-launched missile strike.

Read also: Prigozhin likely killed over control of Wagners Africa business  Bellingcat

Russian dictator Vladimir Putin, while discussing Prigozhins potential demise on Aug. 24, referred to him in the past tense, stating that he had a complicated fate.

The Russian Investigative Committee officially announced on Aug. 27 that Prigozhin and his right-hand man, Utkin, had perished in the plane crash in Tver Oblast.

Prigozhins spokesperson declared on Aug. 29 that his burial had occurred in a closed format at a cemetery in St. Petersburg.

Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron!

Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said that he and Yoshimada Hayashi, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan, agreed to begin preparing a bilateral document on security guarantees for Ukraine.

Source: President's address; website of the President

Details: Zelenskyy said that on Saturday, he had a meeting with Hayashi and representatives of Japanese business.

Quote: "A very important security result today  we agreed to start preparing a bilateral document with Japan on security guarantees.

We are already working with the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada. Now  with Japan."

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

More details: As the President said, during the meeting, they discussed the restoration and development of Ukraine, as well as energy, transport, mine clearance, social sphere, creation of new jobs in Ukraine, telecommunications, information protection, protection of Ukrainian infrastructure, green energy, engineering, agricultural sector.

He also noted that recently, Ukraine's parliamentary speaker Ruslan Stefanchuk came to Japan to attend the summit of the heads of parliaments of the G7 countries.

"The summit resulted in a strong declaration. Important meetings took place. A clear support for Ukraine and strong signals that the entire Ukrainian territory must be cleared of Russian troops, and only this opens the way to achieve a just and reliable peace," the president said.

During the meeting, Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi reportedly announced that the Japanese side was ready to start negotiations on a bilateral security agreement with Ukraine shortly.

The parties also exchanged views on the practical implementation of the Ukrainian peace formula and Japan's involvement in the preparation of the Global Peace Summit.

Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron!
KYIV (Reuters) - The Ukrainian foreign ministry said on Saturday the G20's joint declaration was "nothing to be proud of" and criticised it for not mentioning Russia.

Foreign ministry spokesperson Oleg Nikolenko posted a screenshot of the relevant section of the joint declaration, with several pieces of the text crossed out in red and corrected with wording which reflects Ukraine's position that it is a victim of unprovoked Russian aggression.

"It is clear that the participation of the Ukrainian side (in the G20 meeting) would have allowed the participants to better understand the situation," he wrote on Facebook.

Despite his disappointment with the overall G20 text, Nikolenko thanked Ukraine's allies for doing their part to advance Ukraine's position in the declaration.

"Ukraine is grateful to the partners who tried to include strong formulations in the text."

(Reporting by Max Hunder; Editing by Mark Heinrich and Alexander Smith)
Earlier hopes that U.S. M1 Abrams tanks would soon arrive on the battlefield in Ukraine have been tempered by news that Kyiv has requested an extension in training its troops until the full contingent of 31 refurbished Abrams tanks arrive in country.

Nearly 200 Ukrainian troops will continue honing their skills in operating and repairing the tanks for several more weeks at U.S. bases in Germany even after their main training exercises ended last month, VOA is reporting . The outlet cites U.S. Army Europe and Africa Command's spokesperson Col. Martin O'Donnell.

https://twitter.com/KyivIndependent/status/1700220751486267837

As we reported last week , the first of the Abrams appeared to be on track to go into combat starting around mid-September after the initial set of Ukrainian troops had completed the training. Quoting an unnamed Pentagon official and another person familiar with the discussions, Politico at the time reported that the first 10 of these tanks would arrive in Ukraine in mid-September. Meanwhile, as we also have reported in the past , the 31 Abrams tanks destined for Ukraine  all older M1A1 variants  have been undergoing refurbishment and preparation for delivery.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Now this timeline appears to be sliding to the right.

"At Ukraine's request, the military will maintain its handling and repair skills until the 31 tanks that the U.S. has pledged to convert and provide to Ukraine in the fall are ready," O'Donnell said. "These skills training is expected to take several weeks."

The plan is to add the Abrams to the mix of other Western tanks like the Challenger 2s donated by the U.K. and Leopard 2s donated by several nations to the armor Ukraine is using in its counteroffensive. You can read more about what the Abrams brings to the battlefield in our story here .

https://youtu.be/KvWi6V9TYJg

The Leopards and Challengers have proven effective and resilient. Compared to other armor Ukraine has lost so far during this three-month-old effort to regain ground, there have been relatively few Challengers and Leopards taken off the battlefield, according to the Oryx open-source tracking group . Their latest assessment shows that three Leopard 2s have been destroyed and four damaged, while one Challenger was destroyed. You can read more about that in our story here . Still, the Oryx numbers represent just the visually confirmed losses. The actual number could be greater.

A delay of even a few weeks could have a deleterious effect on what Ukraine can accomplish with the Abrams, however. Rainy season, with its oozing mud that bogs down heavy equipment like tanks, will be setting-in in the coming weeks.

Of course how much difference just 31 of even the most advanced tanks in the fight can make is debatable.

Before we head into the latest news from Ukraine, The War Zone readers can catch up on our previous rolling coverage here .

The Latest

Ukraine is continuing to make incremental advances in both Zaporizhzhiz and Donetsk oblasts while the Russians continue to gain ground near Kupiansk in Kharkiv Oblast. However, given they have to cross the Oskil River, advances there will be difficult, as would any effort to retreat if needed.

Here are some key takeaways from the latest Institute for the Study of War assessment :

Ukrainian forces continued offensive operations near Bakhmut and in western Zaporizhia Oblast on Sept. 7 and made further gains on both sectors of the front.

Ukrainian forces are making tactical gains and successfully attriting defending Russian forces and ISW continues to assess Ukraines counteroffensive may achieve operational successes in 2023, but subsequent series of Russian defensive positions still pose significant challenges for Ukrainian forces and may in sections be strongly held.

Russian forces continued offensive operations along the Kupyansk-Svatove-Kreminna line, in the Bakhmut direction, along the Avdiivka-Donetsk City line, and in the Donetsk-Zaporizhia Oblast border area but did not make any confirmed advances on September 7.

https://twitter.com/TheStudyofWar/status/1700245760862761151

A new report by ABC News says the Biden administration is likely to provide Ukraine with Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) short-range ballistic missiles.

The report, however, offers two somewhat different takes on when those munitions might be approved for delivery.

"They are coming," one official who had access to security assistance plans. The official noted that, as always, such plans are subject to change until officially announced.

A second official told the outlet that the missiles are "on the table" and likely to be included in an upcoming security assistance package, adding that a final decision has not been made.

That source said it could be months before Ukraine, which has long requested the ATACMs, receives the missiles.

Meanwhile, Marine Lt. Col. Garron Garn, a Pentagon spokesman, told The War Zone on Friday that "no decision has been made to give Ukraine ATACMS at this time."

https://youtu.be/Ipr_hPAcR_Q

With a range of about 200 miles, the ATACMS can hit targets about four times as far as the Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) munitions fired by the M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, or HIMARS and the M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) provided to Ukraine. It can also hit those target far harder.

The ABC News report comes days after Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dymtro Kuleba said he discussed ATACMS with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken this week during the U.S. officials visit to Kyiv.

"We had a thorough discussion today on the issue of providing Ukraine with long-range ATACMS missiles. We had a highly substantive conversation," Kuleba said at a joint press conference Wednesday. "We hope that discussions within the administration will lead to a positive decision.

https://twitter.com/LMartinezABC/status/1700264854471520435

At least one person was killed and more than 50 injured by a Russian missile strike on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's home town of Kyrvyi Rih, local authorities say.

https://twitter.com/kyivpost/status/1700088044546572364?s=12\u0026t=BQRSNakUKt7_8ssZiGBW-A

Amid increasing tensions in and around the Black Sea , the U.S. Navy will take part in an international exercise there next week.

Called Sea Breeze 23.3, the exercise will occur in Romanias Black Sea port of Constanta from Sept. 11-15, Marine Lt. Col. Garron Garn, a Pentagon spokesman, told The War Zone Friday. It will be focused on maritime security and stability operations with an emphasis on mine countermeasure and dive operation mission areas, he said.

Last month, an explosion on a seawall in front of the Forum Hotel in the Romanian town of Constanta was suspected to be caused by a drifting sea mine , according to the Romanian ProTV media outlet.

https://twitter.com/sentdefender/status/1691148548811665419?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1691148548811665419%7Ctwgr%5E27b7a4cf871a0da9228598d02764c566040f8a79%7Ctwcon%5Es1_\u0026ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thedrive.com%2Fthe-war-zone%2Fukraine-situation-report-spring-counteroffensive-may-be-needed

In addition to the U.S. and Romanian navies, military personnel from Bulgaria, France, the U.K., Turkiye, and Ukraine will also take part, according to the Ukrainian Pravda news outlet .

While taking place as Russia continues to pound Ukraines Danube River ports 80 miles to the north with drone attacks after Russia enacted a de-facto Black Sea blockade, Sea Breeze is a long-standing exercise.

The U.S. Navy will take part in an exercise next week in Romania's Black Sea port of Constanta, about 80 miles south of the Ukrainian Danube River port of Izmail being bombarded by Russian drones. (Google Earth image)

Next weeks activities are the third iteration of this years Sea Breeze, an exercise held annually since 1997, except for five separate years in which operational commitments or world events prevented it, Garn told us.

No U.S. Navy surface combatants or other large ships will attend, but a P-8 Poseidon will take part in the drills, as will divers and small boat teams.

Romania will commit sea dredger Sublocotenent Alexandru Axente, a fast dive ship, an armored personnel carrier, three amphibious armored personnel carriers, assault boats and other vessels, as well as explosive ordnance disposal specialists, marines and staff officers, Ukrainian Pravda reported. Other participating countries will send divers, explosive ordnance disposal specialists and staff officers.

https://twitter.com/front_ukrainian/status/1700172343291584532?s=12\u0026t=BQRSNakUKt7_8ssZiGBW-A

The Pentagon on Friday declined to talk about the specifics of a controversy involving Elon Musk and his SpaceX companys Starlink satellite communications system, which now receives an undisclosed amount of U.S. taxpayer funds to provide that service to Ukraine.

The issue focuses on a planned Ukrainian attack last year by sea drones on Russian warships at Sevastopol in Crimea.

A new book by Walter Isaacson claims that Musk, fearing a nuclear response by Russia, turned off that service, according to an excerpt published Thursday by CNN . That caused the drone boats to lose communications and wash harmlessly on the shore. As we noted yesterday , while the CNN article does not offer a specific timeline, Isaacsons account lines up with our reporting from Sept. 21, 2022 about a mysterious drone boat, likely laden with explosives, washed up on the shore near Sevastopol, home of the Russian Black Sea fleet.

https://twitter.com/UKikaski/status/1572617974586183680?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1572617974586183680%7Ctwgr%5E75a8d5d89a894ac6bf1e8411ba7bbe9164e6b5cb%7Ctwcon%5Es1_\u0026ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thedrive.com%2Fthe-war-zone%2Fukraine-situation-report-breakthrough-at-russias-second-defensive-line

On Thursday, Musk took to Twitter to say there never was any service near Crimea at the time and that he denied an emergency request to provide it.

The Pentagon is continuing to refuse to say how much it is paying SpaceX to provide satellite service to Ukraine and declined to comment on whether it's concerned about this situation.

The Department has successfully leveraged commercial space and satellite comms capabilities in the past  and we expect to continue to do that in the future, Jeff Jurgensen, a Pentagon spokesman, told The War Zone in an email Friday when asked if it is worried if Musks determination on when his Starlink service should and shouldnt be provided is a concern.

https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1699913329261813809

Ukraines spy boss says the defection of a Russian Mi-8AMTSh Hip combat transport helicopter last month is paving the way for more such exploits. You can read more about that in our story here .

Maxim Kuzminovs decision to flee Russia in a helicopter, after his family was safely transported to Ukraine, is an example for others, said newly promoted Ukrainian Lt. Gen. Kyrylo Budanov, commander of the Defense Intelligence Directorate (GUR)

"We have had such communication with a few more people, and it continues, said Budanov, according to the GURs website. And what happened will simply give confidence to those people who are still hesitating.

Budanov added that the operation, dubbed Synystia (Ukrainian for titmouse) has irked Russian officials and caused the FSB security service to significantly intensify its efforts to prevent defections, but that his announcement will not give them anything.

Budanov told us he was promoted yesterday.

https://twitter.com/front_ukrainian/status/1700113222643196317

More intense drone video has emerged, this time showing Ukrainian forces repelling an attack by Russians near Bakhmut. After an intense firefight, the Russian are seen withdrawing from the area, dragging a wounded comrade. The video ends with what appear to be drone strikes on other Russian troops there.

https://twitter.com/gloooud/status/1700048856564580537?s=12\u0026t=BQRSNakUKt7_8ssZiGBW-A

Video of a battery of U.S. donated M777 towed 155mm howitzers firing in a field at Russian positions has emerged on social media. The howitzers are protected by a 9K33 Osa short-range air defense system.

https://twitter.com/casualartyfan/status/1700084052617744874?s=12\u0026t=BQRSNakUKt7_8ssZiGBW-A

That's it for now. We'll update this story when there's more news to report about Ukraine.

Contact the author: howard@thewarzone.com
Estonian Foreign Intelligence Service has stated that Ukraines counteroffensives most important events are taking place in Zaporizhzhia Oblast, just like before.

Source: European Pravda with reference to the Estonian public broadcasting ERR

Details: Estonian intelligence said the further success of Ukraines Armed Forces depends on how quickly they can deploy additional reserves and forces.

ERR added that, at the same time, Russian forces are trying to conduct counterattacks and thereby make the Ukrainians withdraw from Zaporizhzhia toward Lyman and Kreminna, but Russia has not succeeded in this plan.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

As Estonian intelligence noted, Ukraines Armed Forces are controlling the settlements south of Bakhmut, which, most likely, gives them a significant tactical advantage, puts pressure on Russian troops, creates the need to transfer Russian additional reserves there and thereby supports the actions of Ukrainian forces on the Zaporizhzhia front and during counteroffensive actions.

Earlier, the Intelligence Centre of the Defence Forces of Estonia reported that the Armed Forces of Ukraine likely managed to breach the front line of defence of the Russian occupying forces in Zaporizhzhia Oblast.

Background:

During his visit to Kyiv, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that Washington sees the progress of the Ukrainian counteroffensive and the US will facilitate necessary aid for Ukraine now and in the long term.

Moreover, the Pentagon's Defense Intelligence Agency believes that the recent successes of the Armed Forces of Ukraine suggest a "realistic possibility" of a breakthrough in the rest of the Russian defence lines by the end of the year.

Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron!
Valerii Zaluzhnyi , the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, had a telephone conversation with General Daniel Petrescu, the Chief of Defence Staff of the Armed Forces of Romania, on 8 September.

Source: Zaluzhnyi on Telegram

Quote: "We discussed the situation due to Russian air attacks on civilian and port infrastructure on the Danube."

Details: Issues related to security risks, interaction and the exchange of information with partners were also raised.

"I emphasised the need to strengthen Ukraine's anti-aircraft defence," Zaluzhnyi noted.

Background:

On 4 September, Ukraine reported that two Shahed attack drones had crashed in Romania during a Russian attack on Izmail and Reni.

At first, the Romanian side categorically denied the incident. However, on 6 September, the Minister of Defence of Romania confirmed that fragments similar to the wreckage of a drone had been found near the banks of the Danube on the Romanian side and submitted for examination.

Romanian President Klaus Iohannis then said that an urgent investigation was needed and that if it was confirmed that these were fragments of a Shahed drone, Romania would consider the situation "absolutely unacceptable".

The country has also begun discussing the evacuation of residents of villages across the Danube opposite Ukrainian ports.

Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron!
Kyrylo Budanov , Chief of Defence Intelligence of Ukraine (DIU), believes Russia's war against Ukraine will not last for too long.

Source: Budanov during the annual meeting of the Yalta European Strategy (YES), as reported by Interfax-Ukraine news agency

Quote: "I don't endorse the assumption that this will be a long war. This is my personal opinion, based on the analysis of the data we have, first of all, concerning the enemy."

Details: Budanov said the Russians are incapable of conducting protracted operations.

"However, it's quite clear that you are right if you consider six months, seven months, a year, and you think this is a long time," the DIU chief said.

Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron!
Defence Intelligence of Ukraine (DIU) has reported that Russia amassed over 420,000 troops in the temporarily occupied Ukrainian territories, including Crimea.

Source: Vadym Skibitskyi, Deputy Chief of the DIU, during the annual meeting of the Yalta European Strategy (YES), as reported by Interfax-Ukraine

Quote: "The Russian Federation amassed over 420,000 troops in our temporarily occupied territories and on the Crimean Peninsula.

That's apart from the Russian National Guard, other bodies, special units, and the Russian security forces that support the occupying power in our territories."

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Details: Skibitskyi also said Russia has deployed 46 Iskander missile launchers along the border with Ukraine.

Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron!
Rustem Umierov, the newly appointed Defence Minister of Ukraine, has announced the potential introduction of a new position, a military ombudsman.

Source: Umierov during the annual meeting of the Yalta European Strategy (YES) in Kyiv, as reported by Interfax-Ukraine

Quote: "We will focus on human lives; we will focus on our people. And that is why we are likely to introduce a new position called the military ombudsman, who will deal with the military needs of the people and our soldiers [in particular]."

Details: Umierov stressed that it is a soldier's right to be fully equipped and have everything necessary for the fight so as to gain victory. The minister vowed that everything necessary would be procured and Ukraine would prevail.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Background:

On 6 September, the Ukrainian parliament approved the appointment of Rustem Umerov, former Head of the State Property Fund, as Ukraines Defence Minister.

Umierov's top priorities include a full-fledged audit and Ukrainian domestic defence production.

Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron!
Analysts at the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) have noted that the Ukrainian counteroffensive has forced the Russians to change their command and control system and adapt their electronic warfare systems to protect against Ukrainian drones.

Source: ISW

Quote: "Russian forces have reportedly made notable changes to their command and control (C2) in Ukraine to protect command infrastructure and improve information sharing, although Russian force deployments are likely still exacerbating issues with horizontal integration."

Details: Thus, as the Centre for Security and Emerging Technologies (CSET) has stated, Russian troops have moved their headquarters beyond the range of most Ukrainian strike systems and placed forward command posts in well-protected positions.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

In addition, experts pointed out that the limitations of Russian artillery in Ukraine are prompting the Russian military to change its "fire doctrine", which switches the priority from volume of attacks to their accuracy.

The CSET says that Russian troops have strengthened communications between intelligence systems and artillery units to improve the accuracy of fire, "as Russian forces face growing constraints on their ability to leverage mass indirect fire".

Analysts say the Russians lack ammunition to conduct large-scale indirect fire. This is because the occupiers "have difficulties transporting a large volume of ammunition to the frontline, and see diminishing effectiveness with mass strikes".

The review also points to the fact that the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) stated that the Russian occupiers are trying to improve signals through the wider use of app-based C2 services without special training.

It is noted that Russian troops are adapting the deployment of electronic warfare systems. As the RUSI stated, Russian forces are distributing Pole-21 systems and treating them as disposable electronic warfare systems to provide broad protection against Ukrainian UAV attacks.

To quote the ISW's Key Takeaways on 8 September:

Russian forces have reportedly made notable changes to their command and control (C2) in Ukraine to protect command infrastructure and improve information sharing, although Russian force deployments are likely still exacerbating issues with horizontal integration.

Artillery constraints in Ukraine are reportedly prompting the Russian military to accelerate longstanding efforts to implement a fire doctrine prioritising accuracy over volume.

Russian forces are additionally reportedly adapting their deployment of electronic warfare complexes.

Ukrainian forces reportedly continued to advance south of Bakhmut and south of Robotyne in western Zaporizhzhia Oblast but did not make any confirmed gains on 8 September.

Russian forces conducted another series of Shahed-131/136 drone strikes targeting Odesa Oblast on the night of 7-8 September.

The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs directly responded to recent indications that the Armenian government may be questioning its decades-long security relationship with Russia.

Russian forces conducted offensive operations along the Kupiansk-Svatove line, near Bakhmut, and along the Avdiivka-Donetsk City line but did not make any confirmed advances on 8 September.

The New York Times  citing Western, African and Russian sources  reported that Russian intelligence structures are competing for control of the Wagner Groups assets and operations in Africa.

Russian occupation officials continue to hold illegal regional elections in occupied Ukraine. Russian occupation officials in Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson oblasts announced the start of in-person voting in occupied territories on 8 September.

Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron!
BEIJING, Sept. 9 (Xinhua) -- General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Chinese President Xi Jinping on Saturday sent a message of congratulations to Kim Jong Un, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) on the 75th anniversary of the country's founding. 
The Ukrainian military launched the national flag of Ukraine into the sky in Avdiivka, Donetsk Oblast, on 9 September, in honour of the city's day. It flew towards occupied Donetsk and later landed in the citys Leninskyi district.

Source: Vitalii Barabash, Head of Avdiivka City Military Administration, on the air during the national joint 24/7 newscast,as Suspilne reports; Telegram channels

Quote: "Today is the 245th anniversary of the founding of Avdiivka. We started the day with activity - we launched the state flag on balloons into the sky. It flew towards Donetsk. We can already hear the interceptions; they are a little freaked out about it. They tried to shoot it down. But the state flag is already flying over the Kyivskyi district of Donetsk."

On the morning of 9 September, a local Telegram channel posted several videos showing the Ukrainian flag flying on balloons in the sky over the Kyivskyi and Kalininskyi districts of occupied Donetsk.

Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron!
Editors Note: This is issue 101 of Ukrainian State-Owned Enterprises Weekly, covering events from Sept. 2-8, 2023. The Kyiv Independent is reposting it with permission.

Ukrainian SOE Weekly is an independent weekly digest based on a compilation of the most important news related to state-owned enterprises (SOEs) and state-owned banks in Ukraine. This publication was produced with the financial support of the European Union within the project Supporting Ukraine in rebuilding and recovery implemented by the KSE Institute. The contents of this publication are the sole responsibility of the editorial team of the Ukrainian SOE Weekly and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union.

Corporate governance of SOEs

SPFU head Umierov resigns to head the Defense Ministry. On Sept. 3, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that he was replacing Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov with the head of the State Property Fund of Ukraine (SPFU), Rustem Umierov.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

On Sept. 4, Reznikov and Umierov filed their resignation letters to the Verkhovna Rada. The next day, the Rada approved both, and Zelensky put forth Umierovs formal appointment. It was approved on Sept. 6.

According to Ukrainska Pravda (UP), Umierovs candidacy came together at the last minute, literally 10 days before the official announcement." The president called Umierov, who could not refuse, Pravdas source said.

UP wrote that Umierov, who headed the SPFU since Sept. 7, 2022, got the offer thanks to his reputation and good connections abroad. Obviously, (head of the President's Office) Andriy Yermak introduced Umierov to the (presidential) team, but the decision on the Defense Ministry is the Presidents decision. Yermak was quite happy with Umierov at the State Property Fund, UPs source said.

Read also: Who is Rustem Umerov, Ukraines soon-to-be defense minister?

On Sept. 2, UPs sources reported that Umierov would be replaced at the SPFU by Olha Pishchanska, head of the Anti-Monopoly Committee (AMCU). On Sept. 5, the Verkhovna Rada approved Pishchanskas resignation from the AMCU and then replaced her by the former Governor of Donetsk Oblast Pavlo Kyrylenko.

According to MP Yaroslav Zhelezniak (Holos faction), Pishchanska neither confirmed nor denied the plans to appoint her as the head of the SPFU.

According to UPs sources, Pishchanska learned about the reshuffle almost from the media and does not want to work at the SPFU.

On Sept. 5, David Arakhamia, the head of the ruling Servant of the People faction, confirmed that the position of the head of the SPFU remained vacant.

Rustem Umierov interviewed before resigning from the SPFU. Prior to his resignation as the head of the SPFU and appointment as Defense Minister, Rustem Umierov was interviewed by Liga.net. We selected the key points:

On the management of state assets:

During the year, the SPFU consolidated more than 2,300 SOEs under its management, which is more than 65% of all state assets (3,600 in total).

Apparently, this refers to the number of SOEs, i.e., 65% of all SOEs owned by the state at the central level of government. A lions share of this SOE portfolios asset value is concentrated in the top 15 SOEs, none of which is under the SPFU.

Previously, SOEs were managed by more than 90 different governing bodies  ministries, agencies, etc.

Since the Economy Ministry has not published its data on SOEs in wartime, we are not aware how many ministries and agencies oversee them today.

Today, we have become the largest manager of state assets. We are currently working with the Cabinet of Ministers and the Verkhovna Rada on a new state property policy that would establish a single body to manage state assets.

In SOE Weekly Issue 93, we reported that the SPFU was working out plans to centralize state property management. See Issue 93 for more detail.

On small-scale privatization:

The economic effect of the resumed small-scale privatization (in September 2022  SOE Weekly) is Hr 5.2 billion ($141 million). This amount includes direct payments from the winners of privatization auctions  Hr 3.8 billion ($103 million)  as well as debts to be paid by the new owners and 20% VAT.

Read also: UK planes guard Ukrainian grain ships in Black Sea

In SOE Weekly Issue 96, we reported that the SPFU raised Hr 1.82 billion ($49 million) from privatization auctions to the budget in the first half of 2023. The revenue from privatization to the state budget is projected to be Hr 6 billion ($162 million) in 2023.

On large-scale privatization:

We have recently replaced the supervisory board of Centrenergo and appointed a new CEO (Andriy Churkin). He has three tasks: He must get through the autumn and winter period, build protective structures, and prepare Centrenergo for privatization.

If we leave Centrenergo in the same unmodernized state for another 10 years, the company will simply become uninteresting for investors in the future. The world is moving towards green and nuclear energy. In this regard, we decided together with the government that it would be better to transfer this asset to a private owner.

In order to start privatization, we first had to take control of the company, which we worked on for eight months, as Centrenergo was only de jure owned by the state.

The Fund had no de facto control over United Mining and Chemical Company (UMCC) and Odesa Portside Plant (OPZ). This is how the Ukrainian culture of state ownership works. You may control an enterprise de jure, but de facto you may not.

In SOE Weekly Issue 80, we reported that the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutors Office (SAPO) said that they exposed a criminal group run by former head of the State Property Fund of Ukraine (SPFU) Dmytro Sennychenko.

According to NABU, the criminal group headed by Sennychenko is accused of stealing Hr 500 million ($13.5 million) from UMCC and OPZ. See more about this case in Issue 80.

As we reported in Issue 83, the suspects in this case, including Sennychenko, were placed on the wanted list.

The most important thing now is that, thanks to our cooperation with law enforcement agencies, we have already gained de facto control over UMCC and Centrenergo. We are now working to gain the same control over OPZ.

In SOE Weekly Issue 93, we reported that the SPFUs large-scale privatization plans included three state-owned companies: UMCC, OPZ, and Centrenergo. See Issue 93 for more detail.

On the Ukrainian part of the Samara-Western Direction oil pipeline (the so-called Medvedchuk pipe):

The state won the case in the court of first instance. The litigation is now at the appeal stage. When we win in the appellate court, we will be ready to take this asset into the Funds portfolio. Then the decision will be up to the state. If the government determines that this asset is strategic, we will transfer it to the Sovereign Wealth Fund. If not, we will put it up for privatization.

Read also: FT: Musk gave his biographer confidential messages with Ukraines Minister Fedorov without permission

In SOE Weekly Issue 97, we reported that the court returned the Ukrainian part of the Samara-Western Direction oil pipeline to state ownership. See more in Issue 97.

On the Sovereign Wealth Fund:

The new (state) ownership policy will set out the criteria by which assets will be designated as strategic. It will also define which assets we classify as commercial and which as non-commercial. Which ones belong to banks and which ones to the defense sector. If this strategy is adopted, we estimate that about 100 SOEs should remain in state ownership, of which about 50 would be classified as commercial.

These 50 enterprises should be included in the Sovereign Wealth Fund. Currently, the capitalization of these enterprises is approximately $40-50 billion. In ten years, a professional management team would be able to increase it to $150-200 billion, generating an annual return of 10 or 20%.

International experts are helping us to create a sovereign wealth fund. Soon, our team would submit a strategy for the establishment of such a fund to the Cabinet of Ministers. Then, we would propose to the Verkhovna Rada a draft law that would outline the principles of the Sovereign Wealth Fund. Our strategy includes three planning horizons: 1-2 years, 5 and 10 years.

In SOE Weekly Issue 93, we reported that the SPFU was working out plans to centralize state property management, which include setting up a sovereign wealth fund. Umierov said back then that once the fund is established, all strategic SOEs that are not slated for privatization will be transferred from the Cabinet of Ministers to that fund.

It would serve as a single vehicle for effective long-term management of state firms, include strategic assets that will be developed to generate profits, and increase wealth for future generations. For more detail, see Issue 93.

On the leasing of state agricultural land through Prozorro.Sale:

We conducted an analysis. It has turned out that the state owns between 500,000 and 700,000 hectares of land. The SPFU currently manages only 370,000 hectares. The rest of the land is under the jurisdiction of other ministries, departments, agencies, academies of science, and other state institutions.

Now we need to accumulate state land that is being used inefficiently into a single fund  the Land Bank. We are already working on this issue with the Cabinet of Ministers. In January 2024, we will be ready to offer the public a new tool  the land will be leased out on a long-term basis through Prozorro auctions. At the same time, it will remain state-owned.

Read also: G20 consensus declaration calls for peace, but refuses to condemn Russias war in Ukraine

In SOE Weekly Issue 93, we reported that the SPFU was working out plans to launch a land bank to centralize all state-owned agricultural land into a single entity for long-term leasing. For more detail, see Issue 93.

As we reported in Issue 100, the Cabinet of Ministers transferred 25 SOEs, previously managed by the National Academy of Agrarian Sciences, to the SPFU.

In Issue 100, we also wrote on the SPFUs plans to launch the first open auctions for leasing of state agricultural land in 2024.

NABU serves suspicion notice to tycoon Kolomoisky of siphoning Hr 9.2 billion from PrivatBank in 2015. On Sept. 7, the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutors Office (SAPO) notified the former ultimate beneficial owner of PrivatBank and five members of the organized group that they were suspected of misappropriating of over Hr 9.2 billion ($249 million) from the bank.

The NABU does not name the suspects, but the details revealed by the Bureau point to Ukrainian tycoon Ihor Kolomoisky.

The other suspects are:

PrivatBanks former CEO (according to the Anti-Corruption Action Center (AnTAC), this is Oleksandr Dubilet;

PrivatBanks former deputy CEO and head treasurer (Liudmyla Shmalchenko, according to AnTAC);

the banks deputy head of the interbank dealing department, who also was the authorised representative of a non-resident company associated with bank (NABU added that he was detained; according to Slovo i Dilo, this is Yaroslav Lugovyi);

the head of the interbank operations support department of PrivatBanks treasury (Nadia Konopkina, according to AnTAC);

the deputy head of the department for servicing correspondent accounts of non-resident banks at PrivatBanks headquarters. (We were not able to identify this person.)

Read also: Oligarch Kolomoisky is behind bars. How did he get there and can he find a way out?

According to the investigation, in January-March 2015, Kolomoisky (at that time, the head of the Dnipropetrovsk Regional State Administration), devised a plan to appropriate funds from PrivatBank with the aim of financing a controlled offshore company and increasing his own stake in the banks statutory capital. To this end, the bank was artificially obligated to pay over Hr 9.2 billion to the said company, under the pretext of buying back its own bonds at inflated prices, NABU said.

According to NABU, subsequently over Hr 446 million ($12 million) was transferred to the accounts of three related legal entities for further legalization, disguised as securities trading operations, and later, to the accounts of another two entities. Eventually, the funds were deposited into Kolomoiskys personal account, who used them at his discretion and contributed to the banks statutory capital in compliance with the National Bank of Ukraines (NBU) requirements.

A pre-trial investigation is ongoing. This is the fourth episode in the case of misappropriation of PrivatBank funds. In October 2022, NABU and SAPO disclosed the details of the previous three episodes. On Sept. 6, the indictment was sent to court, NABU said.

On Sept. 2, Kolomoisky was also suspected of fraud and money laundering based on the materials of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) and the Economic Security Bureau (BEB).

On the same day, the Shevchenkivskyi District Court of Kyiv ruled that Kolomoisky should be held in custody until Oct. 31 with a bail of almost Hr 510 million ($13.8 million) as an alternative.

On Sept. 6, the Kyiv Court of Appeal adjourned the hearing on Kolomoiskys appeal against his measure of restraint to Sept. 25.

After this courts decision was announced, Kolomoiskys lawyers said that he is likely to remain in his cell until Sept. 25, as he considers the decision of the first instance court unjustified and wants to wait for the appeal to be decided.

Infrastructure

Ukrzaliznytsia to receive a 100-million-euro loan from EIB. On Sept. 1, the Cabinet of Ministers approved a resolution that would allow Ukrzaliznytsia to receive 100 million euros in loans from the European Investment Bank (EIB).

According to Ukrzaliznytsia, the funds are for the design, construction, modernization, and repair of railway infrastructure, as well as buying fixed assets to raise freight capacity.

The company explained that, back in 2016, Ukraine and the EIB signed an agreement to modernize the Ukrainian railway. But as Russia destroys the railway infrastructure, production and trade flows are declining, including income-producing freight transportation, resulting in a shortfall in the companys cash flow, the company said.

That is why the Ministry for Communities, Territories and Infrastructure moved to restructure the project at Ukrzaliznytsias behest. In addition, the EIB and Ukraine signed a letter waiving some of the terms of the projects financial agreement, which now allows allocating 100 million euros to provide a loan to Ukrzaliznytsia to ensure the smooth operation of railway transport.

In SOE Weekly Issue 92, we reported that Ukrzaliznytsia signed a 200-million-euro loan agreement with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) as part of the Emergency Support to Ukrainian Railways project.

The loan will have a maturity of up to 15 years, including a grace period of up to 3 years.

In Issue 91, we reported that Ukrzaliznytsia would also receive a 6.7-million-euro grant from the European Investment Bank (EIB) to support the companys operations during Russias full-scale war against Ukraine.

In Issue 90, we reported that Ukrzaliznytsia would receive a $25 million grant from the World Bank.

Read also: Zelensky: Preparations underway to protect Ukraines critical infrastructure through winter

In Issue 72, we reported that Ukrzaliznytsia took losses of Hr 10.8 billion ($292.5 million) in 2022. The loss from passenger transportation was Hr 13.3 billion (suggesting that the companys other segments, such as cargo transportation, made a profit of Hr 2.5 billion ($67.7 million).

Ukrzaliznytsia also expected to lose Hr 20.2 billion ($547 million) in 2023 due to the large social burden and restrictions on cargo transportation.

In Issue 68, we reported that after Russias full-scale invasion, the Ukrainian government gave Ukrzaliznytsia new responsibilities. We also detailed the financial support that the government, Ukrgasbank, and international partners provided to Ukrzaliznytsia throughout 2022.

Fitch Ratings affirms Ukrzaliznytsias credit rating at CC.' On Sept. 7, Fitch Ratings affirmed the companys credit rating of at CC,' the same as the sovereign credit rating of Ukraine.

According to Fitch, credit rating CC reflects the companys still high credit risk.

Following last years distressed debt exchange (DDE) debt repayment pressure on its cash flow has eased in the short term. It has given (Ukrzaliznytsia) the flexibility to focus on continuing its operations in currently unstable and unpredictable conditions, as well as repairing and maintaining the infrastructure hit by the Russian-Ukrainian war. However, redemption of the notes (apparently, U.S. dollar loan participation notes discussed below) remains uncertain in the medium term pending a decision on its funding, Fitch noted.

At the same time, the agency upgraded the Standalone Credit Profile to CCC- from CC following the companys better-than-expected results from the first half of 2023 and its updated forecast for 2023 that assumes an improved net result compared with its initial plan.

This improves Ukrzaliznytsias financial position, including easing pressure on liquidity, but in Fitchs view, a default is still a possibility in the medium term.

Fitch continues to expect a negative net result for the company for 2023 despite its improved interim performance. Operating profit in 2022 included grants from the government of Hr 9.7 billion ($262. 7 million), without which Ukrzaliznytsia would be unable to maintain profitable operations. Liquidity is much better than at the beginning of 2023, but this is mostly due to an increase in direct debt and external support, the agency said.

In SOE Weekly Issue 66, we reported that Fitch downgraded Ukrzaliznytsias Long-Term Foreign-Currency Issuer Default Rating (LTFC IDR) to C from CC following its consent solicitation to defer the debt servicing of its U.S. dollar loan participation notes (LPN) maturing in 2024 and 2026.

At that time, S&P Global Rating downgraded Ukrzaliznytsias rating from CCC- to CC because of the companys solicitation to defer all payments on the above Eurobonds.

In Issue 73, we reported that Ukrzaliznytsia completed the final formalities for the restructuring of payments for two Eurobond issues totalling $895 million.

Repayments of Eurobonds issued in 2019 ($594.9 million) were deferred from 2024 to 2026; payments for the 2021 issue ($300 million) were deferred from 2026 to 2028. Coupon payments due in 2023-2024 were deferred until January 2025 with possible capitalization.

As we wrote in Issue 82, Ukrzaliznytsia reported that S&P Global Ratings raised its credit score to CCC+ in April 2023.



Read also: Ukraine war latest: Ukraine controls most of Klishchiivka south of Bakhmut, commander says

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Ihor Kozlovskyi died on September 6, 2023 at the age of 69

A memorial ceremony was held to honor the life and contributions of the distinguished Ukrainian religious scholar, Ihor Kozlovskyi, at the St. Michaels Golden-Domed Monastery in Kyiv on Sept. 9.

Following a church service, a public memorial ceremony took place in the monasterys courtyard, Ukrainian state news agency Ukrinform reported.

The gathering included a multitude of mourners who came to pay their respects to Kozlovskyi, among them, not only his family but also eminent figures from various sectors of society, including politicians, military personnel, representatives of the clergy, media, and the arts, as well as former captives.

Among those present were Ukraines fifth president, Petro Poroshenko, MP Serhiy Rakhmanin, Chairman of the Crimean Tatar Mejlis Refat Chubarov, former Minister of Education Serhiy Kvit, and former Minister of Culture Volodymyr Borodyansky. Also, Anton Drovovych, the head of the Ukrainian Institute of National Memory, and former captives Volodymyr Zhemchuhov and Stanislav Aseyev paid their respects.

Ruslana Kravchenko / Hromadske Radio

Kozlovskyi, a prominent Ukrainian scholar, historian, and religious expert, died on Sept. 6, 2023, at the age of 69.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Read also: Commemoration service held for writer Victoria Amelina, killed in Russian missile attack

Kozlovskyi was born in Donetsk in 1954 and left an indelible mark on the field of religious studies. He authored 50 scientific works and over 200 scholarly articles in encyclopedias, periodicals, and dictionaries. One of his most celebrated works is the monograph titled History of Religion.

He was an esteemed member of the Ukrainian PEN Club and served as the senior research fellow at the Department of Religious Studies at the Skovoroda Institute of Philosophy of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine.

He held various leadership roles, including serving as the president of the Center for Religious Studies of the Ukrainian Association of Religious Studies, as well as the presidency of the public organization Center Discovery and vice presidency of the Ukrainian Center for Islamic Studies.

Read also: Kyiv mourns loss of legendary pilot in plane crash

Furthermore, he contributed his expertise as a member of the Expert Council on Freedom of Conscience and Religious Organizations under the Ministry of Culture of Ukraine.

Kozlovskyis unwavering commitment to Ukraine was evident when he chose to remain in the city following the Russian invasion in 2014, citing the health of his ailing son. Due to his staunch pro-Ukrainian stance, he was taken captive by DPR militants, enduring nearly two grueling years (700 days) of captivity and torture.

However, on Dec. 27, 2017, his spirit remained unbroken as he was successfully released as part of a major prisoner exchange.

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
Court of impeachment is displayed during Attorney General Ken Paxton's impeachment trial in the Texas Senate at the Capitol in Austin on Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2023.

The first week of suspended Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton 's impeachment trial came to a close Friday afternoon. By the end of day four, two witnesses had taken the stand Friday to describe what they viewed as misconduct by Paxton. Here are four takeaways from day four of the trial.

Former Texas Ranger testifies about Nate Paul, Ken Paxton

After a combative and rocky session on the witness stand Thursday, Ryan Vassar, a former attorney general's aide, on Friday clarified his previous comments made during testimony that several top attorney general's officers went to the FBI without hard evidence of Paxton's alleged misconduct.

Vassar was more composed Friday compared with his testimony a day earlier, when he became emotional when relating his experience with being called a rogue employee by his former boss.

Whistleblower Ryan Vassar answers questions from defense attorney Mitch Little on the fourth day of suspended Texas Attorney General Ken Paxtons impeachment trial in the Senate Chamber at the Texas Capitol on Friday, Sept. 8, 2023, in Austin, Texas.

He clarified that he and his colleagues shared their experience, which they considered to be evidence, with the FBI about working in Paxton's office during attempts by Nate Paul, a former Austin real estate developer and Paxton campaign donor, to direct the state agency's actions and use the office to his benefit.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

My opinion was that our experiences were evidence, but we did not conduct our own investigation to provide documentary evidence of what we had come to learn, Vassar said.

Later in the day, David Maxwell, a former Texas Ranger and the attorney general's former lead law enforcement officer, testified that he viewed Paul as a criminal from the outset of Paul's request to have the attorney general's office investigate law enforcement officers that were investigating Paul and had conducted a search of his home and business.

Witness David Maxwell, former director of law enforcement at the attorney general's office, testifies during day four of the impeachment trial for Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in the Senate Chamber at the Texas Capitol, Friday, Sept. 8, 2023, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

During a meeting with Paul it was clear that his request for an investigation was without merit and appeared to be based on a conspiracy theory, Maxwell testified, saying that he never wanted to meet Paul to begin with.

"My feeling was Nate Paul was a criminal and we should not be associating with Nate Paul," Maxwell said.

Media blacklist?

During Vassar's testimony Friday, a possible "media blacklist" held by the attorney general's office under Paxton's leadership came to light.

Specifically asked if he could point out Lauren McGaughy, a Dallas Morning News reporter who has covered Paxton for years, in the Senate gallery, Vassar was asked by Paxton defense attorney Mitch Little about the potential list.

"It's my understanding that the office said there was a list of certain reporters that were handled differently than other reporters," Vassar testified to Little's line of questioning, saying that McGaughy and others were dogged in reporting on Paxton's office.

More: 'It was ludicrous': Witness says Nate Paul investigation request to AG based on conspiracies

Later, in response to the media blacklist accusation, a spokesperson for the attorney general's office denied having such a list.

"The Office of the Attorney General does not keep a media 'blacklist' or anything resembling such a thing," communications director Paige Willey told the American-Statesman in an email.

"Just found out from witness testimony at the #PaxtonTrial that I am on a @txag media blacklist," McGaughy posted on X as the list was discussed on the Senate floor. "I have been reporting on the attorney general for a decade. My colleagues and I have broken many stories regardless of the blackout."

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick settles into the bench

At the outset of Paxton's impeachment trial, Patrick seemed a little uncomfortable navigating the pace of play between two legal teams with high-power and high-profile attorneys.

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick talks to the jury on the fourth day of suspended Texas Attorney General Ken Paxtons impeachment trial in the Senate Chamber at the Texas Capitol on Friday, Sept. 8, 2023, in Austin, Texas.

But, as the trial's fourth day closed before 5 p.m. Friday, Patrick appeared to have settled into his seat on the bench as he presides over the trial, making findings on objections and controlling the legal maneuverings of both sides.

Admitting evidence, swearing-in witnesses and stopping both sides from interrupting one another are a few facets of running the Senate chamber-turned-courtroom that Patrick has appeared to grow more comfortable in handling.

Patrick's work leading the court has also gained notice over the past day from his GOP colleagues.

"The unnoticed/unsung hero award of the impeachment trial goes to Dan Patrick," the Republican Party of Texas posted on X on Friday. "He has done an excellent job of keeping the trial fair and on track."

More: Ken Paxton impeachment trial live updates: Halfway over? Trial could be over a week from now.

Patrick throughout the proceeding has kept a light sense of humor, too. During a line of questioning earlier in the week from prosecutor Rusty Hardin in which he mistakenly conflated Paxton's name with Patrick's, Patrick made a quick response much to the amusement of those taking part in the proceeding and those watching in the gallery.

On Friday, Dick DeGuerin objected on the grounds of "hogwash," which got a rise from both sides and Patrick.

"Which rule is that Mr. DeGuerin?," Patrick said, jokingly asking where that objection could be found in the Senate's trial rules, receiving a laugh from the chamber.

On Thursday, Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, who previously served on the Texas Supreme Court and served as the state's attorney general, complemented Patrick's work while expressing displeasure with Paxton.

"The attorney general is the chief law enforcement officer of the state, so obviously these allegations are disturbing," Cornyn said. "The Texas Senate and the lieutenant governor are doing a good job listening impartially, not prejudging and giving the parties a chance to make their case."

How much of Ken Paxton's impeachment trial is left?

As the court of impeachment broke for lunch Friday, Patrick said the trial should cross the halfway mark by day's end.

At the time, House managers had roughly 15 hours remaining on their 24-hour clock for presenting arguments, while Paxton's team had 16 hours left.

Tony Buzbee, left, the defense attorney for Attorney General Ken Paxton, greets prosecuting attorney Dick DeGuerin at the impeachment trial fro Paxton at the Capitol on Tuesday September 5, 2023.

The afternoon session went for roughly another three and a half hours, spent between both sides during Maxwell's testimony, which ended around 4:30 p.m. Friday.

The trial, which has been rumored to last between three to six weeks, still has many witnesses left to testify as well as the Senate's votes on Paxton's impeachment charges and whether he will be barred from ever holding elected office in Texas if he's convicted on any article.

The trial is set to resume Monday at 9 a.m. and run through the week, possibly extending to Saturday, Patrick said earlier this week.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Ken Paxton impeachment trial: Key takeaways from Day 4
MERSIN, Turkey (Reuters) - A team of rescuers are ready to start moving an American cave explorer trapped more than 1,000 metres (3,280.84 ft) underground in southern Turkey and will have him out "within several days," Mersin Governor Ali Hamza Pehlivan said on Saturday.

Mark Dickey, 40, was on an international exploration mission in the Morca cave in Mersin province's Taurus mountains when he began suffering from gastrointestinal bleeding at a depth of 1,040 metres.

More than 150 rescuers from Turkey and other nations have been working to save him from the country's third deepest cave.

"Depending on the developments at the stations in between, hopefully the evacuation will have been completed within several days," Pehlivan told reporters.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Dickey's condition is "stable but fragile," Carl Heitmeyer, acting public information officer for the New Jersey Initial Response Team, said in an emailed statement. The cave, difficult, deep and muddy, is "very much eating up rescuers' gear," he added.

Footage from the operation showed Dickey lying inside the cave and receiving treatment by a medical team. Footage also showed other teams moving down the caves with ropes and making their way through narrow passages.

"This is a vertical cave with a lot of water," Agnes Berentes, a photographer with Dickey on the mission, told Reuters. "We have to use our vertical rope techniques. And it has a lot of narrow passages. This will be the hardest part of the areas of the rescue."

The rescue operation was divided into seven sections, each given to a team from a different country, due to its complexity, said Recep Salci, the head of search and rescue for Turkey's AFAD disaster management authority, on Friday.

(Reporting by Ali Kucukgocmen; Writing by Huseyin Hayatsever; Editing by Richard Chang)
The United States is likely to include long-range ATACMS missiles in a future military aid package to Ukraine.

Source: ABC News, referring to its sources

Details: ABC News noted that US President Joe Biden s administration is likely to provide Ukraine with long-range ATACMS missiles to help it fight the Russian invasion.

One of the officials noted that ATACMS are "coming" [to Ukraine  ed.]. However, the official added that plans to provide military assistance could be changed before an official announcement is made.

Another official said that the decision to provide missiles was already "on the table" and that ATACMS will likely be included in a future defence assistance package.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

He added that a final decision has not yet been made and that it could be months before Ukraine receives the missiles.

Previously: US President Joe Bidens administration has refused to transfer long-range ATACMS missiles to Ukraine, despite requests from Kyiv and pressure from US lawmakers.

Background:

The New York Times stated that the Biden administration was having a "quiet" debate about whether to send long-range tactical missile systems ATACMS to Ukraine.

At the same time, during the NATO summit in Vilnius, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that during his talks with US President Joe Biden, he had raised the issue of providing Ukraine with long-range ATACMS missiles but that no agreements had been reached.

Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron!
The US may send the Army Tactical Missile System to Ukraine, two officials told ABC News.

The missiles can hit targets 190 miles away  farther than Ukraine's existing ammo.

The US has long been reluctant to grant the weapons for fear of upsetting Russia.

US officials are likely to give Ukraine the long-range ATACMS missiles it has long sought, ABC News reported Friday .

It cited two US officials for the information, both of whom were granted anonymity.

The US has long been reluctant to send the Army Tactical Missile System.

The missile system would be a significant boost to Ukraine. Its range of some 190 miles allows it to strike farther than other US-provided systems.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

ATACMS is a type of ammunition that can be fired from the HIMARS launchers the US has already given Ukraine. It would be a big upgrade from Ukraine's HIMARS rounds, which can travel 50 miles.

Ukraine has other long-range-strike options, such as the British-provided Storm Shadow cruise missile, but supplies are tightly constrained.

Ben Hodges, a retired US general, previously told Insider that ATACMS would allow Ukraine to reach targets beyond Russia's defensive line and destroy headquarters and logistics sites .

Neither of ABC's sources was certain the new weapon would be approved. One said "they are coming" but added that the plan could be reversed. The second said they were "on the table" for future assistance packages.

A representative for the Department of Defense told Insider that the agency was aware of the report but that "no decision has been made to provide ATACMS at this time, and we have no security assistance announcements to make today."

The Wall Street Journal reported in June that officials were opening up to the idea of providing ATACMS.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has long said that his forces need the ATACMS to fight Russia.

Zelenskyy and President Joe Biden discussed ATACMS in person at a NATO summit in July but didn't reach a conclusion on what to do.

The US has resisted granting ATACMS to Ukraine, worrying that Russia's President Vladimir Putin could escalate the conflict.

It and other Western allies made similar arguments about initially declining to send equipment such as HIMARS, tanks, and cluster munitions, all of which were later sent.

In a September 2022 article, The New York Times characterized the US approach as "boiling the frog"  gradually increasing its assistance to Ukraine without making any single move so large as to prompt a big response from Russia.

Ukrainian officials have argued, in response, that delays in sending equipment are prolonging the war and leading to the deaths of its troops.

Representatives for Ukraine's Ministry of Defense and the White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Read the original article on Business Insider
The United States is contemplating the inclusion of long-range ATACMS missiles in an imminent military assistance package destined for Ukraine, U.S. television news channel ABC News reported on Sept. 9, citing their sources.

The channel said that the administration of U.S. President Joe Biden was likely to provide Ukraine with ATACMS missiles to aid in its defense against potential Russian aggression.

One official said that ATACMS missiles were coming to Ukraine. However, the official added that plans for military assistance could change before an official announcement is made.

Read also: Kuleba and Blinken further discuss ATACMS missiles

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Another official stated that the decision to provide missiles is already on the table, and ATACMS missiles are likely to be included in a future security assistance package. He further added that a final decision has not yet been made, and it may take months before Ukraine receives the missiles.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, during his visit to Kyiv on Sept. 6, announced over a billion dollars in aid to Ukraine.

Read also: Kuleba and Blinken further discuss ATACMS missiles

Blinken, during his meeting with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, acknowledged Ukraine had made significant progress during its counter-offensive against Russian invasion forces.

Read also: Who is delaying transfer of F-16s and ATACMS missiles to Ukraine, and why  expert interview

Additionally, the United States officially announced a new military aid package for Ukraine, which includes depleted uranium munitions.

The $175 million aid package encompasses additional anti-aircraft equipment, artillery ammunition, anti-tank weapons, and other equipment.

This marks Blinkens third visit to Ukraine since the beginning of Russias invasion. On April 25, 2022, Blinken, along with U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, also met with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv.

Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron!

Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
(Bloomberg) -- The US signed an agreement with India, Middle Eastern countries and the European Union aimed at connecting them via a network of railways and sea routes, a development that comes as China builds its influence across the energy-rich region.

Most Read from Bloomberg

The US has been quietly holding talks since January on the project with India, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Israel. The plan is to link Middle Eastern countries by rail and to India through shipping lanes from ports in the region, extending on to eastern Europe.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

This is a game-changing regional investment, US President Joe Biden said at an event announcing the plans. He thanked Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Indias Prime Minister Narendra Modi , who sat between them.

US, India and Gulf States Pushing Ahead With Plans for Rail Deal

The Saudi prince also commended Biden, and they shook hands, appearing to want to emphasize improved relations after long-running frictions that flared again last year over oil.

The India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor will integrate railway lines and port connections from India to Europe, across UAE, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Israel, leading to faster transit of goods.

The project will develop energy infrastructure and enable the production and transport of green hydrogen to all partner countries. It includes a new undersea cable connecting the region to improve telecommunications and data transfers.

Is Quiet Diplomacy Remaking the Middle East?: Balance of Power

Leaders will also develop a trans-African corridor to improve transport connections between the Katanga region of the Democratic Republic of Congo and the so-called Copper Belt in Zambia to Lobito port in Angola. The US and the EU are also backing this project, known as the Lobito Corridor.

The Middle East plan is more than just an infrastructure project, US Deputy National Security Adviser Jonathan Finer told reporters, saying the overall strategy was focused on turning the temperature down in a region that was historically a net exporter of turbulence and insecurity.

The US declined to give a timeline for completion but Bidens senior adviser Amos Hochstein said countries would meet within the next 60 days to discuss that.

US officials dismissed the idea the project was about countering Chinese influence in emerging markets. But a French diplomat said there was competition with Chinas Belt and Road Initiative and that it was not necessarily a bad thing. Countries were also looking at how to involve Egypt in the plans.

The rail link will increase the speed of trade between India and Europe by 40%, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said.

US allies Saudi Arabia and the UAE have been moving closer to Beijing as they seek to strengthen ties with fast-growing economies to the east. Last month, Saudi Arabia and the UAE said they were joining the BRICS group of emerging-market nations after China led a push to open up membership of the bloc that was eventually backed by India.

The US and the EU have in recent years sought to counter President Xi Jinpings Belt and Road Initiative, which has financed hundreds of billions of dollars worth of infrastructure in emerging markets. China has also boosted ties with the Middle East, helping to broker a detente between Saudi Arabia and Iran earlier this year.

--With assistance from Samy Adghirni.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2023 Bloomberg L.P.
By Nandita Bose, Francesco Guarascio and Trevor Hunnicutt

HANOI/WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. President Joe Biden on Sunday secured deals with Vietnam on semiconductors and minerals as the strategic Southeast Asian nation lifted Washington to Hanoi's highest diplomatic status alongside China and Russia.

The U.S. has been pushing for the upgrade for months as it sees the manufacturing dynamo as a key country in its strategy to secure global supply chains from China-related risks.

A half-century after a lengthy and brutal Cold War-era conflict, Biden arrived in Hanoi to a ceremony organised by the ruling Communist Party that included school children waving American flags and honour guards carrying bayoneted rifles.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Biden noted the strides that had been taken toward improved ties.

"We can trace a 50-year arc of progress between our nations, from conflict to normalization, to this new elevated status," he said.

The partnership with Vietnam is part of the Biden administration's push "to demonstrate to our our Indo-Pacific partners and to the world, the United States is a Pacific nation and we're not going anywhere," Biden told reporters after the meeting in Hanoi.

Vietnam is navigating frosty relations between Washington and Beijing as the tech and textile exporter seeks its own foothold in the international competition to be a low-cost manufacturing hub.

Top Chinese officials, possibly including President Xi Jinping, are expected to visit Vietnam in the coming days or weeks, officials and diplomats said, as Hanoi seeks to maintain good relations with all super powers.

Biden also said in Hanoi he had talked with Xi's deputy at the G20, and that the two talked about stability.

Communist Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, 79, remarked on the 80-year-old U.S. president's appearance inside party headquarters, saying "You have nary aged a day and I would say you look even better than before."

RUSSIAN ARMS TALKS

Vietnam's longstanding relationship with Russia faces tests over the war in Ukraine, including talks with Moscow over a new arms supply deal that could trigger U.S. sanctions.

Reuters has seen documents describing talks for a credit facility that Russia would extend to Vietnam to buy heavy weaponry, including anti-ship missiles, antisubmarine aircraft and helicopters, antiaircraft missile systems and fighter jets.

One of them, a letter sent in May by Vietnam's Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh to the Russian government, showed interest in the possible new deal.

A Vietnamese military officer confirmed the authenticity of the letter and the talks for a new $8 billion credit facility to buy heavy weaponry.

A spokesperson for Vietnam's foreign ministry did not respond to multiple requests for comment on the documents, which show Moscow pushing for months for a loan deal that would bypass Western sanctions on Moscow.

Hanoi is in similar talks with multiple arms suppliers, including the United States. In recent weeks, Vietnam has engaged in several high-level defence meetings with top Russian officials.

The U.S.- Vietnam upgrade will include a security dimension, Jon Finer, the U.S. principal deputy national security adviser, told reporters on Sunday, while on the plane with Biden to Vietnam from a Group of 20 summit in India.

He said he had no arms deals to announce at this stage but stressed that the U.S. and its partners could offer Vietnam help to diversify away from Russian military supplies, an offer which he said Vietnam was receptive to.

That would help Vietnam reduce military reliance on Moscow, "a relationship we think they are increasingly uncomfortable with," Finer said.

CHIPS, RARE EARTHS

Biden's visit comes as bilateral trade and investment ties are growing and a long-simmering territorial dispute between Vietnam and China heats up in the South China Sea.

Vietnam Airlines is expected to sign an initial agreement to buy about 50 Boeing (BA.N) 737 Max jets in a deal valued at $10 billion, timed to the trip.

Highlighting Vietnam's growing importance as a "friendshoring" destination for U.S. technology companies, executives from Google, Intel, Amkor, Marvell, GlobalFoundries and Boeing are expected to meet on Monday with Vietnamese tech executives and Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Hanoi.

Still, semiconductors are the centrepiece of an action plan adopted during Biden's visit, U.S. officials said.

Besides possible announcements by U.S. corporations, it is unclear what else the the partnership could mean. The US government has $100 million a year for five years available under the CHIPS Act to support semiconductor supply chains globally. A large part of it could go to Vietnam, officials said.

More support to train skilled workers is also part of the deal, as Vietnam faces a major shortage of engineers in the chips sector.

Another key issue is strengthening supply chains of critical minerals, especially rare earths, of which Vietnam has the world's largest deposits after China, according to U.S. estimates, officials said.

Two people familiar with the plans said an agreement on rare earths was expected during Biden's visit, which ends on Monday when he flies back to America.

Details, however, are scant. Past attempts by U.S. companies to partner with Vietnamese rare earth firms have not succeeded, according to a person involved in one recent plan.

Human rights remain a controversial issue, with U.S. officials regularly criticising Hanoi for jailing activists and limiting freedom of expression. Vietnam may show goodwill, with diplomats suggesting activists could be freed.

(Reporting by Nandita Bose, Francesco Guarascio, Trevor Hunnicutt, Khanh Vu; Editing by Heather Timmons, Chizu Nomiyama, William Mallard, Christina Fincher and Cynthia Osterman)
TRIPOLI, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- The International Organization for Migration (IOM) on Friday said it repatriated 151 illegal Bangladeshi migrants from Libya.

"This week, IOM assisted 151 migrants to safely return home to Bangladesh through the VHR (Voluntary Humanitarian Return) program in a charter flight from Benghazi to Dhaka," IOM said in a statement.

On Wednesday, Libyan Interior Minister Emad al-Tarabelsi repatriated 270 illegal migrants, confirming that more illegal migrants will be deported from Libya soon.

Due to the insecurity and chaos in the country since the fall of late leader Muammar Gaddafi's regime in 2011, many migrants, mostly Africans, chose to cross the Mediterranean Sea to European shores from Libya.

So far this year, a total of 10,646 illegal migrants have been rescued and returned to Libya, according to the IOM. 
Vicky Krieps poses for a portrait to promote the film " The Dead Don't Hurt" during the Toronto International Film Festival, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023, in Toronto. (Photo by Joel C Ryan/Invision/AP)

TORONTO (AP)  Vicky Krieps noticed that while theres plenty of instruction for getting into a role, there's curiously little about getting out of one.

For Krieps, the disarmingly natural Luxembourgish actor of Phantom Thread,Corsage and Bergman Island, its not a small issue. It may even be the most important part of the process. If she's still stuck the headspace of a character, she can't keep moving forward.

After struggling in the aftermath of her breakthrough in Paul Thomas Andersons  Phantom Thread , in which she starred opposite Daniel Day-Lewis , Krieps found a solution. She could put a capstone on the character through music.

I have to leave my characters in a peaceful way and say: Now she lives in song, says Krieps.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Krieps, 39, has since followed every performance by writing a song for the character. She sings and plays acoustic guitar. She's currently recording an album of those songs but she took a break to travel to the Toronto International Film Festival for the premiere of her latest film, The Dead Dont Hurt, directed by Viggo Mortensen.

The film, Mortensens second and most accomplished directing effort, is a Western from a different, more feminist perspective. Mortensen plays a Danish immigrant named Holger who meets the French-Canadian Vivienne (Krieps) in San Francisco. They soon settle down in a corrupt Nevada town, but Holger is compelled to join the Union Army. Vivienne is left in their remote cabin, and is brutally raped while Holger is away.

Viviennes song, Krieps says, is sad and dark.

It starts as a lullaby of a woman singing her child to sleep, Krieps says, sipping tea in a hotel restaurant. And it always breaks off when she says, I cant sleep. I cant close my eyes. There's the hope of him coming back. At the same time, this is something thats been done to women over centuries.

The Dead Dont Hurt, one of the highlights among the films on sale in Toronto, received an interim agreement for promotion from the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Radio and Television Artists since it was an independent production and doesnt yet have a distributor. Krieps is also to receive a tribute award at the festival.

The film is the latest in a naturally evolving project for Krieps of playing women throughout history who reject the social conventions of their times. In last years acclaimed Corsage, she played the much constricted, independently minded 19th century Austrian Empress Elisabeth. In the 50s-set Phantom Thread, only her Alma is capable of countering a battle of wills with Day-Lewiss fastidious couturier Reynolds Woodcock. In The Dead Dont Hurt, Vivienne packs her bags to flee after the assault, then puts them down and resolves to stay.

At one point you have to ask yourself: What are you living for? I do believe that something is changing for women and Im part of this. I can tap into my grandmothers and great-grandmothers and also try to connect with whos coming and who was before," says Krieps. "I dont really know why. I just know thats how it feels. I think the dialogue is broken between men and women because women learned to hide the wound.

Since 2017's Phantom Thread," Krieps has emerged as one the movies most authentic, instinctive and defiant screen presences. It's not an act, either. Krieps, who lives in Berlin with her partner and two children, is herself a force of stubborn independence.

She doesnt like to rehearse. Every take she does differently. Shes willing, she says, to risk a scene being bad in order to make it real.

And I believe inside: They cant tell me what to do, says Krieps, smiling. I was working with Gabriel Garcia Bernal, and he was like, I think this director really wants us to say the lines. And I said, I dont care. They cannot tell me what to do. And he looked at me rather impressed.

For me, art is like a wild creature, she adds. To tame it, you pretend that youre not seeing it. But, of course, I want it to come to me so badly.

This rebellious streak in Krieps is clearly present in other parts of her life. She describes being resentful of a streaming service that, after she had played Hitchcock, would recommend only things like Tomb Raider."

Youre trying to (expletive) influence me! she says. And by chance, its made by you as well. What a coincidence! Thats why the system is (expletive). Its hiding good cinema.

Krieps, a deeply anti-algorithm actor, has sensed that her progress in the film industry, too, could become its own construct. She has, she says, tried to work frequently with first or second-time directors. She's turned down many more Hollywood offers than she's accepted.

If I get too comfortable, then I might be led into superficial things as well, Krieps says. As an actor, you could be easily led into some life thats not your life. You start thinking of who you are as an actor. Oh, Im this guy, or Im this woman. Thats what they like me for. All this stuff and the gifts and the parties, the I love you and I love you too! Its like foam. It goes up and up and then theres nothing left thats actually real.

___

Follow AP Film Writer Jake Coyle on Twitter at: http://twitter.com/jakecoyleAP
FILE- Armed tribal Kuki community members patrol near a de facto front-line dissecting the area into two ethnic zones in Churachandpur, in Manipur, India, June 20, 2023. Police say at least two people have been killed in an exchange of gunfire with security forces in a troubled northeastern state. The shootout took place in the east Pallel village area in Manipur state on Friday. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri, File) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

GUWAHATI, India (AP)  Violence erupted in India's northeastern state with a history of ethnic clashes when armed men exchanged gunfire with security forces, leaving at least two dead, police said Saturday.

The shootout took place in Pallel village in Manipur state on Friday, the police said in a statement. As reports of the shooting spread, hundreds of people belonging to the majority Meiti community rushed to the spot fearing attacks by the minority Kuki ethnic group.

Police said they fired tear gas. One army officer and three police were among 140 people injured, police said.

The police reported two deaths on Friday, but the Press Trust of India news agency said another person succumbed to head injuries in a hospital on Saturday.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

The police tweeted the shootout was not between rival communities but involved unidentified armed men and security forces.

Manipur has been wracked by ethnic violence since early May between the two dominant ethnic groups. More than 150 people have been killed and over 60,000 displaced.

The unrest broke out when Christian Kukis protested a demand by the mostly Hindu Meiteis for a special status that would let them buy land in the hills populated by Kukis and other tribal groups. The clashes have persisted despite the armys presence in Manipur, a state of 3.7 million people tucked in the mountains on Indias border with Myanmar.
the curvature of Earth can be seen behind a silver spaceplane

Virgin Galactic now has three commercial spaceflights under its belt.

The company launched its Galactic 03 mission today (Sept. 8), sending three of its longest-standing ticketholders to suborbital space from Spaceport America in New Mexico.

"Welcome back to Earth, #Galactic03! Our pilots, crew and spaceship have landed safely at @Spaceport_NM," the company wrote in a post on X (formerly known as Twitter) after the flight concluded.

Related: Virgin Galactic launches 1st mother-daughter team and 1st Olympian to space on 2nd commercial flight (video)

the curvature of Earth can be seen behind a silver spaceplane

The flight began at 10:34 a.m. EDT (1434 GMT) today, when Virgin Galactic's VSS Unity space plane lifted off beneath the wings its carrier craft, VMS Eve. Eve dropped Unity as planned at an altitude of 44,867 feet (13,675 meters), and the space plane then made its own way to the final frontier.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Aboard Unity were the three paying customers, who were among the first people to buy a ticket to fly with the company. They booked their seats as early as 2005, Virgin Galactic said in a preflight statement. (Virgin Galactic charged $200,000 per seat back in 2005, compared to $450,000 today.)

The passengers were investor Ken Baxter from the United States, the first person to buy a civilian ticket for a Virgin Galactic tourist flight; Timothy Nash, an investor from South Africa; and Adrian Reynard, founder of Reynard Motorsport, from the United Kingdom.

three men smile in blue flight suits

The trio flew in Unity's cabin with Beth Moses, the company's chief astronaut instructor. In the space plane's cockpit were pilots Nicola Pecile and Michael Masucci.

The Galactic 03 crew experienced a few minutes of weightlessness and got to see Earth against the blackness of space. Their experience came to an end at 11:36 a.m. EDT (1536 GMT), when Unity touched down back at Spaceport America.

three men in dark blue flight suits float weightless inside an airplane cabin

Virgin Galactic didn't livestream today's mission; it provided the above details via social media updates. The company also did not identify the three Galactic 03 customers in the days leading up to liftoff, which was a departure from previous procedures.

a silver space plane lands on a runway

RELATED STORIES:

 Meet the crew of Virgin Galactic's 1st commercial spaceflight

 Meet the crew of Virgin Galactic's 2nd commercial spaceflight

 Space tourism companies might learn a lesson from the Titan sub disaster. But are they ready to listen?

The Galactic 03 trio just became Virgin Galactic's 14th, 15th and 16th astronauts. The company has now flown three commercial missions in less than three months, and eight spaceflights overall. The other two commercial flights, Galactic 01 and Galactic 02, launched on June 29 and Aug. 10, respectively.

Virgin Galactic plans to continue launching Unity roughly once per month for the foreseeable future. But the cadence will pick up considerably a few years from now, if all goes according to plan: In 2026, Virgin Galactic plans to start bringing online its new "Delta class" of space planes, which will be capable of flying once per week.

Virgin Galactic has one chief competitor in the suborbital tourism business: Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin, which flies people to the final frontier aboard its New Shepard vehicle. But New Shepard hasn't flown in nearly a year; the craft suffered an anomaly during an uncrewed research flight on Sept. 12, 2022 and hasn't left the ground since.

Editor's note: This story was updated at 3:15 p.m. EDT on Sept. 8 with flight statistics provided by Virgin Galactic. It was also corrected to state that Beth Moses, not Colin Bennett, was the astronaut instructor on board today's flight.
Vivek Ramaswamy has positioned himself as the hardline immigration candidate in the 2024 race, thanks to one of his latest interviews with reporters on the campaign trail.

The Republican businessman spoke to NBC News on the sidelines of a town hall event in Orange City, Iowa on Friday as he makes a play to win the first-in-the-nation caucus state out from under Ron DeSantis. The Florida governor is currently leading a pack of would-be alternatives to Donald Trump , the clear frontrunner for the GOP nomination, including Mr Ramaswamy.

Asked by the news network to explain how children of undocumented immigrants would be treated under his administration if they themselves were born in the United States, Mr Ramaswamy replied: "The family unit will be deported.

When NBC asked him to clarify if that included children born in the US, he stated, that is correct.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

His position is a direct challenge to the concept of birthright citizenship, something that has been an established constitutional right for more than a century. Under the 14th Amendment, all persons born in the United States, without exception, are granted citizenship automatically. The text leaves very little wiggle room, reading: All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States.

But Mr Ramaswamy and others believe that the language can be interpreted to exclude the children of people who crossed the border to enter and reside in the United States illegally, an argument not yet supported by reality but one that could theoretically change given the nature of the Supreme Court, now helmed by a conservative majority which has already seen fit to erase decades of precedent protecting the right to an abortion nationwide. He insisted that those arguments remain contested in his interview with NBC.

There are legally contested questions under the 14th Amendment of whether the child of an illegal immigrant is indeed a child who enjoys birthright citizenship, he said. They are contested.

His position could very well end up being a repeat performance of Donald Trumps promises to the extreme far right on the issue of immigration during his 2016 campaign, when he pledged to complete construction of fencing across the entire US-Mexico border at the latters expense. He also promised a massive surge of deportations to total in the millions; neither promise was kept.

Mr Ramaswamys likely inability to deliver on his promise to rewrite the 14th Amendments meaning, even should he be elected president, would just be another point in a long list of disappointments for the hardline anti-immigration right, which has seen its goals constantly blunted by political and legal realities after being repeatedly championed by conservative politicians.

He has made bold claims about the level of transformation he will be able to bring to the federal government throughout his campaign. On Sunday, he continued to do so, vowing to lay out how he would dismantle the Department of Education in an upcoming speech.

My speech next Wednesday in D.C. will directly address this: exactly *how* we will shut down the U.S. Department of Education based on *existing* legal authority. https://t.co/Crb4htgV91  Vivek Ramaswamy (@VivekGRamaswamy) September 9, 2023

In Iowa, Mr Ramaswamy remains competitive among the tier of non-Trump candidates, and has already overtaken one sitting politician, Sen Tim Scott, in polling despite being a total political newcomer.

At last months GOP debate, he presented a fiery case for his brand of insurgent politics, while clashing with experienced Washington veterans onstage like Nikki Haley.
Europe's next-generation heavy-lift rocket just took a big step towards its first, much-awaited launch.

The rocket's core stage Vulcain 2.1 engine burned liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen for four seconds on a launch pad at Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana on Sept. 5.

The hot firing went smoothly and to plan, following earlier delays to the test schedule. It marks significant progress as the European Space Agency (ESA) and the rocket's developers look to get the launcher flying next year .

Related: Europe hopes to announce Ariane 6 debut flight date by the end of October

a rocket engine blasts out a plume of blue flame

ESA oversaw the test conducted by French space agency CNES and prime contractor ArianeGroup. It involved a launch sequence and final countdown representative of a launch, ESA said.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

"This successful hot-fire test of the core stage supplements the test performed on July 18 and is a major step towards qualification of Ariane 6, because we have notably validated all the operations needed to run a complete launch campaign," said Martin Sion, CEO of ArianeGroup, in a statement .

The rocket used for testing won't be taking to the skies, however.

"The Ariane 6 rocket now installed on the launch pad is not intended for flight  the solid rocket boosters are inert  but it is almost identical to a flight model for purposes of testing," an ESA statement read .

Ariane 6 is Europe's new-generation, expendable launcher that will take over from the recently retired workhorse Ariane 5 .

It was originally planned to begin flights in 2020 but has been hit by a series of delays. The launcher is now, however, entering the final stretches of its test campaign.

RELATED STORIES:

 Europe won't have reusable rockets for another decade: report

 See Europe's powerful new Ariane 6 rocket on launch pad (photos)

 See Europe's powerful new Ariane 6 rocket on launch pad (photos)

The rocket's upper stage performed a came through a hot fire test at the German Aerospace Center's (DLR) facilities in Lampoldshausen, Germany, on Sept. 1.

Next up, a test scheduled for Oct. 3 will see the rocket's Vulcain 2.1 engine fire for 470 seconds.

If all goes well, Europe hopes to announce the date for the Ariane 6 debut flight by the end of October.
LEMOORE, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE)  The community-centric event, Evening of HOPE, was hosted by the West Hills College in Lemoore, welcoming community members for a unity evening, the West Hills Community College District announced on Friday.

College officials say Evening of HOPE showcased the power of collaboration, bringing together people from all walks of life and uniting the Kings County community with the college community.

Attendees were able to enjoy several food vendors: Gottis Kitchen, Acai Bar, KKs Kettlecorn, Wicked Waffle, Sweet Crum, and Sugar Mutt Cotton Candy.

The event started with a Santa Rosa Rancheria land acknowledgment, recognizing the deep ancestral ties to the land on which the college stands. Officials say the gesture underscored the importance of cultural awareness and appreciation.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Photo Courtesy: West Hills Community College District

Photo Courtesy: West Hills Community College District

Photo Courtesy: West Hills Community College District

As the evening unfolded, officials say the Fresno African Drumming Groups rhythmic beats filled the air, transporting attendees to the heart of Africa.

Tonight was a resounding success; we like to say we are putting the community back in community college, said James Preston, President of West Hills College Lemoore. We are dedicated to creating an environment where everyone feels welcome, and Evening of HOPE is just the beginning of what we hope to achieve together.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to YourCentralValley.com.
After seven years in the Westwood Regional School District, Superintendent Jill Mortimer is planning to retire by next year.

I am incredibly grateful to the staff and community for their support as I transitioned from assistant superintendent to superintendent, Mortimer said. I have worked hard to write parent and staff letters that are timely, highly informative, and reflect my high level of care for the district."

Mortimer, 55, announced her intention to staff and parents on Aug. 28. She said she always planned to retire in her mid-50s.

I vacillated most of the summer, but then I finally made up my mind, she said. I am open to doing interim work in the future, but I want to travel first.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Mortimer said she is hopeful that the school board finds a suitable candidate for July 1, but will consider staying on longer if the search goes on longer than anticipated.

She said the decision was entirely due to her previous plans and that recent school board meetings have not been a factor in her decision. In the past few months, tensions between the school board and the community have come to a boil, with hours-long meetings where teachers and LGBTQ+ students have complained that a new board majority is trying to police discussion about sex, gender identity and other hot-button topics.

I have worked in high-tension situations before; it is part of the job, Mortimer said. Leaving because of it would not be reflective of my character.

Mortimer has worked in education for 31 years, nine of them in the Westwood Regional School District, which serves students in Westwood and Washington Township. She started her career as an English teacher in Elizabeth High School and later at Midland Park High School. She later moved to Northern Highlands for 11 years as the districts regional director of curriculum and instruction for the school and its four sending districts.

After earning a doctorate in 2011, she served as superintendent and principal in Moonachie and superintendent in Hawthorne before moving to Westwood as its assistant superintendent. She spent seven years in that position before becoming acting superintendent 2021, when Superintendent Raymond Gonzalez left to take a position in Westfield. She formally became superintendent at the beginning of 2022.

Mortimer left on medical leave earlier this year, and the district was temporarily led by interim Superintendent Kenneth Rota, who abruptly resigned from the position in June after a series of heated school board meetings, citing personal reasons. Mortimer returned to the district that month.

During her time in Westwood, Mortimer said, she was proud of the curriculum work she did, such as revamping elementary programming. She said the district has seen an increase in state test scores, with the percentage of students meeting or exceeding expectations in English language arts increasing from 66% in the 2015-2016 school year to 76% in 2018-2019.

Going forward, Mortimer said, the district is in a good financial stage thanks to the business administrators and current and previous school boards. She said she looks forward to the completion of the high school's media center renovation and the installation of air conditioning in the elementary schools.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Westwood NJ schools superintendent announces plans to retire
CAIRO, Sept. 9 (Xinhua) -- The United States must end its use of violence and aggression and work toward creating peace and stability worldwide, a political expert based in Egypt has said.

"The United States has a long history of military intervention and expansion as it has waged war against Native Americans, invaded Canada, fought Mexico and annexed Hawaii," Mohamed Elchime, professor of political science at Helwan University in Egypt, told Xinhua in a recent interview.

Xinhua Institute, the think tank of Xinhua News Agency, released a report titled Origins, Facts and Perils of U.S. Military Hegemony on Tuesday, with some experts joining the event in person and virtually, including Elchime.

After World War II, the United States has been involved in numerous conflicts, including the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Gulf War and the War in Afghanistan, Elchime said.

America also has a vast network of military bases worldwide, with troops deployed in more than 150 countries, the expert added.

The wars and military operations launched by the United States since 2001 in the name of fighting terrorism have claimed over 900,000 lives, including more than 335,000 civilians, according to Elchime.

"The 2003 Iraq War resulted in the deaths of hundreds of thousands of Iraqi civilians, and the U.S.-led war in Afghanistan displaced millions of people," Elchime said.

The U.S. wars and interventions have caused immense human suffering and instability around the world, the expert said, adding that the United States must change its ways and adopt a more peaceful and cooperative approach to handling foreign relations.

He stressed that the United States should cut its military budget, end its practice of overseas military interventions, and promote diplomacy and dialogue as a way to resolve conflicts.

The stated use of U.S. military power is to deter aggression and promote stability, but its actions bring the opposite, Elchime noted.

He said America's military superiority always brings instability, conflict or arms races, with other countries seeking to match or surpass its capabilities. "It can increase the risk of miscalculation and accidental war, as the U.S. may be tempted to use its military power without fully considering the consequences."

He noted that the U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003 was widely seen as an act of aggression destabilizing the region. Its military presence in the Middle East has bred resentment among many residents.

Elchime told Xinhua that the impact of the U.S. military on international peace and security will depend on several factors, including the country's choices about how to deploy its military power. 
Despite rising coronavirus outbreaks across Los Angeles County, officials said they have no plans for new public mask mandates  a sign of how COVID-19 policies have changed in an era of plentiful vaccines, lower death rates and back-to-normal culture.

More coronavirus outbreaks have hit some workplaces and schools in recent weeks. But COVID-19 is no longer stressing hospital systems as it did more than a year and a half ago, and health officials say they are not alarmed by the spread.

The theoretical threshold at which health officials would seriously consider a new mask mandate now would essentially be catastrophic and unanticipated. It would likely be on the table only in reaction to a severe rise in deaths and a disastrous collapse in the ability of vaccines, natural immunity and therapeutic drugs to offer protection against severe COVID.

"I'm really not focused on masks coming back as a mandate," county Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer said in an interview.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

"If we ever felt like we needed to return to everybody needing to put their mask back on again, I think we would be in bad shape and most people would want to put their mask on," she said. "We have such good tools right now that we really shouldn't get there."

Read more: COVID outbreaks hit workplaces, schools across California as summer illnesses worsen

The last universal mask mandate in the nation's most-populous county ended 18 months ago, as the region emerged from the first Omicron wave  the second-deadliest local surge of the pandemic. Many other government-imposed measures, like vaccination requirements, have also generally ended, even for healthcare workers.

Workplaces in California can still choose to require COVID-19 vaccination as a condition of employment or mandate masks in their facilities.

In lieu of mandates, masking is a matter of personal preference  one that can be influenced by one's own behavior, health history, living or work situation, or overall transmission trends.

Amid this latest summer coronavirus uptick, Ferrer said she has noticed more people masking up. Even in her own agency, many employees are wearing masks in part because they've had exposures to people with confirmed coronavirus infections.

Read more: Despite uptick in infections, Huntington Beach moves to ban COVID-19 vaccine and mask mandates

Ferrer noted that L.A. County is recording an average of one death a day from COVID-19, a number that has remained stable despite the increase in coronavirus circulation. The number could very well rise over time, since deaths are a lagging indicator of coronavirus spread, but the fact that it hasn't yet so far is notable.

Health officials say the sweeping actions mandated by government officials earlier in the pandemic were aimed at keeping hospitals from being so overwhelmed by COVID-19 patients that doctors would be forced to ration care  a fear that came close to reality before vaccines were widely available. During the pandemic's first winter, hospital morgues were so overwhelmed the National Guard was called in to help transport corpses.

But thanks to effective vaccines, the development of anti-COVID therapeutic drugs like Paxlovid and years of built-up community immunity from prior infections, the risk of dying from or becoming seriously ill with COVID-19 is now much lower  making more forceful interventions such as mask mandates unnecessary.

"For the last few weeks here in L.A. County, we're still averaging about one, one and a half recorded new deaths a day," Ferrer said. "When deaths go down to a much lower level, that is a compelling argument that we're in a new stage of this pandemic."

Read more: New COVID vaccine, due as early as next week, appears to work well against Pirola subvariant

There are still plenty of reasons people may choose to wear masks, health officials say, and for them to be required in limited situations. The California Division of Occupational Safety and Health, or Cal/OSHA, generally requires that employees who have been exposed during an active worksite COVID-19 outbreak temporarily mask up to quell spread of the virus.

Ferrer suggested that people wear masks at healthcare facilities and on public transit, and that higher-risk residents wear them in crowded indoor places.

Other California counties do have mask requirements still on the books, but they are limited. San Francisco requires healthcare employees to wear a mask when around patients, a mandate that was dropped by L.A. County on Aug. 11. Most other California counties ended masking requirements for healthcare employees in April.

It would be reasonable, health officials say, to expect that mask requirements could be reinstated in some places, such as hospitals and nursing homes, should conditions warrant. Kaiser Santa Rosa recently instated a mask requirement for healthcare employees due to the rise in local coronavirus transmission.

Read more: COVID-19 is 'heating up all around' this summer. Should we be wearing masks again?

These are "places where people are really sick, really vulnerable," Ferrer said. "Already, now we recommend that people start putting their masks back on in skilled nursing facilities. It's a recommendation unless there's an outbreak, in which case everyone has to mask up."

Once the coronavirus enters a skilled nursing facility, there's often rapid spread. Ferrer said that more than 20% of outbreaks at such facilities involve more than 25 residents.

In Santa Clara County, Northern California's most populous, masks will again be required for generally everyone in healthcare facilities from Nov. 1 through March 31, its designated "winter respiratory virus period."

Alameda County, the region's second-most populous, requires skilled nursing facility employees to wear masks in patient-care areas.

L.A. County health officials recommend that people who have been in close contact with someone infected with the coronavirus mask up for 10 days from the last day they were exposed. Also, anyone who has any respiratory symptoms, such as a cough, runny nose or sore throat, should also wear a covering if they need to be around people.

Read more: California's COVID comeback intensifies, but officials say there's no cause for alarm

The county also recommends that people with COVID-19 isolate and stay home for at least five days after their first symptoms or positive test, whichever comes first, and wear a mask when around others, such as family members or roommates.

People can end isolation as early as Day 6 if their symptoms are mild and improving and they've been fever-free for 24 hours without needing to take fever-reducing medicine. But officials recommend getting a negative rapid test result before doing so. People can also end isolation after a full 10 days without testing.

If someone does exit isolation after five days, officials suggest they should continue wearing a mask between Days 6 and 10. However, people may stop wearing a mask within this time period if they have two negative COVID-19 tests in a row, taken at least a day apart.

Earlier in the summer, when COVID-19 levels were quite low, a number of health experts stopped wearing masks as much as they once did. Ferrer said she wasn't wearing one in well-ventilated, uncrowded grocery stores. But with coronavirus levels higher now, she said she'd be especially sure to wear a mask, say, when going to an indoor play or concert hall.

Read more: A coronavirus mystery: Why New York was hit so much harder than L.A. County

A key reason why Ferrer says she continues to mask up in indoor crowded situations is that she'd like to avoid getting long COVID.

While long COVID sometimes seems to correlate with more severe illness, there are people who had a very mild acute COVID case yet still end up with symptoms that develop and endure long past their initial infection, Ferrer said.

"I think for those of us who are cautious by nature, we're going to be more cautious when we see that transmission rates are going up," said Ferrer, who has never been diagnosed with COVID-19.

Ferrer encouraged people to make plans now to get vaccinated for COVID-19 and flu. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention could take action as early as Tuesday to recommend an updated vaccine, and the new shot could be available in L.A. County as early as Friday. The flu shot is widely available.

Read more: When is the best time to get a flu shot? And what kind should I get?

And for the first time this year, protection is available against respiratory syncytial virus. Adults age 60 and older are eligible for an RSV vaccine, while young children are recommended to receive monoclonal antibodies that will help reduce the risk of severe illness should they get infected.

For the RSV vaccine and monoclonal antibodies, administration would be done in consultation with a primary healthcare provider, Ferrer said.

Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
A battle thats long been brewing in Texas is finally coming to a head as the states attorney general, Ken Paxton , undergoes an impeachment trial for allegations of corruption, bribery, and abuse of power. It all started after Paxton demanded that $3.3 million in taxpayer money be used to settle a lawsuit against him. (Paxton has maintained his innocence and pleaded not guilty this week in his first hearing.)

Paxton is a polarizing political figure, even beyond the allegations of corruption. Hes one of many Republicans who have taken a very steep and sharp turn to the right, becoming an avid supporter of former President Donald Trump . (Paxton spoke at the infamous Stop the Steal rally on Jan. 6, 2021.) In a state thats solidly conservative, this worked out well for Paxton, earning him support among Texas voters and making him the subject of national headlines. But it has made his impeachment all the more painful for Texas Republicans who hold similar conservative views but simply cannot take Paxtons drama any longer.

Things really started heating up for him back in May, after the state House impeached Paxton in a pretty decisive vote of 12123, despite Republicans holding the majority in both chambers. Paxton was suspended from his role as attorney general, but the House vote wasnt enough to fully oust him from officethe Texas Senate would also have to consider the impeachment articles.

This week, senators voted on whether they should dismiss all impeachment articles against Paxton, resulting in a resounding 246 vote in favor of keeping them. Now, over the course of the next week or two, they will consider scores of evidence against Paxton that will detail how he abused the power of the attorney generals office, including witness testimony possibly from Paxton himself. It will be a test of Texas Republicans commitment to holding one of their own accountable.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

As the trial is underway, heres a refresher on what exactly Paxton is accused of, and why hes become such a controversial political figure.

Paxton started out in 2003 as a representative in the Texas House, where he served for 10 years before getting elected to the Senate. Finally, in 2015, he ran for attorney general and has served in that role ever since, with a total of 21 years in Texas politics.

Since most of his tenure as attorney general, Paxton has been fighting a 2015 indictment on securities fraud charges for allegedly encouraging people to invest in a company without disclosing that he stood to earn a commission. The trial has been delayed for eight years, and Paxton has been aggressively trying to relocate it. But it looks as if a trial date will soon be set.

It was also in 2015, according to an investigation by the Houston Chronicle, that Paxton suddenly moved most of his investments into a blind trust, which shields politicians from potential conflicts of interest by handing control of the investments to a third party. It also prevents Paxton from having to report the trusts holdings in public financial disclosure filings. The trust is expected to come up during impeachment hearings because prosecutors have documentation of a text message in which Paxton tells his trustee to pay for his home remodel. Impeachment managers argue that the payment was a cover-up for a bribe.

Lawmakers began looking into Paxtons conduct earlier this year, after he asked the Texas Legislature to approve $3.3 million in public funds to pay off a lawsuit against him.

Back in 2020, four former employees accused Paxton of retaliating against them after they alerted federal authorities to what they believed to be corruption in his office. The employees said the attorney general was engaging in improper influence and bribery. (Paxton has not admitted to any wrongdoing.)

The lawsuit accused Paxton of doing inappropriate favors for Nate Paul, a real estate investor and a donor to Paxtons campaign, including giving him access to public records related to an FBI raid of Pauls home and offices. Paxton allegedly directed his office to hire an outside lawyer to investigate Pauls claims that the FBI wrongfully conducted its search. He also allegedly had his office to look into a dispute between Pauls company and an Austin charity, including writing a legal opinion that protected Pauls properties from being foreclosed.

He did all this, according to the lawsuit, for two reasons: Paxton wanted Paul to pay for his home in Austin to be renovated. Paxton also wanted the woman he was having an affair with to get a job at Pauls Austin-based company so he wouldnt have to commute so far to see her. Paul was arrested in June on eight felony charges related to falsifying financial records.

After Paxton asked to use taxpayer dollars to pay off the lawsuit, Texas House Republicans authorized the House General Investigating Committee to conduct a secret probe into Paxtons activities. That brought everything in the lawsuitincluding 4,000 pages of evidenceinto the public eye, and the four investigators charged with the inquiry recommended 20 counts of impeachment against Paxton.

This whole case is a whole lot of nothing, Paxtons lead attorney, Tony Buzbee, said at his first Senate impeachment hearing on Tuesday. He said they have photos of the Paxtons at Home Depot and pay stubs that prove that the couple paid for their home renovations themselves.

The attorney generals legal team and members of the Texas House and Senate are forbidden from making public comments about Paxtons impeachment case. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick issued a gag order after Buzbee said the House investigation was an evil, illegal and unprecedented weaponization of state power, and Rusty Hardin, the lead prosecutor for the House, said his team had discovered new allegations that will blow your mind.

Protecting Paxtons trial is especially important since, unlike a civil or criminal trial, this jury cannot be replacedits made up of 30 of the 31 members of the Texas Senate.

The entire process is expected to take anywhere from two to three weeks. The senators will consider whether Paxton illegally used the power of the attorney generals office to benefit Paul while also retaliating against employees whod reported his actions to the FBI. There are more than 100 potential witnesses, but its not clear how many will actually take the stand. At any point during the hearings, a majority of senators could vote to dismiss all the charges against Paxton, effectively ending impeachment proceedings.

The Texas Senate uploaded nearly 4,000 pages of records, which contain interviews, emails, and travel records that should paint a clear picture of Paxtons actions over the past three years and the extent of his dealings with Paul. The Texas Observer sifted through the document dump and discovered allegations of Paxton using burner phones and a fake name when taking Uber rides in order to cover his tracks when interacting with Paul and his girlfriendand ditching his government security detail. House investigators also interviewed Paxtons former executive aide Drew Wicker, who provided some of the most extensive details yet about the allegations of Paxtons home renovation deal with Paul.

In order to convict Paxton and remove him as attorney general, the Senate needs 21 yes votes from the 30 state senators eligible to vote. Currently, there are 12 Democrats and 18 Republicans who can vote in the impeachment trial. If the Senate votes to impeach, Paxton would become only the third person in Texas nearly 200-year history to be impeached and the first statewide elected official to be impeached since 1917.

Paxtons wife, Angelayes, the wife he cheated onis a state senator and will be present during her husbands trial. She initially pledged not to recuse herself from the trial, but a new Senate rule bans her from voting or taking part in closed-door discussions during any of the hearings.

Angela Paxton hasnt publicly commented on her husbands affair, instead sticking by his side any way she can. Shes said Ken acts as a trusted adviser to her, and some of the far-right political groups that helped elect him have also supported her campaign.

A year before news of her husbands affair became public, during an interview with a local radio show, Angela said, The secret to a successful marriage is two sinners who are good, are forgiving.

Paxton is a Trump loyalist, which complicates his impeachment in a state so soundly conservative. On one side, Paxton has a strong base of ultraconservative supporters who believe that his impeachment is a baseless, politicized attack. It puts those Republicans who voted for Paxtons impeachment in a tough position, like Rep. Terry Wilson, whose suburban Austin district has started to turn on him, despite him winning reelection in 2022 with almost 60 percent of the vote. Wilson was even ranked among the top 10 most conservative of the 85 Republicans in the Texas House.

Even former Texas Gov. Rick Perry, who was appointed secretary of energy under the Trump administration, supported Paxtons impeachment in a Wall Street Journal op-ed. Its shocking to see some Republicansthrough a coordinated effort of texts, emails and social media postsworking to delegitimize the impeachment proceedings against Attorney General Ken Paxton, he wrote.

Paxton has proved that he isnt just any old Trump supporter. He spoke at the Stop the Steal rally on Jan. 6, filed a lawsuit to the Supreme Court in an attempt to throw out four swing states election results, and issued an opinion that advocates for allowing any person or entity to request voters ballots as soon as the day after they are counted.

For at least two years now, Paxton has still not said whether he accepts Joe Biden as the legitimate winner of the 2020 general election. Instead, hes directed his office to work on voter fraud cases, and an analysis by the Texas Tribune found that since 2005 the state has prosecuted 155 people out of 534 election fraud offensesabout 0.0048 percent of the 11 million votes cast in Texas during the 2020 general election alone.

Paxtons staunch support for Trump has earned him support from the family. On Tuesday, in light of Paxtons Senate impeachment trial kicking off, Donald Trump Jr. posted on X, formerly known as Twitter: Ken will survive and will continue to combat the Swamp in Texas to put America First. Back in May, when Paxton was impeached by the Texas House, the former president also posted on Truth Social to defend Paxton, going so far as to threaten anyone who would allow the impeachment to happen. I will fight you if it does, wrote Trump.

Despite the allegations of bribery and corruption coming to light in 2020, just last year Paxton was reelected as attorney general with 53 percent of the vote, a solid 10 percentage points above his Democratic opponent.

The first day of his Senate impeachment trial, Paxton drew a crowd of supporters at the state Capitol who questioned Republican senators reasons for voting to keep the articles of impeachment against Paxton. I dont understand why Republicans are against him, Tomoko Jones, an Austin resident, told the Texas Tribune. I want to choose our politicians by our vote.
The Biden administrations efforts to protect wildlife in the Arctic from oil and gas drilling is on a collision course with a Trump-era law requiring oil and gas leasing there.

When President Biden was on the campaign trail he called for permanently protecting the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge from drilling. And this past week, his administration canceled oil and gas rights issued there under the Trump administration.

The president, in a written statement, said the action will help preserve our Arctic lands and wildlife, while honoring the culture, history, and enduring wisdom of Alaska Natives.

But a 2017 tax law also required at least one drilling rights sale to be held by the end of 2021, and another to be held by the end of next year  meaning the Biden administration is expected to have to auction off some land in the refuge for oil and gas development.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

The latest action is also expected to face a court challenge, with Alaskas governor indicating he will sue the Biden administration.

We will fight for Alaskas right to develop its own resources and will be turning to the courts to correct the Biden Administrations wrong, Republican Gov. Mike Dunleavy said in a written statement this week.

The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, sometimes abbreviated as ANWR, is an area of northeastern Alaska along the border with Canadas Yukon that is about the same size as North Carolina.

It is on the traditional homeland of the Inupiat and Gwichin peoples and also contains a great deal of wildlife, including black, brown and polar bears; caribou, wolves and wolverines; and more than 200 species of birds.

Whether to allow oil and gas production in the refuge has been a political issue for decades.

On Wednesday, the Interior Department announced it would cancel seven leases in the wildlife preserve that were issued to the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority during the Trump administration.

Interior Secretary Deb Haaland said the lease sale, which was held during the final days of the Trump administration, was seriously flawed and based on a number of fundamental legal deficiencies.

With todays action, no one will have rights to drill for oil in one of the most sensitive landscapes on Earth, she told reporters.

However, a document released alongside the decision indicates that the administration, bound by the 2017 law, will still lease land for drilling in the area  even if it successfully fends off the legal challenge to its latest move from Alaskas government.

The document says the Bureau of Land Management will have to decide which tracts of land to offer for lease as well as what conditions to put on those leases.

Mark Squillace, a professor at the University of Colorado Law School, said the Biden administrations move presents some risk from a litigation perspective.

I think there is a violation of the obligation to do a couple of leases there, he said, but he added that they didnt necessarily have to be the same leases issued by the Trump administration. He also said he doesnt know if theres any significant remedy that a court could issue.

In a written statement shared with The Hill, Alaska Attorney General Treg Taylor declined to share details of the states legal strategy but reaffirmed that the state would challenge the decision.

We are very disappointed by President Bidens decision, reneging on the leases contrary to federal law. We are still reviewing the documents and do not want to speculate on what any challenge might ultimately look like. But be assured that we will be fighting back, Taylor said.

Christophe Courchesne, director of the Environmental Advocacy Clinic and an assistant professor of law at the Vermont Law and Graduate School, said that if the state of Alaska prevails in its legal challenge, the seven leases could be reinstated.

However, Courchesne also said he believes the administration was within its rights to cancel the leases.

I think a cancellation under the secretarys authority to cancel and modify leases to comply with federal law seems well-grounded to me, he said.

Meanwhile, Squillace noted that while the 2017 law may constrain the Biden administrations ability to protect the land, the leases may not actually ever amount to any actual oil extraction in the refuge.

I think that if that were to happen, theres going to be a lot of political opposition, and theres going to be probably a lot of litigation to try to force Interior to put significant constraints on  drilling, he added. And meanwhile, were gonna be seeing a surge in electrification of transportation and the grid in ways that are going to minimize the demand for the oil and gas that would be produced there.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
A Canadian beauty pageant winner claimed she had a flight attendant job offer withdrawn by Emirates Airlines after disclosing she had previously struggled with an eating disorder.

Madison Kvaltin, 25, said in a TikTok post that she was in the process of being hired by the United Arab Emirates-based airline when she was sent a series of extremely detailed and intrusive questions about her health.

Ms Kvaltin, who was crowned Miss Universe Canada last month, informed Emirates that she had been hospitalised with an eating disorder years earlier, and had since used the experience to educate and empower other young women.

I wasnt about to lie on this health document ... with my socials I talk about it all the time. So I indicate on the form that I did struggle with an eating disorder, and I am recovered and well.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Ms Kvaltin said received an email days later saying she didnt meet the precondition requirements for the job.

I am disgusted that they are discriminating against me for struggling with an eating disorder that has nothing to do with completing the job of being a flight attendant, she said in the TikTok.

Madison Kvaltin claimed she had a job offer rescinded by Emirates Airlines after disclosing an eating disorder (TikTok)

I dont understand why they would even ask an intrusive question like that.

Emirates did not immediately reply to a request for comment by The Independent.

The clip has attracted nearly 100,000 views and more than 3,000 comments since it was posted on 30 August, with many applauding Ms Kvaltin for sharing her story.

Self-disclosure should be risk-free. I commend your honesty, one posted. Ms Kvaltin responded by saying she shouldnt be scared of voicing my struggles.

If you recovered from an ED forever ago why did you disclose it. Its fr not their business, another person wrote.

Ms Kvaltin, from northern Ontario, is the founder of the Body Love Club, which she describes as a community dedicated to inspiring all bodies to be loved and respected.

She will represent Canada in the Miss Universe 2023 in El Salvador in November.

The Independent has contacted Ms Kvaltin for comment.
LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  A woman lost part of her toe inside a hotel room on the Las Vegas Strip after she got into an argument with a man who had reportedly offered her money to go to a nightclub with him, documents said.

Las Vegas Metro police arrested Oyefeso Durotimijesu, 35, on a charge of mayhem, records show.

Are men still afraid of wearing pink?

Mayhem consists of unlawfully depriving a human being of a member of his or her body, or disfiguring or rendering it useless, according to Nevada state statute.

On Monday, Sept. 4, a Metro police officer responded to the MGM Grand on the Las Vegas Strip for a report of a woman missing part of her toe, documents said. Hotel security detained Durotimijesu while the injured woman was brought to a hospital.

Oyefeso Durotimijesu (LVMPD/KLAS)

The woman said she met Durotimijesu at a bar at the MGM when he invited her up to his room, documents said. The two planned to go to a Las Vegas Strip nightclub together and were getting ready when Durotimijesu gave the woman his phone.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Durotimijesu then allegedly grabbed the phone back from the woman and stated in an angry tone not to go through his phone, documents said. The woman then attempted to make a call from the hotel rooms phone, but Durotimijesu was pushing [the woman] with one hand and pulling the phone with the other.

The two began to wrestle for the womans purse when she fell to the floor but was able to call for help, documents said. At one point, Durotimijesu reportedly slammed the door, hitting the womans foot.

Disneyland agrees to pay $9.5M in Magic Key lawsuit

As security approached the room and the woman lay bleeding on the floor, Durotimijesu allegedly threw the womans belongings one item at a time while yelling profanities from the room, documents said.

Security officers found the missing part of the womans toe in the hotel room, they said.

Durotimijesu told investigators he gave the victim $200 and that the incident was his attempt at getting the money back after she said it was not enough, officers said. It was unclear from police documents what the womans intentions were.

Judge Rebecca Saxe set Durotimijesus bail at $5,000. He remained in custody at the Clark County Detention Center as of Wednesday and was due in court Thursday.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City.
Consequences of the Russian missile attack on the private sector in Sumy

A resident of Sumy died in hospital on Sept. 8 due to injuries sustained in a missile strike on the private sector of the city early on the same day, Sumy Oblast Military Administration reported on Sept. 9.

At around 6 a.m. on Sept. 8, Russian forces launched a missile strike on an area of private housing in Sumy. The attack resulted in the destruction of a two-story residential building.

Read also: Three dead, four injured in Russian air attack on Kherson Oblast

More than 20 other buildings and eight vehicles were also damaged.

Two individuals were trapped under the debris, with a total of four reported casualties.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Read also: Number of injured rises to 31, people still trapped under debris after Russia attacks busy market

Russia regularly strikes civilian areas far behind the front lines with missiles. Regions like Sumy Oblast, which borders Russia, and Ukrainian regions next to Russian-occupied parts of Ukraine are particularly susceptible to Russian ballistic missile attacks, of which there can be only a few minutes warning.

Border areas such as Sumy and Kharkiv oblasts are also regularly attacked by Russian artillery fired into Ukraine from within Russia.

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
Toyota is reaching for the stars with its latest development, a Lunar Cruiser powered using groundbreaking technology.

As part of Japans efforts to expand its presence in space exploration, Reuters reported its manned lunar rover is expected to head to the moon sometime in 2029, when its hoped a Japanese astronaut will be posted at the Gateway lunar space station. Concept images made the rounds on X, formerly known as Twitter.

JAXA and Toyota signed an agreement to work together making a crewed lunar rover ready for the late 2020s! Here's a concept of their vehicle named "Lunar Cruiser". If they're as reliable as Earthly Toyotas you can expect to see these things roaming around the Moon until the 2120s pic.twitter.com/JCV4vWoUZC  Dr James O'Donoghue (@physicsJ) September 10, 2020

With gas stations difficult to come by on the moon, the idea is to use regenerative cell technology for energy creation, with a goal of one day using the moons water ice as an energy source.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

In comments published by Reuters, Toyota said solar energy and water will produce hydrogen and oxygen via electrolysis in daylight hours, and the fuel cell will provide power in the 14-day lunar nights.

The technology relies on water, so it will need to make the most of alternative sources for the time being, with water being sent up to the moon with the Cruiser. However, its hoped that utilizing moon ice water or mining for water could be possible with future technological advances.

Interesting Engineering on X, formerly known as Twitter, said: Exciting times for space exploration and sustainable tech! Cruiser marks a significant step towards the moon and a greener Earth.

Meanwhile, CarBuzz posted on the platform its excitement that the Cruisers fuel cell could benefit future hydrogen-powered road cars.

Toyota said the Lunar Cruiser can carry two people for up to 42 days, while the vehicle itself can remain usable for a decade.

This is an intriguing concept in the search for alternative fuels as the world moves away from gas-powered internal combustion engines that contribute to global heating. While the Lunar Cruiser is obviously designed for a significantly different environment, its technology might still have benefits here on Earth.

According to Interesting Engineering, fuel cells are being examined as a potential power source for transportation.

The U.S. Department of Energys Alternative Fuel Data Center said fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) can be fueled in just five minutes and provide up to 300 miles of driving range, and the only emission is water. While some are available already, the takeup of FCEVs will rely on appropriate infrastructure to make ownership feasible.

Meanwhile, in July, Toyota hailed a technological breakthrough regarding its battery technology for electric vehicles. As the Guardian reported, the manufacturer believes simplifying the production of the materials used for efficient solid-state batteries has allowed it to make batteries that are half the size, weight, and cost of liquid-based versions.

Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the coolest innovations improving our lives and saving our planet.
A massive new rail development will span from India to Europe, world leaders announced Saturday. The India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor will usher in a new era of connectivity, the White House said.

The U.S. partnered with India, France, Germany, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Italy and the European Union on the plan, which was announced at the G-20 summit in New Delhi, India on Saturday.

It consists of two development corridors, one from India to the Middle East and a second from the Middle East to Europe.

This landmark corridor is expected to stimulate economic development through enhanced connectivity and economic integration across two continents, thus unlocking sustainable and inclusive economic growth, the White House said in a statement.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Partners on the project signed a memorandum of understanding, committing to link commercial hubs with rail lines, bolstered by new internet, power and hydrogen connections. The memorandum also says the project will link with industry in Jordan and Israel.

That step appears to symbolize efforts to bring Saudi Arabia and Israel closer together, which have been supported by the U.S.

It is unclear if the countries intend to cooperate with the Iranian government on the project, as Iran lies on a route between India and the Middle East. Alternative routes connecting the regions would travel through Afghanistan and Russia.

Pakistans participation in the project would also be required to connect India to the west by rail.

Participants intend that the corridor will increase efficiencies, reduce costs, enhance economic unity, generate jobs, and lower greenhouse gas emissions  resulting in a transformative integration of Asia, Europe and the Middle East, the memorandum reads.

The nations committed to creating an action plan to implement the project within the next two months.

Also during the G-20 summit Saturday, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that the African Union will be the groups 21st permanent member. India also announced a new global biofuels initiative.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
A new wormy robot could help with jet engine inspections at GE Aerospace, according to an announcement this week. Sensiworm, short for Soft ElectroNics Skin-Innervated Robotic Worm, is the newest outgrowth in GEs line of worm robots, which includes a giant earthworm for tunneling and the Pipeworm for pipeline inspection.

Jet engines are complex devices made up of many moving parts. They have to withstand factors like high heat, plenty of movement, and varying degrees of pressure. Because they need to perform at top speed, they often need to undergo routine cleaning and inspection. Typically, this is done with human eyes and with a device like a borescope, which is a skinny tube with a camera thats snaked into the engine (technically known as a turbofan). But with Sensiworm, GE promises to make this process less tedious and that it could happen on wing, meaning the turbofan doesnt need to be removed from the wing for the inspection.

Like an inchworm, Sensiworm moves forward on its own using two sticky suction-like parts on its bottom to squish into crevasses and scrunch around the curves of the engine to find areas where there are cracks or corrosion, or check to see if the heat-protecting thermal barrier coatings are as thick as they should be.

It comes with cameras and sensors onboard, and is attached through a long, thin wire. In a demo video, this robot showed that it can navigate around obstacles, hang on to a spinning turbine, and sniff out gas leaks.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

These mini-robot companions could add an extra pair of eyes and ears, expanding the inspection capabilities of human service operators for on-wing inspections without having to take anything apart. With their soft, compliant design, they could inspect every inch of jet engine transmitting live video and real-time data about the condition of parts that operators typically check, GE Aerospace said in a press release.

Currently, our demonstrations have primarily been focused on the inspection of engines, Deepak Trivedi, principal robotics engineer at GE Aerospace Research, noted in the statement. But were developing new capabilities that would allow these robots to execute repair once they find a defect as well.

Flexible, squiggling robots have found lots of uses in many industries. Engineers have designed them for medical applications, search and rescues, military operations, and even space ventures.

Watch Sensiworm at work below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Mks06p0KVo
The wreckage of another drone similar to the ones used by Russia to attack Ukraine has been found in Romania; the country's president has stated that it was an unacceptable violation of Romania's sovereign airspace.

Source: European Pravda, citing Romanian news outlet HotNews.ro

Details: The drone wreckage was found near the village of Plauru, Tulcea County. The search mission was initiated after receiving information from local authorities indicating that the drone's pieces might be located about 2.5 kilometres southeast of the village.

Romanian President Klaus Iohannis promptly reacted to this event, stating that the discovery of another drone wreckage, similar to the UAVs used by the Russian military, on Romanian territory near the border with Ukraine indicates an absolutely unacceptable violation of Romania's sovereign airspace.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Quote from Iohannis: "I strongly condemn this incident provoked by Russian attacks on Ukrainian ports on the Danube."

More details: The Romanian president noted that on Saturday, he had a telephone conversation with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, during which he informed him of the new developments, and the latter reaffirmed his complete solidarity with Romania and assured the former that the Alliance and its members fully support Romania.

As evidence of his support for Bucharest, the president pointed to the recent US decision to increase its presence in Romania with F-16 aircraft as part of the air police mission in the country.

"As I said earlier, within NATO, Romania is extremely well protected and enjoys the strongest security guarantees in our history," Iohannis said.

"I once again strongly condemn Russia's recurrent attacks on the Ukrainian population and civilian infrastructure, including Ukrainian ports on the Danube near the Romanian border. These deeply unjustified attacks violate international law and constitute war crimes," the president said.

Background:

Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron!
ADDIS ABABA, Sept. 9 (Xinhua) -- African Union (AU) Commission Chairperson Moussa Faki on Saturday hailed the decision to grant the continental body permanent membership in the Group of 20 (G20).

"I welcome the AU's entry into the G20 as (a) full member. The membership, for which we have long been advocating, will provide a propitious framework for amplifying advocacy in favor of the continent and its effective contribution to meeting global challenges," Faki wrote on social media X, formerly known as Twitter.

Earlier on Saturday, the G20 members agreed to grant permanent membership to the AU in an effort to make the group more representative.

The agreement was reached at the inaugural session of the two-day G20 summit held in the Indian capital of New Delhi during the weekend.

Azali Assoumani, president of the Union of the Comoros and current AU chairperson, then assumed his seat representing the 55-member continental body for the session.

China is the first country that explicitly expressed its support for the AU's membership in the G20.

The G20 meeting, which started on Saturday, is expected to continue until Sunday. 
X, the social media company previously known as Twitter, is suing the state of California over a law that requires companies to disclose details about their content moderation practices. The law, known as AB 587, requires social media companies to publish information about their handling of hate speech, extremism, misinformation and other issues, as well as details about internal moderation processes.

Lawyers for X argue that the law is unconstitutional and will lead to censorship. It has both the purpose and likely effect of pressuring companies such as X Corp. to remove, demonetize, or deprioritize constitutionally-protected speech, the company wrote in the lawsuit . The true intent of AB 587 is to pressure social media platforms to eliminate certain constitutionally-protected content viewed by the State as problematic.

X is not alone in its opposition to the law. Though the measure was backed by some activists, a number of industry groups took issue with AB 587. Netchoice, a trade group which represents Meta, Google, TikTok and other tech companies, argued last year that AB 587 would help bad actors evade companies security measures, and make it harder for them to enforce their rules.

At the same time, AB 587's backers have said its necessary to increase the transparency of major platforms. If @X has nothing to hide, then they should have no objection to this bill, Assemblyman Jesse Gabriel, who wrote AB 587, said in response to Xs lawsuit.
President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Sept. 9 that plans are being implemented to protect Ukraine's energy and critical infrastructure from Russian missile and drone strikes through the winter.

According to Zelensky, these plans are being coordinated with Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, the Energy Ministry, Ukraine's state-owned energy companies Ukrenergo, Ukrhydroenergo, and Naftogaz, and the General Staff of Ukraine's Armed Forces.

"All tasks have been assigned. Work is ongoing," Zelensky wrote on Telegram.

Ukraine is also preparing to protect Odesa Oblast's ports and an established grain corridor to export its agricultural products abroad.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

The Ukrainian navy set up a temporary corridor to protect merchant ships leaving Ukraine's waters since Moscow refused to extend the Turkey- and UN-brokered Black Sea Grain Initiative in July.

Since then, Russia has been launching strikes against Ukraine's Black Sea ports and regional grain reserves.

Russian forces started targeting Ukraine's energy infrastructure last fall, plunging the country into widespread blackouts over the winter, causing millions of dollars in damage, and killing civilians.

Air Force spokesperson Yurii Ihnat said on Sept. 3 that Ukraine was strengthening its air defense to prepare for Russia's potential mass attacks on critical infrastructure facilities this fall.

Plans are also being implemented to protect Ukraine's front-line territories, Zelensky added.

Read also: Ukrainian energy company on Russias attacks on infrastructure: No system in the world has faced the same

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a meeting of the Staff of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief on Saturday, 9 September.

Source: Zelenskyy on Telegram

Quote: "The Staff meeting. Implementation of the plan to protect energy and critical infrastructure from Russian airstrikes. Protecting the ports of Odesa Oblast and the infrastructure of the Black Sea Grain Initiative."

Details: Attention was also paid to the protection of frontline territories and preparation for winter.

There were reports from the Prime Minister, the Ministry of Energy, Ukrenergo [the national energy company  ed.], Ukrhydroenergo [a leading hydropower generation company], Naftogaz [the state-owned oil and natural gas production, transportation and refining company], and the General Staff of the General Staff.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

"All instructions have been given. The work continues," the president stressed.

Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron!
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy presided over a meeting of Ukraines High Command on Sept. 9, which addressed the defense of the countrys energy and port infrastructure against potential Russian attacks.

During the meeting, several key topics were discussed, including the implementation of a plan to safeguard energy and critical infrastructure from Russian missile strikes, the protection of ports in the Odesa Oblast, and the maintenance of the infrastructure maintaining the grain corridor  the means by which Ukraine exports agricultural products.

Additionally, the discussions revolved around the defense of front-line territories and winter preparedness.

Reports during the meeting were presented by Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, along with representatives from the Ministry of Energy, UkrEnergo, UkrHydroEnergo, Naftogaz, and the Ukrainian militarys General Staff.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

All assignments have been issued, and work is underway, Zelenskyy concluded.

Read also: Ukraine can be key green energy supplier to Europe, says Zelenskyy

From October of the previous year until spring, Russia regularly launched mass missile strikes on Ukraines energy infrastructure. Over several months, Ukraine endured more than ten waves of large-scale Russian bombardments employing various types of missiles with varying ranges.

Due to power capacity shortages in the energy system, the Ministry of Energy was compelled to implement electricity cutoffs to consumers. Despite facing a challenging winter, Ukraine successfully thwarted the enemys goal of causing a complete blackout.

This summer, following Russias announcement on July 17 of its withdrawal from the grain trade agreement, Russian forces also initiated mass strikes on Ukraines port and grain infrastructure, targeting cities such as Odesa, Mykolaiv, and other port cities.

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 mother-and-son duo who carried zip ties as they searched for lawmakers after breaching the US Capitol were sentenced to federal prison for several felony and misdemeanor charges in connection with the riots.

Eric Munchel, 32, dubbed zip-tie guy on social media, was sentenced to nearly five years in prison followed by 36 months of supervised release on 8 September. His mother Lisa Marie Eisenhart, 59, was sentenced to more than two years in prison followed by 36 months of supervised release. They each have been ordered to pay $2,000 in restitution.

They were convicted earlier this year on obstruction and conspiracy charges, and Munchel  who was armed with a Taser  was additionally found guilty of disorderly or disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds with a deadly or dangerous weapon and unauthorised possession of a deadly or dangerous weapon on Capitol grounds.

Photos and videos captured Munchel carrying plastic zip tie-style handcuffs they allegedly stole from inside a closet at the Capitol. Zip ties! I need to get me some of them mother*******, Munchel can be heard in video footage.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

As they made their way into the Senate Gallery, with Munchel shouting I want that f****** gavel, the pair wondered aloud where the traitors and cowards who evacuated the chamber had gone. The US Department of Justice said the pair were looking for potential hostages.

Munchels cell phone, mounted to the outside of his tactical vest, recorded a nearly hour-long video of his approach and his time inside the Capitol, which prosecutors used as evidence against them.

Were going straight to federal prison if we go in there with weapons, Eisenhart told Munchel, according to court records.

Lisa Marie Eisenhart, left, and Eric Munchel (AP)

Eisenhart  who wore a Donald Trump-supporting Keep America Great Again beanie  and her son had prepared for violence on 6 January 2021, and projected their willingness to engage in it as lawmakers convened to certify the results of the 2020 presidential election that Mr Trump lost, according to prosecutors.

They also openly declared to a reporter that their intent in storming and entering the Capitol was to intimidate Congress, prosecutors wrote in court filings.

What is America for? Eisenhart told a reporter with The Times of London on 7 January 2021. Id rather die as a 57-year-old woman than live under oppression. Id rather die and would rather fight.

With the 2024 presidential election approaching, a rematch on the horizon, and many loud voices in the media and online continuing to sow discord and distrust, the potential for a repeat of January 6 looms ominously, prosecutors wrote.

The sentences imposed by US District Court Judge Royce C Lamberth came days after five members of the neo-fascist Proud Boys gang were handed down some of the longest prison terms to date among the hundreds of people charged in connection to the attack.

Now-former Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio was sentenced to 22 years in prison after a jury found him and three other members of the group guilty of seditious conspiracy, among a number of other crimes connected to their planning and actions on January 6. The sentence is the longest yet among Capitol riot defendants.

More than 1,100 people have been arrested and charged for crimes related to the assault on Congress.
Attendees of this years Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) conference visited the Boonshoft Museum of Discovery Saturday.

>>Truck crashes into Moraine Auto Title Office

This year, the annual AZA conference is hosted by the Columbus Zoo, and participants were invited to attend pre-conference tours at the Boonshoft Museum of Discovery, the Cincinnati Zoo, and the Newport Aquarium, according to a social media post from the museum.

The Discovery Zoo, Education, Collections, and Astronomy departments provided those who visited with tours and activities, but the animals were the main focus.

The conference is one of the largest gatherings of zoo and aquarium professionals, according to its website.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

It will begin Saturday, September 9, and will last until Thursday, September 14.

The professionals who attend the event will be able to explore ideas and best practices, hear updates from over 75 committees, experience new technology and services, and connect with more than 2,500 colleagues.








U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., wrote the National Park Service urging it to designate the Town of Bedford as an American World War II Heritage City, according to a news release the senators office issued Wednesday.

The American World War II Heritage City Program was created in 2019 and allows one designation per U.S. state or territory.

Receiving this designation would acknowledge the Town of Bedfords critical role during World War II and help ensure the towns contributions are recognized for generations to come, the release said.

The Town of Bedford demonstrates resilience, diversity, and a rich history, which is why it is an ideal candidate to represent the Commonwealth of Virginia, wrote Kaine.

He also pointed to Bedford being the home of the National D-Day Memorial, which honors 19 soldiers known as The Bedford Boys who died storming the shores of Normandy on June 6, 1944, and other service members.

The letter added: The Town of Bedford also approached the challenges from World War II with adaptability and strength. The community grew fruits and vegetables in large quantities for the armed forces. Volunteers led local war-clothing drives, along with parades and rallies to encourage the purchase of war bonds and war stamps. Although every American town was negatively impacted by the Second World War, Bedford maintained its steadfast commitment to helping those in need.

Mary Zirkle, the towns economic development coordinator, said the Heritage City designation is a great opportunity for the town and Bedford County to be recognized for the effort and sacrifice the community put into World War II on both the home front and on the battlefield.

U.S. Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., and U.S. Rep. Morgan Griffith, R-9th District, also provided letters of support to back a very strong nomination spearheaded by National D-Day Memorial staff, Zirkle said.

The Bedford County Board of Supervisors and Bedford Town Council also supported the nomination, she said, and other local partners included the Bedford County Museum, the Bedford Boys Tribute Center, the Bedford County Department of Tourism and Bedford International Alliance, Inc.

If Bedford is selected for this honor of designation, it would be an appropriate recognition for all that the community of Bedford does to make sure we remember and tell others about the contributions of our everyday citizens that gave so much in that period of international history, Zirkle said.
The Japanese foreign minister has told the Ukrainian president that people from the public and private sectors in Japan will support the reconstruction of Ukraine.

Hayashi Yoshimasa met Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv on Saturday. The foreign minister was joined by senior officials from Japanese communications and medical companies.

The talks were held in advance of a conference on the reconstruction of Ukraine's economy, which is scheduled to take place in Japan at the beginning of next year.

Hayashi and Zelenskyy agreed to hold discussions aimed at drawing up a security cooperation agreement, based on the declaration released by the Group of Seven countries in July.

Hayashi and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba held a joint news conference following their meeting.

Hayashi said, "Japan will walk with Ukraine until peace has been returned to this beautiful land."

Kuleba said the bilateral relationship between Ukraine and Japan has reached "an unprecedented high level."

Hayashi also attended a handover ceremony during his visit. Twenty-four Japanese trucks were donated to Ukraine. The vehicles will be used to remove landmines and unexploded ordnances.

The Japanese foreign minister said Japan will also provide two electronic transforming facilities that will help the Ukrainians deal with extremely cold weather during the winter.
Iowa West Foundation  in partnership with Pottawattamie County school districts and Iowa Western Community College  unveiled a new workforce pipeline program designed to provide students with pathways to employment post graduation.

Iowa West Foundations Aspire program was created to support and expand the work of the educators in our county are already doing so that all of you, all of you local employers, have the workforce that you need, IWF President and CEO Brenda Mainwaring said at a kickoff event Thursday morning.

Mainwaring said Iowa West has been involved in individual student success for more than two decades.

I think all of us understand that the world has changed and schools have changed and students have changed, Mainwaring said. What we need today is a program that gives all students access to an education that supports a strong start after graduation.

Aspire was born out of foundations Imagine Hour conversations with members of the community who want to see the countys businesses continue to grow while also creating more education and employment opportunities for area youth.

We want local businesses to grow and thrive by having the students and the workforce that you need, and we want all our students to imagine their success and their future right here in Pottawattamie County, Mainwaring said.

Aspire was created in partnership with local school districts to serve the unique needs of both urban and rural students. The $1.1 million program allows superintendents to use flexible funding to grow existing workforce training programs or launch new ones.

Each program is designed to support students in their career exploration, and provide assistance in transitioning to additional training, which can take the form of apprenticeships, internships, two-year colleges, four-year colleges, or straight into the workforce.

Expanding the workforce and career prep throughout Pottawattamie County represents the vision weve had in the Council Bluffs schools  every student graduating with a high school diploma and a second credential, said Vickie Murillo, superintendent of the Council Bluffs Community School District.

Murillo introduced the districts Diploma +1 Pathways program that allows high school students to earn college credits  including earning associate degrees or industry certifications  in areas that interest them.

More than 80% of the school districts 579 seniors graduated with a second credential last year, Murillo said.

We have partnerships and students and apprenticeship programs, but weve only begun to scratch the surface of the unlimited possibilities, Murillo said. Aspire will provide us with the additional funding to expand opportunities for our students to thrive and find their passion.

Stacie Green graduated from Abraham Lincoln High School this year. Over those four years, she was able to earn her child care certification from the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services and get a head start on her ultimate goal of being a teacher.

I am halfway through my associates degree (at Iowa Western), Green said. That is the two years that I took with the Council Bluffs district.

In high school, Green apprenticed at Kids & Company, a Council Bluffs Schools Foundation program that provides affordable childcare services before and after school, and she has continued to work there while attending college. She also works for the districts 21st Century Community Learning Centers program and at the new Anne E. Nelson Early Learning Center.

Ive worked in three different child care areas just to get some more knowledge from the teachers, that I will forever carry with me, and then I will go and teach other people that I work with at Kids & Company, Green said. Ive learned things that I think everybody should know in child care, and I have now went and taught my co-workers, and now we use it all together and thats what makes the kids successful.

Aspire will also provide increased access to Iowa Westerns College and Career Transition Counselors, Avenue Scholars of Southwest Iowas support systems and Iowa Jobs for Americas Graduates.

Avenue Scholars stands as a distinctive organization known for its collaborative approach in addressing economic and workforce development challenges, said Cara Cool Trede, Avenue Scholars executive director. We actively engaged with both of our education and business communities, working hand in hand to create career opportunities that bridge the gap between the two.

Iowa Western President Dan Kinney said that Aspire will not only greatly benefit students who know what their career path looks like, but the students whose future is more uncertain.

We have a third of students right now coming out of school saying, Im going to do this and Im going there. We also have a third which is becoming better consumers, knowing the cost of education, saying, I know I need to do something, I dont know what I need to do and I dont know where I want to do it, and then we also have a new third now that doesnt want to do education beyond high school, so how do we certify them in high school to get to those good paying jobs? Kinney said.

According to data provided by Advance Iowa Southwest, the demand in Pottawattamie County for trained employees will exceed 27,000 by 2033, and filling those positions will bring an estimated $11.5 billion into the local economy.

Theres a ton of opportunity for our kids  young adults  to get into the trades, be it plumbing, electrical, mechanical, building construction management, framing, trim carpentry, cabinets, painting, floor covering, theres just a tremendous amount of opportunity in our community right now, said Chris Rochleau, owner of Council Bluffs-based Cherry Ridge Construction. You dont have to go to a four-year school and pay $25,000, $28,000 a year when you can get in with a company and they will educate you, teach you, provide tools, provide equipment, and give you an opportunity for growth. And the wages are good.

At the end of Thursdays event, Mainwaring encouraged all of the business owners in attendance to participate in the Aspire program by providing their contact information via a QR code so that Aspire can connect them with educators and partner organizations, as well as help the businesses train their future employees.

Students are ready, Mainwaring said. This is your future workforce. You can see that when you meet these students halfway, when you work with them, you get a trained, committed employee. You have an opportunity  the reason youre here today is because you have an opportunity to start building the workforce that you need.

For more information about the Aspire program, visit bit.ly/IWFASPIRE.

Close Iowa Western Community College President Dan Kinney speaks during the launch event for the Aspire workforce development program at the Iowa Western Arts Center on Thursday, Sept. 7, 2023. Abraham Lincoln High School alumna and Iowa Western Community College education student Stacie Green, center, chats with area education and business representatives during the launch event for the Aspire workforce development program at the Iowa Western Arts Center on Thursday, Sept. 7, 2023. Iowa Western Community College President Dan Kinney, right, chats with Lewis Central Community School District Superintendent Brent Hoesing during the launch event for the Aspire workforce development program at the Iowa Western Arts Center on Thursday, Sept. 7, 2023. From right, Council Bluffs Community School District Superintendent Vickie Murillo speaks alongside Avenue Scholars of Southwest Iowa Executive Director Cara Cool Trede and Iowa Western Community College President Dan Kinney during the launch event for the Aspire workforce development program at the Iowa Western Arts Center on Thursday, Sept. 7, 2023. Iowa West Foundation President and CEO Brenda Mainwaring speaks during the launch event for the Aspire workforce development program at the Iowa Western Community College Arts Center on Thursday, Sept. 7, 2023. Guests watch a video promoting the Aspire workforce development program during the launch event at the Iowa Western Community College Arts Center on Thursday, Sept. 7, 2023. Aspire program launch event Iowa Western Community College President Dan Kinney speaks during the launch event for the Aspire workforce development program at the Iowa Western Arts Center on Thursday, Sept. 7, 2023. Abraham Lincoln High School alumna and Iowa Western Community College education student Stacie Green, center, chats with area education and business representatives during the launch event for the Aspire workforce development program at the Iowa Western Arts Center on Thursday, Sept. 7, 2023. Iowa Western Community College President Dan Kinney, right, chats with Lewis Central Community School District Superintendent Brent Hoesing during the launch event for the Aspire workforce development program at the Iowa Western Arts Center on Thursday, Sept. 7, 2023. From right, Council Bluffs Community School District Superintendent Vickie Murillo speaks alongside Avenue Scholars of Southwest Iowa Executive Director Cara Cool Trede and Iowa Western Community College President Dan Kinney during the launch event for the Aspire workforce development program at the Iowa Western Arts Center on Thursday, Sept. 7, 2023. Iowa West Foundation President and CEO Brenda Mainwaring speaks during the launch event for the Aspire workforce development program at the Iowa Western Community College Arts Center on Thursday, Sept. 7, 2023. Guests watch a video promoting the Aspire workforce development program during the launch event at the Iowa Western Community College Arts Center on Thursday, Sept. 7, 2023.
Two Council Bluffs sisters have found the keys to life.

All of them.

Joan Mynster Smith, 90, and Joyce Mynster, 87, are longtime church organists. Joan currently serves Our Saviors Lutheran Church, and Joyce serves Broadway United Methodist and Westminster Presbyterian Churches.

Both have had long careers of dedicated service.

Providing the musical path for a worship service is more than playing music, Joyce said.

I dont consider church a performance, Joyce said. I consider the people a congregation, not an audience.

I like to consider my music my offering, Joan said. Im always trying to make my music fit the service  the theme, the scriptures.

Both have learned to shorten or lengthen their interludes to stay in sync with the pace of the service.

Although they were not born into a musical family, Joan said, the two girls started on piano when they were students at Gunn Elementary School.

I got the gift of piano lessons on my eighth birthday, Joan said. I would say that was the best gift ever. My folks never knew how much that would mean to me and how many opportunities it would bring.

Joyce started when she was 7, and both took lessons from Gertrude Harrington, a popular local piano teacher. Harrington, who lived nearby and didnt drive, would walk to their house on Friday evenings for supper and their lessons.

She became a family friend, Joyce said. She went to our church and was our Sunday school teacher.

Musical opportunities seemed to abound. Both girls got to play for music classes in elementary school, and Joyce played for kindergarten class. In middle school, Joan played The Star-Spangled Banner. One of her classmates thought she should have to stand up while she was playing it, just like the rest of them, but she declined.

Both girls learned accordion in their late elementary or junior high years.

Joan took up organ at age 14 and became organist at their church, St. Johns Evangelical and Reformed Church, at age 16. From there, she switched to First Congregational Church, where she served for six years.

Joyce started organ when she was 14, too, and succeeded Joan as organist at St. Johns E & R a year later.

We werent competitors, Joyce said. We never had sibling rivalry.

They also never had any pesky brothers to put up with.

Added Joan, We just did our daily practicing and went to each others recitals, and that was it. Our parents were our biggest supporters. Many of our first recitals were in the Corn Room at the Chieftain Hotel.

While serving at First Congregational, Joan earned a teaching degree at Omaha University (now the University of Nebraska at Omaha) and found other opportunities to play.

When I went to college, I played for faculty recitals and a vocal instructors studio, she said. Between the church and the voice studio, I earned enough and then paid my tuition bill. I was really blessed to be able to do that.

After college, Joan taught at Council Bluffs elementary schools for two years. In 1956, she married Paxton Smith Jr., and they moved to Washington, where she taught at an Oak Harbor, Washington, elementary school for a year.

During that time, her husband, a Navy pilot, was stationed at Whidbey Island, Washington, and was deployed to Alaska for six months.

Then Joan decided to operate a preschool in their home.

We converted the attached garage into sort of a playroom, she said.

Joan continued to run the preschool for 18 years. Paxton served in the Navy for four years. The couple had four children, adding to their numbers until they got both kinds.

We had three boys, and we adopted a little girl, she said.

Meanwhile, Joyce, who never married, had gotten a job as an office manager at Northern Natural Gas. She had taken her musical skills to First Baptist Church, then to a few churches in Omaha.

One of her superiors at Northern happened to be on the board for the Omaha Symphony Orchestra and recruited her to put its neglected music library back in order.

The symphony is very dear to me, she said.

Joyce took night classes at UNO but ultimately earned a bachelors degree in philosophy at Bellevue University. She remained a lifelong learner and also took classes at University of Nebraska at Lincoln and other colleges. She helped out at the Bluffs Arts Council, Historic General Dodge House and Council Bluffs Community Schools Educational Service Center.

She became a music instructor at Grace University, where she also served as chapel organist and oratorio accompanist. She was later organist at a UNL satellite center in Omaha where pianists were trained to play organ. She was a piano instructor at Iowa Western Community College and also taught at a private school in Omaha. At one time, she was an accompanist for vocal groups at Thomas Jefferson High School. As her schedule permitted, she gave piano and organ lessons in her home studio.

The Smiths moved back to Council Bluffs in 1976, and Joan got a job in the Council Bluffs Community School Districts print shop. She returned to serving as organist at First Congregational Church, where she found the same choir director as when she left 20 years earlier. She became the accompanist for the Kanesville Chorus, which was later known as the Southwest Iowa Womens Chorus, and was the pianist for the Noon Rotary Club, nicknamed The Singing Club.

She lost Paxton in 1981. In 1988, she moved from their house on Lincoln Avenue to one right across the street from Joyce.

Back when Iowa Western Community Collegess KIWR-FM followed a classical format, Joyce hosted a weekly radio program, The Organ Loft. For each episode, she selected classical music that featured or included an organ, sometimes borrowing records to fill up the two-hour time slot.

The two sisters had the honor of performing a duet for the dedication of the grand piano at the Arts Center at Iowa Western, Joan said.

That was when Chip Davis was also on the program, so that was kind of cool, she said.

Joan has one son and her daughter in Omaha, one son in Seattle and one in Minnesota. She has seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Photo taken on Aug. 31, 2023 shows a woman taking photos of an artifact at the Alexandria National Museum in Alexandria, Egypt. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa)

ALEXANDRIA, Egypt, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- The Alexandria National Museum in Egypt is marking its 20th anniversary with a variety of cultural activities, including a photography gallery, cultural and artistic symposiums, workshops, and lectures.

The museum, which is located in the heart of the Mediterranean city of Alexandria, houses a collection of nearly 1,400 artifacts from the Pharaonic, Ptolemaic, Roman, Byzantine, and Islamic periods.

The photography gallery, which is one of the main events of the anniversary celebrations, features photos of Alexandria landmarks taken by professional photographers from the city's Adasa Photography Club.

One of the exhibited photos shows Alexandria's historic Fouad Street mixed with an image of a statue of Alexander the Great, the Macedonian king who ruled ancient Egypt and after whom Alexandria was named.

"I believe that Fouad Street is the best reflection of cosmopolitan Alexandria, for it was built in the Ptolemaic times and it still exists with its old buildings and architecture that are considered a living museum," said Amina Hassan, an architect and photographer from Alexandria.

The museum is housed in a former palace that was built in the late 1920s in the Italian style. It was bought by the U.S. consulate in 1954 and then purchased by Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquities in 1996. The museum was opened to the public in 2003.

The museum's director, Ashraf El-Kady, said that the anniversary activities are aimed at highlighting the museum's role in promoting the cultural heritage of Alexandria.

"We are celebrating the 20th anniversary of the museum by organizing these activities under the slogan of 'Cosmopolitan Alexandria,'" the director said.

The other activities that are being held as part of the anniversary celebrations include a symposium on the history of Alexandria, a workshop on traditional Alexandrian crafts, and a lecture on the city's role in the development of science and medicine, etc.

The activities will continue for two months. 

Photo taken on Aug. 31, 2023 shows people visiting the Alexandria National Museum in Alexandria, Egypt. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa)

Photo taken on Aug. 31, 2023 shows a man visiting the Alexandria National Museum in Alexandria, Egypt. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa)

Photo taken on Aug. 31, 2023 shows people visiting the Alexandria National Museum in Alexandria, Egypt. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa)

Photo taken on Aug. 31, 2023 shows a man visiting the Alexandria National Museum in Alexandria, Egypt. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa)

Photo taken on Aug. 31, 2023 shows a woman visiting the Alexandria National Museum in Alexandria, Egypt. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa)
The Daily News publishes death notices and obituaries on a daily basis for Norfolkans, area residents and former residents.

Death notices, which include information about when and where a person died, funeral services, burial and visitation for the deceased and memorial information, are published free of charge.

If families of the deceased desire to have an obituary printed, there is a fee charged for doing so. Because of that, families of the deceased can decide what information they want included in the obituary, as well as if they desire to have a photograph of the deceased published along with it. The Daily News reserves the right to edit.

Norfolk and area funeral homes have detailed information about placing an obituary in the Daily News. If individuals want to submit obituary information themselves, it can be emailed to funerals@norfolkdailynews.com or faxed to (402) 644-2080.

People needing additional information about death notices and obituaries can call the Daily News at 371-1020 or (877) 371-1020 and ask for the newsroom.
Moroccan foreign minister Nasser Bourita conferred on Friday in Rabat with UN Secretary Generals Personal Envoy for the Sahara Staffan De Mistura in presence of Moroccos Permanent Representative to the UN, Omar Hilal.

De Misturas trip to Morocco is part of a visit to the region with a view to re-launching the roundtable political process with the participation of Morocco, Algeria, Mauritania and the polisario, in line with UN Security Council resolutions, notably resolution 2654, adopted on October 27, 2022, says a statement issued by the Moroccan Foreign ministry.

During the meeting, the Moroccan delegation underlined the constants of Moroccos position, as reaffirmed by King Mohammed VI in the speech he delivered on November 6, 2022 on the occasion of the Green March celebration, advocating a political solution, based exclusively on the Moroccan Autonomy Initiative, within the frame of the Kingdoms national sovereignty and territorial integrity, notes the statement.

Before landing in Rabat, De Mistura visited Laayoune and Dakhla, where he held a series of meetings with elected officials, Chioukhs, local notables and economic stakeholders. He also met with representatives of civil society, young people, and women.

All these interlocutors informed the UN Sahara envoy about the economic and social boom and the political and democratic dynamic that the two regions of the Moroccan Sahara are experiencing.

De Mistura also visited socio-economic investment and infrastructure projects, and witnessed first-hand the progress made in implementing the New Development Model for the Southern Provinces, launched in 2015 by King Mohammed VI.

According to reliable sources quoted by news outlet Le360, the Personal Envoy of the UN Secretary-General for the Sahara plans to meet with several ambassadors accredited in Morocco, especially those from the member countries of the United Nations Security Council. The meeting will focus on Staffan de Misturas visit to the Kingdom.

In addition to Staffan de Mistura, the informal meeting is expected to bring together Puneet Talwar, the Ambassador of the United States to Morocco, as well as the heads or representatives of the diplomatic missions of France, the United Kingdom, Russia, and China. Other foreign ambassadors accredited in Morocco have also been invited to join this meeting, aimed at informing them about the content of the visit made by the Personal Envoy for the Sahara to the Kingdom, the same sources told Le360.

Last Monday, the UN released a statement saying the Personal Envoy of the UN Secretary General is looking forward to conducting visits in the region and meetings, engaging all concerned ahead of the issuance of the report of the Secretary-General to the Security Council in October.

Mr. Staffan de Mistura looks forward to further deepening consultations with all concerned on the prospects of constructively advancing the political process on Western Sahara in the course of these regional engagements, added the UN statement.

The Personal Envoy is planning to report on his visits and engagements to the Secretary-General as well as to the Security Council in October, underlined the UN.
At least 822 people were killed and 672 were wounded, including 205 in critical condition, in the powerful earthquake that rocked Friday night Morocco, according to an updated interior ministry toll.

Casualty figures are expected to rise as the search continues and as rescuers reach remote areas. It is the strongest tremor to hit the North African Kingdom in more than a century.

A 7-magnitude quake struck the country High Atlas Mountain at 11:11 p.m. local time at the relatively shallow depth of 18.5 km with the epicentre located about 72 km southwest of Marrakech, a popular tourist destination.

Local authorities and security and civil protection services in all cities and provinces concerned mobilized immediately to provide the necessary assistance and assess the damage and upon the high instructions of King Mohammed VI, Supreme Commander and Chief of General Staff of the Royal Armed Forces (FAR), the Royal Armed Forces urgently deployed late on Friday, following the earthquake, significant human and logistical air and land resources, as well as specialized search and rescue teams and a field hospital.

The necessary arrangements have been made at the level of the FAR General Staff and all FAR headquarters throughout the Kingdom, in terms of liaison and coordination with local authorities, the FAR General Staff said in a press release.

Intervention detachments, planes, helicopters, drones and engineering resources as well as logistics centres are deployed to provide the necessary support to the various departments concerned and to the affected populations, the FAR said.

Authorities also called on people to donate blood to help victims. Most deaths occurred in mountainous areas close to the epicentre that were hard to reach after the roads were damaged by the quake.

Moroccans in several cities across the kingdom stayed outside their homes fearing aftershocks.

In 1960, a magnitude 5.8 tremor struck near the Moroccan city of Agadir and caused thousands of deaths. The Agadir quake prompted changes in construction rules in Morocco, but many buildings, especially rural homes, are not built to withstand such tremors.

In 2004, a 6.4 magnitude earthquake near the Mediterranean coastal city of Al Hoceima left more than 600 dead. Fridays quake was felt as far away as Portugal and neighboring Algeria.
Peru decided on Friday to suspend its diplomatic relations with the self-proclaimed SADR, dealing another hard blow to the Algerian-backed Polisario separatist group.

In accordance with international law rules, the government of Peru has decided to suspend its diplomatic relations with the so-called SADR, Perus foreign ministry said in a statement.

Faithful to the principles of international law that guide its foreign policy, Lima reiterates its willingness to continue to support, within the framework of the UN, all efforts aimed at ensuring that the parties involved in the Sahara issue reach a just, lasting and mutually acceptable political solution, added the statement.

Rabat lauded Limas wise decision, which is in line with international law and opens up new prospects for bilateral cooperation, said the Moroccan Foreign Affairs Department in a press release.

The Perus decision coincides with the new regional tour started this week by UN Sahara envoy Staffan De Mistura to re-launch the roundtable political process with the participation of Morocco, Algeria, Mauritania and the polisario, in line with UN Security Council resolutions, notably resolution 2654, adopted on October 27, 2022.

Moroccan foreign minister Nasser Bourita met on Friday in Rabat with De Mistura and reaffirmed the Kingdoms stand advocating a political solution, based exclusively on Moroccos Autonomy Plan offered for the Sahara under the countrys national sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Prior to Rabat, De Mistura visited the Moroccan Saharan cities of Laayoune and Dakhla, where he held a series of meetings with elected officials, Chioukhs, local notables and economic stakeholders. He also met with representatives of civil society, young people, and women.

De Mistura also visited socio-economic investment and infrastructure projects, and witnessed first-hand the progress made in implementing the New Development Model for the Southern Provinces, launched in 2015 by King Mohammed VI.

Last Monday, the UN released a statement saying the UN Sahara envoy is looking forward to conducting visits in the region and meetings, engaging all concerned ahead of the issuance of the report of the Secretary-General to the Security Council in October.
King Mohammed VI has given his instructions to expeditiously continue field relief efforts and provide care to the victims of the deadly powerful quake that hit Morocco Friday night, killing at least 1,305 people, according to an updated death toll.

During a working session chaired Saturday at the Royal Palace in Rabat on the quake that caused human & material losses in various regions of the kingdom, the Monarch, who was accompanied by Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan, declared three days of national mourning with the half-masting of national flags on all public facilities.

During this session, the Monarch was briefed by the officials on the latest developments in the affected prefectures and provinces, notably in some localities that were inaccessible during the evening and where the situation point and relief intervention were not possible until sunrise, said a press release issued by the Royal Office.

The King was also informed about the measures taken to quickly address this large-scale natural catastrophe. These emergency measures, subject to royal instructions and constant follow-up by since the first moments that followed the earthquake, witnessed the intervention of the Royal Armed Forces, local authorities, security services, Protection civil units as well as the ministries concerned.

The emergency measures focused on reinforcing the national blood stock, supplying drinking water to affected areas, distributing food kits, tents and blankets to the affected population, quickly resuming public services.

Upon the Instructions of King Mohammed VI, Supreme Commander and Chief of General Staff of the Royal Armed Forces (FAR), the Royal Armed Forces urgently deployed significant human and logistical air and land resources, as well as specialized intervention modules based on search and rescue teams and a medical-surgical field hospital, said the Royal Office statement.

King Mohammed VI has given his instructions to immediately set up an inter-ministerial commission in charge of carrying out an emergency rehabilitation and aid program to reconstruct as soon as possible the destroyed homes in the affected areas.

The goal is to encourage economic operators for a quick resumption of activities in the affected areas. It was also decided to open a special bank account at Treasury and Bank Al Maghrib to receive the voluntary solidarity contributions of citizens as well as private and public instructions.

With all its components, the Mohammed V Foundation for Solidarity will ensure full mobilization to support citizens in affected areas. The emphasis has also been placed on creating stocks of basic necessities (medicines, tents, beds, foodetc.) in every region of the Kingdom to prepare for any type of disaster.

The King, Commander of the Faithful, also gave his Instructions to the minister of Islamic Affairs to perform the Absent Prayer (Salat Al Ghaib) in all mosques throughout the Kingdom, for the repose of the victims souls.

The Sovereign also expressed the sincere thanks of the kingdom of Morocco to all brotherly and friendly countries that expressed their solidarity with the Moroccan people on this situation, and many of which expressed their readiness to provide aid in these special circumstances.
Were celebrating North Plattes 150th birthday this Wednesday  one of them, anyway.

One might prefer November 1866, around the time Jack and Daniel Casements Union Pacific Railroad construction crews built into the plat of U.P. Chief Engineer Grenville Dodges Original Town.

Theres the date that Dodge officially filed the Original Town plat in Omaha on Jan. 31, 1867, a month before Nebraska became a state.

Then theres Sept. 13, 1873, when Lincoln County commissioners declared the organization of the Town of North Platte. Thats what the city will celebrate from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Cody Park.

North Platte officially celebrated its centennial throughout 1973, as did The Telegraph, which published a commemorative, 100-page North Platte Centennial Special that Sept. 17.

Theres still a fourth candidate, which well cover shortly. Lets trace how North Platte got to town status first.

Original Town

Dodge, a general involved in Union Army railroad operations during the Civil War, had eyed the Platte River forks as an ideal rail center during an 1859 visit to his fathers store at Cottonwood Springs near Fort McPherson, south of Maxwell.

As he surveyed the U.P.s mainline route during and after the war, Dodge returned to recently reorganized Lincoln County while the transcontinental railroad pushed west from Omaha.

He laid out a division point town in early November 1866, with room for a railroad corridor, roundhouse and shops, after accompanying the railroads Oct. 24-26 100th Meridian Excursion train to within two miles of the future city.

Original Town was 15 blocks square, angled northwest to southeast, with east-west streets numbered 1 to 6 south of the corridor and 7 to 12 north of it.

Except for Vine, all but one of the north-south streets were originally named for trees, from Oak east to Poplar. The plat implied Front Street just south of the tracks and streets around lots on all four town edges.

William S. Peniston and Andrew J. Miller opened North Plattes first store on Nov. 9, 1866, at Front and Jeffers (Locust) streets.

One could declare that North Plattes real birthday  unless you prefer the arrival of the Casements track gangs, with the boisterous Hell on Wheels portable town right behind them, sometime between Nov. 9 and 24.

Becoming a town

As many as 5,000 people drank, gambled, caroused and started building the U.P. roundhouse and shops that winter. By July 1867, they were gone to the next Hell on Wheels incarnation at Julesburg, Colorado, leaving some workers to finish the shops and build North Plattes first U.P. depot and hotel.

The 1870 census didnt report North Plattes population, leaving an estimate to the towns first permanent newspaper.

North Platte now has 800 inhabitants, and immigration is steadily increasing at a remarkably rapid rate, the Platte Valley Independent  soon to move east and become the Grand Island Independent  said on March 26, 1870.

North Platte Enterprise Editor J.M. Peake declared the community a thriving town of one thousand inhabitants on Feb. 8, 1873. Both estimates may be overstated, since 1880 census-takers found only 363 people.

Nonetheless, Peake said it needs no prophetic eye to see that North Platte will soon take front rank among her sister towns in the state.

It had to become a town first, though. The County Board soon took care of that, using a new 1873 law to declare North Platte a town and appoint its first board of trustees.

No copies of early newspapers survive from around Sept. 13, 1873. But Peake wrote Nov. 8 that empty-headed growlers and peripatetic fault-finders  are compelled to admit that there is a possible chance of North Platte outgrowing the very narrow limits to which their ever-ready tongue had marked out upon many occasions for her to occupy.

A toothless town

But the law used to make North Platte a town limited the powers of its trustees. Less than eight months after the birth, new Enterprise Editor A.H. Church was calling for more permanent steps.

Complaints come to us daily from ladies and gentlemen, girls and boys, of the filthy condition of our streets and alleys, he wrote on May 2, 1874.

It is a shame to the fair fame and name of our beautiful city that such a state of affairs exist. Who is to blame? We have called time and again for the incorporation of our city. Why is it not attended to at once?

On Sept. 17, Peake, now editor of the new Western Nebraskian, laid out the weaknesses of the states town law. It failed to provide for the execution of ordinances that might be passed by the Board of Trustees, he wrote.

There was an alternative, one pressed over the following year by Peakes successor, W.H. Michael.

The time has come for the people of North Platte to seriously entertain the subject of improved streets and sidewalks, he wrote on May 14, 1875.

We cannot, of course, hope for much change for the better in either the streets or sidewalks so long as it is everybodys business  which always means (it is) nobodys business  to look after them. And we do not know of any way to reach the difficulty and remedy it, unless the town incorporates.

On Sept. 4, Michael said an attempt to incorporate was made last year  but was there ever a meeting of the trustees? Not that anybody ever heard of. They never qualified (to serve), even. The excuse was that there is no law to enforce any penalties.

The Western Nebraskian editor next brought up the lack of police and fire protection. North Platte is large enough to incorporate and thus institute measures for protection against fire, but she lacks some element or other in order to bring it about, he wrote Oct. 16.

A big fire will quicken her pulse on this subject, and it is possible that nothing else can. But, my friend, let it be not your house that will inaugurate the terrible lesson. Watch!

Michaels lobbying finally paid off. The Nov. 20 Western Nebraskian wrote that a goodly number of our citizens met at the courthouse Nov. 13 and passed a resolution asking the dormant Board of Trustees to pass an ordinance incorporating North Platte as a second-class city.

Its chairman, Lincoln County pioneer Charles McDonald, convened the board four days later. On Dec. 3, 1875, it passed an ordinance declaring that the best interests of the said town of North Platte requires that it organize itself into a city of the second class.

Town Clerk James Belton scheduled the City of North Plattes first election for Dec. 18. Its boundaries included Dodges Original Town and Hinmans Addition, a former homestead that extended two blocks west of South Oak between Second and Sixth Streets.

Voters elected Anthony Ries North Plattes first mayor, A.H. Church as police judge, Al Walker as city marshal and Alexander Struthers as treasurer. Six City Council members were elected from three wards.

They were sworn in and held their first council meeting at the courthouse on Dec. 28, 1875  25 days after the third of North Plattes possible birthdays.

The county seat at the forks of the Platte wouldnt stay a second-class city forever. On July 18, 1910, Gov. Ashton C. Shallenberger declared North Platte, with 4,793 people in that years census, to be a city of the first class.

Take your pick which birthday you prefer to celebrate. But Wednesdays 150th birthday party is as good as any.
Editors note: The following is excerpted from The Telegraphs North Platte Centennial special edition of Sept. 17, 1973.

***

North Platte in the 1870s, at least as far as Scottish novelist Robert Louis Stevenson was concerned, was no Treasure Island.

The noted author spent a regrettable night in the recently incorporated village as he trekked across the United States to California by railroad.

One source says the trip was made in 1875. However, it is also possible that the trip was made in 1879, the year he journeyed from Scotland to California to join a married woman he had fallen in love with in Europe.

His record of that arduous trip was later told in two books, The Amateur Emigrant and Across the Plains, including the following description of North Platte:

The next town of importance of North Platte, named after the river of that name. I decided to stay here for the night as I was very weary.

When the train stopped and I stepped on the platform, a tall man with a wooden leg seized my portmanteau and, giving me a push, started away with it. Here, what are you doing? I cried, running after him. Taking you to the best hotel in town, he answered. It was perhaps the best, for I saw no other.

Dinner was served at 6 oclock, the meat portion consisting of wild game. It was very well cooked but plainly served, the service being indescribable. When I complained to the proprietor, who had the appearance of being a gentleman, he laughed boisterously and said, Oh, you will soon get used to that.

In strolling about the village, which was but a collection of poorly built houses, many of which were mere hovels, I came to a graveyard in which I was told the occupants were all killed in brawls or drunken fights  not one having died a natural death.

Returning to my room, I was soon awakened by a brawl under my window. Howling, cursing, swearing and the sound of blows and the groans of some poor fellow destined to soon be a resident of the lonely graveyard made the night hideous. When this had quieted, men galloped through the streets firing their guns.

With all these disturbances, I slept late the next morning. Awakening only in time to receive a hurried breakfast, I went to the station, followed in a more leisurely manner by the one-legged porter carrying my portmanteau.

Though the service was but slight, when I offered him a gratuity, he disdainly declined it, saying, Forget it. Pocketing the spurned coin, I carried by portmanteau into a van more luxurious than used by the emigrants, but with the same lack of privacy, and was soon on my way to a more congenial clime.
Lincoln Countys most notorious homicide case has at last ended, as it inevitably had to.

Eastern Nebraska news outlets broke the news after Labor Day of the Aug. 31 death of Erwin Charles Simants, nearly 48 years after the night Sutherland and much of west central Nebraska cannot forget.

We pray, first of all, that Simants passing at age 77 in Lincoln  where he was confined at the regional center for 44 years  may finally bring lasting peace to the descendants of the Henry and Audrey Marie Kellie family, which Simants decimated on Oct. 18, 1975.

Obviously perfect closure is elusive, especially in this case. But one particular cloud of dread that long hung over them and all of Lincoln County has finally dissipated.

We speak of the fear that Simants, once sentenced to death but then acquitted by reason of insanity, could have been released from the regional center.

Whether Simants would have returned to Lincoln County is moot. All the same, our residents have long cringed at what might have happened if he had.

We should be grateful to the district judges who handled Simants case all these years  the late Hugh Stuart, Donald Rowlands and most recently Michael Piccolo  who collectively, consistently judged it was best, even for Simants, that we never found out.

The Kellie murders changed our county. They also have lingered all these years here at The Telegraph, and among Nebraskas statewide press, for the parallel, precedent-setting legal battle Simants acts unleashed.

Immediately after Simants arrest, County Judge Ron Ruff and then Stuart imposed gag orders on news outlets keeping them out of pretrial hearings.

Their goal was to somehow seat a jury untainted by news coverage. But our late Editor Keith Blackledge, joined by his statewide colleagues, rightly contested the gag orders as an unconstitutional prior restraint under the First Amendment.

Nearly a year later, the U.S. Supreme Court unanimously backed Blackledge and the Nebraska press. Nebraska Press Association v. Stuart is still taught in journalism school media law classes.

In the end, Simants death sentence wasnt overturned by any action of the press. The Nebraska Supreme Court overturned it because then-Lincoln County Sheriff Gordon Hop Gilster had played cards with jury members sequestered during the first trial.

In the second trial, held in 1979 with a Lincoln jury, Simants lawyers prevailed with an insanity defense that just three years later would be successfully applied to President Ronald Reagans would-be assassin, John Hinckley Jr.

Until last December, Lincoln County had relived the Simants case through mostly annual reviews of his mental health. We also salute Bob Lindemeier, our countys public defender, who ensured since 1991 that Simants had the legal representation every one of us has a constitutional right to expect.

The events Simants set loose that fall night in Sutherland are forever etched in Lincoln Countys history. We wish, to the extent its ever possible, peace for those who have suffered the most because of it and who remain among us.
The minaret of a mosque stands behind damaged or destroyed houses following an earthquake in Moulay Brahim, Al-Haouz province in Morocco. Photo: Fadel Senna/AFP via Getty Images

More than a thousand people are dead in central Morocco after a magnitude-6.8 earthquake struck late Friday night  and the death toll is expected to rise. The tremor was the most powerful earthquake to strike the North African country in 123 years, and the deadliest in the world since a series of devastating quakes killed nearly 60,000 people in Turkey and Syria in February.

The epicenter of the Morocco earthquake. Live coverage on the @nytimes https://t.co/3NKbqv53fC pic.twitter.com/A0012MnfhN  Elian Peltier (@ElianPeltier) September 9, 2023

The epicenter of Fridays quake was in the High Atlas Mountains roughly 50 miles southwest of Marrakech. Search and rescue workers struggled on Saturday to reach the the remote, rural mountain villages near the epicenter that were hardest hit, and where the majority of deaths have been reported thus far.

A man from Adassil, which is about 6 miles from the epicenter of the earthquake, shows the devastation in his village. He says they still haven't received help and don't have any way of pulling survivors from under the rubble. #Morocco https://t.co/5sYmAszZY3  Laila Lalami (@LailaLalami) September 9, 2023

Numerous survivors in mountain villages have described frantic dashes to escape their houses just before they collapsed, trapping or killing family members left inside. Countless Moroccans slept outside on Friday night out of fear of aftershocks. Moroccos military has mobilized to assist with the recovery efforts, but mountain roads to some heavily damaged areas remained blocked on Saturday.

          #    # (    #)     100    #.#_ # pic.twitter.com/PPsMyff9OU    (@khalediskef) September 9, 2023

Reports indicate that multiple communities were largely leveled by the quake, which struck at 11:11 p.m. Big earthquakes are particularly dangerous in the overnight hours, when most people are asleep in their homes and less able to get outside quickly when the shaking starts. In this case, the quake was shallow, and of a magnitude which is exceedingly rare in central Morocco. The region affected by the quake is home to roughly 1.8 million people, and parts of Marrakech have a higher population density than Manhattan, according to the New York Times.

The quake caused significant damage and partial building collapses in the historic city, particularly in the its old city center, where some of the citys famous 12th-century red walls fell, and the Koutoubia Mosque was damaged  but remained standing.

Videos circulating online show people fleeing as the powerful tremors hit in Morocco.



One video appears to show the minaret of Marrakechs famous Kutubiyya Mosque, which is nearly 1,000 years old, emanating dust, sparking fears it could collapse pic.twitter.com/5pYN8Enc7j  Middle East Eye (@MiddleEastEye) September 9, 2023

Powerful earthquakes are rare but extremely destructive in Morocco, where most buildings are not constructed to withstand such seismic events. The last big quake to strike the country, a M6.3 tremor which hit the port city of Al Hoceima in 2004, killed more than 600 people. The M5.8 earthquake which struck near the western city of Agadir in 1960 killed at least 12,000 people  the deadliest in the countrys history.
YAOUNDE, Sept. 9 (Xinhua) -- At least one person has died after an improvised explosive device exploded in Cameroon's war-torn English-speaking region of Southwest, local and security sources said on Saturday.

The incident occurred late Friday in the seaside tourist town of Limbe in the region.

"The explosion was dropped at a junction not far from a popular bar where many people were drinking. It killed one person, and several others were injured. The injured are in the hospital," a military official in the region who arrived at the scene after the incident told Xinhua by phone but asked not to be named.

Local officials blamed separatist fighters known to be operating in the region for the blast.

There has been renewed violence in the country's two Anglophone regions of Northwest and Southwest since Monday after separatists declared a two-week lockdown to disrupt school resumption.

Separatist fighters have been clashing with government forces since 2017 in a bid to create an independent nation in the regions. 
The recent wildfires in Maui, Hawaii demonstrated the importance of oversight and accountability when it comes to utility companies. These companies control vast amounts of power and must have a clear plan to respond to extreme weather events and other situations to prevent catastrophe. But whats also been shown is the severe challenge of the ageing U.S. energy infrastructure. Wildfires and other catastrophic events, many caused by outdated infrastructure, have been an increasingly common occurrence in recent years, in states such as California and Texas. But how much comes down to utility companies and how much is down to public and private investment in a wide range of infrastructure?

Following the recent devastating wildfires in Maui, the county is suing the Hawaiian Electric company for damages. During the fires, more than 100 people were killed, with the historic town of Lahaina being destroyed. Maui County claims that the downed power lines operated by the utility contributed to the fires. Hawaiian Electric has been accused of negligence for not shutting off power following a red flag weather warning by the National Weather Service, due to high winds from Hurricane Dora.

In extreme weather events, high winds can knock down power lines, which can cause a fire during dry or drought conditions. This is a well-known risk, with over 32,000 wildfires started by transmission and distribution lines in the U.S. between 1992 and 2020, according to data from the U.S. Forest Service. But as well as demonstrating the responsibility of utility companies to create clear emergency strategies to follow, and states to establish better oversight measures, it also once again calls into question the dangers of ageing U.S. energy infrastructure.

In states, such as California, Texas and Florida, that regularly experience severe weather, the ageing energy infrastructure has repeatedly been called into question following several failings in recent years. Many states simply do not have enough money to invest in the complete overhaul that is required to modernise their energy infrastructure. Further, the national grid system in the U.S. is highly fragmented, meaning that several states and regions run on completely different systems, under different utilities and different standards than others. This makes it extremely difficult to modernise infrastructure on a country-wide scale.

And it doesnt stop at the U.S. grid structure, with major concerns over ageing roads, bridges, dams, and electrical grids that keep the country running, which are decades old and often in dire need of repair. Infrastructure issues that were previously overlooked due to cost of a lack of awareness about the problem are now being seen as much more serious due to climate change. As weather events worldwide are worsening, with more widespread droughts, stronger storms and other unexpected events, people are putting increasing pressure on governments to address these issues. In turn, governments are putting mounting pressure on utility companies to ensure their safety strategies address the risks of a constantly changing world.

For example, on 11 June this year, a tanker truck transporting gasoline on the I-95 in Philadelphia crashed and caught fire. The overpass above the crash, which carries around 160,000 vehicles a day, collapsed. This was blamed on either the heat of the flames or the explosion weakening the steel beams. However, some have questioned the fragility of the states ageing infrastructure and the need to invest in repairing key infrastructure to avoid future catastrophes.

The U.S. government is aware of the rising concerns of poor infrastructure and has responded to these fears with the passing of the $1.2 trillion Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill and President Bidens $2.3 trillion Build Back Better Act in 2021. These are aimed at developing and improving a wide range of critical U.S. infrastructure over the next decade. But public financing schemes will have to help attract a great deal more in private investment if the government hopes to successfully address the countrys failing infrastructure.

A recent American Society of Civil Engineers assessment suggests there is an infrastructure investment gap of almost $2.6 trillion this decade, which could ultimately cost the U.S. $10 trillion in lost GDP by the end of 2039 if left unaddressed. This report covers sectors such as roads, electricity, airports, telecommunication, rail, water, and ports. Several analysts agree with this large funding gap. For example, McKinsey researchers suggest that $150 billion per year will be required between 2017 and 2030 to manage the countrys infrastructure needs.

While the governments new infrastructure laws go a long way to addressing the countrys ageing infrastructure problem  from transport to energy  there is still a long way to go to creating a cohesive plan and providing enough funding to ensure the critical infrastructure across the country is stable. The government will have to work with state powers, private companies, and utilities to ensure that improvements to U.S. infrastructure are being made in a less fragmented manner, to help establish a long-term plan for infrastructure across different sectors and states.

By Felicity Bradstock for Oilprice.com

ADVERTISEMENT

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
It looks as though the competition in semiconductors between the U.S. and China is only getting started.

And hey, when it doubt: nationalize the industry! That seems to be China's strategy after it was announced this week that Beijing is going to be launching a new, $40 billion investment fund backed by the government, to help boost and subsidize its semiconductor industry.

This investment will be the largest of three that have been launched by China's "Big Fund", the nickname for the China Integrated Circuit Industry Investment Fund, according to Yahoo Finance. Its focus is going to be on "investment on equipment used in manufacturing advanced chips".

Other "Big Fund" funds were launched in 2014 and 2019, with funding provided by companies like China Development Bank Capital, China National Tobacco Corp. and China Telecom.

Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp. and Hua Hong Semiconductor have been beneficiaries of the "Big Fund" in the past, as has flash memory chipmaker Yangtze Memory Technologies, Yahoo reports.

The fundraising process "may take months", according to the report, and it is unclear when China may launch the fund.

China is aiming to be self-reliant when it comes to chipmaking at the same time the U.S. has tried to limit the country from accessing advanced chips.

Chinese President Xi Jinping's domestic push for semiconductors comes after the U.S. government's CHIPS act was launched, providing $39 billion in manufacturing subsidies specifically targeting high end chip production in the U.S.

The global semiconductor industry remains weighed down by regulation: as of now China has imposed restrictions on Micron and the U.S. has put into place export controls that have caused some companies difficulty in selling to China.

By Zerohedge.com

ADVERTISEMENT

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
Relations between Armenia and its traditional strategic partner Russia are deteriorating fast.

In the past week, Yerevan has boldly criticized Russia's "absolute indifference" to Azerbaijani "aggression" against Armenia and Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has expressed regret over his country's near-total dependence on Moscow for its security as a "strategic mistake."

And now Yerevan is sending a package of humanitarian aid to Ukraine for the first time since Russia's invasion.

RFE/RL's Armenian service reported that the aid (whose precise nature and amount have not been announced) would be delivered by Anna Hakobyan, the prime minister's wife, as she attends the Ukraine-initiated Third Summit of first ladies and gentlemen in Kyiv.

Armenia-Russia relations have been steadily worsening since September 2022, when Azerbaijani forces attacked Armenian territory and seized several square kilometers of land in clashes that left about 400 dead on both sides.

Armenia is a member of the Russia-led Collective Security Treaty Organization and has a bilateral defense agreement with Russia. But both Moscow and the CSTO refused to intervene on Armenia's behalf or condemn Azerbaijan's incursion (only a small CSTO monitoring mission was sent). A few months later Armenia refused to host a CSTO exercise and further downgraded its participation in the bloc.

More recently, in an interview with the Italian newspaper La Repubblica on September 2, Prime Minister Pashinyan criticized the "failure" of Russian peacekeepers to protect Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh, where they were have been deployed since the 2020 war with Azerbaijan. He also lamented Yerevan's "strategic mistake" of depending on Russia almost entirely for its security and mused about cooperating more extensively with the West.

And that followed a statement by the Foreign Ministry three days earlier criticizing Russia's "absolute indifference" to what the ministry called Azerbaijan's acts of aggression, including the September 2022 incursion and the June 15, 2023 incident in which Azerbaijani troops advanced towards Armenia from the border checkpoint on the Lachin road, which connects Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh.

On September 5, Armenia's Defense Ministry announced that Armenian and U.S. troops would hold a 9-day drill later this month. The exercise will focus on "stabilization operations between conflicting parties during peacekeeping missions," the ministry said.

Russia "cannot leave Armenia"

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov responded on September 7 by saying, "In this situation, it is certain that holding such exercises will not facilitate the stabilization of the situation - in any case, it will not facilitate the strengthening of an atmosphere of mutual trust in the region."

Two days earlier Peskov rebuffed Pashinyan's remark in his La Repubblica interview that Russia was "leaving" the South Caucasus region.

"Russia is an integral part of this region, so it can never go anywhere. Russia cannot leave Armenia," he said.

Armenia currently hosts around 10,000 Russian troops, 5,000 of which are stationed at Gyumri's 102nd Russian military base. Others are stationed in Yerevan, including at Zvartnots International Airport.

Russian border troops have long overseen the Armenia-Turkey and Armenia-Iran borders and have been deployed more recently to sections of the Azerbaijan border in response to tensions there.

An additional 2,000 Russian peacekeepers are stationed in the ethnic Armenian-populated Nagorno-Karabakh region for a 5-year term set to expire in 2025.

(Russia is also Armenia's biggest trade partner by far, and Yerevan's economic dependence on Moscow has only grown since the start of the Ukraine war.)

The Rome Statute

On top of everything else, Prime Minister Pashinyan this week sent the Rome statute of the International Criminal Court to parliament for ratification, despite the objections that Russia has been expressing for months.

Armenia's motivation is to be able to sue Azerbaijan in the ICC for its alleged abuses of Armenians. But ratifying the statute would mean, theoretically at least, that Armenia will be obliged to arrest Russian President Vladimir Putin if he visits, as the court issued an arrest warrant for Putin in March over the abduction of Ukrainian children.

Russia expressed "dissatisfaction" over Armenia's decision, demanding explanations for the move.

Tigran Grigoryan, the head of the Yerevan-based Regional Center for Democracy and Security think tank, says that Russia has levers to pressure Armenia into not ratifying the statute.

ADVERTISEMENT

Grigoryan told Eurasianet that Russia may take action to "punish" Armenia as it did in April, banning dairy imports from Armenia after the latter's Constitutional Court approved the treaty.

The analyst added that he doesn't expect any drastic changes in Armenia's foreign policy in the near future, nor any dramatic Russian moves against Armenia.

At the same time, he said, Russia is unlikely to help Armenia in case of military escalation with Azerbaijan, in particular since Moscow is now directly speaking of Karabakhi Armenians' need to accept Baku's rule over the disputed territory.

"Armenia has sharpened its rhetoric a bit regarding Russia because it seems that Russia has accepted Azerbaijan's position over the issues concerning Nagorno-Karabakh, which means that Armenia does not have anything to lose," Grigoryan said. "Russia's proposals are currently identical to Azerbaijan's proposals."

By Ani Avetisyan via Eurasianet.org

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
FRIDAY, Sept. 8, 2023 (HealthDay News) -- The maker of the "One Chip Challenge" has pulled the product from store shelves after a Massachusetts mom claimed the super spicy chip, packaged in a coffin-shaped container, contributed to the death of her 14-year-old son.

"The Paqui One Chip Challenge is intended for adults only, with clear and prominent labeling highlighting the chip is not for children or anyone sensitive to spicy foods or who has food allergies," the company said in a statement posted Thursday on its website. Still, "we have seen an increase in teens and other individuals not heeding these warnings," the company added. "As a result, while the product continues to adhere to food safety standards, out of an abundance of caution, we are actively working with our retailers to remove the product from shelves."

Hospitalizations from the One Chip Challenge have been reported across the country, said Worcester County District Attorney Joseph Early Jr. in a social media post on Wednesday. "While the investigation into the cause of the teenager's death in Worcester continues, the Worcester County District Attorney's Office would like to remind parents to research and discuss with your children about the one-chip challenge," Early wrote. Parents should tell their children "not to partake in this activity," he added.

Harris Wolobah, 14, ate the chip last Friday, his mother, Lois Wolobah, told NBC Boston. He then went to the school nurse at Doherty Memorial High School in Worcester with a stomachache. Later, he passed out at home in the afternoon. The boy was pronounced dead at the hospital the next day, NBC News reported.

The chips in the "One Chip Challenge" are seasoned with two of the hottest peppers, the Carolina Reaper and the Naga Viper. Chili pepper spiciness is measured on the Scoville scale. While the Naga Viper scores 1.4 million, the Carolina Reaper scores 1.7 million. Meanwhile, a jalapeno pepper is 8,500 Scoville heat units, NBC News reported.

Marketing for the company had dared people to eat the chip, post a picture after their tongues turned blue, and then wait as long as possible to relieve the burn with water or other food, NBC News reported. Variations of the challenge had been ongoing since 2016.

A Paqui spokesperson said in a statement on Thursday that the company was "deeply saddened by the death of Harris Wolobah and express our condolences to the family," NBC News reported.
The Omaha Public Schools district is planning to decrease its property tax rate once again for the 2023-24 school year.

OPS officials unveiled their proposed budget at Thursdays school board meeting, highlighting a levy decrease that has been ongoing for the last four years.

OPS is planning a levy of $1.217 per $100 of assessed value, a decrease of $0.014 from the previous year. Since the 2019-20 budget, the districts tax rate has gone down nearly 3 cents.

The owner of a house valued at $150,000 would pay $1,826 in school taxes. That would be a reduction of about $21, or about 1%, in the school portion of the property tax bill for that homeowner. However, if the valuation on that house has increased, the new OPS levy would likely result in higher property taxes.

The proposed budget would involve a property tax request of $389.5 million for Nebraskas largest school district, which is expected to have a final enrollment of 52,681 students  the highest enrollment since the pandemic.

Board member Bri Full said shes concerned about lowering the levy when state aid could decrease in the future.

When it comes to (the) long term, I dont know if this is the best option for us to lower our levy right now, she said. Long term, we cant depend on the state to fulfill our obligations.

Shane Rhian, chief financial officer for OPS, said that while school aid is usually the first to go when the state cuts its budget, the district cant add much more to its general reserve fund because its already near its maximum level set by board policy.

In the short term, we are in a good spot, Rhian said.

Rhian said the districts general fund would increase by $17 million to accommodate the need to pay for more contracted services and equipment.

Funding for the districts special building fund will also be increasing for the second year in a row for necessary maintenance, Rhian said.

If approved, OPS will end up with a general fund budget of $727 million and a total budget of $1.25 billion, Rhian said.

The proposed budget also included a five-year financial projection, something district officials continue to update throughout the year.

Rhian said OPS projects financial challenges beginning in 2024 when the districts share of federal COVID-19 aid expires. OPS received more than $280 million in funding that has helped pay for several continuing and new initiatives and student services.

It will be challenging to offer many of the services that have been and will be paid for by ESSER grant funds. Continuation of these services will likely require offsetting expenses in the future, Rhian said. We will also continue to work to identify ways to use our available resources more effectively and efficiently.

The 2023-24 budget is set for a vote on Sept. 21.

Our best Omaha staff photos & videos of September 2023
Multiple agencies, including NASA, NOAA, and the independent Berkeley Earth, have calculated that July was the globally hottest calendar month on record.

Compared with geological data, such as ice cores, sediment cores, tree rings and corals, last month was probably the single warmest month in the history of human civilization  which began when the last ice age ended about 12,000 years ago.

With roughly 70% of the planet covered by the oceans, they have an outsized influence on that warming signal. For climate scientists like oceanographer Andy Pershing, vice president for science at the non-profit Climate Central, it is not surprising.

This is what we expected. Its shocking, but its not surprising. This is what scientists were predicting in the '80s and '90s using the first generations of climate models, he said.

While air temperatures get a lot of attention, about 90 percent of the additional heat from the warming climate is going into the oceans. He has watched it unfold dramatically over the last decade.

Ive been looking at sea surface temperature maps for a long time," Pershing said. "And a little over 10 years ago, I started noticing the Gulf of Maine and the waters around New England were warming very quickly. And Ive watched over the last 10 years  place after place after place  has caught up with that.

Examining the recent data, one trend jumps out at him.

The striking thing to me is that there just isnt any blue on the map  meaning there are very few areas that are cooler than normal. Everything is higher than the long-term average. And that has not always been the case  even a few years ago," he said.

What happens in the oceans does not stay in the oceans, as it affects people who live hundreds of miles away from any coastline. The warmer water interacts with the overlying atmosphere, affecting the evolution of weather patterns on both local and global scales and altering previously reliable patterns of temperatures and precipitation.

Those ocean changes also have economic ramifications. Closer to the coast, it has had an especially high impact on fishing in the Northeast.

Recalling his experience at the Gulf of Maine Research Institute: Cod used to be the mainstay of New England, but their populations are still really low despite efforts to reduce fishing pressure there. The environment wont allow that stock to rebuild. And thats a big cultural loss, in addition to the economical loss.

This years warmer water has already led to coral bleaching in Florida and the Caribbean, but Pershing is especially worried about what will happen in the coming months on a large scale, when summer comes to the northeast coast of Australia.

Thats when we see the Great Barrier Reef potentially start to bleach," Pershing said. "The reefs are important not just for tourism, but are productive fisheries with some of the most diverse ecosystems on the planet. The number of animals living in those areas is extraordinary. And once you lose them, they are really hard to get back.

Since the late 19th century, the planet has warmed an average of about 2 degrees Fahrenheit, and current global policies suggest an additional 5 degrees of warming over the rest of this century if those policies are followed.

This is the world that we knew was coming if we kept putting carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. And its the world that we have to figure out how to live with, Pershing said.

Much is still to be written on the precise amount of warming by the end of this century, as the amount of additional greenhouse gas emissions will determine if the warming stays below that 5-degree expectation, or exceeds it. But given the sheer magnitude of the oceans, every tenth of a degree will matter in the years and decades to come.

Sean Sublette is the chief meteorologist for the Richmond Times-Dispatch in Virginia.
Three Michigan men went to jail Thursday afternoon after a traffic stop on Interstate 80 turned up $16,800 in phony $100 bills, according to the Lancaster County Sheriff's Office.

Chief Deputy Ben Houchin said at 2:45 p.m. an interdiction officer stopped a 2021 Mazda CX30 at the western edge of the county for making an improper lane change and following too closely. The officer also smelled marijuana coming from the car.

The search that followed turned up the counterfeit cash, which was found throughout the car and on the driver and two passengers, Houchin said.

The officer also found a small amount of marijuana, numerous $100 prepaid credit cards and a receipt from the Lincoln Walgreen's at North 14th and Superior Streets that reflected a small purchase and $93.50 change being given.

Houchin said a Lincoln officer went to the store, got security video of the purchase and recovered a fake $100 bill.

All three Michigan men were charged Friday with criminal possession of a forged instrument. Two face first-degree forgery charges, as well.
LUANDA, Sept. 9 (Xinhua) -- Angolan President Joao Lourenco sent a message to Moroccan King Mohammed VI on Saturday, conveying "condolences and solidarity" for the earthquake that struck the country on Friday night.

"On behalf of the Angolan government and myself, in the face of this tragic event, I extend our condolences and solidarity to Your Majesty and the affected families during this painful moment for the Moroccan people," according to a statement posted Saturday on the Angolan Presidency's Facebook account.

The earthquake that struck Morocco on Friday night claimed the lives of over a thousand people, causing widespread damage in Marrakesh and surrounding areas. 
LINCOLN  The Nebraska Supreme Court on Friday upheld the murder convictions and death sentence of Anthony Garcia, a former Indiana doctor found guilty of the revenge-fueled slayings of four people in Omaha over five years.

The state high court rejected virtually all of the 130 assignments of error raised by Garcias attorneys in a lengthy and involved appeal.

In a 129-page decision, the court found for Garcia on one issue  concluding that a three-judge sentencing panel had improperly considered one aggravating factor in two deaths. But it said the error was harmless because it did not affect the outcome of the case.

Garcia has been on death row since 2018, after a jury found him guilty of killing 11-year-old Thomas Hunter and 57-year-old Shirlee Sherman in 2008, as well as Dr. Roger Brumback and his wife, Mary, both 65, in 2013. All four had been stabbed in the neck. Roger Brumback was also shot.

Evidence presented at trial painted the murders as revenge for Garcia being fired from Creighton University Medical Center in 2001. Thomas Hunters father, Dr. William Hunter, had been Garcias boss in the pathology department. Sherman was the familys housekeeper.

Roger Brumback was Hunters colleague in the pathology department. A third pathology faculty member reported an attempted break-in at her home the same day that the Brumbacks were killed.

In the appeal, attorneys from the Nebraska Commission of Public Advocacy argued that Garcias trial counsel, a group of attorneys calling themselves Team Motta, had provided him ineffective defense in a case that drew intense media coverage.

They were a nightmare, said Jeff Pickens, chief counsel for the commission, during November arguments before the Supreme Court.

Among the teams alleged missteps, he said, attorney Allison Motta gave statements to the media before trial about DNA testing that she said cleared Garcia. She was removed from the case and later disciplined for the statements, which violated the courts protective orders and the rules of professional conduct.

In Fridays ruling, the Supreme Court said that the sentencing panel erred when considering the aggravating factors in the killings of the Brumbacks.

One factor considered was that Garcia committed a murder in an apparent effort to conceal the commission of a crime, or to conceal the identity of the perpetrator of a crime. The other factor was that he committed more than one murder at a time.

The court said the two factors overlapped in this case and the first one should not have been considered.

The States theory was that Roger was the target of the killings and that Mary was killed in an effort to keep her from disclosing the identity of the person who killed Roger. Alternatively, the State argued that Mary was killed first and that Roger was killed in an effort to keep him from disclosing who killed Mary, it said.

However, the state high court said the error would not have changed the outcome of the case. After tossing out the aggravator concerning concealing a crime, there would still be two aggravating factors in each of the Brumbacks deaths and two in the deaths of Hunter and Sherman.

We are confident beyond a reasonable doubt that the sentencing panel would have sentenced Garcia to death for the Brumback murders even if only two aggravators, and not three, had been found by the jury, the court said.

Under Nebraska law, a jury must determine whether aggravating factors apply in a homicide case. A panel of three judges then weighs the aggravating and mitigating factors in the case in deciding between life in prison and the death penalty.

The Supreme Court also used Garcias case to address an error in jury instructions about one aggravating factor.

In his case and previous death penalty cases, juries have been told they could determine that killings were especially heinous, atrocious or cruel if a killer had inflicted serious mental anguish on victims. Mental anguish was defined to include a victims uncertainty about his or her ultimate fate.

The high court said mental anguish is not part of the state law spelling out aggravating factors and should not be considered. But, in Garcias case, the court said the error was harmless and the aggravator could still apply if a killer showed exceptional depravity, including a cold, calculating planning of the killing.

We find that the evidence presented clearly supported a finding of the exceptional depravity prong of aggravator (1)(d), showing at a minimum that Garcia inflicted gratuitous violence and needlessly mutilated the victims and that he had a cold, calculated plan and purposefully selected the victims in line with that plan, the court said.

The Supreme Court found that most of Garcias other claims were without merit or not prejudicial to him. The court said it could not make a determination about some claims because they were not specific enough or the court did not have enough information.

The appeal decided Friday was the first since Garcias sentencing. It was automatic under state law.

The inmates on Nebraskas death row and their crimes Raymond Mata Jr. Jose Sandoval Jorge Galindo Erick F. Vela Jeffrey Hessler John L. Lotter Roy L. Ellis Marco E. Torres Jr. Anthony Garcia Nikko Jenkins Aubrey Trail
BLOOMINGTON  Cancer sucks.

Every part of a patient's life is altered from the moment they get a positive diagnosis of cancer. And, for a long period of time, they walked that journey alone.

That's what makes events like the Susan G. Komen More Than Pink Walk so important for so many people affected by breast cancer.

Gayle Young started volunteering with the national nonprofit 20 years ago. "I lost a dear friend from my church," she said, "and I started working with Komen."

Now, she's executive director for the foundation's Central Illinois (Memorial) community.

Young oversaw this year's walk, one of their signature fundraisers for the area.

She said the turnout this year was smaller than it has been in its 13 years, with around 300 walkers, "but, for the smaller group, the energy was very good."

They raised nearly $50,000, which will go toward research and support services for breast cancer patients, including navigation services.

Young said the walk was a chance to "celebrate the survivors" of breast cancer. They had a Path to Hope and Survivor's Village, which were tents with refreshments and resources for attendees.

"Those that are here are here because they are committed to someone  whether they're a survivor, whether they're a caregiver, whether they're part of their church family, whatever it is  they're here to rally around them. It has really good energy," Young said.

One of those caregivers was Dr. Lynne Jalovec, a recently retired 34-year breast surgeon from Peoria.

"We've been having Race for the Cures and things like this for a long time," she said. Because it's always a constant, uphill battle against cancer, Jalovec said the public can sometimes lose focus of that fight's importance.

"We have not cured breast cancer," she emphasized. "We have made advances (in treatment)."

Jalovec said, decades ago, "breast cancer was treated by general surgeons," which often led to full mastectomies, where the whole breast is removed to prevent cancer from spreading through the rest of the body.

"That's all we could do at the time. It was mastectomies, that's it," she said.

Through research, medical personnel and cancer specialists have gained an abundance of knowledge and tools to detect cancer earlier.

For breast cancer, that means mammograms.

"By doing the mammograms to detect cancers that are small, you don't take a breast off for that. ... For most women, small cancers mean lumpectomies. They keep their breasts the rest of their lives, which is a good thing," Jalovec said.

Beyond surgeons, she said, cancer requires a multi-disciplinary approach involving radiologists, pathologists, medical oncologists and surgeons among many, many others.

"The idea that cancer is not something that is treated by one doctor  it really needs to be a team approach  that all pretty much started with breast cancer," Jalovec said.

One member of that care team is what's called a "breast navigator," according to Cheryl Sytar, a breast cancer survivor.

The navigator is a specialist, usually a nurse, who helps cancer patients connect with all the resources they may need, be that medical resources or, significantly for many, financial resources.

"So many that walk the breast cancer journey, the financial toxicity of cancer really becomes an issue," Young said.

She said the Susan G. Komen Foundation, beyond funding research and advocating in the government, provides "direct financial assistance for patients."

That is just another reason the More Than Pink Walk is fundamental to combatting cancer, Young said.

"That's what today is about, and it's about raising the funds to allow us to do the work that we do," like investing in research, providing financial assistance, and advocacy work at federal and state level, she said.

Jalovec said that advocacy led to major federal changes in regards to insurance so that patients had easier access to earlier detection.

"When the Affordable Care Act came out, the requirements for that particular act ... came up with the idea that, look, for cancer center common (sense), we need to have screening that is affordable, that can be taken care of so that there's not co-pays and deductibles. Prior to that you had co-pays and deductibles, so people didn't get their screenings done," Jalovec said.

The language of the act is written so that any insurance a patient has must afford them one mammogram a year starting when the patient turns 40, Jalovec said.

She said the state of Illinois also has a program, called the Illinois Breast Cancer and Cervical Cancer Program, for the uninsured and under-insured so they can access necessary services like mammograms.

"That's been in effect for a number of years. Whenever we have a patient who can't afford certain things, we can always go through them," Jalovec said.

Beyond that, even, the retired surgeon said people can still call their local hospitals.

"If they call the hospital to ask to speak to someone about mammograms because they can't afford it, they will direct them" to the necessary services, she said.

Sytar raised nearly $4,000 this year. And she was adamant about early breast cancer detection.

"Everybody should have (a mammogram) every year," she said. "There's no excuse. That's the bottom line."

BREAST CANCER RESOURCES If you need assistance: Illinois Department of Public Health Women's Health Line: 888-522-1282

Carle Cancer Center: 309-451-8500

OSF Cancer Center: 309-684-9100

Susan G. Komen: 877-465-6636 or helpline@komen.org

American Cancer Society: 800-227-2345 or cancer.org

Photos: Bloomington Labor Day Parade 2023
Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily!

Your notification has been saved.

There was a problem saving your notification.

{{description}}

Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.
BLOOMINGTON  A Bloomington man was sentenced to 30 months of probation on Friday as part of a plea deal for multiple drug charges.

Jason C. Boyd was facing six felony charges, accused of providing methamphetamine to a confidential informant with Illinois State Police Task Force Six in March and April, according to charging documents.

Boyd pleaded guilty to unlawful delivery of methamphetamine, a Class 1 felony punishable by four to 15 years in prison. The remaining drug charges were dismissed.

As part of the plea agreement, which was accepted by Judge Jason Chambers, Boyd also must undergo substance abuse evaluation and treatment and pay fines and costs.

Updated mug shots from The Pantagraph Bryant Lewis Derek Roesch Justin M. Mata Marcus D. Wesley Phillip Tinch Trisha L. Hanke William B. Givens David L. Oliver Kenneth E. Funk Jordan R. King Holly M. Isaacson Kenneth L. Minton Tony L. Jackson Britley L. Hilger Jasmine L. Smith Jackie S. Claypool Noah R. Demuth Brandon L. Parsano Alexander N. Williams Carlos Sanchez-Solozarzano Jaylin S. Bones Jordan R. King Dominique M. Banks Austin T. Daugherty Sandra M. Lewis Samantha E. Morris Nolan C. Love Nikkita L. Sandefur Katlin M.B. Wilson Eli C. Garozzo Tysean T. Townsend Curtis J. Byrd Noral K. Nelson Charles J. Tankson Davis, Micah S Livingston, Joshua D. Kevin L. Ewen Emmanuel K. Mpay Ahmad S. Manns Dylan R Mann Tony L. Jackson William R. Linden Zadek U. Moen Zachary T. Willis Cecily M. Sexton Tonisha A. Jackson James A. McConnaughay Jessica M. Longberry Barry D. Guyton Keon E. Spiller Melina Aguilar Carlos D. Cregan Wayne M. Damron Terrance L. Ford Stanley M. Miller Darryl R. Vinson Jarvis K. Heads Wesley M. Noonan Brad Carter Brian K. Burnett Kenneth D. Downey Kenyon J. Bones Brittany N. Greiner
CHICAGO  At age 19, Mary Phelps stood at her grandmothers bedside. In mere minutes, she would watch the woman with whom she had shared a home and a life take her final breaths.

She held her grandmothers legs, lightly massaging them as the seconds ticked by. I just remembered her becoming so young in the face and relaxed, Phelps said. Thats when it came to me. Death can be calm and peaceful.

Phelps perspective toward death and dying would forever be changed.

It was just a really beautiful moment, Phelps said of her grandmothers passing. So to see that, I realized death can be positive.

Now, six years after that transformative moment, Phelps is one of Chicagos youngest death doulas at age 25.

The role of a death doula is to educate clients on what to expect at the end of life. The little-known field is centered around easing an individuals dying process, such as by informing the person of their burial options, serving as a point-of-contact between the person and their loved ones, and assisting in caregiving. And Chicagos young and diverse end-of-life care workers are striving to provide comfort and representation during an inevitable period of life.

Young doulas say they aim to change the perception that death is laden with gloom.

Phelps, for example, opened the door to her North Center office sporting a messy bun atop her head and a welcoming smile. She pressed her hands together in a namaste symbol and offered a small bow.

With an elephant tattoo on her arm and beads in her hand (a gift for completing her doula training), she sat down, folded her legs in a rolling office chair and began to share her story. When the beads broke between her fingers as she spoke, she smiled and said, must be the energy clearing.

Phelps describes herself as death positive. While the expression may raise eyebrows, she uses it as a way of calling attention to the impact of her work.

I think some people hear the word death and theyre like, What witchcraft is going on here? But its not like that, she said. Its just helping us to give better care to those that are dying, because they get neglected a lot.

Phelps channels better care through touch. She offers massages to hospice patients, fulfilling a need that she feels is underappreciated in the elderly community.

A lot of times, they may not even be getting hugs or even gentle pats on the back, she said. So the way I see it  touch can help them feel more comforted and safe. It brings a calming presence. Yes, this is a scary time, but this can be a safe space.

The fear surrounding death is something that Phelps has encountered throughout her career. However, she and her partners at the Chicago Death Doula Collective work to help communities unlearn that fear.

Phelps may be one of the youngest death doulas providing care in Chicago communities, but she is not the only one.

Sam Kopas, 34, is new to the death doula scene. While on a thrifting excursion, she spotted a flyer advertising support for elder care, with one of the options listed as death doula.

I thought thats the craziest thing Ive ever heard, Kopas said.

The flyer made her think about her travels through Europe with her husband. She recalled seeing the Prague Astronomical Clock that tolls every hour, reminding her that regardless of your age, death comes for us all.

I thought that was really metal, she said with a chuckle. With those memories coming to mind, she said she suddenly became acutely aware of the infrequency of open conversations surrounding death in America.

With her interest peaked, Kopas began to research Chicagoland death doulas to learn more about the practice. Soon, she found herself under the tutelage of Catherine Durkin Robinson, the owner of Anitya Doula Services and a death doula and educator.

Kopas became one of Robinsons youngest students.

I love seeing younger people. We need as many people as possible to get into this because so many different kinds of folks feel comfortable with so many different kinds of folks, Robinson said. I want to see more people who are trans, who are part of the LGBTQ community, getting trained to do this work.

I think she brings a really bright perspective to the work, Robinson said of Kopas. Because sometimes when were dying, we want to be around people that have familiar language, that use similar words, sometimes that look the same and are in tune with what were going through.

Robinson said that although younger workers are needed in the field, youth does not come without its challenges. She said some patients prefer an older practitioner. Being in end-of-life work as an older woman, Im thrilled with this process of getting wiser. Thats actually needed in this work, Robinson said. Its comforting; we know a thing or two and weve been around the block.

Kopas echoed these concerns, saying, I definitely think theres some challenge with clients because when theres an age gap thats so significant, where someones in their 70s or 80s talking to someone whos a good deal younger than them, theres probably even more of that intensity of, What would you know that I dont at this point?

Kopas navigates that resistance by acknowledging the challenge as it arises. She said that holding the client in unconditional positive regard and addressing their discomfort directly is the key.

Just saying, I hear you, this is rough, Kopas said. Im certainly not here to fix the disease or cure it, but to give you the most comfortable space in the end.

When envisioning end-of-life care, Kopas said, a standard kind of patient comes to mind, someone elderly and bound to a hospital bed. But not everyone seeking end-of-life care is elderly. For young patients, doulas can adjust the care and comfort priorities.

Community health care worker Kandis Draw was forced to grapple with such adjustments as she cared for her sister battling liver failure at age 22. While burdened with grief, she discovered the distinct differences of navigating the dying process with someone in their 20s.

When you deal with people who are in their 60s and up, some of them have the attitude, Well, Ive lived my life. I dont have any regrets, she said.

She recalled one senior saying, When you get old, stuff happens to you. Theres no way around that.

This peaceful acceptance can starkly differ for those who are dying at a young age. According to Draw, 41, young patients can be burdened with a different sentiment. This is not fair. I deserve another chance. I wasnt parented right. I wasnt cared for right. I didnt have the resources. People just threw me out there, Draw said, recounting some of the comments shes heard over the years.

Despite their grief, Draw said she was able to connect with these patients. I think that you can communicate better when its someone thats close to your age. You can have more of an open conversation, she said.

Like Draw, Maureen Burns, who is 38 and a fellow collaborator with the Illinois-based HAP Foundation for hospice and palliative care, considers her work to be heavily influenced by her personal experience with grief and loss.

Hospice is comfort care without curative intent; the patient no longer has curative options or has chosen not to pursue treatment. Palliative care is comfort care for people with a serious illness with or without curative intent.

Burns reflected on the death of her father in 2021. Despite working in health care, it took her a surprisingly long time to realize that her father was a candidate for hospice care. He struggled with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD. While his decline in health made daily living and traveling to doctors appointments challenging, she did not consider that those challenges could be addressed by hospice care. I think that informs my work now, Draw said. If it was that hard for me, imagine someone who hasnt heard the word hospice. Imagine what they could be missing out on.

For Kopas, becoming a doula was a way to bypass structures that imagine a standard patient. I know lots of families that dont think that hospice would be a good fit for them because they dont fit the standard kind of patient or family that would go through it, she said.

Kopas focuses on ensuring that everyone has the information they need. Did you know that green burial is an option? Did you know that palliative care can start early? Did you know that you can opt into hospice and then opt out if you want? she asked. All of this is just stuff that I felt like, if I could be a messenger for that kind of information to people who didnt know it, then that would be a significant improvement right there.

For many of Chicagos end-of-life-care workers, having conversations about a patients legacy and final moments have affected how they plan to move forward in their own lives.

Kopas found death doula work to be her method of leaving a lasting legacy in the world. She recently concluded that parenting might not be for me. This decision led her to ponder what could I still do and bring to the world that would be valuable and helpful, and offer a perspective and nuance and ease someones time here.

The answer was to be there for people when they are at their most vulnerable.

Phelps open and positive approach toward death isnt limited to her work. She has begun planning for her own death and encourages other young people to consider what a good death would look like for them.

For her, a good death would take place in her home, after which she would have a water cremation and have her ashes turned into a diamond. Although many young people dont like to discuss death, the 25-year-old said firmly that, Dying does not have to be a scary process.

The work of the citys death doulas also reminds the public that advanced care planning can be pursued at any age.

Death work isnt an exclusively older generation (issue), Kopas said. It can be a regular conversation. Having these chats before anything tragic, terminal or diagnosis-related happens is a large benefit that a lot of people dont think about.

Chicagos young end-of-life specialists provide varied forms of care. Draw hosts conversations with her Englewood neighbors who are navigating existential dread. Phelps massages the shoulders of an Uptown resident who has spent years bearing the burden of grief. Burns sits with Far North Side neighbors planning for a nearly unspeakable reality where they leave their children behind. Kopas spends hours studying the logistics of hospice care options so her client has the information needed for a death with dignity.

Regardless of the day-to-day appearance of their work, one message stays consistent: All of Chicagos communities need end-of-life support.

We need younger workers, older workers, Black workers, Hispanic  we need everybody because everybody is gonna need this type of care. Its not just one group that dies or gets sick, Burns said. Everybody needs it.

Photos: Illinois State Fair political days through the years 2012 State Fair 2012 State Fair 2015 State Fair 2015 State Fair 2015 State Fair 2007 State Fair 2008 State Fair 2008 State Fair 2009 State Fair 2012 State Fair 2012 State Fair 2005 State Fair 2004 State Fair 2003 State Fair 2003 State Fair 2006 State Fair 2007 State Fair 2012 State Fair 2018 State Fair 2012 State Fair 2021 State Fair 2021 State Fair
Tullow and its Jubilee Partners - Kosmos Energy, GNPC, Petro SA and Jubilee Oil Holdings Limited - have celebrated the delivery of "first oil" from the Jubilee South-East (JSE) project, offshore Ghana.



The JSE project is an expansion of the Greater Jubilee Field production area. The project has increased oil production at the Jubilee field beyond 100,000 barrels per day, a significant achievement that further elevates Ghana's status as an oil-producing country in West Africa. The success of the JSE project reflects a concerted strategy by Tullow to invest in its producing assets, in line with a $4 billion Ghana Value Maximisation Plan (GVMP) for the period 2021 to 2030.



Ghanas President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, was joined by dignitaries, including Ministers, Parliamentarians, Traditional Leaders along with Senior Officials from Tullow and Jubilee partners, to herald this historic event at a colourful ceremony held in Takoradi, 120 miles west of Ghanas capital city, Accra.



Delivering his remarks as Special Guest of Honour, His Excellency, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo said:



Our unwavering commitment to the oil and gas sector stems from its continuing impact in transforming our economy, developing sustainable wealth, creating job opportunities and supporting community development. It is in our interest to continuously create an enabling environment that makes players in the oil and gas sector comfortable to operate, invest and support our economy. I want to also reemphasize that, as a follow-up to this landmark achievement, we are committed to expediting discussions to reach mutually acceptable terms for a combined gas sales agreement between Tullow, its Joint Venture Partners and the Government of Ghana.

This step will increase revenue generation, expand the use of domestic natural gas, and also support nearly half of our countrys electricity demand.



Phuthuma Nhleko, Board Chairman, Tullow said: The success of Jubilee South East represents a very significant step we have taken in our ambition to maximize value from the Jubilee Field for all stakeholders.



I am confident that we are well positioned to continue delivering value for Ghana through sustained oil and gas production and the broader socio-economic benefits that our presence and the industry bring. We look forward to working with the Government of Ghana to deliver the full potential of both Jubilee and TEN fields in years to come



Tullow successfully began production from the South-East Area of the Jubilee field on July 13, 2023. The project's success is generating enormous economic benefits for Ghana. Tullows commitment to local content has also been on great display with the project, including local fabrication of some of the complex sub-sea infrastructure used. Additionally, close to 90% of the projects human resources were Ghanaians.



Tullow and its partners have invested c.US$1 billion over the last three years on the JSE Project.

Source: Peacefmonline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
President Nana Addo Danquah Akufo-Addo has asserted that it is when the NPP government is in power that the country makes significant discoveries of oil.



I think my fellow Ghanaians should note that that when the NPP government is in office we make significant discoveries of oil, he stressed.



The President was speaking at the commemorative luncheon of the first oil from the Jubilee South East Area of the Western Region.



The Jubilee South-East Area, which is part of the Jubilee Field, is a joint venture that has received a $1 billion investment from its partners.



It is expected to add 30,000 barrels of oil per day to the Jubilee Field oil production by the end of this year.



The partners interests are as follows:



Tullow Oil: 38.978 per cent



Kosmos Energy: 24.077 per cent,



Kosmos Energy Ghana Investments: 14.534 per cent



Ghana National Petroleum Corporation: 13.641 per cent



Petro SA: 2.725 per cent and



Jubilee Oil Holdings Limited: 6.045 per cent.



Prior to addressing the luncheon to commemorate the first flow of the oil, the president visited the FPSO Kwame Nkrumah to turn on the valve to signify the first oil from the Jubilee South East Area.



The President said Today is another opportunity to celebrate the achievement and strides our nation has made since oil was discovered in commercial quantities under the first NPP government led by President John Agyekum Kufuor.



He remarked, todays event is a testament of what strategic partnerships and collaborations can do and I am excited about this landmark event under the NPP government again after 15 years of TEN discovery.



The President therefore commended the Jubilee Partners for another remarkable feat in the oil and gas sector.



He noted that the oil and gas sector was crucial to the growth of the energy sector and to secure the future energy needs of the country.



The President also recalled the energys sector contribution to the countrys gross domestic product (GDP) and stressed the need for more synergies in a bid to move, sustain and prosper the country.



He said the Government was determined to further invest in the energy sector to reshape the economy, create jobs and ensure community development.



He pointed out that the countrys natural gas would be strategically harnessed to ensure sustainable electricity for businesses, households and commercial purposes.



The President was happy that the investor community was flourishing in relevant laws within the countrys oil and gas sector adding, Our doors are opened for conversations for continual support, growth and shared prosperity.



He reminded the partners about the amendment of the Local Content Law, LI 2204 which dictates channel participation and strategic alliance.



We believe in equipping institutions of training to strategically transfer technology and knowledge to the locals to aid in full participation of Ghanaians in the upstream petroleum sector.



The President also referred to the Paris agreement on Energy Transition and how the country was preparing through plans and programmes bearing in mind climate change adaptability factors to transform the sector.



We will protect investment in the sector in view of the transition, he indicated

Source: dailyguidenetwork.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
Gabon's new prime minister has told the BBC that the country should hold fresh elections within the next two years, following a military coup last week.



The junta which overthrew President Ali Bongo has promised a free and fair election, but not set out a timetable.



However, Raymond Ndong Sima told the BBC's Newshour programme: "I have said in a document that I published that that should be done within two years."



He said a timetable would be decided in the coming days.



Mr Sima was installed as interim prime minister on Thursday, after Gen Brice Oligui Nguema, who led the coup against Mr Bongo, became Gabon's transitional president.



Mr Bongo had led the oil-rich West African country since 2009 when he succeeded his father who had been in power for more than 40 years. The family had strong links to France, the former colonial power in Gabon.



The coup has been condemned in Africa and the West, including France.



Civilians appear to have welcomed the change, with cheers greeting Gen Nguema's inauguration on Monday.



However, some have questioned whether his rule will be a break from the past, having spent most of his career in Mr Bongo's inner circle.

Source: BBC









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
President Bola Tinubu, on Thursday, said that he was once a security guard but a good education and can-do attitude was the reason he became Nigerias president.



President Tinubu urged Nigerians living in India not to be despondent assuring that Nigeria is ready to accommodate all.



Tinubu said this in an interaction with Nigerians on Thursday evening in India which was contained in a statement released by Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President, Media and Publicity.



Tinubu currently in India for the G-20 Summit advised Nigerian students in the Asian country to consider their education as a priority.



He said, Good education brought me here and I am happy to stand before you here as the President of Nigeria. I started small. I was a security guard. I was a tutor in school. I was a brilliant student. I joined Deloitte and was trained by one of the biggest accounting firms in the world, because of my education.



When I joined them, I asked them, Do you have branches in Nigeria and they said, We have a lot of clients that will take you if you want to go home. Thats how I got to Exxon Mobil and was a very successful accountant, auditor-general, and treasurer until I joined politics with a can-do attitude.



You can also do it; do not be despondent in any way. Nigeria is ready to accommodate all. It does not matter which part of Nigeria you are from.



Tinubu urged Nigerians to use Nigerias diversity and unique culture to advance prosperity for the benefit of all the citizens.



We are here to present a new future to you. A future of a country that is so rich, endowed, and highly populated. Very dynamic, and unique in its culture, tradition, and ethnicity. That is what will make our prosperity possible if only we can make use of our diversity for prosperity, he said.

Source: vanguardngr









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
Kenyans and Tanzanians on social media have engaged in a playful spat over their presidents remarks on whose citizens are better at speaking Swahili.



Swahili is the primary language spoken across the two East African nations, but Kenyans have often been teased for their perceived inability in standard Swahili while Tanzanians are similarly mocked for their English skills.



At a recent agriculture and food summit in Tanzania, President Samia Hassan chided her Kenyan counterpart William Ruto for not using proper greetings in Swahili.



The other day [Mr] Ruto came here and taught us to say 'jambo', but the real thing is 'habari ya mchana'. These Kenyanswe need to put them for Swahili lessons, she said in Swahili.



But CNN correspondent Larry Madowo, who is also Kenyan and was hosting the forum, came to the defence of his president



"I must defend my president... because Kenyans and Tanzanians are brothers, we talk to Tanzanians in bad Swahili and Tanzanians respond to us in bad English, we go on like that, like its the gospel, he said in Swahili, to an uproarious audience.



The exchange highlighted the amicable relationship and shared culture between the neighbouring countries.

Source: BBC









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
TRIPOLI, Sept. 9 (Xinhua) -- The Libyan Foreign Ministry on Saturday welcomed the inclusion of the African Union (AU) as a permanent member of the Group of Twenty (G20) at this year's G20 Summit.

In a statement, the ministry said the AU's membership in the G20 would "effectively help express the aspirations of the African peoples and contribute to addressing international challenges and concerns."

The G20 members agreed Saturday to accept the African Union (AU) as a new member in an effort to give a greater voice and more representation to developing countries.

The agreement was reached at the inaugural session of the two-day G20 summit held in New Delhi during the weekend.

The G20's approval is a response to a widespread call that China first explicitly made, to grant the continental body full membership and "increase the representation and voice of developing countries in global governance." 
Truck drivers in Tema are threatening to boycott transporting goods from Tema Port in protest of the abandonment of stranded colleagues at the border town between Benin and Niger, following the borders closure.



This move is in solidarity with over 200 Ghanaians who became stranded after the borders were closed on orders from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in opposition to the military takeover in Niger. These drivers were carrying transit goods primarily from Tema Port to Niger, while others were transporting onions from Niger to Ghana.



In a video made available to B&FT, the stranded drivers  who have been there for more than a month  are seen appealing for government to intervene and get them out of harms way.



Some drivers at the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authoritys (GPHA) truck park in Tema mentioned that families of these Ghanaians visit the park daily to inquire about developments, and beg for alms to meet their daily needs.



We must raise funds and support the wives and children of our brothers who are stranded at the border. We have seen videos of them pleading with government to come to their aid, but little has been done, one of the drivers told B&FT.



Commenting on the situation, Ibrahim Musah, the Executive Secretary of the Joint Association of Port Transport Unions (JAPTU) Ghana, lamented the predicament some of the drivers, conductors, and truck owners find themselves in.



All the money they had on them is exhausted and they are struggling to survive. They cannot even feed themselves, let alone send money to their relatives. Some have resorted to working as farmhands in the border town just to sustain themselves and stay alive. I receive calls from truck owners inquiring about the situation; I have no positive news for them.



He urged government to swiftly intervene and facilitate safe crossing for the stranded drivers and their trucks over the borders to their respective destinations. He also expressed concern that Ghanas decision to support an ECOWAS military action against the military takeover in Niger has put Ghanaian nationals who are stranded in danger.



It was reported that following the intervention of Ghanas Ambassador to Benin, the border was briefly opened for just two hours and then closed again. According to the truck drivers, this action was insufficient as many more drivers remain abandoned.



If government does not take prompt action, we will send them a strong message through a boycott of the port. This situation could have happened to any of us, and we need to show our solidarity. When you see the videos they are sending to us, its truly heartbreaking. We even heard that one of our brothers was seriously injured, and things are getting more difficult by the day, another driver told B&FT.



I think its inhumane. ECOWAS should lift the sanctions. Similar situations have occurred elsewhere but the sanctions were not as severe. ECOWAS was initially established to facilitate the free movement of goods and people. This means that ECOWAS is for the people. In times of crisis, there must be no double standards, said the representative, who pleaded anonymity.



Checks at the Ghana Shippers Authority (GSA) revealed that, already, several measures have been taken to address the stranded drivers plight.



A meeting has been held with stakeholders and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration on the development; the drivers have also been sensitised to the dos and donts during such circumstances, and have been encouraged to offer peer advice.



The ministry conferred with the Burkina Faso Shippers Council to develop interim trade guidelines that will help in re-routing trucks through Benin.



On 26 July 2023, a coup detat occurred in the Republic of the Niger when the countrys presidential guard detained President Mohamed Bazoum, and presidential guard commander General Abdourahamane Tchiani proclaimed himself the leader of a new military junta shortly after declaring the coup a success.

Source: B&FT









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
Enthusiastic NPP delegates and party supporters came out in their numbers to welcome Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia on day one of his tour of the Oti Region.



Fresh from his landslide victory in the NPP Super Delegates Conference, NPP stakeholders made up of polling station executives, electoral area coordinators, constituency executives and Council of Elders as well as party supporters in Buem, Guan and Nkawanta constituencies thronged in their numbers to welcome Dr. Bawumia as he resumed his interactions with delegates at the constituency level.



Massive endorsements for Bawumia



In Guan constituency where Dr. Bawumia commenced the tour, the Constituency Chairman, Daniel Kudjo Aidoo in the presence of party stakeholders of the constituency, announced their collective decision to support Dr. Bawumia to lead the NPP to next year's elections.



"What I'm coming to say here, is not from me, but from all of us," the Chairman said.



"I have had a meeting with the patrons, the council of elders all the coordinators and executives. What we are saying is that, we have resolved and we are all going to vote for Dr. Bawumia.



"What I am saying is it is not from me but from all of us. We are all human beings here and I cannot give the Vice President 100%. There may be some people who may spoil the vote; you cannot tell so I cannot give him 100%. But I can give him 99%", he added.



In Buem constituency, the Chairman, Arnold K. Agble, spoke on behalf of the constituency stakeholders and declared their support for Dr. Bawumia.



He also commended the Vice President for his dedication to public service and the NPP party.



"Dr. Bawumia is a real party man who has dedicated his entire life to public service," he stated.



He continued; "The road to the presidency requires is a challenging one. It requires one with a strong commitment to the people and deep understanding of issues facing people and the nation and the ability to take bold decisions to create a better future for all of us."



"It is on record that Dr. Bawumia is the most competent, humble, innovative, creative, affable and hardworking Vice President Ghana has ever hard since independence," the Guan constituency Chairman added.



The story was not different for Dr. Bawumia in Akan constituency with the Constituency Chairman, Larry Yaw Osei also announcing the constituency's decision to reward Dr. Bawumia for his hard work during the November 4th election.



The Vice President emerged winner of the recent NPP Super Delegates Congress in which 5 out of the 10 candidates contesting the NPP flagbearership were selected for the final congress in November.



He polled over two thirds of the votes cast, leaving his closest contenders overwhelmingly trailing behind him.



The Vice President is widely tipped to be elected the NPP flagbearer for next year's election, following the irresistible support he enjoys at all levels of the party.

Source: Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
" " In 1872, Democratic presidential candidate Horace Greeley died on Nov. 29, between the general election and the casting of electoral votes. DDDB/Deniz Genc/Steve Z Mina/Getty

Every four years, the United States plunges into a quagmire of political fear mongering, divisiveness and character assassination  deeper into that quagmire, anyway. We're, of course, talking about the presidential election. And every four years, people ask: What happens if one of the candidates dies during the election?

It's an awkward but reasonable inquiry. The peaceful, orderly transfer of power is a defining trait of a working democracy, but the death of a candidate could throw a wrench in that process. It's happened once before in the United States in 1872.

Advertisement

That's when Horace Greeley joined a group of Republican dissenters who were against then-president Ulysses S. Grant's reelection, and formed the Liberal Republican Party. The party nominated Greeley for president.

Greeley gained more than 40 percent of the popular vote, but before the Electoral College met, Greeley died. Three electors pledged their votes for him anyway; other electors cast their Greeley votes for minor candidates instead. When the ballots went to Congress, lawmakers passed a measure declaring the Greeley votes invalid and certified the win for Grant. In the end, Grant was reelected with 286 electoral votes.

So what this means is the repercussions of a candidate's death depend primarily on when it occurs. And at some stages in the election process, it's not really clear what would happen.
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

A burrowing bettong in the cat-free fenced area of Newhaven Wildlife Sanctuary where it has been reintroduced. Cats drove this species to extinction on the mainland. Credit: Brad Leue/Australian Wildlife Conservancy, CC BY

Federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek has released a draft feral cat management plan.

Its aim is to reduce the devastating impact of cats on Australian wildlife, with a focus on protecting the most at-risk species from extinction.

Cats kill over 6 million native animals in Australia each day, and are challenging to manage.

The plan released for public consultation has a ten-year horizon with an estimated cost of A$60 million in the first five years. It could be a major step towards achieving Australia's global commitments to end extinctions.

Why manage cats?

Unless we control the impact of cats, many native wildlife populations will continue to decline. Some will be driven to extinction, a sad and irreversible outcome for future generations and the ecosystems these species are part of.

Cats are versatile and highly effective predators. A large male cat can kill animals up to about 4kgnearly as big as the cat itself.

Since they arrived in Australia with Europeans, cats have spread across 99% of the country. Only some islands and specially constructed fenced conservation areas are cat-free.

Many native animal populations can't cope with sustained hunting pressure from cats. Impacted species include more than 200 of Australia's nationally listed threatened species and 37 migratory species.

One in 10 of the mammal species present when cats arrived are now extinct. Cats played a major role in most of those 34 extinctions. And they continue to drive population declines and regional extinctions of susceptible species.

Cats also carry and spread a range of diseases. One of these, toxoplasmosis, can cause sickness, behavioral impairment and death in other mammals and birds. This disease, which is entirely dependent on cats, can also have serious consequences for livestock and human health.

A strategic response

The government's new Threat Abatement Plan aims to co-ordinate national efforts to reduce the impacts of feral cats on native wildlife. It follows extensive consultation with Indigenous ranger groups and First Nations organizations around the country, with members of the national Feral Cat Taskforce, and with threatened species and cat management experts.

Since cats occur just about everywhere, affect so many species and are elusive and hard to control, the plan is strategic: it prioritizes the places and species for which controlling cats will have the greatest benefits.

Some significant successes have been achieved over the past decade or so, and the plan builds on those.

What are the priorities?

The plan's objective is to improve outcomes for threatened and cat-susceptible native species, including numbats, bettongs, bandicoots and island-nesting seabirds.

The population of threatened blue petrels that breeds on Macquarie Island is recovering since cats were eradicated. Credit: JJ Harrison/Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA

Building from recent successes, it includes priorities for eradicating cats from islands and from within fenced conservation areas, because cats cannot quickly recolonise these areas. These projects are critical for native species, such as stick-nest rats and mala (rufous hare-wallaby), that can't persist even with a very low density of cats.

The plan also prioritizes ongoing cat control in areas with important populations of threatened species that are highly vulnerable to cats, but which can persist as long as cat numbers are kept low.

This approach is valuable for species such as rock wallabies, which live in relatively small, well-defined areas, and for mammals of south-west Australia, which can be protected from cats and foxes by annual poison baiting.

Improving habitat management can also help reduce cat impacts across very large areas. For example, improving habitat in northern Australian tropical savannas, through better management of fire and livestock, can reduce cat impacts and increase native mammal populations. Cats hunt most efficiently in sparsely vegetated areas, so better cover provides more shelter for native wildlife.

In southern Australia, reducing rabbit populations also reduces cat numbers by removing an easy food source. This then relieves some of the predation pressure on native animals.

What else is in the plan?

The plan proposes reforms of laws and regulations for pet and feral cats in all states and territories. For example, the plan includes actions to make laws on pet cat management more consistent across the country and to encourage responsible pet ownership. This means desexing cats and keeping cats contained so they can't harm wildlife or produce kittens that end up as feral cats.

Many of Australia's last strongholds for threatened species that are vulnerable to cats, such as great desert skinks, bilbies and night parrots, are in Indigenous Protected Areas and other Indigenous-managed land. The plan outlines practical support that Indigenous rangers want to help them manage cats.

Over the past few decades, we have learned much about the impacts of cats and how best to manage them. But we are still a long way from cost-effective, continent-scale solutions to protect native wildlife. The plan identifies the need for new applied research and the development and testing of effective control tools.

Who's responsible?

Success will depend on focusing and enhancing the already significant efforts of governments, Indigenous and non-Indigenous land managers, environmental non-government organizations, industry, community groups, researchers and the public.

The Australian government will help to deliver the plan by coordinating actions and making strategic investments in management and research activity.

Be part of the solution

Every Australian who cares about our unique wildlife has an interest in cat management.

Cat owners can help by desexing their pet and keeping it indoors or in a cat run at all times.

Landowners can help by removing refuse that helps support feral cat colonies and by managing habitat so native animals can thrive.

And make sure your local, state and federal government members know how much you care about native wildlife.

The plan is available for public comment until December 11. Have a look, and have your say.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

Credit: AI-generated image

Woodside Energy this week announced it would start seismic testing for its Scarborough gas project off Australia's west coast, before reversing the decision in the face of a legal challenge from Traditional Owners.

Seismic testing is highly controversial in marine environments. The federal regulator (the National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority) is currently examining a proposal for seismic testing in the Otway Basin in Bass Strait, which conservationists say has attracted more than 30,000 public submissions.

Seismic testing is also mooted as part of the "PEP11" (Petroleum Exploration Permit 11) off the coast of New South Wales, from Manly to Newcastle.

As marine biologists with research expertise in this field, here we give a roundup of the latest evidence on the effects of seismic surveys. It shows there are many potential harms to marine life, and many unanswered questions.

What are seismic surveys?

Marine seismic surveys are used to search for oil and gas, places to stash greenhouse gases, and potential locations for wind farms.

The surveys use air guns to generate sound signals. These sound signals are intense (loud, at high decibel levels) and "impulsive" (sharp, like a balloon popping). In the open ocean, sound waves can be detected thousands of kilometers from the source.

The sound can penetrate more than 10 kilometers into the earth beneath the seafloor. The way the signals reflect off different layers of the seabed can identify geological structures, including those that contain mineral deposits such as oil and gas. The sound signals bounce back to acoustic receivers (hydrophones) towed behind the survey vessel on cables known as streamers.

During a survey, sound signals are generated every four to ten seconds, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Surveys can last for weeks or months, and cover thousands of square kilometers of ocean. The proposal to study the Otway Basin, for example, covers 45,000 square km.

Seismic surveys and marine life The Australian Marine Conservation Society wants to stop seismic surveys.

The ability to fully examine the effects of seismic surveys in mammals is limited, because invasive methods are not logistically possible or ethically acceptable.

But there is a long history of research on whales and dolphins, given their reliance on sound to communicate, find food and navigate.

Observations of marine mammals show intense sound signals such as those from seismic surveys can affect hearing ability, either temporarily or permanently, depending on the intensity, range and duration of exposure.

Noise pollution can mask communications, causing whales either to sing more loudly or to stop singing altogether, which can affect social structure and interaction. Seismic surveys can also alter the presence and abundance of marine mammal prey.

What about fish?

Fish also show a range of responses to seismic testing. Some fish exhibit physical damage to hearing organs and signs of stress.

Fish behavior may also change. Some leave regular feeding or breeding areas, which raises concerns over effects to fishing grounds or impacts on important prey species. It's also uncertain whether the fish will be able to find suitable alternative habitats if they are displaced in the long term.

Others may "habituate" or become accustomed to exposure, raising the risk of more extensive damage by spending more time in the survey area.

Scallops, lobsters and plankton

Despite invertebrates making up around 92% of marine species, the impact of marine noise on these creatures has only recently been studied. This has shown a potential for harm. Offshore Seismic Surveys at Woodside.

In the valuable southern rock lobster fishery, off the coasts of Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania, seismic air gun exposure damaged the sensory organ that provides a sense of gravity and balance, similar to the human inner ear. Affected lobsters also had impaired ability to right themselves when placed upside down, a reflex that underpins important behaviors such as escaping predators.

Scallops showed more severe impacts, with up to four times higher death rates and a range of other sub-lethal effects including altered behavior, impaired physiology and a disrupted immune system. As this animal already suffers high levels of mortality naturally and due to fishery activity, this extra pressure could be of considerable concern.

Invertebrates also make up a large proportion of the zooplankton community, a broad group of very small animals carried by ocean currents. They are food for a wide range of marine life, from other zooplankton to small fish and whales.

In the first experimental exposure to a seismic air gun, a large proportion of zooplankton died. Overall abundance decreased significantly, at distances up to 1.2km from the air gun.

Confirming this result, another recent study of zooplankton found exposure to seismic air guns 50 meters away resulted in increased mortality immediately after exposure. The plankton continued to die off or suffer impaired development for several days.

These effects, particularly in the case of exposure that is repeated over the course of months within a single area, have the potential to severely impact the plankton populations that underpin marine food webs.

Difficulties in predicting impacts

While the handful of available studies shows exposure to seismic surveys can harm animals, our ability to understand or predict what happens in the wild is still very limited.

Part of the problem is conflicting results. For example, in one case, seismic survey exposure had no impact on the types of fish found in an area or their behavior. And a separate study of scallops found no mortality after seismic exposure. These studies conflict with the results we described earlier, which happens commonly in science and highlights the need for ever more detailed research.

Only a few animal species have so far been investigated, making it hard to tell how other animals might be affected by seismic testing. There are also limitations to the methods of studies that reduce our ability to understand the real-world impacts, such as housing animals in captivity after exposure.

Sound behaves very differently in water than in air. Water is more dense, allowing sound to travel faster, farther and with less of a drop in intensity. Comparisons between the "loudness" of sounds in air and water are not straightforward.

While mounting evidence shows seismic surveys can harm a range of marine animals, there is so much still to learn.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
CAIRO, Sept. 9 (Xinhua) -- Egypt condemned on Saturday the two terrorist attacks that took place in northeastern Mali, which killed and injured dozens, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

Egypt offered its sincere condolences to the government and people of Mali, wishing a speedy recovery for the injured, the statement said, stressing the need for the international community to come together to uproot terrorism and dry up its sources of financing and support.

At least 64 people were killed, including 49 civilians and 15 soldiers, in twin terrorist attacks on a military camp and a boat in northeastern Mali on Thursday.

The interim government of Mali said in a statement that the Group to Support Islam and Muslims, a jihadist organization affiliated with al-Qaida, had claimed responsibility for the attacks.

Since 2012, Mali has been plagued by insurgencies, jihadist incursions, and inter-community violence that have left thousands of people dead and hundreds of thousands displaced. 
With many teens heading back to school, peer pressure and academic expectations are once again a reality. These added pressures can cause ups and downs during what can be an already tumultuous time of life. For some teens, though, the lows are more than just temporary feelings. They're symptoms of depression.

Depression is one of the most commonly diagnosed mental disorders in children, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Teen depression is a serious mental health problem. It affects how teenagers think, feel and behave, and it can cause emotional, functional and physical problems. Although depression can occur at any time in life, symptoms can differ between teens and adults.

What to look for

Signs and symptoms a teen may be depressed include a change in his or her previous attitude and behavior that can cause significant distress and problems at school or home, in social activities, or in other areas of life.

Be alert for emotional changes, including:

 Feelings of sadness, which can include crying spells for no apparent reason.

 Frustration or feelings of anger, even over small matters.

 Feeling hopeless or empty.

 Irritability or annoyed mood.

 Loss of interest or pleasure in usual activities.

 Loss of interest in, or conflict with, family and friends.

 Low self-esteem.

 Feelings of worthlessness or guilt.

 Fixation on past failures, or exaggerated self-blame or self-criticism.

 Extreme sensitivity to rejection or failure, and the need for excessive reassurance.

 Trouble thinking, concentrating, making decisions and remembering things.

 Ongoing sense that life and the future are grim and bleak.

 Frequent thoughts of death, dying or suicide.

Watch for changes in behavior, including:

 Tiredness and loss of energy.

 Insomnia or sleeping too much.

 Changes in appetite, including decreased appetite and weight loss, or increased cravings for food and weight gain.

 Use of alcohol or drugs.

 Signs of agitation or restlessness, including pacing, hand-wringing or an inability to sit still.

 Slowed thinking, speaking or body movements.

 Frequent complaints of unexplained body aches and headaches, which may include frequent visits to the school nurse.

 Social isolation.

 Poor school performance or frequent absences from school.

 Less attention to personal hygiene or appearance.

 Angry outbursts, disruptive or risky behavior, or other acting-out behaviors.

 Self-harm, including cutting or burning.

 Making a suicide plan or a suicide attempt.

Treatment

Treatment depends on the type and severity of a teenager's depression symptoms. A combination of talk therapy and medication can be effective for most teens with depression. If a teen has severe depression or is in danger of self-harm, he or she may need a hospital stay or may need to participate in an outpatient treatment program until symptoms improve.

While antidepressant drugs often effectively treat depression and anxiety in children and teenagers, their use in children and teens must be monitored carefully, as rarely there can be severe side effects. Antidepressants carry a Food and Drug Administration black box warning about a risk of increased suicidal thinking and behavior in some people under 25.
ATLANTIC CITY  Shawn Rinnier believes he has a strong case for his Save-A-Lot store to receive the contract for a new grocery store from the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority.

The store is one of four that submitted proposals to CRDA in the authoritys new move to bring a full-service grocery to the city, describing it as an end to the citys status as a food desert.

If the CRDA board backs one of the other proposals, well, hes going to have to see how things go. But there is a possibility that the Save-A-Lot location in Renaissance Plaza would stop making economic sense if there is a new, subsidized grocery around the corner, Rinnier said in a recent interview.

We would have to reassess our position, he said. I do believe Atlantic City is a one-grocery-store town.

Just changing locations could have an impact on the stores reputation, Rinnier said. There have been multiple complaints from customers about panhandling and other problems at the Renaissance Plaza location.

Renaissance Plazas tough, he said. Its intimidating to some of our customers to come in and shop at the store.

A new, more vibrant store could allow a fresh start, with rules outlined for employees, shoppers and others.

We can have more discipline with staff at a new location and start off on the right foot, Rinnier said.

Atlantic City man admits to armed store robbery An Atlantic City man on Tuesday admitted robbing a Pleasantville grocery store at gunpoint two years ago.

Shoppers have raised issues with Renaissance Plaza for years.

Residents have complained about the behavior of drug and alcohol users who hang out around the Pay Less Liquor store there and beg for money from those going to the grocery store so they can buy more alcohol.

They also have sex, drink and do drugs in the open view of youngsters at a nearby preschool, residents say.

Shoppers say they dont feel safe, and dont understand why the behavior is allowed.

Community activist and Zoning Board member Andra Williams has video of a man who took down his pants and cleaned himself across the street from the Gateway Center Headstart Early Education Center at New York and Arctic avenues.

Its sickening when the children from the school peer out of the window and can look at a man indisposed, cleaning himself, Williams said. We have to get that taken care of. When we can look at a man buttocks out and literally wash himself in public, its horrible.

Renaissance Plaza takes up the block bounded by Atlantic, Arctic, New York and Kentucky avenues. It is just a block from City Hall, the county building and the public library.

Police Chief James Sarkos is asked regularly about what the city and the Police Department are doing to stem antisocial behavior there and protect families and children.

Atlantic City neighborhood group promotes local food markets The Chelsea Economic Development Corp. is using the second anniversary of a local market to promote similar neighborhood businesses.

Special police officers and social workers have been assigned to Renaissance Plaza, officials said at a recent CitiStat meeting where residents and business owners bring problems to officials.

A city social worker has devised a plan to address the issues there, and around the nearby AtlantiCare and Gateway complexes, according to Director of Health and Human Services Jarrod Barnes.

Barnes said the social work plan is to offer services and encourage people not to loiter in the area.

Sarkos has said the plaza is private property so the police have limited jurisdiction there. But he said there are now two shifts of neighborhood coordination officers and they will spend time helping to deal with the problems there.

Just last week, officers arrested someone observed making a drug sale in the plaza, the Police Department said.

The CRDA has sought for years to get a new full-service grocery store in the city. There are multiple small food stores in neighborhoods throughout the city, but the last full-service store shut down well over a decade ago.

In 2021, CRDA agreed to spend $18.7 million to build a 44,000-square-foot supermarket at Baltic and Indiana avenues, leasing it for $1 a year for a new ShopRite to be operated by Village Super Market. State officials gathered for a high-profile groundbreaking, but nothing else happened for more than a year.

By late 2022, after years of negotiations, the talks ended and CRDA said it would seek new proposals.

This spring, four companies submitted proposals for a new contract, including Save-A-Lot under the company name Save Hilly Stores and a new proposal from Village Super Market. Also submitting proposals were JAS Group Enterprise and Bailing International Firm.

JAS Groups plan includes 120 apartments, along with a grocery store, while Bailing Internationals plan calls for a 55,000-square-foot facility. Most of that would be for a grocery store, along with room for restaurants and other food vendors.

So far, the CRDA board has not discussed the proposals at its meetings.

Rinnier said he expected a decision by August.

Were going to be patient, he said.

Karen Martin, director of communications and marketing for the CRDA, said she expects an update on the proposals at the Sept. 19 meeting of the authority board of directors. As of Tuesday, no agenda had been posted for that meeting, which is set to be held over the phone at 2 p.m.

Rinnier said he was under a confidentiality agreement that prevented him from talking about the proposal his company submitted in detail, but he cited the companys work in Camden as a model for what he would like to do in Atlantic City.

In 2020, Rinnier said, the company acquired 14 new stores, including one in Camden. Soon after, the company bought a retail space that had been home to a Price Rite. After an extensive remodeling, the store moved across the street, similar to how he would want to build and move in to a new Save-A-Lot around the corner on a CRDA-owned lot on Baltic Avenue.

CitiStat Briefs: City clears vagrants, debris out of vacant Madison Hotel After a complaint came in about homeless people breaking into the vacant Madison Hotel on th

In 2021, the new 21,000-square-foot Camden store opened, and the company produced a video with community members and Camden officials describing the importance of the store. Rinnier said he has a similar vision for Atlantic City, with nutritious produce and groceries, and a full stock of specialty foods that will appeal to the numerous cultural backgrounds that make up the city.

Rinnier said he sees a lot of opportunity in Atlantic City.

We love being in Atlantic City. Its just a matter of putting ourselves in a position where we get the right store, he said.
AC 9/11 memorial: The Saracini-O'Neill 9/11 Memorial ceremony will be held at 10 a.m. Monday at Jackson Avenue and the Boardwalk in Atlantic City. The keynote speech will honor the Coast Guard's role in the evacuation of 500,000 people from southern Manhattan on Sept. 11, 2001. Coast Guard Station Atlantic City Commander Alex Kloo and other Coast Guard members will be present. A 30-by-50-foot American flag will be strung from an Atlantic City Fire Department ladder truck.

OC 9/11 memorial: Ocean Citys annual 9/11 memorial ceremony will begin at 6 p.m. Monday in front of the Fire Department headquarters between Fifth and Sixth streets on Asbury Avenue. This years keynote speaker will be Frank Larkin, who was in the World Trade Center working for the New York office of the U.S. Secret Service when the planes hit on Sept. 11, 2001. Larkin served for more than two decades as a special agent and senior leader in the Secret Service. For more information, call 609-399-6111.

Ocean City car shows: Street rods and other classic cars will be on display on the Ocean City Boardwalk during the 48th annual Street Rod Show on Saturday. On Sunday, Corvettes will take the spotlight. Classic cars and street rods will be displayed in the municipal parking lot at Fifth Street and Boardwalk from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday and will then proceed to the Boardwalk to be displayed between Sixth and 14th streets until 4 p.m. An awards ceremony will take place at 3 p.m. in front of the Music Pier at Boardwalk and Moorlyn Terrace. Register to participate at ocnjcarshows.com. Day-of registration will be open until 11 a.m. at the parking lot. On Sunday, more than 350 Corvettes will be on display on the Boardwalk between Sixth and 14th streets from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, call 609-457-0081 or visit boardwalkcorvettesac.com.

Theater company to hold auditions: The Ocean City Theatre Company will hold auditions for its fall and holiday productions of "Into the Woods" and "Finding Nemo Jr." by appointment only Saturday and Sunday at the company's headquarters at 1501 West Ave. Students in seventh through 12th grades are eligible to audition for "Into the Woods," which will be performed Nov. 3 and 4 at the Music Pier on the Boardwalk at Moorlyn Terrace. Students in third through eighth grades are eligible to audition for "Finding Nemo Jr.," which will be performed Dec. 8 through 10 at the Music Pier. Tickets are now on sale. For more information, visit oceancitytheatrecompany.com.

Somers Point seeks input on improvements: Somers Point has been awarded an $861,000 Safe Streets to Transit grant from the state Department of Transportation for pedestrian improvements to Shore Road, and is seeking public input on how best to spend the money. Officials will host a public forum on the project at 6 p.m. Sept. 14 at City Hall, 1 W. New Jersey Ave. The forum is expected to last about an hour. The Safe Streets to Transit program uses Transportation Trust Fund dollars to improve safety and accessibility for mass transit riders in the vicinity of transit facilities. The city applied for the funding last year, and city officials just recently learned of the award and specific dollar amount.

Community Fund to honor business leaders: The Atlantic City Community Fund will celebrate its sixth anniversary with a reception Sept. 19 Backstage at the Hard Rock Cafe at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City. Honorees include OceanFirst Bank, Horizon Foundation, PNC Bank, Fulton Bank, TD Bank, Wells Fargo Bank, Parke Bank, the Regional Foundation, Knife & Fork Inn, and Spencers & Spirit Halloween. The mission of the Atlantic City Community Fund is to foster private giving, strengthen service providers and improve the conditions of Atlantic City. Over the years, the Community Fund has awarded over $200,000 in grants to local nonprofits. To become a sponsor or purchase tickets, visit accommunityfund.org.

Shore physicians to offer flu clinic: Shore Physicians Group will hold two drive-up flu shot clinics from 8 a.m. to noon Sept. 30 and Oct. 14 at 649 Shore Road in Somers Point. The clinics are open to patients 18 and older. Drive-thru vehicles may have a maximum of four patients per vehicle, and each patient must have a scheduled appointment. Appointments are available by calling 609-365-6200. You do not need to be a current patient of Shore Physicians Group to participate in the clinic. For walk-up participants, an appointment is not necessary. Shore Physicians Group is also offering the flu shot at each of its primary care offices, which are located in Margate, Marmora, Mays Landing, Northfield, Ocean City and Somers Point.

County offers family crisis intervention: Families who are experiencing serious difficulties managing the behavior of children ages 10 to 17 can seek assistance through the Atlantic County Juvenile/Family Crisis Intervention Unit. FCIU is a legally mandated program that is available to intercede in family conflicts. Its services include short-term crisis stabilization, family assessment, case management, treatment planning and referrals to community-based services. FCIU is available to meet in person by appointment at its Northfield office from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. For further assistance, call 609-645-5861, email family_crisis@aclink.org or fax 609-594-3752. Referral forms are available at atlantic-county.org/intergenerational-services/children-youth.asp.
Kenneth Allen has been locked in a two-year-long battle with the city of Rock Island over a liquor license.

Allen, owner of The Gathering at 1718 2nd Ave, has been trying to get approval for a liquor license for about two years, according to his lawyer Sean OLeary. According to city documents found in the council agenda, Allen has filed twice for a liquor license, but has been denied both times by the Rock Island Liquor Control Commission.

For the first time, the State of Illinois Liquor Control Commission reversed the city liquor commission's most recent denial. A call to the state liquor control for more information was not returned.

Allen has appealed both denials to the state liquor commission but the state did not rule to reverse the city's first denial in 2021.

Allen first filed for an application for a liquor license in June 2021, but was denied a license in September 2021.

In the first denial letter to Allen, the reasons for denial were based on him not meeting liquor license requirements. In Illinois, mayors preside over the liquor commission.

Found in city documents that were attached to the city council agenda was the denial letter Thoms sent to Allen.

Thoms wrote the reasons for denial were:

The requirements for the petition have not been satisfied as you were unable to obtain all the mandatory signatures and have not obtained a majority of the other required signatures

at the time in 2021, the Illinois Secretary of States website shows that The Gathering, Inc.s status is not in good standing.

original lease expired on April 30, 2020, and there is no other paperwork indicating the lease was extended

numerous code violations with the building  require extensive work prior to being approved for business.

Allen appealed the denial through the state of Illinois Liquor Control Commission but the state liquor commission affirmed the denial, and said Rock Island Liquor Control Commission had a justifiable reason to deny the liquor license.

In October 2022, Allen filed another application for a liquor license.

According to the police departments investigative report from February 2023, The Gatherings lease was extended to Dec. 31, 2023; it was in good standing based on the secretary of states website; no delinquencies were reported at the property; and the building was up to code.

However, the report also stated that Allen did not obtain any of the necessary signatures required nor was a required liability insurance certificate provided.

The report was attached to the council agenda from March 13, 2023, when a public hearing was held on the request of Allen to waive the signature requirement to secure a liquor license for The Gathering.

Allen said he obtained seven on the list provided to him but was told by the council during the public hearing that only two were eligible. Allen said that he received a list of all nearby property owners, but it did not identify liquor license holders, which do not count for eligible signatures.

The list did not provide which businesses nearby already held liquor licenses.

The council voted 4-2 to recommend to the liquor commissioner to waive the signature requirement due to confusion with the signature requirement. Ald. Judith Higgins Gilbert, 3rd ward, and Randy Hurt, 2nd ward, voted no, and 7th Ward Ald. Bill Healy was absent.

But Allens liquor license was denied in April 2023 and was once again appealed to the state liquor control commission.

O'Leary, lawyer for Allen, sent the state ruling to Quad-City Times/Dispatch-Argus.

In the ruling, the liquor commission stated a lack of evidence to support the local commissioners reasons for the denial.

The state commission said the reasons listed in the denial letter were:

The applicant allegedly illegally occupied the applicant business premises prior to the completion necessary building and fire code While the liquor license was pending, the applicant allegedly advertised and held events with alcohol at the applicant location on at least 10 separate occasions Evidence of large quantities of alcoholic beverage bottles in the trash behind applicant premises location Use of the upstairs for large numbers of people in violation of the city fire code The issuance of the license would unreasonably constrain plans for redeveloping downtown Rock Island

The Illinois Liquor Control Commission acknowledged that the local commission did proceed as required by law in letting Allen speak for granting him a license and had city officials and law enforcements speak but reversed the decision "due to the lack of any evidence in the administrative record."

The ruling also noted two videos being submitted of council meetings that showed a public hearing on the signature waiver requirements for The Gathering. But states anyone who spoke was not a sworn witnesses and "any statements....were not sworn statements nor was there any cross-examination of the statements."

Mayor Mike Thoms told the Quad-City Times/Dispatch-Argus that the city is reviewing its next steps and has no further comments at this time.

The city has 20 days to file a petition for a rehearing of the states recent ruling.

The process for liquor licenses

In Illinois, the mayor presides over the local liquor commission. Those wanting a liquor license must file an application with the city and receive a certain amount of signatures from nearby and surrounding businesses; the building must meet health and safety codes; business owner(s) cant have a criminal history, according to city liquor license requirements.

The building also must meet health and safety codes. There is a $900 application fee.

Once the application submission has been approved, it is forwarded to the police department for background investigation. After the police department completes the background investigation, the findings along with the liquor application are forwarded to the liquor commission where it will either be approved or rejected for a license based on the information received.

If a liquor license is granted, a state alcohol retailers license must be obtained.
Its unclear what will happen next for the representation of Davenports 7th Ward residents after the council voted to remove Derek Cornette from office Thursday night.

Mayor Mike Matson said Friday hes still considering how to proceed with the now-vacant seat.

Cornettes attorney, Mike Meloy said Friday he planned to file a lawsuit in Scott County district court with the argument that the city violated Cornettes due process rights by giving him a one-day written notice of the hearing.

Meloys argument echoes similar language in a case concerning the city of Muscatine. In 2017, the Muscatine City Council voted to remove then-Mayor Diana Broderson from office in 2017. A judge ruled that Broderson had been wrongly removed and she won re-election later that year.

Aldermen voted 7-3 to remove Cornette from office Thursday night following a two-hour hearing where council members heard evidence, including voicemails and video, of Cornette harassing female employees and coming to council meetings appearing intoxicated. The vote reached the two-thirds majority threshold required by Iowa code.

Its rare for a city council member to be removed, said Alan Kemp, executive director of the Iowa League of Cities. Usually, an elected official resigns, which creates a vacancy. Following resignations, typically the city can make a temporary appointment or call a special election.

Ive never had this question come up before, Kemp said of how or whether a city should fill a vacancy after a removal.

The chapter of Iowa code that outlines rules for removing public officials from office stipulates that upon a suspension, the board or person authorized to fill a vacancy in the office shall temporarily fill the office by appointment.

But Kemp couldnt answer for sure whether that directive applied in this case, and that the city would rely on its attorneys advice to decide how to proceed.

The citys legal department did not immediately respond to a question about how or whether the city would temporarily fill the vacancy.

When is the 7th Ward up for election?

This fall. The 11 elected positions in the city of Davenport come up for re-election every two years. The primary is Oct. 10 and the regular election is Nov. 7.

Cornette has filed to run for the seat and said he intends to stay in the race. Three others have filed to challenge Cornette: Mhisho Lynch, a realtor and owner of Lynch Heating and Plumbing, William Pamperin, a retired railroad engineer, and Scott Ryder, a realtor.

How has Davenport filled vacancies in the past?

The Davenport City Council in the recent past has taken different approaches for filling vacant seats. In April 2021, Matson asked the council to appoint Joseph Miller to temporarily fill the 7th Ward seat after the elected alderman, Patrick Peacock, announced he would resign. At the time, Matson appointed Miller with the caveat he wouldnt run for office so as not to give the appearance of favoritism. That fall, Cornette won election to the seat following a crowded primary.

In 2017, 3rd Ward Ald. Marion Meginnis won a special election in July of that year following a June primary to replace former Alderman Bill Boom. Boom pleaded guilty in federal court to giving false statements to a grand jury regarding a drug investigation. The felony conviction made him ineligible to hold public office and he was forced to resign in April 2017.

That same year, former Davenport alderman Gene Meeker was appointed to fill out the remainder of former 6th Ward Alderman Jeff Justins term, with the caveat that Meeker would not seek re-election. Justin resigned in July 2017 to pursue a new career opportunity in Florida. Former Davenport School Board member Rich Clewell would later be elected to the seat in the fall election. Clewell lost re-election in 2019 against challenger Ben Jobgen.
The Quad Cities International Airport is celebrating historic wins and a step forward for the future as summer ends.

At a time when regional airports are still facing challenges resulting from pilot shortages and aircraft equipment changes, the QC Airport is growing and pursuing what could be the next frontier for aviation, according to a news release.

Its been tough for regional airports as airlines focused attention on larger aircraft and airports to recover from the pandemic, said Benjamin Leischner, A.A.E., executive director, Quad Cities International Airport. But were feeling more optimistic than ever about the future of the QC Airport. Its taken a dedicated staff and committed community to get us here, and were using this momentum to take us into the future.

Record breaking air traffic

In May, July and August, the airport recorded a historic number of air traffic movements, including exceeding 5,200 movements in July. Airport officials credit the recent emphasis on supporting general aviation and pilot training for the increase in traffic.

Tower movements are important for multiple reasons, with one of the most essential being federal funding. The busier the airport, the better chance it has to receive grant funding for the purchase of equipment, supporting maintenance and completing improvement projects.

Additionally, competitive fuel prices have increased activity, according to the release. Quad Cities International Airport is building a reputation among pilots as a convenient fuel stop with friendly controllers, cheap gas and even stocking the pilots lounge with free Whiteys ice cream for major fly-ins and events.

Service to Charlotte

The airport credits one of the biggest wins of the summer as the announcement of twice daily service to Charlotte Douglas International Airport with American Airlines. Airport staff partnered with an air service consultant firm based in Washington, D.C., and are working with regional businesses to gather data that appeals to airline network planners.

Airport officials said John Deeres presence in the southeast played a substantial role in securing this route as well as swelling support from the business community needing eastern seaboard connections and beyond. Flights are set to begin Dec. 20.

Spaceport Planning Study

The Metropolitan Airport Authority Board of Commissioners approved plans to conduct a commercial spaceport planning study. Aviation is continually evolving, and commercial space travel may be a big part of the future.

Airport leadership wants to ensure the Quad-Cities is at forefront of that development. Illinois Gov. Pritzkers office and the Illinois Department of Transportation shared their support. The study is being funded through a grant.

Photos: International Augustana College students arrive at the Quad Cities International Airport Monday and meet with Augustana's Global Ambassadors.
Thousands of voices chanting We love Trump" echoed through The Monument Ice Arena Friday evening, accompanying the sea of Trump 2024 signs dancing to an eclectic mix of music, while thousands waited for former President Donald Trump.

The South Dakota GOP Monumental Leaders Rally, billed as a fundraiser for the states party but doubling as a campaign event for former President Donald Trump, sold out the arena with an estimated 7,000 in attendance.

Programming began at 5:30 p.m. with an introduction and prayer by Rapid City Mayor Jason Salamun before a lineup of South Dakotas top Republicans took the stage. South Dakota School and Public Lands Commissioner Brock Greenfield drew cheers from the crowd when he said Trump would get to enjoy saying Joe, youre fired on his first day in office. State Treasurer Josh Haeder led a brief chorus of Lets go Brandon, while Lieutenant Governor Larry Rhoden reiterated the belief that South Dakota is the freest state in the nation.

Cheers and God Bless America flowed freely, as did the Secret Service agents and local law enforcement that paced the floor between red, white and blue-clad rallygoers. After a 30-minute stream of speakers came a nearly hour-long pause, during which food and alcohol sales were suspended, leading the crowd to become restless and occasionally chant We want Trump.

After Noem took the stage her remarks were interrupted by supporters shouting Kristi for President and We love you. She immediately launched into South Dakotas record of celebrating freedom, and lauded Trump for showing up for the American people.

Noem teased the crowd saying people had asked if Trump would name her  then a long, dramatic pause that drew gasps from the crowd  the most popular and favorite governor, she said with a grin. She explained that South Dakota GOP Chairman John Wiik had the idea to bring Republicans in the state together, and as a result, they invited the candidates running in the Republican primary. According to Noem, Tim Scott and Vivek Ramuswamy declined, and the others did too  but not Trump.

She applauded Trump, saying he shows up for every American and fights for us every single day.

Why are people so loyal to him? she said. Im convinced its because we have never seen anything or anyone like him before, and weve certainly never seen anyone like him serve in public office before.

Noem didnt just focus on Trump during her remarks, but lauded South Dakotas accomplishments, hitting on the states open for business attitude during the pandemic, low unemployment rate (1.8%) and historic tourism numbers.

We are the strongest state in America because President Trump let me do my job, she said.

At the end of her speech, she officially endorsed Trump for President, welcoming him to South Dakota with a graphic on screen reading Governor Kristi Noem endorses President Donald Trump.

Trump came out to a standing ovation.

He said he gets a lot of endorsements, some that mean nothing, but that Noems means a lot. Trump applauded Noems pandemic response, and complained about President Joe Biden  calling him crooked Joe  and his administration on a number of topics to include not allowing fireworks at Mount Rushmore.

Trump, who spoke for more than 90 minutes, meandered through various talking points. He said the U.S. is probably headed into a Great Depression, and called Biden an economic arsonist.

Trump said when re-elected his administration would immediately commence the largest deportation operation in American history. Trump also addressed the U.S. position in world politics, saying he would revoke Chinas most favored nation status.

Im the only candidate who can make this promise  I will prevent World War III, he said. If you have World War III, it will be a nuclear warthis would be levels of destruction that nobodys ever contemplated or thought of.

On abortion, Trump said he agrees with the exceptions for rape, incest and health of the mother  a statement which drew a muted response.

The Monument Rally marks Trump's third trip to South Dakota. He supported Kristi Noem at an event in Sioux Falls during her campaign for governor in 2018, and visited Mount Rushmore around the Fourth of July in 2020.

South Dakota is neither a key primary nor a crucial general election state. Trump won the state in the 2020 Presidential Election with more than 60% of the vote.

Republican unity

As Republicans from across the state gathered in Rapid City for the event, the state's three top Republican leaders were notably absent. Sens. John Thune and Mike Rounds and Rep. Dusty Johnson all had scheduling conflicts, according to correspondence with their respective offices.

Noem seemed to call out South Dakotas congressional delegation  although not by name  and said They dont show up for our party, our country or our constitutional rights. They dont show up for you when it really matters. They didnt even show up here tonight to welcome a former President of the United States to South Dakota.

Rounds announced his endorsement of South Carolina Republican Sen. Tim Scott in May  the first Senator to do so  even before Scott's presidential campaign had officially launched. Thune has also expressed support for Scott, telling the Journal recently he thinks the chances of Republican success are enhanced significantly "if we have a candidate at the top of the ticket that is looking at the future and talking about the issues that are central to what the American people want us to focus on, rather than looking in the rearview mirror and talking about the past."

When asked if he would support a Trump nominee, Thune commented he feels it's "time to turn the page."

Johnson's office said they "do not have a statement to provide this early into the primaries" when asked if he would support Trump should he secure the nomination, but clarified he doesn't plan to endorse anyone in the presidential primary.

Trump spoke while facing four separate indictments and 91 felony charges. The cases against him include his efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election and allegations he mishandled classified documents.

Trump addressed the indictments, calling them Biden indictments and reiterating his belief that they are a political move by the left.

This is not an indictmentthis is a campaign thing, he said, shaking his head. They indicted me because Im in first place.

Despite those legal hurdles and a broad field of challengers, his popularity among Republicans has not seemed to falter. The latest polls from Real Clear Politics show Trump averaging nearly 40 points ahead of his nearest challenger, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, in the 2024 Republican Primary. Trump hit at DeSantis multiple times, sometimes referring to him as "DeSanctimonious."

"I don't watch him. He's gotten so low in the polls, I'm not really watching him," Trump said.

Trump chose to skip the first GOP debate in Milwaukee last month, citing his significant lead; it's unclear if he will participate in the second debate in California at the end of September. He asked why he would participate when his opponents are polling so low.

"If I do the debate, what am I doing? I have a guy at 0...1...2 (percent). Asking me nasty questions...somewhat of a hostile network asking me nasty questions. What am I doing, why am I doing it?" he said.

Protests

Despite appearing on firmly Republican ground, Trump's visit was not without opposition.

A group of about 50 protesters gathered outside of The Monument on Friday, led by the South Dakota Democratic Party alongside the Black Hills Center for Equality and Liberty and Justice For All.

As the rush hour traffic passed by, some drivers cheered and honked in agreement and others shouted back at the protestors.

Toni Diamond, secretary of the South Dakota Democratic Party, stood outside The Monument almost all day before the rest of the protestors showed up.

"We [the Democrats] want to have a presence so people know that we stand with them," Diamond said. "Your voices are heard and you're not alone on the west side of the state."

South Dakota's Democratic Party issued a statement Friday morning condemning Trump's visit and lamenting Noem for "railing against" investments proposed by the Biden Administration.

"Together, Donald Trump and Governor Noem are continuing to push extreme policies and work for the ultra-wealthy and big corporations at the expense of whats best for hardworking South Dakota families," SDDP wrote.

Oglala Lakota elder Lenora Hudson brought four generations of her family out to the protest to tell Trump that he is not welcome on Lakota lands.

"We came to let him know he doesn't represent us, he represents a certain strata of our society and we don't want him in our state," Hudson said.

Hudson's daughter, granddaughter and great-grandchildren joined her in holding up signs for passersby to see.

"This is Lakota country and we're gonna be here every time he comes to tell him he's not welcome," Lenora's daughter, Wiyaka Ska Win Hudson, Oglala and Sicangu Lakota, said.

The election

The 2024 Presidential Election cycle is already in full swing, with the second Republican primary debate set for later this month.

The field is wide  although not as wide as 2016. Among those still vying for the nomination are Trump, tech entrepreneur Vivek Ramuswamy, former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley, former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, South Carolina Senator Tim Scott, former Vice President Mike Pence, former Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson and North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum.

"We were a great nation and we will soon be a great nation again," Trump said as his speech neared its end.
China holds int'l fair to boost investment, trade

Xinhua) 09:31, September 09, 2023

Guests visit the 23rd China International Fair for Investment and Trade (CIFIT) in Xiamen, east China's Fujian Province, Sept. 8, 2023. (Xinhua/Lin Shanchuan)

XIAMEN, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- The 23rd China International Fair for Investment and Trade (CIFIT) opened Friday in Xiamen, east China's Fujian Province, to boost investment and bolster global economic recovery.

The four-day event, themed "Open and Integrated: Key to High-Quality Development," kicked off with an opening ceremony, and will encompass a range of activities including forums, seminars, exhibitions, and business matching sessions.

The theme of this year's CIFIT reveals China's resolution to advance high-standard opening up and desire to promote international exchanges and cooperation, while sharing opportunities in its vast market with the rest of the world, said Chen Chunjiang, assistant minister of commerce, at the opening ceremony.

Cross-border investment is a crucial force in driving global economic growth, technological advancement and industrial upgrading, Chen said, stressing that "boosting investment confidence and promoting open cooperation have become more urgent than ever given the uncertain global economic recovery."

Chen noted that the country will implement the 24 measures unveiled by the State Council to beef up foreign investment inflow, leverage the role of roundtable meetings with foreign enterprises, and create a market-oriented, law-based and first-class business environment that is up to international standards.

"China's investment environment has always been good and it continues to be good," said Harley Seyedin, president of the American Chamber of Commerce in South China, adding that the new policies introduced by the government made it easier and more preferable for foreign companies to invest in China.

This photo taken on Sept. 8, 2023 shows a view of the 23rd China International Fair for Investment and Trade (CIFIT) in Xiamen, east China's Fujian Province. (Xinhua/Lin Shanchuan)

Data from the Ministry of Commerce (MOC) showed that 24,000 new foreign firms established themselves in China in the first half of the year, marking a 35.7-percent rise year on year. Investments from developed countries continued to grow, with investments from France, the United Kingdom, Japan, and Germany increasing by 173.3 percent, 135.3 percent, 53 percent, and 14.2 percent, respectively, during the period.

Electric Glass (Xiamen) Co., Ltd., a leading Japanese manufacturer and supplier of liquid crystal glass blocks, and participant of this year's CIFIT, expressed confidence in the Chinese economy and expansion of investment.

Ohashi Nobuo, general manager of Electric Glass (Xiamen), said the company had completed capital increases and capacity expansion four times up to now in the world's second-largest economy, and is currently stepping up its Phase V project, which is planned to start operation next year.

"We will invest about 500 million yuan (69.3 million US dollars), and after completion, the output value will increase accordingly," he said. Over the past eight years, the company's total investment in China has reached more than 8 billion yuan.

Covering around 120,000 square meters, this year's CIFIT has a distinct focus on the digital economy, intelligent manufacturing, green and low-carbon development, as well as rural revitalization. Various research reports on investment will also be released during the event.

More than 1,000 organizations and enterprises from all over the world participated in the exhibitions.

An unmanned helicopter is on display during the 23rd China International Fair for Investment and Trade (CIFIT) in Xiamen, east China's Fujian Province, Sept. 8, 2023. (Xinhua/Lin Shanchuan)

With several international organizations, including the United Nations Industrial Development Organization, present at the fair, this year has seen an increase in both the number and level of participation compared to previous editions.

Rebeca Grynspan, secretary-general of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, hailed China's dynamism, development perspective and scale in promoting inclusive and sustainable growth and investment.

"Your commitment to the principles of multilateralism and open markets can help shape a better future, especially through the Global Development Initiative," Rebeca Grynspan said.

Brazil, Serbia and Qatar are the guest countries of honor at this year's fair.

"In 2024, we will celebrate 50 years of diplomatic relations between Brazil and China and, in this half century, we have developed a deep and strategic relationship," said Geraldo Alckmin, Brazilian Vice President and Minister of Development, Industry, Trade and Services, via video.

"China has been our largest trading partner since 2009. Brazil is the fourth highest recipient of Chinese investment," he said.

This photo taken on Sept. 8, 2023 shows the Signing Ceremony of Fujian Key Investment Projects during the 23rd China International Fair for Investment and Trade (CIFIT) in Xiamen, east China's Fujian Province. (Xinhua/Lin Shanchuan)

Data from the MOC revealed that China-funded enterprises in foreign countries pay more than 50 billion U.S. dollars of taxes and fees to the host countries every year, creating nearly 2.5 million local jobs and making positive contributions to the economic recovery of the host countries and the world at large.

Chen said that China will continuously improve the quality and level of outbound investment cooperation, continue to promote the high-quality development of the Belt and Road Initiative, and actively participate in the formulation of global economic and trade rules.

China's non-financial outbound direct investment increased 18.1 percent year on year to 500.94 billion yuan in the first seven months of the year, MOC data showed.

First launched in 1997, the CIFIT has become an important platform to boost bilateral investment and facilitate global development.

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Sheng Chuyi)
KATHMANDU, Sept. 9 (Xinhua) -- Seven people were killed and 27 others injured when a passenger bus crashed into a truck on Friday night in Banke district of western Nepal, local police said on Saturday.

The bus with 41 people on board hit a truck parked on the East-West Highway as it was carrying tourists back from a visit of neighboring Dang district, said Sundar Tiwari, a police officer from Banke.

"It seems the overspeeding bus hit the truck, causing the fatal accident," Tiwari told Xinhua, noting that all the injured, two of them in critical conditions, were receiving treatment at a local hospital. 
Officials from the Department of Agriculture (MDA) made stops in the Bitterroot Valley this week as part of their value-added ag tour.

The tour is part of an ongoing effort by the department to highlight the diversity of Montanas agricultural ecosystem.

MDA Director Christy Clark visited with business owners at Hidden Legend Winery in Victor and Montana Ciderworks in Darby.

Ken Schultz started Hidden Legend Winery in 2001.

We're the oldest winery in Montana, Schultz said. Were 23 years old, and up until recently, the only meadery.

Mead is produced by fermenting honey with water. Spices, fruit and grains can be added to create different flavor profiles. Hidden Legend uses locally-sourced fruits, berries and honey to make their mead  lots of honey, approximately 60,000 pounds a year from Arlee Apiaries in Arlee.

It's great honey, Schultz said. I think that's the key to our success, is Montana just has great honey. We're second in the nation in honey production.

Hidden Legend just introduced six new products including an Orange Ginger Mead, a Pomegranate Mead, a Beet Mead and a Manna Mead.

Schultz explained that the inspiration for Hidden Legends Manna Mead comes from a story in the Bible.

The Hebrews that were released from slavery in Egypt and traveled 40 years to get 120 miles to Palestine ate a food that fell from the sky and they collected it on the ground and it was called mana, he said. It's a story in the Bible, and it says that it had the flavor of coriander and honey. So we thought we'll try it and see how it goes. I put a little vanilla in there to avoid copyright issues with God.

The tour also made a stop in Darby at Montana Ciderworks. Lee McAlpine started Montana Ciderworks in 2002 after working as a firefighter in the Bitterroot Valley for a time. She saw the opportunity to create a value-added product with McIntosh apples and opened what has become Montanas oldest cidery. Since then, Montana Ciderworks has become known around the state and beyond for their English-style ciders crafted from Bitterroot Valley apples, winning awards and accolades within the cider industry. Montana Ciderworks products can be found in many local shops and on tap across the state.

During the tours stop in Darby, MDA Director Clark praised the business owners for their perseverance and dedication to their craft.

It takes passion to run a small business, let alone a small business in rural Montana, Clark said. From these small value-added ag businesses in the Bitterroot to the large commodity operations in the Golden Triangle or out east, it is amazing to see how each operation, big or small, serves as a vital puzzle piece to the diverse agricultural ecosystem that drives Montanas number one industry.
Its fairly common knowledge that Montanas legislative branch of government is a citizen Legislature that only meets in session for 90 business days every two years. While true, those facts often lead to misconceptions about the real nature of legislators work.

In reality, the Legislature works year round. Being an effective legislator is much closer to full-time public service than a part-time job. Constituents regularly contact their elected representatives looking for assistance, asking about various laws, and pitching their ideas for future legislation. Legislators are asked to attend policy conferences, speak at local events, and answer reporters questions about the news of the day.

One of the most important and valuable tasks a legislator engages in between formal sessions is serving on one or more interim committees. Interim committees are made up of members of both the Senate and the House and have jurisdiction over every conceivable policy issue. They spend more than a year studying their respective topics, researching and drafting future legislation, providing oversight and accountability of executive branch agencies, and digging deep into the states budget.

Many of the current Legislatures interim committees are beginning their work in earnest this month. No fewer than 20 policy, budget and special committees are meeting in September. Theyll be receiving reports from executive agencies on how laws and programs are being implemented, how taxpayer money is being spent, and will be outlining their topics of study for the next year.

The work of interim committees often sets the stage for the major agenda items of the following legislative session. That means one of the best times for Montanans to get engaged in the legislative process is right now. Many regular Montanans, who dont closely follow politics and policy year-round, make the mistake of waiting too long to make their voices heard on the topics that matter to them.

Every legislative session, dozens of good ideas fall victim to deadlines and limited time. Having only 90 days to complete two years worth of lawmaking means everything happens fast during the session. Theres often not time to research and vet an idea, draft a bill, and educate legislators if the policy idea comes after the session has already started.

The big takeaway for Montana citizens is this: if you have an idea youd like to see the Legislature work on in the 2025 legislative session, dont wait to make your voice heard. Right now is the time to get engaged, contact your representative or senator, and attend interim committee meetings. The Legislature is the most transparent and most accessible branch of Montanas government. The earlier we get feedback and ideas from our constituents, the more effective well be for you next session.
Sept 9 (Reuters) - Leaders of the world's biggest economies begin a two-day G20 summit on Saturday in India's capital of New Delhi.

As India hosts such a powerful group of world leaders for the first time, New Delhi has been adorned with ornamental flowers and fountains at traffic roundabouts, with a fresh coat of paint for public buildings and sidewalks were spruced up.





Security is being provided by 130,000 police and para-military troops, along with anti-drone systems and cutouts of langurs to scare off monkeys, while stray dogs have been cleared from the streets.





WHAT IS THE G20?





The world's 20 major countries formed an economic grouping after the Asian financial crisis in 1999 on the understanding that crises spilling across borders needed better international economic co-operation to tackle them.





The bloc accounts for 80% of global gross domestic product (GDP) and 75% of international trade.





It includes Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Britain, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, the United States and the European Union.





Although only treasury chiefs met in initial years, the heads of all member nations decided to meet once a year for a summit after the 2008 financial crisis.





The G20 is discussing a plan for the African Union to join.





WHAT ARE THE KEY ISSUES THIS YEAR?





India's year-long presidency has seen discussions centre on issues such as more loans to developing nations by multilateral institutions, reform of international debt architecture, regulations on cryptocurrency and the impact of geopolitics on food and energy security.





The bloc has failed to issue any joint statements this year, as it is deeply divided over language referring to the war in Ukraine.





While Russia and China oppose blaming Moscow for the war, Western countries, such as Canada, France and the United States, have sought a strong condemnation as a necessary condition for a joint statement.





A draft circulated among members on Friday left blank a paragraph on the geopolitical situation, suggesting that differences remained unresolved.





SUMMIT THEME





India's G20 theme derives from the Sanskrit phrase "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam" which translates to "The World is One Family".





WHEN AND WHERE IS THE NEXT MEETING








NEW DELHI, Sept 9 (Reuters) - Only China can explain the reason for the absence of President Xi Jinping from the annual G20 summit in New Delhi this weekend, a U.S. official said on Saturday.





The summit had been seen as affording a venue for a possible meeting between Xi and U.S. President Joe Biden following months of efforts by the two world powers to mend ties frayed by trade and geopolitical tensions.





"It's incumbent upon the Chinese government to explain" why its leader "would or would not participate", Jon Finer, the U.S. deputy national security adviser, told reporters in the Indian capital.





Although the United States was often called upon to explain the actions of the Chinese government, that was not its role, he said, adding that it was "unfortunate" if China was not committed to the success of the bloc.





"Some have speculated China's absence indicates that it is giving up on the G20, building an alternative world order, that it will privilege groupings like the BRICS," Finer said.





Premier Li Qiang is leading China's delegation in the Indian capital. Also absent from the summit is President Vladimir Putin of Russia, which is being represented instead by Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.





Biden arrived on Friday for the summit.





Last Sunday, reacting to news that Xi would not attend the G20 summit, Biden said he was "disappointed" but would "get to see him".





India, the chair of the summit, along with the next two, Brazil and South Africa, as well as the United States, were committed to its success, Finer added.




Kathmandu, Nepal, September 9, 2023: Nepal Police have arrested Hasta Gautam, 52, on charges of trafficking Nepali people to various foreign countries including the USA.





Gautam, who is originally from Rukum district and currently residing in Texas, USA, is found to have collected over Rs 20 million from his clients under the guise of sending them to various countries for foreign employment.





Police have a saying that Gautam is the mastermind behind the trafficking operation and has thus far trafficked approximately 200 Nepali individuals to the USA.





Earlier, Police had rescued some individuals trafficked by Gautam and his agents, the Human Trafficking Investigation Bureau of Nepal Police said.




Kathmandu, Nepal, September 9, 2023: Three more government employees of the custom office at the Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) have been arrested in connection with the 60 kg gold smuggling case.





The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) of Nepal Police arrested customs officer Pushpa Joshi along with two non-gazette first class officials Kamal Pariyar and Birendra Nepali of the TIA Customs Office.





With the arrest of three more individuals, the number of people arrested in connection with the 60 kg gold smuggling case has reached 30.




Ginger Juice is under new ownership.

Founder Erin Powell has sold the cold-pressed juice company, located at 7021 Three Chopt Road, to Ginger Juice manager Chelsea Binder.

Powell began Ginger Juice in 2014 after she learned that her 4-year-old son, who did not eat vegetables, would drink them. She named the company for her sons bright red hair.

The cold-pressed juice company expanded to locations at 12171 W. Broad St. in the GreenGate development west of Short Pump Town Center and at 2061 Huguenot Road in North Chesterfield, but those locations closed during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

Powell took over running Lighthouse Labs in 2020, a startup business accelerator in Richmond, from founder Todd Nuckols, where she mentored 41 startup founders ranging from tech to healthcare.

In 2022, she took a job running sales for Blue Ocean Brain, a Lighthouse Labs alumni company. She recently relocated to Nashville, Tennessee, where she works for the Health and Safety Institute, which purchased Blue Ocean Brain.

We took a big leap of faith and are excited for the new adventures ahead in Nashville, Powell said. Chelsea has been part of the (Ginger Juice) team for years and has truly built a wonderful culture. I wish her nothing but success as I hand over ownership to a bright and talented woman.

Binder, born and raised in Michigan, worked as a general manager for a popular juice bar franchise before moving to Richmond in 2021.

I love Richmond, and it has always been an aspiration of mine to own my own restaurant, Binder said in a statement. Ginger Juice is a great concept with a fantastic customer base! I plan to make very few changes initially and continue to provide an exceptional experience for our customers. We will use our monthly specials to test other menu items our customers may want to see offered more permanently.

Ginger Juice offers cold-pressed juice, made fresh daily using raw fruits and vegetables. In addition, the menu includes smoothies, soups, acai bowls and avocado toast. One-, two-, or three-day juice cleanses are also available. Ginger Juice is located in the Village Shopping Center at 7021 Three Chopt Road.

Richmond area restaurants opened in 2023 Harry's At Hofheimer Intermission Beer Co. Hot Pot 757 Gold Lion Community Cafe Honey Baked Bee OMG OCPs Gramophone Basically Halal Rams House Bar + Kitchen Tequila Sunrise Mexican Kitchen & Cantina Reviresco Coffee Co. Red Hibachi & Beer Torchy's Tacos Midlothian Burtons Grill & Bar Ellie's Hot Dogs & Ice Cream Click A Wine Spot The Queens Tea Room Smashed RVA Shake Shack Luxe New American Bar & Grill Slurp! Slay Burgers Mariscos Mazatlan Eggs Up Grill Seafood Palace Fat Boy boil A Taste of Nostalgia 88 Street Food Acacia Midtown Odyssey Lost Letter RVA Stanley's Hibachi House Main St. Dragon Nokoribi Revel Market & Bar Genovas Pizza Station & Take Out Kitchen Brick House Diner Mayu Sushi & Thai Wok This Way Boiling Crab Richmond Torchy's Tacos Raising Cane's ChefSuite BigWife's La Fogata Grit Coffee The Brass Tap Penny's Wine Shop A.M. Kitchen Company Verseau Bistro Chic'n & Beer Bar West Sidecar Cocktail Lounge Soul N Vinegar Wong's Tacos Elegant Cuizines Rio Grande Tex-Mex Grill Mi Casita Restaurant Blue Cow Ice Cream Co. Suzy Sno Diablo Doughnuts RVA Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams
The Biden administration is proposing changes to the Fair Labor Standards Act that would expand nonexempt status for workers who would be entitled to overtime compensation.

On Aug. 30, the U.S. Department of Labor published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, or NPRM, which would require, at a minimum, that certain employees earn at least $1,059 per week ($55,068 annually) to be exempt from overtime, up from $684 per week (an over 50% increase). It also seeks to raise the threshold for highly compensated employees to $143,988 from $107,432 (a 34% increase).

Citing the departments broad authority, the 267-page proposed rule outlines changes to the 1938 Fair Labor Standards Act, which many have complained is outdated in its language and requirements. For example, the law still has an exemption for outside sales that was written for workers going door to door selling products, not the new digital age. None of that is changing here.

This proposal seeks only to make sure that more workers are entitled to overtime compensation if they work more than 40 hours in a workweek.

There are several ways an employee can be properly classified as exempt from overtime, but the most common is considered the white collar exemption for executive, administrative and professional, or EAP, employees. Because the law is antiquated, none of the definitions for these categories actually are what the titles sound like. For example, the administrative exemption isnt for a clerical employee  its actually the opposite  its for senior-level individuals who make important decisions regarding back-office operations of an organization.

For an employee to be exempt from overtime, three requirements must be satisfied:

(1) the employee must be paid a predetermined and fixed salary that is not subject to reduction because of variations in the quality or quantity of work performed (the salary-basis test);

(2) the amount of salary paid must meet a minimum specified amount (the salary-level test); and

(3) the employees job duties must primarily involve executive, administrative or professional duties as defined by the regulations (the duties test).

Most employers fail to properly run this test on each exempt employee, causing employees to be misclassified and improperly compensated. The duties test is particularly complex and difficult for employers to understand.

Highly compensated employees who meet the threshold are not required to satisfy all of the duties requirements.

As noted by the NPRM, The employer bears the burden of establishing the applicability of the exemption. Much to the confusion and disappointment of employers, job titles and job descriptions do not determine EAP exemption status, nor does merely paying an employee a salary. The test looks at the actual work of an employee.

While employees are clamoring for more flexibility after the pandemic and seeking the option of earning compensatory time off in lieu of overtime like the government permits for itself, this rule is a doubling down on the 1938 law that fixates on a 40-hour workweek.

DOL Acting Secretary Julie Su said of the new rule, For over 80 years, a cornerstone of workers rights in this country is the right to a 40-hour workweek, the promise that you get to go home after 40 hours or you get higher pay for each extra hour that you spend laboring away from your loved ones.

For example, if an employee works 60 hours in one week and 20 in the next week but all in the same pay period, this rule doesnt change the current law that requires that employees receive overtime compensation for the week the employee worked 60 hours, even if the employee requests this arrangement for personal reasons. This would limit employers giving an employee this option because it would cost the employer overtime.

In addition, private-sector employers cannot offer nonexempt employees compensatory time off.

If nonexempt employees work more than 40 hours in a workweek, they must be paid 1.5 times their regular rate of pay for all hours worked over 40 in that workweek, and the employer and employee cannot agree otherwise.

The DOL estimated that the proposed rule would impose $1.2 billion of direct costs on employers in the first year, and in an equal amount benefit employees.

The DOL also estimated that the new rule would impact 3.4 million workers. The new rule would also impact around 250,000 workers under the highly compensated employee category.

Employers should immediately assess their workforce for exempt employees earning between $684 and $1,059/week and those exempt employees earning between $107,432 per year and $143,988 per year to determine the impact on their business if the proposed rule is passed.

The comment period is open for 60 days from Aug. 30. Information on the rule and how to comment can be found at https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/overtime/2019/faq.

From the Archives: The opening of Cloverleaf Mall Cloverleaf Mall Cloverleaf Mall Cloverleaf Mall Cloverleaf Mall Cloverleaf Mall Cloverleaf Mall Cloverleaf Mall Cloverleaf Mall Cloverleaf Mall
Two thousand seventy-one steps.

That was the distance from the lobby to the top floor in each of the twin towers of the World Trade Center in New York. It was also the distance of the 12th annual Metro Richmond 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb held at the Richmond Raceway in Henrico County on Saturday morning.

More than 400 people participated in this years climb, which consisted of three laps up and down the raceways stair complex  four multi-story stair towers  equal to scaling the vast stairwells of the north and south towers that formerly dominated the lower Manhattan skyline.

This (event) honors the ... firefighters that were killed on Sept. 11, 2001, said Steve Korb, 62, of Chesterfield County, event organizer and chief of the Metro Richmond Flying Squad. Every climber (is) simulating climbing 110 stories of the World Trade Center, and each registrant gets a name badge and climbs in honor of (a) person ... who ended up deceased that day.

As participants  many of whom were dressed in full firefighting gear and toting up to 70 pounds of equipment  completed the climb and arrived at the finish line, they rang a silver bell and said into a microphone the name of the firefighter or first responder they were representing.

The bell sounded 343 times  once for every firefighter or first responder who died in the most deadly terrorist attacks to ever occur on U.S. soil.

We say we will never forget, and this is a part of never forgetting, said Henrico County Division of Fire Chief Jackson Baynard, who was among the guest speakers at Saturday mornings event. Never forgetting means training hard, being ready. Never forgetting means being there for the community.

Richmond police Chief Rick Edwards also addressed the crowd before the climb began. He recounted reporting to work as a police officer that day and being assigned to protect potential targets in Richmond as the city and country struggled to determine when and where the terrorists might strike next.

I honestly dont know what I would have done, Edwards said of the prospect of staving off an attack.

Fire departments across the state were represented in the climb. Members of the Richmond, Henrico, Chesterfield, Petersburg and Spotsylvania fire departments arrived early to don their gear and prepare.

One of those participants was Tommy Tucker, 52, of Chesterfield, a 32-year firefighting veteran and member of Chesterfield County Fire and EMS, who took part in the climb for the first time this year.

(Im here) to honor the sacrifice of the men and women that were there that day on Sept. 11th, Tucker said.

Tucker was on duty in Chesterfield when the attacks occurred. He was watching live on television when the second plane struck the south tower and said he knew in that moment that the country was under attack.

He said that more firefighters and first responders died in the twin towers than were employed by Chesterfield County Fire and EMS at that time.

It wouldve wiped out our entire department, he said. In that moment, you just realize youve lost all these brothers and sisters.

That strong sense of communal grief was a common theme throughout the event. As audio recordings of radio transmissions between 9/11 first responders played, retired New York City firefighter Clarence Singleton recalled the many friends he lost at ground zero.

Singleton, now 73 and living in Midlothian, had retired in August 2000, but joined in the emergency response on 9/11 as a volunteer. He fell and dislocated his shoulder while running to escape the collapse of the north tower, he said.

Miraculously, Singleton survived and, although wounded, returned to the scene to assist in search and rescue operations.

Richmond Fire department Chief Melvin Carter said that it is that devotion to duty and selfless courage that being a firefighter is all about.

We are all one phone call  three digits  away from never seeing our family and loved ones again, he said. At any time, we are prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice.
Since February, U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., has blocked all senior military promotions requiring Senate confirmation. He is doing so to protest the Pentagons policy of allowing military personnel to travel to get abortions if the state they live in does not allow them. The U.S. Supreme Court's ruling in the Dobbs case last year overturned Roe v. Wade's guarantee of nationwide abortions, creating a patchwork of state laws.

Tuberville is enjoying his celebrity status as a never back down type of guy a little too much. And Tuberville is taking his superficial Republican anti-wokeism too far by inserting it into military affairs.

Yet the predictions of catastrophic consequences for U.S. national security from Tubervilles symbolic protest are wildly overblown by some members of both parties.

U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., vaguely railed that Tuberville is prepared to burn the military down with his hold on senior military promotions. Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, a hawkish Republican candidate for president, complained to Hugh Hewitt, a conservative radio host, We do not have a chief of staff of the army for a first time in 200 years. More than 300 vacancies. Its a mess. Haley said Hewitt should contact Tuberville and ask him to stop screwing up the military because were on the brink of a conflict with China and we cannot have this.

The desired public implication Tubervilles critics want to leave is that the giant bureaucracies of the American military have ground to a halt because some senior leadership positions are temporarily unfilled. The suggest is that this impedes the readiness of our military to deal with any immediate armed contingencies that arise.

Yet based on my long experience working with the Department of Defense, I know its services adapt to run on autopilot quite successfully with acting senior officials. In fact, they regularly do so when Senate confirmations are slow, such as when a new president's administration is in transition. Granted, new policy initiatives may be delayed without senior leadership positions filled in some services, but a catastrophic loss of military readiness will unlikely occur.

Despite the public grousing about Tuberville, his grandstanding will have minor real-world effects. Tuberville's protest also could force Congress to consider pruning the bloated numbers of senior officer positions.

Since World War II, the ratio of flag officers  generals and admirals  to the enlisted ranks has ballooned to nearly the highest in modern military history. Republican congressional leaders are already on the right track in considering slimming down the number of flag officers in the services  currently more than 900.

In 1965, the year of the escalation of the Vietnam War, such generals and admirals were only 0.05% of the total force. In 2018, it had climbed to 0.07% of the force. During World War II, there was one general or admiral for every 6,000 troops. Now, it is one flag officer for 1,400 troops.

More generally, the officer bloat goes below the flag officer level, with a ratio of one officer to 10 enlisted men during World War II soaring to one officer for every four enlisted men in 2022. Col. Gregory McCarthy of the Marine Corps called this phenomenon rank creep.

Though the budget savings of eliminating the salaries of retiring flag officers would be modest, these legislative leaders realize something that the critics of doing so dont  inefficiencies of bloated top-heavy service bureaucracies regularly undermine military readiness and waste too much of the almost $850 billion annual military budget far more than some temporarily unfilled senior positions.

What is required is a considered and systematic examination of whether many of these senior positions are still needed. Whittling down the excessive layers of flag officers to more historical levels will speed decision-making through the ranks in any emergency.
BEIJING, Sept. 9 (Xinhua) -- "Most of the time, foreign interference came from a friendly and allied country: the United States. For instance, I, along with (former French) President (Nicolas) Sarkozy, was under surveillance for five years by the United States' National Security Agency (NSA)," former French Prime Minister Francois Fillon stated during a hearing on foreign interference before the French National Assembly in May.

The Pew Research Center, an American research institute, published a survey in June on the American role in global affairs, revealing that in 23 countries, including Britain, France, and Germany, an average of 82 percent of respondents believed that the United States interfered in the affairs of other countries, while an average of 50 percent thought that the United States did not consider their countries' interests when making its international policy decisions.

Every American ally knows that they live in the shadow of an empire, asserted British political analyst Ian Martin, noting that the United States often acts in its own interests.

LONG-TERM SURVEILLANCE

Countries seeking strategic autonomy, like France, have always had differences and even conflicts with the U.S. on certain issues, and as a result, they were often targeted with special attention and "got stabbed in the back."

In the hearing, Fillon said the United States was not only monitoring the French but also other allies.

"When documents from U.S. intelligence services leaked," he said, "everyone focused on the fact that Chancellor ( Angela) Merkel had been spied on, but the same was true for all members of the French government and, presumably, other European countries as well."

The U.S. bugging has long been an open secret. In 2015, WikiLeaks revealed that European leaders such as German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French Presidents Jacques Chirac, Nicolas Sarkozy, and Francois Hollande had all been monitored by the United States.

Yet, American officials simply shrugged off the accusations. Former CIA director James Woolsey wrote an article in 2000 titled "Why We Spy on Our Allies", arguing that they were right to conduct this kind of surveillance: "That's right, my continental friends, we have spied on you because you bribe."

Thanks to the European Parliament's publication of a report on the interception of private and commercial communications by American intelligence agencies, many American espionage cases have been exposed. For example, the NSA listened in on fax and phone negotiations between Airbus and Saudi Arabian Airlines as well as the Saudi Arabian government in 1994, providing relevant information to an American competitor of Airbus, helping it to defeat Airbus to get the big contract.

LONG-ARMED JURISDICTION

Long-armed jurisdiction, another typical form of American interference with their allies, "has serious consequences for the economic life of our country," said Fillon during the hearing.

He mentioned a 9-billion-dollar fine paid by the French banking group BNP Paribas in 2014 for violating the American embargo on certain countries.

"When I asked its leaders why they conducted transactions with Sudan in dollars when they could have easily done them in euros, they told me that by doing so, they would have immediately faced retaliatory measures from the United States. Since it is a global bank, it cannot afford to incur the hostility of this country," said Fillon.

According to financial experts, BNP, a major European bank, would be perceived as a threat to the supremacy of the U.S. dollar if it conducted significant transactions in euros.

During a hearing at the French National Assembly in April, former French Minister of Economy, Productive Recovery, and Digital Technologies Arnaud Montebourg elaborated on the Alstom case he had dealt with during his tenure, a typical example of American extraterritorial jurisdiction.

In 2013, the U.S. arrested Frederic Pierucci, a senior executive of the French company Alstom, on charges of involvement in a corruption case related to Alstom in Indonesia in April 2003. Under the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, Pierucci was sentenced to prison, and Alstom was heavily fined before being eventually coerced into selling its related operations to its main competitor General Electric, an American multinational conglomerate.

"The United States of America were indeed not victims of any harm: it (the Astom deal) did not concern an American company or American territory since the incriminated contract was signed between Indonesia and Alstom," said Montebourg. "It was a violation of our sovereignty, interference in the lives of our companies, illegal surveillance, against which protests were politically and diplomatically feeble, and an infringement on our national interests."

ARMS SALES MANIPULATION

The United States also takes advantage of their allies' military dependence to "manipulate" them. At the National Assembly, Montebourg recalled, "President (Jacques) Chirac decided in 2003 to exercise France's veto right in the United Nations Security Council against the invasion of Iraq by a Western coalition, the United States of America, which controlled the catapults of our aircraft carrier, the Charles de Gaulle, ... in retaliation, applied a unilateral embargo against France on the supply of a critical component that was of American origin."

"It was political, legal, and economic interference in our sovereignty," said the former French minister.

For self-interest, America does not hesitate to stab its allies in the back. In February 2019, Australia signed an agreement with France to order 12 conventionally powered submarines worth billions of euros.

In September 2021, the United States, Britain and Australia established AUKUS, with Washington and London announcing their support for establishing a nuclear submarine fleet for Australia. Subsequently, Australia suspended the submarine purchase contract with France and bought American nuclear submarines instead, arousing an outcry and strong protest from the French side.

Les Echos, a French newspaper, commented that the Joe Biden administration "places its strategic interests far above those of its allies."

From illegal espionage to long-armed jurisdiction, from military embargoes to theft of orders, more and more U.S. allies, including France, have fallen victim to American betrayals and its long-standing hypocrisy. 
Two suspects returned to U.S. for sexual abuse crimes

Mexico City, Mexico  Two men wanted in U.S. courtrooms for sex crimes have been extradited from Mexico. On Friday, the Attorney Generals Office (FGR) of Mexico reported on the extradition of Gerardo R who was wanted by the Circuit Court of Washington County, State of Oregon, for sexual crimes.

According to the FGR, he sexually abused a minor and went to prison for his crime, however, he paid bail and left prison to flee to Mexico. In April, he was arrested in Morelia, Michoacan. Subsequently, the FGR took the necessary steps for the Government of Mexico to grant extradition to the United States.

Jorge R, who has been wanted by the Superior Court of the State of California, Riverside County, was also extradited Friday. Jorge R was handed over to U.S. federal marshalls and returned to California to face sexual abuse charges.

According to the FGR, Jorge R is also facing charges of sexual abuse against a minor. He was arrested in April of this year in Sayulita, Nayarit and was later granted extradition to the U. S.
CHRISTIANSBURG  Montgomery County officials have celebrated the growth that the locality has experienced over the years and that is anticipated to continue in the near future.

But with growth comes some challenges. And among those challenges is how will more people  and traffic  impact public safety in the future, particularly the countys entire first-responder system.

The county hasnt drawn out any specific plans for how its fire and rescue agencies will be adapted for the anticipated growth in future years, but the issue has been a recent discussion point.

Another issue that further complicates the matter is the future of the countys largely volunteer fire and rescue agencies. While the county has added paid rescue personnel in recent years to supplement the work in various areas, the localitys leaders do not want to give the impression that they are starting to push out the volunteers.

My concern is not as much about what were doing now. Its where we would be in five, 10, 15 or 20 years, Assistant County Administrator Brad St. Clair told the board of supervisors last month. I know from a law enforcement standpoint, the more houses, the more costs. Its the same thing for EMS and potentially fire. The more traffic, the more crashes.

My concern is: Are we in a position in 10 or 15 or 20 years to say that were covered?

For example, the further development of the Virginia 177 corridor  also known as Tyler Road  on the western edge of the county is inevitable, St. Clair said.

Its probably the last major artery off the interstate that doesnt have everything bought up. And when it does, how do we get there from an emergency services standpoint?

Then, theres also the possibility that by the time the county is ready to add a station in that area just south of Radford, much of the available land would be gone, forcing the locality to potentially consider locations that are not optimal, St. Clair said.

St. Clair further raised questions about the current forces ability to provide coverage in future years.

St. Clair said its not a simple issue.

But we know if we need 30 people to do it, we got to make sure we have 30, he said. We need to be continually examining that.

Another challenge is finding more volunteers to actively run calls, County Administrator Craig Meadows said.

The challenge as weve seen in a lot of communities across the country is volunteerism in general continues to be on the decline, he said.

Contributing factors include aging volunteers who have been there for decades and other demands and responsibilities such as work and family, Meadows said.

Montgomery County has a total of 266 fire rescue volunteers, according to figures provided by spokeswoman Jennifer Harris this week. She wasnt able to immediately provide a breakdown showing exactly how many of those volunteers are firefighting personnel and how many are in rescue roles.

The county formally established its Department of Fire and EMS last year. The department employs a total of 40 full- and part-time operational personnel.

Earlier this year, supervisors approved a budget that called for the addition of 12 more paid full-time EMT and paramedic personnel, with four of those being supervisory roles.

The countys various fire agencies are staffed entirely by volunteers, while EMTs and paramedicsincluding the paid personnelfall under the rescue umbrella.

The recent discussions over future first-responder needs and the relationship with the various agencies also come on the heels of the Shawsville Volunteer Rescue Squads dissolution earlier this year.

The squads response to calls had been in decline in the months prior to its closure, although county officials have said that theyve enacted measures to ensure calls in the Shawsville area are handled

Shawsville rescue didnt have the volunteer numbers needed to cover calls and the problem led to some other trickled down issues, Meadows said. When the Shawsville squad couldnt cover a call, Christiansburgs personnel would often fill inand in turn, leave the town short-handed, he said.

Meadows said there are similar challenges in other parts of the county and its among the reasons theyve added paid first-responder staff.

Fire and EMS officials said they have started to see some rescue volunteer declines particularly in the Riner area.

The Riner Rescue Squad didnt return a request for comment on this story.

Of the countys total Fire and EMS employees, eight full-time EMTs work with a paramedic to provide 24-hour coverage in both the eastern Montgomery County and Riner areas, Harris said this week.

Its not about anything beyond making sure that our citizens have the responders they need when they call 911, County Fire and EMS Director Michael Geary told supervisors before adding that theyre still there to support volunteers as much as they can.

Supervisor Steve Fijalkowski, whose district covers eastern Montgomery County, said he and his colleagues want to do whatever they can to help and keep their volunteer force. He pushed back against rumors suggesting that the recent fire and EMS hires are part of some plan to replace the volunteer firefighters.

We wouldnt do that as long as we have volunteers. Theres no reason to replace them, he said this week.

One member of the Riner Volunteer Fire Department told supervisors about the rumors and concerns during the meeting last month, but the county leaders stressed that there are no plans to replace volunteers.

First thing I will tell you to make sure every volunteer in here hears this correctly: We are not looking to replace or hire firefighters, board of supervisors Chairwoman Sherri Blevins said during the meeting last month. Do you understand what that would cost this board? Sherri Blevins is not raising taxes to do away with firefighters. We are blessed to have the volunteers.

The supervisors, however, have said the communication with the various first-responder agencies does need to see some improvement to ensure false alarms arent being raised.

We wanted to make sure people that are out there, especially the volunteers, know what the truth is, and were going to be straight up with them, Fijalkowski said.

Still, Fijalkowski acknowledges the ongoing struggles with volunteer membership. He said could see the county adding paid fire personnel and more paid rescue staff in the future, but only if the volunteers are no longer able to answer the calls.

What I have always stated is the main goal for our fire and rescue services is to provide the best possible response time, support and care to our citizens in their time of need, Supervisor Mary Biggs wrote in an email this week.

She continued: We want to help them be successful. With the decline in EMS volunteers in our county, [the board] has supported and will continue to support paid EMS staff to fill whatever gaps may arise in serving our citizens.
RICHMOND  Attorney General Jason Miyares on Friday announced a multi-state settlement with Kroger that will require the grocery store chain to pay up $1.37 billion to state and local governments for its role in the national opioid crisis.

With about $28 million of that expected to come to Virginia in installments over the next 11 years, it brings the states total in settlements with pharmaceutical companies and other retailers to over $1 billion so far.

The opioid crisis has tragically claimed the lives of countless innocent Virginians, and this significant settlement is another important step in the battle against this epidemic, offering aid and recovery services to those who urgently need it, Miyares said in a statement.

This crisis has left a profound impact on so many families, and at the Office of Attorney General, we are focused on fighting this crisis in every corner of the Commonwealth."

As well as the financial terms, a final settlement will be "contingent on agreement on critical business practice changes," the statement said.

Attorneys general from North Carolina, Oregon, Tennessee, California, Colorado, Illinois and Virginia led the negotiations.

Over the past year, Miyares has also announced other settlements in ongoing legal battles attorneys general of many states have undertaken with various companies  such as a $9 million settlement with Endo International and a $67 million settlement with Johnson & Johnson. The funding has gone toward Virginias Opioid Abatement Authority and localities.

The nations opioid crisis can largely be traced to rural communities from Maine to Ohio and central Appalachia - including Southwest Virginia - where opioid-producing company Purdue Pharma first marketed OxyContin in the 1990s. It led to widespread opioid addiction and the company reached a $6 billion settlement with several states last year.

Author and journalist Beth Macy, a former Roanoke Times reporter, chronicled the roots of opioid issues in Dopesick: Dealers, Doctors and the Drug Company that Addicted America. The New York Times-bestselling book was also adapted to a series on Hulu.

Photos: Tranq, the new fentanyl additive worsening Americas opioid epidemic
If you are currently a print subscriber but don't have an online account, select this option. You will need to use your 7 digit subscriber account number (with leading zeros) and your last name (in UPPERCASE).
125 Years Ago

Quick Defends His Plank: J. H. Quick returned from the state democratic convention at Marshalltown and declared it was harmonious and that a winning ticket was nominated. He had a great deal to say about the plank in the platform accredited to him, which has drawn criticism in its proposed change to the amendment process listed in Article 5 of the U.S. Constitution. Quick strongly defends his plank despite the criticism against it.

Women Bicyclers Enthusiastic: Over 100 women and girl bicycle riders of Sioux City assembled last night in the dining room of the Garretson hotel to meet Howard S. Baker, chairman in charge of Bicycle day of the Carnival, and Mrs. C. K. Williams, who will be in charge of the womens division.

100 Years Ago

Eclipse to be Visible Here: Sioux City star gazers, with the aid of a smoked glass, may witness a partial eclipse of the sun here tomorrow afternoon. The obscuration of the suns disk will be from about 2:09 to 3:18 p.m., and about 60 percent of the sun surface will be hidden in this latitude. Eclipses of the sun are great interest to astronomers, as total eclipses afford unusual opportunities to study suns phenomena.

Boom Baxter as Supervisor: W. G. Baxter of Climbing Hill, assistant to late member of the Woodbury County Board of Supervisors H. E. Brown, was the unanimous choice of more than 150 residents of District No. 5 to succeed Brown at a mass meeting held Friday evening at Luton, Iowa. The action followed a secret ballot for a man to be recommended for the place left vacant by Browns death last week. When the result was announced, it was moved that the choice be given unanimously to Baxter, and the motion passed.

50 Years Ago

Park Program Up to Voters Tuesday: City officials are hoping for a favorable decision from Sioux City voters Tuesday on a special property tax levy to help renovate the citys park system and finance two new swimming pools. The Woodbury County Tax Research Conference is the latest organization to announce its support of the special levy and called the proposal preferred method for pay-as-you-go financing of needed park improvements instead of having to go through bonds which would increase the total cost of improvements by 50 percent.

International Acclaim for Westmar Chorale: The 1973 tour of Europe by the Westmar Chorale is finished, but impressive reviews from the tour still are adding to the chorales international acclaim. The Chorale is conducted by Frank N. Summerside, and this year toured Germany again and added The Netherlands, Norway, and Sweden to their concert itinerary. Comments from Sweden, the Netherlands, and Norway praise the Chorales precision, joy and beautiful music.

25 Years Ago

Space Between Weavings Taken From Artists Vehicle: Lincoln artist Wendy Weiss was the subject of a Sioux City art heist Sunday night or early Monday. Thieves broke into her Suburban, parked at Riverboat Inn, and stole the expensive silk weavings that make up The Space Between, a fabric environment work that had filled the Sioux City Art Center atrium since mid-July. Weiss had come during ArtSplash to take down the work, carefully packing it into large canvas bags. The exhibit does have an insured value, but Weiss would like it back as it took her two years to create. She is offering a substantial reward for the return of the silk weavings intact.

Sheriff Praises Residents For Aid to Attacked Deputy: Ida County Sheriff Wade Harriman praised some Ida Grove residents Tuesday for helping save a deputy from critical injuries. A routine traffic stop Friday night became a physical altercation when the two teenagers ended up jumping the deputy, who was punched and kicked. Some adults happened to be out on porches saw what was happening and came to the officers aid. The other adults were able to calm the teenagers down, and the deputy was able to get into his squad car to radio for assistance.
CHEYENNE, Wyo.  After parents in a rural and staunchly conservative Wyoming county joined nationwide pressure on librarians to pull books they considered harmful to youngsters, the local library board obliged with new policies making such books a higher priority for removal  and keeping out of collections.

But that's not all the library board has done.

Campbell County also withdrew from the American Library Association, in what's become a movement against the professional organization that has fought against book bans.

This summer, the state libraries in Montana, Missouri and Texas and the local library in Midland, Texas, announced they're leaving the ALA, with possibly more to come. Right-wing lawmakers in at least nine other states  Arizona, Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, Mississippi, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota and Wyoming  demand similar action.

Part of the reason is the association's defense of disputed books, many of which have LGBTQ+ and racial themes. A tweet by ALA President Emily Drabinski last year in which she called herself a Marxist lesbian also has drawn criticism and led to the Montana and Texas state library departures.

This is the problem with the American Library Association, it has changed from an organization that helped communities and used common sense into one that just promotes a view, said Dan Kleinman, a blogger and longtime ALA critic.

Widely disputed books over the past couple years include Maia Kobabes graphic memoir Gender Queer, Juno Dawsons This Book Is Gay, and Toni Morrisons The Bluest Eye, the ALA points out.

In northeastern Wyoming's Campbell County, a coal-mining area where former President Donald Trump got 87% of the vote in 2020, library board meetings have been packed and often heated for more than two years now.

After a local outcry over a drag queen story hour and an unsuccessful attempt to prosecute library officials over books in the librarys childrens section, a library board with several new members appointed by the County Commission withdrew from the ALA last year.

We were the first library in nation to do this. And now it has progressed to something to something I couldnt even have imagined, library board member Charles Butler said. And all we were ever worried about was the sexualization of children.

The nonprofit American Library Association denies having a political agenda, saying it has always been nonpartisan.

This effort to change what libraries are, or even just take libraries away from communities, I think, is part of a larger effort to diminish the public good, to take away those information resources from individuals and really limit their opportunity to have the kinds of resources that a community hub, like a public library, provides, said Deborah Caldwell-Stone, director of the American Library Associations Office of Intellectual Freedom.

The ALA won't say how many libraries are members of the group but denied any mass exodus.

The troubles come as individual membership in the ALA is down 14% since 2018 to about 49,700, the lowest since 1989, according to figures on the organization's website. The ALA attributes the decline to suspended library conferences during the pandemic.

While librarians pride themselves about being open to different perspectives and providing access to different kinds of materials, political leaders telling them to part with the ALA runs against that, said Washington University in St. Louis law professor Gregory Magarian.

Magarian has been following Missouri's departure from the ALA amid a debate over who may take part in local library story hours and new state rules that seek to limit youth access to certain books deemed inappropriate for their age.

In Campbell County, recent library policy changes remove the ALAs Library Bill of Rights, which states: A persons right to use a library should not be denied or abridged because of origin, age, background, or views.

The new policy says the library system can apply that priority in the routine weeding of damaged, unused and out-of-date books.

When library Director Terri Lesley expressed doubts about doing that, the board asked her to resign. After she refused, the board voted 4-1 to fire her.

People should be running their own libraries based on common sense, community standards and the law, said Kleinman, the ALA critic and blogger. And if library directors dont want to go along with that? Goodbye.

Kleinman last month launched an alternative to the ALA, the World Library Association, which he said will offer new policy guidelines for libraries.

So far, state library associations  private, professional organizations that resemble the American Library Association, but on a state level  are sticking with the American Library Association.

Republican Gov. Mark Gordon looks to be on the same page, criticizing as a media stunt a recent letter from 13 state lawmakers and Wyomings secretary of state asking him to pull the Wyoming State Library from the ALA.

The letter implies that Wyoming citizens  Wyoming parents  are not capable of deciding how best to govern themselves and need the self-appointed morality police to show them the way, Gordon said.
WASHINGTON  The Environmental Protection Agency is delaying plans to tighten air quality standards for ground-level ozone  better known as smog  despite a recommendation by a scientific advisory panel to lower air pollution limits to protect public health.

The decision by EPA Administrator Michael Regan means that one of the agency's most important air quality regulations will not be updated until well after the 2024 presidential election.

I have decided that the best path forward is to initiate a new statutory review of the ozone (standard) and the underlying air quality criteria,'' Regan wrote in a letter to the EPA advisory panel last month. The letter cites several issues raised by the panel in a recent report that "warrant additional evaluation and review.''

The review, which will last at least two years, will ensure that air quality standards reflect the latest science in order to best protect people from pollution,'' Regan said.

Regan's decision avoids an election year battle with industry groups and Republicans who have complained about what they consider overly intrusive EPA rules on power plants, refineries, automobiles and other polluters.

The delay marks the second time in 12 years that a Democratic administration has put off a new ozone standard prior to an election year. President Barack Obama shut down plans to tighten ozone standards in 2011, leading to a four-year delay before the standards were updated in 2015.

Paul Billings, senior vice president of the American Lung Association, called the EPA's decision profoundly disappointing and a missed opportunity to protect public health and promote environmental justice. A recent report by the lung association showed that minority communities bear a disproportionate burden from ground-level ozone, which occurs when air pollution from cars, power plants and other sources mixes with sunlight. The problem is particularly acute in urban areas.

Billings called the ozone rule the public health cornerstone of the Clean Air Act,'' adding that "millions of people will breathe dirty air for many more years'' as a result of the delay. An increased number of asthma attacks, sick days and even premature death are likely to occur, he and other public health advocates said.

Raul Garcia, vice president of policy and legislation for Earthjustice, called the delay shameful and unjustified. The science tells us we are long overdue, Garcia said.

Democratic lawmakers also were disappointed. "Inaction threatens public health and puts those with underlying conditions such as asthma or lung disease at an elevated risk,'' said Rhode Island Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse. He and 51 other Democrats had urged swift action on a new rule.

"Unfortunately weve seen the process for updating the ozone standards repeatedly swept up in political games that risk lives,'' the lawmakers said in an Aug. 7 letter to the EPA.

Conor Bernstein, a spokesman for the National Mining Association, applauded the EPAs decision "not to race ahead with an unnecessary revision of the ozone standards,'' which have not been changed since 2015. The current standard was reaffirmed in December 2020 under then-President Donald Trump, a Republican.

Bernstein, whose members produce coal and other fossil fuels, urged officials to reconsider other regulations that he said target coal-fired power plants and endanger reliability of the electric grid. It's clear  and deeply alarming  that EPA (does not) understand the cumulative impact its rules will have on the grid and the nations severely stressed power supply,'' he said.

A spokeswoman for the American Petroleum Institute, the top lobbying group for the oil and gas industry, said current ozone limits are among the most stringent in the world. Any tightening of the standard could impact energy costs, threaten U.S. energy security and impact businesses and American consumers,'' spokeswoman Andrea Woods said in an email.

The EPA's decision comes after two advisory panels  the EPA's Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee and the White House Environmental Justice Advisory Council  urged the agency to lower the current ozone standard of 70 parts per billion.

Based on the scientific evidence currently available, it is concluded that the level of the current standard is not protective with an adequate margin of safety,'' the EPA panel said in a June report. A limit of 55 to 60 parts per billion "is more likely to be protective and to provide an adequate margin of safety,'' the panel said.

The agency will convene workshops next spring to gather information and will release a review plan for action in late 2024, he said. A final decision could be years away.

Expensive US cities with the worst air quality Expensive U.S. Cities With the Worst Air Quality Concentrations of air pollutants dropped sharply over past 30 years Nearly 100M Americans live in locations that saw unhealthy air in 2020 California and Arizona experienced the worst air quality in 2020 15. Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA 14. Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD 13. Fort Collins, CO 12. Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX 11. San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles-Arroyo Grande, CA 10. Stockton-Lodi, CA 9. Chico, CA 8. Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX 7. Modesto, CA 6. Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI 5. Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO 4. SacramentoRosevilleArden-Arcade, CA 3. San Diego-Carlsbad, CA 2. Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA 1. Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA
ANDERSON, S.C.  A microphone in hand, Sen. Tim Scott left the podium at a recent barbecue event in South Carolina and made his way through tables draped in red, white and blue as attendees finished plates of pulled pork and baked beans.

As he talked about his campaign, Scott passed Casey DeSantis, the first lady of Florida, who looked ahead at the empty stage from which she would soon speak. She was there in place of her husband, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who was overseeing the response to Hurricane Idalia.

Several hours earlier, former Gov. Nikki Haley packed an event hall about 130 miles to the northeast. An overflow crowd spilled out into the back hallways, with some people having to watch her remarks on a video monitor.

The flurry of activity showed the priority these three campaigns are placing on South Carolina, where the Republican primary is traditionally the last chance for many White House hopefuls to break through before Super Tuesday. If former President Donald Trump maintains his front-runner status here and in the other early voting states, his path to the GOP nomination may be nearly impossible to stop.

In all but one primary since 1980, the Republican winner in South Carolina has gone on to be the partys nominee.

Both in the state and nationally, Trump is far ahead in the Republican field. Battling for a distant second place are the two home-state candidates  Scott and Haley  and DeSantis. A July poll from Fox Business found that Scott, Haley and DeSantis each drew double digits, but Trump still led by more than 30 points.

Scott and Haley face added pressure given the traditional expectation for a presidential candidate to win their home state. But they may also splinter any traditional home turf edge in South Carolina, which could allow DeSantis to relegate them to a potentially embarrassing third or even fourth place.

In a split vote like this, you cant help but think that Donald Trump has the natural advantage over everybody else because he just has to win one more vote than second place, said Dave Wilson, a conservative political strategist in the state.

Several voters considering their options variously praised and criticized the three second-place contenders, reflecting how splintered the field is.

Weve got a lot of good ones, said Debra Donnan, a 52-year-old former postal worker from the city of Laurens. I dont exactly know. Im just watching and learning.

Donnan said she thinks both Trump and DeSantis have a great shot, but that Scott does, too.

Dont discount him, she said of Scott. He is a great American. He is very strong in his belief system, and he is not a wimpy person.

Haley, meanwhile, drew praise from Irene Gatton, a 78-year-old retired nurse, as very down to earth and intelligent.

South Carolinas institutional support is behind Trump. Hes locked up endorsements from Sen. Lindsey Graham and Gov. Henry McMaster, who was lieutenant governor before Trump picked Haley as his United Nations ambassador  something Trump has claimed McMaster asked him to do.

On the July 4 weekend, Trump drew a massive crowd of tens of thousands to tiny Pickens, South Carolina, a feat no other candidate has matched.

He has done far fewer events overall and skipped the first presidential debate, a decision criticized by voters at other candidates events. But Trump remains the top political figure in the party and has kept a strong standing with Republicans, even as he faces four criminal indictments.

Speaking at the Faith & Freedom BBQ last week in South Carolinas Upstate region  invited to speak not as a White House hopeful but as a sitting home state senator  Scott said his campaign was focusing on restoring hope, creating opportunity and protecting the America we all love." He said that includes supporting law enforcement, finishing the U.S.-Mexico border wall and giving parents more choices in their childrens education.

He was followed by Casey DeSantis. From Florida  where he remained, in lieu of delivering the keynote address as had been planned, to help his state prepare for Hurricane Idalia  Ron DeSantis recorded a three-minute introduction video that got roars from the crowd. Casey DeSantis gave familiar one-liners about her children and raising a family in the Florida governors mansion.

But she also hit hard at President Joe Biden. She pledged that her husband would be a president who helps the children in the White House with homework instead of cocaine. That was a reference to the drugs found earlier this year in the White House, as well as the public substance abuse struggles of Bidens son, Hunter.

Haley didnt appear at the barbecue but instead packed an earlier event in Indian Land, a small community near Charlotte, North Carolina. She seemed to be in an especially good mood as she spoke, buoyed by her first debate performance, in which she sharply criticized rival Vivek Ramaswamy on foreign policy and pointedly noted on an otherwise all-male stage that if you want something done, ask a woman.

At her town hall, she went after Ramaswamy again with a double-edged Southerner's barb that drew appreciative laughter: Bless his heart.

I know I wear a skirt, she said. But yall see me at work. If you say something that is totally off the wall, Im going to call you out on it every single time.
NEW YORK  Damien, age 5, was giddy with excitement as he left a Manhattan homeless shelter, sometimes running and skipping along the sidewalk accompanied by his wistful mother, a migrant from Ecuador.

What I want for him is a future, Kimberly Carchipulla said in Spanish of her son, one of nearly 800,000 New York City public school students who headed off to class Thursday for their first day of the new school year.

That is what school officials want, too, as the city's classrooms work to accommodate nearly 20,000 migrant children newly arrived in the U.S.  a number that could swell as record numbers of families cross the border from Mexico in hopes of gaining asylum.

Several major U.S. cities have struggled with an influx of many thousands of asylum seekers who have filled up homeless shelters after entering the U.S.

New York Citys shelter system has been especially overwhelmed, but Mayor Eric Adams has sought to reassure parents and community groups that the citys nearly 1,900 schools  which have a long track record of welcoming immigrants with limited English skills  are well prepared to welcome migrant children into classrooms.

The huge public schools system has around 3,400 teachers licensed to teach English as a second language and more than 1,700 certified bilingual teachers fluent in Spanish, the language spoken by the majority of migrant families, according to Education Chancellor David C. Banks. Some schools expected to get a higher share of students living in shelters are getting more funding, with $110 million allocated for immediate needs.

We are welcoming all these new migrant students into our schools with open arms, Banks said Thursday during a first-day-of-school ceremony at a Bronx public school. We know its a larger political issue and the mayor and others have to deal with. But when they show up in our schools, theyre going to get the best that we have.

That's encouraging news for Carchipulla and her son.

In his calmer moments as he headed off to school, Damien worried whether he'd be able to understand his teacher or easily make friends.

For the past two months, his family has been living in a room at Manhattan's historic Roosevelt Hotel, which after years of being closed was converted into a city-run shelter this year for newly arrived migrants hoping to find work and a better life for their children.

Carchipullas immediate worry was getting Damien to class early, traveling by city bus and foot to reach his school 75 blocks away in East Harlem. Scores of other families gathered at the school's gates waiting to be let in.

In recent weeks, his mother, 22, has vacillated between elation and worry, especially fretting over her sons ability to keep pace with his classmates. And she hopes there are good teachers at her sons new school, teachers who would be kind and patient.

Its been a hard few months for the family after leaving relatives behind in Ecuador, which has struggled in recent months with growing violence and political instability.

We came to a place where we dont have family. It was hard. There were days where I cried because they were hard and difficult days because I knew that I wasnt going to go back to my family, Carchipulla said. Nonprofits such as New Immigrant Community Empowerment, more commonly known as NICE, have helped families work toward stability.

Illegal border crossings fell sharply after the Biden administration introduced new restrictions in May. But the numbers are again rising  pushed higher this time by families with children. According to preliminary data from U.S. Customs and Border Protection, August was the busiest month ever for apprehensions for migrant families crossing the border with children from Mexico.

Families with children now account for about half of arrests of people crossing the border illegally from Mexico, with more than 91,000 arrests in August, according to a U.S. official who was not authorized to discuss numbers and spoke on condition of anonymity.

Thats dramatically up from the 60,161 arrests in July and 39,305 in June. The August tally surpassed the previous high of 84,486 in May 2019. Overall, arrests from illegal crossings from Mexico topped 177,000 in August, the official said, up from 132,652 in July and 99,539 in June.

New York City has welcomed 112,000 since spring 2022, nearly 60,000 temporarily living in government shelters.

Advocacy groups are closely watching how the city's schools respond to the migrant influx, but sympathize with city officials who continue to plead for more money from Albany and the White House.

When Carchipulla's husband broached the idea of heading north, he suggested he go alone. But she insisted that they remain together.

Her husband has been able to find only occasional work, such as jobs at construction sites. They are hoping he can get working papers as soon as possible. Kimberly wants to work, too, but she has two young children who cannot be left alone.

Carchipulla dreams of her son developing a profession, maybe someday joining the masses of hurried people wearing suits, ties and shiny shoes.

His mother beamed as Damien spoke, then laughed when the boy recited a few words in English.

It will be easier for him to learn English, she said. When Damien does, she is depending on him to help me with things I dont understand.

For his first day of school, Damien had much simpler plans: I want to meet new friends, he said. And I want to learn English.
DES MOINES  Iowa officials are considering taking the lead from a Florida program that connects people who need assistance with food, housing and other essentials with nonprofits and faith groups to meet those needs after Gov. Kim Reynolds expressed interest in it at a campaign event earlier this year.

Iowa Health and Human Services Director Kelly Garcia, along with a representative from Reynolds office, attended a Florida conference this week focused on Hope Florida, the state program that uses online tools and state "navigators" to help people who need assistance connect with nonprofits and churches with the goal of getting off government assistance programs. Members of the conservative Christian advocacy group The Family Leader also attended the event.

The program, spearheaded by Florida First Lady Casey DeSantis, uses a service called CarePortal, which allows people to submit requests for assistance. Nonprofits and faith groups that work with the initiative can then see those requests and respond. CarePortal is used in similar programs in other states.

Hope Florida also works with employers to help single parents find schedules that allow them to care for their kids and to provide employment opportunities for people with developmental disabilities.

DeSantis praised Florida program in campaign stop

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is running for the Republican nomination for president, and Casey DeSantis has taken a prominent role in his campaign, often appearing alongside him and campaigning on his behalf in Iowa.

In one appearance in July, the Florida first lady discussed Hope Florida with Reynolds, who heaped praise on the initiative. Reynolds, also a Republican, said she would take some notes and wanted to enact a similar program in Iowa.

The partnership between the faith community, the private sector and government and what you've been able to do with that, I think is really phenomenal, Reynolds told DeSantis at the event. ...And I got my legislators here because we want to implement something very similar.

In a statement, Reynolds spokesperson Kollin Crompton did not specify whether Reynolds plans to introduce legislation to bring a similar program to Iowa, but he said she is interested in learning more about the initiative.

Hope Florida is an amazing initiative that helps transform peoples lives with the help of nonprofits and faith-based communities, Crompton said. The program helps people transition off government assistance and puts them on a path of economic self-sufficiency. Overall, it saves taxpayer dollars and creates a meaningful impact in peoples lives. The Governor is inspired by the program and will take any opportunity to learn more about it.

Speaking at the conference this week, Casey DeSantis described the program as a different philosophical approach to government and an alternative to state-funded assistance programs. Because people using the program have transitioned off government assistance programs, she said it would save Florida taxpayers millions of dollars a year.

Legislators considering emulating Hope Florida

Iowa state Rep. Jon Dunwell, a Republican from Newton who has endorsed Ron DeSantis and was at the Casey DeSantis campaign event, said the idea of using government resources to connect nonprofits with people who need assistance is exciting. he said he's spoken with other lawmakers who are interested in bringing something like Hope Florida to Iowa.

It seems to kind of scratch where theres an itch with my colleagues, to where were providing services that are really equipping, and encouraging and really allowing people to find success rather than just merely saying were going to write checks, Dunwell said.

Iowa Republican lawmakers this year enacted stricter requirements to qualify for Medicaid and supplemental nutrition benefits, a move that is expected to make thousands ineligible for the assistance programs. Democrats and other critics of the law said it will disqualify low-income families who should be receiving government assistance from the programs without a significant cost saving to the state.

Dunwell, who was one of five House Republicans who voted against that bill, said he does not think a program like Hope Florida would serve to replace government assistance programs, but would supplement them and provide residents with social workers who can help them navigate complex state programs.

"This is a program that's saying, 'We're going to try to use all the resources we have.'" Dunwell said. "Business, government, nonprofit, religious, whatever it may be, with a navigator to help them get every resource they need, and encouragement they need, and support they need."

Greg Baker, the executive director of the Family Leaders Church Ambassador Network, attended the Florida conference and said the organization has been in talks with state officials about how religious groups can work more closely with the state to respond to community needs. He said both the state and churches can benefit from the collaboration.

The group has been influential in lobbying the state on policy changes in the past, including a six-week abortion ban, currently blocked in the courts, that Reynolds signed into law at the group's annual conference in July.

It's a great way to get churches an opportunity to serve their neighbors," Baker said. "And it brings a comprehensive change in people's lives, too. So many problems are just because of social isolation."
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 9)  The government on Saturday began distributing the 15,000 cash assistance to small rice retailers affected by the nationwide price ceiling on the food staple.

It began in Metro Manila, with payouts held simultaneously at the Commonwealth Market in Quezon City, Agora Market in San Juan City, and Maypajo Market in Caloocan City.

According to the Presidential Communications Office (PCO), a total of 232 retailers received the subsidy across the capital region  48 each in Quezon City and San Juan, and 136 in Caloocan.

Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian, meanwhile, assured retailers in other parts of the country that the aid will eventually reach them.

Gatchalian said that the administration of President [Ferdinand Bongbong Marcos Jr.] assured the affected micro rice retailers nationwide that their cry for help amid the implementation of the mandated rice price ceiling in the country will not fall on deaf ears, the PCO said in a statement.

The DSWD earlier said sari-sari or mom-and-pop stores outside of wet and public markets will also be eligible for a 5,000 subsidy.

Gatchalian added that retailers do not need to apply to receive aid, as department personnel will go to the marketplace where the rice retailers are.

Citing the Department of Trade and Industry, the DSWD also said 15,000 is enough to help small businesses for at least seven days since the effectivity of Executive Order No. 39.

The directive, which took effect on Tuesday, puts a price cap of 41 per kilo on regular milled rice and 45 per kilo on well-milled rice.
JOHNSTON  It appears unlikely that Iowa Republicans will set an advanced registration requirement to participate in the Iowa caucuses  which would nullify same-day registration  based on comments made Friday by state party Chairman Jeff Kaufmann.

Kaufmann said Friday state party leaders continue to have conversations about whether to require Republican caucus participants to register in advance of the Jan. 15 Iowa caucuses.

But Kaufmann also said such a move would be a big hurdle.

Kaufmann made the comments Friday while recording this weekends episode of Iowa Press on Iowa PBS, alongside fellow guest Steve Scheffler, a state party official and president of the Iowa Faith and Freedom Coalition.

Earlier this year, statehouse Republicans passed a law that allows the state parties to require advance registration to participate in the Iowa caucuses. Currently, both parties allow caucus participants to register as a Democrat or Republican at the caucuses.

Iowa Republicans have been mulling a preregistration deadline, in part, they have said, to protect themselves from non-Republicans meddling in the caucuses. Kaufmann described a scenario where Democrats could flood the caucuses to produce results not indicative of a Republican caucus.

The trade-off to such a deadline would be that participants, unlike in recent cycles, would not be able to register and participate on the day of the caucuses.

The legislation that gave the state party the option to add such a deadline was introduced by Kaufmanns son, Wilton Republican state legislator Bobby Kaufmann, who has been working for former President Donald Trumps campaign in Iowa.

Jeff Kaufmann on Friday appeared to pour a cold water on the idea that Iowa Republicans will be adding an early registration deadline.

Were having conversations, but thats a big hurdle, Kaufmann said, suggesting that adding a preregistration deadline at this point could upset the Republican presidential candidates who have been campaigning in Iowa this year and thus could threaten Iowa Republicans future as the first-in-the-nation caucus state.

A lot of our campaigns, a lot of our candidates, have already started preparation for same-day voter registration.  There would be pushback from a lot of our candidates. There would be pushback from some of our grassroots activists, Kaufmann said.

Its a little bit of a two-edged sword, he said.

There are people on each side of it. We just have to make very sure were following the (Iowa) Constitution, and we have to make sure that the other 160-plus voters in the (national Republican Party) know that were not changing rules at the last minute, and understand that our candidates have to be satisfied that Iowa is treating them in a neutral and objective fashion.

REYNOLDS ROLE

Kaufmann said that if there is one endorsement that could move the needle in the Republican presidential primary in Iowa, it would be from Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds.

Shes that popular, he said.

Kaufmann also said he has no concern that a Reynolds endorsement would be viewed by party officials outside the state as creating an unfair playing field in Iowa, thus threatening Iowa Republicans first-in-the-nation status.

Recent Iowa governors have not endorsed presidential candidates in the first-in-the-nation caucuses, instead playing a role of neutral host and observer.

She has done her job in terms of what Iowas supposed to do, and that is present these candidates, Kaufmann said. She made a conscious decision not to endorse, not to get involved right now. Everyone was invited to her interviews at the (Iowa) State Fair. I think she has set the tone that everybody is welcome here.

Iowa Press will be shown on Iowa PBS at noon on Sunday and online at iowapbs.org.
Earlier this week, a poll commissioned by the Wall Street Journal and conducted jointly by two blue-chip Democratic and Republican polling firms, found President Biden and former President Trump tied (at 46 percent each) in a hypothetical rematch poll. This led to one of the most annoying, counterproductive, and predictable reactions among partisans, in this case Democrats: that the poll must be skewedor corrupted!to show such a close race. Well, a few days later, a CNN-commissioned poll found basically the same result, in this case showing Trump leading Biden by 1 point. Our advice to those whose first instinct is to unskew these pollsbecause theres no way Biden could possibly face a close race with the quattro-indicted Trumpis to reiterate that OH, YES, HE CAN. Biden is horribly unpopular. Worse, even if Biden did have strong approval ratings on the economy and other top issues, which he does not, theres still the problem that most people think hes too old and not mentally up for the job for a second term. Seventy-three percent of Americans, per the CNN poll, are seriously concerned about Bidens age, and two-thirds of Democrats believe that the party should nominate someone other than Biden, mainly because of his age. Biden and Democrats made the choice that the advantages of incumbency and the desire to avoid a messy primary were worth the risk of renominating, for another four years, someone whos difficult to watch speak for 10 minutes. That choice may have even been the high-percentage play, and Democrats will be dropping a billion-dollar cudgel on Republicans to change these numbers. But dont yell at Steve Kornacki on X (formerly Twitter) when the polls show a close race.
404

404. Thats an error.

The requested URL was not found on this server. Thats all we know.
If you buy something through our links, we may earn money from our affiliate partners. Learn more.

More and more people are becoming entrepreneurs and starting their own businesses. It may be a brick-and-mortar store or an online business; it may be their full-time passion or a side job  whatever the case, lots of people are taking the plunge and becoming small business owners.

Chances are you already know someone who is a small business owner. When you find yourself needing a gift for them, whether its a holiday, the anniversary of their opening, or just to say thank you, you may find yourself stuck for ideas. Would they want something useful and practical, or more lighthearted? What about something personalized? There are a lot of things to consider when looking for a gift for a small business owner.

We have curated a list of the best gifts for small business owners we could find. These gifts range from functional to fun (or both!) and are available on Amazon and Etsy.

Drive Traffic to Your Website Sell Your Business Discover the Zoho Ecosystem Advertise Your Business Here

Tile Mate

They will never lose their keys again with the Mate by Tile. It uses Bluetooth technology to locate whatever its attached to keys, backpacks, purses, or anything else that they need to keep track of. And at under $25, this is a useful and well-thought gift.

Tile Mate

Buy on Amazon

Small Business Deals

Aqua Notes Water Proof Note Pad

Everyone knows your best thoughts often happen when youre away from your desk. Theyll never lose a great idea in the shower again with the AquaNote  a waterproof notepad and pen that attaches to any smooth surface. The notepad is 5.25 x 3.5 with 40 sheets of paper that are perforated for easy removal.

Aqua Notes Water Proof Note Pad

Buy on Amazon

The Office Oasis Magnetic Desk Organizer

This desk organizer has a magnetic bottom and 6 adjustable compartments for easy rearranging and customization. It also has rubber feet to prevent it from sliding.

The Office Oasis Magnetic Desk Organizer

Buy on Amazon

Budget Template Packet for Small Business Owners

Help them get started setting up their finances with a template packet for budgets and other financials. This packet is downloadable and features templates for budgets, earning projections, and lots more.

Budget Template Packet for Small Business Owners

Buy on Etsy

World of Coffee Gift Set

The business owner who loves coffee may find their favorite new flavor in this sampler box. The World of Coffee sampler box includes 4, 1.8-ounce bags of specialty coffee from 4 different countries, as well as tasting notes and facts about the countries. It is available in ground or whole beans.

World of Coffee Gift Set

Buy on Amazon

Mini Buddha Board Art Set

Mini Buddha Board Art Set

Buy on Amazon

Small Business Owner Positive Affirmations Mug

Small Business Owner Positive Affirmations Mug

Buy on Amazon

Hexagon Self-Adhesive Bulletin Board

This is a unique take on the standard corkboard  8 hexagon-shaped self-adhesive bulletin boards to configure any way they choose. They will stick to any wall and would be a cool and helpful addition to anyones office.

Hexagon Self-Adhesive Bulletin Board

Buy on Amazon

Minding My Own Small Biz T-Shirt

They can proudly display their status as a small business owner with this unisex t-shirt. It comes in sizes XS  2XL and in multiple colors.

Minding My Own Small Biz T-Shirt

Buy on Etsy

Corkcicle Travel Tumbler

This triple-insulated stainless steel keeps drinks cold for 9 hours and hot for 3. It holds 16 oz of their favorite hot or cold drink and features an ergonomic design and non-slip bottom to prevent spilling.

Corkcicle Travel Tumbler

Buy on Amazon

Air Plant Office Desk Decor

The mini man wooden sculpture has magnets in his hands and legs for endless posing options. And he comes with a low-maintenance air plant (Tillandsia Ionantha) to bring a touch of nature inside. This desk decor/toy is a unique gift sure to provide relaxation and fun.

Air Plant Office Desk Decor

Buy on Etsy

BAGGU Duck Bag Canvas Tote

A roomy and sturdy tote bag is a must-have for the busy entrepreneur. This highly praised tote by BAGGU can fit all their essential items and is made from sustainable, durable canvas that is made to last. A variety of colors are available.

BAGGU Duck Bag Canvas Tote

Buy on Amazon

Michael Scott Limbo Quote Poster

Michael Scott has some memorable quotes, but this one, in particular, is frankly underrated. When accused of setting the bar low, Michael explains his theory on that, which is a pretty good one. Everyone will get a chuckle out of this poster  especially the recipient.

Michael Scott Limbo Quote Poster

Buy on Etsy

Turkish Gourmet Snack Box

Theyll look forward to their snack break even more with this variety of exciting snacks from Turkey. The Turkish Munchies gift box comes with 21 full-sized snacks of different varieties  sweet, salty, savory, and more. All snacks are free from high fructose corn syrup and GMOs and are Kosher and Halal.

Turkish Gourmet Snack Box

Buy on Amazon

Gift Type Pros Cons Tech/Gadgets - Modern & relevant

- Can improve productivity

- Wide range of choices - Can be expensive

- Might become outdated soon

- Needs to match the owner's tech preferences Gift Baskets - Versatile & customizable

- A mix of different goodies

- Can cater to personal tastes - Some items might not be to the recipient's liking

- Perishable items have a short shelf life Coffee - Great for daily consumption

- A variety of flavors & types

- Can be part of a routine - Personal preference matters

- Some might not consume caffeine

- Storage can be an issue Desk Decor - Personalizes workspace

- Can be both functional & aesthetic - Limited desk space

- Personal taste varies

- Might not suit the office theme Plants - Boosts mood & improves air quality

- Wide variety of options

- Low maintenance varieties available - Some require care & attention

- Space might be limited

- Allergies or sensitivities to some plants Drinkware - Useful & practical

- Can be personalized

- Suitable for daily use - They might already have many

- Fragile items can break

- Takes up space Clothing - Can be personalized

- Suitable for various occasions

- A range of options & styles - Size & fit can be an issue

- Personal taste matters

- Care & washing instructions Wall Art - Personalizes & beautifies workspace

- Inspirational pieces can boost morale

- Range of styles & mediums - Wall space might be limited

- Personal taste varies

- Installation required for some pieces Toys/Games - Great for relaxation & breaks

- Can be a conversation starter

- Suitable for group activities - Might be considered unprofessional

- Space might be an issue

- Not everyone appreciates them

Things to Consider When Buying Gifts for Small Business Owners

Selecting the ideal gift for small business owners can be an intriguing task. Their hectic lives revolve around their businesses, which are extensions of themselves. The perfect gift, therefore, should provide value while also reflecting their personal and professional journey. Here are a few elements to ponder when youre hunting for that special present:

Functionality: Small business owners are always on the move, dealing with a myriad of tasks daily. Gifts that can aid in streamlining their work process, like a planner, digital tools, or apps, could be immensely valuable.

Personal Touch: Personalizing gifts, such as a monogrammed notebook or a customized calendar featuring their brand logo, adds a layer of sentimentality. It not only makes the gift unique but also shows you care about their brands identity.

Relaxation : Entrepreneurs often neglect relaxation due to their tight schedules. Think about gifts that encourage them to take a break, such as: Aromatherapy diffusers Desk toys or puzzles Subscription to a meditation app

: Entrepreneurs often neglect relaxation due to their tight schedules. Think about gifts that encourage them to take a break, such as:

Networking: Business networking tools or resources can be beneficial. Consider gifts like memberships to co-working spaces or tickets to industry conferences. This could provide them with valuable connections.

Learning and Growth: Books related to their industry, online course subscriptions, or tickets to workshops can be inspiring gifts. They feed their passion for knowledge and help them stay updated in their domain.

Support Local: If the small business owner has a penchant for local products, gifts from local artisans or local experience vouchers can resonate deeply.

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE:

Qualify for discounts, special offers and more with a Business Prime account from Amazon. You can create a FREE account to get started today.
Small business grants can help entrepreneurs from various communities access resources and launch projects that wouldnt otherwise be possible. They can also help communities improve economic vitality and even make neighborhoods safer. Read on for a list of current opportunities for businesses, including small business grants for women and pandemic recovery grants.

StartHER TWU Grants

StartHER, the annual grant program run by Texas Womans Universitys Center for Women Entrepreneurs, is launching its fifth funding round to support women entrepreneurs. The program will award 25 grants of $5,000 each. Women business owners can use funds for various business costs like purchasing new equipment or improving their commercial space. Since the program launched, it has awarded $450,000 in funds to 90 women-owned businesses. In addition to funding, the program also includes a meeting with a business advisor and a virtual business training course. The program will begin accepting applications for its latest round of grants on September 22. Applications are due by October 22.

Discover the Zoho Ecosystem Sell Your Business Drive Traffic to Your Website Advertise Your Business Here

Suffolk County JumpSmart Grant Small Business Grant Program

Suffolk County, New York is offering grants to support businesses, downtown areas, and nonprofits throughout the county. The JumpSmart Grant Small Business Grant Program includes $25 million in funding through the American Rescue Plan Act to support large projects throughout the community. Businesses and organizations planning large-scale projects to improve their communities may request a minimum of $100,000. The application is available online now through September 29.

Orange County BOOST Grants

Orange County, Florida, has announced a deadline for its Business Opportunities in Orange County for Support and Transformation (BOOST) grants grants program. Small businesses, home-based businesses, and gig workers can apply for funds through the program. Small businesses may apply for up to $10,000, home-based businesses can qualify for up to $3,000, and gig workers may get up to $1,400. September 15 is the deadline for completed applications.

Laredo College Skills for Small Business Grant

Laredo College in Texas is providing two opportunities for small business owners looking to provide free training for their employees. The Skills for Small Business Grant offers free training courses for employees of businesses with less than 100 employees. The grant covers up to $1,800 for new employees and $900 for existing employees, covering professional development and training programs through the college. The second opportunity is the Skills Development Fund, which offers customized training that employers can apply for.

Canton CARES Small Business Grant Program

Canton, New York, is currently accepting applications for its Canton CARES Small Business Grant Program. The program is open to small businesses with less than 25 employees who have faced hardships due to the pandemic. To qualify, businesses must be for-profit and must commit to demonstrating job retention or creation, especially for low- to moderate-income individuals. Interested businesses can learn more and apply by contacting the villages Office of Economic Development, which will screen applicants for eligibility and then provide the necessary materials to submit their proposals. The village plans to accept applications on a rolling basis until all funds are allocated.

Small Business Deals

South Bend Small Business Crime Prevention Grants

South Bend, Indiana, is launching a new grant program to support small businesses and make the community safer. Eligible businesses can apply for up to $5,000 to cover various security upgrades, including cameras, cloud storage, and lighting. Businesses that opt-in to a city program where their security cameras are tied to the citys Real Time Crime Center will be given priority. The city is offering free crime assessments to interested businesses. The deadline to apply is September 29.
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230909/armenia-ready-to-hold-urgent-top-level-talks-with-azerbaijan-amid-border-tensions-1113239095.html

Armenia Ready to Hold Urgent Top-Level Talks With Azerbaijan Amid Border Tensions

Armenia Ready to Hold Urgent Top-Level Talks With Azerbaijan Amid Border Tensions

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan in a telephone call with French President Emmanuel Macron has expressed his readiness to hold emergency talks with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to de-escalate the tense situation on the border between the two countries, Pashinyan's office said on Saturday.

2023-09-09T17:46+0000

2023-09-09T17:46+0000

2023-09-09T17:46+0000

world

nikol pashinyan

emmanuel macron

ilham aliyev

armenia

azerbaijan

european union (eu)

/html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content

https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e6/09/0e/1100782552_0:0:3049:1716_1920x0_80_0_0_c99e188b48a8aeb31aa3acd58628158b.jpg

There are periodic exchanges of fire on the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Earlier in September, Baku accused Yerevan of using combat drones against Azerbaijani positions in the Kalbajar District, which injured two Azerbaijani soldiers. Yerevan, for its part, accused Baku of shelling Armenia's border positions, saying that three Armenian soldiers were killed and two others injured. The Armenian prime minister also confirmed his commitment to the diplomatic solution of all issues, while the French leader expressed his willingness to support the efforts aimed at establishing peace in the region, the statement read. Later in the day, Pashinyan's office said the Armenian leader had raised the same issues during telephone conversations with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili and Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi. In 2022, Armenia and Azerbaijan, with mediation by Russia, the United States and the European Union, began discussing a peace treaty. In May 2023, Pashinyan said that Yerevan was ready to recognize Azerbaijan's territorial integrity, including the Armenian-majority region of Nagorno-Karabakh. Aliyev has said that a peace treaty can be signed in the near future if Armenia does not change its position.

armenia

azerbaijan

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

2023

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

News

en_EN

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

1920 1080 true

1920 1440 true

1920 1920 true

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

Sputnik International

armenia, azerbaijan, armenia-azerbaijan border tensions, nikol pashinyan, ilham aliyev,
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230909/chinese-vessels-escort-us-canadian-warships-in-taiwan-strait-1113240499.html

Chinese Vessels Escort US, Canadian Warships in Taiwan Strait

Chinese Vessels Escort US, Canadian Warships in Taiwan Strait

The Chinese armed forces on Saturday escorted one US and one Canadian warships passing through the Taiwan Strait, People's Liberation Army (PLA) spokesman Shi Yi said, adding that the escort had been carried out in accordance with law and regulations.

2023-09-09T18:51+0000

2023-09-09T18:51+0000

2023-09-09T18:51+0000

military

taiwan

china

beijing

people's liberation army (pla) navy

taiwan strait

canada

us

/html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content

https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/09/09/1113240341_0:160:3072:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_45bb666b320f31cb20cd3556bcd8c6c5.jpg

"The PLA Eastern Theater Command organized naval and air forces to escort and observe [the US and Canadian ships] along the entire route in accordance with law and regulations," Shi said in a statement published on WeChat. Chinese servicepeople maintain a high degree of combat readiness and are unwavering in defending national sovereignty and security, as well as regional peace and stability, the spokesman added. Taiwan has been governed independently from mainland China since 1949. Beijing regards the island as its province, while Taiwan maintains that it is an autonomous entity but stops short of declaring independence. Beijing opposes any official foreign contacts with Taipei and regards Chinese sovereignty over the island as indisputable.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230228/beijing-accuses-washington-of-jeopardizing-peace-in-taiwan-strait-after-us-spy-planes-flyover-1107869677.html

taiwan

china

beijing

taiwan strait

canada

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

2023

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

News

en_EN

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

1920 1080 true

1920 1440 true

1920 1920 true

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

Sputnik International

china, us, canada, taiwan strait, tensions over taiwan, people's liberation army (pla)
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230909/georgia-grand-jury-report-released-biden-heads-to-g20-summit-fighting-for-assanges-release-1113219324.html

Georgia Grand Jury Report Released, Biden Heads to G20 Summit, Fighting for Assange's Release

Georgia Grand Jury Report Released, Biden Heads to G20 Summit, Fighting for Assange's Release

On todays episode of The Backstory, host Rachel Blevins discussed current events including the Georgia grand jury report being released, and Peter Navarro convicted of contempt.

2023-09-09T04:01+0000

2023-09-09T04:01+0000

2023-09-09T09:36+0000

the backstory

radio

proud boys

g20

india

niger

grand jury

fbi

julian assange

/html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content

https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/09/08/1113219167_0:0:1920:1080_1920x0_80_0_0_b614839c1c25fc4daa5e9ca35083f9d9.png

Georgia Grand Jury Report Released, Biden Heads to G20 Summit, Fighting for Assange's Release On todays episode of The Backstory, host Rachel Blevins discussed current events including the Georgia grand jury report being released, and Peter Navarro convicted of contempt.

In the first hour, Rachel spoke with Elijah Magnier, Veteran War Correspondent, Writer, about the G20 Summit, Russia was not present at the meeting, and India is the balancing point between Asia and Africa. Elijah talked about America's refusal to understand Russian culture and the value of the euro. Elijah commented on the US sending depleted uranium to Ukraine and the lasting effects this ammunition will have.Rachel spoke with Misty Winston, Political Activist, Organizer, and Radio Host, about the Australian Parliament's support for Julian Assange's release, President Obama started the attack on press freedom, and the US is trying to trick Assange on American soil. Misty discussed the support for Julian Assange from several Australian politicians and the Australian public support for Julian Assange's release.In the second hour, Rachel spoke with Zuny Durate Tarrio, Mother of Former Proud Boys Leader Enrique Tarrio, about the families of the Proud Boys members sentenced for the January 6th riot, the media has called Enrique all kinds of names, and the charge of seditious conspiracy. Zuny talked about the problem with getting a fair trial in Washington D.C. and the media coverage of the Proud Boys trials. Zuny discussed the lack of criminal action by the Proud Boys and the Proud Boys labeled domestic terrorists. Rachel spoke with Angie Wong, Journalist, Co-Host of The Final Countdown, about the Fulton County District Attorney's office hiring outside counsel, the grand jury report released, and Donald Trump requesting this case be moved to federal court. Angie explained how the public has seen the Georgia indictments as lawfare and Democrats are surprised Donald Trump's support grows larger.The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the position of Sputnik.We'd love to get your feedback at radio@sputniknews.comCatch us at 105.5FM, 104.7FM, 102.9FM, 1390AM, 1140AM

niger

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

2023

Rachel Blevins

Rachel Blevins

News

en_EN

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

1920 1080 true

1920 1440 true

1920 1920 true

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

Rachel Blevins

the backstory, enrique tarrio sentence, julian assange's release, what is happening in ukraine
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230909/gov-abbott-warns-biden-of-more-buses-of-migrants-amid-mulled-remain-in-texas-policy-1113226165.html

Gov. Abbott Warns Biden of 'More Buses' of Migrants Amid Mulled 'Remain-In-Texas Policy'

Gov. Abbott Warns Biden of 'More Buses' of Migrants Amid Mulled 'Remain-In-Texas Policy'

Texas Governor Greg Abbott has promised the Biden administration swift justice if he sets into action a mulled plan to force migrant families to remain in Texas.

2023-09-09T10:52+0000

2023-09-09T10:52+0000

2023-09-09T10:52+0000

americas

joe biden

greg abbott

texas

us-mexico border

illegal migrants

/html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content

https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/09/09/1113227985_0:161:3071:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_478b4fc0e3be072996a1b006d1f2de16.jpg

Texas Governor Greg Abbott has promised the Biden administration 'swift justice' if it sets into action a plan to force migrant families to remain in Texas.This scam was tried years ago & was shot down by a judge," Abbott said on X social media platform, adding that his state would send even more buses of migrants to Washington D.C."Amid the raging crisis on the US-Mexico border, Texas Governor Greg Abbott, along with authorities in Arizona and Florida, has been sending busloads filled with illegal immigrants to the US capital and major Democratic Party strongholds - self-pronounced "sanctuary" cities. However, his new not-so-thinly veiled threat from Abbott came after a US media report indicated that the Biden administration was considering implementing a remain-in-Texas policy. If finalized, it would effectively restrict the ability of migrant families who crossed illegally into the US to travel within the country. According to unnamed officials, the migrants would be forced to remain in Texas or in other border states while waiting for their asylum claims to be processed. They would be tracked through GPS monitoring devices. The policy was touted in the report as a swift means of deporting families who fail their asylum screenings.In his discontented post, Abbott referred to a policy implemented in 1988 by the administration of Ronald Reagan. This policy compelled thousands of migrants to remain in south Texas as they awaited the processing of their asylum claims. However, a federal judge temporarily blocked immigration officials from enforcing the policy in January 1989, and it was ultimately scrapped after President George H.W. Bush took office.According to Greg Abbott, the Texas state government has been actively transporting more than 35,000 migrants to Democratic sanctuary cities since August 2022, with over 13,300 individuals finding their way into New York. Abbott has repeatedly underscored that border towns in his state were overwhelmed by thousands of people illegally crossing in from Mexico because of Bidens immigration policies. New York City Mayor Eric Adams, who, like other blue cities, has been deploring the migrant bussing strategy, warned that the border crisis threatened to destroy New York City.Chicago's Mayor Brandon Johnson expressed his frustration, echoing Eric Adams' call to President Joe Biden for a federal crackdown on the border in order to better manage the escalating migration. Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey declared a state of emergency, calling in the National Guard.The White House has dismissed the bussing of illegals by GOP governors as an illegal stunt.The US-Mexico border has seen record numbers of illegal entries since President Joe Biden took office. Republicans have blamed the border chaos on Joe Bidens determination to undo everything former President Donald Trump had done. The current administration's open border policies and elimination of several strict measures imposed by the former president to combat illegal migration have been vehemently denounced.One of Biden's recent policies has been discarding the public health emergency order known as Title 42. The health order, implemented under then-President Donald Trump in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, had allowed for prompt deportations of illegal migrants to Mexico or their countries of origin. It was scrapped in May and was seen by critics as heralding a possibly massive surge of migrants.US-Mexico border apprehensions have surged by over 30 percent for two months in a row, preliminary data cited by a US report suggested. US Border Patrol reportedly arrested a one-month record of at least 91,000 migrants crossing as part of a family group in August. Figures apparently indicate that, since Joe Biden assumed office, it is the first time when families have become the largest demographic group to unlawfully cross the southern border.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230724/texas-tells-biden-it-will-defy-request-to-remove-floating-barriers-at-border-1112120705.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230621/us-encounters-record-125-people-on-southern-border-this-year-on-terror-watchlist---cbp-1111351116.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230821/republicans-rap-biden-admin-for-quietly-selling-trumps-border-wall-parts--1112748596.html

americas

texas

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

2023

Svetlana Ekimenko

Svetlana Ekimenko

News

en_EN

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

1920 1080 true

1920 1440 true

1920 1920 true

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

Svetlana Ekimenko

us southern border, us-mexico border, illegal migrants, surge in illegal migrants, us border crisis, biden border policies, biden border crisis
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 9)  A group of farmers in the Bicol region is seeking support to save a small pineapple variety from rotting in the fields and help local farmers cut back on thousands of pesos' worth of losses.

According to Social enterprise Rural Rising Philippines, almost 700 tons of Formosa pineapples are wasted every harvest season because buyers classify the smaller variety of the fruit as "out" and refuse to buy them.

"Super tamis (It's very sweet), but in spite of that, [it] has no economic value. No one buys them except paisa-isa (one-by-one) by occasional picnickers, certainly not by big buyers," Rural Rising co-founder Ace Estrada wrote on the group's Facebook page.

Estrada said the "Buraots," the small variety of pineapple, are usually left in the field for the mice and bats.

He added that at least 30% to 40% of the pineapple harvest are Buraots.

"In this one farm alone, Rex (the farmer) has 17,000 pineapple plants. Forty percent, if one pineapple averages 1 kilo, that's 7 tons of perfectly edible, enjoyable food that will not be sold," he wrote.

"Rex says there are dozens of farms like his in San Lorenzo Ruiz. Say 24 farms, that's 160 tons of "unsaleable" rotting pineapples. We got to visit a much bigger town called Labo, 52 barangays to San Lorenzo Ruiz's 12. We figure that's at least 700 tons of wasted pineapple," he added.

Estrada said Rural Rising will sell the Formosa pineapples to be harvested in October by farmers in the towns of San Lorenzo Ruiz and Labo, Camarines Norte.

"We're not selling you undersized pineapples (Buraots), we are helping them (farmers) make extra money from these pineapples that they leave to rot on the field," he said.

"We are not lowering your standards, we are elevating your understanding that the small ones are actually the sweeter ones. October pa po ang harvest but we launched this early so that we have a big order for our farmers," Estrada added.

The group is taking pledges early where P599 will get a buyer 10 kilograms of mixed-sized Formosa Pineapples by harvest time.
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230909/is-the-g20-obsolete-in-an-increasingly-multipolar-world-1113206820.html

Is the G20 Obsolete in an Increasingly Multipolar World?

Is the G20 Obsolete in an Increasingly Multipolar World?

You can count the number of cases in which Western governments have been genuinely interested in Africas wellbeing on the fingers of one hand. However, the sharp drop of Western influence on the continent is forcing former colonial powers to try rebranding themselves.

2023-09-09T04:00+0000

2023-09-09T04:00+0000

2023-09-09T09:19+0000

g20

world

brics summit 2023

russia

china

european union (eu)

african union (au)

financial crisis

multipolar world

sergey lavrov

/html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content

https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/09/03/1113094259_0:160:3072:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_3413bf5a5c545e667d2a4c233a4fbd56.jpg

The first step in this rebranding can be seen at the upcoming G20 Summit in New Delhi, which will see the African Union admitted as a permanent member of the organization  on a par with the European Union. Will that be enough to heal old wounds? Probably not, especially considering that the G20 meeting takes place after last months historic BRICS Summit in South Africa. The event brought together countries from across the Global South and announced the admission of six new members into BRICS, including two African countries - Egypt and Ethiopia. Hard to see how the G20 tops that.It turns out that Western-centric groups are beginning to cede global leadership to the multipolar world organizations, mostly led by Russia, China and India. Is this trend taking over the politics of the G20? And what are the prospects for the G20 in a future world stage?Summit Without Putin or XiThe G20 Summit in New Delhi will take place without the leaders of Russia and China. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will head the Russian delegation, while Premier Li Qiang will head the Chinese one. As both leaders were among the main actors of the recent BRICS Summit, this turn of events may be regarded as a bad omen for the upcoming summit. Although Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov noted that Putin and Xi did not coordinate the refusal to attend the New Delhi Summit, the absence of these two leaders will be extremely significant.Tony Kevin, former Australian ambassador to Poland and Cambodia and former career officer of the Australian Foreign Ministry, as well as the author of two books on Russia, Return to Moscow (2017) and Russia and the West (2019), highlighted to Sputnik that the Russian President Putin and the Chinese President Xi have both sent a very clear signal by not attending the meeting."In turn, Dr. Zhang Baohui, director of the Centre for Asian Pacific Studies at Lingnan University in Hong Kong, claimed that the decision of the leaders of Russia and China not to attend the G20 "will indeed dampen the significance of this summit."Who Created the G20?The G20 originated in the late 1990s when Asian countries were in the grip of a massive financial crisis. The West did not know how to react to it. Then, the G7 finance ministers, at a conference in Berlin in 1999, officially took the initiative to expand the circle of countries to discuss financial policy issues by inviting a number of large states, without which it was impossible to solve global economic challenges. However, the finance ministers of the United States and Canada primarily made the decision on which countries would join the G20.In other words, the collective West, led by the United States and Canada, created a group of countries that would face global challenges. And they were supposed to do this in the interests of the West.Initially, the G20 was called upon to discuss world economic problems - India has reminded its partners of this several times during preparation for the upcoming summit. But for several years now, the West has been trying to push through political issues on the platform. This became especially noticeable during the 2022 summit on the Indonesian Bali Island.Perhaps the most sensitive point was the West's desire to discuss the Ukrainian issue at the summit. Thus, it was in 2022 when the Russian special military operation was nevertheless mentioned in the G20 final declaration. This year, India has refused Ukrainian President Zelensky the right to participate in the summit, despite calls from Western countries. Moreover, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stressed that Russia will not agree to accept the upcoming G20 summits declaration if it ignores Russia's stance on global crises.Clash of Civilizations?However, not only the Ukrainian issue may become a bone of contention this year. There is a great deal of points that Western and non-Western countries look at from diametrically opposed angles. There is a high risk that the New Delhi summit will turn into a Huntingtonian clash of civilizations to some extent.He also noted that the main problem is Western arrogance:Moreover, the Australian ambassador supposed that there is a very real fear that the Western powers led by the US are going to try to manipulate the meeting to produce language intended to be unpleasant for Russia and China."Decline of the Old International Relations SystemThe problems experienced by the G20 may seem to be a consequence of changes in the system of international relations. It is obvious that the Yalta-Potsdam system of international relations, which was created at the end of the Second World War, finally went to the dustbin of history with the start of the Russian special military operation and the subsequent shifts in world geopolitics.Hence, old international institutions, which were predominantly oriented towards the West, should gradually fade into the background and lose influence. All the last events point to the fact that the G20 is going to be one of them.According to Kevins point of view, G20 as a concept is rapidly being overtaken by the very developments over the last few months in building genuine multipolarity.In turn, the G20 status and its significance have diminished in recent years, pointed out Dr Baohui.The G20's ReplacementTherefore, the world order is changing; the old international institutions are fading into the background. And which ones will lead in the nearest future?It seems that Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has already given the answer to this question.Apparently, we saw this trend at this year's SCO and BRICS summits: both organizations continue to expand rapidly, gaining both economic and geopolitical weight on the world stage.Nevertheless, Kevin suggested that the G20 still has a chance for a second wind.For this, the G20 will still have to take some example from the development system of the multipolar world organizations. Whether the notorious Western arrogance will allow this to be done - time will tell.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230629/nicaraguan-foreign-minister-says-greedy-west-uses-grain-deal-to-stockpile-food-1111536472.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230628/foolish-western-regime-change-policy-only-driving-russia-china-closer-together-1111510890.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230831/what-is-g20-1112932278.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230902/alexander-dugin-global-liberalism-in-crisis-1113066555.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230302/indias-g20-top-diplomats-meeting-marked-by-sharp-divisions-over-ukraine-1107955270.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230503/ongoing-us-banking-crisis-evokes-strong-memories-of-2008-1110054952.html

russia

china

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

2023

Christina Malyk https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/09/08/1113208579_137:0:1097:960_100x100_80_0_0_39342d3133a15b1549ec31c158221a34.jpg

Christina Malyk https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/09/08/1113208579_137:0:1097:960_100x100_80_0_0_39342d3133a15b1549ec31c158221a34.jpg

News

en_EN

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

1920 1080 true

1920 1440 true

1920 1920 true

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

Christina Malyk https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/09/08/1113208579_137:0:1097:960_100x100_80_0_0_39342d3133a15b1549ec31c158221a34.jpg

western arrogance, western hegemony, multipolar world order, new world order, brics, brics summit, brics summit 2023, global south, us expansionism, nato expansion, g20 summit, g-20 summit, g20 summit 2023, 2023 g20 summit, brics, brics 2023 summit, multipolar world, polycentric world, african union, european union, us hegemony, inclusiveness, shared future of humanity, food security, energy security, dedollarization, de-dollarization, national currencies, trade in national currencies, global south, global south countries, global north vs global south, global north and global south, countries in the global south, russia global south, brics global south, western hegemonic habits, system of international relations, international relations system, multipolarity, anti-russian bias, anti-chinese bias, anti-russian sentiment, anti-chinese sentiment
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230909/kim-jong-un-daughter-attend-north-koreas-75th-anniversary-military-parade-1113221812.html

Kim Jong-un, Daughter Attend North Koreas 75th Anniversary Military Parade

Kim Jong-un, Daughter Attend North Koreas 75th Anniversary Military Parade

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and his daughter attended a military parade held in Pyongyang to mark the 75th anniversary of the country, state media reported on Saturday.

2023-09-09T06:55+0000

2023-09-09T06:55+0000

2023-09-18T13:37+0000

kim jong-un

korean central news agency (kcna)

pyongyang

chinese communist party

vladimir putin

asia

north korea

/html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content

https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/09/09/1113221373_0:160:3072:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_cd871f8b0f0f3468b15f6ba843eaf8df.jpg

The North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and his daughter attended a paramilitary parade held in Kim Il-sung Square in Pyongyang to mark the 75th anniversary of the country, state media reported on Saturday.North Korea, officially the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), was established on September 9, 1948. To mark the founding day, rocket launchers towed by trucks and tractors traversed the square in the capital that bears the name of the founder of North Korea, while planes lined up in the sky to depict the number 75 to the strains of music played by a military orchestra, according to the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).A solemn ceremony of raising the national flag of the DPRK took place, and columns of the Workers and Peasants' Red Militia also marched across the square. At the end of the parade, there was a fireworks display.Coming as North Korea is set on enhancing ties with Moscow and Beijing, diplomats from both countries stationed in Pyongyang had been invited to attend the celebrations. A Chinese delegation led by Vice Premier Liu Guozhong, as well as the Russian Army Academic Song and Dance Ensemble named after Alexandrov, which is visiting the DPRK, were also in attendance.The North Korean leader was sent congratulatory messages timed to the occasion of Founding Day from Russias President Vladimir Putin, and general secretary of the Chinese Communist Party, Xi Jinping, according to KCNA.Vladimir Putin underscored that relations between the two countries have invariably developed on the principle of friendship, good neighborliness and mutual respect.Meanwhile, Chinas Xi Jinping, according to KCNA, emphasized that his country was ready to strengthen the strategic communication, deepen the working-level cooperation and promote the China-DPRK relations with Pyongyang.Kim Jong-un is described as having met with the Chinese delegation for talks conducted in a "friendly" atmosphere, with the sides agreeing on the need for "developing the friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries and further intensifying the multi-faceted coordination and cooperation," according to the KCNA.The latest midnight parade took place in North Korea in July, timed to the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the signing of the 1950-53 Korean War armistice. At the time, Kim Jong-un hosted a reception for a Chinese delegation, during which the parties agreed to further develop cooperation and "respond to the complicated international situation," the North's state-run news agency reported. The delegation had been led by Chinese Communist Party politburo member Li Hongzhong. North Korea and China reaffirmed their stand to steadily develop the cooperation onto a new high stage through close strategic and tactical collaboration. Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, while visiting Pyongyang to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un to discuss issues of global and regional security, also attended the parade to mark the 70th anniversary of the end of the Korean War. Timed to the occasion, North Korean state television showed footage of the next generation battle tank being tested in combat exercises at a firing range and using an unspecified munition type from its main gun.North Korea, that technically remains at war with South Korea and the US in the absence of a peace treaty ending the hostilities that began in 1950, has been posturing itself as ready to defend the nation at any time. The country recently launched a new "tactical nuclear attack submarine," capable of launching an underwater nuclear attack to strengthen Pyongyang's nuclear deterrence. Citing state-run KCNA, South Korean reports indicated the launching ceremony for the submarine was attended by the North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. State media reported on Friday that the North Korean leader inspected submarine No. 841 called "Hero Kim Kun Ok" on Thursday to get acquainted with its weapon system and underwater operation capability.Pyongyang has also repeatedly conducted missile tests in response to what North Korea describes as provocative war games carried out by Japan, South Korea, and the US.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230908/what-kinds-of-subs-does-north-koreas-fleet-have-1113209376.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230808/north-korea-modernizes-main-battle-tank-production-plant-1112454764.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230908/north-korea-launches-new-tactical-nuclear-attack-submarine-1113192167.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230908/what-kinds-of-subs-does-north-koreas-fleet-have-1113209376.html

pyongyang

north korea

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

2023

Svetlana Ekimenko

Svetlana Ekimenko

News

en_EN

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

1920 1080 true

1920 1440 true

1920 1920 true

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

Svetlana Ekimenko

north korea, north koreas 75th anniversary, military parade in north korea, paramilitary parage in pyongyang
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230909/king-of-morocco-declares-3-days-of-national-mourning-after-deadly-earthquake-1113241745.html

King of Morocco Declares 3 Days of National Mourning After Deadly Earthquake

King of Morocco Declares 3 Days of National Mourning After Deadly Earthquake

The earthquake killed over 1,300 people and left more than 1,800 injured in the North African nation. During the mourning period, the national flag will be flown at half-staff on all public buildings throughout the country.

2023-09-09T19:37+0000

2023-09-09T19:37+0000

2023-09-10T04:00+0000

africa

morocco

king mohammed vi of morocco

earthquake

tragedy

tragedy

/html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content

https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/09/09/1113225887_0:88:952:624_1920x0_80_0_0_772bf848c18607398c34fa8f13b25a01.jpg

Earlier in the day, the king chaired a meeting in the royal palace in Rabat in connection with the disaster and instructed officials to take measures to address the situation.During the mourning period, the national flag will be flown at half-staff on all public buildings throughout the country, the report said. The Moroccan king ordered the provision of assistance to all those left homeless and the immediate establishment of an inter-ministerial committee tasked with preparing a program for reconstruction of destroyed homes in the earthquake-hit areas, Hespress said. He also reportedly called for intensifying search and rescue efforts. Late Friday, a 6.9-magnitude earthquake hit Morocco 77 kilometers (48 miles) southwest of the city of Marrakesh. Latest reports indicate that the death toll from the disaster has reached over 1,300 people, while 1,800 others have been injured.

africa

morocco

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

2023

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

News

en_EN

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

1920 1080 true

1920 1440 true

1920 1920 true

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

Sputnik International

morocco, death toll, injuries, earthquakes, king mohammed vi, africa
G20 Declaration Calls for Ensuring Equal Access to Vaccines, Medicines Around World

The G20 leaders called in the New Delhi Summit Declaration on Saturday for ensuring equitable access to safe and effective vaccines and medicines around the world, especially in low- and middle-income countries, and noted the need to increase the stability of health systems.

"Facilitate equitable access to safe, effective, quality-assured, and affordable vaccines, therapeutics, diagnostics, and other medical countermeasures, especially in Low-and Middle-income Countries (LMICs), LDCs [least developed countries] and SIDS [small island developing states]," the declaration read.

The summit participants also stressed the need to focus on improving health systems, strengthening their resilience and continuing efforts to end ongoing epidemics, including AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, hepatitis and water-borne and other communicable diseases. The declaration also noted the importance of studying the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In addition, the G20 called for increased international cooperation to combat drug proliferation, with a focus on data sharing and creation of opportunities for disrupting production and proliferation of illicit drugs, including synthetic drugs, the declaration read.

The G20 member states also agreed to create a new working group on women's rights, which is scheduled to meet during Brazil's presidency of the group.
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230909/morocco-earthquake-death-toll-reportedly-exceeds-1000-1113234495.html

Morocco Earthquake Death Toll Reportedly Exceeds 1,000

Morocco Earthquake Death Toll Reportedly Exceeds 1,000

The number of victims of Friday's earthquake in Morocco reached 1,037, another 1,204 people were injured, according to the kingdom's television citing data of the Moroccan Interior Ministry.

2023-09-09T14:36+0000

2023-09-09T14:36+0000

2023-09-09T19:11+0000

africa

morocco

algeria

european-mediterranean seismological center (emsc)

earthquake

/html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content

https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/09/09/1113234171_0:160:3072:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_932455ace4815b3ea2c8da4802b2105c.jpg

The number of victims of the quake has exceeded 1,300 with more than 1,800 people injured, according to media reports, citing the Kingdom's Ministry of Internal Affairs.Earlier, it was reported that the death toll from the quake stood at 820, with another 672 people injured.The European-Mediterranean Seismological Center (EMSC) reported that the 6.9-magnitude earthquake struck in Morocco almost 80 kilometers from Marrakesh late on Friday. The quake occurred on the western edge of the Alpine-Himalayan belt that runs through Morocco, Spain, Italy, Greece, Afghanistan and India.Algeria to Open Airspace for Aid Flights to MoroccoAlgeria has decided to open its airspace for flights delivering humanitarian aid to Morocco and carrying people injured in the country's earthquake, according to the office of Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune. The Algerian authorities "expressed their full readiness to provide humanitarian aid and all material and human capacities in solidarity with the Moroccan people," the statement from the president's office reads.World Leaders Offer Condolences to MoroccoRussian President Vladimir Putin has expressed condolences to King of Morocco Mohammed VI over the tragic consequences of the devastating earthquake, according to a telegram published on the Kremlins website.The president also noted that Russia shares the grief of the friendly people of Morocco.Chinese President Xi Jinping on Saturday expressed his condolences to Morocco's King Mohammed VI over the earthquake, which killed and injured hundreds of people. The UK is ready to provide Morocco with the necessary assistance following the massive earthquake, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said on Saturday. Algeria expressed its condolences to the Moroccans affected by the devastating earthquake in the south of the kingdom and to the families of the victims, according to a communique of the Foreign Ministry of the North African country. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan also expressed his condolences over the natural disaster in the African country. The Spanish Foreign Ministry also sent its condolences to Morocco. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered his condolences to the people of Morocco. Meanwhile, hundreds of people have been lining up in Morocco to donate blood for those injured in the devastating earthquake.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230909/powerful-magnitude-69-earthquake-rocks-morocco-dozens-feared-dead-1113220061.html

africa

morocco

algeria

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

2023

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

News

en_EN

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

1920 1080 true

1920 1440 true

1920 1920 true

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

Sputnik International

death toll from earthquake, moroccan interior ministry, earthquake in morocco
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230909/morocco-earthquake-survivors-people-live-on-streets-fearing-aftershocks-1113239391.html

Morocco Earthquake Survivors: People Live on Streets Fearing Aftershocks

Morocco Earthquake Survivors: People Live on Streets Fearing Aftershocks

People are too afraid to return to their homes, staying on the streets for fear of aftershocks of the earthquake that damaged thousands of houses, eyewitnesses of the deadly tragedy have shared with Sputnik.

2023-09-09T18:16+0000

2023-09-09T18:16+0000

2023-09-09T19:12+0000

africa

morocco

earthquake

tragedy

casualties

/html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content

https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/09/09/1113239602_0:160:3072:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_63a718573fe95bf91a34a2bb1f787cfe.jpg

People are too afraid to return to their homes, staying on the streets for fear of aftershocks of the earthquake that damaged thousands of houses, eyewitnesses of the deadly tragedy have shared with Sputnik. Some neighborhoods were completely destroyed, leaving hundreds of people dead, and thousands displaced from their homes by the damage, and entire families killed under the rubble.Another eyewitness, Ilyas Yousef, told Sputnik that there is panic among residents of the Marrakesh region and its suburbs, many houses are seriously damaged, houses in some areas have been completely demolished, including in the Sidi Brahim area.He also said that on Saturday, some cities had begun sending aid to the affected areas.People took to the streets in all parts of Marrakesh, as well as in neighboring cities, as well as in other cities where seismic tremors also occurred, including Casablanca, Rabat and Agadir. The number of victims is likely to increase further, and the removal of the rubble continues.Moroccan authorities have called on citizens of the cities of Marrakesh and Demnat to urgently donate blood to save victims.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230909/morocco-earthquake-death-toll-reportedly-exceeds-1000-1113234495.html

africa

morocco

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

2023

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

News

en_EN

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

1920 1080 true

1920 1440 true

1920 1920 true

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

Sputnik International

morocco earthquake, morocco earthquake survivors, earthquake, marrakech, marrakesh
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230909/musk-us-military-vulnerability-due-to-slow-production-rates-as-seen-in-ukraine-1113224062.html

Musk: US 'Military Vulnerability' Due to 'Slow Production Rates, as Seen in Ukraine'

Musk: US 'Military Vulnerability' Due to 'Slow Production Rates, as Seen in Ukraine'

US military vulnerability primarily stems from the slow pace of production, as we are seeing in Ukraine, American entrepreneur and billionaire Elon Musk has pointed out.

2023-09-09T09:03+0000

2023-09-09T09:03+0000

2023-09-09T09:03+0000

americas

us

elon musk

spacex

starlink

ukraine

military production

/html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content

https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/07/11/1111938569_0:160:3072:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_f74dc4b7443ae15785e241b9cd378496.jpg

US military vulnerability primarily stems from the slow pace of production, American entrepreneur and billionaire Elon Musk has pointed out.The tech guru took to his social media platform X (formerly Twitter), to comment on last years post by the company Anduril Industries. On its five-year anniversary, the military technology company had argued the need for a joint effort if it was expected to transform US and allied military capabilities with advanced technology. We need a new group of defense technology companies to Reboot the Arsenal of Democracy, the firm had stated.In response, Musk voiced the opinion that slow production rates, as were seeing in Ukraine, was the chief US military's weak spot.The entrepreneur also emphasized that making new prototypes is easy, but putting them into production is hard.This comes as the third month of Ukraine's botched counteroffensive has wrapped up, with the Kiev regime unable to boast any significant military gains, while US stockpiles of munitions are getting dangerously low".Meanwhile, the US unveiled the latest military package for the Kiev regime, worth $250 million, late in August, including AIM-9M missiles for air defense, munitions for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS), 155mm and 105mm artillery ammunition, mine-clearing equipment, Javelin and other anti-armor systems and rockets, three million rounds of small arms ammunition, as well as other items. However, by continuing to funnel military aid to Kiev the US is reportedly fast-depleting its own military caches of various weapons. Thus, depletion of US stockpiles of 155mm artillery shells (for howitzer use) was recently cited in a US report, with the additional revelation that Washington was sending Kiev 155mm and 105mm shells for the simple reason that it no longer had adequate stockpiles of 155mm shells.As for Elon Musk, the SpaceX CEO recently clarified in a statement that he had declined to activate the company's Starlink satellite internet service network over Crimea in order to enable a Ukrainian strike on the Russian naval fleet back in 2022."The Starlink regions in question were not activated. SpaceX did not deactivate anything," Musk said on Thursday, via X, adding that, "If I had agreed to their request, then SpaceX would be explicitly complicit in a major act of war and conflict escalation."The owner of the socia media platform's comments were in response to excerpts cited in US media from the upcoming Musk biography authored by writer Walter Isaacson. The book reportedly outlines how Musk sought to avoid a "mini-Pearl Harbor" breaking out after conversing with senior Russian and American officials, including national security adviser Jake Sullivan."Starlink was not meant to be involved in wars," Musk is said to have told Isaacson.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230710/us-europeans-depleted-their-weapons-stockpiles-fighting-russia-in-ukraine-1111797051.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230830/biden-flogs-a-dead-horse-by-sending-250mln-in-arms-to-ukraine--1112994610.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230908/musk-clarifies-he-declined-starlink-activation-request-to-enable-2022-ukraine-strike-near-crimea-1113191738.html

americas

ukraine

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

2023

Svetlana Ekimenko

Svetlana Ekimenko

News

en_EN

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

1920 1080 true

1920 1440 true

1920 1920 true

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

Svetlana Ekimenko

ukraine counteroffensive, botched ukraine counteroffensive, elon musk, starlink satellite internet service network
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230909/nato-says-launched-northern-coasts-exercise-in-baltic-sea-1113232651.html

NATO Says Launched Northern Coasts Exercise in Baltic Sea

NATO Says Launched Northern Coasts Exercise in Baltic Sea

NATO said on Saturday it had launched the annual Northern Coasts defense exercise in the Baltic Sea amid the changing security situation in the region, with around 30 warships and 3,200 troops involved in the drills.

2023-09-09T11:26+0000

2023-09-09T11:26+0000

2023-09-09T11:26+0000

military

ukraine

baltic sea

nato

military drills

/html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content

https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/09/09/1113232488_0:154:3000:1842_1920x0_80_0_0_9937815c2b7780a29a560ef7da104457.jpg

The exercise is one of the biggest regional drills and is focusing for the first time on high-end warfare and collective defense, the alliance added. Confict in Ukraine "has radically altered the security situation in the Baltic Sea, and NATO has substantially increased its defensive presence in the region at sea, on land and in the air. Exercises like these send a clear message that NATO stands ready to defend every inch of Allied territory," acting NATO spokesman Dylan White said in the statement. During the drills, the 14 nations will train amphibious operations, air defense, strikes from sea to land, and securing sea lanes, the statement read. NATO has been boosting its eastern flank along the borders with Russia and Belarus since late 2021 by dispatching additional troops. In response to Moscow launching a military operation in Ukraine in February 2022, NATO has further reinforced the flank by sending more ships, planes and ground troops to the region and putting them on high alert, as well as conducting regular military drills in the area.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230907/nato-drills-to-show-russia-the-alliance-owns-baltic-sea-as-some-involved-countries-lack-potential-1113178751.html

ukraine

baltic sea

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

2023

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

News

en_EN

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

1920 1080 true

1920 1440 true

1920 1920 true

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

Sputnik International

nato, nato drills, baltic sea, nato drills in baltic sea, northern coasts defense execrcise
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230909/no-decision-made-pentagon-official-rejects-reports-alleging-atacms-may-be-headed-to-ukraine-1113219688.html

'No Decision Made': Pentagon Official Rejects Reports Alleging ATACMS May Be Headed to Ukraine

'No Decision Made': Pentagon Official Rejects Reports Alleging ATACMS May Be Headed to Ukraine

A Pentagon official told Sputnik no decision has been made to supply Ukraine with long-range Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) following reports that claimed the weapons were likely to be sent in the coming months.

2023-09-09T01:07+0000

2023-09-09T01:07+0000

2023-09-09T01:05+0000

military

ukraine

pentagon

army tactical missile system (atacms)

korean peninsula

us military aid

military aid

/html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content

https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e6/0a/05/1101521789_0:160:3072:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_e494d7b2e2a3af4064c16470e0e6b464.jpg

Citing US officials, media earlier reported that the United States was likely to send Ukraine ATACMS, but warned that it could be months before they were actually delivered. A White House National Security Council spokesperson told Sputnik he could not confirm whether the United States was likely to approve sending ATACMS to Ukraine any time soon. Media reports previously indicated the ATACMS were likely to be included in an upcoming security assistance package, although it was pointed out that no final decision had been made and that plans could change.The latest remarks by US officials on the system come after senior authorities reiterated more than once that the deployment was still under consideration as higher-ups in the administration believed Ukraine was already provided with similar weaponry.It was earlier reported by US media that Pentagon officials were growing concerned that the US' ATACMS stockpile was low as munitions for the system had been deployed to other areas of interest, such as the Korean Peninsula.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230804/white-house-says-no-update-on-whether-biden-will-approve-sending-atacms-to-ukraine-1112381198.html

ukraine

korean peninsula

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

2023

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

News

en_EN

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

1920 1080 true

1920 1440 true

1920 1920 true

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

Sputnik International

pentagon official, long-range army tactical missile system, ukraine, atacms, us, us military aid
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230909/report-white-house-scolded-hillary-clinton-for-asking-ukraine-for-help-with-afghan-exit-1113219481.html

Report: White House Scolded Hillary Clinton for Asking Ukraine for Help With Afghan Exit

Report: White House Scolded Hillary Clinton for Asking Ukraine for Help With Afghan Exit

US national security adviser Jake Sullivan scolded former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton for asking Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to help evacuate Afghan women during the chaotic US withdrawal from Afghanistan.

2023-09-09T00:17+0000

2023-09-09T00:17+0000

2023-09-09T00:16+0000

world

hillary clinton

jake sullivan

volodymyr zelensky

ukraine

afghanistan

taliban

white house

us forces afghanistan

us troop withdrawal

/html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content

https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e6/02/11/1093103622_0:0:3073:1728_1920x0_80_0_0_72f32e4f25a0484114db62ca93d5dd11.jpg

Citing the recently-published book "The Last Politician: Inside Joe Bidens White House and the Struggle for Americas Future," US media reported on Friday that Clinton had asked Zelensky's aide if she could board several Afghan women on military transport planes headed to Kiev. After Sullivan became aware of Clinton's call, it's alleged he questioned her methods and reportedly asked her: "What are you doing calling the Ukrainian government?" Clinton later responded by explaining that she would not have to call Ukraine if the Biden administration would have done it in the first place. She subsequently assured Sullivan she would coordinate with US officials.However, as the book alleges, Clinton had already contacted world leaders in Canada, Qatar and Albania amid her efforts to evacuate 1,000 people out of Afghanistan who were said to be at-risk of being killed by the Taliban* once American forces fully departed the war-torn nation.The book's author, Franklin Foer, explains that the list of women were referred to as "white scarves" since the Clinton camp instructed them to wear the specified head coverings so they were easily identifiable.The list of at-risk women had been compiled by the Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security, and had included some 1,500 individuals.* Taliban is under UN sanctions for terrorist activities

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230827/do-clintons-seek-to-steal-thunder-from-team-biden--cash-in-on-ukraine-1112930025.html

ukraine

afghanistan

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

2023

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

News

en_EN

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

1920 1080 true

1920 1440 true

1920 1920 true

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

Sputnik International

white house, us national security adviser jake sullivan, former secretary of state hillary clinton, ukrainian president volodymyr zelensky, evacuation of afghan women, chaotic us withdrawal from afghanistan
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 9)  Quezon City prosecutors on Friday issued subpoenas against 14 activists for holding a protest during President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s second State of the Nation Address (SONA) last July 24 without a permit.

The complaint was filed on Aug. 22 by PCol Jordan Barbado of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit of the Quezon City Police District.

According to Barbado, the said protest along Commonwealth Avenue was done in violation of Section 13(a) of Batas Pambansa 880, which requires leaders or organizers to secure a written permit from the government before holding any kind of public assembly.

"It has been observed that based on the existing records from the QC Department of Public Order and Safety, no permit to conduct rally in relation to the 2023 SONA was issued to some groups," Barbado wrote.

Included in the list of "illegal protesters" are the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) Timog Katagalugan spokesperson and other activists from various organizations.

Bayan insisted that the protest was valid, citing a letter signed by retired PBGen Elmo San Diego, which greenlighted the group's mass action.

"The city interposes no objection on the aforementioned activity Your group can assemble along Commonwealth Avenue up to Tandang Sora Avenue from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. for a peaceful and orderly gathering," the letter read.

Bayan said the case is yet another attack on freedom of expression and is part of the state's systemic crackdown on activists.

"It starkly reflects how anti-democratic Marcos Jr.'s administration truly is: they would deliberately use the nation's coffers in a desperate attempt to drown critical voices," read the group's statement.

Bayan secretary general Renato Reyes also said "the harassment case is baseless."

"This is how malicious QCPD officials who filed a case vs Bayan [Southern Tagalog] members. They were already informed that a permit was issued to Bayan yet they still filed a criminal case," Reyes said in a tweet.
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230909/russia-repels-56-ukrainian-attacks-in-donetsk-direction-in-past-7-days---mod-1113231973.html

Russia Repels 56 Ukrainian Attacks in Donetsk Direction in Past 7 Days - MoD

Russia Repels 56 Ukrainian Attacks in Donetsk Direction in Past 7 Days - MoD

The Russian armed forces repelled 56 attacks by Ukrainian forces in the Donetsk direction in the past seven days, with Kiev losing over 2,100 soldiers, 23 tanks and other armored combat vehicles in the area, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Saturday.

2023-09-09T11:09+0000

2023-09-09T11:09+0000

2023-09-09T11:09+0000

russia's special operation in ukraine

donetsk

russia

kherson

russian defense ministry

/html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content

https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/08/19/1112881448_0:127:3191:1922_1920x0_80_0_0_45dc79b3f8029be41f1d369923390369.jpg

"During the past week, 56 attacks by Ukrainian troops were repelled in the Donetsk direction thanks to the competent actions of the units of the Southern group of Russian troops, as a result of which over 2,100 servicepeople, 23 tanks and other armored combat vehicles, 45 vehicles, as well as 30 field artillery pieces were destroyed," the ministry said in a statement. Another 2,075 Ukrainian soldiers were eliminated in the Zaporozhye and South Donetsk directions, with 27 tanks and armored vehicles, including a UK Challenger tank and 25 vehicles destroyed, the ministry said. Meanwhile, Ukrainian losses in the Kupyansk and Kherson directions amounted to about 780 troops and eight armored vehicles, as well as 15 howitzers, the ministry added. In the Liman direction, Ukrainian forces lost more than 450 soldiers, as well as 13 armored vehicles and seven howitzers, the ministry said. The Russian armed forces also carried out six air strikes, disrupting the work of strategic radio-technical reconnaissance systems, as well as logistical support of Ukrainian troop groups in the Kherson and Zaporozhye directions.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230908/french-mep-criticizes-eu-for-not-calling-out-us-over-supply-of-depleted-uranium-shells-to-ukraine-1113216285.html

donetsk

russia

kherson

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

2023

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

News

en_EN

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

1920 1080 true

1920 1440 true

1920 1920 true

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

Sputnik International

ukrainian attacks, russian defense ministry, russian armed forces
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230909/russian-navy-destroys-3-ukrainian-boats-trying-to-attack-crimean-bridge---mod-1113232804.html

Russian Navy Destroys 3 Ukrainian Boats Trying to Attack Crimean Bridge - MoD

Russian Navy Destroys 3 Ukrainian Boats Trying to Attack Crimean Bridge - MoD

Vessels of Russia's Black Sea Fleet over the past week destroyed three Ukrainian unmanned boats that were going to attack the Crimean Bridge, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Saturday.

2023-09-09T11:30+0000

2023-09-09T11:30+0000

2023-09-09T11:30+0000

russia's special operation in ukraine

russian defense ministry

crimean bridge

ukraine

russia

navy

/html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content

https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/07/11/1111941986_0:92:3072:1820_1920x0_80_0_0_b8d972c1c58acca2f5ac84b285e304f7.jpg

"Ships of the Black Sea Fleet, while on combat duty in the southern part of the Kerch Strait, detected and destroyed three Ukraine's unmanned semi-submersible boats attempting to attack the Crimean Bridge," the ministry said in a statement. Moreover, the Black Sea Fleet's aviation destroyed four high-speed boats with a total of 50 Ukrainian special operatives on board west of Crimea, the statement read. Russian troops also thwarted an attempt by Ukrainian forces to land on the island of Tendrovskaya Kosa in the Kherson Region. Over the past week, a total of five Ukrainian sabotage and reconnaissance groups were eliminated in the area. Russian air defense and electronic warfare systems destroyed or jammed 247 Ukrainian drones over the past seven days, including 23 unmanned aerial vehicles over Russia's western regions, the ministry added.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230812/russian-air-defenses-intercept-ukrainian-s-200-missile-targeting-crimean-bridge-1112554685.html

crimean bridge

ukraine

russia

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

2023

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

News

en_EN

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

1920 1080 true

1920 1440 true

1920 1920 true

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

Sputnik International

russia's black sea fleet, ukrainian boats, attack the crimean bridge
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230909/uk-hired-gun-in-ukraine-found-dead-in-pond-hands-tied-behind-back-1113234749.html

UK Hired Gun in Ukraine Found Dead in Pond, Hands Tied Behind Back

UK Hired Gun in Ukraine Found Dead in Pond, Hands Tied Behind Back

A British man who went to Ukraine in early October 2022 to fight on the side of the Kiev regime as a mercenary has been found dead, according to a UK media report.

2023-09-09T14:24+0000

2023-09-09T14:24+0000

2023-09-09T14:58+0000

world

ukraine

mercenaries

ukrainian armed forces

russia

kiev

ukrainian crisis

/html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content

https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/103281/53/1032815303_0:0:1024:577_1920x0_80_0_0_a45902ef84f7a2108fa2d97d142f4ead.jpg

A British man who went to Ukraine in early October 2022 to fight on the side of the Kiev regime as a mercenary has been found dead, according to a UK media report.31-year-old Jordan Chadwick from Burnley, Lancashire, was reportedly part of the so-called International Legion, established by Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky early last year, and believed to comprise "hired guns" from around 60 countries.According to Chadwick's mother, she was informed by Lancashire Police of his death in Ukraine on June 26. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) confirmed the news shortly, adding that the death occurred under unknown circumstances.Known simply as "Joe," the young man formerly served as a Scots Guard in the British Army from 2011 to 2015. His body was reportedly discovered in Ukraine, floating in a body of water, with his hands tied behind his back. The Ukrainian International Legion repatriated Jordan Chadwick's remains on August 7. There will be an inquest into the causes of his death.The report comes hot on the heels of news that British mercenary Sam Newey, who fought on the side of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, was killed in a mortar attack. The student from Birmingham with no military experience was reportedly a member of a foreign volunteer squad known as the Dark Angels fighting for the Kiev regime. His death was confirmed by his brother in August, according to a British newspaper.Another mercenary, American Jericho Skye Magallon, aka Jericho Walker, was also recently wiped out in the zone of the special military operation. He also fought in the ranks of the notorious International Legion. Magallon's relatives confirmed his death on social media.Hired mercenaries have been part of the Ukraine combat scene since the start of Russia's special operation. However, the Russian military has reported a major uptick in Ukraines recruitment of foreign mercenaries of late amid Ukraine's failing summer counteroffensive and vast losses of manpower. Millions of Ukrainians have been dodging the draft to "avoid certain death" fighting in NATO's proxy war against Russia.Since the launch of the Russian military operation on February 24, 2022, "a total of 11,675 foreign mercenaries from 84 countries have officially arrived in Ukraine to participate in hostilities on the side of the Ukraine Armed Forces," according to data provided by the Russian Ministry of Defense. Some 4,990 foreign mercenaries employed by Kiev have been eliminated and another 4,910 fled the country. A total of 2,029 mercenaries continue to fight on the side of the Ukrainian military, the ministry said in July. The Russian Investigative Committee has launched criminal cases against 160 mercenaries from 33 countries fighting as part of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230731/how-many-americans-were-killed-in-ukrainian-conflict-1112246583.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230903/millions-of-ukrainians-dodging-draft-to-avoid-certain-death-fighting-for-nato-1113096124.html

ukraine

russia

kiev

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

2023

Svetlana Ekimenko

Svetlana Ekimenko

News

en_EN

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

1920 1080 true

1920 1440 true

1920 1920 true

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

Svetlana Ekimenko

botched ukraine counteroffensive, soldiers of fortune in ukraine, foreign mercenaries killed in ukraine
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230909/un-report-warns-world-not-moving-fast-enough-to-meet-climate-targets-1113220848.html

UN Report Warns World Not Moving Fast Enough to Meet Climate Targets

UN Report Warns World Not Moving Fast Enough to Meet Climate Targets

The report does not reveal which countries are struggling to cut emissions, but warns that if changes are not made soon the world will face a climate crisis.

2023-09-09T04:07+0000

2023-09-09T04:07+0000

2023-09-09T04:05+0000

world

climate change

climate change agreement

un climate change conference

report

/html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content

https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/107897/86/1078978612_0:32:3063:1755_1920x0_80_0_0_c567fc04051ce79bef905a4c75b1606f.jpg

Despite the 2015 landmark Paris Agreement that was signed by 196 parties, a major UN report released on Friday found that governments are still failing to cut greenhouse gas emissions fast enough to meet the agreement goals by 2025 - not doing so could lead to a climate disaster.The assessment encourages solutions that will transform and change the worst consequences of climate change including: aggressively scaling up renewable energy, phasing out fossil fuels, ending deforestation, providing significant climate finance to developing nations, as well as alleviating poverty and minimizing environmental injustice - as climate change is known to have affected the poorest populations the worst, despite demographics playing the smallest role.The report acknowledges phasing out fossil fuels will be a difficult truth for oil-producing countries to hear. However, this appears to be the first time the UN has pushed for phasing out fossil fuels, as the language over phasing out or phasing down has caused controversy at annual UN climate talks.We welcome and agree with such language. Already on several occasions the commission and EU ministers have called for a move towards energy systems free of unabated fossil fuels. We see the push for global targets on renewables and energy efficiency measures as part of the path to achieve that, a spokesperson for the European Commission said.Despite efforts made since the agreement was first signed eight years ago, emissions are continuing to rise. The goal is to limit temperature rises to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels by 2030. But currently, there is a gap of 20 to 23 gigatonnes of CO2 between the cuts needed by 2030 to limit the global temperature. Temperatures must also peak by 2025 at the latest, and no more after that year.Hope is not lost. We have seen critical actions taken that are making a difference, said Marcene Mitchel, senior vice president of climate change for the World Wildlife Fund.The 47-page report, which was published in a draft by the UN, does not detail which countries are falling behind. Ani Dasgupta, the head of the World Resources Institute think tank criticized the report for being vague and glossing over its vital message.The UNs polite prose glosses over what is a truly damning report card for global climate efforts, said Dasgupta.The report comes on the heels of data released by the European Union Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S). On Wednesday, the report revealed that the summer of 2023 was the hottest-ever recorded, and that it passed previous recorded temperatures by a large margin.The next UN climate summit is slated for November, and will be held in Dubai.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230726/crime-against-all-living-beings-climate-change-being-fueled-by-government-inaction-1112146584.html

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

2023

Mary Manley https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e6/01/0b/1092187887_0:0:2048:2049_100x100_80_0_0_0c2cc4c84f89aff034cc55bb01fb6697.jpg

Mary Manley https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e6/01/0b/1092187887_0:0:2048:2049_100x100_80_0_0_0c2cc4c84f89aff034cc55bb01fb6697.jpg

News

en_EN

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

1920 1080 true

1920 1440 true

1920 1920 true

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

Mary Manley https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e6/01/0b/1092187887_0:0:2048:2049_100x100_80_0_0_0c2cc4c84f89aff034cc55bb01fb6697.jpg

climate change, un report, emissions, paris agreement, european union copernicus climate change service, c3s, global warming, united nations, fossil fuels
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230909/us-judge-rejects-meadows-bid-to-move-georgia-election-case-to-federal-court---ruling-1113221142.html

US Judge Rejects Meadows' Bid to Move Georgia Election Case to Federal Court - Ruling

US Judge Rejects Meadows' Bid to Move Georgia Election Case to Federal Court - Ruling

Judge Steve Jones ruled to reject former White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows' motion to move his Georgia election subversion case to US federal court.

2023-09-09T04:21+0000

2023-09-09T04:21+0000

2023-09-09T04:21+0000

americas

us

georgia

mark meadows

steve jones

white house

/html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content

https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e6/04/17/1094999985_0:0:3073:1728_1920x0_80_0_0_0e426ddb5614ed3813db3b193179a026.jpg

"Because the Court lacks jurisdiction over this matter, the Court directs the Clerk to Terminate all pending motions and close this case," Jones wrote in his ruling on Friday. Meadows argued his case should be moved to federal court because the allegations in the indictment against him were in connection to his duties as White House chief of staff. Jones said Meadows' motion did not meet the threshold for removal to federal court because the activities under scrutiny were not conducted as part of his role at the White House. The ruling could potentially foreshadow future rulings for other defendants who are trying to get their cases moved to federal court. Meadows' lawyer George Terwilliger said his client did nothing criminal and only carried out his legal duties as White House chief of staff, it was reported earlier. The supremacy clause of the US Constitution prohibits state interference in a federal official's duties. Jones said the court finds the color of the Office of the White House Chief of Staff did not include working with or working for the campaign of former President Donald Trump, except for simply coordinating the presidents schedule, traveling with the president to campaign events and redirecting communications to the campaign. Meadows is among 18 co-defendants indicted in the criminal case related to their alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 US presidential election in the state of Georgia.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230908/us-senator-graham-on-georgia-indictment-recommendation-actions-consistent-with-job-1113215050.html

americas

georgia

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

2023

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

News

en_EN

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

1920 1080 true

1920 1440 true

1920 1920 true

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

Sputnik International

judge steve jones, white house chief of staff mark meadows, us federal court
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230909/us-lies-about-ukraines-failed-counteroffensive---ex-cia-analyst-1113233650.html

US 'Lies' About Ukraine's Failed Counteroffensive - Ex-CIA Analyst

US 'Lies' About Ukraine's Failed Counteroffensive - Ex-CIA Analyst

The US is lying about botched Ukrainian counteroffensive, former CIA analyst Larry Johnson said in an interview for Judge Andrew Napolitano on his Judging Freedom podcast.

2023-09-09T13:46+0000

2023-09-09T13:46+0000

2023-09-09T14:52+0000

ukraine

larry johnson

state department

ukrainian counteroffensive attempt

antony blinken

volodymyr zelensky

sergei shoigu

russia's special operation in ukraine

/html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content

https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/07/0f/1111898284_0:115:3233:1934_1920x0_80_0_0_b07acec2cf00f52f6d7c490148bb1993.jpg

The United States is blatantly lying about the botched Ukrainian counteroffensive, former CIA analyst Larry Johnson said in an interview with Judge Andrew Napolitano on his Judging Freedom podcast.Tony, look at a map, and just look at the progress that has not been made by Ukraine, said the retired CIA intelligence officer and State Department official, as he commented on recent remarks made by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Kiev.During his unannounced visit to the Ukrainian capital, Blinken, standing alongside Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, touted that the Ukrainian military had made real progress in its counteroffensive in the last few weeks. The Ukrainian presidents assessment of the battlefront developments matches our own, continued Blinken, who went over to Kiev to pledge a new aid package for Ukraine worth over $1 billion.In fact, Russia has been steadily pushing to the [west], Johnson said, pointing out that the battle of Artemovsk was the last big conflict on the battlefront that Ukraines military was engaged in.In May 2023, the Russian military liberated Artemovsk (also known as Bakhmut), a Donbass city reduced to ruins in over eight months of brutal house-to-house fighting. The Artemovsk operation destroyed tens of thousands of Ukrainian troops and foreign mercenaries, while Russia built up its reserves and prepared defenses in Donbass, Zaporozhye, and Kherson for Kievs much-heralded summer offensiveAmericans have been had, added Ray McGovern, a former top US intel analyst, who also joined the Judging Freedom podcast. He pointed out that, Billions of money had gone to Ukraine, with a lot of it syphoned off. He told the host that America was losing in the proxy war against Russia in Ukraine.Nevertheless, senior-level members of the US intelligence community continue to delude themselves, their colleagues, the press, and the public," regarding the actual developments on the ground, specified Larry Johnson. These officials refused to wake up to the reality that Ukraine was experiencing shortage of ammunition, shortage of manpower, trouble recruiting people, etc.US Secretary of State Antony Blinken earlier made a surprise visit to Kiev, meeting with top Ukrainian officials, including President Volodymyr Zelensky and Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba. He unveiled an upcoming new aid package to Ukraine, which includes $175 million for weaponry. However, the pledge comes as none of the NATO-gifted arms have helped turn the tide of Ukraine's flagging counteroffensive. Antony Blinken's remarks about the success of the Ukrainian counteroffensive were dismissed as nothing but false claims by Vladimir Rogov, a senior official of the Zaporozhye regional administration"The Kiev regime, despite their huge losses, has been trying to conduct the so-called counter-offensive for the third month already. The armed forces of Ukraine did not achieve their goals on any part of the front line," Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu told senior defense officials, adding that Russian troops were active "along the entire line of contact."Responding to Washington's newly-announced military package for Kiev, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on September 6 that the United States intended to continue backing the regime down to the last Ukrainian regardless of the cost. Peskov told reporters that this assistance would not be able to affect the course of the special military operation.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230906/why-blinkens-visit-to-ukraine-is-sign-of-trouble-in-washington-1113156789.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230908/blinkens-remarks-on-success-of-kievs-counteroffensive-fiction---zaporozhye-official-1113196114.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230906/kremlin-on-blinkens-visit-to-kiev-us-planning-to-keep-supporting-kiev-regardless-of-cost-1113147319.html

ukraine

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

2023

Svetlana Ekimenko

Svetlana Ekimenko

News

en_EN

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

1920 1080 true

1920 1440 true

1920 1920 true

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

Svetlana Ekimenko

ukraine counteroffensive, botched ukraine counteroffensive, russia's special military operation in ukraine
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230909/vietnam-on-a-diplomatic-tightrope-can-biden-align-hanoi-against-china-1113238320.html

Vietnam on a Diplomatic Tightrope: Can Biden Align Hanoi Against China?

Vietnam on a Diplomatic Tightrope: Can Biden Align Hanoi Against China?

President Biden is arriving in Hanoi on Sunday, with Vietnam and the US reportedly planning to sign a comprehensive strategic partnership agreement of a kind similar to one the Asian nation already has with Russia and China. What should be expected from Bidens trip? Sputnik reached out to a veteran expert in regional affairs for details.

2023-09-09T18:56+0000

2023-09-09T18:56+0000

2023-09-10T12:08+0000

analysis

vietnam

china

hanoi

asean

intel

joe biden

nguyen phu trong

visit

cooperation

/html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content

https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/08/1c/1112940303_0:0:3334:1876_1920x0_80_0_0_609e4cdf813372a022ccd1bd5838be74.jpg

During his two-day trip to Vietnam, Joe Biden will meet with Vietnamese Communist Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and other key leaders to discuss ways to further deepen cooperation between Washington and Hanoi, the US Embassy in Hanoi said in a statement put out this week.Behind the scenes, sources told media Saturday that Biden and other US officials will be accompanied during the trip by representatives of major US tech and aerospace companies, including Intel, Google, GlobalFoundaries, Amkor, Marvell, and Boeing, with Washington looking to boost Vietnams footprint in its tech-related supply chains amid escalating China-US trade and tech wars, and tensions over Taiwan.Intel, Amkor, and other American companies have already established a presence in the country, and US officials say the companies are eager to expand their operations. Boeing, meanwhile, is expected to announce a possible deal on the sale of 50 737 MAX airliners to Vietnam, according to officials.Per media reports, Vietnam and the US may also sign a comprehensive strategic partnership agreement during Bidens visit to further ramp up economic, trade, technology, and security cooperation between the erstwhile enemies.The warming of Vietnamese-US ties marks a stark turnaround in relations in the wake of the brutal US-led war in the Southeast Asian nation between 1955 and 1975, in which up to 3.8 million Vietnamese and 58,000 US servicemen were killed, and much of the countrys land area devastated by bombing and toxic defoliants, whose horrific impacts continue to be felt to this day.Ahead of Bidens visit, and the broader American strategic play to surround China with military bases, Beijing urged Washington to give up the zero sum game and Cold War mentality, and refrain from targeting any third party or undermining regional peace, stability, development and prosperity.Vietnam holds a strategic position at the southern end of the so-called First Island Chain - part of the American doctrine of strategic maritime containment of China first developed by former Secretary of State John Foster Dulles in the early 1950s aimed at denying the People's Republic the ability to project power in its own backyard.Whats Bidens Game?The US effort to woo Vietnam is related partly to the countrys status as a very dynamic economic powerhouse in Southeast Asia, and partly to its potential to serve US geopolitical interests, Dr. Dewi Fortuna Anwar, a scholar from the Indonesia-based National Research and Innovation Agencys Research Center for Politics, told Sputnik.Just as important for the US is security engagement, which cannot be divorced from the situation in the South China Sea, where Vietnam and China have competing claims, Anwar said.The US looks to Vietnam as a country that was able to stand up both to [itself] and China in the past and is expected to be able to strengthen its capacity also to be much more firm in protecting its interests in the maritime domain, despite the fact that China is also the most important economic partner for Vietnam, the scholar noted.Recalling the souring of Vietnamese-Chinese relations during the second half of the 20th century, particularly following Vietnams presence in Cambodia to oust Pol Pot and the short-lived Vietnamese-Chinese border war in 1979, Dr. Anwar stressed that after the Cold War ended and both countries began to open their economies, they became key economic partners, a relationship which has endured to this day.Vietnam on a Diplomatic TightropeHighlighting the independent security policy being pursued by most Asian and Southeast Asian powers vis-a-vis China, the US and other major powers, Dr. Anwar downplayed the implications of Bidens efforts to woo Hanoi, and the idea that Washington can turn the country it once sought to destroy into a pawn.We have good relations with all of the major powers in the region for different reasons. China is the most important economic partner for all of the ASEAN states, including Indonesia. But the United States is considered to be also a very important partner, economically also, but increasingly on security issues. So Vietnam is joining this kind of what you might call hedging policy, Anwar suggested.I think ASEAN as a wholehas stated its position, Anwar said, referring to the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations bloc, which held its latest summit in Indonesia this week. It doesnt want to be forced to choose one side or the other. It doesnt want to be part of any bloc against another. ASEAN stresses the importance of cooperation rather than confrontation and emphasizes an inclusive regional architecture. And Vietnam is very much part of that ASEAN family, the observer summed up.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230907/faces-of-2023-asean-summit-in-indonesia-1113170390.html

vietnam

china

hanoi

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

2023

Ilya Tsukanov

Ilya Tsukanov

News

en_EN

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

1920 1080 true

1920 1440 true

1920 1920 true

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

Ilya Tsukanov

united states, visit, vietnam, joe biden, us, china, people's republic, partnership, security cooperation, status, tensions, south china sea
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230909/weekly-news-wrap-german-car-industry-collapsing-africa-rejects-france-1113218593.html

Weekly News Wrap; German Car Industry Collapsing; Africa Rejects France

Weekly News Wrap; German Car Industry Collapsing; Africa Rejects France

German car industry is crashing due to the loss of cheap Russian energy.

2023-09-09T04:02+0000

2023-09-09T04:02+0000

2023-09-09T09:57+0000

the critical hour

radio

ukraine

hunter biden

china

niger

huawei

jake sullivan

/html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content

https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/09/08/1113218436_0:0:1920:1080_1920x0_80_0_0_71d322956f24ab9a87743e0bf0a3d3df.png

Weekly News Wrap; Huawei Phone Release; German Car Industry Collapsing; Africa Rejects France China used the occasion of a US commerce envoy's visit to release an amazing new cellphone and the German car industry is crashing due to the loss of cheap Russian energy.

Dr. Gerald Horne, Professor of History at the University of Houston, TX, author, historian, and researcher, joins us to discuss this week's important news stories. 77% of young people in the US are unqualified for military service. Dr. Horne says that this story is an indictment of US imperialism because you can't separate youth obesity from the international profit driven food system. He also says that the US navy is harassing Iran and the US is seeking to encircle the Islamic Republic using Israel and Saudi Arabia.Dr. Jack Rasmus, professor of Economics and Politics at St. Mary's College in California, joins us to discuss the economy. There are signs of recession as US job offers continue to fall. Dr Jack Rasmus argues that US government statistics are inaccurate partially due to the way that the response to COVID changed economic dynamics. He says that statistics are actually a manipulation of raw data and the information regarding job openings is misleading. The coming commercial real estate crash has not been taken into consideration in these government statistics.Daryl Jones, attorney, and voting rights activist, joins us to discuss this week's important news stories. Prosecutors expect Hunter Biden to be charged with administrative gun related crimes this week. Daryl Jones thinks that the case will move forward and investigations into the Biden's could factor into the Party's political decisions for the 2024 election cycle.Ajamu Baraka, 2016 US vice presidential candidate for the Green Party and Yolian Ogbu, member of the Black Alliance for Peace and Horn of Africa Pan-Africans for Liberation and Solidarity, come together to discuss this week's important news stories. China is planning to mediate the Niger crisis. Yolian Ogbu and Ajamu Baraka say that China has an economic stake in the region. Also, the US has had a long checkered relationship with France and would likely be fine with keeping their base in Niger at the expense of French colonialism.Jim Kavanagh, whose work can be found at Jim' Kavanagh's Substack, thepolemicist.net, and Dr. Linwood Tauheed, Associate Professor of Economics at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, come together to discuss this week's important news stories. Democratic elites are working to get working class voters excited about Joe Biden. Dr Jim Kavanagh and Dr Linwood Tauheed say that the issue is cognitive ability as opposed to chronological age. Also, the Biden administration is arming and supporting Nazis in Ukraine and these fascists will eventually launch attacks in Europe and the US.The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the position of Sputnik.We'd love to get your feedback at radio@sputniknews.comCatch us at 105.5FM, 104.7FM, 102.9FM, 1390AM, 1140AM

ukraine

china

niger

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

2023

Garland Nixon https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e5/02/13/1082125302_0:0:239:239_100x100_80_0_0_d5d43c970b0740f228597fbcdb4ffd66.jpg

Garland Nixon https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e5/02/13/1082125302_0:0:239:239_100x100_80_0_0_d5d43c970b0740f228597fbcdb4ffd66.jpg

News

en_EN

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

1920 1080 true

1920 1440 true

1920 1920 true

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

Garland Nixon https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e5/02/13/1082125302_0:0:239:239_100x100_80_0_0_d5d43c970b0740f228597fbcdb4ffd66.jpg

the critical hour, niger crisis, hunter biden gun related crimes, 2024 presidential election
Taking full advantage of second-half cover, Our Lady Lara A finished with a flurry to claim her 10th win of the year with a lifetime-best effort in the $25,000 Fillies & Mares Winners-Over pacing feature at Plainridge Park on Friday afternoon (Sept. 8).

Brett Beckwith took Our Lady Lara A off the gate and settled in fifth while La Bella Vita N (Shawn Gray) out-muscled Racey Rach N (Mitchell Cushing) for the lead at the :26.4 quarter before hitting the pylons. Gray then backed off the second panel to :29.1, forcing Therewasthisgirl (Nick Graffam) to advance in the breeze with Our Lady Lara A following closely second-over. These positions remained unchanged to the seven-eighths where Beckwith tipped Our Lady Lara A off cover and three-deep into the stretch. Our Lady Lara A cleared the front in deep stretch and paced sharply to the line in 1:51.4.

A seven-year-old daughter of Betterthancheddar, Our Lady Lara A ($4) has now earned $86,670 this year for owners S&K Misfit Racing and VIP Internet Stable under the tutelage of Amanda Kelley.

In the $17,500 conditioned undercard pace, Out To Get Lucky (Drew Campbell) got away fifth as All Attitude (Luke Hanners) led the field to the half. When the race rolled past that station, Dempsey Hanover (Mitchell Cushing) pulled furst-over and was followed by Out To Get Lucky. Moving up the backstretch, Dempsey Hanover's bid faltered at three-quarters, forcing Out To Get Lucky three-wide into the last turn. Out To Get Lucky took the lead from All Attitude at the head of the stretch and maintained his position to the wire where he won by 1-3/4 lengths to score the upset in 1:53.3.

Out To Get Lucky ($23.80) is owned by Bill Beechy and Kim Beechy and is trained by Randy Bickmore.

Drivers Brett Beckwith, Matty Athearn and Mike Stevenson each had two wins on the card while 11 different trainers each won one race during the afternoon.

Live harness racing will resume at Plainridge Park on Monday, Sept. 11 at 2 p.m. and there will be a $1,456 carryover in the Wicked Hi-5 pentafecta wager in race six.

(Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts)
Firefighters from across Virginia and beyond are expected to gather at the Fredericksburg Expo Center Tuesday for a memorial service for one of their own.

Mia Ethridge, 20, died on Saturday as a result of injuries received in a line-of-duty accident. She had been working as a firefighter and EMT in Louisa County for four months on July 9, when she and another firefighter were responding to a call in inclement weather, according to police reports.

The fire truck went off the road and hit a tree, and Ethridge was ejected. She suffered serious injuries, according to Louisa County, and was flown to UVA University Hospital for treatment.

Firefighters from Louisa and Stafford County, where Ethridge lived, trained and continued to volunteer, were by her side from the time she was in hospital until her body was brought home earlier this week, said Capt. Gustavo Leite.

He was among those who trained her at the Stafford Volunteer Recruit Academy in 2020, and worked with her when she volunteered at Co. 2 in Stafford.

She always had a positive outlook, no matter what happened, Leite said, recalling the bright and cheerful student who sat in the front row and had a smile on her face and an answer to almost every question.

She quickly became class leader, encouraging other females in the male-dominated profession and being a shoulder to lean on to anyone who needed it, he said.

Somebody like that, there was no stopping her, the captain added.

Leite and others watched as Ethridge recovered from the accident to the point she was able to enter a rehabilitation facility. He took his service dog, a German shepherd named Chase, to see her there one day.

He made a beeline for her, and she was smiling and she was happy, and that was a really positive thing, Leite said.

Firefighters assumed the worst was behind Ethridge and that shed beaten what seemed like insurmountable odds, but then she succumbed to her injuries. Louisa County officials asked that no other details be given.

Because Ethridge was so young and died in the line of duty, Stafford and Louisa officials expect a large turnout for her memorial service on Tuesday. They selected the Expo Center to accommodate the crowd as well as the ladder trucks, fire engines and rescue squads theyll bring with them.

The service begins begins at 1 p.m. and a livestream will be provided on social media channels of Louisa Fire and EMS, Stafford County Fire and Rescue and Stafford Volunteer Fire Department.

Firefighters, and Ethridges family, already have witnessed the outpouring of support from what Leite called the brotherhood and sisterhood of firefighters. Earlier this week, the Stafford department announced that it would be providing an escort for the hearse that would carry her body from Richmond to the funeral home.

The Facebook post encouraged anyone interested to stand by along the route to show your love and support for our sister.

There were fire trucks, rescue squads or police vehicles at almost every overpass along Interstate 95, Leite said, from Richmond to Massaponax.

It was absolutely beautiful and extremely emotional for those of us in the procession, he said.

Fire and rescue units from Caroline, Hanover, Henrico, Louisa, Spotsylvania and Stafford counties as well as the cities of Fredericksburg and Richmond joined law enforcement units from Louisa County, Richmond and the Virginia State Police.

In a Facebook post, the Louisa Police Department expressed condolences to Ethridges family and the community.

She made a significant impact on anyone she crossed paths with, the post stated. LPD will dearly miss her professionalism and personality from mutual shared calls for service.

A post from the Stafford Volunteer Fire Department noted Ethridges family had donated her organs.

She will storm the gates of heaven with her bright-eyed smile and spitfire self after she gives the gift of life, it stated. She will be the biggest sunbeam we see on all beautiful days.

Leite said younger members of the fire department, who hadnt experienced a loss in their own family much less the death of a young firefighter in a line-of-duty incident, were struggling. Hes told them to share memories of her life and laughter, not of the accident that claimed her.

Shes still with us, he said. Were never gonna forget her.
(CNN)  As Europe continues to be squeezed by overtourism and short-term rentals mushroom to accommodate visitors, cities across the continent are noting more and more that residents are being squeezed out.

Now, one of Europes biggest tourist destinations is taking action. The city of Florence has announced plans to ban new short-term rentals such as Airbnbs.

The new legislation, which will be voted on next Wednesday and is expected to be active by November, will ban any further properties in the historic center of the city being registered as short-term rentals.

Mayor of Florence Dario Nardella said in a statement shared with CNN that the very important legislation was tackling an emergency situation of total deregulation.

We are witnessing a progressive growth in the influx of tourists which has become even more pronounced since the pandemic, he added.

Figures from the city council show that 75% of Florences short-term rentals are concentrated in just 5% of the municipal territory  the citys centro storico, the birthplace of the Renaissance and a UNESCO World Heritage site. The legislation aims to tackle that 5%.

If approved, the legislation will ban the registration of any new short-term rentals in the city center. Additionally, in a bid to incentivize residential contracts, any owners who convert Airbnbs into a long-term residential let will have their property taxes on the building zeroed out for three years.

The law will not be retroactive  so anyone with an existing short-term rental contract will be able to retain it. Around 4,000 new registrations have been made since the move was announced, according to local media. Some were already operating illegally; others are putting in requests for plans to Airbnb their properties in the future.

Nardella said that the authorities were taking action to protect Florences global heritage.

We are putting a simple ban in the UNESCO area to meet our responsibilities of protecting the cultural and material identity of the centro storico, and to dampen the effect of rent increases across the entire city  which are directly linked to the boom of short-term tourist rentals.

Calling for urgent national legislation from the government, Nardella said that the Florence authorities had rolled up our sleeves because for too long weve been asking for regulation that never happens.

He added: We cannot watch our centro storico changing and we cannot cope with all the problems of citizens unable to find an apartment to rent.

Faced with inertia from the government and parliament, its our duty to act to put the brakes on this social emergency.

Not everyone is delighted. Lorenzo Masi, a councilor with the populist Five Star political movement, has queried what will happen to those who arent renting [property] in an entrepreneurial way, but are for example renting a room in the home they live in  in many cases to offset costs.

We would need plans that include these kind of situations, in which the most disadvantaged groups are not compared with those who are working purely on a business level, he said in a statement.

A spokesperson for Airbnb told CNN: We recognize the challenges facing historical cities across Italy and we want to help. We have proposed national regulations for short-term rentals in Italy that are clear and simple to follow, and would ensure responsible home-sharing in every city and town.

Follow the money

For some, the proposals dont go far enough. What the mayor has done is great, but without inspections, its not enough, said Veronica Grechi, owner of Velonas Jungle B&B on the edge of Florences city center. Grechi describes the way that much of the short-term rental sector is managed as non-professional and wild west, with many property owners operating rentals without declaring them to the authorities.

Grechi  who says that when recently looking for cleaning staff, companies offered to work with her on the condition that she paid them 80% cash in hand, declaring only 20% to the tax man  says that if authorities conducted checks on properties and followed the money, the number of Airbnbs would naturally drop.

Everyone does it [rent short-term] at the moment because its easy  it costs nothing. If you make people do it professionally, the numbers [of Airbnbs] would go down immediately, because it wouldnt be worth them doing it.

Growing opposition to Airbnb

Florence is the latest destination to attempt to stem the rising tide of Airbnbs.

New York City has introduced what Airbnb has deemed a de facto ban on short-term rentals. Properties can only be registered for rentals of under 30 days if the host is living in the property at the same time as the guests, of which there can be no more than two.

Portugal has also laid out new housing laws this summer which cast uncertainty over short-term rentals.

In Amsterdam, owners can rent out properties for a maximum 30 days per calendar year, for a maximum of four guests at a time.

In Berlin, entire properties can be rented short-term for a maximum 90 days per year.
Much has been written about how WWII greatly altered American society, especially as it relates to women in the workforce. The image of Rosie the Riveter symbolizes how millions of American women assumed many and varied jobs so that men could go off to the second Great War.

As to Rosie, women made up 65 percent of employees in the aircraft industry. While many of those women anxiously returned to their role as homemaker at wars end, for some the taste of independence, responsibility, camaraderie, and a steady pay envelope provided the sweet seduction that would later induce them to return to the workforce of the burgeoning middle class.

When Mom began working in a textile mill in the mid-1950s theres little doubt that our familys normal routine had to be altered. One early change was Dad now prepared the family breakfast and packed a sack lunch for Mom. No need to fix one for himself since hed eat in the school cafeteria wherever the days job took him. Sis and I ate in our schools cafeteria, so every Monday we were each handed a dollar to give to our teachers  the cost of our lunches for the entire week!

Meredith and I rode the school bus, arriving home around 3:45 p.m. Mom didnt get home til about 4:15 p.m., meaning that for a half hour or so we were home alone. Later we wouldve been labeled as latchkey kids. Yes, it was a different era.

My parents labored hard throughout their working lives and to a great extent after theyd retired. As a youngster I saw it in Dads scarred, calloused, dirty hands and weary face, as well as his grimy, sweat-stained clothing. I saw it in Moms hands and fingers that had been cut and stained by the fibers and dyes shed worked with at the mill.

Experts tell us that our sense of smell is best at triggering memories. Even today, the smell of Clorox reminds me of Moms daily efforts to rid her hands of that days tint. Perhaps she was thinking as did Lady Macbeth, Out damnd spotWill these hands neer be clean? Later on, Id notice the bluish-purple varicose veins beginning to meander down her legs, the result of having stood for nearly eight solid hours on a hard concrete floor.

Around this time the folks purchased an automatic washer and dryer. Even with these modern, labor-saving appliances, most of our clothes were made of cotton. So? It meant a good deal of ironing was needed. Consequently, Dad began taking the big basket of clean clothing to a woman for ironing. In addition, at Moms insistence, Dad took charge of washing his own grimy work clothes separately from the family wash. It would be another decade or so, before the county schools provided work uniforms and laundry service  perks Im sure both welcomed with great enthusiasm.

Almost six months after Mom died in 1998, I had a chance meeting with one of her co-workers from Special Yarns, where theyd worked for so many years. I confessed to Mrs. Walker that I regretted it was only as an adult that Id come to appreciate how hard theyd worked during that time.

Surprisingly she said, Yes, we worked hard, but we also had a lot of fun. Part of the fun, I suspect, was the eager sharing about how those few extra dollars were providing so many opportunities for their children. For us it was glee club uniforms, piano lessons, a trumpet, a catchers mitt, summer camps and later, college tuition! These werent just joyous vicarious experiences they were life-long dreams being fulfilled. Dreams they couldve only dreamed for others, having come up the hard way.

No doubt there were some, but Sis and I were seldom aware of any parental squabbles. I can recall, however, Dads occasionally questioning the monetary trade-off of Moms going to work. In recent eras, most of us have come to realize that there are other benefits to be derived from employment other than a modest wage. If that was part of their discussion Ill never know, and bear in mind, this was mid-century small-town America.

On the other hand, I am aware of at least three benefits that accrued thanks to Moms income. For one, she provided the two dollars per week for Meredith and me to take piano lessons, though I strongly suspect it was Dads money that paid for the used piano in our living room. For another, she initiated a charge account at a local department store, which meant that Sis and I had a few more store-bought clothes  paid for on time. Mom was proud of the fact that she paid the monthly phone bill. Dad thought that was as it should be, since he hardly ever used the dang thing. Moms standard retort was that she should be paid for taking Dads messages related to his moonlighting! But thats another story

To paraphrase the Dolly Parton classic: Mom kept working, working, working 8-4 til (her) dreams came true. And Sis and I were so very fortunate that (most of) Moms dreams were our dreams too.
The first question of the 2024 Republican presidential debate Wednesday night was about Rich Men North of Richmond, the working class anthem by Oliver Anthony, of Farmville, that went viral this month.

Fox News Channel moderator Martha MacCallum asked Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis why the song has become so popular. Candidates were asked to lay out their economic arguments by way of explaining why a viral song decrying high taxes and the wealth of the elite had caught fire.

"As we sit here tonight, the number one song on the Billboard chart is called 'Rich Man North of Richmond.' It is by a singer from Farmville, Virginia, named Oliver Anthony. His lyrics speak of alienation, of deep frustration with the state of government and of this country. Washington, D.C. is about 100 miles north of Richmond," she said.

DeSantis said it's because the "country is decline."

"We also cannot succeed when the Congress spends trillions and trillions of dollars. Those rich men north of Richmond have put us in this situation," DeSantis said.

DeSantis also took an opportunity to go after Bidens son Hunter, saying he made hundreds of thousands of dollars on lousy paintings while Americans are working hard, and you cant afford groceries a car or a new home.

Watch the latest video at foxnews.com

Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie said he agreed predominantly with DeSantis response but argued he can be a consensus builder since he was elected as a conservative Republican in a blue state.

DeSantis, Christie, former Vice President Mike Pence, activist Vivek Ramaswamy, Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina, former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley, former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson and North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum took the stage Wednesday night for the Fox News event, the first Republican presidential debate of the 2024 election.

Former President Donald Trump did not take part.

An acoustic performance of Anthonys song was posted by user radiowv on YouTube on Aug. 11  and took off over the weekend. The song drew 17.5 million streams and sold 147,000 downloads in the week ending Thursday, according to Luminate, which tracks the data.

Billboard wrote, The Virginia resident is resonating with music listeners, thanks to his song raging against greed and injustice. The lyrics explore the pain, frustration and angst of the working class into lines that rage against greedy rich men.

Anthony performed Wednesday night in Farmville.

'Rich Men North of Richmond' singer performs in North Carolina Oliver Anthony Performs Oliver Anthony Performs Oliver Anthony Performs Oliver Anthony Performs Oliver Anthony Performs
Sarva Capital LLC Vs ACIT (ITAT Delhi)

ITAT Delhi held that as shares were acquired prior to 01.04.2017, gain derived from sale of such equity shares is exempt under Article 13(4) of India-Mauritius DTAA.

Facts- The assessee is a non-resident corporate entity incorporated under the laws of Mauritius and a tax resident of Mauritius. As stated by AO, the assessee was incorporated primarily for the purpose of making investments in India in education space, agriculture, healthcare, microfinance institutions and other financial services. In course of its business activities, the assessee had made investment in Indian companies by way of equity shares. In the year under consideration, the assessee had sold equity shares of two Indian companies, Sewa Gruh Rin Ltd. and Veritas Finance Pvt. Ltd. and derived income under the head long-term capital gain. In the original return of income filed for the impugned assessment year on 13.03.2020, though, the assessee offered the income derived from sale of equity shares as capital gain, however, claimed it as exempt in terms of Article 13(4) of the India-Mauritius DTAA.

Subsequently, on 13.03.2022, the assessee filed a revised return of income offering the long-term capital gain derived from sale of equity share of Veritas Finance Pvt. Ltd. under Article 13(3B) of India-Mauritius DTAA. In course of assessment proceedings, AO proceeded to examine assessees claim of benefit in terms of Article 13(3B)/Article 13(4) of India-Mauritius DTAA. While doing so, he ultimately concluded that the assessee is not entitled for Treaty benefits.

Having denied the Treaty benefits to the assessee, AO brought to tax the entire long-term capital gain under the provisions of domestic law and accordingly, completed the assessment.

Conclusion- The allegation of the Assessing Officer regarding absence of commercial rationale or substance behind setting up of the assessee company, is also in the realm of imagination, rather than based on any concrete evidence. Moreover, the departmental authorities have miserably failed to establish the fact of the assessee, being a conduit company with reference to Article 27A of India-Mauritius DTAA (Limitation on Benefit clause). Therefore, having regard to the relevant facts and ratio laid down in the judicial precedents, discussed above, we have no hesitation in holding that the assessee, having been granted a valid TRC, has to be treated as tax resident of Mauritius, hence, eligible to avail benefit under India-Mauritius DTAA.

Held that there cannot be any dispute with regard to assessees claim of exemption under Article 13(4) of India-Mauritius DTAA, as, undisputedly, the shares were acquired prior to 01.04.2017. Therefore, the gain derived from sale of such equity shares is taxable only in the country of residence of the assessee, i.e., Mauritius and not in India.

FULL TEXT OF THE ORDER OF ITAT DELHI

Captioned appeal has been filed by the assessee challenging assessment order dated 19.07.2022 passed under section 143(3) read with section 144C(13) of the Income-tax Act, 1961 pertaining to assessment year 2019-20, in pursuance to the directions of learned Dispute Resolution Penal (DRP).

2. Grounds Nos. 1, 3 and 7, being general grounds, do not require adjudication.

3. At the time of hearing, learned counsel appearing for the assessee, on instructions, did not press ground No. 2 along with its sub-grounds. Hence, these grounds are dismissed as not pressed.

4. In ground Nos. 4, 5 and 5.1, the assessee has raised the common issue with reference to applicability of beneficial provisions of India-Mauritius Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) to the income earned under the head capital gain. In addition to the aforesaid grounds, the assessee has raised an additional ground vide letter dated 09.05.2023 on the issue of taxability of long-term capital gain from sale of shares under Article 13(4) of India-Mauritius DTAA. Since, the adjudication of additional ground does not require fresh investigation of facts and can be decided based on the facts already available on record, we are inclined to admit the additional ground.

5. As could be seen, grounds Nos. 4 & 5 of the main grounds as well as the additional ground are on the common issue of taxability or otherwise of capital gain from sale of equity shares under Article 13(4) of India-Mauritius DTAA.

6. Briefly, the facts relating to the issue are, the assessee is a non-resident corporate entity incorporated under the laws of Mauritius and a tax resident of Mauritius. As stated by the Assessing Officer, the assessee was incorporated primarily for the purpose of making investments in India in education space, agriculture, healthcare, microfinance institutions and other financial services. In course of its business activities, the assessee had made investment in Indian companies by way of equity shares. In the year under consideration, the assessee had sold equity shares of two Indian companies, viz., Sewa Gruh Rin Ltd. and Veritas Finance Pvt. Ltd. and derived income under the head long-term capital gain. In the original return of income filed for the impugned assessment year on 13.03.2020, though, the assessee offered the income derived from sale of equity shares as capital gain, however, claimed it as exempt in terms of Article 13(4) of the India-Mauritius DTAA. Subsequently, on 13.03.2022, the assessee filed a revised return of income offering the long-term capital gain derived from sale of equity share of Veritas Finance Pvt. Ltd. under Article 13(3B) of India-Mauritius DTAA. In course of assessment proceedings, the Assessing Officer proceeded to examine assessees claim of benefit in terms of Article 13(3B)/Article 13(4) of India-Mauritius DTAA. While doing so, he ultimately concluded that the assessee is not entitled for Treaty benefits due to the following reasons :

1. The scheme of arrangement employed by the assessee is a tax avoidance through treaty shopping mechanism.

2. The assessee company is just a conduit and the real owner is the shareholders/investors who are tax residents of different countries.

3. The TRC is not sufficient to establish the tax residency if the substance establishes otherwise.

4. The assessee company is also not a beneficial owner of income as control and dominion of fund is not with the company.

5. There is no commercial rationale of establishment of assessee company in Mauritius as the commercial outcomes would identical irrespective of location of funds.

7. Having denied the Treaty benefits to the assessee, the Assessing Officer brought to tax the entire long-term capital gain under the provisions of domestic law and accordingly, completed the assessment. Against the draft assessment order, so passed by the Assessing Officer, the assessee raised objections before learned DRP. However, learned DRP, in sum and substance, endorsed the views of the Assessing Officer.

8. Before us, learned counsel appearing for the assessee submitted, the assessee is not only incorporated in Mauritius but also a resident of Mauritius, which is demonstrated from the Tax Residency Certificate (TRC) issued by Mauritius revenue authorities. He submitted, assessees registered office is situated in Mauritius and it maintains regular books of account and other statutory records in the registered office. He submitted, the key policy decisions, such as, fund flow, investment activities, divestment of investments are taken collectively outside India by assessees board of directors, who are all non-residents including the resident directors in Mauritius. In this context, he drew our attention to share holding patterns of the assessee company as well as the details of the directors. He submitted, the assessee is continued with its business activities as on date and is holding multiple investments in Indian companies. He submitted, the assessee was primarily incorporated for making investments in microfinance institutions in India and from this very institution, the assessee is making investments in India in more than 15 companies aggregating to US Dollar 58 million approximately. He submitted, all investment decisions have been taken in the board meetings in Mauritius. In this regard, he drew our attention to the details of board meetings held in the year under consideration, as placed in the paper book. Drawing our attention to the audited financial statement of the assessee, learned counsel submitted, the assessee has incurred substantial operational expenditure in past years, which proves that neither it is a sham entity nor a conduit company, as alleged by the Assessing Officer. He submitted, once, the Mauritius Revenue authorities have issued TRC to the assessee, the residential status of the assessee cannot be doubted by the departmental authorities in view of CBDT Circular No. 789 dated 13.04.2000 and Circular No. 684 dated 30.03.1994. In this context, he also heavily relied upon the decision of Honble Supreme Court in case of Union of India vs. Azadi Bachao Andolan, 132 Taxman 373 (SC). He submitted, even, the Honble jurisdictional High Court in case of Blackstone Capital Partners (Singapore) VI FDI Three Pte Ltd. vs. ACIT, 146 taxmann.com 569 (Del) has categorically held that tax authorities cannot go behind TRC, as the TRC issued by the competent authority of another country is sufficient evidence to claim Treaty eligibility, residential status and legal ownership. He also relied upon a decision of the Tribunal in case of MIH India (Mauritius) Ltd. vs. ACIT (ITA No. 1023/Del/2022). Thus, he submitted, in view of the binding judicial precedents, the departmental authorities could not have denied the Treaty benefits to the assessee by holding that the assessee cannot be treated as tax resident of Mauritius despite TRC, having been issued in favour of the assessee. He submitted, the decision of the departmental authorities in denying the Treaty benefits to the assessee doubting the residency is all the more unacceptable considering the fact that in assessment year 2016-17 and 2017-18, the Assessing Officer, while, completing the assessments under section 143(3) of the Act has allowed Treaty benefits to the assessee in respect of capital gain. Thus, he submitted, rule of consistency has to be applied.

9. In so far as the merits of the issue is concerned, learned counsel submitted, though, the assessee on conservative basis had offered the capital gain from sale of shares of Varitas Finance Pvt. Ltd. under Article 13(3B) of India-Mauritius DTAA, however, capital gain from sale of equity shares is not at all taxable in view of Article 13(4) of the DTAA, as the shares were acquired prior to 01.04.2017 and the amended provisions of Article 13 as well as the limitation of benefit (LOB) clause as provided under Article 27A of the Treaty would not be applicable as it is applicable only with reference to Article 13(3B) of the Treaty.

10. Without prejudice, learned counsel submitted, the conditions of Article 27A are not applicable to the assessee, as the assessee cannot be considered to be a shell / conduit company, as neither the assessee has negligible or nil business operations nor its expenses are below the threshold limit prescribed in Article 27A. Thus, he submitted, the long-term capital gain derived from sale of equity shares is not taxable under any circumstance in case Article 13 of India-Mauritius DTAA is applied. Thus, he submitted, the long-term capital gain wrongly offered to tax in the revised return of income is not taxable under Article 13(4) of the India-Mauritius DTAA.

11. Strongly relying upon the observations of the Assessing Officer and learned DRP, learned Departmental Representative submitted that the share holders of the assessee company are not based in Mauritius, but are residents of other countries. He submitted, all decisions relating these activities are taken out of Mauritius, as the board meetings are mostly through video conferencing. He submitted, since, the share holders are residents of countries, who have LOB clause incorporated in their respective Treaties in India, they have set up the assessees company in Mauritius as a conduit for the purpose of Treaty shopping. He submitted, the assessee does not have any second business activities in Mauritius and its investment activities in India after 01.04.2017 have reduced. Thus, he submitted, these facts suggest that the assessee has set up for availing Treaty benefits. He further submitted, the assessees income in Mauritius is not taxable and over the years, it has shown loss. Thus, he submitted, the assessee is fiscally transparent entity. He submitted, since, the assessee is not liable to tax in Mauritius, it cannot be treated as a resident of Mauritius in view of Article 4(2) of the Treaty. Thus, he submitted, the long-term capital gain has been rightly brought to tax by applying the provisions of domestic law.

12. As regards, the additional ground, learned Departmental Representative submitted, in the revised return of income, the assessee itself has offered the capital gain to tax under Article 13(3B) of the Treaty. He submitted, the issue now raised was never raised before the departmental authorities. Therefore, the fresh claim made by the assessee should not be entertained.

13. We have considered rival submissions in the light of decisions relied upon and perused materials on record. The core issue arising for consideration in this appeal is, whether, the assessee is entitled to the benefits of Article 13, more specifically, Article 13(4) of India-Mauritius DTAA qua the capital gain income. Undisputedly, the assessee is a tax resident of Mauritius holding valid TRC. However, the Assessing Officer has declined to grant Treaty benefits to the assessee for the following reasons :

(i) That the scheme of arrangement employed by the assessee is tax avoidance through treaty shopping mechanism;

(ii) that the assessee is set up as a conduit company and the beneficial owners of the capital gain income are residents of different countries;

(iii) that the TRC is not sufficient to establish the tax residency;

(iv) that the assessee is not a beneficial owner of income as control and dominion of fund is not with the assessee;

(v) that there is no commercial rationale of establishment of assessee in Mauritius as it has nil or negligible business; that the assessee cannot be a tax resident of Mauritius , as it is not liable to tax in Mauritius in terms of Article 4(1) of the Treaty. Of course, learned DRP has agreed with the views expressed by the Assessing Officer.

15. Keeping in view the aforesaid observations of the departmental authorities, let us examine the issue at hand.

16. First and foremost, the residential status of the assessee needs to be decided. As discussed earlier, from its very inception, the assessee has been granted TRC by Mauritius tax authorities. Though, the Assessing Officer is conscious of this fact, however, he has brought the theory of substance over form to deny Treaty benefits to the assessee despite valid TRC. In our view, the aforesaid decision of the Assessing Officer cannot be accepted under any circumstance. Now, it is well settled that once the tax resident of Mauritius is holding a valid TRC, the Assessing Officer in India cannot go behind the TRC to question the residency of the entity. In fact, since, there were considerable number of disputes due to nonacceptance of TRC as a valid piece of evidence for tax residency by the departmental authorities, the CBDT issued circular No. 789 dated 13.04.2000, specifically, with reference to India-Mauritius DTAA clearly stating that once, the TRC has been issued by the competent authority of the other tax jurisdiction, it will be treated as a valid piece of evidence in so far as tax residency status is concerned. The sanctity of the aforesaid circular issued by the CBDT was challenged before the Honble High Court and while, ultimately, deciding the issue, Honble Supreme Court in case of Union of India vs. Azadi Bachao Andolan (supra), not only upheld the validity of Circular No. 789 dated 13.04.2000, but held that once, the TRC has been issued by the competent authority of the other country, it will demonstrate the tax residency of the entity and the concerned entity would be eligible to avail the benefits under India-Mauritius DTAA. The ratio laid down by the Honble Supreme Court as aforesaid, was followed subsequently in a number of decisions and in a recent decision of Honble jurisdictional High Court in case of Blackstone Capital Partners (Singapore) VI FDI Three Pte Ltd. vs. ACIT (supra), has reiterated that the tax authorities in India cannot go behind the TRC issued by the competent authority in other tax jurisdiction, as the TRC is sufficient evidence to claim not only the residency and legal ownership but also Treaty eligibility. In case of MIH India (Mauritius) Ltd. vs. ACIT (supra), identical view has been expressed by the coordinate Bench. Thus, in our view, the Assessing Officer has committed a fundamental error in denying Treaty benefits to the assessee in spite of the fact that the assessee is having a valid TRC.

16. One more objection of the Assessing Officer is that the assessee, being a fiscally transparent entity having no liability to tax in Mauritius due to exemption in capital gain income under the domestic laws of Mauritius, cannot claim benefits of avoidance of double taxation. In our view, this issue has also been addressed by Honble Supreme Court in case of Azadi Bachao Andolan (supra). While dealing with this particular issue, the Honble Supreme Court interpreted the expression liable to taxation as used in Article 4 of India-Mauritius DTAA as well as the domestic law of Mauritius and held that merely because tax exemption under certain specified head of income including capital gain from sale of shares has been granted under the domestic tax laws of Mauritius, it cannot lead to the conclusion that the entities availing such exemption are not liable to taxation. The Honble Supreme Court categorically rejected Revenues contention that avoidance of double taxation can arise only when tax is actually paid in one of the contracting States. Honble Court held that liable to taxation and actual payment of tax are two different aspects. Thus, keeping in view the ratio laid down by Honble Supreme Court, as aforesaid, the reasoning of the Assessing Officer that since, the assessee is not liable to tax under Article 4 of the India-Mauritius Treaty, it cannot claim benefit of Treaty provisions, is liable to be rejected.

17. In so far as the allegation of the Assessing Officer that the assessee has been set up as a scheme of arrangement for tax avoidance through Treaty shopping, in our view, such allegation of the Assessing Officer is thoroughly misconceived and not borne out from any material/evidence brought on record. Further, the allegation of the Assessing Officer to the effect that the assessee is a conduit company is also not borne out from any cogent evidence or material brought on record by the Assessing Officer. The allegation of the Assessing Officer regarding absence of commercial rationale or substance behind setting up of the assessee company, is also in the realm of imagination, rather than based on any concrete evidence. Moreover, the departmental authorities have miserably failed to establish the fact of the assessee, being a conduit company with reference to Article 27A of India-Mauritius DTAA (Limitation on Benefit clause). Therefore, having regard to the relevant facts and ratio laid down in the judicial precedents, discussed above, we have no hesitation in holding that the assessee, having been granted a valid TRC, has to be treated as tax resident of Mauritius, hence, eligible to avail benefit under India-Mauritius DTAA.

18. Having held so, now, it is necessary to deal with the issue, whether, capital gain derived by the assessee from sale of equity shares is exempt under Article 13(4) of India-Mauritius tax Treaty. As discussed earlier, in the year under consideration, the assessee has derived capital gain from sale of equity shares of two companies, viz., Sewa Gruh Rin Ltd. and Veritas Finance Pvt. Ltd. In so far as sale of equity shares of Sewa Gruh Rin Ltd. and the resultant capital gain of Rs. 92,28,289/- is concerned, in our view, there cannot be any dispute with regard to assessees claim of exemption under Article 13(4) of India-Mauritius DTAA, as, undisputedly, the shares were acquired prior to 01.04.2017. Therefore, the gain derived from sale of such equity shares is taxable only in the country of residence of the assessee, i.e., Mauritius and not in India. However, in so far as the capital gain arising from sale of shares of Veritas Finance Pvt. Ltd. is concerned, the facts are slightly different. Though, in the original return of income, the assessee claimed the resultant capital gain to be exempt under Article 13(4), however, subsequently, the assessee filed revised return of income offering the capital gain to tax under the provisions of Article 13(3A) read with Article 13(3B) of the Treaty by claiming beneficial tax rate under grandfathering clause.

19. Before us, the assessee has raised an additional ground reversing the stand taken in the revised return of income and has claimed exemption under Article 13(4) of the Tax Treaty in respect of capital gain arising from sale of equity shares of Veritas Finance Pvt. Ltd. It is the case of the assessee that it had acquired the cumulative convertible preference shares (CCPS) of Veritas Finance Pvt. Ltd. on 18.03.2016, whereas, the CCPS were converted to equity shares on 04.08.2017. Thus, it is the case of the assessee that the shares of Veritas Finance Pvt. Ltd. were acquired prior to 01.04.2017, hence, it will not be covered under Article 13(3A) and 13(3B), rather, under Article 13(4) of the Treaty. In our considered opinion, assessees claim is acceptable.

20. Undoubtedly, the assessee has acquired CCPS prior to 01.04.2017, which stood converted into equity shares as per terms of its issue without there being any substantial change in the rights of the assessee. As rightly contended by learned counsel for the assessee, conversion of CCPS into equity shares results only in qualitative change in the nature of rights of the shares. The conversion of CCPS into equity shares did not, in fact, alter any of the voting or other rights with the assessee at the end of Veritas Finance Pvt. Ltd. The difference between the CCPS and equity shares is that a preference share goes with preferential rights when it comes to receiving dividend or repaying capital. Whereas, dividend on equity shares is not fixed but depends on the profits earned by the company. Except these differences, there are no material differences between the CCPS and equity shares. Moreover, a reading of Article 13(3A) of the tax treaty reveals that the expression used therein is gains from alienation of shares. In our view, the word shares bas been used in a broader sense and will take within its ambit all shares, including preference shares. Thus, since, the assessee had acquired the CCPS prior to 01.04.2017, in our view, the capital gain derived from sale of such shares would not be covered under Article 13(3A) or 13(3B) of the Treaty. On the contrary, it will fall under Article 13(4) of India-Mauritius DTAA, hence, would be exempt from taxation, as the capital earned is taxable only in the country of residence of the assessee. No doubt, the assessee has offered the capital gain under Article 13(3B) of the Treaty in its revised return. However, that will not preclude the assessee from claiming benefit under Article 13(4) of the Treaty when the capital gain clearly falls within the ambit of Article 13(4) of the Treaty. In view of the aforesaid, we allow assessees additional ground and hold that the capital gain derived by the assessee from the sale of equity shares is not taxable in terms of Article 13(4) of the India-Mauritius DTAA. Grounds are decided accordingly.

21. In the result, appeal is partly allowed.

Order pronounced in the open court on 10/08/2023.
EDAC Engineering Limited Vs Commissioner of G.S.T. and Central Excise (CESTAT Chennai)

In this case, EDAC Engineering Limited was providing various services, including erection, commissioning, and installation (ECI) services, to clients both within and outside India. The focus of the dispute was on the ECI services provided to clients abroad.

The revenue department raised concerns because they observed that EDAC Engineering had earned foreign exchange through its ECI services but had not repatriated these earnings into India. This led the revenue department to question the repatriation of export proceeds.

EDAC Engineering explained that they had received an order from Equate Petrochemicals in Kuwait to execute a maintenance contract in Kuwait. They sub-contracted the work to Yusuf A. Alghamin & Sons, W.L.L. Kuwait, and the invoicing for the jobs was done directly by both EDAC and Sabila on M/s. Equate Petrochemicals, Kuwait. Payments from Equate were transferred to Sabilas account in Gulf Bank, Kuwait, as per their instructions. They clarified that they had received only a part of the amount, and the balance was adjusted or recovered by Equate against receivables for services and goods supplied.

The revenue department invoked Rule 6(8) of the CENVAT Credit Rules, 2004, which deals with the repatriation of export proceeds. They assumed that because EDAC Engineering had not received the full amount in convertible foreign exchange within the specified time frame, the services provided could be treated as exempted services. They also alleged that EDAC Engineering had not maintained separate accounts as required under Rule 6(2) of the CENVAT Credit Rules for the input services used in providing these exempted services.

In response, EDAC Engineering disputed these claims and argued that they had not utilized the inputs for export purposes but rather for domestic supply. They presented a certificate from a chartered accountant to support their claim. They contended that the revenue department had not considered this evidence properly and had made assumptions and presumptions.

The Customs, Excise, and Service Tax Appellate Tribunal (CESTAT) observed that when there is doubt regarding documents, the authority should seek clarification or explanation rather than relying on assumptions. They emphasized the importance of following the principles of natural justice and providing reasonable opportunities for the appellant to present their case.

As a result, the CESTAT decided to remand the case back to the original authority for de novo adjudication, instructing them to afford EDAC Engineering an opportunity to produce necessary documents and evidence to support their position. The CESTAT also stressed that the lower authority should pass a new order within three months, following proper procedures and principles of natural justice.

In summary, this case highlights the importance of proper documentation and adherence to rules and procedures in tax matters. It also emphasizes the need for authorities to seek clarification and follow principles of natural justice when doubts arise during the adjudication process.

FULL TEXT OF THE CESTAT CHENNAI ORDER

The assessee is engaged in rendering erection, commissioning and installation (ECI for short) service, manpower recruitment agency service, management maintenance and repair (MMR for short) service, business auxiliary service and transport of goods by road service. There is no dispute that erection, commissioning and installation services are provided to the assessees clients situated outside India.

2.1 It appears that the Revenue had observed that while providing ECI services to their clients abroad, the assessee had earned in foreign exchange, but however, such earnings could not be repatriated into India by the assessee. It appears that the Revenue asked the assessee to explain as to the repatriation of export proceeds, to which the following explanation was given: 

Equate Petrochemicals, Kuwait had issued an order to Edac Engineering Ltd., India towards execution of turnaround maintenance contract in Kuwait represented through its local agents in Kuwait namely, Sabila Universal, for services, a company formed under law of Kuwait.

Edac India in turn has issued a sub-contract work order to Yusuf A. Alghamin & Sons, W.L.L. Kuwait (Group company of Sabila). All material procurements,providing competent and qualified man power, machinery, etc, for execution of work are under the scope of Yusuf A. Alghamin & Sons.

Invoicing for the jobs will be done directly by both Edac and Sabila on M/s. Equate Petrochemicals, Kuwait. Payments from Equate will be transferred to the account of Sabila in Gulf Bank, Kuwait as per the instructions given by them to M/s. Equate Petrochemicals, Kuwait. As Yusuf A. Alghamin & Sons is entrusted with the task of execution of jobs, Sabila is providing funding facilities for the jobs including material procurement and labor commitments. They had received only part amount and balance was adjusted/recovered by Equate against the receivables for having provided the services and supply of goods by way of invoices on Edac.

2.2 The Revenue appears to have assumed that the assessee did not receive the full amount in convertible foreign exchange with a period of six months from the date of provision of service or within such extended time as approved by the RBI.

By the above, the Revenue appears to have invoked the provisions of Rule 6(8) of the CENVAT Credit Rules, 2004 and further, assumed that if the service provider did not receive full convertible foreign exchange within the time period provided under the statute, then the service could be treated as an exempted service.

2.3 The Revenue also appears to have noticed that the assessee had not maintained separate accounts in terms of Rule 6(3) of CENVAT Credit Rules for the input services used in providing such exempted services, as envisaged under Rule 6(2) ibid. It appeared to the Revenue that the importer had claimed exemption for ECI/MMR services in their ST3 returns filed for the period from April 2014 to June 2017, by treating the same as exports. But however, assessee had not received the full amount in foreign convertible exchange, as required. This made the Revenue to believe that though the assessee was aware of service tax procedures, they did not disclose the details of the above non-receipt of foreign exchange from exports, to the Department and hence, the assessee had failed to follow the procedures prescribed under Rule 6A of the Service Tax Rules, 1994. They also appear to have noticed that the assessee had not even made Cenvat debit under Rule 6(1) of the CENVAT Credit Rules, 2004 on non-remittance of foreign exchange, but however had availed the entire CENVAT Credit for discharging Service Tax liability for the taxable output services.

3. Consequently, the Revenue issued a Show Cause Notice dated 08.07.2019 proposing inter alia as to why Service Tax should not be demanded under proviso to section 73(1) of the Finance Act, 1994, read with Rule 14(1)(ii) of the CENVAT Credit Rules, 2004.

4. The assessee appears to have filed a reply to the Show Cause Notice rebutting all allegations levelled against it and thereby justifying its stand.

5. In adjudication, the original authority, after considering the reply and upon hearing the assessee, however, vide Order-in-Original No. 18/2020 (C) dated 04.11.2020, confirmed the proposals made in the Show Cause Notice.

6. Aggrieved by the above demand in the Order-in-Original, the assessee has assailed the same in this appeal before this forum.

7.1 This appeal has been filed on the following grounds:

i. They did not utilise the inputs for export purposes and that the said inputs were used only for provision of domestic supply.

ii. They also filed a certificate from a chartered accountant to substantiate their above claim.

iii. Substantial evidence was not considered by the adjudicating authority.

iv. They had followed the requirements of Rule 6(8) in entirety.

v. The impugned order was passed on assumptions and presumptions.

vi. Extended period of limitation was invoked without any justification.

7.2 They also submitted that the lower authority had not considered the document filed in the form of chartered accountant certificate, which is against the well settled position of law as held by various judicial fora.

7.3 They also urged that the input purely belonged to the supply of taxable services within the taxable territory of India and hence, there was no question of reversal at all. Moreover, the non-receipt of foreign exchange within the time frame would take this service out of the purview of Rule 6(3) and hence no reversal under Rule 6(3) is required. This is the content of the certificate issued by the chartered accountant, but however, the same was not considered by the lower authority.

7.4 Hence, it is their contention that the original authority has passed the impugned order only on assumptions and presumptions, without considering any of the explanations offered by the assessee. Reliance has been placed on the following decision:-

Oudh Sugar Mills Ltd. v. Union of India [1978 (2) E.L.T. J172 (S.C.)]

8. Per contra, the Ld. Departmental Representative relied on the findings of the original authority.

9. We have considered the rival contentions, we have gone through the order of lower authority and we have also gone through the documents relied upon during the course of arguments.

10. The Ld. Commissioner, having afforded an opportunity to the appellant for production of documents in support, has however observed that the certificate of the chartered accountant furnished by the appellant was dated 16.09.2020, from where he has entertained a doubt that whether it was possible to conduct a thorough verification of all the invoices, ledger, etc., pertaining to three financial years in a matter of few hours.

11.1 When there is a doubt, then it is always open for the authority to seek clarification / explanation from the appellant in order to arrive at a proper finding instead of suspecting such document. It is not as though there was a serious error for which reason the certificate of the chartered accountant was not considered. Coming to a conclusion based on assumptions and presumptions is not proper. Hence, we are of the view that it will be in the interests of justice that the matter be restored to the file of the original authority for de novo adjudication. The authority shall therefore follow the principles of natural justice by affording reasonable opportunities to the appellant to produce necessary documents and evidence in support of their stand and the appellant shall also cooperate with the adjudicating authority without seeking unnecessary adjournments.

11.2 The lower authority shall pass a de novo speaking order within three months from the date of receipt of this Order by the jurisdictional Commissionerate. All the contentions are left open.

12. The appeal is allowed by way of remand.
The Wahkiakum School Districts lawsuit against the state to secure more funding for construction projects was rejected by the Washington State Supreme Court on Thursday morning, court documents show, after the judges decided it was not the states responsibility to fund these types of projects if the school district cannot pass local taxes.

The Washington State Supreme Court ruled the state and local school districts share the costs of capital projects, such as replacing roofs, upgrading HVAC systems and constructing new facilities.

The Wahkiakum School District initially brought the case to court in 2022, arguing a prior case, McCleary v. Washington, obligates the state to fund these types of projects.

Quality journalism doesn't happen without your help Support local news coverage and the people who report it by subscribing to The Daily News.

Wahkiakum School District Superintendent Brent Freeman told The Daily News last year that residents in Wahkiakum County dont make a high enough income to support local levies or bonds for the district to pay for building repairs and upgrades.

In 2020, about 70% of taxpayers rejected a proposed $28 million school bond.

This is unlike in King County, he said, where property owners have a higher average income and can afford to pay for the districts attempts to pass local taxes.

Wahkiakum School District serves about 500 students, where Seattle Public Schools had about 51,000 enrolled students in the 2022-23 school year.

The disparity has placed rural districts in an unequal position, Freeman said. As a result of failed ballot measures, Freeman said the buildings in Cathlamet are falling apart from age and lack of repair.

Its rigged in favor of the haves versus the have-nots, and the have-nots continue not to have, Freeman said.

Stay up to date on Lower Columbia news, wherever you go Easily access the latest Lower Columbia news in an app that lets you select the topics that matter most to you.

This argument did not hold sway with the state Supreme Court, as the judges unanimously decided that Washington state does not have an obligation to fund capital costs in the same way it does to fund necessary basic education materials.

Under McCleary v. Washington, the state has a legal obligation to fund essential operating expenses, which are separate from big-ticket projects.

The Washington Constitution treats capital construction costs differently from other educational costs, provides local districts with greater flexibility to raise funds for capital construction costs than for other educational costs, and allocates shared responsibility for school capital costs to the state and the local districts, Justice Gordon McCloud wrote in the majority opinion.

As a result, school capital construction costs are not a component of the education that the state, alone, must amply fund.

Still, Justice Charles Johnson acknowledged the challenges faced by rural school districts.

The common school construction fund was intended to provide money for new facilities to districts that required the states assistance, Johnson wrote in the concurring opinion. Today, that assistance is out of reach for some of the districts that need it the most.

State Superintendent Chris Reykdal said in a news release he agreed with the opinion, also pointing to a need for more state funds in general to help even out the inequities between metropolitan areas and rural school districts.

I am appreciative of the Courts efforts on this case, and I look forward to continued work with the Legislature to ensure each of our students has access to facilities that are safe, healthy, and equipped to support 21st-century learning, Reykdal said in the news release.

Reykdal said the Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction will urge state lawmakers to expand grant opportunities especially for rural communities, adjust the school construction funding model to make it more equitable and continue the transition to clean, low-cost energy in school buildings.
The Board of Natural Resources has approved the acquisition of 264 acres in Southwestern Washington, which includes a 40-acre plot in Woodland.

According to a news release, the agency is purchasing the undeveloped land that lies 20 miles east of Woodland, which will be designated to support the Common School Trust, which helps fund schools.

The land cost $230,000, and the funds will go toward kindergarten through 12th grade education across the state by auctioning off the rights to harvest the trees to a timberland company. The Department of Natural Resources also would receive some revenue as part of the deal.

Kenny Ocker, communications manager for the Department of Natural Resources, said that the plot of land in Woodland is deep down in the woods.

According to its website, the department manages 2.4 million acres of forested state trust lands  86,500 acres across Cowlitz County, Ocker said adding, lands are harvested every 60 years.

Proceeds from prior Department of Natural Resources enabled the purchase of the 40-acre plot of land near Woodland.

It is critical for my department to continue to sustainably support schools and critical local services and to keep working forests working for generations to come, and these transactions will do exactly that, Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz said in a statement.

The Department of Natural Resources also received a 14-acre parcel of forestland along Buncombe Hollow Road south of Lake Merwin; the land will also support the Common School Trust; the news release states.
The state ecology department has awarded a regional river recovery group $5.4 million to help restore floodplains on the Lewis River, which officials say will fully fund a widescale effort to reverse the damage brought upon an essential waterway through decades of mining, floods and rising temperatures.

The Washington state Department of Ecology last week announced $63 million in grants to 12 groups across the state, all of which focused on flood risk mitigation and ecological restoration.

One of these grants, which ranged in amount from $237,000 to $10 million, will go to the Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership for a long-awaited restoration project on the lower East Fork Lewis River.

This is a very exciting bucket list restoration project for people who love fishing, live along the East Fork, or for businesses that operate along the East Fork, because it fixes some serious water quality and erosion issues, Jasmine Zimmer-Stucky, public affairs and legislative specialist with the partnership, said in an interview.

Quality journalism doesn't happen without your help Support local news coverage and the people who report it by subscribing to The Daily News.

What gets funded

Slated to begin early next year, the project would include regrading the floodplains that have been severely impacted by gravel mining and development, the Department of Ecology said in a news release last week.

The partnerships plan is to remove four levees, relocate public infrastructure and return the meandering river channel, the department said.

The $5.4 million grant was awarded to help reduce flood and erosion risk along 3 miles of the lower East Fork Lewis River, the largest tributary of the Lewis River. With this additional funding, the group has reached its goal of raising $20 million needed to fund the floodplain reclamation project, the Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership wrote in a news release.

This funding marks the culmination of decades of work by numerous individuals and organizations who share our vision of restoring the East Fork Lewis River, the partnership said in the news release.

Other grant sources include $7.06 million awarded in 2022 by the Washington Recreation Conservation Offices Salmon Recovery Funding Board and $7.5 million that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration recommended in April, the Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership said.

Quality journalism doesn't happen without your help Support local news coverage and the people who report it by subscribing to The Daily News.

We are working with partners across the state to improve the resiliency of Washingtons floodplains so that we can protect community health, safety and the environment, Ecology Director Laura Watson said in the news release. Floodplains are essential. They provide important habitat for salmon, rich soil for farms, and remarkable opportunities for recreation and enjoying nature.

A broken river channel

Instream gravel mining from 1930 and 1975 had significant impacts on the floodplains, according to Devan Rostorfer, a water quality specialist with the Department of Ecology, who authored a river restoration plan in October 2021.

Much of the large wood that occupied the river was removed, and some of the floodplains were filled over time. Entire sections of the channel are no longer connected, Rostorfer wrote in the report, and the lack of wood in the system makes it harder for salmon to find safe places for egg-laying.

A significant flood in 1996 only worsened these conditions and made erosion more likely, Zimmer-Stucky said. When the river flooded, the high waters broke through a levee separating the river from quarry gravel. Once floodwaters scooped up gravel across nine abandoned pits, the unnatural material became part of the natural river channel.

You have this amazing, free-flowing natural river system, Zimmer-Stucky said. Then you go around a bend, and all of a sudden you are in what feels like a pond or stream.

The rivers purpose

The East Fork Lewis River produces relatively high numbers of steelhead and salmon populations, according to advocacy group Friends of the East Fork Lewis River. Much of the salmonid fish production in the Columbia River Basin comes from these critical tributaries across Southwest Washington, according to a study done by the Bonneville Power Administration.

With the changes brought on by the 1996 flood, the East Fork started to see areas of slow, warm water that benefit predatory fish, as opposed to cold-water fish like salmon, according to a project report from the Salmon Recovery Funding Board.

That was a huge detriment to the salmon, steelhead and lamprey populations that rely on the river, Zimmer-Stucky said.

Water quality has a direct and sometimes immediate effect on salmon recovery in the East Fork Lewis River, Rostorfer said in the restoration report. Channel stability, habitat diversity and cold temperatures are three important factors for salmons survival.

Implementing projects to address warm water temperatures and improve low instream flows are important to support salmon recovery, Rostorfer said.

Risks to salmon habitat restoration ties in with other issues ecologists face at this fork of the river.

The East Fork relies on the Troutdale Aquifer as a main source of streamflow to the river, according to Rostorfer, and the aquifer is the sole source of drinking water for Clark County residents. Higher water consumption, increased air temperatures and decreased snowmelt have factored into streamflow issues seen in the east fork, the report states.

An aspect of the project proposed by the Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership would involve reconnecting floodplains and removing levees, which was identified as a solution to these streamflow issues, Rostorfer said in the report.

These projects have the ability to help restore natural watershed and sediment processes and improve river dynamics, Rostorfer said.

Some of these problems could take until 2075 for the river system to fix on its own, according to the Department of Ecology report.

State efforts

The Department of Ecologys total $63 million in flood project funding has come from the Floodplains by Design program, which launched in 2013 and has since funneled $283 million to support 57 floodplain projects to reduce flood risks in 18 counties, according to the Department of Ecology.

The program also helped connect 7,925 acres of wetlands and riparian forests to rivers in Washington, protect 5,476 acres of land and restore 71 miles of salmon habitat. Flood risks to 3,084 homes and structures have been lowered in part because of this funding, according to Floodplains by Design.

What sets Floodplains by Design apart is the flexibility of funding and the unique public-private partnership to keep the program responsive to community needs, Kas Guilleozet, senior watershed director at Bonneville Environmental Foundation, said in a statement. These projects are helping Washington build much-needed resilience to climate change.

The Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership is currently sponsoring 10 habitat restoration projects throughout the Lower Columbia River system, according to an interactive map on its website.
An iPhone belonging to a staffer at a Washington-based civil society organization was hacked remotely with spyware created by Israel's NSO Group.

The hack was discovered last week and reported to Apple Inc., which moved quickly to investigate and patch the breach, according to John Scott-Railton, a senior researcher with Citizen Lab at the University of Toronto's Munk School.

NSO Group has been sanctioned by the US since 2021 due to its Pegasus hacking tool, which has been used by some governments to target journalists and dissidents beyond their borders. It is a so-called zero-click hack, in which the user doesn't need to click on a link in order for malware to install software that can turn phones into real-time surveillance devices.

The gravity of the attack, which is a zero click, combined with the fact that it was being actively used in the wild against civil society makes it clear that this is the kind of thing that needs to be taken really seriously and prioritized, and we're glad that Apple did that, Scott-Railton said in an interview.

Citizen Lab called the exploit chain BLASTPASS in a blog post on Thursday, and said it was capable of compromising iPhones running the latest version of Apple's operating system without any interaction from the victim. A spokesperson for Apple confirmed the account.

We are unable to respond to any allegations that do not include any supporting research, a spokesperson forNSO Group said. The company has previously said Pegasus doesn't work on phone numbers with the 1 county code used in the US and Canada.

Citizen Lab did not identify the targeted individual or organization. Earlier this year, the research group found that NSO Group had used at least three zero-click methods to hack civil society groups, and the company's tools have been linked to spying on prominent figures in Armenia, including a United Nations official.

In reporting the latest breach, Citizen Lab recommended everyone who may face increased risk because of who they are or what they do to enable Lockdown Mode on their devices. Lockdown Mode severely restricts apps and features on a person's phone  for example blocking most message attachments.

The report comes as NSO Group has faced increased scrutiny around the world. On Thursday, Poland's Senate published the results of an investigation into the use of Pegasus during the 2019 parliamentary elections that found violations of constitutional standards and said the vote was not fair due to the use of the spyware.

In August, the Israeli government announced that it had set up a commission to investigate whether police misused spyware, including applications made by NSO Group, in criminal investigations.

(Updates with additional information from NSO Group in sixth paragraph. A previous version of the story corrected the headline to remove that it was a US phone.)
The universe is full of surprises and asteroids are included. In fact, they have shocked and awed humanity for eons. Our Space agencies keep a close watch on them as they have crashed against Earth and left a trail of destruction. Space agencies like NASA and ESA have discovered more than tens of thousands of asteroids till now. In order to be prepared for any disaster caused by asteroids, it is necessary to keep tracking them. Therefore, NASA and ESA are constantly keeping an eye on these asteroids that threaten to approach Earth a little too closely. And one such asteroid did just that.

Asteroid C9FMVU2

Astronomers and space enthusiasts held their breath as a tiny, newly discovered asteroid, designated Asteroid C9FMVU2, paid a visit to our planet on September 7. This celestial visitor, measuring just 6.5 feet wide (2 meters), approached incredibly close to Earth.

At precisely 10:25 a.m. EDT (1425 GMT), Asteroid C9FMVU2 zipped past our planet, coming within an astonishing 2,500 miles (4,000 kilometers) of the Earth's surface. That is 100 times closer than the Moon. Also Read: 5 near-Earth asteroids approaching Earth at fearsome speeds! Know their size, distance and more

Thankfully, despite its proximity, there was no reason to panic. The European Space Agency (ESA) reassured the public that the small size of the asteroid posed no threat to our planet.

Yesterday, ESA operations posted this on its X handle, In under 2 hours, a tiny asteroid discovered just this morning will make a Close Approach of Earth, 100 times closer than the Moon and well below many Earth-orbiting satellites. "It poses no risk to us, but Earth's gravity will shape its onward trajectory forever," - Richard Moissl ESA's Head of Planetary Defence.

Hazardous asteroids

Astronomers have identified over 30,000 near-Earth asteroids, objects that traverse space in close proximity to our planet's orbit. However, only approximately 2,300 of these are classified as potentially hazardous by NASA. To earn this designation, an asteroid must be wider than 460 feet (140 meters) and follow an orbit that brings it within 20 lunar distances of Earth. Even smaller asteroids can inflict significant damage if they collide with our planet. For instance, the 65-foot-wide (20 m) Chelyabinsk asteroid, which exploded above southern Russia in 2013, shattered thousands of windows and injured about 1,400 people with flying glass shards.

Given the potential risks, astronomers are diligently mapping out the population of space rocks near Earth. This ongoing effort aims to ensure that humanity remains prepared for any unexpected collisions.
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 platform formerly known as Twitter argues in a federal lawsuit that it is wrong for California to make the Elon Musk owned platform publicly post its policies about moderating disinformation and other abuses.

Elon Musk's X Corp.on Friday sued the state of California over a law requiring social media companies to publicly post their policies regarding hate speech, disinformation, harassment and extremism.

The parent company of X, formerly known as Twitter, argued in a federal suit that the law referred to as AB 587 violates its free speech rights.

"The true intent of AB 587 is to pressure social media platforms to eliminate certain constitutionally-protected content viewed by the State as problematic," the suit contended.

"The state is compelling social media companies to take public positions on controversial and politically charged issues."

The suit railed against the law, which requires social media companies to publicly post policies regarding hate speech, disinformation, harassment and extremism on their platforms, and report data on their enforcement of the policies.

"California will not stand by as social media is weaponized to spread hate and disinformation that threaten our communities and foundational values as a country," California Governor Gavin Newsom said when he signed the bill into law a year ago.

"Californians deserve to know how these platforms are impacting our public discourse, and this action brings much-needed transparency and accountability to the policies that shape the social media content we consume every day."

Musk early this week said he is considering suing the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), a leading anti-hate group, arguing that its accusations of anti-Semitism have led X to lose revenue.

Musk accused the US-based Jewish organization of making unfounded complaints against him and X that have scared away advertisers.

"Advertisers avoid controversy, so all that is needed for ADL to crush our US & European ad revenue is to make unfounded accusations," Musk wrote in a long X thread that started with a clarification that he favors free speech but is "against anti-Semitism of any kind."

In a 2016 report, the ADL said anti-Semitic attacks against journalists had exploded on Twitter, "thanks to the rhetoric in the 2016 presidential campaign."

It accused the social network of failing to control its "trolling problem."

Billionaire Musk has been accused of fueling anti-Semitic tropes, including attacks against Jewish philanthropist George Soros.

According to the ADL and the Center for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH), problematic and racist speech has sharply risen on X since Musk completed his $44 billion takeover in October.

Since then, the Tesla boss has fired thousands of the platform's employees, cut content moderation and reinstated former president Donald Trump's account.

Last month, Musk sued the CCDH, accusing it of a smear campaign that damaged the social network's relationship with advertisers.

 2023 AFP
(CNN)  Kim Jong Un attended a paramilitary parade with his daughter to mark the 75th anniversary of North Koreas founding on Saturday, the countrys state media have reported.

Paramilitary forces and industrial workers marched down Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang as part of the parade, the Korean Central News Agency reported.

Kim attended the parade with his daughter, who is believed to be called Kim Ju Ae, and received congratulatory letters from Chinas Xi Jinping and Russias Vladimir Putin, according to KCNA.

A Chinese delegation, led by Vice Premier Liu Guozhong, and visiting members of the Russian Army Academic Ensemble Alexandrov were in attendance, KCNA said, adding that diplomatic envoys stationed in Pyongyang had also been invited.

In Putins letter, according to KCNA, the Russian leader wrote that relations between the two countries have invariably developed on the principle of friendship, good neighborliness and mutual respect, adding that he believes they will expand the bilateral ties in all respects in a planned way by pooling efforts.

This fully conforms with the interests of the peoples of our two countries and will contribute to ensuring security and stability in the Korean peninsula and Northeast Asia, Putin wrote, according to KCNA.

In Xis letter, according to KCNA, the Chinese leader said his country was ready to strengthen the strategic communication, deepen the working-level cooperation and promote the China-DPRK relations with Pyongyang.

This story was first published on CNN.com, "Kim Jong Un and his daughter celebrate North Koreas 75th anniversary. Xi and Putin send their regards"
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

Credit: CC0 Public Domain

Artificial intelligence (AI) relies on its creators for training, otherwise known as "machine learning." Machine learning is the process by which the machine generates its intelligence through outside input.

But its behavior is determined by the information it is provided. And at the moment, AI is a white male dominated field.

How can we ensure the evolution of AI doesn't further encroach on Indigenous rights and data sovereignty?

AI risks to Indigenous art

AI has the ability to generate art, and anyone can "create" Indigenous art using this machine. Even before AI, Aboriginal art has widely been appropriated and reproduced without attribution or acknowledgement, particularly for tourism industries.

And this could worsen with people now being able to generate art through AI. This is an issue not just experienced by Indigenous people, with many artists affected by their art styles being misappropriated.

Indigenous art is embedded with history and connects to culture and Country. AI-created Indigenous art would lack this. There are also implications for financial gain bypassing Indigenous artists and going to the producers of the technology.

Including Indigenous people in creating AI or deciding what AI can learn, could help minimize exploitation of Indigenous artists and their art.

What is Indigenous data sovereignty?

In Australia there is a long history of collecting data 'about' Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. But there has been little data collected 'for' or 'with' Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Aboriginal scholars Maggie Walter and Jacon Prehn write of this in the context of the growing Indigenous Data Sovereignty movement.

Indigenous Data Sovereignty is concerned with the rights of Indigenous peoples to own, control, access and possess their own data, and decide who to give it to. Globally, Indigenous peoples are pushing for formal agreements on Indigenous Data Sovereignty.

Many Indigenous people are concerned with how the data involving our knowledge and cultural practices is being used. This has resulted in some Indigenous lawyers finding ways to integrate intellectual property with cultural rights.

Maori scholar Karaitiana Taiuru says:

"If Indigenous peoples don't have sovereignty of their own data, they will simply be re-colonized in this information society."

How mob have been using AI

Indigenous people are already collaborating on research that draws on Indigenous knowledge and involves AI.

In the wetlands of Kakadu, rangers are using AI and Indigenous knowledge to care for Country.

A weed called para grass is having a negative impact on magpie geese, which have been in decline. While the Kakadu rangers are doing their best to control the issue, the sheer size of the area (two million hectares), makes this difficult.

Collecting and analyzing information about magpie geese and the impact of para grass using drones is having a positive influence on goose numbers.

Projects like these are vital given the loss of biodiversity around the globe that is causing species extinctions and ecosystem loss at alarming rates. As a result of this collaboration thousands of magpie geese are returning to Country to roost.

This project involves Traditional land owners (collectively known as Bininj in the north of Kakadu National Park and Mungguy in the south) working with rangers and researchers to help protect the environment and preserve biodiversity.

By working with Traditional Owners, monitoring systems were able to be programmed with geographically-specific knowledge, not otherwise recorded, reflecting the connection of Indigenous people with the land. This collaboration highlights the need to ensure Indigenous-led approaches.

In another example, in Sanikiluaq, an Inuit community in Nunavut, Canada, a project called PolArtic uses scientific data with Indigenous knowledge to assess the location of, and manage, fisheries.

Changing climate patterns are affecting the availability of fish, and this is another example where Indigenous knowledge are providing solutions for biodiversity issues caused by the global climate crisis.

Indigital is an Indigenous-owned profit-for-purpose company founded by Dharug, Cabrogal innovator Mikaela Jade. Jade has worked with traditional owners of Kakadu to use augmented reality to tell their stories on Country.

Indigital is also providing pathways for mob who are keen to learn more about digital technologies and combine them with their knowledge.

Future challenges and opportunities for Indigenous inclusion

Although AI is a powerful tool, it is limited by the data which inform it. The success of the above projects is because AI was informed by Indigenous knowledge, provided by Indigenous knowledge holders who have a long held ancestral relationship with the land, animals and environment.

Research indicates AI is a white male-dominated industry. A global study found 12% of professionals across all levels were female, with only 4% being people of color. Indigenous participation was not noted.

In early June, the Australian government's Safe and Responsible AI in Australia discussion paper found racial and gender biases evident in AI. Racial biases occurred, the paper found, in situations such as where AI had been used to predict criminal behavior.

The purpose of the study was to seek feedback on how to lessen potential risks of harm from AI. Advisory groups and consultation processes were raised as possibilities to address this, but not explored in any real depth.

Indigenous knowledge have a lot to offer in the development of new technologies including AI. Art is part of our cultures, ceremonies, and identity. AI-generated art presents the risk of mass reproduction without Indigenous input or ownership, and misrepresentation of culture.

The federal government needs to consider Indigenous Knowledge informing the machine learning informing AI, supporting data sovereignty. There is an opportunity for Australia to become a global leader in pursuing technology advancement ethically.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
A law passed during Texas 88th legislative session this past spring will require Brazos County, along with 89 other counties, to increase its election-day polling locations as many already struggle to secure suitable buildings, and recruit and train polling staff.

Senate Bill 924 was signed into law by Gov. Greg Abbott on June 6 and went into effect on Sept. 1. The bill was authored by state Sen. Drew Springer, a Republican, and passed through both chambers solely on Republican votes. The bill was originally meant to allow small counties not participating in countywide voting to combine precincts with under 10,000 registered voters. Countywide voting allows residents to vote at any polling location within their county even if it is not within their precinct.

However, the bills sole amendment  authored by state Rep. John Bucy III, a Democrat  changed how counties using countywide voting calculated their number of polling locations, resulting in a significant increase for many.

In a statement to The Eagle, Bucy said the amendment was intended to stop counties from limiting their number of voting locations.

My amendment was intended to prevent polling place closures in counties that use countywide polling, Bucy said in a statement. The effect of the legislation without it would have been to reduce the minimum number of vote centers required, which is currently proportional to how many precincts are in a county. We must continue to increase access to the ballot box and ensure every Texan can vote freely, safely and equally.

Brazos County Elections Administrator Trudy Hancock said finding enough new poll workers and locations will be tough, but that the recently created vote center review committee is already working on it and the county hopes to have at least eight additional election day locations for 2024. The Texas presidential primary is March 5, 2024.

There are 25 voting centers in Brazos County, according to the city of Bryans website.

Weve already done a lot of work not knowing that [SB 924] was going to come around, she said. We have already started looking for locations. Were in the process of, before the 2024 election cycle, trying to add eight locations.

Since the new law only applies to primary and general elections, Hancock said it will not affect the voting locations for this upcoming November election, but that securing enough new locations to participate by then will be difficult.

We have a long list of places that have already denied us access or refused to contract with us for their facility, she said. If theyre privately owned theres really nothing we can do about that. When you look for a polling place there are lots of requirements for those things: adequate parking, ADA requirements, access to the building [and] adequately sized room, then the equipment that we need to have there and staff. So theres more that goes into a location than just finding a location.

Given the new costs that new locations, equipment and workers will require, Hancock said some additional funds have already been planned for.

Equipment itself is $254,000 and then we would also have to buy additional pole pads which are over $34,000 [in total], she said. So, yes were already in the process of getting that stuff ordered and set up and delivered so it can be paid out of this years budget.

Since the law will be in effect for the 2024 primary elections that means that both the local Democratic and Republican parties will have to find new poll workers and Brazos County Republican Party Chair Elianor Vessalli said she has already looked into having younger residents work the polls.

I know our election code allows for a certain amount of young people, students, to be involved and I think that would be great to involve high schoolers who are of age in the process, Vessalli said. Ive verbally introduced that idea but we havent had a chance to kind of bring all of that together and I know CSIS has a new superintendent so thats something thats on my to-do list.

Although the new law presents a challenge for both parties and the county, Vessalli said she believes they will be able to solve the issue.

Im confident that were going to be able to work together, she said. Weve done that before for the locations that we have and the community has always stepped up when it comes to the volunteers. Its going to take a little bit of legwork to staff that many but Im also confident that well be able to do it.

Brazos County Democratic Party chair Thomas Cavaness said in a statement to The Eagle that although he does not agree with the original reasoning behind the bill, he believes greater voter access is a good thing, even if it means work in finding workers and locations.

Historically, it has been difficult to fill the required election worker spots and this new mandate from the State will only make this more difficult; this affects both parties, Cavaness said.

Cavaness said he and the local Democratic party plan to develop a qualified set of poll workers for the 2024 primary elections.

Despite the challenges of poll worker recruitment, the Brazos County Democratic Party will work to recruit the most diverse group of poll workers that we have ever had.  2024 is a pivotal year for Texas politics. Democracy is on the line and Democrats will not stop fighting.

Residents looking to become poll workers for either party can reach out to each partys office via their respective websites at https://www.brazosdems.org/ orhttps://brazosgop.org/.
When Naveen Cunha first started the robotics program at Stephen F. Austin Middle School in Bryan six years ago, he had a road show.

Parent nights at elementary schools and visits with counselors were must-stops to gain attention and interest since there was hesitancy about a new program.

Now were at the point people are contacting us saying, when do applications open? Cunha said.

Cunhas cultivation of a successful robotics program for eighth graders has allowed students to win awards at state and even national competitions. Now, the teacher himself is up for a state award.

Cunha is one of three finalists for the Texas Association of School Administrators (TASA) 2024 Texas Secondary Teacher of the Year. He is up against Schrundagale Griffith, a sixth-grade math teacher in Longview, and Cynthia Hopkins, a middle school science teacher in Corpus Christi. The winner will be announced on Oct. 20 during an event in Round Rock.

It was a little bit overwhelming, Cunha said. Ive been in the profession for a while and our programs gotten awards, but this one in particular, its recognition from your colleagues.

Teaching wasnt even on Cunhas radar when he graduated with a degree in geology from the University of Texas at Austin in 1986, but the oil market fell that year and there were few jobs in his field. Cunha went to graduate school for a year, but going and digging in dirt by himself wasnt appealing. Learning about rocks got him going, so the son and grandson of teachers entered the world of education as a way to keep learning. Cunhas classroom experience is now 33 years.

He spent time away from the classroom for a fellowship with NASA and to teach teachers in Houston, but was eventually drawn back to teaching kids. Cunha came to SFA in 2007 and is now the coordinator of the districts science technology engineering and math (STEM) academy.

Its been great seeing these things develop and the interest from the kids, community and the support from the community as well as the school district in trying to provide these opportunities for kids in this area, Cunha said.

Problem solving and teamwork are the bread and butter of Cunhas project-based robotics classes, traits that he said can be applied to any situation.

If you can do those two things, you can pretty much excel at any career, Cunha said.

SFAs robotics program is a part of the Technology Student Association, a national group with over 300,000 members in the middle and high school ranks.

SFA students have often qualified for the national competition, which is held in a different state each year. The class has also competed in underwater robotics for the last four years, which Cunha noted is an international competition that had participants from eight different countries at last years national meet in Maryland.

Getting them interested and the desire to learn more has been my goal and we try to instill that in our program, Cunha said.

The process for Cunha to be selected as a statewide finalist began last March when nominations were taken for campus teacher of the year. He was later chosen as the Bryan school districts teacher of the year. In August, Cunha was picked as the Region 6 teacher of the year from a pool of 64 districts that encompass the Brazos Valley and northeast counties of Houston. There are 20 regions in Texas.

Whether Cunha wins or not, he said he views this not just as a recognition, but also an opportunity to keep learning from some of the states best educators and pass along their insight with teachers at his own school.

I know they exist all over, Cunha said of high-level teachers. We have them on our campus. We have them in our district. We have them around the state. Theres a lot of people that put in a lot of work and effort into trying, which is why I talked about being a representative. Im not just representing me. Im representing SFA, representing Bryan ISD, maybe even representing the state of Texas.
LINCOLN  The Nebraska Corn Board has opened the internship application period for five internship experiences beginning in May 2024.

The internships vary in location, focus and scope but are designed to provide students with an overview of Nebraskas corn industry through real-world professional examples and experiences.

Four of the five internships are summer-long experiences that are based outside of Nebraska. These four experiences are with cooperating partners of NCB. The remaining position is a yearlong internship where one student will work in the Nebraska Corn office in Lincoln.

Internship opportunities for 2024  2025:

 Communications and Event Management Internship, hosted by Nebraska Corn in Lincoln from May 2024 through May 2025.

 Event Management Internship, hosted by the U.S. Grains Council in Washinton, D.C.; summer 2024.

 Communications and Investor Relations Internship, hosted by the National Corn Growers Association in St. Louis; summer 2024.

 Public Policy and Analysis Internship, hosted by the National Corn Growers Association in St. Louis; summer 2024.

 Promotion and International Relations Internship, hosted by the U.S. Meat Export Federation in Denver; summer 2024.

Students today are vying for a high-energy, motivating and hands-on opportunity to grow their knowledge and skills, and these internships provide exactly that, said Kelly Brunkhorst, executive director of Nebraska Corn. Each of these internships are designed with students in mind who will excel and grow their skillsets to leave college prepared for the working force. Our goal is to assist in their development and career aspirations.

Nebraska Corn internships are open to all college students, with a preference given to students enrolled in colleges or universities located in Nebraska. The application process can be found online at https://nebraskacorn.gov/internships/. The submission deadline is Friday, Oct. 13.
LINCOLN  The field in the second annual Coolest Thing Made in Nebraska tournament has narrowed to eight products. Round one garnered more than 30,000 votes from across the state.

Public voting for the top eight products in the bracket-style competition will be run through 11:59 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 10.

Manufacturers, students and all Nebraskans are invited to vote for their favorite product manufactured in Nebraska each week through the month of September at nemanufacturingalliance.com. Each voter is permitted one vote per matchup, per round.

The top eight contenders are:

Chocolate Meltaways, Bakers Candies, Greenwood

Endicott Invisi-Lug Clay Paver, Endicott Clay Products Company, Endicott

Fire Truck, Danko Emergency Equipment, Snyder

Flyover Whiskey, Flyover Whiskey, West Point

Geothermal Greenhouse, Greenhouse in the Snow-Antioch Machine Shop, Alliance

Ignis, Drone Amplifed, Lincoln

Ram Air Turbine (RAT) Hub, Collins Aerospace, York

Rocket Mobility All-Terrain Tracked Wheelchair, Rocket Mobility, Columbus

The contest, hosted by the NE Manufacturing Alliance and powered by the NE Chamber and Nebraska Public Power District  together with your local public power utility, celebrates the states thriving manufacturing industry with Nebraska residents, students, educators, community leaders, manufacturers and especially, the more than 100,000 Nebraska makers working in manufacturing every day.

The tournament leads Nebraskans into the annual celebration of NE Manufacturing Month this October. The champion will be announced Oct. 10 at the NE Chambers Manufacturing Summit in La Vista, where the top 16 finalists will be invited to display their products.
A documentary film about a Grand Island German Jewish immigrant who helped hundreds of people before the Holocaust is currently in development. The film is supported by the Hall County Historical Society and the Institute for Holocaust Education, an agency of the Jewish Federation of Omaha.

While not nationally famous, some Grand Island natives might have heard of David Kaufmann.

Kaufmann was a local businessman, the proprietor of Kaufmanns department store, the Grand Theatre and he was the president of the commercial National Bank in the 1930s. Kaufmann was treasurer for the Hall County Historical Society, as well as one of its founding members.

Kaufmann was also a civic leader and philanthropist, seeking to help people where he could. While Kaufmann received the 1934 Community Service Award in Grand Island, he did his philanthropy quietly and never sought out recognition.

Kaufmann would even offer help for more personal issues. Hall County Historical Society Secretary Annette Davis recalled a time when she was a young girl and Kaufmann had helped her.

When Davis was out with her father, she had lost her purse and life savings, which she said was probably not more than a dollar and a half. When they went to the financial office, Kaufmann came to help.

Though the purse had been turned in, Kaufmann poured the change into his hand and counted it to make sure nothing was taken. If there was some missing, Kaufmann was going to give Davis the amount.

He didn't want me to suffer financial loss but it was so compassionate, said Davis. He was so kind about knowing that I lost my life savings, it really impressed me, I'll never forget it.

While Kaufmann was known to help those in the community, some of his most important humanitarian work was done for people outside of Nebraska.

Kaufmann was not only born and raised in Germany, but he was also Jewish. With a rise in anti-Semitism and limited career opportunities, Kaufmann decided to immigrate to America and was able to become a successful businessman.

Kaufmann was able to get away from the Nazi regime on his own, but other Jewish people were unable to do so. To help with that, Kaufmann financially sponsored at least 80 Jewish families who were fleeing Germany in the lead-up to World War II.

According to Hall County Historical Society Vice President Michelle Setlik, after the Immigration Act of 1924, Germany's immigration quota was 26,000 people after it took over Austria.

In 1938, there were 160,000 people on the list, said Setlik. And by 1939, there were over 300,000 people on the list wanting to get out of Germany (and immigrate) to the United States.

Immigrants also had to go through an intensive process, which included having a financial sponsor. Through sponsoring, Setlik estimates that Kaufmann saved around 200 people in the late 1930s.

While Kaufmann never spoke publicly about his sponsoring, the families never forgot what he had done for them. Neither did the generations that have followed.

Scott Littky didnt know much about the story of Kaufmann until he became the executive director of the Institute for Holocaust Education. That was when Littky learned that a family hes known for around 35 years were helped by Kaufmann.

Littky said that in many ways, Kaufmann rescued those Jewish families from Germany. If not for Kaufmann, those people could have been victims of the Holocaust.

(Kaufmann) did what many people did not do, said Littky. Meaning that he reached out and used his ability, because of his success, to help other people and it's (really something) we need to see more of in this world.

Though many do not know of Kaufmanns actions, people will get to learn about them soon. Supported by Hall County Historical Society and the Institute for Holocaust Education, Chimney Rock Media is making a documentary film about Kaufmanns story.

According to Setlik, various locations in Grand Island and Omaha will be filmed for the project. There will also be interviews from members of the Hall County Historical Society, people that have history with Kaufmann, and members of the families Kaufmann sponsored.

According to the Chimney Rock Media website, the film will be 50 minutes long. Hall County Historical Society President Fred Roeser said that he expects the film to be released next summer and be screened in Grand Island.

Were trying to memorialize him and let everybody know all the good things that David Kaufmann did, said Roeser. So many people really dont know about his life at all.

There is also a plan to make the film available to Nebraska schools to incorporate into their curriculum once the project is finished, according to Setlik.

The Hall County Historical Society has been raising funds for the project, with people being able to donate in-person at 603 N. Plum St. or online at HallNEhistory.com. The Chimney Rock Media website will also accept donations through the Institute for Holocaust Education.

Most of us have more good thoughts than we have bad ones, and all we have to do is follow the good thoughts, Kaufmann said in his acceptance speech of the community service award, according to Setlik. The handicap is that often the good thoughts are not followed by required action.
(CNN)  The nominee to be the US militarys most senior general warned US airmen in a letter this week that the Chinese military wants to exploit your knowledge and skill to fill gaps in their military capability.

Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Charles Q. Brown, who has been nominated to replace Gen. Mark Milley as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said in the letter that foreign companies are targeting and recruiting US and NATO-training military talent to train Chinas Peoples Liberation Army.

By essentially training the trainer, many of those who accept contracts with these foreign companies are eroding our national security, putting the very safety of their fellow servicemembers and the country at risk, and may be violating the law, Brown said. Just as I am asking for your help, I have also asked for help from our allied Air Chiefs to address the same issue within their ranks.

Protecting our national defense information is the responsibility of each servicemember and veteran, he added.

The note from Brown was first reported by The Washington Post.

Concerns over western pilots training Chinas military has grown in recent years, as Australia, the United Kingdom, and New Zealand  all members of the Five Eyes intelligence sharing alliance, which includes the US  have taken steps to prevent former military pilots from offering their expertise to Beijing.

Last October, the UK Ministry of Defense said it believed up to 30 former British military pilots were providing training in China and that many others have been approached, including pilots who were still serving.

We are taking decisive steps to stop Chinese recruitment schemes attempting to headhunt serving and former UK Armed Forces pilots to train Peoples Liberation Army personnel in the Peoples Republic of China, a ministry spokesperson said at the time.

One month later, Australias defense minister, Richard Marles, said reports of Australian pilots providing military training to China necessitated a review of current safety procedures because Defense activities, people and assets are targets for Foreign Intelligence Services.

A former US fighter pilot has also been indicted over allegations that he has been training Chinese pilots how to land on aircraft carriers  a skill he was taught in his own military training. He has denied the allegations, saying he was only training Chinese civilian pilots seeking to improve their skills. And recently, two Navy sailors were arrested and indicted for allegedly sending classified information to Chinese intelligence officers.

This story was first published on CNN.com, "Senior US general warns China is seeking to exploit US service members to strengthen its military"
OMAHA  The Nebraska Business Development Center, has hired a new executive director  just the third in the centers nearly 50-year history.

Dan Curran, who most recently served as the executive director of Intern Nebraska + Powered by Aksarben, will take over as NBDC statewide director on Nov. 1.

Im looking forward to working with Nebraskas small business entrepreneurs and innovators, Curran said. These companies form the core of Nebraskas economy and the talented NBDC staff provide critical programming to help them grow and flourish.

Curran will replace Cathy Lang, who is retiring from NBDC at the end of 2023 after serving as its executive director since 2016.

The center is affiliated with the University of Nebraska at Omahas College of Business Administration.

An essential part of our mission as UNOs College of Business Administration is to advance prosperity in our region, and NBDC is a driver of economic opportunity in Nebraska, said Michelle W. Trawick, John Becker Dean of the College of Business Administration at UNO.

We needed to hire the right person to take the reins after Cathys regenerative leadership at NBDC. Dan is that person. He has spent his entire career working to make Nebraska prosper, and I couldnt be more pleased that his next step will be with us here at the University of Nebraska, where we work to advance the entire state.

The Nebraska Business Development Center has five programs supporting Nebraska business owners through no-cost, confidential consulting and resource referral services.

In 2022, NBDC consultants served more than 2,000 clients, leading to an impact of $343.8 million to the Nebraska economy through job creation, business investments, sales increases, and government contract awards.

NBDC is a center of the University of Nebraska at Omaha with offices located across the state. The services offered are available to any business owner or entrepreneur wanting to start, grow, or operate a business in Nebraska.

Curran was named executive director of Intern Nebraska  Powered by Aksarben in May of 2023. Prior to this role, he worked for the Nebraska Department of Economic Development for more than 29 years. For the last six years of his tenure, he served as deputy director of programs where he managed agency programs for domestic and international business recruitment, direct foreign investment, innovation, business retention and expansion, housing, community development and marketing. He oversaw a staff of more than 80 employees situated across Nebraska.

To learn more or to access NBDCs services, visit nbdc.unomaha.edu.
EDGEFIELD  As part of its 2023 investment in wild turkey research, the NWTF is helping fund a unique project out of the University of Tennessee examining potential factors that may be causing wild turkey eggs to fail to hatch.

We were stunned to find out how many of these eggs were fertilized, but for various reasons including hens being killed or bumped off the nest, they failed to hatch.

These are the words of an excited-yet-perplexed Richard Gerhold, Ph.D., associate professor focusing on parasitology and wildlife diseases at the University of Tennessees Department of Biomedical and Diagnostic Sciences. Gerhold is the principal investigator of the NWTF co-funded project.

For the last eight years, Gerhold and his colleagues at UT have been assisting the Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency with understanding why wild turkeys are declining in parts of the state. The UT researchers were specifically examining the effect diseases and parasites may have on the birds on a population level.

Gerhold says theres no smoking gun, but if anything, diseases may exacerbate other unknown factors causing the decline.

Turkey eggs Once eggs are collected, the research team will record various data, including if the eggs are from a nest where other eggs have hatched, have

In addition, while better understanding the effect diseases have on wild turkeys, especially on a population level, is ongoing and critical, a new aspect of studying wild turkeys is hatching out of UT.

One of our master students was finding unhatched eggs, and while we were examining them, you would see a yolk and a fertilization disc, and the assumption was that this egg just wasnt fertilized, Gerhold said.

However, Laura Horton, who is a Ph.D. student in the Gerhold lab, came across this paper recently published out of the London Zoo. What they found  that I just found so interesting  was that somewhere in the 70% range of eggs that were initially considered unfertilized were actually fertilized, and for some reason, there was early embryonic death. And I was like, OK, we definitely need to do this work with wild turkey eggs.

Examining wild turkey eggs in this way is entirely new in wild turkey management, and the results could be illuminating. Unhatched eggs will be analyzed for what may be causing early embryonic death. For instance, they will be tested for aflatoxins and neonicotinoids as well as other potent infectious and noninfectious diseases. The data will also be analyzed and compared as a function of state-specific data, such as spring season start dates, bag limits, season length and other factors, to see if there is any influence of causing a failed hatch.

The project will occur between the 2024-26 wild turkey nesting seasons. While the work is happening in Tennessee, the research findings may have applications beyond state lines. In fact, many state wildlife agencies are participating in Gerholds project.

Various state wildlife agencies will gather unhatched eggs either by nest searching, word of mouth by the public or finding nests of radio-tagged hens as part of other ongoing wild turkey research, Gerhold said. We estimate at least 800 eggs will be analyzed per year.

Once eggs are collected, the research team will record various data, including if the eggs are from a nest where other eggs have hatched, have been predated or have been abandoned by the hen. After the eggs are brought to the lab, the fertilization disc within the egg will be stained and examined under a UV microscope. The team will be able to see clearly whether the egg has been fertilized or not.

If a hen was predated, then we know why the eggs didnt hatch, Gerhold said. However, what about the eggs where the hen did everything right and only a few, or even none, hatched? This is a mystery worth solving.

This project is one of 10 new research projects across nine states the NWTF is funding, with $582,374 invested among these vital projects. These projects are part of a nearly $9 million investment into wild turkey research in 2023, supported by the NWTF, its state chapters and its partners.

About the NWTF

Since 1973, the National Wild Turkey Federation has invested over half a billion dollars into wildlife conservation and has conserved or enhanced over 22 million acres of critical wildlife habitat. The organization continues to drive wildlife conservation, forest resiliency and robust recreational opportunities throughout the U.S. by working across boundaries on a landscape scale.

2023 is the NWTF's 50th anniversary and an opportunity to propel the organization's mission into the future while honoring its rich history. For its 50th anniversary, the NWTF has set six ambitious goals: positively impact 1 million acres of wildlife habitat; raise $500,000 for wild turkey research; increase membership to 250,000 members; dedicate $1 million to education and outreach programs; raise $5 million to invest in technology and NWTF's people; and raise $5 million to build toward a $50 million endowment for the future. Learn how you can help us reach these lofty goals.
KI is planning a huge homecoming for Carnival 2024.

KI (Kris Persad) and his family band 3Veni have been noticeably absent from the fete circuit for the past five years.

The Toronto, Canada-based former chutney soca monarch says he is longing for the one place where he is at home: the Carnival stage.
As we sit in the comfort of our Caribbean homes and look on in horror at the merciless genoc
Picture it: A hot air balloon floating above the east end of the University of Arizona Mall, with people dangling from ropes, some of them hanging on while attempting to play music.

One guy is even gripping a tuba.

Thats what you can expect when the French acrobatic collective Cirque Inextremiste brings its first-ever U.S. tour to Tucson with Arizona Arts Live on Saturday, Sept. 9, on the UA Mall.

The troupe is bringing its latest show, Exit, which tells the story of a group of high-flying acrobatic musicians attempting to escape from an insane asylum on a hot air balloon.

The show opens Arizona Arts Lives 2023-24 season.

Our (motto) is Experience Unexpected. We talk about playing with fear and wreaking havoc in part of our description, and thats truly what Exit does for us, said Chad Herzog, executive director of the UA arts presenter.

In Exit, the acrobats are not only skilled in the physical twists and turns, flips and stunts you see with cirque acts, the performers are also musicians, accompanying their incredible stunt work with a haunting original score. At times, the artists are simultaneously doing stunts and playing their instruments

Herzog said he first witnessed the spectacle of Cirque Inextremiste in 2017, and since then has been working tirelessly to bring them to the United States.

Its totally evocative, he said. There are times that you might feel a little nervous about what these acrobats are about to do, but I guarantee at the end you should feel quite a bit of joy from just having the experience of this hour-long performance.

Exit will be presented at 7 p.m. on the east end of the UA Mall near North Campbell and admission is free. Food trucks, games and prizes will start around 6 p.m. Visit arizonaartslive.com for more information.

Tucson is one of three cities on Cirque Inextremistes U.S. tour. Next week it will be at the Rochester Fringe Festival in New York.
Two Arizona Republican lawmakers joined in the online outrage Friday over a social media post that went viral from a lecture at the University of Arizona College of Nursing that included information about asking kids as young as 3 years old about their gender identity.

On Friday, the UA issued a statement saying the material in question was neither intended for, nor presented to students at the nursing school.

On Wednesday, an account on the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, shared photos of a presentation from a lecture that described how a pediatric caregiver could ask a young patient about gender. A second photo says caregivers should begin asking patients about gender identity starting around age 3. However, the posting included no context.

Senate Republicans are outraged over troubling curriculum being taught at the University of Arizona Nursing School, aiming to cater to the radical left agenda, and to steal the innocence of our young children through the next generation of medical professionals, a news release Friday from Republicans in the Arizona State Senate said.

Im absolutely sickened that this institution of higher learning is perpetuating the lie that a persons gender is based off feelings and not their God-given biological sex established upon conception, Sen. Janae Shamp, vice-chair of the Senate Committee on Health & Human Services says in the release. This is completely groomer garbage that strives to confuse our kids in an effort to cater to the evil that is being accepted by todays society. As a nurse, I am so disheartened that the next generation of nurses are being hijacked of their capabilities to deliver ethical care.

Tucson lawmaker, Sen. Justine Wadsack, also is quoted.

This is a disgusting use of your taxpayer dollars. Every single parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle or anyone with a heart for children should be infuriated that this is happening at one of our prestigious universities, Wadsack said in the release.

No student seeking to become a medical professional should ever be taught to victimize our kids, and this is exactly what is happening here. UArizona is finding itself in hot water over a number of issues, but this is the straw that broke the camels back. Im a UArizona Wildcat. Its where I went to college. Its in my backyard. Im not happy, said Wadsack, who serves as vice-chair of the Senate Committee on Education.

If this issue is not immediately resolved by the university, Senate Republicans will weigh all options to make certain tax dollars are no longer used in such an egregious fashion, said Senator T.J. Shope, who chairs the Senate Committee on Health & Human Services. The mental health of our children and the state of our health care industry (are) being threatened by this radical ideology.

Pam Scott, vice president of external communications for the UA, said in a written statement Friday that the material was part of a session for practicing nurses.

The College of Nursing does not recommend or advocate for young children to be asked gender-related questions in wellness checks. The college does not have a policy or position on this issue and does not integrate this type of training or education into its curriculum. The college teaches that practitioners should always work with the parents and guardians and with their permission, within their scope of the practice, and in alignment with the employing organizations guidance when treating pediatric patients, Scott said in the statement.

The slides in question were from a 40-minute session on complex issues nurse practitioners face in clinical practice for the purpose of encouraging discussion, analysis and evaluation. The sessions are designed to give students the opportunity to engage with professionals on a wide variety of topics they may encounter in the field.

Scott said the slides were presented to 31 Doctor of Nursing Practice students during three days of seminars held during the final semester of the doctoral program.

The material is not provided to undergraduate nursing students, Scott said in the statement.

The seminars are intended to teach students to think critically, a skill that will enable them to be effective health care providers. The College of Nursing faculty members share evidence-based information, but do not recommend any specific practice guidelines related to gender-related issues. Students are taught that providers need to choose their own approach to such issues.

The leaked photos sparked controversy, debate and outright hate-speech from users across the site, including comment from former Arizona gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake, who said that the college is teaching the next generation of nurses to brainwash children as young as 3-years old into thinking they can choose their own gender.

Elon Musk, who owns the social media platform, also weighed in on the topic, replying to the post with a single exclamation point.

According to the Mayo Clinic, the sex that a person is assigned at birth and their gender identity are two separate things.

Most children between ages 18 and 24 months can recognize and label gender groups . Most also label their own gender by the time they reach age 3, the clinic said. Its important to remember that gender identity and gender expression are different concepts. A childs gender identity doesnt always lead to a certain gender expression. And a childs gender expression doesnt always point to the childs gender identity.

In a 2018 policy statement regarding care and support for LGBTQ children and adolescents, the American Acadamy of Pediatrics say that those in the community and other underserved populations face numerous health disparities.

Despite some advances in public awareness and legal protections, youth who identify as LGBTQ continue to face disparities that stem from multiple sources, including inequitable laws and policies, societal discrimination, and a lack of access to quality health care, including mental health care, the AAP said. Such challenges are often more intense for youth who do not conform to social expectations and norms regarding gender.

Originally reported by the Arizona Republic, UA officials on Thursday said they were investigating the post, providing the outlet with a statement via email.

According to the Republic, the College of Nursing said that the university strives to provide balanced perspectives on complex health care concepts as we teach critical thinking to this next generation of students.

Faculty members have received many emails filled with extreme vitriol, according to the Republic. This has prompted the College of Nursing to allow staff to work from home if they wish, according to the news outlet.

The Arizona Daily Star has reached out for comment by the UA, its College of Nursing and UA LGBTQ Affairs, however no response has been received by Friday afternoon.

These concerns come just before the one-year anniversary of the death of UA professor Dr. Thomas Meixner, who was shot on-campus last October, allegedly by a former student.
Principal Elizabeth Rivera weaved between groups of students on a recent afternoon, showing off the current incarnation of Arizonas oldest operating public high school.

Rivera was a school administrator in New Mexico before coming to Arizona. Tucson High Magnet School was like nothing shed seen before.

I thought it was beautiful; thats what I noticed, the beauty and age.

One-hundred years of age, to be exact, for the high schools current main building. Its construction began on Sept. 8, 1923. (Tucson High opened in 1906, but its original building is no longer used by the school.)

But along with the historical significance come the shortcomings of age, which students, faculty and staff live with.

In leading the recent tour, Rivera was not only touting Tucson Highs history, but showing some of the areas needing renovations and upgrades.

A proposed Tucson Unified School District bond package on the Nov. 7 ballot would pay for many of those upgrades.

The 100-year-old Tucson High building, along with the rest of the schools campus, stand to gain about $14 million in upgrades, total, if voters approve the much broader, district-wide bond package of $480 million for TUSDs 88 schools, whose average age is 55 years.

Those include new and updated safety features, improvements to existing spaces, and improved technology.

Bringing it into the 21st century

The hallways have a subtle scent of age  not bad, just old.

Certainly not like smoke, which is what a lowered level of the school did smell like many years ago. What was once the smokers lounge until a few decades ago is now the schools historical display.

It is curated by Cecelia Garcia, Tucson High Class of 2016.

When I was going here, I was like, yeah, hundred-year-old building, whatever,  Garcia remembers.

After graduating, she studied art history in college. I started being fascinated with the old buildings here in town. I was touring buildings, I was reading articles and books and I always came circling back to (this) building, she said.

A highlight of the building, the auditorium  important to the fine arts and technology magnet school  is one of the areas needing upgrades.

An antique chandelier, roughly the size of a small bathroom, illuminates the seating with bare light bulbs and delicate metalwork.

Thats about all it illuminates. The lighting system for the stage is lacking.

The sound system is Macgyvered out of stacks of miscellaneous speakers on either ends of the stage.

Should the bond issue pass, $300,000 would go to renovations to fine art, stage, room and audio-visual elements.

Plans to update Tucson High must be carefully crafted to maintain the integrity of the structure.

We want to keep that here for a really long time and maintain historical beauty, but also bring the tech and things that we use for performing arts into the 21st century, Rivera said. Thats important.

The building at 400 N. Second Ave. is part of the West University Historic District. Both Tucson High and West University Historic District are on the Register of National Historic Places.

Vocational building upgrades

Parts of Tucson High Magnet School get less attention than the star of the campus, but other buildings need some love, too.

The vocational building has an unused section. Rivera tries several keys before unlocking the door. A TMHS employee seemed surprised to see anyone entering the area, let alone the school principal.

Were just doing a tour, Rivera assured them.

The section is silent, save for Riveras heels clicking up the stairs. There is no HVAC. Heat sifts through cracked vintage glass bricks. The rooms themselves still resemble classrooms, though many have been left stripped in cleanout.

In the districts proposal, THMSs vocational building  also called the V-building  would receive $3.5 million in upgrades, applied beyond the unused section.

Improvements to classrooms and learning spaces on THMSs campus would be allotted more than $4.8 million, including the V-building renovation.

Really the history of the city

Garcia said many students are intrigued by their schools history, once they learn of it.

I always try and push it into them: Get involved in your community first, because Tucson High is the oldest high school in the state, she tells student-historians. You could just start here.

She shares TikTok videos and Instagram posts of her discoveries, in an effort to get people engaged in Tucson Highs history.

Rivera said she thinks her students know the significance of their main building.

I think they do, she ventured. This is really the history of the city. Its not just high school. The whole community (came through here) long before there were any other schools in Tucson.

Rivera said the schools Hall of Fame display in the main lobby is popular with students, too.

Theres astronauts and politicians and doctors and lawyers, local leaders, actresses and actors and people who have literally landed on the moon, she said. (Well, almost. Tucson High alum Frank Borman commanded 1968s Apollo 8, the first NASA mission to travel to the moon, but did not land.)

Thats pretty exciting for them. We always see kids looking at (the) photos and reading the names, Rivera said.

Continuing the legacy

Outside, the schools mascot badgers hold court on the facade. The outside staircases stretch across the side of Tucson High. Designed by locally prominent architect Henry Jaastad, the building has ornate details including Corinthian columns.

Its the kind of sight movie scenes are made of.

In fact, a movie was made at Tucson High, starring Patrick Dempsey and Amanda Peterson. Cant Buy Me Love, released in 1987, has made the school a legend.

Micromoments, many of which Garcia curates, are what make the Tucson High legend continue off-screen.

Some of those moments are Garcias own.

Towards the beginning of her time as Tucson High curator, Garcia was going through documents preserved by her predecessor.

I was going through her drawers of stuff and all of the sudden, theres my grandfather, facing me.

Through her work, Garcia has seen hundreds of other Tucson High students memories. There are thousands of photos of a rodeo queen, snarky between-friends messages scribbled in yearbooks and aged photos of Tucson Highs construction.

The building is indeed old, Garcia said. Updates need to be made. But ... everything is still here.

On TikTok and Instagram Find a Tucson High Magnet School gallery on TikTok and Instagram under the handle @THMSGallery
Michael and James Abatti match nobodys definition of environmentalists.

The Abattis and their forebears have farmed heavily in Southern Californias Imperial Valley for a century or more. Growing alfalfa and winter vegetables, they have thrived economically on their use of federally subsidized water delivered from the Colorado River. Michael Abatti, in particular, was described as a farm baron in a 2018 investigative profile by the Palm Springs Desert Sun of his enormous influence over the deserts Colorado River water, agriculture and energy.

But now, the Abattis have become the first non-environmentalists in more than a quarter-century to formally advocate for a study of decommissioning the rivers Glen Canyon Dam.

Decommissioning the dam could mean altering the structure enough that it would no longer hold back water in Lake Powell or generate electricity. Instead, river water would flow directly downstream into the Grand Canyon and to Lake Mead, where it would be stored for future delivery to the Lower Colorado River Basin states of Arizona, Nevada and California.

The Abattis made their comment in a letter last month to the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, which is in the early stages of preparing an environmental impact statement on how to revise operating guidelines for the Colorado River and its reservoirs, which must be done before they expire in 2026.

Past proposals by environmental groups to decommission Glen Canyon Dam or to operate the reservoir without power production as a primary goal can no longer be ignored and must be seriously considered in the EIS, the Abattis wrote, along with an engineer, Craig Morgan. The evaporative losses occurring in Lake Powell are significant, given the demands on the Colorado River system, and must be taken into account.

The over-allocated Colorado and its Powell and Mead reservoirs have dwindled drastically due to drought and climate change, and the lakes are barely more than a third full. Competition for water is now pitting the two lakes against each other in the eyes of environmentalists and some users.

The Abattis letter was one of three sent to the bureau, as it prepares to start its environmental analysis, that a Colorado environmental group, Save the Colorado, said had Glen Canyon Dam in the crosshairs.

Another of those letters, from water agencies in Arizona, Nevada and California, urged the bureau to study modifying Glen Canyon Dam so it can continue releasing large amounts of water even if its water elevations keep falling. A similar suggestion came in a separate letter from the Central Arizona Project, the canal system that brings Colorado River water to Arizona farms and cities.

Recently, the Interior Department, Reclamations parent agency, took actions to adjust operations at Glen Canyon Dam to reduce the risks to infrastructure there, wrote CAP General Manager Brenda Burman. She was apparently referring to last-minute cuts the department made in releases in 2022 from Powell to keep the lake from falling so low that it couldnt generate power or release enough water downstream later.

To reduce risks to infrastructure that may arise from decreasing elevations, a comprehensive review of Glen Canyon Dam and improvements that can be made to enhance its operational capacity must be undertaken to avoid such reactive actions, and to ensure that water can safely pass through the dam at low elevations, Burman wrote.

Another letter, from the CAP and two urban water districts, Southern Californias Metropolitan and the Southern Nevada Water Authority, made a point of urging the bureau to insure that Lake Mead has enough water to meet public health, safety and welfare needs during low water conditions. But the letter ignored Lake Powell, although Powell supplies most of the river water that goes to Mead, said Gary Wockner, Save the Colorados director.

In a separate letter to the bureau, however, CAPs Burman did urge the bureau to order strong enough reductions in river water use to protect both major reservoirs.

Metropolitan Water Districts spokeswoman Rebecca Kimitch took issue with Wockners characterization of the three agencies position.

While insuring that theres enough water to serve Lower Basin cities requires keeping Lake Meads levels high enough, there should be no inferences made about our position on other reservoirs in the Colorado River system that we dont directly get water from, Kimitch wrote in an email to the Star.

A huge game changer

Outside water experts reactions to the significance of these comments range widely.

Professor Jack Schmidt, a retired Utah State University water researcher, called the Abattis letter, for one, a huge game changer.

The fact that its coming from anyone other than an environmental group is incredibly significant, said Schmidt.

The paradigm of the American West has always been the maintenance of the facilities that were constructed to store and move water, said Schmidt, the just-retired director of Utah States Center for Colorado River Studies. It was considered complete heresy and no one in the water supply community would have ever have acknowledged or accepted the notion of decommissioning the dam.

The Abattis letter was triggered probably less by the work of environmental groups, and more by the continued decline of river runoff in the Colorado Rive watershed, he added.

Its the realization that Powell and Mead together may never be full again. If not, the thinking is, we oughta seriously consider what is the best place to store water, Schmidt said.

One expert who doesnt attach much significance to any of the comments, however, is Jeff Kightlinger, a former general manager for Metropolitan Water District who recently was hired as a consultant for the Imperial Irrigation District, where the Abattis operate.

Speaking of the state and urban water agencies comments, he said: These are all just people laying out things they want to see protected. The scoping for the environmental impact statement is really a broad document.

Its just the usual positioning. The Lower Basin districts know that the Upper Basin will talk about protecting Lake Powell so they talk about protecting Lake Mead, Kightlinger said. Theyre not saying tear down Glen Canyon Dam. Theyre saying protect Lake Mead. They just want to protect their own interests.

Upper Basin states  Colorado, Wyoming, New Mexico and Utah  have always said the dam is needed to ensure they have enough water in Powell to meet their obligations under the Colorado River Compact to make sure the Lower Basin is adequately supplied. The river starts in the Upper Basin; the dam is at the Utah-Arizona border; Powell is upstream of the dam, mostly in Utah, and Mead is downstream at the Nevada-Arizona border. The Grand Canyon connects the two lakes.

Professor Elizabeth Koebele at the University of Nevada-Reno agreed with Schmidt that the Abattis comments are significant because they seem to be the first signal that a coalition could be built between environmentalists and Lower Basin farmers around Glen Canyon Dam issues.

As someone who studies collaboration in natural resources, any time one of these strange bedfellow coalitions starts, even as something small, it piques my interest, said Koebele, an associate political science professor. But unless it picks up steam and gets more ag involvement, decommissioning Lake Powell seems far from a serious argument.

She added, We need to remember that the letter came from two growers, not the IDD (Imperial Irrigation District) or California as a whole.

Plus, the three Lower Basin states letter clearly suggests evaluating how to manage Lake Powell and Lake Mead operations to reduce the risk of reaching critical elevations in either reservoir, suggesting the expected maintenance of Lake Powell, Koebele said.

Dave Wegner, a retired Reclamation engineer who has worked with the Glen Canyon Institute as a founding trustee, characterized the various comments on Lake Powell and the Glen Canyon Dam as chess moves.

Theyre setting the stage for in-depth discussions starting now. You start big, and find where the collaboration or consolidation can occur. Are they serious? Yeah, they are putting out ideas, about what we should be doing in this stage in the process.

Glen Canyon landscape vs. other values

Decommissioning Glen Canyon Dam has been a prime goal of a group of environmentalists living across the Colorado River Basin who formed the Glen Canyon Institute in 1996 to push for it.

A year later, a former Reclamation commissioner and congressional aide, Dan Beard, became the last non-environmental activist to advocate for decommissioning the dam  until now.

Those who favor removing the dam want to restore Glen Canyon, which to them is an almost mystical collection of grottoes, sandstone formations, cultural sites and riparian groves, to the way it looked before it was inundated by Lake Powell when the dam was built.

Western water officials have unanimously disdained the idea, most commonly because they say the dam is needed to store enough water in wet years to insure that in drier years the Lower Basin states get enough water.

They also have pointed to the dams generation of enough electricity to serve more than 5 million people, many of them Native Americans including Navajos, living in seven western states including Arizona.

Several other leading environmental groups, including the National Audubon Society and American Rivers, also have not gotten on board with the idea.

But in their letter, the Abattis not only spoke out in favor of studying decommissioning, they also opposed the idea of emphasizing power generation as an important factor in operating Glen Canyon Dam.

They noted that the 1922 compact said river water may be impounded and used for the generation of electrical power, but such impounding and use shall be subservient to the use and consumption of such water for agriculture and domestic purposes and shall not interfere with or prevent use for such dominant purposes.

They also said the bureau should consider the need to retrofit the dam. One idea would be to drill bypass tunnels through the dams sandstone abutments, so it can pass water downstream through the structure even when water is running too low to pass through the dams turbines.

The Glen Canyon Institute and Living Rivers were among the first entities to make such an argument in a study released in August 2022.

Kightlinger said he doesnt think anyone at the Bureau of Reclamation would argue with the view that we have to find a way to get water through the Glen Canyon Dam at low elevations.

The bureau is now conducting a multi-year study on that subject that began in 2022. Various outside experts have said overhauling the dam could cost $500 million to $3 billion and take a decade to complete.

Evaporation is an issue

The concern the Abattis raised about evaporation at Lake Powell is the subject of a long, unsettled debate.

In 2016, Schmidt conducted a major study that concluded putting all of Powells water in Lake Mead would trigger no change in total evaporation. He reached that conclusion because theres large, natural variability in how much evaporation occurs at Powell every year, and because data on the amount of evaporation there is outdated, going back to the 1970s.

Since then, however, the federally funded Desert Research Institute in Nevada has been conducting a detailed analysis of evaporation data in Lake Powell. With that data in hand, now we can make a no nonsense decision on the magnitude of savings, Schmidt said. What Reclamation and the (computer) modelers will do is, theyll say if we preferentially store in Mead, what is the evaporation rate in Mead? What is the rate in Powell? They can evaluate if there is a tradeoff.

In a paper Schmidt wrote on the Colorado over the summer, he also concluded that despite others views that the dam is needed to insure enough water is saved to meet the Upper Basins legal commitment to release water to the Lower Basin, For purposes of water management, it does not matter whether water is stored in Lake Powell or in Lake Mead.

He noted that there are no significant (human water) uses in the 400 miles of the Grand Canyon separating the two reservoirs.

No one says that there is an amount of water that every year has to be precisely released from Powell to Mead, he said. Whatever the number is agreed upon, on average, that number has to go from Powell to Mead. It can be released in a highly variable way or in a consistent way.

The study warned, however, that environmental tradeoffs will exist whether you put all the water in Lake Mead or Lake Powell.

While keeping less water in Powell would allow the pre-dam Glen Canyon landscape to recover, emphasizing storage in Lake Powell would allow continued hydropower production there. he said.

It would also allow periodic releases of flood-like flows carrying sediment to restore sandbars and beaches along the Grand Canyon floor, he said. And it would help stabilize the Grand Canyon fish population for various reasons, he said.

But on the flip-side, emphasizing storage in Powell would re-inundate valued portions of Glen Canyon that have recently been exposed as Powells water levels sink. These include the massive pink and orange sandstone beauty called Cathedral in the Desert.

Because of uncertainties about the various tradeoffs, the National Audubon Societys Jennifer Pitt said shes not ready to take a position on whether Glen Canyon Dam should be decommissioned.

I havent seen an analysis of what decommissioning the Glen Canyon Dam would do to the Grand Canyon, and I havent seen an exploration of how one might manage the two reservoirs as one in terms of impacts on resources at Glen Canyon. Id like to see those analyses and understand the trade-offs, said Pitt, Audubons Colorado River program director.

Decommissioning unlikely in short term

Alan Boyce, who farms dates, lemons, organic vegetables and a little alfalfa in the Yuma area and in the Imperial Valley, knows the Abattis and says he has some sympathy with their view of Glen Canyon Dam.

He describes them as smart, outspoken, and all pretty darned good at what they do. Theyre defending their livelihoods. (The Abattis didnt respond to requests for interviews.)

Running two reservoirs the way we are is a way of maximizing evaporation. Its kind of nuts, said Boyce.

He added that he thinks the federal government should keep the dam in place but design it so it can release water even when Powell is at very low levels, so that Mead can be relatively full.

But he said he doesnt expect to see the dam fully decommissioned anytime soon.

Former Reclamation engineer Wegner agrees that decommissioning the dam is very unlikely now. I dont see that happening in the next three years, when the rivers federal operating guidelines must be updated. Maybe the next 20 but not the next three.
Assaults, denial of medical care, family separations, confiscation of personal documents and dangerous nighttime deportations are among the hundreds of incidents highlighted in a new report on human rights violations at the U.S.-Mexico border.

The alleged incidents rarely result in a thorough investigation, disciplinary action or policy changes, which the reports authors say that reflects a pattern of impunity within the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

This is a part of what allows these human rights abuses to continue to occur, because there are not currently sufficient consequences for officers or agents who do participate in these human rights violations, said Zoe Martens, report co-author and advocacy coordinator with Kino Border Initiative, whose migrant aid shelter in Nogales, Sonora assisted 6,000 migrants last year.

The report, Abuses at the U.S.-Mexico Border, was co-authored by Martens and Adam Isacson, director of defense oversight for the Washington Office on Latin America, or WOLA, a D.C.-based research and advocacy group that promotes human rights and social justice in Latin America and the Caribbean.

The report includes a live database of more than 400 incidents, or summaries of multiple similar incidents, logged between January 2020 and August 2023. The events were drawn from news accounts and reports from migrant shelters along the border, primarily Kino Border Initiative. The Catholic-led nonprofit provides humanitarian and legal aid to migrants on the border and has been helping migrants file formal complaints about abuse allegations since 2015.

The misconduct doesnt reflect the behavior of most border agents under U.S. Customs and Border Protection, which is part of DHS, but the lack of accountability for even serious human rights violations harms the credibility of border enforcement agencies, the reports authors say.

Respecting human rights goes hand in hand with good border governance, Martens said. I dont see those things as mutually exclusive.

The report describes multiple failure points where complaints submitted to DHS tend to be lost or stalled. This includes during transfers between DHS four accountability offices or when complaints are submitted to the wrong office  a common mistake, as the offices have overlapping areas of responsibility.

The reports level of detail helps identify realistic ways to fix the flawed system, said Katherine Hawkins, senior legal analyst with the Project on Government Oversight, or POGO, a watchdog group that investigates and exposes government waste, corruption and efforts to silence whistleblowers.

We knew the (DHS) complaint process was broken, but seeing the specific failure points is extremely helpful, Hawkins said.

In addition to improving the complaints process, CBP should encourage agents to speak up when they see bad behavior and respond to those concerns with meaningful disciplinary action or policy changes, Isacson said.

The key to stopping (human rights violations) is for the majority to be able to speak up about it, he said. Right now, too many of the good ones believe thats career death, and thats a huge disincentive  you put your career on the line and then nothing happens.

CBP response

In an emailed statement on Thursday, a U.S. Customs and Border Protection spokesperson defended the agencys commitment to accountability and highlighted recent reforms that bolster it.

CBP takes all allegations of misconduct seriously, investigates thoroughly, and holds employees accountable when policies are violated, the statement said in part. We have also implemented significant reforms that make CBP more transparent and accountable to the American people. CBP recently updated our enhanced vehicle pursuit policy to ensure it is safer and more impactful. We have enhanced our commitment to transparency: deploying thousands of body-worn cameras to the field, and expeditiously releasing information and body-worn camera footage following critical incidents. In addition, we have strengthened our internal investigative processes when employees are accused of misconduct.

Former CBP Commissioner Chris Magnus, who was ousted in January after less than a year on the job, oversaw the implementation of some of those accountability measures. Magnus said in a Friday email to the Star that actions, not platitudes, are what count.

Accountability and transparency should be among the highest priorities for CBP and all law enforcement agencies, said Magnus, former Tucson chief of police. Unfortunately, these are easy terms to throw around in speeches, press releases, and mission statements. These are things that must be demonstrated through policies that reflect best practices, leadership at the top willing to support change, and meaningful consequences for those who violate policies and break laws.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection response "The men and women of CBP perform critical missions including life-saving rescues, often in dangerous conditions, every single day. The cornerstone of CBPs organizational culture is integrity, along with our core values of vigilance and service to country. CBP takes all allegations of misconduct seriously, investigates thoroughly, and holds employees accountable when policies are violated. "We have also implemented significant reforms that make CBP more transparent and accountable to the American people. CBP recently updated our enhanced vehicle pursuit policy to ensure it is safer and more impactful. We have enhanced our commitment to transparency: deploying thousands of body-worn cameras to the field, and expeditiously releasing information and body-worn camera footage following critical incidents. In addition, we have strengthened our internal investigative processes when employees are accused of misconduct. We recognize building and maintaining our culture of integrity is a generational commitment. We remain focused and deliberate in establishing, promoting, and enforcing our standards from recruitment to retirement through training, leadership development, and retention of those who embody the virtues and character the American people deserve in service to our nation."  U.S. Customs and Border Protection spokesperson's Sept. 7 emailed statement to the Star

Documentation matters

Kinos complaint-filing effort, which began in 2015, has evolved into an ongoing test of the DHS accountability system, which the report describes as bewildering, opaque and slow-moving.

When Kino staffers began raising migrants accounts of abuse with local CBP officers, CBP said they needed specific examples and names to take action, Martens said.

We took them at their word and began filing formal complaints, Martens said. Its an act of faith, and an act of hope, that these offices will live up more fully to what their missions really are.

Documenting these abuses can feel like yelling into a void, said Chelsea Sachau, managing attorney for Tucson-based Florence Immigrant and Refugee Rights Project, which provides free legal services to detained adults and children facing deportation. Sachau is on the nonprofits border action team, which spends most of the week working at KBIs migrant aid shelter.

The Kino Border Initiative and WOLAs database of documented abuses is an important labor of love, Sachau said.

Documentation matters, because what we see every day is often out of sight, out of mind or unknown to much of the U.S., she said. Its at least a tangible recognition for the victims that I heard you, and Im making sure the public knows about this. Even if we cant effect an outcome for you personally, we want to be sure we are building out an archive of how often this is happening.

Long delays

The report recommends DHS create a portal that allows complainants to create an account and follow the progress of their case. Currently, Martens said, most migrants never get a response to their complaints or the response comes years later, when the victim has already moved on and can no longer be interviewed.

She recounted the story of Carlos, a Guatemalan migrant apprehended by border agents in the Arizona desert in late 2020. He told Kino workers that before crossing the U.S. border, hed been held hostage and forced to work for an organized crime group in northern Mexico, after he couldnt pay the smugglers fee for the final leg of his journey to the U.S.

After escaping his captors and fleeing north, he told U.S. border agents what happened and that he feared for his life. Agents nevertheless released him in Nogales, Sonora at 2 a.m., Martens said, citing the complaint he filed at the time.

When Carlos asked why he was being released in Mexico instead of being sent to his native Guatemala, he said an agent called him an idiot in Spanish, struck him on the knee with a baton and threatened to hit him again if he kept asking questions. When Carlos arrived at the Kino Border Initiative, he could barely walk and thought his knee was broken, Martens said.

By the numbers Of the 78 complaints submitted by migrants at the Kino Border Initiative between 2020 and 2022, describing alleged abuse or human rights violations by U.S. border agents, 95% did not result in any disciplinary action or policy changes, according to the Kino Border Initiative. 35%  Recorded in a database with no action taken. 25%  After some initial action or subsequent steps, Kino Border Initiative never heard back from the Department of Homeland Security. 14%  Closed due to ongoing litigation or previous recommendations. 10%  No response at all. 10%  Closed because allegations couldn't be substantiated, or because policies were not determined to have been violated. 4%  Led to issuance of recommendations but it is not clear whether CBP concurred. 1%  Referred for disciplinary action, but not clear what that action was. Source: Kino Border Initiative, a Catholic-led nonprofit that provides humanitarian aid to migrants on the U.S.-Mexico border

Kinos staff helped Carlos file a formal complaint with DHS. Nearly two years later, in August 2022, Martens finally got a response when DHS Office of Civil Rights and Civil Liberties called. They were forwarded the complaint from the DHS Office of the Inspector General, which has first right of refusal on all complaints, and they were trying to find Carlos to interview him.

By that time, Martens had no way to reach Carlos, she said. She asked for more details on the investigation, but the investigator said shed have to file a public records request under the Freedom of Information Act, a process that can take years, Martens said. The investigator said Carlos, too, would have had to file a records request to get the details of his own complaint.

This account really illustrates a lot of issues with the system: the delays, the different offices where complaints get passed back and forth, and the lack of transparency, even for the people who experienced this abuse themselves, Martens said.

Inspector general questioned

The current head of one of DHS most powerful accountability offices, the Office of the Inspector General, has a problematic history, said Hawkins of the Project on Government Oversight.

POGO has extensively investigated DHS inspector general Joseph Cuffari, a Trump appointee, who recently settled a lawsuit accusing him of retaliating against a whistleblower. The nearly $1.2 million settlement prompted top Democrats to issue a joint letter in July calling for further investigation.

Cuffaris own testimony raises serious concerns about your possibly retaliatory actions and lack of candor, improper use of taxpayer dollars, and lack of truthfulness in your communications with Congress, wrote Reps. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., and Jamie Raskin, D-Md.

One of the reports recommendations is the dismissal of Cuffari.

DHS is too important to not have an inspector general who is really effective and who is keeping the organization in a state of high morale and high efficiency, Isacson said.

Lawmaker support needed

Over the years, KBI staff have formed relationships with front-line workers in DHS four accountability offices. Martens said she solicited their feedback on the feasibility of the reports policy recommendations.

Often, Martens said, their response was that (the recommended change) makes a lot of sense, but it comes down to money and resources.

Among the reports recommendations is more congressional support. Legislators should push CBP to release required public reports on time, such as an overdue report on integrity and accountability, Isacson said. Accountability offices must be adequately staffed and funded, and lawmakers should keep human-rights abuses in the public eye by raising the issue in funding discussions with DHS, he said.

The committees that are supposed to oversee and fund them can ask all the questions they want, he said. Theyre appropriating the money.

In an emailed statement on Friday, U.S. Rep. Raul Grijalva, a Tucson Democrat, said the abuses highlighted in the report are unconscionable and unacceptable, especially as the Tucson Sector is under a permanent injunction for past abuses.  I urge the Biden administration to hold accountable those at the Department of Homeland Security and CBP responsible for these actions. We have both a moral and legal obligation to do better.

U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., said in an email that migrants must be treated with dignity wherever they are encountered.

As the son of two police officers, I have great appreciation for our law enforcement. That is why I have secured and continue to fight for more resources and support for our CBP officers and Border Patrol agents who have difficult jobs on the border. At the same time, there has to be accountability. And Congress needs to do its job and step up to fix our broken immigration system.

Act of courage

Martens said its an act of courage for migrants to go on the record with their experience of mistreatment by filing a complaint, especially knowing theyre unlikely to get a response.

We dont want to mislead people. We explain pretty clearly that there likely wont be a personal benefit for them, she said. Many file a complaint anyway, in hopes of helping others avoid the same experience, she said.

She recalled a father and his teenaged son whom she met last summer: They had traveled from Chiapas in southern Mexico, fleeing persecution by criminal organizations. The man told Martens he couldnt go to the local police because some were connected to the criminal groups.

He reported that border agents forced him and his son to sign return paperwork to go back to Mexico, without channeling them to an asylum officer, Martens said. The man said agents told him, Mexico isnt that dangerous. You should just go talk to the police, showing a lack of understanding of the connection between government and organized crime in Mexico, Martens said.

At Kino, Martens offered to help the man file a complaint about the violation of his right to request asylum. She explained he likely wouldnt get justice in his case, but that documenting it could help improve the system for others. The man quickly agreed, saying, Dont worry  were used to lack of justice in our own country, Martens recalled.

The comment stuck with her.

These are our U.S. accountability systems. I think wed assume they are more effective than in places where we know impunity is widespread, as in Mexico, she said. We must, and we can, do better.
Tucsonans love to thrift just about everything. From new-to-you clothing to home decor and kitchen appliances, our local thrift stores have a little something for everyone.

So, whether youre shopping used to save money or to help the planet, Tucson has plenty of thrift shops to choose from. Here is our mega list of locally-owned and nationally-run thrift shops around the city (in alphabetical order).

Important note: Each shop has different operating hours, so we recommend double-checking their hours before heading out on a shopping spree. Happy thrifting!

Assistance League of Tucson

The Assistance League of Tucson has plenty of home decor, housewares and typical thrift shop odds and ends. You can check out their inventory online, purchase an item (or items) and do in-person pickup in case you dont want to spend a few hours digging through products.

Blessingdales Thrift Stores

Sales from the Blessingdales Thrift Stores of Tucson benefit the programs at Teen Challenge of Arizona. There are currently two locations in the area.

Bringing Out The Best Thrift Store Boutique

This thrift shop recently opened in the former SAS Fabrics building on Speedway. You can find clothing, home decor, furniture and more at this thrift shop boutique.

Buffalo Exchange

Although Buffalo Exchange currently has around 40 locations across the U.S., the clothing and accessory resale store started right here in Tucson in the 1970s. Here, you can buy, sell and trade clothing, shoes and more.

Christian Family Care Thrift Store

This thrift shop offers secondhand clothing, furniture and household items. The sales from the store help serve at-risk children and families in the Tucson community, their website says. They also offer a 50% off sale on the first Saturday of every month!

Cotton Blossom

The Cotton Blossom thrift shop in Marana is associated with MHC Healthcare. The shop offers high quality, gently-used merchandise at great prices, with their proceeds going toward families and individuals in need, according to their website.

DaZees

This volunteer-run resale boutique offers blouses, dresses, jewelry, handbags and even some formal wear for women and men. The proceeds from the shop benefit the Hands of a Friend foundation which helps women and their children who have suffered from domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, and elder abuse, according to their website.

Deseret Industries Thrift Store and Donation Center

Deseret Industries Thrift Store and Donation Center moved to its new location on Orange Grove Road after operating out of its previous location near downtown for 25 years. The store has around 15,000 square feet of thrifty goodness.

Elsas Closet Thrift Store

Find used appliances, furniture, home decor, clothing and more at this local thrift store. You can find this thrift store across the street from Pueblo High School.

Golden Goose Thrift Shop

The Golden Goose Thrift Shop has been around for nearly two decades. Find home goods, kitchen items, art, collectibles and more at this thrift shop. All profits benefit the SaddleBrooke Community Outreach and IMPACT of Southern Arizona organizations.

Goodwill of Southern Arizona

This list wouldnt be complete without mentioning Goodwill of Southern Arizona. There are currently 13 Goodwill of Southern Arizona thrift stores and donation centers around the city. (This doesnt include the Goodwills that are only donation centers.) Whats the most unique item youve found at a Goodwill store?

Great Things Thrift Store

You can find clothing for all ages, toys, dinnerware and more at this Arizona-based thrift store. The shop aims to help alleviate the high costs of childcare items without sacrificing the quality.

HabiStore

The Habitat for Humanity store offers used appliances, furniture, home items and even new building materials. The sales from this thrift store help fund home building and repair projects in our community, according to their website.

Humane Society of Southern Arizona Thrift Store

Find furniture, clothing, kitchen items and more at the HSSA Thrift Store located at its new home near 22nd Street and Wilmot Road. Plus, you can check out local adoptable pets from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays!

InJoy Thrift Stores

When we say this place is huge, we mean it. Theres plenty of space to find the perfect houseware item, T-shirt, toy and even a wedding dress at this thrift store.

Just Cause Thrift Shop

You never know what you might find at this tiny hole-in-the-wall thrift shop on Stone Avenue. They have a selection of dinnerware items, home decor and furniture, plus many other oddities.

Las Dos CoMadres Thrift Shop

Find womens clothing and accessories at this South Tucson thrift shop. They also offer a variety of home items such as cookie jars, plates and framed artwork.

Little Bird Nesting Company

Of course, we couldnt forget the babies and kiddos in your life! This shop offers gently-used clothing, accessories, toys and other childcare items.

Platos Closet

Like some of the other shops on this list, Platos Closet isnt Tucson-based and has locations across the U.S. Despite its national status, you can find clothes for all seasons in all sizes for a respectable price.

Resale Ranch

Resale Ranch is a secondhand shop that sells household items, furniture, tools, jewelry and more. The shop does estate clean-outs and donation pick-ups.

ReThreads Thrift

Find some new threads (get it?) at this shop dedicated to breaking down the stigmas of mental illness. Many of the clothes featured at this shop are donated from Buffalo Exchange!

Safe Shift Estate Sale Store

This local estate sale store may only be open three days a month, but its 8,500-square-foot location offers plenty of space to find used furniture, home decor, accessories and more. The funds raised help benefit local firefighters and first responders through the Greater Tucson Fire Foundation, according to their website.

Savers

OK, OK, Savers doesnt have local ties, but they do support Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southern Arizona, according to their website. Savers is a great place to find clothes, old movies, books and more. Plus, they pull out all the stops during Halloween time, with a large DIY costume section for those ballin on a budget.

Salpointe Thrift and Gift Shop

Yes, the Salpointe Thrift and Gift Shop has ties with Salpointe Catholic High School. Proceeds from the shops sales, which average around $30,000 a year, benefit the high school, according to their website.

Speedway Outlet

This thrift store says they add thousands of new items to their inventory daily. So even if you strike out the day you shop, you can always try again the next day or the day after that or the day after that  you get the idea.

St. Vincent de Paul of Southern Arizona Thrift Stores

Try your thrifting luck at this thrift stores two locations in Tucson. St. Vincent de Paul of Southern Arizona hopes to help the community by assisting with clothing, food, furniture and even rent and utility assistance, according to their website.

Sweet Repeats Childrens Resale Boutique

Sweet Repeats is a childrens resale boutique located in Oro Valley. They offer gently-used childrens items from clothing, toys, books, baby equipment and more. The shop also offers trade or sell options, but you need to book an appointment for those options.

Teal Saguaro

This resale boutique directly supports Tucson Medical Center. Funds raised go back into the hospital. You can find clothing, kids' items, small appliances and more at this locally-run thrift shop.

The Girls Estate Sales

The Girls Estate Sales is a great place to find home decor, furniture, collectibles and more. They offer an ever-changing inventory, so youll always find something new at this shop.

Treasures & More

This thrift shop sells used furniture, clothing and other household items. Located on Tucsons east side near Pima Street and Craycroft Road, all of the proceeds benefit the Miracle Center and GAP Ministries programs that help those struggling from addiction reclaim their lives, their website states.

Tucson Thrift Shop

Tucson Thrift Shop is the go-to place for unique vintage clothing and accessories. And, of course, for all of your DIY costume needs! The shop has been a staple on Fourth Avenue for years.

Twice As Nice

Find your next outfit at Twice As Nice, a secondhand clothing and accessories thrift shop on Tucsons east side. You can occasionally find toys at this shop, too!

White Elephant

The White Elephant Thrift Store has been in Southern Arizona since 1964. The shop features clothing, electronics, home decor, furniture, movies and more. Note: Cash or personal check (with ID) are the only accepted payment methods.

The local thrifting scene is constantly changing. Have a new favorite thrift shop you recently discovered? Did an old favorite recently close up shop? Send me an email at everdugo@tucson.com to let me know, so we can keep this list updated. 
The following is the opinion and analysis of the writer:

The NAACP Tucson Branch supports the recommendation of the Tucson City Magistrate Merit Selection Commission not to reappoint Judge Antonio F. Riojas.

We are appalled to learn that Judge Riojas has been depriving criminal defendants of their right to counsel. The right to an attorney is a fundamental constitutional right under both the U.S. and Arizona Constitutions. A person has the right to be represented by an attorney at every critical stage of their criminal case, and if the person is unable to obtain the services of an attorney without incurring substantial hardship, an attorney must be appointed for that person by the court, with part or all of the cost paid by the government. A judge who refuses to do his duty to appoint counsel is clearly violating the law. We agree with the Commission that Judge Riojas deprivation of the constitutional right to counsel for criminal defendants is a sufficiently serious infraction that it warrants removing Judge Riojas from the roster of City Magistrates.

We also have been appalled by Judge Riojas deprivation of another right guaranteed by the federal and state constitutions  the right to be free from excessive bail. Judge Riojas has imposed money bail as a condition of pretrial release that he knows arrestees are unable to pay. He has admitted this publicly, including at a meeting of the Pima County Board of Supervisors. Not only is this unconstitutional, it is also costly, counter-productive, and cruel. It results in the extended detention of people who have been charged only with non-violent, non-dangerous crimes, such as shoplifting or trespassing while homeless, who do not pose any significant risk to public safety. The jail is a traumatic environment for those who suffer from mental illness and substance use disorders. Confining them there makes their mental and behavioral health conditions worse and leads to increased recidivism, thus causing future harm not only to them but also to the community. This practice of criminalizing poverty has a disproportionate impact on people of color, especially African Americans and Native Americans.

The City of Tucson deserves magistrates who uniformly enforce the constitutional rights of all people appearing in their courtrooms. The Citys presiding magistrate should set a positive example for other magistrates and should assure that the City Court as a whole is doing the right thing. Judge Riojas has not complied with the constitutional rights of criminal defendants. Nor has he set the right example as presiding magistrate. For these reasons, we concur with the Commissions recommendation that he not be reappointed.

We hope Tucsons Mayor and Council will adopt the recommendation of the Commission and decline to reappoint Judge Riojas to serve as a Tucson City Magistrate.
Art Haddaway Owasso Reporter Editor Follow Art Haddaway 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

Candice Doctor is helping pave the way  literally  for clients at A New Leaf to enjoy the outdoors and socialize with their peers.

Doctor could be found hard at work on Friday laying gravel for a new walking trail at the nonprofits Owasso agrihood called The Village, as part of Tulsa Area United Ways 2023 Day of Caring. The two-day event will continue Sept. 15.

This years initiative, hosted in partnership with QuikTrip, is giving volunteers like Doctor an opportunity to create communal spaces for A New Leaf clients  adults with developmental disabilities and autism  at the 50-acre property off of 86th Street and Memorial Drive.

Theyre just wonderful people, happy people, Doctor, portfolio manager for QuikTrip, said of the 62 on-site residents, so to be able to give them something like this  its special.

The walking trail will stretch through different parts of The Village and lead to new shared spaces such as a pavilion, dog park, pergola, fire pit and recreation area with chairs and picnic tables that fellow volunteer Devin Thompson also had a hand in crafting.

Its going to give them a space to entertain a social setting so they can develop friendships that will encourage them to develop their social skills, said Thompson, training manager for QuikTrip.

Doctor and Thompson are among about 280 volunteers who are logging nearly 4,500 collective hours over the course of the two-day event to expand The Villages amenities.

QT invested $50,000 to fund the projects and partnered with other area companies  including Anchor Stone, White Star Machinery, Stewart Martin Kubota, Green Okie Construction and Ironwood Havens  that donated more than $150,000 in equipment and supplies.

Rachel Rogers Ford, accounts receivable manager at QuikTrip and co-chair of the buildout event, said: A New Leaf was just really intentional with all of their projects, which is just one of the things that made it such an easy decision for us to come out here and do the work that were doing.

The community really stepped up. It was just people coming out of nowhere to say, What can we do to help you out?

Alison Anthony, president and CEO of TAUW, added: You have people donating their time, their product and everything; its amazing. Its a way for the community to come out and see where their contributions go and to see the need and understand the need firsthand.

The construction comes about a year after A New Leaf celebrated the opening of the Owasso site. The nonprofit has since cut a ribbon with the Owasso Chamber, welcomed its Transition Academy students, hosted a tour with U.S. Sen. James Lankford and facilitated Owasso People Firsts inaugural meeting, to name a few milestones.

When asked what it means to see dirt move on the Day of Caring projects, Mary Ogle, CEO at A New Leaf, replied: The people with disabilities who live here, we just wanted to make sure they are living their best life. ... And now with all (these) extra amenities, itll help make that even better.

The Villages expansion is one of nearly 400 Day of Caring projects involving about 3,800 volunteers that TAUW is carrying out across six Oklahoma counties, including Tulsa, through Sept. 15.

For more information, go to tauw.org or anewleaf.org.

The new Tulsa World app offers personalized features. Download it today.

Photos: See images of A New Leafs new agrihood, The Village, in Owasso The Village The Village The Village The Village The Village The Village The Village The Village The Village The Village The Village The Village The Village The Village The Village The Village The Village Do you love Owasso as much as we do?
At only 7 years old, Aspen Brown made one of the biggest discoveries of the year at Crater of Diamonds State Park in Arkansas.

Aspen, of Paragould, Arkansas, unearthed a 2.95-carat brown diamond Sept. 1 at the popular park, where visitors are allowed to hunt for real diamonds.

She got hot and wanted to sit down for a minute, so she walked over to some big rocks by the fence line, Aspens dad, Luther Brown, said, TXK Today reported. Next thing I know, she was running to me, saying Dad! Dad! I found one!

The brown diamond was the second-largest rock found at the park this year, according to Arkansas State Parks. A 3.29-carat diamond discovered in March by David Anderson is the biggest found this year and the largest since 2021.

Aspens rock, which KAIT reported is about the size of a green pea, also features a sparkling luster, said Waymon Cox, assistant park superintendent.

It is a complete crystal, with no broken facets and a small crevice on one side, created when the diamond was formed, Cox said, KAIT reported. Its certainly one of the most beautiful diamonds Ive seen in recent years.

The massive brown diamond has received an appropriate name by its discoverer  Aspen Diamond. Aspens mom said in a Facebook post her daughter wrote her name down in the books of being one of the youngest to ever find a diamond at the park.

More than 35,000 diamonds have been found at Crater of Diamonds by visitors since it became a state park in 1972. The park allows visitors to keep whatever they found.

Crater of Diamonds is in Murfreesboro, about 90 miles southwest of Little Rock.

The history behind all 63 national parks in the US The history behind all 63 national parks in the US Acadia National Park, Maine National Park of American Samoa, American Samoa Arches National Park, Utah Badlands National Park, South Dakota Big Bend National Park, Texas Biscayne National Park, Florida Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, Colorado Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah Canyonlands National Park, Utah Capitol Reef National Park, Utah Carlsbad Caverns National Park, New Mexico Channel Islands National Park, California Congaree National Park, South Carolina Crater Lake National Park, Oregon Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Ohio Death Valley National Park, California and Nevada Denali National Park, Alaska Dry Tortugas National Park, Florida Everglades National Park, Florida Gates of the Arctic National Park, Alaska Gateway Arch National Park, Missouri and Illinois Glacier National Park, Montana Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming Great Basin National Park, Nevada Great Sand Dunes National Park, Colorado Great Smoky Mountains National Park, North Carolina and Tennessee Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Texas Haleakala National Park, Hawaii Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas Indiana Dunes National Park, Indiana Isle Royale National Park, Michigan Joshua Tree National Park, California Katmai National Park, Alaska Kenai Fjords National Park, Alaska Kings Canyon National Park, California Kobuk Valley National Park, Alaska Lake Clark National Park, Alaska Lassen Volcanic National Park, California Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado Mount Rainier National Park, Washington New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, West Virginia North Cascades National Park, Washington Olympic National Park, Washington Petrified Forest National Park, Arizona Pinnacles National Park, California Redwood National Park, California Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado Saguaro National Park, Arizona Sequoia National Park, California Shenandoah National Park, Virginia Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota Virgin Islands National Park, Virgin Islands Voyageurs National Park, Minnesota White Sands National Park, New Mexico Wind Cave National Park, South Dakota Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, Alaska Yellowstone National Park, Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming Yosemite National Park, California Zion National Park, Utah
OMO FOREST RESERVE, Nigeria  Roaring chainsaws sent trees crashing to the ground, and bare-chested men hacked away at the branches beside a muddy road. Others heaved logs onto a truck, where they were tied in place with wire.

The work was similar on the other side of the road, with a timber-laden truck coughing dark plumes of smoke as it pulled away. This was miles into the conservation zone of Omo Forest Reserve in southern Nigeria, a protected area where logging is prohibited because it's home to threatened species like African elephants, pangolins and white-throated monkeys. But forest rangers, seeing the impunity, were hesitant to act.

We see people we arrested and turned over to the government back in the forest, and they get emboldened, ranger Sunday Abiodun told The Associated Press during a recent trip to the reserve.

Conservationists say the outer region of Omo Forest Reserve, where logging is allowed, is already heavily deforested. As trees become scarce, loggers are heading deep into the 550-square-kilometer conservation area, which is also under threat from uncontrolled cocoa farming and poaching.

Conservationists and rangers blame the government for not enforcing environmental regulations or adequately replanting trees, impeding Nigerias pledge under the Paris climate agreement to maintain places like forests that absorb carbon from the atmosphere.

The government of Nigeria's southwestern Ogun state, which owns the reserve, denied failing to enforce regulations. In a statement, it said it's replanting more trees than are being cut down.

The forest's gatekeepers and those processing the wood both dispute that assertion, insisting trees are disappearing.

Sawmillers get annual permits from the government to cut down trees until their designated area is completely deforested. Then they can apply for a new section. They say the permit fee of $2,645 is intended to cover the governments costs to replace trees but that this rarely occurs.

The government is not replanting, said Owolabi Oguntimehin, a sawmiller in Ijebu, a nearby town that has over 50 sawmilling companies relying on the reserve. It is not our responsibility to replant because the government collects the fee from us.

Besides problems with replanting, authorities don't enforce tree removal standards, even when loggers get permits, according to forest guards, who are employed by the state government.

Joseph Olaonipekun, a guard, said officials from Ogun state's forestry department used to mark trees that could be cut and ensure strict enforcement to prevent others from being removed. But that's no longer done, he said.

By implementing selective logging, the adverse effects on the biodiversity of an area can be minimized while also providing the opportunity for young trees to continue growing, Nigerian ecologist Babajide Agboola said. This method allows for a more sustainable approach to logging and forest management.

Trees such as Cordia wood, mahogany and gmelina are disappearing from the forests periphery, according to both sawmillers and reserve gatekeepers.

There has to be massive reforestation so that the conservation zone will not be dismantled, Agboola said.

But forest rangers hired by the nonprofit Nigerian Conservation Foundation, which is the governments partner in managing the conservation zone, have found it a challenge to protect against illegal logging in off-limits areas.

They say loggers harvesting trees in the conservation zone brag about bypassing regulations by paying off government officials.

We want the government to support us in preserving the forest, ranger Johnson Adejayin said. He echoed his colleagues in calling for strict enforcement and sanctions, so that the loggers do not come back to continue their illegal acts and boast that with money they can avoid punishment.

The Nigerian economy, Africa's largest, heavily relies on agriculture, forestry and other land uses. These industries, which are responsible for 25% of Nigeria's greenhouse gas emissions, provide jobs for the majority of people in agrarian communities around the reserve.

As a result, there is debate about the political will to enforce environmental sustainability when livelihoods are at stake.

That factor should be considered, said Wale Adedayo, chairman of the Ijebu East local government area where a significant part of the forest is located. He advocated for a reduction of the conservation zone to give more land to locals to farm and log.

But he also acknowledged that there is a lot of deforestation that should be reversed to ensure Nigerias contribution to fighting climate change.

For its part, the state government said it is incorrect to blame the pressure to make a living when loggers illegally find their way into the conservation area to steal parts of the conserved trees.

Adedayo said logging in protected areas is not possible without the connivance of the civil servants.

The governments forest guards have seen it first hand.

There is too much corruption in this forest caused by greed and poverty, Olaonipekun said. When we say, Dont go there, some go through higher authorities to defy us, and we are helpless.

The government, meanwhile, has delayed formally declaring the conservation area a wildlife sanctuary to protect it from threats like logging, farming and poaching, said Emmanuel Olabode, who manages the Nigerian Conservation Foundations wildlife conservation project in the forest.

The foundation's rangers are focused on nearly 6.5 square kilometers of strictly protected land where elephants are believed to live and has been designated a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO.

It is left to the government to enforce the regulations, said Olabode, who supervises the foundations rangers.
Anthony Alfred Griffith Sr., 59, of Fort Gibson (right) claimed he was following Gods will and praying for the unborn, not protesting, when he entered the Capitol twice on Jan. 6, 2021. It was worth it, he testified.
If the recent addresses from Gov. Kevin Stitt and Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. reveal anything, its that state-tribal relations are not going to get better without intervention.

Stitt, a Cherokee citizen, has been aggressive toward tribes from the time he took office. It started with a failed attempt to re-negotiate gaming compacts and ramped up after the U.S. Supreme Court in 2020 ruled in the McGirt case that several northeastern tribal reservations were never de-established as it pertains to law enforcement.

Stitt largely depends on costly litigation and public opinion, using harsh language and hypotheticals. He has a reasonable concern about how McGirt could expand into other areas such as income tax or property rights.

Right after the McGirt ruling, a calmer, more diplomatic approach could have established a framework benefiting the state and tribes. Sadly, that moment has passed, and only fighting words remain.

In Stitts State of State address in Tulsa, he said the state was battling for authority of northeastern Oklahoma against tribes in a storm of injustice.

Let me be clear: Tribal governments disbanded and allotted out all the land in 1907 at statehood. Other states didnt do that, Stitt said.

That led to guests at the Osage Casino & Hotel table to walk out. The following weekend during the Cherokee National Holiday in Tahlequah, Hoskin remained steadfast in opposing the enemies of sovereignty during his State of the Nation.

We will take the defense of tribal sovereignty wherever it leads us, be it the courts, the halls of Congress, the state Legislature or out in the communities. Anyone who extends a hand of friendship to the Cherokee Nation will be met with that same hand of friendship.

Oklahoma isnt like other states when it comes to its formation and Indigenous history. Tribal nations experienced forcible removal, breakup of land and purposeful weakening of their governments. The 1934 Indian Reorganization Act started re-establishing tribal governments but excluded Oklahoma. That changed two years later with the Oklahoma Indian Welfare Act, and civil rights movements in the 1970s further strengthened tribal nations.

Now, tribal governments are flourishing, and the state experiences success with that. Rural Oklahoma has roads, clean water, electricity, cell services and health care funded by tribal nations. The nations regularly donate to public schools.

Oklahoma has a complicated and delicate balance between state and tribal governments. When strong, this relationship is a valuable asset.

Stitt maintains his assertive tactics, which havent been successful. Likewise, tribal leaders have little incentive to work with the governors office.

We see the best avenues to break the standoff through the Legislature and Attorney General Gentner Drummond, as the states top law enforcement officer. Oklahomans and tribal citizens need leaders to engage in honest negotiation to establish clear jurisdictional boundaries.

Hoskin has repeatedly stated friendship is the best path forward with his nation, a sentiment expressed by several other tribal leaders in public addresses. We urge Oklahoma leaders to trust in their promises and chart a more amicable path.

The new Tulsa World app offers personalized features. Download it today.
Kurz Vietnam Company Limited, a unit of Germany-based thin-film technology company Kurz, on Friday inaugurated a hi-tech coating and thin film factory at Becamex Vietnam-Singapore Industrial Park (VSIP) in Binh Dinh Province, located in south-central Vietnam.

The Kurz Vietnam factory carries a price tag of US$40 million and can churn out 15 million square meters of products annually in its first phase.

The facility will mainly produce LUXOR and ALUFIN films, which are hot stamping foil products used in the process of heat pressing onto the plastic surface to create layers of decorative patterns.

These products will serve the automotive, phone, home appliance, money and bank card industries.

Addressing the inauguration ceremony, Nguyen Tuan Thanh, vice-chairman of the provincial Peoples Committee, said the fact that the factory commenced operations is expected to help diversify industries in the province, open up new job opportunities and contribute to the provincial socio-economic growth.

On the occasion of the factorys inauguration, Kurz Vietnam offered scholarships worth VND1.3 billion (US$54,000) in total to Quy Nhon University and Van Canh District in the province.

Representatives of the Binh Dinh Province administration attend a ceremony to break ground on a road project linking National Highway 19 with the Becamex VSIP Binh Dinh, September 8, 2023. Photo: Lam Thien / Tuoi Tre

In related news, the provincial administration held a ceremony on Friday morning to break ground on a road project linking National Highway 19 with the Becamex VSIP Binh Dinh.

With a total length of some 19.5 kilometers, the road will stretch from An Nhon Town to Tuy Phuoc and Van Canh Districts, with a total investment of VND1.171 trillion ($48.7 million), including VND800 billion ($33.2 million) backed by the central budget.

Work on the four-lane road, whose investor is the provincial management board for traffic projects, is scheduled to be implemented in two years.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
While Vietnam's domestic market for information technology is worth only about US$2 billion, the value of the global market for this technology is more than US$1,800 billion. Therefore, many IT startups and companies in Vietnam are actively looking for ways to bring their products to international customers, and some of them have been successful so far.

Currently, the virtual robot akaBot, developed by the company of the same name, is being used in various places around the world.

akaBot can imitate human activities, helping us to perform simple and repetitive tasks with high accuracy.

Thanks to the virtual robot, productivity can be increased by 80 percent, while 60 percent of costs and 80 percent of working time can be saved.

Outstanding Vietnamese IT startups

At H. Bank, up to 500 applications for setting up a credit account are received every day, and a bank employee has to process them in many steps.

The 13 bank employees who usually deal with this process could be replaced by akaBot, which can do this task automatically, reducing the time for the whole process from 15 minutes to just five minutes.

According to Bui Dinh Giap, founder and CEO of akaBot, the automatic solution for a professional process should primarily become a product for export by the development team.

The startup hopes that over time, akaBot will become one of the best automated solutions in the world.

AkaBot is a type of robotic process automation (RPA), which is software that automates tasks within business and IT processes via software scripts that emulate human interaction with the application's user interface.

Trying to target the largest customers in the most developed markets in the world is the business strategy presented by Bui Dinh Giap.

According to him, if you manage to sell your products in the demanding markets like the U.S., you can have enough confidence to reach all other markets in the world.

Of course, it is said that when it comes to entering a vast ocean, you have to deal with big waves.

The very first and very big problem for us is brand, said the CEO of akaBot, revealing that their product was rejected by over 30 companies in the first few days.

We have no choice but to find solutions to improve our brand by appearing in global ranking indexes, Giap said.

Their efforts, which have been ongoing since 2021 until now, have led to many successes.

Despite being rejected by 30 customers, akaBot is among the top 5 in the global software ranking index for RPA, according to G2, the largest software marketplace with more than 80 million users per year, as stated on the companys website.

In addition, akaBot is among the top 20 RPA platforms worldwide as ranked by Gartner, a research and advisory firm founded in 1979 and headquartered in Stamford, which provides insights and solutions in many areas of IT and advises its clients on developing strategies, selecting technologies, and implementing them in their organizations.

Over time, an app developed by a Vietnamese team can eventually write its own success story by competing with internationally known brand names in automation such as UiPath RPA Platform and JIFFY.ai.

"It is the startups customer service that plays an important role in making akaBot a popular brand name. Many customers are afraid that the life cycle of a technological product is very short, Giap said.

To reassure them, akaBot focuses on improving product features and constantly adds innovative technologies to extend the product's life cycle.

Last but not least is the cost of competition.

In the initial stage, Vietnamese startups often have the advantage of offering solutions with low costs, good systems, and fast times to market.

However, when the ecosystem of the product grows rapidly, the cost may not be as competitive as in the early days.

To solve this problem, akaBot invests in product quality and tries to constantly improve the features that help them develop and expand.

Not only akaBot, but also many other Vietnamese startups are aiming for global expansion. For them, entering a global market also means striving to put Vietnam on the world map of technology.

Do Quoc Truong, founder of Vietnam Artificial Intelligence Solutions (VAIS), a deep-tech company developing innovative and proprietary AI algorithms and solutions for use in climate-smart agriculture and geospatial intelligence, recalled the booming time of digital transformation in 2018 and 2019: We realized that the market then needed an innovative core technology with an excellent outlook on converting speech to text that can be used in a smart conference room.

Instead of finding answers in existing solutions, the founders of VAIS decided to find a niche market for their products that did not compete with big tech companies like Google or Microsoft.

Currently, VAIS has its first customers coming from Germany, the UK, and other countries.

The desire to make robots companions to humans

With a total of nearly 30 employees,the CEO of VAIS said it will focus on finding solutions to improve productivity rather than hiring more employees.

VAIS is a rare Vietnamese startup that can already make profits in its second year of operation.

In the near future, Truong said, the interaction between robots and humans must become more natural.

After all, if a person knows he or she is talking to a robot, he or she will no longer be willing to talk.

At the same time, Giap, the founder of akaBot, said his team is aiming for solutions where humans and robots can support each other, and workers can be relieved of repetitive tasks.

By 2023, akaBot has deployed its virtual robots to cover operations and tasks for more than 3,500 companies in more than 20 countries around the world.

Among them are more than 500 foreign customers, mainly from Europe, the Americas, Central Asia, and Asia-Pacific.

According to some experts, many Vietnamese startups have focused heavily on exports. Some of them have succeeded in opening branches abroad, thus gaining a source of foreign exchange.

If such companies could be supported by the authorities through appropriate policies, Vietnam would likely have great tech companies in the future.

Expanding the business According to Statista.com, a U.S. market research company, the global market for communications API, or Application Programming Interfaces, may reach $21.7 billion in 2025. Stringee entered the market as a startup with many potential opportunities and faced exceptionally strong competition from giants such as Twilio, Vonage, and 8x8. The Vietnamese startup believes it is focusing on the core values of its products that will enable it to attract customers and gain market share over time. Many Vietnamese startups have begun to expand their business after initial successes. Stringee, for example, is expanding both its market and the number of its employees. In 2023, the company already has 150 employees and will grow even more in the near future. The founders of Stringee believe that Vietnamese digital technology companies are very competitive with their many engineers who are just as good as the foreign ones", and that they are quite capable of defining their brand name with made in Vietnam products.

Rapid growth In 2017, Stringee launched its API platform, which allows businesses and customers to communicate through existing apps, such as making audio/video calls or live chats, without having to install third-party apps like Facebook Messenger, Skype, or Zalo having to install them. Six years later, Stringee opened its first representative office in India after gaining a large number of customers in the Asian country. In 2021, Stringee was described as a multi-million-dollar startup with a sales team of less than 20 employees and gross profit margins in the 90 percent range. In 2022, Stringees growth rate reached up to 200 percent compared to 2021, which helped the company break even. In the field of digitizing communications, the startup has thousands of customers and 70 million end users, including many from the U.S., Japan, and Southeast Asia. Stringee writes its own success story and has its own strategies. These are only creating the best product/solution, not doing many things or many sectors at the same time, which is a popular mistake of many startups," Stringee told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper. The company is investing all its resources in realizing its desire to help institutions change the way they work.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
Many investment registration certificates and construction permits have been awarded to Japanese investors for their large-scale foreign investment project (FDI) projects in Vietnams southeastern Binh Duong Province at a ceremony on Thursday.

The ceremony was held within the framework of the Meet Japan 2023 program launched on Friday at the provincial Convention and Exhibition Center, attracting about 400 delegates from both Vietnamese and Japanese sides.

The three-day program was hosted by Binh Duong authorities in coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the government of Japans Yamaguchi Prefecture to mark the 50th anniversary of Vietnam-Japan diplomatic relations.

Among the large Japanese investors receiving the investment registration certificates and construction permits were Nitto Denko Vietnam Co., Ltd. with a stage-6 factory project worth US$113 million, YUWA Vietnam Co., Ltd. with a $40 million injection to its existing project, and SKM Vietnam Company Limited with a plant valued at $10 million.

The event saw Becamex IDC Corporation, a Vietnamese conglomerate based in Binh Duong, enter into a cooperation agreement with Japans AEON Group, which previously developed a $5.1 million project in the provinces Binh Duong New City.

Many cooperation projects between Vietnam and Japan, including the one for Japan to train high-quality nurses for Binh Duong, were also announced at the ceremony.

Japanese investors have so far operated some 350 projects with a total investment capital of $5.9 billion in the province.

Addressing the event, Permanent Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Minh Vu said the relationship between Vietnam and Japan is that between the friends.

Amid the current shift of global supply chains, and the complexities facing the world economy, Japanese investors still believe in the investment environment in Vietnam in general and Binh Duong Province in particular, the diplomat commented.

The ongoing Meet Japan 2023 offers a good opportunity for Binh Duongs agencies and businesses and their Japanese partners to review and beef up their current cooperation, as well as explore new cooperative areas, the provincial authorities said.

Binh Duong is a dynamic locality in Vietnams southern key economic region and has been twinning and cooperating with many Japanese cities.

Vietnam and Japan established diplomatic relations on September 21, 1973 and the bilateral ties have fruitfully developed ever since.

The Northeast Asian country is Vietnams fourth-largest trade partner, with two-way trade reaching nearly U$50 billion last year, according to official sources.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
The Vietnamese Ministry of National Defense is set to host the concluding field training course as part of Cycle 4 for the ASEAN Defence Ministers Meeting Plus (ADMM+) Experts Working Group on Peacekeeping Operations for the first time ever in Hanoi from September 13 to 21.

Co-chaired by Vietnam and Japan, the field trainings opening ceremony is scheduled for September 13.

Nearly 200 peacekeeping experts and trainees from 18 ADMM+ countries, including 26 from Vietnam, will participate in the training.

The course will comprise three phases encompassing theoretical and practical training, along with specific instruction for military medical personnel, engineers, and military observers.

Recently, Sent. Lieut. Gen. Phung Si Tan, deputy chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam Peoples Army (VPA) and head of the trainings steering committee, conducted an inspection of the preparations at the National Training Center No. 4 in My Duc District, Hanoi.

He urged close cooperation with the Japanese counterparts to finalize arrangements, emphasizing safety and reinforcing the VPAs stature.

The facilities are well-maintained and fully ready to host the event, according to Gen. Tans assessment.

During a meeting with peacekeeping operation expert groups from Vietnam and Japan, Gen. Tan pledged Vietnams commitment to provide optimal conditions for the training and expressed eagerness to collaborate closely with the Japanese side in its organization.

He also commended Japans role as the co-chair of the training.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
Check out the latest news in Vietnam today:

Society

-- A heavy downpour left multiple streets in Nhon Trach District, Dong Nai Province, located in southern Vietnam seriously flooded and brought the traffic on some routes almost to a standstill on Friday afternoon.

-- The national weather center forecast that the northern, Central Highlands, and southern regions in Vietnam could be hit by rains and scattered thunderstorms from Friday evening till next Tuesday, with excessive rainfall expected in some locations.

-- Police on Friday pressed charges against the director and one deputy director of Xuyen Viet Oil Travel and Transport Trading Company, a major fuel wholesaler in southern Vietnam, for allegedly violating regulations on public asset management and use that caused loss and wastefulness.

Business

-- Diplomats, senior officials and business representatives of Vietnam and Japan attended a ceremony held in Binh Duong Province on Friday, during which many Japanese investors were granted investment certificates and construction permits to develop FDI projects in this southern Vietnamese province.

-- Vietnam attracted an additional US$18.15 billion worth of foreign investment in the year to August, improving 8.2 percent over the same period last year, according to the Ministry of Planning and Investment.

-- Kurz Vietnam Company Limited, a unit of Germany-based thin-film technology company Kurz, on Friday inaugurated a hi-tech coating and thin film factory at Becamex Vietnam-Singapore Industrial Park (VSIP) in Binh Dinh Province, located in south-central Vietnam.

Education

-- Viettel Solutions, a subsidiary of the Military Industry, and Telecommunications Group (Viettel) and Google Asia Pacific Company Limited on Thursday signed a strategic cooperation agreement to promote digital transformation in education and cloud computing in Vietnam.

World News

-- Four people were killed and scores wounded on Friday in Russian air strikes on Ukraine, including a deadly attack in which a missile slammed into a police building in President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's hometown, Reuters reported.

-- The British government has signed a partnership with Singapore to grow its economy and enhance shared security, Reuters cited Downing Street as saying on Friday, adding it was the UK's first treaty since leaving the European Union.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
Vietnam is not about world-famous attractions! Speak to any expat and they all agree it is the unknown small things that make Vietnam such an amazing place to visit. But one place, Ha Long Bay (Vinh Ha Long), just east of Hanoi, bucks that theory with world-class wonder and beauty.

Having used every excuse to avoid this international tourist attraction, fortune offered me the chance to spend a day doing the tourist thing and I took a tour from Hanoi to Ha Long Bay in Quang Ninh Province.

Tours are run by operators for one to three days, with the multi-day trips having you staying on a boat that is a floating hotel.

Prices for tours were reasonable and the whole operation from Hanoi and the return trip were well managed.

A boat takes tourists around Ha Long Bay in Quang Ninh Province, northern Vietnam. Photo: Ray Kuschert / Tuoi Tre News

I took the one-day tour where we left our hotel in Hanoi around 8:00 am and returned about 9:00 pm at night.

Tours can be booked from your hotel or any tour shop in the Old Quarter in Hanoi.

Ha Long Bay is 155 kilometers from Hanoi.

Connected to the city of Ha Long, the bay extends more than 1,500 square kilometers and has up to 2,000 small islands (islets) in a unique geographical arrangement.

The bay has been recognized by UNESCO as a world heritage precinct because of the beauty of the area, and there are extensive works in progress to rejuvenate and protect the area for generations in the future.

A photo taken in Ha Long Bay, Quang Ninh Province, northern Vietnam. Photo: Ray Kuschert / Tuoi Tre News

The beginning of all tours at Ha Long Bay is at the boat terminal.

This multi-million dollar facility operates like clockwork and each visitor is required to purchase an entry ticket, which is done by your tour operator.

The wharf area is littered with boats all preparing to leave for a day tour or overnight experiences in the bay.

It is a hive of activity and it is here that bag checks are done to ensure nobody takes plastic bottles into the region due to issues from the past.

Looking back, Ha Long Bay had developed a reputation of being somewhat dirty and disappointing.

Tourists and locals discarded rubbish in the waterways and over time this had collected on the islets causing an environmental challenge for those overseeing this wonderful area.

Now, rubbish is carefully managed and tour operators are leading the way with responsible environmental management.

Local residents are also playing a major role in the cleanup of the bay with many changes to the region to allow the pristine nature of the bay to return, and it is progressing well.

A photo taken in Ha Long Bay, Quang Ninh province, northern Vietnam. Photo: Ray Kuschert / Tuoi Tre News

Our day tour began with lunch on our boat.

As we sailed out into the bay, with the city of Ha Long on our left, the glistening blue water and mild wind lit up the day from our window inside the boat.

The food was acceptable and was included in the tour price.

All drinks onboard were purchased over the price of your ticket and, whilst not being the same price as a local restaurant, were not overly expensive.

The first stop on the tour was to a swimming spot on an island about 10 kilometers from Ha Long City.

The water on a summer's day was magical.

Warm and clean water welcomed us as we had the opportunity to take a swim in this unique area.

We collected a few shells in the sand and I even had a small fish take a moment to nibble at my foot as I lay in the still water.

It was a sensational feeling to be able to swim in the bay and our time there went way too fast.

Our next stop was more adventurous. The speedboat tour lasted about 45 minutes, for an extra charge, and took you further out into the bay to see some unique rock formations.

Words cannot describe how individual and beautiful each islet appears as you sit some 20 kilometers out in the bay.

The adventure continued with free kayaks that tourists can row under a rock cave and into this small open air cavern that is surrounded, totally, by 50-meter-high rock formations.

You were able to sit quietly in the middle of this amazing natural structure and take in the feeling of these ancient rock formations.

Bamboo boats were also available to those unable to swim or sit in a small kayak.

You just did not want to leave this place when you were watching the sun beam overhead whilst sitting in the shade of the high rock structures surrounding you.

Tourists are seen kayaking in Ha Long Bay, Quang Ninh Province, northern Vietnam. Photo: Ray Kuschert / Tuoi Tre News

The last stop on the tour took us into a large cave. We traversed around 100 meters into the entrance of the cave from the water level, then followed a dimly lit pathway to see geographical wonders having to be seen to be believed.

The walk took around an hour and was totally worth the time and effort because it was just so beautiful to see.

Inside a cave in Ha Long Bay, Quang Ninh Province, northern Vietnam. Photo: Ray Kuschert / Tuoi Tre News

The two-hour journey back to Ha Long Terminal was structured to take in the sunset. It was time to put on some dry clothes, grab your camera and a drink, and capture a moment of world heritage perfection from the rooftop of your boat.

As the sun set slowly over the rock formations, colors changed almost by the minute and just before sunset you got to see the rock formation that was printed on the VND200,000 banknote.

There seemed to be a 'wow' moment every few minutes for the entire journey.

Sunset in Ha Long Bay, Quang Ninh Province, northern Vietnam. Photo: Ray Kuschert / Tuoi Tre News

By the time we jumped off the boat, the sun had set and it was time to take the bus back to Hanoi.

The trip took two and a half to three hours depending on weather and traffic and this got us back to our hotel about 9:00 pm. The tours were expertly run and were supportive of both Vietnamese and foreign tourists.

I woke up on the morning of my tour to Ha Long Bay with the feeling that I will just do it for my family," but I returned that evening thinking it was one of the most amazing things I have experienced anywhere in the world.

Ha Long Bay is a true wonder and, even though it is a tourist mecca, it is a must-see part of Vietnam.

This attraction is not about the culture or spirit of Vietnam, it is more about the wonder of our world and the beauty that beholds it when we go looking.

I loved my day out in Ha Long Bay and I now include it in the places that show Vietnam for its timeless charm.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
Ten years on, Belt and Road remains vital contributor to global development, stability

Xinhua) 09:38, September 09, 2023

This aerial photo taken on July 20, 2023 shows trains of Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway (HSR) parking near a train station in Bandung, Indonesia. (Xinhua/Xu Qin)

"With the BRI, China promotes infrastructure development and connectivity across continents, offering a chance for countries to enhance their trade networks and expand their economic potential."

BEIJING, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- Not far away from downtown Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia, a high-speed railway jointly constructed by China and the southeast Asian country is about to see trains run at full steam.

The Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway, a flagship project of China-Indonesia Belt and Road cooperation, is the first overseas high-speed railway project that fully uses Chinese railway systems, technology, and industrial components, and will be the first high-speed railway in Indonesia and Southeast Asia.

Connecting Jakarta and Bandung, the fourth largest city in Indonesia, the railway is 142 km long and has a design maximum speed of 350 km per hour. It will cut the journey time between the two places from over three hours to around 40 minutes.

The railway is indeed a shining example of the infrastructure connectivity achieved through the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which China pioneered in the autumn of 2013.

ENHANCED CONNECTIVITY

Many other iconic projects under the BRI have been completed as scheduled and with high quality, including the China-Laos Railway. Since its launch in December 2021, the 1,035-km rail line, which links the Lao capital, Vientiane, with Kunming, the capital of southwest China's Yunnan Province, has generated enormous benefits.

This aerial photo taken on Aug. 9, 2022 shows trucks for cross-border goods transportation at Vientiane South Station of China-Laos Railway in Laos. (Photo by Kaikeo Saiyasane/Xinhua)

With 19 million passengers and 24 million tonnes of freight delivered and its cross-border cargo transport covering over 10 countries and regions, the railway has dovetailed China-proposed BRI with Laos' strategy to convert itself from a landlocked country to a land-linked hub on the Indo-China Peninsula.

"The railway marks a milestone of the two countries' friendship in a new era," said Manila Sombandith, the consul general of Laos in Kunming.

In other directions, the Belt and Road cooperation is also flourishing. According to official data, the China-Europe Railway Express, a flagship project connecting China and Europe, has reached 211 cities in 25 European countries, and the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor has connected China's central and western regions with more than 300 ports in over 100 countries.

"With the BRI, China promotes infrastructure development and connectivity across continents, offering a chance for countries to enhance their trade networks and expand their economic potential," said Seun Sam, a policy analyst at the Royal Academy of Cambodia.

Over the past decade, the BRI has also witnessed close collaboration between China and its partners in policy coordination, trade facilitation, financial integration and people-to-people exchanges, achieving fruitful outcomes.

China has signed more than 200 cooperation documents on Belt and Road cooperation with 152 countries and 32 international organizations, covering 83 percent of the countries with which China has established diplomatic relations.

Financial cooperation has also been enhanced. As of the end of 2022, the China-proposed Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank has approved 202 projects with financing exceeding 38.8 billion dollars, making it a crucial financing platform for the BRI.

A staff member cleans a comprehensive inspection train at a workshop for the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway in Bandung, Indonesia, June 21, 2023. (Xinhua/Xu Qin)

CHINESE WISDOM

As the world is facing emerging challenges, the BRI, a key platform for building a community with a shared future for humanity, provides Chinese wisdom for the world to achieve lasting peace and prosperity.

With a sluggish global economic recovery, global development needs strong drivers. The BRI has brought more prosperous international investment and trade. The World Bank estimates that the full implementation of transport projects under the framework could increase global income by 0.7 percent to 2.9 percent by 2030, lifting 7.6 million people out of extreme poverty and 32 million out of moderate poverty.

According to Julio Rios, a Spanish expert on China, the BRI is widely popular among developing countries. The initiative has become a public good, contributing not only to China but also to the modernization of the world, he said.

The BRI has enabled countries to jointly enlarge the pie of common interests and increased the popularity of win-win cooperation. Following the principle of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits, it has promoted true multilateralism and set an example of what is democratic and just global governance.

The BRI has brought tremendous advantages to all participating countries and has become a long-term strategy to promote intra-regional and inter-regional connectivity and cooperation in all areas, such as infrastructure, connectivity, economy, investment, finance, and people-to-people exchanges, said Kin Phea, director-general of the International Relations Institute of Cambodia, a think-tank under the Royal Academy of Cambodia.

"It is a new global force of peace, security, stability, development, prosperity, and harmony," he said.

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Sheng Chuyi)
ABC is yet to formally announce a second season of Bay of Fires, but a second season has been in development for some time.

Screen Tasmania provided funding to develop a second season earlier this year.

We have already seen the benefits from the first season of Bay of Fires, not only in terms of the broader economy, but also with increased employment for locals on the West Coast during a traditionally quieter time for businesses, Elise Archer, Tasmanias Minister for the Arts said.

Tasmania is enjoying a boost in local production of late with Deadloch, Alone Australia and Platypus Guardian.

Bay of Fires filmed predominantly in Queenstown, Zeehan and Strahan. The series co-created, produced by and starring Marta Dusseldorp, has been particularly strong in Total TV numbers for ABC.

Our screen industry is a valuable contributor to our economy that supports jobs right around the State, and our ongoing screen investment has allowed our local industry to grow, resulting in the strongest level of back-to-back production activity in the States history.
This week on Kitchen Cabinet, Annabel heads to the Gold Coast, to cook a steamboat with former Home Affairs minister Karen Andrews and meet her quirky pets.

The former mechanical engineer has always worked in male dominated industries, but she explains why entering politics was the first time she had to fight for things simply because she was a woman. This is Andrews last term in the Parliament, and she speaks candidly about the Liberal leadership, how cultural elements of the

parliament can hold back women and why she loves Australian made hand sanitiser.

8pm Tuesday on ABC.
Producers of The Block have pulled the pin on plans to build their 20th season in Daylesford due to permit issues.

Five homes were due to be built from the ground up on a site at 1 Raglan Street Daylesford but the Herald Sun now reports permit issues were behind a decision to pull up stumps. They were due to sit amid a larger development site owned by Hygge Property called Middleton Field for which it intends to place more than 60 new homes.

Plans for the proposed site had been approved by the Hepburn Shire earlier this year but were challenged in VCAT and were then referred to the Planning Minister with a request for an accelerated decision.

Architect Julian Brenchley did not confirm the production had abandoned the site, but told The Age The Block had a policy of walking away from sites that became embroiled in tribunal disputes.

Weve had so many successful series in so many different locations, but we dont go where we are not welcome, one production insider said.

Especially for the 20th series of The Block, which is so important.

At Nines Upfront presentation this past week no location was confirmed, with Scott Cam only referring to big plans for a 20th season.

The loss to the Daylesford community will amount to $500,000 in accommodation for crew and prospective employment for locals trades and businesses.

The Block is believed to now be considering a couple of possible locations in inner Melbourne.

I do think they wouldnt say they are out of Daylesford without being confident they had somewhere else to go, a production source said.

To meet its on air target, potentially as mid August 2024, filming for 12 weeks is due to begin from late February.
Sara Sharif was found dead in Woking (PA)

Ten close relatives of the father of 10-year-old Sara Sharif have been detained for questioning by police in Pakistan.

Saras father, Urfan Sharif, 41, and his partner Beinash Batool, 29, fled the UK for Pakistan after Sara was found dead and alone at the family home in Woking, Surrey, on August 10.

A post-mortem examination found she had suffered multiple and extensive injuries over a sustained and extended period of time.

A police spokesman in Jehlum, 108 miles north-west of Lahore, said the girls father and his wife were in hiding and 10 close relatives have been taken into custody for questioning and an investigation.

Among those detained include Mohammad Sharif, the father of Urfan Sharif, his brothers and cousins, the spokesman said.

Police in Pakistan often detain the close relatives of wanted suspects. However, they are not kept in jail to avoid the intervention of a court.

On Wednesday, Saras stepmother spoke publicly for the first time since the little girl was found dead.

In a clip of the footage posted online by Sky, Batool shows no emotion as she describes Saras death as an incident and says that she and Sharif are willing to co-operate with UK authorities over the case.

Sharif and Batool left Britain with five children aged between one and 13, and Surrey Police want to question them over Saras death.

Saras mother Olga Sharif gave an interview to the Polish television programme Uwaga! in which she spoke of the harrowing experience of going to view her daughters body.

She said: One of her cheeks was swollen and the other side was bruised.

Even now, when I close my eyes I can see what my baby looked like.

Ms Sharif separated from her husband in 2015 and Sara and her older brother had been living with her until 2019, when the family court ruled they should live with their father.

Ms Sharif still had equal rights to see the children and said while that was easy to maintain initially, it became increasingly harder over time.

Story continues

Saras grandfather has told the BBC the girls death was an accident and three family members who left the UK for Pakistan will ultimately return to face police questioning.

Muhammad Sharif said he saw Saras father soon after he arrived in the city of Jhelum, in the South Asian country, and said his son had fled the UK out of fear.

Surrey Police are appealing for information to help them gain a picture of Saras life.
Jason Storah and Tracy Garrad

Aviva has appointed Jason Storah as CEO of UK & Ireland General Insurance and Tracy Garrad as CEO of Aviva Canada.

Jason is currently CEO of Aviva Canada, a role he has held for four years.

Jason has almost 20 years of experience with Aviva in a variety of roles.

Prior to becoming CEO of Aviva Canada, he most recently served as Chief Distribution Officer, where he oversaw broker distribution, partnerships  including RBC Insurance  as well as Avivas direct insurance business and marketing.

In his new role, he will continue to report to Aviva Group CEO Amanda Blanc, and be a member of Avivas Group Executive Committee, as he has been since 2020.

Tracy will succeed Jason as CEO of Aviva Canada and take up her post next month. Tracy has had senior roles in the financial services, insurance and healthcare sectors.

Most recently she was CEO of AXAs UK Healthcare business (formerly AXA PPP), and prior to that she was CEO of HSBC Channel Islands and Isle of Man.

This follows a four year tenure as the CEO of First Direct Bank. Tracy is also a Non-Executive Director of The London Stock Exchange Group plc.

Tracy will report to Aviva Group CEO Amanda Blanc, and become a member of Avivas Group Executive Committee on joining the company.
(Reuters) - Chevron Corp started withdrawing contractor workers from its Gorgon liquefied natural gas (LNG) facility on Saturday, shortly after staff went on strike at two major projects in Australia, a union coalition said.

"Chevron chartered a special flight this morning to Barrow Island to evacuate 50 blue and white collar contract crew off the Gorgon Project," Offshore Alliance said in a Facebook post.

The two sides are at odds over issues including pay, job security, rosters and rules around overtime and transfers between Chevron facilities.

"We will continue to take steps to maintain safe and reliable operations in the event of disruption at our facilities," a spokesperson for Chevron told Reuters.

Workers at Chevron's LNG projects in Australia started strike action on Friday after talks broke down, potentially disrupting output from facilities that account for over 5% of global supply.

No further talks were scheduled between the unions and the U.S. energy major, according to the website of the Fair Work Commission, Australia's industrial umpire, which had mediated five days of negotiations.

Australia is the world's biggest LNG exporter and its main buyers are in Asia.

The dispute over wages and conditions at Chevron's Gorgon and Wheatstone operations has supported British and European gas prices, as traders anticipate lower Australian supplies would intensify competition from other sources.

(Reporting by Jyoti Narayan in Bengaluru; Editing by Tomasz Janowski and Mike Harrison)
One of the hallmarks of the Belfast hotels success is that over 20% of its staff have been employed for more than five years with the head of concierge there since it opened in September 2017. Pictured are some of the dedicated staff

With travellers from across the globe, Titanic hotel Belfast is celebrating its sixth birthday this month and reports that 66% of its total visitors are from outside Northern Ireland.

Steeped in heritage, the landmark Titanic Quarter building has been long associated with Northern Irelands rich maritime history, where some of the worlds most majestic ocean liners including RMS Titanic were built.

One of the hallmarks of Titanic Hotel Belfasts success is that more than 20% of its staff have been employed at the hotel for more than five years including head of concierge William who has been with the hotel since it opened since day one.

The concierge team has also conducted more than 4,500 heritage tours since opening. Heritage tours provide visitors with a flavour of the history of this unique hotel which includes Thomas Andrews original private office, the decadent Presentation Room, where Lord Pirrie showcased Harland & Wolffs latest designs for transatlantic passenger liners, and Charles Paynes office.

Titanic Hotel Belfast has welcomed over 234,000 guests since opening and there have been over 105,000 weddings and events attendees since the hotel opened in September 2017.

Adrian McNally, general manager of Titanic Hotel Belfast, said: We are extremely excited to be celebrating our sixth birthday in a market where maintaining service excellence and guest satisfaction are more important than they have ever been.

"Visitors have tremendous choice of which city to explore and when they choose the location, they also have such a wide range choice when it comes to accommodation that, as Northern Irelands leading hotel, we are delighted that our extraordinary offering appeals to so many discerning staycationers, national and international tourists, business leaders, event organisers and bridal parties alike.

Story continues

In six short years our unique wedding venue of Drawing Office One has catered for a phenomenal almost 4,000 weddings and we forecast that as weddings continue in popularity this will only continue to grow.

Having operated our business in some of the most challenging times in recent years, I am filled with immense personal pride that more than a fifth of our original team is still with us today, delivering passionately in every aspect of our business every day.

The combined efforts of Harcourt Developments and the team at Titanic Hotel Belfast have created a unique hospitality experience, giving guests the chance to stay in one of the most historically important buildings in Northern Ireland.

One of the hallmarks of Titanic Hotel Belfasts success is that more than 20% of its staff have been employed at the hotel for more than five years including head of concierge William who has been with the hotel since it opened since day one (Photo: u)
Rishi Sunak has sounded a cautious note about the prospects of signing Britain's biggest post-Brexit trade deal, saying it is "not a given".

Speaking to reporters as he travelled to the G20 in Delhi, the prime minister said he would "check in" with Narendra Modi about the progress towards a free trade agreement.

But he played down the prospects of an imminent agreement, with hopes of signing it off on this - his first trip to India in office - seeming to have faded.

There are now hopes that after twelve rounds of negotiations, the two leaders may be able to reach agreement on another visit to India which is being discussed for later this year.

Mr Sunak said: "Without question, India is going to be one of the most significant countries geopolitically over the next years and decades and it's vitally important for the UK to deepen our ties, particularly economically and more broadly, with India.

"So that's why we've been working towards an ambitious and comprehensive free trade deal, but it's not a given.

"These things are a lot of work and a lot of time. That's why I've never put an artificial deadline on these trade deals, I've always said we shouldn't sacrifice quality for speed. And we need to end up with something that works genuinely for both sides.

PM confirms RAF planes will fly over the Black Sea - politics latest

"Of course, every time I see Prime Minister Modi, it's something we check in at, but that's not the main purpose of this trip. There are lots of other things we're going to be discussing."

Back at home, Foreign Secretary James Cleverly defended the speed of trade deal negotiations with India, saying they were progressing "quicker" than talks with the EU.

"Our trade negotiations with India have actually progressed quicker than other trade negotiations, including the EU's trade negotiations with India," he said.

Story continues

"We've always said we want to get the right trade deal with India because it's an incredibly important partner, not just rush it through.

"We've got to recognise that influence... takes time."

He also told Sky News's Niall Paterson the UK needs to "remind the world" that the war in Ukraine is an issue for those outside Europe. India has historic ties with Russia and has so far refused to denounce its invasion of Ukraine.

Mr Sunak will have a one-on-one meeting with Mr Modi on Saturday. He told reporters travelling with him that visiting India is "special" and "near and dear" to him, adding that he had been described by commentators as "India's son-in-law."

But a government source told Sky News that the "trickiest" issues in the deal are yet to be agreed. One of the issues is understood to be visas for Indian workers to come to the UK.

Trade deals typically include provisions for short-term business visas, but Mr Sunak has been clear that the UK's points-based immigration policy will not change.

The prime minister said yesterday that "immigration is a separate issue" from trade and business, and that he believes net migration is "too high".

A youth mobility scheme for 3,000 Indian workers per year to come to the UK was announced last year, but ministers have also announced plans to tighten rules for foreign students and their dependents, for which Indians are now the largest group.

Trade talks are understood to have focused on India lowering tariffs for British exports, including cars and Scotch whisky - for which India is the world's biggest market.

But Mr Sunak has rejected the approach of his predecessor Boris Johnson and Liz Truss who set a deadline for a deal by Diwali in October last year.

He and Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch have told cabinet colleagues they do not want a simple deal on goods, but a comprehensive deal which tackles issues around services.

The UK is said to be pushing for greater intellectual property rights for companies trading in India, where pharmaceutical companies produce cheap, generic drugs.

It would be the first free trade deal India has done with a European country, and a coup for both leaders, who are facing elections next year.

Trade with India, Britain's twelfth biggest trading partner, is worth 36bn a year, and supporters of a deal say it could open a big new market for British firms.

But key questions surround how it would work. Sam Lowe of Flint Global, who served on the UK's trade advisory group, said high-level compromises were needed.

He said: "The negotiations are in a holding pattern at the moment, and what's probably required now is senior political intervention from Sunak and Modi to change the red lines.

Read more:

A trade deal between the UK and India isn't guaranteed any time soon - and this is why

India: Sectarian violence between Hindus and Muslims on the rise

"Intuitively, they should be able to reach an agreement. India has done trade deals with Australia and the UAE and it's negotiating with the EU and Canada, at the moment.

"But only on term it deems acceptable, and that comes with challenges for UK firms, they may not get everything they want in terms of access to India."

How firms would qualify for lower tariffs - the "rules of origin" regulations about how much of the product needs to be produced in the UK, and what paperwork firms will need - are yet to be finalised. These decisions will "matter hugely for businesses in terms of whether the benefits of the trade deal are real or not", Mr Lowe said.

Indian ministers have sounded much more optimistic about a trade deal being done this year.

Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman told a conference in Delhi last month, shortly after a visit by Ms Badenoch, that "I won't be wrong in saying a free trade agreement is very close".
Martial law in four partially occupied regions of Ukraine was introduced by decree of Russian President Vladimir Putin on 20 October 2022, less than a month after they were incorporated into Russia.

In May this year, Putin signed a law allowing elections to be held in the territories where the martial law regime is in force. Previously, Russian law prohibited election campaigns and referendums in such conditions.

Early voting in "elections" in Luhansk and Kherson regions began on the second of September, a week before the Unified Voting Day in the Russian Federation. In Donetsk and Zaporizhzhya oblasts even earlier - on 31 August. Early voting, as explained by the Russian authorities, was organised for voters "located in hard-to-reach areas and settlements near the line of contact".

'Elections' with differences

The "elections" conducted by the Kremlin in the occupied territories have a number of peculiarities.

In particular, from the first to the fourth of September, voting took place at extraterritorial polling stations, that is, outside the annexed regions, in Russia. For this purpose, more than 300 such polling places were organised in the constituent entities of the Russian Federation.

In addition, residents of the four occupied Ukrainian regions will not elect their own regional heads of state. They will be appointed by the deputies of local "parliaments" on the recommendation of Russian President Putin. Experts predict that all the current "interim" leaders put in place by the Kremlin will remain in place. All of them are members of the ruling party, United Russia.

It is also noted that only parliamentary parties (represented in the State Duma of the Russian Federation) take part in the "elections" to local authorities. Voting is conducted only on party lists, it is impossible to vote for a particular candidate. The "election commissions" of the annexed territories did not even intend to publish the names of candidates, explaining this by "physical security considerations".

Story continues

         2014  - Grigory Sysoev/Sputnik

Russian independent journalists recall that this is how the first municipal elections in annexed Crimea were held in 2014.

They found out that more than half of the candidates in these "elections" were local residents (in Zaporizhzhya and Kherson regions, 71 per cent), with a third of the candidates in Zaporizhzhya and Kherson regions being housewives, pensioners, students or unemployed.

Kyiv: Participation in 'elections' is collaborationism

Ukraine regards active participation in Russian "elections" in the occupied territories as a manifestation of collaboration and treason. "Candidates" and "members of election commissions" face criminal prosecution.

The Security Service of Ukraine has already launched criminal proceedings against several individuals in the Luhansk region who were involved in organising the "elections".

Their names have been published in the Ukrainian media.

"The Geneva Conventions, in which Russia is also formally participating, prohibit the holding of any elections by the aggressor in the occupied territories. For us, these elections do not exist. And for the entire international community too._This is a propaganda show," Oleksiy Garan, a professor of political science at the Kyiv-Mohyla Academy, told Euronews.

The Ukrainian authorities do not plan to punish people for voting in the pseudo-elections organised by Moscow. Kiev understands that the Kremlin demands to ensure maximum turnout by any means. During early voting, election commission officials went door-to-door accompanied by Russian military personnel.

"We are differentiating here. Many Ukrainian citizens found themselves in the occupied territory not of their own free will. Terror methods, repressions are being used against them. If we are talking about ordinary people who have to go to vote because otherwise there will be repression against them, there will be no action here. Criminal prosecution awaits the collaborators," Garany said.

International reaction

The European Union and the United States said that the "elections" held by Moscow in the occupied Ukrainian territories are "another gross violation of international law."

"Russia has started early voting in the so-called "elections" in the temporarily occupied Ukrainian territories. This is yet another violation of international law and Ukraine's sovereignty," EU foreign policy spokesman Peter Stano wrote on social network X (formerly Twitter).

The US State Department called the vote in the occupied territories a "pseudo-election" and a "propaganda exercise", noting that the United States would never recognise Russia's claim to Ukrainian territories.

Secretary of State Anthony Blinken warned that people who support the vote could face sanctions and visa restrictions. We are talking, in particular, about so-called "international observers".

Blinken stressed that the US will not recognise the results of these "elections" and will continue to support Ukraine.

"This is not an election, but a dog circus."

The Russian authorities are holding the unified voting day this year on 10 September, although as noted above, early "expression of will" began much earlier.

Golos, an all-Russian public movement in defence of voters' rights, notes that the 2023 election campaign took place under conditions of "constant and growing pressure on all participants in the electoral process."

"Golos" believed that this year's elections cannot be called equal and free in any of Russia's regions.

Russian political scientist Dmitry Oreshkin reminded that elections in Russia have long ceased to serve as a mechanism for changing power.

"In general, elections in Putin's Russia are a ritualistic procedure. Their meaning comes down to three main aspects," he said.

"The first is propaganda when it is necessary to demonstrate that the situation is under control and there is nationwide mass support. The second is the ritual meaning.

"For a significant part of Putin's electorate, it is important to get a picture that everything is working, that since the elections were held, everything is according to the rules.

"And the third is a test. A test of the effectiveness of regional bosses: whether they can control the situation, whether they can 'draw' the right figure and make people accept it and not protest."

In his opinion, "these procedures" have nothing to do with democracy.
Rishi Sunak said he would broach the topic of UK-India trade talks when he meets Narendra Modi at the G20 (Stefan Rousseau/PA) (PA Wire)

Rishi Sunak hailed the enormous progress made on moving towards a free trade agreement with India as he prepares to meet Indian counterpart Narendra Modi.

The Prime Minister has confirmed he plans to check in with Mr Modi about the trade negotiations when they meet on the fringes of the G20 summit in New Delhi on Saturday.

But Mr Sunak has refused to put an artificial deadline on when he wants to see a deal signed off.

He is said to think that his predecessors habit of setting target dates for ratifying post-Brexit trade terms was damaging to the UKs negotiating position.

Although we've made enormous progress, there is still hard work to go

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak

Former prime ministers Boris Johnson and Liz Truss both expressed a desire to have a pact with the emerging global powerhouse wrapped up by October 2022 to coincide with the Hindu celebration of Diwali.

Mr Sunak said he and Mr Modi agreed that there is a good deal to be done.

Speaking to Asian News International (ANI) on Friday ahead of his bilateral meeting with Mr Modi, he said: Both Modi and I are keen to see a comprehensive and ambitious trade deal concluded between our two countries.

Both of us think that there is a good deal to be done. But trade deals always take time. They need to work for both countries.

And although weve made enormous progress, there is still hard work to go.

The comments appeared more positive than when he told the UK press pack only hours earlier that a free trade agreement with India was not a given.

The Conservative Party leader, who is the first British prime minister of Indian descent, said the summit was not the forum to hold in-depth discussions about the hurdles holding up a trade agreement.

However, he confirmed he would touch on the negotiations with the Hindu nationalist leader on Saturday.

The deal is reportedly being held up by a number of issues, including a disagreement over the number of visas for Indians to work in the UK and differences over the level of access British car manufacturers should be given to Indias market of 1.4 billion people.

Story continues

A crucial difference between London and New Delhi has been on their stance on Russias invasion of Ukraine.

Mr Sunak has been outspoken in condemning Russian president Vladimir Putins 19-month assault on Kyiv while India has kept ties open with the Kremlin since Moscows forces crossed the Ukrainian border in February 2022.

The Prime Minister suggested he would not be pressing Mr Modi to go further in supporting Ukraine against the Russian invasion.

Before meeting the world leaders of today Ive been meeting with the world leaders of tomorrow.



Its been fantastic to visit students and staff here at @inBritish - a reflection of the living bridge that exists between the UK and India. pic.twitter.com/mYc2uZP7kc  Rishi Sunak (@RishiSunak) September 8, 2023

Asked for his view on the Indian position on the conflict, he told ANI: Well, its not for me to tell India what positions to take on international issues, but I know India rightly cares about the international rule of law, the UN charter and respect for territorial integrity.

I think those are things that are universal values that we all share. Those are things that I believe, and India, I know, believes in those things too.

Mr Modi has been placed front-and-centre of the two-day G20 summit being held at Bharat Mandapam, with his face displayed on thousands of posters around the city advertising the gathering.

Indian authorities are looking to use the opportunity to bolster the countrys worldwide reputation, with US president Joe Biden among the leaders flying in.

But a lockdown in place around the summit venue has made it difficult to travel around the Indian capital and press access has been heavily restricted.

On Saturday, Mr Sunak will hold separate meetings with Singapore prime minister Lee Hsien Loong and Mauritian leader Pravind Jugnauth on the fringes of the summit.

In the evening, the Prime Minister and his wife Akshata Murty will join leaders for a dinner hosted by Mr Modi. Ms Murty is the daughter of NR Narayana Murty, the billionaire co-founder of Indian IT giant Infosys.

Ahead of the Singapore bilateral, Downing Street announced a new strategic partnership with the Asian Commonwealth nation.

It involves enhanced shared security between the two, along with efforts to harness the UK and Singapores expertise in new technologies like cyber and artificial intelligence to create jobs in both countries, No 10 said.

Mr Sunak said: This new agreement with Singapore will take us even further in delivering our priorities and ensure that, as we map the future of the world economy, we are doing so alongside our closest partners.
Want to move to Czech Republic? A new digital nomad visa hopes to attract skilled workers

The Czech Republic has just introduced a digital nomad visa aimed at highly skilled remote workers.

The new visa, which launched in July 2023, allows freelancers and remote employees to work from the country for one year.

It is hoping to attract skilled IT professionals and is available to nationals of eight countries: Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, Taiwan, the UK and the USA.

Heres how it works and who can apply.

What is the Czech Republics digital nomad visa?

The Czech Republics new digital nomad visa offers an accelerated route to a long-term stay.

It hopes to address the countrys lack of highly qualified IT professionals and boost the economy.

Applicants can either be employed by a foreign company that allows them to work remotely or they can be self-employed as a freelancer.

Freelancers must apply for a Czech business licence that allows them to provide services to companies in the Czech Republic on a contract basis.

The visa costs CZK 2,500 (104) and initially lasts for one year. After this you must apply for a residence permit granting a further two years and complete an adaptation-integration course. Visa applications are processed within 45 days.

If you stay in the country for more than 183 days in a one-year period, you will be considered a Czech tax resident. If you are also a tax resident in your home country, the amount you pay will depend on your countrys double taxation rules.

Before the digital nomad visa launched, the one-year zivno business visa was the best route for self-employed foreigners in the Czech Republic. However, it requires applicants to obtain a trade licence and have 124,500 CZK (5,160) in their bank account.

Who can apply for the Czech Republics digital nomad visa?

The Czech Republics new digital nomad visa is available to eight nationalities: Australian, Canadian, Japanese, New Zealander, South Korean, Taiwanese, British and American.

Story continues

Applicants must have a university degree or higher in science, technology, engineering or maths or three years of work experience in the IT industry.

Remote workers employed by a foreign company must meet the minimum income requirement of CZK 60,530 (2,507) per month. This is 1.5 times the gross average salary in the Czech Republic. Their company must also have at least 50 employees.

Spouses, registered partners, and minor and dependent children of any nationality can get a residence permit too when applying with a qualifying digital nomad visa applicant.

Is the Czech Republic a good place to be a digital nomad?

The Czech Republic frequently makes top 10 lists of the best places to be a digital nomad. Last year, it came ninth on travel search engine KAYAKs Work from Wherever Index.

This was primarily because of its affordable living costs, with long-term apartment rental just 389 per month on average and the cost of a one-way train ticket under 1.

Although the capital, Prague is more expensive, it still offers a high standard of living at an affordable cost. Cheap beer, great nightlife and an abundance of museums, galleries and parks are other perks of living in the city.

When you want to escape into nature, the striking rock formations of The Bohemian Switzerland National Park are less than a two-hour drive away.

Prague is also well connected with the rest of the country and Europe by train - including a night train to Zurich via Frankfurt and Basel.
8 packing essentials when traveling across Southeast Asia, according to our reporters

Insider's reporters in Singapore share their travel essentials when traveling around Southeast Asia. Marielle Descalsota/Kai Xiang Teo/Insider

Southeast Asia is a popular tourist destination thanks to the region's year-round tropical weather.

But traveling the region can be uncomfortable  especially if you don't pack the right items with you.

Insider's reporters' packing essentials can make your trip better, whether it rains or shines.

Southeast Asia is one of the most popular regions to travel in the world  in 2019, it drew over 147 million tourists.

The region is famous for its deep culture, flavorful cuisines, tropical weather, and gorgeous natural landscapes.

Many of Insider's Singapore-based reporters have spent years traveling across Southeast Asia, from the temples of Thailand to the beaches of Indonesia and beyond. Below, eight of us have pooled our top packing tips for tourists exploring Southeast Asia, whether you're here for a weekend or spending several weeks backpacking around.

1. A DIY sun and heat protection kit

Amanda Goh always travels with sunscreen, an umbrella, and a portable fan. Amanda Goh/Insider

To protect myself from the blazing sun, I always pack a DIY sun and heat kit that consists of three key things: a retractable sunscreen stick, an electronic handheld fan, and a UV umbrella.

The UV index in many Southeast Asian countries is generally on the higher side than in many places in the US, so I always bring a retractable sunscreen stick to protect myself from UV rays. It's also small enough to bring as a carry-on.

Since most of these countries are warm and humid, a rechargeable handheld electronic fan  with different wind speed modes  keeps me cool on days when the air is especially still.

Lastly, I also keep a UV umbrella in my bag to shade my face from the afternoon sun and keep me dry during the sudden downpours of tropical rain.

 Amanda Goh, real-estate reporter

2. A pack of cold wipes to keep me cool in the heat

Cheryl Teh's essentials include some cooling wipes from Gatsby. Cheryl Teh/Insider

I was born and raised in Singapore, but anything over 90 degrees turns me into a sweaty mess.

I recommend Gatsby's "Ice-Type" cold wipes for my fellow heat-averse travelers. They come in various versions, including some for the face, and deodorizing, scented wipes for the body to keep you cool as a cat.

Story continues

When traveling in other countries, I also make sure to wear dry-fit clothing, which wicks sweat.

 Cheryl Teh, news editor

3. A three-in-one foldable charging station

Alexandra Karplus, working at a cafe in Bali, always makes sure to pack a universal converter and charging station Alexandra Karplus/Insider

When I'm on the go, I always make sure I'm powered up by packing a universal converter, a charging station, and a portable battery.

Sockets vary across Asia and, after working as a travel reporter in the region for over 15 years, and more recently traveling as a mother, I vowed never to find myself stuck without the correct plug again. My go-to adapter features four plugs that are compatible with most countries, in addition to boasting five USB ports, and it isn't overly bulky.

When traveling across Southeast Asia, I use contactless payment at most restaurants and hotels, ride-hailing apps to get around, and Google Maps to avoid getting lost, so being charged up is key. The portable battery makes sure there's always a backup.

And, as these days it's not just about a phone  earphones and watches need juice too  I always bring my three-in-one foldable charging station. In the new work-from-anywhere world, this helped me set up a makeshift office at a cafe in Ubud when needed  as featured in the photo above.

 Alexandra Karplus, life and culture editor

4. A tourist eSIM card

Harris Jamaluddin always uses a tourist SIM card when traveling out of Singapore. Harris Jamaluddin/Insider

I recommend travelers pick up a tourist eSIM card to dodge expensive roaming fees.

I often travel to Malaysia on the weekends, which is just a bridge away from Singapore. I used to spend way too much time fiddling around with the tiny iPhone ejector pins and physical SIM cards.

These days, I buy eSIM cards  an electronic SIM card that doesn't require any switching  before traveling. This way, I no longer have to commit to an overpriced tourist SIM card deal from the airport.

 Harris Jamaluddin, social media producer

6. A full suite of ride-hailing apps

Huileng Tan uses ride-hailing apps whenever she travels. Huileng Tan/Insider

I make sure to install and update ride-hailing apps on my phone before every trip.

Hailing non-metered taxis off the streets of some Southeast Asia cities can be stressful, as it often involves haggling. But ride-hailing apps have made hailing a taxi, scooter, or tuk-tuk  an open-air vehicle popular in places like Thailand  super simple.

I always make sure I have Grab and Gojek  the Southeast Asian equivalents of Uber  ride-hailing apps on my phone before traveling. Grab is available in eight countries in the region while Gojek is available in Indonesia, Singapore, and Vietnam.

In some parts of Laos, where Grab and Gojek aren't available, I've used Loca, a local ride-hailing app. South Korean ride-hailing platform Tada is also expanding in Southeast Asia. As prices go up and down depending on demand, checking different platforms is a great way to get the best price.

 Huileng Tan, senior business news reporter

6. A set of travel cutlery

Kai Xiang Teo has backpacked across Southeast Asia and recommends bringing your own cutlery. Kai Xiang Teo/Insider

I have quite a bit of experience backpacking around Southeast Asia, and one thing that's come in handy time and time again is a set of travel cutlery.

It's made dining on the go more comfortable in situations where I've been dealing with poorly equipped hostel kitchens, visiting the convenience store late at night, or traveling on a bus or train between destinations. I've also happened to stay in Airbnbs that didn't provide cutlery

On top of that, it's also a great way to reduce your carbon footprint when traveling  there's no need to dispose of single-use plastics. The IKEA travel cutlery set has served me well and includes a stainless steel knife, fork, and spoon wrapped in a black linen cloth.

 Kai Teo, jr. business news reporter

7. High-quality flip-flops

Marielle Descalsota recommends bringing along a high-quality pair of sandals or flip flops. Marielle Descalsota/Insider

I've swum everywhere from the coasts of Krabi, Thailand, to the Bali waves  and along the way, I've broken my fair share of flip-flops. Now, high-quality flip-flops are always on my packing list, even if they cost a bit more.

I recommend wearing high-quality footwear like waterproof sandals that stay wrapped around your feet, or flip-flops that are non-slip and made of a thick material that makes it difficult for rocks and sea creatures to pierce through.

Travelers with bigger feet might find it difficult to find a pair of shoes that fit them in Asia, where sizes tend to be smaller, so it's probably best to buy these at home before you start your trip.

 Marielle Descalsota, jr. travel reporter

Editor's note: Some might think that Crocs are only for moms and kids, but Crocs flip flops are slip-resistant, durable, and can even be worn in the water.

8. Insect repellent and wet wipes

Nidhi Pandurangi brings along a bottle of mosquito repellent in her travel bag. Nidhi Pandurangi/Insider

Dengue is a major health risk in Southeast Asia, so I always carry a bottle of mosquito repellent on my travels. It's a must if you plan to spend the day exploring Vietnam's roadside food eateries or sitting on a beach in Indonesia.

You can also get them as patches, which you can stick to your clothes or luggage to keep the bugs at bay.

 Nidhi Pandurangi, business editor

Read the original article on Insider
Duchess of Sussex to cheer for Nigeria at Invictus Games, husband reveals

The Duchess of Sussex will be cheering for Nigeria at the Invictus Games this year after discovering that she is of Nigerian descent, her husband the duke has revealed.

Opening the games at the Merkur Spiel-Arena in Dusseldorf on Saturday evening, Harry said that while the Sussexes do not play favourites, the discovery means that things are likely to get a little bit more competitive between the couple.

Were also very excited to have new nations join us, the duke told the packed arena.

Lets hear it for Colombia, Israel, and Nigeria.

Now Im not saying we play favourites in our home but since my wife discovered that she is of Nigerian descent, its likely to get a little bit more competitive this year, he added.

The duke founded the Invictus Games to aid the rehabilitation of injured and sick military personnel and veterans across the globe (Jordan Pettitt/PA)

The duke founded the Invictus Games to aid the rehabilitation of injured and sick military personnel and veterans across the globe, by giving them the challenge of competing in sporting events similar to the Paralympics.

This years competition will run until September 16.

Fifty-nine Team UK competitors from the veteran and serving military community at Birmingham Airport ahead of their flight to Dusseldorf (Callum Parke/PA)

A total of 550 sick, wounded and injured former and current military personnel from 21 countries are taking part in 10 team and individual sports.

Team UK, who are captained by Royal Navy submarine officer Lieutenant Commander James Rogers, has been supported by the Royal British Legion in partnership with the Ministry of Defence.
THRIVING: Seventeen-year-old Leeds United midfielder Charlie Crew, pictured signing his first pro contract with the Whites earlier this summer. (Photo: LUFC)

Seventeen-year-old Charlie Crew signed his first professional contract with Leeds this summer and the midfielder has now made his debut for Wales under-21s who are managed by ex-Whites player Matt Jones. Crew had previously been capped for the Dragons at under-15s, 16s and 17s level and the Whites youngster started Fridays international friendly qualifier against visiting Liechtenstein at Rodney Parade.

Centre midfielder Crew stayed on the pitch for the whole contest in which his side recorded a 4-0 victory through a brace from Rubin Colwill plus strikes from Joe Low and Josh Thomas. Wales under-21s will now be on their travels for an under-21s Euros qualifier on Tuesday afternoon against Lithuania at the Jonava City Stadium in a 4pm kick-off.

Crew has started all four Whites under-21s games at the start of the new Premier League Two Division One campaign in which Michael Skubalas side have recorded three victories and just one defeat.
Starbucks Reserve cup on table - Michael Gordon/Shutterstock

Starbucks Reserve features microblends that the company describes as "a selection of the rarest, most extraordinary coffees." The coffee bean origins range from Colombia to Hawaii to Kenya and beyond. If you're curious to try one of these rarer blends -- or buy a bag of one of the roast's beans -- you have to visit a Starbucks Reserve location. However, there's an app glitch that may give you false hope about trying one of these roasts.

As it turns out, if you go on the app to order ahead, some non-Reserve locations let you place a Reserve order despite the Reserve roasts not being available there. Until this glitch is fixed, it's important to keep in mind that you won't be able to try the Reserve roasts unless you find a Reserve location near you. The Reserve locations are limited, with your best bet for finding one being in a major city.

Read more: The 34 Most Popular Starbucks Drinks, Ranked Worst To Best

Where Are The Starbucks Reserve Locations?

Interior of Starbucks Reserve Roastery in Tokyo - nuttstock/Shutterstock

Starbucks has Reserve Roasteries, which are defined as "theatrical, experiential shrines to coffee passion" where mixologists and baristas use the Starbucks Reserve roasts to craft drinks in six major cities around the world: Seattle, Chicago, Shanghai, Tokyo, Milano, and New York (including one inside the Empire State Building). The Roasteries are a bit higher end than the average Starbucks cafe, with a more specialized menu. The Roastery menu may also feature items such as gelato, coffee flights, and specialty seasonal drinks.

But not everybody lives in one of these six cities. Luckily for those outside of the Roastery cities, there are also Starbucks cafe locations that serve Reserve coffee without the glitz and glamor of the Roastery experience -- these are known as Starbucks locations with Starbucks Reserve coffee. There are plenty of these scattered around the U.S., especially in major cities such as Los Angeles or Portland, Oregon. So, if you're looking to get a Starbucks drink made with their Reserve coffee, check out the locations list to see if you live near one offering it. After you've checked that, you can go on and order ahead with the surety that you'll actually receive a Reserve drink.

Read the original article on Tasting Table.
Few filmmakers have to experience the very real thing theyre dramatising on camera actually happening around their set. But then few films are set and shot in the Occupied West Bank.

As Farah Nabulsi recalls, while making The Teacher around the city of Nablus, she witnessed the forced demotion of a Palestinian home by Israeli forces and settlers torching Palestinian olive trees, both of which take place in her film.

More from The Hollywood Reporter

On my way to set at five in the morning, by the side of the road was a Palestinian family, a couple with six young children, standing in front of the rubble of their freshly demolished house, she says. So yeah, this harsh reality is unfolding around you.

Premiering in Toronto on Sept. 9, the film follows a school teacher (Palestinian acting royalty Saleh Bakri) precariously trying juggling his dangerous involvement in the resistance movement with his position as a father figure for one of his students (Muhammad Abed El Rahman), an intelligent young man threatening to throw away his life as he seeks revenge for murder. Meanwhile, Imogen Poots plays a volunteer worker slowly realizing what it means to live in the West Bank.

Nabulsi, British born but of Palestinian heritage, actually had the idea for her directorial debut while making her 2020 BAFTA-winning and Oscar-nominated short film The Present, also starring Bakri, after being inspired by the story of Gilad Shalit. Shalit was an Israeli soldier captured by Palestinian militants in 2006 and released five years later in exchange for more than 1,000 Palestinian prisoners.

I thought wow, that is a really big imbalance in the value of human life, she explains. That story really stuck with me  just the idea of how you perceive the others.

Story continues

So Nabulsi took this central plotline of a captured soldier and combined it with other cruel and absurd stories she had gathered on her trips to Palestine, including enforced home demolitions, settler vandalism and child prisoners (she says more than 8,000 children have been processed through Israels military detention system since 2000). I was really just blown away by the injustice and the discrimination, and how systematic and institutionalized it all is.

Putting this to one side, Nabulsi says she was also very keen to focus on the personal in The Teacher, and take a deep dive into the real-life experiences of someone living in that reality, exploring the conditions that drive a person to take the actions they take. The result, she claims, is a film that is both a socio-political drama and a human suspense drama.

Bakri, who Nabulsi now considers more of a collaborator, was on board from day one (shes told him about the idea before shed even written the first draft). But with casting directors Leo Davis and Lissy Holm she gathered an ensemble including Poots, Rahman, Stanley Townsend, Paul Herzberg, Andrea Irvine and Mahmoud Bakri (Salehs youngest brother). The group stayed together in a guest house in the Palestinian countryside, just outside of Nablus, and were able to trips around the area on their days off to experience the beautiful and the ugly aspects of West Bank.

For the non-Palestinian actors, Nabulsi says they arrived with a very minimal understanding of the reality on the ground. But by the end of the trip, they had all said to me, individually, that it had been a life-changing experience. Theyve definitely come away from it far more informed.

Saleh Bakri (who heads to Toronto straight from Venice, where hes on the main competition jury) may be the most visible link between Nabulsis acclaimed, award-winning short and her first feature, but the filmmaker says theres another  far less obvious  easter egg. In The Present, a father and daughter (and a fridge) struggle to get back home through a series of Israeli checkpoints. In The Teacher, while checkpoints arent the focus, in one scene an Israeli car is waved through a checkpoint while a long line of Palestinians wait. By the side of the road, a girl sits with her father, who has been blindfolded.

And that girl is Maryam Kanj, the same actress from The Present, says Nabulsi. Shes older now. But that was my hat tip to my previous film.

Best of The Hollywood Reporter

Click here to read the full article.
The explosion that downed a plane carrying Wagner Group leader Yevgeny Prigozhin and nine others in Russia was likely caused by a bomb, two U.S. officials told ABC News on Friday.

A senior U.S. official said the preliminary belief is that the private jet was downed by an explosion on board, potentially caused by a well-placed bomb. Another U.S official said the United States believes that a bomb was very likely the cause of the explosion.

The Kremlin vehemently denied having any involvement in the mysterious plane crash on Wednesday that presumably killed Prigozhin as well as Wagner Group co-founder Dmitry Utkin.

There has been a lot of speculation around this crash [and] the tragic deaths of the plane's passengers, among them Yevgeny Prigozhin. Of course, the West presents all this speculation from a particular angle. All of that is sheer lies," Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Friday. "One should rely on facts. For now, there are not many facts, they have yet to be established in the ongoing investigative procedures."

There was no indication a surface-to-air missile was the cause of the crash, according to the U.S. Department of Defense.

"We don't have any information to indicate right now ... there was some type of surface-to-air missile that took down the plane, that we assessed that information to be inaccurate," Pentagon press secretary Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder told reporters on Thursday. "But beyond that, I'm really just not going to have any further information. What was it, something that came internal from inside the plane? Again, I don't have any additional insight to provide on that."

MORE: Russian rebellion timeline: How the Wagner uprising against Putin unfolded and where Prigozhin is now

PHOTO: People hang out portraits of Yevgeny Prigozhin and Dmitry Utkin as they pay tribute to them at the makeshift memorial in front of the PMC Wagner office in Novosibirsk, on August 24, 2023. (Vladimir Nikolayev/AFP via Getty Images)

Prigozhin, 62, was a former close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin. His private paramilitary organization played a key role in Putin's invasion of neighboring Ukraine before briefly launching an insurrection against the Russian military in June. Forces loyal to Prigozhin marched toward Moscow before turning back after several days.

Putin offered his first comments on the plane crash on Thursday hours after ABC News learned that the bodies of the victims were moved to the Tver Regional Bureau of Forensic Medical Examination.

"As for the aviation tragedy, first of all, I want to express my sincerest condolences to the families of all the victims," the Russian president said in a televised address, noting that Wagner Group made a "significant contribution to our common cause of fighting the neo-Nazi regime in Ukraine."

"I knew Prigozhin for a very long time, since the early 1990s. He was a man with a complex destiny, and he made serious mistakes in life," he added. "He achieved the results he needed both for himself and, when I asked him, for the common cause, as in these last months."

Russia's Investigative Committee has launched a probe into the incident, which "will be carried out in full," according to Putin.

"There is no doubt about that here,' he said. "Let's see what the investigators say in the near future. Tests -- technical and genetic tests -- are being carried out now. This takes some time."

Investigators said they are using DNA testing to identify the bodies, according to the Investigative Committee. They also recovered flight recorders from the site, according to the Russian news agency RIA.

Earlier Thursday, Putin addressed the BRICS summit of leaders meeting in Johannesburg remotely but made no mention of the crash in his remarks.

MORE: Russia-Ukraine live updates: Zelenskyy speaks out against US critics

PHOTO: TOPSHOT - A member of private mercenary group Wagner pays tribute to Yevgeny Prigozhin (L) and Dmitry Utkin at the makeshift memorial in front of the PMC Wagner office in Novosibirsk, on August 24, 2023. (Vladimir Nikolayev/AFP via Getty Images)

Meanwhile, in St. Petersburg -- Prigozhins hometown -- dozens of people have been arriving to light candles and drop flowers at a pop-up memorial.

The jet manufacturer that Prigozhin and Utkin were reportedly on has an impeccable record and Wednesday's crash was the first recorded in the history of the Embraer Legacy 600.

Elsewhere, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made remarks commemorating marking Ukrainian Independence Day and handed out medals to Ukrainian solders.

Among the 10 people killed in Wednesday's plane crash were three crew members and seven passengers, according to Russian officials. The seven passengers identified on a flight list were Sergey Propustin, Evgeniy Makaryan, Aleksandr Totmin, Valeriy Chekalov, Dmitriy Utkin, Nikolay Matuseev and Yevgeny Prigozhin. The crew was identified as Cmdr. Aleksei Levshin, co-pilot Rustam Karimov and flight attendant Kristina Raspopova.

Russia's Federal Air Transport Agency said the plane was en route from Moscow to St. Petersburg on Wednesday when it went down near the village of Kuzhenkino in the Tver region, north of Moscow..

U.S. National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson said in a statement on Wednesday that White House officials were watching the reports of the crash.

"If confirmed, no one should be surprised," Watson said. "The disastrous war in Ukraine led to a private army marching on Moscow, and now -- it would seem -- to this."

ABC News' Nadine El-Bawab, Will Gretsky, Mark Osborne, Ivan Pereira, Joe Simonetti and Tanya Stukalova contributed to this report.

Bomb likely the cause of explosion that downed Wagner leader Prigozhin's plane, US officials say originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
CAN THO  Leveraging the global ForwardFarming network, Bayer has created a platform for various stakeholders across the agricultural value chain to advance best farming practices in Viet Nam.

Viet Nam is pursuing an ambitious plan to become a global agricultural powerhouse by 2030. Therefore, the public-private partnership (PPP) model is essential for Viet Nam to achieve sustainable development of its agricultural sector.

As a leading global agriculture company, Bayer has announced the launch of the ForwardFarming initiative under the PPP model to support sustainable agriculture in Viet Nam.

On September 6 Bayer Vietnam, in partnership with the National Agricultural Extension Center (NAEC) belonging to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD), inaugurated the first ForwardFarm in Southeast Asia in Thoi Lai District, Can Tho City.

The PPP programme also involves rice value chain partners Kim Hong Machine Enterprise Co Ltd and Binh ien Fertiliser JSC.

The establishment of ForwardFarm Can Tho is the result of a memorandum of understanding between Bayer and the NAEC in August 2022 that agreed to collaborate and transform rice cultivation in Viet Nam by improving productivity and quality for exports and promote sustainable agricultural, including climate mitigation.

The three-year programme enables independent farmers to benefit from partnerships with both the public and private sectors to increase yields and make more efficient use of resources, while safeguarding the environment.

While the NAEC represents the public sector, Bayer, Kim Hong Machine Enterprise, and Binh ien Fertiliser are the private partners.

In the first year the programme will pilot a smart low-emission rice cultivation model in Thoi Lai District.

Bayer Vietnam and NAEC have organised train-the-trainer and train-the-farmer sessions for 2,000 farmers and 50 agriculture extension officers in sustainable farming practices and the correct and safe use of crop protection products.

Bayer has a network of 26 ForwardFarms in 13 countries around the globe, and Vietnam is the 14th country and the first in Southeast Asia.

The company has begun this initiative in Viet Nam to serve the smallholder farmers under the agreement with the Government and through the partnership with key industry stakeholders in the value chain.

The programme is implemented in the Mekong Delta, where rice has been cultivated for centuries as an essential staple food for the people of Viet Nam and others around the world.

However, the Mekong Delta is one of the worlds most vulnerable regions to climate change. It already faces many challenges, such as salinity intrusion, irregular rains and floods.

ForwardFarm Can Tho will bring together farmers, technology partners, scientists, academics, value chain partners, and consumers to exchange agricultural know-how and form partnerships to promote modern and climate-smart sustainable agriculture through first-hand experience.

Nguyen Viet Khoa, head of the NAECs tranining & development divison, said: "As a global initiative, Bayer ForwardFarm is expected to complement MARDs vision to sustainably develop one million hectares of high-quality rice for export and promote green growth in the Mekong Delta rice cultivation area.

ForwardFarm not only assists farmers in applying sustainable farming methods to ensure a more prosperous life, but also enhances the capacity of cooperatives to produce sustainable rice in the Mekong Delta."

Tomas Zaborowski, Bayers global head of sustainability excellence said: "Todays agriculture is faced with numerous challenges: the increasing demand for food because of the continuously growing world population, the decline in available arable land, limited natural resources and climate change.

At Bayer we are convinced that the answer lies in an integrated concept for sustainable agriculture that considers several economic, ecological and societal criteria.

Bayer ForwardFarming is a knowledge platform for sustainable agricultural practices designed to further stimulate the dialogue within the industry and beyond.

"With the launch of the ForwardFarming initiative, we hope to share a common goal with the government and other value chain actors to build a sustainable future for Viet Nam's agricultural sector.

Bayer ForwardFarming serves as a platform for dialogue and knowledge sharing to bring holistic solutions to farmers.

Therefore, farmers can use less input materials while still enhancing the productivity and quality of and income from their rice crops."

ForwardFarming will support sustainability in agriculture across three areas: care for crops with tailored solutions for farmers via the Much More Rice integrated programme, care for the planet and people with proactive stewardship to protect health, safety and environment, and care for partnerships with value chain partners to bring holistic solutions to farmers.

Special emphasis is placed on regenerative farming practices, for example, direct seeded rice."  VNS


Viet Nam, known for its dynamic and evolving business landscape, has become an attractive hub for global investors. Japanese conglomerate AEON is no exception, having made substantial strides in the Vietnamese market since its inception in Viet Nam in 2014. Furusawa Yasuyuki, Member of the Executive Officer Board of AEON Co Ltd (Japan) overseeing the Vietnam Business and serving as the General Director of AEON Vietnam, offers insights into Viet Nam's investment landscape and sheds light on AEON's performance and future business prospects in the country.

The investment environment in Viet Nam keeps changing but overall, we see more potential than challenges. Viet Nam will continue to attract more foreign investors in the future. As a Japanese businesses, we see the opportunity to accompany and contribute to Viet Nam's market development in the direction of joining hands together for future growth. Therefore, I think that Japanese businesses want to invest in Viet Nam because of various attractive investment factors.

For AEON, we researched Viet Nam's market since 2009 before opening our first shopping mall in 2014. When looking back on 11 years, we have achieved our expectations for the first stage of development in Viet Nam.

Regarding the Vietnamese retail market, in the next five years, due to the impact of the wider economic context, consumers prioritising cost saving will continue for some time. The business environment is expected to be more competitive. Consumers always look for new things and the speed of change in consumer behavior is extremely fast. Therefore, retailers must continue to change to meet our customers demands. Changes in consumer demand and behaviours also are opportunities for retailers like AEON to change and grow. Currently, many companies are actively investing in Viet Nam and AEON Group has determined that Viet Nam is its second key market besides Japan. So, we will continue strengthening our investment in Viet Nam. AEON will keep doing our best to contribute to the prosperous life of everyone in Viet Nam.

In addition, as a retailer, AEON always identifies sustainable production and consumption as one of our key goals. To realise this, AEON Vietnam has implemented many initiatives aimed at supporting customers and employees to raise awareness and create a habit of making sustainable consumption decisions. VNS
HCM CITY  ASL Law, a leading law firm in Viet Nam, celebrated 10 years of development at an event held in HCM City on Friday (September 8).

ASL Law is the association of highly ranked lawyers and legal experts in many legal fields in Viet Nam and around the world.

It was established by lawyer Pham Duy Khuong, the firms founder and managing partner, who has been honoured among the top 100 lawyers in Viet Nam by Asia Business Law Journal.

Speaking at the event, Khuong expressed his great appreciation for the efforts, contributions and achievements made by all staff over the last 10 years.

We reaffirmed our strong commitment to continuously provide the most practical, efficient and lawful advice and legal services to our clients, he said.

The firm provides full legal services in Viet Nam and other countries where Vietnamese enterprises have trading relationships.

Its main services include foreign investment consultancy in Viet Nam, corporate services in Viet Nam, anti-dumping and countervailing, merges and acquisitions, intellectual property, banking and finance, human resources and pensions, real estate and construction, project and energy consultancy, and litigation and dispute resolution.

The firm has been continuously ranked as the leading law firm in Viet Nam by prestigious legal directories such as Legal50, ASIALAW, and WTR1000.

It now has three offices in Ha Noi, HCM City and Singapore.  VNS
HA NOI  As part of the programmes celebrating the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and Viet Nam, The Japan Foundation Center for Cultural Exchange in Viet Nam is hosting the Vietnamese natural lacquer painting exhibition Moon by Japanese artist Saeko Ando.

All the artwork displayed depict the moon in various phases, seasons, weather, time of day and shades of colour, alongside the waka poems that Saeko chose for them.

She hopes her paintings will etch beautiful verses in peoples hearts and awaken their precious memories or conjure up new sensations.

Saeko Ando is a Japanese artist and art researcher, currently living in Hoi An City, Quang Nam.

After graduating from renowned Waseda University, Saeko Ando came to Viet Nam in 1995 and studied Viet Nams ancient craft of using son ta - a natural Vietnamese lacquer under the guidance of artist Trinh Tuan, lacquer master Doan Chi Trung, and lacquer artisan Lam Huu Chinh.

In a nearly three-decades-long career, Saeko has gained international recognition as a contemporary artist, combining traditional Vietnamese lacquer-craft painting techniques learned from past generations of lacquer masters with original methods she developed through decades of experimentation.

Zen philosophy, devotion to nature, and the influence of Japanese aesthetics are all evident in Saekos works.

Saeko is also known as a researcher in the field of natural lacquer and shares her findings via lectures, conventions, and symposia in the international arena.

The exhibition is open free to the public from September 10 to October 1 at The Japan Foundation Center for Cultural Exchange in Viet Nam, 27 Quang Trung, Hoan Kiem District, Ha Noi.  VNS
HA NOI  The Viet Nam visit by US President Joe Biden from September 10-11 is a special event for both nations, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ha Kim Ngoc told the press.

Ngoc said it will be the first State-level visit by the US President at the invitation of the General Secretary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam (CPV), coinciding with the 10th anniversary of bilateral comprehensive partnership.

It is also the first time both the President and Vice President of the US have visited Viet Nam during a single term. This visit will be a continuation of the tradition in the Viet Nam-US relationship throughout nearly 30 years that the sitting US President have visited Viet Nam.

The visit underscores the importance the two countries attach to each other in their foreign policies and their policies towards the Asia-Pacific and the Indian Ocean in particular.

For the US, the visit reflects its appreciation for Viet Nams political regime, the role of the CPV and its General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, and Vietnamese leaders. It is also a significant milestone in the joint efforts of the two countries to realise the wish of President Ho Chi Minh as expressed in his February 1946 letter to US President Harry Truman for Viet Nam to have full cooperation with the US, Ngoc remarked.

In nearly three decades since the normalisation of bilateral relations, two-way trade has seen remarkable and impressive growth, soaring from US$450 million in 1995 to $123 billion last year. Viet Nam has become the seventh largest trade partner of the US globally and its biggest trade partner in ASEAN. Since 2022, the US has become Viet Nams largest importer with a value of $100 billion.

In terms of investment, the US has been one of the leading investors in Viet Nam, with over $11 billion last year, not including investments through US company branches from third countries.

Several Vietnamese firms have also invested billions of USD in the US, contributing to generating thousands of jobs for American workers.

According to the official, economic, trade and investment cooperation will remain a high priority, a cornerstone, and a driving force of bilateral relationship. Both nations will focus on cooperation in developing infrastructure, training high-quality human resources, energy transition, digital economy and green economy.

Attention will be also paid to digital technology, artificial intelligence, energy transition, biotechnology, health care and pharmaceuticals.

Another important area is cooperation in overcoming war consequences, along with UN peacekeeping activities, military medical training, search and rescue, and maritime and aviation capacity improvement.

At global and regional forums, the two countries will strengthen coordination in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), the UN, and especially work closely together to deal with global challenges such as climate change; energy, food, water and health security.  VNS
WASHINGTON  Ahead of US President Joe Bidens State visit to Viet Nam on September 10-11, Vietnamese Ambassador to the US Nguyen Quoc Dung has expressed his belief that the trip will create a new impetus for bilateral relations to reach a new height.

In a recent interview granted to the Vietnam News Agency, Dung said since the two countries normalised their ties in 1995, incumbent Presidents of the US have paid visits to Viet Nam. President Bidens visit, to be made at the invitation of Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, is particularly significant as it takes place amid the 10th anniversary of the countries comprehensive partnership.

With the current comprehensive and intensive development of bilateral ties, the trip will create a new impetus for the Viet Nam-US relations to reach a new height, he said, noting that this is also the spirit both General Secretary Trong and President Biden agreed on during their phone talks on March 29.

To Viet Nam, welcoming the US leader on a State visit will help implement its foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, diversification and multilateralisation of external relations, and comprehensive and intensive integration into the world.

This visits important outcomes will practically serve the interests of both countries people while contributing to the US-ASEAN relations as well as peace, cooperation, and development in the region and the world, Dung opined.

Giving further details about the trip, the ambassador said President Biden will have important talks and meetings with General Secretary Trong and other senior leaders of the Vietnamese Party and State. He will also engage in several activities with businesses and people.

The two sides will review their comprehensive partnership in all fields and outline orientations for their ties for the time ahead, with a focus on cooperation in science-technology, economy-trade and investment, people-to-people exchanges, and the settlement of war consequences, which will open up a new chapter in the Viet Nam-US relations and create more favourable objective conditions for Vietnam to gradually gain a higher position in regional and global value chains.

Both sides are set to hold an exchange of war keepsakes and a meeting between technology businesses. They also plan to sign many important economic agreements and contracts possibly worth billions of US dollars, according to Dung.

The diplomat expressed his optimism about the future of bilateral relations based on the process and achievements obtained so far, about the potential and aspirations of each countrys people, and about new cooperation frameworks that Vietnamese and US leaders will set up during the visit.

He said he believes that like the past 28 years since the relations were normalised and the past 10 years since the comprehensive partnership was established, the coming cooperation between the two countries will actively contribute to the realisation of Viet Nams development goals for 2030 and 2045 as identified at the 13th National Party Congress.

As history has proved, the positive and stable development of the Viet Nam-US relations will not only practically serve the interests of the two countries' people but also match the trend of peace, cooperation and development, thereby helping with the growth of the US-ASEAN ties and the maintenance of regional and international stability and prosperity, Ambassador Dung added.  VNS
HA NOI  The National Assembly (NA) of Viet Nam will host the 9th Global Conference of Young Parliamentarians from September 14-18 in Ha Noi under the theme The Role of Young People in Promoting the Realisation of Sustainable Development Goals via Digital Transformation and Innovations.

Through the event, the NA will continue to work with the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) to promote the goal of empowering youth and expanding youth participation in solving current global problems.

At the 122nd IPU Assembly in Bangkok, Thailand in 2010, IPU member parliaments passed a resolution on youth participation in the democratic process, affirming that to achieve democracy, it is necessary to have full and active participation of youth and youth organisations in democratic processes at local, national, regional and international levels.

In 2013, the IPU established the Forum of Young Parliamentarians, an official and standing mechanism within the IPU to contribute to improving the youth participation in parliaments and within the IPU in both quality and quantity.

In 2014, the IPU established an annual global conference to strengthen the role of young parliamentarians and youth participation in parliamentary activities and to make recommendations from a youth perspective on the IPUs activities and agenda. The conference also helps develop networks, promote solidarity, improve capacity, and expand young people's approaches to issues of common concern.

According to the IPU, the presence of young people in parliaments is still low. Half of the world's population is under 30 years old, while only 2.6 per cent of parliamentarians globally at this age group. About 37 per cent of parliaments have no parliamentarians under 30. Therefore, the IPU has been promoting the goal of empowering youth and expanding youth participation in solving current global issues.

For the first time, the Vietnamese National Assembly will host the 9th Global Conference of Young Parliamentarians. It is also the largest multilateral diplomatic event hosted by Viet Nam in 2023. It demonstrates the attention that the Party, State, and National Assembly of Viet Nam pay to their youth, contributing to strengthening the cooperation between Viet Nam and its partners; and promoting the image of the country and its people, especially dynamic and creative youngsters.

Hosting the conference affirms the active, responsible, and proactive participation of the Vietnamese National Assembly in the IPU.

The Vietnamese National Assembly has actively participated in IPU activities, including the Global Conferences of Young Parliamentarians.

As of August 28, 64 delegations had registered for the event, with a total of 244 attendees, including 172 legislators and 72 assistants.  VNS
HA NOI  The Vietnamese Embassy in Morocco has promptly contacted citizens and the Vietnamese community in the country while maintaining close contact with Moroccan authorities to update the situation relating to a 6.8-magnitude earthquake that stroke High Atlas mountains late September 8.

According to the embassy, four delegations from Cao Bang, Lang Son, Ha Giang, and ak Nong provinces of Viet Nam are working in Marrakech City, near the earthquake epicentre, along with a number of citizens traveling and working in Morocco.

To date, the embassy has not yet got any reports on Vietnamese citizens injured or killed in the earthquake. However, some people had to leave the hotels due to cracked walls.

On September 9 morning, an embassy delegation led by Ambassador ang Thi Thu Ha arrived in Marrakech City to support people and carry out citizen protection work.

Vietnamese citizens and overseas Vietnamese who need assistance should contact the embassy's phone numbers +212 7 61 86 87 29 or +212 6 18 53 65 52; and email: amassadevn.maroc@gmail.com.

The earthquake occurred in the late evening of September 8 (local time), with the epicenter in the High Atlas range, 72 km southwest of Marrakech city. The earthquake shook many cities in Morocco, causing buildings to collapse.

According to local authorities, by the evening of September 9 (Viet Nam time), the earthquake has killed over 1000 people.

On Saturday, State President Vo Van Thuong has sent condolences to the King of Morocco Mohammed VI, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh also extended condolences to Morocco's Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch, National Assembly Chairman Vuong inh Hue conveyed his sympathies to Senate President Naam Miyara and Speaker of the House of Representatives Rachid Talbi Alami.

The Foreign Minister has also expressed condolences to Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates of Morocco Nasser Bourita.  VNS
HA NOI  Illegally imported ginseng masquerading as Ngoc Linh and Lai Chau ginseng has adversely affected Vietnamese farmers and businesses.

Ginseng management, experts and farmers discussed solutions to prevent and tackle smuggled ginseng, and protect Vietnamese ginseng growers at a seminar held by Nong Nghiep Viet Nam (Viet Nam Agriculture) Newspaper on Friday in Ha Noi.

Recently, there have been traders on the market selling Vietnamese Ngoc Linh and Lai Chau ginseng at prices several dozen times cheaper than the original ginseng.

In fact, original Ngoc Linh ginsengs price is more than VN300 million (US$12,500) per kilo, and Lai Chau ginseng is also priced at over VN120 million ($5,000) per kilo. Meanwhile, on the floating market, "fake" Ngoc Linh and Lai Chau ginseng is priced at only a few million ong per kilo.

Authorities have repeatedly discovered ginseng of unknown origin masquerading as Ngoc Linh and Lai Chau ginseng imported from China.

Notably, the smuggled ginseng was also detected with pesticide residues far exceeding the allowed levels.

Many ginseng samples also contained plant protection active ingredients that are banned in Viet Nam.

The illegally imported ginseng is not only harmful to peoples health but also impacts the Vietnamese ginseng brands, and growers and businesses.

This situation requires effective solutions to prevent and tackle illegally imported ginseng from China.

Nguyen Trong Lich, vice director of Agriculture and Rural Development of Lai Chau Province, said Lai Chau is a province with favourable conditions for growing ginseng.

The Prime Minister issued a decision on the development of Vietnamese ginseng, including Lai Chau ginseng. Currently, the province has a total of 35ha of ginseng with the participation of 22 businesses, co-operatives and over 200 households, Lich said.

Currently, Lai Chau Provinces ginseng growing area is still small. The province is focussing on ginseng propagation, Lich told the seminar.

There have not been many branded ginseng products but some simple products such as ginseng soaked in wine and honey," he said.





Talking about the prevention of counterfeit ginseng, Lieutenant Colonel Phung Ngoc Truong, head of the Department for Investigation of Crimes of Corruption and Smuggling of the Lai Chau Police, said that in recent years, the department had discovered and handled 18 cases of fake ginseng trading.

When the authorities took drastic actions, traders switched to importing smuggled goods in small quantities and transported them at night on mountain roads to cause difficulties for the authorities, Truong said.

According to Colonel o inh Cuong, head of the Drug and Crime Prevention Department of the Lai Chau Border Guard, the province has a 30km border of rivers and streams with China that is used by smugglers to illegally transport ginseng from China to Viet Nam.

Smugglers dropped wooden boxes containing ginseng into rivers and streams from China to Viet Nam, said Cuong.

The smuggling of ginseng had been ongoing since 2021. The border force had increased patrols, uncovered and seized 172.9kg of ginseng valued at VN246 million ($11,000). Two individuals were prosecuted for smuggling charges, he said.

Meanwhile, Nguyen uc Le, from the General Department of Market Management of the Ministry of Industry and Trade, said that more than 4,400 cases related to counterfeit Vietnamese ginseng products were handled in the first eight months of this year.

"We have discovered many stores selling fake Ngoc Linh and Lai Chau ginsengs and products such as gingseng cakes, cosmetics and pharmaceutical products, Le said.

It was necessary to have drastic solutions to prevent ginseng smuggling and protect Vietnamese ginseng.

According to Nguyen Trung Manh, Peoples Committees chairman of Tu Mo Rong District in Kon Tum Province, it is vital to enhance information dissemination so that people can easily identify Vietnamese Ngoc Linh and Lai Chau ginseng.

In addition, authorities must implement stricter measures against ginseng smuggling activity.

Previously, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang signed Decision 611/Q-TTg approving the Programme on Developing Vietnamese Ginseng until 2030, with orientation to 2045.

The overall aim of the programme is to develop Vietnamese ginseng into a product of high economic value and a key commodity in the medicine-pharmacy and healthcare fields, thereby creating a national product brand. This initiative will contribute to job creation, income for people, socio-economic development in ethnic minority areas, and ensuring national defence and security.

Currently, there are two major ginseng growing regions in Viet Nam: Ngoc Linh ginseng in Quang Nam and Kon Tum provinces, and Lai Chau ginseng in Lai Chau Province.

Ngoc Linh ginseng boasts a saponin content that surpasses other renowned ginseng varieties globally.

Kon Tum Province has 1,165 households, 30 household groups, and five businesses engaged in Ngoc Linh ginseng production with a total cultivation area of 1,749.3ha, hosting 29.9 plants per hectare.

Meanwhile, in Quang Nam Province, the designated area for conservation and development of Ngoc Linh ginseng spans 15,568ha, and the total forested area planted with the ginseng covers 456ha.

The province's yield is estimated at 547kg per hectare for 5-year-old ginseng. VNS
HA NOI  Viet Nam has achieved notable successes in eradicating illiteracy, and efforts continue to advance this mission, the Ministry of Education and Training (MoET) reported on International Literacy Day, which falls on September 8.

In Viet Nam, the literacy rates at Level 1 (completing Phase 1 of the illiteracy eradication programme and engaging in continuing education after acquiring literacy skills) and Level 2 (completing Phase 2 of the illiteracy eradication programme and engaging in continuing education after acquiring the skills) among people aged 15 - 60 stand at 98.85 per cent and 97.29 per cent, respectively.

All 63 provincial-level localities nationwide have achieved Level 1 in illiteracy elimination, and 48 of them, accounting for 76.19 per cent, have reached Level 2. Four provinces achieved Level 2 in the 2022 - 2023 academic year: Phu Yen, Kien Giang, Soc Trang, and Quang Nam.

Meanwhile, over 1 million people aged 15 - 60 remain illiterate at Level 1, and more than 2 million are illiterate at Level 2, predominantly ethnic minority individuals and women.

Some localities still record high illiteracy rates, including Ninh Thuan (10.52 per cent), An Giang (7.3 per cent), Lai Chau (6.11 per cent), HCM City (6.45 per cent), Ha Giang (4.58 per cent), Gia Lai (4.49 per cent), Bac Kan (4.45 per cent), and Binh Phuoc (3.66 per cent).

During the last academic year, more than 32,000 people enrolled in illiteracy eradication classes, an increase of over 12,000 from the 2021 - 2022 school year. This has helped the country maintain its achievements in this area, according to provincial-level departments of education and training.

Song Thi Chu, who lives in Na Nghiu Commune, Song Ma District in northern Son La Province, was over 30 years old and could neither read nor write. She was encouraged to join a class alongside her daughter, attending five sessions a week.

Chu mentioned that learning to read and perform calculations had made her daily life more convenient.

Another resident of Na Nghiu Commune, Lo Thi Thoa, said that since learning to read, she had become more independent in her daily tasks and no longer needed others to read and write on her behalf, as was the case previously.

Nguyen Cong Vien, head of the Education and Training Department in Song Ma District, highlighted that adult literacy initiatives faced challenges as most of the participants were of working age. Consequently, the department had partnered with the women's union to organise classes with adaptable timings, ensuring full participation from learners and optimising the effectiveness of these sessions.

The MoET reported that, in order to sustain the achievements and assist more localities in reaching Level 2 of illiteracy eradication, during the previous school year, authorities from various provinces and cities directed community learning centres and primary schools to motivate those unable to read or write to join illiteracy eradication classes. This includes Ha Giang (5,897 persons), Lai Chau (5,176), Lao Cai (2,325), Yen Bai (2,088), and Son La (2,303).

Many education departments had successfully engaged social forces in this mission by collaborating with departments of public security and departments of labour, invalids and social affairs to organise illiteracy eradication classes and provide vocational training for prisoners. They had also worked with border guard commands to intensify efforts to eradicate illiteracy and advance primary education universalisation, as well as coordinating with education promotion associations and womens unions to advocate for the development of a learning society.

Furthermore, several education departments had effectively executed public communication campaigns about illiteracy eradication, especially in ethnic minority regions.

As a consequence, the achievements had been sustainably maintained and further progress had been observed, as highlighted by the MoET.

For the 2023 - 2024 school year, a primary objective set by the MoET for continuing education agencies was to further the elimination of illiteracy.

To enhance people's educational level as a means to aid poverty reduction, the MoET said that there was a need to increase support and create favourable conditions for vulnerable groups, those beyond the working age, homemakers, and the disabled to engage in lifelong learning. Stories of older individuals in their 60s, 70s or even 80s should be highlighted to promote the value of lifelong learning in society.

For the 2023 - 2030 period, the MoET had initiated a movement that urges the entire nation's collective efforts towards building a learning society and championing lifelong learning. This programme was designed to boost the entire political system's involvement in elevating public awareness about the importance of lifelong learning and a learning society. This, in turn, would contribute to the enhancement of human resources in the context of the Fourth Industrial Revolution and global integration.

In a recent interview with the Vietnam News Agency, UNESCO Chief Representative in Viet Nam, Michael Croft, confirmed that UNESCO would persist in supporting Viet Nam towards achieving Sustainable Development Goal 4, which revolves around lifelong learning and the establishment of a learning society.

He remarked that over the past decade, Viet Nam achieved substantial advancements in literacy eradication and the promotion of lifelong learning. Nevertheless, disparities persisted among various groups.

Significantly, the Vietnamese Government had rolled out initiatives targeting illiterate and semi-literate individuals, such as launching literacy courses for adults in ethnic minority and underprivileged regions. Mechanisms had been instituted for local authorities to routinely oversee and assess community literacy standards, thus motivating thousands of adults to enrol in literacy courses at community learning centres.

However, Croft underscored the importance of distinguishing between basic reading and writing skills and functional literacy, advocating for a more expansive comprehension of these skills.

He noted that UNESCO had aided the Ministry of Education and Training in undertaking a thorough analysis and evaluation of the education sector. This collaboration resulted in the creation of Viet Nam's 10-year Education Strategic Framework, which aligns with the Government's commitments to realising Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG4).

Croft further affirmed that UNESCO would persist in supporting Viet Nam in its pursuit of SDG4, framed within the broader objectives of lifelong learning and fostering a learning society.  VNS
DALLAS  Mike Bidwell, president and CEO of Molly Maid and Mr. Rooter Plumbing parent company Neighborly, died unexpectedly at 65, the company said Friday.

We will all miss Mike more than words can express, and we are fortunate to have worked for such an amazing leader who was smart, compassionate, and insightful, the company said in a statement. He put a strong team together  and in times like this, we stand together to honor him by carrying his vision for Neighborly forward.

The company, which has corporate offices in Irving and Waco, named chief financial officer Jon Shell as its interim president and CEO.

Bidwell was with Neighborly and its franchises for more than 40 years. He first opened a Rainbow International Carpet Cleaning & Restoration franchise in Tucson, Ariz., in 1984. He later started the first franchise of Worldwide Refinishing Systems  now DreamMaker Bath and Kitchen  and then opened a Mr. Rooter Plumbing franchise.

In 1995, he joined Neighborly on a corporate level, serving as chief operating officer and president for three different brands before becoming president and CEO in 2014.

Founded in 1981 as Dwyer Group, Neighborly now has about 30 brands  all centered on repairing and maintaining homes and commercial properties  including Glass Doctor, Molly Maid and Mr. Rooter Plumbing. Only recently has the company been exploring bringing those brands closer together.

The company has gone on an acquisition streak, buying about two dozen brands over the last decade. Just in 2022, the company acquired three new brands: Indiana-based Lawn Pride; Junk King, founded in California; and U.K.-based Greensleeves.

Dwyer Group changed its name to Neighborly in 2018. New York-based private equity firm Harvest Partners sold Neighborly to global investment firm KKR in 2021. Neighborly opened its Irving office in 2020.

In an interview with The Dallas Morning News earlier in 2023, Bidwell said the company wants its website and app to become a hub for homeowners who reflexively go there when they need something done around the house.

The goal is for customers to go to the app and find all of our brands, and essentially become the Amazon of home services, Bidwell said. Usually, its kind of a frustrating thing, when somebody has a problem with their home and they dont know who to call.

2023 The Dallas Morning News. Visit dallasnews.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
A new home for the history of Waco and McLennan County is shaping up as plans proceed for the renovated and expanded Taylor Museum.

Formerly known as the Helen Marie Taylor Museum of Waco History, the center at 701 Jefferson Ave. will see a second life as the Taylor Museum of Waco and McLennan County History, although it may be another year or so before it fully reopens to the public.

The museum now has a full-time director, Helen Howell-Graves of Austin, as well as a collection manager and administrative assistant, plus a local board with at least five members.

Equally important, the museum has a long-range master plan created by museum consultant Calvin Smith, who headed Baylor Universitys Strecker Museum and later Mayborn Museum before retiring from Baylor in 2003.

Officials with the Helen Marie Taylor Trust say it plans to spend several million dollars on the project. The trust last month moved ahead with selling 72 acres of prime land near Baylor University for development, with the museum as a beneficiary of the sale.

Helen Marie Taylor, a Waco native and ardent supporter of her hometown though a Virginia resident for much of her adult life, created and funded the museum in 1993. It closed five years later to all but occasional small group tours and school field trips. Taylor died in 2022 but endowed a trust to continue and support the museum.

Brandon Taylor, CEO and chief investment officer for Richmond, Virginia-based investment firm Taylor Hoffman, manages that trust and said that with staffing and a board in place, the next stage of the museums development begins.

The trust has endorsed it and is backing it. The boards mission is to follow that plan, he said. Personally, I think it looks amazing. I think the people of Waco will get behind it.

Taylor, a distant relation of Helen Marie, declined to say how much the museum renovation and expansion would cost other than the trust would be providing several million dollars for the work, with partial funding of museum operations going forward.

Howell-Graves has spent more more than 25 years in museum work in Texas including directing the Museum of the Plains and the French Legation in Austin. She has worked with Smith in the past and found the offer to lead the Taylor Museum enticing enough to come out of retirement for the job. Her goal is to create a museum that tells an inclusive story of the history of the city and county.

I think it will be really amazing, she said.

The museums current board includes chair Lisa Lacy, Bettie Beard, Katherine Turner-Pearson and Randall Scott, with one or two more to be named later. Katherine Kiesling is the museums new collections manager, and Destiny Hallman is administrative assistant.

For Smith, president of Legacy Museum Consulting, a chance to return to Waco-area history and the Taylor Museum had been the top of my bucket list since he left Waco.

The plan he created in May for the board and Brandon Taylor envisions a broader, more cohesive scope for the museum, one that starts with the areas prehistory and natural history and extends to the 21st century. Its focus will include McLennan County history as well as Wacos and will incorporate the stories of the Native American, Black, Hispanic and other ethnic communities into the main narrative.

Rather than separate exhibits detailing the areas Black and Hispanic communities, Smith envisions those smaller histories incorporated into a unified whole.

Helen Marie Taylor will be a small piece of that history, with an exhibit dedicated to her support of Waco, the work to create the museum and historic artifacts of special meaning to her.

The museum building was an elementary school originally built for Black students in 1918, but it was closed for several decades before being renovated as a museum in the 1990s.

The long-range plan calls for its expansion, including the enclosure of the concrete porch that fronts part of the building and construction of a large gallery that can house touring and temporary exhibits. The building will require asbestos and mold abatement work, improvement of its elevator and other changes to become ADA-compliant.

Several grassy areas outside the building will be converted into parking areas for about 100 vehicles, but the large trees surrounding the building will be preserved.

Smith estimated that it could be 18 months to two years before the renovated, finished museum reopens to the public.

Architect B.J. Greaves, a Waco native known for his work on the Dr Pepper Museum, is handling the preliminary comprehensive facility study. Houston-based Southwest Museum Services, a museum design and fabrication company, is charged with interior renovation and exhibit creation.

The facility study involves evaluating the buildings condition; its mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems; building code requirements; and landscaping. The two-story brick building is quite sound, Greaves said, and able to handle renovation and the expansion.

The first phase of renovation will focus on the museums adjoining properties, one of which will be prepared for storage collection before work on the main building can begin. Work on the storage space should begin sometime in the fall, Greaves said, followed by the main museum project as early as next spring.

The preliminary work also will include an archeological investigation of the properties, which once were residential areas in central Waco. That investigation also may turn up artifacts from the Waco tribe that lived on the land before Anglo settlers moved in in the 1830s, Greaves said.

Everybody really wants this to become the kind of museum it always had the potential to be, Greaves said.We want this to tell the honest and complete history of Waco and the surrounding areas. Its a dream project.
WATERLOO  Since the start of the year, parents have been frustrated with Waterloo Community Schools and its new bus company, First Student. Theyre saying their children have been left waiting at the bus stop, in the bus and at school for hours on end.

According to these parents, it has resulted in their children being late for class as well as not coming home until after dinner time. They say its affecting parents lives as well because they have to take time off work to pick up their children so they dont have to ride the bus.

One mother, who didnt want her name published, said on Aug. 29 her child didnt get off the bus until 6:30 p.m. School gets out at 3:45 p.m.

When school let out early due to the heat in the first week of school, students got released at noon. She said her children didnt arrive home until 2:30 p.m.

Its uncalled for, she said. Theres been no communication from the bus garage and theyre not answering their phone.

She said in her experience, whoever answered the phone at the bus garage was not helpful and rude.

It was like I was bothering them when I was just trying to figure out where my kids were, she said.

Heidi Kuecker, a mother with boys who go to East High School and Fred Becker Elementary, said shes part of a Facebook group for moms in the Cedar Valley. She said the busing issues have been a hot topic and that one mother said she didnt know where her kindergartener was for two hours.

As for Kueckers older son, she said hes getting to class late  sometimes missing the entire first period. She said this has been tough on him as a freshman.

Hes motivated to do well and hes very frustrated, she said. Its affecting him and not in a good way. Hes having a fine time at school, its just getting there and the anxiety.

Kuecker uses the mobile app Life360, which lets users share locations with each other, to keep tabs on her high schooler. She said she watches the app to see where the bus is going.

Theyre not using efficient routes, she said. Theres a lot of backtracking and running around in circles.

She said her mother used to be a bus driver and is currently friends with drivers in the district. With these connections, she said she knows how the busing process works.

Usually what they do is have bus drivers on their routes (before school starts) and get their routes and do a run of their route and report back, she said. This year they did not do that.

Kuecker shared private Facebook posts from bus drivers she knows with The Courier. The posts and comments were from drivers who have worked in the district for multiple decades.

Ive been driving for going on 33 years and this is the worst Ive ever seen it, one bus driver said in a Facebook comment. I thought school bus driving was for the kids. NOT for making us drivers miserable with all this rerouting.

Another driver said First Student completely dismantled the routes this year and that some routes have been paired together for more than 30 years.

Most of our drivers are ready to walk, she said.

Another driver, who has worked in the district for 29 years, said shes thinking the same.

Im already applying for other jobs, she said. I just dont see it getting any better.

Kuecker said she sympathizes with the workers in the bus garage and believes people are blaming the bus drivers instead of the company.

I feel like its chaos out there and I dont think its the drivers (fault), she said. I think its from higher up whos making the decisions.

First Students general manager for the area, Chris Coyle, did not respond to requests for an interview.

Brenna Rudisill, the proposal manager and communication specialist for First Student, provided comments on the issue. She did not disclose how many bus drivers are currently hired or how many openings there are. Waterloo Community Schools Director of Operational Services Zach Kelly said that information comes from First Student and could not provide an answer.

Due to current staffing levels, we are having to adjust some bus routes, Rudisill said in an email. While this allows us to provide transportation to as many students as possible, it can cause delays.

She said the company is actively recruiting and hiring drivers and the applicant flow is steady. She said that it takes time for applicants to start driving because there are background checks, licensing requirements and training standards.

Kelly said the driver shortage has been an issue since the beginning of COVID-19, when the district contracted with Durham School Services. Durham had been used since 2012. Before that, the district contracted with First Student.

A Waterloo Schools official previously told The Courier that, with Durhams contract ending, the district decided to look for a new company due to feedback from administrators and families saying they wanted increased communication and reliability.

Kelly said there are currently 58 routes and that they are being adjusted daily for efficiency.

At the beginning of the school year, Superintendent Jared Smith sent out a statement to district families and students addressing the issue. He said the district has been working around the clock to address concerns and create solutions.

You have my word that we will not stop searching for solutions until all students are transported at a high level, he said in the statement.

Parent Laura Benson believes she has the answer for how to streamline busing. She said the district should use in-house services and that they already have the resources to do so.

She said those include background check systems to hire their own employees and the ability to buy the current bus garage. She contends that if the district used in-house busing, none of this would be an issue. She noted the district continues to contract with the same two companies that cycle the same employees.

Its the definition of insanity, she said. Doing something over and over and expecting a different result.
CEDAR FALLS  After watching its enrollment trend downward for more than a decade, the University of Northern Iowa saw a slight rise in its official 10th-day census to start the academic year.

UNIs fall enrollment of 9,021 students was 72 students higher than last falls 8,949, an increase largely driven by the graduate student population, freshman class and transfers.

This academic year represents the biggest year-to-year increase in more than a decade, but is still below all of the previous falls dating back to 1967 and well below its peak of 14,070 in 2001.

Last years 8,949 students was a 3.1% drop from 2021 when UNI had 9,231 students and from 2020 when there was a 6.02% decline from 9,522 students.

This academic years incoming freshmen class of 1,552, however, represents an 8% rebound over last falls slide of a similar percentage to 1,436 from 1,554 in fall 2021. It is a reason for University Relations Director Pete Moris to be optimistic, in addition to the number of UNIs applications he says are higher than they have been the last five years. Applications for next fall are already up about 30%.

Weve got the arrow pointed back in the right direction with this big incoming class. Combined with the number of applications were seeing for next year, it shows that were responding to the needs of students, said Moris. Theyre seeing that. Theyre coming to take visits, applying and we hope its a trend that continues.

Of the 9,021 students, 1,279 were graduate students  including 632 new students, over 442 new last year  representing a 6% total increase from last falls 1,210 graduate students. UNI had 7,742 undergraduate enroll this fall, essentially the same as the 7,739 a year ago.

While those numbers arent substantially bigger this year, thats because we have so many students who are graduating early, which is a plus for the students because they are incurring less cost, said Moris.

UNIs new-student cohort increase this fall was aided by 857 transfer students, its highest number since 2017, and a 12% increase over last year when UNI rolled out a new partnership with Iowa community colleges allowing students with associate degrees to finish their bachelors degrees online through the university. Seventy three percent of new transfer students came from one of Iowas community colleges.

Students who finish in three or 3 1/2, while a positive, is also one of the universitys biggest challenges, according to Moris, because they have to be replaced.

Thats why those incoming new freshman and new transfer totals are significant pieces, said Moris. Weve got to continue to get more students on the front end knowing that theyre not going to be here as long as they were five years ago.

UNIs four-year graduation rate landed at 51%, close to 20% higher than peer institutions, according to the university. The previous years rate was 47%.

There is renewed interest in UNI and I think a lot of that is because weve adapted curriculum to the needs of students in the state, said Moris. The health and engineering programs are great examples of that because those are also areas that are in demand in the state workforce.

Anytime you can pair up programs that students want with a demand in the workforce when they know theres going to be good paying jobs at the back end in the state, thats a real positive indicator.

Moris said the universitys retention rate is 84.4%, a pretty significant stat, a testament to the level of student support that we offer and speaks to that students are having a good experience here.  We, at UNI, are positioned where we can offer some more personalized attention that maybe other places arent able to do.

Another encouraging sign was the increase in students seeking a traditional on-campus college experience and living in the residence halls. A total of 3,114 students have signed housing contracts, a 7.5% increase from a year ago.

University officials are also holding their heads high over the fact that UNI has students representing all 99 Iowa counties and that a vast majority of graduates stay in Iowa and take their first job in Iowa. Of UNIs 1,552 freshmen, 90% are from Iowa  although its total enrollment includes students from 45 states and 53 countries.

All three of Iowas public universities have larger student bodies this fall than last.

The University of Iowa also reported a slight total student body increase from 30,015 last fall to 30,042 this fall, as did Iowa State University, reporting 30,177 students  up 208 from last years 29,969.

ISUs increase makes it  once again  the largest of Iowas three public universities, returning it to that position after UI enrollment surpassed that of the Ames campus last fall for the first time in a decade.

This growth is a direct result of Iowa State Universitys commitment to provide innovative programs that meet student interest and workforce needs, ISU President Wendy Wintersteen said in a statement, pointing to its Degrees of the Future initiative aimed at dedicating $1.5 million for new programs addressing workforce demands.

We are continuing to develop new programs and majors that will prepare students for high-demand careers and help Iowa businesses and industry thrive, Wintersteen said.

ISU also reported a larger freshman class at, 5,859  up 2% from last falls 5,728, a number that had bounced up 13% after a steep pandemic slide of 9% in fall 2020.

ISU reported 4,845 graduate and veterinary medicine students, up from last years 4,728. The UI reported 7,912 graduate and professional students, down from last years 8,042.

The UI was the only of the three to report a smaller freshman class this fall than last, with 5,064 first-year students compared with last falls 5,178.
WATERLOO  Iowa Heartland Habitat for Humanity officials showed off their work in bringing the dream of home ownership to area residents during a bus tour this week.

The annual Sites and Bites journey highlighted the nonprofits work in the Church Row and Walnut neighborhoods. It included finished homes, houses under construction and projects for the future.

Habitat pairs struggling families with new or refurbished homes. For participants who meet financial criteria, the path includes putting in 300 hours of sweat equity  swinging hammers and carrying lumber at Habitat building sites  and homebuyer education classes. It ends with an affordable mortgage and payments less than 29% of their gross monthly income.

The group also assists current homeowners who would otherwise be unable to afford critical repairs  roof, siding, plumbing and similar work  to maintain the integrity of their homes.

Riding along on Thursdays tour was Ashley Glover, who earned a home on West Second Street through Habitats program.

Its a great program. I learned a lot  hands-on experience helping to build other peoples houses, Glover said.

Another participant, single mother Martia Phillips, sat next to her on the bus.

I always had wanted to own my home.  I enjoyed working construction on homes. I did siding, roofing, and it was all new to me, Phillips said. My kids are happy to have their own rooms now.

Riders disembarked at a build site at 404 Dane St., a new blue-gray two-story home full of the scent of fresh lumber that is ready for drywall work.

Ali Parrish, director of Iowa Heartland Habitat for Humanity, explained that the exterior walls were built inside a nearby John Deere plant  the tractor manufacturer is one of several Habitat partners  and then moved to the site for assembly.

Another bus ride landed the group in the Church Row neighborhood where a newly constructed Habitat home at 620 W. Park Ave. sits next door to one of the Habitats next projects.

Years of neglect are evident on the brick duplex at 624-626 W. Park  broken and boarded windows, patched brickwork shows where supports used to hold up a massive front porch, now long gone.

Before Habitat acquired it, the vacant property had been the target of burglars and vandals.

Inside, large fireplaces and surviving wood cabinets attest to the structures once grand past.

We will try to restore as much as possible.  It will be kind of like a twin home, like an old-fashioned one, Parrish said.

Once restoration is complete, Habitat plans to sell the property on the open market to two households.

We will sell both sides as owner-occupieds. They will be sold outright, she said.

The sales will include deed restrictions that ensure the property will remain owner-occupied for as long as possible.

When a neighborhood is distressed, its very difficult for traditional developers and builders to afford to tackle projects like this without losing money. By taking on projects like this and selling them on the market, Habitat is able to help the neighborhood housing market stabilize and move in a more positive direction, Parrish said.

The last stop on the Sites and Bites tour was the charitys Big Five near the intersection of Allen and West Third streets  five former single-family houses that had been chopped up into 16 apartments now destined to become single-family owner-occupied homes again.

When Habitat acquired the properties, city officials had deemed them uninhabitable, Parrish said. What followed wasnt easy for the organization. Despite offering relocation expenses, first-months rent at new apartments and other incentives, Habitat still had to evict some of the residents to clear the buildings for renovation, Parrish said.

Habitat likes to acquire properties next to or nearby other Habitat properties as kind of a force multiplier.

This maximizes the impact and helps shift the percentage of rentals to homeownership more dramatically on entire blocks, Parrish said.

Iowa Heartland Habitat for Humanity started in 1990 and since then has helped 650 families in its four-county area.

Last year, the group assisted 95 families with services ranging from home buying to repairs to counseling and education. This year they are on target to help 103 families.

The need continues to grow, unfortunately, Parrish said.

There are currently 480 households on the home ownership program waiting list, and another 160 families on the critical repair waiting list.

Photos: Sites and Bite tour, Sept. 7, 2023 090723jr-habitat-tour-8 090723jr-habitat-tour-7 090723jr-habitat-tour-6 090723jr-habitat-tour-5 090723jr-habitat-tour-4 090723jr-habitat-tour-3 090723jr-habitat-tour-2 090723jr-habitat-tour-1
A Portage organization is creating buffers to help to keep youths on the right path and promote their personal growth.

A lot of programs in the area are just for low-income kids, said Holly Jensen, president of the board of directors for Kinship Mentoring of Columbia County. That is a population incredibly in need, but they arent the only ones in need of positivity in their lives. That is why I love Kinship, anyone can come here.

A ceremony to officially recognize the new home of Kinship Mentoring of Columbia County is set to take place at 4 p.m. Thursday.

Following the ceremony, Kinship is hosting an open house to allow community members to view its new residence inside the Portage Youth Inc. building at 806 Silver Lake Drive.

Being in the Portage Youth Building is a major success for us, said Sara McChesney, Kinship Mentoring program coordinator. The new space not only allows us to be recognized in the community, but it also will help us reach more kids and families.

Kinship Mentoring of Columbia County is a nonprofit organization that runs solely on donations. It works to help children and the communities it serves through youth mentoring. The organization matches safe, nurturing adult mentors with area youths so they can reach their full potential and become positive members of the community.

Kinship is considered a prevention program because of its extensive work in creating and facilitating prevention strategies to redirect delinquent adolescent behaviors, McChesney said.

A study done in 2014 found that youths who have one-on-one mentoring are less likely to take part in risky behaviors, making the program important for Columbia County, which has an opioid and substance abuse epidemic, McChesney said.

McChesney received her masters degree in trauma informed clinical social work from Winona State University in Minnesota last year. She said the certification has not only made her more qualified for her position, but has given her the opportunity to help area schools seek program funding for mental health services.

I have a lot of special training in navigating and working with families that are living in poverty, kids who have an identified need or are struggling in school, McChesney said. So I am able to offer effective support, and it also has made creating adult-child matches easier and more successful.

Youth programs uncover a 'hidden gem' for Portage community For the community, its the beginning of something new. For Portage Youth Inc. co-chair Penny Keifer, its a dream being fulfilled.

Kinship offers two programs. It has a one-on-one community program, in which an adult mentor is matched with a child mentee who needs positive, individual, adult attention and influence. Potential mentors go through background checks, training and an interview to determine which mentee would be the best match, organizers said.

A lunch buddy program has applicants go through the same pre-match background screening process, but requires less training and time commitment. Lunch buddy mentors visit their student mentee at a local school for lunch once a month, organizers said.

Schools participating in the lunch program are John Muir and Woodridge Elementary schools in Portage, Portage Middle School and Pardeeville Elementary School, and the program will soon be offered in Poynette, organizers said.

Kinship currently has 14 one-one-one community matches and 11 lunch buddy matches, with 20 youths on its waiting list and only five mentors in training, organizers said.

We are really trying to get some bigger donors and more volunteers, said Jensen. We are at full capacity as far as matches goes for one employee to manage.

Youths ages 5-18 are eligible to enroll in the mentoring programs, but mentees would ideally join the program by age 14 to encourage mentee and mentor relationship development, as consistency and dependability make the biggest impact, organizers said.

My favorite part of being a mentor for Kinship is that it can just be fun, Jensen said. I love that I can have a positive influence on a kids life ... My mentee has truly become a part of my family.

To learn more about Kinship Mentoring and to apply for a program as a mentor or mentee, visit kinshipcc.org.

Sauk and Columbia County food pantries, nonprofits report increased need Local food pantries and nonprofits are currently seeing a series of increases. Compounding the issue of rising food and personal essential prices, community need is also on the rise.
LVIV, Ukraine  The small band of soldiers gather outside to share cigarettes and war stories, sometimes casually and sometimes with a degree of testiness over recollections made unreliable by their last day fighting, the day the war took away their limbs.

Some clearly remember the moment they were hit by anti-tank mines, aerial bombs, a missile, a shell. For others, the gaps in their memories loom large.

Vitaliy Bilyak's skinny body is a web of scars that end with an amputation above the knee. During six weeks in a coma, Bilyak underwent over 10 surgeries, including his jaw, hand and heel, to recover from injuries he received April 22 driving over a pair of anti-tank mines.

"When I woke up, I felt like I was born again and returned from the afterlife," said Bilyak, who is just beginning his path to rehabilitation. He does not yet know when he'll receive a prosthesis, which must be fitted individually to each patient.

Ukraine is facing a future with upward of 20,000 amputees, many of them soldiers who are also suffering psychological trauma from their time at the front. Europe has experienced nothing like it since World War I, and the United States not since the Civil War.

Mykhailo Yurchuk, a paratrooper, was wounded in the first weeks of the war near the city of Izium. His comrades loaded him onto a ladder and walked for an hour to safety. All he could think about at the time, he said, was ending it all with a grenade. A medic refused to leave his side and held his hand the entire time as he fell unconscious.

When he awoke in an intensive care unit the medic was still there.

"Thank you for holding my hand," Yurchuk told him.

"Well, I was afraid you'd pull the pin," the medic replied. Yurchuk's left arm was gone below the elbow and his right leg above the knee.

In the 18 months since, Yurchuk has regained his equilibrium, both mentally and physically. He met the woman who would become his wife at the rehabilitation hospital, where she was a volunteer. And he now cradles their infant daughter and takes her for walks without the slightest hesitation. His new hand and leg are in stark black.

Yurchuk has himself become the chief motivator for new arrivals from the front, pushing them as they heal from their wounds and teaching them as they learn to live and move with their new disabilities. That kind of connection will need to be replicated across Ukraine, formally and informally, for thousands of amputees.

"Their whole locomotive system has to be reoriented. They have a whole redistribution of weight. That's a really complicated adjustment to make and it needs to be made with another human being," said Dr. Emily Mayhew, a medical historian at Imperial College who specializes in blast injuries.

There are not nearly enough prosthetic specialists in Ukraine to handle the growing need, said Olha Rudneva, the head of the Superhumans center for rehabilitating Ukrainian military amputees. Before the war, she said, only five people in all of Ukraine had formal rehabilitation training for people with arm or hand amputations, which in normal circumstances are less common than legs and feet as those sometimes are amputated due to complications with diabetes or other illnesses.

Rudneva estimated that 20,000 Ukrainians have endured at least one amputation since the war began. The government does not say how many of those are soldiers, but blast injuries are among the most common in a war with a long front line.

Rehabilitation centers Unbroken and Superhumans provide prostheses for Ukrainian soldiers with funds provided by donor countries, charity organizations and private Ukrainian companies.

"Some donors are not willing to provide military aid to Ukraine but are willing to fund humanitarian projects," said Rudneva.

Some of the men undergoing rehabilitation regret they're now out of the war, including Yurchuk and Valentyn Lytvynchuk.

Lytvynchuk, a former battalion commander, draws strength from his family, especially his 4-year-old daughter who etched a unicorn on his prosthetic leg.

He headed recently to a military training ground to see what he could still do.

"I realized it's unrealistic. I can jump into a trench, but I need four-wheel drive to get out of it. And when I move 'fast,' a child could catch me," he said. Then, after a moment, he added: "Plus, the prosthesis falls off."

The hardest part for many amputees is learning to live with the pain  pain from the prosthesis, pain from the injury itself, pain from the lingering effects of the blast shockwave, said Mayhew, who has spoken with several hundred military amputees over the course of her career. Many are dealing with disfigurement and the ensuing cosmetic surgeries.

"That comorbidity of PTSD and blast injury and pain  those are very difficult to unpick," she said. "When people have a physical injury and they have a psychological injury that goes with it, those things can never be separated. "

For the severely injured, rehabilitation could take longer than the war ultimately lasts.

The cosmetic surgeries are crucial to allowing the soldiers to feel comfortable in society. Many are so disfigured that it's all they believe anyone sees in them.

"We don't have a year, two," said Dr. Natalia Komashko, a facial surgeon. "We need to do this as if it was due yesterday.".

Bilyak, the soldier who drove over anti-tank mines, still sometimes finds himself dreaming of battle.

"I'm lying alone in the ward on the bed, and people I don't know come to me. I realize they're Russians and they start shooting me point-blank in the head with pistols, rifles," he recounted. "They start getting nervous because they're running out of bullets, and I'm alive, I show them the middle finger and laugh at them."

Upward of 20,000 Ukrainian amputees face trauma on a scale unseen since WWI
We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on!

Go to form
State Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington Washington D.C. West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Puerto Rico US Virgin Islands Armed Forces Americas Armed Forces Pacific Armed Forces Europe Northern Mariana Islands Marshall Islands American Samoa Federated States of Micronesia Guam Palau Alberta, Canada British Columbia, Canada Manitoba, Canada New Brunswick, Canada Newfoundland, Canada Nova Scotia, Canada Northwest Territories, Canada Nunavut, Canada Ontario, Canada Prince Edward Island, Canada Quebec, Canada Saskatchewan, Canada Yukon Territory, Canada

Zip Code
Cover Images/Faye's Vision Celebrity

Other 'That '70 Show' stars who voiced their support for the disgraced actor were Debra Jo Rupp (who played Kitty Forman on the sitcom) as well as Kurtwood Smith (who played Red Forman).

Sep 9, 2023

AceShowbiz - Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis were among "[=That '70 Show]" alums who wrote letters in support of Danny Masterson before his sentencing. In their message, the married couple praised the disgraced actor for being the "excellent" one before he was sentenced to 30 years in prison for raping two women.

"As a role model, Danny has consistently been an excellent one. I attribute not falling into the typical Hollywood life of drugs directly to Danny," Ashton wrote. "Any time that we wee to meet someone or interact with someone who was on drugs, or did drugs, he made it clear that wouldn't be a good person to be friends with."

Mila, meanwhile, penned, "Danny's role as a husband and father to his daughter has been nothing short of extraordinary." She added, "He prioritizes his family, education, and happiness above all else, demonstrating his unwavering commitment to being a loving and responsible parent... As a father, he leads by example, instilling in her values that reflect integrity, compassion, and respect for others."

Other "That '70 Show" stars who voiced their support for Danny were Debra Jo Rupp (who played Kitty Forman) and Kurtwood Smith (who played Red Forman). In her letter, Debra recalled when actor Wilmer Valderrama, who played Fez on the sitcom, invited the cast to his high school graduation.

"Danny and I were the only ones to go," she wrote. "I remember looking at him and dying. It was outside, in the valley, really hot, and (Valderrama) was a 'V' alphabetically. We laughed so hard during that. It's a really nice memory. Danny just always showed up to support."

Danny received his 30-year prison sentence for raping two women in 2003 on Thursday, September 7. During the sentencing, Judge Charlaine F. Olmedo in Los Angeles Superior Court told him, "Mr. Masterson, you are not the victim here. Your actions 20 years ago took away another person's choice and voice. Your actions 20 years ago today were criminal, and that's why you are here."

You can share this post!
Cover Images/Jeffrey Mayer Celebrity

The 25-year-old actress was previously in a romantic relationship with fellow actor Tom Varey, whom she met while shooting period drama 'Pond Life' in February 2021.

Sep 9, 2023

AceShowbiz - Daisy Edgar-Jones is reportedly dating Anya Taylor-Joy's ex. If a new report is to be believed, the "Normal People" actress has been linked to photographer Ben (Pip) Seed, who dated Anya in 2021.

A source told The Sun newspaper's Bizarre column, "Daisy and Pip got together earlier this year and have become inseparable. They have both had some free time this summer and love hanging out in Broadway Market in East London, just going to bars and spending time together." The source continued, "There's a real spark there and they are excited about finding each other. They've already met one anothers friends and she is on cloud nine."

The 25-year-old actress has been single since splitting from Tom Varey, whom she met while shooting period drama "Pond Life" in February 2021. Speaking previously about her love life, Daisy, who played Noa, a young woman navigating the modern world of dating, in Fresh last year, insisted she had been lucky when it came to dating.

She said, "Now that we have dating apps, we almost shop for each other like we would with a handbag and hope to goodness that the person we meet will live up to the idea of them that we've created. Personally, I have been lucky, I haven't been on a huge amount of dates, but definitely the ones I've been on have not been as bad as poor Noa."

You can share this post!
Instagram Celebrity

The Memphis-based rap star, who is related to Young Dolph, brags about his 'concrete' body as he appears to mock his attacker(s) in a video filmed in the hospital.

Sep 9, 2023

AceShowbiz - Rapper CEO Jizzle has been identified as the victim during a shooting that erupted at a recent Lil Baby concert. The Memphis-based artist himself has taken to social media to give an update on his condition after he was reportedly critically injured in the incident on Thursday night, September 7.

Assuring that he is "good," CEO Jizzle, who is the cousin of celebrated rap star Young Dolph, filmed himself in the hospital. He was seen lying in bed and hooked up to a machine with bloody bandages on his chest and torso area.

In the video, he appeared to mock his attacker(s) as he told his followers to "pray for me, but pray for the oppos 10x harder." Regardless of how he may look, he insisted that no "f**k boy" was going to take him out and asked the blogs to stop posting him because "imma dog." He bragged, "This s**t concrete," referring to his body's ability to absorb gun shots.

Lil Baby was performing at FedExForum in Memphis on Thursday night, September 7 as part of "It's Only Us Tour" when the shooting occurred. In videos circulating online, the "Drip Too Hard" emcee was rushed off stage amid a panic. A shot can then be heard in the background as concertgoers scrambled to safety. Other videos showed security came to the aid of an injured man near the stage, who was eventually wheeled out of the venue on a stretcher.

According to the Memphis Police Department (MPD), officers responded to 191 Beale Street, FedExForum's location, shortly before 10:30 P.M. and found a man had been shot. The victim was rushed to Regional One Hospital with life-threatening injuries. Officials began evacuating the venue at around at 10:25 P.M.

CEO Jizzle might have been targeted as no other victims were reported. No arrest has been made as police are still trying to find the suspect. Those with information are asked to call CrimeStoppers at 901-528-CASH.

Lil Baby has not addressed the shooting, but he did apologize for not being able to complete his show that night. One day after the incident, he tweeted, "Unfortunately I couldn't perform last night in Memphis, Ima make sure everybody gets a refund tho."

You can share this post!
Instagram Celebrity

A few days after being left 'blindsided' by her ex-fiance's one-sided decision to call off their engagement, the 'Summer House' star is spotted having a blast with her female friends in Portugal.

Sep 9, 2023

AceShowbiz - Lindsay Hubbard appeared joyful in a first sighting following a heartbreak. A few days after being left "blindsided" by Carl Radke's one-sided decision to call off their engagement, the "Summer House" star was spotted having a blast with her female friends.

The 37-year-old reality TV star was caught on camera having fun at what appeared to be her former co-star Jaclyn Shuman's wedding rehearsal dinner in Portugal. She could be seen smiling widely for the camera when she was striking a pose, as seen in a group photo which Jaclyn uploaded via Instagram Story on Thursday, September 7.

In the group picture, Lindsay looked stunning in a white dress. The Bravo star matched with the other guests in their all-white white outfits. In the meantime, her pal Jaclyn caught the eye with an electric blue gown that came with a lower-thigh slit on one of her legs.

Lindsay's new sighting arrived a few days after she and Carl shocked the public with news of the two going their separate ways. About the split, he allegedly "blindsided" her by making an unexpected decision to call it quits on camera while filming season 8 of the "Summer House".

In the wake of the breakup, Lindsay's pal and TV personality Ashley Darby revealed that Lindsay and Carl were "so in love" with each other before their split. Speaking to Evan Real and Danny Murphy from Page Six in the Thursday, September 7 episode of "Virtual Reali-Tea", Ashley spilled, "They were so in love and they were in love up until like last week or something."

About the split itself, the star of "The Real Housewives of Potomac" pointed out, "I don't believe it." On the reason why, the 35-year-old Bravolebrity explained, "Having been around them, I realized firsthand how smitten he was with her. It was real. That's why I'm like, 'I gotta see some proof.' " She went on to say that if the two actually broke up, "something really paramount must have happened."

In addition to Ashley, "Southern Charm" star Venita Aspen gave her two cents on Lindsay and Carl's separation in the same podcast episode. She stated, "There is no way they're actually not engaged anymore." The 29-year-old further expressed, "Did you see the ring? He's not getting that money back or the ring!"

You can share this post!
Cover Images/Fernando Lucena Celebrity

Despite her husband's prison sentence for two counts of forcible rape, the 'Almost Famous' actress reportedly vows to be on the 'Yes Man' actor's 'side moving forward.'

Sep 9, 2023

AceShowbiz - Bijou Phillips allegedly still "completely trusts" Danny Masterson's claim despite his prison sentence. Shortly after her husband was sentenced to stay in prison for 30 years in sexual assault case, the "Almost Famous" actress reportedly believe that the "Yes Man" actor is not at fault.

On Friday, September 8, a source, who claimed to be close to the 43-year-old star, told DailyMail.com, "Bijou's only positive outlook on things stems from her trust in Danny and the appeal process." The source went on to explain, "She is hanging on to the fact that she completely trusts he never did what he was charged for, she can't accept that to be true. And she is looking to the appeal process for justice to be served."

"Danny is adamant he did nothing wrong and Bijou believes him," the insider further revealed. "Her other thoughts are a little more scary and morbid, she doesn't believe Danny will harm himself in jail, but she is very worried someone will harm him or even kill him and the stress that is bringing her is on its own level of stress that she never has felt before." The source added, "It is a nightmare, but she will be on his side moving forward and continue to be present for their daughter."

The statement came one day after it was announced that Danny has to stay behind bars for quite a long time due to his wrongdoing. On Thursday, September 7, he was slapped with 30-year prison sentence for two counts of forcible rape. The 47-year-old, who is in a marriage with Bijou and has one daughter, was found guilty following sexual assault reports made by several women. His victims are used to be members of the Church of Scientology.

One of the women, who is Danny's former girlfriend, alleged that he sexually harassed her when she was 23 years old back in the winter of 2001. In addition, another victim reported that she was raped by him when she was 23 years old around the fall and winter of 2003. Meanwhile, the other victim claimed that he raped her when she was 28 years old back in April 2003.

You can share this post!
Cover Images/BauerGriffin Celebrity

The 37-year-old 'Mamma Mia!' actress wishes she never plucked her eyebrows when she was a young girl because they never 'return in full' following her blunder.

Sep 10, 2023

AceShowbiz - Amanda Seyfried feels remorse about plucking her eyebrows as a teenager. The "Mamma Mia!" actress reveals that her biggest "beauty fail" was when she blundered in an attempt to shape her eyebrows when she was still at school.

"I egregiously overplucked my eyebrows in high school for them never to return in full," Amanda recalled in an interview with Glamour.

Meanwhile, the "Mean Girls" star learned how to appreciate beauty in its natural form after a visit to Japan had a lasting impact. She said, "Kyoto left an incredible impression on me. In Japanese culture in general, the people are all about living within nature and trying not to change but thrive surrounded by the beauty of Mother Nature."

"Beauty, to me, is just that. Appreciating what we have, who we are, and where we come from - letting nature inform and inspire our journey inside and out of ourselves."

Amanda, 37, also took a swipe at the beauty standards created by social media and Hollywood and would remove "likes" from people's selfies if she had the power to do so. She added, "Let's turn the camera around at what's in front of us. Selfies can be nice and organic in the right context. Let's keep it special."

Amanda is an ambassador for beauty brand Lancome and would willingly use the company's Brow Define pencil for the rest of her life. She explained, "My brows are also just a little bit too blonde to see sometimes. Highlighting and appreciating the features I already have is the key."

You can share this post!
A prominent healthcare leader Commander Navneet Bali has been appointed as Group Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of ClearMedi Healthcare- a prominent player in cancer-focused healthcare service provider. The new appointment marks the beginning of a new era. In a historic move marking Morgan Stanley's debut in the Indian healthcare landscape, the global financial powerhouse has acquired a majority stake in ClearMedi Healthcare Pvt Ltd. Under the leadership of Commander Bali Morgan Stanley-backed ClearMedi Healthcare is all set to chart an ambitious path toward solidifying its position in the industry.

Commander Bali, with an illustrious 25-year career in the Indian Navy and successful leadership roles at Narayana Health and IOSPL, is well-poised to lead ClearMedi Healthcare to new heights of success.

Dr. Shashi Baliyan, Founder of ClearMedi Healthcare, expressed enthusiasm about this groundbreaking collaboration, stating, "Morgan Stanley's entry into the Indian healthcare sector signifies a transformative moment for our industry. As we continue to expand and provide high-quality healthcare solutions to our patients, Commander Navneet Bali's visionary leadership, coupled with Morgan Stanley's support, will play a pivotal role in shaping our company's future."

Morgan Stanley's backing adds substantial momentum to ClearMedi's market presence. With Morgan Stanley's vast financial expertise and resources, ClearMedi is strategically positioned to expand its reach, invest in cutting-edge technologies, and uphold its commitment to delivering exceptional healthcare services to its clients.

"I am honored to join ClearMedi Healthcare as the Group CEO and be part of an organization committed to making a meaningful impact in the healthcare landscape," said Commander Navneet Bali. "Together with our talented team, we will drive innovation, foster growth, and ensure that ClearMedi Healthcare remains a beacon of excellence in the industry."

ClearMedi Healthcare, a renowned healthcare company, is a joint venture between Medipass, a subsidiary of La Repubblica Group in Italy, KOS S.p.A. in Italy, and Clearview Healthcare India. Founded in 2010 by Shashi Kant Baliyan, ClearMedi Healthcare manages complex clinical services, including oncology, nuclear medicine, and radiology, and operates standalone super specialty hospitals with over 350 hospital beds across different locations. ClearMedi runs its facilities in eight states and a union territory and has emerged as a trusted leader in the healthcare sector, particularly in providing cancer care services.

Morgan Stanley PE Asia's acquisition of a controlling stake in ClearMedi Healthcare, a Delhi-NCR headquartered chain of oncology hospitals and radiation therapy centers, valued at approximately $35 million (Rs 285 crore), is a testament to the global financial giant's commitment to the Indian healthcare sector. The deal involved the purchase of a majority stake from Italy's KOS Group and fresh equity injection into the company.

Morgan Stanley, a global financial services company with a presence in 42 countries, offers investment banking, securities, wealth management, and investment management solutions. The company serves clients worldwide, including corporations, governments, institutions, and individuals.
Jaipur witnessed a significant milestone in its media landscape as Honble Chief Minister Shri Ashok Gehlot inaugurated the Jaipur editions of Good Morning India - 'India News', 'The Daily Guardian', and 'The Sunday Guardian' at the Rajasthan International Center this Friday. The launch promises to heighten media trust as it brings not one, but three new publications to the fore.

The launch heralds a new chapter in Rajasthans journalistic scene, aiming to bring reliable and grassroots-level news to the people, reinforced by the encouraging words and strong support from the state government.

With the lighting of the inaugural lamp by Honble Chief Minister Shri Ashok Gehlot, the stage is set for a vibrant and responsive journalistic environment in Rajasthan, grounded in trust, reliability, and a commitment to social welfare.

During the occasion, the Chief Minister reflected upon his governments efforts in fostering a conducive environment for journalism in Rajasthan. He mentioned initiating the Hardev Joshi Journalism University and establishing housing and plot schemes for journalists, while vowing to continue efforts to meet the demands of the community.

Honble Chief Minister Shri Gehlot acknowledged the crucial role journalists play in a democratic society, especially in times where misinformation is rampant. He called upon the media to foster awareness and to maintain a strong focus on social concerns to combat the threats posed to free speech from different quarters. He highlighted his administrations resolve in standing with freedom of speech and underscored the necessity for journalists to elevate their role in society. CM recollected the momentous contribution of stalwarts such as Vijay Singh Pathik and Haridev Joshi in journalism during the freedom struggle, urging current journalists to carry forward the legacy.

Chief Minister Gehlot took the opportunity to enumerate the various welfare initiatives undertaken by his government for the journalistic community. From implementing pre and post matric scholarships for children of journalists to providing free insurance and facilitating financial assistance in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, he assured a protective net for those in the field. The event also saw the Chief Minister projecting a prosperous future for Rajasthan under 'Mission 2030', targeting a state GDP beyond 30 lakh crores in the upcoming seven years, spurred by an encouraging GDP growth rate which currently seats Rajasthan as the second-highest in the nation.

CM Gehlot reinforced his commitment to social security through various schemes such as the Minimum Income Guarantee Act and providing financial assistance to underprivileged children, aiming to position Rajasthan as a model state in social security.

ITV Network Founder, Kartikeya Sharma, welcomed the Chief Minister and assured that the new publications would forge a path of trust and reliable journalism, thanking him for the supportive schemes introduced for journalists.

The event was graced by prominent personalities including former Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje Scindia, who conveyed her best wishes for the newly launched newspapers. Education Minister Dr. B.D. Kalla emphasised the remarkable strides Rajasthan has taken in the education sector.
Varun Dhawan, the actor known for his dedication to workouts and good physique, recently shared a video on his social media that might surprise you. In the video, the Citadel India actor emphasizes that hard work deserves a reward, and he suggests that a pizza is the perfect treat. He playfully tagged the video for all the pizza lovers out there. It seems that pizza is Varun Dhawan's secret cheat meal, and I'm sure none of his fans will complain about that. After all, who can resist a cheesy pizza?

Just a day before this post, Varun also shared another video where he revealed that he had injured himself while shooting for director Atlee's upcoming film, VD18. He posted the video on his Instagram stories, where he talks about his injury, saying, 'I hurt my leg, I think, while shooting, and I have no idea how I hurt my leg, but this is what I am doing at the moment.'

Varun started filming for this project, backed by director Atlee, a couple of months ago and recently announced that the film is set to release on May 31, 2024. The movie, tentatively titled VD18, is directed by Tamil filmmaker Kalees, known for his debut film 'Kee' in 2019.

Varun's previous work in Nitesh Tiwari's 'Bawaal' alongside Janhvi Kapoor, available on Amazon Prime, received positive reviews from critics, and his performance was well-received by the audience.
For the 7th consecutive year, the Market at Pepper Place has teamed up with the Birmingham chapter of Les Dames dEscoffier International to celebrate women in the citys food and beverage scene.

Since the beginning of September, the organization of women leaders in the food, beverage, and hospitality industry has partnered with the Market at Pepper Place for the Les Dames Market Takeover, a month of promoting female chefs, food makers, culinary instructors, and cookbook authors who are Les Dames dEscoffier members and also work in the Birmingham hospitality scene.

Each week this month, a theme will highlight the specialties of different Dames. Female chefs will host the markets chef demo at 9 a.m. each Saturday and throughout the morning, members of Les Dames dEscoffier will host a tent with a selection of baked goods related to the weeks theme. Proceeds from the sale of the goods will fund the Les Dames dEscoffier cooking and nutrition instruction outreach program at The Wellhouse, an organization that aids female victims of sex trafficking.

This years Les Dames Market Takeover kicked off on Sept. 2 with a spotlight on Dames known for BBQ, tailgate dishes and catering, featuring a chef demo by Geri-Martha OHara of Big Spoon Creamery. The rest of the month will feature sweet treats, Mediterranean, and Latin food.

The Market at Pepper Place is free and welcome to the public. The market runs from 7 a.m. to noon every Saturday, rain or shine.

Planning to head to the Market at Pepper Place for the Les Dames Market Takeover? Heres the schedule for the rest of the month.

Saturday, September 9: Sweet Treats Week, spotlighting Dames who are pastry chefs and bakers, featuring a chef demo by Emily Nabors Hall of The Break-Up Cookie and Jasmine Smith of Dotdash Meredith at 9 a.m.

Saturday, September 17: Club Med Mediterranean Food Week, spotlighting Dames who specialize in Mediterranean cuisines; featuring a chef demo by Rita Bernhardt of Luca and Tasty Town at 9 a.m.

Saturday, September 24: Latin Food Week, spotlighting Dames with Latin culinary specialties; featuring a chef demo by Dulce Rivera of Mi Pueblo Supermarket at 9 a.m.
Theres a new name in Gulf of Mexico waters south of Dauphin Island, Alabama, and its a name that spent decades on rescue missions in the far icier seas off the North Slope of Alaska.

Its a long voyage from Utqiagvik (formerly Barrow), the northernmost settlement in the United States, to a barrier island on the Mississippi Sound. But a contingent present at the Dauphin Island Marina on Friday morning had made the trip to represent Clifford Saavgaq Okpeaha, his Inupiat people and UIC Government Services.

On Friday, UIC formally dedicated the Saavgaq, the third in its fleet of small vessels based on Dauphin Island. [The Inupiat speakers present had a more nuanced pronunciation of the name, but it appeared the rough approximation Sah-vak will be the standard for the boat.] Company officials and Inupiat visitors, including some of Okpeahas close kin, said an overarching legacy of service made the distance between the Beaufort Sea and the Gulf of Mexico irrelevant.

Clifford Saavgaq served as coordinator of Barrow Volunteer Search and Rescue for more than 30 years. He also was described as a whaler with a great willingness to share traditional skills and values.

Relatives of Alaskan rescuer Clifford Saavgaq Okpeaha stand aboard a vessel dedicated to Saavgaq's legacy. The boat will be used to train U.S. Coast Guard search-and-rescue personnel.Lawrence Specker | LSpecker@AL.com

UIC President Pearl Brower said that names held a special value among the Inupiat, who often name newborns after the recently deceased, in the belief that the attributes of the namesake can be transferred to the infant. Naming is not taken lightly, she said.

In this case, she said, the boat was being named after a man who gave his all to his people and his community.

He was a man who was always at the ready to help, whether it was to search on the water, across the tundra, in a boat, on a snow machine, in a helicopter, by foot, whether it was night or day, summer or winter, rainy, snowy, 60 degrees below zero with zero visibility, Saavgaq was there, said Brower. Nothing held him back from being of service to his people and his community.

As we name this new vessel in his honor, we know that a part of him will live on through this recognition, she said.

Among those present was Ida Okpeaha, sister to Clifford Saavgaq Okpeaha, recalled her brother, who died of cancer in 2019, as a patient, humble man who didnt know how to be mad at anybody.

Like others in the delegation, she said she was surprised by the Gulf Coast heat. But in other ways, they said, the felt a kinship with home.

Its similar in some ways. We are an ocean people, said Brower. Being here has a lot of similarities to who we are and the connection we have with the ocean, with sea, with water. So its kind of neat to see those similarities really transcend all sorts of different boundaries.

Relatives of Alaskan rescuer Clifford Saavgaq Okpeaha and officers of UIC Government Services take a ride on a vessel named for Saavgaq. The boat left the Dauphin Island Marina on Sept. 8, 2023 and made a short trip toward the Mississippi Sound.Lawrence Specker | LSpecker@AL.com

While yes, we could have named a vessel at home, we are a company that is across the entire country, she said. And we just have this incredible opportunity to share who we are as Inupiat people, who our shareholders are, and really the amazing contributions that our Inupiat people have given to our community, our region, our state, but really beyond. So what an amazing opportunity to be able to showcase and highlight someone like Saavgaq.

Mike Hundley, senior vice president of UIC, likewise said the new mission of Saavgaq the boat mirrors the values of Saavgaq the man.

Were an Alaskan Native Corporation. Our organization is built on the Inupiat values. We live these values each and every day as we support the Department of Defense and Federal Customers, said Hundley. Today is the best example of I have of culture and mission. As youll heard, Clifford Saavgaq performed search-and-rescue for over 30 years on the North Slope, assisting those in need. Today, as you see, the newly named vessel Saavgaq trains our young men and women in the Coast Guard to perform similar search-and-rescue missions. Clifford Saavgaq make a difference. The vessel named in his honor will continue to make a difference as a Coast Guard training asset.

UIC is a division of an Alaskan Native Corporation formed to benefit its Inupiat shareholders, in part by providing a framework for business ventures. Those include a wide variety of government services; in the Mobile area, UIC conducts search-and-rescue and other training exercises for Coast Guard personnel flying out of the services Aviation Training Center in Mobile.

That means that among other missions, the Saavgaq will head out into the Gulf and provide a target for the type of missions where Coast Guard aviators and rescue swimmers winch someone up from another vessel in order to save them from a sinking ship or get them to a medical facility. Footage of such rescues sometimes shows patients being lifted off cruise ships, which provide a large and relatively stable target. But the Saavgaq and a sister ship, the Alice Solomon, are just 41 feet long, providing a much smaller target.

Our job is to provide the boat and the staff to get on station with the Coast Guard helicopters said Capt. Dale Croy. Over the course of an intensive program, the student pilots get hands-on practice on simulated rescue missions. If you can train on our platform, its much easier to land on an oil rig. What I mean is, they get to be very precise.

Were the only people in the U.S. that do this, Croy said, so its pretty unique.

Croy said the addition of the Saavgaq will give his operation more flexibility when it comes to scheduling maintenance time. It also will provide the capability to run more missions, he said, such as occasions when the Alice Solomon tows a target for live-fire weapons training.

The Saavgaq already decades of service behind it: It began life as a U.S. Coast Guard utility boat in 1973. After about 30 years of service on the Great Lakes, it was operated for a decade by the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary. Croy said it had received an extensive refit since UIC brought it to Alabama.

Weve taken the last 10 to 11 months and really freshened it up, he said. So everything on that boat is current technology.

Dauphin Island Mayor Jeff Collier, who was on hand for the ceremony, said he was glad to see a development that would benefit the Coast Guard. The Coast Guard has been a part of Dauphin Island for many, many years, an integral part, he said.
A bevy of high-profile stars came to the defense of actor and convicted rapist Danny Masterson before his sentencing Thursday, calling on the judge in his case to offer leniency.

Masterson, 47, was sentenced to 30 years to life in prison by Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Charlaine Olmedo on Thursday despite the pleas from his That 70s Show co-stars Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher, among others.

I do not believe he is an ongoing harm to society and having his daughter raised without a present father would (be) a tertiary injustice in and of itself, Kutcher wrote in his letter, which was published first by reporter Meghann Cuniff.

The letters in support of defendants by their family and supporters are routine in criminal cases before sentencing. In Mastersons case, they came as part of a 108-page filing reviewed by The Times. Neither Kunis nor Kutcher argued that Masterson was not guilty of the crimes, but they vouched for his character and the person they knew him to be.

From the very beginning, I could sense his innate goodness and genuine nature, Kunis said in her letter. His caring nature and ability to offer guidance have been instrumental in my growth both personally and professionally.

In Kutchers letter, he noted a time when he said Masterson jumped to the defense of a woman whose boyfriend was berating her at a pizza restaurant.

It was an incident he didnt have to get involved in but proactively chose to because the way this man was behaving was not right, Kutcher wrote.

Both actors said Mastersons anti-drug attitude helped them to stay on the straight and narrow during their careers in Hollywood.

Masterson was convicted in May of two counts of rape after his second trial on charges stemming from allegations of sexual assaults by three women he knew through the Church of Scientology.

The rapes occurred at Mastersons Hollywood Hills home in the early 2000s, when he was a rising star from That 70s Show.

The Church of Scientology was invoked repeatedly at trial and became a key focus of defense and prosecution teams alike. The women said the church discouraged them from reporting Masterson to law enforcement at the time of the rapes. The church denied those allegations.

Other well-known Hollywood actors, including Billy Baldwin and Giovanni Ribisi, wrote letters in support of Masterson, as did fellow That 70s Show cast member Debra Jo Rupp.

Numerous family members, including Mastersons wife, Bijou Phillips Masterson, also penned letters in support.

______

2023 Los Angeles Times. Visit latimes.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
This blog covers software patent news and issues with a particular focus on wireless, mobile devices (smartphones, tablet computers, connected cars) as well as select antitrust matters surrounding those devices.
Amtraks exact return date to the Gulf Coast remains unknown, but the Mobile City Council will play a major role in determining the extent of the Port Citys involvement.

A supermajority of five council members will need to vote in support of a lease agreement between the city, Amtrak and CSX to allow for the Water Street construction of a platform that will serve as the final train stop along the Mobile-to-New Orleans route.

Related content:

It could come down to one vote. At least two of the seven council members have expressed serious philosophical concerns over the Amtrak Gulf Coast project.

The overall service, as proposed, will connect Mobile to New Orleans with four stops in Mississippi  Bay St. Louis, Gulfport, Biloxi and Pascagoula. Its a twice-daily operation, with trains leaving in the morning and late afternoons from both Mobile and New Orleans.

The political reality in Mobile was not discussed much during Fridays Southern Rail Commission quarterly meeting in Point Clear. But the lease, which remains under negotiations between the rail operators and Mobile Mayor Sandy Stimpsons administration, looms large over an anticipated 2024 start of passenger trains between New Orleans and Mobile.

Thats important, said Knox Ross, the commissions chairman, after the SRC meeting. Its important for Mobile.

Asked what might happen if the council does not approve the agreement, Ross said, We would have to find a different way to do it, I guess.

Council members say its too early to tell how they will vote, saying they have not even been approached about a lease agreement. The councils vote on a land lease deal, if its approved, would trigger the construction of the Mobile platform that is needed to restart the service.

The train stops in Mississippi are ready for Amtrak service to restart.

Nothing has even been brought before us to consider, said Councilman Ben Reynolds. It will be interesting to see how it pans out.

He added, My position is philosophically, I dont want it to be a heavy burden for the taxpayer to be a novelty for a few people. I dont want our folks hauled out of town and driven over to a casino (along the Mississippi Gulf Coast). That doesnt help us here in Mobile much.

Pushing for Mobile

Ross and Marc Magliari, spokesman with Amtrak, said the service in Mobile could be beneficial to the cruise industry that will restart next month with the arrival of the Carnival Spirit. The citys cruise terminal is within walking distance of the proposed location of the train platforms location adjacent to Cooper Riverside Park and the Arthur R. Outlaw Mobile Convention Center.

Magliari, asked about the need for five votes on the council, said while he wasnt a pundit, he believed that residents along the Gulf Coast  including Mobile  want to see the trains return for the first time on a regular basis since Hurricane Katrina damaged the line in 2015.

Talking to folks anywhere on the Gulf Coast, and I spend a lot of time on the Gulf Coast and they know Im a part of this (project), I hear, When is the train coming? Magliari said. Look at Mobile  they have a bigger cruise ship coming (in October). That wasnt part of the discussion when this conversation (about Amtrak) began.

He added, Mobile is developing a park with Hall of Fame players right next to where the train station will be, and (next to) the cruise terminal and museums. Its a huge opportunity.

Mobile City Councilman Joel Daves speaks in opposition of a city commitment for the future of Amtrak service along the Gulf Coast. The Mobile City Council voted 6-1 on Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2020, in support of a resolution that commits future funds for the operations of the Gulf Coast passenger rail line. The resolution including contingencies that include the outcome of a six-month study on how passenger trains might affect freight rail. (John Sharp/jsharp@al.com).

Only three members of the council remain from early 2020, the last time there was a vote on Amtrak. The council voted 6-1 to commit $3 million to support the trains operations. The No vote came from Councilman Joel Daves, who has long questioned the project and once called it a joy ride for the affluent.

Daves said Friday it was too early to tell how the lease agreement will shake out.

The newest member of the council, Josh Woods, said he wasnt prepared to make an opinion.

Waiting on grant

The situation in Mobile is only part of a series of issues that have to unfold before Amtrak can begin the service.

Its part of a waiting-game for a project that has been under consideration for over a decade.

The biggest issue is the timing of receipt of the $223 million grant from the federal Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) program. The CRISI grant money is expected to be released this fall to help support a host of infrastructure improvements along the Gulf Coast route, Ross said.

The Federal Railroad Administration is charged with awarding the money. Officials had expected the money, and the construction work to have been underway earlier this year.

The issue is more of a staffing issue with the Federal Railroad Administration, Ross said. For most of its life, (the FRA) has been a safety organization. In the past four-to-five years, theyve become a major grant organization. Theyve had to staff up for this. They are working diligently. Thats not meant to be a criticism for them but theyve been handed by Congress a new set of responsibilities.

The money is needed to build the platform and a layover track in downtown Mobile. The extra track will be used for the Amtrak trains and prevent interference with the existing freight trains that operate on the line owned by CSX.

Ross said additional work is needed in Louisiana to improve safety along the route.

He said the entirety of the $223 million will upgrade the route into a 21st century freight railroad.

The upgrades were part of a negotiated settlement between Amtrak, CSX, Norfolk Southern and the Alabama State Port Authority before the U.S. Surface Transportation Board (STB). The STB oversaw a proceeding last year into the fate of the Gulf Coast route that drew nationwide interest. It ended with a settlement that was reached in November that allows Amtrak to operate along the Gulf Coast.

Basically, now you have 14,000-foot trains running on a railroad from the 1950s, Ross said. They run in one direction at a time while accommodating for passenger trains.

Wait continues

The Amtrak routes fares, schedules and branding will not be released until 90 days before the trains run, Ross said.

We got to get that right, he said. Weve been running projections on certain known variables. We dont want to come out and tell you the fare will be X and then get closer and say, That is not where it should be. People will call it a bait and switch. We want to tell them accurate information when we know it.

Ross said the fare could be comparable to the Chicago-to-Grand Rapids, Michigan, route. The fee for that route runs around $35 one-way, and as much as $78 for business class.

The Mobile-to-New Orleans route is referred to as a state-supported connection, and not part of a long-distance route. The last time Amtrak rolled through Mobile was before Katrina in 2005, and it was part of the Sunset Limited route that connected Jacksonville to Los Angeles. The new service, officials say, is not comparable to what was once in Mobile.

Magliari said one of the features to the Gulf Coast route will include a dining car with localized food and drink options. Previous media reporting suggests the train could have a Mardi Gras theme, drawing on the annual Carnival celebrations that are part of the cultural fabric along the Gulf Coast. SRC members say its too early to announce the trains name or branding.

But exactly when those trains will return is anyones guess. Amtrak once hoped to have passenger trains operating this past New Years Day. After the settlement in the STB case late last year, the hope for restored operations was pushed into this fall, or before the end of 2023.

That isnt happening, either.

Were saying 2024, said Magliari.

As soon as we can get this done, Ross said.
A U.S. Army veteran and mail carrier killed in a double homicide that left three others wounded is being remembered as smart, ambitious and outgoing.

Chaveda Willis, 33, was affectionately known by friends and family as Woodie or Woo. She was one of two mothers killed in the early-morning hours of Labor Day when gunfire erupted outside a Birmingham club and led to a drive-by outside the UAB Hospital emergency room.

Everybody loved her, said one of her sisters, TreLena Smith. She was an encourager, a people person.

Willis was described as a giver, not a taker, and a woman who doted on her 11-year-old son and 8-year-old daughter.

They were her life, said her aunt, Kimblyn Reedy. She was an excellent mom. She went over the top for her kids.

Killed in the same shooting was 24-year-old Markiezia Atkins, also a mother and a Miles College student.

A vigil for Willis will be held at 6 p.m. Monday in a north Birmingham park.

Someone opened fire on an SUV as it arrived at UAB Hospital's emergency room with a gunshot victim on Monday, Sept. , 2023. (Carol Robinson)

The initial shooting happened about 2 a.m. Monday following an altercation that began at Aria Restaurant and Lounge in the 900 block of Fifth Avenue North. More gunfire then erupted when three of the victims arrived at UAB Hospital in an SUV.

Investigators say at least two gunmen opened fire on the SUV outside the emergency room, but no one was struck at the hospital.

We believe the gunfire stemmed from a targeted attack, said Officer Truman Fitzgerald. However, many of the victims who were struck by gunfire appear to have been bystanders.

Authorities said Atkins, Willis and a man whose identity has not been released, were inside a Chevrolet Tahoe that arrived at UABs emergency room about 2:17 a.m.

When the SUV got to UAB, another vehicle pulled up and opened fire on the Tahoe. Witnesses said they heard multiple shots fired, describing the sounds as iron pipes hitting.

The gunfire hit a UAB police vehicle and a hospital window, but no other people were injured in that shooting.

Birmingham and UAB police officers shut down the area surrounding the emergency room. The hospital was placed on lockdown.

Willis was pronounced dead at 2:30 a.m. Atkins was pronounced dead at 2:55 a.m.

Someone opened fire on an SUV as it arrived at UAB Hospital's emergency room with a gunshot victim on Monday, Sept. , 2023. (Carol Robinson)

The wounded man was admitted in critical condition and remains hospitalized with life-threatening injuries.

Two other women showed up at the hospital with gunshot injuries, but they are expected to be OK.

Birmingham Police Chief Scott Thurmond released this statement following the deadly shooting:

Two females lost their lives to yet again another senseless act of violence in our city, Thurmond said. Early indications are those who were shot were most likely innocent victims.

As a result, we have two women whose lives were cut entirely too short. Two families were destroyed, and three other victims will have to live with the scars of this senseless violence for the rest of their lives, he said.

Willis grew up in Birmingham and graduated from George W. Carver High School. She attended Shelton State Community College and took courses through Stillman College before leaving to join the U.S. Army.

She served in the military for two years before she sustained a knee injury that forced her to leave the service.

Willis had three degrees from Fortis Institute and was recently notified that she had been accepted into nursing school at Bevill State.

She was so intelligent, Reedy said. She should have been a doctor.

Willis joined the U.S. Postal Service about eight years ago and worked as a mail carrier across the Birmingham area, from Vestavia Hills to Ensley to Center Point.

She didnt meet a stranger, said her aunt, Martrece Bell.

She had been an only child for 10 years before her three younger sisters  two of which are twins  came along and she was thrilled to have siblings.

She took care of us, Smith said. I asked her for everything, and she gave it to me.

Chaveda Willis, 33, was one of two women killed in a Sept. 4, 2023, shooting that wounded three others. She leaves behind two children and multiple grieving relatives.

Willis loved Tommy Hilfiger  all fashion really  and she loved karaoke.

She had a big, bright smile, Reedy said.

Family said they received word of the shooting when someone called them and told them the SUV had been shot up. They knew Willis had been with the people in that SUV and rushed to UAB Hospital where they kept vigil outside until they received the heartbreaking news that she died.

It was just a senseless act, uncalled for, Reedy said.

Police, they said, have not given them any information about what they think happened. But the family is hoping for an arrest.

We want closure, Reedy said.

Asked what they would say to the shooter or shooters, Bell said this: They took a jewel from our family.

Anyone with information is asked to call Birmingham homicide detectives at 205-254-1764 or Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777.
Most of West Maui will officially reopen to travelers Oct. 8 under a new wildfire emergency proclamation signed on Friday by Hawaii Gov. Josh Green.

Nonessential travel to much of the islands western coastline has been strongly discouraged since devastating wildfires killed at least 115 people in the historic town of Lahaina last month.

State tourism officials initially urged travelers to stay away from Maui so residents and agencies could focus on emergency response efforts and supporting those displaced by the fires. In mid-August, officials began encouraging tourists to return to other parts of Maui, avoiding the burn zone and spending money to help the region recover.

On Thursday, Green told a meeting of the state Council on Revenues that he expected authorities to reopen most of West Maui to travelers in October, with the exception of the fire-damaged neighborhoods. The area, which includes beach resorts in Kaanapali, north of historic Lahaina, has 11,000 hotel rooms. Thats half Mauis total.

In the emergency proclamation signed Friday, the governor said the previous guidance that strongly discouraged nonessential travel to West Maui will be discontinued Oct. 8.

Tourism is a major economic driver in Hawaii, and the wildfire disaster prompted state officials to lower their 2023 economic growth prediction for the entire state to 1.1%, down from 1.8%.

The number of visitors arriving on Maui sank about 70% after the Aug. 8 fire, down to 2,000 a day, and only half of the available hotel rooms there are occupied, said Hawaii Lodging & Tourism Association president Mufi Hannemann. Airlines have begun offering steep discounts on flights to Hawaii, and some resorts have slashed room rates by 20% or are offering a fifth night free.
A mask mandate has returned to Dallas County government buildings where workers interact with the public, a county probate judge said Friday.

Dallas County Probate Judge Jimmy Nunn told WAKA the requirement was reinstated for the Dallas County Courthouse and the courthouse annex and county administrative buildings amid a rise in COVID cases both across the country and in the county.

At this point in time it is only being taken effect in the government buildings that the public come into, Nunn said, according to WAKA. And that will be the three buildings that we have. The courthouse, the annex and the administrative building. These three buildings in which the public come in and we provide services to the public.

Nunn said the COVID cases have been traced to the government buildings.

He said the mandate would remain in effect as long as cases continue to climb in Dallas County.

Alabama has seen nearly a 300% increase in COVID hospitalizations since early July, although the numbers are still far below the surges the state has seen in the past.

CDC data also shows Alabama has some of the highest rates in the country for both regular and ICU hospital beds that are filled by COVID patients, and the percent of emergency department visits that were diagnosed with COVID.

While it appears no other Alabama county has publicly announced a return of mask mandates, Talladega City Schools encouraged students to wear masks but said the policy was not a requirement.

This is not a mask mandate, but a general encouragement to be more conscious of our health, the district said late last month.
Ive reported on the Arizona-Mexico border for a long time, and recently published a novel about a ranching family battling a drug cartel trying to take over their ranch. But for on-the-ground grit and realism, its hard to match the account of a Border Patrol agent who works the line every day.

Early last month, a friend began sending me emails written by an agent who risks losing his job if his identity becomes public. But what this whistleblower sees every day is endangering the country he loves, and he has to speak out.

Heres part of his email for August 12:

If a terrorist crossed the border right now there is about zero percent chance of him getting caught. Most of the checkpoints are shut down again because there are no agents to run them, everyone is processing or ubering asylum seekers around. The more we turn loose, the more show up  The whole situation is mind blowing.

On the subject of potential terrorists arrested at the Southwest border, U.S. Customs and Border Protections website tells us that agents didnt arrest anyone on the feds terror watch list in 2019, and three in 2020. Thus far in 2023, there have been 146 watchlist arrests.

No one need wonder why this is so. President Biden has opened the border. On his first day in office, he ended several Trump-era restrictions that were working. Biden stopped construction on the border wall, leaving holes the smugglers could exploit.

The whistleblower says,  They are also doing drive thrus from Mexico again through the gaps. ATVs are shuttling scouts around to their lookout spots. We had aliens driving dirt bikes in from Mexico to smuggle.

Cartel scouts with two-way radios sit on mountaintops to guide so-called load vehicles around obstacles. Law enforcement in Arizona is under cartel surveillance twenty-four hours a day.

The whistleblower: I haven't seen this amount of load vehicles since I first got in BP. Load drivers will not get prosecuted unless there is endangerment like people locked in the trunk or significant prior criminal history. We have repeat drivers who straight up tell us, I'm going to keep doing this because you can't do anything to me."

Every day on southern Arizona highways, law enforcement stops cars stuffed with illegals. The drivers have responded to coded solicitations on WhatsApp and other social media sites offering a big payday.

The cartel pays $2,000 for every illegal the driver can stuff into his car and take north. When law enforcement lights them up, these drivers sometimes take off at speeds topping one hundred miles per hour. Dangerous chases have become common in Arizona, and there have been several fatal wrecks.

The one no one can forget, including Cochise County Sheriff Mark Dannels, occurred in the fall of 2021. Wanda Sitoski was driving on State Route 90 when a smuggler vehicle driven by a 16-year-old from Mesa, Arizona, ran a light and smashed into Sitoskis car, shearing it in half and killing her.

She was on her way to a restaurant to celebrate her birthday with her son. When she didnt show, he backtracked looking for her and drove past the wreck, unaware it involved his mom. He didnt learn what happened until he arrived at home and was met by police officers.

The sons cancer was in remission at the time, says Cochise County Sheriff Mark Dannels. But after the wreck, it came back and he passed away a year later, I think of a broken heart.

Border crime hasnt slowed down since. From January 1 of this year to late August, Dannels department has booked 1008 individuals into the county jail on border-related crimes, most being U.S. citizens from outside the county.

With evidence to the contrary abundant, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas testifies under oath to Congress that the border is secure.

On Friday, Sept. 1, the chief of Border Patrols Tucson Sector posted to X a rundown of the previous seven days activity. Read the numbers and see what security looks like -- 12,000 apprehensions, 399 rescues, 24 human smuggling events, 11 pounds of fentanyl seized and nine pounds of cocaine.

Remember, drug seizure figures dont tell us how much gets through, and that number is believed to be far higher.

The vast majority of crossers are coming to work or escape bad situations at home. But the numbers include dangerous criminals, too.

Check out this rundown for August in the Tucson Sector:

Aug. 8, Sasabe. A Mexican citizen convicted in Cobb County, GA. in 2005 of a criminal attempt to commit rape.

Aug. 9, Bisbee. An illegal crosser convicted in Utah in 2010 of felony sexual abuse of a child.

Aug. 12, Nogales. A Mexican citizen with a previous conviction for illegal reentry after deportation, a felony.

Aug. 13, Sasabe. A Mexican citizen convicted in Stockton, CA. of felony lewd or lascivious acts with a child under 14.

Aug. 16, Douglas. An illegal crosser convicted in Colorado of sexual assault and assault to cause injury with a deadly weapon.

Aug. 23, Bisbee. A Mexican citizen convicted in New York in 2008 of first-degree rape.

Aug. 29, Why. A Mexican citizen convicted in California in 2018 of meeting with a minor for lewd purposes.

Those are the ones who have been caught. Since Biden took office, about 1.6 million individuals are known to have crossed the border illegally and not been caught. How many dangerous criminals were among those so-called gotaways? Nobody knows.

Our whistleblower continues: The flood just keeps growing. It's mind blowing that we are even in this situation. I don't think people have a clue the reality of the situation. And the Mayorkas lies get worse and worse.

For a couple of years now, large groups of migrants, sometimes 150 or more, have been walking across the Arizona border at Sasabe, 71 miles southwest of Tucson, and surrendering to Border Patrol. The agents have to take them elsewhere for processing  photos, fingerprints and background checks -- before they can return to the border.

With the agents elsewhere, the cartel runs its drugs across, including fentanyl. This synthetic opioid kills five Arizonans every day and roughly 70,000 Americans annually. While its true that most hard drugs enter the U.S. at ports of entry -- an estimated eighty percent -- more and more is being trafficked through the backcountry.

The whistleblower: They are crossing family groups in Sasabe and loading fentanyl tires while everyone is tied up ubering the give-up group to the FOB [Forward Operating Base] and processing them.

Fentanyl tires are the latest in cartel ingenuity. The bad guys stuff packages of the drug inside a truck tire and roll it through the gaps in the wall or heave it over.

The open border is bringing chaos to other parts of the country, too. New York mayor Eric Adams has said 10,000 migrants are arriving in the city every month, and estimates that it will cost taxpayers $12 billion to handle them.

At a press conference, Adams said if the present situation continues it will destroy the city. Massachusetts has declared a state of emergency.

In February, Fox News published a story about financial trouble at the Yuma Regional Medical Center, on the border in the southwest corner of Arizona. The headline: Arizona Hospital on brink of collapse after spending $20 million on migrant care. Most of that care takes place in the ER and the maternity ward.

Its shocking to think an American president would willfully and deliberately open the southern border to let all this happen.

The whistleblower: We have zero control of the border right now Agents are discouraged and starting to lose hope. We are at wits end.

Leo W. Banks novel about the border, The Flying Z, was published August 1 by Brash Books and is available on Amazon. Reach him at Leowbanks.com

Image: U.S. Custroms and Border Patrol
DEI, the acronym for so-called Diversity, Equity and Inclusion that has infiltrated and infected American society, is like so many things in Bidens America, the exact opposite of what it claims to be.

Diversity as practiced in contemporary America has been corrupted to mean exclusionary: You are diverse as long as you are non-White, non-religious, unpatriotic, LGBTQ+ and ascribe to our politics and belief system. Otherwise, you will be shut down and shunned in education, employment, expression, the judicial system everywhere. You will be cancelled. There is a word for this and its not diversity. Its discrimination.

It is open season on White people, especially White males. The owner of the submersible Titanic exploration vessel, who died in its implosion, intentionally discriminated against 50-year-old white guys in hiring, dismissing the safety and operational expertise of former submarine commanders. His bigotry ending up killing him and four other passengers.

White privilege and White supremacy are bandied about like the N-word throughout formerly polite society. Employers regularly -- and illegally -- discriminate against White people in hiring and force White employees to undergo communist-style self-criticism sessions. Our schools and universities are no better, with no-Whites-allowed clubs and dorms and demeaning exercises designed to make White children aware and ashamed of their so-called privileged status.

Dr. Martin Luther Kings dream, that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character, now is but a pile of ashes.

Discrimination based on race, color, religion, or national origin is evil, whether it targets Black people, Whites or anyone else. But now it is practiced with impunity by modern-day, leftist Klansmen who apparently comprise nearly half the U.S. population.

Equity is another false promise based on a false premise. Equal opportunity is a central tenet of American life and law, but equity -- equal outcomes, despite the amount of work and effort one expends or does not expend -- is Marxist claptrap. From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs, is a recipe for disaster, disincentivizing education and work by robbing the industrious of their hard-earned money and giving it to slothful parasites. In practice, in communist societies, the people suffer: long lines for insufficient goods and a basic subsistence living for the peasants while Party members dine on caviar and are transported to their dachas in stretch limousines.

The real E in DEI stands for Excommunication: Do as your betters say or be culled from society, imprisoned or marginalized with no voice, no ownership, no job, no rights whatsoever. The Soviets had their Gulags, America has its squalid D.C. prisons where January 6 demonstrators, many who never set foot in Washington or the Capitol Building -- our Capitol -- now languish in closet-size cells where the lights remain on 24/7 and abuses by guards are routine. Meanwhile, rioters, arsonists and murderers from the Floyd riots walk free.

Express an opinion contrary to the narrative (government dogma) and you will be banned from social media, doxed by leftists, slandered, or ignored by the media, fired from work and/or investigated by our Gestapo FBI. If you need examples, you havent been paying attention. News organizations and social media platforms like Facebook regularly ban or shadow ban people expressing viewpoints that run counter to official government doctrine, from the efficacy of COVID masking and vaccinations to the Hunter Biden laptop, election fraud, the war in Ukraine and the sexual grooming of our children. Freedom of Speech, the bedrock of our Constitutions Bill of Rights, is all but dead in this country. Shut up and behave. Or else.

Inclusion, the third word in the DEI acronym, is another lie. What the I really means is Indoctrination, both overt and covert. Overt indoctrination takes place in the news media, schools, corporate America, government and even in our military: There are numerous genders; men can menstruate, become pregnant and compete safely and fairly in womens sports; colorblindness and America itself are racist; Bidenomics equals prosperity; puberty blockers, gender affirming surgeries and drag shows for children are healthy; climate change is destroying the planet; silence is violence; the COVID virus originated in a Wuhan wet market and vaccines are safe and effective; masking prevents transmission of the virus the lies and absurdities shoved down our throats are endless and endlessly harmful.

Covert indoctrination is more subtle. News organizations simply do not cover stories that may be true but dont fit the narrative. Hunter Bidens laptop is a prime example. Evidence of massive election fraud in 2020 is another. The 2020 riots were mostly peaceful protests is yet another. Dont believe your lying eyes. Advertising has become a major indoctrination vehicle in this country. An alien visitor watching television commercials would conclude that 90 percent of all marriages are interracial, and that Black people make up 50 percent or more of the U.S. population. Neither is remotely true, but truth doesnt matter anymore.

Discrimination, Excommunication, and Indoctrination are dividing Americans, undermining trust in our institutions and destroying the very foundations of our Republic. These methods are being used intentionally to bring about a totalitarian future where elites rule and normal people have no say, own nothing, take filthy and unsafe mass transportation, live in Soviet-style apartment blocks, eat bugs and like it, or else.

Tony Lentini is a 1971 graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point. He served five years active duty in the Army at Ft. Carson, Colorado, and Nuremberg, Germany, attaining the rank of Captain. He then worked in electric utilities and the oil and gas industry, serving as Vice President of Public and International Affairs for two independent exploration and production companies. He is a member of Stand Together Against Racism and Radicalism in the Services (STARRS) and a founder and board member of the anti-woke MacArthur Society of West Point Graduates.

Image: Free SVG
The real end goal of the Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Vivek Ramaswamy campaigns is a leadership position in the Trump administration. How much criticism of Trump have we heard from these two Trump political opponents? The key for Trump and for our country to win could be a powerful coalition with RFK Jr. and his millions of Democrat and Independent supporters. With that coalition, freedom will win and evil will lose!

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was born January 17, 1954. Soon after his father was assassinated in 1968, at age 14, RFK Jr. started using marijuana and psychedelic drugs. Intravenous heroin then became his drug of choice until he found sobriety in a 12-step recovery program at age 28. For the next forty years he studied drug abuse, mental health, and rehab recovery programs, and has pledged to set up healing centers to deliver free care for those with addictions.

Kennedy has had a forty-year career as an environmental and public health advocate with a career path including Assistant District Attorney in NYC, senior attorney for Natural Resources Defense Council, and adjunct professor of environmental law. He currently is on leave as Chairman of the Board and chief legal counsel of the non-profit activist group he founded, Childrens Health Defense, whose mission is to end childhood health epidemics while fighting corruption, mass surveillance, and censorship. RFK Jr. is not an anti-vaxxer; he is only anti-unsafe and ineffectual vaccines. He has for much of his life pursued a mission in service of victims of the U.S. public health system. His family has had eighty years of deep engagement with Americas public health bureaucracy. Many of RFK Jr.s health-oriented books he authored have been bestsellers.

Comprehensive counterrevolutionary reforms will be necessary to reverse the incremental revolution that the progressives engineered to capture our institutions and culture. That revolution was vastly accelerated by Obama, and now corrupt puppet Biden, with truly destructive fundamental transformation that has undermined the Constitution and our basic freedoms.

Control healthcare and you control the people. -- reputed to have been said by radical activist (Rules for Radicals) Saul Alinsky

Obama was trained by disciples of Alinsky in the divide and conquer game and even taught Alinsky principles himself. ObamaCare is a steppingstone to single-payer dysfunctional government healthcare and to the realization of the above Alinsky quote whereby Americans will not be able to make choices and take direct responsibility for their own healthcare.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. should be the disrupter and force for good to lead the needed counterrevolutionary healthcare reforms, including reforms of the public health agencies and of Medicare and Medicaid, as Health Czar and Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS).

Some of RFK Jr.s comments and qualifications relating to a proposed Secretary of HHS position:

 The pharmaceutical industry owns the National Institutes of Health CDC, FDA.

 We need regulators that are not getting money from pharma.

 Ive been litigating against all of those agencies for many, many years the NIH, CDC, and FDA. So I know the people who I trust within each of those agencies.

 Ill have a diverse medical advisory team. I feel like Im pretty much an expert on parsing medical information, and figuring it out Im going to have people who are dissidents who are moving away from the pharmaceutical paradigm.

RFK Jr.s winning attributes as a valuable asset to the Trump campaign:

 His emotional strength: overcoming his fathers and uncles assassinations, drug addiction, his second wifes suicide (he is currently married to Cheryl Hines, Curb Your Enthusiasm actress), and constant criticism from the media and other sources

 Conveys integrity by being transparent, open, and honest about his decisions

 His supporters feel a real connection with him because of his strong sense of authenticity and see him as a kindred spirit in disillusionment with public health agencies corruption.

 He is a fighter, a courageous, original thinker who has relentlessly focused on government corruption as the greatest threat to America.

 Notwithstanding his spasmodic dysphonia voice condition, he is a skilled debater with the ability, as a public speaker, to speak extemporaneously for at least ninety minutes and connect emotionally with large audiences from all backgrounds across the political, socioeconomic, and cultural spectrums.

Yes, this Deep State enemy is not a Republican, but he is not a 2020s progressive Democrat either. Look at some of his quotes:

 Im proud that President Trump likes me.

 We are going to take back the country...with your help, we will go America first.

 We need to make it clear that the Constitution is inviolable.

 We need election reform because our elections are being stolen.

 I will make the border impervious.

 ...climate has become a crisis like Covid that the Davos groups and other totalitarian elements in our society have used as a pretext for clamping down totalitarian controls.

 We do not have free market capitalism in America; we have crony capitalism.

 The war was never about Ukrainian freedom, it was regime change in Russia.

  Democrats have lost their faith not only in their party traditions, but also in democracy.

 Im a Kennedy Democrat.

Many of RFK Jr.s positions make him more Trumpian than the average Republican politician. RFK Jr. is a DINO (Democrat in Name Only) but actually more appealing to Republicans than to Democrats according to recent polling, with a favorability rating higher than Trump and DeSantis.

An angry American electorate is desperately hungry for truth and radical counterrevolutionary reforms that only Trump, RFK Jr., and a like-minded administration and Congress can provide. The GOP and our country cannot afford to experience another close election loss. To take back our country, we need a landslide GOP victory by Trump and the down-ballot candidates, facilitated by RFK Jr. joining President Trumps Heros Journey to provide maximum appeal to voters beyond Trumps voter base, to abet a massive general election crossover vote, and to overcome the election fraud factor.

Image: Gage Skidmore
The number of murders in America has risen to "unprecedented numbers" under Biden's watch, and the Biden administration has no answer to the problem. Even CNN and the New York Times have published the numbers, though refusing to admit that blacks and illegal aliens are a big part of the problem. The liberal media prefer to look the other way and blame the problem on COVID or racial inequity.

The problem is not with COVID or inequity: it is with people who kill and who appear to enjoy killing. Just this week, a young college student attending Texas Christian University was gunned down execution-style by a felon of mixed race who claimed he would have killed bystanders as well had he not run out of bullets. It's an everyday story, but it doesn't make the national news.

On January 6, 2007, Channon Christian and Christopher Newsom, two white youths barely out of their teens, were kidnapped from their apartment in Knoxville, Tennessee; driven to a rental house not far away; and repeatedly raped, sodomized, and tortured, and finally killed by a group of four black men and one black woman.

Following her rape and torture, which included having her mouth and vagina washed out with Lysol while still alive, Channon Christian was left to suffocate slowly, her body wrapped in black plastic bags and stuffed in a garbage bin. At trial, it was reported that Channon had not merely been raped, but raped "with an object"; severely beaten; tortured for hours, hemorrhaging at the head and groin; and, according to the medical examiner, suffering "extreme" sexual assault.

After being tortured, raped, and sodomized, Newsom was taken to a nearby railroad track, where he was forced to walk barefoot (one of his killers, Lemaricus Davidson, having taken his shoes), where he was shot in his neck, back, and point-blank in the head just above his right ear. His body was then wrapped in a comforter and set alight.

The day after the murders, one of the perpetrators presented some of Channon's personal effects to his girlfriend and walked around in Christopher's stolen shoes. Another, the woman who took part in the murder, torture, and rape, wrote in her journal: "I've had one HELL OF AN ADVENTURE since I've been in the big T.N. ... I love the fun adventures and lessons I've learned." I assume that the woman who wrote that, Vanessa Coleman, was referring to the abduction, rape, torture, and murder of the two young, innocent persons who fell into her grasp that night. I assume that the other perpetrators had no more compassion or humanity than what Coleman expressed in her journal. And I suspect that part of the reason for this brutality was because Christian and Newsom were white.

That was a topic that many persons connected with the trial, including the prosecutor, refused to consider. Collectively, the perpetrators faced hundreds of separate charges, but they were never accused of a "hate crime." Many, including Michelle Malkin, believed they should have been.

It is also true that these horrific crimes were never reported in the mainstream media or national news. The story was largely suppressed because of it egregious racial elements and of the mainstream media's refusal to fairly report crimes of whatever magnitude if committed by blacks.

Had it been the opposite  a gang of whites kidnapping, raping, torturing, and killing two young blacks  the news coverage would have been enormous. CNN and MSNBC would have featured the events in prime time. Al Sharpton would have been in Knoxville in a heartbeat, leading public protests and sounding off for the media. Hillary Clinton would have made her views known, and Obama would have campaigned in the shadow of the crimes.

As it was, almost nothing was said at the national level except on conservative websites. Unlike George Floyd, who has become an iconic figure, especially for the left, the names of Channon Christian and Christopher Newsom have been largely forgotten outside East Tennessee. But what happened on January 6 and 7 was beyond horrific: it was the wanton abuse of two human beings as nothing more than objects, helpless and disposable, beaten senseless and brutally raped and sodomized before they were discarded as trash.

At the time of the murders, the most horrific in modern Knoxville history, I lived in the same suburban area where Channon Christian grew up. Channon's high school was within walking distance of my home, and I attended many functions there while she was a student at the school. I was also familiar with Christopher Newsom's suburban community, where I'd had medical treatment and spoken one Sunday at the local Methodist church.

Channon and Christopher were middle-class kids, innocent of the ways of the world, trusting and unafraid. As one of their killers chose to put it, they were "stupid." At the time of their deaths, they were living in a small apartment in a section of Knoxville very different from those where they grew up: poor, and heavily black and Hispanic. It probably never occurred to them that they were at risk, even late at night when they were leaving their apartment to visit friends and when they were kidnapped at gunpoint in their building's parking lot.

The Christian/Newsom murders were far more horrific than what happened to George Floyd, though his killing was wrong and recorded on video for all to see. Channon and Christopher were tortured and raped through the night of January 67 in a small, run-down frame house, the events unnoticed by all  except perhaps a waste collection driver who saw lights on and activity at an unusual hour but failed to report it.

All of the perpetrators in these murders were convicted of multiple charges in state and federal courts, and all are still serving long prison sentences (one on death row).

There are people who are evil beyond redemption. Evil is real and must be met with force, but our society is increasingly incapable of recognizing evil and of responding as it should. It seems incapable of making clear moral distinctions and hesitant about acting on them. Even in the most terrible conditions, progressives would rather bury their heads in the sand and pretend nothing happened.

Millions of Americans live in fear, and millions are harmed as a result of lax policing and prosecution  and lax border enforcement  and by progressives' refusal to face this issue of violence, in part because much of it emanates from minority communities. The time for moral vacuity is over. Only strict enforcement of the law and severe punishment will restore order in America.

God have mercy on the souls of Channon Christian and Christopher Newsom, and on their families.

Jeffrey Folks is the author of many books and articles on American culture including Heartland of the Imagination (2011).
Actor Danny Masterson (primarily known as Hyde on "That 70s Show") has been convicted of rape.

Specifically, he was convicted of raping adult women in his home, women who were in their 20s at the time. And he has now been sentenced for it.



Thirty years to life.



That's a heck of a sentence.



The allegations surfaced in 2017 and 2018. The crimes  the alleged rapes, which he has completely denied - took place between 2001 and 2003.



We shouldnt want to take his side. He's a Scientologist - a particularly offensive cult that has a huge amount of power in the Hollywood community. It is believed that Scientologist leadership coerced the victims into keeping quiet about it for years. (Leah Remini was a noticeable presence in the courtroom to keep the publics focus on the corrupt Scientology aspect of this case; we should certainly applaud her for her courageous work in exposing the evils of that cult).



As decent Americans, our gut reaction should normally be to cheer the conviction and punishment of a rapist. We are rightly opposed to the repulsive worldview and proud depravity of many in Hollywood. Of course. This goes without saying.



But even so.... we're talking about a criminal prosecution, and a sentence of 30 years to life, for crimes that allegedly occurred fifteen years before the charges were even filed.



We hardly ever even put killers in jail for 30 years in America nowadays. We should, but we don't.

We havent prosecuted the Biden family (sorry for bringing politics into it, but its the perfect example) for blatant money-laundering of foreign bribe money even after 270 separate bank referrals to the FBI pleading for investigations.

Sam Bankman-Fried of FTX fame stole and destroyed billions of dollars, and became the second biggest donor to the Democratic Party, blatantly buying political influence on Capitol Hill, and the Federal Elections Commission decided not to bother with filing charges against him.



But were giving this actor a 30-year sentence for crimes a decade and a half earlier. Not to say he doesnt deserve it; maybe he does - but honestly, after twenty years, how do we know?



Heres the fundamental issue:

There are good reasons for our society to have statutes of limitations on crimes.

A fair trial requires - yes, the word is requires - promptness, as close to the event as possible, both so that witnesses and evidence are fresh and trustworthy, and so that if the person is guilty, he can be put away before he does more damage to society. Before he violates any further victims.



Trying somebody for rape 15 or 20 years after the event makes a mockery of the justice system, because it not only doesn't protect the rights of the accused, but in particular, because it fails to protect all the other potential victims during those intervening years.

Think of the burglar making the rounds in a neighborhood. Call the police on him tonight, and you stop him for robbing dozens of other houses. Postpone the report 20 years, and he might have robbed hundreds more in that time. Its the same with rape. Its the same with murder. Its the same with embezzlement. Its the same with any crime.

The longer you postpone the report, the more you stop being a victim and you turn into an accessory to their future crimes, by enabling the criminal to run free when you could have stopped him. It may sound cold, but silence is assent.

Society should be telling people - universally - if you're a victim of a crime, report it right away so that we can get that villain off the streets. Now.

A victim  of any crime, not just rape - doesnt just report the criminal for revenge. A victim should report the criminal immediately, not just for vengeance, but as his or her personal duty to society, to protect others from being victimized as he or she was.



The prosecution of Danny Masterson - and other cases like it - undermine that very need for speed that is so critical for the security of the American citizenry.



There are exceptions, yes. Some crimes, such as treason, certainly should have no statutes of limitations. But these exceptions should be as rare as possible, because the reasons listed above are still applicable to every case. Evidence needs to be collected, witnesses memories need to be fresh, the accused deserves his day in court, no matter what the crime.

But this modern cancel culture's trend of throwing out the very concept of time limits (or rewriting them retroactively), denying the good reasons weve always had them - allowing the state to happily charge and prosecute people for alleged abuse decades after the fact, when evidence and witnesses are long gone - runs completely counter to the bedrock principles of the American system.

In the Sixth Amendment to the United States Constitution, a speedy trial is specifically required. Like so many other aspects of the modern American Leftist movement, this change too is therefore blatantly unconstitutional.



I hope and pray that some courageous attorneys and politicians start fighting these prosecutions on constitutional and criminal justice grounds, and get the courts to again commit themselves to an honest respect for statutes of limitations.



It may feel uncomfortable to look like one is "defending a rapist." But this is the only way to protect all those 15 or 20 or 30 years of potential and real victims.



Justice postponed is justice denied  for a host of reasons, not just one.



John F. Di Leo is a Chicagoland-based international transportation professional and consultant. A onetime Milwaukee County Republican Party chairman, he has been writing a regular column for Illinois Review since 2009. His book on vote fraud (The Tales of Little Pavel) and his political satires on the current administration (Evening Soup with Basement Joe, Volumes I and II) are available on Amazon.

Image: Screen shot from LiveNOW from Fox video, via YouTube
According to a new report published by the Mozilla Foundation, an American non-profit organization, automobile manufacturers are collecting vast quantities of data on drivers and passengers, with some even tracking driversand passengers sexual activity.

Mozilla reviewed 25 automotive brands amongst 15 car companies. The results could be shocking to many. German manufacturer Volkswagen said it could record drivers voices to profile them for targeted ads. More than half of the brands said they can share data with government and law enforcement when requested, without receiving a court order. Moreover, the report stated that Subaru insisted the very fact of being a passenger in one of its cars implies consent to its privacy policy!

Japanese car manufacturer Nissan even said it could sell information about drivers and passengers sexual activity, intelligence, and health diagnosis to data brokers, law enforcement agencies, and other companies.

Jen Caltrider, lead researcher at Mozilla Foundation (incidentally, the nonprofit owner of the company running the Firefox Browser), said:

The amount of data that these car companies blatantly said that they could collect was shocking. Its like nobodys ever challenged them or asked them questions about privacy, and so they just include everything.

(The same could be said about government.)

Its a good thing the technology that allows corporations and governments to thoroughly spy on us through our vehicles didnt exist in the days of the drive-in-theater.

And its too bad it does now.

America, and cars, both used to symbolize freedom and independence.

Those days are fading away, nowlike the taillights of a Mustang or Camaro heading down Route 66 after dark.

Image: Free image, Pixabay license, no attribution required.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton's state Senate impeachment trial is underway in the heart of Texas, and the prosecution's case appears to be crumbling before our eyes. While media outlets have long portrayed Paxton as a controversial figure, the trial's proceedings reveal a different story  one of weak evidence and a politically motivated agenda.

The central accusation against Paxton revolves around allegations that he abused his office to benefit a friend and donor, Nate Paul, an Austin real estate investor. However, a closer look at the prosecution's case reveals a glaring lack of concrete evidence to support these claims.

The witnesses called by the prosecution have yet to provide any solid testimony pointing to Paxton's wrongdoing. Instead, they have consistently stated that they did not witness Paxton engage in illegal activities. Furthermore, the documents presented as evidence are circumstantial, failing to establish a clear link between Paxton's actions and any criminal intent.

One notable piece of evidence the prosecution presents is a text message from Paxton to Paul, where Paxton says, "I'm here for you." While the message may raise eyebrows, it fails to provide any context or specifics regarding Paxton's actions. It is plausible that Paxton was merely offering moral support to a needy friend rather than engaging in corrupt activities.

According to The Federalist:

During the impeachment trial of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, former employees admitted that they reported Paxton to the FBI without any evidence.

That's right...

The prosecution's attempts to paint Paxton as a corrupt politician in the pocket of special interests also need to be revised. Contrary to their claims, Paxton has a well-documented history of championing the interests of ordinary Texans. He has sued the federal government, challenging immigration policies, environmental regulations, and healthcare laws. Additionally, he has fiercely defended Texans' Second Amendment rights.

The defense team's effective dismantling of the prosecution's case further highlights its weaknesses. They have proficiently noted inconsistencies in witness testimony and the lack of substantial evidence. Furthermore, they have raised questions about the motivations driving the prosecutors, alleging that politics may be a driving force behind the impeachment proceedings.

Two-thirds of the Senate must agree to convict Paxton and remove him from office. With 31 senators, Paxton needs only 10 votes for his acquittal. During pretrial motions, Paxton's defense garnered significant support, with six senators voting in his favor and two more frequently siding with him. These numbers indicate that Paxton already has six out of the ten needed votes, with the possibility of gaining two more.

Moreover, on specific motions to dismiss individual articles of impeachment, Paxton secured as many as nine votes and even reached the threshold of 10 votes in one instance. While these votes did not lead to the dismissal of any articles, they signal a significant possibility of acquittal for Paxton.

In contrast to the prosecution's struggles, Paxton's defense team has come prepared and determined to win. Attorneys Tony Buzbee and Dan Cogdel have confidently asserted that many of the allegations presented in the press will be debunked during the trial. They have meticulously reviewed the articles of impeachment, highlighting exculpatory information that supports Paxton's innocence.

Buzbee, in particular, emphasized Paxton's outstanding record in advancing conservative causes and defending Texas against federal overreach. The defense has framed the impeachment as a partisan attempt by establishment Republicans and Democrats to remove an effective attorney general from office. Senators have noticed, actively engaging with the defense's arguments and taking notes during the proceedings.

On the other hand, the chief impeachment manager, Rep. Andrew Murr, offered a lackluster opening statement that failed to resonate with the audience. The defense appears to have seized the narrative and is making a compelling case for Paxton's innocence.

As the trial unfolds over the coming weeks, we can expect to witness hours of testimony and intense legal arguments. However, the numbers speak for themselves  out of 31 Senators, Ken Paxton only needs to persuade 10 senators to secure his acquittal. The Senate itself is controlled by Republicans 19-12.

The impeachment trial against Paxton may be the product of political maneuvering, but it ultimately comes down to the facts and evidence presented. Thus far, the prosecutors still need to provide a solid foundation for a conviction. While the media may have eagerly anticipated Paxton's downfall, the truth is far from certain. The Texas Attorney General's path to victory is becoming clearer by the day.

In a state that values democracy, the will of the voters must prevail. Paxton's attorney, Dan Cogdell, aptly questioned, "Is it up to the voters, or is it up to the politicians to see who stays in office?" We are witnessing the unfolding of a historic trial that will ultimately determine whether a handful of legislators can overturn the votes of over four million citizens.

Amid this politically charged trial, one thing is evident: the case against Ken Paxton is falling apart, and the facts reveal a different story than the one painted by his detractors. As the legal battle rages on, we can only hope that justice will prevail and that the actual facts will lead to Paxton's acquittal.

Image: Texas state Senate // State of Texas government image // fair use
In CNN's " One of the world's oldest synagogues reopens in Egypt " (9/6/23), the article gives background information on the synagogue, stating that it was "home to the most significant single trove of Jewish manuscripts."

In addition, the article states that "Egypt's Jewish population exceeded 80,000 people in 1948, but only about a dozen Jews remain in the country today." But the article doesn't answer the next logical question: why are so few Jews left? If CNN is going to report the staggering reduction, why not report why that occurred? Similar stories of an emptying of indigenous Jews exist for virtually every northern African country, and similarly, major new sources omit the reason. There were tens of thousands of Jews throughout each northern African country. And then they were gone!

They didn't just magically disappear; they were ethnically cleansed! The millennia-long world hatred of Jews occurred in northern Africa, as it did everywhere else  but the media fail to report it.

In Egypt, according to The Henry M. Jackson School of International Studies, "The American Jewish Committee (AJC) released a factsheet in March 1957 on 'The Plight of Jews in Egypt.'"

According to the report, on November 15, 1956, immediately after Egypt's Sinai War with Israel, the United Kingdom, and France, the Egyptian Ministry of the Interior required all Jews, regardless of citizenship, to report to the Ministry. At the Ministry offices, Jews were told to leave Egypt within a few days or face the risk of being placed in a concentration camp. The report indicates that expulsion orders were sent to Jews of every status. Upon exit, the report says, "all Jews were required to sign a supposedly 'voluntary' form renouncing all claims, property, and citizenship in Egypt. In other words, Jews were systematically forced to migrate."

CNN and other news sources would serve their readers best if they gave a full picture of the tragic occurrence of Jewish refugees of not just Egypt, but all of North Africa. An astounding 850,000 Jewish refugees from the region were ethnically cleansed.

Image via Wikimedia Commons, public domain.
At last! I just knew this could not remain hidden forever! Kudos to the sleuths at the Babylon Bee for uncovering the true identity of our deep-state overlords! Yes, Im kidding about their reptilian nature, but it works as a useful analogy. After all, if true, this would certainly explain why Democrats are so supportive of the claims, actions, and leadership of the Supreme Red Dragon (i.e., China)! Reptilian or not, under Democrat aegis, bad times appear to be on their way and moving fast, and its not clear how long America can withstand the pressure.

We hear rumblings that a new pandemic of a new covid variant is coming our wayand no one can pretend anymore that its just a bat accident. Two Japanese researchers, Atsushi Tanaka of Osaka Medical and Pharmaceutical University and Takayuki Miyazawa of Kyoto University, have discovered that both C19 and all its variants have been laboratory-created!

Is this new pandemic part of a reptilian plan to depopulate the planet?

We are rapidly becoming aware that we live in a hissing police state in which federal agency persecution is being unleashed upon political opponents of the reptilian regime. Note well, however, that persecution inevitably breeds contempt for and hostility to the tyrant. One way or another, the situation cannot last over the long run.

Image: Cliffs edge (cropped) by jannoon028.

A clumsy riders repeated forceful action on a rein can numb the bars of a horses mouth, inducing a condition known as smooth mouth, in which the horse no longer obeys the rein and does as he wishes.

Hitherto politically passive men, the ones who can never be bothered to vote and whose only desire is to diligently provide for and protect their families, are becoming galvanized by federal aggression against their livelihoods, federal humiliation of their wives, and federal loosing of sexual perverts upon their children. They are the worms that will turn and find their way to the polling stations.

If the Democrats want to spur citizens to action, a short list of kinetic flash points would include, inter alia:

1. A judicial decree disqualifying Donald Trump using section 3 of the 14th Amendment. (That there is no basis for doing so will not stop an activist judge.)

2. Trump getting convicted.

3. Trump being sentenced to prison.

4. An assassination attempt on Donald Trump.

5. Trump (God forbid) actually getting assassinated.

6. Trump losing the 2024 election due to manifest election fraud.

No doubt there are some flashpoints I have overlooked.

Flashpoints 1, 2, and 3 are all subject to judicial appeal, but that could require months or even years to process to a conclusion.

I find it horrible to contemplate what will happen if things go too far. Optimally, in a representative republic, citizens angry at their government will take to the polls and throw the bums out. However, weve seen at other times and in other nations that, when lawlessness at the government level becomes the norm, that leads to lawlessness on the ground. The effects are highly disruptive of everyday life, creating chaos conducive to increased criminal and gang activity and interruption of governmental or quasi-governmental services such as police protection, fire protection, utilities, electric power, water, and food supply. Most of us have no experience with this. Survival in an environment of governmental and social chaos is largely a matter of prior preparation, including perhaps relocation.

Given that our current grasp on civilized norms seems tenuous, prudent citizens might carefully ponder what if? and make preparations of the same type theyd make if any storm were coming (only with lots more supplies).
New York City Mayor Eric Adams recently told those attending an Upper West Side Town Hall meeting:

"Let me tell you something, New Yorkers. Never in my life have I had a problem that I did not see an ending to. I don't see an ending to this. I don't see an ending to this. This issue will destroy New York City. Destroy New York City.

NYC Mayor Eric Adams expIodes:



The migrants will destroy New York City and everyone will be impacted pic.twitter.com/R74LydILrR  End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) September 7, 2023

Yikes! What is the existential problem threatening Gotham? What is rotting the Big Apple? It is this: the city has been grappling with the influx of over 110,000 migrants just since last year, and its mayor seems unable to deal with the challenges that has posed. So much so, in fact, that he added, The city we knew we're about to lose.

New York is a sanctuary city. But, apparently, not much of one, in spirit. Be careful what you wish for, I guess. Of course, its all just empty virtue signaling. Dont put out the welcome mat for strangers from other lands unless you really mean it and want to pay for it.

In any case, Mayor Adams, and several other big city Democrats, seem to be losing their patience with the Biden administrations unwillingness to secure the border.

So now we hear the Biden administration is considering a plan to potentially force migrants who cross into the U.S. illegally to remain in Texas, at least while they wait out their asylum screenings. According to the Los Angeles Times, administration officials are framing the proposal as a way to curb the flow of illegal immigrants at the southern border. The Times, citing three U.S. officials not authorized to discuss the matter, reported that, under this plan, the migrants location(s) would be tracked via GPS monitoring devices, such as ankle bracelets.

The administration refuses to build a wall. It has undone what Trump did. It has shown, month after month, year after year, that it has absolutely no intention of curbing the flow of immigrants at the southern border. It's suing Texas for its Rio Grande border buoys intended to stop intruders from illegally crossing. But for political purposes, it wants to keep them contained to Texas and a few other border states, rather than allowing them to travel to sanctuary cities. That should tell a sentient person all that needs to be known about Democrats transparency, genuinenessand character.

In summation, these political frauds and charlatans are saying: Come one, come all, to the United States of America! You are seen, you are valued, and you are welcome here! But only in Texas.

Will cries of Remember the Alamo! soon ring out once again in the Lonestar State? Perhaps it will once more to seek its independence.

If the Biden administration keeps treating Texas this way, it will have every right to do so.

Image: Twitter screen shot
Like that old Beach Boys' tune about being true to your school, Chicago Teachers Union President Stacy Davis Gates is so true to her district that her son goes to a Catholic school. So much for being true to your school now Just like you would to your daughter or son.

This is the story:

She defended her decision to send her son to a private school, saying it was the result of unfair choices she and other South and West Side parents face. It was a very difficult decision for us because there is not a lot to offer Black youth who are entering high school in Chicago, Davis Gates said. In many of our schools on the South Side and the West Side, the course offerings are very marginal and limited. Then the other thing, and it was a very strong priority, was his ability to participate in co-curricular and extracurricular activities, which quite frankly, dont exist in many of the schools, high schools in particular. Davis Gates is also denouncing the news outlets decision to reveal her sons high school choice, along with his picture and name. We live in a time with extremist political rhetoric, and it has led to violence, she said. My children, my family should not have to endure this. And doxing a child is violent, and its unacceptable, and it needs to be rejected and decried by every institutional leader. Its just not okay.

Agreed -- it's not O.K. to use a child. But it's worse to have the child's parent be a hyper hypocrite.

Why can she send her kid to private school? Because she has the money and the other parents in the city don't. Wonder how many parents in Chicago would love to have the means to get their kid out of a lousy school?

So Stacy is right about the choices in the South Side. The difference is that she can choose but the others can't.

The story will be forgotten soon. The local Democrats won't call for her resignation or that of other teachers who do the same thing. I remember once hearing that 30% of the teachers in Chicago do not send their kids to the district. I can't prove it but it's probably true.

So Mayor Brandon Johnson can talk about the Texas buses but he has got some explaining to do about the local schools.

P.S. Check out my blog for posts, podcasts and videos.

Image: TDKR Chicago 101
I have become increasing skeptical of much of what is transpiring in our government. AT writers and readers inspire me to question everything.

Some recent events have caused me to pause and ask some questions about "why now?" When something was forbidden to even talk or write about for years, and suddenly some agencies are all in on discussing it, I am often left to ask: is this really the thing, or is it perhaps a distraction?

For nearly three years, Dr. Fauci and company have destroyed any and all who dared to say COVID leaked from the Wuhan Institute of Virology. The group, apparently led by Dr. Fauci, carried China's water on this for three years, and literally have tried to personally and professionally destroy all dissenters. Name-calling, shaming, public humiliation, deplatforming, demonetization, etc., were the fate of all who dared publicly call attention to the most obvious source of the virus.

I was watching clips from the congressional hearings on COVID origin, and I was thinking about all this energy for three years at protecting the lab and China. Why are some in the government, academia, and media, and some liberals, generally starting to acknowledge the lab as the likely source of the virus?

I consider and have written previously about the lab as the most plausible, probable, and likely source of the virus. It is in fact backed by scientific evidence and common sense.

Suddenly, the FBI and the Department of Energy declare that the lab likely is the source, but they don't talk with any precision about when the leak likely occurred or how. Hmmm. Why acknowledge the likely source now? I believe that the when and how are just as important as the where. How can you understand the virus completely if you don't understand when, where, and how it was introduced? Was there only one leak?

Understanding where, when, and how the leak occurred is the key to preventing this from happening again, and understanding the intentions behind the release tells us if it was truly an accident. The current group talking about the lab as the likely source appears content to allow people to draw the conclusion that the lab leak likely occurred in November 2019, when three scientists were diagnosed with flu-like symptoms that required hospitalization.

But I remain skeptical. I have heard stories of people who had COVID symptoms as early as September 2019. How could there be a U.S. COVID-like outbreak in September if the leak likely occurred in November? I know  stories are not proof. However, I believe there is proof that November is not the likely "when" for the leak, or it is likely not the only leak.

I would like to draw people back to blood bank testing performed in 2020 on blood drawn and stored in December of 2019.

There was a study performed of U.S. blood banks that looked at blood drawn in December of 2019 and tested for the COVID antibodies. Individuals in eight U.S. cities all potentially tested positive for the virus. This study indicates that it is likely that COVID-19 may have been present in California, Oregon, and Washington as early as Dec. 1316, 2019, and in Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, Michigan, Rhode Island, and Wisconsin as early as Dec. 30, 2019Jan. 17, 2020.

Three people were infected on or around November 1, 2019. (We don't have the specific date, so let's take the worst-case scenario.) We are to believe that a virus spread from three people hospitalized in Wuhan for part of November to infect Americans in three cities by late November and early December 2019? And further to believe that it spread to five other American cities three weeks later?

You might try to write this off and say, well, if they happened to travel to China in mid-November, they might have brought it back. But the blood bank data are able to tell us that of the total population of blood tested, only 5% admitted to international travel within 30 days of the blood draw. Those seem like incredible odds.

I believe that acknowledging the lab leak source is a distraction to keep people from asking too many questions about when and how the leak occurred. The testing was published, from what I could find, only for blood drawn after December 1, 2019. I wonder if any blood was ever tested prior to December or even November 1, 2019. And if not, why not? I think we know the answer. They did not run any testing on anything that might acknowledge information they wanted to keep quiet.

To really understand if this was an accident or something else, we must know the when, where, and how. I believe that there is a group that is determined not to allow us to understand the when and the how that will allow us to build the full picture of what happened. Was this really an accidental leak from a lab in Wuhan? Was there only one incident? Would the same strain of the virus be detected for all of 2019, or were there multiple strains of the virus? It seems impossible to me that the virus could have gone from three people in Wuhan in early November 2019 to eight U.S. cities in 3060 days. And the lack of curiosity about when it could have leaked and how it leaked is astonishing.

Maker S. Mark (a pseudonym) is a patriot who can understand and explain advanced math and science, and is worried about the state of the nation and how to solve the problems we face. United we stand, divided we fall.

Image: PIRO4D via Pixabay, Pixabay License,.
One effect of Brexit was that the UK was expelled from a number of important European Union science initiatives, such as the Galileo satellite navigation project and Horizon, the EU's flagship science research program.

Rejoining the Horizon and Copernicus

The UK is now prepared to re-join Horizon as an associate nation thanks to what UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen dubbed a "bespoke deal," as reported by Engadget.

(Photo: by Stefan Rousseau - WPA Pool/Getty Images) HIROSHIMA, JAPAN - MAY 20: British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen arrive for a family photo at the Grand Prince Hotel in Hiroshima during the G7 Summit on May 20, 2023, in Hiroshima, Japan.

Additionally, the UK will join Copernicus, the EU's 8 billion (9 billion) Earth observation satellite initiative. However, it has decided to concentrate on its own nuclear fusion research rather than re-joining the Euratom nuclear research organization.

The UK would pay around 2.6 billion (2.2 billion or $2.75 billion) annually on average for its participation in both Horizon and Copernicus, according to the terms of the agreement.

The Fear of Research Isolation

Research isolation was feared by scientists in the UK, who expressed relief. Despite successful discussions in 2020, the UK was excluded from Horizon because of a disagreement over the Northern Ireland Brexit commercial arrangement. Negotiations deadlocked over the UK's amount of financial commitment, despite an agreement being reached for a UK return in February 2023.

One of its main tenets was that the UK wouldn't pay for the years of absence, but the opposition Labour Party in the UK also pointed out that Britain had lost out on a lot during that time.

According to the European Commission, Horizon Europe "addresses climate change, aids in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals, and increases the EU's competitiveness and growth." As of January 2023, it will include of all EU members as well as 17 associate countries. Its budget is 95.5 billion ($102 billion).

During the protracted divorce talks that followed Britain's 2016 vote to exit the EU, relations between the country and the union were put to the test brutally. With the signing of a minimal trade and cooperation agreement in 2020, the split became legally binding, but the staunchly pro-Brexit U.K. caused ties to deteriorate even further. Boris Johnson is the prime minister.

The EU criticized Johnson's government for introducing a law that would allow it to unilaterally rip up portions of the Brexit accord, according to The Associated Press.

Read also: UK Concrete Crisis: Government Pressured to Release List of Schools in Danger of Collapse

Strengthening Ties with European Neighbors

While trade tension and ingrained mistrust have persisted, Sunak's government has quietly tried to strengthen Britain's ties with its European neighbors since Johnson's resignation in the middle of 2022 under scandal.

According to Labour science spokesman Peter Kyle, "two years of global companies looking around the world for where to base their research centers and choosing other countries than Britain, because we are not part of Horizon." He continued, "This is two years of wasted opportunity for us as a country."

Related article: UK Government Risks Contempt of Court for Delays in AI Transparency Requests

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Joe Biden is undistinguished in his verbal skills, to include his speechesalso in his come on, man and other shallow asidesregarding the war in Ukraine. To the extent that the U.S. intervention in Ukraine is commonly referred to as a proxy war, its concerning when Bidens own Ukraine speech releases are inarticulate and inchoate. He cracks jokes, and as always, falsely reminisces about his own life a lot, although here the context is, after all, a war.

Burisma and other foreign business dealings are a possible explanation for Bidens failure to bring clear leadership to U.S. assistance and interventionlast month, James Comer released the third bank memo showing payments from oligarchs in Ukraine, Russia, and Kazakhstan to the Bidens and their associates. Most in the media thus far are content to let Biden, as they generally do, off the hook on Burisma, as well as his odd sound bites and hefty disdain for normal inquiry about Ukraine.

Anyway, of the U.S. media coverage of the war, what can even be validated? Has corruption in high office persuaded the president of the United States to pursue a correction of course in Ukraine? This question, as with so many around Biden and his network, is still hanging fire.

Burisma isnt the only stipulated reason for Bidens routinely brief, confused, and unsatisfactory comments on the war; there is plenty of Ukraine war confusion going around. A trove of discussions on U.S. intervention is available, put forward willy-nillyso varied as to be daunting. Where is the money going? Why have no proper efforts for peace been put forward at our end? Why is there no formal or effective congressional approval/oversight? What precedent led to our involvement? Again: where lies the clarity of military purpose or grave diplomatic involvement for peace?

A List of American Taxpayer Funds sent to Ukraine since the start of the Russian-Ukrainian Conflict:



2/20/2023 $500 Million

2/23/2023 $10 Billion

2/24/2023 $2 Billion

3/3/2023 $400 Million

3/20/2023 $350 Million

4/04/2023 $2.6 Billion

4/19/2023 $325 Million

5/08/2023 $1.2  Joey Mannarino (@JoeyMannarinoUS) September 7, 2023

Why is Bidens behavior on Ukraine versus Russia so consistently bellicose and impermissibly costly? Most of what we need to know from the presidentthe why of American contribution and strategyis nowhere in the mix. Pseudo-analyses and reactions surround us; e.g., Zelensky as Superhero, Russian macro-aggression, Putins ignominy, European historically-sourced outrage and fear, energy, Asian geopolitics, etc.

Yet Bidens actual intentions are not transparent. The American people are left to speculate on his reasons for his Ukraine enthusiasm. Does Burisma lead to Hunter? Does it lead further than that, right to Joe himself? Are Bidens handlers (who are they?) in charge of this war? And so on.

If a sustained overseas war of intervention is mostly predicated upon the semi-concealed ambitions of the political/federal elite and/or entitled, it is morally destined in history to be judged an unjust intervention. The U.S. had problems with this in Vietnam. I submit that it was, significantly, the intellectually elite think-tank liberals/scholars, dating back to Laos, and the federal intelligence and diplomatic apparatuses driving much of presidential policy regarding the Vietnam inventiona chiefly Democratic initiative which turned into war. Lyndon Johnsons Achilles heel vanity, and his strong personal desire to appease the Kennedy holdovers in his administration, led to his conflicted, failing warfare and eventual resignation.

We now have a changed world, but there are some comparables. Joe Biden (or his surrogates at his behest?) made the decision to join this current war. It was Bidens decisionwhich he must, by his office, ownthat precipitated a host of bespoke unilateral military, financial, and purely political actions.

This presidents actions speak louder than his words. Joe Biden is betting very heavily on the Ukraine war. Why? We must remain clueless if we fall back on that variety of helter-skelter news pundits to justify this intervention. Whereas, more seemingly and quite possibly, support for the big battle overseas is sourced in Bidens explicit, chief intention: acting by using the public purse to obscure a lifelong career of intentionally immoral action which brings us back to Burisma.

Image: Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons, unaltered.
China has always maintained strict control over the technology used by its citizens and government officials. However, the Chinese Communist Partys (CCP) recent decision to restrict the use of iPhones by government employees has sent shockwaves through Wall Street as Apple experienced a 2.9% drop in its stock price, marking its most significant two-day percentage decline since November.

Why did China ban iPhones for official use?

Despite Apples positive relationship with the CCP, the government has instructed employees at central government agencies to stop using iPhones during working hours due to privacy concerns. However, experts argue that this ban is a direct result of the USs measures to restrict Chinas access to critical technologies.

Advertisement

Advertisement

While the extent of this ban remains unclear since there is no official word from the CCP, this move could significantly affect Apples sales, given that China is its third-largest market, contributing 18% of the companys total revenue.

Perhaps more importantly, restricted use of iPhones among government employees could negatively impact sales among consumers (related family members; general populace) and could be part of a broader move by the Chinese government to promote usage of domestic technology, said Bernstein analyst Toni Sacconaghi.

US governments response

In response to these developments, the US Commerce Department has expressed concerns and announced its intention to gather more information about the matter. Additionally, US Representative Mike Gallagher, chairman of the House panel on China, characterized Chinas actions as typical of the Chinese Communist Partys strategy, which involves promoting national champions in telecommunications while gradually restricting market access for Western companies.

Moreover, Senator Mark Warner, chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee, stated, As the Chinese economy stalls, we can potentially anticipate more aggressive moves against foreign businesses.

Huawei getting back into the mix

While the US governments ban on Huawei conducting business with other American countries has significantly hampered the companys operations, the CCPs decision to restrict iPhone access aligns with the launch of Huaweis new phone, the Mate 60 Pro. Additionally, the fact that the phones Kirin 9000 chip can access 5G services could provide Huawei with an opportunity to regain some market share.
Microsoft analysts reported that China uses AI-generated content to trick American voters ahead of the 2024 election. The tech company also says Chinese agents are getting better at doing this.

Concerns about election safety are arising as we get closer to the US 2024 presidential election. Back in 2016, Russia was accused of meddling in the election. Now, Chinese agents are reportedly trying to influence American public opinion with AI photos. Ex-Google CEO Eric Schmidt already predicted that the upcoming US election could become a mess due to AI.

Advertisement

Advertisement

According to the Microsoft analysts report, China and North Korea currently employ AI-generated content to target voters. The scope of their operation is said to be greater than anything already seen.

We have observed China-affiliated actors leveraging AI-generated visual media in a broad campaign that largely focuses on politically divisive topics, such as gun violence, and denigrating US political figures and symbols, Clint Watts, the Microsoft Threat Analysis Center general manager, said.

China uses AI content to target US voters ahead of the 2024 election

The images spread by these agents mostly revolve around racial issues. For example, they reposted a Black Lives Matter poster showing bullet holes and a Black man surrendering.

Microsoft has warned the accounts that repost these photos. Chinese Communist Party agents mostly create these accounts and try to add fuel to the fire of racial issues in the United States. In one case, an account impersonating a conservative US voter reposted a Black Lives Matter poster complaining about racial discrimination.

Microsoft analysts warned that the AI-generated content by Chinese agents has already drawn higher levels of engagement from authentic social media users. Additionally, the new images are even more eye-catching, and US voters are reposting them despite knowing that AI generates them.

Analysts added that CCP-affiliated actors behind these accounts use fictitious or stolen identities to hide their affiliation with China. However, theyve made some obvious mistakes, like posting in Mandarin and then switching to another language to conceal their main intention. The CCP-affiliated accounts also try to increase each others visibility by reposting content reciprocally.

As expected, a spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in Washington rejected the allegations, saying, Such remarks are full of prejudice and malicious speculation against China, which China firmly opposes.
Samsungs One UI 5.1.1 update is now available for the Galaxy Z Fold 2 in the US. The 2020 book-style foldable joins the Galaxy Z Fold 4, Galaxy Z Flip 4, Galaxy Z Fold 3, and Galaxy Z Flip 3 in picking up the new One UI version stateside. The 2023 models already run One UI 5.1.1 out of the box.

The Galaxy Z Fold 2 is getting the One UI 5.1.1 update with the firmware build number F916USQU4KWH7 in the US (via SamMobile). Thats the build number for carrier-locked units of the foldable. The update is not yet live for the factory-unlocked units, but it shouldnt be a long wait for those users.

Advertisement

Advertisement

One UI 5.1.1 brings a plethora of changes to the Samsung foldable. The Korean firm has made it easier to switch from the pop-up view to the split-screen view. The taskbar can now show up to four recent apps. The Flex Mode also now works with more apps. You can find the full changelog here.

Note that the Galaxy Z Fold 2 isnt getting a new security patch with this update. The foldable remains on the August 2023 patch, even though Samsung has already pushed the September release to a few Galaxy devices. Since the phone is eligible for monthly security updates, the latest patch should be available to it later this month.

In the meantime, you can install the One UI 5.1.1 update to get a whole bunch of new features. Navigate to Settings > Software update and tap on Download and install to check for updates. Since its a major update, the OTA (over the air) package is huge. If you have limited mobile data, you should download the update using a Wi-Fi network.

The Galaxy Z Flip will also get the One UI 5.1.1 update in the US

The One UI 5.1.1 update will also be available for the Galaxy Z Flip (2020) in the US. Both 4G and 5G versions of the original clamshell foldable have already picked up the new One UI version in international markets, so users in the US may not have to wait much longer now. The original Galaxy Fold (2019) will not get One UI 5.1.1.

As far as the Android 14 update is concerned, neither model is eligible for it. The Galaxy Z Fold 2 also wont get the latest Android version, which will come with Samsungs One UI 6.0. All newer foldables will make the jump to One UI 6.0, which is currently in the beta stage. The Korean firm is expected to begin the stable rollout in late October or early November.
The electric vehicle maker Polestar is now partnering up with Meizu to bring something different from their business line. This partnership will introduce Polestar into the smartphone manufacturing industry. However, the electric vehicle manufacturer might not have plans to compete in the smartphone industry but build its EV fan base.

According to the available reports, the electric vehicle manufacturer is planning to launch this smartphone by the end of the year. The major focus of this coming smartphone will be its software features, but it might as well pack impressive hardware. Polestar aims to give potential buyers a glimpse of the software experience theyll get from the brands electric vehicles.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Their partnership with Meizu is a strategic one, as the Chinese smartphone maker is also developing Polestars infotainment OS. The feel on both coming smartphones and Polestar cars will be very similar and will boost cross-platform integration. Here is all the information you need regarding this new partnership between Polestar and Meizu.

Details on the coming smartphone from the Polestar and Meizu partnership

At this time, the details of the coming smartphone from the Polestar and Meizu partnership (both are affiliated with Chinas Geely) are bleak. However, recent reports have pointed out the software features that users should expect on this coming smartphone. The software that the Polestar smartphone will launch with will be similar to their vehicles infotainment system software.

Since this device would be developed by Meizu, Polestar wont have to worry about building its software. It will use the Meizu Flyme OS, just like other smartphones from the Chinese smartphone manufacturer. This software will be a bit customized to fit Polestar, so it might not look 100% like what is available on Meizu devices.

Just like with Meizu devices, the coming Polestar smartphone might ditch Android usage. Its specifications might be similar to any of the new devices in the Meizu 20 series. Also, this coming device might feature a premium price tag that goes to prove that itll also feature impressive specifications.

The electric vehicle manufacturer plans to launch this device in China towards the end of the year. Once available, fans will be able to get a feel of the software experience present in a Polestar vehicle. This experience will enable a seamless transition between the Polestar smartphone and electric vehicles for better connectivity.

Polestar currently has three electric vehicles to its name, adding a smartphone will be wild. Other electric vehicle brands are also planning to launch a smartphone as well. The likes of Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer Nio are also planning to launch a smartphone soon.
Samsung recently rolled out a new One UI 6.0 beta update for the Galaxy S23 series. However, it turned out to be an accidental release. The company has already pulled back the rollout. It has also urged users who have installed the update to roll back to the previous version.

The latest One UI 6.0 beta build came with the build version ZWI4. It rolled out to a few Galaxy S23 users in Europe (Germany and the UK). The I in the second to last position revealed it was a build developed in September (I is the ninth letter in the English alphabet, and September is the ninth month of the year). Since the previous beta release (Beta 2) had the build number ZWHO, this appeared to be the third beta update for the Galaxy S23 series.

Advertisement

Advertisement

However, there was no official announcement from Samsung. Moreover, the update rolled out just a week after Beta 2, and the first beta in the UK. This hinted at it being a hotfix update for the previous release. Samsung did push a hotfix update for the original beta build as well. The OTA (over the air) download size of the latest release was also relatively small (just over 1GB for the Galaxy S23+), further suggesting a hotfix update.

Unfortunately, Samsungs changelog offered nothing to settle this confusion. Screenshots shared online showed a few changes over Beta 2. However, the limited rollout and the lack of communication from the Korean firm cast doubts over it being the third One UI 6.0 beta. We were waiting for the company to confirm this rollout, but we heard something completely unexpected. A community moderator confirmed that it was an accidental release.

The latest One UI 6.0 beta update for the Galaxy S23 was an accidental release

The version you have was released to users earlier than planned, the moderator in charge of beta updates in Germany told a Galaxy S23 user who enquired about this update [machine translated from German]. A rollback from [the] ZWI4 version on Smart Switch is about to be rolled out and I would request you to do this so that there are no complications with further updates in the future, they added.

The moderator noted that this prematurely released beta build was on Samsungs servers for a very short period of time. However, some users managed to download it before the company pulled the update back. Hopefully, it wont be long before Samsung officially rolls out a new beta update for the Galaxy S23 series. It recently opened the One UI 6.0 beta program for the Galaxy A54, with the Galaxy S22 series expected to be the next in the pipeline.
China calls for peaceful efforts to solve Ukraine crisis

Xinhua) 10:19, September 09, 2023

UNITED NATIONS, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese envoy on Friday called for international peace efforts to solve the Ukraine crisis.

As the crisis in Ukraine drags on, tensions on the ground remain high and the spillover effects are spreading more rapidly. The UN Security Council should work with a greater sense of responsibility and urgency to find ways to achieve cease-fire and restore peace at an early date, said Geng Shuang, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations.

"Priority should be given to making good use of the mediation tools granted by the (UN) Charter to promote the implementation of various peace initiatives and to leverage the core role of the international collective security mechanism," he told the Security Council.

The Ukraine crisis has complex causes and there is no easy fix. Its resolution takes concerted efforts of all parties, he said. "No matter how challenging it is, the door of political settlement cannot be closed; efforts to promote cease-fire and peace talks cannot relent; the process of diplomatic negotiations cannot stall."

China's position on the question of Ukraine has been consistent and clear. China has always maintained that the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries should be safeguarded, the purposes and principles of the UN Charter should be upheld, the legitimate security concerns of all parties should be taken seriously, and all efforts conducive to the peaceful settlement of the crisis should be supported, said Geng.

China stands ready to strengthen dialogue and communication with all parties and will continue to make constructive efforts to promote the political settlement of the Ukraine crisis, he said.

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Sheng Chuyi)
In what it calls "the beginning of a new chapter" for its navy, North Korea announced the launch of its new "Korean-style" tactical nuclear attack submarine. Meanwhile, South Korean officials have expressed doubts about the ship's functionality.

NoKor Launches New Tactical Sub; SoKor Is Skeptical

According to the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), via a CNN report, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un witnessed the launch of the submarine named "Hero Kim Kun Ok" on Wednesday, September 6.

Kim reportedly boasted that the submarine was "equipped with a large number of nuclear delivery means" and could launch "preemptive and retaliatory strikes against hostile countries." He also reportedly urged that all of the country's medium-sized submarines be upgraded to nuclear capabilities.

However, the Joint Chiefs of Staff of South Korea (JCS) released a statement on Friday, September 8, dismissing Pyongyang's claim about the ship. JCS argued that the new submarine appeared "not capable of normal operation" and warned there were indications North Korea was attempting to overstate its capabilities.

These reports on the submarine follow North Korea's purported simulation of a nuclear missile launch last weekend, in which it warned the United States of "nuclear war danger."

Meanwhile, US analysts have questioned the effectiveness of the new submarine's missiles and whether or not North Korea could produce more than one.

See Also: US Military Tests Unarmed ICBM as Show of 'Nuclear Forces Readiness'

Pyongyang's Naval Force

North Korea has taken steps in the last year to strengthen its navy with new nuclear weapons, including underwater drones, warships, and its most recent operational missile submarine.

When compared to North Korea's ground forces and its quickly developing ballistic missile program, the Navy has always been a minor player. As a result, Reuters said Leader Kim has declared that the navy would play a crucial part in the country's nuclear deterrent, which some observers believe might potentially bolster national pride and ensure support among naval officers.

When it comes to the fleet size, the Korean People's Army Naval Force (KPANF) possesses around 470 surface vessels, including guided missile ships, torpedo boats, light patrol vessels, and fire support boats.

It has a total of over 70 submarines, including both larger and smaller models. There are also roughly 40 support vessels and 250 landing boats in the Navy's arsenal.

The navy is split between two fleet commands covering the east and west coastlines, with around 60% of the force stationed south of Pyongyang.

"The North Korean Naval Force possesses the capacity to carry out a surprise attack at any time. However, its capacity for deep-sea operations is limited because its force primarily consisted of small, high-speed vessels," as stated in the South Korean military's 2022 Defense White Paper.

See Also: North Korea's Kim Jong-Un Set To Meet With Russian President Vladimir Putin To Advance Arms Negotiations

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
(ANSA) - ROME, SEP 9 - Italian school head teachers are to distribute COVID-19 masks to their pupils after a 44% rise in cases in Italy in the last week amid a spread of the new and highly mutating Eris variant, the headmaster' association chief said Saturday.

"The indication coming from headmasters to teachers and caretakers is to avoid gatherings of pupils, especially in these first days of school," said Mario Rusconi.

"In many schools, then, we will distribute masks to those who ask for them, using the many stocks that were given to us during the critical phase of the pandemic.

"The same thing will happen with the disinfectant gel". (ANSA).


(ANSA) - ROME, SEP 9 - The many Italians who fell to the Germans after Italy threw off the Fascist shackles on September 8, 1943 and signed an armistice with the Allies spurred a new Risorgimento, President Sergio Mattarella said at a ceremony Saturday marking the 80th anniversary of German bombers' sinking of the battleship Roma off Sardinia.

"From the martyrs of Cephalonia to the young men who decided to go up into the mountains (with the Resistance) instead of serving the collaborationist government of Salo, from the shot, the hanged, the tortured, those who died of hardship and ill-treatment in the concentration camps, the victims of German reprisals, from Marzabotto to Boves, to the Fosse Ardeatine, to the island of Kos and Lero, where personalities such as Leonetto Amadei, later President of the Constitutional Court, and Virgilio Spigai, who would become Chief of Staff of the Republic's Navy, fought," said the Italian president at Asinara Island.

"It was they who, with the fallen at Porta San Paolo, at Montelungo, in the Four Days of Naples, gave life to a second Risorgimento, contributed to the rise of a new Italy, reconstituting that national unity that fascism had broken".

He said "their legacy are the democratic institutions of the Republic and the mission of peace inscribed in our Constitution in Article 11, which solemnly states that 'Italy repudiates war as an instrument of offence against the freedom of other peoples"'. (ANSA).


The latest fake airplane spare parts scandal is shaking the global airline industry. Since this issue is very serious in an industry where safety is the guiding principle, airlines, and aircraft engine manufacturers are making efforts to find fake spare parts.

New Fake Airplane Spare Part Scandal Shakes Airline Industry

The bogus spare parts are affecting the world's most widely flown passenger jets, as reported by Yahoo Finance. These include the Boeing 737 airplanes, as well as older-generation Airbus A320 models.

These fake plane components were distributed by an obscure U.K.-based company called AOG Technics.

As of writing, airlines, regulators, and other flight industry players are checking their records to find the bogus spare parts.

CFM International Inc.the joint venture of Safran SA and General Electric Co.decided to file a lawsuit against AOG.

CFM, an industry-leading jet engine manufacturer that makes engines for Boeing 737 and Airbus SE A320, said that the airplane components with fraudulent documentation have been put on around 68 of its power plants.

"Numerous Authorised Release Certificates for parts supplied via AOG Technics have been forged," said the European Union Aviation Safety Agency via the Japan Times.

EASA said that AOG confirmed that it did not produce the certifications and wasn't the originator of the fake airplane components.

As of press time, the ongoing investigation is still trying to find the total number of affected passenger airplanes and if the bogus components are already being used.

Read Also: Airbnb Blocks New York City Bookings Due to New Short-Term Rental Policies

Why Fake Airplane Spare Parts Scandal Should Concern You

The spread of fake airplane components in the airline industry is rare. When it happens, the industry treats it with utmost urgency.

Aside from airline companies, regulators, and manufacturers, the spread of bogus airplane parts should also concern passengers.

In 2002, The Guardian reported that fake, 2nd-hand aircraft parts were the cause of around 10 airplane crashes.

These accidents include the American Airlines disaster in New York, which happened in November 2001.

This is why it is very important for airline companies and aircraft manufacturers to always have proper documentation for the airplane parts they receive.

If you want to learn more about the seriousness of the spread of fake airplane spare parts and other components, you can click here.

Related Article: French Officials Considering To End Cheap Flights in Effort To Protect Environment by Raising Ticket Prices

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Britain has offered assistance to Morocco after the North African country was struck by a rare and powerful earthquake, killing at least 1,000 people.

The magnitude 6.8 tremor late on Friday damaged buildings from villages in the Atlas Mountains to the historic city of Marrakesh.

The full death toll of the most powerful quake to hit Morocco in 120 years will not be known until rescuers complete the challenging journey to the remote mountain villages that were the hardest hit.

My thoughts are with everyone affected by the terrible earthquake in Morocco last night. The UK stands ready to support our Moroccan friends. https://t.co/gmRbIZ2Dcc  Rishi Sunak (@RishiSunak) September 9, 2023

Rishi Sunak said his thoughts are with everyone affected by the terrible earthquake.

The UK stands ready to support our Moroccan friends, the Prime Minister wrote on social media, in a message that echoed that of Foreign Secretary James Cleverly.

Mr Cleverly pledged support in whatever way we can.

The British Red Cross has launched an emergency fundraising appeal to provide humanitarian support.

Richard Blewitt, the charitys executive director, said: People have lost their homes, loved ones and livelihoods, and sadly the full scale of the destruction is only likely to become apparent in the coming days.

The Foreign Office updated its advice to Britons in the country, telling them to follow local media and safety instructions from local authorities.

People take shelter outside and check for news on their mobile phones after the earthquake (Mosaab Elshamy/AP/PA)

A British journalist living in Morocco described waking up to the sound of his wife screaming as the quake shook their home.

Martin Jay told BBC Radio 4s Today programme that he had just settled into sleep when the tremor struck.

The first hint was my wife screaming, he said.

I couldnt quite equate the situation, I couldnt imagine I was in the middle of an earthquake.

Everything was vibrating, everything, the bed, the floor, the four walls.

A man drives past a damaged wall of the historic Medina of Marrakesh (Mosaab Elshamy/AP/PA)

Part of their home was damaged by the earthquake, with some of the brick walls collapsing from the tremors.

The epicentre of the earthquake was near the town of Ighil in Al Haouz province, roughly 43 miles south of Marrakesh.
The former lord mayor of Westminster has urged the public to give the people of Morocco a constant source of hope after it was struck by a rare and powerful earthquake that killed more than 1,000 people.

Councillor Hamza Taouzzale, who is of Moroccan descent and returned from his visit to the country on Thursday, said seeing the effects of the deadly earthquake unfold is close to home.

Mr Taouzzale, 23, told the PA news agency: Its close to home. Thats where my family is from and thats where were originally from, and I was just there.

Its been quite sad, quite devastating and quite scary for a lot of people.

The deadly earthquake in Morocco has damaged buildings across the Talat NYaaqoub region (Jamila Bamsaoud)

Another Briton who recently returned to the UK before the earthquake struck spoke of how difficult it has been to lose friends in the natural disaster.

Ella Williams, a PhD researcher at the University of Oxford, who also lives and works as an English teacher in the town of Talat NYaaqoub in the Al Haouz province of Marrakesh  near the epicentre of the earthquake, said seeing the events unfold is very hard.

Ms Williams, 27, told PA: Ive lost friends, Ive lost former students, neighbours. Its very hard.

She is also part of the British Moroccan Society (BMS), a charity uniting the UK with Morocco, and has set up a GoFundMe to raise money for vital aid for Moroccans.

She said that focusing on the fundraiser is helping her to get through the loss of her friends.

She said: With the British Moroccan Society, were trying to just take action as soon as possible because these rural areas are so difficult to reach.

We launched this fundraiser to try and really just get aid and get help on the ground as soon as possible.

I think right now its a feeling of shock and that we have to take action.

Rural areas of Morocco are being most affected by the earthquake that has killed more than 1,000 people (Jamila Bamsaoud)

Mr Taouzzale has encouraged the public to provide hope for Moroccans and asked people to help where they can to provide donations and aid to the country.

He said: I think its just important to remember how sudden and impactful these events are and how quickly someones life can turn around and change.

I think just bearing that in mind and appreciating what we have here and being thankful for that, but also doing all we can to help out people who are in need and give them that constant source of hope.

Thats what people rely on and thats what people need from us, especially when were in a privileged position here  we should be able to help out, we should be able to give back and make a difference.

Mr Taouzzale has friends in the city of Meknes who told him that, due to the rarity of earthquakes in the region, locals are confused and unaware of earthquake safety protocols.

He added that many are worried about re-entering their homes fearing it might collapse.

He explained: Theyve been out on the whole night.

I think they didnt go back into their houses until sunrise because they didnt know whether it was safe to do so.

A lot of people thought there might be a second earthquake or second tremor that might happen overnight.

During his visit, he spoke of how beautiful Morocco is, but acknowledged that the countrys infrastructure is unable to withstand an earthquake.

He said: Its a beautiful country with lots of things to do and the people are amazing.

But the infrastructure isnt that great, so if you see buildings crumbling its because they cant withstand an earthquake.

Theyre not built to withstand earthquakes  Its not an area or region that is used to having earthquakes.

Mr Taouzzale has asked members of the public to support local Moroccan organisations and charities, particularly those that will provide aid to the country, to help those worst affected by the earthquake.

He said: I think the best way that people can help is if you know a local Moroccan organisation or charity there are ways to donate to people who are going to be doing that drive and making that journey down to Morocco.

Ms Williams has also urged people to share her fundraiser to raise awareness of the situation and allow the BMS to provide aid, particularly to people in rural areas.

She said: If people want to help and they really want to help at the grassroots level, donating or even just sharing the British Moroccan fundraiser is a really good way to help.

Mr Williamss fundraising page is at www.gofundme.com/f/british-moroccan-society-earthquake-appeal
Steve Witt, left, and Paul Harrison have helped hundreds of people set up and run their own travel business. Photo: Paola Perni

Entrepreneurs Steve Witt and Paul Harrison didnt know each other at the time, but when both invested in a friends overseas property company and were left thousands in debt in 2010, they teamed up for the next opportunity.

The co-founders have since built a multimillion pound travel business by training hundreds of people with no previous experience in sales or travel and turning them into homeworking, concierge-style travel agents.

Adversity often spurs you on, recalls Witt. It gave us a lot of life lessons about patience and how business works to make better decisions.

Dubbed "the entrepreneur factory", Not Just Travel disrupts the high street offer alongside its recruitment arm, The Travel Franchise. It is now, says Witt, a very significant nine-figure turnover business.

Franchisees are also seeing the benefits. Take Ami Wood, a mother-of-two who quit her "boring" job in accounts after two decades and launched her business last January. She made 50,000 in sales in her first week and has just hit the 1.5m sales mark, according to the company.

Read More: Behind the brand: Huel, the rise of the plant-based food retailer

Naively when we started we thought it would be easy, says Witt. The only place I had been to was Lanzarote. We had limited training and support and so when we turned our travel business into a franchise company 12 years later we took those lessons and knew there was a better way to do it.

Today, you dont need lots of experience to make it work. You just have to have a passion for travel and everything else can be taught. Attitude cant be taught, skills can.

We needed to do it in such a way that you could take anyone off the street and turn them into a successful entrepreneur. Hopefully we have proved that model works pretty well.

The Travel Franchise has helped hundreds take ownership of their lifestyle and financial future. Photo: Kin Ho

Witt had first created UKDomains, one of the first virtual hosting companies, in 1998, the likes of Freeserve and Demon Internet telling him his subscription business model would never succeed. He later sold the UK's fourth-largest domain names company for an undisclosed sum in 2007.

Witt had originally launched his travel business the day before 9/11. The company had been one of the top Teletext advertisers but Witt and Harrison, having later joined in 2009, were both hungry for more opportunities. Im the shy retiring one, Paul is the loud salesperson so to speak. Inside our core beliefs are identical, Witt says of their business partnership.

Launching a franchise gave them more ways to grow and diversity. Originally Witt had used a 2,000 sq ft warehouse as an office in Bournemouth, wiping condensation off computers and huddled around one heater. It came at a time when every holiday they sold, 10 more brochures were sent to the office. We were selling up to 40 holidays a day and the warehouse became a dumping ground for brochures, smiles Witt.

Word of mouth subsequently saw locals turn up to the warehouse wanting to book holidays as opposed to their local travel agent. Witt soon acquired a cafe in the middle of a business park and converted it into the companys first travel agency.

They then hit upon the right package, messaging and price point after several years testing their franchise programmes. It snowballed and that allowed us to build the story of the success of the business, adds Witt, a former windsurfing champion and firefighter.

Franchisees can sell holidays from 450 travel suppliers and benefit from relationships with over 45 key trade partners. Phot: Getty

Most who join are individuals and operate under their own. Our business model is simple and we suggest by starting out with friends and family, not by making life difficult and attracting a whole new cold audience."

The recruitment arm now has over 1,000 franchises and is officially the highest-ranked travel franchise in the UK. Witt also believes they are the number one franchise across industries in terms of the numbers sold per month.

Travel is a fun industry," says Witt, "but for us its the buzz of seeing someone come in, perhaps mums who are coming back to work or even their first career, to see them join the business and evolve and learn new skills.

Read More: Behind the brand: How Monsoon turned the tide in its 50th year

The pairs travel business  they are finalists in the Great British Entrepreneur Awards 2023  now has 90 staff, more than double over the last 12 months. Witt says around 2,000 people are making enquiries looking for home working opportunities, while it recruited 140 franchisees during the pandemic, at a time when no one was travelling.

Witt says: It shows the hunger for people to do something like this. People are so interested in taking control of their own destiny. Some will take years to decide its for them, some will take days.

Behind the brand: Co-founder Steve Witt on

A franchise network

You can launch things that much quicker and get more enthusiasm and buy in from home operators than potentially you would from employed sales people.

Its the excitement of being self employed but having that template to follow to give you that confidence. Whether its travel or any franchise, its a proven model and its nice to have the hand-holding experience and the excitement of being your own boss."

Leadership

Its not until you hit challenges until you learn how to be a leader. You dont get it right all the time, but when you are surrounded by 90 staff and hundreds of travel consultants all looking to you for inspiration, you have to figure it out pretty quickly.

Watch: Is it financially worth going to university?

Download the Yahoo Finance app, available for Apple and Android.
Police are continuing their search for on-the-run terror suspect Daniel Khalife as the 21-year-olds family urged him to give himself up.

The former soldier is believed to have escaped from HMP Wandsworth on Wednesday morning by strapping himself to the bottom of a delivery lorry after leaving the prison kitchen in a cooks uniform.

Commander Dominic Murphy, the Metropolitan Polices counter-terrorism chief, said the force is investigating after a member of the public saw a man fitting Khalifes description walking away from a Bidfood van that had stopped near the south entrance to Wandsworth Roundabout shortly after his escape.

Police said the man was then seen walking towards Wandsworth town centre.

Mr Murphy said: This remains a fast-paced and dynamic investigation, but I want the public to know that a large number of officers are working extremely hard to locate Khalife.

We have now received more than 100 calls from the public, and we thank everyone who has contacted us with information.

The sighting near Wandsworth Roundabout could be very significant, and this is one of many useful lines of inquiry that officers are perusing.

Mr Murphy urged Khalife to hand himself in to police, warning officers were closing in on the terror suspect.

The force is offering a 20,000 reward for anyone with information that leads to the arrest of the former soldier, who was awaiting trial after allegedly planting a fake bomb at an RAF base and gathering information that might be useful to terrorists or enemies of the UK.

He was discharged from the Army in May.

Speaking to The Times, a close relative of Khalife said he was a very, very intelligent, easygoing and kind boy who had changed in recent years  even going missing in the weeks before he was charged.

They told the paper: If I could talk to him, I would tell him to end this and give himself up, even though I understand he is afraid.

Two years ago he was quite happy; he said he never wanted to leave, he said they were good people, and then something happened last year.

He was scared to talk about it, and so he ran away. I dont believe the allegations, he spent four years in the Army.

It is just silly to imagine he would betray them.

Police handout of the chefs clothing and footwear that Daniel Khalife was wearing following his escape from HMP Wandsworth (Met Police/PA)

The relative also questioned the Armys possible role in what may have happened to Khalife, telling the paper the Army has to answer for what happened.

Video footage obtained by the PA news agency shows police officers searching a Bidfood lorry with a sniffer dog after it was stopped as witnesses told of their shock as they learned about the incident.

Speaking on LBC on Friday, Met Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley said Khalifes escape was clearly pre-planned and it is a question whether it was an inside job.

Speaking to broadcasters in New Delhi, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak would not comment on suggestions there could be foreign state involvement in the escape.

The relative said Khalife had only visited Iran twice when he was young, telling The Times: Danny doesnt know Iran, he loves this country.

Khalifes disappearance has prompted questions over staffing levels at the Victorian jail and whether he should have been in a higher security prison.

Strapping was found underneath the delivery lorry which police stopped just over an hour after it left the prison at 7.32am, with officers suggesting Khalife held on to the bottom of the vehicle to escape.

Police have not ruled out the possibility he may have managed to flee the country despite heightened border checks.

Kent Police said junctions eight and nine of the M20 had reopened after being temporarily shut on Thursday due to the enhanced security checks involved with the search for Khalife (Gareth Fuller/PA)

Khalife was declared missing at 7.50am, with police notified at 8.15am. The lorry was stopped on Upper Richmond Road, near the junction of Carlton Drive, at 8.37am.

CCTV footage later emerged of the van driving along a road in London after it had left the prison.

Justice Secretary Alex Chalk confirmed an independent investigation will take place after Khalifes escape, alongside two urgent reviews looking at the categorisation and placement of all HMP Wandsworth prisoners and all those in custody charged with terrorism offences.

The former soldier, who denied the three charges against him, is described as slim, 6ft 2in, with short brown hair.

Khalife has links to the West Midlands  having been stationed at the Ministry of Defences Beacon Barracks in Stafford  and Kingston upon Thames in south-west London, but Mr Murphy said the hunt is covering the whole of the UK.

Kent Police said on Friday evening that junctions eight and nine of the M20 had reopened after being temporarily shut on Thursday due to the enhanced security checks involved with the search for Khalife.

Police have said there is no reason to believe Khalife poses a threat to the public but urged people not to approach him if they spot him and to call 999.
Relatives of the father of 10-year-old Sara Sharif have been detained for questioning by police in Pakistan.

Saras father, Urfan Sharif, 41, and his partner Beinash Batool, 29, fled the UK for Pakistan after Sara was found dead and alone at the family home in Woking, Surrey, on August 10.

A post-mortem examination found she had suffered multiple and extensive injuries over a sustained and extended period of time.

A police spokesman in Jehlum, 108 miles north-west of Lahore, said Sharif and his wife Batool were in hiding and 10 close relatives have been taken into custody for questioning and an investigation.

Among those detained include Mohammad Sharif, the father of Urfan, his brothers and cousins, the spokesman said.

Police in Pakistan often detain the close relatives of wanted suspects. However, they are not kept in jail to avoid the intervention of a court.

Sharif and Batool left Britain with five children aged between one and 13 (Surrey Police/PA)

On Wednesday, Saras stepmother spoke publicly for the first time since the little girl was found dead.

In a clip of the footage posted online by Sky, Batool shows no emotion as she describes Saras death as an incident and says that she and Sharif are willing to co-operate with UK authorities over the case.

Sharif and Batool left Britain with five children aged between one and 13, and Surrey Police want to question them over Saras death.

Saras mother Olga Sharif gave an interview to the Polish television programme Uwaga! in which she spoke of the harrowing experience of going to view her daughters body.

She said: One of her cheeks was swollen and the other side was bruised.

Even now, when I close my eyes I can see what my baby looked like.

Ms Sharif separated from her husband in 2015 and Sara and her older brother had been living with her until 2019, when the family court ruled they should live with their father.

Ms Sharif still had equal rights to see the children and said while that was easy to maintain initially, it became increasingly harder over time.

Saras grandfather has told the BBC the girls death was an accident and three family members who left the UK for Pakistan will ultimately return to face police questioning.

Muhammad Sharif said he saw Saras father soon after he arrived in the city of Jhelum, in the South Asian country, and said his son had fled the UK out of fear.

Surrey Police are appealing for information to help them gain a picture of Saras life.
Rishi Sunak has announced a record UK contribution to an international climate change fund in answer to Indian president Narendra Modis call for more financing to support developing nations.

To mark the close of the G20 leaders summit in New Delhi on Sunday, Downing Street said the Prime Minister would announce that Britain will provide two billion US dollars (1.6 billion) to the Green Climate Fund (GCF).

No 10 officials said it marked the biggest single funding commitment the UK has made to help the world tackle climate change.

The uplift will form a major part of the UK Governments pledge to spend 11.6 billion on international climate finance.

It comes after Mr Modi, who is chairing the G20 sessions in India, made a call ahead of the summit for wealthier countries to offer support for developing nations that are battling against the impact of climate change, which is being experienced in the form of harsher weather conditions and rising sea levels.

In an article published in a host of international publications, including The Times, Mr Modi said: Ambitions for climate action must be matched with actions on climate finance and transfer of technology.

The bumper climate change contribution comes in the context of the UK and India negotiating a potential free trade deal, with Mr Sunak and his Indian counterpart broaching the topic during talks on the fringes of the summit on Saturday.

The GCF was established by 194 countries following the Copenhagen Accord at Cop15.

It is the largest global fund dedicated to supporting developing countries to reduce global emissions and helping communities adapt to the effects of climate change.

Indian prime minister Narendra Modi had made a call for more climate support ahead of the G20 summit (Dan Kitwood/PA)

The 1.62 billion pledge made on Sunday, covering the period of 2024-27, represents a 12.7% increase on the UKs previous contribution to the GCF for the period of 2020-2023.

It doubles the initial grant made to help establish the fund in 2014.

At the G20 summit, the Prime Minister called on leaders to work together ahead of the Cop28 summit in December to both reduce their own carbon emissions and support vulnerable economies to deal with the consequences of climate change.

Addressing G20 leaders, the Prime Minister said: The UK is stepping up and delivering on our climate commitments, both by decarbonising our own economy and supporting the worlds most vulnerable to deal with the impact of climate change.

This is the kind of leadership that the world rightly expects from G20 countries. This Government will continue to lead by example in making the UK, and the world, more prosperous and secure.

The GCF grant announcement comes after the Prime Minister said at Cop27 in November that the UK would triple its funding for climate adaptation.

Catherine Pettengell, executive director of Climate Action Network UK (CAN-UK) welcomed the new money but said more is needed.

She said: The urgency and scale of the climate crisis, and the devastating impacts it is having on communities and countries around the world, is yet to be matched by the necessary action.

The Government must go further to rebuild global confidence in the UK as a climate leader, and a helpful step towards this would be to increase this contribution further at the pledging conference in October in advance of Cop28.

Kate Norgrove, executive director of advocacy and campaigns at WWF-UK, said: This is a welcome announcement from the Prime Minister and one that clearly demonstrates the importance of the Global Climate Fund.

It is essential that wealthier countries co-operate and collaborate to build greener and more resilient economies. We can bring our world back to life, but we need action now.

On Sunday, Mr Sunak is expected to visit the Akshardham Hindu temple in New Delhi with his wife Akshata Murty, before they both lay a wreath at the Raj Ghat memorial.

He will then join the final G20 session, called One Future, where the focus will be on transformative technologies, before flying back to the UK.
Police found and arrested terror suspect Daniel Khalife on the fourth day of a hunt for his whereabouts.

The search for the 21-year-old concluded after officers found him on Saturday in Chiswick, west London, following intelligence-led activity, and confirmed sightings overnight.

Here is a timeline of the events leading to the recapture of Khalife:

Daniel Khalife was in prison for more than seven months (Metropolitan Police/PA)

 January 2022:

Khalife is arrested and released on bail.

 January 27 2023:

The ex-serviceman, formerly of Beacon Barracks, Beaconside, Stafford, is charged with a terror offence and perpetrating a bomb hoax after an investigation by the Metropolitan Polices Counter Terrorism Command.

He is accused of eliciting or attempting to elicit information about an individual who was or had been a member of His Majestys forces which was of a kind likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing an act of terrorism on August 2 2021, contrary to section 58A of the Terrorism Act 2000.

He is also accused of placing three canisters with wires at RAF Stafford with the intention of inducing in another a belief that the said article was likely to explode or ignite and thereby cause personal injury or damage to property on or before January 2 this year, contrary to section 51 of the Criminal Law Act 1977.

 January 28:

Khalife appears at Westminster Magistrates Court and is remanded in custody.

February 7:

Khalife makes no indication of pleas when he appears in court again and his case is sent to the Old Bailey.

 February 17:

He appears at the Old Bailey for a brief preliminary hearing.

 May 2023:

The former soldier is discharged from the Army.

 July 21:

Khalife appears at the Old Bailey for a plea hearing. A third charge under the Official Secrets Act is added before he is asked to enter pleas. That charge alleges he committed an act prejudicial to the safety or interests of the state.

It states that between May 1 2019 and January 6 2022 he obtained, collected, recorded, published or communicated to any other person articles, notes, documents or information which were calculated to be or might be or were intended to be directly or indirectly useful to an enemy.

He denies all three charges. A six-week trial is set for November 13 at Woolwich Crown Court.

 September 6:

Khalife goes missing in his cooks uniform from HMP Wandsworth and is believed to have used strapping to cling to the underside of a delivery vehicle.

The lorry leaves the prison through a gate leading on to Heathfield Road at 7.32am and Khalife is declared missing at 7.50am, the Met said. Police are then notified at 8.15am and the vehicle is stopped in Upper Richmond Road near the junction with Carlton Drive in Putney, south-west London, at 8.37am.

A CCTV image of the vehicle searched by police (Metropolitan Police/PA)

Video footage obtained by the PA news agency, taken by a worker at Rosy Lea Cafe, shows police officers searching the Bidfood lorry with a sniffer dog.

Khalifes escape prompts extra security checks at major transport hubs.

 September 7:

The manhunt enters its second day. Justice Secretary Alex Chalk confirms an independent investigation will take place after Khalifes escape, as well as two urgent reviews regarding the categorisation and placement of all HMP Wandsworth prisoners and all those in custody charged with terrorism offences.

Junctions eight and nine of the M20 are temporarily shut due in part to enhanced security checks relating to the search, Kent Police confirm. A man is stopped by police at Banbury train station in Oxfordshire but it is not Khalife.

(PA Graphics)

 September 8:

The hunt for Khalife stretches into a third day. Police search Richmond Park in west London, just over four miles from HMP Wandsworth. Met Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley says the force is considering whether the escape was an inside job.

The Met investigates a possible sighting after a man resembling Khalife was seen walking towards Wandsworth town centre shortly after the prison break. The force also offers a 20,000 reward for information on Khalifes whereabouts.

 September 9:

(PA Graphics)

Police find and arrest Khalife just before 11am on a canal towpath in West London. Khalife was around eight miles from where he was last seen by a member of the public. He was arrested by a plain clothes officer who pulled him off a pushbike. The terror suspect was then taken into custody.
A Fulton County, Ga., special grand jury recommended charges against 39 people for their involvement in former President Trumps efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 election in Georgia, according to its final report.

Only 19 people were ultimately charged last month in Fulton County District Attorney Fani Williss (D) years-long investigation.

Some of the most notable names in the report released Friday who werent among those ultimately charged were Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), former Sens. Kelly Loeffler and David Perdue, both Georgia Republicans, and former Trump national security adviser Michael Flynn.

Heres the fill list of the 39 people the special grand jury recommended charges against:

Former President Trump

This booking photo provided by Fulton County Sheriffs Office, shows former President Donald Trump on Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023, after he surrendered and was booked at the Fulton County Jail in Atlanta. (Fulton County Sheriffs Office via AP)

Former President Trump was charged with 13 counts in last months indictment, marking his fourth criminal indictment this year.

The special grand jurys final report shows that Willis filed some, but not all, of the recommended charges against the former president and brought additional charges in connection with the fake elector scheme that were not recommended by the jurors.

Cleta Mitchell

Cleta Mitchell speaks at the Pennsylvania Leadership Conference in Camp Hill, Pa., Friday, April 1, 2022. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Cleta Mitchell, a longtime conservative attorney who sat in on Trumps infamous January 2021 call with Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, was included in the special grand jurys charging recommendations but was not indicted last month.

The jurors unanimously recommended that Mitchell be indicted on four counts over the call, in which the former president asked Raffensperger to find him 11,780 votes. However, they were more split on other possible charges related to the call.

The special grand jury also suggested charges over Mitchells role in a December 2020 meeting of Republican electors at the Georgia Capitol, as well as with respect to the national effort to overturn the 2020 presidential election.

Rudy Giuliani

This booking photo provided by the Fulton County Sheriffs Office shows Rudy Giuliani on Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2023, in Atlanta, after he surrendered and was booked. (Fulton County Sheriffs Office via AP)

Rudy Giuliani, who served as Trumps personal attorney, was charged in the August indictment on 13 counts.

Many of the former New York City mayors charges were connected to the scheme to submit a fake slate of pro-Trump electors and efforts to promote false claims of election fraud at Georgia state legislature committee hearings.

David Perdue

FILE  Former Sen. David Perdue speaks during a gubernatorial republican primary debate on May 1, 2022, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson, Pool)

Former Sen. David Perdue (R-Ga.) is one of three current or former senators that the special grand jury recommended charges against in its final report. None of the senators were ultimately indicted.

Jurors suggested that Perdue face charges for the persistent, repeated communications directed to multiple Georgia officials and employees between November 2020 and January 2021, as well as for taking part in the national effort to overturn the 2020 presidential election.

Jacki Pick

Jacki Pick, an attorney who walked Georgia state legislators through a video showing election workers counting ballots at the State Farm Arena in Atlanta, was also included in the special grand jurys final report.

Jurors unanimously recommended that she be indicted for making false statements, but she was not charged in the August indictment.

Robert Cheeley

This booking photo provided by the Fulton County Sheriffs Office shows Robert Cheeley on Friday, Aug. 25, 2023, in Atlanta, after he surrendered and was booked. (Fulton County Sheriffs Office via AP)

Robert Cheeley, a Georgia attorney, was charged in the final indictment with 10 counts primarily related to the fake elector scheme.

He also faces the indictments sole perjury charge for knowingly, willfully and unlawfully making at least one false statement about the fake electors plot and his communications with Trump lawyer John Eastman.

William Ligon

Georgia state Sen. William Ligon, R-Waverly, looks over paperwork at his desk on the Senate floor Tuesday, March 27, 2012, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/David Goldman)

Georgia state Sen. William Ligon (R), who called for a special legislative session to respond to the false claims of election fraud, was not charged in the final indictment.

However, the special grand jury recommended that he faces charges for filing false documents and participating in the national effort to overturn the 2020 presidential election.

Ray Smith

This mug shot provided by the Fulton County Sheriffs Office shows Ray Smith on Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2023, in Atlanta, after he surrendered and was booked. (Fulton County Sheriffs Office via AP)

Trump attorney Ray Smith was indicted alongside the former president and the 17 others in August.

He faces several charges in connection with the push to promote election fraud claims at three committee hearings in the Georgia state legislature, as well as the fake elector scheme.

John Eastman



This booking photo provided by the Fulton County Sheriffs Office shows John Eastman on Tuesday, Aug. 22, 2023, in Atlanta, after he surrendered and was booked. (Fulton County Sheriffs Office via AP)

John Eastman, the Trump lawyer who engineered the legal strategy behind the former presidents push to overturn the results of the 2020 election, was charged on nine counts in last months indictment.

Scott Hall

This booking photo provided by the Fulton County Sheriffs Office shows Scott Hall on Tuesday, Aug. 22, 2023. (Fulton County Sheriffs Office via AP)

Scott Hall, who owns a bail bond business, was indicted over his role in the Jan. 7, 2021, breach at an elections office in Coffee County, Ga.

Trevian Kutti

This booking photo provided by the Fulton County Sheriffs Office shows Trevian Kutti on Friday, Aug. 25, 2023, in Atlanta, after she surrendered and was booked (Fulton County Sheriffs Office via AP)

Trevian Kutti, a former publicist for the rapper formerly known as Kanye West, was charged on three counts last month for pressuring Fulton County election worker Ruby Freeman to make false statements about election operations.

Harrison Floyd

This booking photo provided by the Fulton County Sheriffs Office shows Harrison Floyd on Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023, in Atlanta, after he surrendered and was booked. (Fulton County Sheriffs Office via AP)

Harrison Floyd, a leader of Black Voices for Trump, was also charged on three counts for pressuring Freeman to make false statements.

Stephen Lee

This booking photo provided by the Fulton County Sheriffs Office shows Stephen Cliffgard Lee on Friday, Aug. 25, 2023, in Atlanta, after he surrendered and was booked. (Fulton County Sheriffs Office via AP)

Stephen Lee was indicted for traveling to Freemans house on two occasions in December 2020 in an effort to influence her testimony.

He faces charges on five counts.

Kurt Hilbert

Kurt Hilbert, a Georgia-based lawyer who represented Trump, was not charged in the August indictment.

However, the special grand jury recommended charges over his role in the December 2020 gathering of the pro-Trump electors at the Georgia Capitol.

Alex Kaufman

The special grand jury similarly recommended that Alex Kaufman, another Georgia-based lawyer who represented Trump, face charges over the gathering of Republican electors in December 2020.

However, he was not included in the final indictment.

Kenneth Chesebro

This booking photo provided by the Fulton County Sheriffs Office shows Kenneth Chesebro on Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2023, in Atlanta, after he surrendered and was booked. (Fulton County Sheriffs Office via AP)

Kenneth Chesebro, a lawyer who helped coordinate the fake electors scheme, was charged with seven counts in the August indictment, including conspiracy to impersonate a public officer, conspiracy to commit forgery, conspiracy to make false statements and conspiracy to file false documents.

David Shafer

This booking photo provided by the Fulton County Sheriffs Office shows David Shafer on Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2023, in Atlanta, after he surrendered and was booked. (Fulton County Sheriffs Office via AP)

David Shafer, the former chairman of the Georgia Republican Party, was one of several pro-Trump individuals who signed documents purporting to be the states presidential electors.

He was indicted last month and faces charges on eight counts, including impersonating a public officer, forgery, making false statements and attempting to file false documents.

Joseph Brannan

Joseph Brannan was one of the fake electors who attempted to pass off fraudulent Electoral College votes for Trump.

The grand jury recommended he be indicted by a 19-2 vote, though he was not.

He was a delegate to the 2016 Republican National Convention from Georgia and voted for Trump.

Vikki Consiglio

Vikki Consiglio, a supporter of Republican candidate for Senate U.S. Sen. David Perdue cheers results as she attends an election-night watch party Tuesday Nov. 3, 2020 in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Vikki Consiglio is a Georgia Republican Party leader and was one of the fake electors who attempted to pass off fraudulent Electoral College votes for Trump.

The grand jury recommended she be indicted by a 19-2 vote, though she was not.

Carolyn Fisher

Carolyn Fisher is a Georgia Republican Party leader and was one of the fake electors who attempted to pass off fraudulent Electoral College votes for Trump.

The grand jury recommended she be indicted by a 19-2 vote, though she was not.

Burt Jones

FILE  Burt Jones, then a candidate for Georgia lieutenant governor, participates in a Republican primary debate, Tuesday, May 3, 2022, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson, Pool, File)

Georgia Lt. Gov. Burt Jones was one of the fake electors who attempted to pass off fraudulent Electoral College votes for Trump. The grand jury recommended he be indicted by a 19-2 vote, though he was not.

Fani Willis, the Fulton County district attorney, was barred from indicting Jones after a judge found that she had a conflict of interest.

Willis hosted a fundraiser for the lieutenant governors opponent while he was running for office.

Gloria Godwin

Gloria Godwin is a rural Georgia Republican leader and was one of the fake electors who attempted to pass off fraudulent Electoral College votes for Trump.

The grand jury recommended she be indicted by a 19-2 vote, though she was not.

Mark Hennessy

Mark Hennessy is a Georgia car dealer and was one of the fake electors who attempted to pass off fraudulent Electoral College votes for former President Trump.

The grand jury recommended he be indicted by a 19-2 vote, though he was not.

He was appointed to the states Board of Natural Resources in May.

Mark Amick

Mark Amick is a Georgia businessman and was one of the fake electors who attempted to pass off fraudulent Electoral College votes for Trump.

The grand jury recommended he be indicted by a 19-2 vote, though he was not.

John Downey

John Downey was one of the fake electors who attempted to pass off fraudulent Electoral College votes for Trump.

The grand jury recommended he be indicted by a 19-2 vote, though he was not.

Cathy Latham

This booking photo provided by the Fulton County Sheriffs Office shows Cathleen Latham on Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2023, in Atlanta, after she surrendered and was booked. (Fulton County Sheriffs Office via AP)

Cathy Latham is the former chair of the Coffee County Republican Party and was charged in relation to the voting machine plot in the county.

She was also one of the fake electors.

Brad Carver

Brad Carver is an Atlanta attorney who was one of the fake electors who attempted to pass off fraudulent Electoral College votes for Trump. The grand jury recommended he be indicted by a 19-2 vote, though he was not.

Shawn Still

This booking photo provided by the Fulton County Sheriffs Office shows Shawn Still on Friday, Aug. 25, 2023, in Atlanta, after he surrendered and was booked. (Fulton County Sheriffs Office via AP)

Shawn Still is a Georgia state senator who was one of the fake electors who attempted to pass off fraudulent Electoral College votes for Trump.

He was charged with seven counts in the August indictment.

C.B. Yadav

C.B. Yadav is a business owner and Republican donor in Georgia who was one of the fake electors who attempted to pass off fraudulent Electoral College votes for Trump.

The grand jury recommended he be indicted by a 19-2 vote, though he was not.

Misty Hampton

This booking photo provided by the Fulton County Sheriffs Office shows Misty Hampton on Friday, Aug. 25, 2023, in Atlanta, after she surrendered and was booked. (Fulton County Sheriffs Office via AP)

Misty Hampton, a former Coffee County elections official, was indicted last month on seven counts over her involvement in the scheme to access voting equipment at an elections office in Coffee County.

Sidney Powell

This booking photo provided by the Fulton County Sheriffs Office shows Sidney Powell on Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2023, in Atlanta, after she surrendered and was booked. (Fulton County Sheriffs Office via AP)

Sidney Powell, a Trump-aligned attorney who litigated cases across the country challenging election outcomes, was also charged on seven counts in relation to the Coffee County voting machine scheme.

Powell has requested for a speedy trial, and will be tried alongside fellow Trump attorney Kenneth Chesebro beginning Oct. 23.

Jenna Ellis

This booking photo provided by the Fulton County Sheriffs Office shows Jenna Ellis on Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2023, in Atlanta, after she surrendered and was booked. (Fulton County Sheriffs Office via AP)

Jenna Ellis, a Trump-aligned attorney, was charged racketeering and soliciting a public officer to violate their oath in connection with a Georgia Senate Judiciary subcommittee hearing in December 2020.

Mark Meadows

This booking photo provided by the Fulton County Sheriffs Office shows Mark Meadows on Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023, in Atlanta, after he surrendered and was booked. (Fulton County Sheriffs Office via AP)

Mark Meadows served as Trumps chief of staff through the last year of his presidency. He was similarly indicted on charges for racketeering and soliciting a public officer to violate their oath.

Meadows has sought to move his portion of the Georgia case to federal court, arguing that the charges relate to his then-role as a federal official.

Lin Wood

FILE - In this Dec. 2, 2020 file photo, Attorney Lin Wood, member of President Donald Trump's legal team, gestures while speaking during a rally in Alpharetta, Ga. Wood has asked officials in his home state of Georgia to retire his law license, a move that comes as multiple states have sought to discipline the lawyer for his false insistence that former President Donald Trump actually won the 2020 election. Wood made the request Tuesday and posted it to his Telegram account. (AP Photo/Ben Margot, File)

FILE  In this Dec. 2, 2020 file photo, Attorney Lin Wood, member of former President Donald Trumps legal team, gestures while speaking during a rally in Alpharetta, Ga. (AP Photo/Ben Margot, File)

Lin Wood is a former attorney to Trump who litigated cases contesting the 2020 election alongside Sidney Powell. Wood claimed that Democrats, the communist Chinese and anti-Trump Republicans were responsible for Trumps loss in the election, which he said was stolen.

The grand jury recommended charges against him in a 20-1 vote, but he was ultimately not indicted.

Lindsey Graham

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.)

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) questions OpenAI CEO Sam Altman during a Senate Subcommittee on Privacy, Technology, and the Law hearing to discuss oversight of artificial intelligence.

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) is the most senior sitting politician that the grand jury recommended charges against.

The grand jury voted 13-7 to charge Graham in relation to national effort to overturn the 2020 presidential election. He was not charged.

Graham testified to the grand jury after a lengthy legal battle which ended in the Supreme Court.

Michael Flynn

Michael Flynn

Former National Security Advisor to President Trump, Michael Flynn, appeared in court Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2022, in Sarasota, Fla., to try to quash an order to appear before a Georgia special purpose grand jury investigating attempts to overturn the 2020 presidential election. (Mike Lang/Sarasota Herald-Tribune via AP, Pool)

Michael Flynn served as a senior military advisor in both the Obama and Trump administrations, first as the director of the Defense Intelligence Agency and then as National Security Advisor.

He was not indicted in August, although the grand jury recommended charges related to the national effort to overturn the 2020 presidential election, in a 20-1 vote.

Flynn has been a prominent supporter of Trump and was a key figure in the Stop the Steal movement to overturn the 2020 election results. Since leaving the White House, Flynn has traveled the country on speaking tours and has been associated with the QAnon conspiracy theory.

Kelly Loeffler

FILE: Former Sen. Kelly Loeffler (R-Ga) speaks during an election-night watch party Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore, File)

Former Sen. Kelly Loeffler (R-Ga.) is one of three current or former senators the grand jury recommended charges against. Jurors voted 14-6 to recommend charges related to the national effort to overturn the 2020 presidential election, the same charges recommended for Graham and Purdue. She was not charged in the indictment.

The report states that one member of the grand jury decided to vote against charges for Loeffler and Purdue because their statements, while pandering to their political base, do not give rise to their being guilty of a criminal conspiracy, the report reads.

Boris Epshteyn

FILE  Boris Epshteyn, former special assistant to President Donald Trump arrives for the 2019 Prison Reform Summit and First Step Act Celebration in the East Room of the White House in Washington, April 1, 2019. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

Former Trump attorney Boris Epshteyn was not charged in the Georgia case despite the grand jury recommending charges in a 20-1 vote. The special grand jury suggested charges related to the national effort to overturn the 2020 presidential election.

Epshteyn also served as a senior advisor to the president and a strategist for the 2016 and 2020 presidential campaigns.

Jeff Clark

This booking photo provided by the Fulton County Sheriffs Office shows Jeffrey Clark on Friday, Aug. 25, 2023, in Atlanta, after he surrendered and was booked. (Fulton County Sheriffs Office via AP)

Jeffrey Clark, a former Justice Department official whom Trump sought to install as attorney general near the end of his term, was charged with racketeering and making false statements in last months indictment.

Prosecutors allege that Clark made false statements to senior DOJ officials urging the officials to let him convey the false information to Georgia State Officials.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Rescue teams could start to move trapped American explorer Mark Dickey from 3,400ft inside a cave in Turkey within hours, a report says.

An international team of cave rescuers and medical personnel have been working to stabilise the cave expert before launching a rescue operation as early as Saturday, a director at Turkeys Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) told CNN.

Mr Dickey, 40, is on a mission to explore the Morca cave. But on Saturday, while exploring at 3,400 feet below the surface, he began suffering from gastrointestinal bleeding.

Authorities in Europe worked quickly to send a doctor down to Mr Dickey where they performed blood transfusions in the hopes of getting him strong enough to leave.

I was very close to the edge, Mr Dickey said in a video obtained by The Associated Press.

While Mr Dickeys condition has improved thanks to a team of doctors from several countries, he may still need a stretcher to exit.

The cave system is described as extremely narrow with many twists and turns, making it difficult to navigate. It typically takes a person in good health around 15 hours to exit.

Key Points

Heres what we know about the cave rescue mission so far

Mark Dickeys condition continues to improve

A look into the depth of the Morca cave

Mark Dickey says he was very close to the edge in emotional first video from Turkish cave

Where is the Morca cave?

What is a speleologist?

19:00 , Maanya Sachdeva

Mark Dickey is an American speleologist, or someone who studies all aspects of caves including their geology, biology, hydrology, and history.

Speleologists often research how the cave is formed and how It changes  this is known as speleogenesis and speleomorphology.

Speleology is an interdisciplinary field that combines a lot of scientific skills, according to StartCaving.com says.

Read my colleague Faiza Saqibs explainer on this field of study here:

What is a speleologist?

Who is American speleologist Mark Dickey?

18:00 , Maanya Sachdeva

Hailing from Croton-on-Hudson, New York, Mark Dickey is a highly-trained caver, cave rescuer and well-known in the international speleological (cave expert) community, according to the European Cave Rescue Association (ECRA).

His resume of cave explorations and expert status is endless: secretary of the ECRA medical committee, lead instructor for Caving Academy, a US-based organisation that prepares other cavers for exploration and a national instructor for the National Cave Rescue Commission.

Find out more about about the 40-year-old American researcher here:

He helped rescue people from caves. Now hes stuck in one of the worlds deepest

16:59 , Maanya Sachdeva

Rescue of American explorer trapped in Turkey cave has begun, officials say

Rescue teams have begun the arduous process of extricating Mark Dickey, who became seriously ill while he was exploring the Morca cave in the south of Turkey last Saturday.

The rescue operation could last for up to 10 days.

Full story here:

Rescue of American explorer trapped in Turkey cave has begun, officials say

Trapped American explorers parents say our prayers are being answered amid rescue operation

15:30 , Maanya Sachdeva

The parents of Mark Dickey, who is currently trapped in a Turkey cave, have said our prayers are being answered as a rescue operation to safely extract the American explorer gets underway.

In a statement obtained by Mail Online, Andrew and Deborah Ann Dickey said: We are extremely grateful to the international caving community volunteers who have demonstrated such support for our son.

Mark is strong, but he needed his fellow cavers, including, of course, doctors to allow a devastatingly scary situation to turn positive, their statement read.

They also said they are thankful Mr Dickeys fiancee and fellow caver, Jessica has been with him during this ordeal.

Our prayers are being answered and we cannot express how much that means, and will always mean to us.

Mr Dickey has remained trapped in the Morca cave since last Saturday (Sourced)

Rescue teams using explosives to widen cave for Dickeys safe extraction

14:35 , Maanya Sachdeva

More than 180 people from eight countries have joined the efforts to help Mark Dickey out of a cave in Turkey, according to The New York Times.

The American explorer was exploring the Morca cave last week but became trapped after he began suffering from gastrointestinal bleeding.

The newspaper also reported that rescuers are using explosives to widen parts of the extremely narrow cave, with many twists and turns that make it difficult to navigate.

It typically takes a person in good health around 15 hours to exit.

While Mr Dickeys condition has stabilised, officials said he may still need a stretcher to exit.

Rescue operation will last at least three to four days

13:16 , Maanya Sachdeva

The operation to rescue trapped American explorer Mark Dickey from the Morca cave in Turkey will last at least three to four days, officials have said.

This is a difficult operation. It would take a [healthy] person 16 hours to come out. This operation will last at least three or four days, Cenk Yildiz, a regional official from Turkeys disaster relief agency, AFAD, told the IHA news agency. Our priority is health. Our aim is to conclude this operation without anyone coming under any danger.

Chris Stevenson reports:

Rescuers poised to begin evacuation of explorer trapped 3,400ft inside cave in Turkey

Dickey says he was very close to the edge in emotional first video from cave

12:30 , Maanya Sachdeva

Trapped American explorer Mark Dickey said he was very close to the edge as he thanked Turkish authorities for saving his life in an emotional video from deep inside a cave system.

Full story by Graeme Massie here:

Trapped American explorer releases emotional video from deep in Turkish cave

Watch: Rescue operation underway for ill American stuck deep in Turkish cave

12:00 , Maanya Sachdeva

Images of the rescue operation

11:30 , Maanya Sachdeva

Rescuers arrive at a base camp to take part in the rescue operation for trapped explorer Mark Dickey (Umit Bektas/Reuters)

The base camp of international rescuers is seen near the Morca Cave (Umit Bektas/Reuters)

A rescuer holds a map of the Morca Cave during a meeting (Umit Bektas/Reuters)

Map of Morca cave system

10:35 , Graeme Massie

An American is recovering deep below ground and awaiting rescue after getting sick while on a mapping expedition of Turkey's Morca cave. (AP)

$50,000 raised for Mark Dickey

09:01 , Graeme Massie

A fundraiser benefitting the teams that are rescuing Mark Dickey from the cave in Turkey has raised $50,000.

The GoFundMe was set up to help fund the complicated rescue mission which will likely take days.

This fundraiser is started on behalf of the National Cave Rescue Commission (for whom Mark is also an instructor) and will be used to be distributed to the rescue teams to cover the logistical costs of aiding him out of the cave, the description reads.

So far, the fundraiser has met half of its goal of $100,000.

Six international rescue teams will assist in rescue

07:10 , Graeme Massie

Six rescue teams from different countries apart of the European Cave Rescue Association (ECRA) are working together to try to rescue American Mark Dickey from the Morca cave in Turkey.

At 3,400 feet, it will be incredibly difficult to get Mr Dickey, safely, out of the cave.

To make it easier, the ECRA is going to split seven parts of the cave up among the six teams. Each time will find solutions to conduct the rescue operation at a set number of feet.

The Bulgarian cave rescue team will first find a way to get Mr Dickey from 3,412 feet (where he is now) to 2,953 feet.

From there, the Croatian rescue team will get Mr Dickey to 2,345 feet.

Then the Italian rescue team will get Mr Dickey to 1,640 feet.

After that the Polish rescue team will take over to help Mr Dickey reach 1,181 feet.

Then the Hungarian team will assist in reaching 590 feet.

Finally, the Turkish team will help get Mr Dickey out of the cave and to the surface so he can reach proper medical care.

Dickeys parents thank rescuers for efforts

05:04 , Maanya Sachdeva

Andrew and Deborah Ann Dickey, the scientist Mark Dickeys parents, released a statement thanking rescuers for their life-saving efforts.

Mark is strong, but he needed his fellow cavers, including, of course, the doctors, to allow a devastatingly scary situation to turn positive, Dickeys parents said.

Our prayers are being answered and we cannot express how much that means, and will always mean, to us.

Who is Mark Dickey?

03:05 , Graeme Massie

Hailing from Croton-on-Hudson, New York, Mark Dickey is a highly-trained caver, cave rescuer himself and well-known in the international speleological (cave expert) community, according to the European Cave Rescue Association (ECRA).

His resume of cave explorations and expert status is endless: secretary of the ECRA medical committee, lead instructor for Caving Academy, a US-based organisation that prepares other cavers for exploration and a national instructor for the National Cave Rescue Commission.

He also volunteers with the New Jersey Initial Response Team, a nonprofit search-and-rescue team.

Having participated in many cave explorations in karst areas around the world for many years, Mr Dickey is knowledgeable and skilled  the kind of person youd want on complicated cave exploration like the Morca mission.

Mr Dickey was on an expedition to map the 4,186-foot-deep cave system in southern Turkey for the Anatolian Speleology Group Association.

Photos from a Facebook page that seemingly belongs to Mr Dickey show him happily preparing for the mission by inspecting all the necessary gear before embarking.

He built a career rescuing people from caves. Now hes stuck in one of the worlds deepest

01:00 , Graeme Massie

For five days, expert cave explorer Mark Dickey has been stuck 3,400 feet below the surface in a cave in the Taurus Moutain region of Turkey.

Mr Dickey, 40, is an experienced caver who embarked on an expedition mission to map one of the deepest caves in the world  the Morca cave system in southern Turkey.

But the expedition was suddenly cut short after Mr Dickey fell ill with gastrointestinal bleeding.

Now, a rescue team of over 150 personnel from several international organisations have combined their efforts to try to retrieve Mr Dickey, who cannot leave the cave due to the emergency medical situation.

As of Thursday, officials in the Speleological Federation of Turkey said that Mr Dickeys situation had improved but that he would require a stretcher, making the rescue mission even more complicated.

Ariana Baio reports:

He helped rescue people from caves. Now hes stuck in one of the worlds deepest

Officials share more details about cave rescue operation

19:03 , Chris Stevenson

Tulga Sener, the head of the rescue commission medical unit, told Reuters that Mr Dickeys health condition was stable and his vital signs normal, adding that three doctors would attend to him on his way up.

It is believed that Mr Dickey will have to take significant rest at frequent points on the way out.

Explosives will need to be used to expand some of the more narrow points of the cave to allow safe passage said Recep Salci, the head of search and rescue for AFAD, with the aim of bringing Mr Dickey up a stretcher.

Rescuers will use a security belt system to lift him through the caves narrowest openings.

Our aim is to bring him out and to have him hospitalised as soon as possible, Mr Salci said.

What is a speleologist? Mission to extract US explorer trapped 3,400 feet deep in Turkish Cave underway

Friday 8 September 2023 20:33 , Graeme Massie

The Cave Exploration Society says Morca cave is the 74th deepest cave in the world and the third deepest in Turkey - heres everything you need to know about Speleology.

What is a speleologist?

Mission to bring caver to surface will start Saturday, Turkish officials say

Friday 8 September 2023 18:31 , Graeme Massie

Mark Dickey remains 3,600ft underground, but the effort to lift him to the surface is set to begin on Saturday, a director at Turkeys Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) told CNN on Friday.

Dickey fell ill last weekend with suspected gastrointestinal bleeding during an exploration of the Morca Sinkhole in Morca Valley, near Anamur in southern Turkey.

(AP)

Doctors working to improve Mark Dickeys health

Friday 8 September 2023 18:00 , Ariana Baio

In an update from the European Cave Rescue Association (ECRA), officials said doctors are working to improve Mark Dickeys health to the fullest extent possible before they conduct the rescue mission.

The doctors are working to further improve the patients health [sic] so that the difficult transport to the surface can begin soon without further complications, they wrote in a press release.

Officials said they believe Mr Dickey will need to use a stretcher for some of the rescue mission but the better his condition is the fewer complications there will be.

Mark Dickey calls rescue mission great opportunity for international teams to work together

Friday 8 September 2023 16:45 , Ariana Baio

In a message from Mark Dickey, the expert caver said a rescue mission like the one he will embark on is an opportunity to show the world how international teams can work together.

As you can see Im up, Im alert, Im talking. But Im not healed on the inside yet so Im going to need a lot of help to get out of here, Mr Dickey said in a video circulated around on Thursday.

Despite the scary situation, Mr Dickey remained hopeful and provided some positive thoughts: This is often, in the caving world, a great opportunity to show just how well the international world can work together.

Communications improved

Friday 8 September 2023 15:19 , Chris Stevenson

The European Cave Rescue Association said on its website on Friday that the cave had been divided into seven sections, with various rescue teams taking responsibility for each of the levels down the cave. Communication lines inside the cave had also been improved, it said.

"The doctors are working to further improve the patient's health's so that the difficult transport to the surface can begin soon without further complications."

Swapping doctors

Friday 8 September 2023 14:57 , Ariana Baio

Members of Italys National Alpine and Speleological Rescue Team joined rescue teams from Bulgaria, Croatia, Hungary, Italy, Poland and Turkey late on Thursday.

The Italian organisation said six of their rescuers, including a doctor and nurse, reached Mr Dickey during the night.

The team is switching out the Hungarian doctor who has been tending to Mr Dickey with their own. The team planned to work to keep him stable for 15 to 20 hours before being replaced by another team.

Small camps are being set up at different levels inside the cave gave doctors, nurses and technicians a place to rest, the group said.

Dozens of rescuers in the cave

Friday 8 September 2023 14:12 , Chris Stevenson

Recep Salci, a Turkeish rescue official, told HaberTurk TV that doctors gave Mr Dickey IV fluids and 4 litres of blood inside the cave.

More than 30 rescuers were inside the cave on Friday afternoon, and teams comprised of a doctor and three or four others take turns staying with the American at all times, Mr Salci said.

Our aim is to bring him out and to have him hospitalized as soon as possible, he said.More than 170 people, including doctors, paramedics and experienced cavers, are involved in the rescue operation.

Rescue plan on hold until doctors to give go ahead

Friday 8 September 2023 13:49 , Ariana Baio

A Turkish official has said rescuers are waiting for doctors to give the go-ahead for the difficult operation to begin.

Recep Salci, the head of AFAD's search and rescue department, told HaberTurk TV that the plan was to lift Dickey on a stretcher but to use a "security belt" system to lift him through the cave's narrow openings.

"We are trying to expand the narrow areas by making small explosions, by breaking some areas," Mr Salci said.

Caver describes the complexity of Morca cave

Friday 8 September 2023 13:10 , Chris Stevenson

Carl Heitmeyer, the public information officer for the New Jersey Initial Response Team described the complexity of the cave system that Mark Dickey is in to New Jersey Patch.

"I compare it to Everest," Mr Heitmeyer said.

"Theres twists and turns and squeezes," he said. "Theres climbs both up and down. And then theres the rope work, where youre hanging on, climbing up. And then theres water coming in...some of the times when youre on rope, doing all that very technical stuff, youre blinking because of the rain."

Cave divided into sections'

Friday 8 September 2023 12:48 , Chris Stevenson

Gretchen Baker, a representative of the National Cave Rescue Commission in Huntsville, Alabama has spoken about how the route is being prepared for Mark Dickey to exit the cave. The cave has been divided into seven sections, with different cave rescue teams working to prepare each section for Marks passage, Ms Baker said. This includes adapting the current rigging to rescue rigging, which can hold more weight and is in good places to put in haul systems. It also means enlarging the passages so that a litter can fit through.

Mr Dickey will assist in his rescue, but to keep his condition stable, he will be put on a litter, a type of stretcher, for at least part of the time, Ms Baker told The Washington Post. Using the litter protects him, but also means that it will take longer to get out of the cave, as there are many narrow, tight sections on the route out, and the litter is harder to fit through than a human body, she added.

I was very close to the edge

Friday 8 September 2023 11:30 , Namita Singh

In a video message from inside the cave and made available Thursday by Turkeys communications directorate, Mark Dickey thanked the caving community and the Turkish government for their efforts.

Hi. Mark Dickey from nearly a thousand metres, Mr Dickey said. The caving world is a really tight-knit group and its amazing to see how many people have responded on the surface.

Were still waiting for communications actually to reach down here. So right now its a day or two days of travel for information to get back and forth. I dont quite know whats happened, but I do know that the quick response of the Turkish government to get the medical supplies that I need, in my opinion, saved my life. I was very close to the edge.

Mr Dickey, who had been bleeding and losing fluid from his stomach, has stopped vomiting and has eaten for the first time in days, according to a New Jersey-based cave rescue group he is affiliated with. It is unclear what caused his medical issue.

Hours of descent'

Friday 8 September 2023 11:15 , Chris Stevenson

Speaking to an Israeli rescuer, they say getting down to the depth Mark Dickey is takes almost a day of contstant descent. Communication also slow, as for every update you need to send someone to climb 500m to the phone that sits at that depth. That takes 7-10 hours.

Watch: Rescue operation underway for ill American stuck deep in Turkish cave

Friday 8 September 2023 11:09 , Chris Stevenson

Evacuation could take days'

Friday 8 September 2023 10:46 , Chris Stevenson

"The doctors we sent down were very successful in treating [Mark Dickey]," Cenk Yildiz, a regional official from Turkey's disaster relief agency, told the IHA news agency. "We are now in a position to evacuate him."

"This is a difficult operation. It would take a [healthy] person 16 hours to come out. This operation will last at least three or four days," Mr Yildiz continued. "Our priority is health. Our aim is to conclude this operation without anyone coming under any danger.

More rescuers to join Dickeys extraction mission

Friday 8 September 2023 10:30 , Namita Singh

A team of rescuers from Italys National Alpine and Speleological Rescue Team will be flying to Turkey on Thursday night. A total of around 50 rescuers will be at the entrance of the cave early on Friday ready to participate in the operation directed by Turkish authorities.

The rescue teams hope that the extraction can begin on Saturday or Sunday. Kovacs said that lifting Mark Dickey will likely take several days, and that several bivouac points are being prepared along the way so that Dickey and rescue teams can rest.

The cave has been divided into several sections, with each countrys rescue team being responsible for one section.

The Hungarian Cave Rescue Service, made up of volunteer rescuers, was the first to arrive at Mr Dickeys location and provided emergency blood transfusions to stabilize his condition.

How deep is the cave Mark Dickey is in?

Friday 8 September 2023 10:14 , Chris Stevenson

An image depicting the vertical depth of the cave where Mark Dickey is (Turkish Caving Federation)

Rescue will not be quick'

Friday 8 September 2023 09:55 , Chris Stevenson

This will not be a quick rescue due to where he is in the cave and the challenging terrain ahead, Gretchen Baker, a representative of the National Cave Rescue Commission in Huntsville, Alabama, said in an emailed statement. But the cave rescuers on scene are extremely talented, and many have worked in deep caves. Mark has caved in several European countries and knows some of these rescuers from other expeditions.

Who is Mark Dickey?

Friday 8 September 2023 09:30 , Namita Singh

Experienced caver Mark Dickey, 40, suddenly became ill during an expedition with a handful of others, including three other Americans, in the Morca cave in southern Turkeys Taurus Mountains, the European Association of Cave Rescuers said.

Described by the association as a highly trained caver and a cave rescuer himself, Dickey is well known as a cave researcher, or speleologist, from his participation in many international expeditions. He is secretary of the associations medical committee.

Mr Dickey was on an expedition mapping the 1,276m (4,186ft) deep Morca cave system for the Anatolian Speleology Group Association (ASPEG) when he ran into trouble about 1,000m down. He initially became ill on 2 September, but it took until the morning of 3 September to notify others who were above ground.

Justin Hanley, a 28-year-old firefighter from near Dallas, Texas, said he met Mr Dickey a few months ago when he took a cave rescue course Dickey taught in Hungary and Croatia. He described Mr Dickey as upbeat and as someone who sees the good in everyone.

Mark is the guy that should be on that rescue mission thats leading and consulting and for him to be the one that needs to be rescued is kind of a tragedy in and of itself, he said.

International rescue agencies join together in Dickey extraction mission

Friday 8 September 2023 09:00 , Namita Singh

Marton Kovacs of the Hungarian Cave Rescue Service said that the cave is being prepared for Mark Dickeys safe extraction. Passages are being widened and the danger of falling rocks is also being addressed.

Turkish disaster relief agency AFAD and rescue team UMKE are working with Turkish and international cavers on the plan to hoist Mr Dickey out of the cave system, the European Cave Rescue Association said.

Mark Dickey, the US caver who is currently trapped near Morca (Reuters)

The rescue effort currently involves more than 170 people, including doctors, paramedics who are tending to Dickey and experienced cavers, Ogrenecek said, adding that the rescue operation could take up to two to three weeks.

The operation includes rescue teams from Bulgaria, Croatia, Hungary, Italy, Poland and Turkey.

Communication with Dickey takes about five to seven hours

Friday 8 September 2023 08:30 , Namita Singh

Communication with Mark Dickey takes about five to seven hours and is carried out by runners, who go from him to the camp below the surface where a telephone line to speak with the surface has been set up.

Experts said it will be a challenge to successfully rescue Mr Dickey.

Yusuf Ogrenecek of the Speleological Federation of Turkey said that one of the most difficult tasks of cave rescue operations is widening the narrow cave passages to allow stretcher lines to pass through at low depths.

Stretcher lines are labor intensive and require experienced cave rescuers working long hours, Mr Ogrenecek said. He added that other difficult factors range from navigating through mud and water at low temperatures to the psychological toll of staying inside a cave for long periods of time.

Catch up with the situation

Friday 8 September 2023 08:00 , Ariana Baio

Race against time to save cave rescuer trapped in one of deepest caves in Turkey

Dickey issues video message thanking authorities for support

Friday 8 September 2023 07:30 , Namita Singh

Mark Dickey thanked the caving community and the Turkish government for their efforts to help him in a video message.

The caving world is a really tight-knit group and its amazing to see how many people have responded on the surface, said Mr Dickey.  ... I do know that the quick response of the Turkish government to get the medical supplies that I need, in my opinion, saved my life. I was very close to the edge.

American caver Mark Dickey, left, 40, talks to a colleague inside the Morca cave near Anamur, southern Turkey, Thursday, Sept. 7, 2023. (AP)

Mr Dickey, who is seen standing and moving around in the video, said that while he is alert and talking, he is not healed on the inside and will need a lot of help to get out of the cave. Doctors will decide whether he will need to leave the cave on a stretcher or if he can leave under his own power.

Mr Dickey, who had been bleeding and losing fluid from his stomach, has stopped vomiting and has eaten for the first time in days, according to a New Jersey-based cave rescue group hes affiliated with. Its unclear what caused his medical issue.

Ailing American explorer trapped 3,000 feet deep in Turkish cave awaits difficult rescue

Friday 8 September 2023 07:00 , Namita Singh

Rescuers from across Europe rushed to a cave in Turkey on Thursday, launching an operation to save an American researcher who became trapped almost 1,000 meters (3,000 feet) below the caves entrance after suffering stomach bleeding.

Experienced caver Mark Dickey, 40, suddenly became ill during an expedition with a handful of others, including three other Americans, in the Morca cave in southern Turkeys Taurus Mountains, the European Association of Cave Rescuers said.

While rescuers, including a Hungarian doctor, have reached and treated Mr Dickey, it could be days and possibly weeks before they are able to get him out of the cave, which is too narrow in places for a stretcher to pass through.

Mark Dickey awaiting doctors permission to transport out

Friday 8 September 2023 06:00 , Ariana Baio

On Thursday, the European Cave Rescue Association provided an update to Mark Dickeys condition and the possibility to exiting him from the cave.

The patients medical condition is stabilized. With support, he could move slowly [sic] on his own and is feeling better, the press release said. Technical teams are actually preparing the cave for transporting him out smoothly. As soon as the doctors are giving their permission, the transport will start.

GoFundMe set up for rescue efforts

Friday 8 September 2023 04:00 , Ariana Baio

A GoFundMe fundraiser has been set up to benefit the rescue teams involved in helping extract American Mark Dickey from the cave in Turkey.

This fundraiser is started on behalf of the National Cave Rescue Commission (for whom Mark is also an instructor) and will be used to be distributed to the rescue teams to cover the logistical costs of aiding him out of the cave.

Click here for the GoFundMe.

Map shows where the Morca cave is

Friday 8 September 2023 02:00 , Ariana Baio

Communication between officials and cavers is difficult

Friday 8 September 2023 01:00 , Ariana Baio

Extracting Mark Dickey from the Morca cave is already a challenging feat.

But to make matters more complicated, communication between the underground team and the surface team is very limited.

Runners are being used to travel from the camp where Mr Dickey is to the surface where a telephone line is to speak with officials, according to AP.

Watch: Rescue operation underway for ill American stuck deep in Turkish cave

Friday 8 September 2023 00:00 , Ariana Baio

Doctors deciding if Mark Dickey can walk out of cave

Thursday 7 September 2023 23:00 , Ariana Baio

As of Thursday afternoon, Mark Dickeys condition was improving and doctors were considering if he still needs a stretcher to leave, the Speleogical Federation of Turkey said in a press release.

Mr Dickey initially was determined to need a stretcher to leave after experiencing gastrointestinal bleeding.

Expedition was intended to set up camps and survey

Thursday 7 September 2023 22:00 , Ariana Baio

The expedition that Mark Dickey set about on in the Morca cave was intended to help set up camp, survey the cave and collection information, a friend of Mr Dickeys told The Associated Press.

Justin Hanley, a 28-year-old firefighter from near Dallas, Texas, said he met Mr Dickey a few months ago when he took a cave rescue course Mr Dickey taught in Hungary and Croatia. He described Mr Dickey as upbeat and as someone who sees the good in everyone.

Mark is the guy that should be on that rescue mission thats leading and consulting and for him to be the one that needs to be rescued is kind of a tragedy in and of itself, Mr Hanley said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report

Watch: Mark Dickeys message from the cave

Thursday 7 September 2023 21:00 , Ariana Baio

What happened to Mark Dickey?

Thursday 7 September 2023 20:30 , Ariana Baio

While on an exploration of the Morca cave in Turkey, Mark Dickey fell ill, causing the mission team to stop and alert authorities in the hopes to recieve medical attention.

It began with severe gastric pain that was escalating quickly.

Though there was initial hope that Mr Dickey could exit the cave on his own, the pain turned into gastrointestinal bleeding.

The Speleological Federation of Turkey sent a medical team and six units of blood in the following days in the hopes of stabilising Mr Dickeys medical situation.

While doctors worked to assist Mr Dickey, cave experts began putting their teams together to figure out how to rescue Mr Dickey through one of the deepest, and very complicated, cave systems.

A long and challenging rescue operation is initiated to carry Mark out on a stretcher, the ECRA said in a statement.

How international teams plan to rescue Mark Dickey

Thursday 7 September 2023 19:50 , Ariana Baio

To tackle the issue of rescuing Mark Dickey, the team of international experts has divided up the depths of the cave and assigned it to a specific team to figure out a solution for that specific area.

At multiple very narrow spots, a demolition team will need to widen them so Mr Dickey can pass through on a stretcher. They will also need to set up several camp spots on the way up to continuously monitor Mr Dickey and give him and his team sections to rest in.

To make the matter more complicated, communication between the underground team and the surface team is limited. Runners are being used to travel from the camp where Mr Dickey is to the surface where a telephone line is to speak with officials, according to AP.

Hungarian Cave Rescue Service member, Marton Kovacs, told CBS News that they were also addressing the danger of falling rocks in several places. The Hungarian team is working between the 590 to 1180-feet depths

Mr Kovacs said Mr Dickeys exit will take several days and they hope to begin on Saturday or Sunday depending on Mr Dickeys condition.

Mark Dickey delivers message to people on surface

Thursday 7 September 2023 19:20 , Ariana Baio

In a video, obtained by The Associated Press, caver Mark Dickey shares a message to the people on the surface.

Hi! Mark Dickey from nearly a thousand meters, Mr Dickey begins.

The caving world is a really tight-knit group and its amazing to see how many people have responded on the surface. Were still waiting for communications actually to reach down here. So right now its a day or two days of travel for information to get back and forth. I dont quite know whats happened, but I do know that the quick response of the Turkish government to get the medical supplies that I needed, in my opinion, saved my life. I was very close to the edge.
(Photo : Photo by NATALIA KOLESNIKOVA/AFP via Getty Images)

A man votes on the first day of local elections in Russia, at home using a mobile ballot box in Moscow on September 8, 2023.

Russian authorities have been widely criticized for holding local elections in occupied regions of Ukraine, a move intended to strengthen their control over territories seized in a contentious annexation one year ago.

The polls, which began last week and will conclude on Sunday, have been denounced vehemently by Ukraine and the West, further widening the gap between Russia and the international community.

Controversial Russian-Backed Elections in Occupied Ukraine Region

The Council of Europe, Europe's foremost human rights organization, condemned Russia's actions as a "flagrant violation of international law."

The Ukrainian parliament reiterated these sentiments, labeling the elections in areas where Russian hostilities are active as a direct threat to Ukrainian lives and "fake elections." Officials from Ukraine urge other nations to reject the results of the referendum.

During a heated session at the United Nations Security Council in New York, UN Assistant Secretary-General Miroslav Jenca argued that the elections have no legal grounds. At the same time, US Deputy Ambassador Robert Wood derided them as nothing more than a propaganda stunt.

Per ABC News, British Ambassador Barbara Woodward and Ukraine's UN ambassador Sergiy Kyslytsya joined the chorus of criticism, with Kyslytsya characterizing the vote as an outright election farce.

Russia's ambassador to the United Nations, Vassily Nebenzia, remained steadfast in defending Moscow's annexation of the four regions and argued that the people were actively and consciously voting for their future together with Russia.

The international community continues to be skeptical of Russia's intentions, however. For Russia, which launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine 18 months ago, these elections project a semblance of normalcy and authority over the annexed regions.

Abbas Gallyamov, a political analyst, explained that Russian authorities are eager to maintain the illusion that their plan is proceeding efficiently, even though they do not have complete control over these territories.

The elections aim to choose regional legislatures, which will then select regional administrators. Thousands of candidates vie for local council seats in the provinces of Donetsk and Luhansk, as per PBS.

Remarkably, the elections in the occupied regions coincide with other Russian local elections. Crimea, annexed by Russia in 2014, is also holding elections for federal and local legislators. Last week, early voting began in the regions annexed last year, with election officials going door-to-door and setting up makeshift polling stations in public locations to attract voters.

United Russia, the Putin-aligned party that dominates Russian politics, is the dominant candidate in these elections. However, the Communist Party and the nationalist Liberal Democratic Party also appear on the ballots.

Residents of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, controlled by separatists supported by Russia since 2014, appear to have conflicting opinions. Some residents of the occupied city of Luhansk, such as Sergei, have a strong affinity for Russia and view these elections as validation of their connection.

Read Also: Pool of Siloam Steps Unearthed: Archaeologists Excavate Site Where Jesus Allegedly Healed Blind Man

Skepticism in Kherson and Zaporizhzhia Over Russian-Backed Elections

However, the situation in Kherson and Zaporizhzhia is notably different. Residents and Ukrainian activists report that poll workers accompanied by armed soldiers are making house visits, and that most voters need more knowledge of the candidates, many of whom are said to have traveled from remote regions of Russia.

In Kherson and Zaporizhia, skepticism is the predominant attitude. Konstantin, a resident of the Russian-controlled portion of Kherson, stated that "locals realize that these elections have no effect" and view them as "held for Russian propaganda purposes."

Moscow held referendums in these occupied regions in 2022 to legitimize the annexation, but Ukraine and the West criticized them as fraudulent and illegal. Subsequently, Russian troops withdrew from the city of Kherson and its environs, restoring Ukrainian authority over the area.

During their summer counteroffensive, Ukraine's forces have slowly but steadily regained more territory, while three other regions remain only partially occupied. In the Zaporizhzhia region, where counteroffensive efforts are concentrated, administrators appointed by Moscow declared an election day holiday.

The Russian-appointed governor of the annexed province, Yevgeny Balitsky, acknowledged the difficulties posed by regular bombardment, but expressed optimism that the United Russia party would achieve a positive outcome.

Ivan Fedorov, the Ukrainian mayor of Melitopol, a Russian-held city in Zaporizhia, asserted that armed individuals effectively force residents to vote. He emphasized that the population, which has already been drastically reduced due to the conflict, now resides under enhanced security measures.

According to Fedorov, authorities have been halting individuals on the street to examine their identification documents and detaining those they deem suspicious. He concluded, "People are terrified and intimidated because everyone knows that voting in an occupied city is equivalent to voting in prison."

According to reports, Russian authorities aim for up to 80% early voting participation, with poll workers conducting door-to-door campaigns in markets and public spaces.

Individuals with both Russian and Ukrainian citizenship are authorized to vote, and those who refuse to participate are detained for several hours.

Pavlo Lysianskyi, coordinator of the Eastern Human Rights Group, a Ukrainian rights organization monitoring the election in occupied territories, disclosed that at least 104 cases of Ukrainians refusing to vote resulted in detention. They are compelled to write explanatory statements, which could result in criminal proceedings.

As the contentious elections progress, international criticism and concerns over the legitimacy of the process continue to grow, deepening the rifts between Russia and the international community and casting a shadow over the future of these contested regions.

Related Article: Australia, Philippines Beef Up Ties, Sign New Strategic Partnership

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
"That 70''s Show" cast members Ashton Kutcher, Mila Kunis, and Danny Masterson arrive at the premiere of USA Films'' "Traffic" December 14, 2000 at the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences Theatre in Beverly Hills, CA. Photo by Chris Weeks/Liaison

Fifty people wrote letters to a judge asking for leniency in Danny Masterson's sentencing for rape.

Actors Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis wrote individual letters praising Masterson's character.

Both Kutcher and Kunis said Masterson was a great father and an anti-drug advocate.

Actors Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis penned letters of support for their former "That 70s Show" co-star Danny Masterson, 47, after he was found guilty of raping two women earlier this year.

Los Angeles Superior court Judge Charlaine F. Olmedo sentenced Masterson to 30 years to life in prison on Thursday after a jury found him guilty of two counts of rape in May.

Over the course of two trials, three women, all of whom are former Scientologists, testified that Masterson, who is also a prominent Scientologist, drugged them and raped them between 2001 and 2003, alleging the Church of Scientology later silenced their accusations.

Kutcher and Kunis, who are married, submitted individual letters praising Masterson's character and asking Olmedo for leniency when sentencing Masterson, legal affairs journalist Meghann Cuniff first reported.

In his letter, obtained by Cuniff, Kutcher identified himself as an actor, investor, philanthropist, and "most importantly a father" as he wrote admiringly of Masterson relationship with his 9-year-old daughter whom he shares with wife Bijou Phillips.

Ashton Kutcher's letter to the judge who sentenced Danny Masterson for rape:



"We have spent countless hours together with our kids and he is among few people that I would trust to be alone with my son and daughter."



Mila Kunis' letter in article: https://t.co/umUFmi59VM pic.twitter.com/G4ggWRaT3A  Meghann Cuniff (@meghanncuniff) September 8, 2023

Kutcher said he met Masterson when he was 20 and the two became instant friends.

"We've traveled around the world together, raised our daughters together and shared countless family moments," Kutcher wrote, adding that Masterson is an "excellent role model."

Kunis also remarked on Masterson's family values, saying his role as a husband and father to his daughter and wife has been "nothing short of extraordinary."

"Witnessing his interactions with his daughter has been heartwarming and enlightening," Kunis added.

Both Kutcher and Kunis also praised Masterson's anti-drug attitude, suggesting they were able to avoid the "typical Hollywood life of drugs" because of their friendship with Masterson.

Kunis highlighted Masterson's "unwavering commitment to discouraging the use of drugs," while Kutcher said he was "grateful" that Masterson applied "positive peer pressure" by indicating he wouldn't want to be friends with anyone who uses drugs.

Masterson's first trial ended in a mistrial after jurors were deadlocked on all three counts. The second time, prosecutors focused more on accusations that Masterson had drugged the women he raped, The Associated Press reported at the time. Masterson has maintained his innocence throughout.

Kutcher said in his letter that he was aware Masterson had been found guilty of two counts of rape and that "the victims have a great desire for justice," but asked the judge for leniency for Masterson based on his character.

"Throughout our time together, Danny has proven to be an amazing friend, confidant, and above all, an outstanding older brother figure to me," Kunis wrote.

Kutcher relayed an anecdote in which he said he and Masterson were out getting pizza when they saw a man berating his girlfriend. Masterson, Kutcher said, was the first person to jump to the girl's defense.

"He is among few people that I would trust to be alone with my son and daughter," Kutcher wrote. "He's also a dedicated and loyal husband with unwavering commitment to his wife"

Lawyers for Masterson submitted the couple's letters, alongside nearly 50 additional testimonials, and asked the judge to give Masterson concurrent sentences for the two counts, which would have made him eligible for parole in 15 years instead of 30 years, Cuniff reported.

Olmedo rejected Masterson's attorneys' request, speaking directly to the actor in court on Thursday and telling him, "you are not the victim here."

Among the other prominent figures who wrote letters of support for Masterson include: actor and fellow Scientologist Giovanni Ribisi; actor Billy Baldwin, who is married to Masterson's wife's half-sister; and actors Debra Jo Rupp and Kurtwood Smith who played Kitty and Red Foreman on "That 70s Show," Cuniff reported.

Representatives for Kunis and Kutcher didn't respond to Insider's request for comment.

Read the original article on Insider
Erlend Bore found ancient jewelry with his metal detector. Anniken Celine Berger

Erlend Bore needed to get more exercise, so he bought a metal detector and started walking more.

He found what he thought were chocolate coins, but they were gold jewelry from about 500 AD.

Bore's discovery has been dubbed the "find of the century," but he can't keep the treasure.

A Norwegian man who was just trying to get some exercise has unearthed gold jewelry that's about 1,500 years old.

Earlier this year, 51-year-old Erlend Bore bought a metal detector after he was advised by his doctor to get off the sofa and find a new hobby. He started walking around his home in Rennesoey near Stavanger in southern Norway, mostly finding scraps of metals and the occasional modern coin.

But one day his detector immediately started beeping and just five inches below the soil he unearthed nine gold pendants, three gold rings and 10 gold pearls.

Some of the coins found by Erlend Bore. Anniken Celine Berger

"At first, I thought I had found chocolate coins or plastic pirate treasure. It was surreal," Bore told the University of Stavanger.

But what he had mistaken for chocolate turned out to be very rare show jewelry from the fifth century.

The treasure, weighing about 3.5 ounces, has been hailed as the "find of the century," Ole Madsen, director of the university's archaeology museum, said in a statement.

"In Norway, no similar discovery has been made since the 19th century, and it is also a very unusual discovery in a Scandinavian context," added associate professor Hakon Reiersen.

The gold pendants  flat, thin, single-sided gold medals called bracteates  date from about 500 AD, the so-called migration period in Norway, which runs between 400 and about 550 when there was widespread migration in Europe.

The pendants and gold pearls were part of "a very showy necklace" that had been made by skilled jewellers and was worn by society's most powerful, said Reiersen.

Bore delivered the jewlry to the museum the day after it was found and will not be able to keep his treasure. Under Norweigan law, objects from before 1537, and coins older than 1650, are considered state property and must be handed in.

The gold will be exhibited in Stavanger, about 200 miles southwest of Oslo.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Photograph: John Moore/Getty Images

They logged on hoping to see brown bears gorging on salmon, fattening themselves up for their winter hibernation. Instead, what the wildlife enthusiasts viewing one of Alaskas most remote national park webcams saw was a disheveled and weather-beaten hiker shuffling into view, mouthing the words help me into the lens.

The episode captured by a camera at the Katmai national park sparked a chain of events that ended with the safe recovery of the unknown hiker by search and rescue teams, according to rangers.

Dedicated bear cam fans alerted us to a man in distress on Dumpling Mountain. The heroic rangers @KatmaiNPS sprung into action and mounted a search, saving the man, Explore.org, the company that operates webcams for the US National Park Service (NPS), posted to X, formerly known as Twitter.

Bear cam saves a hikers life!

A NPS spokesperson, Cynthia Hernandez, told the Washington Post that comments left in a chatroom by webcam viewers alerting Explore.org to the distressed hiker were forwarded to authorities in Alaska, who scrambled into action.

The park sent a search and rescue team to find the hiker, who was caught in windy and rainy conditions with poor visibility, Hernandez told the newspaper.

Park rangers found the hiker a few hours later, unharmed, and brought the hiker back to safety.

The same viewers who first spotted the hiker and posted the alerts were also able to watch the rescue personnel disappearing into the mist on their way to find him, the Post said. The area has little shelter, and no cellphone signal.

The camera at Katmai, a 4.1m-acre (6,400 sq miles) scenery-rich coastal park in south-west Alaska featuring volcanoes and tundra, is popular during Fat Bear Week, an educational knockout-style online competition held every October to see which of the parks bears has put on most weight ahead of winter hibernation.

The competition gained extra notoriety, and publicity, last year when a ballot-stuffing scandal saw 9,000 allegedly fraudulent votes cast, then discounted, for a giant former champion known as Holly.

On Tuesday, however, when the hiker was spotted on the Dumpling Mountain camera, only a handful of viewers were online, making the sighting even more remarkable. On Saturday, when the Guardian checked the camera, only 19 people were watching the live feed.

No information about who the rescued hiker is, or how he found himself lost, were immediately available, although Explore.org promised in its tweet that more details were to come. The hiker was found close to the camera, although it is unknown if he was able to hear a message sent by authorities to the cameras loudspeaker advising him to stay in place.

That was a first for the bear cams for sure, Mike Fitz, an Explore naturalist and founder of Fat Bear Week, told the Post.

The weather up there was really poor that day, about 50ft visibility. And the weather on top of the mountain is often much, much worse than what you find across the river.
Angela Carr, 52, and A.J. Laguerre, 19, were mourned

Funerals got underway Friday for three Black people killed by a racist gunman at a Florida discount store, with friends and relatives sharing warm memories while ministers and activists called for action against rising hate crimes and gun violence.

Mourners at the funeral service for Angela Michelle Carr applauded the Rev. Al Sharpton as he criticized laws that allowed the gunman to buy an assault-style rifle years after he was involuntarily committed for a mental health examination. He also denounced white supremacists who demonstrated outside Disney World a week after the Aug. 26 killings in Jacksonville.

How many people have to die before you get up  whether youre a Republican or a Democrat  and say weve got to stop this and weve got to bring some sanity back in this country? Sharpton said. Have we gotten so out of bounds that weve normalized this stuff happening?

Sabrina Rozier kisses her granddaughter Je Asia Gallion, 4, who is the daughter of shooting victim Jerrald Gallion as the family was recognized during a memorial service for another of the Dollar General shooting victims, Angela Carr, at The Bethel Baptist Church, Friday, Sept. 8, 2023, in Jacksonville, Fla. (Bob Self/The Florida Times-Union via AP)

Carr, 52, worked as an Uber driver and was sitting in her idling car outside a Dollar General store when she was shot multiple times. The gunman then went inside and killed A.J. Laguerre, a 19-year-old store employee, as he tried to flee. Jerrald Gallion, 29, was fatally shot after walking through the front door with his girlfriend, who escaped.

The shooter, Ryan Palmeter, killed himself. Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. Waters said 21-year-old Palmeter targeted his victims because they were Black and left behind white supremacist ramblings that read like the diary of a madman.

On Friday, Gallions 4-year-old daughter sat with her maternal grandmother in the pews at Carrs funeral. Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan also attended the service at The Bethel Church, where the pastor thanked Jacksonvilles sheriff for providing extra security.

We gather together as a hurting community because this was not just an attack on the Carr family and our other two families who lost their loved ones, said the Rev. David Green Sr., Carrs pastor at St. Stephens AME Church. This was an attack on our entire community.

Carr was remembered during the church service as a devoted mother of three grown children who was loving but also fiercely tough.

Carrs son, Chayvaughn Payne, called her my strong, beautiful queen.

She was a hardworking woman, Payne said. I watched her do everything as a child. We talked every day no matter what  mad, sad, happy, it didnt matter.

From left, a woman who goes by the name of Queen, views crosses put up in memory of the victims of Saturdays shooting as artist Roberto Marquez, of Dallas, paints and Will Walsh, of Nocatee, Fla., helps construct posts Monday, Aug. 28, 2023, near the site of the attack at a Dollar General store in Jacksonville, Fla. (Corey Perrine/The Florida Times-Union via AP)

Tommy Dixon said he met Carr nearly 30 years ago when he bought a house next door to her brother. Carr, Dixon said, would defiantly park her car in his yard. They ended up becoming close friends.

What that guy took when he took her, he made an earth angel, Dixon said. A lot of people never knew who Angela was. Now the world knows.

While they insisted the focus should be on Carrs life, ministers speaking at her funeral repeatedly criticized Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, a Republican presidential candidate who had made a war on woke a central issue of his campaign while downplaying the existence of racism.

Rhetoric and other policies and governors have made it comfortable for people to come out of the closet with their hatred of those of us whose skin has been kissed by natures sun, Bishop Rudolph McKissick Jr., The Bethel Churchs senior pastor, said during Carrs funeral.

DeSantis campaign has dismissed those who say he has emboldened white supremacists like the Jacksonville shooter. The governor attended a Jacksonville prayer vigil the day after the shootings and told the crowd: We are not going to let people be targeted based on their race.

This undated photo provided by Luckner Joachin shows A.J. Laguerre with his cap and gown for his 2020 high school graduation. (Luckner Joachin via AP)

The funeral service for Laguerre was also held Friday at a different Jacksonville church. Laguerre graduated from high school last year and worked at Dollar General to help support the grandmother who raised him and his four siblings after their mother died in 2009.

His older brother, Quan Laguerre, previously told The Associated Press that A.J. Laguerre spent his downtime trying to build an online following by playing video games on the streaming platform Twitch.

Gallions funeral was scheduled for Saturday. His family called him a doting father who worked two to three jobs, including as a restaurant manager, to provide for his young daughter, Je Asia Gallion. Gallion and his family were planning the girls fifth birthday party when he was slain.

I dont feel like I should have to say goodbye, Jasmine Mable, a cousin of Gallions, told WJAX-TV. I dont feel like we should be having to part ways just because of the color of his skin. He didnt deserve that.

TheGrio is FREE on your TV via Apple TV, Amazon Fire, Roku and Android TV. Also, please download theGrio mobile apps today!

The post Jacksonville begins funerals for Black victims of racist gunman with calls to action, warm memories appeared first on TheGrio.
In recent years, the authentic dishes served at Flavors from Afar have earned it a mention on any list of memorable places to eat in the city of Los Angeles.

Related: Meet the California firefighter super commuters traveling 2,000 miles for work

In the kitchen of the tiny restaurant is a monthly rotation of chefs from around the world, each cooking traditional plates popular in their home country. Ouze from Lebanon, manti dumplings from Chechnya or Palestinian musakhan.

But Flavors from Afar is more than a culinary hotspot. The brainchild of 42-year-old Meymuna Hussein-Cattan, the restaurant is the most visible in a series of efforts by the Tiyya Foundation to support immigrants and refugees who have newly arrived in the United States, as well as Indigenous people who have been displaced.

Tiyya works with the residual of global crises, said Hussein-Cattan, helping people after theyve made it through the often harrowing journey to the US but face the equally daunting challenge of rebuilding their lives. We are doing the work when its not cool anymore. Thats why I have trouble on Instagram, Hussein-Cattan laughs, sitting in Flavors from Afars Little Ethiopia dining room. I cant keep up with whats happening right now because Im still working with families from what happened five years ago.

Hussein-Cattan started Tiyya with her mother, Owliya Dima, who immigrated to the US from East Africa in the 1980s, and for years helped other refugees arriving in southern California settle into their new lives  helping people get furniture for their homes and diapers for their kids, translating documents and checking in on them.

Tiyya was founded in 2010, with community-based programming like back-to-school drives and English-language learning opportunities. Slowly, its work expanded to employment programs.

The inspiration to start the restaurant came, like so much of Tiyyas work, from the people the organization serves.

It was a former asylum seeker who gave me the idea. He was from Egypt, said Hussein-Cattan. I thought of tea, and he was like, Thats cute. But you know, theres a ton of good food around you. Theres ghost kitchens. And theres these apps called Uber and DoorDash. Maybe you could cater.

True to Tiyyas mission, the experience for the rotating chefs is career-oriented: the cooks learn to operate a commercial kitchen, get headshots and professional bios done to develop their resumes and even have professional photos of their food taken.

Five percent of the restaurants proceeds go to the cooks directly and 40% to the foundation.

Finding a job is among the biggest challenges new immigrants experience, in particular a job thats similar to the one they did at home, said Mira Tarabeine, the career placement specialist at Tiyya.

Work experience and education is not honored if it was in a different country  at all, said Tarabeine, who moved to the US from Syria in 2012.

Work experience and education is not honored if it was in a different country  at all Mira Tarabeine

Tarabeine recalled a client from Afghanistan, a doctor who ran a surgical unit back in his home country and was working towards a physicians assistant degree in the US. When they submitted his paperwork to certify his academic qualifications, they received an automated email saying his degree could not be re-evaluated since the US doesnt recognize Afghanistans Taliban government. Refugees from Afghanistan made up the largest group of arrivals in California in 2023, according to the Migration Policy Institute.

In your country you were somebody. Then you come to the US. If you were a professor, you cannot be a professor again. You are a doctor, you cannot be a doctor here, said Tarabeines colleague at Tiyya, housing specialist Beatrice Kihagi, of the experience of moving to the US.

Kihagi was a successful business owner in Kenya before emigrating. She said she and many others get through the challenges with humor. She has a friend who was a university lecturer in Afghanistan who now works as a security guard. Sometimes we meet and we just laugh about things, you know, and just encourage each other. Yeah, and move on with life. Because I mean, what do you do? You have to be a very strong person to know that, yeah, you can lose it all. And you can always start again.

Creating relationships with potential employers has allowed her to share the qualifications of her candidates, said Tarabeine. Over 70% of the folks in career placement are at least college-level educated. And 60% of those have a postgraduate degree, whether thats a doctor, a law degree, and medical degree, very successful folks.

Kihagi does this with property managers and landlords, explaining that many of the people seeking housing have legal authorization to be in the US.

In 2022, Tiyya Foundation placed people in 49 jobs, with 87% of folks staying employed, the organization said. They supported four individuals with their own catering companies and succeeded in getting 15 re-certifications or upskilling opportunities.

Its all part of reframing the narrative about refugees as a whole, Hussein-Cattan argued. There used to be these really meek-looking images of people with bags over their shoulders, walking through deserts and little shadows of them marching  No, no. The refugee just got off the plane. Has their traveling visa that might expire because theyre looking for that lawyer. That refugee just was at the bank, you know? Balance was healthy.

Hussein-Cattan said anybody can experience displacement, citing the families displaced by Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans, or the 1994 earthquake in Northridge, California. It could be any one of us. Were all just so vulnerable. If we keep othering the refugee narrative, then were in denial that it could take place here at home.

In 2022, Tiyya served 218 households, according to the organization: 774 individuals and 507 children. Their clients came from Afghanistan, Chechnya, Egypt, El Salvador, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Guatemala, Honduras, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kenya, Lebanon, Libya, Mexico, Palestine, Russia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia and Venezuela; and spoke 11 languages, including Afaan Oromo, Dari, Farsi and Spanish.

Despite starting the same month as the Covid-19 lockdown, the restaurant has been successful. Flavors From Afar received the Michelin Bib Gourmand in 2022, and was in the Los Angeles Timess 101 best restaurants in Los Angeles two years in a row. Its been such a hit that theyre expanding in a new location.
Biohazards on airplanes have become increasingly common. (Getty Images)

It's fair to assume that you'll come in contact with germs whenever youre flying. But a recent series of events involving biohazards on commercial flights may leave you wondering what exactly is on or near your airplane seat.

A Delta Air Lines flight bound for Barcelona, Spain, was forced to go back to Atlanta late last week after a passenger had severe diarrhea. Delta Flight 194 on Sept. 1 from Atlanta to Barcelona returned to Atlanta following an onboard medical issue, Delta said in a statement to NBC News. Our teams worked as quickly and as safely as possible to get our customers to their final destinations. We sincerely apologize to our customers for the delay and inconvenience to their travel plans. (Delta did not respond to Yahoo Life's request for comment.)

Audio posted on LiveATC.net and shared on X (formerly known as Twitter) captured someone, reportedly the pilot, saying, This is a biohazard issue. Weve had a passenger who had diarrhea all the way through the airplane, so they want us to come back to Atlanta.

John Hurdt, who identified himself as a passenger on the plane, said on X that it was a mess, adding, The pilots made the right decision to turn around.

This isn't the only biohazard situation on a commercial flight recently: Air France passenger Habib Battah told CNN in July that there was a pool of blood under his seat after a passenger on a previous flight had what was described as a hemorrhage. He was later told by Air France officials that there were feces in the mix too. Ive been covering Beirut for 20 years as a journalist. Ive lived through wars, airstrikes, seen assassinations, car bombs and narrowly survived the port explosion. I thought Id seen it all. I didnt expect to find more blood than Ive seen in Beirut on an Air France plane, Battah said.

Then there were the Air Canada passengers flying from Seattle to Montreal who said they found their seats covered in vomit, USA Today reports.

And those are just the recent incidents that made the news.

So what types of biohazards might you find on planes, how are they handled by airlines and what are the chances theyll make you sick? Heres what you need to know.

What are the most common biohazards you may see on a plane?

Experts say the biggest ones you may encounter include vomit, diarrhea, urine and blood, typically after a passenger becomes sick or has an injury. However, an airline industry insider (who wished to remain anonymous) tells Yahoo Life that these situations are extremely rare, and notes that the vast majority of flights have no issues.

How likely are they to make you sick?

It depends. Anytime one encounters a body fluid, there is a chance for pathogen transmission, infectious disease expert Dr. Amesh Adalja, senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, tells Yahoo Life. That is why in health care settings, people wear appropriate personal protective equipment when the chance of contact with body fluids is high.

On airplanes, its unlikely passengers will be wearing gloves, and as a result, there is an infection risk, Adalja says. Pathogens that could be transmitted include diarrheal pathogens [such as] norovirus and, with blood, HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C, he says. If someone comes into contact with a body fluid without appropriate personal protective equipment, they should immediately wash that body part with soap and water.

But Adalja says people shouldnt panic over this: Unless a person had exposure through their mouth, their eyes, nose or through broken skin, this is really not a major threat.

How do airlines handle cleaning the plane in general?

Airlines use specialized cleaning crews between flights, and theyre ready to spring into action when needed, Hannah Walden, communications manager for Airlines for America, tells Yahoo Life. The health and safety of passengers is the top priority of U.S. airlines, and crews are trained to respond to a range of incidents, including in-flight medical emergencies, she says.

Biohazard and cleanup specialist Cory Chalmers, president and founder of Steri-Clean, tells Yahoo Life that planes are always cleaned between flights, but procedures have changed slightly since the COVID-19 pandemic. Prior to COVID, the cleaning between flights was simple  remove trash, run a vacuum and that was about it, he says. Once COVID hit, the airline was forced to change their entire marketing strategy to almost solely focus on how they are cleaning their planes.

Many airlines now add hospital-grade air filtration, which exchanges the air on a plane every few minutes, not just between flights, and also apply disinfectant to all surfaces and use an antimicrobial spray, notes Chalmers.

Today some of this remains and some of it was phased out, but it honestly varies by airline, Chalmers says. I fly exclusively on Delta, so am a lot more familiar with their procedure, which includes removing trash, vacuuming, applying disinfectant through electrostatic guns on high-touch points  seat belts, armrests, tray tables, TV monitors, etc. (An electrostatic gun, Chalmers explains, is a battery-operated device that delivers a fine mist with a positive electric charge that makes the disinfectant want to bond with surfaces, versus just flying around in the air.)

Other than that, deep cleaning only occurs about every two to six months when the plane goes in for maintenance, Chalmers says. Then it gets a complete deep clean where the interior, exterior and even engines are deep-cleaned.

How do airlines clean in biohazard situations?

Delta did not respond to Yahoo Lifes request for comment on its cleaning procedures. However, the Daily Mail reports that the plane that turned back due to a passengers diarrhea underwent a five-hour cleanup that included replacing the carpet.

Chalmers says planes are usually cleaned as soon as they land on the ground if blood, bodily fluids or other potentially infectious materials are present. Depending on the size of the spill will dictate who cleans it, Chalmers says. Most airlines have cleaning crews trained to handle small biohazard spills. However, this is only when the plane is at one of their hubs. If the plane is at a smaller airport, they will either make the seats not available until they can get back to a hub, or have an emergency cleaning performed by an outside company trained to handle such biohazards.

In most situations, biohazard spills are small and able to be quickly cleaned and disinfected, according to Chalmers.

The majority of the time, the airline flight crew or ground staff can take care of this with little if any interruption to the flight schedule, he says. However, if the incident is a large spill or more complicated in nature due to access, it may not be a quick process. The flight could be delayed or canceled while they wait for professional cleaning companies to arrive or the plane is taken out of service.
A Mississippi alligator hunter was on his last hunt of the season and looking to catch almost anything, but a thunderstorm, a chance sighting and grass tangled in his boat's propeller put him on a massive gator that is one of the biggest caught this year.

"It was my last night to hunt," said Kyle Mallett of St. Martin. "We really hadn't seen anything big, just little gators. We'd caught some little gators, but nothing we wanted to kill."

The hunt wasn't going well and then it got worse. A thunderstorm blew in and forced him off the water. Mallett said he left the marsh he was hunting off the Pascagoula River and went to his cousin's camp to get out of the storm and dry off.

When the storm passed, he and hunting partner, Matthew Brooks of Biloxi, returned to the marsh and saw eyes in a canal.

"We eased back in there about 400 yards," Mallett said.

(From left) Josh Williams, Jarrod Davis, Kyle Mallett and Matthew Brooks pose with a 13-foot, 3-inch alligator they caught during the 2023 alligator season. Also pictured is Davis' daughter, Eva, 5.

Alligator startles hunter

Mallett said the two couldn't find the alligator and had turned around to leave the canal, but grass had fouled the propeller on his boat motor. He stopped to untangle the grass and at one point turned around and realized the gator had surfaced right off the bow.

"He was literally 3 feet in front of the boat," Mallett said. "It startled me.

"I'm looking at this giant gator right at the front of the boat. He was massive."

The alligator submerged, but the water was clear and only about 3 feet deep. So, Mallett could see him. Mallett said he grabbed a fishing rod and snagged the alligator behind a front leg.

"He went nuts and took off," Mallett said. "All I could do was hold the fishing pole and let him take line."

Davis called his cousin, Jarrod Davis of Hurley, who was also hunting, for help and all the while the alligator was slowly taking line. To make matters worse, the alligator had gone under a log, so Mallett couldn't follow the gator.

And, of course, it began to rain again.

"It was pouring down rain and lightning," Mallett said. "It was kind of frantic. At one point, I thought I'd never get him."

A 13-foot, 650-pound alligator on the line

Davis arrived along with hunting partner Josh Williams of Hurley. Davis was able to locate the alligator and got a handline on him. Mallett then tied a buoy to his rod and reel and tossed it in the water so he could retrieve it later. Mallett joined Davis and hooked the gator with a rod and reel.

"We basically had him at that point," Mallett said. "He rolled and rolled. When we got the snares on him it was basically over."

However, it wasn't quite over. They still had to get the giant in the boat.

"It took us another 30 minutes or so to get him in the boat," Mallett said. "Getting an animal that big in the boat is hard. We were all worn out."

The alligator weighed 650 pounds and measured 13 feet, 3 inches. Mallett said if things hadn't unfolded as they did, he would have never caught the gator.

"If there wasn't grass in the prop, we would have already been out of the bayou when he popped up," Mallett said. "It was like it was meant to be."

Do you have a story idea? Contact Brian Broom at 601-961-7225 or bbroom@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Mississippi alligator hunters catch massive 13-foot gator amid storm
The death toll has continued to climb in the wake of the rare and powerful 6.8-magnitude earthquake that struck Morocco Friday night.

More than 2,900 people are confirmed dead.

The quake, Morocco's strongest in more than a century, hit the country's High Atlas mountain range near Marrakech.





Latest Developments





Sep 12, 9:02 AM

Death toll rises to 2,901

The death toll from the devastating earthquake has increased to 2,901.



Another 5,530 people are injured.

PHOTO: People watch as firefighters work on the rubble in the aftermath of a deadly earthquake in Tallat n'Yakoub, Morocco, Sept. 12, 2023. (Nacho Doce/Reuters)

PHOTO: Workers stand in the rubble in the aftermath of a deadly earthquake in Talat N'Yaaqoub, in Morocco, Sept. 12, 2023. (Hannah Mckay/Reuters)





Sep 11, 3:40 PM

Moroccan government still not accepting US support

State Department spokesperson Matt Miller confirmed Monday that the Moroccan government has still not taken the United States up on its offer to provide support in its earthquake relief despite direct outreach from Secretary of State Antony Blinken.



Blinken spoke with Morocco's foreign minister this weekend and expressed his condolences, Miller said.



"They also discussed how the United States can best support the government of Morocco's leadership of the humanitarian response to the tragedy, and the secretary and the foreign minister pledged to stay in close contact as the response efforts continue," Miller said.



Asked whether the U.S. was providing any direct aid at the moment, Miller said, "We have made the offer for assistance and are in close consultations with the Moroccan government about how we can best provide that assistance."



-ABC News' Shannon Crawford





Sep 11, 3:25 PM

Death toll climbs to 2,862

The death toll from the devastating earthquake now stands at 2,862.



Another 2,562 people are injured.

PHOTO: A donkey stands inside a building damaged by the earthquake in the village of Tafeghaghte, near Marrakech, Morocco, Sept. 11, 2023. (Mosa'ab Elshamy/AP)

PHOTO: Mohamed Sebbagh, 66, stands in front of his destroyed house, in the aftermath of a deadly earthquake, in Amizmiz, Morocco, Sept. 10, 2023. (Nacho Doce/Reuters)





Sep 11, 12:47 PM

Rescuers reach epicenter

For the first time on Monday, ambulances and aid teams in trucks reached Ighil, the mountainous area where the earthquake's epicenter was located, according to state TV.

PHOTO: Emergency workers carry a dead body, in the aftermath of a deadly earthquake, in Amizmiz, Morocco, Sept. 10, 2023. (Nacho Doce/Reuters)

Emergency teams worked to clear rockfalls blocking rocks to over a dozen remote villages in the area, and members of the armed forces walked on foot along rugged roads to provide aid, state TV reported.

Rescue teams searched for missing victims under the rubble in the devastated Talat N'Yaaqoub village in the Atlas Mountains, which was almost entirely flattened.

PHOTO: A view of damages in the aftermath of a deadly earthquake, in Adassil, Morocco, Sept. 11, 2023. (Nacho Doce/Reuters)

TV footage showed rescuers pulling a newborn baby out from under the rubble.



TV footage also showed military helicopters dropping aid packages from the air into hard-to-reach areas.



Morocco's central bank has created a special account to receive donations from around the world.



-ABC News' Ayat Al-Tawy





Sep 11, 11:05 AM

Death toll reaches 2,681

The death toll in Morocco has now reached 2,681.



At least 2,501 others are injured.

PHOTO: A woman reacts near the rubble of a building in the aftermath of a deadly earthquake in Talat N'yaaqoub, Morocco, Sept. 11, 2023. (Hannah Mckay/Reuters)

PHOTO: Mohamed Sebbagh, 66, stands in front of his destroyed house, in the aftermath of a deadly earthquake, in Amizmiz, Morocco, Sept. 10, 2023. (Nacho Doce/Reuters)





Sep 11, 7:38 AM

Death toll rises to 2,497, officials say

At least 2,497 people have been confirmed dead in the aftermath of a 6.8-magnitude earthquake in Morocco, the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces said Monday.



Another 2,476 were injured in the quake, as of 10 a.m. local time on Monday, the forces said.

PHOTO: People gather their belongings under a tent after recovering it from the rubble of their home in the mountain village of Moulay Brahim in the central province of al-Haouz, on Sept. 11, 2023. (Philippe Lopez/AFP via Getty Images)





Sep 10, 1:31 PM

Biden offers 'necessary assistance' to devastated Morocco

President Joe Biden on Sunday expressed his "sadness by the loss of life and devastation caused by the earthquake in Morocco" and said the United States is committed to providing the country with all "necessary assistance."



During remarks in Vietnam, Biden said the United States is working to make sure Americans in Morocco are safe.



"Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Morocco and my friend King Mohammed VI," Biden said. "We're working expeditiously to ensure American citizens in Morocco are safe, standing ready to provide any necessary assistance to the Moroccan people as well. We made that offer. "





Sep 10, 1:07 PM

Death toll rises to 2,122, thousands more injured

At least 2,122 people are dead following Friday's massive earthquake, according to the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces.



Al-Haouz province, where the epicenter was located, suffered the highest number of deaths, followed by the province of Taroudant.



In the village of Amizmiz, some areas have been entirely wiped out, local TV reported. The Red Cross warned that it could take years to repair the damage.



At least 2,421 are injured, officials said.





Sep 9, 5:47 PM

Death toll surpasses 2,000

The death toll in the earthquake near Marrakech has surpassed 2,000, according to Morocco's Interior Ministry.



At least 2,012 people were killed, mostly in Marrakech and five provinces near the epicenter, officials said. At least 2,059 people were injured -- including 1,404 critically -- officials said.

PHOTO: A view shows a damaged room, following a powerful earthquake, in the village of Tansghart in the Asni area, Morocco, Sept, 9, 2023. (Abdelhak Balhaki/Reuters)





Sep 9, 12:23 PM

Algeria offers to open its airspace to Morocco following deadly quake

Algeria has offered humanitarian aid and has offered to open its airspace to allow eventual humanitarian aid or medical evacuation flights in and out of neighboring Morocco as the death toll continues to rise.



The country, which is bordered by Morocco to the west, closed the airspace when its government severed diplomatic ties with Morocco in 2021 over a series of issues. The countries have a decades-long dispute involving the territory of Western Sahara.

PHOTO: Rescuers carry a search operation following a powerful earthquake, in Amizmiz, in Morocco, Sept. 9, 2023. (Abdelhak Balhaki/Reuters)

Algeria said it is ready to offer humanitarian aid "in solidarity with the brotherly Moroccan people, in case the authorities of the Moroccan kingdom express a wish for this," Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune's office said in a statement Saturday.



The statement also offered condolences for the dead and "deepest compassion" for the injured.

Click here to read the rest of the blog.
Fifteen alleged members of a multi-million-dollar drug trafficking organization tied to Kansas City have been indicted on federal criminal charges, prosecutors said Friday.

A grand jury called in the Western District of Missouri returned a 63-count indictment with charges of methamphetamine and fentanyl distribution along with gun crimes, including the illegal possession of machine guns.

The group is accused of committing the offenses over the past 16 months and profiting from a drug network valued at nearly $8 million.

The fifteen charged in the alleged conspiracy are Jermel McCray, 28; Jermon McCray, 28; Devion Miles, 21; Armeer Asad, 33; Kyrie H. Fields, 28; Adonijah Moody, 23; Gary Young, 31; Zamewick McCray, 30; Dollahead Finney, 21; Dawn Keating, 52; Makenna Glynn, 23; Clayton Hammons, 21; Brandon Kline, 25; and Chase McNichols, 25.

Several of those charged were already in federal or state custody when the indictment was unsealed Thursday, following the arrest and initial court appearance of one defendant.

Among them was Jermel McCray, of Kansas City, who was arrested and charged in January under a criminal complaint following an attempted traffic stop and police chase in Independence. He allegedly carried a modified Glock handgun with a converter switch that makes the gun fully automatic.

The federal case was investigated by several area local law enforcement agencies alongside the FBI, DEA and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
(Photo : Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS - JULY 08: A view of Harvard Yard on the campus of Harvard University on July 08, 2020 in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Harvard and Massachusetts Institute of Technology have sued the Trump administration for its decision to strip international college students of their visas if all of their courses are held online.

The Florida Board of Governors has made history by approving Classic Learning Test (CLT) scores in college admissions, becoming the first state university system to support this SAT and ACT alternative.

This decision, influenced by 14 members appointed by Florida's Republican governor, Ron DeSantis, exemplifies the state's ongoing efforts to reform its education system.

Florida Becomes Pioneer State to Embrace CLT in College Admissions Reform

The CLT was introduced in December 2015 and is currently acknowledged by more than 250 colleges and universities in the United States. Per NY Times, unlike the SAT and ACT, the CLT is a three-part, two-hour exam that tests students on verbal reasoning, grammar, composition, and quantitative reasoning, providing same-day score access.

Amanda Phalin, an associate professor at the University of Florida, expressed reservations about the approval and emphasized the need for additional empirical evidence regarding the CLT's efficacy as an admissions measure.

She declared, "I am not opposed to the use of CLT. I am opposed to its use at this time because we lack empirical evidence demonstrating that it is of the same caliber as the ACT and SAT."

According to the test's 2018 technical report, the CLT "draws on sources that have shaped the course of Western intellectual thought" and incorporates writings by historic authors spanning centuries, distinguishing it from the SAT and ACT's reliance on more recent passages.

In April, the group responsible for the CLT published a concordance report comparing their test to the SAT, concluding that both exams measure similar skills and cover comparable content. Per CNN, the College Board, which administers the SAT, conducted its research in July that revealed curriculum and standard differences between the two exams.

The College Board questioned the validity and predictiveness of college performance concerning the CLT, stating, "The SAT is a proven, valid predictor of college performance based on years of published and accessible research and data." CLT has not published evidence of college performance's validity or predictiveness.

Preliminary analysis also revealed that the two examinations did not assess math at the same grade level, with 25% of CLT questions falling below the high school level.

This decision to recognize the CLT in Florida is the most recent development in a dispute between Governor DeSantis and the College Board, which administers the SAT and Advanced Placement (AP) courses.

Read Also: NYC Mayor Claims Rising Asylum Seekers Could Be the City's Downfall

Florida's Education Landscape: AP Course Controversy and CLT's Preexisting Influence

The Florida Department of Education blocked a new AP course in African American studies earlier this year, prompting the College Board to make modifications in response to criticism. Before this recent vote, the CLT had already acquired traction in Florida's higher education system.

Springtime legislation authorized school districts to administrate the CLT and permitted its use in evaluating students for state scholarships.

Under the influence of DeSantis-appointed conservatives, the New College of Florida had already indicated its adoption of the CLT for college admissions.

New College's approach coincides with Governor DeSantis' efforts to reshape education in Florida by emphasizing what he calls "woke" indoctrination, making it an essential element of his agenda as a potential Republican presidential candidate in 2024, as per Axios.

Related Article: California Court Halts School District Law Requiring Parental Notification If Student Changes Gender Identity

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
September 9, 2023 at 4:15 AM

A 40-year-old man was shot to death Friday in Washington Park.

Peter Hester Jr. was pronounced dead at the scene at 4:15 p.m., according to St. Clair County Coroner Calvin Dye Sr.

Dye said Hesters last known address is the 2900 block of Adams Avenue in East Carondelet.

Illinois State Police are assisting Washington Park police in the homicide investigation.

Agents with the Division of Criminal Investigations, Zone 6 Major Crimes, responded to North 47th Street and Caseyville Avenue to conduct a homicide investigation, according to a press release from Illinois State Police.

The release states no further additional information is available at this time.
Warning: This post contains spoilers for "My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3."

Like the two movies before it, My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3" features a love story and big, fat, Greek wedding  one that makes the Portokalos family even larger.

While the first two films take place in Chicago, Toula Portokalos (Nia Vardalos) and her family go international in the third movie to deliver her father Gus journal  who died in the series following the real-life death of the actor who played him, Michael Constantine  to his childhood friends in the Greek village where he grew up.

They're hoping to meet Gus friends at a village reunion organized by the self-appointed town mayor, Victory (Melina Kotselou).

In addition to their daughter, Paris (Elena Kampouris), whos now in college, Toula and Ian (John Corbett) are joined by Aunt Voula (Andrea Martin), Theia Freida (Maria Vacratsis), Toulas brother Nick Portokalos (Louis Mandylor) and Paris old fling, Aristotle (Elias Kacavas). Toula's mom Maria (Lainie Kazan), meanwhile, stays back in Chicago, as she deals with memory loss.

Read on to find out what happens when the Portokalos family arrives in Greece in "My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3," and learn who gets married.

First, who got married in the other 'My Big Fat Greek Wedding' movies?

In the first movie, Toula and Ian marry each other  and their families  in an epic, chaotic Greek bash.

The sequel focuses on Toula's parents, Gus and Maria, who find out they were never legally married after finding their unsigned marriage certificate.

What is the love story in 'My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3'?

When the family makes landfall in Gus' village, they realize only a handful of locals still live there, and tracking down Gus' old pals won't be a simple feat.

While figuring out a game plan, the group starts to get to know the locals and discover a family secret: Gus had a son, Peter (Alexis Georgoulis), with the now-default village matriarch, Alexandra (Anthi Andreopoulou). So essentially, Toula meets her half-brother.

Peter also has a son, Christos (Giannis Vasilottos), who is holding onto a secret of his own  he is romantically involved with a Syrian refugee named Qamar (Stephanie Nur), but he keeps it hidden out of fear that his family won't approve.

Their relationship is a callback to Toula and Ian's love story in the first installment, and the challenges of a cross-cultural relationship. Like Toula, Christos knows his father and grandmother would prefer he end up with a Greek partner.

However, when Nick spills the beans at a big family dinner, hiding their relationship is no longer an option.

Christos and Qamar decide to go forth with an engagement, despite Peter and Alexandra's disapproval. But eventually, after a few deep family conversations, everyone is on the same page and realizes that, well, we're all just fruit!

So, who gets married at the end of 'My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3?'

At the end of the film, everyone gets together to throw the ultimate bash for the Christos and Qamar  infusing both Greek and Syrian wedding traditions.

Christos and Qamar are both in different locations when the ceremony starts. Surrounded by friends and family, they each walk through the streets to the sound of music, and they eventually meet in the middle for their matrimony.

Then, the big, fat, Greek-Syrian reception gets underway, complete with dancing, laughter and, per usual, plenty of twists and turns that only makes the Portokalos family stronger in the end.

Focus Features via YouTube

What else happens at the end of 'My Big Fat Greek Wedding' 3?

A lot! Victory pulls off her unlikely reunion, against all odds, thanks to the help of Toula's cousins Angelo (Joey Fatone) and Nikki (Gia Carides). With the town full of life again, Victory has the idea to fill up the unused houses with migrants seeking homes. Alexandra agrees to her plan.

Paris reveals that she failed her first year of college. She and Aristotle decide to move forward on the tension that's been brewing between them (as Aunt Voula predicted), but only if they take it slow.

Paris and Aristotle decide to explore their relationship further. (Yannis Drakoulidis / Focus Features)

The night of the wedding, Toula, Peter and Nick bury a portion of their father's ashes at the oldest olive tree in the village.

With their father dead and their mother declining from memory loss, Toula and Nick decide to split "head of the family" duties.

The family returns to Chicago and brings Peter, their new relative, with them. Maria, back in Chicago, is looking forward to meeting her late husband's long-lost son, and Toula's making dinner.

This article was originally published on TODAY.com
Photos: Members of the Chicago Conspiracy, Abbie Hoffman (center); CSU Archives/Everett: Wikimedia

In the middle of one late-August night in 1970, radicals bombed the Army Mathematics Research Center on the University of Wisconsin's Madison campus. The blast killed a scientist who was in his laboratory to catch up on work before a vacation.

In a letter published by the Milwaukee underground newspaper Kaleidoscope, a group calling itself the "New Year's Gang" took credit for the bombing and demanded the abolition of ROTC, as well as the release of three Vietnam veterans who'd bombed the power substation of a nearby army training base.

"If these demands are not met by October 30th," the letter read, "open warfare, kidnapping of important officials, and even assassination will not be ruled out." In an extraordinary action, a federal prosecutor jailed Kaleidoscope editor Mark Knops for six months for refusing to answer questions before a grand jury. Although the authorities thought they knew the identities of the four bombers within hours, they could not locate them; the suspects' names joined fellow radicals H. Rap Brown and Angela Davis on the FBI's Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list. When Davis was captured, another militant, Bernardine Dohrn, moved onto the list within hours.

Bombs were exploding at least weekly in 1970in Chicago, in Marin County, in Seattle, in Santa Barbara, in Long Island City, in Orlando. And American radicals were moving into other areas of adventurism. Members of Weatherman (a violent offshoot of Students for a Democratic Society) helped Timothy Leary escape from prison in San Luis Obispo in September. Two women who'd worked for the National Strike Information Center at Brandeis Universitycoordinating campus protests immediately following the May murder of four unarmed protestors by the National Guard at Kent State Universitytook part in a Boston bank robbery that left a police officer dead. They too went underground and joined the most wanted list.

The FBI stepped up its wiretapping and black-bag jobs in its dragnet for radicals. To get access to on-campus intelligence, the agency even lowered the minimum acceptable age for recruiting informants. But it was mostly coming up empty-handed.

"Face it," a Justice Department veteran told Newsweek, "we're in what amounts to a guerrilla war with the kids. And so far, the kids are winning."

Still, a 33-page FBI report shared information from a confidential source that the activities of the Yippiesa street-theater-oriented radical group of the wildest antiwar activists, which had been very active in 1968were now "minimal" and that "the possibility exists that unless the non-leaders of the organization start planning activities, the organization will collapse." The Yippies had no formal membership and no bank account. In September, Abbie Hoffman, one of the most prominent Yippies and a member of the Chicago Seven, ducked out of a San Francisco fundraiser only minutes before he was scheduled to speak, leaving his attorney to pass along to the booing crowd Hoffman's complaint of "a lack of leadership in San Francisco for a revolutionary movement." An FBI source had an alternate explanation: Hoffman had been up on amphetamines for four days straight and "really freaked out."

The movement backlash against the Yippies, now perceived as ego-tripping celebrities, had begun. "It is tough being a leader when the movement has no leaders," chided one San Francisco underground paper. The FBI, naturally, was happy to help escalate any internecine conflicts. Soon afterward, a memo recommended that the agency's New York office anonymously mail a fake leaflet to "selected new left activists designed to broaden the gap between Abbott Howard Hoffman and Jerry Clyde Rubin, co-founders of the Youth International Partyto fragmentize the organization and hopefully lead to its complete disintegration."

The leaflet read: ABBIE OINK HOFFMANWANTED WANTED FOR RIPPING OFF THE STREET PEOPLE, PISSING ON THE REVOLUTION, FOR FUCKING JERRY RUBIN AND YIP

The government struck a more sober tone when it warned that "several anarchistic groups" were planning to "blow up Federal Government operations and to kidnap government officials." In Michigan, a sergeant for the state police testified that the radical White Panther Party wanted to kidnap multiple congressmen to exchange for John Sinclair (a White Panther founder arrested on marijuana charges) and other prisoners. "Gerald Ford might be good for trading for Black Panther party leaders such as Huey Newton and Bobby Seale," the detective said, adding that Vice President Spiro Agnew was also considered a target.

Underground newspapers, once again, came under fire. In an October speech in Phoenix, Agnew castigated the Quicksilver Times by name and claimed that those who sold it "may be contributing to the maiming or death of other human beings." In New York, a man claiming to work for the government arrived at the offices of the Underground Press Syndicate, the national coordinating organization for the papers. He confided that the authorities "decided that the underground press was the main network causing all the trouble" and "had decided to wipe it out."

The FBI also visited the Philadelphia offices of Concert Hall, the agency that sold national advertisements for UPS papers. The Feds had previously come to Concert Hall looking for the White Panther fugitive Pun Plamondon, whom they claimed had received money from Concert Hall, and they visited again after Concert Hall printed Abbie Hoffman's book Woodstock Nation. Now, they said, they had information that Bernardine Dohrn had been involved with a festival that Concert Hall had helped put on.

The actual existence of such leads is, in retrospect, debatable. More likely, they were just a pretense for harassment. A memo from the Philadelphia FBI office at the time indicated a consensus that "more interviews with those subjects and hangers-on are in order for plenty of reasons, chief of which are it will enhance the paranoia endemic in these circles."

Turning the Grand Jury Process Upside Down

The Arizona conservative Barry Goldwater had popularized the slogan "law and order" in his 1964 presidential campaign. The Phoenix lawyer who suggested the strategy to Goldwater, Richard Kleindienst, had gone on to work for Richard Nixon's 1968 campaign, and after Nixon won the presidency, Kleindienst was rewarded with the position of deputy attorney general.

Kleindienst quickly earned the nickname "Mr. Tough" and a reputation as something of a hatchet man. One nationally syndicated column described him as "boisterous," a "Phi Beta Kappa from Harvard" who "often hides a brilliant mind with discourtesy bordering on crudeness." In the early months of the administration, Kleindienst caused a stir when an interviewer quoted him as saying "people who demonstrate in a manner to interfere with others should be rounded up and put in a detention camp."

With the ear of his boss, Attorney General John Mitchell, Kleindienst immediately recommended hiring William Rehnquist, a Phoenix lawyer whose long sideburns, pink shirts, and loud ties belied his right-wing ideology. Rehnquist was put in charge of the Office of Legal Counsel, and within months he made headlines for a speech warning that the "barbarians of the New Left" posed "a threat to the notion of a government of law which is every bit as serious as the 'crime wave' in our cities."

If force was required to extinguish that threat, Rehnquist said, so be it. "Disobedience cannot be tolerated, whether it be violent or nonviolent disobedience."

In the fall of 1970, the Nixon administration made a series of moves designed to vanquish dissent. First, Mitchell and Kleindienst prepared to revive the nearly dormant Internal Security Division (ISD) of the Justice Department. Kleindienst's best pal from Arizona, Robert Mardian, stepped into the role as assistant attorney general in charge of the division.

In mid-October, Nixon signed the 1970 Organized Crime Control Act, which, among other measures, allowed the government to invert the grand jury system. Grand juries, originally designed as a check on overzealous prosecutions, were held in secret to protect identities of both witnesses and falsely accused individuals. Questioning was done without lawyers present because witness immunity was guaranteed. But the Organized Crime Control Act authorized the misleadingly named "use immunity."

Held as unconstitutional since the 19th century, use immunity meant that witnesses could still be indicted for crimes investigated by the grand jury, provided that the crimes could be "independently" corroboratedbut because of that pretense of "immunity," the witnesses were not allowed to exercise the Fifth Amendment. They could be jailed for contempt at the first moment they refused to answer a question.

The government could commence grand juries anywhere in the country, at any time, for up to 18 months, and renewable after that. A witness who refused to testify could be jailed for those same 18-month terms. Even if a grand jury didn't prove a crime, it could tie up both the movement leaders and the lawyers who defended them.

By November, young left-wing radicals accounted for the bulk of the FBI's list of most wanted fugitives. The ISD's staff of lawyers, which had withered from 96 to 42, built back up, and suddenly Mardian found himself the third-most-powerful man in the Department of Justice.

Mitchell then seized on the White Panther Party to get a judicial imprimatur for the crusade against the radical Left. He filed an affidavit in United States v. Sinclaira case charging White Panthers John Sinclair, Pun Plamondon, and Jack Forrest with conspiring to bomb a CIA building in September 1968that admitted the government had picked up Plamondon's conversations when it was conducting warrantless wiretaps. Then, reviving an argument that he'd made during the Chicago Seven case, Mitchell claimed that the president of the United States had inherent constitutional power to authorize such surveillance in the name of national security.

'There Is an FBI Agent Behind Every Mailbox'

At the end of 1970, FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover appeared before a Senate appropriations subcommittee to ask for $14 million for a thousand new field agents. Then, despite advice from the ISD (and others) that there was insufficient evidence, Hoover announced that he had information about a threat from a group made up of priests, nuns, students, and teachers. He claimed the group was planning to explode electrical conduits and steam pipes in D.C. and to kidnap a White House official as ransom for the end of bombing in Asia and the release of political prisoners.

Hoover's bombastic speech ensured that the ISD had no choice but to indict the group, soon to be known as the Harrisburg Seven, in 1971. The ISD's first major case would be a weak one. "There's goddamn no telling what we would have if Hoover hadn't talked," Mardian said later, as reported in the 1972 book The FBI and the Berrigans by Jack Nelson and Ronald J. Ostrow. "We depended on informants, and they shut up after he testified." One of the witnesses called, a 52-year-old nun, refused to appear. "The evidence on the basis of which I have been named as an unindicted co-conspirator, subpoenaed to testify and asked questions, was secured by illegal wiretaps," she said. She was jailed.

That same day in Detroit, the district court hearing United States v. Sinclair rejected the reasoning behind Mitchell's affidavit claiming a constitutional power for warrantless wiretapping. "An idea which seems to permeate much of the government's argument is that a dissident domestic organization is akin to an unfriendly foreign power and must be dealt with in the same fashion," Judge Damon Keith wrote in his ruling. "In our democracy all men are to receive equal justice regardless of their political beliefs or persuasions."

After extensive meetings between Mitchell and Mardian, the Justice Department decided to file a mandamus appeal, bringing Keith's ruling on the wiretap issue before the Sixth Circuit.

Meanwhile, more information about the surveillance of American citizens came to light when a group of former army intelligence agents testified before a Senate subcommittee. For the past few years, the U.S. Army's Counterintelligence Analysis Branch (CIAB) had received information "from approximately fifty agencies within the U.S. intelligence community," cross-referenced files, and sometimes passed information on to other agencies.

One of these CIAB agents, Ralph Stein, was nicknamed "Mr. Radical" and had specialized in the New Left and the underground press. He testified that he'd also been ordered to share his findings with men from the CIA, who, he later told The New York Times, were especially interested in learning more about radical editors and writers, asking "a lot of questions that indicated that they had already examined some of the underground publications in question" and seeming to have already "investigated the personalities."

Of the names in the Army's files, Stein testified, "the overwhelming percentage are of people who did nothing more than exercise basic constitutional rights and civil liberties, and who are anonymous Americans." And a former army captain revealed that an Interdivisional Intelligence Unit in the Justice Department had since supplanted the Army's counterintelligence branch, maintaining a "political computer" that "can produce a rundown on almost any past or coming demonstration of size, which will include all stored information on the membership, ideology, and plans of the sponsors."

Shortly after Stein's testimony, The Washington Post reported that an anonymous group calling itself the Citizens' Commission to Investigate the FBI had responded to the Harrisburg Seven indictments by burglarizing files from the bureau's offices in Media, Pennsylvania. Among the sensational contents of these files were descriptions of FBI policy on hiring student informers, a memo in which Hoover ordered surveillance on student groups that "organized to project the demands of black students," plans to develop informant networks in "ghetto areas," and stern reminders to informants that they weren't supposed to assault policemen.

The stolen documents also revealed that the aims of the bureau went beyond law enforcement and into the realm of psychology. The agency was determined, as one memo put it, "to get the point across there is an FBI agent behind every mailbox." Eventually, the files were determined to be part of a widespread counterintelligence program called COINTELPRO. Its mission was not only to thwart black and leftist activities but also to sow suspicion among dissenters.

As 200,000 demonstrators prepared for a May Day antiwar protest at the Capitol, Mitchell gave a speech to rally support for the warrantless wiretapping policy. "We need intelligence on the movements of suspected conspirators, not formal evidence on which to convict them," he said, touting the value of the hundreds of wiretaps he'd authorized. "In order for a national security wiretap to do any good, it should come near the beginning of the investigation."

"This is not a police state," Nixon insisted at a press conference, but on the very same day Richard Kleindienst cooked up a plan for the Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs to monitor and record drug use among May Day activists as a pretense for canceling park protests. "Their plan is now to bust the demonstrators Sunday morning, and probably move in with narcotics agents to arrest as many as they can," wrote White House chief of staff H.R. Haldeman in his diary that day. "Thus they think we'll bust up their plans and make it hard for them to do their traffic-stopping exercise on Monday."

The May Day demonstrations in D.C. resulted in the largest mass arrests in U.S. history, with more than 12,000 people detained. When local precincts were stretched to capacity, thousands were crowded into a Washington Redskins practice field surrounded by cyclone fencing or into the exercise yard of a jail and then bused into the Washington Coliseum. A quarter of those were swept up during a protest outside the Justice Department; Kleindienst and Mardian joined Mitchell on his office balcony to gaze down at the roundup. While Mitchell puffed on his pipe, Mardian snapped photos of the masses below.

Grand Juries as Information-Laundering Operations

The FBI had arrested an activist named Leslie Bacon in connection with a March 1 bomb explosion in a Capitol building bathroom. She became an overnight celebrity within the movement, and her treatment was symptomatic of out-of-control federal policy toward the antiwar radical movement in the early 1970s.

The ISD's chief litigator, Guy Goodwin, employed lines of questioning that went something like this: Tell the grand jury, please, where you were employed during the year 1970, by whom you are employed during the year 1970, how long you have been so employed, and what the amount of remuneration for your employment has been during the year 1970. I want you to describe for the grand jury every occasion during the year 1970, when you have been in contact with, attended meetings which were conducted by, or attended by, or been any place when any individual spoke whom you knew to be associated with or affiliated with Students for a Democratic Society, the Weathermen, the Communist Party, or any other organization advocating revolutionary overthrow of the United States, describing for the grand jury when these incidents occurred, where they occurred, who was present and what was said by all persons there and what you did at the time that you were in these meetings, groups, associations or conversations.

"Goodwin just has totally evil vibes," Bacon told the Liberation News Service of the slick, impeccably coiffed witchfinder. In the next few years, the ISD would conduct more than 100 grand juries in 80 cities. It would subpoena thousands of witnesses, in some cases forcing them to travel from one part of the country to another without lawyers. The grand juries would be used not only to gather new information but also, by steering scared witnesses to confirm what had previously been learned illegally by FBI surveillance or black-bag jobs, to launder information for prosecutions. Goodwin often offered immunity and then threatened contempt sentences if witnesses didn't testify against associates.

Investigations of radicals that had previously been conducted independently by the FBI, the Secret Service, and the Treasury were now coordinated under the aegis of the ISD, which used the Interdivisional Information Unit's computer system to consolidate thousands of dossiers. Goodwin crossed the country, connecting the cases together like they were one grand conspiracy, muddying distinctions between political activism and violent crime.

The Fateful Wiretap Case

While the desperate federal law enforcement war on the antiwar movement continued through the early 1970s, the Justice Department was fighting to win the ruling on the warrantless wiretapping so central to that war.

In late February 1972, United States v. United States District Court went to the Supreme Court. Because it would test the government's right to wiretap without warrant, it would have a major impact on other radical trials. Arthur Kinoy, a former law partner of prominent radical attorney William Kunstler, was to argue for the defense. Observing from chairs in the back of the chamber were John and Leni Sinclair in their purple White Panther Party T-shirts.

To their surprise, the head of the ISD appeared in the courtroom. Mardian himself would argue for the prosecution. Mardian's argument was nothing less than a power grab for unchecked presidential power. The privacy of the American citizen, Mardian said, was better protected if the president had the unchecked authority to wiretap. "This Court must, as a coordinate branch of government, rely almost entirely on the integrity of the Executive Branch," he insisted.

Kinoy would call this "one of the most dangerous moments in the long history of the Supreme Court" in his memoirs. "It was one of those rare moments when for an instant the outer wrappings of rationalization are peeled off and, like a flash, the truth is revealed. Without hesitation or apology, Mardian demanded from the Court judicial approval for a course of conduct that would place in the President, in Nixon, the unreviewable and absolute power to suspend the provisions of the written Constitution, the fundamental law of the land."

Only weeks earlier, White House aide H.R. Haldeman had accused opponents of Nixon's Vietnam policy of "aiding and abetting the enemy." Would these critics, Kinoy asked, be included in the scope of domestic intelligence? Now the matter would await the decision of the court.

Kleindienst wrote in his memoir that, in regard to wiretapping, the issue of national security "had been handled as a hot potato by each succeeding attorney general. Sooner or later the potato had to be tossed into the hands of the Supreme Court." Kleindienst then chose curious language to describe the Keith case: "A black federal district judge in Michigan, in dealing with the situation of another black [sic] by the name of Plamondon, made the critical toss."

On Monday, June 19, 1972, by a unanimous 80 decision, the Supreme Court upheld Keith's ruling on wiretaps, effectively outlawing most of the "national security" wiretaps on "domestic subversives." (It was 80 because one newly appointed Supreme Court justiceMardian's old crony Rehnquisthad recused himself. As the head of the Office of Legal Counsel, Rehnquist had authored the administration's position on wiretapping.)

The close proximity in time between this June 19 ruling and another momentous incident, two nights earlier, is intriguing. Attorneys for the defense later theorized that there was an advance leak from somewhere in the court that the government was going to lose the case that Monday, and that was why five men had broken into the offices of the Democratic National Committee at the Watergate Hotel on Saturday, June 17. They were sent in, the theory goes, to remove previous taps.

"If the case had been won" by the government, wrote Arthur Kinoy, "and the Watergate wiretapping was later accidentally exposed, the Attorney General, acting for the President, could openly acknowledge his authorization, and the entire affair would be covered with the mantle of legality. But if the case had been lost, and the wiretapping was subsequently exposed or discovered, there would be no explanation at all available to the administration."

L. Patrick Gray, acting director of the FBI, moved quickly to have other devices removed. "I knew from my earlier domestic intelligence briefing with [FBI agents] Ed Miller and Mark [Felt] that we had several such warrantless domestic taps and microphones in place, so I told Mark to meet with Dick Kleindienst and then to get written instructions on which ones to cancel," Gray wrote in his 2008 memoir, In Nixon's Web: A Year in the Crosshairs of Watergate. "I also told Mark to brief Dick on the status of the Watergate investigation.At his meeting with Mark that afternoon in Washington, Dick ordered that four telephone taps and two hidden microphones be removed from the Black Panther and Weather Underground targets but to leave in place the one directed at the Communist Party, USA."

"You could probably count them on the fingers of both hands," Kleindienst, just confirmed as attorney general, told Time the day after the ruling. "We only used them where we thought there was a threat of violence. I had just authorized a couple more last week, but I'm not going to talk about any individual taps. If I say anything, they [defendants and suspects] will come in and ask for transcripts of everything we took."

Wouldn't it be proper, Time's reporter asked Kleindienst, for the Justice Department to notify anyone who had been illegally overheard?

"Hell, no," Kleindienst replied. "Our duty is to prosecute persons who commit crimes. We don't have to confess our sins anywhere, like some bleeding heart. We were acting in good faith."

The fallout from the Keith decision was enormous. With much of the government's evidence now firmly ruled illegal, it would sink longstanding conspiracy cases involving the Weather Underground, the Black Panthers, and the Pentagon Papers. The government's war on radicalism had ironically engendered a big part of its own defeat.

This article is adapted from Agents of Chaos: Thomas King Forcade, High Times, and the Paranoid End of the 1970s by permission of Hachette Books, an imprint of Hachette Book Group.

The post How Hippies Saved the Fourth Amendment appeared first on Reason.com.
At least 632 people have died and 329 injured in Morocco after an earthquake struck near the historic Marrakech city, according to state-run television.

The death toll has surged from the initial 296 figure that was reported by the interior ministry earlier today.

The tremor struck late Friday night and had an initial 6.8 magnitude when it hit at 11.11pm local time, with shaking that lasted several seconds. Moroccos National Seismic Monitoring and Alert Network, however, said the earthqauke struck at a magnitude of 7.2 on the Richter scale.

The epicentre of the earthquake was in the Ighil area of the High Atlas mountains, said the agency. A 4.9-magnitude aftershock was reported just 19 minutes after the earthquake, according to the US Geological Survey.

Most of the deaths have occurred in mountainous areas that are hard to reach, the interior ministry said earlier.

Videos have emerged of several buildings being reduced to rubble and have left parts of the famous red walls in Marrakech damaged.

Some buildings in the old city, a Unesco World Heritage site, with photos of smashed cars and rubble all over emerging.

Key Points

US Geological Survey releases map revealing location of 7.2-magnitude earthquake

In photos: Earthquake in Morocco that killed 296 led people to rush out of their homes and turned buildings to rubble

Cause of Morocco's disastrous earthquake decoded

USGS estimates up to 2 per cent of Morocco's GDP may be affected by quake

Modi begins G20 by paying tribute to Morocco

Death toll surges after powerful tremor strikes near Marrakech in one of strongest quakes ever felt in years in country

07:50 , Anuj Pant

The death toll from the earthquake that struck near Marrakech in Morocco late Friday night has surged, in what is one of the most powerful tremors ever faced by the country in many years.

The toll went up to at least 632 dead and 329 injured, reported state television. A local official earlier said most deaths were in mountain areas that were hard to reach.

The epicentre of the quake was in the High Atlas mountains, according to the countrys National Seismic Monitoring and Alert Network.

In 1960, an earthquake in the country had led to the deaths of thousands of people.

Pakistan's PM expresses condolences for victims: 'Our hearts ache for those affected'

08:26 , Vishwam Sankaran

Pakistans interim prime minister Anwaar ul Haq Kakar tweeted his support for Morocco where the devastating earthquake has claimed over 600 lives.

Our hearts ache for those affected by the severe earthquake in Morocco. Pakistan extends its hand in unity and support to Morocco in this trying time, Mr Kakar said on X, formerly Twitter.

Former prime minister Shehbaz Sharif also expressed his condolences on X.

In these trying times, we stand in solidarity with the people of Morocco. Special prayers for the bereaved families and those injured and trapped under the rubble, Mr Sharif said.

EU says it is 'ready to provide' any assistance to Morocco

08:05 , Vishwam Sankaran

The European Unions Commissioner for Crisis Management Janez LenarAiA tweeted that its emergency response coordination centre is closely monitoring the situation in Morocco where a powerful earthquake has led to the death over 600 people.

Central Morocco has been hit by a devastating earthquake taking a heavy toll on human life, Mr Lenarcic said.

Central #Morocco has been hit by a devastating #earthquake taking a heavy toll on human life.



EUs Emergency Response Coordination Centre is closely monitoring the situation.



We stand ready to provide any assistance necessary if requested.https://t.co/zkBzqviz1R  Janez Lenarcic (@JanezLenarcic) September 9, 2023

Moroccos interior ministry said it has mobilised all the necessary resources to intervene and help the affected areas.

We stand ready to provide any assistance necessary if requested, Mr Lenarcic added.

Videos from Morocco show building turned to rubble

06:50 , Vishwam Sankaran

A number of videos and photos shared on social media by Moroccan citizens and tourists show entire buildings turned to rubble and dust.

Some parts of the famous red walls surrounding the old Moroccan city of Marrakech  a Unesco World Heritage site  were damaged, the Associated Press reported.

A 6.8 magnitude earthquake has struck Morocco 



May Allah make it easy for those affected  pic.twitter.com/u9IyDmW64O  ilmfeed (@IlmFeed) September 9, 2023

Local television showed pictures of a fallen mosque minaret in Morocco with rubble lying on smashed cars.

Damage reports from the M6.9 #earthquake that hit #Morocco



"I am shocked !!! There was an earthquake in Morocco Allahu Akbar! This is in my village 1 hour from Taliouine (in the south) May Allah help them"pic.twitter.com/4Za9bZYltw  Volcaholic  (@volcaholic1) September 8, 2023

A resident of the mountain village of Asni told Reuters that most houses there were damaged.

View of a damaged car and debris from the earthquake in Marrakech (via REUTERS)

Our neighbours are under the rubble and people are working hard to rescue them using available means in the village, he said.

How rare is Morocco's devastating quake?

06:20 , Vishwam Sankaran

The USGS says tremors of this magnitude in the region are uncommon but not unexpected.

A magnitude 5.8 tremor struck near the city of Agadir in Morocco in 1960, leading to thousands of deaths and prompting changes in construction rules.

Then in 2004, a 6.4 magnitude earthquake near the Mediterranean city of Al Hoceima caused over 600 deaths.

While there have been no tremors of magnitude 6 and larger about 500 km within the range of the current earthquake, most of these events have occurred east of Friday nights quake, according to USGS.

Modi begins G20 by paying tribute to Morocco

06:20 , Vishwam Sankaran

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences to the people impacted by the earthquake in Morocco before beginning the official G20 proceedings in New Delhi.Before starting the official proceedings, I would like to express my condolences to the people impacted by the earthquake in Morocco, Mr Modi said, at the event attended by the worlds top leaders.The world is with Morocco and we are really to provide them with all the possible help, he added.Mr Modi earlier tweeted that India is ready to offer all possible assistance to Morocco in this difficult time.

Cause of Morocco's disastrous earthquake decoded

05:50 , Vishwam Sankaran

The origin of the tremors has been traced to Moroccas High Atlas Mountain range about 75km southeast of the old city of Marrakech.

A USGS report suggests the quake occurred due to oblique-reverse faulting at a shallow depth of about 18.5km within the mountain range.

Such types of faulting have rock mass moving down an inclined fault, and also some moving in a horizontal direction.

The September 8, 2023, M 6.8 #earthquake near Oukaimedene, Morocco, occurred due to oblique-reverse faulting at shallow depth (18.5km) within the Moroccan High Atlas Mountain range, roughly 75 km southeast of Marrakech:https://t.co/yBFRNDKcVl#deprem



PGA and PGV values: pic.twitter.com/rraru401UB  Alemdar Bayraktar (@abayraktar_tr) September 9, 2023

This earthquake occurred within the Africa Plate, approximately 550km south of the plate boundary between the Africa and Eurasia plates, the American agency said, adding that quakes of this size in the region are uncommon but not unexpected.

But since 1900, it said there have been no earthquakes of magnitude 6 and larger within 500km of this earthquake, and only nine tremors of magnitude 5 and larger.

USGS estimates up to 2 per cent of Morocco's GDP may be affected by quake

05:33 , Vishwam Sankaran

The US Geological Survey has issued a red alert for economic losses due to the earthquake in Morocco.

Extensive damage is probable and the disaster is likely widespread, the American agency noted.

The regions population lives in buildings highly vulnerable to earthquake shaking, according to USGS, which said the estimated economic losses are likely 0-2 per cent GDP of Morocco.

Past events with this alert level have required a national or international level response, it noted.

IMF head expresses condolences to victims and families

05:14 , Vishwam Sankaran

Kristalina Georgieva, the managing director of the International Monetary Fund, expressed her condolences to the victims and families who lost their kin due to the earthquake in Morocco.

I am deeply saddened to hear about the devastating earthquake that has struck Morocco, Ms Georgieva said.

I am deeply saddened to hear about the devastating earthquake that has struck Morocco . My heart goes out to the victims and their families as they cope with this tragedy, and to those on the frontline of rescue efforts.  Kristalina Georgieva (@KGeorgieva) September 9, 2023

My heart goes out to the victims and their families as they cope with this tragedy, and to those on the frontline of rescue efforts, the Bulgarian economist, attending the G20 Summit in New Delhi, tweeted.

Indian PM Modi offers condolences for lives lost in quake

05:05 , Vishwam Sankaran

Indias prime minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences for the loss of lives due to the earthquake in Morocco, adding that India is ready to offer assistance to the country.

Extremely pained by the loss of lives due to an earthquake in Morocco. In this tragic hour, my thoughts are with the people of Morocco, Mr Modi tweeted.

Extremely pained by the loss of lives due to an earthquake in Morocco. In this tragic hour, my thoughts are with the people of Morocco. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. May the injured recover at the earliest. India is ready to offer all possible assistance to  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 9, 2023

Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. May the injured recover at the earliest. India is ready to offer all possible assistance to Morocco in this difficult time, he said.

The quake struck Morocco a day before India is set to host the worlds top leaders for the G20 summit.

In photos: Earthquake in Morocco that killed 296 led people to rush out of their homes and turned buildings to rubble

04:53 , Anuj Pant

The late night tremor that struck Marrakech has killed at least 296 people and left 153 injured. The earthquake has been felt in several countries outside of the African nation.

This handout frame grab of video footage courtesy of Michal Bizet and provided to AFPTV early 9 September shows a damaged building in Marrakesh (Michal Bizet/UGC/AFP via Getty)

Social media videos and photos have showed how the tremors have collapsed buildings and forced people to go out into the streets.

People gather on a street in Casablanca, following a powerful earthquake in Morocco (REUTERS)

People walk past debris from the earthquake in Marrakech, Morocco on 9 September (via REUTERS)

View of a damaged car and debris from the earthquake in Marrakech (via REUTERS)

People gather on a street in Casablanca, following a powerful earthquake in Morocco (REUTERS)

Quake that struck Morocco in 1960 had killed thousands

04:46 , Anuj Pant

A 5.8-magnitude earthquake that had struck near Agadir in Morocco in 1960 had resulted in thousands of deaths.

The current 7.2-magnitude earthquake that struck near Marrakech late night on Friday has led to the deaths of at least 296, according to the countrys interior ministry. At least 153 have been injured in the tragedy.

The interior ministry said the figures are preliminary and more casualties are expected. Most of the deaths have occured in hard-to-reach, mountainous areas, it said.

US Geological Survey releases map revealing location of 7.2-magnitude earthquake

04:36 , Anuj Pant

The US Geological Survey has issued a map that has shown the location where the 7.2-magnitude earthquake struck in Morocco. The late night tremor that struck on Friday has left at least 296 dead and 153 injured.

The countrys interior ministry says the toll is preliminary as several deaths have occured in hard-to-reach mountainous areas.

A handout shakemap made available by the United States Geological Survey (USGS) shows the location of a 6.8-magnitude earthquake hitting near Marrakech on 8 September (EPA/USGS)

Tremors of powerful 7.2-magnitude quake felt as far away as Portugal and Algeria

04:28 , Anuj Pant

The tremors of the powerful earthquake that struck Morocco were felt as far off as Portugal, the countrys Institute for Sea and Atmosphere confirmed. Algerias Civil Defense agency reported tremors were felt in the country as well.

The quake that measured a magnitude 7.2 toppled several buildings. Its epicentre was high up in the Atlas mountains, about 70km south of Marrakech and about 18km below the Earths surface, according to the US Geological Survey.

About 20 million people likely felt shaking from powerful earthquake, US Geological Survey estimate says

04:22 , Anuj Pant

About 20 million people felt the impact of the earthquake that has struck Morocco, while over 2 million people experienced strong to very strong shaking, according to an estimate by the US Geological Survey (USGS).

The epicentre of the quake was said to be high in the Atlas Mountains about 70km south of Marrakech and about 18km below the Earths surface, according to the USGS.

Late night tremor kills 296 and injures 153 in one of strongest quakes ever felt in country in years

04:18 , Anuj Pant

A late night earthquake that struck Morocco has led to at least 296 deaths and 153 left injured, said the countrys interior ministry in the strongest earthquake that it has faced in several years. The quake was followed by an aftershock just 19 minutes later. The epicentre of the quake is said to have emerged in the Atlas mountains about 70km south of Marrakech.

04:18 , Anuj Pant

Welcome to The Independents live coverage of the earthquake in Morocco that has left 296 dead and 153 injured.
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Elon Musk said he refused a Ukrainian request to activate his Starlink satellite network in Crimea's port city of Sevastopol last year to aid an attack on Russia's fleet there, saying he feared complicity in a "major" act of war.

The billionaire businessman made the comment on his social media platform X after CNN cited a excerpt from a new biography of Musk that says he ordered the Starlink network turned off near the Crimean coast last year to disrupt the Ukrainian sneak attack.

In the post on X - formerly known as Twitter - late on Thursday, Musk said he had no choice but to reject an emergency request from Ukraine "to activate Starlink all the way to Sevastopol." He did not give the date of the request and the excerpt did not specify it.

"The obvious intent being to sink most of the Russian fleet at anchor," Musk wrote. "If I had agreed to their request, then SpaceX would be explicitly complicit in a major act of war and conflict escalation."

Russia, which seized the strategic Crimea peninsula in 2014, bases its Black Sea Fleet in Sevastopol and has used the fleet in a de factor blockade of Ukrainian ports since its full-scale invasion in 2022.

The Russian fleet fires cruise missiles at Ukrainian civilian targets, and Kyiv has launched attacks on Russian ships using maritime drones.

According to CNN, Walter Isaacson's new biography "Elon Musk," to be released by Simon & Schuster on Tuesday, says that when Ukrainian explosive-laden submarine drones last year approached the Russian fleet, they "lost connectivity and washed ashore harmlessly."

It said Musk's decision, which left Ukrainian officials begging him to turn the satellites back on, was driven by an acute fear that Russia would respond to a Ukrainian attack with nuclear weapons.

CNN said that according to the biography, this was based on Musk's conversations with senior Russian officials and his fears of a "mini-Pearl Harbor."

In August, a Russian warship was seriously damaged in a Ukrainian naval drone attack on Russia's Black Sea navy base at Novorossiysk, the first time the Ukrainian navy has projected its power so far from the country's shores.

SpaceX, through private donations and under a separate contract with a U.S. foreign aid agency, has been providing Ukrainians and the country's military with Starlink internet service, a fast-growing network of more than 4,000 satellites in low Earth orbit, since the beginning of the war in 2022.

The Pentagon said in June that SpaceX's Starlink had a Department of Defense contract to buy satellite services for Ukraine.

Commenting on the reports on Ukrainian national television, Vadym Skybytskyi, an officer in the Ukrainian Defense Ministry's Intelligence Directorate GUR, did not directly address whether Musk had declined Ukraine's request. But he said it was necessary to investigate and to "appoint a specific group to examine what happened."

A Pentagon spokesperson declined to comment on Musk's decision but said, "The Department continues to work closely with commercial industry to ensure we have the right capabilities the Ukrainians need to defend themselves."

(Reporting by David Brunnstrom, Jonathan Landay, Phil Stewart and Ron Popeski; Editing by Don Durfee and Cynthia Osterman)
A storm undergoing rapid intensification, as Hurricane Lee is now, can throw a wrinkle into the plans of emergency managers throughout North Carolina, forcing them to make choices about how to use the limited hours before such a storm makes landfall.

Part of the problem coastal states like North Carolina face with rapid intensification is residents who have experienced numerous storms and developed their own calculus for when to stay and when to flee. A storm that suddenly gains strength introduces an unexpected variable to the risk equation, potentially too close to landfall for people to change their minds about how to keep themselves safe.

Hurricane Lee has undergone dramatic rapid intensification this week. The National Hurricane Center wrote Thursday night that Lee had skyrocketed to Category 5 wind speeds, jumping from about 100 mph at 11 a.m. Thursday to about 160 mph at 11 pm.

Particularly for the Carolinas  the Outer Banks and those coastal areas  the biggest risk has always been a storm coming in that for many people doesnt warrant much concern and it intensifies rapidly and it gets inside of their ability to prepare and evacuate, Craig Fugate, a former FEMA administrator, told The News & Observer.

Rapid intensification happens when a storms wind speeds increase by at least 35 mph over a daylong period. If a storm undergoes that process as it nears North Carolinas coastline, emergency managers like New Hanover Countys Steven Still would be forced to make tough choices.

In such a scenario, Still said, it would be difficult to evacuate thousands of people with a storm bearing down on them. The fear is that many people would be unable to get out of harms way before the storm arrives. Still pointed to Hurricane Harvey in Texas in 2017, where many people drowned either in or trying to escape their cars.

Instead of trying to evacuate everyone, Still said, New Hanover Countys plan in such a scenario would be to focus on the storm surge, the relentless rising water that a storm brings ashore. People in the path of that storm surge would be directed to evacuate, while many others in the county would be directed to shelter in place until the hurricane passes.

The evacuation out of an abundance of caution is not always the best method. (With) a targeted evacuation, particularly if its a rapid intensification, were really going to have to narrow down the numbers to those vulnerable to that highest impact, Still said.

Will Ray, North Carolinas emergency management director, said the state tries to envision the worst case scenario.

Hurricane Idalia, for example, underwent rapid intensification shortly before making landfall but did not look like it was going to be a major storm for North Carolina. Still, the state still activated 120 members of the National Guard and deployed two swift water rescue teams.

Like New Hanover Countys Still, Ray said a storm that rapidly intensifies could mean emergency managers dont have as long as theyd like to prepare.

Decisions on evacuations, decisions on sheltering, decisions on other things are going to have to be done probably much quicker than our ultimate timelines would like us to do, Ray said.

Oak Island sustained wind and flood damage caused by Hurricane Isaias leaving the streets strewn with debris and covered with more than a foot of sand in areas close to the beach Tuesday, August 4, 2020.

Warm oceans are heat engines

Hurricane Lee is still churning through the Atlantic, and the Hurricane Center has consistently maintained that it is too soon to know how or where it could impact the East Coast. Rip currents are one likely effect, with the Hurricane Center warning that beachgoers could start seeing them as soon as Sunday.

Jason Sippel, a meteorologist with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrations Hurricane Research Division, said rapid intensification requires a few ingredients.

Those include warm ocean waters, a moist atmosphere to prevent thunderstorms from pushing cold air down to the surface and low vertical wind shear. Low wind shear means winds at different levels of the atmosphere arent blowing strongly in different directions.

A storm thats undergoing rapid intensification is also likely to be smaller, Sippel said, comparing it to ice skaters spinning with their arms out and gaining momentum as they tuck their arms toward their body.

In terms of a hurricane, that means the vortex is intensifying, its spinning more and more quickly. Imagine a curve. Its intensifying a little bit, then a little bit more and then it shoots up, Sippel said.

Fugate pointed to 2018s Hurricane Michael as a classic example of a storm that underwent rapid intensification at a dangerous moment. That storm leapt from a tropical storm to a Category 5 shortly before making landfall in Florida, killing 45 people and causing $25 billion in damage.

Warm waters  like the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean right now  mean that when a storm intensifies, it seems to stay strong, Fugate added.

These are heat engines. So the more heat there,the more potential. If you dont have other limiting factors, these storms are just going to get stronger and stay stronger for longer periods of time, Fugate said.

A warm ocean is one factor in rapid intensification that is being altered by climate change. Ocean temperatures reached record highs this summer; NOAA and Columbia researchers have found warming temperatures reduce vertical wind shear; and a warmer atmosphere can hold more moisture.

A 2021 report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change said rapid intensification has likely become more common in recent decades and said researchers have medium confidence that manmade climate change could be a factor.

Sippel acknowledged that rapid intensification has increased since the 1970s and 1980s but said how much of that can be attributed to climate change remains an open question. The Atlantic Ocean seems to go through multi-decade periods with stronger storms, he added, having undergone one from the 1920s through the early 1950s before entering a more quiet period.

We might find that out in the future that yes there is something that is a signal there, but Im not confident enough at this point to say that that is indeed happening, Sippel said.

Forecasters and emergency management officials alike say the National Hurricane Center has made great strides in forecasting storm intensities over recent hurricane seasons.

In 2022, Sippel said, the Hurricane Centers margin of error on rapid intensification was about 17 mph. Thats down from about 35 mph as recently as 2017.

Sippel, who is part of NOAAs Hurricane Hunters crew, said the planes have helped with the intensity forecasts by helping the models better understand how features of the storms vortex could impact intensification.

The intensity of the storm and the size of the storm determines the storm surge, and thats the most important thing to get right because thats what kills people, Sippel said.

The Outer Banks experience

Drew Pearson was just preparing to start at Dare County in 2014 when Hurricane Arthur jumped from a low pressure system to a Category 2 hurricane.

For emergency managers, that event makes you think a little bit more, Pearson, Dare Countys emergency management director, told The N&O.

Traditionally, Pearson added, emergency managers try to think about what they would need if a storm is going to be a category higher than projected. Now, he said, they might need to be more expansive.

We need to think about the impacts from multiple categories higher now because of the changes in the ocean conditions that are there that warm waters and things like that could bring, Pearson said.

Pearson said he urges people to be aware of the potential impacts of a storm ranging from the forecast surge to rip currents to the tornado risk. Those things all provide more information about specific hazards a system poses than the category alone.

Part of being prepared is urging people to keep their emergency kits stocked and updated, making sure they know where to head if an evacuation is called and how they would shelter in place if that becomes necessary. Thats important, Pearson said, because a storm that rapidly intensifies compresses the timeline people have to prepare or make decisions.

If Lee does come to us, were going to have four, five, six days to get ready for it, to do the things that we need to do. Its the ones that develop quickly where you have hours, not days, Pearson said.

This story was produced with financial support from the Hartfield Foundation and the 1Earth Fund, in partnership with Journalism Funding Partners, as part of an independent journalism fellowship program. The N&O maintains full editorial control of the work.
(Reuters) - Following are reactions and offers of aid from foreign governments to the powerful earthquake that struck Morocco late on Friday, killing hundreds and destroying buildings in the deadliest tremor to hit the country in decades.

* REACTIONS

INDIAN PRIME MINISTER NARENDRA MODI, INAUGURATING A G20 SUMMIT IN NEW DELHI

"We pray that all the injured people get well soon. The entire world community is with Morocco in this difficult time and we are ready to provide them all possible assistance."

RUSSIAN PRESIDENT VLADIMIR PUTIN IN A MESSAGE TO MOROCCO'S KING MOHAMMED VI

"Please convey words of sympathy and support to the families and friends of the victims, as well as wishes for a speedy recovery to all those who have suffered as a result of this natural disaster."

TURKISH PRESIDENT TAYYIP ERDOGAN

"We stand by our Moroccan brothers with all our means in this difficult day."

ALGERIAN FOREIGN MINISTRY

"Algeria expresses its sincere condolences to the Moroccan people's brothers in the earthquake victims," the ministry was quoted as saying on the state TV's Facebook page. "

"Algeria follows with great grief the consequences of the violent earthquake that hit several regions in the Kingdom of Morocco."

GERMAN FOREIGN MINISTER ANNALENA BAERBOCK

"Awful images are reaching us from Morocco. Together with the people of Morocco, we mourn the victims of the terrible earthquake. Our thoughts are with them and all those who are searching for those buried in these hours and fighting for the lives of the many injured."

FRENCH PRESIDENT EMMANUEL MACRON

"We are all shocked after the terrible earthquake in Morocco. France stands ready to help first aid responses."

SPAIN'S ACTING PRIME MINISTER PEDRO SANCHEZ

"All my solidarity with the people of Morocco in the face of the terrible earthquake ... Spain stands with the victims of this tragedy and their families."

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed its sincere condolences to the government and people of Morocco, and to the families of the victims of this tragedy, as well as its wishes for a speedy recovery for all the injured.

SWEDISH PRIME MINISTER ULF KRISTERSSON

"Devastating earthquake in Morocco last night. Our thoughts are with the victims and their loved ones."

IRAQI PRIME MINISTER MOHAMMED SHIA AL-SUDANI

His office said in a statement the prime minister offered his condolences to the Moroccan government and people and said Iraq was ready to provide all forms of assistance.

ITALIAN PRIME MINISTER GIORGIA MELONI

"PM @GiorgiaMeloni has learned with sorrow the tragic toll of the devastating earthquake that struck Morocco and expressed closeness and solidarity with Prime Minister Akhannouch and the Moroccan people, expressing Italy's full readiness in this emergency," Meloni's office said.

*OFFERS OF FOREIGN AID

TURKEY

The Turkish Foreign Ministry said Ankara was ready to provide all kinds of support "to heal the wounds of the earthquake in Morocco".

FRANCE

"France ... is ready to provide immediately its help for the rescue and assistance to the populations affected by this tragedy," the French Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

Valerie Pecresse, president of the Paris region, said on X it was offering 500,000 euros ($535,000)in aid for Morocco.

Benoit Payan, the mayor of Marseille, said firemen will be sent to help rescue crews in Morocco, adding that Marrakech is Marseille's "sister city".

SPAIN

"The Spain military emergency unit and our embassy and consulates are at the disposal of Morocco," Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares said at the G20 meeting in New Delhi.

Antonio Nogales, president of Spain's Firefighters Without Frontiers, told RTVE Spanish television: "We are in contact with the Moroccan authorities and we are ready to go and help." The organization was involved in helping find survivors of the earthquake in Turkey in February.

ISRAEL

Foreign Minister Eli Cohen said Israel is extending its hand to Morocco in this difficult time that it is experiencing, and as soon as we learned of the news of the earthquake that struck Morocco, we immediately offered its government to provide humanitarian aid and contribute to rescuing the victims". The ministry said this in a post on X, originally in Arabic.

TUNISIA

The Tunisian presidency said President Kais Saied had

"authorized coordination with the Moroccan authorities to direct urgent aid and send civil protection teams to support the Kingdoms search and rescue efforts. He also authorized the facilitation of a delegation from the Tunisian Red Crescent to contribute to relief operations and surround the injured."

ROMANIA

Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu said "the Romanian authorities are in close contact with the Moroccan authorities and ready to offer assistance".

TAIWAN

Taiwans fire department said it had put a team of 120 rescuers on standby to go to Morocco who can go the moment they get instructions from Taiwans foreign ministry.

* ASSISTANCE TO FOREIGN NATIONALS

FRANCE

The French Foreign Ministry said its embassy in Morocco and the ministry in Paris have opened crisis centres "to respond to demands for information or help from our compatriots."

GERMANY

The German embassy in Rabat has set up an emergency number for Germans affected by the earthquake and is in close contact with local authorities, a German foreign ministry spokesperson said, without providing further details.

ISRAEL

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it was identifying the locations of its citizens now present in Morocco, "communicating with them and checking on them."

RUSSIA

"The Russian Embassy in Rabat and the Consulate General in Casablanca are in constant contact with the Moroccan authorities. According to our diplomats, there are no Russian citizens among the victims of the earthquake," Russia's foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said in a statement.

($1 = 0.9347 euros)

(Compiled by Tomasz Janowski with contributions from Reuters bureaus; Editing by Frances Kerry)
ZURICH (Reuters) - Roche is open to making big acquisitions if they make "sense", Chief Executive Thomas Schinecker said, with the Swiss drugmaker unencumbered by its $20.7 billion deal last year to buy back its shares from Novartis.

"Of course, we also look externally for opportunities," Schinecker, who became Roche CEO in March, told Swiss newspaper NZZ Am Sonntag in an article to be published on Sunday.

"If it makes scientific and financial sense, we can also imagine a large acquisition," he added.

Earlier this year it was reported that U.S. biotech company Roivant Sciences was in talks to sell to Roche an experimental drug to treat inflammatory bowel diseases, including ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, in a deal that could be valued at more than $7 billion.

Both companies declined to comment on the matter at the time.

Schinecker declined to comment to the newspaper on the size of any potential deals by Roche. The company is due to hold an investor day on Monday where it will outline its strategy and give updates on its product pipeline.

"With every possible acquisition, we ask ourselves whether the potential expenditure can be earned back," he said.

"We still have the strategic flexibility for acquisitions," he added, when asked if Roche had enough funding to support a buying spree after buying the shares back from Novartis.

(Reporting by John Revill; Editing by Mike Harrison)
By Nathan Layne

(Reuters) -South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem endorsed Donald Trump at a campaign rally on Friday, potentially boosting the former president's lead in the Republican Party's 2024 presidential primary race.

A rising star in the party, Noem has long been mentioned as a possible running mate for Trump should he win the nomination. Her endorsement will likely add fuel to that speculation.

Noem announced her "full and complete endorsement" of Trump at an evening rally in Rapid City, South Dakota, attended by thousands of the former president's supporters.

"He is the leader, the fighter that our country needs," said Noem, who used a joke to nod at speculation that she could be his running mate but did not directly address the issue. "I will do everything I can to help him win and save this country."

With the first nominating contest in Iowa still months away, only a handful of Republican governors have officially endorsed candidates in the crowded primary.

Republican strategist Matt Dole said Noem's move to endorse at this early stage suggests she is increasingly confident that Trump, who is far ahead of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and other rivals in national polls, will win the primary.

"It is a sign that he is solidifying the base behind his candidacy," said Dole, who has advised gubernatorial and congressional candidates. "Governor Noem has a backing in the Republican Party who like her style and have followed her career. I think she brings folks to the table with her."

Noem, 51, raised her national profile during the COVID-19 pandemic when she pushed back on restrictions aimed at curbing the spread of the virus. She has been a staunch Trump supporter, winning her a measure of popularity among his base of voters.

Trump called Noem one of the most successful governors, citing her record resisting pandemic lockdowns and strong economic growth in her state.

"I get endorsements, some dont mean anything. Hers means a lot," Trump said.

Trump spent most of his nearly two-hour speech railing against the policies of President Joe Biden, a Democrat who defeated him in the 2020 election. The two appear to be on track for a rematch in 2024, with Republican primary voters rallying to Trump's side even as he faces four criminal indictments.

He reiterated plans to dismantle tax incentives for electric vehicles, one of Biden's signature policies, and vowed to implement a mass deportation of immigrants and fire scores of government workers in an effort to "obliterate the Deep State."

Trump painted the economic outlook in hyperbolic terms, underscoring his attempt to capitalize on polls showing that most voters don't approve of Biden's handling of the economy, despite easing inflation and low unemployment.

"The fact is we are probably heading into a Great Depression," Trump said. "The only question is whether or not it will be during the remaining months of the Biden administration. If it's going to happen, let it happen then."

Trump also called on Republicans in Congress to try to use an upcoming government funding deadline of Sept. 30 as leverage to ban the Biden administration from using taxpayer funds for resettling immigrants within the United States.

(Reporting by Nathan Layne in Wilton, Connecticut; Editing by Colleen Jenkins, Daniel Wallis and Michael Perry)
(Photo : CARL DE SOUZA/AFP via Getty Images)

LONDON - MAY 19: A prison guard at HMP (Her Majesty's Prison) Pentonville stands behind a locked gate May 19, 2003 in London. A new report from the Prison Reform Trust (PRT) says overcrowding in Britain's prisons has been caused by tougher sentencing rather than an increase in crime. Since 1991, offenders of petty crimes are three times more likely to be imprisoned.

Daniel Khalife, a terrorism suspect who fled from a London-area prison in what authorities believe was a clearly pre-planned operation, is a priority for the Metropolitan Police of London.

As new details about the audacious escape emerge, concerns about inside assistance and prison conditions arise.

Hunt Intensifies for Terrorism Suspect Daniel Khalife

Met Police Chief Sir Mark Rowley expressed concern over the planned escape, stating, "The fact that he was able to strap himself to the bottom of the wagon indicates that it was pre-planned."

Rowley emphasized that such an escape is unlikely to be spontaneous and raised concerns regarding the possibility of assistance from within the prison or external accomplices.

Rowley inquired, "Did anyone inside the penitentiary assist him? Other detainees, security personnel? Did individuals outside the walls assist him, or did he create everything independently?"

Daniel Khalife, age 21, was accused of obtaining information that could be directly or indirectly useful to an enemy and making a bomb hoax by placing canisters with wires on a desk. He was discharged from the army in May after facing severe charges.

He had been detained pending trial, with a November trial date scheduled. Khalife's escape from His Majesty's Prison Wandsworth at approximately 8:00 a.m. on Wednesday has prompted suspicions of potential inside assistance.

Authorities believe that Khalife's position in the prison kitchen gave him access to a food delivery van, which he strapped himself to to flee the facility. Initial reports did not specify to whom Khalife may have passed information, but recent BBC reports suggest he may have sought information on behalf of Iran.

The discovery of straps to secure Khalife to the van prompted initial suspicions of possible involvement from within, as per Fox News. As more information has come to light, these suspicions have developed, including a notice sent to National Health Service facilities advising them to be vigilant for anyone presenting with burns.

This notice indicates that Khalife may have suffered severe injuries during his escape, most likely from coming into contact with the van's exhaust system. The ongoing search for Khalife has centered on Richmond Park in southwest London, with officers undertaking exhaustive searches throughout the area.

Read Also: US Marine Found Dead at Quantico Base Identified

Concerns About Wandsworth Prison

Despite reducing some efforts, the park has remained a priority for authorities. However, officials emphasize that this concentration is based on something other than specific leads or intelligence.

According to CNN, the incident has prompted Chief Inspector of Prisons Charlie Taylor to express concern for Wandsworth prison, suggesting that it really needs closing. Before Khalife's escape, the institution had already been deemed a serious concern by a watchdog group.

Taylor emphasized the need for more suitable prison facilities and acknowledged the current crisis in the prison system, where there are barely enough available spaces to accommodate the increasing population of inmates, as per The Independent.

The escape of Daniel Khalife has not only raised significant security concerns but also brought to light the problems within the prison system, sparking conversations about the need for prison reform and more suitable detention facilities.

Related Article: Fatal 'One Chip Challenge': Spicy Chip Maker Takes Product off Shelves as Massachusetts Probes Teen's Death

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
The US could begin withdrawing troops from Niger in the coming weeks, according to two US officials, which would mark a significant change to the American military presence in the country following a coup that toppled the democratically elected government in Niamey in late July.

Ultimately, as many as half of the 1,100 troops stationed in Niger could be pulled from the country, two officials said. A final decision to withdraw troops from Niger has not yet been made, the officials said, and the number of troops that could leave has not been determined.

After the military coup took down the government six weeks ago, the US maintained its military footprint in Niger, keeping US troops stationed at two air bases and at the embassy in Niamey. But a transfer of troops from one base to another could compel the military to pull some troops from Niger.

The issue is essentially a capacity problem, three US officials said.

The Pentagon announced on Thursday that troops from Air Base 101 near the capital of Niamey would be relocating to Air Base 201 near Agadez out of an abundance of caution following the military takeover of the country.

But Base 201, from which the US operates drones, is much smaller and does not have the capacity to house all of the troops, the officials said, so some will have to leave the country.

The removal of some troops from Niger could start in the coming weeks, one official said, and the pace at which it happens depends on conditions on the ground.

Even so, the Pentagons goal is to maintain a military presence in Niger for as long as possible, the official said.

Niger is a critical hub from which the US conducts intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) flights in the region, allowing the military to monitor violent extremist activity in hotspots such as neighboring Mali and Burkina Faso. After pausing the ISR drone flights in late-July because of the coup, the US has now begun intermittent ISR flights once again, one official familiar with the matter said.

CNN previously reported that the Biden administration had been searching for ways to keep US forces and assets in Niger to continue anti-terror operations, even as it became increasingly unlikely that the military junta that overthrew the countrys government in July will cede power back to the democratically elected president.

Politico first reported on the possible reduction of US troops in Niger.

On Thursday, the Defense Department announced that some non-essential personnel and contractors would be leaving Niger. In addition, some troops from Air Base 101 near the capital of Niamey would relocate to Air Base 201 in Agadez. The move was done in coordination with the Nigerien military.

Our position remains the same that we hope that the situation on the ground gets resolved diplomatically but would just reemphasize that theres no immediate threat to US personnel or violence on the ground, Deputy Press Secretary Sabrina Singh said at a news briefing Thursday.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
This photo provided Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023, by the North Korean government shows the paramilitary parade, marking North Koreas 75th founding anniversary at Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang, North Korea. Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service via AP

North Korea celebrated its founding with a military parade featuring tractors and dump trucks.

The 75th anniversary was attended by delegations from China and Russia.

The parade emphasized the country's militia units and readiness for war.

North Korea celebrated its founding early Saturday in the capital with a military parade that included tractors pulling rocket launchers in front of visiting delegations from China and Russia, the Associated Press reported.

The event, held in the capital of Pyongyang, marked 75 years since the country was founded under then-Premier Kim Il Sung, the grandfather of current leader Kim Jong Un.

The parade emphasized the "militia" components of North Korea's military in an attempt to demonstrate the country's ability to beat back a foreign invasion.

This photo provided Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023, by the North Korean government shows the paramilitary parade, marking North Koreas 75th founding anniversary at Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang, North Korea. Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service via AP

The parade came a day after North Korea showed off what it claimed was its first "tactical nuclear attack submarine," which  if true  would increase the country's ability to threaten nuclear war against distant foes. At the very least, experts said, it demonstrates Kim's commitment to expanding the reach of North Korea's nuclear program.

The weapons paraded on Saturday were more humble. Photos released by North Korean state media show rows of tractors towing what appear to be rocket launchers.

This photo provided Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023, by the North Korean government shows tractors towing weapons during the paramilitary parade ceremony marking North Koreas 75th founding anniversary at Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang, North Korea. Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service via AP

The parade also featured red dump trucks that were modified to hide missile launchers, an effort to signal "the militia's role as guerilla fighters in a war," according to Reuters.

No nuclear-capable weapons or intercontinental ballistic missiles appeared to be on display, in contrast with a July parade marking North Korea's "victory" in the 1950-53 war that cemented the division of the peninsula.

This photo provided Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023, by the North Korean government shows the paramilitary parade, marking North Koreas 75th founding anniversary at Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang, North Korea. Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service via AP

North Korea also showed off its paramilitary might during its 2021 anniversary. The country's Worker-Peasant Red Guards are believed to have more than 5 million members, The Korea Herald reported, citing a South Korean government estimate. That compares to about 1.3 million people in the North Korean army.

Read the original article on Business Insider
MARRAKECH, Morocco (AP)  A rare, powerful earthquake struck Morocco, sending people racing from their beds into the streets and toppling buildings in mountainous villages and ancient cities not built to withstand such force. More than 2,000 people were killed, and the toll was expected to rise as rescuers struggled Saturday to reach hard-hit remote areas.

The magnitude 6.8 quake, the biggest to hit the North African country in 120 years, sent people fleeing their homes in terror and disbelief late Friday. One man said dishes and wall hangings began raining down, and people were knocked off their feet. The quake brought down walls made from stone and masonry, covering whole communities with rubble.

The devastation gripped each town along the High Atlas steep and winding switchbacks in similar ways: homes folding in on themselves and mothers and fathers crying as boys and helmet-clad police carried the dead through the streets.

Remote villages like those in the drought-stricken Ouargane Valley were largely cut off from the world when they lost electricity and cellphone service. By midday, people were outside mourning neighbors, surveying the damage on their camera phones and telling one another May God save us.

Hamid Idsalah, a 72-year-old mountain guide, said he and many others remained alive but had little future to look forward to. That was true in the short-term  with remnants of his kitchen reduced to dust  and in the long-term  where he and many others lack the financial means to rebound.

I cant reconstruct my home. I dont know what Ill do. Still, Im alive, so Ill wait, he said as he walked through the desert oasis town overlooking red rock hills, packs of goats and a glistening salt lake. I feel heartsick.

In historic Marrakech, people could be seen on state TV clustering in the streets , afraid to go back inside buildings that might still be unstable. The city's famous Koutoubia Mosque, built in the 12th century, was damaged, but the extent was not immediately clear. Its 69-meter (226-foot) minaret is known as the roof of Marrakech. Moroccans also posted videos showing damage to parts of the famous red walls that surround the old city, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

At least 2,012 people died in the quake, mostly in Marrakech and five provinces near the epicenter, Morocco's Interior Ministry reported Saturday night. At least 2,059 more people were injured  1,404 critically  the ministry said.

The problem is that where destructive earthquakes are rare, buildings are simply not constructed robustly enough to cope with strong ground shaking, so many collapse, resulting in high casualties, said Bill McGuire, professor emeritus of geophysical and climate hazards at University College London.

In a sign of the huge scale of the disaster, Moroccos King Mohammed VI ordered the armed forces to mobilize specialized search and rescue teams and a surgical field hospital, according to a statement from the military.

The king said he would visit the hardest hit area Saturday, but despite an outpouring of offers of help from around the world, the Moroccan government had not formally asked for assistance, a step required before outside rescue crews could deploy.

The epicenter of Fridays tremor was near the town of Ighil in Al Haouz Province, roughly 70 kilometers (44 miles) south of Marrakech. Al Haouz is known for scenic villages and valleys tucked in the High Atlas Mountains.

Police, emergency vehicles and people fleeing in shared taxis spent hours traversing unpaved roads through the High Atlas in stop-and-go traffic, often exiting their cars to help clear giant boulders from routes known to be rugged and difficult long before Fridays earthquake. In Ijjoukak, a village in the area surrounding Toubkal, North Africas tallest peak, residents estimated nearly 200 buildings had been leveled.

Couch cushions, electric cords and grapes were strewn in giant piles of rubble alongside dead sheep, houseplants and doors wedged between boulders. Relatives from the town and those who had driven from major cities cried while they wondered who to call as they reckoned with the aftermath and a lack of food and water.

It felt like a bomb went off, 34-year-old Mohamed Messi said.

Morocco will observe three days of national mourning with flags at half-staff on all public facilities, the official news agency MAP reported.

World leaders offered to send in aid or rescue crews as condolences poured in from countries in Europe, the Middle East and the Group of 20 summit in India. The president of Turkey, which lost tens of thousands of people in a massive earthquake earlier this year, was among those proposing assistance. France and Germany, with large populations of people of Moroccan origin, also offered to help, and the leaders of both Ukraine and Russia expressed support for Moroccans.

In an exceptional move, neighboring rival Algeria offered to open its airspace to allow eventual humanitarian aid or medical evacuation flights to travel to and from Morocco. Algeria closed the airspace when its government severed diplomatic ties with Morocco in 2021 over a series of issues. The countries have a decadeslong dispute involving the territory of Western Sahara.

The U.S. Geological Survey said the quake had a preliminary magnitude of 6.8 when it hit at 11:11 p.m. (22:11 GMT), with shaking that lasted several seconds. The U.S. agency reported a magnitude 4.9 aftershock hit 19 minutes later. The collision of the African and Eurasian tectonic plates occurred at a relatively shallow depth, which makes a quake more dangerous.

Earthquakes are relatively rare in North Africa. Lahcen Mhanni, Head of the Seismic Monitoring and Warning Department at the National Institute of Geophysics, told 2M TV that the earthquake was the strongest ever recorded in the region.

In 1960, a magnitude 5.8 tremor struck near the Moroccan city of Agadir and caused thousands of deaths. That quake prompted changes in construction rules in Morocco, but many buildings, especially rural homes, are not built to withstand such tremors.

In 2004, a 6.4 magnitude earthquake near the Mediterranean coastal city of Al Hoceima left more than 600 dead.

Friday's quake was felt as far away as Portugal and Algeria, according to the Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere and Algeria's Civil Defense agency, which oversees emergency response.

___

Associated Press writers Angela Charlton in Paris, Ahmed Hatem in Cairo, and Brian Melley and Hadia Bakkar in London contributed to this report.
Princess Dianas sapphire ring (which now belongs to Kate Middleton) is probably the most famous engagement ring in the world, and the story behind it is pretty unusual. Mostly becauseunlike other royal engagement ringsDianas wasnt bespoke. Which apparently caused some slight controversy within the British royal family. That said, the ring was picked out by Prince (now King!) Charles specially for his future bridein part because of its special connection to Queen Victoria.

WPA Pool - Getty Images

Dianas Ring Was Sold in a Catalog

In fact, it was featured in the catalog for royal jeweler Garrard back in 1981, meaning its possible (probably inevitable) that multiple people have the same ring. And according to Vogue, critics, including some in the royal family, werent thrilled that Dianas ring wasnt custombut jokes on them because this is now THE most iconic ring maybeever?

Tim Graham - Getty Images

Anyway, Garrard still makes a similar design, which you can buy for $15,000 if you feel the need:

Shop Now 1735 Sapphire Ring In Platinum with Diamonds garrard.com $15000.00 Garrard

The Design Was Inspired by Queen Victorias Brooch

Despite not being custom designed for a royal, Dianas engagement ring has a special royal connection: It was inspired by a sapphire brooch given by Prince Albert to Queen Victoria. The brooch is especially significant because she wore it at their wedding as her something blue.



Queen Victoria absolutely loved sapphires, so Prince Albert always used to buy her sapphires, House of Garrard told Marie Claire in 2017. Theres a very famous sapphire brooch which Queen Elizabeth wears regularly, passed down from Queen Victoria. That was the inspiration for the sapphire engagement ring that the Duchess of Cambridge wears. Prince Charles had always seen this beautiful sapphire brooch of his mothers, which House of Garrard had created. When he went to House of Garrard, he saw that ring and thought it was perfect.

Max Mumby/Indigo - Getty Images

And fun fact: Garrard now places a sapphire on the inside of every engagement ring as a nod to the royals love of sapphires and also to be the something blue on the brides wedding day.

Prince Harry Inherited Dianas Ring

While Dianas iconic engagement ring ended up on the Duchess of Cambridges finger, it was given to Prince Harry after his mother passed away. But Harry is said to have offered it to Prince William when he was planning to propose to Kate. As Princess Dianas butler Paul Burrell explained in the documentary The Diana Story, Harry said to his older brother, Wouldnt it be fitting if she had Mummys ring? Then one day, that ring will be sat on the throne of England.

William himself said during his and Kates engagement interview that the ring was a way of keeping Diana close and explained, Its my mothers engagement ring, so I thought it was quite nice because obviously shes not going to be around to share in any of the fun and excitement of all this. This is my way of keeping her sort of close to it all.

It Cost the Then-Prince Charles $$$$

According to Vogue, Charles spent $60,000 on the 12-carat oval Ceylon sapphire ring, but I think we can all agree its pretty much priceless today!

Anwar Hussein - Getty Images

You Might Also Like
Update: Read our latest coverage here.

Hurricane Lee, which became the season's first Category 5 storm last week, weakened to a Category 1 on Thursday as it continued churning northward on a path that could reach New England this weekend. The National Hurricane Center has issued its first hurricane and tropical storm watches for portions of the northeast U.S. coast.

As of 11 a.m. EDT Thursday, Lee had maximum sustained winds of 90 mph. It was centered about 245 miles west-southwest of Bermuda and 750 miles south of Nantucket and was heading north at 14 mph.

Hurricane Lee as seen from space early on Sept. 14, 2023. / Credit: National Hurricane Center / NOAA

"On the forecast track, the center of Lee will pass west of Bermuda today and tonight, approach the coast of New

England and Atlantic Canada Friday and Saturday, and move across Atlantic Canada Saturday night and Sunday," the hurricane center said early Thursday. "Weakening is forecast, but Lee is expected to remain a large and dangerous hurricane for the next couple of days."

Hurricane Lee's projected path early on Sept. 14, 2023. / Credit: National Hurricane Center

Hurricane-force winds were extending outward up to 105 miles from Lee's center and tropical-storm-force winds extended outward up to 290 miles.

A hurricane watch was in effect for Stonington, Maine to the U.S./Canada border and a tropical storm warning was posted for Bermuda. A tropical storm watch covered Watch Hill, Rhode Island to Stonington, Maine, Block Island, Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket. Cape Cod Bay and Nantucket were under a storm surge watch.

9/13 5pm AST: There is the potential for life-threatening storm surge flooding from Hurricane #Lee in portions of southeastern MA, including Cape Cod & Nantucket, late Friday & Saturday, where a Storm Surge Watch has been issued. Please check https://t.co/0BMJEzOTx0 for updates! pic.twitter.com/WO3joIUMFd  NHC Storm Surge (@NHC_Surge) September 13, 2023

"Swells generated by Lee are affecting portions of the Lesser Antilles, the British and U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Hispaniola, the Turks and Caicos Islands, the Bahamas, Bermuda, the east coast of the United States, and are beginning to reach Atlantic Canada," the hurricane center noted early Thurssay. "These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions."

CBS News senior weather and climate producer David Parkinson estimated Monday, "if you sum up all the probabilities," the odds are about 2/3 against any U.S. landfall and a 1/3 chance of landfall along the northeast U.S. coast, most likely north of Cape Cod, Massachusetts.

"Realistically, this looks like a Nova Scotia landfall (as it has all along) with a healthy chance (~25%) of a down east Maine landfall on Saturday/early Sunday," he noted on Tuesday. By that point, he said, it would have weakened to a tropical or post-tropical storm.

"We should expect a pretty decent amount of coastal flooding, especially in places that get battered by nor'easters, as waves at the beach will be in the 12-foot range in spots. Lots of erosion can be expected in Cape Cod and Nantucket," he said, with winds gusting in the range of at least 50 or 60 mph, and at least 4 inches of rain drenching eastern New England.

Parkinson laid out a few possible scenarios for Lee. One would involve a cold front coming off the East Coast that could trap Lee and push it north against the coastline, bringing potentially stormy weather to areas along the coast.

However, if no cold front forms, Parkinson explained, Lee would then potentially stay out at sea for a longer period until it reaches Newfoundland and Labrador in Canada.

Chris Warren, meteorologist for The Weather Channel, also said Friday that a jet stream that is currently dipping south could help determine whether Lee goes "well away from land, or much closer."

Warren added that "regardless" of Lee's path, it will still bring "large waves and dangerous rip currents up and down the East Coast."

As meteorologists predicted, Lee gained strength quickly. Early Wednesday, Lee was a tropical storm with sustained winds of 65 mph  but grew within hours into a Category 1 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson scale when it reached maximum sustained wind speeds of 74 mph. The following day it exploded from Category 2 to Category 4 and then all the way to Category 5, meaning sustained wind speeds of 157 mph or higher.

Hurricane #Lee has explosively intensified into a Category 5 storm and is expected to peak as a monster 180 mph Cat 5.



One of the fastest intensifying Atlantic hurricanes ever observed. pic.twitter.com/38efxc07Bj  Colin McCarthy (@US_Stormwatch) September 8, 2023

Meteorologists consider storms that fall within Categories 3, 4, or 5 to be "major" hurricanes, due to their potential to cause "significant loss of life and damage," the National Hurricane Center says, warning that "catastrophic damage will occur" from a Category 4 or 5 making landfall.

Lee's emergence comes just days after Hurricane Idalia left a path of destruction across the Southeast.

How do hurricanes get their names? A look at the naming process and 2023's full list

That storm made landfall in the Big Bend region of Florida's Gulf Coast, where it razed homes and downed power poles. It then headed northeast, slamming Georgia and flooding South Carolina beachfront communities, sending seawater into the streets of downtown Charleston. In North Carolina, it poured more than 9 inches of rain on Whiteville, flooding downtown buildings.

Idalia claimed several lives in Florida and Georgia. The financial toll from damage and lost economic activity is expected to be in the $12 to $20 billion range, according to Moody's Analytics.

Migrant center housing unaccompanied minors reopens in Texas

Lawmakers weigh in on Hunter Biden indictment

U.N. says most deaths from Libya floods were preventable, death toll could reach 20,000
The U.S. military is preparing to cut its presence in Niger nearly in half in the next few weeks, as troops move out of the capital of Niamey amid widespread protests, according to two Defense Department officials with direct knowledge of the move.

DOD recently began repositioning a number of forces away from the airport at Niamey to a second, smaller base at Agadez, some 500 miles away, Pentagon spokesperson Sabrina Singh told reporters on Thursday. As a result, the overall number of troops in Niger could drop from 1,200 before the July 26 coup to somewhere right in the middle of 500 to 1,000 in the next few weeks, said one of the DOD officials, who like others interviewed for this story was granted anonymity to discuss sensitive plans.

This would be the first significant movement of U.S. troops out of Niger since a military junta seized power in late July. The Biden administration has yet to officially call the incident a coup, a label that would require ending military and other aid to the country. However, the Pentagon has suspended training operations with Nigerien forces. Meanwhile, flights out of Agadez, a U.S.-funded drone base key to hunting militants in the region, have been sporadic.

Any major reduction in U.S. military presence in Niger would be a blow to the counterterrorism fight in the Sahel. The French military, which also has a major presence in Niger, is reportedly in talks with the military junta to withdraw its forces.

The DOD officials cautioned that no final decision has been made on the exact number of U.S. troops that remain in Niger after the repositioning. That figure depends on how many can be accommodated at Agadez and how many Pentagon leaders decide are needed to continue the counterterrorism mission, said the officials.

Its about matching the right people to the right mission, said the second DOD official. The number is not as important to us as the function they are performing.

The situation in Niger is relatively stable and there is no specific threat to U.S. troops, Singh said. The U.S. military will still maintain a small presence at the airport in Niamey, while most of the troops will move to Agadez, she said.

The decision to move from Niamey was taken out of an abundance of caution, particularly after protests erupted this week outside a French military base in the city, said the first DOD official.

We are trying to reduce the footprint in Niamey but still maintain our ability to conduct counterterrorism operations, the first official said.
More than 10 years ago, William Will Yeske deployed to a corner of the world known as the Arghandab River Valley of Afghanistan.

For Yeske and his fellow 82nd Airborne Division paratroopers in 1st Platoon, Bravo Company, 2nd Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, nicknamed 2 Fury, the valley holds memories.

Some memories about deploying during the height of the Afghanistan War at a time that claimed the lives of paratroopers part of the 4th Brigade Combat Team are ones Yeske and his comrades will never forget.

Other memories are tucked away in diaries known as green books or on receipts. Still others are unspoken.

Yeske is a combat veteran who served more than 11 years in the Army, joining the regular Army in March 2008, then enlisting in the Reserves in October 2015 and remaining there until getting out as a sergeant in October 2018.

He is also a founding member of the veteran nonprofit, Rally for the Troops, which is part of Racing for Heroes, a nonprofit that connects veterans to resources and encourages veteran outreach through racing.

Yeske never intended to add the title of author to his resume and even joked with fellow paratrooper Sgt. Robert Musil when leaving the Arghandab River Valley that others in his unit would write a book before he would.

I also knew how much this portion of history meant to the guys who were there, Yeske said. I didnt want to be the one challenging their memories, bringing old wounds to the surface and possibly getting some of the facts wrong.

However, participating in another book project a few years ago led Yeske to write his own book.

Former paratrooper William Yeske wrote "Damn the Valley," which focuses on his unit's 2010 deployment to Afghanistan. The book is set to release Oct. 31, 2023.

Damn the Valley

Yeskes book, Damn the Valley, is a response to Wall Street Journal reporter Ben Keslings book Bravo Company: An Afghanistan Deployment and its Aftermath, which focused on Yeske's companys 2009-10 deployment, Yeske said during a phone interview Wednesday.

He said portion of paratroopers in the unit felt that Keslings book focused more on Staff Sgt. Allen Thomas, who was medically evacuated from the Arghandab River Valley after a suicide bomber attack in March 2010.

While paratroopers in the unit saved Thomas, he later succumbed to suicide in September 2013, Yeske said.

"Guys thought it was only a small portion of the story, Yeske said.

Their main concern, he said, was they felt the book wasn't a good representation of everything that happened in the valley while on the deployment.

So, I ended up calling the author and told him about the concerns of the guys and asked him if he thought it was worth putting my collection of stories into a book form."

Emulating books written by Vietnam veterans that told the story from the viewpoint of enlisted soldiers without pulling punches," Yeske said, he drafted a manuscript.

His book, he said, focuses on his units 2009 to 2010 deployment to Afghanistan.

He said his book was reviewed by the Department of Defense Office of Prepublication and Security Review to ensure it doesnt contain any operational security or classified information.

He spoke to more than a dozen former comrades and paratroopers for different perspectives of their time serving in the valley, including the platoon sergeant who provided Yeske with notes from his diary, and others who scribbled notes on receipts.

Yeske said some he spoke to were happy to hear from him, while he could hear the dread in the voices of others and one former soldier angrily cursed at him, before calling him back three months later.

Others declined to be mentioned because they are in a place in life that they dont want these memories brought back up to haunt them again, Yeske said.

One person keeps stating that Youre not the keeper of the story, and hes right, Yeske wrote in the authors notes of the book. We all are, and I want the various guys that were there to bring it forward  The one certainty is that anyone who spent any amount of time within that valley during those years was affected in one way or another.

He reached out to Casemate Publishers, a publisher and distributor of military history books that specializes in nonfiction.

An editor got back to me and said she wanted to pitch it at a roundtable discussion the following week, and here we are a year later, Yeske said.

Yeske said the title comes from a phrase he heard soldiers saying a lot toward the end of their deployment.

They started saying, 'Damn the valley and the lives that its taking,' Yeske said. It got to the point that our (Family Readiness Group) asked us to stop putting DTV on social media posts, but this is for the guys weve lost.

In addition to the Americans lost there, the valley has claimed soldiers going back to the troops of Alexander the Great and the British Empire, to most recently, the Russian army, he said.

Three paratroopers in Yeskes company were killed in action, while a dozen more suffered life-changing injuries, he said.

New law honors wounded and injured veterans from Fort Liberty, military installations

Yeske said while there was pushback from the publisher on the books title, he explained the meaning, which he said is depicted in the cover photo, taken by Sgt. Rodney Garcia immediately after a roadside bomb flattened their combat outpost.

The guys were pulling out other guys who had been buried alive and Afghan children who did not make it, and the photo is of them pulling a flag from the rubble, Yeske said. The guys lifted the American flag from the debris as dirt, dust, and stones. It was an emotional picture that summed up our experience in the valley as we were constantly hit and would have to refit, regroup, and be right back at it hours later.

He said that when he sought permission to use the photo, he learned the person who recovered it, Brian Errickson, still had it.

It is on display at the Airborne and Special Operations Museum in downtown Fayetteville where Yeske will host his book launch at 1 p.m. Nov. 11.

The book is scheduled for release Oct. 31, which Yeske said coincidentally happens to be the anniversary of his units first firefight in the Helmand Province of Afghanistan.

Endorsements

Yeskes book has received an endorsement from retired Gen. David Petraeus, former commander of U.S. Central Command and NATO and U.S. forces in Afghanistan, and others.

Petraeus said the book captures the tense dynamics and relationships in the brotherhood of the close fight in the toughest imaginable conditions.

Then-Spc. William Yeske,center, eats a meal during a 2010 deployment to Afghanistan with then-Sgt. 1st Class Matthew Hill, right, and then-Sgt. Robert Musil, left.

William Yeske, far right, and fellow paratroopers Rudy "Doc" Ponce and Hector Trujillo take a break at a patrol base right before a firefight during a 2010 deployment to Afghanistan.

The foreword of the book is written by retired Lt. Gen. Ben Hodges, who was director of operations for Regional Command-South in 2010 while in Kandahar.

Even contending with mistakes at the strategic and political level in Afghanistan, our soldiers fought with courage and honor ...The men that served with Bravo Company were some of the best I ever saw... real All-Americans that fought relentlessly to deny the enemy movement through or establish a stronghold within the Arghandab Valley, Hodges wrote.

In the afterword written by retired Command Sgt. Maj. Bert Puckett, Puckett said the Arghandab valley will go down in the history next to other places infamous within military history, like the A Shau valley in Vietnam, the valley of death in Crimea, and the Shenandoah valley.

Puckett wrote that soldiers moved into the valley and established themselves within a day.

But then they were required to hold it. After a year of sustaining weekly casualties, they had succeeded, but no one that had entered that valley left unchanged, he wrote. We all left a piece of ourselves there  This story is timeless. It is the story of soldiers on the pointy end of a nations will ... It is a soldiers eye view of what the ground looked like when the ground was exploding around them.

82nd Airborne Division vet has award in 2009 Afghanistan firefight upgraded to Silver Star

Who the book is for

The book is described as a non-fiction biography, according to the publishers news release.

It follows the story from the narrators perspective, but there are sections where it jumps to another guy telling a story from his point of view, Yeske said.

Theres a portion of the book about Spc. Jason Johnston, who died a day after Christmas in 2009.

The section of the book about Johnston, Yeske said, is told from multiple perspectives, because it was a mass casualty incident.

Yeske said that while he didnt see what happened, he was in the compound and walked on the same portion of dirt where the blast was and was about 50 feet away when it went off.

Yeske, who had medic training, said he sprung into action, while a lieutenant called in their positions to officials and notified them there were causalities.

The book is dedicated to the memory of the soldiers in Yeskes platoon and others in the brigades platoon who he didnt know were killed in action until the end of his deployment.

They are:

 Spc. Jason Johnston, 24, of Albion, New York, who died Dec. 26, 2009.

 Staff Sgt. Scott Brunkhorst,25, of Bridgewater, New Jersey, who died March 30, 2010.

 Spc. Joseph Caron,21, of Roy, Washington, who died April 11, 2010.

 Spc. Christopher Moon, 20, of Tuscon, Arizona, who died July 13, 2010.

 Staff Sgt. Allen Thomas, 29, of Fayetteville, who died Sept. 28, 2013.

 Sgt. Derek Hill, 36, of Woodlawn, Virginia, who died Sept. 11, 2018.

 Sgt. Jason Spottedhorse, 29, of Moore, Oklahoma, who died May 29, 2019.

Yeske said he wants others to understand that the book is not about him its about those he served with.

This was a book that was written for and with the men of Bravo Company 2/508 to establish a record of their deeds and actions on the battlefield over 10 years ago, Yeske wrote in its final pages. It is a sensitive book for some and a chapter of some peoples lives that they would rather forget than carry with them any further. Such is the way of war sometimes.

Yeske said he hopes itll get others to share their stories, or at least reach out to each other

I hope that the guys within (the) division get ahold of this book and realize that we need to not only honor our past but learn from it as well, he said. We need to take the good with the bad.

Damn the Valley can be preordered on sites like Barnes & Noble or Amazon.

Updates can also be found on https://damnthevalleybook.com/.

Staff writer Rachael Riley can be reached at rriley@fayobserver.com or 910-486-3528.

This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Why former paratrooper wrote a book about 2009-10 Afghanistan deployment
ORANGE CITY, IA -- Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy says that as president, he would deport American-born children of undocumented immigrants.

"The family unit will be deported," said Ramaswamy when asked by NBC News if the deportations would include American-born children, after a packed town hall here Friday.

These children, however, are U.S. citizens, regardless of their parents' immigration status. The 14th Amendment states that all persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside.

When asked again if these children would be deported along with their families, Ramaswamy doubled down.

"That is correct," he said.

Vivek Ramaswamy in St. Clair Shores, Mich., on Aug. 14, 2023. (Paul Sancya / AP file )

Ramaswamy, like some other conservatives, believes the 14th Amendment does not confer birthright citizenship.

"Under the legal theory that the child of an illegal immigrant is not someone who enjoys birthright citizenship, then it would be perfectly legally permissible to remove the entire family unit," he said.

Even Ramaswamy acknowledges his plan stands on dubious grounds.

"There are legally contested questions under the 14th Amendment of whether the child of an illegal immigrant is indeed a child who enjoys birthright citizenship," he says. "They are contested."

Ramaswamy isn't the only GOP presidential hopeful with his own take on the 14th Amendment. In a border policy announcement in June, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis's campaign insinuated that birthright citizenship isn't necessarily a given for the children of undocumented immigrants, calling it "inconsistent with the original understanding of the 14th Amendment."

Former President Donald Trump also promised to end birthright citizenship for the children of undocumented immigrations if re-elected.

This is Ramaswamy's latest hardline stance on immigration. The 38-year-old up-and-coming Republican frequently touts his policy of sending the U.S. military to the Southern and Northern borders and stated a willingness to use drone strikes on Mexican drug cartels.
The White House called former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who was helping evacuate Afghan women amid the chaotic withdrawal, to scold her for calling Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskys office to ask for help, according to a newly released book.

Atlantic staff writer Franklin Foers The Last Politician: Inside Joe Bidens White House and the Struggle for Americas Future outlined that during the August 2021 withdrawal, Clinton had a Kill List of women in Afghanistan who could be targets of the Taliban once the United States left the country.

They were called white scarves, Foer writes, because they were told by Clintons team to wear white scarves so they were identifiable.

The former secretary called the emir of Qatar to ask him to accompany buses carrying the women through Taliban checkpoints, according to Foer, and she called Zelenskys office to provide military transport from the airport.

Clinton called an aide to Ukraines president, Volodymyr Zelensky, asking if she could board refugees on a military transport plane destined for Kyiv. Her efforts earned her a reprimand, Foer wrote.

What are you doing calling the Ukrainian government, Jake Sullivan asked her, Foer wrote, referring to President Bidens national security adviser.

Well, she responded. I wouldnt have to call, if you guys would,' Foer wrote.

Clinton then assured Sullivan she would coordinate with the Biden administration, though she had already made contact with other world leaders.

She had also called Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for a favor, but she wasnt advocating on behalf of the U.S. government, Foer said.

Clinton also called Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama, who revered former President Clinton for protecting Albanians in Kosovo in 1999, to ask to help house Afghan women.

The Kill List of 1,5000 Afghan woman and their families was compiled by the Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security, which was run by Clintons former chief of staff Melanne Verveer. The former first lady was able to get more than 1,000 people out of Afghanistan.

The Hill has reached out to the White House and Clinton for comment.

Foers book is an insider account of Bidens first two years in office and was released Tuesday. It comprises almost 300 interviews between November 2020 and February 2023.

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


remaining of

Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading.
The worst earthquake to strike central Morocco in almost a century has killed over 800 people. Damaged structures and city walls caused injuries to several locals in the historic district of Marrakech, which is on the list of UNESCO's World Heritage Sites.

Damage From Tremors

Approximately 72 kilometers (44.7 miles) southwest of Marrakech, a city of some 840,000 people and a favorite among tourists, the epicenter of a 6.8-magnitude earthquake was located, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS). The earthquake occurred shortly after 11:00 PM local time on Friday, September 8.

As reported by state-run TV Al Aoula via CNN, quoting the Moroccan Interior Ministry, 820 people were murdered, and 672 were injured. About 205 of those injured are in serious condition.

Aftershocks kept many Moroccans out on the streets all night as rescuers scrambled desperately to find anyone who had been buried beneath the debris.

Authorities in the medical field have also appealed for blood donations to aid casualties. A CNN reporter in Marrakech saw a large group of individuals who seemed to be wounded waiting outside a hospital.

There was a heavy police and military presence around the area, and hospital beds were relocated.

Authorities indicated that the majority of fatalities were in inaccessible mountainous regions near the disaster's epicenter. Al Aoula reported that rescue crews were having trouble reaching the worst-hit areas due to damaged roads.

Prayers for Morocco  May Allah help and protect those who are effected and have mercy on everyone  pic.twitter.com/wpFyI3C9kE  Allah Islam Quran (@AllahGreatQuran) September 9, 2023

See Also: Pool of Siloam Steps Unearthed: Archaeologists Excavate Site Where Jesus Allegedly Healed Blind Man

Warning From Authorities

The Royal Moroccan Armed Forces have issued a warning to the local population to be vigilant in the event of any more tremors. "We remind you of the need to exercise caution and take safety measures due to the risk of aftershocks," the military posted on X, previously Twitter.

According to the USGS, Friday night's earthquake was rather powerful for that region of Morocco. It stated, "Earthquakes of this size in the region are uncommon, but not unexpected. Since 1900, there have been no earthquakes M6 (magnitude 6) and larger within 500 km of this earthquake, and only 9 M5 (magnitude 5) and larger earthquakes."

The US organization warned that massive destruction and casualties are possible, pointing out that many people in the region live in buildings that are particularly susceptible to seismic shaking.

On Saturday, September 9, Al-Aoula television showed many fallen structures near the epicenter and said that hundreds of people had evacuated their houses due to aftershock warnings from the country's National Institute of Geophysics.

Local resident Montasir Itri told Reuters that most homes in the mountain town of Asni near the epicenter were destroyed or severely damaged. "Our neighbours are under the rubble and people are working hard to rescue them using available means in the village."

See Also: Hong Kong Paralyzed After Experiencing Heaviest Rains in More Than a Century, Flooding the City's Streets

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 9, ARMENPRESS. Chancellor of Germany Olaf Scholz has called for a swift agreement to deliver humanitarian aid to the people of Nagorno-Karabakh and open the Lachin Corridor, according to the German governments readout of Scholzs phone call with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.

Today, Chancellor Scholz spoke by phone with Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan. The tense situation in the border regions between Armenia and Azerbaijan was in the focus. The Federal Chancellor expressed his deep concern over the growing tension of the past weeks, particularly over the movements of military formations. The federal government is strongly urging to refrain from any military escalation. Now it is necessary to swiftly achieve an agreement over providing humanitarian aid to the people of Nagorno-Karabakh, including over the opening of Lachin Corridor. The conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan can only be resolved diplomatically. Now everyone should work constructively in the direction of this goal without delay, Scholzs office said in the readout.

In the September 9 phone call, the Armenian Prime Ministers Office said that he briefed the German Chancellor on the Azeri military buildup and rising tensions.

Lachin Corridor, the only road connecting Nagorno-Karabakh to Armenia and the rest of the world, has been blocked by Azerbaijan since late 2022. The Azerbaijani blockade constitutes a gross violation of the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh ceasefire agreement, which established that the 5km-wide Lachin Corridor shall be under the control of Russian peacekeepers. Furthermore, on February 22, 2023 the United Nations highest court  the International Court of Justice (ICJ) - ordered Azerbaijan to take all steps at its disposal to ensure unimpeded movement of persons, vehicles and cargo along the Lachin Corridor in both directions. Azerbaijan has been ignoring the order ever since. The ICJ reaffirmed its order on 6 July 2023.

Azerbaijan then illegally installed a checkpoint on Lachin Corridor. The blockade has led to shortages of essential products such as food and medication. Azerbaijan has also cut off gas and power supply into Nagorno Karabakh, with officials and experts warning that Baku seeks to commit ethnic cleansing and genocide against Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh.
by Nirmala Carvalho

Alongside the one of heads of state and government also in India in Pune, the "summit" of representatives of religious communities was held these days. Msgr. Felix Machado's appeal, "What good are good economic prospects without dialogue and solidarity?" From the Bishops' Conference the invitation to Indian Catholics to pray that the New Delhi meeting will remind everyone that "we are one human family."

New Delhi (AsiaNews)  While the world's leaders are gathered for the first time in India for the G20 summit, representatives of religions are also making their voices heard.

Since the 2014 G20, held under the Australian presidency, in conjunction with the meeting of heads of state and government, the G20 Interreligious Forum calls together representatives of the different religious communities, the academic world and civil society for a reflection common ground on major global challenges.

In India the event took place from 5 to 7 September at the World Peace Dome in Pune. Over 100 speakers and 2000 delegates took part and discussed the theme "Shaping world peace and sustainable development through interreligious harmony".

The discussion touched on a wide spectrum of topics: from the heavy legacy left by the pandemic to conflicts, from climate change to the condition of children.

Dalbir Singh, president of the One Globe Forum and national secretary of the Congress, underlined that India's rich tapestry of religions and languages is a formidable asset that can foster global harmony.

Speaking as chief guest at the inauguration he underlined the importance of understanding and respecting diversity to ensure that differences do not lead to divisions.

Msgr. Felix Machado, archbishop of Vasai and general secretary of the Indian Bishops' Conference (CBCI) spoke at the meeting on behalf of Indian Catholics: I expect with joy and hope that peace will be at the top of the agenda - he said -. What good are good economic prospects if there is no peace in our hearts, if there is no peace in our families, if there is no peace in our society and in the world around us? In a world based on the market economy, a spirit of gratitude, dialogue and solidarity should reign."

Meanwhile, the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India (CBCI) has also released a message inviting all the Catholic communities of the country to pray for this event.

The president Msgr. Andrews Thazhath, Archbishop of Trichur, said: As our country hosts the G20 summit, we are reminded of the ancient Indian wisdom of 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam', 'one Earth, one family, one future', which underlines the interconnectedness of all living beings. This summit is an opportunity to manifest this universal truth through dialogue, collaboration and shared responsibility. It reminds us that, despite our diversity, we are bound by one human family, which shares common challenges and responsibilities".
by Sumon Corraya

First visit by a Russian foreign minister to Bangladesh. Sheikh Hasina calls for a peaceful solution to the war in Ukraine "the consequences of which weigh on developing countries." Nuclear fuel for the Rosatom-built plant will arrive in October. But due to delays in work on the local power grid infrastructure, it is unlikely to start operating in July 2024 as planned.

Dhaka (AsiaNews) - After participating in the ASEAN summit in Jakarta and before moving to New Delhi for the G20 meeting currently underway, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov made a two-day visit to Bangladesh. The Dhaka stopover is a significant considering that it is the first ever visit by a Russian Foreign Minister to the country.

Meeting him, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina urged Moscow to find a way to end the war in Ukraine peacefully through dialogue. The Prime Minister of Bangladesh added that a quik solution is essential so that developing countries around the world do not have to face economic risks due to shortages of food, energy and fertilizers due to sanctions and counter-sanctions.

Lavrov said he appreciated Bangladesh's "balanced and responsible" position in the war between Ukraine and Russia, while the prime minister reiterated that Bangladesh believes in the foreign policy adopted by the Father of the Nation Mujibur Rahman: "Friendship with all, enmity with none" .

Moscow gave its support to Dhaka in the 1971 war of liberation. Recalling this long friendship, Sheikh Hasina hoped for an increase in trade between the two countries, urging greater Russian investments in Bangladesh.

Lavrov replied that Russia is thinking of investing in Bangladesh's Special Economic Zone and importing clothing manufactured in the country, inviting Dhaka to present specific proposals.

Bangladesh is Russia's second largest trade and investment partner in South Asia. The visit to the country was also an opportunity to discuss the status of work on the Rooppur power plant that the Russian atomic agency Rosatom is building in Bangladesh and whose first 1200 MegaWatt reactor was due to come into operation in July 2024.

Lavrov he assured that the work will be completed within the scheduled time, while Hasina declared that nuclear fuel for the plant will be imported as early as October, inviting Russian President Vladimir Putin to virtually participate in the event.

Despite Bangladesh's great thirst for energy, however, it is very unlikely that the power plant will actually come into operation in ten months: in fact, the infrastructural works that Dhaka must carry out for connection to the electricity grid are very late.

Without their completion, not even the tests on the power plant are possible. Next month's ceremony, therefore, is only expected to be a symbolic event considering the now imminent elections in Bangladesh.

Dhaka also discussed a long-term agreement between the two countries for the import of fertilizers from Russia, as well as 300 thousand tons of Russian wheat.
Today's headlines: 2 dead in typhoon in Hong Kong, controversy over no text alert; In Mindanao, two Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) factions agree to work together for the Bangsamoro; New clashes in Ein al-Hilweh Palestinian refugee camp; Appeal by Armenian Prime Minister Pasinyan against troops massed by Azerbaijan at the border.

INDIA-G20

G20 leaders began their annual summit in New Delhi by granting permanent membership to the African Union in an effort to broaden the forum's representation of the world's largest economies. However, the bloc remains deeply divided over the war in Ukraine, with Western nations pushing for strong condemnation of Russia while others call for the group to focus on global economic issues.

HONG KONG

Two people died in the second wave of exceptional rainfall that hit Hong Kong in just a few days on the night of Thursday to Friday. It was an exceptional event with 158 mm of rain falling in just one hour. But local authorities are still under indictment for failing to use the SMS system, implemented during the pandemic, to alert the population.

PAKISTAN-INDIA

In the Pakistani part of the Kashmir region, unidentified gunmen shot dead a senior commander of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), a militia made responsible for terrorist actions in India, at point-blank range in a mosque. Riyaz Ahmad, known as Abu Qasim, was wanted by Indian justice for the terrorist attack in Dhangri village that killed 13 people on Jan. 1. This was the fourth killing of Kashmiri militiamen across the Pakistani border since the beginning of the year.

PHILIPPINES

In the Philippine island of Mindanao, the two factions of the former revolutionary group Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) have agreed to work together to promote the development of their communities and the rest of the Bangsamoro region. Announcing this to the Inquirer newspaper is Presidential Peace Adviser Carlito Galvez Jr, who speaks of a convergence with the peace process being carried out by the Philippine government in Mindanao with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and other sectors in the Bangsamoro. This is the first time the two factions have agreed to work together since their split in 2001.

LEBANON-PALESTINE

New clashes broke out in the Ein al-Hilweh Palestinian refugee camp in southern Lebanon, leaving 20 people injured. Clashing in the camp, which is located on the outskirts of the coastal city of Sidon, are factions linked to President Mahmud Abbas' Fatah movement and Islamist militias. Dozens of families have been forced to flee.

RUSSIA

The deputy speaker of the Moscow Duma, Petr Tolstoy of the United Russia party, has proposed considering Russia's exit from UNESCO because of the organization's criticism of Russia's draft law that intends to allow deforestation of the Lake Bajkal area to open tourist residency zones, what risks ruining the region's ecosystem.

ARMENIA-AZERBAIGIAN

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pasinyan has issued a new appeal against the "further escalation of the military and political situation in the region," due to Azerbaijan's amassing of new troops in recent days along the border line with Nagorno Karabakh and Armenia, and the "aggravation of anti-Armenian rhetoric" by the Azeris.
by Mathias Hariyadi

The island is strategically located with access to the Strait of Malacca. Residents of 16 local villages are refusing to relocate to make way for the venture, which would damage the cultural heritage of the indigenous Melayu ethnic group. This is not the first time that people's dissatisfaction has turned into violent acts against Chinese workers employed in the industrial hubs.

Rempang (AsiaNews) - For two days more than 5 thousand indigenous people of the Melayu (Malay) ethnic group have been in open revolt against the Indonesian government to prevent 16 villages on the island of Rempang, in the province of the Riau Islands of Sumatra, from being destroyed to make room for a Chinese industrial project.

"We are desperate because our demands to preserve our villages have been ignored. The uprising has become the only solution to express our demands," said Hazrin, a protester who joined the anti-government protests yesterday. The local police tried to disperse the demonstrators using tear gas.

Jakarta would like to make room for the Xinyi group (Xinyi Glass and Xinyi Solar, based in Hong Kong) for the creation of an industrial glass plant thanks to an investment worth 11.6 billion dollars, which in turn is part of a larger project large named Rempang Eco-City.

With its 165 square kilometers of flat land, Rempang is a very small but commercially strategic island thanks to its access to the Strait of Malacca. The island is 3 km from Batam Island, the distance from Singapore to which is approximately 20-30 minutes by ferry.

When Investment Minister Bahlil Lahadia visited the site in early August, he declared that the plant "will become the world's number one glass and solar energy producer outside of mainland China", whose products will serve the needs of the industries automotive and energy.

The minister added that 35 thousand jobs would be created; but as has already happened in other parts of Indonesia following similar investments, the industry will hire skilled Chinese workers rather than local employees.

The Indonesian population had already vented their anger in similar circumstances attacking Chinese factories, as was the case a few months ago with the nickel smelter in Morowali, in central Sulawesi, where two Indonesians and a Chinese man lost their lives in the clashes.

Lahadia had offered the local inhabitants of Rempang to move into housing complexes ready for them, but the population is wary: "We are not against foreign investments, but please make sure that this project does not damage our traditional Melayu villages.

The province of Riau island is not small, so the project could be established in another area so as not to damage our historical and traditional heritage, explained Samsudin, another protester.

According to the local population, in fact, the multi-billion Chinese investments will compromise the cultural heritage and traditional lifestyle of the indigenous Malay villages, where thousands of people have lived for decades and are mostly employed in fishing. We cannot remain silent on this issue as our heritage will disappear when the industrial project is on our lands, the demonstrators said.

The local authority on the island of Batam, Muhammad Rudi, explained that the issue had been resolved in April, when adequate financial compensation for the inhabitants had been provided. But it wouldn't be the first time residents have not received the funds, protesters said.

The environmental NGO Walhi also claims that the multi-billion dollar project was not so "transparent" from the beginning, as the demands of the local population were never adequately addressed.

"This is why, we as civil society of Riau, ask Indonesian President Joko Widodo to suspend the project as it is potentially harmful to the traditional life of the Melayu", stated the director of the organization.
by Stefano Caprio

The misunderstandings between Francis and Ukrainian Greek Catholics are not simply a personal issue related to today's context. The Vatican's search for harmony with the "Third Rome" of modern czars and emperors (down to party secretaries and federal presidents) has been a constant in history for more than a millennium. So have the complicated relations between the Holy See and the "Uniates" of the Kiev frontier.

The Synod of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church opened in Rome on Sept. 3, while Pope Francis was traveling in Mongolia, creating a curious polar reversal effect. The Catholic leader of the West was on the edge of the East, while the main Catholic expression of the Christian East gathered in the spiritual capital of the West: perhaps this is precisely the explanation for the term "Catholic," whether Greek or Roman, Mongolian, Russian or Ukrainian (a term that in turn denotes "border").

The major archbishop of Kiev, Svjatoslav Sevcuk, recalled the many deaths from the war of the "killers of God," as he called the Russian aggressors, who by killing the innocent annihilate the very presence of God.

The tragedy of the invasion and the endless conflict between the two banks of the Dnipro River is certainly the main theme of the discussion among the 55 Ukrainian bishops, who came from various parts of the world.

This is not the first time that the Synod of the "Uniates" has gathered in Rome; indeed until 30 years ago, in the days of the USSR, the papal capital was the seat of the Greek Catholic Church itself, with St. Sophia Cathedral on the Boccea Street as a reminder of the great Kiev, oppressed by the atheistic power of the "communist religion."

Persecuted Ukrainians have created a large diaspora around the world, from Europe to America, Australia and South America. Sevcuk himself served his Church for years in Argentina, where he forged an affectionate bond with the then Archbishop of Buenos Aires, Jorge Mario Bergoglio, a relationship that remains an important point of reference even in these difficult times full of contradictions.

In fact, the Synod was also marked by a controversy, greatly amplified media and diplomatically, over the words of Pope Francis in video connection with young Russian Catholics gathered in St. Petersburg, when he urged them to be "heirs of the great mother Russia," words that had aroused regret and "disappointment" in the souls of the Ukrainian Catholic bishops themselves.

However, during the meeting on Wednesday, September 6, which lasted almost two hours, Sevcuk thanked the pope for the affection shown in so many ways and on so many occasions, and the misunderstanding was overcome also thanks to the pontiff's own interpretation of his true intentions, which were not to erase the great Russian culture by confusing it with political instrumentalization.

The pope's prayer and support for the "martyred" Ukraine is not in question, indeed it was emphasized by using the neologism of "martyrdom" as the very essence of the life of the Ukrainian people and its Church, both Orthodox and Catholic, in the Greek and Latin versions.

The vocation to martyrdom, after all, is the original characteristic of the whole Church, dating back to the first centuries of Christianity. And it is especially so for Ukraine, a land called to sacrifice from its origins, not only as a result of Putin's delusions of grandeur or the Argentine pope's alleged pro-Russian sympathies.

It has been a middle land between East and West since the 988 Baptism imposed by Prince Vladimir on Kiev to avoid total confrontation with the Byzantine Empire, and continually assailed by the many Asian, Caucasian, Nordic, and Western peoples to vie for domination of Europe and the world. It is the land devastated by the Tatar-Mongolian invasion, evoked with equally ambiguous overtones by Pope Francis himself on his trip to Ulan-Bator.

It was precisely in the thirteenth-century desolation that the popes sought to send messengers and mediators, Franciscan friars and cardinals, to find ways of reconciliation with the Russians and Mongols that would protect the Latin world and stop the slaughter.

This search for Rome's attunement with the "Third Rome" of the earliest tsars and modern emperors, down to party secretaries and federal presidents, has been a constant in history for more than a millennium, and Ukraine itself was born in the context of this "imperial dialogue."

When the Union of Brest-Litovsk, which gave rise to the "Ruthenian" Greek Catholic Church, was proclaimed in 1596, the papacy also wanted to assume the eastern dimensions of the patriarchate, giving rise to numerous contradictions ever since.

Ukrainians have been subjected to waves of "Russification" by Moscow, but also of "Latinization" by Rome, through Warsaw, Vilnius and Budapest, to mention only a few of the Western capitals that had in part control over the territory now defended by NATO countries against the Eurasian monster.

Poland's Latin bishops have often been among the main opponents of their Greek Catholic "brethren" until recent times. For example, when Card. Wyszynski, Primate of Warsaw and teacher of Karol Wojtyla, had opposed in 1958 the canonization of Archbishop Andrej Septickij, Metropolitan of Lvov of the Greek Catholics, who died in 1944 when Ukraine was in the balance between Germans and Russians, in the drama of World War II so much evoked by the present war.

The saintly Pope John Paul II, who was well acquainted with these dramatic events, tried in every way to help the Church in Ukraine rise again, visiting Kiev with his last remaining strength before illness and death, almost foreshadowing what would happen less than two decades later.

No less complicated were the relations between Rome and the Greek Catholics in the Soviet years, when the Vatican Ostpolitik inaugurated at the time of John XXIII, and pursued by Paul VI and his collaborators until the end of the USSR: seemed to want to ignore the martyrdom of Ukrainians, priests, bishops and faithful killed and imprisoned in the camps.

A glaring example of this was the fate of the primate Josif Slypyj, the archbishop of Lviv who was freed in 1963 after 18 years of imprisonment in exchange for "Vatican silence" avoiding condemnation of communism during the Council. Slypyj was appointed cardinal "in pectore" in 1965 and made public only when this would not irritate the Muscovite leadership, and the leader of the Uniates devoted himself precisely to the pastoral care of the worldwide diaspora of Ukrainians.

Thus, it is not a personal issue between Bergoglio and Greek Catholics, although there has been no shortage of reasons for misunderstanding since 2016, when the pope met with Moscow Patriarch Kirill at the Havana airport and avoided condemning the Russians' warlike actions in the Donbass, which had been ongoing for two years before.

Certainly, Pope Francis' spontaneity on some occasions, such as his speech to Russian youth, reveal his deep sympathy for "Great Russia," which so unnerves Ukrainians. In commenting on his own statements, the pontiff made it clear that he certainly did not intend to defend imperialism, and his reference to the emperors Peter the Great and Catherine II were only "scholastic reminiscences," while he had in mind the culture of Dostoevsky and Borodin, the 19th-century composer mentioned during the trip to Mongolia. The pope later admitted that perhaps these quotations were not entirely appropriate, appealing to historians to make the references more effective.

Historians actually know that Peter and Catherine are two models of "Westernized" Russia, so it is not strange that they come to mind first to a lover of Russia in the West.

RUSSIAN WORLD IS THE ASIANEWS NEWSLETTER DEDICATED TO RUSSIA. WOULD YOU LIKE TO RECEIVE IT EVERY SATURDAY IN YOUR E-MAIL? TO SUBSCRIBE, CLICK HERE

Today they are also among Putin's favorite models to inspire the ideology of the "Russian world," which has caused disappointment among the Ukrainian bishops, but that certainly was not the pope's intention. If anything, it might be recalled that the Jesuits, an order to which Pope Bergoglio himself belongs, began to act openly in Russia under Peter (they were the main "propagandists" of Western culture in the new capital of St. Petersburg), and were "saved" by Catherine in the late 18th century, when they had been suppressed in the rest of the world. In addition to his high school studies, the pope must surely have heard of them during his Jesuit education.

Yet there is an undeniable dimension of "papal imperialism" in associating culture with the great rulers who waged war at all latitudes (Catherine invaded and Russified Crimea, which is why she is so beloved by Putin).

Nor does the explanation lie in the speech to the Russian youth, but in another phrase by Pope Francis, not picked up by the media because it is far less expendable in the controversy of the day. On Sept. 2, during his meeting with the president and authorities of Mongolia, the pope recalled "the Mongolian empire, which in the continuation of so many centuries was able to reach out to so many distant and diverse lands...may Heaven grant us today to recreate the conditions of what was the pax mongolica, that is, the absence of conflict."

Certainly, the pope did not want to exhort us to feel like heirs of Genghis Khan or Khan Batu, the invader of Russia, and was probably alluding to the ancient pax augustea of the Romans, at the time of Christ's birth. A legacy of peace assumed by Christians after the Roman Empire, precisely in the figure of the pope of Rome, and in the Catholic communion of the peoples of the whole world.
A regular stream of tour buses arrive at a base station of Mt. Fuji in Japan on Saturday, September 9, unloading dozens of foreign travelers in front of souvenir stores and dining establishments.

Rather than the respect most Japanese would expect to see below a mountain regarded as holy and a source of pride for its flawlessly symmetrical appearance, the sight seems like something out of a theme park.

Facing Real Crisis

Mt. Fuji, located in both Yamanashi and Shizuoka prefectures in eastern Japan, has long been a popular destination for both domestic and international visitors.

According to Reuters, authorities in Japan have warned that an increase in the number of tourists visiting the country has led to dangerous levels of pollution and other stresses. As a result, they could have to resort to extreme measures like cutting down on the number of tourists by limiting access to the summit via a tram system that has not even been completed yet.

During a tour for foreign journalists on the last weekend before the trails shut for the year, Masatake Izumi, an official from Yamanashi prefecture, warned reporters that Mt. Fuji faces a real crisis. He stated, "It's uncontrollable and we fear that Mt. Fuji will soon become so unattractive, nobody would want to climb it."

UNESCO added Mt. Fuji as a World Heritage site a decade ago, which undoubtedly contributed to the mountain's growing fame. However, this designation was contingent upon Japan addressing issues of overpopulation, environmental damage from visitors, and repairing the artificial landscape, such as the enormous parking lots built to accommodate tourists.

Moreover, congestion has become much more of a problem. A whopping 4 million people stopped by the Fuji Subaru Line 5th Station this summer, a 50% increase over 2013.

Cleaning crews, local businesses, and volunteers may be working around the clock, but social media is still full of complaints about filthy restrooms and piles of trash along the trail.

See Also: Venice to Charge Tourists 5 Entry Fee Beginning in 2024

Authorities in Japan have also expressed concern about the increase in "bullet climbing," the practice of attempting to summit Mt. Fuji in time for dawn before returning the same day.

Police in Shizuoka prefecture reported a total of 61 calls for assistance this year, a 50% increase from the previous year. Of them, 24 were from foreigners visiting Japan. An official indicated that the majority of these people were unprepared and either hypothermic or experiencing altitude sickness.

The possibility of regulations was raised by local tourist Jun Shibazaki. "Any Japanese person would want to climb Mt. Fuji at least once in their life. But it's so crowded. Limited entry might be something we have to live with."

See Also: Heads Up, Potterheads: 'Hogwarts Express' Steam Service Canceled Due to Safety Concerns

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Part of the C3 generation Chevrolet Corvette, which was made from 1967 to 1982, the pace car replicas were supposed to be limited to 100 copies for each year of production. However, it was then decided that all dealers of the bowtie brand should have one for display purposes. Therefore, what was supposed to be a limited production vehicle ended up contributing to roughly 15% of the total sales numbers.Some of the things that made it stand out over the rest of the C3 variants were the black and silver mix with a pinstripe. These machines had a rear spoiler for dramatic purposes, exclusive decals, and special wheels, and featured gray leather or leather/cloth upholstery on the inside, matching carpeting, power windows, electric windows, power locks, and glass T-tops.Do you still crave a pace car replica version of the Chevrolet Corvette C3 of your own? If so, then you are in luck, as the pictured one is currently searching for a new home. It came to life in 1978 , has a little over 15,000 miles (~24,140 km) on the odometer, and packs a 350 cubic-inch engine. Numerous versions of this mill were offered throughout the years, and it is certainly worth reminding that all variants of the C3 Corvette were offered strictly with V8 firepower. The transmissions were a three-speed manual, a four-speed manual, a three-speed auto, and a four-speed auto, and varied depending on the selected lump.The Garage Kept Motors ad does not reveal anything else about this old-timer, but they have shared numerous images of the car. Therefore, you can inspect it from pretty much any angle if you click this link. The vehicle is in good overall condition. The exterior, cabin, underbody, and engine bay look very decent for a machine that left the assembly line 45 years ago, so it appears the only things it needs are gasoline in the tank and a new driver behind the wheel.To make it yours , you will have to pay $32,900, which is the asking price. Is it a good deal? Likely, yes, to the right person, as it costs about as much as a brand-new base Camaro. One could opt for the Malibu instead for similar money if they favor a fresh-off-the-lot Chevy or a multitude of crossovers and pickups. Does this Chevy Corvette C3 look like your next used fun-to-drive car?
The all-new Model 3 has been at the center of most people's attention lately. That became especially true as of late because the owner's manual was recently added to the carmaker's website. But even some Chinese auto executives popped by the brand's IAA Mobility booth to take a good look at what this zero-tailpipe emission machine can do.

Photo: EstherKokkelman on Twitter (X)

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

NHTSA

Breaking:

First time ever the @tesla lightshow was filmed on the new Tesla model 3 refresh/Highland in Europe!

Great view of the headlights on the front of the car also.

Enjoy this video and great vehicle!!@teslaeurope @TeslaGermany_ @IAAmobility @elonmusk @SawyerMerritt pic.twitter.com/nh8RNzX6AT  Esther Kokkelmans (@EstherKokkelman) September 7, 2023

NIO's boss, for example, was quite curious. He spent a good chunk of time there. Too bad he missed the light show!One of the most interesting things we uncovered about the all-new Model 3 before anyone else figured it out was the position of its backup gear selector. Tesla trusts its two main systems so much that it has put the manual controls on the vehicle's ceiling , between the dome lights. It's an interesting choice, to say the least. But it probably makes sense production costs-wise. Instead of giving customers two stalks  one for the indicators, one for choosing the right gear  the brand decided to simplify everything.While it might take some time to adjust to the new controls, it certainly isn't impossible to figure out how to signal using the haptic feedback buttons on the steering wheel, get going with Autostart, or interact with the screen to choose P, R, N, or D if the car can't figure it out by itself. Otherwise, regulators wouldn't have allowed Tesla to go so far with making an already minimalist cabin into an even simpler one.But what Tesla decided not to skimp on is the headlights. They look like LEDs with matrix functionality, according to the video below. However, please be advised that the hardware is there, but the software isn't. Previously, some Tesla EVs were shipped with matrix headlamps. Some customers reported on various platforms that their post-2022 units had these new road illumination assemblies, while others were told by the service centers that their cars didn't have them.What's certain is that Tesla makes matrix headlights and will put them on some of its models, but it cannot activate the functionality in the US. Although the main rules have changed to allow automakers to bring this useful tech stateside, the) is still asking for more than what the international standard (SAE J3069) includes. That's what's supposedly delaying the implementation of this functionality.But the facelifted Model 3 was recently caught at IAA Mobility 2023, showing off its new headlamps and amber indicators. While Max Carlisle's "Auld Lang Syne in the City" was playing through the new and improved sound system, the daytime running lights (DRLs), the LED strip used for signaling, the low beams, and the high beams gave visitors the first-ever personalized light show.Remember that this feature can work in sync with other Tesla vehicles, and some clubs have created record-breaking such performances. So, it can get even more interesting than this!Besides that, the footage shows us that the new design language used for Tesla's new budget-friendly all-electric sedan makes it look like the swanky Aston Martin Vantage from some angles. It's quite a compliment! The two vehicles couldn't be more different, but it's obvious that Tesla wanted an enhanced look for the refreshed 2024 Model 3 Now, enjoy this spectacle!
It's been several months since the tenth installment of the Fast and Furious saga hit theaters and I must admit, the movie did not disappoint: it was just as bad as I expected, if not worse in some respects. Even so, it's the fifth-highest-grossing flick of the year, with over $714 million under its belt.

The Fast and the Furious (2001)

Photo: Honda

2 Fast 2 Furious (2003)

The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift (2006)

Photo: Honda

Fast & Furious (2009)

Fast Five (2011)

Photo: Ducati

Fast & Furious 6 (2013)

Furious 7 (2015)

The Fate of the Furious (2017)

Photo: BMW

F9: The Fast Saga (2021)

Photo: Yamaha

Fast X (2023)

Photo: Universal Pictures

Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw (2019)

Photo: Universal Pictures

Still under the influence of Fast X's bad story, bad acting, and Jason Momoa's unexpectedly funny performance, I thought it would be best to have a look at what the series had to offer in terms of motorcycle treats over the years. I know that may seem a bit strange, given how Fast and Furious is all about cars and insane driving stunts, but here we are, nonetheless.Before getting into it, though, a quick reminder of how this entire universe started. Back in 1998, a magazine called VIBE ran a story titled Racer X. Written by Kenneth Li, it told the tale of what it meant to be a quasi-legal street racer aboard Japanese-made cars in New York.It inspired Gary Scott Thompson and Erik Bergquist to write the script for the first movie; from there, it's all ancient history, and we're still enjoying the idea's fruits.Back to our story, I told you we're going to have a look at the two-wheeled machines that made it into the Fast and Furious movies. Given the nature of all the ten flicks so far (11, if you count the Hobbs and Shaw spinoff, and we do), it's not that big of a list, but it does pack a few surprises. So hang on to your seat and let's dive in.It was back in 2001 when the world got to meet for the first time Dominic Toretto, Brian O'Conner, Letty, and the rest of the crew. For many of us, it was the first time we got to see on the big screen how supposedly self-taught drivers handled incredible cars like the Dodge Charger, Mitsubishi Eclipse, and Toyota Supra. But, most importantly, it was a story about the birth of a family.The idea was simple. An undercover cop had to infiltrate a group of street racers who doubled as robbers. Cop becomes infatuated with the gang he was supposed to bring down, and an important choice has to be made. The end.Not a very alluring story, but one that for some reason stuck and was made real by both Vin Diesel and Paul Walker. And it was made exciting by the cars the two, their friends, and their antagonists drove.From the get-go, this universe established itself as one that will see a lot of cars, but not nearly enough motorcycles. Yet one bike model did make it into the fisrt movie, and it had quite the role.I'm talking about the 1996 Honda CR that became a sort of shoot-and-run-slash-getaway-vehicle for the goons of our heroes' main antagonist, a nasty individual going by the name Johnny Tran. It's unclear what kind of bike we're talking about, with some claiming it was a CR250 and others a CR125. The people behind the movie didn't care about clearing that up, so here we are left with our little mystery.Just to remind you, the CR is a line of motorcycles meant for off-road use and produced by the Japanese company for a long time, from 1973 to 2007. It's one of the most respected bikes in motorcross, with countless wins in the 125, 250, and 500 classes.In 2003 the world's favorite car movie came back as the 2 Fast 2 Furious. It featured roughly the same crew, only this time engaged in far less street racing as we understand the phenomenon and more keen on fighting crime. We did get what is likely one of the largest car scrambles we've ever seen on film, and that was something everybody liked.The story of this second movie has Brian O'Conner infiltrating the operations of a Miami drug lord. This time, there was no Toretto in sight, as the man playing him refused to return and went on to shoot The Chronicles of Riddick instead.Still, the flick did introduce two characters that were to become crucial for the following movies: Tyrese Gibson's Roman Pearce and Ludacris' Tej.As usual, the flick was an incredible display of vehicular mayhem, with nameplates like the Toyota Supra , Nissan GT-R, or Honda S2000 taking center stage. Sadly for bike lovers, and our story here, there were no motorcycles featured in a way that matters in this flick.Three years after the second movie we got something that is more or less akin to a spinoff or, in hindsight, a sort of radically changed sequel that didn't really pan out as expected. None of the original team from the first two movies is this one, and the country where events unfold is very far away from U.S. shores. But the cars and soundtrack are simply to die for.The idea behind the movie was to show a glimpse of the Japanese car culture as seen through the eyes of American Sean Boswell. And not only a glimpse into the local car culture, but also a taste of something the Japanese do incredibly well: drifting.Although technically it is possible to do that on a bike, such maneuvers are best performed in a car, and that's why they take center stage here as well. But since the Japanese are motorcycle lovers as well, Tokyo Drift does come with its share of two-wheeled wonders, even if their role in the story is marginal at best, and are used mostly as decor. Even some Honda CBRs.Perhaps the most important bike in the entire flick is the random custom chopper seen briefly sitting in a garage, packing two huge NOS bottles high on the frame. The details available on it are almost non-existent, except for a mention of it dating back to four years ago claiming its current location is North Alabama.The original Fast and Furious crew returned in full to the big screen in 2009 for the fourth installment of the series. Sadly, from this point on the story about a gang of street racers doing crime fighting at a street level disappeared, and we started getting the senseless exaggerations that eventually led to fighting spy rings and cyber-terrorists.The idea of this one centered around the Toretto-O'Connor duo infiltrating the gang of a heroin importer to bring his operation down. The flick stood out thanks to an incredibly delicious chase inside a tunnel. A very far-fetched one, granted, but enjoyable nonetheless.The cars featured in Fast & Furious were as usual many and amazing, and included Dodges, Mazdas, Nissans, Hondas, and many, many others. Motorcycles get, once more, non-existent roles in the flick.There is however a scene where we get to see a number of bikes parked in a garage somewhere. The camera moves over them too fast for them to make a lasting impression, but one does stand out in the crowd: a Travertson V-Rex Travertson is a Florida-based maker of motorcycles that should have been a lot more present in our lives than it actually is. It currently list three bikes in its portfolio: the V-Rex, V-Rex 2, and Striker.The V-Rex is an aggressively styled two-wheeler packing a Harley-Davidson Revolution engine in the frame. It's a sort of chopper-meets-V-Rod-meets-bike-of-the-future affair, and we're pretty certain it would have deserved a much bigger role in the flick.The gang of driving do-gooders we were used to until 2011 expanded that year to include Dwayne Johnson's Hobbs and Gal Gadot's Gisele for the fifth movie in the series. This one was all about the Toretto unofficial family taking on a Brazilian drug lord and stealing an entire safe of his money by tying it to a couple of Dodge Chargers and dragging it through the streets of an imagined Rio de Janeiro (filming was actually done in Puerto Rico).The new blood Johnson and Gisele brought also manifested itself to a slightly increased role for motorcycles. The Israeli actress is responsible for this, riding her way into the movie on the back of a Ducati Streetfighter. It's not a very big role for the ride, as Gisele switches to cars soon enough, but it does show a main character of the Fast universe properly riding a bike for the first time.The Ducati Streetfighter is a bike the Italian powerhouse offers in our time in no less than five variants, including the mighty V4 Lamborghini version.Another motorcycle model got a more active role in the flick though, namely the Yamaha WR450F. Two of them are seen during the vault heist being ridden by dirty cops as they try to stop the racing Chargers.Come 2013 the Fast people truly entered the realm of bad screenplay. It was the film that brought back Letty, who we all knew to be dead ever since all the way back in 2009's Fast & Furious. It is also the part that introduces the Shaw family, with which we are stuck to this day.Cars again take center stage, and we were kind of expecting that already. We get to see vehicles like the Chevy Camaro and Ford Mustang join the usual suspects.Gal Gadot is once again seen riding a Ducati motorcycle, this time a Monster, but the highlight when it comes to two-wheelers is the Harley-Davidson XR1200, in slightly customized form, that was ridden by Han during the highway chase.The XR1200 is a version of Sportster that was in production from 2008 to 2013, hence all the rage back when Fast & Furious 6 was filmed. Sadly, the on-screen motorcycle didn't last long, as it was used as a launch platform for him to jump onto a Land Rover.The seventh movie in the series came in 2015 and it was supposed to be the coronation of years of on-screen racing. Instead, the flick had to be transformed into a goodbye to Paul Walker, who died in a single-vehicle collision in California in 2013.The idea of Furious 7 was to take our crew in a fight for survival against Jason Statham's Deckard Shaw, a guy on a quest to avenge his brother, comatose after the events of the previous movie.The no-nonsense Statham brought with him a lot of cool fight scene and even some memorable lines, but sadly for us and our purpose of being here, no motorcycle that mattered in any way for the story.For all intents and purposes, Furious 7 is the only other movie in the series, together with 2 Fast 2 Furious, not to have a worth-discussing motorcycle presence. We did get however a Lykan HyperSport jumping between the buildings of the Etihad Towers in Abu Dhabi.By the time The Fate of the Furious hit cinema screens in 2017 it had become obvious the outlandish direction the story was beginning to take. Just remember this movie is the one where a cyber-terrorist (never thought it'd call Charlize Theron that) threatens the world order, takes control of a bunch (a very large bunch, really) of cars, and then throws a submarine at our heroes. Yes, a submarine.The usual complement of American muscle cars gets for The Fate of the Furious some very exciting sidekicks, including Jaguars and Lamborghinis. And this time we've got motorcycles as well, and quite a number of them. Even if, again, none of them actually plays an important role in the story.At various points in the movie, we see two-wheelers like the BMW R1200RT , the Honda V65, or the Honda CB350. Why, we even get a glimpse at a customized Harley-Davidson, but sadly all the info on the bike featured in The Fate of the Furious is non-existent.Yep, this is the one where a Pontiac Fiero gets rocket engine implants and flies into space. In the movie, we have Tokyo Drift's Lukas Black to thank for that, and in reality the screenwriters, of course. After all, you need a rocket space car to take on a terrorist who turns out to be brother to the main character.Unlike in the previous installments of the series, screenwriters though it would be good idea to include bikes in a more prominent function. Not too prominent, but enough to make the ride noticeable. A bike is used by one of the main characters for a real action scene, not just as a means to come in front of the camera.It's Letty Ortiz who was tasked with bringing a bike to the Fast big boys table, and the motor of choice for that was a Yamaha YZ450F. In fact, it seems the people behind the movie tended to give the ride a larger role than it actually had, as it was even featured on one of the official posters.She uses it to try and escape John Cena's Jakob until she crashes it and has to get inside the same car with Dom. A car that would later pull a very hard to digest rope swing stunt.The YZ450F is a motocross bike powered by a 450cc liquid-cooled engine and controlled by means of a 5-speed transmission. You can have one in the U.S. for as little as $9,899.In a very short scene at the end of the movie, the same Letty is seen on the back of a Harley-Davidson Iron 883.It took the Fast and Furious series a total of 22 years and ten separate movies to give us a proper chase scene with motorcycles ridden by some of the main protagonists. It involved Letty, Jason Momoa's Dante Reyes, and a huge bomb ball running amok on the streets of Rome.The bomb eventually explodes with a massive boom that seems to obliterate half the city, but strangely enough, it doesn't kill anyone. But not before Letty and Reyes chase each other on the backs of insane two-wheelers.The bike Letty is riding is an unknown modified Honda model, made in such a way as to appear retro. It does the job of appearing vintage cool, together with its female rider, but it doesn't even come close to the impact the Harley ridden by Jason Momoa had on the viewers.You all know Momoa has been in bed with Harley for a while now. He's not only partnering with the bike maker to sell clothes, but he also owns and modifies Milwaukee machines on his own accord.The Harley he rides in Fast X is one unlike any other in the world, and it's based on a Pan America . As per Momoa's own admission, the way it ended up looking in the movie is the result of the bike maker and movie producers letting him "build it for my character."And he did, so we all can now see how much he enjoyed riding it  yes, Momoa rode the bike himself for the shooting.In the years that went by between The Fate of the Furious and F9: The Fast Saga the world got the one and only true spinoff of this universe, Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw . It starred the Rock, Statham, and an Idris Elba with superhuman powers.Way before the main movies gave motorcycles a chance in Fast X, Hobbs & Shaw brought to the screen for the first time a number of motorcycles that played a relatively important role in one of the many chase scenes of the flick.In this case we were treated to modified Triumph Speed Triple RS bikes that not only could travel fast, but also transformed, for reasons that had to do with avoiding slamming the rider's head against a semi.There is at least one other Fast movie coming our way, so it's likely this list will get a few more motorcycle entries soon. Stay tuned.
This summer, the road trip we take each year with the family hit a major milestone - Greece. And it was time to meet the Greek Gods of Mount Olympus, albeit in tree and index plate form  as they were on show in a little place called Olympic Beach.

Photo: Aurel Niculescu / autoevolution

Photo: Aurel Niculescu / autoevolution

Photo: Aurel Niculescu / autoevolution

I have been an automotive journalist for almost two decades already and have driven some of the finest (or worst, boy, I could tell you a thing or two about those) automobiles in the world. And I have also witnessed firsthand the changes of the past two decades across the automotive industry . So, maybe that's why I don't fancy much about spending way too much money on a new car these days.Some of the wiser fans of the automotive world might smile and think  'You don't need to; automakers will jump at the chance of giving you their cars for trials.' Well, suffice to say that they actually don't. Unless it suits their interests, of course, and they'll get more of what they bargained for. But there's no need to feel bitter about that, as I always have a backup plan.The last few years at autoevolution have been excellent  I don't need to play nice with anyone from the automaker PR pool anymore because our voice is finally more than enough. That's why I can always slap silly any carmaker for their derailments  and there are more and more of them these days.As such, during the annual summer road trip holiday, I again trusted my old Ford Focus Tournier for the job. It's not the most reliable car out there, but it gets the job done if you know how to treat her, and the cavernous trunk space is more than happy to indulge any of our vacation craziness.With the kids old enough to withstand trips of over 2,000 km (1,243 miles) back and forth from Greece , we first set out to discover neighboring country Bulgaria and then the province of Macedonia this year. The main target was simple  I wanted to get them to Greece for the first time ever without (too) much hustle, although even during the final days of summer and the first days before school, that's an understatement.As you already know, the world has been in turmoil since the start of the second decade  even more so this year than ever before, as climate change is making 2023 the hottest ever, and everyone doesn't seem to care. But the Greeks must, since their country was hit by one of Europe's most severe heat waves, and fires reigned in many places this summer. Unfortunately, as we departed, floods took their place in parts of the country to show that nature is against what we humans are doing to the planet.So, this year, it's been crazy to fly anywhere  crazy expensive, crazy shameless from airlines with their delayed or canceled flights, and so on. We experienced that earlier this year, so we wanted to relax in the car for a change. I chose Greece because I had been there once before with a very dear friend (cheers, Georgios!), and I wanted to share the experience with the family, too. Heeding his advice, we went to the area of Paralia Katerini on the continent and to a cozy little village called Olympic Beach.Before that, I split the initial journey for a quick visit to Sofia, Bulgaria's capital. The country is part of the European Union but still shows many of its Eastern European, Communist-ruled roots around the rural areas, with bad roads and many ancient-looking, deserted places. But once in Sofia, the roads are wide and much better, the atmosphere is quite fashionable, and the city center is a melange of old and new that will be quite intriguing to folks from the West.Since I'm an Easterner, I was more preoccupied with the fact that traffic was much better than in Bucharest, Romania, its neighboring country, for example. The roads in Greece are quite intriguing, too, as some of them are good and others quite appalling  and the highway tolls should suggest the former, not the latter.But the birthplace of the mythological Greek gods is something else entirely once you get on the coast (the continent is quite lovely, too, if you like mountains and hiking, by the way). A lot of neighboring countries send their way tens of thousands of tourists every year for the seaside summer holiday experience.I have been to Alexandroupolis (the largest city in the Thrace region, named after the King of Greece, Alexander, who ruled from 1917 to 1920) before, and it seems that much of the Greek experience resides in the coziness of the architecture, the beachfront properties with little streets that invite you in tavernas, gyros places, and trinket stores.It's something that you need to see and feel firsthand to really understand  some might not like the crowded places, some might not agree there's hardly any big 'resort' that caters to every summer holiday dream (still, you can find those too, if you're after them), but it's going to be hard to deny that the Greek experience grows on you with every minute spent on the sidewalk enjoying something traditional or from the international cuisine.Basically, there is always something for everyone, and the one thing you can bet on is that you really need to do your homework if you're after something specific or know a local to make him/her your guide.Speaking of locals, because they have been experienced in the hospitality industry for decades, Greeks are always smiling and ready to help you. They also like long conversations, so prepare to be patient if you're becoming friends with someone. And, although their country has been under so many trials  first the fires and now the floods  they're still happy to see everyone around them. Frankly, that's what you need during your vacation  people who are friendly and understand that mutual respect goes a long way toward building a solid foundation for a (holiday) relationship.That's one of the main reasons why some people tend to come back yearly to Greece, of course. Now, let us conclude with a word about the other main factor  if you love the seaside, that's the place to be.For example, in our vacation area, a different beach was never too far away  one day, we just decided to visit as many of them as we could, and in the span of 20 kilometers, we were met by countless  secluded or brimming with tourist life- and all of them still had even the bare minimum facilities like a bar, shower, and toilet. Also, there is never a shortage of stuff to visit  and if you like old architecture and heritage areas, Greece has that, even in the most remote village that you can think about!
The 466 miles / 750 km range Mercedes-Benz CLA electric concept, BMW's Vision Neue Klasse (trolling Merc, huh?), or the hottie VW ID. GTI clearly stole the German show. They try to prove a point: the German car industry is still the best, and it's going all-electric full-throttle.

Ich liebe dich immer noch sehr, Verbrennungsmotor!

blackmailing

ICE

Photo: Image by jannoon028 on Freepik

Photo: Image by macrovector_official on Freepik

Photo: HIF Global

Photo: Image by fxquadro on Freepik

Except things are not quite as they seem. At least from the perspective of an electrohead trying to be unbiased.You would be wrong to think the above expression means Germans love electromobility. It translates like this: "I still love you a lot, internal combustion engine!" Of course, I'm talking about Germanynegotiating the terms of ICE phase-out from cars with the EU.At the beginning of 2023, the European Commission's proposal to ban sales of newcars starting from 2035 seemed to be accepted by all European countries. But in spring, a certain Volker Wissing turned 180 degrees and made clear to everyone that Germany would not agree to the demise of internal combustion engines after all.It was a hit below the belt because Herr Wissing is Germany's Federal Minister for Digital and Transport, and basically, he represents the most potent car industry on the continent. Around 2 million workers are employed directly and indirectly by German car and parts manufacturers, and about 800,000 of them are involved in construction and assembling cars in factories.Maybe you are aware of strong concerns from auto industry's unions all over Europe regarding potentially massive layoffs because electromobility drives traditional engines' demise. According to the most alarmist forecasts, around 14 million jobs are at risk in Europe's car industry.Of course, this is an exaggeration, but unfortunately, political interests distort the truth. Suddenly, electric cars became the villains in the political war meant to gather as many votes as possible. Therefore, the Germans found the weak spot in the EU's plans to demise ICEs and used unions' concerns as leverage to force a compromise.In short, ICEs using the "magical" e-fuels won't be banned after 2035. Everybody in the industry agrees on the importance of electrification of cars, but at the same time, everybody in the industry is happy to keep the ICE concept alive. This paradox is only getting more aberrant as Dr. Volker Wissing used the IAA MOBILITY to preside at a three-day conference about e-fuels.Wissing's speech was full of nice eco-friendly terms such as "electricity-based synthetic fuels" or "climate-friendly fuels." Wissing emphasized the "market ramp-up of e-fuels" necessity, the reduction of "the currently high costs," as well as the need to "increase production capacities." The German official revealed that this "international e-fuels dialogue" goal was to "make electricity-based fuels available for all modes of transport."Now, replacing fossil-fuel-based gasoline and diesel with zero-emission gasoline and renewable diesel seems like an excellent idea. So long, pollutants and GHG (greenhouse gases) emissions! We can burn these new so-called clean fuels in our good ol' ICE cars  around 1.3 billion  without harming the environment anymore. Petrolheads, rejoice! But not so fastWhen burnt, hydrogen is the only fuel that releases no pollutants whatsoever; burning it results in electricity and water vapors. Burning any other liquid fuel releases some amounts of fine particles and pollutant residues. They are indeed so much cleaner  or, more appropriately, so much less polluting  than fossil-fuel-based fuels or even biofuels. But they are not zero-emissions, as advertised.Unfortunately, there is no chance for hydrogen to be successfully used in cars' current internal combustion engines. Toyota's desperate attempts to tame hydrogen in the same way as gasoline are a hint. So, replacing gasoline and diesel with hydrogen in the 1.3 billion ICE vehicles in the world is simply not feasible. Did I mention the huge challenges of storing it and refueling it?Biofuels are not a valid option anymore in the long term and at large scale because they still require mixing in different ratios to oil-based fuels. Burning them in ICEs doesn't slash emissions and pollutants according to bold climate objectives, and they contribute to world hunger, as well as desertification because of intensive farming.That's why synthetic fuels are now "the next big thing" for the transportation sector, according to big auto, shipping, and aviation players. They are praised for being capable of providing an "up to 90% reduction in CO2 emissions" with no significant overhaul for ICE technology. Besides, they are created using CO2 in the atmosphere and renewable energy.Wissing, along with Porsche, Mercedes-Benz, or BMW  the pinnacle of the German auto industry  basically says that e-fuels are the best solution to the stringent need to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 in the transportation sector. It goes without saying that we should keep the ICEs alive to use these marvelous e-fuels.Where did we hear that before? Oh, right, biofuels were at one point a "necessary addition" to conventional fuels. Then natural gas was advertised as the greenest fossil fuel and became the so "necessary addition" to battery hybrids. More recently, hydrogen has been considered almost more than a "necessary addition" to battery electric vehicles, firstly in fuel cell technology and then directly in internal combustion engines.Today, Volker Wissing is pretty sure e-fuels are that "necessary addition" to electromobility. By the way, in May, his Ministry awarded 7 million / $7.5 million to the new REF4FU ("Refineries for Future") project. The Karlsruhe Institute of Technology coordinates it, and it's aimed at "developing, testing, and standardizing 100% renewable fuels for all transport sectors, including water and air traffic." One of the researchers' conclusions is that gasoline will disappear from the market first, hence the urgency to replace it with a similar but sustainable fuel: synthetic gasoline.What do you think all these "necessary addition" fuels have in common? They all need internal combustion engines to justify their existence. No ICE, no e-fuels  it's that simple. And what are the two major advantages of ICEs against battery EVs that the popular wisdom is obsessed about? Much longer range and much shorter refueling times.This is because liquid hydrocarbons have a higher energy density than batteries. This also means pollution when burning those hydrocarbons; this is Mr. Wissing's "trojan horse" argument: e-fuels erase pollution. Not entirely, but the "up to 90% emissions reduction" paradigm steals the show.It quickly makes everyone forget about ICE's poor efficiency compared to electric motors, reliability compromises because of technological complexity, etc. But, hey, why stumble on details when German car manufacturers are so confident about the bright future of e-fuels?Wissing and the biggest German car makers are basically lobbying for shifting the fossil fuel industry towards these new and "marvelous" carbon-neutral fuels. They are backed by researchers from the new REF4FU ("Refineries for Future") project, who emphasize that "only 60 percent of the fuel today is consumed by individual car traffic."Phasing out of cars ICEs doesn't mean liquid fuels won't be needed anymore. There are still various industrial, energy, and transport applications that will continue relying on liquid fuels. This is another convenient reason not to ditch internal combustion engines in Europe after 2035. This suits very well the European car industry interests, employing directly and indirectly around 14 million workers.Still, only some agree with Germans' plans to keep alive the ICE beyond 2035. After all, betting big on e-fuels is like walking on thin ice because they are currently being produced on a pre-industrial scale. Some are not convinced that e-fuels are the optimal solution for the long term, but we'll talk about it in the second part of this material.
Volvo is marching towards an all-electric lineup, planning to have it by 2030. To be able to do it, the Swedish carmaker is shifting operations in the United States and Canada and investing millions to make the switch.

EV

SUV

Eighty-eight million dollars. This is how much Volvo is investing to convert the companys plants into electric car production centers in the US and Canada.The new initiative is codenamed CORE+ and is specifically designed to cut costs, enhance efficiency, and update workforce for an allmanufacturing. Volvo is planning to have a fully electric portfolio by 2030 and have EVs account for half of the companys estimated 1.2 million sales by 2025.This means that the carmaker will be launching a new electric model each year while phasing out internal combustion engine-powered models and even hybrids.Volvo has already come up with a replacement for the XC90, in the shape of the EX90, to join the XC40 Recharge in the zero-emission lineup, where the entry-level EX30 EV has also arrived with a price tag of $34,950.Volvos "smallest ever SUV," as the brand calls it, comes with features that will turn it into a game-changer in the segment: 275 miles (442 kilometers) of range, only 26 minutes to charge from 10 to 80%, and 3.4 seconds to run from 0 to 60 mph (0-97 kph).Meanwhile, the seven-seat EX90 SUV starts below $80,000, boasts 300 miles (483 kilometers) of range, 496 horsepower, and an acceleration time from 0 to 60 mph in 4.7 seconds.Volvo Car USA and Canada President Michael Cottone explained that all areas of business will be impacted. Unofficial sources claim that Volvo will be cutting 10% of its white-collar workforce in North America in order to downsize personnel by offering early retirement. The move is expected to take place at the beginning of October, and it should not affect the global production network. Volvo is striving to keep up with demand, as it doubled this year compared to 2022.Volvo will only maintain "a small presence" at its Silicon Valley Tech Center, according to Volvo Cars USA spokesperson Russel Datz, as the carmaker is scaling back operations.It is not the first time that Volvo is cutting jobs this year. Last May, the Scandinavians had to fire 1,300 employees in Sweden only. Yet it is not just firing, but also upskilling workforce to keep up with the industry, according to Volvo Cars CEO Jim Rowan.The company is planning to hire experts to assist with the transition to EVs. Volvo has recently opened a tech hub in Singapore, following the one that started operations in Krakow, Poland, earlier this year.Similar tech hubs are also in Stockholm and Lund in Sweden, in Bangalore, India, while engineering centers operate in Shanghai, China, and Gothenburg, Sweden.
9 September 2023 18:30 (UTC+04:00)

U.S. Marine veteran, political consultant and author Raoul L. Contreras slammed journalist Nicholas Kristof over his cynical biased article about the starvation in Garabagh and former chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court Luis Moreno Ocampo who prepared reports about Garabagh. Contreras emphasized that neither Nicholas Kristof nor Moreno Ocampo knows the region and conflict. He gives brief information about the conflict and sheds light on IDPs and refugees of Azerbaijani origin who were expelled by Armenia.

For more details, Azernews presents the article.

When President John Kennedys Secretary of Defense (Whiz Kid) Robert McNamera wrote his 1995 mea culpa book he did so by stating that Kennedys smart advisors bungled the Vietnam War because they (he included) were ignorant, (of) inattention, (and) flawed thinking, political expediency and a lack of courage.

Americans read articles I wrote for the New York Times New American News Service while McNamaras apologetic book drew attention.

Turns out I knew more about Vietnam in 1961 when McNamera was appointed Secretary of Defense than he admitted to knowing. Example, Kennedy introduced American combat troops into Vietnam to cover up the political wipe-out by Soviet leader Kruschev in a meeting with Kennedy in Vienna.

As for military views of American soldiers in Vietnam, I was but a 20 year-old U.S. Marine Lance Corporal but I envisioned my Reserve unit would be called up to serve in Vietnam when Marines were sent.

Fast forward to today. The New York Times published an article (Sept 2) by one of its star columnists, Nicholas Kristof, that asks ...what if another country is taking advantage of the distraction (of Russias war on Ukraine) to commit its own crimes against humanity? Meet Azerbaijan.

Disclaimer, I have no knowledge if Kristoff has ever been to Azerbaijan or its enemy Armenia. He wrote You probably havent heard of Azerbaijans brutality toward an ethnic Armenian enclave called Nagorno-Karabakh, but it deserves scrutiny.

Here we go again, just as I probably knew more about Vietnam and its anti-colonial war against France than Secretary McNamera knew in 1961, Kristoff cannot know what I know about Azerbaijan and its 30-years of war with next door aggressor Armenia. I have been there six times in the past eight years. Ive written a book about Armenian war crimes and several articles about the country and its problems with Armenia.

Ive also stood in the 500-yard-wide no mans land between Armenian occupiers of Azerbaijani land and Azerbaijani troops on 24-hour alert.

Kristoff reveals his lack of knowledge by not reciting that the conflict started in the 1980s with mass expulsions from Christian Armenia of multi-generational Azerbaijani Muslims that had lived in Armenia for decades.

Nor does he tell us that between 1988 and 1992, Armenia killed or expelled an estimated 200,000 Azerbaijanis from Armenia proper. Moreover, when Armenia (with Russian troops) invaded Azerbaijan in 1992 and occupied 20% of Azerbaijan, including the entire Nagorno-Karabakh region, Armenians either killed or forced 700,000-800,000 Azerbaijanis from their homes. They spared no one; men, women and children fled to Baku, the capital. It grew to 2.3 million people, almost identical to the entire population of Armenia, 2.7 million.

Apparently, Kristoff hasnt seen United Nations official reports that show that close to a million Azerbaijanis were driven from their homes. Nor has he seen the huge destruction of Aghdam, a major Azerbaijani city that Armenians occupied in 1994. They destroyed the entire city of 50,000 by the simple expediency of sending in Armenian work crews to scrounge anything of value such as copper telephone lines, telephone poles, wood from dismantled houses, glass windows, street pavers, etcetera.

Apparently Kristoff has not seen the four separate United Nations Security Council resolutions that demanded Armenian forces withdraw from all Azerbaijani territory that Armenia ignored. Nor has he seen entire towns Azerbaijan has built from scratch so that displaced Azerbaijanis can return after 25 or more years to their land and homes  if they werent burned to the ground by retreating Armenians during the 2020 war Azerbaijan won.

Kristoff relies on a report by a man he knows, former chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, Luis Moreno Ocampo, who wrote There is an ongoing genocide against 120,000 Armenians living in Nagorno-Karabakh, in a recent report.

Further, Ocampo wrote: Starvation is the invisible genocide weapon. Without immediate dramatic change, this group of Armenians will be destroyed in a few weeks.

All this because Azerbaijan closed the Lachin road that the 2020 Karabakh War ceasefire allowed between Armenia and the Karabakh. Why? Because Armenians were using the Russian-protected road to smuggle contraband. The Russians did nothing to stop illicit activities. Azerbaijan stopped them.

Properly documented Armenians desiring to go to Armenia on this, the only road to Armenia, are allowed transit. However, the Azrebaijani government has allowed the Red Crescent Society (the Azerbaijani version of Red Cross International) to fill convoys of trucks with food and medical supplies for those people claiming they are being starved to death.

Did the Armenians gleefully welcome the convoys of 18-wheel trucks flying the Red Crescent flags? No. They blockaded the road from Aghdam with concrete barricades  Aghdam, the Armenian destroyed city of 50,000. They refused to allow the trucks into Azerbaijans own territory to feed their own Armenians they claim are starving to death.

As for former chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, Luis Moreno Ocampo, the expert who claims Armenians are being starved to death, he would need an Azerbaijani entry visa issued by the Azerbaijanis to have ever visited the area since Azerbaijans independence from the Soviet Union in 1991.

There is no evidence he has ever been there. None, nothing, nada. There, where I have spent weeks upon weeks each time with an Azerbaijani visa.

---

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
9 September 2023 08:30 (UTC+04:00)

Rena Murshud Read more

Terminologically, repatriation refers to the return of a person or a community from a displaced place to their home country after conflicts. Neither the name repatriate nor the process of repatriation can be applied to all situations. However, Armenians, who are able to present themselves in every situation that is convenient for them, have managed to skillfully abuse the terms repatriate and repatriation.

According to information obtained from some sources, Armenia has already started the repatriation process. Thus, the Armenians, who throughout the history have been nomads all over the world, planned to return to their "own lands" from France, Russia, Lebanon, Syria and other countries, which are their main patrons. Those lands that they recognized for the first time after migrating to the South Caucasus in 1828 on the basis of the Turkmenchay Treaty. It is questionable to what extent the return of Armenians who have lived in foreign countries for many years to these lands can correspond to the concept of repatriation.

Speaking on the matter, a political analyst, the head of the Middle East Research Center, and Azerbaijani-based think tank, Sadraddin Soltan, gave a detailed explanation to AZERNEWS. According to him, it is illogical to call Armenians repatriates in general. Because the history of the arrival of Armenians to the South Caucasus region, including present-day Armenia, is known.

"After 1828, they migrated to the South Caucasus and got acquainted with these lands. Armenians are not considered indigenous population of present-day Armenia. For this reason, calling Armenians repatriates, as well as their repatriation to Armenia, is not logically and legally correct."

Sadraddin Soltan emphasized that the Armenians also relocated people of Armenian origin who did not belong to Azerbaijans Garabagh during the 30-year occupation period.

"During the occupation of Azerbaijani territories, Armenians regularly transferred Armenians from different countries of the world to those territories. This shows that they lived illegally in those areas during the mentioned period. Currently, those illegally resettled Armenians consider themselves to be true residents of present-day Armenia. Relocating Armenians from different countries of the world, especially Syria and Lebanon, to the border regions with Azerbaijan is considered an illegal step taken by Armenia and an artificial settlement. This also means the occupation of the territory of Azerbaijan. Because Western Azerbaijani Turks lived in the border regions between Azerbaijan and Armenia. 35 years ago, in 1988, they were expelled from Western Zangazur, Goycha and Erivan and forcibly stripped of their Armenian citizenship. With this, the human rights of up to 300,000 Azerbaijani Turks were violated. Their rights are protected by international law, which is the relevant UN convention. That is, Armenia and its patrons committed a crime 35 years ago by depriving nearly 300,000 Azerbaijani Turks of their citizenship. At present, they want to settle Armenians, who are called repatriates, in those areas. It is doubtful whether they are really citizens of Armenia," Sadraddin Soltan underlined.

The expert clarified to what extent the Armenians who were transferred from the Middle Eastern countries to present-day Armenia are eligible for the status of repatriates. He said that Armenians living in Lebanon and Syria may have more connections with Iran and Iraq than with Armenia. Therefore, transferring those who came from abroad under the name of repatriates to Western Azerbaijan or Armenia is against international law.

"This is the forced occupation of the lands of Western Azerbaijanis by Armenians. Also, this is considered a territorial, moral and political terror against Western Azerbaijanis," he added.

Sadraddin Soltan also mentioned some facts about Armenia's artificial repatriation plan. He said that the Armenians who were transferred to present-day Armenia belong to the countries where they are currently more common.

"Potentially, Armenians mostly live in France, Russia, Syria and Lebanon. Recently, the press secretary of the Russian President, Dmitry Peskov, stated that the number of Armenians in Russia is greater than the population in Armenia. That is, there could potentially be migration to Armenia from the countries listed under the name of repatriate. However, the standard of living of Armenians in Russia, France and Lebanon is much better than that of Armenians living in Armenia. In particular, the social, cultural, economic and even psychological environment in Lebanon and Syria differs from Armenia. Therefore, the probability of their repatriation is low," the expert noted.

Regarding the question of what measures the Azerbaijani side will take on this issue, the expert noted that one of the conditions of the peace treaty between Azerbaijan and Armenia is the restoration of the violated citizenship rights of Western Azerbaijanis. If their rights are not restored, the peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan may not last long. Because Official Baku cannot accept the violated rights of nearly 300,000 people. For example, Armenians talk about the security and rights of Armenian minority living in Garabagh. In this case, Azerbaijan also demands protection of the rights of 300,000 compatriots.

"I think that the Azerbaijani side will not turn a blind eye to the illegal step taken by Armenia, as well as will continue its activities in the international world and at political tables related to the process of restoring the rights of Western Azerbaijanis," S. Soltan concluded.

---

Rena Murshud is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @RenaTagiyeva

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
The UN is trying to persuade Russia to return to the Black Sea Grain deal. However, the Kremlin confirmed that it will stick to its original demand.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov explained why Russia decided to reject the offer of the United Nations.

UN Fails to Persuade Russia to Return to Black Sea Grain Deal

Recently, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said that Russia would be eligible to apply for membership and access to the SWIFT banking system.

Guterres explained that the Russian Agricultural Bank's subsidiary, RSHB Capital S.A., will have immediate access to the SWIFT banking system within 30 days.

Unfortunately, Peskov said that they don't want the state agricultural bank and not its subsidiary to be reconnected to the SWIFT bank payments system.

"All our conditions are perfectly well known. They do not need interpretation, they are absolutely concrete and all this is absolutely achievable," the Kremlin official said via Reuters.

"Therefore Russia maintains its responsible, clear, and consistent position, which has been repeatedly voiced by the president," he added.

Read Also: Russia Conducts 'Sham Elections' in Occupied Ukrainian Regions; West Sharply Criticizes Move

UN's Effort to Persuade Russia

According to VOA News, Guterres told Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov that the United States is ready to give the mentioned incentives to the subsidiary of Russia's state agricultural bank if the country returns to the Black Sea Grain deal.

But, Lavrov expressed his skepticism about the proposals made by the UN chief. He said that the United States is just giving a new dose of promises to Russia instead of providing actual exemptions from sanctions.

He added that the offered incentives don't contain any new elements, saying that they can't be considered as a foundation for making any tangible progress when it comes to returning agricultural exports back to normal.

Russian President Vladimir Putin decided to exit the Black Sea Initiative because he believes that the deal's second part, which allow for greater Russian agricultural exports, was not honored by the West.

Right now, Russia is still showing no signs of interest in returning to the Black Sea Grain deal.

Related Article: China Warns 'New Cold War' at ASEAN Summit as Big Powers Discuss Enduring Commitment to Region

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
9 September 2023 20:40 (UTC+04:00)

Reza Deghati's exhibition in France presents photos dedicated to Azerbaijan. Exhibitions of famous photojournalist Reza Deghati continue in the regions of France, Azernews reports, citing Day.az.

The opening of the photojournalist's exhibition "Depth of Silence" took place in the town of Vannes, Brittany region.

At the exhibitions of the master one can always see photos related to Azerbaijan and dedicated to the towns and villages of our country, which were destroyed by Armenian occupants. Reza Degati brings the realities and evidence of Armenian occupation and vandalism to the world community through the language of photographs.

For many years Reza Deghati has been appealing to the humanism of people in his work, showing the hardships and deprivations that inevitably accompany military operations. He communicates his message not only through photographs but also through books, documentaries, conferences, seminars and exhibitions in France and abroad. Reza Deghati is an eyewitness and chronicler of the events that have shaken the world since 1979, often referred to as a "peace correspondent". In his works Reza Deghati also reflected the pain of the Azerbaijani people, their 30-year longing for their native lands.

Pierre Bongiovanni and his wife Rachel Deghati curated the master's exhibitions in France. For more than 40 years the photographer has been travelling around the world and has managed to visit many "hot spots" of the planet. His exhibitions invariably arouse the interest of connoisseurs and amateurs of photography, and all those who care about the feelings and experiences of other people.

---

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
9 September 2023 13:19 (UTC+04:00)

Armenia continues to concentrate heavy artillery installations on the border with Azerbaijan.

As is seen in the footage leaked to social networks, the equipment being transported are air defense systems (ADS).

Recall that during this week a large number of photo and video materials related to the concentration of manpower and military equipment by Armenia in the areas bordering Azerbaijan were distributed.

---

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
9 September 2023 10:35 (UTC+04:00)

Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov held a telephone conversation with the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Vice-President of the EU Commission Josep Borrell, Azernews reports.

During the telephone conversation the sides discussed the prospects of cooperation between Azerbaijan and the EU, the current situation in the region, as well as the process of normalisation of relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

Minister Jeyhun Bayramov informed his interlocutor about Azerbaijan's position on the latest situation in the region. He stressed that Armenia's ongoing military-political provocations, statements against the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Azerbaijan do not serve peace and stability in the region. He stressed the importance of preventing these provocations by Armenia.

Foreign Minister Bayramov spoke in detail about Armenia's illegal use of the Lachin road for military and other purposes, which has been going on for almost two and a half years, noting that its unfounded claims about the "humanitarian situation in the region" are political manipulation.

The Azerbaijani Foreign Minister noted that despite the agreements reached on the simultaneous transportation of goods on the Aghdam-Khankendi and the Lachin-Khankendi roads, the violation of these agreements and the obstacles created in relation to the transport prove it once again.

Jeyhun Bayramov emphasized that the Armenian armed forces, which have not yet been withdrawn from Azerbaijani territories and are directly supported by Armenia, are the main source of threat in the region.

During the telephone conversation, the sides also exchanged views on other issues of mutual interest.

---

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
9 September 2023 10:00 (UTC+04:00)

On September 9, at 03:55 the Armenian armed forces units from the positions in the direction of the Davali district using small arms fired at the Azerbaijan Army positions stationed in the direction of the Sadarak region of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, Azernews reports, citing Defense Ministry.

The Azerbaijan Army Units took retaliatory measures.

---

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
9 September 2023 11:05 (UTC+04:00)

The Canadian Parliament should be watchful of Armenia's inflammatory statements, publicly affirm its support for the peace process, and refrain from acting in a way that might damage these connections, the Working Group for Azerbaijani-Canadian Inter-Parliamentary Relations said, Azenews reports.

"We, the Working Group for Inter-Parliamentary Connexions between Azerbaijan and Canada, strongly deplore the latest statement made by the so-called Canada-artsakh Friendship Group in the Canadian Parliament.

The statement made by the above-mentioned parliamentary group contradicts the norms and principles of international law whilst also coming across as a manifestation of sheer disrespect for the sovereign rights of Azerbaijan.

Another regrettable point is that this statement was made on behalf of a friendship group of the Canadian Parliament focusing on a friendship a fictitious entity  an entity, in other words, which simply does not exist.

While Azerbaijan is carrying out large-scale reconstruction and building works in her territories liberated from occupation as well as endeavouring to ensure peace and security in the region, the separatist elements holding the ethnic Armenians in our Garabagh Region hostage and the revanchist forces supporting them, as well as Armenia itself and the patrons of all these parties are working relentlessly to render the above-mentioned efforts fruitless.

Azerbaijan appointed a special representative to negotiate with the ethnic Armenians living in Garabagh and to facilitate the reintegration of this population into the Azerbaijani society. In particular, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has guaranteed the protection of the cultural, religious, educational, and municipal rights of the ethnic Armenian residents in the Garabagh Region of Azerbaijan.

We regret having to mention that the separatist clique entrenched in the Garabagh Region ignores Azerbaijan's proposals and has even blocked the Aghdam-Khankendi Road in order to prevent the implementation of the aforementioned proposals, whilst also preventing delivery of the food aid sent to Garabagh Armenians by the Azerbaijani Red Crescent Society.

One of the proposals openly put forward by Azerbaijan is that if the Aghdam-Khankendi Road is opened, the Lachin Road will also be brought into working condition. This proposal has been confirmed not only by Azerbaijan but also by the international partners and in recent discussions held under the auspices of the United Nations Security Council.

The self-styled separatist regime nestled in the Garabagh Region of Azerbaijan is a tool used to cover up Armenia's occupation of sovereign territories of Azerbaijan and the ethnic cleansing currently supported by Armenia.

Not to mention the unfortunate statement made in the Canadian Parliament, the very presence of the aforesaid group in the Canadian legislature is contrary to Canada's position on foreign policy and the norms and principles of international law. We believe that this phenomenon is wrong and can only be referred to with deep regret.

The Parliament of Canada ought to be vigilant about such provocation statements by Armenia and openly stand up in defence of the peace process in our region and promote friendly relations between our parliaments, and disallow acts damaging our relations to take place within its walls."

---

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
9 September 2023 20:10 (UTC+04:00)

The Azerbaijans State Committee for Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) has hosted a draw among the families, which will be relocated to Aghali village of Zangilan district as part of the another stage of return to the village, Azernews reports, citing State Committee.

Members of the Special Representative of the President of Azerbaijan in the Jabrayil, Gubadli and Zangilan districts, part of Eastern Zangazur economic region, members of the Zangilan District Executive Authority Office as well as 25 families (123 people) attended the draw ceremony.

The main goal of the event is to ensure the objectivity and transparency of the resettlement of the former IDPs.

The former IDPs soon to be relocated to the village of Aghali expressed their deep gratitude to President Ilham Aliyev and First Vice-President Mehriban Aliyeva for the care and attention shown to them.

---

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
9 September 2023 12:42 (UTC+04:00)

Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry congratulated Tajikistan on the occasion of its National Day, Azernews reports, citing the post on X by the Ministry.

The post reads that Azerbaijan congratulates the fraternal people of Tajikistan on the occasion of National Day and conveys our best and most sincere wishes! We look forward to further strengthening our strategic relations in all areas. Happy National Day, Tajikistan!

We congratulate the brotherly nation of #Tajikistan on their #NationalDay and send our best and most sincere wishes!



We look forward to further enhance our strategic relations in every area!



Happy National Day, Tajikistan! @MOFA_Tajikistan pic.twitter.com/HsnT6TKLbl  MFA Azerbaijan  (@AzerbaijanMFA) September 9, 2023

---

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
9 September 2023 11:35 (UTC+04:00)

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has sent a congratulatory letter to President of the Republic of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon on the occasion of the Independence Day, Azernews reports. The letter reads:

Dear Emomali Sharifovich,

On my own behalf and on behalf of the people of Azerbaijan, I am happy to extend my sincere congratulations and best wishes to you and through you to all your people on the occasion of the national holiday of the Republic of Tajikistan  the Independence Day.

As a friendly country, we rejoice in the achievements of Tajikistan in strengthening statehood, improving the social and economic well-being of the people, and gaining prestige on the international arena under your wise leadership.

The current level of our interstate relations stems from the sympathy, respect and trust our peoples have historically expressed to each other. The high-level reciprocal visits, regular contacts, numerous documents signed in various fields have contributed to the dynamic and successful development of our bilateral relations and partnership.

I believe that by effectively using the favorable conditions for expanding the scope of Azerbaijan-Tajikistan relations, we will achieve the strengthening of our mutually beneficial cooperation and the further deepening of our interaction on both a bilateral and multilateral basis.

Dear Emomali Sharifovich, on this remarkable day, I wish you good health, happiness, success in your endeavors, and the brotherly people of Tajikistan everlasting peace and prosperity.

Sincerely,

Ilham Aliyev

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan

Baku, 6 September 2023

---

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
9 September 2023 14:10 (UTC+04:00)

Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry expressed condolences to the families of the victims of a strong earthquake that hit Morocco, Azernews reports, citing a post on X by the Ministry.

The post reads that we are deeply saddened by the loss of life as a result of the earthquake that struck Morocco. We express our condolences to the families of the victims and wish a speedy recovery to all those who were injured. Our support is with the Government and People of Morocco.

Deeply saddened by the loss of life as a result of an earthquake struck #Morocco. We extend heartfelt condolences to the families of those who lost their lives & wish for a quick recovery to all those who were injured. Our support is w/Government & People of   MFA Azerbaijan  (@AzerbaijanMFA) September 9, 2023

---

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
9 September 2023 13:47 (UTC+04:00)

Iran is massing troops on the border with Azerbaijan, near Nakhchivan.

According to Azernews, footage of the event was leaked to social networks.

Note that in this video, which was shared by Iranian media, the movement of military equipment can be observed.

Let us recall that Iran conducted military exercises last year, gathering troops on the border with Azerbaijan.

---

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
The Biden Administration, as well as the FBI and some top health officials, are accused of persuading social giants to violate free speech.

This was revealed by a federal court appeals ruling on Friday, Sept. 8.

Biden Admin Accused of Persuading Socmed Giants to Violate Free Speech

According to USA Today's latest report, the federal appeals court ruled that the White House, the FBI, and U.S. health officials allegedly violated the First Amendment rights of social media users.

The ruling explained that the officials are doing this by pressuring social media firms to suppress or remove posts about elections and COVID-19.

Specifically, the lower-court judge discovered that U.S. officials are illegally coercing Facebook and YouTube into censoring posts about the 2020 election and the novel coronavirus pandemic.

The decision, which was made by the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals, partly upheld an order that banned numerous federal agencies from contacting Facebook, X (formerly called Twitter), YouTube, and other online platforms.

NBC reported that they are barred from persuading, pressuring, and threatening social media companies to censor content they consider misinformation.

"Social media platforms' content-moderation decisions must be theirs and theirs alone," said the court.

Read Also: Watchdog CREW Files Lawsuit to Ban Trump from Colorado's 2024 Ballot

Biden Admin Has 10 Days to Appeal

The new injunction against online censorship applies to the White House, the U.S. Surgeon General, the FBI, and the U.S. CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

It no longer applies to other federal officials covered by the lower court order because the injunction was narrowed by the 5th Circuit.

As of writing, U.S. President Joe Biden's administration has 10 days to ask the U.S. Supreme Court to check the case.

The latest injunction is a part of the lawsuit that was filed by the attorneys general of Louisiana and Missouri in 2022.

Recently, the Biden Administration defended itself, saying that they are only asking social media giants to take down harmful content, but never forcing them to do so.

Now, the Biden Admin and the U.S. Department of Justice, which defends the administration, declined to comment regarding the latest court ruling.

If you want to learn more details about the latest free speech violation allegations against the U.S. government, you can click this link.

Related Article: New York City Bans TikTok on Government-Owned Devices Amid Chinese Security Concerns

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
9 September 2023 12:47 (UTC+04:00)

President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has expressed condolences to King Mohammed VI of Morocco in connection with numerous human casualties and destructions as a result of a strong earthquake, Azernews reports.

Your Highness,

I was deeply saddened by the news of significant loss of life and destruction in the aftermath of a powerful earthquake in Morocco.

Due to this tragedy, on my own behalf and on behalf of the people of Azerbaijan, I extend my deep condolences to you, families and loved ones of those who died, and the brotherly people of Morocco, and wish the injured recovery.

May Allah rest their souls in peace!

Ilham Aliyev

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan

Baku, 9 September 2023

---

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
9 September 2023 15:50 (UTC+04:00)

The illegal activity under the false pretext of presidential elections by the puppet regime created as a result of the occupation by Armenia is a gross violation of the Constitution and legislation of the Republic of Azerbaijan as well as norms and principles of international law, Azernews reports, citing the statement of the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry.

Only the Constitution and laws of the Republic of Azerbaijan form the legal basis for the expression of will through elections in the territory of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

The puppet separatist regime is the consequence of the aggression and ethnic cleansing policy that continued for nearly 30 years. The steps taken by this regime to continue its existence due to the military, political, financial and other types of support of Armenia, have no legal validity whatsoever.

The mentioned step is another element of the provocative and inflammatory activity of Armenia, which has deteriorated recently, and is a serious blow to the efforts of normalization in the region and reintegration of ethnic Armenian residents into the constitutional framework of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

Holding the so-called elections once again clearly shows that Armenia and the puppet regime created by it, which have taken steps to maintain the status quo and continue its occupation policy, are not really interested in the peace process, on the contrary, have taken the path of provocation and escalating the situation.

Armenia should stop its futile attempts to deceive its people and the international community, put an end to the claims against the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, constructively participate in the normalization process, and comply with its international obligations.

Armenia's obstruction of the dialogue of Azerbaijan with the ethnic Armenians living in its sovereign territory is a gross interference in the internal affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan and is an attack on the sovereignty and territorial integrity of our country.

The Republic of Azerbaijan will resolutely counter threats to its sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders.

The only way to achieve peace and stability in the region is the unconditional and complete withdrawal of the Armenian armed forces from the Garabagh region of Azerbaijan and the disbandment of the puppet regime.

The Republic of Azerbaijan urges all members of the international community, in accordance with their obligations within international law, to make a correct political assessment of the steps directed against the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, to take effective measures to prevent Armenia from taking steps that endanger the fragile normalization efforts in the region, and to strongly condemn the illegal activities named as elections.

---

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
9 September 2023 21:21 (UTC+04:00)

"Azerbaijan did not received a proposal from the Armenian government to hold urgent talks with President Ilham Aliyev" Hikmet Hajiyev, assistant to the Azerbaijani president and head of the foreign policy department of the presidential administration, told Reuters on Saturday, Azernews reports.

Earlier, Hajiyev said that Azerbaijan's armed forces were conducting planned exercises in preparation for the autumn-winter season and this was part of the regular planning process. Armenia, on the other hand, is concentrating troops on the border and purchasing new weapons systems, he said.

He added that Armenian illegal armed formations in Garabagh have also come out of their barracks and have been put on high alert.

"Our strategy is to suppress any armed actions, illegal military actions and provocations against Azerbaijan," he said.

Recall that earlier the press service of the Armenian government said that Nikol Pashinyan told French President Emmanuel Macron during a telephone conversation with him.

To remind, earlier Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan noted that he is ready to hold urgent talks with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to reduce tension on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border.

The press service of the Armenian government said that Nikol Pashinyan told French President Emmanuel Macron during a telephone conversation with him.

The Armenian Prime Minister reaffirmed the commitment to the agreements of 6 October 2022 in Prague and 14 May 2023 in Brussels, as well as the readiness to resolve all issues exclusively through diplomatic means.

---

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
9 September 2023 08:00 (UTC+04:00)

India is set to host the two-day summit of G-20 leaders in the capital New Delhi under the theme of "One Earth, One Family, One Future," Azernews reports, citing Anadolu Agency.

During the summit, G-20 leaders, in absence of Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping, will exchange views in three sessions, hoping to make progress on trade, climate, and other global problems.

The summit will be held at the newly inaugurated Pragati Maidan conference center at the Bharat Mandapam culture corridor, where a statue of Nataraja, the Hindu God of dance, as an important symbol of cosmic energy, creativity, and power  is located.

At its core, the G-20 is an intergovernmental forum primarily concerned with economic issues made up of the worlds 20 largest economies  19 countries and the EU. It plays an important role in shaping and strengthening global architecture and governance on all major international economic issues.

The member states are Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkiye, the UK, and the US.

Besides the members, term president India also invited the leaders of Bangladesh, the Netherlands, Nigeria, Egypt, Mauritius, Oman, Singapore, Spain, and the United Arab Emirates.

In addition to international organizations such as the UN, International Monetary Fund and World Bank, India also invited members of the International Solar Alliance, the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure, and the Asian Development Bank as guests.

The G-20 is also close to an agreement on admitting African Union, a bloc of 55 countries, as a member of the grouping.

Following the summit, the leaders are expected to adopt a declaration, which is a commitment towards the priorities discussed and agreed upon during the respective ministerial and working group meetings.

The G-20 presidency will be assumed by Brazil in 2024 and by South Africa in 2025.

---

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
9 September 2023 09:00 (UTC+04:00)

The Kazakh and Chinese railway administrations reached an agreement on cargo volumes for 2023 and 2024 at the 32nd meeting of the border railways commissions of Kazakhstan and China in Shymkent, Kazakh railway operator Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ) said, Azernews reports, citing Interfax.

After reviewing the data on shipments between the countries for the first eight months of 2023, the carriers have set a target of 26.8 million tonnes of cargo for this year, an increase of 3.6 million tonnes compared to the previous year. The exports are expected to increase by 25% to 16.2 million tonnes, while imports will increase by 6% to 10.6 million tonnes.

"For the year 2024, the agreed amount of cargo to be transported is 27.8 million tonnes, which is an increase of 1 million tonnes [3.7%] compared to the volume for 2023," the KTZ press service said.

Starting from January 2024, the Chinese authorities will permit doubling the amount of grain loaded onto grain carriers, covered wagons, and containers at the Alashankou crossing station.

"At the request of Kazakhstan, China has agreed to start accepting grain cargo in grain carriers and covered cars at the Khorgos station. Additionally, China will increase acceptance of other types of cargo, such as vegetable oils, metal ores (pellets and concentrates), and petroleum coke," KTZ said.

During the meeting, the parties discussed progress with expanding the capacity of border crossing stations and the Dostyk-Moyynty and Alashankou-Jinghe sections and the construction and modernization of terminals.

KTZ said all issues were resolved at the meeting, which will enable an increase in the flow of cargo through border crossing stations.

---

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
9 September 2023 19:05 (UTC+04:00)

Turkiye expressed readiness to provide assistance to Morocco, which was hit by a devastating earthquake, Azernews reports.

This is stated in a statement of the Foreign Ministry of the Republic.

"We express our condolences to the friendly and brotherly Moroccan people and government, we wish God's mercy to the victims and speedy recovery to the injured. Turkey, as always, is ready to provide all possible support to heal the wounds," the statement said.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed condolences over the natural disaster in the African nation.

---

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
9 September 2023 15:15 (UTC+04:00)

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan noted that he is ready to hold urgent talks with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to reduce tension on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border, Azernews reports, citing international media outlet.

The press service of the Armenian government said that Nikol Pashinyan told French President Emmanuel Macron during a telephone conversation with him.

The Armenian Prime Minister reaffirmed the commitment to the agreements of 6 October 2022 in Prague and 14 May 2023 in Brussels, as well as the readiness to resolve all issues exclusively through diplomatic means.

In his turn, the French President pointed to the necessity to reduce tension along the conditional border and expressed readiness to support the efforts to establish peace and stability in the region.

To recall, as results of provocation of Armenia, the relation between the two countries is considered tense. Violating November 10 Statement, the Armenian side has not withdrawn its Armed Forces from Azerbaijans Garabagh, and in addition, they try to install trenches in Azerbaijani territories under their control. To top it all off, news about concentrating military equipment by Armenia in the areas bordering Azerbijan is being circulated in the mass media.

---

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
9 September 2023 22:00 (UTC+04:00)

The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry has condemned the holding of the so-called "presidential election" which took place on 9 September in the territory of Karabakh (Republic of Azerbaijan), Azernews reports.

The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry said in a statement issued today.

"The holding of these so-called "presidential elections" contradicts the norms and principles of international law, and their results are null and void.

Ukraine once again expresses its support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Azerbaijan within its internationally recognised borders and stands for the settlement of the Garabagh conflict by political and diplomatic means," the statement reads.

---

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
9 September 2023 23:00 (UTC+04:00)

Turkiye does not recognize the so-called presidential elections held in the territories of Garabagh region of Azerbaijan, Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement, Azernews reports, citing Turkish MoD.

The elections held in the territories of Garabagh region of Azerbaijan is a new manifestation of efforts to unilaterally legitimize the current situation in the region, which is contrary to international law. This step is a flagrant violation of international law including the UN Security Council resolutions and the OSCE principles.

We condemn and consider this election which is held in a period when Azerbaijan and Armenia strive to continue peace talks as a move to undermine them.

Turkiye does not recognize this illegitimate election which constitutes violation of Azerbaijans sovereignty and territorial integrity. We call on the UN and international community not to recognize this election.

Turkiye supports the peace negotiations process between Azerbaijan and Armenia and still has the belief that signing of a lasting peace agreement soon, will make a major contribution to peace and stability in the region, the ministry added.

---

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
Jewellery Arabia is taking place at Exhibition World Bahrain in Sakhir from Tuesday, November 14th, to Saturday, November 18th, with the participation of 650 jewelry brands from 30 countries.

Read More: Exhibition World Bahrain to Host Next Cycle of Lively Ballet Shows

The exhibition will be open from 4pm to 10pm from Tuesday to Friday, and from 12pm to 10pm on Saturday.

This event is considered the biggest jewelry and watch exhibition in the Middle East. The exhibition promises to attract luxury lovers from around the world.

Renowned watch and jewelry houses like Asia Jewellers and Bahrain Jewellery Center will be showcasing their limited-edition pieces.

With five exclusive halls, you can expect a stunning display of classic and contemporary designs, exquisite timepieces, precious gems, fine writing instruments, luxury accessories, and much more.

Image source: @jewelleryarabiabahrain Instagram account.




By Pyo Kyung-min







Chinese author Yu Hua, who has stood as a leading figure in contemporary Chinese literature, marked the 40th anniversary of his literary debut with his fans and publishing industry people in Korea.







Hua, known for his globally acclaimed works such as "Chronicle of a Blood Merchant" and "To Live," visited Korea to participate in the

, being held until Wednesday.







"I forgot it was my 40th anniversary since my debut, so I was pleasantly surprised when Korea's Prunsoop Publishing Company informed me. I want to express my gratitude for remembering this milestone and organizing this meaningful event," Hua said during a press event at a cafe in Jongno District, Seoul, Friday.







Born in 1960 in China's Zhejiang Province, Hua began his writing career in 1983 and achieved worldwide acclaim in 1993 with his full-length novel, "To Live." The novel was also adapted into a film of the same name by famous director Zhang Yimou in 1994.







His subsequent work, "Chronicle of a Blood Merchant," garnered widespread attention, especially from Korean readers. The tale of a man who sells his blood to provide for his family, sold 250,000 copies in Korea alone. "To Live" also left a mark with 100,000 copies sold.







To celebrate Hua's 40th anniversary in the literary world, Prunsoop Publishing Company released updated editions of his two novels, "To Live" and "Chronicle of a Blood Merchant." This marks the first revisions in 16 years, following the publication of the third edition in 2007.







"'To Live' achieved higher sales worldwide. I've often wondered why 'Chronicle of a Blood Merchant' resonated so strongly with Korean readers," Hua said.







"I suspect this could be attributed to the refined literary sensibilities of Korean readers," he said, conveying his deep appreciation. "Given how warmly Korean readers have embraced my work, I genuinely wish to visit Korea more frequently," he added.






Thank you for reading!

Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading.
https://www.bassresource.com/fish_biology/dumb-tax.html

Fish and Lake Management

Image This newly renovated lake was planned correctly, depths calculated, and shoreline figured out. They even built a dock and peninsulas, knowing where the water line would be.

Every one of us doesn't know what we don't know. Because of that little limiting factor of life knowledge and experience of whatever endeavors loom, we often pay the "Dumb Tax." I'd like to take credit for that little epithet, but I must give credit where credit is due. Freeman Sawyer, owner of Heroes Ranch in east Texas, said that to me a few years ago.

It resonated.

I can't tell you how often I've sat around a campfire or in the passenger's seat of someone's side-by-side and heard the landowner say, "I wish I'd done this differently."

That's a common phrase.

We don't know what we don't know. Because of that, landowners pay extra. That's the "Dumb Tax', affectionately speaking. Debbie and I just paid some dumb tax ourselves. Our lesson was expensive, but not compared to some I've seen. Ours? Just because he drives a truck, has a ladder, and wears white pants doesn't mean he's a painter.

There's a new landowner I'm working with now whose budget was overshot by close to 50% because he didn't take enough core samples where his dam was about to be built. They cost $500 each for the Geotech company to drill holes, take the dirt to the lab, and analyze plasticity. They had a $1,500 minimum charge to come out and drill. That's what he did...three holes. Had he done ten holes about 30-50 feet apart all along the proposed dam site, they would have found a layer of gravel six feet deep with a constant flow of water. By not spending another $3,500 in due diligence, it costs close to $30,000 to dig the core trench deeper and wider. That little gravel vein turned out to be an ancient creek channel long since buried with silt and topsoil as floods came and the creek shifted directions over eons.

Because of that underground fact, the contractor had no choice but to figure out how to divert the water to a sump, set up a pump, and send the water down the creek out of their way. Then, they had to dig out the gravel and go down an extra six feet to get to solid material for a foundation for the dam. I'm not saying he could have built this dam for less money, but our landowner was committed by the time his earthmover figured out what was buried beneath them. He might have gone through a different thought process had he known...had he spent the 'extra on the Geotech due diligence before any dirt was disturbed. He could have made a more intelligent decision.

Image

Then there was the central Texas lake a man built himself. He rented a bulldozer and a sheepsfoot roller to pack the clay lifts. He knew enough to build a proper core trench and how to compact the clay as he built the dam. There was a big, beautiful pecan tree just inside where the backside toe of the dam would sit. He and his wife discussed how neat it would be to carve out a picnic area around that tree. The dam would protect them from winds. The tree offered shade. It was almost like they designed a little grotto sans the cave effect. It was a c-shaped indention, basically into the dam. That little design altered the backside slope of the dam, and the tree was so tall that he decided to make the crown of the dam a couple of feet narrower there. The rub came because several lifts of clay were added where the compactor couldn't safely navigate around the tree for risk of falling over. Fast forward a few years. They were enjoying that picnic area. The lake was full and growing some fish; they were having a blast with the whole thing.

He noticed a low spot in the dam adjacent to the tree. He figured out those layers were allowing a small amount of water to percolate through. They had not been compacted well enough. The dam settled. He had a low spot and a seep. There wasn't enough water leaking to influence the lake. About 15 years after the dam, the new owner wanted me to help him grow some big bass. He gave me the backstory of the dam and showed me the leak and the big pecan tree. The leak was minimal; it might fill up a 5-gallon bucket every three or four minutes, so I didn't think much of it. At the far end was the spillway, all rock. It was layered limestone in the hillside. The layers stepped down so the water rolled down when it rained, and he had a beautiful waterfall. About five years into the new guy's ownership, he was watching water roll over the spillway right after a springtime rain. He saw a bunch of baby bluegills leaving his lake and headed downstream. That bothered him enough to call me and ask if he should put a short chicken wire fence across his spillway to keep the fish from leaving. I gave him my opinion...don't do it. Those bluegills are so resilient that they'll keep spawning in his lake and make up for those lost. Chicken wire mesh wouldn't stop a little fish.

About nine months later, I got a call from him.

His dam had blown out. He put up that 18" tall chicken wire fence across his spillway. The area had gotten one of those hundred-year floods that seem to occur every 8-10 years. Nine inches of torrential rain poured down the watershed over an 8-hour span and into his lake. His spillway fence was clogged with debris, and the water rose too much, topping the dam at that low spot. That roaring water chewed the backside slope within minutes, eating the dirt away. It built momentum, and within two hours, the dam failed. There was a gaping hole over 50 feet wide at the top, tapering down to three or four feet wide at the bottom, what used to be natural ground level. The big pecan tree was toppled, a loafing barn was pushed over, and a county road was washed away.

Image This spillway wasn't properly built. It was too narrow and too steep. The first time it worked, much of it eroded. The landowner installed a gable-rock device to keep dirt in place. As you can see, water is still forceful. Build the proper spillway in the beginning.

Then there was the guy who bought a beautiful property with a lovely lake. He built a cabin a few feet from the water's edge. The foundation was poured, and the framing was up. A hurricane was looming off the coast, with two weather models having it roll right over his property. His builder shot the elevation for the foundation based on the primary spillway, a 24-inch overflow pipe. He'd set the foundation one vertical foot above the overflow pipe. The landowner called me, worried about impending rains from the hurricane. His question was about how big flow rates would affect water quality. He'd recently limed his lake. I headed over to his place with my water chemistry test kit. That was the first time I saw his cabin site. I asked him about the elevation of the foundation. He explained it. I looked across the lake and tried to compare the emergency spillway to the primary overflow pipe. It sure looked more than a vertical foot above that primary pipe. The hurricane was hours away from landfall, and prognosticators still weren't sure of its path. There was an earthmover on site, clearing some areas for food plots for wildlife and clearing out an old cross fence. We headed over, and I asked if he had a transit with him. Sure enough, he did. He had a laser level. We set it up and confirmed that the foundation was one foot above the overflow pipe. But the emergency spillway was six inches higher than that. That meant he'd have 8-12 inches of water in his cabin if the emergency spillway released two to six inches of water. He called the builder on that Sunday, had him take a look, and helped him decide what to do. Since the framing was completed, they discussed it and decided to move the cabin away from the lake and pour a new foundation 18 inches higher than the emergency spillway. The builder paid the dumb tax, and the landowner got a concrete patio next to his lake.

Then, there was the lady who bought a cabin not far from a public lake. She wanted a pond next to the cabin so she could sit outside and drink coffee each morning and see water. She didn't care about having fish, aquatic plants, or any of that. She just wanted to see water from her back porch. After carefully explaining that to the earthmover, she took a two-week vacation. When she got back, not only was the pond finished, it was half full of muddy water from a recent rain. She called me, totally upset. I headed over there and quickly saw why. The dirt guy built a berm right in the line of sight. She could not see the water, even when the pond was full. She wanted me to call the guy...a local guy I'd known because our kids grew up together. She didn't want to call him, something about not wanting to deal with confrontation. He had just finished lunch and said he'd head over.

I was standing on top of the levee of this 1/3-acre pond and figured out what he'd done. He needed a place to put dirt to get the depth needed for the pond. If he pushed it south, he'd interfere with the watershed, and water would flow around the pond. If he pushed it west, it would fall onto the neighbor. He put the dirt where it logically belonged. He explained that he couldn't get her on the phone because she was out of the country, so he did what dirt guys do. She wanted what she wanted and paid the freight for dump trucks to haul off the excess dirt.

I'll always remember one other landowner who built a lake. Three acres of the ten-acre site was way too shallow...less than three feet deep and flattish. He was advised to deepen those areas by building peninsulas or pushing some dirt out of the pond along that area. He'd already spent about as much as he intended and wanted to be finished. His dirt guy didn't know any different, and the landowner didn't understand the consequences. For the next five years, he paid $5-6,000 for herbicides. His pond management company suggested he drain five feet of water off and deepen that area. It cost him $6,000 for dirt work. Had he done that five years earlier, he'd be ahead. Dumb tax...he didn't know what he didn't know.

How do you keep from paying the dumb tax? Either hire people who understand what you want and represent you, immerse yourself in the topic, learn all you can...or both. That doesn't mean you won't pay more than you should, but the more you learn about any project before you do it, the better your outcome will be.

When I was 19, my car's air conditioner compressor froze. The bearings started screaming and locked up, and the belt burned off. There was no University of Google or YouTube videos we could watch to learn how to do things. I took it to a mechanic's shop$125 to fix it. No thanks. I didn't have that much spare money in my pocket. I headed to the auto parts store, bought the bearings, and headed home. I raised the hood and went to work. I couldn't get the clutch wheel off (or whatever it's called). I returned to the auto parts store and bought a wheel puller and an O-ring tool to get that little jewel out. I was out about $75 by then. I popped that O-ring plier's-looking tool into place, squeezed it, and the dang thang shot straight at me, hissing like a cornered bobcat. Instantly, I was covered with oil, freon, and whatever else lives in a compressordumb tax. $180 later, the air conditioner worked. At least I could take the wheel puller back and get a refund. I made up my mind that day that this soon-to-be-fish guy would not work on any more cars.

Seek good counsel, and immerse yourself as much as possible before spending the money. Look at similar projects. Don't be afraid to study other examples and learn from other people's mistakes. Don't ask a fish guy how to lay bricks or ask the plumber how many fish to stock. Find the right people to teach, inform, consult, and educate you about that project. Then, pull the trigger. There are still no guarantees you won't pay more than you should, but you certainly should be able to pay less dumb tax.

We should have asked the guy with the pickup, ladder, and white pants to show us a portfolio of his work. When he pulled cabinet doors and sprayed them out in our yard, didn't sand before the second coat, and painted the still-attached hinges, we should have known...but we didn't know what we didn't know.

We paid the dumb tax.

Reprinted with permission from Pond Boss Magazine
High-Altitude Research Balloon from Oregon Coast Space Firm Freaks Out Portlanders

Published 09/06/23 at 9:47 p.m.

By Oregon Coast Beach Connection staff





(Portland, Oregon)  News stations around Portland saw their phone systems light up like crazy Wednesday morning after residents started seeing an odd but somewhat spookily-familiar sight: a giant balloon that smacked of that Chinese spy incident. That, and well, a few UFO claims as well. (Photo Doug Berger, who used a powerful zoom lens to close in DBPics.com)

It turns out it was a high-altitude space research balloon that was launched from the Oregon coast in the morning. As for UFO claims, there's actually a small connection to Mars here and other space-faring vehicles.

Near Space Corporation in Tillamook was the launch point early Wednesday morning, a group that has been in contract with numerous space research firms since the '90s, including NASA. They launch space balloons, however, not actual orbiting satellites. These end up  to quote David Bowie  far above the world, over 120,000 feet.

The company's president Kevin Tucker confirmed with numerous news organizations it had launched the balloon doing some data research for NASA.

What was unusual today was how clear it was in the morning, allowing those in Portland and the northern Willamette Valley to see the balloon. It had drifted west with weather conditions, which later shifted and brought it back towards the Oregon coast, where Near Space Corporation will recover it.



Courtesy Tillamook County Sheriff's, Aug. 28

There have been reports it has already popped and drifted back to Earth.

The balloon photo at top is a different, puffed-up shape because they normally inflate in the high atmosphere.

Near Space Corporation is aptly named, doing what it does near space but not quite there. Space is defined as over 62 miles away and they operate around 22 miles above the Earth.

A photo from Tillamook County Sheriff's office on August 28 shows them assisting in a launch.

According to a previous article from Oregon Coast Beach Connection on the company:

While not exactly rocket science in the strictest sense, these near-space balloon flights carry payloads that range from several pounds to thousands of pounds in weight. Test flights often climb to 120,000 feet above sea level, allowing new technology demonstrations and scientific experiments to be conducted in a space-like environment above 99 percent of the Earth's atmosphere.

There's an intriguing connection here between the Oregon coast and Mars. The company has been involved in balloon drop tests to simulate conditions on the red planet. These have been used in unmanned missions to Mars, including info from drone tests conducted by the company.

Oregon Coast Hotels in this area - South Coast Hotels - Where to eat - Maps - Virtual Tours







MORE PHOTOS BELOW















Above courtesy Near Space Corporation. Below: Tillamook Bay

More About Oregon Coast hotels, lodging.....

More About Oregon Coast Restaurants, Dining.....



Coastal Spotlight



Andre' GW Hagestedt is editor, owner and primary photographer / videographer of Oregon Coast Beach Connection, an online publication that sees over 1 million pageviews per month. He is also author of several books about the coast.

LATEST Related Oregon Coast Articles

Back to Oregon Coast

Contact Advertise on Oregon Coast Beach Connection

All Content, unless otherwise attributed, copyright Oregon Coast Beach Connection. Unauthorized use or publication is not permitted
Remarkable Moment of Lightning Striking the Ocean off Oregon Coast at Pacific City

Published 09/05/23 at 6:37 a.m.

By Oregon Coast Beach Connection staff

(Pacific City, Oregon)  The skies have been active lately over much of the Oregon coast and inland area, and that's not just referring to the rain. Lightning and thunder have been a rather dramatic pair of visitors lately, swooping in and causing a raucous on and off for the last ten days. (Photo Joel Zwink)

In fact, it was on the morning of August 25 when that old adage of right place, right time came into play for one lightning storm on the north Oregon coast. One lucky dude, Pacific City's Joel Zwink, captured a downright jaw-dropping shot of lightning smacking the ocean right next to Haystack Rock.

It was about 2 a.m. when thunder woke him up. So, he grabbed his camera, fired off dozens of shots from his deck overlooking the sleepy beach village, and caught almighty Thor himself. One serious bolt from the sky fires off and hits the ocean, lighting up the rock and everything around it. That purple glow comes not just from the lightning itself but the unique atmospheric conditions that occur when things get this humid as well.

Zwink told Oregon Coast Beach Connection that even though he was out on the deck with a metal tripod, he wasn't worried about becoming a lightning rod himself.



Unbordered original from Zwink

I wasn't worried as there were a couple higher spots on the house that would have acted as a lightning rod, he said.

That photo he snagged on the 20th shot, he said. It took awhile to get the exposure right as lightning has a tendency to burn out your photo and make everything a blurry white. He was shooting at 15-second exposures, which also lights up the surroundings in its own way.

Stats: Nikon Z6ii - iso 200 - Nikkor 40mm with an f 2 lens.



Oregon Coast Beach Connection

This all brings up the question: what causes lightning out on the Oregon coast?

According to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), which oversees the National Weather Service, it's a spark of electricity between clouds, the air and the ground  or in this case, the ocean. It starts because of the vast difference in positive charges and negative charges that are in storm clouds and between the ground region and the clouds themselves. Air normally acts as an insulator between those charges, but something gives sometimes.

According to NOAA:

When the opposite charges build up enough, this insulating capacity of the air breaks down and there is a rapid discharge of electricity that we know as lightning. (The actual breakdown process is still poorly understood.) The air breakdown creates ions and free electrons that travel down the conducting channel. This current flow temporarily equalizes the charged regions in the atmosphere until the opposite charges build up again.

All those fingers or branches of lightning? That's the lightning trying to blindly find it's way from the negative charges in the clouds to the positive charge at the ground.

If lightning hits sand it can create glass, although Oregon Coast Beach Connection has not yet found any historical reports of that here on the coast. Not yet.

So what happens when lightning hits the ocean?

NOAA said not a heck of a lot  generally.

Lightning doesnt strike the ocean as much as land, but when it does, it spreads out over the water, which acts as a conductor. It can hit boats that are nearby, and electrocute fish that are near the surface, NOAA said on its website.

Still, if you're out on a vessel at sea and lightning strikes, you need to get back in port or get down below. NOAA said not to use electronic equipment when it's around.

If you can hear thunder that means you can be struck by lightning  even if it's apparently quite a ways away. Lightning doesn't necessarily hit the tallest thing near it, either.

The odds of being struck in your lifetime (estimated to be 80 years) are 1 in 15,300, NOAA said.

Zwink has this shot for sale. See https://zwink.com/. MORE LIGHTNING PHOTOS BELOW

Hotels in Pacific City - Where to eat - Pacific City Maps and Virtual Tours







MORE PHOTOS BELOW



















More About Oregon Coast hotels, lodging.....

More About Oregon Coast Restaurants, Dining.....



Coastal Spotlight



Andre' GW Hagestedt is editor, owner and primary photographer / videographer of Oregon Coast Beach Connection, an online publication that sees over 1 million pageviews per month. He is also author of several books about the coast.

LATEST Related Oregon Coast Articles

Back to Oregon Coast

Contact Advertise on Oregon Coast Beach Connection

All Content, unless otherwise attributed, copyright Oregon Coast Beach Connection. Unauthorized use or publication is not permitted
Washington Coast Cleanup Sept. 16 on Three Pacific Beaches, Some on the Strait

Published 09/06/23 at 5:27 a.m.

By Oregon Coast Beach Connection staff





(Port Angeles, Washington)  U.S. coastlines catch a lot of garbage coming from the ocean, often even more than what gets left behind on the beaches. International Coastal Cleanup Day is one way to keep up with the trash, a day that's usually held on the third Saturday of the month. (Photo courtesy CoastSavers)

Sound familiar? The Oregon coast has had such a day since the '80s, called SOLVE Beach Clean-Up. But the Washington coast needs some lovin' as well, and it will get it with Washington CoastSavers' version of International Coastal Cleanup day on the same day, September 16. Register here https://www.coastsavers.org/ index.php/registration/

Here, however, the cleanup day is more splintered, with CoastSavers overlooking three spots along the central Washington coast and several on the inner coastline along the Strait of Juan de Fuca. The Olympic Peninsula cleanups are held through National Park Service and the Long Beach Peninsula cleanups are through a different group and at another time: see at https://ourbeach.org/.

Registration for the Washington coast event opened in August. Along the Pacific region, the three cleanups put on by Washington CoastSavers are at Ocean Shores, Westport / Grayland and at Ocean City. They all happen at 9 a.m. and go until noon.



Westport - courtesy Washington State Parks

Megan Juran, coordinator for Washington CoastSavers, said typically they oversee the Olympic Peninsula cleanups, but this year the park service and local Makah tribes took it into their own hands.

Volunteer contributions and beaches participating are subject to change annually, Juran said. For example, while we have partnered with Olympic National Park since our organization's inception in 2007, this spring they have decided to take the lead on Park Service lands coordinating their own cleanups.

This year, she said they're expecting about 500 volunteers for the event. Numbers can vary wildly from year to year.



Second Beach, La Push - CoastSavers

While participation numbers have dropped since the COVID years starting in 2020, there are some that are fiercely loyal to this event  and have been so for quite some time.

Operation Shore Patrol being the fall stewardship event for the PNW4WDA and hundreds of 4-wheel drive enthusiasts will head to the beach on the 16th of September to clean the beach, she said.

It turns out, Washington coast's version of the SOLVE Beach Cleanup apparently predated Oregon coast efforts. Help Scour the Oregon Coast of Litter, Debris Sept. 16 with SOLVE Cleanup Event

Years before the International Coastal Cleanup became official in 1986, the Pacific Northwest 4 Wheel Drive Association started their own cleanup, Juran told Oregon Coast Beach Connection. Operation Shore Patrol, the group's fall stewardship cleanup event, originated in 1971 along Ocean Shores, Westport and Long Beach Peninsula beaches. With over 50 years of cleanup experience, the PNW4WDA is the originator of a fall organized cleanup on Washington's Pacific Coast.

The check-in for Ocean City is at the Ocean City beach approach. For the Westport and Grayland area, the registration is station is located on the Bonge Ave OBA at the south end Twin Harbors State Park. At Ocean Shores, check in at the Chance Ala Mer registration station to grab supplies before heading out to clean the beach. https://www.coastsavers.org/index.php/registration/







MORE PHOTOS BELOW













More About Oregon Coast hotels, lodging.....

More About Oregon Coast Restaurants, Dining.....



Coastal Spotlight



Andre' GW Hagestedt is editor, owner and primary photographer / videographer of Oregon Coast Beach Connection, an online publication that sees over 1 million pageviews per month. He is also author of several books about the coast.

LATEST Related Oregon Coast Articles

Back to Oregon Coast

Contact Advertise on Oregon Coast Beach Connection

All Content, unless otherwise attributed, copyright Oregon Coast Beach Connection. Unauthorized use or publication is not permitted
As School Choice is beginning to take shape in North Carolina: What is your position on what it should evolve into?

4.35% School Choice is only a distraction from the promise of real public education.91.3% School Choice, as it evolves into its best model to serve the public' s education needs, this benefit will provide choices outside of the historic construct supporting the public school monopoly.4.35% School Choice - I cannot see how it serves the Education Industry.
China ready to further synergize development strategies with Indonesia -- premier

Xinhua) 10:31, September 09, 2023

Chinese Premier Li Qiang holds talks with Indonesian President Joko Widodo in Jakarta, Indonesia, Sept. 8, 2023. (Xinhua/Liu Bin)

JAKARTA, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Qiang said on Friday that China is ready to work with Indonesia to implement the important consensus reached by the two countries' heads of state, further enhance the synergy of development strategies, promote the common development of the two countries, and inject lasting impetus to regional stability and prosperity.

In talks with Indonesian President Joko Widodo, Li first conveyed to him the cordial greetings from President Xi Jinping. Under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, bilateral relations have maintained a strong momentum of development, Li said.

Li noted that over a month ago, the two presidents met in Chengdu, and reached a new important consensus on the "reality map" of building a China-Indonesia community with a shared future.

The Chinese premier said firstly, the two sides should continue to deepen strategic mutual trust, and build a solid political foundation for jointly building a community with a shared future.

China and Indonesia should grasp their own fundamental and long-term interests, boost mutual support on issues concerning each other's core interests and major concerns, jointly respond to various risks and challenges, continue to expand exchanges at all levels, make good use of mechanisms such as bilateral high-level dialogue and cooperation, and learn from each other, promote each other, and go forward hand in hand in the process of modernization in their respective countries.

The premier said secondly, the two sides should continue to expand practical cooperation and tighten the bond of interest for jointly building a community with a shared future.

China, Li said, is ready to work with Indonesia to make full preparations for the official operation of the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway (HSR).

Li said China will work with Indonesia to make the Regional Comprehensive Economic Corridor and the "Two Countries, Twin Parks" new flagship projects of Belt and Road cooperation.

China stands ready to work with Indonesia for high-quality implementation of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), expand imports of bulk commodities and quality agricultural and fishery products from Indonesia, and encourage Chinese enterprises to invest and do business in Indonesia, he said.

China supports the construction of Indonesia's new capital, and stands ready to work with Indonesia to foster "new engines" for cooperation such as digital economy and green development, and further strengthen exchanges and cooperation in agriculture, pharmaceuticals and health, youth, education, culture, and tourism, Li added.

Thirdly, Li called for closer multilateral cooperation and enriching the connotation of building the China-Indonesia community with a shared future.

The two sides should continue to carry forward the Bandung Spirit, uphold true multilateralism, and make global governance more just and equitable, he said.

China stands ready to work with Indonesia to actively implement the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative at bilateral, regional and multilateral levels.

The Indonesian president, for his part, asked Li to convey his sincere greetings to the Chinese president, saying that the comprehensive strategic partnership between Indonesia and China has yielded fruitful results in recent years.

He said Indonesia appreciates China's firm support for Indonesia's role as the rotating ASEAN chair and its support for maintaining ASEAN centrality.

Noting that Indonesia adheres to the one-China principle, he said Indonesia is willing to strengthen cooperation with China in areas such as trade and investment, agriculture and fishery, infrastructure, digital economy, new energy, tourism and health care, and push forward strategic cooperation projects such as the "Two Countries, Twin Parks" to lift bilateral relations to a new level.

The Indonesian president said his country will continue to carry forward the Bandung Spirit and stands ready to work with China to promote regional cooperation and jointly safeguard regional peace, stability and prosperity.

During the visit, the two sides signed a number of bilateral cooperation documents on industry, agriculture, fishery, e-commerce, and scientific and technological innovation.

Ahead of the talks, the Indonesian president held a grand welcoming ceremony for the Chinese premier at Merdeka Palace.

Wu Zhenglong, among others, was present at the above events.

Chinese Premier Li Qiang holds talks with Indonesian President Joko Widodo in Jakarta, Indonesia, Sept. 8, 2023. (Xinhua/Zhang Ling)

Chinese Premier Li Qiang attends a welcoming ceremony held by Indonesian President Joko Widodo before their talks in Jakarta, Indonesia, Sept. 8, 2023. (Xinhua/Rao Aimin)

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Sheng Chuyi)
Figure North's leader Kim Jong-un, right, and his daughter, believed to be named Ju-ae, attend a paramilitary and military parade in Pyongyang to mark the 75th anniversary of the regime's founding day, Sept. 8, in this photo carried by North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency. Yonhap



North Korea has staged a paramilitary and military parade in Pyongyang to mark the 75th anniversary of the regime's founding day, with leader Kim Jong-un in attendance, the North's state media said Saturday.



Kim observed the paramilitary and military parade that took place at Kim Il Sung Square on Friday to celebrate the founding anniversary, according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). Kim did not deliver a speech at the event, which was also attended by his daughter, believed to be named Ju-ae.



Also present were a Chinese delegation, led by Vice Premier Liu Guozhong, and visiting members of a Russian army song and dance ensemble, the report added. Russia did not send a separate delegation this time.



The nighttime event marks the third military parade North Korea has staged this year alone, with the latest one taking place in July on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the signing of the 1950-53 Korean War armistice.



The parade came amid speculation that Kim may travel to Vladivostok to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin next week to discuss a possible arms deal.



A report of his possible trip to Russia spawns speculation that North Korea may provide artillery shells and other ammunition to Russia for use in Moscow's war with Ukraine in exchange for a weapons-related technology transfer from Russia, such as that for spy satellites and nuclear-powered submarines.



The North has been seeking to strengthen ties with China and Russia and double down on its weapons development in the wake of strengthening security cooperation among South Korea, the United States and Japan.



The latest paramilitary and military parade featured columns of motorcycles with high mobility and anti-tank missile launchers towed by tractors, according to the KCNA. The North apparently did not display its intercontinental ballistic missiles and other strategic weapons.



The parade was mostly led by the Worker-Peasant Red Guards, a civilian defense organization in the North consisting of around 5.7 million workers and farmers.





A paramilitary and military parade in Pyongyang, held to mark the 75th anniversary of the regime's founding day, Sept. 9, is seen in this photo carried by North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency. Yonhap
Doug Isley from Rockingham Co. speaks from the press.

By Peyton Majors

Christian Action League

September 8, 2023

Opponents to casino expansion in North Carolina may have won a major victory this week when House Speaker Tim Moore told colleagues a budget bill with gaming does not have enough votes to pass.

For weeks, Moore and Senate Republican Leader Phil Berger had said they were working on a new budget that would include a major expansion of casinos across the state, with Anson, Nash and Rockingham Counties landing the expected sites, according to reports. A fourth casino would have been operated by the Lumbee Tribe.

Currently, the only casinos in North Carolina are owned by Native American tribes in the western part of the state.

On Wednesday night, Moore sent an email to colleagues acknowledging that a casino-inclusive budget bill lacked the votes. Republicans have 72 votes in the 120-member House. A majority is 61.

To be clear we will not pass a budget that does not have 61 Republican votes, Moore wrote, according to WRAL. His office later confirmed the email as authentic. As you can see, there are not 61 Republicans willing to vote for the budget if it includes gaming.

Further cementing his point, Moore told GOP members, Watch your inboxes for a caucus meeting next week about the budget without gaming.

Republicans are expected to consider a new budget next week.

Berger said Thursday that a stand-alone casino bill likely would not pass this session, according to CBS-17.

Republican leaders may have been surprised by the opposition to casinos in the three proposed counties. Christian and conservative groups have hosted rallies opposing casinos in Anson, Nash and Rockingham Counties.

Earlier this week, opponents from Rockingham and Nash counties traveled to the state capitol in Raleigh to urge no votes on the proposal. Elisabeth Corona, a realtor from Rockingham County, said she feared a casino would lead to crime and substance abuse, gambling addiction and lower property values.

Everyone does have a choice, but do you want to set people up for disaster, or have a part in making our state a better place to live? she asked.

Rev. Mark Creech, executive director of the Christian Action League, appeared at the Raleigh rally and emphasized the opposition by people of faith. The National Association of Evangelicals, he noted, says government-run casinos and gambling are socially, morally and economically destructive and are rooted in covetousness and violate the biblical work ethic.

The issue, he said, is dividing Republicans.

When the state GOP Convention was held in June of 2021 at Harrahs Casino in Cherokee, some Republicans sat out the Convention that year because of their disdain for gambling, he said.
By L.A. Williams

Christian Action League

September 7, 2023

Happy hours, Sunday liquor sales and cocktails to-go  not to mention a slew of other rule-loosening provisions  may soon be a reality across the state, as the alcohol industry appears to tighten its grip on North Carolina lawmakers.



On Tuesday, in a room full of industry lobbyists, the House ABC Committee gave unanimous approval to Senate Bill 527, an omnibus bill that signals a complete paradigm shift in alcohol control policies for the Tar Heel State, says the Rev. Mark Creech, executive director of the Christian Action League. WRAL called the measure a major overhaul of North Carolinas alcohol laws.



Testifying against the bill, Creech warned committee members that lifting restrictions on alcohol policy could lead to dangerous alcohol consumption rates, both in terms of overall volume and binge drinking. He pointed out the range of health problems, from liver damage to addiction and mental health disorders, that often result from alcohol abuse and also reminded them of public safety concerns such as drunken driving, alcohol-induced accidents and increased risks of violent behavior.



Top among the CALs concerns about SB 527 is the fact that it would allow for local ABC boards to begin opening their stores on Sundays and holidays, with the exception of Thanksgiving and Christmas.



Studies show the health benefits of taking a break from drinking for one day a week, Creech told lawmakers, adding that not having ABC stores open on Sundays helps promote responsible consumption as well as family time and religious observance. He cited studies showing that areas with so-called blue laws have lower rates of excessive drinking and alcohol-related problems than areas without Sunday sales restrictions.



In a letter and a bill analysis emailed to legislators, Creech also cautioned against the loosening of rules around alcohol advertising and merchandising.



It has been a long-time understanding in North Carolina that ABC stores do not advertise because their role is one of control, not profit, he pointed out, warning that when individuals are bombarded with messages about alcohol, they are more likely to consume more than they would have otherwise.



The CAL called legislators attention to 11 serious concerns regarding the bills 30 provisions. Among them are provisions that would establish ill-defined mobile bars and expand the sale of mixed beverages at certain performing arts facilities. The bill would bring back happy hours that the state astutely banned in the 1980s to help mitigate drunk driving.



As if that is not enough access to alcohol, SB 527 would allow restaurants and bars to offer take-out and delivery cocktails, a practice that got a test run of sorts during Covid lockdowns. It would allow the Catawba Indian tribe to have its own ABC system, would allow ABC stores to sell gift cards, would loosen rules on selling booze on trains, and in a new provision added Tuesday, would let community colleges sell beer and wine at sporting events. Oddly enough, theres even a section in the bill giving a tax break to a Durham Company that plans to send its whiskey into outer space.



Perhaps the most egregious part of the proposed legislation is that it was developed with what seems to be a callous disregard for public health, the Rev. Creech said.



There are a number of groups in the state which address the question of what is and what isnt responsible alcohol policy. None of them were invited to be a part of this bills development, he wrote to lawmakers.



This bill is purely industry-driven and is essentially untempered by concerns for public health and safety, Creech said. These proposed changes may line the alcohol industrys pockets with prosperity, but their fortune will come at the expense of our states citizens.

SB 527 has a serial referral. It now heads to the House Finance Committee, then to Houe Rules, and then to the House floor.
Los Angeles County has been ordered to pay more than $600,000 to Los Angeles-based Harbor-UCLA Medical Center physician and professor Timothy Jang, MD, after he alleged he suffered retaliation for reporting racist actions by another physician and complaining about medical equipment malfunctions, according to an Aug. 30 report from the Daily Breeze.

The UCLA Medical Center is jointly owned and operated by the county and the University of California Regents. The county was the lone defendant in the trial. Dr. Jang, the director of the ultrasound fellowship program at the medical center, alleged that fellow physician Roger Lewis, MD, ordered him not to hire foreign physicians as fellows.

He also alleged that Dr. Lewis made other racist comments in the workplace. Dr. Jang also expressed concerns that ultrasound machines did not comply with CMS regulations.

Dr. Jang claimed that in retaliation, Dr. Lewis increased his clinical workload, refused to fund a fellow for one year and declined twice to promote the plaintiff to senior physician, an advancement he was entitled to because of his seniority, the suit alleges.

Dr. Jang alleged that the refusal to promote him caused significant economic losses. The jury allocated all but $150,000 of the total $603,610 award to Dr. Jang's past and future wage losses.

The county attorney denies any wrongdoing by Dr. Lewis. Dr. Jang was hired by the system in 2009 and has never been demoted, disciplined, placed on administrative leave or had a pay reduction, according to the county's court documents cited in the report.
Five anonymous plaintiffs have alleged that at least 664 medical providers have used pixel tracking technology on their websites and patient portals, which has allowed Meta to obtain patients' protected health information, Bloomberg Law reported Sept. 8.

In a consolidated lawsuit, the plaintiffs allege that Meta collected health information of people with Facebook accounts by installing pixels on the patient portals of their healthcare providers.

The plaintiffs also say the tech giant was able to profit from the information by using it to deliver targeted ads, according to the publication.

Meta tried to dismiss the claims in a motion, stating that the plaintiffs didn't provide enough evidence to establish that the companys intent was to collect their information.

This motion was denied by William Orrick, a judge from the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, on Aug. 7 as he stated that the patients could pursue claims that Meta violated a federal wiretap law and a California privacy law.

Mr. Orrick said the plaintiffs "sufficiently pleaded that the information Meta collected through the pixel qualified as 'content of communications,' and that there were factual issues preventing the court from determining at this stage that the hospitals had consented to the transfer of health information to the company."

Some of the healthcare organizations cited in the lawsuit include Columbia, Md.-based MedStar Health System; Chicago-based Rush University System for Health; Raleigh, N.C.-based WakeMed Health and Hospitals; Columbus-based Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center; and North Kansas City (Mo.) Hospital.

A study published in Health Affairs found that 98.6 percent of U.S. hospital and health system websites implemented tracking technologies that sent patient data to third-party companies such as Alphabet, Meta and Adobe.
An Ohio appeals court on Sept. 8 overturned a verdict against spine surgeon Atiq Durrani, MD, and is granting him a new trial.

Teresa Nichols and Brad Nichols previously won more than $5 million in damages after a trial focused on Dr. Durrani's 2010 spine surgeries, according to a court opinion filed in Ohio's first appellate district. Ms. Nichols suffered Scheuermanns kyphosis, disc degeneration in the thoracic spine and thoracic disc herniation.

Dr. Durrani suggested conservative treatment after Ms. Nichols' first surgery, but her relief was short term, and he performed a spinal fusion in 2012. In 2016, Mr. and Ms. Nichols sued Dr. Durrani and his practice, the Center for Advanced Spine Technologies, and the case went to trial in 2019.

Mr. Nichols alleged Ms. Nichols' condition worsened after the surgeries, and her pain continued and caused mental health problems. He also alleged Dr. Durrani was "often hasty" in discussing her condition. During the trial, expert testimonies alleged that Dr. Durrani's surgeries were unnecessary and that he "exaggerated or misrepresented his findings to justify surgery."

However, the appeals court opinion found "the trial court erred in admitting evidence of Durrani's license revocations, suspension of his privileges with various hospitals and insurers and other lawsuits against Durrani. Because these errors were prejudicial and impacted the outcome of the trial, we further hold that the trial court erred in denying defendants' motion for a new trial on these grounds."

One piece of evidence cited in the Nichols' opinion was a collage of testimony from Dr. Durrani that didn't cover any questions about the surgeries in question. In a similar motion in August, a video collage was among the reasons an appeals court reclaimed damages from another former patient of Dr. Durrani.

Dr. Durrani fled to Pakistan in 2013 after he was charged with performing unnecessary surgery on hundreds of patients.
This years Belfast Maritime Festival on the Maritime Mile over the 9 and 10 September. Picture by Matt Mackey/PressEye

This years Belfast Maritime Festival on the Maritime Mile over the 9 and 10 September. Picture by Matt Mackey/PressEye

This years Belfast Maritime Festival on the Maritime Mile over the 9 and 10 September. Picture by Matt Mackey/PressEye

This years Belfast Maritime Festival on the Maritime Mile over the 9 and 10 September. Picture by Matt Mackey/PressEye

This years Belfast Maritime Festival on the Maritime Mile over the 9 and 10 September. Picture by Matt Mackey/PressEye

This years Belfast Maritime Festival on the Maritime Mile over the 9 and 10 September. Picture by Matt Mackey/PressEye

Belfasts Maritime Mile is a hive of activity this weekend as the Maritime Festival returns with a wide range of events.

To celebrate Belfasts status as a UNESCO City of Music, over 100 of Northern Irelands leading musicians will be performing in outdoor venues  all admission free.

Belfast City Council will be showcasing a fabulous programme, including americana, trad, jazz, opera, bluegrass, classical, indie and folk artists.

Highlights include NI Music Prize winners such as Joshua Burnside, Winnie Ama, Sasha Samara and ROE, the extraordinary Duke Special who will be celebrating 21 years since his first album release and NIs leading live soul band Manukahunney.

In addition there will be premieres especially commissioned for the festival, new collaborations, the 30-piece Downshire Brass, and on Sunday the power of 25 opera voices performing much-loved classic works together, presented by the award-winning Northern Ireland Opera.

On Saturday morning, Titanic will once again set sail on the waters of Belfast Lough.

A 22ft scale model of the liner, made by boat builder Paul Andrews, will make a special appearance as part of the Belfast Maritime Festival.

The model ship can be powered manually, with Paul sitting inside the vessel at the controls, or externally by remote control.

Either way, its a striking and strangely moving sight to witness Titanic afloat once more.

And its all the more impressive given that Paul constructed the ship from nothing more than scrap plywood and his own ingenuity.

More accustomed to building full-scale yachts or barges, he took on the rebuilding of the Titanic as a side project.

Both adults and children are delighted when they see her out on the water, steaming along without any visible means of propulsion.
Derry schoolboys need to apply for visa to go on school trip to Donegal

Family speak out about restrictions as Brexit halts free travel across the border

Kenneth Odumukwu and Adamma Antonia with their sons Daniel and David (Pic: Sunday World)

Ciaran O'Neill Sat 9 Sep 2023 at 15:15

Two boys at a Derry school must apply for a visa from the Irish Government if they want to go on a day trip to Donegal with classmates.
Police have seized six homemade bombs, a quantity of ammunition and a machine pistol during a major security operation in Londonderry.

News that more weaponry had been recovered during searches on Friday came after a second night of rioting in the city last night.

Although not on the same scale as the previous evening  petrol bombs and masonry  were used to attack police lines.

In relation to the latest bomb and pistol find, they will be forensically examined. They were uncovered during an operation in the Stewarts Terrace area of Rosemount on Friday.

Police said they conducted a search of a house in the area shortly after 12.30pm on Friday, resulting in a security alert, which was declared shortly after 4pm and ended around 10pm.

Cordons were erected in the vicinity and residents were evacuated from their homes.

Rioting erupted over the course of the evening, with footage showing large crowds pelting PSNI Land Rovers with petrol bombs and masonry.

Watch: Petrol bombs thrown at police in Derry during security alert

There had also been rioting on Thursday evening following another terrorism investigation unit discovery.

What are believed to be Russian military grenades acquired by the New IRA were seized during what police said was an intelligence-led, proactive counter-terrorist operation. It is thought those grenades may well have been stolen from the front line of the Ukrainian war by mercenaries.

On Friday evenings disturbance, Derry City and Strabane Superintendent William Calderwood said: "A large group of people gathered in the area from around 6pm and threw a number of items at officers, including petrol bombs and masonry. Thankfully, there have been no reports of any officers injured.

The investigation remains ongoing and detectives continue to appeal to anyone with information which could assist them to call police on 101.

A report can be made online using the non-emergency reporting form via http://www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/ or you can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at http://crimestoppers-uk.org/.

Watch: Police and ATO on scene of a security alert in the Rosemount area of Derry
President Yoon Suk Yeol greets President Joe Biden at the G20 Summit in New Delhi, India, Sept. 9, At left is Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Courtesy of presidential office





President Yoon Suk Yeol and President Joe Biden met briefly on the sidelines of the Group of 20 (G20) Summit in New Delhi, just weeks after their trilateral summit with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in the U.S., Yoon's office said Saturday.







The two met in the leaders' lounge at the Bharat Mandapam convention center before the start of a G20 session, and Yoon thanked Biden again for his hospitality during the trilateral summit at the Camp David presidential retreat near Washington last month.







"I have used various opportunities to talk about how trilateral cooperation among South Korea, the U.S. and Japan will contribute to freedom, peace and prosperity in the world," Yoon was quoted as saying.







Biden thanked Yoon in return, saying the Camp David summit was very successful and rewarding, in that the three leaders were able to get together for intimate discussions over an extended amount of time.






Northern Ireland's September temperature record was broken on Friday, but it will be all change come Sunday afternoon

A yellow weather warning has been issued for Sunday in Northern Ireland.

The Met Office has said thunderstorms may bring disruption from Sunday afternoon into the evening, the warning stretching from 2pm to 12 midnight.

Very large rainfall totals of 30-50 mm in just one hour or even less are possible, with 70mm or more in a few hours for unlucky locations.

Frequent lightning and large hail are expected to cause additional hazards.

The storms are expected to develop over areas of England and Wales before moving into Northern Ireland and parts of Scotland.

The Met Office has warned of damage to buildings and said that flooding of homes and businesses could happen quickly.

Delays or cancellations of public transport services are possible, along with difficult driving conditions and the potential for road closures.

There is also the risk of power cuts, with fast flowing or deep floodwater that could even cause a danger to life.

The storms are due just two days after Northern Ireland recorded its hottest September day ever on Friday.

The record was broken in Castlederg, where the temperature reached 28C.

It had been held by Armagh since September 1, 1906, when it reached 27.6C.

Sun worshippers should not put their loungers away just yet because one final taste of summer might be just around the corner.

There is a chance of above-average temperatures returning later in the month, Met Office forecaster Rachel Ayers said.

It wont be as hot as the past couple of days, but there is an increased chance of late sunshine before we head into October.
Rishi Sunak said he would broach the topic of UK-India trade talks when he meets Narendra Modi at the G20 (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

Rishi Sunak hailed the enormous progress made on moving towards a free trade agreement with India as he prepares to meet Indian counterpart Narendra Modi.

The Prime Minister has confirmed he plans to check in with Mr Modi about the trade negotiations when they meet on the fringes of the G20 summit in New Delhi on Saturday.

But Mr Sunak has refused to put an artificial deadline on when he wants to see a deal signed off.

He is said to think that his predecessors habit of setting target dates for ratifying post-Brexit trade terms was damaging to the UKs negotiating position.

Former prime ministers Boris Johnson and Liz Truss both expressed a desire to have a pact with the emerging global powerhouse wrapped up by October 2022 to coincide with the Hindu celebration of Diwali.

Mr Sunak said he and Mr Modi agreed that there is a good deal to be done.

Speaking to Asian News International (ANI) on Friday ahead of his bilateral meeting with Mr Modi, he said: Both Modi and I are keen to see a comprehensive and ambitious trade deal concluded between our two countries.

Both of us think that there is a good deal to be done. But trade deals always take time. They need to work for both countries.

And although weve made enormous progress, there is still hard work to go.

The comments appeared more positive than when he told the UK press pack only hours earlier that a free trade agreement with India was not a given.

The Conservative Party leader, who is the first British prime minister of Indian descent, said the summit was not the forum to hold in-depth discussions about the hurdles holding up a trade agreement.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and his wife Akshata Murty will attend a G20 leaders dinner on Saturday in New Delhi (Dan Kitwood/PA)

However, he confirmed he would touch on the negotiations with the Hindu nationalist leader on Saturday.

The deal is reportedly being held up by a number of issues, including a disagreement over the number of visas for Indians to work in the UK and differences over the level of access British car manufacturers should be given to Indias market of 1.4 billion people.

A crucial difference between London and New Delhi has been on their stance on Russias invasion of Ukraine.

Mr Sunak has been outspoken in condemning Russian president Vladimir Putins 19-month assault on Kyiv while India has kept ties open with the Kremlin since Moscows forces crossed the Ukrainian border in February 2022.

The Prime Minister suggested he would not be pressing Mr Modi to go further in supporting Ukraine against the Russian invasion.

Asked for his view on the Indian position on the conflict, he told ANI: Well, its not for me to tell India what positions to take on international issues, but I know India rightly cares about the international rule of law, the UN charter and respect for territorial integrity.

I think those are things that are universal values that we all share. Those are things that I believe, and India, I know, believes in those things too.

Mr Modi has been placed front-and-centre of the two-day G20 summit being held at Bharat Mandapam, with his face displayed on thousands of posters around the city advertising the gathering.

Indian authorities are looking to use the opportunity to bolster the countrys worldwide reputation, with US president Joe Biden among the leaders flying in.

Narendra Modi has been at the centre of advertising for the G20 in India (Manish Swarup/AP)

But a lockdown in place around the summit venue has made it difficult to travel around the Indian capital and press access has been heavily restricted.

On Saturday, Mr Sunak will hold separate meetings with Singapore prime minister Lee Hsien Loong and Mauritian leader Pravind Jugnauth on the fringes of the summit.

In the evening, the Prime Minister and his wife Akshata Murty will join leaders for a dinner hosted by Mr Modi. Ms Murty is the daughter of NR Narayana Murty, the billionaire co-founder of Indian IT giant Infosys.

Ahead of the Singapore bilateral, Downing Street announced a new strategic partnership with the Asian Commonwealth nation.

It involves enhanced shared security between the two, along with efforts to harness the UK and Singapores expertise in new technologies like cyber and artificial intelligence to create jobs in both countries, No 10 said.

Mr Sunak said: This new agreement with Singapore will take us even further in delivering our priorities and ensure that, as we map the future of the world economy, we are doing so alongside our closest partners.
People drive past a damaged wall of the historic Medina of Marrakesh after the earthquake (Mosaab Elshamy/AP/PA)

The death toll in a powerful earthquake around Marrakesh has risen to 820 people, with a further 672 injured as authorities assess the damage, Moroccan government officials said.

Much like other earthquakes, casualty figures appear to be rising as the extent becomes more clear in rural and hard-to-reach areas.

The earthquake struck late on Friday night, killing hundreds of people and damaging buildings from villages in the Atlas Mountains to the historic city of Marrakesh.

Moroccos Interior Ministry had said earlier on Saturday that at least 296 people had died, with a later update giving the death toll as 632.

Moroccan television showed scenes from the aftermath as many stayed outside fearing aftershocks.

Anxious families stood in streets or huddled on the pavement, some carrying children, blankets or other belongings.

Emergency workers looked for survivors in the rubble of buildings, their reflective yellow vests illuminating the night-time landscape.

Baskets, buckets and clothing could be seen amid scattered stones in the remains of one building.

Moroccan media reported that the 12th-century Koutoubia Mosque in Marrakesh, one of the citys most famed landmarks, suffered damage, but the extent was not immediately clear.

Local people also posted videos showing damage to parts of the famous red walls that surround the city, a Unesco World Heritage site.

The head of a town near the earthquakes epicentre told Moroccan news site 2M that several homes in nearby towns had partly or totally collapsed, and electricity and roads were cut off in some places.

Abderrahim Ait Daoud, head of the town of Talat NYaaqoub, said authorities are working to clear roads in Al Haouz province to allow passage for ambulances and aid to populations affected, but said large distances between mountain villages mean it will take time to learn the extent of the damage.

Local media reported that roads leading to the mountain region around the epicentre were jammed with vehicles and blocked with collapsed rocks, slowing rescue efforts.

People take shelter and check for news on their mobile phones in Rabat after the earthquake (Mosaab Elshamy/AP/PA)

Messages of support began to roll in from around the world on Saturday.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz posted condolences on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, currently hosting the G20 summit of the worlds largest economies, wrote that India is ready to offer all possible assistance to Morocco in this difficult time.

A UN spokesperson said the United Nations is ready to assist the government of Morocco in its efforts to assist the impacted population.

The US Geological Survey (USGS) said the quake had a preliminary magnitude of 6.8 when it hit at 11.11pm local time on Friday with shaking that lasted several seconds. The US agency reported a magnitude 4.9 aftershock hit 19 minutes later.

The epicentre of Fridays tremor was near the town of Ighil in Al Haouz province, roughly 43 miles south of Marrakesh.

The USGS said the epicentre was 11 miles below the Earths surface while Moroccos seismic agency put it at seven miles down. Such shallow quakes are more dangerous.

Fridays quake was felt as far away as Portugal and Algeria, according to the Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere and Algerias Civil Defence agency, which oversees emergency response.
A Turkish officer walks next to the Morca cave during a rescue operation near Anamur, south Turkey (Khalil Hamra/AP)

Rescue teams have begun the arduous process of extricating an American researcher who became seriously ill while he was 1,000 metres (3,000ft) below the entrance of a cave in Turkey, an official from the countrys disaster management agency said.

It could take days to bring Mark Dickey to the surface since rescuers anticipate he will have to stop and rest frequently at camps set up along the way as they pull his stretcher through the narrow passages.

This afternoon, the operation to move him from his camp at 1,040 metres to the camp at 700 metres began, the official from the Disaster and Emergency Management Directorate told The Associated Press (AP).

The 40-year-old experienced caver began vomiting because of stomach bleeding while on an expedition with a handful of others in the Morca cave in southern Turkeys Taurus Mountains.

A rescuer works on her hiking gear in the European Cave Rescue Association members camp next to the Morca cave during a rescue operation near Anamur, south Turkey (Khalil Hamra/AP)

Rescuers from across Europe have rushed there to help Mr Dickey and to extract him, including one Hungarian doctor who reached and treated him inside the cave on September 3.

Doctors gave Mr Dickey IV fluids and four litres (one gallon) of blood inside the cave, officials said.

Teams comprised of a doctor and three or four others take turns staying with the American at all times.

There are 190 personnel from eight countries assisting in the rescue effort, including doctors, paramedics and experienced cavers, Mersin governor Ali Hamza Pehlivan told media on Saturday.

He added that 153 of them were search and rescue experts.

We have received information that his condition is getting better, thanks to medical intervention. He has been in stable condition as of yesterday, he added.

Speaking with the AP before rescue operations began, Recep Salci, head of AFADs search and rescue department, said the rescue will depend on Mr Dickeys condition.

If he feels well, we will assist him, and he will come out (of the cave) fast. But if his condition worsens, we will have to bring him up on a stretcher.

Turkish governor of Mersin Ali Hamza Pehlivan, front centre, during his visit to the Morca cave during a rescue operation near Anamur, south Turkey (Khalil Hamra/AP)

He said bringing Mr Dickey up on a stretcher could take up to 10 days.

Yusuf Ogrenecek, of the Speleological Federation of Turkey, says that one of the most difficult tasks of cave rescue operations is widening the narrow cave passages to allow stretcher lines to pass through at low depths.

Stretcher lines are labour intensive and require experienced cave rescuers working long hours, Ogrenecek said, adding that other difficult factors range from navigating through mud and water at low temperatures to the psychological toll of staying inside a cave for long periods of time.

In Rome, Federico Catania, the spokesman for Italys National Alpine and Speleological Rescue, described the cave as one of the deepest in the world.

The cave is made up of many vertical shafts, so many sections that are extremely vertical with few horizontal sections where (the) rescuers are setting up temporary camps, he said.

Turkish authorities made a video message available that showed Mr Dickey standing and moving around on Thursday.

While alert and talking, he said he was not healed on the inside and needed a lot of help to get out of the cave.

Mr Dickey thanked the caving community and the Turkish government for their efforts to rescue him.
A person walks past a destroyed market after yesterdays rocket attack in the city centre of Kostiantynivka (AP)

The UN atomic watchdog has warned of a potential threat to nuclear safety due to a spike in fighting near Europes largest nuclear power plant in Ukraine.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said its experts deployed at the Russia-occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant reported hearing numerous explosions over the past week, in a possible indication of increased military activity in the region as the forces of Ukraine continue their counter-offensive.

There was no damage to the plant.

IAEA director general Rafael Mariano Grossi warned: I remain deeply concerned about the possible dangers facing the plant at this time of heightened military tension in the region.

He noted that the IAEA team was informed that staff at the nuclear power plant had been reduced temporarily to minimum levels due to concerns of more military activity in the area.

Mr Grossi added: Whatever happens in a conflict zone, wherever it may be, everybody would stand to lose from a nuclear accident, and I urge that all necessary precautions must be taken to avoid it happening.

The IAEA has repeatedly expressed concern that the fighting could cause a potential radiation leak from the facility, which is one of the worlds 10 biggest nuclear power stations.

Olha Prosunko, mother of Bahir Prosunko, throws dirt into the grave for a last farewell to her son during the funeral in Kostiantynivk (AP)

The plants six reactors have been shut down for months, but it still needs power and qualified staff to operate crucial cooling systems and other safety features.

As Ukrainian forces pressed to expand their gains after recently capturing the village of Robotyne in the Zaporizhzhia region, the UKs Ministry of Defence (MoD) noted in its latest report that Russia has brought in reinforcements to stymie the Ukrainian advances.

It is highly likely that Russia has redeployed forces from other areas of the frontline to replace degraded units around Robotyne, MoD officials said.

These redeployments are likely limiting Russias ability to carry out offensive operations of its own along other areas of the front line.

The Washington-based Institute for the Study of War noted that the Russian military has made notable changes to its command and control structure to protect command infrastructure and improve information sharing.

Russian forces have continued their barrage across Ukraine.

The regional authorities in the north-eastern region of Sumy that borders Russia said that the latest Russian shelling of the region has left four people wounded, one of whom later died in a hospital.
Dublin gangster recalls gory incident for book

DUBLIN crimelord John Gilligan has told of how he cut out a bullet lodged in his ribcage while being held on remand in a Northern Ireland jail.

The notorious gangster, now living in exile in Spain, recalled the gory chain of events in interviews with the journalist and author Jason OToole for his latest book The Gilligan Tapes.

Its comprised of more than 35 hours of transcripts of taped and filmed conversations with Gilligan about his upbringing, rise in the criminal underworld and even the murder of Veronica Guerin.

In one chapter Gilligan talks to OToole about his time spent on remand in Maghaberry prison after being arrested on suspicion of money laundering.

Drug lord Gilligan (71) had been arrested at Belfast International Airport in August 2018 after 22,000 in cash was found in his suit case.

Gilligan claimed he was travelling to Spain to put down a deposit on a rental property when he was stopped by customs officials.

The bullets causing him pain were left there after he was shot several times at his brothers house in Clondalkin, Dublin, in March 2014.

I had two bullets inside me. One of them moved. It came through my ribs and got jammed in them. It swelled up my whole side, recalled Gilligan.

I went to see the prison doctor and he said hed give me tablets. And then I put down my name five or seven times to see the governor and he wouldnt see me.

I couldnt lie on the bed because it hurt any time I moved. I couldnt even take my shoes off.

As I didnt know when I was going back to hospital, it was hurting so much that I got a razor blade and I broke it and I ripped the swelling open.

I was pumping blood. I put my finger inside and I got my hand on the bullet. I pulled it, but I couldnt get it totally out. My hand was covered in blood.

After being taken to hospital Gilligan claims he got another razor, a disposable, and broke the blade out of that and cut further into his side and eventually pulled out the bullet.

The case against him was eventually dismissed in October 2019 but saw him spend months behind bars awaiting the final outcome.

In the book he also tells OToole he believes he is going to hell and admits to having made tens of millions smuggling hashish into the Republic in the 1990s.

He is also adamant in his denial of having anything to do with the 1996 murder of journalist Veronica Guerin, which took place a day before he was due to go to trial accused of assaulting her.

Gilligan, who was acquitted of her killing, said: I never thought I was ever going to be convicted, because I didnt do it. The way the case went, the police drip-fed the media evidence and they exaggerated the thing.

His appearance in a three-part TV series, Confessions of a Crime Boss based on the interviews have caused controversy and criticism from the Guerin family and politicians for his callous remarks about her murder.

Last week Gilligan was given a 22-month suspended sentence and a 14,000 fine by a Spanish court for drug smuggling offences.
A man accused of stalking, harassing and sexually assaulting his ex-partner allegedly punched her to the ground and exposed her breast, a court has heard.

The 21-year-old, who cannot be identified to protect the womans identity, appeared before Lisburn Magistrates Court today on five charges, all said to be aggravated by domestic abuse.

The Co Armagh man, who wept during hearing, is accused of of robbery, criminal damage and sexual assault all arising from an incident on Thursday and two further charges of harassment and stalking the woman between July 12 and September 7.

A police officer told the court the woman was walking past the defendants home on Thursday evening when he came out and began following her.

There was a verbal altercation over a mobile phone and then he threw her to the ground and pulled her handbag off her shoulder which he held up, emptying the contents, said the officer.

After he allegedly pulled up her top to expose her breast and laugh at her, the defendant punched her to the ground and smashed her glasses before he ran off with her mobile phone and house keys.

The officer said the man returned to her house at 3am, shouting and demanding to be allowed in and it was then that police were called and he was arrested.

In addition to the incidents on Thursday, the woman told police that for the last five weeks he had been turning up at her house and work unannounced and had been sending her unwanted messages.

His barrister conceded that having just served a prison sentence for causing actual bodily harm to the woman its a difficult application for bail.

But he argued that with a proposed bail address in an entirely different county he could be freed and managed in the community with bail conditions.

District Judge Anne Marshall said it appeared the defendant was also in breach of a restraining and refused bail as the risk of further offences is too high.

The man was remanded into custody and the case adjourned to September 20.
A LEADING mental health charity has claimed it had to fight for volunteers to get the Covid-19 vaccine at the height of the pandemic.

Despite the fact counsellors from PIPS Suicide Prevention Ireland were providing face-to-face appointments to patients referred by the health service, they were not initially eligible for the vaccine as it was being rolled out to healthcare workers  one of the first cohorts to receive the jab.

Renee Quinn, the executive director of the charity, described the decision as a kick in the teeth.

We stayed open, apart from the first five weeks, but then we got back working where we were doing the face-to-face appointments, she said.

We found telephone sessions werent working. It was hard for people because there was no human connection, so we got back in immediately and we provided face-to-face counselling the whole way through.

Ms Quinn said PIPS volunteers really did put themselves on the front line at a time the majority of NHS mental health services were virtual.

I get really emotional because I look at them and I think they put themselves and their families at risk to come out of their houses every day and help vulnerable people who were ill, struggling and ready to take their own life, she continued.

Ms Quinn said the charity did not hesitate to take on NHS referrals, but she was left bewildered when PIPS volunteers were not eligible for the Covid-19 vaccine as it was being rolled out to NHS workers, with the reason given that the organisation did not receive government funding.

She said: It doesnt matter who funds us, were on the front line.

Ms Quinn said PIPS volunteers were eventually deemed eligible for the vaccine, but only after she lobbied health officials.

She made the comments in a wide-ranging interview with Local Women Magazine.

The Department of Health said: Eligibility for the Covid-19 vaccination is based on the definition of front line staff in [public health guidelines], as advised by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation.

Septembers Local Women Magazine is available in shops or can be downloaded on www.localwomenmagazine.com
This is the Co Armagh robber who repeatedly kicked and punched his victim as he stole his bicycle and phone.

Handing Stephen Pentony a 45-month sentence at Newry Crown Court on Thursday, Judge Gordon Kerr KC ordered the 31-year-old to serve half that in jail and half under supervised licence conditions.

He said that despite being effectively caught red handed Pentony, from Wilton Grove in Bessbrook, had only entered a guilty plea to robbery at the very last moment - on the day his second trial was due to start.

Summarising the case during his sentencing remarks, the judge outlined how police were called to an ongoing assault in the city on the afternoon of January last year.

Most of the attack was captured on CCTV cameras and that showed Pentony walking up to the victim, grabbing his mobile phone and punching him so hard that he fell to the ground.

The defendant started kicking and punching him while he was on the ground, said the judge adding that Pentonys accomplice then ran up and joined in the assault.

Judge Kerr said Pentony can be seen punching the victim ten times while he was on the ground and kicking him to the body at least three times.

The victim, a man in his 30s, manages to get up but Pentony punches him back to the ground before the two assailants walk off with the bike and the victims mobile phone.

The bicycle was recovered later while the victim sustained several scraps to his face, bruising and a possible fractured nose, said the judge.

Jailing Pentony, Judge Kerr said it was clear that he had played a more significant role than the other attacker so his culpability far exceeds that of his accomplice and it was an aggravating factor that he had repeatedly kicked the victim and attacked him while he was on the ground.

Pentonys 21 previous convictions was also an aggravating feature, said the judge, and revealed that amongst his previous offending he had committed numerous assaults.
Crew members of a China Coast Guard ship are seen from the BRP Cabra, a Philippine Coast Guard ship, during an encounter in South China Sea (West Philippine Sea) waters near Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal, Sept. 8, 2023.

The Chinese ships began to swarm around the BRP Cabra soon after 7 a.m. on Friday, sailing uncomfortably close to and hemming in the Philippine Coast Guard ship as it escorted civilian boats toward Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal.

A China Coast Guard ship, with bow number CCG 21616, was the first to arrive on scene some 10 nautical miles (18.5 km) from the shoal located in South China Sea waters within the Philippines exclusive economic zone.

A BenarNews correspondent and other reporters, who were given special permission to travel aboard the Cabra and another coast guard ship for the resupply mission, witnessed the tense moments at sea.

Similar scenes where Chinese ships acted aggressively had played out lately during previous Philippine missions to deliver supplies to the BRP Sierra Madre, a rusty old navy ship that serves as Manilas military outpost at Ayungin Shoal.

Philippine vessel, you are approaching the waters of China. To avoid miscalculation and misunderstanding, please inform your intention, the China Coast Guard ship radioed to the BRP Cabra at around 6:30 a.m.

The Cabra radioed back, saying it was conducting lawful routine maritime patrol within the Philippines exclusive economic zone in accordance with international and Philippine laws.

Request to stay clear from our passage in accordance with collision regulations, the radio operator said from the Cabras bridge.

About 30 minutes later, at least three other CCG ships and vessels from Chinas maritime militia fleet joined the fray.

The Chinese ships then executed maneuvers to try to impede the civilian boats passage that Philippine Coast Guard officials described as dangerously close.

A CCG vessel, with bow number 21551, repeatedly tried to cut the Cabras path to separate it from one of the supply boats.

After failing to overtake the Cabra from the right side, CCG 21551 then sped up to overtake it from the left side. As the Chinese ship executed this maneuver, it sailed toward the Cabra and then abruptly stopped only three to five meters (9.8 to 16.4 feet) from the Philippine ship, PCG officials said.

During the standoff, at least a dozen more radio exchanges as well as challenges and counter-challenges ensued between the Philippine and Chinese ships.

Your behavior has infringed upon [the] authority, security, and interest of China. I warn you, please leave the area immediately. Any consequences will be borne by you, a voice from CCG 5305, the largest of the China Coast Guard ships present, warned the Cabras crew.

After being separated from their PCG escort ships, as the Chinese ships had intended, the Filipino civilian boats managed to sail on, reach the Sierra Madre, pick up Philippine Navy personnel and deliver food and other supplies.

The coast guard rated the latest mission a success, despite the tense encounter with the Chinese ships.

The routine RoRe [rotational and resupply] mission was again subjected to dangerous maneuvers, jeopardizing the crew members safety aboard the PCG vessels and Philippine supply boats, Commodore Jay Tarriela, the Philippine Coast Guard spokesman on the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea), said in a statement to media.

This photo taken by a drone shows the Philippine Coast Guard Ship BRP Cabra surrounded by Chinese coast guard and maritime militia ships in South China Sea (West Philippine Sea) waters near Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal, Sept. 8, 2023. [Handout/Philippine Coast Guard]

During Fridays incident, the PCG said it had recorded 10 instances of dangerous maneuvers carried out by four CCG ships and four Chinese maritime militia ships toward the BRP Cabra and another Philippine Coast Guard ship, the BRP Sindangan.

Two Chinese warships from the Peoples Liberation Army Navy were also spotted monitoring the area.

At one point, CCG 5305 blew its horn three times while crossing the bow of BRP Sindangan at a distance of approximately 50 to 60 yards.

The BRP Cabra, for its part, was corralled by five Chinese ships: three maritime militia vessels and a CCG ship in front, and another CCG ship behind.

The crews of the Cabra and Sindangan, 44-meter-long (144.3-feet-long) coast guard multi-purpose response vessels, and the journalists aboard them had left the Philippine island of Palawan at around 9 a.m. on Thursday.

The coast guard ships were deployed to escort two small supply boats, the Unaizah May 1 and Unaizah May 2, which the Philippine Navy had commissioned for its routine rotational and resupply mission.

The wooden boats were transporting food, supplies, and a new batch of sailors headed to the Sierra Madre, a decrepit World War II-era ship. In 1999, the Philippines deliberately ran it aground in Ayungin Shoal, which lies in the contested Spratly Islands, in response to Chinas occupation of nearby Mischief Reef.

The two Unaizah May boats and the PCG vessels met up near Sabina Shoal late Thursday night, with the two smaller ships sailing between the coast guard ships.

That was the instruction to us, protect the Unaizah May boats, Emmanuel Dangate, the commander of the Cabra, told the reporters aboard his ship.

Emmanuel Dangate, commanding officer of the BRP Cabra, looks out from the ships bridge as Chinese vessels try to cut its path and maneuver close to it in waters near Ayungin Shoal, Sept. 8, 2023. [Camille Elemia/BenarNews]

View from the bridge

During Fridays standoff, the atmosphere on the bridge of the Cabra was quiet and sober as the Chinese ships closed in on the PCG ship. Some of the crew were even smiling and joking around.

Dangate, the Cabras skipper, remained calm as he gazed ahead from the bridge and gave orders to his crew.

During this kind of mission, it ignites our patriotism and dedication, the commanding officer told the select group of reporters, who had been allowed to travel to get a rare first-hand view of one of the Philippine resupply missions.

From time to time, he would look through his binoculars and ask brief questions to his team.

Does that ship have an AIS [automatic identification system]? he asked, pointing to a distant vessel that appeared to be a Chinese militia ship.

None, sir, a junior crew member replied. This meant that some of the Chinese vessels were turning off their automatic identification systems so as to conceal their positions and technical information from other vessels in the area.

A Chinese maritime militia ship and a China Coast Guard ship sail near the BRP Cabra, a Philippine Coast Guard ship, in waters near Ayungin Shoal, Sept. 8, 2023. [Camille Elemia/BenarNews]

As the standoff unfolded, a P-8A Poseidon reconnaissance plane from the United States Navy, Manilas main defense ally, repeatedly overflew the area during and after the incident. An unidentified Black Hawk helicopter, according to PCG officials, tried to reach the wooden boats. An unidentified white aircraft was also spotted.

The maritime militia vessels and the CCG ships continued to closely guard the PCG vessels for hours as the Philippine ships waited for the supply boats to return from Ayungin Shoal. The Chinese vessels finally dispersed when the Philippine ships set sail at around 3 p.m. on Friday for their return trip to Palawan.

Philippine authorities pointed out that unlike in past resupply missions, China has now deployed its smaller CCG vessels, which are more quick to maneuver to block Philippine vessels.

During the previous resupply mission, on Aug. 22, the two PCG ships were able to escort the civilian boats a bit closer to the shoal despite Chinas moves. But this time, they were able to reach only 10 nautical miles from the shoal, with Tarriela citing the use of smaller and faster CCG vessels as a possible reason.

Noticeable, too, was the more active participation of maritime militia vessels in harassing Philippine vessels during recent resupply missions, officials said.

Chinese maritime militia ships surround the BRP Cabra, a Philippine Coast Guard ship, in waters near Ayungin Shoal, Sept. 8, 2023. [Camille Elemia/BenarNews]

A dispute with China over the Spratly chain was at the heart of Manilas decision in 2012 to bring an international lawsuit against Beijing in 2012.

The Philippine case was considered groundbreaking because it no country had previously challenged China in a world court over its territorial claims in the waterway.

In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague ruled in favor of the Philippines in a landmark verdict that invalidated Beijings sweeping territorial claims in the South China Sea, an important gateway for global trade.

Beijing, however, has refused to acknowledge the award, citing history by insisting that the islands are part of its territory.

In August, Beijing released a new 10-dash-line map covering Taiwan and practically the entire South China Sea. But Southeast Asian countries and Taiwan rejected this.

Apart from China and the Philippines, other countries with overlapping claims over the disputed waters are Vietnam, Brunei, and Malaysia. Taiwan is also a claimant.

While addressing the East Asia Summit in Jakarta on Thursday, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. called on ASEAN states and allies to speak out against China over the unsafe actions by its coast guard and maritime militia fleet.

The Philippines fully supports adherence to international law and the rules-based order, Marcos said during the meeting, which Chinese Premier Li Qiang also attended.

We must oppose the dangerous use of coast guard and maritime militia vessels in the South China Sea.
President Yoon Suk Yeol shakes hands with his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan during their summit on the sidelines of the Group of 20 Summit at Bharat Mandapam International Convention Center in New Delhi, India, Saturday (local time). Joint Press Corps



Yoon also holds summit with Argentina, meeting with MIKTA



By Nam Hyun-woo



NEW DELHI  President Yoon Suk Yeol held a summit with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on the sidelines of the Group of 20 (G20) Summit in New Delhi, Saturday, and discussed ways to expand partnerships in the defense industry focusing on drones, military transport aircraft and other weapons.



According to Seoul's presidential office, Yoon congratulated the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Republic of Turkey and expressed hopes of expanding bilateral trade on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of their bilateral free trade agreement.



Erdogan expressed gratitude for South Korea's aid to Turkey after a massive earthquake hit the southern part of the country earlier this year and noted that their reciprocal economic relationship will be expanded.



During the summit, the leaders discussed defense industry cooperation, recognizing the partnerships that have been established until now.



In particular, Erdogan said the defense industry partnership should expand to cover drones, military aircraft and armored vehicles.



Turkey is one of the first countries to import South Korean weapons. Seoul licensed out technologies for its K2 Black Panther tank in 2004, which Ankara used to develop the Altay battle tank. Seoul's K9 self-propelled howitzers were also licensed out to Turkey, which are being operated there as the T-155 Firtina.



South Korea is expected to learn drone technology and operating skills based on Turkey's experience and expertise in that field.




If you'd like to leave a comment (or a tip or a question) about this story with the editors, please email us

We also welcome letters to the editor for publication; you can do that by filling out our letters form and submitting it to the newsroom.
Vehicles line up in a several hour wait to leave the Burning Man festival in Black Rock Desert, Nev., on Tuesday. The Associated Press reported on stories circulating online incorrectly claiming officials confirmed an Ebola outbreak at the Burning Man festival and that a national emergency was declared.
The Associated Press reported on stories circulating online incorrectly claiming vaccines for the flu, measles, mumps and rubella dont work because they were developed decades ago, yet the diseases havent been eradicated.
A broken utility pole tore out power lines in a county within NYSEG's Mechanicville division, which includes Columbia County, N.Y. More than 7,000 customers remained without power Friday and many had no sense of when it will be restored.
PITTSFIELD  Thousands of households and businesses in Columbia County, N.Y., are still without power after Thursday nights thunderstorms.

Power to most is expected to be restored later today as utility line workers are brought in from other states to assist.

For Columbia County customers struggling without power On Saturday, the following locations in New York will provide bottled water and dry ice, according to NYSEG: Petersburgh Municipal Complex, 65 Main St., Petersburgh, N.Y., from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Stephentown Fire Department, 3396 Route 43, Stephentown, N.Y., from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Chatham Fire Station, 2 Hoffman St., Chatham, N.Y., from 9 a.m. until gone.

Lebanon Valley Protection Association, 523 US-20, New Lebanon, N.Y., from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m.

Ghent Volunteer Fire Co., 2230 Route 66, Ghent, N.Y., from 9 a.m. to noon. A cooling location is also available for impacted customers at Canaan Fire House, 2126 State Route 295, Canaan, N.Y. It will remain open until restoration is complete.

A number of towns have set up bottled water and dry ice distribution, and the Canaan, N.Y., firehouse is hosting a cooling station for those affected given the warm temperatures.

As of 11:05 a.m., estimated restoration times for more than 4,400 Columbia County customers, depending on the town, range from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m., according to New York State Electric and Gas, a subsidiary of Avangrid, Inc.

In a Saturday morning press release from NYSEG, the company said some remaining customers might not have power restored until 6 p.m. on Sunday. The company is also warning people to stay away from downed power lines and storm debris that might have wires hidden within.

As of 11:05 a.m. Saturday, NYSEGs website says towns that include New Lebanon and Canaan  which borders West Stockbridge and Richmond  will be restored by around 3 p.m., while Austerlitz and Spencertown wont see restoration until 10 p.m. Saturday.

Customers had gone nearly 24 hours without power before being given information about restoration times on Friday night as the company said it was still "assessing" the damage.

Out of 11 counties in upstate New York where 7,923 customers were still without power earlier Saturday morning, Columbia County had the most at 5,080. Thats down from more than 7,000 as of Friday afternoon.

In response to questions about whether NYSEGs estimated restoration times are solid, spokesperson Sarah Warren said that the ETRs reflect our most current information from the field. As we move forward with [restoration] efforts, we will update the ETRs if needed to keep our customers as informed as possible.

Warren also referred to the press release issued early Saturday which says the company has revised its restoration plan and added an extra 75 employees to the field to restore power in a division that includes Columbia and three other upstate New York counties.

That makes for a total of 650 workers, some of whom arrived from other states and Canada.

Warren said the severity of the thunderstorms are to blame for the extended power outages that caused significant damage to our infrastructure in the companys Mechanicville region, which includes Columbia County.

She also said crews were working around the clock to clear up any dangerous situations first before assessing then repairing.

Our total number of broken poles has climbed to 34 and there have been 187 reported downed wires, Warren said on Saturday morning.

The outages followed storms that began after 8 p.m. Thursday with wind gusts upward of 65 mph ripping through the region.

The National Weather Service in Albany, N.Y., reported on Thursday that unseasonably hot temperatures were fueling the intensity of the storms.

In an email from NYSEG to Columbia County customers sent at 6:24 p.m. on Friday, the company said that the county was one of the hardest hit, with trees uprooted, snapped poles and downed power lines.

Extended power outages somehow skipped Berkshire County, including towns at the immediate physical border with New York. But in eastern Massachusetts, more than 35,700 customers are still without power after Thursdays storms, according to the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency's online map.

The last extended power outage in Columbia County was after a March nor'easter, when NYSEG customers went without power for four days in some areas, and expected restoration times frequently changed.


By Scott Shepherd





This summer I went to the land of my birth, the United States, for the first time in almost a decade. I only had sporadic access to the internet, and I didn't really keep up with the news. But throughout the trip I extolled the virtues of Korea at any chance I got. "What delicious food it has!" I would tell my interlocutors. "How convenient! What good public transportation! Oh how safe!"







On my return to Korea I found to my dismay that the country had witnessed several acts of terrible violence. It seems almost unnecessary to enumerate them: first the stabbing outside Sillim station, July 21; then in early August the attack in Seongnam; the next day the teacher stabbed in Daejon; and of course the horrific murder in Sillim in mid-August. Even this week there has been news

.







Before anything else, it is important to pay tribute to the three people who were killed and the many more who were injured in these attacks. May those who died rest in peace, and may those who are hurt recover quickly.







It is hard to process these acts of violence, especially when most of them appear to have been random attacks. The victim could have been me or you or anyone. As the immediate horror becomes more distant, as the summer fades into autumn, we have a chance to reflect with a little more circumspection. What do these attacks say about Korean society? Has it fundamentally changed, or are these just anomalies in the life of an otherwise safe country? Or is this a symptom of something else entirely?







My natural instinct is to write these off as one-off incidents, a series of horrific but rare blips in Korea's communal life. But there is nothing to say that this really is the case, and if the past few years have taught us anything, it's that we can't rely on old assumptions.







Whatever the cause of this violence, the question still remains: what should be the next steps? Following the attacks, the government announced measures to

police presence in public spaces. But this is a temporary plaster to soothe nerves as much as anything else, not a permanent solution.







Some people have apparently started taking issues into their own hands. After the attack in Seongnam, The Korea Times

that sales of self-defense equipment suddenly shot up by as much as 399%.







While this is an eminently understandable reaction, it is absolutely the wrong response. The very last thing that will reduce violence is the proliferation of more weapons.







Having just arrived in Korea from a trip in the USA, I feel this particularly keenly. At the same time that we were all shocked by the violence in Korea, news came out late last month that child gun deaths in America

According to the study, over 4,700 children in the USA died "from gun-related injuries" in 2021. And no-one really reacted to this news. To a story which should have inspired legal and social upheaval, which should have brought about the biggest democratic movement in a generation, the response was a collective shrug.







I am very aware of the hate which I will receive from some American readers, but it seems clear that the land of my fathers is being ruined by rich gun manufacturers who endlessly lobby politicians and by the legacy of a centuries-old law.







What is particularly galling is that most gun supporters truly seem to think that a country with rifle barrels sticking out of every crevice is actually safer. The talking points are so simplistic: of "bad guys" with guns  as if the world is some Hollywood B-movie split into good guys and bad guys. And the arguments are so America-centric, always talking in hypotheticals of what would happen in a land without guns  as if every country had its citizens walking around clinking under the weight of their own personal armories.







The sad truth of this lies in the numbers. OECD statistics indicate that the rate of death caused by "assault" in the United States was 7.4 per 100,000 people in 2020, compared with 0.7 per 100,000 in South Korea. That's ten times higher. Obviously, there are all kinds of social factors at play in both countries, and not all of the American deaths were caused by guns, but Pew Research indicates that more than 80% of US murders in 2021 involved a

.







And let's not forget that Korea is a much more urbanized country than America  around half of the population live in the greater Seoul region. Rates of violence usually increase with population density, meaning that the true difference between Korea and the USA is even greater. That doesn't even cover accidental deaths or "legal" deaths, whereby police shot the "bad guys" dead.







Nor does it account for the number of lives ruined by the legacy of violence. American drug and alcohol abuse rates would be much lower if the country didn't have so many people scarred by violence, just as police officers would be less prone to violence if they did not have a (fully justified) twinge of fear for their own lives every time they pulled over a speeding car. Parents would not have to fear for their children's safety every time they dropped them off at the school gates. Kids themselves would not grow up with gun drills and metal detectors at the school gates.







Korea follows America's lead in many areas of society and life, but please: don't make America's mistake with weapons. Yes, I know that no-one is advocating the legalization of guns here. But too much commentary has suggested that we should carry some kind of weapon to defend ourselves. Becoming a more militarized society, allowing the sale of more and more weapons will only make the situation spiral out of control, and then eventually we would hear the call for guns on the street.







Hopefully the government can work together with civil society to establish careful and nuanced responses to this summer's violence. Whether that includes an expanded police presence or better mental health support or something else entirely, it's important to remember that no solution will protect everyone all the time.







No society can exist completely free from violence. These attacks couldn't have been prevented, not without locking every single person up in individual cells. That doesn't make the violence acceptable, nor does it mean we should sit on our hands and do nothing. But any solution which brings more weapons onto the streets will only exacerbate the problem. As America has shown us, the mass proliferation of weapons among the general population doesn't reduce violence; it only inures people to news which should by all rights shock them to their core.







Here in Korea, the summer's violence is unacceptable. It's big news. It has outraged us, disgusted us, horrified and scared us. However, it has not made us shrug. It's not something we're used to. Let's keep it that way.











Dr. Scott Shepherd (scottshepherd@chongshin.ac.kr) is a British-American academic. He has taught in universities in the U.K. and Korea, and is currently an assistant professor of English at Chongshin University in Seoul. The views expressed in the article are the author's own and do not reflect the editorial direction of The Korea Times.
There's a new invasive insect gobbling up elm tree leaves in Berkshire County: Meet the elm zigzag sawfly

The tiny elm zigzag sawfly is in Berkshire County and already its damage can be seen in Becket
Lenox native James Brooke has traveled to about 100 countries reporting for The New York Times, Bloomberg and Voice of America. He reported from Russia for eight years and from Ukraine for six years.
Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission Executive Director Shawn Collins, left, says he has no plans of stepping down, contrary to claims made by the CCC chair.
JPMorgan Chase is in a protracted legal battle in a federal district court in Manhattan over highly credible allegations that it actively participated in Jeffrey Epsteins sex-trafficking of minors. The lawsuit has been brought against JPMorgan Chase by the Attorney General of the U.S. Virgin Islands where Epstein owned a private island compound that was a frequent venue of the sex trafficking operation.

Part of the banks damage control strategy has been to sue one of its former top executives, Jes Staley, making him a third-party defendant in the same case, and attempting to convince the Judge and the media that Staley is mainly responsible for the bank keeping sex trafficker Epstein as a client for more than 15 years (and perhaps as long as 28 years). The bank says in court documents that it wants to claw back Staleys $140 million in compensation for his disloyalty and faithless service to help pay for its legal expenses and $290 million settlement in a related case with Epsteins victims.

But the Staley scapegoating as a legal strategy is starting to look threadbare as internal documents keep turning up to undermine the legal rationale of this argument. On August 25, JPMorgan itself filed a document showing that another executive at the bank, Justin Nelson, visited Epsteins residences more times than Staley. Nelson was at Epsteins Manhattan mansion  a key location of the sex trafficking operation  12 times and one time at Epsteins Zorro Ranch in New Mexico  an additional location of the sex trafficking ring. Thats a total of 13 visits to the residence of a sex trafficker. Staleys visits to Epsteins residences tally up to just 11, according to JPMorgans chart. (See pages 4 and 5 at this link.) Eight of Nelsons visits to Epsteins residences occurred after 2013, the year that the bank claims it fired Epstein as a client. Disbursements from Epstein accounts were occurring long after 2013 according to court documents, raising questions about just when, or if, Epstein was terminated as a client from the Private Bank or the banks brokerage unit, J.P. Morgan Securities. Nelson was dually employed at both units.

Nelson is not being sued by JPMorgan Chase. Instead, according to files at the self-regulator, FINRA, Nelson is working out of JPMorgans Greenwich, Connecticut office  which caters to hedge funds  and is a Managing Director and Team Lead in its Private Bank. FINRA records also show that Nelson was allowed by the firm to take the General Securities Sales Supervisor examination in August of 2020, suggesting that Nelson is now supervising others.

There is another highly problematic internal document involving Nelson that has been submitted to the court. It involves Epstein wanting to open an account for his company called Southern Financial in 2013 and Nelson acting as a sponsor to get the account approved. Nelson signed off on the due diligence report on June 7, 2013, with a risk rating on the account downgraded from high risk to standard risk despite the following astounding background provided on the owner of Southern Financial, i.e., Epstein. (Every honest, licensed broker in America is going to feel like tossing their cookies when they read this.)

The report on the internal JPMorgan document reads:

In March 2005, a woman contacted Palm Beach police, concerned that her 14 year old daughter had been taken to Epsteins mansion by an older girl and paid $300 after stripping and massaging him. She had told him that she was 18 years old. She undressed but had left on her underwear. By 2011 at least 40 girls had come forward with similar stories, some saying Epstein sexually assaulted them during the massage.

Police started an 11-month undercover investigation of Epstein, followed by a search of his home. Subsequently, they alleged that Epstein had paid several escorts to perform sexual acts on him. Interviews with five alleged victims and 17 witnesses under oath, phone messages, a high school transcript and other items they found in Mr. Epsteins trash and home allegedly show that some girls were under 18, although some maintained to him at the time that they were of proper age

In May 2006, Palm Beach police filed a probable cause affidavit saying that Epstein should be charged with four counts of unlawful sex with minors and one molestation count. His team of lawyers included Gerald B. Lefcourt, Alan Dershowitz and later also Kenneth Starr

In June, 2008, after pleading to a single state charge of soliciting prostitution, Epstein began serving an 18-month sentence. He served 13 months in jail of his 18-month sentence as a convicted sex offender in the state of Florida for soliciting an underage girl for prostitution. He is a registered sex offender.

The above paragraph on the JPMorgan due diligence report contains a material misstatement of fact. Epstein was charged with two counts, not one. One count was for soliciting prostitution and the second count was for soliciting prostitution from a minor. A minor is not old enough to legally consent to sex, so calling this prostitution was another slimy deal worked out by Epstein and his attorneys to victim shame vulnerable girls from local middle school and high schools in the non-rich neighborhoods surrounding Palm Beach.

This preposterous downgrade of the account from high risk to standard, not to mention having any account connected to Epstein at the largest federally-insured bank in the United States, came after years of the anti-money-laundering and compliance personnel at the bank calling Epstein in internal emails a known child sleaze, that scum Epstein while another staffer acknowledged that he was aware that Epstein had stocked his mansion with nymphettes. The same personnel were exhorting their supervisors to fire Epstein as a client  which was overruled, year after year, by an invisible hand at the top.

In addition, as early as 2007 and continuing for years, compliance staff were expressing concerns about the sums of hard cash that Epstein was withdrawing. In October 2007, James Dalessio emailed a control group at the Private Bank that Epstein had withdrawn the following cash amounts in just a two-year span: 10 withdrawals of $40,000 year-to-date in 2007; cash withdrawals totaling $914,796 in 2006 consisting of 18 withdrawals of $40,000 in cash; two withdrawals of $60,000 in cash; one withdrawal of $30,000 in cash; and one withdrawal of $25,000 in cash.

A former FBI agent of 23 years, Shaun ONeill, who is an expert witness for the U.S. Virgin Islands, submitted testimony to the court that the following sums of hard cash were withdrawn by Epstein:

Epstein was able to withdraw large amounts of cash from his JPMC [JPMorgan Chase] accounts for years [Redacted]. In the year 2003, Epstein was able to withdraw highly suspicious amounts of cash totaling $175,311. In 2004, he withdrew $840,000. In 2005, he withdrew $904,337. In 2006, he withdrew $938,625. In 2007, he withdrew $526,000. In 2008, he withdrew $469,000. In 2009, he withdrew $165,011. In 2010, he withdrew $253,397. In 2011, he withdrew $260,000. In 2012, he withdrew $290,000. In 2013, he withdrew $197,152.

A bank is required to file a Suspicious Activity Report for any cash withdrawals in excess of $10,000, especially when they occur with frequency. In oral arguments presented last Thursday for partial summary judgment before trial, a lawyer for the Virgin Islands, Mimi Liu of MotleyRice, told the court that JPMorgan Chase did not file any Suspicious Activity Reports until after Epstein died in his jail cell on August 10, 2019. (The New York City Medical Examiner ruled the death a suicide.)

While there are certainly plenty of internal emails produced during discovery that connect Staley to Epstein in problematic conversations, there is also the fact that every major Wall Street firm is supposed to have an email monitoring system that prevents sexually-suggestive photos from being exchanged between a client and a banker and to prevent the leak of insider information, both of which appears to have occurred between Staley and Epstein. Clearly, JPMorgan Chases email controls failed.

Staley was the head of JPMorgans asset management division from 2001 to 2009 and CEO of its investment bank from 2009 to 2013. Staleys compromised relationship with Epstein points the finger at someones failure to supervise Staley. According to the deposition transcript of Jamie Dimon, the Chairman and CEO of JPMorgan Chase, Staley directly reported to Dimon and worked in an office located a few hundred feet from Dimon. So why should the blame for Epstein belong at the feet of Staley, rather than at the feet of the man who was supposed to be supervising Staley. Failure to supervise is a key legal argument in winning a case against a Wall Street firm.

But the problems with the legal strategy of attempting to scapegoat Staley are even broader. Dimon, unwittingly, put his finger on the problem in an April interview with Poppy Harlow on CNN. The exchange went like this:

Harlow: I want to ask you about something that is in the news  that JPMorgan is in the news about a former client of yours and that is Jeffery Epstein. JPMorgan is being sued now by the U.S. Virgin Islands. Theyre alleging that your bank helped facilitate payments to Epsteins victims and benefited from human trafficking while ignoring warnings. Do those allegations have merit?

Dimon: So I  you know I talk about the current litigation except to say that whenever these things come up, we have some of the best lawyers in the world  compliance, out of the DOJ, out of SEC, important divisions who review all of these things and make decisions at the time based on what they know, as best as they know.

Dimon is speaking about the former Director of Enforcement at the Securities and Exchange Commission, Stephen Cutler, who became General Counsel at JPMorgan Chase in 2007  the same year that Jeffrey Epstein signed a secret non-prosecution agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice and one year before he got a sweetheart deal to serve 18 months in jail, despite Palm Beach Police reports and videotaped interviews indicating that he had sexually assaulted dozens of underage girls. The 18-month sentence became 13 months, with Epstein driven in his limo to an office for the bulk of the time under a so-called work release program.

Cutlers office was located next door to Dimons office. Cutler worked at the bank as General Counsel from 2007 to 2015 and Vice Chairman at the bank from 2015 to 2018. In that final position, Cutler functioned as a senior advisor to Dimon and the banks Board of Directors.

Internal emails clearly show that Cutler was aware that Epstein was a client and not an honorable person and Cutler wanted him fired as a client. Given those emails, it is unthinkable that Cutler would not have brought the matter to the attention of Dimon or the Board of Directors. He was, after all, the top lawyer at the bank and a former Director of Enforcement at the SEC.

But Dimon is asking the public to believe that he had never heard of Epstein or knew that he had an account at the bank until Epsteins arrest in 2019. According to the transcript of Dimons deposition conducted on May 26, his position is this:

I dont recall knowing anything about Jeffrey Epstein until the stories broke sometime in 2019. And I was surprised that I didnt even  had never even heard of the guy, pretty much, and how involved he was with so many people.

There is a smoking gun email that may put that matter to rest if the case goes to trial and a former Epstein staffer, Lesley Groff, is put on the witness stand under oath. During Dimons deposition, David Boies, of law firm Boies, Schiller & Flexner LLP, which is representing Epsteins victims, introduced an email directly referring to a planned Epstein meeting with Dimon. The exchange went as follows:

Boies: On February 26, 2010, Lesley Groff writes Mr. Epstein on the subject of, Jes [Staley] and Jamie. Shall I have Lynn prepare heavy snacks for your evening appointments with [redacted], Jes Staley and Jamie Dimon? Or is this to be a nice, sit-down dinner at 9 p.m.? And Mr. Epstein replies, Snacks. 

Dimon responds in the deposition: I have never had an appointment with Jeff Epstein. Ive never met Jeff Epstein. I never knew Jeff Epstein. I never went to Jeff Epsteins house. I never had a meal with Jeff Epstein. I have no idea what theyre referring to here.

Dimons position would be far more credible were he not the same Chairman and CEO that has presided over an unprecedented crime wave at this bank  including foreign corrupt activities and money laundering that bear an uncanny resemblance to what was going on in the Epstein case in order to win large accounts or banking deals with ultra wealthy clients. According to lawyers for the Virgin Islands, Epstein referred the following individuals as clients to JPMorgan Chase:

In 2003, Epstein was, by double, the top revenue generator in the Private Bank, and the source of Google co-founder Sergey Brin (one of the largest [relationships] in the Private Bank, of +$4BN), Glenn Dubin (billionaire founder of Highbridge), and many other ultra-wealthy clients and connections, which would come to include Bill Gates, Leon Black, Larry Summers, the Sultan of Dubai, Prince Andrew, Ehud Barak, Thomas Pritzker, Lord Peter Mandelson, and Prime Minister Netanyahu.

In November 2016, units of JPMorgan Chase agreed to pay more than $264 million to the U.S. Department of Justice, the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Federal Reserve in what was widely known as its Chinese Princeling scandal. In announcing the settlement, officials at the Justice Department said this:

The so-called Sons and Daughters Program was nothing more than bribery by another nameAwarding prestigious employment opportunities to unqualified individuals in order to influence government officials is corruption, plain and simple. This case demonstrates the Criminal Divisions commitment to uncovering corruption no matter the form of the scheme

In this case, JPMorgan employees designed a program to hire otherwise unqualified candidates for prestigious investment banking jobs solely because these candidates were referred to the bank by officials in positions to award business to the bank. In certain instances, referred candidates were hired with the understanding that the hiring was linked to the award of specific business. This is no longer business as usual; it is corruption.

In January 2014, JPMorgan Chase paid $2.6 billion in fines and restitution, signed a deferred prosecution agreement with the Justice Department, and walked away from their 22-year involvement with Bernie Madoffs Ponzi scheme.

The Justice Department prosecutors who settled the case against JPMorgan Chase used much of the investigative material from Irving Picard, the Trustee of the Madoff victims fund, to bring their charges against JPMorgan Chase. According to Picard, JPMorgan Chase used unaudited financial statements from Madoff and skipped the required steps of bank due diligence to make $145 million in loans to Madoffs business.

Lawyers for Picard write that from November 2005 through January 18, 2006, JPMorgan Chase loaned $145 million to Madoffs business at a time when the bank was on notice of fraudulent activity in Madoffs business account and when, in fact, Madoffs business was insolvent. The reason for the JPMorgan Chase loans was because Madoffs business account was reaching dangerously low levels of liquidity, and the Ponzi scheme was at risk of collapsing. JPMorgan, in fact, provided liquidity to continue the Ponzi scheme, according to Picard.

Like Epstein, Madoff was also generating new business deals and profits for JPMorgan Chase. The accounts of Norman F. Levy are a prime example. JPMorgan Chase and its predecessor banks extended tens of millions of dollars in loans to Norman F. Levy and his family so they could invest with the insolvent Madoff. (Levy died in 2005 at age 93 without being charged with any crimes.) According to Picard, Levy had $188 million in outstanding loans in 1996, which he used to funnel money into Madoff investments. Picards lawyers told the court that JPMorgan Chase referred to these investments as special deals, adding:

Indeed, these deals were special for all involved: (a) Levy enjoyed Madoffs inflated return rates of up to 40% on the money he invested with Madoff; (b) Madoff enjoyed the benefits of large amounts of cash to perpetuate his fraud without being subject to JPMCs due diligence processes; and (c) JPMC earned fees on the loan amounts and watched the special deals from afar, escaping responsibility for any due diligence on Madoffs operation.

A critical piece of evidence against JPMorgan was that despite funneling loans to both Madoff and Levy, the bank advised the rest of its Private Bank customers not to invest with Madoff, according to Picard.

On paper, according to Picard, Levy was worth $1.5 billion in 1998. He was such an important customer to JPMorgan and its predecessor firms that he was given his own office at the bank.

Levy was a commercial real estate broker and, according to a 2009 Vanity Fair article, at one point Levy had an ownership stake in 70 properties, including the Seagram Building and 21 shopping centers across America

According to Picard, once Levy was a Madoff client, the relationship included classic, unchecked evidence of money laundering for years that should have resulted in legally-mandated Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs) filed with the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN). But even after a different bank detected the suspicious activity in the late 1990s and reported the transactions to FinCEN, JPMorgan Chase and its predecessor banks failed to file their own mandated SARs.

Since 2014, under Dimons leadership, JPMorgan Chase has been charged, and admitted to, five felony counts. It has also received three deferred-prosecution agreements and two non-prosecution agreements from the Justice Department, despite continuing its crime wave. What will it take to finally bring the unconscionable crimes occurring inside this bank to the disinfecting sunshine of an honest trial court proceeding?
The study, which was sponsored by the European Union 'with an Omidyar-funded group' accuses Twitter (X) of facilitating "pro-Russia propaganda" by failing to censor more.

The Washington Posts latest disinformation study  sponsored by the EU with an Omidyar-funded group that accuses Twitter of failing to censor "Russian propaganda"  is another in a long line of fraudulent attempts to justify censorship with pro-censorship demands.



Looking at pic.twitter.com/2B63fpnPwB  System Update (@SystemUpdate_) September 7, 2023

"The EU-led study insisted that Elon Musks new Twitter policies, and those of other Big Tech platforms, help spread Russian propaganda  by which they mean that Musk's reduction of political censorship on the site, and the "failure" of Big Tech generally to censor upon command, is "dangerous,"" according to Greenwald.

The EU-led study insisted that Elon Musks new Twitter policies, and those of other Big Tech platforms, help spread Russian propaganda  by which they mean that Musk's reduction of political censorship on the site, and the "failure" of Big Tech generally to censor upon command, pic.twitter.com/pkQhqgM212  System Update (@SystemUpdate_) September 7, 2023

Greenwald then opines on the hypocrisy of people who "constantly march under the banner of saving democracy and pro-democracy and saving the West from authoritarianism when in reality their central project is to eliminate free speech in the digital age."

.@ggreenwald Propaganda, that word, is like terrorism. It means whatever the wielders of the term wanted to mean, same with hate speech, same with disinformation. pic.twitter.com/DPPmUWh62L  System Update (@SystemUpdate_) September 7, 2023

.@ggreenwald Simply by opposing the U.S. war in Ukraine, or questioning the false claims of the United States and its media about the war, you will be counted as a pro-Russian propagandist who should be censored from the Internet under EU law because you have quote, ideological pic.twitter.com/8PYGMRNiyr  System Update (@SystemUpdate_) September 7, 2023

On Friday, Greenwald also shredded neocons, including David Frum, who called anti-war conservatives 'unpatriotic.'

Frum also peddled the lie that Elon Musk 'turned off Starlink to thwart a Ukrainian military operation' last fall - when in fact, Musk refused to activate it for offensive purposes. Nothing was 'turned off.'

The strategy of neocons, of the US Security State, and of US corporate media has been the same for decades:



Anyone who questions let alone opposes US war policies is declared traitorous, on the other side, an apologist or supporter for whoever they want to treat as their enemy. pic.twitter.com/YEcbj4OT4y  Glenn Greenwald (@ggreenwald) September 8, 2023

Watch Greenwald's entire episode of "System Update" below:

Greenwald also opined on propaganda from the ADL, which he argues shouldn't have the power to influence ad revenues in the pursuit of censoring whatever the left doesn't like.

He notes that 'After Brexit and Trump, the neoliberal establishment in the West was genuinely traumatized,' and concluded 'it's too dangerous to allow the internet to be free. It leads to outcomes we can't control. And the *mainstream* left fully agrees.'

I can't stress this enough:



After Brexit and Trump, the neoliberal establishment in the West was genuinely traumatized.



Their main conclusion: it's too dangerous to allow the internet to be free. It leads to outcomes we can't control. And the *mainstream* left fully agrees.  Glenn Greenwald (@ggreenwald) September 8, 2023

Greenwald then circles back to the fraudulent WaPo study.

WashPost trumpeted a flagrantly fraudulent study - commissioned by EU, from an Omidyar-funded group of Hillary allies - claiming free speech online facilitates Russian propaganda.



They're admitting their main concern: 2024 elections. They need censorship to control outcomes. pic.twitter.com/ZAYO696MJB  Glenn Greenwald (@ggreenwald) September 8, 2023

Meanwhile, Elon Musk asks "Where is all this pro-Russia propaganda?"
Hyundai Motor factory workers leave two hours earlier from work as part of a strike at its manufacturing facility in Ulsan in this July 12 file photo. Yonhap





By Lee Min-hyung







The outlook remains bleak for automakers to reach a timely compromise with labor unions in wage negotiations as unionized workers refuse to back down from partial strikes against what they claim to be an "unsatisfactory" salary increases offered by management.







Hyundai Motor's union decided to go on a partial strike for four hours on Sept. 13 and 14, after failing to reach a compromise in their wage increase talks. Hyundai's management and union held 21 rounds of talks, but laborers declined to accept offers from the company.







The union will decide whether to push for additional strikes unless the management accepts some of their demands on the extension of the retirement age and the reinstatement of laid-off workers.







The union demands a base salary increase of 184,900 won ($138), a 30-percent bonus out of the automaker's net profit last year and the retirement age extension to 64.







Kia's union is also urging management to increase their base salary to a similar level as Hyundai Motor. But it remains unclear whether management will accept the demand.







Other automakers are also facing a tough time in wage negotiations with their unions.







Renault Korea Motors is showing few signs of reaching a consensus in its negotiation with workers. In July, both sides reached a tentative agreement in their wage negotiation deal. However, some union members fiercely opposed the offer by the company.







GM Korea's union also plans to stage a protest for three days from Sept. 11 after failing to reach a consensus despite 17 rounds of wage negotiations. The union urged the management to offer an incentive of 18 million won and a series of other financial benefits to workers due to its turnaround last year.


Liberty Safe markets itself as the trusted brand for liberty-minded Americans, advancing the idea that its a company run by rugged, freedom defending individuals who are looking out for the American everyman.

As it turns out, theyre the exact opposite of what has been advertised.

In case you missed the events of the past few days

Last week, the FBI raided the home of Nathan Hughes, a resident of Fayetteville, Arkansas, after charging him with non-violent allegations related to his presence at the January 6, 2001 Capitol protest/riot.

Hughes is 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 impeding passage through the Capitol grounds or buildings, an FBI press release said last week.

Nonetheless, the feds treated Mr Hughes as if he was akin to an ISIS terrorist.

Hughes wrote on his fundraiser page:

On the morning of August 30th 2023, I was swarmed by 3 vehicles of heavily armed FBI agents and arrested with rifles pointed at me.

He continues:

At the same time, my home was raided by 10+ vehicles filled with armed FBI agents. They ordered my girlfriend Taylor out of the house with her hands up and had rifles pointed at her too. They put her in handcuffs, unplugged our home security cameras, and turned our house upside down searching it. A bunch of stuff from electronics to clothes was taken and we cant find one of our security cams. They called the manufacturer of my Liberty Safe, got the pass code from them, and got into it too. Thank God our dogs weren't harmed.

Now, Liberty Safe is not some random company. They possess the largest manufacturing plant in the country.

In August 2021, a New York City-based private equity fund called Monomoy Capital Partners acquired Liberty Safe at a valuation of just south of $150 million, from a publicly traded company called Compass Diversified.

As enterprises that seek to grow from within the heavily permissioned and regulated confines of the American financial system, both Monomoy and Compass represent everything that their liberty-minded customer base detests.

A closer look at these outfits reveals that the current and previous owners of Liberty Safe are nothing more than shameless hustlers for dollars of a certain ideological base.

In countless company documents, they proudly hail their compliance with the overtly statist ESG and DEI cartel agendas, in which the government encourages a fusion with private enterprise, incentivizing corporations to engage in public private partnerships to stay on the good side of the regime.

And just three months after acquiring Liberty Safe, Monomoy celebrated their addition to the top of an ESG index, adding that the company is proud signatories to the UNs Principals for Responsible Investment (UNPRI) and are committed to implementing their 6 principles for responsible investing across our entire private equity platform.

Last year, in demonstrating their unshakeable commitment to the fascist technocratic mania that is BlackRock/World Economic Forum/Social Credit Score agenda, Monomoy flaunted its new policy that all new hires are required to understand the firms ESG policies as part of the onboarding process.

We firmly believe in getting everyone involved, added the head of the Monomoy operating team. In our portfolio companies we involve everyone in ESG, from employees on the plant floor to the board members, he adds.

I know what youre thinking. Why did these companies purchase Liberty Safe in the first place? Isnt it a bit of a mismatch.

Well, Liberty got away with hiding this values incompatibility for a very long time, devoting tons of money to throwing advertising dollars to the likes of Fox Newss Sean Hannity and other major conservative/libertarian figures. It clearly worked to buy much-needed ideological clout for the corporation.

But now that we know who really runs the show, it shouldnt come as much of a surprise anymore when Libertys owners folded like a lawn chair when the FBI called and asked to access the safe of Mr Hughes.

Even worse, the company revealed that it had a back door master code for all of the digital safes that it sells. It appears that many Liberty customers had no idea that this feature, which is directly antagonistic to the idea of personal sovereignty, came installed with their safes.

Then suddenly, after the reports surfaced, via Mr Hughes, of Libertys willing compliance with the feds, the company attempted to engage in damage control with a statement from their Liberty Twitter/X account.

But the woke ESG bros at the New York City private equity firm made a big mistake. They exposed their ideological Potemkin village for the world to see, and it all came crashing down.

Liberty Safe conned their own customer base and presented an image of a company that was nothing but a mirage. All of the incentives in todays system push these multi billion dollar funds in the direction of compliance, regulation, and subservience. But this is one of the rare cases when the cosplayers in Manhattan didnt get away with it, and ended up with egg on their faces
Once denounced by Zelensky as a criminal, gun runner Serhiy Pashinksy has become the top private supplier of arms to Ukraine. Eyewitness testimony has fingered Pashinsky as the architect of a bloody false flag operation which propelled the 2014 Maidan coup and plunged the country into civil war.

Years before emerging as Kievs top private weapons trafficker, ex-legislator Serhiy Pashinsky played a key role in the 2014 US-backed coup which toppled Ukraines democratically-elected president and set the stage for a devastating civil war. Though the notoriously corrupt former Ukrainian parliamentarian was condemned by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as a criminal as recently as 2019, a lengthy expose by the New York Times has now identified Pashinsky as the Ukrainian governments biggest private arms supplier.

Perhaps predictably, the report makes no mention of evidence implicating Pashinsky in the 2014 massacre of 70 anti-government protesters in Kievs Maidan Square, an incident which pro-Western forces used to consummate their coup detat against then-President Viktor Yanukovych.

In an August 12 report on Ukraines new weapons-sourcing strategy, the New York Times alleged that out of desperation, Kiev had no option but to adopt increasingly amoral tactics. The shift, they say, has driven up prices of lethal imports at an exponential rate, and added layer upon layer of profit-making for the benefit of unscrupulous speculators like Pashinsky.

According to the Times, the strategy is simple: Pashinksy buys and sells grenades, artillery shells and rockets through a trans-European network of middlemen, then sells them, then buys them again and sells them once more:

With each transaction, prices rise  as do the profits of Mr. Pashinskys associates  until the final buyer, Ukraines military, pays the most, the Times explained, adding that while using multiple brokers may technically be legal, it is a time-tested way to inflate profits.

As the seemingly endless supply of cash from Western taxpayers provides a bonanza for arms manufacturers such as Raytheon and Northrop Grumman, it similarly benefits war profiteers like Pashinsky. His company, Ukrainian Armored Technology, reported its best year ever last year, with sales totaling more than $350 million  a whopping 12,500% increase from its $2.8 million in sales the year before the war.

Pashinsky is not the only racketeer benefitting from the elimination of anti-corruption measures in wartime Ukraine. Several suppliers previously placed on an official blacklist after they ripped off the military are now free to sell again, according to the Times investigation. The outlet downplayed this as an unfortunate, but ultimately necessary measure.

In the name of rushing weapons to the front line, leaders have resurrected figures from Ukraines rough-and-tumble past and undone, at least temporarily, years of anticorruption [sic] policies, the Times asserted, describing the re-emergence of figures like Mr. Pashinsky as one reason the American and British governments are buying ammunition for Ukraine rather than simply handing over money:

European and American officials are loath to discuss Mr. Pashinsky, for fear of playing into Russias narrative that Ukraines government is hopelessly corrupt and must be replaced.

However, even the seemingly critical Times report overlooks a key aspect of Pashinskys unsavory biography. Conspicuously absent from the coverage was any explanation of his role in carrying out the infamous massacre of anti-government activists and police officers in Kievs Maidan Square in late February 2014.

A defining moment in the US-orchestrated overthrow of Ukraines elected government, the death of 70 at the hands of mysterious snipers triggered an avalanche of international outrage that led directly to the ouster of President Viktor Yanukovych. Even today, these killings officially remain unsolved.

However, firsthand testimony by individuals who claimed to have helped carry out the false flag attack suggest Kievs most prolific gun runner was intimately involved in the grisly affair.

Maidan massacre organizer takes no prisoners

In November 2017, Italys Matrix TV channel published eyewitness accounts by three Georgians who say they were ordered to kill protesters by Mamuka Mamulashvili. Then the top-ranking military aide to Georgian president Mikhael Saakashvili, Mamulashvili later founded the infamous mercenary brigade known as the Georgian Legion, whose fighters were widely condemned after they published a gruesome video of themselves gleefully executing unarmed and bound Russian soldiers in April 2022.

The documentary, Ukraine: The Hidden Truth, features an Italian journalists interviews with three Georgian fighters allegedly sent to orchestrate the coup. All described Pashinsky as a key organizer and executor of the Maidan massacre, even alleging the corrupt arms dealers provided weapons and selected specific targets. The film also featured footage of him personally evacuating a shooter from the Square, after they had been caught with a rifle and a scope by protesters and surrounded.

One of the Georgian fighters recalled how he and his two associates arrived in Kiev in January, to arrange provocations to push the police to charge the crowd. For almost a month, however, there were not many weapons around, and molotov [cocktails], shields and sticks were used to the maximum.

This changed around mid-February, they said, when Mamualashvili personally visited them alongside a US soldier named Brian Christopher Boyenger, a former officer and sniper in the 101st Airborne Division, who personally gave them orders they had to follow.

Pashinky then personally moved them along with sniper rifles and ammunition to buildings overlooking Maidan Square, they alleged. At that point, Mamualashvili reportedly insisted that we have to start shooting, so much, to sow some chaos.

So it was that the Georgian fighters started shooting two or three shots at a time into the crowd below, having been ordered to shoot the Berkut, the police, and the demonstrators, no matter what. Once the killing was over, Boyenger moved to the Donbas front to fight in the ranks of the Georgian Legion, which Mamulashvili commands to this day.

In the meantime, Ukrainian journalist Volodymyr Boiko, who headed the civic council of the Prosecutor General Office of Ukraine after Maidan, has alleged that in order to obscure his role, Pashinsky personally hand-picked the figures leading the official investigation into the massacre, and even bribed the prosecutor who headed it.

Despite these shocking claims, Pashinskys involvement in the Maidan massacre has never been officially investigated, let alone punished, and his most recent experiences with the Ukrainian judicial system suggest it is unlikely to be heavily scrutinized by officials in Kiev. While a member of Ukraines Verkhovna Rada, he was arrested for shooting and wounding a pedestrian in a traffic-related dispute, but was ultimately acquitted in 2021.

When Israeli journalists confronted Pashinsky about his role in the Maidan massacre, the arms dealer warned that they would be tracked down in their home country, where his associates would tear them apart. They could be forgiven for believing it was not an idle threat; there is a troubling tendency for Pashinkys detractors to end up viciously beaten or shot dead in the street.
India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi, center, speaks during the first session of the G20 Leaders' Summit at the Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi on Sept. 9. AFP-Yonhap





Leaders of the world's 20 most powerful economies began an annual summit, Saturday, in New Delhi by granting permanent membership to the African Union in an effort to make the G20 more representative.







But the bloc remained deeply divided over the war in Ukraine, with Western nations pushing for strong condemnation of Russia while others demanded that the group focus on broader economic issues.







U.S. President Joe Biden and other leaders of the Group of 20 were driven through deserted streets to a new, $300 million conch-shaped convention center called Bharat Mandapam, opposite a 16th-century stone fort, for the two-day summit in India's capital New Delhi.







Many businesses, shops, offices and schools have been closed in the city of 20 million, and traffic restricted as part of security measures to ensure the smooth running of the most high-powered meeting to be hosted by the country. Slums have been demolished and monkeys and stray dogs removed from the streets.







According to a draft of the summit declaration reviewed by Reuters, negotiators were unable to resolve disagreements over the wording on the war in Ukraine, leaving it to the leaders to reach a compromise if possible.







The 38-page draft that was circulated among members left the "geopolitical situation" paragraph blank, while it had agreed on the 75 other paragraphs.







Biden will press for a higher level of climate action from major countries at the summit, a White House official said, as concerns grow about lack of consensus on cutting emissions.







The G20 nations account for 80 percent of global emissions and their views are being keenly watched ahead of the COP 28 meeting in the United Arab Emirates.







Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is seeking to burnish India's credentials as a major power, announced the African Union's membership in the G20 on par with the European Union.







Modi, in his opening remarks at the summit, invited the AU, represented by Chairperson Azali Assoumani, to take a seat at the table of G20 leaders as a permanent member.







The summit is expected to be dominated by the West and its allies. Chinese President Xi Jinping is skipping the meeting and has sent Premier Li Qiang instead, while Russia's Vladimir Putin will also be absent.







Biden, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Saudi Arabia's Mohammed Bin Salman and Japan's Fumio Kishida, among others, are attending.






TV presenter Carol Vorderman has said that it is fine if she loses jobs due to her criticism of the British government.

The 62-year-old former Countdown star has been involved in several Twitter arguments with Conservative MPs including recently with party chairman Greg Hands, who she is said to have deleted a number of her tweets about on Thursday.

Advertisement

When asked how she feels about criticism from the Tories, Vorderman told The Times on Saturday: It doesnt bother me Ill tell you why. Im knocking on 63. Ive made my money. Ive been through it all.

Cover of The Times @thetimes Magazine out today...



Thank you @deborahross 



Please RT

for the benefit of those who want to stop us all calling out this disgraceful Tory government...

We aren't stopping  pic.twitter.com/cMTUuTsQLq Advertisement  Carol Vorderman (@carolvorders) September 8, 2023 Advertisement

Whats the worst that can happen? That Ill lose some jobs? Fine by me. Bring it on. They can sling what they like at me.

Vorderman has appeared on ITVs Loose Women, This Morning and Lorraine along with this year being on Im A Celebrity South Africa and hosting a BBC Radio Wales show.

Advertisement

Mr Hands had called for the former Im A CelebrityGet Me Out Of Here! competitor to apologise for posting defamatory and damaging tweets about his involvement in a lifestyle firm being awarded a 25.8 million personal protective equipment (PPE) contract in 2020.

On Twitter, now known as X, Vorderman said she was happy to accept Mr Hands assurance that his role in the process was simply to refer the approach (and) there was no impropriety on his part.

Over a six month campaign, @carolvorders has accused me repeatedly of corruption & even worse.



Nothing could be further from the truth.



Today, she deleted the 22 false and defamatory tweets, videos and more, and corrected the position.



A thread  pic.twitter.com/iCxOpaF0kT Advertisement  Greg Hands (@GregHands) September 7, 2023

Vorderman has been involved in other rows with Tory MPs including in March when she called on the womens minister, Maria Caulfield, to resign after she could not be bothered to turn up to a committee hearing about the menopause.

Advertisement

Advertisement

The MP, who is also minister for womens health strategy, tweeted that she was not a punch bag and said anyone who posted misleading information about her would be blocked on the social media platform.

Vorderman also told the newspaper that people of all ages say they bloody love what she does when they meet her in public.

She also said: I think even the people who say the Tories are bloody marvellous know its not true.

Some coronavirus-related contracts were put in a VIP lane when the Government was struggling to buy protective equipment during the pandemic.

A UK Public Accounts Committee found in July that the British government had a rushed approach to buying personal protective equipment (PPE) which resembled panic buying but was unable to comprehensively conclude that emails from Tory peers led to businesses being treated differently.

They tried to persuade us we werent bothered about Partygate, and we were bothered and are not forgetting it, Vorderman said. And also the VIP lane is massively emotional, as it bloody well should be.

Johnny Mercer has also had several public arguments with Vorderman.

The UK minister for veterans affairs has described Vorderman as a deeply unpleasant person on the social media site, while she has posted a number critical remarks about Mr Mercers performance as a minister.

Advertisement

However, Vorderman was announced more than a decade ago by Michael Gove as the head of maths taskforce and appeared before the Women and Equalities Committee to talk about menopause.
Young children held teddy bears at the requiem Mass of a young girl who died in a swimming tragedy just two days before she would have celebrated her eighth birthday alongside her twin brother.

The family of Emili Roman, of Crosshaven, Co Cork, had asked their daughter's friends to bring soft toys to her requiem Mass at the Church of Our Lady and St John so they could be placed on her grave.

Advertisement

Emili's body was recovered from the water near the shore at about 7.30pm on Tuesday, three hours after a search was launched off Fountainstown Beach when she disappeared from sight having got into difficulty in the water.

Emili's parents, Martha and Slawomir, her older sister Inga, and twin Jeremy walked alongside her white coffin as it was wheeled to the top of the church on Saturday.

Advertisement

The picture on Emili's coffin was of her standing smiling by the sea, with her long, blonde hair blowing in the breeze.

Fr Aidan Cremen told mourners the people of Crosshaven, Fountainstown, Carrigaline and the surrounding areas were heartbroken by the loss of the vibrant and loving youngster.

Advertisement

He said Emili loved living in the beautiful piece of paradise by the sea that is Crosshaven.

Emili enjoyed the benefits of living in Crosshaven, her loving parents giving her a fabulous lifestyle. We cant find words to express how we feel.

There must be some comfort that Emili was surrounded with love all her life. (She was) the centre of attention. All the buzz of family life and interactions with her brother and sister and devoted parents.

'Happy, joyful, beautiful'

Fr Cremin said Emili was brought to the same church to be baptised nearly eight years ago.

Advertisement

Even though you are sad and heartbroken today, everybody here has happy memories of Emili. A happy, joyful and contented child, sensitive and caring I am told, and appreciative of everything.

The memories Emili has taken with her are happy, joyful, beautiful memories. That is how people remember her.

Fr Cremen said the Roman family truly appreciated the assistance of the emergency services and the support of the community in the aftermath of the tragedy.

Advertisement

Pupils from Colaiste Muire Realt Na Mara in Crosshaven former a guard of honour outside the church as Emili's coffin was escorted in by her family and classmates from Templebreedy National School in Crosshaven.

Advertisement

Among the mourners were members of Gardai, the National Ambulance Service, Fire service, the RNLI and the Coastguard.

Local TDs, including Minister for Finance Michael McGrath and Minister for Enterprise Simon Coveney, were also in the body of the church, alongside Canon Elaine Murray of the Carrigaline Union of the Church of Ireland.

Emili was laid to rest at St John's Cemetery in nearby Ballinrea, Co Cork.

Vigil

A candlelit vigil was held in Crosshaven on Thursday night in solidarity with the Roman family on what would have been Emili's eighth birthday, with her twin brother Jeremy handing out tea lights.

Advertisement

The crowd applauded emergency services for their efforts in searching for Emili.

Emili's name was also spelt with stones on the beach wall earlier this week, where locals laid flowers.

A Go Fund Me page has been set up by a family friend of the Roman's and has raised thousands of Euro to assist Emili's family with funeral costs.

Beata OSullivan, who set up the page, said Emili touched the lives of everyone she met with her warm smile and boundless enthusiasm.

She was a ray of sunshine in our lives. Her laughter was infectious, and her kindness knew no bounds.
The Department of Foreign Affairs has said it is closely monitoring the situation in Morocco following a powerful and deadly earthquake.

The magnitude 7.2 quake struck in the High Atlas mountains late on Friday night, but was felt as far away as Spain and Portugal.

Advertisement

More than 1,300 people have been killed and 1,800 more are injured, in the country's deadliest tremor in more than six decades. A local official said most deaths were in mountain areas that were hard to reach.

In Marrakech, the nearest big city to the epicentre, residents spent the night in the open, afraid to go home.

The Department of Foreign Affairs is advising Irish citizens in affected areas to follow safety instructions from local authorities, and monitor local media.

If you are an Irish citizen affected by the earthquake near Marrakech last night you can contact the Embassy at +212666933599 or by email at Rabatembassyexternalmail@dfa.ie. Alternatively you can call the Department of Foreign Affairs on +35314082000 Advertisement Advertisement  Irish Embassy Morocco (@irlembrabat) September 9, 2023

In a statement on Saturday morning, it said: "The Department of Foreign Affairs is closely monitoring the situation in Morocco after the tragic earthquake last night near Marrakesh.

"All Irish citizens in the affected areas are asked to follow safety instructions from local authorities and monitor local media.

"If urgent, the Embassy of Ireland in Rabat, Morocco can be contacted in-country on +212 6 66 933 599. Any concerned family members in Ireland can contact the Department of Foreign Affairs at 01 408 2000."

Shocked to learn of the devastating earthquake that last night struck Morocco.



Our thoughts are with those who lost loved ones, the injured, and with brave first responders.



Ireland stands in solidarity with the people of Morocco.  Micheal Martin (@MichealMartinTD) September 9, 2023

Tanaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheal Martin said he was "shocked to learn of the devastating earthquake".

In a social media post, Mr Martin said: "Our thoughts are with those who lost loved ones, the injured, and with brave first responders".
Police in the North are searching for a man "unlawfully at large" in West Belfast.

The man was arrested at 12.15pm on Saturday following reports of a burglary in the Falls Road area of the city.

Advertisement

However, he absconded from police custody a short time later.

Anyone who knows of the whereabouts of the man is asked to contact police immediately. pic.twitter.com/VA866Xvvuv  Police West Belfast (@PSNIBelfastW) September 9, 2023

In a statement, the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said the man is aged in his 20s, with dark hair. He is described as wearing black shorts and a black t-shirt and was handcuffed to the front.

"We are advising the public to not approach the man but to call 999 immediately if seen," the PSNI added.
Mohamed Muizzu, Maldives presidential candidate of the opposition People's National Congress gestures after casting his vote at a polling station during the Maldives presidential election day in Male, Maldives, Sept. 9. Reuters-Yonhap





Voting started in the Maldives presidential election Saturday, a virtual referendum over which regional power  India or China  will have the biggest influence in the Indian Ocean archipelago state.







Eight runners are vying for the post, with current president President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih  perceived as pro-India  facing off with his main rival Mohamed Muiz.







Solih is seeking re-election for a second term amid allegations by Muiz that he has allowed India an unchecked presence in the country.







Muiz promised that if he won the presidency he would remove Indian troops stationed in the Maldives and balance the country's trade relations, which he said is heavily in India's favor.







The People's National Congress, Muiz's party, is viewed as heavily pro-China. Its leader, Abdullah Yameen, when he was president from 2013-2018, made the Maldives a part of China's "One Belt One Road." The initiative envisages building ports, railways and roads to expand trade  and China's influence  in a swath across Asia, Africa and Europe.







Mohamed Shareef, a senior official for Muiz's party, told The Associated Press that the removal of Indian military personnel was a "non-negotiable" position for the party. He said that the number of Indian troops and their activities are hidden from Maldivians and that they have near-exclusive use of certain parts and airports in the country.







Both India and China vie for influence in the tiny archipelago state made up of some 1,200 coral islands in the Indian Ocean, located by the main shipping route between the East and West.







Solih was considered the front-runner in the field of eight candidates since his strongest rival, Yameen, was blocked from running by the Supreme Court because he is in prison for corruption and money laundering convictions.







Muiz hoped to take advantage of a split in Solih's Maldivian Democratic Party that led Mohamed Nasheed, a charismatic former president, to break away and field his own candidate.







Maldives President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih waves at his supporters after casting his vote at a polling station during the Maldives presidential election day in Male, Maldives, Sept. 9. Reuters-Yonhap





Nasheed is currently backing Ilyas Labeeb who, though not highly critical of India has accused Solih of not being transparent in his dealings with India, said Azim Zahir, a political science and international relations lecturer at the University of Western Australia.







The "India Out" campaign  spearheaded by Muiz's party  has been all over social media in the run-up to the election and almost all candidates except Solih adopted the "India vs. the rest" rhetoric, said Zahir.







Solih is widely credited for having brought stability to the country and adeptly handling the COVID-19 health crisis, which can work in his advantage, added Zahir.







He added that Solih has no corruption allegations against him unlike Muiz when he was a housing minister, he said.







There is also a possibility of this mostly Sunni Muslim nation becoming more conservative because both sides are backed by religious hardliners pushing their agendas.







The groups are not known to espouse violence but want more control over women, are against music and art as well as religious freedom, Zahir said.







The Maldives is believed to have sent the highest number of fighters per capita when the Islamic State group was active. Also, a local group with IS ideology set off a bomb targeting Nasheed in 2021, seriously wounding him.







More than 282,000 people are eligible to vote in Saturday's election. A candidate would need to get 50 percent plus one vote to win outright. Otherwise, the top two finishers would meet in a runoff election later this month. (AP)


North Korea invited visiting Chinese delegates and Russian artists to a paramilitary parade to celebrate the 75th founding anniversary of the state on Saturday.

It was part of leader Kim Jong Uns latest effort to display his ties with Moscow and Beijing in the face of deepening confrontations with Washington, analysts said.

Advertisement

The event in the capital, Pyongyang, which began on Friday night, came amid expectations Mr Kim will travel to Russia soon for a meeting with President Vladimir Putin that could focus on North Korean arm sales to refill reserves drained by the Kremlins war on Ukraine.

While China has sent a delegation led by vice premier Liu Guozhong to the anniversary celebrations, Russia sent a military song and dance group.

South Korean media speculated the lack of Russian government officials at the festivities could be related to preparations for a summit between Mr Kim and Mr Putin, which Washington expects within the month.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Leader Kim Jong Un (right) attends the parade with his daughter (Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service via AP/PA)

Mr Putin is expected to attend an international forum that runs from Sunday to Wednesday in the eastern city of Vladivostok, which was also the site of his first summit with Mr Kim in 2019 and is now seen as a possible venue for their next meeting.

South Koreas spy agency told lawmakers in a closed-door briefing on Thursday that North Korea and Russia could also be arranging an unexpected surprise route for Mr Kims visit to avoid potential venues reported by the media.

North Korea has not confirmed any plans for Mr Kim to visit Russia.

Advertisement

Leif-Eric Easley, a professor at Ewha University in Seoul, said: Whether or not a Putin-Kim summit soon follows, the United States is attempting to deter serious violations of international law by pre-emptively releasing intelligence.

The growing co-operation between China, Russia and North Korea, and Chinese President Xi Jinpings decision to skip the G20 summit in India, gives the appearance of a widening fissure in Asias geopolitical landscape, he said.

Still, a major Russia-North Korea arms deal, which would breach numerous international sanctions, should worry Beijing because association with an emerging pariah state bloc could have negative repercussions for Chinas globalised but struggling economy, Mr Easley said.

Advertisement

Advertisement

People at Seoul railway station in South Korea watch a TV screen showing North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and his daughter (Ahn Young-joon/AP/PA)

KCNA said Mr Kim received letters from Mr Putin and Mr Xi on the anniversary, where both leaders said their countries strengthening ties with North Korea would contribute to the regions peace and stability.

Saturdays parade was centred around paramilitary organisations and public security forces protecting Pyongyang, rather than the military units that handle his nuclear-capable weapons systems, which have been the focus of other parades this year.

Millions of North Koreans between the ages of 17 and 60 are listed as Worker-Peasant Red Guards, a national civil defence organisation that could be loosely compared to military reserve forces of other countries.

Advertisement

Saturdays marches of the Red Guards included huge columns of motorcycles, anti-tank rockets towed by tractors and civilian-style trucks equipped with multiple rocket launchers, according to KCNAs text reports and photos.

Photos showed Mr Kim smiling and talking with his young daughter, believed to be named Ju Ae, as they watched the parade from leather chairs set up at his balcony in Kim Il Sung Square named after his state-founding grandfather.

KCNA said Mr Kim met with Mr Liu and other Chinese delegates ahead of the parade, where they exchanged views on further intensifying the multi-faceted co-ordination and co-operation between the countries.
Terror suspect Daniel Khalife has been found and arrested on the fourth day of a manhunt after he escaped from prison, London's Metropolitan Police said.

The 21-year-old was arrested just before 11am on Saturday in Chiswick, west London, and is now in police custody, the force said.

Advertisement

It added: We would like to thank the public and media for their support throughout our investigation to locate Khalife, and we will provide a further update on his arrest in due course.

Rishi Sunak said he is very pleased Khalife has been arrested as he praised efforts by the police and the public in finding him.

Advertisement

Speaking to broadcasters at the G20 summit venue in New Delhi, the British prime minister said: Im very pleased with the news and my thanks to the police officers for their fantastic work over the past couple of days, but also to the public who came forward with an enormous number of leads to help the police in their inquiries.

Advertisement

Its good news that we captured the person concerned. As people already know, the Justice Secretary has initiated an inquiry into the circumstances of his escape and that work will continue.

This is obviously very welcome news. Again, my thanks to the police but also to the public for their help.

Advertisement

Police in the Chiswick area in west London (Jamie Lashmar/PA)

Officers had been searching Chiswick earlier on Saturday after confirmed sightings in the area  stopping and checking cars, inspecting car boots and asking residents for their IDs.

Armed officers and police dogs were in the area while a police boat could be seen on the River Thames close to the roads.

The former soldier is believed to have escaped from Wandsworth prison on Wednesday morning by strapping himself to the bottom of a delivery lorry after leaving the kitchen in a cooks uniform.

Advertisement

The force announced on Friday a 20,000 reward for anyone with information that leads to the arrest of the former soldier, who was awaiting trial after allegedly planting a fake bomb at an RAF base and gathering information that might be useful to terrorists or enemies of the UK.
The Group of 20 top world economies has added the African Union as a member at its annual summit, and host India was able to get the disparate group to sign off on a final statement, but only after softening language on the contentious issue of Russias war in Ukraine.

In the months leading up to the leaders summit in New Delhi, India had been unable to find agreement on the wording about Ukraine, with Russia and China objecting even to language that they had agreed to last year at the G20 summit in Bali.

Advertisement

The final statement, released a day before the formal close of the summit, highlighted the human suffering and negative added impacts of the war in Ukraine, but did not mention Russias invasion.

It cited the UN charter, saying all states must refrain from the threat or use of force to seek territorial acquisition against the territorial integrity and sovereignty or political independence of any state. The use or threat of use of nuclear weapons is inadmissible.

Advertisement

Indian prime minister Narendra Modi gestures as he attends Session II: One Family at the G20 summit in New Delhi (Evelyn Hockstein, Pool/AP)

Advertisement

By contrast, the Bali declaration had cited a UN resolution condemning the aggression by the Russian Federation against Ukraine, and said most members strongly condemned the war in Ukraine.

Nazia Hussain, an associate research fellow at Singapores S Rajaratnam School of International Studies, said the statement showed a softening of the language on the war in Ukraine.

However, for New Delhi, getting out a joint statement with some reference to Ukraine, or a joint statement at all especially with both the United States and its Western allies as well as China and Russia toughening their stance on the war, is a win.

Many had been sceptical that there would be a final communique, which would have been the first time one was not released and have been a blow to the prestige of the G20.

Advertisement

Western delegations applauded the agreement, with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz calling it a success of Indian diplomacy.

He told reporters it was significant that in the end Russia had given up its resistance and signed on to the agreement that mentioned the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine.

A senior European Union official, speaking on condition of anonymity in order to be candid about the discussions, said the EU had not given up any of its position, and the fact that Russia had signed on to the agreement was important.

Advertisement

The option we have is text or no text, and I think its better text, he said.

Advertisement

Indian prime minister Narendra Modi, right, shares a light moment with African Union chairman and president of the Union of the Comoros Azali Assoumani upon his arrival at Bharat Mandapam convention centre for the G20 summit in New Delhi, India (Evan Vucci, Pool/AP)

At least if they dont implement, we know once more that we cannot rely on them.

Russian negotiator Svetlana Lukash described the discussions on the Ukraine-related part of the final statement as very difficult, adding that the agreed text had a balanced view of the situation, Russian media reported.

Advertisement

She said Ukraine was not the only point of contention in reaching a statement, and claimed that Western powers had tried to enforce the idea that its the Ukrainian conflict that provokes all the crises in the world now.

By contrast, there was widespread support for adding the AU to the G20, making it the second regional bloc to become a permanent member after the EU and adding momentum to Indian prime minister Narendra Modis drive to give a greater voice to the Global South.

The continent was thrust into the spotlight as well by the earthquake in Morocco, which happened while most of the delegates gathered in New Delhi were asleep.

Mr Modi offered condolences and support in his opening remarks.

The entire world community is with Morocco in this difficult time and we are ready to provide them all possible assistance, he said.

Advertisement

The Indian prime minister told leaders they must find concrete solutions to the widespread challenges that he said stemmed from the ups and downs in the global economy, the north and the south divide, the chasm between the east and the west, and other issues such as terrorism, cybersecurity, health and water security.

Indian prime minister Narendra Modi gestures to welcome US President Joe Biden upon his arrival at Bharat Mandapam convention centre for the G20 summit in New Delhi, India (Evan Vucci, Pool/AP)

Mr Modi addressed the delegates from behind a nameplate that listed his country not as India but as Bharat, an ancient Sanskrit name championed by his Hindu nationalist supporters.

India had made directing more attention to addressing the needs of the developing world a focus of the summit, though it proved impossible to decouple many issues, such as food and energy security, from the war in Ukraine.

The summit came just days after Russian president Vladimir Putin said a landmark deal brokered by the UN and Turkey allowing Ukraine to export grain safely through the Black Sea will not be restored until Western nations meet his demands on Russias own agricultural exports.

The G20 urged the resumption of grain, foodstuffs and fertiliser shipments from Russia and Ukraine, saying it was necessary to feed people in Africa and other parts of the developing world.

Russia has been attacking Ukrainian port facilities, and the G20 in its final statement also called for an end to attacks on infrastructure related to the grain exports, and expressed deep concern about the effect of conflicts on civilians.

Advertisement

The G20 includes Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, the United Kingdom, the United States and the European Union.

Spain holds a permanent guest seat.

Mr Putin and Chinas leader Xi Jinping opted not to come this year, ensuring no tough face-to-face conversations with their American and European counterparts.

Indian prime minister Narendra Modi, third left, calls South African president Cyril Ramaphosa, as World Bank president Ajay Banga, left, Brazilian president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, second left, and US president Joe Biden, right, watch during a group photograph at the G20 summit (Evan Vucci, Pool/AP)

Participants arriving in the Indian capital were greeted by streets cleared of traffic, and graced with fresh flowers and seemingly endless posters featuring slogans and Mr Modis face.

Security was intensely tight, with most journalists and the public kept far from the summit venue.

Hundreds of Tibetan exiles held a protest far from the summit venue to condemn Chinese participation in the event and urge leaders to discuss Sino-Tibetan relations.

The G20 agenda featured issues critical to developing nations, including alternative fuels such as hydrogen, resource efficiency, food security and developing a common framework for digital public infrastructure.

Human Rights Watch urged the G20 leaders not to let international disunity over Ukraine distract them at the summit from the other issues.

In addition, Meenakshi Ganguly, deputy director of the organisations Asia division, said members should not shy away from openly discussing challenges like gender discrimination, racism and other entrenched barriers to equality, including with host India, where civil and political rights have sharply deteriorated under the Modi administration.

Advertisement

On Friday evening, before the meeting got formally under way, Mr Modi met with US president Joe Biden.

White House aide Kurt Campbell told reporters afterwards that there was an undeniable warmth and confidence between the two leaders.

As Indias regional rival China has become growingly assertive in the Asia-Pacific region, the US has been seeking to strengthen ties with India and others.

The US, India, the EU and others unveiled ambitious plans on Saturday to build a rail and shipping corridor linking India with the Middle East and Europe that aims to strengthen economic growth and political co-operation.

This is a really big deal, Mr Biden said.
Liz Truss has said she wants to share the lessons from her time in government as she writes a book recounting her tumultuous 49 days as prime minister.

Titled Ten Years to Save the West, the former British foreign secretarys book is touted as warning against authoritarianism and the threat from fashionable ideas propagated by the global left.

Advertisement

The Conservative MP will write about her meeting with Britain's Queen Elizabeth II shortly before the monarchs death and her experiences with Russias Vladimir Putin and Chinas Xi Jinping.

Queen Elizabeth II welcomes Liz Truss during an audience at Balmoral (Jane Barlow/PA)

In a statement, Ms Truss said: I want to share the lessons from my experience in government and those international meetings where I was often the only conservative in the room and demonstrate that we have stark choices to make if we wish to avoid a managed decline of the Western architecture that has presided over generations of relative peace and prosperity.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Her office said she will be writing the book herself, rather than using a ghostwriter.

Out in April, it will be published in the UK by Biteback and in the US by Regnery Publishing as she also seeks an audience in the States.

Ms Truss was forced out of office in October after the budget of 45 billion of unfunded tax cuts outlined by her chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng sparked an economic crisis.

In an interview with the Mail on Sunday, she expanded on her fear for the future of the West, warning of persistent low growth, and that our culture is being questioned, even basic things like human biology.

Advertisement

As Donald Trump leads the way as the contender to oppose US president Joe Bidens bid for re-election, Ms Truss said we need to get a Republican back in the White House as she explained she often felt like the only conservative in the room in meetings with world leaders.

She added: Youve got the global Left which Biden is obviously a key part of, but also the global environmental movement, the Greta Thunbergs of this world, the anti-capitalist movement, and they have been very effective in pushing what is politically acceptable.

Advertisement

Ms Truss, who became MP for South West Norfolk in 2010, says she still finds it hard to understand what happened during her time in No 10.

I struggle to compute what happened. Particularly what happened to the Queen. It was extraordinary and it also came off the back of being foreign secretary with the first war on European soil kicking off earlier that year, so 2022 was an extraordinary roller coaster, extraordinary, she said.

Advertisement

The whole period from 2010, there have been a lot of pinch me moments.
More than 1,000 people have been killed and a further 1,200 injured in an earthquake near Marrakesh that flattened homes and devastated mountain villages in Morocco.

The Interior Ministry said on Saturday the death toll had reached 1,037, with 1,204 injured, 721 of them critically.

Advertisement

The casualty toll was expected to climb as rescuers reached remote areas and dug through rubble for survivors or bodies.

State television showed people clustered in the streets of Marrakesh, afraid to go back inside buildings that might still be unstable. Many wrapped themselves in blankets as they tried to sleep outside.

The magnitude 6.8 quake late on Friday was the hardest to hit Morocco in 120 years and it toppled buildings and walls in ancient cities made from stone and masonry not designed to withstand quakes.

Advertisement

A woman and her daughter stand outside her home after the earthquake in Moulay Ibrahim village (Mosaab Elshamy/AP/PA)

Bill McGuire, professor emeritus of geophysical and climate hazards at University College London, said: The problem is that where destructive earthquakes are rare, buildings are simply not constructed robustly enough to cope with strong ground shaking, so many collapse resulting in high casualties.

Advertisement

I would expect the final death toll to climb into the thousands once more is known. As with any big quake, aftershocks are likely, which will lead to further casualties and hinder search and rescue.

In a sign of the huge scale of the disaster, Moroccos King Mohammed VI ordered the armed forces to mobilise air and land assets, specialised search-and-rescue teams and a surgical field hospital, according to a statement from the military.

Advertisement

Despite an outpouring of offers of help from around the world, the Moroccan government had not formally asked for assistance, a step required before outside rescue crews could deploy.

In Marrakesh, the famous Koutoubia Mosque, built in the 12th century, was damaged, but the extent was not immediately clear.

People also posted videos showing damage to parts of the famous red walls that surround the old city, a Unesco World Heritage site.

Rescuers worked through the night, searching for survivors in darkness, dust and rubble.

Advertisement

Most of the tiny village of Moulay Brahim, carved into a mountainside south of Marrakesh, was uninhabitable after walls crumbled, windows shattered and more than a dozen homes were reduced to piles of concrete and bent metal poles. At least five residents were trapped.

Advertisement

People drive past a damaged wall of the historic Medina of Marrakesh (Mosaab Elshamy/AP/PA)

The head of a town near the earthquakes epicentre told Moroccan news site 2M that several homes in nearby towns had partly or totally collapsed, and electricity and roads were cut off in some places.

Advertisement

Abderrahim Ait Daoud, head of the town of Talat NYaaqoub, said authorities are working to clear roads in Al Haouz province to allow passage for ambulances and aid to populations affected, but said large distances between mountain villages mean it will take time to learn the extent of the damage.

The Moroccan military deployed aircraft, helicopters and drones and emergency services mobilised aid efforts to the areas hit by damages, but roads leading to the mountain region around the epicentre were jammed with vehicles and blocked with collapsed rocks, slowing rescue efforts.

World leaders offered to send in aid or rescue crews as condolences poured in from countries in Europe, the Middle East and the Group of 20 summit in India.

The president of Turkey, which lost tens of thousands of people in a massive earthquake earlier this year, was among those proposing assistance.

France and Germany, with large populations of people of Moroccan origin, also offered to help, and the leaders of both Ukraine and Russia expressed support for Moroccans.

Advertisement

In an exceptional move, neighbouring rival Algeria offered to open its airspace to allow eventual humanitarian aid or medical evacuation flights to travel to and from Morocco.

Algeria closed the airspace when its government severed diplomatic ties with Morocco in 2021 over a series of issues.

Moulay Brahim village, near the epicentre of an earthquake, outside Marrakech, Morocco (Mosaab Elshamy/AP)

The countries have a decades-long dispute involving the territory of Western Sahara.

The US Geological Survey said the quake had a preliminary magnitude of 6.8 when it hit at 11.11pm local time. The agency reported a magnitude 4.9 aftershock hit 19 minutes later.

The epicentre of Fridays tremor was near the town of Ighil in Al Haouz province, roughly 43 miles south of Marrakesh.

Fridays quake was felt as far away as Portugal and Algeria, according to the Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere and Algerias Civil Defence agency, which oversees emergency response.
Two men have been arrested in the UK under the Official Secrets Act amid allegations that a parliamentary researcher spied for China.

The researcher has had links to several senior Tory MPs, including security minister Tom Tugendhat and foreign affairs committee chairwoman Alicia Kearns.

Advertisement

He was arrested along with another man by officers on March 13 on suspicion of spying for Beijing, it was revealed by the Sunday Times.

Officers from the Metropolitan Polices Counter Terrorism Command, which oversees espionage-related offences, are investigating.

Minister of State for Security Tom Tugendhat (Danny Lawson/PA)

Advertisement

One of the men, in his 30s, was detained in Oxfordshire on March 13th, while the other, in his 20s, was arrested in Edinburgh, Scotland Yard said.

Both were held on suspicion of offences under section one of the Official Secrets Act 1911, which punishes offences that are said to be prejudicial to the safety or interests of the state.

Advertisement

Searches were also carried out at both the residential properties, as well as at a third address in east London, a statement from the force said.

Both men were held at a south London police station until being bailed until early October.

Advertisement

Mr Tugendhat is said not to have had any contact with the researcher since before he became security minister in September last year.

Ms Kearns declined to comment, adding: While I recognise the public interest, we all have a duty to ensure any work of the authorities is not jeopardised.

The Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China pressure group said it was appalled at reports of the infiltration of the UK Parliament by someone allegedly acting on behalf of the Peoples Republic of China.

A source close to Ms Kearns told the PA news agency: It is inevitable the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) would target and seek to undermine Parliaments leading voices who have demonstrated the ability to constrain the CCPs ambitions.

Advertisement

I am aware of the Sunday Times report. I will not be commenting.



While I recognise the public interest, we all have a duty to ensure any work of the Authorities is not jeopardised.  Alicia Kearns MP (@aliciakearns) September 9, 2023

Advertisement

Advertisement

They said that the allegations, if true, would be a serious escalation and shows the CCP will go to any length to attack thorns in their side.

The arrests emerged a little over a week after Britain's foreign secretary James Cleverly visited Beijing amid criticism from some senior Conservatives, who are critics of China.

He insisted the UK would have a pragmatic relationship with China to tackle major global issues such as climate change.

Former Tory leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith, one of the partys most prominent China hawks, warned of a deepening threat being posed by the country under Chinese president Xi Jinping.

Sir Iain told PA: This story gives the lie to the governments attempt not to see China as a systemic threat.

Time for us to recognise the deepening threat that the CCP under Xi now pose. What price was Cleverlys kowtow visit to Beijing?

A report from parliaments spy agency watchdog, the Intelligence and Security Committee, warned in July that Beijing is targeting the UK prolifically and aggressively.

Last year, MI5 issued a rare security alert, warning MPs that a suspected Chinese spy called Christine Lee had engaged in political interference activities on behalf of Chinas ruling communist regime.

Advertisement

Labour MP Barry Gardiner, the former chair of the now disbanded Chinese in Britain APPG, received more than 500,000 in donations from her before the warning.

Downing Street said it does not comment on security matters. The UK's House of Commons has been contacted.
A rare, powerful earthquake has struck Morocco, sending people racing from their beds into the streets and toppling buildings in mountainous villages and ancient cities not built to withstand such force.

More than 2,000 people were killed and the toll was expected to rise as rescuers struggled on Saturday to reach hard-hit remote areas where the dead were buried even as desperate efforts were under way to save those trapped.

Advertisement

The magnitude-6.8 quake, the biggest to hit the North African country in 120 years, sent people fleeing their homes in terror and disbelief late on Friday.

One man said dishes and wall hangings began raining down, and people were knocked off their feet.



A man stands next to a damaged hotel after an earthquake in Moulay Brahim village, outside Marrakesh, Morocco (Mosaab Elshamy/AP)

Advertisement

Advertisement

The enormity of the destruction came into view in the daylight.

The quake brought down walls made from stone and masonry not constructed to endure quakes, covering whole communities with rubble and leaving residents picking their way precariously through remains.

A tent typically used for celebrations was erected for shelter in the centre of the impoverished mountain community of Moulay Brahim, where homes made of clay and brick were largely left uninhabitable.

Fathers sobbed into phones telling loved ones about losing their children.

Advertisement

Bodies covered with blankets lay in the health centre next to a mosque as doctors pulled shards from peoples feet and treated surface wounds.

Theres nothing to do but pray, said Hamza Lamghani, who lost five of his closest friends.

People could be seen on state TV clustering in the streets of historic Marrakesh, afraid to go back inside buildings that might still be unstable.

Many wrapped themselves in blankets as they tried to sleep outside.

Advertisement



Children observe their home area of Moulay Brahim, which was damaged by the earthquake (Mosaab Elshamy/AP)

Marrakeshs famous Koutoubia Mosque, built in the 12th century, was damaged, but the extent was not immediately clear.

Its 69-metre (226ft) minaret is known as the roof of Marrakesh.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Moroccans also posted videos showing damage to parts of the famous red walls that surround the old city, a Unesco World Heritage Site.

At least 2,012 people died in the quake, mostly in Marrakesh and five provinces near the epicentre, Moroccos Interior Ministry reported on Saturday night.

At least another 2,059 people were injured  1,404 critically  the ministry said.

The problem is that where destructive earthquakes are rare, buildings are simply not constructed robustly enough to cope with strong ground shaking, so many collapse, resulting in high casualties, said Bill McGuire, professor emeritus of geophysical and climate hazards at University College London.

I would expect the final death toll to climb into the thousands once more is known. As with any big quake, aftershocks are likely, which will lead to further casualties and hinder search and rescue.

In a sign of the huge scale of the disaster, Moroccos King Mohammed VI ordered the armed forces to mobilise specialised search and rescue teams and a surgical field hospital, according to a statement from the military.

The king said he would visit the hardest-hit area, but despite an outpouring of offers of help from around the world, the Moroccan government had not formally asked for assistance, a step required before outside rescue crews could deploy.

Advertisement

Ayoub Toudite said he had been working out with friends at a gym in Moulay Brahim, which is carved into a mountainside south of Marrakesh, when we felt a huge shake like it was doomsday.



Villagers stand next to rubble after an earthquake in Moulay Brahim village (Mosaab Elshamy/AP)

In 10 seconds, he said, everything was gone.

We are all terrified that this happens again, said Mr Toudite, who made a desperate plea on social media to send more ambulances to the area.

Rescuers were using hammers and axes to free a man trapped under a two-storey building.

People capable of squeezing into the tiny space were giving him water.

Hundreds of men gathered in town as more than a dozen blanket-covered bodies were carried down the hill from the health centre to the square.

They knelt on rugs and prayed for the dead in a funeral ritual before taking them to be buried.

The epicentre of Fridays tremor was near the town of Ighil in Al Haouz Province, roughly 70 kilometres (44 miles) south of Marrakesh.

Al Haouz is known for scenic villages and valleys tucked in the High Atlas Mountains.



A tractor helps remove rubble during a rescue operation for people affected by the earthquake in Moulay Brahim village (Mosaab Elshamy/AP)

Advertisement

The Moroccan military deployed aircraft, helicopters and drones and emergency services mobilised aid efforts to the hardest-hit areas, but roads leading to the mountain region around the epicentre were jammed with vehicles and blocked with fallen rocks, slowing rescue efforts.

Trucks loaded with blankets, camp cots and lighting equipment were trying to reach that hard-hit area, the official news agency MAP reported.

On the steep, winding switchbacks from Marrakesh to Al Haouz, ambulances with sirens blaring and honking cars veered around piles of red rock that had tumbled from the mountainside and blocked the road.

Red Cross workers tried to clear a boulder blocking the two-lane highway.

Morocco will observe three days of national mourning with flags at half-mast at all public facilities, MAP reported.

World leaders offered to send in aid or rescue crews as condolences poured in from countries in Europe, the Middle East and the Group of 20 summit in India.

The president of Turkey, which lost tens of thousands of people in a massive earthquake earlier this year, was among those proposing assistance.

France and Germany, with large populations of people of Moroccan origin, also offered to help, and the leaders of both Ukraine and Russia expressed support for Moroccans.

Advertisement

In an exceptional move, neighbouring rival Algeria offered to open its airspace to allow eventual humanitarian aid or medical evacuation flights to travel to and from Morocco.

Algeria closed the airspace when its government severed diplomatic ties with Morocco in 2021 over a series of issues.



A cracked mosque minaret after an earthquake in Moulay Brahim (Mosaab Elshamy/AP)

The countries have a decades-long dispute involving the territory of Western Sahara.

The US Geological Survey said the quake had a preliminary magnitude of 6.8 when it hit at 11.11pm (2211 GMT), with shaking that lasted several seconds.

The US agency reported that a magnitude 4.9 aftershock hit 19 minutes later.

The collision of the African and Eurasian tectonic plates occurred at a relatively shallow depth, which makes a quake more dangerous.

Earthquakes are relatively rare in North Africa.

Lahcen Mhanni, head of the Seismic Monitoring and Warning Department at the National Institute of Geophysics, told 2M TV that the earthquake was the strongest ever recorded in the region.

In 1960, a magnitude 5.8 tremor struck near the Moroccan city of Agadir and caused thousands of deaths.

That quake prompted changes in construction rules in Morocco, but many buildings, especially rural homes, are not built to withstand such tremors.

In 2004, a 6.4 magnitude earthquake near the Mediterranean coastal city of Al Hoceima left more than 600 dead.

Fridays quake was felt as far away as Portugal and Algeria, according to the Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere and Algerias Civil Defence agency, which oversees emergency response.
If I were clever, I would have followed through on an idea I had a handful of years ago and set up an investment fund to put money into the businesses whose CEOs spend most time in Canberra schmoozing politicians. These companies have an outsized knack of securing government grants and competitive favours. I would be rich by now and scrolling gleefully through my share portfolio.

Instead, I spend my time scrolling through reader comments. There, its come to my attention that many readers think the Qantas scandal and others like it are expressions of neoliberalism. When people begin to subscribe to that view, it disguises the real source of structural unfairness, which is those schmoozing CEOs securing their companies an unearned advantage.

Illustration: Andrew Dyson. Credit:

So lets talk about neoliberalism, baby, as a nerd version of Salt-N-Pepa mightve sung. Lets talk about all the good things and the bad things that make up our economy.

Neoliberalism is a political approach that favours free-market capitalism, deregulation, and reduction in government spending. Legend has it, we once had something approaching it in Australia, when Bob Hawke and Paul Keating stopped subsidising a bunch of industries, dismantled the protectionist tariff system, deregulated the financial system and floated the dollar.
Governments worldwide are failing to cut global greenhouse emissions rapidly enough to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees and avoid catastrophic climate change and there is a rapidly narrowing window to act.

The most comprehensive stocktake of climate action made by the United Nations to date found that global emissions were not in line with the 1.5-degree temperature goals of the 2015 Paris Agreement and meeting these targets will require phasing out all unabated fossil fuels.

A forest fire near the village of Sykorrahi, Greece. Recent wildfires in the country have killed 20 people. Credit: AP

This finding stands in stark contrast to the actions of countries like Australia, which is still approving new coal mines and gas exploration.

The need to phase out fossil fuels has not been explicitly adopted by the UN before, but the 47-page report does not identify which countries are failing to adequately cut emissions, or what action they need to take. This report will inform negotiations at the next UN climate summit, Cop28, to be held in Dubai in November.
Anyone who has stood in isolation among the 300-metre cliffs, slot canyons and waterfalls of the Blue Mountains cannot help but be in awe of that wilderness and stunning visual backdrop. Stand there at night and the darkness displays the Milky Way overhead to great effect.

The stunning Greater Blue Mountains and its unique variety of plants and animals received UNESCO World Heritage status in 2000 on the basis of its natural significance. Now there is a move to have its World Heritage status expanded to cover its cultural heritage.

As reporter Julie Power reveals in our story today, a week-long conference of the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) has ended with federal and state politicians backing calls by Indigenous elders to have their cultural heritage recognised in more UNESCO heritage listings. The council makes recommendations to UNESCO. The Greater Blue Mountains Area is a case in point.

The Blue Mountains: not only a natural wonder, but a cultural site too.

There are 20 UNESCO World Heritage sites in Australia with 12 of those sites achieving world heritage status based on natural criteria, such as the Great Barrier Reef, and just four listings based on cultural criteria. The remaining four, which include Uluru and Kakadu, have achieved recognition for their blend of natural and cultural assets.
Three men have died in two separate car crashes in just a five-hour period on the states roads overnight.

The first crash occurred on Friday night on the outskirts of Bowral when a sedan carrying two men in their 30s crashed into a telegraph pole about 8pm.

The crash scene in Bowral. Credit: TNV

Police officers went to the scene of the crash on Eridge Park Road in the village of Burradoo near Bowral and found both the driver and passenger dead.

A crime scene was established and they are now investigating the circumstances of the crash.
Gavin Preston, with his nickname Capable tattooed on his neck. Credit: Facebook In the first, Preston was enlisted to help recover a $2500 drug debt in January 2012. The man was unarmed and Preston shot him without provocation or threat. He was in obvious distress and was completely at your mercy, Supreme Court Justice Cameron Macaulay said at Prestons 2015 sentence hearing. You fired several times. After the first shot, while he was in agony and terror, you simply shot him again. He owed you nothing. You were doing this purely for money. In February 2012, Preston claimed he went unarmed to the North Melbourne apartment of Adam Khoury to discuss threats and negotiate a truce with the drug dealers associate, Christopher Badness Binse. Binse, a notorious criminal, was determined to avenge his friend Mitchells shooting outside Dohertys Gym in Brunswick in November 2011, by detonating explosives under Prestons car.

Loading Binse had stalked Preston after the Mitchell shooting, placed a tracking device on his car and took photographs of Prestons partner. Preston claimed to police that Khoury panicked during the encounter and pulled a gun before the pair wrestled, and Preston shot the drug dealer three times, including at close range to the head. At the time, Preston was under police surveillance, but officers were sent home for the night half an hour before Khoury was killed. Preston pleaded guilty to defensive homicide and recklessly causing serious injury over the two shootings.

Prestons rise to criminal infamy began at an early age and was swift. He was raised in Sunshine, the eldest of two brothers. His father worked in the railways and his mother stayed home with her boys. He left school in year 11, but by then was already associated with various characters who have become known in Melbourne criminal circles, Macaulay detailed in 2015. Mick Gatto last year. Preston was previously accused of plotting to kill the gangland figure. Credit: Eddie Jim Preston notched his first conviction at age 18 for unlawful assault and property damage. A year later, he was jailed for the first time for intentionally or recklessly causing serious injury. That was the first of a string of sentences for assaults, armed robbery, car theft, aggravated burglary, firearm possession and drug dealing.

It was after his release from jail in 2007 that Preston first attempted to turn his life around. He lived with his girlfriend, got a full-time job, obtained qualifications in construction and kept himself out of trouble. Preston once told his lawyer he enjoyed the responsibility of work and he became like one of the people on the tram  an ordinary person. Gavin Preston (right) with his partner Lauran Howe. Credit: Facebook But in 2011, Prestons younger brother died of a heroin overdose, and it plunged him into despair and off the rails. Old habits die hard.

Preston was one of the prime suspects, along with Nabil Maghnie, in the near-fatal shooting of Mitchell. Neither was charged. Months later, police intercepted Maghnie and Preston with a loaded gun ahead of an alleged plan to murder Gatto, for reasons that remain unclear. The charges over the plot were later dropped. Toby Mitchell leaves court last year. Preston was suspected of shooting the former Bandido in 2011. Credit: Jason South Maghnie was shot dead in an Epping street in January 2020, a crime that remains unsolved. In early December 2011, Preston was arrested for possessing a firearm and spent a few weeks in prison on remand. When he was released just after Christmas, he heard rumours about threats to his life and became anxious and paranoid.

During his 2015 sentence hearing, the judge said that because of Prestons criminal allegiances, history of violence and prisoner interaction dynamics, he spent most of his time behind bars in protective custody. While in Barwon Prison as he awaited sentence, Preston became involved in a brutal feud with former friend Matthew Johnson, head of the jail gang Prisoners of War. Johnson was in jail for murdering crime boss Carl Williams. Nabil Maghnie outside court in 2019. He was shot dead in 2020. Credit: Chris Hopkins In 2014, five inmates armed with knives, metal bars and spikes stabbed Preston more than 20 times. He refused to provide a statement against his assailants. Video of the assault was later published on YouTube by people purporting to represent Prisoners of War.
Nationals frontbencher Barnaby Joyce has failed in his bid to secure broader grassroots support to abolish the partys policy of reaching net zero emissions by 2050, in a fiery free-wheeling debate on the floor of the Nationals Federal Conference.

At the conference in Canberra on Saturday attended by more than 100 National Party delegates, Joyce supported a motion that called on the federal party room to abolish its policy of net zero by 2050 and adopt a policy that will reduce Australias CO2 emissions in collaboration with the rest of the world.

Nationals frontbencher Barnaby Joyce (right) is pushing to abolish the partys support for net zero emissions by 2050, putting him at odds with Leader David Littleproud and the broader Coalition. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen

But amid a flurry of proposed amendments, points of order, assertions of wrong procedure and mass confusion, the motion was gutted to remove any reference to abolishing net zero with majority support from the floor.

Joyce, who was backed by Nationals senator Matt Canavan in objecting to the motion being changed, argued on the conference floor that the move to net zero was the most substantive change to the economics of this nation.
London: King Charles has thanked the public for their love and support on the anniversary of the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, and his accession to the throne, echoing her words as he vowed to be of service to all.

Elizabeth, Britains longest-reigning sovereign, died at age 96 on September 8 last year at Balmoral Castle, her Scottish summer retreat, after a 70-year reign.

A tribute to the late Queen Elizabeth II is tucked into the gates of Buckingham Palace in London. Credit: AP

In marking the first anniversary of her late majestys death and my accession, we recall with great affection her long life, devoted service and all she meant to so many of us, Charles said in a statement issued on Friday, UK time.

I am deeply grateful, too, for the love and support that has been shown to my wife and myself during this year as we do our utmost to be of service to you all.
Dubai: An Australian businessman who once tried to broker the sale of the Manly Sea Eagles to Qatari investors is uniting five royal families across the Gulf in a $3.1 billion film studio venture on the coast of the Arabian Sea.

Billing the project as an antidote to Hollywoods protracted shutdown, Sydney businessman Michael Ibrahim has courted funding from royals in Qatar, Oman, Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Saudi Arabia, with big-sky plans to begin construction of the studio in April 2024.

The proposed site in Duqm, Oman, stretches 45 hectares, with sweeping coastal views and dramatic rock cliffs. Perhaps most importantly, the area lies inside Duqms Special Economic Zone, where businesses enjoy zero tax for 30 years, no currency restrictions and 100 per cent repatriation of profits.

Sydney businessman Michael Ibrahim says Arabiawood is coming to the Gulf. Credit: Rhett Wyman

Weve got Hollywood, weve got Bollywood, now here comes Arabiawood, said the Vaucluse-based Ibrahim, who has conducted business in commodities and property between Australia and the Middle East for 23 years.
Washington: A special grand jury that probed Donald Trumps attempts to overturn the 2020 election in Georgia recommended charging Republican senator Lindsey Graham and a string of other allies to the former president, but prosecutors ultimately decided against the move.

One week after Trump pleaded not guilty to election interference in Georgia, a newly released report has revealed that an Atlanta-based jury panel called for a slew of indictments that went far beyond the charges issued against the former president and 18 co-conspirators for allegedly trying to subvert Joe Bidens victory.

Republican senator Lindsey Graham in March 2022. Credit: AP

A special purpose jury empaneled to consider the evidence had recommended charging 39 people in total. This included Graham, a long-time Trump loyalist, as well as other high-profile Republicans, among them former Trump national security adviser Michael Flynn and former Georgia state senators David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler.

However, Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis chose not to take up the recommendations, which likely meant she did not believe there was sufficient evidence to convict them beyond reasonable doubt.
ATIS' Next G Alliance and Bharat 6G Alliance have signed a pact to explore collaboration opportunities on 6G wireless technologies, according to a release.

The work will encompass aligning research and development priorities that support a common 6G vision and creating secure and trusted telecommunications as well as resilient supply chains.

"ATIS' Next G Alliance and the Bharat 6G Alliance today announced they have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore collaboration opportunities on 6G wireless technologies," the release said.

Launched by the Alliance for Telecommunications Industry Solutions (ATIS), the Next G Alliance is an initiative to advance North American wireless technology leadership over the next decade through private sector-led efforts with the initial focus on 6G.

"The efforts of its working groups in Applications, Green G, National 6G Roadmap, Societal and Economic Needs, Spectrum and Technology are building the foundation for North American leadership in 6G and beyond," the release added.

Bharat 6G Alliance, on the other hand, is an initiative of Indian industry, academia, national research institutions and standards organisations.

Its purpose is aligned with the Bharat 6G Mission to design, develop and deploy technology and innovations that provide an intelligent and secure solution for the high-quality living experience of citizens in India and globally.

Bharat 6G Alliance aims to promote the ecosystem for research, design, development, IPR creation, field testing, security, certification and manufacturing of telecom products and solutions.

The MoU between the two sides was signed by ATIS President and CEO Susan Miller and Bharat 6G Alliance Chair NG Subramaniam.

"We see the agreement with Bharat 6G Alliance as a critical link in advancing both organisations' objectives in the development of the global 6G mobile wireless ecosystem," Miller said.

India has a vision for the empowerment of society at large with sustainability as its core, and the next generation of 6G will enhance the quality of life, Subramaniam said.

"This would entail focused, open and collaborative research amongst nations, dedicating resources to contribute to national, regional and global standards and developing products meeting those exacting standards. The MoU with Next G Alliance is an important step in this direction," Subramaniam said.

Also Read Brookfield weighing stake sale in Indian tower business, says report Intel to drop $5.4 billion Tower deal after China review delayed: Reports Icra cuts telecom tower industry outlook to negative from stable Indus Towers' macro tower installations grow by 6.3% to reach 200,000 units RailTel's total income up 27% to Rs 2,002 crore in FY23: RailTel CMD REC signs pact with PFC committing stronger revenue in FY24, FY25 Strides Pharma gets USFDA approval for generic Sevelamer Carbonate Tata Comm moves ITAT against Rs 228.49 cr TDS order by Income Tax Dept GST dept imposes Rs 2.64 lakh fine on Pidilite on input tax credit issue Reliance Retail total debt up 73%; RRVL expected to continue pumping money
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak reviewed the progress of the ongoing Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations, on Saturday.

PM Modi met Sunak, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Italian Prime Minister Georgia Meloni on the sidelines of the G20 summit in New Delhi.

Under discussion since 2022, the FTA has seen 12 rounds of talks. India had earlier expected to resolve pending issues such as rules of origin, bilateral investment treaty and intellectual property rights, among others, by the end of August.

Out of the total 26 chapters in the proposed FTA, 19 have been closed.

Indian-origin Sunak is on his first visit to India since becoming Prime Minister in October 2022.

"Both leaders expressed hope that the remaining issues could be addressed at the earliest so that a balanced, mutually beneficial and forward-looking FTA is concluded soon," an official readout released after the meeting said.

Prime Minister Modi also invited Prime Minister Sunak for a bilateral visit at an early, mutually convenient date for a more detailed discussion. "Prime Minister Sunak accepted the invitation," the readout said.

Meanwhile, Modi conveyed his appreciation for the UK's support during India's G20 presidency, marked by high-level participation at various G20 meetings and events.

The two leaders also noted the progress in diverse areas of bilateral cooperation as per the India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, as well as the Roadmap 2030, particularly in the economy, defence and security, technology, green technology and climate change, health and mobility sectors.

Both leaders also exchanged views on international and regional issues of importance and mutual interest.

Japan, Italy Meetings

Modi and Kishida acknowledged the constructive dialogue of the two countries throughout the year on their priorities for their respective G20 and G7 presidencies, particularly in bringing the concerns and aspirations of the global south to the fore.

The leaders held discussions on various facets of the India-Japan bilateral partnership, including on infrastructure development, technological collaboration, investments and energy, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said.

Also Read Heading to India with a clear focus, says Rishi Sunak ahead of G20 Summit G20 Summit 2023: UK PM Rishi Sunak shares his vision for UK-India relations Want easier intra-company transfers for workers: India on UK FTA talks Rishi Sunak lands in the eye of the storm due to his pen; here's why Piyush Goyal to visit UK for FTA negotiations, review progress of TEPA G20 countries to focus on skill gaps, work and social protection policies G20 nations have unanimously adopted New Delhi Declaration: Amitabh Kant Indian G20 presidency has walked the talk on MDBs, inclusion: FM Sitharaman Modi, Sunak agree to 'work at pace' towards FTA at G20 bilateral meet Multi-billion dollar India-Nigeria infra deal to boost agriculture, ports

Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to further deepening the India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership.

His meeting with Meloni took stock of the progress in diverse areas of the India-Italy Strategic Partnership and agreed to bolster cooperation in areas like defence and new and emerging technologies, the MEA said.

This is Meloni's second visit to India, following her state visit in March 2023. Back then, bilateral relations were raised to the level of strategic partnership. Both countries have completed 75 years of the establishment of diplomatic relations.

Modi has appreciated Italy's support for India's G20 Presidency and Italy's joining of the Global Biofuel Alliance and the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor, the Ministry of External Affairs said.

The corridor plans to connect India to Europe via West Asia.
Ahead of the assembly election in Madhya Pradesh, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has accused Congress Rajya Sabha member Digvijaya Singh of spreading lies through a doctored video.

"Congress has the support of lies. But this time false and fake support will not help. That's why Congress has to face public anger," Chouhan said on X (formerly Twitter), sharing screenshots of a post by Singh related to a video showing an "opinion poll" claiming it to be from a news channel.

The chief minister also posted screenshots of the tweets of the news channel's officials, terming the "survey" shared by Singh and other Congress leaders fake and doctored.

The video shared by Digvijaya Singh claims to be revealing the findings of an opinion poll, in which Congress is apparently poised to get an overwhelming majority in BJP-governed Madhya Pradesh.

The assembly elections in Madhya Pradesh are due in November.

War of words between the BJP and Congress

Slamming the Congress leader, Madhya Pradesh home minister Narottam Mishra said, "Digvijaya Singh is showing the distorted shape of politics by using social media. They ran a fake poll survey attributing it to ABP while the news channel's managing editor termed it fake. This is not the first time he has done it."

According to Mishra, Digvijaya Singh had earlier said that there could be Nuh-like violence in Madhya Pradesh and had shared a picture of a "saffron flag on a mosque," claiming it to be from Khargone. Nuh in Haryana was recently hit by communal violence.

BJP state chief VD Sharma also hit out at Singh and said that such kind of acts show the frustration of Congress leaders.

On the other hand, Madhya Pradesh Congress media department chairman KK Mishra said, "Instead of blaming Congress leaders, they should file a case against such persons who have been circulating the clip for the past two days," he said.

Also Read Trying to wash his sins: Kamal Nath slams Shivraj Chouhan's welfare schemes Grassroot leaders leaving BJP: Digvijaya Singh's jibe at Jan Ashirwad Yatra Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Chouhan expands his cabinet ahead of elections Ahead of polls, women in Madhya Pradesh get 'rakhi gift' from CM Shivraj Madhya Pradesh election 2023: Shivraj Singh Chouhan to expand cabinet today AAP releases first list of candidates for Madhya Pradesh assembly elections MP elections 2023: Congress to take out Jan Aakrosh Yatra from Sept 15 7 booked for attack on BJP Yatra in MP; Minister claims Cong association Grassroot leaders leaving BJP: Digvijaya Singh's jibe at Jan Ashirwad Yatra Rajnath Singh calls Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Chouhan 'Dhoni of Politics'

Earlier in August, the Madhya Pradesh police registered a case against Digvijaya Singh after a tweet by his official X account claimed that some alleged "anti-social elements of Bajrang Dal" ransacked the Jain temple complex at Kundalpur in Damoh district and kept a "Shiv Pindi" there.
President Droupadi Murmu will host the special dinner for leaders attending the G20 Leaders' Summit in New Delhi on Saturday. The dinner will witness a musical performance showcasing ancient classical instruments like "Ravanahatha" and "Rudra Veena", among others.

The ceremonial dinner will be held at the Bharat Mandapam venue of the G20 Summit in the national capital. It will celebrate the country's rich musical heritage - a mix of classical and contemporary music styles.

The performance "Bharat Vadya Darshanam" - Musical Journey of India, by the Gaandharva Aaradhyam group will be showcased during the dinner hosted by President Murmu.

The 18th G20 Leaders Summit has brought together leaders from the world's 20 major economies and the European Union.

"The three-hour-long performance at the G20 special dinner during the special dinner will see ancient musical instruments like 'Ravanahatha' to 'Rudra Veena', as well as the tabla and piano being played," Minister of State Meenakshi Lekhi was quoted as saying by ANI.

"We have the legacy of Hindustani and Carnatic music. Specially abled artists will also perform at the dinner hosted by President Murmu. This would be a very proud moment for all of us," Lekhi said.

Earlier today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed global leaders and heads of state at the venue. PM Modi expressed confidence that the gathering of world leaders will chart a new path in human-centric and inclusive development.

The African Union (AU) was also given a seat on the bloc.

The theme of this year's G20 Summit, which is taking place under India's presidency, "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam," or "One Earth, One Family, One Future" - is drawn from the ancient Sanskrit text of the Maha Upanishad. Essentially, the theme affirms the value of all life, animal, plant, andmicroorganismd their interconnectedness on the planet Earth and in the wider universe.

This is the first time that India is hosting the G20 Summit.

The countries participating in the G20 Summit include Nigeria, Argentina, Italy, the AU (represented by Comoros), and South Africa. Bangladesh, the United Kingdom, Japan, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Egypt, Australia, the United States, Canada, China, UAE, Brazil, Indonesia, and Turkey, Spain, Germany, France, Mauritius, the European Union, and Singapore.

Also Read From marinated millets to stuffed mushrooms, White House menu for PM Modi Gala dinner showcases spirituality, pilgrimage & heritage at G20 ACWG meet Who all will attend the President's G20 dinner today? Check full list here G20 Summit: Cong chief Mallikarjun Kharge not invited to President's dinner Embellished trees, floral works: New Delhi gets ready for G20 Summit Bengaluru police get over 15,000 SIM cards used by fraudsters blocked Defining milestone: Sunil Mittal on African Union joining G20 as member Want easier intra-company transfers for workers: India on UK FTA talks Fire erupts in electric meter box at Mumbai housing society, no injuries 24 pilgrims from West Bengal wounded in bus accident near Lucknow

(With agency inputs)
India welcomed its guests for the G20 Summit being held in New Delhi from September 9 to September 10. Leaders of the participating nations and other prominent dignitaries were received by various ministers. US President Joe Biden, British PM Rishi Sunak, Japanese PM Fumio Kishida were among the leaders who have arrived in Delhi.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi held productive bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the G20 Summit. Here is a recap of the events that happened on September 8 ahead of the G20 Summit.

Biden lauds India's Presidency, reaffirms support for permanent seat at UNSC

US President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday exuded confidence that the outcomes of the G20 Summit will advance the shared goals of accelerating sustainable development, bolstering multilateral cooperation and building consensus around inclusive economic policies to address greatest global challenges.

In their over 50-minute talks, Modi and Biden vowed to "deepen and diversify" the bilateral major defence partnership while welcoming forward movement in India's procurement of 31 drones and joint development of jet engines.

The two leaders also deliberated on cooperation in nuclear energy, critical and emerging technologies such as 6G and artificial intelligence, and ways to fundamentally "reshape" multilateral development banks.

A joint statement issued at the end of the talks said President Biden lauded India's G20 Presidency for further "demonstrating" how the G20 as a forum is delivering important outcomes.

Continuing to share the view that global governance must be more inclusive and representative, President Biden reaffirmed his support for a reformed UN Security Council with India as a permanent member, the joint statement said.

India, Bangladesh sign 3 MoUs after bilateral meet

As Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Bangladesh counterpart Sheikh Hasina held a bilateral talk in New Delhi on Friday, the two countries also signed three memorandum of understanding (MoUs), including one on cooperation in Digital Payment mechanisms.

"The MoU on cooperation in Digital Payment mechanism was signed between National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) and Bangladesh Bank," the Ministry of External Affairs said in an official release.

Another MoU focused on the renewal of the Cultural Exchange Program (CEP) between India and Bangladesh for 2023-2025. The third MoU was signed between the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and the Bangladesh Agriculture Research Council (BARC).

Also Read Day 1 G20 Summit 2023: Schedule, meetings, key events, and other highlights Biden and Modi's G20 meeting agenda: GE Jets, climate & cooperation Pro Kabaddi League 2023 to kick-start on Dec 2; 12-city caravan returns Pro Kabaddi League announces new dates for PKL 2023 auction; check dates Asia Cup 2023 full schedule, match timing, venues, live streaming in India Top headlines: Modi-Biden bilateral meet ahead of G20, Adani's JV, and more TDP chief, former Andhra CM Chandrababu Naidu arrested in corruption case LIVE: Over 600 dead after powerful earthquake strikes Morocco, says report India all set to host G20 Summit in Delhi: Here's what's on agenda Uttarakhand CM lays foundation stone for development projects in Haridwar

PM Modi, Sheikh Hasina also looked forward to beginning of negotiations on the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), covering trade in goods, and services, and protecting and promoting investment, the MEA release said.

The full range of bilateral cooperation, including political and security cooperation, border management, trade and connectivity, water resources, power and energy, development collaboration, and cultural and people-to-people linkages, was discussed by the two leaders.

Nirmala Sitharaman hosts dinner for G20 Finance Ministers

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman hosted a dinner for Finance Ministers of the G20 countries and the heads of international organisations on Friday ahead of the leaders' summit in Delhi.

Internal Monetary Fund (IMF) chief Kristalina Georgieva and World Trade Organisation (WTO) Chief Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala were in attendance at the dinner.

"Smt @nsitharaman hosted the #G20 Finance Ministers and Heads of International Organisations over dinner ahead of the #G20 #LeadersSummit in New Delhi. @g20org #G20India," the office of Nirmala Sitharaman posted on X.

It is the first-ever G20 Summit in India and will be held at Bharat Mandapam in the national capital on September 9 and 10.

'Look forward' to cooperation in space sector: Mauritius PM Jugnauth

Mauritius Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth on Friday congratulated PM Modi on the success of the Chandrayaan-3 mission and looked forward to further cooperation between the two sides in the space sector, the Ministry of the External Affairs said in an official release. Prime Minister Jugnauth thanked PM Modi for the special invitation extended to Mauritius to participate in the G20 format as a 'Guest Country'.

Mauritius' active engagement in the G20 Working Groups and Ministerial Meetings under India's G20 Presidency. was appreciated by PM Modi.

The two leaders reviewed the multi-faceted bilateral cooperation between India and Mauritius. They noted the rapid pace of bilateral exchanges in the past year, with more than 30 delegation visits and the signing of 23 bilateral agreements, the MEA release said.

'Ready to host any kind of event': G20 Special Secy

As Delhi gears up for the two-day leaders' summit, G20 Special Secretary, Muktesh Pardeshi, on Friday said that one of the advantages of the gala event would be that it will allow India to show that it is "ready to host any kind of event".

"There is a support staff that is reviewing the security and other arrangements. Craftspeople are there who are participating. Managing all of this is a huge organisational scheme. We have been working on it for months. One of the advantages of the G-20 summit would be that we can tell the world that we are ready to organise any kind of event," Muktesh Pardeshi told ANI while speaking on the arrangements of the event.

Further, speaking on the arrangement for delegates in Bharat Mandapam, the special secretary said that the team is prepared to manage 10,000 people in the summit.

"And they are divided into many groups. One is for VVIPs, heads of delegations, leaders, and ministers. After that accompanying delegation, country delegation. Other than that, we are expecting 2500-3000 media (personnel). Then there are Indian government employees," he said.

South Korea launches advertising campaign to highlight 'friendship'

An ambient advertising campaign titled '50 years of friendship and trust to the shining future of Korea and India' has garnered significant attention as India prepares to host the 18th G20 summit on Saturday.

The G20 summit which is being held under India's presidency this year in New Delhi, will witness the participation of South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol as well.

In anticipation of President Yoon Suk Yeol's participation in the India G20 Summit beginning on September 9 and the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between South Korea and India, the Office of the Overseas Public Relations Secretary organized an ambient advertising campaign titled "50 Years of friendship and trust, to the shining future of Korea and India', according to a statement issued by Korean Embassy.

This promotion campaign, emphasizing the longstanding friendship and trust between the two nations, was installed in two locations in New Delhi on Wednesday last during the presidential visit.

The campaign features the commemorative slogan for the 50th anniversary of Korea-India diplomatic relations: "50 years of friendship and trust, to the shining future of Korea and India" It carries a message of moving towards a bright future based on the 50 years of friendship and trust between both countries Ambient advertising leverages the characteristics of specific locations or environments for advertising.

'Craft Bazaar' at venue showcases diverse fabrics, handicrafts of India

From south India's richly ornamented sarees to handcrafted items from the northeast -- India's rich and diverse cultural products have found pride of place at the G20 Summit venue here.

A marble replica of the Taj Mahal and tribal arts are also being exhibited as part of a 'Craft Bazaar' set up at the Bharat Mandapam complex, the venue of the summit.

Delegates and other visitors will be shown handicraft products from across India with a focus on 'One District, One Product' and GI-tagged items. It will offer the delegates a unique opportunity to purchase locally-sourced products.

G20 India Special Secretary Muktesh Pardesi told PTI on Friday that products from all states and Union Territories have been displayed at the bazaar.

(With inputs from Agencies)
Day one of the G20 leaders' summit on Saturday, which began with a grand red carpet welcome to the heads of states, had many headlines to offer. Soon after the hour-long greetings by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the world leaders as they almost walked the ramp one-by-one in black suits or their national attires and stopped by for a photo-op in the Konark Wheel background, the first headline moment of the day came. African Union was announced as a permanent member of the G20 club by the Prime Minister, making it a G21 grouping early in the morning. To a standing ovation, African Union president Comoros Azali Assoumani and Prime Minister Modi hugged as a new chapter in the G20 journey was unveiled with a strong India imprint.

The day moved on lazily with expectations that other major announcements from the summit would be made on the concluding daySunday. But the India presidency wanted to spring a surprise as the world watched. The many WhatsApp and Telegram channels, which are virtually running the summit in terms of statements and announcements of all kinds, put in a lineIndia presidency press conference at 4 pm. Murmurs started on what the presser could say at this point when the leaders were still talking! Modis video on Twitter made it clear. He made the big announcement before the presser. It is my proposal that this G20 declaration be adopted, Modi said. After the approval of the members, he announced that the declaration had been adopted. The full New Delhi declarationof some 34 pagesfollowed. That is the joint communique important leaders from the Indian side echoed. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar gave an official seal to it, saying that the Summit had adopted the G20 leaders' declaration. He and finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman gave out other details of the day's decisions at the presserbut the headline was made. It was India's victory on the world stage in the midst of geopolitical turmoil. The Russia-Ukraine war had cast a shadow on the proposed deal, but "G20 presidency had walked the talk," Sitharaman said.

Prime Minister Modi spoke at the leaders summit with a Bharat nameplate, not India. It seemed like a perfect setting for a dinner to which the G20 world leaders are headed Saturday evening. President Draupadi Murmu had triggered a debate a few days ago when her dinner invitation to the leaders had mentioned her as the President of Bharat, not India. Ministers had tweeted it over and over to send a message across.

As Modi said earlier in the day, This is the time to give the world a new direction the India presidency has become a symbol for welfare and happiness That's our message to the world. In the curtain-raiser press conference on Friday, both G20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant and foreign secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra had expressed hope that a consensus would be reached on a joint communique.

Also Read Heading to India with a clear focus, says Rishi Sunak ahead of G20 Summit G20 Summit Joint Communique decoded: Why consensus among members matters G20 Summit 2023: UK PM Rishi Sunak shares his vision for UK-India relations Biden falls onstage at graduation ceremony; White House says he's 'fine' 3-layered security, army snipers: Delhi is ready for Joe Biden's G20 visit Political events of all parties to get security in Naxal areas: C'garh CM G20 Summit 2023: What is the Global Biofuel Alliance launched today? G20 Declaration powerful call for world prosperity: India's Sherpa Kant Coal scam: Delhi court allows Cong leader Naveen Jindal to travel abroad Earthquake of magnitude 4.4 jolts Tripura's Dharmanagar, says NCS

With one more day to go for the leaders summit, most of the time will be used in bilaterals, side meetings and the softer side of Indias G20 summit. Theres a visit to Rajghat and some side meetings between the leaders before the mega summit draws to a close, with a joint communique very much in place despite Russia and China's heads of state dropping out.
Mauritius Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth on Friday congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the success of the Chandrayaan-3 mission and looked forward to further cooperation between the two sides in the space sector, the Ministry of the External Affairs said in an official release.

PM Modi met his Mauritian counterpart Jugnauth on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Delhi.

Prime Minister Jugnauth thanked PM Modi for the special invitation extended to Mauritius to participate in the G20 format as a 'Guest Country'.

Mauritius' active engagement in the G20 Working Groups and Ministerial Meetings under India's G20 Presidency. was appreciated by PM Modi.

Both leaders expressed satisfaction that the G20 events coincided with the celebration of the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two nations.

The two leaders reviewed the multi-faceted bilateral cooperation between India and Mauritius. They noted the rapid pace of bilateral exchanges in the past year, with more than 30 delegation visits and the signing of 23 bilateral agreements, the MEA release said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday "reiterated India's commitment to furthering the voice of the Global South" in a bilateral meeting with his Mauritius counterpart Pravind Jugnauth here.

"PM @KumarJugnauth and I had a very good meeting. This is a special year for India-Mauritius relations as we mark 75 years of diplomatic ties between our nations. We discussed cooperation in sectors like infrastructure, FinTech, culture and more. Also reiterated India's commitment to furthering the voice of the Global South," PM Modi said in a post on X.

Earlier today, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar held a meeting with the Mauritius Prime Minister and the two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to take forward the "truly special partnership" between India and Mauritius.

Mauritius Prime Minister highlighted India's support seen in all sectors of the Mauritian economy and said that New Delhi was the first to sign an agreement with Port Louis.

On Mauritius-India trade relations, PM Jugnauth said, "India has signed first agreement with the first country in Africa with Mauritius. The Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) is another testimony of the consideration that India has for Mauritius. This has now opened up new avenues for trade between the two countries...It is beneficial to both countries...

Also Read Chandrayaan-3: ISRO's Lander releases new images of moon from 70 km above 'I'm looking forward': PM Modi on three bilateral meetings scheduled today Embellished trees, floral works: New Delhi gets ready for G20 Summit Chandrayaan-3 set for launch: Here's a look at Isro's other lunar missions India shoots for the Moon with Chandrayaan-3: 10 facts you must know India, US to undertake midterm review of iCET in Sept 2024: Joint statement 'PM took initiative to ensure every rural household gets 55 ltr of water' US Prez Biden not planning to meet Chinese Premier Li at G20 summit Janet Yellen to work with India to aid successful communique crafting PM Modi, Prez Biden welcome jet engine pact between GE Aerospace-HAL
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday held a bilateral meeting with Japanese Prime Miniser Fumio Kishida on the sidelines of G20 summit being hosted under India's presidency this year.

The meeting was held at the G20 summit venue, Bharat Mandapam in Pragati Maidan.

Kishida arrived in the national capital yesterday to attend the G20 Leaders' Summit.

At the G20 summit in India, Kishida plans to show Japan's stance of proactively contributing to various global issues, based on the results of the G7 summit in Hiroshima in May, Japanese media reported.

"The agenda in India will include global food security, which has been affected by Russia's invasion of Ukraine, as well as development, digital transformation and other international issues," according to NHK.

Earlier this May, PM Modi had met with his Japanese counterpart in Hiroshima at the G7 Summit in Hiroshima.

The cooperation between India and Japan continues to deepen over time as the two nations share historical linkages with exchanges between the two countries being traced to the 6th century when Buddhism was introduced in Japan.

As both nations deal with the challenges provided by an aggressive China in the Asian region, India's political ties to Japan have grown significantly over the past few decades.

In the lead-up to both the G20 and G7 summits, the visit of Japanese PM Kishida to India in March bolstered further commitment between the two countries to work together for the realisation of a 'Free and Open Indo-Pacific".

India and Japan have already developed various frameworks of security partnership including a '2+2' Dialogue involving Foreign and Defence ministers. The two countries regularly participate in joint military exercises such as the Malabar Exercise and have various partnership agreements ranging from defence equipment trade to military logistics.

Japan is India's 13th-largest trading partner, whereas India is Japan's 18th-largest. With Japan's private sector investment in India steadily increasing, it is among the top five foreign investors in India.

India and Japan's joint efforts to foster a free, open, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region demonstrate the strength and potential of their ever-strengthening relationship.

Also Read Embellished trees, floral works: New Delhi gets ready for G20 Summit A look at the millet-rich culinary extravaganza that awaits G20 guests Heading to India with a clear focus, says Rishi Sunak ahead of G20 Summit G20 Summit: Cong chief Mallikarjun Kharge not invited to President's dinner Suspect indicted on attempted murder charge in explosives attack on Kishida Consensus reached on New Delhi G20 Leaders' Summit Declaration: PM Modi Furnish details about homeowners and tenants: Police ask Mumbaikars G20: PM Modi launches Global Biofuel Alliance for ethanol infused fuel G20 officially adopts New Delhi Leadership Declaration, says PM Modi Transform global trust deficit into global confidence: Modi to G20 leaders

This is the first time that the G20 Summit is taking place under India's presidency. Formed in 1999, the G20 was setup to maintain global financial stability by incorporating middle-income countries.

India assumed the G20 presidency on December 1 last year and about 200 meetings related to G20 were organized in 60 cities across the country. The 18th G20 Summit in New Delhi will be a culmination of all the G20 processes and meetings held throughout the year among ministers, senior officials, and civil societies.

A G20 Leaders' declaration will be adopted at the conclusion of the G20 Summit, stating Leaders' commitment towards the priorities discussed and agreed upon during the respective ministerial and working group meetings. The next G20 presidency is going to be taken over by Brazil in 2024, followed by South Africa in 2025.
The Congress on Friday alleged that US President Joe Biden's team has said that despite multiple requests India has not allowed media to ask questions of him and Prime Minister Narendra Modi after their bilateral meeting here.

President Biden is in Delhi to attend the G20 Summit on September 9 and 10.

"President Biden's team says despite multiple requests India has not allowed media to ask questions of him and Prime Minister Modi after their bilateral meeting," Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said on X.

"President Biden will now take questions in Vietnam on Sept 11th from the media accompanying him. Not surprising at all. This is how democracy is done Modi-style," Ramesh said.

Soon after his arrival this evening, Biden held a bilateral meeting with PM Modi at his residence.

Biden and many other dignitaries from across the world are in New Delhi for the G20 Summit. India currently holds the presidency of G20.
By Alberto Nardelli, Samy Adghirni, Michael Nienaber and Jorge Valero



Diplomats from the Group of 20 nations have hammered out compromise language on Russias invasion of Ukraine, overcoming differences between Moscow and the rest of the group that had threatened to derail hopes of a joint communique from this weekends summit.



The phrasing is broadly similar to that agreed at last years summit in Bali, Indonesia, according to people familiar with the discussions. They asked not to be identified to describe internal deliberations.

The language still must be approved by G20 leaders, but thats seen as likely now that senior staff have agreed on the language, they said.

The US and its allies had sought tougher phrasing to denounce what they see as Russias aggression. Moscow had resisted, seeking to weaken the reference, and for a time enjoyed the support of China.

The final statement is expected to directly refer to Russias war in Ukraine, rather than the against Ukraine phrasing that the US and its allies had sought. The other main sticking points centered on how to reflect different views on sanctions  some other G20 members share Russias opposition to them  and how to define a just peace for Ukraine.

Negotiations over the phrasing had run nearly around the clock in recent days and the preliminary agreement came as the leaders were beginning the formal G20 sessions Saturday in New Delhi.

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak earlier singled out China for blocking efforts to achieve consensus, telling Bloomberg News on the plane to India that the talks in the run-up to the two-day summit had been challenging.

Russia had accused the US and its allies of pressuring India over the language, though New Delhi had been pushing hard to ensure agreement on a communique.

Last years G20 summit in Bali, Indonesia, witnessed similar tensions over climate and the war before leaders managed to produce a joint statement on both issues. Since then, however, US-China ties have continued to spiral while the BRICS grouping of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa agreed to expand the club to 11 members, in a sign of resistance to the US-led world order epitomized by the G-7.

Also Read Embellished trees, floral works: New Delhi gets ready for G20 Summit Heading to India with a clear focus, says Rishi Sunak ahead of G20 Summit G20 Summit: Cong chief Mallikarjun Kharge not invited to President's dinner G20 Summit 2023: UK PM Rishi Sunak shares his vision for UK-India relations Day 1 G20 Summit 2023: Schedule, meetings, key events, and other highlights African Union joining G20 is an acknowledgement of continent of 1 bn people Biden reiterates support for India's permanent seat at UN Security Council Amid concerns, OECD suggests digital register to record estate ownership North Korea's Kim Jong Un hosts Chinese and Russian guests at a parade Legislation introduced in US House to remove high-tech barriers to India

Sunak said the UK would continue to make the case to China that what Russia is doing is wrong, and why its right to support Ukraine, particularly when it comes to food security.
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Saturday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to improve the business environment in India to realise the 5 trillion yen investment target.

Kishida conveyed this to Modi during a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the G20 Summit here, Japanese officials said.

According to the officials, Kishida stated that Japan-India relations have steadily progressed in recent years and called for cooperation in improving the investment environment in India toward the realisation of the five trillion yen target of public and private investment and financing from Japan to India in the next five years, which was set in March last year.

Both the leaders welcomed the provision of a 400 billion yen loan for the high-speed rail construction project in India, which is underway, they said.

"Held productive talks with PM Kishida. We took stock of India-Japan bilateral ties and the ground covered during India's G20 Presidency and Japan's G7 Presidency. We are eager to enhance cooperation in connectivity, commerce and other sectors," Modi said on X.

Modi said India and Japan were eager to enhance cooperation in connectivity, commerce and other sectors.

Kishida also congratulated Modi on the historic success of the landing of Chandrayaan-3 on the Moon.

The two leaders concurred to work together in such areas as maintaining and strengthening a free and open international order based on the rule of law as well as in the field of advanced technology, including space, the Japanese officials said.

In a statement, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said the leaders acknowledged the constructive dialogue of the two countries throughout the year on their priorities for their respective G20 and G7 presidencies, particularly in bringing the concerns and aspirations of the Global South to the fore.

The leaders held discussions on various facets of the India-Japan bilateral partnership, including on infrastructure development, technological collaboration, investments and energy, it added.

Both the leaders reaffirmed their commitment to further deepening the India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership, the MEA statement said.

Also Read Embellished trees, floral works: New Delhi gets ready for G20 Summit G20 Summit 2023: Here is what the New Delhi Leaders' Declaration states Heading to India with a clear focus, says Rishi Sunak ahead of G20 Summit G20 Summit: Cong chief Mallikarjun Kharge not invited to President's dinner A look at the millet-rich culinary extravaganza that awaits G20 guests G20 countries to focus on skill gaps, work and social protection policies Global Biofuel Alliance, UK-Middle-East economic corridor launched at G20 G20 Summit: Countries welcome Chennai principles for ocean-based economy President Murmu, PM Modi welcome G20 leaders, delegates at grand dinner UK, India two nations with one ambition, rooted in shared values: PM Sunak
A day ahead of the G20 Summit, it was not very clear whether a consensus on the text to describe the Ukraine crisis in the joint leaders' declaration was achieved with China appearing to emerge as the main stumbling block to bridge the differences on the contentious issue.

Multiple sources told PTI on Friday that no concrete consensus has been arrived yet on the contentious issue and that G20 Sherpas are holding hectic negotiations to find an amicable solution to the issue.

Two sources said the G7 countries are not agreeable to any leaders' declaration without reference to the Ukraine conflict, adding there are other sticky issues as well.

"But we are hopeful of overcoming them," said a source.

The G20 operates under the principle of consensus and there have been apprehensions that the lack of a common view may result in the summit ending without a joint declaration.

Both Russia and China had agreed to the two paragraphs on the Ukraine conflict in the Bali declaration last year, but they backtracked from it this year, creating difficulties for India.

Almost all key meetings held under India's G20 presidency including those of finance and foreign ministers', could not come out with consensus documents in view of opposition from Russia and China to any text referring to the Ukraine conflict.

India's G20 sherpa Amitabh Kant said New Delhi Leaders' Declaration will reflect the voice of the global south and developing countries.

"Our New Delhi Leaders' Declaration is almost ready, I would not like to dwell on it because this declaration will be recommended to the leaders during the summit and the leaders will then accept it and only after it is accepted by the leaders, we will be able to talk about the actual achievements of this declaration," he said.

"India's expectation is that all G20 members will move towards a consensus and we are hopeful of a consensus on the communique," Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra said in response to a question on the possibility of Ukraine conflict holding up an agreement on the New Delhi Declaration.

Also Read Embellished trees, floral works: New Delhi gets ready for G20 Summit Heading to India with a clear focus, says Rishi Sunak ahead of G20 Summit G20 Summit: Cong chief Mallikarjun Kharge not invited to President's dinner G20 Summit 2023: UK PM Rishi Sunak shares his vision for UK-India relations Day 1 G20 Summit 2023: Schedule, meetings, key events, and other highlights East Asia bloc including US agrees on statement omitting Ukraine war Explained: What is in Huawei's new smartphone challenger to Apple? China's Ant Group unveils finance-specific AI model as race heats up London room rental costs surpasses 1,000 per month for first time US reaffirms support for India as permanent member of UN Security Council

European Council President Charles Michel told reporters on Friday the European Union (EU) supports India's efforts to finalise a consensus leaders' declaration but asserted that the EU is firm and united in backing Ukraine in the face of Russia's aggression.

"I don't know if this is possible or not to have an agreement on a final communique, we will see. But we will defend our principles and will also support the efforts made by India," Michel said when asked on the possibility of the Ukraine crisis holding up the leaders' declaration.

Michel said Russia is isolating itself from the international community even as he referred to the consequences of the Russian invasion on developing countries in terms of food and energy security.

In this context, he referred to Moscow's withdrawal from the Black Sea Grain Initiative.

"I sincerely hope this G20 meeting is one more occasion to clarify Russian behaviour. Because by launching this war against Ukraine and by transforming the Black Sea into a battlefield, in fact, Russia is shooting a food missile against the developing countries," Michel said.

The G20 member countries represent around 85 percent of the global GDP, over 75 per cent of the global trade, and about two-thirds of the world population.

The grouping comprises Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, the UK, the US and the European Union (EU).
As the African Union became a permanent member of the G20, President of South Africa Cyril Ramaphosa on Saturday said the "global reconstruction" post the Covid 19 pandemic has brought a unique opportunity to accelerate transition to low carbon, climate resilient, sustainable societies.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the South African President expressed delight over the African Union becoming a member of the G20.

"Global reconstruction in the wake of the Covid 19 pandemic presents a unique opportunity to accelerate the transition to low-carbon, climate resilient, sustainable societies. Developing economies are bearing the brunt of climate change, despite carrying the least responsibility for this crisis," Ramaphosaon said on Saturday.

"As African and other developing economy countries, we face the task of meeting our climate commitments in the midst of significant developmental challenges like poverty, inequality and unemployment.

"Climate change, environmental degradation, unsustainable consumption and production and resource scarcity are challenges that can only be addressed collectively and with a great deal of solidarity," he said.

"South Africa calls for an enhanced and expanded Global Partnership for Sustainable Development. This must be supported by the concrete policies and actions outlined in the Addis Ababa Action Agenda on Financing for Development," he added.

In a significant milestone under India's G20 presidency, the 55-member African Union on Saturday became a new permanent member of the grouping of the largest economies of the world.

It is the first expansion of the influential bloc since its inception in 1999.

All member countries of the G20 accepted Prime Minister Narendra Modi's proposal to bring the key bloc of the Global South to the high table of the world's top economies.

Also Read Embellished trees, floral works: New Delhi gets ready for G20 Summit G20 Summit: Cong chief Mallikarjun Kharge not invited to President's dinner Heading to India with a clear focus, says Rishi Sunak ahead of G20 Summit Day 1 G20 Summit 2023: Schedule, meetings, key events, and other highlights G20 Summit Joint Communique decoded: Why consensus among members matters Former PM Nawaz Sharif likely to return to Pakistan in October: Report Voice of Africa, Global south will grow with AU inclusion: SA delegate Turkey's Erdogan urges G20 leaders to meet Russia's demands on grain deal Japan's minister to visit Ukraine with leaders to discuss reconstruction G20 Sherpas reach deal on comprehensive language for Russia war in Ukraine
President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday welcomed G20 leaders and delegates at a grand dinner hosted for them at Bharat Mandapam, the venue for the Summit, here.

They welcomed the guests before the start of the dinner at a dais, with its backdrop depicting the ruins of the Nalanda University in Bihar and India's G20 presidency theme -- 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam - One Earth, One Family, One Future'.

Nalanda university ruins, a UNESCO world heritage site in Bihar, was one of the oldest universities of the world.

President Murmu is hosting the ceremonial dinner for the G20 leaders, international delegates and other dignitaries at the Bharat Mandapam.

The newly built international convention and exhibition centre and its verdant lawns dazzled at night with colourful illumination while its gurgling fountains and the 'Nataraja' statue placed on front of the state-of-the-art building created a pretty picture.

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director and Chairman Kristalina Georgieva, dressed in Indian traditional attire Salwar Kurta, World Bank President Ajay Banga and his wife Ritu Banga and Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina were among the first to arrive at the newly built convention centre in Pragati Maidan.

In a significant milestone under India's G20 presidency, the 55-member African Union on Saturday became a new permanent member of the grouping of the largest economies of the world. It is the first expansion of the influential bloc since its inception in 1999.

All member countries of the G20 accepted Prime Minister Modi's proposal to bring the key bloc of the Global South to the high table of the world's top economies.

Earlier in the day, the President has said that India's G20 Presidency theme, Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam - One Earth, One Family, One Future', is a global roadmap for sustainable, inclusive, and human-centric development.

"A warm welcome to all Heads of Delegations of the G20 nations, guest countries, and international organisations participating in the 18th G20 Summit in New Delhi," Murmu had said in a post on X.

The G20 Summit began at the Bharat Mandapam on Saturday and will conclude on Sunday.

Also Read Embellished trees, floral works: New Delhi gets ready for G20 Summit G20 Summit: Cong chief Mallikarjun Kharge not invited to President's dinner Heading to India with a clear focus, says Rishi Sunak ahead of G20 Summit A look at the millet-rich culinary extravaganza that awaits G20 guests PM Modi changes cover image on X to Nataraja Statue at Bharat Mandapam UK, India two nations with one ambition, rooted in shared values: PM Sunak Trillions needed to meet Paris climate goals: G20 under India's presidency Accelerate climate action with focus on gender equality: G20 Declaration EU to invest 4 bn euros in renewables sector in developing economies G20 countries reaffirm commitment to zero toleration for corruption
Attorneys for former President Donald Trump moved a lawsuit seeking to bar him from running again for the White House from state to federal court in the first step of what promises to be a tangled legal battle that seems ultimately destined for the US Supreme Court.

The liberal group Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington filed the initial lawsuit on Wednesday in Colorado state court, arguing a Civil War-era clause prohibiting higher office for those who once swore an oath to the Constitution and then engaged in insurrection prevents Trump from running in 2024.

Trump's attorneys on Thursday moved the case to federal court.

"Plaintiffs' challenge to Colorado's ability to place Donald Trump on the presidential ballot depends solely on the Fourteenth Amendment," they wrote. "Trump's basis for removal of the state court action is federal question jurisdiction under Section 3 of Fourteenth Amendment."



CREW's case is the first of what's expected to be many challenges filed in various states by the group and Free Speech for People, another liberal nonprofit. Activists in other states have filed lawsuits in which they represent themselves, but legal observers contend the more robust complaints by the nonprofits are more likely to end up at the nation's highest court, which has never ruled on the clause.

CREW can move to return the case to state court. It has requested a speedy ruling on the issues before Colorado's Republican primary ballot is finalized on Jan. 5.

Also Read Karnataka elections 2023: Here's what postal ballots mean on results day Why has Donald Trump been indicted and can he run for 2024 elections? The Trump saga: Indictment, RICO law & future of presidential campaign Donald Trump to appear in New York court today: What happens next? Donald Trump's valet set for arraignment in classified documents case No clear indication to describe Ukraine crisis in G20 leaders' declaration East Asia bloc including US agrees on statement omitting Ukraine war Explained: What is in Huawei's new smartphone challenger to Apple? China's Ant Group unveils finance-specific AI model as race heats up London room rental costs surpasses 1,000 per month for first time
By Selcan Hacaoglu, Alberto Nardelli and Ruchi Bhatia

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is urging several Group of 20 leaders to meet some of Russias demands to revive a deal that had allowed Ukrainian grain shipments and eased global food prices.



Erdogan, who helped broker the original Black Sea Grain Initiative in 2022, is making the push in closed-door meetings with leaders during the G-20 summit in New Delhi this weekend, people familiar with the talks said.

While Turkeys efforts arent likely to sway Ukraines allies in the US and Europe, Erdogans embrace of Russias demands underlines the challenges he faces in his balancing act in the wake of Moscows invasion of Ukraine. Turkey is eager to restore shipments under the UN-backed deal, which Moscow quit in July, but Erdogan failed to convince Russian President Vladimir Putin to rejoin the agreement in talks in Sochi, Russia on Monday.

Turkey is asking world leaders to facilitate insurance of Russian food and fertilizer exports by Lloyds of London and to reconnect Moscow to the SWIFT system for international payments, according to three Turkish officials familiar with the discussions. They asked not to be named to discuss the sensitive matter.



The US and its allies dismiss Russias claims that the limits are restricting Moscows farm exports and have so far resisted calls to ease the sanctions.

Russia has so far rejected a compromise proposed by the UN which would have been to set up a subsidiary of the sanctioned state farm bank Rosselkhozbank and allow that on SWIFT, several European diplomats said. They said Turkey frequently mentions the status of the grain talks during meetings. Ankara is trying to find consensus in an effort to revive the deal, an Indian official added.

Uncertainty about the future of supplies from one of the worlds largest grain exporters has contributed to weeks of volatility in global wheat prices, as has the surge in hostilities in and around the Black Sea.

Turkey is telling its counterparts that the way to revive the deal is to ease some sanctions which Moscow claims prevent it from importing agricultural equipment such as tractors or spare parts, the Turkish officials said.

Ukraine has engaged in talks with Romania and Bulgaria on an alternative maritime route that would pass from Ukraine via Romanian territorial waters, the European diplomats said. That route, however, would only potentially cover some of the need.
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has agreed a new strategic partnership with Singapore during a meeting with Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on the margins of the G20 Summit in New Delhi on Saturday.

Following the new UK-Singapore Strategic Partnership, Downing Street said both countries will work to conclude a "new and modern" bilateral investment treaty the first the UK has negotiated since Brexit.

The pact is expected to give Singaporean companies more confidence to invest in the UK and vice-versa, creating jobs and growth for both economies.

This new agreement with Singapore will take us even further in delivering our priorities and ensure that, as we map the future of the world economy, we are doing so alongside our closest partners, said Sunak in a statement from Delhi.

As Prime Minister, I've put the interests of the British people front and centre of my international engagement. I am ensuring that diplomacy delivers. You have already seen that through deals that will stop illegal migration, make our economy more secure and increase trade with our international partners, he said.

Downing Street pointed out that the UK has forged a number of new bilateral and multilateral partnerships since Sunak took charge as Prime Minister, with an FTA with India still some way to go after 12 rounds of negotiations.

We are in the process of negotiating further free trade agreements (FTAs), including a deal with India which would be the first the country has signed with a European country, it said.

In addition to enhanced economic cooperation, the new UK-Singapore Strategic Partnership is expected to strengthen security cooperation, science and technology innovation, and research and development.

This includes collaboration to counter new and emerging threats in domains like cyber, through a first-of-its-kind partnership between Singapore's new Digital and Intelligence Service and the UK, Downing Street said.

According to official data, the UK-Singapore trade relationship is worth 21 billion pounds, accounting for 40 per cent of Britain's total trade with Southeast Asia, and Singaporean entities have a total of 226 billion pounds invested in the UK.

Sunak arrived in New Delhi on Friday for the G20 Leaders' Summit and started the three-day visit with an interaction with British Council students and staff with wife Akshata Murty ahead of the first set of official multilateral discussions taking place on Saturday.

Also Read Heading to India with a clear focus, says Rishi Sunak ahead of G20 Summit G20 Summit 2023: UK PM Rishi Sunak shares his vision for UK-India relations Asia Cup 2023 full schedule, match timing, venues, live streaming in India Security preparations for next month's G20 meet in full swing: Delhi Police Singapore anti-corruption body questions Indian-origin minister: Report G20 leaders call for sustainable growth, addressing climate challenge 'Post Covid global reconstruction chance to create sustainable societies' Former PM Nawaz Sharif likely to return to Pakistan in October: Report Voice of Africa, Global south will grow with AU inclusion: SA delegate Turkey's Erdogan urges G20 leaders to meet Russia's demands on grain deal

15 years ago, G20 leaders came together for the first time to restore global growth after the financial crisis. We meet at a time of enormous challenges the world is looking to the G20 once again to provide leadership. Together I believe we can address these challenges, he tweeted from the summit.
Chinese ethnic minority entrepreneurs help boost investments and development on the frontiers

12:40, September 09, 2023 By Wei Wei, Wu Chaolan ( People's Daily Online

Photo taken on April 17, 2023 shows people wandering in Napa Lake Wetland in Shangri-La, Deqen Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Yunnan Province. (Photo/ Peoples Daily Online)

A few decades ago, a handsome Tibetan-Chinese bus driver named Qinwang Renzeng was driving down his daily route in the picturesque town of Shangri-La in Chinas southern Yunnan province. As fate would have it, Qinwang was flagged down by a young Han-Chinese woman who needed a ride. The young woman, Wang Chaoying, traveled thousands of kilometers to Shangri-La from her hometown of Taizhou, part of the coastal province of Zhejiang. It was love at first sight. The pair soon got married and eventually moved back together to Wangs hometown in Zhejiang, where their lives changed forever.

In 2005, Qinwang and his wife cofounded Zhejiang Runlab Technology, a company specializing in manufacturing laboratory equipment for clinical research and other specialty markets. To Qinwang, running a startup in a highly specialized field in an unfamiliar city seemed all but an impossible task.

As a new comer and an ethnic minority, Qinwang was surprised to find a welcoming home in Taizhou City, whose own diverse community quickly embraced this young Tibetan Chinese entrepreneur as one of their own.

Qinwang Renzeng (R) and his wife Wang Chaoying inspect product quality at Zhejiang Runlab Technology Co., Ltd.,in Taizhou city, eastern China's Zhejiang Province. (Photo provided to Peoples Daily Online)

When I first arrived in Taizhou, I had no real skills other than knowing how to drive a car, joked Qinwang, but the outpouring of support from the local community, especially the public-funded support organizations encouraged me to take on the impossible.

Chinas official supporting system for ethnic minority groups have played a critical role in providing a support network for millions just like Qinwang. In Qinwangs case, the system proactively connected him to the various organizations including Department of Ethnic and Religious Affairs and Federation of Industry and Commerce in Taizhou, helping to expand his social and business networks rapidly.

Support programs for minority entrepreneurs like Qinwang did not stop at network expansion. Taizhou municipal government also regularly brought in resident business and industry experts who offered critical insights that helped Qinwangs company successfully navigate economic challenges as far back as the 2008 financial crisis and as recent as the COVID pandemic.

At the beginning, my goal was to simply support my family. I soon realized that I owe much of my success to the local community and various support programs that brought my company where it is today. I now feel an unmistakable responsibility to uplift other aspiring ethnic minority entrepreneurs, Qinwang said.

Qinwang Renzeng joins the Mid-Autumn Festival celebration for ethnic minorities in Taizhou, eastern Chinas Zhejiang Province. (Photo Provided to Peoples Daily Online)

Through the years, Qinwang sponsored a series of entrepreneurial exchange activities between his hometown of Shangri-La and Taizhou City to promote the exchange of business ideas and expertise. Qinwang further champions education as the single most critical factor to economic empowerment of ethnic minorities, having sponsored many local students from his hometown over the years.

The most effective tool to uplift people from poverty is education, Qinwang said, that is why I promised my friends and family in Shangri-La that any ethnic minority child from my hometown who wants an education will receive my full financial support.

Qinwangs commitment to uplifting others extends beyond his own ethnic group. He has mentored and invested in a diverse group of ethnic minority-run businesses ranging from Hui cuisine restaurants to Mongolian-owned beauty salons. Qinwangs actions helped foster a genuine sense of belonging and harmony across all ethnic groups in his local community.

As an ethnic minority, I have been a beneficiary of many supportive public policies aimed at promoting economic progress for people like myself. It is now my duty to spread the word to all ethnic groups. Through harmony, we can achieve unity, Qinwang said.

In any country with a heterogenous population, ethnic, religious, and cultural differences can sometimes be a divisive social force and lead to problems at a national scale. China, however, tried to find her own path to establish a strong national identity that celebrates these differences while promoting harmony and unity. This commitment at a national level has not only preserved the cultural heritage of ethnic minority groups, but has also empowered millions of ethnic minorities like Qinwang to thrive within the enormous national market and participate in the countrys fast growth.

Remarkably, Qinwangs story of supporting other ethnic minority-founded businesses finds itself in good company as an increasing number of successful ethnic minority entrepreneurs take it upon themselves to pay it forward and help other minority groups pursue their own life endeavors. Qinwang's support has taken various forms. He has provided financial assistance to two struggling businesses in Shangri-La, offering crucial support during their most challenging times. Moreover, he sponsored the education of 17 students from Yunnan, enabling them to access educational opportunities that might have been otherwise unattainable.

His aid has not been limited to his own ethnic community but has embraced a diverse spectrum of minority groups. Taking proactive steps, he allocated funds to assist fellow ethnic compatriots in their entrepreneurial endeavors. To date, he has assisted four minority entrepreneurs, ranging from the establishment of Hui cuisine restaurants to backing a Mongolian beauty salon. Qinwang's dedication to fostering unity and economic prosperity through practical support exemplifies his commitment to a harmonious and inclusive society.

Fu Chunsheng provides hands-on guidance in the workshop during motorcycle production. (Photo provided to Peoples Daily Online)

Fu Chunsheng, an entrepreneur of Hezhe ethnicity, shares a similar story. The Hezhe people, whose current population stands at approximately 5000, are descendants of the Tungusic people of East Asia who have traditionally lived along Heilongjiang, Songhuajiang, and Wusuli River in northeastern China. Fu left his birthplace of Tongjiang at a young age to pursue his education in Zhejiang province in southern China. After graduating and building a successful business in the affluent Zhejiang province, Fu made it his mission to provide economic opportunities for the various ethnic groups living in his hometown of Tongjiang in the Heilongjiang province in northeastern China.

Fifteen years ago, Fu returned from abroad to start his own business. Driven by his passion for automobiles, Fu established factories in Zhejiang and Chongqing to manufacture automotive engines for international clients. Propelled by growing customer demand and supported by favorable national and local policies, Fus company expanded quickly to cover the complete value chain of R&D, production, and sales of motorcycles.

Despite his financial success, Fu never forgot his hometown and the ethnic minority groups living there. In 2022, inspired by his attendance at the "Private Enterprises Investing in Border Areas" conference, a joint effort by the State Ethnic Affairs Commission and the China Federation of Industry and Commerce to promote private sector involvement in the development of China's border regions, Fu made the decision to establish a company in his hometown. Despite early challenges including low operational efficiency and labor shortage, Fu kept on like a man on a mission.

Someone has to be the first to do the difficult thing, Fu said. I come from the Hezhe ethnic group, and there is hardly anyone from our community involved in business. I wish to give back to my hometown by encouraging aspiring ethnic minority entrepreneurs like me to start their own business.

A worker in Tongjiang factory engaged in assembly line production. (Photo provided to Peoples Daily Online)

Currently, Fus Tongjiang factory has become operational and created nearly a hundred jobs for skilled local workers from six distinctive ethnic groups including Han, Manchu, Hezhe, and others.

I could choose to exclusively hire ethnically Hezhe workers, but I believe we can only achieve harmony and common prosperity when we all feel uplifted, Fu said.

Reflecting on his time living abroad, where he witnessed social issues caused by ethnic and cultural division, Fu says that China has excelled in achieving ethnic harmony. Chinas ethnic minorities exhibit a unique sense of cohesion, built around a shared history, and bolstered by inclusive and supportive public policies. As a minority entrepreneur, I have enjoyed the benefits of our countrys ethnic harmony and unity, and therefore I bear a responsibility to give back and promote the common prosperity for all ethnic groups.

Qinwang and Fu are living testimonials of Chinas commitment to uplift all ethnic minorities and its key to success lies in economic development and common prosperity. A recent study revealed that out of the 832 impoverished local counties targeted by the anti-poverty campaign, 420 belonged to autonomous regions where ethnic minority groups largely reside. In China, there are countless ethnic minority individuals like Qinwang and Fu who have built a great life for their own families while also uplifting the lives of others at the same time.

As China continues its path of economic development, these ethnic minority entrepreneurs stand as a beacon for others, demonstrating that, despite the cultural differences, ethnic minorities can freely claim a common national identity and enjoy equal access to economic opportunities, and in doing so, they can realize their own life goals while bringing prosperity to their ethnic and local communities.

A formation featuring ethnic unity takes part in a mass pageantry celebrating the 70th founding anniversary of the People's Republic of China (PRC) in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 1, 2019. (Xinhua/Fan Peishen)

(Web editor: Zhang Wenjie, Sheng Chuyi)
AFRIQUE :: Tobacco Harm Reduction: That Africa is not left behind

There is unanimity across the world on the need to reduce smoking rates among people. Whether it is the ubiquitous cigarettes, or cigars or water pipes known locally as shisha in Cameroon, every concerned stakeholder wants a drop, indeed a continuous drop in smoking rates. While cigarettes have always received the most attention, people are beginning to also realise the danger that shisha portends especially to young people among whom it is increasingly popular.

However, the manner of achieving the desired drop in smoking rates has continued to breed contention among different parties.

The popular African adage there are different routes to a destination was a subtle way our forebears chose to remind us all that the destination was the ultimate objective. It stands to reason that rather than foible over routes, it is all fair and good, so long as one arrives at the desired destination or achieves the set objective.

Indeed, never has this adage been as relevant as it is today in Africas quest to achieve a reduction in smoking rates. As the arguments continue over the route to this destination, prohibitionists, the school of thought that believes that smoking rates will be achieved only by getting smokers to quit altogether, continue to vilify tobacco harm reduction advocates and simultaneously deny the success of tobacco harm reduction programmes.

Tobacco Harm Reduction (THR) is a public health strategy aimed at lowering the health risks to individuals and the wider society associated with combustible tobacco products. It is based on the understanding that most of the harm associated with combustible tobacco results from the mix of chemicals that are released and subsequently inhaled when tobacco is burned (smoked), but if you take the smoking/burning element away, the risk from tobacco consumption is reduced.

THR also takes into cognisance, the fact that many adults who smoke, and wish to stop smoking, find it difficult or are unable to quit, while several others wish to continue enjoying nicotine without the harmful effect it poses.

Consequently, THR advocates posit that such smokers should switch to alternative products, which will still deliver nicotine without the combustion of tobacco.

For THR advocates, switching is the operative word. Hence, the freedom to switch; the availability of options to switch to; and access to information on alternative or reduced risk products to enable adult consumers make informed choices are key drivers of an effective THR strategy.

Lately, proponents of THR have increased their advocacy for its adoption across Africa arguing for its efficacy by explaining the science behind the concept and citing successes recorded in countries that have accepted the ideology of Tobacco Harm Reduction.

Notably, THR advocates also agree that quitting remains the best option and regularly underscore this fact. But they have chosen a pragmatic approach with the understanding that quitting and switching will both achieve the objective of reducing smoking rates.

Science and evidence from more advanced economies supports the position of THR advocates that smoking rates can significantly reduce through the adoption and effective implementation of tobacco harm reduction strategies.

The United Kingdom for instance, has recognised the efficacy of tobacco harm reduction or alternative tobacco products in driving down smoking rates such that the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), which issues evidence-based guidance on the most effective methods of prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases and ill health, published guidance on tobacco harm reduction. The guidance recognizes that quitting smoking is always the best option for smokers but it supports the use of licensed nicotine containing products (NCPs) to help smokers not currently able to quit to switch to a less harmful option.

The United States of Americas (USA) food and drug administration (FDA) has begun to license alternative products as modified risk tobacco products. This is a clear indicator that the country is relying on its science and empirical evidence to provide guidance on tobacco harm reduction.

Smoking rates are reported to have reduced by 34% in Japan, chiefly on the back of the introduction of alternative products in the country; products that avail the citizens the opportunity to switch to less risky options and not straight jacketing them to quitting only. This was detailed in a December 2020 report by Frost & Sullivan, a world-renowned consulting firm who noted that the establishment of effective regulation was vital.

In Canada, the government through Health Canada has issued science backed statements such as Completely replacing cigarette smoking with vaping will reduce your exposure to harmful chemicals andVaping products and e-cigarettes deliver nicotine in a less harmful way than smoking cigarettes among several others as advise to adult smokers in a bid to move them away from combustible tobacco products. The Canadian Public Health Association also recognises the efficacy of alternative products and has since 2018 issued statements that acknowledge that alternative nicotine delivery products are less risky than combustible tobacco.

Also, the ministry of health of New Zealand launched a website called Vaping Facts, in 2019 to educate citizens on the facts about vaping with the objective to help smokers quit. The website encourages smokers to vape as a means to quit and has widely published content that indicates that vaping is less risky than smoking. This is another clear example of a country with a science and facts-based approach to tobacco harm reduction.

African countries need to independently assess every route that can lead to the desired destination of reduced smoking rates. Their ministries of health and other health agencies, including members of the academia, must begin to commission independent studies not just on tobacco harm reduction but on myriad public health issues that affect their citizens.

This is what would enable the development of optimal policies and regulatory frameworks that will effectively drive concurrent cessation and tobacco harm reduction programmes.

Who is bold enough to take the lead on Tobacco Harm Reduction among the African nations?
G20 Summit 2023: G20 Becomes G21, African Union Becomes New Member

Many international leaders and business titans have arrived at the G20 conference, which is being held at Bharat Mandapam in Delhi, the capital of India. First, PM Modi revealed that the African Union, which is made up of 55 nations, will join the G20 at the conference's opening remarks. G-20 has become G21 as a result of PM Modi's announcement.

India proposed that the African Union be granted permanent membership in the G20 in conformity with the beliefs of Sabka Saath. PM Modi said "I believe we all agree on this proposal. Before starting my work, I invite the AU Chair to assume his position as a permanent member."

"I am honored to welcome the African Union as a permanent member of the G20 family," Prime Minister Modi stated. The G20 will be strengthened as a result, as will the voice of the Global South.

Speaking to the summit, the PM noted that : , :   , which is engraved on a pillar about 2.5 thousand years old and located a few kilometers away, indicates the interest of humanity in Prakrit, where welfare is also guaranteed. Two and a half thousand years ago, this message was sent from India to the entire world. The globe is moving on a new path at this point in the twenty-first century. Now is the time when we must come up with fresh answers to problems that have existed forever.

Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikaas, Sabka Prayaas:

The dearth of trust in the globe after COVID-19 has caused a serious crisis. The disparity in trust has grown due to the war. When we are able to beat COVID-19, we will also be able to defeat the mutual mistrust issue that has occurred. Together, let's reduce the world's trust deficit and increase confidence. Everyone needs to go forward at once at this point. All of us can benefit from the motto of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikaas, and Sabka Prayaas.
BSEB to Release the Remaining Admit Cards for the Bihar State Teacher Eligibility Test (STET) 2023 on September 12, 2023

The remaining Admit Cards for the Bihar State Teacher Eligibility Test (STET) 2023 will be made available on September 12, 2023, according to the Bihar School Examination Board (BSEB). On the stated date, candidates are able to visit the BSEB's official website at bsebstet.com to download the remaining Bihar STET 2023 Admission Cards.

The STET 2023 Exam, scheduled by BSEB, is currently taking place and will last through September 15, 2023, at various testing locations throughout the state. Two shifts of the exam are held each day throughout the specified dates.

Steps to Download the Bihar STET Admit Card 2023:

Step 1: Visit the official website of BSEB at bsebstet.com.

Step 2: On the homepage, locate and click on the Admit Card link.

Step 3: Input your login credentials as required and then click on the "Submit" button.

Step 4: Your Bihar STET admit card for 2023 will appear on the screen.

Step 5: Carefully review the details on the admit card and proceed to download the page.

Step 6: Ensure you retain a hard copy of the admit card for future reference and examination purposes.
SSB Odisha Jobs Recruitment 2023: Apply for 1065 Lecturer Posts

The State Selection Board, Odisha has issued an official notification for the post of Lecturer. The notification cites recruitment for 1065 Lecturer posts in non-government-aided colleges, in varied subjects; across the country. The eligible and interested candidates can apply for the SSB Odisha Lecturer posts at the official website of the authority; ssbodisha.ac.in.

The applications will be made available from 11th September 2023 (1:00 p.m.). The last date for applying for the application is 13th September 2023 (11:45 p.m.). All the applications for the aforesaid position will be accepted through online mode.

SSB Odisha Lecturer Eligibility Criteria 2023:

In order to be sure they are qualified for the position of Lecturer, aspirants are strongly encouraged to review the SSB Odisha Lecturer Eligibility Criteria 2023. The candidates' applications will be denied if they do not meet the SSB Odisha Lecturer Eligibility Criteria 2023.

A candidate must have a Master's Degree in the concerned subject from a recognized University with at least 55% marks in aggregate or its equivalent grade.

Provided that candidates belonging to the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, SEBC & PwD shall possess a Master's Degree in the concerned subject from a recognized University / Institution with at least 50% marks or its equivalent grade.

A candidate must have acquired a B.Ed. or equivalent Degree recognized by the National Council for Teacher Education, New Delhi as equivalent to a B. Ed. from a recognized University / Institution.

SSB Odisha Lecturer Application Fee 2023:

The applicants must review the SSB 2023 Odisha Lecturer Application Fees and carry a copy of it on hand before completing the 2023 Odisha Lecturer Application Form. The SSB Odisha Lecturer Application Fees 2023 according to the categories are as follows:

Unreserved / SEBC:- Rs. 500/-

Scheduled Caste / Scheduled Tribe and PwD Categories:- Rs. 200/-

SSB Odisha Lecturer Selection Process 2023:

The written test, career interview, and viva voice test were the three steps in the Staff Selection Board of Odisha's selection procedure. There will be 200 marks allotted for the Odisha Lecturer Selection process.



Steps to Apply for the SSB Odisha Lecturer 2023:

To apply for the SSB Odisha Lecturer Notification 2023, aspirants must follow the directions below. By carefully reading the instructions, they will be able to access, complete, and submit the SSB Odisha Lecturer Application Form 2023 with ease.

Step 1: Visit the official website of SSB Odisha.

Step 2: They need to find and click on the SSB Odisha Lecturer Application Form 2023 link given on the main page of the website.

Step 3: Next, they have to register for the Application process for the Odisha Lecturer Recruitment 2023 with a valid mobile number and email address.

Step 4: Once the registration is done, the candidates will be able to access the SSB Odisha Lecturer Application Form 2023.

Step 5: Now, they must fill out the information on the respective boxes given in the Odisha Lecturer Application Form 2023 such as their personal details, education qualifications, and others.

Step 6: Next, they have to upload the required documents related to education qualification, caste certificate (if applicable), a photograph of candidates, an image of signature, and so on.

Step 7: After this, the candidates will be directed to the payment gateway where they need to pay the SSB Odisha Lecturer Application Fees 2023 as per their category through an online mode of payment.

Step 8: Finally, the candidates need to submit the Odisha Lecturer Form 2023 and download its final copy for future reference.
TS TET 2023 Admit Card Released Today at tstet.cgg.gov.in, Check Details Here

The Telangana State Teachers Eligibility Test (TS TET 2023) Admit Cards are issued by the Department of School Education, Government of Telangana, today; September 9, 2023. The Candidates can check and download their specific Admit Cards by going to the official website, tstet.cgg.gov.in.

The TS TET 2023 registration process began on August 2 and lasted on August 16, 2023. The examination is slated to take place on September 15, 2023. There will be two shifts for the exam. The first exam shift will take place from 9:30 to 12:00, while the second exam shift will administer from 2:30 to 5:00.

Steps to Download the TS TET Admit Card 2023:

The following steps can be employed by applicants to download their TS TET 2023 Admission Cards:

Step 1: Visit the official website, i.e., tstet.cgg.gov.in.

Step 2: On the homepage, click on the link that reads, 'TS TET 2023 Admit Card'.

Step 3: A new page will appear on the screen.

Step 4: Enter the asked credentials and click on the submit option.

Step 5: Your admit card will appear on the screen.

Step 6: Download your admit card and take a printout of it for future reference.

Important Dates of the TS TET Examination 2023:
Photo: Flair Airlines. Travellers won't be able to enjoy low-cost flights from Flair Airlines between Vancouver to Montreal in late 2023.

Canada's ultra-low-cost carrier has stopped service on one of the most popular routes out of Vancouver...at least for now.



Flair Airlines quietly removed flights on the route connecting Vancouver International Airport (YVR) and Montreal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport (YUL), with its final flight departing from YVR on Oct. 27.



Over the past few years, the airline has offered the lowest price on the popular route, offering an affordable option for travellers headed back east to the French province over the holidays. Throughout the year, it has offered one-way flights for as little as $57 including all taxes and fees from YVR.



A spokesperson for the airline told V.I.A. that it is "taking a pause" on the popular route due to a change in market conditions as the weather changes. However, it expects to resume service in the summer of 2024.



Currently, the best remaining price offered on Flair's flights is a one-way ticket from YVR to YUL that departs on Oct. 25 for $89.



Flair will continue service to many other destinations across Canada over the winter from YVR, including the popular Vancouver to Toronto Lester B. Pearson International Airport (YYZ). It also offers the lowest price on that trip.



Travellers looking for another affordable alternative to Montreal, Quebec over the winter aren't out of luck.



Relative newcomer Lynx Air now offers the lowest fares on the YVR-YUL route. For example, one-way flights on the route can be purchased for as little as $63 on several dates in September, according to Google Flight's price calendar.



Lynx Air first launched flights out of the city in April 2022, with direct service to Calgary. It later added service from the city to Edmonton, Toronto, Kelowna, and Winnipeg.
Photo: The Canadian Press Stephanie Hale, poses for a photo in Kamloops, B.C.

University of British Columbia Okanagan has been ordered to pay a former student $50,000 for discriminating against her based on her sex and disability in the way it handled her allegation of sexual assault by another student.

The B.C. Human Rights Tribunal says the university's method of investigating non-academic misconduct exacerbated Stephanie Hale's PTSD and caused her harm to the point that she couldn't participate in the process.

The tribunal says that though the university had a high-level understanding of sexual violence and a commitment to support survivors, its response didn't result in a reasonable investigation process or restore a "discrimination-free learning environment."

The 132-page decision handed down late last month says the discrimination was very serious, involving a power imbalance and Hale's "unique vulnerability."

The university has also been ordered to pay Hale $50,000 as compensation, nearly $7,000 in lost wages and about $8,000 in expenses.

Hale, whose mental disability is said in the ruling to stem from her PTSD, has alleged she was assaulted in 2013, but the other student denied the allegations and said what happened was consensual.

UBC's then-president Santa Ono dismissed Hales complaint against the other student in 2017, citing a lack of evidence.

UBC lawyers went to court in 2019 and tried unsuccessfully to quash the tribunal's decision to hear the case.

The Canadian Press does not typically identify complainants in cases of sexual assault, but Hale has previously said she wants her name used.
TOKYO, Sep 10 ( News On Japan ) - A 24-year-old man has been arrested after turning himself in on suspicion of murdering a woman whose body was discovered in a Yokohama hotel closet.

The suspect, Kyotaro Tsuchiya from Sakyo Ward, Kyoto City, is believed to have assaulted and killed a woman at a hotel in Minato-Kita Ward, Yokohama City, on September 7, then abandoned the body.

The woman's body was found inside a closet, and her identity is currently unknown.

According to the police, after leaving the hotel, Tsuchiya fled to Shizuoka Prefecture. However, on Saturday morning, he surrendered to a police station in the prefecture with relatives accompanying him, stating that the woman had died after being assaulted.

During further interrogation following his arrest, he went on to deny the allegations, claiming he didn't do it.
Blog Archive: Oct 2023 (155) Sep 2023 (150) Aug 2023 (155) Jul 2023 (155) Jun 2023 (150) May 2023 (155) Apr 2023 (150) Mar 2023 (155) Feb 2023 (140) Jan 2023 (155) Dec 2022 (156) Nov 2022 (150) Oct 2022 (155) Sep 2022 (150) Aug 2022 (155) Jul 2022 (154) Jun 2022 (150) May 2022 (155) Apr 2022 (150) Mar 2022 (155) Feb 2022 (140) Jan 2022 (156) Dec 2021 (156) Nov 2021 (150) Oct 2021 (155) Sep 2021 (150) Aug 2021 (155) Jul 2021 (155) Jun 2021 (150) May 2021 (155) Apr 2021 (150) Mar 2021 (155) Feb 2021 (140) Jan 2021 (155) Dec 2020 (155) Nov 2020 (150) Oct 2020 (158) Sep 2020 (150) Aug 2020 (130) Jul 2020 (124) Jun 2020 (120) May 2020 (124) Apr 2020 (120) Mar 2020 (124) Feb 2020 (116) Jan 2020 (125) Dec 2019 (126) Nov 2019 (120) Oct 2019 (124) Sep 2019 (120) Aug 2019 (125) Jul 2019 (124) Jun 2019 (120) May 2019 (123) Apr 2019 (121) Mar 2019 (124) Feb 2019 (112) Jan 2019 (125) Dec 2018 (126) Nov 2018 (120) Oct 2018 (124) Sep 2018 (121) Aug 2018 (124) Jul 2018 (125) Jun 2018 (120) May 2018 (124) Apr 2018 (121) Mar 2018 (124) Feb 2018 (112) Jan 2018 (123) Dec 2017 (124) Nov 2017 (124) Oct 2017 (141) Sep 2017 (135) Aug 2017 (138) Jul 2017 (137) Jun 2017 (134) May 2017 (138) Apr 2017 (135) Mar 2017 (139) Feb 2017 (129) Jan 2017 (143) Dec 2016 (135) Nov 2016 (138) Oct 2016 (142) Sep 2016 (128) Aug 2016 (133) Jul 2016 (136) Jun 2016 (138) May 2016 (164) Apr 2016 (311) Mar 2016 (348) Feb 2016 (320) Jan 2016 (348) Dec 2015 (314) Nov 2015 (338) Oct 2015 (363) Sep 2015 (358) Aug 2015 (399) Jul 2015 (374) Jun 2015 (331) May 2015 (337) Apr 2015 (319) Mar 2015 (320) Feb 2015 (271) Jan 2015 (286) Dec 2014 (254) Nov 2014 (238) Oct 2014 (287) Sep 2014 (267) Aug 2014 (259) Jul 2014 (260) Jun 2014 (238) May 2014 (241) Apr 2014 (228) Mar 2014 (240) Feb 2014 (217) Jan 2014 (263) Dec 2013 (226) Nov 2013 (254) Oct 2013 (256) Sep 2013 (252) Aug 2013 (263) Jul 2013 (261) Jun 2013 (251) May 2013 (250) Apr 2013 (221) Mar 2013 (193) Feb 2013 (164) Jan 2013 (157) Dec 2012 (155) Nov 2012 (240) Oct 2012 (526) Sep 2012 (411) Aug 2012 (394) Jul 2012 (284) Jun 2012 (229) May 2012 (213) Apr 2012 (213) Mar 2012 (253) Feb 2012 (269) Jan 2012 (298) Dec 2011 (273) Nov 2011 (219) Oct 2011 (204) Sep 2011 (201) Aug 2011 (236) Jul 2011 (217) Jun 2011 (211) May 2011 (206) Apr 2011 (215) Mar 2011 (215) Feb 2011 (186) Jan 2011 (215) Dec 2010 (107) Nov 2010 (98) Oct 2010 (55)
Camy Barber Christian Burgeson Jeremiah Cook Nicholas Wilde Previous Next

Four Chattanooga Police officers are on paid administrative leave after the domestic disorder standoff last weekend on South Kelley Street that resulted in the suspect being shot when he pointed a gun at police. Administrative leave is protocol following an officer involved shooting.

Sergeant Jeremiah Cook, Officer Camy Barber, Officer Christian Burgeson, and Officer Nicholas Wilde are on leave.

Officers got the call to the 1900 block of South Kelley Street at 11:35 p.m.

on Saturday. They were able to escort family members out of the residence, during which the suspect pointed his gun at the officers. After the other members had been escorted out, the suspect came out a back door and again pointed his gun at police, officers engaged and shot the suspect.

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) is handling the investigation at the request of the 11th Judicial District Attorney Coty Wamp. The TBI is the independent, fact-finding state agency that handles the investigations into most of the states use-of-force cases.
The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution urges Americans to reflect on the United States Constitution during this months annual observance in honor this foundational document of national governance.

The DAR initiated the observance in 1955, when the service organization petitioned the U.S. Congress to dedicate Sept. 1723 of each year to the commemoration of Constitution Week. Congress adopted the resolution and on Aug. 2, 1956, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed it into Public Law #915.

The celebrations goals are threefold: to encourage the study of the historical events that led to the framing of the Constitution in September 1787; to remind the public that the Constitution is the basis of Americas great heritage and the foundation for its way of life; and to emphasize U.S. citizens

responsibility to protect, defend and preserve the U.S. Constitution.

We are so proud DAR led the way in making Constitution Week an official commemoration and our members enthusiastically promote the celebration annually in communities across the country by erecting community displays, sponsoring municipal proclamations, ringing bells and staging programs to raise awareness of the Constitutions tenets and importance, said DAR President General Pamela Rouse Wright. We encourage all citizens to join us in celebrating this powerful document that is so important to American history and to reflect on the impact the Constitution has had on the lives of American citizens past and present.

DAR has been the foremost advocate for the awareness, promotion and celebration of Constitution Week. The annual observance provides innumerable opportunities for educational initiatives and community outreach, two mission areas of crucial importance to the National Society. By fostering knowledge of, and appreciation for, the Constitution and the inalienable rights it affords to all Americans, DAR helps to keep alive the memory of the men and women who secured our nations foundational liberties.

One of the largest patriotic womens organizations in the world, DAR has 190,000 members in approximately 3,000 chapters across the country and several foreign countries. DAR members promote historic preservation, education and patriotism via commemorative events, scholarships and educational initiatives, citizenship programs, service to veterans, meaningful community service and more. For additional information about DAR and its relevant mission, visit www.dar.org.
The Chattanooga Division of Transportation is partnering with the Charles H. Coolidge National Medal of Honor Heritage Center for the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to host a parade honoring a newly bestowed Medal of Honor recipient. Captain Larry Taylor will lead his Welcome Home parade on Monday from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. through the heart of downtown Chattanooga on Market Street.CDOT wishes to issue this notice to inform the public of the potential traffic impact expected by the parade.The parade will begin on Market Street at the intersection of Martin Luther King Jr.Boulevard at 11:30 a.m. and travel northbound toward Aquarium Way. The parade may be viewed from any public sidewalk within this corridor. The estimated length of the parade is 45 minutes.To clear the roadway for the parade, Market Street will be closed at Frazier Avenue at 11:30 a.m. All southbound traffic will need to detour via Manufacturers Avenue and Highway 27.The full closure of Market Street will also limit all eastbound and westbound at the following intersections for an estimated one hour (11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.): 11th Street 10th Street Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. 8th Street 7th Street 6th Street 5th Street 4th Street* 3rd Street Aquarium Way E 1st StreetAll traffic west of Market Street needing to travel eastbound will detour via Broad Street / Highway 27 to W. 12th Street.All traffic east of Market Street needing to travel westbound will detour via Cherry Street, E. 8th Street (to travel briefly EB), Lindsay Street and Houston Street.Riverfront Parkway or Main Street are highly recommended as an alternative route to travel east or west of Market Street during the closure.*4th Street east and westbound will remain open across Market Street until the parade reaches 5th Street. At this point, until the parade ends only emergency vehicles will be allowed on 4th Street.Market Street between W. 12th Street/Houston Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard will close at 9:30 a.m. until 12:15 p.m. (estimated) for parade staging. This includes the full closure of intersections at Market Street and 11th Street, Georgia Avenue and 10th Street. Detours during this time will be via Broad Street. Street parking will be prohibited within this closure.The following roads will see a full closure between 11:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. (estimated): Broad Street between E. 3rd Street and Aquarium Way Aquarium Way between Chestnut Street and Market Street.Street parking will also be prohibited during this time.CARTAs Downtown Electric Shuttle will operate as normal, however the shuttle stops between 12th Street and 11th Street (Warehouse Row / Development Resource Center) will not have service between 9:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.All Bike Chattanooga bike sharing stations will operate as normal and are a great option to travel from nearby parking lots to the parade route.CARTA and Chattanooga Parking Authority lots are available with the North and South Shuttle Parking Garages being the best options to park and walk to the parade route. Please note that street parking along Market Street, Aquarium Way and sections of Broad Street may be limited or unavailable during the parade. Any vehicles still parked after 11:30 a.m., will not be permitted to exit until after the parade.When choosing a parking location, please keep the expected high traffic volumes in mind as high levels of vehicular and pedestrian traffic are expected within the Market and Broad downtown corridor. Plan additional time both arriving and departing for the parade.CDOT encourages all citizens to witness this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that honors Medal of Honor recipient Captain Larry Taylor. We do strongly encourage planning additional time before and after the parade while visiting, but also for traffic unrelated to the parade to utilize alternative routes. To all the businesses and residents along the closure route, we thank you for your patience.View CDOT's map of events and road closures for full details of these activities and other projects underway in our public space.
The local National Park Partners is urging the State Building Commission to reject a plan that would have the Moccasin Bend Hospital rebuilt at the current site, with a reduced footprint. The panel meets next Thursday.

The local legislative delegation and the County Commission earlier went along with keeping the hospital at the toe of the historic Bend.

The local parks group said, "When legislation was passed in 2003 to create the Moccasin Bend National Archeological District, the 780-acre boundary completely surrounded the 88-acre campus containing the State of Tennessee's Moccasin Bend Mental Health Institute.

State officials committed to the public that when funding became available, the hospital would relocate and the vacated land would be preserved forever by the National Park Service."With federal funding secured for a modern facility to replace the now 60-year old building,a generational opportunity exists for the State of Tennessee to follow through on that promise."Now is the time for Tennessee to rethink the land use decision made decades ago, before the 12,000 year history of Moccasin Bend was well-documented through careful archeological studies..."Before the iconic peninsula became the image on the Chattanooga City Sealin 1975 and before the granting of National Historic Landmark status in 1986..."Before Moccasin Bend was designated as theonly National Archeological District in the entire country in 2003..."In just a few days the State Building Commission will review a proposal at their September 14 meeting to rebuild the new mental health facility on Moccasin Bend, rather than choosing another location."As the great Maya Angelou famously said, 'When you know better, do better"Now, we know that 23 modern day American Indian Tribes trace ancestry back to the earliest Paleo-Indians who hunted and gathered on Moccasin Bend. We know the existence of Woodland-era mounds on the current hospital property and the likelihood of far more culturally sensitive resources embedded in this sacred ground."We know Moccasin Bend represents a crossroads of major historical events from its inclusion into Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park; the Trail of Tears National Historic Trail; and the Underground Railroad National Network of Freedom."We know better. Now let's do better."Join National Park Partners in urging Tennessee to take a collaborative, transparent, and deliberate approach to this incredibly important decision. Moccasin Bend needs your advocacy today."
Fascism is defined as a government ruled by a dictator who controls the lives of people and they are not allowed to disagree with that dictator/government (Brittanica Dictionary)

The progressive crowd have made a habit of screaming fascism when they disagree with a law. Actually the fact they can disagree indicates the absence of fascism according to the Britannia Dictionary definition, but fascism is here and its in New Mexico right now.

Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham, Democrat, issued an emergency public health order Friday, suspending the right to carry firearms in Bernalillo County for 30 days. As a reporter questioned her about upholding the oath she took, she made an astounding statement. She said, No constitutional right, in my view, including my oath, is intended to be absolute. (KOAT7 9/9/23)

Did she just validate nullifying the the New Mexico state constitution with that statement? Thats a frightening thing for a governor or any government official to say. Do President Biden, the DNC and other elected officials in NM support this un-American attack on the rule of law? The people of New Mexico and the rest of the nation need to know and we need to know now.

We dont need a study committee or a teleconference to mull it over. This view of constitutional rights is how Franco (Spain), Castro (Cuba) and numerous other top pot tyrants began. We must hope this doesnt become an accepted view by officials of other states now that its being tested.

Ralph Miller

* * *

It is rare that Mr. Ralph Miller and I agree. So, when I agree with him, as I do about the New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grishams statement, I am compelled to so state my agreement.

Even though the governor stated she expects legal challenges, I wont defend that statement, as had it been said by any Republican, the Democrats would be screaming. Very loudly.

However, no, Mr. Miller. The progressive crowd has not made a habit of screaming fascism when they disagree with a law. I searched for some examples; I found none.

Yes, the progressive crowd does scream fascism when the Republicans extoll policies that limit the rights of people with whom they disagree (gays, lesbians, pro-choice, Republicans in Tennessee expelling Democratic Legislators, etc.), promoting Christian Nationalism contrary to the First Amendment, protecting corporate power, and rampant cronyism and corruption (i.e. Louis, DeJoy, Tom Price, Ryan Zinke, Justices Gorsuch, Kavanaugh and Barrett, stop the steal, fake electors, etc.).

Each of these is an early warning sign of fascism printed on The National Holocaust Museums poster identifying 12 early warning signs of fascism. Every person should read those warning signs, which include identifying the enemies (the Democrats) as a unifying cause, controlling the media, and disdain for the arts and intellectual pursuits. All 12 theses are clearly indicative of todays Republican Party.

But not a single early warning sign fits the action of New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham.

Although Mr. Miller has again chosen to express his criticism of all things Democratic, its what doesnt appear in print that is so telling of Republican fascist tendencies.

That is his silence on the necessity of the governor declaring a public health emergency.

The second early warning sign of fascism is disdain for human rights.

Apparently human rights to the Republicans does not mean a public health emergency involving firearms.

Why do the Republicans so adamantly and virtuously defend and mandate that a mother give birth, but do nothing to assure that the child has a safe life?

To them, human rights means the right to develop in the womb and be born, despite the health of the fetus or the health of the pregnant woman. Once born, Republican human rights for children does not mean safety from gun violence, nor access to health care, nor access to the best nutrition. Nor does it mean any considerations for the health of the mother or father.

Republicans do nothing to assure that the child has a safe life beyond birth. Every Democratic initiative for public health and welfare is voted against, and then praised by the Republican voters.

The Republicans, and especially the MAGAs, MTGs, and Boberts of the U.S. will never realize that the public health emergency, firearm violence, is the leading cause of death of childhood death today. Many independent institutions have verified this cause.

They have done nothing to address gun violence. Instead, they pride themselves on their defense of the Second Amendment, and the children be damned.

I do not believe an unfettered right to bear arms would be the intent of the Founding Fathers today. I do believe that the Founding Fathers, if examining todays society, would re-compose the Second Amendment.

They would see that, as stated in the Preamble of the Constitution, the government is providing for the common defense. The right of the people to be safe in their homes using firearms not manufactured as weapons of war would exist. But that threshold is breached when any firearm become a weapon of aggression. That threshold is breached when any person regardless of age becomes the damage of that aggression.

Will the Republican hypocrisy about the right to bear arms versus the public health threat weapons present ever be resolved?

No, as long as the Donald Trumps, MTGs, Boberts, the leadership of the NRA, and those politicians in the NRAs pockets remain in office, ignoring The Preamble to the Constitution to insure domestic tranquility and promote the general welfare.

Joe Warren






Priscilla Presley reluctantly agreed to stay with Elvis' friends when she visited him. She was even more unhappy when she discovered the reason she had to.

In 1962, Priscilla Beaulieu flew from Germany to Los Angeles to visit Elvis Presley. While the two were romantically involved when Elvis was stationed abroad in the Army, they hadnt seen one another in two years. When Priscilla arrived, she was disappointed to learn shed be staying at Elvis friends house. The musician told her that this was out of respect for her parents wishes. Later, however, Priscilla learned that he had a different reason to want her out of the house.

Priscilla Presley visited Elvis in Los Angeles

Priscillas visit only happened after her father laid out rules with Elvis. Priscilla was only 16 at the time, so he wanted to ensure she had a constant chaperone and wrote home every day. Elvis promised to stay true to these stipulations.

When Priscilla arrived, she spent hours with Elvis in his bedroom. As the night deepened, Elvis informed her that shed be sleeping at a friends house. He wanted to fulfill his promise to her father.

Later that night he told me I had to stay with friends of his, George and Shirley Barris, Priscilla wrote in her book Elvis and Me. Although I protested, Elvis said, I dont want to go back on my promise to your father. Besides, if he found out you were staying with me, hed make you go right home. It didnt make any sense, but I got out of bed and Elvis had Joe drive me over to the Barrises house, where I would spend the night. Reluctantly.

Priscilla Presley | Bettmann/Contributor via Getty

Elvis made it seem as though he made this decision out of respect for Priscilla and her father. She later learned that this wasnt the full truth. He also wanted to hide the fact that he was still in a relationship with another woman, Anita Wood.

Later I found out through one of the wives whom I had befriended the reason for my spending the first night with George and Shirley, Priscilla wrote. Apparently Anita had been sent back to Memphis the day before, and Elvis was taking precautions to avoid any awkward situations for himself that might have resulted from late-night phone calls.

Elvis frequently spoke to Priscilla about his relationship with Anita Wood

At this point, Priscilla was well aware of Elvis relationship with Wood. While she could only guess about whether or not Elvis had affairs with other celebrities, he spoke openly about Wood with her. When he was in Germany, he expressed his fears that Wood was not faithful to him, overlooking his own infidelity with Priscilla. After he left, he complained about his relationship during phone calls.

Occasionally, hed talk about Anita, saying their relationship wasnt what he had expected when he returned from the Army, Priscilla wrote. He was no longer sure he wanted to be with her. I didnt know where I stood.

Anita Wood ended the relationship

Wood also knew about Elvis relationship with Priscilla. Shortly after Priscilla visited Elvis, Wood confronted him about his infidelity.

Anita Wood and Elvis Presley | Bettmann/Contributor via Getty

When I was coming down the back stairs into the kitchen, I heard Elvis say, Im having the hardest time making up my mind between the two,' Wood said, per Express. Elvis took me into the dining room and his dad was sitting at the table. And we sat down at the table and I said, Im gonna make that decision for you, I heard what you said and Im leaving.'

While she said the decision was difficult, she knew she had to leave. Elvis told her she didnt have to go, but she packed her things and never looked back.
The Minnesota state flag is displayed in the state Capitol building rotunda, March 24, 2022, in St. Paul, Minn. A state commission went to work Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2023, on designing a new state flag and seal for Minnesota to replace a current emblem in both that's considered offensive to Native Americans.
Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site.

0108263 License for publishing multimedia online



Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349
DeSantis' 'stunning' Iowa ground game could lead to potential caucus upset, influential activist says

A leading Iowa Evangelical activist believes that the critical state caucuses are "tailor-made" for an upset with a Republican field that is "wide-open," saying that Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has run a strong ground game as former President Donald Trump dominates the polls.

As Republican presidential hopefuls focus on wooing conservatives in Iowa, Bob Vander Plaats, the president of the Iowa-based advocacy group The FAMiLY Leader, discussed the state of the race in The Hawkeye State in an interview with The Christian Post.

Vander Plaats takes an active role in the primary campaign by interacting with the candidates and hosting the FAMiLY Leadership Summit, a gathering of grassroots Evangelical activists that took place earlier this summer. Most Republican candidates attended and sat down for one-on-one interviews with former Fox News host Tucker Carlson, but former President Donald Trump did not.

Although Iowa Republican Presidential Caucus polls show Trump with a commanding lead, Vander Plaats says he's seen "poll numbers just be wrong time and time again."

When asked which candidate was best positioned to win the Iowa caucuses, Vander Plaats responded, "It would have to be Ron DeSantis." He said DeSantis has received endorsements from 40 state legislators and 130 county chairs. He noted the Florida governor's commitment to do the "full Grassley."

A "full Grassley" is in reference to U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa, who is known for traveling to all 99 of the state's counties to campaign and hear from voters.

"His [political action committee], at least, is saying that they have 10,000 caucusgoers committed already to caucus for him. And so that's a pretty stunning ground game," Vander Plaats added.

According to the RealClearPolitics average of polls sampling the opinions of likely Iowa Republican caucusgoers, based on surveys taken from July 15 to Sept. 9, Trump's support has increased to 44.5%.

DeSantis comes in second at 16.7%, followed by U.S. Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina at 9.5%, entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy at 5.8%, former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley at 5.5%, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie at 3.3%, former Vice President Mike Pence at 3.3% and North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum at 2.3%.

The other candidates included in the polling average, former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, Texas Pastor Ryan Binkley and former Rep. Will Hurd, R-Texas, fail to crack 1%.

Based on Vander Plaats' assessment on the ground in Iowa, the contest is still "wide-open," and conditions are "tailor-made for the former president  to get beat here."

"I see Iowans by and large appreciative of the former president and the things that he did in his administration but exhausted by the continual look at the past and complaint about the past, and so, therefore, I think they're looking forward to turn the page and move on," he added.

"And I think you have candidates from DeSantis to Ramaswamy to Tim Scott to Nikki Haley to Mike Pence, who are all making a strong vie for that support."

Vander Plaats called DeSantis' ground game "exceptionally strong" and recalled that when DeSantis accompanied him to church last month when in town for the Iowa State Fair, the candidate said he was already approaching the halfway point of a "full Grassley."

Vander Plaats pointed to endorsements DeSantis had picked up from Troy Scheuermann, whom he described as a "key activist in southeast Iowa," and former Iowa Republican Party Chair Cody Hoefert. Vander Plaats predicted that "both of those individuals will  bring strong followings with them to the caucuses."

Vander Plaats also praised DeSantis' "comprehensive strategy to win the caucuses," stressing that "he's not skipping the rural [areas] whatsoever."

In a recent call with reporters, the national Christian conservative grassroots advocacy group Faith & Freedom Coalition stressed that focusing on the rural counties is essential to winning the Iowa caucuses. Vander Plaats agreed with that assessment.

While Vander Plaats offered particular praise for DeSantis, he reiterated his belief that the field is "wide-open" and, therefore, all candidates have the potential to win.

"I think everyone, including the former president, is going after the faith-based vote, the Evangelical vote  because they make up about two-thirds of the  [caucusgoers]," he said. "I think it's too early to tell which candidate they're going to rally around. Right now, I think they're taking an interest in all of them."

According to data compiled by The Des Moines Register, "Since 1980, the winner of the Iowa caucuses has gained the nomination in three of eight contested races, but the presidency just once: George W. Bush in 2000."

Vander Plaats believes that Iowans "do our job well," suggesting that the purpose of the Iowa caucuses  which is the first result of the presidential primary season  is not to select the Republican nominee but to "narrow the field."

"This time, I believe, if you're going to beat the former president, I think you have to beat him in Iowa. And I think whoever beats him in Iowa, that's going to be the competition all the way through the primary cycle," he said.

Vander Plaats declared: "If Trump wins Iowa, I don't see how you stop him."

Vander Plaats believes that Trump's strengths include having "100% name ID." He said Trump's indictments "have acted like a SuperPAC for him, they've helped him raise money, and they've kept him in the news 24/7."

"I think there's a sympathy factor there as well as an appreciation factor there," he continued. "But that said, on the ground, I sense something completely different. And that's why I believe the caucuses are tailor-made to upend the former president in Iowa."

Vander Plaats said other candidates have reached out to him.

"We've had Tim Scott at our home. We've had Vivek Ramaswamy at our home and offices. We've had Tim Scott and Nikki Haley at our offices, Asa Hutchinson at our offices."

He asserted that all of the candidates "have to be strong in Iowa to have a legitimate shot at moving forward," adding, "I think after Iowa, there's going to be a strong call to basically coalesce around an alternative to Trump."

"I think it's why they're so scared of the former president, that I believe they believe he presents our highest hurdle for winning victory in 2024, and I think they see it as a must-win," said Vander Plaats.

"Then on top of that, I think they're looking for a statesman, someone who their children and their grandchildren can point to to say grow up to be like that person."

While noting that electability looms large in the minds of faith-based voters, Vander Plaats listed "religious liberty" and "the sanctity of human life and nuclear family" as additional issues of importance to such voters heading into 2024.

He forecasted that Trump's decision to skip the FAMiLY Leadership Summit and his criticism of popular Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds could impact the caucus results.

"Going after the most popular governor in probably Iowa's history is a huge mistake, in my opinion. Skipping the gathering of the largest Evangelical base  is a mistake. Iowans give a lot of credit for those who show up," he proclaimed. "I think that adds to his hurdles when it comes to the state of Iowa."

In 2016, Trump went after Vander Plaats on social media after he endorsed Texas Sen. Ted Cruz for president. Leading up to the endorsement, Trump courted the support of the influential Evangelical activist.
Jill Duggar Dillard shares how reality shows nearly destroyed her marriage

With a new memoir slated for publication, Jill Duggar Dillard has opened up about how participation in her family's reality television series put a strain on her marriage.

Dillard is one of the 19 children of Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar, who raised their children in a strict Christian household in Arkansas, as documented in the long-running TLC series 19 Kids and Counting and a spinoff series, Counting On.

The 32-year-old spoke with People magazine as her memoir, Counting the Cost, is scheduled for release next Tuesday.

In the interview published Wednesday, Dillard detailed how the demands associated with filming reality television caused a lot of frustration in her marriage to Derick Dillard as the reality TV lifestyle became a source of tension with her spouse especially early on, where he would feel a certain way about filming something. The couple married in 2014.

Id be like, I hear you; I feel you. I also dont want to do whatever it is theyre asking us to do, either. But we have to, she added.

Dillard claims her upbringing, based on the teachings of the Institute in Basic Life Principles, a Christian umbrella organization established by Bill Gothard, which places a heavy emphasis on the importance of parental obedience, made matters worse in light of her fathers role in the center of the show.

It definitely got between us, she said, referring to the impact of her perceived obligations as a daughter in relation to the show and her marriage.

No matter your age, you are to obey your [parents] wishes, and you even have to ask them for their blessing for any major moment in your life, she added. That could be buying a house, moving to a different state, where to go to school. We were dealing with this a lot when we were trying to make decisions for our family, and we were really wrestling back and forth with it.

Derick Dillard agreed with his wifes assessment of the situation, telling People, Whenever we were at odds with what her dad thought we should be doing with filming, he would say things that would be very damaging.

He identified problematic questions made by the Duggar family patriarch, who he said would ask, Is this you, Jill, or is this you, Derek?

Derick Dillard also claimed that Duggar would ask: Are you leading your wife astray and doing things that are not supportive of marriage?

He described his father-in-laws efforts as trying to weaponize the relationship, saying the occurrences were a red flag.

Eventually, after reflecting on how arguments with her father were affecting our marriage, Jill Dillard determined that we either need to fight this battle together, or its going to rip us apart.

We had to join forces at that point, she insisted.

The release of Counting the Cost comes three years after the Dillards left the philosophy associated with the Institute in Basic Life Principles behind.

While the couple is trusting in God as they chart a new course for their lives, they have embraced therapy as what Jill Dillard characterizes as the gift we didnt know we needed.

They now live on the Arkansas-Oklahoma border with their three sons.

Addressing her books potential to attract negative reactions, Jill Dillard declared, I feel called to do this" and asserted that we really wanted to tell our story for my siblings, because some of them are going to face similar challenges, if they havent already, to what Ive faced.

Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar released a statement to People declining to respond to allegations laid out by their daughter and son-in-law.

We love all of our children very much. As with any family, few things are more painful than conflicts or problems among those you love.  We do not believe the best way to resolve conflicts, facilitate forgiveness and reconciliation, or to communicate through difficulties is through the media or a public forum so we will not comment.

Counting the Cost and this weeks interview with People are not the first time Jill Dillard has sought to distance herself from her famous family and the strict rules they abide by.

The former reality TV star previously documented how she wears a nose ring and pants in addition to drinking alcohol, activities that her upbringing forbade her from partaking in.

Court documents unsealed last year show that Jill Dillard considered her relationship with her father "pretty toxic," describing him as controlling and verbally abusive.

I saw a whole new side to my dad once my husband and I started making decisions that were best for our family, but not in his best interest, Dillard was quoted as saying in a preliminary psychological opinion by Robert Wynne, The Sun reported.

Sadly, I realized he had become pretty controlling, fearful, and reactionary. He was verbally abusive. Our relationship is not good. It got pretty toxic, she added.

"We occasionally text on a family group thread, but I dont feel comfortable being around him and just hanging out. It isnt good for my mental health right now.

Earlier this year, the Duggar family was the subject of an Amazon Prime docuseries called Shiny Happy People. It focuses on Jill Dillard and examines the teachings of the Institute in Basic Life Principles.

In addition to Jill Dillard, another now-adult Duggar child has distanced herself from her upbringing.

Jinger Duggar Vuolo discussed how she came to the conclusion that the teachings at the center of the Institute in Basic Life Principles were not true in an interview with The Christian Post earlier this year, where she outlined the direction of her spiritual journey going forward.

As a believer, as somebody who really wants to glorify God and know what God thinks, know what pleases Him, Im going to go back to the Word of God for my answers, even if that takes me years of working through what Ive been taught and saying, OK, well, I remember what this verse said, according to this teacher, but what does it actually say? What was the actual context? What is the theme of the Word of God? And what does this look like in my life? How should I live my life accordingly?
Seminary student burned to death after failed kidnapping in Nigeria

ABUJA, Nigeria  Assailants in an area of Nigeria where Fulani terrorists have operated freely burned a Catholic seminary student to death Thursday night in a failed kidnapping attempt, sources said.

In an attack at about 8 p.m. on the rectory of St. Raphaels Catholic Church in Fadan Kamantan, in southern Kaduna state, under the Kafanchan Diocese, terrorists unable to enter the home of the parish priest they sought to kidnap instead set it on fire, according to news outlet ACI Africa, citing an interview by Bishop Julius Yakubu Kundi of Kafanchan with charity Aid to the Church in Need.

The priest, the Rev. Emmanuel Okolo, and his assistant managed to escape, but the fire killed seminary student Naaman Danlami, 25, Kundi reportedly said.

An area priest who had taught Danlami at the St. Albert Institute, the Rev. Williams Kaura Abba, asked for prayer in a text message to Morning Star News.

The bandits went for a kidnapping spree, Abba said. Two priests in the burnt house were able to escape. The seminarian was trapped. The bandits set the rectory ablaze. Naaman Danlami, the seminarian, died of asphyxiation and suffered severe burns. May God rest the soul of this martyr.

Area resident Andrew Timothy told Morning Star News that Danlamis remains were taken to a mortuary.

The Rev. John Hayab, chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Kaduna State Chapter, lamented lack of security in the area.

It is sad that killings and this type of evil against Christians are still going on in spite of our appeal and pleading to Nigerian government to take measures towards ending these attacks, Hayab said.

Four Catholic priests were killed in Nigeria in 2022 and 28 were kidnapped, while so far this year, 14 Catholic clergymen have been abducted, according to Aid to the Church in Need.

Nigeria led the world in Christians killed for their faith in 2022, with 5,014, according to Open Doors 2023 World Watch List (WWL) report. It also led the world in Christians abducted (4,726), sexually assaulted or harassed, forcibly married or physically or mentally abused, and it had the most homes and businesses attacked for faith-based reasons. As in the previous year, Nigeria had the second most church attacks and internally displaced people.

In the 2023 World Watch List of the countries where it is most difficult to be a Christian, Nigeria jumped to sixth place, its highest ranking ever, from No. 7 the previous year.

Militants from the Fulani, Boko Haram, Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and others conduct raids on Christian communities, killing, maiming, raping and kidnapping for ransom or sexual slavery, the WWL report noted. This year has also seen this violence spill over into the Christian-majority south of the nation.  Nigerias government continues to deny this is religious persecution, so violations of Christians rights are carried out with impunity.

Numbering in the millions across Nigeria and the Sahel, predominantly Muslim Fulani comprise hundreds of clans of many different lineages who do not hold extremist views, but some Fulani do adhere to radical Islamist ideology, the United Kingdoms All-Party Parliamentary Group for International Freedom or Belief (APPG) noted in a 2020 report.

They adopt a comparable strategy to Boko Haram and ISWAP and demonstrate a clear intent to target Christians and potent symbols of Christian identity, the APPG report states.

Christian leaders in Nigeria have said they believe herdsmen's attacks on Christian communities in Nigerias Middle Belt are inspired by their desire to forcefully take over Christians lands and impose Islam as desertification has made it difficult for them to sustain their herds.
India is marred by deep descent into communal hatred

Indians recently celebrated the ascent and safe landing of the Chandrayaan moon expedition. A billion Indian citizens are caught up in the euphoria of this mammoth technological achievement. The nation joins the company of the U.S., China and Russia in going to the moon, and we have soaked up congratulations coming from around the world. This certainly inspires a whole generation of youth to dream big.

It is difficult to describe to the developed world how Indians view this as the dawn of a new age. We have now landed on Chandrama, which means moon-mother. Many Indians worship the sun and moon.

Tragically, this fantastic development was marred by a dark and disturbing phenomenon which also caught the worlds attention: Indias widespread descent into religious and communal hatred. Incessant hate speech has birthed violence and is tearing our society apart.

Indians recently watched footage on social media of a school teacher in North India instigating students to punish and slap a Muslim boy. While the students violently assaulted the boy, the teacher engaged in hateful propaganda against Muslims. Similar incidents against Muslims and Dalits have occurred in northern India recently.

A few months ago, Indians watched a police officer engage in a killing spree of 3 Muslim travelers on a moving train. He shouted anti-Muslim rhetoric as he unleashed his terror. We have no second amendment here in India where innocent citizens are empowered to defend themselves. So no one on the train dared challenge the armed officer.

Behind the recent violence inflicted upon Kuki Christians in Manipur is more deep-seated religious and ethnic hatred. The same goes for communal violence in Haryana in recent weeks.

The cracks in our pluralistic society spread from hateful, bigoted language spewed by religious leaders, politicians, and even the mainstream media across India. How will we ever return to the India I once knew, where a diverse nation grew in harmony despite cultural, ideological, and religious differences? Is a majoritarian Hindu nation possible without destroying profoundly complex and varied roots in prominent ethnicities and religions?

Religious, political, and caste leaders have engaged in hate speech and persecution for narrow political ends, or revenge for perceived victimhood. How are Indian Muslims of today responsible for the acts of invading Mughal rulers of the past? With this sort of mindset, the next step for India would be protracted caste warfare for reparations due to oppression and exploitation of the Dalits and tribals by the upper castes for centuries. This would certainly not help India mature to its full potential economically and culturally.

The undoing of widespread hatred for minorities and Dalits will take decades and require wise, patriotic leaders who value peace and pluralism. These leaders must find the strength to struggle for one united India, a nation of equal rights for all citizens where the rule of law always prevails over mob mentality.

When officers of the law  sworn to protect and defend all Indians  instead participate in hate speech and violence themselves, citizens are left powerless. As bulldozers raze homes and places of worship for minorities, without legal sanction, our hope in the rule of law is lost.

Violent anger is quickly becoming the common currency in civil society. This is true in India and around the globe, as we recently witnessed in the French riots.

We have watched the fallout from this unfold in Manipur, and if the status quo continues, it will happen elsewhere in India. There are two distinct Manipurs now  one Kuki and one Meitei. Any social union between the two will take decades of diligent peace-making efforts. The terrible suffering that comes from this religious and ethnic divide cannot be ignored.

The call to violence by prominent religious and political leaders  the ones we should be able to look to in times of turmoil  must be dealt with quickly. This issue is so severe that the Supreme Court now insists that individual states craft laws for dealing with hate speech.

These developments are deeply frustrating as they come in the wake of precisely the time when India is poised to become a major global economic and scientific power. But this will only happen with social cohesion.

India is unlike any other nation. We are not Germany or Pakistan. Our minorities, including the Dalits and tribals, number in the hundreds of millions. A majoritarian marginalization of hundreds of millions of people will not succeed without destroying the economic progress and democratic fabric of the nation.

Indian media reports large concentrations of wealthy upper castes migrating west as theyve read the writing on the wall. Yet many other concerned majority Hindus are staying back and bravely speaking out against Indias descent into self-destruction.

Those who claim they love their nation must demonstrate, in both words and deeds, their disdain for the demonization of minorities. Each and every Indian has a responsibility to counter ethnic and religious unrest. The time has come to prove our patriotism in our own internal struggles and not shift blame to foreign powers.

Indias space program is a reflection of unity amongst various religions and caste backgrounds. They operate in far greater harmony than India as a whole right now. Its a microcosm of what could be if our leaders finally prioritize a peaceful future.
Elisabeth Elliot biographer unveils new details about life and work of renowned missionary

Elisabeth Elliot, the missionary many remember for devoting years of her life to sharing the Gospel with the men who killed her husband, is much more than a footnote in Christian history, says biographer Ellen Vaughn.

In a recent interview with The Christian Post, Vaughn described her efforts to delve deeper into the celebrated missionarys life. Her second volume,Being Elisabeth Elliot, explores a later period in the missionarys life after writing about Elliots early years in her first volume, Becoming Elisabeth Elliot.

Those who have heard of Elliot might recognize her as the woman whose husband, Jim Elliot, died in January 1956 during a mission to preach the Gospel. While traveling through the Ecuadorian jungle, Elliots husband and four other missionaries were speared to death by members of the Auca/Waodani tribe, the group they had traveled to meet.

Despite her husbands death, Elliot returned to the rainforest two years later to live with and minister to the same tribe that had killed her husband. In 2019, Vaughn traveled to Ecuador while writing the first volume of her biographical series and lived among the Auca/Waodani people whom Elliot had ministered to. She also met two of the men who speared the famed missionarys husband.

The men had come to believe in the spiritual presence of Jesus as a result of the work of Elliot and fellow missionary Rachel Saint, both of whom lived among the tribe and demonstrated forgiveness. A man named Mincaye, one of the men believed to have speared and killed Elliots husband, died in 2020.

While many Christians might be somewhat familiar with Elliot's story of forgiveness, Vaughn observed that there appears to be less familiarity with Elliots body of work throughout the second half of the 20th century.

Vaughn said something else that interested her while writing the second volume of Elliots biography was the concept of Evangelical heroes and societys tendency to place them on a pedestal.

Vaughn said that members of Elliots family provided her with access to her journals. Reading the journals transformed how she viewed Elliot. No longer viewing her merely as a caricature, but seeing the heart, soul, brain and spirit of a celebrated woman during the journeys God led her through when she was alive.

And that's what I found fascinating, that there is a tendency, I think, on the one hand, to set up these heroes and typecast them, the author said. Oh, she was so brave; she was so obedient to God no matter what. And I think many people felt like, 'I could never be like her.'

The biographer pointed to the heroes of Scripture, noting that they were flawed, made mistakes and suffered from insecurities. To the biographer, Elliot is not unlike these biblical heroes, and she wanted to explore her story to help readers resonate with the Christian missionarys life.

The author said that she sought to explore various questions in the book, including what it means to be a human being and what it means to follow Christ amid a culture of confusion and when times are awful or when one is struggling with rejection. According to Vaughn, Elliot experienced all of these feelings.

The interesting part to me is always the cracks in the story, not the illusion of some perfect pot, if you will, Vaughn said.

I think when one gets inside the writings of someone's journals, you come to love the person in their brokenness, she continued. You come to see the heroism in day-to-day obedience, not in dramatic, big stuff.

Speaking on the heart of the book, Vaughn said most of it is devoted to the love story between Elliot and her second husband, Addison Leitch, a professor at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. Elliot married Leitch in 1969, and the couple remained together until his death in 1973.

As Vaughn explained, most people remember Elliots first husband, but her marriage to Leitch was a time of great delight for the Christian missionary. In her journals, Elliot admitted that she loved her second husband more than her first.

Eventually, during their marriage, Leitch was diagnosed with cancer, and he suffered for several months, Vaughn added. During that time in her life, Elliot's hopes would rise in the moments when her husband's health would improve and then be dashed when his health worsened and then her beloved Leitch died.

When you're a biographer, you have to enter into the story of the person you're researching, the author said. You know, all these journals that are just wrenching, and you're weeping for her story even as you're writing.

You have to enter into it. And what God did was uncanny because, within days of writing that very visceral, evocative material, I'm rushing my own husband to the emergency room, she said of her late husband, who was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor and died as she worked on the book.

Vaughn saw her own life reflected in Elliots story, which she does not believe was a coincidence.

I think some of the takeaways from that, which is kind of the heart of the book in some ways, are that, so many times in this life, suffering is real, and it is awful, Vaughn said. But God is present, and there may not be some victorious, lovely Christian healing, but the ultimate healing will come. And this is the heart of our faith.

While venturing through her own journey of loss, Vaughn said she saw how God works through everything that happens in this life, noting that His grace is tangible and robust.

One of Elliots greatest contributions to Christian thought, Vaughn believes, is on the issue of suffering. Elliot had defined suffering as having something you dont want or wanting something you dont have, according to the biographer, who noted that this encompasses many things.

And I think it's key to our experience as human beings, Vaughn said. Lord, how do I walk through these days? And so, I think that is some of what I would love people to take away from this particular book and from her story.

Being Elisabeth Elliot will be available everywhere books are sold on Sept.12.
Church attendance stagnates amid return to in-person services: Pew

The percentage of Americans who say they have attended religious services in the last month has leveled off as more churches and houses of worship have lifted various COVID-19 meeting restrictions and safety precautions, according to a Pew Research Center study.

Pew released a report last week looking into the percentage of Americans that have returned to in-person worship now that gathering restrictions were being lifted across the country and more churches are again holding in-person worship services.

In July 2020, a few months after the pandemic lockdowns began, according to the report, 13% of U.S. adults said they attended religious services in person the previous month.

In March 2021, Pew reported that the figure had increased by 4 percentage points to 17%. And in September 2021, the share of adults who said they attended a religious service in the past month rose to 26%.

But in March 2022, the share of Americans who attended religious services in person in the previous month was 27%  only 1 percentage point higher than the 26% reported last September.

Data for the report was drawn from Pews American Trends Panel, which involved a sample of 10,441 panelists interviewed between March 7 and March 13. The survey has a margin of sampling error of plus or minus 1.5 percentage points.

The study also found that a higher percentage of adults who say they attend religious services at least monthly say their houses of worship are open for in-person services. In July 2020, just 6% said their houses of worship were open to the public for services the same way as before the COVID-19 outbreak. In March 2022, that figure rose to 43%.

In July 2020, 55% of adults who attend religious services at least monthly said their houses of worship were open to the public for services but with changes due to the COVID-19 outbreak. In March 2022, that share dropped to 47%.



In March 2022, only 5% of respondents who attend church monthly say their church or house of worship is not open for in-person services. In July 2020, that figure stood at 31%.

Sam Rainer, president of Church Answers and pastor at West Bradenton Baptist Church in Florida, told The Christian Post that he believes there are times and there are seasons in the life of the church where a plateau is not a bad place to be.

If you are holding your own with attendance right now, if you are stable in attendance, I view that as a victory because its been harder to draw new people in during this season, Rainer said.

A lot of churches have lost people to COVID. Many have lost people to death that would have occurred anyway just naturally in the church. As people move on and pass on, you have to replace them with new people. And what that means is if youre stable right now, you do have new people coming in, at least at the rate of those who are no longer able to be at the church. So I would view stability as success right now.

The Pew study suggested that the plateau could change depending on life circumstances.

Assessing the impact of the pandemic on religious service attendance remains difficult for two main reasons. One is that the ultimate course of the pandemic is still unclear, reads the study.

What appears, at this moment, to be a plateau in religious service attendance could be followed by a rise if the pandemic gradually recedes, or by a drop if a new, highly infectious coronavirus variant emerges.

Rainer told CP that he agreed with the study about how things could change in the next few years depending on what life brings. However, he said, church attendance might not return to the numbers seen before the pandemic any time in the near future.

I believe that at some point, the practices will return to normal when it comes to restrictions, said Rainer. It takes two to three years of behavior change for things to come back to normal. So I would assume that in the next couple of years, we are going to see a return to similar practices as it were before the pandemic  at least in terms of restrictions lifting.

That being said, things are permanently different. They have changed because of COVID. And I dont see attendance returning to pre-pandemic levels anytime soon, he added. Obviously, if you look further out into the future, its difficult to know. We can see any number of things happen. At least in terms of the next five years, I do not believe that we will return to pre-pandemic attendance levels.

The pandemic accelerated and exacerbated existing problems in churches, according to Rainer. He said that whatever issues a church might have had before COVID-19 became more severe during the pandemic.

Specifically, Rainer noted, most churches lost those who were considered on the periphery of the church, those who were new to attending church or visitors.

Almost every single church is now smaller. Part of the reason is what was left to cultural Christianity is now completely gone, he said. So there is no longer a social benefit culturally to attend church. So with the death of cultural Christianity comes less people attending church who are there just because of some sort of social benefit.

Churches struggled to bring in new people or those on the periphery because they were not holding new services and events to invite new people for a good portion of the pandemic, Rainer said.

The other thing that the pandemic did was it caused those on the periphery to exit and to exit quickly. Theres always people that are feeding into the church, and there are always people who are fading out of the church, he added.

That could be for any number of reasons. They could just be seeking. They could be questioning their faith. They could be new to the church. So when things went on lockdown, those on the periphery faded away.
Church attendance still short of pre-pandemic levels although most have reopened: survey

Nearly three years after the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns forced churches across the United States to shut their doors, many attendees have yet to return, even as the vast majority of churches have resumed in-person services.

Lifeway Research released the results of a phone survey of 1,000 Protestant pastors conducted from Sept. 6 through Sept. 30, 2022, using a random sample from a list of all Protestant churches. Each interview was conducted with the senior pastor, minister or priest at the church, and responses were weighted by region and church size to reflect the population more accurately.

The findings reflect more anecdotal reports from ministries of all sizes, which are still struggling to regain their pre-pandemic form.

All pastors surveyed said their churches met in person in August 2022, compared to 75% who reported the same in July 2020.

But while churches are resuming the majority of their in-person services, on average, pastors say attendance at their churches in August was 85% of their Sunday attendance levels in January 2020.

Still, those attendance levels mark the highest in over two years.

The average church reported 63% of its pre-pandemic in-person attendance in September 2020. By August 2021, that number climbed to 73% and jumped another 12 points in 2022, according to the study.

"While there are a handful of exceptions, we can definitively say that churches in the U.S. have reopened," Lifeway Research Executive Director Scott McConnell said in a statement. "While masks began to rapidly disappear in many settings in 2022, churchgoers have not reappeared quite as fast."

A Lifeway study conducted earlier this year found 34% of Christians said they went to church at least four times a month before the pandemic, compared with only 26% in April 2022.

"While some pre-COVID churchgoers have not returned to church at all, much of the decline in attendance is from people who are attending less often," said McConnell.

Researchers say the trend also appears to hold along regional and denominational lines.

Pastors in the Midwest (26%) and South (25%) are more likely to say their church congregations are larger than they were before the pandemic compared to pastors in the Northeast (14%).

Evangelical pastors (29%) are almost twice as likely as mainline pastors (16%) to report pandemic attendance growth.

Roughly a third of all Pentecostal pastors, 30% of nondenominational pastors and 28% of Baptist pastors said their church congregations have grown since January 2020. By comparison, 14% of Presbyterian/Reformed pastors, 13% of Lutheran pastors, 10% of Restorationist Movement pastors and 8% of Methodist pastors said the same.

Nondenominational pastors (14%) were most likely to say their church is still less than 30% of pre-COVID attendance.

According to the survey, fewer churches are hitting the 100-person attendance mark on any given weekend.

As of August 2022, most American Protestant churches (68%) have congregations numbering less than 100  nearly a third of which have fewer than 50 people.

Slightly less than a quarter of churches have congregations numbering between 100-249, while just 8% host 250 people or more per week.

The pandemic declines in attendance come as many churches and denominations were already facing declining attendance before the pandemic, creating financial difficulties that have forced many to close or substantially alter the ways they operate.

David Dummitt, the senior pastor of Willow Creek Community Church in suburban Chicago, said earlier this year that his megachurch cut staff due to the pandemic's impact on giving.

"Willow is about half of the size we were before COVID, which is right in line with the churches across the country. But as you can see, and as you can imagine, that has fiscal impactions," Dummitt said in a video shared on YouTube in early May.

Thom S. Rainer, founder and CEO of Church Answers and former president of Lifeway Christian Resources, attributed the post-pandemic trend of smaller congregations to several factors. Those include the now-broken habit of regular attendance, departed members who are unlikely to return and long-term "digital attendees" who Rainer says have dropped out altogether.

"The pandemic accelerated the pace for them to become a dropout," Rainer wrote in an op-ed in May. "It likely would have happened anyway."
Married pastor accused of robbing 5 women, sexually assaulting 2

The wife of a longtime Illinois preacher reeled in shock Wednesday as she learned that her husband of 11 years has been accused of robbing five women and sexually assaulting two of them.

Justin Deloney, 36, who leads Faith Outreach Ministry, has been preaching for 19 years and is alleged to have a record of preying on vulnerable women, according to police records cited in a CBS News Chicago report.

Authorities say the pastor was arrested Sunday and charged with a spate of crimes he is alleged to have committed from late June to mid-July.

Prosecutors allege the pastor would first approach his victims with small talk and then try to lure them into his car. If the woman rejected his advances, he would take her purse and speed off.

Among his victims are a 44-year-old woman he approached on June 2, a 58-year-old woman on July 9, and a 45-year-old woman on July 18.

He is also accused of sexually assaulting a 47-year-old woman on June 25, and a 34-year-old woman on July 10.

Police say one of the victims was a homeless woman who accepted a ride from Deloney. The pastor allegedly committed an acted of forced oral copulation on the woman while displaying a knife for the purpose of sexual arousal.

In a search of Deloneys car in their investigation, police report finding IDs and credit cards belonging to the victims.

The pastors wife, Samantha, told CBS that the allegations against her husband came as a surprise to her. He will return to court later this month.
Pastor, presidential candidate defends Texas law allowing schools to hire chaplains

A presidential candidate and pastor is defending the idea of putting chaplains in schools after a group of theologically progressive Christian chaplains and clergy of other religions wrote a letter urging Texas public school districts not to put volunteer or paid chaplains in their schools as a new Texas law allows them to do so.

Ryan Binkley, a North Texas-based pastor running for president of the United States as a Republican, spoke out in favor of Senate Bill 763 in an interview with The Christian Post. I think the intent behind it is good and thats really just to try and provide ... better counseling support for our younger generation, and I think thats needed, he said.

Binkleys support for the bill comes after more than 100 chaplains, primarily affiliated with hospice programs, hospitals, universities, prisons or the military, urged all Texas school board members to vote against the creation of a paid or volunteer chaplain program to provide support, services, and programs for students in an Aug. 22 letter.

The signatories urged school boards to reject this flawed policy option, expressing concern that SB 763 allows a school district to give any employee or volunteer who can pass a background check the title of chaplain. According to the chaplains, This is simply not enough. Professional chaplains have specific education and expertise to fulfill our role in helping others engage their own religious practices and traditions.

While Binkley suggested that school districts should have the authority to set some rules in place regarding the eligibility of prospective chaplains, he pushed back on the argument that extensive training was necessary for chaplains to positively impact the lives of young people: Sometimes you have a lot of kids that are facing a lot of difficult issues, theyre facing emotional issues, facing depressive issues, going through trials, and I dont know that you have to be ... an expert in every single area just to be a friend.

The chaplains who oppose Senate Bill 763 warned that There is no requirement in this law that the chaplains refrain from proselytizing while at schools or that they serve students from different religious backgrounds. They contended that establishing a chaplain program in public schools would constitute the government assertion of authority for the spiritual development and formation of our public school children.

They added, We would never provide spiritual care to someone without their consent. And when children are involved, parental consent is necessary. Not only are chaplains serving in public schools likely to bring about conflict with the religious beliefs of parents, but chaplains serving in public schools would also amount to spiritual malpractice by the chaplains.

Binkley told CP that school districts should have some guidelines to address these concerns, suggesting that such stipulations could be: We dont want you to offer certain counseling [from] a certain perspective. Wed ask that you not invite them to come to your particular church to try and ... persuade them to change religions or faiths.

While favoring measures seeking to protect kids from ... anybody that may be trying to abuse the authority in any way, he stressed that an overreach of trying to avoid the possibility of anybody doing something wrong is unnecessary.

The signatories behind the letter to Texas school boards contend that the presence of so-called government-sanctioned chaplains in public schools is unnecessary in light of the absence of barriers to religious exercise frequently experienced in other settings such as the military and prison. Additionally, they insist that they lack the qualifications for the duties envisioned by SB 763, specifically referring to special training for mental health professionals.

From Binkleys perspective, Senate Bill 763 seeks to provide children with additional options, not replace trained mental health professionals: A large majority of people are Christians in Texas and if they would like to have a chaplain there, I think they should be available. If somebody would prefer that ... their child not receive counseling from a chaplain, I think they should also be able to request that. Im sure there are other counselors out there that are more neutral from a faith perspective.

Binkley noted that many kids are walking through difficult moments and if having more chaplains and counselors available can help, I think that should be beneficial. And then, in the more severe cases where somebody needs a higher level of professional help, they should be able to refer those [students] to licensed mental health professionals.

After condemning the use of the school safety allotment to pay for chaplains as wholly inappropriate, the signatories concluded the letter by writing, We urge you to support religious freedom and parental rights by rejecting this harmful program to have government-approved chaplains in our public schools. They also asserted that a strong public school system is one in which the limited funding for safety and security of students is used to hire the most skilled professionals for those roles.

The chaplains declared We believe that families, not the government, are entrusted with their childrens spiritual development.

Texas Republican Gov. Greg Abbott signed Senate Bill 763 into law earlier this year after the Republican-controlled Texas Senate approved it in a 19-12 vote and the Texas House of Representatives passed the legislation in an 84-60 vote. The Senate vote came down along party lines, with Republicans supporting the measure and Democrats opposing it, while three Democrats in the House joined Republicans in voting for the bill.

The measure, which took effect Sept. 1, declares that a school district or open-enrollment charter school may employ or accept as a volunteer a chaplain to provide support, services, and programs for students as assigned by the board of trustees of the district or the governing body of the school. It stresses that such chaplains are not required to be certified by the State Board for Educator Certification. School boards have until March 1, 2024, to vote on whether or not to establish a chaplain program in their districts.

The law also amends existing statutes governing the use of state funds allocated to improve school safety and security. The revised language of the relevant statutes puts chaplains in the same category as licensed counselors, social workers and individuals trained in restorative discipline and restorative justice practices. It amends state law authorizing the use of funds to pay for mental health personnel and support as well as behavioral health services and suicide prevention, intervention, and postvention.

The co-authors of the Aug. 22 letter took issue with the provisions of the law, likening chaplains to mental health professionals: We cooperate with mental health counselors  we do not compete with them. Further, professions which help children with sensitive matters, such as therapists and police investigators, typically require special training on how to interview and treat juveniles. Few chaplains have this expertise.

In contrast to the progressive chaplains who oppose Senate Bill 763, Binkley and others see the measure as a force for good. Gordon Robertson, host of The 700 Club on CBN, praised it as an effective way to address the shortage of school counselors and the mental health crisis facing American youth on an episode of his program that aired shortly after the Texas Legislature approved the bill.

Our children today need it, Robertson said. He expressed concern about the rate of mental illness that is happening in our high schools, our junior high schools and even in our grade schools, which he suggested may arise from the pandemic or the current political divide in America.

Robertson recalled a conversation he recently had with college students, where he asked if any of them had hope for the future: I was expecting a couple of hands to get raised. I certainly wasnt expecting no one to raise their hand.

Theres a hopelessness that has hit this generation. They need help. They need to know, yes, there is a hope, there is a future for them.

Robertson described chaplains as ideal for getting that message across. He shared statistics finding that, on average, Texas public schools have just one school counselor for every 392 students.

Praising Robertsons analysis as a great argument, Binkley explained that we have so many kids and so few mentors and people in their life that can help them navigate through some difficult moments relationally, emotionally, spiritually, mentally even.
Fairview Park, Ohio

Theft, Lorain Road

On Aug. 28 at 3:47 p.m. a resident reported his unlocked car had been entered overnight and some personal belongings were missing. After an investigation, a subject was identified and an arrest warrant was obtained for a 56- year-old East Cleveland man.

Fairview Park Police

Drugs, Brookpark Road

On Aug. 31 at 3:17 p.m. an officer stopped a driver for a traffic violation. Probable cause was found to search the car and a substance, believed to be narcotics, was seized and a loaded firearm was found inside the car. Drug trafficking charges are pending laboratory test results for a passenger, a 35-year-old Cleveland man, who was released on the scene. The driver, a 24-year-old Cleveland woman, was arrested after she was found to be a convicted felon in possession of a loaded firearm and turned over to Macedonia Police Department for an outstanding warrant. Charges for having a weapon under disability and failure to secure a dangerous ordinance were sent to the Cuyahoga County Grand Jury.

Drunk driving, West 210th Street

On Aug. 31 at 6:35 p.m. officers responded to a car crash near the Westgate entrance. The driver of one of the cars, a 46-year-old Avon Lake man, showed signs of alcohol impairment and was arrested for operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol after he was unable to complete field sobriety tests. A loaded firearm was also found in his possession. He was arrested.

Get police blotters by email every weekday for free with our new Police Blotter newsletter. Sign up at cleveland.com/newsletters

Read more news from the Sun Post Herald here.
By SA Commercial Prop News

Rebosis Property Fund to acquire Forest Hill City, Baywest Mall as well as the services companies from property developer Billion Group (Pty) Limited.



Rebosis Property Fund announced that its decision to acquire two regional retail centres as well as the acquisition of Billion Group (Pty) Limited manco, valued at R5bn has been approved by the majority of the firm's shareholders.

SA's listed property groups are struggling to find well priced acquisition opportunities and takeovers are becoming more difficult to achieve now as there are no easy targets.

Private developers have been hesitant to sell some of their properties, waiting for higher prices. This has seen many of the large listed funds turning their attention to assets abroad in Europe and Australia.

Also Read: Emira Property Fund turns down Arrowheads offer



A few underperforming real estate companies could also be the targets of other funds who feel they can manage the assets better.

Recently Emira Property Fund rejected Arrowhead Properties expression of interest to acquire all of its issued share capital on the basis that it has no benefit to its shareholders.

Rebosis, which listed five years ago with R3.6bn worth of assets, today said it would acquire two retail centres, Baywest Mall and Forest Hill City as well as the services companies from property developer Billion Group (Pty) Limited, giving it significant scale and liquidity.

Also Read: Redefine Properties strikes in friendly bid for rest of The Pivotal Fund

We are very excited and also humbled by the overwhelming confidence our shareholders showed today, commented Kameel Keshav, Chief Financial Officer of Rebosis.



Billion Group is owned by Rebosis founder and CEO, Sisa Ngebulana, and constituted a related party transaction in terms of the JSEs Listings Requirements, requiring a 75% shareholder approval.



The acquisition boosts Rebosis retail exposure to 72% of the portfolio post the transaction, the company said in statement.

Stanlibs head of listed property funds, Keillen Ndlovu said it had taken a while for Rebosis to close the deal.

There were a lot of mixed views on the transaction and management worked very hard with back and forth meetings to make this happen. It's great to see that the deal has been finalized and we hope that this will lead to a more acceptable yield (lower yield and therefore higher share price) over time. Rebosis' yield has been generally much higher than the market, said Ndlovu.

Also Read: Tsogo Sun shuffles Hospitality Property Funds top Management

The aggregate transaction amount is R4.934 billion, with up to approximately R3.7 billion funded by debt and the balance to be paid in cash, to be funded through a series of a claw-back offers which will be underwritten by Billion, Abacus (a 50% owner of Baywest Mall) and Nedbank.

Forest Hill City located in Centurion, Gauteng, opened on 29 May 2014. The A-grade regional shopping centre comprises approximately 72 811m of retail shopping tenanted by large international brands and major national retailers, with parking for c.4 200 vehicles.

It is located along the N14 (Krugersdorp/Pretoria) highway and with access on the corner of the R55 and the N14 highway.



Baywest Mall located along the N2 highway, is an A-grade regional shopping centre offering 89 989m in Port Elizabeth. It opened on 21 May 2015.
On a Friday in late August of this year, Elon Musk got into his Model S at Tesla headquarters in Palo Alto, selected a random spot on his navigation screen, and let the car drive itself using its Full Self Driving technology. For 45 minutes, while listening to Mozart, he livestreamed his trip, including a pass by the home of Mark Zuckerberg, whom he had been jokingly challenging to a cage-match fight. "Perhaps I should knock on the door and make a polite enquiry of whether he would like to engage in hand-to-hand combat," he said with a laugh before letting the car drive on.

"It's like ChatGPT, but for cars," Dhaval Shroff, a young member of Tesla's autopilot team, explained to Musk in a meeting in December. He was comparing the idea they were working on to the chatbot that had just been released by OpenAI, the lab that Musk cofounded in 2015. "We process an enormous amount of data on how real human drivers acted in a complex driving situation," said Shroff, "and then we train a computer's neural network to mimic that."

Musk had used FSD hundreds of times before, but this drive was profoundly different, and not just because it was much smoother and more reliable. The new version he was using, FSD 12, was based on a radical new concept that he believes will not only totally transform autonomous vehicles but also be a quantum leap toward artificial general intelligence that can operate in physical real-world situations. Instead of being based on hundreds of thousands of lines of code, like all previous versions of self-driving software, this new system had taught itself how to drive by processing billions of frames of video of how humans do it, just like the new large language model chatbots train themselves to generate answers by processing billions of words of human text.

Until then, Tesla's Autopilot system had been relying on a rules-based approach. The car's cameras identified such things as lane markings, pedestrians, vehicles, signs and traffic signals. Then the software applied a set of rules, such as: Stop when the light is red, go when it's green, stay in the middle of the lane markers, proceed through an intersection only when there are no cars coming fast enough to hit you, and so on. Tesla's engineers manually wrote and updated hundreds of thousands of lines of C++ code to apply these rules to complex situations.

The "neural network planner" that Shroff and others were working on took a different approach. "Instead of determining the proper path of the car based on rules," Shroff says, "we determine the car's proper path by relying on a neural network that learns from millions of examples of what humans have done." In other words, it's human imitation. Faced with a situation, the neural network chooses a path based on what humans have done in thousands of similar situations. It's like the way humans learn to speak and drive and play chess and eat spaghetti and do almost everything else; we might be given a set of rules to follow, but mainly we pick up the skills by observing how other people do them. It was the approach to machine learning envisioned by Alan Turing in his 1950 paper, "Computing Machinery and Intelligence" and which exploded into public view a year ago with the release of ChatGPT.

By early 2023, the neural network planner project had analyzed 10 million clips of video collected from the cars of Tesla customers. Did that mean it would merely be as good as the average of human drivers? "No, because we only use data from humans when they handled a situation well," Shroff explained. Human labelers, many of them based in Buffalo, New York, assessed the videos and gave them grades. Musk told them to look for things "a five-star Uber driver would do," and those were the videos used to train the computer.

Musk regularly walked through the Autopilot workspace in Palo Alto and knelt next to the engineers for impromptu discussions. As he studied the new human-imitation approach, he had a question: Was it truly needed? Might it be a bit of overkill? One of his maxims was that you should never use a cruise missile to kill a fly; just use a flyswatter. Was using a neural network unnecessarily complicated?

Shroff showed Musk instances where a neural network planner would work better than a rules-based approach. The demo had a road littered with trash cans, fallen traffic cones, and random debris. A car guided by the neural network planner was able to skitter around the obstacles, crossing the lane lines and breaking some rules as necessary. "Here's what happens when we move from rules-based to network-path-based," Shroff told him. "The car will never get into a collision if you turn this thing on, even in unstructured environments."

It was the type of leap into the future that excited Musk. "We should do a James Bond-style demonstration," he said, "where there are bombs exploding on all sides and a UFO is falling from the sky while the car speeds through without hitting anything."

Machine-learning systems generally need a metric that guides them as they train themselves. Musk, who liked to manage by decreeing what metrics should be paramount, gave them their lodestar: The number of miles that cars with Full Self-Driving were able to travel without a human intervening. "I want the latest data on miles per intervention to be the starting slide at each of our meetings," he decreed. He told them to make it like a video game where they could see their score every day. "Video games without a score are boring, so it will be motivating to watch each day as the miles per intervention increases."

Members of the team installed massive 85-inch television monitors in their workspace that displayed in real time how many miles the FSD cars were driving on average without interventions. They put a gong near their desks, and whenever they successfully solved a problem causing an intervention, they got to bang the gong.

By mid-April 2023, it was time for Musk to try the new neural network planner. He sat in the driver's seat next to Ashok Elluswamy, Tesla's director of Autopilot software. Three members of the Autopilot team got in the back. As they prepared to leave the parking lot at Tesla's Palo Alto office complex, Musk selected a location on the map for the car to go and took his hands off the wheel.

When the car turned onto the main road, the first scary challenge arose: a bicyclist was heading their way. On its own, the car yielded, just as a human would have done.

For 25 minutes, the car drove on fast roads and neighborhood streets, handling complex turns and avoiding cyclists, pedestrians and pets. Musk never touched the wheel. Only a couple of times did he intervene by tapping the accelerator when he thought the car was being overly cautious, such as when it was too deferential at a four-way stop sign. At one point the car conducted a maneuver that he thought was better than he would have done. "Oh, wow," he said, "even my human neural network failed here, but the car did the right thing." He was so pleased that he started whistling Mozart's "A Little Night Music" serenade in G major.
Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX and Tesla, looks on as he attends the Viva Technology conference dedicated to innovation and startups at the Porte de Versailles exhibition centre in Paris on June 16, 2023.

Author Walter Isaacson took to social media to try to "clarify" an excerpt from his upcoming book, "Elon Musk." The excerpt received swift backlash after it described how Musk thwarted a Ukrainian attack on Russian warships.

Isaacson's book claims that Musk, the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, ordered engineers to shut off Starlink's satellite network over Crimea last year in order to disrupt a Ukrainian military initiative. Musk's Starlink terminals arrived in the early days of Russia's unprovoked invasion of Ukraine as Western governments worked to supply Kyiv with artillery and air defense systems.

Musk eventually soured on the arrangement and said "Starlink was not meant to be involved in wars," according to the book. The tech billionaire told Isaacson he was worried the Ukrainian attack on Russian vessels would provoke the Kremlin into launching a nuclear war.

But in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, late Friday, Isaacson shared new details.

"To clarify on the Starlink issue: the Ukrainians THOUGHT coverage was enabled all the way to Crimea, but it was not," Isaacson wrote. "They asked Musk to enable it for their drone sub attack on the Russian fleet. Musk did not enable it, because he thought, probably correctly, that would cause a major war."

Crimea is a peninsula on the Black Sea that Russia illegally annexed from Ukraine in 2014, and it is home to Russia's Black Sea warships. In the days following Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022, the Black Sea fleet fired missiles on once-industrious Ukrainian coastal cities while imposing a devastating naval blockade.

Isaacson went further in a second post on Saturday, saying that he "mistakenly" thought Musk made the decision to shut off Starlink's satellite network on the night of the attack.

"Based on my conversations with Musk, I mistakenly thought the policy to not allow Starlink to be used for an attack on Crimea had been first decided on the night of the Ukrainian attempted sneak attack that night," Isaacson said. "He now says that the policy had been implemented earlier, but the Ukrainians did not know it, and that night he simply reaffirmed the policy."

Isaacson's X posts came after a top aide to Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy lashed out at Musk over the excerpt.

"By not allowing Ukrainian drones to destroy part of the Russian military fleet via Starlink interference, Elon Musk allowed this fleet to fire Kalibr missiles at Ukrainian cities," Mykhailo Podolyak wrote Thursday on social media after CNN reported on some of the details from Isaacson's book.

"As a result, civilians, children are being killed. This is the price of a cocktail of ignorance and big ego," he added.

Isaacson's complete book is slated for release on Tuesday.

Read the full excerpt about Starlink and Ukraine in the Washington Post.

 CNBC's Amanda Macias contributed to this report.
India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses the G20 Leaders' Summit at the Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi on September 9, 2023. Ludovic Marin | Afp | Getty Images

NEW DELHI  The African Union became the second regional grouping to be admitted to the Group of 20 leading industrialized and developing nations as a full permanent member, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced Saturday at the start of the two-day G20 leaders' summit in Delhi. The widely-anticipated move underscores India's wide-ranging agenda to elevate the global multilateral forum's focus on the Global South in its presidency of the G20 this year. The 55-member bloc of African nations joins the European Union as only the second regional organization to become a permanent member of the G20.

"India's G-20 presidency has become a symbol of inclusion, both within the country and beyond, representing the spirit of 'Sabka Saath'," Modi said in his opening remarks, according to an official translation provided by India's Ministry of External Affairs, referring to a "spirit of togetherness." "It was in the spirit of 'Sabka Saath' that India proposed permanent membership for the African Union in the G-20," he added. With an embrace after the announcement, Modi welcomed AU Chairperson Azali Assoumani and offered him a place at the conference table for permanent members of the G20. The AU chair is rotated annually among the continent's five regions. Assoumani is the president of the Comoros, an archipelago off the east coast of Africa. "Delighted the African Union was granted full membership in the G20," Charles Michel, president of the European Council, said on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter. "EU has been a steadfast supporter of this initiative and I am pleased to have championed it from the very beginning with Macky Sall," he added. Sall is Senegal's president and was the 2022 chair of the African Union.

Weekend agenda

The summit is an important one for Modi, whose government has turned the normally sedate rotating G20 presidency into a branding vehicle to burnish India's geopolitical importance ahead of national elections next year. Many governments, investors and businesses are also starting to look toward India  as China slows  which the International Monetary Fund expects to be the fastest growing economy this year. This weekend's agenda includes expediting climate action, mitigating the impact of geopolitics on food and energy security, the provision of more loans to developing nations by multilateral institutions and restructuring the world's debt architecture as well as an international framework for cryptocurrencies.

watch now

"This period in the 21st century is the time to give the world a new direction," Modi said. "It is a time in which age-old challenges are demanding new solutions from us, and therefore it is with a human-centric approach that we must fulfill each of our responsibilities and move forward." Underscoring the G20 focus on sustainable development and developing economies in the next few years, Brazil will assume the G20 presidency in 2024, with South Africa due to take over in 2025. Brazilian President Lula da Silva, who is among the world leaders present in Delhi this weekend, said Saturday his government will launch the Task Force for Global Mobilization against Climate Change as G20 president next year.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak speaks to US President Joe Biden during the G20 Leaders' Summit on September 9, 2023 in New Delhi, Delhi. Dan Kitwood | Getty Images News | Getty Images

"We hope to count on everyone's engagement so that the beauty of the Earth is not just a photograph seen from space," Lula said on X. At a time of shifting global alliances, India is hoping to persuade the Global South that its deepening strategic partnership with the U.S. offers a more viable alternative from food security to debt resolution. Nigerian Foreign Minister Yusuf Tuggar told CNBC Friday that Africa could look after its own interests when dealing with the West, specifically regarding critical minerals. Speaking to CNBC's Tanvir Gill on the sidelines of the leaders' summit he said: "We're not that naive."

watch now

"Part of the problem coming out of colonialism to date has been the infantilization of African countries and Africans. So we know what is good for us," Tuggar added. "It's not like taking a toy out of a child's hands, we know what our interests are, we are clear about them, we are confident, we can protect ourselves, we can hold our own." Other world leaders present in Delhi this weekend include Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, French President Emmanuel Macron, Germany's Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Japan Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and U.S. President Joe Biden.

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi (R) shows a mural of Konark Sun temple wheel from Indian state of Orissa to US President Joe Biden ahead of the G20 Leaders' Summit in New Delhi on September 9, 2023. Evan Vucci | Afp | Getty Images

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping are conspicuous absentees, with both G20 member states having objected to the wording referring to the war in Ukraine. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and China Premier Li Qiang are representing their respective countries this weekend. The pair's absence has sparked fears that a communique binding member states may not be issued at the end of a G20 leaders' summit  undercutting India's clout and diminishing his domestic messaging. "After Covid-19, a huge crisis of lack of trust has come in the world. Conflict has deepened this trust deficit," Modi said. "Just as we can overcome Covid, we can also overcome this crisis of mutual trust."
India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi (2L) addresses the opening session of the G20 Leaders' Summit at the Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi on September 9, 2023. Ludovic Marin | Afp | Getty Images

NEW DELHI  The Group of 20 nations on Saturday overcame differences in references to the war in Ukraine, reaching a consensus on a joint declaration that paves the way for frameworks on debt resolution, and country-specific climate financing solutions among other pledges aimed at enhancing development in the Global South. In an 83-paragraph joint communique aimed at deepening the integration of the needs of developing economies into the multilateral forum's agenda, the Delhi declaration omitted words from the last year's statement that overtly condemned Russian aggression against Ukraine  instead highlighting the human suffering and other negative impacts of the war in Ukraine that have complicated recovery efforts in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic. The wording of "most members strongly condemned the war" was among the changes. Instead, G20 member states agreed to lean on the tenets of the United Nations charter on territorial integrity and against the use of force.

watch now

"Considerable time was spent  especially in the last few days  in regard to geopolitical issues, which really centered around the war in Ukraine," Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar said Saturday at a press conference following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's initial announcement of the consensus on a joint declaration. "Everybody helped, because everybody came together for the consensus, but the emerging markets took a particular lead on this and many of us have a strong history of working together," Jaishankar added. This accomplishment underscores India's diplomatic clout at a time when global alliances are shifting. With the Russian and Chinese heads of state conspicuously absent from this year's leaders' summit, Modi has been keen to position India as a key global player advocating the interests of the Global South, while serving as an interlocutor with the developed nations. For more on CNBC's G20 coverage

Modi, Biden pledge to deepen India-U.S. partnership as world leaders meet in Delhi for G20 summit

IMF chief says new Biden-backed economic corridor should not exclude any countries

G20 welcomes African Union as permanent member at Delhi summit Yet, there were some fears Delhi negotiators and diplomats might not have been able to broker a consensus at this year's meeting. Fierce objections by the Russians and Chinese to references to the ongoing war in Ukraine have hobbled India's efforts at fostering consensus in the major discussion tracks in the course of its year-long presidency. Oleg Nikolenko, a spokesperson for the Ukraine's foreign ministry, criticized the compromise in a Facebook post, saying the G20 joint communique was "nothing to be proud of."

In the Delhi declaration, G20 leaders called for the "full, timely and effective implementation" of the Black Sea grain deal "to ensure the immediate and unimpeded deliveries of grain, foodstuffs, and fertilizers/inputs from the Russian Federation and Ukraine." Russia unilaterally withdrew from the deal  brokered between Turkey, the United Nations, Ukraine and Russia in July 2022  that helped ease the Kremlin's naval blockade in the Black Sea and established a humanitarian corridor for agricultural exports. The agreement had facilitated the transport of 725,167 tons of wheat for the World Food Program to some of the world's most food-insecure countries, including Afghanistan, Ethiopia, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen.

watch now

The ensuing food insecurity from the festering Ukraine crisis added to the many challenges that have afflicted the world in the last few years, complicating policy efforts to recover from the adverse economic and social impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. "Years of cascading challenges and crises have reversed gains in the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals," G20 leaders said in the Delhi declaration, as they pledged to protect the most vulnerable in the world by promoting equitable growth and enhancing macroeconomic and financial stability. To further cement that goal, India also fostered the admission of the African Union as the second regional grouping to gain full G20 membership after the European Union. Other than the mitigation of the impact on geopolitics of food and energy security, the Delhi declaration also included the expediting of climate action, the provision of more loans to developing nations by multilateral institutions and restructuring the world's debt architecture as well as an international framework for cryptocurrencies.

Leveraging the G20

Leaders of India, Brazil, South Africa and the U.S. met on the margins of the G20 summit, pledging "to build on the historic progress of India's G20 presidency to address global challenges" in partnership with the World Bank in building "better, bigger, and more effective" multilateral development banks. These pledges build on a G20 agreement to expand lending by multilateral institutions such as the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund. Such steps could yield as much as $200 billion in extra funding in the next decade, Indian Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said Saturday at the press conference explaining the Delhi declaration.

watch now

These four countries represent the current and the next three G20 member states that are due to hold the rotating presidency of the multilateral forum founded in 1999 to tackle the issues that afflict the global economy. In the flurry of activities independent of the auspices of the main G20 summit, Modi and U.S President Joe Biden underscored not only the deepening partnership between their two countries, but also their urgency and resolve in persuading the world they represent a more viable strategic proposition in facilitating the developmental needs of the Global South. Biden and Modi's second bilateral meeting in less than six months on the eve of the two-day G20 leaders' summit kicked off a series of other deals and announcements  a stark contrast, in particular, to Chinese President Xi Jinping's decision to stay away from this summit.

watch now
One of the world's largest real estate companies started out as a side hustle. Today, Denver-based Re/Max operates in more than 110 countries, and has a market value of $265.2 million. But it began with a single, small house-flip in the late 1960s, co-founder and chairman Dave Liniger tells CNBC Make It. At the time, Liniger was a U.S. Air Force enlisted airman and Indiana University dropout, based near Tucson, Arizona, looking for ways to supplement his $99 per month military salary. In the early mornings, starting at 2 a.m., he had a newspaper route, he says. "In the evenings, I worked in a gasoline station  nobody had self-service at the time  and then I also worked in a movie theater," Liniger, 77, adds. "Between the three part-time jobs, and the $99 I got from the service, I got up to $500 [each month]. And that wasn't terrible." By living frugally, he saved enough to buy a small, "very inexpensive" fixer-upper home. He spent six months restoring it, and flipped it for a $5,000 profit, he says. Quickly, he wanted to do it again. "The hook was set," Liniger says. "I figured, working as hard as I did at four jobs, to make $5,000 on a six-month project was just the cat's meow." He reinvested his profits, and spent the next few years buying and restoring fixer-upper homes to flip. Then, he acquired a real estate license to save money on commissions, and discovered he had some talent as a broker. Liniger left the military in 1971, moved to Denver and worked for other real estate brokerages before co-founding Re/Max with his soon-to-be wife, Gail. They took on $300,000 of debt to hire employees and get it off the ground, but within five years, it was the largest real estate company in Colorado, Liniger says. He served as CEO for nearly 45 years before stepping down in 2018, and is now chairman of Re/Max's board of directors. Here are his top four leadership lessons, learned over the course of his long career.

Sell other people on your optimism

"People follow leaders who are going somewhere," Liniger says, adding that the most successful business executives, politicians and religious figures all "are experts at selling the dream of hope, that there is a better future if we work towards it in some way, together." When Liniger launched Re/Max, he was "terribly naive," he says  telling his first employee he "was going to build the largest real estate company in the world." Today, he calls that "mighty bold talk," but continues to swear by the optimism: It helped him guide the company through multiple global recessions during his time as CEO, he says. "I was good at selling the fact that we were going to succeed [and] we would become an incredibly successful company," says Liniger.

Surround yourself with positive influences

Associate yourself with people who share your goals, including the desire to succeed, Liniger advises. He cites motivational speaker Jim Rohn, who coined the phrase: "You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with." Research from as far back as the 1990s shows that who you associate with can influence your future success. Other successful executives, like Berkshire Hathaway CEO Warren Buffett and Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, agree. The two billionaires' friendship taught Gates that friends have the power to "bring out the best in you," Gates told students at Columbia University in 2017. Buffett echoed the same concept in an interview with CNBC four years later: "It's better to associate with people who are better than you are."

Supplement your weaknesses

"I'm not an organized person," says Liniger, adding that his desk is often a mess. "So, I hire talent that is much better than me at organizational skills." When you start a business, you typically need to fill a lot of roles within the company, simply because you don't have the resources to bring in more specialized employees. "Once you can make some profit, then you can hire somebody that's better than you to do jobs that you don't want to do, or that you don't do well," Liniger says. "Hire other people that have strengths you do not have to supplement the strengths that you've got." Liniger learned the same lesson through extra-curricular activities, like flying and jumping out of planes, competing in NASCAR races, and attempting to circumnavigate the globe in a helium balloon in 1998. He calls driving a racecar "an all-out team effort to try to win," where the driver relies heavily on the skills of crew chiefs, mechanics and spotters to succeed. "On the around-the-world balloon thing, I had 1,600 people who were volunteers on my project for three years," he says. "These were people from NASA Johnson Space Center, U.S. Space Command ... an unbelievable team of brilliant, brilliant people, all much smarter than me."

Don't beat yourself up over mistakes
Romanian Defense Minister Angel Tilvar speaks after signing a menorandum between Ukraine, Romain and Moldova at the Black Sea Security Conference under the auspices of Crimea International Platform in Bucharest, Romania on April 13, 2023. (Photo by Daniel MIHAILESCU / AFP) (Photo by DANIEL MIHAILESCU/AFP via Getty Images)

New fragments of a drone similar to those used by the Russian military were found on Romanian soil, the defense ministry said on Saturday, and President Klaus Iohannis said this indicated an unacceptable breach of Romania's air space had occurred.

In a statement, Iohannis said he had informed NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg about the pieces of drone - the second to crash in Romanian territory this week - and that Stoltenberg reiterated the alliance's complete solidarity with Romania.

"The identification by Romanian authorities on Romanian territory near the border with Ukraine of new drone fragments ... indicates an unacceptable breach occurred of the air space of Romania, a NATO state, with real risks to the security of Romanian citizens in the area," Iohannis said.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz made a distinctive appearance at the G20 Summit in Delhi as he donned an eye patch, the result of a recent jogging mishap. The 65-year-old leader suffered minor injuries during a jog, necessitating the eye patch for a few days.

Scholz's spokesperson, Steffen Hebestreit, provided insight into the incident, explaining that the Chancellor had sustained the injuries during a fall while jogging, reported NDTV.

Despite the injury, it was mentioned by his spokesperson on Monday that Scholz, who has been a regular runner for many years, is still feeling well and in good shape.

The German Chancellor even posted a picture on his social media account, X (formerly known as Twitter), showing himself wearing a substantial black patch over his right eye, with visible scrape marks.

In his post, Scholz expressed gratitude for the well-wishes and humorously noted, Thanks for the well wishes. It looks worse than it is! Excited to see the memes.

Wer den Schaden hatBin gespannt auf die Memes. Danke fur die guten Wunsche, sieht schlimmer aus, als es ist! pic.twitter.com/bB5INX8HnM  Bundeskanzler Olaf Scholz (@Bundeskanzler) September 4, 2023

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi hosted the G20 leaders at the Bharat Mandapam venue, which featured a backdrop of a replica of the Konark Wheel, originally from the Sun Temple in Puri, Odisha.

Prime Minister Modi, accompanied by prominent figures such as External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, welcomed his international counterparts for the two-day gathering of global leaders.

During the summit, Prime Minister Modi extended warm greetings to several of his international counterparts. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina were among the dignitaries who received a cordial reception.

The theme of this year's G20 Summit , hosted by India, is Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, signifying One Earth  One Family  One Future. The summit agenda included sessions centred around these themes, with discussions spanning various global challenges and opportunities.

Following the One Earth session, participants will enjoy a luncheon, and the One Family session was scheduled for 3 p.m. Later in the evening, President Droupadi Murmu will host a dinner, attended by foreign delegates, parliamentarians, members of the current Cabinet, and former senior leaders of the nation, fostering dialogue and cooperation on the global stage.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday held bilateral talks with his Italian counterpart Giorgia Meloni where he appreciated Italy joining the Global Biofuel Alliance and the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor partnership.

Prime Minister Modi also appreciated Italy's support for India's G20 Presidency, according to an official statement.

The two leaders noted with satisfaction the completion of 75 years of establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

They also took stock of the progress in diverse areas of the India-Italy Strategic Partnership and agreed to bolster cooperation in areas such as defence and new and emerging technologies.

They noted the need for G7 and G20 to work in consonance for the greater global good, the statement read.

Prime Minister Meloni congratulated Modi for a successful G20 Summit.

In a post on X, Modi said, "I had excellent meeting with PM @GiorgiaMeloni. Our talks covered sectors such as trade, commerce, defence, emerging technologies and more. India and Italy will keep working together for global prosperity." This is the second visit of Prime Minister Meloni to India following her State visit in March this year, during which bilateral relations were raised to the level of a Strategic Partnership.

Modi has been holding bilateral talks with a host of leaders who have arrived here for the G20 Summit.

He had held talks with US President Joe Biden and the leaders of Bangladesh and Mauritius on Friday.

On Saturday, the prime minister spoke to a number of other leaders, including those of the UK and Japan.

.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 8)  The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has ordered Mayor Alinader Balindong of Malabang, Lanao del Sur to explain the indiscriminate firing incident on Aug. 31 allegedly to stop the filing of certificates of candidacy for the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE).

The poll body asked Balindong to personally appear before its law department on Sept. 20 to air his side on why he should not be charged with an election offense.

In a video shared by the poll body, two men were seen shooting their firearms while the COC filing was ongoing at around 11:30 am outside the Municipal Hall of Malabang.

Malabang police said the two individuals in the video surrendered Friday afternoon.

Comelec Chairman George Garcia reiterated his call to place the area under the poll body's control due to the tension following the incident.

Ako na magsasabi kahit na wala pang report ang PNP, it should be placed under Comelec control," he said on Friday. "At least pinakita nila pa lang yung magiging itsura ng eleksyon doon."

[Translation: Even though the PNP has yet to issue a report, I'm already telling you that it should be placed under Comelec control. At least, they already showed us how the election will take place there.]

Nangyari na 'yan, Comelec control na yung bayan na yan dati eh," Garcia added. "Tapos ngayon filing pa lang ng candidacy ganyan. How much more kapag election na? Baka hindi pa makaboto mga kababayan natin doon."

[Translation: That town was already placed under Comelec control before. And now it's just the filing of candidacy. How much more when it's election day? Residents there might not be able to vote if that happens.]

The Comelec chief lamented that some individuals were not able to file their COCs due to the indiscriminate firing.

Garcia added, electricity was turned off for those who were filing their COCs.

Local police said they will file cases for violation of the gun ban, illegal discharge of firearms, and alarm and scandal.

Comelec Commissioner Rey Bulay said the poll body and the PNP are finalizing the list of places to be included in the areas of concern for the BSKE.

He said they will make the announcement following validation and consultation.

Police earlier said among the areas they are closely monitoring are Negros Oriental, following the killing of governor Roel Degamo, and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region.

Comelec said there are about 300 violators of the gun ban to date.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 8)  Health Secretary Ted Herbosa has sounded the alarm on the continuous uptick of cases of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in the country, as the average number of new cases has started to double this year compared with last year's.

Yes, I am alarmed," Herbosa told reporters on Friday. "Last year, the new cases per day ay [were] 22 on the average per day. This year, we're logging 50 new cases a day."

And what is more alarming is ang babata, 15, below 18 yung mga new cases, getting as young as 15 na positive, he added.

[Translation: And what is more alarming is theyre getting younger. There were below 18 years old in the new cases, getting as young as 15 years old that tested positive.]

Herbosa said this prompted the Department of Health (DOH) to focus education efforts on HIV on students and teens to make them aware of the risks of contracting the virus.

He added that the issue has become an adolescent health problemz" and that the agency is trying to stave off the increase in new cases.

He also said the department has already identified the target areas and noted that some urban centers have a higher incidence of HIV cases than others.

RELATED: Progress outlook: Status of HIV eradication in PH

In July, the DOH said there were 1,256 reported cases in May, with 323 classified as advanced HIV disease. Of the cases in May, 396 or 32% were 1524 years old.

This brings the total number of infections in the country to 116,504 since January 1984, it said.

The regions with the highest number of new cases are the National Capital Region, Calabarzon, and Central Luzon, it added.

Herbosa also said the government needs to improve its distribution of HIV medication, explaining stocks are only in main hubs, but admitted that the country must increase its procurement of antiretroviral drugs.

In his second State of the Nation Address (SONA), President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. urged a whole-of-society approach to suppress the alarming rise of tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome).

To stem the tide, the strategic plan is to ensure early diagnosis and treatment, and ample testing sites and medications," Marcos said. "Our healthcare system is undergoing structural changes.
Commentary: G20's imperative to empower Global South

13:58, September 09, 2023 By Xinhua writers Zhao Wencai, Wu Xia ( Xinhua

NEW DELHI, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- As world leaders converge on New Delhi for the upcoming G20 summit this weekend, the global community is once again being presented with a chance to build consensus and join hands in forging a more equal governance system.

Amidst the pressing agenda items at the summit, empowering the Global South, comprised of emerging markets and developing countries, to pursue their development goals should be front and center.

Over the years, the Global South has substantially contributed to global governance and the world economy. However, their development pursuits have yet to receive the adequate attention and support they deserve.

Whether in vaccine distribution during the COVID-19 pandemic or in international resource allocation mechanisms dominated by Western-led institutions like the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), developed nations continue to have a stranglehold on the lion's share of resources.

There is an even stronger imperative for global governance mechanisms, including the G20, to emphasize and prioritize the developmental aspirations of nations in the Global South.

Despite the emergence from the COVID-19 pandemic, the momentum of the global economic recovery remains fragile, with the IMF recently predicting a lackluster growth rate of only 3 percent this year and the next.

Developing countries face even more severe challenges. Compounded by a more devastating impact inflicted by the pandemic, their voices often go ignored; their interests are frequently marginalized; and the developmental chasm between the Global South and developed countries continues to widen, impeding global efforts towards a sustainable future.

As a pivotal nexus for economic collaboration between developed and developing nations, the G20 must strive to change this situation, spearheading the efforts to empower the Global South with adequate support and paving the way for a more equitable and balanced development landscape.

Some developed countries should mend their ways first. Recently, to safeguard their privileged interests, these countries have resorted to self-serving measures such as decoupling and bloc confrontation.

The repercussions of these risky moves have created an artificial divide in an interconnected world and jolted global supply chains, burdening the global economy.

These countries must abandon their Cold War mentality and quit sacrificing the development rights of the Global South to pursue their interests. They must assume the responsibilities and lead the way in promoting global development.

"You can't cross the sea merely by standing and staring at the water," said India's Nobel laureate lyricist, Rabindranath Tagore. As the G20 summit unfolds in India, Tagore's profound wisdom is more relevant than ever. Just like crossing the sea, countries can't truly empower the Global South "merely by standing and staring." Concrete actions are needed.

As a developing country and a member of the Global South, China is at the forefront of this endeavor. During the recently concluded BRICS summit held in South Africa, China championed the most significant expansion of the BRICS, inviting Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates to join the group.

China also throws its weight behind the African Union's inclusion into the G20 and has pledged a special fund of 10 billion U.S. dollars to implement the Global Development Initiative it proposed.

Constantly, China has emphasized its dedication to safeguarding the interests of fellow developing countries. In the upcoming G20 summit, Chinese Premier Li Qiang will continue to advocate for the common development of the Global South countries, putting forth tangible measures to enhance their representation and voice on the global stage.

In empowering the Global South, China has set the wheels in motion. It is time for more G20 members to jump on the bandwagon and help build a world where all nations share development opportunities equally. This collective endeavor will be the most potent testament to this year's G20 summit theme: "One Earth, One Family, One Future."

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Sheng Chuyi)


Prime Minister Narendra Modi Modi ' title='Prime Minister Narendra Modi '>Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday welcomed world leaders at the high-profile G20 Summit in the national capital and called for turning the environment of "global trust deficit" into a relationship of trust in the post-pandemic era. In his opening remarks at the commencement of the G20 Leaders' Summit, Modi also welcomed the African Union (AU), a continental body of 55 member states, as a permanent member of the G20 grouping, amid thunderous applause.



AU chair and Comoros President Azali Assoumani then took his seat among world leaders at the invitation of External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar.



"The post-Covid world is suffering from trust deficit, and the (Ukraine) war has deepened it further, he said, adding that we need to walk together for global good," Modi said.



"We live in times when age-old problems are seeking answers, and we need to fulfil our responsibilities with a human-centric approach. The idea of 'sabka saath, sabka vikas, sabka vishwas, sabka prayas' can be a guide to the world," he added.



Modi said that "India's G20 presidency has become a symbol of inclusion, both inside and outside the country".




Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 9)  Several groups are pushing the Senate and the House of Representatives to launch an investigation into the alleged abduction of two environmental defenders.

Karapatan, Kalikasan Peoples Network for the Environment, Alyansa Para sa Pagtatanggol sa Kabuhayan, Paninirahan, at Kalikasan ng Manila Bay (AKAP KA Manila Bay), National Council of Churches in the Philippines, and the Promotion of Church Peoples Response conducted a fact-finding mission on the disappearance of Jhed Tamano and Jonilla Castro.

Tamano and Castro were supposedly abducted by four armed men on Sept. 2 in Orion, Bataan. Both are community organizers working with fishermen opposing reclamation projects in Manila Bay.

Following the fact-finding mission, the groups urged both chambers of Congress to also look into the matter as they suspect that state forces may be involved.

Malinaw na mayrong possible involvement ng state actors sa abduction nina Castro at Tamano," said Pia Montalban of Karapatan - Central Luzon.

"Bago ang pagdukot, bago ang sapilitang pagkawala, mayrong pattern na sila muna ay binabansagan na enemies of the state, she also said.

[Translation: It is clear that there is a possible involvement of state actors in the abduction of Castro and Tamano. Before they were abducted, there was a pattern where they were first tagged as 'enemies of the state.']

Karapatan Secretary General Cristina Palabay said cases of enforced disappearance historically happen to stifle dissent.

Castros mother, Roselie, recounted that a man who introduced himself as a soldier has been visiting their home in Bulacan since 2022.

She also said that officers in Orion Police Station refused to create a blotter report and sign a form as provided under the Anti-Enforced Disappearance Law.

Kung sino man po ang may hawak sa anak ko, sana po ibalik niyo na po siya," the mother said. "Sana ibalik niyo na po yung anak ko kasi sobra pong nag-aalala na ko sa anak ko."

{Transltion: Whoever is holding my child, I hope you give her back to us.I hope you give back my daughter because we are so worried about her.]

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police earlier denied involvement in the disappearances, with AFP spokesperson Col. Medel Aguilar calling the accusations "baseless and malicious.

Church members, meanwhile, expressed belief the alleged abduction aims to sow fear, especially among the youth.

Leah Valencia, a member of the Promotion of Church Peoples Response, said they believe the incident is most likely a targeted attack by a tyrannical state.on climate activists to try to frighten and dissuade the youth from continuing such advocacies.

Malaking setback ito dahil natatakot yung mga tao, lalo higit yung mga pangyayari ay malinaw na malinaw na violation ng kanilang human rights, Pastor Thaad Samson of AKAP KA Manila Bay also said.

[Translation: This is a huge setback because there is now fear among people, especially since the incident is a very clear violation of human rights.]

For Kalikasan, the Philippines is a dangerous nation for environmentalists.

Laging napakabulnerable ng kalagayan ng advocates natin, ng mga activists natin, at isa ang Pilipinas sa pinakadelikadong lugar o bansa para sa environmental activists. Bakit? Dahil sa mga aggressive projects na pinapatupad, said member Aldrien Silanga.

[Translation: Our advocates are always in a vulnerable state, because the Philippines is a very dangerous country for environmental activists. Why? Because of the aggressive projects being implemented.]

Tamano and Castro are the ninth and tenth environmental defenders who disappeared under the administration President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

They were researching and assessing the needs of individuals affected by the Manila Bay reclamation when they disappeared.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 9)  No Filipinos have been affected by the 6.8 magnitude earthquake that hit Morocco on Friday night, killing more than 600 people, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Saturday.

"We are checking on OF [overseas Filipino] conditions. There are approximately 4,600 OFs in Morroco, 50 in Marrakech. We checked with Filcom [Filipino Community] Leader and she said they are ok," Philippine Ambassador to Morocco Leslie Baja told DFA Undersecretary Eduardo De Vega, in a text correspondence shared with CNN Philippines.

"No Filipinos affected. We are monitoring continuously," Baja told CNN Philippines.

As of this writing, at least 632 people were killed in the tremor, while 329 were wounded -- 51 of whom are in critical condition.

The powerful quake struck Morocco's High Atlas Mountain range late Friday.

It also damaged buildings in Marrakech, a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization heritage site in Morocco, where 50 Filipinos reside.

The United States Geological Survey said the earthquake was the strongest to hit that part of Morocco in over a century.

READ: Powerful earthquake strikes Morocco, killing more than 600 and damaging historic Marrakech

This is a developing story.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 9)  The National Security Council (NSC) is considering a ban on Tiktok, the short-form video sharing platform run by China-based ByteDance, for government employees involved in national security to avoid data leak.

"We know for a fact that there are information operations and psychological warfare and other stuff being done," NSC Assistant Director Jonathan Malaya said Saturday. "So siguro [maybe] if there is a need for banning it would not be for public school teachers, it would not be for those in the civilian, it would be for the security sector,"

"I'm talking about the Armed Forces [of the Philippines], the uniformed personnel, and in particular, the intelligence entities of the government, the National Security Council," he added.

Malaya clarified that the move would not cover the "civilian agencies of government which are not part of the security sector."

He said the matter would be discussed with National Security Adviser Eduardo Ano.

"I can raise this with the National Security Adviser if it would be proper for us to do so kasi alam mo naman dito sa Pilipinas, sasabihin na naman 'yan [because you know that here in the Philippines, it will be called] a curtailment of the freedom of expression, curtailment of freedom of speech," he explained.

A recent study by the Reuters Institute found that Tiktok was gaining more popularity as a news source in the Philippines.

This comes amid heightened tensions between Manila and Beijing, as the latter continues to lead incursions into the West Philippine Sea and harass Filipino civilian and government vessels.

READ: PH concludes new resupply mission to Ayungin after continued harassment by China

Meanwhile, numerous governments and countries around the world have already banned Tiktok on government-issued devices over cybersecurity concerns.

The European Union in March banned the app from staff devices across all three of its main institutions.

The United States and Canada have likewise restricted Tiktok on government-issued devices.

India completely banned Tiktok and other similar applications throughout the country in 2020.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 9)  The Philippines has begun exporting fresh mangoes again to Australia after almost a decade, recently sending 1,500 kilograms of carabao mangoes, the Department of Agriculture - Bureau of Plant Industry (DA-BPI) said on Friday.

"Since 2013 pa po kasi ang last natin na export ng mango, so this will be a big step towards the mango industry natin considering na kailangang kailangan po natin talagang i-promote ang ganitong mga produkto sa labas ng ating bansa, DA-BPI Assistant Director Herminigilda Gabertan said in a statement.

[Translation: Our last mango export was in 2013, so this will be a big step towards our mango industry, considering that we need to promote this product outside our country.]

According to DA-BPI, the carabao mangoes came from Davao and were shipped on Wednesday to Sydney and Perth in Australia.

With this commencement of the export to Australia, we hope that we are able to ship more of our good quality products across the globe para bumalik ulit tayo sa mercado [so that we can return to the market], said Roberto Angelo Amores II, president of produce company Hi-Las that exported the mangoes to Australia.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 9)  Philippine troops stationed at the BRP Sierra Madre at Ayungin Shoal offered to assist a Chinese boat which got entangled in a mooring line while shadowing Filipino vessels during the latest resupply mission, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said on Saturday.

AFP spokesperson Medel Aguilar shared this in a news forum after the Philippines successfully completed another resupply trip to its military outpost at Ayungin on Friday despite attempts by China Coast Guard (CCG) and Chinese maritime militia vessels to again block their way.

I also have a story to tell," Aguilar told the media. "Its about the karma that they experienced when they tried to shadow our resupply vessel."

One of their rigid hull inflatable boats (RHIBs) actually got entangled with a mooring line of a Filipino fishing boat that was around 50 yards from the BRP Sierra Madre, he related, referring to an RHIB of the CCG.

Philippine troops proceeded to the area to offer help, but the official said China rejected the assistance.

Of course, China refused because they don't want Filipinos to be helping them, Aguilar said.

When another Chinese RHIB came to the rescue, it also got entangled while in a narrow portion of Ayungin Shoal, although eventually it was able to free itself and the first boat, the spokesperson added.

According to Aguilar, the incident happened at around 11:30 a.m.

Commodore Jay Tarriela, Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea (WPS), said Philippine resupply boats successfully entered Ayungin a few minutes past 10:30 a.m. but were still tailed on their way back.

Earlier, the National Task Force on the West Philippine Sea reported that Chinese ships again conducted dangerous maneuvers and exhibited aggressive conduct in an attempt to stop the resupply mission.

But Aguilar said Beijing has distorted the narrative when it claimed that it was the Philippines that blocked its ships and conducted manuevers that caused the RHIB to get stuck.

This is one narrative, probably, that they will again raise or tell their people about abuses that we are committing, he said.

Im telling you this now because you should know thatafter this incident they will come up with their own narrative to inform their people about what happened," Aguilar also said.

"And it would be irresponsible for us not to be able to tell this to you immediately because we don't want the truth to be drowned by propaganda coming from the China Coast Guard, he added.

Ayungin is part of Manilas exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the WPS. However, Beijing insists on its claims to the feature despite a 2016 landmark ruling by a tribunal at The Hague which upheld the Philippines' sovereign rights within its EEZ.
By launching One Belt One Road (OBOR) China's global infrastructure project, China is steadily extending its influence in several vulnerable countries, particularly in Asia and Africa. By extending huge debt to such countries, Chinas economic aggression is forging, just as the political aggression that it is launching with regard to its neighbouring countries by releasing the standard map.

As Chinas economic and industrial growth has achieved a big leap forward in the last few decades, military establishments have been strengthened and significant technological progress have been made, China appears to think that it can have its way to become the super power in the world.

While one cannot find fault with China for targeting to become a super power, it cannot be allowed to do so at the cost of other countries. For such aggressive and unacceptable approach of China, the recent release of standard map is a disturbing indicator.

---

Trustee, Nandini Voice For The Deprived, Chennai

China has recently released Chinas new standard map for 2023,including the territory of nearby countries as its own, which does not conceal Chinas territorial greed. On the other hand, it reinforces the widespread view that the present leadership in China would pursue its territorial expansion schemes with determination. No one can accuse China of implementing its territorial expansion strategies in a veiled manner, as it has clearly announced its intentions to the neighbouring and nearby countries.Obviously, the mindset of Chinas leadership has not changed for better during the last 75 years, after it aggressively occupied Tibet region and in the process killing thousands of protesting Tibetans and forcing the respected the Dalai Lama and his followers to flee from Tibet to India. Chinas aggression in Tibet and new map that it has released now also indicate the fact that China would seek to achieve its greed without caring for the means adopted.In the map, China has included territory belonging to India, Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia showing them within Chinas borders and including all of the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh, Aksai Chin as well as the entire south China Sea.India, Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia have released separate statements voicing their opposition to the map released by China. However, in spite of such protests and concern, China defended the issuing the map on August 28. Obviously, China does not care about the protests from the neighbouring countries and thinks that such protests can really be impotent protests of no consequence.When China occupied Tibet in 1950s and Tibet region and Tibetans suffered enormously due to Chinas aggression, there were no strong and worthwhile protests from other countries and China had its way. At that time, there were some mild murmur of protests from USA and USA did not go beyond that.China is now threatening to occupy Taiwan and has openly said this several times. The fact is that China has no legitimate claim on Taiwan region, since Taiwan as separate entity happened only after civil war in China. The ground reality and logical fact is that if China can claim that Taiwan belongs to mainland China, then Taiwan too has the right to claim that mainland China belong to Taiwan. China has running dispute with Japan also with regard to Senkaku Island.Where would China go from here while trying to achieve its territorial expansion plans? China has waged war against India several times and it is still occupying thousands of kilometres of Indian territory. It is now in full control of Tibet and has established strong military presence there. In short, China has tasted the blood and whether it would stop its adventure is a question that one has to think about.Unfortunately, United Nations Organisation has become a toothless body and is unable to interfere effectively to restore peace in any region. No country including China seems to be viewing UNO seriously anymore, as UNO has gained an image of debating club.Apart from the map that China has now released including territory of other neighbouring countries as its own, it has also now got a stranglehold over Pakistan by launching economic corridor project and to some extent over Sri Lanka also by taking over Hambantota port.
by John P. Ruehl

In early 2023, India surpassed China as the most populous country in the world with the latter having 850,000 fewer people by the end of 2022marking the countrys first population decline since famine struck from 1959 to 1961. While this reduction may seem modest considering Chinas 1.4 billion population currently, an ongoing decline is anticipated, with UN projections suggesting that Chinas population could dwindle to below 800 million by 2100.





Leidsestraat, Amsterdam, Netherlands [Photo: Andrej Nihil/Unsplash]

Populations fluctuate through immigration, emigration, deaths, and births. Chinas previous one-child policy, enforced from 1980 to 2015, and the resulting gender imbalance slowed its birth rate. The Chinese government is now trying to boost birth rates, including by discouraging abortion.





The Malthusian population growth model, proposed in the 1700s, suggested that populations grow exponentially and outpace resource availability until inevitable checks, such as famine, disease, conflict, or other issues, cause it to drop. During the high global population growth rates of the early 1960s, these concerns abounded. Yet around the world, population growth has slowed dramatically, and in China and many other countries, natural decline is already underway.





A 2020 study published in the Lancet medical journal revealed that based on current population trends, more than 20 countries are on track to halve their populations by 2100. The Pew Research think tank, meanwhile, declared that 90 countries will see their populations decline by 2100, while the Center of Expertise on Population and Migration (CEPAM) predicts the global population will peak at 9.8 billion around 2070 to 2080.





The fear of a shrinking and aging population looms over governments and economists alike. Increased payments toward pension and social welfare systems will strain a reduced labor force, while younger populations also contribute more to economic growth and innovation. Countries may also experience a reduction in their global influencenot least because of a smaller population available for military service.





Various metrics gauge fertility and birth rates, but the total fertility rate (TFR), which measures the number of children a woman will have in her lifetime, is the most common. Yet achieving replacement level fertility rates, typically 2.1 children per woman, has proven challenging.





The decline in global fertility rates can be attributed to societal and cultural shifts, family planning initiatives, wider access to contraception, improved infant mortality rates, increased cost of child-rearing, urbanization, delayed marriages and childbirth due to educational and career pursuits, and social welfare systems reducing reliance on familial support.





A case in point is Japan, whose population peaked at 128 million in 2008 and has since shrunk to below 123 million. It is poised to decrease to 72 million by centurys end, its decline sustained by a low fertility rate, an aging population (almost 30 percent of the population is 65 or older), and limited immigration. Initiatives to slow this decline include changing immigration laws and government-sponsored speed dating.





Remarkably, despite hitting a record low in 2022, Japans TFR is now higher than Chinas and South Koreas. Since 2006, South Korea has invested more than $200 billion in establishing public daycare centers, free nurseries, subsidized child care, and other initiatives to boost its TFR. But at 0.78, South Koreas TFR remains the worlds lowest. South Koreas government also introduced immigration reforms in the early 21st century, all while leading the world in automation with 1,000 robots per 10,000 employeesmore than double of second-ranked Japan.





In Europe, efforts to boost populations have occurred for decades. For instance, Romania criminalized abortion and banned contraception except for certain medical conditions in 1966. Consequently, illegal abortions increased, and Romania had the highest maternal mortality rate in Europe in the 1980s as a result of this. While Romanias TFR stabilized at 2.3 by the late 1980s, it collapsed in the 1990s, alongside a population exodus through emigration that has been sustained after Romania joined the EU in 2007.





Other Eastern European nations have experienced similar TFR declines and emigration. Contrastingly, Western European countries have managed to grow slightly since 2000, but largely only due to immigration. Even so, countries like Italy have seen population declines, spurring initiatives by the government to offer houses to foreigners for as little as 1 euro in an effort to repopulate small towns.





The U.S. has a lower average age than most European countries and saw a rebound in TFR rates in the 2000s. But this dropped after the recession in 2008 and it has never recovered. And unlike European countries, life expectancy continued to decline after COVID-19. Immigration has mitigated these issues, but as in Europe this has become increasingly political, and the U.S. population growth rate has slowed considerably. While there is no official policy to boost birth rates, the U.S. promotes family planning initiatives abroad. Republican and Democrat administrations have meanwhile oscillated since 1984 between enforcing and rescinding the Mexico City Policy, requiring foreign NGOs to not perform or actively promote abortion as a method of family planning in order to receive U.S. government funding for family planning initiatives.





Russias TFR faced a rapid decline following the collapse of the Soviet Union, reaching a low of 1.16 in 1999, and causing a population decline. However, government initiatives saw it rebound to 1.8 in 2014 before falling again. The Kremlin announced a desired TFR of 1.7 in 2020, and increased payments for parents of at least two children. To further stabilize its population, Russia has also relied on immigration and taking parts of Ukraine.





Irans birth rate policies have fluctuated over the last few decades. During the 1950s, Iran implemented fertility controls but abolished them after the 1979 Islamic revolution. However, they were reintroduced in the late 1980s to release pressure on the economy. Once seen as a success story, Irans TFR fell faster than anticipated to 1.6 in 2012. That year, the government began attempts to boost the birth rate by limiting access to birth control, abortion, and vasectomies.





Although India now holds the mantle of the worlds most populous country, its TFR is now below replacement level. Nonetheless, its population will continue to grow, fueled by a large, youthful populationa demographic feature increasingly common across the Global South. While Indias population is eventually projected to begin declining by the 2060s, India is currently managing its youthful population through initiatives such as promoting employment opportunities abroad.





The perils of not utilizing a large working population extend beyond unrealized economic potential. Without economic prospects, large youthful populations can generate significant social and political upheaval. Neighboring Pakistan is trying to reduce its population growth to avoid exacerbating strains on resources, infrastructure, education, and health care systems.





Pakistans concerns are similar to much of Africa. Aside from Afghanistan, the top 20 countries with the highest TFR are all located in Africa. Nigerias population is projected to grow from 213 million currently to 550 million in 2100, while some projections see half of all births in Africa between 2020 and 2100. Even so, family planning programs have helped slow growth in recent years across the continent.





Contrastingly, the experience of countries where campaigns supporting fertility have seen some success (including Germany, the Czech Republic, and Hungary) suggests direct financial incentives, tax breaks, cheap/free child care centers, generous maternity/paternity leave, housing assistance, and more flexible approaches to work-life balance are successful at interrupting decline.





While gender equality has often been cited as a barrier to higher birth rates in the past, this no longer seems to be the case. Highly educated women had the lowest fertility rate in the U.S. in 1980, for example, but this was not true in 2019. Additionally, Mongolias TFR declined from 7.3 kids per woman in 1974 to under two by 2005. But Mongolian birth rates then increased to around three children per woman by 2019, despite Mongolian women becoming better educated, increasingly represented in traditionally male-dominated fields, and having access to improved rural maternal health services.





Nonetheless, Mongolias recent population boom has resulted in school crowding, pollution, housing problems, and other issues, and points to the need for flexible approaches to population growth, decline, and stabilization.





With a median age in Europe of 44.4 years old and a median age of about 19 in Africa, different parts of the world will require different measures to deal with fluctuating population numbers this century. China is not alone in the perception that it will grow old before it grows rich, and such countries will develop their own methods to deal with aging societies. Seeking the creation of long-term sustainable approaches to population management, which avoid coercion but also provide help for those raising children, should be prioritized.





John P. Ruehl is an Australian-American journalist living in Washington, D.C. He is a contributing editor to Strategic Policy and a contributor to several other foreign affairs publications. He is currently finishing a book on Russia to be published in 2022.
While most mainstream comedic films are light, bubbly and utterly devoid of cold, brutal, soul-crushing deaths, Hollywood has also made its fair share of black comedies. Ideally, these dark farces would strike a tonal balance that favors laughs, but the occasional failure strikes as the scales dip a tad more toward ghoulish than hilarious. And were not just talking about the existential horrors lurking in Carrot Tops filmography; theres also

Click right here to get the best of Cracked sent to your inbox.

5 Duplex While the trailers made it seem like merely a wacky comedy showcase of Ben Stiller and Drew Barrymore playing a married couple contending with a bad neighbor (who happens to be a little old lady), 2003s Duplex is shockingly macabre. Yes, once they have exhausted all other avenues, the newfound homeowners turn to homicide and hire a hitman to take care of the troublesome senior. The scene in which Stiller and Barrymore describe their graphic murder fantasies to one another while gentle rom-com piano music plays is next-level chilling. Oddly enough, this is the second comedy that director Danny DeVito made about bumping off an elderly woman.

4 Observe & Report Presumably traumatizing any family who showed up to the theater expecting Paul Blart-esque hijinks, Observe & Report was basically a remake of Taxi Driver but with an unrelentingly unpleasant mall cop who wants to take down a local flasher. Its the rare Seth Rogen vehicle that takes an uncomfortable look at toxic male rage and includes a scene in which the Knocked Up star randomly beats the shit out of Patton Oswalt. Advertisement Advertisement

3 Very Bad Things A dark comedy so pitch black youll need a miners helmet while watching it, Peter Bergs Very Bad Things makes the bachelor party in The Hangover look like Easter brunch at Ned Flanders house. The movie begins with the inadvertent death of a stripper and quickly spirals into a severed-limb-filled mess. This film features some of the most grotesque scenes ever committed to film featuring Jeremy Piven, which is saying something, considering that there are eight seasons and a movie of Entourage out there. Advertisement Advertisement

2 Art School Confidential Art School Confidential was the highly-anticipated second effort from the creative team that gave us Ghost World: director Terry Zwigoff and writer Daniel Clowes. Based on a graphic novel by Clowes, the quirky comedy about a first-year art student also features a subplot involving a serial killer known as the Strathmore Strangler. By the end of the movie, the switch flips from lighthearted satire to bleak nightmare as (SPOILERS) our protagonist, Jerome, tries to kill himself and is only prevented from doing so by the police, who then arrest him for the murders. Though Jerome is innocent, he pleads guilty and goes to prison. Why? Because the notoriety of being a serial killer is apparently the only way to sustain a career in fine art. Advertisement Advertisement
(Xinhua) -- "Most of the time, foreign interference came from a friendly and allied country: the United States. For instance, I, along with (former French) President (Nicolas) Sarkozy, was under surveillance for five years by the United States' National Security Agency (NSA)," former French Prime Minister Francois Fillon stated during a hearing on foreign interference before the French National Assembly in May.





This photo taken on April 20, 2022 shows the U.S. Federal Reserve in Washington, D.C., the United States. (Xinhua/Liu Jie)

The Pew Research Center, an American research institute, published a survey in June on the American role in global affairs, revealing that in 23 countries, including Britain, France, and Germany, an average of 82 percent of respondents believed that the United States interfered in the affairs of other countries, while an average of 50 percent thought that the United States did not consider their countries' interests when making its international policy decisions.





Every American ally knows that they live in the shadow of an empire, asserted British political analyst Ian Martin, noting that the United States often acts in its own interests.





LONG-TERM SURVEILLANCE





Countries seeking strategic autonomy, like France, have always had differences and even conflicts with the U.S. on certain issues, and as a result, they were often targeted with special attention and "got stabbed in the back."





In the hearing, Fillon said the United States was not only monitoring the French but also other allies.





"When documents from U.S. intelligence services leaked," he said, "everyone focused on the fact that Chancellor ( Angela) Merkel had been spied on, but the same was true for all members of the French government and, presumably, other European countries as well."





The U.S. bugging has long been an open secret. In 2015, WikiLeaks revealed that European leaders such as German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French Presidents Jacques Chirac, Nicolas Sarkozy, and Francois Hollande had all been monitored by the United States.





Yet, American officials simply shrugged off the accusations. Former CIA director James Woolsey wrote an article in 2000 titled "Why We Spy on Our Allies", arguing that they were right to conduct this kind of surveillance: "That's right, my continental friends, we have spied on you because you bribe."





Thanks to the European Parliament's publication of a report on the interception of private and commercial communications by American intelligence agencies, many American espionage cases have been exposed. For example, the NSA listened in on fax and phone negotiations between Airbus and Saudi Arabian Airlines as well as the Saudi Arabian government in 1994, providing relevant information to an American competitor of Airbus, helping it to defeat Airbus to get the big contract.





LONG-ARMED JURISDICTION





Long-armed jurisdiction, another typical form of American interference with their allies, "has serious consequences for the economic life of our country," said Fillon during the hearing.





He mentioned a 9-billion-dollar fine paid by the French banking group BNP Paribas in 2014 for violating the American embargo on certain countries.





"When I asked its leaders why they conducted transactions with Sudan in dollars when they could have easily done them in euros, they told me that by doing so, they would have immediately faced retaliatory measures from the United States. Since it is a global bank, it cannot afford to incur the hostility of this country," said Fillon.





According to financial experts, BNP, a major European bank, would be perceived as a threat to the supremacy of the U.S. dollar if it conducted significant transactions in euros.





During a hearing at the French National Assembly in April, former French Minister of Economy, Productive Recovery, and Digital Technologies Arnaud Montebourg elaborated on the Alstom case he had dealt with during his tenure, a typical example of American extraterritorial jurisdiction.





In 2013, the U.S. arrested Frederic Pierucci, a senior executive of the French company Alstom, on charges of involvement in a corruption case related to Alstom in Indonesia in April 2003. Under the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, Pierucci was sentenced to prison, and Alstom was heavily fined before being eventually coerced into selling its related operations to its main competitor General Electric, an American multinational conglomerate.





"The United States of America were indeed not victims of any harm: it (the Astom deal) did not concern an American company or American territory since the incriminated contract was signed between Indonesia and Alstom," said Montebourg. "It was a violation of our sovereignty, interference in the lives of our companies, illegal surveillance, against which protests were politically and diplomatically feeble, and an infringement on our national interests."





ARMS SALES MANIPULATION





The United States also takes advantage of their allies' military dependence to "manipulate" them. At the National Assembly, Montebourg recalled, "President (Jacques) Chirac decided in 2003 to exercise France's veto right in the United Nations Security Council against the invasion of Iraq by a Western coalition, the United States of America, which controlled the catapults of our aircraft carrier, the Charles de Gaulle, ... in retaliation, applied a unilateral embargo against France on the supply of a critical component that was of American origin."





"It was political, legal, and economic interference in our sovereignty," said the former French minister.





For self-interest, America does not hesitate to stab its allies in the back. In February 2019, Australia signed an agreement with France to order 12 conventionally powered submarines worth billions of euros.





In September 2021, the United States, Britain and Australia established AUKUS, with Washington and London announcing their support for establishing a nuclear submarine fleet for Australia. Subsequently, Australia suspended the submarine purchase contract with France and bought American nuclear submarines instead, arousing an outcry and strong protest from the French side.





Les Echos, a French newspaper, commented that the Joe Biden administration "places its strategic interests far above those of its allies."





From illegal espionage to long-armed jurisdiction, from military embargoes to theft of orders, more and more U.S. allies, including France, have fallen victim to American betrayals and its long-standing hypocrisy.
The U.S. Army has placed orders for the new M7 6.8mm assault rifle and M250 6.8mm LMG (Light Machine-Gun). These new weapons replace 1960s-era 5.56mm ammunition that also required a new generation of assault rifles and LMGs. The M-16/M-4 assault rifles and M248 LMGs will remain in service but the infantry and SOCOM (Special Operations Command) troops will be equipped with the new 6.8mm weapons. SOCOM was responsible for the acceptance of the 6.8mm ammo and the new weapons. The army will receive 17,000 M7s and 3,000 M250s in 2024. These will be distributed to army troops initially. SOCOM hasnt decided yet because SOCOM has always been free to buy and use whatever weapons it believes it needs. That means SOCOM troops have several assault and automatic weapons available and the M7 may soon join the collection.

The current plan is to purchase enough of the 6.8mm weapons for all army combat troops. Thats about 60,000 shooters. If the marines and SOCOM adopt the 6.8mm weapons, that will mean about 30,000 more M7s will be required. The army plans to eventually 107,000 M7s for infantry and other combat troops (SOCOM, combat engineers and several other combat specialists).

Weapons manufacturer Remington began work on the new round in 2002. The new round used the case from the old Remington .30-.30 rimless round with a new 6.8mm bullet. SOCOM supported the 6.8mm round and began testing it in M-16s and M-4s modified to accommodate it. The 6.8mm round is more accurate at longer ranges and has more hitting power than the 5.56mm round the M-16 was originally designed for. Out to about 600 meters, the 6.8mm round has about the same impact as the heavier 7.62mm round used in sniper rifles and medium machine-guns. It took longer to get a new 6.8mm rifle and LMG designed and built. The new ammunition and weapons are the first new ammo and weapons developed for the American infantry in over 60 years. This continues a trend that began nearly a century ago.

During the 1930s, the Germans studied their World War I experience and concluded that a less powerful and lighter rifle round would be more effective. This resulted in research on a smaller 7mm round but, with World War II fast approaching, this effort eventually produced a shortened regular (7.92mm) rifle round. During that war, the Germans developed the first modern assault rifle, the SG-44. This weapon looked a lot like the AK-47, and that was no accident. The SG-44, like the AK-47, used a shortened rifle cartridge that was developed before the war (7.92mm for the Germans, 7.62mm for the Russians, which is still used in the AK-47). This gave the infantryman an automatic weapon that could still fire fairly accurate shots at targets 100-200 meters away. The SG-44 and AK-47 rounds had about the same stopping power as the new 6.8mm at those shorter ranges. What a coincidence. The AK-47 didn't have the accuracy of higher powered bullets, but the Russians didn't see this as a problem because most troops using it had little marksmanship training. If they had to kill someone, they could fire at full auto. The U.S. M-16 and its high speed 5.56mm round were more accurate than the AK-47 when firing individual shots at shorter ranges. But the wounding power of the 5.56mm (.22 caliber) bullet fell off rapidly at ranges over a hundred meters. The American military, and especially SOCOM, train their troops to fire individual shots, and do it with great accuracy at any range. A number of new rifle sights have made it even easier to do, and makes first round hits at longer ranges easier to make. This made the shortcomings of the 5.56mm round at longer range more obvious.

SOCOM tested the 6.8mm round in Iraq and Afghanistan and the users liked it. But there was resistance from senior (non-SOCOM) generals to proposals that the 5.56mm round be replaced with the 6.8mm. To further complicate matters, there was a new 6.5mm Grendel round being tested as well, and some troops preferred it to the 6.8mm. This was because the 6.5mm round was more accurate than the 6.8mm one at ranges beyond 500 meters. The 6.8mm round won that dispute as well. In part this was because the 6.8mm round was more effective against the body armor enemy forces, including irregulars, are increasingly using.

The M7 weighs 3.8 kg (8.4 pounds). Add the optional sound suppressor and thats 4.46 kg. The heaviest 5.56mm rifle is about 4 kg but most 5.56mm rifles weigh a little less than the M7. When fitted with a suppressor the M7 is 914mm (36 inches) long. The barrel itself is 330mm (13 inches) long. The larger and heavier 6.8mm round means the 30-round magazine is no longer used. Instead, a 20 or 25-round magazine is available.
Napoleon called Britain 'a nation of shopkeepers'. He meant it as an insult, but it's a truism we have long cherished.

Britain's shopworkers are the backbone of our society. How glad we were, during the pandemic, for the good cheer of staff in corner shops and supermarkets, keeping their doors open so that the rest of us could keep food on the kitchen table.

So it is galling to learn that shops are being targeted so cynically, and often violently, by thieves that many store staff are physically afraid of going to work.

This is completely unacceptable and must be tackled head on.

In The Mail on Sunday last week, Tesco's chief executive Ken Murphy called for 'abuse or violence against retail workers' in England and Wales to be made a specific criminal offence  as it already is in Scotland, under the Protection of Workers Bill.

Tesco 's chief executive Ken Murphy said that Tesco provides bodycams for employees in a bid to combat abuse ranging from unpleasantness to physical attack

Last month, Home Secretary Suella Braverman directed police to follow up every reported case of theft  though seemingly oblivious to the fact that the law treats petty crime so lightly

Mr Murphy also said that Tesco provides bodycams for employees in a bid to combat abuse ranging from unpleasantness to physical attack.

But more must be done to tackle the scourge of shoplifting.

The Government must also urgently address the way that, under law, the theft of goods worth less than 200 is deemed a summary offence, punishable by a fine of just 70. In truth, this is nothing less than a shoplifter's charter.

Last month, Home Secretary Suella Braverman directed police to follow up every reported case of theft  though seemingly oblivious to the fact that the law treats petty crime so lightly. Indeed, I'm convinced that criminal gangs realise this full well and exploit the legal weakness to the hilt.

What we are witnessing now is very different to the spike in shoplifting and street theft that affected the country about 20 years ago, when I was Home Secretary.

Back then, personal service was the norm in shops, with human beings on checkouts who could readily spot not only the regular shoplifter but those who were chancing their arm. They got to know customers and could distinguish between those simply doing their shopping and those who were up to no good.

The Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers, a thoroughly reasonable and collaborative union, had what I still consider to be an excellent idea. Because of the rising level of threat to shop workers, it suggested that special constables should be recruited and trained to spot thieves and discourage them.

With the co-operation of store bosses, these volunteers could pass on their knowledge to shop staff, providing protection while also reducing crime in the local community. Since then, however, the scale of retail theft has increased to a horrific degree, and all too often now involves violence.

What we are witnessing now is very different to the spike in shoplifting and street theft that affected the country about 20 years ago, when I was Home Secretary

In one of Britain's most deprived London boroughs, Tower Hamlets, it is reported that the commodity stolen most often by shoplifters is Calpol, the over-the-counter medicine for children

The British Retail Consortium says thefts from shops have doubled since 2016, totalling eight million incidents a year. Yet the number of people arrested and charged has plummeted.

Last year, there were just over 21,000 prosecutions  compared with 80,000 in 2012.

No wonder Dame Sharon White, chair of the John Lewis Partnership, says thieves have a 'licence to shoplift'. These statistics have been linked in part to the cost-of-living crisis and the 870 annual average increase in the family shopping budget over the past three years.

Some of the trends in theft are heartbreaking.

In one of Britain's most deprived London boroughs, Tower Hamlets, it is reported that the commodity stolen most often by shoplifters is Calpol, the over-the-counter medicine for children. It is not about people swiping sweets, snacks or alcohol  in some cases this is about families crying out for help.

That said, I must be clear: poverty doesn't excuse criminality. It might make stealing a greater temptation, in some cases it might make people more desperate, but theft is theft.

A very small minority of thieves might have the mental health diagnosis of kleptomania  an addiction to theft  but there are very few people with this disorder, and those who do have it should be separated out from petty criminals, gangs and easily led youngsters egged on by friends.

Data shows that Middlesbrough is in second place nationally, Nottingham is third, Leeds and Cardiff in fourth and fifth. But the local authority area where shoplifting is worst, by a significant margin, is Westminster

A friend tells me that his much-loved local wine shop in Bristol has been forced to close after a series of incidents when thieves repeatedly walked in and stole stock by the crateload. The vintner would ring 999 to report looting, but on one occasion officers took two days to respond by which time, the thieves had visited twice more

It's also true that some of Britain's most deprived towns and cities are high on the list of places where shoplifting is most rife.

Data shows that Middlesbrough is in second place nationally, Nottingham is third, Leeds and Cardiff in fourth and fifth. But the local authority area where shoplifting is worst, by a significant margin, is Westminster. Make of that what you will.

Shoplifting is not a criminal act without consequence. Small shops are very much on the economic margin and could easily go out of business.

A friend tells me that his much-loved local wine shop in Bristol has been forced to close after a series of incidents when thieves repeatedly walked in and stole stock by the crateload. The vintner would ring 999 to report looting, but on one occasion officers took two days to respond by which time, the thieves had visited twice more.

What's more, the police warned the shop owner against doing anything to intervene, partly because the criminals might be armed but also because, if he laid a hand on them he would be committing an offence himself.

Bigger shops can recoup their losses, but at whose expense?

Well, us shoppers. Inevitably, prices will go up if very serious theft takes its toll. Accepting lawlessness, in whatever form, is a road to disaster. That is why this surge in stealing from shops must be met by a clampdown.

I believe firmly that what is known as the 'broken windows theory' on crime really does work.

If the authorities crack down on minor nuisances such as graffiti, vandalism, loitering, petty theft and broken windows, you reduce serious offences.

It is imperative that we stamp out petty crime. But police and politicians also have to adopt a nuanced approach, using a bit of common sense to ensure that people are not caught up unnecessarily in the criminal justice system. This means a co-ordinated effort between police, shops and public: the use of technology such as CCTV, the development of partnership arrangements between the police and retail outlets, and yes, the training of special constables.

Because a partnership is needed to tackle the problem of shop- lifting. It has to be a combined effort to catch those responsible, distinguish serial offenders from the first offender, and to be able to focus action where it's really needed.

In other words, let's get tough  but let's get sensible, proportionate and focused.

While cracking down on serious crime, we must also refuse to tolerate petty theft because we know it leads to worse offences and ultimately, the gradual disintegration of decency, law and order.
In remarkable scenes after the Queen's death last year, the Prince and Princess of Wales came together with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex for a walkabout in Windsor.

Kate and William's appearance with Harry and Meghan to greet well-wishers and view the flowers outside the gates of Windsor Castle came two days after the Queen's death at the age of 96 in September last year.

To many, the couples' joint walkabout - said to have been William's idea to put on a show of unity - might have seemed like some kind of reconciliation.

But it was later reported that Kate found her Windsor walkabout with Harry and Meghan after the Queen's death 'one of the hardest things she'd ever had to do'.

The Princess of Wales told a senior royal it was so difficult for her because of the 'ill-feeling' between the couples, veteran royal correspondent Robert Jobson said in Our King, serialised in The Daily Mail and The Mail on Sunday.

In remarkable scenes after the Queen's death last year, the Prince and Princess of Wales came together with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex for a walkabout in Windsor

Kate and William's appearance with Harry and Meghan to greet well-wishers and view the flowers outside the gates of Windsor Castle came two days after the Queen's death at the age of 96 in September last year

The surprise appearance was the first time that the two couples had all been in public together since Commonwealth Day on March 9, 2020.

And it was the first time William and Harry were seen together in public since they joined for the opening of the memorial in honour of their mother, Princess Diana.

It is believed the Sussexes had not previously made any plans to meet with the Waleses, despite staying in Frogmore Cottage, just 700 yards from William and Kate's Adelaide Cottage.

However both William and Harry raced to Balmoral on Thursday after it became clear the Queen's health was faltering.

It was later revealed the King ordered his warring sons to set aside their ongoing feud ahead of the Queen's funeral, leading the pair to reunite in public for the first time in more than a year.

Royal sources say Prince William attempted to bury the hatchet by extending an '11th-hour olive branch' to his younger brother Prince Harry, by asking him to join him on a walkabout outside Windsor Castle following a phone call with his father Charles.

A Kensington Palace source said that the Prince of Wales invited the Sussexes to join him and the Princess of Wales on the walkabout.

However, according to The Times, the camps required extended negotiations beforehand which delayed their arrival by 45 minutes.

A senior Palace source said: 'The Prince of Wales invited the Duke and Duchess of Sussex to join him and the Princess of Wales earlier.

'The Prince of Wales thought it was an important show of unity for the Queen at an incredibly difficult time for the family.'

The Sussexes' friend and preferred journalist Omid Scobie later claimed on Twitter that the invitation was made at the '11th hour'.

However, hinting that William is prepared to extend Harry an olive branch and work towards melting the ice between them, he declared: 'It is, without a doubt, a significant moment in the history of the relationship between the two brothers'.

And for a few minutes, it looked as though the warring couples had slipped back in time, before bitterness and harsh words had destroyed their relationship.

The Prince and Princess of Wales took to Windsor to inspect the sea of floral tributes laid outside the gates of the Berkshire estate in tribute to the late Queen, who died in Balmoral days earlier.

During the engagement, they were joined by Harry and Meghan, marking the first time that the two couples have all appeared in public since Commonwealth Day on March 9, 2020, just weeks before the Covid lockdown.

While making their way towards the floral tributes, Kate and William mainly walked separately, occasionally reaching out and touching. Meanwhile, Harry and Meghan maintained contact most of the time, often holding hands

The two couples, who had not been seen together in an official capacity since March 2020, appeared to maintain their distance from each other (pictured L-R: the Princess and Prince of Wales, and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex)

The royals, once dubbed the 'fab four', were greeted by applause as they walked along the gates of Windsor Castle together.

However, all did not appear to be completely well among the feuding couples, who at times appeared uneasy in each other's company.

Body language expert Judi James told FEMAIL at the time: 'This is a phenomenal and unexpected scene that displays some natural caution and awkwardness in the body language, although as a statement of intent it seems choreographed as something of a loving tribute the Queen and in some ways the new King, who took what was maybe the first step in speaking of his love for Harry and Meghan in his recent speech.

'The four line up together to suggest some form of unity and it is William, with his puffed chest and air of confidence, who looks like the leader and instigator. Harry performs some clothing touch anxiety rituals but Meghan seems to be on hand to offer comfort, support and encouragement.'

As they walked along the gates of Windsor Castle together, temporarily putting aside the differences sparked by the Sussexes' departure, they appeared to maintain a significant distance from each other.

The couples only came together briefly at the start and end of the engagement.

Throughout the rest of the walkabout, which is believed to have lasted some 30 minutes, Prince William and Kate, and Meghan and Harry, appeared to stick to their two couples - perhaps instructed to by their aides - and barely interacted during the sombre occasion.

During the walkabout, the royals inspected the sea of floral tributes laid outside the gates of the Berkshire estate in tribute to the late Queen

The two couples seemed to engage very little with each other, instead staying separate

At times during the walkabout, all four split up, to greet and speak with members of the public individually

At times during the walkabout, all four split up, to greet and speak with members of the public individually.

As the four emerged from their vehicle, the couples spoke to an unidentified man, thought to be an aide. At one point during the conversation, Harry stepped back towards Meghan, and the pair listened while locked in an embrace, with the Duke's arm around his wife's waist.

As they started walking, with the two men standing next to each other, while their respective wives flanked them on the outside, William and Harry appeared to engage in a brief chat, as Kate and Meghan looked straight ahead.

At times, Kate appeared to stand some distance from the group.

'Kate looks slightly distanced although she is close to William when the couples split slightly,' said Judi.

As they reached the gates, the two couples stopped to look at some of the floral tributes left by well-wishes.

Harry and Meghan stayed close together at the beginning of the event, and often if they were separated, were seen reaching for each other to hold hands.

After speaking to the crowds, the couples made their way to their separate vehicles. At one point, the two Duchesses appeared to be avoiding making eye contact (pictured)

According to Judi: 'When the couple clasp hands it is Harry's fingers wiggling downward while Meghan's are curled around his palm, with her thumb gently stroking his hand. She performs touches on his back and small strokes and other tie-signs and there are some moments when she is the one looking across for communication with William and Kate.'

As the royals started the long walk to Windsor Castle, the couples split up, each attending to one side of the crowd, which was heard cheering both the couples. The four greeted members of the public within their respective couplings, as well as separately.

Once they finished meeting the public, they reconvened in front of their vehicles, where they had a brief chat, before getting into their respective cars.

Describing the overall tone of the meeting, Judi told FEMAIL: 'There's no signs of relaxed engagement or even affection here but the fact they are lining up together and communicating again is impressive in itself.

'It's an adult approach from the new Prince of Wales and it could have broken a lot of ice in terms of their body language at the funeral and beyond.'

Later, Robert Jobson said sources close to the royal family confirmed to him that the show of unity was an 'illusion'.

'Catherine later admitted to a senior royal that, such was the ill feeling between the two couples, the joint walkabout was one of the hardest things she'd ever had to do,' he writes.
Hats give me confidence, Princess Diana once remarked.

And she wore them with confidence, too, becoming the champion of exuberant headpieces.

She consistently employed millinery in a way that set her apart from other royals.

Diana's early years in the spotlight favoured birdcage veils at formal engagements, together with hats in zingy shades or fascinators topped with a dramatic flourish.

Later in life, she developed a taste for streamlined designs, wide brims and 60s-inspired pillbox shapes.

Kate is no slouch when it comes to hats, either. Elegant headwear is something of a talent, in fact, and she has certainly got it.

In fact the similarities in the approach of the two women has become more marked since Catherine became Princess of Wales, with many of Diana's original looks echoed by her daughter-in-law - breathing new life into them and adding a modern twist.

Head to Toe Burgundy

Stepping out in St Austell, Cornwall in 1981 Diana wore a burgundy velvet suit by Jaeger and a pussy bow blouse, worn with a matching hat adorned with an ostrich plume designed by John Boyd.

Princess Diana wears a wine-coloured hat to match her velvet suit by Jaeger and a John Boyd hat in November 1983

Catherine, Princess of Wales visits St David's cathedral in a similarly wine-coloured hat and matching coat at St David's Cathedral on Friday

Kate mirrored her look at St Davids Cathedral when marking the first anniversary of Queen Elizabeths death, wearing a matching hued Eponine coat in her usual signature style topped with a Sahar Millinery bow detail fascinator which featured the same sloping curves as Diana. She completed the chic look with a pair of the late Queens silver jubilee earrings.

Bold Blues

Diana paired this cerulean blue John Boyd pillbox hat and blue heart earrings with a floral dress in Sydney, 1988.

Princess Diana attended a church service in Sydney wearing this cerulean blue John Boyd pillbox hat in 1988

Catherine, Princess of Wales chose the same vibrant shade and silk fabric as Diana when she attended Scotland's National Service of Thanksgiving and Dedication in 2023

We saw the look repeated earlier this year when Kate chose the same vibrant shade and the same silk fabric for Scotlands National Service of Thanksgiving and Dedication, which marked the Scottish Coronation of the monarch.

She put her own twist on the style of hat adding an elaborate feather to her Philip Treacy hat, matching her Catherine Walker coat. The Princess of Wales also wore pearl drop earrings and a pearl bracelet that once belonged to Diana.

Ladies in Red

Diana made a striking appearance at wedding of Nicholas Soames in 1981, a few months before her own wedding to Charles.

She chose a red high-neck dress with a white and blue print by Catherine Walker with a coordinating red saucer hat by John Boyd.

Kate wore a wide-brimmed Philip Treacy hat at the same tipped angle, elegantly complementing her Alexander McQueen dress at Royal Ascot in 2023.

Diana pictured at the wedding of Nicholas Soames in London in 1981 wearing a red saucer hat by John Boyd

Kate echoed the look with a Philip Treacy hat at Royal Ascot this year

Twinning in Teal

During a tour in Wellington, New Zealand in 1983 Diana donned a John Boyd silk hat with fan detail corsages and dyed to match her peplum jacket and skirt.

Quite strikingly similar, Kate stunned in head to toe teal on St Patricks Day this year. For the occasion she wore a coat dress by Catherine Walker with sharp shoulders, a mock turtleneck collar, long sleeves, and large buttons at the front.

She styled it with teal suede Gianvito Rossi pumps and a matching Jane Taylor London felt hat with a dramatic pleated chiffon embellishment.

Diana chooses a teal suit and matching hat for Wellington, New Zealand, in 1983

Kate's look for the 2023 St Patrick's Day Parade at Mons Barracks was strikingly similar in colour and detail

Veiled Detail for A Funeral

Princess Diana chose a wide brimmed hat with veiled detailing for the funeral of Adrian Ward-Jackson, former governor of the Royal Ballet, in 1991. She matched the the extravagant headpiece with pearl drop earrings and a black belted jacket and skirt.

At Queen Elizabeths funeral in 2022, Catherine echoed Diana's look down to the same pearl drop earrings and veil detail on her Philip Treacy hat.

She turned to her favourite British designer, Alexander McQueen, for a coat dress which allowed her pearl choker necklace - previously worn by Diana in 1982 - to stand out clearly.

Princess of Wales wearing a wide brimmed hat with veiled detail at the funeral of Adrian Ward-Jackson in 1991

Catherine, Princess of Wales at Queen Elizabeth's funeral in 2022. She echoed Diana's funeral ensemble with a 2023 twist of wide brim with a tilt keeping her look current but still chic

Electric Blue

For the 1985 Children of Courage awards, Diana stepped out in an embroidered electric blue suit by Caroline Charles with a matching Philip Somerville hat.

Milliner Somerville often made hats to co-ordinate with the princess's outfits and was also behind Dianas move into Jackie Kennedy-style pillboxes.

Catherine replicated the look when she wore her signature style in the same striking shade for Easter Sunday in 2023, bringing back a vibrant royal-blue Catherine Walker tailored coat that she previously wore the year earlier.

Her matching pillbox hat by Lock & Co featured a thin, oversized bow, and she completed the look with some sapphire and diamond earrings.

Princess Diana wearing an electric blue pill box hat with matching Caroline Charles suit at the Children of Courage awards in 1985

Princess Catherine replicated Diana's look when she wore her signature style in the same striking shade for Easter Sunday in 2023

Country Chic

Diana was first to wear a fedora - seen while attending Sandown Racecourse in 1981 along with a ruffle collared shirt and Gucci bag.

Kate would later adopt a similar look for a church service in Balmoral in August 2023.

The Princess of Wales looked effortlessly chic dressed in a beige tartan Marlborough trench coat from Holland Cooper and her Hicks & Brown hat that featured pheasant feathers in the band.

Princess Diana in 1981 wearing a fedora hat and matching tweeds at Sandown racecourse

Kate updated the fedora look by adding pheasant feathers to her Hicks & Brown hat in August

Monochrome Tilt

When visiting the American National Gallery in Washington in November 1985, Diana accessorised her Catherine Walker suit with a Freddie Fox hat. Worn at a tilt across her face, the hat featured black details which perfectly matched her tuxedo jacket lapels.

There was a sense of deja vu at the Order Of The Garter Service in 2023 when Kate channelled Dianas style in a bespoke polka-dot midi dress from Alessandra Rich and a black Philip Treacy hat worn at the same angle and featuring the same spotty print as her dress. Kates ensemble was completed with Dianas pearl drop earrings.

Diana's monochrome outfit with tilted Freddie Fox hat with feather detail was a showstopper when she visited the National Gallery in Washington in November 1985

Kate's monochrome look with tilted Philip Treacy hat with feather detail felt like an updated version of Diana's showstopper at the Garter Service earlier this year

Timeless in Black

In 1982 Diana arrived at the National Service of Remembrance dressed in a black blazer and skirt and a black hat finished with a flourish of feathers.

Kate took a more modern approach in March 2023 for St Davids Day Parade, with a single feather on her Juliette Millinery black fascinator.

She wore a red Alexander McQueen coat, but like the former Princess of Wales, Kate had a black funnel neckline and wore her elaborate headpiece at the same angle together with discreet silver earrings.

Diana, Princess of Wales, attends the Cenotaph in 1982
God created man to occupy land.

Land is a precious asset. Ordinarily or naturally, a father is happy and proud of his son for acquiring land.

In fact, I have enquired from a few gentlemen who attested to the fact that they would rather go for a house than a car. After obtaining land, there is a feeling of citizenship and sense of belonging, basically existing and thriving within the spheres and principles of statehood.

National identity (ID) is not only about the long number on your card. True and genuine ID is land. Land is an asset and investment. It is where we build our home. A home is a first place where a State is established. It is our fortress. It is where families are strengthened. Actually, a State is a group of families coming together to form a government.

I agree with those who say a government is an agent of the State. Everything begins at home. Leaders are produced by homes  families. Of course, it starts with land on which we build homes. Without land, we dont have homes, and the State is weak.

If the State is weak, it will produce a confused agent  the government. The most disturbing element about the land tenure system in Eswatini is that emaSwati do not have land. If you argue that they have land, there is no guarantee that they own it. My attitude is that there is no land security on Eswatini Nation Land (ENL). When carefully analysing the land tenure system, you will realise that the land has been leased out to emaSwati. I hope the 12th Parliament would address this terrible discrepancy.

The problematic land tenure system was created by our forefathers. We need to address it as a matter of urgency.

Land tenure is broadly of two types in Eswatini, Eswatini Nation Land or Traditional Tenure System and Title Deed Land (TDL). This excludes the Individual Tenure Farms (ITF) that are owned by freeholders or concession.

The ENL, which is communal, is held in trust by the King. They are allocated by chiefs to individual families for their use.

Land security is guaranteed by good conduct. Misconduct may result in the dismissal of the land owner and his family. Under ENL, the children bear the sins of their fathers, and I have seen this happening at Macetjeni and KaMkhweli communities. It happened at Musi in Mankayane, where children were affected when their fathers were dismissed by the chief.

There are numerous cases of evictions of emaSwati from the land of their forefathers.

I always wonder why a fine or another mode of punishment is not considered to protect the children from this violation of the right to own and access land. I do not tolerate misbehaviour. Instead, I am of the view that the countrys authorities and chiefs should be accorded the dignity and respect they deserve.

However, any breach of trust and violation of community standards by an individual family should not deprive them of their fundamental right to own and access land. There should be a way of correcting wayward behaviour without having to expel a person from his home. As a nation, we have to consider issuing land certificates to prove ownership of the land. We can pay small or reasonable taxes to ensure quality provision of community services like refuse collection, water or electricity.

In cases where umphakatsi fears for an individuals life, negotiations for resettlement should be considered, as opposed to issuing a directive or order that he or she should leave the community with immediate effect.

This is when the family is under threat from a mob. The Land Policy Draft of 1999 intended to address what I am talking about, lest I be misunderstood.

Introduction

It intended to improve gender equity in land allocation and protection of property rights, the use of Eswatini Nation Land as collateral for loans and the introduction of an efficient, effective and comprehensive system of land administration and management. It is unfortunate that the policy was never endorsed. How do we reform our land? There was also a good move to table what was to be known as the Swazi National Land Commercialisation Bill, 2016. It was to be in line with the countrys commitment to the African Union (AU) Declaration on Land Issues and Challenges (AU Declaration on Land).

The Heads of State and Government resolved to take ownership of and lead land reform processes by strengthening institutions for effective land governance and allocating adequate budgetary resources for policy development, implementation and tracking of progress. They also resolved to ensure equitable land access for all land users and improve access and security of land tenure for women, as key priorities.

The AU Declaration on Land urge member States to develop comprehensive land policies that address specific needs of each State, and build adequate human, financial and technical capacities in accordance with the Framework and Guidelines on Land Policy in Africa. The Declaration invites Regional Economic Committees (RECs) to mainstream land governance issues in common frameworks, policies and protocols, and to convene platforms for disseminating knowledge and sharing best practices.

It urges the African Union Commission in partnership with ECA, AfDB and RECs to establish an appropriate institutional mechanism for coordination, a monitoring framework for tracking progress, and a fund to support activities in the implementation of the AU Declaration on land. Regarding the Malabo Declaration on Accelerated Agricultural Growth and Transformation for Shared Prosperity and Improved Livelihoods, it specifies land tenure as one of the commitment areas in agriculture, while recognising that this is not (completely) under the mandate of the Ministry of Agriculture.

Good land policies and management are cited as key to achieving agricultural transformation with equitable access to land and secure land rights being critical to investment and sustainable land management. The key performance targets and indicators for monitoring and reporting on the Malabo Declaration for Agriculture include land governance-related targets and indicators. In this regard, the recommendation is that 100 per cent of farm households have ownership or secure land rights by 2025.

I have realised that the countrys dual system makes it difficult for the country to meet the AU obligations on land governance. Eswatinis customary systems remain strong and resist efforts to modernise the land tenure system. Land reformation is fundamental if we want to attain First World status. I want to put it on record that it would be very difficult or impossible to attain First World status with the archaic land tenure system.

I would have been extremely happy to celebrate 55th Independence Anniversary with revised land tenure system supported by a modern Land Act or progressive of forward-looking land policy. Its a disgrace that we do not have a land policy as a country. Come on Eswatini! We have a pile of land policy drafts that do not improve the lives of emaSwati. The only reference about land is the Constitution in which Section 211 provides that all land (including existing concessions) in Swaziland (Eswatini), save privately held title-deed land, vest in Ingwenyama in trust for the Swazi Nation as it vested on April 12, 1973.

It is provided in the Constitution that a citizen of the country, without regard to gender, shall have equal access to land for normal domestic purposes. Subsection three points to the fact that a person shall not be deprived of land without due process of law and where a person is deprived, that person shall be entitled to prompt and adequate compensation for any improvement on that land or loss consequent upon that deprivation unless otherwise provided by law.

The Constitution, a supreme law of the land, legalises the forfeiture of land. It condones land deprivation. No matter how much compensation could possibly be paid out, land is emotionally owned and spiritually accessed.

Reads Section 211 (1): From the date of commencement of this Constitution, all land (including any existing concessions) in Swaziland, save privately held title deed land, shall continue to vest in Ingwenyama in trust for the Swazi Nation as it vested on the 12th April 1973.

Analyse and underline Section 211 (3): A person shall not be deprived of land without due process of law, and where a person is deprived, that person shall be entitled to prompt and adequate compensation for any improvement on that land or loss consequent upon that deprivation unless otherwise provided by law. It was enough to say that a person shall not be deprived of land. Without due process of law is not necessary. Any law that deprives me of land is evil. What do you take me to court to rob me of my land?

I was not born in the air, but my mother was on the land, on earth, when she conceived me. Therefore, I was born to occupy land. As a landowner, I should be the one suggesting any land transfer on Eswatini Nation Land. EmaSwati can accept any modest and corrective punishment for misdemeanours of any type, but they cannot afford to lose their asset or resource which is dear and precious to them.

Powers

I may lack in many things, but I must have land. After all, land belongs to God. Then, the Constitution takes away powers from the chiefs and transfers them to the Land Management Board (LMB), which continues to operate in the country without an Act of Parliament. Since its establishment, it has failed to produce the land policy. This is despite the fact that the LMB is paid hefty salaries and allowances, including gratuities.

For what are we paying them?

As provided in Section 212 (4), the Land Management Board is responsible for the overall management, and for the regulation of any right or interest in land whether urban or rural or vesting in Ingwenyama in trust for the Eswatini nation. In my understanding, the Board has sweeping powers to an extent that they can overrule a chief in matters related to land management and distribution.

The economy of Eswatini is largely dependent on agriculture. I must say that the agriculture sector employs 70 per cent of the population. Primarily, agriculture requires land and water. Regardless of political affiliation or beliefs in religion or otherwise, emaSwati should be free to make money from their lands through agriculture, without the fear of land deprivation. Banks should be free to advance loans to them to push the agricultural agenda. They should use land as collateral for the loans. Let them do whatever they want with their lands.
A popular crime documentary series has delved into the disturbing true story of a 14-year-old girl was held captive and sexually abused for a decade.

Tanya Kach was just a teenager when she vanished from her family's home in McKeesport, Pennsylvania, in 1996.

It would later transpire that she had been lured into the home of 38-year-old school security guard Tom Hose who locked her in his second-floor bedroom for 10 years.

She was eventually allowed to take a part-time job at a convenience store and seized the opportunity to make her escape in 2006 - but was left heartbroken after realizing her father blamed her for the kidnapping.

Here, FEMAIL has laid bare the harrowing realities surrounding the case after an episode of People Magazine Investigates explored The Disappearance of Tayna Kach.

Tanya Kach was just a teenager when she vanished from her family's home in McKeesport, Pennsylvania, in 1996

School security guard Thomas Hose had lured the schoolgirl to the home (pictured) which he shared with his elderly parents

The harrowing story began back in 1995 when Tanya's parents initiated a divorce.

She already had a troubled relationship with her mother who was rarely in contact - with Tanya claiming she was also violent and abusive.

The teen was forced to move in with her father and his then-fiancee but the upheaval proved to be disruptive.

Tanya was bullied in her new school and she soon turned to alcohol, cigarettes and marijuana as a form of escape.

Her feelings of isolation grew and she ended up confiding in 38-year-old school security guard Tom Hose.

Speaking previously to KDKA-TV, Tanya said: 'My mother wasn't in my life at that point. My dad completely forgot he even had a daughter and we were living under the same roof, and I was hanging around with the wrong crowd.'

Tanya recalled: '[Hose] was an authority figure, wearing a uniform and a badge - somebody that you would trust - and he befriended me.'

Their illicit romance continued to develop and Tanya believed the pair were embarking on a serious relationship.

Hose served 15 years in prison after pleading guilty to a series of charges

Hose was eventually able to lure the schoolgirl - who was 24 years his junior - to the home which he shared with his elderly parents.

He kept her locked in an upstairs bedroom and threatened to kill her and her family if she resisted or tried to escape.

While in captivity, Tanya was kept confined to one room, only allowed to shower once a week, forced to spend Christmas locked in the closet and ordered to use a bucket as a toilet.

She was sexually abused, told to change her name to Nikki and instructed to dye her hair.

Tanya, who later published a book about her ordeal titled Memoir of a Milk Carton Kid, spoke for the first time about what she had to endure while she was in captivity in October 2011.

'I was just so brainwashed. I feel humiliated now. Absolutely. Most of the time I ate peanut butter and jelly sandwiches along with a banana and a can of Faygo soda pop.

'About twice a week in the dead of night he led me down into a cellar with cold, concrete floors to take a shower.

'I was fine at first. I thought I was in love and felt my sacrifices were a labor of my love for Tom Hose. Soon, however, the ordeal began to take its toll.'

By 2006 Hose began allowing her some freedom in the belief that she was too afraid and 'brainwashed' to escape.

The then 24-year-old picked up a part-time job at a local convenience store and she eventually confided in a co-worker who called the police.

Hose went on to serve 15 years in prison after pleading guilty to charges of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse with a minor, interfering with the custody of a child and child endangerment in 2007.

The now 65-year-old was released last year and is registered with Pennsylvania State Police as a sex offender under the state's Megan's Law.

Tanya believed that she and Hose - who was 24 years her senior - were embarking on a serious relationship

The former hostage, now 41, has since claimed that her father - Jerry Kach - (pictured together previously) does not believe her account of being kept under Hose's mental and physical control

But, despite Tanya being freed from captivity, she struggled to reform family bonds.

The former hostage, now 41, has since claimed that her father - Jerry Kach - does not believe her account of being kept under Hose's mental and physical control.

In her book, she dramatically claimed that after she escaped her dad verbally abused Tanya and said he didn't love her.

She also appeared on Dr. Phil where she claimed she had cut her father out of her because she 'didn't need the negativity.'

Jerry, now 62, is alleged to have gone as far as partially blaming her for the kidnapping, with Tanya telling People: 'That broke my heart.'

However, in the immediate aftermath of the book's release, he retaliated by arguing that he felt demonized by his estranged daughter, according to the Pittsburgh Tribune Review.

He said: 'If you want to go out and tell your story, go on trash TV and have your 15 minutes, fine. But don't drag me down with you and besmirch my good name.

'I love my daughter. But her last words to me were "Have a nice life, Jerry." Those words really hurt.'
Though said innocently, she was met with an awkward silence and a HR meeting

A Reddit user said she told her coworker that she knows how to 'please' herself

A female employee was left stunned when an HR meeting popped up on her calendar after she jokingly told a coworker that she knows how to 'please' herself.

A Reddit user, named Solid_Blueberry, said she was casually talking to a long-time coworker explaining that her husband had been away on a business trip for two weeks.

Perhaps overstepping a boundary, the male coworker, John, said she must be 'a bit pent up' with her husband gone for so long.

Taken aback, she jokingly said: 'I know exactly how to please myself when my husband is away,' but to her surprise she was met with an awkward silence and a scheduled HR meeting.

A female employee was left stunned when a HR meeting popped up on her calendar after she jokingly told a long-time coworker and friend that she knows how to 'please' herself

Explaining the story, in the sub-reddit named Am I The A******, she said: 'I have been at this company for about two years now and one of my coworkers (John) and I have become pretty good friends and get along well.'

She explained that the two are happily married and just friends, but catch up on life during work hours.

She continued: 'John and I were chatting in the office this morning and I mentioned to him that I've been at my house alone for the past week and pretty bored without my husband.

'He asked me what I do to pass the time and that I must be a bit pent up with my husband gone for that long. I was surprised he said that but I feel comfortable enough around him that it didn't bother me and I chalked it up to playful banter.

'I jokingly told him that I know exactly how to please myself when my husband is away. He got really awkward and uncomfortable and we've been distant since.'

The employee later checked her inbox to find a meeting on her calendar from HR, and, after not hearing from John, a manager told her that her behaviour was 'ridiculous' and not to speak to him.

Posting the ordeal to Reddit, the woman has hundreds of supporters with many adamant that her male coworker 'started it'

The popular post has gained thousands of comments from infuriated Reddit users, all in agreement that John had crossed a line.

One user, shocked at John's initial comment, wrote: 'And this man has the gall to complain about YOU??? Wow.'

Another, who agreed with the original poster, said: 'Im also alone in my house for a week. Last night I pleased myself by making chocolate chip cookies for dinner bc Im a f***** adult and can do whatever I damn well please. Especially while my 13yo is gone lol.'

One person, however, commented: 'I feel like you were both being inappropriate,' to which hundreds argued 'he started it'.

After much demand, the employee posted an update after the HR meeting, she claimed that John left his original comment out of the meeting and they penciled it down to a misunderstanding.

She added: 'They are moving John to a different team temporarily and my manager apologized to me for being harsh.'
It's 30C outside, barbecues are firing up and many Brits are getting sunburned in the unseasonably hot September weather.

But supermarkets, broadcasters and high street shops are getting warmed up for the festive season instead - earlier than ever before.

It seems with a soggy summer, and a few years of muted Christmases thanks to lockdown, people are desperate to get the festivities started despite December 25 being months away.

Supermarket shocked shoppers by filling shelves with Christmas foods and drinks in August.

Both Tesco and Asda are selling Christmas related goodies, with shoppers snapping photos of chocolate, mulled wine and festive sweets already on sale.

Channel 5 showed Christmas classic the Holiday - on the hottest day of the year

John Lewis have launched their Christmas range in the shops

Tesco and other supermarkets have stacks of Christmas goodies on sale

One shopper showed pictures from Tesco in Exeter - in the first week of August - showing boxes of Celebrations, Quality Street and Roses.

'Never mind the whole 'back to school shenanigans appearing everywhere. The first sign of Christmas has been spotted,' they wrote.

Meanwhile, Channel 5 aired Christmas classic The Holiday on September 3rd this year - despite it being one of the hottest days of the year outside.

'It's never too early to watch The Holiday is it? Channel 5 putting it on when it's the hottest day of the year is a shout,' one person wrote on Twitter.

Elsewhere, Tesco, Asda and Waitrose have all launched their Christmas food collections - with Waitrose saying they want to allow savvy customers to spread costs and shop ahead this Christmas.

Liverpool ONE's - the city's shopping centre - has announced it's Christmas plans, while John Lewis and Selfridges already have Christmas items on display.

So what exactly has brought on the early festivities?

COST OF LIVING

OLD FASHIONED GLAZED HAM: Inspired by the classic cocktail, our Old Fashioned Glazed Ham is a real Christmas centrepiece

SHIMMERING SALMON MOUSSE: Tender Scottish smoked and poached salmon mousse with a shimmering bronze lustre finish

The cost of living crisis may certainly be a factor in getting celebrations earlier than ever.

While people may start planning for Christmas months in advance in order to spread the cost - they may also be looking for some festive cheer in a depressing time.

Waitrose has everything ready for a posh Christmas, with more than 140 new products this year.

The upmarket supermarket says that savvy customers have been prepping ahead of times with searches for 'Christmas dinner ideas' on Waitrose.com rise 51 per cent compared to the same period last year.

And, in a bid to spread the cost of the festive period frozen vegetables and party foods went on sale in August.

Other items with a longer shelf-life, like chocolates and mulled wine are already on shelves in Tesco and Sainsbury's - allowing customers to spread the cost.

BAD SUMMER

The Met Office has warned that 'our weather going into August is going to remain unseasonably unsettled'. Pictured: People shield themselves from the rain while crossing Millennium Bridge in London in August

A soggy July and August may also be why people are looking forward to the festive season.

Despite a promising June, Brits endured cold spells in the typically sunny August - with many looking forward to the festive season instead.

Unable to do the usual summer activities of sunbathing and outdoor swimming - many Brits joked they're prepping for Christmas instead.

'August is basically finished, rain is pouring, Im wearing a sweater and the weather is cold. At this point I cant hold it anymore, its time. Family, merry Christmas,' said one.

'Bro this UK weather got me listening to Christmas music,' said another.

'Okay so since the weather in the UK wants to be unpredictable and not give us a proper summer. Im gonna make a playlist consisting of Halloween, Christmas, summer, happy, sad songs and just press shuffle,' joked a third.

'There hasnt been one but of consistent sun or any good weather this summer in the UK that I'm allowing myself to mentally progress to Halloween-Christmas time,' said one.

LACK OF GOOD CHRISTMASES CAUSE OF LOCKDOWN AND TRAVEL DELAYS

Supermarket across the UK have shocked shoppers by filling shelves with Christmas foods and drinks, just days into the school summer holidays

Supermarket across the UK have shocked shoppers by filling shelves with Christmas foods and drinks, just days into the school summer holidays

Snowballs were on offer in Tesco and Asda

Both Tesco and Asda are selling Christmas related goodies, with shoppers snapping photos of chocolate, mulled wine and festive sweets already on sale

The last few years have been plagued by lowkey Christmases due to lockdowns - meaning many Brits will go bigger than ever before this year.

Christmas 2022 was the first year which people could celebrate with their families restriction free since the Covid-19 pandemic.

But last December Brits faced travel chaos with hundreds of flights delayed and cancelled dampening celebrations.

Thousands of British Airways passengers across the globe were left stranded after dozens of long-haul flights were delayed and cancelled just days before Christmas because of a technical failure.

Desperate customers trying to get home for Christmas - including actress Elizabeth Hurley - were left stuck after multiple planes across the United States and Caribbean, bound for London Heathrow and Gatwick, were grounded before take off on Monday night.

The beleaguered airline was forced to apologise after axing flights out of Heathrow and leaving families waiting inside airports and on the tarmac across Europe, the US and Asia.

Meanwhile, Christmas 2021 was restricted, while Christmas 2020 'cancelled' when the UK was plunged into lockdown 6 days before Christmas day.

Waitrose Christmas food range Buffet bites and grazing boards Christmas is the time to celebrate, whether you're hosting all your family and friends, or planning a smaller affair with your nearest and dearest, we have a selection of delicious buffet bites and Christmas cheese to help you create a spread to impress. Ensuring you can spend more time with guests and less time in the kitchen this Christmas. We also have seven new additions in our frozen party food range launching in September to allow savvy customers to spread costs and shop ahead this Christmas. Waitrose Paneer Fries Paneer and grilling cheese in a spiced crumb, with mango chutney and crispy onion dip Waitrose Feta Popcorn with Hot Honey Bitesize balls of whipped feta, soft cheese and goats cheese, with a quinoa flecked crumb for extra crunch and hot honey dip Waitrose Red Fox Welsh Rarebit A deliciously creamy vintage Red Fox bake with a splash of ale and a hint of mustard Waitrose Chestnut-fed Galician Serrano Ham Sweet and nutty ham made from free range pigs fed with chestnuts Waitrose Shimmering Salmon Mousse Tender Scottish smoked and poached salmon mousse with a shimmering bronze lustre finish - available as a large sharing centrepiece as part of Waitrose Entertaining and a smaller-scale in shops Waitrose Old Fashioned Smoked Salmon Hung and smoked in a traditional kiln over whisky cask oak chips, cured with salt and sugar finished with whisky, orange and bitters Centrepieces and Sides When celebrating over the festive season, it's no longer just about the traditional turkey that takes pride of place at the big Christmas day lunch. So we have a number of mains to suit all occasions, to ensure your spread is one that will have people talking for years to come. And with higher welfare British beef with room to roam, MSC certified seafood that is responsibly farmed and caught and free-range British turkey - you can be sure your produce has come from farmers we know and trust. Waitrose Jewelled Stuffed Bronze Turkey Crown Free Range British Bronze turkey crown with a pork and jewelled fruit stuffing, dry cured smoked streaky bacon, maple butter glaze, star shaped salted butter and a rosemary sprig. Waitrose Old Fashioned Glazed Ham' Sugar pit' dry cured boneless ham with a whisky and orange glaze, candied orange slices and smoke flavoured cherries - available on and off the bone Waitrose 2 Mini Pork Stuffing Panettoni Outdoor bred British pork sausage meat has been laced with panettone crumb, raisins, lemon, cherries, sultanas and caramelised orange zest. Our fresh pork is always British and always outdoor bred or free-range. Waitrose Shredded Sprouts and Cavolo Nero Spring greens, shredded sprouts and cavolo nero, with crispy maple smoked bacon, coated in a caramelised shallot glaze. Vegan With searches for 'plant based' on Waitrose.com up 115 per cent compared to the same time last year we wanted to make this our biggest vegan Christmas ever with options for every dish. Meaning you can create a whole plant based menu bursting with flavour, with no compromises. Waitrose No.1 Ultimate Triple Nut Roast Richly savoury, with crunchy roasted nuts, sweet potato, lentils, chickpeas and a dash of miso, hand finished with a spiced clementine and apricot chutney glaze. Adorned in whole brazil nuts and almonds. Waitrose Chestnut and Thyme Plant-Based Turkey Roast and Gravy Hearty plant based soya turkey roast, packed with thyme-scented chestnut and caramelised onion stuffing, served with a rich cabernet sauvignon gravy Waitrose No.1 Ultimate Vegan Sharing Wellington Moreish mushroom duxelle with no 'beef' plant based beef braised in a fragrant shallot, garlic and thyme vegetable stock. Hand decorated with holly to finish. Waitrose Fruity Stuffing Christmas Trees Apricot and cranberry stuffing decorated with cranberry and a herb breadcrumb Cakes, Bakes & Desserts With over 20 new products across desserts and bakery for 2023, there are plenty of sweet treats to be enjoyed by all this Christmas. From showstopper desserts, to panettone with a modern twist and not forgetting a festive favourite - the mince pie. Waitrose The Golden Buche de Noel Belgian blonde chocolate mousse and silky salted caramel and caramelised biscuit sauce on milk chocolate speckled with caramelised biscuit Waitrose Chocolate and Hazelnut Quenelle Rich hazelnut mousse with a silky milk chocolate sauce hiding inside, on a crisp chocolate base speckled with crunchy feuilletine and cookie crumb Waitrose Cinnamon Bunattone Panettone meets cinnamon bun  a light cinnamon-spiced Italian cake with pockets of sweet mascarpone sauce. It's served with a sachet of cinnamon icing sugar to finish. Made in a family-run bakery in Piedmont, Italy, our bunettone takes over 24 hours to create. Waitrose No.1 Florentine-inspired Panettone Buttery panettone speckled with sultanas, cherries and Sicilian orange peel, swirled with caramel sauce and finished with dark chocolate, cherries, orange peel, almonds and Nocciola Piemonte IGP hazelnuts. Waitrose Crumble Mince pies with Orange and Cranberry All butter mince pies filled with zesty mincemeat with a dash of Valencian orange oil, tangy cranberry and a buttery crumble on top. Waitrose Deer-licious Sticky Toffee Pudding Sticky Toffee Pudding made with dates and gingerbread spices. To be finished at hom with a drizzle of the unctuous toffee sauce before adding the gingerbread antlers. Waitrose Sicilian Orange and Whisky Christmas Pudding Richly fruited pudding laced with Scottish whisky and topped with red and blonde glace cherries, almonds and candied orange then finished with a sticky Sicilian orange sauce. Gifts Gift something delicious from Waitrose this Christmas! Including small gestures for the party host, keepsakes that a loved one will cherish and the perfect treats for your Christmas stocking. Also as part of our brand new Winter Village theme you'll find our Winter Village Chocolate Box, Biscuit Tin and Poinsettia Musical Tin - ready to reuse again year after year! We're proud to continue our use of Fairtrade cocoa in all of our own-brand confectionery and as part of our efforts to remove unnecessary packaging where we can, we have removed non recyclable wooden packaging and replaced it with recyclable card - saving over eight tonnes of packaging from going to landfill. Waitrose Winter Village Chocolate Box A 3D showstopper with hidden drawers housing tempting chocolates inside 12 dark chocolates made with zesty Valencia orange, and 12 silky milk chocolate salted caramels. Waitrose Panettone Chocs Real Italian panettone is mixed into smooth milk chocolate and given a shimmering lustre in our indulgent panettone truffles. With tangy orange peel for extra fruitiness. Waitrose Merry the Mince Pie Our new little festive friend, Merry is made from hollow white chocolate with just a touch of milk chocolate. Advertisement
Birmingham and Bristol fare highly on the list - is your town on the list?

Every Briton has had this conversation, whether it's on the dinner table or at the pub - what city on our island is the most overrated?

People from across the country have been debating the topic in a post which has caused a sensation on Reddit's AskUk forum.

The poster told readers: 'I recently visited Bristol for the first time after hearing tons of great things on here.

'I'm not sure what I was expecting or that maybe I just visited it on a bad day, but my god was rundown'.

However, his comments failed to shock Redditors, who chimed in with their strong stances - and it turns out that some cities fared worse than others.

Every Briton has had this conversation, whether it's on the dinner table or at the pub - what city on our island is the most overrated? (stock image)

People from across the country have been debating the topic in a post which has caused a sensation on Reddit's AskUk forum

The disappointed poster told Reddit he disliked Bristol: 'The harbour side was lovely but apart from that it was fully of empty units, litter, homelessness, lots of angry preacher, horrible 70s architecture, the whole town centre smelt like weed'.

Keen to not offend, he stressed that he was 'not sh***** on Bristol, I'm sure it has lovely aspects to it, but I was just expecting it to be more edgy, artistic and, well, cleaner'.

Although one Bristol native wasn't too keen to hear her hometown get bashed: 'I've lived in Bristol my whole life and love it.

'Wouldn't live anywhere else in the UK'.

However, not everyone was so diplomatic, with many taking candour to the thread.

Some felt the capital was undeserving of its world renowned status, describing London as 'dirty, smelly, tak[ing] ages to get anywhere, [and] full of people who make London their entire personality'.

But others didn't take to kindly to the comment, to which another user brutally responded: 'I see far more people who make hating London a big part of their personality'.

It seems that this was a popular opinion to hold, as a user agreed: 'Absolutely this, every single time theres an article about London youll get someone letting everyone know how much they hate London from their 1 night trip 15 years ago'.

But what about the north?

Reddit users were torn on Manchester, with one, who 'was only there for a few days', saying: 'I went to Manchester for the first time a few months ago and it was great. Made dingy Birmingham look like a ghetto'.

This humoured another user who added: ' Birmingham is a ghetto'.

But another was still not convinced of the allure of the northwestern city, which boasts being the UK's third largest city by area.

They said: 'To say it rains a lot there is an understatement.

'Everything is spread out too far apart which means long walks in the rain to get between bars'.

Many social media users revealed the city which they disliked the most upon visiting it - with some saying London

'Full of tourists on weekends. No idea what theyve come to see'.

Some said they were pleased Liverpool hadn't made the list, with one saying: 'Liverpool is not in this list and I'm glad.

'Liverpool is a highly underrated city with amazing people and a great vibe'.

Although one user wasn't too impressed when they left the city, as he cited an unhygienic Domino's anecdote as enough to put him off the port city.

He wrote: 'First time in Liverpool I drove past a Domino's next door to a college.

'Kid come out of the Domino's, dropped a slice of pizza, cheese side down on the footpath, did a quick look round and then ate it. I'll never forget that'.

Comment

by from discussion

in AskUK

Comment

by from discussion

in AskUK

Comment

by from discussion

in AskUK

Comment

by from discussion

in AskUK

Comment

by from discussion

in AskUK

Comment

by from discussion

in AskUK

Comment

by from discussion

in AskUK

Comment

by from discussion

in AskUK

Comment

by from discussion

in AskUK

Comment

by from discussion

in AskUK

But this claim was quickly shot down by a Eurovision fan who 'met the friendliest locals in the UK' when they went to 'one of the bars to watch the show in the evening'.

Another remarked: 'I visited Liverpool a lot when I was a kid in the 70s, and it was the most depressing sh******.

'It's completely transformed now. The people have always been great, though'.

Meanwhile Geordies are often super proud of their city, with revellers often citing cheap booze as a motive to visit.

One wrote: 'Theres a club that sells 3 treble vodkas for 6 pound on certain nights'.

However some on Reddit claimed that this is untrue, writing: 'Thats a lie the country has been led to believe.

'Newcastle centre is as expensive as any other place these days'.

Britons also had a lot to say for smaller towns, with some arguing whether the fashionable northern spa town deserves its crown.

One wrote: 'Ive always through Harrogate was highly overrated. Its got some expensive houses, but the town itself has f*ck all to do'.

One Redditor asserted: 'The Turkish baths are brilliant if you're into that sort of thing'.

Another historic town, York was a hit and miss on Reddit AskUK.

Comment

by from discussion

in AskUK

Comment

by from discussion

in AskUK

Comment

by from discussion

in AskUK

Comment

by from discussion

in AskUK

Comment

by from discussion

in AskUK

'It's like they took one of the prettiest cities I've ever seen and filled it with chain shops and dudes on stag nights', exclaimed one disgruntled user.

The sentiment was echoed by another user who 'visited for the first time last year.'

'As soon as the sun went down the entire city turned into a dystopian stag/hen nightmare'.

And a tourist was disappointed by Cambridge where she 'kept getting shoved out of the way by cyclists [so] I didnt enjoy any sightseeing. It was so overwhelmingly crowded'.

Oxford critics specified deprivation as a factor in their disdain for the bustling university town: one called it 'run down', relieved that 'finally someone [else] said it [too].
Princess Alexia of the Netherlands proved she has inherited her mother Queen Maxima's fashion prowess as she carried out her first solo engagement today.

The 18-year-old royal, who is second in line to the Dutch throne behind her sister Princess Catharina-Amalia, christened the Vox Alexia, a ship by Dutch manufacture Van Oord, in Rotterdam.

It marked Alexia's first engagement without her parents, Queen Maxima, 52, and King Willem-Alexander, 56, or her two sisters, Catharina-Amalia, 19, and Princess Ariane, 16.

But rather than shy away from the spotlight, the princess looked poised and professional throughout the solo event.

She opted for an elegant navy midi dress, featuring cut-out details on the shoulders, a billowing skirt and white and blue ruffles along the long sleeves.

Princess Alexia of the Netherlands proved she has inherited her mother Queen Maxima's fashion prowess as she carried out her first solo engagement today

Looking typically stylish, Alexia teamed her garment with strappy cream heels, while wearing statement drop earrings.

She completed her look with a smattering of glamorous makeup and kept her hair in a chic up-do.

Following the christening, Alexia will be given a tour of the ship and chat to the crew, as well as speak to members of the Young Van Oord association, reported Hola!.

Alexia graduated from UWC Atlantic College in South Wales in May this year, with her parents travelling to the prestigious school to celebrate.

The school is often referred to as 'Hippie Hogwarts' thanks to its progressive approach to education and picturesque castle setting.

The 18-year-old royal, who is second in line to the Dutch throne behind her sister Princess Catharina-Amalia, christened the Vox Alexia (pictured, a ship by Dutch manufacture Van Oord, in Rotterdam

It marked Alexia's first engagement without her parents, Queen Maxima, 52, and King Willem-Alexander , 56, or her two sisters, Catharina-Amalia, 19, and Princess Ariane, 16

But rather than shy away from the spotlight, the princess looked poised and professional throughout the solo event

The college is for pupils aged 16 to 19 years of age and students from all over the world, 150 countries to be exact, live and study together.

The college is based at St Donats Castle, south Wales in a 12th century castle set in 122 acres of woodland and farmland with its own valley and seafront.

It was founded by German educationalist Kurt Hahn and is situated at the 12th century St Donat's Castle on the country's south coast.

It costs a whopping 67,000 per year for courses including Tai Chi, the theory of knowledge and Tibetan literature.
The Princess of Wales made a subtle tribute to Queen Elizabeth II yesterday during a memorial service to mark the first anniversary of the late monarch's death.

Kate, 41, sported a burgundy hat by Sahar Millinery to match her elegant coat from London-based designer Eponine for the church service at St Davids Cathedral in Pembrokeshire.

The label belongs to designer Sahar Freemantle, who was a scholar with the Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust. The charity supports the training of talented and aspiring craftspeople.

Kate also sported the late Queen's diamond and pearl drop earrings for the service, which she attended alongside Prince William.

In the past, both the princess and the late Queen wore the earrings on particularly special occasions, with Kate choosing the set to leave the Lindo Wing with Prince Louis in 2018.

Kate, 41, sported a burgundy hat by Sahar Millinery to match her elegant coat from London-based designer Eponine for the church service at St Davids Cathedral in Pembrokeshire

The Queen sported the earrings for a service of thanksgiving and carriage procession during her Diamond Jubilee celebrations in 2012.

Kate also chose them for a day of engagements in The Netherlands in 2016, her first official solo overseas visit without Prince William.

The accessories took centre stage when she paused in front of Vermeer's famous painting The Girl With The Pearl Earring at the Mauritshuis gallery in The Hague.

Kate stepped out with her husband Prince William to mark the one year anniversary of Her Majesty's death.

She added to her eco-credentials with a recycled Mulberry bag she's worn several times since 2017 and Gianvito Rossi heels, which are also a repeat wear.

The royal wore her coat to her Christmas carol service at Westminster Abbey in London in 2022, while she's worn the earrings to pay tribute to Her Majesty before, including during a Remembrance Sunday service in 2020.

Elsewhere, Prince Harry made a shock and secret visit to the Windsor church where the Queen was laid to rest.

A number of members of the Royal Family are understood to have visited the chapel yesterday. Harry remains close to his cousins Beatrice and Eugenie but it is not yet known if they and others paid their respects together.

The label belongs to designer Sahar Freemantle, who was a scholar with the Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust. The charity supports the training of talented and aspiring craftspeople. Pictured, Kate and the late Queen in May 2019

In the past, both the princess and the late Queen wore the earrings on particularly special occasions, with Kate choosing the set to leave the Lindo Wing with Prince Louis in 2018 (pictured left). Pictured right, Kate's worn the earrings to pay tribute to Her Majesty before, including during a Remembrance Sunday service in 2020 (pictured)

The King and Queen attended a special service at Crathie Kirk to commemorate the life of the late Queen Elizabeth - and appeared moved by warm-wishes from crowds who also gathered to mark the anniversary of her death.

Charles and Camilla made the short journey by car from the nearby Balmoral Estate to the Scottish church, where successive monarchs have worshiped since Queen Victoria.

The couple spoke to crowds outside afterwards who shared their condolences and handed them bouquets and cards. The King told them that the flowers were 'wonderful' and joked with children about getting back to school.

Other royals were also at the service, including the Queen's great nephews Samuel and Arthur Chatto, sons of Lady Sarah and Daniel Chatto, who also went. And staff from Balmoral, the beloved Scottish home of the Queen where she died, also attended, walking to and from the service in the September sunshine.

The Prince and Princess of Wales travelled to St Davids Cathedral in Pembrokeshire - exactly a year since the nation's longest-reigning monarch died at Balmoral aged 96.

William and Kate arrive at St Davids Cathedral to commemorate the life of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

Kate tied her hair back to ensure the earrings were the centre of attention

The Prince Princess of Wales arrive at St Davids Cathedral to commemorate the life of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

Crowds gathered to catch a glimpse of their arrival in the grounds of the cathedral from dawn, but they had to wait in the sunshine after fog nearby meant the couple's helicopter had to be rerouted and their arrival delayed by more than an hour.

William and Kate had been due to arrive at 12.25pm, but eventually turned up around 1.30pm and greeted well-wishers before walking inside for the ten-minute service. One well-wisher could be heard shouting towards William: 'You're doing a great job!'

During the service, the Very Revd Dr Sarah Rowland Jones, Dean of St Davids, said: 'It is particularly poignant to welcome you here, Your Royal Highnesses, on Accession Day, the first anniversary of the death of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

'She came here four times: the only monarch to sit in the Sovereign's stall, the seat of a Chapter member which came into the possession of the Crown at the Reformation.

'Today countless numbers will be remembering her with both sadness and with great affection, giving thanks again for her long life of dedicated service - as we do here.'
Prince Andrew has been spotted horse riding in the grounds of Windsor Castle today - after the first anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II's death yesterday.

The disgraced Duke of York, 63, is thought to have marked the day in private, while his brother King Charles II and Queen Camilla attended a special service at Crathie Kirk in Balmoral to commemorate the life of the late monarch.

Making the most of today's sunny weather, the late Queen's middle son was also pictured driving his Range Rover around the grounds of the Berkshire estate.

Looking relaxed in the horse's saddle, Andrew sported sunglasses to shield his eyes from the sun, as well as a light blue shirt and navy trousers as he joined some other horse riders.

Last month, Andrew was seen travelling to church alongside the Prince and Princess of Wales as they joined other royals for the first summer break at Balmoral since the late Queen spent her final days there before her death a year ago.

But while the outing was seen as a 'public statement of togetherness' - it's clear Britons aren't so keen on Andrew being 'welcomed back into the Royal Family's fold', with an exclusive poll by MailOnline showing he is the nation's least favourite royal.

Prince Andrew has been spotted horse riding in the grounds of Windsor Castle today - after the first anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II's death yesterday

The Duke of York should receive no public money, according to almost 80 per cent of Britons, with just one in ten saying he should - fewer than those who wanted to see a fictional Earl and Countess paid taxpayer funds.

Andrew should also be removed from the line of succession, the vast majority argued - despite being eighth in line to the throne and often spoken of as the late monarch's favourite child.

Almost 80 per cent of the public think he should be barred from inheriting the crown - meaning Andrew fared even worse in public opinion than Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle.

The British public also largely share the view that King Charles should ensure his controversial younger brother must never be allowed to return duties again.

Almost half of people surveyed believe 'there are no good things about him, only bad things' when it comes to the Duke of York.

The 63-year-old is no longer a working royal, despite pictures of him at a Balmoral church service last month indicating the Windsors were welcoming him back into the fold.

Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams told MailOnline at the time that the photographs of Prince Andrew travelling to church with the Waleses were 'clearly intended to send a message of family unity'.

But he insisted it was not a sign Andrew could return to public duties in any form.

Making the most of today's sunny weather, the late Queen's middle son was also pictured driving his Range Rover around the grounds of the Berkshire estate

Looking relaxed in the horse's saddle, Andrew sported sunglasses to shield his eyes from the sun, as well as a light blue shirt and navy trousers as he joined some other horse riders

Last month, Andrew (pictured today) was seen travelling to church alongside the Prince and Princess of Wales as they joined other royals for the first summer break at Balmoral since the late Queen spent her final days there before her death a year ago

It has been a dramatic fall from grace for a man, who, as a Royal Navy veteran of 22 years once commanded the respect of a nation.

He has since given up his HRH titles and had his honorary military roles stripped by the Queen, being denied the right to wear his military uniform on a number of occasions, including as he followed his mother's coffin.

Andrew quit his role as a trade envoy when pictures emerged of him walking in New York's Central Park with American financier and convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein in 2010.

Images also surfaced of the Prince with his arm around Virginia Giuffre, who claimed that Epstein employed her as a masseuse but exploited her while under-age.

Giuffre has alleged she was forced to have sex with him three times aged 17 when under Epstein's orders - a claim Prince Andrew continues to vehemently deny.

Then came the car-crash interview with Emily Maitlis on Newsnight in 2019 - an attempt to wash his hands of the controversy that blew up in his face.

But while the outing was seen as a 'public statement of togetherness' - it's clear Britons aren't so keen on Andrew (pictured right) being 'welcomed back into the Royal Family's fold', with an exclusive poll by MailOnline showing he is the nation's least favourite royal

The Duke of York (pictured right) should receive no public money, according to almost 80 per cent of Britons, with just one in ten saying he should - fewer than those who wanted to see a fictional Earl and Countess paid taxpayer funds

Andrew paid Virginia Giuffre a reported 12million out-of-court settlement last year to get her to drop her civil claim in the US.

While Andrew has largely kept a low profile following the string of scandals, it seems from the new poll data that the public would like to see even less of him - with 53 per cent of people saying he should undertake fewer public engagements.

The findings were revealed in a comprehensive new poll on the state of the monarchy carried out for MailOnline by Deltapoll.

It asked more than 2,000 people how they view the Royal Family, its members and the work the institution does in the UK and abroad.

Deltapoll interviewed 2,009 British adults online between September 1 and 4 2023. The data has been weighted to be representative of the British adult population as a whole.

Now have your say! Use our interactive tools to get involved in MailOnline's royal survey Now you can have a go at answering 20 questions which were asked in the survey: Poll Taking everything into account do you think the institution of the monarchy is good or bad for Britain? Good for Britain Bad for Britain Neither good nor bad for Britain Don't know Taking everything into account do you think the institution of the monarchy is good or bad for Britain? Good for Britain 14983 votes

Bad for Britain 1671 votes

Neither good nor bad for Britain 1690 votes

Don't know 144 votes Now share your opinion



Poll Would you favour Britain becoming a republic or remaining a monarchy? Britain should become a republic Britain should remain a monarchy Don't know Would you favour Britain becoming a republic or remaining a monarchy? Britain should become a republic 2575 votes

Britain should remain a monarchy 14376 votes

Don't know 438 votes Now share your opinion



Poll In fifty years, do you think Britain will still have a monarchy? Yes, I think Britain will still have a monarchy in fifty years No, I think Britain will not have a monarchy in fifty years Don't know In fifty years, do you think Britain will still have a monarchy? Yes, I think Britain will still have a monarchy in fifty years 12775 votes

No, I think Britain will not have a monarchy in fifty years 3110 votes

Don't know 981 votes Now share your opinion



Poll In years to come, Prince William's son Prince George is set to become the King. Do you think that his siblings, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, should have to work, or receive the Sovereign Grant? Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis should earn all of their money by working Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis should earn some money but should also be supported by a Sovereign Grant Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis should be entirely supported by a Sovereign Grant Don't know In years to come, Prince William's son Prince George is set to become the King. Do you think that his siblings, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, should have to work, or receive the Sovereign Grant? Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis should earn all of their money by working 4855 votes

Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis should earn some money but should also be supported by a Sovereign Grant 9498 votes

Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis should be entirely supported by a Sovereign Grant 1719 votes

Don't know 468 votes Now share your opinion



Poll In your opinion, do you think that King Charles III should or should not continue to speak out on issues and current affairs that matter to him? King Charles should continue to speak out on issues and current affairs that matter to him As monarch, King Charles should not be expressing an opinion on any issues or current affairs Don't know In your opinion, do you think that King Charles III should or should not continue to speak out on issues and current affairs that matter to him? King Charles should continue to speak out on issues and current affairs that matter to him 7888 votes

As monarch, King Charles should not be expressing an opinion on any issues or current affairs 7901 votes

Don't know 271 votes Now share your opinion



Poll If you had to say, do you imagine that Queen Elizabeth II would think that King Charles is taking the future of the Monarchy in the right direction or the wrong direction? The right direction The wrong direction Don't know If you had to say, do you imagine that Queen Elizabeth II would think that King Charles is taking the future of the Monarchy in the right direction or the wrong direction? The right direction 11837 votes

The wrong direction 1968 votes

Don't know 2074 votes Now share your opinion



Poll How much, if anything, do you think the Royal Family has to offer the young people of Britain nowadays? The Royal Family have a great deal to offer young people The Royal Family have a fair amount to offer young people The Royal Family do not have very much to offer young people The Royal Family have nothing to offer young people Don't know How much, if anything, do you think the Royal Family has to offer the young people of Britain nowadays? The Royal Family have a great deal to offer young people 7686 votes

The Royal Family have a fair amount to offer young people 4161 votes

The Royal Family do not have very much to offer young people 1754 votes

The Royal Family have nothing to offer young people 1684 votes

Don't know 282 votes Now share your opinion



Poll If you had the choice, which of the following do you think would have been best when the Queen passed away last year? Prince Charles should have become King Prince William should have become King Don't know If you had the choice, which of the following do you think would have been best when the Queen passed away last year? Prince Charles should have become King 10390 votes

Prince William should have become King 4435 votes

Don't know 606 votes Now share your opinion



Poll Which of the following statements comes closest to your own view? King Charles should remain as king until he dies Prince William should become king at some stage in the future before King Charles dies Prince William should become king now Don't know Which of the following statements comes closest to your own view? King Charles should remain as king until he dies 8781 votes

Prince William should become king at some stage in the future before King Charles dies 5463 votes

Prince William should become king now 870 votes

Don't know 448 votes Now share your opinion



Poll Which of the following statements comes closest to your own view? As King Charles and Queen Camilla get older, it is right that they should hand over more and more public duties to Prince William and Princess Catherine It is important that King Charles and Queen Camilla maintain their public duties, even as they get older Don't know Which of the following statements comes closest to your own view? As King Charles and Queen Camilla get older, it is right that they should hand over more and more public duties to Prince William and Princess Catherine 11617 votes

It is important that King Charles and Queen Camilla maintain their public duties, even as they get older 3290 votes

Don't know 411 votes Now share your opinion



Poll Taking everything into account, has your opinion of King Charles III changed since he became King? Yes, my opinion of him has got better Yes, my opinion of him has got worse No, my opinion of him has stayed the same Don't know Taking everything into account, has your opinion of King Charles III changed since he became King? Yes, my opinion of him has got better 7864 votes

Yes, my opinion of him has got worse 1441 votes

No, my opinion of him has stayed the same 6720 votes

Don't know 98 votes Now share your opinion



Poll Taking everything into account, has your opinion of Queen Camilla changed since she married Charles in 2005? Yes, my opinion of her has got better Yes, my opinion of her has got worse No, my opinion of her has stayed the same Don't know Taking everything into account, has your opinion of Queen Camilla changed since she married Charles in 2005? Yes, my opinion of her has got better 7983 votes

Yes, my opinion of her has got worse 1617 votes

No, my opinion of her has stayed the same 6220 votes

Don't know 159 votes Now share your opinion



Poll If you had to say, all things considered, do you imagine that Diana, Princess of Wales would have been a better or worse queen than Queen Camilla? Diana, Princess of Wales would have been a better queen Queen Camilla will be a better queen There will be no real difference between the two Don't know If you had to say, all things considered, do you imagine that Diana, Princess of Wales would have been a better or worse queen than Queen Camilla? Diana, Princess of Wales would have been a better queen 5856 votes

Queen Camilla will be a better queen 4638 votes

There will be no real difference between the two 4022 votes

Don't know 1504 votes Now share your opinion



Poll King Charles inherited land and property which is estimated to be worth up to 390m and paid no Inheritance Tax. What he inherited brings in around 4.5 million each year from rent paid by members of the public. Which of the following statements comes closest to your own view? This money raised from renting should go to the Treasury This money raised from renting should go to the Royal Family Don't know King Charles inherited land and property which is estimated to be worth up to 390m and paid no Inheritance Tax. What he inherited brings in around 4.5 million each year from rent paid by members of the public. Which of the following statements comes closest to your own view? This money raised from renting should go to the Treasury 8979 votes

This money raised from renting should go to the Royal Family 5077 votes

Don't know 1422 votes Now share your opinion



Poll Taking everything into account, of the following, who do you believe has done more damage to the Royal Family? Prince Harry Prince Andrew Don't know Taking everything into account, of the following, who do you believe has done more damage to the Royal Family? Prince Harry 11377 votes

Prince Andrew 4208 votes

Don't know 294 votes Now share your opinion



Poll When you think about Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, which of the following statements comes closest to your own view? There are no bad things about him, only good things The good things about him are outweighed by the bad things The bad things about him are equal to the good things The bad things about him are outweighed by the good things There are no good things about him, only bad things Don't know When you think about Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, which of the following statements comes closest to your own view? There are no bad things about him, only good things 387 votes

The good things about him are outweighed by the bad things 5397 votes

The bad things about him are equal to the good things 692 votes

The bad things about him are outweighed by the good things 2591 votes

There are no good things about him, only bad things 6459 votes

Don't know 259 votes Now share your opinion



Poll When you think about Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, which of the following statements comes closest to your own view? There are no bad things about him, only good things The good things about him are outweighed by the bad things The bad things about him are equal to the good things The bad things about him are outweighed by the good things There are no good things about him, only bad things Don't know When you think about Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, which of the following statements comes closest to your own view? There are no bad things about him, only good things 150 votes

The good things about him are outweighed by the bad things 3299 votes

The bad things about him are equal to the good things 1155 votes

The bad things about him are outweighed by the good things 1703 votes

There are no good things about him, only bad things 8471 votes

Don't know 604 votes Now share your opinion



Poll When it comes to Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, which of the following statements comes closest to your own view? King Charles should be open to the idea of Prince Harry and Meghan both playing an active role in the Royal Family again at some stage in the future King Charles should be open to the idea of just Prince Harry playing an active role in the Royal Family again at some stage in the future, but without Meghan playing a role King Charles should not allow either Prince Harry or Meghan to play an active role in the Royal Family ever again Don't know When it comes to Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, which of the following statements comes closest to your own view? King Charles should be open to the idea of Prince Harry and Meghan both playing an active role in the Royal Family again at some stage in the future 989 votes

King Charles should be open to the idea of just Prince Harry playing an active role in the Royal Family again at some stage in the future, but without Meghan playing a role 1162 votes

King Charles should not allow either Prince Harry or Meghan to play an active role in the Royal Family ever again 13236 votes

Don't know 230 votes Now share your opinion



Poll When it comes to Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, which of the following statements comes closest to your own view? King Charles should be open to the idea Prince Andrew playing an active role in the Royal Family again at some stage in the future King Charles should not allow Prince Andrew to play an active role in the Royal Family ever again Don't know When it comes to Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, which of the following statements comes closest to your own view? King Charles should be open to the idea Prince Andrew playing an active role in the Royal Family again at some stage in the future 1641 votes

King Charles should not allow Prince Andrew to play an active role in the Royal Family ever again 13144 votes

Don't know 407 votes Now share your opinion



Poll From what you know, and taking everything into account, do you think that Prince Harry will ever come back to Britain to live full time or not? Prince Harry will come back to Britain to live at some point in the future Prince Harry will never come back to live in Britain full time Don't know From what you know, and taking everything into account, do you think that Prince Harry will ever come back to Britain to live full time or not? Prince Harry will come back to Britain to live at some point in the future 4474 votes

Prince Harry will never come back to live in Britain full time 7824 votes

Don't know 1357 votes Now share your opinion



Advertisement

x
Three of Princess Diana's gowns have sold at auction for 1.3 million  shattering their expected sale prices.

A red Bruce Oldfield silk gown which was worn by the Princess to the Hot Shots film premiere in 1991 had a minimum estimated sale price of $200,000 (160,450) but was sold on Friday for $571,500 (458,480).

A custom-made black velvet and ivory Catherine Walker dress she wore to a private event sold for $508,000 (407,540)  more than eight times its lower estimate of $60,000 (48,130).

The same designer's black and jade gown, which Diana wore to a gala in Canada in 1991, had a minimum estimate of $100,000 (80,220) but also went for $571,500.

Julien's Auctions, in Beverly Hills, California, sold the gowns as part of its Legends: Hollywood & Royalty auction.

Three of Princess Diana 's gowns have sold at auction for 1.3 million  shattering their expected sale prices, including a red Bruce Oldfield silk gown worn to the Hot Shots film premiere in 1991, which sold for $571,500 (458,480)

A custom-made black velvet and ivory Catherine Walker dress worn by Princess Diana to a private event sold for $508,000 (407,540)  more than eight times its lower estimate of $60,000 (48,130)

Martin Nolan, the auction house's executive director, said: 'Our record-breaking sale of these gowns exceeded all expectations.'

The dresses were originally bought by Ellen Petho, an American businesswoman who paid $150,000 for five of Princess Diana's dresses at a Christie's auction in New York in June 1997, using money she had saved to buy a house.

The gowns had been donated by Princess Diana to raise money for charity, two months before her death.

Mrs Petho, who died in January aged 82, also raised more than 1 million for charity by putting the dresses on display in the US.

Her daughter, Karrie, 60, told the Mail: 'Our mother read the inscription inside [the auction catalogue] about Prince William telling his mother that the dresses shouldn't sit in her closet; that they should be out in the world and doing good.

'I think that's what inspired her.'

The same designer's black and jade gown, which Diana wore to a gala in Canada in 1991, had a minimum estimate of $100,000 (80,220) but also went for $571,500

Mrs Petho's widower, Louis, 83, sold the gowns on Friday to help raise money for a scholarship fund for mature art and design students.

Other items in the auction included a pink Givenchy dress worn by Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast At Tiffany's, which sold for $444,500 (356,600), and the wedding rings of actors Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall, which went for $190,500 (152,830).
Petronella Wyatt recalls how Mohamed Al Fayed kept a living shrine to his son

The phoney pharaoh, as Mohamed Al Fayed was called, blew hot and cold when it came to the media.

So I wasn't surprised when, shortly after having agreed to be interviewed by me for this newspaper sometime in 2009, I took a call from his press secretary to say it was off.

He suggested, however, that I get in a taxi to Al Fayed's flat in Park Lane and try to change his mind. Like the cat in the adage, I dithered.

Al Fayed, the Egyptian-born owner of Harrods and father of Dodi, had an unsavoury reputation where women were concerned.

I hoped that changing his mind would not involve some sort of amorous exertion on my part.

Petronella Wyatt recalls how when she met Mohamed Al Fayed in 2009, it turned into 'one of the most disturbing afternoons of my life'. Pictured: Al Fayed with the late Princess Diana

Tragedy: Diana with Dodi Fayed caught on CCTV before their death in Paris on 31 August 1997

Diana pictured with Dodi Fayed in St Tropez a week before their deaths following a car crash

Dodi Fayed's home in Park Lane, London, which was turned into a living shrine by his father

But it had been more than ten years since Dodi was killed alongside Princess Diana and I was curious to see if Al Fayed, who had an extraordinary capacity to swathe bitter facts in illusion, had something new to say.

What moved him was a hatred of the Establishment, whose members, he believed, had laughed at him for so long, denied him a British passport and then murdered his son.

None of his people ever contradicted him because they were largely charlatans and cowards who surrounded him in a dense herd.

Al Fayed, who died last month at the age of 94, was a bully and not averse to making threats.

What followed that day was one of the most disturbing afternoons of my life.

It began simply enough. A doorman opened the street entrance and I rang the bell to Al Fayed's apartment. I had never met him and didn't expect that he would come to the door, but he did.

He was wearing a dressing gown over a grey suit and smelled of expensive unguent. I couldn't change his mind about the interview, but he didn't want me to leave, either.

He made his purpose clear, like the horse trader he was at heart. 'Why don't we have a romantic dinner tonight?'

My nerves hit thermonuclear levels. I had no intention of dining with him and said so. 'How about tomorrow night?' he persisted.

'No, absolutely not. Not the rest of the week, either.' His eyebrows rose like the wings of an eagle. 'No?' he said. 'Then I will show you something. Something few people have seen.'

Al Fayed pictured at Westminster Abbey, following the funeral service for Princess Diana in 1997

This didn't calm me down, until he made it clear that he wanted advice and thought I was a judicious woman.

What he hoped to show me was Dodi's flat, which was next door. I wondered why he wanted me to look at a presumably empty apartment.

His eyes welled up (Al Fayed cried very easily) and I felt a sudden rush of sympathy for him.

With Dodi's death had gone not only his beloved son, but also his hopes of being accepted by the Establishment he hated yet yearned to join  an ambition he had attempted to realise, fruitlessly, for much of his life.

With Dodi's death had gone not only his beloved son, but also his hopes of being accepted by the Establishment he hated yet yearned to join  an ambition he had attempted to realise, fruitlessly, for much of his life

He took off his robe and I noticed he wore a silver tie of extraordinary width and thickness. On such a short man it seemed absurd.

We walked across the hall and arrived at Dodi's flat. To this day, I still can't quite believe what I saw.

In Dickens' Great Expectations, the embittered Miss Havisham lives out her life in the remnants of her wedding dress, preserving the moment of her betrayal in her ghastly surroundings.

Al Fayed had done something even worse.

He had built an organic, living shrine to his dead son. It was as if he expected Dodi to walk through the door at any second and pick up the threads of his existence.

It was a denial of death, of the tragedy in Paris. Al Fayed's agony was that of a man thrown into a situation so intolerable that he had created a world of make-believe.

READ MORE: Harrods tycoon Mohamed Al-Fayed 'had begun to accept that death of his son Dodi and Princess Diana in Paris car crash was an accident in the years before his death', ex-aide reveals Mohamed Al-Fayed died, aged 94, on the eve of the 26th anniversary of the high speed crash in the Pont de l'Alma tunnel, Paris, where Dodi, 42, and Diana, 36, were killed in 1997 Advertisement

In the hall were photographs celebrating the 1981 film Chariots Of Fire.

Al Fayed had helped to finance the project so that Dodi, who had no discernible talents, could realise his dream of becoming a big-shot film producer.

(Dodi was given the title of executive producer.)

The actual producer, David Puttnam, had thrown Dodi off the set after he tried to give the cast cocaine, but I listened politely as Al Fayed painted a picture of an unappreciated genius, with the qualities of Jesus Christ and Cary Grant combined.

It was uncomfortable. Al Fayed's fish eyes flicked to and fro, searching my face for the slightest sign of dissent. Al Fayed was on the brink. I knew I was talking to a man who had lost his mind when I saw Dodi's bedroom.

It was decorated in muted colours and the floor was thickly carpeted. What disturbed me was the sense of it waiting for its former occupant.

A maid was turning down the bed, plumping up the pillows for a man who had been dead for more than ten years.

Jardinieres massed with green leaves lent it the air of a crypt. I noticed a withered object in what appeared to be an ashtray. It was half a cigar, waiting for its owner to come back and finish it.

Al Fayed could no more avoid lying than the rest of us can avoid blinking, but until then I had no idea of the extent to which he lied to himself.

Princess Diana was everywhere, depicted in the most awful chocolate box paintings, presumably commissioned by Al Fayed himself. They were huge  and, worse, they were fantasies.

The man who had set his hopes on his son marrying a princess had not been defeated by facts.

In death, he had married them. One painting depicted Diana in what appeared to be a wedding dress; another with her arms, strangely elongated, around Dodi's waist.

In the living room, more paintings and photographs of the Princess adorned the walls.

Al Fayed had been silent all this time. Then he turned to me, like a viper. 'If you tell anyone about this' He let the ellipsis hang in the air like a noose.

I was well aware that Al Fayed was often described as brutal. His efforts to obtain a British passport were obstructed by successive Home Secretaries, who must have had good reason. I said nothing at all, which seemed to satisfy him.

The tour continued. There was a sweet, sickly smell to the place. It reminded me of a film set that had been long abandoned by the crew.

Mr Al-Fayed with his son Dodi, pictured in 1988. Mr Al-Fayed spent long hours in the mausoleum where Dodi is buried, mourning his son

On a table was a tray of mouldering Charbonnel et Walker chocolates. There were tooth marks on them, as if Dodi had tried them and thrown them back in the box. The sight made me nauseous.

All the while, domestic servants scurried here and there, attending to this temple constructed by a modern Ozymandias. Al Fayed was crying. I felt that I shouldn't be there.

'What shall I do with it?' he asked. I didn't answer.

READ MORE: The Egyptian tycoon who bought his way into the heart of society - then went to war on royals he blamed for his son's tragic death Mr Al Fayed at the opening of the Egyptian Room in Harrods - which featured busts of himself and, later, a statue commemorating Diana and his son Dodi Advertisement

The grotesque futility of Dodi's life  the drugs; the failed relationships with models of whom his father didn't approve; the desperate affair with Diana, which none of her friends thought would last beyond a summer  was denied and ignored in this strange monument to a son.

In its way, it was as great a testament to love as the Taj Mahal, warped though it was.

In these rooms, Dodi had become an impresario, a hero among men and the one and only love of a princess.

It was all nonsense. No one understood why Diana had even glanced at Dodi. I knew the Princess, and it baffled me.

She had been in love with the heart surgeon Hasnat Khan, but it had ended and I supposed her vanity was hurt.

Al Fayed knew Raine Spencer, Diana's stepmother, and they cooked up the holiday in the South of France where Dodi and Diana became close, weeks before their deaths in 1997.

Diana wasn't in love with Dodi, and she wasn't having his child. I dreaded seeing a painting of her cradling a baby, but that was too much, even for Al Fayed.

I turned and noticed that he had left. I was alone in this hell. A silk cravat was carefully folded on one of the soft furnishings.

I recognised it as one Dodi had worn in a photograph. I touched it, half expecting it to disintegrate.

The whole place had an unhealthy air, in which living things couldn't survive.

I took one last look at the 7ft-tall Diana in her wedding dress and walked out of the door.
A record number of men in their 20s are choosing to go under the knife in order to have more control over family planning and to have unprotected sex.

A study published in the journal Urology looked at commercial health insurance claims data between 2014 and 2021 to calculate the annual vasectomy rate in men between the ages of 18 and 64 years old.

Researchers from the University of Chicago found the rate for vasectomies in the United States increased by 26 percent over the seven years.

The number of young men aged 18 to 24 opting for the procedure rose by 37 percent, they found, while the increase was greatest among men with no children with 61 percent receiving a vasectomy.

They did find that, overall, the number of men who received vasectomies across the country of all ages remained low at four percent.

But, anecdotally, doctors are noticing an upswing. Dr David Shusterman is a urologist and the founder of NY Urology, a medical practice specializing in urology, the area of medicine that focuses on reproductive organs.

He told DailyMail.com while vasectomies have always been most popular among middle-aged men who already have children, the number of men in their 20s coming to his clinic for a vasectomy has 'doubled' over the past decade.

The above map shows the proportion of men who have had a vasectomy by state. The figures are for men aged 18 to 64 years old and from the year 2021, the latest available. A vasectomy is a surgical procedure to sterilize a man where the tube carrying sperm from the testes is cut in half and sealed off

Many men are choosing vasectomies to give themselves 'control' over when they have children, doctors say, and because they want to have sex without using a condom (Stock image)

A vasectomy, which can cost $1,000, is a surgical procedure to sterilize a man in which the vas deferens, the tubes that carry sperm from the testicles to outside the body, are cut in half and sewn closed.

A man who has the operation is still able to ejaculate but the ejaculate will no longer contain sperm, which is necessary to impregnate someone.

A vasectomy is performed while patients are awake and under local anesthetic, ensuring they do not feel pain during the 30-minute operation.

Afterward, patients may feel uncomfortable in the scrotum and genital area for up to two weeks, doctors say.

The University of Chicago data suggests that by 2021, more than 150,000 men in their 20s and early 30s had a vasectomy, a surgical procedure where the tube that carries the sperm from the testicles is cut.

This was an increase of more than 20,000 men in this age group compared to 2014.

From 2014 to 2021, the proportion of men aged 25 to 34 who had a vasectomy rose 14 percent, while among those aged 18 to 24 it rose by 37 percent.

Dr Shusterman said he is now seeing about five to six men in their early 20s for vasectomies every year. In 2014, this figure was between just one to two.

Asked why the procedure is on the rise, Dr Shusterman said: '[The] number one reason is men wanting to have control over when they reproduce.

'Number two, is the fact that they would rather have sex without a condom than with a condom.

'And number three, there's less fear of [sexually transmitted diseases], because there's a lot of effective treatments to cure them. So, a lot more people are starting to realize that they can have unprotected sex in a fairly safe way.'

He also suspects the fear of unwanted pregnancies has increased following the reversal of Roe v Wade, which overturned abortion protections in the US.

Estimates suggest only a third of US men use a condom, but STD infections have set new record highs for eight years in a row.

However, there are suggestions men are being misled about the safety and possibility of reversal of the procedure.

They fear this means men getting the operation in order to hold off on starting a family may never be able to.

While it is possible to reverse a vasectomy, it becomes harder the longer it has been since the procedure  and it is almost impossible 10 years later.

The above graph shows how a record number of men aged 18 to 64 are now receiving a vasectomy

Dr David Shusterman, a urologist in New York City, told DailyMail.com he is now seeing about five to six men in their early 20s for vasectomies every year

This is because the tube that carries sperm can develop scar tissue, completely blocking the flow of sperm.

There is also a risk the immune system may start to attack sperm in the testicles because they are no longer being ejaculated, making a man infertile.

About 30 to 90 percent of vasectomy reversals are successful, the Mayo Clinic says, depending on how long it has been since the vasectomy was carried out.

And men are warned, vasectomies are not immediate fixes and they may need to wait two to four months before their ejaculate no longer contains sperm.

Keith Laue, a TikToker in Texas, revealed he got a vasectomy at the age of 23 years after deciding he didn't want any more children

This is because after the operation there may still be sperm cells in the vas deferens that could be mixed into ejaculate.

Men who have vasectomies are asked to return to clinics two to four months after the procedure to have their semen tested to ensure the procedure was a success.

Not only are younger men going under the knife, but they are also talking publicly about their decision.

Texas-based influencer Keith Laue has revealed he had the procedure done at 23 years old.

He and his partner Taylor Ribar decided he should get one after they had their first child and agreed they did not want more.

They said a driving factor was the risk of restrictions on abortions, which prompted the couple to take action.

Mr Laue told Health.com: 'I don't really have any anxiety now around having a healthy sex life, and that's a really nice feeling.

'Here in Texas, there's very much a mentality that if you don't want to get pregnant, you shouldn't have sex. That's crazy to ask people to live like that.'
MBABANE  A free press is one of the conditions of a free and fair elections.

Journalists have a duty to ensure that the election process is free and fair. They are sometimes referred to as members of the fourth estate as they have a duty to hold people in authority accountable for their actions.

On August 26, which was the day for the primary elections, thousands of emaSwati left the comfort of their homes to participate in the general elections.

They were counting on journalists to give them updated information on the proceedings countrywide for both print and social media. If journalists had not reported on the events at the primary elections, the public would have to depend only on official results. The public would also be deprived of knowing the details of the voting process.

World over, it is the duty of journalists to inform the public about the proceedings during elections. Their role is so important that according to the Southern African Development Community (SADC) protocols, censoring journalists who are covering the elections could result in the process being viewed as not free and fair. A free and fair election process is a cornerstone of democracy.

However, during recent primary elections, many journalists complained of being barred from covering the elections despite having received full accreditation to do so. This was because officials at some polling stations had requested that journalists should sign secrecy forms before they could be allowed to carry out their duties. ournalists need accreditation to cover general elections because it is a way to ensure that they have direct access to information at the polling station. This enables all journalists to freely work and cover the whole electoral process wherever.

Though accreditation is meant to ensure that journalists have direct access to information at the polling station, generally, all journalists are allowed to cover the electoral process.

Secrecy

However, despite this, journalists who were on duty covering the primary elections are said to have been forced to sign secrecy forms. Officials at the various polling stations demanded that the journalists sign the secrecy forms before they could be allowed to go about their duties. It was the first time journalists reported of being forced to sign secrecy forms. In the previous general elections in 2018, no journalists had reported that they were asked to sign secrecy forms by officials stationed at the polling stations.

Some of the polling stations where journalists signed secrecy forms include Mangweni High School under Mhlangatane and also Ludzibini High School under Timphisini. At Mangweni, an official there said journalists were free to report but they could only do so after completing the secrecy form and getting it signed by a commissioner of oaths, such as an authorised police officer.

Journalists who were covering the elections from this publication then had to complete the forms and had them signed by a police officer who held the rank of sergeant. At Ludzibini polling station, a police inspector signed as the commissioner of oaths after and EBC official insisted there that journalists should not be allowed to cover the elections without completing the secrecy forms. In fact, at one of the polling stations, a journalist reported how she was asked to speak out the oath before completing the secrecy form.

Journalists complained that it appeared officials were not consistent in insisting that journalists sign the secrecy form and if this was legal. The journalists said it was strange that while certain polling stations wanted journalists to sign the secrecy forms, some journalists were allowed coverage without being asked to complete the secrecy forms.

Mbonisi Bhembe, the Communications Officer of the Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC) said it was the Elections Act that prevented people from taking photos. He was asked if in this case it also applied to journalists. His response was that if the law states that no person shall take pictures, it includes every person. You should read the law, he advised.

Court

Bhembe responded after he was asked about the secrecy form. He said this was the essence of the secrecy form that one was not allowed to reveal any information until a court allows you to do so. Those given to sign secrecy forms could even be called upon to answer in court. said Bhembe. He said at polling stations, journalists are only given a few moments at the polling station. He said, however, that should a journalist want to get into a poling station and sit, that person should sign the secrecy form.

Noteworthy, during the counting process, journalists normally sit in the polling stations. This, they do so that they are able to report efficiently on the counting. Other journalists also complained of being prevented from working efficiently by police officers. In one of the polling stations, a police officer had locked the gate on a journalist but later opened it after an EBC official intervened.
Older women are furious after being excluded from a major government survey about reproductive health.

The Department of Health announced on Thursday a 'landmark' online questionnaire covering every aspect of reproductive health from periods and contraception to pregnancy and the menopause.

Ministers said they wanted to hear about the experiences of women across England, including the challenges of going through the menopause at work, to shape future policy.

But details of the survey revealed it is only open to women aged between the ages of 16 and 55.

The backlash was led by broadcaster and chair of campaign group Menopause Mandate Mariella Frostrup, 60, who wrote online: 'This is so wrong, discriminatory and ill judged.

Norwegian-Scottish journalist and presenter Mariella Frostrup (pictured) led the backlash against the decision

'Our health has been sidelined for centuries and now we're meant to be grateful that up to 55 we are of medical interest?'

READ MORE: Doctors fear women are encouraging each other on social media to take dangerously high amounts of HRT drugs Advertisement

She added that women who have been through the menopause 'continue to suffer the impact of post reproductive issues and hormonal deprivation' and so 'dismissing their experience is discriminatory'.

The Women's Rights Network campaign group called on health ministers to address the oversight.

It said: 'Potentially useful survey - but doesn't want the views of women over 55.

'All that experience of reproductive health is apparently not important or needed at all - even in respect of menopause. Utterly bizarre.'

Announcing the survey, Health Minister Maria Caulfield, 50, had said: 'Women and girls deserve the best healthcare at every stage of their lives, but we simply can't deliver that without listening to their lived experiences and concern.

'Women should always have a say in their own healthcare, whether that's in managing pregnancy and fertility or dealing with the challenges of the menopause in the workplace.

Women's Health Ambassador Professor Dame Lesley Regan (pictured) said: 'There's no point bolstering services if they can't be accessed, or the support available doesn't work for them and meet their needs'

'I would encourage every woman to complete the survey on reproductive health as soon as they're able and ensure their voice is heard.'

Women's Health Ambassador Professor Dame Lesley Regan - who at 67 would not be eligible to take part in the research - added: 'We need to make healthcare work for women and girls - and for it to fit around their lives.

'There's no point bolstering services if they can't be accessed, or the support available doesn't work for them and meet their needs.

'That's why we're asking women and girls to share their experience, whether it's about periods, menopause or endometriosis. We need your voice to shape a new system of healthcare that gives women what they need.'
Don't put your face too close to the gas  it could kill you in seconds,' warns embryologist Emma Whitney, as a cloud of liquid nitrogen erupts from the steel tank in front of me.

The tank is one of several large freezers in this clinic housing hundreds of frozen eggs and embryos. One day, it is hoped, they will become babies. I'm the first journalist to have a peek at this store at the Evewell fertility clinic in West London's Hammersmith, which charges around 5,000 for egg freezing.

But I'm not just here for professional reasons. I am also one of the many women who are considering transferring their eggs into one of these giant freezers, in the quest to become a mother.

I'm 32 and recently shelved plans to start a family after splitting with my partner of nine years. But I know I want children one day.

Friends in similar positions are freezing their eggs to 'buy more time'. It's a 'back-up plan', and they say I should do it too.

Egg freezing, which involves a short extraction procedure, storing them in liquid nitrogen and using IVF to fertilise them at a later date, has exploded in popularity over the past five years.

Eve Simmons, 32, asks: Should I ignore the sceptics and pay 5,000 to freeze my eggs?

I'm 32 and recently shelved plans to start a family after splitting with my partner of nine years. But I know I want children one day, says Eve Simmons

The number of procedures, which cost between 4,000 and 10,000, jumped by just over 60 per cent between 2019 and 2021, according to the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA)  the UK's independent regulator of fertility treatment.

One clinic told The Mail on Sunday it had seen almost a ten per cent rise in the number of egg freezing requests in the past year alone. Investment banks and tech companies in the City of London have even begun offering the treatment as an employment perk in order to hang on to female executives.

Since 2019, financial services firm Blackrock has offered its female employees 15,000 for fertility preservation. 'Women are seeing people talk about it on social media and want to explore the option,' says Evewell's Ms Whitney. 'Some have come out of long-term relationships, others have been more career focused and get to their mid-30s and realise they're not where they thought they'd be. It's about taking some control over what happens in their lives, and making sure women have options.'

Other fertility clinics use similar phrases to market the treatment: it 'gives women the freedom to choose when to have a baby' and to 'take control of their fertility'. But I'm sceptical.

First, few babies in the UK have been born from frozen eggs. The most recent figure I could find was from 2016, which was a meagre 39.

HFEA suggests about 18 per cent of frozen eggs end up as babies. And, according to a recent HFEA warning, many clinics aren't transparent about these poor statistics and are luring patients in with aggressive marketing tactics.

A good friend of mine pulled out of treatment last week after a clinic initially quoted her 3,000 before bumping up the price to 8,000 without explanation.

A string of recent articles written by women have described the treatment as laborious, prohibitively expensive and not worth the pain. One young woman who spoke to me, but didn't want to be identified, said egg freezing was 'the worst thing I've ever done'  and she didn't even pay for it.

'I was offered to freeze my eggs on the NHS, to preserve my fertility before I had chemotherapy for breast cancer,' said the 32-year-old marketing executive from Essex.

IT'S A FACT The number of women freezing their eggs has risen by 460 per cent since 2010, according to the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority. Advertisement

'But the clinic never should have let me do it because I reacted so badly to the hormones used to stimulate egg growth. In the end, it was worse than chemo.'

The woman says she suffered extreme bloating and agonising pain for a month during the treatment, which left her barely able to move. 'I was going for scans and my eggs weren't developing  it clearly wasn't working,' she said. 'But they kept on pumping me with hormones. In the end I got three eggs, but it wasn't worth the absolute hell.'

What's more, experts have warned that the chances of pregnancy from frozen eggs are so low that it's like 'a lottery ticket'.

Professor Gab Kovacs, a specialist in reproductive gynaecology from Monash University in Melbourne, Australia, says: 'It is like a really spurious insurance policy that might pay out  or might not.'

'LUCKY': Sarah Cowan, 35, paid 4,000 to freeze 13 eggs

'My clinic was basic, but it was perfectly fine and comfortable. I'm really lucky with my experience, the procedure was over in 40 minutes and I was pretty much fine afterwards, albeit quite tired for a few days,' said Sarah (pictured)

The process begins with a consultation, followed by blood tests to check levels of fertility hormones.

Next, during the start of their monthly cycle, the women inject themselves with hormones, which they repeat twice a day for two weeks, to stimulate the follicles in the ovaries to grow and develop eggs. They then go for scans every two days to check on how the follicles are growing. If things go as planned, at the end of the two weeks a 30-minute procedure is carried out to extract the eggs. This can be performed under local anaesthetic or sedation, and patients are ready to go home within a couple of hours.

Some women will need to repeat this two or three times to collect enough eggs. The number depends on the woman's age at the time of freezing, but is usually at least ten.

How to make sure you're not ripped off Get the price of all the drugs that doctors plan to use in your treatment and the dose. Many clinics do not include these medicines in their basic price because they are sourced from outside the clinic. 'The more doses of a particular drug you need, the more expensive,' says Rachel Cutting from the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA). 'Older women, for instance those in their late 40s, tend to need higher doses to encourage their eggs to mature.' Ask how many cycles of treatment you'll need to extract enough eggs. Most clinics base pricing on one cycle of treatment, so if you need another they'll charge roughly the same again. 'If money isn't an issue, I'd advise doing more than one cycle to maximise your chances an egg will fertilise,' says Joyce Harper, professor of reproductive science at University College London. Watch out for add-ons and unnecessary frills. 'Some clinics are offering analysis of the eggs' health using artificial intelligence,' says Ms Cutting, 'but there is no evidence that this technology does what it says it does and it is entirely unnecessary.' Visit the HFEA website to check its assessments of IVF clinics that offer egg freezing. The body carries out annual inspections on both NHS and private services across the country. Advertisement

The main risk is a condition called ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, where the ovaries swell badly after the hormone injections, causing pain and bloating. Studies show it occurs mildly in about 20 per cent of women, and severely  risking blood clots  in about one per cent.

'The pain varies from patient to patient,' says Emma Kafton, clinic manager at Evewell. 'Some are in pain for a few hours or a few days afterwards, others feel nothing. This is why close monitoring is crucial.'

After the procedure there are a couple of follow-up appointments and then the women are sent on their way, paying 300-400 per year to store the eggs, which, by law, must be destroyed after 55 years.

When a woman comes back for her eggs she'll have to fork out at least 5,000 for IVF. While the age she decides to get pregnant doesn't affect the success rate  the key question is: does it work?

The first thing to say is that there is not enough data available in the UK to make a firm conclusion.

Medical egg freezing has been available since the late 1980s for patients about to undergo fertility-destroying cancer treatment, such as chemotherapy. However, the majority of women in these cases had their eggs frozen when they were children or very young adults, when fertility is in its prime. And significantly, most did not actually use their frozen eggs. Having said that, the data that exists, outside of the UK, isn't bleak at all.

In June, experts at Belgium's Centre For Reproductive Medicine found that, of 110 women who used eggs frozen between 2009 and 2019, 72 later became pregnant and 45 gave birth. This would make the birth rate roughly 41 per cent  considerably higher than the 18 per cent suggested in the UK by HFEA. And a US study published last year by fertility doctors from one American clinic found that 543 women who froze eggs aged under 38 had a 51 per cent chance of giving birth.

'Usually, almost all the eggs survive the thawing process and then around three-quarters will fertilise and make an embryo,' says Professor Kovacs.

'Of those, 70-80 per cent will produce a pregnancy and then around half will go to full term.'

Rachel Cutting, the director of compliance and information at HFEA, adds: 'The egg-freezing technology used to be hit and miss, with few eggs surviving. But now we have very effective techniques and the success rates are good.'

In comparison, even after a year of trying to get pregnant naturally, only roughly 40 per cent of women will succeed  and the risk of genetic abnormalities is far higher.

But there are two details to bear in mind. First, freezing requires a lot of eggs to be collected. And second, whether an egg will fertilise depends on the woman's age when she undergoes the procedure to collect and freeze them.

'Some women need several cycles to collect enough eggs to make it worth their while,' says Evewell's Ms Kafton. 'Most clinics charge per cycle.

'And if a woman can only afford one but it is clear from her scans and blood tests that too few eggs will be collected, there's little point in her going through with it.'

Ms Whitney adds: 'If you freeze eggs under 35, most of them will be good enough quality to survive the thawing process and make a viable pregnancy. When you get to 37, this is true for about half, and if you freeze eggs at 40, it's a quarter.'

Freezing my eggs now would be ideal, experts tell me, but how much should I be paying?

Michaela froze 22 eggs in her 30s... now she has a healthy one-year-old One passionate advocate of egg freezing is 39-year-old Michaela Jones, a tech executive from London. Without the 22 eggs she had frozen in October 2018 she wouldn't have her son Daniel, who is now a year old. 'I'd tell any woman in her 30s who wants kids, but isn't ready yet, to freeze their eggs,' she says. 'Yes it's not a guarantee, but it could bring you the most important blessing of your life.' Michaela underwent the procedure aged 34, shortly after meeting her current partner, who is five years younger. 'It was a brand new relationship and I didn't want to put extra pressure on it by saying we needed to have a baby right away,' she says. 'But I knew my fertility was going to decline soon. 'He was also away working in Spain a lot, so it wasn't ideal timing for a baby. I wanted to give myself options for the future.' A clinic in London was recommended to her and after tests and scans she started the process  injecting hormones for a fortnight to stimulate egg growth followed by a procedure to collect them. 'The injections made me so bloated  like I was three months pregnant,' she says. 'And a few days after the procedure I started to feel weak and feverish, but the clinic gave me some drugs to rebalance my hormones and I felt fine.' In 2021, the couple felt ready to start a family. The clinic thawed 11 eggs and, of those, five were fertilised with her partner's sperm and developed into embryos. The healthiest was injected into Michaela's uterus a few weeks later. 'After five days I had a blood test that showed I was pregnant,' she says. In July last year she gave birth to a healthy baby boy. 'The pregnancy was fine with no complications,' she adds. All in all, she paid roughly 10,000. 'It's 100 per cent worth it,' she says. 'This gives you options. It gives you hope.'F Advertisement

A quick Google reveals a shocking variation in prices  with some clinics charging up to 10,000.

One 35-year-old woman I spoke to told me she paid just under 4,000 to freeze 13 eggs last year. Her friend, meanwhile, paid 7,500 for almost identical treatment. 'She went to one of the fancy clinics where they do things like give you a menu to order lunch from after your procedure,' says 35-year-old Sarah Cowan, a digital marketing executive from London.

'My clinic was basic, but it was perfectly fine and comfortable.

'I'm really lucky with my experience, the procedure was over in 40 minutes and I was pretty much fine afterwards, albeit quite tired for a few days.'

Some clinics include the cost of the hormones in their pricing and others don't, while others may charge extra for the scans of the womb and ovaries. But experts say as long as you know what to ask for, it is relatively easy to get an accurate idea of the total costs upfront  see the box above.

'I'd tell patients to budget around 5,000 for the whole thing,' says Ms Kafton.

That's an amount I could afford, and seems to be a small price to pay for boosting my chances of having a family when I'm ready to  as well as taking the pressure off, even if for only a few years.

Embryologist Ms Whitney tells me 'For a lot of women, the benefit is psychological. It stops them sticking with an unhappy relationship because they think that person is their only hope of having children.'

I put this to Prof Kovacs.

'The problem is that women these days are too focused on finding Mr Right, which is unrealistic,' he says. 'Maybe women should settle for Mr Not Too Bad instead, so they can have children naturally.'

I said I couldn't imagine this advice going down well with my generation of women. And these days, it's not always a partner women are waiting for.

'More and more women are opting to have children alone,' says Ms Whitney. 'They know they don't want them right now because of career choices or whatever else, but they want to do it when they're ready without relying on a partner's timeline.

'In fact, we recently had two patients who were best friends and giving birth alone, using sperm donations, at roughly the same time.

'Their babies were born during the Covid pandemic and they moved in together for support, and sort of shared the parenting. They said it was more of a harmonious partnership than they could have imagined having with any man.'

I think I'm sold.
I am 81 and would like to have a full health MOT and pay for it privately. However, I can't seem to find any private providers who'll offer this for people over the age of 79. Why are we not considered important?

Overall health screening is not available on the NHS because it is not proven to be beneficial for the majority of people. But many private companies offer it.

One of the main concerns with full health screening is something called false positives. These are health abnormalities that are not likely to cause any problems but are flagged up, causing unnecessary stress, anxiety and even treatment. Anyone undertaking this sort of health screening should think carefully about whether they have anything to gain by knowing the results.

Rather than a private health check, it would be more sensible for an elderly patient to visit their GP for a chat about risk factors for heart disease and stroke. A doctor will give valuable advice about how to reduce such risks or make sure they're properly monitored.

Today's reader, aged 81, is asking why they can't find any private providers who will offer a full health MOT, despite being happy to pay for it (stock photo)

This would involve blood tests and also a pulse, diabetes and blood pressure check.

Screening is available, too, for bowel cancer and breast cancer, and there's a test for prostate cancer for high-risk or symptomatic patients. Men aged over 65 can also be checked on the NHS for an abdominal aortic aneurysm  this is a potentially dangerous bulge within the main blood vessel of the body.

A GP practice can also advise about vaccinations for this age group, such as for shingles, Covid, pneumonia and flu  this is a simple way to protect your health.

I am a 92-year-old man who is mostly in good health. But recently I've struggled with needing to pass urine more than usual  particularly at night when I would rather be asleep. My GP has prescribed a number of tablets but none of them have worked. Can you help?

Any symptom that disturbs sleep is deeply distressing and should be dealt with properly.

Not getting a good night's sleep leads to irritability and feeling fragile during the day. It is also a big risk factor for night-time falls in elderly people, as some struggle to find the bathroom in the dark. One important step to take is to ensure the journey between the bed and the bathroom is as safe and simple as possible to avoid accidents.

In men over 90 the most common cause of bladder issues is prostate trouble.

This includes an enlarged prostate gland, which stops the bladder emptying properly, as well as prostate cancer.

Other reasons why you might be going to the loo more often include medication, diabetes or even a simple infection.

A GP would explore potential underlying problems before choosing what to prescribe.

It is worth taking a urine test for infection and diabetes, as well as a blood test to check kidney function and prostate issues.

There are various medications for prostate problems and the chosen treatment may depend on other medical issues. Common medicines include tamsulosin, finasteride and tolterodine. Some other drugs are less suitable for the elderly or frail.

Lifestyle measures may be helpful, too. It is worth reducing caffeine, alcohol and fizzy drinks, which all irritate the bladder. Often people don't realise that constipation can worsen bladder issues, so dealing with bowel problems is also a good idea.

My 50-year-old daughter was recently told she has cirrhosis of the liver and hasn't long left to live. The person who did her ultrasound examination broke this news. We're devastated  is it true that you can never recover?

Cirrhosis is the scarring of the liver, and means the organ is severely damaged. Patients usually reach this point having lived with liver disease for a long time.

Sadly, the condition is not reversible. It is a very significant and serious diagnosis, and doctors usually discuss this with their patients. It is very unusual for a diagnosis like this to be given during a scan.

Cirrhosis usually develops after there have been other stages of liver damage which may be treatable. Most commonly, the condition is caused by heavy alcohol use or hepatitis infections.

It can also result from fatty liver disease, which is triggered by obesity and type 2 diabetes.

Write to Dr Ellie Do you have a question for Dr Ellie Cannon? Email DrEllie@mailonsunday.co.uk Dr Cannon cannot enter into personal correspondence and her replies should be taken in a general context. Advertisement

But there are also other less common causes, including genetic and autoimmune liver diseases, which usually affect women.

Although cirrhosis is not treatable, you can slow it down in some cases. For example, if somebody has cirrhosis from hepatitis C or autoimmune conditions, medication can be used to prevent further damage.

Cirrhosis patients should be cared for and monitored by a liver specialist called a hepatologist. It is also vital that the GP is aware of the diagnosis.

People with liver disease are vulnerable and therefore eligible for certain vaccinations and regular health checks for other issues including high blood pressure.

If alcohol is an underlying factor, getting help to quit as soon as possible is vital. The British Liver Trust is a great source of advice for patients and carers (britishlivertrust.org.uk).

Why I back 'Martha's rule' on challenging doctors

Martha Mills (pictured), 13, a teenager from London who died from sepsis in 2021 after her parents warned doctors she was not improving

It has been announced that Health Ministers are considering making it easier for patients in hospital to ask for a second opinion. This is great news.

The discussion of such a policy has come about following the tragic and avoidable death of 13-year-old Martha Mills, pictured above, a teenager from London who died from sepsis in 2021. Her parents repeatedly warned doctors that she wasn't improving and requested that she be moved to intensive care. But these calls were ignored and an inquest concluded this ultimately contributed to her death.

I am forever telling patients to speak up if they feel something is wrong with their treatment, especially in hospital. But patients often find it difficult because they are intimidated or feel like they're being a nuisance.

This is exactly why a rule that makes it easy to go above their doctor's head is needed  and this is what Martha's parents are calling for: Martha's Rule. It's just a shame such a terrible tragedy had to happen to create necessary change.

Calling all women aged 16 to 55

If you're a woman aged 16 to 55 and have a health experience you want to share  good, bad or ugly  it's time to speak up.

The Government is asking women across England to share what they think could be improved in a range of areas of women's healthcare. Ministers will use this information to create policy that will affect future generations' experience of the menopause, periods, contraception and other women's health issues.

This is really encouraging. Finally the Government is using the voices of real women to plan for the future. You can offer your views via an online survey, created in partnership with the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.

To take part, visit: online1.snapsurveys.com/reproductive2023. The questionnaire is available for the next six weeks.
It is the 'most striking strain of Covid-19 since Omicron', according to one of the UK's top scientists, amid fears it could evade the vaccines.

The new variant, dubbed Pirola, is thought to be behind an uptick in cases across Europe  and last week it officially landed in the UK.

Such is the concern that the Government has brought forward the autumn booster programme by a month. And some experts are even calling for the return of face masks in hospitals and GP surgeries to protect the most vulnerable.

But with just a few dozen confirmed cases in the UK, how worried should we really be?

Here's everything you need to know about the new Covid strain.

Pirola is the 'most striking strain of Covid-19 since Omicron', according to one of the UK's top scientists, amid fears it could evade the vaccines

Q I thought new Covid strains appear all the time  why is everyone talking about this one?

A The main concern about Pirola  scientifically known as BA.2.86  is that it might be able to evade the protection we have from vaccines and previous infection.

The strain has descended from Omicron but has 35 mutations on the part of the virus that the vaccines are designed to target, known as the spike protein. There are also mutations that might help Pirola evade the natural protection we have from our immune system.

If we have less immunity, it could mean a large wave of infections and more serious illness.

'Pirola has made people sit up because of the unusually large number of mutations,' says Professor Jonathan Ball, a virologist at the University of Nottingham.

'Viruses naturally mutate to survive. But when there's 30 or more mutations, scientists need to ask what that means. Does it make vaccines less effective, could it transmit more easily than Omicron and does it cause more serious disease?'

These concerns prompted the Department of Health and Social Care to bring forward its autumn booster programme so the most at-risk individuals could receive a jab sooner. Ministers said this was to reduce pressure on the health service while the strain could be investigated fully.

Since then there has been some indication from small laboratory studies that Pirola may be less infectious than previous Omicron variants and may not evade the immune system, or the vaccine, as some suspected it might. But as there have only been low numbers of cases around the world, this remains to be proven.

The UK Health Security Agency has confirmed 36 cases in the UK so far  28 of these from one care home. Five patients were hospitalised.

Q How will I know if I have this strain or another one?

A You won't. Scientists say that Pirola symptoms are indistinguishable from other Covid variants. Most people can expect to have a runny nose, sore throat, headache and fatigue.

Can I still get a test if I've got symptoms and will it pick up this new strain?

Free tests aren't available any more. There is also no official requirement to take a test if you have symptoms, nor to self-isolate if you test positive.

But packs of lateral flow tests can be bought from pharmacies for 2, and gold-standard PCR tests, which are more definitive, are available online for about 50.

Prof Ball says. 'They won't tell you what strain you have, but if you have Covid  regardless of the strain  the tests are designed to find it.'

Most people will have some immunity against severe disease from Pirola, even if they have not been eligible for a vaccine since the mass rollout ended in 2021

Q But won't I have protection from the vaccines, boosters and previous infection?

A Most people will have some immunity against severe disease from Pirola, even if they have not been eligible for a vaccine since the mass rollout ended in 2021.

Although vaccine immunity does wane over time, many people have also been infected by the virus too, which offers a broader protection. A small study looking at Pirola found those who had recently had an Omicron infection had high levels of antibodies against the new strain.

'Both vaccination and natural infection help protect us against severe disease by creating immunity with antibodies,' says Prof Ball. 'That means most people can expect a relatively mild infection if they get Pirola. When the virus first emerged, we saw lots of deaths and complications, such as long Covid, but those have fallen dramatically, and that's partly because of the vaccines and natural immunity.

'Covid variants can still cause problems but they shouldn't be near the scale we saw in 2020.'

How many vaccines have I had? For some people, the autumn booster  available to over-65s and the clinically vulnerable from this week  will be their eighth dose of the Covid-19 vaccines. The most vulnerable would have had three initial doses, an additional booster, as well as the spring and winter jabs last year and a spring booster this year. Most aged 50-75 have had four shots in total: two initial doses, a booster and a 2022 autumn booster. Otherwise, extra jabs have been offered only to care home residents, the clinically vulnerable and the over-75s. Those eligible for this coming jab are the over-65s, people with severe lung problems, blood cancer, heart disease or weakened immune systems, along with care home residents, frontline health and social care workers, carers and the household contacts of people with suppressed immune systems. The NHS will contact those who are eligible to invite them to book a jab in the coming weeks. You can then book online via nhs.uk or by calling 119. Advertisement

Q I'm over 65 and supposed to have an autumn booster. Will it work against this new strain?

A Scientists are still investigating this. The vaccines have been updated to include another Omicron descendent  XBB.1.5  which has been dominant in 2023.

Pfizer and Moderna said last week their updated vaccines generated 'strong responses' against the new Pirola strain in the lab.

'Even if the vaccines are less effective against Pirola  which we don't know they are  they will still offer some protection,' says Prof Ball. 'Pirola may have 35 mutations but there are many parts of the spike protein that the immune system does recognise. The virus will find it impossible to change all of those to evade it completely.'

Q What's going on in hospitals right now with Covid?

A The number of hospital beds in England occupied by Covid patients has risen 15 per cent in a week, to 2,500 out of the total 140,000 beds.

The latest data, up to September 3, shows larger rises in the South West (42 per cent), the North West (25 per cent) and in the North East and Yorkshire (23 per cent).

It's important to keep in mind that, at the height of the pandemic in January 2021, 33,000 hospital beds were occupied by Covid patients. Reassuringly, the number of Covid patients in critical care has remained largely static at about 60.

Q I'm not eligible for a booster. Can I get one anyway?

A No. The NHS will invite only those who are eligible to book in for a jab, and  unlike flu jabs  they are not available to buy privately.

There is nothing to prevent pharmaceutical companies selling vaccines to private providers but they are currently tasked with fulfilling their Government contracts.

However, they could be available privately in the US this autumn, and the UK could follow suit.
Thousands living with forms of arthritis that affect younger people will soon benefit from a new drug which has been approved by NHS health chiefs.

Pivotal studies have found that the drug, bimekizumab, can dramatically reduce joint pain and swelling for those with a type of arthritis linked to the skin condition psoriasis, known as psoriatic arthritis.

Separate research has found it can also improve the debilitating symptoms of axial spondyloarthritis, known as axial SpA, another type of arthritis that causes pain and stiffness in the lower back when the joints become swollen.

Bimekizumab is particularly effective for those who are resistant to other treatments, offering a crucial solution to patients who have run out of options.

Arthritis, which causes stiff and painful joints, affects around ten million people in the UK. Most have osteoarthritis, which is caused by age-related wear and tear on the protective tissue inside knee, hip and ankle joints. Other forms, such as rheumatoid arthritis, are caused by an over-reaction of the immune system in which the body attacks its own healthy tissue, causing inflammation and pain.

PAINFUL: Reality star Kim Kardashian's psoriasis patches on her face

Psoriatic arthritis  which affects 100,000 people and develops in one in five with psoriasis  causes swollen, stiff and painful joints, well as the characteristic patches of red, flaky skin. Both psoriatic arthritis  and axial SpA, which affects a further 220,000 people, have the same immune system trigger and can emerge as early as childhood.

One famous patient is reality star Kim Kardashian, who was diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis in 2019 and last year revealed it affected movement in her hands.

Patients with both conditions start on drugs that suppress the immune system, such as methotrexate. But some struggle with side effects such as nausea and headaches, and the medicines often stop working.

Next, patients can try biologics  drugs that block an immune protein that triggers inflammation. But in around half of cases these drugs also stop working after a couple of years. In one in ten patients they do not work at all.

Bimekizumab is already approved as a treatment for psoriasis but last week the UK drug watchdog, the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency, gave it the green light for both psoriatic arthritis and axial SpA. And last night, health chiefs agreed to fund it for NHS patients within the next few weeks.

Given as a monthly injection, bimekizumab blocks two inflammatory proteins simultaneously.

'It's a much smarter drug,' says Professor Laura Coates, a rheumatologist at the University of Oxford. 'We expect patients to do better if more inflammation is blocked. If you're young, and you're facing having this condition for the rest of your life, that's really important.'

Prof Coates says the data so far shows bimekizumab is, on average, as effective as the other drugs but it worked particularly well in patients who failed to respond to other treatments.

'Normally harder-to-treat patients respond less well,' Prof Coates adds. 'So while it needs to be looked at further, it is encouraging and suggests that blocking both proteins might be particularly important for these patients.'

Pivotal studies have found that the drug, bimekizumab, can dramatically reduce joint pain and swelling for those with a type of arthritis linked to the skin condition psoriasis, known as psoriatic arthritis

Laura Hoskin, 38, from Oxfordshire, was running out of options when she started taking bimekizumab as part of a trial in 2021.

The business consultant has suffered psoriasis since her early 20s, and developed agonising psoriatic arthritis eight years ago. But none of the treatments were working, and she was getting desperate.

'I was in a terrible state,' Laura says. 'I was newly married but we decided not to have children because I kept dropping things  I was haunted by the idea I might drop the baby. The chronic pain is like a fire in your joints.'

Bimekizumab kicked in within a month of starting the trial.

'I was in less pain and there was less swelling,' she says. 'I've now been on it for two years and, honestly, it's been life-changing. I might not be doing ten-mile runs, but I no longer have to second-guess how I'm going to feel every day.'
Nordic-C Glow Moisturizer 27.50, lumene.com

Whats the story?

Founded in Finland in 1970, Lumene launched in the UK in 2018 with a mission to develop sustainable high-performance beauty products focusing on natural Finnish ingredients.

Made in

Finland.

Made from

Ninety-nine per cent naturally derived ingredients, including lingonberry fruit juice and rosemary leaf extract.

Founded in Finland in 1970, Lumene launched in the UK in 2018 with a mission to develop sustainable high-performance beauty products focusing on natural Finnish ingredients

Journey

By sea.

Why should I buy?

The pot is made from recyclable bio-based plastic created from by-products of the timber industry. This reduces Lumenes carbon footprint by 29 per cent. Whats more, two of the hero ingredients in the formula, Arctic cloudberry seed oil and fruit extract, are from berries hand-picked in the wild, so no fertilisers or watering are needed.

Why shouldnt I buy?

Its made in Finland (though thats also where the ingredients are sourced) then exported to the UK.

The extra mile

With clear climate objectives, sustainable supply chains, collaborations with the Finnish Association for Nature Conservation and even an anonymous whistleblowing service on its website, Lumene is serious when it comes to the environment. Plus its products are 100 per cent vegan.

Our rating: ****
I'm so pleased there's a trend for communing with those in other realms.

Why am I not surprised that you see dead people?

I don't 'see' dead people  I tune in to their frequencies.

Right. Do they mostly broadcast in FM these days?

They attempt communication in an easy-to-miss sliver of the electromagnetic spectrum.

Sounds like the future of Radio 2.

Your psychic skills are lacking, which is a shame as the dead have much to share with us.

Such as

Recipes, for starters.

Recipes for starters?

No, for ice cream.

You've lost me.

HERE COMES THE SEANCE BIT: THE CAST OF BLITHE SPIRIT HOPING TO GET GHOSTED, 1945

If you had been up to speed on #gravetok

Sorry, what?

The TikTok hashtag (1.2 billion views so far) for anyone passionate about graves and cemeteries. AKA taphophiles, in case you're interested.

Fascinated, obviously, but how did ice cream make its way into all this?

In a recent article, The New York Times highlighted the story of the #gravetok influencer Rosie Grant, who made ice cream for a woman called Marian Montfort.

And?

It melted on delivery.

Didn't Montfort own a freezer?

She'd been dead for 16 years and the recipe was inscribed on her gravestone  which is where Grant left the dessert.

You're telling me that over a billion people want to watch someone leaving ice cream in a graveyard?

It's not just ice cream. For the past two years 33-year-old archivist Grant has been bringing food to the final resting places of those who left recipes behind.

What else has she cooked up?

RANDY COUPLES ARE USING FALLEN HEADSTONES FOR 'DISRESPECTFUL' ACTS

Fudge and chicken soup.

Odd choices but I suppose it demonstrates that respect for our forebears is alive and well.

Not so much in Ipswich.

What's happening in Ipswich?

According to The Times, police officers are struggling to stop randy couples using fallen gravestones for acts which they coyly describe as 'particularly disrespectful'.

I'm as shocked as the Suffolk Constabulary!

Then take comfort in the fact that there's historical precedent: Frankenstein author Mary Shelley is said to have lost her virginity near the grave of her mother Mary Wollstonecraft.

Thank goodness Mary Senior was safely ensconced in the afterlife at the time.

Was she, though? A new study reported by The Telegraph suggests that more than half of people have been contacted by a dead relative.

While having sex?

The survey doesn't say, but it does reveal that contact is most likely to happen if you are 'moderately religious'.

I think I might like to try that.

Embracing the afterlife?

No, being moderately religious. What are the hours?

The article doesn't specify, although one reader commented that it might equate to 'believing in a deity three days per week or less'.

Sounds as though not all The Telegraph's readers are taking this story completely seriously.

No, sadly the spiritually unattuned are everywhere. Although not in Westminster.

Has the government appointed a 'Tsar for the Beyond'?

Not yet, but The Mirror has reported that Rishi Sunak and his wife Akshata Murty have donated 3 million to Claremont McKenna, a Los Angeles college offering courses in ghosts.

Er, why?

Because Murty graduated from Claremont.

With a degree in ghosts?

No, in economics and French.

What would she have studied if she'd read ghosts?

According to The Mirror, 'the interrelations between occult mediumship, modern media and technology'.

Maybe the college should consider a module on #gravetok.

Good thought. It's refreshing to see you dropping your flippancy about the afterlife.

Do you think Claremont has started work on its 2024 prospectus yet?

I'm not sure. Why do you ask?

Just wondering if I could get my hands on a skeleton timetable.
My favourite drink as a child was milk. We used to get those little old-fashioned milk bottles with tinfoil lids in primary school. I liked being a milk monitor, giving out the bottles and getting spares if there were any. I remember there being a Blue Peter appeal for aluminium foil. I spent months collecting the milk bottle lids, then I got my nana to send them off.

According to the family myth, I had a nip of whisky from early on. I don't remember this, but I was a hyperactive baby. I didn't sleep well, so the doctor told my parents to put a little whisky in my bottle to help me sleep. Can you imagine a doctor advising that now?

As a five-year-old, I'd have a small glass of watered-down sherry with some fruitcake at my great-grandma's. She was 85 and housebound  she lived next door to my grandma  so I'd visit her and we'd play dominoes. I loved it.

Adele says her favourite drink as a child was milk and that she used to get those old-fashioned milk bottles with tinfoil lids in primary school

I discovered Aperol spritz during my gap year in Taranto, Southern Italy, where I was teaching English

I didn't start drinking socially until I was 21. I went to country pubs before that [Parks was brought up in the small Northeast town of Eaglescliffe], but I had to drive so I didn't try red wine until I was at university. It was a definite affectation to make me look more sophisticated. It was also a mistake, as the red wines you can afford as a student are rough.

I discovered Aperol spritz during my gap year in Taranto, Southern Italy, where I was teaching English. I didn't know my wines, so I was looking for a drink that I could order readily and the bittersweet aperitivo is a big sundowner in Italy. Now sunny days are Aperol spritz days and I always associate it with the most wonderful year.

My juicer is my favourite gadget  I start each day with kale, celery, apple and lemon juice. I began making it a few years ago, when I thought I needed more vitamins, and I've become addicted. It feels like a big injection of health.

My friends call me 'champagne Parks'. I'm not too keen on prosecco or cava but I love champagne. I'll open a bottle a week and have a glass at night. I started drinking it in my 20s, when it was only associated with celebrations. People would serve it as a toast and that would probably be my only drink.

My favourite champagne is Taittinger. I also regularly buy Nicolas Feuillatte from Sainsbury's. It's made from the same grapes as Taittinger [chardonnay, pinot noir and pinot meunier], similar in taste and significantly cheaper [28 a bottle].

My son's friend gave me a bottle of vintage Dom Perignon at the party to celebrate my MBE, which I thought was ridiculously generous. He admitted that he'd never tried it, so my son, four or five of his friends and I drank it. That was a really special moment.

My husband [Jim] doesn't drink. He's completely teetotal, but he has a great attitude towards everybody else drinking and is often the barman. Recently, we were on holiday and I really liked the spicy margarita I had ordered, so he asked the bar staff how they made it and what tequila they used. Then when we got home he re-created it for me.

I love an oat milk latte. I always thought that oat milk was either for people who genuinely needed it, or a bit of a pretension, so I avoided it. Then I got served somebody else's oat milk latte by accident and I thought it was delicious.

Without question, everyone will be drinking champagne at my funeral. I want to live for a very, very long time, but towards the end, I'll start stockpiling champagne so my family and friends will be able to really indulge themselves.
Climate, geography and history: the building blocks of any national food culture, the beginning, the middle, if not the end.

Meaning that the more diverse the climate, the more varied the geography and the more convoluted the history, the greater the chance of lots of lovely things to eat. And Brazil, the fifth-largest country in the world, has it all.

Climates (five of them), geography (lots of it) and a history that mixes indigenous peoples with Portuguese conquest, as well as immigration, both voluntary and, in the case of over three million mainly West African slaves, savagely forced too.

That rich culture is all very good news for the serious eater, although what I know about Brazilian food could be scrawled on the back of a carnival queen's thong.

But there's a dish, according to my girlfriend Cley, for every whim and desire. She comes from the south ('farming land, like Lincolnshire, but with better music') and has introduced me to the delights of pao de queijo (hot balls of tapioca cheese bread), Guarana Antarctica (top-tier fizzy drink) and extravagantly customised hotdogs, the equivalent of our late-night kebab.

The mains attraction (from left): Feijoada, picanha and prawn moqueca

But aside from endless churrascarias, with their bottomless skewers of generally uninspiring cow, and a couple of high-end places (Bossa is excellent, if expensive), the pickings in London are decidedly slim. Then she discovered Kaipiras, tucked away behind Kilburn High Road.

Small, crowded and charmingly cluttered, there are chequered tablecloths, tourist posters on the wall and a small bar from which caipirinhas, softly sharp, emerge at an astounding rate.

The place wallows in charm and good cheer, and at times feels more like a house party than a formal restaurant. Sertanejo provides the soundtrack, and the food is as big-hearted and generous (portions are immense) as the lovely staff.

The place feels more house party than restaurant

Go for the pao de queijo, the best I've eaten, and acaraje, fried black-eyed bean fritters, not unlike falafel, topped with salted prawns and salsa.

Stay for smoked sausage, sliced thin and tumbled in a great pile of fried onions; chewy, deeply flavoured slabs of picanha (or rump cap); pots of silken beans, and prawn moqueca, a subtly spiced stew with West African roots, sweet with coconut and mellow with dende oil.

'Muito bem,' says Cley. She approves. We'll be back, for chicken hearts, salted beef, fried yam and roasted cow ribs. The night may have ended. But a whole new adventure has begun.

About 25 per head. Kaipiras, 10 Kingsgate Place, London NW6; kaipiras.com

DRINKS: CHARLOTTE KRISTENSEN'S ORGANIC SEPTEMBER SIPS

The Organic September campaign celebrates the o word in all its diversity, raising awareness about practices.

This year marks half a century of organic certification of sustainable, eco-friendly agricultural methods. Here are my wallet-friendly picks  with three under 10.

La Brise Blanche Albarino 2022 (13%), 11.99, Majestic. This French expression of Albarino is divinely thirst-quenching, with notes of crushed shells, ripe lemon and a salty tingle  its pure sunshine in a bottle.

La Brise Blanche Albarino 2022 (13%), 11.99, Majestic

Purato Catarratto Pinot Grigio 2022 (12.5%), 10, ocado.com. This is a perfectly pleasing Sicilian Pinot Grigio, with gentle florals and white peachy flavours, thatll work a treat with salads, veggie fare and chicken dishes.

Purato Catarratto Pinot Grigio 2022 (12.5%), 10, ocado.com.

Specially Selected Rose Costa Toscana 2022 (13%), 6.99, Aldi. Organic rose from the Tuscan coast, bringing la dolce vita to every glass with its vibrant berry character, rose-petal aromas and delightful fresh finish.

Specially Selected Rose Costa Toscana 2022 (13%), 6.99, Aldi

Farm Hand Merlot 2022 (14%), 9.99, Waitrose. A newly stocked, modern Aussie Merlot, this is lighter than the average in style, with plum and tea-leaf notes, making it a great pick for the transition into autumn.

Farm Hand Merlot 2022 (14%), 9.99, Waitrose

Castillo de Zalin Monastrell Jumilla 2021 (14%), 8.50, Co-Op. One for full-bodied fans: robust, spicy red from southeastern Spains underrated Jumilla region, with ripe wild berries and a peppery freshness.
NTFONJENI  As thousands of emaSwati gear themselves for the upcoming secondary elections, the people of Ntfonjeni are gripped with fear.

A man who had been missing for about five days was found dead near an area not far from where he lived. He had been reported missing during the week that ended September 2, 2023, and he his body was found in a deserted area, decomposed. The deceased, Sifiso Dlaminis body was also found without a foot, giving rise to fear that he was allegedly murdered and his foot chopped off for ritual purpose, though this was all speculation. Sifiso was known in the area of Ngcwengcweni near the Ntfonjeni Health Centre. It is within his community that he socially imbibed on alcohol.

Maintenance

Also, he was known for moving from house to house, assisting in maintenance work, for which he normally earned his living. His sister Gugu Dlamini confirmed that indeed, it was her brother Sifiso who was found dead. She said the family was left shocked, especially that during this time of elections, there have been fears in the past of people going missing, only to be found dead later.

Gugu said her brother was last seen on the previous weekend and as per usual he went to visit some watering holes as he was known in the area for consuming alcohol. When he did not come back home we did not think anything of it as always went away for days, said Gugu. S,he said it was only a few days later when among themselves, family members began to discus that they should at begin to search for him as he had been gone over two weeks. Gugu said residents feared that something may have happened to Sifiso.

She said they feared because they began to associate his missing with the general elections. In the past, this publication had reported that there had been cases of people being killed for ritual purposes during elections. In fact, His Majesty the King, in one of his recent speeches had warned against the use of human body parts. The belief of using of body parts is practised in many countries not just on the African continent in what westerners call dark magic and Africans refer to as witchcraft. The Chief Police Information and Communications Officer Superintendent Phindile Vilakati confirmed the matter. She said it had been reported to the police. She said the matter was still being investigated.

Snatched

Suspected ritual deaths are not uncommon in the Hhohho Region, though some have been reported during elections. In 2018, a five-year-old girl vanished while she was playing with her friends. It is alleged that she was snatched while with her friends near a river at Matsamo, under Timphisini Inkhundla. According to her friends, a man had allegedly grabbed her while they were playing.

A search conducted by police, using sniffer dogs proved futile, until about five days later, when her body was found in a river and it appeared that her face had been bashed against a hard surface. It was alleged at the time that her face appeared disfigured and it was alleged that she may have been killed for ritual purposes. No one was arrested in the matter, despite an investigation by Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS). The story of the girl was highly reported in both the print and the electronic media and the national commissioner of police at the time described it as a heinous crime.
Online scammers are exploiting the ULEZ expansion on Facebook to lure unwilling victims into parting with cash for luxury cars they will never see.

Fraudsters are copying the photos and details from real car adverts on sites such as Auto Trader, Gumtree and eBay and posting them on Facebook Marketplace.

The legitimate-looking posts promise top-end cars such as BMWs, Audis and Mercedes for knock-down prices, usually around 5,000, under the guise of having acquired them at 'auction'.

Many of the cars are listed in London as ULEZ compliant Euro 6 diesels produced from September 2015 onwards - in what is thought to be a bid to cash in on desperate Londoners looking for compliant motors in order to dodge the 12.50 daily fee after it was expanded to Greater London.

But while the cars are real, the scammers' listings are not - and the swindlers will simply disappear with the money after it is handed over.

A genuine Auto Trader advert for a Mercedes-Benz GL Class SUV - the luxury car for sale for just under 27,000

But scammers have stolen the pictures and details from the listing and listed them on Facebook marketplace for a fraction of the price

Fraudster immediately try to take the conversation off of Facebook in order to dodge its scam-detecting filters

Pictures and descriptions are lifted wholesale from legitimate adverts. Because the cars themselves are real, they appear on MOT-checking databases, giving the scam legitimacy

Most of the adverts adverts follow the same template - in some cases explicitly labelling the cars as Euro 6 and therefore ULEZ compliant

Would-be car buyers looking for a ULEZ bargain are being warned to steer clear - as it emerged that real businesses were having their names dragged through the mud by crooks trying to swindle those looking for a bargain.

MailOnline contacted several sellers on Facebook Marketplace claiming to offer cheap luxury cars in London - all of whom responded within seconds, demanding that we email them for more information.

Scammers seek to take the conversation off of Facebook to avoid the company's scam-detecting algorithms - against Marketplace rules.

When we sent them emails, the responses were almost identical: with promises that the cars were in 'great condition', located at a remote warehouse, 'ready to be transported'.

'We acquired this vehicle from an auction, this is why the lower price,' several of the emails say.

'Since we are dealing mainly with transportation, please note that we don't schedule inspections/pick up at/from our location, but we sell the vehicle with a 5 days money back guarantee.'

Requests to view the vehicles were fobbed off - and when we confronted one of the sellers with a copy of the real car advert they had stolen, they stopped responding.

Each fake ad is packed with detail to give it an air of legitimacy: from mileage and MOT expiry dates, which correspond to the real car in the pictures, through to the appropriation of legitimate company names in email correspondence.

Even the Facebook profiles that upload the listings to Marketplace look real, with family pictures and comments. Cybersecurity experts believe the profiles are real, but have had their passwords stolen by fraudsters.

And the photos are usually pinched from listings for motors that have just been sold - meaning the real advertisements have been pulled and can't usually be traced on search engines, which would expose the hoax.

Scammers are constantly adapting their tactics to make their cons look as appealing as possible, according to Harry Kind, an expert at consumer rights body Which?.

The scammers send professional-sounding emails, promising five-day money-back guarantees and assurances over the transaction

The cars are real - and can be checked against MOT and car history databases. However, the scammers don't own them and will make off with the cash if it is handed over

A real advert for a BMW 1-Series hatchback on eBay from a car dealership in Birmingham

And the fake advert on Facebook, claiming to offer the car in London for a fraction of the price

Mr Kind said: 'Scammers are always on the lookout for new ways to part people from their hard-earned cash and unfortunately, the ULEZ expansion is no exception.

'If you see a deal for a ULEZ-compliant car on social media which looks too good to be true, unfortunately it probably is.'

Ada Bsiz, who came across some of the adverts on Facebook, said: 'I was nearly stung by this scam.

How to spot a fake car advert on Facebook Deceptively low price - usually a fraction of the market value, which can be checked by entering the registration number on a valuation website such as Parkers

Demands that you email for more information to take the conversation off of Facebook - this is an attempt to circumvent the platform's scam-detecting algorithms

The cars will be described as being 'stored' at remote warehouses and cannot be viewed before the sale

A demand to pay for the car upfront, unseen. Scammers will make promises of a 'money-back guarantee' and an 'inspection period' to make sure you are happy with the car after transferring cash

Check the seller's other Facebook Marketplace listings - are they also offering dozens of other similar cars at suspiciously low prices?

'I was looking to buy a car on Facebook. I looked up Mercedes cars sellers in the London area, and found some very nice low-mileage 2015, 2016 luxury models going for around 5,000.

'Upon checking the MoT and other details online, I discovered that all of them were advertised for sale a few weeks earlier at between 18,000 and 22,000, which would be their true value.

'I have tried to block many of these ads but Facebook only blocks them for me. I could not find a way to register a complaint about this scam with Facebook.'

However, the scam is also being pushed in Marketplace groups elsewhere in the country.

Evan Owen, from a village in Gwynedd, Wales, said he had almost been scammed several times by con artists offering cars and car parts on Marketplace.

Mr Owen, who said he had even resorted to emailing Meta boss Nick Clegg out of frustration, said: 'Facebook have ignored all me reports of scams and I've heard nothing back from email providers regarding 'abuse', not heard from the fraud authorities either.

'No response from Nick Clegg at Meta. Facebook Marketplace should be shut down.'

Banks have hit out at Meta - which also owns WhatsApp and Instagram - for refusing to accept responsibility for its part in enabling online scammers, calling on them to fund compensation schemes for those who lose cash.

Research published by banking industry group UK Finance in May found that 1.2 billion was lost to fraud in 2022, with nearly 80 percent of all cons that involved transferring cash to a scammer starting online.

Jake Moore, global cybersecurity advisor at internet safety firm ESET, said that Facebook's automatic moderation tools should detect when items are fake - but that scammers are learning how the tools work and circumventing them.

By the time Facebook plays catch-up, it is likely that scammers will have made off with thousands.

Mr Moore said: 'These con artists are professionals who will do everything they can to pressure prospective buyers into sending deposits in very manipulative ways.

A real advert for a diesel Skoda Karoq crossover on Auto Trader - for 9,800

And the fake advert that has stolen every detail - from photos to the real car's mileage - but claims the car is in London for just 3,000

Each of these listings for high-end luxury saloons and ULEZ-friendly vans were posted to Facebook Marketplace by a single profile - every single one is a scam

It is thought that scammers are touting ULEZ-compliant diesels in London amid a rush by Londoners to snap up bargain vehicles that dodge the 12.50 charge

Those who have almost fallen victim to the scam say reports to Facebook are rarely acted on

However, Mr Moore also believes the social media giant could be doing more to combat fake listings - but may be reluctant to do so because it would be cutting into its own lucrative advertising revenues from displaying other ads on Marketplace.

He added: 'Marketplace is a huge part of Facebook's business - it's one of the components that keeps people having a Facebook account and they are desperate to keep people on it.

'They will do small amounts to limit scams but I don't see them reducing it to zero because they can display adverts on these listings - so the best they offer is buyer awareness and putting warnings up.

Top tips to dodge the ULEZ scammers 1. Always arrange to see the vehicle in-person Fraudsters will often steal photos and videos from legitimate car sellers and use them to create fake listings in online marketplaces. The best way to know if a seller really owns the vehicle they're claiming to sell is to arrange a viewing and see it for yourself. 2. Avoid making bank transfer payments to anyone you don't know and trust Instead, use services like PayPal, or a credit/debit card, as they will offer you more protection if things go wrong. 3. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is If you come across a vehicle being sold online at an unbelievably good price, but the seller cannot do in-person viewings, and they're also asking for payment via bank transfer. It's probably a scam. Source: ActionFraud

'We saw it with cryptocurrency scams, and there was much made of the fact these were adverts Facebook was happy to take the money for while burying their head in the sand.'

Those who are duped into parting with thousands of pounds for non-existent cars aren't the only victims in the scam.

London-based lorry driver Tony Kelly has been unwittingly roped into the scam after fraudsters started using the name of his haulage firm, A J Kelly Transport Ltd, in their emails, including in some messages to a MailOnline reporter.

In the last week, the lorry driver of 30 years has been contacted several times by people to ask when he began transporting cars.

But in reality Mr Kelly, a widower who once had plans to turn his firm into a haulage empire until he lost his wife to cancer, delivers fresh fruit and veg.

He is furious at Facebook, which he says is doing nothing to prevent the fraudsters from posting hundreds of fake adverts on Marketplace.

Mr Kelly said: 'I've reported it to the police fraud guys, and I've tried to get hold of Facebook to find out who to complain to.

'There are thousands of these adverts. I reported about seven of them but I've given up trying.'

The haulier found out his company's name was being used deceptively last week [Sunday September 3] when a friend phoned him up out of the blue, asking if he was facilitating the delivery of a car he was about to hand over cash for.

The only theory he has for why the scammers have 'borrowed' his company's details is because his business address, in Orpington, Kent, is on the same site as a luxury used car business trading in Ferraris, Rolls Royces and other top marques.

He continued: 'My friend phoned and asked if I was going to deliver his car and I told him: 'I don't know what you're talking about.' I do refrigerated transport. I'm just a single person that drives a truck.

'It's quite frustrating - and there's nothing out there telling you how to stop it, nothing on Facebook to say how you can contact them.

'It's the people who lose money I'm worried about. I know some people aren't falling for this, but there are going to be people fooled by this s***, and it scares me that some people are taken in by it. It's a shame and it needs to stop.'

Cybersecurity expert Jake Moore says the con artists behind scams such as those on Facebook Marketplace are 'professionals' using every trick in the book to swindle innocent victims

Businesswoman Sarah Louise Darby. The name of her customs firm, InterCarry Couriers, has been appropriated by scammers to legitimise their cons

Tony Kelly's transport firm A J Kelly Transport Ltd has been falsely implicated in scams after fraudsters appropriated the firm's name in emails to would-be victims

Sarah Louise Darby, who runs InterCarry Couriers, a Staines-based firm that deals with customs clearances, is also furious at scammers misleadingly using her company name.

She wrote: 'Another lucky escape for another caller to my business today. Managed to save him from circa 6k loss to the scam.

'Other names used in these scams seem to also be that of other genuine individuals and logistics companies, who are likely unaware.

'However this is how the scammer gets you! By illegally using the names of real entities, so when you Google it you think its a real company, no matter how small.

'Myself and other named individuals/company names continue to get dragged through the mud - please know that we have nothing to do with any of it.'

Experts say that the advice for car buying remains the same as ever: insist on viewing the car, and if a significant deposit is demanded beforehand, walk away.

Harry Kind, from Which?, added: 'You should always view cars advertised online in person before purchasing to ensure it is as advertised and in working order.

'No legitimate seller will demand a significant deposit before allowing you to inspect the car so treat this as a red flag if it's something you are asked for.

'If you are in any doubt that an online deal is genuine, don't click on any links in the post or give any personal information.'

'If you or a loved one do fall victim to a scam then contact your bank immediately and report it to Action Fraud or Police Scotland.'

Jack Cousens, head of roads policy for the AA, added: 'Whatever the reason for buying a used car, would-be owners need to make sure they aren't taken for a ride when it comes to buying.

'Using authorised dealers provides peace of mind, but if you consider buying the car privately then you need to protect yourself.

'You should always see the car in person in good weather and check the vehicle log book (V5C) matches the address you are viewing the car.'

Hours after we contacted Meta for a response, a number of profiles listing fake cars were removed from Facebook and their Marketplace listings were pulled. Others remain active.

A Meta spokesperson said: 'Fraudulent activity is not allowed on our platforms and we take action on violating content when we become aware of it.

'We continue to invest heavily in new technologies to tackle this industry-wide issue, and encourage people to report activity like this to us and the police, so we can take action.'
Currys has become the latest company to be hit with a shareholder rebellion over executive pay.

At last week's annual meeting, more than 21 per cent of voters rejected the electronics retailer's pay scheme for 2022  which handed chief executive Alex Baldock 2.2 million. Around 1.2 million of this was in the form of bonuses.

Currys said it would speak to shareholders to find out why they objected to the scheme.

Rebellion: More than 21 per cent of voters rejected the electronics retailer's pay scheme for 2022

Any revolt of more than 20 per cent of votes sees the company automatically added to a list of rebellions kept by the Investment Association.

A slew of major firms have already clocked up rebellions this year, including Unilever, Pearson, Ocado and HSBC.

Currys separately said last week that its focus on the UK was paying off, with turnover improving at the end of the summer.

It said that sales of appliances and mobile phones were particularly strong.
The ten most dangerous cities in the US for 2023 have been revealed - and the worst might come as a surprise.

Monroe in Louisiana sustained the top spot for most crime-addled town over the last two years - but it's been knocked to second place by a new arrival this year.

According to research by Security Gauge, a small southwestern suburb in Birmingham, Alabama, with a population of just 27,000 tops the table for the most crime per capita this year.

Bessemer, in Jefferson County, is now officially the most dangerous place to live in America based on proportional crime rates.

Security Gauge ranked the top 100 most crime-ridden places to live out of every town in the United States with at least 25,000 residents or more.

Security Gauge ranked the top 100 most crime-ridden places to live out of every town in the United States with at least 25,000 residents or more

They collated data on violent crimes - homicide, rape, armed robbery and aggravated assault - in each town from from all 18,000 law enforcement agencies in the US. The stats are contextualized per 1,000 people.

1. Bessemer, Alabama

Bessemer topped the 2023 rankings with 33.18 violent crimes per 1,000 population.

Residents of America's most volatile town have a one in 30 chance of becoming a victim of violent crime, according to Security Gauge.

With a population size of around 27,000, Bessemer's crime rate is much higher than other towns with a similar demographic.

It ranked particularly badly for physical violence and property crime, along with motor vehicle theft.

Bessemer, in Jefferson County, Alabama, is now officially the most dangerous place to live in America based on proportional crime rates

Founded in 1887 by coal magnate Henry DeBardeleben, Bessemer became an industrial powerhouse as a center for ore mining, iron smelting, and the manufacture of iron and coke.

Its rapid growth through the 20th century earned it the nickname 'The Marvel City' - but development peaked in 1970 amid the decline of railcar manufacturing and steelmaking.

Although its industrial portfolio has diversified since then with the introduction of a giant Amazon fulfilment center among other corporations, crime rocketed following rising unemployment in the area.

2. Monroe, Louisiana

With a one in 38 chance of becoming a victim of violent crime, Monroe comes in second place on the danger charts, according to Security Gauge.

Some 47,000 people live in the northern Louisiana city, which sits on the Ouachita River.

Monroe in Louisiana sustained the top spot for most crime-addled town over the last two years - but it's been knocked to second place by a new arrival this year

Home to several museums and the University of Louisiana at Monroe, it seems an unlikely city to take the second place spot.

But it has one of the highest murder rates in the United States, according to analysis of reports to the FBI, and had been the most dangerous city for the last two years until it was toppled by Bessemer this year.

3. Saginaw, Michigan

Based 100 miles of Detroit, which is well known for crime, Saginaw has a violent crime rate of 25.1 per 1,000 residents.

Saginaw in Michigan has been demoted from fourth most dangerous place to third this year

It recently made headlines after two people died and at least 15 more were injured amid a wild unauthorized street party posted on social media.

A 51-year-old woman and a 19-year-old man were shot dead in a Saturday night shooting in July.

4. Memphis, Tennessee

Tied in third place with the same crime rating as Saginaw is Memphis in Tennessee.

Located on the Missisippi River, Memphis is known for its rock and roll music scene and Elvis Presley, and has a population of around 700,000.

Tied in third place with the same crime rating as Saginaw is Memphis in Tennessee (pictured)

It also ranked in the top three for America's homicide hotspots, with scholars linking rising murder rates to soft-on-crime Democratic leadership and low police morale.

A study by WalletHub found that murder rates jumped by a tenth in the country's biggest cities between the first quarter of 2001 and the same period this year  and they're still heading up.

5. Detroit, Michigan

The east Michigan city of Detroit home to 620,000 people has a violent crime rating of 23 per 1,000 - with chances of becoming a victim for locals set at one in 43.

Violent offenses tracked included rape, murder and non-negligent manslaughter, armed robbery, and aggravated assault, including assault with a deadly weapon.

Detroit is consistently ranked among the worst cities for crime due to its urban decay and dwindling population.

6. Birmingham, Alabama

The crime scene in Bessemer leaks into nearby Birmingham too, which often comes near the top of the charts for violent activity.

This year it came sixth with a violent crime rating of 20.6 per 1,000, with a one in 49 chance of being a victim for residents.

It's also the city where infamous 'missing woman' Carlee Russell, 26, faked her own kidnapping for 49 hours.

7. Pine Bluff, Arkansas

With a violent crime rating of 20.5 per 1,000 residents, the Jefferson County city of Pine Bluff ranks seventh most dangerous place to live in the US.

Home to around 40,000 people, the central Arkansas city sees 50 more crimes per square mile than the statewide average.

8. Little Rock, Arkansas

Just 40 miles north-west of Pine Bluff sits Americas eighth most violent city.

Little Rock has 20.2 violent crimes per 1,000 population with a one in 49 chance of being a victim.

9. Alexandria, Louisiana

The northern Louisiana city of Alexandria has a violent crime rating of 18.8 per 1,000 residents.

Residents in the Red River bank town have a one in 58 chance of becoming a victim.

10. Cleveland, Ohio

Security Gauge ranked the top 100 most crime-ridden places to live out of every town in the United States with at least 25,000 residents or more

In 10th place in the violence rankings is Cleveland, Ohio, with a rating of 17.1 per 1,000.

Your chance of being a victim in the Lake Eire Bay city is one in 58.
With sensational views, three separate properties boast a almost 50 bedrooms

The Miramar estate in Duxbury, Massachusetts, has a price tag of $8.2 million

A stunning New England religious retreat with glorious sea views is up for sale

A stunning New England religious retreat with glorious sea views has hit the market for $8.2 million.

Named Miramar - Spanish for 'sea view' - the property has been a Catholic retreat center since 1945, welcoming priests from around the world.

Boasting a picturesque main home, a comprehensive community center and a detached cape cod-style home, the three dwellings offer the next owner endless opportunities for commercial or personal purposes.

The sprawling 30-acre estate, located at 121 Parks St in Duxbury, Massachusetts, sits across the street from the Bay Farm Conservation Area which hosts two miles of trails through woodlands and meadows.

During its rich history, the site of Miramar was owned by a descendent of the Mayflower, and was later beset by tragedy and scandal following a suicide after a romantic affair.

A stunning New England religious retreat with glorious sea views is up for sale

Two staircases are seen in a hallway lined with polished hard-wood floors

Since 1945, the property has been used as a spiritual retreat center

The SVD decided a year ago that they would close the retreat and focus their efforts and resources in other areas

A glamourous two-story entry foyer, formal hosting rooms, commercial kitchen, dining room and elevator are included inside the grand main home which transforms into the ideal hosting space with 37 bedrooms and en suite bathrooms.

Photos of the vast grounds show cedar woods, open fields, manicured lawns, two ponds, and seasonal views of Kingston Bay.

The community center occupies almost 5,000 square feet with another five bedrooms and their own en suite bathrooms.

It's equipped with a kitchen, sunroom, living room and an additional separate apartment with two bedrooms and 1.5 bathrooms.

Another four bedrooms, multiple bathrooms, a kitchen and conference rooms are fitted out in the third dwelling found on the estate.

There's also an elevator for getting from one level to another, as well as space for 50 vehicles in a large area out front.

Today the estate is used as a retreat center for priests and brothers returning from missions, welcoming over 6,500 annual visitors before the Covid pandemic. But the area holds a rich history.

Several generations of Lorings lived on and developed the land as a farm

The home appears to be well taken care of and can be decorated to fit any taste

The former retreat is up for grabs for $8.2 million

It once served as a prominent fishing and hunting spot for the Wompanoag people for before the arrival of the Pilgrims.

The historic seaside town was settled in 1628 by the families of John Alden, Thomas Prence, Jonathan Brewster and Captain Myles Standish who named the area after his ancestral home in England - Duxbury Hall.

He assigned rights to the Miramar section to his military assistant, Lieutenant William Holmes, in 1627.

In 1702, the land was acquired by Thomas Loring, a descendant of the original settlers of Hull.

The Loring family retained their kin of the estate, known then as Bay Farm, over the next 300 years, becoming renowned for building iron-clad ships which were used by the Union during the Civil War.

Toward the end of the 19th century, Samuel Loring lost a significant chunk of his family's money after enduring a series of unfortunate business issues.

Although the properties were protected as part of a homestead, it is believed he took his own life after his daughter was involved in a scandalous affair.

The estate was called Miramar or 'view of the sea'

A brick fireplace stands out against the wood wall and flooring

The new homeowner has endless opportunities with what to do with unique dwelling

In 1945, the world's largest Catholic missionary, the Society of the Divine Word (SVD), purchased the property.

Missionaries would be sent out three year assignments and then spend time off at the retreat before their next assignment.

But over time, the focus of the SVD became more concentrated in the Southern Hemisphere, so their priests preferred to stay in warmer climes.

'With a small presence in the North East, and fewer priests in the Province, the SVD decided a year ago that they would close the retreat and focus their efforts and resources in other areas,' listing agent John O'Connor said.

With a special permit, the incoming owners could launch a retirement facility, a private club, or a residential conservation cluster development.

As the property is being sold by a religious organization, there are restrictions which the new owner will be expected to follow.

For a period of 90 years from the date of this deed the parties will agree for life-affecting medical procedures, such as human-cloning, euthanasia, experimentation on human embryos or stem-cell research.

The property is also forbidden to be used to sell guns or cultivate cannabis.
A series of recent protests in Washington DC to oppose the fossil fuel industry were orchestrated by a group which is part of a global network funded by Hollywood director Adam McKay and billionaire philanthropist Aileen Getty, DailyMail.com can reveal.

Campaign group Declare Emergency staged a 'week of action' in late August that included setting up rush-hour roadblocks which caused misery for working people. Months earlier, two members of the organization were arrested and charged after defacing an exhibit in the National Gallery of Art.

Declare Emergency is part of the A22 Network, a collection of climate protest groups committed to 'mass civil disobedience' on a global scale.

A22's 'primary funder' is the Climate Emergency Fund, which was founded in 2019 with help from a $500,000 grant from Aileen Getty, an heir to the $5.2 billion Getty oil fortune. Adam McKay, director of movies including Anchorman and The Big Short, donated $4 million to the CEF last year and joined its board of directors.

McKay has been accused of hypocrisy for trumpeting the climate cause after admitting he owns a lavish holiday home in Ireland - 5,000 miles from his LA base - and jets to the 12-acre bolthole 'when the going gets tough' at home.

Adam McKay, the directors whose films include The Big Short and Anchorman, donated $4 million to the Climate Emergency Fund and sits on its board

Declare Emergency, the group behind recent climate protests in the US, is part of a global network which is funded by the Climate Emergency Fund. The CEF was started with help from a $500,000 grant from Aileen Getty (pictured), an heir to the Getty oil fortune

Getty also boasts an expansive property portfolio and recently snapped up Brad Pitt's former $39 million compound in LA.

Other high-profile donors to the CEF include Disney heir Abigail Disney and Succession actor Jeremy Strong.

Declare Emergency wants to position itself as America's answer to Europe's Extinction Rebellion (XR), which has brought cities like London and Paris to a standstill in recent years through protests on a much larger scale. XR is closely-linked to another A22 Network group called Just Stop Oil.

In the protests in Washington, DC, members of Declare Emergency blocked traffic while flying banners emblazoned with apocalyptic slogans. Furious commuters begged the group to move so they could go to work, before police eventually shut down the protest.

Footage of the confrontations showed one man scream at the demonstrators as he snatched their banners away. One woman yelled: 'We've got kids to feed!'

That came several months after two of Declare Emergency's activists smeared paint on an exhibition at the national Gallery of Art.

Tim Martin and Joanna Smith, then both aged 53, damaged a glass case holding the 19th Century sculpture Little Danger Aged Fourteen, by Edgar Degas. The stunt caused $2,400 worth of damage.

Martin later said 'the idea is that we wake people up with a shock, and we do it in a way that that engages and invites their emotional centers'.

Declare Emergency is one of the latest groups to appear under the A22 Network's banner. A22 describes itself as 'a group of connected projects engaged in a mad dash to try and save humanity'.

Its website declares: 'Climate Emergency Fund is the primary funder of the A22 Network, and our 11 member project's recruitment, training, and capacity building.'

The CEF is headquartered in Beverly Hills and was founded in 2019. By June 2023, it had given grants worth $9 million to 112 organizations.

Margaret Klein, the executive director of the CEF, said it is 'proud to support some of the boldest, bravest climate activists in the world'.

A protest by supporters of Extinction Rebellion, the group which inspired Declare Emergency, at Burning Man festival in August was quickly shut down by Nevada rangers

She said the fund backs 'activist organizations that engage in non-violent protest and civil disobedience'.

Declare Emergency's beginnings can be traced back to around November 2021, when it launched its social media channels and started to organize protests.

The group remains relatively small compared to similar groups like XR, whose protests in Europe have drawn tens of thousands of supporters. XR deploys similar 'civil disobedience' tactics and has also targeted major artworks.

Declare Emergency has taken guidance and funding from XR's British co-founder Roger Hallam, a veteran climate change activist who claims to have injected $1 million into the US climate activism movement.

XR supporters were involved in a protest at Burning Man festival last month. Activists blocked a road to the festival and caused a miles-long gridlock before no-nonsense rangers from Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribal Police Department of Nevada plowed straight through the blockade and began arresting demonstrators at gunpoint.

The controversial tactics of groups like Declare Emergency, which are accused of alienating average citizens, recently caused a co-founder of the Climate Emergency Fund to resign and complain that the global disruption was 'unproductive'.

Businessman Trevor Neilson stepped down from the group in 2021 and complained this June that many protests were simply 'disruption for the sake of disruption'.

'Working people that are trying to get to their job, get their kid dropped off at school, survive a brutal cost of living crisis in the UK, you know, there's a certain hierarchy of needs that they have...

'If at the same time they have a pink-haired, tattooed and pierced protester standing in front of their car, so that their kid is late for their test that day, that does not encourage them to join the movement,' he told The Times.

'It's just performative. It's not accomplishing anything. I absolutely believe that it has now become counterproductive, and I just feel like that has to be said by somebody that was involved in the beginnings of what it has become.'

The A22 Network said: 'The projects of the A22 Network are partly funded by the Climate Emergency Fund in the US and partly by their own fundraising effort. The network itself is not set up as a grant making/funding body.'

A spokesman did not respond to a request for an interview.
A Portland transgender activist faces a slew of charges for allegedly defecating and ransacking a teen girl's car after claiming she was 'transphobic.'

Vivian Shemansky, 44, allegedly flew into a frenzy after the 17-year-old, Jade, parked near her tent in a parking lot on August 27. After Shemansky allegedly first threw a stick at her, the teen returned to her car after just 10 minutes to find it covered in human waste with every window smashed.

The teen's mother, Lisa Thomasson, told The Post Millenial that her daughter was 'in tears' when she discovered her destroyed car, which was written off due to the disgusting act as cops deemed it a 'biohazard.'

Sergeant Kevin Allen with the Portland Police told DailyMail.com that Shemansky already had two warrants out for her arrest when she was taken into custody, but Thomasson claimed she was released the same day as she awaits a court date.

SHocking footage revealed the car covered in human waste and shattered glass

The victim's mother said she doesnt 'have words to describe that feeling' after she discovered the vile act, which totalled the car as it was deemed a 'biohazard'

The nauseating incident comes as residents in Portland, Oregon consistently condemn how woke policies have caused widespread homelessness and open-air drug taking.

Thomasson, 45, said she hardly recognizes the city despite living in the metro her whole life, lamenting how a soft-on-crime approach put her daughter in severe danger.

'I just thought what could have happened to my child if that person took the frustration out on her,' she said.

'There's no accountability for people that are breaking the law. It's putting our community and the home we grew up in in jeopardy.'

Allen told DailyMail.com that police were called to the scene after reports of vandalism, where Jade told them she parked her car and left it 'for a short time.'

As she left to go thrift shopping, a GoFundMe account set up by her mother to repair the ruined car says she realized she had accidentally parked next to a tent in the parking lot.

She claims a stick was thrown at her, which left her 'a little confused' as led her to 'pick up her pace' across the parking lot. After only stopping for a bite to eat for 10 minutes, when she returned to her car she saw her windshield had been shattered.

Before investigating further, she called 911 thinking that was the extent of the damage. As cops arrived, she realized her car had been targeted by the disgusting act.

'Her car was smashed at all four sides. Every piece of glass was shattered. There was human waste throughout the entire car,' Thomasson wrote. 'I still don't have words to describe that feeling.'

She added that police seized a metal steering lock that is believed to have been used in the attack.

Vivien Shemansky holds a long rap sheet that involves a slew of arrests and two prior convictions, and had two warrants out for her arrest at the time of the alleged vandalism

Shemansky has documented her struggles with gender dysphoria on social media, often slamming 'cisgender bigots' in her posts

Thomasson added that three days before the attack on her daughter's car, the vehicle's back window was broken in a smash-and-grab theft, which she feels is a prime example of the city's out of control crime epidemic.

'We should be able to feel safe in the city we grew up in,' she added.

Jade reportedly identified Shemansky to police after the incident, and footage showed a suspect being hauled away by police in a low-cut crop top and shorts.

Shemansky, born Eric Neil Bowen, was swiftly released from the jail on a 'monitored pretrial release' after being booked into the central precinct for only a few hours.

The lenient response is in keeping with Portland's woke policing after its force struggled in the wake of the 'defund the police' movement. The city has one of the worst crime rates in the nation, and official statistics show there have been over 13,000 cases of vandalism and 60,000 property thefts from July 2022 to July 2023.

Footage captured the moment Shamansky was hauled away by police after allegedly defacating and smashing the teenager's car

Shemansky, who appears to be a vagrant, frequently shares bizarre music sessions on social media while playing a guitar, with one of her instruments (not pictured) emblazoned with a note reading 'f*** your fascist beauty standards'

The hasty release also comes despite Shemansky having a lengthy rap sheet, including several prior convictions.

In September 2015, she was convicted of felony assault on a public safety officer, and in March 2019, she was convicted again of felony fourth-degree assault and was sentenced to a year in prison. It is unclear if this sentence was carried out or if she was granted an early release.

She also reportedly fell foul of the law while going as Eric Bowen, and in October 2012 she was allegedly arrested and charged with felony rioting before the case was dismissed by a judge.

In one post from her Instagram account, Shemansky condemns doctors for not granting her 'fat grafting surgery' as it isn't considered gender confirming surgery

Shemansky frequently rants about transphobia and has documented her transition on social media, including a post slamming doctors for not granting her a 'fat graft' as it wasn't considered gender confirming surgery.

On her Instagram bio, Shemansky says she is a 'trans girl hear (sic) in a world of transphobia', adding that she wears her 'heart on my sleeve & I am a bit of a sleaze.'

Other posts show her condemn 'cisgender transphobic bigots', with one saying: 'If you think being a woman is all about haveing (sic) a vagina Then (sic) you don't know sh*** about being a woman!'

The account also includes bizarre hour-long music recordings, including some where she plays a guitar with a note saying: 'F*** your fascist beauty standards.'

Shemansky's grand jury indictment is scheduled for September 19, and she faces charges of felony first-degree criminal mischief, felony unauthorized use of a vehicle, second-degree criminal mischief and second-degree disorderly conduct.
Returned to the townhouse to discover evidence of a wild orgy

A glamorous couple were horrified to discover the Airbnb apartment they were staying in had been used to host a sexy party - all while they were out for dinner.

Personal items worth thousands of dollars were either stolen or soiled, sparking a 'nightmare' six-month battle for compensation with the rental giant.

Jared Manheim and his partner Danielle, who both run a hobby Instagram travel page where they exhibit luxury hotels and designer outfits to their 290,000 followers, travelled to Sydney in early March.

Despite there being limited options during the month-long Mardi Gras festival, they managed to secure a townhouse in the exclusive inner-city suburb of Paddington.

Jared Manheim and his partner Danielle, who both run a hobby Instagram travel page where they exhibit luxury hotels and designer outfits to their 290,000 followers, travelled to Sydney from South Africa in early March when the horror unfolded

They returned to their townhouse Airbnb in Paddington, inner-city Sydney, where they discovered evidence of a sex party, including handcuffs (pictured) and 'lace panties'

The property, which was on Airbnb under two different listings, was divided into a 'commercial' space at the front, which used to be a glass-fronted cafe, and a 'residential' space at the back.

Their host told them there would be a small gathering of 'sophisticated people' in the commercial space on the Saturday evening - the night after they arrived - and she asked if they could make themselves scare until it finished around 11.30pm, sparking concerns for the couple.

Danielle's eye mask (pictured) was discovered on the floor covered in what appeared to be 'bodily fluids'

Jared and Danielle were further alarmed when they checked in only to discover there were no locking doors separating the commercial space from the rooms they would be leaving their things in.

I told the host "this is pretty crazy, its just a small residential area, basically like a dorm room upstairs",' Jared told Daily Mail Australia.

'She brushed it off and told us she would be having a sophisticated gathering the following day. We told her we were concerned about what might happen because it was completely open.

The couple, who both work full-time in finance and property respectively, considered pulling out and booking a hotel but ultimately decided to stay due to the limited options available.

'We ended up barricading the door to the residential area, which no one was meant to have access to any way before leaving for the evening,' said Jared.

'But at the end of the night we got back and the place was trashed.

'It was clear there had been a sex party: there were abandoned handcuffs, lace panties and every inch of every surface was sticky with spilled drinks.

'When we got upstairs, we realised they had broken into our bedroom, ransacked our clothes, stolen expensive dresses and other items.

'My girlfriend's eye mask was covered in some sort of bodily-fluid.'

The guests of the alleged sex party ransacked the couple's bedroom, stealing items including a $10,000 wedding dress, $15,000 Chanel purse, $2,500 Invisalign dental retainer and a $750 silver necklace

'Every inch of every surface was sticky with spilled drinks,' said Jared. (Pictured: a supposedly private space the sex party guests had desecrated)

They also found droplets of blood in their bedroom's ensuite bathroom and vomit in another toilet.

The items they had stolen include a $10,000 wedding dress, $15,000 Chanel purse, $2,500 Invisalign dental retainer and a $750 silver necklace.

The horrified couple contacted the police and the host to demand a refund for their subsequent night's stay, which was grudgingly granted, before leaving the next morning.

But their troubles were only just beginning.

'We've been hosts on Airbnb and we've had issues in the past, like things being damaged, but we always went through the due diligence and got a payout for what was rightfully due,' said Jared.

Yet, after their claim for damages and stolen items was palmed off to a third-party insurance platform, they heard nothing for a month.

That was until Jared realised their Airbnb account had been mysteriously deactivated.

The couple, who work in finance and property respectively, have been locked in a six-month battle for compensation with Airbnb

It is understood that the couple's subsequent night's stay on the Saturday was made through an off-platform arrangement between them and the host, which means Airbnb is not liable to cover any losses or damage as it has not been booked through their system.

It is also believed that their account was taken down in relation to an incident associated with a separate booking, although it is unclear what exactly had transpired.

READ MORE: Meanwhile in Sydney... The Airbnb that charges $1,150 a night to sleep in a TENT in someone's backyard Included in the quoted fee was a swag to 'sleep under the stars' Advertisement

The couple, who are based in Kensington in London when they are not travelling, believe the error may have stemmed from them being mistakenly sent a 'host' rather than a 'guest' form to fill in.

'But with Airbnb now the customer support seems outsourced to people in the Philippines or India,' said Jared.

'No offense to them, but nothing really happens anymore. You call in, they'll take a note, nothing happens. Its robotic.'

Jared has been ringing or emailing every few days for the last few months to try to get an answer on their compensation claim.

But each time receives a variation of the same maddeningly unhelpful response that the review is 'complete'.

'Our reservation included a fee to Airbnb which covers insurance. Theoretically we paid it into the insurance program and they will not even give us the satisfaction or the opportunity to lay out our case,' said Jared.

'Now, if we laid out our case and the third-party insurance firm decided not to side with us that would be different. But we've not even had the chance to provide any evidence.'

In addition to photos, videos and screenshots, the couple have a report filed with NSW Police.

'Police are aware of the incident, and it is currently under investigation,' an NSW Police spokesperson said.

The listing, which was not removed by Airbnb after incident, was subsequently taken down by the host.

Jared added: 'Airbnb are a publicly-traded company and have shareholders to answer to. It's disgusting to me.

Susan Wheeldon, Airbnbs Country Manager for Australia and New Zealand, said: 'Our team is focused on promoting positive experiences for guests, Hosts and the wider community.

'Airbnb is built on trust. Provided guests stay, pay and communicate only on Airbnb, they will be using our secure processes, refund and support policies.

'In general, Hosts who breach our Off-Platform Policy may face suspension or removal from our platform.'
More than 1,000 bars and nightclubs have received substandard food safety ratings according to data held by a powerful watchdog.

The Food Standards Agency collates and publishes results of inspections by local authority environmental health officers.

Across England and Wales, there are 47 businesses who have received a Food Hygiene Rating of zero, meaning 'urgent improvement necessary'.

One of the most recent venues to receive a zero rating was The Unicorn Inn in Knowsley, which was inspected on June 29, 2023.

Knowsley Council inspectors found improvement was necessary concerning hygienic handling of food and the cleanliness and conditions of facilities and the building. The management of food safety required urgent improvement.

HOW TO USE THE MAP: Click on a dot to see details of an individual bar. You can also zoom into areas where there are several bars in close proximity. There is a link to the Food Standards Agency website where you can check out the latest information

Your browser does not support iframes.

Your browser does not support iframes.

The Unicorn Inn in Knowsley, pictured, received a zero rating following an inspection in June

The Red Lion on Leytonstone High Road as inspected on February 21, 2023, where it also received a zero rating. While environmental health officers said food handing was generally satisfactory, major improvement was needed with the cleanliness and condition of facilities and building. Urgent improvement was needed in the management of food safety.

Waltham Forest have since re-inspected the pub, with the results of that visit expected to be published shortly.

Businesses are graded on a sliding scale from 5 to 0 ranging from Very Good to Urgent Improvement Necessary.

Health inspectors can prosecute business which fail to improve their standards. In the most severe cases, firms can be ordered to close until minimum safety standards are achieved.

Though, health inspectors can also prosecute private individuals. Last October, a vegan pensioner was fined 1,500 and ordered to pay costs of 2,395 over her failure to deal with a mouse infestation at her home in St Osyth, Essex.

Margaret Manzoni claimed she was feeding the mice and refused to kill them as it was against her 'ethical beliefs'.

In May 2022, pub boss Richard Maley, from Bridgend, Vale of Glamorgan was fined 3,000 after food inspectors found mouldy meat pies at his bar in 2016. He is no longer associated with the venue

The Glasshouse in New Malden, pictured, needed major improvement across all areas

On June 20, 2023, inspectors visited Bottomleys Arms in Calderdale and handed it a zero rating

The Stonemasons Inn in Petworth, West Sussex was visited by inspectors on June 19 and management were told that major improvement was needed across the board

Kingston-upon-Thames council visited The Glasshouse on June 27, where they found major improvement was necessary across all sections.

Bottomleys Arms in Calderdale, outside Halifax was judged to need improvement in two of the three areas while urgent improvement was necessary on food safety management.

The Stonemasons Inn in Petworth, West Sussex was visited by inspectors on June 19 and management were told that major improvement was needed across the board.

READ MORE: Are these Britain's dirtiest takeaways? In some areas of the UK 20 per cent of the takeaways fail to meet food hygiene standards , a report suggests (pictured: a huge cockroach infestation at an Enfield takeaway) Advertisement

In Scotland, more than 200 bars and nightclubs have substandard food safety ratings. The Scottish system offers a binary choice of Pass or Improvement Required.

Almost 45,000 bars and clubs in England and Wales have ratings of between 3 to 5 which ranges between Generally Satisfactory to Very Good.

Recent research by ProCompliance has used wider data to determine where in England and Wales has the worst night time hygiene.

Using FSA data, they compared the ratings of bars, clubs, nightclubs, restaurants and takeaways.

According to the research, Bath, with a population of 192,423, has 36 per cent of late night venues with a FSA rating of between 0-3. Salford, Swansea, Liverpool and Manchester make up the remainder of the bottom five.

Researchers found that Gloucester has England and Wales' most hygienic nightlife. Winchester is the best location for 4* and 5* rated takeaways.

Alex Wilkins, Director of ProCompliance said: 'While many may overlook the importance of nightlife hygiene, our research highlights the need for businesses to improve their food safety and hygiene standards.

'To reach the coveted 5-star hygiene rating from the Food Standards Agency, businesses need to be providing thorough staff training on the ins and outs of food handling, preparation, and storage.

'Encouraging staff to practise proper hand washing and providing hand sanitisers can make a real difference. Regular sanitisation of surfaces, equipment, and facilities go a long way in preventing the spread of harmful bacteria and viruses.

'By being proactive and conducting routine checks, businesses can identify any potential issues and nip them in the bud before they become bigger problems.'

Hygiene information published by the Food Standards Agency. Data correct as of September 8, 2023
Subject of restraining orders from two women

A private chef working for the daughter of Gina Rinehart has been charged with allegedly hiring a locksmith to help him break into a home - and has been hit with restraining orders from two different women.

Self-described hospitality entrepreneur Jean Lopez has been working as a private chef to mining heiress Ginia Rinehart and her husband Simon Robinson at the couple's penthouse which overlooks Bondi Beach in Sydney's east.

Daily Mail Australia can reveal that Lopez, a 31-year-old French national, was arrested over an aggravated break and enter at a home in North Bondi in June.

The resident of the unit, who had met Lopez once, told police he was lucky to be home at the time of the alleged break-in, and that Lopez hired a locksmith to pry open his front door early one Sunday morning.

Daily Mail Australia understands Lopez has been employed by Ms Rinehart (pictured) for over eight months

Jean Lopez (pictured) at Zama restaurant in Bondi

Australia's richest person Gina Rinehart (pictured) with her mining heiress daughter Ginia

Lopez has since been released on strict bail conditions and is required to report to Bondi Beach police station daily, comply with a curfew and not enter or go within 100 metres of any international airport or other point of departure from Australia.

The matter will be heard in court at a later date.

Daily Mail Australia understands Lopez has been employed by Ms Rinehart for over eight months and is regularly seen around the new Pacific development, where the old Swiss Grand Hotel used to be.

Lopez has a lengthy resume and has worked at some of Australia's top restaurants, including Bistro Guillame, Rockpool, The Cats Meow Bar and The Island.

Friends have told Daily Mail Australia Lopez is a part owner and consultant at South American restaurant Zama in Bondi.

Ginia Rinehart and her husband Simon Robinson purchased their penthouse (pictured) in the Pacific Bondi Beach in 2017

Bianca Rinehart (pictured) made a shock appearance at WAs Supreme Court last month

John Hancock appeared on a 2015 episode of Australian Story

Hope Rinehart and her former bodyguard French-Israeli former soldier, Alon Assouline

Ginia Rinehart, the youngest daughter of mining mogul Gina Rinehart, purchased the Bondi Beach penthouse in 2017 for $15million.

Overlooking the famous stretch of sand, the two-storey, four-bedroom apartment is understood to be a permanent home for Ms Rinehart and Mr Robinson.

Gina Rinehart is worth $37.41billion, according to the Australian Financial Review's Rich List 2023.

She's the head of mining giant Hancock Prospecting, with diversified investments that include real estate, agriculture and even medicinal cannabis.

Hancock Prospecting was founded by her late father Lang, but it's under Gina that the company has become a global giant.

Gina, 69, has two children from her first marriage to Greg Hayward, John Hancock, 47, and Bianca Rinehart, 46. The couple divorced in 1981.

Ginia, who has long backed her mother and stayed loyal to the family empire, is ranked 46th on the Rich List with a personal wealth of $2.47billion, with her older brother John at 47 with $2.43billion.

They are followed by second eldest child Bianca at 49 with $2.4billion, then middle daughter Hope Reinhart Welker at 50 with $2.42billion.

A spokesperson for the Rinehart family company, Hancock Prospecting, declined to comment. Mr Lopez was approached for comment.

He is due to face court at a later date.
Donald Trumps legal team is considering a brash move that would put Republican members of Congress on the stand in his defense by questioning them about their own January 6 objections, DailyMail.com has learned.

The maneuver would have Trumps legal team query lawmakers who cast votes objecting to the certification of Joe Biden's win, such as Senators Ted Cruz and Josh Hawley, as part of his federal criminal trial in Washington, D.C.

It would be a bid to persuade potential jurors that Trump was not an outlier when pushing election fraud, because he represented a widespread view within his party.

'They were essential to the recognition of objections, because you had to have a representative from the Senate and from the House [to trigger a floor debate].

'So the senators' objections were obviously important, very important,' a source familiar with Trumps legal teams thinking told DailyMail.com.

The move  which would have to be approved by a federal judge and could face objections from prosecutors  could allow the former president to cover his own post-election conduct by having his lawyer question the likes of Hawley and Cruz.

The pair were among the members of the GOP instrumental in setting up a political clash in Congress as Trump supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol.

A source close to former President Donald Trump's legal team says it is considering calling as witnesses lawmakers who echoed some of Trump's election fraud claims that were tossed out of court. They could provide a defense by revealing the environment in place during Trump's election overturn effort

The effort wouldnt involve probing lawmakers about why they voted the way they did  a posture that could touch on separation of powers issues and the Constitutions Speech or Debate clause.

But it could examine what objections that you see right up until and including J6 [January 6] and to the extent that elected officials have legitimate objections, it's hard to criticize the president for having the same objections or similar ones, said the source.

So that would really be the theory and it would go to the bona fides of having objections right through the J6 period, the source added.

If sustained, it could have political implications beyond the federal courthouse in Washington, D.C. by providing a platform for Republicans facing their own reelections, and giving them a chance to reinforce their loyalty to Trump, the who is leading all Republicans by a wide margin in presidential polls.

Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) gestures toward a crowd of supporters of President Donald Trump gathered outside the U.S. Capitol to protest the certification of President-elect Joe Biden's electoral college victory. He and other lawmakers who voted objections to electoral votes could be called as witnesses

Figures including Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Tex.) explored ways to put off the January 6 electoral count. Cruz called for 10-day delay for an emergency audit of 'disputed states'

Trumps team believes it can demonstrate that in in the political environment right through January 6 elected officials had very good faith objections, based on what they were seeing as anomalies or unlawful acts with respect to the election,' said the source.

Even some Republican officials who would later state that Biden won the election spoke publicly before January 6 about fraud allegations. (Former Trump AG Bill Barr, who told the House January 6 committee fraud claims put forward by Trumps lawyers were bull**** had before the election raised concerns about mail-in ballots).

The tactic could include examining efforts by a group of senators, including Hawley and Cruz, to rally fellow senators to delay certification during Trumps final days to further probe election fraud claims, even after they were tossed by a series of courts.

Former Trump economic advisor Peter Navarro, who is currently on trial for defying a congressional subpoena, described the delay tactic as the 'Green Bay Sweep.'

The move to bring in elected Republican witnesses could very well extend to the state legislative level  where many Republican lawmakers also voted objections during the state certification process, putting forward some of the same fraud claims as members of Trumps 2020 advisors who are now facing criminal charges.

Those claims went in concert with the fake electors scheme, where states that voted for Biden sent slates of alternate Trump electors to Washington.

Trump's defense must fashion a legal strategy even while pouring over millions of documents turned over by prosecutors, while he also faces criminal charges in other jurisdictions, including in Georgia, where the former president had his mug shot taken

It comes in a blockbuster trial where U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan has warned Trumps lawyers she wants to try to keep politics at bay  dismissing appeals to Trumps busy schedule and comparing him to a professional athlete who must face charges despite having a game schedule.

She set a trial date for Trump of March 4, the day before Super Tuesday, prompting howls of complaint from Trumps lawyers about the need to sift through 12 million documents the government provided through the discovery process amid a complex case with historic implications.

Lawmakers including Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) have fought efforts to be dragged into court cases related to Trumps election overturn effort. Graham, who voted to certify votes from contested states, battled efforts to compel his testimony in Georgia, where Trump and 18 other defendants are charged with a racketeering conspiracy related to the election overturn effort there.

The Supreme Court denied his effort to block a subpoena, but that came after a federal judge ruled there would be protections against his being questioned about his legislative function, due to the Constitution's Speech or Debate clause.

Although elected lawmakers being pulled into judicial matters, there is a good argument that they would have to comply with a subpoena to appear, according to the source.

But unlike some of those other instances, there is reason to believe that congressional Republicans would relish the opportunity to make headlines testifying as witnesses for Trump. Party members stood by Trump during two impeachments, sought to discredit the House January 6 Committee, and then probed President Biden and his family. Some top House members with investigative panels say they intend to probe Special Counsel Jack Smith.

My sense is that many of those elected officials  would welcome the opportunity to testify on these important issues and confirm the reasons why they had objected to aspects of the election, said the source.

Their testimony would seek to counter the narrative sketched by Smith when announcing Trump's indictment last month for conspiring to defraud the U.S., conspiring to disenfranchise voters, and conspiring to obstruct an official proceeding.

Smith called it an 'unprecedented assault on the seat of American democracy' that was 'fueled by lies' targeted at obstructing the electoral count.

The government's burden 'is to show that the president acted corruptly, which is to some extent not a clearly defined term, but would suggest that he was he was acting for simply an obstructive purpose unrelated to any proper government function. And if we have elected representatives say, "Hey, I was just doing my job. I raised these objections" ... it's kind of hard to say that President Trump was acting with a corrupt intent,' the source added.

The DOJ could try to object, and Judge Chutkan could try to impose limitations on the number of witnesses. During a hearing last month, she said both sides have estimated a trial could take four to six weeks. Calling dozens of witnesses, and wrangling over securing their testimony, could delay matters further or soak up more court time.

The objectors could testify about their fraud claims, which were repeatedly rejected by courts, but also about state changes to election laws in the run-up to the election amid the pandemic.
MHLANGATANE  Taking law into own hands.

It would appear emotions got the better of some Mhlangatane residents, after they were alleged to have set on fire, a one-room house, belonging to the man charged with the death of six people in the area. The victims died after drinking siwasho (concoction), which was allegedly poisoned and subsequently, the suspect who was arrested by the police the following day, has been slapped with 25 charges after appearing before the Piggs Peak Magistrate Court on Tuesday.

Allegations are that the suspect, not only poisoned the siwasho but allegedly did same to water at the Ndwandwe homestead, where the spine-chilling incident is said to have played out. He is believed to have poisoned the siwasho with the main target being a woman who it is alleged, he was in a love relationship with.

Suspect

According to some family members of the deceased persons, the suspect allegedly stayed in the one-room house situated inside the Ndwandwe compound and this is the same structure that was set alight by unknown people, believed to be disgruntled residents. When this publication paid a visit to the homestead, the house in question was indeed found to have been burnt, with most of the valuables inside reduced to ashes.

Actually, some police officers were seen taking pictures of the house and recording statements from members of the Ndwandwe family after the incident was reported to the law enforcers. It is worth noting that the veracity of the allegations against the suspect, are yet to be tested in the court of law. The family member alleged that the suspect was invited to stay in the one-room by the husband of one of the deceased persons.

Invited

The suspect was invited to stay at the Ndwandwe residence by the husband of the woman who drank the siwasho and passed away. The information we have is that he was asked by the womans husband to assist with some work at the compound and as time went on, he got into a love relationship with the woman. The relationship got serious and we are led to believe that he (suspect) even rented a room for the woman at Buhleni. However, things did not go as planned as they got into constant arguments with the woman who then decided to return to her husband, the family member alleged.

This, according to the family member, did not go down well with the suspect who is alleged to have repeatedly threatened the woman. This eventually led to that fateful day, when the family members unknowingly drank the concoction. The poisoning of the siwasho was well planned by the suspect, even though on the day, the residence was full of people, who had come for preparations ahead of the cleansing ceremony of the widow, who unfortunately drank the concoction and passed away.

Victims

Two people were assigned by the bishop to guard the siwasho but it would seem the suspect took his time to the grab the opportunity of interfering with the siwasho. The sad thing is that even innocent children who drank the siwasho were victims at the end, he alleged. It has been gathered that the autopsy on the deceased was to be conducted on Thursday at the Mbabane Government Hospital to establish the cause of their deaths.
The family of a dog killed by a bloodthirsty American Bully XL say the attack has left them so 'traumatised' they are going to sell their home.

Father-of-two Brian Cartwright, 56, says his family are haunted by the nightmare incident and now live in fear the savage hound could strike again after it tore into beloved pet Eddie the Tibetan Terrier.

Seven-year-old Eddie was mauled while walking with Brian in the park in the quaint market town of Buckingham, Buckinghamshire, on August 20.

The powerful Bully XL dragged the woman walking it on the floor before sinking its teeth into the terrified terrier's back, leaving Eddie with horrific puncture marks on his spine and abdomen, internal bleeding and gruesome crush injuries.

Tragically, after a harrowing five days of emergency treatment, the agonising decision was taken to euthanise the pedigree pup, leaving Brian, his wife Svitlana, 45, and their two children Harry, 12, and Nicole, 16, 'distraught'.

Brian - who branded the American Bully XL responsible for killing his pet a lethal 'weapons-grade dog' - said: 'The kids are absolutely traumatised. It's going to take months to get over.

Mr Cartwright snapped this photo of the XL bully and the woman walking it moments after the attack that left his beloved pet fatally wounded (the woman is understood not to be the dog's owner)

Tibetan Terrier, Eddie, was savagely attacked by an American Bully XL while walking with its owner, Brian Cartwright (Eddie is pictured after being mauled)

The pet suffered gruesome injuries which led to an extensive infection and necrosis setting in. His wounds were so severe the agonising decision was taken to euthanise the dog five days after the attack

Beloved family pet Eddie loved nothing more than cuddling with his owners. He is pictured on the lap of Brian Cartwright, 56

'I'm traumatised and now relive what happened on the daily basis. I can still hear the noise Eddie made during the attack. It will haunt me for years.

'I now can't face going out of the house. I get shaky and don't want to do anything.'

Svitlana added: 'This is a wound that will never heal. It's like having your third child ripped away from you.'

Despite Thames Valley Police being informed, the dog responsible for the mauling has not been seized and its owners still walk it around the park where the attack happened, Mr Cartwright claimed.

Looking for a fresh start after their nightmare ordeal, the family now intends to put their neat four-bedroom detached home of 11 years on the market and move elsewhere.

'We're literally getting the house valued and we want to move away,' added Brian. 'The children want to move. They're not comfortable anymore.'

The mauling - also witnessed by a terrified nine-year-old girl - took place in grassland behind the Lace Hill Community Center in Catchpin Street.

Speaking of the attack, Brian said it all happened in an 'instant', as the killer dog's huge jaws clamped down across Eddie's back, sinking its teeth into the howling pet's spine and abdomen.

'The dog immediately reacted when it saw Eddie. I started walking away but when I glanced back over my shoulder the woman walking him had fallen over and this dog was dragging her across the floor towards us,' he said.

'The next thing I knew and the dog was latched onto Eddie and would not let him go. It seemed like hours but it was probably a minute and a half.

Eddie is pictured celebrating his last birthday with a special dog treat cake

'There was nothing I could do. You stand there powerless listening to your dog being crushed. He was literally killing my dog. You could see the pressure damage. I knew it was all over.'

Brian rushed Eddie to the vets, where the seven-year-old's injuries were treated before he was sent home to recover.

But two days later, the wounded Tibetan Terrier's condition deteriorated, with a severe infection and necrosis setting in.

After an agonising three nights with vets, the family took the heartbreaking decision to put their beloved pet to sleep on August 25.

'We decided it wasn't fair anymore, he was just in so much pain,' said Brian. 'Our 16-year-old daughter was absolutely distraught. She didn't want to come with us.

'She slept in our bedroom for three nights and she hasn't done that since she was a little girl. It was her GCSE results day the day before Eddie died - and it was my son's 12th birthday five days later... We couldn't celebrate.'

The owners of the monster XL Bully were reportedly handed a warning letter from police, demanding the animal is muzzled when it is outside, Brian said.

But 'heartbroken' Svitlana was furious officers had not taken a tougher stance and seized the killer dog.

'The whole reaction from police was disgusting,' said the 45-year-old. 'Police have said it's nothing to do with us.

'This dog is the same as a loaded gun. If someone walked with a loaded gun in streets I would call police and hope they would do something.

'I told police "you know there's a dangerous dog living next door to the park, community centre and playground and you're not prepared to do anything?".

'The police officer told me "I have no power".'

The American XL Bully managed to sink its teeth into Eddie's abdomen and spine with is huge mouth

The wounds were initially treated by an emergency vet but became infected, with Eddie being put to sleep five days later

A heartbroken Brian poses with a picture of Eddie following the death of his family's beloved pet

Brian added: 'I have lost faith in the police completely and utterly. Someone is going to die - a child is going to die. And they've done nothing.'

Unlike the pit bull terrier, the American XL bulldog is not a banned dog in Britain and it is not an offence to own one under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991.

However, campaigners are desperately calling for a change in the law and for the breed to be added to the list of dangerous dogs.

Despite the American bulldog making up about one per cent of the UK's dog population, the XL breed of the animal has been involved in the majority of fatal dog attacks in the Britain since 2021.

Two in four deadly dog attacks in the UK in 2021 involved the XL bulldogs - rising to six in 10 in 2022, including high-profile maulings that killed children Jack Lis, 10, and Bella-Rae Birch, 17 months.

A leading dog behaviourist this week branded the breed 'too dangerous to live' as he led calls for Britain's population of American Bully XLs to be eradicated.

Stan Rawlinson wants them removed before more people and pets are torn apart by the 'intrinsically evil' beasts. He told MailOnline: 'These dogs are a danger to women, children and everyone else. They should all be euthanised as a breed. There's something wrongly wired in these dogs.'

The killing of Eddie has now left locals terrified to leave their homes.

'The whole community is living in fear now,' Svitlana said. 'These people [are] deliberately bringing this dog into our community to intimidate, be in control and to dominate. This is not acceptable. This person is now terrorising an entire community.'

Experienced dog owner Brian added he was 'utterly terrified' of the XL Bully breed and their ability to flick on the 'kill switch' in an instant.

Eddie is pictured shortly before being fatally wounded by the American Bully XL dog last month

'These are weapon-grade dogs. They're not normal dogs. I've been around dogs all my life. I've handled big dogs like Dobermans and German Shepherds. I'm not afraid of big dogs at all but this breed I'm terrified of. They're killers,' he said.

Neighbours have also told MailOnline they are now petrified to venture outside to walk their pets - with some parents now refusing to let their children play in the park for fear the out-of-control beast might maul them.

One grandmother-of-five, who asked not to be named, said: 'I avoid this area now when walking my dog and did not take my grandchildren to the play park there.

'This dog is still being walked in the same area without a muzzle... It is crazy that the owner is still allowed to keep this dog with no repercussions.'

Another neighbour added: 'I'm avoiding the park and so are other people for fear the dog will attack my child.'

Thames Valley Police said it received a report about of a 'dangerous dog' in Catchpin Street at 3.15pm on August 28. A spokesman added: 'Following an investigation, the report has been filed pending further information coming to light.'

On its website, Thames Valley Police says its 'an offence to let a dog be dangerously out of control whether that's in public or private'.

In guidance, the force says a dog is considered out of control if it 'injuries someone' or 'makes someone worried it might injure them'.

It added a court could also decide if the dog is dangerously out of control if it 'attacks someone animal' or if the 'owner of an animal thinks they could be injured if they tried to stop your dog attacking their animal'.

Those with further information about the attack on Eddie should call 101 or make a report on Thames Valley Police's website, quoting reference number 43230385420.
Advertisement

The Prince and Princess of Wales are increasingly popular with the British public, many of whom already want King Charles III and Queen Camilla to start gradually handing over power to them or even to abdicate over the coming years, new exclusive polling for MailOnline revealed today.

Charles III appears to be viewed as a caretaker monarch - but the institution still enjoys the backing of the majority of Britons who believe he has had a good first year on the throne and deserves public support and money.

A year after the Queen's death, most people believe the monarchy will go on strong for decades and in a further boost to the King almost two thirds (60%) are in favour of him speaking out publicly on issues that 'matter to him', such as climate change.

Today's comprehensive new poll on the state of the monarchy carried out for MailOnline by Deltapoll asked more than 2,000 people how they view the Royal Family, its members and the work the institution does in the UK and abroad.

The survey shows that William is viewed as a King in waiting, with growing numbers hoping his father will hand over the reins before he dies after the Princess of Wales took an iron rod approach to his younger brother Harry and his uncle Prince Andrew.

And 41 per cent now believe the crown should have skipped a generation to William when the Queen died  up from 35 per cent in March. The polling came weeks after the Prince of Wales was revealed as the United States' most admired public figure ahead of Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky.

But despite William's growing popularity and influence, there is plenty of positive news for Charles, who has been mourning his mother in Scotland this week. Just 23 per cent of respondents said they were in favour of a republic compared to 62 per cent who say Britain should remain a monarchy. Another 53 per cent said they believed Britain would still have a monarchy in 50 years time.

Today's poll is also clear that the majority of Britons believe Meghan and Harry should be removed from the line of succession and cut off financially by the taxpayer and the King. Just 25 per cent of people believe they should have an 'active role in the monarchy'.

But despite the negative view of the Sussexes after three years of brutal transatlantic potshots since Megxit, Prince Andrew is still the most unpopular Windsor. The public believe that he has done more damage to the Royal Family than Harry and should not return to public life or be bankrolled by the state.

43 per cent of participants said they believe it right that Charles acceded the throne after his mother died, with 41 per cent saying it should have skipped a generation and passed to William. Much closer than it was six months ago

The Wales' are also the most popular members in terms of financial support and remaining in the line of succession

Today exclusive survey also reveals:

More than half of respondents (53%) think that the institution of the monarchy is good for Britain;

More than six in ten (62%) believe Britain should remain a monarchy. Fewer than a quarter (23%) think Britain should become a republic;

Just over half (53%) think that Britain will still be a monarchy in fifty years, with more than a quarter (25%) thinking the opposite.

A majority (58%) have not changed their mind about Charles since he became king. Under a quarter (23%) think better of him, with just over one in nine (12%) thinking the opposite;

It is a similar for Camilla. Half (50%) have not changed their mind about her and under a quarter (24%) think better of her. At one in six (17%), however, the proportion who say their opinion of her has got worse is slightly higher than for her husband. Half (50%) also think that Diana would have been a better queen. 12% think the opposite and 19% think there would have been no real difference;

Four in ten (40%) think that Charles should not allow either Harry or Meghan to play an active role in royal life ever again. A quarter (25%) say Charles should be open to the idea, with a further fifth (20%) thinking Charles should be open to the idea of Harry without Meghan. A strong majority (69%) think Charles should not allow Andrew to have an active role again;

More than four in ten (43%) thinks Harry will never come back to live in Britain full time, but more than a third (36%) think he will come back at some point in the future;

Prince Andrew is viewed very poorly, even compared to Harry and Meghan. Four in ten (40%) think that the good things are in the majority when it comes to Harry with only one in seven thinking there are no good things about him. In contrast, only just over one in five (21%) think the good things win out when it comes to Andrew and more than four in ten (43%) think that there are no good things about him;

The number of people who believe Charles should have become King when the Queen died, compared to those who would have preferred William is now approaching parity, 43 per cent and 41 per cent respectively, today's MailOnline poll has found. The gap has narrowed markedly over the past six months as William's popularity has increased.

Those who say Charles should remain King until he dies is at 41 per cent - whereas the number of people who believe William should become king before he dies or even immediately has risen to 45 per cent.

The poll shows that Britons largely believe William has done well in a year where he lost his grandmother, faced more brutal attacks from his brother Harry and scandals involving his uncle Prince Andrew. Today's results reveal that those issues have failed to damage the heir to the throne.

But the survey shows there is anger and suspicion aimed at the Sussexes and the Duke of York, with the vast majority believing they should all be booted out of the line of succession and cut off financially by the King and the British taxpayer.

Now have your say! Use our interactive tools to get involved in MailOnline's royal survey Now you can have a go at answering 20 questions which were asked in the survey: Poll Taking everything into account do you think the institution of the monarchy is good or bad for Britain? Good for Britain Bad for Britain Neither good nor bad for Britain Don't know Taking everything into account do you think the institution of the monarchy is good or bad for Britain? Good for Britain 14983 votes

Bad for Britain 1671 votes

Neither good nor bad for Britain 1690 votes

Don't know 144 votes Now share your opinion



Poll Would you favour Britain becoming a republic or remaining a monarchy? Britain should become a republic Britain should remain a monarchy Don't know Would you favour Britain becoming a republic or remaining a monarchy? Britain should become a republic 2575 votes

Britain should remain a monarchy 14376 votes

Don't know 438 votes Now share your opinion



Poll In fifty years, do you think Britain will still have a monarchy? Yes, I think Britain will still have a monarchy in fifty years No, I think Britain will not have a monarchy in fifty years Don't know In fifty years, do you think Britain will still have a monarchy? Yes, I think Britain will still have a monarchy in fifty years 12775 votes

No, I think Britain will not have a monarchy in fifty years 3110 votes

Don't know 981 votes Now share your opinion



Poll In years to come, Prince William's son Prince George is set to become the King. Do you think that his siblings, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, should have to work, or receive the Sovereign Grant? Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis should earn all of their money by working Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis should earn some money but should also be supported by a Sovereign Grant Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis should be entirely supported by a Sovereign Grant Don't know In years to come, Prince William's son Prince George is set to become the King. Do you think that his siblings, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, should have to work, or receive the Sovereign Grant? Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis should earn all of their money by working 4855 votes

Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis should earn some money but should also be supported by a Sovereign Grant 9498 votes

Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis should be entirely supported by a Sovereign Grant 1719 votes

Don't know 468 votes Now share your opinion



Poll In your opinion, do you think that King Charles III should or should not continue to speak out on issues and current affairs that matter to him? King Charles should continue to speak out on issues and current affairs that matter to him As monarch, King Charles should not be expressing an opinion on any issues or current affairs Don't know In your opinion, do you think that King Charles III should or should not continue to speak out on issues and current affairs that matter to him? King Charles should continue to speak out on issues and current affairs that matter to him 7888 votes

As monarch, King Charles should not be expressing an opinion on any issues or current affairs 7901 votes

Don't know 271 votes Now share your opinion



Poll If you had to say, do you imagine that Queen Elizabeth II would think that King Charles is taking the future of the Monarchy in the right direction or the wrong direction? The right direction The wrong direction Don't know If you had to say, do you imagine that Queen Elizabeth II would think that King Charles is taking the future of the Monarchy in the right direction or the wrong direction? The right direction 11837 votes

The wrong direction 1968 votes

Don't know 2074 votes Now share your opinion



Poll How much, if anything, do you think the Royal Family has to offer the young people of Britain nowadays? The Royal Family have a great deal to offer young people The Royal Family have a fair amount to offer young people The Royal Family do not have very much to offer young people The Royal Family have nothing to offer young people Don't know How much, if anything, do you think the Royal Family has to offer the young people of Britain nowadays? The Royal Family have a great deal to offer young people 7686 votes

The Royal Family have a fair amount to offer young people 4161 votes

The Royal Family do not have very much to offer young people 1754 votes

The Royal Family have nothing to offer young people 1684 votes

Don't know 282 votes Now share your opinion



Poll If you had the choice, which of the following do you think would have been best when the Queen passed away last year? Prince Charles should have become King Prince William should have become King Don't know If you had the choice, which of the following do you think would have been best when the Queen passed away last year? Prince Charles should have become King 10390 votes

Prince William should have become King 4435 votes

Don't know 606 votes Now share your opinion



Poll Which of the following statements comes closest to your own view? King Charles should remain as king until he dies Prince William should become king at some stage in the future before King Charles dies Prince William should become king now Don't know Which of the following statements comes closest to your own view? King Charles should remain as king until he dies 8781 votes

Prince William should become king at some stage in the future before King Charles dies 5463 votes

Prince William should become king now 870 votes

Don't know 448 votes Now share your opinion



Poll Which of the following statements comes closest to your own view? As King Charles and Queen Camilla get older, it is right that they should hand over more and more public duties to Prince William and Princess Catherine It is important that King Charles and Queen Camilla maintain their public duties, even as they get older Don't know Which of the following statements comes closest to your own view? As King Charles and Queen Camilla get older, it is right that they should hand over more and more public duties to Prince William and Princess Catherine 11617 votes

It is important that King Charles and Queen Camilla maintain their public duties, even as they get older 3290 votes

Don't know 411 votes Now share your opinion



Poll Taking everything into account, has your opinion of King Charles III changed since he became King? Yes, my opinion of him has got better Yes, my opinion of him has got worse No, my opinion of him has stayed the same Don't know Taking everything into account, has your opinion of King Charles III changed since he became King? Yes, my opinion of him has got better 7864 votes

Yes, my opinion of him has got worse 1441 votes

No, my opinion of him has stayed the same 6720 votes

Don't know 98 votes Now share your opinion



Poll Taking everything into account, has your opinion of Queen Camilla changed since she married Charles in 2005? Yes, my opinion of her has got better Yes, my opinion of her has got worse No, my opinion of her has stayed the same Don't know Taking everything into account, has your opinion of Queen Camilla changed since she married Charles in 2005? Yes, my opinion of her has got better 7983 votes

Yes, my opinion of her has got worse 1617 votes

No, my opinion of her has stayed the same 6220 votes

Don't know 159 votes Now share your opinion



Poll If you had to say, all things considered, do you imagine that Diana, Princess of Wales would have been a better or worse queen than Queen Camilla? Diana, Princess of Wales would have been a better queen Queen Camilla will be a better queen There will be no real difference between the two Don't know If you had to say, all things considered, do you imagine that Diana, Princess of Wales would have been a better or worse queen than Queen Camilla? Diana, Princess of Wales would have been a better queen 5856 votes

Queen Camilla will be a better queen 4638 votes

There will be no real difference between the two 4022 votes

Don't know 1504 votes Now share your opinion



Poll King Charles inherited land and property which is estimated to be worth up to 390m and paid no Inheritance Tax. What he inherited brings in around 4.5 million each year from rent paid by members of the public. Which of the following statements comes closest to your own view? This money raised from renting should go to the Treasury This money raised from renting should go to the Royal Family Don't know King Charles inherited land and property which is estimated to be worth up to 390m and paid no Inheritance Tax. What he inherited brings in around 4.5 million each year from rent paid by members of the public. Which of the following statements comes closest to your own view? This money raised from renting should go to the Treasury 8979 votes

This money raised from renting should go to the Royal Family 5077 votes

Don't know 1422 votes Now share your opinion



Poll Taking everything into account, of the following, who do you believe has done more damage to the Royal Family? Prince Harry Prince Andrew Don't know Taking everything into account, of the following, who do you believe has done more damage to the Royal Family? Prince Harry 11377 votes

Prince Andrew 4208 votes

Don't know 294 votes Now share your opinion



Poll When you think about Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, which of the following statements comes closest to your own view? There are no bad things about him, only good things The good things about him are outweighed by the bad things The bad things about him are equal to the good things The bad things about him are outweighed by the good things There are no good things about him, only bad things Don't know When you think about Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, which of the following statements comes closest to your own view? There are no bad things about him, only good things 387 votes

The good things about him are outweighed by the bad things 5397 votes

The bad things about him are equal to the good things 692 votes

The bad things about him are outweighed by the good things 2591 votes

There are no good things about him, only bad things 6459 votes

Don't know 259 votes Now share your opinion



Poll When you think about Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, which of the following statements comes closest to your own view? There are no bad things about him, only good things The good things about him are outweighed by the bad things The bad things about him are equal to the good things The bad things about him are outweighed by the good things There are no good things about him, only bad things Don't know When you think about Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, which of the following statements comes closest to your own view? There are no bad things about him, only good things 150 votes

The good things about him are outweighed by the bad things 3299 votes

The bad things about him are equal to the good things 1155 votes

The bad things about him are outweighed by the good things 1703 votes

There are no good things about him, only bad things 8471 votes

Don't know 604 votes Now share your opinion



Poll When it comes to Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, which of the following statements comes closest to your own view? King Charles should be open to the idea of Prince Harry and Meghan both playing an active role in the Royal Family again at some stage in the future King Charles should be open to the idea of just Prince Harry playing an active role in the Royal Family again at some stage in the future, but without Meghan playing a role King Charles should not allow either Prince Harry or Meghan to play an active role in the Royal Family ever again Don't know When it comes to Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, which of the following statements comes closest to your own view? King Charles should be open to the idea of Prince Harry and Meghan both playing an active role in the Royal Family again at some stage in the future 989 votes

King Charles should be open to the idea of just Prince Harry playing an active role in the Royal Family again at some stage in the future, but without Meghan playing a role 1162 votes

King Charles should not allow either Prince Harry or Meghan to play an active role in the Royal Family ever again 13236 votes

Don't know 230 votes Now share your opinion



Poll When it comes to Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, which of the following statements comes closest to your own view? King Charles should be open to the idea Prince Andrew playing an active role in the Royal Family again at some stage in the future King Charles should not allow Prince Andrew to play an active role in the Royal Family ever again Don't know When it comes to Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, which of the following statements comes closest to your own view? King Charles should be open to the idea Prince Andrew playing an active role in the Royal Family again at some stage in the future 1641 votes

King Charles should not allow Prince Andrew to play an active role in the Royal Family ever again 13144 votes

Don't know 407 votes Now share your opinion



Poll From what you know, and taking everything into account, do you think that Prince Harry will ever come back to Britain to live full time or not? Prince Harry will come back to Britain to live at some point in the future Prince Harry will never come back to live in Britain full time Don't know From what you know, and taking everything into account, do you think that Prince Harry will ever come back to Britain to live full time or not? Prince Harry will come back to Britain to live at some point in the future 4474 votes

Prince Harry will never come back to live in Britain full time 7824 votes

Don't know 1357 votes Now share your opinion



Advertisement

Britons also largely share the view that King Charles should ensure his controversial younger brother Prince Andrew must not be allowed to return duties again.

Almost half of people surveyed believe 'there are no good things about him, only bad things' when it comes to the Duke of York.

More than half the country now believe that William makes a 'positive contribution to the UK' and it is on an upwards curve.

At 54 per cent, it is now at a level just below that of his beloved grandmother, who even a year on from her death, still leads the field on 63 per cent.

Diana, Princess of Wales is on 49 per cent, Princess Catherine is on 47 per cent ahead of Charles III on 39 per cent. The popularity rankings then go from Princess Anne, Prince Edward, Queen Camilla, the Queen Consort and Zara Tindall at the top to Prince Harry, Peter Phillips, Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex and Prince Andrew at the bottom.

The late Queen remains the most popular and influential royal, a year since she died at Balmoral sparking mourning in Britain, the Commonwealth and around the world.

Today's poll one of the most comprehensive surveys of its kind since the death of Queen Elizabeth, examining everything from who is perceived to provide best value for money and is more in touch with the average British person. It also gives the country's verdicts on individual royals and again backs a slimmed down monarchy with fewer of the King's family being paid for by the public purse.

Charles popularity remains static. But there is less good news for his wife, Queen Camilla, however. While more people say their opinion of her has improved since 2005, 50 per cent believe that Princess Diana would have been a better queen than her. Just 12 per cent thought Camilla would be better than William and Harry's mother.

The late Queen Elizabeth led the field of those respondents believed to have made a positive contribution to the United Kingdom

The Prince and Princess of Wales remain enduringly popular and have even increased their share of support, particularly when compared to Harry and Meghan (pictured)

Calls to downgrade disgraced Prince Andrew are up, with a decisive percentage of respondents saying they would like to see him removed from the line of succession

Three quarters of those polled say that Princess Charlotte, eight, and Prince Louis, five, should have to work for a living when they grow up, rather than being funded by taxpayers. Just one in ten believe they should be entirely funded by the public purse.

Their parents, the Prince and Princess of Wales, remain enduringly popular, however, and have even increased their share of support, particularly when compared to Harry and Meghan, suggesting the Sussexes' repeated blows have failed to land.

There is growing support to remove Prince Harry from the line of succession while almost twice as many respondents (50 per cent) believe that it is William rather than Harry (27 per cent) who best represents the values of their mother, Diana.

Sixty one percent of respondents are in favour of the fifth in line to the throne being stripped of his position given his departure as a working royal and litany of attacks on his family and the institution. A slight improvement from the same question in March.

Calls to downgrade disgraced Prince Andrew are also up, with a decisive 77 per cent of respondents saying they would like to see him similarly deposed.

Interestingly, given the often-heated public debate over the years over his alleged meddling in politics, 60 per cent of respondents said they believed King Charles should continue to speak out on issues and current affairs that matter to him, suggesting that his campaigning on issues such a climate change and the environment have struck a chord with the public. 28 per cent said he should not.

The publics views appear to be clearer on whether the Sussexes are entitled to taxpayer-funded security and other costs.

Just 15 per cent said they should be, with an overwhelming majority of 74 per cent saying they should pay for everything themselves.

Deltapoll interviewed 2,009 British adults online between September 1 and 4 2023. The data have been weighted to be representative of the British adult population as a whole.

Key royal poll results IS THE MONARCHY GOOD OR BAD FOR BRITAIN? Good for Britain - 53% Bad for Britain - 14% Neither good nor bad for Britain - 24% Don't know - 9% SHOULD BRITAIN BECOME A REPUBLIC? Britain should become a republic - 23% Britain should remain a monarchy - 62% Don't know - 16% WILL BRITAIN STILL HAVE A MONARCHY IN 50 YEARS? Yes - 53% No - 25% Don't know - 21% WHO HAS MADE A POSITIVE CONTRIBUTION TO THE UK? Queen Elizabeth II - 63% Prince William - 54% Princess Diana - 49% Kate - 47% King Charles III - 39% Princess Anne - 38% Prince Edward - 16% Queen Camilla - 16% Zara Tindall - 15% Prince Harry - 14% Peter Phillips - 6% Meghan - 4% Prince Andrew - 3% None of them - 7% Don't know - 7% SHOULD CHARLOTTE AND LOUIS HAVE TO WORK IN FUTURE? Charlotte and Louis should earn all of their money by working - 31% Charlotte and Louis should earn some money but should also be supported by a Sovereign Grant - 42% Charlotte and Louis should be entirely supported by a Sovereign Grant - 11% Don't know - 17% SHOULD KING CHARLES III SPEAK OUT ON ISSUES? King Charles should continue to speak out on issues and current affairs that matter to him - 60% As monarch, King Charles should not be expressing an opinion on any issues or current affairs - 28% Don't know - 13% WHAT WOULD QUEEN ELIZABETH II THINK OF CHARLES NOW? He is taking the monarchy in the right direction - 51% He is taking the monarchy in the wrong direction - 18% Don't know - 31% WHAT DOES THE ROYAL FAMILY HAVE TO OFFER YOUNG PEOPLE? Royal Family have a great deal to offer young people - 23% Royal Family have a fair amount to offer young people - 32% Royal Family do not have very much to offer young people - 18% Royal Family have nothing to offer young people - 14% Don't know - 13% WHAT WOULD HAVE BEEN BEST WHEN THE QUEEN DIED? Prince Charles should have become King - 43% Prince William should have become King - 41% Don't know - 15% SHOULD CHARLES REMAIN KING? King Charles should remain as king until he dies - 41% Prince William should become king at some stage in the future before King Charles dies - 29% Prince William should become king now - 16% Don't know - 15% WHAT SHOULD HAPPEN AS CHARLES AND CAMILLA GET OLDER? As King Charles and Queen Camilla get older, it is right that they should hand over more and more public duties to Prince William and Kate - 62% It is important that King Charles and Queen Camilla maintain their public duties, even as they get older - 23% Don't know - 15% HAS YOUR OPINION OF CHARLES CHANGED SINCE HE BECAME KING? Yes, my opinion of him has got better - 23% Yes, my opinion of him has got worse - 12% No, my opinion of him has stayed the same - 58% Don't know - 8% HAS YOUR OPINION OF CAMILLE CHANGED SINCE SHE MARRIED CHARLES IN 2005? Yes, my opinion of her has got better - 24% Yes, my opinion of her has got worse - 17% No, my opinion of her has stayed the same - 50% Don't know - 9% WOULD DIANA HAVE BEEN A BETTER QUEEN THAN CAMILLA? Diana would have been a better queen - 50% Queen Camilla will be a better queen - 12% There will be no real difference between the two - 19% Don't know - 19% WHAT SHOULD RENT PAID BY THE PUBLIC TO KING CHARLES'S LAND AND PROPERTY GO TO? This money raised from renting should go to the Treasury - 60% This money raised from renting should go to the Royal Family - 17% Don't know - 23% WHO HAS DONE MORE DAMAGE TO THE ROYAL FAMILY? Prince Harry - 38% Prince Andrew - 47% Don't know - 15% WHAT DO YOU THINK OF PRINCE HARRY? There are no bad things about him, only good things - 8% The good things about him are outweighed by the bad things - 32% The bad things about him are equal to the good things - 18% The bad things about him are outweighed by the good things - 14% The are no good things about him, only bad things - 14% Don't know - 14% WHAT DO YOU THINK OF PRINCE ANDREW? There are no bad things about him, only good things - 3% The good things about him are outweighed by the bad things - 18% The bad things about him are equal to the good things - 10% The bad things about him are outweighed by the good things - 12% The are no good things about him, only bad things - 43% Don't know - 13% WHAT SHOULD HAPPEN WITH PRINCE HARRY AND MEGHAN? King Charles should be open to the idea of Prince Harry and Meghan both playing an active role in the Royal Family again at some stage in the future - 25% King Charles should be open to the idea of just Prince Harry playing an active role in the Royal Family again at some stage in the future, but without Meghan playing a role - 20% King Charles should not allow either Prince Harry or Meghan to play an active role in the Royal Family ever again - 40% Don't know - 16% WHAT SHOULD HAPPEN WITH PRINCE ANDREW? King Charles should be open to the idea Prince Andrew playing an active role in the Royal Family again at some stage in the future - 16% King Charles should not allow Prince Andrew to play an active role in the Royal Family ever again - 69% Don't know - 15% WILL PRINCE HARRY EVER COME BACK TO BRITAIN TO LIVE FULL TIME? Prince Harry will come back to Britain to live at some point in the future - 38% Prince Harry will never come back to live in Britain full time - 37% Don't know - 26% Advertisement

.
Grandson arrested with meth and needs rescuing from the county jail? Husband pulled over for driving under the influence and held downtown? Former president accused of subverting American democracy in a sprawling conspiracy with 18 co-defendants who tried to reverse the results of the 2020 election in Georgia?

Better call Shaw. A diverse clientele is all in a day's work for Charles Shaw, a Georgia bondsman of 23 years' standing and the first person in history to put up guarantees for the release of a former president from jail.

He said accepting the job to bail out Donald Trump in Atlanta two weeks ago was easy.

'I think this is probably the most secure bond I've ever executed in my entire career,' he said two weeks later in his office in a suburb of the city.

'I don't think there's a high risk of him not appearing.'

Charles Shaw is a bail bondsman in Lawrenceville, Georgia. His company put up the $200,000 bond so that President Donald Trump could leave Fulton County Jail after being booked

Shaw had a close-up view of the processing of Trump at the jail, where the former president sat for his booking photo with a defiant pose

It gave Shaw a close-up view of one of the four cases being pursued against the former president.

His company, Foster Bail Bonds, was central to the process that saw Trump appear at Fulton County Jail, to be fingerprinted and photographed.

The whole thing took about 14 minutes before Trump left the jail with orders to return for his trial.

It was Shaw's job to set up copper-bottomed financial guarantees to ensure that the 45th president would not abscond.

The publicity around the case has been good for business said Shaw.

Takings are up about 10 percent in Fulton County, one of six counties served by Shaw, since Trump was booked there. 'And that was not one of my more active venues,' added the former police officer.

It is nine pm and his office is humming. A client fills in forms in the front office to bail out a relative, as one of Shaw's team coolly juggles two phone calls.

In another office, a member of staff sorts through the files of people who failed to appear in court and will now need, at best, a gentle reminder of their obligations.

'This is the busiest time,' said Shaw.

Shaw's company, Foster Bail Bonds, is based about 45 minutes outside Atlanta. He offers services in six counties, including Fulton County

Trump was booked at Fulton County Jail on August 25. He left for the airport in a motorcade with police motorcycle outriders, looking for all the world as if he were still president

He appeared amid tight security at the jail in downtown Atlanta, Georgia

Trump was released on $200,000 bond with a string of conditions

It was his connections with defense lawyers around town that brought the former president, and several of his co-defendants, to him about a week before Trump was due to surrender.

Bondsmen have their origins in medieval Britain, where they would offer guarantees that the accused would not skip town. The nobility could use their land to make a promise, but lower classes had no such option before the advent of bail bondsmen.

But the idea of profiting from the system has fallen out of favor. And today the U.S. is one of two countries where commercial bondsman still ply their trade (alongside the Philippines.)

Shaw and his colleagues operate by lodging cash with each county where they operate. Shaw has put up $1 million with Fulton County, which guarantees a $10 million line of credit.

Each bond he underwrites is chalked up against that limit. Once each case is discharged, the value of the bond is chalked off again.

For the clients, it means they can keep their assets liquid without having to tie them up for months on end  useful for a billionaire with mounting legal fees.

Trump got the same deal as anyone else. Shaw agreed to put up the $200,000 bail in return for a 10 percent fee.

Shaw said he did not have to think twice, knowing that there would be little chance on a former president disappearing.

'The former president was a big deal for so many reasons,' he said. 'I mean it was history for me as a bail bondsman.

Trump delivered brief remarks after being bailed. He told a small group of media at Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson that it was 'a sad day for America' and denied any wrongdoing

Shaw also arranged bond for other high-profile clients, including former White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows and Trump's attorney Rudy Giuliani

'I'm the only one in the world that has ever done this and probably ever will.

'I don't know if that's a good or a bad thing, but that's a fact.'

Trump is caught up in a sprawling 98-page indictment that includes 19 defendants and 41 criminal counts in all. He has pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

By the time he arrived for booking in Fulton County, Shaw had a well-oiled machine for dealing with his new clients.

He had personally driven Trump's former chief of staff Mark Meadows to the jail. He had been on hand in the early hours of the morning when former head of the Republican Party in Coffey County, Kathy Latham, and state legislator David Shafer turned themselves in.

And he handled the bond for Trump's personal attorney Rudy Giulani.

So he was ready on the Thursday afternoon when he received a call saying that Trump's private jet had landed in Atlanta.

Footage of Trump's motorcade and police outriders with crowds gathered on each side of the street making its way to jail, he said, reminded him of a famous mobster trial from history.

'It was reminiscent of videos from the John Gotti trial where people were lining the streets,' he said. 'Fans and foes on both sides of the street.'

Shaw watched Trump arrive in the jail from the central booking area, separated from his famous client by a transparent screen. All the jail's top brass were on hand for the occasion.

The first defendants in the Fulton County case could go on trial next month in Atlanta

A person rides a bicycle past artist Chris Veal's depiction of the booking photo of former US president Donald Trump, painted along the Atlanta BeltLine Eastside Trail on Wednesday

'You could see them having a discussion with him,' said Shaw. 'It seemed like everyone was cordial.'

Most of the details had already been arranged in advance. It just remained for the fingerprints and a mug shot.

'I believe the mug shot was was a point of consternation but he was cooperating, everyone was cooperating,' added Shaw, saying that the 14-minute was a record for him and no doubt for the jail itself.

'It was an adrenaline rush,' he added. 'The president's arrival and bonding was the pinnacle of that. But these other defendants ... we had people coming in at all hours of the night and day, so I think that slept maybe four hours over three days.'

Shaw was vague about his own politics. Some of Trump's economic and national security measures helped the country, he said, before adding that he was not a slavish follower of anyone.

'He's a client you understand,' he said.

His job now is to make sure that the client knows when he is due back in Fulton County court.

But for all his inside look at the conspiracy case, he is not the only bail bondsman caught up in the trial. Some have an even closer view.

Bail bondsman Scott Hall is indicted in the case, accused of six charges related to attempts to access election equipment at Coffee County Elections Office. He has denied the charge.

Shaw said he has met him at events around town but doesn't know him well.

'He owns that company right across the street,' he said, pointing to a building with a red neon sign advertising 'bail bonds.'
The parents of a toddler are demanding answers after they found their little girl dead the morning after she was sent home by doctors from a hospital.

Lola Winchcole, 20 months, was taken to Beaudesert Hospital around 8pm on Saturday August 5, after she experienced breathing difficulties.

However the toddler was discharged by doctors just three hours after she was admitted for care, and was given medication for nausea.

Health officials from Queensland Health are reviewing the death of Lola Winchcole, who died in August from breathing difficulties

She had been battling the flu and her symptoms got worse, prompting her parents Toni and Matthew Winchcole to take her to hospital.

'We were really concerned about Lola's breathing because it just seemed a lot more rapid and noisy, like faster than usual... so they gave her Panadol at the hospital and odanestron to help with her nausea,' Mrs Winchole told Nine News.

Lola was rushed to Logan hospital on Sunday after her father Matthew found her unresponsive in bed that morning.

Doctors performed CPR but couldn't save the little girl's life.

Staff at the hospital allegedly told Toni and Matthew Lola had contracted an infection known as Strep A, with traces of the deadly disease found in the child's blood.

Lola (pictured, centre) was discharged by doctors just three hours after she was taken to Beaudesert Hospital on August 5, but was found unresponsive in her bed the next morning by her father Matthew (pictured left)

The distraught parents now want answers from health officials, with the coroner yet to provide their findings.

Ms Winchcole expressed her grief after doctors couldn't save her daughter's life.

'It was awful, you can't even describe (in) words, like it's so awful,' she said.

Matthew Winchcole urged other parents to back their instinct when it comes to their children's wellbeing.

'It's always right...you don't want to come home to this nightmare,' Mr Winchole said.

Distraught parents Toni (pictured left) and Matthew Winchcole (pictured right) are searching for answers after their daughter's death with the coroner yet to provide findings

Queensland Health Minister Shannon Fentiman said she was 'heartbroken' over the death of the toddler.

'I want to send my sincere condolences to Lola's family and loved ones,' she said.

'I am advised that the Health Service is reviewing this case, and we will await any outcome from the Coroner to determine if further steps are necessary.'

Logan and Beaudesert Health Service acting executive director Brett Bricknell said the Health Service was reviewing the case in accordance with clinical governance processes.

'The matter remains with the Coroner and, as such, we are not able to provide further information at this time,' he said.

Logan and Beaudesert Health Service acting executive director Brett Bricknell, said the Health Service is reviewing the death of Lola (pictured centre from left)

'We extend our deepest sympathies to the parents, family and friends of this precious baby, who passed away on August 6.

'We continue to provide support to her parents and family, as well as to staff who provided care.'

A GoFundMe set up to support the family has raised about $32,000.
A Qantas passenger was 'embarrassed' and had to crawl to her seat when airline staff dropped her from her wheelchair as she was boarding a flight home.

Nikita Bennett, who has cerebral palsy, was also made to wait for half an hour to be provided with a wheelchair despite Qantas being warned of her requirements in advance.

Ms Bennett said as she was boarding after the delay, she was dropped by an airline worker.

Nikita Bennett had to crawl to her seat after being dropped from her wheelchair while boarding a flight on Tuesday

Ms Bennett lives with cerebral palsy. Picture: 7 News

'He kind of pulled quite hard and the chair came out from underneath me, and I basically collapsed on top of myself,' she told 7 News.

'It was embarrassing, it was done in front of a whole plane of people.'

The shocking incident happened on Tuesday on-board a connecting flight from Melbourne to Mildura, where Ms Bennett lives.

A Qantas spokesperson told NCA NewsWire that staff had delayed the flight by more than half an hour to accommodate Ms Bennett's connection and said despite the delay wheelchairs were available for her at every step of the journey.

'Our team in Melbourne delayed the flight from Melbourne to Mildura to ensure Ms Bennett was able to get home,' the spokesperson added in a statement.

'Unfortunately, while she was being helped to her seat, Ms Bennett had fallen out of the wheelchair. Our team on-board the flight were obviously distressed about the situation, apologised and offered to help her to her seat which she declined.

'We regularly carry customers with disabilities and have arrangements in place to ensure they have a smooth journey. We've reached out to Ms Bennett to apologise for her experience.'

Qantas said it had apologised to Ms Bennett over the incident (stock image)

The incident is the latest bad news for the embattled national airline, with chief executive Alan Joyce heading for the emergency exit from his role two months early amid a string of scandals.

The airline is facing a series of damaging allegations, including advertising tickets for flights that had already been cancelled and misleading customers about refund options and flight credits.

Qantas recently reported a $2.47bn pre-tax profit for the 2022-23 financial year.
High above a sweeping valley that cuts through a majestic stretch of Welsh countryside, a buzzard's wings caress the warm, thermal breeze.

On the ground below, other feathers have been ruffled - by plans to build 'monstrous' 700ft hillside wind turbines that could tower as high as The Shard near locals' homes.

The proposed wind power development, which is set to include a zig-zagging 60-mile line of pylons carrying the energy generated by the turbines, is tearing communities apart and even setting families at war with one another.

Locals who are opposed to the development are angry with neighbours in their villages who have 'sold out' to Bute Energy by accepting payments of up to 27,000 a year - for the next 40 years - to have a turbine installed on their land.

One of the principal beneficiaries of the scheme is likely to be the family of former royal nanny Tiggy Legge-Bourke, who now goes under the name Alexandra Pettifer.

Her well-to-do family owns the 6,000-acre Glanusk Estate in the Brecon Beacons National Park, where their farming income is further bolstered by a thriving holiday cottage business and wedding and sporting events.

But a MailOnline investigation this week has discovered that Tiggy's brother, Harry Legge-Bourke, who heads the estate, also stands to earn a staggering 1million a year from Bute Energy's wind farm plans.

 Slide me  Pictured is a mock-up showing examples of turbines might look like in the Welsh countryside if the plans for a controversial new wind farm are approved

Her brother Harry Legge-Bourke (pictured), who heads the family's Glanusk Estate in the Brecon Beacons National Park, stands to earn a staggering 1million a year from Bute Energy's wind farm plans, a MailOnline investigation revealed

Residents are up in arms over the new wind farm plans which they say will blight the Welsh countryside (pictured is a protest sign outside the town of Builth Wells)

For Mr Legge-Bourke owns the 4,000 acres of land on Aberedw Hill where 36 of the giant turbines are set to be installed by Bute.

Although he claims he and Bute have not discussed figures, it is understood that the energy company is offering around 27,000 a year for each turbine it installs - on a 40-year deal.

The prospective agreement would give Mr Legge-Bourke an annual income of 972,000 a year and 38,880,000 over the 40-year period, although he confirmed he would hand some of that over to farmers who have common land rights to graze their livestock on the land.

Many of the locals living in the shadow of Aberedw Hill in the tightly-knit Powys village of Hundred House are furious with Mr Legge-Bourkes for holding discussions with Bute aimed at allowing the company to plonk its skyscraper turbines on the summit because, they say, it will 'wreck' the natural beauty of the area.

Few residents in the isolated village were willing to speak on the record about the deal because most make a living from rural occupations with employers who rub shoulders with the Legge-Bourkes.

But all agreed that the prospective deal struck by the wealthy landowner would leave an ugly scar across the beautiful countryside where many of them have lived since they were born.

'We're being sold out.

'This wind farm will destroy the beauty and peace of the area.

The family of former royal nanny Tiggy Legge-Bourke, who now goes under the name Alexandra Pettifer, is likely to be one of the principal beneficiaries of the wind farm scheme (she is pictured in 2010)

The proposed 36 wind turbines and miles of pylons in the Nant Mithil Energy Park have triggered outrage from locals, who are campaigning against it

Although he claims he and Bute have not discussed figures, it is understood that the energy company is offering around 27,000 a year for each turbine it installs - on a 40-year deal (pictured is the Welsh countryside where the wind farm could be developed)

The prospective agreement would give Mr Legge-Bourke (pictured) an annual income of 972,000 and 38,880,000 over the 40-year period, although he confirmed he would hand some of that over to farmers who have common land rights to graze their livestock on the land

'Every turbine will need a service road from the main road and they plan to build a 60-mile stretch of pylons through the valleys below to transport the energy to a power plant.

'How can anyone think this destruction and the millions of tonnes of concrete and tarmac it will produce is helping to save the planet?'

Speaking to Mailonline this week, Mr Legge-Bourke was candid about his interest in securing a deal to install turbines on Aberedw Hill.

He said: 'This land is owned by me personally and yes, my position is that I have options with Bute Energy and other renewable energy companies for solar and wind power generation on land I own, including Aberedw.

'I am a huge fan of renewable energy. We have a micro-hydro scheme in operation on our estate and I want to be able to help produce renewable energy on all the land we own across Wales.'

Mr Legge-Bourke acknowledged the plans for a wind farm at Aberedw were proving 'divisive' in the community. 'It has caused a lot of jealousy,' he said, adding:

'It's causing jealousy because a lot are getting money and others are not.

'But we have got to go green and protect our energy security, and of course we need to get that green energy to the national grid, which means we need pylons.

'It would be wonderful to bury the power cables beneath the ground but that is just not economically viable, so we have to use pylons.

'But pylons do not need to be ugly. I have seen some really nice, attractive ones near Taunton on the M5. I haven't yet seen the designs from Bute, though, but I know they will be aesthetically pleasing because they care about these things.'

More than 500 campaigners joined a public meeting at the Royal Welsh Showground earlier this year to oppose the plans by developers Bute Energy (pictured is a protest sign)

Speaking to Mailonline this week, Mr Legge-Bourke was candid about his interest in securing a deal to install turbines on Aberedw Hill (pictured)

Protest signs have been placed around the hill by campaigners seeking to oppose the development of the wind farm

He said he had 'sympathy' for locals opposed to the planned development, but said renewable energy should be everyone's priority. 'We can no longer have our cake and eat it. If we want electricity and energy security, we have no other choice.'

But he said that if locals remained opposed to the scheme, he would listen. He said: 'I won't do anything here without their permission and consent.

'Many are in favour of this proposed scheme, not least the upland farmers who have been losing their subsidies from the Welsh government. They know they could earn 10-15,000 a year from turbines on the land where their animals graze, as opposed to absolutely nothing without them.'

Although Mr Legge-Bourke owns the land at Aberedw, he said it is 'common land', meaning farmers can graze their sheep and cattle on his land for free.

If the turbine deal goes ahead, he will be bound to pay them an annual fee as compensation, he said.

'In the current economic climate, where else are they going to get their income from?' he added.

Although not everyone stands to make as much money from the proposed project as Mr Legge-Bourkes, it is proving no less divisive for others who are considering taking the Bute shilling.

No one in the area was willing to admit they were in discussions with Bute - and in any case they are bound by non-disclosure agreements signed with the energy giant - but locals have their suspicions. It is believed that families are also being torn apart by clashes over the turbines.

As one local said, 'it's the new Brexit'.

The turbines are 700ft and some would sit on hills 350ft high. Signs opposing their development dot the local area

No one in the area was willing to admit they were in discussions with Bute - and in any case they are bound by non-disclosure agreements signed with the energy giant

Although Mr Legge-Bourke owns the land at Aberedw, he said it is 'common land', meaning farmers can graze their sheep and cattle on his land for free (he is pictured in 2004 with wife Iona)

The woman, who runs a tourism business in the area, said: 'You've got families at war here, where someone is in talks with Bute to install a turbine on their land, but a relative has turned the company down and is now at loggerheads with their loved ones. It's heartbreaking,

'In one case, we've got two brothers who have fallen out because one has agreed to a turbine and the other refuses. But because of that turbine, the non-turbine brother will have to allow Bute to run pylons across his land because it needs to be close. He can't fight Bute over the pylons because Bute will have the right to put the pylons where they want under compulsory purchase law.

'It has caused conflict between the brothers that will not easily be resolved.'

In the heart of Hundred House, the Barstow family run a campsite beneath Aberedw Hill and fear for its future if the wind plans are successful.

Katie Barstow, 68, said: 'The preferred line goes over our campsite lake and right in front of it.

'That would mean 35 years of building up a business gone. People aren't going to want to come and sit under a pylon and have a picnic.

'They come to Mid Wales because it's peaceful, because it's quiet, because there's nothing here and because of the unspoilt landscape.

'We've worked incredibly hard to bring people to this area, to introduce them to what we have here in Mid Wales. They come now in their numbers and they'll be devastated if this happens to their favourite place.'

Her daughter-in-law, mother-of-two Natalie, was also worried about the noise the turbines would make. The 43-year-old added: 'All we've got to trade on is the great outdoors - that's why people come here.

'But will they still come if the campsite is surrounded by giant wind turbines and electricity pylons?'

Mr Legge-Bourkes said he had 'sympathy' for locals opposed to the planned development, but said renewable energy should be everyone's priority Hundreds of locals have joined the battle against the wind farm. Pictured are Will Barstow and Natalie Barstow who own Fforest Fields, Caravan & Camping Site and are against the plans

Locals say the the huge 700ft turbines and the network of pylons will ruin huge swathes of rolling Welsh hills

The family's Fforest Fields site is sheltered by a 350ft wooded hill, now destined to have 700ft wind turbines sitting along the top - almost as high as the Pen-Y-Fan mountain.

Natalie's husband Will, 44, added: 'Families are being torn apart by this and it has split communities.

'Some people have signed up to have a turbine on their land, others to have pylons. Their neighbours are furious about it, there is a lot of ill-feeling.

'I'm not interested in compensation - how do you compensate for ruining one of the most beautiful parts of the UK?'

Another villager, who asked not to be named, said: 'This isn't just about ruining the view nearby - these are monstrous structures.

'Surely it makes more sense to build these things out to sea and not in the middle of the countryside churning up land and destroying wildlife.'

More than 500 campaigners joined a public meeting at the Royal Welsh Showground earlier this year to oppose the plans by developers Bute Energy.

Conservative MP Fay Jones attended the public consultation and said she was 'against' the plans. A local Facebook group fighting the turbine proposals also has more than 650 members with villagers discussing ways to oppose the plans.

Ross Evans, of the Campaign for the Protection of Rural Wales, said: 'Bute Energy, who have no experience and no assets in this field, are trying to become the biggest player in Wales.

'They've gone in very heavy-handed and are trying to build their own transmission network through the backdoor.

'They claim to have 25 per cent of people signed up although I sincerely doubt it - but it's caused a level of anger in the community.'

Bute Energy insisted the new wind turbines would generate around 237MW of cleaner, green energy - which could power about 71,000 homes.

The firm said all feedback would be 'carefully considered' ahead of the next round of public consultation in early 2024.

A spokesman added: 'Together, the projects will empower rural communities through investment, jobs and skills, enabling communities across Wales to live modern electric lives, and support the Welsh Government's target for electricity to be 100 per cent renewable by 2035.

'We know people have differing views on new infrastructure. But across Wales, there's broad agreement that renewable energy has an important part to play in responding to the climate emergency.'
Sex-mad tourists seeking encounters in a rare nature habitat in the Canary Islands have sparked a crackdown by local authorities.

Officials on the Spanish island of Gran Canaria have targeted swingers in the sand dunes - thought to include a high proportion of Brits - in a new initiative launched this week aimed at protecting a nature reserve.

The tiny island off the northwest coast of Africa that's part of the eight-member Canary Islands archipelago and a longtime favourite of Brits seeking sunshine has been dishing out record fines to al fresco sex tourists since the practice became popular after the pandemic.

And this week the authorities vowed to get extra-tough on visitors breaking the law by having sex in the dunes which can cause damage to the stunning yet fragile ecosystem.

A local government official was quoted by Spanish-language media as saying as the authorities began formulating a plan to stop all the al fresco sex: 'Since the pandemic ended, people have gone crazy.'

Officials on the Spanish island of Gran Canaria have targeted swingers in the sand dunes - thought to include a high proportion of Brits - in a new initiative launched this week aimed at protecting a nature reserve

Authorities vowed to get extra-tough on visitors breaking the law by having sex in the dunes which can cause damage to the stunning yet fragile ecosystem

Research carried out by Professor Patrick Hesp, of Flinders University in Australia, found an astonishing almost 300 'cruising hotspots' in the 1,000-acre Maspalomas Dunes nature reserve in the tourism town of Playa del Ingles in Maspalomas, southern Gran Canaria.

The dunes - a major tourist attraction - are home to unique plant and animal species, and shrubs help to anchor the ever-moving sands and stop them from blowing into the nearby Atlantic Ocean.

But it's warned that tourists keen to strip off for sex with strangers among the bushes are not only damaging plant life but scaring away birds and lizards and leaving behind heaps of beer cans, cigarette butts and used condoms.

At a time of raging wildfires that have swept across the neighbouring island of Tenerife, destroying thousands of acres of forested areas, smoking in the tinder-dry dunes also poses a fire threat.

Measures to control the throngs of Dunes-goers were brought in in 2000, with environmental officers patrolling the area and handing out fines of around 150 for anyone caught straying beyond roped-off areas.

But this year, as tourism surges following two years of covid travel restrictions, the number of fines has soared six-fold to 120 compared to just 20 in 2022, the local authorities said.

Tourists and foreign residents in Playa del Ingles are managing to outsmart the environmental officers by tipping each other off about where and when they see them and what time they leave the area, according to Facebook sex group postings.

Some advise that it's 'safe' to go to the dunes for casual sex after 2pm or 3pm, by which time the patrolling officers have clocked off for the day. Members advise each other which parts of the protected area to visit for sex, as some are casually designated as places for single people while others are for swingers - couples who swap partners or have sex together or with single women and men.

Tourists and foreign residents in Playa del Ingles are managing to outsmart the environmental officers by tipping each other off about where and when they see them and what time they leave the area, according to Facebook sex group postings

Some advise that it's 'safe' to go to the dunes for casual sex after 2pm or 3pm, by which time the patrolling officers have clocked off for the day

Playa del Ingles has a large number of swingers clubs and some swingers resorts, which are also clothing-optional, and is a major destination for Brits, Germans and French couples who favour the libertine lifestyle.

Now, the authorities plan to get tougher with the wandering, philandering tourists who are flouting the law and destroying an area of pristine natural beauty. They aim, says Gran Canaria Environment Minister Raul Garcia Brink, to introduce new technology like motion detectors that will alert them to people's otherwise clandestine activities in the off-limits areas.

'The aim is to use new technologies so we have exact knowledge of the flow of people in the areas,' he said in a statement.

Sex in the dunes had so far 'experienced a significant upturn in 2023, far surpassing the data collected in previous years, possibly due to the pandemic,' he added.

LED screens warning people to keep on the official paths around the protected area and head to a nearby nudist beach if they want to get naked would be erected, he said.

Despite the crackdown, people are already trying to find new ways to get into the dunes for outdoor frolics.

'Looks like they're issuing more fines for trespassing outside of the designated paths in the dunes,' one man wrote in a dunes Facebook group on Monday. Another advised: 'There are plenty of good spots where you are allowed to stay. Mostly near the nudist area by Playa del Ingles. The protected areas are near the Meloneras side.'
Marty Makary MD, MPH is a professor at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and author. Tracy Beth Heg, MD, PhD is a physician epidemiologist at the University of California-San Francisco.

'Don't tell them I didn't have it on,' deadpanned President Joe Biden to a crowd at the White House on Wednesday as he waved a black surgical mask.

Less than 48 hours earlier, First Lady Jill Biden tested positive for COVID-19.

The President's test came back negative, but his staff said he would be 'masking' for 10-days, in accordance with CDC recommendations.

Apparently, he's not taking that advice very seriously.

Biden had also removed his mask on Tuesday during a Medal of Honor ceremony for fellow octogenarian and Vietnam veteran Larry L. Taylor. Then, Biden walked off  maskless  through the audience.

Frankly, the President seems to agree with us on this.

One of the largest public health intervention of our eramaskinghas been systematically studied by doctors and epidemiologists with impeccable credentials in evidence-based medicine, and they've found no evidence that masks reduce COVID infection rates.

No wonder Biden thinks mask wearing isn't necessary.

That's also the conclusion of reviews by the renowned British medical research group, the Cochrane Collaboration, which recently looked at 17 high quality, randomized analyses of the effectiveness of mask wearing.

So why are some in the U.S.  including America's public health establishment at the Centers for Disease Control  choosing to ignore this?

'Don't tell them I didn't have it on,' deadpanned President Joe Biden to a crowd at the White House on Wednesday as he waved a black surgical mask. Less than 48 hours earlier, First Lady Jill Biden tested positive for COVID-19 .

Biden had also removed his mask on Tuesday during a Medal of Honor ceremony for fellow octogenarian and Vietnam veteran Larry L. Taylor. Then, Biden walked off  maskless  through the audience.

For make no mistake, masking is making a comeback as COVID cases tick up around the country.

This week, a school district in Maryland reinstated mask mandates for elementary school students exposed to COVID-positive classmates. The children will be compelled to cover their faces for 10 days.

A Hollywood studio temporarily re-implemented mask mandates, as did an Atlanta college, which also banned large gatherings on campus.

But why? We now know that masking for COVID doesn't work.

The sad reality is that Americans traumatized by the COVID pandemic are looking to the CDC for thoughtful, sincere guidance  but they're only receiving confusing, counterfactual gibberish in return.

On Saturday, Dr. Anthony Fauci was confronted on CNN over the Cochrane review. He responded by saying 'yea, but there are other studies.'

Dr. Tom Jefferson from Oxford, who led the Cochrane analysis on masks, responded to Fauci.

'It might be that Fauci is relying on trash studies,' he concluded.

Indeed.

Perhaps Fauci was referring to the CDC's 2020 study of two hairstylists? Hardly, a sizable sample.

Maybe he was referencing a CDC study that measured infections for only a couple of weeks. That research was completely debunked by two researchers including Dr. Hoeg, when the same study was extended to nine weeks.

Perhaps Fauci was referring to the CDC's 2020 study of two hairstylists? Hardly, a sizable sample.

The sad reality is that Americans traumatized by the COVID pandemic are looking to the CDC for thoughtful, sincere guidance  but they're only receiving confusing, counterfactual gibberish in return.

Possibly, he was thinking of an analysis of Boston schools from the New England Journal of Medicine that claimed mask mandates reduced COVID cases by a whopping 30 percent.

That was also found by Dr Hoeg's research group, including scientists at UCSF and Stanford, to have used inappropriate methods. When proper routine was followed investigators came to the opposite conclusion.

Public health elites who continue to claim 'masks work' are making it clear that they have completely lost their scientific objectivity.

In September 2021, medical research as political propaganda hit an all-time high when the CDC released a review of student masking.

CDC director Dr. Rochelle Walensky asserted that schools with mask requirements had a 3.5-fold reduction in COVID outbreaks. But the claim didn't hold up for long.

Just one of the numerous flaws of the study was that many of the school districts involved were not even open during the research period.

For that reason alone, many have called for the paper to be retracted.

It must also be recognized that America's public health recommendations are an outlier.

The CDC still recommends masking children as young as two years old during times of high COVID-19 disease burden (except when they nap or eat at school). But many European countries, which largely never recommended masking for kids under six or even 12 years old, have completely abandoned masks in schools.

Though, that's not to say that masks are entirely useless, or may never be needed in the future.

In September 2021, medical research as political propaganda hit an all-time high when the CDC released a review of student masking. CDC director Dr. Rochelle Walensky asserted that schools with mask requirements had a 3.5-fold reduction in COVID outbreaks. But the claim didn't hold up for long.

Public health elites who continue to claim 'masks work' are making it clear that they have completely lost their scientific objectivity.

Surgeons wear masks in the operating room to prevent respiratory droplets from entering the surgical field. As physicians, if we see a patient with tuberculosis, we wear tight-fitting N95 masks during the brief patient encounter.

It is possible that two people wearing properly fit, high-quality masks can transiently reduce transmission risk, and there may be some theoretical utility to mask wearing at times of high-viral spread.

But proper mask wearing practices are difficult to enforce. Even medical professionals wearing masks for long durations frequently do so improperly or loosen them near the end of their shift.

The truth is that America's public health establishment is ignoring this comprehensive body of research simply because they don't like the results.

They've abandoned the art of critically appraising research methodology and replaced it with partisan dogma.

That's now how science is supposed to work. And the catastrophic damage already done to trust in public health will only worsen as the intellectual dishonesty and arrogance of these officials persists.

Maybe now, as even President Biden, who once said that mask wearing was a 'patriotic duty,' has apparently lost faith in the CDC's pronouncements, they will come to their senses.

But we're not holding our breath.
Charges against Donald Trump's former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows involving efforts to reverse the 2020 U.S. election results will not be tried in federal court.

Friday's ruling by US District Judge Steve Jones is a sign that similar bids by the Republican former president and his co-defendants to move the criminal case to a more favorable venue will fail.

Trump has indicated that he may try to move his case to a federal court too, where there's a greater chance of a more sympathetic jury pool than in Democrat-voting Georgia.

Jones' decision to deny a bid by Meadows to move his case from Georgia state court to federal court gave an early win to Fulton County prosecutors, who in August charged Trump and 18 others with conspiring to undo Trump's election loss to Democratic President Joe Biden.

Trump's former chief of staff Mark Meadows has failed in his bid to have an election interference trial moved out of a court in Democrat-heavy Georgia to a potentially more friendly federal court

Trump also may seek to move his trial from state to federal court, his lawyer said in a court filing on Thursday.

Meadows filed a notice of appeal later on Friday.

A lawyer for Meadows did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Trump, the front-runner for the Republican nomination to challenge Biden in the 2024 election, has denied wrongdoing and pleaded not guilty. Meadows also has pleaded not guilty.

Meadows is accused of arranging calls and meetings in which prosecutors have said Trump pressured election officials to change the vote count in his favor, including a call in which the then-president urged Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger to 'find' enough votes to deliver him the state, which Biden won.

Prosecutors have argued that those acts were not 'necessary and proper' duties for a U.S. president and his chief of staff. Meadows has said they were part of his portfolio as Trump's top White House aide. The law allows defendants to have their cases heard in federal court if the charges against them stem from their official duties.

The Meadows ruling could spell bad news for Trump, whose lawyer has indicated that he may also seek to have his Georgia trial held by a federal court

Meadows could have faced a friendlier jury pool in federal court, which draws from a larger and more politically diverse area than Fulton County, Georgia, the Democratic stronghold where the case was filed.

Moving to federal court also would have let Meadows argue that he is immune from state prosecution because he was carrying out his duties as a federal official.

Meadows, Trump and 17 others were charged in a sprawling indictment in August. Trump has said the criminal case and three others he faces are part of a political plot aimed at preventing him from retaking the White House in next year's election.

Trump faces criminal charges in four cases. He is also under indictment in Florida for his handling of classified documents after leaving office, in Washington for his efforts to overturn the 2020 election and in New York over hush money paid to a porn star before the 2016 election. Trump has denied wrongdoing and pleaded not guilty in those cases as well.

(Reporting by Kanishka Singh and Jack Queen; additional reporting by Costas Pitas; Editing by Dan Wallis, Will Dunham and Noeleen Walder)
Addis Ababa, Sep 9 (UNI) The number of people arriving in Ethiopia due to the conflict in Sudan has reached 78,598, said the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).



As of Aug. 29, as many as 78,598 crossings have been made by returnees, refugees and asylum seekers from conflict-affected Sudan to its neighboring country Ethiopia, the OCHA said in its latest update issued Friday.



Of the total number of crossings, some 46 percent are Ethiopian nationals, 34 percent Sudanese nationals while the remaining 20 percent are third-country nationals.



The crossings, OCHA said, started on April 21 shortly after the onset of the conflict in Sudan, mainly through the Metema and Kurmuk Ethiopia-Sudan border entry points.



Sudan has been witnessing, since April 15, deadly clashes between the country's armed forces and the paramilitary forces in Khartoum and other areas.

UNI/XINHUA AKS
Support for an Indigenous Voice to Parliament has dropped by 5 per cent in a month with Yes voters in every state except Victoria sitting at less that 40 per cent.

The RedBridge poll found in the first week of September that only 39 per cent of voters are planning to vote Yes in the upcoming referendum on October 14.

RedBridge director Tony Barry believes the Yes campaign's decision to closely associate itself with Qantas and outgoing CEO Alan Joyce has harmed its cause.

'Attaching your campaign to a toxic brand like Qantas and one of the most disliked CEOs in the country might work if you are pitching your message to the members of the Chairman's Lounge, but in suburban and regional Australia it goes down like a cup of sick,' he said.

The Redbridge survey's results were similar to that of a Freshwater Strategy poll taken last week which found 59 per cent of respondents planned to vote No when undecided voters were excluded.

A new survey found only 39 per cent of voters are planning on voting Yes to support on Indigenous Voice to Parliament

Both RedBridge's and Freshwater Strategy's surveys found a large number of Labor voters had abandoned Anthony Albanese's (above) Yes campaign

With the undecided included, it found 50 per cent of voters planned to vote No compared to 35 per cent who planned to vote Yes with 15 per cent still debating.

Both polls also found Coalition voters were very likely to support Peter Dutton's No campaign while Prime Minister Albanese had lost favour with Labor voters.

Only 57 per cent of Labor voters surveyed by RedBridge said they planned to vote Yes in the referendum while Freshwater reported only 53 per cent.

Mr Barry said the Yes campaign is 'now in freefall'.

'The Yes23 campaign keep briefing the media that they are taking their campaign to the suburbs and regions but then they pivot back to media stunts with corporates, celebrities or former senior politicians who previously opposed it,' he told the Telegraph.

'The No campaign is showing greater message discipline by repeatedly referring to the proposal as the 'Canberra Voice' because their research is presumably showing it is a persuasive message that moves soft voters into their column.'
Eat it!' The Russian soldier grins as he barks out the order and lowers his rifle directly at Dimitri's head. Slowly, Dimitri puts his Ukrainian passport to his mouth and starts to bite at the corner.

It's tough and hard and laminated: impossible to chew, let alone swallow. Dimitri gags; the soldier smirks. The men are at a military checkpoint in Russian-occupied south Ukraine and this, the soldier explains, is what happens to those who refuse a Russian passport.

At the centre of the thicket of lies that surrounds Russia's invasion and occupation of Ukraine is the myth that Ukraine is merely part of a 'Greater Russia' and its people merely Russians who have lost their way.

To maintain this obvious and sinister fallacy Moscow has decreed all Ukrainians living under its occupation must become its citizens. It insists on something else: all the atrocities committed in its name, all the violence and rape and looting, must be coated in a veneer of 'democracy'.

Getting steady streams of information out of the occupied territories is almost impossible. Ukrainians caught speaking to foreigners, or even having the encrypted messaging app Signal on their phones, are liable to arrest, and often far worse.

Russian President Vladimir Putin meets with young scientists at the Russian Federal Nuclear Center

A Russian soldier patrols a street in Volnovakha in the Donetsk region

But over the past year I have developed an extensive network of contacts inside occupied Ukraine and, through intermediaries, among the Ukrainian resistance operating there. I am now able to report exclusively for the Daily Mail on the extent of Russia's brutal and mendacious occupation  and the growing fightback against it.

It is more important than ever that people hear the truth about what is happening inside Russian-controlled territory. For this week 'elections'  illegal under international law and unequivocally condemned by Ukraine and governments round the world  began in the occupied regions of Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia.

Polling takes place from September 8-10, but voting also opened on September 1 for 'extra-territorial' voters from Donetsk in Russia  mostly those who were deported there by Russian forces.

Early voting also opened on August 31 in the Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia regions, likely because Ukrainian forces are advancing there. Towns may be lost in the coming days and the authorities are keen to collect as many votes as possible beforehand.

Moscow is desperate to use the elections to strengthen its control there and justify it. But all they have done is lay bare the extent of its sadistic and calculated methodology of occupation.

First, the Kremlin claims that the elections are 'democratic' and 'constitutional'. In reality, each regional governor is handpicked by Russian President Vladimir Putin. All are running largely unopposed as members of the United Russia party, which  unsurprisingly, given the elections are rigged  is predicted to win a landslide victory in all four occupied regions.

Only around half of the governors of the occupied areas are Ukrainian, with the rest shipped in from Russia. There are only so many collaborators the Russians can rely on or press-gang.

In August, governors from the occupied regions were invited to meet with Putin to formally gain his backing, as well as to discuss the war and other regional issues. It was a nauseating display of obsequiousness and mendacity with a distinctly Soviet flavour as supplicants took it in turns to cover up their manifold failures with manifestly absurd lies.

Vladimir Saldo, the governor of Kherson, who manages a region facing drought after Russia blew up the Kakhovka dam in June, told Putin that 'despite the lack of water for irrigating the fields', the area had seen 'almost a record harvest this year'.

He also told Putin there were 'eight to nine months' of water left in 'the North Crimean and Kakhovka main canals'. In reality, my sources tell me, the canals were emptied just days after the dam broke. But the truth might cause panic ahead of elections Moscow wants to go 'flawlessly'.

Emergency services work to extinguish a fire following a Russian attack in Kryvyi Rih, Ukraine

Rescuers and police officers work to release a police officer from debris at a site of a Russian missile strike

Meanwhile, Kherson's quisling officials are suggesting preposterous solutions to the water crisis, including drilling a number of wells to source underground water  actions that are exorbitantly expensive and could even lead to desertification.

But, as always, reality cannot be allowed to get in the way of propaganda. In mid-August, Russian forces organised celebrations for the so-called Day Of The Russian Flag in occupied Kherson. Local media carried triumphant reports of residents showing due reverence for the Russian flag, but my sources confirmed the reality.

Turnouts were so low (in the Novotroitske area only 11 people came to the 'solemn raising of the Russian flag' event) that organisers were forced to call upon local supporters to make up the numbers and give the illusion of 'popular support' for the occupation.

READ MORE: Moment Russian missile kills 17 people in Ukrainian market massacre as bloody war rages on Advertisement

If brutality and pervasive lies are at the centre of Russia's occupation, then at the centre of its methods of control are children. Generally considered society's most vulnerable they are, to Russia, its most malleable: an asset to be exploited.

Russian forces are now threatening to withhold the school-graduation certificates from children as young as 14 who do not take up Russian passports. Several were prevented from starting the new academic year this month.

In some regions of Kherson parents have been told that if they refuse to take up the passport, their children will be taken from them and deported to Russian orphanages.

The Russians, though, care little about education in the occupied territories  except where they can use it to indoctrinate. In Kherson, the local government has secured funds to rebuild schools despite the majority of the region's children having fled due to the war. But my contacts tell me that only a few of these schools will actually open. Instead, many are being closed and repair work 'frozen' due to 'danger' from the Ukrainian military, which enables the authorities to comfortably pocket the allocated cash.

Just days ago, it was confirmed that insulin will now not be issued to anyone in the occupied territories who does not have a Russian passport even children. Treatment of other diseases will also now be refused. The order came from the highest levels.

In the words of someone who recently escaped the occupied territories: 'The only thing the Russians can do to exercise control is to instill fear and try to break us. And this is why they use our kids as a weapon.'

The barbarism has increased as the elections approach. Last week reports reached me that residents in Luhansk were having to hide from so-called 'election recruiters'  thugs hired by authorities to 'encourage' residents to vote. A common form of Russian intimidation, I am told, is to threaten residents with deportation to Siberia. Stalinism is indeed alive and well in south and eastern Ukraine.

'Some people even hid in the basements so that the members of the commissions going door to door and the military accompanying them would think no one was at home,' reported one resident.

Parents of late Ukrainian rescue unit member Ruslan Koshovyi attend his funeral in Kyiv

Rescuers and people attend a funeral ceremony of rescuer Ruslan Koshovyi who was killed by Russian troops in the city of Hostomel

The Ukrainians, though, are fighting back. Beyond the desperate and often heroic fighting of the Ukrainian army I have witnessed first-hand, along the line of contact that stretches from Kupyansk in the north-east to Robotyne in the south, resistance groups are springing up in the occupied territories.

Shortly after the Kremlin launched its full-scale invasion on February 24 last year, Yellow Ribbon, Ukraine's largest non-violent resistance movement, emerged in occupied Kherson.

The activists from this digitally enabled outfit work on the ground inside the occupied towns and cities, at great personal risk. Their goal is as simple as it is unyielding: to do all they can to undermine and subvert Russia's occupation.

The group uses channels on the Telegram app to spread its messages of defiance online, and a plug-in chatbot through which it organises its work on the ground.

The chatbot allows activists to anonymously open a 'cabinet'  essentially their own online 'office'  and make contact with the group's coordinators who provide them with suggestions for forms of resistance. These range from sending in photos and information on Russian forces and government personnel, to spraying graffiti or posting leaflets around the occupied towns and cities.

Through various intermediaries, I have been in contact with its coordinators since last year and they are determined to do everything they can to disrupt the fraudulent elections.

This is perhaps the toughest battle inside occupied Ukraine they have fought. Activists are now ripping down election posters and burning leaflets across the occupied cities and towns, which the group then publishes on Telegram  prompting much outrage from Russia supporters online.

They are also posting their own leaflets in key areas  often near official administrative buildings.

'There will be no elections, only a trial and The Hague' reads one leaflet carrying the Yellow Ribbon logo and a QR code that leads to the group's Telegram channel. In Kherson, election leaflets featuring Ukrainian collaborator, Governor Saldo, have appeared around the city with the strapline, 'the only candidate still alive'.

It is a clear and menacing reference to the several assassination attempts that Saldo has so far managed to survive  and the fact that many of his fellow collaborators are now dead.

These efforts rattled Moscow so much that it has been forced to bring its state propaganda machine into play. The Kremlin's chief TV propagandist Vladimir Solovyov recently covered the leaflet on his prime-time talk show.

Police cars are seen at a site of a Russian missile strike amid Russia's attack on Ukraine

'These are the most common form of Ukrainian disinformation leaflets,' he thundered, glowering into the camera, before observing that the leaflet was identical to a real [election poster] except for some subtle changes in the text. Be vigilant for Ukrainian subversion, he warned his viewers.

Resistance groups are also able to directly counter the latest Russian intimidation tactics.

QR codes have become an unlikely tool in Ukrainian subversion. Official-looking election posters bearing the logo of the separatist Donetsk People's Republic appeared in the town.

The posters encouraged citizens to scan the code to register to vote. But when it was scanned, it led not to the voter registration site, but to the YouTube channel of Russian dissident Alexei Navalny. He instructed users to vote, but not for United Russia.

Then, on Friday morning, something even more extraordinary happened. A Russian Telegram channel likely run by the Russian Ministry of Defence posted a warning that official- looking leaflets distributed in Donetsk were instructing people to scan a QR code to access a 'special website' to register to vote.

The only problem was that the website it directed them to is a fake. 'Remote voting will take place only in 25 Russian regions. The DPR, LPR, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions are not among them,' it warned.

For those in charge of the 'elections', desperately trying to force residents into voting, it is becoming hard to know what is real and what is fake. This is non-violent resistance for the digital age, where even the enemy's own campaign literature can be subverted and used against it.

Russian soldiers are now being ordered onto the streets to tear down pro-Ukrainian posters and paint over anti-Kremlin graffiti. Election officials have to worry that potential voters will be directed to content that criticises Russia. Most strikingly of all, the Russian Ministry of Defence itself is having to warn its pro-Russia supporters about fake election registration websites.

Contemporary resistance in Ukraine involves a digitally- powered series of groups and movements with no identifiable leaders, no headquarters and no hierarchies  no head that can be decapitated. They have eyes on Russian forces almost everywhere they operate and a network of digital channels to promote their every success and Russia's every failure.

What I am seeing inside Ukraine now is nothing less than the evolution of non-violent resistance updated for the 21st century.

The odds remain in the occupiers' favour. Moscow has the soldiers and weapons giving it a near monopoly of violence inside the areas it controls and the resources of the Russian state behind them.

But the message from the brave Ukrainians inside is clear: for now, they may be occupied, but they are far from being defeated.
Cited race as a factor in the ruling, which came to light in a recent appeal

A Canadian judge has cited race as a factor in sentencing a black dad to house arrest for incestuously impregnating his intellectually disabled adult daughter, instead of handing down the prison time sought by prosecutors.

Halifax provincial court Judge Ann Marie Simmons handed down the sentence in June 2022, which came to light in a recent Nova Scotia appeals court ruling published in late August.

The 59-year-old father, identified in court documents only as R.B.W., pleaded guilty to having sexual intercourse with his biological daughter between September 2018 and June 2019. Both he and the daughter are intellectually disabled.

The case only came to light in the summer of 2019, when the then 23-year-old daughter gave birth to a baby with serious medical issues and developmental delays, and concerns from a medical geneticist led to police involvement, according to court filings. The child is now in foster care.

At sentencing, Simmons handed down the house arrest, also known as a conditional sentencing order, but Crown prosecutors appealed, arguing the sentence was too lenient and not legally available for the crime of incest.

Halifax provincial court Judge Ann Marie Simmons cited race as a factor in sentencing a black dad who impregnated his developmentally-disabled adult daughter to house arrest

Halifax is seen in a file photo. The 59-year-old father, identified in court documents only as R.B.W., pleaded guilty to having sexual intercourse with his 23-year-old biological daughter

At sentencing, Prosecutors had argued for a prison term of four to six years, based on sentences that had been handed out in similar situations.

However, the sentencing judge determined that those precedents were merely guidelines, and noted that R.B.W. was remorseful and unlikely to reoffend.

Simmons also described the father and daughters participation in the incest as 'equal,' noting that she was not a minor, and that the case did not appear to involve grooming, threats, or force.

But in a column for the National Post following the recent appeal ruling, Jamie Sarkonak observed that race played a role in Simmons' decision, and that the judge 'also noted that the offenders, in previous cases, were not African Nova Scotians.'

'When deciding whether offenders of such heritage should serve house arrest or jail, the court wrote that 'a more nuanced approach' was required. In short, a racial discount was to be applied,' added Sarkonak.

The sentencing judge relied in part on a relatively new feature of the Canadian legal system, known as Impact of Race and Culture Assessments (IRCAs), which are pre-sentencing reports that tell judges of the systemic racism and other disadvantages faced by offenders who are black or other racial minorities.

'The moral culpability of an African Nova Scotian offender has to be assessed in the context of historic factors and systemic racism, as was done in this case,' wrote the sentencing judge, in a ruling upheld by the majority of the appeals court.

'Sentencing judges should take into account the impact that social and economic deprivation, historical disadvantage, diminished and non-existent opportunities and restricted options may have had on the offender's moral responsibility.'

Appeals Justice Anne. S. Derrick quoted that passage approvingly in her August 23 opinion upholding the house arrest, and added her own analysis on the role systemic racism should play in sentencing decisions.

Justice Derrick (left) is seen at a swearing in ceremony in 2017. 'The constrained circumstances of African Nova Scotian offenders may diminish moral culpability,' she wrote in an opinion

On the three-judge appeals panel, Justice Joel E. Fichaud (left) concurred with Derrick but Justice David P.S. Farrar (right) dissented, saying he would send R.B.W. to jail

'A causal link does not need to be established between the systemic and background factors and the commission of the offence before a sentencing judge can consider them,' wrote Derrick.

'The constrained circumstances of African Nova Scotian offenders may diminish moral culpability and the information in an IRCA can be used as 'a foundation on which to build alternatives to incarceration for Black offenders and reduce the over-reliance on imprisonment.''

On the three-judge appeals panel, Justice Joel E. Fichaud concurred with Derrick.

However, Justice David P.S. Farrar dissented, writing that he believed house arrest was not a legally available option for the crime of incest, which carries a maximum penalty of 14 years in prison.

'I am unable to exclude a penitentiary sentence. Incest is a very serious offence and R.B.W.'s moral culpability is high,' Farrar wrote in his dissent, saying he would sentence R.B.W. to two years in prison.

'The IRCA sets out those difficulties he has endured. However, there are occasions when the gravity of the offence requires a custodial sentence be served. This is one such case.'
Families who tried to reveal maternity failures in Nottingham should have been listened to sooner, the ex-midwife probing the scandal said yesterday.

Donna Ockenden spoke out after a bereaved couple revealed documents showing how they first asked Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust (NUH) to call in police in the aftermath of the death of their baby in 2016.

On Thursday police revealed they would investigate maternity care failings at the Trust in parallel to Mrs Ockenden's independent inquiry - which is the biggest of its kind encompassing 1,800 cases.

The maternity expert appeared on BBC Radio 4's Today programme yesterday, when she was asked if families' concerns should have been acted on earlier.

Mrs Ockenden said: 'Absolutely. 'On Wednesday, the families released to the public copies of letters where they were raising very significant concerns about the safety of maternity in Nottingham from April 2016.

Donna Ockenden (pictured) spoke out after a bereaved couple revealed they asked Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust trust to call the police after their baby died in 2016

'These included letters to the board, to the coroner, to the wider NHS system and they were not listened to.'

The letters were released on behalf of Jack and Sarah Hawkins, who both worked at NUH when their daughter Harriet was stillborn at Nottingham City Hospital.

They show concerns were formally raised about the care they received during Harriet's birth - after mother had spent six days in labour but was twice sent home from hospital in agonising pain - with the NUHT board on June 2 2016.

READ MORE: Failures on NHS maternity wards is making mothers afraid to give birth, claim a couple whose baby died shortly Advertisement

They wrote: 'We are not sure what is happening, but are deeply concerned that the plan is for an internal investigation performed by the obstetric team, without our involvement, followed by a meeting with a consultant. This is neither appropriate nor proportionate.

'We need to trust that NUH are conducting an appropriate inquiry. We do not currently believe that you are. Can you re-assure us please?'

In further correspondence to a coroner's office in November 2016, they said areas of concern included Harriet's care and the hospital culture and its 'implications for safe care' for others.

They also raised concerns over the hospital's follow-up investigation and lack of a 'duty of candour' - which requires staff to be open and transparent with families in the event of an unexpected or unintended incident affecting safety.

The Hawkinses, who now live in London, were initially told Harriet had died due to an infection in the womb, but Dr Hawkins told the Today programme they knew 'something had gone wrong'.

He added: 'We told them in 2016 that their view on maternity safety was so poor that there could be someone causing deliberate harm and that is documented and written to all the right people and ignored.'

Sarah and Jack Hawkins, with their daughter Lottie. Their daughter Harriet died during childbirth in 2016 due to failings within Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust

A statement on behalf of a group of around 230 families affected by the NUH scandal said of the Hawkins' attempts to blow the whistle in 2016: 'They specifically asked the leaders of NUH to notify the police of her avoidable death, not just because of the care, but because of the behaviours of staff who were supposed to investigate and learn from her death.

'This conversation has been repeated multiple times with senior people at NUH and with the local NHS over the years.'

Police are expected to investigate whether Trust staff breached the duty of candour regulation, introduced in 2014 as part of the Health and Social Care Act. NUH could also face corporate manslaughter charges, with individual staff investigated for gross negligence manslaughter.

Mrs Ockenden said on the Today programme that the professional duty of candour was not being 'properly applied'.

The former midwife had previously investigated 1,500 maternity care cases in Telford and Shrewsbury, concluding that 201 babies and nine mothers could have survived if they received better care between 1973 and 2020.

West Mercia Police launched an investigation alongside the midwife in that case, which the force said is continuing.
When James Bond romances a conquest over dinner, after dispatching a sinister Soviet agent, he is famously partial to a martini cocktail  shaken, of course, not stirred.

In Ian Fleming's novels, however, and in the earliest films, 007 seduces his lovers with a more sophisticated ambrosia: vintage bubbly matured in the ancient cellars of Taittinger, the Reims champagne house.

We see him in From Russia With Love, chilling a bottle to perfection by tying it to a piece of string and dangling it into the river, as he reclines in a punt with bikini-clad Sylvia Trench. And again in Casino Royale, ordering a bottle of 1943 brut as he dines with femme fatale Vesper Lynd. Not a well-known brand, he tells her languidly as their glasses are filled, 'but it is probably the finest in the world'.

Superficially, at least, there are similarities between Bond and Pierre-Emmanuel Taittinger, grandson of the winery's eponymous founder, who bought the company back into family ownership in 2007 and remains its honorary president. He heads a clan reportedly worth 2.75 billion.

Both men are cultured, dashingly handsome and suavely attired, and both relish the finer things in life. From his eyebrow-raising public admissions, wild-haired M. Taittinger, now 70, also appears to share Bond's libidinous appetite for beautiful women.

Bubbles baron: Pierre-Emmanuel Taittinger, attending a champagne tasting in 2016

With one rather important difference. Bond was a confirmed bachelor. The lustful bubbly baron has been married for many years and presents himself as a staunch family man.

When Taittinger became the first major champagne house to plant vineyards in England (bottles are due on the shelves next year) he posed on a Kentish hillside with his arms around his floppy-hatted wife, Claire, six years his senior, and daughter Vitalie, who now runs the business.

And with an insouciance that typifies the libertine reputation of some of his countrymen, he confesses to affairs, boasting to one journalist that he was 'paid to drink wonderful champagne, eat and make love sometimes'.

In the same interview, in 2016, he envisaged a retirement where he would have no more mistresses. 'My wife will be happy,' he said, no doubt with a twinkle in his eye.

Quite how these remarks were received chez Taittinger, one shudders to imagine.

For what this charismatic man  who has likened his champagne to Viagra  omitted to reveal, in that jocularly self-compromising interview with the Irish Times seven years ago, was that his debauchery was, at that moment, disastrously rebounding on him.

The fall-out from his louche lifestyle had placed him in physical danger and threatened to have ruinous repercussions, not only for him, but for his family and their precious champagne brand.

Taittinger, you see, had recently ended a three-year romance with a beguiling accountant, whom he had wooed after they met at a business lunch. In revenge she was bombarding him, his wife and their associates with threats of violence and slanderous smears.

Her relentless harassment campaign only ended in October 2017, when she was arrested, having journeyed 90 miles from Paris to Reims armed with a kitchen knife, waited for him to return home and threatened to cut off his 'zizi' (the childish French word she used for his penis).

In a macabrely farcical scene, the panic-stricken M. Taittinger, then 63, fled several hundred yards down the street before pulling a muscle. He was rescued by a passing motorist and taken to hospital, but even as he was being treated the threats continued.

'If I had trainers [on] I'd have caught up with you and killed you,' the enraged woman texted him.

Such is the code of secrecy that allows prominent French figures to conceal compromising compartments of their lives, that this sordid story has remained a closely guarded secret for six years.

It emerged only last week, when the woman  named as Samira L.  appeared in a Paris court. She admitted threatening Taittinger with a weapon, violence, harassment and making malicious phone calls, and received a one-year suspended prison sentence.

As the details unfolded, onlookers were afforded a rare glimpse into the seedy double-lives led by some seemingly upstanding members of French society. A world in which it is perfectly acceptable for powerful men to watch their mistresses having sex with groups of strangers in swingers' clubs.

The mansion: Chateau de la Marquetterie, Taittinger

Indeed, as Samira L.'s lawyer, Tom Michel, conceded to me, it is a story that says much about Gallic morality. In many ways, he says, it could only have happened in France.

And as we shall see, there is also an intriguing twist to this scandal  one that could solve an enduring French political mystery.

During the four-hour hearing last week, the three judges were presented with two very different versions of the truth.

While Samira, now 48, pleaded guilty, she portrayed herself as the true victim of the affair, using the courtroom to make jaw-dropping allegations against Taittinger and depicting him as a licentious man who had stolen her innocence.

Dressed demurely in a black suit, wearing glasses and with her hair tied in a bun, this petite, Algerian-born woman seemed light-years removed from the sequin-masked temptress who escorted Taittinger to Paris's most audacious libertine clubs, 2plus2 and Les Chandelles (a favourite haunt of disgraced International Monetary Fund boss Dominique Strauss-Kahn).

In calm, measured tones, she recalled how, driven by her father, she had excelled at college before embarking on a career in accountancy. She said she had been a virgin before marrying a businessman, with whom she has a teenage daughter, and settling in the Paris suburbs. Her love-life was then 'traditional', she said. But everything changed in 2011, when her company was engaged to work for Taittinger and, then in her mid-30s, she met the flamboyant Pierre-Emmanuel.

After lunch he walked her to the station, she said, then began sending her flirtatious messages. She was similarly smitten.

'It was intellectual love at first sight,' Samira told the court. 'We were both passionate about Aragon (the Romantic French poet) and Leo Ferre (an avant-garde musician).'

A romance began and at first it was 'wonderful,' she said.

'For Samira it was a coup de foudre (love at first sight),' her lawyer M. Michel, of the top Paris law firm Vey and Associates, told me. 'She was much younger than him and he is charming and charismatic.

'And, as everybody knows, he's a great seducer. He talks about it openly. His wife knows all about it, and she's OK with it. Samira wasn't his first mistress and probably won't be the last.'

After three years, the lawyer told me, they discussed living together. However, while Samira was prepared to sacrifice her family life for Taittinger, he said there was no need for him to leave home.

Instead, he set her up in an apartment in the affluent 16th arrondissement of Paris, paying the monthly rent of around 2,000, and promised she would have everything she wanted.

Somewhat reluctantly, M. Michel claims, Samira agreed to this arrangement, but it was then that the affair began to turn 'toxic'.

In court, she said Taittinger began urging her to text him explicit photographs of herself and lurid messages describing her supposed sexual fantasies.

He called them his 'crus'  a term most often associated with the quality of grapes used to produce champagne, but in his lexicon shorthand for raw, unadulterated smut.

'He would ask for this position, or that lingerie in the photos,' she told the judges.

In her desire to please Taittinger, Samira's lawyer says she drew inspiration from the works of Anais Nin, the erotica author.

In court, she portrayed herself as a kept woman, totally in Taittinger's thrall. 'I couldn't have any social life, other than with him. I had to be at his beck and call 24 hours a day,' she said.

As his demands grew more depraved, she claims he persuaded her to have sex with strangers while he watched. These sessions at first took place privately, but later at the Paris sex clubs, where they were known by aliases: Bruno and Lamia. In statements to the police, owners of the various clubs confirmed that they were regular clients but described them as 'loving and promiscuous' libertines.

Samira was an enthusiastic participant in the orgies, they said, and it was she who chose her partners. This contradicted Samira's claim, that she only took part to please Taittinger, and that some of her experiences even amounted to rape. Asked in court why the club bosses had supported her former lover's story rather than hers, she suggested it was because he supplied their premises with champagne.

Describing the evenings when they went to these clubs, she said: 'I was no longer in control.

Pierre-Emmanuel Taittinger and wife Claire

'He would call me to choose my outfit, make-up and waxing. He chose everything.'

Taittinger, she claimed, enjoyed making love to her after she had been with a procession of men. He would also ply her with champagne, because 'when I was stoned drunk, I was more malleable to fulfil his fantasies.' Sometimes they consumed three bottles a night and she became an alcoholic. She also began taking antidepressants.

According to her lawyer, it eventually reached a point where she could take no more. When she met Taittinger for lunch at a Reims hotel, prior to another arranged afternoon sex session with strangers, she fled from the table and hid in the kitchen.

The denouement came in 2014, he says, when Taittinger persuaded her to have sex with 20 men in a single night at one of the libertine clubs, choreographing the proceedings 'like a film director' as she was passed between them 'like a piece of meat'.

It left her deeply traumatised, M. Michel says, and their affair ended, with an agreement that Taittinger would continue to pay her rent for several more years. However, he says, matters worsened for Samira when the champagne boss told her employer about the threatening and slanderous messages she was sending him and people close to him, causing her to lose her well-paid accountancy job.

Addicted to drink and drugs, she began to bombard him and those around him  including a female British executive at Taittinger  with thousands of messages, besmirching his character and threatening violence.

At the time, the #MeToo movement was just taking off, and she also made damaging allegations about him on the equivalent French website #BalanceTonPorc ('expose your pig').

Her thirst for vengeance ran so deep that she persuaded a friendly waitress at her local tabac to drive her to Taittinger's sumptuous home in Reims, where, in gathering darkness, she confronted him with the knife and threatened to emasculate him. 'I wanted to ruin his life, as he had ruined mine,' she explained to the judges.

A very different story was put forward by the prosecution, and a representative of Taittinger, who did not attend the court hearing.

His lawyer, Nicolas Hubsch, said he had fallen 'stupidly in love' with Samira, and remained so besotted, even as her poisonous messages rained down, that he had to be persuaded to go to the police.

The episode had left Taittinger 'a tired, tortured, despondent man', but had he not taken legal action the campaign would never have stopped. 'She can't stop slandering him,' said M. Hubsch. 'Slander, slander . . . there will always be something left.' The judges only needed to study the barrage of texts Samira had sent to see where the truth lay. 'She claims to be the victim of a sexual manipulator, but the investigation showed nothing of the sort.'

The court was presented with a psychiatric report assessing Samira as histrionic and emotionally dependent. It said she was prone to attention seeking and positioned herself as a victim.

The prosecution said it was a simple case, complicated by her unsupported claims: 'Her position does not stand up to scrutiny. The investigation did not bring out the explanations [she has] given.'

And given that the judges doubled the prosecution's requested sentence of six months, they apparently agreed.

However, in the court of French public opinion, Samira's lawyer insists she has emerged favourably from the case. Now a 'lonely and broken' woman, unable to form a loving relationship, he hopes her recovery will be helped by airing her side of the story.

Whatever we might think of Samira, it is a wretchedly sad tale. Yet when I caught up with M. Taittinger, on Tuesday, as he greeted a friend at Reims railway station, there was not a jot of empathy for the woman with whom he had indulged his proclivities.

'Why should I feel sorry for her?' he demanded, when I asked him whether he felt remorse over his ex-mistress's demise. 'I only feel sorry for my family, who have suffered through this. It is an old story. You only want to make bubbles because of who I am.'

French justice had spoken on this matter, he said, vindicating him and deciding that she was the guilty party.

From a man whose very name is a byword for style and class, it was hardly a chivalrous response. But then, as this degenerate tale has gone to prove, behind that debonair facade, Pierre-Emmanuel Taittinger is no James Bond.

So, to that tantalising twist.

The Taittinger family's renown and influence extends beyond winemaking. They have a long political tradition. The company's founder chaired the municipal council of Paris during the Nazi occupation, and Pierre-Emmanuel's father, Jean, was a long-serving mayor of Reims.

In June 2016, the man at the heart of this story burnished his own political ambitions, declaring his intention to stand in the following year's presidential election.

Barely 48 hours later, citing a vague 'personal problem involving one of my friends' as his reason, he abruptly withdrew from the race.

At the time, we now know, the Samira saga was fizzing in the background and threatened to be explosively uncorked.

Did Taittinger abort his candidature for fear that his secret life might be exposed, calling his presidential credentials into question, at it had for his fellow libertine Strauss-Kahn a few years earlier?

The truth might lie in another comment he made, during that incautious 2016 interview: 'When you are a champagne president you can change the woman every day. But when you are French president you should avoid that kind of thing.'

At the time, he seemed to be taking a swipe at the socialist incumbent Francois Hollande, whose comical nocturnal dalliances with a French actress he had installed in an apartment near the Elysee Palace had made him a laughing stock.

Yet given that the vintage philanderer was then under constant threat from his vengeful ex-paramour, isn't it reasonable to speculate that the 'personal problem' to which he alluded was really his own?

Additional reporting: Rory Mulholland
The Mormon mommy blogger made wild claims about her kids after her arrest

Months before, concerned neighbors reported the kids running out into the road

The Mormon mommy blogger accused of abusing her children had police called on her home on two occasions by concerned relatives and neighbors, according to bombshell police reports.

Ruby Franke, 41, made a living lecturing about strict parenting, all while allegedly abusing her children. She was arrested last week after one of her sons was discovered with open wounds and duct tape on his wrists and ankles.

Long before the sickening charges were brought against Franke and her podcast partner Jodi Hildebrandt, her family first landed on cops' radar after her kids were caught running out into the road in April of 2022, according to police records first reported by People.

This was followed by another visit that August, when Franke's eldest daughter Shari urged police to make a welfare check on the family home in Springville, Utah, over fears her siblings had been abandoned in the house for almost a week.

After the YouTube blogger was charged with six counts of felony child abuse, she made wild and shocking claims that one of her minor children sexually abused a sibling and other children in their neighborhood.

YouTuber mom Ruby Franke (pictured) has been charged with six counts of felony child abuse after her 12-year-old son was found with open wounds and duct tape on their limbs

Franke's eldest daughter Shari (red coat) reportedly urged cops to make a welfare check on the family home in Utah in August 2022 through fears for her younger siblings

According to the police reports, Shari made the phone call to Utah police after she was notified by a neighbor that her younger siblings had been left alone in their home for around five days.

She reportedly said her mom was with Hildebrandt, whose home in Irvins, Utah was allegedly escaped from by Franke's 12-year-old son Russell last month after he fled out of a window and ran to a neighbor's house pleading for food and water.

After Shari called for the Springville Police Department to check on her mother's home, the reporting officer said: '(She) asked that we check on the kids and make sure that they were safe and had food for the extended period.'

The police report said that the officer received no answer when he knocked on the door, and 'the kids were seen through the windows but would not answer the door.'

After her mother's arrest, Shari celebrated the moment as she said she had been 'trying to tell the police and CPS for years about this.' She also shared an image of their home on Instagram captioned: 'Finally.'

It remains unclear why more decisive action was not taken, as her previous attempt to call police onto the home also saw the officer on the scene speak with concerned neighbors when the children would not answer the door.

The Springville Police Department has been contacted for comment.

The reporting officer said neighbors claimed 'the mother of the residence, Ruby Franke, will leave her children home for extended periods of time and go to St. George and spend time with her friend Jodi Hildebrandt.'

'Everyone who came to the scene was very concerned about the children and them being left at home alone,' the report said.

'They expressed great concern about the two youngest children being homeschooled while the two older ones go to public school.

'Mostly because it shows they are home alone during the day by themselves and there isnt any way for them to contact emergency services if needed, due to them not having phones and a landline not being available in the home.'

Franke made a living off lecturing about strict parenting, but bombshell police reports claim neighbors warned cops over a year ago they were 'very concerned about the children and them being left at home alone'

Ruby Franke, (left) who ran the now-defunct 8 Passengers channel, was arrested along with her business partner Jodi Hildebrandt (right) on August 30

Ruby Franke's Springville, Utah home, is seen on Saturday, which had been visited by cops long before her arrest last week

Ruby's eldest daughter Shari, 20, posted about her mother's arrest on Instagram, sharing an image of police officers outside the home captioned 'Finally'

Russell Franke reportedly ran from Hildebrandt's home (pictured) with duct tape on his wrists and ankles in order to get help

According to KSL, the police department assisted Utah's Division of Child and Family Services (DCFS) on three further occasions. The Springville Police Department did not immediately respond to a request for further details when contacted by DailyMail.com.

The other occasion police were called to the home was months earlier in April 2022, when a case worker with the DCFS contacted police after 'she was made aware of two kids running out in the road unsupervised,' the police report claimed.

When an officer arrived, they did not report seeing any children in the street.

In a stunning turn following her arrest, Franke claimed via video from a Utah jail on Friday that one of her minor children sexually abused their sibling and molested several other family members and children in the neighborhood over the years.

But according to the police reports, Franke herself called police twice in 2020 after claiming to receive threatening messages about exposing her twisted family life.

In one incident, on April 27, 2020, she told police that she was sent 'a text message from somebody stating they were going to take her family down and there will be riots at their door when the world finds out the truth.'

Ruby Franke's husband Kevin listened in court Thursday as his wife made wild allegations about their children

The Mormon blogger broke down in tears as she made wild allegations - without providing evidence - about her own children following her arrest on child abuse charges.

Seeming to pin the blame for her behavior on her children, Franke went into horrific detail about how one of her six kids abused other children.

She claimed that one of the Franke kids began looking at pornography at just three-years old.

In one of the most shocking claims, Franke said said that her child had been sexually abusing a younger sibling for years, adding that eventually the two of them began to abuse other children.

She also claimed her two children played a 'patting' game with each other, but did not go into further detail.

Franke said that in May her child confessed to sexually abusing 20 people, including cousins and neighbors.

The family blew up on social media after beginning to post videos in 2015, showing the 'day in the life' of the clan-of-six

One of Franke's relatives also spoke out following the YouTuber's arrest, claiming that the 'disgusting' child abuse case is 'bigger than people know.'

An unnamed cousin claimed that abusing children, being physical, and withholding food is something that has been a 'multi-generational' problem in the Franke family in a concealed interview with Law & Crime.

'I'm not shocked. It's not a shock at all. The direction in which it went was not what I thought, but from which it came was to be expected,' they said.

'I wasn't expecting some of the details in that story to line up with details in my own family history.

'My mother handcuffed my sisters when they were young, and a lack of food wasn't uncommon, but it wasn't out of the lack of money and there was a time when it could have been prevented and it wasn't.'

'All I can say is my mother did duck tape my siblings. I'm not shocked.'

Asked when was the last time they saw Ruby, they said: 'When I was very young, it was a long time ago. Over 15 years ago.'
A Royal-approved shoemaker and a fast-food giant have joined forces with more than 400 leading businesses demanding ministers scrap the tourist tax.

In a letter to the Chancellor, they said reinstating tax-free shopping for overseas visitors would give the economy a boost  in a win for both business and the taxpayer.

High street fashion brand Superdry, a franchise of 31 McDonalds restaurants in London and the Prince of Waless shoemaker Arthur Sleep are among the latest signatories. Along with some of Britains biggest retailers, hotels and restaurants, they warned Jeremy Hunt that removing the VAT refund for visitors was an extraordinary own goal.

A report by the Centre for Economics and Business Research earlier this year found Britains economy would be 10billion a year better off as a result of reinstating VAT refunds, with government coffers boosted by 2billion.

The Mails Scrap The Tourist Tax campaign backs calls for the Government to think again. In a debate in Parliament on Thursday, cross-party MPs said the economy is missing out as a result of the tax and called on the Treasury to commission an independent assessment of the figures.

A report earlier this year found that the British economy would be 10billion a year better off if VAT refunds were reintroduced

Among the latest signatories to the letter to Mr Hunt, organised by top hotelier Sir Rocco Forte, are luxury fashion house Giorgio Armani and footwear company The Dune Group.

Superdry last night described the current shopping rules as absurd. Co-founder and chief executive Julian Dunkerton said: The Government urgently needs to look at the impact the absence of tax-free shopping is having. We are in the absurd situation where a UK citizen can go to France and shop tax free, yet a Chinese tourist cant shop tax free in the UK.

The result is wealthy tourists are being forced to go to mainland Europe to shop instead of coming here, and thats a disaster for our economy and London especially. Tracey Greaves, of the Goodwood Estate in West Sussex, home to the Festival of Speed, Goodwood Revival and Glorious Goodwood, has also signed the letter.

She said: The removal of tax-free shopping should be reconsidered as a matter of urgency. This is not just an issue that affects luxury retailers in the West End of London. It negatively impacts any business operating within the luxury retail, tourist or hospitality industries across the whole country.

We know that the traditional VAT rebate was a major driver of visitor numbers and, as we strive to achieve meaningful economic growth, we need to do all we can to encourage tourism to the UK.

And the Diamond Lab, which sells diamonds in department stores such as Selfridges, said the impact of the absence of VAT-free shopping had been significant across the industry.

Its managing director, Jamie Amelia Patel, said: Regardless of whether a tourist is buying a 500 item or a 500,000 one, tax-free shopping has historically played a pivotal role in enticing clients.

High street fashion brand Superdry was among 400 businesses to sign a letter calling for the Chancellor to reinstate tax-free shopping for international visitors

The allure of tax-free shopping has always generated excitement among clients. This situation has not only affected retail businesses, but it has also had a ripple effect on restaurants, hotels, and local communities that relied on these tourists spending.

A Treasury spokesman said: VAT-free shopping does not directly benefit Britons  it lets foreign tourists who buy items in the UK claim back VAT as they return home. The scheme could cost British taxpayers around 2billion a year, which is money we would need to find elsewhere. Fewer than one in ten non-EU visitors used the previous scheme, showing its not a significant attraction for tourists.

The Treasury scrapped tax-free shopping for overseas tourists in 2021, believing that it was a costly relief which does not benefit the whole of Great Britain equally.

However, it kept tax-free shopping for goods purchased in the UK and sent directly to an overseas address, including in the EU. Liz Truss and Kwasi Kwarteng announced plans to reintroduce the VAT rebate last autumn, but Jeremy Hunt reversed the move soon after entering No 11.
A famous conservative activist hired by Ron DeSantis to purge a Florida public university of wokeness is being probed by Biden's Department of Education after he misgendered the college's ex-DEI boss, who uses 'ze/zir/ pronouns.

Christopher Rufo revealed he faces a federal government probe over the way he's helped take over the New College in Sarasota - with investigators taking a dim view of his refusal to use a former diversity boss's so-called 'neo-pronouns.'

The investigation stems from a complaint by unnamed 'students, faculty, and staff' who allege, in part, that the college's trustees and administrators violated civil rights law.

They're alleged to have done so by removing 'gender neutral' signage from bathrooms together with the defunding of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) and Gender Studies programs.

In the complaint, portions of which Rufo posted to X, he is alleged to have 'mocked and misgendered New College's Director of Office of Outreach and Inclusive Excellence (OOIE), Rosario-Hernandez, after ze was summarily fired.' Rufo referred to the former staffer using female pronouns.

The Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights has opened an investigation into DeSantis appointee Chris Rufo and the Florida university where he is a trustee

In the complaint, portions of which Rufo posted to X, he is alleged to have 'mocked and misgendered New College's Director of OOIE, Rosario-Hernandez, pictured, after ze was summarily fired.'

The activist and scholar told how he was the subject of a civil rights investigation following a complaint he 'misgendered' the college's former DEI director, who uses 'ze/zir' pseudo-pronouns.

The complaint goes on to reveal how Rufo also pressed criminal charges against a student Catherine 'Libby' Harrity for allegedly spitting at him.

In two tweets regarding the case which was eventually dropped, he went on to assert how Harrity used they/them pronouns and then continued to refer to Harrity as 'she'.

'Harrity also uses she/her pronouns, so the intended insult reads as particularly belabored,' the complaint states.

In subsequent tweets Rufo told how the initial civil rights complaint included, as evidence, screenshots of postings made to social media, together with photos alleging how the college administration had removed the words 'gender neutral' from a bathroom wall sign.

'This is the petty tyranny of DEI ideology,' Rufo declared.

Rufu posted portions of the complaint describing it as 'madness' and the 'petty tyranny of DEI ideology'

Photos alleged that the college administration had removed the words 'gender neutral' from a bathroom wall sign that had been graffiti'd on

Rufo also stated how the complainants alleged that defunding the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) department and the Gender Studies Program constituted a violation of civil rights law

Rufo stated how the initial civil rights complaint included as evidence screenshots of postings made to social media including one to which Elon Musk responded

Rufo also stated how the complainants alleged that defunding the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) department and the Gender Studies Program constituted a violation of civil rights law.

'This is an outrageous attempt to subvert democratic governance and entrench left-wing ideological power under the guise of civil rights,' Rufo tweeted on Friday night.

Advocates of DEI schemes say they tackle longstanding racist and sexist discrimination in schools and workplaces, but critics say they end up stoking divisions between groups.

They value 'equity' - equal outcomes, rather than equality, which critics say lowers standards. DEI offices can also back so-called affinity groups, where people are segregated racially or by sexual orientation.

DeSantis, a Republican running for the GOP nomination in 2024, late last year told Florida's public universities to disclose all government funds spent toward programs, classes and other initiatives related to DEI and the teaching of critical race theory.

In January, DeSantis appointed Rufo and others to the university as part of his war on 'wokeness' in public colleges, a key theme of his 2024 presidential bid.

In May, DeSantis signed a law banning state and federal funding for DEI schemes in public higher education, saying the move would 'prevent woke ideologies from continuing to co-opt our state universities and state colleges.'

'This bill says the whole experiment with DEI is coming to an end in the state of Florida,' said the governor.

Gov Ron DeSantis ultimately axed all government-funded DEI spending at Florida's public colleges and universities

Rufo's assault on diversity schemes as a trustee of New College led to student protests at the Florida campus - pictured here in May 2023

Activist and scholar, Christopher Rufo, released a book in July entitled America's Cultural Revolution: How the Radical Left Conquered Everything

In an online blog, Rufo went further still: 'Although the complaint is wholly without merit, this does not mean it will automatically fail.

The Biden Administration has demonstrated repeatedly that it is willing to weaponize the federal law enforcement apparatus against school board parents and other conservative reformers.

'We are ready for the fight. When Governor DeSantis appointed the new board of trustees, he told us: If the media isnt attacking you, youre not doing your job.'

For some, DEI schemes are important and necessary, as they can help to overcome historical racism and sexism and make it easier for people of all backgrounds to get ahead in education and work.

Many conservatives say DEI is a form of reverse discrimination that unfairly blows back on white men.

Others say DEI schemes may be well-intentioned, but seldom achieve their desired goals and often make things worse by stirring up divisions in offices and classrooms.

DEI staff now make up more than 3.4 positions for every 100 tenured professors, according to nationwide research by The Heritage Foundation, stoking fears of a ballooning sector that some say is no more than a woke box-ticking exercise.
A man who raped two teenage girls and tortured another man has been sentenced to 22 years in prison for the violent crimes - as the two separate female victims formed a unique bond during the case.

Josh Vassallo was sentenced on Friday in the Victorian County Court for the offences, which Judge Helen Syme described as 'cruel and selfish acts'.

The two victims met in court for the first time during Vassallo's trial.

Josh Vassallo (pictured left) was sentenced to 22 years behind bars after he raped two teenage girls

One victim Kylee told Nine News justice had prevailed for both of them following the man's sentencing.

'We have each other now, we fought the battle together and we made it,' she said.

Kylee was raped by the now 27-year-old man in 2019, after he drove the then 14-year-old girl in his car to a reserve in Point Cook, in Melbourne's south-west.

Vassallo picked Kylee up from her home earlier that night before telling her he would take her to McDonald's.

After driving her to the reserve in his car, the teenager tried to escape but couldn't hold off Vassallo and was dragged by her ankles, forced back into the car and raped.

She later managed to get away and ran back home.

In November 2020, Vasallo raped another teen who he met through a mutual friend.

Vassallo picked up the 15-year-old victim and another girl from a family lunch in Port Melbourne, before he drugged her with GHB.

After driving around Melbourne's western suburbs for four hours, he dropped the other girl off back home, before raping the 15-year-old girl while she had passed out from taking the drug.

He later parked the car at a shopping centre in Werribee and went to buy bread rolls, leaving his unconscious victim locked inside the vehicle.

Vassallo raped two teenage girls (pictured left) in separate incidents and was found guilty of the offences in the Victorian County Court on Friday

The serial offender also kidnapped and tortured a man, after he asked him to fix his car.

The man was beaten by Vaasallo with a crowbar and was pushed into a toilet before he was made to eat dog food.

Vassallo, who was already behind bars on an unrelated charge, had attempted to threaten a child witness to change her evidence on his rape charge.

He told his cellmate who was about to be released to give a letter to a friend of Vassallo's, to threaten her in exchange for money.

Judge Syme said Vassallo's callous actions damaged and harmed his vulnerable victims.

The court heard Vassallo also kidnapped and tortured a man, after he asked him to fix his car and forced him to eat dog food after he was hit with a crowbar

'Your offending has profoundly impacted the lives of the complainants and their families,' Ms Syme told Vassallo.

'The impact has been significant and at times overwhelming.

'Each complainant has had their lives irrevocably changed for the worst by your cruel and selfish acts.'

Vasallo will be eligible for parole in 14 years.
A major underworld figure has been shot dead while eating breakfast at a suburban shopping village on Saturday morning.

Feared Melbourne crime figure Gavin 'Capable' Preston was killed in the drive-by shooting at Sweet Lulus cafe at the Keilor Village in the city's north-west.

It's believed Preston was shot 10 times while he was eating a meal with Abbas Maghnie Junior, known as AJ, the son of crime figure and Preston associate Nabil Maghnie, according to the Herald Sun.

Underworld figure Gavin 'Capable' Preston has been shot dead at Sweet Lulu's cafe at Keilor Village in Melbourne's north-west this morning

It's believed Preston was shot 10 times while he was eating a meal with a close relative of crime figure Nabil Maghnie

A motorbike is seen as Victoria Police work at the scene of Saturday morning's shooting at Sweet Lulus Cafe at Keilor Village in Melbourne's north-west

The other man was also injured in the shooting.

Two burnt-out cars were found after the shooting by Victoria Police, including one nearby to the scene. It's believed the assailants abandoned a black Audi Q5 in nearby Blair Court before departing in a second car.

A man and woman who are believed to be known to Preston arrived at the scene in the aftermath of the shooting and remonstrated with police.

Victoria Police have closed the Old Calder Highway on both ends of the shopping precinct.

Residents have been urged to avoid the area with a major pile-up of traffic.

An underworld source told the Sunday Age, 'they put a clip into him'.

A man and woman (pictured) who are believed to be known to Preston arrived at the scene in the aftermath of the shooting and remonstrated with police

A man is seen being restrained by police at the scene of Gavin Preston's shooting in Keilor Village

It's believed the alleged shooters fled the scene in a car.

Detectives from the homicide squad along with police and emergency crews are at the scene.

Victoria Police told Daily Mail Australia they are investigating the incident.

'Police are currently in Keilor following a fatal shooting,' a spokesperson said.

'Police have cordoned off the area and a crime scene has been established.

'Officers are still working to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident however at this early stage the incident appears to be targeted.'

Police including homicide detectives and emergency crews have cordoned off Keilor Village after underworld figure Gavin 'Capable' Preston was shot in a drive by shooting

Preston, one of Melbournes most violent and feared gangland figures, was released from jail in February after he spent 11-years behind bars over the death of drug trafficker Adam Khoury who was shot in 2012.

Preston was also involved in a spate of shootings that year after another drug dealer was also injured.

Preston, nicknamed 'Capable' because he was considered 'capable of anything', had a significant rap sheet of violent offences, including armed robbery and the use of weapons, dating back to when he was 18.

He later had the moniker tattooed on his neck.

A local shop owner told the Herald-Sun said he was having coffee when he heard 'chaos' in the street.

'I didnt hear any shots but I heard the sirens and everyone rushing over,' he said.

'What has this country come to? Last night (the Bourke St incident) and now this. Its crazy.'

Sweet Lulus cafe in Melbourne's north-west was rocked by a shooting on Saturday morning, which claimed the life of feared underworld figure Gavin 'Capable' Preston

Police and underworld figures had been on alert since Preston's release.

The 50-year-old crime figure was suspected of allegedly plotting to kill Mick Gatto.

Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Shane Patton was asked to address the incident while giving a press conference with Victoria Premier Daniel Andrews about the horror crash in Bourke St on Friday night.

He told reporters he believed one man had died and another was shot in the stomach, and that the offenders had fled the scene and remained at large.

It was reported Preston had prepared for his release from prison by reaching out to old enemies to assure them he would not be looking to settle old scores once released.

'No ones buying the story he wants a quiet life,' a person who knew Preston told The Age.

'Hes always been mad, and thats not going to change.

'Theres been a heap of talk and theres a few people whod obviously prefer he was still there inside.'

The Keilor shooting follows the carnage in Melbourne's CBD on Friday night, when a 26-year-old man from Melton West, allegedly drove his white Toyota sedan into a crowd of pedestrians near a tram stop, hitting three of them.

He then continued on before t-boning a Hyundai at the intersection of Bourke and Russell streets.

Tragically, a 76-year-old man from Brunswick driving the Hyundai was killed in the collision, with the chief extending his condolences to loved ones.

The 37-year-old male Uber driver and his 30-year-old male passenger, both from Diggers West, were taken to St Vincent's Hospital.

One of them suffered injuries to his chest and back.

The three pedestrians - a 23-year-old woman from China, a 26-year-old man from South Yarra and a 35-year-old woman from Docklands - are undergoing treatment in hospital.

The 23-year-old woman suffered a head injury, the man was treated for a hip injury and the 35-year-old woman sustained 'multiple injuries'.

They are all in a stable condition.
ED summons Kejriwal in Delhi excise policy case 31 Oct 2023 | 12:46 AM New Delhi, Oct 30 (UNI) Enforcement Directorate (ED) has issued summons to Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party national convener Arvind Kejriwal to appear before it on November 2 for questioning in an alleged Delhi excise policy case, AAP leader and Delhi Minister Saurabh Bhardwaj informed through a video message. see more..

ED summons Kejriwal for questioning in Delhi excise policy case 31 Oct 2023 | 12:17 AM New Delhi, Oct 30 (UNI) Enforcement Directorate (ED) has issues summons to Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party national convener Arvind Kejriwal to appear before it on November 2 for questioning in an alleged Delhi excise policy case, AAP leader and Delhi Minister Saurabh Bhardwaj informed through a video message. see more..

ACMM Court has no jurisdiction to try any offence committed outside India: Brij Counsel 31 Oct 2023 | 12:11 AM New Delhi, Oct 30 (UNI) Counsel for BJP MP and Former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) President Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, in the alleged sexual harassment case, submitted in the ACMM Court here that it has no jurisdiction to try any offence which allegedly committed outside India in view of the fact that sanction u/s 188 Cr.P.C. has not been obtained. see more..

ED summons Kejriwal in Delhi excise policy case 30 Oct 2023 | 11:23 PM New Delhi, Oct 30 (UNI) Enforcement Directorate (ED) has issues summons to Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party national convener Arvind Kejriwal to appear before it on November 2 for questioning in an alleged Delhi excise policy case, AAP leader and Delhi Minister Saurabh Bhardwaj informed through a video message. see more..
New bodycam footage documents the harrowing moments after a woman in a long-term vegetative state gave birth at an Arizona care home after being raped by a male nurse.

Staff at Hacienda Healthcare in Phoenix appeared completely bewildered with many seen to be in tears following the birth, as the entire pregnancy had come as a complete surprise.

The footage also shows police in the room with the victim - although it is heavily pixellated and neither she nor her newborn are visible.

The birth happened in December 2018 and triggered global outrage - but bodycam footage has only just been shared by police following a Freedom of Information request.

'And when I looked, it was a *inaudible*. The baby coming,' a distressed nurse can be heard telling an officer as she tearfully recounts the moment of birth and how she saw a baby's head poking out as she changed the victim's adult diaper.

'When she opened the diaper, there was a head. And that poor aide didn't work for a month. She was so distraught, so traumatized by the whole thing,' a former employee told AZFamily.

Bodycam footage from Phoenix Police has been released including a moment that saw officers enter the room of the victim, who has been pixelated to guard her privacy

Bodycam footage has been released almost five years after a male nurse raped and impregnated a woman, 29, who was in a vegetative state in an Arizona healthcare facility

The subsequent birth came as a complete surprise to staff at the facility with the distress plain to see - all captured on footage now released by Phoenix Police

Many staff members were beside themselves with emotion following the sudden birth

The video reveals the chaos and emotion of facility staff in the minutes following the baby boy's arrival in December 2018.

It also sees police going about their initial enquiries as they try to establish who had access to the victim's room.

The woman, who was 29 at the time of the rape, has been severely disabled almost all of her life - since the age of three - and has been in a coma for most of it, meaning she was in no position to consent to sex.

She had lived at Hacienda for 26 years, until the child's birth. Her medical conditions stem from a brain disorder that caused motor and cognitive impairments and vision loss. She was also left with no functional use of her limbs.

She gave birth at the facility as staff frantically called 911 for assistance, telling the operator that they had not known the 112-pound patient was pregnant.

'All of her medical records, primary care physicians, nurses, visitor logs tracking about nine months back?' a Phoenix police officer on scene asks a member of staff.

'Only female care only,' a nurse responds.

'Okay, so no males ever go into her room allegedly?' the officer continues.

'No,' the staff member replies.

Another staff member revealed how it was only when she was changing the victim's diaper that she saw a baby was coming

Many staff could be seen standing around in the corridor in tears following the shock birth

Other staff members at the facility were quizzed as to who had access to the victim's room

The family of the patient were also at a loss to understand who could have raped the woman, but a former employee explained how while the caregivers were all women, the victim would have been dealt with by nursing staff, which included men.

'When they say caregivers, they're talking about people who bathe you and dress you and feed you. But the nurse is something different. That's on a different level. The nurse gives out medications and stuff like that,' the former worker explained.

As part of the police investigation into the sexual assault, compulsory DNA tests were conducted on male staff at the facility revealing Nathan Sutherland, a devout Christian and father-of-four, to be the rapist.

Investigators arrested him and he was later convicted in court of rape and given a 10-year jail term.

Sutherland blamed being sexually assaulted at an orphanage and neglected by his mother, which he said caused him to 'act inappropriately' and 'commit the evil act.'

That revelation came as huge shock to staff with him being described as the unlikeliest of suspects. He had worked at Hacienda for eight years - with staff there so fond of him they expressed relief that he was working in the aftermath of the horrific discovery.

At his sentencing he expressed 'sincere' remorse for his actions.

'To the victim, I am very sorry. You do not deserve to be hurt. No matter what was going on in my personal life and the demons I was fighting. I had no right to put you through that. No words can express how painfully sorry I am. I am sincerely sorry.'

The victim had been a patient at Hacienda Healthcare in Phoenix for 26 years. Her medical conditions stem from a brain disorder that caused motor and cognitive impairments and vision loss

Former licensed nurse Nathan Sutherland, 36, pleaded guilty to sexual assault and abuse of a vulnerable adult for impregnating the woman in a vegetative state in 2018

So liked was Sutherland, one of the parents of the victim told of her comfort that he had been on shift on the night of the birth.

'One of the parents after the birth, Nate was working. This was before it was revealed who he was. One of the parents approached him one night and said, 'I'm so glad you're working tonight. I know my child is always safe when you're here'', the parent had recalled.

Following this week's release of the distressing footage, Hacienda Healthcare issued a statement:

'Seeing video from that night almost 5 years ago is still gut-wrenching. Our hearts again go out to the victim and her family - and we remain disgusted by the behavior of the nurse who harmed a patient.

Sutherland's abuse came to light in December 2018 after a nurse noticed the victim was going through labor and later gave birth to a baby boy. Doctors missed signs that she was pregnant including that she had gained weight, had a swollen abdomen and missed menstrual periods in the months before the child was born. (Pictured: in court in 2019)

Sutherland is seen in court following his arrest in 2019

Sutherland was given the harshest sentence he could receive after accepting a plea deal

'Almost 5 years later, virtually everything about Hacienda HealthCare is different. We have new board members, new leaders, new personnel, new security infrastructure, new procedures, and new resident care protocols.

'We have implemented every change required by state and federal agencies - plus our own improvements - and we have passed multiple inspections since then. Nothing can change that awful day, but we have worked diligently every day since to make sure no one in our care ever again suffers harm.'

The baby boy who was born in 2018 will be turning five in December. He is being cared for by relatives of his mother.

His mother remains 'healthy' and is now living in a different care facility in Phoenix.
A famous political pundit who backed President Joe Biden in the 2020 election is calling for him to step down ahead of 2024 -- arguing that the Democrat is simply too old to serve another term.

Andrew Sullivan, a former editor of The New Republic, made the case in an essay on his Substack The Weekly Dish on Friday titled 'It's Time For Biden To Leave The Stage.'

Sullivan, an unorthodox conservative who's happy to criticize lawmakers both left and right, noted that he voted for Biden, 80, out of his disdain for Donald Trump, and would do so again if it came down to it -- but that he hoped the 80-year-old Democrat would step aside.

'Every time you hear him speak, hes also just a little off, eyes now barely visible in the ancient, botoxed, fillered face, words often slurred, a ghostly white mane peeking over his collar in the back, occasionally rallying to the point, or strangely loud-whispering,' wrote Sullivan.

'This is the man the Democratic Party says will be fully able to function as president for five more years through the age of 86. No one rooted in human reality believes it, or should believe it,' he added.

Andrew Sullivan made the case for Biden to step down in an essay on his Substack The Weekly Dish on Friday titled 'It's Time For Biden To Leave The Stage'

Sullivan, echoing the title of his essay, pointed an incident earlier this week in which the president abruptly departed the stage during a Medal of Honor recipients ceremony

Sullivan, echoing the title of his essay, pointed an incident earlier this week in which the president abruptly departed the stage during a Medal of Honor recipients ceremony.

Critics accused Biden of disrespecting the aging Vietnam veteran, who was left standing awkwardly alone during the closing benediction, but the White House insists the exit was planned to limit Biden's exposure to attendees as COVID cases rise.

Poll Is Biden too old to run in 2024? Yes No Is Biden too old to run in 2024? Yes 1284 votes

No 40 votes Now share your opinion





Sullivan offered a third explanation - that the president is simply too old - and can no longer behave in a way Americans expect from their leader.

In his essay, Sullivan proposed a number of viable candidate to step in if Biden withdraws from the race, including Democratic Governors Jared Polis, Josh Shapiro, Gavin Newsom, Gretchen Whitmer, J.B. Pritzker, and Wes Moore.

'Senators Warren, Klobuchar or Booker could run again, as could Buttigieg. Others will emerge,' he added.

As for Vice President Kamala Harris, Sullivan calls her 'an obvious non-starter,' adding, 'which goes a long way to explaining why were stuck where we are.'

'But theres no reason she couldnt throw her hat in the ring (and Biden should stay strictly neutral),' he added.

For her part, Harris insisted Wednesday that she was ready to 'take over' from Biden if he fell ill and couldn't carry on running the country.

Sullivan, an unorthodox conservative who specializes in provoking all sides, noted that he voted for Biden out of his disdain for Donald Trump

The VP laid out the worst-case scenario, but insisted Biden is fine and can continue serving through a second term until he is 86.

Harris, who has struggled with dire approval ratings, defended the president's age during an interview with the Associated Press at the ASEAN Summit in Jakarta, Indonesia .

The AP's Chris Megerian pointed to last week's AP-NORC poll that found 77 percent of Americans, including 69 percent of Democrats , believe Biden is too old to run for reelection.

A Wall Street Journal poll out Monday had similar findings, with 73 percent of voters saying Biden is too old to run again, including two-thirds of Democrats.

Harris dismissed concerns and said Biden was ready to serve as president until January 2025.

'First of all, let me say that our president has been an extraordinary leader who has accomplished things that previous presidents hoped and dreamed and promised they would do and did not achieve,' she said.

Vice President Kamala Harris insisted Wednesday that she was ready to 'take over' from President Joe Biden, however assured Americans that he was up to serving as president until age 86

'So yes, I see him every day, a substantial amount of time we spend together is in the Oval Office, where I see how his ability to understand issues and weave through complex issues in a way that no one else can, to make smart and important decisions on behalf of the American people, have played out,' Harris continued.

'And so I will say to you, that I think the American people ultimately want to know that their president delivers - and Joe Biden delivers,' the VP added.

Harris also answered in the affirmative when Megerian asked if she was prepared to serve as president.

'Yes,' she said.

He then prompted her to 'describe that process.'

'Well, first of all, let's - I'm answering your hypothetical - but Joe Biden is going to be fine, so that is not going to come to fruition,' Harris said.
A young boy has been taken to hospital after he was hit by a car in Sydney's west.

The child was hit by the vehicle at White Gum Place, in North Kellyville at around 10:35am on Saturday.

Paramedics from NSW Ambulance arrived at the scene and took the boy to Westmead Children's Hospital, where he is believed to be in a serious but stable condition.

A young boy was hit by a car in Sydney's west this morning and was rushed by paramedics to Westmead Children's Hospital

The five-year-old boy suffered pelvic injuries.

NSW police told Daily Mail Australia the child came in front of the car, as the driver was pulling out.

The five-year-old boy suffered pelvic injuries and was taken to hospital where he remains in a stable condition

'Officers attached to the Hills Police Area Command attended and located a five-year-old injured after being hit by a grey Mercedes SUV,' the spokesperson said.

'Police were told that the boy ran in front of the SUV being driven by a 41-year-old woman, who was moving her car at the time of incident.'

'The 41-year-old woman underwent a roadside breath test at the scene, which returned a negative result'.

NSW Police conducted a road-side breath test of a woman who allegedly hit a young boy in Sydney's west on Saturday

More to come.
Joe Biden softened his campaign pledge to reopen most of the nation's schools only eight days after taking office, a new book has claimed, in a bid to appease the powerful head of a teachers' union, Randi Weingarten.

Biden in July 2020 laid out a plan, on the campaign trail, to bring students back to classrooms.

After the election, on December 8, 2020, he reiterated his intention to reopen most schools within the first 100 days of his presidency.

'It should be a national priority to get our kids back into school and keep them in school,' said Biden.

'If Congress provides the funding, we need to protect students, educators and staff.

'If states and cities put strong public health measures in place that we all follow, then my team will work to see that the majority of our schools can be open by the end of my first 100 days.'

Yet almost immediately on taking office, his stance shifted, writes author Franklin Foer in a new book about Biden's first two terms, The Last Politician.

The move has been condemned as devastating for children's educations - particularly those already deprived who were less likely to be supported with online learning.

COVID school closures and mask wearing have also been blamed for serious issues with children's psychological development and mental health.

Joe Biden is seen with Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers - which contributes millions to Democrat causes

Weingarten looks on as Biden addresses an AFT event in 2019. The pair have been friends for decades

Children are seen wearing face masks in the classroom in California in January 2022

Weingarten was a major Democrat fundraiser, through her union, and the new president needed to keep her on side.

Foer, in excerpts of his book analyzed by The New York Post, called the watering down of the campaign promise 'the price of peace'.

Foer's book will be published on Tuesday

Foer writes that, on January 28, 2021, Biden rang Weingarten - who had initially welcomed his campaign plan to reopen schools, but was now calling for the pace to be checked.

Biden, Foer writes, told Weingarten that 'he knew she was taking a lot of heat around the reopening of schools.'

Teachers were concerned about resuming in-person classes, and Biden told Weingarten that he heard their fears, and that 'he was an abiding friend.'

He told her: 'I am not abandoning you on schools. I want you to know that.'

The week before, on January 21 - Biden's first full day in office - his wife Jill, herself a teacher, had invited Weingarten and Becky Pringle, president of the National Education Association, to the White House.

Jill Biden told the pair that Weingarten was the 'type of general who is never far from the front lines.'

Jill Biden is seen with Randi Weingarten in December 2022. She welcomed Weingarten to the White House on her husband's first day in office

A child in a face mask is seen in January 2021 attending school, with socially-distanced desks

Biden pledged on the campaign trail to reopen most schools, but that pledge rapidly eroded

The first lady added, according to Foer: 'I said I was going to bring you with me into the White House. And on day one, you're here.'

On February 9, the White House subtly adjusted the guidance on school reopening, to water down the promise to reopen 'the majority of our schools' within Biden's first 100 days.

Under the new plan, only schools up to 8th grade would reopen - and they would be considered 'open' if they had students in their classrooms one day a week.

'His goal that he set is to have the majority of schools  so, more than 50 percent  open by day 100 of his presidency,' said Jen Psaki, the White House press secretary.

'And that means some teaching in classrooms.

'So, at least one day a week. Hopefully, it's more.

'And obviously, it is as much as is safe in each school and local district.'

Subsequent text messages and emails between Weingarten and Biden administration officials showed Weingarten worried about reopening schools too quickly.

Weingarten's group is a significant force in Democrat politics. She is seen in March 2017 in Boston

On February 12, 2021, guidance on school reopening was issued by the government.

In a draft copy obtained by The New York Times, the guidance said 'all schools can provide in-person instruction'.

Weingarten objected, Foer writes, and the language was changed to to 'all schools have options to provide in-person instruction.'

Weingarten's union, the AFT, gave more than $2.6 million to Democratic candidates during the 2020 election cycle, according to the political donation tracking website OpenSecrets.

Pringle's group, the NEA, gave more than $2.4 million.

Biden himself received more than $245,000 from teacher's unions during the campaign, more than four times the amount taken in by the next-closest candidate, Bernie Sanders.
The White House has yet to say whether he'll meet with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman

President Joe Biden made the most of China and Russia's leaders decision to skip the G20 Leaders' Summit this weekend in New Delhi, India, glad-handing his closest friends on the world stage.

Biden arrived at the Bharat Mandapam convention center Saturday morning and was greeted by the host, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, shaking and then holding onto Modi's hand as he entered the complex.

Biden was spotted laughing with British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and spent some time with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as the opening session got underway.

The leaders of Australia, the Netherlands, Germany, and Nigeria also greeted Biden. Indonesia's President Joko Widodo shared a long embrace with Biden before taking his seat. One photo captured Russia's Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergey Lavrov just feet away from the U.S. president, amid tensions over the Ukraine war.

The president was seated four seats away from Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, as the White House has played coy on whether the two would meet on the summit's sidelines.

Both Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin are sitting out the meeting of the world's top economies. Putin sent Lavrov in his stead as he's wanted for war crimes by the International Criminal Court.

'It would be nice to have him here but no the summit is going well,' Biden said later Saturday afternoon, when asked of Xi's absence.

Early on during the conference, Modi officially welcomed the African Union to the G20.

President Joe Biden (left) arrives at the G20 Leaders' Summit Saturday in New Delhi, shaking and holding hands with the host, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (right)

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak (left) laughs with President Joe Biden (right) during the G20 Leaders' Summit on Saturday

President Joe Biden (second from right) holds court with President of the European Council Charles Michel (second from left), Oman's Deputy Prime Minister Asa'ad bin Tariq bin Taimur al Said (center) and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (right), while Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov - standing in for President Vladimir Putin - stands feet away

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak (left) pats President Joe Biden (right) on the shoulder as they arrive at the G20 Leaders' Summit in New Delhi, India on Satudray

White House officials spent the morning and Friday night knocking China for playing hooky.

Principal Deputy National Security Advisor Jon Finer said Saturday morning that 'really it's incumbent upon the Chinese government to explain why a leader would or would not participate.'

It was unclear if Modi expressed displeasure about Xi and Putin's absences when he met with Biden Friday night - the first meeting of the U.S. president's trip, but National Security Council Coordinator for the Indo-Pacific Kurt Campbell told reporters afterward that he sensed the Indians were upset.

'I think it is a disappointment for India that both Russia and China are not here,' he told reporters in a late Friday night briefing.

'And the fact that the United States, probably the country that India has invested the most in deepending and developing a relationship with, showed up and is engaged in every major initiative that will be rolled out over the next couple of days was both reassuring and gratifying for the Indian interlocutors and that was not lost on us,' he also said.

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi (right) shakes the hand of Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman (left) as he arrived at Saturday's G20 meeting

President Joe Biden (center) heads to his seat at Saturday's G20 Leaders' Summit in New Delhi, India, he was followed by Secretary of State Antony Blinken (left) and flanked by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (right)

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov (center ) was seated next to Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman (left). It's unclear whether Biden will meet with MBS on the sideslines of this weekend's G20 Leaders' Summit

President Joe Biden (right) poses for a photo with World Bank President Ajay Banga (left), Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva (second from left) and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (center)

LEADERS ATTENDING THE G20 ARGENTINA: President Alberto Fernandez AUSTRALIA: Prime Minister Anthony Albanese BRAZIL: President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva CANADA: Prime Minister Justin Trudeau FRANCE: President Emmanuel Macron GERMANY: Chancellor Olaf Scholz INDIA: Prime Minister Narendra Modi (host) INDONESIA: President Joko Widodo ITALY: Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni JAPAN: Prime Minister Fumio Kishida REPUBLIC OF KOREA: President Yoon Suk Yeol SAUDI ARABIA: Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman SOUTH AFRICA: President Cyril Ramaphosa TURKEY: President Recep Tayyip Erdogan THE UNITED KINGDOM: Prime Minister Rishi Sunak THE UNITED STATES: President Joe Biden THE EUROPEAN UNION: President Ursula von der Leyen Advertisement

Last week, China and India got into a diplomatic tiff over an 'official map' released by China that claimed lands along the Himalayas that Indian officials say belong to them.

Xi sent Premier Li Qiang in his place.

The president arrived in India Friday night, where he was greeted by the U.S. ambassador to India, Eric Garcetti, the former Los Angeles mayor, and his daughter Maya.

Biden bent down to talk to Maya and then was treated to a brief dance number by an Indian dance troupe positioned on a makeshift stage in front of the airport terminal.

They danced to a version of Ed Sheeran's Shape of You.

Biden then motorcaded to Modi's residence, where U.S. journalists were left waiting in vans - without bathroom access - outside.

Press access has been one of the gnawing issues at the summit, taking place in the capital of the so-called 'world's largest democracy.'

On the flight over, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan pointed to the unique venue where Biden and Modi's first meeting of the summit was taking place.

'This meeting will be taking place at the prime minister's residence,' Sullivan told reporters on board Air Force One. 'So it's unusual in that respect.'

Still, he said that the White House pressed the Indian government for press access - and was denied.

Afterward, Campbell called India a 'work in progress,' on various democratic freedoms, including freedom of the press.

'And I think the key here is for us to maintain a respectful dialogue, and to approach some of the challenges with the degree of humility given some of the challenges that we face in our own country as well,' Campbell said.

On Saturday, just two U.S. journalists - a writer and a photographer - were allowed access to the opening G20 session.

As Modi spoke in Hindi, the U.S. reporter wasn't given the device that allows for simultaneous translation.

Finer said Saturday that Biden brought up unspecified democracy issues during his conversation with Modi.

Finer had been asked if Biden had taken Modi to task for bulldozing slums ahead of the summit, leaving droves of poor people homeless in an effort to beautify the city for visiting world leaders.

Ishant Kumar, 10, son of Dharmender Kumar, who works as a clerk at Pragati Maidan which houses the main venue of G20 Summit, stands next to his bulldozed house during a demolition drive by the authorities at a slum area near the upcoming summit venue in New Delhi, India, June 1, 2023

The White House was asked if Biden raised the issue of slum clearance in his meeting with Modi

The slum-clearance if part of a broader effort by India to dazzle world leaders. Stray dogs have also been removed from New Delhi's busy streets. Authorities in the Indian capital went on a clean-up drive as part of a beautification project

Some stray dogs were still spotted on the streets of New Delhi on Saturday, but many were disbursed ahead of the G20 Leaders' Summit this weekend

LEADERS SNUBBING THE G20 CHINA: President Xi Jinping MEXICO: Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador RUSSIA: President Vladimir Putin Advertisement

City officials also disbursed street dogs and monkeys ahead of the summit.

The city's residents were told to take a holiday, leaving streets vacant and shops closed, clearing the way for motorcades to zoom down traffic-less roadways.

Modi kicked off events at the G20 summit Saturday using a name plate that said 'Bharat,' amid speculation that his government could India's name going forward.

Bharat comes from ancient Sanskrit.

For some, the name India has taken on unpleasant colonial associations, although its root is the Indus river.

It came after state-issued invitations to the event by Droupadi Murmu identified the official as 'President of Bharat.'

On the agenda Saturday, the White House is set to tout a new shipping and rail corridor project it calls 'groundbreaking' with prospects of bringing more stability to the turbulent Middle East region by more closely linking regional economies together.

The project is a new rail transportation corridor that would include the U.S. India, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and the European Union  although it isn't exactly 'shovel ready,' with leaders set to announce only a 'memorandum of understanding' on it.

Finer told reporters traveling in New Delhi Saturday it could help 'turn the temperature down' on 'turbulence and insecurity' coming out of the Middle East.

'It will be a clear demonstration of a new model President Biden has pioneered for more transparent and sustainably sustainable development, sustainable, high standard infrastructure that fills a damaged gap and enables greater prosperity and better connectivity for key regions around the world,' he said.

Saudi Arabia's inclusion could set up the right conditions for Biden and MBS to speak.

On the table, potentially, is a 'mega-deal' between Saudi Arabia and the U.S. that could lead to Saudi and Israel normalizing relations.

It would be a historic breakthrough for Mideast peace.

Officials told Axios last month that the administration is trying to finish its diplomatic push before the 2024 presidential election ramps up.

While those sources pointed to how much of Biden's time his reelection campaign will eat up, Saudi relations are not popular among swaths of the U.S.

Besides the country's poor treatment of women, there was the murder of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi.

And timing of an MBS meeting could also be awkward for Biden - who has decided to skip the traditional 9/11 ceremonies to mark the anniversary of the terror attacks Monday in Alaska on his way home from India and Vietnam.

For years, 9/11 families have gone after the Saudi government, as 15 of the 19 terrorist hijackers were Saudis.
A federal appeals found on Friday that the Biden administration 'likely violated the First Amendment' by pressuring social media companies to scrub posts the White House deemed false or misleading.

The 5th US Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans said the White House, the Surgeon General, the CDC and the FBI cannot 'coerce' social media platforms to take down posts the government doesn't like.

The opinion notes that, at least since early 2021, 'a group of federal officials has been in regular contact with nearly every major American social-media company about the spread of 'misinformation' on their platforms.'

Those platforms included Facebook, Twitter (now known as X), YouTube, and Google, which were peppered with government requests to remove content, the judges found.

At one point, a White House official told an unnamed platform to take a post down 'ASAP,' and instructed it to 'keep an eye out for tweets that fall in this same genre,' according to the filing.

A federal appeals found on Friday that the Biden administration 'likely violated the First Amendment' by pressuring social media companies to scrub posts

Friday evening's ruling came in a lawsuit accusing administration officials using threats of regulatory action to coerce social media platforms to squelch conservative points of view, contravening Americans' First Amendment right to speak freely and express themselves as they wish.

The topics spotlighted in the suit included COVID-19 vaccines, the Wuhan lab leak theory, the FBI's handling of Hunter Biden's laptop, and election fraud allegations.

'It is uncontested that, between the White House and the Surgeon General's office, government officials asked the platforms to remove undesirable posts and users from their platforms, sent follow-up messages of condemnation when they did not, and publicly called on the platforms to act,' the three-judge panel wrote.

'Ultimately, we find the district court did not err in determining that several officialsnamely the White House, the Surgeon General, the CDC, and the FBIlikely coerced or significantly encouraged social-media platforms to moderate content, rendering those decisions state actions,' the opinion added.

'In doing so, the officials likely violated the First Amendment,' the judges stated.

Under the modified injunction, the White House, the Surgeon General, the CDC, and the FBI cannot coerce or significantly encourage a platform's content-moderation decisions.

However in a victory for the Biden administration, the appeals court significantly whittled down a lower court's order curbing Biden administration communications with social media companies over controversial content.

The appeals court rejected broader language that a district judge issued on July 4, effectively blocking multiple government agencies from contacting social media sites to urge that content be taken down.

Nina Jankowicz, Former Executive Director of the Disinformation Governance Board of the United States, is one of the defendants in the suit

Former NIAID director Anthony Fauci is also a defendant, though the appeals judges found that his agency did not appear to be communicating with social media sites

The states of Missouri and Louisiana filed the lawsuit, along with a conservative website owner and four people opposed to the administration's COVID-19 policy.

In a posting on X, Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry called Fridays ruling 'a major win against censorship.'

In an unsigned 75-page opinion, three 5th Circuit judges agreed with the plaintiffs that the administration 'ran afoul of the First Amendment' by at times threatening social media platforms with antitrust action or changes to law protecting them from liability.

But the court excised much of US District Judge Terry Doughty's broad July 4 ruling, saying mere encouragement to take down content doesn't always cross a constitutional line.

'As an initial matter, it is axiomatic that an injunction is overbroad if it enjoins a defendant from engaging in legal conduct. Nine of the preliminary injunction's ten prohibitions risk doing just that. Moreover, many of the provisions are duplicative of each other and thus unnecessary,' Friday's ruling said.

In a posting on X, Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry called Fridays ruling 'a major win against censorship'

The ruling also removed some agencies from the order: the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Agency and the State Department.

The appeals court found that NIAID generally did not have regular contact with social media sites, and that State Department officials did not flag content.

The judges found that while CISA did flag content, they did so primarily as an intermediary for private third-party groups, and did not exercise meaningful control over moderation decisions.

'There is no plain evidence that content was actually moderated per CISA's requests or that any such moderation was done subject to non-independent standards,' the judges wrote.

The case was heard by judges Jennifer Walker Elrod and Edith Brown Clement, nominated to the court by former President George W. Bush; and Don Willett, nominated by former President Donald Trump. Doughty was nominated to the federal bench by Trump.

The case is State of Missouri v. Joseph R. Biden Jr, 3:22-CV-1213.
A horror crash at a raceway has left two men with serious injuries, after they were blown out of a car at high speed.

The incident happened around 5.30pm on Friday at Queensland Raceway in Willowbank near Ipswich, in south-east Queensland.

Footage of the shocking crash shows the race car swerving off the side of the track after the driver loses control of the vehicle.

Two men were left seriously injured after a horror crash on a racetrack in Queensland on Friday, after the driver appeared to lose control of a vehicle

The vehicle then flips over several times before it leaves the ground and lands upside down on a grassy area at the side of the track.

The video - taken by a passenger in another vehicle - captured the terrifying moment a man was ejected from the yellow car.

'He fell out of the car,' the driver of the other vehicle says as the car crashed.

'He fell out of the car bro!'

The male passenger sitting in the front seat said, 'Oh bro, I can't deal with that'.

A part of the car's front exterior could be seen flying off the vehicle in the chaotic scenes.

Plumes of smoke and dirt could be seen coming from the car after it veered of the track.

Paramedics from the Queensland Ambulance Service arrived at the scene and treated the men for their injuries.

A man believed to be between 45 to 50 years of age was flown to Princess Alexandra Hospital in a critical condition after he suffered serious head, chest and pelvic injuries.

Another man believed to be 35 was driven to the hospital after he sustained chest, shoulder, and pelvic injuries.

The victims of the crash sustained serious injuries after the vehicle swerved of the racetrack, which led to one man being ejected from the vehicle

Queensland Police said in a statement they are conducting enquiries into the incident.

'Police are investigating a serious single-vehicle traffic crash at a Willowbank racing event...

'Initial information indicates around 5.30pm, a vehicle rolled over on a racetrack near Champions Way.

'The Forensic Crash Unit is assisting Workplace Health and Safety with investigations.'

The injured men were believed to be racing a Holden Torana during a racing show known as PowerCruise.

The PowerAuto Powercruise is an event that allows drivers to race their cars on various racetracks across Australia.

In a statement which was put up on their Facebook page on Friday, organisers said the four-day event running until Sunday would go ahead 'as planned'.

Emergency crews arrived at the scene following the crash before the two men were taken to hospital with serious injuries, as Queensland Police investigate the incident

'Powercruise acknowledges that a single vehicle incident occurred at Queensland Raceway during one of todays cruising sessions.'

'Wed like to commend the track medical and fire response for being on scene immediately; as well as QAS for their assistance by road and helicopter. Emergency response services attended to the 2 [sic] male occupants.'

The car show, which is supported by SuperCheap Auto, holds races across several race tracks in Australia.

According to their website, the show 'offers its customers the opportunity to push their cars performance to the limits...'
President Joe Biden raised unspecified democracy issues when he sat down with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a White House official said  amid concerns about press freedoms and democratic 'backsliding.'

Principal Deputy National Security Advisor Jon Finer told reporters traveling with the president that Biden did touch on the freighted topic during his first sit-down with the Indian leader, who is accused of dialing back democratic expression and guardrails even while building immense popularity in his country.

The leaders of top industrial nations gathered in New Delhi Saturday, with nearly 130,000 police and paramilitaries standing guard in the city. Streets normally choked with traffic are virtually empty, and stores and restaurants have been shuttered.

City authorities ripped down slums located on public lands in the run-up to the event, while seeking to disburse monkeys and stray dogs that line the streets.

The White House said that President Biden spoke about 'democratic governance' issues when he met with Indian PM Narendra Modi Friday night, but wouldn't elaborate

Finer wouldn't say whether Biden raised the slum clearance specifically when asked about it  after the White House put out a detailed policy readout on the issues the two men discussed.

'What I will say is that the sort of state of democratic governance both in the world and each of our countries is a core facet of the US-India bilateral relationship, and both Prime Minister Modi and President Biden have have said that, which means that those issues are very much on the agenda in every one of their conversations.

But he refused to say which areas they actually delved into after releasing a 29-point joint statement.

Finer said he wouldn't go 'issue-by-issue and say what was covered.'

Paragraph two in the statement says the leaders 're-emphasized that the shared values of freedom, democracy, human rights, inclusion, pluralism, and equal opportunities for all citizens are critical to the success our countries enjoy and that these values strengthen our relationship.'

Ishant Kumar, 10, son of Dharmender Kumar, who works as a clerk at Pragati Maidan which houses the main venue of G20 Summit, stands next to his bulldozed house during a demolition drive by the authorities at a slum area near the upcoming summit venue in New Delhi, India, June 1, 2023

The White House was asked if Biden raised the issue of slum clearance in his meeting with Modi

The slum-clearance if part of a broader effort by India to dazzle world leaders. Stray dogs have also been removed from New Delhi's busy streets. Authorities in the Indian capital went on a clean-up drive as part of a beautification project

President Biden met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the start of his trip to India. The Indian government released a handout photo after U.S. press. The White House said India was disappointed that the Russian and Chinese leaders didn't attend, and gratified that Biden did

City officials tried to clear away street dogs, but many still roamed city streets with businesses shuttered cars and motorbikes absent from normally clogged streets

He said it would be 'misleading' to specify which issues they were able to cover.

'What I will say is the broad category of issue that that falls into  democratic governance in the United States and India was very much on the agenda.'

That comment suggests that democracy issues inside the U.S. was on equal footing with those in India. Modi is accused of overseeing a 'cult of personality' while rolling back judicial independence and fanning religious divisions, even while maintaining broad popularity. The U.S., meanwhile, has had its own reputation for stability undermined by January 6 and political clashes as former President Trump faces multiple criminal trials.

In a briefing Thursday, NSC official Kurt Campbell warned against 'lecturing' the rising power, and asked for 'a degree of humility given some of the challenges that weve faced in our own country as well.'
North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un has been pictured with his rarely-seen 10-year-old daughter, watching over a paramilitary parade in the capital, Pyongyang.

The supreme leader and his until-recently hidden daughter, Kim Ju Ae, sat together on Friday for celebrations of the country's 75th anniversary, which falls today.

He was joined by visiting Chinese delegates and Russian artists in the latest effort to display ties with Moscow and Beijing in the face of confrontations with Washington.

While China has sent a delegation led by Vice Premier Liu Guozhong to the North Korea's anniversary celebrations, Russia sent a military song and dance group.

A large cohort of officials watched as rocket launchers pulled by trucks and tractors rolled through Kim Il Sung Square, followed by infantry drill movements.

It came amid expectations Kim will soon travel to Russia to meet Vladimir Putin to discuss possible Korean arm sales to refill reserves drained by the war in Ukraine.

The supreme leader and his daughter, Kim Ju Ae, sat together on Friday night amid celebrations of the country's 75th founding anniversary, which falls on September 9

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and his daughter (C) attending the paramilitary parade at Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang

Kim Jong Un gestures as the civil defense military parade commemorating the 75th anniversary of the founding of the country is held in Pyongyang, September 9, 2023

A paramilitary parade at Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang, to mark the 75th founding anniversary of North Korea

Tractors pull troops at a paramilitary parade at Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang, to mark the 75th founding anniversary of North Korea, on Friday 8 September

South Korean media speculated that the lack of Russian government officials at the festivities in Pyongyang could be related to preparations for a summit between Kim and Putin, which Washington expects within the month.

According to some U.S. reports, it could happen as early as next week.

Putin is expected to attend an international forum that runs from Sunday to Wednesday in the eastern city of Vladivostok, which was also the site of his first summit with Kim in 2019 and is now seen as a possible venue for their next meeting.

South Korea's spy agency told lawmakers in a closed-door briefing Thursday that North Korea and Russia could also be arranging an unexpected 'surprise' route for Kim's visit to avoid potential venues reported by the media.

North Korea has not confirmed any plans for Kim to visit Russia.

'Whether or not a Putin-Kim summit soon follows, the United States is attempting to deter serious violations of international law by preemptively releasing intelligence,' said Leif-Eric Easley, a professor at Ewha University in Seoul.

The growing cooperation between China, Russia and North Korea, and Chinese President Xi Jinping's decision to skip the Group of 20 Summit in India, give the appearance of a widening fissure in Asia's geopolitical landscape, he said.

Still, a major Russia-North Korea arms deal, which would breach numerous international sanctions, should worry Beijing because 'association with an emerging pariah state bloc could have negative repercussions for China's globalized but struggling economy,' Easley said.

KCNA said Kim received letters from Putin and Xi on the anniversary, where both leaders said that their countries' strengthening ties with North Korea would contribute to the region's peace and stability.

Little is known about the supreme leader's daughter Kim Ju Ae, who was first seen at a missile launch in 2022

Kim Jong Un, right, waves, with his daughter, left, during a paramilitary parade marking North Korea's 75th founding anniversary in Pyongyang, North Korea Friday, September 8

North Korea leader Kim Jong Un attends a paramilitary parade ceremony, marking North Korea's 75th founding anniversary in Pyongyang, North Korea Friday, September 8

Saturday's parade was centered around paramilitary organizations and public security forces protecting Pyongyang, rather than the military units that handle his nuclear-capable weapons systems, which have been the focus of other parades this year.

Millions of North Koreans between the ages of 17 and 60 are listed as Worker-Peasant Red Guards, a national civil defense organization that could be loosely compared to military reserve forces of other countries.

Saturday's marches of the Red Guards included huge columns of motorcycles, anti-tank rockets towed by tractors and civilian-style trucks equipped with multiple rocket launchers, according to KCNA's text reports and photos.

Photos showed Kim smiling and talking with his young daughter, believed to be named Ju Ae, as they watched the parade from leather chairs set up at Kim's balcony in Kim Il Sung Square named after his state-founding grandfather.

Since November, Kim Jong Un has been bringing his daughter - believed to be around 10 years old - to major public events involving the country's military.

Analysts say Kim's showcasing of his daughter is meant to send a statement to the world that he has no intention of voluntarily surrendering the nuclear weapons and missiles he sees as the strongest guarantee of his survival and the extension of his family's dynastic rule.

State media did not mention whether Kim made a speech during the parade, indicating that he likely didn't.

KCNA said Kim met with Liu and other Chinese delegates ahead of the parade, where they exchanged views on 'further intensifying the multi-faceted coordination and cooperation' between the countries.

Tensions in the Korean Peninsula are at their highest point in years, as the pace of both North Korea's missile tests and the United States' combined military exercises with South Korea and Japan have intensified in tit-for-tat.

To counter the deepening security cooperation between Washington, Seoul and Tokyo, Kim has been trying to boost the visibility of his partnerships with Moscow and Beijing as he seeks to break out of diplomatic isolation and have North Korea be a part of a united front against the United States.

In July, Kim invited delegations led by Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and Chinese Communist Party Politburo member Li Hongzhong to a huge military parade in Pyongyang, where he rolled out his most powerful weapons, including intercontinental ballistic missiles designed to target the U.S. mainland.

A paramilitary parade at Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang, to mark the 75th founding anniversary of North Korea

Kim Jong Un (C) attending the central report conference at the Mansudae Assembly Hall in Pyongyang, to mark the 75th founding anniversary of North Korea

A day before the parade, Kim took Shoigu on a tour of a domestic arms exhibition, which demonstrated North Korea's support for Russia's invasion of Ukraine and added to suspicions the North was willing to supply arms to Russia.

In exchange for providing Russia with artillery shells and other ammunition, North Korea could seek badly needed energy and food aid and advanced weapons technologies, analysts say.

There are concerns that potential Russian technology transfers would increase the threat posed by Kim's growing arsenal of nuclear weapons and missiles that are designed to target the United States and its Asian allies.
Chinese vice president meets Venezuelan VP

Xinhua) 15:16, September 09, 2023

Chinese Vice President Han Zheng meets with Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Eloina Rodriguez Gomez in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 8, 2023. (Xinhua/Liu Weibing)

BEIJING, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice President Han Zheng met with Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Eloina Rodriguez Gomez in Beijing on Friday.

Han said that thanks to strategic guidance provided by President Xi Jinping and his Venezuelan counterpart Nicolas Maduro, the ironclad friendship between China and Venezuela has been further consolidated.

The two countries have coordinated closely and cooperated on international and regional affairs, supported each other firmly, and worked together to oppose hegemonism and unilateralism, he said.

The two sides should take President Maduro's upcoming visit to China as an opportunity to implement the major consensus between the two heads of state and firmly support each other's core interests, Han said, underlining the key role of the China-Venezuela high-level joint commission in promoting the practical bilateral cooperation.

Noting that President Maduro's visit marks a new milestone in bilateral cooperation, Rodriguez said Venezuela is willing to strengthen cooperation with China to jointly safeguard world peace and benefit the people of the world.

At the invitation of President Xi, President Maduro will pay a state visit to China from Sept. 8 to 14, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying announced on Friday.

Chinese Vice President Han Zheng meets with Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Eloina Rodriguez Gomez in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 8, 2023. (Xinhua/Liu Weibing)

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Sheng Chuyi)
New Delhi, Sep 9 (UNI) Amidst the presence of a galaxy of world leaders, the 18th G20 Leaders' Summit began on Saturday at the Bharat Mandapam International Exhibition-Convention Centre in Pragati Maidan here aiming to address the pressing global issues.

The prestigious two-day global event, which is being chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, brings together leaders from the world's 20 major economies. Nine other countries  Bangladesh, Egypt, Mauritius, the Netherlands, Nigeria, Oman, Singapore, Spain, and the United Arab Emirates  have been invited as guests

The summit is being attended by US President Joe Biden, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, among others.

Under its G20 presidency, India has been focusing on issues such as inclusive growth, digital innovation, climate resilience, and equitable global health access.

The agenda also includes discussions on climate change, debt, food security, sustainability, and geopolitical conflict. India, which holds the G20 presidency, has highlighted 'One Earth, One Family, One Future' as the theme of this years summit.

India is leveraging its G-20 presidency to establish itself as a global powerhouse, representing the hopes and aspirations of many developing nations.

India's G20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant has already said ,"the Declaration was "almost ready" and that they were hopeful of clinching a joint communique by consensus.

The summit, a culmination of various ministerial meetings, working groups, and engagement groups throughout the year, aims to address pressing global issues.

On Saturday, the first day of the summit, two sessions will be held, namely One Earth and One Family. Indian Prime Minister is also expected to hold several bilateral meetings, including those with leaders of United Kingdom, Japan, Germany and Italy.

The Prime Minister will be hosting a working lunch on Saturday. President Droupadi Murmu will host the state dinner on Saturday evening for the visiting dignitaries.

President Droupadi Murmu welcomed heads of delegations of the G20 nations, guest countries, and international organisations participating in the 18th G20 Summit in New Delhi.

In a social media message, she said, "India's G20 Presidency theme, Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam - One Earth, One Family, One Future, is a global roadmap for sustainable, inclusive, and human-centric development".

"I wish the participants of the G20 Summit every success in their efforts towards realising this vision".

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed confidence that the New Delhi G-20 Summit will chart a new path in human-centric and inclusive development.

In a social media post, he highlighted that India's G20 presidency has been "inclusive, ambitious, decisive, and action-oriented."

The G20 group is also expected to formally invite the African Union to become a permanent member of the organisation, a move that would give that continent stronger representation in the worlds largest bloc of economic powers.

The G20 is currently composed of 19 nations and the European Union.

UNI JA ARN SY SSP
A rural town has been left reeling after a decorated member of the community armed himself with a rifle and handgun and fatally shot a co-worker before turning his gun on himself.

The final hours of gunman Lachlan Bowles have been revealed as police continue to investigate the chain of events that led to the deaths of two locals in Kellerberrin, about 200km east of Perth in Western Australia.

On September 7, the 25-year-old triggered an eight-hour manhunt and siege after he donned a Nazi armband and confronted his colleague at their workplace.

Before that deadly day, Bowles was well-known in the community as a volunteer paramedic and he had been commended by the Shire of Kellerberrin for his community service in 2020.

He worked at local silo manufacturing business Moylan Grain Silos, alongside his soon-to-be victim Terry Czernowski.

The moments leading up to Lachlan Bowles (pictured) fatally shooting co-workers in a rural town have been revealed

Father-of-one Terry Czernowski was shot dead by his colleague on Thursday

It's not clear what would have driven Bowles to fatally shoot Mr Czernowski, who was aged in his 40s and had a daughter.

Kellerberrin local Peter Mitchell on Friday told 6PR Mornings he knew both men involved in the shocking shooting. He described Bowles as 'easygoing' and 'smiling all the time.'

'He was quiet, kept to himself, did his stuff, but at the end of the day he was a good kid,' he said.

'If you'd told me it was going to happen I'd go 'nah, wrong guy, you're dreaming.'

Mr Mitchell also described Mr Czernowski as a good person, and said he was shocked that both men were gone.

'There's only two people who are going to know the truth of what went on, and they're now departed,' he said.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 7

It was an unremarkable day for Mr Czernowski, who made his way to work at Moylan Grain Silos on Mather Rd in Kellerberrin.

Bowles headed in the same direction, driving his grey 2007 Holden Commodore and dressed head-to-toe in camouflage clothing.

Witnesses during the day also reported he was wearing an armband emblazoned with a Nazi swastika.

The 25-year-old was armed with a high-powered rifle and a handgun.

It's not clear what would have driven Bowles to fatally shoot Mr Czernowski, who was aged in his 40s and had a daughter

Bowles arrived at Moylan Grain Silos in Kellerberrin before 9am and confronted Mr Czernowski

8.40am

Bowles arrived at Moylan Grain Silos before 9am and confronted Mr Czernowski.

Exactly what happened next is unclear, but he shot the older man with either the rifle or handgun, before fleeing the scene in his car.

8.40am - 2pm

Mr Czernowski was rushed to hospital, but died from his gunshot wound.

WA Police first reported 'an incident in the Kellerberrin area' just before 9.30am and asked members of the public to stay indoors until further notice.

Twenty minutes later, police confirmed one person had been shot and injured, and a gunman was on the run.

At 10.14am, police issued an alert seeking the whereabouts of Bowles, but they didn't explicitly link him to the shooting. They urged the public to call triple-zero if they spotted the young man.

Meanwhile, Bowles headed northeast out of town, towards Mission Rd. At some point during the course of the morning, he ditched his car and continued north along Mission Rd on foot.

Bowles caused the deaths of two locals in Kellerberrin, about 200 km east of Perth in Western Australia

While on foot, he was approached by local farmer Rob Linto, who was heading in the direction of York in his Toyota LandCruiser ute.

'I didn't think much of it, but then I saw him stop ... he had a gun pointed at me as I'm coming towards him,' Mr Linto told The West Australian newspaper.

'So as I saw the gun, I thought I've got to [accelerate]. So I just put the foot down but obviously as I went past, he's spun around and lined me up, and had a shot.

'So I didn't stop. I just kept launching. I stopped once and then I thought I heard a car coming, so I got back in and off.'

Mr Linto told the newspaper he eventually stopped and called triple-zero. He later realised his car had been hit.

'The bullet went through the top of the (spare) tyre, out the other side of the tyre, through the back above the window, touched inside of the roof lining, went into the roof lining at the front and tried to come out the front,' he said.

'That's when I thought - this is reality here. I just had to sit down.'

Mr Linto was left shaken but was otherwise unharmed.

Police Commander of Regional WA Rod Wilde said that police initially tried to negotiate with Bowles during the shooting but that these talks had broken down

About 10.43am, police issued an active shooter alert, once again urging locals to stay inside and not travel for any reason.

They scheduled a media conference for 12.45pm, but it was postponed after Bowles was located in a farming paddock about 20km north of Kellerberrin.

2.00pm

Police revealed negotiations were underway between Bowles and members of the police Tactical Response Group.

It's been reported that, during the standoff, Bowles was waving a Nazi flag.

4.30pm

Negotiations with Bowles broke down, and Bowles shot himself in the head. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police Commander of Regional WA Rod Wilde was expected to address the media at 4.30pm, but this was delayed by 15 minutes so he could confirm the standoff had ended with Bowles suffering a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

The gunman's death was not officially confirmed until just after 6.00pm.

'Obviously it's a tragic outcome for everyone involved,' Mr Wilde said.

Bowles shot himself in the head after negotiations fell apart and was pronounced dead at the scene

ONGOING INVESTIGATION

On Friday, police launched their extensive investigation into the shooting.

It's anticipated detectives and forensic officers will be in Kellerberrin for days, or even weeks, as they try to piece together the incident and the events leading up to Thursday.

Meanwhile, WA Police Minister Paul Papalia addressed the media on Friday, using the opportunity to spruik his government's gun law reforms.

'We're on time, the work is being done, a draft will be completed soon, and will be released to the public before it's brought into the parliament,' he said.

The updated laws are expected to toughen storage obligations and implement mandatory and recurring mental health checks for gun owners.

However, he could not offer new information about the shooting investigation.
President Joe Biden made it to dinner in New Delhi Saturday night - after skipping a trio of meals with world leaders at summits over the past year.

Indian media captured the president entering the Bharat Mandapam convention center about 30 minutes after the dinner was supposed to begin Saturday evening, after spending the day in meetings at the G20 Leaders' Summit.

He appeared to be the last guest to arrive.

Biden spent several minutes greeting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and India's President Droupadi Murmu, who was dressed in a sari and served as the dinner's official host.

The guests, which also included Russia's Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergey Lavrov, will be served a vegetarian meal that stars the grain millet - an important Indian crop.

President Joe Biden (left) arrives as a dinner Saturday night hosted by India's President Droupadi Murmu (center) and Prime Minister Narendra Modi (right). He's skipped a trio of dinners with world leaders in summits over the past year

President Joe Biden (left) clasps the hands of Indian President Droupadi Murmu (right) as Prime Minister Narendra Modi (center) looks on. The president and other dinner guests will be served a vegetarian meal heavily featuring the Indian grain millet

G20 LEADERS' SUMMIT DINNER MENU APPETIZER: Paatram - foxtail millet leaf crisps topped with yogurt sphere and spiced chutney MAIN: Vanavarnam - jackfruit galette served with glazed forest mushrooms, little millet crisp and curry leaf tossed Kerala red rice INDIAN BREADS: Mumbai Pao - onion seed flavored soft bun Bakarkhani - cardamom flavored sweet flat bread DESSERT: Madhurima - cardamom scented Barnyard millet pudding, fig-peach compote and Ambemohar rice crisps BEVERAGES: Kashmiri Kahwa, filter coffee and Darjeeling tea Advertisement

Biden, 80, has gotten in the habit of skipping dinners with world leaders.

In July, he missed the leaders' dinner as the NATO Summit convened Vilnius, Lithuania.

A White House official said Biden RSVPed no for the dinner because he had 'four full days of official business abroad, including back to back summit meetings and a major speech.'

The president caught some grief for skipping the dinner, which the White House pointed out was a social not a business event, because he had spent time at this Rehoboth Beach house directly before the trip.

Before that, in May, Biden left the a G7 leaders dinner early.

The leaders were gathered on Miyajima Island outside of Hiroshima, known for its iconic 'floating' torii gate and domesticated deer population.

The president stumbled as he walked down the stairs of the Itsukushima Shrine as he rushed to greet Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.

The White House said it was the 'plan' for Biden to depart the dinner earlier than the other leaders due to the ongoing debt ceiling crisis back home.

Biden also truncated that trip abroad, as he was supposed to travel to Australia for the first time as U.S. president, but headed back to D.C. days early to deal with debt ceiling woes.

At last year's G20 in Bali, Biden also decided to forego the dinner.

'It's not COVID,' a White House official told DailyMail.com via email at the time. 'He just spent a full day in meetings and needed to atttend to a few things tonight (nothing urgent!)'

'He spoke to [Indonesian President Joko] Widodo to send his regrets about missing the dinner and Widodo said it was not an issue and [he] looks forward to seeing him at the mangrove thing tomorrow,' the official added.

The G20 leaders planted a mangrove tree as part of the scheduled program.

COVID-19 was top of mind because Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen tested positive for the virus just days after meeting with Biden in Phnom Penh.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (left) and Indian President Droupadi Murmu (center) pose for a photo with French President Emmanuel Marcon as they welcome G20 leaders to a vegetarian feast Saturday night in New Delhi

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (left) and Indian President Droupadi Murmu (center right) welcomed British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak (center left) and his wife Akshata Murthy (right) to Saturday night's G20 Leaders' Summit dinner

President Joe Biden spent Saturday participating in the first day of the G20 Leaders' Summit. At recent previous summits, Biden has skipped the leaders dinner

Biden had tested negative for COVID earlier in the day and was not considered a close contact.

The White House previously said Biden had a cold.

'It's been a long day, and he has other matters he needed to attend to,' an official said.

It was later revealed by CNN that Biden ditched out on dinner because he wanted to prepare for his granddaughter Naomi's White House wedding, which was held the following November weekend.

In the hours, following, however, Biden was back at work dealing with the missile that had entered Poland, which upped the prospect of the Ukraine war spilling over to a NATO ally, potentially starting a military clash with Russia.

Biden's advanced age is developing into one of the major challenges his reelection campaign is facing going into 2024.

Last week's AP-NORC poll that found 77 percent of Americans, including 69 percent of Democrats, believe Biden is too old to run for reelection.

A Wall Street Journal poll out Monday had similar findings, with 73 percent of voters saying Biden is too old to run again, including two-thirds of Democrats.

In turn, Biden's stamina on the world stage is under increased scrutiny.

The Atlantic's Franklin Foer's new book The Last Politician: Inside Joe Biden's White House and the Struggle for America's Future wrote about the paradox of Biden's age slowing him down physically, while decades of government experience have been an asset.

Foer noted that it was 'striking that he took so few morning meetings or presided over so few public events before 10 a.m.'

'His public persona reflected physical decline and time's dulling of mental faculties that no pill or exercise regime can resist,' the author said. 'In private, he would occasionally admit that he felt tired.'

But in the same passage, Foer says that the president's 'wartime leadership,' supporting Ukraine in its fight against Russia, 'drew on his weathered instincts and his robust self-confidence.'

With Ukraine espeically, Foer wrote, 'the advantages of having an older president were on display.'

'He wasn't just a leader of the coalition, he was the West's father figure, whom foreign leaders could call for advice and look to for assurance. It was his calming presence and his strategic clarity that helped lead the alliance to such an aggressive stance, which stymied authoritarianism on its front lines,' the book says.
Frank Allen, 63, says he now suffers from PTSD

A traffic controller with almost a decade of experience claims he was cruelly sacked by his boss after an on-site incident left him suffering crippling PTSD.

Frank Allen, 63, had been guiding traffic around a truck delivering power poles in Landsdale, north of Perth, when a driver knocked him to the ground and allegedly threatened him with a box cutter on March 29.

The Advanced Traffic Management (ATM) employee claims he lifted his 'slow' sign at the 34-year-old driver of a Ford Ranger SUV ute who sped up and almost hit the traffic controller before swerving away at the last second.

Flustered but unharmed, Mr Allen assumed the ordeal was over before the driver of the ute suddenly reappeared and pushed him to the ground.

'I noticed he had a box knife, you know like a Stanley knife, in his hand and he was threatening: I'm going to kill you, I'm going to cut you, you old ****, he told 7News.

'He's screaming and yelling, I've got blood running down my face.'

Frank Allen, a Perth traffic controller with almost a decade of experience, claims he was cruelly sacked by his boss after an on-site incident left him with crippling PTSD

Mr Allen said he was able to hit his alleged attacker with his slow sign before one of his colleagues convinced the man to leave and called an ambulance.

Despite avoiding serious injury, Mr Allen said the ordeal has 'really messed (him) up'.

He now feels more nervous in public and fears arguments will escalate in the same way the alleged incident with the ute driver did.

The traffic controller says his PTSD has also put a strain on his marriage.

After the incident Mr Allen required a week off but according to him, he wasn't provided any workers compensation and went the week without pay.

'Trying to get help from the companies is an absolute nightmare,' he said.

Eventually, Mr Allen received compensation and after four months he returned to his job and reported his experience to ATM's HR department.

Mr Allen told HR that there was not enough support available, which he claims only made the situation worse.

'(The HR worker's) gone and told the general manager, and (the general manager) comes out and calls me into his office and starts having a go at me,' he said.

The traffic controller said as a result of his PTSD symptoms he lost his cool and told his boss to 'stick it where the sun don't shine' - losing his job as a result.

He claims the incident in March is not the only time he has been abused at work.

Despite avoiding serious injury, Mr Allen said the ordeal has 'really messed (him) up' (stock)

The traffic controller was allegedly hit by a car while on the job a few years ago and never received counselling from his employer, despite his request for support.

Mr Allen now works for a different company in the traffic control sector, but was forced to take a pay cut from what he was previously earning at ATM.

A week after he was fired, ATM abruptly entered liquidation owing more than $10million. The company's 400-strong workforce was sacked via text message.

A 34-year-old man has been charged with common assault in circumstances of aggravation or racial aggravation and being armed in a way that may cause fear.

The Parkwood man, from Perth's southeast, has appeared before the courts four times in relation to the alleged attack in March but is yet to enter a plea.

He will next appear in Joondalup Magistrates Court on September 18.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted the Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union (CFMMEU) for comment in relation to Mr Allen's experience.
A man whose mother was brutally murdered by his father 30 years ago has pleaded with the killer to reveal where he dumped his 35-year-old victim's remains.

Laura May Al Shatanawi was murdered by her Jordanian-born husband Hassan in Hartlepool. He was jailed for life in October 1994, but has never revealed where he disposed of her remains.

Now, his son, Rasheed Vaughan, speaking for the first time publicly about his ordeal, said: 'I love my mam so much and I will never stop trying to find her. My mam would love to have met my son and see me grow up. We wish it wasn't the case but we'd want nothing more than to be able to put my mam to rest.

He told Teesside Live: 'I have a lot of fond memories from being a child of mam. I remember going on holidays with her, we went to Rhodes - me and my mam, aunty and uncle - I remember going on trips to Scarborough. I have so many lovely memories. I've been told she lived life to the full.'

Richard Vaughan, pictured at his mother's graveside, is pleading with his father Hassan to reveal where he dumped her body after her murder in June 1993

Laura Al Shatanawi, pictured, was murdered by her husband Hassan who dumped her body. Police found DNA evidence linking him to the crime in his allotment shed, though there has been no sign of her body over the past 30 years

Mr Vaughan, pictured, was aged just seven when his mother was murdered by his father

The 37-year-old father-of-one was seven when his mother vanished. Initially, Shatanawi claimed his wife - who had been studying tourism in Hartlepool - had taken a holiday to Turkey.

READ MORE: Jordanian doctor who murdered his wife in a shed is deported Advertisement

The couple married in Egypt in 1985 and moved to England in 1985.

Shatanawi reported his wife missing three weeks after his wife vanished. Police soon became suspicious of the and arrested Mr Vaughan's father.

Before murdering his wife, the killer had rented an allotment and paid a workman 10 to burn down his shed.

The workman sold the shed onto a friend and when police made an appeal for witnesses, the workman passed on details of the shed which contained vital forensic evidence which led to Shatanawi's conviction.

A court heard he murdered his wife to move in with his mistress and their five-year-old son.

Mr Vaughan said he saw his father while on remand but has never spoken to him since.

He added: 'Since he has been deported I am trying to locate him because if he's going to tell anybody where my mam's body is it would be me. I always think where could she be. We've never been able to give her a resting place.'
Wagner warlord Yevgeny Prigozhin avoided death when his plane crashed near Moscow and is now hiding in Venezuela, a Russian political analyst has claimed.

He is 'alive and well' on the Caribbean paradise island of Margarita, according to Dr Valery Solovey, who also claims Vladimir Putin is terminally ill and that all current appearances of the Kremlin president are by two doppelgangers controlled by the secret services.

Ukrainian military intelligence this week raised the possibility that billionaire Prigozhin remained alive.

The agency said it could not confirm his death.

Now Solovoy - seen by some as a conspiracy theorist - said without offering proof: 'I promised to tell where [Yevgeny Prigozhin] is.

Billionaire Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin, right, escaped Vladimir Putin's wrath and is currently living in the Caribbean, a Russian analyst has claimed

Valery Solovoy claims Prigozhin is lying low until Vladimir Putin dies when he will be free to return to Russia

Solovoy claims Prigozhin is hiding out on the Venezuelan island of Margarita

'He is in Venezuela

'As far as I know, he is on an island called Margarita.'

Solovoy claimed his sources said that Prigozhin was warned of the impending plane crash, and given a route to avoid being on board.

'Yevgeny Prigozhin was warned about his assassinationthat his plane would be destroyed,' he said.

'Yes, he was warned.'

He claimed that a deal was hatched involving Putin and his presidential security supremo Nikolai Patrushev, secretary of the Russian Security Council.

'They developed the "trick" that we observed,' he said.

'When Wagner's key commanders died [in the plane crash], Yevgeny Prigozhin remained alive and well.'

On August 27 Russian authorities confirmed Prigozhin died when his jet blew up outside Moscow on August 23

Prigozhin was ordered to lie low but may be allowed to comeback after Putin's death to lead a force of 5,000 Wagner mercenary fighters that will remain armed and ready for use in the event of an impending battle between competing clans for ultimate power, according to Solovey's fantastical version.

'They agreed about cooperation in a critical situation,' he said.

This means Prigozhin for now remains hidden.

'Up to 5,000 mercenaries might be under Prigozhin's control,' he said.

'These fighters are supposed to be used as a death squad, to get rid of those who will try to resist [a new ruling] coalition [linked to Patrushev].'

READ MORE: Wagner boss trained mercenaries to kill Ukrainian woman, whistleblower claims Advertisement

He claimed that assets of Prigozhin including diamonds, gold, and cash were being split with one-seventh retained by Prigozhin, and the rest going to 'structures controlled by the family of Vladimir Putin'.

The real Putin is sickly and may not survive the autumn, according to his doctors, he alleged.

Two body doubles are used for an increasing number of appearances.

'Putin's double, or, to be more precise, two doppelgangers, are controlled by the Federal Protection Service [FSO],' he said.

Ukraine's GUR military intelligence agency said this week that it could confirm the deaths of Wagner military commander Dmitry Utkin, 53, and other mercenary army figures in the Tver region Embraer Legacy 600 jet crash, but declined to do so over Prigozhin.

A spokesman said: 'We must operate with confirmed facts, we still need to wait.'

He said: 'I will simply focus on the fact that we can confirm the death of Utkin and several other associates of Prigozhin.'

Telegram channel Brief said that Russia has classified all details of the air crash in which the warlord is said to have died.

'According to insiders, the case of the crash of the Embraer aircraft has been classified as 'secret', and special control has been established over the materials of the case, so that no information can leak to the media without authorisation,' said a report.

Solovey - a former professor at Moscow's prestigious Institute of International Relations [MGIMO], a training academy for spies and diplomats - said Prigozhin 'is enjoying life at a very good resort'.

After the air crash, the warlord's remains were identified by DNA analysis, claimed the Russian authorities at the time.

A close Prigozhin associate Maxim Shugaley said he was sure Prigozhin - whose funeral was held in St Petersburg - was dead, assassinated either by elements in Russia or abroad.

'I was also silent for a long time, but now I want to write about what I feel,' he said.

'My thoughts may seem controversial for some.

'So, the first question that absolutely everyone raises is: Is he alive or not alive?

'The answer for me is unequivocal - [he] is no more.'
The G20 leaders agreed to a joint declaration Saturday in New Delhi that specifically includes wording on the war in Ukraine, which was approved by both President Joe Biden and the Russians.

It gives host country India a win after last year's G20 Leaders' Summit in Bali ended without an official declaration on the war due to Moscow's resistance.

At that time, language was released that said 'most members strongly condemned the war,' though noted there were differences in opinion - as Russia, the country that invaded Ukraine, is a member of the G20.

This year's language doesn't call out Russia as the aggressor but does ban the use of nuclear weapons.

'Concerning the war in Ukraine, while recalling the discussion in Bali, we reiterated our national positions and resolutions adopted at the U.N. Security Council and the U.N. General Assembly and underscored that all States must act in a manner consistent with the Purposes and Principles of the U.N. Charter in its entirety,' it said.

'In line with the U.N. Charter, all states must refrain from the threat or use of force to seek territorial acquisition against the territorial integrity and sovereignty or political independence of any state. The use or threat of use of nuclear weapons is inadmissible,' it also said.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi banged on the table as he announced the G20 leaders would have a joint communique out of this year's Leaders' Summit in New Delhi. Last year language over the war in Ukraine prevented an official declaration from being agreed upon

The declaration will be signed off on by President Joe Biden (left) and the Russians. Russian President Vladimir Putin skipped this year's G20 Leaders' Summit, sending Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov (right) in his stead

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the G20's host, announced the breakthrough Saturday afternoon at the conclusion of the summit's second session.

'Friends, we just received good news,' Modi said in Hindi. 'Owing to the hard work of our teams and with the cooperation of you all, consensus has been reached on a New Delhi G20 leaders' summit declaration.'

'I declare that the declaration has been adopted,' he said, striking his hands on the table as the room erupted in cheers.

He also announced Saturday that the the African Union had officially joined the G20.

On the Ukraine language, Nikkei cited a source close to India's government who said Russia had to come around during India's G20 presidency - as the two are longtime partners.

'Some compromise over the language [referring to the conflict] is being made,' the source said.

Russian President Vladimir Putin skipped the summit, as did China's Xi Jinping.

Biden made the most of it by glad-handing the leaders of some of the U.S.'s top allies when he arrived at the summit Saturday morning.

Biden was spotted laughing with British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and spent some time with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as the opening session got underway.

The leaders of Australia, the Netherlands, Germany, and Nigeria also greeted Biden.

Indonesia's President Joko Widodo shared a long embrace with Biden before taking his seat.

One photo captured Russia's Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergey Lavrov just feet away from the U.S. president, amid tensions over the Ukraine war.

The president was seated four seats away from Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, as the White House has played coy on whether the two would meet on the summit's sidelines.

President Joe Biden (left) arrives at the G20 Leaders' Summit Saturday in New Delhi, shaking and holding hands with the host, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (right)

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak (left) laughs with President Joe Biden (right) during the G20 Leaders' Summit on Saturday

President Joe Biden (second from right) holds court with President of the European Council Charles Michel (second from left), Oman's Deputy Prime Minister Asa'ad bin Tariq bin Taimur al Said (center) and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (right), while Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov - standing in for President Vladimir Putin - stands feet away

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak (left) pats President Joe Biden (right) on the shoulder as they arrive at the G20 Leaders' Summit in New Delhi, India on Satudray

They later appeared together at an event announcing a large global infrastructure project, with Biden slightly messing up the pronunciation of MBS' name.

White House officials spent the morning and Friday night knocking China for playing hooky.

Both Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin are sitting out the meeting of the world's top economies.

Putin sent Lavrov in his stead as he's wanted for war crimes by the International Criminal Court.

Principal Deputy National Security Advisor Jon Finer said Saturday morning that 'really it's incumbent upon the Chinese government to explain why a leader would or would not participate.'

It was unclear if Modi expressed displeasure about Xi and Putin's absences when he met with Biden Friday night - the first meeting of the U.S. president's trip, but National Security Council Coordinator for the Indo-Pacific Kurt Campbell told reporters afterward that he sensed the Indians were upset.

'I think it is a disappointment for India that both Russia and China are not here,' he told reporters in a late Friday night briefing.

'And the fact that the United States, probably the country that India has invested the most in deepending and developing a relationship with, showed up and is engaged in every major initiative that will be rolled out over the next couple of days was both reassuring and gratifying for the Indian interlocutors and that was not lost on us,' he also said.

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi (right) shakes the hand of Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman (left) as he arrived at Saturday's G20 meeting

President Joe Biden (center) heads to his seat at Saturday's G20 Leaders' Summit in New Delhi, India, he was followed by Secretary of State Antony Blinken (left) and flanked by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (right)

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov (center ) was seated next to Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman (left). It's unclear whether Biden will meet with MBS on the sideslines of this weekend's G20 Leaders' Summit

LEADERS ATTENDING THE G20 ARGENTINA: President Alberto Fernandez AUSTRALIA: Prime Minister Anthony Albanese BRAZIL: President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva CANADA: Prime Minister Justin Trudeau FRANCE: President Emmanuel Macron GERMANY: Chancellor Olaf Scholz INDIA: Prime Minister Narendra Modi (host) INDONESIA: President Joko Widodo ITALY: Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni JAPAN: Prime Minister Fumio Kishida REPUBLIC OF KOREA: President Yoon Suk Yeol SAUDI ARABIA: Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman SOUTH AFRICA: President Cyril Ramaphosa TURKEY: President Recep Tayyip Erdogan THE UNITED KINGDOM: Prime Minister Rishi Sunak THE UNITED STATES: President Joe Biden THE EUROPEAN UNION: President Ursula von der Leyen Advertisement

Last week, China and India got into a diplomatic tiff over an 'official map' released by China that claimed lands along the Himalayas that Indian officials say belong to them.

Xi sent Premier Li Qiang in his place.

The president arrived in India Friday night, where he was greeted by the U.S. ambassador to India, Eric Garcetti, the former Los Angeles mayor, and his daughter Maya.

Biden bent down to talk to Maya and then was treated to a brief dance number by an Indian dance troupe positioned on a makeshift stage in front of the airport terminal.

They danced to a version of Ed Sheeran's Shape of You.



Biden then motorcaded to Modi's residence, where U.S. journalists were left waiting in vans - without bathroom access - outside.

Press access has been one of the gnawing issues at the summit, taking place in the capital of the so-called 'world's largest democracy.'

On the flight over, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan pointed to the unique venue where Biden and Modi's first meeting of the summit was taking place.

'This meeting will be taking place at the prime minister's residence,' Sullivan told reporters on board Air Force One. 'So it's unusual in that respect.'

Still, he said that the White House pressed the Indian government for press access - and was denied.

Afterward, Campbell called India a 'work in progress,' on various democratic freedoms, including freedom of the press.

'And I think the key here is for us to maintain a respectful dialogue, and to approach some of the challenges with the degree of humility given some of the challenges that we face in our own country as well,' Campbell said.

On Saturday, just two U.S. journalists - a writer and a photographer - were allowed access to the opening G20 session.

As Modi spoke in Hindi, the U.S. reporter wasn't given the device that allows for simultaneous translation.

Finer said Saturday that Biden brought up unspecified democracy issues during his conversation with Modi.

Finer had been asked if Biden had taken Modi to task for bulldozing slums ahead of the summit, leaving droves of poor people homeless in an effort to beautify the city for visiting world leaders.

Ishant Kumar, 10, son of Dharmender Kumar, who works as a clerk at Pragati Maidan which houses the main venue of G20 Summit, stands next to his bulldozed house during a demolition drive by the authorities at a slum area near the upcoming summit venue in New Delhi, India, June 1, 2023

The White House was asked if Biden raised the issue of slum clearance in his meeting with Modi

The slum-clearance if part of a broader effort by India to dazzle world leaders. Stray dogs have also been removed from New Delhi's busy streets. Authorities in the Indian capital went on a clean-up drive as part of a beautification project

LEADERS SNUBBING THE G20 CHINA: President Xi Jinping MEXICO: Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador RUSSIA: President Vladimir Putin Advertisement

City officials also disbursed street dogs and monkeys ahead of the summit.

The city's residents were told to take a holiday, leaving streets vacant and shops closed, clearing the way for motorcades to zoom down traffic-less roadways.

Modi kicked off events at the G20 summit Saturday using a name plate that said 'Bharat,' amid speculation that his government could India's name going forward.

Bharat comes from ancient Sanskrit.

For some, the name India has taken on unpleasant colonial associations, although its root is the Indus river.

It came after state-issued invitations to the event by Droupadi Murmu identified the official as 'President of Bharat.'

On the agenda Saturday, the White House is set to tout a new shipping and rail corridor project it calls 'groundbreaking' with prospects of bringing more stability to the turbulent Middle East region by more closely linking regional economies together.

The project is a new rail transportation corridor that would include the U.S. India, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and the European Union  although it isn't exactly 'shovel ready,' with leaders set to announce only a 'memorandum of understanding' on it.

Finer told reporters traveling in New Delhi Saturday it could help 'turn the temperature down' on 'turbulence and insecurity' coming out of the Middle East.

'It will be a clear demonstration of a new model President Biden has pioneered for more transparent and sustainably sustainable development, sustainable, high standard infrastructure that fills a damaged gap and enables greater prosperity and better connectivity for key regions around the world,' he said.

Saudi Arabia's inclusion could set up the right conditions for Biden and MBS to speak.

On the table, potentially, is a 'mega-deal' between Saudi Arabia and the U.S. that could lead to Saudi and Israel normalizing relations.

It would be a historic breakthrough for Mideast peace.

Officials told Axios last month that the administration is trying to finish its diplomatic push before the 2024 presidential election ramps up.

While those sources pointed to how much of Biden's time his reelection campaign will eat up, Saudi relations are not popular among swaths of the U.S.

Besides the country's poor treatment of women, there was the murder of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi.

And timing of an MBS meeting could also be awkward for Biden - who has decided to skip the traditional 9/11 ceremonies to mark the anniversary of the terror attacks Monday in Alaska on his way home from India and Vietnam.

For years, 9/11 families have gone after the Saudi government, as 15 of the 19 terrorist hijackers were Saudis.
He's been divorced once and is now facing jail for being married to two women at the same time.

But that hasnt stopped bigamist Jason Hayters search for love, as friends say he has proposed to another woman.

Sarah Taylor posted photos on her Facebook account of her cuddling up to the ex-soldier and showing off a sparkler on her ring finger.

But the philanderer may have had his own heart broken for once after the glare of publicity that followed his court appearance last week, as Ms Taylor is now insisting the romance is over.

She also denied being engaged to him  despite stating she had accepted a marriage proposal on her Facebook page.

Sarah Taylor with bigamist Jason Hayter. She now insists the relationship is over

Taylor had, however, posted a photo of a sparkling ring on her ring finger. But she has since insisted that it was not an engagement band

Taylor's Facebook profile featured a picture of Jason Hayter

Bigamist Hayter could be facing jail after he admitted a charge of bigamy

Were not engaged. Thats not an engagement ring, the 44-year-old said at the home they have been sharing in Frinton-on-Sea, Essex.

Asked if he was still her partner, the GP surgery worker added: Not anymore.

Norwich Magistrates Court has been informed Ms Taylors two-storey terraced house was Hayters place of residence and at the end of last week its records had not been updated.

Hayter has not responded to requests to comment.

Friends said the couple met in 2020 through 48-year-old Hayters current job as a paramedic  but were under the impression they were still planning to get hitched, despite the obstacle of him facing up to seven years in jail when he is sentenced.

She knows that hes married as his Facebook says married, one told MailOnline.

Im unsure if theyve set a date or venue but there is no process for him getting divorced as he is being sentenced next month and has refused to leave both wives.

But another said: She knew he was still married but maybe she didnt know it was to more than one person and that he was looking at time behind bars. I didnt know about that.

If she does stick with him itll obviously be a while before they can get married.

Love-cheat Hayter married Tracey Larcombe in 2010 and Sara Hayter in 2016.

He lived with one in Germany and the other in the UK. Neither woman knew about the other or the children he had with them.

They trustingly accepted his claims when he had to go away that he was working or suffering from mental health issues.

Hayter's first wife, Teresa Fortune, pictured holding a snake, told MailOnline how Hayter also lived a 'double life' with her

Mrs Fortune, 53, also spoke of Hayter's passion for 'playing away', calls from other women who would slam the phone down when she answered, and how he used two phones

When Ms Fortune discovered her estranged husband was dating Mrs Larcombe (pictured), she contacted her on Facebook to warn 'what he was like'

Tracey Larcombe was even left to handle debt collectors after Jason Hayter abandoned her and her family

Hayter, pictured with his second wife Tracey Larcombe, who claims he abandoned her with debts

Hayter served in the Army for 24 years, first as a guardsman for the 2nd Battalion The Coldstream Guards, including postings to Bosnia, Iraq and Afghanistan, and later as a sergeant for the Royal Military Police. More recently he trained to become a paramedic with London Ambulance Service.

He was only caught when one of his children became suspicious of a link to another woman on his Facebook account and contacted them to ask how she knew him.

Neither Mrs Larcombe nor Mrs Hayter have wanted to comment about their husband.

But in court last Tuesday, Mrs Hayter said in a statement: I dont want anything more to do with him. I did not see this coming. He has manipulated me.

I believe everything he has said to me is a lie. I dont think he knows the truth anymore.

Mrs Hayter added in her statement: He walked out on me and the children. He has never sent a birthday card and never asked about the children. We have had nothing from him.

I was shocked to learn that he had married again and had three other children.

Hayter  who is understood to have changed his name from Larcombe when he married his third wife  was originally married to Teresa Fortune, who revealed exclusively to MailOnline how he led a double life with her too.

The former MoD admin worker and another woman confronted him together one time after she turned up at the family home and revealed they were having a relationship  adding she had been led to believe he had separated from Mrs Fortune.

The 53-year-old said her ex-husbands priorities were always work and playing away and she had often received calls from women who hurriedly slammed down the phone when she answered.

Sara Hayter married Jason Hayter in 2016, unaware that he was already wedded to Tracey Larcombe

Sara Hayter, who is the bigamist's third wife, declined to comment when approached

Hayter was posted to Bosnia, Iraq and Afghanistan during his 24-year military career

Mrs Fortune, who divorced Hayter in 2009 on the grounds of his adultery, today advised Ms Taylor Dont do it if she was still considering getting hitched.

She added: Hes always got somebody on the backburner, hes always got a second option. Youll end up with a broken heart.

Bald Hayter admitted the charge of bigamy when he appeared in court last week.

He arrived wearing a pinstripe suit and sporting a long beard, wheeling himself into the building on a wheelchair. Magistrates were told he suffered a stroke last year. He has also been diagnosed with PTSD, his lawyer said.

Prosecutor Sally Harris told the Bench the impact of his offence was very significant and was aggravated by the length of time it had gone on for and the fact that children were involved.

Magistrates warned Hayter that all sentencing options were open, including prison, as they sent the case to Norwich Crown Court where he will be sentenced next month.
An EasyJet flight travelling to Scotland was forced to make an emergency landing in Germany after a passenger onboard required 'urgent medical assistance'.

Last night, flight EZY3314 from Krakow to Edinburgh had to divert as a passenger required urgent medical attention.

The Airbus then made an emergency landing in Bremen Airport in Germany.

Flight EZY3314 from Krakow to Edinburgh had to make an emergency landing in Bremen Airport after a passenger required urgent medical attention

Paramedics then met the aircraft on arrival with the passenger being taken to hospital.

The flight then continued to Edinburgh.

An EasyJet spokesperson told MailOnline: 'We can confirm that flight EZY3314 from Krakow to Edinburgh diverted to Bremen last night due to a passenger onboard requiring urgent medical assistance.

'Paramedics met the aircraft on arrival where the passenger was transferred to hospital and the flight continued to Edinburgh.

'The safety and wellbeing of our customers and crew is always easyJet's highest priority.'
The prime minister has used a speech at the G20 summit to urge countries to commit to net-zero to lessen the impact of devastating natural disasters.

Speaking on the first day of the global summit in New Delhi on Saturday, Anthony Albanese said urgent action was needed to prevent further exacerbation of climate change.

'Our communities have endured another year of extreme climate impacts,' he told world leaders at the summit.

'Devastating weather events have affected so many nations, including Australia. The science is clear: our climate has already changed.

'We are united in our ambition for a net-zero future.

'Now we must turn our hands to action: urgent, comprehensive action.'

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese attended the first day of the G20 summit on Saturday

Mr Albanese met with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida for bilateral talks

During his intervention at the summit, Mr Albanese touted the federal government's own net-zero transformation and $40 billion for energy transformation projects.

He urged the G20 economies to increase production of renewable energy technology.

Mr Albanese said Australia was committed to stepping up on climate action.

'Australia has long been a reliable global energy supplier, and we continue to be, but as the world decarbonises, what we export will change,' he said.

'We are expanding our capacity to provide the minerals, metals and clean energy components to help decarbonise our region.'

Mr Albanese was greeted by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is hosting the summit.

The global talks come amid rising tensions in the Indo-Pacific and increasing Chinese aggression. Tensions are expected on the G20's statement regarding the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has skipped the summit, with Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov attending in his place.

Mr Albanese is seen arriving in New Delhi on Friday with his partner Jodie Haydon

Ms Haydon has accompanied Mr Albanese and Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong to Asia

Mr Albanese was greeted by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is hosting the summit

During his speech, Mr Albanese hit out at Russia's invasion, which has been ongoing since early 2022.

'(Prime Minister Modi) has steered the G20 through another challenging year, a year made all the more challenging, of course, by Russia's illegal and immoral invasion of Ukraine, which I condemn in the strongest terms,' he said.

Early reports suggest a stalemate on the wording of how to address the Ukraine invasion had delayed agreement on an official communique from the summit, with Russia unlikely to sign off on a condemnation of its military action.

Another major world leader, Chinese President Xi Jinping, has also opted not to attend following tensions between China and India.

China's second-in-command, Premier Li Qiang, is representing the Asian nation at the summit.

Mr Albanese had already met with Mr Li in Jakarta on Thursday on the sidelines of the East Asia Summit.

Australia had been looking to de-escalate tensions with China, following the scrapping of trade tariffs on barley.

Later in the day, Mr Albanese will hold bilateral talks with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.

He will also attend talks as part of MIKTA, a gathering of summit leaders from Mexico, Indonesia, South Korea, Turkey and Australia.

Mr Albanese spent Friday in the Phillipines with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr (pictured right)

Mr Albanese will also attend talks as part of MIKTA, a gathering of summit leaders from Mexico, Indonesia, South Korea, Turkey and Australia

The prime minister held informal talks overnight with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on a free-trade agreement between Australia and the EU, which had previously been stalled in negotiations.

The pair spoke about finalising the agreement as soon as possible.

New Delhi has come to a standstill due to the summit, with police closing off large sections of the city.

Nearby businesses and schools have been instructed to close as part of security measures

During the opening remarks, Mr Modi said the G20 had agreed to add the African Union, made up of 55 countries from the continent, as a permanent member of the bloc.
GHA Director General attends Dementia fidget making session

The Gibraltar Alzheimers and Dementia Society re-started their Social Group in March this year when members of the community meet and make fidget blankets and other items for people living with dementia alongside having cake and some refreshments.

This support group takes place every Thursday between 9.30am and 12.30pm at the Bishop Canilla House (Clubhouse Room). Members of the community who are either caring for someone living with dementia, or who are living with dementia themselves are also invited to attend to seek emotional and practical support or if they just want some company. The support group is also open to the local community who are invited to attend to support a good cause.

These meetings are supported by the GHA as the Dementia Coordinator visits during this time so that both the Dementia Coordinator and the Chairperson of GADS alongside other members of the society, are available on a drop-in basis to be able to answer questions and offer support both to patients and their families. Residents and staff from ERS also attend this social group to assist with projects and an opportunity to meet with friends and family who due to mobility restrictions find the access to Bishop Canilla House much easier.

As part of their weekly support GADS hosted a pre-National Day Party and fidget making group, which Professor Patrick Geoghegan OBE, Director General of the GHA, visited to see the work of the Gibraltar Alzheimers and Dementia Society (GADS) supported by the GHA as part of the continuing campaign to raise awareness of Dementia throughout Gibraltar during the month of September.

GHA Director General Professor Patrick Geoghegan OBE said: Part of the Dementia Strategy (2023-2028) is to champion peer support in the community, and as Gibraltar is a close-knit community with a great ability to be able to help and support each other we need to maximise this by utilising the local resources we have by way of experts by experience. These weekly meetings are of immense benefit to both patients and families, I take the opportunity to thanks both GADS and GHA Staff to making this events happen.
This week the mother of Gabriela Kosilko should be wishing her bubbly and beautiful daughter a Happy 27th Birthday - instead she will be identifying her body in a hospital mortuary.

The heartbroken mum will be living every parents worst nightmare as she travels from her home in Poland to the UK where her child had moved to three years ago in search of a better life - only to be wickedly abducted and murdered by her jealous ex boyfriend.

In a cruel twist, the grieving family face more misery as the killer of the much loved beautician - known as Gabi - took his own life while in police custody, and as her aunt told MailOnline: 'We will never get any justice.'

Sebastian Zarnoch, 30 - named by Leicestershire Police on Friday - was found dead in a cell following his arrest on suspicion of Gabis disappearance, and later of her murder once her body was discovered.

An investigation into his death in custody is now underway.

Gabriela Kosilko was last seen at a Tesco Express in Fosse Road North, Leicester, at 11.30pm on August 31

A post mortem into the cause of Ms Kosilko's death will take place next week

A post mortem examination into how Gabi died at the hands of her former partner is yet to be carried out.

The victims former partner had pursued her since their break up a year ago and had travelled to Britain to confront her, snatching her a day after his arrival from his native Poland.

Now her grief-stricken mother Anna Kosilko has the heartache task of formally identifying her daughters body.

Gabis aunt Magdalena Bolesta said: Anna is so sad. She has lost her only daughter. She is flying over here on Tuesday, and I will go with her to the morgue, she cannot do that alone.

We are completely devastated.What happened is horrible and heartbreaking for all her family and many friends.'

On Thursday (Sept 14) eyebrow technician Gabi, 26, who lived in a modest terraced home near her aunt in Leicester, should have been celebrating her birthday with friends.

Sebastian Zarnoch (pictured), 30, then is believed to have killed himself in a police cell after initially being arrested over Ms Kosilko's kidnap - before her body was found

A tearful Ms Bolesta, who has a toddler son aged nearly three, told how her niece loved living in this country and had been trying to persuade her mother and younger brother to come over and join her.

In an exclusive interview with MailOnline, she said it was a 'tragic irony that her niece had moved to the UK to seek a better life and future only to be robbed of it.

Speaking in the lounge at her flat - just a few miles from Gabis house, she said: Her family come from a very small, poor village in Poland. Like so many young Eastern European people, Gabi wanted to build her future in Britain.

She missed her family, particularly her mum and younger brother Bartek, 22, who she was very close to, and wanted them to move over too. Her brother was hoping to come over.'

But the familys life was turned upside down when Gabi - described by her aunt as bubbly, beautiful and forever smiling - was reported missing on Friday last week (Sept 01) after failing to return home from work the previous evening.

Ms Bolesta, who moved to the UK from Poland in 2008, said: You hear stories of other young European women and children murdered in this country but you never think it will happen to your family. Gabi was happy and felt safe here and loved the opportunities living here gave her.'

She was last seen at a Tesco Express in Fosse Road North, Leicester, at 11.30pm on August 31, and her red Audi A1 was discovered four miles away the following morning.

Her aunt told of the familys ordeal following her disappearance, explaining; 'When I found out my niece was missing I sensed something bad had happened and was very worried.

'Her mother wanted to come over to join in the search but they are not rich, quite poor, so my brother was paying for a flight for her.

So many people were out looking for her, the police and all her friends.'

Then five days later came the news the family had dreaded. Gabis body was found on Wednesday afternoon in woodland near a lake in the Groby Pool area, north west of Leicester, hours after her killer ex died in a remand cell at the city's Keyham Lane Police Station

Zarnoch had initially been arrested on suspicion of kidnap, before later being quizzed over his ex-girlfriend's death

Zarnoch had initially been arrested on suspicion of kidnap, before later being quizzed over her death.

Ms Bolesta said: We couldnt believe she had been murdered, it was horrible. Polish police broke the news to Anna, and I have been speaking to her on the phone and trying to comfort her. She is at a loss.

'A family member has to identity her body. Her mum will be doing that, it will be so painful, and I have told her I will come with her. She doesnt speak any English.'

Giving an insight into popular Gabi, she told how she had excitedly come to the UK with her car mechanic boyfriend three years ago for a new and better life.'

She said: First they moved to Bristol and then later to Leicester, not far from me.'

Gabi worked in a pharmaceutical company warehouse then later set up a mobile eyebrow business. Her boyfriend, four years her senior, worked in a garage.

Ms Bolesta said: 'But she had split up with Sebastian a year ago, and he had returned to Poland. He was very possessive and he tried to get Gabi to come back with him but she didnt want to. She loved living here.

Following Zarnochs death in custody Leicestershire Police has referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) who have begun an independent investigation

'I understand it was Gabis decision to end the relationship and he was not very happy. Recently she had become close friends with another man.

'We found out Sebastian had flown to Britain on Wednesday, and come to Leicester, a day before Gabi had disappeared, but she had not even expecting him.

'Two people have now died needlessly. He killed my niece and seemingly taken his own life, he has taken the cowards way out. He should have faced justice over his horrific crime.

Her partner Noel Slaney added: Only a crazy human being can do this to another person. You cant get your head around it. It is shocking.'

Gabi's family live in a village called Skop near Gizycko. Her aunt said  All her family live in Poland - her parents, two older brothers and younger brother. She just had me and an uncle living over here.'

Ms Bolesta last saw her niece in February, during a reunion when Gabis parents had come over to visit, but was in regular social media contact with her.

She paid tribute to her as being so full of life', adding: She was always smiling and happy and everyone liked her. Any place was full of life when she was around. And she was so pretty.'

Ms Bolesta has launched a Just Giving fundraiser to help the family repatriate her body and pay for a funeral.

She said: In a day it had raised more than 8,000 of a 10,000 target with more money coming in. It is to help her parents come over and bring her home.'

Friends of Gabi have also told of their shock and horror following her murder.

One said: 'This is horrible news. She was a lovely, friendly person who lived for her job and her little dog, and would never do anything to offend anyone.

'Her family live in her native Poland and some members are coming over to the UK. They are devastated.'

Another said: 'Everyone who knows her is very shocked. She has been living here for several years and had a lot of friends, mainly Polish.'

Polish food vendor Michal Kasprzycki told how she used to visit her food truck with her boyfriend but that the couple had split up.

He had last seen her alone a few weeks ago when she ordered her favourite chicken wrap, saying: She seemed so well and looked so happy. She had split with her boyfriend some time ago.

He added: We chatted for about ten minutes and it all looked great for her. She can never stop smiling and joking. Shes very chatty to us and is our best customer!'

Following Zarnochs death in custody Leicestershire Police has referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) who have begun an independent investigation.

An IOPC spokesperson said: 'We have started an independent investigation following the death yesterday of a man who was in police custody in Leicester.

'We have been told that at around 10am on Thursday the man was found unresponsive in his cell and death was pronounced a short time later.'

The forces Detective Chief Inspector Mark Sinski said: 'We continue to investigate the full circumstances surround Gabriela's death so please get in touch if you have any information that could assist.

'We are not looking for anyone else in connection with her death and as such the investigation file will be submitted to the coroner to be heard as part of the inquest.'

'We would also like to reassure the local community who have been affected by the events of the last few days that officers will remain in the area while further enquiries are conducted.'
Confronting CCTV footage has shown the moment a major underworld figure was shot dead while eating breakfast in Melbourne.

Feared gangland heavyweight Gavin 'Capable' Preston, 50, was hit with 10 bullets in the daylight shooting at Sweet Lulus cafe at the Keilor Village in the city's north-west on Saturday morning.

The 40-second clip shows a hooded man in black sprinting towards the cafe's outdoor seating area and firing in Preston's direction.

Terrified diners throw themselves to the ground and cover their faces as the notorious criminal slumps in his seat and falls to the ground beside his table.

As the gunman runs away, two women check each other for injuries before grabbing their handbags and escaping the cafe.

Two men are seen cautiously approaching Preston, who remains motionless beside the table where just seconds earlier he had been eating breakfast.

It's understood Preston was eating with Abbas Maghnie Jr, known as AJ, the son of crime figure and Preston associate Nabil Maghnie, who was also shot dead in 2020.

Abbas Junior was able to flee the table just seconds before shots were fired after he appeared to spot the gunman approaching from a nearby carpark.

Victoria Police confirmed one man had been killed and another had been shot in the stomach during the shooting which occurred at about 10.20am on Saturday.

The 40-second clip shows a man in all-black sprints towards the cafe's outdoor seating area and fires a flurry of bullets in Preston's direction

Underworld figure Gavin 'Capable' Preston has been shot dead at Sweet Lulus cafe at Keilor Village in Melbourne's north-west this morning

Preston's distraught fiance Lauran Howe had to be restrained by officers after she arrived at the cafe in the aftermath of the shooting.

Preston, nicknamed 'Capable' because he was considered 'capable of anything', was one of Melbourne's most violent and feared gangland figures

'He's my husband,' she could be heard screaming as she tried to get through police tape cordoning off the scene to the public.

Ms Howe eventually had to be led away by officers with another man, also known to Preston, also pinned to the ground by officers.

It's believed the alleged shooters fled the scene in a black Audi Q5. Two burnt-out cars were found after the shooting, including one just 500m from the scene.

It's believed the assailants abandoned the luxury SUV in nearby Blair Court before fleeing in a second car.

Detectives from the homicide squad along with police and emergency crews attended the scene on Saturday morning.

It's believed Preston was shot 10 times while he was eating a meal with a close relative of crime figure Nabil Maghnie

A man and woman (pictured) who are believed to be known to Preston arrived at the scene in the aftermath of the shooting and appeared to argue with police

A man is restrained by police at the scene of Gavin Preston's shooting in Keilor Village

Preston, nicknamed 'Capable' because he was considered 'capable of anything', was one of Melbourne's most violent and feared gangland figures.

He later had the moniker tattooed on his neck.

Preston was released from jail in February after he spent 11 years behind bars over the death of drug trafficker Adam Khoury, who was shot in 2012.

During his time in Barwon Prison, Preston almost died after becoming the victim of a violent stabbing attack.

He had a significant rap sheet of violent offences, including armed robbery and the use of weapons, dating back to when he was 18-years-old.

The crime figure is suspected of allegedly plotting to kill Melbourne identity Mick Gatto.

A local shop owner said he was having coffee when he heard 'chaos' in the street.

'I didn't hear any shots but I heard the sirens and everyone rushing over,' he told the Herald Sun.

'What has this country come to? Last night (the Bourke St incident) and now this.

'It's crazy.'

A motorbike is seen as Victoria Police work at the scene of Saturday morning's shooting at Sweet Lulus Cafe at Keilor Village in Melbourne's north-west

Police and underworld figures had been on alert since Preston's release in February.

Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Shane Patton was asked to address the incident while giving a press conference with Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews about the horror crash in Bourke St on Friday night.

He told reporters he believed one man had died and another was shot in the stomach, and that the offenders had fled the scene and remained at large.

It was reported Preston had prepared for his release from prison by reaching out to old enemies to assure them he would not be looking to settle old scores.

'No one's buying the story he wants a quiet life,' a source told The Age.

'He's always been mad, and that's not going to change. There's been a heap of talk and there's a few people who'd obviously prefer he was still there inside.'
The man involved in the theft and sale of human body parts taken from Harvard Medical School and an Arkansas mortuary has pleaded guilty to federal charges and now faces up to 15 years in prison.

Jeremy Pauley, of Thompson, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty Thursday to conspiracy and interstate transportation of stolen property, according to the US Attorneys Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania.

Pauley, 41, is now facing up to 15 years in prison. It's unclear if a sentencing date has been scheduled.

He admitted to knowingly buying stolen human remains from several people, and then selling many of the stolen remains to other individuals who also knew they had been stolen.

Pauley and six others were charged with trafficking in stolen human remains including skulls, hearts, skin and stillborn babies in June, from the morgue manager at Harvard Medical School.

The manager, Cedric Lodge, 65, allegedly stole heads, brains, skin and other body parts from cadavers donated to the prestigious university for scientific research and education and sold them to buyers like Pauley.

The man involved in the theft and sale of human body parts taken from Harvard Medical School and an Arkansas mortuary has pleaded guilty to federal charges and now faces up to 15 years in prison

The human remains included half a head, a whole head, three brains, a heart, a liver, a lung, two kidneys, a female pelvis, a torso with a nipple, and four human hands

He admitted to knowingly buying stolen human remains from several people, and then selling many of the stolen remains to other individuals, including some who also knew they had been stolen

Trials are still pending for the other defendants, including Lodge of Goffstown, New Hampshire, who is accused of stealing dissected portions of cadavers that were donated to the medical school from 2018 to 2023.

Lodge's wife, Denise, 63, also faces charges in connection with the case.

Lodge reportedly took the body parts home, including heads, brains, skin and bones, and mailed some body parts to buyers. He also allegedly allowed buyers to come to the morgue to pick what remains they wanted to buy.

The body parts were taken without the schools knowledge or permission, according to police.

Pauly allegedly purchased $4,000 worth of human remains from Candace Scott, who police say stole them from a mortuary partnered with the University of Arkansas.

The human remains included half a head, a whole head, three brains, a heart, a liver, a lung, two kidneys, a female pelvis, a torso with a nipple, and four human hands.

The shop owner was set to receive the shipment from Scott in Pennsylvania, but police intercepted the remains while they were in transit.

He was arrested and released on $50,000 bail following an investigation that started on June 14 when police received a tip about Pauley's suspicious activity and his collections.

Officers were astonished by the finding with Cumberland District Attorney Sean M. McCormack calling the investigation 'bizarre.'

'This is the most bizarre investigations I have encountered in my thirty-three years as a prosecutor,' McCormack said at the time.

'Just when I think I have seen it all, a case like this comes around,' he added.

The caller that tipped off the police said they found 'several' five-gallon buckets of human remains in Pauley's basement.

Investigators later recovered the remains, that included human brains, hearts, livers, skin, and lungs.

Dr. Wayne Ross confirmed the remains from Pauley's basement were human body parts.

Jeremy Pauley, of Thompson, Pennsylvania , pleaded guilty Thursday to conspiracy and interstate transportation of stolen property, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania

He admitted to knowingly buying stolen human remains from several people, and then selling many of the stolen remains to others, including some who also knew they had been stolen

Pauley and six others were charged with trafficking in stolen human remains including skulls, hearts, skin and stillborn babies in June

Trials are still pending for the other defendants, including Cedric Lodge, 55, of Goffstown, New Hampshire

Pauly allegedly purchased $4,000 worth of human remains from Candace Scott, who police say stole them from a mortuary partnered with the University of Arkansas

Pauley, 41, is now facing up to 15 years in prison. It's unclear if a sentencing date has been scheduled

Meanwhile, a University of Arkansas spokesperson said the remains sold to Pauley were donated to the Medical Sciences sector of the school - but they were later stolen from the mortuary by an employee.

Spokesperson Leslie Taylor told CBS News. 'We are very respectful of those who donate their bodies, and we are appalled that such a think could happen.'

Pauley is the owner of The Grand Wunderkammer - a shop which sells 'odd and unusual' items to the public and to museum exhibits. He is also the executive director and curator at The Memento Mori Museum, according to his Facebook.

The bone-enthusiast's bizarre collections have earned him a following online, with his near 6,000 Facebook supporters now wondering what will happen to him.

One supporter wrote online: 'Chin up, you're got a larger army of supporters than you think, my friend.

'Those of us that know, know you're solid.'

Others commented that they 'still love and support' Pauley and 'appreciate everything' he does for 'the oddities community' while noting that 'plenty of people' have 'partial human skulls' and teeth.

Pauley's latest purchase was a plastic bin filled with medical bones he posted a few days before his arrest. He captioned the post: 'Picked up more medical bones to sort through.'

A few days before on August 7, Pauley advertised and sold an 'antique articulated partial pelvis with sacrum and 5 vertebrae.'

The shop owner also sells hundreds of bagged teeth - with some of them being stained 'as a result of an old school disinfectant used back in the day,' according to Pauley.
This dog has stunned all with its independence and strong-willed behavior on a recent cross-country flight.

John Krajewski's Shiba Inu named Sputnik managed to escape her kennel mid-flight by chewing through the metal lock AND zip ties while she was on a full dose of sedatives.

Sputnik managed to do all of this while on a six-hour flight from Seattle to Miami and roamed around in the baggage compartment after she tasted freedom.

When the airplane door opened, Sputnik stood at the top of the cargo landing bridge acting like she expected the airline to roll out the red carpet.

John Krajewski's Shiba Inu named Sputnik managed to escape her kennel mid-flight by chewing through the metal lock AND zip ties while she was on a full dose of sedatives

Sputnik roamed around in the baggage compartment after she tasted freedom and seemed quite happy when the baggage compartment doors opened

When the airplane door opened, Sputnik stood at the top of the cargo landing bridge acting like she expected the airline to roll out the red carpet.

Krajewski confirmed on TikTok that no injuries or damage were reported and that he was incredibly impressed with how she managed to escape.

The video game creator posted on TikTok : 'The crew said they opened the door and she was just standing there like she's waiting for the red carpet.

The video game creator posted on TikTok: 'The crew said they opened the door and she was just standing there like she's waiting for the red carpet.

'She chewed through the metal lock and zip ties while on full dose of sedatives.'

It is not known how long Sputnik was put of her kennel during the flight. Krajewski confirmed on TikTok that no injuries or damage were reported and that he was incredibly impressed with how she managed to escape.

Krajewski told DailyMail.com that Sputnik is known to be an 'escape artist' and has run off many times into their backyard.

The airline has not provided Krajewski with any footage on how Sputnik managed to break out of her kennel.

Krajewski has had Sputnik since 2019 and was on a six-hour cross country flighjt with her when the incident happened

This comes a few days after a woman was offered $1,800 from Delta Airlines after they lost her dog at Hartsfield- Jackson Atlanta Airport in Georgia.

Paula Rodriguez booked a flight to San Francisco from the Dominican Republic with her dog Maia for a two-week long vacation.

During their layover in Georgia, Rodriguez was soon informed that her tourist visa 'didn't meet requirements'.

In this time she was not able to have her dog back and was told she would get that opportunity once she touches back down in the Dominican Republic.

According to New York Post Delta promised to keep an eye on Rodriguez's six-year-old dog while she awaited deportation.

Their new flight back home was scheduled for 10.20am the following day but Maia did not show up.

Because of US regulations Rodriguez was not allowed to stay at the airport to wait for her dog and had to get on the flight back home without her to Punta Cana.

She hoped that the airline would put her dog on the next flight back to their home, but that never happened.

Rodriguez filed a report after Maia was nowhere to be found at Punta Cana. Claims were then filed at the Atlanta and San Francisco airport. Staff went around to local shelters as well, but still, no sign of the dog.

At this point, Maia has been missing for 72 hours. She hasn't still been found and Delta Airlines reached out to Rodriguez to offer compensation of $1,800 which her attorney's called an 'insult.'

In a statement Delta said that the money is not an 'offer of compensation' and claimed they 'have shown sympathy through many actions, gestures and communications with our customer.'

Rodriguez has issued a $1,000 reward for any information on where Maia might be.
Ten relatives of the father of 10-year-old Sara Sharif have been detained for questioning by police in Pakistan as the net closes around the 41-year-old and his partner.

Sara's father, Urfan Sharif, his partner Beinash Batool and his brother Faisal Marik, 28, fled the UK for Pakistan after her death, before her father alerted police by calling 999 once his flight had touched down in Islamabad.

Sara was found dead at the family home in Woking, Surrey, in the early hours of August 10.

A post-mortem examination found she had suffered 'multiple and extensive injuries' over a 'sustained and extended' period of time, but did not determine an exact cause of death.

A police spokesperson in Jehlum, 108 miles north-west of Lahore, said Sharif and his wife Batool were in hiding and 10 close relatives have been taken into custody for questioning amid an investigation.

Ten relatives of the father of 10-year-old Sara Sharif have been detained for questioning by police in Pakistan

Sara Sharif's body was found in their family house in Woking, Surey, with a post-mortem examination concluding she had suffered 'multiple and extensive injuries'

Police want to speak to Sara's father (left) and his partner Beinash Batool (right)

Among those detained include Mohammad Sharif, Urfan's father, his brothers and cousins, the spokesperson said. Police in Pakistan often detain the close relatives of wanted suspects. However, they are not kept in jail to avoid the intervention of a court.

It follows news that Surrey Police raided two houses in the UK amid their search for Sara's family and to find answers as to exactly how she died.

The family's previous address in Eden Grove Road, Byfleet, is being searched by police, as well as their most recent home address in Hammond Road, Horsell. Searches of the properties are expected to continue into next week and they will remain cordoned off.

At least 20 houses have been searched in Pakistan, reportedly focussed in to cities of Mirpur and Jhelum.

On Wednesday, Sara's stepmother spoke publicly for the first time since the little girl was found dead.

In a clip of the footage posted online, Batool shows no emotion as she describes Sara's death as 'an incident' and says that she and Sharif are willing to co-operate with UK authorities over the case.

Sara's father remained silent throughout the clip, and Batool only spent a few seconds speaking about Sara before spending most of the video complaining of how her family were scared to go outside.

Sharif and Batool left Britain with five children aged between one and 13, as well as one of Sharif's brothers.

Sara's mother Olga Sharif gave an interview to the Polish television programme Uwaga! in which she spoke of the harrowing experience of going to view her daughter's body.

Olga Sharif with a picture of her daughter Sara who was found dead at her home in Woking, Surrey

She said: 'One of her cheeks was swollen and the other side was bruised.

'Even now, when I close my eyes I can see what my baby looked like.'

Ms Sharif separated from her husband in 2015 and Sara and her older brother had been living with her until 2019, when the family court ruled they should live with their father.

Ms Sharif still had equal rights to see the children and said while that was easy to maintain initially, it became increasingly harder over time.

The eldest child taken to Pakistan with the family is Ms Sharif's son.

Sara's grandfather, who has since been detained, has told the BBC the girl's death was an 'accident' and three family members who left the UK for Pakistan will 'ultimately' return to face police questioning.

But he also said his son should 'cooperate with the police and face the law'.

Muhammad Sharif said he saw Sara's father soon after he arrived in the city of Jhelum, in the South Asian country, and said his son had fled the UK out of 'fear'.

In a video, Sara Sharif's grandfather is shown saying: 'Yes, they (Urfan Sharif and his wife Beinash Batool) should cooperate with the police and face the law, the law is everything and life without law is difficult.

'My advice to them, is to face the law, they should present themselves to the police and tell them the truth about what occurred.'

'If they release a video message, it would be good. And if they have more details they need to share (them) with the police. Sharing the truth is their fundamental right, it is not possible to hide things. The more they details they share, the better for them.'

Sara's uncle said last month that his niece had fallen down the stairs and broken her neck.

Police have raided 20 homes in Pakistan in the hunt for Sara Sharif's father, Urfan Sharif (left), and stepmother, Beinash Batool (right)

Imran Sharif is said to be assisting the hunt for his brother, Sara's father, after it was reported police in Pakistan are under 'tremendous pressure' from the British High Commission to find him.

He allegedly told officers: 'Beinash was home with the children. Sara fell down the stairs and broke her neck. Beinash panicked and phoned Urfan.'

Imran denied knowing where Urfan and his family were, police in the city of Jhelum in Pakistan's Punjab province said.

He is said to have told them: 'I found out what happened to Sara through the international media. My parents told me Urfan briefly came home very upset. He kept saying they are going to take his children away from him.'

Surrey Police are appealing for information to help them gain a picture of Sara's life.

Detective Superintendent Mark Chapman, from the Surrey Police and Sussex Police Major Crime Team, said: 'We are working hard to progress the investigation into Sara's murder and a key part of this is piecing together information about her life from anyone who knew her or her family.

'We are grateful to everyone who has come forward with information, and I would like to stress that any information, no matter how insignificant it might seem, could be of use in developing our understanding of her lifestyle.

'Every single piece of information that we receive is reviewed by the investigation team and further enquiries carried out if appropriate. I would urge anyone who may have information and hasn't yet come forward to reach out to us.

'There are a number of ways you can do this - you can report information via our portal, which is in both English and Urdu, you can call 101 if you would prefer to speak on the phone, or if you would like to remain anonymous, call the independent charity Crimestoppers.'
Bud Light's damages are so severe, there is concern over whether the brand can ever fully recover after the prolonged decline in sales and loss of consumer confidence ever since the Dylan Mulvaney marketing debacle six months ago.

The damage to the brand is now being described as 'quasi-permanent,' according to Beer Business Daily publisher Harry Schuhmacher. 'The Bud Light situation has actually gotten worse,' he told Fox News Digital.

Despite initial hopes of a rebound, the brand remains down around 30 percent in volume compared to last year, persisting since May or June, and consumers might be lost 'forever.'

Schuhmacher, a seasoned industry expert who has been monitoring the brand's decline since its controversial promo with the trans influencer last spring, said Bud Light's struggles continue and pose serious challenges to its future prospects.

'You see Bud Light still just stubbornly down around 30 percent in volume compared to last year, which is where it's been since May or June,' Schuhmacher told Fox News Digital. 'That tells me that this is quasi-permanent, meaning those consumers are just lost forever.'

Bud Light's damages are so severe, there is concern over whether the brand can ever fully recover after the prolonged decline in sales and loss of consumer confidence ever since the Dylan Mulvaney marketing debacle six months ago

Bud Light's historic decline came after it partnered with transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney for a marketing campaign

Loss of retail confidence can result in a decrease in shelf and display space, hampering inventory placement and visibility in stores

Both conservatives and liberals alike are boycotting America's once best-selling beer. While conservative are criticizing Bud Light for the promotion with a trans influencer, Mulvaney fans condemn the brand for not doing enough to support her.

Mulvaney claimed to have faced bullying and transphobia after the advertisement, which got so bad she had to escape on vacation to Machu Picchu.

Recent statistics show Bud Light's latest week trends mirror its four-week trends, with declines of about 30 percent in dollars and 30 percent in volume, as reported by Bump Williams Consulting.

Schuhmacher predicts these year-over-year declines will continue for the foreseeable future, at least until April and May of 2024 when the controversy is in the past.

'I think the industry thought it would have rebounded by now, but it hasn't,' he added. 'It's actually worse than just lost sales because now it's getting to the point where it's becoming systemic within the industry, and they're losing the confidence of the retailers and that's when it starts getting bad.'

The situation has escalated to the point where it's affecting not just sales but also the confidence of retailers in the brand.

Loss of retailer confidence can result in a decrease in shelf and display space, hampering inventory placement and visibility in stores.

The summer of 2024 is seen as a pivotal moment for Bud Light's long-term success, and the brand must work on regaining retailers' trust, he said.

CEO Brendan Whitworth visited the Anheuser-Busch Houston Brewery to announce a $22.5 million investment on late August.

Schuhmacher acknowledged the challenges faced by wholesalers across North America, who have been hit hard by Bud Light's struggles.

'You see those end caps at the end of aisles at the grocery store? When you start losing those, it's bad because you not only lose store visibility, but you also lose being able to load a lot of inventory into the store,' he said.

'Displays are a big tool for the beer industry to move beer, and that could be concerning to A-B (Anheuser-Busch).'

Despite initial hopes of a rebound, the brand remains down around 30 percent in volume compared to last year, persisting since May or June, and consumers might be lost 'forever'

Millions of customers ditched the American brand within days of Mulvaney's social media posts, with scores filming themselves pouring the beer down the sink and throwing the cans into bins

CEO Brendan Whitworth visits the Anheuser-Busch Houston Brewery to announce a $22.5 million investment on Tuesday, Aug. 29, 2023, in Houston

Schuhmacher said the struggle continues for the brand as they are somewhat 'powerless' to fix their losses.

'They're somewhat powerless to fix it, except to remain really active in their local communities, which they've done and which they've always done. And really, that's kind of the only saving grace for that brand is those local connections that the wholesalers have. But it's been a rough summer for those guys, you know, shout out to them, and it's probably going to be a rough winter,' he told Fox News Digital.

'We've never seen anything like this in the beer industry.'

Their local connections with communities may be the brand's saving grace, but it has undeniably been a difficult period for them, he expressed.

Bud Light's historic decline came after it partnered with transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney for a marketing campaign.

The initial controversy arose when influencer Dylan Mulvaney featured Bud Light cans with her image on them, celebrating a year of 'girlhood.'

In the controversial promotion, Mulvaney, 26, posted a video on April 1 of herself cracking open a Bud Light on her Instagram page.

The hangover from the catastrophic advertising push has been ongoing since the collaboration was released in early April.

Since the endorsement, the brand's fortunes have taken a significant hit, and its path to recovery remains uncertain.

In August, the beer giant lost its place as America's number one beer brand to Modelo Especial due to the controversy, a position it held for over 22 years.

Bud Light sales in off-premise locations such as grocery stores and gas stations had plummeted by 15.9 percent on a dollar basis and down 20.1 percent on a volume basis in the past year.

Millions of customers ditched the American brand within days of Mulvaney's social media posts, with scores filming themselves pouring the beer down the sink and throwing the cans into bins.

And as the polarization spilled into bars across America, with patrons trading insults and recriminations over each other's beer choices, some bar owners said they would stop selling Bud Light simply to prevent fights.

In August, Mulvaney finally broke her silence over the controversy, telling 'Them' magazine she prefers not to name her critics 'because it gives them the satisfaction of believing they're on my mind.'

'It shows my followers that I'm standing up for myself, but also pushes that their narrative is loud enough to matter,' she added.

Speaking openly about the backlash for the first time, Mulvaney said: 'No matter your gender, people will project things onto you about who you're supposed to be. And I think we equally have to tell people our actual purpose.
More than 200 migrants arrived in the UK by crossing the Channel daily in the last seven days as more than 2,000 made the journey in calm weather, latest figures show.

A total of 210 people travelled on five boats to the UK on September 8 according to Home Office data, suggesting an average of 42 people per vessel.

This brings the total number of people who have made the journey over the past week to 2,188 new arrivals amid a spell of warm weather.

Saturday, September 2 marked the highest number of people to travel in a single day this year, with 872 people in 15 boats who made the crossing.

This year so far, 22,289 people have arrived in the UK via the English Channel, which still remains lower than the same date last year where 27,705 people had made the crossing by September 8.

Your browser does not support iframes.

A total of 210 people travelled on five boats to the UK on September 8 according to Home Office data, suggesting an average of 42 people per vessel

This brings the total number of people who have made the journey over the past week to 2,188 new arrivals amid a spell of warm weather

Earlier this week, it was reported that new immigration laws may prevent ministers using billions in overseas aid to cover spiralling asylum costs in Britain.

A watchdog, the Independent Commission for Aid Impact (ICAI), said the new Illegal Migration Act could 'close off the main source of funding' for housing small boat arrivals.

As the Channel crisis intensified last year nearly 3.7billion was diverted from Britain's overseas aid fund to cover asylum costs at home.

But new laws which will prevent migrants from claiming asylum in this country may mean that funding can no longer be used, with costs covered from the Home Office's budget instead.

It came as a senior Tory MP Sir Edward Leigh revealed that plans to use barracks at Catterick Garrison to house asylum seekers have been abandoned.
A fourth-grade English and Social Studies teacher from Tennessee has been charged with raping a 12-year-old boy as cops hunt for more victims the predator teacher 'be-friended on social media.'

Alissa McCommon, 38, a mother of two, was arrested outside her home by officers from the Covington Police Department on Friday. She is being held on $25,000 bond.

McCommon, who was dressed in a maroon long-sleeved tee shirt, grey joggers, and sneakers, was handcuffed by cops outside her two-story brick home before she was carted off in a police vehicle to the Tipton County Jail.

The elementary school teacher who taught at Charger Academy was accused of having a sexual encounter with one of her former students in 2021. The alleged tryst happened at her home. The child was only 12 years old at the time, Covington Police Chief Donna Turner said.

The school learned about McCommon's misconduct on August 24 after a parent came forward with the disturbing allegations. She was suspended that day, district leadership said, Yahoo News reported.

Alissa McCommon, 38, was arrested outside her home by officers from the Covington Police Department on Friday. She is being held on $25,000 bond

McCommon, who was dressed in a maroon long-sleeved tee shirt, grey joggers, and sneakers, was handcuffed by cops outside her two-story brick home before she was carted off in a police vehicle to the Tipton County Jail

She is being held on $25,000 bond at the Tipton County Jail

Police said that multiple juvenile victims came forward claiming that McCommon had started interacting with them first on social media and that she began playing video games with some of them.

The inappropriate behavior escalated when she reportedly sent them racy pictures and asked to have sex with them.

Officials said that during their investigation, McCommon confessed that she spoke with the former students in an in appropriate way.

Many parents were horrified when they learned about the teacher's sick conduct, with some furious that they heard about it two weeks later through a Facebook post .

Some are considering homeschooling their children due to their broken trust in the school district, and are seeking answers from the Tipton School Board.

Bianca Taylor told Fox13 Memphis that when her son got home from school she asked him if his teacher had been in school lately.

She said her son told her there was a substitute teacher because the school said the teacher was home sick.

'I do hope they take matters seriously, because any other situation. If it was a man doing it the opposite way, y'all would take it more seriously,' Taylor said. 'Even if she did it or didn't do it, it needs to be looked at and not swept under the rug.'

Investigators said, so far, none of the alleged sexual acts are believed to have taken place on school grounds.

The police chief called the ordeal 'unbearable,' and said resources are being provided to the victims.

'It's unspeakable and it's 100 percent preventable. I think that's why the detectives and we are so passionate about making sure victims are okay,' said Chief Turner.

McCommon, a mother of two, is seen pictured with her two children. The photo was posted to her Instagram on August 8, 2022 with the caption: '1st day of 8th and 5th!'

The Charger Academy school that McCommon had worked as an English Language Arts and Social Studies teacher to elementary-aged children

McCommon's attorney, Jere Mason said his client maintains her innocence.

'We believe that it's borderline a witch hunt on social media and that's frustrating to us,' Mason said.

'What we're asking is that the public be patient and allow the justice system to do it's job and not create further persecution on the alleged victims or on the family of the defendant.'

Tipton County Schools said that McCommon also worked at the CrestView Elementary School. Police continue to interview witnesses and search for more victims in the case.

They said the investigation is still ongoing and additional charges are expected. McCommon is scheduled to appear in General Sessions Court on October 13.
Liz Truss is to reveal the inside story of her ill-fated premiership in a book which will signal that her political ambitions remain undimmed.

The former Prime Minister will relive her tumultuous 49 days in office in Ten Years To Save The West, in which she will argue that Western governments have been captured by the same Left-wing orthodoxy which she blames for wrecking her administration.

The book, due to be published in the spring, will also include an account of her meeting with the Queen just hours before the monarch died.

In an exclusive interview with The Mail on Sunday, on the anniversary of her becoming Prime Minister, Ms Truss offers her most candid reflections ever on her time in Downing Street  and admits that she still struggles to compute what happened.

Ms Truss also reveals that her formerly close political friendship with Kwasi Kwarteng, who she sacked as Chancellor in the dying days of her time in office, is effectively over.

Liz Truss is to reveal the inside story of her ill-fated premiership in a book which will signal that her political ambitions remain undimmed

The former Prime Minister will relive her tumultuous 49 days in office in Ten Years To Save The West, in which she will again castigate Left-wing orthodoxy - which she blames for wrecking her administration.

Sitting incongruously beneath a picture of the Marxist revolutionary Che Guevara bizarrely blended with Lord Nelson  a nod by Norfolk MP Ms Truss to the countys most famous son  she launches a passionate defence of her own attempted revolution, which died when the markets crashed in the wake of her radical tax-cutting Budget.

I was pushing against a system and against an orthodoxy that was gradually moving to the Left, she says, singling out the Bank of England and the Office for Budget Responsibility as she recalls the seismic period.

But did she not contribute to her own downfall?

Ive said before that I made mistakes on things like communication and execution, but the fundamental problem was there wasnt enough support for Conservative ideas, she says.

Frankly by the time I became Prime Minister it was probably too late. As a party, had we done enough to lay the ground and really change the architecture, if you like, that Blair and Brown had left behind? No, I dont think we did do enough.

Explaining that she had become exasperated by often being the only Conservative in the room at international summits, she says that the global Left were in control. Ideas like redistributionism, business being bad, the anti-growth people like Extinction Rebellion and Just Stop Oil  those are the ideas that have made the running in the last decade, she says.

If you look at the knots in which people tie themselves in Western politics about whether somebody with a penis is a man or not, it shows how effective unfortunately these people have been.

Ms Truss, 48, also highlights the fact that under Rishi Sunak, taxes are at their highest level for 70 years  a criticism which outgoing Tory MP Nadine Dorries also made in her explosive resignation letter last month.

I agree that taxes are too high and the Government is too big, she says. We have got a bigger Government now... we are not going to get a dynamic economy if half of every pound spent is being spent by the Government. She also agrees with Ms Dorries that it was wrong to remove former Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

Liz Truss, 48, also highlights the fact that under Rishi Sunak, taxes are at their highest level for 70 years  a criticism which outgoing Tory MP Nadine Dorries also made in her explosive resignation letter last month

Liz Truss's biographer James Heale wrote that top civil servant Simon Case's memo sealed her fate as Britain's shortest-serving PM

That was fundamentally the wrong thing to do, she says. Hed been elected leader of the country by the electorate and I think thats caused us huge problems.

Ms Truss is aiming her argument  and sales of the book  as much at America as Britain, where Donald Trump is dominating the run-up to next years Presidential election.

We need to get a Republican back in the White House, she says. I really fear for the future of the West. We have seen very slow growth for several decades and our culture is being questioned, even basic things like human biology.

The same thing has happened across the Western world. At one G7 meeting I thought, actually Im the only conservative in the room here  youve got Biden in the US, Trudeau in Canada, Macron in France.

She adds: I suppose I asked the question: Why is this the case? Why is it that despite having been a Conservative MP for 13 years, despite Conservative ideas having been proved right time and again, why is it that the Left have been making the running?

Youve got the global Left which Biden is obviously a key part of, but also the global environmental movement, the Greta Thunbergs of this world, the anti-capitalist movement, and they have been very effective in pushing what is politically acceptable.

As for the UK, she says: What we have seen over the past 30 years is the huge growth of the administrative state in Britain.

A lot more power is now held by independent bodies such as the Office for Budget Responsibility, the Bank of England and the Environment Agency than was the case 40 years ago.

Last autumns turmoil  which is now being turned into a TV drama  has left its psychological scars.

I still cant believe it; I still cant believe it, she repeats.

I struggle to compute what happened. Particularly what happened to the Queen. It was extraordinary and it also came off the back of being Foreign Secretary with the first war on European soil kicking off earlier that year, so 2022 was an extraordinary rollercoaster, extraordinary.

The whole period from 2010, there have been a lot of pinch me moments.

Asked about Rishi Sunak's (pictured) brand of conservativism, Truss deferred to Thatcherism and said: 'What I think we need now is that Conservative movement revival'

The episode has also brought a chill to her years-long friendship with Mr Kwarteng, who she fired in a last-ditch attempt to avert her demise. Asked whether they are are still in text contact, she says: Occasionally. Im not speaking to him that much.

The book is misty-eyed about the 1980s axis between Margaret Thatcher and Ronald Reagan, and the end of the Cold War.

She says: Once the West won the Cold War, we became complacent. We thought that economic growth was going to happen anyway, that all of the difficult decisions have been taken in the 1980s  that we dont need to carry on taking those difficult decisions.

Since that period the economies have become less dynamic, less competitive and I think we have also lost some of the Wests self-confidence that our way of life, the way that we govern ourselves, is actually better than authoritarian regimes.

But would Lady Thatcher have supported Rishi Sunaks brand of conservatism? There is a long pause before Ms Truss says: Thats not really the question Im trying to answer in this book. If you look at Thatcher and Reagan, there was a big intellectual movement behind them.

So, what I think we need now is that Conservative movement revival.

Asked who she would like to see as the next US President, Ms Truss will only say: I would like to see a Republican in the White House. Im not going to comment on which Republican.

There is no doubt in my mind that what Biden is doing is damaging the United States economy by pursuing huge subsidies, huge spending, raising taxes and now trying to impose this on the rest of the world through the OECD Minimum Tax Agreement.

Its not good enough for Biden just to have a socialist economic policy in the US, he also wants to export that socialist economic policy to Europe and to the United Kingdom.

Ms Truss, who spent ten years as a Government Minister, also refuses to predict the result of the UK election, other than say she hopes for a Tory victory  and dreads a Keir Starmer-Biden double act.

That would be very bad, she says. It would be doubling down on the policies that arent working.

Ms Trusss formidable resilience has led many of her colleagues to speculate about a comeback after a suitable interlude. She doesnt rule it out.

I want to stay involved in politics, I really care about politics, she says. I went into politics not to become Prime Minister but to change things, thats what motivates me and I will not rest until we have achieved the changes because I believe that Britain does need real change.

'I think that can be delivered but Im not specifying any role for myself in the future.'
San Francisco has hired a tourism official to encourage travelers to visit the 'the city by the bay' as it battles rampant crime, homeless and drugs crisis.

Josh Beck will be the new president and CEO of The San Francisco Travel Association, and the person that the city's tourism bureau and marketing organization is looking at in hopes of bringing SanFran back to the bustling vacation hub it once was.

Beck, who is currently head of Destination Toronto, will begin his new post on October 30, replacing former head Joe D'Alessandro, who headed the travel organization for nearly two decades and who is set to retire in December.

The city has been hit hard over the last few years by a homeless crisis, rampant drug use and public safety concerns. In August, the city reported nearly 1,670 car break-ins, contributing to the nearly 10,000 thefts from vehicles recorded in the city this year.

During the Labor Day holiday, multiple groups of tourists fell victim to car break-ins that that saw all their personal belongings and passports stolen, which occurred in broad daylight and within minutes of each other at a San Francisco Beach.

Despite these, Beck claims the biggest challenge is the 'ongoing narrative about San Francisco as a monolithic experience, when it's clearly not,' the San Francisco Chronicle reported.

Pictured: Josh Beck will be the new president and CEO of The San Francisco Travel Association in October. His role will be to help vacationers back to the 'city of the bay'

On their second day in San Francisco, a group of tourists from Malta contemplated cutting their trip short and returning to Europe after the brazen smash and grab that occurred in broad daylight within a mere 10-minute window

A brazen thief is caught on camera breaking into a white Lexus that was parked on a city street in San Francisco. The attack occurred in broad daylight

Beck claimed the media reports about whether San Francisco is safe is 'not 100 percent accurate,' as per the news outlet.

The city has a massive tourism and hospitality industry that supports more than 53,000 jobs.

While some vacationers have been returning, the flow of tourism has been nothing close to what they city of Frisco saw in 2019 at its peak, and experts claim will take a few years to get back to that level.

The marketing guru pointed out that other urban cities across the country are struggling and faced with similar issues to San Francisco.

The San Francisco Travel Association has an annual budget of $33 million. The agency is currently running their most ambitious tourist campaign yet, which costs $6 million.

A recent Gallup poll found that nearly half of Americans believe San Francisco is dangerous, despite the fact that the city has a lower violent crime rate than many major cities, the news outlet reported.

According to the poll, 48 percent of Americans view San Francisco as unsafe. That number is up a staggering 30% compared to 2006.

The survey also revealed the city's political divide: 74 percent of Democrats believe the city is safe in comparison to their Republican counterparts who give it a 32 percent rating.

The city faces a surge in homelessness and open-air drug use

The open-air drug markets and the chronic drug abuse has taken over part of the once bustling city

Tourists visiting the Golden Gate bridge

Though violent crime in San Francisco is down, the survey finding reflect the city's homelessness, chronic drug abuse, property crime and as major issues.

Beck said it was too early to say if there will be any major strategy shifts at the travel organization, but he remains hopeful, calling San Francisco as 'one of the marquee cities of the world for US and international travelers.'

In a statement he shared how thrilled he was to be joining the organization.

He said, in part: 'A strong tourism industry is vital to the citys economy, local businesses and neighborhoods, and I am passionately committed to helping steward San Franciscos ongoing tourism recovery.'
Nathan Sperber in Sidecar:

Nobel Prize-winning economist Paul Krugman does not mince his words:

the signs are now unmistakable: China is in big trouble. Were not talking about some minor setback along the way, but something more fundamental. The countrys whole way of doing business, the economic system that has driven three decades of incredible growth, has reached its limits. You could say that the Chinese model is about to hit its Great Wall, and the only question now is just how bad the crash will be.

That was in the summer of 2013. Chinas GDP grew by 7.8 per cent that year. In the decade since, its economy has expanded by 70 per cent in real terms, compared to 21 per cent for the United States. China has not had a recession this century  by convention, two consecutive quarters of negative growth  let alone a crash. Yet every few years, the Anglophone financial media and its trail of investors, analysts and think-tankers are gripped by the belief that the Chinese economy is about to crater.

The conviction reared its head in the early 2000s, when runaway investment was thought to be overheating the economy; in the late 2000s, when exports contracted in the wake of the global financial crisis; and in the mid-2010s, when it was feared that a buildup of local government debt, under-regulated shadow banking and capital outflows threatened Chinas entire economic edifice. Today, dire predictions are out in force again, this time triggered by underwhelming growth figures for the second quarter of 2023. Exports have declined from the heights they reached during the pandemic while consumer spending has softened. Corporate troubles in the property sector and high youth unemployment appear to add to Chinas woes. Against this backdrop, Western commentators are casting doubt on the PRCs ability to continue to churn out GDP units, or fretting in grander terms about the countrys economic future (whither China?, asks Adam Tooze by way of Yang Xiguang).

More here.
Quiz show host Richard Osman claims he was rejected by MI6 during his student days to become a spy - but jests he would have been 'terrible' in the role.

The television personality and author, 52, studied at Trinity College, Cambridge, around 30 years ago and said he took part in a series of 'fun' tests for the intelligence service.

Osman, best known for his presenting of BBC shows Pointless and Richard Osman's House Of Games, is also the author of several crime novels.

His first, The Thursday Murder Club, which was shortlisted for the British Book Awards' crime and thriller book of the year after its 2020 release, features Elizabeth Best, an ex-spy and current retirement village resident who investigates murders.

The author claimed in Saturday's The Guardian while talking about his new novel The Last Devil To Die that he was put forward as a possible candidate for MI6.

Quiz master and author Richard Osman, 52, claims he applied to MI6 while a student at Cambridge University, but was rejected by the intelligence service

Osman claims he would have been a 'terrible' spy had MI6 accepted him. Pictured: MI6 headquarters in Vauxhall Cross, London

Osman said: 'They (MI6) just said: 'No, it's fine'... I would have been terrible. I'm too tall, not bright enough, and if I have a secret, I tell everybody. You could not find a worse spy. I cannot tell a lie.'

He also remarked, tongue firmly in cheek: 'I'm still available, by the way, if MI6 read this. I could be useful, because no-one is going to suspect me now.'

Last year, Osman announced he was leaving BBC One game show Pointless, which he presented alongside Alexander Armstrong for nearly 13 years, to spend more time writing novels.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said: 'It is the long-standing position of successive British governments that we don't comment on the work of the intelligence agencies.'
A motorboat 'exploded' before bursting into flames off the coast of North Wales, with black smoke seen billowing out from a marina.

Police, fire service, ambulance and coastguard crews have all arrived at the scene at Conwy Marina on Sunday, with a witness saying 'two people were rescued'.

Emergency services received a call at 5.56pm to reports that a 30ft motor boat, which had people onboard, had 'exploded'. It is not yet known if there are casualties.

According to the North Wales Fire and Rescue Service, there are currently four fire engines at the scene.

A boat has burst into flames off the coast of North Wales, with pictures seen of black smoke billowing

Emergency services received a call at 5.56pm to reports that a 30ft motor boat, which had people onboard, had 'exploded'. It is not yet known if there are casualties

A spokesperson for North Wales Police has told people to be aware of an ongoing incident, saying that emergency services are in attendance.

The spokesperson added: 'Please avoid the area so that the emergency services can carry out their work.

One person on X, formerly known as Twitter, shared a picture of the fire and said: 'Dramatic fire at Conwy Marina. Fear the worst for those on the boat.

'Loud explosion occurred (like a cannon) before smoke and flames rapidly enveloped the boat. Marina staff quickly on hand and emergency services arrived.'

Another person wrote: 'The boat named the Drum, sounded and felt like a gas tank explosion.

'Good response from other boat owners, rescued 2 ppl, and attempted to put fire out. 7 mins for fire, then RNLI, then ambulance then police. Fire extended to fisheries boat Lady Megan.'

According to the North Wales Fire and Rescue Service, there are currently four fire engines at the scene
A British parliamentary researcher with links to MPs with classified information has been arrested for 'spying for China'.

The male suspect, who is said to be in his late twenties, is thought to be linked to numerous Tory MPs - including security minister Tom Tugendhat and foreign affairs committee chairman Alicia Kearns.

Several of the MPs with links to the man are 'privy to classified or highly sensitive information', according to The Times.

It is feared the British researcher may have been recruited by Beijing as a sleeper agent while living and working in China, before being sent back to the UK to infiltrate.

The suspect and another man in his thirties were both arrested relating to allegations of Official Secrets Act and espionage-related offences.

A senior Whitehall source claimed the situation is a 'major escalation' by China, adding that the country has 'never seen anything like this before'.

Chinese President Xi Jinping addresses the Global Trade in Services Summit of the 2023 China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS) via video in Beijing, capital of China, on September 2

The male suspect, who is said to be in his late twenties, is thought to be linked to numerous Tory MPs - including security minister Tom Tugendhat (pictured)

The researcher has worked with MPs on international policy and held a parliamentary pass for several years.

Mr Tugendhat is said to have had limited contact with the researcher and severed contact when ran for Conservative leader. He has not been in contact with the accused as security minister.

Scotland Yard said in a statement: 'Officers from the Metropolitan Police arrested two men on March 13 on suspicion of offences under section one of the Official Secrets Act 1911.

'A man in his thirties was arrested at an address in Oxfordshire and a man in his twenties was arrested at an address in Edinburgh. Searches were also carried out at both the residential properties, as well as at a third address in east London.

'Both men were taken to a south London police station and were released on police bail until a date in early October.'

The force added: 'The investigation is being carried out by officers from the Met's Counter Terrorism Command, which has responsibility for investigations relating to allegations of Official Secrets Act and espionage-related offences. Enquiries continue.'

Luke de Pulford, of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC), told The Times it was 'no surprise' the researcher would 'go after Tom', as he had been 'out in front on China for years'.

He added: 'In IPAC we have long suspected that something was badly wrong because there were consistent efforts from a hostile researcher to smear IPAC MPs and label them as extreme on China policy. Now it all makes sense.'

The government's former deputy national security adviser Paddy McGuinness said the mask has 'truly slipped' in regards to China's actions, adding that Beijing has a 'causal disregard for our democracy and our sovereignty'.

The approach by China was described as 'allegedly recruiting British staff to report on and possibly shape the work of political parties'.

It comes after it was reported last month that a Chinese spy was using fake LinkedIn profiles to lure thousands of British officials into handing over state secrets in exchange for cash and flashy business deals.

The sole Beijing operative is said to have used a raft of fake names and created sham companies to target civil servants, scientists and even security officials into handing over classified Government information on the social media site for professionals.

According to an investigation carried out by The Times, the secret agent is mainly operating under the alias Robin Zhang and is thought to be one of the most prolific spies working in the UK in years, Western security officials have said.

Foreign affairs committee chairman Alicia Kearns is also said to have links to the researcher

It is feared the British parliamentary researcher may have been recruited by Beijing as a sleeper agent while living and working in China, before being sent back to the UK to infiltrate (Pictured is the Westminster Palace, Big Ben and Houses of Parliament)

In July, a watchdog that Chinese spies are targeting the UK 'prolifically and aggressively' with Beijing managing to penetrate 'every sector of the economy'.

The alarming picture was revealed in a long-awaited report by Parliament's intelligence watchdog.

It raises concerns about Chinese influence in UK universities and the country's intention to become a 'permanent and significant player' in the civil nuclear energy industry.

The Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC) is also critical of the UK Government's response, questioning the trade-off between economic interest and security concerns.

The 207-page report said the UK is of 'significant interest to China when it comes to espionage and interference', placing the country 'just below China's top priority targets'.

It said: 'China's state intelligence apparatus  almost certainly the largest in the world with hundreds of thousands of civil intelligence officers. targets the UK and its interests prolifically and aggressively, and presents a challenge for our Agencies to cover.'
The migrant crisis worsens in New York City as a Staten Island shelter continues to cause hygiene issues in the area.

School turned controversial shelter, St. John Villa Academy is currently housing nearly 300 migrants, something it was never built to do.

The 67-year-old building is currently acting as full-time residence and bathroom for the migrants in the area. Due to the age and purpose of the building, it was never meant for 24/7 use, and the ejector pumps are incapable of moving huge quantities of raw sewage into the city's sewers.

To address the issue, a septic-treatment company visits the location multiple times a day to pump the raw sewage into a concrete pit, which usually takes 15 minutes and takes it away. During this time, the abhorrent smell plagues the neighborhood.

Scott Herkert who lives adjacent to the shelter told DailyMail.com: 'So directly connecting to my property is the school and along the fence that's connecting, they have their showers which I'm sorry, shower slash bathrooms.

Scott Herkert who lives adjacent to the shelter told DailyMail.com: 'So directly connecting to my property is the school and along the fence that's connecting, they have their showers which I'm sorry, shower slash bathrooms'

School turned controversial shelter, St. John Villa Academy is currently housing nearly 300 migrants, something it was never built to do

At least once a day they're coming in and they're pumping these out and when they do pump it out, it smells, it smells like what you would expect it to smell. They're pumping out a bathroom and the f*** out of here and shit

'You're lying to the people, you're lying to the people about the border crisis , you're lying to the people in the cities and the communities had we not exposed this,' he tells DailyMail.com

'At least once a day they're coming in and they're pumping these out and when they do pump it out, it smells, it smells like what you would expect it to smell. They're pumping out a bathroom and the f*** out of here and shit.'

He says that the street is closed off and will remain so until the issue is resolved.

Herkert further criticizes the government and says that they are lying and handling the situation terribly.

'You're lying to the people, you're lying to the people about the border crisis, you're lying to the people in the cities and the communities had we not exposed this,' he tells DailyMail.com

Herkert also claimed that while the school in the area and the Church have asked people to be compassionate towards the migrant crisis, the Church is allegedly building a 10 feet fence around the school.

Staten Island Borough President Vito Fossella had already said that the building was categortized inhabitable and 'not viable' for a shelter by the city.

This comes three days after NYC mayor Eric Adams issued a warning that the the city will be destroyed by the current migrant crisis.

Adams is pleading for federal and state aid - asking a judge to suspend the Right to Shelter policy as the city struggles to find room for the 110,000 asylum seekers that have arrived since the Spring of 2022.

In May he made major changes to the 40-year-old 'Right to Shelter' law that guarantees a bed for anyone who needs it in the city as his government asked for federal and state help to deal with the surge of migrants that he now says could destroy New York as we know it.

Eric Adams is pleading for federal and state aid - asking a judge to suspend the Right to Shelter policy as the city struggles to find room for the 110,000 asylum seekers that have arrived since the Spring of 2022

With Executive Order 402, Adams suspended aspects of the law, meaning the city no longer had to provide migrant families with their own room and could direct them to a communal shelter instead.

In July, he told migrants the city was out of room and that it would distribute flyers at the US-Mexico border telling newly arrived migrants to 'consider another city.'

Herekert has also invited Adams to witness the situation of the neighborhood and see that 'they made a mistake here'.

Adams's shift in attitude comes as a surprise to many, since he promised while campaigning that NYC would remain a sanctuary city under an Adams administration, saying in 2021, 'We should protect our immigrants. Period.'

Back in August 2022, Adams went to Port Authority to welcome a bus full of asylum seekers sent from Texas by Republican governor Gregg Abbot, who argued progressive cities should also bare the costs of the influx of asylum seekers crossing the southern border.

Speaking to reporters at the time, Adams said: 'As the mayor of New York, I have to provide services families that are here, and that's what we're going to do - our responsibility as a city, and I'm proud that this is a Right to Shelter state, and we're going continue to do that.'

But the buses never stopped coming in and has now left New York in a state of despair and collapse.

Despite Adams's warning, the city still has a legal obligation to give shelter to those who ask for it forcing the administration to turn a variety of city landmarks into makeshift shelters and temporary housing as short-term solutions, including the St. John Villa Academy.

More than 110,000 asylum seekers have arrived in the city since the Spring of 2022, with over currently 10,000 arriving every month, and about 1,000 every single day.

There are now nearly 60,000 migrants in the city's care, with about 21,000 new migrant children starting school this year. As the school year kicked off on September 7, some schools were forced to turn away students as the classrooms overflowed.

The migrant crisis has plagued Adams' time as mayor since he took office in January 2022 and if continues, it could cost the city more than $4billion this fiscal year.

City officials have said they expect the number asylum seeker population to reach nearly 33,980 households this fiscal year. According to Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine, asylum seekers are costing the city roughly $10 million every day.

While officials have not revealed how many hotel rooms have been designated for migrants, hotel industry experts believe it's as many as 10,000.

The Roosevelt Hotel, Paul Hotel and Paramount Hotel are among the hotels designated for housing migrants in Manhattan. Long lines of migrants, mostly men from Africa, are now often seen outside the storied locations.

More than 110,000 asylum seekers have arrived in the city since the Spring of 2022, with over currently 10,000 arriving every month, and about 1,000 every single day.

The Roosevelt Hotel, Paul Hotel and Paramount Hotel are among the hotels designated for housing migrants in Manhattan

Women and children are being prioritized and they have said they are mostly fed pasta and salad, without many appropriate options for young children, as reported by CBS News.

New York officials have been sounding the alarm for months over their inability to right the ship, with Adams cautioning that his office estimates the issue will cost the city in the region of $12 billion in just three years.

He declared a state of emergency in the fall and has repeatedly labelled the deluge a 'humanitarian crisis'. The mayor's failed requests for more federal funding led him to condemn President Biden in April for 'failing' the city.

The crisis is also far from contained to New York, as numerous major metros have also struggled with housing asylum seekers. In Chicago, residents were stunned to find a police precinct had been turned into a shelter in May.

The problems at the southern border were significantly escalated when Title 42, a pandemic-era border policy that gave officials advanced powers to detain people, ended in May.

The day the policy expired on May 12, the number of illegal border crossings topped 10,000 - a figure that was maintained for several days
The Mail on Sunday today reveals the shocking reality of the epidemic of shoplifting that is blighting Britain, as we launch a major campaign to crack down on the crime.

The problem is now so widespread that a theft takes place every two seconds.

Thieves are exploiting lax policing, a 'soft-touch' justice system and the fact that some store staff are told not to tackle shoplifters for fears they could be attacked by the criminals  or even prosecuted themselves for intervening.

The crime costs the country dear, with retailers losing more than 1 billion in stolen goods last year, forcing them to raise prices at a time when consumers are already struggling with escalating food costs.

The Mail on Sunday's campaign  calling for the police, Crown Prosecution Service and courts to be much tougher with shoplifters, and for a change in the law to make abuse or violence towards shop staff a specific offence  comes after the boss of the country's largest supermarket, Tesco, highlighted the issue in last week's paper.

The Mail on Sunday today reveals the shocking reality of the epidemic of shoplifting that is blighting Britain. Pictured: A thief seen in Nottingham

Ken Murphy, managing director of Tesco, said that every frontline worker in his stores is to be offered a body camera following a shocking increase in violent attacks on staff.

Last night, former Home Secretary Priti Patel said: 'I support The Mail on Sunday's campaign and the police must take robust action to protect our nation's hard-working shopkeepers from criminals.

'As the daughter of a shopkeeper, I know how hard people work in small and family-run businesses and the financial costs and stress caused by thefts.'

Home Office sources said Policing Minister Chris Philp was 'very sympathetic' to the campaign and has said that police should have a zero tolerance policy towards shoplifting, and that the force should look into every crime where there was CCTV footage of it taking place.

Sir Keir Starmer also backed the MoS campaign and said it is 'shameful' that shop staff were left at the mercy of 'shoplifters and thugs'.

The Labour leader said: 'I'm backing this important campaign to support retail staff  and to make sure those who make lives a misery see the consequences of their actions. People are fed up with seeing [shoplifting] go unpunished.'

A Labour policy review on exactly how to strengthen anti-shoplifting laws has yet to report. But Sir Keir pledged that Labour's Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee 'would bring back local patrols with 13,000 extra officers and PCSOs'.

Meanwhile, a powerful coalition of store bosses, retail associations and former police chiefs have joined our call for action.

Officers apprehend a thief as he tries to make a getaway with his stolen goods

The scale of the problem in the UK is immense:

More than ten million shoplifting cases  nearly 30,000 a day, or one every two seconds  were recorded last year, up 25 per cent on 2021;

Police data suggests a rise of up to 75 per cent in theft of food, drink and essential items such as baby formula and laundry tablets;

Criminal gangs regard stores as soft targets and systematically strip them of high-value goods;

Last year 850 violent incidents were committed every day in shops;

One in eight shop bosses no longer report shoplifting incidents because they say police are uninterested.

Shop staff are often told not to intervene  with many thieves loading up with goods 'without attempting to hide what they are doing';

Legal action is also declining. In the year to June 2022, 21,279 people were prosecuted for shoplifting in England and Wales, compared with 80,352 a decade ago.

READ MORE: Shopkeeper who has run his stores for 20 years says he might have to CLOSE his business due to shoplifting Advertisement

A change in the law in 2014 meant those charged with the theft of goods worth less than 200 fall under the bracket of anti-social behaviour, so they are more likely to receive a fine without having to even attend court. Policing experts have claimed this 'decriminalises' shoplifting.

Co-op food managing director Matt Hood said: 'It's hard to over-emphasise how important change is. Too often, the police fail to respond to desperate calls by our store teams. Criminals are operating without any fear of consequences.

'I have seen horrific incidents of violent theft in our stores, where my colleagues feel scared and threatened. In the worst instances I would describe it as 'looting'.'

John Lewis chairman Dame Sharon White backed our campaign and has written to Ministers calling for tougher sanctions against repeat and violent offenders.

Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) chief executive James Lowman told the MoS that local shops face 'unprecedented levels of theft'.

'Often, these crimes are committed by repeat and prolific offenders,' he said. 'It's no mystery what is needed to turn the tide on shop theft: the police need to investigate every incident and bring persistent offenders to court, and courts need to give strong and effective penalties to break the cycle of re-offending.

'The UK's 49,000 convenience stores are right behind The Mail on Sunday's campaign.'

More than half of shoplifters are repeat offenders, often known in their communities, who take advantage of stores' no-challenge policy.

Thief Kirk Wharton, who got a nasty surprise when he fled a store and ran into the arms of police

Violence is also increasing, with staff threatened with hammers, dirty needles and knives. An ACS report noted 41,000 violent incidents in the convenience sector last year, with 13 per cent ending in injury.

Helen Dickinson, chief executive of the British Retail Consortium, said: 'Shoplifting is not a victimless crime. For victims, from teenagers working their first job to parents working around childcare, the physical and emotional impact can last a lifetime. Many incidents become triggers for abuse or violence.'

The ACS wants each police force to provide a 'Most Wanted' list of thieves  and to ban them from retail areas. 'It would involve local police posting mugshots on their website so retailers would be able to recognise them,' said Mr Lowman.

In June, the Co-op began putting chocolate bars in locked shelves. Honey, coffee and dishwashing liquid have also been locked up. Tesco has security tags on razors and, in Boots, fragrances and even cosmetics are kept behind closed doors.

Paddy Lillis, the head of the shop workers union, USDAW, said: 'Retailers are an easy target and easy money for criminal gangs. It needs to be made clear to repeat offenders that they won't get a smack on the wrist but a custodial sentence.'

Asda chairman Lord Stuart Rose said: 'Theft has become minimised and decriminalised. It's just not seen as a crime any more.'

On average, losses from shoplifting equate to 6p extra on the price of every product customers buy  known as the 'crime tax'. Martin McTague, national chairman of the Federation of Small Businesses, said small businesses are less able to absorb the cost of crime.

Some police forces offer shoplifters the chance to take part in rehabilitation programmes  which amount to good behaviour courses,  as an alternative to prosecution.

Former Avon and Somerset chief inspector Brian Roebuck described such schemes as 'nonsense'.

Additional reporting: Patrick Tooher
The fugitive was arrested 75 hours after the initial call to announce the escape

When bungling staff at HMP Wandsworth called Scotland Yard and informed them that Daniel Khalife had gone missing, the manhunt immediately became a counter- terrorism operation.

The call was made at 8.15am on Wednesday, and 75 hours later the fugitive was arrested and taken to a West London police station, ending one of the most high-profile searches for an escaped prisoner in years.

Last night, the Met chief who led the operation said its success was down to a new state-of-the-art spy hub the Government created two years ago, called the Counter-Terrorism Operations Centre (CTOC), to tackle the terror threat Britain was facing.

As soon as the call was made, a crack team of Met counter-terrorism officers at CTOC took charge of the investigation to track down Khalife, a former soldier who was awaiting trial for breaches of the Official Secrets Act, and who allegedly planted fake bombs at his own barracks.

The new multi-million-pound centre has state-of-the-art technology suites with capabilities to bug phones and hack into email accounts of terrorists, criminals and hostile state agents.

When bungling staff at HMP Wandsworth called Scotland Yard and informed them that Daniel Khalife had gone missing, the manhunt immediately became a counter- terrorism operation

75 hours later the fugitive was arrested and taken to a West London police station

But the biggest advantage that CTOC has is that for the first time, Britains counter-terrorism police officers and spies from MI5, MI6 and GCHQ can work under one roof on joint operations.

Normally, the Met is based near Parliament, and MI5 and MI6 in separate buildings on opposite banks of the Thames, and GCHQ in Cheltenham.

Last night, Commander Dominic Murphy, the Met counter-terrorism chief who led the hunt for Khalife, said it was the first high-profile triumph for the new centre.

He said: One of the unusual things about this investigation is for the first time weve run this type of inquiry from our new CTOC, which brings counter-terrorism policing, SO15, into close proximity to all of our partners. We were able to work extremely closely.

As soon as the investigation began, officers at the centre began processing all the CCTV and mobile phone footage they were receiving from colleagues on the ground making inquiries, as well as from members of the public, who were uploading their videos through a web portal the Met created.

The footage was not just seen by the experts but analysed with the best facial recognition and AI technology to see if anyone in the videos matched Khalife.

As the hours passed, GCHQ officers searched through websites and phone chatter for clues.

Nowadays, we all leave a digital footprint whenever we use a mobile phone or a laptop, or swipe a card to pay for a product, so the spies would have been looking for traces of the runaway, whether it be a call he made on a mobile phone that was smuggled into prison, or a credit or debit card he had.

The Met chief who led the operation said its success was down to a new state-of-the-art spy hub the Government created two years ago, called the Counter-Terrorism Operations Centre (CTOC)

The new multi-million-pound CTOC has state-of-the-art technology suites (file image)

Spies from MI5 and MI6 would also have been receiving intelligence from sources to see if he had been in contact with extremists in Britain or with agents of hostile states while at large.

In the case of Khalife, the first breakthrough was received by CTOC investigators within hours.

A member of the public had phoned in saying he saw Khalife leave the underside of the Bidfood truck he was strapped on to, around a mile from HMP Wandsworth, at the Wandsworth roundabout.

The spies and police would have combed all the CCTV footage from the area to see where he moved to.

Although the investigators would not comment, it is likely that MI5 and GCHQ spies would have also intercepted the phones and emails of Khalifes family members and friends, which would have been authorised by the Home Secretary. These intercepts resulted in intelligence-led operations, where a property may have been searched. It is believed a property searched in Richmond, West London, was the result of such an operation.

Eventually, a plain-clothes officer pulled Khalife from a bicycle on a canal towpath in West London and arrested him.

The Met deployed 150 counter-terrorism officers in the manhunt, all reporting to Commander Murphy. It is not known how many MI5, MI6 and GCHQ officers worked on the operation in the building, whose location is classified.
Nothing about Daniel Khalife struck those who knew him as particularly unusual.

Which is why the 21-year-olds short-lived status as Britains most wanted man caused such amazement.

Epithets frequently applied to terror suspects include loner and oddball. Yet his peers insist Khalife was neither. Rather, said one, he was well-adjusted, with a strong sense of social justice. And he treated the elderly with respect and looked out for younger kids.

Sure, he locked himself away for long periods in his room playing the video games Fortnite and Call Of Duty. But didnt most of us? said an acquaintance. He could be a bit self-satisfied and cocky at times but lots of teenagers are like that.

Khalife, who has a twin sister, was born in London to middle-class parents, an Iranian mother and Lebanese father, who separated when the twins were young.

Nothing about Daniel Khalife struck those who knew him as particularly unusual

Khalife, who has a twin sister, was born in London to middle-class parents, an Iranian mother and Lebanese father, who separated when the twins were young

Both then lived with their mother in a flat close to Richmond Park in Kingston-upon-Thames and attended Teddington School, a well regarded comprehensive. Daniel excelled at the 100m, earning him the nickname Bolt after Olympic gold medallist Usain Bolt.

While not as academically blessed as his sister, Khalife was very intelligent said a relative, though his GCSE grades were disappointing. He was a bit of a class joker, said someone who knew him from this time. But not a troublemaker. He was polite and respectful. I wouldnt say he was massively popular, just normal. He had friends.

Another said: He just sort of got on with it like most of us did.

He had social skills. He wasnt particularly socially withdrawn or anything.

The acquaintance said that since the prison break everyones just had the same reaction  shock  adding: It was just mind-blowing. It wasnt expected at all.

To his mothers dismay, Khalife decided to leave school at 16 and join the Army rather than study A-levels. A close relative suggested this was a factor in his downfall, saying military life changed him.

Initially, though, he was diligent and jovial.

Khalife, a skilled computer specialist, was posted to 22 Signal Regiment at Beacon Barracks, the base for the 1st Signal Brigade near Stafford. His regiment provides soldiers for Nato Allied Rapid Reaction Corps.

Shortly after joining at 17, Khalife is said to have started gathering information that could be useful to an enemy between May 2019 and January 2022, culminating in him allegedly breaching the Official Secrets Act by committing an act prejudicial to the safety or interests of Britain.

Daniel Khalife, who was caught by police this morning after escaping from HMP Wandsworth

The high-security measures inside Belmarsh Prison - Khalife's next home and a jail no one has ever escaped from

Counter-terrorism detectives began a lengthy investigation.

Khalife is said to have gone AWOL after allegedly planting fake bombs at the barracks on January 2 this year. Officers finally caught up with him on January 26 when he was held on suspicion of terrorism.

He has been in the Army for four years, the relative told The Times. I dont know what they have done to him... Two years ago he was quite happy, he said he never wanted to leave, he said they were good people and then something happened last year. He was scared to talk about it and so he ran away.

I dont believe the allegations. He spent four years in the Army, it is just silly to imagine he would betray them.

The relative added that Khalifes family were secular Iranians opposed to the present hardline regime, although they did not campaign against it.

Khalife has visited Iran twice, taken by his mother to see his family when he was a baby and again when he was aged six or seven.

Danny doesnt know Iran, he loves this country, said the close relative.
More than 2.2 million people live in a 'banking desert', without even a single branch in their parliamentary areas.

Millions more can access only one branch and have to travel miles for face-to-face services after banks axed thousands of sites with a 'devastating' impact on residents.

There are 23 parliamentary constituencies in Britain where all the banks have closed. Lenders claim high street branches are not in demand due to online banking.

But campaigners blasted the closures for leaving the elderly 'high and dry'. They say older people are less likely to bank online due to a lack of confidence and fears of being scammed.

Some major UK banks have axed more than 80 per cent of their branches in the last eight years, says consumer group Which?

'It is a banking desert in many ways,' says community banking campaigner Derek French, a former NatWest executive. 'People now must go to a city or a large town. That used to be a reasonable mileage away, but now the large town might have lost its banks and people have to go 20 or 30 miles or more to their nearest branch.'

'It is a banking desert in many ways,' says community banking campaigner Derek French, a former NatWest executive (file photo)

Caroline Abrahams, charity director at Age UK, said: 'The rapid decline in bank branches in the last few years has been a serious blow for millions of older people, particularly those who are not online or confident with mobile banking.

'These new figures reveal how big the problem is and mean many will have to travel even further to access another branch, while for others it will be nearly impossible to secure a face-to-face banking service close enough to home.

'The banks continue to encourage us all to manage our money online, but they seem to forget millions of older people don't use computers so are potentially high and dry when their local branch shuts.'

A further 3.6 million people live in 37 parliamentary constituencies with just one bank. Constituencies with no banks include Barnsley East, Bradford South, Glasgow North East, Sheffield Hallam, Mid-Derbyshire, Mid-Bedfordshire, York Outer, Reading West, St Helens North and Swansea East. Even in constituencies clinging on to a final branch, that may only benefit residents who bank with it.

Federation of Small Businesses policy chairman Tina McKenzie said: 'Bank closures have a devastating ripple effect, leaving high streets to struggle and businesses having to travel miles to make deposits.'

Cash machine network Link said 636 sites will have gone by the end of December and a further 42 banks are earmarked for closure in 2024 (file photo of an ATM)

More than half the UK's banking network has disappeared since 2015, with 5,597 branches shut in the last eight years, says Which?

Cash machine network Link said 636 sites will have gone by the end of December and a further 42 banks are earmarked for closure in 2024. Adam Afriyie, Tory MP for Windsor, with one branch left, said: 'The lack of banks also causes problems for many of our hospitality businesses. They don't want to take cash from customers because they cannot bank it securely nearby.'

James Gray, Tory MP for North Wiltshire, which also has one bank, said: 'I'm very concerned. People in rural areas rely heavily on banks.'

Treasury Committee chairman Harriett Baldwin, Tory MP for West Worcestershire, said: 'The committee regularly raises this issue with banks and regulators. It's important people can access cash. That means local access to bank branches and free cashpoints.'
Captured terror suspect Daniel Khalife is to be transferred to Belmarsh Prison  a maximum security jail that no prisoner has ever escaped from.

The Prison Service faces mounting questions over why Khalife, a 21-year-old former Army soldier accused of serious terror offences, was originally detained at Wandsworth, a crumbling Category B jail in South-West London that has seen at least six inmates break out, including Great Train Robber Ronnie Biggs. After his arrest yesterday, Khalife was taken to a police station in West London where he was questioned.

The Mail on Sunday understands that he will next be transferred to Belmarsh, a Category A high-security prison in South-East London.

Opened in 1991 and surrounded by a one-mile-long perimeter wall, Belmarsh houses 675 prisoners, including those accused or convicted of serious terrorism offences.

It includes the High Security Unit (HSU)  effectively a prison within a prison  which consists of 48 single cells.

Captured terror suspect Daniel Khalife is to be transferred to Belmarsh Prison  a maximum security jail that no prisoner has ever escaped from

The high-security measures inside Belmarsh Prison - Khalife's next home and a jail no one has ever escaped from

Opened in 1991 and surrounded by a one-mile-long perimeter wall, Belmarsh houses 675 prisoners, including those accused or convicted of serious terrorism offences

The terror suspect's four days on the run ended just hours later  at 10.41am on Saturday  when an undercover officer pulled him from a bike as he cycled along a canal towpath

The jail has its own team of trained analysts who process more than 500 intelligence reports a month about what is happening inside the prison.

A report in September 2021 by Charlie Taylor, the chief inspector of prisons, praised the jail's security arrangements.

'Security and good order are maintained through an attention to physical and procedural matters, including effective security intelligence and positive staff-prisoner relationships,' he said.
Brendan ONeill in Spiked:

Decolonise the curriculum is a movement that wants university courses to focus less on dead white European males and more on writers of colour. Its argument is that black students need texts that speak directly to them. They need books by authors who look like them. They need books about experiences and ideas they can more readily relate to than they can the stuff written about in high white culture. Black students must be able to recognise themselves in what they study, were told, or else theyll feel cheated and demeaned.

I was surprised to find that one of the leading decolonise movements, at the University of Edinburgh, was arguing for WEB Du Bois 1903 book, The Souls of Black Folk, to be included on the English curriculum. The activists said it was unreasonable to expect black students to engage with so many white authors. They also need to engage with people like Du Bois, in whose work they might recognise themselves. I was surprised, not because I think The Souls of Black Folk shouldnt be on more university courses  absolutely it should. No, its because The Souls of Black Folk runs so fantastically counter to the entire ideology of decolonise. It made me wonder if these activists have even read it. Du Bois book contains some of the finest arguments you will ever read against the idea that high culture is a white thing that others cannot connect with.

More here.
She tragically died after amniotic fluid leaked into her blood during birth

The haunting last Facebook post by a mum preparing to deliver her fifth child has been revealed

The haunting final Facebook post of a pregnant Oklahoma mom, 35, who shared her excitement at welcoming her new baby hours before dying has been revealed.

Kelli Tyler, 35, died after amniotic fluid leaked into her blood during childbirth on September 6, just hours after she'd posted about arriving at the hospital.

'We're moving in!!!' she wrote on Facebook with a picture of her smiling at the camera in a black dress surrounded by all her personal belongings.

Julie Roach says the catastrophic complication has robbed her grandchildren of an amazing mother.

'The pain of losing my child is indescribable. There are no words,' Kelli's mum said.

Kelli Tyler, 35, announced her excitement about arriving at hospital on Facebook

She shared a post with friends to let them know she was ready to give birth

The mum-of-five died after amniotic fluid leaked into her blood during birth

Her beautiful daughter is doing well and is being cherished by her grandmother, Julie

In an interview with KFor, Julie said doctors worked tirelessly for two hours trying to revive Kelli but eventually had to accept she was gone.

'The amniotic fluid got into Kelli's bloodstream [and] she was losing blood more than she could take in,' she explained.

'She would come around for a minute or so and she would code again.

'It's rare that it happens and almost always fatal, and in our case it was.'

Amniotic Fluid Embolism is one of the leading direct causes of maternal mortality in the United States.

An amniotic fluid embolism (AFE) is when amniotic fluid gets into the bloodstream and causes a collapse of the heart and lungs.

The second stage of AFE is disseminated intravascular coagulopathy, meaning your blood is failing to clot.

'I can't thank the doctors' team, the nurses' team enough, for what they did,' Julie said.

Kelli's four other children, ages 16, 12, 11 and 9, are welcoming their little sister

Jalie was taken away for special care but is eating lots and already very spoiled, her grandmother says

She said the pain of losing a child is 'indescribable' and feels like she's lost a part of herself.

'Walking down the hallway to the room where they were taking us [after]that was the longest walk of my lifepart of my heart's gone,' she said.

While it will take time to identify any long-term effects, Kelli's daughter, who has been named Jalie, is doing well and loves to eat.

'She's already spoiled. She's our little chunky monkey and our tootsie roll.

'We won't know if she has any cognitive issues until she grows up some more.

'She was sent to a nearby hospital for specialized help to hopefully prevent brain damage.'

Julie is now going to be helping to take care of Kelli's four other children as well, ages 16, 12, 11 and 9.

A GoFundMe has been set up to help with finances for items including groceries, clothes, diapers and school needs as they try to move forward.

'She was a beautiful person and so full of love. Now we're going to carry on through her kids.

'Jalie won't get to know her mom in person but she's gonna know her mom. We have pictures we have recordings that were going to play over and over.'
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis' hand-picked surgeon general has warned against getting the new COVID-19 booster vaccine that is expected to receive approval in the coming days.

The state's Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo made the claims at a press conference on Thursday, saying there was no evidence to support getting the shot and that there are 'red flags' about its safety.

The updated shots, which target an Omicron subvariant named XBB.1.5, are awaiting FDA approval on standards for safety, effectiveness and quality, and must then receive CDC sign-off, which could come as early as Tuesday.

'Listen inside to what makes sense, what feels right, you know, what feels like truth,' said Lapado, offering his advice on receiving the shots.

'We all know it when we feel it inside.' Lapado went on to claim global studies showed people who had the boosters were more likely to catch COVID itself.

DeSantis joined Lapado at the event and did not offer a specific opinion on the booster, but slammed federal regulators at the FDA and CDC as corrupt, claiming they 'have basically become an arm of Big Pharma.'

Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo has warned against getting the new COVID-19 booster vaccine that is expected to receive approval in the coming days

Los Angeles residents are seen masking up at Union Station on August 31, as an uptick in COVID cases drives a return to pandemic habits in some areas

Poll Are you planning to get a Covid booster shot? Yes No Not sure Are you planning to get a Covid booster shot? Yes 480 votes

No 1367 votes

Not sure 179 votes Now share your opinion





Spokespersons for the FDA and CDC did not immediately respond to requests for comment from DailyMail.com on Saturday.

Ladapo's previous warnings against older versions of the COVID-19 vaccines drew a harsh rebuke from the two agencies in March, when they published an open letter accusing him of 'fueling vaccine hesitancy'.

'Based on available information for the COVID-19 vaccines that are authorized or approved in the United States, the known and potential benefits of these vaccines clearly outweigh their known and potential risks,' the letter said.

'It is the job of public health officials around the country to protect the lives of the populations they serve, particularly the vulnerable. Fueling vaccine hesitancy undermines this effort,' added the letter, signed by FDA Commissioner Robert Califf and then-CDC Director Rochelle Walensky.

Approval of the updated COVID-19 booster shots is expected within days. Pfizer, Moderna and Novavax all have manufactured new versions of the vaccine.

Similar to how flu shots are updated each year, the FDA gave COVID-19 vaccine makers a new recipe, targeting the variant that was dominant over the summer.

But as expected, the XBB.1.5 variant it targets has faded away in the months it took to tweak the vaccine.

CDC estimates show XBB.1.5 is responsible for about 3 percent of current cases, while a soup of other newer Omicron variants dominates, led by EG.5 at about 20 percent.

At Thursday's event, held inside an Irish pub in Jacksonville, DeSantis vowed Florida would not be temporarily closing schools or mandating mask-wearing over rising COVID cases

In Uniondale, New York a resident said last month that he wears a mask at his job as a home health aide to a 70-year-old man because of the recent rise in COVID hospitalizations

The above shows how uptake languished on last year's booster rollout, with less than 17 percent of eligible adults coming forward

In his remarks at Thursday's event, held inside an Irish pub in Jacksonville, DeSantis vowed Florida would not be temporarily closing schools or mandating mask-wearing because of the recent uptick in COVID-19 cases.

'People are lurching toward this insanity again,' DeSantis said. 'As we see these things being orchestrated ... there needs to be pushback.'

The Florida governor is also hoping his message in the Sunshine State resonates on the campaign trail as he seeks the GOP nomination for president.

Soon after the Thursday press conference, his presidential campaign sent out an email to supporters vowing to 'fight back against every bogus attempt the Left makes to expand government control' when it comes to COVID-19 precautions.

He also appeared on Fox News that evening, saying: 'No mask mandates, no mandates on school children, no COVID vax mandates.'

DeSantis' news conference in Jacksonville came almost two weeks after three black people were fatally shot there by a 21-year-old white supremacist who authorities say left behind ramblings that read like 'the diary of a madman.'

As DeSantis took questions at Thursday's news conference, an unidentified man spoke out, saying the governor had 'allowed weapons to fill the street' and was to blame for the shootings.

'I did not allow anything with that,' DeSantis fired back angrily. 'I'm not going to let you accuse me of committing criminal activity. I'm not going to take that!'

'You have allowed people to hunt people like me,' continued the audience member, who was black, prompting a visibly angry DeSantis to respond: 'Oh, that is nonsense. That is such nonsense.'
Morocco has declared three days of national mourning after an earthquake killed at least 2,000 people - with Britons among those missing amid fears the death toll could climb even higher.

Rescuers trawled through rubble in Marrakesh in the search for survivors after Morocco's deadliest earthquake in over 60 years struck last night.

At least 2,012 people died in the horror quake, Morocco's Interior Ministry said, with 2,059 people people injured - including 1,404 in critical condition.

The earthquake, which measured 6.8 on the Richter scale, struck Morocco's Atlas Mountains and caused tremors as far away as Portugal, has wiped out entire families as witnesses describe hearing 'unbearable screaming and crying' and seeing distraught relatives frantically search with their bare hands for buried loved ones.

One man said dishes and wall hangings began raining down, and people were knocked off their feet. The quake brought down walls made from stone and masonry, covering whole communities with rubble.

Rescuers use a small excavator to search for survivors under the rubble of a collapsed house in Moulay Brahim, Al Haouz province, on September 9

The army recovers the corpses of earthquake victims, in Tafeghaghte, Morocco, earlier today

Rescue workers search for survivors in a collapsed house in Moulay Brahim, Al Haouz province

People gather around the bodies of victims of an earthquake in the mountain village of Tafeghaghte

A father walks his children (left) through a path of destruction in the mountain village of Tafeghaghte, while a woman (right) also passes through the same ruined neighbourhood

People mourn in front of the body of a victim killed in an earthquake in Moulay Brahim, Al Haouz province

Members of rescue teams carry the body of a victim of an earthquake in Ouargane village, near Marrakesh, Morocco

A view of a home that was damaged by the earthquake, in Ijjoukak village, near Marrakesh

People gather on a street in Casablanca, following the powerful earthquake that struck Morocco

Tens of thousands of people have lost their homes, with 2,000 killed in the deadliest earthquake disaster to strike the country since 1960

Relatives were desperately trying to contact three Britons who were staying in Imlil, a remote village in the mountains near the epicentre. Posting on X, formerly known as Twitter, the family of Rebecca Calvert, 65, from Windsor, pleaded with Foreign Secretary James Cleverly for help.

Ms Calvert was staying with her friend Hilary McKegney at the Hotel Le Village du Toubkal. Her daughter Katie told Mr Cleverly: 'We are sick with worry and need your help in finding her and bringing her home safely. Please urgently send British resources to the specific region and urgently provide an update on their whereabouts.'

Residents rest on the street in Moulay Brahim village, in the province of Al Haouz, following the powerful earthquake in Morocco

Families are pictured sleeping outside together after thousands lose their homes to the quake

People sit around a bonfire in Moulay Brahim village, in the province of Al Haouz, in an effort to keep warm in the colder evenings

Vehicles as well homes were destroyed in the earthquake

The Red Cross warned that it could take years to repair the damage across the country

Another British woman appealed for information on X, writing: 'My sister and her family are there and I have no news at all about Imlil nor from them.'

Alice Morrison, a British author who lives in Imlil, described the moment the quake struck, writing on her blog: 'I can hear shouts and screams. One is my own. I am alone in the dark on the moving ground.'

Helen Morris, 37, from Neath, South Wales, and her friend Amy Pritchard, 37, were at the Riu Tikida Garden hotel in Marrakech when paintings fell off the walls. 'We dived underneath the desk until everything stopped moving... for 30 to 40 seconds,' Ms Morris said.

Shannon Nolan, 31, from Bristol, who was staying at the Aqua Mirage Marrakech with her sister, their mother and their six children, said: 'The bed was shaking, the wardrobe was rocking, the TV came off the wall and the mirror in the bathroom smashed. When I stood up to walk it was like I was at sea.'

Bill McGuire, professor emeritus of geophysical and climate hazards at University College London, said he expected the death toll to rise.

The Red Cross also warned that it could take years to repair the damage across the country.

Pictures taken just after the earthquake show the amount of dust that remained in the air

An injured child is transported from the health center of Amizmiz to Marrakesh, Morocco, September 9

A digger rescues a donkey trapped in rubble after an earthquake in the mountain village of Tafeghaghte

The donkey was still alive despite being trapped under mounds of rubble overnight

Rescuers eventually managed to set free the donkey after it spent many hours trapped in the mountain village of Tafeghaghte

An injured woman is transported from the health center of Amizmiz to Marrakech

Ambulance workers carefully lifted the woman into vehicle, where she will be transported Marrakech

Abdellatif Ait Bella, who was injured in the earthquake that destroyed his home, lies on the ground in the village of Tansghart in the Asni area

A man digs a grave to bury the body of a victim of the earthquake, in Ouargane village, near Marrakech

Moroccans and foreign tourists alike are queuing outside blood donation points to give blood in an effort to assist emergency workers.

In historic Marrakech, people could be seen on state TV clustering in the streets , afraid to go back inside buildings that might still be unstable. The city's famous Koutoubia Mosque, built in the 12th century, was damaged, but the extent was not immediately clear. Its 226-foot) minaret is known as the 'roof of Marrakech.' Moroccans also posted videos showing damage to parts of the famous red walls that surround the old city, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Most damage occurred outside of cities and towns, and the United States Geological Survey warned that the death toll was likely to rise significantly, because rural buildings were not built to sustain such earthquakes.

Those in the city posted videos showing buildings reduced to rubble and dust, and parts of the famous red walls that surround the old city in Marrakesh damaged.

In the village of Amizmiz, some 40 miles south of Marrakech, rescue workers picked through the rubble.

'When I felt the earth shaking beneath my feet and the house leaning, I rushed to get my kids out. But my neighbours couldn't,' said Mohamed Azaw.

'Unfortunately no one was found alive in that family. The father and son were found dead and they are still looking for the mother and the daughter.'

The earthquake struck panic into household across the country as one man visiting from Casablanca said he thought he was going to 'die alone'.

Ghannou Najem, who is in his 80s, said: 'I was nearly asleep when I heard the doors and the shutters banging.

'I went outside in a panic. I thought I was going to die alone.'

Frenchman Michael Bizet, 43, who owns three traditional riad houses in Marrakesh's old town, said: 'I thought my bed was going to fly away. I went out into the street half-naked and immediately went to see my riads. It was total chaos, a real catastrophe, madness.'

A woman is devastated as she sees her earthquake-damaged house in Marrakesh

Injured people are transported from the health center of Amizmiz to Marrakesh following the horror quake

At least 1,305 people died in the horror quake, Morocco's Interior Ministry said this evening, with 1,832 people people injured - 1,220 of which are critical

Rescue workers search for survivors in a collapsed house in Moulay Brahim, Al Haouz province

Young boys observe a view of their home area Moulay Brahim, which was damaged by the earthquake

A view of a home that was destroyed by the earthquake, in Ijjoukak village

A tractor helps remove rubble during a rescue operation for people affected by the earthquake in Moulay Brahim

Moroccans are now refusing to sleep indoors over fears their weakened homes may collapse on them in the night

Aid organisations warned that relief efforts will have to continue for months

The Red Cross has warned the next 24 to 48 hours are critical to saving lives of those trapped in rubble across the region

Some of the worst affected areas are remote and mountainous, creating additional hardships for rescuers

The Red Cross has warned the next 24 to 48 hours are critical to saving lives of those trapped in rubble across the region, Sky News reports.

Some of the worst affected areas are remote and mountainous, creating additional hardships for rescuers.

Carol Holt, global head of operations for the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) said: 'We know what to expect. There's the need for the dignified management of dead bodies. There's the need to provide people with safe water.

'We need to make sure we don't have a disaster within a disaster. Hygiene really needs to be maintained.

'The next 24 to 48 hours will be critical in terms of saving lives.'

The IFRC is carrying out a review of the crisis and is preparing to send out its emergency response teams.

The organisation's regional director Dr Hossam Elsharkawi said the response could even take years to the disaster could last for 'many months if not years'.

'This will not be a week or two of response as our region has seen with the big Turkeyt and Syrian earthquakes earlier this year,' he said.

Moroccans raced to donate blood for those injured after the devastating quake

Mourners observe a burial prayer for people who have been killed by the earthquake, in Moulay Brahim village

A man rescues a donkey trapped under rubble after an earthquake in the mountain village of Tafeghaghte

Moroccan medics sort through blood donation bags at a centre in Beni Mellal, around 120 miles from Marrakesh

Injured people are transported from the health center of Amizmiz to Marrakesh following the quake

Hamid Idsalah, a 72-year-old mountain guide, said he and many others remained alive but had little future to look forward to. He said was true both in the short term - with remnants of his kitchen reduced to dust - and in the long term, where he and many others lack the financial means to rebuild their lives.

'I can't reconstruct my home. I don't know what I'll do. Still, I'm alive, so I'll wait,' he said as he walked through the desert oasis town overlooking red rock hills, packs of goats and a glistening salt lake. 'I feel heartsick.'

About 20 men including firefighters and soldiers in fatigues stood atop the ruin of a house in Amizmiz as they tried to remove rubble, bits of carpet and furniture protruding from gaps between pancaked concrete floors.

There are warnings the strong quake means it will take time to reach mountain villages and other smaller settlements outside of Morocco's cities, meaning the true extent of the damage and people harmed remains unknown.

Morocco today declared three days of national mourning after the deadly earthquake, an announcement from the royal palace said.

'Three days of national mourning have been decided, with flags to fly at half-mast on all public buildings,' said a statement published by the official MAP news agency after King Mohamed VI chaired a meeting to discuss the disaster.

Many of the older buildings in Marrakesh were completely destroyed overnight

A man walks with his belongings through the rubble in an alleyway in the earthquake-damaged old city in Marrakesh

Injured people are transported from the health centre of Amizmiz to Marrakesh

Moroccans and tourists alike have lined up at blood donation points to support the emergency service efforts

A family sits outside their home after an earthquake in Moulay Brahim village, Morocco

Members of the Royal Armed Forces mobilize to provide support to victims, following a powerful earthquake, in Taroudant, Morocco

World leaders offered to send in aid or rescue crews as condolences poured in from countries in Europe, the Middle East and the Group of 20 summit in India. The president of Turkey, which lost tens of thousands of people in a massive earthquake earlier this year, was among those proposing assistance. France and Germany, with large populations of people of Moroccan origin, also offered to help, and the leaders of both Ukraine and Russia expressed support for Moroccans.

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak released a statement which said: 'My thoughts are with everyone affected by the terrible earthquake in Morocco last night. The UK stands ready to support our Moroccan friends.'

The Interior Ministry urged calm, saying in its televised statement on the death toll that the quake had hit the provinces of Al Haouz, Ouarzazate, Marrakech, Azilal, Chichaoua and Taroudant. Officials added that most of those killed will be in hard to reach settlements outside of the cities.

A British journalist living in Morocco described waking up to the sound of his wife screaming as the quake shook their home.

Martin Jay told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that he had just settled into sleep when the tremor struck.

Authorities say most of the dead are in smaller towns and villages high in the mountains

Two people shelter at a store front rather than risking sleeping in their homes in Marrakesh

Rescue efforts are underway in the country as hundreds require medical attention

A group sits amongst collapsed buildings in the aftermath of the earthquake as recovery efforts begin

Some of the cities oldest buildings have completely collapsed - but it is warned that smaller settlements closest to the epicentre will have been worst-hit

Vehicles caught up in the debris were left completely destroyed

'The first hint was my wife screaming,' he said.

'I couldn't quite equate the situation, I couldn't imagine I was in the middle of an earthquake.

'Everything was vibrating, everything, the bed, the floor, the four walls.'

Part of their home was damaged by the earthquake, with some of the brick walls collapsing from the tremors.

Speaking to BBC, Jane Felix-Richards, from Cardiff, said they were in the foyer of the hotel when they heard a 'deep rumble that got increasingly louder'.

'The whole building started to violently shake, chandeliers were swinging, plaster was coming off the walls, glasses were being smashed,' she said.

At least 2,000 people are reported to be injured, a number that is expected to rise in the coming days

At least 1,400 people are said to be in a critical condition

Thousands opted to sleep outdoors, over fears their buildings would collapse on them

Humanitarian groups said reliefs efforts would need to go on for 'many months'

She said she thought a bomb had gone off and told her family to run.

The hotel has since said they can stay there, but Ms Felix-Richards said the walls do not look safe and instead slept on sun loungers.

Rather than return to concrete buildings, men, women and children stayed out in the streets worried about aftershocks and other reverberations that could cause their homes to sway.

Frenchman Michael Bizet, 43, shared footage of collapsed buildings in the ancient centre of Marrakech, where he runs three riad holiday homes.

Recalling being woken up by the quake, Mr Bizet said: 'I thought my bed was going to fly away. I went out into the street half-naked and immediately went to see my riads. It was total chaos, a real catastrophe  absolute madness.'

Mr Bizet's images showed damage to the world famous Jemaa el-Fna square, which draws thousands of tourists every year.

Hamid Afkir, a teacher who lives closed to the epicentre, near Taroudant, said: 'The earth shook for about twenty seconds. Doors opened and shut by themselves as I rushed downstairs from the second floor of my house. There were aftershocks too.'

Foreign leaders expressed their condolences and many offered assistance, including Israel with which Morocco normalised relations in 2020.

Towns close to the epicentre of the quake have been almost completely flattened

Rescuers survey the damage in the small town of Amizmiz, around 55km from Marrakesh

A group of women and children take shelter after the earthquake drove them from their homes

CCTV captured people fleeing from inside buildings as the quake hit

A cracked mosque minaret stands precariously after the quake in Moulay Brahim village

A group of women and children take shelter after the earthquake drove them from their homes

Civil protection members search for survivors buried in the rubble

Thousands across Morocco mourned the victims of the earthquake

Islamic custom requires followers to bury the dead as soon as possible

Graves were dug just hours after the quake struck

Morocco today declared three days of national mourning after the deadly earthquake

Neighbour and regional rival Algeria announced it was suspending a two-year-old ban on all Moroccan flights through its airspace to enable aid deliveries and medical evacuations.

US President Joe Biden said he was 'deeply saddened by the loss of life and devastation'.

Chinese leader Xi Jinping expressed 'deep grief for the victims' and hope that 'the Moroccan government and people will be able to overcome the impact of this disaster'.

In 2004, at least 628 people were killed and 926 injured when a quake hit Al Hoceima in northeastern Morocco, and in 1960 a magnitude 6.7 quake in Agadir killed more than 12,000.

The 7.3-magnitude El Asnam earthquake in Algeria killed 2,500 people and left at least 300,000 homeless in 1980.
He is already a cult figure in Ukraine, feted for his steadfast support of its fight to repel Russia's brutal invasion.

But yesterday, Boris Johnson received yet another award in the country he has championed.

At a ceremony in Lviv, the former Prime Minister was given a doctorate by the city's Ivan Franko National University.

Mr Johnson was shown donning a cap and robes  and holding a bunch of flowers - as he accepted the honorary title of 'Doctor Honoris Causa' from the university.

He already holds the country's highest award for foreign nationals  the Ukrainian 'Order of Liberty' which he received on his final visit to Kyiv before he stood down as PM last year.

Mr Johnson was shown donning a cap and robes as he accepted the title of Doctor Honoris Causa

He already holds the country's highest award for foreigners, the Order of Liberty, which he received on his final visit to Kyiv before he stood down as PM last year

Boris Johnson is also an honorary citizen of Kyiv and of Odesa



The medal was presented to Mr Johnson last August in a ceremony led by Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky.

And that ceremony, he was honoured with his own Hollywood walk-of-fame style flagstone  a commemorative plaque bearing his name and inset into the Ukrainian capital's pavement.

At the time, Mr Johnson accepted the honours by reiterating his unwavering support for Ukraine's struggle against Vladimir Putin's aggression.

He has subsequently been made an 'honorary citizen of Kyiv' to add to the same title he holds for the port city of Odesa.
Shopkeeper Saba Mahesh estimates he's losing about 200 a day from shoplifting.

He has run four small stores in Sheerness, Kent, for almost 20 years  but is now considering the closure of one as it loses more money to theft than it makes in profits every day.

He blames adults and 'out-of-control teenagers' who, he says, 'nick anything: sweets, crisps, vaping devices, energy drinks and alcohol. It's not people being hungry  it's criminals.'

His staff used to report thefts to the police but don't now, as he says officers do not investigate.

'I am very angry that the police are not doing anything,' he said.

He added that shoplifting is worse during the summer and that his staff fear being attacked. He said: 'They face all kinds of abuse. Some, who are not white, suffer racial abuse.'

Shopkeeper Saba Mahesh (pictured outside his store SS News and Wine) estimates he's losing about 200 a day from shoplifting

SHOPLIFTERS LAUGH AS THEY FILL THEIR BAGS

Thieves who steal from the convenience store in Wolverhampton where Michelle Whitehead works as a manager are so brazen they fill bags with food and walk out, laughing at staff.

The 50-year-old says she used to love her job but now regularly goes home and cries after receiving abuse from thieves  who not only swear at her but throw objects, spit and threaten to beat her up.

Ms Whitehead said: 'I feel such anxiety at work  I'm thinking of leaving. Before the pandemic, thieves would steal slyly, but they now come in pairs, stuff bags full of food and walk out laughing at us.'

She says some are 'organised criminal gangs' who, for example, pilfer '11 packs of bacon or 12 chickens' and sell them on. Ms Whitehead said the shoplifters know police won't prosecute and take advantage of the fact staff have been told by bosses not to physically stop them.

She explained how staff are advised that any intervention risks injury and said a colleague was sacked because he intervened in a shoplifting incident.

She added: 'Sometimes we call the police but officers usually never arrive.'

Even when caught, she said thieves return to shoplift again. She said one was back in her store within 30 minutes of his guilty verdict to steal again, before he returned to court for sentencing.

Kirk Wharton is seen on CCTV stashing item in his coat in a foiled shoplifting attempt

CCTV footage of a couple who attacked a shop worker in Bristol

Thieves are targetting stores every two seconds in Britain, figures have shown

'LET-OFF' FOR WOMAN GUILTY OF 13 THEFTS

A prolific shoplifter charged with 13 separate offences during just two months escaped a jail sentence and was merely given a Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO)  designed to deal with persistent anti-social behaviour  which banned her from Peterborough's main shopping centre for two years.

The case of Jolene Maughan, 35, highlights what critics call 'soft justice' towards shoplifting, where custodial sentences are not handed down even to repeat offenders.

Cambridgeshire Constabulary, which said Maughan was putting a strain on their resources, still urged the court to give her a CBO instead of a jail term.

Among the charges, Maughan was found guilty of stealing an iPad worth 240, 49 worth of alcohol, and meat costing 60 from M&S. She also stole food and alcohol worth almost 80 from Asda.

She even assaulted a security guard and threatened another. Previously, she had 19 theft and similar offences recorded against her, and had once served a week in prison for shoplifting.
Three quarters of Brits say Harry and Meghan should receive no money from the public purse and the majority would see them removed from the line of succession, new exclusive polling for MailOnline has revealed today.

Just 15 per cent of people believe the Duke and Duchess should be entitled to taxpayer-funded security and other costs, while an overwhelming majority of 74 per cent said they should pay for everything themselves.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex stepped back from their roles as senior royals in 2020, insisting they wanted to work towards 'financial independence' before they later complained of being cut off by the Royals.

Today's survey also shows that respondents have a dim view of the Sussexes' claim to throne, with the vast majority believing they should be booted out of the line of succession completely.

As the second child of King Charles III, Prince Harry is fifth in line to the throne after his brother, Prince William, nephews Princes George and Louis, and niece Princess Charlotte.

Meghan meanwhile is not in line for the throne - much like the Princess of Wales - but her two children with Harry, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet Mountbatten-Windsor, are sixth and seventh.

A year on from the Queen's death - her funeral being the last engagement Harry and Meghan attended alongside the Royal Family - the public have had their say on the US-based Duke and Duchess.

T he survey also shows that respondents have a dim view of the Sussexes' claim to throne, with the vast majority believing they should be booted out of the line of succession completely

Just 15 per cent of people asked said they the Duke and Duchess should be entitled to taxpayer-funded security and other costs (Harry pictured in the UK on Thursday)

A year on from Queen Elizabeth II's death, the British public have had their say on the US-based Duke and Duchess

While Harry and Meghan remain low in the national esteem, likely as a result of the attacks on his family and the institution since he ceased being a working royal - the Prince's older brother and his wife have come out as the most popular royals.

While the 'spare' has fallen out of favour with the public, with growing support to remove Prince Harry from the line of succession, more people would like to see the heir take the reins from his father sooner rather than later.

Those who believe Charles should have become King when the Queen died, compared to those who would have preferred William, is approaching parity, 43 per cent and 41 per cent respectively, as his eldest son's popularity increases and his holds steady.

Charles should remain King until he dies, according to 41 per cent of respondents - whereas the number of people who believe William should become king before he dies or even immediately has risen to 45 per cent.

The poll shows that Britons largely believe William has done well in a year where he lost his grandmother, faced more brutal attacks from his brother Harry.

In a result which is sure to sting for the Duke of Sussex, almost twice as many respondents (50 per cent) believe that it is William rather than Harry (27 per cent) who best represents the values of their mother, Diana.

Prince William and Princess Kate top the list of those the public believe should receive public money via the Sovereign Grant, just ahead of Charles and Camilla.

These two couples and Princess Anne remain the only members of the Royal Family for whom a majority of people think they should receive taxpayer money.

Prince Andrew is now the only royal family member who fewer than 11 per cent think should be paid from the public's pot - with more people saying they would see the fictitious Earl and Countess of Wivenhoe get access to the Sovereign Grant than him.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex stepped back from their roles as senior royals in 2020, insisting they wanted to work towards 'financial independence' before they later complained of being cut off by the Royals

Since moving to the US in 2020, Harry and Meghan have managed to rake in an estimated 100million from lucrative media deals.

Harry claimed Charles had 'cut him off financially' following the couple's departure - dubbed 'Megxit' - claims which were later refuted by the Royal Family.

A series of spats ensued, including potshots aimed at his father and brother in Harry's memoir, and the relationship between the Sussexes and the Windsors now appears to many to have been irretrievably damaged.

Opinion was divided on whether Harry will ever return to Britain, with more than four in ten (43 per cent) saying they believe he will never come back to live in the country full time.

Meanwhile, more than a third (36 per cent) are of the opinion that he will come back at some point in the future.

Harry and Meghan have managed to make an estimated 100million since moving to the US

The findings were revealed in a comprehensive new poll on the state of the monarchy carried out for MailOnline by Deltapoll.

It asked more than 2,000 people how they view the Royal Family, its members and the work the institution does in the UK and abroad.

Today's exclusive survey also reveals:

More than half of respondents (53%) think that the institution of the monarchy is good for Britain;

More than six in ten (62%) believe Britain should remain a monarchy. Fewer than a quarter (23%) think Britain should become a republic;

Just over half (53%) think that Britain will still be a monarchy in fifty years, with more than a quarter (25%) thinking the opposite.

A majority (58%) have not changed their mind about Charles since he became king. Under a quarter (23%) think better of him, with just over one in nine (12%) thinking the opposite;

It is a similar for Camilla. Half (50%) have not changed their mind about her and under a quarter (24%) think better of her. At one in six (17%), however, the proportion who say their opinion of her has got worse is slightly higher than for her husband. Half (50%) also think that Diana would have been a better queen. 12% think the opposite and 19% think there would have been no real difference;

Four in ten (40%) think that Charles should not allow either Harry or Meghan to play an active role in royal lifeever again. A quarter (25%) say Charles should be open to the idea, with a further fifth (20%) thinking Charles should be open to the idea of Harry without Meghan. A strong majority (69%) think Charles should not allow Andrew to have an active role again;

More than four in ten (43%) thinks Harry will never come back to live in Britain full time, but more than a third (36%) think he will come back at some point in the future;

Prince Andrew is viewed very poorly, even compared to Harry and Meghan. Four in ten (40%) think that the good things are in the majority when it comes to Harry with only one in seven thinking there are no good things about him. In contrast, only just over one in five (21%) think the good things win out when it comes to Andrew and more than four in ten (43%) think that there are no good things about him

Now have your say! Use our interactive tools to get involved in MailOnline's royal survey Now you can have a go at answering 20 questions which were asked in the survey: Poll Taking everything into account do you think the institution of the monarchy is good or bad for Britain? Good for Britain Bad for Britain Neither good nor bad for Britain Don't know Taking everything into account do you think the institution of the monarchy is good or bad for Britain? Good for Britain 14983 votes

Bad for Britain 1671 votes

Neither good nor bad for Britain 1690 votes

Don't know 144 votes Now share your opinion



Poll Would you favour Britain becoming a republic or remaining a monarchy? Britain should become a republic Britain should remain a monarchy Don't know Would you favour Britain becoming a republic or remaining a monarchy? Britain should become a republic 2575 votes

Britain should remain a monarchy 14376 votes

Don't know 438 votes Now share your opinion



Poll In fifty years, do you think Britain will still have a monarchy? Yes, I think Britain will still have a monarchy in fifty years No, I think Britain will not have a monarchy in fifty years Don't know In fifty years, do you think Britain will still have a monarchy? Yes, I think Britain will still have a monarchy in fifty years 12775 votes

No, I think Britain will not have a monarchy in fifty years 3110 votes

Don't know 981 votes Now share your opinion



Poll In years to come, Prince William's son Prince George is set to become the King. Do you think that his siblings, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, should have to work, or receive the Sovereign Grant? Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis should earn all of their money by working Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis should earn some money but should also be supported by a Sovereign Grant Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis should be entirely supported by a Sovereign Grant Don't know In years to come, Prince William's son Prince George is set to become the King. Do you think that his siblings, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, should have to work, or receive the Sovereign Grant? Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis should earn all of their money by working 4855 votes

Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis should earn some money but should also be supported by a Sovereign Grant 9498 votes

Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis should be entirely supported by a Sovereign Grant 1719 votes

Don't know 468 votes Now share your opinion



Poll In your opinion, do you think that King Charles III should or should not continue to speak out on issues and current affairs that matter to him? King Charles should continue to speak out on issues and current affairs that matter to him As monarch, King Charles should not be expressing an opinion on any issues or current affairs Don't know In your opinion, do you think that King Charles III should or should not continue to speak out on issues and current affairs that matter to him? King Charles should continue to speak out on issues and current affairs that matter to him 7888 votes

As monarch, King Charles should not be expressing an opinion on any issues or current affairs 7901 votes

Don't know 271 votes Now share your opinion



Poll If you had to say, do you imagine that Queen Elizabeth II would think that King Charles is taking the future of the Monarchy in the right direction or the wrong direction? The right direction The wrong direction Don't know If you had to say, do you imagine that Queen Elizabeth II would think that King Charles is taking the future of the Monarchy in the right direction or the wrong direction? The right direction 11837 votes

The wrong direction 1968 votes

Don't know 2074 votes Now share your opinion



Poll How much, if anything, do you think the Royal Family has to offer the young people of Britain nowadays? The Royal Family have a great deal to offer young people The Royal Family have a fair amount to offer young people The Royal Family do not have very much to offer young people The Royal Family have nothing to offer young people Don't know How much, if anything, do you think the Royal Family has to offer the young people of Britain nowadays? The Royal Family have a great deal to offer young people 7686 votes

The Royal Family have a fair amount to offer young people 4161 votes

The Royal Family do not have very much to offer young people 1754 votes

The Royal Family have nothing to offer young people 1684 votes

Don't know 282 votes Now share your opinion



Poll If you had the choice, which of the following do you think would have been best when the Queen passed away last year? Prince Charles should have become King Prince William should have become King Don't know If you had the choice, which of the following do you think would have been best when the Queen passed away last year? Prince Charles should have become King 10390 votes

Prince William should have become King 4435 votes

Don't know 606 votes Now share your opinion



Poll Which of the following statements comes closest to your own view? King Charles should remain as king until he dies Prince William should become king at some stage in the future before King Charles dies Prince William should become king now Don't know Which of the following statements comes closest to your own view? King Charles should remain as king until he dies 8781 votes

Prince William should become king at some stage in the future before King Charles dies 5463 votes

Prince William should become king now 870 votes

Don't know 448 votes Now share your opinion



Poll Which of the following statements comes closest to your own view? As King Charles and Queen Camilla get older, it is right that they should hand over more and more public duties to Prince William and Princess Catherine It is important that King Charles and Queen Camilla maintain their public duties, even as they get older Don't know Which of the following statements comes closest to your own view? As King Charles and Queen Camilla get older, it is right that they should hand over more and more public duties to Prince William and Princess Catherine 11617 votes

It is important that King Charles and Queen Camilla maintain their public duties, even as they get older 3290 votes

Don't know 411 votes Now share your opinion



Poll Taking everything into account, has your opinion of King Charles III changed since he became King? Yes, my opinion of him has got better Yes, my opinion of him has got worse No, my opinion of him has stayed the same Don't know Taking everything into account, has your opinion of King Charles III changed since he became King? Yes, my opinion of him has got better 7864 votes

Yes, my opinion of him has got worse 1441 votes

No, my opinion of him has stayed the same 6720 votes

Don't know 98 votes Now share your opinion



Poll Taking everything into account, has your opinion of Queen Camilla changed since she married Charles in 2005? Yes, my opinion of her has got better Yes, my opinion of her has got worse No, my opinion of her has stayed the same Don't know Taking everything into account, has your opinion of Queen Camilla changed since she married Charles in 2005? Yes, my opinion of her has got better 7983 votes

Yes, my opinion of her has got worse 1617 votes

No, my opinion of her has stayed the same 6220 votes

Don't know 159 votes Now share your opinion



Poll If you had to say, all things considered, do you imagine that Diana, Princess of Wales would have been a better or worse queen than Queen Camilla? Diana, Princess of Wales would have been a better queen Queen Camilla will be a better queen There will be no real difference between the two Don't know If you had to say, all things considered, do you imagine that Diana, Princess of Wales would have been a better or worse queen than Queen Camilla? Diana, Princess of Wales would have been a better queen 5856 votes

Queen Camilla will be a better queen 4638 votes

There will be no real difference between the two 4022 votes

Don't know 1504 votes Now share your opinion



Poll King Charles inherited land and property which is estimated to be worth up to 390m and paid no Inheritance Tax. What he inherited brings in around 4.5 million each year from rent paid by members of the public. Which of the following statements comes closest to your own view? This money raised from renting should go to the Treasury This money raised from renting should go to the Royal Family Don't know King Charles inherited land and property which is estimated to be worth up to 390m and paid no Inheritance Tax. What he inherited brings in around 4.5 million each year from rent paid by members of the public. Which of the following statements comes closest to your own view? This money raised from renting should go to the Treasury 8979 votes

This money raised from renting should go to the Royal Family 5077 votes

Don't know 1422 votes Now share your opinion



Poll Taking everything into account, of the following, who do you believe has done more damage to the Royal Family? Prince Harry Prince Andrew Don't know Taking everything into account, of the following, who do you believe has done more damage to the Royal Family? Prince Harry 11377 votes

Prince Andrew 4208 votes

Don't know 294 votes Now share your opinion



Poll When you think about Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, which of the following statements comes closest to your own view? There are no bad things about him, only good things The good things about him are outweighed by the bad things The bad things about him are equal to the good things The bad things about him are outweighed by the good things There are no good things about him, only bad things Don't know When you think about Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, which of the following statements comes closest to your own view? There are no bad things about him, only good things 387 votes

The good things about him are outweighed by the bad things 5397 votes

The bad things about him are equal to the good things 692 votes

The bad things about him are outweighed by the good things 2591 votes

There are no good things about him, only bad things 6459 votes

Don't know 259 votes Now share your opinion



Poll When you think about Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, which of the following statements comes closest to your own view? There are no bad things about him, only good things The good things about him are outweighed by the bad things The bad things about him are equal to the good things The bad things about him are outweighed by the good things There are no good things about him, only bad things Don't know When you think about Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, which of the following statements comes closest to your own view? There are no bad things about him, only good things 150 votes

The good things about him are outweighed by the bad things 3299 votes

The bad things about him are equal to the good things 1155 votes

The bad things about him are outweighed by the good things 1703 votes

There are no good things about him, only bad things 8471 votes

Don't know 604 votes Now share your opinion



Poll When it comes to Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, which of the following statements comes closest to your own view? King Charles should be open to the idea of Prince Harry and Meghan both playing an active role in the Royal Family again at some stage in the future King Charles should be open to the idea of just Prince Harry playing an active role in the Royal Family again at some stage in the future, but without Meghan playing a role King Charles should not allow either Prince Harry or Meghan to play an active role in the Royal Family ever again Don't know When it comes to Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, which of the following statements comes closest to your own view? King Charles should be open to the idea of Prince Harry and Meghan both playing an active role in the Royal Family again at some stage in the future 989 votes

King Charles should be open to the idea of just Prince Harry playing an active role in the Royal Family again at some stage in the future, but without Meghan playing a role 1162 votes

King Charles should not allow either Prince Harry or Meghan to play an active role in the Royal Family ever again 13236 votes

Don't know 230 votes Now share your opinion



Poll When it comes to Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, which of the following statements comes closest to your own view? King Charles should be open to the idea Prince Andrew playing an active role in the Royal Family again at some stage in the future King Charles should not allow Prince Andrew to play an active role in the Royal Family ever again Don't know When it comes to Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, which of the following statements comes closest to your own view? King Charles should be open to the idea Prince Andrew playing an active role in the Royal Family again at some stage in the future 1641 votes

King Charles should not allow Prince Andrew to play an active role in the Royal Family ever again 13144 votes

Don't know 407 votes Now share your opinion



Poll From what you know, and taking everything into account, do you think that Prince Harry will ever come back to Britain to live full time or not? Prince Harry will come back to Britain to live at some point in the future Prince Harry will never come back to live in Britain full time Don't know From what you know, and taking everything into account, do you think that Prince Harry will ever come back to Britain to live full time or not? Prince Harry will come back to Britain to live at some point in the future 4474 votes

Prince Harry will never come back to live in Britain full time 7824 votes

Don't know 1357 votes Now share your opinion



Advertisement
Prince Andrew is the nation's least favourite royal, with the disgraced Duke taking a pummeling in an exclusive poll of the public conducted for MailOnline.

The Duke of York should receive no public money, according to almost 80 per cent of Britons, with just one in ten saying he should - fewer than those who wanted to see a fictional Earl and Countess paid taxpayer funds.

The Queen's middle son should also be removed from the line of succession, the vast majority argued - despite being eighth in line to the throne and often spoken of as the late monarch's favourite child.

Almost 80 per cent of the public think he should be barred from inheriting the crown - meaning Andrew fared even worse in public opinion than Harry and Meghan.

The British public also largely share the view that King Charles should ensure his controversial younger brother must never be allowed to return duties again.

Almost half of people surveyed believe 'there are no good things about him, only bad things' when it comes to the Duke of York.

Calls to downgrade disgraced Prince Andrew are up, with a decisive percentage of respondents saying they would like to see him removed from the line of succession

The King's younger brother came off worst in MailOnline's exclusive poll - with the vast majority of Brits saying he should be removed from the line of succession

The 63-year-old is no longer a working royal, despite pictures of him at a Balmoral church service last month indicating the Windsors were welcoming him back into the fold.

It has been a dramatic fall from grace for a man, who, as a Royal Navy veteran of 22 years once commanded the respect of a nation.

He has since given up his HRH titles and had his honorary military roles stripped by the Queen, being denied the right to wear his military uniform on a number of occasions, including as he followed his mother's coffin.

Andrew quit his role as a trade envoy when pictures emerged of him walking in New York's Central Park with American financier and convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein in 2010.

Images also surfaced of the Prince with his arm around Virginia Giuffre, who claimed that Epstein employed her as a masseuse but exploited her while under-age.

Giuffre has alleged she was forced to have sex with him three times aged 17 when under Epstein's orders - a claim Prince Andrew continues to vehemently to deny.

Then came the car-crash interview with Emily Maitlis on Newsnight in 2019 - an attempt to wash his hands of the controversy that blew up in his face.

While Andrew has largely kept a low profile following the string of scandals, it seems from the new poll data that the public would like to see even less of him - with 53 per cent of people saying he should undertake fewer public engagements.

The British public largely share the view that King Charles should ensure his controversial younger brother must never be allowed to return duties again

Prince Andrew's appearance in a car with William and Kate as the family travelled to church in Balmoral was a 'public statement of togetherness', a royal expert has said

The findings were revealed in a comprehensive new poll on the state of the monarchy carried out for MailOnline by Deltapoll.

It asked more than 2,000 people how they view the Royal Family , its members and the work the institution does in the UK and abroad.

Today's exclusive survey also reveals:

More than half of respondents (53%) think that the institution of the monarchy is good for Britain;

More than six in ten (62%) believe Britain should remain a monarchy. Fewer than a quarter (23%) think Britain should become a republic;

Just over half (53%) think that Britain will still be a monarchy in fifty years, with more than a quarter (25%) thinking the opposite.

A majority (58%) have not changed their mind about Charles since he became king. Under a quarter (23%) think better of him, with just over one in nine (12%) thinking the opposite;

It is a similar number for Camilla. Half (50%) have not changed their mind about her and under a quarter (24%) think better of her. At one in six (17%), however, the proportion who say their opinion of her has got worse is slightly higher than for her husband. Half (50%) also think that Diana would have been a better queen. 12% think the opposite and 19% think there would have been no real difference;

Four in ten (40%) think that Charles should not allow either Harry or Meghan to play an active role in royal life ever again. A quarter (25%) say Charles should be open to the idea, with a further fifth (20%) thinking Charles should be open to the idea of Harry without Meghan. A strong majority (69%) think Charles should not allow Andrew to have an active role again;

More than four in ten (43%) thinks Harry will never come back to live in Britain full time, but more than a third (36%) think he will come back at some point in the future;

Prince Andrew is viewed very poorly, even compared to Harry and Meghan. Four in ten (40%) think that the good things are in the majority when it comes to Harry with only one in seven thinking there are no good things about him. In contrast, only just over one in five (21%) think the good things win out when it comes to Andrew and more than four in ten (43%) think that there are no good things about him
The Queen's former dresser Angela Kelly has complained she is being bullied over claims she began a hate campaign within the Royal Family against Meghan Markle.

Mrs Kelly, 65, who has been gifted a new home by The King, said her reputation was being sullied by online trolls who have targeted her social media.

She denied she vilified The Duchess of Sussex and added: 'Meghan and I got on very well.'

Mrs Kelly was promised lifelong accommodation by the late Queen after serving her for more than 25 years. But within months of Her Majesty's death, the dressmaker was asked to vacate her cottage on the Windsor estate.

She has moved to the Peak District, close to Sheffield, but despite ending her employment with the Royal Family, she has found herself accused of kick-starting resentment against the Duchess of Sussex.

The Queen's dresser Angela Kelly (pictured at the Queen's funeral), known by some as 'AK-47', allegedly didn't respond to Harry's messages about Meghan's chosen tiara

The sparkling tiara Meghan wore on her wedding was the Queen Mary's Diamond Bandeau, which was loaned to her by Harry's grandmother the Queen from the Royal Collection

One anonymous troll called 'Bed Patato' posted on Mrs Kelly's Instagram account which led her to fight back today.

The troll warned Mrs Kelly's 12,500 followers: 'Aren't you the... who kickstarted the started whole hate campaign against Meghanleaking things, making things up I hope u get ur karma.'

But the troll went further to claim Mrs Kelly, whose Instagram moniker is @agenthighheels, was hated within the Royal Family and had been kicked out of her Windsor home by the King.

But Mrs Kelly, a docker's daughter from Liverpool, has decided to fight back and has been roundly supported by her followers.

She said: 'I don't hate Meghan.

'You have got this all wrong. So please stop this bullying. Stop discrediting me.

'Megan and I got on very well. Get your facts right and leave me alone.

However, Mrs Kelly was roundly defended for her service to the Royal Family by others.

One called pdavoli stated: 'Block this horrible person. You don't deserve this from anyone. Your tender care was a gift and your support meant the works to Her Majesty.'

The row broke out as the nation mourned the first anniversary of Her Majesty's passing.

And one supporter added: '@bedpatato go away you absolutely horrible hateful person, this is a sad day for this beautiful lady.

'The Queen was a very perceptive woman and would only have the cream of the crop around her and @agenthighheels was at the top so work it out for yourself and crawl back under your stone!'

The Queen is pictured with Angela Kelly (left) at London Fashion Week on February 20, 2018

Mrs Kelly, pictured here in December 2018, who has been gifted a new home by The King, said her reputation was being sullied by online trolls who have targeted her social media.

Palace sources say that Mrs Kelly could often be found sitting with the Queen, making her laugh and filling Her Majesty in on the latest plot twists of television soap operas. Left to right is Caroline Rush, the Queen, Anna Wintour and Angela Kelly in 2018

While Ms Kelly was adored by the late Queen, who granted her the right to produce books about her role, Ms Kelly ruffled feathers among staff and senior Royals. Her quick temper even earned her the nickname AK-47.

Ms Kelly was praised for overhauling the Queen's image with outfits in eye-catching colours and matching hats. As Her Majesty's health faltered, Ms Kelly became more of a personal assistant. The monarch had once told her: 'We could be sisters.'

On the day of Queen Elizabeth's funeral last year, Ms Kelly described it as 'a very sad day for me today. I said goodbye to my best friend.'

Yesterday she wrote: 'I will never forget you. I will always love you. I miss you my friend' and ended with a heart emoji.
If you're lucky with the weather, the north coast of Scotland must be one of the nearest places to heaven on earth.

When I was there last week, the sun shone down on a perfectly blue sea, crystal white beaches and dramatic craggy cliffs.

It's the last place you'd associate with allegations of a cash for honours scandal in faraway London.

This is where you'll find the Castle of Mey, bought by the Queen Mother 70 years ago after the death of her husband as her personal seaside retreat.

In the not-so-distant past, when the Royal Family was known mainly for corgis and a reassuringly tweedy remoteness, the Royal Yacht Britannia would pause on its annual Western Isles cruise for the Queen to call on her mother in her castle in this enchanted corner of her Kingdom. It's hard to think of a more wholesome image of our ruling family.

Friday September 8 2023 marked the first anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II 's death, after she passed away following 70 years on the British throne. Pictured: Queen Elizabeth II during a visit to Royal Papworth Hospital, Cambridge in July 2019

King Charles pictured wearing the St Edward's Crown during his coronation ceremony in Westminster Abbey on May 6, 2023 in London

There's still plenty of enchantment at the Castle of Mey, even if it does now the bear the distinctive mark of its current management, the Prince's Foundation  expensive-looking website, a Gold Award from the Green Tourism Business Scheme and a glossy gift shop that doesn't accept coin of the realm but will happily swipe your plastic.

How could Charles heal the still raw wound left by his mothers absence?

This brand of curated rustic perfection doesn't come cheap. It'll cost a nicely judged 14.50 to gain admittance and when you leave, along with biscuits bearing a handsome royal cypher, you'll be invited to buy a Friends or Patrons annual membership. Among a short list of other benefits, the latter will entitle you to expect an invitation to an evening reception hosted by the Trustees, in either London or Scotland.

This attraction was postponed last year, possibly because that was also the year in which one of the Castle's most generous benefactors found himself at the centre of a lot of unwelcome attention about the real purpose of his largesse. Not content with an invitation to a reception in London or Scotland, the Foundation appeared keen to really push the boat out and reward Dr Mahfouz Marei Mubarak bin Mahfouz by naming woodland at the Castle in his honour.

Alas, Mahfouz Wood is no more. So, more controversially, are the British citizenship and knighthood that Dr Mahfouz was allegedly promised by the closest aide to the then Prince Charles, in exchange for pledging 1.5million to help the Trust restore royal residences in Scotland.

To many eyes, this was a clear scandal  to Norman Baker MP 'an open and shut case'  ripe for prosecution under the Honours (Prevention of Abuses) Act 1925. What a surprise, then, to find that Scotland Yard has decided that 'no further action will be taken in this matter'.

This may have come as a relief to Buckingham Palace. A decision to prosecute would likely have found the courts sifting through details of the King's internal organization to find out why he hadn't been informed of the rewards promised in his name to the generous Saudi businessman.

Princess Diana with private secretary Patrick Jephson Burghley Horse Trials, Lincolnshire, Britain - Sep 1989

Earl Spencer, Prince William, Prince Harry and Prince Charles look at the coffin of Diana, Princess of Wales, during her funeral in London in this September 6, 1997

Yet keeping the boss ignorant of such a bumper bargain suggests an improbable degree of modesty on the part of the official concerned. Just as improbable is the chance that senior Palace officials were indifferent to the use of such inducements.

Or perhaps any pesky senior courtier  applying some overdue oversight  who stuck a nose into this cosy arrangement realised more might be discovered than anybody really wanted. Top tip for ambitious courtiers (and their royal employers): it's vital to remember what you don't know.

Fortunately, the Scotland Yard announcement came just in time for the whole awkward business to blow over before the anniversary of the Queen's death.

And by Queen, I mean Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, whose views on the entanglement of her mother's beloved Scottish retreat in the murky world of cash for honours fundraising we will mercifully never know.

How fitting that our final sight of the Queen was in her Balmoral drawing room receiving the last of her 15 Prime Ministers. Doing her duty to the end, and finally laying down her burden of service one afternoon in September, surrounded by family in the Highlands she loved.

Seeing the picture, a long-buried memory came to mind. The day she invested me with a modest but precious order in recognition of my royal service to date. It was a torrid time for her and the monarchy as the marriage of her son and heir slowly, painfully and very publicly came apart.

As Princess Diana's private secretary, it was a process that had its hooks deep in my soul; but my job was to soldier on, without giving a hint of the daily ordeal that my life had become. For a moment I stood before my Sovereign, a picture (I hoped) of stoic, uncomplaining duty. 'I know you're having quite a difficult time at the moment' was all she said but the look in her eyes said a great deal more.

Of course, she was right: years of drama, acrimony and unremitting pressure had made me wonder how much more of the 'War of the Waleses' I could stand.

But, now officially reclassified as 'quite a difficult time', my problems suddenly felt less overwhelming. It was a generational thing. My mother  same vintage as the Queen and a Highlander  had a similar aversion to 'fuss' of all kinds. Perhaps that explained my suddenly moist eye when news of her death came over the radio: Elizabeth had been at some unspoken level a mother to us all.

Pictured: King Charles III and Queen Camilla wave to the crowds from the balcony of Buckingham Palace after the coronation ceremony in London on Saturday 6 May 2023

Princess Diana died aged just 36 in car crash in Paris on August 31, 1997 that shocked the world. She is pictured here arriving at the Serpentine Gallery, London, in June 1994

At last Scotland gave her up to the wider kingdom, to the grand spectacle of a state funeral and the regimented grief of Commonwealth heads, the world's statesmen, 200 horses and 12,000 marching boots.

I watched them pass from a momentarily subdued international press pen.

Dianas memory alone was enough to curb any urge I had to wave a flag

A French colleague marvelled at the smooth and stately transfer of power, even if the power these days was mostly symbolic: 'This could never happen in France, we'd have riots and tear gas!'

Even without riots, here was fuss on a grand scale. But how appropriate it seemed, and heartening, too, that the sinews of the state could combine so impressively in an act of gratitude and sorrow. Among the hard-bitten international press corps, my French friend was not alone in being touched and impressed.

Eight months later, most of us were back there, clustered in a village of makeshift canvas studios, ranks of production vehicles and satellite dishes nestled under the plane trees a stone's throw from the great forecourt of Buckingham Palace.

Now the mood was officially upbeat: a Coronation to reassure us of the continuity of monarchy, to celebrate a national day of self-renewal and invite divine blessing on the very human figure now set in supreme authority over us.

Yet, perhaps because of the familiarity of the location, something of the funeral's gloom lingered. How could a man even as long-prepared as Prince Charles begin to heal the still-raw wound left in the nation's heart by his mother's absence?

The question stayed with me as I left the press encampment to walk the mile to my next assignment, through streets draped with flags and past crowds of loyal subjects and curious tourists.

Monarchy, normally distant, was suddenly here among us, not in the stiffly waving figures passing by in carriages and Bentleys, but in the smiling faces of people to whom it was as real and important in their lives as their own relatives and neighbours.

From my new vantage point, high on the roof of a building overlooking Westminster Abbey, the sleek officials, the pious clergy, the world's leaders stepping grandly out of their limousines  all looked satisfyingly miniature, their dignity and temporary importance shrunk with an almost comical perspective.

Even as the leading man arrived  radiating a reassuring grumpiness  the pigeons that shared the roof with us barely spared a glance for all this earth-bound preening.

Eight months later, most of us were back there, clustered in a village of makeshift canvas studios, ranks of production vehicles and satellite dishes nestled under the plane trees a stone's throw from the great forecourt of Buckingham Palace

Pictured: Prince William and Prince Harry with Prince Charles at Westminster Abbey for the Funeral of Diana

With proceedings in the Abbey now lost to view, we retreated out of the rising wind and rain and hurried downstairs to watch the Coronation service on a big TV. The room was soon crowded with media folk.

When the congregation gave a rousing declaration of allegiance to the new King, I felt no inclination to join in and nor, it seemed, did anybody else.

New reign is a chance to bind up old wounds

Later, thinking about this, I asked one of the production assistants  young, intelligent, well-informed and English  what she made of the solemn events we had just witnessed. She raised her eyebrows in amusement at my seriousness: 'Well it's all a load of old mumbo-jumbo, isn't it?' It wasn't the moment to launch into a detailed defence of the principles of constitutional monarchy, the central importance of the Church of England or even the beauty of the language, the perfection of the music, the talent of the choirs, the magnificence of the architecture or the glitteriness of the King's golden supertunica. She was busy and I was tired, damp and strangely depressed. It wasn't the normal euphoric decompression that follows a big event. This darkening mood came from somewhere very deep.

Out in the street, the rain was turning a long day's worth of horse manure into a malodorous slurry. Around the Abbey the streets recently teeming with VIPs and functionaries were lapsing into empty, drizzly gloom. From the Royal parks, the crowds were already streaming away in search of buses and Tubes and a proper cup of reviving tea.

Yet, it was enough. Royalty is theatre after all and here the extras had come in numbers that filled the Mall. No wonder the main players looked content as they waved from the balcony. After decades when it was rumoured this day might never arrive for the controversial couple now waving so regally down at us from the Palace balcony, behold, here at last it had come to pass.

So why was I feeling physically present among the celebrations but somewhere else entirely in my thoughts? Offhand, I could think of quite a few reasons. The Queen's funeral was still so fresh in my mind, these familiar streets and buildings reminded me of it everywhere I looked.

Thinking back a little further, it was in this very place that the world and I said goodbye to Princess Diana, a figure who had been too big a presence in my life to just fade away. Her memory alone might curb any urge I felt to wave a flag and sing God Save the King.

Officially, the Royal slate was being wiped clean. However scarlet the sins of the past, from today they were white as the driven snow. Could it really be that simple?

The touching floral tribute from her sons featured a card which simply said 'Mummy'

Tributes left on the gates outside Kensington Palace, London, the former home of Diana, on the 25th anniversary of her death

The late Queen Elizabeth viewing the thousands of flowers and tributes left outside Kensington Palace in memory of Diana

Perhaps the production assistant had a point. As a specialist in Royal affairs, she must have been aware the Palace's relationship with the media sometimes strayed from the whole truth. How did all the dress-up in the Abbey draw a neat line under that?

As Prince of Wales, Charles used to believe the past was important:

'We can only live in the future by recalling and re-examining the past. To do so otherwise is hardly sensible or responsible.'

There's a lot of past to recall from just the last few decades of Royal history, although you won't find much enthusiasm in Buckingham Palace for us to re-examine it. For obvious reasons.

But let's be generous. Despite the pain we still feel from his mother's death, despite the divisions of our country and world, despite even the current splits in the Royal Family, the new reign is an opportunity for fresh starts and the binding up of old wounds. It was the King himself who wrote: 'As I have grown older I have gradually come to realize that my entire life so far has been motivated by a desire to heal.'

Let's hope that motivation still burns brightly in our new sovereign. That's probably how we should best measure his progress  by the standards he has set himself.

So where does that leave cash for honours? We have been assured by a trusted friend of the King that it was 'extraordinarily unlikely' that His Majesty knew of the inducements offered to Mr Mahfouz.

Yet questions linger. Was this an isolated case, or was it the product of a Palace culture in which courtiers knew when to look away?

Before healing there must surely be cleansing.

Then, perhaps, throughout his dominions, gratitude and even devotion will follow; and the woods and ghosts sleep peacefully at the Castle of Mey.
SCOTLAND is facing a health time bomb unless it recruits 1,000 new GPs in the next four years, leading medics have warned.

Local GP surgeries are disappearing because they cannot recruit new doctors, with those still working feeling overwhelmed.

The SNP has promised 800 new GPs by 2027 but doctors leaders say that number simply wont meet demand.

Instead, the British Medical Association in Scotland says 1,000 GPs is a closer reflection of the number needed.

In total, 23 GP practices have disappeared since 2019.

The days of the always on-call GP, typified by Dr Findlay in the long-running BBC TV series, may now be numbered as increasing workload and lack of recruitment take their toll

BMA Scotland GP chairman Dr Andrew Buist said: In my view the 800 target was an arbitrary under-estimate of our needs. The Scottish Government should be working to establish how many whole-time equivalent GPs Scotland actually needs.

We need an urgent review to see how many are needed.

Despite a rising total of GPs, at 5,209 last year, an increasing number of family doctors are working part-time. As a consequence, the estimated GP whole-time equivalent number decreased from 3,613 in 2019 to 3,494 in 2022.

It is patients  particularly those in rural and deprived parts  who are suffering due to their inaction

GPs have rising numbers of patients, long working hours and a growing workload, dealing with up to 80 patients a day face-to-face or by phone.

The backlog of patients waiting for operations caused by the pandemic means family doctors are also having to manage patients whose conditions are worsening but are stuck on waiting lists.

Scottish Tory health spokesman Dr Sandesh Gulhane said: The SNPs mismanagement of our NHS means GPs like myself are overwhelmed as a result of their failure to properly fund primary care.

Dr Andrew Buist, GP Chairman of BMA Scotland, left, said an urgent review was needed to establish the true scale of the recruitment problem. Scottish Tory health spokesman Dr Sandesh Gulhane said SNP mismanagement meant GPs like himself were being overwhelmed by work

It is patients  particularly those in rural and deprived parts  who are suffering due to their inaction.

The SNP are nowhere near recruiting the number of GPs required to meet patient demand in the coming years.

Health Secretary Michael Matheson must produce a plan to deal with this crisis.

Dr Chris Williams, joint chairman of the Royal College of GPs in Scotland, said: RCGP Scotland continues to call for the Scottish Government to address the profound issues of workload, workforce and welfare within general practice that are crucial to retaining our GPs.

More needs to be done to recruit GPs, alongside action to retain our current GPs.

A Scottish Government spokesman said: We have delivered a record number of GPs in Scotland, with more per head than any other country in the UK, and we are making good progress on our commitment to recruit at least 800 new GPs by 2027.
NATIONALIST politicians have reacted angrily to a light-hearted piece of political satire poking fun at Green minister Lorna Slaters heavy use of the ministerial limousine.

BBC Radio Scotland had used the clip of Limo Lorna  a caricature of the Scottish Greens co-leader  to promote comedy show Noising Up, which sends up public figures.

In the clip, the character with a Canadian accent describes herself as being minister for green skills, circular economy, biodiversity, short haul flights and maple syrup.

She says: Join me for my new streaming series Lorna Slaters Great Green Limousine Journeys, where Ill be changing my climate from Holyrood to stretched limo on a 3,000-mile taxpayer-funded journey around Scotland.

Colleagues of the Greens co-leader failed to see the funny side as she was lampooned by the BBC

Emma Roddick, the SNP minister for equalities, said: Wtf? This is unnecessarily nasty.

Green MSP Mark Ruskell said: Whats funny about needing a car to do your job? Christina McKelvie, the SNP culture minister, also described the clip as dreadful.

Scottish Conservative deputy culture spokesman Alexander Stewart said: The faux outrage at this sketch show is all too typical a reaction from nationalists. Many of them seem completely unaware that all party leaders were ridiculed.

Lorna Slater was labelled Limo Lorna in the satirical new show

Tory Alexander Stewart, right, labelled the backlash faux outrage, while Green MSP Mark Ruskell provided a deadpan response after seeing the light-hearted image of his boss

In addition to her high car use, Ms Slater was criticised after she chartered a private boat for an official visit to Rum earlier this year at a cost of 1,200.

BBC Scotland was not yet able to say whether any formal complaints had been received.
FAMILIES are facing a new tax threat as SNP ministers consider introducing more local charges to prop up council finances.

Officials are looking at other ways for local authorities to raise cash and provide flexibility in their funding.

It comes as a consultation starts on plans to force owners of second homes to pay higher rates of council tax.

Councils have already been handed the power to introduce a tourist tax and workplace parking levies, while an overhaul of council tax has also been proposed which will hammer households in Band E-H homes.

But now a working group is looking at new revenue raising levers.

Scottish Tory finance spokesman Liz Smith said the only solution proposed by the SNP appeared to be threatening further tax rises as David Lonsdale of the Scottish Retail Consortium expressed fears over possible tax rises hitting consumer spending

David Lonsdale, director of the Scottish Retail Consortium, said: We would be concerned at any new taxes or levies which might add further pressure onto consumer spending and business finances or make Scotland a more expensive place to invest or live.

The joint working group on local government funding was set up by the Scottish Government and council body

Cosla to identify options for council tax reform. Documents published alongside Humza Yousafs Programme for Government this week reveal the group will also explore other potential revenue raising levers which deliver greater flexibility.

The First Minister said the Budget in December will progress delivery of the most progressive tax system in the UK.

The Western Isles are one of the areas that will be most heavily affected by any increase in tax on second homes

But Scottish Tory finance spokesman Liz Smith said: The SNPs only solution to the 1billion black hole in Scotlands finances appears to be to threaten further tax rises.

This makes it clear that more rises in council tax  which already could be going up by 22.5 per cent  and other new taxes are being considered, meaning Scots will get hammered yet again.

Ministers also yesterday formally launched proposals to force owners of second homes and empty properties to pay higher rates of council tax.

Public Finance Minister Tom Arthur said: Second homes push up prices for those looking to buy or rent. Thats why were bringing in this legislation.

Cosla spokesman Katie Hagmann said: We look forward to continuing to work on this and other elements consulted on and see this as an opportunity to improve the council tax system.
POLICE Scotland is facing having to lose more than one in eight staff amid a growing funding crisis, bosses have warned.

The single force has told MSPs that it expects to need to impose 140million of cuts in the next four years as a result of the funding settlement it will receive from SNP ministers.

It said 2,894 jobs will need to be cut by the end of March 2028, including 2,187 officers, one in eight on current numbers.

It also warned that the rollout of body-worn cameras  which was trumpeted by Humza Yousaf in his Programme for Government this week  is among the projects at risk because of the funding squeeze.

In a dire warning, a joint submission to the Scottish parliaments criminal justice committee by Police Scotland and the Scottish Police Authority said: With pay accounting for 85 per cent of police spending, further significant savings can only be realised through reducing the size of our workforce, which in turn will result in further reductions in our operational service delivery to Scotlands communities.

Reduced workforce of 2,187 fewer officers

Police Scotland said that the Scottish Governments resource spending review set out that it would receive a flat cash settlement each year up to 2026-27, and that its allocation for 2023-24 was a real-terms cut compared to the previous year.

Its initial analysis for 2024-25, based on a 2 per cent pay award and other unavoidable pressures and savings, indicates that 50million of cuts will be required in the event of a flat cash settlement, including a reduction of 600 full-time equivalent officers and 200 staff members by April.

For the period to 2027-28, it says 140million of recurring savings will be required, officer numbers will need to fall by 2,187 and other staff numbers will need to be cut by 707  giving an overall 12.6 per cent reduction in staff.

On cuts for next year, the submission states: It is impossible to achieve further reductions of this scale by April 1, 2024 through natural attrition, which ultimately means we will have to reduce the workforce further in-year and throughout 2024-25 to generate the savings required to fund pay awards.

Scottish Conservative justice spokesman Russell Findlay said hard-working police officers in Scotland were at breaking point. Humza Yousaf faces a huge backlash from police leaders over funding cuts, as they warn of massive job losses

This would require urgent management of our officer recruitment profile as well as ongoing staff reductions.

Capabilities such as body-worn video, critical improvements in our Contact, Command and Control platforms, further development of our mobile platforms and Core Operating Solution are all at risk with reduced funding levels alongside service design and efficiency-focused work.

Scottish Conservative justice spokesman Russell Findlay said: Humza Yousaf needs to stop kidding himself on and start listening to Scotlands hard-pressed police officers, who are at breaking point.

This paper is the latest damning evidence to emerge from inside Scottish policing which confirms the price of savage SNP cuts. If ministers dont heed these dire warnings, policing will be decimated and our streets will be less safe.

The Scottish Government said: No budget has been set for 2024-25 but, despite ongoing difficult financial circumstances due to UK Government austerity, we have continued to prioritise frontline services.
IT was the kind of spectacle nature puts on only for the most intrepid of wildlife watchers in the most inaccessible places.

This one was happening slap in the middle of Scotlands capital city and involved the fastest creature on the planet.

Beholding it was a simple case of looking up. There she was, flying low past the Scottish parliament, then over to Easter Road, Hibernian FCs stadium below her  and now swooping down past the Old Royal High School on Calton Hill.

Edinburgh, it turns out, is a city of rich pickings for a peregrine falcon, as the pigeon population is discovering to its cost.

A few decades ago this consummate hunter, which can dive at speeds of up to 240mph, was virtually extinct across Scotland. Now new generations are thriving in cities as well as in the countryside.

A red squirrel enjoying the woodland bluebells

The footage of the magnificent raptor encouraging her chicks to take to the skies over Edinburghs Old Town is among the most stunning in a new BBC Scotland series which spills over with the drama of the natural world on our doorstep  or not far from it.

It tells the varied stories of our wildlifes battle for survival in the face of changing landscapes and climate and, surprisingly perhaps, finds many species winning it.

While some, such as the Atlantic salmon, face the direst of challenges, a slew of others have staged incredible comebacks either by virtue of their own adaptability or with a little help from their friends, both human and wild.

Who knew, for example, that pine martens were acting as guardians of the red squirrel population in the Highlands, forming a no entry zone for the greys threatening them?

Or that leaving reedbeds to grow on the banks of the River Tay would prove transformative for bird numbers, particularly the lesser spotted bearded tit whose biggest stronghold in Britain is here?

Not forgetting the water voles, quietly getting on with life in Glasgows Easterhouse  far from the nearest body of water  and feeling much more welcome now their human neighbours have twigged that they are not rats.

A snowhole offers shelter and protection as winter bites

All are featured in the three-part Scotland the New Wild, the first episode of which airs this month. Three years in the making, the projects small crew began work on it during lockdown before anyone had commissioned it  largely to give themselves something to do  and soon discovered they were in competition with the far bigger budget Sir David Attenborough series Wild Isles.

On one occasion both crews turned up by chance at the same location on the same day to film the same annual spectacular  bottlenose dolphins ambushing homecoming salmon in the Moray Firth off Chanonry Point on the Black Isle.

Undaunted, they persevered and captured very different stories from those featured in Attenboroughs recent portrait of his home islands natural history. In the end ours is a very different kind of series because I think ours ultimately is driven by a sense of place, says executive producer Nigel Pope.

He adds: For me its summed up in the opening [commentary]. Its saying, look again, theres a lot more to Scotland than seals and stags and otters. Its full of subtlety and its all around you. There really are spectacular things nearly everywhere you look.

The peregrine falcons in plain sight in the skies over Edinburgh are perhaps the prime example.

A peregrine falcon hunts for prey high above the city of Edinburgh

In the sequence which opens the second episode the mother has a pigeon in her talons but, rather than bringing it directly to her young, she lands on a cliff crag near the nest where they watch her pick at it. The message is clear: if they want some, they must spread their wings and fly to her.

As she takes off again, one of the chicks summons up the courage to make its maiden flight and, in mid-air above the Old Town, mother transfers the meal in full to her fledglings talons. That was just a case of some classic natural history research unearthing a real gem in the city, says Fergus Gill, who filmed the sequence from a vantage point near the nest.

The site itself was fantastic because, as you see, it does have that incredible backdrop of the historic Old Town and New Town and all the way around.

The falcons are just one of the airborne comeback-kid species to feature. The white-tailed eagle, the UKs largest bird of prey, soars over the Inner Hebridean isles in episode one.

Hunted to extinction in centuries gone by, it was re-introduced in the 1970s and there are now around 150 pairs.

On Mull the species is the star attraction in a wildlife-watching industry worth 8million a year to the local economy.

Ospreys are a bigger success story still. They too returned from extinction last century after a history of persecution and now fish Loch Lomond with incredible expertise, diving for trout at 80mph and battling to get airborne with their struggling catch.

Male grey seals fight on a beach in the Monach Isles

Five fish suppers a day must be landed if the chicks are going to make it. Not an issue, it seems, for this master of the surprise attack featured here  the sole provider for his family. He is filmed plucking several from the loch as he strives to prepare his young for the epic journey to West Africa just three weeks hence.

Some 250 pairs now embark on the odyssey from Scotland in the early autumn.

In the Tay Reedbeds nature reserve, meanwhile, the bearded tits which first arrived in the 1990s now form more than half of the UK population. Using mist nets to trap the birds, the Tay Ringing Group is able to tag and monitor them.

Last summer head ringer Steve Moyes happened upon one which had first been ringed in September 2013. This has proved to be the oldest bearded tit known to science, he says.

The reeds are also home to another recent arrival, the marsh harrier which, at its lowest point in 1971, was down to a single breeding female in the UK.

In the 4ft reeds on the north bank of the Tay in Perthshire there are several growing families  and the heavily committed male filmed for the series is seen providing for two of them.

He feeds the first nest, then slopes off to find food for the second one, half-a-mile away. Two-timing males, it turns out, are not unusual in these reeds.

It really is a strong tale of regeneration says Mr Pope, who worked for the RSPB before becoming a wildlife filmmaker. During his time with the charity he says there were perhaps just six breeding pairs in the UK, almost all of them in Norfolk.

To see the marsh harriers breeding and doing so well in the Tay Reedbed is really special to me because it is an iconic, totemic bird. Even just seeing one for five minutes used to be, like, wow, so to know they are breeding just down the road is phenomenal.

Also finding new breeding grounds is the species often referred to as Britains fastest declining mammal. In Glasgows Easterhouse, yards from a main road, a water vole colony is thriving. The rodents were first discovered on grassland there in 2008 and initially thought to be rats. Instead they were incomers who had discovered that they were less dependent on running water than their name suggests.

There are said to be 150 of the burrowing creatures per hectare here  astonishingly, the highest concentration in Britain.

Busy beavers on the riverbanks feature in the BBC series

Initially baffled, naturalists now believe that, by living so close to the bustle and noise of traffic, they are safer from the predators which shy away from it.

Unsurprisingly, filming them was among the easier tasks faced by the crew, although, says Mr Gill, the challenge lay in juxtaposing the creatures against the people and the buses in the background.

Far more time and effort was spent in getting anywhere close to the pine martens  the so called ghosts of the forest  which are the key players in one of the most fascinating comeback tales in the Highlands.

Says Mr Pope: If we set out to film a family of pine martens ... the odds are very high that they dont really see people at all so we have to factor in masses of extra habituation time.

Filming was only the tip of the iceberg, there was a very lengthy campaign of just being able to get anywhere near them, habituating them, visiting them, waiting for them. You cant just turn up with your ticket on the day. What emerges from the intimate portrait of a young family holed up in the attic of an abandoned cottage in the Caledonian Forest is that the creatures are again in the ascendancy after decades of persecution and deforestation.

Not only that, they are coming to the rescue of the long-threatened red squirrel as the invasion of their larger American cousins  the greys  pushes northwards.

The squirrel pox virus carried by many greys is deadly for the reds but, because the invaders spend more time on the forest floor, they are ready prey for pine martens.

That is why pine marten dens have been installed along the southern edge of the Highlands to encourage them to breed and act as bouncers protecting the reds.

Not all Scotlands comeback kids are quite so popular  particularly if they happen to be comeback kits of the beaver variety.

Those filmed for the series are Perthshire beavers, a renegade population descended from animals which either escaped from private collections or were released illegally into the wild.

Absent from the Scottish countryside for more than 400 years, they clearly feel quite at home again, much to the chagrin of many farmers who blame their dam-building for flooding their fields and ruining their crops.

There are now believed to be more than 1,000 of them across the Tay and its tributaries and, though some view them as pests, others attribute the rejuvenation of a myriad of species to their handiwork.

Kingfishers, for example, are finding fresh hunting grounds due to the beavers ability to slow the flow of river water. Theyre not going away now that theyre back, Tom Bowser tells the programme.

He was the first Scot to win legal permission to translocate beavers causing problems near farms to his own land where they will do less damage.

Beavers offer huge, huge benefits to the environment so I hope that we can find a way to co-exist.

You might have seen these moments on TV before and got the impression that fights happen all the time when you go to these places

In some cases it is in the absence of people that nature puts its best foot  or flipper  forward.

Take one of the largest grey seal colonies in the world on the Monach Isles in the Outer Hebrides where the last human residents left in the 1940s. It is now more than 10,000 strong.

Mums and dads bask on the beach while the pups go exploring inland, visiting the ruined cottages  remnants of a species now extinct here.

The crews shoot was expected to take a week to ten days but bad weather marooned them on the main island for three weeks during which they were able to capture the fiercest of showdowns between two bulls vying for the pick of the females.

You might have seen these moments on TV before and got the impression that fights happen all the time when you go to these places, says Mr Gill, who filmed the sequence in episode one.

That really couldnt be further from the truth. We only saw one fight and luckily it did happen really, really close to me on one particular day, but we could have spent those three weeks there and not seen any fights.

There are, of course, losers too in the battle for a foothold in Scotlands new wild but it is the comebacks which are largely celebrated here  and natures inspiring ability to innovate its way out of trouble.

As Edinburghs resident peregrine falcons and Glasgows burgeoning colony of water voles prove, you dont have to look so very far to witness it.

Episode one of Scotland the New Wild is on BBC Scotland on Sunday, September 17, at 9pm.

j.brocklebank@dailymail.co.uk
IT sounds like a question more akin to a joke you might find in a Christmas cracker: How many council workers does it take to fill a pothole?

However, the answer in one particular case in Edinburgh has sparked outrage - and is certainly no laughing matter.

We can reveal it took eight staff the equivalent of two-and-a-half days - at a cost to taxpayers of around 3,500 - to plug one defect in the citys roads this year.

Edinburgh city councils roads department also deployed a fleet of six vehicles, comprising 18 and 7.5 ton lorries, a Ford Ranger, Ford Transit, a further goods vehicle, and a JCB Pothole Pro machine to the job in the citys Old Dalkeith Road.

Consumer expert Scott Dixon, who uncovered the figures, described them as scandalous and said they left him gobsmacked.

Five of the workers are pictured on the job

He said: If this is what it takes to fill one defect, its no surprise council tax bills are so high.

Local resident Mr Dixon, who specialises in resolving motoring and roads-related complaints, said: In addition to the amount of workers involved, what stood out for me was the fact that they needed so many vehicles.

The purpose of hiring and deploying a Pothole Pro machine is to cut costs and save money.

This does not appear to be the case here, with taxpayers in my opinion being ripped off on what is a relatively small repair.

It is a scandal for Edinburgh city council to give eight operatives over 60 hours to fix a defect like this and represents poor value for money.

It is my belief these practices are never properly highlighted. The amount of resources and time spent on this one job left me gobsmacked.

The council said that, following a site meeting a decision was made to carry out the work on a Sunday in May this year to minimise disruption.

The rutted patch of tarmac on Old Dalkeith Road

The small-scale repair that took eight workers 60 hours

It revealed labour costs were 2175 with eight operatives carrying out the repair which took 60.5 total working hours.

Other costs included for vehicles and materials. Plant costs, including a floor saw, plate compactor, roller, trailer, and a Welfare Van added 274.

The council hiked Council Tax bills for this year by 5% with Band H, the highest, paying more than 4500 per year, or 380 per month, with even a Band D bill reaching just under 2000 per year.

Further increases are anticipated next year.

Scottish Conservative Lothian MSP Sue Webber said: Edinburgh residents will be raising their eyebrows at the costs involved in repairing this single pothole.

While it is always welcome to see the capitals roads repaired, the council should always be focused on ensuring they deliver value for money for taxpayers.

However Edinburgh council argued that the cost of the repair was justified as it covered not just a single pothole but an area of 22sq m of damaged road.

Potholes are increasingly becoming a scourge to city motorists

Councillor Scott Arthur, Edinburgh city councils transport and environment convener, said: This repair covered 22sq m, or 237sq ft, rather than a single pothole and using the Pothole Pro allowed the team a higher level of quality control, ensuring a reliable improvement.

Given the traffic sensitivity of this key route to Edinburghs biggest hospital and its impact on the bus network, this work had to be carried out on either a night shift or Sunday.

The cost of was in line with the average cost of such schemes.

Council tax levels reflect Edinburghs position as Scotlands worst-funded local authority, but do remain lower than cities like Glasgow, Dundee, Aberdeen and Stirling.
With eight billion people now walking the Earth, the thought of humans going extinct anytime soon seems rather unlikely.

Barring nuclear annihilation, being overrun by artificial intelligence or a catastrophic impact from space, of course.

But even if our population is booming today, it hasn't always been that way.

That's because there have been at least five occasions throughout history where the human race has been in danger of dying out, not least because of the eruption of a supervolcano 70,000 years ago that almost sent us the same way as the dinosaurs.

But what happened on the other occasions? And how close did we really come to not existing? MailOnline takes a look.

Worrying: There have been at least five occasions throughout history where the human race has been in danger of dying out (pictured)

Our ancestors: Homo erectus (depicted alongside a modern human), which is believed to have been the longest surviving humanoid species, dwindled in number 1.2 million years ago because of an extreme cooling event

MEET OUR EARLY COUSINS: HOMO ERECTUS AND HOMO ERGASTER EXPLAINED First thought to have evolved around 1.9 million years ago in Africa, Homo erectus was the first early human species to become a true global traveller. They are known to have migrated from Africa into Eurasia, spreading as far as Georgia, Sri Lanka, China and Indonesia. They ranged in size from just under five feet tall to over six feet. With a smaller brain and heavier brow than modern humans, they are thought to have been a key evolutionary step in our evolution. Homo ergaster is the name that has been given to Homo Erectus in Africa. Advertisement

1.1 million - 1.2 million years ago

It took until 1804 for the world's population to reach one billion, 1927 to surpass two billion and 1960 to get to three billion.

If that population growth seems rapid, it's nothing in comparison to the fact that in the six decades since, it has soared to more than eight billion.

Rewind 1.2 million years, however, and things weren't so rosy.

Researchers have estimated that between our ancient cousins Homo ergaster and Home erectus, the entire human race was made up of just 26,000 people.

Worse still, the breeding population was about 18,000 - i.e. without children - which means there were fewer humans then than there are gorillas today.

Classified as a critically endangered species, there are now estimated to be around 316,000 western gorillas in the wild and 5,000 eastern gorillas.

So what was to blame for this drop in human population, especially as fossil evidence shows that members of our Homo genus were spreading across Africa, Asia and Europe?

Scientists aren't sure, but they know there was an extinction level event which temporarily wiped out early humans from Europe around the same time.

The previously unknown ice age pushed the European climate to 'beyond what archaic humans could tolerate', according to a study published last month.

Ocean sediments from 1.1 million years ago show temperatures suddenly dropped by more than 9F (5C), which scientists say would have made it impossible for our ancestors to survive because they didn't have heating or warm clothes.

This absence of our species from the continent lasted for about 200,000 years, before humans adapted and returned.

800,000 - 900,000 years ago

That was all well and good, but it wasn't long before our race faced another perilous challenge.

Just last week, a separate piece of research suggested that another severe cooling period put humans at risk between 800,000 and 900,000 years ago.

It was so dicey the population of our ancestors dropped to just 1,280 individuals during a period in Earth's history known as the Middle Pleistocene.

This severe 'bottleneck' lasted around 117,000 years and was a threat to humanity as we know it today, experts said.

The decline also coincided with climate change that led to long periods of glaciation, a drop in sea surface temperatures, possible long periods of drought in Africa and Eurasia, and loss of other species which may have been a food source.

Last week a study suggested that another severe cooling period put humans at risk between 800,000 and 900,000 years ago. It was so dicey the population of our ancestors dropped to just 1,280 individuals during a period in Earth's history known as the Middle Pleistocene

This map shows the dates at which humans arrived in the different continents, including Europe 45,000 years ago. Humans and Neanderthals co-existed for about 8,000 years before Neanderthals went extinct

Our last common ancestor with Neanderthals, and another extinct human species called Denisovans, was also thought to live during this period.

Professor Giorgio Manzi, a senior author of the research and anthropologist at Sapienza University of Rome, said: 'We know that between about 900,000 and 600,000 years ago, the fossil record in Africa is very scarce, if not almost absent, while both before and after we have a greater number of fossil evidence.

'The same can be said for Eurasia: for example, in Europe we have a species known as around 800,000 years ago and then nothing for about 200,000 years.'

Professor Chris Stringer, the head of human origins at the Natural History Museum in London, said things were so dire that it was 'remarkable' the human species survived.

'For a population of that size, you just need one bad climate event, an epidemic, a volcanic eruption and you're gone,' he told the Guardian.

150,000 years ago

Around 195,000 years ago, the world once again started to undergo a big change.

Deserts and glaciers began to expand, causing temperatures to drop and destroying habitats across what became a cold and dry landscape.

It is unclear why, but groups of humans in Africa started to split up, which in turn caused our numbers to plummet dramatically around 150,000 years ago.

Humans nearly went extinct 900,000 years ago when the population of our ancestors dropped to just 1,280 individuals, research suggests (stock image)

The continent was largely the only place that Homo sapiens, or modern humans, lived until about 50,000 years ago.

But the scale of the glacial phase was so threatening that some scientists believe our breeding numbers dropped to as low as just 600 individuals.

Those that survived appeared to thrive after settling beside the sea in what is now South Africa, experts say.

This was vital because the area happened to be rich in plants that stored their energy below the surface of the soil, as well as having relatively warm waters nearby which enabled shellfish to flourish.

Both of these factors provided Homo sapiens living there with just enough food to survive and enabled our species to evolve into the humans we are today.

70,000 years ago

It's clear that humans don't fare well in extreme cooling events, but there was a very different threat that almost annihilated us just over 70,000 years ago.

Rather than an ice age, it was the largest volcanic eruption in history that nearly brought an end to our existence.

The Toba super-eruption fired out some 720 cubic miles (3,000 cubic km) of rock and ash which spread across the world, blocking out the sun and creating a volcanic winter which lasted at least a decade.

Enormous: The Toba super-eruption occurred 74,000 years ago on the island of Sumatra, Indonesia, and was about 5,000 times larger than the Mount St Helens eruption in the 1980s

It was so massive all that is left of the mountain is the enormous Lake Toba, which stretches 62 miles (100 kilometres) long, 19 miles (30 km) wide, and up to 1,657 feet (505 metres) deep

Such was the extent of the catastrophe that it killed off huge swathes of animal and plant life, while also squeezing our species to a few thousand people.

It had been thought that those remaining were confined to parts of Africa, but in 2020 a study found evidence that humans in India also survived the fallout.

Researchers assessed a 80,000 year-long record of rock layers from the Dhaba site in northern India's Middle Son Valley.

Neanderthals and Homo erectus went extinct due to climate change Neanderthals and Homo erectus, both cousins of modern-day humans, went extinct due to sudden, and unexpectedly intense, bouts of climate change, research has suggested. Scientists have long sought to understand the fate of our long-lost brethren, and previous studies have indicated climate change likely plays a major role. Computer analysis, published in 2020, revealed the hominins failed to adapt to a rapidly changing climate. Researchers investigated temperature, rainfall and other data over the last five million years to get a gauge of the climate for every 1,000-year window. They also modelled the evolution of Homo species' through time by plundering an extensive database of more than 2,750 fossils. The analysis revealed three Homo species - H. erectus, H. heidelbergensis and H. neanderthalensis - lost most of their 'climatic niche' just before going extinct. Climactic niche describes a locale where conditions are just right for the species to survive, not too hot, dry, cold or barren. According to the researchers, Neanderthals were wiped out around 40,000 years ago and Homo erectus went extinct 70,000 years before that. Advertisement

Tools made from rock were found which coincide with the timing of the Toba event, indicating humans in India were already using Stone Age tools when it erupted.

The site yielded evidence that use of the tools persisted after the catastrophic event created a decade-long winter  proof that the people who created them survived.

The Toba eruption was so massive that all that is left of the mountain is the enormous Lake Toba, which stretches 62 miles (100 kilometres) long, 19 miles (30 km) wide, and up to 1,657 feet (505 metres) deep.

It occurred 74,000 years ago on the island of Sumatra, Indonesia, and was about 5,000 times larger than the Mount St Helens eruption in the 1980s.

40,000 years ago

Climate change may be one of today's greatest debates.

But between 25,000 and 40,000 years ago it was what could have wiped out one of our most famous cousins.

Computer analysis suggested in 2020 that Neanderthals may have failed to adapt to a rapidly changing climate, although it has also been argued that the arrival of Homo sapiens from Africa could have led to a desperate squabble for resources.

Ultimately, some say, the superior intelligence of us modern humans gave us the edge in this fight and led to Neanderthals dying out.

However, a study published three years ago suggested that it was because Neanderthals lost most of their 'climatic niche'.

This describes a locale where conditions are just right for the species to survive, not too hot, dry, cold or barren.

Researchers investigated temperature, rainfall and other data over the last five million years to get a gauge of the climate for every 1,000-year window.

This allowed them to come up with their theory about why climate change may have killed off Neanderthals between 25,000 and 40,000 years ago.

Another early human species, Homo floresiensis, nicknamed the 'hobbit' also died out around this time, although what happened to them is a mystery.

It meant Homo sapiens were left as the sole-surviving species in the once diverse human family tree, allowing us to ultimately swell in number to more than eight billion individuals.

So when will our species go extinct?

If you're an optimist, it won't be for another billion years.

That is when the expanding sun will cause our planet to heart up to a Venus-like state and render all life on Earth extinct.

However, a billion years is a long time, especially when you consider that scientists this year placed the Doomsday Clock at a record 90 seconds to midnight.

Neanderthals (pictured in nan artist's impression) went extinct around 40,000 years ago. Some experts think they failed to adapt to climate change which made their homeland inhospitable

So if there is a global apocalypse, what might be to blame for wiping out all life on Earth?

A wandering black hole, giant asteroid impact and nuclear war could all trigger such disaster, as could the rise of killer robots or the reversal of our planet's magnetic field.

Experts on catastrophic risks think there is a six per cent chance humans will go extinct in just 77 years, while renowned physicist Stephen Hawking said our species would probably have to find another planet to live on within 1,000 years if we are to live on.

Others argue that mammalian species typically last around one million years before going extinct, which, considering modern humans evolved around 200,000 years ago, would give us another 800,000 years on the planet.

Looking at the course of human history, and the ever-present threat of nuclear war and growing artificial intelligence, that might end up still being a rather bullish and hopeful outlook, however.
Apple is expected to kill off hundreds of millions of charging cables this week by giving its new iPhone 15 a standard power connector.

For years Apple has resisted calls to ditch its Lightning charging port for the more prevalent USB-C connector, defiantly insisting buyers use a different charger from every other smartphone.

But the EU has passed a law to force all consumer technology firms to use USB-C chargers by December next year.

Brussels says different chargers create 11,000 tons of waste a year. At one point, there were 33 types of chargers for different brands of smartphone.

Now leaked reports say the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro being unveiled by Apple on Tuesday will have a USB-C port worldwide, not just in Europe.

Apple is expected to give its new iPhone 15 a standard USB-C power connector, after years of using a specific cable

EU law means that technology firms will have to use USB-C port in their products by December next year

Apple has not denied the reports. For those who use only Apple products, the change means cables need replacing  an issue Apple used to lobby against the EU law, saying it would increase waste in the short term.

Apple has already introduced USB-C for iPads and laptops, but dragged its heels over the iPhone.

Apple is also under pressure in China, which has expanded its ban on iPhones to local government workers and state-owned companies, after forbidding central government workers from bringing the mobiles to work.

The ban is a sign of Beijing limiting its reliance on US technology. Yet 90 per cent of Apple products are made in China. Apple is now seeking to speed up moves towards production elsewhere, including in Vietnam and India.
He says that accessing the Zanskar Valley in winter is extremely difficult' but notes that it's a 'magical' place

Advertisement

Its one of the worlds most hard-to-reach inhabited regions in the depths of winter  but those that make the journey are rewarded with mesmerising views, travel photographer Andrew Newey reveals.

Zanskar is an ultra-remote Himalayan valley region set at an altitude of around 3,500m (11,500ft) - with mountain peaks rising above 7,000m (23,966ft) - in Ladakh, a northern Indian territory. For many years, during the height of the winter, the main route into Zanskar was via the 40-mile (64km) Chadar route, which takes trekkers over the frozen Zanskar River. A dangerous passage, those who tackle the trek are at risk of avalanches, blizzards or falling through the ice into the freezing waters of the river.

Travelling by road is generally not an option due to heavy snowfall and the risk of avalanches, even though in the past few years, work has been done to improve the quality of the region's roads and a snow clearance programme has been introduced by the Border Roads Organisation. One way of bypassing the danger altogether is by travelling via the new helicopter service that was launched last year, ferrying travellers from the Ladakh city of Leh to Zanskar Valley in just 45 minutes.

Newey, 44, journeyed to Zanskar last winter, turning his camera on the landscapes and inhabitants of the uber-isolated region, which covers 7,000 sq km (2,700 sq miles) and is home to a few dozen villages. The results are spellbinding, showing Buddhist monks playing on a frozen river, an ancient monastery hewn into a rock face and the vast expanse of the valley in all its snow-dusted glory.

Newey, who has been a professional photographer for nearly two decades, explains: Accessing the Zanskar Valley in winter is extremely difficult. Until [recently] the region would be cut off almost entirely during the winter.'

Travel photographer Andrew Newey travelled to Zanskar, an ultra-remote Himalayan valley region in northern India. Above is the breathtaking view over the Zanskar Valley from the region's Karsha Monastery. Padum, Zanskar's main town, can be seen in the distance

This spellbinding shot by Newey shows the Karsha Monastery bathed in golden light as the sun sets on a winters day

Zanskar is one of the worlds most hard-to-reach inhabited regions in the depths of wintertime

He arrived there via the new helicopter service, noting: One of the main challenges was waiting for a window of opportunity to fly, as the helicopter can only fly on mornings when there are no clouds in the sky and visibility is perfect.

The view from the choppers windows was really quite breathtaking, showing Newey the mighty mountains of the Zanskar Range. It was these mountainscapes that inspired Newey's visit - he felt theyd make for incredibly atmospheric images.

Newey  who is based in Dorset but travels the world as a photographer - was also attracted to the challenge of exploring this hard-to-reach reaction. Photographically speaking, I do like a challenge, he admits.

'Buddhism plays a very important part of daily life in the Zanskar Valley,' says Newey. He says that the locals combine prayers with their daily chores. For instance, in this picture, a village elder can be seen walking clockwise around a stupa [a Buddhist monument containing relics] after collecting firewood

An elder spinning wool by the fire at her home in Purne, a small village within the remote region

He continues: Life in Zanskar is very basic, however, I am used to living with the locals in remote regions so for me having very limited amenities was no drama. As in all remote parts of the world Ive visited, the people [there] seem to be perfectly content with the little they have.

Newey received a warm welcome from locals. He says: The Zanskari people are incredibly friendly and on the whole are happy to have their photo taken. Some of the elders are however a little camera-shy at first, but after living with them for a few days they soon begin to warm to the idea.

However, the extreme weather conditions took some adjusting to. Newey says: The conditions there in wintertime are truly brutal, especially when there is a strong wind. Very, very few tourists bother to make it there in the wintertime, so all the hotels and guest houses close, transport becomes very scarce and people just hunker down until the spring.'

The monks have an early start every morning, Newey reveals. 'The Zanskari people are incredibly hardy people, and living in such an extreme environment, have to be able to adapt to changes in conditions,' he says

This beautiful shot by Newey shows the region's Bardan Monastery, which is perched on a rocky outcrop in Zanskar's Lugnak Valley

Newey notes that, during his visit, the average temperatures during the day were around minus 10 degrees Celsius (14 Fahrenheit), plummeting to around minus 20 degrees Celsius (minus four Fahrenheit) to minus 25 (minus 13 Fahrenheit) at night.

He says: The locals are used to the cold and simply use blankets to keep warm during the bitterly cold nights. Most people have a small wood-burning stove to cook on and heat their houses.

Newey continues: The Zanskari people are incredibly hardy people, and living in such an extreme environment, have to be able to adapt to changes in conditions. I feel only time will tell as to how they adapt to the relatively recent climate change in their region.

Elaborating on the environmental issues the region has faced, Newey says: Climate change is having a dramatic effect on the region - temperatures are increasing and causing rapid melting of glaciers, which in turn leads to flooding and little irrigation water. Villagers are struggling to grow crops and are losing their livestock.'

Early morning prayers at Karsha Monastery, a Buddhist monastery in the Padum Valley of the Zanskar region

Early every morning, two young monks blow the conch as a call to prayer, Newey reveals

During the winter when the rivers are frozen, the monks are able to transport vital supplies to the remote Phugtal Monastery using wooden sledges

Two young monks carrying water back to their living quarters in the Zanskar Valley

Two young monks enjoy some downtime by playing on a sledge on a frozen river bank in Zanskar

Climate change is also affecting the routes in and out of Zanskar. Newey says: The river ice is not forming properly resulting in the "ice roads" becoming more dangerous for walking and transporting vital supplies when heavy snowfall closes all the roads.'

He adds that 'snowfall is increasing and becoming more erratic which means livestock and other animals struggle to find food'.

Religion is a source of solace for locals. Buddhism plays a very important part of daily life in the Zanskar Valley, Newey notes, and a highlight of his time in the region was his visit to the Phugtal Monastery, a spectacular Buddhist monastery that was built around a cave in south-eastern Zanskar more than 2,500 years ago.

To reach the monastery, which sits at an altitude of 14,000ft (4,267m), he trekked along the frozen Lungnak river - which was perfectly flat, although extremely slippery.

The monastery is home to around 30 to 40 monks during wintertime, Newey notes, compared to around 80 in the warmer months. Many of the young novice monks 'return home to be with their families' for the winter spell, he says.

A monk in the Phugtal Monastery prepares a feast of noodles for a celebration. Andrew notes that the kitchen is the oldest part of the monastery

Phugtal Monastery at dusk. Newey says the monastery looks 'like a giant honeycomb clinging to the sheer cliff face' from a distance

A monk climbs the many stairs to the rooftop for early morning prayers at the Phugtal Monastery

The monks brave the cold as their morning prayers take place on the rooftop of the Phugtal Monastery in temperatures of minus 20 degrees Celsius (minus four Fahrenheit)

'Its the remoteness, staggering beauty of the snow-capped mountains, the generosity and hospitality of the people that make the Zanskar so special and magical,' says Newey (above)

Of every view he encountered in Zanskar, Newey says his favourite was that of Phugtal Monastery sighted from the path that leads towards it. He says that from a distance, the monastery looked 'like a giant honeycomb clinging to the sheer cliff face'. Newey adds: 'In the late afternoon light as a snowstorm was approaching, [this view] was really quite magical.'

One of his pictures of the monastery shows a monk preparing noodles in the ancient monastery kitchen, while another shows monks ferrying 'vital supplies' to the monastery, pulling the goods on wooden sledges over a frozen river.

Summing up the region's allure, Newey says: Its the remoteness, staggering beauty of the snow-capped mountains, the generosity and hospitality of the people that make the Zanskar so special and magical.

Now that this remote pocket of the world is becoming easier to reach, what effect will increased tourism have on Zanskar? Newey says: As with many places around the world, tourism is very much a double-edged sword. On the plus side tourists bring a much-needed boost to the income of local communities, but on the other hand increased pollution from transport and discarded rubbish are just some of the downsides.

To see more of Neweys work, visit his website and his Instagram.
Advertisement

We do like to be beside the seaside - but there are plenty of stunning British towns and villages to discover away from the coast, Which? reveals.

Helping you to figure out which ones to visit, the consumer champion has named the best inland towns and villages in the UK, with Wells in Somerset - not a town, but rather a small city - taking the top spot.

Its followed by the Wiltshire village of Avebury in second place, while the Dorset village of Corfe Castle and the Merseyside village of Port Sunlight tie for third place.

Languishing at the bottom of the table, meanwhile, is the Scottish town of Gretna.

The ranking was drawn up based on a Which? survey of over 9,000 holidaymakers, which asked them to rate their experiences of visiting 94 inland towns and villages in the past year. Destinations were rated across seven categories, including scenery, food and drink, peace and quiet, tourist attractions, and value for money.

We do like to be beside the seaside, but there are plenty of stunning British towns and villages to discover away from the coast, Which? reveals. It has named some of the best - and worst - inland towns and villages in the UK, with Wells (above) taking the top spot

First place Wells, one of the UKs smallest cities, scored 83 per cent overall. Which? says: A popular filming location, Wells has featured in major film and television productions including Hot Fuzz, Dungeons and Dragons and Wolf Hall. The watchdog notes that while there, visitors can imagine following in the footsteps of film stars including Cate Blanchett, Chris Hemsworth, and Emily Blunt.

The medieval city scored a full five stars for attractiveness and tourist attractions, and boasts stunning architecture, including its famous cathedral, Which? says. It scored four stars for shopping, scenery, food and drink.

Second-place Avebury, meanwhile, earned a destination score of 82 per cent, garnering five stars for scenery and attractiveness.

Which? says that the village is perfect for history lovers, as its well-known for its 5,000-year-old Neolithic stone circle, which is free for visitors to explore and is situated close to Stonehenge.

The ranking was drawn up based on a Which? survey of over 9,000 holidaymakers, which asked them to rate their experiences of visiting 94 inland towns and villages in the past year

The watchdog adds: Avebury also has picturesque thatched cottages, Georgian townhouses and a 19th-century pub.

Joint third-place Corfe Castle and Port Sunlight earned a score of 80 per cent each. The former, Corfe Castle, was built by William the Conqueror during the 11th century and went on to become one of author Enid Blytons favourite holiday destinations.

In the survey, the village was rated a full five stars for tourist attractions and scenery, with visitors able to enjoy ambling through the castle ruins, which boast spectacular views over the Purbeck Hills to Poole Harbour, Which? notes.

The consumer champion says that much like Corfe Castle, Port Sunlight also offers visitors a unique glimpse into the past.

The Wiltshire village of Avebury, known for its 5,000-year-old Neolithic stone circle, lands in second place

It reveals: The Merseyside village was built by William Hesketh Lever in 1888 to provide 900 homes to house the workers of his soap factory, and is named for his popular "Sunlight" soap.

The village scored four stars out of five for attractiveness, tourist attractions and value for money - and a full five stars for peace and quiet.

Fourth place is another tie, with five destinations scoring 79 per cent - the town of Ludlow in Shropshire; the Lincolnshire town of Stamford; Lavenham village in Suffolk; the Cumbrian village of Grasmere; and the town of Llangollen in Denbighshire.

Aforementioned Llangollen  which is the top-rated Welsh destination - is nestled between the Berwyn, Ruabon, and Llantysilio mountains. It scored five stars for scenery and attractiveness, and four stars for tourist attractions, and food and drink. Which? says: From canal boat cruises to horse-drawn boat trips, as well as its annual International Musical Eisteddfod festival, theres plenty for visitors to enjoy.

The Dorset village of Corfe Castle, which ties for third place, was built by William the Conqueror during the 11th century

Merseyside village Port Sunlight (above) was built in 1888 to provide homes to house the workers of a soap factory. It ties for third place

Meanwhile, Melrose (joint fifth) is the highest-rated Scottish destination, with an overall score of 78 per cent. Which? reveals: Backed by the peaks of the Eildon Hills, once described as those delectable mountains by author and historian Sir Walter Scott, the town unsurprisingly scored five stars for scenery and attractiveness.

Those polled awarded it four stars for its tourist attractions, which famously include Melrose Abbey, the final resting place of the heart of Robert the Bruce.

Looking to the other end of the ranking, last-place Gretna (24th overall), which lies near the England-Scotland border, earned a score of 49 per cent.

Joining Gretna at the bottom of the table  just one position behind in 23rd place - is Bodmin, Cornwall (50 per cent).

Languishing at the bottom of the table is the Scottish town of Gretna (pictured), though Which? says it still offers 'plenty for holidaymakers to enjoy'

The Cornish town of Bodmin, which ranks second from the bottom, scored just two stars for tourist attractions and value for money

However, Which? says that in spite of their lower destination scores, these two towns still have plenty for holidaymakers to enjoy.

Though Bodmin, a town situated on the edge of Bodmin Moor, scored just two stars for tourist attractions and value for money, it did receive three stars for its scenery and peace and quiet. Which? notes: Visitors can explore its historic jail, which now hosts a museum and hotel, or visit the Bodmin Keep, which houses an army museum.

And last-place Gretna is steeped in history.

Which? explains: For hundreds of years English couples headed north of the border to elope in Gretna, with couples under 21 historically requiring their parents permission to marry - a law that didnt apply in Scotland.

While the law no longer stands, the area continues to be a well-loved destination for romantics, playing host to countless nuptials every year.

Commenting on the surveys findings, Rory Boland, Editor of Which? Travel, said: From famed tourist towns to lesser-known villages, this years survey has captured the range of unique destinations the UK has to offer.

While the picturesque South West took the top spots, there are beautiful towns and villages in Scotland, Wales and from across England in the top ten - meaning there is a fantastic place to visit on your doorstep no matter where you live.
Pee Wee Herman icon Paul Reubens' cause of death has been officially revealed, just over a month after his passing.

His newly released death certificate, obtained by The Blast on Friday, attributed his primary cause of death, at age 70, to acute myeloid leukemia (AML).

The publication reported that the comedian 'succumbed to acute hypoxic respiratory failure.'

The complication occurs when 'the respiratory system cannot adequately provide oxygen to the body, leading to hypoxemia.'

In addition to blood cancer, he 'was also battling metastatic lung cancer.'

Secret cancer battle: Pee Wee Herman icon Paul Reubens' cause of death has been officially revealed, just over a month after his passing; seen in 1980

The death certificate also confirmed he would be cremated and will be laid to rest in the Hollywood Forever Cemetary.

Other famous residents buried on the same cemetery grounds include Dee Dee Ramone, Judy Garland, Mickey Rooney and Tyrone Power.

Following his death, his estate announced that he had 'bravely and privately fought cancer for years with his trademark tenacity and wit' in a statement on Instagram.

Reubens also wrote a note to his followers on Instagram, released after his death, in which he asked fans to 'please accept' his 'apology for not going public with' his secret, six-year cancer battle.

'I have always felt a huge amount of love and respect from my friends, fans and supporters. I have loved you all so much and enjoyed making art for you,' he concluded in his statement on Instagram.

Reubens created the beloved Pee-wee Herman with the late Phil Hartman, which led to an HBO special in 1981 and his 1985 movie Pee-wee's Big Adventure.

That led to his hit TV series Pee-wee's Playhouse, which ran from 1986 to 1991, along with the 1988 movie Big-Top Pee-wee.

The two-time Daytime Emmy winner all but retired Pee-wee following his 1991 arrest for indecent exposure at a Sarasota, Florida, adult movie theater.

Beloved: Reubens created the beloved Pee-wee Herman with the late Phil Hartman, which led to an HBO special in 1981 and his 1985 movie Pee-wee's Big Adventure; seen in 1988

The two-time Daytime Emmy winner all but retired Pee-wee following his 1991 arrest for indecent exposure at a Sarasota, Florida, adult movie theater (pictured in 2010)

He was detained by a detective after leaving the theater - and was subject to ridicule in the following months.

Toys 'R' Us removed Pee-wee toys from its stores as a result of his arrest.

He denied the charges, and pleaded no contest. The actor was ordered to complete 75 hours of community service.

A 2002 police raid on Paul's house led to a child pornography charge that was later reduced to a count of possession of obscenity.

Reubens later claimed he was an erotica collector - and had a stash films and magazines, as well as a sizable collection of mostly homosexual vintage erotica.

For the three years after he pleaded guilty to the obscenity charge in 2004, he was required to register his address with the sheriff's office.

He could not be in the company of minors without the permission of their parent or legal guardians.

A TV legend: Reubens seen in 2016 at the world premiere of Pee-wee's Big Holiday

His hit TV series Pee-wee's Playhouse ran from 1986 to 1991

Years later, Reubens brought Herman back for a 2010 Broadway revival. Reubens once again resurrected the character with the 2016 Netflix movie Pee-wee's Big Holiday.

In May this year, Reubens sued a memorabilia auctioneer with claims that props he had loaned from his iconic television program had been taken for personal use instead of the intended purpose with some even being sold without Reubens seeing any profit.

He took legal action against James Comisar and his memorabilia company The Comisar Collection.

The props included the Dog Chair, Floory puppets and Mr. Window, in addition to cue cards and signed photos.

It was Reuben's understanding the props would eventually be a part of a 'Museum of Television' for public display and on the promise that he could retrieve the stuff whenever requested.

However, the comedian claimed he had later discovered that there was actually no museum at all and alleges that Comisar had kept the items for their private collection.

The suit was active at the time of Reubens' death.
Alison Hammond has revealed she was told to ditch her Birmingham accent if she was ever going to make a name for herself on television.

The TV presenter, 48, shared how a staff member at a London drama school suggested she tone down her Brummie accent - something which didn't go down to well.

Alison told the Rosebud podcast: 'I applied for ALRA, The Academy of Live & Recorded Arts. And when I went there, the woman said, "You do realise we are going to have to modify your accent?'

'I was like "Modify? What does that even mean?". They said: 'Because you've got a really Brummie accent, so we will have to modify it'. So I was like, 'Oh, you mean RP?'

RP stands for Received Pronunciation, which is regarded as the standard form of spoken British English  something Alison claims they wanted her to speak.

'I'm not doing that!': Alison Hammond has revealed she was told to ditch her Birmingham accent if she was ever going to make a name for herself on television

Birmingham love: Alison said she was asked to modify her accent which she refused to do because she loves her Midland roots and it hasn't let her down so far (pictured on GBBO)

She added: 'I just thought, I am not doing that, I'm not modifying my voice - I love my voice... I think my Birmingham accent is quite nice, though. It's not too in your face.'

Alison first became a household name when she appeared on Big Brother in 2002, a decision she later revealed was down to wanting to clear her 'traumatising debt'.

Since then the mother-of-one has enjoyed an incredible rise to the top.

She landed a gig presenting This Morning, with her role growing over the years.

Alongside Dermot O'Leary, the duo are hugely popular and Alison has interviewed the likes of Michael Buble, Dwayne The Rock Johnson, Lady Gaga and Hugh Jackman.

She famously went through with a fake wedding with The Rock on the show back in 2017 during a hilarious interview, with him referring to her as his wife five years on.

When she celebrated her 20 year anniversary as host of the show, she said: 'I've had the best 20 years. Every day has been the best and thank you to the viewers for watching. All I ever want to do is make you guys happy.'

Popular pair: Alison has gone onto land a presenting job on This Morning, which she has done for 20 years and presents on Fridays alongside Dermot O'Leary

Impressive: Earlier this year she hosted the BAFTA awards, an immersive and access-all-areas experience, as part of the BBC One broadcast of the ceremony

Throwback: Alison first became a household name when she appeared on Big Brother in 2002, a decision she later revealed was down to wanting to clear her 'traumatising debt'.

The TV personality has appeared in a number of pantomimes and British children's television drama series, as well as securing brand deals like signing up to WeightWatchers as their ambassador and collaborated with InTheStyle on a curve clothing range.

Earlier this year she hosted the BAFTA awards, an immersive and access-all-areas experience, as part of the BBC One broadcast of the ceremony.

She is back on the television this month co-hosting The Great British Bake Off on Channel 4, after Matt Lucas left.

Matt confirmed in December he had quit the show after three series, citing his heavy workload as the reason he has stepped away from Bake Off.
Married At First Sight's Olivia Frazer recently returned to Australia after relocating to Scotland earlier this year for love.

The reality star, 29, decided to move after meeting a Scottish fellow she thought was the man of her dreams but he turned out to be a cheater.

Despite the heartbreak, Olivia admitted on Friday she was already missing Scotland after returning home.

She shared a photo to Instagram of herself dressed in a warm jacket and blue beanie while enjoying a hike.

'One week away from Scotland and I'm already missing it,' she captioned the post.

Married At First Sight's Olivia Frazer (pictured) has said she's already missing Scotland after returning to Australia following romance nightmare

Olivia recently returned to Australia after she was 'scammed' by a cheating boyfriend in Scotland.

She said she decided to move after meeting a Scottish fellow she thought was the man of her dreams.

'It's important to remind other girls not to ignore red flags from the start because you so desperately want it to work with someone,' she told The Wash Online.

'I feel like I've been completely scammed and made a fool out of. We spoke almost every day, he told me he wanted me to meet his son once I got to Scotland and made me feel so wanted.

Upon her arrival, Olivia quickly realised her new man was behaving suspiciously around her and she worked at figuring out what he was hiding.

'I had no idea what to do, or what I'd done wrong and then a lady in a pub approached me and asked if I was seeing him. She said, "Don't. He has a girlfriend. Has had a girlfriend the whole time. You can do better,"' she added.

She shared a photo to Instagram of herself dressed in a warm jacket and blue beanie while enjoying a hike. 'One week away from Scotland and I'm already missing it,' she wrote

Last month, Olivia said her negative experience on Married At First Sight was partly to blame for her leaving Australia.

'There's a lot more work opportunities and the people are more forgiving. It's easier to move on whereas in Australia people hold you to your edit forever,' she told Yahoo of her decision to relocate.

Olivia said at the time she was moving to Scotland 'indefinitely' and would only return Down Under to collect her dog.

Olivia, who was relentlessly trolled after her stint on the Channel Nine series last year, told her Instagram followers that she's planning to continue working as an OnlyFans.
Naomi Watts often shows off her clean and minimalist style while strutting the streets of New York City.

And the British-Australian actress even pulled out the stops while walking her rescue pooch Izzy on Friday.

The 54-year-old was spotted wearing a cool white denim jumpsuit as she took a stroll with her dog in Tribeca.

The King Kong actress looked effortlessly stylish as she paired the baggy overalls with black slides.

Naomi jazzed up the outfit with a pair of black cat-eye sunglasses, a medium sized pair of gold hoops, and a long gold chain.

Naomi Watts showed off her cool streetwear style as she walked her rescue pup Izzy in New York City on Friday

She placed her blonde locks back in a low bun as she opted for a dewy makeup look with a bold berry lip.

The mother-of-two had a wide smile on her face as she strolled the sunny streets of New York with her little pup.

Naomi rescued the small golden dog in 2021, and she is often seen taking the pooch on walks in Manhattan.

The 54-year-old was spotted wearing a cool white denim jumpsuit as she took a stroll with her dog in Tribeca

The King Kong actress looked effortlessly stylish as she paired the baggy overalls with black sliders

The sighting comes three months after the former Home And Away actress tied the knot with actor Billy Crudup, 55, at a New York courthouse.

The happy couple shared photos of the joyous occasion on social media as they posed on the steps of the courthouse shortly after saying 'I do', alongside the caption: 'Hitched.'

Speaking at an event earlier this month, Naomi opened up about going through menopause at the young age of 36 and about her sex life with her new husband.

Naomi explained how communication had been the 'biggest key' in her romance with 55-year-old Billy and it had led to them having 'pretty great sex.'

It comes three months after the former Home And Away actress tied the knot with actor Billy Crudup, 55, at a New York courthouse (both pictured)

The happy couple shared photos of the joyous occasion as they posed on the steps of the courthouse shortly after saying 'I do', alongside the caption: 'Hitched' (both pictured)

The actress has been in a relationship with Billy since 2017 when they met on the set of Netflix series Gypsy, but admitted she wasn't always so confident in the bedroom with her man because she was using estrogen patches when they first got together.

'This is a little bit personal but in the beginning of my relationship, I was wearing my patch and I was nervous that my new lover was going to see it,' she said at the Hamptons event called Unlocking Intimacy: Navigating Passion in Midlife.

She continued: 'But the minute I brought honesty into the room, despite how awkward and hard that was for me - I've had so much shame about it - he knew how to behave, he knew what cues to follow, he was 100 per cent empathetic and I can safely say we went on to have you know, pretty great sex that night.

'It gets exhausting having all these rules and this ideology of how you must look, so I just tend to find myself being in a position where I just need to get what I want and say it boldly.'
Robert Irwin had a first in his wildlife conservation career, as he rescued a python snake that was stuck in a vending machine.

The snake was bizarrely caught behind several bottles of Coca-Cola in an outdoor vending machine.

Luckily, the 19-year-old son of the late Steve 'The Crocodile Hunter' Irwin came to the rescue and safely set the carpet python free.

Posting to TikTok on Friday, the Wildlife Warrior documented his journey of helping the snake get out of the vending machine.

'I just got a call that there's a carpet python stuck in a vending machine, so this is a first,' Robert said as he drove his truck.

Robert Irwin (pictured) had a first in his wildlife conservation career, as he rescued a python snake that was stuck in a vending machine

Wearing his Australia Zoo uniform, Robert pointed out where exactly the snake was hiding in the vending machine.

'What we don't want is for him to go up the wiring,' he said as he devised a plan to set the python free.

'We need to pull him up at the front, we don't want to make him too upset because we want him to come out nice and smooth.'

The snake was bizarrely caught behind several bottles of Coca-Cola in an outdoor vending machine

Luckily, the 19-year-old son of Steve 'The Crocodile Hunter' Irwin came to the rescue and safely set the carpet python free

It appeared to only take the conversationalist mere seconds to free the snake.

As he held the slimey brown snake in his arms, Robert said: 'That is how you get a carpet python out of a vending machine.'

While the Queensland-native was delighted to free the snake, he said it's definitely not the first time the snake has got himself in uncomfortable positions.

'This bloke has obviously got a spirit of getting himself caught in weird situations,' he said.

'Because he is missing the end of his tail, and that's an old injury from a long time ago.'

Looking at the menacing snake, Robert added: 'We will relocate this guy and don't go in any more vending machines, mate.'

Posting to TikTok on Friday, the Wildlife Warrior documented his journey of helping the snake get out of the vending machine

Wearing his Australia Zoo uniform, Robert pointed out where exactly the snake was hiding in the vending machine

Fans of the conversationalist were fascinated by the video, with it receiving over 2,000 comments.

One person jokingly wrote: 'His friends won't believe him when he says that he met Robert Irwin' followed by a laughing face emoji.

While another said: 'Robert, guess he was wanting a coke to drink (Love that you're carrying on your dads legacy. RIP STEVE IRWIN).

And a third commented: 'Imagine you call animal control and Robert Irwin shows up...'
Jennifer Lopez embraced her inner cowgirl as she joined stylish Gabrielle Union and Cara Delevingne at the star-studded Ralph Lauren Spring/Summer 2024 runway show in NYC on Friday.

The On The Floor hitmaker, 54, who recently put on a fashionable display during an outing in the Big Apple, dressed to impress with the Bring It On actress, 50, and the supermodel, 31, as they stopped by the event held at the Brooklyn Navy Yard.

The show itself had a rustic, Western theme - from the set to the clothing pieces - and guests also enjoyed an 'intimate' dinner afterwards, which was also inspired by the designer's own ranch in Colorado, per a press release.

Lopez turned heads wearing a layered, silk gown that contained metallic details on the fabric for an unique flare.

The top portion of the ensemble was only partially buttoned to reveal a large, chunky silver necklace that covered most of her upper chest.

Wow! Jennifer Lopez, 54, embraced her inner cowgirl as she joined stylish Gabrielle Union, 50, at the star-studded Ralph Lauren Spring/Summer 2024 runway show in NYC on Friday

Rustic: Cara Delevingne also dressed to impress for the event, and donned a sheer, black blouse that was partially unfastened towards top for a sultry flare

A brown belt with a large, silver and gold buckle from the brand was wrapped around the gown to better accentuate her waistline.

Jennifer draped a goldish-colored jacket over her shoulders that contained tasseled details and later removed the outer piece during the quick photo session.

She easily carried a cream-colored clutch bag in her hand to hold a few items she needed during the glitzy evening.

Her long locks were parted in the middle, and effortlessly flowed down past her shoulders in elegant curls.

The Mother actress further accessorized her ensemble for the evening by wearing sparkling, silver dangly earrings that matched her necklace.

The star's makeup was glammed up, and comprised of a layer of mascara to her lashes as well as a shimmering, smoky shadow around her eyes.

She opted for a warm blush and contour to better accentuate her cheekbones, while a nude-colored, matte tint was worn on her lips for a finishing touch.

Jennifer is no stranger to sitting front row at Ralph Lauren runway shows, and notably attended the Spring 2023 presentation at the Huntington Library late last year in October with husband Ben Affleck.

Stunning: The star turned heads wearing a layered, silk gown that contained metallic details on the fabric for an unique flare

Flashy: The top portion of the ensemble was only partially buttoned to reveal a large, chunky silver necklace that covered most of her upper chest

Western-inspired: A brown belt with a large, silver buckle was wrapped around the gown to better accentuate her waistline

Stylish: Jennifer carried a cream colored bag for the event

Gabrielle Union also wowed as she arrived at the venue to attend the fashion show and dinner on Friday as part of NYFW.

She exuded confidence wearing a black, figure-hugging knit dress that clung to her toned frame and contained glittering details throughout the soft fabric.

The one-shoulder gown was held up with a thin strap that wrapped around her shoulders and had a hem that flowed down towards the ground, partially covering black shoes she also donned.

The actress added a pair of small, gold-hooped earrings as well as a various gold bracelets on each of her wrists.

The Perfect Find star held a black $2,500 Ralph Lauren purse in her hands as she flaunted her stunning look for the special night.

Her locks were pulled back into a sleek bun to prevent any loose strands from falling onto her face.

Cara Delevingne also dressed to impress for the event, and donned a sheer, black blouse that was partially unfastened towards top for a sultry flare.

The model also slipped into a pair of fitted, black pants as well as heeled, knee-high boots to coincide with her all-black outfit.

Chic: Gabrielle Union also wowed as she arrived at the venue to attend the fashion show and dinner on Friday as part of NYFW

Dressed on theme: Cara Delevingne also dressed to impress for the event, and donned a sheer, black blouse that was partially unfastened towards top for a sultry flare

Beauty: Cara wore a sheer top with trousers and knee-high boots

Beaming: Cara showcased her cleavage in the low-cut top

Striking: Cara rocked a black leather jacket that had a fringed accent

Fashionable: Julianne Moore looked incredibly radiant as she was spotted at the show, and donned a gold minidress which she layered with a black blazer

Excited! The Oscar winner carried a white, Ralph Lauren handbag for a bit of color contrast to her outfit

Elegant: Emma Roberts was the epitome of elegance wearing a green satin gown that flowed down towards the ground and formed a short train behind the beauty

The Suicide Squad actress draped a black, leather tasseled jacket over her shoulder and threw on a black hat on top of her locks.

Cara opted for minimal accessories to allow the ensemble to be the main focal point and added a chunky ring on her left hand.

Julianne Moore looked incredibly radiant as she was spotted at the show, and donned a gold minidress which she layered with a black blazer that contained gold buttons on the front.

She also donned a pair of sheer, black tights as well as black, heeled ankle boots for a fashionable touch.

Her reddish locks were parted in the middle and effortlessly flowed down past her shoulders. The Oscar winner carried a white, Ralph Lauren handbag for a bit of color contrast to her outfit.

Emma Roberts was the epitome of elegance wearing a green satin gown that flowed down towards the ground and formed a short train behind the beauty.

Fabric wrapped around her shoulders while a black belt with a silver and gold buckle was added around her midriff.

Her blonde locks were parted in the middle, and pulled back into a chic bun, revealing a pair of dainty, gold earrings.

Sense of style: Diane Keaton showed off her personal sense of style wearing a black and gray, checkered coat that was tightly secured with a large, black belt

Beautiful: Amanda Seyfried was beautiful in a cream-colored ensemble that comprised of fitted slacks as well as a matching blazer that contained floral details

Dressed to impress: Laura Dern was also seen at the event, and donned a black dress with a hem that fell down past her knees

Head turning: Sheryl Crow was a stunner wearing a patterned silk gown that contained gold beaded details around the plunging neckline

Diane Keaton showed off her personal sense of style wearing a black and gray, checkered coat that was tightly secured with a large, black belt.

Underneath, the Book Club actress wore a black, turtleneck as well as gray striped slacks. She slipped into a pair of sleek, black loafers to complete her overall look.

The star added a black hat to partially cover her straight locks and flashed a cheerful smile as she showcased her outfit at the fashion show.

Robin Wright was breathtaking wearing a long-sleeved, white blazer gown that flowed down past her ankles. The double-breasted ensemble contained satin lapels as well as a plunging neckline on the front.

For a bit of color contrast to the chic look, The Princess Bride star held a black clutch bag in her hand. She opted to not wear flashy pieces of jewelry to allow the dress to be the main focal point.

Amanda Seyfried was beautiful in a cream-colored ensemble that comprised of fitted slacks as well as a matching blazer that contained floral details.

The Mean Girls star added a cream top underneath and slipped into a pair of open-toed, black heels.

Her blonde locks were parted in the middle, and cascaded down past her shoulders in elegant curls. For a bold touch to the monochromatic ensemble, Seyfried added a dark red tint to her lips.

Crossing paths: Both Laura and Sheryl crossed paths at the star-studded fashion show and the pair posed for a memorable snap together

Sleek: Supermodel Elsa Hosk was stylish wearing a black, leather vest as well as a pair of low-waisted, black slacks which were secured with a black belt around her slim waist

All about the leather: Mindy Kaling went for an all-black outfit that comprised of a black, leather strapless top as well as matching, fitted pants

Laura Dern was also seen at the event, and donned a black dress with a hem that fell down past her knees.

The Jurassic Park actress wrapped a black belt with a gold buckle around her waist and slipped into a pair of black, leather heeled boots.

She easily draped a tan coat over her shoulders that contained differing patches of fabric for a unique flare. Her hair was parted in the middle and flowed down in light waves.

Sheryl Crow was a stunner wearing a patterned silk gown that contained gold beaded details around the plunging neckline.

The Soak Up The Sun hitmaker draped a black and brown-colored leather jacket over her shoulders for an edgy touch. She donned a pair of tan heels and easily held a burgundy clutch in her hand to complete her outfit for the evening.

Both Laura and Sheryl crossed paths at the star-studded fashion show and the pair posed for a memorable snap together.

Supermodel Elsa Hosk was stylish wearing a black, leather vest as well as a pair of low-waisted, black slacks which were secured with a black belt around her slim waist.

Her hair was parted to the side and slicked back into a chic bun and the beauty accessorized her look with a Western-inspired necklace.

Stunner: Ariana DeBose wore a figure-hugging, light gray knit wrap dress that contained a hood that was placed towards the back of her head

Edgy: The Guardians Of The Galaxy star, Pom Klementieff, put on a leggy display wearing a black, leather blazer dress that was secured at the front

So chic! Poppy Delevingne was chic in a black blazer dress with a hem that stopped a few inches above her knees

Glammed up: Li Bingbing was glamorous wearing a dark red, velvet gown that clung to her frame and fell down towards her feet

She held a black Ralph Lauren purse in her hand and struck a few of her favorite poses upon arriving to the event.

Kathryn Newton was classy wearing a baby blue, layered tulle skirt along with a matching double-breasted blazer on top. Her long, blonde locks were parted in the middle, and flowed down in light waves, allowing her bangs to gently fall onto her forehead.

Mindy Kaling went for an all-black outfit that comprised of a black, leather strapless top as well as matching, fitted pants.

The Office alum added a black blazer on top and slipped into a pair of closed-toed, black heels. She donned a pair of silver, dangly teardrop earrings for a flashy touch to the look.

Ariana DeBose wore a figure-hugging, light gray knit wrap dress that contained a hood that was placed towards the back of her head.

The one-of-a-kind ensemble contained a small slit on the front as well as a short train that fell down behind the West Side Story actress. She slipped into a pair of silver heels and carried a dark gray purse in her hand.

The Guardians Of The Galaxy star, Pom Klementieff, put on a leggy display wearing a black, leather blazer dress that was secured at the front.

Long, tasseled details fell down from the shoulders and the actress opted for a pair of classic, black pumps.

Shimmering: Meghann Fahy was elegant in a sleeveless, shimmering gray halter dress that flowed down to brush the ground

Making a statement: Kelsey Merritt stunned in a form-fitting, black strapless dress with a belt that contained a silver and gold buckle wrapped around her waist

Graceful: Camila Coelho was stunning in a green velvet gown that had a large, circular cutout on the back for a stylish flare

Dapper: Charles Melton was dapper wearing a gray, double-breasted suit along with a crisp white dress shirt and black tie

Poppy Delevingne was chic in a black blazer dress with a hem that stopped a few inches above her knees. Her blonde locks were pulled back into a half ponytail which was secured with black ribbon that was tied into a bow.

She carried a black purse in her hand and slipped into a pair of open-toed, strappy black heels.

Li Bingbing was glamorous wearing a dark red, velvet gown that clung to her frame and fell down towards her feet. She slipped into a pair of open-toed, silver heels for a bit of color contrast and allowed her dark locks to flow down naturally past her shoulders.

Meghann Fahy was elegant in a sleeveless, shimmering gray halter dress that flowed down to brush the ground. The star carried a gray clutch bag while her locks were swept back into a stylish up do.

Kelsey Merritt stunned in a form-fitting, black strapless dress with a belt that contained a silver and gold buckle that wrapped around her waist.

Her locks were parted in the middle and effortlessly flowed down past her shoulders in elegant waves.

Camila Coelho was stunning in a green velvet gown that had a large, circular cutout on the back for a stylish flare. Her locks were pulled back into a chic half-ponytail, revealing a pair of dainty, gold earrings.

Charles Melton was dapper wearing a gray, double-breasted suit along with a crisp white dress shirt and black tie. He slipped into a pair of sleek, black dress shoes and showed off his look upon arriving to the fashion show.

Ready for the show: James Marsden also dressed to impress in a black, pin-striped suit along with a matching waistcoat

Stylish duo: Keri Russell was beautiful in a maxi, leather black skirt the fell down towards the ground and tucked in a white blouse with partner Matthew Rhys

Lovebirds: Jason Ralph donned a classic black suit and striped button up while wife, Rachel Brosnahan, was fashionable in black leather pants as well as a printed shirt

James Marsden also dressed to impress in a black, pin-striped suit along with a matching waistcoat. He also donned a striped dress shirt as well as a black tie to complete his overall look.

Keri Russell was beautiful in a maxi, leather black skirt the fell down towards the ground and tucked in a white blouse. Sparling, black ribbon was tied around the neckline of the shirt for a dazzling touch.

Her partner, Matthew Rhys, exuded old Hollywood in a pair of white trousers as well as a tan knit vest and matching blazer.

He added a white dress shirt and tie underneath, as well as a handkerchief in a pocket on the left side of the jacket.

Jason Ralph donned a classic black suit and striped button up while wife, Rachel Brosnahan, was fashionable in black leather pants as well as a printed shirt. She layered the look with a glittering blazer and slipped into a pair of chic, black heels.

Lovely pair: Sofia Richie and husband Elliott Grainge were a lovely pair with the beauty wearing a gray, pin-striped ensemble while he donned a classic gray suit with a plain navy shirt underneath

Having a blast: Mariah Linney was stylishly casual in pin-striped slacks as well as a black leather jacket while Madison Bailey stunned in a champagne-colored satin dress and a long, glittering knit sweater

Sleek: Lukas Gage and Chris Appleton showed off their own sense of styles wearing sleek suits as they attended the Ralph Lauren runway show and dinner amid New York Fashion Week

Sofia Richie and husband Elliott Grainge were a lovely pair with the beauty wearing a gray, pin-striped ensemble while he donned a classic gray suit with a plain navy shirt underneath.

The happy couple both donned white shoes, with Richie wearing pumps and Elliott opting for sneakers.

Mariah Linney was stylishly casual in pin-striped slacks as well as a black leather jacket while Madison Bailey stunned in a champagne-colored satin dress and a long, glittering knit sweater.

Lukas Gage and Chris Appleton showed off their own sense of styles wearing sleek suits as they attended the Ralph Lauren runway show and dinner amid New York Fashion Week.


New York Fashion Week 2023 kicked off the second of its semi-annual series of events on Thursday, September 7.

As international fashion collections are shown to buyers, the press, and the general public, the Daily Front Row held the 10th iteration of its Fashion Media Awards on Friday.

Legendary Playboy model and actress Pamela Anderson was among the list of celebrities to be honored during the event at the Rainbow Room in Midtown Manhattan.

Before receiving the Style Icon award, Anderson made her way to the star-studded red carpet to strike a few poses decked out in a tan full-length dress and black heels.

Initially, she worked her magic in front of admiring photographers solo, but eventually she shared the spotlight with Brandon Lee, who's one of her two sons she shares with ex-husband and Motley Crue rocker Tommy Lee.

Recognized! Pamela Anderson, 56, was honored with the Style Icon award at the Daily Front Row's 10 annual Fashion Media Awards at the Rainbow Room in Midtown Manhattan on Frida

Anderson, 56, was all smiles as she shifted her attention to the photographers on the carpet.

While the two-strap dress had a sleeveless design, she opted to have the left one hang over her shoulder, which was a look made popular in the 1980s.

The unique number hung loosely off her fab figure for the most part, with the exception of upper portion that appeared to hug more to her ample cleavage and waist.

Rounding out her overall look, the former Baywatch actress had her blonde tresses styled long and flowing to her waistline in the back with a a part off to the slight right.

Lee, 27, was a perfectly color-coordinated with his mom in a brown double-breasted suit that he matched with a pair of black dress shoes.

The producer and actor had his dark hair cut short, over the ears, with a part on the right.

Later on after the awards had been handed out, Anderson and Lee returned for another round of photos where she could showcase her Style Icon trophy.

The Home Improvement star flashed a series of proud smiles, while her son stood to her side doing his best to make her laugh.

He won out in his mission, as Anderson couldn't hold back from breaking out into laughter while the cameras snapped away.

Iconic: The Baywatch alum wore a tan dress, with one strap hanging off her shoulder, with black heels and her blonde locks flowing down to her waistline

Family support: Anderson's oldest son Brandon Lee, 27, from her marriage to rocker Tommy Lee, joined his mother for a couple of rounds of photos at the annual event

Glowing: The model and actress flashed a big beaming smile for admiring photographers

Style Icon: Anderson has been considered a style icon to many since her breakthrough role in the hit series Home Improvement and her first appearance in Playboy

Anderson married her son's father on a beach in Cancun in February 1995 four days after meeting in person, according to People.

Standing just a few feet from the incoming ocean waves, the bride exchanged her vows in a white bikini, while the groom went shirtless in just boardshorts.

According to Lee, the pair spent six weeks talking on the telephone before Anderson finally agreed to spend time together. But instead of meeting up, she left for a photo shoot in Cancun the following day. But Lee was persistent and followed her to the tropical paradise.

'I really always had such a fairy tale idea what a wedding would be, that I'd meet somebody, fall in love and it would just be very romantic, and it would be love at first sight. And I had all these things that I wanted it to be. And he chased me down to Cancun, and I just thought it was romantic,' the former Playboy model revealed during an interview with Larry King in 2002.

LOL: Brandon Lee, 27, did his best to make his mother laugh when she returned to pose with her Style Icon award

Gorgeous: The Ladysmith, British Columbia, Canada native seen at the event

Family matters: Along with Brandon, Anderson and Tommy Lee also share a son Dylan Lee, 25

Hitched! After meeting in person four days earlier, Pamela Anderson and Tommy Lee got married February 19, 1995 on the beach in Cancun, Mexico, as fans watched nearby

Brandon would make his arrival to the world in June 1996, 16 months after the beachfront wedding.

Hs brother Dylan, now 25, was born the following year in December 1997.

The couple ended up having a tumultuous marriage, that included Tommy Lee being sentenced to six months in the Los Angeles County Jail for spousal abuse, according to the Los Angeles Times.

Ultimately, Anderson and Lee divorced in 1998, which was then followed by a long custody dispute over their sons that was resolved when they received joint custody in October 2002.

This round of New York Fashion Week goes through Wednesday, September 13.
Travis Barker joined Blink-182 as they resumed the European leg of their tour in Antwerp, Belgium on Friday.

Last week, the drummer, 47, had rushed back to Los Angeles to be with his pregnant wife, Kourtney Kardashian, 44, as she had undergone emergency surgery.

The musician and his rock band postponed three concerts in Glasgow, Belfast, and Dublin due to 'an urgent family matter'.

It was revealed that the reality TV personality had experienced a pregnancy complication and undergone 'urgent fetal surgery' to save their unborn baby causing him to abruptly put a halt to his band's tour to return home.

After the operation went successfully, he took to Instagram to share several posts of himself back in Europe ahead of taking the stage with the rest of his band to perform their greatest hits.

Back on tour: Travis Barker joined Blink-182 as they resumed the European leg of their tour in Antwerp, Belgium on Friday. Last week, the drummer, 47, had rushed back to Los Angeles to be with his pregnant wife, Kourtney Kardashian, 44, as she had undergone emergency surgery

Before his show in Antwerp, he posted a video of himself walking outside the concert venue to give his drumsticks to a fan.

The ecstatic fan was seen holding up a sign that read: 'Can I have a drumstick?'

After seeing the sign himself, Travis surprised the fan  who ended up crying tears of joy after the thoughtful gesture.

At the end of the video, Travis gave him a hug before heading back inside to get ready for the show.

He captioned the moving clip: '1st day of tour'. Travis had also shared various snaps as he went sightseeing around Antwerp before their show.

Travis took along his 8.3 million followers on Instagram for a tour of various incredible churches.

He also shared a picture of a bowl of pasta he enjoyed at Italian restaurant Spritz ahead of the concert.

Before heading to the concert venue, he also posted a mirror selfie showing off his edgy cool outfit of the day.

Returned to Europe: After the operation went successfully, he took to Instagram to share several posts of himself back in Europe ahead of taking the stage with the rest of his band to perform their greatest hits

Surprising his fan: Before his show in Antwerp, he posted a video of himself walking outside the concert venue to give his drumsticks to a fan. At the end of the video, Travis gave him a hug before heading back inside to get ready for the show

Lucky fan: The ecstatic fan was seen holding up a sign that read: 'Can I have a drumstick?' After Travis surprised him, he was spotted crying tears of joy

Outfit of the day: Before heading to the concert venue, he also posted a mirror selfie showing off his edgy cool outfit of the day. In the photo posted to his Instagram Story, he donned a graphic T-shirt over a black sweatshirt and dark, distressed jeans

In the photo posted to his Instagram Story, he donned a graphic T-shirt over a black sweatshirt and dark, distressed jeans.

A few days earlier on Wednesday, he shared a post on X (formerly known as Twitter) and confirmed that Blink-182 would be resuming the European leg of their tour.

He wrote: 'God is great. I flew home for a life-threatening emergency surgery for our baby that I'm so grateful went well.'

'I want to say thank you for all the support,' he continued. 'Tour resumes Friday.'

On the same day, Kourtney praised doctors for 'saving her baby's life' after being rushed to the hospital during the final trimester of pregnancy.

Kourtney  who is said to be 'feeling better'  took to Instagram to share a black and white snap of she and her musician husband holding hands on a hospital bed.

She captioned the image to her 224 million followers: 'I will be forever grateful to my incredible doctors for saving our baby's life.

'I am eternally grateful to my husband who rushed to my side from tour to be with me in the hospital and take care of me afterwards, my rock. And to my mom, thank you for holding my hand through this.'

'Praise be to God': Kourtney praised doctors for 'saving her baby's life' after being rushed to the hospital during the final trimester of pregnancy

'I am eternally grateful to my husband': The reality star took to Instagram on Wednesday to share a black and white snap of herself holding hands with her husband as she laid on a hospital bed

Kourtney also revealed that despite previously experiencing pregnancy complications, she still wasn't ready for what had happened.

The mother-of-three continued: 'As someone who has had three really easy pregnancies in the past, I wasn't prepared for the fear of rushing into urgent fetal surgery.

'I don't think anyone who hasnt been through a similar situation can begin to understand that feeling of fear. I have a whole new understanding and respect for the mamas who have had to fight for their babies while pregnant.

This came after news that Kourtney is doing 'better' and has now returned home following a short hospital visit.

An insider told People the reality star is 'back home now with her kids' after she was pictured departing a Los Angeles-area hospital with her husband.

'She is feeling better. She is happy to have Travis back home too,' the source added.

The following day, Kourtney, who went public with her pregnancy in June, was seen leaving the hospital with Travis and clambering into an SUV.

'Praise be to God. Walking out of the hospital with my baby boy in my tummy and safe was the truest blessing.'

'Feeling better': It was reported recently that Kourtney is doing 'better' and now home following a brief hospital visit; pictured departing the LA-area hospital with her husband on Saturday

What is fetal surgery? Fetal surgery is a procedure performed on an unborn baby (fetus) in the uterus (in utero) to help improve the long-term outcome of children with specific birth defects. Because these defects often worsen as a fetus develops, fetal surgery done by a team of experts focuses on treating and improving the conditions before birth. Comprehensive health centers that have fetal surgery expertise and experience can treat many birth defects in utero, including: Amniotic band syndrome Bronchopulmonary sequestration of the lung Congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation (CCAM) of the lung Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) Congenital high airway obstruction syndrome (CHAOS) Fetal anemia Lower urinary tract obstruction (LUTO) Mediastinal teratoma Neck mass Sacrococcygeal teratoma (SCT) Spina bifida (myelomeningocele) Twin anemia-polycythemia sequence (TAPS) Twin reversed arterial perfusion (TRAP) sequence Twin-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) Why is it done? Before a baby is born, early intervention using fetal surgery can treat life-threatening birth defects and improve outcomes in some cases. For example, if a baby has been diagnosed before birth with spina bifida, surgeons might perform open fetal surgery or a less invasive procedure using a fetoscope. (SOURCE: Mayo Clinic) Advertisement

Neither Travis nor Kourtney has disclosed why they were at the hospital, but based on the appearance of her bump as she left, she did not appear to have given birth.

Kourtney was seen walking unassisted as she and her husband surfaced on Friday, piling into a gleaming black Range Rover and heading off.

The reality star, who has not publicly divulged her due date, was decked out in a silver maternity top and matching trousers.

On Friday, Blink-182 announced via Insta Stories that they would have to delay their upcoming concerts on account of Travis' family emergency.

'Due to an urgent family matter, Travis has had to return home to the States,' the band revealed on social media. 'The Glasgow, Belfast, and Dublin shows are being postponed. More information in regards to his return to Europe and rescheduled dates will be provided as soon as available.'

The Blink-182 tour in Europe was meant to commence Friday night in Glasgow, which is where Travis was when the announcement was made.

Travis then fired up his own social media and cryptically posted pictures of the prayer room at the Glasgow Airport.

Just last week, he and his pregnant wife had been spotted soaking up the sunshine together during a romantic stroll on the beach.

Oh baby! Kourtney and her husband Travis Barker are expecting their first child together; they are pictured in September 2022

Bumping along just nicely! She has been displaying her bump on social media

As Travis raced home to Kourtney, his ex-wife Shanna Moakler confirmed that the children she herself shares with him are 'safe and sound.'

Shanna and Travis welcomed Landon, 19, and Alabama, 17, together, and Travis was also crucial in helping raise Shanna's daughter Atiana De La Hoya, 24, whom she had with the former professional boxer Oscar De La Hoya.

Meanwhile Kourtney shares three children - Mason, 13, Penelope, 11, and Reign, eight - with her ex-fiance Scott Disick, whom she dated on and off for nearly a decade.

Kourtney ecstatically revealed to the world in June that she is expecting a baby by Travis, whom she tied the knot with last year.

She dropped the bombshell during a Blink-182 concert, standing in the audience and holding up a sign that read: 'TRAVIS I'M PREGNANT' - a mischievous nod to a similar scene in the music video for the band's song All The Small Things.

Her breathtaking news came over a year after Kourtney pulled the brakes on her IVF journey, which had subjected her to a raft of health issues including depression.

Oh baby! Kourtney ecstatically revealed to the world in June that she is expecting a baby by Travis, whom she tied the knot with last year

Growing family: Kourtney also shares three children - Mason, 13, Penelope, 11, and Reign, eight - with her ex-fiance Scott Disick

On a 2022 episode of her reality show The Kardashians, Kourtney spoke candidly about the 'awful' experience she was having with IVF.

She claimed in a confessional that the 'medication that they have been giving me, they put me into menopause, literally into menopause.'

Kourtney theorized: 'I think because I'm so clean and careful about what I put into my body, it's just like having the complete opposite reaction and working as a contraceptive instead of helping us.'

She explained: 'I have everything in the world to be happy about. I just feel a little bit off and not like myself. Super moody and hormonal, like I am a lunatic half the time.'

In December of that year, a few months after her wedding, she told the Wall Street Journal that she had stopped her IVF treatments 10 months earlier.

Kourtney, who tied the knot with Travis that May, shared that she 'took a break to just focus on our wedding and getting married.'

On a subsequently aired episode of The Kardashians, she said: 'We would love a baby more than anything but I just really believe in what God has in store for us.'

She also spilled that she had 'seven frozen eggs from years ago before Travis' - a step she had taken when she was nearing the age of 40.

'When I was 38 or 39 everyone was like pushing me to do that and most of mine didn't survive the thaw because eggs are one cell and none of them made it to an embryo,' the eldest Kardashian sister said.

'All the thing that came with IVF took a toll on me physically. My health is still impacted because it's hormones. And also mentally it took a toll,' she said.

'So, I think just being happy is most important and being a good parent to my kids. We are just embracing that whatever is meant to be will be.'
Kelly Gale looked every inch the daring model as she stepped out in an unusual knit look for the 2023 Fashion Media Awards in New York City on Friday.

The Victoria's Secret model, 28, showed off her stunning figure in a handmade $857 patchwork wool dress from Hope Macaulay.

She paired the mini-dress with matching orange wool leg-warmers that stretched right up to her knees.

Showing off her long model-esque legs, Kelly strutted the carpet in a pair of silver stiletto's at The Daily Front Row awards at The Rainbow Room.

Keeping accessories to a minimum, the Swedish-Australian model carried a green merino wool bag and wore a gold-and-white necklace.

Kelly Gale (pictured) looked every inch the daring model as she stepped out in an unusual knit look for the 2023 Fashion Media Awards in New York City on Friday

Making the dress the centrepiece of her fashionable look, Kelly placed her long dark locks back behind her head with a see-through hair band.

She also kept her makeup basic, with dewy foundation, a nude pink lip and minimal eye makeup.

The Playboy model luckily made it to New York Fashion Week after she attended the Burning Man festival in the Nevada desert last weekend.

The Victoria's Secret model, 28, showed off her stunning figure in a handmade $857 patchwork wool dress from Hope Macaulay

She paired the mini-dress with matching orange wool leg-warmers that stretched right up to her knees

Despite the challenging weather conditions and many festivalgoers getting stuck in the desert, she managed to escape last Sunday along with her fiance Joel Kinnaman, 43.

Kelly posted a gallery of photos to her Instagram Stories showing them wading their way through the desert mud back to civilisation.

'Mud Man 2023. Getting to safety,' she wrote next to the photos, while adding in another post: 'Every year in this place is interesting'.

Despite the difficult terrain, Kelly appeared to cheer up as the day went on and later posted a snap of herself beaming alongside the caption: 'Still smiling'.

It came after 73,000 revelers attending the Burning Man festival in the Nevada desert were told to shelter in place and conserve food and water last Saturday after a massive rainstorm turned the site into a mud pit.

The Playboy model luckily made it to New York Fashion Week after she attended Burning Man Festival in the Nevada desert last weekend

The final weekend of the event ground to a halt three days before it was due to finish as freezing, mud-caked conditions took over.

A driving ban was put in place for festivalgoers and wasn't lifted until four days after the festival was initially called off.

After being stranded for four days, last Tuesday tens of thousands of revellers began to flee after they were given the green light by organisers.

Attendee's were told they should not leave before the driving ban was lifted, as they would get stuck in the muddy conditions.
One of the stars of the long-running reality series Pawn Stars is facing a DUI charge after being arrested in his hometown of Las Vegas.

TMZ is reporting that Corey Harrison, 40, was pulled over by police early Friday morning, not long after he had returned to Nevada after a visit to Minnesota.

Officers maintain he was swerving while driving during a check on some of the short-term rental properties he manages in Las Vegas.

While conversing with Harrison, one of the arresting officers said the reality star admitted to having one drink on his flight home some seven hours ago.

Eventually, after stepping out of his vehicle to take a field sobriety test, Harrison asked to take a breathalyzer but claimed he was denied because the device was broken.

Busted! Pawn Stars main cast member Corey Harrison, 40, was arrested early Friday morning and charged with DUI in Las Vegas; the reality star is pictured in October 2018

After being informed that he had failed the field sobriety test, officers brought Harrison to a police station, where he was again told another breathalyzer was not working.

From there, he was asked to take a blood test, with the stipulation that if he didn't submit to it he would likely spend the entire weekend behind bars.

He ended up deciding to take the blood test and was ultimately released from custody about eight hours later.

Harrison told TMZ that police did not have his driving privileges suspended, and that he was able to leave the station with his driver's license.

In fact, he went on to reveal that officers actually offered him a ride home from the police station.

Pawn Stars chronicles the daily activities at the World Famous Gold & Silver Pawn Shop, a 24-hour a day family business that opened in 1989.

Corey Harrison began working at the pawn shop at the age of nine, and eventually became part of the main cast for the series when it premiered on the History Channel in 2009, along with late family patriarch Richard 'Old Man' Harrison, his son Rick Harrison, and Corey's childhood friend Austin 'Chumlee' Russell.

In the series, Chumlee (born Austin Lee Russell), 40, is depicted as the comic foil, often made the butt of the others' jokes for his perceived lack of intelligence and his incompetence.

Bonafide hit: Pawn Stars was a hit soon after it premiered on the History Channel in 2009, Corey Harrison starred in the reality series with late family patriarch Richard 'Old Man' Harrison, his son Rick Harrison, and Corey's childhood friend Austin 'Chumlee' Russell

Test rejected: Corey Harrison maintains he was denied a breathalyzer test twice due to the devices being broken, according to TMZ

Family business: Corey Harrison has worked at the Gold & Silver Pawn Shop in Las Vegas since he was nine-years-old; he is pictured in a recent Instagram photo

To date, Pawn Stars has aired 22 seasons, and has gone on to become History Channel's highest rated show.

So far there's no official word on when season 23 will makes its debut on History.

Pawn Stars has become a global phenomenon, broadcast in 150 countries and dubbed in 38 languages

Corey Harrison attributed the long and competitive work schedules of his job at Gold & Silver Pawn Shop and the reality show as the reason for his divorce from his second wife, Korina 'Kiki' Harrison, in 2018.

The former couple, who were said to have split amicably, are co-parenting their four-year-old son Richard.
Fran Drescher, best known for starring on the sitcom The Nanny, was reelected as president of SAG-AFTRA amid Hollywood's first dual union strike in 63 years.

On Friday, the election results revealed she received 81 of the votes cast. Whereas, her challenger, Maya Gilbert-Dunbar, received 19 percent.

SAG-AFTRA Secretary-Treasurer Joely Fisher also defeated challenger, Peter Antico, by earning 70 percent.

Following Drescher's win, she said she was 'honored to serve my union as president for another term.'

'These are dynamic times, and as one member body, we will weather the storms, stand on our principles and make sure our major contributions to this collaborative art form shall never again be diminished but rather be exalted,' the actress said in a statement.

Big win! Fran Drescher, best known for starring on the sitcom The Nanny, was reelected as president of SAG-AFTRA amid Hollywood's first dual union strike in 63 years; seen in 2022

The 65-year-old Queens native has served as president of SAG-AFTRA since 2021.

She has been leading the industry's first mass walkout since the 1980's - which also involves performers demanding protection against their jobs being threatened by artificial intelligence.

Drescher's own career has spanned decades of cinema, television and Broadway, but she is most famous for starring in 90's sitcom The Nanny, which she created with her husband at the time Peter Marc Jacobson - who is now openly gay.

She reportedly earned $1.5 million per episode during the final season of the show, making her one of the highest-paid actresses in TV at the time, while her net worth is estimated to be between $25 million and $30 million.

Off the screen, the star is known for her firebrand anti-capitalist views, and overcoming horrific experiences in earlier life - from being raped at gunpoint to battling womb cancer.

Drescher's acting career also got off to a rocky start in her college days, when she came close to pursuing a very different path.

As a first-year student Drescher dropped out of Queens College, City University of New York, because all the acting classes were filled and she instead pursued a course in cosmetology, according to a 1996 interview with Redbook.

But she managed to secure her first role as a dancer in the 1977 movie Saturday Night Fever, in which she asked John Travolta's character: 'Are you as good in bed as you are on the dance floor?'

Voted by her peers: On Friday, the election results revealed she received 81 of the votes cast. Whereas, her challenger, Maya Gilbert-Dunbar, received 19 percent (Olivia Wilde pictured striking outside of Universal Studios earlier this month)

The following year, she was cast in several more films, including American Hot Wax and Summer of Fear.

During the 1980s, Drescher scored roles in films like Gorp, The Hollywood Knights, Doctor Detroit, The Big Picture, UHF, and Cadillac Man.

Her most memorable role from the decade was playing publicist Bobbi Flekman in the 1984 mockumentary This Is Spinal Tap - a character which also made a cameo in the fifth season of Drescher's The Nanny.

Drescher created the sitcom in 1993 along with Jacobson, her high school sweetheart who she was married to for 21 years. It aired on CBS until 1999.

Reprising the role of Fran Fine, who becomes the nanny of four children before she charms their widower father, Drescher shot to a new level of fame.

She reportedly earned $1.5 million per episode during the final season of the show, making her one of the highest-paid actresses in TV at the time.

The 1990's saw her star in several more films including Francis Ford Coppola's 1996 movie Jack, and The Beautician and the Beast the following year - which she also produced.

In 2000 she starred alongside Woody Allen in Picking UP the Piece, before voicing the character of Pearl in 2006 animation Shark Bait.

Drescher returned to television with her own daytime chat show, The Fran Drescher Tawk Show, in 2010, though it was shelved after a trial period.

Role of a lifetime: Drescher's own career has spanned decades of cinema, television and Broadway, but she is most famous for starring in 90's sitcom The Nanny. Pictured: Drescher as her character Fran Fine in the Nanny, which she reportedly earned $1.5 million per episode for in the final season

Drescher created and produced The Nanny in 1993 until 1999 along with Peter Marc Jacobson, her high school sweetheart who she was married to for 21 years, until he came out as gay. The couple (pictured in their youth) say they still love each other and will not remarry

The following year, she created sitcom Happily Divorced with Jacobson, who had by then come out as gay and the pair had split.

As part of the show's promotion, Drescher performed the weddings of three gay couples in New York City using a minister's license she received from the Universal Life Church.

She chose the couples through a competition she launched on Facebook called 'Fran Drescher's 'Love is Love' Gay Marriage Contest, based on the stories they submitted about their relationship origin story and how it has developed.

Drescher branched out to Broadway in 2014, playing stepmother Madame for a 10-week period in the revival of Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella.

Most recently, she reprised a recurring role in Adam Sandler's Hotel Transylvania film series, in which she voices Eunice.

Beyond the stage, Drescher - who has Jewish parents and grandparents who immigrated to the US from Romania and Poland - has endured several traumatic experiences, from being raped at gunpoint to battling womb cancer.

Her private life also made headlines when she and Jacobson divorced in 1999 after 21 years of marriage, with her ex coming out as gay.

Semi-autobiographical: Drescher got her big break producing and playing the nasal-voiced bridal shop salesgirl-turned-careworker Fran Fine for six seasons on CBS spanning 1993-1999

Decades in the spotlight: Her private life also made headlines when she and Jacobson divorced in 1999 after 21 years of marriage, with her ex coming out as gay; seen in 2022

Drescher said she did not know Jacobson, who she met when they were both just 15 years old, was gay, in large part because they had a very active sex life - which she spoke about in 2015.

In an exclusive interview with DailyMail.com last year, Drescher revealed she would never marry again, and she plans to grow old with Jacobson because 'we still love each other'. She is also a vocal supporter of LGBT rights.

The couple experienced a horrific ordeal in their late 20's, when two robbers broke into their Los Angeles home, stole their possessions and raped Drescher and a female friend at gunpoint.

Jacobson was also attacked, tied up, and forced to witness the entire ordeal.

It took Drescher several years to recover from the trauma of the incident, and even longer to tell her story to the press.

In 2020, she revealed how her photographic memory had helped police identify her rapist - who was out on parole at the time - and send him to jail for life.

Drescher informally re-married in 2014, with Indian-American engineer Shiva Ayyadurai at her beach house.

Both said they were married and the event was widely reported as such, but Ayyadurai later said it was 'not a formal wedding' but a celebration of their 'friendship in a spiritual ceremony with close friends and family'.

The couple split two years later.

Drescher has also battled uterine cancer in the early 2000's, which she wrote about in her book, Cancer Schmancer, which was intended to raise consciousness about the early signs of the disease.

Survivor: Drescher battled uterine cancer in the early 2000's, which she wrote about in her book, Cancer Schmancer, which was intended to raise consciousness about the early signs of the disease; seen in June 2022

She was admitted to Los Angeles' Cedars Sinai Hospital in June 2000 to undergo an immediate radical hysterectomy which cleared her of the disease.

On the seventh anniversary of her operation, Drescher announced the launch of the Cancer Schmancer Movement, a charity which aims to ensure women's cancers are diagnosed in the early stages.

As an outspoken advocate for healthcare, Drescher helped get Johanna's Law for improved education about cancer passed unanimously through Congress, and she was appointed a diplomat for Women's Health Issues by the Bush administration.

She traveled the world in the role, working with organizations in Romania, Hungary, Serbia and Poland.

Her political exploits also go beyond the field of health, and in 2008 she supported Hillary Clinton's bid for the Democratic Party presidential nomination, including by attending a Super Democrat rally for her.

She also supported Barack Obama for re-election in 2012, and Joe Biden in 2020.

Drescher describes herself as explicitly anti-capitalist, and she has long expressed concerns about capitalist greed.

Amid the COVID-10 pandemic in 2020, she supported calls for a general strike against the wealthy ordering employees to return to work.

The two-time Golden Globe nominee proudly considers herself an 'anti-capitalist' who's a registered Democrat but identifies with the Green Party.

'I really think we need a new hybrid of systems. I'm not anti-making-money, don't get me wrong. I don't think making money is a bad thing, per se,' Fran explained to Vulture back in 2017.
Sam Mac pulled out all the stops for his daughter Margot's first birthday party on Saturday.

The Sunrise weatherman, 41, who shares his only child with partner Rebecca James, donned a caterpillar costume to celebrate the milestone.

He appeared to be enjoying himself as he slipped into the vibrant costume to entertain Margot's infant friends as well as guests Tim Robards and Anna Heinrich.

At one point, he was seen carrying a green tub full of ice and drinks as he paired his look with a sensible pair of Nike sneakers and dark sunglasses.

Meanwhile, Tim and wife Anna, who found love on the very first season of The Bachelor Australia, made an appearance with their two-year-old daughter Elle.

Sam Mac, 41, (pictured) pulled out all the stops for his daughter Margot's first birthday party on Saturday

The Sunrise weatherman who shares his only child with partner Rebecca, donned a caterpillar costume to celebrate the milestone

Anna, 36, looked stylishly chic in a basic white T-shirt and black sweats as she carted around a huge Louis Vuitton handbag worth an eye-watering $3,050.

The blond beauty let her golden locks fall free around her shoulders and kept a close eye on her only child.

She elevated her casual look with a set of timeless gold earrings before pushing her hair back from her face with a set of dark shades.

Elsewhere, husband Tim, 40, looked as handsome as ever in his tailored khaki slacks and fitted white T-shirt.

He appeared to be enjoying himself as he slipped into the vibrant costume to entertain Margot's infant friends as well as guests Tim Robards and Anna Heinrich

Meanwhile, Tim, 40, (left) and wife Anna, 36, (right) who found love on the very first season of The Bachelor Australia, made an appearance with their two-year-old daughter Elle

Tim looked as handsome as ever in his tailored khaki slacks and fitted white T-shirt

Sporting a smart watch on his wrist, the reality television star kept his own shades tucked into the front of his shirt as he slipped into a brown jacket later in the day.

Sam and his partner Rebecca welcomed their first child together in September.

The pair announced the birth of their baby girl on Instagram and revealed they had named her Margot Grace McMillan.

'This is a love I never even knew existed. I'm overwhelmed and still processing it all right now. My girls. Wow,' he began.

Sam announced he was going to be a first-time father on Instagram last April.

The pair, who have been dating since 2020 when their friendship blossomed into romance, purchased a home in Sydney's inner west together in October.
She instantly became a pop culture icon after bursting into the public eye as loudmouthed Page 3 girl, Jordan.

Having tried her hand at modelling, singing, presenting, campaigning and reality TV, the glamour model quickly became a household name in Britain.

Yet while Katie Price's moniker will ring a bell for both young and old, you would be forgiven for not recognising the star on sight alone, with Katie famously undergoing numerous cosmetic procedures over the years.

After two decades in the spotlight, Katie is almost unrecognisable from the naturally pretty teenager who burst on to the modelling scene at the age of 16, with her natural curls and fresh-faced beauty winning her an army of fans.

Katie, now 45, has undergone an array of procedures over the years, including rhinoplasty, a silhouette facelift, 3D, veneers, lip fillers and Botox, culminating in her first facelift in 2017.

Now, after two decades under the surgeon's scalpel, MailOnline takes a look at the many faces of Katie Price.

The many faces of Katie Price: MailOnline takes a look at the star's changing look after two decades of boob jobs, Botox and face lifts

1995 - Barefaced beauty

At the age of 17, Katie Price was a fresh-faced natural beauty looking to make it into the world of glamour modelling.

At a friend's suggestion, the teenager had professional photographs taken and was quickly snapped up by a modelling agency who landed her a Page 3 slot in The Sun newspaper the following year, sparking the creation of her glamour model alter ego, Jordan.

Speaking last year, Katie revealed she was glad that she wasn't exposed to social media at the time as she had 'no idea what Botox was or fillers', otherwise she may have started her tweaks and enhancements at an even earlier age.

1995: At the age of 17, Katie Price was a fresh-faced natural beauty looking to make it into the world of glamour modelling

1998 - First boob job

Having just turned 20, the rising glamour model experienced her first taste of cosmetic surgery, boosting her 32B cup breasts to a 32C.

The procedure cost 4,500 and it's thought her mum Amy and stepdad Paul helped pay for her to have the procedure.

Katie has since spoken out about her decision to go under the knife, admitting she was 'too young' and that she feels sorry for young girls growing up these days in a world of social media and filters.

1998: Having just turned 20, Katie experienced her first taste of cosmetic surgery, boosting her 32B cup breasts to a 32C

1999 - Second and third boob job

Despite having only just increased her breast size, Katie opted to have two more procedures the following year at the age of 21.

Katie boosted her bust from a C cup to a D cup and just a few months later went up again to a F cup.

Katie has previously claimed that she has only paid for two of her boob jobs over the course of her career - it is not known if these were the ones.

1999: Despite having only just increased her breast size, Katie opted to have two more procedures at the age of 21

2001 - Lip fillers

At the age of 21, Katie had her first cosmetic procedure on her face, opting for lip fillers.

While the glamour model did not confirm the rumours at the time, she was seen sporting a noticeably fuller pout while out enjoying the party scene.

Her overall look had also started drastically transforming, with the model sporting dramatic false lashes, bright lipstick and pale hair extensions.

2001: At the age of 21, Katie had her first cosmetic procedure on her face, opting for lip fillers

2004 - Botox

Aged 26, Katie began to experiment with Botox injections that relax the muscles in your face to smooth out lines and wrinkles.

She made no secret of her love of the procedure, announcing at the time: 'I get my forehead and around my eyes Botoxed every six months and I love it. You can't beat it. It just freezes all the wrinkles and that's what you want.'

At the time, Katie insisted she would never take things further and have a facelift, explaining: 'I'd never have a full facelift. I've seen what they can do to people and I don't want to go through that.'

2004: Aged 26, Katie began to experiment with Botox injections that relax the muscles in your face to smooth out lines

2006 - Fourth boob job

Katie went under the knife yet again to take her F cup breasts up to a G cup.

The glamour model also played around with her overall look and embraced her dark side with a new brunette hairstyle.

She also continued to dabble with fillers and Botox.

2006: Katie went under the knife yet again to take her F cup breasts up to a G cup

2007 - First nose job and veneers

At the age of 29, Katie took her love of surgery to the next level, undergoing rhinoplasty, a chemical peel and treating herself to a 25,000 set of new veneers.

'Oh my God, it burned like hell!' she said at the time. 'The next day I had this hideous red rash on my chin but two days later there wasn't a single spot left.'

Speaking about her nose job at the time, she admitted to liking her original nose, explaining: 'I liked my nose before and now. If I had a cupboard with both noses, I would alternate between them!'

2007:Katie took her love of surgery to the next level, undergoing rhinoplasty, a chemical peel and a 25,000 set of veneers

2008 - Fifth boob job

Despite gradually increasingly her bust size over the year, Katie fancied a change on her 30th and brought her bra size back down from an F cup to a C cup.

The procedure meant that Katie had returned to the size of her first boob job 10 years prior.

Katie's changing shape also coincided with the launch of her first clothing line - an equestrian range.

2008: Despite gradually increasingly her bust size, Katie fancied a change and brought her bra size back down to a C cup

2011 - Sixth boob job

Katie's smaller chest didn't last long, and at age 33 she went back under the knife again to boost her bust to an F cup.

Katie also underwent body-contouring treatment and cheek and lip fillers.

The Loose Women panelist admitted that she loved having her cheeks filled to give her a 'plumper, more youthful look'.

2011: Katie's smaller chest didn't last long, and at age 33 she went back under the knife again to boost her bust to an F cup

2015 - Seventh and eighth boob job

Just before appearing on Celebrity Big Brother, the reality star had a botched boob reduction that left her with a hole in her breast and an implant protruding from her flesh.

Katie told her shocked housemates: 'Ive got no tits anymore. Theyve gone. Theres not even anything there. If you saw what Im like underneath. The scars gone septic. My whole implant was hanging out on New Years Day.'

Shortly after leaving the Big Brother house she underwent corrective surgery and had her implants swapped for a D-cup.

2015: Just before Celebrity Big Brother, the star had a botched boob reduction that left her with a hole in her breast

2016 - Ninth boob job and tattooed makeup

Despite her surgery horror the year before, Katie was undeterred and flew to a Brussels clinic to go under the knife yet again, this time settling on a 32GG bust.

The reality star also had her eyebrows and lips tattooed, also known as 'permanent make-up', explaining that she prefers to go make-up free on a day-to-day basis.

Additionally the star has regular facial treatments, last year sharing a bloodied selfie after having a dermal roller micro-needling treatment, which sees a dermaroller with many tiny needles rolled across into the skin - designed to stimulate cells into regeneration.

2016: Despite her surgery horror the year before, Katie flew to a Brussels clinic to get another boob job, this time a 32GG cup

2017 - First face lift, new veneers and 10th boob job

Despite insisting she would never have a face lift and could rely on Botox, Katie went back on her word undergoing a 'Silhouette' face lift.

The procedure is designed to lift a sagging cheeks and blurred jawline, using 'sutures' implanted under the skin to sculpt features.

However, Katie was soon spotted with puffy features, revealing that she suffered an allergic reaction to anesthetic penicillin after having further work on her veneers. She also had her breast implants reduced from 1000ml implants to 795ml.

2017: Despite insisting she would never have a face lift and could rely on Botox, Katie went back on her word

2018 - Second face lift

Katie claimed her first face lift had been a botched job and went back under the knife the following year aged 40 to correct it.

She said at the time 'I need to get my face re-corrected after surgeon has totally f**ked my face up', admitting it had

He agent added: 'She had the thread and it really quite distorted her look. She got a lot of backlash, a lot of negative press, a lot of trolling, everyone saying shed taken it too far, when actually it was a job that had not gone to plan.'

2018: Katie claimed her first face lift had been a botched job and went back under the knife the following year aged 40

2019 - Third face lift, boob job first Brazilian bum lift and 11th boob job

Katie jetted to Turkey to overhaul her entire look with a full body transformation.

The reality star opted for a face, eye and eyelid lift, Brazilian bum lift along with a tummy tuck.

Just three months later she returned to the clinic and opted for another boob job, going back down to a D cup.

2019: Katie jetted to Turkey to overhaul her look with a face, eye and eyelid lift, Brazilian bum lift along with a tummy tuck

2020 - 12th boob job and another set of veneers

Katie returned to Turkey to have another set of veneers and revealed her real teeth had been reduced to stubs as she flashed a smile on her YouTube channel.

The mother-of-five then jetted to Belgium to correct botched surgery on her breasts, saying her surgeon was utterly shocked by the 'awful' previous procedure.

Katie said: 'They looked deformed, they were absolutely awful. That's the first time I've gone to a different surgeon. I had to go back to Frank with my head down, ashamed that I'd been to another clinic.'

2020: Katie returned to Turkey to have another set of veneers then jetted to Belgium to correct a botched boob job

2021 - Liposuction, eye and lid lifts and 13th boob job

Amid the Covid pandemic, Katie jetted off to then red-list Turkey for a complete cosmetic surgery overhaul, undergoing full body liposuction, eye and lip lifts, liposuction under her chin, and fat injected into her bum.

The reality star also visited Belgium to have her 13th boob job as well as full body liposuction with bum fat removal.

The plastic surgery - performed by Dr Frank Plovier - came just five days ahead of the glamour model's sentencing for her shocking drink-drive crash.

2021: Katie jetted to Turkey for a complete cosmetic surgery overhaul, undergoing full body liposuction, eye and lip lifts

2022 - Another brow and eye lift

Katie secretly jetted back to Belgium at the beginning of 2022 for an eye and brow lift and had been concealing her new look with her head in a bandage.

Dr Judy Todd, an aesthetic doctor at Clinica Medica in Glasgow, said: 'It appears like she's had a face lift, temporal brow lift, and possibly an upper blepharoplasty.'

It was reported last month that Katie plans to travel to Turkey imminently for yet more plastic surgery, amid claims she wanted to get some tweaks in after being unhappy with her latest work.

Sian Dellar, Brow Specialist and Founder of Sian Dellar Permanent Makeup Clinic, added: 'Katie's eyebrows, like the rest of her, have changed lots over the years!

'Back in the 90s she had a very thin over plucked brow which was the fashion at the time, and today she has an extremely thick and unnatural looking brow.

'Currently it seems the face or eye lift that shes had have pulled her brows outward which looks unnatural and makes the brows appear almost stretched.

'Of course, as with any enhancement, its personal preference but we recommend not going too many shades darker, and keeping the shape as natural looking as possible and work to create or enhance brows to frame the face.

'Katies choice to have them so thick and dark and in that unusual positioning means they dominate her face and are the first thing the eye is drawn to. I would love to see Katie take her brows back to 2015/2016 when the fuller brow became a big trend. She got it right then and they framed her face well.'

2022: Katie secretly jetted back to Belgium for an eye and brow lift and is planning to to travel to Turkey for more surgery

2023 - 16th and 'biggest ever' boob job

It's not clear if Katie lost track of the number of breast augmentations or opted to keep some of her surgery private but by 2023 it emerged she'd undergone her 16th boob job, two years after claiming to be on her 13th.

The star went under the knife in a bid to have the 'biggest in Britain' and was subsequently pictured being wheeled into surgery at the Be Clinic in Belgium.

She is said to have wanted even bigger breasts, opting for 2120 CC implants in a bid to boost her already large bust size.

Katie told OK! magazine of her boobs: 'I love them. They healed really quickly and they didn't hurt at all. That probably doesn't help. Because I heal quickly, it doesn't put me off and I have more.

'I would go bigger as well  and I will eventually. I just love having big boobs and a small body. I've always loved that look. In my eyes, if I'm having a boob job, I want them to look fake, I don't want them to look natural. I don't like the natural look.

'I just like that old-school American Playboy pin-up look. When I have surgery, that is what I'm striving for. If I could look like my airbrushed pictures, that would be amazing. But that's impossible to achieve.'
Matthew Perry 's former fiancee Molly Hurwitz took to Instagram on Monday with a poignant memorial for the late Friends star following his death at 54 Saturday. 'He would love that the world is talking about how talented he was,' Hurwitz, 32, said in the caption of then post. 'And he really was very talented.'
Poppy Delevingne looked as incredible as ever as she joined her younger sister Cara at the Ralph Lauren SS24 runway show in New York on Friday.

The model, 37, showed off her glamorous sense of style as she posed up a storm at the Brooklyn Navy Yard amid New York Fashion Week.

Poppy put on a very leggy display in a black blazer mini dress, which she styled with black heeled sandals.

She toted her essentials in a small black handbag and swept her golden locks away from her stunning features with a black bow.

The socialite was joined at the event by her model sister Cara, 31, who put on a very trendy display in an all-black ensemble.

Glam: Poppy Delevingne looked as incredible as ever as she joined her younger sister Cara at the Ralph Lauren SS24 runway show in New York on Friday

Sisters! The socialite was joined at the event by her model sister Cara, 31, who put on a very trendy display in an all-black ensemble

Leggy look: Model Poppy, 37, showed off her glamorous sense of style as she posed up a storm at the Brooklyn Navy Yard amid New York Fashion Week

The Suicide Squad star put on an edgy display in a sheer shirt and black trousers, which she styled with knee-high black heeled boots.

She tucked her golden locks beneath a wide-brimmed cowboy hat and slung a faux leather tasseled jacket across one shoulder, keeping with the event's Western theme.

The sisters joined a star-studded guest list at the runway show, including the likes of Jennifer Lopez, Gabrielle Union and Julianne Moore.

The show had a rustic, Western theme - from the set to the clothing pieces - and guests also enjoyed an 'intimate' dinner afterwards, which was also inspired by the designer's own ranch in Colorado, per a press release.

The show comes after Cara recently got caught up in the chaos at Burning Man Festival in the Nevada desert after flooding left tens of thousands stranded.

She was pictured leaving the festival with her pal Tessa Thompson after the storms dried up enough for party-goers to begin their exodus from the desert.

Cara and actress Tessa, 39, reportedly hiked for five miles to a paved road with their pals to their flashy vehicle, according to a post shared to social media.

In the snaps, Cara cut an edgy figure in what appeared to be waterproof trousers and a black fleece, which she styled with sturdy black trainers.

Gorgeous: She put on a very leggy display in a black blazer mini dress, which she styled with black heeled sandals

Chic: She toted her essentials in a small black handbag and swept her golden locks away from her stunning features with a black bow

Trendy: The Suicide Squad star put on an edgy display in a sheer shirt and black trousers, which she styled with knee-high black heeled boots

Larking about: She tucked her golden locks beneath a wide-brimmed cowboy hat and slung a faux leather tasseled jacket across one shoulder, keeping with the event's Western theme

Good look: Cara was seen looking as stylish as ever as she rocked her Western ensemble while leaving Electric Lady Studios following the event's afterparty

She walked with her belongings across her front in a backpack and appeared to be in good spirits despite the chaos as she flashed a peace out sign.

Tessa looked equally trendy in patterned trousers and a black T-shirt, while she had a jacket tied around her waist and shielded her eyes with oval sunglasses.

They were joined by other pals as they walked through the muddy roads after flooding from the summer storm.

Cara is a regular festival-goer at Burning Man and often attends with her pals, normally sharing snaps to her social media of her time at the event each year.

Burning Man descended into chaos this year as fed-up revelers snapped and fought during the mass exodus from the washout festival on Monday.

Tempers frayed during the hours-long line of RVs and campers on the way out of the Nevada desert, with cops warning many had turned hostile towards each other.

Pershing County Sheriff Jerry Allen said exhausted partygoers 'lashed out' at one another after finally breaking following a weekend of misery in the rain and mud.

Drone footage from DailyMail.com showed snaking crowds of vehicles inching their way slowly across the sand as they finally made for the exits on Monday afternoon.

The annual gathering, which launched on a San Francisco beach in 1986, attracts nearly 80,000 artists, musicians and activists to the sprawling stretch of public land for a weeklong mix of wilderness camping and avant-garde performances.

Festival: It comes after Cara recently got caught up in the chaos at Burning Man Festival in the Nevada desert after flooding left tens of thousands stranded

Exit: Burning Man descended into chaos this year as fed-up revelers snapped and fought during the mass exodus from the washout festival on Monday

One of the principles of Burning Man is to leave no trace - an expectation that all attendees will pack out everything they brought to Black Rock City and clean out their camps before leaving.

But in the aftermath of torrential rains that closed roads, jammed traffic and forced many to walk miles barefoot through the muck, the area is dotted with abandoned vehicles, rugs, furniture, tents and trash.

In a normal year, the desert floor is harder and easier to navigate, but flooding and deep imprints from vehicles spinning tires in the muck have made traveling there more difficult.

This week, many attendees descended on the airport in Reno, Nevada, to get last-minute flights hom
Vicky Pattison cut a stylish figure as she enjoyed a romantic date night with her fiance Ercan Ramadan on Friday.

The TV personality, 35, stunned in a sunset-inspired pink and orange ombre dress as she and her husband-to-be departed the swanky Amazonico Restaurant in London.

The chic number featured a square neckline and a bodycon fit, putting her enviable figure on full display.

She elevated her enviable frame with gold strappy heels and styled her brunette locks into voluminous waves for the evening.

The beauty also opted for further accessorising the glam look with a gold clutch bag and donned a glowy makeup look.

Gorgeous! Vicky Pattison cut a stylish figure as she enjoyed a romantic date night with her fiance Ercan Ramadan on Friday

Date night: The TV personality, 35, stunned in a sunset-inspired pink and orange ombre dress as she and her husband-to-be departed the swanky Amazonico Restaurant

Meanwhile, Ercan put on a casual display in a pair of navy skin-tight trousers and a relaxed polo shirt.

It comes after Vicky stepped onto the star-studded red carpet at the 2023 National Television Awards.

And the star stunned in a dazzling diamante gown as she packed on the PDA with her soon-to-be hubby.

The elegant number featured an off-the-shoulder bust and a thigh-skimming slit, putting her toned legs on full display.

She elevated her enviable frame with black strappy heels and tied her brunette locks into a stylish bun.

Meanwhile, Ercan put on a dapper display in an all-black suit and crisp black t-shirt.

It was a night of what-ifs for Alison Hammond and flagship show, This Morning, but it was business as usual for Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly at the National Television Awards.

Beneath the lights of London's O2 Arena, Ant and Dec claimed their 22nd NTA at the annual ceremony following a triumphant return to the Australian jungle with ITV1 juggernaut I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!

Chic: The chic number featured a square neckline and a bodycon fit, putting her enviable figure on full display

Night out: She elevated her enviable frame with gold strappy heels and styled her brunette locks into voluminous waves for the evening

Glam: The beauty further accessorised the glam look with a gold clutch bag and donned a glowy makeup look

Happy: The beauty was all smiles as she departed the restaurant with her fiance who put on a casual display

Soon-to-be hubby: Ercan, who was seen walking alongside Vicky as they departed the restaurant put on a casual display in a pair of navy skin-tight trousers and a relaxed polo shirt

Beauty: It comes after Vicky stepped onto the star-studded red carpet at the 2023 National Television Awards

Cosy: And the star stunned in a dazzling diamante gown as she packed on the PDA with her soon-to-be hubby

The pair claimed the award ahead of the much fancied Alison, notably selected ahead of her This Morning co-host Holly Willoughby in the category for Best Presenter.

Meanwhile, This Morning lost its best daytime show title as The Repair Shop claimed the prize.

The ITV morning programme, which has been on a winning streak in the daytime category for the last few years, continues to face backlash amid the furore of the Phillip Schofield affair.

The Repair Shop host Jay Blades encouraged the crowd to cheer as the show's team took to the stage at The O2 and took a picture of the moment as he noted it was a "rarity" for them to be winning the prize.

Blades thanked those who voted and the team behind the show, adding: 'I would like to salute my experts. They are my family.'
Antiques Roadshow favourite Bunny Campione has announced the sad news that her husband, Major Iain Grahame died aged 91.

During his time in the King's African Rifles, Grahame had Idi Amin, later dictator of Uganda, under his command.

He subsequently visited Uganda with his second wife, Didy, who, to the horror of those present, told Amin to remove the fake VC from his chest.

Amin complied - one of the reasons, perhaps, that Grahame was sent back to Uganda after Amin ordered the execution of Denis Hills, a British writer who'd described him as a 'black Nero' and a 'village tyrant'. Again, Grahame - and Hills - survived.

His first meeting with Bunny was inauspicious: they drove into each other going round a corner on a country lane.

Sad: Antiques Roadshow favourite Bunny Campione (pictured in 2007) has announced the sad news that her husband, Major Iain Grahame died aged 91

But many years later they met again. Love blossomed and they married in 2002.

Bunny, 77, born Carolyn Fisher, rose to fame on Antiques Roadshow after joining the series in 1987.

She also worked at Sotheby's for 23 years and Christie's in London before starting her own company, Campione Fine Art.

Last week, an Antiques Roadshow guest was left astounded by the 'ridiculous' value of his damaged watch.

The BBC show returned for a brand new series on Sunday evening, with the antique experts travelling to Swanage Pier and seafront.

Among the treasures showcased was a rare Omega watch that had suffered the unfortunate fate of being run over by a lawnmower.

However, expert Richard Price was quick to reassure the owner that the timepiece was salvageable and valuable.

He said: 'As you know this was the first watch worn on the moon but there is an unfortunate word in the watch making industry for if something is in a very poor state. We call it derelict and this is fairly derelict. How did it get in this condition?'

During his time in the King's African Rifles, Grahame had Idi Amin, later dictator of Uganda, under his command (The Ugandan leader is pictured with his wife and seven children, along with Major Iain Grahame, far left)

Wow! Last week, an Antiques Roadshow guest was left astounded by the 'ridiculous' value of his damaged watch

The guest then explained: 'It unfortunately went through my lawnmower. We had a burglary and they must have dropped that in the grass as they left. My wife found it later in the compost bin.

He added: 'I bought it either late 1965 or early 1966 and it was second hand at the time.'

Despite the damage, expert Richard confirmed that the watch would still be worth thousands if the couple got it repaired.

He said: 'Assuming you can get these pieces in good condition with that strap, I see it being retailable for towards 18-20k. And the strap on its own is worth 3k.'

The male guest said: 'I'm amazed, I'm excited, I mean I came along here convinced it was basically beyond repair, a bit of rubbish really. My son will be excited because he wants to inherit it.'
Maisie Smith has revealed she flew home from Morocco just two days before the devastating earthquake.

Morocco's biggest earthquake in over 120 years struck south of Marrakesh on Friday night, killing at least 632 people and leaving more than 350 injured.

The earthquake, which measured 7.2 on the Richter scale struck Morocco's Atlas Mountains and caused tremors as far away as Portugal, has wiped out entire families as witnesses describe hearing 'unbearable screaming and crying' and seeing distraught relatives frantically search with their bare hands for buried loved ones.

EastEnders actress Maisie, 22, offered her condolences to those affected by the tragedy as she shared an update to Instagram on Saturday.

She wrote: 'I can't believe it. We only just flew back from this beautiful country just two days ago.'

Update: Maisie Smith, 22, has revealed she flew home from Morocco just two days before the devastating earthquake

Awful: The EastEnders actress offered her condolences to those affected by the tragedy as she shared an update to Instagram

She added: 'My thoughts are with all the victims and the families of those who lost their lives in this tragedy.'

Maisie previously gave her followers a glimpse at her holiday in an Instagram post on Thursday.

The actress wore plunging white summer dress with a colourful leaf print in the images as she paid homage to the 2004 film 50 First Dates - referencing the film in her caption.

On Friday night, Horrific footage shared on social media showed a massive cloud of dust rising in Marrakesh - a UNESCO World Heritage Site and hugely popular tourist town - as buildings collapsed and people fled for their lives.

In a statement this morning a Moroccan government official said emergency operations are 'in progress across the country' and the death toll is expected to rise considerably in the hours and days ahead.

No identities of victims were released as initial figures rose from 300 to 632 overnight. The epicentre was 40 miles south of the tourist city, which is a popular British holiday destination.

The ministry wrote that most damage occurred outside of cities and towns, and the United States Geological Survey warned that the death toll was likely to rise significantly, because rural buildings were not built to sustain such earthquakes.

Other footage shows rescue attempts are well underway, with locals helping to try and free those trapped using their bare hands.

Tragedy: Morocco's biggest earthquake in over 120 years struck south of Marrakesh on Friday night, killing at least 632 people and leaving more than 350 injured

Holiday: Maisie previously gave her followers a glimpse at her holiday in an Instagram post on Thursday

But there are warnings the strong quake means it will take time to reach mountain villages and other smaller settlements outside of Morocco's cities, meaning the true extent of the damage and people harmed remains unknown.

The Interior Ministry urged calm, saying in its televised statement on the death toll that the quake had hit the provinces of Al Haouz, Ouarzazate, Marrakech, Azilal, Chichaoua and Taroudant. Officials added that most of those killed will be in hard to reach settlements outside of the cities.

The British Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) has advised tourists to follow local media and safety instructions from local authorities, adding that anyone in the UK concerned about a loved one abroad can call the office on 020 7008 5000.

Abderrahim Ait Daoud, head of the town of Talat N'Yaaqoub, said authorities are working to clear roads in Al Haouz Province to allow passage for ambulances and aid to populations affected, but said large distances between mountain villages mean it will take time to learn the extent of the damage.

The Moroccan military and emergency services mobilized aid efforts to the areas hit by damages, local media reported that roads leading to the mountain region around the epicenter were jammed with vehicles and blocked with collapsed rocks, slowing rescue efforts.

Al Haouz is known for scenic High Atlas landscapes and Amazigh villages built into mountainsides.

Later Saturday morning in Marrakesh, ambulances and motorcycles whirred by the edge of the old city, where business as usual mostly resumed Saturday morning.

A historic mosque in Marrakesh was left badly damaged by the quake, which hit at just after 11pm on Friday

Tourists and passersby navigated roadblocks and snapped photos of sections of the clay ochre wall that had cracked, spilling fragments and dust onto the sidewalk and street.

A mosque minaret has also fallen in Jemaa al-Fna Square, the heart of Marrakesh's old city, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Montasir Itri, a resident of the mountain village of Asni near the epicentre, said most houses there were damaged. 'Our neighbours are under the rubble and people are working hard to rescue them using available means in the village,' he said.

Elsewhere urgent supplies were seen being loaded onto trucks by the Civil Defence department, ready for distribution to those in need.
Abbie Chatfield revealed her work addiction left her catatonic when she became incredibly overwhelmed by stress in recent months.

The in-demand media personality, 28, said it left her unable to speak 'for around half an hour' at one point, reported PerthNow.

She opened up on Saturday about how 'paralysed' she felt as she found it difficult to say no to all the work projects she was being offered.

'I had so much on I am not going to lie, I came back at the start of the year and it was worse than it was at the end of last year and I was really not coping,' she said.

'I don't want to say I was catatonic, but I couldn't talk for around half an hour one day, I was so paralysed with stress.'

Abbie Chatfield, 28, (pictured) revealed her work addiction left her catatonic when she became incredibly overwhelmed by stress in recent months

The confession comes just a few days after Abbie found herself being hospitalised for a severe migraine amid her battle with her stressful addiction.

The reality star shared a selfie earlier this week of herself looking unwell in bed with the worrying words: 'I fear I won't survive the day.'

She explained she went to hospital after vomiting all night and was given medication, but it had worn off and she was still in a lot of pain.

The in-demand media personality said it left her unable to speak 'for around half an hour' at one point

'Went to hospital last night. The medicine sedated me and it seemed to work until I woke up this morning with the same amount of pain,' she said.

Back in July, Abbie revealed she had been at a retreat in Thailand to recover from her work addiction issues.

The podcast host recorded a message for her It's A Lot listeners explaining she was taking a week off from work to re-prioritise her commitments.

She opened up on Saturday about how 'paralysed' she felt as she found it difficult to say no to all the work projects she was being offered

In an emotional voice recording, the radio host explained she has a 'genuine addiction to work' and was suffering from serious burnout because of it.

'I've been absolutely depleted and burnt out by the start of this year for a number of reasons,' she said.

'But I've been here for about five days and I think I've realised that my priorities need to shift a bit, to be honest, I've taken on so many jobs and so many roles.'

She continued: 'I'm trying to figure out what I do and don't want to do and I'm trying to not push myself to work way harder than I need to.'
TV presenter Carol Vorderman has said that it is 'fine' if she loses jobs amid her recent campaign of criticising the government on social media.

The 62-year-old former Countdown star has been involved in several arguments on X - formerly known as Twitter - with Tory MPs.

A recent spat with Conservative chairman Greg Hands reportedly saw her delete a number of tweets about him on Thursday.

When asked how she feels about criticism from the Tories, Vorderman told The Times on Saturday: 'It doesn't bother me... I'll tell you why. I'm knocking on 63. I've made my money. I've been through it all.

'What's the worst that can happen? That I'll lose some jobs? Fine by me. Bring it on. They can sling what they like at me.'

Carol Vorderman says she is happy to lose work as a result of her Twitter spats with Tories

The ex-Countdown presenter has recently come to loggerheads with Tory party chairman Greg Hands, who asked her to apologise for posting allegedly defamatory tweets

Tory party chairman Greg Hands was the target of a number of tweets written by Vorderman, which she has since deleted

Mr Hands had called for the former I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here! competitor to apologise for posting 'defamatory and damaging' tweets about his involvement in a lifestyle firm being awarded a 25.8 million personal protective equipment (PPE) contract in 2020.

Vorderman appeared to suggest that Mr Hands had provided assistance to a firm that applied for a contract through the joint action co-ordination team (JACT), the government's official body for making PPE arrangements during the pandemic.

Mr Hands had, in fact, referred an email from an activist about the company, Luxe Lifestyle Ltd, to the JACT, without making any kind of endorsement of the company.

Her tweets had also made reference to the so-called 'VIP lane' that saw some companies' PPE deals rushed through at the height of the pandemic.

The high priority lane procedure for some contracts was later ruled illegal by a high court judge, and firms were forced to pay money back after supplying the NHS with faulty masks and gowns.

On Twitter, Vorderman said: 'While the awarding of his contract was unfortunate, and there remain serious questions about the VIP Lane, I'm happy to accept Mr Hands' assurance that his role in the process was simply to refer the approach... and that there was no impropriety on his part'.

Taking to his own Twitter profile, Mr Hands said he 'welcomed' Vorderman deleting the tweets and 'setting the record straight' that he had no involvement in awarding PPE contracts.

He added: 'These tweets were defamatory and damaging. She should now apologise.'

Vorderman has been involved in other rows with Tory MPs including in March, when she called on women's minister Maria Caulfield to resign after she could not 'be bothered to turn up' to a committee hearing about the menopause.

Vorderman was forced into a climbdown over her remarks about Greg Hands this week

Hands has called on Vorderman to apologise for the remarks

Vorderman says she will carry on with her social media activity as people 'bloody love' it

The MP, who is also minister for women's health strategy, tweeted that she was 'not a punch bag' and said anyone who posted 'misleading information' about her would be blocked on the social media platform.

READ MORE: Carol Vorderman is forced into humiliating climbdown as she deletes tweets claiming Tory MP Greg Hands was involved in granting 25m PPE contract to lifestyle firm Advertisement

Vorderman also told the newspaper that people of all ages say they 'bloody love' what she does when they meet her in public.

She also said: 'I think even the people who say the Tories are bloody marvellous know it's not true.'

Some coronavirus-related contracts were put in a 'VIP lane' when the Government was struggling to buy protective equipment during the pandemic.

A Public Accounts Committee found in July that the Government had a 'rushed' approach to buying personal protective equipment (PPE) which resembled 'panic buying' but was unable to 'comprehensively conclude' that emails from Tory peers led to businesses being treated differently.

'They tried to persuade us we weren't bothered about Partygate, and we were bothered and are not forgetting it,' Vorderman said.

'And also the 'VIP lane' is massively emotional, as it bloody well should be.'

Johnny Mercer has also had several public arguments with Vorderman.

The Minister for Veterans' Affairs has described Vorderman as a 'deeply unpleasant person' on the social media site, while she has posted a number critical remarks about Mr Mercer's performance as a minister.

Vorderman was announced more than a decade ago by Michael Gove as the head of maths taskforce and appeared before the Women and Equalities Committee to talk about menopause.

She has appeared on ITV's Loose Women, This Morning and Lorraine along with this year being on I'm A Celebrity... South Africa and hosting a BBC Radio Wales show.
Iris Law showed off her taut midriff as she stepped out in New York during Fashion Week on Friday.

The model, 22, who is the daughter of Jude Law and and Sadie Frost, chose an all-white look, consisting of a crop top and heavily distressed jeans.

Adding a pop of colour to her look, she accessorised with a chartreuse green Dakota bag from Kate Spade New York - costing a cool 375.

Iris added a pair of quirky sandals and slick her bright blonde hair back from her face.

To complete her outfit, she opted for a very subtle makeup look to enhance her features.

Stylish: Iris Law, 22, showed off her taut midriff as she stepped out in New York during Fashion Week on Friday

Chic: The model, who is the daughter of Jude Law and and Sadie Frost, chose an all-white look, consisting of a crop top and heavily distressed jeans

It comes as Lila Moss and Iris led the way as the next generation of Victoria's Secret models at this year's revamped runway show in New York City.

The daughter of Kate Moss, 20, and Iris stomped the streets of the Big Apple in semi-sheer mini dresses, sequin underwear and a pair of dramatic wings, reminiscent of the brand's former Angels.

Victoria's Secret made the decision to officially phase out their iconic Angels in 2021 after over two-decades of recruiting the world's top models to hit the catwalk.

However the celebrity offspring looked notably like the models who had gone before them, in their scanty lingerie and ornate gold and black wings.

Lila wore black underwear layered with a see-through shift dress, which was heavily embellished with gold beading and teamed with short cowboy boots.

Meanwhile, Iris was modelling a complementary look, sporting a silver beaded dress with black lingerie and twisting black metal wings.

This time around, audiences will be treated to a 'reimagined' feature-length show on Amazon Prime Video that focuses on 'emerging global trailblazers' instead of strictly lingerie-clad vixens.

Victoria's Secret The Tour 2023  the first VS fashion show in four years  will begin streaming on September 26th.

Stunning: Iris added a pair of quirky sandals and slick her bright blonde hair back from her face

All in the details: Adding a pop of colour to her look, she accessorised with a chartreuse green Dakota bag from Kate Spade New York - costing a cool 375

Model duties: It comes as Lila Moss and Iris led the way as the next generation of Victoria's Secret models at this year's revamped runway show in New York City

On Wednesday, Victoria Secret revealed some former and recent model's who will be attending the star-studded event and also teased to 'stay tuned' to some other familiar faces which could make an appearance.

The underwear brand has launched the campaign to bring back models from the lingerie brands once-coveted Angels list alongside some newer faces.

Adriana Lima, Candice Swanepoel, Lily Aldridge and Taylor Hill were among the Victoria's Secret veterans to attend rhe event celebrating the revamp.The VS Fashion Show was cancelled four years ago after the brand adopted a more inclusive image, but executives recently revealed they planned on bringing it back this year.

In a press release, the brand stated the film will 'unite fashion, film, art and culture featuring dynamic global creatives, top supermodels, musical talent and more.'

The movie will focus on 'emerging global trailblazers from a range of artistic disciplines, creating on their own terms.'
TV fans have branded Mrs Brown's Boys 'drivel and totally unfunny' after the controversial BBC comedy series returned to screens on Friday night.

The sitcom, created by Brendan O'Carroll, has been a fixture of the Christmas TV schedules for over a decade with the new series being the first since 2013.

However, the new episode left fans underwhelmed with many questioning why the programme was 'resuscitated.'

Sharing their thoughts on Twitter, one person wrote: 'It's a sad day for the human race today, a new season of Mrs Brown's Boys starts tonight.'

Another added: 'The whole nation absolutely does NOT adore Mrs Brown's Boys. I consider it drivel and totally unfunny.'

Oh dear: TV fans have branded Mrs Brown's Boys 'drivel and totally unfunny' after the controversial BBC comedy series returned to screens on Friday night

Someone else posted: 'Just going to put it out there, Mrs browns boys is absolute horse dung. I never understood it. It's the worst thing to come out of Ireland since Jedward.'

'A cost of living crisis, crumbling schools, uncontrolled illegal migration, an escaped prisoner on the loose, a heatwave, and now a new series of Mrs Browns Boys. This country has suffered enough!' another joked.

While someone else chimed: 'BBC should offer a helpline for those affected by Mrs Browns Boys.'

'Just a quick reminder that Mrs. Brown's Boys returns tonight at 9:30 on BBC1; do make sure you're either out or watching another channel. You're welcome,' one social media user quipped.

A few people did seem to be pleased with the news, with one writing: 'I'm absolutely thrilled that there is going to be a brand new series of Mrs Brown's Boys.

'I made sure that I put it into my diary and then made sure that I put it on record so that I could watch it again. I'm so excited, and I can't wait.'

Another delighted fan shared: 'Thanks everyone for the new episodes so glad that you're back. Fighting the temptation to binge them all on iPlayer and I think temptation will win. Thanks again.'

Last month, The BBC confirmed that the series would return for four more episodes on Friday September 8 at 9.30pm.

All new: The sitcom, created by Brendan O'Carroll, has been a fixture of the Christmas TV schedules for over a decade with the new series being the first since 2013

Scathing: Sharing their thoughts on Twitter, one person wrote: 'It's a sad day for the human race today, a new season of Mrs Brown's Boys starts tonight'

Earlier this year, show creator Brendan - who also leads the cast as matriarch Agnes Brown - admitted the show has been 'thwarted twice' due to the COVID-19 pandemic, as it was originally scheduled to hit screens in 2021.

Speaking of the new series, the 67-year-old comic said: 'This mini-series was actually planned for 2021.

'Having been thwarted twice, firstly by Covid-19 and then by a post-Covid shortage of studios, it's fantastic to, at last, have the chance to make it happen.

'Fasten your seatbelts and hold on to your hats!'

BBC bosses are delighted to have the show back, with Josh Cole, head of comedy at BBC Studios, and Steven Canny, executive producer, said: 'There's no one quite like Mrs Brown.

'An absolute force of outrageous wit and slapstick that has audiences hooked and belly laughing. It's great to be back.'

Jon Petrie, director of comedy, added: 'BBC Comedy are pleased to announce that after a decade since the last full series of Mrs Brown's Boys, millions of viewers around the UK will be thrilled to hear that Brendan is bringing Agnes and the family back together for a brand-new mini-series of his award-winning show.'

It comes after Mrs Brown's Boys has left BBC viewers fuming as they claim the show's Christmas special has once again ruined the festive period.

Only 2.4million tuned in to BBC One to watch the Christmas episode, titled Shining Mammy, with viewers claiming it's now 'unwatchable'.

The last full series of Mrs Brown's Boys aired in 2013 but since then it has returned for a number of festive specials.

The show follows the life of Dublin matriarch Agnes Brown (played by O'Carroll), her family and friends.

The special episode featured daughter Cathy and her creepy boyfriend, who Agnes' friend thinks might be a vampire.

Return: Last month, The BBC confirmed that the series would return for four more episodes on Friday September 8 at 9.30pm

'It's unwatchable': It comes after Mrs Brown's Boys has left BBC viewers fuming as they claim the show's Christmas special has once again ruined the festive period

Trailing behind: Only 2.4million tuned in to BBC One to watch the Christmas episode, titled Shining Mammy

It was slammed by viewers, with many taking to Twitter to voice their opinion on the show.

One user wrote: 'Mrs Brown's Boys has gone beyond being stupid, it's now unwatchable not funny in the slightest, turned off after 13 minutes'

Another penned: 'Mrs Brown's Boys has arrived to ruin Christmas again'

While a third said: 'Christmas has just been ruined as I caught a bit of Mrs Brown's Boys because the batteries in my TV remote died'
Jessica Wright looked positively radiant as she headed to London with her husband William Lee-Kemp on Saturday.

The former TOWIE star, 37, looked stylish in a long-sleeve summery blouse and maxi white skirt as the two enjoyed a romantic lunch date at Scotts restaurant in Mayfair.

The pair were marking a special occasion as they celebrated their two-year wedding anniversary together.

The couple tied the knot in a romantic ceremony in Mallorca in September 2021 and looked as loved up as ever as they enjoyed their day together.

The couples had treated themselves to some shopping for the special occasion as Jess was seen carrying a large Dolce and Gabbana bag.

Gorgeous: Jess Wright, 37, looked stylish in a summer blouse and skirt as she celebrated her wedding anniversary with her husband William Lee-Kemp on Saturday

Glowing: The former TOWIE star looked stylish in a long-sleeve summery blouse and maxi white skirt as the two enjoyed a romantic lunch date at Scotts restaurant in Mayfair

Jess paired the summery ensemble with a crossover Channel bag and simple white strappy sandals.

Meanwhile, William looked dapper in a light blue linen shirt and shite shorts as they both shielded their eyes with stylish pairs of shades.

Taking to her Instagram stories, the star shared a clip of the two of them raising a toast as she captioned the post 'Happy Anniversary Hubbie'.

The pair clearly let the restaurant know they were marking a special occasion as they were treated to a plate of chocolates with Happy Anniversary written across the plate.

Taking an afternoon off from parenting duties, their son Presley, 16 months, was looked after by his Uncle Mark, with the tot looked to also be enjoying his time without his parents splashing about in the swimming pool as he cooled down in the heat.

Jess shared the adorable picture of her son in the newly complete pool, as she wrote 'King of the Castle, Meanwhile prezzles is living his best life'.

The star also took to Instagram to mark the wedding anniversary as she shared some gorgeous pictures from the couple's big day two years ago.

She captioned the heartwarming post: '2 years today. Happy anniversary to my love. Weve come so far & have forever to go'.

Smart: Her other half looked dapper in a light blue linen shirt and shite shorts as they both shielded their eyes with stylish pairs of shades

Sensational: Jess paired the summery ensemble with a crossover Channel bag and simple white strappy sandals

Celebrating: Taking to her Instagram stories, the star shared a clip of the two of them raising a toast as she captioned the post 'Happy Anniversary Hubbie'

Adorable: Taking an afternoon off from parenting duties, their son Presley, 16 months, looked to also be enjoying his time without his parents

The outing comes after Jess opened up about being in 'so much pain' with her psoriasis as she shared an update on her battle with the skin condition last month.

Sharing a photo of her arm with a flare-up on her Instagram stories the star detailed her frustration with the condition, writing: 'In so much pain with this.'

She added: 'And sooo over it. F**k you psoriasis. Not even sorry for my language.'

Psoriasis is an autoimmune condition that affects the skin and sometimes the joints.

It occurs when a person's skin replacement process takes place within days rather than the usual 21-to-28 days.
Rylan Clark has revealed his mother Linda is recovering well at home as he returned to his Radio 2 job on Saturday.

Earlier this month Linda, 71, was rushed to hospital and had to have emergency surgery after a horror fall during a holiday in Spain - her first getaway in 10 years.

As a result, Rylan was forced to pull out of his radio presenting gig and replaced by Scott Mills as he cared for his mother, while giving fans updates on her health.

And after flying home via private jet this week, Ryan was back at work and told how his mother is in good spirits and 'chilling' at home following her ordeal.

The presenter, 34, also likened the overwhelming support and messages he and Linda received to when someone had died.

Back on form: Rylan Clark has revealed his mother Linda is recovering well at home as he returned to his Radio 2 job on Saturday

Poorly: Earlier this month Linda, 71, was rushed to hospital and had to have emergency surgery after a horror fall during a holiday in Spain - her first getaway in 10 years

Explaining the situation to his listeners, Rylan said: 'Unfortunately decided to take mummy Linda on holiday... she's not been away for 10 years. And what (did) she go and do? Falls over and breaks an arm and leg, what (are) you going to do? Classic Linda, classic Linda.

'Now a little broken arm and a leg, (I) can deal with that but when you take that up with everything else (that) is wrong with her nightmare, especially abroad.

'But we are both back, mummy Linda is home safe and sound, she is recovering, she's chilling out.

'There's honestly, for want for a better term, I don't mean this in a rude way, It's like someone's died. The amount of people that have been around the house, there's flowers. It's all gone on.

'All the neighbours come out. It was like someone had come home from war.'

Rylan looked in a good mood on Saturday morning as he made his way into the Radio 2 studios.

The former It Takes Two host kept cool in the hot weather in a tan T-shirt and matching cap, which he teamed with blue skinny jeans and black sandals.

During his radio appearance, Rylan thanked Malaga based health care service Helicopteros Sanitarios for transporting his mother home safely.

Update: After flying home via private jet this week, Ryan was back at work and told how his mother is in good spirits and 'chilling' at home following her ordeal

Support: The presenter, 34, also likened the overwhelming support and messages he and Linda received to when someone had died

He added: 'The hospital looked after mummy so well so muchas gracias (thank you so much in Spanish).

'It was a five star hotel, the hospital, they had champagne on the menu, I nearly checked in myself, and you should have seen the physio (physiotherapist), I nearly broke my own arm, oh my god.'

The star also thanked 'the lovely Scott Mills for jumping in last week' as well as all his fans for their support.

It comes after Rylan praised the 'dream team' of staff who helped to fly his mum Linda home from Spain, after she suffered a horror fall during their holiday.

Sweet: It comes after Rylan praised the 'dream team' of staff who helped to fly his mum Linda home from Spain , after she suffered a horror fall during their holiday

Cute: The presenter shared another image of Linda once they'd boarded the flight on a stretcher attached to various medical apparatus, with the sweet message: 'Love her'

Pained: The TV star took to Instagram on Thursday to reveal they were heading home following the the trip, which had been thwarted by her fall

The presenter shared a selfie with the crew who chartered the private jet to fly them back to the UK, after Linda underwent surgery in the wake of her injury.

On Thursday, Rylan revealed that he and Linda were finally heading home, and were using the services of Helicopteros Sanitarios, a 24-hours-a-day, 365-days-a-year health care service which operates mobile services for medical care in the Costa Del Sol and provided the transport back to the UK.

Sharing a snap with the services' staff, he captioned the post: 'Dream team.'

He then shared another image of Linda once they'd boarded the flight on a stretcher attached to various medical apparatus, with the sweet message: 'Love her.'

Last week, Rylan updated fans as he took to Instagram on Sunday morning to share a smiling photo of his mother in her hospital chair.

Linda could be seen putting on a brave face while both her arm and leg were wrapped up in bandages and braces.

Captioning the snap, Rylan wrote: 'Someone is out of the bed and in a chair. She cant believe how many people have sent messages.

Tough time: Last week, Rylan updated fans after his 71-year-old mum Linda was rushed to hospital for emergency surgery during their holiday

Doing better! He took to Instagram on Sunday morning to share a smiling photo of his mother in her hospital chair

Grateful: Captioning the snap, Rylan wrote: 'Someone is out of the bed and in a chair. She cant believe how many people have sent messages. Thanks everyone'

Worrying: The TV personality previously announced that his mother had suffered a serious fall and explained that he would be pulling out of his scheduled Radio 2 show

'Thanks everyone. Will update you all with more as I can x'.

It comes after he announced his mum had made it out of surgery after suffering a serious fall on their holiday.

Rylan assured fans that 'all went well' after earlier announcing that he would be pulling out of his scheduled Radio 2 show, with Scott Mills replacing him.

Sharing a picture of his mother's hands with a cannula in, he wrote: 'Mum is out of surgery. All went well.

'Asked me if she can still have a new driveway. She's deffo come round. Thanks for all your lovely messages x'
She is known to millions of fans as quick-witted Sergeant Catherine Cawood in hit TV drama Happy Valley.

But Sarah Lancashire has revealed in real-life she is struggling with menopause-induced brain fog - even forgetting on a recent trip to Sainsbury's that she was there to buy groceries.

The actress, speaking to The Mail on Sunday after picking up Best Drama Performance for her role in Happy Valley at last week's National Television Awards, also admitted she used two fans to keep cool at the ceremony due to hot flushes.

'I'm having the most terrible menopause,' the 58-year old said.

'I've got brain fog. I was in Sainsbury's the other day, and I found myself just stood there in the aisle and could not remember what I was there for. It just comes over you all of a sudden.

Sarah Lancashire picked up Best Drama Performance for her role in Happy Valley at last week's National Television Awards

Ms Lancashire has revealed in real-life she is struggling with menopause-induced brain fog

'I can't remember things that happened 30 years ago either.' Ms Lancashire, who beat off competition from her Happy Valley co-star James Norton to also lift a Special Recognition Award, said she needed to use the two fans 'pretty much on my face the whole time' as it was so hot inside London's O2 where the awards ceremony took place.

The actress added: 'I brought one of my closest friends with me and his job was to keep an eye out for the cameras and if it looked like they were going to pan across to us, then he'd let me know so I could hide them.'

Ms Lancashire - who has two grown-up sons from her marriage to music teacher Gary Hargreaves, and a teenage boy with current husband, former BBC chief Peter Salmon  said she has turned to HRT to help with the menopause symptoms. 'I am on the gel but it's not great for me so I might give the patches a go next,' she said.

The star, who found fame in the early 1990s playing Rovers Return barmaid Raquel Watts in Coronation Street, is currently producing a television programme and has called for a 'catch-up' in the numbers of older women appearing on television.

She said: 'I think things are changing and they have needed to change for a very long time. Evolution is slow and we need to catch up.'

Ms Lancashire, winner of the Special Recognition award and the Drama Performance award for her work in 'Happy Valley' at the National Television Awards at the O2 Arena

She also said there needs to be a push to bring in talent from more diverse backgrounds.

Happy Valley broke records when 7.5 million watched its dramatic finale in February. But Ms Lancashire confirmed it will not be back and said she was glad it had ended after three series. She said: 'The story was complete... there is a danger you carry on and on and it loses its potency. This way we go out on top.'

Having previously been open about her mental health battles, the actress revealed that she was diagnosed with clinical depression at the age of 18. She said: 'I have my good and my bad patchesIn my early days, depression did inhibit me because I was too debilitated and terrified to tell anyone why I couldn't get on a train from Manchester for auditions in London. I fully believed I'd lose work if I admitted to it.

'Tranquillisers were the worst thing for it and I ended up in a terrible mess. My 20s were a write-off.'
Turn on the TV or flick through the pages of any glossy magazine and you'll get the impression that women in their 50s and beyond barely have time to catch their breath between steamy sex sessions with their (more or less) significant others.

There is no shortage of gory details, either. Vanessa Feltz, 61, we are told, favours the 'reverse cowgirl' position as 'it keeps you fit', which may be true, though one suspects it might be a tad taxing on the old knees. (Or maybe that's just me.)

Not to be outdone, Carol 'I hate Tories' Vorderman, 62, has told viewers of ITV's This Morning that she enjoyed the attentions of five different lovers, all of whom 'know about each other' (I wonder, is there a rota?).

Judging by her pneumatic posts on social media, those gentlemen must have their hands full satisfying her needs and getting her out of her favoured eye-wateringly tight outfits.

Newly single Trinny Woodall, 59, meanwhile, is not only ready to mingle but evangelical about the need for sex. Last week, she told The Mail on Sunday that 'sex completes you as a woman' and has said: 'If you totally shut down your sexuality, you become drier as a person. Your uterus stops secreting sexual juices and there's no 'Hello!' from down there.' Cripes!

There is no shortage of gory details, either. Vanessa Feltz, 61, we are told, favours the 'reverse cowgirl' position as 'it keeps you fit', which may be true, though one suspects it might be a tad taxing on the old knees. (Or maybe that's just me.)

Not to be outdone, Carol 'I hate Tories' Vorderman, 62, has told viewers of ITV's This Morning that she enjoyed the attentions of five different lovers, all of whom 'know about each other' (I wonder, is there a rota?)

From Gwyneth Paltrow to Emma Thompson (who has played a 50-something widow who hires a male escort to help her achieve an orgasm) via Davina McCall and every mid-life celebrity female with something to sell in between, a huge amount of mature lady-sex appears to be taking place.

Visions of flowerbeds abandoned, knitting unattended, reading glasses discarded, Marks & Spencer shapewear scattered underfoot as the nation's menopausal matriarchs maintain meaningful dialogue with their nether regions. The only trouble is, it's all hyped-up nonsense. This notion that our sex lives begin at 50 is not borne out by the facts.

And while I don't doubt that Vorderman et al are having a super time boudoir-wise, for most women the reality is rather less thrilling.

A survey of 5,000 Brits has found that 47 per cent of women aged 50 to 54 had not enjoyed any intimacy in the previous three weeks, rising to 52 per cent for those in their late 50s. Among women in their early 60s, that figure rose to two-thirds.

By contrast, among heterosexual men, the numbers who said they hadn't had sex during the previous three weeks didn't change according to age, remaining pretty similar into their 70s. This rather begs the question, who on earth are they having sex with?

But perhaps that's one for another column.

In the same way that a woman's fertility drops off a cliff in her mid- to late-30s, it seems her sex drive does the same a couple of decades later.

I reckon the culprit is hormones, or rather lack thereof. The menopause doesn't just rob women of their looks, health and sanity, it also robs them of their desire.

That's why so many take HRT. Now that all that research about it being dangerous has been debunked, HRT is effectively the female equivalent of Viagra, the wonder drug that alleviates the unpleasant side effects of the menopause and gives back a bit of va-va-voom.

From Gwyneth Paltrow to Emma Thompson (who has played a 50-something widow who hires a male escort to help her achieve an orgasm) via Davina McCall and every mid-life celebrity female with something to sell in between, a huge amount of mature lady-sex appears to be taking place

That's why so many take HRT. Now that all that research about it being dangerous has been debunked, HRT is effectively the female equivalent of Viagra, the wonder drug that alleviates the unpleasant side effects of the menopause and gives back a bit of va-va-voom

Still, you can have too much of a good thing. HRT will restore some of those old desires, but it won't turn a recumbent pussycat into a rampant tiger.

Besides, when sex becomes an obligation, it loses much of its appeal. And I just can't help feeling that all these celebrities in their 50s and beyond bouncing around like superannuated Barbies in latex and leather are having the opposite of the intended effect. They're so over-the-top about it all, they're actually a turn-off.

The truth is, women generally just aren't as keen on sex as men. That is just the way of the world (with a few notable exceptions, of course).

I suspect this has a lot to do with the fact that, biologically, sex has far more repercussions for women than it has for men, who can have sex without fear of ever becoming pregnant.

But the point is, we shouldn't be made to feel inadequate or guilty, or somehow less a person because our chandeliers don't have to be double reinforced to the rafters.

And yet so much we watch and read seems to conspire to make it so. Not only do we feel we must look ten years younger  through botox, 'tweakments', gruelling gym sessions and all the rest  we must also act it.

And I, for one, find it all rather exhausting.

Of course intimacy is important in relationships, even long-term marriages that have weathered the trials of raising children and goodness knows what else.

But women's bodies go through a lot in their natural lifecycle. It's only normal that they should get a bit of peace and quiet in later life.

So hang up the latex and just enjoy the cocoa.

Talking about life with his wife, Prunella Scales, who suffers from vascular dementia, actor Timothy West says: 'We have exactly the same conversation every day of the week and it's something I never tire of.'

If ever there was a definition of true love, that is it.

Beyond me, Beyonce

As someone whose own children have experienced the down sides of having a moderately well-known surname, I'm baffled why Beyonce  a huge superstar  is exposing her young daughter to global scrutiny by letting her perform on stage with her. However much Blue Ivy may want  or appear to want  to be up there, it seems madness.

It's not just the psychological damage of having the world talk about her, it's that, aged 11, she should not be grinding along to lyrics about, among other things, her parents' sex life. Also, it's not like they need the money. Why, too, isn't she in school?

Oh come on, Mick!

I have been a Stones fan since the age of two, when my father brought home a copy of Let It Bleed. The iconic birthday cake artwork and that honky-tonk track listing: the Glimmer Twins in their pomp. Their new single is OK as these things go  not bad for a trio with a combined age of 235 years. I'll buy it.

Leather-clad in a corset, she writhes on the back seat of a red convertible, all bosoms and blonde hair, while Sir Mick warbles on about not getting enough action

But one thing I won't buy is 25-year-old actress Sydney Sweeney, in the accompanying video.

Leather-clad in a corset, she writhes on the back seat of a red convertible, all bosoms and blonde hair, while Sir Mick warbles on about not getting enough action.

It's creepy: she's young enough to be his grand-daughter. With all these hot-to-trot 50-somethings out there, wasn't there someone more age-appropriate  or even born in the same century?

And so it ends: fugitive terrorist suspect Daniel Khalife was arrested yesterday in West London  after being spotted in my local neighbourhood of Chiswick. He can't be much of a criminal mastermind if he thought Chiswick was a good place to lie low. It's a hotbed of curtain-twitchers and busybodies  with, surely, one of the country's highest concentrations of doorbell cameras. Also, anyone not wearing Boden or Birkenstocks or with a well-groomed labradoodle stands out like a sore thumb. He never stood a chance.

Life's a beach if you WFH

A picture of Brighton Beach packed with sun-worshippers last week made me laugh.

Silly me: those in Brighton were all civil servants attending very important and no doubt exhausting work meetings

Didn't they have jobs, I wondered in a slightly Victor Meldrew-y way? But then I remembered that hundreds of council workers have been allowed to 'work from the beach' in places as far-flung as Spain, Turkey and Thailand.

Silly me: those in Brighton were all civil servants attending very important and no doubt exhausting work meetings.

If Dominic Cummings really is plotting his own, new political party, Parliament beware. As we saw with Brexit, one thing he really understands is how to listen to voters' concerns.

What he lacks, though, is the temperament to run anything. He's very much a backroom strategist, not a front man. Then again, if he and Boris Johnson could find a way of burying the hatchet, who knows

Anyone flirting with the idea of voting for Labour should visit Slough, where the party's bankrupt council has racked up a 760 million debt and a 357 million deficit. As a result, it's selling 600 million of public assets, making cuts of 22 million (including school transport and council repairs) and reducing bin collections to once a fortnight. Oh, and it's upped council tax up by almost ten per cent. The perfect advert for life under Sir Keir Starmer.
The Great British Sewing Bee host Sara Pascoe has been blasted for saying of the five killed in the Titanic submarine disaster: Its funny when billionaires die.

Comedian Pascoe, 42, posted a clip on Instagram showing her on stage mocking those who died in the 12,500ft dive to the liner at the bottom of the Atlantic in June.

Last night she appeared to have removed the video following a backlash from fans.

In the footage, shot at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival last month, she says: I did like it when those billionaires in the submarine died, I did like it when the submarine exploded and the billionaires drowned, I couldnt help it.

We dont have to empathise with billionaires, they dont empathise with us.

Comedian Sara Pascoe, 41, provoked a backlash from fans after she published a post of her on stage mocking those who died in the Titanic submarine disaster

They could solve all the worlds problems and they choose not to, so its funny, its funny when they die.

What I want is the sea to get a taste for the super-rich, like a horror movie, and start coming out to get them one by one in little one man-sized tsunamis.

Also, it was called the Titanic Experience  what do they expect, not to drown? Im obsessed with it, I went on the website to read about the description when youre booking it, it says Once in a lifetime  did they lie?

Victims of the catastrophic submarine implosion were Britons Hamish Harding, 58, boss of a private plane company, and Shahzada Dawood, 48, vice-chairman of a chemicals-to-energy conglomerate, and his son Suleman, 19.

Also killed were French explorer Paul-Henri Nargeolet, 77, and Stockton Rush, 61, boss of OceanGate, which operated dives to the Titanic.

Pascoe is a regular on the BBCs QI and has also appeared on Channel 4s 8 out of 10 Cats Does Countdown.

Before she removed the Instagram clip, she came under fire from fans online.

The submarine operated by Oceangate imploded in June while diving 12,500 ft to the shipwreck at the bottom of the Atlantic killing all passengers onboard

One said: Did you find it funny when you heard about the 19-year- old kid aboard too?

Another critic said: Im really disgusted and horrified at this clip. People died and loved ones suffered.

Yet another said: I like a bit of edgy humour we seem to be cancelling so much of it these days. But this one? Its a bit personal, a bit mean-spirited and, as has been pointed out in other posts, Sara is not short of a bob or two herself.

Last year Pascoe reported a celebrity to TV bosses after a fan told her that he had raped her. She disclosed that she had been given the tip-off after the alleged victim saw Pascoe and the celebrity on a programme together.

Pascoe married Australian comedian and actor Steen Raskopoulos, 36, in 2020 and she is pregnant with their second child.
Amanda Bynes stepped out in Los Angeles on Friday with her heart-shaped face tattoo barely visible.

The 37-year-old former child star - who was spotted weeks ago for the first time since entering an Orange County treatment facility - looked healthy as she pulled her bleached locks into a neat topknot bun.

She wore a short-sleeved, gray, crew neck T-shirt and high-waisted white jeans as she spoke on the phone.

The actress tucked the tee into her pants and wore a pair of strappy, white sandals.

Bynes initially debuted the ink on her visage back in December of 2019.

Change: Amanda Bynes stepped out in Los Angeles on Friday with her heart-shaped face tattoo barely visible

Then and now: The once-prominent heart shaped emblem has been reduced to a shadow

It comes after the troubled star checked herself into a treatment facility in July.

TMZ reported that the She's The Man actress preferred the latest facility because she had the support of a medical team, therapists and the company of other patients.

Weeks ago Amanda was pictured out in Orange County, California, after a shopping trip to a Ralph's grocery store.

Sources told the publication last month that she had graduated from her initial status at the mental health facility, which had prevented her from making excursions.

Now she is reportedly in a minimal supervision group, granting her permission to leave the grounds at certain times of the day on her own.

Bynes had previously been enrolled in an outpatient treatment program, but she later checked herself into a more intensive inpatient option.

In June she was placed on a 5150 psychiatric hold, just two months after she was released from a three-week stay at a mental health facility, after she had been found roaming the streets of Los Angeles naked.

At the time a mental health evaluation had deemed her 'a danger to herself and others.'

Doing well: The 37-year-old former child star looked healthy as she pulled her bleached locks into a neat topknot bun

Her look: She wore a short-sleeved, gray, crew neck T-shirt and high-waisted white jeans as she spoke on the phone

Years ago: Bynes initially debuted the ink on her visage back in December of 2019

Bynes was, however, coherent enough to call the police to report that she was in distress.

Her psychiatric hold was subsequently extended by a week as doctors worked to stabilize her.

After she was picked up by police for wandering the streets unclothed, Bynes' former fiance Paul Michael told Page Six that she had not been taking her prescribed medications prior to the mental health crisis.

For nine years Amanda was under a conservatorship, and her mother Lynn helped ensure that she took her medication as prescribed.
Pamela Anderson and Sofia Richie are just two of the celebrities to attend the Proenza Schouler Ready to Wear show during New York Fashion week.

The influencer, 25, and Baywatch alum, 56, were both seated in the front row with a birds eye view of the catwalk and the designers' latest collection.

The Barb Wire star looked lovely in a long black dress with a sparkly bodice featuring a collar and three-quarter-length sleeves.

The floor-grazing skirt skimmed the blonde bombshell's figure with accordion pleats.

The mom of two had her hair pulled back into an updo with her curtain bangs falling to one side of her face.

Front row: Pamela Anderson and Sofia Richie are just two of the celebrities to attend the Proenza Schouler Ready to Wear show during New York Fashion week

Icon: The influencer, 25, and Baywatch alum, 56, were both seated in the front row with a birds eye view of the catwalk and the designers' latest collection

Sofia wore a strapless dress with a black bodice and white skirt which had a slit up the side and two black buttons.

The model paired the dramatic dress with red ballet flats with a bow on them and accessorized with simple drop earrings and a black clutch handbag.

Lionel Richie's daughter wore her hair in an updo with face framing tendrils.

Several other celebrities were in attendance on Saturday afternoon including Lori Harvey, 26, who made a dramatic entrance in a royal blue bodysuit with a plunging neckline and three-quarter-length sleeves.

She paired her revealing look with black pantyhose, black Christian Louboutin pumps and a royal blue head scarf.

Gold bangles adorned both wrists while gold earrings provided another touch of bling.

Designer Marc Jacobs also swung by the Proenza Schouler show wearing a black blazer and white t-shirt with jeans. He opted for the no sock look in his black shoes.

Without a Trace alum Poppy Montgomery, 51, showed off her enviable figure in a long-sleeved black crop top with a black midi skirt and slouchy white boots.

13 Reasons Why's Tommy Dorfman, 31, looked radiant in a long dress featuring a sleeveless white bodice with a plunging neckline, floral accents just below the bust and a long black skirt with a hint of white at the hem.

She paired the classic look with white strappy sandals.

Leggy look: Lori Harvey, 26, who made a dramatic entrance in a royal blue bodysuit with a plunging neckline and three-quarter-length sleeves

Cheeky: She paired her revealing look with black pantyhose, black Christian Louboutin pumps and a royal blue head scarf. Gold bangles adorned both wrists while gold earrings provided another touch of bling

Fashion designer: Designer Marc Jacobs also swung by the Proenza Schouler show wearing a black blazer and white t-shirt with jeans. He opted for the no sock look in his black shoes

Taut tummy: Without a Trace alum Poppy Montgomery, 51, showed off her enviable figure in a long-sleeved black crop top with a black midi skirt and slouchy white boots

13 Reasons: 13 Reasons Why's Tommy Dorfman, 31, looked radiant in a long dress featuring a sleeveless white bodice with a plunging neckline, floral accents just below the bust and a long black skirt with a hint of white at the hem

Rose gold: Tallulah Willis , 29, wore a pretty light blue dress with a full skirt that fell to her ankles. The bodice of the dress featured spaghetti straps

Pretty: Rainey Qualley looked pretty in a sleeveless white fringed top that showed a hint of her tummy which she paired with a knee-length, black and white zig zag patterned skirt with fringe at the hem

SNL: Saturday Night Live's Chloe Fineman, 35, kept things simple in an oversized belted black blazer and wide-legged slacks. She wore a white top under the suit

Dainty: A stunning model hit the runway in a sheer blue dress with delicate details

Structured: The fashion presentation included classic, structured outfits

A look: One model donned a black button-up shirt tucked into black slacks

Proud moment: Designers Lazaro Hernandez and Jack McCollough hit the runway to take a bow

Tallulah Willis, 29, wore a pretty light blue dress with a full skirt that fell to her ankles. The bodice of the dress featured spaghetti straps.

The daughter of Bruce Willis, 68, and Demi Moore, 60, matched her shoes to her hair and wore square-toed rose gold shoes.

Rainey Qualley looked pretty in a sleeveless white fringed top that showed a hint of her tummy which she paired with a knee-length, black and white zig zag patterned skirt with fringe at the hem.

Saturday Night Live's Chloe Fineman, 35, kept things simple in an oversized belted black blazer and wide-legged slacks. She wore a white top under the suit.
There she goes again, Angela Rayner striding out in her hefty platform shoes and dolly bird eye make-up as the newly appointed Shadow Minister for Levelling Up in Sir Keir Starmers recent reshuffle.

Some people might have thought he might tire of her pecking away on his shoulder and level her down.

But the thing about Angela Rayner is that everybody sort of loves her, even those who sort of hate her.

With her mouthy show-off personality, shes not exactly the type you would like to have with her finger on the nuclear button but shes got a fizz and conviction that is missing in so many politicians.

Shes like the leader of the gang at school, sneering from the sidelines  and despite yourself you kind of want to be in her gang.

But the thing about Angela Rayner is that everybody sort of loves her, even those who sort of hate her

With her mouthy show-off personality, shes not exactly the type you would like to have with her finger on the nuclear button but shes got a fizz and conviction that is missing in so many politicians

Angie shares the same foxy appeal as many other renegade redheads. Prince Harry, who was many peoples Royal favourite until he went nuts; Chris Evans, the bad boy of broadcasting; the maverick Sarah Ferguson; and, it is claimed, the terrifying Boadicea. Kylie Minogue has tried to capture some of that ginger mischievousness with a new hair colour.

Rayner became a mother at 16 and a grandmother at 37. She rose to the top of the political game by connecting with much of an electorate who dont see many people like them sitting in the Commons. With her long chestnut hair, and penchant for a dash of leopard print, the eye is drawn to her on the front bench, where she looks as if she is just biding her time for a bit of rabble-rousing, or a big smile.

She also likes to have fun, confessing to drinking lethal cocktails from mid-afternoon to sunrise the next morning on a recent Spanish holiday and sharing selfies at the Parklife music festival. She adds a welcome spritz of youthful vigour to the Commons.

And, lucky her, its a fact that redheads dont go grey.

Our Turkish turmoil when the Queen died

We all remember where we were when we learned of the Queens death a year ago. I expect we always will.

I was on a boat cruising sedately along the coast of Turkey. One of our party was a member of the Privy Council, summoned immediately to join the Accession Council (which starts the process of proclaiming the next monarch.)

Pictured: Queen Elizabeth II during a visit to Royal Papworth Hospital, Cambridge in July 2019

Most of the cruise had been spent idly sitting on deck with a book and a glass of white wine, only interrupted by yet another meal or a swim in an empty cove.

Then the news broke and suddenly it was all go.

Our Privy Counsellor had to get from this spot in the middle of nowhere to St Jamess Palace by ten the next morning, where the gathering was to be convened.

Since the role has little purpose other than to meet on such rare occasions, a solution had to be found. Not attending was not an option. Ill never forget waving him off in a tiny dinghy headed for the distant mainland to get a late-night Turkish Airlines flight.

Later, as we watched on our iPads while the Council solemnly convened the next day, we were all pleased to see he had made it  and with time enough to change into a suit.

Watch out mozzies  Im biting back

How lovely it has been to have this Indian summer, with cloudless blue skies and the evenings warm enough to eat outside. Except, except the mosquitoes. Perhaps its only in our area of North-West London that the mozzies have made their presence known but weve been subjected to that maddening zzzzzzz as the nasty little things cruise back and forth in front of your nose, preventing sleep, before landing silently to take a bite.

As someone a bit allergic to their bites, when I travel I take an arsenal of anti-mozzie kit, but at home we are unprepared for this invasion. The best solution Ive found is a portable fan whizzing around my nose instead. Noisy but far less itchy.

Short dresses wont do in the Devils world

Education Secretary Gillian Keegan has presumptuously described herself as The Devil Wears Prada Does Politics. Hmm. Im not so sure. She doesnt bear much resemblance in the style stakes to Anna Wintour, who was supposedly the template for the Devil.

In the Devils world, the more powerful you are, the less you carry. You have an entourage of little people to deal with that

They might both wear large sunglasses but I dont think Ive ever spotted Anna in a short dress of the kind Keegan likes to wear, nor carrying a huge handbag.

In the Devils world, the more powerful you are, the less you carry. You have an entourage of little people to deal with that.

Theres no escape from prison failings

When a prisoner at Wandsworth jail escaped four years ago by latching on to the undercarriage of a vehicle, it was claimed (as it is so often the case) that lessons would be learned. Clearly they havent and, as far as I can tell, various protocols are frequently breached.

It also takes so long for any official inquiry to discover why a calamity happened that everyone has forgotten what lesson was meant to be learned in the first place.

It Girl Sienna still gets top Marks at 41

Its not easy to remain an It Girl at 41, let alone one who models for M&S. But Sienna Miller has achieved this rare feat.

As the face of the M&S autumn campaign, she looks beautiful swathed in funnel-necked cream wool and swirling around in an acid yellow midi skirt, her blonde hair in a loose tousle and wearing her trademark red lipstick.

As the face of the M&S autumn campaign, she looks beautiful swathed in funnel-necked cream wool and swirling around in an acid yellow midi skirt, her blonde hair in a loose tousle and wearing her trademark red lipstick

Fronting an M&S campaign doesnt always endow you with fashion cred but Miller is in no danger of losing her status. Shes morphed from being the gorgeous boho party girl famous for her love-life and late-night stamina into a seriously good actress.

Yet shes still able to rock denim shorts and white cowboy boots at this years Glastonbury and shes pregnant by her 28-year-old actor boyfriend, Oli Green, scion of one of the wealthiest art gallery dynasties in the country.

No doubt Sienna will still be an enviable It Girl at 50.
When Lexi Taub and her partner Erik decided to get married last year, they did so in the backyard of their $650,000 home in upstate New York.

The couple, both 30, have dated for six years but as they approached their late 20s they faced a modern-day dilemma: should they pay for a wedding or buy a home together first?

The average cost of a wedding has sky-rocketed to $30,000, according to The Knot, while nationwide housing affordability is worse than it was in 2006.

It is little wonder couples are increasingly having to prioritize one over the other. Figures from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) show that 18 percent of first-time buyers last year were unmarried couples, up from 4 percent in 1985.

But experts warn it could be financially catastrophic to ignore the legal complexities of buying a home before marriage.

Lexi Taub and her husband Erik bought a property before tying the knot - as record numbers of couples shun the traditional route to homeownership and matrimony

Figures from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) show that 18 percent of first-time buyers last year were unmarried couples, up from 4 percent in 1985

For Erik and Lexi, it was an easy decision - prior to buying a house together in November 2021 they were paying $5,500 a month renting in New York.

But now their monthly bill has been slashed to less than $3,000 - which covers their mortgage repayments, insurance and property taxes. The pair split the cost of a 20 percent down payment on their home in September 2022.

'It made sense for us to buy first, we were paying so much money in rent otherwise,' Lexi, who runs the jewelry brand AlexisJae.com, told DailyMail.com.

'I have heard of a bunch of people doing the same thing. People feel less tied to the traditional ideas of marriage.'

According to the NAR, unmarried buyers tend to have a slightly lower income than those who are married.

Couples who have not tied the knot have an average household income of $72,500 while those that have earn $79,200.

The issue is compounded by the fact fewer Americans than ever are getting married. In 2021, 14.9 women aged 15 and over out of 1,000 were getting married per year, down from 16.3 a decade earlier according to US census figures.

Couples are delaying marriage, too. Data from The Knot shows that the average age of a US bride in 2022 was 30, down from 22 in 1980.

Experts say financial insecurity is driving these shifts in attitudes.

NAR deputy chief economist Dr Jessica Lautz told DailyMail.com: 'It is a trend we expect to keep growing. Marriage rates have been down for years while homeownership is on the up.

'People want the equity gains of homeownership. Even if you're looking at your partner and thinking you're not going to be together forever you can gain financially by buying together.'

However, buying a home as an unmarried couple is not without its risks.

Lexi Taub and her partner Erik. She told DailyMail.com: 'It made sense for us to buy first, we were paying so much money in rent otherwise'

The couple ended up marrying in the backyard of their $650,000 home, pictured, in upstate New York a year after they bought it

Home buyers are facing the least affordable market since 2006, according to figures from the Atlanta Federal Reserve

Pennsylvania attorney Mike Fiffik, from Fiffik Law Group, told DailyMail.com that couples must have an exit strategy agreed in case of a break-up.

'When you buy a home with someone to whom you aren't married, you need to have an agreement about the property. It clearly outlines how you will share expenses and what happens in the event of a break-up.'

On top of that, couples must agree on whose name appears on the title and deed to the property - meaning they have legal ownership of it.

Spouses will appear on the deed together and, in the event one of them dies, the rest of the property is automatically transferred to the other.

But with unmarried couples this can be more complex. Partners may instead own the property as 'tenants in common' meaning each owns a share of the property.

Otherwise both partners can co-own the property and can add a 'rights of survivorship' clause.

Fiffik added it is imperative couples know each other's finances.

He said: 'Both partners need to disclose their debts, bills and income to one another.

'If one partner gets into debt and cant pay their creditors, the creditor can sue.

'A judgment against one partner is a lien on the home and impacts both partners rights to the property.'
Nadia Calvino is the top favorite and there is a consensus that everything points to her victory, but the race is not over. Next week, the finance ministers of the European Union meet in Santiago de Compostela for an informal Ecofin, as is tradition every six months. The Spanish Government hoped that one name would emerge from the meeting, a single candidacy, so that in the month of October the name of the next president of the institution, but the sources consulted in the institution and among continental diplomats suggest that the decision will probably have to wait a little longer.

The German Werner Hoyer leaves office on December 31 after 11 years and there are five official candidates for his position: the Spanish, the Danish vice president of the European Commission and head of Competition, Margrethe Vestager. Mario Draghi's former Economy Minister, Daniele Franco. And two members of the Bank, the Swede Thomas Ostros and the Polish Teresa Czerwinska. All the names were already known, but yesterday the Belgian minister, Vincent Van Peteghem, who holds the temporary and rotating presidency of the Board of Governors of the Luxembourg-based institution, made it official that they have passed the internal evaluation.

"Today I have informed the EIB Governors about the candidates who have been evaluated by the Appointments Advisory Committee. In the coming period I will carry out informal consultations with my colleagues with a view to starting the formal procedure to appoint a new president, in accordance with the rules and procedures of the EIB. This will happen long before the current president, Werner Hoyer, leaves office," he summarized in a statement.

The decision must be made soon, but unlike other processes, such as that of the president of the Eurogroup, in which the Spanish woman was defeated, here not all votes are worth the same. There is a weighting for the weight of each country in the capital of the institution, so the position of the largest, especially Germany, France and Italy, is decisive. In Brussels, dozens of sources consulted in recent weeks agree overwhelmingly, something that is not common: the favorite is the Spanish one and its great and almost only rival is the Danish one, which has almost two decades of experience in the Commission. And everything will depend on Paris and Berlin.

The transalpine country, a formidable rival in this type of competition, starts with disadvantages. Franco does not have the European profile of the two outstanding ones. He is known and respected, a good technician, but nothing to do with it. In addition, his country will manage to revalidate his position on the Governing Council of the European Central Bank, replacing the outgoing Fabio Pannetta with Fabio Cipollone.

In recent days, the European press, from north to south and east to west, has agreed that Calvino has an advantage although he has three obstacles to overcome. On the one hand, satisfy the pronuclear demands of France, which wants to reverse the EIB's distant position in financing projects. On the other hand, the exchange of stickers that Berlin is asking for: its support in exchange for the presidency of the Single Banking Supervision Mechanism. The Spanish Margarita Delgado, from the Bank of Spain, was the favorite of the European Parliament and the best valued, but the chair also goes to the German Claudia Buch, who seems to have the sympathy of Lagarde, according to the MEPs, who believe they see a favored treatment towards the German woman.

The third problem is the 'excess' of Spanish names in the field. Calvino made it a priority to place more Spanish pieces all over the board. This has led to the current presence of Manuel Campa (who is rumored to be a possible replacement for the first vice president in the Council of Ministers) in the European Banking Authority; Fernando Restoy at the head of the Financial Stability Institute of the Bank for International Settlements. The Governor of the Bank of Spain, Pablo Hernandez de Cos, now chairs the Basel Committee. And even the one who was Secretary of the Treasury under Calvino, Carlos San Basilio, is Executive Director of Corporate Strategy of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.

However, this week, the Financial Times, Politico and Les Echos have highlighted in in-depth articles that the Spanish woman should win the award, after consulting all kinds of diplomats and members of different governments. Because of her prestige ("For five years, she has shown that a social policy can be applied without emptying the public coffers"), because her colleagues at Ecofin, where she is one of the most veteran, will decide. Because she goes to forums like the G20 in India, where she is taking the opportunity to lobby. Because of the weighted vote and because even Vestager's image was affected just before the summer break by the controversial failed appointment of a North American professor as a Competition advisor. An election that France vetoed and that caused a new clash with Macron in person, who was personally in charge of cutting the process short.

Diplomatic sources indicate that Vestager let the Belgian president know that it did not seem appropriate for the decision to be adopted in Santiago de Compostela, in 'Calvino's house'. The initial idea was to put a specific item on the agenda, probably at breakfast on Saturday the 16th. But the EIB believes that the decision will be made later. In any case, the process has proven to be very fluid. No rule seems fixed, deadlines move, everyone evades responsibilities, no one dares to say if there is something obligatory or more or less fixed. And the decision of the steps remains in the hands of Belgium, surely the country most accustomed to improvising and patching up complicated situations in political life.

The Dane still hopes to convince Macron, after her group in the European Chamber, Renew, liberals like her, have supported her. She knows that all the odds point in another direction, but those around her say that she has many possibilities, and that is why this week she has requested a leave of absence without pay until the campaign concludes. "I wouldn't if there wasn't anything to scratch," she explains. She also trusts in her network of contacts, Nordic solidarity, in the skeptics of the East and that Germany can change its mind. Olaf Scholz, the chancellor, is a socialist, but the finance minister, Lindner, is also liberal and has completely different ideas from Spain, as seen in the debate on fiscal rules. Not to mention that our country is already the great 'client' of the institution. Calvino is the best on paper, but she was also the best when she wanted to preside over the Eurogroup and she was clearly defeated. And he was one of the best profiles to lead the IMF in 2019, and he had to settle two years later with the International Monetary and Financial Committee (IMFC), the body that advises the Board of Governors of the Fund. .
The Visa d'or News, the most prestigious prize of the Visa pour l'image international photojournalism festival, was awarded in Perpignan on Saturday September 9 to Siegfried Modola, for his work on the Karen rebellion against the Burmese junta. Siegfried Modola, an Italian-British photographer, first thanked "the people who allowed us to tell their stories" in this report entitled "The armed revolution in Burma", which took two years of work and was published by the Canadian newspaper Globe

Other nominees were Michael Bunel (Le Pictorium) for Search, Rescue and Protect, about the work of NGOs rescuing people in exile crossing the Mediterranean, and Tyler Hicks (The New York Times) for Bakhmout, a City at War ", in Ukraine. Last year, the Visa d'or News rewarded Ukrainian photographer Evgeniy Maloletka (Associated Press, AP) for his reporting in bombed-out Mariupol.

Burma had already been in 2021 at the heart of the Visa d'or News which, for the first time, rewarded a photographer who remained anonymous for security reasons, for his images of "The Spring Revolution" in his country.

This 35th edition of Visa highlighted the impact of human activity on the planet and the climate, the theme of numerous exhibitions, but also the perilous routes of exile and therefore Ukraine.

Tyler Hicks received the Golden Visa from the daily press for his work in Bakhmut, a city emblematic of Ukrainian resistance to the invasion by Russia. And the France Info Digital Information Golden Visa went to Virginie Nguyen Hoang for her web documentary Life under the fire of war on the daily lives of Ukrainians, broadcast by La Libre Belgique.

The work of Ebrahim Noroozi (AP) in Afghanistan, entitled The saddest country in the world and the worst country for women, received the Golden Visa magazine.

The Humanitarian Golden Visa from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) rewarded Federico Rios Escobar for his reports, published in the New York Times, on the hell of Darien, an inextricable jungle between Colombia and Panama, which migrants wishing to reach the United States cross.

Twenty-four exhibitions

The Honorary Golden Visa from Figaro Magazine, honoring the career of an active photographer, distinguished Noel Quidu, who since the 1980s has covered multiple conflicts.

The Golden Visa of the City of Perpignan/Remi Ochlik went to Emily Garthwaite (Institute) for Didjla: journey along the Tigris, in Iraq.

The festival also focused on the revolts in Iran with, for the first time, a collective exhibition of anonymous people because "it is no longer possible to work", to identify yourself as a photographer in this country, specified its director, Jean-Francois Leroy, to Agence France-Presse.

Visa, which began on September 2, offered free screenings, meetings with photographers and discussions during this professional week. Its 24 exhibitions remain open to the public until the 17th.
By now, Chinas reticence has generated a lot of interpretations in global media and in diplomatic circles. For Xi, it is an occasion to showcase that China is having its unique world view wherein engagement rules are quite different from what the others think. But his absence in the Delhi Summit is very unique because since his coming to power, he has never missed any G20 summit in any part of the world.

The latest G20 summit in Delhi once again highlights how India and China are escalating their differences to new heights. Xi Jinping is purely an ambitious and aggressive statesman. Since coming to power in 2012, he has been clearly and distinctly demonstrating his intentions.

On the other hand, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has his own agenda to take India to the global stage despite all odds both at home and in his neighbourhood. Equally important and critical is that both Delhi and Beijing are competing for leadership positions at all international institutions. The only difference playing out in the open is that, unlike China, India is not challenging US leadership on the global stage.

On the other hand, China has a one-point agenda to dethrone America from all international institutions. And to establish its own model of global governance based on Chinese characteristics. The point Beijing (Xi) is making is why we should listen to Washington, when China has its own perspective that must be considered by the rest of the world. Thus, Xis new China is charting its own course, aiming to reorient the geopolitical order in the coming years. In this great power game, if India comes in between, China will have no way, but to handle its emerging global neighbour.

When the worlds most powerful nations are meeting this weekend in Delhi, the two notable absentees are only Vladimir Putin, the President of the Russian Federation and Xi. Both have their own reasons for not coming to attend the most talked about G-20 Summit. For Putin, he has been facing an international arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court (ICC) for atrocities carried out in Ukraine during the course of the current conflict that began in February 2021. Apart from this, he is fast encountering international isolation for his extreme aggression against his neighbour and looking for support from friends and allies all over the world.

By now, Chinas reticence has generated a lot of interpretations in global media and in diplomatic circles. For Xi, it is an occasion to showcase that China is having its unique world view wherein engagement rules are quite different from what the others think. But his absence in the Delhi Summit is very unique because since his coming to power, he has never missed any G20 summit in any part of the world. In fact, no proper explanation has been given by Beijing for Xi skipping the landmark event.

However, international observers and China watchers say that his absence indicates predominantly Chinas displeasure with the West, especially the US. Secondly, the Chinese strongman clearly wants to avoid isolation from the majority of the Western leaders as Putin is also not coming to the summit.

Thirdly, Chinas long boundary dispute with India, the host country, and so far, both the neighbours not arriving at any credible solution to this sticky issue may be one reason for his intriguing decision of absence in the meet. Also, China views India as a member of the anti-China camp headed by the US. So in that case why Xi will attend a global event that projects India as a superpower and most of the western leaders are taking a front seat, most importantly US President Joe Biden.

Fourthly, Chinas long rivalry with the US and complete distrust over the existing international liberal order, this kind of a no-show was highly likely from Xi.

Fifthly, China has started viewing G20 as another international forum that supports Washintons and its allys agenda at the most.

Sixthly, George Magnus, an economist who is with the China Centre at Oxford University, says: There may be an element of deliberate snub to India but could also be a statement that there are different governance structures Xi Jinping thinks are important and the G20, may not be one of them. Xi may have wanted to make an example of the Indian G20.

Yes, there could be a high probability that Xi might be thinking on these lines.

As economic globalisation unfolds in full cycle, India and China seem to be heading more towards collision than convergence. But there was a time when both the bordering nations were offering huge benefits to their partnering countries without upsetting the regional power balance. Today, the world is different and geopolitical dynamics are changing very fast.

To many international observers India-China rivalry and competition is going to grow at any cost. Again, Chinas new Premier Li Qiang has already arrived in Delhi to attend the summit who is completely new to the entire scenario of India-China conflict. And this is his second international test after just attending the East Asia Summit in Jakarta this week. And till date, there has been no public statement that Li and Prime Minister Modi may have a bilateral engagement on the sidelines of the meet. In fact, the strange thing is that for more than a year China has not been appointing a permanent ambassador in New Delhi. This shows how Beijing is trying to sideline Delhi on the diplomatic front but always wanted to engage on the trade front.

Finally, this G20 will certainly enhance Indias global ambitions and particularly Prime Minister Modis stature all around the world. Though he has been facing sharp criticisms from the opposition INDIA alliance in the run up to the 2024 General Election, he has already established a distinct style of leadership, delivery and oratory during his nearly a decade of power at the Centre. Its clear that the battle for him in this election is simply Modi vs Modi as the buzzword goes around in the national and international media.

The INDIA alliance is too crowded and there each of the top leaders have a prime ministerial ambition. More importantly, these opposition leaders face stiff competition back home with their largest ally i.e. Congress. And some of them like the Trinamool Congress, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), DMK, CPI(M), Nationalist Congress Party, JD(U) have been sworn enemies of the Congress since their birth though they quite often form opportunistic alliances with the latter on many occasions. But this time, no single party will take any chance as it is the question of becoming Prime Minister of India (though it may certainly never happen).

Even some of them might choose to become a Charan Singh or Chandra Shekhar of the recent past, still they wont cede their space to the much-awaited Gandhi scion Rahul Gandhi. Frankly speaking, whether its Bharat Jodo or any other initiative that he has undertaken so far, this single agenda has always remained anti-Modi centric. This has been the biggest mistake on his part and Prime Minister Modi being a global statesman, such a vilifying agenda might not serve any purpose for the poor Gandhi.

This G20 will be a new feather in the cap of Prime Minister Modi. His leadership and appeal has reached to all corners of the world and to all Indians especially in the remotest parts of the country. However China and Russias absence has slightly dampened the event. But then the presence of Biden, Sunak, Macron and the rest will certainly enhance Indias event and its global ratings in the days to come.

Sadly, the strange bedfellows at INDIA camp should have offered a helping hand to the current government so as to project a concerted effort of the entire nation instead of cribbing and complaining about the event from day one. It does not matter, this G20 is a Modi show and will always be remembered as a grand fiesta in the annals of modern Indian history.

(The writer is currently president of the Global Research Foundation)
Abiding by Prime Minister Narendra Modis appeal of sabka saath (with everyone) for global good and a major achievement under Indias G20 presidency, the African Union on Saturday became a new permanent member of the grouping. It is the first expansion of the influential bloc since its inception in 1999.

This far-reaching step at Indias initiative was taken on the inaugural day of the G20 summit here with Modi during his inaugural remarks asking President of the Union of Comoros and Chairperson of the African Union (AU), Azali Assoumani, to join other leaders at the high table. It makes the 55-member bloc the second multi-nation grouping after the European Union to be a permanent member of the G20. Now, the influential bloc may be referred to as G21.

In another major victory for India as head of the G20, Modi announced the adoption of the New Delhi Leaders Declaration. It came amid increasing tensions and divergent views over the Ukraine conflict.

The announcement about the consensus on the declaration and its subsequent adoption came hours after India circulated a new text to the G20 countries to describe the Ukraine conflict.

Friends, we have just got good news, with the hard work of our teams, and with the cooperation of you all, there is consensus on the New Delhi G20 Summit Leaders Declaration, Modi told the leaders at the summit.

I announce that this declaration is adopted (Banged the gavel thrice), he announced.

Modi also flagged concern over prevailing distrust in the world in the backdrop of the ongoing Ukraine conflict and urged the leaders to turn the global trust deficit into confidence in each other and find new solutions to age-old challenges.

As regards inclusion of the African Union, Modi said,

In keeping with the sentiment of sabka saath (with everyone), India had proposed that the African Union should be given permanent membership of the G20. I believe we all are in agreement on this proposal..., at the Bharat Mandapam, the venue of the Summit.

Before moving forward with the proceedings, I would like to invite the president of the African Union to take his place as a permanent member of the G20, he said amid thunderous applause by the gathering of world leaders.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar then escorted Assoumani to take his seat at the G20 high table. Before taking his seat, Assoumani shared a warm handshake and hug with Modi.

In a post on X later, the Prime Ministers Office said, Advancing a more inclusive G20 that echoes the aspirations of the Global South! PM @narendramodi extends a heartfelt welcome to President @_AfricanUnion and the President of Comoros Azali Assoumani. Thrilled to have the African Union as a permanent member. A milestone for the G20 family indeed, it said.

All member countries of the G20 accepted Modis proposal to bring the key bloc of the Global South to the high table of the worlds top economies.

Honoured to welcome the African Union as a permanent member of the G20 Family. This will strengthen the G20 and also strengthen the voice of the Global South, Modi posted on X along with a video of him announcing that the African Union has become a permanent member of the G20.

In the last few years, India has been positioning itself as a leading voice, flagging concerns, challenges and aspirations of the Global South, or developing nations, especially the African continent.

The Prime Minister was leading from the front on the issue of the African Unions membership of the G20. In June, Modi wrote to G20 leaders to pitch for according to the African Union full membership of the grouping at its New Delhi summit.

Weeks later, the proposal was formally included in the draft communique for the summit during the third G20 Sherpas meeting in Hampi, Karnataka, in July.

As G20 president, India has been focusing on issues like inclusive growth, digital innovation, climate resilience, and equitable global health access with an aim to benefit the Global South or the developing countries. In January, India hosted the Voice of the Global South Summit with an aim to highlight the problems and challenges facing the developing countries.

The Addis Ababa-headquartered African Union (AU) comprises the 55 member states that make up the countries of the African Continent.

It was officially launched in 2002 as a successor to the Organisation of African Unity, Africas first post-independence continental institution set up in 1963 with 32 members. Collectively, African Union member states have a GDP of nearly USD 3 trillion and a population of around 1.4 billion.

US President Joe Biden, Chancellor Olaf Scholz, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, his Italian counterpart Giorgia Meloni, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva are among those attending the two-day G20 Summit here.

The chiefs of many leading global bodies such as the United Nations, International Monetary Fund, World Bank and World Health Organisation are also participating in the conference.

After assuming presidency of the bloc on December 1, India held around 200 meetings related to the G20 across the country on a range of its priority areas.

The G20 member countries represent around 85 per cent of the global GDP, over 75 per cent of the global trade, and about two-thirds of the world population.

Besides the African Union, the G20 grouping comprises Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, the UK, the US and the European Union (EU).

The G20 was founded in 1999 after a financial crisis as a forum for the Finance Ministers and Central bank Governors to discuss global economic and financial issues. It was upgraded to the level of heads of States and Governments in the wake of the global economic and financial crisis of 2007. In 2009, it was designated the premier forum for international economic cooperation.

Meanwhile, in his opening remarks at the G20 Leaders Summit, Modi exuded confidence and said if the world could defeat Covid, it could also triumph over the trust deficit caused by the war.

It is time for all of us to walk together for global good, the Prime Minister said while addressing the One Earth session of the G20 Leaders Summit.

Following the Covid pandemic, the world faced a new challenge of trust deficit and unfortunately, the wars have further deepened this, he said.

But we must remember that if we can defeat a pandemic like Covid, we can also win over the challenge of this trust deficit. Today, as the president of the G20, India calls upon the entire world to turn this global trust deficit into trust and confidence, Modi said.

This is a time when age-old challenges are calling for new solutions from us. And therefore, with a human-centric approach, we have to move forward to fulfil our responsibilities, Modi said.

The Prime Minister informed the participants that it had become a peoples G20 in India with over 200 events held in more than 60 cities.

For all challenges, right from the upheaval in the global economy to the North-South divide, from food management to fuel and fertiliser management, from terrorism to cyber security, from health to energy and water security, we have to move towards concrete solutions, together, Modi said. He is chairing the G20 summit.

On the New Delhi Declaration, the Prime Minister said, On this occasion, I convey my heartfelt thanks to ministers, sherpas and all officials who worked hard to make this possible and they are worthy of being praised.

Hailing the breakthrough, Indias G20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant posted on X, Historical and Path breaking #G20 Declaration with 100 per cent consensus on all developmental and geo-political issues. The new geopolitical paras are a powerful call for Planet, People, Peace and Prosperity in todays world . Demonstrates PM @narendramodi leadership in todays world.

The G20 countries agreed on the new text to describe the Ukraine conflict that was circulated by India on Saturday morning, sources said.

There was no consensus on the text to describe the Ukraine issue at the G20 Sherpa meeting that took place in Nuh district of Haryana from September 3-6. The G20 operates under the principle of consensus.

Both Russia and China had agreed to the two paragraphs on the Ukraine conflict in the Bali declaration, but they backtracked from it this year creating difficulties for India.

Almost all key meetings held under Indias G20 presidency, including those of Finance and Foreign Ministers, could not come out with consensus documents in view of opposition from Russia and China to any text referring to the Ukraine conflict.
India along with the US and several major economies on Saturday announced an ambitious India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor with Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasising on respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity of all nations while promoting connectivity

initiatives.

The corridor project is an agreement between India, the US, UAE, and Saudi Arabia to build shipping and railway links connecting Europe and the West Asia to India.

Launching the corridor, Modi said it will give a new direction to connectivity and sustainable development. In times to come, the corridor will become an effective medium for economic integration of India, the West Asia and Europe, he said.

The Prime Minister lauded the launch of the corridor and said a historic agreement was concluded. In the coming times, it will be an effective medium of economic integration between India, West Asia and Europe. This will provide a sustainable direction for connectivity and development across the world.

Emphasising that strong connectivity and infrastructure are the fundamental basis for the development of human civilisation, the Prime Minister said, India has given top priority to connectivity and infrastructure in its development journey.

At the launch of the corridor, US President Joe Biden said, This is a real big deal. I want to thank Prime Minister Modi. Building sustainable, resilient infrastructure, making quality infrastructure investments and creating a better future... Last year, we came together as one to commit to this vision.

Besides, European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen also called the launch historic.

As he launched the India-Middle East-Europe connectivity corridor, Modi said investments are also being made in social, digital and financial infrastructure.

The plan is to create an economic corridor that links Middle-Eastern countries through rail links, which will then be connected to India through shipping lanes. The European Union will also be involved.

At the invitation of Modi, Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia is visiting India from September 9-11, 2023. During this visit, he will attend the two-day G20 Summit.

As regards the infrastructure project, US Deputy National Security Adviser Jon Finer said in a Press briefing, First and foremost, it is the value proposition we see in linking these three regions of the world and enabling the flow of commerce, energy and digital communication, that we think is going to help increase prosperity.

He called it an affirmative, positive agenda and vision for global infrastructure that the United States and our partners are laying out that we think has real appeal for countries and regions that are underserved.

The project first came into the spotlight in May after top national security officials from the four countries met in Saudi Arabia to discuss the deal.

The project, which is in line with President Bidens Middle East strategy, will enhance connectivity, de-escalate conflict, and provide a counter for Chinas Belt and Road initiative.

This project, which will push commerce, energy trade, digital connectivity, high standards, will be executed in a transparent, non-coercive and sustainable way, Finer added.

US Deputy NSA Finer pointed out that the United States did not see the proposed projects as a part of a competition with China. The idea for this project came up during discussions part of the I2U2 forum, which includes India, Israel, the United States and the UAE.

While Israel is not yet part of the project, it may play a role if its normalisation process with Saudi Arabia goes through, as per reports.

National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan met with Saudi Prime Minister and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, UAE National Security Adviser Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and National Security Adviser of India Ajit Doval met on May 7 in Saudi Arabia to advance their shared vision of a more secure and prosperous Middle East region interconnected with India and the world, reads a release from the White House regarding the meeting in May.

US Deputy NSA Finer pointed out that the United States did not see the proposed projects as a part of a competition with China. We do not see it as zero sum with other approaches to infrastructure. We are not asking countries to make this zero sum choice. But we do think the value proposition we have to offer is high, said Finer.

We have seen other efforts that are not as ambitious when it comes to high standards, when it comes to transparency, when it comes to sustainability and that are fundamentally more coercive in nature. We feel good about the contrast that what we are offering provides, he added.

Meanwhile, giving schedule of Saudi Arabia Prince, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said here on Saturday, he will continue his stay in India after the summit for a State visit on September 11. He earlier visited India on a State Visit in February 2019, and this will be his second State Visit to India.

He is accompanied by a high-level delegation, including Ministers and senior officials. This visit follows the highly successful visit of Modi to Saudi Arabia in October 2019 during which the two countries established the Strategic Partnership Council.

On September 11, 2023, Crown Prince will call on the President. He will hold a bilateral meeting with the Prime Minister and both leaders will also co-chair the First Leaders Meeting of the Strategic Partnership Council.

They will review the progress made under the two Ministerial Committees of the Strategic Partnership Council i.e. the Committee on Political, Security, Social and Cultural Cooperation and the Committee on Economy and Investments Cooperation.

They will discuss all aspects of bilateral relations including political, security, defence, trade and economic, cultural and people-to-people ties. Both the leaders will also discuss the regional and international issues of mutual interest.

India and Saudi Arabia have historically close and friendly relations with extensive people-to-people contacts. The trade between both countries reached all time high of USD 52.75 billion in FY 2022-23.

India is Saudi Arabias second largest trading partner whereas Saudi Arabia is Indias fourth largest trading partner. Both countries also have a strong partnership in the area of energy.

There is a vibrant Indian community of around 2.4 million in Saudi Arabia. Their contribution towards the development of the host country and role as bridges to deepen the multifaceted ties between the two countries is highly appreciated. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia also facilitates Hajj pilgrimage of over 175,000 Indians every year.
From sarees to traditional Indian attires like salwar kameez worn by the high dignitaries for the gala G20 Dinner on Saturday evening gave the real reflection of the Vasudhaiv Kutumabakam, the motto of the international event chaired by India that saw galaxy of world leaders, including President Joe Biden, United Kingdom PM Rishi Sunak amongst others.

The newly built international convention and exhibition centre and its verdant lawns dazzled at night with colourful illumination while its gurgling fountains and the Nataraja statue placed in front of the state-of-the-art building created a pretty picture.

Japanese PM Fumio Kishidas wife Yuko Kishida came in saree, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director and Chairman Kristalina Georgieva, dressed in Indian Salwar Kurta, were among the first to arrive at the newly built convention centre in Pragati Maidan alongwith World Bank President Ajay Banga and his wife Ritu Banga and Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. (Till the reports filed)

Yuko Kishida stole the limelight as she was apparently wearing a Kanjivaram Saree. All the guests were received by President Draupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Modi was also seen explaining the background insignia of Nalanda University, considered to be the oldest in the world.

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and wife Akshata Murty, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and his wife Yoko Kishida, who was dressed in a saree, Chinese Prime Minister Li Qiang, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese along with his spouse and Mauritian PM Pravind Kumar Jugnauth and his wife, were among other dignitaries welcomed by President Murmu and Modi. Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Indonesian President Joko Widodo and his wife, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov were also greeted by Murmu and Modi.

The Prime Minister was also seen explaining to some of the G20 leaders, including US President Biden, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, French President Macron and Australian PM Albanese, about the importance of the university.

Besides Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar with his wife Sudesh Dhankhar, former President Ram Nath Kovind, and former Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu too joined the dinner party.

Bharat Vadya Darshanam (Musical Journey of India), a concert enthralled the guests from almost three hours during which 78 instrumentalists from throughout the nation, including 11 children, 13 women, and seven artists with disabilities, participated.

Sources said ITC Hotels that provided all vegetarian catering for the two-day summit for global leaders consisting of four-course dishes like Paneer Lababdar, Subz Korma, Potato Lyonnaise, Kaju Matar Makhana, Jowar Dal Tadka, Pyaaz Jeera Ka Pulao, Cucumber Raita, Tandoori Roti, Butter Naan, Kulcha, Roasted Almond and Vegetable Broth, and desserts like Kuttu Malpua and Kesar Pista Rasmalai. Lentils, salads and chaat items like Dahi Bhalla, Samosa, Spicy Chaat, Lilva Kachori and others were also part of the menu.

On Saturday during the G20 meeting lunch, a lavish vegetarian lunch was served that included kurkuri bhindi, tandoori aloo, zafrani gucchi pulao, and paneer tilwala.

Congress ruled States Chief Ministers except for the Himachal Pradesh CM, avoided to grace the G20 Dinner on Saturday evening that saw the presence of top global leaders.

At least six of the 12 chief ministers belonging to Opposition skipped the G20 dinner hosted by President Droupadi Murmu at the Bharat Mandapam on Saturday evening,

However the CMs of the Opposition bloc Bihar CM Nitish Kumar, West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee, Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren, Tamil Nadu CM M K Stalin, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann were present in full and reportedly also had a brief brush with Modi.

All the CMs reached the venue in a ferry bus after reaching the Parliament complex between 6pm to 7 pm.

Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and HD Deve Gowda, Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik too skipped the dinner due to health concerns as cited by sources close to them.

Telangana CM K Chandrashekhar Rao, Andhra CM Jagan Mohan Reddy who is in London and Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan too did not made out to the event which saw presence of top global leaders, Modi and his council of ministers and host Murmu who reached at 7 pm to receive and greet her invitees. Modi and Murmu together extended the courtesy.

Murmu hosted the dinner at Bharat Mandapam, the venue for the G20 Summit at Pragati Maidan. A total 170 invitees were on the list, including Union Ministers and Chief Ministers, those of States ruled by Opposition parties also.

Global leaders shine in Indian attire at gala G20 dinner Congress invitees expressed their resentment since their party chief Mallikarjun Kharge was not invited for the dinner as extended by the President Draupadi Murmu.

Chief Ministers of Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan Bhupesh Baghel and Ashok Gehlot respectively alleged that their travel plans were disrupted due to the restrictions imposed on air travel in and around Delhi however that was rebutted by Union home ministry that no restrictions have been imposed on travel of governors and chief ministers to the national Capital or its nearby areas in their state aircraft during the ongoing G20 Summit but those travelling in private chartered flights require prior approval.

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah termed as wrong Congress Party chief Mallikarjun Kharge not being invited to the G20 gala dinner in Delhi. He also said, he will not be attending the dinner due to prior work commitments.
Punjab Polices Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF), in a pan-India operation conducted in coordination with central agencies, on Friday arrested three key shooters of notorious gangster Sonu Khatri, who is a close associate of terrorist Harvinder Rinda.

The state Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav has identified the arrested shooters as Sukhmanjot Singh alias Sukhman Brar of New Deol Nagar in Jalandhar; Jaskaran Singh alias Jassi Lodhipur of village Lodhipur in SBS Nagar; and Jograj Singh alias Joga of village Pholriwal in Jalandhar. Police teams have also recovered three foreign-made sophisticated pistols of .32 bore from their possession, he added.

In an intelligence-led operation, Police teams from AGTF Punjab under the overall supervision of ADGP Promod Ban have nabbed accused Sukhman Brar from Indo-Nepal Border, while he was attempting to escape to Nepal, and other two were arrested from Gurugram, Haryana, said the DGP, while adding that trio arrested shooters were planning to prepare fake passports to escape abroad from Kathmandu, Nepal.

He said that all the arrested persons are involved in at least five murder cases including Makhan murder cases, which took place in Nawanshahr in March 2022, besides, five cases of other heinous crimes including attempt to murder, Arms Act, carjacking and extortion. They were also involved in a broad day-light shootout at Metro Plaza in Zirakpur, he added.

Sharing more details, AIG Sandeep Goel, who was leading the operation, said that preliminary investigations have revealed that arrested accused persons used to commit sensational crimes in the state of Punjab on the directions of gangster Sonu Khatri, and after committing the crime they used to take refuge in hideouts located in different parts of the country and in Nepal.

It has also been revealed that hideouts were arranged by foreign handler Sonu Khatri, who also used to pay the shooters on a regular basis via hawala transactions, he said, while adding that further investigations are on.
To enhance the quality of healthcare services across Odisha in the long term, the Department of Hospital Administration of AIIMS Bhubaneswar organised a six-day training programme on Hospital Administration and Quality Assurance in Healthcare. The programme, supported by UNICEF, NHM and the Government of Odisha was conducted in compliance with the National Quality Assurance Standards, aims to empower Assistant Managers (Quality Assurance) working at the district levels of National Health Mission (NHM), Odisha.

Inaugurating the programme AIIMS Bhubaneswar Executive Director Dr Ashutosh Biswas emphasised the need for sensitising healthcare providers to sustainable measures that ensure the quality of healthcare services. Dr Brunda D., Mission Director of NHM Odisha, encouraged the participants to make the most of this comprehensive training session.

Among others, State Health Services Director Dr BK Mohapatra, Director Health Dr BK Panigrahy, State Consultant (Technical), Quality Assurance, NHM, Dr Bijay Swain and Health Specialist, UNICEF, Odisha Dr Meena Som also attended the event.

AIIMS Bhubaneswar Hospital Administration HoD Dr Jawahar SK Pillai, presiding over the event, informed about the national institutes pioneering Post-Doctoral Fellowship (PDF) programme in healthcare quality and patient safety specially designed for medical administrators who have completed their MD in Hospital Administration.

In addition, experts from other hospitals in Bhubaneswar actively participated in the programme that covered a wide range of essential topics, including quality management and safety in healthcare.
As world leaders arrived at the Bharat Mandapam for the G20 Summit in New Delhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi opened the session by saying, "Bharat welcomes you". Amid a controversy over using 'Bharat' to refer to the country in official invitations for the summit, PM Modi was seen sitting in front of a placard that said 'Bharat' at the Bharat Mandapam, Pragati Maidan.

The development comes days amid a row over the shift to India from Bharat in the dinner invitation from President Murmu to leaders attending G20 Summit. References to Bharat were made including in documents relating to Modis recent visits abroad including Indonesia this week.

As the debate was triggered ahead of the upcoming special session of Parliament, the agenda of which is yet to be disclosed, it prompted unconfirmed reports that a change of name could be discussed and passed during the session.

The government has used 'Bharat', a name used in the Constitution for the country along with India, in several official G20 documents. Official sources have said it is a conscious decision.

"Bharat" has also been used in a G20 booklet meant for foreign delegates titled - "Bharat, The Mother Of Democracy". "Bharat is the official name of the country. It is mentioned in the Constitution as also in the discussions of 1946-48," the booklet says.

The UN had also in the backdrop of the recent raging controversy over the likely name change hinted that if New Delhi moves and completes the required formalities for the name change the UN will go by the book and will change the name at the UN (records).

Deputy Spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Farhan Haq, referenced Turkey's recent name change to Turkiye as an example.

The India vs. Bharat debate had snowballed into into a massive political controversy with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi saying that changing Indias name is the governments classic panic reaction and distraction tactics due to the fear of the opposition bloc INDIA. During a press conference in Europe, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi dismissed the controversy surrounding the "India vs Bharat" issue as a "distraction tactic" and a sign of the government's nervousness.

Modi, however, told his ministerial colleagues on Wednesday to avoid the political row around the Bharat issue, noting that it has been the country's ancient name.
HAFED delegation reaches UAE



Chandigarh: The Chairman of the Haryana State Cooperative Supply and Marketing Federation Limited (HAFED) Kailash Bhagat said that soon there will be an agreement between the UAE and the Haryana government to export rice and sugar to the UAE, after which Haryana Rice and sugar will be exported. This information came following Bhagat's meeting with several key figures in the UAE's basmati rice export industry. Bhagat, accompanied by a HAFED delegation, which included Dr J Ganesan, Managing Director of HAFED, and Rajneesh Sharma, General Manager (Marketing), visited the UAE to explore these export opportunities.



MC seeks advance on Grant in Aid from Chandigarh Administration



Chandigarh: Anup Gupta, Mayor, Chandigarh on Friday said that he met UT Administrator Banwarilal Purohit and sought advance against the 3rd installment of Grant in aid share i.e. 135 crores so that the ongoing developmental works are not affected. While sharing this information, the Mayor said that the administration has assured early release of Rs. 25 crores as advance from its 3rd installment of Grant in aid share of 135 crores.



Haryana State-Level Women's Awards nominations invited by Nov 20



Chandigarh: The Haryana government has invited nominations for the Haryana State-Level Women's Awards, which celebrate the accomplishments of women who have excelled in diverse fields. Nominations will be accepted until November 20, 2023, and should be accompanied by comprehensive biographical data and details of achievements. Sharing information, an official spokesperson said that these awards are presented by the government on International Women's Day and encompass a wide range of categories, recognizing women who have demonstrated exceptional achievements in various domains.



Gandharva Maha-Vidyalaya, Panchkula hosts classical music concert



Chandigarh: A grand concert of classical music was organised at Tagore Theatre by Gandharva Maha-Vidyalaya, Panchkula to commemorate the 150th Birth Anniversary of the legendary doyen of classical music Pt Vishnu Digambar Paluskar and to mark 75 years of Maha-Vidyalaya's existence and service to society. Bandaru Dattatreya, Governor of Haryana was the Chief Guest on the occasion. Some of the noted artists invited to present their performance on the solemn occasion were: Pt. Yogesh Samsi, Dr Vinay Mishra, Rajneesh Dhiman, Dr Aditya Sharma and Adarsh Saxena.
Chief Minister Hemant Soren today inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of 126 schemes at a cost of Rs 406 crore, 11 lakh, 58 thousand 3 hundred in West Singhbhum district. In this, the foundation of 95 schemes costing Rs 367 crore 99 lakh 15 thousand was laid. There, 31 schemes worth Rs 38 crore 12 lakh 43 thousand 3 hundred were inaugurated. On the occasion, assets worth Rs 23 lakh 35 thousand 636 were distributed among 25 beneficiaries. On behalf of the district administration, the Chief Minister was informed that in the current financial year 2023-24, assets worth Rs 282 crore 27 lakh 35 thousand 4 hundred have been distributed among 7 lakh 38 thousand 962 beneficiaries.

Addressing the tribute paying-cum-laying of foundation stone of projects-inauguration and asset distribution programme organized in memory of the martyrs of Guava firing incident at Noamundi in West Singhbhum district today, the CM said, Hundreds of salutes to the brave martyrs of Guwa firing incident. We are remembering their sacrifice in the tribute meeting organized in honour of these brave martyrs. On this occasion, let us all take a pledge to imbibe the ideals of our martyrs, ancestors and agitators and build the Jharkhand of their dreams.

The CM said that our ancestors fought a long battle against the British rule, exploitation, oppression and others at different times. Be it the struggle to save one's existence and survival or to protect water, forest and land. Many sacrificed themselves in this fight. But, as a result of the struggle they waged, the existence of tribals and indigenous people continues today.

Soren said that our government is honouring our brave martyrs by identifying their dependents and those who lived a life of anonymity along with the agitators of separate state of Jharkhand. In this sequence, work has been done to connect the dependents of martyrs with various government schemes along with jobs and pension.

The CM said that even today we face many challenges. Tribal Dalits and backward people have been marginalized for decades. They have been ignored because they are economically, socially, educationally, intellectually and politically weak. Now when they are moving forward, some forces are making nefarious attempts to stop them. But, we will not waver from the resolve we have taken to strengthen them. No matter what the circumstances are, we have embarked on the path of strengthening them and will not stop our steps.

The Chief Minister said that the Manki-Munda traditional system is a strong link of the tribal community. They are the leaders of the society. We are giving more strength to this system, so that the society can get maximum benefit from it. On this occasion, the Chief Minister distributed motorcycles among them.

Minister Champai Soren and Joba Manjhi, Member of Parliament Geeta Koda, MLA Niral Purti, Deepak Pidhi, Dashrath Gagarai and Sonaram Sinku, Zilla Parishad President, Secretary to Chief Minister Vinay Kumar Choubey, Commissioner of Kolhan Division were present in the Martyrdom Day program apart from the DIG and the Deputy Commissioner and Superintendent of Police of West Singhbhum district, several officers of the district administration were present.
Colonel Ranveer Jamwal in his mission "Har Shikhar Tiranga" programme will unfurl the Indian Tri-colour in Parasnath, the highest peak of Jharkhand on 9th September 2023. The mission leader is Colonel Ranveer Singh Jamwal SM, VSM, an internationally renowned mountaineer who has climbed Mount Everest three times and has also conquered the highest mountain on all seven continents.

Har Shikhar Tiranga (HST) is a unique and remarkable campaign with the significant objective of hoisting the Indian national flag, Tiranga, on the highest peak of all 28 states of India for the very first time. This campaign is part of the larger "Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav," a nationwide celebration commemorating the 75th year of India's independence. It is a momentous occasion that coincides with India's G20 presidency, adding even more importance to this mission.

Colonel Jamwal and his team today met Governor CP Radhakrishnan here on Friday. The Governor applauded the initiative of Col Ranveer Jamwal and his team and appreciated his patriotism and contribution to our motherland India.

The founder and director of Ideate Inspire Ignite Foundation, Rajeev Gupta, is actively involved in this endeavour to inspire the people of Jharkhand through various programs.

On August 20th, after honouring the 13 Everest Summiteers on the 70th Anniversary of the Everest Summit in Ranchi, Jharkhand, an opportunity arose to collaborate with Colonel Ranveer Jamwal in his mission during the "Har Shikhar Tiranga" program. On September 9, 2023, the Colonel's team will unfurl the Indian Tri-colour on the highest peak of Parasnath, which is a matter of pride for our state, Jharkhand.

The main objectives of the mission are to promote national unity, showcase diversity, foster patriotism, encourage adventure and exploration, and raise local awareness.

So far, the team has successfully climbed the highest mountains/points of 24 states, including all seven northeastern states, Himalayan states, and coastal states. The team is now moving toward Parasnath to climb and unfurl Tiranga at the highest point of Jharkhand on the 9th of September 2023.

The team has received felicitations from many heads of state, such as the Governor of Himachal Pradesh, the Governor of Uttarakhand, the LG of Ladakh, the LG of Jammu and Kashmir, and the CM of Arunachal Pradesh. As the team enters Jharkhand, it is humbly requested that everyone come forward and be part of such a patriotic mission.
Punjab Excise and Taxation Department conducted a significant operation in Amritsar district on the intervening night of September 6 and 7 in response to a series of intelligence reports indicating the illegal manufacturing and sale of Scotch whisky in the region, and arrested key accused  Rajveer Singh and his accomplice Shivam  along with 10 boxes of illegally-bottled Scotch whiskey.

This operation served as a stark reminder that no one involved in this illicit trade would be spared, and all backward and forward linkages are under intense scrutiny, said the state Finance, Planning, Excise and Taxation Minister Harpal Singh Cheema on Friday.

Cheema said that the Department had been receiving critical information and inputs through its intelligence network regarding the illegal production and sale of Scotch whisky, particularly of one brand, in and around the Amritsar district.

Acting swiftly, the Special Operation Group (SOG) conducted extensive surveillance and reconnaissance of suspected individuals and areas involved in these illegal activities under the direct supervision of Finance Commissioner (Taxation) Vikas Partap and Excise Commissioner Varun Roojam, he said.

Cheema said that SOG successfully executed a trap operation leading to the arrest of one key accused Rajveer Singh along with 10 boxes of illegally bottled Scotch whiskey. The accused was handed over to Amritsar Rural Police and during the subsequent questioning, he disclosed the involvement of two accomplices Shivam and Jaspal who were responsible for sourcing raw materials required for liquor production from the Khasa distillery and bottling plant situated at Khasa, Amritsar, he added.

He said that SOG identified the location where illegal liquor was being manufactured following the information provided by the arrested individual, conducted a raid at the Khasa distillery on the same night and arrested another accused Shivam who was an employee of the distillery. He said that on investigation, it was found that Shivam played a pivotal role in these illegal activities by assisting in the theft of empty bottles, caps, labels, and the finished blend of Scotch whisky from the plant.

Giving a stern warning to the people involved in such illegal activities, Cheema said that all aspects of this illegal operation, from its inception to distribution, are being thoroughly scrutinized, and those involved will face the law.
In a shocking incident, a Dalit woman was raped and force-fed beef after being drugged by two accused belonging to the minority community in Bareilly district, police said on Friday.

A Muslim woman, who was the survivors friend, was also involved in the crime.

The woman had called the survivor to a hotel where the latter was gang-raped, police added.

The accused, identified as Shoaib, a BPharma student, and Nazim, who works as a barber, also filmed the act and blackmailed the survivor, demanding Rs 5 lakh. They later sent the video to the survivors fiance and tried to flee to Kashmir where Nazims shop is located.

Distressed by the blackmail, the survivor filed a complaint with the police.

The survivor had reportedly borrowed some money from her Muslim friend and wanted to return it. On September 2, she was called to a cafe by the accused woman where the other two men were also present. She was then tricked the survivor into going to a hotel where she was gang-raped.

Based on the victims complaint, a case has been registered under relevant sections of the Scheduled Castes/ Scheduled Tribe Act. It is also a case of extortion. All the accused have been arrested, a senior police official said.

Further legal proceedings would be taken against all the accused, including the woman involved in the crime, he added.

Meanwhile, a 21-year-old youth was arrested for allegedly kidnapping and raping a minor girl for 20 days after taking her to Delhi, police said on Friday.

On August 17, accused Kundan Kumar Paswan, a resident of Majhauli village of Ballia district, kidnapped a 13-year-old girl from a village in Bansdih Road police station area.

The minor, after being rescued on Thursday, informed police that Paswan took her to Delhi and raped her for 20 days, Station House Officer Raj Kapoor Singh said.

After the girls disappearance, her mother filed a complaint and a case under sections 363 (kidnapping) and 366 (kidnapping, abducting or inducing woman to compel her for marriage) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) was registered against Kundan.

Following the victims statement, Section 376 (3) (rape on a woman under sixteen years of age) of the IPC and sections of Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses (POCSO) Act were added to the FIR, the SHO said.

Kundan was arrested from Shankarpur trisection on Friday, he said.

ELECTROCUTED

Meanwhile, in a tragic incident, two young farmers in Dibai village of Bulandshahr district died after coming in contact with a high-tension wire.

The families of the victims blamed the electricity department for negligence.

Police said cousins Sumit (20) and Krishna (22) died on Thursday when they had gone to their farm to collect fodder.

According to Sumits father Jitendra Singh, a snapped high tension live wire was lying in the field.

One of the two youths came in contact with the wire and was electrocuted. The other died while trying to save him. It was all due to the negligence of the electricity department, Jitendra Singh alleged.

SHO of Dibai, Chhotey Singh, said, Two young men were taken to a hospital where doctors pronounced them dead. Their bodies were handed over to families. Prima facie, it appears they died of electrocution. There was an electric pole above them, but it is not clear what actually happened.

The sub-divisional magistrate of Dibai also visited the spot.

We will register an FIR once we receive a complaint, police said.

The victims belonged to a farming family. Sumit was pursuing a technical course at a private polytechnic.
he Haryana government on Friday held a meeting here to discuss the modalities of decriminalising certain laws.



"The objective of this exercise is to improve the ease of doing business and ease of living for citizens by reducing burdensome compliances prescribed in certain acts/rules. The exercise aims to simplify, digitise, decriminalise, and rationalise compliances," a government statement said.



Chief Secretary Sanjeev Kaushal, who presided over the meeting, said the primary goal is to avoid registering FIRs, imprisoning people or putting them on trial for minor violations of these laws, which are not serious in nature. "Instead of treating them as criminal acts, they may be treated as civil offences or regulated through administrative measures, fines, or other non-criminal penalties," he said.



Kaushal directed all administrative secretaries to submit a report on decriminalisation of laws and acts in their respective departments within a fortnight. The departments have also been tasked with reviewing 319 acts to identify provisions that could be decriminalised.



The chief secretary also said the objective of the exercise is to foster a business and industry-friendly environment in the state, recognising that certain minor transgressions may occur as part of regular work and these should not be treated as criminal offences. Kaushal said that various departments of the state government have taken this initiative enthusiastically and so far, 28 acts have been decriminalised. He said the departments are actively engaged in the exercise and have been conducting an exhaustive analysis of acts, rules, regulations and notifications "to reduce the burdensome compliances in the state."


To stimulate Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) units and create employment opportunities, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Friday announced the development of an industrial area spanning 100 acres of land under the Programme to Accelerate Development for MSME Advancement (PADMA) scheme at Khanpur village in Hisar.

Under this scheme, the Khanpur village Panchayat will propose to allocate 100 acres of land. In addition, in response to the requests from Gurana villagers, the Chief Minister has also announced the relocation of the village tehsil from Hansi to Barwala and the shifting of the market committee area to Barwala. The Chief Minister was speaking while interacting with the people during a Jan Samvad held in Gurana village of the Narnaund assembly in Hisar.



Khattar also announced several development projects including, the provision of drinking water supply in Gurana village, construction of a hall and boundary wall at Chhotu Ram stadium, land level improvement at primary and government senior secondary schools in the village, construction of new rooms and halls in schools, construction of a boundary wall, path, and shed at the cremation ground under the Shivdham scheme, establishment of a procurement center in Masoodpur village, construction of Phirni and drainage, construction of a community center in Data village, connecting Sisai village drinking water supply to Bhakra. In addition, approval has been granted for the construction of a road connecting Gurana to Masoodpur provided that farmers made the land available to the Public Works Department at the collector rate.



The Chief Minister said that upon assuming office in 2014, the government introduced a new system, resulting in the implementation of numerous welfare schemes for the benefit of the people. The practices of nepotism and corruption in government jobs were curtailed, and deserving young individuals were provided with employment opportunities. He highlighted that in Gurana village alone, 55 youths secured government jobs based on their qualifications, with 10 of them appointed in central government roles and 45 in state government positions.



The Chief Minister presented battery-operated vehicles to two differently-abled individuals in Gurana village. Notably, he had on Thursday announced the distribution of battery-operated vehicles, replacing conventional tricycles, to differently-abled individuals in Bahbalpur village in Barwala.



Orders assessment of crop damage due to lack of rain



In response to the concerns of farmers in the Narnaund area of Hisar, Khattar has taken decisive action by issuing an order to assess the extent of crop damage resulting from lack of rain in the region. He assured that farmers facing losses due to damaged crops will receive compensation. Farmers in the region conveyed their distress regarding the lack of rainfall, which has led to the withering of their crops. In response during Jan Samvad program at Ugalan village, the Chief Minister promptly directed the Revenue department officials to conduct an assessment using "girdawari", aimed at determining the extent of crop damage. Farmers with crop insurance would be eligible to file claims, while those without insurance would receive compensation from the government, he added.



Urges Sarpanches to spearhead village development and combat corruption



In another event, Khattar called upon the Sarpanches to get the development works done in their villages by utilizing the funds released to the Panchayats for developmental purposes and also to vigilantly monitor against corruption. He emphasized that Gram Panchayats would also have to take responsibility for maintaining government-initiated rural development projects. The Chief Minister was speaking during a Jan Samvad held in Narnaund in Hisar. He also responded positively to all significant demands presented by Sarpanches from various villages. Engaging directly with the people, Khattar said that the present state government is committed to fostering inclusive development and transparency across various sectors.



Khattar announced the allocation of approximately 1.25 acres of land near the SDM office in Narnaund for the court complex. Apart from this, he said that the process of enhancing the road infrastructure between Narnaund and Jind is now underway, with a tender valued at Rs 13.65 crore issued, and construction work slated to commence shortly.



The CM said that the state government is continuously working to eliminate corruption from its roots and the common man will also have to play his role in this work. Emphasizing the importance of ensuring the proper distribution of ration to eligible children, he warned that any complaints regarding ration distribution would lead to action against the responsible officials and employees. Anganwadi centers in the Narnaund area would undergo a thorough inspection one month from now, he added.
Under the direction of Dhar Superintendent of Police Manoj Kumar Singh, cyber cell team took major action regarding illegal gas refilling.

Illegal gas refilling business caught red handed by cyber cell and police station Sardarpur on the spot.

The accused used to do illegal gas refilling business near Tejaji Rajasthani Hotel located on Indore-Ahmedabad highway under Sardarpur police station area. Commercial gas tanks were being filled illegally by HPCL gas tanker driver Jaipal. Police seized Rs 5,31,000 including 1 gas tanker, 4 filled and 15 empty, total 19 commercial gas tanks with gas refilling equipment, 5 mobile phones from the possession of 05 accused.

Superintendent of Police, Dhar, Manoj Kumar Singh, along with all the SDOPs and police station incharges of the Dhar district, under the guidance of Additional Superintendent of Police, Dr. Inderjit Singh Bakalwar, to arrest the gang involved in illegal business like illegal gas refilling, bio diesel, illegal weapons, weapon manufacturing etc.

Cyber branch in-charge Bherusingh Deora has been directed to take appropriate action. on the basis of information received by Superintendent of Police Dhar Manoj Kumar Singh, the cyber cell team of Dhar Police, taking joint action with police station Sardarpur, raided on the illegal activities in village Phulgawadi near Tejaji Rajasthani Hotel located on Indore-Ahmedabad Highway.

Five accused were caught red-handed while doing gas refilling business and crime number 410/23, section 3/7 of Essential Commodities Act, 1955 and section 285 was registered against them at police station Sardarpur and taken up for investigation.

The Name and address of the arrested accused are Jaipal Singh father Mahendra Singh caste Sikh age 35 years resident Patar Mohalla district Ashoknagar (Gas tanker driver), Sanjay father Subhash caste Jat age 27 years resident village Khareli police station Sardarpur district Dhar , Santosh father Mohan caste Rajput age 29 years resident village Khareli police station Sardarpur district Dhar, Gajendra father Kanji caste Jat age 35 years resident village Khareli police station Sardarpur district Dhar, Dinesh father Sardar caste Rajput age 27 years resident village Khareli police station Sardarpur district Dhar.

One gas tanker number MP 04 HE 4210 worth Rs 5,00,000 was recovered from the possession of accused Jaipal.

Total quantity: 1 gas tanker, 4 filled gas tanks, 15 empty gas tanks along with gas extraction equipment worth Rs 5,31,000, 2 full gas tanks, 10 empty gas tanks, gas extraction equipment - 01 pipe hose, nozzle worth Rs 20,500 were recovered from the possession of accused Sanjay.

Two full gas tanks, 5 empty gas tanks worth Rs 10,500 were recovered from the possession of accused Santosh.
In a setback to opposition NDA in State, JMM candidate Bebi Devi won the Dumri bypoll defeating AJSU Party nominee Yashoda Devi by 17,153 votes.

Beby Devi the JMM candidate, who is also the INDIA bloc nominee, secured 1,00,317 votes while NDA candidate Yashoda Devi bagged 83,164 votes after 24 rounds of counting votes. The victory of the JMM candidate assumes importance for not only INDIA bloc candidates, but Bebi Devi also retained the seat which fell vacant due to the untimely death of her husband Jagannath Mahto.

Giridih deputy commissioner-cum-district election officer Naman Priyesh Lakra said, "The counting of votes passed off peacefully. JMM's Bebi Devi won the election with a margin of 17,153 votes."

The election was held on September 5 and counting of votes was held today at Krishi bazar Samiti premises. Four other candidates in the fray, Abdul Mobin Rizvi of AIMIM, Roshan Lal Turi and Narayan Giri, all independents forfeited their deposits.

In 24 rounds counting, AJSU candidate Yashoda Devi took the lead in the first round but Baby Devi took the lead of 300 votes in second round of counting. However from 3rd round Yashoda Devi again re-established her lead and maintained till 14th round of counting.

However, in the 15th round Baby Devi bounced back with a lead of 300 votes and increased the margin in each round till the last ( 24th round).

The results declared from the total number of rounds of counting of votes as follows Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM): Baby Devi: 1,00,317 votes, All Jharkhand Students Union (AJSU): Yashoda Devi: 83,164 votes, All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM): Abdul Mobin Rizvi: 3,472 votes, Independent: Roshan Lal Turi: 1,898 votes, Independent: Kamal Prasad Sahu: 0,713 votes, Independent: Narayan Giri: 0,612 votes.

A total of 3650 votes have been used in NOTA (none of these). The total polled number was 1,93,902. In which valid voting were 1,93,826 and the number of canceled voting were 76. Finally District Election Officer-cum-Deputy Commissioner Kuldeep Chowdhary declared that Model Code of Conduct (MCC) ended in the district with the completion of counting of votes.

During the counting an adequate number of magistrates, police officers and security forces were deployed.

The bypoll was necessitated due to the death of JMM leader and former education minister Jagannath Mahato earlier this year. hief Minister Hemant Soren, who conducted numerous rallies, including a notable road show, urged the electorate to support the INDIA bloc candidate. He emphasized that casting votes for the INDIA candidate would serve as a genuine tribute to Mahto.

During his campaign rallies, Soren highlighted Jagarnath Mahto's significant contributions to the development of the constituency.

On the other hand, NDA leaders made rigorous efforts to secure their candidate's triumph in Dumri. Prominent BJP figures, including two Union ministers, Arjun Munda and Annapurna Devi, as well as two former chief ministers, Babulal Marandi (who also serves as the BJP state president) and Raghubar Das, alongside others, actively campaigned to ensure the NDA candidate's victory.
The Parliamentary Affairs minister Prem Chand Agarwal and Agriculture minister Ganesh Joshi were cornered by the members in the house on the fourth day of monsoon session of the Assembly on Friday. In response to a question of Chakrata MLA Pritam Singh on Dehradun Smart City project Agarwal said that the project started in June 2017 and will end in June 2024. He said that the Rs 1,000 crore project is jointly funded by the Union and State government in a 50:50 ratio. The minister said that the Union government has released a sum of Rs 394.50 crore while the State government has so far given Rs 241 crore for the project. He said that 16 out of total 22 works under the project are complete.

Agarwal said that works on drainage, sewage, roads and green buildings under the project are still incomplete. The BJP MLA from Dharampur Vinod Chamoli said that changes have been made in the DPR of the project. Similarly, BJP MLA from Roorkee, Pradeep Batra sought the status of the drainage works under the Smart City project. On their intervention, the minister pointed towards the opposition benches and commented that " it appears our friends are supporting you". The minister also got irked by the number of supplementary questions allowed on one question. He also entered into an argument with Congress MLA Pritam Singh who said that as per the regulation of the Assembly there is no capping on the supplementary questions. Congress MLA Manoj Tiwari raised the question of the compensation paid by the government to the farmers affected by rains and disaster on which Agarwal said that Rs 30.39 crore have been given as compensation to 45,650 affected families. The minister also listed the rehabilitation policy 2021 and said that 1,835 families have been marked for rehabilitation under it. The Congress MLA Adesh Chauhan objected to the point in the policy according to which Rs 25,000 per hectare is paid for improving the fallow land given to the displaced farmers. He said that there is no provision of transfer of fallow land in lieu of agricultural land to the affected farmers. In his response the minister said that the State government is in process of creating a land bank for rehabilitation of the disaster affected families.

Pandemonium erupted during the question hour when the opposition members objected to the statement of Agriculture minister Ganesh Joshi that no loss to the crops had occurred in Haridwar district due to the non seasonal rains. The Haridwar rural MLA Anupama Rawat, LoP Yashpal Arya and other MLAs from Haridwar objected to the comment of the minister.
Chinese scientists propose new life evolution mechanisms on "Snowball Earth"

Xinhua) 15:16, September 09, 2023

HEFEI, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- Scientists believe that 600 million years ago, the Earth's surface twice became entirely or nearly entirely frozen, a stage known as Snowball Earth. Chinese scientists have proposed new mechanisms for the evolution of life during that period.

The Cryogenian Sturtian and Marinoan Snowball Earth glaciations bracket is a nonglacial interval during which Demosponge and green-algal biomarkers first appeared. To understand the relationships between environmental perturbations and early animal evolution, a research group led by Shen Yan'an of the University of Science and Technology of China measured sulfur and mercury isotopes from south China.

Their research, published in the journal Science Advances on Thursday, shows that Snowball Earth may have provided a bottleneck for some preglacial life-forms but also suggests that melt ponds on the surface of ice and zones of sublimation were potential nurseries for the diversification of life.

The research team selected geological boreholes up to 100 meters deep for systematic analysis. They found that in the early period of Snowball Earth melting, the chemical composition of seawater was significantly different from modern seawater, and changes in mercury isotopes suggest enhanced volcanism.

Based on that, the researchers proposed that the sudden deglaciation caused a sudden depressurization of terrestrial magma chambers, thereby inducing magma activity and volcanic eruptions.

"It's like moving a huge boulder from the ground, and the suppressed underground magma suddenly erupted. The volcanic eruptions lasted for about 100,000 years, promoting a chain reaction in the Earth's environment," said Li Menghan, a member of the research team.

According to Shen, their research results have practical significance.

"We are currently in a period of global warming, and some glaciers are melting, which may also induce volcanic eruptions and cause hypoxia in the ocean. These are all warnings that we must pay attention to the possible chain reaction of the Earth's environment," Shen said.

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Sheng Chuyi)
Ajay to Yogi Adityanath, a graphical novel based on the life of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, has created history with its launch at 67 locations, with the last launch held in Bengaluru.

Shantanu Gupta, the author of this bestselling book, said that the novel based on the life of Yogi Adityanath had so far been launched in eight states, namely, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Uttarakhand, Andhra Pradesh and Assam.

He said that the novel had been introduced in 29 locations within Uttar Pradesh and seven locations in the National Capital Region. An inaugural event marked its simultaneous release on June 5 this year coinciding with the 51st birthday of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, at over 51 venues across 25 districts in Uttar Pradesh.

Furthermore, this novel has earned a place in the Asia Book of Records for achieving the highest number of launches.

Gupta depicts the journey of Yogi Adityanath right from the days of struggle to a successful public life.

Ajay to Yogi Adityanath is actually the voyage of Ajay Singh Bisht, a young boy born in the hinterland of Uttarakhand along with six other siblings. His father, Anand Singh Bisht, was a junior forest officer and mother, Savitri Devi, was a housewife. Since childhood, Ajay was fond of taking care of the family, cows, listening to stories of freedom fighters and participating in school debates. They all lived in a small house in a remote village named Panchur, presently in Uttarakhand. From here Ajay became the mahant of Gorakhnath math, and then moved ahead to become the youngest member of the Indian Parliament and later the chief minister of the most populous state of the country, he said.
The Bara Bazar police in Hazaribag have arrested five cyber criminals including a female member from a house of Hurhuru mohalla of the town area. Police have recovered a huge quantity of items which are used in operating ATM machines. They were also engaged in the trading of opium in the district and out- side the district.

The officer in charge of Bara Bazar police station Ghanshyam Kumar said that the police received the information that some suspected persons are living in a house on rent. They have told the house owner that we are students of the college and preparing for competitive examinations.

Kumar said on the information the police team raided the house and arrested all cyber criminals including a female member. They have confessed to the police that they are engaged in cyber crime in the district and also trading of opium in and outside the district.

All the arrested criminals are residents of Bagodar. The criminals who have been arrested are Chandu alias Chandrika, Rahul Kumar, Darshan Kumar, Pappu Kumar and a female member.

Police have recovered more than 16 ATM cards, Cash, a large number of SIM cards, six mobile sets and a laptop from them.

Kumar said that they were also engaged in illegal video making and then demanded extortion money from the party.

The DySP of town Mahesh Parjapati said that we will thoroughly investigate the arrested persons and then arrange the raid programme on the place which came out during the investigation.
A replica of the historic Konark Wheel of Odishas Sun Temple became a centre of attraction at the G20 Summit venue on Saturday as Prime Minister Narendra Modi chose a wall depicting the 13th century artefact as the backdrop for his welcome handshake with world leaders at the Bharat Mandapam. Modi shook hands with the delegates arriving for the global summit at the Bharat Mandapam International Exhibition and Convention Centre where the architectural marvel was showcased.

Modi, who had rekindled the memories of Sengol (a historical sceptre from Tamil Nadu) during the inauguration of the new Parliament building earlier this year, was also seen explaining the significance of the Konark wheel to world leaders like American president Joe Biden at the G20 venue.

The backdrop carried a striking image of the Konark Wheel with the G20 logo on one side and the theme of India's presidency of the grouping  'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' - One Earth. One Family. One Future'  on the other.

Modi welcomed heads of state and other leaders amid melodious strains of shehnai as flags of G20 member countries, invited nations and several international organisations fluttered in the pleasant morning breeze. The 'Konark Wheel' went viral on social media platforms.

Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan shared his delight on X (formerly Twitter) on "Odisha's timeless wonder".

Odishas timeless wonder KONARK CHAKRA at @g20org for the welcome handshake. A moment of great pride for all Indians, particularly my #Odia brothers and sisters. A symbol of Indias civilisational, cultural and architectural excellence, the Konark chakra symbolises continuity and progress, he said.

Dedicated to Sun God Surya, the Konark Temple was built during the 13th century under the reign of King Narasimhadeva-I. It was declared a UNESCO world heritage site in 1984. The wheel with 24 spokes each of them is about 10 feet in diameter and drawn by seven mighty horses. These wheels symbolize the 24 hours in a day.

The images of animals, foliage, dancing women and other structures carved around the temples base showcase the architectural grandeur.

The wheels also have a spiritual connotation. They represent the cycle of creation, preservation, and destruction; the cycle of day and night; and the cycle of birth, life, and death.

It serves as a powerful symbol of the wheel of democracy that reflects the resilience of democratic ideals, and commitment to progress in society. The worship of the sun holds immense significance in Indian culture, signifying light, energy, and life itself.

The Konark Sun Temple is a testament to the deep-rooted reverence for the sun in the hearts of the Indian people. Contemporary Indias will to study the sun on scientific parameters is also commendable. Indian Space Research Organisation has recently launched its mission Aditya L1 to observe and study the sun.

US President Joe Biden, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Brazil President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Japan Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and several other top leaders were among those welcomed by Modi at the G20 Summit.

Artists played 'Vaishnav Jan To', 'Padharo Mharo Des' and 'Raghupati Raghav Raja Ram' on shehnai as the leaders walked the red carpet at the Bharat Mandapam.

Another captivating highlight at the Bharat Mandapam venue is the worlds largest Nataraja statue, crafted from Ashtadhatu (eight metals). This awe-inspiring sculpture stands proudly in front of the venue, symbolising the rich cultural heritage of India. The Nataraja is a depiction of the Hindu god Shiva as the cosmic dancer, and it represents the cyclical nature of life and the universe.










On the victory of INDIA bloc (I.N.D.I.A) candidate Bebi Devi in Dumri by poll, on Friday, main partners of the State-Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), Congress and Rashtirya Janata Dal (RJD) expressed happiness and extended thanks to their party workers.



Encouraged by the victory of Baby Devi in Dumri assembly by-election, JMM has openly challenged the BJP and said that along with Dumri, 7 by-elections were held in different areas of the entire Country, in which BJP was badly defeated in 5. This is the same situation as in 2004, when premature elections were held in the name of Shining India, Feel Good India and the NDA was badly defeated. Therefore, if BJP has courage, then it should hold Lok Sabha elections this year. We, the people of 'INDIA' bloc, will confiscate its candidates deposits on 10 out of 14 Lok Sabha seats in Jharkhand, said JMM's General Secretary cum Spokesperson Supriyo Bhattacharya in a press meet.



Bhattacharya said that the slogan of Team India is - 'Judega Bharat, Jeetega India' has been effective in the by-elections. This slogan will be more effective in the coming days. The way the team of Babulal Marandi and Sudesh Mahato created a situation of lies, deception and confusion in the entire election campaign of Dumri, it was completely rejected by the public. A conspiracy was hatched in the entire election but neither money nor strength worked. After sending three former CMs, one former Deputy CM and one Union Minister, the public once again approved the functioning of the Hemant Soren Government of the State. By-elections were held in Ghosi, UP, where SP had joined BJP after winning as MLA. The public also did the work of making them bite the dust, he added.



The Party General Secretary also expressed gratitude to the voters of alliance partners Congress, RJD, JDU, Left, Aam Aadmi Party, Dumri for this victory.



Bebi Devi defeated her nearest rival, NDA and AJSU candidate, Yashoda Devi, by 17,100 votes. Baby Devi got 1,35,480 votes while Yashoda Devi got 1,18,380 votes. This victory of Baby Devi will have many far reaching consequences because this was the first election of Jharkhand after the formation of INDI Alliance in which a JMM candidate has won. How important this election was, it can be gauged from the fact that many veteran NDA leaders had reached Dumri in support of the NDA candidate. In this, the names of veteran leaders like Jharkhand BJP Chief, Babulal Marandi, AJSU Supremo, Sudesh Mahto, former CM, Raghubar Das, Aditya Sahu, BJP's Jharkhand In-Charge, Laxmikant Vajpayee and Union Minister, Annapurna Devi.



Victory celebration was held at Congress Bhawan, Ranchi after INDI Alliance emerged victorious in Dumri Assembly by-election. On this occasion, Congressmen congratulated the victory by bursting crackers and feeding each other laddus.



On this occasion, the State Congress Committee Chief, Rajesh Thakur said that this victory has decided the condition and direction of Jharkhand. The people of Dumri have rejected the NDA alliance by voting for the India alliance. This is a seal on the development work being carried out continuously by the Grand Alliance Government, he added. He expressed gratitude to the people of Dumri.



Thakur also said that now his wife Baby Devi will work to take forward the unfulfilled dreams of Late Jagarnath Mahato.



General Secretary of Jharkhand RJDl, Sanjay Prasad Yadav has congratulated the candidate of India Alliance on the victory of Baby Devi. He said that in view of the works of late Jagarnath Mahato and the development works being done by the Jharkhand Government, the people of Dumri have done the work of showing faith in the INDI Alliance. RJD is grateful to the people of Dumri. The people of Dumri have done the work of fulfilling the message given by RJD National President Lalu Prasad Yadav by going to Dumri, he added.
In a major setback to Bharatiya Janata Party, Samajwadi Party candidate Sudhakar Singh on Friday defeated his ruling party rival Dara Singh Chauhan in the Ghosi assembly bypoll with a margin of 42,759 votes, an official said.

The SP retained the seat with Singh polling 1,24,427 votes. Chauhan got 81,668 votes, according to the Election Commission of India.

In the 2022 UP assembly elections, Dara Singh Chauhan had won the Ghosi seat as SP candidate. He resigned from the SP and the membership of state assembly in July this year and joined the BJP.

The victory of the SP candidate came as a shot in the arm for the opposition INDIA bloc and SP chief Akhilesh Yadav.

The Ghosi bypoll was a direct contest between the INDIA bloc and the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance. The Congress did not field its candidate and supported the SP candidate. The Mayawati-led Bahujan Samaj Party did not contest the bypoll, maintaining its position of officially staying away from both NDA and INDIA bloc.

Ghosi did not just make the SP candidate victorious but also the INDIA bloc and this is going to be the result in the future. The bypoll was not an ordinary assembly election but a message for the 2024 Lok Sabha election, SP chief Akhilesh Yadav said, adding that UP would once again lead the charge for change of power at the Centre.

This is a victory of positive politics and the defeat of communal, negative politics. The Ghosi bypoll result reflects the success of the partys new formula against the BJP  Team INDIA aur PDA (Pichhada Dalit Alpsankhyak) rajneeti, he said.

Shivpal Singh Yadav said in a tweet on X: SP zindabad, Akhilesh Yadav zindabad.

Suheldev Bhartiya Samaj Party chief Om Prakash Rajbhar, an ally of the NDA, said, We welcome the peoples mandate. Whenever the opposition party loses the election they question the validity of the electronic voting machines (EVMs), the (Ghosi) poll results have proved that there is nothing wrong with the voting machine.

The Ghosi bypoll was held after Chauhan, who was the sitting SP MLA, resigned his seat and party in July and returned to the BJP fold. With the return of Other Backward Classes leaders Chauhan and Om Prakash Rajbhar to its fold after a short stint with the SP, the BJP had received a huge boost as it prepared for the general elections. However, the defeat in Ghosi, where not just Rajbhar but over a dozen ministers in the Yogi Adityanath cabinet, including the chief minister himself, extensively campaigned for Chauhan, is a big setback for the ruling party.

Sudhakar Singh, who won from Ghosi in 1996 and 2012, had stood third in 2017. A Kshatriya by caste, he managed to defeat Chauhan in this bypoll despite heavy mobilisation of caste leaders in particular OBCs by the BJP.

Chauhan was a cabinet minister in the Yogi Adityanath government from 2017 to 2022 before resigning just weeks ahead of the assembly election to join the SP. Chauhan belongs to the Noniya Chauhan backward caste. Traditionally engaged in salt trading, the community is also known by other names such as Loniya-Chauhan and Gole-Thakur, and considers Prithviraj Chauhan among its icons.

The defeat of the ruling party in Ghosi reflects poorly on Om Prakash Rajbhar, who recently returned to the BJP fold and actively campaigned in the constituency which has a substantial number of voters of the Rajbhar community, an OBC caste. By ensuring a BJP win, he could have demonstrated his indispensability.

On the other hand, this election also marks the return to active campaigning of Akhilesh Yadavs uncle Shivpal Singh Yadav, who launched aggressive electioneering and camped in the constituency during the election.

In the Ghosi bypoll, several BJP ministers, including Deputy Chief Ministers Keshav Prasad Maurya and Brijesh Pathak, as well as ruling party allies Sanjay Nishad, Ashish Patel and Om Prakash Rajbhar had campaigned for Chauhan. The party had deployed Danish Azad, its Muslim face, to reach out to Muslim voters in the constituency.
Inauguration of Tobacco Cessation Clinic in AIIMS Bhopal was done today by Executive Director of AIIMS Bhopal Prof. (Dr.) Ajai Singh. This clinic will be run every Wednesday from 3 to 4 pm. In this clinic, experts from six departments of AIIMS Bhopal - Pulmonary Medicine, Psychiatry, CFM, ENT, Dentistry and Radiation Oncology will jointly provide their services to patients to get rid of tobacco addiction.

About 1 million deaths occur every year due to tobacco consumption, while every 6 seconds one person becomes a victim of death due to tobacco. India ranks second in tobacco consumption. Dr. Pankaj Goel, Head of the Dental Department, said that this would be a unique clinic in itself where integrated treatment would help in getting rid of tobacco addiction. Expressing happiness, Executive Director of AIIMS Bhopal, Prof. (Dr.) Ajai Singh said that to get rid of tobacco addiction, we have to work together.

Apart from this, awareness will have to be spread in schools and colleges and an opinion will have to be created so that the young generation is not attracted towards it.

Dr. Singh said that the bad effects of tobacco indirectly affect the society as well, we have to create awareness for this also.
Protesting assault of an employee of Weights and Measures Departments in Dewas and negligence of police, employees of the department will protest by not joining work on September 11.

Work will not be done in Dewas to protest against assault on a fellow employee and offices would remain locked in the protest.

Umashankar Tiwari, President of the Weights and Measures Departmental Committee, said that on September 5, employee Jagdish Ramchandani was assaulted in the Dewas Weights and Measures Inspector office.

He was doing official work in the office. Then there was an argument with the inspector's driver Sonu Yadav. Sonu attacked Ramchandani with a stick injuring him severely.

President Tiwari said, when Jagdish went to the police station to file a report, the policemen made him sit. Later took action under section 155 in NCR (Not Clearance Report). No criminal case was registered against the accused.

After sitting in the police station for 3 hours, when Ramchandani came out of the police station, his car was hit by an accident. Due to this he was seriously injured. In this case, Ramchandani and his wife also complained to the CM helpline to take action against the guilty. Despite this the police did not take any action.

Regarding this matter, there is anger among the state employees of Weights and Measures Departments from the Bhopal headquarters. They will meet the controller of the department on Friday. There will be talk about taking action under appropriate sections. Despite this, if attention is not paid, then they will not work on September 11.
Asserting that the Ukraine war has deepened the trust deficit globally, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said India appeals to the entire world to turn it into confidence in each other.

In his opening remarks at the G20 Leaders' Summit at the Bharat Mandapam here, Modi said the 21st century is a time of giving new direction to the world.

"This is a time when age-old challenges are calling for new solutions from us. And therefore, with a human-centric approach, we have to move forward to fulfil our responsibilities," Modi said.

"After COVID-19, there is a big crisis of trust deficit in the world. The war has deepened this trust deficit. When we can defeat Covid we can also achieve victory over this trust deficit crisis.

"As G20 president, India appeals to the world to change this global trust deficit into confidence on each other. It is a time to walk together," Modi said.

The prime minister told the gathering that it had become a people's G20 in India with over 200 events held in more than 60 cities.
Australia and the Philippines elevated their seven-decade ties to a strategic level Friday to broaden an alliance underpinned by their rejection of Chinas increasingly provocative actions in the disputed South China Sea.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Philippine Ferdinand Marcos signed the pact upgrading their ties in Manila. They also agreed to hold an annual meeting of their defense chiefs. Aside from an aim to further boost trade and economic engagement, Albanese said their countries have common views about the need to uphold international law, and Australias position on that will continue to be consistent, as we have always been, including recently over issues relating to the South China Sea.

China and the Philippines, along with Vietnam, Malaysia, Taiwan and Brunei, have been locked in a decadeslong territorial standoff in the disputed waterway. Its a key passageway for global trade and is regarded as an Asian flashpoint.

Its also where China has repeatedly had tense face-offs with Philippines vessels.

Marcos said he and Albanese acknowledge that our shared values, the democratic principles and mutual respect for international law, have been instrumental in fostering a strong partnership.

Our commitment to these ideals has guided our path forward as we address the complex challenges facing our region and the world at large, Marcos said.

In just-concluded summit talks attended by Albanese, Marcos, and several other Western and Asian leaders Thursday in the Indonesian capital of Jakarta, the Australian premier underscored Canberras recognition of  and the need to uphold  a 2016 arbitration ruling by a tribunal set up under the United Nations Convention of the Law of the Sea that invalidated Chinas expansive territorial claims in the South China Sea on historical grounds.

The Philippines sought the arbitration after China forcibly took control of a disputed shoal after a tense 2012 sea standoff. China did not participate in the arbitration, rejected its outcome as a sham, and continues to violate it.

Marcos thanked Albanese for renewing Australias position during the Jakarta summit talks, where Chinese Premier Li Qiang was also in attendance.You have made very clear that the claims that are being made upon our Philippine maritime territory are not valid and have not been recognized, and not in conjunction or consistent with international law, Marcos said. To have friends like you and partners like you, especially on that subject, is very gratifying and encourages us to continue down that path.

Australia, along with the United States and Japan, immediately condemned an Aug. 5 action by a Chinese coast guard ship that used a water cannon to block a Philippine boat delivering food and other supplies to Filipino forces stationed at the Second Thomas Shoal.China also claims the atoll and has surrounded it with Chinese coast guard ships and militia vessels in a yearslong standoff.

While Albanese and Marcos were meeting Friday in Manila, two Philippine supply boats en route to the Second Thomas Shoal were blocked by a Chinese coast guard ship and other Chinese vessels, but managed to breach the blockade and reached the Filipino sailors stationed in a long-marooned and rusting navy ship, Philippine security officials said.The Philippine government condemned the Chinese coast guards actions and vowed it would not be deterred by the aggression and continue the supply missions.

An inter-agency government body dealing with the territorial disputes said it strongly deplores and condemns the continued illegal, aggressive, and destabilizing conduct of the Chinese coast guard and Chinese maritime militias within our nations Exclusive Economic Zone.
Visiting Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Friday pledged USD 21.7 billion in new Chinese investment in Indonesia to strengthen the countries economic and political ties, an official said.

Li arrived in Jakarta on Tuesday to attend the three-day summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and meet with Indonesian leaders.

President Joko Widodo hosted Li at the colonial-style Merdeka palace in Jakarta on Friday and discussed ways to expand trade and investment. He sought Chinas help in plans to move Indonesias capital from congested and polluted Jakarta on the main island of Java to Nusantara on Borneo island.

After the meeting, Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi announced the new Chinese investment pledge, which follows a previous USD 44.89 billion investment commitment made when Widodo met Chinese President Xi Jinping in July. Details of the new investment werent announced.

Marsudi said Widodo asked China, Indonesias largest trade and investment partner, to realise these commitments immediately and urged it to explore investment in other sectors, such as maritime and fisheries.

The two leaders also oversaw the signing of six agreements on e-commerce, support for enterprises, industrial cooperation, agriculture, fisheries and science and technology, Marsudi said.

On Wednesday, Li took a test ride on Indonesias new USD 7.3 billion high-speed rail line, which was funded largely with Chinese loans.

It connects Jakarta and Bandung, the heavily populated capital of West Java province, and is part of Chinas Belt and Road infrastructure initiative.

Commercial service on Southeast Asias first high-speed railway is to begin on Oct. 1 and will cut travel time between the cities from the current three hours to about 40 minutes.

Indonesia wants a larger role in supplying nickel and other raw materials for Chinas fast-growing electric car makers. Nickel smelting plants in Indonesia are part of Chinas Belt and Road transnational development program. Indonesia and China are both members of the Group of 20 major developed and emerging economies. The two leaders were to leave Jakarta on Friday afternoon for New Delhi to attend the G20 summit.
(): Lawmakers in Nepal on Friday expressed concern over the controversial remarks made by the Chinese envoy relating to trade between the Himalayan nation and India, explicitly warning the ambassador to be more careful while commenting on sensitive matters of other nations.

While speaking at an event titled China in Global Economy and its Impact in Nepal on Saturday, Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Chen Song claimed that Nepal was facing a trade deficit from electricity trade with India.

Unfortunately, you have a neighbour like India, but fortunately you have a neighbour like India because India is a huge market with huge potential you can tap into. But at the same time, Indias policy towards Nepal and other neighbours is not so friendly and is not so beneficial to Nepal. So we call that policy of constraints, Chen said during the event organised in Kathmandu by the Foundation for Trans-Himalayan Research and Studies and Friends of Silk Road Club Nepal.

On Friday, parliamentarians in Nepal expressed disenchantment with the Chinese ambassadors remarks. The parliamentary committee has reportedly asked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to probe the remarks of Ambassador Chen on the issue of Nepal-India power trade. The Parliaments International Relations and Tourism Committee meeting on Friday summoned Foreign Minister NP Saud to inquire about the matter. Members of the committee raised concerns about Chens recent remarks.

Chairman of the committee Rajkishor Yadav urged the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to investigate the matter and ask the ambassador to be careful while commenting on such a sensitive issue, according to Parliament sources.

Since Nepal is a sovereign state, it is our business what we do and what we dont, Yadav asserted and urged the foreign ministry to inquire about the Chinese envoys remarks.

Speaking at the meeting, Chairman of CPN (Unified Socialist) Madhav Kumar Nepal said ambassadors to Nepal should be sensitive regarding Nepals geo-political situation.

He said everyone must be careful so that ones expression should not exacerbate Nepals geo-political complexities without directly naming the Chinese envoy.

Without being aware of the geopolitical sensitivity and without understanding the fact that Nepal is committed to non-aligned foreign policy, no one should make hurtful remarks. Lets be cautious and keep Nepal away from troublesome situations, he pointed out.

CPN-UML Lawmaker Bhim Acharya said it was not good for any country to interfere in Nepals internal affairs.

Only after the Ministry of Foreign Affairs clarifies on the remarks of the Chinese ambassador, will UML put forth its position, he said, adding that it is not good for any side to interfere in the internal affairs of Nepal and other countries.

Similarly, CPN-Maoist Centre lawmaker Barshaman Pun said the tradition of third parties commenting on Nepals internal affairs should not be allowed to continue.

Commenting on others domestic affairs was inappropriate international diplomacy, he said.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs should take the initiative to alert the Chinese ambassador in this matter, he added.

Janamat Party Vice-president Abdul Khan said the Chinese ambassador had no right to speak about relations between Nepal and India.

He also sought an explanation from Ambassador Chen regarding his remarks.

Speaking at zero hour of the House of Representatives meeting on Friday, he said, Attempts are being made to create enmity between long-standing friendly countries Nepal and India.
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol met with his Indonesian counterpart, Joko Widodo, on Friday seeking to deepen economic ties and defence cooperation at a time of heightened global geopolitical tensions.

Yoon has been in Indonesias capital, Jakarta, since Tuesday attending the the three-day summit by leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations along with Asian and Western counterparts.

That meeting spotlighted major conflicts in Asia, with calls for peaceful resolutions and restraint.

Widodo and his wife, Iriana, hosted Yoon and South Korean first lady Kim Keon Hee at a ceremony in the colonial-style Merdeka palace in Jakarta. During their meeting, the two leaders agreed to deepen their strategic partnership in the security and defence industries and to expand cooperation in future-looking industries such as electric vehicles, batteries and smart cities.

Indonesias foreign affairs minister, Retno Marsudi, told reporters after the meeting that Widodo welcomed commitments made by South Korean company LG and its partners in Indonesia to accelerate the realisation of a grand investment package worth USD 9.8 billion for the construction of a cathode factory on Indonesias Batam island, next to Singapore.

She added that factory construction is expected to start this year, involving Indonesias state-owned companies and regional businesses. Cathodes are key components in global battery production for electric vehicles.Indonesia, Southeast Asias largest economy, has imported a total of USD 4.3 billion in South Korean arms, according to government data, making it the countrys largest export destination among ASEAN countries.

Indonesia is the only country to have imported a Korean submarine and also the first country to import Koreas KT-1 and T-50 training aircraft.

Indonesia is participating as a partner to shoulder 20 per cent of a USD 6 billion deal to build Koreas first domestically developed advanced fighter jet by 2026. The project began in 2015.The two leaders on Friday took part in the signing of agreements on agriculture, infrastructure, electrical vehicle ecosystems and food exports, and discussed possible Korean investment in a new capital city.

Indonesia plans to move its capital from the congested and polluted city of Jakarta on the main island of Java to Nusantara on Borneo island next year. They also discussed regional issues, including Southeast Asias strategy to safeguard a free and open Indo-Pacific region.

In talks with Southeast Asian leaders, China and Japan, in Jakarta on Wednesday, Yoon raised concerns about North Koreas nuclear and missile provocations and underscored the need for a firm and united response from the international community.

Widodo, who turned over the leadership of the regional group to Laos during the Jakarta meetings, characterised ASEAN as a regional peacemaker that the world sorely needs.

Indonesia and South Korea are members of the Group of 20 major developed and emerging economies. The two leaders were scheduled to leave Jakarta on Friday afternoon for New Delhi to attend the G20 Summit.
S&P 500 4,166.82 DOW 32,928.96 QQQ 349.20 Amazon just gave us 3 reasons to expect fresh highs Trading Experts Call It The Perfect Tesla Trade (Ad) Still thinking about buying 3M for its dividend? Consider this Is Apple a buy ahead of earnings? New CBOE special perk helps traders target income every weekend (Ad) McDonald's pumps brakes on prices as US traffic falls slightly, but Q3 sales beat expectations Western Digital, Lumentum rise; ON Semiconductor, Revvity fall, Monday, 10/30/2023 New CBOE special perk helps traders target income every weekend (Ad) McDonalds bottoms, plus more good news for fast food stocks Enterprise CEO says rental car prices have moderated as supplies have improved but remain high

S&P 500 4,166.82 DOW 32,928.96 QQQ 349.20 Amazon just gave us 3 reasons to expect fresh highs Trading Experts Call It The Perfect Tesla Trade (Ad) Still thinking about buying 3M for its dividend? Consider this Is Apple a buy ahead of earnings? New CBOE special perk helps traders target income every weekend (Ad) McDonald's pumps brakes on prices as US traffic falls slightly, but Q3 sales beat expectations Western Digital, Lumentum rise; ON Semiconductor, Revvity fall, Monday, 10/30/2023 New CBOE special perk helps traders target income every weekend (Ad) McDonalds bottoms, plus more good news for fast food stocks Enterprise CEO says rental car prices have moderated as supplies have improved but remain high

S&P 500 4,166.82 DOW 32,928.96 QQQ 349.20 Amazon just gave us 3 reasons to expect fresh highs Trading Experts Call It The Perfect Tesla Trade (Ad) Still thinking about buying 3M for its dividend? Consider this Is Apple a buy ahead of earnings? New CBOE special perk helps traders target income every weekend (Ad) McDonald's pumps brakes on prices as US traffic falls slightly, but Q3 sales beat expectations Western Digital, Lumentum rise; ON Semiconductor, Revvity fall, Monday, 10/30/2023 New CBOE special perk helps traders target income every weekend (Ad) McDonalds bottoms, plus more good news for fast food stocks Enterprise CEO says rental car prices have moderated as supplies have improved but remain high
Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. is a prominent player in the steel industry, with a rich history spanning over 170 years. The company aims to be the premier supplier of iron ore pellets in North America and a significant player in the global steelmaking market. Cleveland-Cliffs operates through its various subsidiaries, mining, processing, and selling iron ore and metallurgical coal. The company's headquarters are in Cleveland, Ohio, and it operates in several states across the United States.

Cleveland-Cliffs takes pride in its role as a reliable and responsible supplier of high-quality materials to steel producers. Its primary products include iron ore pellets and hot-briquette iron (HBI), essential raw materials for the steel industry. With a focus on operational excellence, the company leverages its expertise in mining and processing to consistently deliver premium products to its customers.

The company's target market comprises integrated steel producers, the primary consumers of iron ore and metallurgical coal. Cleveland-Cliffs has established long-standing relationships with key customers, including major steel producers in North America. The company plays a critical role in supporting the steel industry's growth and sustainability by providing a secure supply of high-quality raw materials.

Cleveland-Cliffs is led by a seasoned management team with extensive industry experience. Lourenco Goncalves serves as the company's Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer. Goncalves has an impressive track record, having previously turned around several troubled companies in the mining sector. Under his leadership, Cleveland-Cliffs has experienced significant growth and improved operational efficiency.

Cleveland-Cliffs has demonstrated moderate financial performance over the past few years. The company has reported increased revenue yearly. This growth was driven by higher iron ore and metallurgical coal prices, increased demand from steel producers and the successful integration of AK Steel. The company's profit margins have also improved. This improvement reflects the company's focus on operational efficiency, cost management, and the realization of synergies from the AK Steel acquisition.

Cleveland-Cliffs is trading at a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio below the industry average. This suggests that the company's stock may be undervalued compared to its peers. The lower valuation can be attributed to market concerns about cyclicality in the steel industry and uncertainties surrounding commodity prices.

The steel industry is vital to global infrastructure development and manufacturing sectors. Various factors, including construction, automotive manufacturing, and energy infrastructure projects, drive the demand for steel. However, the industry faces challenges such as overcapacity, volatile commodity prices, and increasing environmental regulations.

Cleveland-Cliffs operates in a highly competitive environment, with several global and regional players vying for market share. Competitors include ArcelorMittal, Nucor Corporation, and United States Steel Corporation. Cleveland-Cliffs focuses on operational efficiency, product quality, and customer relationships to maintain a competitive edge.

The company's recent acquisition of AK Steel further strengthens its competitive positioning. By integrating vertically, Cleveland-Cliffs has gained greater control over the steel production process, enabling it to offer a more comprehensive product portfolio and capture additional value.

Cleveland-Cliffs has identified several growth opportunities that can drive its future performance. The company aims to leverage its strong position in the North American market to expand its presence globally. This includes exploring partnerships and acquisitions that provide access to new markets and customers.

Additionally, Cleveland-Cliffs is focused on enhancing its product offerings and diversifying into higher-value products, such as HBI. By catering to evolving customer demands and industry trends, the company aims to capture a larger share of the steel value chain and increase profitability.

While Cleveland-Cliffs has demonstrated resilience and adaptability, it faces certain risks and challenges. Global economic conditions can impact steel demand and pricing, potentially affecting the company's financial performance. Moreover, trade policies and geopolitical tensions can disrupt supply chains and create uncertainties for the industry.

Environmental regulations and sustainability concerns also pose challenges. As the industry shifts towards cleaner and more sustainable practices, Cleveland-Cliffs must continue to invest in technologies and processes that reduce its environmental footprint. Failure to meet evolving environmental standards could result in reputational damage and increased compliance costs.
Enterprise Products Partners L.P. is a diverse and fully integrated mid-stream energy company operating in North America. It was founded in 1968 by Dan Duncan and two partners as a wholesaler of natural gas liquids. By 1972 it had completed the construction of its first pipelines, and by 1973 it was starting to make acquisitions. Over the next few years and decades, the company steadily added new operations that either expanded then-current operations or added new revenue streams for the business.

Since then, Enterprise Products Partners L.P. has grown to be 1 of the US largest midstream companies with operations that center on Houston, Texas but reach as far as the Rockies, the Upper Midwest, the Great Lakes region and New England. Enterprise is an important part of the company's name, it operates based on the enterprise model and strives to ensure each new hire is in tune with company culture.

The company operates as a Master Limited Partnership or MLP that provides a full range of midstream energy services to energy companies and consumers. Operations include natural gas and natural gas liquids storage, processing and transport, and storage and transport of crude, petrochemicals and refined products. Owners of the stock or units are known as limited partners and entitled to a share of profits which are paid as dividends. The company reported nearly $57 billion in revenue for 2022 and was expected to grow revenue at a 5% CAGR.

Enterprise Products Partners was ranked 89th on the 2022 Fortune 500 and is well known as a dividend grower. The company began paying a dividend in 1998 and has increased it yearly. Enterprise Products Partners Investors can benefit from the dividend reinvestment plan by registering as an owner of record.

Enterprise Products Partners L.P. operates in 4 primary segments that are NGL Pipeline & Services, Crude Oil Pipelines & Services, Natural Gas Pipelines & Services and Petrochemical and Refined Products/Services.

The company owns and operates more than 51,000 miles of pipeline, including natural gas, NGL, crude and propylene pipes. The company has 19,400 miles of NGL pipelines, 19,600 miles of Onshore natural gas pipelines, 4,600 miles of crude oil pipelines, 2,300 miles of offshore pipelines and just under 1,000 miles of propylene pipelines.

The companys other operations include NGL and natural gas storage in Louisiana salt domes. Salt domes are naturally occurring features that are capable of storing vast quantities of gas and natural gas liquids. As of 2022, the company could store 177 million barrels of NGL and 760 million cubic meters of natural gas.

The company also operates a deep water terminal for exporting and importing natural gas liquids, including 20 docks. The refining and processing segment operates 19 dual-purpose facilities, 9 NGL processing facilities, 2 propylene processors, 3 isomerization plants and 26 natural gas fractionalization facilities. Facilities are located in Colorado, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico and Wyoming and Texas. Operations are also served by a fleet of 255 tanker trucks.
Mastercard Inc. is a leading technology company in the payments industry that provides payment processing solutions to businesses and consumers worldwide. Mastercard is one of the largest payment processors in the world by market cap and the number of payments processed.

Mastercard was founded in 1966 as Master Charge: The Interbank Card. The company was created to respond to the growing need for a secure and reliable payment processing system. In 1979, the company changed its name to Mastercard. Mastercard is in over 200 countries and territories and serves over 2.8 billion cardholders.

Mastercard operates on a business-to-business (B2B) model, providing payment processing services to financial institutions, merchants and governments. The company earns revenue primarily through transaction processing fees, cross-border fees and other value-added services. Mastercard's business is divided into four segments: domestic assessments, cross-border volume fees, transaction processing fees and additional revenue.

Mastercard's financial performance has been consistently strong in recent years, with revenue and earnings growth driven by increased transaction volumes and higher fees. Mastercard faces significant competition from other payment processing companies, including Visa Inc. (NYSE: V), American Express Co. (NYSE: AXP) and PayPal Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: PYPL). However, Mastercard has maintained its position as one of the largest payment processors in the world due to its strong brand recognition, global network and innovative technology solutions.

Mastercard has consistently invested in innovative technology to enhance its payment processing solutions. One of the company's most significant innovations in recent years is Mastercard's tokenization technology, which provides a secure way to process payments without exposing cardholder data. Mastercard has also invested heavily in contactless payment technology, which has become increasingly popular during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mastercard has a solid commitment to corporate social responsibility and sustainability. The company has set ambitious goals to reduce its carbon footprint, increase financial inclusion and promote gender equality. Mastercard is also actively involved in philanthropic efforts, including the Mastercard Foundation, which focuses on advancing financial inclusion in Africa.

As with any company, Mastercard faces several risk factors that could impact its financial performance. One of the most significant risks facing Mastercard is the potential for increased regulation of the payment processing industry. Mastercard is also vulnerable to changes in consumer behavior, such as a shift away from traditional payment methods toward mobile payments. Additionally, Mastercard's business depends on the overall health of the global economy, which could be impacted by factors such as inflation, geopolitical tensions and natural disasters.
Deere & Company, a global leader in manufacturing and distributing agricultural, construction, forestry and turf care equipment, is headquartered in Moline, Illinois. With over 185 years of experience, the company has established a strong reputation for quality and innovation.

Deere & Company operates through four segments: small agriculture and turf, production and precision agriculture, construction and forestry and financial services.

The small agriculture and turf segment offers a variety of equipment, including utility tractors, riding lawn equipment, commercial mowing equipment and implements for various outdoor power applications. This segment also resells products from other manufacturers.

The production and precision agriculture segment provides equipment for grain growers, including mid-size tractors, combines, cotton pickers and strippers, sugarcane harvesters and harvesting front-end equipment. It also offers application equipment, such as sprayers, nutrient management systems and soil preparation machinery.

The construction and forestry segment provides various machines and service parts used in earth moving, construction, material handling, road building and timber harvesting. Its products include crawler dozers, backhoe loaders, motor graders, four-wheel-drive loaders, excavators, articulated dump trucks and milling machines, to name a few.

The financial services segment finances sales and leases of agriculture and turf, construction and forestry equipment. It also offers wholesale financing to dealers, extended equipment warranties and retail revolving charge accounts.

Deere & Company is known for its innovative products, including the John Deere Autonomous 8R Tractor, See & Spray and E-Power Backhoe. These technology-enabled products help farmers, construction workers and forestry professionals operate more efficiently and sustainably.

Its logo and slogan reflect the company's commitment to innovation and sustainability. The leaping deer logo has been used for over 155 years and has become synonymous with the company's commitment to quality and reliability. The slogan "Nothing Runs Like a Deere" reflects the company's commitment to building long-lasting and reliable equipment that helps its customers achieve their goals.

Deere & Company has a solid financial position with a global presence. Deere & Company has a vast distribution network and operates in over 160 countries. Its commitment to quality and innovation has earned it a loyal customer base, and it continues to be a leader in the industry.

Deere & Company is a global leader in the manufacturing and distributing of agricultural, construction, forestry and turf care equipment. With a commitment to innovation and sustainability, the company offers customers a wide range of products and services worldwide.
Pfizer Inc. is a US-based multinational biotech company. The company operates as a research-based pharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, production and marketing of medicines and vaccines. It is the 2nd largest drugmaker globally by revenue and is ranked 64th on the Fortune 500 list. The companys avenues of research include Immunology, Oncology, Cardiology, Endocrinology and Neurology.

Regarding its product line, the company has at least ten blockbuster drugs producing more than $1 billion in avenue revenue each. The company brought in over $81 billion in total revenue in 2021. The US is its main market and represents roughly 50% of all revenue. China and Japan make up roughly 12% of the business, while the rest come from the rest of the world. It employs roughly 79,000 people and is headquartered in New York state.

Pfizer Inc. was founded in 1849 by Charles Pfizer Sr. and his cousin Charles Earhart. The two were German immigrants and chemists that set up shops outside New York City to make medicinal compounds. The first major success was an antiparasitic called santonin, and the commercialization of citric acid-making technologies quickly followed that up. Their success with citric acid led to the companys expansion and other major discoveries.

World War I caused a shortage of materials for making citric acid and forced the company to seek alternatives. The one they latched on to was the fermentation of certain fungi known to produce citric acid naturally. This led to the advancement of fermentation technology that was later used in the commercial production of penicillin and then the advancement of antibiotics in general.

Pfizer Inc was incorporated on June 2nd, 1942 in Delaware, and another period of expansion began. The postwar drop in demand for penicillin led to the discovery of newer, more marketable antibiotics and cemented the companys role in modern medicine. By the time he 80s rolled around, the company was trading on the New York Stock Exchange and on the path to developing todays blockbuster lineup.

The companys top seller in 2021 was Comirnaty, a COVID-19 vaccine. It generated nearly $37 billion in 2021 and was followed by Prevnar, Ibrance and Eliquis with just over $5 billion in sales each. Other blockbuster names on Pfizers list include Xeljanz and Enbrel, each bringing in $3.5 billion. Pfizer operates 39 research and production facilities worldwide and sells its products in 125 countries.

As of 2022, the company had a robust pipeline of potential treatments, with more than 220 in some stage of clinical trials. Among its leading candidates is a vaccine for RSV, a life-threatening respiratory disease affecting children. 2021 highlights include 8 FDA approvals, four new regulatory submissions and 13 new trial startups. Pfizer is also a well-known dividend payer and has returned more than $8.7 billion to shareholders since going public.
Eli Lilly and Company is a US-based multinational pharmaceutical company. It is the 12th largest pharmaceutical company by revenue and has offices in 16 countries. Its medicines are sold in at least 125 countries including its 8 blockbuster drugs. The company is a member of the S&P 500 and S&P 100 indices, it brought in roughly $5.5 billion in revenue for 2021 and employs more than 35,000 people across its network of research and production facilities.

Eli Lilly and Company was founded in 1876 by Colonel Eli Lilly. The colonel, a veteran of the Civil War, had recently dissolved an unsatisfactory partnership and set on his own to produce and develop medicinal chemicals. Colonel Lilly remained as president until his death in 1898. His charge to his family, company and coworkers was to take what you find here and make it better and better. The company is well-known for many drugs, including the first mass-marketing of quinine to treat malaria.

The company brought in $4,470 in its first year and saw that figure grow 10X over the next 3. Among the many innovations during this time period is the addition of gelation coatings for pills which helped set the company up for rapid expansion. The company was incorporated in 1881 as Eli Lilly and Company issuing stock to family and friends. The 1900s brought about more change for the company, change in the form of expansion which included international markets.

Advancements during the war years included increases in efficiency due to increased automation and the development of precision technologies. Among the technologies was pill manufacturing which included injecting medicines directly into a gelation capsule. This method allowed for more exact dosing, setting the standard for modern production. The company produced capsules for itself and sold excess capacity to competitors. Other major advancements include fruit flavorings in medicine, straight-line manufacturing and a method of blueprinting manufacturing tickets to prevent errors.

The modern period saw the company grow and discover new, world-class pharmaceuticals. Today, the company is engaged in the discovery, development and marketing of human pharmaceuticals. It offers a wide range of treatments, including Prozac but is perhaps most noteworthy for its work with insulin. The company is the first to mass produce insulin and has made numerous advances in treating diabetes in the time since. While other drugs are more widely known, its diabetic drugs Basaglar, Jardience, Trulicity, Humalog and Humulin are its top-sellers and contribute the bulk of revenue and cash flow.

Along with Diabetic research, the company also focuses on Alzheimer's, Oncology, Immunology, Obesity and Pain care. At the end of 2022, the company pipeline had 23 compounds in Phase 3 clinical trials and 1 in review. There were another 18 in Phase 2 trials and more than 2 dozen in Phase 1 trials. The average cost to discover a new drug was running at $2.6 billion with a 10-year discovery-to-patient timeline.
Salesforce, Inc. is a cloud-based SaaS company founded by former Oracle exec Marc Benioff in 1999. Mr. Benioff founded the company with 3 partners who will remain active in management until nearly 2020. Larry Elison, a co-founder of Oracle, is a noteworthy early investor who helped propel the company to its success. The company is a leader in CRM or customer relationship management and is largely responsible for the proliferation of digitized CRM solutions that is ongoing today.

The company was not immune to the DotCom bubble bursting and had to cut back its workforce and plans but the event is nothing but a blip on the radar now. Even then, the company could sustain a hyper-growth rate that saw revenue skyrocket from $0 in 1999 to over $100 million by the end of 2003. The company held its IPO in 2004 and raised $110 million. The hypergrowth continued until 2014 driven by the growing recognition among C-suite executives that digital CRM was the path to accelerated revenue and earnings growth.

The company made multiple small acquisitions in the period leading up to 2014, but it was then that investment in other technology accelerated. Total spending in 2016 topped $5 billion and led to the acquisition of Slack in 2020. The company was added to the Dow Jones Industrial Average, instantly becoming the largest technology company in the index. The Slack acquisition came under some criticism due to the elevated cost the company paid. The track record of growth that includes sustained sequential growth through the end of 2022 put an end to the criticism.

Today, Salesforce.com provides customer relationship management technology that brings companies and customers together worldwide. It is the 1st cloud stock to reach $1 billion in revenue, hitting that target in 2009. It is the worlds largest enterprise-level software provider and the 61st-largest company by market cap. In regards to US businesses, it is ranked 136th on the Forbes Fortune 500 list for 2022 when revenue topped $7.7 billion.

The company offers its services via the Customer 360 platform. The platform is designed to deliver connected experiences for a business's customers in a way that delivers sales. Revenue is generated in 2 channels that include Sales and Service. The Sales offering stores data, monitors leads and tracks traffic progression through the sales funnel. It can forecast and provide other analytics as well as deliver quotes, contracts and invoices.

The Service segment allows companies to provide personalized services and support at scale. Scale is the fundamental quality that drives Salesfoce.coms success because it has been able to scale and aid its clients when they scale. Among Services many offerings is the ability to create apps with a drag-and-drop builder tool. This segment also includes Slack which permits easy communication among business associates.

Salesforce.com Ventures is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Salesforce.com. It is in business to invest in start-up and early growth phase businesses and has invested more than $5 billion since 2009.
Oracle Corporation is a leading technology company developing software solutions for businesses worldwide. Founded in 1977 by Larry Ellison, Bob Miner, and Ed Oates, the company is headquartered in Austin, Texas and has a presence in over 175 countries. Oracle's primary focus is on providing cloud-based software as a service (SaaS), platform as a service (PaaS), and infrastructure as a service (IaaS) to its customers, helping them to streamline their operations and reduce costs.

The current management team at Oracle is led by Chief Executive Officer Safra Catz, who has been with the company since 1999 and served in several senior leadership positions before assuming her current role. Other key management team members include Chairman and Chief Technology Officer Larry Ellison, who co-founded the company, and Executive Vice President of Product Development, Steve Miranda.

Oracle has reported slight growth in recent years, with its revenue around $40 billion in the last several years. Its net income has also been relatively stable over the past several years. The company's debt levels have remained relatively unchanged over the past few years. Oracle's current valuation metrics show that it trades at a price-to-earnings ratio and price-to-book ratio below the industry average. These valuation metrics suggest that the stock may be undervalued compared to its peers in the technology industry.



Regarding market performance, Oracle's stock has shown some volatility in recent years but has performed well. Its stock price has increased from around $44 in 2017 to $102 in 2022, although it has experienced some dips and spikes during that time. The company has also seen an increase in trading volume in recent years, indicating that it is attracting more investor interest.

Oracle operates in the highly competitive technology industry, competing with other software giants like Microsoft and Salesforce. The industry is constantly evolving, with new trends and innovations emerging regularly. One direction that has gained prominence in recent years is adopting cloud-based solutions, which have been a key focus for Oracle. The industry is also subject to regulatory and political pressures, which can impact the operations of companies operating in the space.

Oracle has identified several growth opportunities, including developing new products and services, expanding into new markets, and making strategic acquisitions. The company has recently announced plans to expand its cloud infrastructure footprint by adding new data centers in several countries. Additionally, Oracle has made several acquisitions in recent years, including its acquisition of NetSuite in 2016 and TikTok's US operations in 2020.

Like any company, Oracle faces risks and challenges that could impact its future growth and profitability. One significant risk is the changing preferences of consumers and businesses, which could affect the demand for its products and services. Additionally, increased regulatory scrutiny and competitive pressures could impact the company's operations.
The following companies are subsidiares of Thermo Fisher Scientific: 236 Perinton Parkway LLC, 27 Forge Parkway LLC, ABR--Affinity BioReagents, ACI Holdings Inc., ARG Services LLC, ASPEX Corporation, Abgene Inc., Abgene Limited, Acoustic Cytometry Systems Inc., AcroMetrix LLC, Acros Organics B.V.B.A., Advanced Biotechnologies Limited, Advanced Scientifics (ASI), Advanced Scientifics Inc., Advanced Scientifics International Inc., Affymetrix Biotech Participacoes Ltda., Affymetrix Biotech Shanghai Ltd, Affymetrix Inc, Affymetrix Japan K.K., Affymetrix Pte Ltd, Affymetrix UK Ltd, Afora S.A.U., Ahura Scientific, Alchematrix Inc., Alchematrix LLC, Alfa Aesar, Alfa Aesar (China) Chemical Co. Ltd., Alfa Aesar (Hong Kong) Limited, Allergon AB, Alphine Mountain Limited, Ambion Inc., Apogent Denmark ApS, Apogent Finance Company, Apogent Holding Company, Apogent Technologies Inc., Apogent Transition Corp., Apogent U.K. Limited, App-Tek International Pty Ltd, Applied Biosystems B.V., Applied Biosystems Finance B.V., Applied Biosystems International Inc., Applied Biosystems LLC, Applied Biosystems Taiwan LLC, Applied Biosystems Trading (Shanghai) Company Ltd., Applied Biosystems de Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Applied Scientific Corporation, Avances Cientificos de Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Avocado Research Chemicals Limited, B.R.A.H.M.S. Biotech GmbH, B.R.A.H.M.S. GmbH, B.R.A.H.M.S. UK Ltd, BAC BV, BAC IP BV, Barnstead Thermolyne LLC, Beijing Phadia Diagnostics Co Ltd, Bender MedSystems GmbH, BioTrove Corporation, BioTrove International Inc., Bioanalysis Labsystems S.A., Biochemical Sciences LLC, Biolab, BmT GmbH Laborprodukte, Bonsai Tecnologies - Sistemas para Biotecnologia e Industria Unipessoal Lda, Brammer Bio, Bumi-Sans Sendirian Berhad, CAC Limited, CB Diagnostics AB, CB Diagnostics Holding AB, CEPH International Corporation, CHK Holdings Inc., CRS Robotics, CTPS LLC, Capitol Scientific Products Inc., Capitol Vial Inc., Cellomics Inc., CellzDirect Inc., Cenduit GmbH, Cenduit LLC, Cezanne S.A.S., Chase Scientific Glass Inc., Chromacol Limited, Clintrak, Clintrak Clinical Labeling Services LLC, Clintrak Pharmaceutical Services LLC, Cohesive Technologies (UK) Limited, Cohesive Technologies Inc., Columbia Diagnostics Inc., Compendia Bioscience Inc., Comtest Limited, Consolidated Technologies Inc., Consultores Fisher Scientific Chile Ltd, Core Informatics, Core Informatics LLC, Core Informatics UK Ltd., D-finitive Technologies Inc., DCG Systems B.V., DCG Systems C.V., DCG Systems G.K., DCG Systems GmbH, DCG Systems Korea Ltd., DCG Systems LLC, DPI Newco LLC, DSM Pharmaceutical Products Inc., Dharmacon, Diagnostix Ltd., Dionex (China) Analytical Ltd, Dionex (Switzerland) AG, Dionex (UK) Limited, Dionex Austria GmbH, Dionex Benelux B.V., Dionex Brasil Instrumentos Cientificos Ltda, Dionex Canada Ltd., Dionex China Limited, Dionex Corporation, Dionex Denmark A/S, Dionex Holding GmbH, Dionex I LLC, Dionex Pty Ltd., Dionex S.A., Dionex S.p.A., Dionex Singapore Pte Ltd., Dionex Softron GmbH, Dionex Sweden AB, Distribution Solutions International Inc., Doe & Ingalls Investors Inc., Doe & Ingalls Limited, Doe & Ingalls Management LLC, Doe & Ingalls Properties II LLC, Doe & Ingalls Properties LLC, Doe & Ingalls of California Operating LLC, Doe & Ingalls of Florida Operating LLC, Doe & Ingalls of Maryland Operating LLC, Doe & Ingalls of Massachusetts Operating LLC, Doe & Ingalls of North Carolina Operating LLC, Doublecape Holding Limited, Doublecape Limited, Drakeside Real Estate Holding Company LLC, Duke Scientific Corporation, Dynal Biotech Beijing Limited, EGS Gauging Ltd., EGS Gauging Technical Services Company, EP Scientific Products LLC, Ecochem N.V., EnviroEquip Pty Ltd, Epsom Glass Industries Limited, Equibio Limited, Erie Electroverre S.A., Erie Finance Limited, Erie LP Holding LLC, Erie Scientific Company of Puerto Rico, Erie Scientific Hungary Kft, Erie Scientific LLC, Erie U.K. Limited, Erie UK 1 Limited, Erie UK 2 Limited, Erie UK Holding Company, Erie UK Senior Holding Limited, European Laboratory Holdings Limited, Eutech Instruments Europe B.V., Eutech Instruments Pte Ltd., Eutech Instruments Sdn Bhd, Ever Ready Thermometer Co. Inc., FEI Asia Pacific Co. Ltd., FEI Australia Pty Ltd, FEI CPD B.V., FEI Company, FEI Company Japan Ltd., FEI Company of USA (S.E.A.) Pte Ltd., FEI Czech Republic s.r.o., FEI Deutschland GmbH, FEI EFA Inc., FEI EFA International Pte. Ltd., FEI Electron Optics B.V., FEI Electron Optics International B.V., FEI Europe B.V., FEI France SAS, FEI Global Holdings C.V., FEI Hong Kong Company Limited, FEI Houston Inc., FEI Italia Srl, FEI Korea Ltd., FEI Melbourne Pty Ltd., FEI Microscopy Solutions Ltd, FEI Munich GmbH, FEI Norway Holding AS, FEI SAS, FEI Saudi Arabia LLC, FEI Servicos de Nanotecnologia Ltda., FEI Technologies Inc., FEI Technology de Mexico S.A. de C.V., FEI Trading (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., FEI Trondheim AS, FEI UK Ltd., FHP LLC, FRC Holding Inc. V, FS (Barbados) Capital Holdings Ltd., FS Casa Rocas Holdings LLC, FS Mexicana Holdings LLC, FSI Receivables Company LLC, FSII Sweden Holdings AB, FSII Sweden Holdings I AB, FSIR Holdings (UK) Limited, FSIR Holdings (US) Inc., FSUK Holdings Limited, FSWH Company LLC, FSWH II C.V., FSWH International Holdings LLC, Fermentas China Co. Ltd, Fermentas Inc., Fermentas International, Fermentas Sweden AB, Fermentas UK Limited, Fiberlite Centrifuge LLC, Finesse Scientific Equipment (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Finesse Solutions AG, Finesse Solutions Inc., Finnzymes Oy, Fisher Alder S. de R.L. de C.V., Fisher Asia Manufacturing Ventures Inc., Fisher Bermuda Holdings Limited, Fisher BioImage ApS, Fisher BioPharma Services (India) Private Limited, Fisher BioSciences Japan G.K., Fisher BioServices Inc., Fisher Bioblock Holding II SNC, Fisher CLP Holding Limited Partnership, Fisher Canada Holding ULC 1, Fisher Canada Holding ULC 2, Fisher Canada Holding ULC 3, Fisher Canada Limited Partnership, Fisher Chimica BVBA, Fisher Clinical Logistics LLC, Fisher Clinical Services (Beijing) Co. Ltd., Fisher Clinical Services (Bristol) LLC, Fisher Clinical Services (Colombia) LLC, Fisher Clinical Services (Korea) Co. Ltd, Fisher Clinical Services (Mexico) LLC, Fisher Clinical Services (Peru) LLC, Fisher Clinical Services (Suzhou) Co. Ltd., Fisher Clinical Services Colombia S.A.S., Fisher Clinical Services GmbH, Fisher Clinical Services Inc., Fisher Clinical Services Japan K.K., Fisher Clinical Services Latin America S.R.L., Fisher Clinical Services Limited Liability Company, Fisher Clinical Services Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Fisher Clinical Services Peru S.R.L, Fisher Clinical Services Pte Ltd., Fisher Clinical Services U.K. Limited, Fisher Emergo B.V., Fisher Germany Holdings GmbH, Fisher Hamilton China Inc., Fisher Hamilton Mexico LLC, Fisher Holdings ApS, Fisher Internet Minority Holdings L.L.C., Fisher Laboratory Products Manufacturing (Shanghai) Co. Ltd, Fisher Luxembourg Danish Holdings SARL, Fisher Manufacturing (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, Fisher Maybridge Holdings Limited, Fisher Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Fisher Scientific (Austria) GmbH, Fisher Scientific (Hong Kong) Limited, Fisher Scientific (M) Sdn Bhd, Fisher Scientific (SEA) Pte. Ltd., Fisher Scientific A/S, Fisher Scientific AG, Fisher Scientific Australia Pty Limited, Fisher Scientific Biotech Line ApS, Fisher Scientific Brazil Inc., Fisher Scientific Central America Inc., Fisher Scientific Chile Inc., Fisher Scientific Colombia Inc., Fisher Scientific Company, Fisher Scientific Company L.L.C., Fisher Scientific Costa Rica Sociedad de Responsabilidad Limitada, Fisher Scientific Europe Holdings B.V., Fisher Scientific GTF AB, Fisher Scientific Germany Beteiligungs GmbH, Fisher Scientific GmbH, Fisher Scientific Holding Company LLC, Fisher Scientific Holding HK Limited, Fisher Scientific Holding U.K. Limited, Fisher Scientific Holdings (M) Sdn Bhd, Fisher Scientific Holdings (S) Pte Ltd, Fisher Scientific International LLC, Fisher Scientific Investments (Cayman) Ltd., Fisher Scientific Ireland Investments Unlimited, Fisher Scientific Ireland Limited, Fisher Scientific Japan Ltd., Fisher Scientific Jersey Island Limited, Fisher Scientific Korea Ltd, Fisher Scientific Latin America Inc., Fisher Scientific Luxembourg S.a.r.l., Fisher Scientific Mexicana S. de R.L. de C.V., Fisher Scientific Mexico Inc., Fisher Scientific Middle East and Africa Inc., Fisher Scientific Norway AS, Fisher Scientific Operating Company, Fisher Scientific Oxoid Holdings Ltd., Fisher Scientific Oy, Fisher Scientific Pte. Ltd., Fisher Scientific S.A.S., Fisher Scientific S.L., Fisher Scientific SPRL, Fisher Scientific The Hague I B.V., Fisher Scientific The Hague II B.V., Fisher Scientific The Hague III B.V., Fisher Scientific The Hague IV B.V., Fisher Scientific The Hague V B.V., Fisher Scientific U.K. Limited, Fisher Scientific UK Holding Company 2, Fisher Scientific UK Holding Company Limited, Fisher Scientific Unipessoal Lda., Fisher Scientific Venezuela Inc., Fisher Scientific Worldwide (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Fisher Scientific Worldwide Holdings I C.V., Fisher Scientific Worldwide Inc., Fisher Scientific de Mexico S.A., Fisher Scientific of the Netherlands B.V., Fisher Scientific spol. S.r.o, Fisher Servicios Clinicos (Chile) LLC, Fisher Servicios Clinicos Chile Ltda, Fisher WWD Holding L.L.C., Fisher Worldwide Distribution SPV, Fisher Worldwide Gene Distribution SPV, Flux Instruments, Fuji Partnership, G & M Procter Limited, G V Instruments Limited, GV Instruments Canada Ltd., GV Instruments Inc, Gatan Inc, General Scientific Company Sdn Bhd (M), Genomed molekularbiologische und diagnostische Produkte GmbH, Gerhard Menzel B.V. & Co. KG, Gold Cattle Standard Testing Labs Inc., Golden West Indemnity Company Limited, Goring Kerr Detection Limited, Greenville Service Company Inc., HENO GmbH i.L., Hangar 215 Inc., Helmet Securities Limited, Henogen, HighChem, HyClone International Trade (Tianjin) Co. Ltd, Hybaid Limited, I.Q. (BIO) Limited, IDnostics AG, ILS Laboratories Scandinavia AB, Inel Inc., Inel SAS, InnaPhase Inc., InnaPhase Limited, IntegenX, Intrinsic BioProbes Inc., Intrinsic Bioprobes Inc., Invitrogen (Shanghai) Investment Co. Ltd., Invitrogen Argentina SA, Invitrogen BioServices India Private Limited, Invitrogen Europe Limited, Invitrogen Finance Corp., Invitrogen Holdings LLC, Invitrogen Holdings Ltd., Invitrogen Hong Kong Limited, Invitrogen IP Holdings Inc., Invitrogen Trading (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Ion Torrent Systems Inc., Ionalytics Corporation, JSC Thermo Fisher Scientific, Jouan LLC, Jouan Limited, Jouan SA, Kendro Containment & Services Limited, Kendro Laboratory Products Ltd, Kettlebrook Insurance Co. ltd., Keystone Scientific, KonTEM GmbH, Kyle Jordan Investments LLC, LIFE TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION, LTC Tech South Africa PTY Ltd., La-Pha-Pack GmbH, Lab Vision (UK) Limited, Lab Vision Corporation, Lab-Chrom-Pack LLC, Lab-Line Instruments Inc., Labomex MBP S. de R. L. De C.V., Laboratoire Service International - L.S.I, Laboratory Management Systems Inc., Laboratory Specialties Proprietary Ltd., LambTrack Limited, Laser Analytical Systems Inc., Liberty Lane Investment LLC, Liberty Lane Real Estate Holding Company LLC, Life Sciences International (Poland) SP z O.O, Life Sciences International Holdings BV, Life Sciences International LLC, Life Sciences International Limited, Life Technologies AS, Life Technologies Australia PTY Ltd., Life Technologies BPD AB, Life Technologies BPD UK Limited, Life Technologies Brasil Comercio e Industria de Produtos para Biotecnologia Ltda, Life Technologies Chile SpA, Life Technologies Clinical Services Lab Inc., Life Technologies Co. Ltd., Life Technologies Czech Republic s.r.o., Life Technologies DaAn Diagnostic (Guangzhou) Co. Ltd., Life Technologies Europe B.V., Life Technologies Finance Ltd., Life Technologies Finland Oy, Life Technologies GmbH, Life Technologies Holdings PTE Ltd., Life Technologies Inc., Life Technologies International B.V., Life Technologies Japan Ltd., Life Technologies Korea LLC, Life Technologies Limited, Life Technologies Magyarorszag Kft, Life Technologies New Zealand Ltd., Life Technologies Norway Investments US LLC, Life Technologies Polska Sp z.o.o., Life Technologies SA, Life Technologies SAS, Life Technologies s.r.o, Linkage Biosciences Inc., Linkage Biosciences S.a.r.l., Loftus Furnace Company, Lomb Scientific, Lomb Scientific (Aust) Pty Limited, MTI-GlobalStem, Marketbase International Limited, Matrix MicroScience Inc., Matrix MicroScience Ltd., Matrix Technologies Corporation Limited, Matrix Technologies LLC, Maybridge Chemical Company Limited, Maybridge Chemical Holdings Limited, Maybridge Limited, Medical Analysis Systems Inc., Medical Analysis Systems International Inc., Medical Diagnostics Systems Inc., Metavac LLC, Microgenics Corporation, Microgenics Diagnostics Pty Limited, Microgenics GmbH, Microm International GmbH, Microm Laborgerate S.L.U, Molecular BioProducts Inc., Molecular Probes Inc., Molecular Transfer Inc., NAPCO Inc., NERL Diagnostics LLC, NOVODIRECT GmbH Labor- und Industrie- Megerate, Nalge (Europe) Limited, Nalge Nunc International (Monterrey) LLC, Nalge Nunc International Corporation, Nanjing WeiKangLe Trading Industrial Co Ltd, NanoDrop Technologies LLC, National Scientific Company, Navaho Acquisition Corp., Neomarkers Inc., New FS Holdings Inc., NewcoGen PE LLC, Nihon Dynal K.K., Niton Asia Limited, NovaWave Technologies Inc., Nunc A/S, ONIX Systems Inc., OXOID CZ s.r.o., Odyssey Holdings Corporation, Odyssey Luxembourg Holdings S.a r.l., Odyssey Luxembourg IP Holdings 1 S.a r.l., Odyssey Luxembourg IP Holdings 2 S.a r.l., Odyssey Venture Corporation, Omega Data Systems, One Lambda Inc, Onix Holdings Limited, Orme Scientific Limited, Owl Separation Systems LLC, Oxoid (ELY) Limited, Oxoid 2000 Limited, Oxoid AS, Oxoid Australia Pty. Limited, Oxoid Company, Oxoid Deutschland GmbH, Oxoid Holding SAS, Oxoid Holdings Limited, Oxoid Inc., Oxoid International Limited, Oxoid Investments GmbH, Oxoid Limited, Oxoid N.V., Oxoid New Zealand Limited, Oxoid Pension Trustees Limited, Oxoid Senior Holdings Limited, Oxoid UKH LLC, PAX - DSI Acquisition LLC, PE AG, Pacific Rim Far East Industries LLC, Pacific Rim Investment LLC, Panomics L.L.C., Panomics S.R.L., Patheon, Patheon API Inc., Patheon API Manufacturing Inc., Patheon API Services Inc., Patheon Austria GmbH & Co KG, Patheon B.V., Patheon Banner U.S. Holdings Inc., Patheon Biologics (NJ) LLC, Patheon Biologics Australia Pty Ltd, Patheon Biologics B.V., Patheon Biologics LLC, Patheon Calculus Merger LLC, Patheon Cooperatief U.A., Patheon Development Services Inc., Patheon Finance LLC, Patheon France SAS, Patheon Holdings B.V., Patheon Holdings I B.V., Patheon Holdings II B.V., Patheon Holdings SAS, Patheon I B.V., Patheon I Holding GmbH, Patheon Inc., Patheon International AG, Patheon Italia S.p.A., Patheon KK, Patheon Life Science Products International GmbH, Patheon Manufacturing Services LLC, Patheon Pharmaceuticals Inc., Patheon Pharmaceuticals Services Inc., Patheon Puerto Rico Acquisitions Corporation, Patheon Puerto Rico Inc., Patheon Regensburg GmbH, Patheon Softgels B.V., Patheon Softgels Inc., Patheon U.S. Holdings Inc., Patheon U.S. Holdings LLC, Patheon UK Limited, Patheon UK Pension Trustees Limited, Pelican Acquisition Corporation, Perbio Science (Canada) Company, Perbio Science AB, Perbio Science BVBA, Perbio Science France SAS, Perbio Science Inc., Perbio Science International Netherlands B.V., Perbio Science Invest AB, Perbio Science Nederland B.V., Perbio Science Projekt AB, Perbio Science Sweden Holdings AB, Perbio Science Switzerland SA, Perbio Science UK Limited, Phadia AB, Phadia Diagnosticos Ltda, Phadia GmbH, Phadia Holding AB, Phadia International Holdings C.V., Phadia Korea Co. Ltd, Phadia Luxembourg Holdings S.a.r.l., Phadia Malta Holdings Limited, Phadia Oy, Phadia Real Property AB, Phadia Sweden AB, Phadia Taiwan Inc., Phadia US Inc., Phadia s.r.o., Pharmacaps Mexicana SA de CV, Phenom-World B.V., Phenom-World Holding B.V, Phenom-World Innovations B.V., Phinotex, Pierce Biotechnology Inc., Pierce Milwaukee Holding Corp., Pierce Milwaukee Inc., Polychromix, Power Sweden Holdings I AB, Power Sweden Holdings II AB, Power Sweden Holdings III Aktiebolag, Princeton Gamma-Tech Instruments LLC, Princeton Security Technologies, Prionics AG, Prionics Asia Ltd., Prionics Deutschland GmbH, Prionics France SAS, Prionics Italia S.r.l., Prionics Lelystad B.V., Prionics USA Inc., Priority Air Express LLC, Priority Air Express Pte. Ltd., Priority Air Express UK Limited, Priority Air Holdings Corp, Priority Solutions International, Promedica Pty Limited, Proxeon, Proxeon Biosystems ApS, Qiagen, REP GBP I-B Blocker Inc., Raymond A Lamb Limited, Remel Europe Limited, Remel Inc., Richard-Allan Scientific Company, Robbins Scientific LLC, Robocon Labor- und Industrieroboter Gesellschaft m.b.H, Rupprecht and Patashnick, Rupprecht and Patashnick (R&P), Russell pH Limited, S.C.I. du 10 rue Dugay Trouin, SCI Inno 92, STC Bio Manufacturing Inc., Samco Scientific (Monterrey) LLC, Samco Scientific LLC, Saroph Sweden AB, Schantz Road LLC, Seradyn Inc., Shanghai Life Technologies Biotechnology Co. Limited, Shanghai Thermo Fisher (C-I) Trading Co. Ltd, Shanghai Thermo Fisher (S) Trading Co. Ltd, Southern Trials (Pty) Ltd., Specialty (SMI) Inc., Spectra-Physics AB, Spectra-Physics Holdings Limited, Spectra-Physics Holdings USA LLC, Spectronex, Staten Island Cogeneration Corporation, Sterilin Limited, Stokes Bio Ltd., Sweden DIA (Sweden) AB, SwissAnalytic Group GmbH, Systems Manufacturing Corporation, TFLP LLC, TFS Breda B.V., TFS LLC, TFS Singapore HK Limited, TFSL Financing GP LLC, TFSL Senior GP Holdings 2 LLC, TK Partnership, TKA Wasseraufbereitungssysteme, TMOI Inc., TPI Real Estate Holdings LLC, TSP Holdings I LLC, TWX LLC, Technology Design Solutions Pty Ltd, Thermedics Detection de Argentina S.R.L, Thermo Allen Coding Limited, Thermo Asset Management Services Inc., Thermo BioAnalysis LLC, Thermo BioAnalysis Limited, Thermo BioSciences Holdings LLC, Thermo CIDTEC, Thermo CRS Holdings Ltd., Thermo CRS Ltd., Thermo Cambridge Limited, Thermo Cayman Holdings Ltd., Thermo Corporation, Thermo DMA Inc., Thermo Detection de Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Thermo Dutch Holdings Limited Partnership, Thermo EGS Gauging LLC, Thermo Eberline Holdings I LLC, Thermo Eberline Holdings II LLC, Thermo Eberline LLC, Thermo Electron (Calgary) Limited, Thermo Electron (Chile) S.p.A., Thermo Electron (Karlsruhe) GmbH, Thermo Electron (Management Services) Limited, Thermo Electron (Proprietary) Limited, Thermo Electron A/S, Thermo Electron Australia Pty Limited, Thermo Electron Export Inc., Thermo Electron Holdings SAS, Thermo Electron Industries, Thermo Electron LED GmbH, Thermo Electron LED S.A.S., Thermo Electron Limited, Thermo Electron Manufacturing Limited, Thermo Electron Metallurgical Services Inc., Thermo Electron North America LLC, Thermo Electron Pension Trust GmbH, Thermo Electron Puerto Rico Inc., Thermo Electron SAS, Thermo Electron Scientific Instruments LLC, Thermo Electron Sweden AB, Thermo Electron Sweden Forvaltning AB, Thermo Electron Weighing & Inspection Limited, Thermo Elemental Limited, Thermo Environmental Instruments LLC, Thermo Fast U.K. Limited, Thermo Finland Holdings LLC, Thermo Finland Holdings MT1 B.V., Thermo Finland Holdings MT2 B.V., Thermo Finnigan LLC, Thermo Finnigan Limited, Thermo Fisher (CN) Luxembourg Holding S.a.r.l., Thermo Fisher (CN) Luxembourg S.a.r.l., Thermo Fisher (CN) Malta Holdings Limited, Thermo Fisher (CN-I) Luxembourg LLC, Thermo Fisher (CN-II) Luxembourg LLC, Thermo Fisher (Cayman) Holdings I Ltd., Thermo Fisher (Cayman) Holdings II Ltd., Thermo Fisher (Finland Holdings 2) LLC, Thermo Fisher (Finland Holdings) Limited Partnership, Thermo Fisher (Gibraltar) II Limited, Thermo Fisher (Gibraltar) Limited, Thermo Fisher (Heysham) Limited, Thermo Fisher (Kandel) GmbH, Thermo Fisher CHK Holding LLC, Thermo Fisher China Business Trust, Thermo Fisher China Business Trust II, Thermo Fisher Costa Rica Sociedad de Responsabilidad Limitada, Thermo Fisher Cyprus Holdings LLC, Thermo Fisher Detection Mexico LLC, Thermo Fisher Diagnostics (Ireland) Limited, Thermo Fisher Diagnostics AB, Thermo Fisher Diagnostics AG, Thermo Fisher Diagnostics AS, Thermo Fisher Diagnostics Aps, Thermo Fisher Diagnostics Austria GmbH, Thermo Fisher Diagnostics B.V., Thermo Fisher Diagnostics GmbH, Thermo Fisher Diagnostics K.K., Thermo Fisher Diagnostics Limited, Thermo Fisher Diagnostics NV, Thermo Fisher Diagnostics S.L.U., Thermo Fisher Diagnostics S.p.A. , Thermo Fisher Diagnostics SAS, Thermo Fisher Diagnostics Sociedade Unipessoal Lda, Thermo Fisher Eurobonds Ltd., Thermo Fisher Financial Services Inc., Thermo Fisher GP LLC, Thermo Fisher German Holdings LLC, Thermo Fisher Germany B.V., Thermo Fisher India Divestco Private Limited, Thermo Fisher India Holding B.V., Thermo Fisher Insurance Holdings Inc., Thermo Fisher Insurance Holdings LLC, Thermo Fisher Investments (Cayman) Ltd., Thermo Fisher Israel Ltd., Thermo Fisher Production et Services SAS, Thermo Fisher Project Cyprus LLC, Thermo Fisher Re Ltd., Thermo Fisher Scientific (Asheville) LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific (Australia) C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific (Barbados) Holdings Ltd., Thermo Fisher Scientific (Breda) Holding BV, Thermo Fisher Scientific (Bremen) GmbH, Thermo Fisher Scientific (CN) Limited Partnership, Thermo Fisher Scientific (China) Co. Ltd., Thermo Fisher Scientific (China) Holding Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific (China-HK) Holding Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific (DE) Holding S.a.r.l., Thermo Fisher Scientific (Ecublens) SARL, Thermo Fisher Scientific (Finance I) B.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific (Finance I) S.a.r.l., Thermo Fisher Scientific (Finance II) S.a.r.l., Thermo Fisher Scientific (Finance III) LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific (Finance III) S.a.r.l., Thermo Fisher Scientific (Fuji) LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific (Guangzhou) Co. Ltd, Thermo Fisher Scientific (Holding II) B.V. & Co. KG, Thermo Fisher Scientific (Hong Kong) Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific (IVGN) B.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific (IVGN) Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific (Johannesburg) (Proprietary) Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific (Mexico City) LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific (Milwaukee) LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific (Mississauga) Inc., Thermo Fisher Scientific (Monterrey) S. De R.L. De C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific (NK) LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific (PN) Austria Holding GmbH, Thermo Fisher Scientific (PN) UK LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific (PN) UK Limited Partnership, Thermo Fisher Scientific (PN-I) SRL, Thermo Fisher Scientific (PN-II) SRL, Thermo Fisher Scientific (PN1) UK Ltd, Thermo Fisher Scientific (Panama) B.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific (Panama) Dutch LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific (Praha) s.r.o., Thermo Fisher Scientific (Real Estate 1) GmbH & Co. KG, Thermo Fisher Scientific (Real Estate 1) S.a.r.l., Thermo Fisher Scientific (Schweiz) AG, Thermo Fisher Scientific (Shanghai) Instruments Co. Ltd., Thermo Fisher Scientific (Shanghai) Management Co. Ltd., Thermo Fisher Scientific (Suzhou) Instruments Co. Ltd, Thermo Fisher Scientific (Thailand) Co. Ltd., Thermo Fisher Scientific AL-1 LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific AU C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific AU II Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific AU LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific AU Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific Africa Proprietary Ltd, Thermo Fisher Scientific Aquasensors LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Australia Pty Ltd, Thermo Fisher Scientific B.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific B.V.B.A., Thermo Fisher Scientific BHK (I) Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific BHK (II) Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific Baltics UAB, Thermo Fisher Scientific Beteiligungsverwaltungs GmbH, Thermo Fisher Scientific Biosciences Corp., Thermo Fisher Scientific Brahms LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Brasil Instrumentos de Processo Ltda., Thermo Fisher Scientific Brasil Servicos de Logistica Ltda, Thermo Fisher Scientific C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Cayman Investments LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Chemicals Inc., Thermo Fisher Scientific China (C-I) LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific China (S) LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific China Holdings I B.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific China Holdings II B.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific China Holdings III B.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific China Holdings IV B.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Chromatography Holdings Aps, Thermo Fisher Scientific Chromatography Holdings S.a r.l., Thermo Fisher Scientific Cyprus I C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Cyprus I Ltd, Thermo Fisher Scientific Cyprus II C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Cyprus II Ltd, Thermo Fisher Scientific Cyprus III C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Cyprus III Ltd, Thermo Fisher Scientific Cyprus IV C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Cyprus V C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Denmark Senior Holdings ApS, Thermo Fisher Scientific Erie 1 Financing (Barbados) SRL, Thermo Fisher Scientific Erie Financing (Barbados) SRL, Thermo Fisher Scientific Erie Financing S.a r.l, Thermo Fisher Scientific Europe GmbH, Thermo Fisher Scientific FLC B.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific FLC Finance C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific FLC II B.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific FLC LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific FSIR Financing (Barbados) SRL, Thermo Fisher Scientific FSIR Financing S.a.r.l, Thermo Fisher Scientific FSUKHCO Financing (Barbados) SRL, Thermo Fisher Scientific Falcon Senior Holdings Inc., Thermo Fisher Scientific Finance Company BV, Thermo Fisher Scientific GENEART GmbH, Thermo Fisher Scientific Germany BV & Co. KG, Thermo Fisher Scientific GmbH, Thermo Fisher Scientific HR Services Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Holdings (Cayman) I, Thermo Fisher Scientific Holdings (Cayman) II , Thermo Fisher Scientific Holdings Europe Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific IT Services GmbH, Thermo Fisher Scientific India Holding LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific India Pvt Ltd, Thermo Fisher Scientific Investments (Luxembourg) S.a.r.l., Thermo Fisher Scientific Investments (Malta) Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific Investments (Sweden) LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Investments (Sweden) S.a.r.l., Thermo Fisher Scientific Investments Malta (Sweden Financing) Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific Invitrogen Financing (Barbados) SRL, Thermo Fisher Scientific Japan Holdings I B.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Japan Holdings II B.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Japan Holdings III B.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific K.K., Thermo Fisher Scientific Korea Ltd., Thermo Fisher Scientific LSI Financing (Barbados) SRL, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life CV GP Holdings II LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life CV GP Holdings LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Enterprises C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Enterprises GP LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Financing (Barbados) SRL, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Financing (Cayman), Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Financing C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Financing Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Holdings I C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Holdings II C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Holdings III C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Holdings Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life International GP Holdings LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life International Holdings I C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Life International Holdings II C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Investments C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Investments GP LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Investments I S.a.r.l., Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Investments II S.a r.l., Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Investments III S.a.r.l., Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Investments IV S.a.r.l, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Investments Malta Holding I LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Investments Malta Holding II LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Investments Malta I Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Investments Malta II Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Investments US Financing I LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Investments US Financing II LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life NL Holdings GP LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Netherlands Holding C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Senior GP Holdings II LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Senior GP Holdings LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Senior Holdings C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Senior Holdings II C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Senior Holdings Inc., Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Switzerland Holdings GP LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Tech Korea Holdings LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Technologies Enterprise Holding Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Technologies Investment I LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Technologies Investment II LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Technologies Investment UK I Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Technologies Investment UK II Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Technologies Investments Holding LP, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Technologies Israel Investment I Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Technologies Israel Investment II Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Technologies Luxembourg Holding LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Luxembourg Enterprise Holdings S.a r.l., Thermo Fisher Scientific Luxembourg German Holdings S.a.r.l., Thermo Fisher Scientific Luxembourg Life Technologies UK Holding S.a r.l, Thermo Fisher Scientific Luxembourg Sweden Holdings I S.a r.l, Thermo Fisher Scientific Luxembourg Sweden Holdings II S.a r.l., Thermo Fisher Scientific Luxembourg Venture Holdings I S.a.r.l., Thermo Fisher Scientific Luxembourg Venture Holdings II S.a.r.l., Thermo Fisher Scientific Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., Thermo Fisher Scientific Malta Holdings LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Messtechnik GmbH, Thermo Fisher Scientific Mexico City S. de R.L. de C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Middle East Holdings Inc., Thermo Fisher Scientific Milano Srl, Thermo Fisher Scientific NHK Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific New Zealand Holdings, Thermo Fisher Scientific New Zealand Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific Norway Holdings AS, Thermo Fisher Scientific Norway US Investments LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Odyssey Financing (Barbados) SRL, Thermo Fisher Scientific Odyssey Holdings Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific Operating Company LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Oy, Thermo Fisher Scientific PN2 C.V, Thermo Fisher Scientific PN2 LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific PRB LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific PRB Malta Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific PRB S.a.r.l., Thermo Fisher Scientific Panama I Cayman Ltd, Thermo Fisher Scientific Peru S.R.L., Thermo Fisher Scientific Pte. Ltd., Thermo Fisher Scientific Re Ltd., Thermo Fisher Scientific SL, Thermo Fisher Scientific Senior Financing LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Senior Holdings Australia LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific South Africa Proprietary Ltd, Thermo Fisher Scientific SpA, Thermo Fisher Scientific Spectra LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Spectra Malta Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific Spectra S.a.r.l., Thermo Fisher Scientific Spectra-Physics Holdings Luxembourg I S.a r.l., Thermo Fisher Scientific Spectra-Physics Holdings Luxembourg II S.a r.l., Thermo Fisher Scientific Spectra-Physics Investments Malta Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific Switzerland Holdings C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific TR Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific Taiwan Co. Ltd., Thermo Fisher Scientific Vermogensverwaltungs GmbH, Thermo Fisher Scientific West Palm Holdings LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Wissenschaftliche Gerate GmbH, Thermo Fisher Scientific Worldwide Investments (Cayman), Thermo Fisher Scientific eCommerce Solutions LLC , Thermo Fisher Senior Canada Holdings LLC, Thermo Foundation Inc., Thermo Gamma-Metrics Holdings Pty Ltd., Thermo Gamma-Metrics LLC, Thermo Gamma-Metrics Pty Ltd, Thermo Holding European Operations LLC, Thermo Hypersil Ltd, Thermo Hypersil-Keystone LLC, Thermo Informatics Asia Pacific Pty Ltd., Thermo Instrument Controls de Mexico S.A. de C.V., Thermo Kevex X-Ray LLC, Thermo Keytek LLC, Thermo LabSystems Inc., Thermo LabSystems S.A., Thermo Life Science International Trading (Tianjin) Co. Ltd., Thermo Life Sciences AB, Thermo Luxembourg Holding S.a.r.l., Thermo Luxembourg S.a.r.l., Thermo MF Physics LLC, Thermo Measurement Ltd, Thermo Measuretech Canada Inc., Thermo Neslab LLC, Thermo Nicolet Limited, Thermo Onix Limited, Thermo Optek (Australia) Pty Ltd., Thermo Optek Limited, Thermo Optek S.A., Thermo Orion Inc., Thermo Portable Holdings LLC, Thermo Power Corporation, Thermo Process Instruments GP LLC, Thermo Process Instruments L.P., Thermo Projects Limited, Thermo Quest S.A., Thermo Radiometrie Limited, Thermo Ramsey Italia S.r.l., Thermo Ramsey LLC, Thermo Ramsey S.A., Thermo Re Ltd., Thermo Scientific Microbiology Pte Ltd., Thermo Scientific Microbiology Sdn Bhd, Thermo Scientific Portable Analytical Instruments Inc., Thermo Scientific Services Inc., Thermo Securities Corporation, Thermo Sentron Canada Inc., Thermo Sentron Limited, Thermo Shandon Inc., Thermo Shandon Limited, Thermo Suomi Holding B.V., Thermo TLH (UK) Limited, Thermo TLH L.P., Thermo Trace Pty Ltd., Thermo-Fisher Biochemical Product (Beijing) Co. Ltd., ThermoLase LLC, ThermoSpectra Limited, Trek Diagnostic Systems LLC, Trek Diagnostic Systems Ltd., Trek Holding Company II Ltd., Trek Holding Company Ltd., Trex Medical Corporation, USB Corporation, Union Lab Supplies Limited, United Diagnostics Inc., VG Systems Limited, Westover Scientific Inc., ZAO PE Biosystems, eBioscience GmbH, eBioscience Ltd, eBioscience SAS, and picoSpin LLC.

Read More
Wells Fargo & Company is a multinational financial services company that has established itself as a prominent player in the global financial industry. Founded in 1852 and headquartered in San Francisco, California, Wells Fargo operates in 35 countries and serves over 70 million customers worldwide. Its rich history and successful mergers and acquisitions have contributed to its significant global presence.

As a comprehensive financial services provider, Wells Fargo offers a wide range of banking, investment, mortgage, and consumer financial services. The company's mission is to satisfy its customers' financial needs and help them succeed financially. Wells Fargo aims to achieve this by providing exceptional service, acting with integrity, fostering diversity and inclusion, and contributing positively to the communities it serves.

Wells Fargo's extensive product and service portfolio caters to various market segments. The company serves individual consumers, small businesses, corporations, and institutional investors. Its key customers encompass a broad spectrum, ranging from everyday banking customers to high-net-worth individuals and large corporations. Wells Fargo aims to meet the diverse financial needs of its customers through personalized solutions and innovative offerings.

The company has achieved several notable milestones and received recognition for its contributions to the financial industry. Wells Fargo has been ranked as one of the "Big Four Banks" in the United States, alongside JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, and Citigroup. It is also recognized as one of the largest banks in the country by total assets, deposits, and market capitalization. Wells Fargo's commitment to delivering quality financial services has earned it a position among the most valuable bank brands.

Wells Fargo is led by an experienced and capable management team that guides the company's operations and strategic direction. The leadership team consists of individuals with diverse backgrounds and extensive finance, banking, technology, risk management, and customer service expertise. The Chief Executive Officer and President of Wells Fargo is Charles W. Scharf, who brings a wealth of experience in the financial industry. The management team also includes key executives such as Michael J. Santomassimo as the Chief Financial Officer and Scott Powell as the Chief Operating Officer. Each management team member contributes their professional background, accomplishments, and expertise to ensure the company's success.

Wells Fargo has demonstrated consistent financial performance over the years, driven by its diverse business segments and strategic initiatives. The company has reported steady revenue growth, reflecting its ability to attract and retain a large customer base. Wells Fargo's revenue metrics indicate its success in generating income through its various financial services and product offerings.

Earnings metrics illustrate the company's profitability and stability. Wells Fargo's focus on prudent risk management practices and diversified revenue streams contributes to its ability to generate sustainable earnings. Profit margin metrics showcase the efficiency of Wells Fargo's operations. The company's ability to manage costs effectively while generating revenue is key to maintaining healthy profit margins. Debt levels play a significant role in evaluating the company's financial position. Wells Fargo's management strives to maintain a conservative approach to managing debt, ensuring a strong balance sheet and financial stability.

Wells Fargo's valuation metrics are influenced by a range of factors, including its market position, financial performance, growth prospects, risk profile, and investor sentiment. Factors driving Wells Fargo's valuation include its brand recognition, customer base, diversified business segments, and ability to generate consistent earnings. Changes in investor sentiment, market conditions, and regulatory developments can also impact the company's valuation over time.

Investors closely monitor Wells Fargo's stock performance, assessing its ability to deliver value over the long term. The stock has had issues in the past due to news or events that have affected the company's share price, such as regulatory actions, the global pandemic, and strategic initiatives. These factors should be considered in analyzing its market performance.

Wells Fargo operates in the highly competitive financial services industry, which is subject to evolving regulatory frameworks and technological advancements. Understanding the broader industry in which the company operates is crucial to assessing its competitive positioning.

Wells Fargo competes with other major banks and financial institutions domestically and internationally. The company leverages its brand recognition, extensive product and service offerings, customer relationships, and technological capabilities to gain a competitive advantage. However, it also faces challenges such as regulatory compliance, changing customer preferences, and disruptive market forces.

Wells Fargo has identified several growth opportunities within its diverse business segments. The company aims to deepen relationships with existing customers, attract new customers and expand its presence in key markets. In consumer banking, Wells Fargo focuses on enhancing digital capabilities, improving customer experience, and providing innovative solutions to meet evolving customer needs. The company seeks to leverage its strong brand and customer base to drive growth and increase customer loyalty. In wealth and investment management, Wells Fargo aims to capitalize on the growing demand for comprehensive financial planning and advisory services. The company's expertise in wealth management positions it well to capture opportunities in an increasingly complex investment landscape.

As with any financial institution, Wells Fargo faces various risks and challenges. It is important to comprehensively analyze potential risks and challenges to understand their potential impact on the company's performance. Factors such as regulatory changes, cybersecurity threats, economic downturns, and reputational risks pose challenges to Wells Fargo's operations. The company has implemented robust risk management strategies, invested in technology and security measures, and enhanced compliance frameworks to mitigate these risks. Ongoing efforts to prioritize ethical conduct, transparency, and stakeholder trust are integral to managing risks effectively.
Citigroup Inc. is one of the worlds largest financial institutions. It is the 13th largest bank globally by assets and 8th by market cap with operations in consumer and institutional banking. In the US, Citigroup is the 3rd largest bank by assets and one of the Big Four deemed systemically important and too big to fail.

Citigroup Inc. was founded in 1812 as the City Bank of New York. The bank was run by Samuel Osgood who led the company with success for many years, even throughout the War of 1812. The bank was later renamed the National City Bank of New York in 1865 and by 1895 is the largest bank in the US. In 1913 it was the first contributor to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and a few years later it began to expand into overseas territories.

The bank became the First National City Bank of New York after another merger in 1955 and then later, the New York part was dropped off as part of the 150th-anniversary celebration. By 1974 the company is known as Citicorp which is still the operational branch of the business and a global banking powerhouse. A merger with Travelers insurance group in 1998 resulted in the name Citigroup but the joint venture did not last. By 2002 Travelers was publicly traded once again but Citigroup retained the new name.

Today, the company is headquartered in New York, New York but boasts more than 200 million customer accounts in 160 countries worldwide. As of mid-2022, it operated 2,649 branches in the United States, Mexico, and Asia. The company reports nearly 725 branches in the US and 1499 in Mexico with the rest scattered throughout its territory. Total annual revenue topped $75 billion in 2022.

Citigroup is a diversified financial services holding company that owns Citicorp among other assets. The companys mission is to serve as a trusted partner providing responsible financial solutions to its clients. Citigroup provides financial products and services to consumers, corporations, governments, and institutions. The company operates in two segments, Global Consumer Banking (GCB) and Institutional Clients Group (ICG).

The GCB segment offers traditional banking services including deposit and saving accounts, credit cards, personal loans, home loans, and investment services. This segment operates through local branches and digital means. The ICG segment offers wholesale banking products and services to corporate, institutional, public sector, and high-net-worth clients.
Tsakos Energy Navigation Ltd is one of the worlds longest-running and largest independent operators of maritime energy transportation services. The company owns and operates a best-in-class fleet of versatile energy transportation vessels that include ice-class, shuttle tankers, and LNG-capable shipping as well. The companys management team is able to leverage more than 50 years of company experience.

Tsakos Energy Navigation Ltd was incorporated in 1993 as MIF Limited. The company IPOd in 201 and later changed its name in 2011 to better represent itself to the world. It has been a leader in energy transportation the entire time and has generated more than $1 billion in profits for shareholders. As of October 2022, the company had paid more than $450 million in dividends in over 42 consecutive payments. The companys average yield since IPO is over 5.2%.

Tsakos Energy Navigation Ltd. provides maritime transportation services for national, major, and independent energy companies under a variety of contract conditions. The company reported a fleet of 70 double-hull energy transportation vessels in mid-2022. The fleet included 60 conventional tankers ranging from Handysize through Panamax, Aframax, and Suez Max conventional oil tankers, and several Suez-Max DP2 shuttle tankers. The DP2 shuttle tankers are instrumental in transporting energy through the Suez canal. The company also listed 2 VLCCs or Very Large Crude Carriers (the 2nd largest tankers on the high seas) and 2 LNG-capable ships, and 2 ships under construction.

Tsakos Energy Navigation is incorporated in Bermuda but operates out of Athens, Greece. The companys strategy is to maintain its industry-leading status while providing sustainable growth and stability across energy cycles. The two pillars of the strategy are employee and fleet quality. The company actively invests in its talent pool to position itself for long-term success while also investing in ship maintenance and renewals. The average age of a Tsakos Energy Navigation tanker was about 7.5 years in Q4 2022 compared to roughly 10 years for the industry average. Oil tankers get about 30 years of use on average, so the company well-positioned to outlast its competition.
As the issue is pending and no circular has been issued on banning PoP idols, the High Court heard the petition with other petitions, which challenged their immersion in Hussainsagar. (Image: R. Pavan)

Hyderabad: The Telangana High Court made it clear that no Ganesh idol made of plaster of Paris (PoP) can be immersed in the Hussainsagar or any water body in city limits. The court directed the GHMC, HMDA, the irrigation department and the police to make alternative arrangements like setting up baby ponds to immerse PoP idols.

The division bench, comprising Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice N.V. Shravan Kumar, said that the orders passed by the High Court in 2021 prohibiting immersion of POP idols in the city were in force. Violating the court orders would be taken seriously, the High Court said.

The court suggested to the party-in-person Mamidi Venu Madhav that if he came across any violation of the High Court order, he could approach the court with sufficient proof.

The bench was dealing with a petition filed by the Telangana Ganesh Murti Kalakar Welfare Association, Dhoolpet, and eight others, in 2022 challenging the validity of the revised guidelines clause 2.0 issued by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), New Delhi, which prohibited making and selling PoP idols.

In 2021, the Telangana High Court directed the government and GHMC to issue a circular by March 31, 2022 for banning POP Ganesh idols, in accordance with the Central PCB guidelines. However, neither the government nor the civic body complied with the orders.

When the idol-makers came up with PpP idols and were trying to sell them, GHMC and police officials raised objections. Challenging the same, a petition was filed in 2022 by the idol-makers. Last year, the court had allowed the sale of PoP idols but directed that there should be a blanket ban from 2023 onwards.

As the issue is pending and no circular has been issued on banning PoP idols, the High Court heard the petition with other petitions, which challenged their immersion in Hussainsagar.

Government counsel Harender Pershad informed the division bench that PoP idols were not immersed in the Hussainsagar but in any one of the 100 baby ponds (artificial ponds) created by the GHMC specifically for the purpose.

Pershad said that revised guidelines clause 2.0 (i) issued by the CPCB were upheld by the National Green Tribunal and the Supreme Court. The court said that it would examine if the revised CPCB guidelines are still in force.
rime Minister Narendra Modi (C) speaks during the first session of the G20 Leaders' Summit at the Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi (AFP)

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, US President Joe Biden and other top leaders of the world's wealthiest economies began deliberations on pressing global challenges at the G20 Summit here on Saturday under the shadow of the Ukraine war that has significantly fragmented the global geopolitical order.

Hosting the big-ticket summit for the first time, India is looking at producing tangible results in areas of financing for climate transition, digital public infrastructure, accelerated implementation of sustainable development goals, framework for cryptocurrency and reform of the international financial institutions.

The majority of priorities of the Indian G20 presidency were aimed at benefiting the Global South or the developing countries. Indian negotiators involved in drafting the leaders' declaration are confident that most of New Delhi's proposals would be endorsed by the top leadership of the grouping.

The leaders attending the summit include German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, his Italian counterpart Giorgia Meloni, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and Brazilian President Luiz Incio Lula da Silva.

However, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin are not attending the summit.

Chiefs of many leading global bodies such as the United Nations, International Monetary Fund, World Bank, World Health Organisation and African Union are also attending the two-day summit that is taking place at Bharat Mandapam in the heart of the national capital.

India currently holds the G20 presidency, which rotates annually among the member nations.

In his talks with Modi last night, US President Biden lauded India's presidency for further demonstrating how the G20 as a forum is delivering important outcomes.

However, the biggest question looming over the summit is whether it will be able to come out with a joint leaders' declaration in view of the sharp differences between the West and the Russia-China combine on the text to describe the Ukraine conflict in the document.

If the summit ends without the joint declaration, it will be a first for the grouping.

Multiple sources told PTI on Friday night that China emerged as the main stumbling block in reaching a consensus on the Ukraine conflict as well as some other proposals, including on climate change. They said Russia is completely isolated on the Ukraine issue.

The G20 operates under the principle of consensus.

Both Russia and China had agreed to the two paragraphs on the Ukraine conflict in the Bali declaration, but they backtracked from it this year, creating difficulties for India.

Almost all key meetings held under India's G20 presidency, including those of finance and foreign ministers, could not come out with consensus documents in view of opposition from Russia and China to any text referring to the Ukraine conflict.

India's G20 sherpa Amitabh Kant said on Friday that the New Delhi Leaders' Declaration will reflect the voice of the Global South and developing countries.

"Our New Delhi Leaders' Declaration is almost ready, I would not like to dwell on it because this declaration will be recommended to the leaders during the summit and the leaders will then accept it and only after it is accepted by the leaders, we will be able to talk about the actual achievements of this declaration," he said.

Some of the key issues facing the G20 Summit are reshaping international debt architecture, offering loans to developing nations, and having some kind of regulatory framework for cryptocurrency and artificial intelligence.

As the G20 president, India has been focusing on issues like inclusive growth, digital innovation, climate resilience and equitable global health access.

By leveraging its presidency, India is fostering collaborative solutions that not only benefit its own population but contribute to the broader global well-being, reinforcing its spirit of 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' (the world is one family).

Besides the G20 member nations, India has invited leaders of Bangladesh, Egypt, Mauritius, the United Arab Emirates, Spain, Singapore, Oman, Nigeria and the Netherlands as guests to the summit.

After assuming presidency of the bloc on December 1, India held around 200 meetings related to the G20 across the country on a range of its priority areas.

The G20 member countries represent around 85 per cent of the global GDP, over 75 per cent of the global trade, and about two-thirds of the world population.

The grouping comprises Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, the UK, the US and the European Union (EU).
UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and First Lady of the UK Akshata Murty being welcomed by the Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, Environment, Forest and Climate Change Ashwini Kumar Choubey upon their arrival at Palam Airforce Airport ahead of the G20 Summit, in New Delhi, (PTI Photo)

New Delhi: A day ahead of the start of the two-day G-20 summit in New Delhi, India's G-20 "sherpa" Amitabh Kant said the "New Delhi Declaration" joint statement or communique was "almost ready", signalling hectic efforts were continuing till the last minute to narrow differences on the contentious Ukraine issue, which has left the G-20 grouping polarised between the Western G-7 nations on one hand and Russia and China on the other. The concerns of developing nations on their access to global resources is a key issue at the summit, on which consensus is expected.

"We have been able to work on every single country and bring them on board," Mr Kant told a crowded media briefing at the International Media Centre near the G-20 summit venue Bharat Mandapam. He said the effects of the Ukraine conflict on global food security had been discussed in detail at the G-20 meetings hosted by India, including the G-20 sherpas meet, as it was at last years G-20 summit hosted by Indonesia. He said this was done despite the G-20 being essentially an economic forum focused on growth and development, as the conflict had impacted food, fuel and fertiliser security adversely, especially for the countries of the Global South (developing nations).

When asked specifically about details of the joint statement and whether consensus had been achieved over references to Ukraine, Mr Kant noted the "high degree of confidentiality" over such documents, adding that the text would be referred by the G-20 sherpas to their respective leaders for acceptance. "Every G-20 nation has a veto power We will speak (on this) after the summit is over", he added.

Indias G-20 sherpa did not answer when asked whether India would also issue a separate Chairs Summary (on any issue such like Ukraine due to lack of consensus, as has happened at previous G-20 meetings hosted by India). He also said "India will leave a huge impact" on the deliberations and outcome of the G-20 summit and pointed out how New Delhi had emerged as the voice of the Global South. Mr Kant also pointed out how India had led the revolution in digital infrastructure.

Foreign secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra said at the briefing that the G-20 summit, being attended by the heads of 41 delegations, would begin on Saturday morning with the first session on "One Earth", followed by the second session in the afternoon on "One Family", while the third and last session would be on "One Future" on Sunday morning, after which the summit would conclude. There will also be a "couple of sideline events", he said. The foreign secretary also said President Droupadi Murmu will host an official dinner for the G-20 heads of delegations on Saturday evening, and there will also be a visit to Rajghat for heads of delegations and also a separate spouses programme would be organised.

The G-20, or Group of Twenty, is an "intergovernmental forum of the worlds major developed and developing economies and comprises 19 countries (Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Britain, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Turkey and the United States) and the European Union". Collectively, the G-20 "accounts for 85 per cent of global GDP, 75 per cent of international trade and two-thirds of the worlds population, making it the premier forum for international economic cooperation".

India, as G-20 president, has also invited Bangladesh, Egypt, Mauritius, Netherlands, Nigeria, Oman, Singapore, Spain and the UAE as guest countries and most leaders of these guest countries will attend.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi with US President Joe Biden at the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment & India-Middle East-Europe Economics Corridor event during the G20 Summit 2023, in New Delhi, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. (PTI Photo)

NEW DELHI: India, the United States, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and the European Union, unveiled an ambitious plans to create a modern-day Spice Route linking Europe, West Asia and India, that could rival Chinas Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)  boosting trade ties with potentially wide-ranging geopolitical implications.

The new initiative would link railways, ports, electricity and data networks and hydrogen pipelines and was evolved on the sidelines of the Group of 20 summit in New Delhi.

Although heavily trade-focused, the scheme could have wide-ranging implications  including developing contacts between long-time foes Israel and Saudi Arabia.

Speaking at a special event to announce the project that was co-chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and United States President Joe Biden and attended by leaders of Saudi Arabia, the UAE, France, Germany, Italy and the European Commision, PM Modi termed it a "historic and important agreement" and said it would be a "medium of economic integration and global connectivity in a sustainable direction".

Taking a veiled dig at China, Modi said the need was for projects that followed international rules and respect for the territorial integrity of nations, adding that it should also have financial viability and not create a debt burden. He also said the need was for reducing the infrastructure gap in the Global South.

Signatories hope it can help integrate India's vast market of 1.4 billion people with countries to the west, offer a counterbalance to lavish Chinese infrastructure spending, boost Middle Eastern economies and help normalise relations between Israel and Gulf Arab states.

"This is a real big deal," said Biden at the launch event, calling the plan "historic," and a "game-changer."

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the so-called India-Middle East-Europe economic corridor was "much more than 'just' a railway or a cable." She said: "It is a green and digital bridge across continents and civilisations."

One proposed project would link railway and port facilities across West Asia  including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Israel  potentially speeding trade between India and Europe by up to 40 per cent.

Pramit Pal Chaudhuri, South Asia practice head at the Eurasia Group, told AFP that a shipping container that travels from Mumbai through the Suez Canal to Europe could in the future go by rail from Dubai to Haifa in Israel and on to Europe, saving both money and time.

At present, the Suez Canal is a major bottleneck to world trade, handling roughly 10 percent of global maritime trade but often beset by disruptions.

The plan neatly aligns with several of Washington's goals in West Asia, and officials say the United States is keen to see the projects take flight.

AFP reported Michael Kugelman, South Asia Institute director at The Wilson Centre, as saying the plan could be a significant response to China's much-vaunted Belt and Road Initiative. The so-called BRI has spread Chinese influence, investments and commerce across Europe, Africa, Asia and Latin America.

"If finalised, it would be a game changer that strengthens connectivity between India and the Middle East and would aim to counter BRI," Kugelman posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.
TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu after being arrested in a corruption case, in Nandyal, in the eary hours of Saturday, (PTI)

Kurnool: Former Chief Minister and Telugu Desam Chief N. Chandrababu Naidu criticized the state government, alleging that it is employing suppressive measures against him as he advocates for addressing the issues of common people. Prior to being taken into custody in Nandyal on Saturday and subsequently shifted to Vijayawada, Naidu addressed the media and expressed his concern that CID teams had not disclosed any details regarding his arrest, creating tension in the area since midnight on Friday.

Naidu emphasized that everyone, including ordinary citizens, has the right to know why they are being arrested. He criticized the police for not providing any information and stated that lack of transparency was causing fear among party members. Naidu asserted that he has been advocating for the concerns of the public for the past 4.5 years.

Upon his request, the CID shifted him to Vijayawada in his own vehicle from Nandyal. He maintained his innocence, asking the police for any evidence supporting his arrest, as nothing substantial had been presented so far. Naidu called for calm among the people and his party cadre, hoping that the truth would prevail. He argued that there was no basis for his custody, as there was nothing in the First Information Report to justify it.

The police filed multiple cases against Chandrababu Naidu under various sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Prevention of Corruption Act, 166, 167, 418, 420, 465, 468, 471, 409, 201, 109 read with 120b IPC, 13(2) read with 13(1) ( C ), read with 13 (1) (D) specifically relating to case 29/2021 as part of economic offenses. Local party leaders were also detained before Naidu's arrest, and police forces from various districts, including Anantapur and Kurnool, were deployed to Nandyal as a preventive measure. As part of these precautions, RTC buses were confined to depots at several locations.
Telugu Desam chief and former chief minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu being arrested by Andhra Pradesh CID team. (Twitter)

VIJAYAWADA: Andhra Pradesh CID informed that it has arrested Telugu Desam chief and former chief minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu, the main accused in the skill development scam case on Saturday. AP CID Additional DG N Sanjay briefed the media about the arrest.

"We arrested Chandrababu in Nandyal at 6 o'clock this morning. He is the main accused in the skill development scam, the main conspirator in the scam, and he is also the final beneficiary. The investigation revealed that Naidu was the main accused. He needs to be questioned to get more details regarding the scam."

On further investigation, Sanjay said, "The CID is investigating to whose accounts the government money was diverted illegally. CID is also investigating the role of Chandrababu Naidu's son Nara Lokesh. The probe is also on regarding the role of Kilaru Rajesh. Lokesh's role in the AP Fiber Net and Inner Ring Road scams will also be investigated in depth."

He added that in the skill development scam, funds were diverted to Shell company through fake invoices and Chandrababu knows about all transactions. He further said that Naidu should be questioned regarding the diversion of funds for which he was arrested. The official stated that important documents related to the scam have been destroyed.

Sanjay said, "In 2014, an agreement was signed between the AP Higher Education Council and Siemens. After the signing of MoU, Skill Corporation was formed in July of the same year. Ganta Subba Rao acted as CEO and Ganta Subba Rao was given the posts of CEO, MD, Advisor to the Higher Education Council, and Advisor to the Chief Minister. Though the state government has invested Rs. 371 crores as its share, Siemens has not invested any funds into the project. The objections of the Finance Department and Chief Secretary were also ignored."
Party president and Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao seems to have communicated to the party leaders about the Centre actively considering semi-jamili' polls through the party's most effective communication channels on Friday.(File Image: By Arrangement)

Hyderabad: BRS legislators, most of whom were re-nominated for the upcoming Assembly elections, may hit the pause button on their campaigns in the backdrop of reports of a delay in holding in polls in five states including Telangana against the backdrop of the one nation, one election (ONOE) proposal.

Though the legislators were elated over the re-nomination, they were equally worried over the expenditure going up due to the early launch of the poll campaign. Now, with the chances of polls to the Assembly being held in January, along with the Lok Sabha elections, appearing high, the legislators were worried coping with increased financial demands.

However, party president and Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao seems to have communicated to the party leaders about the Centre actively considering semi-jamili polls through the party's most effective communication channels on Friday.

"We had been earlier instructed by the Chief Minister to not leave the constituency after being nominated. Now, some hints were dropped about a delay in polls and best way to ease the pressure of spending in the constituency is to spend more time in the state capital," a ruling party MLA said.

In many constituencies, the legislators had started making the rounds of villages and meeting people. In some areas they had been organising programmes on special occasions like Teachers Day. "We are also pre-occupied with the lottery to select double bedroom house beneficiaries," one MLA said.

Ruling party leaders were apprehending a surge in their expenditure in view of consecutive festivals starting from Ganesh Chathurthi followed by Dasara, Diwali and Christmas, when many groups seek funds in exchange for support. "The meter has started already," quipped one city legislator referring to the cadre as well as residents welfare associations placing indents for funds to celebrate the Ganesh festival.

Another MLA from the city outskirts is said to have devised new strategies to keep his expenditure under check. "We are spending more time with cadre and trying to address their pending issues that do not involve finances," said the MLA.
TDP Chief Chandrababu Naidu (Photo: Twitter)

Vijayawada: Former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and Telugu Desam chief N Chandrababu Naidu was on Saturday arrested by the AP Criminal Investigation Department (CID), in connection with a corruption case. According to the reports, Chandrababu Naidu was shifted to Nandyal Hospital for a medical examination, following which he will be produced before the court and later will be shifted to Vijayawada. The TD leaders and cadres coming onto roads all over AP State hence the police deployed police pickets at the houses of TD leaders.

Recently, Chandrababu Naidu had claimed that he would be arrested very soon and his fear turned true with the arrest. Chandrababu Naidu during the early hours of Saturday in connection with the Rs 371 crore skill development scam. The arrest took place at the RK function hall in Nandyal where Chandrababu Naidu was staying during his visit to Nandyal. The police took Chandrababu Naidu into custody amid dramatic scenes with the TDP cadre objecting to the arrest of their leader.

An arrest warrant to Chandrababu Naidu was served under Section 50 (1) (2) of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) in the wee hours of Saturday, as the former chief minister was resting in his vanity van following a public address in Andhra Pradesh's Nandyal city. The police said that sections imposed against Naidu are non-bailable.

In connection with the case, the police said all details and materials were provided to the court. Naidu agreed to cooperate with the police and would be taken in his convoy while his security would be allowed to accompany him.

Naidu said that he is fighting on the issues of the public but the police created havoc before arresting him. He said that the government killed democracy. He claimed that his name was not mentioned in the FIR but the police did not give proper information. He demanded police to prove his guilt before arresting him. Naidu asked the public and TD leaders and cadres to be patient and hoped he will get justice.

Ganta Srinivasa Rao and his son arrested

The CID sleutths have also arrested TDP MLA and former minister Ganta Srinivasa Rao and his son in connection with the skill development scam. Ganta served as the minister to the relevant department during Chandrababu Naidu's tenure as the Chief Minister.
BJP Telangana chief G. Kishan Reddy (Photo by arrangement)

HYDERABAD: The time immemorial Sanatan Dharma is all set to come in handy for the BJP in its new age battle of politics with the party deciding to attack Chief Minister and BRS party president K Chandrashekar Rao, and the Congress party as it seeks to regain lost ground in Telangana, along with mounting an offensive on the AIMIM party.

On Friday, state BJP president and Union Minister G Kishan Reddy, addressing a meeting of the partys state executive, called on his BJP colleagues to "unite people against forces seeking to undermine Sanatan Dharma. KCR doesnt care about Hindu culture. He once said Hindugallu Bondagallu, and now, he stays silent on Tamil Nadu Minister Udayanidhi Stalins call to destroy Sanatan Dharma, which means putting an end to existence of Hindus."

He also said in the past, "Akbaruddin Owaisi said if he is given 15 minutes, he will ensure there are no Hindus left in India. The efforts of BRS, Congress, aided by AIMIM to undermine Sanatan Dharma must be repelled."

He said: "It appears that KCR is possessed by the Nizam and is acting like his descendent and is acting like he is the ninth Nizam. It was the Nizams who tried to destroy our culture in Telangana, and now under KCR, the states economy has been destroyed and under his rule, corruption, misuse of funds, family rule, and dictatorial governance have reached heights unknown previously."

He also called on people to join in the Telangana Liberation Day celebrations on September 17 at the Parade Grounds in Hyderabad, and to also celebrate the day in every village in the state.

The meeting, attended by senior state party leaders and Rajya Sabha member Prakash Javadekar in charge of Telangana elections, and co in-charge and general secretary Sunil Bansal, also unanimously condemned the comments being made attacking Sanatan Dharma. The meeting also chalked out a series of programmes for the party till October.



BJP Action Plan

Sept 11  Protests against criticism of Sanatan Dharma in all district headquarters

Sept 13-14  A 24-hour protests led by G Kishan Reddy demanding KCR implement promises made to youth on jobs, unemployment allowance

Sept 15  Motorcycle rally led by G Kishan Reddy from Secunderabad Clock Tower to Parakal in Hanamkonda district demanding Telangana Liberation Day and history of Telangana martyrs be included in textbooks, national, state BJP leaders to take part

Sept 16  Similar motorcycle rallies in all Assembly constituencies

Sept 17  Call to participate in Central government led official Telangana Liberation Day celebrations at Parade Grounds to be addressed by Amit Shah; party workers to hoist national flag at polling booth level

Sept 17 to Oct 2  Sevak Paksh  to erect banners and posters highlighting Modi governments contribution to Telangana

Sept 20-22  450 BJP leaders to tour all mandals, review party preparation for polls

Sept 24  Meri Maati-Mera Desh in villages where it is not been held so far

Sept 26 to oct 13  3 Rath Yatras, all important BJP leaders to take part and switch from one phase of yatra to another, expose KCR governments failures.
Tension prevailed at RK function hall in Nandyal (Photo: Twitter)

Nandyal: Andhra Pradesh's former Chief Minister and Telugu Desam chief N. Chandrababu Naidu was taken into police custody at Nandyal in the alleged skill development scam on Saturday morning.

Tension prevailed at RK function hall in the town, where Naidu had halted for the night in his bus. A large number of policemen descended on the place prior to his arrest.

On receiving information about this, the TDP leaders and activists had also gathered in large numbers at the venue. When Naidu asked how he could be arrested without any prima facie evidence and also mention of his name in the FIR copy, the police informed him that they had produced the necessary documents before the High Court.

Naidu's lawyers argued with the police to submit the evidence before making the arrest. The Police asserted that all the details have been incorporated in the remand report.

On the other hand, Lokesh was halted by the police when he tried to visit his father, Chandrababu Naidu. He inquired, "Why am I being prevented from meeting my father? Who has granted you the authority to stop me?" Lokesh questioned the police.

In a protest against Naidu's arrest, Lokesh took a seat at the protest site to show his objection to the police actions.
Former Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu being questioned at the SIT office by CID officials near Tadepalli on Saturday. (Image By Arrangement)

Kurnool/Vijayawada: Telugu Desam chief Nara Chandrababu Naidu was arrested by the CID from Nandyal at 6 am on Saturday and shifted to Vijayawada, in connection with the Rs 3,300-crore AP Skill Development Corporation scam case, amid public hullabaloo and mounting tension.

TD MLA Ganta Srinivasa Rao was arrested in Visakhapatnam over his alleged involvement in the scam as he was the education minister at the time.

Meanwhile, the Telugu Desam legal team and Supreme Court senior advocate Siddartha Luthra moved a House Motion with the ACB Special Court Judge stating how several norms were violated during the arrest of Naidu by the AP CID and also sought bail in case of imposition of judicial remand keeping in mind the health and advanced age of Naidu.

The AP CID also planned to seek the custody of Naidu for further interrogation and is likely to produce Naidu before the court in the early hours of Sunday.

Meanwhile, TD leaders including Devineni Uma Maheswara Rao, Nakka Ananda Babu, Pattabhi Ram and Bonda Umamaheswara Rao, among several others, were placed under house arrest to prevent an escalation of the law and order situation.

AP CIDs additional DG N. Sanjay said later in a press conference: "We arrested Chandrababu Naidu in Nandyal at six oclock this morning. He is the main accused in the skill development scam, the main conspirator in this scam and the final beneficiary is also Chandrababu Naidu. The investigation revealed that Chandrababu Naidu was the main accused. Thats why we arrested him. He needs to be questioned to get more details in this scam."

"The CID is investigating into whose accounts the government money was diverted illegally. The CID is also investigating the role of Chandrababu Naidus son Nara Lokesh. The CID is also investigating the role of Kilaru Rajesh. Apart from these, Lokeshs role in the AP Fiber Net and Inner Ring Road scams will also be investigated in depth," the additional DG said.

Cases were registered against Naidu under sections 109 (abetment), 120B (criminal conspiracy), 166 and 167 (offence by a public servant), 418 and 420 (cheating), 465 (forgery), 468 (preparation of forged documents), 471 (using as genuine a forged document), and 409 (criminal breach of trust) of the Indian Penal Code.

On Friday, the situation in Nandyal, where Naidu was holding a roadshow, turned tense as six buses containing hundreds of police personnel drove in at midnight.

As the police started setting up barricades and drawing oyt party supporters and media personnel from the RK Function Hall, where Naidu was staying, party activists gathered and resisted the police attempts to enter the venue. A heated argument ensued between the two sides.

Around 3.30 am, the police attempted to enter the bus in which Naidu was resting, but party leaders strongly resisted their attempt. They demanded an explanation from the police and the need to make the arrest at that particular time.

The police insisted on going ahead, saying they would explain the matter to Naidu in person. This further infuriated the TD activists. The police then removed vehicles from the function hall and arrested TD activists and, subsequently, spoke with Naidu.

Former minister Bhuma Akhila Priya, and former MLAs Bhuma Brahmananda Reddy and B.C. Janardhan Reddy were detained and taken to the police station.

Around 5.30 am, Naidu met the police and expressed his concern about his rights being violated. Naidu resisted his arrest, asking the officials for prima facie evidence on his role in the scam and whether his name was mentioned in the FIR. The police said that all details were incorporated in the remand report that would be submitted to the ACB special court.

Naidu said, "It is very unfortunate that democracy is getting murdered publicly. Even an ordinary citizen has the fundamental right to know the reason for his arrest and when I asked the CID police about the prima facie evidence, they did not respond to me. I appeal to the people and the party cadre to maintain calm. I have been fighting for the problems of the people in the last four-and-a-half-years and the government wants to arrest me and send me to jail. It is a pre-planned move to stop me from fighting for the people in the state."

When Naidus lawyers requested to see the evidence, the police referred to the remand report. After an hour of arguments, the police served Naidu with a notice, citing charges of corruption. They promised to send all requested documents via WhatsApp. Subsequently, Naidu underwent a medical examination and was escorted to Vijayawada at about 8 am.

Naidu refused to be flown to Vijayawada in a helicopter and the police allowed him to travel in his convoy, to produce him before the magistrate.

On his way, a large number of TD supporters tried to stop the convoy, forcing the police to take alternative routes. Tension mounted at Chilakaluripet, when a large number of TD supporters led by former minister Prathipadu Pulla Rao staged a rasta roko. Naidu stepped down from his vehicle and appealed to his supporters to let him move.

Meanwhile, Naidus wife Bhuvaneswari arrived in Vijayawada and visited the Kanaka Durga temple. Later, she told mediapersons that she prayed to the deity to protect her husband and give him the strength to face the ordeal. She said that her husband had been fighting for the rights and welfare of the people in the state and called upon the people to support him.

She found support from several political leaders of the BJP, Jana Sena and Left parties, who united in condemning the YSRC.

AP BJP chief D. Purandeswari extended her support to Naidu and questioned how he could be arrested without following due procedure, while Jana Sena Pawan Kalyan chief called Naidus arrest a "political vendetta".

Kalyan also tried to fly to Vijayawada from the Begumpet Airport in Hyderabad, but his chartered flight was denied permission to take off.

TD MLA and Telugu actor Nandamuri Balakrishna, referring to the YSRC, called it "unfortunate to target the Opposition parties instead of paying more attention on the welfare of the people".

Naidus son Nara Lokesh was not allowed by the police to leave his Yuvagalam camp at Podalavada village in Razole mandal for several hours, but was later allowed to go to Vijayawada.

Supreme Court senior advocate Siddartha Luthra flew to Vijayawada to argue the case on behalf of Naidu, with his legal team of the opinion that all sections under which Naidu was booked were bailable, except for one. They intend to argue that one section would not be applicable in the case, so that Naidu would be set free.

Naidus counsel was set to go up against the Additional Advocate General, Ponnavolu Sudhakar, at the ACB court in the evening.

RTC bus services were affected in the morning as the police stopped them from leaving the depots as a precautionary measure to avert property loss during any potential violence.
Significant differences emerged between political parties in Derry City and Strabane District Council following a presentation to councillors from representatives of the Derry Call Centre Campaign (DCCC).

The DCCC representatives had requested Derry City and Strabane District Council (DCSDC) establish a working group of unions and councillors to intervene when jobs in the area are at risk; when working conditions are poor; and where staff in Derry are underpaid, compared to their UK and Irish counterparts.

Cllr Brian Tierney (SDLP) said he did see a role for a taskforce but one led by Derry Trade Unions Council (DTUC) as opposed to DCSDC.

Cllr Christopher Jackson (Sinn Fein) said his party was far from convinced a taskforce was the pathway that is going to achieve any sort of real outcome for workers in this city and district.

A deputation from DCCC, established by the union Aegis to improve pay and working conditions for a major local industry had been invited to speak at Tuesday afternoons meeting of Councils Governance and Strategic Planning Committee.

Immediately before the meeting, DCCC supporters assembled in Guildhall Square. The DCCC deputation comprised Brian McDaid (assistant general secretary, Aegis) and Gareth Moore (regional organiser, Aegis).

The invitation to address Council followed the unanimous passing of a motion brought before full Council on March 30 by Cllr Shaun Harkin (People Before Profit).

Referencing the ongoing situation at Firstsource Solutions call centre, based in the citys Springtown Business Park, Gareth Moore told councillors if the working group was established, it would mean Council could help workers in these circumstances in future.

Derry News has previously reported on a number of senior Firstsource staff members leaving the firm to take up employment with a company called Results CX, prior to the announcement of Firstsource redundancies in the city.

Firstsource employees subsequently learned the Derry jobs were being transferred to Results CX, which was also involved in the ongoing redundancy negotiations.

Mr Moore said: We have a wealth of knowledge and talent within this city and could create a taskforce of elected representatives and representatives from the trade unions, co-ordinated through the Derry Trades Union Council (DTUC).

This taskforce could engage with businesses, supported by the trade union expertise to ensure that the appropriate questions and challenges are put forward and the actions of the business are scrutinised to ensure best practices are maintained and workers are supported.

He told councillors that when situations such as Firstsource arise we do, within this city and region, need to set up some kind of force where we can rapidly and in a co-ordinated fashion respond to these concerns.

We dont have a magic wand to make everything perfect but we are very confident we know how to make things better.

We cant let political divisions stop us from uniting. We want every party, every member of the Council to unite behind workers in Derry, not just to save jobs but to improve pay and conditions.

The DCCC proposal to establish a taskforce of elected representatives and representatives from the trade unions, co-ordinated through the Derry Trades Union Council (DTUC) formally moved by Cllr Shaun Harkin (People Before Profit) and was seconded by Cllr Gary Donnelly (Independent).

Cllr Brian Tierney (SDLP) said the idea of a taskforce made a lot of sense.

He added: When we are looking at pay and conditions and job losses, we often find we are on the back foot when these things are announced and we are trying to firefight and react to whats going on.

A lot of the time, while we are trying to do this, the decision has already been made by the company and we are trying to manage that while also trying to manage the fears of workers. Unfortunately, in the city and district, it is large numbers of workers we are dealing with.

I do see a role for some type of a taskforce but I see it more being led by DTUC and looking for support from elected representatives. That has been forthcoming on all of these issues.

Cllr Christopher Jackson said there was a clear distinction around the role of a trade unionist and the role of a local council.

He said: I would see our local council as a key player in terms of engaging with current employers and any potential employers and to try and attract investment to the North West, to create jobs, to create better paid jobs, and, in turn better conditions for workers.

I want to see our council officers engage those investors, those companies, to talk about the barriers to investment, to identify any gaps in the skill base and then work in partnership with our universities and our further education sector to address and fill those gaps.

With all due respect, I dont want to see our council officers being involved in any sort of campaign to potentially put off investors. We want to send a clear message that Derry and Strabane are open for business. We want to create jobs. We dont want any potential employer being fearful of their internal business being discussed in an open forum in the council chamber. That is not what we are about.

We have serious concerns about setting up structures that could potentially put off investment and put jobs in jeopardy through what is undoubtedly a well-meaning proposal. There are ramifications we are very mindful of and our position is clear. We want to send out the message, Derry and Strabane are open for business.

We want to attract investment. We want to support trade unions to ensure the jobs that are created are well paid and conditions are adequate. So, in relation to the proposal, we are far from convinced it is the pathway that is going to achieve any sort of real outcome for workers in this city and district.

At this point, meeting chairperson, Cllr Rory Farrell (SDLP) proposed officers from DCSDC engaged with DTUC to establish potential terms of reference for the taskforce, which would come back before the committee.

The DCCC representatives agreed with this proposal and it was passed unanimously by the members of the Governance and Strategic Planning Committee.
Please allow ads as they help fund our trusted local news content.

Kindly add us to your ad blocker whitelist.

If you want further access to Ireland's best local journalism, consider contributing and/or subscribing to our free daily Newsletter .

Support our mission and join our community now.
Louth Sinn Fein TD Ruairi O Murchu has called on the government to empower the Irish regulator to protect customers from what he calls "rip-off energy costs".

The Dundalk TD says research commissioned by the party has found the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) lacks the powers needed to protect customers from unfair and unaffordable energy costs.

Deputy O Murchu said the "sky high" energy costs are putting "huge pressure on people in County Louth" and added that people need a break from "rip-off energy costs".

He said that customers in the State pay the highest electricity prices in the EU, adding almost 1,000 to the average annual bill, while wholesale energy prices are at a two-year low.

Deputy O Murchu said: "My colleague, Sinn Fein spokesperson on Energy, Darren O'Rourke TD, commissioned research by the Oireachtas Library and Research Unit to examine why this is.

"The report published recently reveals that Ireland has a very light touch regulator, compared to other European countries where customers are better protected from unfair costs. Government and the energy regulator are acting as commentators on energy prices.

"Government, the CRU and, by extension, the general public are expected to take it at face value, to trust energy companies to pass on savings when they see fit. Thats simply not good enough. Its clear there isnt transparency around bills and people in Louth are paying the price.

"The government must act to ensure there is transparency and accountability in the energy market. The CRU should be specifically mandated to monitor and regulate hedging practice. Its powers should be strengthened to monitor anti-competitive behaviour.

"It should have an expanded role in consumer protection and an increased role in energy poverty monitoring and response  including through the oversight of an expanded Energy Efficiency Obligation Scheme. These are practical measures that would ensure the regulator is fit to hold energy companies to account."

The Sinn Fein TD added: "In addition, to ensure transparency and accountability for the public, the CRU should publish, on a monthly basis, the average price of natural gas and electricity supply and the average margin received by natural gas and electricity suppliers. This would ensure people can monitor costs. The public deserve nothing less."
Louth County Council have been allocated a further 1.5 million in Local Property Tax baseline funding.

The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh OBrien TD today announced a 75.4m increase in Local Property Tax (LPT) baseline funding to Local Authorities nationally  bringing the total to 428.4m in 2024  following a review of how the money is allocated.

Every local authority receives a minimum (baseline) amount of funding from the Local Property Tax, supplemented by funding from the exchequer where a local authoritys LPT income is lower than its baseline.

This baseline funding is essential and recognises the essential role played by local authorities, not only in delivering a broad range of services day-to-day, but also in successfully leading the local response to emergency situations; such as sectors establishment of Community Call during Covid-19, and more recently the community response fora to support the Ukrainian crisis.

Current baseline funding for Louth County Council in 2023 is 9,866,198 with a planned increase to 11,366,198 in 2024.

Minister OBrien TD, said:

Local Authorities play an integral role in the delivery of services to our citizens. I am aware of the growing challenges faced by local authorities due to the increase in demand for services and the growing cost of providing these.

This significant increase in funding should go a long way towards easing the pressure on the sector.

Since 2020 I have been committed to a review of the baseline funding of local authorities and I established a working group earlier this year to examine the issue.

I am pleased to announce that todays funding has been guided by the review that has taken place and the recommendations of the working group.

Kieran ODonnell, Minister of State for Local Government and Planning, welcomed the completion of the review of Local Property Tax baselines, noting the important work completed by the review group, which included elected local representatives, to inform the final model.

Minister ODonnell said:

I would like to thank the Working Group for all their work on assisting our review of how we provide baseline funding. Todays increase in allocations reflects the importance of the work that local authorities do, which I see for myself as I visit and meet with Councillors across the country.
Dundalk Karate celebrated their 10-year anniversary recently. And what better way to mark the occasion then by seeing three of the best martial artists earning some of the highest accolades in the sport.

Established back in 2013 by Sensei Marcus, who was then a black belt 1st Dan, she set about passing on what she had learned over the years since starting karate alongside her daughters.

Despite competition from other sporting clubs around Dundalk and the fact they only had a handful of students, Sensei Marcus didnt let this deter her and she set about laying the groundwork for the years ahead.

With her immediate and extended family and friends support and encouragement behind her, she quickly found her feet and set the bar high. This is when one of Dundalk Karates very first students got the bug for the sport and started getting noticed.

Liam Hoey, a very quiet but determined seven-year-old, joined Dundalk Karate in September 2013 and now, a decade later, not only has he come up through the grades, but he has also spent many evenings and weekends travelling across the country to attend Squad Trainings and Competitions.

Liam Hoey being presented with his 1st Dan Certificate from Sensei Fran Nangle 8th Dan

He also competed at not only local and national level but was selected on several occasions to represent Ireland at an International level.

Finally, after achieving 1st Kyu earlier this year, it was time to knuckle down and put in those extra hours alongside fellow Senior Member, Thea Mulholland and also Sensei Marcus, for one of the toughest grading sessions Dundalk Karate would hold to date.

With the hall booked, the tatami mats freshly cleaned, extra water bottles to hand and not forgetting sweat towels, the time had come for Sensei Fran Nangle, an 8th Dan, to enter the dojo at the Redeemer Family Resource Centre.

He called Liam, Thea and Sensei Marcus to the mats where they would be put through a rigorous ordeal that would see them all be thankful for all their hard work and dedication over the past few weeks and months.

With a range of Basics, Combinations, Blocks, Ohios, Kihons, Kumite techniques, fitness regimes and numerous katas covered over three hours, it was time for Sensei Nangle to announce his decision.

With everyone on tenderhooks, he announced his delight in awarding Thea Mulholland her 3rd Kyu, Liam Hoey his 1st Dan and Sensei Mary Marcus her 4th Dan.

Seeing members such as Liam and Thea achieve such accolades is reward in itself noted Sensei Marcus afterwards.

It just goes to show after all we went through as a club with Covid and our ups and downs over the years, we never gave up at Dundalk Karate.

I would not only like to personally say congratulations to Liam for being our very first member who achieved a 1st Dan at Dundalk Karate and to Thea for getting her 3rd Kyu, but to say, Thank You to each and every member of Dundalk Karate and their family for their continued support.

If you would like any information on Dundalk Karate and the classes they hold at the Redeemer Family Resource Centre, you can contact Sensei Marcus on 086 353 1625 or at karatequeen@live.com.

Congratulations to Dundalk Karate on their 10th Anniversary and their achievements to date, and we wish them every success in the year to come.
Japan's fishermen, residents file lawsuit against Fukushima nuke wastewater release

Xinhua) 15:28, September 09, 2023

TOKYO, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- A group of 150 people in Japan, including fishery workers in Fukushima Prefecture, filed a lawsuit on Friday to halt the release of nuclear-contaminated wastewater from the crippled Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant into the sea.

In the suit lodged against the Japanese government and plant operator Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings, the plaintiffs claimed that the ocean discharge violates their fishing rights and threatens the rights of consumers to live peacefully.

In addition, they are seeking nullification of nuclear regulators' approval of facilities installed for the water discharge and a ban to be placed on the release.

The plaintiffs, also including people affected by the 2011 nuclear disaster at the northeastern Japan power plant, filed the suit with Fukushima District Court, making it the first lawsuit of its kind.

Despite raging opposition from home and abroad, Japan started releasing Fukushima radioactive wastewater into the Pacific Ocean on Aug. 24, sparking concerns among many fishermen about their livelihoods.

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Sheng Chuyi)
The entrepreneurial spirit is truly alive in a country like the Philippines. Thanks to its growing middle class, strong consumer base, and rich tapestry of cultures and traditions, the archipelago is a fertile ground for budding entrepreneurs.

However, many remain intimidated by the idea of transitioning from the relative stability of corporate employment to the unpredictable realm of business ownership. Launching a successful business is not just about seizing a market gap or launching a productits about embarking on a journey that intertwines personal ambition with the unique nuances of the Filipino market.

If youre feeling intimidated by the idea of abandoning your typical 9-to-5 to launch the small business or startup youve been dreaming of, know that being properly prepared can make the journey more manageable. Here are five transition strategies that are perfectly tailored to the Filipino entrepreneur.

1) Understand Your Why

Every entrepreneurs journey is deeply personaland, very often, highly reflective of their desires and personal values. For some, its the dream of creating an organic farm in the provinces, away from city life. For others, it might be about addressing an urban need, like eco-friendly transportation in traffic-congested cities.

Start by asking yourself what drives you. Is it a longing to give back to the community, the thrill of innovation, or the quest for financial freedom?

The Philippine setting, with its rich cultural diversity and social fabric, offers numerous areas where change, innovation, and improvement are needed. From sustainable tourism initiatives to tech solutions addressing local challenges, would-be business owners dont lack possibilities. However, anchoring on the why provides clarity in purpose and serves as the guiding star when making critical business decisions.

2) Draw Up a Detailed Business Plan

With your why crystal clear, the next step is channeling that drive into a tangible and actionable business plan. This isnt just about crunching numbers or setting objectives; its about understanding the intricacies of the Philippine market landscape.

If youre looking to capitalize on the recent e-commerce boom in the country following the COVID-19 pandemic, for instance, youll want to think about how to differentiate the online store you envision from a host of other competitors. In addition to providing unique products and top-notch services, consider optimizing your store for a fast and easy shopping experience.

The best way to do this is by researching the technology commonly employed by your peers in the industrysuch as the go-to payment gateway Philippines-based businesses use, popular online invoicing systems in the country, and the like.

One popular payment solution startups and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are turning to these days is Maya Checkout, an online payment gateway by Maya Business that provides fast and frictionless checkout for both online businesses and brick-and-mortar stores. Its fast becoming regarded as the best payment gateway Philippines startups and SMEs can depend on, and will ultimately help streamline your checkout process and win you the favor of customers.

Among the common pitfalls many budding entrepreneurs face is the temptation to replicate Western business models without adapting them to local contexts. The Filipino consumer is unique in preferences, behaviors, and values. Crafting a good business plan will require you to look beyond logistics and finances to take this uniqueness into account; its about weaving in the cultural, social, and economic nuances of the Filipino people into your business blueprint.

3) Set Aside Savings

Starting a business involves capital, and it often takes time before profits start rolling in. While any successful entrepreneur needs to be willing to take risks, remember that youll also need a financial safety net. Building up substantial savings will not only get you a cushion during lean periods, but it will also offer the financial flexibility to seize unexpected opportunities.

Of course, unless youve been saving for a long time or have a substantial amount of wealth put away, you likely wont be able to shoulder all of your ventures initial costs by yourself. Even if you do have the capital, you may want to consider diversifying your funding sources all the same. Doing so will reduce your personal financial risk and also potentially fast-track business growth.

Fortunately, there are many local funding opportunities available to would-be entrepreneurs in the Philippines. Cooperatives, microfinance institutions, and government grants targeting SMEs are just a few options that you can consider tapping into to help get your startup off the ground.

4) Know When to Pivot

Entrepreneurship, by its very nature, is a journey full of uncertainties and evolving challenges. In the Philippinesa nation of over 7,000 islands, each with its distinct flavors and culturesbusinesses may need to constantly adjust to cater to diverse markets. But what does it truly mean to pivot? Its about agility, adaptability, and the keen ability to read the signs.

For instance, while a seafood business might flourish in coastal towns, it may require an entirely different approach in the uplands. Similarly, trends that dominate in the cities might barely ripple in more remote regions. Collecting feedback from your customers and peers in the industry is invaluable here. Whether you gather it by listening to casual comments by locals at a barangay gathering or handing out structured surveys, listening and adapting to the input you receive is crucial.

Pivoting doesnt always signify failure, either. On the contrary, it often signifies the resilience to adapt and grow. The world of Filipino entrepreneurship is brimming with tales of businesses that thrived after making timely shifts. Whether its a cafe transforming into a co-working space due to the advent of digitalization, or a traditional craft store going online amid a pandemic, recognizing the need for change and acting upon it can set you up for long-term success.

5) Safeguard Your Well-Being

Though it can be exhilarating to finally live the entrepreneurial life, long hours, unpredictability, and high stakes can take a toll on your well-being. While passion drives many Filipino entrepreneurs, remember that you wont get anywhere if you dont look after your health. Take time to disconnect, spend moments with loved ones, and engage in activities that you enjoy. These pursuits will rejuvenate both the body and soul and enable you to work your best when you return to the grind.

Your new entrepreneurial journey in the Philippines will present you with both challenges and opportunities. What will be important the whole way is a keen understanding of your motivations, a commitment to planning, and an open mind for being adaptable and resilient to changing market conditions. Know your priorities and what direction youre headed in, and youll be able to chase your entrepreneurial dreams with full confidence.
Milly McCarthy And The Irish Dancing Disaster, by Leona Forde (Gill Books 9.99)

THIS time will be completely different, Milly McCarthy just knows it.

It wont be like the time she wanted to take up juggling because she thought joining a travelling circus would be an amazing adventure. Nor when she took up the didgeridoo to become a star in Australia, or tried to learn Japanese to get a job in a sushi restaurant, nor even the time when she joined a Brazilian jiu-jitsu club because she had watched The Karate Kid and decided she wanted to become a black-belt ninja spy.

No, since the day when Abbie Horgan down the road brought her shiny Munster medal in to show off at school, Milly has set her heart on becoming a world champion Irish dancer and absolutely nothing is going to stand in her way.

Shes even got a totally well worked-out plan as to how shes going to achieve this feat, with step one being the purchase of a curly wig, and step two entering a competition.

After being advised by her BFF Laura that dancing lessons might be a better first step, Milly then has the job of persuading her parents that this is not merely the latest in her long list of passing fads.

Catching Dad off guard when he is not really listening, Milly manages to get him to agree to signing her up to dancing lessons, to which Mam, after lots of tutting and eye-rolling and giving Dad the you should have known better look, finally accedes.

The latest book in the Milly McCarthy series.

Contrary to expectations, Milly shows promise as a dancer, and after practising hard, is soon ready to enter her first open feis, complete with her very own curly wig, poodle socks, and a fancy frock.

What could possibly go wrong, one might ask, but readers who encountered this Cork trouble-magnet in her first adventure, Milly McCarthy Is A Complete Catastrophe, will already know the answer: Lots.

From there on in, things start to go pear-shaped, and when Milly finds herself subbed at short notice into a three-hand dance group, complete chaos is close at hand.

Vomit, physical injuries, and flying knickers ensue, though despite having a magnetic attraction for mayhem, Milly manages to emerge as an engaging character whose misadventures are simply the unfortunate consequence of her many good intentions.

The second in the Milly series from Ballyphehane native Leona Forde, an English teacher at Kinsale Community School, this is Wimpy Kid humour for Gaelscoil girls, with Millys imperfections a central part of the books appeal.

Forde, who studied English at UCC, taps into a distinctively Irish brand of mirth, which parents who have entered the bizarre orange-tanned, sock-glued world of the dancing feis will enjoy just as much as will the books age eight-plus target readership.

The screeching accordion recordings and glittery tracksuits of Ms Lillian Vivien OBriens school of Irish dancing ring painfully true, though Fordes reference to PTSD to describe the fate of Millys dancing competition judge is not likely to be a laughing matter for those who actually suffer from the disorder.

Sprinkled with the cupla focal of Millys classmates at Scoil Eoin in the fictional Cork town of Ballybrogin, and of their long-suffering muinteoir Emer, whose always-about-to-give-out expression is perfectly captured by Dublin illustrator Karen Harte, the latest escapades of redhead rebel Milly will be published on September 14, with a third instalment already in the pipeline.

Search For The Black Mirror (Usborne 11.20) the second title in Kilkenny author Helena Duggans The Light Thieves series, picks up where its predecessor left off, in a world where a black spot is gradually covering the sun and three friends must find a strange black mirror in order to avert the looming catastrophe.

Grian, Jeffrey, and Shelli know tech giant Howard Hansom is somehow responsible for the theft of the sun, after the world was apparently tilted on its axis by a major earthquake.

Hansom managed to persuade people to move to his Tipping Point city in order to shift the world back in place with their combined weight.

With tech used to track and control the population, the trio must try and complete their mission without resorting to Hansoms smart devices, while in Trumpian fake-news fashion, Hansom twists the truth to brainwash citizens into believing that it is the three youngsters themselves who are the cause of the eco-disaster. A gripping matrix of environmental and social themes for our time.
AN environmental expert braved the Tanaistes hotseat for the latest episode of his In Conversation podcast.

Assistant Professor of Environmental Policy at UCD Dr Cara Augustenborg, can be heard discussing some pressing topics in the podcasts most recent offering.

Ms Augustenborg spoke to Tanaiste Micheal Martin about a number of pressing topics. Their discussion addresses the recent independent assessment of the Governments delivery on its commitment to reduce carbon emissions. Commissioned by Friends of the Earth and chaired by Dr Augustenborg ,the report awarded the government a C+ for delivery of its climate and environmental commitments. It comes a year after the Government received a C grade for its efforts.

The Fianna Fail leader and Dr Augustenborg discuss the importance of taking action on climate change. They also refer to the benefits and challenges of transitioning to Electric Vehicles (EVs). Ringfencing carbon tax for climate action and the essential measures required to achieve a sustainable future are also acknowledged in the podcast.

Dr Augustenborg said she feels improvements have been made since 2020.

I feel certain that in the next three years, we will see these things in our day-to-day lives and that our lives will be more sustainable than they ever have been in Ireland in terms of improvements around waste and pollution.

Tanaiste Micheal Martin can be heard drawing on his own experiences in the podcast.

I can recall when I was leading Fianna Fail in opposition, we committed to the carbon tax, he said.

However, I wanted it ring-fenced for climate because revenue can go into the general exchequer and get absorbed for other issues. I think the public will buy into that if theres a sense that the funding is ring-fenced for a given programme, in this case climate change.

Dr Augustenborg also honed in on the most significant obstacles facing those switching to electric vehicles.

We need to be creating a second-hand electric vehicle market, she said.

Were in a situation right now where its wealthy people in South Dublin who already have access to public transport that are buying these electric vehicles. Really, the people we need to be buying them are in rural Ireland and who dont have the access to our public transport network.
CORK City Public Participation Network (PPN) has called on policymakers to consider the results of research being conducted by UCC on the potential of a Medically Supervised Injecting Facility (MSIF).

At a recent Community Safety Linkage Group meeting, PPN members called on policymakers to fund accordingly any measures suggested.

HSE Head of Drugs and Alcohol Services in Cork and Kerry David Lane spoke about the journey taken by officials to Portugal to witness Lisbons equivalent.

On return from the trip, UCC was contracted to carry out independent research on whether there is a need for such a facility in Cork city.

City residents were given an opportunity to raise concerns with Mr Lane and learned that where these services were put in place, deaths from overdose plummeted, blood-borne illnesses reduced, and people experiencing addiction could tie in other services such as addiction recovery and family support services.

For the local communities, there is a reduction in injecting equipment on streets, and vulnerable, ill people in the community could get access to the support they need.

A MSIF for Cork city is not in the Programme for Government but PPN members have called on policymakers to address this.

Speaking to The Echo, Mr Lane highlighted the need to follow the best available evidence if communities, cities and countries are to be effective in addressing problems associated with illicit drug use.

This means responding to drug use with localised, targeted and inclusive interventions, which match the particular patterns of drug use in an area, he said.

Mr Lane said that MSIFs have been shown to save lives and improve the health of people who inject drugs. But there are the broader environmental benefits such as the reduction of inappropriately discarded paraphernalia and public injecting.

I am looking forward to the publication of the research which will be completed by UCC in February 2024.

I welcome the support of the Public Participation Network and many other stakeholders in Cork city.

Community Safety Linkage Group Chair Laura OConnell said:. [Residents and community groups] felt heard and engaged with and, in response, learned the evidence in relation to MSIFs. But it went further, our members expressed a need to highlight the humanity of people experiencing addiction, with one participant saying, They are us; we are they.

The Community Safety Linkage Group has asked Mr Lane to return and speak to the group once the UCC research has been completed in early 2024.
DOCTORS, nurses and patients at Mercy University Hospitals accident and emergency unit had to contend with a drunken man who was aggressive and threatening.

Gardai attended at the hospital on the evening of April 24 to find Peter Matthews causing the disturbance.

Judge Olann Kelleher sentenced Matthews of St Vincents hostel, Anglesea Terrace, Cork, to seven months in prison for this and other offences.

Regarding the incident at the hospital, Judge Kelleher commented: It is very unfair for this man to be causing trouble in a hospital  causing havoc for patients, doctors and nurses, when the staff are doing their best to look after people like Mr Matthews.

A month later, on May 31, gardai encountered him on Eglantine St.

Sergeant Gearoid Davis said: It was 7.20pm and Mr Matthews was wearing no shoes or socks and no shirt.

He was shouting at vehicles in the area asking if anyone wanted to fight him.

Garda Sean Finnegan asked him to desist in his behaviour.

Mr Matthews told him to go f*** himself.

After his arrest he said he was sorry for his behaviour 2that he smoked a bag of gear before the incident.

For other incidents including being drunk and a danger the defendant also pleaded guilty.

Sergeant Davis said the 29-year-old had 17 previous convictions for being drunk and a danger and eight for engaging in threatening behaviour.

Frank Buttimer, solicitor, said:

The generality of his offending behaviour is verbally abusive. He is recovering from addiction  drugs and alcohol  and he has spent lengthy times in rehabilitation.

The cumulative total of new sentences and revoked suspensions on other sentences amounted to seven months, backdated to August 22 when the defendant was arrested and put into custody.
A CORK woman and her grandson have come up with a special event to return the kindness shown to them by Crumlin Childrens Hospital.

Marie Piper Gregan and 14-year-old Ryan Hourihan Gregan are organising an event called Kevins Day this Sunday with a Barbie and Superheroes theme.

The event will take place in Douglas Community Park this Sunday at 2pm.

It will include everything from Barbie boxes, where children can have their photographs taken, to arts and crafts activities.

One of the highlights of the big day will be a dog show with categories that include best small dog and best rescue dog.

All funds raised will go towards Crumlin Childrens Hospital and the Ronald MacDonald House which provides accommodation for the family of young hospital patients in Dublin.

Ryan was greeted by 12 specialists in the delivery room after he was born in very special circumstances due to his condition.

The now 14-year-old has been fighting a number of congenital heart defects including two holes and two missing chambers.

Marie said she has lost count of the number of heart surgeries he has endured, including four major operations.

Crumlin Childrens Hospital and the Ronald McDonald House have been a huge support to him during that time.

His grandmother Marie explained: Ryan has been attending Crumlin since he was born and this is our way of giving back.

The Ronald McDonald House has also been a great comfort to us and so many parents in Cork.

It gave us a place to put our heads down and if we needed to get over to Ryan in a hurry we could. Accommodation is really hard to find and even more difficult when you need it to be by the hospital.

Its nice to be in a position where we can give back.

All are welcome to the event on Sunday.
A ten-month suspended sentence was imposed on a man with numerous theft convictions who was before Cork District Court for three more thefts.

Richard OMeara of Dunard, Lotamore, Cork, pleaded guilty to carrying out thefts at the beginning of the year at Supervalu in Carrigaline and at the Boots and Allcare pharmacies.

Frank Buttimer, solicitor, said the defendant, who is aged around 30, was aware that he was at risk of prison but had done residential treatment for his alcohol problem.

In light of the efforts made by the accused, Judge Olann Kelleher said he would impose the suspended jail term. He also ordered the accused to do 200 hours of community service.

The judge said that when the case had been last adjourned he had made a note on the file that it would be a prison sentence. However, Judge Kelleher said he was taking into consideration the efforts made by the accused to rehabilitate.
Former University College Cork (UCC) lecturer and professor Dermot Keogh has been remembered as authentic, generous, and courageous at his funeral mass.

Professor Keogh died peacefully at his Cork city home following an illness at the age of 78.

A former journalist with the Irish Press and RTE, he worked from 1980 as an academic with UCCs Department of History, serving as Jean Monnet professor between 1990 and 1996, as professor of history from 1997, and as head of the department from 2002 to 2009.

He retired in 2010 but continued researching and writing.

Professor Keogh was laid to rest at St Olivers Cemetery on Model Farm Road on Saturday following funeral mass at the Church of the Immaculate Conception at the Lough.

The mass, celebrated by Canon Jim ODonovan, Canon John Paul Hegarty, Father Vincent Twomey and Bishop John Buckley, remembered Professor Keogh as a beloved husband, devoted father, and loving grandfather.

The mass saw family, friends, and colleagues gather to celebrate and remember Prof Keogh.

Also in attendance to pay their respects were Commandant Brian Walsh Aide-de-Camp (ADC) representing President of Ireland Michael D Higgins, Tanaiste Micheal Martin, Lord Mayor of Cork Cllr Kieran McCarthy and Chief Executive of Cork City Council Ann Doherty.

Prof Keoghs daughter Aoife spoke of her fathers authenticity, generosity, courage and commitment.

He touched so many people in so many ways and that affection was returned tenfold in recent months, she said.

So many were in touch with dad, and it really helped him to stay connected and heartened. We are so grateful but for us, he was just dad. He had such love and admiration for our mum. They both encouraged, supported and loved us, creating a warm and happy home.

His sense of fun was immense. He would always have a quick-witted comment or a funny story to relate. But there was more, he could read what we were feeling and know just what to say.

And especially in these difficult times, we feel his love and support. It was a privilege to have such a dad. From each of us, thank you dad. Canon Jim ODonovan said that those who shared a part of Prof Keoghs life saw it as a privilege to have known him and who have shared conversations surrounding his concern for intellectual rigor, coupled with sincere compassion, as well as his involvement in college policymaking and in his contribution to public matters.

Tributes poured in following the announcement of Professor Keoghs death on Thursday, including a personal tribute from President Higgins, who had been Prof Keoghs friend for many years, and who described him as one of our finest historians, praising his insight into the history of Irelands connection with South America.

Tanaiste Micheal Martin, who studied history at UCC under Prof Keogh, told The Echo that he will always be in his debt for the insights Prof Keogh gave him in terms of history and described him as a prolific writer who was very active and energetic in the history field and who worked very hard.
Young children held teddy bears at the requiem mass in Carrigaline, Co Cork today of a little girl who was swept out to sea just two days before she would have celebrated her 8th birthday alongside her twin brother.

The family of Emili Roman, of Crosshaven in Co Cork, had asked friends of their daughter to bring soft toys to her requiem mass at the Church of Our Lady and St John so that they could be placed on her grave.

The body of Emili was recovered from the water near the shore at about 7.30pm on Tuesday. She was found three hours after a search got underway off Fountainstown Beach after she disappeared from sight having gotten in to difficulty in the water.

Martha and Slawomir, parents of young Emili, her older sibling Inga and twin Jeremy walked alongside her white coffin as it was wheeled to the top of the church for her requiem mass at 11.30am today.

Emili loved the outdoor life. The picture on her coffin was of her standing by the sea, with a big smile on her face and her long, blonde hair blowing in the breeze.

Fr Aidan Cremen, CO PP of Carrigaline, told mourners that the people of Crosshaven, Fountainstown, Carrigaline and surrounding areas were heartbroken by the loss of the vibrant and loving youngster.

The funeral cortege arrives at the Church of Our Lady and St. John, Carrigaline for Requiem Mass to the memory of Emili Roman who died tragically earlier in the week. - Picture: David Creedon

He said that Emili loved living in the beautiful piece of paradise by the sea that is Crosshaven.

Emili enjoyed the benefits of living in Crosshaven, her loving parents giving her a fabulous lifestyle. We cant find words to express how we feel.

"There must be some comfort that Emili was surrounded with love all her life. (She was) the centre of attention. All the buzz of family life and interactions with her brother and sister and devoted parents.

Fr Cremen said that Emili was brought to the same church to be baptised nearly eight years ago where she was anointed to be part of Gods family for all of eternity.

I can assure Slawomir and Martha Inga and Jeremy that Emili will be looking out for you and loving you and feeling your love for her. And that the Lord Jesus will send you grace to cope and to continue your journey through life until you are reunited again in Gods kingdom.

"Even though you are sad and heartbroken today everybody here has happy memories of Emili. A happy, joyful and contented child; sensitive and caring, I am told, and appreciative of everything.

"The memories Emili has taken with her are happy, joyful beautiful memories. That is how people remember her.

Fr Cremen said that the Roman family truly appreciated the assistance of the emergency services and the support of the community in the aftermath of the tragedy.

Guard of Honour

Meanwhile, a guard of honour was provided at the start of the mass by teenage pupils from Colaiste Muire Realt Na Mara in Crosshaven. The coffin of Emili was escorted in to the church by her family and her classmates at Templebreedy National School in Crosshaven.

Principal of the school, Doris Byran, said a reading at the requiem mass. Earlier this week she said that Emili had a beautiful smile, was artistic and gifted and was greatly loved by her classmates. As well as being her principal she taught Emili who had joined the school in 2020 when she entered Junior Infants.

Music at the mass was provided by Sarah Burke who sang touching and pure renditions of Edelweiss from The Sound of Music and the Abba song I Have a Dream. Another Love by Tom Odell was also played at the opening of the funeral mass.

Amongst the mourners were members of An Garda Siochana, the ambulance and fire service, the RNLI and the Coastguard. Local TDs including Minister for Finance Michael McGrath and Minister for Enterprise, Simon Coveney, were also in the church alongside Canon Elaine Murray of the Carrigaline Union of the Church of Ireland.

Catholic Bishop of Cork and Ross, Fintan Gavin, of and Church of Ireland Bishop of Cork, Cloyne and Ross Paul Colton both asked that condolences and prayers be offered on their behalf at the mass.

Emili was laid to rest at St John's Cemetery in nearby Ballinrea, Co Cork.

Vigil

Meanwhile, hundreds of people attended a candlelit vigil in Crosshaven on Thursday night as a show of solidarity to the Roman family. Poignantly it would have been the 8th birthday of Emili. Her twin brother Jeremy handed out tea lights to locals who attended the vigil.

The crowd gave the emergency services who searched for Emili a round of applause whilst members of the emergency services also attended the vigil.

The people of Fountainstown also paid tribute to Emili following her passing. The name Emili was spelled out with stones on the beach wall earlier this week with locals placing flowers around it.

A Go Fund Me page, set up by a family friend, raised thousands of euro to assist the relatives of Emili with funeral costs.

Beata OSullivan who set up the page said that Emili touched the lives of everyone she met with her warm smile and boundless enthusiasm She was a ray of sunshine in our lives. Her laughter was infectious and her kindness knew no bounds.
The RussiaUkraine proxy war is dragging on and the geopolitical issues around it are clear. The United States (US) strategy is to maintain international dominance and a unipolar international system. The European Union (EU) supports this strategy. Russia has demonstrated that it has the militaryindustrial capability to take on the force of the 31-member North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in a proxy war and has the economic capacity to withstand severe sanctions. China is projecting capability to stand up to the US, use diplomacy to leverage its economic interests globally and maintain deep strategic partnership with Russia. India and the global South have shown the capacity to assert independent foreign policies, resist Western pressure and a preference to maintain strategic neutrality. Several regional tensions remain, as multiple countries seek regional hegemony. But the characteristics of a multipolar international system are irreversibly embedded. So, what is going on operationally, strategically and politically in the Russia versus Ukraine proxy war?

The Operational Positions
On a moonlit night, fishers are waiting for a signal to rush towards Muyal Theevu, an island in the Gulf of Mannar. They are practising an indigenously developed pole and stake net fishing style known as Kalamkatti, using traditional knowledge accrued by observing fish movements from deeper into shallow island waters. During high tide, the fish prefer sheltered waters, calm and with weak currents, settling around coral reefs. When the tide ebbs, the fish retreat into deeper waters and this is the moment when Kalamkatti fishing comes into play. Fishers keenly observe fish aggregating spots around the island during full moon days to stake poles that help as markers. During low tide the next morning, the fishers visit the island to set nets around their earlier marked poles.

The submerged part of the net in the bottom, known as madavalai, is covered with sand. The upper part of the net, known as meevalai, is kept upright by staking more poles. Fishing is done at night, in pitch darkness, in spots where the fish would have settled during high tide. Once the leader signals using a matchstick light or a shrill call, a group of fishers rush to lift the meevalai over the poles. The fish within these nets cannot escape. Kalamkatti fishing catches diverse fish species in large quantities, which often take hours to retrieve from the nets. This collective form of fishing is governed by strong local management regulations, and, given the peculiarity of this technique, fishers have to stay long hours on the island to observe fish movements.
Indias agricultural sector has become integrated with the world market, with a significant increase in the volume of trade over time. This has been achieved through a progressive removal of trade barriers, multilateral and free trade agreements (FTAs), and domestic policy that encourage farmers to produce for export and provides incentives to exporting firms (Jha and Srinivasan 2004; Mullen et al 2004). Consequently, Indias agricultural exports have increased dramatically, moving from $6.4 billion in 2001, to $37.3 billion in 2019, and finally to $38.8 billion in 2020 (United Nations 2021). The import of agricultural products to India has also increased between 2001 and 2020, moving from $1.2 billion to $7 billion (United Nations 2021). These statistics show that the agricultural trade surplus has been in Indias favour. Further, the share of Indias agricultural exports has increased steadily from 1.35% in 2001 to 2.60% in 2020. The share of world imports to India has also increased, moving from 0.69% to 1.67% (United Nations 2021).

Many studies have analysed the direction and determinants of Indias agricultural trade flows. Studies have examined the competitiveness of agricultural exports, price distortions due to government interventions, trade policy and development, and trade protection (Misra and Rao 2003; Dhar 2007; Panda and GaneshKumar 2009; Rao 2001; Hoda and Gulati 2013; Saini and Gulati 2017). A few studies have analysed the effects of FTAs (including agreements made with the World Trade Organization [WTO]) on Indias agricultural trade flows (Veeramani and Saini 2010; Francis 2011; Jagdambe and Kannan 2020). These studies, importantly, have ignored whether export growth is due to an increase in the quantity of existing exports going to established destinations (intensive margin), or to the export of new products to existing markets, or to the extension of exports to new geographical markets (extensive margin). To the best of our knowledge, no empirical studies are available that have conducted a decomposition analysis of Indias agricultural exports explicitly along these channels.
Weather Alert

...Icy Roads Possible This Morning... Temperatures have dropped to near and below freezing across much of the region this morning. This has allowed any water remaining on roadways from yesterday's rain to freeze, resulting in icy patches, especially on elevated surfaces such as bridges. Motorists are urged to slow down and use caution this morning. Be aware that roads that appear wet may in fact be icy.
Sens. Kelly Loeffler and David Perdue share the stage at a campaign event in Forsyth County in November 2020. (Photo by Ross Williams of the Georgia Recorder)

A Fulton County special grand jury recommended that prosecutors file criminal charges against former Georgia U.S. Sens. David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler and South Carolina U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham in the sweeping 2020 presidential election interference case.

The grand jury report released Friday reveals that the panel believed that the three U.S. senators and Michael Flynn, a former national security advisor to then-President Donald Trump, are among 21 alleged co-conspirators who should have been indicted in August when a regular grand jury handed down felony racketeering charges against Trump and 18 of his allies. Fulton County Superior Court Judge Robert McBurney, who oversaw the seven-month long investigation that the 24-member panel conducted in 2022, made the full report public on Friday.

The special grand jury heard evidence and testimony from 75 witnesses before suggesting that Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis pursue charges against three dozen people for their involvement in an alleged conspiracy to overturn a 2020 election that saw Democratic President Joe Biden narrowly end former President Donald Trumps reelection bid.

In February, a limited section of the special panels 28-page report was released that says that the jurors believed multiple people perjured themselves in the case.

As the 2020 presidential election saga played out in Georgia and multiple other states, Loeffler and Perdue were also on the campaign trail in hotly contested runoff battles with Democratic challengers Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff.

Perdue and Loeffler criticized the 2020 election results, calling the results a sham. Perdue and Loeffler met with Republican Gov. Brian Kemp after the Nov. 3, 2020 election in an attempt to convince him to convene a special session to overturn Trumps victory.

Loeffler and Perdue would go on to be defeated by Warnock and Ossoff in their respective election races, an outcome that flipped control of Congress to Democrats as the Biden administration entered office in January 2021.

The special grand jury also voted 13-7 in favor of charging the veteran South Carolina lawmaker Graham, who faced questions about whether he tried to pressure state election officials about the 2020 election.

Grahams attorneys have argued that he was performing his duties as chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee when he contacted Georgia secretary of states office to ask about the states procedures for disqualifying absentee ballots and other election matters.

The three senators have denied breaking any laws related to the 2020 election and the 19 defendants in the Fulton election racketeering case have pleaded not guilty.

RICO ACT tied to national election conspiracy

The report lists each of the crimes that jurors believe were committed by each individual, and how panelists voted on who the district attorney should seek indictments against. The jurors also acknowledge the prosecutors discretion with the case moving forward.

This grand jury contained no election law experts or criminal lawyers, the report said. The majority of this grand jury used their collective best efforts, however, to attend every session, listen to every witness and attempt to understand the facts presented and the laws as explained.

Willis ramped up her investigation after the public release of a recorded January 2020 phone call in which Trump pressed Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger to find enough ballots to overcome Bidens victory.

With a special grand jury, prosecutors had a longer period of time to present an extensive case than with a typical superior court grand jury that has the power to indict.

The majority of jurors on the special grand jury voted in favor of criminal charges against the 19 defendants indicted in the probe. Additionally, 20 jurors supported charging three people who were not indicted in August: Flynn, top Trump advisor Boris Epshteyn and Georgia attorney Lin Wood, who unsuccessfully challenged the 2020 presidential election results.

Georgias RICO Act, which is modeled after a federal law designed to target mafia leaders, became the overarching felony charge tying together Trump and 18 co-defendants.

On Aug. 14, they were indicted on various charges of violating the RICO Act, attempting to solicit elected officials, making false statements, and other criminal offenses.

Several high-profile defendants included members of Trumps inner circle, such as former personal attorneys Rudy Giuliani and John Eastman and ex-White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows.

Charges were also filed against several false Electoral College voters, including freshman state Sen. Shawn Still, a Norcross Republican, and David Shafer, a former Georgia Republican Party chairman and state legislator.

The special investigation panel voted 20-1 in favor of charging Trump, Meadows, Giuliani, Eastman, Shafer and several other co-defendants for allegedly conspiring to reverse 2020 election results in Georgia and seven other battleground states where Trump lost.

The regular grand jury departed from the special panel by endorsing the prosecution of two GOP state legislators, former Sen. William Ligon and Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, for advocating for a special legislative session to challenge the presidential election outcome.

A special prosecutor is supposed to be appointed to decide whether to prosecute Jones, who as a Butts County state senator in 2020 was one of the alternate GOP electors who cast false votes declaring Trump the winner in Georgia.

Earlier this year, a judge disqualified Willis from pursuing any charges against Jones since she raised money for the eventual Democratic nominee for lieutenant governor in 2022.

Jones is leading a group of state Senate GOP lawmakers who are calling for Willis to be investigated by a newly formed prosecutors oversight commission.

Ligon represented the coastal Brunswick district for 10 years before declining to seek re-election in 2020.

The post Fulton grand jury recommended charges against Perdue and Loeffler in 2020 election case appeared first on Daily Montanan.
Attorney General Austin Knudsen. (Provided by the Montana Attorney General's Office for the Daily Montanan.)

The formal ethics complaint filed against Attorney General Austin Knudsen alleging he violated state rules of professional conduct is extraordinary in the number of allegations it contains, and because it has reached this stage in the process, attorneys with longtime involvement in such cases said this week  but they assured no political games were afoot.

The current chief disciplinary counsel for the Office of Disciplinary Counsel told the Daily Montanan that the Special Counsel Timothy Strauch, who filed the complaint earlier this week, was the lone person available in Montana to conduct the investigation and that he was vetted for political biases before being offered the job.

The formal complaint includes 41 counts alleging Knudsen and his deputies tried to undermine public confidence in the Montana Supreme Court and the state judiciary  particularly with their communications surrounding a lawsuit over separation of powers tied to a 2021 bill signed by the governor and a fight over subpoenaed records.

While the complaint is unique in that it includes charges against Montanas top attorney, several lawyers with decades of experience in the attorney ethics field said Knudsens case has not been handled any differently than the hundreds of other grievances filed against Montana attorneys every year.

It does not matter if you are a private attorney who never does anything other than simple wills and estates or divorces, or if youre the top attorney in the state, the attorney general. We all have the same rules. We are all under the same regulations, Strauch said in an interview this week.

In response to the complaint, an Attorney Generals Office spokesperson called the allegations meritless and called Strauch a long-time Democrat activist and donor. Montana Republican Party Chairman Don Kaltschmidt likewise called Strauch a longtime Democrat donor and activist and an active supporter of the Montana Supreme Court.

Strauch, a Missoula-based attorney who was the first chief disciplinary counsel for the Office of Disciplinary Counsel after its creation in late 2001, has been a lawyer since 1992 and focuses primarily on commercial and personal injury cases, but also works on professional discipline cases and is on the State Bar of Montana Ethics Committee.

He has donated $600 total to seven Democratic political campaigns in Montana since 2002  most recently to Monica Tranels 2020 Public Service Commission campaign, according to Montana Commissioner of Political Practices records. They also show Strauch donated $5,290 to candidates in nonpartisan judicial races, most of them Supreme Court seats.

But his political donations played no role in his appointment as special counsel in the investigation or how he undertook the job, Strauch and current chief disciplinary counsel Pam Bucy said in interviews this week.

It has virtually nothing to do with who the respondent is; it has to do with the misconduct, Strauch said. The other thing that needs to be borne in mind here is the system is not set up to punish any particular attorney. The entire purpose of the regulation of lawyers is to protect the public.

During the past several years, the ODC has received generally between 200 and 300 new grievances a year, about half of which are typically found to have merit to warrant further investigation. But only a handful lead to formal complaints, according to Bucy and ODC annual reports.

In 2022, for instance, ODC filed only seven formal complaints, and the Supreme Court and commission on practice imposed 19 forms of discipline for eight lawyers, including costs, restitution, probation, private discipline and suspension.

Bucy compared the process to common regulations for other licensed professions.

If youre a plumber, you want to make sure every plumber is doing good work because it reflects badly on all plumbers, right? she said.

Both Strauch and Mark Parker, a Billings attorney who has represented attorneys in dozens of cases, said it is rare for a grievance to get through the initial investigations to the formal complaint stage and for the attorney the complaint was filed against to face no discipline. Both also said that oftentimes the two sides come to an agreement on punishment akin to a plea bargain.

Its rare for attorneys to be disbarred as punishment; according to Montana Supreme Court records, 65 Montana attorneys have been disbarred publicly in state history, while seven others who were disbarred were later reinstated.

Neither Strauch, Parker, Bucy, or Montana Trial Lawyers Association Executive Director Al Smith could recall a sitting attorney general in Montana facing a formal complaint, but attorneys general in other states have in recent years.

The Texas state bar filed a lawsuit requesting sanctions against AG Ken Paxton over his attempt to overturn the results of the 2020 election. The Kansas Supreme Court in 2013 suspended the former attorney generals law license for violating the state rules of professional conduct.

Last year, a complaint was filed against Indianas attorney general, and a former Indiana AG had his law license temporarily suspended in 2022 after the state Supreme Court found he had groped four women at a bar.

Bucy is the lone attorney in the ODC, and the commission on practice is made up of 14 volunteers appointed by the Supreme Court  nine of whom are lawyers and five of whom are not. The members are divided into review and adjudicatory panels, and the commission meets quarterly.

Bucy said she recused herself and appointed Strauch to be special counsel in handling the complaint against Knudsen because she is the only attorney in the ODC and ran for attorney general as a Democrat in 2012, losing to Republican Tim Fox. But she said she received a few death threats after the complaint was filed this week.

I want this to be, ironically, not political. So thats why Tim was appointed, she said. And Tim was appointed because he is not a political person.

Bucy said she had initially called one of her predecessors, Shaun Thompson, about taking the job but he let his law license lapse and retired. Strauch was her next choice because of his prior work as chief disciplinary counsel, she said.

Bucy said she did not know Strauch well but had consulted him on legal issues in the past. She said he told her he had donated to some Democratic friends in the past but assured her he was not political and only interested in the courts.

She said her only other option would have been to appoint a special counsel from outside of Montana, which she did not want to do because of the added costs. The ODC operates off assessments paid by practicing lawyers.

Strauch said while the system involving the ODC and commission on practice has been refined during the past 20 years, the ODC has been in place (the COP previously handled the entire process), he believes the process works great.

Bucy said the commission on practice hearing on the allegations against Knudsen likely would not take place until at least March, explaining that Knudsen will have opportunities to file responses like in a typical court case.

Parker endorsed the review system in an article published in the August-September issue of Montana Lawyer, saying it works fine.

The Chief Justice has done a good job of picking competent prosecutors, he wrote. Although I disagree with them from time to time, I think they get it right in a large majority of the cases.

He said in an interview this week that despite his experience in these cases, he has no idea how the case will turn out. He said hes never seen anything like the complaint against Knudsen during his 40 years practicing law in Montana.

The number of counts, the type of counts, sort of the high stakes involved with the two branches of government in what appears to be either a fist fight or a food fight, depending on how you look at it, Parker said.

Smith said some MTLA members had wondered back in 2021 why complaints had not been filed over the filings and comments made by Knudsen.

If we as attorneys said anything like that about a judge, we know wed have been in front of the Commissioner on Practice in no time, so I can tell you that folks were wondering whats going on, he said.

Parker said he felt disappointed that it came to this but that he believes the process is being followed correctly. But he said he would not make any judgments in the case based solely on the allegations.

I consider them all professional colleagues, and all are people of honor, so well see what happens, he said.

How the attorney grievance process works Any person can file a misconduct grievance against an attorney in Montana with the ODC, and the source and allegations are kept confidential through most stages of the process. The office performs a preliminary review on each grievance and determines whether it has merit. Meritless grievances are typically dismissed, but complaints found to have merit are sent to the lawyer in question with a request for a response. Once further investigation is done, the ODC can dismiss the grievance outright, dismiss it with a caution letter or corrective action for the lawyer, request leave from the Commission on Practice (COP) to pursue private discipline, or request leave from the COP to file a formal complaint. Now that the formal complaint against Knudsen has been filed with the Montana Supreme Court, another panel of Commission on Practice members will host a hearing on the complaint at which Knudsen will be able to defend himself against the allegations. After the hearing, the COP can either hand down discipline on its own or issue a findings-of-fact report and discipline recommendations to the Supreme Court, which would then make the ultimate decision on any discipline.

The post Lawyers deny politics involved in ethics complaint against Montana attorney general appeared first on Daily Montanan.
To read the full story, become a PRIME member today.

PRIME Unlimited Access to

Insightful Industry Information

All Corporate Members and TexPro Subscribers are eligible to access F2F PRIME CONTENT using the same login credentials.
Rhea Chakraborty, one of the most charming actresses of the industry currently, despite being through a lot of ups and downs of life, she has only come back to be stronger.

Rhea is also known for her fashion statement which is quite distinct from others. The actress has always left an impact on the masses through her fashion statement and has set a benchmark.

She is also always seen wearing attire which has a certain inspirational quote written on it. The motive behind this is to spread positivity. Recently the actress has been seen doing this again as she wears a t-shirt that has a quote written on it.

Rhea Chakraborty was spotted leaving from the gym, after her workout session where she was snapped by paps. The t-shirt she was wore, delivers a strong message that emphasises on how talents should never go waste. The quote printed on the tees says, "Never Waste Talent". A few days ago, she was spotted at the airport in a casual look donning a cargo with a t-shirt. The tee that she wore again, drew attention as the quote written on it talks about mental health and says," ROSES ARE RED, VIOLETS ARE BLUE, LET'S TALK#MENTALHEALTH. ME AND YOU."

During her court summon days, which was the most challenging phase of her life, Rhea Chakraborty was even then, seen wearing such kinds of tees which have motivational quotes printed on them.

The tshirt she donned, stated "Roses are red, Violets are blue, let's smash the patriarchy, me and you" which created a lot of buzz in and around news portals, and social media portals.

Meanwhile, on the professional front, the actress who started her journey with MTV India has made her return to the silver screen with the show 'MTV Roadies: Karm Ya Kaand', where she is aching as one of the Gang leaders in the show!
Excitement is brewing in Bollywood as Siddharth Anand's upcoming film 'Fighter'. With each piece of news coming out, the anticipation is at an all-time high, and here's the newest development on the aerial combat film!

Siddharth Anand is going to be shooting the much-anticipated party anthem song in a studio in Mumbai today. What makes it even more special is that the entire cast of "Fighter" will be grooving to the beats of this lively number which includes Hrithik Roshan, Anil Kapoor, Deepika Padukone, Karan Singh Grover, Akshay Oberoi and others in the song.

Following the completion of this high-energy party number, the director is set to embark on filming two more songs, featuring the charismatic duo of Roshan and Padukone, at exotic international locations.

Siddharth Anand is known for delivering hit films with great music, and fans have come to expect nothing less from his upcoming project. With the whole cast joining in for this party anthem, anticipation is soaring as it's about the collective energy and camaraderie of the stars that promises to set the screen on fire. The infectious rhythm of this song has been composed by the talented duo Vishal-Shekhar and brought to life through the choreography of Bosco Martis.

Traditionally, Siddharth Anand's films have been accompanied by chart-topping music like "Jhoome Jo Pathaan," "Ghungroo," "Jai Jai Shivshankar," "Bang Bang," "Bachna Ae Haseeono," and many more. This upcoming party anthem from "Fighter" is no exception and Bollywood enthusiasts can look forward to a foot-tapping track that will likely become a staple at parties.

Fighter stars Hrithik Roshan, Deepika Padukone and Anil Kapoor in the lead with Karan Singh Grover and Akshay Oberoi playing pivotal roles. The forthcoming phase will see the commencement of work on the film's special effects, scheduled to begin in October. The movie is directed by Siddharth Anand and produced by Siddharth Anand and Mamta Anand under their banner Marflix Pictures along with Viacom18 Studios and will release on the 25th of January 2024.
"Dil Hai Gray", directed by Susi Ganeshan and produced by Ramesh Reddy, has been selected by the National Film Development Corporation of India for Toronto International Film Festival 2023 happening from the 7th to the 17th of September. The movie will be premiered in the festival on the 12th of September.

"Dil Hai Gray" is a movie that reflects on the complicated nature of human minds in the modern social-media era. The cast includes Vineet Kumar Singh, Akshay Oberoi, and Urvashi Rautela in lead roles. Director Susi Ganeshan along with actress Urvashi Rautela have left to Toronto for the premiere of the movie.

When asked about the exclusive selection by the NFDC, Susi Ganeshan stated "Being recognized by the NFDC is a big endorsement and honor. TIFF is a great platform to begin the promotion for "Dil Hai Gray" which is set to be released by the end of this year."

The festival's celebration of Indian cinema will commence with the grand inauguration of the India Pavilion, further underscoring the nation's rich cinematic heritage and its dynamic presence on the global film stage. As the international film community converges at TIFF, "Dil Hai Gray" promises to be a solid addition to the festival's lineup.
Aakhri Sach Update: Recently released Disney+Hotstar web series Aakhri Sach is momentarily presiding over the OTT space with its absolutely thrilling and suspenseful plotting. As per the Chinese whispers, the story is based on Delhi's famous Burari suicides. It is believed that the producers, Preeti-Neeti Simoes and Nirvirkar Productions, postponed the shoots for a couple of months to get the perfect cast for their most ambitious project.

SONAM KAPOOR WAS THE FIRST CHOICE FOR AAKHRI SACH

According to a recent report by a leading media publication, before finalising Tamannaah Bhatia as the lead star, it was Sonam Kapoor who was locked in to portray the main role of a cop in the show Aakhri Sach. Yes, you read that right!

Star Parivaar Awards 2023: What Gaurav Khanna Aka Anuj From Anupamaa WON? Check DEETS Here

After Sonam's national award-winning performance in Neerja, producers of the show believed she would be one of the finest actresses for this real-life story. Although the Khoobsurat actress doted on the story and was nearly on the panel of the star cast, she had to opt out due to her pregnancy.

TAMANNAAH BHATIA GETTING RAVE REVIEWS FOR AAKHRI SACH

Therefore, the search for bold actresses came to a close with Tamannaah Bhatia taking over as the investigating officer in the show, and no doubt she's seen doing an absolutely stunning job with her aptitude. However, Sonam Kapoor was the one who signed the show, but due to her pregnancy, she had to drop the script.

After Ankit Gupta, Shiv Thakare BREAKS SILENCE On Priyanka Choudhary & Archana's Feud: 8-10 Din Mei...

No doubt, Tamannah Bhatia is getting great accolades for her performance in this real-life drama, but would you have preferred Sonam Kapoor over Tamannah in Aakhri Sach? Do share youre views in the comments section below.

You can watch the show Aakhri Sach on Disney Plus Hotstar, and it's a much-recommended show for all the people who love thrilling and suspenseful concepts.

Keep watching this space for more updates!
Ethirneechal Marimuthu's Son Speaks About Astologer's Curse: Actor Marimuthu's son spoke to the media after his father's cremation. He also answered to the questions about the astrologer's curse to his father in the debate show.

Cremation Ceremony At Marimuthu's Village

Marimuthu (57) comes from Pasumalaitheri village near Varushanadu in Theni district. He worked as an assistant director for Seeman, Mani Ratnam, Vasanth and SJ Surya. He is also famous for acting in various movies and TV serials. Marimuthu, who was living with his family in Chennai, died of a heart attack yesterday. His body was brought to his hometown Theni in the evening after the final homage by various film celebrities in his Chennai Virugambakkam house.

When his body reached the Theni district border at 3 am today, a large number of people who were waiting there paid tribute to Marimuthu's body. He was then taken to his village Pasumalaitheri. A large number of people stood on both sides of the road and paid tearful tributes to him.

Marimuthu's body was placed in front of his house at 6 o'clock. At that time, the relatives and neighbors gathered there burst into tears and cried. People from different parts of Tamil Nadu also went to his village and paid their respects for the great actor. In this case, actor Marimuthu's body was taken in a procession from his residence and cremated.

Marimuthu Son Says No To Superstitions

When Marimuthu participated in the program Tamizha Tamizha, he said "The reason why India has become such a mess is because of astrologers and those who believe in astrology". It caused quite a stir at the time. Similarly, he shouted at the astrologers who participated in that program during a heated up arguement. But later in the show, Marimuthu apologized for do so in an emotional way.

Some people are now saying that Marimuthu's suddent death was due to the astrologer's curse on the TV debate show. In such a situation, Actor Marimuthu's son has talked about it in an interview to a leading media portal after his father's cremation.

He said,"My father has taught me many things and left. He will ask us to be progressive in any work. He always says that no superstition should be accepted. He has said that nothing should be done on a grand scale even at the funerals. I will fulfill all his dreams and desires. We will adhere to his words. Similarly, it is a superstition to say that astrologers curse is the reason for my father's death. We will not believe that either."
Ethirneechal Marimuthu's Heartbreaking CCTV Footage LEAKED: A CCTV footage of actor Marimuthu, who took his own car to the hospital after complaining of chest pain while dubbing, has been released.

Marimuthu Himself Drove His Car To The Hospital

The dialogue 'Indhaammaa Yei' that he uttered in the Ethirneechal TV serial gave many fans to Marimuthu. The Sun TV serial made him gain more fans and fame than that he got in cinema. Many people like to take photos with Marimuthu when he goes to public places.

He reportedly suffered a heart attack while dubbing. Due to chest pain during dubbing, he took the car himself and went to the hospital. It is said that he got collapsed while reaching a private hospital in Vadapalani, Chennai. After this, Marimuthu's body was kept at him house in Virugambakkam for his final homage.

Many film celebrities and small screen stars paid tearful tributes to Marimuthu's body. Many of the stars of the Ethirneechal TV serial were left crying as if they had lost a family member. Marimuthu used to say that he is afraid of chest pain in the Ethirneechal serial.

Heartbreatking To See Marimuthu's Last CCTV Footage

Similarly, he was last seen in Bhagwan Krishna's direction, in which the scene was set as Marimuthu's death. Marimuthu have taken a selfie with the fans standing in front of his own last tribute poster that was prepared for the scene. The selfie has now gone viral on social media. Even in the recently released Jailer movie starring Rajinikanth in the lead role, MARIMUTHU will be killed by villain Varman at the end.

Actor Marimuthu's body was taken from Chennai to his native Theni district by ambulance. Funeral will happen in his native place today after the last rites. Many of the co-stars in serials and movies bid a tearful farewell to Marimuthu's family members.

At the same time, the CCTV footage has been released in which he drove the car himself and went to the hospital after suffering from chest pain. In the video, Marimuthu is seen stumbling and unable to walk.
Bigg Boss 17 Exclusive: Following the resounding success of Bigg Boss OTT 2 on Jio Cinema, the creators of India's most prominent reality show are preparing for the seventeenth season of Bigg Boss which will air on Colors TV, once again featuring the iconic host Salman Khan. The upcoming season is likely to grace television screens next month and the makers are currently in the process of finalising an impressive set of participants.

In an exclusive reveal, Filmibeat had previously hinted at a potential theme for Bigg Boss 17 - Singles Vs Couples. Several notable personalities, including Kanwar Dhillon, Alice Kaushik, Samarth Jurel, and Seema Haider, along with her husband Sachin Meena, have reportedly received invitations to join the controversial reality series as contestants.

PRIYANKA CHOUDHARY & ANKIT GUPTA AS MENTORS IN BIGG BOSS 17?

Later, we also revealed that Karan Kundrra & Tejasswi Prakash will be seen as mentors of couples while Elvish Yadav is likely to mentor the singles' team.

Star Parivaar Awards | Ghum Hai Kisikey Pyaar Meiin Stars Shakti-Bhavika On Replacing Neil-Ayesha: Ilzaam Lag...

Star Parivaar Awards Winners: Here's What Ghum Hai Kisikey Pyaar Meiin Leads Shakti Arora, Bhavika Sharma WON

While an official announcement from the makers' side is still awaited, the latest reports suggested that Bigg Boss 16 stars Priyanka Chahar Choudhary and Ankit Gupta too might be seen as mentors in Bigg Boss 17. Well, we checked with our source and got an update related to PriyAnkit's rumoured stint in the upcoming season.

The source told Filmibeat that there are no plans to bring in Priyanka and Ankit together as mentors in Bigg Boss 17. Yes, you read that right! Revealing further, the source stated, "The reports of Ankit Gupta being approached to mentor Bigg Boss 17 contestants with Priyanka Chahar Choudhary are absolutely false. As Karan & Tejasswi share a good equation with Endemol, they are most likely to be a part of the new season."

So far, Priyanka and Ankit haven't yet reacted to the Bigg Boss 17 rumours.

PREMIERE DATE OF BIGG BOSS 17

As per the ongoing buzz, Bigg Boss 17 is likely to premiere on Colors TV on October 20. However, the team has yet to announce the same.

Keep watching this space for more updates!
Results show 26 weeks of treatment with twice-daily 60 mg dose of BMS-986278 resulted in a 69% relative reduction in the rate of decline in percent predicted forced vital capacity versus placebo

Treatment effect was consistent with or without background therapy and BMS-986278 was well tolerated, with rates of adverse events similar to placebo and low discontinuation rates

These progressive pulmonary fibrosis findings, along with the previously reported idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis cohort results, support continued development of BMS-986278 in Phase 3 ALOFT program

Bristol Myers Squibb (NYSE: BMY) today announced results from a Phase 2 study evaluating BMS-986278, a potential first-in-class, oral, lysophosphatidic acid receptor 1 (LPA1) antagonist in patients with progressive pulmonary fibrosis (PPF). The study showed that twice-daily administration of 60 mg of BMS-986278 over 26 weeks reduced the rate of decline in percent predicted forced vital capacity (ppFVC) by 69% compared to placebo (overall, 38% of patients in the study received background antifibrotic therapy). These data will be presented during the Abstracts Leading to Evolution in Respiratory Medicine Trials (ALERT) session 1 at the European Respiratory Society (ERS) 2023 International Congress held September 9-13 in Milan, Italy.

"People living with pulmonary fibrosis are in urgent need of new treatment options for this devastating disease, which has a median overall survival of 3-5 years," said Professor Tamera J. Corte, clinical trial investigator and Consultant Respiratory Physician and Director of Interstitial Lung Disease, Department of Respiratory Medicine, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital?. "The Phase 2 progressive pulmonary fibrosis results, which demonstrate consistent efficacy with or without background antifibrotic therapy and a favorable tolerability profile, reinforce the potential of BMS-986278 and highlight advancements in the space as we race to find a potential new standard of care."

This Phase 2 study was a global, randomized trial in which parallel cohorts of patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and PPF received 30 mg or 60 mg of BMS-986278 or matched placebo orally twice-daily for 26 weeks. Stable background use of antifibrotics in the IPF cohort and/or select immunosuppressives in the PPF cohort were allowed. The primary endpoint of the study was rate of change in ppFVC from baseline to Week 26 in the IPF cohort. Rate of change in ppFVC from baseline through 26 weeks in the PPF cohort was a key secondary endpoint of the study and was assessed based on two prespecified estimands* (treatment policy estimand and while-on-treatment estimand).

In the PPF cohort, treatment with 60 mg of BMS-986278 led to a 69% relative reduction in the rate of change in ppFVC versus placebo in the while-on-treatment analysis (treatment difference versus placebo 2.9%; 95% CI: 0.4, 5.5), and a 74% relative reduction versus placebo in the treatment policy analysis (3.2%; 95% CI: 0.7, 5.6). In the 30 mg group, a 42% relative reduction was observed in the while-on-treatment analysis (1.8%, 95% CI: -0.9, 4.4), and a 37% relative reduction was observed in the treatment policy analysis (1.6%; 95% CI: -1.0, 4.1). The treatment effect was consistent in the presence or absence of background antifibrotics and usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP) pattern (in the placebo, 30 mg and 60 mg groups, 41%, 38% and 36% of patients were on background antifibrotic therapy, respectively; UIP pattern was present in 51%, 55% and 50% of patients in the placebo, 30 mg and 60 mg groups, respectively).

Rate of Change in ppFVC from Baseline to Week 26 in the PPF Cohort

Placebo BID (n=41) 30 mg BMS-986278 BID (n=39) 60 mg BMS-986278 BID (n=42) Treatment policy strategya Rate of change in ppFVC,b mean -4.3 -2.7 -1.1 Rate difference 1.6 3.2 95% CI of difference -1.0, 4.1 0.7, 5.6 While-on-treatment strategyc Rate of change in ppFVC,b mean -4.2 -2.5 -1.3 Rate difference 1.8 2.9 95% CI of difference -0.9, 4.4 0.4, 5.5 aAll observed data regardless of dose reduction were included and analyzed as randomized. bLinear mixed model: ppFVC (%) treatment time treatment*time UIP pattern exposure to antifibrotics. cAll observed data prior to dose reduction were included and analyzed as randomized; data on and after dose reduction was excluded. BID, twice-daily; CI, confidence interval; FVC, forced vital capacity; ppFVC, percent of predicted FVC.

BMS-986278 was well tolerated in both treatment arms of the PPF cohort, with rates of adverse events (AEs) similar to placebo and low discontinuation rates. In the placebo, 30 mg and 60 mg arms, AEs occurred in 78%, 83% and 67% of patients, respectively, while serious AEs occurred in 32%, 10% and 12% of patients, respectively. The most frequent AEs in the placebo, 30 mg and 60 mg arms included diarrhea (15%, 15%, 7%), COVID-19 (5%, 15%, 14%), cough (10%, 8%, 12%) and dyspnea (15%, 5%, 0%). Treatment discontinuation rates due to AEs were highest in the placebo arm, occurring in 15%, 3% and 0% of patients in the placebo, 30 mg and 60 mg arms, respectively.

"The results from this innovative study investigating idiopathic and progressive pulmonary fibrosis give us unprecedented insights that will inform our scientific understanding of pulmonary fibrosis and the role of LPA1 inhibition," said Jonathan Sadeh, MD, MSc, senior vice president of Immunology Development, Bristol Myers Squibb. "Our industry-leading drug discovery and development capabilities and collective results from this Phase 2 study provide us the expertise and confidence to support continued development of BMS-986278 in our global Phase 3 ALOFT program in idiopathic and progressive pulmonary fibrosis."

Results from the IPF cohort of the Phase 2 study were previously presented at the American Thoracic Society (ATS) International Conference in May 2023, showing a 62% relative reduction in the rate of decline in ppFVC with 60 mg BMS-986278 versus placebo with or without background therapy. BMS-986278 will now be evaluated in the global Phase 3 ALOFT (An LPA1 antagonist for pulmonary Fibrosis Trial) program.

Bristol Myers Squibb would like to thank the patients and investigators who were involved in this study.

*The treatment policy estimand (similar to an Intention-to-Treat [ITT] analysis) included all observed data regardless of dose reduction and provides an estimate of efficacy with dose reduction as part of the treatment regimen. The while-on-treatment estimand included all observed data prior to dose reduction and provides an estimate of efficacy without dose reduction as part of the treatment regimen. Dose reductions occurred across all three treatment arms: placebo (n=1), 30 mg (n=6) and 60 mg (n=5) treatment arms.

About BMS-986278

BMS-986278 is a potential first-in-class, oral, small molecule lysophosphatidic acid receptor 1 (LPA1) antagonist currently being evaluated as a novel antifibrotic treatment for patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and progressive pulmonary fibrosis. Increased LPA levels and activation of LPA1 are involved in the pathogenesis of pulmonary fibrosis. A preclinical in vitro and in vivo study found that antagonizing LPA1 may be beneficial in treating lung injury and fibrosis.

About the BMS-986278 Phase 2 Study

This Phase 2 study was a global, randomized study in which parallel cohorts of patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and progressive pulmonary fibrosis (PPF) received 30 mg or 60 mg of BMS-986278 or matched placebo orally twice-daily. The study consisted of a 26-week placebo-controlled treatment period, an optional 26-week active treatment extension period and a 4-week post-treatment follow-up period. Patients were permitted to take background antifibrotics in the IPF cohort and background antifibrotics and/or immunosuppressants in the PPF cohort. The primary endpoint was rate of change in percent predicted forced vital capacity (ppFVC) from baseline to Week 26 in the IPF cohort. ppFVC compares the observed FVC to that which is expected for a healthy person of the same age, gender, race and height. Rate of change in ppFVC from baseline through Week 26 in the PPF cohort was a key secondary endpoint. Patients who met prespecified blood pressure reduction criteria were to receive a dose reduction to 10 mg of BMS-986278 or matching placebo twice-daily.

More information can be found on www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT04308681).

About Pulmonary Fibrosis

Pulmonary fibrosis is a chronic, life-threatening interstitial lung disease (ILD) that occurs when lung tissue becomes damaged and scarred, impacting how lungs function. Progressive pulmonary fibrosis (PPF) is the preferred term to describe patients who have an ILD with a progressive fibrotic phenotype. Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is the most common type of progressive fibrosing ILD. As an idiopathic disease, there is no identifiable cause, and as of 2021, more than 700,000 adults are living with IPF globally.

Many people living with PPF and IPF are physically impaired, experience a progressive decline in lung function, have difficulty performing simple daily activities due to breathlessness and require continuous supplemental oxygen to ease the burden of normal breathing.

IPF is a fatal disease with a median survival time of 3-5 years following diagnosis and 5-year survival rate of approximately 45%; PPF has shown similar prognosis. Innovation in treatment has been limited with few new therapies approved in nearly 10 years.

Bristol Myers Squibb: Pioneering Paths Forward in Immunology to Transform Patients' Lives

Bristol Myers Squibb is inspired by a single vision transforming patients' lives through science. For people living with immune-mediated diseases, the debilitating reality of enduring chronic symptoms and disease progression can take a toll on their physical, emotional and social well-being, making simple tasks and daily life a challenge. Driven by our deep understanding of the immune system that spans over 20 years of experience, and our passion to help patients, the company continues to pursue pathbreaking science with the goal of delivering meaningful solutions that address unmet needs in rheumatology, gastroenterology, dermatology and pulmonology. We follow the science, aiming to tailor therapies to individual needs, improve outcomes and expand treatment options by working to identify mechanisms with the potential to achieve long-term remission and perhaps even cures in the future. By building partnerships with researchers, patients and caregivers to deliver innovative treatments, Bristol Myers Squibb strives to elevate patient care to new standards and deliver what matters most the promise of living a better life.

About Bristol Myers Squibb

Bristol Myers Squibb is a global biopharmaceutical company whose mission is to discover, develop and deliver innovative medicines that help patients prevail over serious diseases. For more information about Bristol Myers Squibb, visit us at BMS.com or follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube, Facebook and Instagram.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 regarding, among other things, the research, development and commercialization of pharmaceutical products. All statements that are not statements of historical facts are, or may be deemed to be, forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and projections about our future financial results, goals, plans and objectives and involve inherent risks, assumptions and uncertainties, including internal or external factors that could delay, divert or change any of them in the next several years, that are difficult to predict, may be beyond our control and could cause our future financial results, goals, plans and objectives to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, the statements. These risks, assumptions, uncertainties and other factors include, among others, that future study results may not be consistent with the results to date, that BMS-986278 may not receive regulatory approval for the indication described in this release in the currently anticipated timeline or at all, that any marketing approvals, if granted, may have significant limitation on their use, and, if approved, whether such product candidate for such indication described in this release will be commercially successful. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed. Forward-looking statements in this press release should be evaluated together with the many risks and uncertainties that affect Bristol Myers Squibb's business and market, particularly those identified in the cautionary statement and risk factors discussion in Bristol Myers Squibb's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, as updated by our subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The forward-looking statements included in this document are made only as of the date of this document and except as otherwise required by applicable law, Bristol Myers Squibb undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, changed circumstances or otherwise.

corporatefinancial-news

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230908930377/en/

Contacts:

Bristol Myers Squibb

Media Inquiries: media@bms.com

Investors: investor.relations@bms.com
Imbue (fka Generally Intelligent), a San Francisco, CA-based AI research company, raised $200m in a Series B funding round.

The round, which valued the company at over $1 billion, saw participation from Astera Institute, NVIDIA, Cruise CEO Kyle Vogt, Notion co-founder Simon Last, and others.

Imbue intends to use the funds to accelerate the development of AI systems.

Led by Kanjub Qiu, Imbue is building practical AI agents that can accomplish large goals and safely work for us in the real world. To do this, the company trains foundation models optimized for reasoning. Today, they apply models to develop agents that they can find useful internally, starting with agents that code. Ultimately, Imbue plans to release systems that enable anyone to build custom AI agents that put the productive power of AI at everyones fingertips.

To know more about the company, read their introduction post here.

FinSMEs

09/09/2023
Aaliya Siddiqui, Nawazuddin Siddiquis estranged wife, who was last seen in reality show, Bigg Boss OTT 2, has been issued a deportation notice from the Dubai government over non-payment of rent. As per an ETimes report, as the two are currently navigating through a divorce settlement, Aaliya, who is a film producer, has been living with her two children, Shora and Yaani, in Dubai. Latest reports indicate that on 7 September, authorities from Dubais Rental Disputes Centre, arrived at her residence with a notice of evacuation and demanded the rental value of 27,183.00 dirhams or approx. Rs 6.1 lakh.

In the midst of the ongoing family feud, the report cited sources suggesting that the Gangs of Wasseypur star was to complete the formalities involving rent payment after a final order from the Bombay High Court. However, he has failed to do so resulting in the move. For the unfamiliar, Nawazuddin and Aaliyas children are studying in Dubai at the moment.

Aaliya, on her part, fearing deportation, was asked to pay the dues or face legal action. To resolve the issue, the ETimes reported that she would visit the Indian embassy in Dubai today.

In an earlier conversation with the news portal, Aaliya shared that Nawaz visited them in Dubai for property purposes too. She said, I want him to have the Dubai house agreement changed in his name. He will be the provider and if anything gets rough for us, it will give us more security if he holds the reins. As for the money part, Nawaz has started paying up as per the court orders. I think we should settle the agreement thing soon.

Aaliya and Nawazuddins relationship

Although the couple are yet to be officially divorced, Aaliya has moved on from her broken marriage. In the latest, the producer has changed her Instagram name to Aaliya Anand Pandey. However, keeping their differences aside, the duo have also begun co-parenting their two children.

Aaliya previously shared a heartwarming clip featuring the trio, father Nawazuddin with both Shora and Yaani making the most of their time together. In the clip, the Bajrangi Bhaijaan star held the kids in his arms while planting a kiss on his daughters head.

She also thanked the actor for his support while participating in the drama reality show.

Work Front

Aaliya was the third contestant to exit the Bigg Boss OTT 2 show in a surprising mid-week eviction. She is also a producer for Holy Cow, a 2022 Indian Hindi-language satirical comedy film, written and directed by Sai Kabir. It stars Sanjay Mishra, Tigmanshu Dhulia, Sadiya Siddiqui, and Nawazuddin Siddiqui in a cameo appearance.

Work-wise, Nawazuddin was last seen in Jogira Sara Ra Ra along with Neha Sharma and in Sudhir Mishras Afwaah. In the latest, he was seen alongside filmmaker Anurag Kashyap in the OTT film Haddi.

Firstposts review of the film read Haddi circles around the intoxicating world of vengeance, violence, and power, attempting to understand the very essence of a criminals psyche.
Its D-day for India as it hosts the G20 Leaders Summit. The two-day event kicked off at the Bharat Mandapam in Delhis Pragati Maidan as Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed world leaders.

India at the outset of its presidency vowed to be the voice of the Global South and since then has stuck to its commitment.

The PM has pitched India as the leader of the Global South. In an exclusive interview with Moneycontrol, Modi said, As soon as we became the President of the G20, we held the Voice of Global South Summit, which made it clear that we were a voice for the inclusion of those who felt excluded from the global discourse and institutional priorities.

We are a nation that looks at the world as one family. Our G20 motto itself says that. In any family, every members voice matters and this is our idea for the world too, he added.

But what is Global South? And how is India fulfilling its promise?

G20 with Firstpost: The complete coverage

Lets take a closer look:

Global South

The term Global South is used to refer to developing countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America.

Economically developed countries such as the United States, Canada, Europe, Russia, Australia and New Zealand are called the Global North.

India has flagged the issues plaguing the Global South countries on international forums, including at the United Nations meetings and conferences for years.

In the years following its independence, India pioneered the Non-Alignment Movement to ensure more room to manoeuvre and wider options for developing countries to avoid becoming embroiled in the great power politics of the time, while championing third world solidarity, Shairee Malhotra, Associate Fellow, Europe with global think tank Observer Research Foundations (ORF) Strategic Studies Programme, wrote in February.

New Delhis close relations with countries in the Global North, and its similar challenges to those of the Global South puts it in a unique position, Malhotra noted.

Ashok Malik, a former adviser to the Indian foreign ministry, told Deutsche Welle (DW) that India has a deep intersection with the West in terms of strategic goals and values.

But, he added that it also has deep roots in the Global South.

So what India has tried to do is to be a bridge between the G20 members of the developed world, as it were, and the Global South.

With India at the helm of G20, it has continued to make efforts to bring the Global North and South  which often do not agree on key policy areas  to the table.

Indias focus on Global South in G20

Indias G20 sherpa Amitabh Kant on Friday vowed that the New Delhi leaders declaration at the end of the G20 Summit will reflect the voice of Global South.

We wanted the world to take the lead on Green Development in the context of climate action and climate finance. There were several components of this which we wanted to drive and therefore, green development, climate action, climate finance were our third priority. Because both SDG and climate action require finance, particularly for developing and emerging markets in the global south. It was critical that we focus on multilateral institutions of the 21st century Kant said.

The New Delhi leaders declaration that you will see post the Summit, you will see it as a Voice of Global South and the developing countries. No document in the world would have such a strong voice for the Global South and the developing countries, he added.

India in January convened a virtual summit titled Voice of the Global South Summit of leaders and ministers of developing countries.

New Delhi aimed to consult countries not represented in G20 about their developmental priorities and their expectations from India during its presidency, reported Hindustan Times (HT).

Modi in an interview on Wednesday referred to Indias hosting of the Voice of the Global South summit in January that was aimed at bringing to international stage the challenges facing the developing countries.

Africa is a top priority for us even within the G20. One of the first things we did during our G20 Presidency was to hold the Voice of the Global South summit, which had enthusiastic participation from Africa, Modi said.

We believe that no plan for the future of the planet can be successful without the representation and recognition of all voices, he said.

The prime minister said the effort towards greater inclusion of the Global South, particularly Africa in global affairs has gained momentum and that Indias G20 presidency has sowed the seeds of confidence in the countries of the so-called Third World.

They are gaining greater confidence to shape the direction of the world in the coming years on many issues such as climate change and global institutional reforms. We will move faster towards a more representative and inclusive order where every voice is heard, he said.

Further, all this will happen with the cooperation of the developed countries, because today, they are acknowledging the potential of the Global South more than ever before and recognising the aspirations of these countries as a force for the global good, he said.

News18 quoted Modi as calling climate change a shared reality.

Noting that the Global South would be affected disproportionately compared to the more developed nations, Modi called for member states to come together and focus on positive actions to combat climate change, instead of dwelling on restrictions, criticism, and blame.

S Jaishankar, speaking to ANI on Wednesday, pointed out that no such presidency made such efforts to bring together developing nations.

There have been G-20 summits before no other G-20 presidency has made an effort to get together the developing countries who are not on the table and sayplease come, sit with us, tell us what are your concerns. And we will distil those concerns and place it before the G-20. That is a very unique exercise. Nobody has done it before. So, if we have taken the trouble and we meaning the Prime Minister Modi himself. If 125 countries that have been consulted feel today, yes, what we told India. India has promised us that they will put that issue on the table.

Jaishankar added that these nations have many expectations from India and that New Delhi has a reputation as a very constructive player outside the G20.

Someone who bridges, divides, who kind of somewhere helps to fix problems, Jaishankar added.

So, there is a lot of goodwill that we have. And again, I stress to you. I am confident that every one of theM coming to Delhi will understand the responsibility that they bear will understand today that the other 180 countries of the world are looking to them to set directions and that they cannot afford to fail them.

Prime Minister Modi in his inaugural address to the summit on 12 January had called for a global agenda of 4Rs  Respond, Recognise, Respect and Reform.

Modi, explaining further, as per The Diplomat magazine, said that this meant responding to the priorities of the Global South, recognising the principle of Common but Differentiated Responsibilities, respecting the sovereignty of all nations, and reforming international institutions to make them more relevant.

Billed as the largest digital conference, the summit saw the presence of 125 countries, including 29 from Latin America and the Caribbean, 47 African nations, seven countries from Europe, 31 Asian countries, and 11 countries from Oceania, according to Hindustan Times.

Calling for a human-centric globalisation Modi told the summit that Indias G20 presidency will attempt to voice the views of the Global South on important issues.

In June, India held a two-day event on international taxation in Maharashtras Nagpur, along with South Centre, a Geneva-based intergovernmental policy research think-tank of 55 developing countries.

The finance ministry in a press release stated, Under the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India has strived to champion the concerns and aspirations of the Global South during its G20 presidency. The focus of this event was to address the pressing tax challenges emerging from the digitalisation of the global economy and explore solutions that promote inclusivity and fairness.

ALSO READ: Why Indias G20 presidency is significant

What do experts say?

Speaking to The Hindu, Hiroyuki Akita, Tokyo-based strategic affairs commentator at Nikkei, said it is in Japans interest that India plays a lead role in promoting the interests of the Global South.

Japan sees a rivalry over the leadership of the Global South between India and China, and it is in the interest of Japan and the G-7 that India plays a leading role in the Global South, not China, Akita added.

As Chairman of the G-7 this year, its been a priority for Japan to collaborate with India as a bridge to narrow the divide on many issues between the G-7 and the G-11, that is the rest of the G-20 except for China and Russia, which are trying to counter the G-7 world order, he added.

India to push for AU membership in G20

According to The Hindu report, India is placing its bets on making its presidency a success by pushing for the membership of the African Union (AU) in the G20.

The report says that there is much support for Indias AU proposal because of two reasons.

Firstly, this is the first time that the G20 troika  Indonesia, India and Brazil  consists of three developing and emerging economies.

Secondly, the present G20 is seen as over-representing Europe, as the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy and the European Union (EU) make up a quarter of the grouping.

While Russia and China, who want no reference to the Ukraine war in a G20 document, are already posing a challenge for Indias presidency to bring all leaders on board to forge a joint statement, the induction of AU members can prove a bright spot for the country, the newspaper noted.

With inputs from agencies
The Group of 20 (G20) bloc has adopted the New Delhi Leaders Declaration, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced today (9 September). The announcement comes as India is hosting global leaders in the National Capital for the 18th G20 Summit. From United States president Joe Biden to British prime minister Rishi Sunak, several heads of state, along with leaders of international organisations, are attending the two-day high-profile meeting at Pragati Maidans Bharat Mandapam.

The G20 grouping also got a new member today (9 September). Under Indias presidency, the African Union has been granted permanent member status in the G20 bloc of the worlds wealthiest economies.

All eyes were on whether the G20 Summit would end in a joint Leaders Declaration as several issues emerged as a sticking point in building a consensus among the grouping.

Lets take a look at these issues and why a joint declaration is a big deal for Indias G20 presidency.

A done deal

Multiple media reports claimed that a compromise has been reached between the G20 members, paving the way for a joint declaration.

According to a Reuters report, G20 sherpas, or country representatives, have ironed out differences over the wording on how to define the war in Ukraine in the final communique. It will now be forwarded to the G20 leaders.

The language might be similar to that used in the joint communique during the G20 Summit in Bali, Indonesia last year. It had mentioned that while most countries denounced Russias aggression against Ukraine, there were differing views of the situation and sanctions.

New Delhi joint declaration is likely to refer to Russias war in Ukraine, instead of against Ukraine  a phrasing sought by the US and its allies, reported Bloomberg.

The other contentious issues discussed by the sherpas were how to reflect divergent views on sanctions on Moscow and how to refer to a just peace for Ukraine, the Bloomberg report added.

Times of India (TOI) confirmed that after intense negotiations among the sherpas that lasted beyond midnight, a revised paragraph on the Russia-Ukraine conflict found a consensus among the members.

As per Reuters, an earlier draft of the joint declaration showed that the countries were unable to compromise over the language on the war in Ukraine. The 38-page draft had left the geopolitical situation paragraph blank, while members agreed on 75 other paragraphs on different issues, including climate change and cryptocurrencies.

Earlier, Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov, who is representing the country at the Delhi Summit in place of President Vladimir Putin, had said he would block the G20 New Delhi Leaders Declaration if it does not reflect Moscows views on Ukraine and other issues.

Was China playing a spoilsport?

Speaking to Bloomberg on Friday (8 September), UK PM Sunak accused China of objecting to issues such as climate change and Russias war in Ukraine.

He said that with Beijing creating roadblocks to proposals on these issues, the G20 members were yet to forge a consensus.

Were not there yet, Sunak told Bloomberg News.

Responding to the UK PMs remarks, Beijing said on Friday that it will push for a positive outcome at the G20 Leaders Summit.

China attaches great importance to the G20 and has participated in the consultations and discussions on the G20 New Delhi Summit document in an active and constructive way, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning was quoted as saying by PTI.

Sunaks statements came on the heels of the United States saying it hoped all countries would be on board but indicated that Russia and China are less likely to sign on.

Often times the sticking point tends to be the war in Ukraine because countries like Russia and China are less likely to sign on to language that the rest of the international community is more uncomfortable signing on to, so well see where it goes. But wed like to see that, absolutely, John Kirby, the National Security Council (NSC) Coordinator for Strategic Communication, was quoted as saying by news agency ANI earlier.

Recently, Indias G20 sherpa Amitabh Kant said that China is a multilateral player, adding that New Delhi has been successful in working with every single country.

China is a multilateral player. In multilateral discussions, the issues are very different from bilateral issues and the Chinese discuss issues of growth, and development from their own perspective. The challenge of any multilateral discussion is you have to bring consensus across every issue, every country has veto power. Weve been able to work with every single country and bring them on board he said, as per ANI.

Throughout Indias G20 presidency, Russia and China have protested against two paragraphs condemning Moscows war in Ukraine. This led to almost all G20 ministerial meetings failing to come out with consensus documents.

Besides the war, climate has been another thorny topic among the members. As per the Bloomberg report, China flagged the issue of access to semiconductor technology to help developing countries switch to clean energy during talks on tackling climate change.

Russia and Saudi Arabia are also opposed to language on accelerating efforts toward the phase down or phase out of unabated fossil fuel use, the report said.

According to TOI, many issues were resolved a back after China softened its stance on G20 proposals.

ALSO READ: Will G20 be renamed G21 with inclusion of African Union?

What could the joint declaration include?

The G20 members could reportedly endorse tighter regulations of cryptocurrencies. It will be a key win for us (India) if we can get a consensus on creating a global regulatory structure for dealing with crypto-assetswe want to show that we can take the lead in global technology regulations. There could be some concerns by more crypto-friendly jurisdictions and those will need some ironing out, a senior government official told Indian Express.

As per the earlier draft of the declaration, there was no mention of a fossil fuel phase-down, reported Reuters.

It showed that the grouping agreed to address debt vulnerabilities in low and middle-income countries in an effective, comprehensive and systematic manner.

The G20 members are likely to call for bolstering and reforming multilateral development banks. The draft, as per Reuters, also showed that the bloc concurs that the world needs a total of $4 trillion low-cost financing every year for energy transition.

Why does a joint declaration matter?

A joint declaration is a major win for Indias G20 presidency, especially amid the groupings deep divisions over key issues.

It would be an embarrassment for India if there was no consensus as it would be the first time in 20 years that a G20 Summit would end without a joint declaration.

A Leaders Declaration is by far the best way to record what has been agreed, so that countries can be held to account in the future by external parties, and so that government systems know what their leaders have signed up to and what they need to do internally, Creon Butler, director for the global economy and finance programme at Londons Chatham House, told Reuters.

However, amid reports of a breakthrough over the language to describe Ukraine war, a joint communique seems within reach.

Our New Delhi Leaders Declaration is almost ready, I would not like to dwell on it because this declaration will be recommended to the leaders during the summit and the leaders will then accept it and only after it is accepted by the leaders, we will be able to talk about the actual achievements of this declaration, G20 sherpa Kant had said earlier, reported PTI.

With inputs from agencies
A major rail and shipping corridor connecting India with the Middle East and Europe was announced today (9 September) on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in New Delhi. Prime Minister Narendra Modi called the India-Middle East-Europe economic corridor a beacon of cooperation, innovation, and shared progress.

As history unfolds, may this corridor be a testament to human endeavour and unity across continents, he wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

India, the United States, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the European Union (EU), and others unveiled the ambitious initiative, which American president Joe Biden called a really big deal. He said it would link across two continents and lead to a more stable, more prosperous and integrated Middle East.

What will the project entail? Why has it been touted as a game changer? We explain.

Whats the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor?

The multinational rail and ports initiative aims to link India with the Middle East and eventually Europe.

The project would include developing railways, ports, electricity and data networks, as per AFP.

It will enhance trade, provide energy resources and improve digital connectivity, reported Associated Press (AP).

As per Jake Sullivan, US national security adviser, India, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Jordan, Israel and the EU will be part of the mega connectivity project.

The initiative would entail constructing a railway line across the Arabian Peninsula via the UAE and Saudi Arabia and building port connectivity to India and Europe, according to Indian Express.

The rail and shipping corridor also intends to enhance trade among countries as well as build infrastructure to aid the production and transport of green hydrogen, noted AFP.

ALSO READ: India-Middle East-Europe corridor, African Union in G20: The big hits of G20 Summit Day 1

Reactions to the trade plan

PM Modi said that enhancing connectivity with other regions has been a key priority for India.

We believe that connectivity is a means to not only increase mutual trade between different countries but also increase mutual trust, he was quoted as saying by AP.

European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said the economic corridor was much more than just a railway or a cable.

It is a green and digital bridge across continents and civilisations, AFP quoted her as saying.

Saudi Arabias Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud said, We forward to the integration of the initiative and the economic corridor project I would like to thank those who worked with us to reach this founding step to establish this important economic corridor.

French president Emmanuel Macron said now they need to work to make the plan real.

#WATCH | G-20 in India | French President Emmanuel Macron says,  I just want to thank Prime Minister Modi for organizing this meeting and President Biden for sharing this meeting with him So now with the European Commission here, we commit to invest alongside with you on this pic.twitter.com/Tjl3QP4eNE  ANI (@ANI) September 9, 2023

Why the trade-tech corridor is a big deal

The rail and shipping corridor will not just advance economic growth but it has wider geopolitical implications.

The project could include Israel, which may thaw its strained relations with rival Saudi Arabia. The US has been trying to forge a wider diplomatic deal in the Middle East which would entail Saudi Arabia officially recognise Israel, as per Reuters.

The deal will benefit low and middle-income countries in the region, and enable a critical role for the Middle East in global commerce, Jon Finer, the US deputy national security adviser said earlier. For the US, he said, the deal helps turn the temperature down across the region and address a conflict where we see it, reported Reuters.

According to AFP, the deal could include developing railway and port facilities across the Middle East, including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Israel, which may accelerate trade between India and Europe by up to 40 per cent.

C Raja Mohan, a senior fellow with the Asia Society Policy Institute, wrote for Indian Express that the deal stops Pakistans veto over Indias overland connectivity to the West. Further, he said that the project will deepen Indias strategic engagement with the Arabian peninsula. The Modi government, which had rapidly elevated political and strategic links with the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia in the last few years, now has an opportunity to build enduring connectivity between India and Arabia.

Most importantly, the project could be a counter to Chinas Belt and Road  a vast infrastructure programme that has spread Beijings investments and clout across Europe, Africa, Asia and Latin America.

The US is making efforts to emerge as an alternative partner and investor for developing countries. However, much depends on the timeline of this corridors completion and other logistics, which are yet to be known.

Michael Kugelman, South Asia Institute director at The Wilson Center, said the plan could be an important reply to the Belt and Road Initiative. If finalised, it would be a game changer that strengthens connectivity between India and the Middle East and would aim to counter BRI, Kugelman wrote on X.

With inputs from agencies
A rare and powerful earthquake struck Morocco late Friday night.

The countrys deadliest tremor in more than six decades left many buildings damaged, claimed thousands of lives, and left many others injured in the village near Atlas Mountains in the historic city of Marrakech.

Heres all we know about the quake.

Also read: PM Modi condoles loss of lives in Morocco quake, offers all possible help

The epicentre

According to the US Geological Survey, the quake had a preliminary magnitude of 6.8 when it hit central Morocco at 11:11 p.m. (3:41 IST), with shaking that lasted several seconds. There was also a magnitude 4.9 aftershock that hit 19 minutes later.

It is classified as strong on the magnitude scale with a magnitude of 6.8.

The epicentre of Fridays tremor was near the town of Ighil in Al Haouz Province, roughly 70 kilometres (43.5 miles) south of Marrakech. The popular tourist destination is known for scenic villages and valleys tucked in the High Atlas, and villages built into mountainsides.

The USGS said the epicentre was 18 kilometres (11 miles) below the Earths surface, while Moroccos seismic agency put it at 11 kilometres (7 miles) down. Such shallow quakes are more dangerous.

Many buildings and walls in ancient cities made from stone and masonry were damaged as they were not designed to withstand quakes.

The full toll was not known as rescuers struggled to get through boulder-strewn roads to the remote mountain villages hit hardest.

Thousands of lives lost, many buildings damaged

More than 2000 people died, mostly in Marrakech and other provinces of Al-Haouz, Ouarzazate, Azilal, Chichaoua and Taroudant, near the quakes epicentre, and another 2000 people were injured, Moroccos Interior Ministry said. Of the injured, more than 1,400 are in a critical condition.

According to AP, state television showed people clustered in the streets of Marrakech, afraid to go back inside buildings that might still be unstable. In Marrakech, the famous Koutoubia Mosque, built in the 12th century, was damaged, but the extent was not immediately clear. Its 69-metre (226-foot) minaret is known as the roof of Marrakech.

Moroccans also posted videos showing damage to parts of the famous red walls that surround the old city, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Most of the tiny village of Moulay Brahim, carved into a mountainside south of Marrakech, was uninhabitable after walls crumbled, windows shattered and more than a dozen homes were reduced to piles of concrete and bent metal poles. At least five residents were trapped.

The head of a town near the earthquakes epicentre told Moroccan news site 2M that several homes in nearby towns had partly or totally collapsed, and electricity and roads were cut off in some places.

Fridays quake was felt as far away as Portugal and Algeria, according to the Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere and Algerias Civil Defense agency, which oversees emergency response.

Rescue efforts

Rescuers worked through the night, searching for survivors in darkness, dust and rubble. They were using hammers and axes to free a man trapped under a two-storey building. People capable of squeezing into the tiny space were giving him water.

It is likely the death toll will rise as rescue efforts continue.

Abderrahim Ait Daoud, head of the town of Talat NYaaqoub, said authorities are working to clear roads in Al Haouz Province to allow passage for ambulances and aid to populations affected, but said large distances between mountain villages mean it will take time to learn the extent of the damage. According to BBC, they have also called on residents to donate blood to assist the injured.

On the steep and winding switchbacks from Marrakech to Al Haouz, ambulances with sirens blaring and honking cars veered around piles of Mars-like red rock that had tumbled from the mountainside and blocked the road. Red Cross workers tried to clear a boulder blocking the two-lane highway.

In a sign of the huge scale of the disaster, Moroccos King Mohammed VI ordered the armed forces to mobilise air and land assets like aircraft, helicopters and drones, specialised search and rescue teams and a surgical field hospital, according to a statement from the military. Trucks loaded with blankets, camp cots and lighting equipment were trying to region that hard-hit area, the official news agency MAP reported.

Also read: Death toll rises to 820 after 6.8 magnitude earthquake jolts Morocco

Survivors ordeal

People woken by the quake ran into the streets in terror and disbelief.

A man visiting a nearby apartment said dishes and wall hangings began raining down, and people were knocked off their feet and chairs. A woman described fleeing her house after an intense vibration. A man holding a child said he was jarred awake in bed by the shaking.

Ayoub Toudite said he had been working out with friends at the gym when we felt a huge shake like it was doomsday. In 10 seconds, he said, everything was gone.

We found casualties and people running and kids crying, he told AP. We never saw anything like this, 20 deaths in the area, 30 injuries. We are all terrified that this happens again.

Michael Bizet, who was in Marrakechs old town, told news agency AFP that he thought his bed was going to fly away. He said, It was total chaos, a real catastrophe, madness. Another resident identified as Fayssal Badour was driving when the quake hit. I stepped and realised what a disaster it was. The screaming and crying was unbearable, he said.

A resident by the name of Mina Metioui told BBC that the noise sounded like a fighter jet, that was getting louder and louder. She said, It took a second that felt like minutes. Then I heard people screaming, getting out of the property It was really a horrible experience.

Also read: Afghanistan, Pakistan rocked by 6.5-strong earthquake: Why the region is vulnerable to temblors

International response

World leaders offered to send in aid or rescue crews as condolences poured in from countries around Europe, the Middle East and a Group of 20 summit in India.

Turkeys president, whose country lost tens of thousands of people in a massive earthquake earlier this year, was among those proposing assistance.

France and Germany, with large populations of people with Moroccan origins, also offered to help, and the leaders of both Ukraine and Russia expressed support for Moroccans.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while speaking at the G20 Summit in New Delhi, said the international community would come to Moroccos aid. Taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, he said, Extremely pained by the loss of lives due to an earthquake in Morocco. In this tragic hour, my thoughts are with the people of Morocco. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. May the injured recover at the earliest.

US president Joe Biden, who is also attending the Summit hosted by India, said he is deeply saddened by the loss of life and devastation. UK foreign secretary James Cleverly said, We stand ready to help our Moroccan friends in whatever way we can, and added that his country was supporting British nationals stuck in the region.

French president Emmanuel Macron said he was devastated and his country stands ready to help with first aid, while Spanish PM Pedro Sanchez said, All my solidarity and support to the people of Morocco in the wake of this terrible earthquake.

Russian president Vladimir Putin also shared the pain and the mourning of the friendly Moroccan people, while Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed his solidarity and sent his deepest condolences to Morocco.

Despite an outpouring of offers of help from around the world, the Moroccan government had not formally asked for assistance, a step required before outside rescue crews could deploy.

Quake is so rare in the region

According to CNN which cited USGS, earthquakes of this scale are rare in the area but not unprecedented. It stated that nine earthquakes with a magnitude of 5 or higher have occurred since 1900, however, none of them have reached a magnitude of six. On the scale, 32 times more strength is produced for every whole number increment.

Although the earthquake was 30 times weaker than the 7.8 magnitude one that struck Turkey earlier this year, it still released a tremendous amount of energy and was likely to cause significant damage, Jonathan Stewart, a professor of civil and environmental engineering at the University of California, Los Angeles told the Georgia-based media company.

According to AP, the deadliest was in Agadir on the southern Atlantic coast, in 1960. The magnitude 6.7 quake killed about 12,000 people. The quake prompted changes in construction rules in Morocco, but many buildings, especially rural homes, are not built to withstand such tremors.

In 2004, a 6.4 magnitude earthquake near the Mediterranean coastal city of Al Hoceima left more than 600 dead.

The problem is that where destructive earthquakes are rare, buildings are simply not constructed robustly enough to cope with strong ground shaking, so many collapses resulting in high casualties, said Bill McGuire, professor emeritus of geophysical and climate hazards at University College London, adding, I would expect the final death toll to climb into the thousands once more is known. As with any big quake, aftershocks are likely, which will lead to further casualties and hinder search and rescue.

With inputs from agencies
Day 1 of the Group of 20 (G20) Summit in India is a hit. Not only has New Delhi been successful in the African Unions (AU) inclusion as a member of the grouping of top world economies, but also in adopting a consensus declaration despite divisions over several key issues.

Addressing the world leaders at Bharat Mandapam in Pragati Maidan today (9 September), Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in his opening remarks that Indias G20 presidency was a symbol of inclusion, of sabka saath both inside and outside the country. He also called on the world to turn global trust deficit into trust and confidence.

Heres all you need to know about key events of Day 1 of the 18th G20 Summit in Delhi.

AU becomes a G20 member

PM Modi asked AU chairperson Azali Assoumani to take a seat at the G20 table as a permanent member, making the 55-member grouping of African nations the second regional bloc to become a permanent member after the European Union (EU).

There was a wide consensus in the G20 bloc to get the AU as a new member. The development also shows how India which promised to be the voice of the Global South has achieved its goal during the G20 Presidency.

In a tweet on X, formerly Twitter, Modi wrote: India is elated to welcome African Union as a permanent member of the G20. Together, let us foster global unity and progress. Let us also do whatever we can for the development of the Global South.

He said that AUs inclusion will strengthen the G20 and also strengthen the voice of the Global South.

New Delhi Leaders Declaration

The G20 Summit adopted a consensus declaration despite major differences among the bloc over the wording of Russias war in Ukraine and issues such as climate.

PM Modi told the G20 gathering in the afternoon, On the back of the hard work of all the teams, we have received consensus on the G20 Leaders Summit Declaration, reported Reuters.

The joint declaration calls for comprehensive, just, and durable peace in Ukraine and urges member states to refrain from the threat of use of force to seek territorial acquisition against territorial integrity and sovereignty or political independence of any state.

The use or threat of use of nuclear weapons is inadmissible, says the declaration.

A consensus document is a big victory for Indias presidency because in its absence it would have been the first time in 20 years when there was no G20 Leaders Declaration.

History has been created with the adoption of the New Delhi Leaders Declaration. United in consensus and spirit, we pledge to work collaboratively for a better, more prosperous, and harmonious future. My gratitude to all fellow G20 members for their support and cooperation. https://t.co/OglSaEj3Pf  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 9, 2023



Historical & Path breaking G20 Declaration with 100 per cent consensus on all developmental and geo-political issues. The new geopolitical paras are a powerful call for Planet, People, Peace and Prosperity in todays world. Demonstrates PM Narendra Modi leadership in todays world. Indias G20 sherpa Amitabh Kant wrote on X.

The #NewDelhiLeadersDeclaration focuses on  Strong, Sustainable, Balanced, and Inclusive Growth

Accelerating Progress on #SDGs

Green Development Pact for a Sustainable Future

Multilateral Institutions for the 21st Century

Reinvigorating Multilateralism#G20India  Amitabh Kant (@amitabhk87) September 9, 2023

In another post, he called Indias G20 presidency most ambitious so far. With 112 outcomes and presidency documents, we have more than tripled the substantive work from previous presidencies, Kant added.

Global Biofuel Alliance

India has announced a global biofuel alliance with the United States and Brazil to bolster the use of cleaner fuels. Argentina, Italy, Bangladesh, Mauritius, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), South Africa and Brazil are also the initiating members of the group, while Canada and Singapore are observer countries.

We are launching the Global Biofuel Alliance. India invites all of you to join this initiative, Modi told the G20 grouping.

#WATCH | G-20 in India: PM Narendra Modi launched Global Biofuels Alliance, in Delhi pic.twitter.com/LNvGfiWjsw  ANI (@ANI) September 9, 2023

As per Reuters, the alliance would work towards achieving net zero emissions targets by encouraging trade in biofuels acquired from substances like plant and animal waste.

The alliance will provide a boost to global trade, secure the supply and availability of biofuels and coordinate internationally recognised standards and codes, Union minister for petroleum and natural gas Hardeep Singh Puri had said in July, as per Mint.

Rail and ports deal

The India-Middle East-Europe mega economic corridor has also been announced on the sidelines of the G20 Summit today. Today we all have reached an important and historic partnership. In the coming times, it will be a major medium of economic integration between India, West Asia and Europe, Modi said during the launch, as per PTI.

The multinational rail and ports deal plans to link India with the Middle East and eventually Europe. India, the US, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the European Union and some other G20 nations will be part of the project, Jon Finer, the US principal deputy national security adviser had said earlier, as per Associated Press (AP).

#WATCH | G-20 in India: US President Joe Biden says, This is a real big deal. I want to thank PM. One Earth, One Family, One Future thats the focus of this G 20 Summit. And in many ways, its also the focus of this partnership that were talking about today. Building pic.twitter.com/XffltBQips  ANI (@ANI) September 9, 2023

The ambitious project, which was announced as part of the Partnership for Global Infrastructure Investment, could be a counter to Chinas Belt and Road  a massive infrastructure programme.

Under the deal, Middle East countries will be connected by railways and linked to India by port. The deal will benefit low and middle-income countries in the region, and enable a critical role for the Middle East in global commerce, Finer said, as per Reuters.

Bilaterals

PM Modi also held several bilaterals on the sidelines of the G20 Summit today. The Indian premier held talks with his UK counterpart Rishi Sunak, Japanese prime minister Fumio Kishida and Italys Giorgia Meloni.

#WATCH | G 20 in India | Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Italian PM Giorgia Meloni hold a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Delhi. pic.twitter.com/xorHab2ZiS  ANI (@ANI) September 9, 2023

Sharing pictures of his meeting with Kishida on X, Modi said that they reviewed India-Japan bilateral ties and the ground covered during Indias G20 Presidency and Japans G7 Presidency.

We are eager to enhance cooperation in connectivity, commerce and other sectors, he added.

Modi and Sunak discussed ways to boost trade linkages and enhance investment between India and the UK.

Great to have met PM @RishiSunak on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Delhi. We discussed ways to deepen trade linkages and boost investment. India and UK will keep working for a prosperous and sustainable planet. pic.twitter.com/7kKC17FfgN  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 9, 2023

On Friday, United States president Joe Biden met the Indian premier at his residence in New Delhi. Modi said they talked about economic and people-to-people linkages between India and USA.

Earlier in the day, Modi talked about political and security cooperation with his Bangladesh counterpart Sheikh Hasina, who was among the special invitees of India for the G20 Summit. The two countries also inked three agreements, including connecting their digital payment mechanisms, reported Hindustan Times (HT).

The Indian prime minister also had bilateral conversation with his Mauritius counterpart Pravind Kumar Jugnauth.

Meanwhile, a dinner party being hosted by President Droupadi Murmu now awaits the foreign dignitaries who have assembled in Delhi for the two-day G20 Summit. A three-hour concert Bharat Vadya Darshanam (Musical Journey of India) will also be organised at the dinner to highlight Indias culture.

With inputs from agencies
New Delhi is all set to host the 18th G20 Summit today with global leaders in presence.

The crucial two-day Summit of the year is being attended by more than 30 heads of state and top officials from the European Union and invited guest countries and 14 heads of international organisations.

Also read: G20 Summit: How much money was spent on Delhi?

The agenda

India is hosting the G20 Leaders Summit at Bharat Mandapam, the newly inaugurated India Trade Promotion Organisation complex at Delhis Pragati Maidan. The Summit would commence with the arrival of the world leaders at the venue from 9.30 am onwards.

At around 10.30 the first session of the G20 Summit: One Earth will take place. This session will focus on accelerating climate action through increased mitigation and strengthening the agenda of global net zero emission as soon as possible  a subject of disagreement among the leaders.

There was little progress made towards the aim of renewable energy in July this year, as the G20 energy ministers failed to agree on a roadmap for coals phase-down or even mention it in their final statement.

The group of nations disagree on commitments to increase renewable energy targets, decrease greenhouse gas emissions, and phase out the use of fossil fuels. This is because the language of the climate commitment is unclear.

After the conclusion of the One Earth session, and followed by lunch, another session of One Family would be conducted at 3.00 p.m. as a part of the Summit. The Indian PM will also host a working lunch for the leaders of state.

Pull-aside meetings between PM Modi and heads of state will take place from 4:45 to 5:30 p.m., after which they will continue to the special dinner event that President Droupadi Murmu is hosting at 7.00 pm.

Besides the foreign delegates parliamentarians and ministers in the current Cabinet, the G20 Summit dinner will be attended by some of the former senior leaders of the nation.

Also read: Who are G20 sherpas and why are they crucial to the success of this summit?

Indias key focus

Notably, the theme of this years G20 Summit, which is taking place under Indias presidency is Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam or One Earth  One Family  One Future  is drawn from the ancient Sanskrit text of the Maha Upanishad. Essentially, the theme affirms the value of all life  human, animal, plant, and microorganisms  and their interconnectedness on the planet Earth and in the wider universe.

US president Joe Biden, British prime minister Rishi Sunak, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman, Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau, and Japanese prime minister Fumio Kishida are among the key leaders who are going to attend the event in the countrys capital city.

Notably, Chinese president Xi Jinping and Russian president Vladimir Putin will not be taking part in the weekend summit. China, however, will be represented at the summit by Chinese Premier Li Qiang, and Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov will represent Russia.

This is the first time that the G20 Summit is being hosted by India. Extensive preparations have been underway to portray Indias tradition and strength.

India aims to achieve the twin objectives of adding the African Union as a member of G20 and resolving disagreements about a joint statement related to the war in Ukraine at the Summit.

During the presidency, India has focused on various issues like inclusive growth, digital innovation, climate resilience, and equitable global health access. By leveraging its presidency, India is fostering collaborative solutions that benefit its own population and contribute to the broader global well-being.

The countries taking part in the G20 Summit include Nigeria, Argentina, Italy, the AU (represented by Comros), and South Africa. Bangladesh, the United Kingdom, Japan Saudi Arabia, the Republic of Korea, Egypt, Australia, the United States, Canada, China, the U.A.E, Brazil, Indonesia, Turkey Spain, Germany, France, Mauritius, the European Union and Singapore.

Also read: Russia-Ukraine war, climate change: Two major sticking points at G20

Global leaders arrive in New Delhi

A warm welcome was accorded to leaders who arrived in Delhi for the G20 Summit which begins on Saturday with Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressing confidence that the gathering of world leaders will chart a new path in human-centric and inclusive development.

The leaders who reached the national capital include US President Joe Biden, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Argentina President Alberto Fernandez and Japan Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.

The leaders were welcomed by traditional dance performances.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa also reached India. He had hosted the BRICS summit last month.

Other leaders who arrived in the national capital include Chinese Premiere Li Qiang, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Oman Deputy Prime Minister Asaad bin Tariq bin Taimur, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, Egypt President El-Sisi, UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Turkiye President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Indonesian President Joko Widodo, Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Brazil President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

African Union Chairperson Azali Assoumani, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Argentina President Alberto Angel Fernandez, International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva, Mauritius Prime Minister Pravind Kumar Jugnauth Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Secretary-General, Mathias Cormann, World Trade Organisation (WTO) Director General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also reached Delhi.

With inputs from ANI
Its Indias big moment. The country is hosting the G20 Leaders Summit for the first time and the worlds most powerful leaders have descended upon New Delhi.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is in the thick of all the action. On the sidelines of the summit, he is holding 15 bilaterals and the most significant among them was the meeting with US president Joe Biden. The two leaders had a private dinner and held talks for over 50 minutes on Friday evening. During a discussion on ways to deepen and diversify the partnership between the two countries, they spoke about defence, nuclear energy, artificial intelligence, and emerging technologies like 6G.

A joint statement issued after the bilateral talks also said that PM Modi looked forward to welcoming the US president to the next Quad Leaders Summit to be hosted by India in 2024.

After the meeting, Biden wrote on X, formerly Twitter, Today, and throughout the G20, well affirm that the United States-India partnership is stronger, closer, and more dynamic than any time in history.

Great seeing you, Mr. Prime Minister. Today, and throughout the G20, well affirm that the United States-India partnership is stronger, closer, and more dynamic than any time in history. pic.twitter.com/bEW2tPrNXr  President Biden (@POTUS) September 8, 2023

We get into the details.

Defence partnership

Modi and Biden discussed the defence deals and the joint statement said that they had agreed to deepen and diversify the bilateral defence partnership and welcomed the forward movement in India's procurement of 31 drones and joint development of jet engines.

This is Bidens first trip to India as president and he is keen to take forward the discussions he had with PM Modi who was in Washington DC for a state visit in June.

The GE jet engine deal was agreed upon during Modis visit after General Electric and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited signed a pact to manufacture GE F-414 jet engines in India for the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited Light Combat Aircraft Mk 2. The US Congress approved the deal last week and now the two sides are working on the next steps.

The leaders welcomed completion of the Congressional Notification process on 29 August 2023 and the commencement of negotiations for a commercial agreement between GE Aerospace and Hindustan Aeronautical Limited (HAL) to manufacture GE F-414 jet engines in India, and recommitted to work collaboratively and expeditiously to support the advancement of this unprecedented co-production and technology transfer proposal, the joint statement said.

India has plans to procure the highly powerful drones, MQ-9B HALE UAVs.

G20 with Firstpost: Our complete coverage here

Nuclear energy cooperation

India-US civil nuclear cooperation was among the top agendas at the meeting. The two leaders discussed bilateral cooperation in developing next-generation small modular nuclear reactor technologies for the domestic market and export. The subject was briefly discussed at the White House on 22 June.

Modi and Biden spoke about the importance of nuclear energy as a necessary resource to meet the climate, energy transition, and energy security needs of the two countries. They welcomed intensified consultations between the relevant entities on both sides to expand opportunities for facilitating India-US collaboration in nuclear energy, including in the development of next-generation small modular reactor technologies in a collaborative mode, the joint statement said.

The United States reaffirmed its support for India's membership in the Nuclear Suppliers Group and committed to continue engagement with like-minded partners to advance this goal.

6G

The two leaders welcomed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Bharat 6G Alliance and Next G Alliance. They further acknowledged the setting-up of two Joint Task Forces focused on collaboration in the field of Open RAN and research and development in 5G/6G technologies.

Aritifical Intellgience

Talks were held to discuss cooperation in science and technology, semiconductor technology, artificial intelligence and more.

Indian universities, represented by the Council of Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT Council), and the Association of American Universities (AAU) will establish the India-US Global Challenges Institute, with a combined initial commitment of at least US$10 million.

The Global Challenges Institute will bring together leading research and higher education institutions from across our two nations, including beyond AAU and IIT membership, to advance new frontiers in science and technology, spanning collaboration in sustainable energy and agriculture, health and pandemic preparedness, semiconductor technology and manufacturing, advanced materials, telecommunications, artificial intelligence, and quantum science, the joint statement said.

Backing India as a permanent member of the UNSC

During the bilateral meeting, Biden reaffirmed his support for a reformed UN Security Council with India as a permanent member.

The US also welcomed India's candidature for the UNSC non-permanent seat in 2028-29, the White House said in a statement.

"Continuing to share the view that global governance must be more inclusive and representative, President Biden reaffirmed his support for a reformed UN Security Council with India as a permanent member, and, in this context, welcomed once again India's candidature for the UNSC non-permanent seat in 2028-29," read the statement from the White House.

Setting up a network of universities

In June, Biden and Modi discussed setting up a network of universities, industry and think tanks. After this meeting, more details were divulged on multi-institutional collaborative education partnerships like those between New York University-Tandon and IIT Kanpur Advanced Research Center, and the Joint Research Centers of the State University of New York at Buffalo and IIT Delhi, Kanpur, Jodhpur, and BHU, in the areas of critical and emerging technologies.

Space missions

Biden congratulated PM Modi on the historic landing of Chandrayaan-3 on the south pole of the Moon and the successful launch of the Aditya-L1, Indias first solar mission.

The two sides have also decided to increase coordination on planetary defence and the protection of Earth and space assets from the impact of asteroids and near-Earth objects.

Gender digital divide and more

The leaders affirmed the importance of bridging the gender digital divide in the digital economy. They noted the G20 commitment to halve the digital gender gap by 2030 and expressed support for the Women in the Digital Economy Initiative.

They also discussed ways to fundamentally reshape multilateral development banks. The joint statement also spoke of an agreement on the recovery of remains of fallen US soldiers during the Second World War.

With inputs from agencies
In the latest development, former Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu was arrested by the Crime Investigation Department (CID) on Saturday in connection with the multi-crore AP State Skill Development Corporation (APSSDC) scam case.

After Naidu was taken into custody in connection with the matter, several other TDP leaders were also put under house arrest.

Here is all you need to know about the case.

Also read: TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu faces attempt-to-murder charge after violence during Yatra

High-voltage drama & the arrest

In the wee hours of Saturday, a sizable police contingent led by Nandyal range DIG Raghurami Reddy and the Crime Investigation Department (CID) made their way to RK Function Hall, when Naidu was resting in his caravan.

Numerous TDP supporters gathered and defied the police, initially blocking Naidus passage even with SPG soldiers protecting the former CM.

After much drama after midnight, the police finally succeeded in arresting the TDP chief at around 6 am. The arrest warrant was served in accordance with Section 50 (1) and (2) of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), according to India Today.

He is currently being taken to Vijayawada in a convoy with NSG protection. He will shortly appear in court.

Before police took him in custody, Naidu took to X (formerly Twitter), and wrote, For the past 45 years, I have selflessly served Telugu people. I am prepared to sacrifice my life to safeguard the interests of Telugu people. No force on earth can stop me from serving Telugu people, my #AndhraPradesh and my motherland.

For the past 45 years, I have selflessly served Telugu people. I am prepared to sacrifice my life to safeguard the interests of Telugu people. No force on earth can stop me from serving Telugu people, my #AndhraPradesh and my motherland. Posted at 6 AM, 09th September 2023 pic.twitter.com/721COYldUd  N Chandrababu Naidu (@ncbn) September 9, 2023

Several cases have been registered against him under Sections 120(b), 166, 167, 418, 420, 465, 468, 201, and 109, along with 34 and 37 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). He is also facing accusations under the Prevention of Corruption Act of 1988.

Sections imposed against him are non-bailable.

In a statement following Naidus arrest, Naidus counsel stated, CID has taken Chandrababu for a medical check-up after high blood pressure and diabetes were detected. We are approaching the High Court for bail.

Notably, the arrest comes just days after the TDP chief anticipated his future during a public event in Rayadurgam, Anantapur district, today and claimed that he would even be attacked.

Today or tomorrow they could arrest me. They may even attack me. Not one, they will do many atrocities, Naidu had said on Wednesday pointing out to the YSRCP government.

The former education minister claimed that this was a case of political vendetta in response to his and Naidus arrest.

India Today quoted him as saying, This is an unfortunate and shocking state of affairs. Chandrababu Naidu is the senior most politician in the country and there have been no injustices under his governance. It is very shocking that such a person who has been among the people, has been arrested by the police officials. All of this is done just to see Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddys eyes filled with happiness. All of this is nothing but a political vendetta.

Also read: Karnataka Results: Love over hate, women and caste factor. How Congress won the southern state

The case

According to Hindustan Times, the state polices CID launched an investigation into an alleged scam involving Rs 3,356 crore in the APSSDC under the former Telugu Desam Party administration in March.

The probe is the result of notices that were sent to Arja Srikanth, a former Indian Railway Traffic Service (IRTS) officer who served as the CEO of APSSDC in 2016. These notices were based on the statements of an accused who has now become an approver and the testimony of three IAS officers.

The TDP government founded the APSSDC in 2016 with the goal of empowering unemployed youngsters by enhancing their employability through skill training.

According to the preliminary investigation, the TDP administration signed an MoU for a project with an estimated cost of Rs 3,356 crore. It was drafted with two companies: Design Tech Systems Pvt Ltd and Siemens Industry Software India Ltd.

Six centres of excellence for talent development were to be established by Siemens Industry Software India Ltd. With Siemens and Design Tech providing the remaining 90 per cent of the finances as grant-in-aid, the state government was expected to contribute roughly 10 per cent (or Rs 371 crores) of the entire anticipated cost.

Also read: What is Rajasthans infamous red diary? Will its secrets hurt the Ashok Gehlot government?

Irregularities

But afterwards, the investigation found a number of irregularities.

The project was started without using the customary tendering procedure. It did not receive permission from the state cabinet. Siemens Industry Software India Ltd is accused of not contributing any of its own funds to the project. The fact that over 70 of the transactions involving this money used shell firms has also come to light. This skill development fraud had previously been revealed to the states Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) by a whistleblower, according to News18. The projects funds were diverted through phoney businesses like Allied Computers, Skillers India Pvt Ltd, Knowledge Podium, Cadence Partners, and ETA Greens, reported Hindustan Times.

Several government organisations, including GST, Intelligence, IT, ED, and SEBI, have all conducted in-depth investigations into this fraud. The authorities have recovered stolen money that was hidden aboard and brought it home successfully, as per News18.

A significant participant in this fraud, Siemens, performed an internal investigation and found that the project manager had diverted the government-allocated funds to shell businesses through hawala transactions. The project manager was consequently fired.

The business even gave a statement in front of a magistrate in accordance with Section 164 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC). It made clear that their business was not a part of the Joint Venture or Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by the government.

Also read: With Andhra Pradesh loss and no role in national politics, has Chandrababu Naidu reached end of the road?

The allegations

According to a report by India Today, a First Information Report (FIR) was filed in the case in 2021.

As the first accused in the case, Nara Chandrababu Naidu is accused of manipulating contracts, stealing from the government, and planning fraud under the cover of a talent development business.

One of the main difficulties, in this case, is how a note from Skill Development was submitted to the cabinet without following established government protocol, displaying the anticipated cost as a Detailed Project Report (DDR). The due procedure rules compliance, and these abnormalities have all been seriously questioned in light of the quick approval and disbursement of funds.

With inputs from agencies
At the 18th G20 Summit in New Delhis Bharat Mandapam in Pragati Maidan on Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi formally announced the inclusion of the African Union (AU) as a permanent member of the Group of 20 (G20).

Thrilled to have the African Union as a permanent member. A milestone for the G20 family indeed, the Prime Minister said.

Notably, this also marks the first expansion of the group since its formation with 20 major economies in 1999.

Lets take a closer look.

Follow for more: G20 Summit 2023 LIVE Updates

G20 could be renamed G21

The 72-year-old Indian leader invited the head of the African Union, who is also the President of the Union of Comoros, Azali Assoumani, to take his seat as the permanent member of one of the main forums of global economic cooperation.

India put a proposal to give permanent membership of G20 to the African Union. I believe that we have everyones agreement on this, PM Modi said, kicking off the summit and extending the invitation to the African Union.

Honoured to welcome the African Union as a permanent member of the G20 Family. This will strengthen the G20 and also strengthen the voice of the Global South. pic.twitter.com/fQQvNEA17o  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 9, 2023

With an embrace after the announcement, PM Modi welcomed AU chairperson Assoumani and offered him a place at the conference table for permanent members of the G20.

The 55-member bloc of African nations will now get the same status as the European Union, the only regional organisation with full membership.

According to news agency PTI, the group is now likely to be rechristened as the G21.

G20 with Firstpost: Our complete coverage here

Indias push for AU

New Delhi stated that the G20 should serve the interests of the Global South throughout its entire G20 Presidency. It was listed as one of the major outcomes of the G20 Summit by the Unions Ministry of External Affairs.

For a G20, which is more inclusive and more vocal for the Global South! PM Narendra Modi warmly invites the President of the African Union and Comoros Azali Assoumani to join other G20 leaders as the African Union becomes a permanent member of the G20. A key outcome of G20 India, the external affairs ministry said.

On Thursday, the Indian premier wrote in an article published saying, Our presidency has not only seen the largest-ever participation from African countries but has also pushed for the inclusion of the African Union as a permanent member of the G20.

In an interview with news agency PTI, he came out strongly in favour of the African Union gaining full membership of the G20.

Our affinity to Africa is natural. We have had millennia-old cultural and commerce ties with Africa. We have a shared history of movements against colonialism. As a youthful and aspirational nation ourselves, we also relate to the people of Africa and their aspirations. In the last few years, this relationship has got even stronger, PM Modi said.

He added that Africa was a top priority within the G20 and pointed out that holding the Voice of the Global South summit, which had enthusiastic participation from Africa, was one of the first things India did during its presidency.

Also read: G20 Summit: Understanding the theme Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam and its links to ancient India

AU  The Worlds Future Story

The African Union has advocated for full membership for seven years, spokesperson Ebba Kalondo said. Until now, South Africa was the blocs only G20 member.

Permanent G20 membership signals the rise of a continent whose young population of 1.3 billion is set to double by 2050 and make up a quarter of the planets people.

The AUs 55 member states, which include the disputed Western Sahara, together make them the 11th biggest economy in the world, according to Financial Express.

According to The Associated Press, the continent has pressed for meaningful roles in the global bodies that long represented a now faded post-World War II order, including the United Nations Security Council. They also want reforms to the global financial system  including the World Bank and other entities  that forces African countries to pay more than others to borrow money, deepening their debt.

Beyond the United States and the continents historical European colonisers, a new generation of global powers is rapidly pursuing Africa for political and financial support. China is Africas largest trading partner and one of its largest lenders. Russia is its leading arms provider. Turkeys largest overseas military base and embassy are based in Somalia. Israel and Iran are increasing their outreach in search of partners, as per AP.

African leaders have strongly contested the narrative that the continent is a helpless victim of conflict, extremism, famine, and natural disasters that is forced to choose a side between competing global powers. As evidenced by African peace initiatives in the wake of Russias invasion of Ukraine, some people would prefer to act as middlemen.

Granting the African Union membership in the G20 is a step that recognises the continent as a global power in itself.

With inputs from agencies
Prime Minister Narendra Modi Saturday shared a video post on X and wrote that he had a productive morning at the G20 Summit in New Delhi.

The video showed PM Modi welcoming the world leaders at Bharat Mandapam in Pragati Maidan, New Delhi.

The clip also shows the Indian Prime Minister making the inaugural address at the G20 Summit and even announcing inclusion of the African Union (AU) as a permanent member of the G20.

In another post, PM Modi said, at the first session of the G20 Summit One Earth, he highlighted the need to further human centric development, which is also something Indian culture has always emphasised on.

It is with a spirit of One Earth that India has worked on initiatives such as LiFE Mission, emphasised on International Year of Millets, launched Green Grids Initiative  One Sun, One World, One Grid, harnessed solar power, encouraged natural farming and the National Green Hydrogen Mission, the PM said.

Spoke at Session 1 of the G20 Summit on the subject of One Earth. Highlighted the need to further human centric development, which is also something Indian culture has always emphasised on. It is with a spirit of One Earth that India has worked on initiatives such as LiFE pic.twitter.com/lVB2OoBioI  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 9, 2023

The two-day G20 Leaders Summit 2023 under Indias presidency started on 9 September at Bharat Mandapam in Pragati Maidan, New Delhi.

In his address at the inaugural session of the G20 Summit on Saturday, PM Modi said: Today, as the president of G 20, India calls upon the world together to transform the global trust deficit into one of trust and reliance. This is the time for all of us to move together.

In this time, the mantra of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas can be the torch bearer for us. Be it the divide between North and South, the distance between East and West, management of food and fuel, terrorism, cyber security, health, energy or water security, we will have to find a solid solution to this for future generations, PM Modi said.

Also, the African Union formally took its seat as a new member of the G20 at the invitation of summit host and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The agenda of G20 Summit 2023 includes discussions on climate change, debt, food security, sustainability, and geopolitical conflict. India, which holds the G20 presidency, has highlighted One Earth, One Family, One Future as the theme of this years summit.

All eyes are on the joint leaders declaration, which has been plagued by a lack of consensus.

Later today, PM Modi is expected to have four bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the G20 summit. He will hold one-on-one talks with UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, and the leaders of Japan, Germany and Italy. The bilateral meetings will take place after a working lunch at the G20 venue.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a bilateral meeting with his UK counterpart Rishi Sunak on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in New Delhi.

After the meeting, PM Modi said: Great to have met Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Delhi. We discussed ways to deepen trade linkages and boost investment.

The Prime Minister also said: India and the UK will keep working for a prosperous and sustainable planet.

Taking to X earlier, Sunak said G20 leaders are meeting at a time of enormous challenges and the world is looking to the G20 once again to provide leadership.

15 years ago, G20 leaders came together for the first time to restore global growth after the financial crisis. We meet at a time of enormous challenges  the world is looking to the G20 once again to provide leadership. Together I believe we can address these challenges, Sunak wrote on X.

This is Rishi Sunaks first official visit to India since he became UKs Prime Minister.

Sunak arrived in New Delhi on Friday for the G20 Leaders Summit and started the three-day visit with an interaction with British Council students and staff with his wife Akshata Murty ahead of the first set of official multilateral discussions taking place today.
Europe, the Middle East, and India on Saturday unveiled plans to create a modern-day Spice Route, to boost trade ties with potentially wide-ranging geopolitical implications and also as a counter to Chinas ambitious Belt and Road Initiative.

The United States, Saudi Arabia, the European Union, the United Arab Emirates, and others launched plans to link data, railways, ports, electricity networks, and hydrogen pipelines across the three regions when they met on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in New Delhi.

Although heavily trade-focused, the plan could spur major political changes. Signatories hope it can help integrate Indias vast market of 1.4 billion people with countries to the West, offer a counterbalance to lavish Chinese infrastructure spending, boost Middle Eastern economies, and help normalise relations between Israel and Arab Gulf states.

The India-Middle East-Europe economic corridor is nothing less than historic, said Ursula Von Der Leyen, Chief of European Commission.

One proposed project would link railway and port facilities across the Middle East  including the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Israel  potentially speeding trade between India and Europe by up to 40 per cent.

Pramit Pal Chaudhuri, South Asia practice head at the Eurasia Group, said that a shipping container that today travels from Mumbai, through the Suez Canal to Europe could in the future go by rail from Dubai to Haifa in Israel  saving both money and time  and on to Europe.

At present, the Suez Canal is a major bottleneck to world trade, handling roughly 10 per cent of global maritime trade but is often beset by disruptions.

In March 2021, the giant container ship Ever Given caused a nearly week-long stoppage in Suez traffic after it became lodged diagonally in the waterway.

At the same time, the plan also aligns with several of Washingtons goals in the Middle East, and officials say the United States is keen to see the projects take flight. The initiative has enormous potential, according to Jon Finer, US deputy national security advisor.

President Joe Bidens administration is actively prodding Riyadh  a major oil producer and security partner  to normalise ties with Israel after decades of conflict and closed borders.

US involvement could also help mend deeply damaged ties between Riyadh and Washington, which frayed after the US-Iran nuclear deal and the 2018 murder of dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

Jon Finer said the public announcement would come after months of careful diplomacy, quiet, careful diplomacy, bilaterally and in multilateral settings.

GAME CHANGER

According to details seen by AFP, the India  Middle East  Europe economic corridor would develop infrastructure to enable the production and transport of green hydrogen.

It would also strengthen telecommunications and data transfers through a new undersea cable connecting the region. All the projects could also help oil-soaked Middle Eastern states ween their economies off dependence on fossil fuels.

Michael Kugelman, South Asia Institute director at The Wilson Center, said the plan could be a significant response to Chinas much-vaunted Belt and Road Initiative. The so-called BRI has spread Chinese influence, investments, and commerce across Europe, Africa, Asia, and Latin America.

If finalised, it would be a game changer that strengthens connectivity between India and the Middle East and would aim to counter BRI, Michael Kugelman posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Three Punjab Police officers were found guilty by a special CBI court on Friday for their involvement in a 31-year-old false encounter case that resulted in the deaths of three young men. The sentencing for this case is scheduled for September 14.

Justice R K Gupta, in his ruling, determined that the police encounter that occurred in May 1992 was fabricated and convicted three police officers on charges of conspiracy, murder, and falsification of records.

A total of nine police officers were implicated in this case. Out of the nine, three were convicted on Friday, while one has been declared a fugitive. The remaining officers passed away during the course of the legal proceedings.

The individuals who were found guilty include former inspector Dharam Singh, along with ASIs Surinder Singh and Gurdev Singh. Former ASI Bhupinder Singh was declared a fugitive, as stated by Ashok Bagoria, the public prosecutor representing the CBI. According to the CBI, Harjit Singh, Lakhwinder Singh, and Jaspinder Singh lost their lives in a staged encounter on May 12, 1992.

Shortly after Harjits disappearance, his father approached the Punjab and Haryana High Court, alleging that the police had taken his son into custody on April 29, 1992, near the Thathian bus stop in the Amritsar district.

Harjit was said to have been illegally detained at the Mall Mandi interrogation center. In response, the high court appointed a warrant officer to secure his release, but this officer was unable to locate Harjit at the Mall Mandi interrogation center.

In December 1992, the high court ordered a judicial investigation into the matter, carried out by the district and sessions judge in Chandigarh, who submitted a report in 1995. Finally, in 1997, the high court transferred the cases investigation to the CBI, which formally registered a case in 1998.

The CBIs investigation revealed that Harjit was abducted on April 29, 1992, from the Thathian bus stop by individuals named Daljit Singh, also known as Motu, Satbir Singh, and one other person.

They were subsequently killed on May 12, 1992, in a fake encounter conducted by a police team led by SI Dharam Singh, who was then the SHO of the Lopoke police station. Shockingly, the bodies of the victims were not returned to their families and were cremated by the police as unclaimed.
Former Andhra Pradesh chief minister and Telegu Desam Party (TDP) chief Chandrababu Naidu was arrested by the the Nandyal Police in the early hours of Saturday in connection with the AP Skill Development Corporation scam, according to a report.

ANI news agency reported that Criminal Investigation Department (CID) served arrest warrant to the the TDP chief.

In a video posted by the agency, Naidu is seen arguing with the police officials as he is surrounded by his security guards and supporters.

According to a greatandhra.com report, a large contingent of the police led by Nandyal range DIG Raghurami Reddy swooped on the camp of Naidu in the town at around 3 am to take him into custody.

However, they faced stiff resistance from the TDP workers who gathered there in large numbers. Even the SPG forces did not allow the police, saying they cannot allow anybody to reach Naidu till 5.30 am as per the rules, added the report.

Finally, at around 6 am, they knocked at the doors of Naidus house, brought him down and arrested him.

After initial resistance, Naidu was taken into the vehicle. He is being shifted to Vijayawada, added the report.

CID has taken Chandrababu for a medical check-up after high blood pressure and diabetes were detected. We are approaching the High Court for bail, said Naidus counsel.

Meanwhile, Andhra Pradesh Police also detained TDP chiefs son Nara Lokesh in East Godavari district.

With inputs from agencies
The special dinner hosted by President Draupadi Murmu for G20 leaders on Saturday evening will witness a musical performance showcasing ancient classical instruments such Ravanahatha and Rudra Veena among others.

The ceremonial dinner to be held tonight at the Bharat Mandapam venue of the G20 Leaders Summit in the national capital will celebrate the countrys rich musical heritage  a mix of different styles of classical and contemporary music.

The performance Bharat Vadya Darshanam  Musical Journey of India  by the Gaandharva Aaradhyam group will be showcased during the dinner hosted by President Murmu.

The 18th G20 Leaders Summit has brought together leaders from the worlds 20 major economies. The three-hour-long performance at the G20 special dinner during the special dinner will see ancient musical instruments like Ravanahatha to Rudra Veena, as well as the tabla and piano being played, Minister of State Meenakashi Lekhi told ANI.

We have the legacy of Hindustand Carnatic music. Specially abled artists will also perform at the dinner hosted by President Murmu. This would be a very proud moment for all of us, Lekhi said.

Earlier today Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally welcomed global leaders and heads of State at the venue with handshakes and hugs. Prime Minister Modi expressed confidence that the gathering of world leaders will chart a new path in human-centric and inclusive development.
The G20 New Delhi Leaders Declaration adopted Friday has called for the establishment of a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace in Ukraine.

The group leaders have also been urged to refrain from the threat of use of force to seek territorial acquisition or any actions that might undermine the territorial integrity of any nation.

The Delhi Declaration that has received 100 per cent consensus on all developmental and geo-political issues also laid a special emphasis that the use or threat of use of nuclear weapons is inadmissible.

The G20 declaration this year was more explicit than that of Indonesia last year as it cited a United Nations resolution condemning in strongest terms aggression by Russian Federation against Ukraine.

The 29-page G20 New Delhi Leaders Declaration, announced by which by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the beginning of the second session of the G20 Leaders Summit at Bharat Mandapan in New Delhis Pragati Maidan, read: Concerning the war in Ukraine, while recalling the discussion in Bali, we reiterated our national positions and resolutions adopted at the UN Security Council and the UN General Assembly (A/RES/ES-11/1 and A/RES/ES-11/6) and underscored that all

states must act in a manner consistent with the Purposes and Principles of the UN Charter in its entirety. In line with the UN Charter, all states must refrain from the threat or use of force to seek territorial acquisition against the territorial integrity and sovereignty or political independence of any state. The use or threat of use of nuclear weapons is inadmissible.

The Delhi declaration of G20 was agreed by all the member countries after India changed the text on Ukraine and stuck to explicitly mentioning Russias war in Ukraine, rather than using the against Ukraine wording sought by the US and its allies.

In total, Ukraine was mentioned four times in the entire Delhi declaration.

Comprehensive, just, & durable peace in Ukraine

The G20 New Delhi Leaders Declaration called on all states to uphold the principles of international law including territorial integrity and sovereignty, international humanitarian law, and the multilateral system that safeguards peace and stability.

The peaceful resolution of conflicts, and efforts to address crises as well as diplomacy and dialogue are critical. We will unite in our endeavour to address the adverse impact of the war on the global economy and welcome all relevant and constructive initiatives that support a comprehensive, just, and durable peace in Ukraine that will uphold all the Purposes and Principles of the UN Charter for the promotion of peaceful, friendly, and good neighbourly relations among nations in the spirit of One Earth, One Family, One Future, it read.

Impacts of war in Ukraine

The Delhi Declaration highlighted the human suffering and negative added impacts of the war in Ukraine with regard to global food and energy security, supply chains, macro-financial stability, inflation and growth were highlighted, which has complicated the policy environment for countries, especially developing and least developed countries which are still recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic and the economic disruption which has derailed progress towards the SDGs. There were different views and assessments of the situation.
A plaque displaying the word Bharat was visible in front of Prime Minister Narendra Modi as he started his opening remarks at the G20 Summit 2023. The renaming of India to Bharat is expected to be done during the five-day Special Session of Parliament commencing on 18 September.

#WATCH | G 20 in India | PM Modi at the G 20 Summit says Before we start the proceedings of G20, I want to express my condolences over the loss of lives due to an earthquake in Morocco. We pray that all injured recover at the earliest. India is ready to offer all possible pic.twitter.com/ZTqcg11cKI  ANI (@ANI) September 9, 2023

After dinner invites by Droupadi Murmu for world leaders coming for the G20 Summit referred to her as the President of Bharat, reports emerged that the Narendra Modi-led government may bring a resolution during the five-day Special Session of Parliament that begins on 18 September to rename the country. However, the Centre has said that the buzz around name change is a mere rumour.

India, that is Bharat written in Article 1 of the Constitution is only descriptive and the two cannot be used interchangeably, constitutional expert P D T Achary said on Tuesday and underlined that any change in name from the Republic of India will require several amendments.
As the 18th G20 Summit kicked off in New Delhi, Police of the national capital is on high alert in the national capital, Special CP, Law and Order, Dependra Pathak said on Saturday.

On security arrangements during G 20 Summit, Pathak said, Delhi Police has been preparing for months and today is the D-dayDelhi Police is alertFrom constable to seniormost officer, we all are on the groundWe are working with a high standard of alertnessWe are also getting co-operation from citizens of DelhiDelhi Police has once again set an example of professional excellence..

#WATCH | G 20 in India | On Police arrangements during G 20 Summit, Special CP, Law & Order, Dependra Pathak says, "Delhi Police has been preparing for months and today is the D-dayDelhi Police is alertFrom constable to seniormost officer, we all are on the groundWe are pic.twitter.com/VaWdpasptu  ANI (@ANI) September 9, 2023

Delhi Police also conducted boat patrolling in river Yamuna from Geeta Colony Ghat to ITO bridge in the countrys capital city as a security measure for the high-profile summit.

#WATCH | G 20 in India | Delhi Police conduct boat patrolling in river Yamuna from Geeta Colony Ghat to ITO bridge in Delhi as a security measure for the G20 Summit. pic.twitter.com/vSDEIrGSAR  ANI (@ANI) September 9, 2023

On security arrangements near Jama Masjid during G 20 Summit, Special CP, Law and Order, Dependra Pathak said,There is strategic and enough deployment (of Police)The situation is peaceful and under controlWe will continue to maintain this

The largest-ever multilateral event is witnessing participation of several heads of states and delegates.

Meanwhile, the office of Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena informed through a release that he will keep a close tab of the security situation in the city from the Raj Niwas.

He (L-G) will be in constant touch with the Command Room of the state-to-art Control Room of the Delhi Police Headquarters on September 9, read the statement from Raj Niwas.

India hosting G20 Summit for the first time

This is the first time that the G20 Summit is being hosted by India. The countries taking part in the G20 Summit include Nigeria, Argentina, Italy, the AU (represented by Comros), and South Africa. Bangladesh, the United Kingdom, Japan Saudi Arabia, the Republic of Korea, Egypt, Australia, the United States, Canada, China, Russia, the U.A.E., Brazil, Indonesia, Turkey Spain, Germany, France, Mexico, the European Union, and Singapore.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has arrived at the Bharat Mandapam in Pragati Maidan in New Delhi where the two-day G20 Leaders Summit will begin on Saturday.

#WATCH | G 20 in India: Prime Minister Narendra Modi was welcomed by EAM Dr S Jaishankar & NSA Ajit Doval at Bharat Mandapam, the venue for G 20 Summit in Delhis Pragati Maidan. pic.twitter.com/OrXfTtp8lQ  ANI (@ANI) September 9, 2023

The Prime Minister was welcomed by External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar and Nationa Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval at Bharat Mandapam.

Today is the first day of the two-day-long summit of the Group of 20 nations. Leaders from different parts of the world including US President Joe Biden, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and others arrived in the national capital yesterday.

The theme of this years G20 is Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, meaning the world is one family.

The global summit will begin with the One Earth session. Later in the day, the One Family session will commence. The first session will begin at 10:30 am.

The G20 member countries represent around 85 per cent of the global GDP, over 75 per cent of the global trade, and about two-thirds of the world population.

The grouping comprises Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, the UK, the US and the European Union (EU).
Asserting that the Ukraine war has deepened the trust deficit globally, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said India appeals to the entire world to turn it into confidence in each other.

Addressing the inaugural session One Earth of G20 Leaders Summit under Indias presidency, PM Modi said: Following the COVID pandemic, the world faced a new challenge of trust deficit and unfortunately, the wars have further deepened this. But we must remember that if we can defeat a pandemic like COVID, we can also win over the challenge of this trust deficit. Today, as the President of the G20, India calls upon the entire world to transform this global trust deficit into trust and confidence. This is the time for all of us to move together.

The Prime Minister further said in the time, the mantra of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas can be the torch bearer for us.

Be it the divide between North and South, the distance between East and West, management of food and fuel, terrorism, cyber security, health, energy or water security, we will have to find a solid solid solution to this for future generations, he said.

PM Modi also invited the head of the African Union to take his seat as a member of the G20. The President of the Union of Comoros and Chairperson of the African Union (AU), Azali Assoumani took his seat as the Union and became a permanent member of the G20.

Before the start of the proceedings of the G20 Summit, PM Modi offered condolences over the loss of lives due to an earthquake in Morocco.

We pray that all injured recover at the earliest. India is ready to offer all possible assistance to Morocco in this difficult time, PM Modi said.

Before the commencement of G20 Summit, PM Modi welcomed world leaders, including US President Joe Biden, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, UK PM Rishi Sunak, and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

As the leaders arrived one by one, they were greeted by PM Modi, in the backdrop showcased the Konark Wheel from Odisha.

The Konark wheel was built during the 13th century under the reign of King Narasimhadeva-I. The wheel with 24 spokes has been adapted into India's national flag embodying India's ancient wisdom, advanced civilisation, and architectural excellence.The rotating motion of the Konark Wheel, symbolizes time, Kalachakra as well as progress and continuous change. It serves as a powerful symbol of the wheel of democracy that reflects the resilience of democratic ideals, and commitment to progress in society.

The theme of G20 Summit 2023, which is taking place under India's presidency is Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam or One Earth  One Family  One Future." Notably, India assumed the G20 Presidency on December 1 last year.

With inputs from ANI
On his maiden visit to India as UK PM, Rishi Sunak along with his wife Akshata Murty arrived in Delhi on Friday and after the finishing the official meet-ups, the couple reportedly went to a quiet dinner.

According to reports, Sunak initially planned to have a meeting with Prime Minister Modi at his official residence in central Delhi on Friday afternoon. However, the meeting was canceled early on. Instead, Prime Minister Modi hosted a dinner at his residence for United States President Joe Biden on Friday evening.

Another arrangement for Sunak and Murty on Friday evening had to be canceled due to extensive traffic restrictions. Unable to proceed with any other plans, they chose to have a private dinner in Lutyens Delhi. The couple is currently staying at the luxurious Shangri-La Hotel and walked to a nearby restaurant for dinner on Friday night.

According to The Indian Express, the couple dined at the Imperial hotel. A photo captured them walking together, with Sunak wearing a white shirt without a blazer, and Murty donning a white T-shirt paired with white and pink striped trousers.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the G20 Summit on Saturday by expressing condolences and solidarity for those affected by the earthquake in Morocco. He pledged to strengthen global trust and promote more reliable relationships.

Prime Minister Modi welcomed several world leaders, including United States President Joe Biden and United Kingdom Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, at the Bharat Mandapam, the G20 Summit venue, on Saturday morning. The leaders walked down a red carpet adorned with national flags, and the walls displayed various yoga poses. Modi greeted the world leaders with warm handshakes.
Unified Payments Interface (UPI) is all set to go global as representatives from various countries at the G20 Summit have shown interest in the digital payment mechanism, the RBI said.

There are a number of countries which have shown interest in using UPI or collaborating with UPIs tag in some form or the other so that they can benefit from the UPI experience. We are already in talks at various levels with the appropriate agencies in those countries, said Vivek Deep, Executive Director, RBI.

VIDEO | There are a number of countries which have shown interest in using UPI or collaborating with UPIs tag in some form or the other so that they can can benefit from the UPI experience. We are already in talks at various levels with the appropriate agencies in those pic.twitter.com/RsKmF9flSu  Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) September 9, 2023

The central government has decided to provide hands-on experiences to around 1,000 visiting foreign delegates with UPI wallet technology, besides explaining to them about ease of making payments through the indigenous solution.

Foreign delegates or participants will be given Rs 500-1,000 in their UPI wallets for doing UPI transactions, a government official told ANI on 6 September.

UPI is Indias mobile-based fast payment system, which facilitates customers to make round-the-clock payments instantly, using a Virtual Payment Address (VPA) created by the customer.UPI payment system has become hugely popular for retail digital payments in India, and its adoption is increasing at a rapid pace.

So far, Sri Lanka, France, UAE, and Singapore have partnered with India on emerging fintech and payment solutions.

India has emerged as one of the fastest-growing ecosystems for fintech innovation and the government and the central bank have been instrumental in driving the globalisation of Indias digital payment infrastructure. A key emphasis of the Indian government has been on ensuring that the benefits of UPI are not limited to India only, but other countries, too, benefit from it.

With inputs from ANI
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Japanese counterpart Fumio Kishida held a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in New Delhi.

The meeting occurred after the two leaders attended the first session One Earth on the first day of the G20 Summit earlier today.

#WATCH | G 20 in India | Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Japanese PM Fumio Kishida hold a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Delhi. pic.twitter.com/FF8qDNwIKv  ANI (@ANI) September 9, 2023

PM Modi shared insights from the meeting on X, formerly Twitter. He said, Held productive talks with PM Kishida. We took stock of India-Japan bilateral ties and the ground covered during Indias G20 Presidency and Japans G7 Presidency. We are eager to enhance cooperation in connectivity, commerce and other sectors.

Held productive talks with PM @kishida230. We took stock of India-Japan bilateral ties and the ground covered during Indias G20 Presidency and Japans G7 Presidency. We are eager to enhance cooperation in connectivity, commerce and other sectors. pic.twitter.com/kSiGi4CBrj  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 9, 2023

Before this, Modi held another bilateral meeting with UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed G20 leaders and delegates upon their arrival at Bharat Mandapam in Pragati Maidan in New Delhi, for the G20 Summit.

As the leaders arrived one by one, they were greeted by PM Modi, in the backdrop was showcased the Konark Wheel from Odisha.

The Korark wheel was built during the 13th century under the reign of King Narasimhadeva-I.

The wheel with 24 spokes has been adapted into Indias national flag embodying Indias ancient wisdom, advanced civilisation, and architectural excellence.

The rotating motion of the Konark Wheel, symbolises time, Kalachakra as well as progress and continuous change. It serves as a powerful symbol of the wheel of democracy that reflects the resilience of democratic ideals, and commitment to progress in society.

World Health Organisation chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Managing Director of IMF (International Monetary Fund), Kristalina Georgieva, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and World Bank president Ajay Banga were among the first few leaders to arrive at th eBharat Mandapam venue.

India is hosting the G20 Summit, scheduled for today and tomorrow, under its Presidency amid divisions in the grouping over the Russia-Ukraine war.

World leaders including US President Joe Biden, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Japan PM Fumio Kishida, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres are among leaders who arrived in the national capital yesterday.

The summit is being attended by more than 30 heads of state and top officials from the European Union and invited guest countries and 14 heads of international organisations.

At around 10.30 the first session of the G20 Summit: One Earth will take place. One Earth will be one of the main topics of discussion during the session at the G20 leaders summit. This session will focus on accelerating climate action through increased mitigation and strengthening the agenda of global net zero emission as soon as possible.

The theme of this years G20 Summit, which is taking place under Indias presidency is Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam or One Earth  One Family  One Future  is drawn from the ancient Sanskrit text of the Maha Upanishad. Essentially, the theme affirms the value of all life  human, animal, plant, and microorganisms  and their interconnectedness on the planet Earth and in the wider universe.

After the conclusion of the One Earth session, and followed by lunch, another session of One Family would be conducted at 3 pm as a part of the Summit. At around 7 pm there will be a dinner hosted by President Droupadi Murmu. Besides, the foreign delegates parliamentarians and ministers in the current Cabinet, the G20 Summit dinner will be attended by some of the former senior leaders of the nation.

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin will not be taking part in the weekend summit. China, however, will be represented at the summit by Chinese Premier Li Qiang.

Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will represent Russia.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi along with other world leaders launched the Biofuel Alliance at the G20 Summit in New Delhi.

#WATCH | G-20 in India: PM Narendra Modi launches Global Biofuels Alliance in the presence of US President Joe Biden, President of Brazil Luiz Inacio, President of Argentina, Alberto Fernandez and Prime Minister of Italy Giorgia Meloni. pic.twitter.com/fPpm77ONax  ANI (@ANI) September 9, 2023

The alliance is expected to push the utilisation of sustainable biofuels as well as facilitate cooperation among the G20 nations.

This is a breaking story. More updates to follow soon.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and World Health Organisation (WHO) chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus arrived in Delhi on Saturday morning to attend the two-day G20 summit.

A host of other leaders including US President Joe Biden and UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak reached on Friday for the summit that will be held over the weekend.

All the leaders were given a traditional welcome at the airport and they were scheduled to gather at Bharat Mandapam, the summit venue, later in the day.

Welcoming the Brazilian president to India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi recalled that he met him recently in Johannesburg.

Happy to welcome President @LulaOficial to India. I had met him recently in Johannesburg and I am happy to be getting the opportunity to meet him again at the G20 Summit. His views on various subjects will be eagerly awaited. https://t.co/lmsGflMX3R  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 9, 2023

I am happy to be getting the opportunity to meet him again at the G20 Summit. His views on various subjects will be eagerly awaited, Modi posted on X.

Brazil will take over the next presidency of G20 from India, in the beginning of December.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi Friday thanked the member nations who joined the Global Biofuels Alliance and said, the launch of the Global Biofuels Alliance marks a watershed moment in our quest towards sustainability and clean energy.

India Saturday launched the Global Biofuels Alliance with PM Modi urging the G20 nations to join the initiative with a plea to take ethanol blending with petrol globally to 20 per cent.

The Alliance was launched on the sidelines of the G20 Summit by the Indian Prime Minister along with a host of global leaders, including US President Joe Biden, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Bangadesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.

Who are the members of Global Biofuels Alliance?

Besides India, the initiating members included Argentina, Bangladesh, Brazil, Italy, Mauritius, South Africa, the UAE and the US, while Canada and Singapore are observer countries.

Earlier, while speaking at the G20 Summit session on 'One Earth', PM Modi also proposed launching the 'G20 Satellite Mission for Environment and Climate Observation' and urged leaders to commence work on the 'Green Credit Initiative'.

"Today, the need of the hour is that all countries should work together in the field of fuel blending. Our proposal is to take an initiative at a global-level to take ethanol blending in petrol up to 20 per cent," he said.

"Or alternatively, we could work on developing another blending mix for the greater global good, one that ensures a stable energy supply while also contributing to climate security," PM Modi said at the session attended by US President Biden, Saudi Arabia Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak among others.

Prime Minister Modi said energy transition is a significant need of the 21st century world considering the challenge of climate change.

He said trillions of dollars are required for an inclusive energy transition and that the developed countries play a very crucial role in this.

"Along with India, all the countries of the Global South are pleased that developed countries have taken a positive initiative this year, in 2023. Developed countries have expressed their willingness to fulfil their commitment of USD 100 billion for climate finance for the first time," he said.

At the Copenhagen UN climate talks in 2009, developed countries had committed to providing USD 100 billion per year by 2020 to support developing countries in combating climate change.

However, the wealthier nations failed repeatedly to fulfil this commitment.

The Global Biofuels Alliance, which the world's third biggest oil consumer wants to push during its G20 presidency, mirrors the International Solar Alliance (ISA) piloted by New Delhi and Paris in 2015 to bring clean and affordable solar energy within the reach of all.

With inputs from PTI
Goa police recently uncovered extensive use of UPI payment method employed by an international sex trafficking ring. Although the operation was based in Goa, it was being run from Kenya. The scheme involved victims, who were sex workers, providing QR codes to their clients for payment, which was then fully transferred to the human traffickers.

Typically, the QR code/UPI payment was completed at the initial stage of the transaction to ensure that clients did not evade payment later on, according to reports. Anjuna Police Inspector Prashal Dessai disclosed that Maria Dorcas, aged 28, and Wilkista Achitsa, aged 22, both Kenyan nationals, were apprehended for their involvement in this sex trafficking operation.

Additionally, with the assistance of a local outfit called Arz, all five Kenyan women who were victims were successfully rescued. The police are currently in pursuit of a third suspect, a Nigerian individual.

This illicit sex trafficking operation primarily targeted educated Kenyan women by deceiving them with false promises of employment in the hospitality industry. The traffickers responsible for orchestrating this deceitful ploy handled all the necessary paperwork for the womens relocation to India. Furthermore, the traffickers took care of purchasing their airline tickets.

This is not the first time that pimps and traffickers have implemented UPI to ensure payment. Previously, pimps operating in Goa had mandated that clients produce their Aadhaar card before they hire sex workers. This requirement served both to verify the legitimacy of the client and to evade law enforcement scrutiny.

Elaborating on the modus operandi of the current trafficking operation, the cop explained, Upon the womens arrival in Goa, the trafficker confiscated their passports under the pretense of securing them employment. If the victims resisted, they were subjected to threats and demanded to pay Rs 5-8 lakh. They were only released after the victims paid the traffickers Rs 5 lakh through prostitution.

Inspector Dessai of Anjuna highlighted that the traffickers operated a website called Massage Republic to connect with potential customers. He stated, Once an agreement was reached between the customer and the traffickers, the customer would meet the victim.

Before proceeding further, the victim had to share a QR code with the customer. Once the payment was made, the entire sum of money was transferred to the traffickers account.

Arz became aware of this information when the women were transported to Bengaluru for prostitution. Arun Pandey, the founder and director of Arz, stated, One of our partner NGOs received information about this interstate trafficking and alerted us. Arz managed to locate a victim in Goa and assisted her in filing a complaint. Subsequently, the Anjuna police promptly registered a complaint and conducted a raid at the location in Anjuna where the victims and the mastermind of the international sex trafficking ring were situated.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi Saturday said the G20 has adopted the New Delhi Leaders Summit Declaration and a consensus had been reached among member states.

Addressing the second session of the G20 Summit 2023 under Indias presidency at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, PM Modi said: I have received good news. Due to the hard work of our team, consensus has been built on New Delhi G20 Leaders Summit declaration. My proposal is to adopt this leadership declaration.

I announce to adopt this declaration. On this occasion, I congratulate my Sherpa, ministers, who worked hard for it and made it possible, the Indian Prime Minister said.

Reacting to the announcement, G20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant said, "Todays era must be marked as the golden age of human-centric globalisation and Indias G20 Presidency under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has worked tirelessly towards this goal."

The #NewDelhiLeadersDeclaration has been officially adopted at the #G20India Leaders Summit! Todays era must be marked as the golden age of human-centric globalisation & Indias G20 Presidency under the leadership of PM @narendramodi has worked tirelessly towards this goal  Amitabh Kant (@amitabhk87) September 9, 2023

He further said, "Indias G20 Presidency has been inclusive, ambitious, decisive, action-oriented and unafraid to challenge the status quo. Under PM Modi, we have given a strong call to action for the leaders to take G20 to the last mile."

Indias G20 Presidency has been inclusive, ambitious, decisive, action-oriented & unafraid to challenge the status quo. Under PM @narendramodi we have given a strong call to action for the leaders to take G20 to the last mile. #NewDelhiLeadersDeclaration #G20India  Amitabh Kant (@amitabhk87) September 9, 2023

During his address at the second session of G20 Summit, Prime Minister Modi further said that Indias G20 Presidency has been the most ambitious in history of G20.

"73 outcomes (lines of effort) and 39 annexed documents (presidency documents, not including Working Group outcome documents). With 112 outcomes and presidency documents, we have more than doubled the substantive work from previous presidencies. 2x-5x number of outcomes and annexed documents as compared to previous presidencies. The Indian Presidency of the G20 has been the most ambitious and action-oriented in all of G20 Presidencies," the Prime Minister said.

India's Footprint on G20 outcomes:

- Deccan High-Level Principles on Food Security and Nutrition

- Chennai High-Level Principles for Blue/Ocean Economy

- Goa Roadmap for Tourism

- Gandhinagar Implementation Roadmap for land restoration.

- Jaipur Call for Action to enhance MSMEs access to information.

The two-day G20 Summit 2023 under India's presidency is being held at Bharat Mandapam, Pragati Maidan in New Delhi.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other world leaders launched the India-Middle East-Europe connectivity corridor during the G20 Summit in New Delhi on Saturday.

#WATCH | G 20 in India: Handshake by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, US President Joe Biden and Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia Muhammed Bin Salman, at PGII & India Middle East Europe connectivity corridor launch event, in Delhi pic.twitter.com/YgW22tbcpw  ANI (@ANI) September 9, 2023

In the coming time, India will be a medium for economic integration between West Asia and Europe, said PM Modi while addressing the PGII conference with G20 leaders.

VIDEO | In the coming time, India will be a medium for economic integration between West Asia and Europe, says PM Modi while addressing the PGII conference with #G20India2023 leaders. pic.twitter.com/3P1ALpmZe1  Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) September 9, 2023

Strong connectivity and infrastructure base of development of human civilization. India has given highest priority to this topicwe believe connectivity between different countries increases not only business but trust between themby promoting connectivity initiative, we need to ensure we stick to philosophiesthat is, adhesion to international rules, respect for all nations sovereignty and regional integrity, said PM Modi.

VIDEO | Strong connectivity and infrastructure is the base of development of humanity. India has prioritised on this in its developmental journey, says PM Modi while addressing the PGII conference with G20 leaders. pic.twitter.com/IHPKFlN01z  Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) September 9, 2023

US President Joe Biden said, This is a real big deal. I want to thank PM. One Earth, One Family, One Future thats the focus of this G 20 Summit. And in many ways, its also the focus of this partnership that were talking about today. Building sustainable, resilient infrastructure, making quality infrastructure investments and creating a better future.

#WATCH | G-20 in India: US President Joe Biden says, This is a real big deal. I want to thank PM. One Earth, One Family, One Future thats the focus of this G 20 Summit. And in many ways, its also the focus of this partnership that were talking about today. Building pic.twitter.com/XffltBQips  ANI (@ANI) September 9, 2023

Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia Muhammed Bin Salman said, We look forward to the integration of the initiative and the Economic Corridor project which is announced in this meeting. I would like to thank those who worked with us to reach this founding step to establish this important economic corridor

#WATCH | | G 20 in India: Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia Muhammed Bin Salman says,  We look forward to the integration of the initiative and the Economic Corridor project which is announced in this meeting. I would like to thank those who worked with us to reach this founding pic.twitter.com/C1rp577Pw2  ANI (@ANI) September 9, 2023

French President Emmanuel Macron said,  I just want to thank Prime Minister Modi for organizing this meeting and President Biden for sharing this meeting with him So now with the European Commission here, we commit to invest alongside with you on this road. And this is a very important project from Asia through Middle East to Europe to offer big opportunities and connect people.

#WATCH | G-20 in India | French President Emmanuel Macron says,  I just want to thank Prime Minister Modi for organizing this meeting and President Biden for sharing this meeting with him So now with the European Commission here, we commit to invest alongside with you on this pic.twitter.com/Tjl3QP4eNE  ANI (@ANI) September 9, 2023

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said, Today is the launch of the new economic corridor between India and the Middle East and Europe goes precisely in this direction and is a milestone in strengthening global interconnections. And that is why I want to thank Prime Minister Modi, President Biden, and all the others, Ursula von Derleyan, and all the others who made it possible

#WATCH | G-20 in India: Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni says, When we launched the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment just over a year ago, we committed to building better infrastructure for better future in low and middle-income nations. We committed to pic.twitter.com/Eph3qwymBX  ANI (@ANI) September 9, 2023

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said, More large-scale projects are seeing the lightWe are presenting two of them today. First the India-Middle East-Europe economic corridorIt will be the most direct connection to date between India, the Arabian Gulf and EuropeThis is also the spirit of the second project we announce today the Trans African Corridor

#WATCH | G 20 in India | European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen says More large-scale projects are seeing the lightWe are presenting two of them today. First the India-Middle East-Europe economic corridorIt will be the most direct connection to date between pic.twitter.com/QgopIdtfSL  ANI (@ANI) September 9, 2023

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said, Japan is delivering various transport infrastructure development projects including the construction of Delhi metro here in the city to support economic development of countries. Going forward, we want to take this effort a step further to expand the scope of cooperation to wider areas including supply chains to link people together by strengthening connectivity. We also intend to work on building industrial value chains in the whole of Bay of Bengal
After the African Union became a permanent member of the G20 on Saturday, President of Argentina, Alberto Fernandez commended Indian presidency for the significant move.

Alberto Fernandez said, I think the Indian presidency has taken a huge step forward by incorporating the African Union into the G20. I have proposed that based on that decision, the G20 should incorporate the community of Latin American and Caribbean States which undergo a situation very similar to that of the African Union.

G 20 in India | President of Argentina, Alberto Fernandez says, "I think the Indian presidency has taken a huge step forward by incorporating the African Union into the G20. I have proposed that based on that decision, the G20 should incorporate the community of Latin American pic.twitter.com/msQ2UdJniI  ANI (@ANI) September 9, 2023

Further Fernandez talked about the robust trade partnership between India and Argentina. He acknowledged Prime Minister Modis leadership, which is highly regarded not only in India but also in Argentina.

On the Defence partnership between India and Argentina, President of Argentina, Alberto Fernandez to ANI says, Well, the relationship between India and Argentina is very solid, very firm, and our trade relationship is growing every day. India has Modi, a leader that everyone recognizes and commends and that also is transmitted to Argentina. We have discussed with the Prime Minister of India, many initiatives, many things that we can do together. And one of those things has to do with defence. The Argentine Minister of Defence was recently in India, and he had conversations to learn about what was Indias offer and proposal regarding those weapons (BrahMos missile, Tejas). So we will see how that works out,Fernandez further added.

Africa has finally arrived at world stage

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Saturday formally announced the inclusion of the African Union (AU) as a permanent member of G20.

The announcement came during the inaugural session of the G20 Leaders Summit that is being held at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhis Pragati Maidan.

The African Union, a continental body of 55 member states, now has the same status as the European Union  the only regional bloc with a full membership. Its previous designation was invited international organisation.
In a bizarre incident on Thursday-Friday night, a 33-year-old Norwegian visitor, Noe Finn Vetle, jumped from the the hotel balcony he was staying in Jaipur after mistaking sounds of fire crackers for gunshots. Vetle was reportedly under influence of Bhang.

According to the reports, Vetle was residing on the third floor of a hotel in Vivek Vihar and the sound of gunshots came from Janmashtami celebration taking place in the temples nearby. Believing the sounds to be gunfire and the chants as cries for help, he rushed out of his room and impulsively jumped from the balcony.

Around 12:30 am on Friday, authorities at the Hare Krishna Temple in Jagatpura received radio reports that the Jawahar Circle Police Station was responding to an incident involving a foreign national found on the street outside a hotel. Due to concerns related to the ongoing G20 event, which could have caused embarrassment, the police officials swiftly rushed to the scene.

Adding to the confusion, local residents reported that Vetle was uttering incoherent phrases like fire and help. He was subsequently taken to Jaipuria Hospital, where he is currently receiving treatment for various injuries, including a fractured hand. However, DCP (East) Gyan Chandra Yadav has assured that Vetles condition is stable.

In an effort to determine the cause of Vetles alarming actions, the police conducted an examination of the scene but found no evidence of gunfire. After conversing with the tourist and reviewing CCTV footage, it was established that the loud noises were merely the result of extensive firecracker displays at the stroke of midnight.

DCP Yadav stated, We have also notified the Norwegian embassy regarding the situation. Vetle, who had arrived in India three months earlier to partake in yoga sessions, hails from Namsos, Norway.
A sudden bout of rain lashed several parts of Delhi in the early hours of the morning on Saturday, bringing temperatures down in the city.

Parts of south-west Delhi including Vasant Kunj, Munirka, and Narela areas witnessed light rainfall in the early hours today.

The showers brought much-needed relief from the heat and humidity, as India gears up to host the mega G20 Summit in the national capital on Saturday and Sunday.

According to the Regional Meteorological Centre in Delhis forecast, the national capital will possibly receive light rain towards the forenoon today and tomorrow.

The maximum and minimum temperatures would settle around 37 and 27 degrees Celsius respectively today, the Regional Meteorological Centre said in a statement.

Earlier in July, heavy rains and the release of water from the Hathnikund barrage based in Haryana caused floods in the low-lying areas of the national capital and the adjoining areas.
In a tragic incident that unfolded on Tuesday near Devla Nagli village in Nuh, son of a prominent BJP leader in Rajasthan lost his life. The victim has been identified as Akash Chandila, son of Satveer Chandila, the BJP leader.

Reports from the police indicate that Akash was returning to his residence in Faridabad on Tuesday after attending an event in Rajasthan when his luxury car collided with a milk tanker on the Delhi-Mumbai Highway.

The accident transpired when the tanker driver, identified as Nitin Yadav from Uttar Pradesh, abruptly applied the brakes, rendering him unable to control his vehicle. Akash was immediately rushed to Nalhar Medical College and later transferred to a private hospital in Gurgaon where he reportedly breathed his last on Wednesday.

We have ascertained the drivers identity as Nitin Yadav from Uttar Pradesh, who has been employed as a driver for four years. He will be taken into custody, stated the police.

The victims brother, Monty, who was trailing behind Akash when the collision occurred, filed a First Information Report (FIR) at the Sadar Nuh police station. Monty alleged that the tanker driver was at fault, accusing him of reckless driving.
Reliance, through Anant Ambani, has contributed Rs 25 crore to the Uttarakhands Chief Minister Relief Fund to help rebuild lives affected by floods this year in the Himalayan state.

The contribution was also Reliances sustained social development efforts in Uttarakhand.

We share a deep bond with the people of Uttarakhand, through joys and sorrows over the past decade. The phenomenal resilience of the state and its people in the face of crisis has been inspiring to all of us at Reliance. As we mark a decade of our association with Uttarakhand to further strengthen this journey we are contributing in a meaningful manner to the states well-being, Anant Ambani said on the recent commitment to development initiatives in Uttarakhand.

In a letter to Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, Anant Ambani said: We hope this initiative will further the State governments effort to take up various development programmes for the people of Uttarakhand.

Dhami thanked Ambani on behalf of the people of Uttarakhand.

We at Reliance are fortunate to have been a partner to the state over 10 years through various education and social development initiatives, Anant Ambani wrote in the letter.

Floods and landslides following heavy rains lashed Uttarakhand during July and August this year that resulted in widespread loss of life and property.

Reliance Industries, and the Ambani family personally, have been staunch supporters of Uttarakhand over many years.

Since 2013 floods, Reliance has stood with Uttarakhand. The natural calamity caused extensive damage.

Reliance Foundation has been among the first organisations to reach far-flung areas to rescue stranded people, provide relief and shelter and initiated efforts to rebuild lives. It reconstructed institutions, including two schools that catered to children in 30 villages, while training communities for greater resilience.

Reliance has also supported the people of the state following floods in 2021 and during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In October 2020, Anant Ambani donated Rs 5 crore to the Chardham Devasthanam Board to help it cope with the losses caused by the COVID-19 lockdown.

In 2021, Rs 5 crore was donated by the Reliance Foundation to the states disaster management authority for COVID relief efforts.

Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani donated Rs 2.5 crore each last year to the temple committees of Badrinath and Kedarnath.

In collaboration with the Government of Uttarakhand and other organisations, Reliance has taken various social initiatives. Rural communities were supported in creating about five lakh cubic metres of water harvesting capacity, which helped improve water availability for agriculture and consumption in 90 villages.

Also, Reliance has supported over 3.8 lakh children and youth in Uttarakhand for football, basketball and athletics through its Education and Sports for All initiatives.

Disclaimer: Reliance Industries Ltd. is the sole beneficiary of Independent Media Trust which controls Network18 Media & Investments Ltd which publishes Firstpost
Saudi Arabian Prime Minister and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud arrived at Delhi Airport on Friday as the G20 Summit gets underway in New Delhi today.

Mohammed bin Salman has travelled to India at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, according to the Ministry of External Affairs statement. He is accompanied by a high-level delegation, including Ministers and senior officials.

#WATCH | G 20 in India | Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia arrives in Delhi for the G-20 Summit. pic.twitter.com/Qf80SgkIP0  ANI (@ANI) September 9, 2023

Saudi Arabias Crown Prince is on a State visit to India till September 11 and will attend the G20 Summit being hosted under Indias Presidency on September 9-10, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Saturday.

On September 11, Saudi Arabias PM will call on President Droupadi Murmu.

Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud will hold a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and both the leaders leaders will co-chair the First Leaders Meeting of the Strategic Partnership Council.

The two leaders will review the progress made under the two Ministerial Committees of the Strategic Partnership Council i.e. the Committee on Political, Security, Social and Cultural Cooperation and the Committee on Economy and Investments Cooperation.

PM Modi and Saudi Arabias Crown Prince will discuss all aspects of bilateral relations, including political, security, defence, trade and economic, cultural and people-to-people ties. Both the leaders will also discuss the regional and international issues of mutual interest.

India is Saudi Arabias second-largest trading partner whereas Saudi Arabia is Indias fourth-largest trading partner. Both countries also have a strong partnership in the area of energy.

India is hosting the two-day-long G20 Leaders Summit in the national capital at the newly inaugurated Bharat Mandapam starting today. The Summit would commence with the arrival of the world leaders at the venue (Bharat Mandapam) from 9:30 am onwards. The theme of this years G20 Summit, which is taking place under Indias presidency is Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam or One Earth  One Family  One Future.

With inputs from ANI
Following the G20 high-level principles on lifestyles for sustainable development, the Delhi declaration said that it is committed to robust collective actions that will enable the world to embrace sustainable production and consumption patterns and mainstream lifestyles for sustainable development.

Several studies have revealed that a lifestyle approach could contribute to significant emission reduction by 2030 for a global net-zero future.

We support the creation of an enabling policy environment to promote sustainable lifestyles for climate action. To achieve it, we commit to implement the G20 High-Level Principles (HLPs) on lifestyles for sustainable development, the Delhi declaration said.

To implement the HLPs through international cooperation, financial support, and development, deployment and dissemination of technology, we encourage international organizations to incorporate it into their programs. The launch of Travel for LiFE and support the development of smart destinations that are responsible and sustainable, it said.

Further in order to ensure the prosperity and well-being of present and future generations which largely depends on current development and other policies, the G20 group will pursue environmentally sustainable and inclusive economic growth and development in an integrated, holistic and balanced manner.

We commit to urgently accelerate our actions to address environmental crises and challenges including climate change. We recognize that the impacts of climate change are being experienced worldwide, particularly by the poorest and the most vulnerable, the G20 Delhi declaration stated.

In pursuit of the objective of UNFCCC, to tackle climate change by strengthening the full and effective implementation of the Paris agreement and its temperature goal, reflecting equity and the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities, in light of different national circumstances, it said.

The global ambition and implementation to address climate change remain insufficient to achieve the temperature goal of the Paris Agreement to hold the increase in the global average temperature to well below 2C above preindustrial levels and pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5C above pre-industrial levels. Noting the IPCC assessments, that the impacts of climate change will be much lower at a temperature increase of 1.5C compared with 2C, we reiterate our resolve to pursue further efforts to limit the increase to 1.5C, it said.

We recognize that limiting global warming to 1.5C requires rapid, deep and sustained reductions in global GHG emissions of 43% by 2030 relative to the 2019 levels. We also take note of the finding of the IPCC AR6 Synthesis Report, based on global modelled pathways and assumptions, stating that Global GHG emissions are projected to peak between 2020 and at the latest before 2025 in global modelled pathways that limit warming to 1.5C with no or limited overshoot and in those that limit warming to 2C and assume immediate action, it added.

We commit to enhance environmentally sound waste management, substantially reduce waste generation by 2030, and highlight the importance of zero waste initiatives, it added.
Shortly after being invited by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President of the Union of Comoros and Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Azali Assoumani on Saturday joined the G20 high table after the Union became a permanent member of the bloc.

#WATCH | G 20 in India | President of the Union of Comoros and Chairperson of the African Union (AU), Azali Assoumani takes his seat as the Union becomes a permanent member of the G20. pic.twitter.com/Sm25SD80n9  ANI (@ANI) September 9, 2023

In a video posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, PM Modi is seen inviting the African Union (AU) chairperson to take his seat as the permanent member of the grouping.

With support from all of you, I invite African Union to join G20, Modi said amid thunderous applause by world leaders at the summit.

He is escorted by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and is seen hugging PM Modi in the video before taking his seat next to Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

The G20 gathering is now expected to be renamed as G21 following the induction of the African Union.

In June, PM Modi wrote to the G-20 leaders pitching for according the African Union the full membership of the grouping at its New Delhi summit.

Weeks later, the proposal was formally included in the draft communique for the summit during the third G-20 Sherpas meeting that took place in Karnatakas Hampi in July.

The African Union (AU) is an influential organisation comprising 55 member states that make up the countries of the African continent.

With inputs from agencies
? Desde el Grupo Aereo N.8, previo a su viaje a la region Junin, la presidenta Dina Boluarte anuncio que inaugurara un puente Bayley esperado por anos por la poblacion de Pichanaqui y liderara una campana de accion civica en salud y otros servicios a favor de la selva central. pic.twitter.com/oHZ8aWb82u
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Italian PM Giorgia Meloni on Saturday held a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Delhi and agreed that India and Italy would keep working together to enhance global prosperity.

Earlier, the Italian Prime Minister arrived in the national capital for the G20 Summit and was welcomed by State Minister for Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Shobha Karandlaje.

I had an excellent meeting with PM @GiorgiaMeloni. Our talks covered sectors such as trade, commerce, defence, emerging technologies and more. India and Italy will keep working together for global prosperity, PM Modi posted on X (formerly Twitter) soon after he wrapped up the meeting.

With the Ukraine conflict casting a shadow over the G20 summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday called upon the leaders of the influential bloc to overcome the current trust deficit and collectively find concrete solutions to turbulent global economy, terrorism and management of food, fuel, and fertilisers.

I had excellent meeting with PM @GiorgiaMeloni. Our talks covered sectors such as trade, commerce, defence, emerging technologies and more. India and Italy will keep working together for global prosperity. pic.twitter.com/mBtyczMjB0  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 9, 2023

In his opening remarks at the summit, PM Modi said as the president of the G20, India invites the entire world to come together and, first and foremost, transform this global trust deficit into global trust and confidence.

The prime minister made the comments in presence of US President Joe Biden, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, his Italian counterpart Giorgia Meloni, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and other leaders of the bloc.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday welcomed US President Joe Biden as he arrived at the Bharat Mandapam venue at the Pragati Maidan in the national capital to attend the G20 Summit meeting.

Both the leaders shook hands and warmly greeted each other. Soon after that, PM Modi was seen explaining Biden about the significance of the Konark wheel from Odisha.

Watch:

The Konark Wheel was built during the 13th century under the reign of King Narasimhadeva-I. The wheel with 24 spokes is also adapted into Indias national flag and embodies Indias ancient wisdom, advanced civilisation, and architectural excellence.

PM Modi welcomed G20 leaders and delegates upon their arrival at Bharat Mandapam. The summit is being attended by more than 30 heads of state and top officials from the European Union and invited guest countries and 14 heads of international organisations.

Biden arrived in India on Friday, and held bilateral talks with PM Modi. During the meeting, PM Modi conveyed his appreciation for President Bidens vision and commitment to further strengthen the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership, which is based on shared democratic values, strategic convergences and strong people-to-people ties, according to the Ministry of External Affairs press release.

The two leaders commended the progress in implementing the futuristic and wide-ranging outcomes of PM Modis historic State visit to the US in June 2023, including under the India-US Initiative for Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET).

With inputs from agencies
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Saturday held a bilateral meeting in Delhi on the sidelines of the G20 Summit and discussed a range of issues.

In a video posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, PM Modi is seen greeting Sunak with a firm handshake and a warm hug.

#WATCH | G-20 in India: Bilateral meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UK PM Rishi Sunak underway in Delhi #G20SummitDelhi pic.twitter.com/vG5gFj6wK1  ANI (@ANI) September 9, 2023

Taking to X earlier, Sunak said G20 leaders are meeting at a time of enormous challenges and the world is looking to the G20 once again to provide leadership.

15 years ago, G20 leaders came together for the first time to restore global growth after the financial crisis. We meet at a time of enormous challenges  the world is looking to the G20 once again to provide leadership. Together I believe we can address these challenges, Sunak wrote on X.

15 years ago, #G20 leaders came together for the first time to restore global growth after the financial crisis. We meet at a time of enormous challenges  the world is looking to the G20 once again to provide leadership. Together I believe we can address these challenges. pic.twitter.com/RFnry53YAf  Rishi Sunak (@RishiSunak) September 9, 2023

This is Rishi Sunaks first official visit to India since he became Britain Prime Minister.

Sunak arrived in New Delhi on Friday for the G20 Leaders Summit and started the three-day visit with an interaction with British Council students and staff with wife Akshata Murty ahead of the first set of official multilateral discussions taking place today.

With inputs from agencies
The G20 Summit has rolled into its business end. Host India is ready to conduct key sessions over the weekend with the heads of member states, special invitees and international organisations at the newly inaugurated Bharat Manadapam in New Delhi. Alongside, prime minister Narendra Modi has lined up 15 bilateral engagements on the sidelines, three of which took place on Friday night when he met the prime ministers of Mauritius, Bangladesh and the president of the United States.

The three core G20 conferences, structured around One Earth, One Family, and One Future, and a couple of sideline events to be held over the next two days are examples of herculean organizational effort and meticulous planning  a culmination of all G20 processes, working group and ministerial meetings numbering over 200 across every state and Union Territory of India as well as inputs from scholars and policy analysts from across the globe since last year.

Amid these intense multilateral engagements, however, the dominant discourse holds that success or failure of Indias G20 presidency lies on whether New Delhi succeeds in placating the warring groups and manages to issue a joint declaration.

Thats unadulterated rubbish.

This reductionism, forced by the compulsive need for narrative clarity, is a wrong metric to judge the G20 as a multilateral forum, and Indias impact as the chair. It is as cynical as western medias coverage that kept its eyes firmly fixed on the stench of drains and signs of poverty, as if it is illegal for India to have great power ambitions.

What we have witnessed since Indonesia handed over the presidency to India at the Bali Summit last November, is a tectonic shift in the grammar of the forum under Indias tutelage even as the world hastened towards intractable geopolitical positions around great power rivalry, squeezing the space for effective multilateralism.

Be it the groupings of G7, SCO, or BRICS, the dynamics were hardening around respective blocs shaped by Russias war against Ukraine and Chinas power struggle against the US. Amid this backdrop, India had four key objectives as the chair of G20.

One, democratize the grammar of G20 and transform it from an arena of great power politics and self-affirmative policies to a movement owned by and led by the people by ensuring mass participation, or jan bhagidari.

Two, showcase Indias arrival on world stage and make the hosting of G20 as its grand, unabashed coming out party.

Three, make the platform more inclusive by bringing to G20 table the concerns of Global South  the diverse nations from Africa, Asia and Latin America that lie geopolitically under-represented and marginalized.

And four, usher in a technological revolution that benefits the Global South by showcasing its prowess in digital public infrastructure.

Whether or not India has been successful in its tenure as G20 chair lies in the assessment of these metrics, not merely on the issuing of a joint communique. And all available evidence points to the fact that India has made a lasting impact and is leaving a legacy that will be hard to ignore or rewire.

It is no ones case that geopolitical divisions have had no impact on this edition of G20. Vladimir Putin has stayed away, so has his no limits partner Xi Jinping, whose absence has sparked a rainbow of speculation. The fallout of the war in Europe and Chinas expansionism has been an inevitable scepticism over the future of multilateralism.

And yet, thanks to Indias missionary zeal in making something out of a bad script, led by Prime Minister Modis infectious optimism, India has injected a rare, breathtaking dynamism into multilateralism that was getting restricted within its staid, moribund structure.

India has also used the forum as a mechanism to project its growing power  creating momentum for its rise, increasing strategic space and building lasting and critical partnerships for the future. And these tricky yet necessary diplomatic efforts took place in conjunction with its move to create mass awareness over internationalism at home and democratize multilateralism for a more equitable global economy.

Western media appear particularly piqued that Indias G20 stewardship has coincided with the general elections due next year, accusing Modi of using the platform for self-promotion. Yet this myopic animosity towards the worlds most popular, democratically elected leader ignores the fact that India is merely answering the call of history.

Indias time has come. It is the fastest-growing large economy in the world, the worlds most populous nation, the planets largest democracy blessed with a young demography, abundant human resources and a competent leadership that has successfully navigated the geopolitical faultlines to propel India to the fifth spot in global economy and has set more ambitious targets.

India is in a hurry, but not so much as to ignore its pivotal role in acting as the bridge between north-south and east-west divides. It has pulled off an incredible feat in landing a spacecraft on the south side of the moon, the first country to do so, and is now going for the sun.

The G20 venue is a testament to Indias breathtaking diversity, culture, soft power and its ability to make technological development and digital public infrastructure work towards driving growth and presenting a viable model for the Global South to emulate. The Aadhaar, UPI, or ONDC are examples of Indias low-cost yet effective tech solutions.

And while it is championing the cause of Global South in making multilateralism more inclusive, it is simultaneously amplifying its strategic space and fortifying Brand India among a host of aspirational middle powers. For example, the inclusion of African Union  that includes 55 African nations  into the G20 as a full member at Indias behest brings more voices to the G20 table that have more strategic alignment with Indias strategic positions  nullifying to an extent the veto power of the West. This is smart diplomacy.

Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.

Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News,

India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
The informal visit of the three former Indian service chiefs to Taiwan in August came at a time when speculations were rife about heightening tensions across the Strait of Taiwan. This premise, since the onset of military operations in Eastern Europe a year and a half ago, has found more takers across the globe as China continues to harbour a desire for reintegrating a perceived renegade province, Taiwan, with the mainland. Since the early days of the formation of the Peoples Republic, the reunification of Taiwan has been a key pillar of Chinas stated national goals and has also become a cornerstone of Beijings security and foreign policy.

Owing to Chinas position, there has been a periodic escalation of military tensions with Taiwan and, in and around the Strait of Taiwan. This has been the cause of regular instances of violations of Taiwans maritime and airspace. This, along with the general belligerent attitude of China in most, if not all, of its external engagements, has done little to douse any speculation of an imminent conflict.

Speculation or Prediction

Notwithstanding all these arguments that have been put forth over many months, rational or not, there is a need to take a re-look at the prospects of China actually launching a military operation for reintegration. At the core of this issue lies communist nations general practice of deploying their armed forces as an instrument of diplomacy, which is part and parcel of their statecraft.

However, the deployment of the Chinese military has generally been limited to specific disputed borders, which Beijing often claims as its own. Going by past experience, the nature of mobilisation and the subsequent combat had been limited in scope. This owes to the Chinese approach of incremental enhancement of military adversity, which in turn is played over a long-term. The intention is to ensure that the border/ territorial dispute is neither thrown into the backburner, nor forgotten, nor is it escalated beyond the threshold that would make Beijing uncomfortable. At the same time, for Beijing, instances of conflict are also instruments for changing the status quo both at a political-diplomatic level and as well as on ground, however limited they may be.

Owing to this approach, Beijings military operations, despite being seen as adventurous, have predominantly been limited in both scope and nature. This is unlike most of the wars/ conflicts that have dotted the world since the end of the Second World War. They all have mostly witnessed mass mobilisation of troops with targeted goals and decisive outcomes. This is not to say that China has been risk-averse. On the contrary, the Communist state has been the instigator of most, if not all, clashes of the kind, and has suffered sufficient losses in men and material since its inception in 1949.

What drives China, especially over the past decade, is not only national interest but also national image. It is for this reason that Beijing would rethink any further military adventurism, and for more than one reason.

Barring specific military operations, the major conflicts of this century have been asymmetric in nature, prolonged, and indecisive. Indecisive, because military victory does not translate into political and geo-strategic victory, as has been the case in Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, and the ongoing Ukrainian crisis, to name only a few. For China, whose last battle was with Vietnam in 1979, even the last couple of border stand-offs with India did not go well either on the frontlines or in the headlines of the international media.

It is for this very reason that Beijing would be circumspect when it comes to initiating any serious combat operations with the intent of reunification. This is so as the primary challenge for Beijing is not only limited to the military outcome but also the political and diplomatic posturing that would result from such an operation. On the diplomatic front, China would not only have to face the heat but would also factor in the complex maritime environment. This environment would not only entail the dispute in the South China Sea, to which it is a party, but also critical sea lanes of communication.

The first fallout of any escalation of tensions in these waters would be felt in commercial shipping, and that in turn would have an adverse impact on the economies of all the littorals of the South China Sea and beyond. It is this economic fallout that would have a lasting impact beyond the battlefield. For China, it would not only have domestic implications but also impact the nations external engagements. It is the possibility of such a fallout that would force Beijing to reconsider any form of military adventurism beyond muscle-flexing, as the snowball effect would have far greater consequences going beyond the waters of the Strait of Taiwan.

A possible fear of Beijing that could become a reality is its Malacca Dilemma, an apprehension that the vital sea lanes of communication through the Strait of Malacca could be interceded by hostile nations, thereby decoupling the Chinese economy from the world market. While the Malacca Dilemma may still be a theoretical construct, the disruption of shipping in the South China Sea could become a reality.

The writer is a New Delhi based security and foreign policy analyst. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.

Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News,

India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Indias presidency of the G20 has been most challenging because of the Ukraine conflict that has ruptured the Wests ties with Russia, the economic impact of the conflict globally, especially on the Global South, the growing confrontation between the US and China, not to mention the border tensions with India deliberately provoked by China.

If the G20 platform is meant to address collectively the issues of global growth and financial stability, how can that goal be realistically achieved with conflicts, actual and potential, at both ends of the Eurasia continent, as well as in the Himalayas?

In these conflicts the major economies of the world are involved, financial power has been weaponised, draconian sanctions have been imposed, international law has been breached, global trade and supply chains have been disrupted, sovereign assets have been confiscated illegally, and so on.

In the G20, the G7, the EU, Australia and South Korea are on one side and Russia and China on the other. How can there be in these circumstances serious international cooperation in forging economic and financial policies that would bring stability to the global economic system? Without dialogue no narrowing of differences is possible, but dialogue between the West and Russia has collapsed. It must be restored bilaterally before it can take place on the G20 platform. Dialogue between the US and China has not formally broken down, but it has become a mixture of engagement and confrontation, with increasing military overtones around the issue of Taiwan.

The West has sought to use every international platform, including the G20, to raise the Ukraine issue, condemn Russia for its aggression, and generally seek its diplomatic isolation. China, on the other hand, is sought to be engaged as part of a policy of cooperation, competition, and confrontation. China, declared by the US as its pacing challenge, its principal long-term adversary, has made common cause with Russia against Western hegemony, conscious of the fact that with Russia strategically defeated the West would have a freer hand to contain China.

The rest of the G20 belongs to what one can broadly call the Global South, though there are anomalies like Turkey which is a NATO member. India, Brazil, South Africa, all three members of BRICS, along with Saudi Arabia and Argentina approved as prospective members (and Indonesia too potentially) form a category of their own. These countries do not wish to choose sides between the West and Russia, are against Western sanctions on Russia, do not favour its isolation or its military defeat, want the Ukraine conflict to end as it is hurting the developing world by way of food grain and fertiliser shortages and higher energy costs. Without being anti-West, and, indeed, having close and productive ties with the West, these countries nevertheless favour a more democratic and equitable global system which all this while has been excessively dominated by the West.

India has had to manoeuvre within these antagonisms, clash of interests, and a global re-balancing of power to make a success of its presidency. It decided, wisely, to inscribe the concerns and expectations of the Global South more emphatically on the G20 agenda. This, besides food, fertiliser and energy supply disruptions, includes the issues of reform of multilateralism, the role of multilateral development banks, debt relief, Sustainable Development Goals, climate change finance, green development, and so on.

Disaster resilient infrastructure, global food chains, global health, environmentally conscious practices and a sustainable way of living, inclusive growth, financial inclusion, digital economy, technology transformation, addressing the global skills gap, women-empowerment for socio-economic progress, human-centric approach to technology, culture are specific subjects that India has sought to put focus on in G20 discussions. Hopefully, these themes will be carried forward under the Brazilian and South African presidencies to follow.

India has exerted as much as possible to make its G20 presidency a success. It has shown tremendous organisational capability in arranging for over 200 G20 meetings in 50 different locations in the country.

If because of rifts between the big powers the UN Security Council is unable to function effectively, the G20 cannot do any better as these big powers are also G20 members. If the veto provision is the principal source of UNSCs ineffectiveness, the consensus principle in the G20 is also an obstacle in the optimal functioning of the group. If no joint statement emerges from the forthcoming G20 summit, it will be on account of the intransigence of the Western members of the group on the Ukraine issue, not a failure of Indian diplomacy.

India will not lose prestige as a rising power, as some say, if it fails to bridge differences within the G20 and has no option but to resort to the Chairs summary instead of a joint statement. On the contrary, one can argue that it is the contending powers within the G20 that by being unwilling to rise above their political antagonisms and short-term political advantage will expose their own lack of a serious commitment to address shared cross-cutting global challenges in the larger interest of the international community.

The G7 cannot by itself solve global issues. This recognition led to the creation of the G20, but if the G20 which bridges the West and the Rest cannot deliver, then the North-South and East-West divides can sharpen further, leading to more fragmentation of the global community. The expansion of BRICS, which is a non-western group, may serve the purpose of multipolarity, but it may not necessarily be a cooperative multipolarity. The decision of President Putin and President Xi not to attend the G20 summit reflects this prospect.

President Putins decision not to attend the summit no doubt weakens the G20, but it can be argued that if the G7 plus group in the G20 seeks to ostracise Russia how will his participation in the summit contribute positively to summit deliberations. President Xis decision to absent himself suggests uncertainty about what he can gain from participation when China is under pressure from the G7, the EU and Australia, while India as host country has been antagonised with border aggression and other provocations. In BRICS and the SCO China feels secure in its position. Not so in the G20 because President Xi has lost his standing amongst many key members. His absence is not a snub to India, it is defensive in nature.

The author is a former Indian Foreign Secretary. He was Indias Ambassador to Turkey, Egypt, France and Russia. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.

Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News,

India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
With only hours and days left before campaigning closes for the Maldivian presidential poll slated for Saturday, 9 September, much of the campaigns from all sides have remained mostly focused on domestic issues, that too development-centric as different from democracy-oriented, as used to be the case in the three past-previous polls, respectively in 2008, 2013 and 2018. The credit for keeping it this way should go to incumbent Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, who, through his five years in office and the past months of direct campaigning, both political and electoral, where he was not inaugurating a social or physical infrastructure scheme, be it a classroom, hospital annexe, drainage system, or a public stadium, was announcing one project after another on near-similar lines.

All seven rivals of the incumbentthe highest number in any presidential poll under the multi-party democracy Constitution of 2008entered the scene literally at the very last hour, for reasons they cannot blame Solih. By then, he had scripted the poll narrative in his inimitable style, which combined silence on the streets with work on the ground, and they did not have the time, inclination, energy, or tactic to come up with a new and different angle to the campaign. So much so that Solihs more recent attacks on the main contender and Male City Mayor, Dr Mohamed Muizzu of the Opposition PPM-PNC combine, and some of the antics attributed to his team, look more like a nervous reaction, and not a confident confrontation, as was originally thought to be.

Yes, even towards the near-end of the campaign period, no Maldivian is willing to bet his last ruffiya on who between the two would win, or who between Jumhooree Party (JP) founder Gasim Ibrahim and the breakaway Democrats candidate Ilyas Labeeb, backed by Parliament Speaker Mohammed Nasheed, who until recently had headed Solihs MDP, would come third and fourth. All of it matters if none of the candidates cross the mandatory 50 per cent votemark in the first round and the presidential poll extends to the second, run-off round, slated for 30 September. On this occasion, the top two from the first round face off against each other. It is then that their respective alliances with other runners-up from the first round, starting with the third and the fourth, would matter in deciding the victor, who again would have to secure 50 percent of all polled votes. As experience has shown, the first two presidential polls were decided thus in 2008 and 2013. A pre-poll alliance existed for the last elections in 2018, in which Solih, as the common Opposition candidate, defeated incumbent Abdulla Yameen, 58-42 per cent.

Promises galore

As the wag in Maldives puts it, going by the poll promises of just two candidates, namely, Solih and Muizzu, there would be more airports in the country than islands and more international airports than domestic airports, which is still the lifeline for the people residing in faraway atolls and their far-off islands. If there arent more, it was only because Muizzu began late in the day, and almost all the promises of the kind that were there to be made, Solih had already made, what with his incumbency giving a head-on lead even otherwise, whether in terms of airports, ferry services, bridges, and more importantly, housing, which is considered a perennial problem all across the archipelago-nation and more so in urban centres like the capital Male and southern-most Addu City.

Here again, there are those who argue that there is one house per 3.5 people, or one house per family. Thus, all the new flats and plots that Solih has distributed or promised, and so has Muizzu and some of the other candidates have promised, are going only to those that already have homes and not to those that do not have and cannot afford them, even if heavily subsidised by the government. It is here that those like JPs Gasim Ibrahim (whose votes went to help the winner in 2008 and 2013) have talked more about social housing for the have-nots. Another candidate, MNP founder Col Mohamed Nazim, an army veteran, too has been making specific promises on specific projects relating to specific islands and communities.

While Gasims maiden campaign declaration to waive of all education and health care loans handed out to 8,000 people across the country, by him personally and through his Villa Group of companies, did make headlines, the electoral impact may not be the same as in the past, after the erstwhile Nasheed Government (2008-12) introduced the Aasandha free health insurance scheme and also an old-age pension scheme for men and women above the age of 60. Successive Governments since have expanded the scope of both schemes and also the pay-outs, with the result, philanthropy of the Gasim kind has become less attractive in politico-electoral terms  or, that is now the belief, ten years after he last contested the presidential poll.

India Out no more

It is here, Yameens one-time India Out war-slogan for Elections-2023 has lost its charm for Muizzu, whom the former supported rather reluctantly but whose campaign, the erstwhile First Lady, Fathimath Ibrahim, has since begun participating, thus belying motivated social media posts and newspaper claims to the contrary. Incidentally, through the campaign-period, over half-a-dozen English media web-journals in the country have all but blacked out Nasheed, his candidate and their campaign, as if by divine instructions. Experienced campaigner that he is, Nasheed is said to be delivering street-corner campaign speeches all across Male city, where over 40 per cent of the nations 500,000-population reside.

The population also has a heavy mix of people from almost every atoll and island all across the country  people who have live-contacts with their home-islands, and often travel back home for casting their vote. The Maldivian Election Commission (EC) makes special provisions for their benefit, yet, this time round, various opinion polls have shown that the voter turn-out could be much lower than the average 90 per cent, owing mainly to voter-apathy, for which many blame the lack-lustre performance of the Solih Government (which is hard to believe, for an outsider) and the equally insolent performance of the political Opposition, which was working out various permutations and combinations and so very openly to field a common candidate until the nominations were about to close.

At the only presidential debate organised by a private television channel after Team Solih had goofed up an earlier engagement, as if by design, the incumbent would not answer India-related questions directly. When the backdrop was Yameens all-but-failed India Out campaign, especially after he went back to jail in the second of three money-laundering cases after the Supreme Court had unanimously acquitted him in the first one, Solih reassured his voter-audience that there was no arms-bearing foreign soldier on Maldivian territory. He was obviously referring to the Indian military pilots and technicians stationed in the country, to serve and service the three India-gifted flying-machines (two helicopters and one Dornier fixed-wing reconnaissance aircraft), which are mostly used for air-lifting emergency patients from distant island, to capital Male for better medical care. In his last months as President, Yameen had openly asked India to take back the men and machines, but to no avail.

On his part, Muizzu too initially shied away from making any direct reference to India or Indian military presence, as the Yameen campaign had projected it. However, he has haltingly begun declaring in island-level campaigns that if elected President, he would not compromise the nations independence and sovereignty but without blaming the incumbent as directly as Yameen had done during his PPM-PNC combines street-protests in the previous one and half years. Muizzu also has declared that he would not shut down all projects put on stream by the Solih Government, but later began amending the same, as if by way of clarification, that he would review all projects and decide about their future on merits. But he too has refrained thus far from commenting on India-funded coast guard port under construction on Uthuru Thila Falhu (UTF) Island, which was a major bone of contention when Yameen was around.

For now, definitely, unlike in neighbouring Sri Lanka or other Indian neighbours, no one in Maldivian election entourage is making direct comparisons between India and China. The focus, if any, is only on India. Even when the fifth anniversary of the China-funded Sinamale Bridge, connecting capital Male with airport-island Hulhule, fell during the campaign weeks, none except Muizzu acknowledged the same. Even his social media message was weak and eminently forgettable and ignorable. Yet, none of it means that a Muizzu presidency will be pro-India and anti-China, as a section of the Indian strategic community is not tired of equating.

Nor would a second Solih presidency be outright pro-India and anti-China, by extension. If nothing else, the nation owes the money borrowed especially during the Yameen presidency, to China, and Beijing gave the Solih presidency, a grace period, which however was played down in public. Even without it, the nations external debt is mind-boggling by Maldivian standards, so has been the Solih leaderships profligacy to print currency at will, blaming it initially on the Covid set-backs for the nations tourism-centric economy. Solih has begun addressing the issues after Muizzu began talking about it in campaign-time, and has sought to reassure the nation that there would not be a crisis as is being painted by his detractors. The incumbent has also claimed that all his promised projects would cost only MVR 31 billion ($ 2 billion). Others tend to disagree, but are yet to produce any convincing argument, at least on the latter. Otherwise, both especially have been competing on granting concessions, what with Solih doing here and now what Muizzu promises for an unsure future. Thus, he has cancelled all traffic fines, and introduced sea-ambulances, both of which the other had promised only days earlier. However, Solihs other schemes like free travel for school and college students in State-owned buses and ferries may not have reached the targeted first-time voters, in time for making a difference.

Religious conservative

As the youngest and the most qualified of all eight candidates, especially in terms of development projects, Muizzu, at 45, holds a PhD in Structural Engineering from a British university after completing his engineering and MPhil qualifications from other universities in that country. As Housing Minister under Yameen, he was seen as a development man, but his overall image as a religious scholar and conservative, inherited from his family and upbringing, refuses to go away. If anything, a series of social media posts by identifiable fundamentalist Salafi leaders in the country, backing his candidacy for the presidency was thought to be his undoing.

This was especially so after at least one of them cautioned Maldivian women (who are modern but modest), on the social media, that new dress codes would be imposed for them when Muizzu becomes President. If the MDP and Solih especially, and more so the Democrats and Nasheed otherwise had the occasion to condemn the same and try to make electoral capital out of it, the latter has mostly stayed away. Team Solih possibly made a hash of it, giving a handle for the Muizzu campaign to dub them as cowards, who were targeting their candidate, unjustly and meanly.

In a way, more than India, it is the southern neighbour, Mauritius-centric IMBL demarcation controversy that sprouted late last year that has been in the campaign news over the past three or four weeks. It was so earlier this year, when the Solih Government, withdrew objections to conferring the ownership of the Chagos Archipelago on Mauritius after voting against it in the UN. Be it as it may, there are not many takers in the Opposition, and possibly outside too, that his government has not compromised on the nations right to claim its due in the otherwise pending border row with Mauritius. Both during the poll campaign and earlier too, almost every other candidate, other than late-entrant Zameel, one of the three Independents, had vowed to take back Chagos, or at least the claims to the same  but without explaining how they intended altering the course of the international legal proceedings that have been halted and reversed already.

The writer is a Chennai-based policy analyst & political commentator. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.

Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News,

India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
A recent visit in the forward areas of the Tawang sector opened my eyes wider. Though I have been studying different aspects of the 1962 border war with China for years, it is only by seeing the terrain of the tragic confrontation which turned into a debacle for the 7th Brigade of Brigadier John P Dalvi, that one can realise the utter incompetence of some of the political generals who conducted the battle of Namka Chu on behalf of the senior leadership in Delhi.

Two conclusions came immediately to mind: first, the disaster was entirely of the Indian political leaderships making, particularly from prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru and a small clique of sycophants around him (such as VK Krishna Menon, BN Mallik, General PN Thapar or Lt Gen BM Kaul).

Seeing the scene of the battle, makes you understand that a similar defeat cant happen anymore. I shall further elaborate on this later.

Escaped unpunished

What is flabbergasting is that the culprits of 1962 never bore any consequences. In his Himalayan Blunder, Brig Dalvi wrote: General Pran Nath Thapar resigned on grounds of health  the hackneyed euphemism for what the British call the bowler hat. He was rewarded with the Ambassadorship to Afghanistan. Lt Gen BM Kaul, the Commander of the ill-conceived and ill-fated IV Corps, was compelled to seek premature retirement  a bitter pill for Mr. Nehru to swallow  as Kaul was widely believed to have been his protege and military confidant.

The forward policy

One often speaks of the Forward Policy decided by the government in 1961, as being the trigger for the war; according to Dalvi, during a meeting in the autumn of 1961: at which Mr. Menon, General Thapar and General Kaul were present. Studying a map showing recent Chinese incursions, Mr. Nehru is reported to have said that whoever succeeded in establishing a post would establish a claim to that territory, as possession was nine-tenths of the law. He then asked if the Chinese could set up posts why couldnt we?

Lt Gen Kaul later claimed that (Nehru) was told that owing to numerical and logistical difficulties, we could not keep up in this race with the Chinese. China with her superior military resources could  operationally make the position of our small posts untenable.

But wisdom did not prevail.

Seeing the narrowness of the gorge between the Hathungla and the Thagla ridges and the small nallah (the Namka chu) running between the two giant massifs even a child would understand that the Himalayan stream was not the best defensive place (or even offensive). But Delhi stuck to its guns: Chinese have to be evicted.

In his Himalayan Blunder, Brig Dalvi recalled: My appreciation of September 1962 is a pivotal document. It is capable of various interpretations by different people. Gen Kaul has used copious extracts to weave a claim of reprieval for his impatience and haste between 5th and 10th October (1962). He has manipulated passages to insinuate that he was on occasion a helpless spectator of events and that he was compelled to implement the defective plans devised at the tactical level.

The politicians (including the politician generals) are masters are justifying their foolishness and blunders, Dalvi recalled: (Kaul) has muted his role in moving 7th Brigade to the Namka Chu. He omits the antecedents of the Appreciation and how it came into being, but quotes excerpts to achieve his ends. He has attributed some parts to Gen Umrao [33 Corps Commander] and others to the Brigade Commander.

Lt gen Kaul later justified his decision for accepting to be associated with what he called the Governments final desperate gamble: I was thus expected to perform a miracle and begin operations immediately. I could hardly start bickering (sic) about the obvious handicaps at a time when India found herself in a precarious situation and therefore decided to cross my fingers, make the best of my lean resources (one brigade) and face the situation as best I could.

The truth was that to force the 7th Brigade to set up posts near the nallah and hope to defend Indias position from there, was criminal.

Chinese tactics

Lt Gen Kaul and his patrons in Delhi did not know anything about the Chinese tactics.

The Chinese author Jianglin Li, who has masterfully recorded the movement of the Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) after the 1959 Tibetan uprising, wrote: By analyzing many memoirs, autobiographies and biographies, openly published, classified or semi-classified, I found out that the 12 large scale battles fought in central Tibet from March 1959 to early 1962 were in fact conducted as a thoroughly organised military training, beyond the actual requirements of a counter-insurgency operation commanders were testing the battle strategies best suited to the terrain.

She cited battles which were clearly fought to gain experience of fighting with the large unit encircling tactic and carrying out policies in pastoral regions. It has been proved by many experiences that carrying out encirclement is the most effective method to wipe out large numbers of rebel bandits. Encirclement was extensively used by the PLA during the border war with India, but Lt Gen Kaul had never heard of this and insisted on climbing the Thagla ridge from the narrow nallah (using log bridges).

Flying orders

Beginning of October 1962, orders were flying over the ridges, have all the troops of 7 Brigade moved to Tsangdhar? asked Kaul. Tsangdhar was a high-altitude plateau used as a dropping zone.

When the officer answered, Not yet, Sir, Lt Gen Kaul demanded: Why not? It was my definite order that the troops must be in position by the evening of 7th October [1962].

The newly appointed Corps Commander then threatened: How dare you disobey my orders, you are the Brigade Major. I have given an assurance to the Prime Minister that I will carry out the operation.

In these conditions, it was difficult for Brig Dalvi to disobey and realign his forces to better strategic positions, for example on the top of the Hathungla.

Why things are different today

The debacle of 1962 will not be repeated for several reasons.

Today, a brigade commander can make an immediate strategic decision on the spot; as the chain of command is clear and respected, the brigade commander first refers to his Division commander who in turn will consult the Corps and Army commanders. Eventually, final orders will have to come from the Army HQ in Delhi and the Ministry of Defence.

Today, there is no question of being friends with the prime minister.

Further, India has tremendously invested in the infrastructure (though the Chinese side has an easier access to the LAC). Having visited the area for the first time in 1996, I have witnessed the unbelievable changes; in a couple of months time, the tunnel below Sela Pass will be opened, shortening the journey between Assam and Tawang by one hour.

Another factor is that the Indian Air Force (IAF) will be used; it was recently reported in the aftermath of the Galwan Valley clash in June 2020, that the Indian Air Force airlifted more than 68,000 army soldiers and a variety of military equipment to Eastern Ladakh along the LAC). PTI commented: This swift deployment was facilitated by a combination of strategic airlift capabilities and increased surveillance measures.

Would China adventure to cross the LAC, it would have to deal not only with the Indian Army but with the IAF too.

A visit to the historic spots of the 1962 tragic events convinces you that China cannot advance even a few meters without being inflicted heavy casualties. Is Xi Jinping ready for this? Certainly not.

After all what did the Emperor gain in Eastern Ladakh?

Did the DarbukShyokDBO Road get blocked or stopped? The answer is no.

Did China gain strategic advantages in Galwan or Pangong Tso areas? No.

Did Beijing manage to intimidate India with its information warfare? No.

Did the Ladakh adventure bring any economic gain to China? The answer is again no.

Did the operations of May 2020 enhance the prestige of Chairman Xi or the PLA? Not in India at least.

The above explains that it is today difficult for Beijing to walk out of the imbroglio and return to prior to the beginning of the confrontation.

Perhaps the Chinese leadership did not expect that the Indian Army would conduct negotiations; Indian soldiers know the value of even a few meters on this range or that ridge.

In conclusion, a look at the terrain and at todays defence preparedness as well as the change of mindset makes you confident that the 1962 debacle cannot and will not be repeated. The incident in the Yangtse sector in December 2022 is another proof of this.

The writer is Distinguished Fellow, Centre of Excellence for Himalayan Studies, Shiv Nadar Institution of Eminence (Delhi). Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the writer. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.

Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News,

India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
During the ongoing G20 Summit 2023, both the websites of the Delhi Police and Mumbai Police experienced technical issues and temporarily became inaccessible due to cybersecurity threats.

Fortunately, the Delhi Police website was restored after a brief 10-minute disruption. Users trying to access these websites were met with an error message stating, This service isnt available.

According to information from the Threat Intelligence platform, Falcon Feed, the responsibility for this cyber incident has been claimed by a group known as Team Insane PK.

Notably, this group is recognized as a religious hacktivist organisation based out of Pakistan that has had significant activity in targeting the Indian cyberspace and businesses since February 2 of this year. Their primary focus appears to be on Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks and defacement attacks.

Falcon Feed told the press that Team Insane PK has been actively carrying out DDoS attacks, a method aimed at overwhelming online systems and websites by flooding them with an excessive volume of traffic. The outcome of such attacks is a temporary or even prolonged disruption of services, causing substantial inconvenience and turmoil for the targeted entities.

These cybersecurity threats encompass a range of tactics, including Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) attacks and potential data breaches. Falcon Feeds statement indicates that numerous hacktivist groups have been actively targeting India for several months.

The discussion surrounding the G20 Summit initially began with Indonesian groups like Hacktivist Indonesia Jambi Cyber Team, Ganonsec, FR3DENS OF SECURITY, Host Kill Crew, and others. Subsequently, Pakistan-backed groups, such as Team Insane PK, joined these activities, and it is anticipated that more groups may become involved in the near future.

Regarding the vulnerable websites, Falcon Feed has disclosed that government websites are particularly susceptible to these attacks. The stated intentions of these attackers range from disrupting services to potentially exposing sensitive data belonging to these sites.

Furthermore, the cybersecurity firm has identified the underlying motive behind these attacks as political disagreements. The statement points out that geopolitical events, such as the Russian-Ukraine War, and even political statements, can significantly impact the cyber landscape.

In light of these threats, the question arises: how can we protect ourselves from such attacks? Falcon Feed suggests that the government has already implemented a Zero-trust policy in response. Additionally, it emphasizes the importance of ensuring that security protocols are correctly configured and that potential security vulnerabilities in government infrastructure are monitored and fortified. Vigilance in safeguarding government systems is of paramount importance to mitigate the risks posed by cyberattacks of this nature.
It seems that Elon Musk has had enough of California and the states overbearing conduct with social media companies.

X is accusing the California government of introducing a law that would be anathema for free speech on platforms like X. For that, Elon Musks X Corp is suing the state, saying that the law was a tool to pressure social media platforms to eliminate constitutionally-protected content viewed by the State as problematic.

Today, @X filed a First Amendment lawsuit against California AB 587. As made clear by both the legislative history and public court submissions from the Attorney General in defending the law, the true intent of AB 587 is to pressure social media platforms to eliminate certain  Global Government Affairs (@GlobalAffairs) September 8, 2023



What the lawsuit is all about

Elon Musks X Corp has initiated a lawsuit against the state of California, contending the constitutionality of a recently enacted state law that imposes new transparency requirements on social media companies. These requirements pertain to how these platforms manage disinformation, hate speech, and extremist content.

X, formerly Twitter, asserts that this legislation, known as Assembly Bill 587, infringes upon its freedom of speech rights as protected by the First Amendment of the US Constitution and the California state constitution.

In the complaint, which was filed in a federal court located in Sacramento, California, X argues that the laws underlying purpose is to exert pressure on social media companies, compelling them to remove content that the State deems objectionable.

Compelled Speech vs Free Speech

X Corp, previously known as Twitter, has argued that Californias Assembly Bill 587 effectively compels social media companies to conform to the states views on politically charged topics, which constitutes a form of compelled speech. This assertion is at the heart of Xs challenge to the law, contending that it infringes upon its freedom of speech rights.

Elon Musk, who acquired X for $44 billion in October, has been vocal about his commitment to free speech principles.

Civil rights organizations such as the Anti-Defamation League and the Center for Countering Digital Hate have reported an uptick in hate speech targeting various groups on X since Musks acquisition.

The office of California Attorney General Rob Bonta, responsible for enforcing state laws, has yet to provide a response to the lawsuit.

Assembly Bill 587 has unreasonable demands

Assembly Bill 587 mandates that larger social media companies issue semiannual reports detailing their content moderation practices, including data on objectionable posts and their management. It also requires the companies to furnish copies of their terms of service. Failure to comply with these requirements can result in civil fines of up to $15,000 per violation per day.

California Governor Gavin Newsom signed the legislation into law in September, emphasizing the states commitment to preventing the weaponization of social media for the dissemination of hate and disinformation.

Following Musks acquisition of Twitter, the platform underwent substantial workforce reductions, with Musk attributing a 60 per cent decline in US advertising revenue to critics, including the ADL.

A former executive at X, A.J. Brown, highlighted that a recent policy shift, which limited the visibility of objectionable posts rather than removing them, has posed challenges in convincing advertisers that the platform is a safe space.
Commentary: China's EV boom presents win-win opportunities, not threat

Xinhua) 15:29, September 09, 2023

BEIJING, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- As Chinese electric vehicle (EV) brands are under the spotlight at the birthplace of modern automobiles, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz welcomed international automakers at the ongoing IAA Mobility 2023 in Munich and encouraged Germany's carmakers to embrace competition from Asian rivals and not be intimidated by the rise of China's EV makers.

Even with late-mover advantages, it was next to unthinkable that Chinese car companies could one day soon make Germans feel "intimidated" a few short years ago. At that time, brands like BYD, Nio and Xpeng were known only to analysts and industry insiders in the West.

Regarding the development of EVs as an important driver to meet the nation's carbon peaking and neutrality pledges, China has become a leader in automobile electrification.

The growing popularity of Chinese EVs in Europe is an indisputable fact. Chinese brands accounted for 8 percent of new EVs sold in Europe in 2023, up from 6 percent last year and 4 percent in 2021, according to auto consultancy Inovev.

That is only one of the factors behind the steadily growing momentum of China's auto exports. Data from the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers showed that in the first half of 2023, exports of new energy vehicles surged 160 percent year on year to 534,000 units.

Facing the trend of Chinese automotive brands entering the European market, expanding partnerships with these rising manufacturers is emerging as a popular strategy for those along the industrial and supply chains.

Auto supplier Bosch expressed its willingness to support car companies from China, the group's largest market in the world, as they seek localized production. Following this very trend, German car rental company SIXT announced a long-term partnership with China's EV leader BYD in October on the purchase of 100,000 EVs for its European fleet by 2028.

China and Europe have a long history of cooperation in the automobile industry. By setting up joint ventures or exporting vehicles, well-known European brands like Volkswagen, Citroen, Volvo and BMW have been favored by a vast number of Chinese consumers.

China is a big market, and so is Europe. The advantages in battery technology innovation and automobile software research and development will help boost Chinese EV makers' development in the European market. Such healthy competition will also prompt their European counterparts to quicken their pace.

Chinese EVs have already established themselves domestically. Seeking to make their mark in the international arena is merely a natural progression. For European car companies, instead of being stunned by the fine quality, advanced functions and competitive pricing of Chinese EVs, wouldn't it be better to embrace the new possibilities for win-win results?

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Sheng Chuyi)
STEPANAKERT, SEPTEMBER 8, ARMENPRESS. The Azerbaijani authorities released more disinformation on Friday, falsely accusing Nagorno-Karabakhs military of carrying out fortification works in the Shushi region.

The Ministry of Defense of Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh) said that the Defense Army did not conduct any such activities and that the Azeri accusations are disinformation.

The statement released by the Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan claiming that the Artsakh Defense Army units conducted fortification works around 19:05, September 8 in the Shushi region, which were allegedly thwarted by the actions of Azerbaijani units, is another disinformation. By spreading fake news, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry continues to carry out the information preparations for its next provocation, the Nagorno-Karabakh Defense Ministry said.
The recent G20 Summit held in New Delhi has endorsed Prime Minister Narendra Modis vision for Indias Presidency, which centres around the idea of We are One Earth, One Family, and We share One Future.

In line with this vision, the leaders of G20 nations have made a commitment to address existing digital disparities and expedite advancements in inclusive and sustainable development. For that, they acknowledged the need to regulate certain technologies in a human-centric way.

Regulating and drafting policies around crypto and other digital assets

The G20 Leaders have committed to monitoring the risks associated with the rapid developments in the crypto ecosystem and other digital assets and endorsed the high-level recommendations of the Financial Stability Board (FSB). This means regulating, supervising, and overseeing activities and markets involving crypto-assets, as well as global stablecoin arrangements.

The G20 Leaders also took note of the roadmap designed by FSB and other supervisory bodies to support a coordinated and comprehensive policy and regulatory framework. This framework will take into consideration the various risks, particularly those specific to emerging markets and developing economies (EMDEs). The leaders also emphasised on the need for a Financial Action Task Force (FATF) to combat money laundering and terrorism financing risks on a global scale.

Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors of the member countries will deliberate on advancing the Roadmap during their meeting scheduled for October 2023. The leaders aldo acknowledged the insights provided in the BIS Report The Crypto Ecosystem: Key Elements and Risks.

Exploring the Impact of Central Bank Digital Currency

The G20 leaders acknowledged that there might be some potential macro-financial consequences that may arise from the introduction and widespread use of Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) and are looking to explore the impact of CBDCs on cross-border payments and their implications for the international monetary and financial system.

They also took note of the insights shared in the BIS Innovation Hub (BISIH) Report titled Lessons Learnt on CBDCs, and will be paying close attention to IMFs report on the potential macro-financial effects of the adoption of CBDCs.

Ensuring AI is developed responsibly and for the good of all

To ensure that AI is developed, and used responsibly, the G20 leaders accepted that they must address key principles such as the protection of human rights, transparency, fairness, accountability, regulation, safety, human oversight, ethics, bias mitigation, privacy, and data protection.

At the same time, they also need to let AI be developed to its full potential in a way that benefits everyone equitably, all the while managing risks associated with AI. For that, G20 Members will work together to promote international cooperation and further discussions on international governance for AI.

For this, the leaders reaffirmed their commitment to the G20 AI Principles established in 2019 and pledged to share information about how AI can be used to address challenges in the digital economy.

The leaders also commit to adopting a regulatory and governance approach that encourages innovation while considering the risks associated with AI, ensuring that benefits are maximized and risks minimized.

They will also actively promote the responsible application of AI to help achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), emphasizing its positive impact on various aspects of society.
The Indian government has introduced a new app for all visitors to the G20 Summit. The app, called G20 India is accessible to all visitors, including Indian ministers. In a recent communication posted on X, Prime Minister Narendra Modi directed ministers to download this application to facilitate their communication with international representatives.

Developed by the Ministry of External Affairs, the G20 India app provides comprehensive information about the Summit in ten languages, such as Hindi, German, Portuguese, and Japanese. Additionally, it offers a virtual tour of the Summit venue, which can be particularly beneficial for delegates, officials, media personnel, and others involved. The app can be accessed from both, the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store.

One of the coolest features of the app is its navigation feature which is designed to assist users in navigating the various venues within the Bharat Mandapam Convention Center at Pragati Maidan.

Furthermore, it boasts a dedicated section that provides access to press releases, documents, speeches, delegate accounts, photographs, videos, and more.

Notably, the app also offers a unique Yoga Break feature, enabling users to engage in yoga sessions whenever they require a break. Additionally, at the venue, there is a Digital India Experience Zone, and users can consult the app to discover what is available in this zone and determine if they are interested in exploring it further.

This zone even features an Ask GITA kiosk, which responds to inquiries about life in the voice of Krishna, drawing from the teachings of the Shrimad Bhagavad Gita, using AI.

Some of the other cool features of the app that will help the delegates explore the G20 Summits venue and the Bharat Mandapam Convention Center include Language Translation, Citizens Corner, Crafts Bazaar, Explore India, Calendar, and more.

Theres also a special communications app for security personnel. Both the Delhi Police and other officials from the Indian Army are actively engaged. Delhi Police, in particular, is using the Sandes app for secure communication.

Developed by the National Informatics Centre (NIC), this app is currently employed by inspectors and commissioners to securely exchange documents and other vital information.

The app adheres to a secure internet protocol for document sharing, ensuring that these documents can only be accessed within the confines of the app, safeguarding their confidentiality.
A powerful earthquake in Morocco has killed more than 800 people and injured hundreds more, destroying buildings and sending residents of major cities, rushing from their homes in the countrys deadliest tremor in more than six decades.

The magnitude 6.8 quake struck in Moroccos High Atlas mountains late on Friday night. The Interior Ministry said 820 people had been killed and another 672 injured, in an updated casualty toll. A local official said most deaths were in mountain areas that were hard to reach.

In Marrakech, the nearest big city to the epicentre, residents spent the night in the open, afraid to go home.

Buildings in the old city, a UNESCO World Heritage site, suffered damage. A mosque minaret had fallen in Jemaa al-Fna Square, the heart of Marrakechs old city. Rescue workers dug through the rubble.

Everything is by Gods will, but we sustained great harm, said Miloud Skrout, a resident.

Some 150 people, mostly relatives of the injured, were waiting outside a local hospital. Most had come from mountainous areas outside the city as their local hospitals lack capacity to treat serious injuries.

I still cant sleep in the house because of the shock and also because the old town is made up of old houses, said Jaouhari Mohamed, a resident of Marrakech old city, describing desperate scenes as people fled for safety.

If one falls, it will cause others to collapse, he said.

An Australian tourist who gave her name as Tri said the room started shaking. We just grabbed some clothes and our bags and we raced out, she said, clutching a pillow under her arm.

The Interior Ministry urged calm, saying in a televised statement that the quake had hit the provinces of Al Haouz, Ouarzazate, Marrakech, Azilal, Chichaoua and Taroudant.

Montasir Itri, a resident of the mountain village of Asni near the epicentre, said most houses there were damaged. Our neighbours are under the rubble and people are working hard to rescue them using available means in the village, he said.

Further west, near Taroudant, teacher Hamid Afkar said he had fled his home and felt aftershocks. The earth shook for about 20 seconds. Doors opened and shut by themselves as I rushed downstairs from the second floor, he said.

Moroccos geophysical centre said the quake struck just after 11 p.m. (2200 GMT) in the Ighil area of the High Atlas.

It was Moroccos deadliest since 1960 when a tremor was estimated to have killed at least 12,000 people, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

Ighil, a mountainous area with small farming villages, is about 70 km (40 miles) southwest of Marrakech.

Spanish television RTVE reported tremors from the earthquake were felt in Huelva and Jaen in Andalusia, southern Spain.

Governments around the world expressed solidarity and offered assistance. Turkey, where powerful earthquakes in February killed more than 50,000 people, said it was ready to provide support.

Marrakech is due to host the annual meetings of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank in early October.

MARRAKECH DAMAGE

In Marrakech, some houses in the tightly packed old city had collapsed and people were working hard by hand to remove debris while they waited for heavy equipment, said resident Id Waaziz Hassan.

Footage of the medieval city wall showed big cracks in one section and parts that had fallen, with rubble lying on the street.

Another Marrakech resident, Brahim Himmi, said he saw ambulances coming out of the old town and many building facades damaged. He said people were frightened and were staying outside in case of another quake.

The chandelier fell from the ceiling and I ran out. Im still in the road with my children and were scared, said Houda Hafsi, 43, in Marrakech.

Another woman there, Dalila Fahem, said there were cracks in her house and damage to her furniture. Fortunately I hadnt gone to sleep yet, she said.

People in the capital city of Rabat, about 350 km north of Ighil, and in the coastal town of Imsouane, about 180 km to its west, also fled their homes, fearing a stronger quake, according to Reuters witnesses.

In Casablanca, some 250 km north of Ighil, people who spent the night in the streets were too scared to return to their homes.

The house rocked aggressively, everyone was scared, said resident Mohamed Taqafi. I thought it was only my house that was moving because its fragile and old. I heard people screaming, everyone went out of their houses.

Videos shared on social media of the immediate aftermath of the quake, which Reuters could not immediately verify, showed people fearfully running out of a shopping centre, restaurants and apartment buildings and congregating outside.
US President Joe Biden, during his bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday evening, hours ahead of the G20 summit, reaffirmed his support for a reformed UN Security Council with India as a permanent member.

The US also welcomed Indias candidature for the UNSC non-permanent seat in 2028-29, the White House said in a statement.

Continuing to share the view that global governance must be more inclusive and representative, President Biden reaffirmed his support for a reformed UN Security Council with India as a permanent member, and, in this context, welcomed once again Indias candidature for the UNSC non-permanent seat in 2028-29, read the statement from the White House.

PM Modi and President Biden underscored the need to strengthen and reform the multilateral system.

The leaders once again underscored the need to strengthen and reform the multilateral system so it may better reflect contemporary realities and remain committed to a comprehensive UN reform agenda, including through expansion in permanent and non-permanent categories of membership of the UN Security Council, the statement added.

The two leaders held a bilateral meeting in the national capital, ahead of the G20 Summit starting Saturday.

The talks were held at PM Modis official residence  7, Lok Kalyan Marg in New Delhi  and covered wide-ranging issues focussing on deepening bilateral and economic ties.

Speaking on the meeting, PM Modi said that the friendship between India and the US will continue to play a great role in furthering global good.

Happy to have welcomed @POTUS @JoeBiden to 7, Lok Kalyan Marg. Our meeting was very productive. We were able to discuss numerous topics which will further economic and people-to-people linkages between India and USA. The friendship between our nations will continue to play a great role in furthering global good, PM Modi posted on X (formerly Twitter).

Meanwhile, the 18th G20 Summit is being held at the state-of-the-art Bharat Mandapam Convention Centre in New Delhi on September 9 and 10.
Elon Musk Saturday hit back at Ukrainian accusation of not allowing their drones to destroy part of the Russian fleet off the Crimean coast via Starlink satellite.

A Ukrainian official Friday accused Musk of committing evil by not allowing Ukrainian drones to destroy part of the Russian military fleet via Starlink interference. He held Musk responsible for Russian attacks on Ukrainian cities from the same fleet.

By not allowing Ukrainian drones to destroy part of the Russian military fleet via Starlink interference, Elon Musk allowed this fleet to fire Kalibr missiles at Ukrainian cities. As a result, civilians, and children are being killed, he wrote on X.

The accusation came after CNN Thursday quoted an excerpt from an upcoming biography of Elon Musk by Walter Isaacson. The biography revealed how Ukrainian armed submarines approached a Russian fleet near the coast of Crimea lost connectivity and washed ashore harmlessly.

While Musk was being accused of cutting off Ukrainian forces in the middle of an operation, the biography writer Isaacson Friday clarified that Musk didnt order to cut coverage over Crimea. He said coverage wasnt enabled all the way to Crimea as the Ukrainians thought.

To clarify on the Starlink issue: the Ukrainians THOUGHT coverage was enabled all the way to Crimea, but it was not. They asked Musk to enable it for their drone sub attack on the Russian fleet. Musk did not enable it, because he thought, probably correctly, that would cause a  Walter Isaacson (@WalterIsaacson) September 9, 2023

At no point did I or anyone at SpaceX promise coverage over Crimea, Musk said while sharing the post.

Much appreciated, Walter. The onus is meaningfully different if I refused to act upon a request from Ukraine vs. made a deliberate change to Starlink to thwart Ukraine. At no point did I or anyone at SpaceX promise coverage over Crimea. Moreover, our terms of service clearly https://t.co/jmNtScM5LY  Elon Musk (@elonmusk) September 9, 2023

Earlier Thursday Musk said the Ukrainian government requested to activate Starlink all the way to Sevastopol in Crimea. However, he denied the request as he believed helping the Ukrainian forces sink most of the Russian fleet at anchor would have escalated the conflict and made SpaceX explicitly complicit in a major act of war.
A British soldier who was fighting for Ukraine in the ongoing war with Russia was mysteriously found dead in a body of water with his hands tied behind him.

The soldier identified as Jordan Chadwick, age 31, hailing from Burnley in Lancashire Jordan had previously served as a Scots guard in the British Army from 2011 to 2015.

The news of Jordans death deeply affected his family, especially his mother Brenda Chadwick, who affectionately referred to him as Joe. Ukraine facilitated the repatriation of Jordans body on August 7, with a UK inquest scheduled for February.

Chadwick shared with the BBC that her sons lifelong aspiration was to be a soldier, driven by his fervent desire to support freedom and aid others with his skills. She recalled how he departed the UK in early October 2022 to pursue this mission.

However, on June 26, Chadwick received the heartbreaking news of her sons demise from Lancashire Police, and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) also contacted her to convey the tragic news.

In her words, Despite our immense pride in his unyielding courage and determination, his passing has left us devastated. No words can adequately express the loss of such a young life  a son, brother, grandson, nephew, and uncle, cherished dearly.

An FCDO spokesperson affirmed, We are providing support to the family of a British man who lost his life in Ukraine and maintaining communication with the local authorities.

This tragic incident follows the loss of another British volunteer, Sam Newey, age 22, who was killed in action while fighting in Ukraine. Sam had joined the conflict shortly after the RusBrsian invasion, serving on multiple frontlines. His brother, Dan Newey, paid tribute to him, describing Sam as an exceptional man and a dedicated soldier.

Dan expressed his profound grief, stating, I cannot find the words to describe the pain I am feeling. Equally, I cannot emphasize enough how proud I am of my younger brother. At just 21, he heeded the call and ventured to Ukraine to oppose Russian Imperialism.

He continued, Sam, you sacrificed your life for people you had never met, displaying courage, integrity, and honor. You were not only my younger brother but also an outstanding individual, a dedicated soldier, and one of the bravest souls I have had the privilege of knowing. Thank you for being a part of my life for these 22 years. I will forever love you, my dear brother.
China has raised serious objections to the United States hosting the Group of 20 nations in 2026 as already announced by President Joe Bidens administration, according to people familiar with the developments.

G20 members rotate their presidency of the influential group, including the annual summit of world leaders, and the United States has said it will take it on after India, Brazil and South Africa complete their respective yearlong stints, over the next couple of years.

Chinas chief objection  backed by Russia, according to one of the people  is mostly symbolic as its unlikely the decision will be reversed. The Chinese move was first reported by the Financial Times.

Beijing asked that its displeasure be recorded, according to the people, who didnt know the valid reasons for Chinas objections to the US presidency. However, by the end of 2025 all members would have hosted at least one summit and the point reached where the rotation begins again.

The US hosted the first G20 in Washington in 2008.

Attempts to upset that convention reflect Chinas standoff with the United States over issues from Taiwan to technology export controls. Neither Chinese leader Xi Jinping nor Russian President Vladimir Putin are attending the G20 in New Delhi.

The G20 is divided into regional sub-groups, whose members decide who will host the summit. The US is in a group with Canada, Australia and Saudi Arabia.

The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Speaking to the media in New Delhi earlier on Saturday, US Deputy National Security Advisor Jon Finer pointed out that India, Brazil and South Africa  The three democratic members of the BRICS group that also includes China and Russia  are the current and next two chairs of the G20.

They are committed to the G20 success, so is the United States. We will host after those three, Finer said. And if China is not, thats unfortunate for everyone, but much more unfortunate, we believe, for China.
The G20 New Delhi Declaration on the issue of countering terrorism and preventing money laundering has taken a resolute and clear stance, urging all nations to collaborate in denying any and all help to terrorist groups.

Ensuring that these groups cannot find a safe place to operate, recruit, secure financial support, or engage in other activities within any member country.

The declaration strongly condemns terrorism in all its various forms, whether rooted in xenophobia, racism, intolerance, religion, or belief.

It acknowledges the commitment of all religions to peace and recognizes that terrorism poses a significant threat to global peace and security.

In the detailed declaration, the G20 firmly condemned terrorist actions targeting critical infrastructure, including vital energy facilities, as well as other vulnerable targets.

It emphasized that all acts of terrorism, regardless of their motivation or perpetrator, are criminal and unjustifiable.

The G20 highlighted that effective counterterrorism measures, support for terrorism victims, and the protection of human rights are not contradictory but rather complementary goals.

It underlined the importance of adopting a comprehensive approach based on international law to effectively combat terrorism.

Strengthening international cooperation is essential to prevent terrorist groups from finding safe havens, freedom of operation, movement, recruitment, and financial, material, or political support, the declaration stated.

The declaration also expressed concern regarding the illegal trafficking and diversion of small arms and light weapons.

It emphasised the critical role of international cooperation among nations in combating these issues, including implementing export and import controls, as well as tracing mechanisms.

The G20 committed to providing increased resources for the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and FATF Style Regional Bodies.

It encouraged other nations to do the same, particularly for the upcoming mutual evaluations.

The G20 maintained its commitment to the timely and global implementation of revised FATF Standards regarding the transparency of beneficial ownership of legal entities and arrangements.

This commitment aims to make it more challenging for criminals to conceal and launder illicit gains.

The declaration welcomed the ongoing efforts of the FATF to enhance global initiatives for recovering criminal proceeds.

This included progress made by the FATF in revising its standards on asset recovery and strengthening global asset recovery networks.

The G20 reiterated the importance of countries developing and implementing effective regulatory and supervisory frameworks to reduce risks associated with virtual assets, aligning with FATF Standards.

These measures are particularly crucial in addressing terrorism financing, money laundering, and proliferation financing risks.

In this context, the G20 supports the FATFs efforts to accelerate the global implementation of its standards, including the travel rule, and its work on emerging technologies and innovations, such as decentralized finance (DeFi) arrangements and peer-to-peer transactions.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi Saturday formally announced the inclusion of the African Union (AU) as a permanent member of G20.

The announcement came during the inaugural session of the G20 Leaders Summit that is being held at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhis Pragati Maidan.

With support from all of you, I invite the African Union to join G20, Modi said amid thunderous applause from world leaders at the summit.

India has played a massive role in the African Unions pitch for membership in the G20.

The African Union, a continental body of 55 member states, now has the same status as the European Union  the only regional bloc with a full membership. Its previous designation was invited international organisation.

Heres a timeline of how AU achieved this feat:
Diplomats from G20 countries have successfully brokered a compromise regarding Russias invasion of Ukraine, overcoming previous disagreements between Moscow and the rest of the bloc that had posed a threat to the issuance of a joint communique during this weekends summit.

According to a Bloomberg report on Saturday, citing insiders familiar with the discussions, the agreed-upon phrasing closely resembles the language used at the previous years summit in Bali, Indonesia.

The language still awaits approval from G20 leaders, but the likelihood of approval has increased now that senior staff members have reached an agreement on the wording, added the report.

Initially, the United States and its allies had pushed for stronger language condemning what they perceive as Russian aggression, while Moscow resisted and sought to dilute the reference. China had also backed Russias position for a time.

The final statement is expected to explicitly mention Russias war in Ukraine, rather than using the against Ukraine wording sought by the US and its allies.

Other major points of contention centered on how to address differing views on sanctions (with some G-20 members sharing Russias opposition to them) and how to define a just peace for Ukraine.

Negotiations over the phrasing have been ongoing nearly around the clock in recent days, with the preliminary agreement coming as leaders commenced formal G20 sessions in New Delhi.

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak previously singled out China for impeding efforts to reach a consensus, stating during an interview with Bloomberg en route to India that the pre-summit talks had been challenging.

Russia had accused the US and its allies of exerting pressure on India regarding the language, though New Delhi had been vigorously working to secure an agreement on a communique.

On Friday, G20 negotiators were unable to resolve disagreements over the wording of the summit declaration, according to a draft seen by Reuters, leaving any possible breakthrough to bloc leaders during the two-day meeting.

The 38-page draft that was circulated among members left the geopolitical situation paragraph blank, while it had agreed on the 75 other paragraphs which included climate change, cryptocurrencies and reforms in multilateral development banks.

Indias G20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant on Friday said, New Delhi Leaders Declaration is almost ready, I would not like to dwell on it  This declaration will be recommended to the leaders.

Reuters had on Friday reported that joint declaration may or may not come to a unanimous agreement. It could have different paragraphs stating the views of different countries. Or it could record agreement and dissent in one paragraph.

Similar tensions over climate issues and the war in Ukraine were witnessed at last years G20 summit in Bali before leaders managed to produce a joint statement on both matters. Since then, however, US-China relations have continued to deteriorate, while the BRICS grouping of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa has expanded to include 11 members, signaling resistance to the US-led world order represented by the G7.

Sunak stated that the UK would persist in making the case to China that Russias actions are wrong and that it is essential to support Ukraine, particularly concerning food security.

With inputs from agencies
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 8, ARMENPRESS. On September 8, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan had a meeting with Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, the Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence of the United Arab Emirates. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the official visit of Minister Mirzoyan to the UAE.

Emphasizing that the visit is taking place in the year of the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Armenia and the UAE, the interlocutors commended the dynamic development of Armenian-Emirati relations based on friendship and mutual respect between the two peoples, the foreign ministry said in a readout.

Touching upon the issues of bilateral cooperation in humanitarian and cultural areas, Ararat Mirzoyan emphasized the importance of deepening the Armenian-Emirati intercultural dialogue, highly appreciating the attitude of the UAE authorities towards the Armenian community.

The interlocutors noted with satisfaction the expanding ties between business circles of Armenia and the UAE stressing that it can contribute to the continuous strengthening of trade and economic relations between the two countries.

Latest regional developments were also touched upon.
Officials from the United States, along with representatives from Saudi Arabia and other nations, are set to sign a pact during the G20 Summit.

The agreement aims to explore the development of a major railway and port project that would create a vital transportation link between the Middle East, India, and Europe, said Jon Finer, US Deputy National Security Advisor.

Finer on Saturday said that a memorandum of understanding will be signed to explore a shipping and rail transportation (project) that will enable the flow of commerce, energy and data from here in India across the Middle East to Europe.

In addition to Saudi Arabia and India, key participants in this project will include the United Arab Emirates and the European Union, according to Finer.

The agreement comes with Washington actively engaging with the kingdom, encouraging it to normalise ties with Israel, reported AFP.

While the project holds significant potential, its precise timeline remains uncertain, said Finer.

In the midst of divisions among G20 leaders regarding Russias war in Ukraine and difficulties reaching an agreement to reduce carbon emissions, the discussions surrounding this project could potentially yield one of the most concrete outcomes from the summit.

While weve all read and maybe you all have written a lot of analysis about who is or isnt in Delhi for the summit, and why or why not that may be, the United States is focused on the fact that President Biden is here and rolling up his sleeves with the other G20 countries and partners to produce real results, Finer said.

With inputs from agencies
Pakistans absconding former prime minister Nawaz Sharif will return home next month after over three-year-long self-imposed exile in the UK.

Nawaz confirmed his return during a meeting with his younger brother and ex-prime minister Shehbaz Sharif and party PML-N leaders Chaudhary Tanveer, Danyal Chaudhary, Chaudhary Nadeem Khan, Dr Anjum, and others at his London residence Friday, according to a Geo TV report.

Although Nawaz, who has been staying in the UK since November 2019, confirmed his return next month, the exact date hes planning to do so hasnt been fixed yet, Geo TV reported a source present at the meeting as saying. However, it could be in the second half of October.

This comes a couple of weeks after Shehbaz Sharif had said that Nawaz would return in October.

Nawaz Sharif will return to Pakistan in October and lead the election campaign, and this has been decided after the PML-N party consultations, Shehbaz said as Nawaz stood beside him.

He also said that Nawaz, who was declared absconding in 2020, will face the law of the land as he returns.

In July 2018 Nawaz was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment in a corruption case.

He was later allowed to travel abroad for treatment after being diagnosed with an immune system disorder.

Before leaving he signed a Lahore High Court-approved undertaking, saying that he would return to Pakistan within four weeks. It hasnt returned since.

Shehbaz, who became the PM in 2021, also signed an undertaking, stating he would ensure the return of his brother within four weeks or on certification by doctors that he has regained his health and is fit to return back to Pakistan.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday expressed his deep pain over the loss of lives in Morocco which was struck by a strong 6.8-magnitude earthquake late on Friday.

At least 296 people were killed and 153 injured in the quake, causing damage to buildings and sending panicking people into the streets.

Taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, PM Modi said, Extremely pained by the loss of lives due to an earthquake in Morocco. In this tragic hour, my thoughts are with the people of Morocco. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. May the injured recover at the earliest.

India is ready to offer all possible assistance to Morocco in this difficult time, he added.

The quake struck 44 miles (71 kilometres) southwest of Marrakesh at a depth of 18.5 kilometres at 11:11 pm (2211 GMT), the US Geological Survey said.

According to a provisional report, the earthquake killed 296 people in the provinces and municipalities of al-Haouz, Marrakesh, Ouarzazate, Azilal, Chichaoua and Taroudant, the interior ministry said in a statement, adding that 153 people were injured and hospitalised.

With inputs from agencies
US President Joe Biden on Friday met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and discussed issues ranging from defence cooperation, and technology sharing. The US President also congratulated India for the success of the Chandrayaan-3 mission.

The two leaders held bilateral talks at PM residence  7, Lok Kalyan, Marg in New Delhi, ahead of the G20 Summit over the weekend.

During this, India and the US also settled the seventh and last outstanding World Trade Organisation (WTO) dispute.

Notably, the six previous disputes were resolved during PM Modis state visit to the US.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed United States President Joseph R. Biden, Jr., to India today, reaffirming the close and enduring partnership between India and the United States. The leaders expressed their appreciation for the substantial progress underway to implement the ground breaking achievements of Prime Minister Modis historic, June 2023, visit to Washington, the India-US joint statement read.

The two leaders called on their governments to continue the work of transforming the India-US Strategic Partnership across all dimensions of our multifaceted global agenda, based on trust and mutual understanding.

After the meeting, both the leaders lauded the India-US relations and said that the friendship between the two nations will continue to play a great role in furthering global good.

Happy to have welcomed @POTUS @JoeBidento 7, Lok Kalyan Marg. Our meeting was very productive. We were able to discuss numerous topics which will further economic and people-to-people linkages between India and USA. The friendship between our nations will continue to play a great role in furthering global good, PM Modi said in a post on X (formerly known as Twitter).

Happy to have welcomed @POTUS @JoeBiden to 7, Lok Kalyan Marg. Our meeting was very productive. We were able to discuss numerous topics which will further economic and people-to-people linkages between India and USA. The friendship between our nations will continue to play a pic.twitter.com/Yg1tz9kGwQ  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 8, 2023

President Biden also affirmed support towards making the India-US partnership stronger, closer, and more dynamic.

Great seeing you, Mr Prime Minister. Today, and throughout the G20, well affirm that the United States-India partnership is stronger, closer, and more dynamic than any time in history, President Biden posted on X.

Great seeing you, Mr. Prime Minister. Today, and throughout the G20, well affirm that the United States-India partnership is stronger, closer, and more dynamic than any time in history. pic.twitter.com/bEW2tPrNXr  President Biden (@POTUS) September 8, 2023

The two leaders re-emphasised that the shared values of freedom, democracy, human rights, inclusion, pluralism, and equal opportunities for all citizens are critical to the success our countries enjoy and that these values strengthen our relationship.

PM Modi and President Biden also lauded the settlement of the seventh and last outstanding World Trade Organisation (WTO) dispute between India and the United States. This follows the unprecedented settlement of six outstanding bilateral trade disputes in the WTO in June 2023, the joint statement read.

President Biden also lauded Indias G20 Presidency for further demonstrating how the G20 as a forum is delivering important outcomes.

The two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to the G20 and expressed confidence that the outcomes of the G20 Leaders Summit in New Delhi will advance the shared goals of accelerating sustainable development, bolstering multilateral cooperation, and building global consensus around inclusive economic policies to address our greatest common challenges, including fundamentally reshaping and scaling up multilateral development banks, as per the statement.

During the bilateral meeting, PM Modi and President Biden reaffirmed the importance of the Quad in supporting a free, open, inclusive, and resilient Indo-Pacific. Prime Minister Modi looked forward to welcoming President Biden to the next Quad Leaders Summit to be hosted by India in 2024.

India also welcomed the US decision to co-lead the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative Pillar on Trade Connectivity and Maritime Transport, further to the US decision to join IPOI in June 2023.

President Biden reaffirmed his support for a reformed UN Security Council with India as a permanent member.

The US also welcomed Indias candidature for the UNSC non-permanent seat in 2028-29, the White House said in a statement.

Continuing to share the view that global governance must be more inclusive and representative, President Biden reaffirmed his support for a reformed UN Security Council with India as a permanent member, and, in this context, welcomed once again Indias candidature for the UNSC non-permanent seat in 2028-29, the joint statement read.

The two leaders reaffirmed technologys defining role in deepening our strategic partnership and lauded ongoing efforts through the India-US Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET) to build open, accessible, secure, and resilient technology ecosystems and value chains, based on mutual confidence and trust, which reinforce our shared values and democratic institutions.

India and the US also intend to undertake a midterm review of iCET in September 2023 to continue to drive momentum toward the next annual iCET review, co-led by the National Security Advisors of both countries, in early 2024.

During the meeting, President Biden congratulated PM Modi and the scientists and engineers of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on the historic success of Chandrayaan-3 at the south polar region of the Moon, as well as the successful launch of Indias first solar mission, Aditya-L1.

The leaders welcomed efforts towards the establishment of a Working Group for commercial space collaboration under the existing India-US Civil Space Joint Working Group. Determined to deepen our partnership in outer space exploration, ISRO and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) have commenced discussions on modalities, capacity building, and training for mounting a joint effort to the International Space Station in 2024, and are continuing efforts to finalise a strategic framework for human space flight cooperation by the end of 2023, the joint statement read.

India and the US also intend to increase coordination on planetary defence to protect planet Earth and space assets from the impact of asteroids and near-Earth objects, including US support for Indias participation in asteroid detection and tracking via the Minor Planet Center.

The leaders further reiterated their support for building resilient global semiconductor supply chains, noting in this respect a multi-year initiative of Microchip Technology, Inc., to invest approximately USD 300 million in expanding its research and development presence in India and Advanced Micro Devices announcement to invest USD 400 million in India over the next five years to expand research, development, and engineering operations in India.

The leaders also expressed satisfaction at the ongoing implementation of announcements made in June 2023 by US companies, Micron, LAM Research, and Applied Materials.

PM Modi and President Biden reaffirmed their commitment to building resilient technology value chains and linking defence industrial ecosystems.

The leaders recommitted their administrations to promoting policies and adapting regulations that facilitate greater technology sharing, co-development, and co-production opportunities between Indian and US industry, government and academic institutions. They also welcomed continued engagement through an inter-agency monitoring mechanism under the auspices of the bilateral Strategic Trade Dialogue, launched in June 2023.

They also welcomed the signing of an MoU between Indian universities, represented by the Council of Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT Council), and the Association of American Universities (AAU) to establish the India-US Global Challenges Institute, with a combined initial commitment of at least USD 10 million, as per the joint statement.

PM Modi and President Biden also welcomed the growing number of multi-institutional collaborative education partnerships, such as those between New York University-Tandon and IIT Kanpur Advanced Research Center, and the Joint Research Centers of the State University of New York at Buffalo and IIT Delhi, Kanpur, Jodhpur, and BHU, in the areas of critical and emerging technologies.

The Global Challenges Institute will bring together leading research and higher education institutions from across our two nations, including beyond AAU and IIT membership, to advance new frontiers in science and technology, spanning collaboration in sustainable energy and agriculture, health and pandemic preparedness, semiconductor technology and manufacturing, advanced materials, telecommunications, artificial intelligence, and quantum science.

Prime Minister Modi and President Biden reaffirmed their commitment to deepen and diversify the India-US Major Defence Partnership through expanded cooperation in new and emerging domains such as space and AI, and accelerated defence industrial collaboration.

The two leaders also pledged high-level of engagement to realise their ambitious vision for an enduring India-US partnership.

Prime Minister Modi and President Biden pledged to sustain the high-level of engagement between our governments, industries, and academic institutions and realize their ambitious vision for an enduring India-US partnership that advances the aspirations of our people for a bright and prosperous future, serves the global good, and contributes to a free, open, inclusive, and resilient Indo-Pacific, the joint statement further stated.

Earlier in June, Prime Minister Modi was on a state visit to the US from 21 to 24 June. During this, he led a special yoga event at the UN Headquarters, held bilateral talks with US President Joe Biden at the White House and also addressed the UN Congress

Meanwhile, the 18th G20 Summit is scheduled to begin at the state-of-the-art Bharat Mandapam Convention Centre in New Delhi today.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday officially declared the African Union (AU) as a permanent member of the G20 during the opening session of the G20 Leaders Summit taking place at Bharat Mandapam in Pragati Maidan, New Delhi.

Hours after the announcement, Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, said, Were quite delighted at the leadership demonstrated by PM Modi, demonstrated by the Indian government during its presidency of the G20. PM Modi has sought to focus this summit to opening up space for the Global South, to ensure that the voices of many smaller developing economic countries that were often excluded from these forums are included and that they are heard

He added, Its an important development to have the African continent included in such forums and processes. And we see it as an important step that signals more reform processes that we would like to see with respect to the United Nations Security Council, with respect to global multilateral financial institutions.

African Union is a continental union consisting of 55 member states located on the continent of Africa. The move to include the African Union into the G20 grouping was proposed by PM Modi earlier this June.

All member countries of the G20 accepted Modis proposal to bring the AU  a key bloc of the Global South  to the elite group of worlds top economies. With support from all of you, I invite African Union to join G20, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said amid thunderous applause by world leaders at the summit.

With inputs from agencies
Climate change, environmental degradation, unsustainable consumption and production and resource scarcity are challenges that can only be addressed collectively and with a great deal of solidarity, said South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.

Ramaphosa called for an enhanced and expanded global partnership to achieve sustainable development.

We are delighted that the #G20 has accepted the @_AfricanUnion as a member of the #G20. Global reconstruction in the wake of the #COVID19 pandemic presents a unique opportunity to accelerate the transition to low-carbon, climate-resilient, sustainable societies, he wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Developing economies are bearing the brunt of climate change despite carrying the least responsibility for this crisis. As African and other developing economy countries, we face the task of meeting our climate commitments in the midst of significant developmental challenges like poverty, inequality and unemployment, he said.

Climate change, environmental degradation, unsustainable consumption and production and resource scarcity are challenges that can only be addressed collectively and with a great deal of solidarity, he added.

The President further said that the issues must be supported by the concrete policies and actions outlined in the Addis Ababa Action Agenda on financing for development.

The African Union became a full member of the G-20 on Saturday, September 9, 2023. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the inclusion of the African bloc will enhance the effectiveness of the G-20.

US President Joe Biden called last year for the AUs permanent membership in the G20, saying its been a long time in coming. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said the bloc was invited to join during the G20 summit his country is hosting this week.

Permanent G20 membership signals the rise of a continent whose young population of 1.3 billion is set to double by 2050 and make up a quarter of the planets people.

The AUs 55 member states, which include the disputed Western Sahara, have pressed for meaningful roles in the global bodies that long represented a now faded post-World War II order, including the United Nations Security Council. They also want reforms to a global financial system  including the World Bank and other entities  that forces African countries to pay more than others to borrow money, deepening their debt.

Africa is increasingly courting investment and political interest from a new generation of global powers beyond the U.S. and the continents former European colonizers. China is Africas largest trading partner and one of its largest lenders.

Russia is its leading arms provider. Gulf nations have become some of the continents biggest investors. Turkey s largest overseas military base and embassy are in Somalia. Israel and Iran are increasing their outreach in search of partners.

African leaders have impatiently challenged the framing of the continent as a passive victim of war, extremism, hunger and disaster thats pressured to take one side or another among global powers. Some would prefer to be brokers, as shown by African peace efforts following Russias invasion of Ukraine.

Granting the African Union membership in the G20 is a step that recognizes the continent as a global power in itself.

With inputs from AP.
Hours after the African Union joined the G20 on Saturday, a senior delegate from South Africa said the voice of the continent and the Global South will grow stronger globally after the AUs inclusion.

Speaking to PTI, the delegate who is in New Delhi currently for the G20 Summit, said that South Africa always expected that AUs inclusion will happen.

We are very happy, especially considering that South Africa has always supported the inclusion of AU in the G20, which would give our continent a voice on a bigger platform globally, not only for the African continent but the Global South [as well], she told PTI, on the condition of anonymity.

On Indias Presidency of the G20, she said it was heartening to see AUs permanent membership of the G20 happen at the New Delhi Leaders Summit.

The African Union became a new permanent member of the G20 on the first day of the summit being held in New Delhi. It is the first expansion of the influential bloc since its inception in 1999.

The South African delegate said her country had hoped that the inclusion of the AU in the G20 would be realised during the summit, but of course it was just a hope from our side.

This is certainly a very good thing, and in terms of development of our countries, she said, adding that it will bring them closer to other G20 nations. The voice of Africa and the Global South is growing and its issues can now be raised on multilateral fora, the delegate said. It can be a better world if we all worked together, she added.

All member countries of the G20 accepted Modis proposal to bring the AU  a key bloc of the Global South  to the elite group of worlds top economies. With support from all of you, I invite African Union to join G20, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said amid thunderous applause by world leaders at the summit.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar then escorted President of the Union of Comoros and Chairperson of the African Union (AU), Azali Assoumani, to take his seat at the G20 high table.

The G20 member countries represent around 85 per cent of the global GDP, over 75 per cent of the global trade, and about two-thirds of the world population. The grouping comprises Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, the UK, the US and the European Union (EU).

South Africas President Cyril Ramaphosa is also attending the G20 Summit which got underway at the newly built international convention centre Bharat Mandapam at Pragati Maidan on Saturday. He is expected to address the media on Sunday, the delegate said, though there is no official word on it yet.

On South Africas expectation from the summit, the delegate said that they were hoping for a conversation on just transition in view of climate change. If that conversation can be taken forward as we are leading up to COP 28 later this year, South Africa will feel a lot better in this regard, the delegate said.

The 28th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 28) to the UNFCCC will convene from November 30 to December 12 in the UAE.

After assuming the presidency of the G20 on December 1, 2022, India held around 200 meetings related to the bloc across the country on a range of issues. The New Delhi Summit will end on September 10. Indias presidency of the grouping will end on November 30, after which it will hand over the baton of the rotating presidency of the grouping to Brazil.
YEREVAN, SPETEMBER 9, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan spoke by phone on Saturday with French President Emmanuel Macron.

Issues related to the deteriorating humanitarian crisis in Nagorno-Karabakh as a result of the illegal blocking of the Lachin Corridor, the buildup of Azerbaijani troops around Nagorno-Karabakh, and the increasing tension on the Armenia-Azerbaijan state border were discussed, Pashinyans office said in a readout.

Prime Minister Pashinyan reaffirmed his commitment to the Prague agreements of October 6, 2022 and the Brussels agreements of May 14, 2023, and to the approach of solving all issues exclusively through diplomatic means and in a constructive atmosphere.

President Macron emphasized that the reduction of tension along the borders is a necessity. Prime Minister Pashinyan expressed readiness to hold urgent discussions with the president of Azerbaijan aimed at reducing the tension.

President Macron expressed his willingness to support the efforts aimed at establishing peace and stability in the region.
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 9, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan spoke by phone on September 9 with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

PM Pashinyan and Secretary Blinken discussed the worsening humanitarian crisis in Nagorno-Karabakh as a result of the illegal blocking of the Lachin Corridor, the accumulation of Azerbaijani troops around Nagorno-Karabakh, and the increasing tension on the Armenia-Azerbaijan state border, the Prime Ministers Office said in a readout.

Prime Minister Pashinyan once again emphasized his commitment to the approach of settling all issues exclusively through diplomatic means and in a constructive atmosphere, based on the agreements reached on October 6, 2022 in Prague and on May 14, 2023 in Brussels.

Antony Blinken emphasized the importance of resolving all issues through dialogue and peaceful diplomatic means, and noted that the US will continue active efforts in that direction.

The Prime Minister and the US Secretary of State considered the escalation of the situation unacceptable, stressing the need to ensure peace and stability in the region.

Nikol Pashinyan emphasized that he is ready to have urgent discussions with the President of Azerbaijan for this purpose.
STEPANAKERT, SEPTEMBER 9, ARMENPRESS. Azerbaijan has again falsely accused the Nagorno-Karabakh Defense Army of carrying out fortification works, the Nagorno-Karabakh authorities said Saturday.

The disinformation generated by the Azeri authorities falsely claimed that the Azeri military thwarted fortification works by the Nagorno-Karabakh military in the Martuni region on September 9.

In a statement, the Nagorno-Karabakh Defense Ministry said that they havent conducted any fortification activities and that the Azeri accusations are disinformation.

The statement released by the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry claiming that around 19:15, September 9, the Defense Army units attempted to conduct fortification works in Martuni region, which were thwarted by the actions of the Azerbaijani units, is yet another disinformation, the Nagorno-Karabakh Defense Ministry said.
Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. A Bar at the Folies-Bergeres



Answer: Edouard Manet



"A Bar at the Folies-Bergere" is an 1882 painting by Edouard Manet, often considered to be his last major work. Depicting a scene from the Folies-Bergere nightclub in Paris, it shows a barmaid standing in front of a mirror. Reflected in the mirror is the man with whom the barmaid is apparently conversing. The barmaid is not merely an abstract representation, but is actually a girl known as Suzon, who worked at the club in the early 1880s.



Manet originally displayed the painting at the Paris Salon, the official exhibition of the Academie des Beaux-Arts, in 1882, before passing it to his friend, the composer Emmanuel Chabrier, who had commissioned the work. Chabrier displayed the painting above his piano until his death in 1894. Two years after Chabrier died, his extensive art collection was auctioned. The painting was ultimately acquired by industrialist and art collector Samuel Courtauld, becoming part of the collection that was used to establish the Courtauld Gallery in London, which opened in 1932.

2. Arrangement in Grey and Black, No. 1



Answer: James MacNeil Whistler



"Arrangement in Grey and Black No. 1", usually known simply as "Whistler's Mother", is an oil painting by American artist James MacNeil Whistler of his mother, Anna. Produced in 1871, while Whistler was living with his mother in London, the painting was exhibited at the 1872 Exhibition of the Royal Academy of Art, where it was displayed as "Arrangement in Grey and Black: Portrait of the Painter's mother"; the inclusion of the subtitle was to meet the Victorian sensibilities that would not accept a portrait as an "arrangement". However, subsequent to it being displayed for the first time, the painting became known as simply "Whistler's Mother". Whistler produced a second, similar painting, this time of the philosopher Thomas Carlyle, the same year, which was named as "Arrangement in Grey and Black, No. 2", leading to the first painting receiving the designation "No. 1".



Whistler eventually pawned the painting, leading to it being purchased by the French government, in 1891. Initially displayed at the Musee du Luxembourg in Paris, it was subsequently displayed in a number of the public art galleries in Paris, including becoming the first painting by an American artist to be part of the Louvre's collection. In 1986, a new gallery, intended to form a bridge between the collections of the Louvre and the Musee National d'Art Moderne, opened in the former Gare d'Orsay. Included in the works transferred to the new Musee d'Orsay was "Whistler's Mother", where, with the exception of a number of temporary displays in various American galleries, it has remained ever since.

3. Ophelia



John Everett Millais



"Ophelia" is a painting produced in 1851-52 by John Everett Millais, depicting the character of Ophelia from William Shakespeare's "Hamlet". The scene shows the character afloat in a river, in the period immediately before she drowns, a scene depicted off-stage in the play. Millais produced the painting in two parts - during a five month period in 1851, he produced the landscape by working six days a week on the banks of the River Hogsmill in Essex, before returning to his studio in London, where, using his muse, the artist Elizabeth Siddal, as a model, he produced the figure of Ophelia. He realised the effect of Ophelia floating by having Siddal float fully clothed in a full bathtub. Although Millais made attempts to keep the water warm, as the work was being done in mid-winter, Siddal caught a heavy cold, which led to her father sending Millais a letter for medical expenses.



"Ophelia" was first exhibited publicly at the Royal Academy in 1852. Upon its unveiling, it received a mixed reception from critics, with even John Ruskin, a great admirer of Millais, guarded in his praise for the painting. However, over time it came to be reassessed, being regarded as an accurate depiction of a natural landscape, and becoming an influence on many artists. Millais sold the painting for 300 guineas to art dealer Henry Farrer in December 1851, who went on to sell it to B.G. Windus, a major collector of Pre-Raphaelite art. Eventually ending up in the collection of sugar merchant Henry Tate, it formed part of the initial collection of the Tate Gallery, established in 1894. Today it forms part of the collection of Tate Britain in London, one of the galleries that form the Tate network. Answer:"Ophelia" is a painting produced in 1851-52 by John Everett Millais, depicting the character of Ophelia from William Shakespeare's "Hamlet". The scene shows the character afloat in a river, in the period immediately before she drowns, a scene depicted off-stage in the play. Millais produced the painting in two parts - during a five month period in 1851, he produced the landscape by working six days a week on the banks of the River Hogsmill in Essex, before returning to his studio in London, where, using his muse, the artist Elizabeth Siddal, as a model, he produced the figure of Ophelia. He realised the effect of Ophelia floating by having Siddal float fully clothed in a full bathtub. Although Millais made attempts to keep the water warm, as the work was being done in mid-winter, Siddal caught a heavy cold, which led to her father sending Millais a letter for medical expenses."Ophelia" was first exhibited publicly at the Royal Academy in 1852. Upon its unveiling, it received a mixed reception from critics, with even John Ruskin, a great admirer of Millais, guarded in his praise for the painting. However, over time it came to be reassessed, being regarded as an accurate depiction of a natural landscape, and becoming an influence on many artists. Millais sold the painting for 300 guineas to art dealer Henry Farrer in December 1851, who went on to sell it to B.G. Windus, a major collector of Pre-Raphaelite art. Eventually ending up in the collection of sugar merchant Henry Tate, it formed part of the initial collection of the Tate Gallery, established in 1894. Today it forms part of the collection of Tate Britain in London, one of the galleries that form the Tate network.

4. The Absinthe Drinker



Answer: Edgar Degas



"The Absinthe Drinker", also known in French as "L'Absinthe", is a painting produced by Edgar Degas between 1875 and 1876. The work depicts a man and a woman in a cafe, apparently sharing a glass of absinthe. Both appear to be suffering from lethargy, with the woman, who has the glass in front of her, staring vacantly at it. Degas used two models to portray the figures in the painting - Ellen Andree, an actress who also frequently modelled for several French artists, including Manet and Renoir in addition to Degas, and Marcellin Desboutin, a painter, printmaker and writer. Degas used the Cafe de la Nouvelle-Athenes, a cafe in the Place Pigalle in Paris that was a regular haunt for several painters, which led to it appearing in a number of Impressionist works.



The painting was first exhibited in 1876 under the title "Dans un Cafe", with critics scornful of it. As a result, it was not exhibited again until 1892, when it was auctioned at Christie's in London as part of a sale of paintings in the collection of Henry Hill. The setting and people in the picture were regarded by English critics as being degraded and uncouth, with many seeing it as a warning against the dangers of both absinthe and the French in general. In 1893, it became part of the collection of Count Isaac de Camando who, in 1908, offered it, along with a number of other works in his collection, to the French government, at which point "L'Absinthe" was exhibited at the Louvre before, in 1986, it was moved to the Musee d'Orsay collection.

5. The Execution of Lady Jane Grey



Answer: Paul Delaroche



"The Execution of Lady Jane Grey" is an 1833 painting by Paul Delaroche which features the last moments of Lady Jane Grey, the great-granddaughter of King Henry VII, prior to her execution in February 1554. The painting, produced three centuries after the event, was one of a number of large portrayals of historical events that Delaroche had produced up to that point. However, there are a number of errors in the painting, such as the fact that the execution is depicted as taking place indoors, when in fact it was conducted in the open air on Tower Green, that indicate either the artist's unfamiliarity with this subject, or that he took artistic license in composing the picture.



Delaroche produced the painting following the events of the July Revolution of 1830 in France, which deposed King Charles X. The deposed king was the brother of King Louis XVI, who was executed in 1793 during the French Revolution. As a result, Delaroche's painting, in which the subject bore a resemblance to Louis XVI's executed queen, Marie Antoinette, was emotive and popular when exhibited in the Paris Salon. Originally part of the collection of Anatoly Demidov, it was purchased by Henry Eaton, 1st Baron Cheylesmore in 1870, and then, after his death, was bought by Cheylesmore's son, in 1891. In 1902, the 2nd Baron bequeathed "The Execution of Lady Jane Grey", along with four other paintings, to the National Gallery's collection in 1902. The painting, which was stored at the Tate Gallery, was thought destroyed in a flood in 1928, and was only rediscovered in 1973, when it was finally transferred to the National Gallery.

6. The Fighting Temeraire



Answer: JMW Turner



"The Fighting Temeraire, tugged to her last berth to be broken up, 1838", universally known as "The Fighting Temeraire", is an 1839 painting by JMW Turner featuring HMS Temeraire, a second-rate ship-of-the-line, being towed up the River Thames by a steam tug to Rotherhithe in preparation for it to be broken up for scrap. It is believed that Turner may not have actually witnessed the event itself, instead using a great deal of artistic license in producing the painting, particularly in regard to the ship, which is depicted as masted and still with cannon aboard, when in reality it would have had its masts and rigging removed, and its guns, anchors and other assorted equipment salvaged by the Royal Navy for re-use. However, Turner's atmospheric style, combined with the reputation of HMS Temeraire, which had served at Trafalgar, led to the painting becoming a popular success when it was first exhibited.



Initially unveiled in 1839 at an exhibition at the Royal Academy, "The Fighting Temeraire" received rave reviews, with even William Makepeace Thackeray, who was known for his flippancy in reviewing art, giving it high praise. Turner retained the painting until his death in 1851, with its only transfer being in 1844, when he loaned it to the publisher J. Hogarth, who had an agreement with the artist to produce a series of reproductions of his paintings. However, Turner, who was independently wealthy, refused all offers to sell the painting, and was determined to leave it to the nation. Following his death, "The Fighting Temeraire", along with many other of his finished works, was left to the nation with the intention that they be displayed in a special gallery. Most are part of the Tate Gallery's collection, but "The Fighting Temeraire", voted the UK's favourite painting in 2005, is on display at the National Gallery.

7. The Hay Wain



Answer: John Constable



"The Hay Wain" is a landscape by John Constable depicting a scene on the River Stour, on the border between Essex and Suffolk. The painting depicts a team of horses pulling a large wain, or farm wagon across the river. Constable produced the picture in 1821 at a location near Flatford Mill, a watermill in Suffolk owned by his father, and incorporated Willy Lott's Cottage, the subject of another of his landscapes, into the landscape. "The Hay Wain" (which the artist originally titled "Landscape: Noon") was one of a series of large-scale paintings that Constable termed his "six-footers" that he produced for annual summer exhibitions at the Royal Academy in London.



Initially exhibited at the 1821 Royal Academy exhibition, "The Hay Wain" received no attention from potential buyers, and was left unsold. However, three years later it was one of a group of Constable's works that was put on display at the 1824 Paris Salon, and caused a sensation, even being awarded a gold medal by King Charles X. As a result, the painting was sold to art dealer John Arrowsmith. It passed through the hands of a number of dealers before ultimately coming to the attention of collector Henry Vaughan, who purchased it from the estate of its previous owner, along with Constable's full-scale preparatory oil sketch. In 1886, Vaughan presented the painting itself to the National Gallery, in whose collection it remains, while on his death in 1899 the sketch was bequeathed to what is now the Victoria & Albert Museum in London. In a 2005 poll, "The Hay Wain" was named as the UK's second most popular painting.

8. The Lady of Shalott



John William Waterhouse



"The Lady of Shalott" is a painting by John William Waterhouse, depicting the eponymous character from the 1832 poem of the same name by Tennyson. Produced in 1888, it was the first of three canvases that Waterhouse produced of the character, and is regarded as one of his most famous works. Produced in the Pre-Raphaelite style, the painting depicts the character at a particular point from the end of the poem, where the lady gets into a boat and proceeds to meet her destiny. The setting that Waterhouse used has not been identified, although he often used locations in Devon and Somerset as the basis for his pictures, while the model is believed to be Waterhouse's wife, Esther Kenworthy.



"The Lady of Shalott", having been completed in 1888, was purchased by the sugar tycoon and art collector Sir Henry Tate, who presented it to the public in 1894 as part of the collection that was ultimately used to establish the Tate Gallery - the painting remains in the Tate's collection and is displayed at the Tate Britain gallery in London. Of the other two works by Waterhouse to feature the character, "The Lady of Shalott Looking at Lancelot" (1894) is on display at the Leeds Art Gallery, while "I Am Half-Sick of Shadows, Said the Lady of Shalott" (1915) is in the collection of the Art Gallery of Ontario. Answer:"The Lady of Shalott" is a painting by John William Waterhouse, depicting the eponymous character from the 1832 poem of the same name by Tennyson. Produced in 1888, it was the first of three canvases that Waterhouse produced of the character, and is regarded as one of his most famous works. Produced in the Pre-Raphaelite style, the painting depicts the character at a particular point from the end of the poem, where the lady gets into a boat and proceeds to meet her destiny. The setting that Waterhouse used has not been identified, although he often used locations in Devon and Somerset as the basis for his pictures, while the model is believed to be Waterhouse's wife, Esther Kenworthy."The Lady of Shalott", having been completed in 1888, was purchased by the sugar tycoon and art collector Sir Henry Tate, who presented it to the public in 1894 as part of the collection that was ultimately used to establish the Tate Gallery - the painting remains in the Tate's collection and is displayed at the Tate Britain gallery in London. Of the other two works by Waterhouse to feature the character, "The Lady of Shalott Looking at Lancelot" (1894) is on display at the Leeds Art Gallery, while "I Am Half-Sick of Shadows, Said the Lady of Shalott" (1915) is in the collection of the Art Gallery of Ontario.

9. The Naked Maja



Answer: Francisco Goya



"The Naked Maja", often known by its Spanish name of "La maja desnuda", is a painting by Francisco Goya depicting a woman reclining nude on a bed of pillows. Goya undertook the work between 1791 and 1800 under commission from Manuel de Godoy, the First Secretary of State of Spain. The painting is regarded as one of the earliest Western pictures to depict female nudity without negative connotations, as the model gazes unashamedly at the viewer. Goya produced a companion piece, "La maja vestida" ("The Clothed Maja") between 1800 and 1807, seemingly depicting the same figure, but this time dressed in the costume of a fashionable lower-class woman from Madrid, who were known as "maja". The identity of the model remains unknown, but has been speculated to either be a young woman named Pepita Tudo, who was the mistress of Godoy, or Maria Cayetana de Silva, with whom the artist was believed to have been involved.



"La maja desnuda" was initially recorded as being part of the collection of Godoy, which he displayed in a private room reserved for nudes. However, in 1808, the picture was discovered by investigators of the Spanish Inquisition, with Godoy forced to name the artist, who was subsequently brought to answer questions. However, the Inquisition accepted Goya's response that he had simply been emulating previous artists that had produced nudes that had been admired by the church. Both the nude and the clothed paintings were held by the Inquisition between 1814 and 1836, before being returned to the collection of the Royal Academy of Fine Arts of San Fernando. In 1901, they both became part of the collection of the Museo del Prado, where they remain on display side by side.

10. The Starry Night



Answer: Vincent van Gogh



"The Starry Night" is a Post-Impressionist work by Vincent van Gogh, depicting the view from the east facing window of his room at the Saint-Paul de Mausole asylum in Saint-Remy-de-Provence. Painted in June 1889, it shows the view, with wheat fields and cypress trees, alongside a stylised depiction of the Moon and a number of stars, just before sunrise. The painting also includes an imaginary village, which would not have been visible from the window. Van Gogh produced a total of twenty-one paintings of this view during his period in the asylum, at different times of the day and under different weather conditions, with "The Starry Night" being the only one classed as a 'nocturne', or a painting of a night scene.



Having initially held onto the painting, van Gogh sent it to his brother, Theo, in September 1889. Following Theo van Gogh's death in January 1891, less than six months after the death of the artist, his widow, Jo, became the caretaker of van Gogh's collection of paintings. "The Starry Night" was sold in 1900 to the poet Julien Leclercq, who subsequently sold it the following year to Emile Schuffenecker, a friend of Paul Gaugin. In 1906, having been bought back by Jo van Gogh, it was then sold to the Oldenzeel Gallery in Rotterdam, who then sold it back into private hands. In 1938, it was then purchased by art dealer Paul Rosenberg, through whom it was purchased in 1941 by New York's Museum of Modern Art. "The Starry Night" is one of the most recognisable paintings in Western art and is regarded as van Gogh's masterpiece.

Source: Author Red_John This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor looney_tunes before going online.Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.
Panasonic launches new Made In India Convertible, Frost Free Refrigerators News -Rohit Agrawal Panasonic, known for its electronics, has launched the new Prime Convertible and Frost-Free refrigerator series in India. Manufactured in the country, the refrigerators come with robust features and warranties. The launches signify Panasonic's expansion plans in India.

Panasonic recently introduced two new series of refrigerators in the Indian market. These two refrigerators include the new Prime Convertible Series and budget-friendly, compact-sized frost-free refrigerators.

Manufactured completely in India, these new launches also align with Panasonic's future expansion plans in the country.

New Panasonic Refrigerators Pricing in India

The new Prime Convertible refrigerators come in two capacities, 357 litres and 401 litres that are priced at Rs 55,490 and Rs 63,490, respectively. These refrigerators are available for purchase from Panasonic online store, Amazon, and offline retail stores.

Panasonic also launched a range of frost-free refrigerators with a compact design and 260-litre capacity. Priced at Rs 23,490, these can be purchased at offline retail stores. Panasonic is also offering an exchange program to avail discounts on these refrigerators.

Panasonic Prime Convertible Refrigerators

The convertible refrigerators with two-door design offer four cooling modes. The fridges incorporate ECONAVI sensors to adjust cooling. The company offers a 3-year warranty on the unit and a 10-year warranty on the compressor.

The fridge offers four different cooling modes: Tiffin Fresh, Pro-marinate, Insta Fresh, and Pro Chill. These refrigerators are implementing an inverter-compatible compressor and are available in Diamond Black shade.

Panasonic Frost Free Refrigerator

The frost-free refrigerators with 260 litres capacity use a surround airflow cooling system to ensure optimum cooling. They are marketed in Electric Gray, Ocean Blue, and Floral Blue colours, and come with accessories such as bottle holders and ice trays.

The frost-free series comes with a 1-year warranty for the unit and a 10-year warranty for the compressor. With these two new series, Panasonic intends to aid double-digit growth in the Indian refrigerator market.

Committed to its 'Make In India' agenda, the company plans to produce more kitchen appliances in India, aiming an estimated 14% revenue growth in its large appliances business.

FAQ's What is Panasonic's new launch in India? Panasonic has launched the new Prime Convertible and Frost-Free Refrigerators in India.

Where are the new Panasonic refrigerators manufactured? The new Panasonic refrigerators are fully manufactured in India.

What does the new Panasonic refrigerator launch signify? The launch of the new refrigerators marks Panasonic's expansion in the Indian market.

What features do the new Panasonic refrigerators offer? The new Panasonic refrigerators offer amazing cooling features and warranties.

What type of refrigerators has Panasonic launched? Panasonic has launched the new Prime Convertible and Frost-Free refrigerators.

Best Mobiles in India
Germany Charges Intel Officer, Businessman With Treason For Passing Documents To Russia's FSB

By RFE/RL September 08, 2023

An employee of Germany's Federal Intelligence Service (BND) and a self-employed German businessman have been charged with treason for allegedly passing secret documents to Russia, German prosecutors said on September 8.

The intelligence officer, who has been identified only as Carsten L. in line with German privacy laws, allegedly passed information classified as state secrets to Russian spies after the invasion of Ukraine. He has been in pretrial detention since his arrest in Berlin in December.

The second suspect, identified as Arthur E., was arrested in January. He allegedly acted as a middleman, taking the documents from Carsten L to Russia and delivering them to Russian intelligence officers.

Federal prosecutors allege that the information Carsten L. shared with Arthur E. is a state secret under German law, making it a particularly grave offense.

Federal prosecutors say that Carsten L. had been acquainted with Arthur E. since May 2021 and the latter was in contact with a Russian-based businessman with ties to the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB). The three allegedly met in September 2022 and conspired to procure sensitive BND information for the FSB.

Prosecutors say Arthur E. was given a list of "questions of particular interest," and Carsten L. procured the answers.

Carsten L. supplied a total of nine internal BND documents related to a project on technical intelligence gathering on two occasions in September and October of 2022. The indictment alleges he either printed the documents out or took photos of them on his computer screen, prosecutors said in a statement.

He gave the material to Arthur E., who photographed the printouts, took the digitized data to Moscow, printed it out and handed it to the FSB in meetings with Russian agents, they added.

Carsten L. received at least 450,000 euros ($482,000) from the FSB and Arthur E. got at least 400,000 euros in cash, which Arthur E. picked up in Moscow in November 2022, the prosecutors say.

After the cash pickup, Carsten L. arranged for Arthur E. to be "smuggled" past German customs under the guise of professional reasons after he returned from Russia, according to prosecutors.

The two men were charged with two counts of "joint perpetration of especially serious treason," prosecutors said.

Germany has become one of the leading suppliers of military and financial aid to Ukraine since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022.

With reporting by AP and dpa

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/germany-intelligence- charged-treason-secrets-russia/32584412.html

Copyright (c) 2023. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






U.N. General Assembly to vote on whether to ask top global court to issue opinion on climate responsibility

SYDNEY (Reuters) - Vanuatu's Supreme Court has ruled that a no-confidence motion in Prime Minister Ishmael Kalsakau was won by the nation's opposition party last week, but has stayed action to remove him to allow for an appeal.

Vanuatu, at the centre of a strategic rivalry between China and Western countries in the Pacific Islands, was plunged into political crisis after opposition leader Bob Loughman lodged the no-confidence petition criticising Kalsakau for signing a security pact with Australia, and raising the minimum wage.

The no-confidence motion garnered 26 votes, compared to 23 votes against, but the parliament's speaker ruled it failed to win the absolute majority of 27 to remove a prime minister in the 52-seat parliament.

One seat is vacant and one lawmaker did not attend the session due to illness.

Supreme Court judge Edwin Goldsbrough ruled on Friday that an absolute majority in a parliament with 51 members is 26.

A stay, to allow an appeal, is in place until Monday afternoon. If there is no appeal, or it is rejected, parliament would vote in a new prime minister.

Loughman drew Vanuatu closer to China as the previous prime minister. His government lost a snap national election in 2022.

He has criticised the security pact with Australia, saying it compromises Vanuatu's "neutral" status and could jeopardise development assistance from China.

Kalsakau rejected this as unfounded, and highlighted the high-level visits to Vanuatu by Western nations, including French President Emmanuel Macron in July, during his eight months in office. Macron gave a speech warning against a "new imperialism" in the Pacific - comments taken to refer to China.

China has been a major infrastructure lender to Vanuatu.

The United States and its allies are seeking to dissuade Pacific Islands nations from establishing security ties with Beijing, after China signed a security pact with the Solomon Islands.

(Reporting by Kirsty Needham, editing by Mark Heinrich)
Telephone conversation between Minister of Foreign Affairs Luminita Odobescu and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken

Romania - Ministry of Foreign Affairs

09/07/23

Minister of Foreign Affairs Luminita Odobescu and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken held a telephone conversation on Thursday, September 7, at the initiative of the American side, on the consequences for Romania of the Russian attacks on Ukrainian river ports.

The head of Romanian diplomacy welcomed US and Allied support and solidarity with Romania and stressed the importance of keeping developments in the Black Sea and the region under NATO's watch.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Luminita Odobescu and Secretary of State Blinken referred to the importance of continuing bilateral discussions and coordination on security issues and NATO's current agenda.

The two dignitaries underlined the excellent level of bilateral cooperation and the shared interest in adding new dimensions to the bilateral relationship, with a focus on energy cooperation.

The US Secretary of State underlined the solidarity with Romania and thanked Romania for its support to Ukraine and for the additional measures taken to facilitate the transit of Ukrainian grain through Romania. He appreciated Romania's interest and commitment in finding effective solutions in this context together with the US, the European Commission and Ukraine.

At the same time, he congratulated Romania for organizing the Three Seas Initiative Summit, a format that is strengthened by the co-optation of new participants and associates and aims to increase connectivity with the inclusion of Moldova and Ukraine.

The two dignitaries agreed to continue their close cooperation in the coming period.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Defence Minister Martin Sklenar at the Pentagon in Washington D.C.: SVK-U.S. defence cooperation continues with generational replacement of Slovak Armed Forces equipment

Ministry of Defence of The Slovak Republic

07.09.2023

As part of his official visit to the United States of America, Defence Minister Martin Sklenar held a bilateral meeting with Acting Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Sasha Baker at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., today (Thursday 7 September 2023). The main themes of the bilateral agenda were SVK-U.S. defence cooperation, assistance to Ukraine defending itself against Russia's aggression, and the strengthening of the Alliance's Eastern Flank.

During the meeting with Under Secretary Baker, Defence Minister Sklenar highlighted the high level of SVK-U.S. bilateral engagement in the field of defence. According to him, this is especially true for the modernisation of the Slovak Armed Forces, where the USA is Slovakia's key partner on capability and equipment programmes. This is evidenced by Slovakia's ongoing procurement of F-16s, recent acquisition of UH-60M Black Hawks, and other armaments programmes financed from U.S. funds.

Speaking about the SVK-U.S. strategic partnership, Defence Minister Martin Sklenar said: "True allies care about making their close partners feel safe. Indeed, we have perceived this interest from the U.S. side in the long run, and we can also see its real steps in the form of support for the modernisation of the Slovak Armed Forces and our defence industry. However, this is not just about acquisition projects, but also about the fact that U.S. Armed Forces service members have served with NATO troops in Slovakia in response to Russias occupation of Ukraine - all this contributes to our already strong historical alliance and commitment to collective defence."

U.S.-led military training and education of Slovak Armed Forces service personnel is a significant element of SVK-U.S. bilateral defence cooperation, Minister Sklenar noted.

On Ukraine, the U.S. side praised Slovakia for both its political and practical assistance to its eastern neighbour. According to Minister Sklenar, Slovakia remains committed to sustaining its long-term, tailored support for Ukraine. Slovakia and Ukraine are currently working to identify a new area of cooperation on demining unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs). Meanwhile, Slovak defence firms are scaling up their production capacity of 155mm artillery ammunition, which is so urgently needed by Ukraine.

A day earlier, on Wednesday 6 September 2023, the Defence Minister paid a visit to Lockheed Martin's facility in Greenville, South Carolina, where the first F-16 Block 70 fighter jet, carrying the SVK national emblem and the Slovak Air Force eagle emblem, was officially unveiled. While in Greenville, Minister Sklenar was also briefed on the progress made in producing the other 13 F-16 jets.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






USS Shiloh Departs Yokosuka, Japan After 17 Years of Forward-Deployed Service

US Navy

07 September 2023

From Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Askia Collins

YOKOSUKA, Japan - The Ticonderoga-class guided missile-cruiser USS Shiloh (CG 67) departed Yokosuka, Japan, on Sept. 5 to transit to its new homeport of Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, as part of a planned rotation of forces in the Pacific.

Shiloh arrived on station at Yokosuka Naval Base in August 2006 to fulfill the obligations of the U.S.-Japanese ballistic missile defense program and to support operations within the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations (AOO).

"For nearly two decades, USS Shiloh provided our Forward-Deployed Naval Forces the agility and firepower to support our carrier operations, protect sea lanes, deter aggression, and reassure allies and partners across the Indo-Pacific," said Capt. Adam Cheatham, commanding officer of Shiloh. "We've built long-lasting personal and professional relationships here in Japan that will stay with us forever. Shiloh's contributions were significant, reinforcing valuable connections over shared visions of a free and open Indo-Pacific.

"It's sad to be leaving this place that means so much to us, but we believe USS Shiloh made a difference during her time forward-deployed to Yokosuka, and we are proud of that," he continued. "On behalf of the crew, I want to offer my deep gratitude to the people of Japan and this community for their friendship over the years. It will never be forgotten."

In addition to serving in the 7th Fleet AOO, Shiloh deployed to the 5th Fleet AOO in support of operations Allies Refuge and Freedom Sentinel in 2021.

U.S. 7th Fleet exercises operational control of its units through designated Task Forces or Task Groups. These groups are organized along domain and functional lines. Shiloh is assigned to Commander, Task Force (CTF) 70, the theater strike warfare commander and theater air and missile defense commander.

CTF 70 is forward-deployed to the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific. U.S. 7th Fleet is the largest forward-deployed fleet in the world, and with the help of and network of alliances and partners from 35 other maritime nations, the U.S. Navy has operated in the Indo-Pacific region for more than 70 years; providing credible, ready forces to help preserve peace and prevent conflict.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






U.S. forces conducts medical evacuation of injured civilians in support of the Federal Government of Somalia

On September 6, 2023, a Somali national force conducted a counter-terrorism operation in the vicinity of El-Lahelay, Somalia.

By U.S. Africa Command Public Affairs , United States Africa Command Stuttgart, Germany Sep 08, 2023

On September 6, 2023, a Somali national force conducted a counter-terrorism operation in the vicinity of El-Lahelay, Somalia.

The command's initial assessment is that three al Shabaab leaders were killed as a result of the operation and, unfortunately, civilians were injured and killed in the vicinity of the operation.

U.S. forces were not onsite for the operation and did not conduct air strikes during or in support of the operation.

In response to a request from the Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command medically evacuated injured civilians.

The claim being spread by al Shabaab that U.S. forces caused the unfortunate harm to civilians is false.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






US Army Aviation unit in Europe receives new Apache helicopters

By David Overson September 8, 2023

WIESBADEN, Germany -- The U.S. Army's 12th Combat Aviation Brigade received two new model Apache helicopters, which feature state-of-the-art enhancements to the aircraft's sensors, software, and weapon systems at Wiesbaden Army Airfield, Clay Kaserne, Germany, Sept. 1, 2023.

The new Apaches, officially designated AH-64E Version 6 Apache Guardians, are the first of an anticipated 24 the unit is scheduled to receive. They arrived on a U.S. Air Force C-17 transport aircraft, were unloaded, and then two of the unit's existing AH-64 Delta models took their place aboard the transport, bound for a different U.S. Army combat aviation brigade.

"This new aircraft gives us so many more capabilities," said U.S. Army 1st Lt. Brigit Duffy, a maintenance platoon leader with 1st Battalion, 3rd Aviation Regiment (Attack Battalion), 12th CAB. "There are upgrades on so many different aspects of the aircraft, which will better aid our abilities to support our Allies here in the European Theater."

The AH-64E V6 includes multiple enhancements to the aircraft's sensors, software, and weapons performance, and is designed for interoperability within the multi-domain operational ecosystem. The AH-64E V6 is a lethal, survivable, and agile system providing ground forces with more reach, maneuverability, and performance.

By delivering and integrating advanced capabilities through a layered effect of onboard and off-board sensors, stand-off long-range weapons, and the connectivity required to use all the tools the ecosystem can bring, Boeing's AH-64E V6 is a fully integrated, optimized for battle attack helicopter that is truly in a class by itself.

Capable of destroying armor, personnel, and materiel targets in obscured battlefield conditions, the AH-64E V6 comes equipped with air to ground Hellfire missiles that are semi-active laser or radar guided, 2.75-inch Hydra rockets, which are laser guided point detonating, and an M230 30 mm chain machine gun that shoots 625 rounds per minute, with a range of 4.2 kilometers.

"This aircraft will allow use of the AGM-179 Joint Air-to-Ground Missile and future integration of the Spike NLOS [a multi-purpose, electro-optical/infrared missile system]," said Chief Warrant Officer 5 Michael Weisskopf, the brigade standardization officer with 12th CAB. "It also has a full instrument suite allowing IFR [flying in clouds] allowing us to deploy in bad weather."

Prior to the arrival of these V6s, 12th CAB sent a few pilots to the U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence, at Fort Novosel, Alabama, for initial training. Maintainers, on the other hand, are scheduled to be trained here in Germany beginning in October, with an estimated completion date of January 2024.

USAACE is scheduled to send their New Equipment Training Team to train the pilots and maintainers over the course of the next seven months.

As the U.S. Army continues to build the Army of 2030 and invests in next generation technologies, the Apache brings affordable Modular Open Systems Architecture capability to serve as a centerpiece in the Multi-Domain Operations battlefield for decades to come.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Bright Star 2023 highlights the long-standing Egyptian-American ties

U.S. Central Command

Sept. 8, 2023

By Maged Benjamin-Elias USCENTCOM

TAMPA, Fla. -- Exercise Bright Star 2023 began Aug. 31, 2023, at the Mohamed Naguib Military Base, Alexandria, Egypt. Jointly led by the Egyptian Armed Forces and those from the U.S. Central Command, Bright Star is the oldest multilateral military exercise in the Middle East and Africa first occurring in 1980. The biannual multinational exercise is designed to enhance interoperability among the 34 participating nations and support their ability to confront security and military challenges at regional and international levels.



"Bright Star has long been an example of the military-to-military partnerships in the CENTCOM area of responsibility," said Gen. Michael "Erik" Kurilla, commander of U.S.

Central Command. "This year's exercise demonstrates the strength of the U.S. Egyptian military cooperation and deepens the interoperability of all the partnering nations."

This military exercise continues this historic partnership and plays a leading role in counterterrorism, regional security, and efforts to combat the spread of violent extremism.



Bright Star will continue until Sept. 14, this year focusing on subject matter expert exchanges, Command Post Exercises, and Field Training Exercises in the following disciplines:

- Counterterrorism and irregular warfare

- Planning and executing joint military operations on tactical and operational/strategic

levels

- Planning and Conducting Common air operations

- Maritime security operations

- Securing international borders

- Integrated air and missile defense

- Joint tactical air control

- Cyber security operations



Approximately 8,000 troops from participating nations are currently on Egyptian soil for Bright Star. The Egyptian Armed Forces provided more than 2,300 troops, and the U.S. provided approximately 1,500 service members. The other countries with troops on the ground during the exercise include: Cameroon, Cyprus, France, Germany, Greece, India, Italy, Jordan, Kuwait, Malawi, Pakistan, Qatar, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, South Africa, and the United Kingdom. The International Committee of the Red Cross and Egyptian police elements are also participating.



Additionally, the following countries are participating as observers: Australia, Bahrain, Brazil, Republic of the Congo, Hungary, Japan, Nigeria, Oman, Poland, Rwanda, Sudan, Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda, and the United Arab Emirates. Bright Star strengthens the long-standing defense cooperation partnership between Egypt and the United States. Large-scale exercises, such as Bright Star, improve security and stability across the CENTCOM area of operations and the African continent.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






August 2023 Month in Review: The Defeat ISIS Mission in Iraq and Syria

U.S. Central Command

USCENTCOM

Sept 8, 2023

Release Number 20230908-01

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TAMPA, Fla. -- During the month of August, U.S. Central Command, along with coalition and other partners, conducted a total of 36 D-ISIS operations, resulting in 7 ISIS operatives killed and 25 detained.

These operations showcase our enduring commitment to the lasting defeat of ISIS to preserve regional security and stability.

The following is a breakdown of D-ISIS operations for August 2023 by country:

In Iraq In Syria 28 partnered operations 8 partnered operations 0 U.S. only operations 0 U.S. only operations 6 ISIS operatives killed 1 ISIS operatives killed 18 ISIS operatives detained 7 ISIS operatives detained

"Our partnership with the Iraqi Security Force and Syrian Democratic Forces continues to be focused on the defeat of ISIS and the enduring threat they present," said Gen. Michael "Erik" Kurilla, CENTCOM commander. "Alongside our partners we remain committed to aggressively engaging with ISIS to provide security in both Iraq and Syria."



-30-

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






September 8, 2023

By DOD News

Acquisition Program Is Talent Pipeline to Prepare Students for DOD Civilian Careers

The new Defense Civilian Training Corps pilot program provides 100% tuition scholarships and monthly stipends through an ROTC-like development program preparing undergraduate students for a direct path into the Defense Department's acquisition-related civilian careers.

The program incorporates a defense-focused, active-learning curriculum along with project-based summer internships at DOD organizations.

Ninety undergraduate students are participating in the program's first year at four universities - the University of Arizona, North Carolina A&T University, Purdue University and Virginia Tech.

William LaPlante, undersecretary of defense for acquisition and sustainment, extended a virtual welcome to the inaugural Defense Civilian Training Corps class yesterday.

"The initiative [is] so important [to the] Department of Defense and to the country. And of course, you, the students, are the key piece of the puzzle. It's all about you," he said.

Mark E. Krzysko, DOD's principal deputy director of enterprise information for acquisition data and analytics, also spoke to the students.

"The department has huge demands for creating a future workforce. DCTC is a key component of that. For the scholars in the audience, this program is designed to be a comprehensive challenge and design to connect you with the department and future employment and future careers within the department. You've been selected because of your talents, skills and desire for public service supporting national security. This program is designed to build those critical skills necessary for you to make a difference and have a successful career in the department," Krzysko said.

Garry Shafovaloff, director of DCTC's pilot, said the program reflects the department's commitment to developing a new generation of highly talented professionals who are committed to public service and who will perform critical roles throughout the department. This is not just about talent management, but unleashing talent.

The classes are designed to engage students with today's acquisition professionals, working together with mentoring, to practice innovating and problem solving on today's real DOD challenges. They get to experience making a difference and being part of the national security team, he said.

This program provides a new public service pathway for many to become DOD civilian professionals and makes it possible for the students to serve and use their talents to further national security, Shafovaloff added.

"The magic of the program is in the design, giving students the opportunity for public service and to be part of something bigger than themselves. That's exciting," he said.

Shafovaloff said he hopes the pilot will become a model and inspire similar efforts in other areas of the department and U.S. government.

A primary reason this program is so important is the need for a ready and right-skilled DOD civilian workforce that supports and equips our military to succeed in the pacing challenges of China and achieving our National Defense Strategy. China is harnessing its talent for critical technologies that could have military applications. "Our nation needs to also be proactive and aggressive in preparing the workforce of the future," he said.

The DCTC's intensive teamwork and hands-on, problem-solving design will generate innovative solutions that help students experience being national security professionals today. Their solutions could also spark private sector applications workforce that would also benefit the U.S. economy, he added.

The program design includes having a mix of students from diverse technical and nontechnical majors, mirroring DOD's multifunctional teams that work together with industry to transition technologies into fielded deterrence capabilities, he said.

The initial pilot program started with junior-level students last month, he said. Selected candidates not only have strong academic credentials, but they're also involved in clubs and organizations that are public service oriented. Of 360 applicants, 90 were selected. The selectees represent 28 technical majors and 14 nontechnical majors.

Students continue their studies in their majors and take two credit hours of additional coursework for the Defense Civilian Training Corps, he said. The program design, as part of the integrated curriculum, includes high engagement with DOD organizations professionals. DOD organizations propose student projects and commit to mentoring and hosting project-based summer internships. The matching of projects with students and organizations includes a commitment by organizations to plan placement of the students upon successful completion of their degrees and the DCTC program.

Matches are made by considering the students' talents and interests and the organizations' needs, he said. It's a two-way conversation.

The program was authorized in the fiscal year 2020 National Defense Act. Congress, through the fiscal year 2023 NDAA, modified the direction to cite the undersecretary of defense for acquisition and sustainment as responsible for implementation with the help of the Acquisition Innovation Research Center. Congress saw the opportunity to create a strong partnership between the department and academia to address the need to strengthen and build DOD talent pipeline for critical skills needed in the acquisition workforce, said Karen Thornton, a research fellow with the Acquisition Innovation Research Center. There, she's on the leadership team implementing the Defense Civilian Training Corps pilot.

The acquisition mission in the department is broad, she said, ranging all the way from the requirements process, testing and evaluation, logistics, program management to contracting and sustainment.

"Success of the acquisition teams depends on strong communication, listening skills, compassion, respect and collaboration from the engineers to the logisticians to the contracting officers. We want to make sure that students are building those skills," she said.

Each of the universities in the program has Reserve Officers' Training Corps programs.

"One of the things we want them to do is participate in some activities with ROTC cadets, so our DCTC scholars become more familiar with the military culture," she said.

"We look to our ROTC colleagues to demonstrate how they integrate leadership and resilience training into their program," she said.

Thornton noted that the pilot program also works to help students get security clearances, which will be necessary for the work they'll be doing. "The security clearance timeline can be a barrier to attracting top talent into public service, and we're make sure we address that," she said.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Remarks by President Charles Michel before the G20 summit in New Delhi

European Council / Council of the European Union

European Council

Statements and remarks

8 September 2023



It is the start of India's G20 Presidency. Prime Minister Modi has asked a question: can the G20 go further? Can we shift our fundamental mindset for the benefit of all humanity? I believe we can. And that is why we are here, to go beyond the zero-sum mindset, to work towards mutual understanding and to make the world a fairer place for everyone, no matter where they live. So I would like first to thank Prime Minister Modi and India for their leadership over the past year, and for their priorities. I look forward to welcoming the African Union as a permanent member of the G20, and I am proud that the EU reacted immediately in a positive way to support this candidature.

As we speak, Russia continues to attack the sovereign nation of Ukraine, killing people, destroying its cities. This is why the EU will continue to strongly back Ukraine and to pile pressure on Russia. The Kremlin's war is also unravelling lives far beyond Ukraine, including right here in South Asia. Over 250 million people face acute food insecurity worldwide. And by deliberately attacking Ukrainian ports, the Kremlin is depriving them of the food they desperately need. It is scandalous that Russia, after terminating the Black Sea Initiative, is blocking and attacking Ukrainian sea ports. This must stop. Ships with grain must have safe access through the Black Sea. Antonio Guterres' United Nations initiative had delivered 30 to 32 million tonnes to the markets, especially to developing countries. The Kremlin's offer of 1 million tonnes of grain to Africa is therefore absolutely cynical. On our side, the EU is stepping up to provide alternative export routes through our solidarity lanes, which so far have delivered 41 million tonnes of grains.

We are also focusing on the existential challenge of climate change. Floods, droughts and record-high temperatures are a threat to humanity's survival. Climate change spares no one. Global warming will hit each one of us. Emissions must peak by 2025 to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees. So we need to act together to reach climate neutrality by 2050. In the EU, we have agreed on a package of ambitious measures on climate and energy, and this sets us on a clear path for climate neutrality by 2050. Here at the G20, we want to send a strong message ahead of the COP28 in Dubai, that, together as one global community, we need to put into action sustainable, inclusive and just transitions. Just transition means that it benefits each citizen worldwide, where rights and freedoms are protected and embraced. I sincerely believe the G20 is the right forum to drive forward the green transition worldwide. Together, we must be ambitious, and that means tripling renewable energy capacity and doubling energy efficiency by 2030. Vulnerable economies should not have to choose between going green and reducing poverty. We will meet our $100 billion goal on climate funds for the first time this year. The EU has delivered its share and we welcome that others now appear ready to do so. Together we should reach this goal every year. We need to do more to make our climate transition fairer.

Today's financial system is not inclusive. Many parts of the world are left out, without a voice. We need to change this. That's why we must tackle the weaknesses in the international system. For the EU, the Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals are a beacon, and both require money. To reach our ambitious goals, we need ambitious financing and strong partnerships between governments and the private sector. The international community has delivered on the goal of rechannelling $100 billion of special drawing rights. This is a good and interesting example of countries binding together to support the most vulnerable. But I think we need more and we need to encourage others to do their part. Multilateral development banks and international financial institutions need to reform to better address these challenges, and this will require a massive jolt in financing. Sooner or later, we will have to increase the capacity of the banks to support, to invest, to assist the speed of progress on climate funds and help to achieve our sustainable development goals. Many developing countries are suffering under a mountain of debt and we must step up the common framework which these countries need.

Finally, a word on global health. We need to be ready for the next global health emergency. Multilateral coordination is the gold standard in tackling these massive and unpredictable challenges. I remember that two years ago together with Dr Tedros, we made the proposal to launch negotiations for an international treaty. We need to deliver on this and step up our efforts. We sent this to the World Health Organisation, and I am confident that this G20 meeting will be the occasion to express support for a successful negotiation that will take place next May.

The European Union is a constructive and reliable partner to the international community. We are a strong voice for more multilateralism and more cooperation between nations. This G20 comes at a critical time for multilateralism and for the future of the world. These are challenging times.

Trust is the pillar of multilateralism. I sincerely hope that these two days will help to build more trust. Mahatma Gandhi once said, 'our ability to reach unity in diversity will be the beauty and the test of our civilisation'. Let's be inspired by those words. You can count on the EU.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Georgia: Press remarks by High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell after meeting with Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili

European External Action Service (EEAS)

08.09.2023

Tblisi

Strategic Communications

Check against delivery!

Thank you, Prime Minister.

Good afternoon, everybody.

Prime Minister, I am really glad to be here in Georgia. Last time I visited Georgia was 16 years ago. It was just before the war, and it is really moving to see how the country has changed since then.

I am happy to be here again, in this responsibility [as High Representative/Vice-President].

I got to express [this] to you, Prime Minister [Irakli Garibashvili], during our meeting, and to the Foreign Minister [Ilia Darchiashvili], who I met earlier today. This afternoon, with the President [Salome] Zurabishvili.

But before entering into the subjects of our discussions, allow me to express my heartfelt condolences for the young victims of the landslide in Guria and express our full support to the rescue teams. I sincerely hope that the other missing people will be found in good health.

I have three main messages to share with you and with the Georgian people during my visit:

The first message is that [there is] no doubt Georgia belongs to the European family.

I wanted to come here to deliver this message in person to the Georgian people.

Visiting your country, it is clear that you hear and you see the overwhelming European aspiration of the Georgian people. 80% support for the European Union is an impressive figure. But it is not only a figure, I am really inspired seeing the many European flags on the streets of Tbilisi. There are many more European flags here than in Brussels.

Prime Minister, you made your plea today for candidate status. It is a call that we have heard over the past months consistently from the authorities, from the opposition and from the civil society representatives.

In the same way, all political forces need to work together constructively. This is what I discussed with the Parliamentarians today. The majority has to be inclusive, the minority has to be cooperative. This is a national endeavour. The government and the party in power should work on creating an environment that makes this cooperation possible.

At this moment, all efforts should focus on eliminating political tensions.

Do not miss this historic opportunity. In order not to miss it, you need to work [in a] united [way], because the next steps on the European path for Georgia will depend on the merits and results achieved. The results will be achieved thanks to the united work of all political forces.

Your tasks are clearly mapped out with the 12 priorities that we have been putting forward in the [European] Commission's Opinion.

And as of June, you delivered on three of them. The other nine [priorities] remain to be done. But there is still time to do it.

Work needs to be done first on depolarisation of the political life, de-oligarchisation of the economic, political and social life, on justice reform, on electoral reform, on media pluralism and on human rights.

There are no shortcuts.

EU accession requires hard work, political will and clear commitment to the European Union's values. But let me tell you from my own experience, this hard work is worth [it].

It is worth [it] not only to become a member of the European Union but for improving the everyday life of your citizens.

EU membership is the biggest transformative power and security commitment that can be. I am saying that from my experience. The biggest transformative power and the strongest security commitment.

Prime Minister, allow me to make one additional remark about the developments around the impeachment of the President [of Georgia, Salome Zurabishvili].

This risks to further increase the counterproductive polarisation. I think that all institutions of the country have to work together, providing together strong support to the European path.

Georgia has the potential to achieve success. You have a robust administration, you have a vibrant civil society. This is what you need in order to succeed in this historical moment.

My second message is related to Russia's aggression against Ukraine.

We are supporting Ukraine, and we will support Ukraine for as long as it takes. We welcome the clear position of Georgia in international fora in this regard.

It is crucial that our closest partners coordinate efforts to internationally isolate Russia.

Therefore, we welcome very much your close cooperation and efforts on prevention of sanctions' circumvention. A lot has been done and it is important to express clear recognition for your efforts.

But also, I have to say that we regret the resumption of flights between Georgia and Russia.

It is part of the alignment of Georgia with our foreign policy. This - the alignment - is a commitment that Georgia undertook under the Association Agreement, and what we expect from those countries who aspire to become members of the European Union. Right now, certainly, there is a lot of room for improvement.

We also need your engagement to counter Russia's hybrid activities, starting with Russia's war of propaganda and disinformation.

This is why the European Union will continue supporting independent media and civil society to help the Georgian people to build resilience to information manipulation, including disinformation, which is the most important thing to have in a vibrant democratic system. Fair information: information is the plot of democracy.

My third message, Prime Minister, is about our unwavering support to Georgia's security, sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Our longstanding commitment to peaceful conflict resolution in Georgia is today as strong as ever, in light of Russia's aggression against Ukraine.

We have been and we will continue standing by Georgia.

These are not just words. We are backing this up by concrete actions and investments: we have an active Special Representative [for the South Caucasus and the crisis in Georgia, Toivo Klaar] and a dedicated EU Monitoring Mission (EUMM) that has been in the country for the last 15 years.

During 15 years, every day the Mission has played an important role in ensuring stability and reducing tensions in the region.

We discussed the situation around the breakaway regions. I will personally later today go there to see the situation on the ground and visit this Mission.

Finally, I am also glad about our increasingly strong security and defence cooperation. You have made remarkable contributions to our military missions around the world.

We are by your side in helping Georgia strengthening its defence forces through the European Peace Facility (EPF). We have provided 62 million of funding for non-lethal equipment which is vital for rapid response in crisis situations and for saving lives. This has already reached Georgia in April. More assistance is on the way.

Prime Minister, and also citizens of Georgia, I am concluding by saying that Georgia can count on the European Union's support.

We want to see Georgia succeeding on its European path. We want you to succeed, and for that, we will provide all the support that we can.

Thank you.

Q&A

[in Georgian] Georgia has the European perspective. The status that we are expecting [has been very] important [in] the political discussions, for the last year. When you say that you expect reforms on nine recommendations, which are the ones on which you would like to see more progress? And when you express hope that the political spectrum will cooperate, are these true expectations in the time that is left? [Georgian political groups have] failed to cooperate, what are your expectations?

I think I explained that there are 12 priorities, and all of them are important. They contain essential reforms that the country needs, not to please Brussels, but to improve the quality of the institutions, and the democracy and the quality of life of the people. I mentioned them. I think that there is still work to be done and there is still time to do it.

You know the process: in Autumn, the European Commission will publish an Enlargement package. It will contain countries' reports. These countries' reports will contain a detailed assessment of the state of play and the progress made by each of the enlargement countries. There will be also recommendations from the European Commission to the Member States for countries to move ahead on the enlargement path. By the end of the year, the Member States will have the final decision.

Yes, certainly, I think that it is perfectly possible to succeed, and my expectations are positive, because I am fully convinced that you will do every effort needed in order to fulfil all the criteria.

[in Georgian] Out of these 12 recommendations, the very first is commonly perceived in Georgia as the most challenging, "depolarisation". The government [inaudible] to deliver on this. You may be aware that polarisation has increased since last December, the country did not receive the [candidate] status. This will continue to be the case if in December we fail to get the status. Do you think that this will deepen polarisation in the country? What is your projection and position on this?

Look, the polarisation of your internal [political] life is clearly something that only Georgians can solve. There are some issues on which we have an influence - economic aspects - but the polarisation of the political life, if I enter in discussing that, I will be accused of interference in your political life. I do not want to do it.

You have to manage something called unity. I know perfectly that democracy means the different approaches proposing different solutions, the opposition criticising the government, the government answering the criticism from the opposition. This is part of democracy. But when the criticism becomes too high, when there is no cooperation, when there is no inclusiveness, when the level of the political debate goes too high and prevents from working together to pursue a national endeavour, then it is bad.

My call to everybody is "take it as a national endeavour". And I want to repeat the recipe: the majority has to be inclusive, the minority has to be cooperative. But on that, certainly, my leverage is minimum. It is up to you. It is up to the political forces.

[in Georgian] In the indicator that Georgia has in terms of Foreign Policy and Security alignment, 43% this year has been our case. This might remind you of the political steps made by the country, by the ruling party, since the unprecedented window of opportunity was opened up. You have been also saying this for the past two days. We were expecting in June the status and the decision; the authorities in the months prior to that have detained the founder of the largest media outlet. This was an absurd detention. Then, Georgia was outed of this process, and we were denied in the process. ... Then we had the so-called Russian draft law, and permanent attacks on our partners and friends overseas and claims to want to have a second front of the war line here, sanctions, etc. Most recently, the impeachment of the President, that you also mentioned. Considering all these tensions, who will be responsible if Georgia loses their chance that is given to this country?

I understood that you were asking me about [Georgia's] alignment with the Foreign Policy of the European Union and also something related to a specific case, on which - to be frank - I cannot give you a concrete answer. And also, something related to this call for opening a second front. This is easy to be answered: this is noise, this is interference, this is propaganda, this is disinformation. It is crazy to believe that the European Union wants to use Georgia to open a second front in the war of Russia against Ukraine. Do not listen to this kind of thing. I regret that people disseminate these false narratives because it certainly creates troubles. But the will of the people who do that is to poison the atmosphere, to disturb the messages, to create mistrust. And yes, I know that Russia's propaganda is very intensive, and they excel in this kind of messages.

Then, about the alignment, the European Union - the Prime Minister knows it very well, and the Foreign Minister too - we are a club of states that on the issue of external policy, we work by consensus or by unanimity. So, we have to be sure that we have the same vision of the world in order to be able to reach agreements among us. If everybody has a different approach, to the world, then it is going to be impossible to do the foreign policy. That is why we require the candidates to align with our positions, to be sure that, once they will be a member, and they will contribute to building a common policy, they can do it because they are aligned.

And yes, the alignment rate of Georgia is not very high. Since the Association Agreement, it has not been improving. We have been discussing [this] with the Prime Minister and the Foreign Affairs Minister in a candid manner, expressing our concerns, receiving their explanations and point of view. Yes, certainly, this is something that has to improve. On the other hand, I want to recognise that on the matter of fighting the circumvention of sanctions, Georgia has been doing very well and this is something that has to be stressed. But yes, we have to work in order to align the foreign policy of Georgia with us.

[in Georgian] The absolute majority of the population of the country supports the country becoming a member of NATO and the European Union - you also spoke about that. I understand that we don't want this to happen, but if we fail to get the status at the end of the year - if we get rejected -, would you think it would create skepticism or nihilism in the population of Georgia, or frustration? Would that be a message for the country that the country has been abandoned by the European Union? We need to discuss also the difficult and challenging geopolitical situation that we are in: the Russian invasion of Ukraine and 20% of the country occupied by Russia. Would you think a refusal of the status would be a good message for the country?

Please, never, ever say 'we have been abandoned by the European Union.' This is something I cannot accept. The European Union has not abandoned Georgia and will not abandon Georgia. But at the same time, I have to say that accession is a merit-based process, and you have to fulfil certain conditions, and it is up to you. You know, a student goes to the exam, does not pass the exams and he says: "the professor has abandoned me". No, the professor has an objective measure. And that is what we are; our assessments are objective. So, please, do not be in the mood "we have been abandoned". Employ all your intellectual energies on pushing to fulfil the requirements. This is the good attitude. The European Union is not abandoning Georgia, will not abandon Georgia. Look, we have an Economic and Investment Plan that has been mobilising 1.3 billion, increasing competitiveness, on improving infrastructure. It is not on our interest to abandon Georgia. We are very much aware of the importance and interest that Georgia has today for us. The European Union will be more complete and stronger with Georgia in than with Georgia out. You are not begging to be a member of [the European Union], we want you to be a member of the European Union. That is why I am here to say: "There is work to be done, there is time [to do it], do it". So, abandon the idea of "Oh, we have been abandoned".

(addition after Prime Minister answered same question)

I have had very interesting discussions. The Commission's representation and the Director-General [of DG NEAR, Gert Jan Koopman] in charge will remain here to continue working. I will go to visit the [EU] mission in the country, near the border with Russia. I agree with you that if anything goes wrong or badly, Russia will be very happy. Russia will be very happy if we don't succeed. But Mr Prime Minister, each country is different. Each country is different, including in their political, socio-economic and security situation. I want you to be sure, and the Georgians to be sure, that the Georgian efforts to align to the European Union acquis and progress in the reforms have been acknowledged by the European institutions in all the analytical reports that we have produced. We will continue doing that in a more objective manner.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Sept. 9, 1993

PORT BYRON  The tonsillitis that apparently kept Legislature candidate Ron Wilson away from Tuesday night's town meeting didn't keep him from attending last night's issue forum at Port Byron High School.

Wilson and Bernard Smith are vying to unseat county Legislature Chairman Herb Marshall Jr. in a Republican primary for District 3 slated for Sept. 14. The winner of the GOP contest and the victor of the Conservative Party write-in will face Democrat F. Walter Kolczynski in November's general election.

Last night's debate was almost a two-candidate affair after Wilson said last week the forum might be a "set-up" rigged by Marshall.

However, forum moderator Terry Rigby convinced the Mentz supervisor that the issues forum would be an impartial affair, and Wilson agreed to participate against the advice of his family and friends.

The trio shied away from the personality pinching and paperwork politics that has characterized much of the campaign to date. Last night, the candidates answered questions on a host of topics, from taxes to Owasco Lake to a proposed county executive.
Democracy must prevail in the Sahel

European External Action Service (EEAS)

08.09.2023

Josep Borrell, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy / Vice-President of the European Commission

Several Outlets - Some events are more memorable than others and serve as landmarks for a term in office. I will always remember attending a ceremony in Paris, in December 2019, to honor 13 French soldiers who had died in Mali. It was my first official act as High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.

I also will remember my visit to Niger in July. I witnessed the tangible results of EU-Niger cooperation with the inauguration of the Gorou Banda solar power plant near Niamey. In Agadez, I saw also hundreds of social housing units built with EU support. Nigerien President Mohamed Bazoum's ambitious vision and action offered real hope in a region that had fallen prey to authoritarian drift. That is why, the military coup on July 26, shortly after my visit, was a shock for me.

After a discussion with my European counterparts, in presence of the Nigerien Minister of Foreign Affairs and the President of the Commission of the Economic Community for West Africa (ECOWAS), I would like to share a few thoughts on the situation in Niger and the Sahel.

We must maintain unwavering support for the democratically elected President Bazoum for "as long as it takes", demanding a return to constitutional order in Niger. The future of democracy across the region is at stake. The democracy that the people of Niger wants, the one that ECOWAS is promoting, and the one that the EU is defending around the world.

Our support for ECOWAS also must not waver. There is no room for secondary arrangements or parallel mediation channels. As Europeans, we have long supported the search for "African solutions to African problems." At a time when ECOWAS is taking an unprecedently firm and consequential stand, we must put our actions where our mouth is.

In addition to defending its democratic values, the EU also has a major interest in seeing Niger return to the path of constitutional order. Another Sahelian country falling into the hands of a military junta would have far-reaching negative consequences for Europe in terms of security, migration flows, and geopolitical balance of power. It is mistaken to believe that military juntas could effectively combat terrorist movements or human trafficking. The best bulwarks against such threats are democratic states with the ambition, will, and means to create new opportunities for their people.

Certainly, EU policy toward the Sahel has not been as successful as we had hoped in recent years. We have sometimes been too focused on the security dimension alone and our efforts to help strengthen the rule of law and provide basic services have not been sufficient or visible enough. The "strategic patience" we have shown toward the military juntas in the region, have also not had any concrete results other than encouraging new vocations....

Despite this necessary self-criticism, we must not forget that Europe's roadmap in the Sahel in recent years has been a Sahelian one. We have committed our soldiers, our money, and our political capital to the region because Sahelian countries asked us to do so.

What can we do now? Suspend our budgetary support for, and security cooperation with, Niger; work toward the adoption of sanctions; and show solidarity in response to the unjustified expulsion of the Ambassador of one of our member states. However, we also must go further. Since it would not be reasonable to keep doing the same thing and expect a different result, we must adopt a different approach.

Security cooperation, the issuing of visas, and economic development programs must be reconsidered, and we must move quickly in deciding what needs to change - both with respect to Niger and other countries across the Sahel. We will need to hold this showdown with the military juntas without falling into the traps set by regimes that rely principally on manipulation and disinformation. With little results to show for their anti-terrorism or economic-development efforts, the region's juntas have found it to be their most effective tools.

The Sahel is a test for the entire EU. No one should be pleased by the difficulties that France is encountering in the region. It has become a convenient scapegoat for juntas to easily manufacture national cohesion while concealing their own failures and abuses. But France is not the problem in the Sahel; the military juntas are because they lack the means to really fight terrorism and the ambition to improve their people's daily lives and future prospects.

Those who rejoice, in Europe or elsewhere, at the difficulties encountered by Europeans in the Sahel do not appreciate correctly what is at stake. We will all pay a high price if we fail to remain coherent and united. Only a united Europe can influence the course of events. The coming weeks will tell whether we are up to the task of responding to expectations in this strategic region.



NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






OSCE Permanent Council No. 1438 Vienna, 7 September 2023

European External Action Service (EEAS)

08.09.2023

Vienna

Press and information team of the Delegation to UN and OSCE in Vienna

EU Statement in reply to the Current Issue raised by Georgia

15 years have passed since the 2008 war between Russia and Georgia. The European Union's commitment to the peaceful resolution of the conflict in Georgia is as strong as ever. We condemn Russia's continued military presence in Abkhazia and South Ossetia in violation of international law and commitments undertaken by Russia under the 12 August 2008 agreement, mediated by the European Union. Local communities continue to suffer from humanitarian challenges and human rights violations, including through restrictions to the freedom of movement and illegal detentions. Obstacles for internally displaced persons and refugees to return to their place of origin are persisting. The European Union has been fully engaged in conflict resolution efforts, including as co-chair in the Geneva International Discussions and through the efforts of the EU Special Representative. We call on all participants to engage constructively in the discussions to achieve the full implementation of the 12 August 2008 six-point agreement. We also underline the right of refugees and internally displaced persons to choose a sustainable solution, including a voluntary, safe and dignified return. The continued presence of the EU Monitoring Mission (EUMM Georgia) with over 200 civilian monitors has contributed to the stabilisation of the security situation. With a mandate renewed until December 2024, the EUMM remains the only international mission on the ground to facilitate a safe and normal life for the local communities living on both sides of the Administrative Boundary Lines with Abkhazia and South Ossetia. The European Union reconfirms its commitment to staying engaged in stabilisation and conflict resolution efforts in Georgia and reiterates its firm support to the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia within its internationally recognised borders.

The Candidate Countries NORTH MACEDONIA*, MONTENEGRO*, ALBANIA*, UKRAINE, the REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA, and BOSNIA and HERZEGOVINA*, the Potential Candidate Country GEORGIA, and the EFTA country LIECHTENSTEIN, member of the European Economic Area, as well as ANDORRA and SAN MARINO align themselves with this statement.

* North Macedonia, Montenegro, Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process





NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






OSCE Permanent Council No. 1438 Vienna, 7 September 2023

European External Action Service (EEAS)

08.09.2023

Vienna

Press and information team of the Delegation to UN and OSCE in Vienna

EU Statement on the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances

On 30 August, we marked the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances. The European Union reaffirms its strong commitment to the prevention and eradication of involuntary or enforced disappearances, as well as to combatting impunity for those responsible for, or complicit in, such crimes. Russia's unprovoked, unjustified and illegal war of aggression against Ukraine has starkly reminded us of the brutality and devastating impact of this practice. Not only on the victims and survivors, but also on their families, communities and societies as a whole. In a letter to the Russian authorities, the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture recently referred to the widespread allegations of torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, including enforced disappearances of Ukrainian civilians and prisoners of war by Russian troops in Ukraine as amounting to a pattern of violations that could indicate State endorsement. If proven, the special rapporteur warned that this would constitute a crime against humanity. The OSCE Moscow Mechanism reports have documented individual cases of Russian troops' abducting, detaining and unlawfully arresting civilians, including children, while refusing to provide any information about their fate or location. We strongly condemn these practices, including in the so-called 'filtration camps', and the enforced disappearances and persecution of Crimean Tatars in the illegally annexed Crimean peninsula as grave violations of international law, including international human rights law and international humanitarian law, and stand firm in demanding that those responsible be held to account. Our OSCE and international commitments and obligations are clear: any forms of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment are unequivocally prohibited, under all circumstances, without exceptions. With the adoption of the 2020 Ministerial Council Decision on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, the participating States recognised enforced disappearances as a serious human rights violation in the OSCE area. Regrettably, we continue to receive new alarming reports of enforced disappearances from several parts of the OSCE region. While Russia's brutal and illegal actions in Ukraine constitute the most recent grave example, many other cases remain unresolved, denying an effective remedy and assistance to the victims and survivors. In this regard, the EU remains seriously concerned about the fate of people subjected to enforced disappearances in Turkmenistan. We reiterate our strong call on Turkmenistan to immediately acknowledge this scourge, take action on the outstanding cases and eradicate the problem of enforced disappearances. The EU also reiterates its call on the Belarusian authorities for a complete and transparent investigation into all alleged violations and abuses of human rights, including the reports of enforced disappearances in the aftermath of the 2020 fraudulent presidential elections. Furthermore, recent reports indicating an increase in the practice of "incommunicado detentions" of political prisoners in 2023 are deeply concerning. All individuals, including civil society and opposition actors, must be protected from such criminal acts. We have to ensure that all persons in vulnerable situations are protected against enforced disappearances. The lack of effective protection of economic, social and cultural rights is a contributing factor to enforced disappearances. According to the UN Committee and Working Group on Enforced Disappearances, people living in poverty are more vulnerable and exposed to higher risk of enforced disappearances. In light of persisting challenges, we encourage all participating States to strongly consider ratifying the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance, to cooperate fully with the UN Committee and the Working Group on Enforced Disappearances and to take concrete measures to prevent enforced disappearances. This includes investigating effectively all allegations of enforced disappearances, bringing perpetrators to justice and providing redress to the victims and their families.

The Candidate Countries NORTH MACEDONIA*, MONTENEGRO*, ALBANIA*, the REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA, and BOSNIA and HERZEGOVINA*, the Potential Candidate Country GEORGIA, as well as MONACO align themselves with this statement.

* North Macedonia, Montenegro, Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Iran undermines PGCC statement on trio islands

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Sep 8, 2023

Tehran, IRNA -- The trio islands are an integral and eternal part of the territory of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the foreign ministry spokesman has said undermining the recent statement released by the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council.

Kanaani emphasized on Friday that Iran has repeatedly asserted its territorial integrity and sovereignty over the Iranian islands based on accepted international law principles and rules.

Kanaani also commented on the exploitation of common resources in the Persian Gulf, stating that Iran has always emphasized friendly and constructive cooperation in the energy field, including in the Arash gas field, based on its bilateral negotiations with the Kuwaiti government and negotiation records.

He stated that paying attention to common interests can pave the way for regional cooperation and urged Persian Gulf countries to use resources based on goodwill and historical rights in line with the common interests of their nations.

Regarding claims about Iran's peaceful nuclear program, Kanaani stated that Iran has continued to advance its peaceful nuclear program and cooperate with the International Atomic Energy Agency in a constructive manner, in accordance with its rights and obligations under the Non-Proliferation Treaty and the Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement. He added that Iran will not be influenced by political and media campaign interventions and pressures.

Kanaani also urged all parties to protect the new positive atmosphere in the region and stressed the need to strengthen regional synergy and convergence to secure the common interests of regional nations, adding that Iran expects its neighbors to refrain from making unrealistic claims and adopt a realistic approach to pave the way for improving regional relations.

9376**9417

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






The Baltic States' Political Directors in Tbilisi discuss Georgia's Euro-Atlantic integration and reform efforts

Republic of Latvia - Ministry of Foreign Affairs

08.09.2023

On 7 and 8 September 2023, Andzejs Vilumsons, Deputy State Secretary, Political Director at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia, visited Tbilisi together with the Political Directors of the Lithuanian and Estonian Ministries of Foreign Affairs in order to get a comprehensive picture of Georgia's internal political situation and its progress in the process of integration with the European Union. Current regional and international issues were also discussed, especially in the context of the Russian aggression against Ukraine.

In discussions with Georgian partners, the Political Directors reaffirmed the unwavering support of the Baltic States for Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity within internationally recognised borders, as well as support to Georgia in its Euro-Atlantic integration and reform efforts. It was noted that Georgia must adhere to the greatest possible number of decisions under the EU Common Foreign and Security Policy.

The Political Directors also met with representatives from Georgia's civil society organisations to hear their perspective of progress made by Georgia in the Euro-Atlantic integration process.

Political Director Andzejs Vilumsons had a bilateral meeting with the Head of the EU Delegation, Pawe Herczynski, to discuss Georgia's eurointegration process.

He also met with the leadership of the EU Monitoring Mission Georgia (EUMM) and a Latvian representative on the mission, Ilvars Dreimanis, in order to become acquainted with situation in Georgia's territories occupied by Russia.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






U.S.-Armenia joint military drills undermine regional stability: Kremlin

People's Daily Online

(Xinhua) 14:04, September 08, 2023

MOSCOW, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- The upcoming joint U.S.-Armenian military exercises do not contribute to the stabilization of the situation in the region, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Thursday.

Peskov said that these exercises are also not conducive to fostering an atmosphere of mutual trust in the region.

Moscow continues to work with both Armenia and Azerbaijan amid an escalation of tensions, he added.

During a cabinet meeting on Thursday, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said, "the military-political situation in the region had worsened significantly."

The Armenian Ministry of Defense announced Wednesday the decision to host joint exercises with the United States that will run through Sept. 20.

Azerbaijan and Armenia had been locked in a decades-long territorial conflict, with major armed clashes breaking out in September 2020 and ending with a Russia-brokered truce in November of the same year.

Sporadic conflicts have been erupting between Baku and Yerevan ever since, with international efforts still ongoing to mediate a fundamental truce between the two South Caucasus states.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Gabon junta appoints former opposition leader Sima as interim prime minister

Iran Press TV

Friday, 08 September 2023 10:30 AM

Gabon's military government has appointed a former opposition leader as the interim prime minister of the Central African country.

Gabon's military leader General Brice Oligui Nguema, who led the revolt that ousted President Ali Bongo, hosted the country's newly appointed interim prime minister, Raymond Ndong Sima, at the presidential palace in Libreville on Friday and tasked him with proposing a government lineup.

Nguema, who was sworn in as interim president on Monday, gave the new head of the transitional government "three or four days" to line up the new cabinet.

In his inauguration speech, Nguema had vowed to hold "free, transparent and credible elections" in the country and to restore civilian rule. However, he did not give a time frame for it.

He also said the new transitional government would include figures from across the political spectrum.

The country would also draw up a new constitution, drafted with representatives from all the key groups, which would be "more respectful of democracy and human rights" and submitted to a referendum, he said.

Sima, the 68-year-old Paris-educated economist, served as prime minister under Bongo from 2012 to 2014 before becoming a critic and competing against him in the 2016 and 2023 presidential campaigns.

"They've given me a roadmap, and I will try to work in the direction that the military have determined... for restoring all our institutions, and especially everything concerning the framework for elections," the new PM told AFP in a phone interview, adding that he wanted to take time for "broad consultations... so that people belonging to all political families are included" in the new government.

Meantime, Gabon's former president Ali Bongo, 64, was said to be free to leave the country and travel abroad.

"Given his state of health, the former President of the Republic Ali Bongo Ondimba has freedom of movement. He can travel abroad if he wishes to carry out his medical checks," Colonel Ulrich Manfoumbi Manfoumbi said on Wednesday reading a press release signed by Nguema.

Bongo suffered a serious stroke in October 2018 which left him physically impaired, with particular difficulty moving his right leg and arm.

Gabonese streets in past weeks have witnessed impoverished masses celebrating an end to the 55-year ruler of the Bongo family and liberation from autocratic rule.

The Bongos had lived in luxury, buoyed by Gabon's oil and mineral wealth, while one-third of their people live on less than about $7 a day, according to the World Bank.

The military takeover in Gabon came minutes after the results of the presidential election showed that the incumbent Bongo had won a third term in an allegedly rigged election.

A similar pattern of shifting power from old to new might has occured in other former French colonies across Africa, namely, Mali, Burkina Faso, Guinea and Niger.

The military-led African nations, who are fed up and tired of the vain promises of the West, particularly France, seek new roadmaps with newly-emerging global movers such as those in the BRICS bloc as they gain momentum towards prosperity and egalitarianism.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Philippines, Australia upgrade defense ties

The two nations have 'shared vision for the region,' Australian PM Albanese said during a visit to Manila.

By Jason Gutierrez for BenarNews 2023.09.08 -- Visiting Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese reaffirmed Canberra's support for Manila's South China Sea claims Friday, as the two allies upgraded their defense ties amid Chinese efforts to block Philippine supply boats in disputed waters.

Meanwhile, the Philippine government announced that it had completed another resupply mission to the BRP Sierra Madre, a grounded World War II-era ship that serves as Manila's military outpost in Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal.

Albanese met with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. at the presidential Malacanang Palace in Manila, where they signed a "Joint Declaration on Strategic Partnership." This upgrades the bilateral partnership to include possible joint patrols in the South China Sea, as well as more and larger joint exercises between Philippine and Australian forces.

Both men arrived from Indonesia where they had attended a summit between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and its partners. Other countries represented at the meetings in Jakarta included China and the United States, another Western ally that backs the Philippines in the territorial dispute.

Australia and the Philippines were bound by "strategic trust, shared values and mutual cooperation," Albanese said on Friday.

"Our friendship is underpinned by trust and respect as well as shared vision for the region," the Australian PM added, stressing that his government would keep working with Manila "to shape a region where sovereignty is uphill and economic cooperation is underpinned by international rules-based trade."

Marcos thanked Albanese for Australia's staunch backing of the Philippines, which has been engaged in a diplomatic tussle with China over the South China Sea.

In early August, the China Coast Guard fired water cannons at a Philippine Coast Guard ship as its escorted civilian boats delivering supplies to the Sierra Madre. Later that month, Chinese ships harassed another resupply convoy.

On Friday, the latest resupply mission to the BRP Sierra Madre was completed successfully, although Chinese coast guards ships tried to block the supply ships, the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) said.

The China Coast Guard countered that the Philippines had conducted an "illegal intrusion" into the shoal, which it calls Ren'ai Reef.

"The China Coast Guard strictly warned the Philippine vessels in accordance with the law, tracked and monitored the vessels all the way and effectively regulated them," it said in a statement.

"China has indisputable sovereignty over the Nansha islands, including the Ren'ai Reef, and its adjacent waters, and firmly opposes the illegal transportation of construction materials by the Philippines to the illegal[-ly] grounded warship."

On Friday, Marcos thanked the Australian leader for backing Manila during the ASEAN meetings where Albanese, he said, had "made very clear that the claims ... being made upon Philippine maritime territory are not valid and have not been recognized and are not in conjunction or consistent with international law.

"To have friends like you and partners like you, especially on that subject is very gratifying and encourages us to continue down that path," Marcos said.

Albanese said Australia was fully behind the Philippines in demanding that international law be upheld in staking claims in the South China Sea. Other ASEAN members - Brunei, Malaysia and Vietnam - also claim parts of the strategic waterway.

Taiwan, which China considers a renegade province, is another claimant.

"We have collective responsibility for security, including support for the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. UNCLOS, that's very important," Albanese told Marcos, according to transcripts of the meeting.

Diplomatic ties

Albanese and Marcos then signed the strategic partnership agreement and agreed to a five-year program aimed at reducing violent conflicts and reintegrating former Muslim separatist rebels in the southern Mindanao region to society.

Diplomatic ties between the Philippines and Australia were established in 1946, with relations covering a wide range of areas from defense and security to economic cooperation.

Australia is the Philippines' second largest defense partner of the Philippines and is one of only two partners with whom the Philippines has a Status of Visiting Forces Agreement. The other is the United States.

Australia was the Philippines' 14th largest trading partner in 2022 and was among the top sources of official development assistance - a total of Australian $180 million (6.5 billion pesos) - according to the foreign department.

Filipinos make up the fifth largest immigrant community in Australia, at 400,000, while nearly 30,000 Australian nationals consider the Philippines home.

BenarNews is an RFA-affiliated media outlet.

Copyright 1998-2023, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content September not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Biden's Hanoi trip buttressed by trade

The upgrade of ties between the US and Vietnam is as much about the economy as it is about China and security.

By Alex Willemyns for RFA 2023.09.08 -- U.S. President Joe Biden touches down in Hanoi on Sunday on his way home from the Group of 20 Summit in New Delhi, with the United States and Vietnam expected to announce a formal upgrade in ties.

In making the trip, Biden will become the first U.S. president to make a dedicated state visit to the Southeast Asian country since Barack Obama's high-profile visit in May 2016, when he famously dined at a small noodle shop in Hanoi with celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain.

While Biden's visit might take place with less fanfare, it will be viewed as no less vital by Vietnam's leaders amid Beijing's increasingly assertive "nine-dash line" claims to the South China Sea.

The fact Biden "chose to visit Hanoi while skipping the ASEAN Summit," would be viewed by Vietnam's leaders as evidence of U.S. commitments to the country, said Nguyen Khac Giang, a visiting fellow in Vietnam studies at Singapore's ISEAS - Yusof Ishak Institute.

"This visit coincides with China's harassment of regional claimant states in the South China Sea, including Vietnam and the Philippines, which many in Vietnam will interpret as a gesture of support from Washington for these countries," Giang told Radio Free Asia.

But the economic element of the trip can't be ignored, Giang said.

"China is just one factor under consideration," he said, with Biden's visit also seen by Hanoi as enhancing "Vietnam's role in the U.S. 'de-risking' strategy," which seeks to diversify America's supply chains toward friendlier countries in a practice known as "friendshoring."

Upgrade in ties

The most tangible result of Biden's trip is an expected upgrade of relations. The United States is currently ranked in the lowest tier of partners in Vietnam's diplomatic system, a "comprehensive" partner, which was unveiled under then-President Barack Obama in July 2013.

Hanoi keeps a hierarchy of relations, with 13 "comprehensive partnerships," 13 "strategic partnerships" and just four "comprehensive strategic partnerships" - Russia, China, India and South Korea.

"It seems an open secret that they will announce at least an elevation to a 'strategic partnership,'" said Gregory Poling, the director of the Southeast Asia Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, "and there's a lot of rumors that they may well skip that altogether and go right to 'comprehensive strategic partnership.'"

Poling said that may sound "like word soup to those of us in the U.S." But for Vietnam, "a communist state with a pretty rigid kind of Leninist hierarchy of diplomatic relations," he said, "this stuff actually matters."

Yet the shift is not only about Hanoi and Washington's concerns about Beijing's growing assertiveness in the South China Sea.

It's being driven as much by the "slowing of global economic growth plus China's economic difficulties," said Carl Thayer, a Vietnam expert and emeritus professor at the Australian Defense Force Academy in Canberra, with Hanoi, too, looking for more trade opportunities.

"Vietnam will be at pains to mollify China that it is not joining an anti-China coalition," Thayer said, with any upgrade ultimately not changing too much in the substance of the bilateral relationship.

"What sets these three tiers apart is the seniority of members on the bilateral coordinating mechanisms and the frequency of meetings," he said. "Generally, high-level officials from strategic partners gain access to Vietnam's 'four pillars' of leadership: party general secretary, prime minister, state president and chairman of the National Assembly."

It's the economy

Vietnam has been one of the main beneficiaries of American efforts to ease supply-chain reliance on China in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and amid fears Beijing could weaponize a reliance on it for key goods.

Nearly half a century after the Vietnam War, the country of 97 million people is now the 7th largest source of imports into the United States - behind only Mexico, Canada, China, Germany, Japan and South Korea - according to the U.S. Department of Commerce.

So far this year, the department of commerce figures say, Vietnam has already sold $62.8 billion of goods to the United States, which is now its largest export market, according to data from the World Bank.

"Nobody's benefited more from the China plus-one strategy of companies seeking to diversify supply chains more than Vietnam," said Poling of CSIS. He added that "the Philippines and Vietnam are likely to have the fastest growth in the region this year and next."

Diversifying U.S. supply chains to friendly countries like Vietnam has also become an explicit aim of the Biden administration, with Trade Representative Katherine Tai visiting the country in February and Secretary of State Antony Blinken also making the trip in April.

Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen visited Hanoi in July and said in a speech that Vietnam is "a key partner" in the U.S. "friendshoring" strategy, which she said aims at "diversifying our supply chains among many trusted partners like Vietnam to mitigate against global shocks."

For Vietnam's leaders, the economic upshots of closer ties with the United States alone make upgrading ties worth it, said Alexander Vuving, a professor at the Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies in Hawaii and an expert on Vietnam, China and the South China Sea.

"Many Vietnamese understand that their country needs a closer relationship with the U.S. to boost its security and prosperity," said Vuving, but "an elevated relationship with the U.S. would give Vietnam more than just a better counterweight to China."

"Many in the Vietnamese leadership hope that it will give Vietnam more U.S. support for Vietnam's economic development," he said. "This upgrade signals a substantial raise, not just a symbolic shift."

Edited by Malcolm Foster.

Copyright 1998-2023, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content September not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






The Azadi Briefing: Border Clashes And Closures Mark Deteriorating Pakistan-Taliban Ties

By Abubakar Siddique September 08, 2023

The Key Issue

Pakistani border guards and Afghan Taliban fighters exchanged fire on September 6, the latest flare-up along the disputed border. Both sides accused each other of starting the firefight.

In response, Islamabad has closed a key crossing, leaving hundreds of trucks and thousands of people on both sides of the border stranded.

On the same day as the border clashes erupted, the Pakistani military saidfour soldiers had been killed in clashes with militants in the northwestern Chitral district, which borders eastern Afghanistan.

The Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan (TTP) extremist group, which is believed to be based in Afghanistan, said in a September 6 statement that a large number of its fighters had entered Chitral.

In response, Islamabad called on the Afghan Taliban to rein in the TTP, which has close organizational and ideological ties with the Afghan militant group.

Why It's Important: The border clashes have highlighted the deteriorating relations between Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban, longtime allies that have fallen out over the Afghan militant group's alleged support to the TTP.

The Taliban takeover of Afghanistan in 2021 has bolstered the TTP, which has intensified its attacks against Pakistani security forces. Peace talks held last year between Pakistan and the TTP, which were mediated by the Afghan Taliban, failed to end the violence.

The location of the TTP's latest attack in Pakistan is also significant. Chitral, located in the remote north of Pakistan, has been a relatively stable area that has not witnessed major militant activity. The TTP's attacks there suggest the militants could be trying to open a new front in their war against Islamabad.

What's Next: More border clashes and closures are expected as relations between Pakistan and the Taliban continue to deteriorate.

The Afghan Taliban is unlikely to crack down or expel the TTP. If the TTP continues its attacks inside Pakistan, Islamabad could resort to military action inside Afghanistan. Such a scenario would likely escalate tensions even further.

What To Keep An Eye On

The UN's World Food Program (WFP) said a "massive funding shortage" has forced it to cut emergency assistance to 2 million Afghans.

The WFP says it will only be able to provide food aid to 3 million people -- out of a population of around 40 million -- starting in October.

"Amid already worrying levels of hunger and malnutrition, we are obliged to choose between the hungry and the starving, leaving millions of families scrambling for their next meal," Hsiao-Wei Lee, WFP's country director and representative in Afghanistan, said in a statement on September 5.

The WFP is seeking an additional $1 billion over the next six months to provide 21 million Afghans with lifesaving aid. The UN body estimates that more than 3 million Afghans are on the brink of starvation.

Why It's Important: Cuts in emergency aid are likely to further worsen the devastating humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, the worst in the world. It is also likely to add to fears of a widespread famine in the country.

In June, the UN revised its annual aid budget for Afghanistan from $4.6 billion to $3.2 billion this year, citing reduced funding from international donors.

The cash-strapped Taliban government, which is unrecognized and under international sanctions, appears unable to fill the gap.

That's all from me for now. Don't forget to send me any questions, comments, or tips that you have.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/azadi-briefing- afghanistan-pakistan-clashes-border-closures/32584182.html

Copyright (c) 2023. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






A Red Creek graduate is one of six Onondaga Community College graduates recently named Alumni Faces.

Bryan Morris, of the college's class of 2014, will be honored along with the other Alumni Faces at a celebration at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 18, at the college's Frederick Marvin and Ernst Schuh Recital Hall.

Morris, who earned a degree in engineering science, is an engineer at Micron Technology in Boise, Idaho. He served in the Air Force for 4.5 years before coming to the college, and while earning his degree was inducted into Phi Theta Kappa honor society and worked at the college's Office of Veterans and Military Services. He completed his bachelor's degree at Syracuse University.

The other Alumni Faces are Anas Almaletti '08, James Domroe '02, Dennis Hebert '67, Kayla McKeon '22 and Diana Robertson '77.

This class is such a reflection of the community we serve. These graduates came here from all walks of life with the common goal of bettering themselves through higher education. We look forward to paying tribute to each of their remarkable accomplishments during our Alumni Faces ceremony, OCC President Dr. Warren Hilton said in a news release.

For more information, visit sunyocc.edu.
HRW Says Taliban's Denial Of Basic Women's Rights Is A Crime Against Humanity

By RFE/RL September 08, 2023

Human Rights Watch (HRW) says the Taliban authorities in Afghanistan are committing a crime against humanity with their treatment of women and girls and has called for an international investigation to "provide a path toward accountability."

Since ousting the Western-backed Afghan government and taking over the country in August 2021, the Taliban has placed restrictions on women's appearance, freedom of movement, right to work and study, and access to society.

HRW said in a report issued on September 8 that while men in Afghanistan have also been subject to "serious violations" of their human rights, the underlying discrimination against women is evident from the "all-encompassing restrictions targeting women."

According to the rights group, the Taliban's "widespread and systematic attack against women" constitutes "a crime against humanity of persecution targeting women and girls." An International Criminal Court investigation is needed as it "could provide a path toward accountability for the crime against humanity of gender persecution," it added.

"The Taliban's cruel and methodical denial of the basic rights of women and girls to remove them from public life has received global attention," Elizabeth Evenson, international justice director at HRW, said in the report.

"Coordinated support by concerned governments is needed to bring the Taliban leaders responsible to justice," she added.

Afghan women are banned from secondary and higher education and are only permitted to work in a limited number of jobs. They also are not allowed to travel away from their homes without being accompanied by a male relative. With respect to dress codes, women must cover themselves almost completely or face severe punishment.

The HRW report noted that women and some men who have protested against the Taliban policies violating women's rights have frequently been detained and sometimes tortured.

Two years since it overran the country and ousted the Western-backed Afghan government, the hard-line Taliban has failed to live up to promises of moderation and has instead severely curbed women's freedoms, waged a brutal crackdown on dissent, and reintroduced the militants' brutal form of justice.

In a July report, UN experts said he situation of girls and women in Afghanistan was the worst in the world and added that systematic restrictions on women and girls could amount to "gender apartheid."

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/hrw-taliban-afghanistan-womens- rights-crime-against-humanity/32584216.html

Copyright (c) 2023. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Some 85 US Troops to Train With Armenian Forces in Military Drills Next Week

Sputnik News

20230908

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - The US Army said in a press release that some 85 US troops will train with 175 Armenian soldiers next week as part of the Eagle Partner joint military exercise.

"Approximately 85 US Soldiers will train alongside approximately 175 Armenian soldiers during Eagle Partner, a peacekeeping training exercise in Armenia, from September 11-20," the release said late Thursday.

The release detailed that the US soldiers will come from the 1st Brigade, 101st Airborne Division and Kansas National Guard, while Armenia troops will be from the 12th Peacekeeping Brigade.

The Kansas National Guard has had a state partnership with Armenia since 2003 as part of the Pentagon's state partnership program, the release noted.

The military exercise will take place at Zar and Armavir Training Areas near Yerevan, according to the release.

The joint military exercise is taking place to prepare Armenian forces for a NATO Operational Capabilities Concept evaluation under the NATO Partnership for Peace program later this year, the release said.

On Thursday, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the Armenian-US joint military exercises do not contribute to the stabilization of the situation in the region and the strengthening of mutual trust.

 Sputnik

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Pentagon Reveals US Repositioning Troops in Niger to Agadez Airbase as Precaution

Sputnik News

20230908

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - The United States is repositioning troops and assets in Niger from one airbase to another, but its general force posture in the region has not changed, Pentagon Deputy Press Secretary Sabrina Singh said on Thursday.

"What we're doing right now is the department is repositioning some of our personnel and some of our assets from airbase in Niamey to airbase in Agadez," Singh said during a briefing.

Singh said the move is simply precautionary.

According to Singh, "non-essential" personnel and contractors left US military bases in Niger in July. The US Defense Department has some 1,100 personnel in Niger at the moment, she added.

The United States hopes the situation on the ground gets resolved diplomatically, Singh said, emphasizing there's no immediate threat to US personnel or violence on the ground.

Moreover, Singh said US forces are not conducting joint operations or training with Niger's military at this time.

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has warned of the potential for military intervention in Niger if President Mohamed Bazoum is not released and returned to power.

ECOWAS does not expect to reach an agreement with the Nigerien military leadership in the coming days, according to French media reports.

 Sputnik

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Remarks by Secretary of the Treasury Janet L. Yellen at Press Briefing Ahead of G20

U.S. Department of the Treasury

September 8, 2023

As Prepared for Delivery

Hello everyone. Thank you for being here. I'd like to share a few introductory thoughts about the priorities we will be focused on throughout this week.

First, we are committed to supporting emerging markets and developing countries and to addressing global challenges. This includes our ongoing work on evolving the multilateral development banks.

One year since my call to action to the MDBs, we have worked with a growing coalition of partners to make significant progress on reforms related to the World Bank's mission and vision, incentives, operational model, and financing capacity. We are glad to have Ajay Banga as our partner in this work. And we look forward to more work with the regional development banks and on how to achieve greater collaboration across the MDB system, including to increase access to climate finance.

We have already made significant progress in expanding the MDBs' financial capacity. The recommendations that are currently being implemented or under consideration across the MDBs could unlock an additional $200 billion over the next decade. Those are crucial additional resources for reducing poverty, advancing global health security, and combatting climate change. I saw firsthand the impact this funding can have during my last trip to India just over a month ago, when Ajay Banga and I visited an education data hub supported by the World Bank and met the students whose lives were being improved.

There is scope to do even more on financial capacity, including through some of the more medium-term recommendations of the G20 Capital Adequacy Framework review, particularly with respect to callable capital. We are also asking Congress for $2.25 billion to boost the World Bank's concessional finance for global challenges and for crisis response. And we have requested authorization for a loan of up to $21 billion for the IMF, including for the Poverty Reduction and Growth Trust (PRGT), which desperately needs more resources. We also hope to build support for an equi-proportional increase in quotas during meetings this week.

This week also provides an opportunity to discuss debt relief. We continue to support efforts to provide predictable, orderly, and timely debt relief to countries, including under the Common Framework for Debt Treatment, where progress has been too slow.

As a second priority area, we remain committed to extensive and strategic multilateral action in response to Russia's war on Ukraine. The price cap and sanctions - both the result of unprecedented global collaboration - are having powerful impacts on Russia's ability to wage its brutal and unjust war. We also remain committed to support for Ukraine and recently put forward a supplemental funding request. There has been bipartisan support for this funding to date and it's critical that we continue to provide timely economic assistance. During my visit to Kyiv earlier this year, I saw firsthand the importance of this assistance in enabling Ukraine's resistance on the frontlines. We are also grateful for the involvement of our partners, including the 50 billion euro package proposed by the European Union and the $15 billion International Monetary Fund program, which has been essential to Ukraine's efforts to implement reforms and stabilize the economy.

And we need to remain focused on addressing the devastating consequences of the war, including its impact on food security. Russia's withdrawal from the Black Sea Grain Initiative is deeply concerning and is particularly being felt by low- and middle-income countries. In response, we hope to move forward on efforts such as supporting the Global Agriculture and Food Security Program and working toward a successful replenishment of the International Fund for Agricultural Development.

Last but not least, continuing to advance the U.S.-India relationship will be a priority this week. We highly value our bilateral relationship with India. This is my fourth time in India over the last year, making it the country I've visited most frequently as Treasury Secretary. We also welcomed Prime Minister Modi to the U.S. in June. The U.S. is home to the largest Indian diaspora outside of Asia and is India's largest export market. Expanding our bilateral economic ties and our cooperation on global challenges is crucially important to us.

With that, I look forward to your questions.

###

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Russia's military invasion of Georgia: Joint statement to the OSCE

Ambassador Holland delivers a joint statement on behalf of the OSCE Group of Friends of Georgia to mark fifteen years since Russia's invasion of Georgia.

8 September 2023

I have the honour of delivering this statement on behalf of Bulgaria, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Sweden, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America. I will read a short version and the longer version will be distributed.

Mr. Chair, we reaffirm our full support for Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders.

Fifteen years since the Russian Federation's military invasion of Georgia, we remain deeply concerned over the continued occupation of Georgia's regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia and underline the need for the peaceful resolution of the conflict based on full respect for international law and commitments, including the UN Charter and the Helsinki Final Act.

We condemn Russia's military aggression against Georgia in 2008 in blatant violation of international law and express our concern that Georgia has been a target of Russia's hybrid tactics as well as conventional warfare ever since regaining its independence. We express our deep concern over Russia's ongoing military presence as well as military exercises and violation of airspace in Georgia's Abkhazia and South Ossetia regions. We also reiterate our condemnation of Russia's ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine.

We welcome Georgia's compliance with the EU-mediated 12 August 2008 ceasefire agreement. We call upon Russia to fulfil immediately its clear obligation under the ceasefire agreement to withdraw its forces to pre-conflict positions. We call upon Russia to reverse its recognition of the so-called independence of Georgia's Abkhazia and South Ossetia regions and to ensure safe and dignified return of all internally displaced persons (IDPs) and refugees to their homes in a manner consistent with applicable international law.

We note the January 2021 judgment of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) and its consequences, including its findings that Russia has exercised effective control over Georgia's regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia following the ceasefire agreement, including through its military presence. We recall the decision of the ECHR of 28 April 2023, which ordered the Russian Federation to pay up to 130 million euros in favour of conflict-affected Georgian citizens. We call on the Russian Federation to fully comply with these judgments.

We are particularly concerned over the ongoing installation of barbed wire fences and other artificial barriers along the administrative boundary lines (ABLs) and by the closure of so-called crossing points in the South Ossetia region of Georgia for the last four years. The partial and temporary re-opening of the so-called crossing points cannot be viewed as satisfactory. All so-called crossing points with Abkhazia and South Ossetia regions of Georgia must be reopened for all Georgian citizens residing on both sides of the ABLs.

We remain deeply concerned by ongoing arbitrary detentions around the ABLs involving vulnerable groups, and in some cases people with severe health problems. We, call for the immediate and unconditional release of Irakli Bebua, Kristine Takalandze, Asmat Tavadze, and all those under arbitrary detention.

We support the effective continuation of Geneva International Discussions, as the only format with the Russian Federation to address implementation of the EU-mediated ceasefire agreement, as well as the security, human rights, and humanitarian challenges stemming from the unresolved Russia - Georgia conflict. We underline the necessity of progress on the core issues of the discussions, including on the non-use of force, establishing international security arrangements in Georgia's Abkhazia and South Ossetia regions and ensuring the safe, dignified, and voluntary return of IDPs and refugees in accordance with international law.

We express our support for the Incident Prevention and Response Mechanisms (IPRM) in Ergneti and Gali and emphasise the important role they can have in preventing any escalation of the conflict and in helping to protect the safety and security of people on the ground. We express our great concern over the lengthy suspension of the Gali IPRM and urge its resumption without further delay or pre-conditions, in line with the ground rules.

We welcome the multi-stakeholder process for developing a comprehensive "State Strategy for de-occupation and peaceful conflict resolution" by the government of Georgia and the launch of the strategic review of the reconciliation and engagement policy. We support the Georgian government's 'A Step to a Better Future' peace initiative and its "A peace fund for a better future".

The Group of Friends of Georgia will continue to raise awareness of the conflict and of developments on the ground, hold Russia accountable for its obligations and commitments, and advocate for the conflict's peaceful resolution.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General

Department of Public Information . News and Media Division . New York

8 September 2023

The following is a near-verbatim transcript of today's noon briefing by Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesman for the Secretary-General.

** India

Good afternoon and happy Friday, everyone.

The Secretary-General arrived in New Delhi a few hours ago where, tomorrow, he will be attending the annual G20 Summit, which this year is being hosted by India.

In a press conference he held at the UN House in Delhi, the Secretary-General welcomed the Summit's theme "One Earth, One Family, One Future". Unfortunately, he added, if we are indeed one global family,today resembles a rather dysfunctional one, with divisions growing, tensions flaring up and trust eroding.

Mr. [Antonio] Guterres said he had come to the G20 with a simple but urgent call for the leaders: "We must come together and act together for the common good." He called on the countries assembled at the Summit to show leadership on climate and on rescuing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The Secretary-General called for the implementation of a Sustainable Development Goals stimulus fund of $500 billion. He also called for an effective debt workout mechanism to support payment suspensions, longer lending terms and lower rates on fairer terms. He reiterated his appeal for change in the business model of Multilateral Development Banks to massively leverage private finance.

Tomorrow and Sunday, the Secretary-General will participate in a number of G20 sessions and hold bilateral meetings.

** Ukraine

This morning, the Security Council held a meeting on maintenance of peace and security of Ukraine.

Briefing Council members, the Assistant Secretary-General for Europe, Central Asia and Americas in the Department of Political Affairs, Miroslav Jenca, said that Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine  launched in violation of the UN Charter and of international law  continues to inflict large-scale suffering on the people of Ukraine as they face daily, intensifying attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure.

Mr. Jenca noted that the continuing relentless attacks, targeting Ukraine's grain infrastructure on the Black Sea and Danube River ports  after Russia decided not to extend the Black Sea Initiative  risk having far-reaching consequences for global food security. He stressed that attacks directed against civilians and civilian infrastructure, including objects necessary for food production and distribution, are prohibited under international law.

Mr. Jenca reiterated that the UN remains fully committed to the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders, extending to its territorial waters.

Mr. Jenca added that the UN is concerned over reports of the Russian Federation holding so-called elections in areas of Ukraine currently under the temporary military control of the Russian Federation. He emphasized that these so-called elections in the occupied areas of Ukraine have no legal grounds.

Also on Ukraine, as the new school year commences across Europe, the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) warns that refugee children and youth from Ukraine now face their third year of disrupted education, following the full-scale invasion in February 2022.

In a new Education Policy Brief released today, titled "Education on Hold", UNHCR notes that while 30 to 50 per cent of some 5.9 million Ukrainian refugees across Europe are children, only about half were enrolled in schools in host countries for the 2022-2023 academic year.

UNHCR is concerned that unless urgent action is taken, hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian refugee children will continue to miss out on education this year.

And yesterday, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Committee for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict held an extraordinary meeting to strengthen the protection of cultural heritage in Ukraine. During its session, the Committee adopted a declaration deploring that serious damages were caused by Russian missile strikes to historical buildings of cultural significance within the properties in L'viv, Odesa and Chernihiv.

The Committee decided to provisionally inscribe 20 cultural properties in Ukraine on the International List of Cultural Property under Enhanced Protection.

** Lebanon

The Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon, Imran Riza, warned today that the continuing clashes in the Ein El-Hilweh Palestine Refugee Camp, along with the ongoing takeover of eight UNRWA schools, are preventing the access of nearly 6,000 children who are about to begin their school year.

In a statement, Mr. Riza urged the armed groups to stop the fighting in the camp and vacate these schools immediately. He also called for the facilitation of the work of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), and other humanitarian organizations to provide much-needed protection and assistance to families in need in the camp.

** International Days

Today is International Literacy Day.

Audrey Azoulay, the Director-General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), reiterated in a message that literacy is a passport to communication with others, thereby strengthening understanding within and between peoples.

And tomorrow is the International Day to protect Education from Attack. In his message for the Day, the Secretary-General says that education is a pathway to a better future for every person. He calls on all countries to ensure the protection of schools, children and teachers at all times and urges all countries to endorse the Safe Schools Declaration.

** Noon Briefing Guest

And speaking of education, today, we will be joined by Yasmine Sherif, the Executive Director of Education Cannot Wait (ECW).

She will brief on a new report being launched today, International Literacy Day.

The report analyses the latest trends in education in emergencies, including alarming increasing needs, and reveals new data on Education Cannot Wait's work with the UN and civil society partners in supporting quality education for girls and boys caught in crises worldwide.

And we will also hear for the very first time from our old comrade, Monica Villela Grayley, who is the Spokesperson for the President of the General Assembly.

** Questions and Answers

Deputy Spokesman : Before we get to our guests, is there anything for me? Yes, Amelie?

Question : Thanks, Farhan. I have several questions. First, the UNFCCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change) published today first evaluation assessment of the global stocktake of the Paris Agreement, which is quite worrying. Any comment from the SG on that?

Deputy Spokesman : Well, the Secretary-General has also been talking at some length about how alarming the recent data on climate has been. I'd refer you to what he said following the recent report put out by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and Copernicus a few days ago about how this last summer was the hottest summer ever recorded. His basic point was the worry that we are entering a phase of the breakdown of the climate unless we can do something. And he has again urged world leaders to act now. Your other question?

Question : Yeah. Second question on Mali. There were several bloody attacks since yesterday. Any comment of how worried you are about the situation in the context of the withdrawal of the MINUSMA (United Nations Stabilization Mission in Mali)?

Deputy Spokesman : We're certainly very worried. You may have seen that in a tweet today, the UN peacekeeping mission in Mali, MINUSMA, expressed its own deep sadness at the attack against the Tombouctou boat yesterday. The mission condemned this criminal act, and it sends its condolences to the victim's families and to the people of Mali. But certainly, this is another sign that all of the forces on the ground, including the armed forces of Mali, need to do much more to make sure that people will be protected as our mission goes ahead with its mandated withdrawal.

Yes, Edie?

Question : Farhan, can you give us an update on who the Secretary-General is planning to meet while he's in Delhi for the G20?

Deputy Spokesman : That's something that is fairly fluid. He's going to be doing meetings with different G20 leaders. We do expect to provide readouts of those meetings as they happen. But right now, we know that he will be at two of the side events tomorrow, and we'll see what else can be fit into a schedule over the course of the day.

Question : And on Sudan, is the UN actually delivering humanitarian aid in Darfur?

Deputy Spokesman : Well, the UN is trying to provide humanitarian aid to all of the areas in Sudan where it has access. The problem is getting access to sufficient places. But, yes, we are trying to provide aid, including to Darfur, as circumstances on the ground allow. [He later confirmed that aid was going to Darfur.]

Yes. Yes, please?

Question : Thank you, Farhan. It seems the DPRK (Democratic People's Republic of Korea) started accepting Russian deployment. Have you heard anything from them on the return of UN or international aid workers?

Deputy Spokesman : No. We are, of course, in touch with the authorities in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. If we can have the access that we need to the country to provide humanitarian aid, we would do so. But there's no progress to report on that so far today.

Dezhi?

Question : I have several questions. First, on Ukraine. Today, during the Security Council meeting, ASG (Assistant Secretary-General) Jenca said that the UN is concerned over the reports of the Russian Federation holding so-called elections in the control area. I'm just wondering why it's concerned but not condemned. Like, what's the logic behind the wording? Because he said it's illegal and there's no legal grounds.

Deputy Spokesman : Diplomats use words in the way that we feel are best suited to the situation, and this is the call that they made. I would like to point out, again, as you yourself have said, these so-called elections have no legal grounds, and that is a point he wanted to make clear.

Question : So, does the Secretary-General have anything to say about the US decision to send depleted uranium munitions to Ukraine?

Deputy Spokesman : Just to reiterate our concerns about the use of depleted uranium as munitions anywhere in the world.

Question : So, the UN is against use of depleted uranium?

Deputy Spokesman : The concerns expressed including by our Office for Disarmament Affairs apply to Ukraine, as they do to any other country.

Question : One last question on Ukraine. I'm sorry. We saw there's a trend of more and more drones being used in this conflict, no matter from Ukraine side or Russian side. What is the UN's perspective on this trend? Would this change the face of the conflict or the future conflict?

Deputy Spokesman : How do you mean?

Question : I mean the drones  because now people are using drones more and more. So, you know...

Deputy Spokesman : Well, regarding the use of drones, I would just point out that the Secretary-General in recent months has talked about his own worries about how unmanned aerial vehicles can be used for lethal purposes and the need for guidelines, including, of course, his concerns about the possibility of artificial intelligence being involved in such things. So, please look back at what he's been saying on this.

Yes, Pam?

Question : Thanks, Farhan. Just to follow-up on Edie's question. Is there any bilateral set between the SG and the US President [Joseph] Biden? And sec... well, go ahead. And then I can...

Deputy Spokesman : Well, I don't have anything confirmed just yet. Obviously, if that develops, we'll send a readout as things happen.

Question : All right. And the bigger question is, does the SG see any possibilities of talks about the grain deal at the G20?

Deputy Spokesman : At the G20? It's hard to say. Obviously, whether it's the G20 or the UN General Assembly session later this month, the Secretary-General does intend, as he has been doing all along, to try to move forward with the Black Sea Initiative and with efforts in general to enhance the flow of exports from Ukraine and Russia.

Question : And just as a follow-up to that, did the SG receive any responses to the letter he wrote?

Deputy Spokesman : There's no response from the Russian Federation to say at this point.

Question : Thank you.

Deputy Spokesman : Benno, I believe, has a question.

Question : Yes, that's me. Thank you, Farhan. Also regarding grain deal. Today, Bild newspaper in Germany first reported about that the UN offered Russia a lifting of restrictions regarding the export of Russian fertilizer, including circumventing EU sanctions. What's your reaction to this?

Deputy Spokesman : Well, I've seen the Bild article. I believe that the article's interpretation of the UN's work is incorrect. It seems to imply that what we were trying to do is find a way around sanctions. That's false. Basically, it's been very clear, since the beginning of our efforts more than a year ago, the Secretary-General has been trying to ensure that Ukrainian and Russian food and fertilizer are available on global markets. He said that to you many times. He's been very open about what he's trying to achieve. His single aim has been to mitigate the impact of this war on global food security and on the most vulnerable people around the world. Nothing more and nothing less than that.

I'd also like to point out, this is not about lifting sanctions. It's important to remember that Russian food and fertilizer are exempt from sanctions. So, what he has been trying to do is develop ways, including through the Black Sea Initiative, and the Memorandum of Understanding with Russia, to enhance the export of food and fertilizer from the two countries in a way that operates fully within the existing sanctions regime. And the other point of disagreement is this idea that, somehow, it's meant to be a way to help Russia evade sanctions. If that were the case, honestly, Benno, you would probably expect that there would have been a positive statement coming out of the Russian foreign ministry. And you haven't seen that now, have you?

Okay. Evelyn?

Question : Thank you, Farhan. How can UNESCO protect 20 cultural properties amid an invasion that resembles a scorched-earth situation?

Deputy Spokesman : Well, obviously, it's very clear that it's hard to protect anything in the course of a war. The point is to try to get the war to end, and we're expending our energy towards that effort, as well. However, this international list of cultural property under enhanced protections that UNESCO has increases immunity in the course of an ongoing war. And what it does is it potentially enables competent bodies of 87 States Parties to the second protocol to prosecute or extradite alleged offenders. So, that is a real consequence from this enhanced protection.

Question : That's true, but there already have been situations, if there's anything that the invaders want to hit, it's an identification for Ukraine's cultural properties, and they've already hit some. I mean, it's a very lofty ideal here. But, and secondly, another question to follow-up on Edie's. Have the aid been delivered to Darfur? You said that the aim was to do that.

Deputy Spokesman : I believe there have been past efforts to do that. Let me just look and see. One second. Okay. I don't have anything specific to Darfur, but, obviously, we're trying to deal with hunger that affects potentially over 20 million people in the country. So, we are trying to deliver aid throughout the country. I don't have anything. I'll check to see whether we can get anything in the coming days that's more specific about aid efforts in Darfur.

Amelie?

Question : Yes. Sorry, another one. Can you update us on what's going on in Bab al-Hawa border crossing, where, if I'm not mistaken, the crossings have not resumed yet?

Deputy Spokesman : You're absolutely right that they have not resumed so far, but we are working and negotiating with the different parties to do what we can to get the activity resumed at the crossing as soon as possible.

Question : But I think there were... A month ago, you announced an agreement. So, what are you negotiating?

Deputy Spokesman : Yeah. There's been an agreement with the Government, but obviously there are many parties on the ground. What we need to do is make sure that everything can go through smoothly and safely.

Yes, Ephrem?

Question : Hi, Farhan. Just a quick follow-up on that. So, the negotiations now are being done with the other parties on the ground, and everything gets set with the Government, and the problem is now with the other parties?

Deputy Spokesman : We're... just generally, we're trying to resolve any remaining issues so that we can reopen that particular crossing as a pipeline for aid.

Question : Can you tell us what are the remaining issues because we were aware of two of them that are supposedly solved? So, what's remaining now?

Deputy Spokesman : I think outlining the remaining issues would probably discourage the efforts to resolve the remaining issues. And with that, I'll turn over to our guest. Hold on one moment, please. And then we'll have Monica.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






From Hope to Horror: Violence's Grip Tightens on DRC's Children

UNICEF

This is a summary of what was said by UNICEF's Representative in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Grant Leaity - to whom quoted text may be attributed - at today's press briefing at the Palais des Nations in Geneva

08 September 2023

GENEVA, 8 September 2023 - "Violence against children in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo has reached unprecedented levels. There are few worse places, if any, to be a child. The country has the world's highest number of UN-verified grave violations against children in armed conflict.

"Over the past year, this upsurge in violence and conflict in the east has resulted in the worst displacement crisis in Africa, and one of the worst globally. More than 2.8 million children are bearing the brunt of the crisis in the east. I am here today to, I hope, sound the alarm.

"On a daily basis, children are being raped and killed. They are being abducted, recruited and used by armed groups - and we know the reports we have are only the tip of the iceberg.

"Recently, I visited a centre in North Kivu for children released from armed groups, where I met one-year-old twins. They were found abandoned in their village, desperately malnourished... and attached to an explosive belt. The expanding use of improvised explosive devices is just one of several recent, depraved trends.

"In the first three months of 2023, in North Kivu alone, more than 38,000 cases of sexual- and gender-based violence were reported. That's a 37 per cent increase compared to the same time period in 2022. Said another way: in just one year, there have been 10,000 additional reports of sexual- and gender-based violence. Those are the ones reported. And in North Kivu alone.

"As well as unprecedented levels of violence, the lives of children in eastern Congo are threatened by epidemics and malnutrition. Around 1.2 million children under five in the east are facing the risk of acute malnutrition.

"Epidemic outbreaks are growing, with DRC experiencing its worst cholera outbreak in more than five years and measles on the rise, with over 780,000 cases as of August.

"As the world looks away, we are failing the children of DRC.

"There is hope, but we need your help on two things.

"Firstly, UNICEF has the solutions to respond to all the humanitarian needs of children, provided we have the resources to do so.

"We have this year helped more than 30,000 children and their families get mental health counselling and more than 500 children who have been released from armed groups as they readjust to everyday life. We've supported in-patient care to thousands of malnourished children. And we've helped more than 800,000 people get enough clean water for drinking and domestic needs. But it remains palliative care.

"To scale up our humanitarian response in eastern DRC, UNICEF requires $400 million. However, our appeal has only received 1 per cent additional funding since the emergency scale-up was announced in June this year, and we desperately require additional funding.

"The second thing we need is the political will to bring this conflict to an end. We call upon the government of DRC, African nations and the international community to work together to find a peaceful solution to this crisis - a solution that would allow millions of displaced families in eastern DRC to return to their homes.

"Thank you."

#####



NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Lebanon: School occupations condemned as violence grips Palestine refugee camp

8 September 2023 - Thousands of children have been put at risk amid a resurgence of violence at a Palestine refugee camp in Lebanon, the UN's top humanitarian official in the country said on Friday.

Clashes between rival factions in the Ein el Hilweh camp, the largest in Lebanon, has also displaced thousands of refugees, according to reports.

Armed groups have taken over eight schools run by UNRWA, the UN agency providing support to Palestine refugees, preventing around 6,000 children from accessing the classroom as a new school year gets underway.

'Safe and neutral spaces'

"Education institutions must be safe and neutral spaces, critical for children's learning, well-being, and growth," Imran Riza, UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon, said in a statement.

He underscored that use of schools by armed groups are not only a serious violation of international humanitarian and human rights laws but also jeopardize the future of the entire community.

"I urge armed groups to stop the fighting in the camp and vacate these schools immediately."

"I also call for the facilitation of the work of UNRWA and other humanitarian organizations to provide much-needed protection and assistance to families in need in the camp," Mr. Riza added.

History of brutal clashes

Established in 1948, Ein el Hilweh camp is the largest among the 12 in Lebanon and is home to around 50,000 refugees. It is located near Saida, a major city and cultural hub, in the country's south.

The camp was the scene of brutal clashes in July that claimed the lives of at least 13 people, injured more than 60 - including UNRWA staff - and forced thousands to flee.

Two UNRWA schools also sustained damage in the clashes and services at clinics run by the agency were suspended. The clinics reopened on 9 August, after a nervy ceasefire.

Protection a 'shared responsibility'

In his statement, Mr. Riza underlined that protecting civilians, including children and their safe access to school, is a shared responsibility.

"All concerned actors must take action to protect civilians, facilitate unhindered humanitarian access, and prevent the use of civilian infrastructure for fighting purposes," he said.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






CSAF issues warning of PLA recruitment of US Air Force members, veterans

Published Sept. 8, 2023

Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs

ARLINGTON, Va. (AFNS) -- In a memorandum released Sept. 8, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. CQ Brown, Jr., issued a stark warning about a growing threat to national security - the recruitment and exploitation of current and former Air Force members by the People's Liberation Army of China, or PLA.

The memorandum also explains that individuals who accept contracts with foreign companies may be imposing risks to national security that could have legal and criminal implications.

"Our vastly superior capabilities and overwhelming airpower are key in deterring increasingly aggressive behavior in the Indo-Pacific and, if necessary, defeating threats," Brown said. "I have made it clear since publishing the original CSAF Action Orders that I am committed to ensuring Airmen have what is required to compete, deter, and win in a high-end fight."

Brown stated that the PLA is seeking to exploit the expertise of current and former U.S. Airmen to bridge capability gaps throughout their ranks.

"As you may have seen in the news, foreign companies are targeting and recruiting U.S. and NATO-trained military talent across specialties and career fields to train the PLA abroad to fill gaps in their military capabilities," Brown said.

Brown called on Airmen past and present to remain hyperaware to ensure the U.S. Air Force continues to remain the world's greatest airpower. While this risk may seem minimal to some, according to an unnamed Air Force Office of Special Investigations supervisory special agent, multiple members of the U.S. military who span several specialties are currently being targeted for recruitment by PLA-associated companies.

The Department of the Air Force has taken recent steps to exclude partnerships with companies and organizations associated with the PLA in which members could be targeted and is working to ensure PLA-associated companies cannot receive work as sub-contractors.

As recently as June 2023, the U.S. government placed the Test Flying Academy of South Africa on an export control list based on its work to facilitate training and technical support for the PLA using a former U.S. military member. This suspension of the company also curtails its ability to recruit military members of U.S. partner nations for the PLA and acts as a deterrent to other companies considering providing these services.

The OSI agent said that attempts to exploit servicemembers are not always obvious. Signs of PLA recruiting efforts may include contracts that seem "too good to be true" or lack information about the ultimate customers of said contract.

The PLA may use seemingly innocuous business deals or tech partnerships to exploit veterans with valuable skills, which could gradually pull them into covert activities that serve the interests of the Chinese government. These opportunities may be advertised on typical job listings or professional networking sites, such as LinkedIn or Indeed, and targeted headhunting emails are being sent directly to the inboxes of individuals with desired skill sets.

The agent also stated that the CSAF memorandum should serve as a wake-up call to Airmen, emphasizing the vital role each servicemember plays in safeguarding national security. He stated that by being vigilant and reporting suspicious recruitment efforts, Airmen can continue to uphold their duty to serve and protect the United States and its allies from those seeking to exploit their knowledge and skills for nefarious purposes.

If you or someone you know is being targeted for recruitment or has been recruited to train foreign militaries, it is crucial to act swiftly. Contact your local Air Force Office of Special Investigations detachment directly or submit a report here.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Naval Special Warfare Interoperates with USS John P. Murtha in Bering Sea

US Navy

08 September 2023

From Lt.j.g. Martin Carey

BERING SEA -- East Coast based Naval Special Warfare Operators (SEALs) seamlessly integrated with USS John P. Murtha (LPD 26) during Operation Polar Dagger, in the Alaskan Arctic region, demonstrating special operations forces capability to operate in austere locations to defend critical infrastructure and strengthen interoperability in the region.

Operation Polar Dagger demonstrates the United States' continued commitment to maintain mission readiness in various environments and to preserve capacity for follow-on operations. The integration of SEALs with Murtha, a San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship, underscored the flexibility and adaptability of the U.S. military in responding to the evolving strategic environment.

"Integrating U.S. Navy SEALs with the USS John P. Murtha during Operation Polar Dagger further prepares our forces to operate effectively in the extreme environment of the high-north - while contributing to our national security objectives," said Naval Special Warfare Group 2 Commodore Capt. Bill Gallagher. "Naval Special Warfare's ability to operate with fleet assets provides combatant commanders greater flexibility in deploying forces to counter emerging challenges in the region."

The Murtha's advanced capabilities and cutting-edge technology played a pivotal role in the successful deployment of SEALs and combat craft assault boats. Equipped with state-of-the-art command and control systems, the vessel offers unparalleled flexibility in orchestrating amphibious operations. Its well deck and specialized equipment facilitate swift and seamless launch and recovery of NSW assets, enabling precision missions even in challenging environments like the Arctic. This integration not only showcases the synergy between modern fleet assets and elite special forces but also underscores the U.S. Navy's commitment to maintaining a technologically advanced and adaptable fleet.

"Amphibious transport dock ships, such as ours, have many unique capabilities that make them ideal platforms to support special operations forces," said Capt. Doug Langenberg, commanding officer of USS John P. Murtha. "The amphibious Navy's participation in Operation Polar Dagger in the High North allows us to test new capabilities and advance response options, giving our joint force an asymmetric advantage over our competitors in a maritime environment."

During the operation, the SEALs deployed from the well deck of the Murtha in combatant craft assault boats in the Bering Sea, navigated to a remote island, conducted an over-the-beach patrol, and exfiltrated via helicopter. The joint operation underscored the strategic importance of the Arctic region, while also highlighting the United States' commitment to employing a multi-faceted approach to homeland defense.

Naval Special Warfare Group TWO produces, supports, and deploys the world's premier maritime special operations forces to conduct full-spectrum operations and integrated deterrence in support of U.S. national objectives. For more information, visit https://www.nsw.navy.mil/

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






An Auburn man was sentenced to prison Friday for stabbing a security guard in the neck with a knife at a local bar last year.

Gregory Jordan, 40, was sentenced to five years in prison and three years of post-release supervision by Judge Barry L. Porsch, the Cayuga County District Attorney's Office announced in a news release.

Jordan was convicted after a jury trial in May of one count of second-degree assault, a class D violent felony. He was originally arraigned on a charge of second-degree attempted murder as well.

The 40-year-old was accused of intentionally slicing the security guard in the neck at Swifty's Tavern, 45 Perrine St., early the morning of May 29, 2022. The attack left a wound more than 3 inches long.

The case was argued by Deputy Chief Assistant District Attorney Susan Azzarelli and Assistant District Attorney Britton Bouchard.
USS Gerald R. Ford "Beach Det" at NSA Souda Bay

US Navy

08 September 2023

From Nicholas S. Tenorio

SOUDA BAY, Greece -- Naval Support Activity Souda Bay, Greece, hosted Sailors assigned to a remotely located logistics detachment of USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), in support of the ship's forward operations in the Mediterranean Sea, Aug. 16 to Sept. 6, 2023.

"Our purpose is coordinating the transportation and movement of everything from supplies and parts, to anything else the ship might need," said Logistics Specialist 1st Class Sebastian Martin, assigned to the Supply Department of Gerald R. Ford. "Our main job is to receive high-priority materials and move them to the next spot."

Gerald R. Ford, the U.S. Navy's newest and largest aircraft carrier, deployed from Naval Station Norfolk, Va. to the U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa/U.S. Sixth Fleet area of operations, May 2, 2023. Since arriving in theater, the ship and its associated carrier strike group have conducted joint and combined training, exercises, and operations to support maritime stability and security, and defense of U.S., Allied and Partner interests.

Remotely-located logistics detachments from forward operating ships, often referred to as "Beach Dets," operate as staging locations for carrier onboard deliveries (CODs) of materials, supplies, mail and personnel. CODs are typically aircraft from Fleet Logistics Support Squadrons that provide dedicated airborne logistics support to underway aircraft carriers. The ability to base units and personnel in strategic locations like NSA Souda Bay enhances the Navy's ability to keep forces on station and on mission.

"Team Souda is here to extend the reach of U.S., Allied, Coalition, and Partner nation forces," said Cmdr. James Kotora, executive officer, NSA Souda Bay. "We're home to an all-weather airfield and a deep-water pier facility, so we act as a vital supply line to friendly forces operating in the region."

In conjunction with NSA Souda Bay, the Beach Det. was supported by Naval Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP) Fleet Logistics Center (FLC) Sigonella, Site Souda Bay.

"Our strategic geographic location in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea provides the ideal distribution hub for Fleet logistical support in the European theater," said George Flowers, transportation officer, NAVSUP FLC Sigonella, Site Souda Bay. "When high priority items need to make it to a ship operating in the region, there is a good chance we are within that ship's reacheither pulling into our port or by COD."

NAVSUP FLC Sigonella, Site Souda Bay is a tenant command at NSA Souda Bay that provides logistics, business and support services to the Navy, Military Sealift Command, Joint and Allied Forces throughout Navy Region Europe Africa Central.

In support of Gerald R. Ford, NSA Souda Bay and NAVSUP Site Souda Bay transited 22,050 pounds of cargo, including 2,750 pounds of mail and 844 individual parts. This cargo was transited by 10 COD flights performed by Detachment Two of the Fleet Logistics Support (VRC) Squadron 40, homeported at Naval Station Norfolk, Va. and currently assigned to Gerald R. Ford.

"We fly the C-2A Greyhound, which has a range of roughly 1,000 miles, or four hours of flight time," said Lt. Nikolas Fagen, a pilot assigned to VRC-40. "For the last few days, we've been delivering cargo and personnel back and forth between the ship and out here to lovely Souda Bay."

The team effort required to make this mission a success, from the logistics specialists on the ground, to support staff onboard NSA Souda Bay and throughout theater, to the C-2A pilots and operations and planning personnel, imbues pride throughout the combined team.

"The Gerald R. Ford is the newest and biggest aircraft carrier of the Navy, and we are the most important part to get the supplies to them," said Martin. "That's why I feel pride and ownership to know that I'm one of the people who is helping to keep the carrier mission-ready."

NSA Souda Bay is an operational ashore installation which enables and supports U.S., Allied, Coalition, and Partner nation forces to preserve security and stability in the European, African, and Central Command areas of responsibility.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






U.S. Navy and Marines arrive in Latvia for the Upcoming German Baltic Sea exercise Northern Coast 2023

US Navy

08 September 2023

From 1st Lt. Stephanie Downing, 26 MEU(SOC)

RIGA, Latvia -- The San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19) and embarked 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) Bravo Command Element, arrived in Riga, Latvia for a routine and scheduled port visit, Sept. 7, 2023.

While in Riga, Marines and Sailors will have the opportunity to learn about the region's history and experience the city's rich culture.

"We are excited to be welcomed to Latvia," said Capt. Marc Davis, commanding officer, USS Mesa Verde. "This is a great opportunity for the Sailors and Marines of the USS Mesa Verde and 26th MEU (SOC) Bravo Command Element to further strengthen relationships with our NATO Ally, as well as experience Riga's rich culture."

While in port, the 26th MEU (SOC) Bravo Command Element will begin to offload equipment and personnel in preparation for their participation exercise Northern Coasts 2023, a German-led multinational naval exercise series for NATO, EU and participating countries in the Baltic Sea region.

"The Marines and Sailors of the 26th MEU(SOC) Bravo Command are excited to be here in Latvia as well as demonstrate our warfighting proficiency and competency during Northern Coasts 2023," said Lt. Col. Josef Wiese, executive officer, 26 MEU(SOC), officer in charge of the Marines aboard the USS Mesa Verde. "The Marines and Sailors are looking forward to integrating and building trust with the German Sea Battalion on board as well as showcasing their interoperability and interdependence with our Allies and Partners in the Sixth Fleet area of responsibility."

This year approximately 3,200 military members, 14 nations, 30 ships and submarines and up to 15 aircraft will participate in exercise Northern Coasts, strengthening the partnership and interoperability amongst Allies and partners.

The 26th MEU (SOC) serves as one of the United States' premier crisis response forces capable of conducting amphibious operations, crisis response, and limited contingency operations, to include enabling the introduction of follow-on forces and designated special operations, in support of theater requirements of the Geographic Combatant Commander. Coupled with the USS Bataan ARG, the 26th MEU (SOC) serves as a premier stand-in force with a full complement of all-domain capabilities to operate persistently within the littorals or weapons engagement zones of an adversary.

The Bataan ARG and embarked 26th MEU (SOC), under the tactical command and control of Task Force 61/2, is on a scheduled deployment in the U.S. Naval Forces Europe area of operations, employed by U.S. Sixth Fleet to defend U.S., allied, and partner interests.

Headquartered in Naples, Italy, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa (NAVEUR-NAVAF) operates U.S. naval forces in the U.S. European Command (USEUCOM) and U.S. Africa Command (USAFRICOM) areas of responsibility. U.S. Sixth Fleet is permanently assigned to NAVEUR-NAVAF, and employs maritime forces through the full spectrum of joint and naval operations.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Taliban Capture 12 Islamic State Members in Northeastern Afghanistan

By Ayaz Gul September 08, 2023

Afghanistan's Taliban have reportedly arrested 12 operatives of the local branch of the Islamic State terrorist group in a remote northeastern region bordering China, Pakistan, and Tajikistan.

The Al-Mersaad state-affiliated media said Friday that Taliban special forces had launched an operation this week against an "important network" of the Islamic State-Khorasan, or IS-K, in the mountainous Afghan province of Badakhshan.

The four-day operation captured 12 IS-K militants and large weapons caches, including assault rifles, bombs, bullets, computers and other technical equipment, the media outlet quoted unnamed Taliban security officials as saying.

The detainees were allegedly "involved in attacks on civilian and government targets" in the border province.

It was not possible to verify the Taliban's claims from independent sources, nor did the Islamic State comment on them. Al-Mersaad is working to counter IS-Khorasan extremist propaganda in Afghanistan.

Car bombings in Badakhshan last December and in June this year killed the provincial police chief and the deputy governor, respectively. IS-K claimed responsibility for both the attacks.

IS-K has carried out high-profile attacks in Afghanistan since the Taliban seized power from a U.S.-backed government in Kabul in August 2021. The Taliban took control after American and NATO forces withdrew from the country following 20 years of involvement in the Afghan war.

Last year, IS-K carried out a deadly suicide bombing outside the Russian Embassy in the Afghan capital, plotted a failed assassination attempt on the chief Pakistani diplomat, and raided a downtown hotel hosting Chinese citizens.

However, Taliban security forces in recent months have carried out successful raids against IS-K hideouts in Kabul and elsewhere in the country, killing several key commanders and members of the terrorist group.

The Taliban counterterrorism campaign also reportedly killed IS-K chief Sanaullah Ghafari in June. The terrorist group has since not responded to the claims.

The United Nations said in a report in July that the death of Ghafari, widely known as Shahab al-Muhajir, "remains to be confirmed."

On Friday, U.S. officials briefing reporters said that IS-K has been under increasing pressure from the Taliban, and many of its key leaders have fled the country in recent months.

"ISIS-K is a threat that we are certainly concerned about, from an external operations perspective," CNN quoted one of the officials as saying.

"ISIS Khorasan members involved in media, facilitation, and recruitment in support of external operations are increasingly moving to neighboring countries to evade the Taliban [counterterrorism] campaign," the official said.

Speaking to VOA in April, Taliban chief spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid claimed their security forces had arrested and imprisoned up to 1,700 IS-K militants and killed nearly 1,100 others. The claims could not be confirmed by independent sources.

Recent U.N. assessments estimated that up to 6,000 IS-K militants, including family members, operate in Afghanistan.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Rights Group Claims Taliban Committing Gender Persecution Against Afghan Women, Girls

By VOA News September 08, 2023

Human Rights Watch said in a report Friday it "has concluded" that Afghanistan's Taliban is committing the crime against humanity of gender persecution against Afghanistan's women and girls.

Since the Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan in 2021, it has been widely reported that the group has sought to deny women and girls basic human rights and to remove them from public life.

According to Afghanistan Under the Taliban: The Crime Against Humanity of Gender Persecution, Taliban bans on Afghanistan's females include restrictions on freedom of movement, expression, and association; restrictions on employment; restrictions on dress; bans on education; and arbitrary arrests and violations of the right to liberty.

Crimes against humanity can be prosecuted at the International Criminal Court, the report says, but they can also be prosecuted in "ad hoc international courts that have jurisdiction, the domestic courts of the country where the crimes took place, and in other countries' courts in which the principle of universal jurisdiction applies."

Human Rights Watch is urging the Taliban to dismantle all forms of repression and discrimination that result in the denial of the basic human rights of women and girls in Afghanistan.

The organization is not alone in its criticism of the Taliban, earlier this year, a report from the United Nations Human Rights Council's special rapporteur on Afghanistan said the country's rulers may be "responsible for gender apartheid," exacerbating the plight of women and girls under its austere version of law.

The Taliban has accused the United Nations and Western institutions of spreading "propaganda" against their administration, arguing that Islamic laws are being implemented in Afghanistan and that any opposition is a problem with Islam.



NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Uganda's President Says Hundreds of Militants Killed in DRC Operation

By Halima Athumani September 08, 2023

Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni said Thursday his army's operation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has killed more than 560 members of the Allied Democratic Forces, or ADF, a group allied with Islamic State militants.

Museveni also said he has asked the DRC army to deploy local militia to stop the ADF, a move analysts warned will only cause more trouble.

In an address Thursday night, Museveni, wearing military attire, revealed that since the start of Operation Shuja by the Uganda People's Defense Forces, or UPDF, in 2021, it has killed 567 ADF rebels allied with Islamic State militants in the DRC.

Fifty terrorists were captured alive, and 32 surrendered, he said. Several ammunition depots were recovered.

With permission from DRC President Felix Tshisekedi, Museveni said, the Ugandan army cleared the Rwenzori mountains of ADF rebels. Most of the militants have been pushed toward Mambasa, in the Ituri province, he said.

Still, Museveni said, he learned in a recent meeting with Christian Tshiwewe Songhesha, the commander of the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, or FARDC, that the ADF is capable of returning to some areas and causing trouble.

In response, Museveni said that the Ugandan army would work with the FARDC to deploy local defense units in villages to help prevent further attacks by the ADF. In that scenario, he said, mobile forces would hunt terrorists, zonal forces would stay in the area and the local militia would guard the villages.

"We need a local force to stay there to make sure that they don't come back," he said. "We have the capacity to ensure that no force hostile to the government of Congo or to our government can congregate anywhere and survive."

However, Asuman Bisiika, a security analyst, said it will be difficult for the Ugandan army to completely clear the ADF in the DRC. He argued that Museveni doesn't have enough authority and influence with the Congolese government.

Fear among the Congolese people is also a problem, he said.

"You give a Congolese human being a gun, he creates his own militia," Bisiika said. "So, I look at that strategy as untenable in the long run."

For now, the ADF seems to be striking closer to home for Ugandans. Museveni characterized the militants as desperate, blaming them for planting six improvised explosive devises in different parts of Kampala in the past week. The devices were retrieved and safely detonated by Ugandan security members, he said.

Seven people were arrested for planting the bombs.

"The planners are in Congo," Museveni said. "We are going for them. So, what we need to do is to make anybody who has got that idea of using these chemicals to kill people ... lose appetite for doing that. You do it, we kill you."

Museveni urged Ugandans to stay calm and be vigilant of strangers in their communities.

In July, the British government issued an advisory saying the threat of terrorist attacks remains in Uganda and throughout the region. The U.S. Mission in Uganda has since June warned its nationals of possible attacks, especially within Kampala, even though they may not target foreigners.





NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Analysts: Regional Leaders Unlikely to Call for Bongo's Reinstatement

By Ignatius Annor September 08, 2023

Experts say it is unlikely that regional leaders in Central Africa and the international community will be enthusiastic in calling for the reinstatement of deposed Gabon leader Ali Bongo Ondimba.

Gabon's military leaders announced Bongo's release from house arrest Thursday, following an apparent coup on August 30. State-run media showed Bongo greeting officials as the military leaders announced that he was "free to travel" abroad.

On the same day, Gabon's military leaders appointed Raymond Ndong Sima, an outspoken critic of the former president and a former opposition leader who ran against Bongo in this year's elections, as interim prime minister. Sima, 68, is an economist who previously served as Bongo's prime minister from 2012 to 2014.

Less than a week after the coup, the military leaders, calling themselves the Committee for the Transition and Restoration of Institutions, named General Brice Oligui Nguema, commander-in-chief of the Gabonese Republican Guard, as transitional head of state.

David Otto-Endeley, director of the Geneva Center for African Security and Strategic Studies, said that reactions to the leadership appointment from the regional bloc, the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), might go only as far as a condemnation.

ECCAS criticized the military's move a day after the coup, saying in a statement that it planned an "imminent" meeting of heads of state to determine how to respond. The regional bloc did not give a date.

"I think there's no general desire in a democratic era to see leaders who run in perpetuity in power. This is more or less a dynasty" within "some kind of democratic institution," Otto-Endeley told VOA's English to Africa Service. "The international community will be a lot more careful as compared to countries like Niger, where it was clearly a democratically elected president that was overthrown.

"Gabon has been seen as some kind of a handover  from father to son and son to father."

He said a rule introduced in July, less than two months before Gabon's national elections, put the main opposition candidates  the Alternance 2023 alliance  at a "disadvantage" because it had not fielded candidates for parliamentary elections.

Otto-Endeley also noted that Saturday's internet shutdown and a curfew in the aftermath of the election gave troubling signals.

"I think the signs were clearly written on the wall," he said. "We're experiencing another coup pandemic. It's a replica of what we've experienced lately in Niger, Burkina Faso, Mali, Guinea and Sudan, but this time, the dynamics are quite different."

End of dynastic rule

Otto-Endeley said he thought the Bongo dynasty, which has ruled the Central African state since 1967, coupled with the country's lack of constitutional term limits, validated theories that Ali Bongo "had this coming."

"The military has been used for regime protection in most of the dynasties that have stayed for long. And now, the military is seeing itself as the only hope that can liberate the country from this dynasty rule," he said. "It seems the beast that the government has been using to attack the population is now eating its owners."

Maja Bovcon, senior Africa analyst at the London-based risk intelligence company Verisk Maplecroft, agreed that there was no interest on the global community's part in seeking a return of Bongo to power.

"The international community and regional bodies are unlikely to go beyond condemning the coup and demanding the restoration of civilian rule," she told VOA. "They are aware of the lack of public support for President Ali Bongo and the contentious conditions in which the latest elections were conducted."

Bovcon said that "the putsch in Gabon, along with the spate of coups across the region, will put long-serving autocratic leaders on alert."

Cameroonian President Paul Biya and his Rwandan counterpart, Paul Kagame, have reportedly reshuffled their military's leadership since Gabon's coup. It is not clear whether the changes were connected to the developments in Gabon.

Andrea Ngombet, founder of the Paris-based Sassoufit Collective, an organization that promotes democracy, human rights and anti-corruption efforts across the continent, told VOA that at the heart of the military takeover in Gabon was the desire to quash the "dynastic reign of the Bongo family."

He said the coup was a message to multinational companies and international partners who operate in the country that they "cannot continue to do business as usual," adding that if global condemnation against the military takeover wasn't measured, there would be a risk of driving the Gabonese people to foreign powers like Russia and China.

"If we condemn the coup  just because it is a coup  we will push [the Gabonese people] away to the likes of the Wagner mercenary group, Russia and China," he told VOA, because the "fundamental needs" of the Gabonese are restoring democracy and sovereignty and securing social and economic justice.

This report originated in VOA's English to Africa Service. English to Africa's Hayde Adams contributed.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






G20 Leaders Face Multiple Crises as Summit Begins

By Rob Garver September 08, 2023

Leaders assembled in New Delhi for the annual meeting of the heads of the G20  the world's largest economies  are expected to take up a number of pressing global issues, including the threat of a global economic slowdown, the need to fight global warming, and efforts to reform multilateral development banks to better serve the countries of the Global South.

The group is also expected to formally invite the African Union to become a permanent member of the organization, a move that would give that continent stronger representation in the world's largest bloc of economic powers. The G20 is currently composed of 19 nations and the European Union.

This year's summit is notable for the absence of Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Putin also missed last year's summit in Bali, Indonesia. The Russian leader rarely travels abroad, having been indicted on war crimes charges by the International Criminal Court for actions taken during his country's war on Ukraine.

In Xi's place, China has sent Premier Li Qiang. Russia's representative will be Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

Joint communique under negotiation

The G20 traditionally concludes with leaders agreeing on a joint statement expressing areas on which they have consensus. Negotiations over the statement began well in advance of the meeting, and on Friday, Amitabh Kant, India's chief negotiator, said that the statement was nearly complete.

"[The] New Delhi Leaders' Declaration is almost ready. I would not like to dwell on it," Kant said at a news conference. "This declaration will be recommended to the leaders."

Various news reports said that specific language about how to address the war in Ukraine remained a sticking point. Many members of the bloc are among Ukraine's most ardent supporters and want the group to condemn Russia's actions forcefully. However, Russia itself is not going to agree to such wording, and other countries that have offered Moscow tacit support, including China, are unlikely to sign on either.

At last year's G20 summit in Bali, the joint communique noted that most members condemned Russia's actions in Ukraine, but that there were dissenting opinions among the remainder.

Economic crises

Reporting by the news site Bloomberg revealed that the leaders' statement is expected to warn of the "cascading crises" facing the global economy, including a concerning decline in global economic growth, which the International Monetary Fund has characterized as the worst in three decades.

Adnan Mazarei, a senior fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics and a former deputy director at the International Monetary Fund, told VOA that slowing growth and climate change would be high on the agenda for global leaders over the weekend.

He said that lower than expected growth, particularly in China, could have significant consequences.

"It will lower demand for commodities and affect, especially, developing countries, and also all other countries, including the advanced countries that trade with China," he said.

Climate change

Economic growth concerns come at a time when the negative impacts of climate change are becoming more apparent every day, forcing leaders to listen to calls from developing nations, especially in Africa, for assistance in adaptation and mitigation.

"For that purpose, there is momentum to reform the multilateral development banks and increase their resources, especially the World Bank," Mazarei said. "This could be, theoretically, through an increase in capital. But more likely, through allowing the World Bank to use its resources more efficiently, meaning allowing the World Bank to take more risk with the resources it has."

Mazarei said that he also expects G20 leaders to address the fact that many developing nations are struggling under unsustainably high debt burdens, and to explore the expansion of their digital public infrastructure. He said that he was not overly optimistic about significant progress on either front, though he believed movement on the improvement of digital infrastructure was at least a possibility.

Xi's absence

The decision by China's Xi to skip the summit comes as his country is under pressure from multiple directions. China is locked in a simmering border dispute with G20 host India over land on the border of Tibet. At the same time, Xi and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi are vying for leadership of the countries of the Global South.

Some have speculated that Xi's absence is part of the Chinese leader's ongoing effort to reshape global leadership. Last month, the bloc of nations made up of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, known as BRICS, announced that it had invited several other countries to join it. If they accept, Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates would become members on January 1.

Other countries have expressed frustration with China in advance of the summit. Before traveling to India, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said that he saw little opportunity for repairing his country's fractious relationship with Beijing, and he criticized China's increasingly aggressive presence on the world stage.

"China has made decisions over the past years that have made it more difficult  not just for Canada but for other countries  to engage," Trudeau said.

U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak publicly criticized China for its initial reluctance to sign onto a G20 joint statement on the topics of climate change and the Ukraine war  a stance China appears to have moderated as negotiations continued.

In a Friday news conference, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said, "China attaches great importance to the G20 and has participated in the consultations and discussions on the G20 New Delhi Summit document in an active and constructive way. We stand ready to work with other parties toward positive outcomes at the New Delhi Summit under the principle of consensus-building."

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Russo-Ukraine War - 08 September 2023 - Day 562

Su M Tu W Th F Sa 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While GlobalSecurity.org takes utmost care to accurately report this news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.

On 24 February 2022, Ukraine was suddenly and deliberately attacked by land, naval and air forces of Russia, igniting the largest European war since the Great Patriotic War. Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a "special military operation" (SVO - spetsialnaya voennaya operatsiya) in Ukraine in response to the appeal of the leaders of the "Donbass republics" for help. That attack is a blatant violation of the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine. Putin stressed that Moscow's goal is the demilitarization and denazification of the country. The military buildup in preceeding months makes it obvious that the unprovoked and dastardly Russian attack was deliberately planned long in advance. During the intervening time, the Russian government had deliberately sought to deceive the world by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace.

"To initiate a war of aggression... is not only an international crime; it is the supreme international crime differing only from other war crimes in that it contains within itself the accumulated evil of the whole." [Judgment of the International Military Tribunal]

The UK Ministry of Defence reported that it's highly likely that the successful export of Ukrainian grain during the Black Sea Grain Initiative (BSGI) has helped reduce global prices and food insecurity. During the initiative more than 32 million tonnes of food reached the global market and the Food Price Index fell 23% from its peak in March 2022. Developing nations have especially benefited from lower prices as well as from direct imports of grain from Ukraine.

Russia's withdrawal from the BSGI has reduced Ukraine's exports, a clear effort to degrade the Ukrainian economy and its ability to support the war effort. The agricultural sector made up 40% of Ukraine's exports pre-war and remains vital; food exports earned $28bn in 2021.

Ukraine has found success using alternative methods like river, rail and road to export its grain; however, it is unlikely that this will match the capacity of the Black Sea export routes.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that during the day of September 8, there were 24x combat engagements. Russian forces launched 10x missile, 60x air strikes, and 37x MLRS attacks at the positions of Ukrainian troops and various settlements.

The operational situation in east and south of Ukraine remains difficult.

Volyn and Polissya axes: no significant changes.

Sivershchyna and Slobozhanshchyna axes: the Russian adversary launched an air strike in the vicinity of Bolohivka (Kharkiv oblast). More than 15x settlements came under artillery and mortar fire, including Hasychivka, Bleshnya (Chernihiv oblast), Vyntorivka, Seredyna-Buda, Stari Vyrky, Veselivka, Hrabovs'ke (Sumy oblast).

Kup'yans'k axis: Russian forces launched air strikes in the vicinity of Petropavlivka (Kharkiv oblast). More than 15x settlements came under artillery and mortar fire, including Krasne Pershe, Kam'yanka, Fyholivka, Dvorichna, Kucherivka, and Tabaivka (Kharkiv oblast).

Lyman axis: the Ukrainian defenders repelled Russian attacks in the vicinity of Novojehorivka (Luhansk oblast). Russian forces launched air strikes near Bilohorivka (Luhansk oblast) and Spirne (Donetsk oblast). More than 15x settlements, including Nevs'ke, Bilohorivka (Luhansk oblast), Verkhn'okam'yans'ke, Vesele, Spirne, Rozdolivka, Yampolivka (Donetsk oblast), were shelled with artillery and mortars.

Bakhmut axis: Russian forces launched an air strike near Bila Hora (Donetsk oblast). More than 15x settlements came under artillery and mortar fire, including Chasiv Yar, Ivanivske, Klishchiivka, New York, Pivnichne (Donetsk oblast).

Avdiivka axis: the Ukrainian defenders repelled Russian attacks in the vicinities of Avdiivka (Donetsk oblast). More than 10x settlements came under artillery and mortar fire, including Novokalynove, Keramik, Stepove, Avdiivka, Sjeverne, Pervomais'ke (Donetsk oblast).

Mar'inka axis: the Ukrainian Defense Forces continue to hold back the Russian offensive in the vicinities of Mar'inka and Novomykhailivka (Donetsk oblast). Ukrainian troops repelled more than 10x Russian attacks there during the day of September 8. The adversary launched an air strike in the vicinity of Krasnohorivka. The Russian invaders fired artillery and mortars at around than 15x settlements, including Krasnohorivka, Mar'inka, Pobjeda, Novomykhailivka Antonivka (Donetsk oblast).

Shakhtars'ke axis: Russian forces launched air strikes near Urozhaine, Staromaiors'ke, Novodarivka (Donetsk oblast). Around 10x settlements, including Vodyane, Vuhledar, Prechystivka, Zolota Nyva, Urozhaine (Donetsk oblast), came under artillery and mortar fire.

Zaporizhzhia axis: the Russian adversary launched air strikes in the vicinities of Mala Tokmachka, Robotyne and Omel'nyk (Zaporizhzhia oblast). The invaders fired artillery and mortars at more than 20x settlements, including Ol'hivs'ke, Hulyaipole, Levadne, Mala Tokmachka, P'yatykhatky, Robotyne, Kam'yans'ke (Zaporizhzhia oblast).

Kherson axis: Russian forces launched air strikes near Kozats'ke. Odradokam'yanka, Burhunka and Tomyna Balka. The settlements of Antonivka, Kherson, Veletens'ke, Tomyna Balka (Kherson oblast) came under artillery and mortar fire.

At the same time, the Ukrainian Defense Forces continue to conduct the offensive operation on Melitopol' axis, crushing Russian forces and liberating the occupied territories step by step, succeeding in the area south of Robotyne, and consolidating the new positions.

During the day of September 8, Ukrainian Air Force launched 9x air strikes on the concentrations of troops, weapons, and military equipment, as well as 1x strike on positions of the anti-aircraft missile systems of the Russian adversary.

Missile and artillery troops hit 1x ammunition depot, 9x artillery systems, 6x command posts, and 1x electronic warfare station of Russian occupiers.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Russo-Ukraine War - 09 September 2023 - Day 563

Su M Tu W Th F Sa 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While GlobalSecurity.org takes utmost care to accurately report this news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.

On 24 February 2022, Ukraine was suddenly and deliberately attacked by land, naval and air forces of Russia, igniting the largest European war since the Great Patriotic War. Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a "special military operation" (SVO - spetsialnaya voennaya operatsiya) in Ukraine in response to the appeal of the leaders of the "Donbass republics" for help. That attack is a blatant violation of the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine. Putin stressed that Moscow's goal is the demilitarization and denazification of the country. The military buildup in preceeding months makes it obvious that the unprovoked and dastardly Russian attack was deliberately planned long in advance. During the intervening time, the Russian government had deliberately sought to deceive the world by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace.

"To initiate a war of aggression... is not only an international crime; it is the supreme international crime differing only from other war crimes in that it contains within itself the accumulated evil of the whole." [Judgment of the International Military Tribunal]

The UK Ministry of Defence reported that elements of the Ukrainian Armed Forces have advanced into the multi-layered main Russian defensive line east of the town of Robotyne. Ukrainian dismounted infantry forces are continuing to make gradual tactical advances against Russian positions and attrite Russian forces in the area.

Ukrainian forces have also maintained pressure on Russian positions to the south of Bakhmut, making gradual gains between Klishchiivka and Adriivka.

It is highly likely that Russia has redeployed forces from other areas of the frontline to replace degraded units around Robotyne. These redeployments are likely limiting Russia's ability to carry out offensive operations of its own along other areas of the front line. The redeployments are also highly likely an indication of pressure on their defensive lines, particularly around Robotyne.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that during the day of September 9, there were 26x combat engagements. Russian forces launched 2x missile, 29x air strikes, more than 14x MLRS as attacks at the positions of Ukrainian troops and civilian infrastructure in various settlements.

Volyn and Polissya axes: no significant changes.

Sivershchyna and Slobozhanshchyna axes: Russian forces launched air strikes in the vicinities of Ambarne, Budarkiv (Kharkiv oblast). More than 20x settlements came under artillery and mortar fire, including Karpovychi, Leonivka (Chernihiv oblast), Novomykolaivka, Myropil's'ke, Tur'ya (Sumy oblast), Hur'iv Kozachok, Budarky, Starytsya (Kharkiv oblast).

The operational situation in east and south of Ukraine remains difficult.

Kup'yans'k axis: Russian forces launched air strikes in the vicinities of Syn'kivka, Kyslivka (Kharkiv oblast), Novoselivs'ke (Luhansk oblast). The settlements of Kyslivka, Kucherivka (Kharkiv oblast) came under artillery and mortar fire.

Lyman axis: the Ukrainian defenders repelled Russian attacks in the vicinity of Berestove. Russian forces launched air strikes against Bilohorivka (Luhansk oblast), Spirne, Vesele (Donetsk oblast). More than 20x settlements, including Bilohorivka (Luhansk oblast), Tors'ke, Dibrova, Verkhn'okam'yans'ke, Spirne, Berestove (Donetsk oblast), were shelled with artillery and mortars.

Bakhmut axis: the Ukrainian Defense Forces successfully holding back the Russian offensive in the vicinities of Orikhovo-Vasylivka, Bohdanivka and Klishchiivka. Russian forces launched air strikes against Klishchiivka and Andriivka (Donetsk oblast). More than 20x settlements came under artillery and mortar fire, including Chasiv Yar, Klishchiivka, Bila Hora, Kurdyumivka, New York (Donetsk oblast).

Avdiivka axis: More than 10x settlements came under artillery and mortar fire, including Keramik, Stepove, Avdiivka, Sjeverne, Pervomais'ke (Donetsk oblast).

Mar'inka axis: during the day of September 8, Ukrainian defenders repelled 8x Russian attacks in the vicinity of Mar'inka. Russian forces launched an air strike in the vicinity of Krasnohorivka. The Russian invaders fired artillery and mortars at around than 15x settlements, including Krasnohorivka, Mar'inka, Pobjeda, Novomykhailivka (Donetsk oblast).

Shakhtars'ke axis: Russian forces launched air strikes near Prechystivka and Zolota Nyva (Donetsk oblast). Around 10x settlements, including Vodyane, Prechystivka, Zolota Nyva, Urozhaine (Donetsk oblast), came under artillery and mortar fire.

Zaporizhzhia axis: Russian forces launched an air strike in the vicinity of Robotyne (Zaporizhzhia oblast). The Russian invaders fired artillery and mortars at more than 20x settlements, including Ol'hivs'ke, Hulyaipole, Huliaipilske, Mala Tokmachka, Novodanylivka, P'yatykhatky, Robotyne, Kam'yans'ke (Zaporizhzhia oblast).

Kherson axis: the settlements of Ponyativka, Sadove (Kherson oblast) and Dniprovs'ke (Mykolaiv oblast) came under Russian artillery and mortar fire.

At the same time, the Ukrainian Defense Forces continue to conduct the offensive operation on Melitopol' axis and offensives (assaults) on Bakhmut axis. Ukrainian defenders make gains in the area south of Robotyne and Klishchiivka, consolidating the new positions, crushing Russian forces and step by step liberating the occupied territories.

During the day of September 9, Ukrainian Air Force launched 8x air strikes on the concentrations of troops, weapons, and military equipment.

Missile, artillery, and UAV units hit 5x artillery systems and 1x anti-aircraft missile systems of Russian invaders.

The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation reported that from 2 September to 9 September, the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation carried out six group strikes with high-precision long-range sea- and air-based armament and unmanned aerial vehicles against Ukrainian radio-technical reconnaissance facilities, port infrastructure, the production of unmanned boats, ammunition and Western weapons, fuel depots, as well as training bases for AFU sabotage groups and terrorists from the so-called 'Russian Volunteer Corps'.

In addition, as a result of aviation strikes, the work of strategic radio-technical reconnaissance systems, as well as the logistical support of AFU troop groups operating in the Kherson and Zaporozhye was disrupted.

In Zaporozhye direction, AFU units continued unsuccessful attempts to break through the defences of Russian troops close to Rabotino and Verbovoye (Zaporozhye region).

The enemy 39 times threw assault units of 46th aeromobile, 47th mechanised, 82nd air assault brigades, as well as the 15th Brigade of Ukrainian National Guard into battle to break through Russian positions.

To support the offensive actions of the AFU units in this direction, the Ukrainian Armed Forces have deployed a group of up to 360 artillery pieces, of which more than 160 are Western-manufactured pieces of 155mm calibre.

All enemy attacks were repelled by the self-sacrificing actions of Russian servicemen.

During the fierce fighting in this area, more than 845 Ukrainian servicemen, 27 tanks and armoured combat vehicles, including a UK-made Challenger tank and 25 vehicles were eliminated. In the course of the counter-battery fight, 63 enemy field artillery guns were destroyed.

The 82nd Air Assault Brigade of the AFU alone has lost up to 500 servicemen killed and wounded over the past week.

In South Donetsk direction, units of the Russian forces repelled four enemy attacks with concerted action during the week, continuing to inflict a comprehensive fire attack on AFU manpower and hardware concentration areas.

Over the past period, the total losses of the enemy in this direction were over 1,230 Ukrainian soldiers, 24 armoured combat vehicles, 37 motor vehicles, as well as 17 field artillery guns.

In Donetsk direction, the competent actions of units of the Yug Group of Forces repelled 56 attacks by Ukrainian troops, as a result of which more than 2,100 servicemen, 23 tanks and other armoured combat vehicles, 45 vehicles and 30 field artillery pieces were eliminated.

In Kupyansk direction, Russian units of the Zapad Group of Forces continued to improve the tactical situation in their areas of responsibility by conducting active operations.

During the week, 22 attacks were repelled in this direction, during which the enemy losses were up to 425 Ukrainian servicemen, eight armoured combat vehicles, 18 cars and pickup trucks, as well as 15 artillery pieces.

In Krasny Liman direction, 12 enemy attacks were successfully repelled as a result of the actions of the Tsentr Group of Forces' units, aviation strikes, artillery fire and heavy flamethrower systems.

The losses of the AFU units were more than 450 servicemen, 13 armoured combat vehicles, 15 motor vehicles and seven guns.

In Kherson direction, the main efforts were concentrated on the fire defeat of AFU manpower, as well as on preventing landings on islands in the Dnieper River bed, and counter-battery warfare.

During the fulfilment of combat missions, an attempt to land troops in the area of Tendrovskaya Spit Island was prevented.

In addition, five Ukrainian sabotage and reconnaissance groups were destroyed.

Up to 355 Ukrainian AFU servicemen, a tank, 32 vehicles, and twelve field artillery guns were eliminated in this direction.

Ships of the Black Sea Fleet during combat duty in the southern part of the Kerch Strait have detected and destroyed three Ukrainian unmanned semi-submersible boats attempting to attack the Crimean bridge.

In addition, four high-speed boats with landing groups of the AFU special operations forces, totalling up to 50 Ukrainian servicemen, were destroyed by Naval Aviation aircraft in the waters of the Black Sea west of the Crimean peninsula.

Operational-Tactical Aviation of the Russian Aerospace Forces, and air defence systems shot down a MiG-29 aircraft and a Mi-8 helicopter of the Ukrainian Air Force during the week, as well as destroyed launchers of the S-300ps anti-aircraft missile system near the village of Lyubimovka (Zaporozhye region).

Russian air defence and electronic warfare systems destroyed and suppressed 247 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles, including 23 in the western regions of the Russian Federation during the week.

In addition, 49 HIMARS MLRS projectiles, three JDAM guided aerial bombs, and one HARM anti-radiation missile were intercepted.

In total, 467 airplanes, 248 helicopters, 6,540 unmanned aerial vehicles, 436 air defence missile systems, 11,742 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,149 fighting vehicles equipped with MLRS, 6,306 field artillery cannons and mortars, as well as 12,840 special military motor vehicles have been destroyed during the special military operation.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






September 8, 2023

By Joseph Clark , DOD News

Hicks Says DOD Forever Resilient After 9/11

More than two decades after the Sept. 11, 2001, attack, the defense community's resilience and commitment to serve in the face of tragedy continues to shine through, Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks said today.

"As the years since September 11th increase, so, too, does the importance of telling our stories," she said at a ceremony for Defense Department employees marking the 22nd anniversary of the attack that killed 184 people at the Pentagon. "Because even as many of us have personal memories of what happened that day, an increasing share of Americans don't. They were too young or hadn't yet been born.

"Even so, 9/11 has impacted their lives, and they should know how and why," she said. "Telling our stories helps increase understanding across generations."

Hicks, who was present at the Pentagon on the day of the attack, said she will "be forever struck by the resiliency that our friends and colleagues demonstrated in the minutes, hours and days that followed the attack on the Pentagon."

She noted the displays of empathy and "deep-rooted instinct to help and be of service to others" among the workforce amid the tragedy.

"All of that shone through that day," Hicks said. "So did this team's unbelievable resolve and strength. It's no wonder the doors of the Pentagon reopened the very next day."

That drive to serve others echoed throughout the U.S. in the months and years following the attacks that killed nearly 3,000 people at the Pentagon, the World Trade Center in New York and aboard United Airlines flight 93, which crashed near Shanksville, Pennsylvania.

In the year that followed, more than 254,000 young people answered the call to serve in the military, Hicks said.

"Many of those said that they had never even considered military service, that they were motivated by what had happened on 9/11 and its aftermath," she said. "They had come to understand that military service represented something larger than themselves."

That outpouring patriotism and selflessness serves as an apt reminder, Hicks said, as the nation this year marks the 50th anniversary of all-volunteer force.

"The events of 9/11 transformed our nation and how we view our national security," Hicks said. "It also transformed each of us individually in ways that we don't always talk about publicly. That's why we hold this special observance each year to hold space for this community."

"You are not alone," she said. "We have not forgotten about you or those we lost, and we never will."

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






G20 agrees to grant permanent membership to African Union

Xinhua) 15:30, September 09, 2023

NEW DELHI, Sept. 9 (Xinhua) -- The Group of 20 (G20) members agreed on Saturday to grant permanent membership to the African Union (AU) in an effort to make the group more representative.

The agreement was reached at the inaugural session of the two-day G20 summit held in New Delhi during the weekend.

Azali Assoumani, president of the Union of the Comoros and current AU chairperson, then assumed his seat for the session.

China is the first country that explicitly expressed its support for the AU's membership in the G20.

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Sheng Chuyi)
LOS ANGELESLawyers for both sides in a labor dispute lawsuit filed last spring by retired performer Kenzie Anne against Vixen Media Group and its affiliates spoke with AVN this week about what they hope for after a federal district judge gutted the complaint, which claimed that the popular studio violated the labor rights of its performers.

Anne in April filed a total of 10 causes for action against the defendantsVixen-affiliated firms VXN Group, Strike 3 Holdings, General Media Systems, executive producer Mike Miller, and at least 100 unnamed "John and Jane Does." But U.S. District Judge Wesley L. Hsu sided with the defendants in a hearing last week, granting a motion to dismiss nine of the 10 causes of action.

The 10th cause of action was severed and remanded to a state court in Los Angeles for potential violations of Californias Unfair Competition Law (UCL).

When Anne's contract was terminated in September 2022, she claimed that Vixen failed to pay minimum and overtime wages, provide meal periods and rest periods, furnish accurate wage statements, pay for vested vacation time, and timely pay [of] final wages.

Anne alleged that during her stint of nearly two years as a contract star for the studio, she and her fellow performers were mistreated and forced into working conditions that go as far as violating Californias labor codes governing contractors versus salaried full-time workers.

Represented by the employment attorney David D. Bibiyan of Bibiyan Law Group. P.C., Anne brought the suit as a potential class action against VMG.

Anne also alleges that she and other performers who are currently and formerly under contract were purposefully misclassified as independent contractors by Vixen. Due to the contract that she claims was structured to circumvent labor codes, Anne asserts that she was subject to unfair labor practices and working conditions. Judge Hsu indicated that the dismissal of the nine causes of action was made without prejudice.

Brad S. Kane of the Kane Law Firm, who is representing VMG, contended clearly that Annes case had no chance at success in response to Judge Hsus dismissal and remand.

Vixen works hard to treat all performers and employees fairly and equitably, Kane said in an email. Vixen often goes further than federal, and California law requires, which is already very employee-friendly.

He continued, Kenzie Annes UCL claims are derivative of (or based on) the meritless class action employment allegations in the federal district court case. As such, if Kenzie Annes other wage and hour claims are dismissed by the federal district court, that should have [a] preclusive effect on Kenzie Annes UCL claim in state court. In other words, if Kenzie Annes wage and hour claims fail, so too will her UCL claim.

Bibiyan told AVN that he views the remand to a lower court and the severing of the 10th cause of action as a favorable development, despite the optics of it all.

The reason why we believe the ruling to be favorable is because [the] defendants ... advanced an argument that its performers are professional actors and thus not subject to many of the protections of other employees, which is the subject of our lawsuit, Bibiyan explained in an email. The court disagreed, finding that an actor working for defendants does not have the bargaining power of, say, Gal Gadot, and, thus, is entitled to the protections of other California employees. This was a substantive win. Thus, we find that [the] defendants motion to dismiss turned out to be a huge backfire, if anything, for [the] defendants.

Bibiyan suggested that the defendants erred when presenting their own evidence to show payment for the 10-hour production days that Anne, in part, took issue with due to the claim that overtime should have been paid for those days.

In his ruling, Judge Hsu wrote that defendants evidence shows that defendants in fact never paid overtime because they paid ... actors on a 'per-film' basis. Paired with testimony that all actors must be on set for at least 10 consecutive hours during production of a ... film, this supports defendants assertion that under [Anne]s theory of liability, each actor would have, in fact, experienced a Labor Code violation for non-payment of two hours of overtime, entitling them to the waiting time penalty.

Either they will classify their workers as employees and provide them with the more beneficial rights and pay of employees, or they will provide them with more discretion and freedom, Bibiyan said, adding that his firm, on behalf of Anne, brought this action to remind studios and other interests in the adult film industry that performers should have no less rights than others."

According to Kane, the only reason for the remand to a state court was not on merits but on a jurisdictional technicality. He also pointed to how the counsel for Anne copied and pasted claims from a similar action that the Bibiyan firm filed prior. [Anne]s counsel is cautioned, however, that copy-and-paste allegations 'completely undermine ... the credibility and genuine nature of [Annes] claims, Hsu wrote in explaining the justification for his dismissal of the eighth and ninth causes of action.

This is a good strategy if your law firms business model is to extract settlements from large companies because it costs companies less to pay the Bibiyan Law Group a settlement than to litigate their innocence, Kane concluded in his statement to AVN.

Although it will cost Defendants more to defend themselves from Kenzie Annes meritless claims than it will cost Bibiyan Law Group to pursue them, Vixen is committed to vigorously defending itself.
OSCE course highlights importance of financial intelligence in preventing and countering terrorism

OSCE | Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe

8 September 2023



On 5-7 September 2023, the OSCE Secretariat's Transnational Threats Department, with the support of the OSCE Mission in Kosovo (OMiK) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), organized a three-day training course in PejA/PeA on how to use financial intelligence to effectively cut off terrorism financing channels.

Participants learned about proactive and reactive analytical techniques and investigative methods for financial investigations, as part of comprehensive counter-terrorism investigations.

The training module emphasized the importance of collecting, handling, and using financial intelligence in counter-terrorism investigations. A team of local trainers, previously trained by the OSCE and supported by international experts, delivered sessions on the analysis of financial information and application of analytical techniques in counter-terrorism operations. They also actively involved inter-agency teams in exercises on the intelligence cycle, grading of intelligence, and data and network analysis.

Edward Anderson, Director of the Department of Public Safety and Security at OMiK, highlighted during his opening remarks that stemming the flow of funds to terrorists and terrorist networks should be at the forefront of counter-terrorism efforts and thanked all participants for their dedicated work.

The course represents the second module of the OSCE-UNODC training programme on countering the financing of terrorism. The aim of the programme is to build the operational framework of local bodies to prevent terrorists from moving, using, and raising funds for terrorist purposes, in line with international commitments and standards. The course was organized with the financial support of the United States.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Readout of Homeland Security Advisor Dr. Liz Sherwood-Randall's Visit to Panama and Colombia

September 08, 2023

Between September 5-7, 2023, Homeland Security Advisor Dr. Liz Sherwood-Randall led an interagency delegation to Panama and Colombia to advance our joint efforts with regional partners to address the urgent humanitarian situation and growing migration challenge in the Darien jungle region.

While in Panama, Sherwood-Randall met with President Laurentino Cortizo. They discussed the necessity to effectively reduce the unprecedented irregular migratory flows in the region and the importance of both increasing enforcement measures to deter irregular movement and expanding safe legal pathways for migration. Dr. Sherwood-Randall expressed appreciation for the important contribution Panama is making in offering Temporary Protected Status to migrants in Panama within the framework of the Los Angeles Declaration on Migration and Protection.

While in Colombia, Sherwood-Randall met with Foreign Minister Alvaro Leyva to discuss the important initiatives that Colombia is pursuing in collaboration with the United States to disrupt transnational criminal groups that are exploiting migrants. She expressed appreciation for cooperation in the opening of new U.S. Secure Mobility Offices in Colombia. She also described the critical need to build on these efforts to both deter irregular migration and address the humanitarian and environmental crisis in the Darien region.

In both countries, Sherwood-Randall conducted field visits to the Darien jungle to assess what additional steps the United States can take to support our regional partners in reducing irregular migration and providing humanitarian relief.

Members of the delegation included Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources Richard Verma, Combatant Commander of the U.S. Southern Command General Laura Richardson, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Homeland Defense and Hemispheric Affairs Melissa Dalton, Assistant Secretary for Border and Immigration Policy at the Department of Homeland Security Blas Nunez-Neto, Special Assistant to the President and NSC Coordinator for the Los Angeles Declaration on Migration and Protection Katie Tobin, and Director of Operations at U.S. Southern Command Rear Admiral Thomas Allan.

###

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






A stronger partnership between Australia and the Philippines

Media release

08 Sep 2023

Prime Minister

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese signed a Strategic Partnership with President of the Philippines HE Ferdinand R Marcos Jr during his visit to Manila on 8 September.

The new Strategic Partnership establishes an enduring framework for closer cooperation with the Philippines, one of Australia's key partners in Southeast Asia, based on a strong alignment of strategic interests.

In Manila, Prime Minister Albanese announced the following initiatives to boost ties with the Philippines:

Australia Awards Scholarships to the Philippines will be increased to more than double current numbers. In 2024, over 50 scholarships will be awarded to Filipinos to study Masters and PhD programs in Australia, building invaluable connections between our people.

The re-establishment of a Philippines Institute at the Australian National University as part of the Government's commitment to boosting ties with Southeast Asia, building partnerships between our institutions and deepening shared understanding of each others' perspectives and interests.

A new reciprocal Work and Holiday visa for Australians and Filipinos, supporting stronger economic, cultural and people-to-people links.

To support regional stability, a new $64.5 million contribution to peacebuilding in conflict-affected Mindanao. The five year program will help to reduce violent conflict, reintegrate former combatants and support community development, particularly for women.

The Prime Minister's visit to the Philippines reflects the priority Australia has placed on deepening relations with Southeast Asia, and follows the Prime Minister's launch of the Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040 in Jakarta this week.

The Philippines is one of the fastest growing economies in the region and represents substantial potential for Australia to deepen our trade and investment relationship. The Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040 will help Australian businesses and investors take advantage of key sectors in the Philippines, including agriculture and food, education and skills, resources and the clean energy transition.

Prime Minister Albanese is the first Australian Prime Minister to travel to the Philippines on a bilateral visit since 2003.

The Prime Minister has invited President Marcos to Australia in March 2024 to attend a Special Summit to Commemorate the 50th Anniversary of ASEAN-Australia Dialogue Relations.

Quotes attributable to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese:

"I am honoured to have been invited by President Marcos to visit Manila and sign this historic Strategic Partnership.

"Australia and the Philippines enjoy a long-standing relationship based on close cooperation and enriched by the 400,000 Australians with Filipino heritage.

"Today is a watershed moment for relations between Australia and the Philippines. Our Strategic Partnership will facilitate closer cooperation between our countries and contribute to an open, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific region."

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Joint Leaders Statement - The Philippines

Transcript

08 Sep 2023

Manila, The Philippines

Prime Minister

Australia-Philippines strategic partnership

E&OE

HIS EXCELLENCY FERDINAND R MARCOS JR, PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES: The honourable Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, the honoured members of the Australia and Philippine delegations, members of the press corps, ladies and gentlemen, good morning. Prime Minister Albanese and I have engaged in comprehensive discussions during our bilateral meeting, which reaffirmed our shared commitment to peace, security and the development in our region. Our talks covered a wide range of topics from defence and security cooperation, to economic and trade relations, from maritime affairs, and sustainable developmental goals. It is heartening to find that our visions for the future are quite closely aligned, and our goals for regional stability and prosperity resonates from it. Both the Prime Minister and I acknowledge that our shared values, the democratic principles and mutual respect for international law have been instrumental in fostering a strong partnership. Our commitment to these ideals has guided our path forward, as we address the complex challenges facing our region and the world at large. We also recognise the importance of a stable and secure environment that benefits not only our own citizens, but also contributes to the greater global good. The Philippines and Australia share a long history of cooperation and an even longer history of friendship. And it is fitting that we gather here today to commemorate the elevation of our relations from a comprehensive partnership to a strategic partnership. A very, very important development for us both. This signing of the Joint Declaration and Strategic Partnership signals our mutual commitment to deepening collaboration across a spectrum of areas that are vital to both our country's growth and prosperity. Furthermore, the agreement signed and witnessed today symbolises our joint determination to enhance our cooperation across various domains. From development to cultural exchanges, these agreements represent a tangible commitment to work together for the betterment of our two nations. I'm confident that these partnerships will drive innovation, create opportunities, and foster deeper understanding between our peoples. As we look ahead, our shared responsibilities as strategic partners become even more profound. The evolving dynamics of our world demand collaboration that is proactive, innovative, and adaptable. By leveraging each other's strengths, we can amplify our collective impact and contribute positively to the challenges and opportunities that lie before us. Let the elevation of our relations, of our relations to a strategic partnership, usher in a brighter and more prosperous future for both our peoples. Thank you, and good day to you all.

ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Thank you, President Marcos for your very warm welcome here in the Philippines. It is an honour to be on my first visit to the Philippines as Prime Minister, and to be the first Australian Prime Minister to conduct a bilateral visit to the Philippines in twenty years. For more than three quarters of a century, Australia and the Philippines have been bound by strategic trust, shared values and mutual cooperation. Australia's honoured to count Philippines as a close friend, and from today a strategic partner. Our friendship is underpinned by trust and respect, as well as a shared vision for the region. On coming into government I made a commitment to deepen Australia's relationship and engagement with Southeast Asia. Our histories are deeply intertwined, and our futures are too. Australia's working with our partners, including of course, the Philippines to shape a region where sovereignty is upheld, and economic cooperation is underpinned by international rules based trade. A region that is open, stable and prosperous with ASEAN at its centre. Our economic future is also with Southeast Asia and we're determined to grow trade and investment for our shared economic prosperity. And just earlier this week in Jakarta at the East Asia Summit, I launched, Invested: Australia's Southeast Asia economic strategy to 2040 which is aimed at increasing our two way trade and investment. For the Philippines, the strategy identifies four sectors of particular potential - agriculture, education, resources and the green energy transition - and today we've had constructive discussion about how that can occur. Australia is ambitious for what we can achieve with the Philippines and with the region. In that spirit of ambition, President Marcos and I had very constructive meetings this morning, and of course, we've signed our new strategic partnership. This elevation is an important symbol of the strength of our relationship, and our shared commitment to do more together. We discussed strengthening our cooperation on regional and national security. We agreed to formalise an annual defence ministers meeting. Australia works closely with the Philippines to support peace and stability in conflict affected Mindanao. And I'm pleased to announce today a new five year program to help further reduce violent conflict, reintegrate former combatants and improve community development and livelihoods, particularly for women and those in vulnerable situations. The President and I also discussed the importance of people to people ties between our two nations. More than 400,000 people of Filipino heritage call Australia home, many of them in my electorate, Mr. President. Building strong bonds between our people. These people to people links will be further strengthened by the new reciprocal work and holiday visa arrangements, which we're announcing today. Educational and institutional links will continue to play a key role in our bilateral relationship. And I'm pleased today to announce that we are doubling the number of Australia Award Scholarships available to students from the Philippines. We're also supporting the reestablishment of the Philippines Institute at the Australian National University which will boost partnerships between Australian and Filipino academic institutions. Now, I'm pleased that we've signed today a Memorandum of Understanding backed by $4.4 million in Australian funding, focused on collaborative research to assist the Philippines to develop its own National Soil Health Strategy. Working together, I'm confident Australia and the Philippines can rise to meet the new challenges and help to realise our vision of an open, prosperous, peaceful and stable region. I thank you very much, Mr. President.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Opening remarks - Bilateral meeting with the President of the Republic of the Philippines

Transcript

08 Sep 2023

Manila, Philippines

Prime Minister, President of the Republic of the Philippines

ASEAN, Australia-Philippines strategic partnership

E&OE

HIS EXCELLENCY FERDINAND R MARCOS JR, PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES: Well, allow me to once again welcome you, Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese of Australia, and your delegation, to Manila, to the palace and to the Philippines. And the so particularly, we are particularly happy to see the leader of Australia here, as it has been good, long, 20 years since the last visit from Australia, from the Australian leader here in the Philippines. But once again, I think we find ourselves, I think the Australian shift, maybe a decade or two ago, and saying that Australia's future is with Asia has really been, has really become a reality. And that's why the closeness between our countries, between Australia and the Philippines, is terribly important. We have a solid basis here, because absent of diplomatic trade, et cetera, agreement, the people to people exchanges between our two countries has been significant over the years. And once again, the Filipino nationals who live in Australia, who have chosen to go and live and work there, have been, are very happy to have been assimilated properly into Australian society, and for that we are very grateful. Thank you very much for that. And may I just add a word of thanks to you, Mr Prime Minister, for the strong support that you have, that you have made for the Philippines, especially during the past ASEAN Conference, where you have made very clear that the claims that are being made upon our Philippine maritime territory, are not valid and have not been recognised, and are not in conjunction or consistent with international law. And to help friends like you and partners like you in that in that, especially on that subject, is very gratifying and encourages us to continue down that path. So, we thank you for that and once again, welcome to the Philippines.

ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Well, thank you very much, Mr President, for the very warm welcome that myself and my delegation have received. It is great to be back in Manila, and to be here as Prime Minister, on my first Prime Ministerial visit to Manila. And I know that Australia and the Philippines are great friends and I hope that this visit helps to take it to an even higher level, as we go forward. The new strategic partnership that we'll sign today will strengthen the bilateral ties that we've had for 77 years. And of course, in Jakarta, I launched our new Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040. We see our future as very much lying here in our region. And the prospect of increased trade and economic engagement is very important. We also have important security issues, where we have common views about the need to uphold international law. And Australia's position on that will continue to be consistent, as we have always been, including recently, over issues relating to the South China Sea. We regard the presence of an open, stable and prosperous region as being absolutely critical. Support for trade, support for sovereignty, and support for ASEAN centrality as well in our engagement. We have a collective responsibility for security, including support for the UN Convention and the Law of the Sea UNCLOS, that's very important and Australia does support, as I said at the East Asia Summit, the 2016 South China Sea Arbitration Award, that is final and it's binding, and it's important that that be upheld going forward. But I look forward to our further discussions today. It is true that the diaspora, of course in Australia, including in my own local electorate and local community, is very strong and the Filipino Australian community, a community that make an enormous contribution to the economic and cultural life of our multicultural nation of Australia. And I'm sure I bring with me, the very good wishes of Filipino Australians, to you, Mr President.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






OSCE Permanent Council No. 1438 Vienna, 7 September 2023

European External Action Service (EEAS)

08.09.2023

Vienna

Press and information team of the Delegation to UN and OSCE in Vienna

EU Statement on the anniversary of the fraudulent presidential elections in Belarus

Three years have passed since the fraudulent presidential elections in Belarus. The Belarusian peoples' will to live in a free and democratic country was met with brutal repression, and the violence continues. Those demanding new free and fair elections are labelled "extremists" and, according to the amendments to the Criminal Code, may be charged even with the death penalty. The Polish and other communities in Belarus, as well as independent political parties, associations or trade unions, have also become a target of this policy. The EU calls on the Belarusian authorities to immediately and unconditionally release over 1,500 political prisoners. The EU condemns the verdicts of 3 March in the cases of Ales Bialiatski, Vyasna's chairperson and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, Andrzej Poczobut, an independent journalist who was recently sentenced to 8 years in prison under false allegations, as well as other verdicts in the cases of human rights defenders tried in absentia and sentenced on politically motivated charges. The determination of Belarusian people who, at great personal risk, continue to stand up for democracy remains a source of great hope. The EU is providing support to victims of repression, human rights defenders, civil society organisations, independent media and journalists, students and businesses in exile, as well as to initiatives aimed at safeguarding the Belarusian identity, culture, and language. The Lukashenka regime has also become a threat to regional and international security, through actions such as the forced landing of a civilian airplane in May 2021 and the still ongoing instrumentalisation of migration for its political purposes on the EU's eastern borders. In February 2022, the Lukashenka regime became an accomplice in Russia's illegal and brutal war of aggression against Ukraine. Belarus allowed Russia to use its territory to launch missile attacks against Ukraine, including against civilian targets. It provides Russia with military equipment, including tanks, ammunition and fuel. The EU condemns the continued military support for Russia's war of aggression provided by Belarus. Belarus must stop allowing Russian armed forces to use its territory, including for the deployment of nuclear weapons. This complicity has allowed the illegal deportation of Ukrainian children by Russia to the Belarusian territory. On 26 May 2023, Russia and Belarus took a further escalatory step by signing an agreement to allow the deployment of Russian nuclear warheads on Belarusian territory. The EU is concerned about the recent deployment in Belarus of the Wagner mercenaries, the destabilising effects in the region and the risk they represent for Belarus' sovereignty. The EU has adopted sanctions in response to the repression against all independent voices and against persons belonging to national minorities, the breaches of international law and the support to Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine by the Lukashenka regime. The latest package of sanctions addresses human rights violations and the constantly worsening internal repression, and sends a signal that the EU continues to be fully engaged in support to human rights and democracy. It also addresses the risk of sanctions circumvention. We call on the authorities of Belarus to engage in a genuine and inclusive dialogue with all elements of society leading to free and fair elections. Once Belarus embarks on a democratic transition, the EU is committed to help Belarus stabilise its economy and reform its institutions. Our aim is to help build resilience and more democratic reforms, to create new jobs and improve people's living standards, including through a Comprehensive Plan of Economic Support of up to EUR 3 billion to a democratic Belarus. The EU will stand with Belarusians for as long as it takes on their path to an independent, democratic and prosperous country that is part of a peaceful Europe.

The Candidate Countries NORTH MACEDONIA*, MONTENEGRO*, ALBANIA*, UKRAINE, the REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA, and BOSNIA and HERZEGOVINA*, and the EFTA country LIECHTENSTEIN, member of the European Economic Area.

* North Macedonia, Montenegro, Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Fraudulent presidential election in Belarus: 2023 joint statement to the OSCE

UK and others mark the three-year anniversary of the fraudulent presidential election in Belarus.

8 September 2023

Thank you, Mr Chair.

I am delivering this statement on behalf of the United Kingdom, Canada, Iceland, and my own country Norway. As we mark the three-year anniversary of the deeply flawed and fraudulent 2020 presidential election, I wish to reiterate our steadfast solidarity with the Belarusian people in the face of relentless, systematic repression, and our support for their hopes of a free and democratic future. The 2023 Moscow Mechanism report and its predecessor in 2020 both found compelling evidence of widespread, continued human rights violations against all parts of Belarusian society.

To quote briefly from Professor Ascencio's report earlier this year: "so far, the Government of Belarus has not taken any steps to put an end to this situation, nor to provide effective remedies for the victims. On the contrary, the repressive policy has been steadily increasing over the past two years". In July, the UN Special Rapporteur on Belarus described the current human rights situation as catastrophic, and only getting worse.

We have continuously called on the Belarusian regime to put an end to these egregious human rights violations against its own citizens, and to undertake the necessary free and fair elections for the Belarusian people to determine their own leaders and their own future.

However, the regime has consistently ignored the recommendations from a range of independent experts, including the UN Special Rapporteur on Belarus, the UNCHR examination, the Moscow and Vienna Mechanisms, the International Civil Aviation Organisation's fact-finding report and the International Labour Organisation's Commission of Inquiry.

Three years on from the fraudulent elections, the regime is still relentless in brutally targeting its own citizens, systematically liquidating civil society organisations and clamping down on independent journalists, trade unions, human rights defenders and many ordinary people. There are now over 1,500 political prisoners in detention, many of whom are starved of contact with the outside world and subject to cruel and degrading treatment, including torture. We are deeply concerned by cases of deaths in custody and call upon the Belarusian authorities to respect their international human rights obligations and OSCE commitments, including providing access to appropriate medical treatment for those in detention.

Furthermore, the regime is facilitating human rights violations beyond its borders in Ukraine through the support it continues to provide to Russia's illegal invasion. Lukashenko has used Putin's war of aggression to increase his own illegal repression, violently supressing peaceful anti-war protests and arresting anyone who openly opposes the war.

We will continue to hold the Belarusian regime to account for their human rights violations and support to Russia's illegal war. This includes through targeted sanctions packages and support for accountability measures to ensure that those responsible will one day face justice. We welcome the ongoing work of the International Accountability Platform for Belarus and UN in documenting and preserving evidence.

In conclusion, Mr Chair, we urge the Belarusian regime to reconsider the path their government is taking and to address the recommendations made in the Moscow Mechanism reports of both 2020 and 2023. We urge the Belarusian authorities to immediately and unconditionally release all political prisoners. And we call on Belarus to respect their OSCE commitments on democracy and human rights and to engage in political dialogue. It is for the people of Belarus to determine their own future.

Thank you, Mr Chair.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Prime Minister Justin Trudeau meets with Prime Minister of Singapore Lee Hsien Loong

Prime Minister of Canada - Justin Trudeau

September 8, 2023

Singapore, Republic of Singapore

Today, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau met with the Prime Minister of Singapore, Lee Hsien Loong.

The two leaders discussed the strong and growing bilateral ties between Canada and Singapore and exchanged perspectives on shared priorities such as democracy and expanding bilateral trade and investment to create good middle-class jobs.

Prime Minister Trudeau thanked Prime Minister Lee for Singapore's steadfast support for Canada at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, particularly in relation to the upgrading of the Canada-ASEAN relationship to a Strategic Partnership earlier this week.

The two leaders also discussed their shared commitment to the rules based international order in response to rising geopolitical tensions and threats to global peace and stability. They reaffirmed their desire to continue working together to promote a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific region.

The prime ministers also discussed Russia's illegal and unjustified war against Ukraine, and its impacts on regional and global food security. Prime Minister Trudeau and Prime Minister Lee looked forward to seeing each other again at the upcoming G20 Summit in New Delhi, India.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






China slams US' unreasonable crackdown on Chinese tech firms, as Washington reportedly probes Huawei chips

Global Times

By GT staff reporters Published: Sep 08, 2023 11:33 PM

China's Foreign Ministry on Friday slammed the US' abuse of state power in cracking down on Chinese firms, and stressed that US sanctions, containment and crackdowns won't stop China's development but will only enhance its resolve and capabilities for tech self-reliance and innovation, after the US reportedly started an investigation into Chinese-made chips used in Huawei's new phones.

The remarks came as the Chinese telecom giant started pre-sales for several new smartphone models on Friday morning, with many models sold out immediately, drawing even greater attention to Huawei, after reports of advanced chips used in its new smartphones sent shockwaves through China and abroad, particularly in the US, where officials are reportedly seeking to step up the crackdown on the company.

Chinese experts said that the growing popularity of Huawei's smartphones among Chinese consumers serves as a reminder that unilateral sanctions and crackdowns do not work and could backfire, and cooperation, not crackdown, should be the common aspiration of the world.

Crackdown won't work

At a regular press briefing on Friday, Mao Ning, a spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, was asked to comment on the US government's official probe into an advanced Chinese-made chip in Huawei's latest smartphones.

"We oppose politicizing trade and technology issues and overstretching and abusing the concept of national security. The US has abused state power to suppress Chinese companies," Mao said, adding that such moves violate the principle of free trade and international trade rules, destabilize the global industrial and supply chains and serve no one's interests.

"I want to stress that sanctions and curbs will not stop China's development. They will only strengthen China's resolve and capability to seek self-reliance and technological innovation," the spokesperson said.

Reports of chips used in Huawei's latest smartphones have sparked widespread speculation. In the US, many anti-China politicians are once again beating the drum for more sanctions and crackdowns on the Chinese firm.

However, that didn't seem to affect consumers' enthusiasm for the company's new smartphones. On Friday morning, Huawei launched pre-orders for several new smartphone models, including the Mate X5, the new Mate 60 and Mate 60 Pro models, which sold out immediately. Another round of pre-orders took place late on Friday afternoon, and the phones were sold out within just a few minutes of their launch, the Global Times learned. The deposit is 1,000 yuan ($136), but the prices for some models have not been disclosed yet.

While the company did not disclose specific details about the chips used, there has been widespread speculation in media reports that the Mate 60 series utilizes the Kirin 9000S chip, featuring 7nm technology and stacking technology, with HarmonyOS as its operating system.

Huawei has not announced the processor model of its new foldable screen phone Mate X5, but it is expected to be equipped with the same Kirin 9000S as the Mate 60 series, and may even have the rumored Kirin 9100, according to media reports.

The topic of Friday's new launch has drawn billions of views and received more than 200,000 comments on China's social media platform Sina Weibo, as of press time, with many netizens unable to hold their excitement as they rush to place orders.

The company's new launch has flabbergasted some US officials, who are pledging to look into the new products with a suspicious mindset of whether any US technology may be involved, according to media reports. The US Commerce Department, which enacted a series of restrictions against Huawei and China's chip industry over the past two years, said it's working to get more information on a "purported" 7-nanometer processor discovered within the Mate 60 Pro, Bloomberg reported on Friday.

Huawei's latest smartphone has also triggered a debate in Washington about the efficacy of sanctions intended to contain China, the report said.

Some Western media outlets have also been hyping so-called "widening curbs on iPhone use by government workers." Reuters reported on Friday that such "curbs" have raised concerns among US lawmakers and fanned fears that US tech companies heavily exposed to China could take a hit from rising tensions between the countries.

Asked about the reported claims at a regular press briefing on Friday, Mao said that China has always promoted high-level opening-up. "Products and services from any country are welcome to enter the Chinese market as long as they comply with Chinese laws and regulations," Mao said.

The spokesperson further noted that "this is fundamentally different from the abuse and disguise of the so-called 'security' concept by certain countries to suppress and contain Chinese companies."

On August 29, Apple announced that it would be holding a press conference on September 13 (Beijing time), during which it is expected to unveil the iPhone 15 series and a new Apple Watch. Given the timing, many foreign media outlets have been hyping the competition between Apple and Huawei's smartphones in the Chinese market.

Cooperation should be pursued

The US is undoubtedly uneasy about Huawei's new phone release and reportedly pledged to launch an investigation into it, but since Huawei is confidently announcing it, both the company and its suppliers seem prepared and unintimidated, Ma Jihua, a Beijing-based senior industry analyst, told the Global Times on Friday.

The US' frustration is also a clear indication that the US' blocks against the Chinese company have failed, and they do not have any better cards to play, Ma said, adding that such sanctions only prompted Chinese companies to reduce their reliance on the US and come up with their technologies and products.

"As technical containment has proven ineffective, for the US, the most practical strategy is to move away from zero-sum games and toward a cooperative path for win-win outcomes," the expert said.

US crackdown measures have and will continue to damage the interests of US companies, analysts noted. Meanwhile, some US industry insiders have also called for cooperation.

John Neuffer, president of the US Semiconductor Industry Association, said that no country can reverse the chip supply chain, and the semiconductor industry needs China, according to Yuyuan Tantian, a social account affiliated with China Media Group.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






China firmly opposes US' reported probe into Huawei chips: crackdown will only enhance tech self-reliance: FM

Global Times

By Global Times Published: Sep 08, 2023 04:53 PM

China's Foreign Ministry said on Friday that products and services from any country are welcome in China as long as they are in line with Chinese laws and regulations, responding to US media reports claiming that China is "restricting" use of Apple's iPhones by government officials.

Mao Ning, a spokesperson for the ministry, noted that China's open attitude is in stark contrast to crackdown and containment policies targeting Chinese businesses imposed by "certain countries." Mao also expressed firm opposition to a reported investigation by the US into advanced Chinese chips, stressing that crackdowns will only strengthen China's resolve and ability to pursue technological self-reliance and innovation.

Western media outlets have been hyping so-called "widening curbs on iPhone use by government workers." Reuters reported on Friday that such "curbs" have raised concerns among US lawmakers and fanned fears that US tech companies heavily exposed to China could take a hit from rising tensions between the countries.

Reuters also cited Mike Gallagher, chairman of the US House of Representatives' so-called Select Committee on China, as saying that the "curbs" are not "surprising" and they show China is attempting to restrict a Western market access to China.

Asked about the reported claims at a regular press briefing on Friday, Mao said that China has always promoted high-level opening-up. "Products and services from any country are welcome to enter the Chinese market as long as they comply with Chinese laws and regulations," Mao said.

In a pointed reference, the spokesperson further noted that "this is fundamentally different from the abuse and disguise of the so-called 'security' concept by certain countries to suppress and contain Chinese companies."

US officials and media outlets have been hyping unsubstantiated claims regarding the iPhone's performances in the Chinese market and promoting possible suppression of Chinese firms like Huawei, after the Chinese telecom giant released its Mate 60 Pro series, whose technological breakthrough has garnered widespread attention.

However, further US crackdowns targeting Huawei and other Chinese tech firms will not slow China's technological advances and will further damage the interests of US companies, analysts said.

At the press briefing, Mao was also asked about reports of the US investigating China's advanced chips. China firmly opposes the US' politicization of economic, trade, technological issues, and the abuse and generalization of state power. The US' abuse of its state power in unreasonably suppressing Chinese firms violates free trade principles, undermines the stability of the global production and supply chain, and harms others while not benefiting itself.

"What I want to stress is that sanctions, containment, and crackdowns will not stop China's development, but will only strengthen China's determination and ability to be self-reliant and technologically innovative," Mao said.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






MONTREALHotline Communications, Inc. announced today that its creator platform Hotline (located at gethotline.com) is now welcoming creator and studio signups. The official launch date for Hotline is September 15, 2023.

Unlike most creator sites, Hotline is encouraging studios to join the platform, thus offering fans the opportunity to access BTS content and chat directly with a studio rep to pitch scene ideas or even pay for a custom scene starring their favorite models, the company noted in its announcement.

Pointing to the ever-increasing discrimination by financial institutions on the adult industry, Hotline director of operations Jonny Shea commented, Hotline gives creators the ability to monetize content that has been sitting on hard drives gathering dust, not due to a lack of demand, but due to unnecessary censorship. We originally aimed this project at creators, but quickly realized studios face the same restrictions and unjustified content removals.

For content creators, once their account is approved, they can sell content on their clip store, through subscriptions and through DMs. We want to support all creators, including fetish content regularly removed from other platforms, Shea said.

Stars and brands already signed up to Hotline include Lexi Lore, Siri Dahl, Lexi Luna, Cherie DeVille, Josy Black, Dante Colle, Jade Kush, Kink, Hentaied, FullPornNetwork, MatureNL and BAEB.

To learn more, visit gethotline.com.
Warmth marks Sino-Australian talks

People's Daily Online

By Zhang Yunbi (China Daily) 09:00, September 08, 2023

An affectionate sense of reunion and a warm group photo session were among highlights on Thursday in Beijing of the seventh Meeting of the China-Australia High-level Dialogue, the first such gathering of the two delegations since a meeting in 2020 in Sydney.

It was also the first meeting in the post-COVID 19 era, gathering incumbent and retired senior officials, business leaders, scholars and media workers from both nations.

The spirit of having no time to lose in repairing bilateral ties and accelerating the resumption of collaboration dominated the semiofficial dialogue.

"There are a lot of old friends as well as a lot of new ones here today," Li Zhaoxing, head of the Chinese delegation, said at the meeting. Li, a former Chinese foreign minister, is also honorary president of the Chinese People's Institute of Foreign Affairs.

Observers noted that the event was held as China-Australia relations have shown consistent improvement since last year, with diplomatic, defense and people-to-people exchanges between the two sides gradually resuming.

After its election victory last year, the Australian Labor Party expressed a willingness to improve ties with China, to which Beijing responded positively.

In November, President Xi Jinping met with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in Bali, Indonesia, "charting the strategic direction" for a turnaround in relations, Li said.

"The influence of both sides is expanding in the Asia-Pacific region, and the regional and global impact of China-Australia relations is also on the rise," he said, adding that the ties' future improvement relies on "whether the two sides have a proper perception of each other".

Li said Australia is one of the countries that enjoyed the most dividends from China's development over the past few decades.

"China has not posed any threat to Australia in the past or at present, and will not in the future," he said, adding that Australia's bonds with its allies should not be in conflict with its ties with its partners.

The two sides should "reject the ideology-based Cold War mentality", promote exchanges and dialogue at all levels and in various fields, and "properly handle differences in a constructive way", he said.

Craig Emerson, head of the Australian delegation and former Australian minister for trade, said, "I welcome the recent positive developments in the bilateral relationship, but we know that there is more work to do."

He hailed the meeting of Premier Li Qiang with Albanese on the sidelines of the East Asia Summit in Indonesia on Thursday.

"The timely and full resumption of normal trade is in the interests of both our countries," Emerson said. "Finding a way to address these issues will help us to take the relationship forward and to a new level."

He said there are many areas of shared interest in which both countries can collaborate, including climate change, people-to-people connections, health and science.

Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with the Australian delegation on Thursday in Beijing. He said the two countries have no unsettled disputes, Beijing upholds consistency in its Australian policy, and the two sides are expected to further boost bilateral friendship through using the high-level dialogue.

According to the Ministry of Commerce, bilateral trade volume reached $58.8 billion in the first quarter of this year, a year-on-year increase of 10.9 percent.

Chen Hong, professor and director of the Australian Studies Centre of East China Normal University in Shanghai, said, "The relations' repair and growth not only serve the fundamental interests of the two peoples, but are also conducive to advancing peace and development in the Asia-Pacific region and the world.

"China is not opposed to Australia's efforts to play an important and positive role in the Asia-Pacific region," he said. "Canberra needs to act with adequate political wisdom, determination and foresight, properly perceive China and its development, and see China as a partner rather than a rival."

According to Ruan Zongze, Chinese consul general in Brisbane, "Three years after the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, Chinese students have finally ceased online learning and returned to Australia, as have Australian friends who came to China for work, travel and cultural exchange.

"Amity between the people holds the key to sound state-to-state relations." Ruan said in a recent video speech.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning's Regular Press Conference on September 8, 2023

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the People's Republic of China

At the invitation of the government of the Russian Federation, Zhang Guoqing, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Vice Premier of the State Council, will attend the eighth Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok, Russia from September 10 to 12.

CCTV: China has announced Venezuelan President Maduro's visit to China. How does China view the current China-Venezuela relations? Can you share the program and China's expectations for this visit?

Mao Ning: China and Venezuela are each other's comprehensive strategic partners. In recent years, thanks to the personal commitment of President Xi Jinping and President Maduro, the China-Venezuela relations have withstood the test of the evolving international landscape and remained rock-solid. The two countries' political mutual trust has grown more solid, and our cooperation in various sectors has further deepened.

Through President Maduro's visit, China hopes and stands ready to work with Venezuela to draw a blueprint for the growth of bilateral relations in the new era, bring the comprehensive strategic partnership to a new level, and make new contribution to world peace and stability as well as international fairness and justice.

Xinhua News Agency: China just announced that the Zambian President will visit China. Could you share with us the program of this upcoming visit and China's expectations? How does China view its relations with Zambia?

Mao Ning: Zambia is an important country in southern Africa. China and Zambia enjoy a traditional friendship. The two countries have deepened political mutual trust, achieved fruitful outcomes in practical cooperation and maintained sound cooperation in international and regional affairs. The year 2024 will mark the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Zambia.a

During President Hakainde Hichilema's visit, President Xi Jinping will hold a welcome ceremony and banquet for him, and the two heads of state will hold talks and jointly attend a signing ceremony of cooperation documents. Premier Li Qiang and Chairman Zhao Leji will meet with President Hichilema. President Hichilema will also travel to Jiangxi, Fujian and Shenzhen. We believe that President Hichilema's visit will give a new boost to the all-round, in-depth growth of China-Zambia relations and further advance our friendly cooperation.a

CRI: China just announced that Vice Premier Zhang Guoqing will attend the eighth Eastern Economic Forum in Russia. Could you elaborate further on China's expectations for this visit?

Mao Ning: Under the strategic guidance of President Xi Jinping and President Putin, China-Russia relations have been strong and robust with steady progress of cooperation in various sectors. The Eastern Economic Forum serves as an important platform for countries in the Asia Pacific to pool consensus on cooperation and seek common development. President Xi Jinping attended the Eastern Economic Forum twice in 2018 and 2021 upon invitation and delivered important speeches. In his remarks, President Xi elaborated on China's proposals for growing China-Russia relations, participating in Far East development, and advancing regional cooperation, which were warmly received.

Vice Premier Zhang Guoqing will attend events under the framework of the Eastern Economic Forum in Russia and meet Russian leaders. China hopes to work with Russia through this visit to deliver on the common understandings between the leaders of the two countries, deepen Northeast China-Russian Far East cooperation, and jointly advance the development of the region.

Beijing Youth Daily: We noted that China International Communications Group announced today that 10 foreign nationals are given the inaugural Orchid Awards. Do you have more details on that? What's the significance of the awards to people-to-people exchanges between China and the world?

Mao Ning: China supports cultural exchanges and mutual learning with the rest of the world. We noted that China International Communications Group presented inaugural Orchid Awards to 10 foreign friends, including sinologist, translator, educator, artist, civil society founder and documentary director. Despite their different nationalities and life experience, the laureates, as friendly envoys of enhancing understanding, exchanges and cooperation, are committed to promoting global cultural exchanges and the development of human civilization.

China stands ready to work with the international community to uphold the spirit of the Global Civilization Initiative, advocate the common values of humanity and promote cultural exchanges and mutual learning between civilizations with concrete actions.

Reuters: Zambia's President is visiting China from Sunday. In order to formalize the debt restructuring deal, Zambia reached with its bilateral creditors, including China, at the Paris summit in June, it needs bilateral creditors to sign a memorandum of understanding. Will China offer Zambia further guarantees on providing debt relief and sign the required MOU next week?a

Mao Ning: Thanks to the joint efforts of the Creditor Committee for Zambia and other parties recently, significant progress has been made in the settlement of Zambia's debts and China made important contributions. China will maintain close communication with the Creditor Committee and other sides and jointly advance the following work.

DPA: Last year's G20 statement included a part on the war in Ukraine, saying that most members strongly condemned the war in Ukraine. I wonder if China is going to agree to a similar part on Ukraine at this year's G20 summit?

Mao Ning: We believe that the G20, as a premier forum for international economic cooperation, needs to focus on its mandate, enhance macroeconomic policy coordination and boost world economic growth.

On the issue of Ukraine, China's position is consistent and clear.

Hubei Media Group: The 160th Arab League Council of Foreign Ministers passed a resolution recently which reiterates that Arab countries support the one-China principle and the Belt and Road Initiative, stand ready to step up cooperation with China and appreciate China's diplomatic effort in promoting regional peace and security. Do you have any comment?

Mao Ning: This is the 43rd time in a row that the League of Arab States adopted such a friendly resolution related to China at the level of foreign ministers. We highly appreciate that. The resolution takes stock of what Arab countries and China have achieved in our cooperation and reiterates that Arab countries support the one-China principle and the Belt and Road Initiative and stand ready to step up cooperation in various fields with China, which fully indicates Arab countries' commitment to growing their ties with China.

The resolution commends China's diplomatic effort in supporting the Arab cause, advancing the peaceful settlement of regional crises, and promoting international and regional peace and security. It applauds the reconciliation agreement signed in Beijing and restoration of diplomatic relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran as a result of President Xi Jinping's initiative, which shows once again that strengthening dialogue and consultation and enhancing solidarity and coordination is the shared desire of China and Arab countries.

China and Arab countries enjoy a traditional friendship and firmly support each other on issues concerning each other's core interests. We have achieved fruitful outcomes on Belt and Road cooperation. Both sides are committed to promoting regional peace and stability and upholding international fairness and justice and we are each other's trusted strategic partners. China stands ready to continue to lend firm support to each other with Arab countries, engage in high-quality Belt and Road cooperation and bring more benefits to both peoples. We will continue to stand on the side of peace, stability and justice, step up solidarity and coordination with Arab countries in international and regional affairs and take more solid steps toward building a China-Arab community with a shared future in the new era.

Reuters: US President Joe Biden does not intend to meet with Premier Li Qiang during the G20 summit this weekend in New Delhi, the White House said last night. Did China want Premier Li to meet with President Biden? And what is your comment on the White House's remarks?

Mao Ning: I have no information to offer.a

Dragon TV: We noted that China and Australia jointly held the 7th Meeting of China-Australia High-level Dialogue yesterday. Can you share more details with us? How will the dialogue contribute to the growth of China-Australia relations?

Mao Ning: The 7th Meeting of China-Australia High-Level Dialogue was successfully held in Beijing on September 7. It brought together 36 representatives from various sectors of the two countries for in-depth and constructive discussions on a wide range of issues concerning China-Australia relations in a candid, friendly and warm atmosphere. After the meeting, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi had a group meeting with the Australian delegation, during which he elaborated on China's policy and position on growing China-Australia relations.

Representatives of both sides at the dialogue agree that the momentum towards stabilizing and improving China-Australia relations hasn't come easy. The two sides need to be guided by the important common understandings reached by our leaders during their meeting in Bali, promote mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples, and work for the sound, steady and sustained growth of bilateral ties.

The dialogue is a platform launched in November 2014 during President Xi Jinping's state visit to Australia. It has played an important role in deepening mutual trust, expanding cooperation and enhancing friendship between China and Australia. We stand ready to work with Australia to act on our leaders' common understandings, stay committed to mutual respect and mutual benefit, seek common ground while shelving differences, and seek steady and sustained progress in our comprehensive strategic partnership.a

Bloomberg: Bloomberg has reported that India is studying possible responses to a potential war in Taiwan, according to senior Indian government officials. About six weeks ago, India's top military commander commissioned a related study to examine the wider impact of any war in Taiwan and what action India could take in response, Bloomberg reported. The order came after the US raised the issue in several different forums, according to these people. Does the foreign ministry have any comment?a

Mao Ning: Taiwan is part of China. The Taiwan question is China's internal affair. How to resolve it is a matter for the Chinese people and brooks no foreign interference.

By hyping up the Taiwan question on various occasions, the US has been creating tensions, provoking confrontation, and seeking to turn the Taiwan question into an international issue. This is highly dangerous. The most effective way to safeguard peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait is to adhere to the one-China principle and unequivocally oppose "Taiwan independence".

Bloomberg: The UK Prime Minister has said that China is objecting to proposals on Ukraine and climate, and so the G20 nations had yet to reach agreement on a joint statement going into the summit. In addition, in the discussions on climate action, China has raised the issue of access to semiconductor technology to help emerging economies transition to clean energy, according to people familiar with the talks. US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan has said that holding climate hostage to a particular country's priority is not the height of responsibility. Does the foreign ministry have any comment on these remarks?

Mao Ning: China attaches great importance to the G20 and has participated in the consultations and discussions on the G20 New Delhi Summit document in an active and constructive way. We stand ready to work with other parties toward positive outcomes at the New Delhi Summit under the principle of consensus-building.a

On climate change, we hope parties will accommodate each other's concerns, follow the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities, and jointly respond to the challenge.aa

Bloomberg: The US government has begun an official probe into an advance made in China chip in Huawei latest smartphone, which hasa set off a debate in Washington about the efficacy of sanctions. Does the foreign ministry have any comment?

Mao Ning: We oppose politicizing trade and technology issues and overstretching and abusing the concept of national security. The US has abused state power to suppress Chinese companies. This violates the principle of free trade and international trade rules and destabilizes the global industrial and supply chains. Such practice serves no one's interest. I want to stress that sanctions and curbs will not stop China's development. They will only strengthen China's resolve and capability to seek self-reliance and technological innovation.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Skipping G20, Xi Jinping visits northeastern China despite huge floods in south

Xi wants to boost his image without getting his feet wet or facing an angry public, analysts say.

By Hsia Hsiao-hwa for RFA Mandarin, Raymond Cheng for RFA Cantonese 2023.09.08 -- Chinese leader Xi Jinping is skipping the G20 weekend summit in India for a tour of northeastern Chinese villages hit by flooding a month ago in a bid to burnish his image at home, political commentators said on Friday.

Xi's appearance in Heilongjiang province is part of a carefully choreographed public relations campaign to paint him as a hands-on, caring leader, yet appears to ignore the torrential flooding in the southern province of Guangdong and Hong Kong, analysts told Radio Free Asia.

Ironically, the tranquil scenes of Xi's inspection tour were in stark contrast to massive flooding that hit the southern province of Guangdong and neighboring Hong Kong this week, as rainstorms in the trailing edge of Typhoon Haikui dumped record amounts of rainfall on the Pearl River delta.

Instead, Xi appeared on state television and on the front page of party newspaper the People's Daily, visiting villagers near Shangzhi city and inspecting reconstruction work a month after the area was devastated by Typhoon Doksuri.

"I am concerned about places hit by disaster," Xi says in footage aired by state broadcaster CCTV. "In China, when the people encounter difficulties, we must give full play to the superiority of our socialist system."

State news agency Xinhua chimed in: "In the village of Longwangmiao, Xi walked into the fields to check the impact of the floods on the rice crops," adding: "He also inspected the work on the restoration of damaged houses and infrastructure while walking along the streets."

"Visiting villagers' homes to learn about their losses and the supply of daily necessities, Xi encouraged them to bolster their confidence to overcome difficulties," the agency said. "He expressed the hope that they will soon be able to resume normal work and life, and that their lives will continue to improve."

PR campaign

U.S.-based veteran political commentator Hu Ping said the People's Daily and state broadcaster CCTV have Xi in the headlines nearly every day.

"It doesn't matter if something's happening or if nothing's happening - he has to have it this way," Hu said. "Of course he wants to make these moves."

"So he heads to Heilongjiang to inspect the disaster-hit area and to boost his public image."

Xinhua's English website also carried gushing descriptions of Xi's virtues, including a quote from former U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon saying he was "a man of sincerity and ... a man of integrity."

A feature article described how Xi admired late model party official Jiao Yulu, who "often stayed in poor farmers' simple mud huts, eating and working with them."

"Like Jiao, Xi is also known to be down-to-earth and interested in conducting on-site research and investigation to solve problems," the article said.

Far cry

U.S.-based current affairs commentator Tang Jingyuan said Xi hasn't been to a live disaster zone in years, and his profile as a leader is a far cry from the glowing propaganda that is written about him.

"Since Xi Jinping took office, particularly since the 19th party congress, he has behaved very strangely," Tang said. "Whenever he needs to be seen to be there to inspect when natural disasters are happening, even if it's just for show, he will only go there once it's over."

"When there was flooding in Zhengzhou, he was off in Tibet - that's a pretty typical example."

Tang said Xi's personal security measures have gotten tighter and tighter over the years he has been in power, citing his visit to the northern city of Xi'an during the China-Central Asia Summit in May, when residents were ordered to evacuate from any street he walked along beforehand.

"If he were to visit Shenzhen which is being flooded now, he would be worried that the chaotic situation and public dissatisfaction could pose a threat to his power or to his life," Tang said. "He thinks about himself, not about the people."

No speech

Xi was also notably absent from devastating floods that hit western areas of Beijing and Zhuozhou city in neighboring Hebei province last month, sparking questions about his leadership.

Curiously, Xi didn't turn up to give his own speech at the BRICS summit in Johannesburg. State media reported the speech as if Xi had delivered it himself, and officials refused to explain his absence.

Tang said Xi may be too worried about a possible attempt to remove him from power to leave the country.

"There've been similar things in the history of the Chinese Communist Party before," he said. "Both [late former premiers] Hua Guofeng and Zhao Ziyang were removed from power on their return to China from a foreign trip."

"He's very afraid of that right now, because China's economy is in serious crisis, which has seriously damaged Xi Jinping's political prestige."

Chen Li-fu, who heads the Taiwan Association of University Professors, said there has also been speculation that Xi's recent absences from international events are linked to health problems.

"It could be his health, that he can't keep up his normal schedule," Chen said, adding that other concerns could also be in play.

"The G20 summit is a pretty major event, with a lot of things out of his control," he said. "He can't control what happens at the venue or at the meetings."

Translated by Luisetta Mudie. Edited by Malcolm Foster.

Copyright 1998-2023, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content September not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Chinese local governments struggle to pay civil servants' wages

Reports of unpaid salaries add to China's economic woes.

By Gu Ting for RFA Mandarin 2023.09.08 -- Cash-strapped local authorities across China are struggling to pay public employees, people connected to officialdom say, as a burst property bubble and dwindling exports depict an increasingly grim outlook for the world's second-largest economy,

In recent interviews with Radio Free Asia, people with connections to the government from Shandong and Wuhan to Nanjing told similar stories of unpaid wages, pensions and government funding.

The accounts add to the multiplying economic problems in China even as President Xi Jinping pins his hopes of an economic recovery on boosting domestic demand and investment rather than relying on exports.

Weak consumer demand has tipped the world's second largest economy into deflation - with growing pressure on Beijing to deliver a bigger economic stimulus package in the form of public spending.

Trade figures released on Thursday pointed to weakening exports - a key driver of China's economic growth for decades - which fell by 8.8% in August month-on-month to US$284.87 billion, the fourth consecutive monthly decrease this year. Imports fell by 7.3% month-on-month to US$216.51 billion.

And unpaid government wages are likely to compound the lack of consumer demand.

A retired civil servant from the eastern province of Shandong who gave only the surname Zhou for fear of reprisals said his former colleagues in the Binzhou district government haven't been paid in more than a month.

"Civil servants in the Binzhou government system who are still working haven't been paid, starting last month," Zhou said. "This used to happen in a district once in a while, but now most districts haven't paid out wages in more than a month, and neither have public institutions."

"The government has no tools left in its toolbox," he said, adding that civil servants are less likely to protest as they have other, "gray" income streams to rely on.

Ever-mounting debt burden

Local governments have seen their coffers drained by three years of society-wide COVID-19 restrictions, as well as a sharp fall in land transfer fees - which once made up 40% of local fiscal revenues - and other property-related income.

They are now struggling with an ever-mounting debt burden, prompting officials to borrow more to pay back old debts, and to raid the coffers of medical insurance funds to make ends meet, resulting in cuts to medical benefits and mass protests in major cities in February.

A resident of the northern port city of Tianjin told Radio Free Asia that at least four district governments in that city, including Hebei district government, are in financial dire straits, with civil servants across many departments owed several months' wages.

And a resident of Shandong's Jiaozhou city who gave only the surname Zhang, citing security concerns, said many civil servants and public employees in the city have been unpaid for several months.

"The salaries of civil servants in Qingdao, Weifang city, Gaomi city, and in several of our local townships have gone unpaid since Spring Festival [Lunar New Year in February]," Zhang said. "Either that, or they've only had part of [what's owed]."

"There are many instances now of civil servants unable to receive their salaries, and government finances in deficit," he said.

'We need to survive'

Civil servants in the eastern city of Nanjing have also gone unpaid this month, with the municipal government pooling resources with the Jiangning district government to help out financially stricken Gaochun district, while many local construction projects have ground to a halt for lack of funding and factories are "almost silent," a resident told Radio Free Asia.

A group of more than 30 protesters held up a banner outside the Guilin Municipal Radio, Film and Television Bureau in Guangxi in a video clip posted to social media, saying they hadn't gotten paid in six months.

"No wages in six months," the banner read. "We need to survive."

The Guilin branch of China's internet regulator, the Cyberspace Administration, issued a statement on WeChat on Thursday denying the state broadcaster was in financial trouble.

Calls to the Guilin Municipal Radio and Television Bureau went unconnected during office hours on Thursday.

Guizhou issued a rare public appeal to the central government for assistance in April, despite warnings from Beijing in January that there would be no bailouts, sparking fears that it could be the first Chinese province ever to go bankrupt.

Last month, authorities in Guangzhou eased the rules on mortgage lending in a bid to shore up the local market and the flagging economy, in a move Beijing hopes will boost consumer demand.

The move came amid ongoing worries about contagion from debt repayment troubles at major Chinese property developers, and slower-than-expected retail sales, industrial output and investment.

Translated by Luisetta Mudie. Edited by Malcolm Foster.

Copyright 1998-2023, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content September not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






China Never Interfered in Canada's Internal Affairs, Has No Interest to Do So - Embassy

Sputnik News

20230908

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - The Chinese Embassy in Ottawa said on Friday that China has never meddled in Canada's internal affairs and has no interest in engaging in such activities.

"China has always adhered to the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries. We have no interest in and have never interfered in Canada's internal affairs and elections. With ulterior political motives, some Canadian politicians and media have been spreading lies and disinformation against China for a long time," the Chinese Embassy said in a statement obtained by Sputnik.

On Thursday, the Canadian government appointed Quebec Court of Appeal Justice Marie-Josee Hogue to lead the country's public inquiry on foreign interference that is expected to focus on alleged meddling by China and Russia - a move the Chinese Embassy said it deplores and opposes.

The decision to appoint Hogue came after months of negotiations between the government and the opposition parties following the resignation of former Governor General David Johnston as special rapporteur on foreign interference.

The Chinese Embassy pointed out to Canadian-led overt and covert efforts at undermining China's security and stability by supporting separatist activities related to Taiwan, Xinjiang, and Hong Kong, highlighting Ottawa's double standards on foreign interference.

"These [activities] are out-and-out interference in other country's internal affairs," the statement said.

The Chinese Embassy exhorted Canada to relinquish its ideological bias toward China and refrain from encouraging misinformation and disinformation aimed at it.

Moreover, if Canada continues misleading its citizens and undermining bilateral relations, it would have to "bear the consequences," the statement said.

Sino-Canadian relations have considerably worsened in recent years, as China imprisoned two Canadians - Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig - on espionage charges after Canada detained Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou. Canada has viewed the arrest of its two citizens as being politically motivated.

In addition, the Canadian media and political establishments have been increasingly targeting China and its embassy in Ottawa over their alleged meddling in the country's elections of 2019 and 2021. Chinese Ambassador Cong Peiwu has repeatedly denied the allegations.

A Sputnik

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






China Appeals for Foreign Investors as Its Policies Push Them Away

By Natalie Liu September 08, 2023

Chinese leaders, worried by a wave of discouraging economic reports, have been appealing for foreign investors to remain in or return to China even as Western officials point out that it is Beijing's own policies that are driving investors away.

August saw a flurry of Chinese trade officials talking to state media about the government's commitment to "improve foreign investment environment" and "spare no effort in keeping foreign capital onshore."

These proclamations followed a July 24 meeting of the 24-member Communist Party Politburo chaired by party General Secretary Xi Jinping, where a broad slowdown in the Chinese economy was discussed.

According to a report on the meeting in the state-controlled People's Daily, admonitions to boost domestic consumption and foster employment were accompanied by instructions to ensure "the essentials of foreign trade and foreign investment remain steady."

Leaders of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) have good reason to be concerned. A report published by Chinese state media in August 2021 quoted Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao as saying that companies with foreign investment have generated "40 million jobs in China, equal to 10% of the work force," and have contributed one-sixth of the government's total tax income.

But Nikkei Asia reported last month that foreign direct investment (FDI) in China fell to its lowest level on record in the second quarter of this year. Bloomberg said one measure of FDI had hit a 25-year low in the April-June quarter.

'Commentaries'

What looks like a campaign to safeguard the essentials of foreign trade and investment kicked into full gear on August 13 with the publication of a set of "commentaries" issued by the State Council on what it thinks ought to be done to "further improve foreign investment environment and attract additional foreign investment."

"No effort shall be spared," the commentaries stated.

Nine days after that, Beijing announced that the U.S. had removed 27 Chinese entities from a U.S. export control list and that Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo would visit Beijing August 27-30.

During her visit, Raimondo appeared to have struck a friendly tone with her Chinese counterparts and was quoted by CNN as having encouraged U.S. businesses in Shanghai to "continue to do what you're doing." When she faced traveling media, however, Raimondo struck a different tone.

"Increasingly I hear from businesses, 'China is uninvestible because it's become too risky,'" Raimondo told reporters aboard a high-speed train from Beijing to Shanghai.

Earlier, a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute pointed out in an article for in The Wall Street Journal that foreign businesses are having difficulty in obtaining insurance policies that cover political risks for their China ventures.

The insurance firms are drawing back because of fears that range "from political interference in companies' operation all the way up to war with Taiwan," Elisabeth Braw told VOA's Mandarin Service in a subsequent interview.

Raimondo, in her remarks to reporters, said factors scaring off American companies included China's newly implemented anti-espionage laws and "fines" levied against companies doing business there.

Mintz Group

Shortly before Raimondo's trip, reports emerged that Mintz Group, an American research consultancy firm with offices in North and South America, Europe and Asia, had been fined $1.5 million for engaging in research that Chinese authorities had not approved in advance.

In March, Mintz Group confirmed that Chinese authorities had detained the five staff members in its Beijing office and that the company's operations there had been shut down. Reuters reported that the raid took place on March 20, and that the employees were being held incommunicado at locations outside Beijing.

On July 5, Beijing authorities announced the seizure of $730,000 that Mintz Group had earned "illegally" and said the company had been fined an equal amount.

Anders Corr, editor of The Journal of Political Risk, told VOA in a written interview that the apparent contradiction between China's outreach to foreign investors and the crackdown on foreign companies reflected fault lines within the Chinese leadership itself.

While some pro-business officials are "attempting to put the best face on a negative investment environment for Westerners ... everybody knows that the pro-business faction is not calling the shots, and he who is calling the shots is anti-capitalist and anti-Western," wrote Corr, whose book The Concentration of Power warns of the dangers of power in the hands of illiberal governments.

"Yes, Xi wants both [Chinese Communist Party] expansion and FDI, but he clearly is prioritizing power expansion ... and therefore FDI is looking for safer outlets," Corr said.

Keith Krach, who served as the U.S. undersecretary of state for economic growth, energy and the environment from 2019 to 2021, told VOA in a written interview that the shine is off the Chinese market for a growing number of CEOs.

"Too many of them have been scarred by the communist system's lawlessness, including industrial theft, forced technology transfer, corruption, cyberattacks and difficulty getting their earnings out of the country, among other complications," he said.

Krach added that international companies "understand that if Xi pulls a Putin and invades Taiwan, the fallout a especially on retirement security and the high-tech sector a would be catastrophic."

Caution urged

Billionaire U.S. investor Mark Mobius, who has been described as "the godfather of emerging markets," said in March that he couldn't take his money out of China because of the country's capital controls, even though he has a bank account in Shanghai. In an interview with Fox Business, Mobius cautioned investors to be "very, very careful" about investing in an economy that is under a tight government grip.

"It is a mistake to fancy that foreign companies can escape the government's harsh tactics aimed at preserving their sense of 'order,' which is in fact their grasp of power and control of the whole society," said Wei Jingsheng, one of China's best-known dissidents, in a phone interview with VOA.

The Chinese government has made it clear repeatedly that weiwen (maintaining stability), which Wei calls a euphemism for cracking down on dissent, is its highest priority, Wei and others point out.

"Normal business operates under the protection of rule of law, but there's no genuine rule of law in China, where rule by men can override laws and regulations at any time," Wei said. "Compared to their own safety concerns, tax breaks and other material measures to entice foreign entities to stay in China appear trivial."

Patrick A. Mulloy, a former U.S. trade official, said a changing political atmosphere in the United States is causing American businesses to think twice about their footprint in China.

"The fact that people from both parties are talking about it now and getting a good reaction suggests that people understand [the U.S.-China relationship] has not been good for them," added Mulloy, who served five two-year terms at the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission.

"I imagine [corporations] are concerned that their profits are not as high as they used to be, and the fact that they might get a bad reputation in the United States" for fostering economic ties that have cost millions of U.S. manufacturing jobs and created a huge trade imbalance in China's favor, Mulloy said in a phone interview.

U.S. government data issued by the Bureau of Economic Analysis show that out of the roughly $700 billion trade between the United States and China in 2022, about $153.8 billion, or less than 25%, was U.S. exports to China, while about $536.8 billion, or more than 75%, was U.S. imports from China, resulting in a U.S. trade deficit of $382.9 billion, an increase of $29.4 billion from 2021.

A survey by the American Chamber of Commerce in China echoed Mulloy's observation that changing public attitudes at home are playing a significant role in businesses' calculation. Two-thirds of the more than 300 member companies polled by AmCham said U.S.-China tensions were the top factor when it comes to risks in doing business in China.

VOA's Mandarin Service contributed to this report.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






China, Indonesia to enhance the synergy of strategies as Premier Li meets President Widodo

Global Times

Ties inject impetus into regional stability, prosperity; resist US sowing discord

By Wang Qi Published: Sep 08, 2023 10:32 PM Updated: Sep 09, 2023 12:01 AM

China is ready to work with Indonesia to implement the important consensus reached by the two countries' heads of state, further enhance the synergy of development strategies, promote the common development of the two countries, and inject lasting impetus into regional stability and prosperity, Chinese Premier Li Qiang said in talks with Indonesian President Joko Widodo in Jakarta on Friday, as the leaders are heading to the G20 Summit in India following the conclusion of the ASEAN Summit.

Widodo's meeting with Premier Li marks the second high-level meeting between Indonesia and its largest trading partner in two months, after Indonesian president's meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the end of July in China.

The Indonesian president said the comprehensive strategic partnership between Indonesia and China has yielded fruitful results in recent years. He added that his country will continue to carry forward the Bandung Spirit and stands ready to work with China to promote regional cooperation and jointly safeguard regional peace, stability and prosperity, according to the Xinhua News Agency.

During the visit, the two sides signed a number of bilateral cooperation documents on industry, agriculture, fishery, e-commerce, and scientific and technological innovation.

Chinese experts said the relatively high frequency of exchanges between the leaders and high-ranking officials of China and Indonesia reflected that bilateral ties are at a new height, and the continued deepening of multi-faceted cooperation with high quality between the two sides can be expected in the future.

They believed that the cooperation between China and Indonesia, ASEAN's largest economy and most populous country, will have a demonstrative effect in the region, which is of vital importance to maintaining the momentum of development and stability in the Asia Pacific, especially at a time when the US is making efforts to drive wedges and create divisions in the Asia-Pacific through the South China Sea issue.

Strategic guidance from top

During talks with Widodo, Premier Li said that under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, bilateral relations have maintained a strong momentum of development, according to Xinhua.

Li called on the two sides to continue deepening strategic mutual trust, boost mutual support on issues concerning each other's core interests and major concerns, jointly respond to various risks and challenges, continue to expand exchanges at all levels, and make good use of mechanisms such as bilateral high-level dialogue and cooperation.

Widodo's meeting with Premier Li came less than two months after his meeting with President Xi in Chengdu, as he was attending the opening ceremony of the 31st summer edition of the FISU World University Games in the southwest Chinese city.

Xi told Widodo that China is ready to deepen strategic cooperation with Indonesia, set a good example of how developing countries can share a common future, pursue solidarity and cooperation and boost common development, and inject more certainty and positive energy into the region and the world.

According to the Chinese Foreign Ministry, in recent years, the leaders of the two countries have had frequent exchanges. Xi met with Widodo during the 26th APEC Leaders' Meeting in November 2018, during the G20 Osaka Summit in June 2019, and during the G20 Bali Summit in November 2022. Widodo has also visited China several times since 2014. Since the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak, the two leaders have spoken on the phone six times.

The exchange of visits and dialogues between Chinese and Indonesian leaders, including those between ministers, has been very frequent since 2013, which shows that China-Indonesia relations have reached a new height, Luo Yongkun, deputy director of Institute of Southeast Asian and Oceanian Studies at China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations, told the Global Times.

2023 marks the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Indonesia, the 10th anniversary of Xi's proposal to build a closer China-ASEAN community with a shared future, as well as the 10th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

"Under the guidance of high-level interactions between the two countries, the mutual trust and cooperation between the two countries continue to deepen," Luo said, "We need such frequent high-level visits to carry out necessary communication on some issues of common concerns, especially regional and international hotspot issues."

Demonstrative effect

Premier Li, who took a test ride on the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway on Wednesday, a landmark project under the BRI, told Widodo on Friday that the two sides should continue to expand practical cooperation.

Li said China will work with Indonesia to make the Regional Comprehensive Economic Corridor and the "Two Countries, Twin Parks" new flagship projects of BRI cooperation.

China stands ready to work with Indonesia for high-quality implementation of the RCEP, expand imports of bulk commodities and quality agricultural and fishery products from Indonesia, and encourage Chinese enterprises to invest and do business in Indonesia, he said.

China supports the construction of Indonesia's new capital, and stands ready to work with Indonesia to foster "new engines" for cooperation such as digital economy and green development, and further strengthen exchanges and cooperation in agriculture, pharmaceuticals and health, youth, education, culture and tourism, Li added.

Indonesia and China have achieved remarkable cooperation results under the BRI framework, and trade volume has been growing in recent years, Gu Xiaosong, dean of the ASEAN Research Institute of Hainan Tropical Ocean University, told the Global Times on Friday.

China is Indonesia's largest trading partner. In 2022, bilateral trade between China and Indonesia reached $149.1 billion, up 19.8 percent year-on-year. Indonesia is China's second largest investment destination in ASEAN, with China's total investment in Indonesia in 2022 reaching $8.19 billion, according to data released by the Chinese Foreign Ministry.

According to Gu, the potential for economic and trade cooperation between China and Indonesia remains high, especially considering that Vietnam is the ASEAN country with the highest total trade volume with China, while Vietnam cannot be comparable to Indonesia in terms of economic volume and population.

Indonesia is the largest country in ASEAN, accounting for about 40 percent of ASEAN's total population and economy volume, and has a strong regional influence. The smooth development of China-Indonesia ties has a demonstrative effect on other ASEAN countries, Gu said.

There is much room for high-quality cooperation between China and Indonesia in the future, and China's 21st Century Maritime Silk Road and Indonesia's maritime development strategy will be further aligned, Gu said.

Analysts said that China is in line with ASEAN members in promoting cooperation and maintaining regional peace and stability, and it is the US that has been playing a negative role in undermining the cooperative atmosphere in the region. Before and during the ASEAN Summit, the US did not stop shoring up alliances and lobbying allies to go against China on South China Sea issue. US President Joe Biden skipped the ASEAN Summit, but will attend the G20 summit in India, following it with a scheduled visit in Hanoi to woo Vietnam.

"When the US tries to drive wedges and destroy the atmosphere of cooperation in the Asia-Pacific through the South China Sea issue, Beijing and Jakarta's exchange and cooperation is a sign of determination to keep the momentum of peace and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific," Luo said. "That is very important to the other regional countries."

When faced with the intervention of external forces, the priority is to maintain peaceful development cooperation and stability in the region. This is the aspiration not only of China and Indonesia, but also of the countries in the region as a whole, Luo said.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






North Korea warns of underwater nuke attack as new submarine unveiled

Kim finds it 'exhilarating' the new vessel will pose a challenge to the enemy's invasion fleet: state media.

Lee Jeong-Ho for RFA 2023.09.07 -- North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has issued a fresh warning to the U.S. and its allies of a preemptive underwater nuclear strike, as he commissioned the authoritarian state's first operational "tactical nuclear attack submarine" into waters that divide the Koreas and Japan.

"These submarines will be equipped with a vast array of nuclear delivery vehicles of varying power and will be poised to launch preemptive and retaliatory strikes at any time underwater," Kim said, according to the North's official Korean Central News Agency Friday.

The North Korean leader, who attended the launch ceremony on Wednesday, said arming his navy with nuclear arsenal was an urgent task, and has pledged to equip more submarines with tactical nuclear weapons. He said that it was "exhilarating to imagine the elite nuclear underwater fleet that will pose a challenge to the enemy's invasion fleet."

Pyongyang has increased its nuclear provocations in recent weeks while allying more closely with Russia and China, as the U.S., South Korea and Japan strengthened trilateral security cooperation in the region.

The unveiling of the submarine came on the eve of North Korea's 75th founding anniversary, and is seen as a display of its escalating nuclear capability. North Korea has usually unveiled new weapons at the event that could pose a nuclear threat to the U.S. and its regional allies.

Named after a prominent North Korean historical figure, Submarine No. 841, or Hero Kim Kun Ok, was assigned to undertake its duties off the North's eastern coast, KCNA said. The state media boasted that the submarine's launch was ushering in a fresh era in enhancing naval prowess.

While the exact details of the new submarine is unknown, a South Korean military authority said that it is believed to be a modified 3,000t Romeo-class. North Korea's version of the Romeo-class submarines, capable of carrying its submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) Pukkuksong-1, is the diesel-electric Sinpo. The submarine has a range of 2,800 kilometers (1,740 miles). It is therefore widely seen as yet to acquire the ability to launch blue-sea operations. Even when factoring the Pukkuksong-1's operational range, it could be widely seen to fall short of posing a direct threat to the U.S. mainland, which is around 10,000 km from North Korea's eastern coast.

Still, submarine-launched ballistic missiles present a challenge to the U.S. and its allies' defense system due to their inherent stealth and unpredictability. Operating underwater complicates the existing radar detection system and makes it difficult to track North Korea's military movements, disabling a preemptive strike.

"The ROK military has been using joint surveillance assets to track North Korea's submarine activities in advance in coordination with the U.S.," South Korea's Joint Chief of Staff said in a statement Friday.

"Based on our analysis of the North Korean submarine's appearance to date, we believe that it appears to have increased the size and shape of some parts, such as the bridge, to accommodate missiles, but it does not appear to be operational," the statement added, raising the possibility that North Korea may have exaggerated its capability.

"The modified submarines put South Korea and Japan under its range, and in theory, Guam as well," said Cha Du-hyeogn, South Korea's former presidential secretary for crisis information who is now a research fellow at the Asan Institute for Policy Studies.

"However, questions remain regarding its actual capabilities. It is still unconfirmed whether the submarine can withstand a missile strike, move silently underwater, or effectively launch an SLBM from beneath the surface."

According to the KCNA report, Kim Jong Un has also revealed his intention to further enhance North Korea's technological capability and expedite the creation of nuclear-powered submarines, which would enable blue-sea operations.

Kim's ambition may inversely show North Korea's lack the capability to construct a nuclear-submarine, Cha pointed out.

"While North Korea is interested in acquiring it, building one in the short term presents significant technical challenges. Military collaboration with Russia may occur in part to address this gap. But it would be difficult to imagine Moscow supplying Pyongyang with nuclear submarines or transferring relevant technologies. Even with the transferred technology, constructing a nuclear submarine within a short time frame remains a challenge to North Korea."

Edited by Elaine Chan and Mike Firn.

Copyright 1998-2016, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content September not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un Receives Greetings from Iranian President

Korean Central News Agency of DPRK

Pyongyang, September 8 (KCNA) -- Kim Jong Un , president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), received a message of greeting from Seyyed Ebrahim Raeisi, president of the Islamic Republic of Iran, on Sept. 4.

In the message, the Iranian president extended sincere congratulations to Kim Jong Un and the great Korean people on the occasion of Sept. 9, the 75th birthday of the DPRK.

He hoped that the mutual cooperation between the countries standing on the anti-imperialist front would be further strengthened as intended by the top leaders of the two countries and the bilateral relations further developed with the existing potentialities.

The message wished Kim Jong Un good health and success in his work and the great people of the DPRK happiness and prosperity. -0-

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






DPRK launches 1st tactical nuclear attack submarine

People's Daily Online

(Xinhua) 14:08, September 08, 2023

SEOUL, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) launched its first tactical nuclear attack submarine on Wednesday, ahead of the country's 75th founding anniversary, the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported Friday.

Under the order of the Central Military Commission of the country's ruling Workers' Party of Korea (WPK), the No. 841 submarine, the first of its kind, was transferred to a submarine squadron affiliated with the East Sea Fleet of the Korean People's Army Navy and was named "Hero Kim Kun Ok," said the report.

Kim Kun Ok is highly respected as a hero commanding officer of the first generation of the country's naval force, it said.

The newly-built submarine would perform its combat mission as "one of the core underwater offensive means" of the DPRK naval force, said Kim Jong Un, the WPK's general secretary and president of the State Affairs of the DPRK, at the launching ceremony held on Wednesday.

A day after the launching ceremony, the DPRK's top leader boarded the submarine and learned about its weapon system and underwater operation capability during an inspection, the KCNA said.

Kim asked to speed up the transfer of surface and underwater vessels equipped with tactical nuclear weapons to the navy, it added.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






LOS ANGELESWhyNotBi will soon release "Horny Nurse Faceoff," a new bisexual threesome scene featuring Malik Delgaty. The performer is joined by Trevor Brooks, as well as Florida native Mimi Malibu.

In the scene, a few weeks without cumming has caused sudden testicle pain for Delgaty, and Nurse Brooks tells him he needs to drain his balls.

Brooks assures the patient he's a professional as he sucks his cock, but before the treatment is complete, he's called away. Nurse Malibu eagerly steps in, ripping open her scrubs, and Delgaty doesn't hesitate to fuck her doggy style. Malibu has to leave before Delgaty cums, but Brooks returns, assuring Delgaty that fucking a man's hole is the best way to get the load out.

Malibu catches Brooks in the act, and the horny nurses fight over his big dick, but the patient suggests they work together. First, Nurse Malibu and then Nurse Brooks take his cock, and Brooks cums in Malibu's mouth before Delgaty finally blows his load on both their faces.

"Horny Nurse Faceoff" will be released on Wednesday, Sept. 13, streaming on WhyNotBi.com. Follow WhyNotBi on X (formerly Twitter). Also, follow the performers on X: Malik Delgaty, Trevor Brooks, and Mimi Malibu.
Shockingly, Kim Jong Un calls South Korea by its official name

North Koreans say Kim's use of 'Republic of Korea' is a display of respect, but experts see it as mockery.

By Son Hyemin for RFA Korean 2023.09.08 -- North Korean leader Kim Jong Un recently slammed South Korea for participating in joint military exercises with the United States, but his choice of words shocked and confused his people.

He referred to the South as "Daehan Minguk," the "Republic of Korea" - its official name - instead of the usual term used for its southern neighbor, "South Choson."

"We must thoroughly respond to the military exercises of the American and 'Republic of Korea' military gangsters," Kim was quoted in state media as saying last month while visiting a top-level military facility.

Many North Koreans were baffled, viewing his phrasing as a breach of ideological dogma - and even a sign of respect for a place frequently derided as a de-facto American colony.

"When he called South Korea 'Daehan Minguk,' many elderly people reacted, saying that 'The Republic of Korea must be a strong country,'" a resident of North Pyongan province told Radio Free Asia on condition of anonymity for security reasons.

Kim's wording made them think "it might be because South Korea is prosperous," she said.

What's in a name?

The term Kim used for "Korea" is key to understanding the significance.

As with so much on the Korean peninsula, language reflects a shared history and culture divided by politics.

North and South Korea use different words in their names that are both translated as "Korea" when rendered in English - "Choson" in the North and "Hanguk" in the South.

Both terms have been used by previous governments, but use of one term or the other is often seen as a political statement.

Because the North and South both claim to be the only legitimate government on the peninsula, they almost always use their own name to refer to the whole peninsula.

So North Koreans call the South "South Choson," and South Koreans typically call the North "North Han."

"Choson," if used in the South, is almost exclusively to refer to a historical period, the 1392-1897 Choson Dynasty.

Use of "Hanguk" in the North to refer to the South, however, is sometimes even a punishable offense.

And here Kim was using the full official name, "Daehan Minguk" - which, when literally translated, means the "Great Korean [Han] People's Country" - to refer to the South.

Deeper meaning?

That perplexed North Koreans accustomed to the South being described as a puppet regime of the United States.

"Seeing that the South was called by its official name, Daehan Minguk, some are now saying that [North Korea] is admitting that it is outclassed by South Korea's military power," said a woman who lives in South Pyongan province.

For some, use of the term was seen as a sign that reunification could occur soon, she said.

"Intellectuals such as university graduates said that they think that the reason why the leadership called South Korea as Daehan Minguk seems to be because South Korea is an economic powerhouse," the South Pyongan resident said.

"So it is not possible to compete with their system," she said. "It seems to be an intention to go for unification."

Mockery

But some experts viewed Kim's use of Daehan Minguk as a form of mockery.

"This has the nuance of a disparaging remark, like the 'so-called Republic of Korea,'" Cho Han Bum of the Seoul-based Korea Institute for National Unification, told RFA

"Chairman Kim Jong Un may have used the term 'Daehan Minguk' this time, but North Korea continues to use expressions like 'the puppets in the South,' or the 'group of traitors' when talking about [the administration of South Korean President] Yoon Suk Yeol.

Also, the state media reports put the term in quotation marks.

"North Korea uses a lot of quotation marks when they write expressions about something they don't acknowledge, said Cheong Seong-chang, director of the Department of Unification Strategy Studies at the Sejong Institute in Seoul.

"It sure seems like it was written with hostility, but we have no proof that it was," he said.

Ken Gause of the Virginia-based Center for Naval Analyses think tank told RFA that it might be part of efforts by Kim Jong Un to normalize the North Korean state and to that end, redefining how the South is viewed.

"I think that he is starting to look at the relationship on the peninsula between the two Koreas in a slightly different way and probably using the official name of South Korea as opposed to, you know, calling it a puppet of this or that is it is just a different way of approaching the situation," said Gause. "But, we really need more evidence to kind of really put a finer point on why he may be using this sort of language at this time."

It may also have been just a way to draw attention to his criticism of the South as gangsters, Gause said.

"It may not be something more profound ... we're going to need to have more evidence ... to be able to put it in the context of what it means in the bigger picture."

Translated by Claire Shinyoung Oh Lee. Written in English by Eugene Whong. Edited by Malcolm Foster.

Updated to add comments from Ken Gause.

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 September not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






National Meeting Held to Celebrate 75th Birthday of DPRK Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un Attends Meeting

Korean Central News Agency of DPRK

Pyongyang, September 9 (KCNA) -- The whole country is significantly celebrating the birthday of the glorious DPRK at a time when all the people are dynamically opening up a new phase of development for the building of a socialist power full of confidence in the validity and invincibility of their cause while demonstrating to the world the prestige of their powerful and dignified state under the leadership of the great Party.

A national meeting was held with splendor in the capital city of Pyongyang on September 8 to celebrate the 75th founding anniversary of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

Kim Jong Un , general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs of the DPRK, attended the meeting.

When the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un appeared at the platform amid the playing of welcome music, all the participants broke into thunderous cheers of "Hurrah!", looking up to him, the symbol of all glory of our state and people and the representative of great dignity, who ushered in a new era of an independent power to be specially recorded in the 5 000-year-long history of the nation and guides the historic cause of overall national prosperity to victory with his outstanding idea and extraordinary leadership.

He warmly acknowledged the enthusiastic cheers and extended warm congratulations to all the participants and to all the civilians and service personnel of the country significantly greeting the founding anniversary of the DPRK with boundless pride of being citizens of Juche Korea.

The meeting platform was taken by Kim Tok Hun, Jo Yong Won, Choe Ryong Hae and Ri Pyong Chol, members of the Presidium of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the WPK, and other senior officials of the Party and the government, leading officials of the armed forces organs, chief secretaries of the provincial Party committees, chairpersons of the provincial people's committees, leading officials of the Standing Committee of the Supreme People's Assembly, the Cabinet and working people's organizations and persons of merit and labor innovators.

Present at the meeting were participants in the celebrations of the 75th DPRK birthday, officials of the WPK Central Committee, ministries and national institutions, service personnel of the Korean People's Army, students of revolutionary schools and officials and working citizens in Pyongyang Municipality.

The DPRK national anthem was solemnly played.

Kim Tok Hun, member of the Presidium of the Political Bureau of the WPK Central Committee, vice-president of the State Affairs Commission of the DPRK and premier of the Cabinet, made a report at the national meeting.

He said that thanks to the outstanding guidance of the WPK, the invincible vitality of the people's government and the heroic struggle of the people taking power in their hands, the DPRK made a great leap forward into a powerful country in a short historical period, along with the historic time when the foundation of the DPRK was declared to the world and the present powerful state was born in the 75-year-long immortal course shining with dignity and glory.

The tremendous power and prestige of the DPRK are the victory of the WPK's idea and policy, the people's government and the Korean-style socialist system as well as the victory of the strong self-respect and fortitude of the Korean people who have firmly defended its validity, advantages and invincible vitality, the reporter said, adding that the past 10-odd-year-long struggle waged under the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un proves it with good fruition.

The DPRK government will thoroughly embody the Party's Juche-oriented state building idea and line to further consolidate the people's power and bolster up the overall national power in every way, and will remain boundlessly loyal to its sacred duty to realize the people's rights and interests, taking the responsibility for their destiny and life to the last under any crisis, the reporter stressed.

He ardently called upon all the civilians and service personnel to become creators of feats and honorable victors in the historic struggle of today which leads their faith and efforts for realizing the ideal of a prosperous and powerful country with one mind and one will to a great fresh victory under the leadership of the WPK.

The participants were deeply moved by the report full of the great honor and pride of the people who are reliably preserving and glorifying the proud history and tradition of the genuine People's Republic and opening up a new horizon for the overall development of the state along the road of independence in politics, self-support in the economy and self-reliance in national defence, the road of socialism guided by the ever-victorious WPK.

All the participants deeply felt once again the conviction that the DPRK would bring about proud victory, glory and eternal prosperity thanks to the outstanding idea and leadership of the great leader and the united strength of the popular masses rallied close around the Party Central Committee.

The national meeting fully displayed the revolutionary spirit of all the civilians and service personnel to further consolidate and glorify the dignity and national power of socialist Korea and bring earlier the bright future of the Juche-based power under the uplifted banner of the our-state-first principle by faithfully upholding the idea and leadership of the great Comrade Kim Jong Un with single-hearted devotion. -0-

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un Receives Greetings from Russian President

Korean Central News Agency of DPRK

Pyongyang, September 9 (KCNA) -- Kim Jong Un , president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, received a message of greeting from Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin, president of the Russian Federation, on September 9.

In the message, Putin extended his heartfelt congratulations to Kim Jong Un on the 75th founding anniversary of the DPRK.

Noting that 75 years ago, the Soviet Union recognized first a new independent state founded in Korea, the message said that since then, the relations between the two countries have invariably developed on the principle of friendship, good neighborliness and mutual respect and that rich experience of constructive cooperation has been accumulated in various fields.

The message said:

I am sure that we will, in the future, too, expand the bilateral ties in all respects in a planned way by pooling efforts.

This fully conforms with the interests of the peoples of our two countries and will contribute to ensuring security and stability in the Korean peninsula and Northeast Asia.

It sincerely wished Kim Jong Un good health and success and wished all the citizens of the DPRK peace and prosperity. -0-

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un Meets Chinese Party and Government Delegation

Korean Central News Agency of DPRK

Pyongyang, September 9 (KCNA) -- Kim Jong Un , general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) and president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, met the party and government delegation of the People's Republic of China on September 8. The delegation is visiting the DPRK to take part in the celebrations of its 75th founding anniversary.

The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un warmly greeted the members of the Chinese party and government delegation led by Liu Guozhong, member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and vice-premier of the State Council of China, and had a talk with them in a warm and friendly atmosphere.

He expressed thanks to the respected Comrade Xi Jinping for extending sincere congratulations to the Party, government and people of the DPRK on the occasion of its 75th founding anniversary and sending a party and government delegation to the celebrations of the anniversary.

He noted that the Chinese comrades' participation in the celebrations of the founding anniversary of the DPRK added glory to the events for marking its national day. Saying that he deeply realized through the Chinese party and government delegation's visit to the DPRK that Comrade Xi Jinping and the Chinese party and government attach great importance to the peculiarities of the DPRK-China relations, he expressed thanks and high appreciation for it.

Wishing Comrade Xi Jinping good health and continuous excellent successes in his important duty to lead the socialist cause with Chinese characteristics, he expressed belief that the Chinese people would surely realize the great dream of the prosperity of the Chinese nation under the leadership of the CPC.

During the talk, the two sides reached consensus of views on developing the friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries and further intensifying the multi-faceted coordination and cooperation for the well-being of the peoples of the two countries.

The talk proceeded in an atmosphere of deep comradeship.

Kim Jong Un had a photo taken with the members of the Chinese delegation. -0-

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Prime Minister meets H.E. Sheikh Hasina, Prime Minister of Bangladesh

India - Ministry of External Affairs

September 08, 2023

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi had a bilateral meeting with H.E. Sheikh Hasina, Prime Minister of People's Republic of Bangladesh. PM Hasina is visiting India as its guest country to participate in the G-20 Leaders Summit on 9-10 September 2023.

The two leaders discussed the entire gamut of bilateral cooperation including political and security cooperation, border management, trade and connectivity, water resources, power and energy, development cooperation, cultural and people to people ties. Current developments in the region and cooperation in the multilateral fora were also discussed.

The leaders welcomed the operationalization of the Agreement on the use of the Chattogram and Mongla Ports and commissioning of the India-Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline. They also expressed appreciation for operationalization of settlement of bilateral trade in INR and encouraged the business community on both sides to utilize the mechanism.

They looked forward to beginning of negotiations on the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), covering trade in goods, services, and protecting and promoting investment.

Expressing satisfaction at the implementation of development cooperation projects, they looked forward to the joint inauguration of following projects at a convenient date later:

i. Agartala-Akhaura Rail Link

ii. Unit-II of the Maitri Power Plant

iii. Khulna-Mongla Rail Link

They welcomed the exchange of following MoUs for strengthening bilateral cooperation:

i. Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in Digital Payment mechanisms between National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) and Bangladesh Bank.

ii. Memorandum of Understanding on renewal of the Cultural Exchange Program (CEP) between India and Bangladesh for 2023-2025.

iii. Memorandum of Understanding between Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and Bangladesh Agriculture Research Council (BARC).

With regard to the regional situation, Prime Minister Modi expressed appreciation of the burden shouldered by Bangladesh in hosting over a million persons displaced from Rakhine State in Myanmar, and conveyed India's constructive and positive approach to support solutions towards safe and sustainable repatriation of the refugees.

Indian side welcomed the Indo-Pacific outlook announced by Bangladesh recently. The leaders agreed to continue working together to intensify their wide-ranging engagement.

Prime Minster Hasina thanked Prime Minister Modi for the hospitality of the Government and people of India, as the two Leaders looked forward to continuing interactions at all levels.

New Delhi

September 08, 2023

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Prime Minister meets H.E. Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, Prime Minister of Mauritius

India - Ministry of External Affairs

September 08, 2023

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi met H.E. Mr. Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, Prime Minister of Mauritius, on 8 September 2023 on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Delhi.

Prime Minister Jugnauth thanked Prime Minister for the special invitation extended to Mauritius to participate in the G20 format as a 'Guest Country'. Prime Minister appreciated the active participation of Mauritius in various Working Groups and Ministerial Meetings of the G20 under Indian Presidency.

Both leaders expressed pleasure over G20 engagements taking place alongside the commemoration of the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries. The two leaders reviewed the multi-faceted bilateral cooperation between India and Mauritius. They noted the rapid pace of bilateral exchanges in the past year, with more than 30 delegation visits and signing of 23 bilateral agreements.

Prime Minister Jugnauth congratulated Prime Minister on the success of Chandrayaan-3 Mission and looked forward to further cooperation between the two sides in the space sector.

New Delhi

September 08, 2023

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets President Biden

India - Press Information Bureau

Prime Minister's Office

PM appreciates President Biden's vision and commitment to bilateral relations

The leaders commend progress in implementing outcomes from PM's historic State Visit to the US

They laud sustained momentum in iCET, defence, space and other areas

President Biden congratulates India on Chandrayaan-3's historic landing near the lunar south pole

They exchange views on regional and global issues

PM thanks President Biden for the US's consistent support to India's G20 Presidency

Posted On: 08 SEP 2023 11:31PM by PIB Delhi

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi met President of the USA, H.E. Mr. Joseph R. Biden in New Delhi today. President Biden, who is visiting India for the first time in his capacity as President, will be participating in the G20 Summit in New Delhi on September 9-10, 2023.

Prime Minister conveyed his appreciation for President Biden's vision and commitment to further strengthen the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership, which is based on shared democratic values, strategic convergences and strong people-to-people ties.

The two leaders commended the progress in implementing the futuristic and wide-ranging outcomes of Prime Minister's historic State visit to the U.S. in June 2023, including under the India-U.S. Initiative for Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET).

The leaders welcomed the sustained momentum in bilateral cooperation , including in the areas of defence, trade, investment, education, health, research, innovation, culture and people-to-people ties.

President Biden warmly congratulated Prime Minister and the people of India on Chandrayaan-3's historic landing near the lunar south pole and highlighted deepening cooperation between the two countries in Space.

The two leaders also exchanged views on a number of regional and global issues. They agreed that India- US partnership was beneficial not only for the people of the two countries but also for global good.

Prime Minister thanked President Biden for the consistent support received from the United States in ensuring success of India's G20 Presidency.

*****

DS/ST



(Release ID: 1955700)

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Joint Statement from India and the United States

September 08, 2023

1. Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed United States President Joseph R. Biden, Jr., to India today, reaffirming the close and enduring partnership between India and the United States. The leaders expressed their appreciation for the substantial progress underway to implement the ground breaking achievements of Prime Minister Modi's historic, June 2023, visit to Washington.

2. The leaders called on their governments to continue the work of transforming the India-U.S. Strategic Partnership across all dimensions of our multifaceted global agenda, based on trust and mutual understanding. The leaders re-emphasized that the shared values of freedom, democracy, human rights, inclusion, pluralism, and equal opportunities for all citizens are critical to the success our countries enjoy and that these values strengthen our relationship.

3. President Biden lauded India's G20 Presidency for further demonstrating how the G20 as a forum is delivering important outcomes. The leaders reaffirmed their commitment to the G20 and expressed confidence that the outcomes of the G20 Leaders' Summit in New Delhi will advance the shared goals of accelerating sustainable development, bolstering multilateral cooperation, and building global consensus around inclusive economic policies to address our greatest common challenges, including fundamentally reshaping and scaling up multilateral development banks.

4. Prime Minister Modi and President Biden reaffirmed the importance of the Quad in supporting a free, open, inclusive, and resilient Indo-Pacific. Prime Minister Modi looked forward to welcoming President Biden to the next Quad Leaders' Summit to be hosted by India in 2024. India welcomed the U.S. decision to co-lead the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative Pillar on Trade Connectivity and Maritime Transport, further to the U.S. decision to join IPOI in June 2023.

5. Continuing to share the view that global governance must be more inclusive and representative, President Biden reaffirmed his support for a reformed UN Security Council with India as a permanent member, and, in this context, welcomed once again India's candidature for the UNSC non-permanent seat in 2028-29. The leaders once again underscored the need to strengthen and reform the multilateral system so it may better reflect contemporary realities and remain committed to a comprehensive UN reform agenda, including through expansion in permanent and non-permanent categories of membership of the UN Security Council.

6. Prime Minister Modi and President Biden reaffirmed technology's defining role in deepening our strategic partnership and lauded ongoing efforts through the India-U.S. Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET) to build open, accessible, secure, and resilient technology ecosystems and value chains, based on mutual confidence and trust, which reinforce our shared values and democratic institutions. The United States and India intend to undertake a midterm review of iCET in September 2023 to continue to drive momentum toward the next annual iCET review, co-led by the National Security Advisors of both countries, in early 2024.

7. President Biden congratulated Prime Minister Modi and the scientists and engineers of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on Chandrayaan-3's historic landing at the south polar region of the Moon, as well as the successful launch of India's first solar mission, Aditya-L1. Having set a course to reach new frontiers across all sectors of space cooperation, the leaders welcomed efforts towards establishment of a Working Group for commercial space collaboration under the existing India-U.S. Civil Space Joint Working Group. Determined to deepen our partnership in outer space exploration, ISRO and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) have commenced discussions on modalities, capacity building, and training for mounting a joint effort to the International Space Station in 2024, and are continuing efforts to finalise a strategic framework for human space flight cooperation by the end of 2023. India and the United States also intend to increase coordination on planetary defence to protect planet Earth and space assets from the impact of asteroids and near-Earth objects, including U.S. support for India's participation in asteroid detection and tracking via the Minor Planet Center.

8. The leaders reiterated their support for building resilient global semiconductor supply chains, noting in this respect a multi-year initiative of Microchip Technology, Inc., to invest approximately US$300 million in expanding its research and development presence in India and Advanced Micro Device's announcement to invest US$400 million in India over the next five years to expand research, development, and engineering operations in India. The leaders expressed satisfaction at the ongoing implementation of announcements made in June 2023 by U.S. companies, Micron, LAM Research, and Applied Materials.

9. Sharing a vision of secure and trusted telecommunications, resilient supply chains, and global digital inclusion, Prime Minister Modi and President Biden welcomed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Bharat 6G Alliance and Next G Alliance, operated by Alliance for Telecommunications Industry Solutions, as a first step towards deepening public-private cooperation between vendors and operators. They further acknowledged the setting-up of two Joint Task Forces focused on collaboration in the field of Open RAN and research and development in 5G/6G technologies. A 5G Open RAN pilot in a leading Indian telecom operator will be undertaken by a U.S. Open RAN manufacturer before field deployment. The leaders continue to look forward to the participation of Indian companies in the U.S. Rip and Replace Program; President Biden also welcomed India's support for a Rip and Replace pilot in the United States.

10. The United States reiterated its commitment to working together with India in the quantum domain, both bilaterally and through the Quantum Entanglement Exchange, a platform to facilitate international quantum exchange opportunities; and welcomed the participation of India's S.N. Bose National Centre for Basic Sciences, Kolkata, as a member of the Quantum Economic Development Consortium. It was also recognized that the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay joined the Chicago Quantum Exchange as an international partner.

11. The leaders hailed the signing of an Implementation Arrangement between the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) and India's Department of Biotechnology to enable scientific and technological research collaborations in biotechnology and biomanufacturing innovations. They welcomed the call for proposals released by NSF and India's Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology to foster academic and industrial collaboration in semiconductor research, next generation communication systems, cyber-security, sustainability and green technologies, and intelligent transportation systems.

12. Reaffirming their commitment to building resilient technology value chains and linking defence industrial ecosystems, the leaders recommitted their administrations to promoting policies and adapting regulations that facilitate greater technology sharing, co-development, and co-production opportunities between Indian and U.S. industry, government and academic institutions. They also welcomed continued engagement through an inter-agency monitoring mechanism under the auspices of the bilateral Strategic Trade Dialogue, launched in June 2023.

13. The leaders welcomed the signing of an MoU between Indian universities, represented by the Council of Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT Council), and the Association of American Universities (AAU) to establish the India-U.S. Global Challenges Institute, with a combined initial commitment of at least US$10 million. The Global Challenges Institute will bring together leading research and higher-education institutions from across our two nations, including beyond AAU and IIT membership, to advance new frontiers in science and technology, spanning collaboration in sustainable energy and agriculture, health and pandemic preparedness, semiconductor technology and manufacturing, advanced materials, telecommunications, artificial intelligence, and quantum science.

14. The leaders also welcomed the growing number of multi-institutional collaborative education partnerships, such as those between New York University-Tandon and IIT Kanpur Advanced Research Center, and the Joint Research Centers of the State University of New York at Buffalo and IIT Delhi, Kanpur, Jodhpur, and BHU, in the areas of critical and emerging technologies.

15. The leaders affirmed the importance of efforts to close the gender digital divide in the digital economy, noting a G20 commitment to halve the digital gender gap by 2030 and expressed support for the Women in the Digital Economy Initiative, which brings together governments, private sector companies, foundations civil society and multilateral organizations to accelerate progress toward the closure of the digital gender divide.

16. Prime Minister Modi and President Biden reaffirmed their commitment to deepen and diversify the India-U.S. Major Defence Partnership through expanded cooperation in new and emerging domains such as space and AI, and accelerated defence industrial collaboration.

17. The leaders welcomed completion of the Congressional Notification process on 29 August 2023 and the commencement of negotiations for a commercial agreement between GE Aerospace and Hindustan Aeronautical Limited (HAL) to manufacture GE F-414 jet engines in India, and recommitted to work collaboratively and expeditiously to support the advancement of this unprecedented co-production and technology transfer proposal.

18. The leaders applauded the conclusion of a second Master Ship Repair Agreement, with the most recent agreement signed by the U.S. Navy and Mazgaon Dock Shipbuilders, Ltd., in August 2023. Both sides recommitted to advancing India's emergence as a hub for the maintenance and repair of forward-deployed U.S. Navy assets and other aircraft and vessels. The leaders also welcomed further commitments from U.S. industry to invest more in India's maintenance, repair, and overhaul capabilities and facilities for aircraft.

19. The leaders commended the India-U.S. Defence Acceleration Ecosystem (INDUS-X) team for establishing a robust collaboration agenda to harness the innovative work of the U.S. and Indian defence sectors to address shared security challenges. INDUS-X convened the inaugural Academia Start-up Partnership at IIT Kanpur, with the participation of Penn State University, and initiated the Joint Accelerator Program for Indian Startups, through a workshop led by U.S. accelerator M/s Hacking 4 Allies (H4x) and IIT Hyderabad in August 2023. Both sides also welcomed the announcement by the Indian Ministry of Defence's Innovations for Defence Excellence and the U.S. Department of Defense's Defense Innovation Unit to launch two joint challenges, which will invite start-ups to develop solutions to shared defence technology challenges.

20. President Biden welcomed the issuance of a Letter of Request from the Ministry of Defence of India to procure 31 General Atomics MQ-9B (16 Sky Guardian and 15 Sea Guardian) remotely piloted aircraft and their associated equipment, which will enhance the intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities of India's armed forces across all domains.

21. Reiterating the importance of nuclear energy as a necessary resource to meet our nations' climate, energy transition, and energy security needs, Prime Minister Modi and President Biden welcomed intensified consultations between the relevant entities on both sides to expand opportunities for facilitating India-U.S. collaboration in nuclear energy, including in development of next generation small modular reactor technologies in a collaborative mode. The United States reaffirmed its support for India's membership in the Nuclear Suppliers Group and committed to continue engagement with like-minded partners to advance this goal.

22. The leaders welcomed the inaugural meeting of the India-U.S. Renewable Energy Technologies Action Platform [RE-TAP], in August 2023, under which the two countries will engage in lab-to-lab collaboration, piloting, and testing of innovative technologies; collaboration on policy and planning to advance renewable energy and enabling technologies; investment, incubation and outreach programmes; and training and skill development to accelerate the uptake and adoption of new and emerging renewable technologies and energy systems.

23. Reiterating the importance of decarbonizing the transport sector, the leaders welcomed progress to expand electric mobility in India, including joint support for a payment security mechanism financed through both public and private funds. This will accelerate the procurement of 10,000 made-in India electric buses including those for the Indian PM e-Bus Sewa program that will include the associated charging infrastructure. The two countries are committed to working together to help diversify the global supply chain for e-mobility.

24. India and the United States are also advancing the creation of investment platforms to lower the cost of capital and accelerate the deployment of greenfield renewable energy, battery storage and emerging green technology projects in India. Towards this end, India's National Investment and Infrastructure Fund and the U.S. Development Finance Corporation exchanged letters of intent to each provide up to US$500 million to anchor a renewable infrastructure investment fund.

25. The leaders lauded the settlement of the seventh and last outstanding World Trade Organisation (WTO) dispute between India and the United States. This follows the unprecedented settlement of six outstanding bilateral trade disputes in the WTO in June 2023.

26. The leaders welcomed efforts to develop an ambitious "Innovation Handshake" agenda under the India-U.S. Commercial Dialogue, to include two anchor events in the fall (one in India and one in the United States), in which our two sides will collaborate to bring together start-ups, private equity and venture capital firms, corporate investment departments, and government officials to forge connections between the two countries' innovation ecosystems.

27. The leaders welcomed our growing bilateral cooperation in cancer research, prevention, control, and management, and looked forward to the launch of the India-U.S. Cancer Dialogue in November 2023. This dialogue will focus on advancing knowledge in cancer genomics, developing new diagnostics and therapeutics to enhance and strengthen cancer care including for underserved urban and rural communities. The leaders also highlighted the upcoming U.S.-India Health Dialogue, taking place in October 2023 in Washington, D.C., underscoring their joint commitment to strengthening and facilitating scientific, regulatory, and health cooperation between our two nations.

28. The leaders welcomed the renewal of a Memorandum of Arrangement between the U.S. Department of Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency and the Anthropological Survey of India (AnSI) to facilitate recovery from India of the remains of fallen U.S. service members who served in World War II.

29. Prime Minister Modi and President Biden pledged to sustain the high-level of engagement between our governments, industries, and academic institutions and realize their ambitious vision for an enduring India-U.S. partnership that advances the aspirations of our people for a bright and prosperous future, serves the global good, and contributes to a free, open, inclusive, and resilient Indo-Pacific.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Transcript of Pre-Summit press briefing by the G20 presidency

India - Ministry of External Affairs

September 09, 2023

Shri Arindam Bagchi, Official Spokesperson: A very good afternoon to all of you. I am Arindam Bagchi, Spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs. Welcome to all of you here. Warm welcome to all of you to the opening activities of the International Media Centre here at Bharat Mandapam, Pragati Maidan. We are delighted that there is such a large turnout of media from India and across the world. Your presence here is testimony to that. From tomorrow morning, we have one of the very important activities of the G20 at this G20 summit being hosted by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. To give us a sense of what all is in store and what has been happening so far, we have our proud privilege to have here on the dais, Shri Amitabh Kant, Indian Sherpa. Joining him, Shri Ajay Seth, Secretary (DEA), also the Finance Deputy of the process. Next to him, Shri Harsh Vardhan Shringla, Chief Coordinator of the G20 and on my left, Shri Vinay Kwatra, Foreign Secretary. I would request them to make brief opening remarks, after which we will open the floor. Sir, if I could hand over the floor to you, Sir.

Shri Amitabh Kant, G20 Sherpa: Thank you, Arindam. When India took over the presidency of G20 in Indonesia at Bali, we were in the midst of a scenario of slowing growth and productivity worldwide. There was a huge impact of COVID-19 pandemic which had led to vast segments of the global population going below the poverty line. Vast number of people had lost their jobs. There was a cost of living debt crisis. There had been a reversal on the sustainable development goals. There was a challenge of climate crisis and climate action. At that point, India felt that we should start our presidency with the theme of "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam", that is the world is one family. We are one earth, one family, and we should have one future. And the Prime Minister who is the leader of G20 from India and I act as his Sherpa, he said that our presidency, India's presidency should actually be inclusive, it should be ambitious, it should be decisive, and it should be action-oriented. And these are the four principles on which we have worked. And I can assure you that we have lived up to his vision of being inclusive, ambitious, action-oriented, and very, very decisive during our presidency.

During this presidency, we had some broad priorities with which we started. And these priorities were very critical for the global world, first of which, that at a point of time when one-third of the world is facing a recession, we should drive bold, sustainable, strong, and inclusive growth. The second key priority for us was to have accelerated sustainable development goals because only 12 of the 169 SDGs are on track and we were way behind the schedule. We were midway at the 2030 action point, but we are way behind and therefore accelerating the SDGs, improving learning outcomes, health outcomes, nutrition, all these were very critical for India's presidency. Thirdly, we wanted the world to take the lead on green development in the context of climate action and climate finance, and there were several components of this which we wanted to drive, and therefore green development, climate action, climate finance was our third priority. And because both SDGs and climate action require finance, particularly for developing and emerging markets in the Global South, it was critical that we focus on multilateral institutions of the 21st century, how to redesign and reform them, and our view was that Global South, developing countries, emerging markets, which has been a very, very key component of India's presidency, must be able to get long-term financing and must be able to use new instruments for financing to drive both SDGs and climate finance. So the fifth priority of India's presidency was that we must have technological development and digital public infrastructure, because if we have to lift vast segments of the population, if we have to make a difference to the Global South, technology will be the key driver. And most of the innovations in the world have come from the big tech in the west, and even in China they've come from big tech, but India has created a very unique model of digital public infrastructure, which is open source, open API; is interoperable, and has enabled digital identity for every citizen, has enabled bank account for every citizen, has enabled everyone to do fast payments, has enabled everyone to improve learning outcomes and health outcomes. And during the COVID, we were able to do 2.2 billion COVID vaccinations; and therefore technological development and how to use digital public infrastructure to drive growth, when 4 billion people of the world do not have digital identity, about 3 billion people do not have bank accounts, and over 133 countries do not have fast payments, that was critical from India's priorities perspective. And the last key priority, which the Prime Minister elucidated, and which he felt very strongly about, was women-led development, to bring women-led development, to bring women empowerment and gender equality. So these have been the six key priorities of India on which we have worked.

We started our presidency by, on which the Foreign Secretary will talk about, with a meeting of the Voice of the Global South. We got the perspective of 125 leaders, and then we remain focused on the perspective of the Global South and the requirements of the developing countries. And the New Delhi Leaders' Declaration, which many of you will see post the Summit, you will see it as a voice of the Global South and the developing countries. No document in the world would have such a strong voice for the Global South and the developing countries as the New Delhi Leaders' Declaration. And therefore the Prime Minister's vision of India's G20 presidency being a very inclusive presidency has been our aim. There's been a huge scale and reach of India's presidency. There have been 19 G20 countries and the EU, that means 20; 9 special invitee countries. There have been three regional organizations. There have been 11 international organizations who participated in all the 220 meetings that took place in India. We were able to use this opportunity to take the meeting to over 60 cities of India and every state and every Union Territory of India, and use this opportunity to demonstrate the liveliness, the vibrancy, and the dynamism of India's federal polity. Every state vigorously participated, and we were able to translate and bring a huge transformation to the city infrastructure in 60 cities. When G20s are held across other countries, they are held in the capital or maximum two cities. In India's case, we've held them over 60 cities of India and used this as an opportunity to transform them.

So, ladies and gentlemen, we've had over, a vast, the biggest participation in G20 from across the world. We have had Africa's highest ever participation in addition to the 29 countries, we have had 32 additional countries. We've been the voice of the Global South. During this period, we've used this opportunity also to push a huge amount of Indian narrative through One District, One Product, that is every district which has come out with a product, focused; that was the only gift we gave to all the visitors who came during our presidency so that we could have an impact on the lives of our artisans. We have focused on millets, which is critical from the viewpoint of sustainability of agriculture. We have focused on achievements of India as a mother of democracy, focused on the digital transformation and digital public infrastructure.

So, with these few words, ladies and gentlemen, I can assure you that our presidency has been inclusive, decisive and action-oriented. Our New Delhi Leaders' Declaration is almost ready. I would not like to dwell on it because this declaration will be recommended to the leaders and the leaders will then accept it and only after it has been accepted by the leaders, we will be able to talk about the actual achievements of this declaration. With these few words, I'll conclude. Thank you very much.

Shri Arindam Bagchi, Official Spokesperson: Thank you very much, Sir. May I now hand over the floor to Shri Ajay Seth, Secretary (DEA), Sir.

Shri Ajay Seth, Secretary (DEA): Good afternoon to all. Let me share some of the priorities which the finance-related work handled during the course of the presidency. Under the leadership of our Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the focus and the vision of India's G20 presidency has been to bring focus to the global discourse, issues which make a difference to people's lives, lead to actionable, decidable, sustainable and inclusive growth and empower the global growth. Keeping that vision in mind, the priorities which were set and endorsed by finance ministers and governors in February in their first meeting in Bengaluru, some of them were: how to strengthen multilateral development banks for challenges of 21st century. Similar manner, how to support strong, sustainable, balanced and inclusive growth in the midst of the current challenges which the world is facing. In the same way, how to manage the debt vulnerabilities which several countries are facing. Yet another priority was that how the technology can be used for financial inclusion, for productivity gains, for efficiency, for private sector. Similarly, how the new potentials of technology such as blockchain or crypto can be beneficial and yet how to build a policy discourse, the policy approaches and what set of regulation building consensus around that. So these were some of the priorities and during the course of the year, in more than 25 meetings of various working groups, ministers, deputies, these have been deliberated with very intense effort and one unique feature of the work has been...I'll put it rather two big elements, two big differences. One was to go beyond the structured meetings and arrange almost 40 seminars, side events, symposiums, inviting domestic as well as global experts and generating very intense discussion to find a robust way forward. In a similar way, how to generate the local connect, Jan Bhagidari, almost 40 events were done on issues which are relevant to people's lives. Based on these deliberations over the course of the year, these recommendations have now been placed for consideration of the leaders. They would be discussing it over the course of next two days and then we will have definite outcomes and we will all share with you. Thank you.

Shri Arindam Bagchi, Official Spokesperson: Thank you very much Sir. May I request Shri Harsh Vardhan Shringla, Chief Coordinator Sir.

Shri Harshvardhan Shringla, Chief Coordinator (G20): Namaskar and good afternoon. The focus of today's press conference is on the G20 New Delhi Summit but since many of our media friends have joined us only today, I'll briefly begin by taking you through our presidency journey. As you know, we assumed the presidency of the G20 on the 1st of December last year and we will conclude our presidency on the 30th of November this year. During the course of our presidency, we would have hosted over 220 G20 meetings in 60 different cities across the length and breadth of our country. In keeping with the Prime Minister's vision of a pan-Indian G20, we have hosted at least one G20 meeting in every state and union territory of India. And from...to my mind, that is the finest example of cooperative federalism that we can see. Now, the effort has been, of course, to take the G20 down to the grassroots level through a process that we call Jan Bhagidari which is a people's participation movement and whether it is to the G20 University Connect or the G20 Model School or quiz, essay and painting competitions and festivals, the G20 has been popularized and taken down to the grassroots levels in our country. We have also looked at the G20 as an opportunity to highlight and showcase India's rich cultural heritage and diversity and our tourism potential and in that context, we have hosted over 300 cultural events with the participation of over 18,000 of our cultural artists and experts. Of course, we have also made our presidency an inclusive one. Sherpa has already mentioned that we have had very significant participation from the Global South and from Africa. We would have received a total of about 100,000 visitors for our G20 presidency from over 125 nationalities and for many of them, this has been the discovery of a new India and I think that has been very significant from their point of view. Clearly, the G20 presidency will bring economic benefits to our country and to our citizens and that's also been a very important objective.

Now, when you organize such a huge exercise, an unprecedented and uniquely Indian presidency, you do need an organizational base and we have started on the organization and planning of the G20 as early as the beginning of last year, one and a half years before today's eve of the Summit. We have set up the G20 secretariat. In this process, it has been a whole of government approach and a whole of nation approach, and every single Indian citizen has been involved in that effort and it's very important to note that about 15 million of our citizens have been directly involved in the participation of some G20 event or the other across our country. So in that organizational endeavor, we've had guidance from the Prime Minister himself, from cabinet ministers. There is a coordination committee which has been set up under the Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister which includes the NSA, which includes Cabinet Secretary, senior secretaries, Sherpa and all of us here and this committee has been meeting regularly. It's met at least nine times formally but many times informally and has provided extensive guidance on every aspect and overseen every aspect of the presidency's organization and management. So, I think that was important.

Now, on the Summit itself, of course, the Foreign Secretary and Sherpa will take you through the program elements but it's important for you to know what else is there and what are the activities and exhibitions and other events which are within the Bharat Mandapam, within the G20 Summit complex. Of course, the media center is one that you have seen. Both halls 4 and 5 have been earmarked for the Media Center. We expect to host between two and three thousand international and domestic media here. It would be a state-of-the-art media center with over 1,300 workstations, high-speed internet and Additional Secretary (XP) would have communicated to you the other aspects of this Media Center. There is an emphasis on the cultural aspects of our presidency as well. There is a very unique exhibition which is called the cultural corridor which will be on display at the convention center. This involves the display of cultural artifacts and objects from different countries, both tangible and intangible heritage but also natural heritage. So this has some very, very interesting exhibits which the details of which will be available with you. We also have an immersive display which has again some of the best illustrations of every country that is a part of our G20 presidency and all of this again is at the Convention Center. There's a democracy cube which is also there and what we will certainly do is that we'll make this available, we'll make this open to the media and the public after we finish the immediate Summit and this would be a very interesting exhibition to see. Besides that we have the Mother of Democracy Exhibition. India; the largest democracy, vibrant democracy over the ages; has arranged an exhibition which would be essentially narrating the 7,000 year tradition of democracy in our country from the ancient to the modern. There will be 26 interactive panels which should be available in all of the G20 languages. There are apparently 16 languages in which this will be available. There is also a bronze replica of a girl from the Sindhu Saraswati era, 2500 to 3500 years before and this is a very unique part of the exhibition, at the center of the exhibition and there will also be someone who will greet everybody. Its artificial intelligence driven so it's a technology oriented platform and of course the person who will greet will also provide an introduction to India's age-old democratic traditions in their respective languages.

You are also aware that we will have, at the time of the dinner that will be hosted tomorrow by our President; there will be a musical ensemble which will play in the background. This of course will represent again musicians from all parts of our country, but it will also include musical traditions of every nature, whether it's Hindustani, Karnataki, folk, bhajans. Every aspect of music in our country will be covered by the 77 musicians who would also include young students, people who have some disabilities, but also people who are from different walks of life across our country. They will also be displaying some very rare musical instruments which are hardly ever seen or played in our country, but this is something that is an opportunity for us to see so many rare instruments coming together in this particular area. Now, there will be a strong emphasis on technology, especially technology that is linked to digital public infrastructure. And in that context, we will have a few exhibitions at the media center. If you enter the foyer of the media center, you will see a display by our Ministry of Information Technology, which is basically a Digital India Experience Zone, which will have the display of all of the mobile apps and the platforms under which we have arranged to deliver development to the grassroots levels in India, right from Aadhaar to UPI, and this entire India stack will be available. And if any of you do fall sick or have any medical issues, please ensure that you go and connect with eSanjeevani, a digital platform that will have a doctor advise you immediately on the spot. Similarly, we have a Reserve Bank of India Innovation Hub, which is again in the Media Center, and this Innovation Hub will display technologies that FinTech, which has not yet been introduced to the public domain, these are still in the pilot stages, one of them is the Central Bank Digital Currency, through which even international media who are here, who don't have bank accounts in India, will be able to get some money in their mobile wallets and will be able to use that digitally to buy products in our Crafts Mela, which will be in the adjoining hall, hall number 3. And this Crafts Mela will also, each stall of the Crafts Mela, which represents a different state or union territory of India, displaying, as Sherpa mentioned, the ODOP products and geographical indicator products, will have a QR code compatible with your mobile wallet, the digital currency, and with the UPI. We will also have a frictionless credit display, which basically again is a cutting edge technology under which any credit to be given, say to our farmers, the information relating to that would be immediately available on your mobile phone or your iPad, from the land records to your Aadhaar, to your previous credit history, and this will enable credit to be given within a few minutes of time with each of the farmers.

And so from that point of view, I think we also have, I hope all of you have downloaded our digital app, the G20 India digital app, which is again a state of the art app, which enables you to get this in any language in the G20. You can get it in Portuguese, in German, in Japanese. And this will also enable you to talk to anybody who doesn't understand your language, say from Hindi to Japanese or from Portuguese to German, it will be instant conversation through the app. You can navigate from one part of the Bharat Mandapam to any other part of this complex. It will enable you to get there without a problem. And any information that you may need on our presidency, on the G20, on India, UPI, any aspects of this is available. And of course, if you feel like a yoga break, that's also there on our app. So I'll stop here. I'm sure there are many other things.

Shri Arindam Bagchi, Official Spokesperson: Thank you very much, Sir. May I hand over to Foreign Secretary Shri Vinay Kwatra.

Shri Vinay Kwatra, Foreign Secretary: Thank you very much and good afternoon to friends from the media, both domestic and international. I have six brief points to make, besides what has already been shared by my colleagues, senior colleagues, Sherpa, Chief Coordinator and Secretary (Department of Economic Affairs). Point number first, if you really want to get a sense of India's vision, priorities and approach to the G20 presidency, I would encourage all of you to read the op-ed that the Honorable Prime Minister of India has written yesterday. It captures a distilled sense of how India envisions and looks at the ongoing G20 presidency of India. Two, the coming together of the 41 Heads of Delegations, Heads of State, Government, Heads of International Organizations in India starting yesterday; under Prime Minister's personal leadership and direction, it is essentially a celebration of the coming together of the G20 family. And as our Sherpa mentioned earlier, it's the largest ever participation of the Global South in India. Three, whether it concerns India's national priorities with regard to G20 or the priorities of G20 countries as a collective, as also the concerns and interests of the Global South; the specifics of the agenda which the Sherpa and the Department of Economic Affairs Secretary mentioned, they have been structured in a most inclusive and the harmonious concepts of One Earth, One Family, One Future. Four, very briefly with regard to the program of the G20 Summit, the Summit's official conference program is structured around two sessions, first one, 'One Earth' starting tomorrow morning, 'One Family' tomorrow afternoon, and 'One Future' in the morning of the 10th. Besides three sessions of the conference, there would also be a couple of sideline events which are currently being structured involving India and other Heads of State who are visiting us here. Third, a dinner by the Honorable President of India tomorrow, fourth, a visit to Rajghat to pay homage to Mahatma Gandhi, and fifth, a Spouses program. These would be the broad five elements of the Summit. And the last fifth point which I wanted to make, Honorable Prime Minister of India will also be hosting several sideline bilateral meetings during the course of the G20 Summit with the visiting Heads of State/Governments and the other leaders who are going to be in Delhi, as I said, starting yesterday till the departure over 10th and 11th. I would stop here and see if we have any questions on this.

Shri Arindam Bagchi, Official Spokesperson: Thank you very much, sir. May I lay the ground rules before I open the floor. Please introduce yourselves and the organization you represent. We will take questions in a group because we don't have time.

Manish Jha: This is Manish Jha from TV9, Amitabh Ji, Foreign Secretary and Chief Coordinator. I must tell you first of all that the arrangement at International Media Center are really excellent. I have attended four summits before this Summit and I can tell very proudly that this arrangement is really best. So, thank you so much. So, my question I would like to ask in Hindi.

Amitabh Ji, lagatar aap log joint declaration ko lekar lage hue the, bahot mehnat kar rahe the, aapne hint bhi kiya hain ki joint declaration aayega aur bahot alag tarike se bahot khas hoga. Lekin khabrain ye bhi aa rahe thi ki china ki taraf se har meeting mai, joint declaration mai koi consensus na ho iske liye koshish ki ja rahi thi, kabhi "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam" ke naam par, kabhi language sanskrit mai kyu hain, toh kis tarah ye journey rahi agar aap ye share kar sake, kyuki har journalist yahi puch raha hain joint declaration aayega ya nahi aayega, agar aayega toh kaise aayega?

[Question in Hindi: Approximate translation] Amitabh Ji, you were continuously focused on the joint declaration, putting in a lot of effort. You also hinted that the joint declaration would be issued and it would be very special and unique. However, there were reports that there were efforts from the Chinese side in every meeting to ensure that there was no consensus in the Joint Declaration. Sometimes it was regarding the name "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam," and sometimes that why it is in Sanskrit language. Could you please share how this journey has been, because every journalist is asking whether the joint declaration will come or not, and if it does, how it will come about?

Yeshi Seli: Sir, this is Yeshi Seli from the New Indian Express. I would like to know who is representing the African Union for this summit? And the G20 officially going to be called G21 after the conclusion of this Summit?

Sidhant: Hi sir, I am Sidhant from WION. My question is do you think the absence of the Chinese President impacts the Summit's proceedings? Is it and attempt by the Chinese to undermine, do you see it in that way as well?

Samira Hussain: Samira Hussain with the BBC. I am wondering if you think that the Ukraine will derail talks and the ability to come up with the joint statement?

Shri Arindam Bagchi, Official Spokesperson: I will repeat the question, none of you pretty audible...will Ukraine derail the talks and the ability to come up with the joint statement, thats what I heard?

Samira Hussain: Will Ukraine derail the talks?

Nayanima Basu: Hi this is Nayanima Basu from ABP Live. Just one question, on the Russia-Ukraine war, will there be specific discussion on the Black Grain Initiative? Thank you so much.

Shri Amitabh Kant, G20 Sherpa: So let me first say that on the journey of the Joint Declaration, I would prefer to speak after the Summit is over, because the journey has just started, it's not ended. So I think you should have a little bit of patience, we will give you a complete glimpse of what the journey has been after the Summit gets over. Because you know, this is a Leaders' Summit, I am only the Sherpa of my leader, who is the Prime Minister of India, so the recommendations of the Sherpas are made to their respective leaders, the leaders have to accept those recommendations and approve them. Once they are approved, then that will get into public domain, and we'll be able to talk about it. Some of the other questions also related to the content of the Leaders' declaration, and I would request all of you to realize the high nature of confidentiality of the Leaders' declaration, because it has to be placed before the leaders, and they have to approve it. But after that, we will be very happy to explain, elucidate, and take you into all the details of that Leaders' declaration.

As far as AU is concerned, let me say that the Prime Minister, who's a great believer in Global South, had written to all the leaders, and there has been a very positive response, but formally, that'll come before the Summit.

Thirdly, on the Chinese, I would really like to say that China is a multilateral player. In multilateral discussions, the issues are very different from bilateral issues, and Chinese discuss issues of growth, development from their perspective. The challenge about any multilateral discussion is that you have to bring consensus across every issue. Every country has a veto power, and therefore, we have to bring everybody on board, and I must say that we have been able to work with every single country, every single country, and bring them on board, which you will later see.

There was an issue about Russia-Ukraine conflict. Let me say that G20 is an economic forum. It discusses issues of growth and development. However, last year in Bali, there was a feeling that issues of conflict and war have an impact on growth and development. So food, fuel, and fertilizer get impacted, and therefore, that issue was discussed, and this year also, as a consequence of the challenge of growth and development and implementation of SDGs, that issue has been discussed at great length and we will talk about it once the Leaders' Summit is over. Because whatever we discuss will have to be first discussed by the leaders and they will have to take a formal decision on that and then after that has been decided I will be free to speak to you at great length on this issue.

Shri Arindam Bagchi, Official Spokesperson: Foreign Secretary sir, would you like to say anything on these issues?

Shri Vinay Kwatra, Foreign Secretary: Nothing much to add except to the questions which was asked with regard to the presence or absence of leaders. I think External Affairs Minister of India has already spoken on that issue and I think that statement stands for itself. Thank you.

Shri Arindam Bagchi, Official Spokesperson: I'll open the floor for the next round of questions. I saw a hand here.

Mukesh Kaushik: Sir this is Mukesh Kaushik from Dainik Bhaskar. Foreign Secretary Sir, for the first time China, Chinese President is not taking part in G20. Have they provided any reason for his skipping this Summit and do you think that his absence is playing a spoiler, as Jack Sullivan put it?

Runjhun Sharma: Runjhun Sharma, India correspondent for RT Russia Today. My question is for Mr. Kant. How would you say the response rather negotiations are going for the inclusion of African Union into the block? Also how do you think...

Shri Arindam Bagchi, Official Spokesperson: We will limit ourselves to one question, sorry, just don't have time.

Saurabh Shukla: Hi, good afternoon everyone, this is Saurabh Shukla, I am Editor-in-Chief of NewsMobile. This G20 presidency is also about India's solutions for the biggest challenges that the world faces today. What are the three big takeaways that you expect from the Leaders' Summit?

Pranay Upadhyay: Sir this is Pranay Upadhyay from Zee News and my question is to Sherpa Amitabh Kant Ji. India has been long pushing for the MDBs like multilateral development bank reforms and after the joint finance and the Sherpa track meeting, what is the takeaway, is there a consensus emerging for the multilateral development bank reform and how far we are to onset the process after the Delhi Summit?

Shrikant Bhatia: Mera sawal hain Amitabh Kant ji se, main Shrikant Bhatia hoon Samwad Sindhi newspaper hai. Sir jo bharat ki chhavi videsh mai hai kya is chhavi ka awlokan karne ke liye hamare kuch rastra adhaksh on the spot jayenge, kuch gaon mai, kuch cities mai dekhne ke liye?

[Question in Hindi: Approximate translation] My question is for Mr. Amitabh Kant. I am Shrikant Bhatia from Samwad Sindhi newspaper. Sir, to assess the image of India abroad, will some of Heads of State visit on the spot, some villages, and some cities to observe?

Shri Arindam Bagchi, Official Spokesperson: Kaun leaders ki baat kar rahe hain?

[Question in Hindi: Approximate translation] You are talking about the leaders?

Shrikant Bhatia: Ji sir, leaders.

Ashok Raj: Hi, sir. My name is Ashok Raj from ANI. I have a question regarding to this event. My question addressed to Mr. Shringla Ji, that how do we coordinate such massive effort and what were the organizational structure changes?

Shri Ajay Seth, Secretary (DEA): Some of you asked that what are the three key big takeaways from the Summit. My request to all of you would be that please bear with us for another two days. Once the leaders consider the recommendations made by their ministers, governors and give their decision, that would be the time to take a stock. That what have been the big takeaways, as far as MDB reforms are concerned, both on strengthening multilateral development banks as well as other institutions, strengthening them like IMF, there has been a very rich and intense discussion and we are highly hopeful that the discourse over the past nine months will get a positive consideration from the leaders. Thank you.

Shri Vinay Kwatra, Foreign Secretary: Okay. Thank you. I have already responded to the question on the presence or absence of certain leaders from the Summit and I mentioned that External Affairs Minister of India has already responded to that question. Having said that, let me also mention, it's a question of which frame of reference do you look at when you look at the priorities, interests, concerns expressed in the G20, both of G20 countries as a collective but also of those countries that are outside the G20 but their interests, concerns and priorities are impacted upon what decisions get taken in the proceedings of the G20. We are welcoming, as I mentioned, Heads of 41 delegations, Heads of States, Heads of Government, Heads of International Organizations in Delhi since 7th for the coming two days and our focus is, as Sherpa said earlier, to drive a consensus on priorities of the G20, how to structure in the priorities and interests of the Global South into the G20 discussions and how to bring together the leaders of the G20 and the leaders of the invited guest countries around that particular agenda. That is the theme, that is the objective that we are focused on and we are very happy that by and large there is a strong effort by all the countries, all the delegations present to move towards a consensus. With regard to the African Union, Sherpa sir has already said that honorable Prime Minister wrote a letter to all countries of the G20 proposing that African Union be included as a full member of the G20. We expect that the Summit proceedings starting tomorrow morning would take a suitable decision on that.

Shrikant ji jo aapka prashna tha videshi chhavi ka, G20 summit ka jo program hai woh kevel Delhi tak hi simit hai filhaal.

[Answer in Hindi: Approximate translation] Shrikant ji, regarding your question about the image abroad, the G20 Summit's program is currently limited to Delhi only.

Shri Harshvardhan Shringla, Chief Coordinator: I think Raj ji had asked this question about G20 being involving a massive effort and the organizational aspects behind it and I did in my opening remarks say, that it was not only a whole of government effort but a whole of nation effort, because it is not only a huge exercise but it is also an unprecedented exercise. We have never been president of the G20 before. This is also one of the most significant events we have...international events we have ever organized and I think every Indian citizen in a certain sense is a stakeholder in this exercise because the pride he feels of India hosting an event of this scale and magnitude with such level of success. So it certainly has been an organizational effort that has gone across the country. But one aspect I think I will just flag an additionality which I want to put across is that it has involved also an equal, let's say, collaboration and cooperation with every state and union territory in our country because we have taken it down to the grassroots levels and every state has seen this as an opportunity to promote the state's tourism potential, recount its own developmental achievements, utilize the platform to highlight what every state in its own case has done. So from that aspect, as I said, it's a very fine example of cooperative federalism and it has involved a level of cooperation that has gone from the central government to the states, to the municipalities, to the districts and down to the grassroots levels. So I think if you have...look at the success of this presidency, it is guided at the highest levels but it has also involved every citizen of our country.

Shri Amitabh Kant, G20 Sherpa: I think Saurabh asked that question about the three key takeaways of what... well, let me tell you that India has tried to build a huge India narrative to the G20. You will see this in the New Delhi Leaders' Declaration, whether India has been the voice of the Global South, whether India has been the spokesperson of the developing countries, whether we brought in the huge amount of technological development that India has done through the digital public infrastructure. But I would suggest that it's not just three but there are an enormous number of lessons which come out of it but you will have to wait for the Leaders' Declaration to emerge and you will then realize that it's... that India will leave a huge imprint.

Shri Arindam Bagchi, Official Spokesperson: Thank you Sir. Tripti, yeah go ahead.

Tripti Lahiri: Tripti Lahiri from The Wall Street Journal. Hi. My question is about...so in addition to China and Russia's leadership not being here, we've also seen them coordinating at other forums, you know, be that BRICS or elsewhere that India is also part of. You know, do we see that there is a bifurcation, China-Russia on the one side coordinating more and does that mean that the space for broad-based multilateral cooperation is shrinking?

Neeraj: Sir Neeraj hoon News18 India se, hamara sawal Amitabh sir aur Vinay sir se hain. Sawal ye hain ke pichli bar videsh mantriyon ki G20 baithak ke baad ye bayan aaya tha videsh mantri ki taraf se ke hum log safal nahi ho paye ki Ukraine ke masle par sehmati bane aur unka ishara Russia aur China ki taraf se tha, kyu ki unhone apna paksh badla tha Bali declaration ke baad. Sawal ye hain ke dono deshon ke rastra pramukho ki gairmoujudagi mai kya bharat success kar paya hain ki Ukraine ke masle pe sehmati bana paya hain ya nahi, ya Ukraine ko hata diya gaya hain joint communiquA se?

[Question in Hindi: Approximate translation] I am Neeraj from News18 India, and my question is for Mr. Amitabh and Mr. Vinay. The question is that after the last G20 meeting of Foreign Ministers, there was a statement from the External Affairs Minister that they were not able to reach an agreement on the issue of Ukraine, and his indication was towards Russia and China because they changed their stance after the Bali declaration. The question is, in the absence of both leaders from these two countries, has India succeeded in reaching an agreement on the issue of Ukraine or has Ukraine been removed from the Joint CommuniquA?

Sridhar: Good afternoon sir, this is Shridhar from Asian Age. Sir, you mentioned that the New Delhi Declaration is almost ready. Are we to assume that the consensus has been achieved on all issues and will there be a separate Chair's summary which will be issued at the end of the Summit along with the Joint CommuniquA? Will there be a separate Chair's Summary? Thank you.

Vishnu Som: Good afternoon, Vishnu Som from NDTV. There's a World Bank report which has come out which has praised India's digital public infrastructure. I'm just trying to understand how is India going to disseminate this infrastructure? Will it be through an organization or an institution like the Solar Alliance?

Xenia: Thank you so much. Xenia, RT.com. A question is, since we discussed the global growth, has the issue of developed countries imposing unilateral sanctions been discussed or the responsibility for imposing such sanctions which affects, you know, the global growth and especially the undeveloped countries. Has this been discussed as well and will this figure in the CommuniquA probably?

Speaker: Reporter from Shanghai Media Group. You mentioned that all participants show common interest in Global South but I do believe there are different concerns between the Global South and the developed countries. So how India presidency will show its decisiveness in this? Thank you.

Rishabh: Sir this is Rishabh from Times Now. So just last week the Russian Ambassador said that Indian negotiating team was under immense pressure and there were teams that were trying to hijack the whole negotiation. If you can shed some light on that, how difficult it was during the negotiating time to come to a Joint Declaration if that is possible a day after?

Shri Vinay Kwatra, Foreign Secretary: I think to the first question, which is sort of more of an interpretative frame of what is happening to the multilateralism and the related space globally, I think we would rather focus on what are the priorities in the G20, of the G20 countries, and in that what is the priorities that India stands for and the rest of the Global South stands for. I think the space that we come from is...our belief is that multilateralism needs to be reinvigorated; it needs to be inclusive, and it also needs to be an important center and a medium for global governance, which has to be more representative, naturally effective, transparent, and accountable. We have brought up these points strongly in the discussions in various meetings of the G20, including in particular the G20 Foreign Ministers' meeting, and we will see how that finds reflection in the CommuniquA that is being negotiated.

Neeraj jo aapka prashna tha, dekhiye, main ismai sirf itna hi kehna chahunga ki, bharat ki pradhanmantri Modi ki adhyakshyat mai yahi apeskha hain ke G20 ke sabhi sadasya desh milkar ek consensus ki taraf agrasar honge, agrasar hain aur G20 summit ke samapti ke uprant hum ye apesksha rakhte hain, abhilasha rakhte hain ke ek consensus ke madhyam ke dwara communiquA ka outcome hoga.

[Answer in Hindi: Approximate translation] Neeraj, regarding your question, I would like to say only this much, under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, India expects that all G20 member countries will collectively work towards a consensus, and they are indeed working towards it. After the conclusion of the G20 summit, we hope and expect for an outcome through consensus in the CommuniquA.

To the question on the DPI, I think we would ask Sherpa Sir to come and sort of...talk about that.

Shri Amitabh Kant, G20 Sherpa: Let me say that when we started India's presidency, very few people knew about digital public infrastructure and the open source model of it. This has been extensively taken forward by both the finance track and the Sherpa track, in a very vigorous manner. And today India's digital public infrastructure has been broadly accepted that this is the way to bring in financial inclusion, this is the way to do fast payments, this is the way to drive tech innovation of the future. I think one of our great achievements...somebody had asked about key takeaways, while we are not talking at this stage about achievements but I think one of the key takeaways of India's presidency is that the world acknowledges India's technology through the digital public infrastructure, which is a unique model. So its definition, its framework, it's how we take it forward...all of this has come into discussion during India's G20 presidency.

Shri Vinay Kwatra, Foreign Secretary: Yeah so just two, I think one on Vishnu's question about how would the digital public Infrastructure, get expanded, develop strong externalities outside India and also of course within India. I think that is something which remains a very strong, robust and an ongoing effort of the entire Government of India and various departments. There are multiple lines of effort to ensure that DPI not only expands and spreads across various economic ecosystems within India, but also develops a huge value proposition for governance, for transparency, for financial inclusion internationally, and as I said there are several strands and lines of effort which are underway. I think there was a question with regard to the differences of priorities of Global South and the industrial economies. Yes, that is a fact that industrial economies come from a very vastly different economic base, social base, and the Global South comes from a different economic base. But this is not to say that the priorities, interests, and the concerns of the Global South are not relevant in the context of the G20. I think if anything they are perhaps central to the effectiveness, the functioning, and the successful outcome of the G20 modalities. So yes, those are different perspectives of the two respective, I would say, segments of economy, but they both have a very important interface when it comes to the deliberations of the G20. And as I said early on, India and Prime Minister Modi himself have been in the forefront about speaking on the priorities of the Global South, more importantly why and how those priorities could be structured in to the agenda and the discussions of the G20. Thank you.

Shri Arindam Bagchi, Official Spokesperson: Thank you very much for joining us. We are just completely out of time. Thank you to all the members on the dais. Thank you all for joining us here. We will now see you on Sunday for the end of presidency presser. Thank you.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Iran's South Pars development extraordinary amid sanctions: Official

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Sep 7, 2023

Asaluyeh, IRNA -- The development of phase 11 of the South Pars gas field is exceptional because the relocation of a platform at Phase 11 of the project helps Iran save nearly $800 million, an Iranian official said.

Managing director of Pars Oil and Gas Company (POGC) Mohammad Hossein Motejali told IRNA on Thursday that Phase 11 of the South Pars gas field is of great importance for the Islamic Republic in particular for the Ministry of Oil, because this phase is the farthest border platform of South Pars, which is located at the zero-border point of the country.

The project is also essential because development activities of the phase were halted for 20 years due to imposed international circumstances, he noted.

However, the administration of President Ebrahim Raisi, including the Oil Ministry as well as the National Iranian Oil Company took a punctual decision to inaugurate Platform 11B of the South Pars Phase 11, the official argued.

Motejali also said that one of the extraordinary facts about the South Pars Phase 11 is that Platform 12C was relocated to Platform 11B, which saved 800 million dollars for the country.

All technical labors have been done by relying on Iranian experts, he said, adding that for the first time, ordinary people were present in the inauguration ceremony of Phase 11 with the aim of being aware of the efforts made in this respect.

4208**7129

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






A national bus driver shortage has been impacting several transit providers in Flagstaff, including Mountain Line and Flagstaff Unified School District.

Northern Arizona University's (NAU) transit services department, which runs three routes for students on campus and provides off-campus transit options, is also short-staffed -- though this is not currently affecting its operations.

Flagstaff Unified School District consolidating routes in response to bus driver shortage On Tuesday, FUSD's board discussed its transportation department's staffing and budget needs, which have meant bus route changes.

While NAUs transit services have been impacted by the driver shortage, its director of campus operations, Erin Stam, said COVID-19 had the largest impact on its student driver pool.

Most of its transit bus drivers are students who can receive training and earn their commercial driver's license (CDL) on the job.

For students, the CDL training means spending at least 40 to 60 hours behind the wheel of a bus -- which can be completed in up to three months -- in order to allow them to find time around their class schedules. They're required to take both an online and in-person course as well.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, transit services employed between 40 and 50 NAU students as drivers, transporting 10,000 to 13,000 riders each day. Almost all of NAUs students left campus during the pandemic, bringing ridership down to about 6,000 a week and putting a pause on hiring and training.

I think were still trying to build back up post-COVID, Stam said.

The university currently has 30 CDL-licensed students, with another four in training. This is up from the pandemic-era low of fewer than 20 licensed students, while still less than the goal of 40 for full staffing.

Stam said she expected to reach that full staffing number for students in about a year.

Before COVID, we had a pretty healthy student group, she said. Because we stopped hiring for a few years, its just going to take us a few years to catch up, because every semester we have students who graduate. So were constantly filling, were always hiring. Were doing better now than we were a year ago.

The university is in the process of building a new CDL course in partnership with Mountain Line and Coconino Community College to offer students drivers a dedicated place to train. It is expected to be ready for use by spring.

Stam said this course was one of her main hopes for helping respond to the driver shortage. Student drivers have trained on NAU parking lots and a part of county property in the past, but those spaces have other uses and werent always available.

I think just having our own facility will help us be more efficient with getting people trained, she said.

Stam noted that the buses are at their fullest during the 20 minutes of every hour when students are changing classes. Otherwise, they are at medium to low capacity.

The transit department launched an educational campaign asking students to think about the campuss layout when selecting their courses for the semester -- scheduling classes that are near each other in both time and distance when possible, for example, or making sure theres enough time built in to get from one side of campus to the other.

Transit services has about six administrative positions, which are CDL-licensed and are able to serve as bus driver substitutes in case of an absence.

NAU also employs about 10 full-time drivers on nine- and 12-month contracts. Full staffing is 14 drivers, though Stam says shed only seen these positions fully staffed one day of the 14 years shed been working in the department. She did expect two more of those positions would be filled in the next few weeks.

The reason she saw for the open full-time driver positions was that university transit salaries were lower than other area transit employers. NAU does offer tuition benefits for both the full-time drivers and their dependents -- which Stam said was the jobs main benefit.

Whether it's a student or a full-time driver, I think the incentives that are available at the university, especially with regard to tuition for full-time [drivers] and earning your CDL for a student is really unique, she said. Its a great place to get your education and a CDL.

University transit has been hiring and making more active recruitment efforts for both types of driver positions, visiting classes in CCCs CDL program and reaching out to NAU departments where students might benefit from having their CDL. Forestry is one example, as jobs in that field often involve driving large equipment.

Several of the student drivers have also found summer work with their CDL, Stam said -- long-haul trucking in Alaska, driving for Flagstaff Limousine, transit jobs in Phoenix.

She expressed optimism about the community college's CDL training program, and NAU President Jose Luis Cruz Rivera's commitment to increase salaries both this year and the next two years (the first increase took place in January) in being able to address different aspects of the driver shortage.

"I hope that helps to encourage people," she said.
Justice Department Announces First Criminal Resolution Involving the Illicit Sale and Transport of Iranian Oil in Violation of U.S. Sanctions

Friday, September 8, 2023

For Immediate Release

Office of Public Affairs

The Government Also Seized Almost One Million Barrels of Iranian Crude Oil

The Justice Department announced today the successful disruption of a multimillion-dollar shipment of crude oil by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), a designated foreign terrorist organization, that was bound for another country. This is the first-ever criminal resolution involving a company that violated sanctions by facilitating the illicit sale and transport of Iranian oil and comes in concert with a successful seizure of over 980,000 barrels of contraband crude oil.

According to court documents, on April 19, Suez Rajan Limited pleaded guilty to conspiring to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). On that same date, the company was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Carl J. Nichols for the District of Columbia to three years of corporate probation and a fine of almost $2.5 million. In addition, pursuant to a deferred prosecution agreement (DPA) and a seizure warrant issued by the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, Empire Navigation, the operating company of the vessel carrying the contraband cargo, agreed to cooperate and transport the Iranian oil to the United States - an operation which has now concluded. Empire Navigation incurred the significant expenses associated with the vessel's voyage to the United States.

The contraband cargo is now the subject of a civil forfeiture action in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. The United States' forfeiture complaint alleges that the oil aboard the vessel is subject to forfeiture based on U.S. terrorism and money laundering statutes.

The complaint alleges a scheme involving multiple entities affiliated with Iran's IRGC and the IRGC-Qods Force (IRGC-QF) to covertly sell and transport Iranian oil to a customer abroad. Participants in the scheme attempted to disguise the origin of the oil using ship-to-ship transfers, false automatic identification system reporting, falsified documents and other means. The complaint further alleges that the charterer of the vessel used the U.S. financial system to facilitate the transportation of Iranian oil.

The complaint further alleges that the oil constitutes the property of, or provided a "source of influence" over, the IRGC and the IRGC-QF, both of which have been designated by the United States as foreign terrorist organizations, and that the oil facilitated money laundering. The documents allege that profits from oil sales support the IRGC's full range of malign activities, including the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery, support for terrorism and both domestic and international human rights abuses.

Funds successfully forfeited with a connection to a state sponsor of terrorism may in whole or in part be directed to the U.S. Victims of State Sponsored Terrorism Fund

Homeland Security Investigations Washington D.C. and FBI's Minneapolis Field Office are investigating the cases.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Stuart D. Allen and Rajbir S. Datta for the District of Columbia prosecuted the criminal case and they, along with Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian Hudak, are litigating the civil forfeiture case. On both actions, they received assistance from Paralegal Specialists Brian Rickers and Legal Assistant Jessica McCormick. Former Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Grady participated in prior phases of the investigation. The Counterintelligence and Export Control Section of the National Security Division is also prosecuting and litigating these matters. The Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section of the Criminal Division provided significant assistance in this matter. The Department thanks United Against Nuclear Iran for its valuable assistance.

A civil forfeiture complaint is merely an allegation. The burden to prove forfeitability in a civil forfeiture proceeding is upon the government.

Topics: Countering Nation States

Asset Forfeiture

Components: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

National Security Division (NSD)

USAO - District of Columbia

Press Release Number: 23-982

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Iran dismisses GCC claim on Saudi-Kuwait 'ownership' of Arash gas field

Iran Press TV

Friday, 08 September 2023 5:04 PM

Iran has dismissed claims by the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) on the "joint ownership" by Saudi Arabia and Kuwait of the Arash or Al-Dorra oil and gas field.

"The Persian Gulf littoral states should utilize the resources and subsoil of the Persian Gulf based on goodwill and historical rights in line with the common interests of the nations," Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kan'ani said on Friday.

The Iranian diplomat responded to a statement issued at the end of the 157th session of the GCC Ministerial Council on Thursday.

He said during negotiations with Kuwait, Iran has always reiterated its policy of pursuing "friendly and constructive" cooperation in the energy sector, including in the Arash field.

Kan'ani said approaches based on common interests would certainly prepare an appropriate ground for regional cooperation.

In recent months, a long-running territorial dispute over the strategically located gas field shared between Iran, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia has resurfaced with the two Arab parties claiming "exclusive rights" over it. Tehran has reminded Riyadh and Kuwait City of their legal responsibilities.

The dispute has since the 1960s seen several cycles of claims and counter-claims by the parties involved, becoming a key sticking point in relations between the three Persian Gulf neighbors.

The latest cycle began in 2022 when Saudi Arabia and Kuwait signed an agreement to jointly develop the field, ignoring Iran's calls for dialogue to settle the dispute and demarcate the border.

In its statement, the Ministerial Council claimed that only Kuwait and Saudi Arabia have full rights to exploit the wealth in the Arash field or the submerged area.

GCC claims about the Persian Gulf trio islands lack any value

Kan'ani also dismissed the GCC claims about the three Iranian islands of Abu Musa, the Greater Tunb, and the Lesser Tunb in the Persian Gulf, describing them as an "eternal and integral" part of the Iranian territory. He said any claim about their ownership has no "political or legal value."

"The Islamic Republic of Iran has repeatedly emphasized its territorial integrity and sovereignty over the three Iranian islands based on accepted principles and rules of international law," the spokesman said.

The three Persian Gulf islands have historically been part of Iran, proof of which can be found and corroborated by countless historical, legal, and geographical documents in Iran and other parts of the world. However, the United Arab Emirates has repeatedly laid claim to the islands.

The islands fell under British control in 1921 but on November 30, 1971, a day after British forces left the region and just two days before the UAE was to become an official federation, Iran's sovereignty over the islands was restored.

The Ministerial Council's statement baselessly accused Iran of occupying the islands and expressed support for the United Arab Emirates' sovereignty over them as an indivisible part of the territory of the UAE.

The council called on Iran to respond to the efforts of the UAE to resolve the issue through direct negotiations or resorting to the International Court of Justice.

Iran continues to advance its nuclear program regardless of pressure

Elsewhere in his remarks, the Iranian diplomat also reiterated Tehran's firm determination to advance its peaceful nuclear program and to cooperate with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) regardless of foreign pressure and propaganda.

Kan'ani said the development of Iran's peaceful nuclear program and its cooperation with the UN nuclear watchdog would be based on the rights and obligations per the Non-Proliferation Treaty and the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) in a constructive manner.

The Ministerial Council in its statement underscored the importance of Iran's commitment not to exceed the rate of uranium enrichment required for peaceful uses, and the need to fulfill its obligations and fully cooperate with the IAEA.

Kan'ani concluded his statement by urging all parties to preserve the current positive atmosphere in the region and enhance synergy and convergence to serve the national interests of the regional countries.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






More Family Members Of Slain Iranian Protesters Detained Ahead Of Amini Anniversary

By RFE/RL's Radio Farda September 08, 2023

Iran's security forces have intensified their crackdown on families demanding justice for their loved ones killed during the protests as the first anniversary of the September 16, 2022, death of Mahsa Amini approaches.

Omid Ghadimi, the brother of slain protester Foad Ghadimi from the western Iranian city of Divandarreh, and Farzad Moazami Goodarzi, a family member of Reza Moazami Goodarzi, another protester killed during the November 2019 protests in Borujerd, have been arrested, rights activists said on September 7, bringing the total number of family members detained in the past month to at least 21.

The surge in arrests comes on the eve of the anniversary of Amini's death while in police custody, which sparked the "Woman, Life, Freedom" protests nationwide. Parsa Ghobadi, a protester who suffered injuries to both eyes as part of a campaign security forces used to intimidate demonstrators, has also been detained by the security forces.

According to the human rights website HRANA, security forces in Divandarreh, Kurdistan Province, arrested Omid Ghadimi on September 7. The authorities have not disclosed the charges against him. Ghadimi had been summoned multiple times by security agencies since the death of his brother.

Foad Ghadimi, a 39-year-old father of two, was critically injured by the Islamic republic's security forces during the early days of the protests in Divandarreh. He succumbed to his injuries two days later at Kowsar Hospital in Sanandaj.

Farzad Moazami Goodarzi was violently arrested by security forces in Borujerd, Lorestan Province. Following his arrest, security forces searched his family's home and confiscated some personal items. His social media accounts have been inaccessible since his arrest, suggesting that his mobile phone might be in the possession of the security forces.

Several other family members seeking justice for their deceased loved ones have been arrested in various cities.

A few of the detainees have been released on judicial orders, but most remain in the custody of the security apparatus.

Ahmad Hassanzadeh and Soulmaz Hassanzadeh, father and sister of slain protester Mohammad Hassanzadeh from Bukan, have also been detained for the past three days.

Amini's uncle, Safa Aeli, was detained in Saghez on September 5. His whereabouts are unknown and he has not been in contact with anyone, while judicial and security authorities have not provided any explanation regarding his arrest or condition.

The human rights website Hengaw had previously reported that in the past six months, the Islamic republic's security apparatus had detained "at least 70 family members seeking justice" in various cities. This number has increased with the recent arrests as authorities try to head off any attempts by Iranians to protest with the anniversary of Amini's death approaching.

Amini was arrested in Tehran on September 13, 2022, while visiting the Iranian capital with her family. She was detained by Iran's "morality police" for allegedly improperly wearing her hijab, or head scarf. Within hours of her detention, she was hospitalized in a coma and died on September 16.

Her family has denied that Amini suffered from a preexisting health condition that may have contributed to her death, as claimed by the Iranian authorities, and her father has cited eyewitnesses as saying she was beaten while en route to a detention facility.

Amini's death sparked protests in Saghez that spread around the country, posing one of the biggest threats to Iran's clerical establishment since the foundation of the Islamic republic in 1979.

At least 500 people were killed around the country after the Iranian authorities clamped down on the demonstrations with brutal force.

Written by Ardeshir Tayebi based on an original story in Persian by RFE/RL's Radio Farda

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-family-members-slain- protesters-detained-anniversary/32584620.html

Copyright (c) 2023. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Iranian Teachers' Activist Handed Stiff Sentence After Attending Memorial For Slain Protester

By RFE/RL's Radio Farda September 08, 2023

Prominent Iranian teachers' union activist Abolfazl Khoran has been handed a severe sentence by the Islamic Revolutionary Court for "disrupting public order" as the government continues to tightening its grip on dissent and the labor movement.

The Iranian Teachers' Union's Coordination Council revealed on September 7 that Khoran, who was being tried in a joint case with several other activists, received a sentence of six years and eight months in prison, 72 lashes, a two-year ban from using social media platforms, and two years of exile to the remote city of Delfan.

Khoran and the others were detained after they attended a memorial ceremony for Mehrshad Shahidi, who was killed by government forces during the nationwide protests last year in Arak.

Khoran's arrest on August 5 by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' intelligence arm led to him being detained for 26 days. He was subsequently released on bail of 10 billion Iranian rial ($20,000).

The sentence comes amid a backdrop of escalating tensions between the Iranian government and various activist groups.

The Iranian Teachers' Union's Coordination Council, in a statement condemning the verdict, called on authorities to heed public demands on fixing the country's core issues.

"This is the genuine solution. Heavy-handed verdicts and intimidation tactics won't stifle the growing wave of public dissent," the council said.

For years, the Iranian educational sector has grappled with mounting economic and security challenges. This environment has seen numerous teachers' union activists face arrests, imprisonment, and even exile, highlighting the regime's intent to stifle any form of opposition.

Unrest, including several protests by teachers, has rattled Iran since last summer in response to declining living standards, wage arrears, and a lack of welfare support. Labor law in Iran does not recognize the right of workers to form independent unions.

The death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini while in police custody in September 2022 for allegedly wearing a head scarf improperly further ignited the protest movement, which officials across the country have tried to extinguish with harsh -- and sometimes deadly -- measures.

Thousands have been arrested in the clampdown, with the judiciary handing down harsh sentences -- including the death penalty -- to protesters.

Written by Ardeshir Tayebi based on an original story in Persian by RFE/RL's Radio Farda

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-teachers-activist- sentence-memorial-protester/32584300.html

Copyright (c) 2023. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Hundreds of Israeli youths refusing military service over far-right cabinet's policies

Iran Press TV

Friday, 08 September 2023 7:08 AM

Hundreds of Israeli high school students have announced that they will refuse to serve in the military in protest against the policies of the incumbent far-right administration, including the controversial judicial overhaul.

Youth Against Dictatorship, in a statement released at the Herzliya Hebrew Gymnasium high school in central Tel Aviv, also explicitly tied their cause to opposition to the oppression of Palestinians across the occupied West Bank.

"As young women and men about to be conscripted into Israeli military service, we say NO to dictatorship in Israel and in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. We hereby declare that we refuse to join the military, until democracy is secured for all," read the statement.

The students noted that the "dictatorship" that Palestinians in occupied territories have experienced "for decades" is now oozing into other regions and is "directed" against them.

"Violent settlers now control the entire affairs. These are not recent developments. Undemocratic attitudes and actions are essential to maintaining this regime of occupation and Jewish supremacy. The only thing that has changed is that the mask is now off. Faced with this reality, we say NO!"

While there have been previous cases of Israeli settlers protesting by rejecting military service, this is the first time that 230 students have coordinated their refusal to serve as a specific way of challenging the policies of the current cabinet.

The far-right cabinet's overhaul scheme, which some denounce as a "judicial coup," seeks to dispossess the Supreme Court of the power to overrule politicians' decisions. It also seeks to give the regime's politicians more say in the process of appointing judges to the court.

Legislation to push 'ethnic cleansing' against Palestinians

"The statement makes the connection between the judicial overhaul and the occupation. Those promoting the overhaul in the Knesset are [Simcha] Rotman, [Itamar] Ben-Gvir and [Bezalel] Smotrich, who are settlers," said 16-year-old Ella Greenberg Keidar, referring to a number of far-right officials who have been pushing the controversial policies.

She added that the Israeli parliament's new legislation was enabling further construction in the occupied territories and further acts of "ethnic cleansing" against Palestinians.

"Beyond criticizing settlers and the settlements, we want to talk about the militarism of society that allows such a thing. In addition, the reform was designed to increase the oppression of women and immigrants," she said.

Some of the signatories said they had planned to refuse to serve even before the current far-right cabinet was formed, while others have consolidated their position in recent months.

Yuval Dag was the first person to be jailed since the new administration was formed, and the protests began in January.

Dag, who is 20, had taken the decision to refuse military service already, but decided to go public after the new far-right administration came to power.

"On the personal level, my attitude has changed - I felt there was an obligation to publicly refuse, in order to present a resistance to the blunt fascist discourse," he added.

"In the general public, the slogan of 'I won't be a soldier of Ben-Gvir' became acceptable, even in places where the occupation was not discussed, because now there is a demon on the other side," the Israeli youth noted.

Dag served 64 days in military prison before he was released. "It was a difficult experience in prison... I hope more will refuse and that it will become more acceptable," he said.

Critics have accused prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu of using the scheme to remain in power. They say he, who is on trial on several counts of corruption charges, is also attempting to use the scheme to quash possible judgments against him.

The protests have gained momentum since the end of July, when the Knesset passed the first bill of the overhaul plan, which restricted the Supreme Court's ability to declare the cabinet's decisions "unreasonable."

Earlier, several protests were launched in the military to denounce the far-right cabinet's policies. More than 10,000 reservist soldiers, including members of the elite intelligence unit 8200 and air force pilots, have said they would no longer show up for duty on a voluntary basis in protest.

Former politicians and members of the security establishment have also declared support for the boycott.

Former Shin Bet chief Yuval Diskin said at a demonstration in Tel Aviv in July that the time had come "to decide on the suspension of volunteering for the reserves until the legislation is completely stopped."

Former minister for military affairs and Chief of Staff Moshe Ya'alon has also said that he "would have done the same" when commenting on reservists who stop their service.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Japan Faces Criticism Over Fukushima Wastewater Release

By Rob Garver September 08, 2023

More than a decade after a tsunami destroyed the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station on Japan's Pacific coast, the country has begun releasing the treated wastewater that has been accumulating on the site of the disaster, sparking anger in the region despite assurances by scientists that the process will not be harmful to the environment.

The water being released into the Pacific has been largely decontaminated of most dangerous elements, but contains small amounts of tritium, a radioactive isotope of hydrogen that cannot be extracted through any existing treatment method.

Water releases began in late August and will continue sporadically for decades as Japan works to reduce the amount of treated water on the site of the power plant. That water is currently stored in more than 800 tanks. Japanese officials say that it is necessary to drain and remove some of the tanks so that facilities necessary for the decommissioning of the plant can be built.

Japanese officials have gone to great lengths to demonstrate their confidence in the safety of the water surrounding Fukushima. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida appeared on television eating sashimi prepared from fish caught in the area after the water releases began.

Despite such displays, as well as assessments from experts, including the International Atomic Energy Agency, that the release of water will not cause harm to the environment, protests have arisen.

Japan and South Korea have been the sites of large demonstrations against the release. The Chinese government has been among the most vocal critics, accusing Japan of behaving irresponsibly and imposing a ban on the importation of Japanese seafood.

2011 disaster

The Fukushima power plant was devastated in 2011, after an earthquake off the coast of Japan generated a massive tidal wave that swept ashore on the east coast of Honshu Island, killing some 20,000 people and inundating entire cities. The wave disabled the systems that the plant used to keep nuclear fuel rods cool, resulting in a catastrophic meltdown of one of its reactors and the release of dangerous amounts of radiation.

The Japanese government was forced to evacuate tens of thousands of residents from the region and has been working ever since to mitigate the damage and prevent further contamination.

That process has involved an ongoing effort to keep the plant's fuel rods cool, using seawater. The process causes the water to be contaminated by a number of radioactive elements. The water is retained on site and treated by what is known as the Advanced Liquid Processing System (ALPS), which removes almost all contaminants, with the exception of tritium.

Nuclear experts measure the amount of tritium present in a substance using units called becquerels. According to the World Health Organization, water containing up to 10,000 becquerels of tritium per liter is considered safe to drink. The treated water discharged from the Fukushima plant is being diluted to the point that it contains approximately 190 becquerels of tritium per liter.

Other countries release tritium

Japan is not the only country to release water containing tritium into oceans and rivers. Many nations that rely on nuclear power for some of their energy supply similarly release treated wastewater.

Despite its criticism of Japan's actions at Fukushima, at least four Chinese nuclear power plants also release water containing tritium into the ocean, all of them at significantly greater concentrations than in Fukushima.

Over the length of the plan, Japan expects 22 trillion becquerels of tritium per year to be released. According to data released by the Japanese government, China's Qinshan Phase III Nuclear Power Plant in Zhejiang province released 143 trillion becquerels of tritium in 2020. Last year, the report said, China's Yangjiang Nuclear Power Station in Guangdong province released 121 trillion, while two other plants released 102 trillion and 90 trillion, respectively.

Other countries with nuclear power plants that release tritium include South Korea, France, Russia, Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States.

There is no clear evidence that tritium-containing water has caused environmental damage or posed a danger to humans or wildlife in the areas where it has been released, in some cases for decades.

China's opposition

The Chinese government has taken a very public stand against the Fukushima water releases, despite engaging in the same practice itself.

A statement released by the Chinese Foreign Ministry said, in part, "The ocean is the common property of all humanity, and forcibly starting the discharge of Fukushima's nuclear wastewater into the ocean is an extremely selfish and irresponsible act that ignores international public interests."

Criticism from Beijing has resulted in a concerted effort on the part of many Chinese citizens to bombard Japanese government agencies and businesses with abusive phone calls. In some cases, the near-constant barrage of calls has made it difficult for some businesses to conduct their normal operations.

Shihoko Goto, acting director of the Asia program at the Wilson Center, a Washington-based think tank, told VOA that China's decision to focus so intently on the Fukushima water release is meant to demonstrate the significant "economic leverage" it has over Japan.

"It makes clear that Japan and the Japanese economy ... [are] incredibly dependent on China," she said.

The controversy has also served as a distraction at a time when the Chinese economy is stumbling badly.

"That's been standard practice in China in the past. When things are going well, they don't necessarily see the need to lash out," she said. "But given the current circumstances, it's certainly a way for China to distract from the real issues."

Goto said it also demonstrates that "Chinese economic coercion is not going to be limited to small countries. It's also prepared to go against the world's third-largest economy."

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Torture Video Confirms The Police State Is Alive And Beating In Kazakhstan

By Saniya Toiken, Chris Rickleton, Manshuk Asautai September 08, 2023

ALMATY, Kazakhstan -- In a video shot in a prison in northern Kazakhstan, a man sporting a shaved head and prison overalls tries to respond as a penitentiary officer accuses him of violating protocols.

"You have been warned twice! Why are you refusing? Why do you refuse to clean?" the officer demands in the footage before ordering a group of subordinates to "use the special equipment."

The men then proceed to grab the prisoner and pin him to the floor, face down.

"I'm not refusing!" the prisoner can be heard saying, before a man begins striking his lower body with a baton.

The prisoner's protestations are replaced by screams.

That widely shared footage was initially published by an opposition social media channel that indicated it was shot on August 24.

Around a dozen staff at the No. 1 jail in Atbasar, some 200 kilometers from Kazakhstan's capital, Astana, are believed to have been suspended amid the uproar.

Some of those men have recorded a video defending their actions, arguing that the measures taken against this prisoner and others captured in the footage were necessary to prevent a riot.

President Qasym-Zhomart Toqaev's position on such practices would appear to be clear cut.

Speaking two months after regime-shaking political unrest last year that left at least 228 people dead and evidence of systematic torture of detainees, Toqaev condemned "barbaric medieval happenings...that contradict the principles of any progressive society."

But since then there have been proportionally few officers convicted or even dismissed over their roles in those manifold abuses.

The identity of the prisoner in the video, moreover, is awkward for Toqaev.

Timur Danebaev, 38, is best known as the activist who attempted to sue the president over comments he made during that crisis, which began with peaceful protests over a spike in fuel prices before spiraling out of control.

That fact, combined with the mystery about how and by whom the video was leaked, has fueled pernicious theories that the leak was no accident at all.

"It seems to me that the video...is not at all an oversight by prison staff," wrote Lukpan Akhmedyarov, a well-known journalist, in a September 5 Facebook post.

"The video was made public by order of the authorities. None of the prison employees will be held accountable. Because this video is actually a DEMONSTRATION of power," he claimed.

'Breaking' Prisoners

Whether Akhmedyarov's prediction will hold, only time will tell.

It is not easy to track the career trajectories of low-ranking officers involved in torture scandals, especially when their identities are not made public.

A September 6 press release by the Committee of the Criminal Executive System of the Kazakh Internal Affairs Ministry stated that Akmola Province's top penal officer, his deputy, and the head of the Atbasar jail had all been recommended for dismissal from their posts as part of an ongoing investigation.

Eleven penitentiary guards were likewise recommended for dismissal from the Interior Ministry after the investigation found "signs of employees exceeding their official mandate," the statement said, without naming names.

That is presumably the same 11 who released the video this week denying wrongdoing. The video was filmed in the darkness of night, and all of the men were wearing face coverings.

"There was no torture of defendants, but enforcement of compliance with the regime of confinement by legal physical means," said the group's speaker.

The speaker went on to claim that more than 40 prisoners had arrived at the prison in late August "with aggressive intent.... They wanted to start a riot."

"All of our actions were agreed with the supervisory organs," the speaker noted.

Many will find that last part all too easy to believe.

Vadim Kuramashin, a journalist who some 15 years ago spent a stint in the same jail where Danebaev was shown being beaten, told RFE/RL's Kazakh Service that the process of "breaking" new residents of the jail is more or less a routine.

Having been imprisoned in early 2007 over a newspaper article, Kuramashin was isolated in a room where he was forced to clean toilets with a toothbrush, he said.

"When I asked them to show me the norm or law [that mandates cleaning], they began to beat me severely," Kuramushin recalled.

Elena Semyonova, a longtime antitorture activist, was permitted to visit Danebaev this week.

Semyonova said that his health was "more or less [OK]" despite his body showing evidence of beatings.

"But he is psychologically depressed," Semyonova told RFE/RL's Kazakh Service, known locally as Azattyq. "A person who has never been in this system, who has completely different ideas.... He didn't expect this to happen. It came as a shock to him."

'Men With Epaulets And Uniforms'

In addition to criticizing Kazakhstan's government, Danebaev has regularly criticized its ally Russia over the Kremlin's unprovoked invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

He was also critical of Moscow's intervention during the January 2022 crisis in Kazakhstan, when Toqaev invited a detachment of the Russia-led Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) to bolster his government's control.

In December of last year, the activist was charged with inciting hatred and "insulting the national honor and dignity of citizens" in online videos and posts published on October 10 and November 12, 2022.

But he had already attracted the attention of authorities in February of that year after he tried to initiate a false information lawsuit against Toqaev over the president's claim that "20,000 terrorists" had descended on Kazakhstan's largest city, Almaty, during the unrest.

"I have the right to file a complaint against the president or any other citizen," an impassioned Danebaev told Azattyq in an interview last year.

"Because my rights are absolutely the same as the president's."

Well, maybe in theory.

In reality, Danebaev's filing was ignored, and the police soon showed up on his doorstep, marking the beginning of a campaign of pressure that would culminate in his arrest.

In June of this year, he was sentenced to three years in prison on the charges.

In his Facebook post on the case, the journalist Akhmedyarov argued that Danebaev's case was one of several that indicated Kazakhstan's police state is once more baring its fangs, having been somewhat chastened by public criticism during last year's violence.

Back then, Toqaev was promising a New Kazakhstan after effectively sidelining former President Nursultan Nazarbaev -- the architect of Kazakh authoritarianism and a man who had continued to overshadow his successor Toqaev's presidency prior to the crisis.

But the political reforms promoted by Toqaev since then have been widely criticized as cosmetic, while a reshuffle of the cabinet and other positions this month mainly saw old politicians recycled into new roles.

One of them, noted Akhmedyarov, was Marat Akhmetzhanov, who swapped the post of interior minister for that of governor of Akmola Province, which surrounds Astana and includes the town of Atbasar in its territory.

Such an appointment echoes trends in Kazakhstan's northern neighbor, Russia, Akhmedyarov argued.

It also indicates "that positions that were previously occupied exclusively by civilian 'suits' will now gradually be given to men with epaulets and uniforms," the journalist forecasted.

Notwithstanding Toqaev's affirmations, the government is doing little to convince the public that it takes torture seriously.

In the aftermath of the January 2022 events, dozens of former detainees complained of mistreatment and many still had the broken ribs to back it up.

But most cases have either been thrown out or have otherwise not made it to court.

Cases that involved deaths in detention during the unrest have been harder to ignore.

One recent conviction concerned the case of Eldos Kaliev, who died in a jail in the city of Semey.

The officer accused in that case was sentenced to six years imprisonment by a city court at the beginning of August.

But two other officers found guilty on August 23 of torturing another young Semey resident to death fared better.

They were handed suspended sentences and ordered to pay compensation -- just under $10,000 each - to the family of the deceased.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/kazakhstan-torture-video- police-state-/32584655.html

Copyright (c) 2023. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Political prisoners begin hunger strike in Myanmar's Sagaing region

Demands include the return of books, blankets, dishes and clothes.

By Kyaw Lwin Oo for RFA Burmese 2023.09.08 -- Fourteen political prisoners went on hunger strike at a Sagaing region prison on Friday to demand the return of confiscated items - including books and blankets - and the removal of restrictions on mail delivery.

The hunger strike is the latest effort by prisoners to protest harsh conditions at Monywa Prison.

Prison guards raided the cells of the political prisoners on Friday, according to the Monywa People's Strike Steering Committee.

"Authorities from multiple departments - including police, soldiers and the prison - confiscated prisoners' books, clothes, pots, dishes and blankets, and left them with a bare wardrobe," steering committee member Lwin Moe Thant told Radio Free Asia. "They took all their belongings."

The reason for the raid was unknown. There are nearly 700 political prisoners being held at Monywa Prison.

A similar raid took place on political prisoners at the facility in January 2021, Lwin Moe Thant said.

In April 2022, guards shot at protesting inmates who were chanting anti-junta slogans, sources at the time told RFA. At least one prisoner was killed.

Lwin Moe Thant said the 14 prisoners who went on hunger strike on Friday come from each ward at the prison. More inmates could join the hunger strike if demands aren't met, he said.

RFA's calls to the junta spokesman for the Sagaing region, Tin Than Win, went unanswered on Friday.

Authorities have responded to past protests over ill-treatment by political prisoners in Yangon's Insein Prison and Mandalay's Obo Prison by beating protesters, denying them medical treatment and putting them in solitary confinement.

More than 24,000 people, including pro-democracy activists, have been arrested since the Feb. 1, 2021 coup, according to the Thailand-based Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (Burma). The association says almost 20,000 are still being detained across Myanmar.

Translated by Htin Aung Kyaw. Edited by Matt Reed.

Copyright 1998-2023, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content September not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






With nearly 200 destroyed, religious buildings targeted by Myanmar's junta

Churches in Chin state accounted for almost half of those demolished.

By RFA Burmese 2023.09.08 -- Myanmar's junta has destroyed nearly 200 religious buildings across the country since the military seized power in February 2021, with most of the devastation in areas with a strong armed resistance, according to data compiled by Radio Free Asia.

The army's bombing and torching of Buddhist monasteries, Christian churches and mosques across the Southeast Asian nation is part of ongoing post-coup surge in violence targeting civilian populations.

The data, based on figures released by religious leaders, right groups and local residents, indicate that most of the buildings were located in western Chin state, where junta forces leveled 85 ethnic Chin Christian churches.

Soldiers set the structures ablaze or hit them with air strikes and ground artillery, according to the Chin Human Rights Organization.

After Chin state, northwest Myanmar's Sagaing region saw the second most buildings destroyed with 50 - most of them Buddhist monasteries.

Junta forces demolished 39 places of worship in Shan and Kayah states, 19 in Magway region, and five in Kayin and Mon states and east Bago region, for a total of 198 structures.

In August alone, the military destroyed seven churches in Chin state and an artillery shell hit a church compound, said Salai Timmy Htut, secretary-general of the Chinland Joint Defense Committee, a rebel group formed in response to the 2021 coup to protect Chin state from the military junta.

"These attacks suggest the junta is increasingly targeting churches lately," he told RFA.

Amid the attacks, worshipers are holding religious services in safer, albeit less convenient locations, he said.

Rev. Bishop Loon Mont, general secretary of the Chin Baptist Federation, said those displaced by fighting pray wherever they have taken temporary shelter or go to secure places.

In Sagaing, junta forces have destroyed 40 Buddhist monasteries, a nunnery, six churches and three mosques.

The presiding abbot of Sagaing's Myauk Yamar Monastery said locals have not yet been able to repair the damaged monasteries and fear that soldiers will destroy them again, once they are rebuilt.

"We are really brokenhearted to see these religious buildings damaged," he said. "This should never have happened in Myanmar. A leader of the country committing these sins is unforgivable."

On Aug. 27, a Buddhist monk was injured and two monasteries were damaged by junta artillery fire from boats sailing down the Chindwin River during an attack on riparian villages in Sagaing's Salingyi township, residents said.

Campaign of intimidation

In Magway region, Yu Ko, a member of the Htee Lin-Gangaw relief group, said monasteries damaged in fighting have yet to be repaired, and residents are helping the Buddhist monks who fled.

"As the entire villages of some residents were burned down to ashes, their whole population fled to camps for the displaced," he said. "They have built temporary shelters with bamboo and leaves for their monks."

Banyar, founder of the Karenni Human Rights Group, told RFA that churches in Kayah state were mostly damaged by aerial bombardments.

"The most recent church the junta attacked was obviously visible as it was located in the middle of the village," he said. "No military forces were stationed there."

RFA could not reach junta spokesman Maj. Gen. Zaw Min Tun for comment.

The junta is targeting places of worship to intimidate civilians, said Ngai Tam Maung, deputy minister of humanitarian affairs and disaster management under the shadow National Unity Government, or NUG.

"The junta's deliberate attacks on religious buildings should never have been done against the people," he said.

The NUG's Ministry of Human Rights is maintaining records of such attacks so that junta leaders can one day "receive the due punishment that they deserve for their terrorist activities," he said.

Translated by RFA Burmese. Edited by Roseanne Gerin and Joshua Lipes.

Copyright 1998-2023, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content September not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Myanmar's United Wa State Army deports alleged Chinese scammers

It said they were rounded up in an operation launched with Chinese authorities.

By RFA Burmese 2023.09.08 -- Myanmar's rebel United Wa State Army has captured more than 1,000 people it said were working for online fraud gangs and handed them over to Chinese police at Shan state's border with China, a Wa Liaison Office representative told Radio Free Asia on Friday.

The officer, Nyi Rang, said the ethnic army carried out two days of raids on Wednesday and Thursday with the assistance of the Chinese police, and deported those arrested immediately. He said they were all Chinese nationals.

The United Wa State Army controls Shan state's Special Administrative Region, known as Wa state. It has an estimated 30,000 soldiers and maintains close ties with China.

RFA Burmese called junta Deputy Information Officer Maj. Gen. Zaw Min Tun to confirm the reports but nobody answered.

RFA also sent an email to the Chinese Embassy in Yangon but had not received a reply as of Friday evening local time.

China's Ministry of Public Security said Myanmar transferred 1,207 suspects including 41 fugitives to China, the official Xinhua news agency reported.

Scammers are known to operate in the Special Administrative Region, luring Burmese and foreign nationals with offers of fake jobs, then forcing them to use Facebook and Telegram accounts to defraud people with fake cryptocurrency deals and other scams, as well as laundering money.

A resident of Mong Pauk town, 10 kilometers (6 miles) from the border with China, said he witnessed the arrested being taken away.

"I saw that the arrested were taken in six military trucks yesterday. And more than 100 were caught today," said the local who didn't want to be named for fear of reprisals.

"They all are fraudsters. The arrested Chinese citizens are being sent [to China] at the border gates in Panghsang [Pangkam]."

Some people posted photos and videos on Facebook and TikTok showing hundreds of police leading away groups of men and some women and taking them to the border. RFA has not verified the images.

One Mong Pauk resident who works in labor affairs urged people to try to get their children back from the scam centers.

"Right now, families need to contact their children who have been sold to money laundering gangs as soon as possible," the person said.

"I also want to encourage parents to call their children if they know where they have been sold."

Residents said fraud gangs are operating in United Wa State Army controlled areas of the region, including Pangkam and Mong Pauk towns, along with Laukkaing and Chinshwehaw in northern Shan state, as well as Shwe Kokko in Kayin state.

On Aug. 26, the Chinese Embassy in Yangon said Myanmar police had handed over 24 Chinese nationals, including the leader of an online fraud gang.

Hundreds of thousands of people in Southeast Asian countries, including Myanmar are being threatened and tortured by criminal gangs and forced into online scams, according to a U.N. report released on August 29.

It said that over 120,000 people in Myanmar and 100,000 people in Cambodia are being forced to commit financial fraud online. These gangs are active in the border areas of countries with political and military conflicts, the U.N. said.

Translated by RFA Burmese. Edited by Mike Firn and Elaine Chan.

Copyright 1998-2023, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content September not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Unity of Flagstaff Spiritual Center Sep 10  Unity of Flagstaff, 1800 S. Milton Road, Flagstaff. 10:30-11:30 a.m., www.unityoffflagstaff.org youtube.unityofflagstaff.org Live 1800 S. Milton, Suite 103 or LIVESTREAM 10:30 am "We are responsible for what we create, and we must therefore learn to act and think with love and wisdom and live in service to others and all life.". - Carolyn Myss. Join Rev. Penni as we ask the question: If not ME, WHO? If not NOW, WHEN? Service a tool that gives access to our Unique Expression. Interested in a little pre-Sunday Discovery? Join us Saturday Sept. 9 from 2 -4 pm at the Center for our Spiritual Tools class. Think of it as an Enneagram for the Spirit! All are Welcome. Give as you are Inspired. Unity of Flagstaff Spiritual Center: Tools NOT Rules. https://go.evvnt.com/1942740-0.

The Episcopal Church of the Epiphany: Saturday Evening Worship Service, 5:30-6:30 p.m., We gather in the Parish Hall of the Church, or weather-permitting in the labyrinth. 8am Sunday Spoken Worship, 8-9 a.m., This is a quiet service with warm fellowship for those who like to begin their day early in prayer. 10:30am Holy Eucharist with choir, weekly Nursery Care, and monthly Godly Play Children's Formation. 10:30-11:45 a.m., Sunday, September 10th is our monthly offering of Children's Formation using Montessori-based Godly Play to teach children about Jesus, prayer, the Bible and faith.

BEACON UU SUNDAY SERVICE: Annual Water Ceremony Sep 10  Beacon Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 510 N. Leroux St., Flagstaff. (928) 779-4492. 10-11 a.m., ALL ARE WELCOME! You BELONG at Beacon - Spiritually open and intentionally inclusive since 1958. On Sunday, September 10th, we will welcome Fall by celebrating the Water Ceremony, a beloved tradition at Beacon for more than thirty years. Many of us in the congregation love to travel, especially in the summer, and this ritual helps us reconnect. If you would like to participate, please bring a small vial of water to the service to symbolize a place you have visited this year and be ready to tell us what that place meant to you as you pour the water into our common bowl. With Nancy Paxton, Worship Associate, and music. https://go.evvnt.com/1936965-0.

PEACE LUTHERAN CHURCH Sep 10  3430 N. Fourth St., 3430 N. Fourth St., Flagstaff. 928-526-9578. 10-11 a.m., We invite you to join the family of Peace Lutheran Church (LCMS) on Sunday at 10:00am for in person blended service (Combined Liturgical, hymnal based and Praise Worship) with Holy Communion. Pastor William Weiss Jr. (Pastor Bill) will be presiding. The service will be live streamed on our website (peacelutheranflagstaff.org) and on YouTube. Fellowship and refreshments are available before the worship service beginning 9:15am. The subject of this weeks service is: Ezekiel? Not me! The Old Testament reading is from Exodus 33:7-9 Ezekiel warns the wicked. The Epistle reading is from Romans 13: 1-10 Paul reflects on the source of all authority. The Gospel reading is from Matthew 18: 1-20 Dealing with responding to sin in our relationship. https://go.evvnt.com/1933626-0.

LIVING CHRIST LUTHERAN CHURCH Sep 10  500 W. Riordan Road, 500 W. Riordan Road, Flagstaff. 928-526-8595. 10-11 a.m., Join Pastor Gwen Brandfass for the 15th Sunday after Pentecost! Conflict is a part of relationships and life in community. Jesus words in today's gospel are often used in situations having to do with church discipline. The prophet Ezekiel tells of warning the wicked to turn from their ways, and Paul reminds us that love is the fulfilling of the law. We gather in the name of Christ, assured that he is present among us with gifts of peace and reconciliation. We will learn more with our First Reading of Ezekiel 33:7-11 (The prophets responsibility to warn the people), Psalm 119:33-40 (I desire the path of your commandments.) and the Second Reading of Romans 13:8-14 (Live honorably as in the day) together with the Gospel Matthew 18:15-20 (Reconciliation in the community of faith). https://go.evvnt.com/1922300-0.

Flagstaff Federated Community Church Please join us for in person services Sundays at 10 a.m. We are located at 400 W Aspen Ave. on the corner of Aspen and Sitgreaves in Downtown Flagstaff. All are welcome to our services. For more information about Flagstaff Federated Community Church please call our office at 928-774-7383, Mon  Thurs 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Church of the Resurrection Sunday Church Services 740 W. University Heights Drive S., 740 W. University Heights Drive S., Flagstaff. 928-853-8522. 10-11:30 a.m., Church of the Resurrection Presbyterian Church in America (PCA): We invite you to join us for worship at 10 a.m. on Sundays at 740 W. University Heights Drive South. Please feel free to contact us for information on our mid-week gatherings and for more information on our church. You can find us at www.cor-pca.org and www.facebook.com/CORFlagstaff or we can be reached at corflagstaff@gmail.com and (928) 699-2715.

Leupp Nazarene Church The church, near mile post 13 or Navajo Route 15, has been holding services by teleconferences and doing drive-up meetings. For information, call pastor Farrell Begay at 928-853-5321. Teleconference number: 1-7170275-8940 with access code 3204224#. Services are 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. Sundays and 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays.

Christian Science Society of Flagstaff 619 W. Birch Ave. Bible Lesson services every Sunday 10-11am (Zoom option: https://zoom.us/j/369812794). Testimony Meetings every Wednesday: 5:30-6:30pm (Zoom option: https://zoom.us/j/971672834). Zoom password: CSS.
Concerns Mount About Aung San Suu Kyi's Deteriorating Health in Myanmar Prison

By Ingyin Naing September 08, 2023

Concern is growing about the health of Myanmar's ousted leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, who has been serving a 27-year sentence in a Naypyidaw prison.

According to her son, Suu Kyi has been suffering from severe dental and gum issues, which have left her unable to eat.

"This, together with vomiting and dizziness making her unable to stand or walk, gives reason for serious concerns about her overall ill health and treatment during her two and a half years in a military prison," Kim Aris told VOA via text message on Thursday.

A source near Naypyidaw, the military-built capital located in the north of the former capital, Yangon, has confirmed to VOA that the 78-year-old Nobel laureate's health has taken a serious downturn in recent days.

Denied medical care

According to the source, prison authorities were reportedly alerted to her deteriorating health, prompting a visit from the prison's chief medical officer. Despite her worsening condition, the junta has denied Suu Kyi's request to see a dental surgeon, said the source, who spoke to VOA on condition of anonymity due to safety concerns.

VOA sought confirmation of Suu Kyi's health condition from Myanmar's junta and prison authorities, but no response has yet been received.

Suu Kyi was arrested when the army seized power from her elected government in February 2021. She has been convicted of a string of criminal offenses, mostly on charges brought by the military government. Her supporters and legal experts say the cases are an attempt to legitimize the military's seizure of power while discrediting her and preventing her return to politics.

Health care for detainees a basic right

"The military refusing my mother the right to requested treatment by a trusted doctor, is yet another callous and cruel action on the part of the junta," wrote Aris. "As the right to health is a fundamental part of our human rights, that must be enjoyed without discrimination."

U.N. spokesperson Farhan Haq underscored the right to health care for Suu Kyi at a news briefing Wednesday.

"Everyone in detention should be able to have access to health care, that's a basic right," said Haq. "We have made clear our concerns about Aung San Suu Kyi, and we've called and continue to call for her release as well as the release of the other leaders of the National League for Democracy."

Concerns about prison conditions

Aris, 46, who is based in the U.K., says his mother "has faced appalling living conditions, mistreatment and inadequate food since her arrest and imprisonment." In addition, Aris said that his mother has been denied access to legal counsel.

"Given how many people lose their lives in prison in Burma [now Myanmar] this is of grave concern," he told VOA via text message.

Suu Kyi saw her sentence reduced from 33 years to 27 years imprisonment in August. Despite some reports that Suu Kyi had been moved to house arrest, the spokesperson for Myanmar's military junta, General Zaw Min Tun, claimed ignorance in his response to VOA by phone.

"Regarding this matter," he said, "we have not heard anything."

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Transcript of the Media Briefing by the Spokesperson on Friday 08 September 2023

Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs

[This is a rush transcript. This copy may not be in its final form and may be updated]

Assalam-o-Alaikum,

Thanks for joining us for the Weekly Briefing.

Grave and systematic violations of human rights in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) continue to alarm the world conscience. Several international human rights organizations including Amnesty International have addressed a joint open letter to invite the attention of the representatives of G-20 member states, specially invited countries and international organizations, towards the serious human rights violations being committed in IIOJK.

The letter notes the ongoing repressive policies in IIOJK, including restrictions on freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association and intensification of crackdown on independent media and civil society groups. Indian occupation forces are systematically using abusive counterterrorism and state security laws, such as the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and Jammu and Kashmir Public Safety Act to incapacitate and persecute human rights defenders and dissenters in IIOJK.

As India hosts the G-20 Summit and presents itself as an important player on the global stage, it should honour its obligations under international human rights and humanitarian laws and bring an end to the egregious human rights violations in IIOJK.

Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani will chair the 10th Commonwealth Youth Ministerial Meeting (CYMM) being held from 12 to 15 September 2023 in London. The Commonwealth Secretariat is convening the Commonwealth Youth Ministerial Meeting as Pakistan assumes the Chair of the meeting and plays an active part in setting the agenda ahead of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Summit to be held next year in Samoa. The theme of the meeting is "Aim Higher: Delivering More for Young People in the Commonwealth". It aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

While in London, the Foreign Minister is also expected to meet with participating Ministers and high-ranking officials of the Commonwealth.

Pakistan attaches great importance to the Commonwealth and its flagship Commonwealth Youth Programme, which is marking its fiftieth anniversary. Pakistan is committed to economic empowerment and meaningful engagement of youth, particularly as the Commonwealth and the Government of Pakistan commemorate 2023 as the "Year of Youth". Four core areas of education, employment, engagement and environment identified in the Prime Minister's Youth Programme (PMYP), will be extensively discussed in the upcoming meeting.

Thank You.

* * * * *

Question:a As Prime Minister will be visiting United Nations; will he meet President Biden there? (Adil Hussain Nizami, Hum News)

Answer: The question is about the Prime Minister's possible visit to UNGA. As I said in my last meeting, we will be making an announcement of the visit when details are confirmed so at this stage, we are unable to make any announcement.

Question:a Any follow up that Pakistan contemplates at the moment after the deadly terror attacks on the border against Pakistan's Armed Forces tickets in Chitral and Torkham incident? And my second question is, we heard a spokesman of USNSC, wherein he stated that President Biden understands the threat perception to Pakistan. How Pakistan reads this understanding of the US President Biden in terms of bilateral security cooperation, which is already ongoing between the two countries? (Shaukat Piracha, AAJ News)

Answer: Yes, Pakistan and the United States have a robust dialogue, in multiple areas, including on security and counterterrorism matters. And we have been communicating with the United States and other partners both in the region and outside the region about Pakistan's security concerns and our threat perception. We hope that all our friends and partners will understand security compulsions that Pakistan has in this region, including the threat of terrorism and the security situation because of the aggressive posture from our eastern neighbors vis-A -vis, Pakistan. On the terrorist incident of 6th September, you may have seen that ISPR has issued a statement in which it has outlined the details of the terrorist incident. It also highlights that the security forces of Pakistan are determined to eliminate the menace of terrorism and the sacrifices of our soldiers further strengthen our resolve. The government and people of Pakistan will continue to defend themselves against the terrorist threat whether homegrown or sponsored from abroad. We have communicated our concerns about the latest incident to the Interim Afghan Authorities. We expect them to fulfill their obligations and to deny the use of Afghan soil by the terrorists for perpetuating acts of terrorism against Pakistan.

Question:a This is with reference to reported announcement by Chief of Army Staff, Gen Syed Asim Munir in Lahore and Karachi while meeting with the traders, and that billions of dollars are coming from our Arab friends. In this context, I would like to have some information about your preparations and the schedule of the reported visit of Mohammed Bin Salman. (Mazhar Iqbal, PNN)

Answer: Pakistan, as you know, has invited its friends and partners, including the Gulf countries, to come and invest in Pakistan. In the context of SIFC, which has recently been established, we are in contact with all our friends and partners for future investment projects. As far as any high-level visit from the region is concerned, we are not in a position to make any announcement at this stage. Once such a visit is confirmed we will make the announcement.

Question: Torkham border is closed since last three days and there is no information for opening it. Are there any ongoing talks regarding this issue? Secondly, US National Security Spokesman John Kirby stated that weapons / arms worth $7 billion are the leftovers of Afghan National Army not America while Pakistan's perspective is that all these weapons are the leftovers of NATO and America. Will you please comment on this? (Siyar Ali Shah, Khyber News)

Answer: Okay, first regarding the border. As I just said, Pakistan is concerned about the recent incident that took place and the terrorist attack on military posts. We are engaged with the interim government of Afghanistan. We have shared our concerns with regards to the terrorist threat against Pakistan that emanates from the Afghan soil. This dialogue will continue. All these concerns and developments are relevant to the opening or closure of the border as well. With regard to the arms in Afghanistan, we are concerned that the large amount of weaponry that is available in Afghanistan and has now reached some terrorists entities as well, continue to pose a threat to Pakistan, especially when these terrorist entities attack Pakistani civilian and military targets. We do not want to assign blame on anyone but the situation needs international attention. We hope all relevant parties would understand the responsibility that they have in this respect.

Question:a Pakistan's previous two governments had been asserting trade relations with Russia and tried to get the credit of purchasing cheap oil and wheat from Russia. These days, there's a price hike of oil and wheat in Pakistan. What is the recent status of trade with Russia? In view of Pakistan's recent political and economic condition, what are the outcomes of former Prime Minister and Foreign Minister's foreign visits? (Khawaja Nayyar Iqbal, Media Today)

Answer: I think you are conflating two different issues. I do not want to comment on the economic or political situation in Pakistan. For that you may contact the Ministry of Information or some other authority. As far as our relations with Russia are concerned, Pakistan and Russia as you know have an important relationship. Pakistan invested in this relationship in the last two decades. We now have a robust dialogue with Russia and over the last several months a number of delegations have been exchanged between the two countries. Our two countries have been discussing matters relating to trade and economic cooperation including in the realm of energy and this dialogue will continue.

Question: Three questions because first relating to Russia. The Russian foreign minister was a short while back in Dhaka and he's written in his comments that the Soviet Union provided considerable support to Mujib's fight against Pakistan. You mentioned about how Pakistan has invested in this relationship with Russia. Are we really willing to let go of the past of what happened given the Russian Foreign Minister has written in his own words? Number two, you mentioned about the foreign ministers visit to the United Kingdom for the Commonwealth summit, the Youth Forum. Are we expecting a bilateral with the UK authorities. And number three, the Indian External Affairs Minister had some comments very recently with regards to Pakistan. What is Pakistan's response on the matter? (Anas Mallick, Capital TV)

Answer: I responded to your last question in my last briefing. The question was, I think asked by Siyar Ali Shah. So, let's first talk about the visit of the Foreign Minister to the United Kingdom. The programme of the visit is still being finalized and we will be sharing details of the programme as and when it becomes available. With regards to your question about the comments by the Russian Foreign Minister, I have not seen those comments, and I would therefore hesitate to comment on them without reading them. With regards to the recent statement made by the External Affairs Minister of India, I spoke about it at our last briefing as well. Pakistan is concerned that the Indian leadership is obsessed about Pakistan in terms of its domestic political aspirations, and this unhealthy obsession with Pakistan is creating an environment which is not conducive for peace in the region. It is important that the Indian leaders and politicians focus on their own national issues and respond to the challenges that the people of India face instead of worrying about Pakistan and commenting unnecessarily about Pakistan.

Question:a Ma'am few days ago a notification was issued by HEC that without the permission of Foreign Office no university can invite foreign dignitaries or ambassadors. What is the reason behind issuing this kind of notification? (Muhammad Awais, INP)

Answer: I must clarify that the notification issued by HEC does not pertain to regular educational and activities of universities. The advisory which was issued by HEC is basically conforms to the existing rules of procedure under which Foreign Office is the Government's main interface in matters related to the United Nations and other international organizations and entities working in Pakistan. So, it is only in the line with the existing Rules of Business that the HEC has asked universities to consult the Ministry of Foreign Affairs before making such arrangements or undertaking any activities with the United Nations and other international organizations and entities. We believe that it is important that internal consultations and coordination on such matters should take place before taking up a matter with foreign entities.

Question:a HEC has issued the NOC for some foreign universities in Pakistan whose Chancellors are not up to mark up with reference to qualification. Most of them are not even PhD degree holders. Are you concerned about this and having some meetings with the HEC or not? a(Mazhar Iqbal, PNN)

Answer: This matter pertains to education authorities and not to the Foreign Office. I need to check further details. If you could share the particular case we can discuss it bilaterally.

Question:a Ma'am, with regards to India's move of turning them to Bharat. Does Pakistan see this is an internal matter of India another attempt of BJP government to marginalize minorities in India? (Nouman Ishfaq Mughal, Daily Parliament Times)

Answer: I have not seen any official statement from the Indian government with regards to the question that you have raised. I have, however, seen a lot of media speculation. So, it is not proper for me to comment on media speculation.

Question: Ma'am, the day before yesterday, we saw an attack from Afghanistan's Nuristan province inside Chitral, particularly in Tehsil of Chitral. There are reports suggesting that several groups of TTP also joined by the Afghan Taliban they've attacked and they want to take control of a particular area. In this regard Afghan government has not issued any statement. There are also reports that Afghan government is supporting indirectly and directly. We also have seen a video of Mr. Noor Wali Mehsud directly, giving instructions to the people who have attacked there. Would you mind sharing something latest about what's happening there in Chitral? And have we discussed anything with Afghan officials particularly about this particular incident? a(Azaz Syed, Geo News)

Answer: As I said earlier, there was a very sad incident on 6th September on which ISPR has issued a statement. With regard to the particular security situation in Chitral, the concerned departments including the Ministry of Interior and the home department of the province can share more details. As far as the concerns of Pakistan are concerned, these concerns have been shared with the Afghan authorities and we expect the Afghan Interim Government to fulfill its obligations and deny the use of Afghan soil by terrorists for perpetuating acts of terrorism against Pakistan.

Question: As you know that US is formalizing relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia. A couple of days ago some conditions have been put forward from Palestine towards Saudi Arabia on which if normalization happens they won't have any issue. How Pakistan sees this development? (Syed Faisal Ali, Neo News)

Answer: First, we respect the sovereign right of a country to make its decisions about its foreign policy, as per their national interest and in conformity with international law. We do not consider it appropriate to comment on the foreign policy of another country. As far as Pakistan is concerned, our position on the occupied Palestinian territory is very clear. We remain steadfast in support for the people of Palestine and we urge the international community to address the issue of Israeli aggression against innocent civilians that has been particularly ascendant during this year especially. We also believe in the two-state solution to the Palestinian question on the basis of pre-1967 borders as reaffirmed by the United Nations on several occasions.

Question: The Torkham border closure has a human and economic cost which is now its third day. Is Pakistan in touch with Kabul to reopening of this border because a lot of the goods trucks are stranded on both sides and are carrying perishable goods. Also a lot of people need to cross the border for humanitarian reasons. (Jaleel Akhtar, VOA)

Answer: Okay. Yes, the border question was asked earlier as well. We believe that the border between Pakistan and Afghanistan should be a border of peace and amity between the two countries. For generations, it has facilitated exchange of trade and the people across the border on both sides. In that respect, if there is a closure of border from the Pakistan side, it is not because Pakistan wishes to create difficulties for traders and genuine visitors. It happens only when there is a grave security risk and we have to factor in those security considerations whenever the decision to open or close the border takes place. We are in contact with the Afghan authorities to whom we have conveyed our concerns about the security threat that Pakistan faces and our concerns about the recent incident that took place.

Question: A lot of Afghan people have not been issued visas. Is it Pakistan's policy shift? (Mazhar Iqbal, PNN)

Answer: I would say that Pakistan authorities issue visas to Afghans in hundreds, if not thousands per day. And these visas continue to be given by our Missions. Before issuing these visas, we have to do our due diligence and anybody who applies for a certain type of visa needs to fulfill the criteria for which he or she is applying.

Question: As the current situation in Pakistan, also there are a lot of Afghan refugees in Pakistan. What is Pakistan's policy regarding Afghan refugees? (Khawaja Nayyar Iqbal, Media Today)

Answer: Pakistan's policy on Afghan refugees has not changed. We have opened our hearts and our homes for the people of Afghanistan whenever they were in difficulty. With the first wave of Afghan refugees coming to Pakistan forty years ago, they have been living in Pakistan, have been working in Pakistan, they have been studying in Pakistan. We would like the Afghan refugees to return to their homeland in honour and dignity for which it is important that conditions are created for their early return. We remain in contact with Afghan authorities as well as with UNHCR to work towards that end.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Thousands Stranded Along Closed Border Crossing Between Afghanistan And Pakistan

By RFE/RL's Radio Azadi, RFE/RL's Radio Mashaal September 08, 2023

Pakistan's main border crossing with Afghanistan remained shut on September 8, stranding thousands of civilians and halting hundreds of vehicles carrying goods between the two countries.

Islamabad closed the Torkham border crossing following a clash with Taliban forces three days earlier.

The move has left thousands of civilians, mostly Afghans, waiting to cross and largely stalled trade between the countries as hundreds of trucks, some carrying perishable goods such as fruits and vegetables, wait on both sides of the Torkham crossing.

"We are trapped here," said Nabiullah, an Afghan man returning to his country after receiving medical treatment in the northwestern Pakistani city of Peshawar.

"We are in trouble and waiting for the border crossing to reopen," he told RFE/RL's Radio Mashaal.

Radio Azadi has learned that a Taliban border guard and a civilian were killed in the shooting.

Taliban officials in the eastern Afghan province of Nangarhar, where Torkham is located, say high-level talks continue with Pakistan to reopen the crossing. Pakistani officials have not commented on the issue.

In Landi Kotal, a Pakistani town near Torkham, stranded Afghans said the closure is preventing the repatriation of two dead bodies to Afghanistan for burial.

"People here are facing great difficulties," Imran, one of the stranded Afghans, told Radio Azadi.

"There are many Afghan patients, women and children here."

The September 6 clash followed a large incursion of Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants into the remote northwestern Pakistani district of Chitral, which borders eastern Afghanistan some 400 kilometers north of Torkham.

Relations between erstwhile allies Pakistan and Afghanistan's Islamist Taliban rulers have rapidly deteriorated after the TTP ended a cease-fire with Islamabad last November. The TTP, an ideological and organizational ally of the Taliban, has been bolstered by the return of the militants to power in Afghanistan two years ago.

"Deteriorating political relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan are also resulting in declining trade and economic ties between them," Abdul Naseer Rashtia, the head of an Afghan trading association, told Radio Azadi.

"This causes Afghan investors to suffer greatly and badly affects their trade and transit," he added.

Torkham and other border crossings between the two neighbors have been frequently closed because of clashes or political disagreements over the past two decades.

Islamabad has fenced most of its more than 2,500-kilometer border with Afghanistan. Closing the border with its landlocked neighbor remains a significant lever to pressure Kabul during crises.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/border-crossing-closed- afghanistan-pakistan-thousands-stranded/32584324.html

Copyright (c) 2023. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Deadlock Persists in Reopening Pakistan-Afghan Border Gate

By Ayaz Gul September 09, 2023

Pakistan and Afghanistan's Taliban authorities have met multiple times in the last week to negotiate the reopening of their main border crossing but could not make headway, stranding many trade convoys and travelers on both sides for the fourth consecutive day Saturday.

Pakistani officials said the standoff erupted Wednesday after Taliban guards began constructing a new outpost near the historic Torkham border crossing, violating mutual agreements and ignoring warnings to stop the work.

The tensions eventually led to brief skirmishes between border security forces from the two countries, killing a Taliban guard and a civilian, according to the Afghan side.

The Taliban rejected the allegations, saying the outpost was being built on the Afghan side of the nearly 2,600-kilometer (1,616 miles) British colonial-era boundary separating the two countries.

On Saturday, officials in both countries said the situation remains fluid and it is unclear when or if a resolution will be reached soon for all stranded travelers and truck convoys to resume their journey through the Torkham point of transit for trade and travelers.

Mufti Asmatullah Yaqoob, a senior Taliban official at Torkham, alleged while speaking to the BBC Afghan radio service that the Pakistani forces had started the armed clashes and closed the border gate. He rejected claims that Taliban guards were building the post on the zero point or the border conjunction.

"A zero point exists where there is a formal border, but this is just an imaginary line," Yaqoob said, referring to the border with Pakistan, which Afghanistan historically disputes and rejects as an international boundary.

Islamabad rejects Afghan objections, saying it inherited the international border after gaining independence from Britain in 1947.

Wednesday's conflict over the controversial outpost occurred just hours after hundreds of heavily-armed Afghan-based militants stormed two Pakistani security outposts in the remote northern Chitral district close to the border at an elevation of 1,670 meters (5,479 feet).

Pakistan's military said the ensuing clashes killed four soldiers and 12 "terrorists" before the assailants retreated to Afghanistan.

The outlawed Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), also known as the Pakistani Taliban, claimed responsibility for the attack. TTP leaders and fighters mostly reside across the border in Afghanistan and orchestrate cross-border terrorism from there, according to Pakistani officials and recent United Nations assessments.

Pakistani Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said Friday that her government was in close contact with Afghan authorities.

"We have shared our concerns with regards to the terrorist threat against Pakistan that emanates from the Afghan soil... All these concerns and developments are relevant to the opening or closure of the border as well," Baloch stressed.

The Pakistani ministry also summoned the head of the Taliban-run Afghan Embassy in Islamabad and formally protested the Chitral cross-border terrorist raid and the Torkham incident, official sources said.

The Taliban envoy was told to convey to Kabul "our serious concern over TTP's use of Afghan territory to enter into Chitral" and attempts by the Taliban "to encroach upon Pakistani territory at Torkham," a senior Pakistani diplomat privy to the meeting told VOA Saturday. He spoke anonymously because he was not authorized to interact with journalists on the subject publicly.

In a media interview Friday, Taliban chief spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid rejected allegations that the TTP attack in Chitral had originated in his country. He reiterated that his government is not allowing anyone to use Afghan soil to threaten other nations and advised Islamabad to stop blaming Kabul for its internal conflicts.

However, Pakistani officials and independent critics questioned Mujahid's claims that TTP does not exist in Afghanistan. A recent U.N. assessment estimated that more than 4,000 TTP militants are active on Afghan soil.

Islamabad maintains that the Taliban's return to power in Kabul in August 2021 has emboldened the TTP, and it increasingly uses Afghanistan as an operation base for orchestrating attacks in Pakistan.

The TTP's fugitive chief, Noor Wali Mehsud, has publicly pledged allegiance to Hibatullah Akhundzada, the supreme leader of the Taliban government, and has stated the Pakistani Taliban "is a branch" of the Afghan Taliban. Mehsud has been frequently spotted and spoken to journalists in Afghanistan after the Taliban takeover.

The Taliban hosted Pakistan's talks with the TTP leadership in Kabul last year but refused to evict the militants from the country. The dialogue process collapsed late last year, leading to a dramatic surge in deadly TTP attacks against Pakistani security forces.

Pakistan says that some militants killed during recent counterterrorism operations against the TTP were members of the Afghan Taliban and their bodies and other personal details were shared directly with Kabul authorities.

A foreign ministry official in Islamabad told VOA that in recent meetings with Kabul representatives, his government has unsuccessfully sought an explanation that "while the Taliban condemn Islamic state terrorist attacks in Pakistan, they maintain a stoic silence when the TTP conducts its attacks in Pakistan."

The official requested anonymity for not being authorized to speak to the media publicly.

He also questioned the effectiveness of a recent "diktat" or decree issued by Hibatullah declaring cross-border attacks by Afghan Taliban fighters as "haram" or forbidden.

"Either the Amir ul-Momineen (leader of the faithful) has no authority to implement his orders, or the (Afghan) Taliban are hand in glove with the TTP," the Pakistani official said, using the title the Taliban use for Hibatullah.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Russia's Elections: Strong-Arming Occupied Ukraine And Clues To Putin's Future

By Mike Eckel September 08, 2023

Don't expect many surprises in local and regional elections being held across Russia -- and, problematically, in occupied Ukraine. Do look for clues as to how the Kremlin will orchestrate next year's presidential vote, when Vladimir Putin is expected to run yet again.

In dozens of regions across Russia, hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of people are choosing local mayors, local legislatures, regional governors, city councils, and even a handful of members of Russia's lower house of parliament.

September 10 is the day designated for in-person ballot casting, while in some regions, people have been voting early.

Those regions include four in Ukraine that are partially occupied by Russian military forces, an effort that has been internationally derided. The Council of Europe called the effort to hold a vote in war-ravaged Ukrainian territories, where millions of people have been displaced, "an illusion of democracy." The United States called it "nothing more than a propaganda exercise."

Russia's elections mostly lost the veneer of free and fair competition years ago, as the Kremlin, to achieve target results, moved away from what one adviser once called "managed democracy" to outright vote manipulation, last-minute rule changes, the use of "municipal filters," and lavish coverage on state-controlled media.

What this means is that this weekend's local voting is, as the embattled election monitoring watchdog Golos described it, "very tranquil, much like a graveyard."

"The Kremlin wants to maintain the sense of normalcy and stability in the context of war, social tension, and anxiety," said Gulnaz Sharafutdinova, director of King's College Russia Institute in London. "Elections are one such mechanism to signal to the population that things are calm, normal, stable.... [But] if drastic measures are introduced -- such as canceling elections -- the signal might be 'Hell is breaking loose.' "

"These elections mark an important milestone in the metamorphoses of Putin's vertical power structure," Andrei Pertsev, a journalist and close watcher of Kremlin politics, wrote in an analysis. "The system is returning to Soviet practices of 'partisanization' of the bureaucracy."

Here are four things to know about the elections:

What Officials Say Is Going On (And What Is Really Going On)

Balloting is happening across 85 regions across Russia and occupied Ukraine (more on that later). Many of the elections are happening at a local level: people choosing city councilors or members of regional legislatures.

In 22 regions and federal districts, governors or mayors are being chosen. Governors tend to have substantial authority in managing the affairs of their regions, though not unfettered. As with all elections, the Presidential Administration -- a powerful, domestic policy-making executive body within the Kremlin apparatus -- tries to keep close tabs on which governors are effective, which are loyal, which are despised, and which are corrupt, for example.

The mayoralty for Moscow is one of the most powerful elected positions in the country. Sergei Sobyanin, a Kremlin loyalist who is seen as an effective bureaucrat, is all but certain to win reelection.

The oddities of the Russian political system that evolved under "managed democracy" mean that there is United Russia, which dominates the country's political scene and controls both houses of the national parliament. There are also four parties dubbed "systemic opposition" -- parties that are supposed to challenge or oppose United Russia or Kremlin initiatives but rarely do so in a substantive way.

Candidates for those parties -- the Communists, the Liberal Democrats, A Just Russia, and New People -- are running in most of the local elections.

The liberal party Yabloko party used to be a "systemic opposition" party, but the Kremlin engineered the system to push the bloc out of national representation.

What about the "nonsystemic opposition," you ask?

Those are considered political figures and groups who are basically barred from fielding candidates, running campaigns, registering, or anything else that might allow them to participate in a meaningful way. Corruption crusader Aleksei Navalny is the best example. He spent years building a national movement, tapping into Russians' frustration with corruption and graft. He and his team also built a system called "Smart Vote," which aims to identify and endorse candidates who have the best chance at beating United Russia candidates -- at the national and local levels.

For his persistent efforts, Navalny ended up nearly dying after being exposed to a powerful Soviet-era nerve agent and then being thrown in prison on what his allies say are politically trumped-up charges. He's been all but silenced.

"We see the same direction toward further safe-proofing the elections in terms of predictability of their results," Sharafutdinova said in an e-mail. "Over the last years, the system was evolving in terms of widening the window for the authorities to control the outcomes -- [by] increasing the days when voting is allowed and through electronic voting."

"They have seen it work and this is what is being used even more this time," she said.

Voting In Occupied Ukraine

For some of those paying close attention, the voting in four partially occupied regions of Ukraine is the focus. But not because people are on the edges of their seats, expecting the effort to be fair, competitive, or free of manipulation.

Last year, seven months after the start of the February 2022 full-scale invasion, the Kremlin declared four regions of Ukraine -- Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhya, and Kherson -- annexed and a part of Russia after a referendum vote that the Kremlin professed was an expression of voters' true will.

Never mind that the regions are only partially occupied by Russian forces, with Russian-installed proxy administrators. And never mind that nearly 6 million people have been displaced across Ukraine by the war -- scattered mostly across the rest of Ukraine, Europe, and Russia -- with a good proportion of them coming from the partially occupied regions.

In the voting that kicked off on September 8, people in the occupied Ukrainian regions will choose regional legislatures, which in turn will appoint regional governors. There are also dozens of local councils being chosen throughout the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, and hundreds of candidates are competing for those seats.

While some of those who have remained in the Russian-occupied regions are genuinely supportive of being part of Russia, and voting in local elections, others who have remained say it's impossible to conduct free and fair elections under military occupation.

"When there's an armed person standing in front of you, it's hard to say no," Ivan Fyodorov, the Ukrainian mayor of the Russian-controlled southern city of Melitopol, told The Associated Press.

So, No Surprises At All Then?

Far from Russia's center of gravity -- Moscow and, to a lesser degree, St. Petersburg -- local issues do still animate voters, who sometimes thwart the intentions of Kremlin election planners, or United Russia.

Protests over a controversial landfill in the northern Arkhangelsk region led to the resignation of the local governor there in 2020 and a new governor who pledged to halt the project.

In 2018, in the Far Eastern region of Khabarovsk, voters bucked Moscow's wishes and elected a popular local official, Sergei Furgal. But Furgal ended up being arrested two years into his term on what many saw as politically motivated charges. He was whisked off to Moscow and earlier this year was sentenced to 22 years in prison on murder charges.

Also in 2018, controversial government plans to overhaul the country's pension system sparked widespread protests and led to the shuffle of several governors that had been preferred by Moscow.

The region that experts are watching closely this year is Khakassia, located in southern Siberia, about a five-hour flight from Moscow. There, in 2018, Communist Valentin Konovalov rode the resentment over the pension reforms to win victory as governor of the remote region. His victory came despite eyebrow-raising maneuvering among his competitors.

This year, United Russia picked a veteran of the Ukraine war to challenge Konovalov. But last week, just eight days before in-person balloting began, the candidate, Sergei Sokol, withdrew citing illness. According to Pertsev, the Presidential Administration has considered canceling the Khakassia election on a sham pretense.

Electronic voting -- people casting ballots online through a nominally secure web portal -- is one tool that election officials have tried to harness, though many Russians, already jaded by past practices of ballot-box stuffing or "carousel voting," are deeply skeptical.

Officials have also used other tools to achieve results: cajoling public sector workers to vote, increasing local social welfare subsidies, arresting independent activists on flimsy charges. "Municipal filters" is the short-hand term to describe bureaucratic hurdles put in place to make it harder for prospective candidates to collect signatures of endorsement.

"For now, it is clear that [the Presidential Administration] is using regional elections to explore what works well in ensuring control and stability," Sharafutdinova said.

Tinkering with the system has gotten harder, as election watchdog Golos argued, and that was even before Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

"They are forced to more and more limit the real participation of Russian residents in political decision-making, even at the level of issues of local and regional significance," the organization said. "As a result, significant groups of voters feel separated from public politics. All this leads to people's disillusionment with legal politics, the consequences of which we saw in Rostov-on-Don during the June uprising" -- a reference to the brief mutiny launched by the late Wagner Group mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin.

What About Putin?

For the moment, the biggest uncertainty hanging over next March's presidential election is whether Putin will actually run again. He's allowed to, thanks to controversial constitutional amendments that were rammed through parliament and endorsed by voters in 2020.

At this stage, 18 months into the biggest land war in Europe since World War II, a war that is estimated to have killed and wounded more than 100,000 Russian troops, the likelihood of Putin bowing out is seen as incredibly remote. Moreover, stepping aside at this stage, without laying the groundwork for a successor, might spark instability and political chaos, which would endanger the war effort.

The "special military operation" in Ukraine -- the euphemism Russians use, along with the acronym SVO -- is expected to be a prominent, if not dominant, element of the presidential campaign, Russian political experts have said, though it's unclear if it will focus on extolling the soldiers fighting or supporting the widows and children of those maimed and wounded in the war.

In regional elections, United Russia has tapped 117 veterans of the war to be candidates on various ballots, according to one tally. In the central Volga region of Samara, an online ad exhorting people to vote featured wives of soldiers circulated on local channels and social media pages.

The war "has become a factor directly influencing the electoral agenda and the course of election campaigns," political analyst Aleksandr Asafov wrote in an analytical piece online. "Today there is a steady trend: SVO participants, their wives, mothers, and other people, one way or another connected with the special military operation, enjoy increasing public support."

Other glimpses of the goals the Presidential Administration, which is led by Sergei Kiriyenko, a once liberal-minded prime minister who is now a committed architect of Putinism, intends to pursue came earlier this year in a report by the Kommersant newspaper. The administration came up with nationwide voting targets: 70 percent turnout among all Russian voters and a 75 percent vote for the winning candidate.

"The Kremlin sees no problems with achieving new goals. The president's support is high, [and] the main thing is the legitimacy of the campaign," one unnamed source was quoted by Kommersant as saying.

Indeed, a July opinion poll taken by the Levada Center, which is considered one of the last independent pollsters in Russia, showed that nearly 70 percent of Russians thought Putin should continue as president after the end of his current term. Unnamed officials told the online news site Meduza that administration officials want Putin to receive 80 percent of the winning vote.

"This election will essentially be a referendum on confidence," said Andrei Kolesnikov, a political commentator at the U.S.-based Carnegie Endowment For International Peace.

"Indeed, it seems to me that in these circumstances, the Kremlin can count on fairly high figures, more than before, because all this will take place under the circumstances of a 'special military operation.' And in military circumstances, people tend to support the leader who wages the war itself," he told Current Time, the Russian-language network run by RFE/RL in cooperation with VOA.

Mikhail Svetov, an opposition blogger and leader of a libertarian political party, argued Russians should go to vote, just as Jews pray at Jerusalem's Western Wall, a holy site that is believed to be a remnant of a Jewish temple destroyed some 2,000 years ago.

"There is no temple, but there is a Western Wall, and Jews went to this wall for 2,000 years and as a result the state of Israel appeared," he said in a Telegram post.

"Russian people should treat going to the polling stations the same way," he wrote. "There is no temple, there are no elections, but we need to go to the polling stations, because only by preserving the symbol and memory of what is due, we will be able to return Russia to ourselves."

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/russian-elections-strong- arming-occupied-ukraine-putin/32584513.html

Copyright (c) 2023. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Press release on Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's forthcoming participation in the G20 Summit

8 September 2023 11:57

1725-08-09-2023

On September 9-10, the G20 Summit will be held in New Delhi, India. The Russian delegation to the summit will be led by Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, at the instruction of President Vladimir Putin. Most of the leaders of the G20 member countries, invited states and heads of international organisations are expected to attend this year's event. Almost all of them have already confirmed their participation.

With India's presidency of the organisation reflecting the One Earth, One Family, One Future theme, its priorities include stimulating discussions among the world's major economies on global economic growth and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the energy and food crises, climate change, and digital transformation. In addition, New Delhi is concentrating on the global economic governance reform, improving international healthcare mechanisms, empowering women and promoting their involvement in the economy. These subjects will set the tone during the New Delhi leaders' meeting.

Other issues on the agenda include the modern challenges to energy and food security, disruptions in supply chains and destabilisation of financial the financial sector. Many of these events have been primarily provoked by sanctions, threats to collective security and terrorist attacks caused by the Western countries supporting the Kiev regime, and numerous economic miscalculations of the United States and the EU. The West's resistance to the formation of a truly polycentric world order, as well as the dismantling of the system, built by the West, of unfair distribution of benefits and exploitation of the global majority's resources and potential, has done serious damage to the global economy.

India has repeatedly stated that the G20 should not focus solely on the Western countries' priorities, including at the level of the country's leadership and leading government agencies. One of the main goals of the country's presidency is to empower developing economies and promote their role in global affairs. In this vein, the Voice of the Global South Summit was held on January 12 and 13 under the auspices of the Indian presidency.

The initiative to grant full membership to the African Union is one of the highlights of the upcoming summit. Russia was one of the first to support our African partners' application. The regional association is scheduled to be admitted to G20 at the New Delhi summit; a relevant clause has been included in the draft declaration of the leaders.

We proceed from the premise that by joint efforts, Russia and the African Union can make an important contribution to democratising the international financial and trade institutions and give an additional impetus to implementing the Sustainable Development Goals and eliminating all kinds of disparities and gaps in industry, science, and technology. The results of the Second Russia-Africa Economic and Humanitarian Forum held in St Petersburg on July 27-28 will provide a firm basis for this comprehensive interaction.

The Indian presidency hopes to achieve consensus-based agreements at the New Delhi Summit. The path towards this goal is viewed through the prism of India's international prestige and its deserved recognition for the diplomatic efforts to take into account the interests of both advanced states and countries with emerging markets which it undertook during its presidency. The leaders' declaration is expected to be the main practical outcome.

Along with other multilateral formats, the G20 is exposed to the negative impacts of geopolitical frictions and a split in the international community, as well as the Western states' unilateral approaches intended to ram through their confrontational initiatives. A constructive dialogue on sector-specific topics often gives way to politicised discussions and an unproductive give-and-take. Since 2022, the Western countries have consistently sought to put Ukraine on the G20 agenda, using, among other things, the specialised tracks as a means for imposing their geopolitical vision and thereby impairing constructive solutions to related problems.

The G7 countries (primarily the US, the UK, Germany, and France) have been exerting pressure on India in a bid to have their unilateral approaches to the Ukraine situation reflected in the final documents of G20 forums. Against this background, India seeks to steer a neutral course, based on the G20's purely economic mandate. India has rejected all Western demands to invite Ukraine to participate in the meetings in this format, thereby preventing the United States and its allies from offsetting the important practical achievements of New Delhi's one-year watch by their time-seeking considerations.

Under the Indian presidency, the G20 has an intense working schedule and a packed agenda. A total of over 200 official events will be held in more than 50 cities across the country. For the first time in G20 history, New Delhi sponsored an international conference on Crime and Security in the Age of NFTs, AI and the Metaverse (Gurugram, July 13-14). An Indian initiative launched the Working Group on Disaster Risk Reduction, whose performance was assessed by the heads of related agencies, who met in Chennai on July 24-25 of this year. The G20's earlier Research and Innovation Initiative Gathering has been transformed into the G20 Research and Innovation Working Group. The related ministerial meeting took place in Mumbai on July 5-6.

The G20 consists of 19 countries: Russia, Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, the Republic of South Africa, South Korea, TArkiye, the United Kingdom and the United States, as well as the European Union. They account for 80 percent of the global GDP, international trade and greenhouse gas emissions and for two-thirds of the planet's population. In addition, they exercise supervisory functions, and have critical influence on capital and trade flows, technological progress and global economic governance. The G20's advantages are determined by the line-up of its leaders, the critical mass of resources and a wide range of members. This is the only platform for equitable cooperation between the BRICS countries, the G7 and regional powers, including the African continent, an emerging centre of the multipolar world that abounds in natural resources and boasts a demographic dividend.

The G20 continues focus on responses to macroeconomic challenges and threats, the prevention of global economic crises and setbacks, the preservation of stable markets and efforts to stabilise the financial system. Since 2009, its members have been prioritising efforts to ensure continuous and all-encompassing economic growth. At the same time, they are moving to discuss socioeconomic issues in a comprehensive and interdependent manner. They combine energy and climate issues, the labour market and education, sustainable development and innovation, and emphasise healthcare and digitalisation issues.

Russia occupies a leading position in the G20 and actively influences the pace of talks and their agenda, as well as the content of specific agreements. We perceive this association, a platform for collaboration between developing countries and the G7, as a key economic governance forum. We are purposefully consolidating an independent centre of gravity in the G20, primarily together with China, and we rally BRICS Plus countries around us. We are determined to facilitate a more active coordination of emerging economies within the G20.

Russia consistently emphasises the importance of depoliticising negotiations within the G20. We must make sure that the G20 focuses on its direct duties, specifically, global economic recovery and sustainable development. Attempts to artificially and, most importantly, selectively fill the agenda with issues of peace and security, to focus discussions on a priori confrontationist issues are counterproductive and are nothing but vestiges of the bloc mentality of the past. These actions run counter to the G20's agreed-upon socioeconomic mandate and are fraught with the risk of reducing the forum competence, due to greater disagreements between member countries and owing to the lack of progress in key spheres of its work.

We attach utmost importance to the correct interpretation of the international geopolitical situation, the Ukraine crisis and other armed conflicts, as well as the preconditions for restoring peace and stability, and the primacy of international law based on the central role of the UN. We are convinced that the G20 should make its decisions only by consensus that arises in the absence of objections from any of its members. We prioritise efforts to achieve constructive agreements within the G20 that take into account the interests of all participating countries based on the above principle and to restore an atmosphere of trust and cooperation at the forum.

We work closely with all G20 countries to debunk the Western myth about Russia's "aggressiveness" and to counter the attempts to link global humanitarian and economic issues solely to the "conflict in Ukraine," which is caused and fuelled by the Americans to the detriment of pan-European security and prospects for stable social and economic progress in Eurasia. These tactics of pitting countries and partners against each other has been repeatedly used by the Washington administration to ignite wars and conflicts, to weaken its geopolitical rivals, and to create permanent hotbeds of tension along their borders.

We are countering this destructive logic with a constructive approach. We are making a weighty contribution to shaping mutually acceptable, realistic, and sought-after outcomes of the Indian presidency. We are pushing for the proper understanding of the tasks at hand in matters of sustainable development with a focus on poverty and hunger eradication, ensuring universal access to energy, food, and healthcare. We confirm our country's willingness to further expand supplies of energy, fertiliser, and agricultural products to international markets, primarily to developing countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America.

We strive to actively use the G20 for democratising international economic and financial institutions, including the IMF, the World Bank, and the WTO, diversifying mechanisms for mutual settlements, insurance, and transport services, as well as building independent cross-border supply chains. We pay primary attention to expanding the involvement of emerging markets, developing economies, and the African continent in these processes. We advocate for maintaining an open global economy and a non-discriminatory approach to all its participants, and rejecting unilateral restrictive measures. We believe that the West's reliance on illegitimate restrictions and unfair competition stems from its defeat in fair competition with new economic centres and its unwillingness to acknowledge the emergence of a multipolar international order.

We will liberally share Russia's solutions and proposals with the G20 members in areas such as improving the business environment, removing barriers to investment and flows of goods, stimulating integration processes, including the vast experience and practical tools gained by the EAEU. We will consistently explain the advantages of implementing the Greater Eurasian Partnership flagship Russian foreign policy project which was advanced by President Putin in 2015. It will make it possible to create a continuous economic loop across our entire common continent. We believe the EAEU, the SCO, ASEAN, BRICS, the Chinese Belt and Road Initiative, as well as India, Iran, TArkiye, the Gulf States, and others are legitimate participants of this partnership.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Russian Foreign Ministry Summons Armenian Ambassador Over Yerevan's 'Unfriendly Actions'

Sputnik News

20230908

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The Russian Foreign Ministry summoned Armenian ambassador Vagharshak Harutyunyan on Friday for a serious talk over a number of "unfriendly actions" made by Yerevan.

According to the ministry, the Armenian athorities has recently made a number of "unfriendly actions" directed against Russia, namely launching the Rome Statute ratification process, a trip of Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's wife to Kiev, and holding joint drills with the United States.

"In this regard, Armenian ambassador in Moscow Harutyunyan was summoned to the Russian Foreign Ministry for a serious talk," the ministry stated.

In addition, Russia handed a note of protest to the ambassador over "offensive statements" made by President of Armenian National Assembly Alen Simonyan against Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova and the ministry in general.

The ministry also expressed concern over detention of pro-Russian blogger Mikael Badalyan and Sputnik Armenia columnist Ashot Gevorkyan on September 7 in Armenia.

"At the same time, Moscow firmly believes that Russia and Armenia remain allies, and all agreements on the development and strengthening of partnerships will be fully implemented for the benefit of the people of our two countries," the ministry emphasized.

A Sputnik

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Moscow Blasts Arrest of Sputnik Armenia Reporter as Aimed at Harming Russia-Armenia Ties

Sputnik News

20230908

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Forces that are interested in sowing hatred and fear between Armenia and Russia are behind the provocation involving the detention of Sputnik Armenia columnist Ashot Gevorkyan, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Friday.

On Thursday, the head of Russian cooperation agency Rossotrudnichestvo, Yevgeny Primakov, said that pro-Russian blogger Mikael Badalyan had gone missing in the Armenian city of Goris. Later, Sputnik Armenia reported that the blogger was detained together with the agency's columnist Ashot Gevorkyan by the Armenian Investigative Committee.

Later, the Armenian Investigative Committee said that Badalyan and Gevorkyan were detained in the south of Armenia as part of a case of illegal firearms trafficking.

"It is obvious that behind this provocation are the very forces that are not interested in bringing our countries and their peoples closer together, they are interested in the opposite a in alienating people, in sowing hatred, fear, mistrust," Zakharov said to the participants of the Russian-Armenian media forum that has kicked off in Yerevan.

Moscow is concerned about the growing number of pro-Western media structures in Armenia aimed at discrediting Russia, the diplomat said, adding that the tendency to spread "one-sided and negative information about Russia and Russian-Armenian relations" has recently prevailed in the information space of Armenia.

A Sputnik

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






President Tsai returns home following Eswatini trip

ROC Central News Agency

09/08/2023 03:50 PM

Taipei, Sept. 8 (CNA) President Tsai Ing-wen (ee) touched down in Taiwan on Friday afternoon after completing a four-day trip in the country's only African ally Eswatini, which she said had brought about fruitful results.

Taiwan and Eswatini have built close ties for 55 years through collaborative projects in the fields of medicine, agriculture, education and talent incubation, she told reporters shortly after her arrival at Taipei Taoyuan International Airport.

Tsai said her trip to Eswatini from Sept. 5-8 showed Taiwan's resolve to "make friends" with countries around the world despite facing "difficult" situations in international affairs.

She was likely alluding to the fact that China has ramped up efforts in recent years to isolate Taiwan from the international community by poaching its allies and opposing its inclusion in United Nations mechanisms, amid strained cross-strait relations.

Taiwan is capable of and willing to make contributions that can benefit the world, she said, adding that the country would continue seeking to play an active role in matters of global attention, without elaborating.

The four-day trip to the African nation, without any stopovers in a third country, was Tsai's ninth overseas visit since taking power in 2016.

She was invited to take part in the celebrations marking the 55th anniversary of the independence of Eswatini from the U.K. and the 55th birthday of the country's absolute monarch King Mswati III.

The president also visited sites where Taiwan's aid programs in the country take place, such as the Mbabane Government Hospital, as well as meeting with Taiwanese expatriates.

Speaking with reporters in Mbabane on Thursday (Mbabane time), Tsai emphasized her administration's efforts to expand outreach in the continent through an initiative dubbed the African Project.

Tsai said she had learned from previous conversations with Mswati III that there is a growing interest in Taiwan among African people.

She maintained that Taiwan must continue to engage with Africa and look for cooperation opportunities, despite a lack of formal diplomatic relations with the vast majority of the continent.

According to the president, while China's influence across the continent remains strong, many African nations would not object to the idea of developing some form of relationship with Taiwan, if it was beneficial to their economies or foreign relations.

She added that her administration would seek advice from Taiwanese expatriates in the region as it tries to improve and expand the program, and that she hoped whoever succeeds her as president next year would also be committed to it.

Launched in 2019 and led by the National Security Council, the African Project aims to promote exchanges between Taiwan and Africa in the areas of economics, public health, agriculture, education, technology and humanitarian assistance, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The program resulted in the opening of a new representative office in the Eastern African territory of Somaliland in 2020 and the resumption of operations in MOFA's Ivory Coast overseas mission in 2022, the ministry said earlier this week.

The ministry added that Taiwan's trade with Africa totaled US$7.81 billion in 2022, a nearly 70 percent increase from US$4.65 billion in 2018.

(By Wen Kuei-hsiang and Teng Pei-ju)

Enditem/kb

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






The Office of the President of Ukraine hosted a meeting of the working group to develop proposals for Ukraine's participation in the OECD Working Group

President of Ukraine

7 September 2023 - 22:10

On the instructions of Head of the Presidential Office and head of the working group Andriy Yermak, Deputy Head of the Presidential Office Andriy Smyrnov held a meeting of the working group on developing proposals for Ukraine's participation in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Working Group on Bribery in International Business Transactions.

The participants of the meeting reviewed the progress of measures aimed at Ukraine's full membership in the OECD Working Group on Bribery in International Business Transactions.

Andriy Smyrnov noted that a great deal of work has been done over the year of the group's existence: a number of public events and roundtables have been held, and trusting relationships have been built with delegates from a number of partner countries in the Working Group. In addition, on the initiative of Ukraine, the Working Group created a new format of interaction with states in the status of participants seeking membership - the so-called Peer learning group, within which each country received a group of mentor states that have completed the path to membership and are now helping us to overcome it faster.

Considerable attention was also paid to the state of development of the necessary draft laws.

The members of the working group discussed the concept of amendments to the legislation on criminal liability of legal entities, as well as on the definition of powers of anti-corruption bodies in the investigation and consideration of international bribery cases. This concept aims to introduce the institution of autonomous criminal liability of legal entities in accordance with the requirements of the OECD Anti-Corruption Convention.

In the future, the changes envisaged by the Convention will be subject to consultation and approval not only by government agencies, but also by the business community.

The participants also considered further steps to implement the OECD Council's recommendation on combating bribery in international business transactions and officially supported export credits. It was stated that, in general, Ukrainian legislation complies with the norms of this recommendation. However, there are some gaps, such as the need to check whether the counterparty company is on the blacklists of international financial organizations. Therefore, this issue will need to be regulated at the legislative level.

The Ministry of Finance was recommended to finalize the legislative changes to prohibit the deductibility of the amount of unlawful benefit from the tax base (tax non-deductibility of bribes) and prepare a draft law for consideration by the Verkhovna Rada. During the summer of 2023, the Ministry of Finance prepared a draft law aimed at taking into account the provisions of the OECD Council's recommendation on tax measures to further combat bribery of foreign officials in international business transactions, but after consultations with the OECD, it was decided to improve and finalize it.

Andriy Smyrnov also emphasized the importance of the Cabinet of Ministers adopting an order on submitting to the Verkhovna Rada the draft law "On Ratification of the Agreement (in the form of an exchange of letters) between the Government of Ukraine and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development on Joining the Working Group on Bribery in International Business Transactions of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development" and its adoption by the Parliament as soon as possible.

Finally, the participants discussed the composition of the Ukrainian delegation to the OECD Anti-Bribery Working Group's meeting to be held in mid-October 2023, where the global dialogue of the Working Group will discuss the liability of legal persons, as well as the preparation of the delegation for the December meeting of the Working Group, where the OECD expects to hear a report from Ukraine on its progress towards membership and ratification of the OECD Anti-Corruption Convention.

Following the discussion, the working group decided to accelerate the development of legislative changes, coordinate their provisions with international partners as soon as possible and submit them to the Parliament by the end of this year.

"Today we had a very specific and meaningful meeting, and I propose to record the results in the minutes and use them as a basis for our further work," summarized Andriy Smyrnov.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






US President Joe Biden's recent foreign policy agenda has sparked widespread discussion. Against the backdrop of his absence from the ASEAN Summit and related meetings, Biden is scheduled to visit Vietnam, one of the ASEAN member countries, on Sunday, with plans to elevate the bilateral relationship to a "strategic partnership," according to information released by the US. This move, putting Vietnam beyond ASEAN, reflects the essence of the US' Indo-Pacific Strategy.

Despite the US government's repeated emphasis on supporting ASEAN's centrality in the regional architecture in its strategic documents, the reality shows that it's merely a token gesture to ASEAN. Since taking office, the Biden administration has spared no effort in reviving the Quad, establishing the AUKUS clique, and mediating between Japan and South Korea, relying on so-called like-minded allies. In practice, the US' Indo-Pacific Strategy marginalizes ASEAN, essentially bypassing it and building a "minilateral cooperation" mechanism centered on the US to directly serve US hegemony.

While snubbing ASEAN, the US is also dividing ASEAN. For instance, the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity launched by the Biden administration invited only seven ASEAN member countries, excluding the other three. Such differential treatment inevitably creates rifts within ASEAN. Biden's decision to prioritize Vietnam over ASEAN once again demonstrates the US' intention to divide ASEAN.

The upgrading of the US-Vietnam relationship is closely linked to the escalating tensions in the South China Sea. By enhancing its military presence in the Philippines, the US is increasingly intervening behind the scenes in the South China Sea issue, and disputes between China and the Philippines are showing signs of intensification. Indonesia, the rotating chair of ASEAN this year, has repeatedly expressed a desire to accelerate negotiations on the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea, which is something the US does not want to see. A calm South China Sea means the US has one less interface to meddle in regional affairs. Therefore, as one of the claimants in the South China Sea, Vietnam has become a target for US courtship. Washington aims to build a united front against China regarding the South China Sea issue by enhancing cooperation with the Philippines and Vietnam.

Ironically, the US practice of marginalizing and dividing ASEAN reveals a decline in its own influence. The strategic competition initiated by the US against China has squeezed the policy space of ASEAN countries and increased strategic pressure on regional nations. ASEAN leaders repeatedly emphasize that they refuse to "take sides" between China and the US. The US is well aware that ASEAN, as a whole, will not follow its lead on the issue of containing China. This has caused strategic anxiety in Washington.

The US itself is to blame for the current situation. On the one hand, influenced by domestic trade protectionism, the US is reluctant to open its market to ASEAN countries and opposes multilateral trade systems like RCEP or CPTPP.

On the other hand, the US tends to judge and differentiate its partners based on US own values, while most ASEAN countries do not necessarily align with the standards of US-style democracy. The US is neither able nor willing to make changes in these two aspects.

From this perspective, the US' courtship of Vietnam is merely a temporary measure. Earlier this year, Washington meddled in Hanoi's domestic affairs through its "Country Reports on Human Rights Practices" and faced criticism from Vietnamese officials.

A common consensus among ASEAN countries is that the US' Asia-Pacific policy lacks consistency. From the "Pivot to Asia" during the Barack Obama administration to Donald Trump's "America First" foreign policy, and now to the Biden administration's Indo-Pacific Strategy, ASEAN countries have become increasingly skeptical of US commitments.

In sharp contrast, China has consistently adhered to four "unswerving" principles in its relations with ASEAN: China will unswervingly take ASEAN as a high priority in its neighborhood diplomacy, unswervingly support ASEAN unity and ASEAN Community building. Furthermore, China will unswervingly support ASEAN centrality in the evolving regional architecture, and unswervingly support ASEAN in playing a bigger role in regional and international affairs.

It is evident that China's emphasis on ASEAN is fundamentally different from the US'. The attention paid by the US to ASEAN is in fact driven by the competition with China. China and ASEAN are geographically connected and have deep economic, social and cultural ties that cannot be severed. They should be strategic pillars for each other and work together to prevent a new cold war from occurring in Asia. (Source: Global Times)
Human rights violations in Ukraine : EU sanctions six individuals under Global Sanctions Regime

European Council / Council of the European Union

Council of the EU

Press release

8 September 2023

The Council decided today to impose restrictive measures on six individuals responsible for serious human rights violations in the Russian Federation and in the territories of Ukraine that Russia has temporarily occupied, including violations of freedom of opinion and expression.

The individuals listed today include prosecutors and judges active in courts established by Russia's occupying force in illegally annexed Crimea. They took part in the politically motivated court proceedings against Vladyslav Yesypenko, a journalist who was sentenced to 6 years in prison, and Nariman Dzhelyalov, a Crimean Tatar.

The Russian regime is using the judiciary of the country as a tool in numerous serious human rights violations. The justice system is not independent and is used to systematically and severely violate the human rights of individuals opposed to the ruling regime by violating their freedom of opinion and expression.

Furthermore, today's listings include two members of the Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation (FSB) that either took part in torturing Vladyslav Yesypenko, or conducted the investigations in his case, and those of members of the Crimean Tatar community, and of the Jehovah's Witnesses in Crimea.

EU restrictive measures under the Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime now apply to a total of 67 individuals and 20 entities. Those designated are subject to an asset freeze and EU citizens and companies are forbidden from making funds available to them. Natural persons are additionally subject to a travel ban, which prevents them from entering or transiting through EU territories.

The EU does not recognise the attempted illegal annexation by Russia of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol as well as parts of the Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions of Ukraine, which violate international law including the UN Charter. The Union remains steadfast in its commitment to Ukraine's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders and is dedicated to fully implementing its non-recognition policy.

The EU is concerned about the continuing deterioration of the human rights situation in the territories of Ukraine that Russia has temporarily occupied in the context of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine.

Background

On 7 December 2020, the Council established a global human rights sanctions regime which applies to acts such as genocide, crimes against humanity and other serious human rights violations or abuses (e.g. torture, slavery, extrajudicial killings, arbitrary arrests or detentions). The EU Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime underscores the Union's determination to enhance its role in addressing serious human rights violations and abuses worldwide. Realising the effective enjoyment of human rights by everyone is a strategic goal of the Union. Respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and respect for human rights are fundamental values of the Union and its common foreign and security policy.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






EU Statement -- UN Security Council: Maintenance of Peace and Security of Ukraine

European External Action Service (EEAS)

08.09.2023

New York

Press and information team of the Delegation to the UN in New York

8 September 2023, New York -- Statement on behalf of the European Union delivered by H.E. Ambassador Olof Skoog, Delegation of the European Union to the United Nations, on Maintenance of Peace and Security of Ukraine

President,

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union and its Member States.

The Candidate Countries North Macedonia*, Montenegro*, Albania*, Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova and Bosnia and Herzegovina*, and the EFTA country Liechtenstein, member of the European Economic Area, as well as, Andorra, Monaco and San Marino align themselves with this statement.

I thank the Albanian presidency for the opportunity to address the Security Council. I also thank ASG Jenca for her briefing, as well as the UN Country Team in Ukraine that was visiting New York this week for its very valuable efforts to alleviate the plight of the Ukrainian people.

President,

Today I want to emphasize two points: firstly that Russia's illegitimate so-called 'elections' in territories of Ukraine under temporarily military occupation hold no value under international law. They should not, and will not be recognised; and secondly, the dire human rights situation in these territories.

[Russia's intentions to hold illegal 'elections']

Russia has decided to go ahead with its so-called elections in the territories of Ukraine that it has temporarily militarily occupied. This is yet another manifest violation of international law and a futile attempt by Russia to legitimise its illegal military control and attempted annexation of parts of Ukraine's Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions, and the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the City of Sevastopol. Russia has no legitimate basis for any such action on the territory of Ukraine. By wilfully undermining the international order based on international law and violating the fundamental rights of Ukraine to its independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, as enshrined in the UN Charter, Russia is putting global peace and security at risk, as many of you have recognized today.

A little less than a year ago, the UN General Assembly overwhelmingly voted to condemn Russia's illegal annexation of Ukraine's territories. With 143 votes in favour, and only five against, the GA called upon States, international organisations and UN agencies to not recognise any alteration by Russia of the status of these territories of Ukraine and demanded that Russia completely and unconditionally withdraws all of its military forces from Ukraine within its internationally recognised borders.Russia doesn't just block this Council from meaningful decisions, it is also in defiance of the GA.

Russia, its political leadership, and all those involved in organising these illegitimate so-called 'elections' will face consequences for these illegal actions.

[human rights in the occupied territories]

These illegal so-called 'elections' in Ukraine are taking place amidst Russia's forced and illegal granting of passports, including to children, and widespread and systematic human rights violations in Ukraine's occupied territories.

International monitoring mechanisms, including the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine and the Independent International Commission of Inquiry, have concluded that Russia has committed a wide range of violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights law in Ukraine. These violations include indiscriminate attacks as well as intentional attacks against civilians and civilian objects, widespread and systematic summary executions, torture, ill-treatment and unlawful confinement, rape and other forms of sexual and gender-based violence and forced transfer and deportation, including of children.

The past months, Russia has once again escalated its attacks on civilian objects, including on facilities for the export of Ukrainian grain. Earlier this week Russia bombed a crowded market in Donetsk region, killing at least 16 people, including a child, and injuring dozens of others. Intentional attacks against civilians are war crimes. All commanders, perpetrators and accomplices of these atrocities will be held to account. The EU remains firmly committed to ensure that Russia is held fully accountable for its aggression against Ukraine.

Furthermore, the SG report on the situation of children in armed conflict lists the Russian army and affiliated armed groups as a perpetrator of grave violations against children. These violations include killing and maiming Ukrainian children, mostly caused by air strikes, and attacking schools and hospitals.

I express the EU's full support for the work of the United Nations to monitor and report on human rights violations and abuses and to support efforts toward accountability. In this regard, we welcome the recent visit by the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture to Ukraine. We urge Russia to uphold international human rights and humanitarian law. It must enable full, safe and unhindered humanitarian access through the front lines and stop willingly withholding aid from people in need in Ukraine's occupied territories.

President,

The EU remains unwavering in its support for Ukraine, its sovereignty and territorial integrity. Russia must immediately, completely and unconditionally withdraw all of its troops and military equipment from the entire territory of Ukraine within its internationally recognised borders. Ukraine is exercising its inherent right to defend itself and to regain full control of its territory.

Russia's illegitimate so-called 'elections' in territories of Ukraine under temporarily military occupation hold no value under international law. They should not, and will not be recognised

Crimea, Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Donetsk and Luhansk are Ukraine. We call on all States and international organisations to unequivocally reject these illegal 'elections'.

President,

In ten days world leaders will descend on New York to take stock of the SDG's. As the rest of the world renews its commitment to assist every country to achieve the goals, Russia, through its military assault, is not only setting back the ambitions of the Ukrainian people but also putting at peril these fundamental goals of people in every corner of the world.

I thank you.

* North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






New EU project on competition and state aid in Ukraine: kick off event outlines main results to achieve

European External Action Service (EEAS)

08.09.2023

Press and information team of the Delegation to UKRAINE

On September 8, a new EU-funded "Competition and State Aid Rules Alignment with EU Acquis" (COMPASA) Project was officially launched to bolster competition and State aid regulations in Ukraine. This three-year initiative will help the Antimonopoly Committee of Ukraine (AMCU) to align Ukraine's legal framework with the EU standards.

"This new project will continue the fruitful cooperation between the EU and Ukraine to build a sound competition and State aid system in Ukraine in alignment with the EU practices. The project will engage renowned competition and State aid experts from the EU to help further strengthen Ukraine's competition framework, enhance the independence of AMCU and help it effectively exercise its powers to protect businesses and consumers from anticompetitive practices in the market", - saidChloA Allio, Head of Operations Section - Economic Cooperation, Energy, Infrastructure and Environment, the EU Delegation to Ukraine.

The COMPASA Project is expected to play a pivotal role in assisting Ukraine in meeting the requirements deriving from Ukraine`s status of candidate country to the accession in the EU. In the context of Ukraine's perspective of EU membership, the Project will be instrumental in helping Ukraine implement the Commission Opinion on its accession preparedness concerning the competition framework and State aid control system. The Project encompasses two main substantial activity areas: competition - which includes antitrust and mergers' control, vital for fostering fair competition and economic growth, and State aid - ensuring a robust framework for State aid control, promoting transparency, and facilitating Ukraine's economic development. Additionally, the Project will offer support in the digitalization and communication of AMCU's core functions, recognizing the importance of efficient communication in today's context.

"Implementation of EU competition and State aid legislation is one of the key priorities of the Antimonopoly Committee of Ukraine. This is one of the conditions for Ukraine's accession to the European Union and a key to economic development. Based on this, Ukraine will promote its integration into the European market by creating a fair competitive environment that will ensure, on the one hand, equal conditions for business, future investments in the country, and, on the other hand, efficient spending of public funds," said Olga Nechytailo, the AMCU's State Commissioner.

While the main beneficiary will be the Antimonopoly Committee of Ukraine, the Project will also provide guidance and support to other important institutional stakeholders such as Ukraine's Parliament, Cabinet of Ministers (including the Government Office for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration), and significant State aid granting bodies. The project will facilitate open dialogue with the private sector, business associations, legal firms, universities and economic media. Their involvement is critical to ensure that transparent and efficient competition and State aid systems contribute to Ukraine's wartime and post-war economic recovery and development efforts.

"Our Project goes beyond offering advice. We will provide on-the-ground support, expert guidance, and practical training to the Antimonopoly Committee of Ukraine and other stakeholders" - said Stefan Sabau, the project team leader.

The COMPASA Project is a collaborative effort with the aim of advancing Ukraine's alignment with EU standards. It exemplifies the EU's commitment to supporting Ukraine's journey towards full compliance with EU rules and standards.

Background information:

"Competition and State aid rules and practices alignment with the EU acquis" project will contribute to sustainable and equitable recovery and economic competitiveness of Ukraine through strengthened and EU compliant competition and State aid frameworks, aligned with requirements of Ukraine's accession process towards the EU membership. It will be implemented in 2023-2026 by a consortium of WYG Consulting Ltd. and Romanian Competition Council.

For additional information, please contact the project team leader, Mr Stefan Sabau, at email address: stefan.sabau@sesar.inf.ua

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Update 182 - IAEA Director General Statement on Situation in Ukraine

International Atomic Energy Agency

87/2023

Vienna, Austria

8 Sep 2023

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) experts based at Ukraine's Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) have reported hearing numerous explosions over the past week, in a possible sign of increased military activity in the region that could also pose a potential threat to nuclear safety and security at the site, Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi said today.

Just over a year after the IAEA established a permanent presence at Europe's largest nuclear power plant (NPP) to help prevent an accident there during the conflict in Ukraine, the overall situation at the facility remains highly precarious, Director General Grossi said.

Starting last Saturday, the IAEA team heard around two dozen explosions over three days, followed by several more in the last few days. There was no damage to the plant itself.

"The reports I receive from our experts indicate that the explosions occurred some distance away from the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant. Nevertheless, I remain deeply concerned about the possible dangers facing the plant at this time of heightened military tension in the region," Director General Grossi said, again stressing the importance of all parties adhering to the five concrete principles for the protection of the ZNPP.

"Whatever happens in a conflict zone wherever it may be, everybody would stand to lose from a nuclear accident, and I urge that all necessary precautions must be taken to avoid it happening," he said.

Separately, the ZNPP informed the IAEA team that more drone strikes had taken place in the nearby city of Enerhodar - where many plant staff live with their families - in the morning of 7 September. No casualties were reported. In addition, the IAEA team was informed that the ZNPP had decided to temporarily reduce the number of personnel on the site to minimum levels over the next few days due to concerns of a higher risk of military activities in the area.

At the plant, the IAEA experts observed the continued presence of mines between the perimeter fences, but they did not see any additional ones during their walkdown activities across the site. However, they have still not been granted access to the rooftops of reactor units 1, 2, 5 and 6. The IAEA team has also been requesting a walkdown of all six turbine halls, one after the other, to be able to fully assess, at one time, whether there may be any items present that may be in contravention of the five principles. At present, this request has not been granted.

"To monitor compliance with the five principles, we must be able to have full access," Director General Grossi said.

Three months after the downstream Kakhovka dam was destroyed - causing the depletion of the huge reservoir that the ZNPP had been relying on to cool its reactors and spent fuel - the plant continues work on expanding access to other sources of water, for example through the drilling of groundwater wells. So far, seven such wells of a planned total of 10-12 have been completed.

In recent days, the IAEA team observed - on two separate occasions - the operation of these wells supplying the sprinkler ponds, which are located next to the six reactors and used for the plant's cooling functions.

The ZNPP has informed the IAEA team that the seven wells currently operating are accounting for just over half of the approximately 250 cubic metres of water per hour that are required to maintain the cooling water in the sprinkler ponds. This assumes all units remain in a shutdown state. The remaining volume of cooling water is currently pumped from the site's drainage system. As a result of the new wells, the ZNPP also informed the IAEA that the height of the groundwater had only declined by a very minor level.

The IAEA team reported that the ZNPP is performing maintenance on different components and safety systems at the facility, whose six reactors remain shut down, one in hot shutdown and the others in cold shutdown.

On 4 September, a water leak was detected in a recirculation valve of the essential service water system in reactor unit 5. To repair this valve, the site had to place one safety train of unit 5 and one of unit 6 offline. After the valve was repaired, the safety train of unit 6 was returned to stand-by mode, while that of unit 5 was kept offline for maintenance work. Each reactor at the ZNPP has three separate and independent redundant systems (also called "safety trains") that together comprise the units' safety systems, which are normally in stand-by mode ready to activate if needed to maintain the reactor unit's safety. One safety train alone is capable of maintaining the reactor unit's safety.

Maintenance activities of the safety systems of unit 4 are also taking place, including of its transformer, heat exchangers and emergency diesel generators. Once they are completed, the site will conduct the final test of the steam generator that was repaired after a water leak was detected in this unit last month.

Over the past week, the IAEA team also conducted other walkdown activities within the site perimeter, including at the main control room, emergency control room and the safety systems rooms of unit 6 and the turbine hall of unit 3 where the team reported that there was no military equipment present at the time of its visit. This morning the IAEA experts visited the turbine hall of reactor unit 1 where they observed a total of fifteen vehicles, but no heavy weapons.

The ZNPP continues to receive off-site power from the last remaining 750 kilovolt (kV) power line and a single 330kV backup power line. The IAEA experts were informed by the ZNPP that the site currently does not have any information on the status of repairs of the damaged off-site power lines as they all pass through the military conflict areas.

Elsewhere in Ukraine, rotations of the IAEA experts have been conducted this week at the Khmelnitsky, Rivne and South Ukraine NPPs and a rotation of the team at the Chornobyl site is scheduled for next week. The IAEA teams at the four sites did not report any nuclear safety or security issues.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Sending Taurus missiles to Ukraine can't be done 'quickly': Germany

Iran Press TV

Friday, 08 September 2023 6:36 PM

Germany has reportedly held back on supplying Ukraine with long-range Taurus cruise missiles, saying that the delivery of the weapon is "not something that can be done quickly."

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said on Friday that "every detail has to be worked out" before sending the cruise missile to Ukraine.

When asked whether Germany could reprogram its missiles to prevent Ukraine from targeting Russian territory, the foreign minister said that "other partners also have similar questions and found solutions."

Taurus cruise missiles with a range of more than 500 km are launched by fighter jets such as the Tornado, the F-15 or the F-18.

According to experts, technically it is not that difficult to limit the range of a Taurus cruise missile.

The German government was in talks with arms maker MBDA about the delivery of the missiles to Ukraine, since Kiev made the request for the weapon, German magazine Spiegel reported last month.

The talks between Berlin and MBDA were focusing on such a modification, according to the report, which said Chancellor Olaf Scholz wants to prevent at all costs any Ukrainian attacks on Russian territory with the weapon.

Since the onset of the war in Ukraine in February 2022, Germany has supplied Ukraine with the Leopard tanks and IRIS-T air defense systems. Britain and France have also sent Storm Shadow and Scalp cruise missiles to the country.

For nearly a year, the US-made HIMARS a the M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System a has been the longest-range rocket system Ukraine has had.

But since Russia keeps thwarting the rocket systems more frequently in recent months, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba requested ATACMS long-range missiles in a phone call with his US counterpart Antony Blinken. Washington, however, has so far refrained from sending its ATACMS to Ukraine.

Most of the Ukrainian attacks against Russia are reportedly carried out by Western-supplied ammunition.

Since Russia launched its "special military operation in Ukraine," it has repeatedly warned the United States and its Western allies against involvement in the conflict, saying that Russia would use any weapon in its arsenal to protect its security.

Russia says the West and NATO are playing a direct role in the Ukraine conflict by pouring advanced weapons and military equipment into Ukraine.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Zelenskiy Says Slower Arms Shipments Are Hurting Counteroffensive

By RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service September 08, 2023

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy says that "slower" arms shipments from Western countries are threatening the counteroffensive and called for a renewed drive to impose further sanctions on Moscow.

"All processes are becoming more complicated and slower -- from sanctions to the provision of weapons," Zelenskiy said in his evening address on September 8. "The longer it takes, the more people suffer," he warned.

He called for Ukraine's allies to send more powerful and long-range weapons to push back Russian forces.

"The more powerful and long-range it is, the faster the counteroffensive is," he said.

Ukraine launched its counteroffensive in the south and east in June but has made limited gains as its troops encounter heavily fortified Russian defensive lines.

Zelenskiy and Ukrainian officials have frequently pushed back at criticism that the counteroffensive has been too slow.

In his comments on September 8, he said when partners ask about the counteroffensive, "My answer is that today our steps are probably faster than new sanctions packages."

Zelenskiy's request for new arms supplies came a day after U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken wrapped up a two-day visit to Ukraine during which he announced $1 billion of new wartime aid.

Commenting on sanctions, Zelenskiy said there had been a "pause" by Ukraine's partners that has lasted too long, saying the world's "sanctions offensive must resume."

Zelenskiy said keeping the pressure on Moscow should focus on Russia's energy sector, its access to microelectronics, and its financial sector.

He also said that Russia hopes next year's U.S. presidential elections will reduce Washington's support for Kyiv, insisting that it is "important that the American people support democracy, support Ukraine, support our struggle."

He acknowledged that while Ukraine had bipartisan backing, there were "voices in the Republican Party who say that support for Ukraine should be reduced."

Zelenskiy also declared he was prepared to hold elections, saying his government was ready to adjust to wartime constraints to make sure legitimate polls were held.

He acknowledged potential difficulties, including for refugees and people in Russian-occupied territories, and the need for soldiers on the front to have their say.

"For us the main thing is not to hold elections, but for them to be recognized," he said.

With reporting by AFP and Reuters

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/zelenskiy-slow- arms-shipments-hurting-counteroffensive-ukraine/32584663.html

Copyright (c) 2023. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Russian Forces Shell Several Ukrainian Regions; Kyiv Claims Successes Near Bakhmut

By RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service September 08, 2023

At least four people were killed and dozens of others wounded in Russian attacks across Ukraine on September 8, as Kyiv claimed "partial success" near the battle-scarred city of Bakhmut.

Missile strikes targeted President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's hometown of Kryviy Rih in central Ukraine, killing a police officer and wounding dozens, according to emergency officials.

Three people pulled from the rubble were in serious condition, said Internal Affairs Minister Ihor Klymenko. Ten buildings were damaged in the attack on Kryviy Rih, he added.

Klymenko said later on Telegram that the number of wounded had risen to 73, including nine policemen.

Meanwhile, a Russian bomb attack killed at least three people in the village of Odradokamyanka in the southern Kherson region, Klymenko said.

Russian forces also launched rocket attacks on Ukraine's Zaporizhzhya and Sumy regions earlier in the day.

"In the morning, the enemy fired several rockets, targeting civilian infrastructure in the capital of the [Zaporizhzhya] region. All emergency services are now on the site," Yuriy Malashko, the head of the regional military administration, wrote on Telegram.

Malashko said at least one local resident was wounded in the attack on the city of Zaporizhzhya.

Acting Mayor Anatoly Kurtev said 42 high-rise buildings were damaged in the attack.

"Windows were broken in the apartments and entrances of the affected houses," he said.

There were no immediate reports of casualties from Sumy, where shelling destroyed a private house, according to the provincial military administration.

The General Staff of Ukraine's armed forces reported early on September 8 that its forces repelled Russian attacks on several towns and villages in the country's east and south, including the Donetsk settlements of Lyman, Bakhmut, and Shakhtarsk.

The military claimed "partial success" by Ukrainian forces in the south of Bakhmut, where troops "pushed the enemy out and reinforced their own positions."

The General Staff also said Ukrainian troops were making gradual progress in their southward advance toward the Sea of Azov.

Klishchiyivka, a town south of Bakhmut, has been destroyed as a result of the fighting, Oleh Kalashnikov, press officer for the 26th Artillery Brigade, said on Radio Svoboda.

"Klishchiyivka itself today is a rather sad picture. This is a village that was constantly under fire from Russian troops, that is, battles were directly fought there, and targets were also hit by artillery. We can say that Klishchiyivka is another settlement that was very, very badly destroyed," Kalashnikov said.

The town's infrastructure and private houses are unfit for life, he added, saying the restoration will require a lot of time and money.

Ukrainian forces control about half of Klishchiyivka, Deputy Commander of the 3rd Assault Brigade Maksym Zhorin told RFE/RL earlier on September 8.

Russia's Defense Ministry claimed that its troops had repelled nine attempted Ukrainian advances south of Bakhmut.

Battlefield reports cannot be independently verified. The reports come as Ukrainian forces focus on retaking Bakhmut, which was seized by Russian troops in May after months of intense fighting, reducing the city to ruins.

Open-source researchers, meanwhile, said the missile that struck a market in the eastern town of Kostyantynivka on September 6 may have been an errant Ukrainian missile -- "a tragic accident" -- rather than a Russian strike as initially reported.

Ruslan Leviev, who heads a respected Russian group called the Conflict Intelligence Team (CIT), said he reached his conclusions based on analysis of video footage of the attack. Leviev made the claim in a report aired on the YouTube channel of Russian journalist Maikl Naki.

Last month, Leviev and Naki, who are not currently in Russia, were both sentenced in absentia to 11 years each in a penal colony by a Moscow court for distributing "fake" news about Russia's war in Ukraine. The same month, CIT was declared "undesirable" by Russian authorities.

Ukrainian officials have not commented publicly on Leviev's claims as of September 8.

With reporting by Reuters and AFP

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-rocket- attack-zaporizhzhya-bakhmut-ukraine-successes/32583727.html

Copyright (c) 2023. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Kyiv Decries Russia's Elections In Occupied Ukrainian Territories As 'Fake'

By RFE/RL September 08, 2023

Russian authorities are holding local elections in occupied parts of Ukraine in an effort to tighten their grip on territories Moscow illegally annexed a year ago in a vote Kyiv and the West have condemned as "fake" and a "propaganda exercise."

The voting for Russian-installed legislatures in the illegally occupied parts of the Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhya regions of Ukraine began on September 8 and concludes on September 10, the same weekend that local elections are being held in Russia. The elections are being held as Ukraine reports advances in its counteroffensive to drive Russian forces out of the occupied territories.

Ukraine's Foreign Ministry condemned the elections in a statement on September 8, adding that they "will have no legal consequences and will not bring any changes in the international status of Ukrainian territories seized by Russian military forces."

"Russia's sham elections in the temporarily occupied territories are null and void," the statement said.

"These actions of the Russian Federation brutally violate the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, Ukrainian legislation as well as norms and principles of the international law, namely the United Nations Charter.... By conducting fake elections in Ukrainian regions and in Crimea Moscow continues delegitimizing Russia's legal system," it added.

In the occupied regions, early voting started a week ago before as election officials went door to door or set up polling stations in public places to attract passersby. The AP quoted local residents and Ukrainian activists saying officials made house visits accompanied by armed soldiers.

Ivan Fyodorov, the Ukrainian mayor of Melitopol, a Russian-held city in the Zaporizhzhia region, told the AP that local residents are being forced to vote.

"When there's an armed person standing in front of you, it's hard to say no," he said.

Russia does not fully control any of the four regions inside Ukraine where the votes are being held. In September 2022 Moscow proclaimed its annexation of the four partially occupied regions after staging referendums that Western nations dismissed and have refused to recognize their results.

Three-quarters of the countries at the United Nations General Assembly in October 2022 condemned Russia's "attempted illegal annexation" of the four regions.

Along with Crimea -- illegally annexed by Moscow in 2014 -- the four regions make up almost one-fifth of Ukraine.

Voters are supposed to elect regional legislatures, which in turn will appoint regional governors.

In the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, thousands of candidates are also competing for seats on dozens of local councils. Candidates are all either Russian or pro-Russian, and include governors hand-picked by Moscow, the BBC reported.

Ukraine has vowed to bring to account all officials involved in organizing and conducting the elections, "including the leadership of the Russian Federation, representatives of occupation administrations, and electoral bodies."

"The Kremlin hopes these pre-determined, fabricated results will strengthen Russia's illegitimate claims to the parts of Ukraine it occupies, but this is nothing more than a propaganda exercise," U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement on September 7, adding that the United States "will never recognize" Russia's claims to any of Ukraine's sovereign territory.

The European Union has also condemned the elections as "illegal," adding that those involved will be held to account, European Commission spokesman Peter Stano said in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter.

The Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, the continent's foremost human rights body, also condemned Russia's decision to hold elections in the occupied territories.

"Holding local elections in occupied territories only creates an illusion of democracy but clearly violates the right of citizens to participate in the conduct of local public affairs," Leendert Verbeek, the president of the Congress, said on September 4.

Russia also is holding local elections in more than 20 Russian regions from September 8 to September 10.

The main contender in the election is United Russia, the Putin-loyal party that dominates Russian politics, although other parties, such as the Communist Party and the nationalist Liberal Democratic party, are also on the ballots.

With reporting by AP and Reuters

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/kyiv-decries-fake-russian- elections-occupied-ukraine-territories/32584379.html

Copyright (c) 2023. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Kolomoyskiy Arrest Seen As A 'Key Test' Of Zelenskiy's Anti-Corruption Campaign

By Todd Prince, Current Time September 08, 2023

For right or wrong, Ukrainian tycoon Ihor Kolomoyskiy has come to epitomize for many in Washington and Brussels the endemic corruption that has held Ukraine back economically and politically since its independence more than three decades ago.

The 60-year-old businessman, who is blacklisted by the United States, has over the years sent armed men to take over companies, threatened officials, cheated state-owned companies, and bought off parliamentarians to stall crucial Western-backed reforms, among other brazen acts.

"He is really numero uno in terms of doing active damage. He is the one protecting corrupt interests against the reform tide," John Herbst, the former U.S. ambassador to Ukraine, told RFE/RL.

But Kolomoyskiy's Teflon-like ability to escape criminal consequences for decades may have come to an end on September 2, when he was arrested in Ukraine on suspicion of fraud and money laundering in relation to a state-owned company and handed a 60-day, pretrial detention.

The dramatic jailing of Kolomoyskiy, once the nation's third-richest man according to Forbes, is the latest in a series of high-profile arrests in Ukraine over the past year as President Volodymyr Zelenskiy tries to portray himself as an anti-corruption crusader.

While Ukrainian leaders have for decades promised to tackle corruption with little to show for all their talk, the issue has grown in urgency since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Ukrainian citizens, suffering from the deprivation of war, are showing little patience for graft. Meanwhile, some politicians in the West are trying to use Ukraine's reputation as endemically corrupt as an excuse to curtail crucial military aid. For both Ukrainians and their Western allies, no other arrest could send such a strong signal that Ukraine is determined to fight corruption than that of Kolomoyskiy.

"He is the most well-known name in Ukraine and abroad to showcase the fight against corruption," Tetiana Shevchuk, a lawyer with the Anti-Corruption Action Center, a Kyiv-based NGO, told RFE/RL.

In an interview with Current Time -- the Russian-language network run by RFE/RL in cooperation with VOA -- Vladimir Fesenko, a Kyiv-based political analyst, said his arrest was "a demonstration that there are no untouchables."

Ukraine is scheduled to hold elections in the spring of 2024 and, while the war could push it back indefinitely, the spate of corruption-related arrests will undoubtedly bolster Zelenskiy's ratings.

For those politicians in Washington who back aid to Ukraine, Kolomoyskiy's arrest is a "wonderful talking point," Herbst said.

Congress is currently debating whether to approve President Joe Biden's $40 billion emergency spending bill, more than half of which will go toward crucial military and humanitarian aid for Ukraine as it tries to drive Russian forces out of its territory.

A vocal minority of Republicans have balked at giving so much aid to Ukraine, often highlighting the country's notorious reputation for corruption despite notable improvements in anti-graft reform and investigations.

Kolomoyskiy is arguably the most notorious of the Ukrainian tycoons who emerged from the wreckage of the Soviet Union's collapse and snapped up former state assets at rock-bottom prices, sometimes deploying extralegal or violent methods.

A native of Dnipro, a major industrial city in southeastern Ukraine, Kolomoyskiy has owned banks, energy firms, metals companies, airlines, and one of the nation's most influential television channels.

Over the years, as they consolidated their assets, many of the original tycoons tried to clean up their image, stepping back from bare-knuckle tactics. Kolomoyskiy, for the most part, did not, experts say.

Until Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine, those tycoons wielded immense power behind the scenes, using their wealth and media assets to win the loyalty of politicians, judges, and parliamentarians and push policies that benefited their companies.

Kolomoyskiy's television station backed Zelenskiy's presidential election campaign in 2019 and is credited with helping the political novice win in a landslide against the incumbent, President Petro Poroshenko.

It raised alarm at home and abroad that Zelenskiy might be beholden to Kolomoyskiy, especially after he tapped the tycoon's former lawyer as his chief of staff. Foreign executives working in Ukraine feared it represented "a return to the old ways of doing business," according to a 2019 U.S. Embassy cable. Zelenskiy continued to be dogged by suspicion even after he passed legislation hurting Kolomoyskiy's interests.

The pressure on Zelenskiy to publicly distance himself from the notorious tycoon only grew after the FBI announced in August 2020 that it was investigating Kolomoyskiy for allegedly embezzling hundreds of millions of dollars from his Ukrainian bank and using the proceeds to purchase commercial real estate in the United States.

Seven months later, the U.S. State Department blacklisted Kolomoyskiy for corruption and undermining democracy at home, in what many experts viewed as a signal to Zelenskiy to bring him to heel.

"It was always toxic for Zelenskiy that the oligarch closest to him was being investigated by the United States," Shevchuk said.

In 2021, Zelenskiy signed into law an "anti-oligarch" bill that essentially gives tycoons a tough choice: either refrain from politics or sell your media assets. However, the bill was criticized by experts at home and abroad as a "populist" measure that could be abused to target political opponents or their backers. The bill was part of a broader campaign that Zelenskiy called "de-oligarchization," or the curtailing of tycoons' power.

In a 2021 report, Andrew Wilson, a Ukraine expert at the European Council on Foreign Relations, said the "key test" of Zelenskiy's campaign to rein in tycoons would be how he handled Kolomoyskiy.

"The Ukrainian government had to pursue [Kolomoyskiy] to demonstrate its reformist credentials to the U.S.," he wrote at the time.

As Zelenskiy pursued his campaign, Kolomoyskiy appeared to carry on as usual. Former U.S. Ambassador Herbst told RFE/RL that "it was Kolomoyskiy who seemed to act as if he could do what he wants."

The tycoon continued his fight to recover Privatbank, the nation's largest lender, which was taken over by the state in 2016 after the central bank said it was on the verge of bankruptcy. The West, which has given billions of dollars over the years in financial aid to Ukraine, vehemently opposed any move to return Privatbank to Kolomoyskiy.

Kolomoyskiy was also making new enemies. According to Forbes' sources, Zelenskiy's administration was angered that Kolomoyskiy did not step up enough in the early phases of the 2022 war to help the government financially. The tycoon did play a large role in helping Ukraine defend its territories in 2014-15 when Russian fighters first tried seizing land.

Five months after the start of Russia's 2022 invasion, rumors spread that Zelenskiy had revoked Kolomoyskiy's Ukrainian citizenship, though there has never been confirmation from either side. As Ukraine does not extradite its own citizens, such a move potentially opens the door to Kolomoyskiy's extradition to the United States should the FBI ever file criminal charges.

Analyst Fesenko said that Kolomoyskiy's ties to Zelenskiy had always been exaggerated. He didn't so much support Zelenskiy as he sought the ouster of his nemesis, Poroshenko, he said.

In a clear reference to Kolomoyskiy's arrest, Zelenskiy thanked Ukrainian law enforcement for bringing cases to court "that have been hindered for decades."

While Kolomoyskiy's arrest sends a strong message, there are still voices who doubt the sincerity of Zelenskiy's commitment to the anti-corruption cause. Western officials have long viewed the Ukrainian Prosecutor-General's Office, the security services (SBU), and the courts as mired in corruption and incapable of going after high-profile figures. No tycoons had ever been convicted by a Ukrainian court. In exchange for much-needed financial aid following Ukraine's 2014 revolution, the West required Kyiv to create independent anti-corruption bodies.

But rather than being seen as onboard with those initiatives, Zelenskiy set off alarm bells in the West with what appeared to be attempts to control these new, supposedly independent institutions. After failing to put his preferred choices at the helm of the anti-corruption bodies, two weeks ago, Zelenskiy proposed equating large-scale graft to treason. That would allow the SBU, which is overseen by the presidential administration, to take over cases from the anti-corruption bodies, experts said. The president's plan was met with pushback from activists and officials at home and abroad.

In a possible sign of Washington's concern about the proposed legislation of equating graft with treason, U.S. national-security adviser Jake Sullivan met at the White House on September 1 with the heads of the anti-corruption institutions to discuss "safeguarding [their] autonomy."

The following day, Kolomoyskiy was detained by the SBU.

The Ukrainian anti-corruption investigative body NABU, which had been investigating Kolomoyskiy since 2019, announced on September 7 that Kolomoyskiy was a suspect in a case involving alleged embezzlement at Privatbank.

Fesenko said he expects to soon see more examples of this type of competition between the independent, anti-corruption institutions and the SBU over high-profile corruption cases.

As for Kolomoyskiy's future, analysts are hesitant to predict what will happen next. Herbst said Kolomoyskiy is "not the type of personality who backs down."

And Fesenko said the tycoon has the resources and the lawyers to drag out the case in Ukraine for a long time.

"The topic of Kolomoisky is not closed. I think this is just the beginning of this [television] series," he said.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-anticorruption-campaign- kolomoyskiy-arrest-west-aid-zelenskiy/32583892.html

Copyright (c) 2023. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Ukraine Reacts Angrily To Revelation That Musk Blocked Attack On Russia's Black Sea Fleet

By RFE/RL September 08, 2023

Tech billionaire Elon Musk says he prevented a Ukrainian attack on a Russian Navy base last year by declining Kyiv's request to activate Internet access in the Black Sea near Moscow-annexed Crimea.

The revelation drew sharp condemnation from Mykhaylo Podolyak, a senior aide to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, who called it "the price of a cocktail of ignorance and big ego," on X, formerly Twitter.

The satellite Internet service Starlink, operated by Musk-owned company SpaceX, has been deployed in Ukraine since shortly after Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022. It has helped Ukrainian soldiers in places where other means of communication are down and has proved a key battlefield tool for Kyiv.

The incident in question revolves around a dramatic plan by Ukraine late last year to cripple Russia's Black Sea naval fleet based in Sevastopol.

"There was an emergency request from government authorities to activate Starlink all the way to Sevastopol. The obvious intent being to sink most of the Russian fleet at anchor," Musk said on X on September 7 after CNN published excerpts from an upcoming biography of Musk describing the incident.

"If I had agreed to their request, then SpaceX would be explicitly complicit in a major act of war and conflict escalation," said Musk.

Podolyak, reacting on September 8, said by not allowing Ukrainian drones to destroy part of the Russian fleet, Musk "allowed this fleet to fire Kalibr missiles at Ukrainian cities. As a result, civilians, children are being killed."

The excerpt from the biography said the tech billionaire had been told by the Russian ambassador to the United States that a Ukrainian attack on Crimea would lead to a nuclear response.

Musk "secretly told his engineers to turn off coverage within 100 kilometers of the Crimean coast," the excerpt from the upcoming book by Walter Isaacson said. "As a result, when the Ukrainian drone subs got near the Russian fleet in Sevastopol, they lost connectivity and washed ashore harmlessly."

Musk pushed back against Isaacson's account, saying in a post on X: "The Starlink regions in question were not activated. SpaceX did not deactivate anything."

Musk also called for a truce in the conflict in which Ukrainian forces have made only slow progress in a counteroffensive launched in June.

"Both sides should agree to a truce. Every day that passes, more Ukrainian and Russian youth die to gain and lose small pieces of land, with borders barely changing. This is not worth their lives," Musk said.

The Pentagon did not directly respond when asked if Musk's actions were acceptable. A Pentagon spokesman said the Defense Department is "aware of the coverage and interest in this topic," according to AFP.

The spokesman added that for reasons of operational security the Defense Department has not released additional information regarding Starlink's capabilities or other operational details.

With reporting by AFP

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/elon-musk-ukraine-starlink- satellites-russia-attack/32583636.html

Copyright (c) 2023. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






German Foreign Minister Says Taurus Missile Deliveries to Kiev Challenging

Sputnik News

20230908

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said on Friday that the supply of long-range Taurus cruise missiles to Ukraine is challenging as it takes time to agree on every detail.

"This is not something that can be done quickly as it was with Leopard tanks or IRIS-T air defense systems. Every detail needs to be clarified first," Baerbock said in an interview with German media group Funke.

The foreign minister noted that Kiev's request for the transfer of Taurus cruise missiles is "more than understandable," although she declined to answer whether she considers it necessary to limit their strike range.

In late August, the leader of Germany's conservative Christian Democrats, Friedrich Merz, said that he was in favor of giving Taurus missiles to Ukraine. However, he stressed that the strike range of the missiles should be limited to make them a purely defensive weapon.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said in August that he was not rushing to approve cruise missile deliveries to Ukraine for fear of dragging NATO into a war with Russia.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has been pressing Germany for Taurus missiles, which have a range of 500 kilometers (311 miles) and can strike deep inside the Russian territory.

A Sputnik

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Russian Forces Eliminate Ukrainian Reconnaissance Unit in Donbass

Sputnik News

20230908

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Russian armed forces have eliminated a Ukrainian reconnaissance unit in the South Donetsk direction, taking one of the enemy soldiers prisoner, spokesman for Russia's Vostok troops grouping Oleg Chekhov told Sputnik.

"A reconnaissance group of the Ukrainian armed forces west of Novodonetskoe [rural settlement] was eliminated, an attack by an enemy infantry group north of Priutnoe [village] was repelled, the militants were destroyed, one was captured," Chekhov said.

He also said that Russian military prevented an attempt by Ukrainian forces to cross the Shaitanka River near Novodonetskoe.

Russia launched a military operation in Ukraine in February 2023. The latest Ukrainian counteroffensive began this June, mostly in Donetsk and Zaporozhye regions. Three months later, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that the Ukrainian counteroffensive, widely described as slow, had failed.

A Sputnik

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Blinken's Remarks on Success of Kiev's Counteroffensive 'Fiction' - Zaporozhye Official

Sputnik News

20230908

SIMFEROPOL (Sputnik) - US Secretary of State Antony Blinken's remarks about the success of the Ukrainian counteroffensive are nothing but false claims, while Kiev is succeeding only in wasting the lives of its citizens, Vladimir Rogov, a senior official of the Zaporozhye regional administration, told Sputnik on Friday.

On Wednesday, Blinken said that Washington had noticed "good progress" in Kiev's counteroffensive.

"All this is nothing but fiction. If there is any progress, it is in the theft and laundering of Western money, including that of US taxpayers, which is being thrown into a black hole to keep the regime of [Ukrainian President Volodymyr] Zelensky in power," Rogov said.

He noted that Ukraine has become a gray zone into which billions of dollars are poured and where Western elites are making money.

"The West and the leaders of the gang of drug addicts and Nazis [Ukrainian government] are doing business on the death of the people of the post-Ukrainian space," Rogov added.

The Ukrainian counteroffensive began on June 4. Kiev has thrown into battle brigades trained by NATO instructors and armed with Western equipment, including Leopard and Challenger tanks. Three months later, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that the Ukrainian counteroffensive had failed.

Since the start of the counteroffensive attempt, Ukrainian forces have only managed to penetrate Russian defenses near the village of Rabotino in Zaporozhye, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said. On Tuesday, he noted that Kiev had lost more than 66,000 troops and 7,600 pieces of military equipment since the beginning of the counteroffensive.

A Sputnik

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Russian Embassy Blasts US for 'Meddling' in Domestic Affairs Ahead of Elections in New Regions

Sputnik News

20230908

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - The Russian Embassy in the United States on Thursday blasted Washington's recent statements about the legitimacy of elections in Russia's new regions as interference in its internal affairs.

"We paid attention to the statements by high-ranking administration officials about the alleged illegitimacy of elections in the new regions of Russia. We are facing threats with another wave of sanctions, including against international observers, who are expected to give impartial conclusions about the character of the electoral process," the embassy said.

"US authorities do not part with a long-standing habit of meddling into internal affairs of other countries. They consider themselves entitled to making recommendations and warnings regarding the conduct of electoral campaigns abroad," the mission added.

The embassy noted that "the United States is gravely mistaken in thinking that they can intimidate us and all those who understand the true nature of the conflict in Ukraine with the prospect of imposing restrictions."

Officials underscored that residents of the Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics, as well as the Kherson and Zaporozhye regions, "made their lawful choice at the referendums." The embassy also recalled that "the same was done by inhabitants of the Crimea and Sevastopol."

Earlier Friday, US Secretary of State claimed elections being held in former Ukrainian regions from Friday to Sunday were "sham" referendums, noting the US were "never" acknowledge the legitimate outcome in which all four regions voted in favor of joining Russia.

Official election results in the Kherson and Zaporozhye regions and the Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics showed exceedingly high approval ratings.

A Sputnik

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






The Kremlin has pre-determined the results of sham elections across sovereign Ukrainian territory: UK statement at the Security Council

Statement by Ambassador Barbara Woodward at the UN Security Council meeting on Ukraine.

8 September 2023



President,

Let me first condemn another appalling Russian missile attack earlier this week on a market in Kostyantynivka in eastern Ukraine. Intentionally directing attacks against civilians is a war crime, and those responsible must be held to account.

Last year, in violation of the democratic will of the Ukrainian people, and of the UN Charter, Russia attempted to illegally annex Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson. We saw Russian soldiers round people up to cast ballots at gunpoint for Russia's so-called "referendums."

As colleagues have said, the General Assembly emphatically rejected Russia's actions. 143 Member States denounced Russia's blatant violation of international law. The Secretary General condemned Russia's attempted annexations.

Now Russia is committing another violation of the UN Charter by holding so-called "elections" within these four oblasts and in illegally annexed Crimea. Russia claims it is protecting the right to self-determination. But as my Foreign Secretary has said, you can't hold elections in someone else's country. Not only are Russia's actions illegal and illegitimate, but we have information that the Kremlin has pre-determined the results of the sham elections across sovereign Ukrainian territory which Russia temporarily controls.

This gross deception will bring Russia no closer to justifying its war of aggression, just as Russia, in a year, has come no closer to expanding its control over the areas it has claimed in its failing invasion.

We also have information that "this year, Russia aims to host around 100,000 Ukrainian children from Russian-controlled territories to participate in a summer camp programme, with the aim being to politically indoctrinate children to align with Russia."

Ukraine is fighting for its future as a State. The only way that Russia's war can come to an end is through a just and sustained peace that fully respects Ukraine's territorial integrity and sovereignty. We call on the international community to support Ukraine until that peace is won.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Russia's illegitimate "elections" convince nobody: UK Statement to the OSCE

Ambassador Neil Holland says that Russia is using violence and aggression to try and rewrite the rules, redraw borders and ignore the will of the Ukrainian people.

8 September 2023



Thank you, Mr Chair. I want to begin by condemning Russia's appalling missile attack on a market in Kostyantynivka, eastern Ukraine. Those responsible must be held to account. Intentionally directing attacks against the civilian population and civilian objects constitutes war crimes.

Mr Chair, as Russia fails to achieve its objectives on the battlefield, its desperation grows. Russia is imposing so-called "elections" on the Ukrainian oblasts it claims to have annexed last year, as well as in Crimea. This is a further violation of Ukraine's sovereign and territorial integrity and the UN Charter. Alongside torture, forced deportations and summary executions, it is yet another despicable tactic to repress Ukrainian civilians. Civilians who have continued bravely to resist Russian aggression in the face of unspeakable atrocities. Civilians who are determined to remain part of an independent and sovereign Ukraine.

Mirroring last year's sham referendums, these illegitimate "elections" are straight out of the Kremlin playbook. Media have reported door-to-door visits of armed military forcing residents to partake in the vote. However, just like in September 2022, the results will have no credibility. These so-called elections are simply another way for Moscow to fuel its propaganda machine and attempt to legitimise its illegal presence in Ukraine.

Mr Chair, Russia is seeking to deceive the world to further its territorial ambition. However, as the international community made overwhelmingly clear at the United Nations General Assembly last year, Russia's attempts to take Ukrainian territory by force or intimidation will never be recognised. Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson and Crimea are all irrefutably part of Ukraine. Falsified elections will never change that.

Using its repressive measures in Crimea as a blueprint, Russia has expanded restrictions on human rights and fundamental freedoms to the temporarily controlled territories of Ukraine. At every level, President Putin is attempting to eliminate any trace of Ukrainian statehood and identity. Forcefully deporting children. Restricting Ukrainian language and culture. And imposing Russian laws, currency, media and passports.

As part of its brutal campaign of repression, Russia has taken political prisoners in areas it temporarily controls, as well as in illegally annexed Crimea. These political detainees are kept in appalling conditions. Two such political prisoners, Dzhemil Gafarov and Kostiantyn Shiring, have already died while being held captive. In contravention of international law, Russia is not providing prisoners with adequate access to medical care. Many are in agony, often with life-threatening illnesses. The United Kingdom calls for the immediate release of all Ukrainian political prisoners held by Russia, especially those who require urgent medical assistance. Russia must, and will, be held accountable for the horrific suffering it is visiting upon Ukrainian detainees.

Mr Chair, Russia is using violence and aggression to try and rewrite the rules, redraw borders and ignore the will of the Ukrainian people. Russia has demonstrated complete disregard for international law and the core principles upon which this organisation was founded.

We reaffirm that the only path to peace is if Russia ceases its illegal war, withdraws all its forces and military equipment from Ukraine, and respects the will of the Ukrainian people for a wholly independent and democratic Ukraine.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Oleksiy Kuleba meets with delegation of deputies of France's National Assembly

President of Ukraine

8 September 2023 - 23:36

Deputy Head of the Office of the President Oleksiy Kuleba met with a delegation of deputies of the National Assembly of France - members of the France-Ukraine interparliamentary friendship group led by Benjamin Haddad.

During the meeting, Kuleba thanked France for military, humanitarian and financial support for Ukraine in the conditions of the full-scale war. He also noted joint achievements in the development of interregional cooperation.

"The whole of Ukraine feels the constant support of the French people. This is very important and invaluable at a time when our state is defending itself every day against the insidious and powerful enemy - the Russian Federation. We are grateful for the shelter that our friendly country has provided to our people. It is also important that we are developing our cooperation with France. I am grateful for the initiated relationships and assistance provided by the regions of AZle-de-France and Provence-Alpes-CAte d'Azur regions to Kyiv, Chernihiv and Odesa regions," the deputy head of the Office of the President said.

For their part, the members of the French delegation emphasized the support for Ukraine on the way to joining the EU and expressed their admiration for the resilience and courage of Ukrainians.

"It is an honor for us to be in Kyiv right now. We are a delegation from six different parties, and we are united in our support for Ukraine. In the French parliament, it is very difficult to find unity on any issue, but the issue of Ukraine and resolutions in support of Ukraine unite us. We will stand with you until your victory," Head of the France-Ukraine friendship group Benjamin Haddad said.

Kuleba called on French parliamentarians to adopt a resolution recognizing the Russian Federation as a state sponsor of terrorism.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Ukrainian Peace Formula is not just about ending the war, but about preventing wars in the future - Andriy Yermak at the Yalta European Strategy meeting

President of Ukraine

8 September 2023 - 22:38

Ukraine, together with its partners, can develop a new security system that will help not only guarantee lasting peace in our country but also prevent the emergence of new aggressions in the future. This was emphasized by Head of the President's Office Andriy Yermak during the panel "What works in the world today and what needs to be changed" within the 18th meeting of the Yalta European strategy "The Future is Decided in Ukraine".

Former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Boris Johnson, Head of the Center for Civil Liberties and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, human rights defender Oleksandra Matviichuk, professor of Stanford University, American philosopher, economist and publicist Francis Fukuyama also took part in the discussion panel. The discussion was moderated by CNN TV host Fareed Zakaria.

Yermak said that Russia started aggression against Ukraine and the war continues on our territory, therefore the Ukrainian state has the right to propose a peace plan and is extremely interested in its implementation.

He recalled that the Peace Formula presented at the G19 summit by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy is based on the rules of international law and the UN Charter.

To clarify the principles of this initiative, Ukraine has started a series of consultations at the level of national security advisors and political directors, during which it calls for joining the implementation of the 10 points of the Peace Formula. In particular, according to Yermak, there have already been two meetings at the level of advisors - in Copenhagen and Jeddah - involving representatives of the Global South. Preparations for the third meeting are now underway.

"It would be true to say that we have different positions on how to achieve the desired results but we will continue the work of uniting the world around the Formula," the head of the Office of the President said.

Yermak said that during such meetings, the Ukrainian side not only informs its partners. It is open to proposals from other countries that respect international law, sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of our state within internationally recognized borders.

"All the main principles of this platform are that we are ready to hear and listen to the entire civilized world," the head of the President's Office stated.

Yermak emphasized: The Ukrainian Peace Formula is not just about ending the war, settling the crisis and overcoming the consequences of aggression, but about how to prevent such wars in the future, therefore it is crucial to involve the world community in its implementation.

As for whether it is possible to involve Russia in this process, in particular through intermediaries, the head of the President's Office expressed the opinion that this is possible only after the implementation of all points of the Formula, including the withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukrainian territory - for the legal formalization of the end of the war.

"At the previous peace summit, after we can implement everything outlined in the previous nine points of the Formula, of course, there may be some opportunity to meet. But not Ukraine and Russia, but to gather all the countries that will be involved, that will carry out all this work together with us and will be guarantors. And we will be able to legally confirm that the war is over. Ukraine has returned all its territories, will receive all compensation for the damage caused, and all people responsible for this crisis will be brought to justice," he said.

Commenting on the process of providing Ukraine with security guarantees from partners as a component of the Peace Formula, the head of the President's Office said that our country needs these guarantees until it acquires full membership in NATO. Therefore, Ukraine began negotiations with its partners regarding security guarantees, and at the Vilnius NATO summit, the G7 states agreed on a Joint Declaration of support for our state. Currently, more than 20 countries have joined the declaration. Within its borders, negotiations with the United States and the United Kingdom have been started, and a decision to start working with Canada, Japan and other countries on bilateral security agreements has been made.

"I believe that all of this together allows us to develop a new security system that will help Ukraine ensure true security not only for itself. To not only defend ourselves but also to prevent potential aggressors from even thinking about something similar in the future," Yermak concluded.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






President: Engaging as many countries as possible in the implementation of the Ukrainian Peace Formula will cause real isolation of Russia

President of Ukraine

8 September 2023 - 16:27

The involvement of China and the countries of the Global South in the implementation of the Ukrainian Peace Formula will ensure Russia's real political and economic isolation. This was stated by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the discussion panel of the 18th meeting of the Yalta European Strategy "The Future is Decided in Ukraine".

"It is important for us to involve China in the Peace Formula. It is important for us to bring the Global South specifically to our side. All of this will have an impact, and there will be real, concrete - not abstract - political isolation of Russia. Political isolation is always followed by economic isolation. These are very important steps," Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

He also noted that China's direct message to the Russian Federation about the inadmissibility of intimidation with nuclear weapons was important.

The Head of State is convinced that Ukraine has chosen the right strategy for the implementation of the Peace Formula. In particular, the second meeting at the level of national security advisors on the Formula was held, which contributed to the involvement of a wider range of countries, including the Global South.

"This was an extremely important step - we added countries that were balancing yesterday and wanted to offer something separate from our strategy to end the war," the President stated.

According to him, Ukraine is ready to listen to the partners' proposals on the points of the Peace Formula, in particular on nuclear, food security and peace in general.

"We are ready to hear your suggestions. All of them. We have things in common that we all need. You don't want to defend Ukraine? Fine, defend the whole world from nuclear weapons. You don't want to protect Ukrainian farmers? Fine, please protect your people from starvation. There must be common interests," the Head of State emphasized.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that after the meetings at the advisory level in Copenhagen and Jeddah, preparations are underway for the third meeting, which is expected to be even more powerful.

"After that, we can proceed to the first summit of leaders. And at this summit, we need to bring together as many countries as possible," the President noted.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Volodymyr Zelenskyy: Ukraine's steps in the counteroffensive are probably faster than new sanctions packages today

President of Ukraine

8 September 2023 - 16:18

The sooner Ukraine receives more powerful long-range weapons, the faster the counteroffensive and liberation of Ukrainian lands from the occupiers will take place. This was stated by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a panel discussion at the 18th Yalta European Strategy meeting "The Future is Decided in Ukraine".

"It is important that our warriors are advancing and that we have the initiative on our side. We should not compare what happened yesterday. We must compare where we all were in another life - on February 24, when there was a feeling of occupation of our state. And today we have liberated a large part of our territory," the Head of State said.

The President noted that he understands the desire of people to restore the territorial integrity of Ukraine as soon as possible, because ultimately, peace and tranquility in our country and throughout Europe and the world will be achieved when Ukraine regains all its territories. At the same time, Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted that the war waged by Russia on the territory of Ukraine is complex, and many processes are slowing down.

"The war is slowing down. We recognize this fact. All processes are becoming more complicated and slower: from sanctions to the provision of weapons," he added.

"When some partners say, 'So what about the counteroffensive, when will the next step be?' My answer is that today our steps are probably faster than new sanctions packages," Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

He emphasized that partner states do not just help Ukraine, but also maintain the security of their citizens, the freedom and lives of their people - the values that you start to cherish a step before they are lost, for example, a step before occupation.

The Head of State emphasized that Ukraine needs specific equipment, in particular modern fighter jets, to accelerate counteroffensive actions.

"There are specific square kilometers of our land, and each liberated meter is a human life... The longer it takes, the more people suffer. What is the impact of weapons? Concrete and direct, without abstractions and rhetoric. There is a specific impact of a specific weapon. The more powerful and long-range it is, the faster the counteroffensive is. The faster the restoration of our territory is. If we are not in the sky and Russia is, they stop us from the sky. They stop our counteroffensive," the President noted.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed gratitude to all Ukraine's partners, led by the United States, who provide defense assistance and strengthen the Ukrainian defense forces to liberate all our lands.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






For Emily Hall, the Center for Advocacy, Response and Education at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln has played a big role in her experience on campus.

The senior Spanish and psychology double major began volunteering with the center as a freshman after protests broke out across campus in August 2021 following rumors of an alleged sexual assault at the fraternity commonly known as Fiji.

In those first few weeks of her college career  as hundreds of students stormed the steps on the Nebraska Union night after night  Hall felt inspired to get involved.

I just wanted to be a part of the conversation, she said. I was just sick of it being something that only me and my friends discussed and we didn't really know what we could do or how we could teach others about these topics.

So, she became a CARE Ambassador for two years to help advocate for sexual assault awareness.

Now, shes in her second year as a peer educator, helping run Sexual Assault and Relationship Violence workshops for students across campus.

CARE began offering SARV workshops through a pilot program at the start of last school year, which are run entirely by trained peer educators like Hall. The program was created in response to University of Nebraska President Ted Carters Executive Memorandum No. 44 that mandated all students across campuses receive in-person sexual misconduct training.

While much has been and is being done on the campuses to address sexual misconduct across the NU system, more can be done, Carter wrote in the memorandum.

We intend to focus intensely on the human factor, seeing to it that every individual in our university community is rigorously trained and has the resources needed to ensure a safe, welcoming and inclusive culture for all members of our community.

Workshops are mandatory for all first-year or incoming students, and strongly encouraged for all other students. Around 130 in-person workshops will take place at each residence hall in use at UNL throughout the first semester in order to educate every freshman.

So far, theyve reached an estimated 250 students in their first few training sessions this year, according to Abbey Ragain, prevention program coordinator.

We've got a long way to go still, she said.

The workshops are conversation-based rather than a formal presentation. Peer educators inform students of the university's policies surrounding sexual assault and violence and open the floor for questions and discussion. This allows it to be a more casual and engaging experience, according to Ragain.

"I think when it's someone that's the same age as you, you have sort of a sense of trust with them," Ragain said.

CARE will also host other training events around campus during the school year for students who do not live in the dorms. Currently, they have seven workshops scheduled in September and October.

Any student group or Registered Student Organization can request workshops be done for group members, too. The Multicultural Greek Council held a training in August and the Interfraternity Council is planning to host one later this year.

This year, theyre expanding the program with more peer educators and a goal to reach even more students than last year.

During its pilot year, the program garnered 33 peer educators and trained close to 1,800 students. This year, they have 54 peer educators and are hoping to educate 2,000 students before the school year ends in May.

The growth has been super exciting, Ragain said. I'm really excited for those new folks to get out and experience this because we've had such great feedback from our returning peer educators. I'm really excited for our new ones to experience this, as well.

To be a peer educator, students must be at least a sophomore, have good academic standing with a grade point average of 2.5 or above and go through 32 hours of training.

In past years, the required sexual assault prevention training course was completed online annually. While the online course is still mandatory for all students to complete each year, and only freshmen are required to participate in the peer-educated workshops alongside it, Melissa Wilkerson, director of CARE, believes the new form of prevention training is more effective than the virtual version.

With an online training, you're just listening and reading, and then with us it's peer led, Wilkerson said. So you have students just like you who are taking the information to make it more relatable, because they themselves are students here on this campus. So it's also more hands-on so that it's interactive.

Hall agrees.

She loves CARE  and the work she does with the center  and was attracted to the peer education program because it gave her the opportunity to work with students of all sorts to teach prevention on a personal level.

I was really excited about this program, because that's such a vital year, your freshman year. Knowing what a healthy relationship actually looks like, what is actually consent, when is somebody incapacitated, Hall said.

I was just really excited about it.
For many in the world, Ukraine is now a personal moral choice - President's speech at the Yalta European Strategy Forum

President of Ukraine

8 September 2023 - 16:07

Dear Ladies and Gentlemen!

Thank you very much for the invitation and I welcome you all to the annual Yalta European Strategy Forum.

The theme of this year's Forum is "The Future is Decided in Ukraine". But when we say "in Ukraine" now, do we mean only the state of Ukraine?

The war against Ukraine is a war against morality. And the defense of Ukraine is, above all, the defense of morality.

In fact, when people talk about Ukraine, they are talking about the aggression against our country and our ability to win. About the courage of Ukrainians. About our land, sky, our Black Sea. That is, about the human and geographical space of our country, where the fate of not only Ukraine's independence, but also global stability and the rules by which most of the world is accustomed to live peacefully is decided.

However, there is something that is not so obvious in the conversations about Ukraine today.

For many in the world, Ukraine is not just a country in Europe that is defending itself against Russian aggression. For many, Ukraine is now a personal moral choice. A choice of what is really valuable to them. A choice of what they really want to believe in. A choice of what you put as your highest and true priority. Ukraine now symbolizes a standard of freedom in which people from different countries recognize their own standards. Recognize their attitude to life and the value of life. A decent, protected life. A life in which people matter. So when we talk about Ukraine now, we are actually talking about a huge moral space, and it is much wider than just the territory of Ukraine.

This is the space from the Ukrainian trenches in Donbas, in the east to discussions in the world's leading political offices and even between friends, if they are talking about some fundamental things. This is the space that starts from the positions of our anti-aircraft gunners in Odesa region, who are protecting ports from Russian missiles and Iranian "Shaheds", and goes all the way to the positions of state representatives in international organizations who have to defend international law and things like global food security. This is the space between our Ukrainian people, who are defending the state and life, and those in the world who are strengthening us with their weapons, their sanctions against Russia, their leadership that consolidates others. And this is a space that begins with Ukrainian combat medics driving evacuation vehicles to take wounded soldiers off the battlefield and ends with gadget screens in the hands of people who see something about Ukraine and at that moment choose which interview to watch, which tweet to like, which news to share, which donation to make. All of this is a huge space of constant daily moral choices for many people in many countries.

And it is in this wide space that the future is born.

Dear guests!

Dear Ladies and Gentlemen!

Remember where we were on February 24, when this terrible and brazen full-scale Russian aggression against our people, against our lives, against everyone, against Ukraine began. Putin expected Ukraine to be left alone, because some of its partners would be indifferent, some would be afraid, some would act too slowly. And if that had been the case, Ukraine could have been occupied. Then Russia's military madness would have turned into further aggression against other neighboring countries. The war would have spread. But would it have targeted only the territory of states?

This is the whole point. We are defending ourselves, among other things, because the vast moral space of the world has united and is helping to defend Ukraine. Ukraine and thus a reflection of our own values. And Putin is attacking not only Ukraine, but also this moral space, which is ultimately capable of bringing to justice any terrorists and murderers, any aggressors. It is capable when it is morally mobilized.

When we are talking about this war, we are always talking about morality. Everything that is said about Ukraine and this war has either a moral basis, a moral digression, or a shocking lack of morality. In fact, choosing between any of the options: supporting Ukraine or choosing indifference instead, acting together or instead expecting all necessary actions to be taken by Ukraine alone, insisting that Russia must be held accountable for genocide - because it is genocide! - or hinting that the main thing is to cut costs, and the problem of genocidal aggression will supposedly disappear if you close your eyes for a minute - all of this is definitely about morality. And all this is about the future, in which human life and international relations will either have a moral basis or... not. Then all of humanity may remain slaves to such "putins" who are capable of killing for their own whims.

Please, every time you talk about Ukraine, remember what you are talking about.

Human morality must win this war. And this is not only a matter for Ukraine as a state, it is a matter for Ukraine as all of us. Everyone in the world who values freedom, who values human life, who believes that people must win.

And our success, the specific success of Ukraine, depends not only on us, on Ukrainians, but also on the extent to which the entire vast moral space of the world wants to preserve itself. On the extent to which the world remains morally mobilized. And I strongly believe in this. And that is why we are here.

Glory to Ukraine!

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Oleksiy Kuleba met with the newly appointed Head of Cooperation Programs of the EU Delegation to Ukraine

President of Ukraine

8 September 2023 - 13:35

Deputy Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Oleksiy Kuleba met with the newly appointed Head of Cooperation Programs of the EU Delegation to Ukraine Stefan Schleuning.

During the meeting, the parties discussed the challenges faced by the communities and regions of Ukraine in the context of the war.

"Despite constant shelling and daily Russian terror, Ukraine continues to develop, implement reforms and stay on the path of integration into the European family. Today, it is important for all levels of government to work together, consolidate, unite and understand a single goal: Ukraine's victory," said Oleksiy Kuleba.

For his part, Stefan Schleuning praised the role of Ukrainian municipalities in preserving the country's resilience during a full-scale Russian invasion.

The Head of Cooperation Programs of the EU Delegation to Ukraine emphasized the potential of local self-government and the government to rebuild Ukraine. He also emphasized the importance of good multi-level governance and public administration reform for Ukraine's progress on the path to EU membership.

Oleksiy Kuleba thanked for the constant and consistent support for Ukraine.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Representatives of the President's Office told German parliamentarians about Ukrainian children abducted by Russia in the framework of the Bring Kids Back UA project presentation

President of Ukraine

8 September 2023 - 10:53

Advisor - President's Commissioner for Children's Rights and Children's Rehabilitation Daria Herasymchuk and Advisor to the Head of the Presidential Office Daria Zarivna took part in a panel discussion in the Bundestag on deepening cooperation between Ukraine and Germany to bring home Ukrainian children abducted by Russia.

The event was organized by a group of German MPs, namely: Robin Wagener, Markus Faber, Michael Roth, Roderich Kiesewetter, Yvonne Magwas, Knut Abraham, Erik von Malottki, Frank Schwabe, Johann David Wadephul with the support of the Embassy of Ukraine in Germany and the German-Ukrainian Parliamentary Group and thanks to the idea of Ukrainian scholarship holders of the International Parliamentary Scholarship program Khrystyna Danyuk, Yana Melnychenko and Ulyana Hnatyshyn.

A special participant of the event was 11-year-old Ilya from Mariupol, whose mother was killed by the Russian military in front of him. The boy himself was forcibly deported from Ukraine. Ilya's trip to Berlin was part of the Stolen Voices information campaign, a component of the Bring Kids Back UA plan approved by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

"Today, here, in the Bundestag, the voice of not only Ilya is heard, but also the voices of all Ukrainian children abducted by Russia," emphasized Daria Herasymchuk.

She noted that as of September 1, 2023, according to Russian media, citing the occupying country's defense departments, more than 744,000 Ukrainian children had been illegally taken to Russia.

Currently, at least 20 thousand cases of illegal deportation of Ukrainian children by Russia have been officially documented. But the real numbers may be several times higher, emphasized Daria Herasymchuk.

"This is a huge scale of crime. Russia does not provide any state or organization with information about their whereabouts, health status or any circumstances," said Daria Zarivna, Advisor to the Head of the Presidential Office, COO of Bring Kids Back UA.

So far, only 386 young Ukrainians have been returned to their homeland.

"This brutality cannot go unpunished, and we are grateful to the international community for recognizing this. The arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court for Vladimir Putin and the so-called ombudsman Lvova-Belova is a good sign. However, we need more than just signals. We need real action. For this purpose, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy initiated the Bring Kids Back UA project. This is a strategic action plan that meets the fourth point of the Peace Formula "Release of all prisoners and deportees"," said the Advisor to the Head of the Presidential Office.

"To stop the wave of crimes against our children, we need to make joint international efforts. We really need your help. This is an opportunity to demonstrate your leadership once again," she added.

The panel discussion brought together experts and opinion leaders from political and civil society in Ukraine and Germany to raise awareness of Russia's violations of children's rights and to find ways to cooperate in the repatriation of abducted young Ukrainian citizens.



NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Andriy Yermak and Michael McFaul talked to students of the Institute of International Relations of Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv

President of Ukraine

8 September 2023 - 00:10

Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak met with students of Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv and the Institute of International Relations of Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv.

He was joined by Ambassador Michael McFaul, Director of the Freeman-Spogli Institute for International Studies (FSI), Professor at Stanford University.

Introducing the guest from the United States, Andriy Yermak noted that Michael McFaul, with whom he chairs the International Working Group on Sanctions against Russia, is a great friend of Ukraine and one of the architects of the great economic fight against the aggressor country, Russia.

"Over the past year and a half, the group we created together with Michael has indeed achieved some success. Today, 70% of our recommendations are the basis for sanctions in various sectors applied by the United States, the United Kingdom, the European Union and others," the Head of the Presidential Office said.

Michael McFaul added that after the introduction of sanctions, Russia has less technology to produce weapons, and many wealthy Russians feel uncomfortable.

"But we need more sanctions, better sanctions, and better implementation. We need more secondary sanctions, and we are working on it," he emphasized.

Andriy Yermak noted that the Peace Formula proposed by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy is unique. It offers all countries that respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of our country not only a plan to end this war, but also a universal mechanism to overcome future crises around the world.

Answering the students' questions, Andriy Yermak emphasized that with this initiative, our country is uniting the world by engaging in consultations on the key principles of restoring lasting and just peace for Ukraine, in particular, the countries of the Global South, with which our country had not had very active relations before.

"The meeting of national security advisors and political directors of foreign ministries in Jeddah was extremely successful, and we are planning the next meeting. And we are working really efficiently to organize the first peace summit at the level of leaders," he said.

Michael McFaul, for his part, expressed the opinion that this is an extremely important diplomatic work.

"And today, it is only Ukraine that has proposed a peace plan. Russia has not proposed such a plan. Ukraine's initiative forces other countries to take a certain position, and Ukraine has changed this dynamic," the professor noted.

Andriy Yermak also reminded that the circle of countries that have joined the Joint Declaration of Support for Ukraine, adopted by the G7 leaders and EU leaders at the NATO Summit in Vilnius, is constantly expanding, and negotiations have already begun with several states on bilateral agreements on providing security guarantees to Ukraine based on this declaration.

At the same time, the Head of the President's Office noted that the best guarantee of security for Ukraine would be NATO membership.

"NATO will not be a powerful alliance without us. Ukraine will definitely be in NATO, and this is not only our desire, but also NATO's absolute interest. Because we are the basis of the future security system. And not only of the European continent," he is convinced.

For his part, Michael McFaul suggested that the Alliance should extend an invitation to Ukraine for membership at the 2024 summit in Washington.

During the conversation with the students, the Head of the President's Office also spoke about his relationship with U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, which he called extremely honest and concrete.

"Jake is a good listener. He accepts rational arguments. He is a person who is always willing to engage in constructive dialogue and find optimal solutions. It's not always easy. Sometimes we have different positions. But without this man, many things would not have happened. Jake is truly a great friend of Ukraine. It's not easy for him, there are a lot of fakes that he is the one who blocks something, doesn't allow something. This is not true. I really appreciate our cooperation," said Andriy Yermak.

In addition, he said that the Presidential Office is interested in involving active youth in the development of documents that are extremely important for Ukraine, such as sanctions, security guarantees, the Peace Formula, environmental issues, and the return of illegally deported Ukrainian children.

The Head of the President's Office also spoke about the idea to organize a summit of graduates of Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv and the Institute of International Relations of Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, primarily from other countries, who would now become powerful advocates of Ukraine and help, in particular, to unite countries, especially the Global South.

"We really want all the people who left Ukraine during the war to return. There are many students studying at different universities around the world. Unfortunately, there is no single platform that would unite all Ukrainian students. After our victory, we will really need young people interested in developing the country. And if they hear directly from you about what is happening in Ukraine, it will be very important," added Andriy Yermak.

For his part, Michael McFaul noted that Ukraine is going through a very difficult period in its history, but at the same time it is inspiring the world, as Ukrainians are at the forefront of the fight for freedom not only of their country and Europe, but they are also the face of the future for the whole world.

"And it is you who are fighting for peace. And you have something that many other countries do not have - young, creative, innovative youth. The future of Ukraine is in great hands!" he emphasized.

Summarizing the meeting, Andriy Yermak noted that the most important thing for Ukraine today is success at the front. That is why we continue to work to provide the Ukrainian military with everything they need.

"As long as there are Russian troops on our land, there can be no negotiations. Only Ukraine and Ukrainians will decide when, how and with whom to talk. We are paying too high a price, so we must end this war by returning all our territories. Although I realize that this is very difficult. And every person is very important to us," he emphasized.

According to Andriy Yermak, today it is imperative to preserve unity within the country and around Ukraine, and it depends on everyone.

The Head of the President's Office thanked all the students present for being in Ukraine and demonstrating that full life has returned and continues, and the main thing left is to win.





NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Education on Hold: Almost half of school-aged refugee children from Ukraine missing out on formal education

UNHCR - United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees

08 September 2023

As the new school year commences across Europe, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is warning that refugee children and youth from Ukraine now face their third year of disrupted education, following the full-scale invasion in February 2022.

In a new Education Policy Brief released today, titled "Education on Hold*", UNHCR reports that while 30 to 50 per cent of some 5.9 million Ukrainian refugees across Europe are children, only about half were enrolled in schools in host countries for the 2022-2023 academic year.

According to the report's findings, factors contributing to low enrolment rates for refugee children include: administrative, legal and language barriers; a lack of information on available education options; a hesitancy among parents to enrol their children in host countries as they hope to return home soon to Ukraine; and uncertainty about eventual reintegration into the Ukrainian education system.

Another major obstacle is the lack of capacity of schools in host countries. With an unprecedented number of refugee children arriving in the months following the war, many schools in countries of asylum simply did not have the physical space or number of teachers required to respond and accommodate new arrivals.

UNHCR is concerned that unless urgent action is taken, hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian refugee children will continue to miss out on education this year.

With the ongoing full-scale war in Ukraine, major efforts are required to avoid long-term damage to children's learning, potential and prospects. Disruption to education continues to be a major issue, with some 5 million people internally displaced, and schools - among other critical civilian infrastructure - destroyed.

To ensure the inclusion of refugee children in national education systems in host countries across Europe, UNHCR's Education Policy Brief outlines a number of key recommendations to governments to reduce barriers and foster learning. These include:

Advancing the inclusion of refugee children and youth into European national education systems and increasing the capacity of schools so every refugee child can be accommodated. While temporary measures may be used in the short term, longer-term planning and resources are essential to ensure adequate space, capacity and teachers. The coming year should be used by States and education institutions to plan ahead to ensure all refugee children can enrol in the next school year.

Ensuring that refugee parents receive detailed information about education options for children and youth and links to the Ukrainian education system, enabling them to make informed decisions.

Maximizing the quality and compatibility of educational options available to refugees. This can be achieved by putting in place swift procedures for mutual recognition of grades, certificates and diplomas, sharing data on academic performance and mobility and by putting in place uniform laws and directives, preferably at a regional level, to make both longer-term stays and return to the Ukrainian education system as easy as possible.

The brief also provides practical information for refugee parents and answers key questions on the reintegration of children into the Ukrainian education system once they are able to return home.

UNHCR works closely with UNICEF, which coordinates the education response of humanitarian partners in Ukraine and neighbouring countries.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






UN Offers Incentives for Russia's Return to Black Sea Grain Deal

By VOA News September 08, 2023

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in a letter last month that Russia would be eligible to apply for membership and access to the SWIFT banking system for food and fertilizer transactions.

The Russian Agricultural Bank subsidiary in Luxembourg could immediately apply to SWIFT to "effectively enable access" for the bank to the international payments system within 30 days, the United Nations told Russia in a letter, seen by Reuters on Friday.

In an effort to persuade Moscow to return to the U.N.-brokered Black Sea Grain Initiative that had allowed the safe export through the Black Sea of Ukrainian grain, Guterres outlined four measures the United Nations could facilitate to improve Russia's grain and fertilizer exports.

Gutteres told Lavrov the United Nations was immediately ready to move on all measures "based on the clear understanding that their application would lead to the Russian Federation's return to the Black Sea Initiative and the full resumption of operations."

A key Russian demand has been the reconnection of the Russian Agricultural Bank, Rosselkhozbank, to the SWIFT international payments system. It was cut off by the European Union in June 2022 after Russia's February invasion of Ukraine.

The Russian Foreign Ministry expressed skepticism at the U.N. chief's proposals in a statement Wednesday.

"Instead of actual exemptions from sanctions, all Russia got was a new dose of promises from the U.N. Secretariat," it said. "These recent proposals do not contain any new elements and cannot serve as a foundation for making any tangible progress in terms of bringing our agricultural exports back to normal."

Russia exited the deal in July, a year after it was brokered by the U.N. and Turkey to combat a global food crisis the U.N. said was worsened by Russia's February 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Ukraine and Russia are both leading grain exporters.

Zelenskyy speaks out

In other developments, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Friday that Russian leader Vladimir Putin masterminded the death of Wagner mercenary boss Yevgeny Prigozhin, who died in an unexplained plane crash with his top lieutenants last month.

Zelenskyy did not provide evidence to back up the claim he made in passing during a conference in Kyiv when he was asked a question about the Russian president.

"The fact that he killed Prigozhin a at least that's the information we all have, not any other kind a that also speaks to his rationality, and about the fact that he is weak," Zelenskyy said.

The Kremlin says all possible causes of the crash will be investigated, including the possibility of foul play. It has called the suggestion that Putin ordered the deaths of Prigozhin and his men an "absolute lie."

Prigozhin led a short-lived mutiny in Russia in June that Putin characterized as treasonous and a "stab in the back."

Russian strike

A Russian missile strike hit the central Ukraine town of Kryvyi Rih on Friday, killing a police officer and wounding dozens more, Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko said. Kryvyi Rih is Zelenskyy's hometown.

Meanwhile, Ukraine's air force shot down 16 out of 20 Iranian-made Shahed drones over Ukraine's Odesa region, launched from Russia early Friday, according to military officials.

This was the fifth time this week Odesa has been targeted, regional governor Oleh Kiper said on the Telegram messaging app.

In another attack on Friday, at least three people were injured in a Russian strike on the northeastern Ukraine city of Sumy.

Some information for this report came from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






UN: 'Elections' in Russian-Occupied Areas of Ukraine Have 'No Legal Ground'

By Margaret Besheer September 08, 2023

The United Nations expressed concern Friday over Russia's holding of "elections" in areas of Ukraine currently under Moscow's military control and condemned any actions that could further heighten tensions.

"These so-called elections in the occupied areas of Ukraine have no legal grounds," Assistant Secretary-General Miroslav Jenca told the Security Council. "We also recall that, as the occupying power, the Russian Federation is obligated under international humanitarian law to respect, unless absolutely prevented, the laws of Ukraine in force in the areas that it occupies."

Russia has announced it will hold elections for Russian-installed legislatures from September 8 to 10 in areas it claims to have annexed last year.

The international community does not recognize the Kremlin's attempted annexation of the territories, having voted overwhelmingly in the U.N. General Assembly last October to reject it by a vote of 143 to 5.

"Regrettably, one year later, amidst continuing intense fighting and unacceptable attacks against Ukrainian civilians and civilian infrastructure, these latest illegal attempts to organize new so-called electoral processes in the occupied areas of Ukraine further undermine the prospects for peace," the U.N.'s Jenca added.

'Staged expression of free will'

Ukraine's envoy said Kyiv would never recognize the outcome of what he called sham elections and urged the international community to impose tough new sanctions on Russia for the move.

"As terrorists force hostages to read a prepared text on camera, Russia makes the civilian population that has stayed in the occupied territories participate in a staged expression of free will," Ambassador Sergiy Kyslytsya told the council.

Russia's envoy said elections are taking place for representatives to regional parliaments and municipal bodies.

"Of course, in order for these four regions to fully integrate into Russia legally and administratively they need normal authorities that have the same powers as in other subjects of the Russian Federation," Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia said.

No council member endorsed the Russian move, but some refrained from condemning it. However, several recalled the actions taken in the General Assembly rejecting annexation and attempted referenda, and warned elections could undermine a peaceful settlement of the conflict.

'A complete fraud'

The United States was more direct, calling the voting a propaganda stunt that would have predetermined and manipulated results.

"The Kremlin is rushing to fabricate electoral successes to hide its military losses in Ukraine from the Russian people," U.S. Deputy U.N. Ambassador Robert Wood told the council. "The Kremlin knows full well its elections in Ukraine are a complete fraud."

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Russian Missile Strike Hits Zelenskyy's Hometown, Killing One Police Officer

By VOA News September 08, 2023

A Russian missile strike hit the central Ukraine town of Kryvyi Rih, killing a police officer and wounding dozens more, Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko said. Kryvyi Rih is Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelenskyy's hometown.

Meanwhile, Ukraine's air force shot down 16 out of 20 Iranian-made Shahed drones over Ukraine's Odesa region, launched from Russia, early Friday, according to military officials.

This was the fifth time this week Odesa has been targeted, regional governor Oleh Kiper said on the Telegram messaging app.

In another attack, at least three people were injured after a Russian strike on the northeastern Ukraine city of Sumy.

Zelenskyy lauded three military units Thursday for "very, very effective" action against Russian troops on the front in eastern and southern Ukraine as part of Kyiv's ongoing counteroffensive.

One national guard unit was fighting in the east and two in the south, Zelenskyy said in his nightly video address.

"Thank you soldiers for very, very effective results in destroying the occupiers," Zelenskyy said. "And results are precisely what Ukraine needs now from everyone."

The praise comes after the Ukrainian military said Thursday its air defenses destroyed 25 of 33 drones that Russia used to attack the Sumy and Odesa regions overnight.

Kiper said the Russian attack hit the Izmail area for the fourth time in five days, injuring one person.

Kiper said the attack also damaged port infrastructure facilities and an administrative building.

Despite the recent praise from Zelenskyy, Ukraine's counteroffensive is moving more slowly than many U.S. officials had predicted. That means U.S. President Joe Biden's latest request to Congress for more Ukraine assistance is facing rising opposition from some members of the Republican Party.

In August, Biden asked Congress to approve $40 billion in additional spending, including $24 billion for Ukraine and other international needs and $16 billion for disaster relief.

While Biden may face new challenges to secure additional aid for Ukraine, Ukraine's forces kept up their assault on Russia.

Russia's Defense Ministry said it destroyed two Ukrainian drones over the Rostov region, as well as one in Bryansk and another on the outskirts of Moscow.

Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said on Telegram that debris from a downed drone landed in the Ramensky district but did not cause any damage or casualties.

Drone debris was also the subject of a Thursday call between U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Romanian Foreign Minister Luminita Odobescu. They discussed Romania's investigation into drone debris found in Romania near its border with Ukraine, the U.S. State Department said.

Meanwhile, debris from a downed Ukrainian drone targeting an industrial site in southern Russia's Bryansk region on Thursday set an administrative building on fire, the region's governor said, but the conflagration was brought under control.

Elsewhere, a new biography about Elon Musk alleges that he ordered his Starlink satellite communications network to be turned off near the coast of Crimea last year to hinder a Ukrainian submarine drone attack on Russian warships.

The biography, written by Walter Isaacson, alleges that Musk ordered Starlink engineers to turn off service to the area over concerns that Russian President Vladimir Putin would retaliate with nuclear weapons. CNN quoted from the book, set to be released Sept. 12. Neither Musk nor Isaacson responded to CNN's requests for comment.

Zelenskyy introduced new Defense Minister Rustem Umerov on Thursday, saying "transparency and trust" are a priority.

Zelenskyy said he wants Umerov to "strengthen the ministry's strategic and coordination functions for the entire defense sector, prioritize individual warriors and cut red tape, develop international cooperation and ensure Ukraine completes its NATO accession homework, and scale up the successes of specific units for all of our defense forces."

Zelenskyy picked Umerov to replace Oleksii Reznikov, who helped secure Western military aid in response to Russia's full-scale invasion. The leadership shakeup followed allegations of corruption at the Defense Ministry, which Reznikov dismissed as a smear campaign.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg told the European Parliament on Thursday that Ukrainian forces are gradually gaining ground and breaching Russian defenses in their counteroffensive. He pushed back against critics who say the counteroffensive has not been successful, citing the unpredictable nature of war and the need to stand by Ukraine through both good days and bad.

"To support Ukraine is not an option, it is a necessity to ensure that to preserve peace for our members, for our countries, and to ensure that authoritarian regimes [don't] achieve what they want by violating international law and using military force," Stoltenberg said.

The NATO chief also said he expects Turkey's parliament to ratify Sweden's accession to the alliance "as soon as possible" when lawmakers reconvene in October.

Some information for this report came from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Washington, D.C., Sept. 08, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit has agreed with NCLA that officials from the White House, CDC, FBI and the U.S. Surgeon Generals office violated the First Amendment by coercing or significantly encouraging social media platforms to censor our clients. The panel upheld the most important portion of U.S. District Judge Terry Doughtys preliminary injunction order in Missouri, et al. v. Biden, et al., prohibiting those officials from pressuring social media companies to suppress constitutionally protected speech. The panel decision modified the injunction against federal officials to now read:

Defendants, and their employees and agents, shall take no actions, formal or informal, directly or indirectly, to coerce or significantly encourage social-media companies to remove, delete, suppress, or reduce, including through altering their algorithms, posted social-media content containing protected free speech. That includes, but is not limited to, compelling the platforms to act, such as by intimating that some form of punishment will follow a failure to comply with any request, or supervising, directing, or otherwise meaningfully controlling the social-media companies decision-making processes.

The New Civil Liberties Alliance celebrates this landmark victory for our clients, Drs. Jayanta Bhattacharya, Martin Kulldorff and Aaron Kheriaty, and Ms. Jill Hines. At the governments request, the Fifth Circuit stayed the order for 10 days to give the government time to petition for a writ of certiorari from the U.S. Supreme Court.

As todays decision said, [The platforms] gave the officials access to an expedited reporting system, downgraded or removed flagged posts, and deplatformed users. The panel continued, the platforms also changed their internal policies to capture more flagged content and sent steady reports on their moderation activities to the officials  through the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2022 congressional election, and [that] continues to this day.

The Biden Administrations years-long censorship campaign has suppressed perspectives contradicting government-approved views on hotly disputed topics like whether natural immunity to Covid-19 exists, Covid-19 vaccine concerns, the viruss origins, and mask mandate efficacy. The vast, coordinated censorship campaign has silenced public voices including influential doctors and scientists. Drs. Bhattacharya, Kulldorff and Kheriaty, and Ms. Hines have all been blacklisted, shadow-banned, de-boosted, throttled, and censored on social media.

Importantly, the Court recognized that the Plaintiffs did not challenge the social-media platforms content-moderation policies. Rather, Plaintiffs challenged the governments unlawful efforts to influence enforcement of those policies. The government gravely harmed the ability of NCLAs clients to convey their views to the public, and it deprived Americans of their right to hear opinions that differ from the governments. Judge Doughty strikingly described the Administrations conduct as arguably the most massive attack against free speech in United States history and akin to an Orwellian Ministry of Truth. Todays order should stop that conduct.

NCLA released the following statements:

In an unprecedented, historic decision, the Fifth Circuit has recognized that the conduct of the White House, CDC, Surgeon General, and FBI violated Americans First Amendment rights. The government cannot coerce or encourage social media companies to censor views it dislikes. This decision vindicates the Plaintiffs rights and protects the free speech of all Americans.

 Jenin Younes, Litigation Counsel, NCLA

The Biden Administrations coordinated censorship campaign against the American people ends today. The Fifth Circuits decision details blatantly unlawful conduct by multiple agencies, and its order forbids the governments widespread contempt for the First Amendment from continuing in no uncertain terms.

 Mark Chenoweth, President and General Counsel, NCLA

For more information visit the case page here or watch the case video here.

ABOUT NCLA

NCLA is a nonpartisan, nonprofit civil rights group founded by prominent legal scholar Philip Hamburger to protect constitutional freedoms from violations by the Administrative State. NCLAs public-interest litigation and other pro bono advocacy strive to tame the unlawful power of state and federal agencies and to foster a new civil liberties movement that will help restore Americans fundamental rights.

###
Vancouver, September 8, 2023 - Interra Copper Corp. (CSE: IMCX) (OTCQB: IMIMF) (FSE: 3MX) ("Interra" or the "Company") The Company provides the following summary of its exploration and drilling activities at its 16,080 Ha Tres Marias Copper Project ("Tres Marias" or the "Project"), located approximately 18 km southwest of the city of Calama in the Antofagasta Region of Chile. The Phase 1 drilling program was completed in June 2023.

Six (6) RC holes totalling 1,896 meters were completed and processed chip samples were sent to ALS Global in Santiago for analysis. This drilling represents testing of the first target and roughly 1/5th of the initially planned exploration program, which was planned to consist of a total of 10,500 m of reverse circulation ("RC") drilling across three target areas within 16,080 ha of contiguous concessions. The objective of the program is to test a number of targets identified to date, utilizing reprocessed historical airborne ZTEM and 3D inversion of this airborne data, a 504 km UAV high-resolution magnetic survey, and a 29 line-km GDAS 3D induced polarization survey completed by Alto Verde Copper.

The initial phase of drilling of the combined geological-geophysical-geochemical anomalies did not intersect substantial economic copper mineralization, however the assays highlighted several important anomalies in the six-hole program. Most notably hole TM23R-003 (Eastern Zone - Figure 1), intersected a dacite dyke with moderate quartz-sericite alteration, along with veinlets of hyaline quartz with halos of sericite and grey sulphides, and very thin and irregular veinlets of pyrite, grey sulphides, and specific pyrite-molybdenite sections. Numerous geochemical anomalies were noted, including:

Zinc: average of 350 ppm Zn and a peaks of 1450 ppm Zn;

Lead: average of 178 ppm Pb and a peak of 1960 ppm Pb;

Molybdenum: average of 12 ppm Mo and a peak of 180 ppm Mo;

Copper: anomalous concentrations and a peak of 211 ppm Cu; and,

Silver: anomalous concentrations and a peak of 6.7 ppm (g/t) Ag.

The results from hole TM23R-003 are interpreted to potentially represent a distal base metal front emanating from a porphyry copper system and may warrant follow-up work. Figure 1, provides an overview of the Eastern Zone with drill hole locations (Interra 2023 and historical) with respect to outlines of deeper intrusives, largely interpreted from geophysics and field observations, and the two main north-south structures (Guacate East and West).





Figure 1. Interra 2023 RC drill hole collar locations, historical Freeport-McMoran Exploration Corporation ("Freeport") drill hole collar locations, interpreted intrusives from geophysics, and structural geology overlain on MVI geophysical results, Eastern Zone, Tres Marias Copper Project, Chile.



To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/7923/180066_interra1.jpg

Principal Components Analysis ("PCA") of the geochemical results from drill hole TM23R-003 suggest a strong association with Pb-Zn-Cd-Mo-Re-Ag-S, which is interpreted as anomalous mineralization resulting from a distal copper system, such as that of a porphyry. Figure 2, shows the results of the PCA along with several notable intersections from hole TM23R-003.





Figure 2. Selected intersections from RC chip assays (left) and results of the Principal Components Analysis (right) completed on drill hole TM23R-003.



To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/7923/180066_interra2.jpg

Two of the six drill holes, TM23R-001 and TM23R-004, returned some localized anomalous concentrations in Pb, Zn, Cu and lesser Ag.

Drill holes TM23R-002, TM23R-005, and TM23R-006, did not return and significant values but were elevated in zinc over the entire length of each hole.

Historical Drill Programs

Among the results of previous (historic) drilling, are selected drill intercept highlights:

Drillhole TMD-15-02 intercepted a 2.4 m mineralized manto between 263 and 265.4m with abundant covellite in thick nodules, which returned grade sof 3.1% Cu and 19 ppm Ag.

Drillhole TMD-15-05 intersected a broad zone of anomalous Zn-Pb mineralization with an average of 1,162 ppm Zn and 363 ppm Pb. Between 214 m and 348 m, a hydrothermal breccia was cut with the margins returning values of 12m @ 0.5% Zn - 0.11% Pb and 22m @ 0.16% Zn - 0.07% Pb respectively following which the hole encountered a dacite-andesitic porphyry until the end of hole at 386.50 meters.

Drillhole TMRC-18-01 intercepted 4 meters @ 4.5% Cu and 121.5 ppm Ag in a manto from + 218-222 meters.

Drillhole TMRC-18-02 intercepted constant Zn and Pb mineralization, 476m @ 662 ppm Zn and 355 ppm Pb, includes 238-272m 34m @ 0.31% Zn and 0.26% Pb.

Follow-up Work

Based on initial analysis of the results including historic drilling - the highest priority area is interpreted to occur in the Eastern Zone between Interra drill-hole TM23R-003 and historical drill holes TMD-15-02, TMD-15-05, and TRMC-18-01 completed by Freeport an area of about 1.5 km x 0.7 km (Figure 3). Interra remains optimistic and aims to secure funding to continue work on its Tres Marias property and other Chilean projects. The company has 3 years remaining on the Tres Marias acquisition terms, and up to 8,000 meters of drilling if warranted as per the initial exploration plan for the Project. Figures 3 and 4 illustrate the next priority target for work on the Tres Marias Project.





Figure 3. Priority Target and Generalized geology and structures of the Eastern Zone with locations of historical (black), current (blue), and planned (red) drill hole collars.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/7923/180066_afffb13cb497fb53_004full.jpg





Figure 4. "Eastern Zone" Target - Section view of simplified geology, structures and interpreted Manto-style feeder mineralization toward the east.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/7923/180066_afffb13cb497fb53_005full.jpg

Laboratory Procedures and QA/QC

In total, 888 chip samples were collected from the six RC drill holes and analyzed in the ALS Global laboratory by multi-acid digestion ICP ME-MS61 + Au ICP 21 method (30 g Fire Assay). The chip sampling interval was systematic at every 2 metres except for 11 composite samples taken over 10 m intervals from holes TM23R-001 (8 samples) and TM23R-006 (3 samples). For the laboratory's respective QA/QC control, duplicate samples (51) were collected every 20 samples, with an alternating high-grade (26) and low-grade (27) copper standard inserted every 20 samples. In addition, a blank (26) was inserted after every high-grade copper standard. A total of 130 standard and control samples were assayed representing approximately 13% of the total 1,029 samples assayed, No samples were sent to a referee laboratory.

Technical Disclosure/Qualified Person

The scientific and technical information in this press release has been reviewed and approved by Dr. Scott Jobin-Bevans (P.Geo., PhD, PMP), Principal Geoscientist and Managing Director at Caracle Creek Chile SpA and an independent consultant and Qualified Person as defined in National Instrument 43-101.

About Interra Copper Corp.

Interra Copper Corp. is focused on building shareholder value through the exploration and development of its portfolio of highly prospective/early-stage exploration copper assets located in Chile S.A. and British Columbia, Canada.

The Company's portfolio includes three copper projects located the Central Volcanic Zone, within a prolific Chilean Copper belt: Tres Marias and Zenaida in the Antofagasta Region, and Pitbull in the Tarapaca Region. The Company now holds a significant land package covering an area of 20,050 ha with the projects situated amongst several of the world's largest mines owned by the largest global mining companies including Glencore, Anglo American, Teck Resources and BHP among others. The Company also owns two exploration projects in Northern British Columbia: Thane and Chuck Creek. The Thane Project is located in the Quesnel Terrane of Northern BC and spans over 20,658 ha with 6 high-priority targets identified demonstrating significant copper and precious metal mineralization.

Interra Copper's leadership team is comprised of senior mining industry executives who have a wealth of technical and capital markets experience and a strong track record of discovering, financing, developing, and operating mining projects on a global scale. Interra Copper is committed to sustainable and responsible business activities in line with industry best practices, supportive of all stakeholders, including the local communities in which we operate. The Company's common shares are principally listed on the Canadian Stock Exchange under the symbol "IMCX". For more information on Interra Copper, please visit our website at www.interracoppercorp.com.

On behalf of the Board and Interra Copper Corp.

Rick Gittleman

Interim CEO & Chairman

For further information

Katherine Pryde

Investor Relations Contact

investors@interracoppercorp.com

Twitter

LinkedIn

Forward-Looking Information

Forward-Looking Statements: This news release contains certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation, relating to exploration on the Company's Tres Marias Copper Project, and the potential results of exploration work on the project. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts; they are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "believes," "intends," "estimates," "projects," "aims," "potential," "goal," "objective," "prospective," and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will," "would," "may," "can," "could" or "should" occur, or are those statements, which, by their nature, refer to future events. The Company cautions that forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made, and they involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Consequently, there can be no assurances that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Except to the extent required by applicable securities laws and the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements if management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change. Factors that could cause future results to differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements include risks associated with mineral exploration operations, the risk that the Company will encounter unanticipated geological factors, the possibility that the Company may not be able to secure permitting and other governmental clearances necessary to carry out the Company's exploration plans, the risk that the Company will not be able to raise sufficient funds to carry out its business plans, and the risk of regulatory or legal changes that might interfere with the Company's business and prospects. The reader is urged to refer to the Company's reports, publicly available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and the Company's website. We seek safe harbor.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/180066
CINCINNATI  Brynn Schulte nearly died twice when she was a baby, at one point needing emergency surgery for massive bleeding in her brain.

No one knew what was wrong until a test that looked at her full genetic blueprint found a rare bleeding disorder called factor XIII deficiency  an early diagnosis that saved her life.

You have this hopeless feeling when you dont really know whats going on, said her father, Mike Schulte. Casting a wide net really made a world of difference figuring this out quickly and getting her the right care that she needed almost immediately.

Brynn, now 4, got the genetic testing as part of a clinical trial, the results of which were published recently in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Whole genome tests are nearly twice as good as narrower tests at unearthing genetic abnormalities that can cause disease in infants  the study found 49% of abnormalities, compared to 27% with more commonly used tests targeting particular types of genetic diseases.

Whole genome tests could solve the problem of doing several narrowly targeted tests on babies, which still might not find the disorder. Experts caution there are some issues, because labs vary in how they interpret results, and whole genome tests are costlier and less likely to be covered by insurance.

But researchers envision that whole genome tests eventually will be used for millions of hospitalized babies with confounding, sometimes life-threatening conditions. According to the U.S. National Human Genome Research Institute, around 350 million people worldwide live with rare disorders, and about 80% of the more than 7,000 conditions are genetic.

Ive been doing clinical trials of babies for over 40 years, said study author Dr. Jon Davis, chief of newborn medicine at Tufts Medical Center in Boston. Its not often that you can do something that you feel is going to really change the world and change clinical practice for everyone.

A memory Ill never erase

The night after Brynn was born, her mother Lindsay noticed her skin was gray, her breathing labored. Blood had pooled beneath Brynn's scalp, causing two bulges on her head.

Doctors transferred her to the neonatal intensive care unit at Cincinnati Childrens Hospital Medical Center, where she got blood transfusions and tests for different bleeding problems.

She improved and went home  only to wind up back in the hospital when she was about a month old for a massive brain bleed. A doctor warned she likely wouldnt make it. A pastor prayed with the family.

After her surgery, Brynn stayed in the NICU for two months. At various points, doctors thought she might have a vascular problem or a mass in her liver.

Everybody was very unsettled because nobody knew what the heck was going on, Lindsay Schulte recalled. I dont think we slept. I mean, watching your child nearly die in front of your eyes twice is a memory Ill never erase.

Then the Schultes learned about the clinical trial, which involved 400 hospitalized infants.

Brynn and both parents got the whole genome testing. The diagnosis came in less than a week: She had the rare bleeding disorder, which affects an estimated 1 in 2 million to 1 in 3 million live births, and another condition causing a severe reaction to certain anesthesia drugs.

Doctors said that diagnosis would likely have been delayed  or even missed  with multiple narrower tests.

Many babies in the trial had genetic variants that narrower tests just couldnt detect, said Dr. Jill Maron, a study author and chief of pediatrics at Women & Infants Hospital in Rhode Island.

Thats because targeted tests cover maybe 1,700 out of 20,000 genes, so whole genome testing simply captures more things, said Dr. Paul Kruszka of GeneDx, a company that provides whole genome testing but wasnt involved in the study.

Ive been doing clinical trials of babies for over 40 years. Its not often that you can do something that you feel is going to really change the world and change clinical practice for everyone.  study author Dr. Jon Davis

Another child in the clinical trial, 2-year-old Cash Denaro of Oceanside, California, was found to have a genetic condition called Noonan syndrome, which involves heart defects, developmental delays and other problems.

His mom, Amanda Denaro, said that with the diagnosis, we know what they think he may be delayed on, so we can work on these more  not just kind of push it under the rug.

Whole genome testing made all the difference

Broader access to full genome tests is necessary if more kids are going to be helped, experts like Maron said. Full genome tests generally cost about three times more than narrower tests, she said, and aren't covered by Medicaid in most states.

Then there's the question of interpreting test results: More than 40% of the time in the study, labs found the same genetic variant, but one considered it the cause of disease while the other saw it as insignificant. Philip Brooks at the National Institutes of Health, which helped pay for the research, said it remains a topic to be addressed.

One reason for the differing interpretations is that science is moving so quickly linking genes to disorders and there isn't a comprehensive international system where doctors can check for the latest information, said Mara Aspinall, who teaches biomedical diagnostics at Arizona State University. She was not involved in the study.

Despite such hurdles, some kids are already benefitting from whole genome testing. It made all the difference in ensuring Brynn got the right treatment so she could thrive, said Dr. Cristina Tarango, her hematologist at Cincinnati Childrens.

Today, Brynn lives like any active preschooler except for regular infusions of factor XIII replacement.

On a recent morning, Lindsay Schulte put Sleeping Beauty on the television and laid Brynn on a blanket on the kitchen counter. A visiting nurse took blood from a port implanted in her chest and Schulte slowly administered the medication through a syringe.

Like usual, Brynn chose the bandage to put over her port  one featuring a cat from her favorite show.

All done! her mom chirped, and soon Brynn was running barefoot across a couch, gleefully chasing her older brother.

10 traits you may not know can be tied to genetics 10 traits you may not know can be tied to genetics Facial expressions Deviated septum Childrens insomnia Widows peak Caffeine response Sensitivity to bitter food Sneezing in the sun Optimism Pain tolerance Life satisfaction
/NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION IN THE USA/

KAMLOOPS, Sept. 8, 2023 - Progressive Planet (TSXV: PLAN) (OTCQB: ASHXF) ("Progressive Planet", "PLAN", or the "Company"), a leader in developing CleanTech solutions for the planet, has been advised by the TSX Venture Exchange (the "Exchange") that at the opening of the market on Tuesday, September 12, 2023, the shares of Progressive Planet will be reinstated for trading. The Exchange bulletin regarding the reinstatement is dated September 8, 2023, and will be available on tmx.com as of September 11, 2023, at 1:00 pm PDT.

Progressive Planet would also like to inform investors that a recording of the investor update held on September 6, 2023, which includes a review of the Company's F2023 Financial Results and 2024 outlook, is available on demand here.

___________________________

Progressive Planet provides regular information for investors on its website: progressiveplanet.com/investors/. This includes press releases and other information about financial performance, patents filed, and information on corporate governance.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

About Progressive Planet:

We are a CleanTech and manufacturing company with proven product lines based in Kamloops, British Columbia. Our expertise lies in developing critical low-carbon and carbon sequestering solutions using our owned mineral assets and recycled materials to create planet-friendly products that fight climate change and protect our planet's health.

Our products are in 10,000+ retail stores across North America. Our innovations, created at our C-Quester Centre of Sustainable Innovation, bring positive disruption to the cement, agricultural and animal-care sectors by creating products that help reduce carbon footprints and restore ecosystems.

Forward-Looking Statements:

Certain statements in this release are forward-looking statements, which reflect the expectations of management regarding the matters described herein. Forward-looking statements consist of statements that are not purely historical, including any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations, or intentions regarding the future. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results, performance, or developments to differ materially from those contained in the statements. No assurance can be given that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will occur or, if they do occur, what benefits the Company will obtain from them. These forward-looking statements reflect management's current views and are based on certain expectations, estimates and assumptions which may prove to be incorrect. A number of risks and uncertainties could cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including factors beyond the Company's control. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release.

Disclaimer:

This news release, required by Canadian laws, does not constitute an offer of securities and is not for distribution or dissemination outside Canada.

SOURCE Progressive Planet Solutions
VANCOUVER, Sept. 8, 2023 -

TSX VENTURE COMPANIES

BULLETIN TYPE: Cease Trade Order

BULLETIN DATE: September 8, 2023

TSX Venture Tier 2 Company

A Cease Trade Order has been issued by the Autorite des marches financiers on September 7, 2023, against the following Company for failing to file the document indicated within the required time period:

Symbol Company Failure to File Period Ending (Y/M/D) ("GKO") Geecko Technologies Corporation MD&A Quarterly Financial Statements 2023/06/30











Statement of Executive Compensation 2022/12/31



Upon revocation of the Cease Trade Order, the Company's shares will remain suspended until the Company meets TSX Venture Exchange requirements. Members are prohibited from trading in the securities of the Company during the period of the suspension or until further notice.

TYPE DE BULLETIN : Interdiction d'operations sur valeurs

DATE DU BULLETIN : Le 8 septembre 2023

Societe du groupe 2 de TSX Croissance

Une interdiction d'operations sur valeurs a ete emise le 7 septembre 2023 par l'Autorite des marches financiers envers la societe suivante pour defaut de deposer le document indique dans la periode prescrite :

Symbole Societe Defaut de deposer Periode se terminant (A/M/J) ( GKO ) Corporation Geecko Technologies Rapport et Etats financiers intermediaires 2023/06/30



Rapport de la remuneration des dirigeants 2022/12/31



Suite a l'interdiction d'operations sur valeurs, la negociation des titres de la societe demeurera suspendue jusqu'a ce que la societe reponde aux normes de Bourse de croissance TSX. Il est interdit aux membres de transiger les titres de la societe durant la periode de suspension ou jusqu'a un avis ulterieur.

_________________________________________________

LNG ENERGY GROUP CORP. ("LNGE")("LNGE.WT")

BULLETIN TYPE: New Listing-Shares and Warrants

BULLETIN DATE: September 8, 2023

TSX Venture Tier 1 Company

Effective at the opening, Tuesday, September 12, 2023, the Shares and Warrants of the Company will commence trading on TSX Venture Exchange. The Company is classified as an 'Oil and Gas Extraction' company.

Corporate Jurisdiction: Ontario

Capitalization: Unlimited common shares with no par value of which

155,108,066 common shares are issued and outstanding

Escrowed Shares: 76,510,001 common shares

Transfer Agent: Computershare Investor Services Inc.

Trading Symbol: LNGE (new)

CUSIP Number: 53951J 10 6 (new)

Sponsoring Member: Canaccord Genuity Corp.

Capitalization on Warrants: 44,577,350 share purchase warrants issued

One share purchase warrant to purchase one common share at $0.60 per share to August 15, 2026.

Warrant Trading Symbol: LNGE.WT (new)

Warrant CUSIP Number: 53951J 11 4 (new)

For further information, please refer to the Company's Filing Statement dated August 14, 2023.

Company Contact: Michael Galego, Chief Legal Officer, Corporate Secretary and Director

Company Address: Suite 3200, Bay Adelaide Centre - North Tower, 40 Temperance St., Toronto, Ontario, M5H 0B4

Company Phone Number: (205) 835-0676

Company Email Address: investor.relations@lngenergygroup.com

________________________________________

PARTNERS VALUE INVESTMENTS LP ("PVF.PR.U")

BULLETIN TYPE: Declaration of Dividend

BULLETIN DATE: September 8, 2023

TSX Venture Tier 1 Company

The Issuer has declared the following dividend:

Dividend per Class A Preferred LP Units, Series 1: US$0.28125

Payable Date: October 31, 2023

Record Date: September 29, 2023

Ex-dividend Date: September 28, 2023

________________________________________

Progressive Planet Solutions Inc. ("PLAN")

BULLETIN TYPE: Reinstated for Trading

BULLETIN DATE: September 8, 2023

TSX Venture Tier 2 Company

Further to the TSX Venture Exchange Bulletin dated September 5, 2023, the Exchange has been advised that the Cease Trade Order issued by the British Columbia and Ontario Securities Commissions dated September 1, 2023 has been revoked.

Effective at the opening, Tuesday, September 12, 2023, trading will be reinstated in the securities of the Company.

________________________________________

NEX COMPANIES:

AUSTIN RESOURCES LTD. ("AUT.H")

BULLETIN TYPE: Delist

BULLETIN DATE: September 8, 2023

NEX Company

Effective at the close of business on September 22, 2023, the common shares of Austin Resources Ltd. will be delisted from NEX at the request of the Company. The Company obtained the director's resolution on August 4, 2023 authorizing the delist. The Company's majority of minority shareholders approved the delist pursuant to consent shareholders' resolution dated from August 25, 2023 to August 28, 2023.

________________________________________

OIL OPTIMIZATION INC. ("OOI.H")

BULLETIN TYPE: Listing Maintenance Fees - Delist

BULLETIN DATE: September 8, 2023

NEX Company

In accordance with NEX Policy, Section 15, effective at the close of business, Friday, September 22, 2023, securities of Oil Optimization Inc. (the "Company") will be delisted from NEX, for failure to pay their quarterly NEX Listing Maintenance Fees.

Prior to delisting, the shares of the Company were subject to a suspension from trading.

_______________________________________

23/09/08 - TSX Venture Exchange Bulletins

TSX VENTURE COMPANIES

CANASIL RESOURCES INC. ("CLZ")

BULLETIN TYPE: Shares for Debt

BULLETIN DATE: September 8, 2023

TSX Venture Tier 2 Company

TSX Venture Exchange has accepted for filing the Company's proposal to issue 6,666,667 shares at a deemed price of $0.03 per share and 6,666,667 share purchase warrants to settle outstanding debt for $200,000.

Number of Creditors: 1 Creditor

Non-Arm's Length Party / Pro Group Participation: N/A











Warrants: 6,666,667 share purchase warrants to purchase 6,666,667 shares

Warrant Exercise Price: $0.05 for a two year period

The Company shall issue a news release when the shares are issued and the debt extinguished.

________________________________________

COMMANDER RESOURCES LTD. ("CMD")

BULLETIN TYPE: Private Placement-Non-Brokered

BULLETIN DATE: September 8, 2023

TSX Venture Tier 1 Company

TSX Venture Exchange has accepted for filing documentation with respect to a Non-Brokered Private Placement announced on August 3, 2023:

Number of Shares: 1,910,000 Flow-Through (FT) shares

1,937,500 Non-Flow-Through (NFT) shares

Purchase Price: $0.10 per FT share

$0.08 per NFT share

Warrants: 1,937,500 share purchase warrants to purchase 1,937,500 shares

Warrant Exercise Price: $0.14 for a 18 month period

Number of Placees: 20 placees

Insider / Pro Group Participation:







Placees # of Placee (s) Aggregate # of Shares





Aggregate Existing Insider Involvement: 3 35,000 FT shares and 1,000,000 NFT shares Aggregate Pro Group Involvement: 3 150,000 FT shares and



300,000 NFT shares



Aggregate Cash Amount Aggregate # of Shares Aggregate # of Warrants Finder's Fee: $4,920 N/A N/A



The Company issued a news release on September 1, 2023, confirming closing of the private placement. Note that in certain circumstances the Exchange may later extend the expiry date of the warrants, if they are less than the maximum permitted term.

________________________________________

ELEMENTAL ALTUS ROYALTIES CORP. ("ELE")

BULLETIN TYPE: Property-Asset or Share Purchase Agreement

BULLETIN DATE: September 8, 2023

TSX Venture Tier 1 Company

TSX Venture Exchange has accepted for filing an agreement, dated August 22, 2023 (the "Agreement"), between the Company and two arm's length parties (the "Vendors"). Pursuant to the terms of the Agreement, the Company may acquire two existing royalties (the "Royalties") from the Vendors for consideration of US$10,000,000 payable in 11,111,111 common shares of the Company at a price of C$1.20 per share. The Royalties include an aggregate 0.68% net smelter return royalty on the Cactus Project in Arizona and a 0.5% gross revenue royalty on the Nyanga Project in Gabon.

The Company is not paying any finders' fee.

For further details, please refer to the Company's news releases dated August 23, 2023.

________________________________________

GENIUS METALS INC. ("GENI")

BULLETIN TYPE: Private Placement-Non-Brokered

BULLETIN DATE: September 8, 2023

TSX Venture Tier 2 Company

TSX Venture Exchange has accepted for filing documentation with respect to a Non-Brokered Private Placement announced on August 7, 2023:

Number of Shares: 11,130,000 common shares

Purchase Price: $0.05 per common share

Warrants: 11,130,000 common share purchase warrants to purchase 11,130,000 common shares

Warrant Exercise Price: $0.10 per common share until September 6, 2025

Number of Placees: 21 placees

Insider / Pro Group Participation:

Placees # of Placee (s) Aggregate # of Shares Aggregate # of Warrants







Aggregate Existing Insider Involvement: 1 180,000 common shares 180,000 warrants Aggregate Pro Group Involvement: N/A N/A N/A



Aggregate Cash Amount ($) Aggregate # of Shares Aggregate # of Warrants Finder's Fee: $5,600 N/A N/A



The Company issued a news release on September 6, 2023 confirming closing of the private placement. Note that in certain circumstances the Exchange may later extend the expiry date of the warrants, if they are less than the maximum permitted term.

METAUX GENIUS INC. ( GENI )

TYPE DE BULLETIN : Placement prive sans l'entremise d'un courtier

DATE DU BULLETIN : Le 8 septembre 2023

Societe du groupe 2 de TSX Croissance

Bourse de Croissance TSX a accepte le depot de la documentation de la societe en vertu d'un placement prive sans l'entremise d'un courtier annonce le 7 aout 2023 :

Nombre d'actions : 11 130 000 actions ordinaires

Prix : 0,05 $ par action ordinaire

Bons de souscription : 11 130 000 bons de souscription permettant de souscrire a 11 130 000 actions ordinaires

Prix d'exercice des bons : 0,10 $ par action ordinaire jusqu'au 6 septembre 2025

Nombre de souscripteurs : 21 souscripteurs

Participation d'inities / Groupe Pro :

Souscripteurs # total de souscripteurs: # total d'actions # total de bons Participation totale d'inities existants: 1 180 000 actions ordinaires 180 000 bons de souscription Participation totale de Groupe Pro: S/O S/O S/O



Montant total en especes ($) # total d'actions # total de bons de souscription Honoraire d'intermediation: 5 600 $ S/O S/O



La societe a confirme la cloture du placement prive dans un communique de presse date le 6 septembre 2023. Notez que dans certaines circonstances, la Bourse peut ensuite prolonger la duree des bons de souscription, s'ils sont inferieurs a la duree maximale autorisee.

________________________________________

IBC ADVANCED ALLOYS CORP. ("IB")

BULLETIN TYPE: Shares for Debt

BULLETIN DATE: September 8, 2023

TSX Venture Tier 2 Company

TSX Venture Exchange has accepted for filing the Company's proposal to issue 952,605 shares to settle outstanding debt for $75,639.49.

Number of Creditors: 62 Creditors

Non-Arm's Length Party / Pro Group Participation:









Creditors # of Creditors Amount Owing Deemed Price per Share Aggregate # of Shares









Aggregate Non-Arm's Length Party Involvement: N/A N/A N/A N/A Aggregate Pro Group Involvement: N/A N/A N/A N/A



________________________________________

QUEBEC PRECIOUS METALS CORPORATION ("QPM")

BULLETIN TYPE: Shares for Debt

BULLETIN DATE: September 8, 2023

TSX Venture Tier 2 Company

TSX Venture Exchange has accepted for filing the Company's proposal to issue 230,380 common shares to settle outstanding debt of $19,582.30.

Number of Creditors: 4 Creditors

Non-Arm's Length Party / Pro Group Participation:









Creditors # of Creditors Amount Owing Deemed Price per Share Aggregate # of Shares









Aggregate Non-Arm's Length Party Involvement: 4 $19,582.30 $0.085 230,380 Aggregate Pro Group Involvement: N/A N/A N/A N/A



For more information, please refer to the Company's press release dated August 9, 2023.

CORPORATION METAUX PRECIEUX DU QUEBEC (  QPM  )

TYPE DE BULLETIN : Emission d'actions en reglement d'une dette

DATE DU BULLETIN : Le 8 septembre 2023

Societe du groupe 2 de TSX Croissance

Bourse de croissance TSX a accepte le depot de la documentation de la societe en vertu de l'emission proposee de 230 380 actions ordinaires en reglement d'un montant de dette total de 19 582,30 $.

Nombre de creanciers : 4 creanciers

Participation de personne ayant

un lien de dependance / Groupe Pro :

Creanciers # de creanciers Montant du Prix repute par action # total d'actions









Participation total de personne ayant un lien de dependance: 4 19 582,30 $ 0,085 $ 230 380 Participation total de Groupe Pro: S/O S/O S/O S/O



Pour plus d'informations, veuillez-vous referer au communique de presse emis par la societe le 9 aout 2023.

___________________________________________

TRU PRECIOUS METALS CORP. ("TRU")

BULLETIN TYPE: Non-Brokered Private Placement

BULLETIN DATE: September 8, 2023

TSX Venture Tier 2 Company

TSX Venture Exchange has accepted for filing documentation with respect to a non-brokered private placement (the "Private Placement") announced on July 4, 2023 and July 5, 2023:

Number of Securities: 60,000,000 common shares

Purchase Price: $0.05 per common share

Warrants: 30,000,000 warrants to purchase 30,000,000 common shares

Warrants' Exercise Price: $0.075 for a period of 36 months after the closing of the Private Placement

Number of Placees: 1 placee

The Company has confirmed the closing of the Private Placement in a news release dated September 6, 2023.

________________________________________

Western Metallica Resources Corp. ("WMS")

BULLETIN TYPE: Property-Asset or Share Purchase Agreement

BULLETIN DATE: September 8, 2023

TSX Venture Tier 2 Company

TSX Venture Exchange has accepted for filing documentation with respect to the arm's length share purchase agreement for the acquisition of all of the issued shares of Consolidated Copper Corp.



CASH ($) SECURITIES WORK EXPENDITURES (S) CONSIDERATION $0 20,000,000 common shares and 5,000,000 warrants (each exercisable into 1 share at a price of $0.10 for up to 1 year) $0



For further details, please refer to the Company's news release dated August 10, 2023.

________________________________________

YERBAE BRANDS CORP. ("YERB.U")

BULLETIN TYPE: Private Placement - Non-Brokered

BULLETIN DATE: September 8, 2023

TSX Venture Tier 2 Company

TSX Venture Exchange has accepted for filing documentation with respect to a Non-Brokered Private Placement announced on July 17, 2023:

Number of Shares: 2,444,958 common share units ("Units"), each Unit consisting of one common share in the capital of the Company ("Share") and one Share purchase warrant ("Warrant").

Purchase Price: $1.83 USD per Unit.

Warrants: 2,444,958 Warrants to purchase 2,444,958 Shares.

Warrant Price: $2.15 exercisable for a period of two years from the date of issuance.

Number of Placees: 43 placees.

Insider / Pro Group Participation:





Insider= Y /

Name Pro Group= P Number of Units Aggregate Existing Insider Involvement: N/A N/A Aggregate Pro Group Involvement:



[3 Pro Group Members] P 67,818



Aggregate Cash Amount Aggregate # of Shares Aggregate # of Finder Warrants Finder's Fee: [1 Finder] $33,242.87 N/A N/A



The Company issued news releases on August 21, 2023, and September 1, 2023, confirming the closings of the Private Placement. Note that in certain circumstances the Exchange may later extend the expiry date of the Warrants, if they are less than the maximum permitted term.

__________________________________

SOURCE TSX Venture Exchange
Assuming that election fraud is rampant in county offices and in the precincts, a band of 50 sponsors is proposing to pass a constitutional amendment to prevent fraud. The problem is that there is now no voter fraud in North Dakota, never has been, never will be.

I have personally been involved in a survey of local election inspectors and state's attorneys and did not find any reports of fraud. This is another case of passing legislation to restrict something that is unlikely to happen.

In case a circus comes to town and the elephants escape, we need to have a law that prohibits elephants on railroad tracks. Nobody in North Dakota has ever seen an elephant on the railroad tracks but it could happen.

That is about the rationale of the group that wants to make voting more difficult in the event some ineligible person votes in the wrong precinct.

With electronic genius pervasive in our social, political and economic systems, it is ironic that these folks trust all of the other uses in their daily lives but question using electronic voting machines.

Its all a form of paranoia that some politicians use to gain and hold power.

According to Forum reporter Melissa Van Der Stad, the proposal goes beyond merely controlling the non-existent fraud.

It proposes to ban early voting. How is early voting vulnerable to fraud? Some states even go so far as sending out ballots to voters without incurring charges of fraud. Sponsors are suggesting that North Dakotans are more dishonest than residents of other states.

It would allow people from other states to come to North Dakota and circulate petitions. Are sponsors inviting national organizations to take over the circulation of petitions?

It would allow payment per signature in the petition process. This suggests there are deep pockets outside of North Dakota that want in and this proposal would legalize their access.

It would guarantee petitioners the right to collect signatures on any public property without restriction. When it comes to public property, do they mean any property used by the public or only property actually owned by a government?

Making the whole proposal more suspect is the provision to reduce the number of signatures required to recall elected officials from 25% to 10%. It has nothing to do with fraud.

We have to ask about the breadth of this proposal. Does it take in all elected officials in North Dakota, which would include school boards, township supervisors, county and city officials. If passed, it would override county and city home rule powers.

My suspicions are elevated when I look over the committee of sponsors and find the names of right-wingers who are hoping to use these powers to bypass the Legislature by bringing out-of-state resources into our policy making process.

We already have national organizations drafting model laws for state legislatures, too many of which do appear in our statute books.

If the Election Integrity Act is passed it would make voting more difficult, especially for the handicapped; it would add a new burden on election workers hand counting paper ballots; it would result in more counting errors than found in electronic systems; it would delay reporting election results, and the ID requirements would skim off voters.

There is no fraud in North Dakota elections; just as there are no elephants on the railroad tracks. Neither one is going to happen.

The suggestion of fraud impeaches the honesty and integrity of all of the hard-working, underpaid election workers who surrender their time for the good of the community.
Its time to move along with both boys and girls

Daily Graphic Editorials Sep - 09 - 2023 , 12:33

In July this year, a former Head of the National Office of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), the Very Rev. Dr Nii Nmai Ollenu, wrote an article titled: Tears of the boy-child, which was published in this paper, which sought to alert the authorities that it was about time we gave due attention to the boy-child as we did to the girl-child.

His article was premised on the fact that currently the boy-child population in the second cycle schools was dwindling as compared to the girl-child population, citing, for instance, that records available suggested that the girls were leading the boys in both enrolment and academic performance.

For example, statistics from WAEC, Ghana show that from the period 2006  2022, the winners of the first three positions in the Distinction Awards of the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) are 46 in all.

Out of this number, 26 are girls which works to about 57 per cent, and 20 are boys, representing 43 per cent.

The current state of the student-gender categorisation is a result of a deliberate effort to reverse a general trend in the country which weighed heavily in favour of the boy-child in the early post-independence period.

The Daily Graphic recalls in those days the influence of international conventions, such as the Education for All and advocacy driven by global happenings, compelled governments to introduce educational policies that supported the girl-child in order to create equal academic opportunities.

So, over the years, this advocacy has yielded positive results, during which the programme, Send your girl-child to school, was pursued.

Currently, the focus on the girl-child has been taken a notch higher where specific schools such as STEM institutions for girls, Mathematics Workshops for Girls, Robotic and Computer Training for Girls have been tailored for girls. Additionally, special scholarships and concessions are given to the girl-child all in the name of affirmative action.

Interestingly, ever since the campaign to get the girl-child into the classroom was mounted, the educational policies in the country seem to have been skewed towards the girl-child.

This is, particularly, so when schooling has been made compulsory at the basic level and free at the secondary level. Parents have no excuse to prevent the girl-child from going to school.

Unfortunately, all these are being done without any parallel policy intended for the boy-child.

For us at the Daily Graphic, the Send the girl-child to school advocacy campaign, launched in the 1990s and early 2000s, is long past and what we need now is equality and parity because the countrys economic development indicators require a balance of both males and females.

As a country, we need to ensure that a blind eye is not turned to the boy-child because the time has come for restrategising and re-directing our focus towards the boy-child.

It is in this vein that Rev. Dr Ollenu is of the view that it appears as though the modern boy-child is being made to suffer punishment for the iniquities the forebears committed by not sending the girl-child to school.

To support the position of the former WAEC boss, the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) is calling for sustained efforts by all Ghanaians to encourage and support more boys to stay in school so as to enable them to develop their full potential for national development.

The association is advocating that initiatives and efforts to motivate boys to go to school and remain throughout their study must be sustained. In this connection, all stakeholders, including organisations, parent-teacher associations, philanthropists and old students need to be actively involved in an all-hands-on-deck approach.

Let us, as a country, be intentional in ensuring that whatever is done for the girl-child the same must be extended to the boys.
Ive not done any surgery, I inherited my big butts from my mother - Florence Obinim

Kofi Duah Showbiz News Sep - 08 - 2023 , 15:45

Ghanaian gospel musician Florence Obinim has denied claims that she has gone under the knife to enhance her body.

She mentioned that contrary to the wide held perception that she has done surgery to get her new body, she actually inherited it from her mother.

In an interview with Ghpage and monitored by Graphic Showbiz, Florence Obinim said her mother, named Akosua, was well known in the neighbourhood she grew up, as one with huge backside and hips.

She stated that she equally had same body type but decided to reduce her weight prior to her marriage.

However, Florence Obinim started going to the gym to work out really hard to get her desired body after giving birth to all her children when she married.

My butts are natural, after giving birth to all my children, I did some serious gym work and I was very particular about my stomach because if you have a flat tummy, your butt and hips will automatically be very visible.

Also in my family, maidens who have never given birth are slim but as soon as you start giving birth, you put on weight and thats when the hips and buttocks also get big.

I would also advise ladies not to eat at night since late night eating highly contributes to having a big belly, she said.

Florence Obinim, who is credited with songs such as Mehyia Jesus,  Osoro Ne Mefie, among others explained that she took up the burden of working on her weight following an unfavourable comments made by a TV presenter years ago.

Florence Obinin nurtured her talent at a young age when she used to minister at a branch of the Assemblies of God church in Kumasi.

She was inspired by South Africas Rebecca Malope to release her maiden Osoro ne me fie and has since then dropped songs such as Wagye me, Oben me, Mehia w'adom, Mdimafo, Mahunu bi da, Ma me nyansa.

Recommended article: No artiste can get to the top without spiritual fortification -Wendy Shay
The resurgence of unconstitutional government changes

Mary Mensah Opinion Sep - 09 - 2023 , 07:32

There have been nine attempted or successful coups detat in Africa since 2020 and the most recent coups differ in some key aspects from the coups that were seen on the continent in the past, especially during the immediate post-independence period.

Forcibly imposed military rule has a long and widespread history in Africa. Since the independence of most African states during the 1960s, the number of coups across the continents 54 countries ranged every decade between eight and 26, by one count.

In each case, military strongmen were fully aware of the illegality of their actions and take pains to construct a facade of legitimacy as soon as possible.

Coup phenomenon

The coup phenomenon also appears permanent, bound to resurge once a new crisis arises. Historical evidence shows, however, that neither of these propositions are true. Coups detat generally have devastating effects on social and political culture, a trend that has continued in Mali, Guinea and Burkina Faso. Yet, at the same time, it is clearly possible for West African nations to move beyond the coup cycle towards a more sustainable citizen-focused tradition.

The takeover in Gabon is just the latest in a string of coups that have taken place in recent years and comes just a month after soldiers took control in Niger.

The leader of the coup that ousted Gabon's President Ali Bongo was sworn in as interim President and cheered by jubilant supporters in a televised ceremony designed to cast the military as liberators of an oppressed society.

Eight coups

In West and Central Africa's eighth coup in three years, army officers, led by General Brice Oligui Nguema, seized power on August 30, minutes after an announcement that Bongo had won an election they annulled and said was not credible.

There were two in Burkina Faso in 2022, as well as failed coup attempts in Guinea Bissau, The Gambia and the island nation of Sao Tome and Principe. In 2021, there were six coup attempts in Africa, four of them successful.

Out of the 486 attempted or successful military coups carried globally since 1950, Africa accounts for the largest number with 214, of which at least 106 were successful.

Based on data compiled by two US researchers, Jonathan M. Powell and Clayton L. Thyne, at least 45 of the 54 nations across the African continent have experienced at least a single coup attempt since 1950.

The overall number of coup attempts in Africa remained fairly consistent at an average of around four a year between 1960 and 2000. Jonathan Powell says this is not surprising, given the instability many countries experienced in the years after independence.

Conditions common for coups

"African countries have had conditions common for coups such as poverty and poor economic performance. When a country has one coup, that's often a harbinger of more coups," he said.

In July 2023, members of Nigers presidential guard detained President Mohamed Bazoum inside his palace and appeared on national television saying they had seized power to end the deteriorating security situation and bad governance.

In 2021, there were six coup attempts in Africa, four of them successful and in April 2021, after the death of the Chadian leader, Idriss Deby, the army installed his son as interim President, leading to a transitional military council. His opponents called it a "dynastic coup". "Coup leaders almost invariably deny their action was a coup in an effort to appear legitimate," says Jonathan Powell.

Africa coups

In the years after 2000, there was a noticeable decline in military interventions but is only in the last couple of years that coups have become more prevalent.

In 2020, there was just one coup (in Mali). Then in 2021, five countries experienced military interventions (Chad, Mali, Guinea, Sudan and Niger).

In 2022, there were also five attempts, with two  both in Burkina Faso  succeeding.

Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno succeeded his father as Chadian leader in April 2021 and Ndubuisi Christian Ani from the University of KwaZulu-Natal says popular uprisings against long-serving dictators have provided an opportunity for the return of coups in Africa.

"While popular uprisings are legitimate and people-led, success is often determined by the decisions taken by the military," he says.

Countries with most coups

Sudan has had the most coups and attempted takeovers, amounting to 16  six of them successful.

In 2019, long-serving leader Omar al-Bashir, was removed from power following months of protests. Bashir himself had taken over in a military coup in 1989.

Burkina Faso in West Africa has had the most successful coups, with nine takeovers and one failed coup, while Nigeria had a reputation for military coups following independence with eight between January 1966 and the takeover by Gen. Sani Abacha in 1993. However, since 1999, transfers of power in Africa's most populous nation have been by democratic election.

Ghana has also had its share of military coups, with eight in two decades. The first was in 1966 when Kwame Nkrumah was removed from power and in the following year, there was an unsuccessful attempt by junior army officers.

Since the last coup by Flt Lt Jerry John Rawlings in 1981, transfers of power in in Ghana have been by democratic election.

Burundi's history has been marked by eleven separate coups, mostly driven by the tensions between the Hutu and Tutsi communities.

Sierra Leone experienced three coups between 1967 and 1968, and another one in 1971. Between 1992 and 1997, it experienced five further coup attempts.

In 2021, the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, said "military coups are back," adding that "geo-political divisions are undermining international co-operation and...a sense of impunity is taking hold," he said.

Overall, Africa has experienced more coups than any other continent. Of the 18 coups recorded globally since 2017, all but one  Myanmar in 2021  have been in Africa.

Conclusion

African coups occasionally prompt upbeat assertions that, though unconstitutional, such actions may conveniently remove ineffective governments so to prevent further coups on the continent economies must perform well to lift people out of poverty and Presidents must show leadership.

Dynasty governance should end while third term bids should be condemned and the African Union as welll as the regional blocs should come out with punitive measures against it.

There is the need for the continental bodys official stance on democratic electoral conduct in member states.
African Union joins G20 as a permanent member

BBC International News Sep - 09 - 2023 , 09:29

The African Union (AU) has been invited to join the G20 as a permanent member.

The G20 summit is being held in South Asia for the first time, with Joe Biden, Rishi Sunak and Emmanuel Macron attending,

Two big names - Russias Vladimir Putin and Chinas Xi Jinping - arent at the summit, with representatives attending on their behalf.

The leaders will discuss issues including climate change, food security and debt restructuring for poorer countries.

Indian PM Narendra Modi hopes a successful summit will boost the image he wants of India as a global powerhouse ahead of general elections next year.

But disagreements over Ukraine could make it tough for leaders to agree on a joint declaration.
The president added: "Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi has been an outstanding leader in the political and cultural life of our nation, including the ebbs and flows of our liberation struggle, the transition which secured our freedom in 1994 and our democratic dispensation."
Asokwa Municipal Assembly to take over property rates collection - Collection poor under GRA

Kwadwo Baffoe Donkor Sep - 09 - 2023 , 07:19

The members of the Asokwa Municipal Assembly have resolved to take over the collection of property rates from October this year to ensure that the assembly has enough funds to undertake its projects.

The decision was borne out of their observation that the agreement to allow the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) to collect the property rates on behalf of the assembly has not yielded the desired results.

Addressing the media after a special General Assembly meeting, the Presiding Member (PM), Elliott Banor, explained that in August last year, when the staff of the assembly were in charge of collecting the property rates, the assembly raised over a million Internally Generated Fund (IGF).

However, he said, this year, since the GRA took over through a third party, Digital City Solutions, the assembly has, so far, received a little over GH27,000 for the same period while for the first quarter of the year, the assembly received nothing.

He stressed that over the years, the assembly has depended on its IGF to undertake physical projects. However, given the inflow of revenue, it cannot do that anymore.

Mr Banor said the GRA has not helped the assembly in increasing its revenue and this was contrary to the agreement.

MCE, MCD walked out

Before the resolution was passed, the assembly members walked out their Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Akwannuasah Gyimah, and the Municipal Coordinating Director (MCD), Samuel Owusu Mensah, from the meeting which was held to decide on the collection of property rates.

They had met to deliberate on the dwindling revenues of the assembly since the GRA took over the collection of property rates. However, the decision to ask the MCE and MCD to excuse themselves from the meeting was because they were part of those who signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to cede that right to the GRA. Thus, their presence could influence the outcome of the meeting.

Task force

Mr Banor explained that the action to make the two gentlemen sit out of the special meeting was to ensure objective discourse and decision.

He said aside from the decision to take over the property rate collection, the meeting also resolved to set up a revenue collection task force that would collect the revenue for it.

He said the task force would, in the meantime, be in charge of collecting the business operating permit and other fees and start the property rates from August.

He called on the residents to cooperate with the team when they came around.

Property rates

In December 2022, the GRA announced that effective January 1, 2023, it would begin a partnership with the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) to collect property rates in the country using a Unified Common Property Rate Platform.

The Unified Common Property Rate Platform, also known as Myassembly.gov.gh, is a complete end-to-end district revenue collection and administration platform designed to enhance the collection and accounting of property rates. It is also linked to the Ghana.gov.gh payment platform.

It indicated that the platform came with a lot of benefits to property owners and ratepayers.

Some of the benefits include the elimination of cash transactions/payments to the staff of the Assembly, full automation of bill distribution, notifications and alerts to clients and payment of bills using digitised platforms such as mobile money, electronic cards and bank payments.

This was also to further drive the digitalisation agenda as well as help the assemblies to improve on their IGF through these rates.

Currently, Digital City Solutions is doing that on behalf of the GRA.
Financial system must be in tandem with 2063 Agenda, SDG - Finance Minister urges African leaders

Timothy Ngnenebe Sep - 09 - 2023 , 10:42

The Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta, has called on African leaders and the Vulnerable Twenty (V20) Group of Finance Ministers to carefully analyse and seize the opportunities that will be created as the world works towards a fit-for-climate global financial system.

That financial system, he said, must be in tandem with the 2063 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Stimulus by 2030.

The Minister of State at the Ministry of Finance, Dr Mohammed Amin Adam, spoke on behalf of Mr Ofori-Atta at a collaborative side event, led by the V20 Group, at the just ended Africa Climate Summit in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi.

The meeting, held on the theme, "A Fit-for-Climate Global Financial System? Now or Never", brought together government representatives, advocacy groups, civil society, research organisations and the media.

Climate

Ghana is the current Chair of the Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF) and the V20 Group of Finance Ministers.

The V20 Group is a dedicated cooperation initiative of economies systematically vulnerable to climate change.

The summit is one of four regional climate summits to be held ahead of the 28th Conference of Parties (COP28) of the United Nations Framework on Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

Mr Ofori-Atta stated that Africas journey toward sustainability and climate prosperity was intimately linked with its collective ability to reshape the financial landscape.

The minister highlighted the need for multilateral development banks to facilitate access to financing for climate vulnerable nations, in addition to working together to triple all multilateral financing, particularly the tripling of available resources for the World Bank's International Development Association (IDA).

The minister said leaders pushing the Climate Prosperity agenda must "seize this moment, harness our collective determination and foster a legacy that future generations will commend."

It is not enough to survive, we must thrive and our objective is to achieve prosperity, nothing less, Mr Ofori-Atta stated.

The Finance Minister also reminded the V20 Group of their core mandate as the pioneers, pathfinders and champions of climate prosperity who continued to provide a voice for the over 1.74 billion climate vulnerable people worldwide, about half of whom reside in Africa.

The V20 membership stands at 58 countries.
Ghana ratifies Convention on Cross-Border Cooperation

Della Russel Ocloo Sep - 09 - 2023 , 12:45

The African Union Commission (AUC) has commended Ghana for ratifying the African Union Convention on Cross-Border Cooperation.

By ratifying the Convention, Ghana becomes the eighth country after Benin, Burkina Faso, Chad, Gambia, Guinea, Mali, Mauritania, Niger and Senegal to have ratified the convention.

Ghana had signed the agreement on July 4, 2017, and the Convention was further ratified by the Parliament of Ghana on February 9, 2023.

A ceremony was held at the African Union headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on Monday, September 4, 2023, to deposit the Instruments of the Convention signaling Ghana's commitment to its willingness to work with other countries to achieve the goals ascribed by the Convention.

The delegation was led by the National Coordinator of the Ghana Boundary Commission (GhBC) Major General Emmanuel Kotia; the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation, Mr Opoku Danquah, as well as officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ghana Embassy in Ethiopia.

Ratification

The African Union Convention on Cross-Border Cooperation (Niamey Convention) is a treaty that was adopted by the African Union in 2006.

The Convention which is a legal instrument aimed to promote cross-border cooperation between African countries provides a framework for cooperation in a variety of areas, including trade, investment, transportation, energy, and environment.

It also establishes mechanisms for resolving border disputes and promoting peace and security.

The ratification of the Convention is a significant step for Ghana in promoting peace, security, and stability in the region.

Ghana by the ratification has demonstrated its commitment to ensuring the peaceful and efficient management of the countrys borders.

AU Commission

The Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security of the African Union Commission (AUC), Bankole Adeoye, who received the instrument, congratulated the Commission for the strides it has made in these few years.

Mr Adeoye who also commended President Akufo-Addo and the Ghanaian public for the lead role they continue to play in safeguarding peace, security, and stability in Africa also praised the Boundary Commission for its decision to hold a conference on Maritime Boundaries and International Law.

The conference which seeks to identify and address challenges to maritime boundary delimitation in Africa, such as overlapping claims, disputed islands, and the presence of natural resources also intend to reinforce the African Union's commitment to promoting the peaceful resolution of maritime boundary disputes in Africa and to strengthening cooperation between African countries on maritime issues.

The AU Commission, he emphasised would continue to support its activities through the African Union Border Programme.

Ghana

Major General Kotia praised the AU Commission for its dedication to the tenets of the African Union Convention on Border and Boundary Management which he said is key for promoting peace, security, and stability on the continent.
Xi extends congratulations on DPRK's 75th founding anniversary

Xinhua) 15:32, September 09, 2023

BEIJING, Sept. 9 (Xinhua) -- General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and Chinese President Xi Jinping on Saturday sent a message of congratulations to Kim Jong Un, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) and president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) on the 75th anniversary of the country's founding.

Under the strong WPK leadership and with the unremitting efforts of the DPRK people, new achievements have been made in the socialist construction of the DPRK over the past 75 years, Xi said.

He said that in recent years, Comrade General Secretary Kim has led the WPK and the people of the DPRK in fully implementing the spirit of the 8th WPK Congress and the plenary sessions of the 8th Central Committee, focusing on economic development and improvement of people's livelihood, and has achieved important results.

Xi expressed his confidence that under the leadership of Comrade General Secretary Kim and the WPK, the brotherly DPRK people will surely continuously advance the socialist cause of the country for new development and lift it to a new level.

China and the DPRK are friendly neighbors linked by the same mountain and river, Xi stressed, adding that the traditional friendship between China and the DPRK, established and cultivated by the elder generations of leaders of both parties and both countries, has been deeply rooted in the hearts of the two peoples and has grown stronger with time.

Xi noted that he and Kim have met five times in recent years, maintained close communication through various forms, and jointly led the traditional friendly and cooperative relations between China and the DPRK into a new era.

Noting that momentous changes unseen in a century are accelerating across the world, Xi said it has always been the unswerving position of the CPC and the Chinese government to maintain, consolidate and develop the traditional friendly and cooperative relations between China and the DPRK, no matter how the international and regional situation changes.

Under the new circumstances, China is willing to work with the DPRK to strengthen strategic communication and deepen practical cooperation, push China-DPRK relations to advance with the times and achieve greater development, so as to better benefit the two peoples and make greater contributions to regional peace, stability, development and prosperity, Xi added.

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Sheng Chuyi)
Charitable gambling has slowly grown in North Dakota since voters passed a constitutional measure in 1976 followed by the Legislature approving a temporary law and in 1981 codifying it in the North Dakota Century Code.

It has boomed with the introduction of electronic pull tabs in 2018. The Las Vegas-style devices function like slot machines. In the fiscal year that ended in June, the e-tabs accounted for nearly $2 billion of gross proceeds, with $205 million going to charities.

Some legislators were having doubts about the growth of gambling when e-tab machines appeared in a few gas stations and convenience stores. Gambling had been limited to bars, but state law doesnt dictate where gambling can take place.

The Legislature this year passed a bill ordering a study of charitable gambling and defining where charitable gambling can take place. The bill excludes gas stations, convenience stores, grocery stores and liquor stores. However, it doesnt exclude other nontraditional locations that sell liquor.

The bill grandfathered in the four gas stations and c-stores with e-tab machines.

Lawmakers began work on the study last week. It could result in proposed legislation that further defines when and where gambling can occur. There are 4,700 electronic pull tab machines in the state, with more being requested.

Legislators are concerned the machines are hurting tribal nations, which rely on casinos as economic drivers. They also are worried about the regulation of the machines and the potential for money laundering.

The Tribune Editorial Board has been supportive of charitable gambling, but with regulation and moderation. When voters approved gambling, the focus was on bingo and raffles. A crackdown on illegal gambling helped drive approval of the measure. Small backroom bingo and card games were being raided.

The Tribune shares the concerns about rapidly expanding gambling. Attorney General Drew Wrigley in July announced a settlement with three gambling equipment distributors he accused in April of violating state gambling laws and regulations. It demonstrated how the goal of helping charities could be misused.

Gaming Division Director Deb McDaniel, who oversees charitable gambling, said it wasnt intended to become an industry.

The Tribune agrees. Gambling has provided many benefits to communities through the nonprofits that conduct it. There are improvements and facilities that exist today that wouldnt have been possible without the proceeds from gambling. Legalizing gambling was a compromise to allow gambling if the money went to charitable groups and the state.

Former Gov. Art Link was among the opponents who feared gambling would become addictive and many who couldnt afford to gamble would do so. Part of the money from gambling goes to helping those addicted to it.

Hopefully, after the study, the Legislature can more clearly define where gambling can be conducted. The Legislature also should consider capping the number of e-machines that can be licensed. It should look for ways to help tribal casinos feeling the pinch from e-machines.

Gambling isnt going away; the Tribune isnt suggesting that. We do believe gambling should adhere more closely to the original intent, which wasnt to be an industry.
NSS holds remembrance service for departed personnel

Elizabeth Konadu-Boakye & Linda Sah Sep - 09 - 2023 , 10:29

The National Service Scheme (NSS) has held a Remembrance Day service to honour service personnel who passed away in their line of duty, with a call on all citizens to protect and further enhance the scheme to the benefit of all.

The service, held at the headquarters of the National Service Secretariat in Accra last Thursday, was part of the 50th anniversary celebration of the scheme.

A Deputy Minister of Education, Rev. John Ntim Fordjour, who made the call, said over the years, the scheme had been at the forefront of harnessing talents and potential from different backgrounds towards national development.

He said as one institution that was nonpartisan, the scheme had had significant impact, both directly and indirectly, on the lives of many Ghanaians through the opportunity given to serve the country.

That, he said, was enough reason for all to place importance on the scheme and protect it to harness more talents.

Today we recognise the toils and sacrifices of young men and women who were brimming with a sense of patriotism, ready to try it on the grounds in underserved areas where people would not even go. Hard to reach areas without electricity and potable drinking water. These are some of the people we grew up looking up to, he said.

Dedication

The Executive Director of NSS, Osei Assibey Antwi, said the day was not only to remember their dedication and sacrifices but also to renew their commitment to the ideals for which they stood.

We must remind ourselves that the work they began is far from finished and their legacy depends on us to carry it forward with renewed vigour and dedication, he said.

He urged all national service personnel to re-dedicate themselves to service, unity and progress to ensure that their sacrifices were not in vain.

He advised all to remember those who laid the foundation and acts and added that it is by their work and feat that have a sustainable scheme; indeed they deserve to be remembered.

Pivotal role

The Director-General of State Interests and Governance Authority (SIGA), Edward Boateng, said the national service secretariat had played a pivotal role to bridge the gap between academia and young graduates by instilling in them a sense of national duty and work.

He noted that the secretariat had not only been a launching platform for young graduates but a source of invaluable support for the numerous private and public organisations across the country.

Together we will continue to provide opportunities for our youth to grow, learn and serve their nation with pride, he said.

The President of the Ghana Journalists Association, Albert Kwabena Dwumfour, commended the management of the scheme for their efforts over the years.

He said the scheme had instilled in many students a sense of discipline and maturity, which had contributed to the growth and the progress of the nation.

The scheme has accomplished a great deal over the years, and I would like to take this opportunity to commend the executive directors past and present for their unwavering contributions to the scheme, he said.

He assured the scheme of the medias support and commitment to ensure that the scheme met its desired goals.
Minority to go ahead with #OccupyBoG on Sept 12

Getrude Ankah Nyavi Politics Sep - 08 - 2023 , 13:36

The Minority in Parliament says it will go ahead with its intended street protest against the Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Dr Ernest Addison and his two deputies on Tuesday, September 12.

The High Court in Accra today (Sept 8), gave the Police seven days to change the title of an injunction application seeking to debar the Minority from protesting at the frontage of the BoG in Accra.

The police has rather proposed a new route for the protesters citing security reasons as to why the frontage of the BoG cannot contain the protesters.

Related: Minority protest against BoG Governor: Court adjourns case to Sept 18 over misnomer

The High Court presided over by Justice Edward Twum, today said the use of Republic as the title on the application brought by the Ghana Police Service was a mere misnomer on behalf of lawyers of the Police Service.

The court added that the service had indicated in the supporting documents that the real intention was to institute the action on behalf of the Inspector General of Police for the Police Service, a corporate body with the capacity to sue and be sued under the 1992 constitution and not the Attorney-General

The Minority MPs, through their lawyer, Godwin Edudzi Tamakloe, objected to the police filing the injunction application without authorisation from the Attorney General.

He argued that this practice is a violation of the State Proceedings Act, which gives the Attorney General the power to initiate civil proceedings in the name of the republic.

Speaking to journalist after Friday's proceedings, the Communications Officer of the NDC, Sammy Gyamfi, said but the good news is that a new notice according to the police has been served on them by the minority caucus and with respect to that fresh notice, no injunction has been given by any court restraining the minority caucus, AriseGhana and other progressive forces who are part of this struggle from embarking on demonstration which is scheduled for Tuesday the 12 of September

Meanwhile, the organisers of the #OccupyBoG protest will meet with the police later today to discuss the protest planned for September 12.

Related articles:

Minority protest against BoG Governor: Court adjourns case to Sept 18 over misnomer

Minority protest against BoG Governor: Court to deliver ruling Sept. 8

Minority street protest against BoG governor suspended
Google is hosting the "Made by Google" event on October 4 to unveil the Pixel 8, Pixel 8 Pro, and Pixel Watch 2. Google recently confirmed the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro would be launched in India a day after their unveiling, and now, the brand has announced it will also launch the Pixel Watch 2 in India on October 5, which, like the Pixel 8 duo, will be sold exclusively through Flipkart.

That's good news for the Pixel Watch fans in India since Google didn't launch the original Pixel Watch in the world's largest smartwatch market. But whether or not Google will expand the availability of its smartwatch to other countries as well this year remains to be seen.

Worth every minute of the wait 



Meet the all-new #PixelWatch 2 on 5th October

.

Available exclusively on @Flipkart pic.twitter.com/PB5rUXi0WY  Google India (@GoogleIndia) September 8, 2023

Google showed us the Pixel Watch 2's design while confirming IP68 rating, heart rate monitoring, and SpO2 sensor for blood oxygen level measurement, but didn't detail its specs sheet.

However, rumors claim the second-gen Pixel Watch will come with the Snapdragon W5 Gen 1 SoC, 1.2" OLED of 384x384-pixel resolution, Android 13-based Wear OS 4, and a 306 mAh battery.

The Google Pixel Watch 2 is also said to come with ultra-wideband (UWB), which could allow it to be used for car unlocking using Digital Car Key, precise device finding, and seamless media playback transfer to a docked Pixel Tablet or a future UWB-enabled Nest speaker.
The Oppo A2 Pro 5G (PJG110) is an upcoming device that recently popped up on our radar through a TENAA listing. That revealed most of the phone's specs along with a suggested release date of September 15.

Now, the same phone has been spotted in an official listing on China Telecom's website, along with word of a September 22 release date. Regardless of timing, we are happy to get some more detailed images and specs for the upcoming handset.



Oppo A2 Pro 5G official photos

The Oppo A2 Pro 5G measures 162.66 x 74.28 x 7.99 mm and tips the scale at 190 grams. Its design looks very modern, with a curve on both sides into the middle frame. The display in question is a 6.7-inch OLED with a Full HD+ resolution of 2412  1080 pixels and 2160Hz PWM dimming control to ensure comfort and alleviate eye strain.

The phone is built around a MediaTek Dimensity 7050 chipset, which is just a rebranded version of the popular Dimensity 1080. It is paired with an extensive variety of memory and storage options, including 8GB + 256GB, 12GB + 256GB, and even 12GB + 512GB combos.

A 64MP main camera is on the back of the device, accompanied by a 2MP supplementary sensor. On the front - an 8MP camera for selfies. There is a 5,000 mAh battery on board. There is seemingly no 3.5mm jack, in case you were wondering.

According to the listing, the Oppo A2 Pro 5G is available in black, brown and purple color options with a list price of CNY 2,099, which is around $290 or EUR 270, making it quite affordable.

Source (in Chinese) | Via
During a legislative oversight hearing on Sept. 7 over the Department of Agriculture, Roy Gamboa, the departments deputy director, noted that they have already inspected 285 farms for the crop loss compensation program, but they are awaiting a legal opinion from the Office of the Attorney General.

After digging into public laws in the Guam Administrative Rules and Regulations, we found one that said the maximum compensation is $1,500. However, another public law indicated the maximum amount was $20,000 per farmer, said Gamboa. Because of the confusion and multiple iterations, we requested an opinion from the attorney generals office. We do not want to put ourselves nor the farmers in jeopardy of violating any rules that could cause further delays. We just need a clarification on what that compensation can be.

Gamboa then proposed a possible amendment to Public Law 37-19 to indicate that it supersedes previous public laws and that the program can be renamed as the Crop Expenditure Loss program.

PL 37-19, also known as Bill 134-37, was authored by Sen. William Parkinson to provide the Department of Agriculture with two million dollars for the compensation program.

Jay Quinata, owner of Familian K Farms, added that the legislature should also seek additional amendments to increase compensation amounts if possible.

Some of these farmers got brand new equipment, and the typhoon just destroyed them. One hen house can already be $20,000, noted Quinata. With the limited amount of $20,000, thats only a tear drop of water in the bucket of our needs.

Victor Duenas, from Inalahan, testified as a farmer who has been waiting for reimbursements in order to repair damages on his farm caused by Typhoon Mawar.

They said theyre still inspecting farms, but why dont you just divide those you have already inspected and take care of them? Dont let them wait, stressed Duenas. How could we produce crops in our field? Im waiting for the compensation so I could go fix my tractor and my damaged gate. I still have seven missing karabao that have not come back.

Sen. William Parkinson coordinated the oversight hearing in the aftermath of Typhoon Mawar, which devastated Guams agricultural sector.

Parkinson called for immediate action to pay farmers under the Crop Loss Compensation Program.

The Crop Loss Compensation Program provides vital economic relief to local farmers who have suffered catastrophic losses, securing the future of Guams agricultural resilience, said Parkinson. Typhoons are a recurring challenge in Guam, yet each one leaves our agricultural sector struggling to recover.

Parkinson further noted that despite the quick action of the legislature to appropriate the funds, farmers are still waiting. The bill was initially passed on June 13, and after being passed by the 37th Guam legislature on June 19, it was signed by Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero on June 30.

The legislature acted quickly in appropriating $two million for the Crop Loss Compensation Program shortly after Typhoon Mawar. However, four months later, the Department of Agriculture has still not compensated our farmers when the money is already there to do so, added Parkinson. We need immediate action. Its not just about recovery; its about building a sustainable and resilient future for Guams agricultural sector. Its about respecting our farmers and providing them the compensation they need to continue to provide locally grown food.
At last my home town of New York City was represented on Friday mornings Preliminary Recital when 23-year-old Clayton Stephenson took charge of Haydns D major Sonata HobXVI No 37. His perky and ebullient outer movements framed a slow movement that abounded in warmth and gravitas. I only wish hed been able to include the repeats! Stephensons crisp, highly articulated and discreetly pedaled treatment of the faster sections in Houghs piece contrasted to his generously lyrical phrasing elsewhere throughout his absolutely fabulous rendition. Ive never heard Guido Agostis transcription of Stravinskys Firebird Suite sound so fresh, incisive and characterfully alive, with luminous soft-chord playing, breathtaking transitions and none of the lumbering thickness one often hears. Even those interminable tremolos and glissandos soared to high heaven. Stephenson eased his way into the introductory bars of the Godowsky/Strauss Symphonic Metamorphosis on Die Fledermaus, and continued to chart the transcriptions complex course by untangling and clarifying the contrapuntal strands like a master choreographer or puppeteer. Stephenson is not just a remarkable virtuoso, but a poet, a dramatist and a master story-teller.

Perhaps I would have accepted Yangrui Ca




Haiti - FLASH : Results of the results of the single Bac exams for 6 departments and per student





The Ministry of National Education has published the results of the single bac exams (Secondary 4) 2022/2023 for 6 departments : Center, Grande-Anse, Nippes, North-East North-West and South.



Results* by department of the single Baccalaureate (S4) 2022/2023: (in descending order)



Center: out of 7,097 participants, 4,089 candidates admitted, i.e. a success rate of 57.62% (slight increase) the previous year 56.67%

Nippes: out of 3,592 participants, 1,749 candidates admitted, i.e. a success rate of 48.69% (sharp drop) the previous year 67.09%

North-West: out of 6,471 participants, 2,927 candidates were admitted, i.e. a success rate of 45.23% (sharp drop) the previous year 60.04%%

North-East: out of 4,482 participants, 1,800 candidates were admitted, i.e. a success rate of 40.16% (very sharp drop) the previous year 70.33%

South: out of 6,183 participants, 2,445 candidates admitted, i.e. a success rate of 39.54% (very sharp drop) the previous year 85.77%

Grande Anse: out of 3,678 participants, 1,400 candidates admitted, i.e. a success rate of 38.06% (sharp drop) the previous year 50.36%



*According to data provided by the National Bureau of State Examinations (BUNEXE).



The Ministry informs that the results of the other departments will be communicated shortly.



School directors are invited to collect their school's results from the relevant Departmental Directorate of Education (DDE).



To consult the results per student for these 6 departments CLICK ON THIS LINK



IMPORTANT:

This official BUNEXE address can be difficult to access due to the too large number of applicants which overloads the Government server and sometimes makes it dysfunctional.



If you are unable to reach the BUNEXE site, avoid trying to access several times in a row, you will only further saturate the BUNEXE server. It is best to try again with an interval of 10 to 30 minutes and be very patient.



HL/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - News : Zapping...





A 29th police officer killed...

Thursday September 7, 2023 in the evening, Police Officer Willio Idocci, Agent 4 (17th promotion), was fatally injured during an assault by bandits from the Bel-Air gang in the Solino neighborhood. The National Union of Haitian Police Officers (SYNAPOHA), recalls that this is the 29th agent of the National Police of Haiti (PNH) who fell under the murderous bullets of bandits during the first 9 months of the year 2023.



The PM will not resign

Prime Minister Ariel Henry will not resign. Resignation is not the solution, declared former Deputy Jean Tholbert Alexis, Chief of Staff of the Minister of Youth and Sports. He accuses those who are loudly demanding the departure of Ariel Henry of delaying and wanting to sow chaos.



Gangs : nearly 25,000 people displaced

Friday September 8, 2023, the Directorate of Civil Protection revealed that during the month of August in the districts of Carrefour-Feuilles, Savane Pistache, nearly 25,000 displaced people were registered in 32 sites distributed in the 3rd district of Port-au-Prince and Tabarre.



Tense situation in Solino

Friday September 8, 2023, the situation was still tense in Solino and surrounding areas where sporadic automatic weapons fire was reported during the day. Traffic is completely impossible in Nazon



Richard Widmaier new Vice President of the AMNH

Celebration on Friday of the 21 years of existence of the National Association of Haitian Media. Opportunity for the AMNH to present its new vice-president, Richard Widmaier, who replaces journalist Liliane Pierre Paul, who died on July 31.



Major hurricane LEE does not directly threaten Haiti

"Major Category 5 Hurricane LEE does not represent a direct threat to Haiti at this time. Let's remain vigilant and continue to monitor its evolution," informs the Civil Protection Directorate.



HL/ HaitiLibre


















Login or sign up to follow actresses, movies & dramas and get specific updates and news

Login Sign Up

 New Ad-free Subscriber Login

Email

Password

Password Username Subscribe to our daily NewsLetter Your E-mail will only be used to retrieve a lost password or receive our NewsLetter.

Stay logged in

Lost password

Contact
Which local brewery took home two gold medals in N.C. Brewers Cup?

Hendersonville's Dry Falls Brewing Co. won two gold medals at the 12th anniversary of the North Carolina Brewers Cup competition last month, emerging as the only Henderson County-based brewery to take home a medal.

The brewery in the old Oates Paint & Body Shop on Busy Bend, owned and operated by the father-and-son team of Jeff and Evan Golliher, won gold for its American Red, in the American Porter, Amber and Brown Ale Category, and its 3 Dog Dunkel, in the Dark European Lager competition.

Administered by the North Carolina Craft Brewers Guild, the competition this year drew 873 entries by 122 independent North Carolina craft breweries, making it the largest commercial competition in the Southeast.

All entries were received and organized at Pro Refrigeration Inc in Mocksville and then transported by Tryon Distributing to the competition judging venues at Edit Beer Co. in Raleigh and White Labs in Asheville. Judging occurred simultaneously at the two locations Aug. 26-27. Certified beer judges from across the Southeast traveled to participate in this beer style competition, sanctioned by the Beer Judge Certification Program.

Gold, silver, and bronze medals were awarded in 36 style-based beer categories, based on the 2023 Brewers Association Beer Style Guidelines (also used for Great American Beer Festival and World Beer Cup competitions). Unique to North Carolina is the NC Homegrown category, which requires the beer to have at least 55 percent of its dry-weight ingredients sourced from North Carolina agricultural products.

The three largest categories of the 2023 competition were:

Juicy/Hazy Style IPA with 70 entries

American-Style IPA with 63 entries

Field & Spiced Beers with 50 entries

In addition to the category medalists, one brewery will be presented with the N.C. Brewery of the Year trophy, honoring the brewery that secured the most overall points. The NC Craft Brewers Guild will announce the Brewery of the Year at the NC Beer Industry Awards Banquet on Nov. 14 in Winston-Salem.
Wow a new skill of writing: examples of unique juxtapositions?

ChatGPT

Juxtaposition is a literary and artistic technique that involves placing two or more contrasting elements side by side to create a striking or thought-provoking effect. Here are some examples of unique juxtapositions in literature, art, and everyday life:

Light and Darkness in "Romeo and Juliet": In William Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet," the characters of Romeo and Juliet themselves are a unique juxtaposition. Romeo is associated with light and love, while Juliet is associated with darkness and death. Their love story unfolds against the backdrop of this stark contrast.

War and Peace in Picasso's "Guernica": Picasso's famous painting "Guernica" juxtaposes the horrors of war with the desire for peace. The chaotic and violent imagery in the painting is set against a backdrop of despair, highlighting the devastating consequences of conflict.

Life and Death in "The Road" by Cormac McCarthy: McCarthy's novel "The Road" juxtaposes the themes of life and death in a post-apocalyptic world. The fragile hope of survival and the constant threat of death are ever-present, creating a stark and emotionally charged contrast.

Modern Technology and Nature in "The Matrix": The "Matrix" film series juxtaposes the advanced technology and artificial reality of the Matrix with the desolate and ruined real world. This contrast raises questions about the impact of technology on human existence.

Urbanization and Nature in "Walden" by Henry David Thoreau: Thoreau's classic work "Walden" juxtaposes the simplicity and serenity of living in nature at Walden Pond with the industrialized and materialistic world of Concord, Massachusetts. Thoreau's experiment in deliberate simplicity is a stark contrast to the urban lifestyle of his time.

Beauty and Decay in "The Picture of Dorian Gray" by Oscar Wilde: Wilde's novel explores the juxtaposition of physical beauty and moral decay. The portrait of Dorian Gray ages and deteriorates while Dorian himself remains youthful and beautiful, illustrating the consequences of a life of hedonism and moral corruption.

Realism and Fantasy in "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland": Lewis Carroll's "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" juxtaposes the mundane reality of Alice's everyday life with the surreal and fantastical world she encounters down the rabbit hole. This creates a whimsical and thought-provoking contrast.

Tradition and Modernity in "Like Water for Chocolate" by Laura Esquivel: Esquivel's novel juxtaposes traditional Mexican culture and modernity. The story is filled with magical realism and recipes that convey emotions, challenging traditional gender roles and societal expectations.

Peaceful Protest and Political Conflict in "Tiananmen Square": The 1989 protests in Tiananmen Square in Beijing, China, juxtaposed peaceful demonstrations with a violent government crackdown. The iconic image of a lone protester facing down a line of tanks represents this powerful contrast.

Light and Shadow in Photography: In photography, juxtaposition of light and shadow can create visually striking and thought-provoking images. For example, a photograph of a person's silhouette against a brightly lit background can convey a sense of mystery and intrigue.

https://www.google.com/search?sca_esv=564025774&rlz=1C1GCEU_enUS871US878&sxsrf=AB5stBgLCurGQDdynMOvJfu6nrHXJd2w7w:1694285125053&q=light+and+shadow+in+photography&tbm=isch&source=lnms&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwicnJv4l56BAxWaN0QIHX-sDTEQ0pQJegQIDxAB&biw=1920&bih=931&dpr=1

These examples showcase how juxtaposition can be used to create depth, meaning, and emotional impact in various forms of art and literature, as well as in real-life situations.
A subtle sign of genuine love is the instinct to p...
With Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden coming out with two joint statements within a span of three months, India and US bilateral relations have soared to new heights as both leaders have expressed trust in each other. PM Modi with US President Joe Biden at LKM on Friday

The decisions taken during PM Modis state visit to the US in July and reflected in the joint statement are being speedily implemented unlike in the past on the basis of shared interest and objectives. The expression of deep trust between the two leaders as reflected in the meeting on Friday evening will have ramifications for Indias competitors and rivals of QUAD. That President Biden has agreed to attend the QUAD meeting in January 2024 reveals the cementing of relationships for common global economic and security goals.

While India and the US have decided to realign their bilateral relationship with the rapidly changing world, it is a belligerent China that is inadvertently pushing the convergence by laying cartographical claims to Taiwan, the South China Sea, Arunachal Pradesh and part of East Ladakh on the basis of a rejected 1959 line proposed by then Premier Chou En-Lai. The reiteration of the nine-dash line, rejected by Hague in 2016, has also raised the hackles of ASEAN countries who are at the centre of QUADs Indo-Pacific expression.

Although in the past it normally would take years to implement decisions taken by India-US leaders, the new relationship has pushed for speedier implementation with the US Congress already approving the GE-414 manufacturing in India within three months of announcement of the deal. The Indian Ministry of Defence has already sent the request for information for government to government acquisition of 31 MQ-9B high altitude long endurance drones which will be partly manufactured in Bharat and armed with air to surface missiles as per operational requirement. That Mazagon Dockyards Limited will now service US Navys forward deployed assets will not only hone the skills of Mumbai dockyards but also give them insight into advanced naval technologies.

With the initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies (iCET) due for a mid-term review this month, the two leaders have to ensure that there is genuine manufacturing transfer of technology transfer in the case of GE-414 engines and there is forward movement recorded in US companies building small modular nuclear reactors without fearing the garroted by the legally complex liability clause framed buy India. The manufacturing of GE-414 engine and the percentage of transfer of technology to HAL by GE will be a test case of India-US manufacturing relationship. If this happens, then nothing can stop the two natural allies from achieving bigger objectives in future.

Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" "Exciting news! Hindustan Times is now on WhatsApp ChannelsSubscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
American translator Edith Grossman, who was best known for her translations of literary classics written by Gabriel Garcia Marquez and Miguel de Cervantes, passed away on September 4, 2023. In this interview, translator Daisy Rockwell, who won the International Booker Prize last year for Tomb of Sand , her English translation of Geetanjali Shrees Hindi novel Ret Samadhi , discusses Grossmans contributions and the legacy she has left behind. PREMIUM Translator Daisy Rockwell

Edith Grossman translated some major canonical works, such as Don Quixote and Love in the Time of Cholera . In the first case, she reintroduced a classic to readers; and in the second, she created a new classic. Like Constance Garnett, the first translator into English of Leo Tolstoy and Fyodor Dostoevsky, she actually created a canon through her translations. Of course, she was also the first translator in English to actively demand that her name appear on the cover of her works, which raised her visibility and made her work better known.

Many translators can be seen as curators. Translating a single book is an enormous amount of work, even if it is short, or easy, or badly written. Even the top translators are inadequately paid for their efforts. Therefore, when and where they can, translators only translate what they love; what they believe the public should have access to. Edith Grossman chose to translate a remarkable set of works and did it so beautifully that the English-reading world came to adore Latin American literature and seek it out.

In a speech at the 2003 PEN Tribute to Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Grossman said, Fidelity is surely our highest aim, but a translation is not made with tracing paper. It is an act of critical interpretation. How does this speak to you as someone who translates from Hindi and Urdu into English, has studied Greek, Latin, French, and German, and is currently learning Farsi?

This is exactly right. A common misconception of translation is that it is a simple transfer between two languages. If this were true, Artificial Intelligence (AI) could easily do our jobs. But it cant! This is because it is unable to read subtext, style, intertextuality, and so on. Your translator is constantly interpreting and commenting on the choices they make. This tracing paper misconception leads to an unfortunate tendency in reviews and critiques of translations to believe that what makes a translation good or bad is whether it is right or wrong. By this, I mean that reviewers will search for words or phrases that were incorrectly translated, and ignore the overall effect of the translation, as though the translator were a student they had been assigned to grade.

Which of her books have made an impact on you? These could be her literary translations, or her book Why Translation Matters, which Yale University Press published in 2010.

I, like so many others, first read her translation of Love in the Time of Cholera and was simply blown away by the style.

She was known for insisting that publishers put her name on the covers of books that she had translated. Apparently, she had to be pushed into doing so by her lawyer Neal Gatcher. To what extent have you and other translators benefited from her advocacy in this matter? Is it standard practice now, or do translators still have to demand to see their names on the cover?

Things are improving on that front, but we still have to battle for that minimal recognition. The fact that Fitzcarraldo Books would not put the name of Jennifer Croft, International Booker-winning translator of Nobel laureate Olga Tokarczuk, on the covers of her books is a prime example of how far we have to go. Croft even launched the #namethetranslator campaign on social media, but her publisher was unmoved (apparently, it would ruin the cover design!). Some publishers now do it automatically, some only do so if the translator is well known (which is rare!), and some still categorically refuse to do it. Many of my translations do not have my name on the cover because they are Penguin Classics. It is against the Penguin Classics style guide worldwide to put the translators name on the cover. As Croft puts it, we translators have written every single word in the book, how can you leave us off the cover!

What are the other battles that translators have to fight in terms of advances, credit and compensation, inclusion in marketing efforts, and nomination for literary awards?

The battles are many. Pay is very bad, even for the most successful translators. There are some people who actually make enough money to translate full-time as a profession, but they do not make lots of money and they work exceptionally hard. Translators also have to share with the author. We are like co-authors, so if the work is in copyright, we are most likely getting half the advance (in India, the translator and copyright holder share the advance and royalties 50-50, although this is done differently in other regions).

Translations tend not to be marketed very much in comparison to other books, and translators are often not included in the marketing efforts. If there is a book launch, they are often not invited, for example. As I discussed above, translators are curators. It makes sense to market books by translator as well as by author, because readers will come to trust the taste of their favourite translators and look forward to their books. If you search for a translator on a publishers website, you will often find that they have no author page, and only show up on individual book listings. A translator could have translated 10 or 15 books for a particular publisher, but have no special author page with bio, photo, etc. In terms of awards, things are improving somewhat, but often the translator is given significantly less prize money than the author.

Chintan Girish Modi is a journalist, writer and book reviewer who tweets @chintanwriting
An executive engineer (XEN) and three junior engineers of Public Works Department (PWD) have been suspended, while four retired officials have been chargesheeted for giving undue advantage worth 11.5 crore to the contractor engaged by the department to construct a judicial complex in district headquarters at Nawanshahr. An executive engineer (XEN) and three junior engineers of Public Works Department (PWD) have been suspended, while four retired officials have been chargesheeted for giving undue advantage worth  11.5 crore to the contractor engaged by the department to construct a judicial complex in district headquarters at Nawanshahr. (Shutterstock/ Representational image)

The action came after Hindustan Times on August 31 highlighted how PWDs internal probe had indicted officials. The probe titled Misutilisation of funds regarding Judicial Court complex SBS Nagar was ordered by the department on July 7 this year. The probe was ordered after the Punjab and Haryana high court committee pressed the PWD department for the delay in the completion of work.

However, no action has taken against the contractor identified as Ms Tung Builders to date.

Of the 11 indicted, four officials have been suspended, while four have been chargesheeted. Two officials  current superintendent engineer (SE) Vishal Gupta and XEN Ram Singh  have been issued show-cause notices.

Those suspended with immediate effect, under Rule 4 of the Punjab Civil Services (Punishment and Appeal) Rules, 1970, are XEN Rajinder Kumar and three junior engineers  Rajeev Kumar, Rakesh Kumar and Rajinder Singh. Those chargesheeted include executive engineers Balwinder Singh, Jasbir Singh Jassi, and sub-divisional engineer Ram Pal, all three are retired. Divisional accounts officer Rajesh Kumar Sinha has also been chargesheeted.

PWD minister Harbhajan Singh ETO said during the suspension, the headquarters of these officers will be the chief engineer office, Patiala.

The orders regarding the suspension and chargesheet were issued by PWD principal secretary Priyank Bharti on September 8.

All eight officials are now facing criminal cases for causing a loss to exchequer, and an FIR is likely to be registered against them, an official, who didnt wish to be named, said.

The minister said that the PWD was the nodal agency for constructing this judicial court complex. Not only the projects completion was delayed, but many discrepancies like excess payments to the contractor and flaws in construction were found, the minister said.

Action has been taken against eight officers after fixing their responsibility, he added.

According to the probe conducted by the PWD headquarters, undue favour was given to the contractor in the form of price escalation, performance security, excess payment, payment of variation and releasing bank guarantee even as the work for the building was not complete.

A fresh tender worth 11 crore has been invited by the PWD department to complete the project.

Glaring shortcomings

The judicial complex was to come up in 13.2 acres of land at a cost of nearly 55 crore. In total, 11 courtrooms, 156 chambers for the lawyers, houses for judicial officers and basic infrastructural amenities were to be built.

The probe found that neither the work of fixing door frames was executed nor the material was available at the site. Same was the case for window frames, float glass panes and supply of steel for multilevel parking, Kota stone and coloured granite stones. This amounted to a loss of 3.42 crore, the probe committee found.

The contractor was given an escalation payment of 2.67 crore, whereas, as per the technical vetted estimate by the technical advisor to the chief minister, the provision for the escalation was kept at 1.85 crore, the report added.

The bank guarantee of the builder, deposited for the tender to the tune of 1 crore, was also released, and an officer has submitted to the probe team that signatures of the superintendent shown to the bank for the release of the guarantee amount are forged. The security amount of 2 crore was also released by the department to the contractor without even penalising him, the report further added.

Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" "Exciting news! Hindustan Times is now on WhatsApp ChannelsSubscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
A group of seven youths, all in school uniform, assaulted a Pinjore resident, and snatched his gold chain and 8,000 in cash on Friday. A case under Sections 341, 323 and 379-B of the Indian Penal Code was registered at the Pinjore police station. (iStock)

The victim, Gulsher of Pinjore, told the police that on Friday morning, he was driving to work in Sector 28, Chandigarh, in his Maruti Suzuki Brezza.

When he reached the bridge after crossing the Amravati Enclave turn and Sukhomajri Bypass in Surajpur, seven youths on two motorcycles intercepted his vehicle.

As they were wearing school uniforms, he got down to talk to them, when they suddenly launched an attack on him. They assaulted him and snatched his gold chain, along with 8,000 kept in his car, before fleeing on their motorcycles.

A case under Sections 341 (wrongful restraint), 323 (voluntarily causing hurt) and 379-B (snatching after preparation made for causing death, hurt or restraint in order to the committing of snatching) of the Indian Penal Code was registered at the Pinjore police station. Efforts are on to trace and arrest the accused.

Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" "Exciting news! Hindustan Times is now on WhatsApp ChannelsSubscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Jalandhar police recovered another tranche of 12kg heroin, part of the 50kg consignment smuggled from Pakistan with the help of swimmers hired by trafficker Malkiat Singh alias Kali on Saturday, police officials said. Police recovered 6kg of narcotics from the two locations pinpointed by the accused at village Tendi Wala in Ferozepur. Jalandhar police recovered another tranche of 12kg heroin, part of the 50kg consignment smuggled from Pakistan with the help of swimmers hired by trafficker Malkiat Singh alias Kali on Saturday, police officials said. (HT File Photo/ Representational image)

Police recovered 6kg of narcotics from the two locations pinpointed by the accused at village Tendi Wala in Ferozepur.

Punjab director general of police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav said the development comes two days after Jalandhar Rural Police arrested drug trafficker Kali after recovering 9kg of heroin from his possession.

The DGP said the recovery is yet another tranche of the 50kg heroin consignment, which was fetched by three swimmers from Pakistan on the directions of Kali.

Police teams have to date recovered 43.5kg of heroin after arresting five drug smugglers, including one swimmer identified as Joga Singh.

Manhunt is on to arrest the remaining two swimmers  identified as Gurdeep Singh alias Rangi and Gurwinder Singh alias Mashtangi, both residents of village Tendi Wala, Ferozepur, a police official said.

Sharing details, SSP Jalandhar rural Mukhwinder Singh Bhullar said that during questioning, accused Kali revealed that as per the deal  1 crore ( 2 lakh per kg) was to be paid to the hired the swimmers.

The payment of 5 crore ( 10 lakh per kg) was to be sent to the Pak-based Smuggler identified as Haider Ali via hawala transaction after the consignment was sold, Bhullar said.

He said the probe has revealed that the remaining portion of about 6.5 kg heroin is with the accused Rangi and Mashtangi, and police teams are on a manhunt to arrest both the absconding drug smugglers.

A case FIR no. 123, dated September 7, 2023, was been registered under section 21C of the NDPS Act at Police Station, Goraya.

Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" "Exciting news! Hindustan Times is now on WhatsApp ChannelsSubscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
Gangster Harpreet Singh, alias Happy Jatt of Jandiala Guru, who has been keeping the Punjab Police on their toes for the last six years, has emerged as a big fish in drug trafficking from Pakistan. Gangster Harpreet Singh, alias Happy Jatt of Jandiala Guru, who has been keeping the Punjab Police on their toes for the last six years, has emerged as a big fish in drug smuggling from Pakistan. The gangster-turned-smugglers name prominently emerged on Wednesday when Amritsar-rural police busted a cross-border drone-based drug smuggling module. (HT Photo)

Jatt, who has been facing 13 criminal cases, including murders and attempt to murder, escaped from police custody in January 2020 and has been on the run since then. According to police, Jatt has now been running a major drug smuggling racket in collusion with Pakistan-based smugglers.

The gangster-turned-smugglers name prominently emerged on Wednesday when Amritsar-rural police busted a cross-border drone-based drug smuggling module with the arrest of one Harpreet Singh of Chohla Sahib in Tarn Taran. He was arrested with 15 kg of heroin smuggled via Pakistani drones.

The police had also nominated four associates of the arrested accused, Harpreet. Those nominated were identified as Gagandeep Singh alias Guggu alias Haddi, Rahul Singh and Happy Jatt, all residents of Jandiala Guru, and Gagandeep Singh of Khadoor Sahib.

Police had said that the preliminary investigations in the case revealed that the heroin consignment belonged to drug smuggler Jatt and Harpreet was going to deliver the consignment on his directions. Jatt is the main kingpin and most wanted drug smuggler of this belt, police said.

As per the police record, the first case against Jatt was registered in April 2017 under attempt to murder and Arms Act at Jandiala police station. After getting released on bail, Jatt allegedly committed an armed robbery in December 2017. Till 2022, he was booked in around eight criminal cases, including snatching and robberies.

The first case of drug smuggling was registered against him in February 2023.

Jatt has now been running a major drug smuggling racket from across the border. Harpreet disclosed that he was hired by Jatt and promised handsome money for the smuggling of heroin. He has disclosed that apart from the recovered 15 kg heroin, he has already smuggled 45 kg heroin on Jatts instructions, said a senior police official, privy to the investigation.

He said, During Harpreets questioning, it has emerged that an associate of Jatt, Guggu, who is also nominated in the case, has smuggled more than 200 kg of heroin. Our raids are on to nab Guggu and Jatt.

Disclosing about the smuggling network, the official said, Jatt has been hiring young unemployed men to run his smuggling network.

Senior superintendent of police (SSP-rural) Satinder Singh said they have got some important clues and they are hopeful of busting the entire nexus of drug smuggling. When asked if Jatt is operating from outside India, the SSP said, We are yet to confirm that if hes been operating from outside the country.

Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" "Exciting news! Hindustan Times is now on WhatsApp ChannelsSubscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Bad news for Trump and his raft of co-conspirators: a Federal judge has denied Mark Meadows's request to move his trial to Federal court. Meadows served as Trump's Chief of Staff and also assisted in the plot to overthrow the United States. Meadows tried, unsuccessfully, to portray his participation in an insurrection as "just doing my job for the American people." The judge pointed out that the Hatch Act clarifies the scope of a Federal job and does not include stealing elections.

This means that a similar motion for Trump, or any of his co-conspirators, would also fail. Standing trial in Georgia state court means the trial will be televised. It also means finding a more friendly jury in another county is not going to happen, and if somehow Trump were to become President again, he would not be able to pardon himself or others of a State crime.

CNN:
The state investigation on Saturday arrested a narcotics smuggler Mohammad Sharief Chechi, a close aide of former minister Jatinder Singh, from Baramulla. Mohammad Sharief Chechi (HT Photo)

Jatinder Singh alias Babu Singh of Kathua was arrested for allegedly receiving hawala money to activate secessionist activities in Jammu region last year.

The accused was wanted in narco-terror funding case registered at Gandhi Nagar police station and was arrested by SIA Jammu from Uri, said an official statement.

Ever since the alleged involvement of the former minister was unearthed last year, several investigators were simultaneously perusing multiple leads crisscrossing terror financing modules, narcotics syndicates and separatist networks, read the statement

Initially, Mohammad Shareef Shah was arrested along with narco-terror money meant to fuel subversive activities in Jammu, it added.

Later, the case was transferred to SIA Jammu for investigation. During investigation, it came to the fore that there was a well-organized drug syndicate, including Mohammad Sharief Chechi, Mohammad Rafiq Najar and Farooq Ahmad Naikoo operating from Dubai and others who were pushing narcotics into the Indian territory for generating funds to fuel subversive activities in the region, the statement said.

Police added that these men used banking channels for giving a cover to the proceeds of narcotics for funding terrorism in the region.

Talking about Chechis modus operandi, police said that he used to collect narcotics from across Line of Control and peddled them to generate money for terror funding.

Investigation revealed that the syndicate was also smuggling arms and explosives.

In April 2022, a fast track court had granted five-day police custody of former minister Jatinder Singh alias Babu Singh and Mohammad Shareef Shah in the alleged Hawala racket. Shareef Shah was arrested last year from Gandhi Nagar and 6.9 lakh was recovered from his possession.

During interrogation Shah had allegedly disclosed that he was tasked by former minister Singh to collect money from one Omer at Srinagar.

Shareef Shah had revealed names of his local and foreign associates including Javed and Khatib, residents of Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) and Farooq Khan of Toronto, Canada.

Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" "Exciting news! Hindustan Times is now on WhatsApp ChannelsSubscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Ravi Krishnan Khajuria A principal correspondent, Ravi Krishnan Khajuria is the bureau chief at Jammu. He covers politics, defence, crime, health and civic issues for Jammu city. ...view detail
Police have arrested two YouTubers for allegedly blackmailing and extorting money from a ration depot holder of the district. HT Image

The accused were identified as Azad Sharma and Sanjay Raina, both residents of Karnal.

Complainant Vipin Kumar of Rajiv Puram said the accused extorted 1.80 lakh from him on several occasions by threatening him to get his license cancelled as they have video recordings to prove that he does not follow government guidelines. The accused were demanding 50,000 more and had asked the victim to meet in Sector 13 with the money on Friday.

In his police complaint, the victim alleged that the accused ran news channels on social media platforms and they were blackmailing him for the past one year. The victim also provided audio recordings of the telephonic conversations between him and the accused.

Acting on his complaint, a police team arrested the accused on Friday night and recovered 25,000 from their possession. A case under Sections 419, 384 and 389 of the Indian Penal Code was registered and the accused were taken under three days police remand for further interrogation.

Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" "Exciting news! Hindustan Times is now on WhatsApp ChannelsSubscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
A drug trafficker was arrested with 15kg of heroin in Fazilka, officials said on Saturday. Punjab Police personnel with the 15-kg heroin consignment recovered from a tractor-trolley near Dhani Kharas Wali village in Fazilka district on Friday night. The smuggler driving the tractor was arrested, while two of his accomplices escaped. (HT Photo)

The arrest was made by the Punjab Polices state special operation cell (SSOC), Fazilka, which has seized 147 kg of heroin in the past 45 days, director general of police Gaurav Yadav said.

In an intelligence led operation against trans-border narcotic smuggling networks, SSOC Fazilka recovered 15-kg heroin after arresting a drug trafficker, Yadav posted on X.

Also read: Punjab AGTF arrests 3 aides of terrorist Harvinder Rinda from India-Nepal border, Gurugram

The recovery was made during the search of a tractor-trolley loaded with straw. Lakhbir Singh, assistant inspector general (AIG) of police, SSOC, Fazilka and AIG, counter intelligence, Ferozepur, said the search was launched near Dhani Kharas Wali village on Friday night following a tip-off. The area comes in the jurisdiction of Sadar Fazilka police station.

The smuggler, Pritam Singh of a border village, Mohar Jamsher, was arrested after 10 packets of the contraband were recovered from the trolley. His accomplices, including his wife Kushalya Bai, and Gurmeet Singh managed to escape.

A case was registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act.

Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" "Exciting news! Hindustan Times is now on WhatsApp ChannelsSubscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
A special investigation team of Srinagar, with assistance of Kulgam and Awantipora police, affixed proclamation orders on the residences of four active militants who are absconders in terror cases. Police said the accused persons are presently active militants and are affiliated with the banned militant outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba. (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

A police spokesperson said that a special court under National Investigation Agency Act in Srinagar issued general non-bailable warrants against the four active militants, Umais Ahmed Wani of Chawalgam, Kulgam, Basit Ahmed Dar of Redwani, Kulgam, Owais Ferooz of Festbal, Pampore, and Momin Gulzar of Firdose Colony, Eidgah, Srinagar.

The court has directed the accused to appear in it within 30 days from the date of publication of the proclamation, failing which legal proceedings will be initiated against them, the statement said, adding that proclamation orders have been published in local newspapers.

The proclamation orders were affixed on the conspicuous part of their residences and contents of proclamation orders were read over to the family members of the accused The orders were affixed at conspicuous places of the towns wherein they resided, the statement added.

Police said the accused persons are presently active militants and are affiliated with the banned militant outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba.

Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" "Exciting news! Hindustan Times is now on WhatsApp ChannelsSubscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
A 45-year-old man was beaten to death by a group of people on Friday afternoon when he tried to save his son from an assault in Okhla in southeast Delhi, the Delhi Police said on Saturday. The victim, Mohammad Hanif, who worked as a porter, lived with his family in Sanjay Colony of Okhla. (Representational image)

Police said that the deceaseds son was assaulted when he asked a group of four or five men to move away from his motorcycle so that he could take it out for some work.

While eyewitnesses told investigators that bricks and stones were used in the assault, the police said that they were probing the nature of the assault.

Deputy commissioner of police (southeast) Rajesh Deo said that a case of culpable homicide not amounting to murder was registered at Okhla police station. We have apprehended a minor and his uncle for the crime, said Deo.

The victim, Mohammad Hanif, who worked as a porter, lived with his family in Sanjay Colony of Okhla.

Around 11am on Friday, when Hanifs 14-year-old son went out to ride his motorcycle, he saw some men sitting on it and asked them to move, said another police officer not authorised to speak to the media.

However, this irked the group of men who got into an argument with the 14-year-old.

Soon, families of both the parties got involved in the quarrel. In the subsequent fight, Hanif received injuries and was shifted to Safdarjung Hospital around 12.45pm, said the officer.

While Hanifs two sons  including the 14-year-old  received minor injuries, the 45-year-old passed away at the hospital on Friday evening, the officer added.

Hanifs medico-legal examination did not reveal any external injuries, but the police believe that an injury to his liver caused the death.

Hanif was under medical treatment for a liver disease. Prima facie, his enlarged liver ruptured during the quarrel, said DCP Rajesh Deo.

Following Hanifs death, the police apprehended two suspects and are probing the roles of others.

Police said that following the incident, security was stepped up in the neighbourhood since the suspects were from another community. However, the situation is normal in the neighbourhood, said an officer, who did not request to be named.

Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" "Exciting news! Hindustan Times is now on WhatsApp ChannelsSubscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
The draft of the fresh Delhi Electric Vehicle (EV) policy, 2020, is ready, and will be presented before the cabinet after discussions with the state transport minister Kailash Gahlot, transport department officials involved in the drafting process said on Saturday. The Delhi Electric Vehicle Policy -- one of the flagship plans of Delhis Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government -- was aimed at fighting high levels of air pollution in the city by cutting vehicular emissions. (HT Photo)

The policy, implemented in August 2020, expired on August 31. The government, however, extended the provisions of the policy, notably the subsidies provided on buying a vehicle.

The Delhi Electric Vehicle Policy -- one of the flagship plans of Delhis Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government -- was aimed at fighting high levels of air pollution in the city by cutting vehicular emissions. The policy sought to achieve this objective by bringing about a paradigm shift in the Capitals transport sector by introducing two key changes. One, the state government embarked on a major switch from Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)-run public buses to electric buses. Of the total 3,700buses run by the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC), the Capital now has 800 electric buses. And, the government has committed to buy only electric buses to replace the CNG ones that will be retired from the fleet.

The second major change was encouraging residents to switch to electric vehicles by providing subsidies. The policy has set a target of 25% of all new vehicles registered in Delhi to be electric by 2025.

The draft is ready with some changes and new policy targets. We are hoping that the minister will approve it in a meeting next week, after which it will be sent for cabinets approval, and for the final nod by the lieutenant governor, one of the officials said asking to remain anonymous. The official quoted above, however, did not share the contours of the draft policy, saying they were waiting for an approval by the minister.

When asked, Gahlots office did not comment on the draft.

Meanwhile, on the occasion of World EV Day on Saturday, Gahlot said that Delhi will keep up the momentum to achieve the goals that have been set under the state EV policy.

Today, we celebrate the future of sustainable transportation. Delhi is leading the way in sustainable transportation and our commitment to EVs is making our city cleaner and greener..., Gahlot posted on X (formerly Twitter).

Officials said that after consultation with industry stakeholders, the changes in the new policy were discussed with the minister even when it was being drafted.

According to Delhi government data, 4,907 EVs were sold in Delhi in August, which was 9.2% of all vehicles sold in the city-state, according to data from the Vahan dashboard of the Union road transport ministry. To be sure, of these 4,907 vehicles, only 434were cars, and 2,108 were two wheelers and 1,685 were e-rickshaws.

Under the Delhi government EV policy, two-wheelers are entitled to a subsidy of 5,000 per kWh of battery capacity (maximum 30,000). Three-wheelers can get a subsidy of 30,000 per vehicle, irrespective of the total cost and battery capacity. The subsidy for four-wheelers is not applicable anymore as it was offered only for the first 1,000 e-cars that would get registered under the scheme. For four wheelers, Delhi government had allowed subsidy of 10,000 per kWh battery capacity, subject to a maximum of 1.5 lakh.

Meanwhile, experts said that it is critical for Delhi to sustain the momentum .

Delhi has played a crucial role in driving the adoption of EVs in India...due to its progressive EV policy. It is imperative that Delhi doesnt lose this momentum...it is time to expand the ambitions in the EV sector, prompting the introduction of Delhi EV Policy 2.0. This policy should support by a robust implementation plan to chart the course for Delhi to emerge as Indias EV capital, said Amit Bhatt, managing director (India), International Council of Clean Transport (ICCT)  an American public policy think tank.

.

Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" "Exciting news! Hindustan Times is now on WhatsApp ChannelsSubscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
The Union government, during the monsoon session of Parliament, introduced three bills to replace Indias colonial-era legal framework  Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (to replace the Indian Penal Code), the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (to replace the Code of Criminal Procedure) and the Bharatiya Sakshya Bill (to replace the Evidence Act). A senior police officer, on condition of anonymity, said that a blueprint of batches and trainers is being prepared to instruct the police. (Raj K Raj/HT Photo)

These bills have been sent to a parliamentary standing committee for scrutiny and discussion, and might not be implemented before the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. However, senior Delhi Police officers have been asked to train their subordinates to ready them for changes in sections and clauses of the new framework, people aware of the development said.

The people said that all officials will be trained in three phases based on seniority  starting with high-ranking officers, followed by mid-rank officers up to deputy commissioner of police rank, and finally, the staff in police stations. It will be mandatory for officers of all ranks to clear a test after the training, the people said.

A senior police officer, on condition of anonymity, said that a blueprint of batches and trainers is being prepared to instruct the police.

To the best of our knowledge, only some changes have been suggested to the basic structure of criminal law. But we have to keep ourselves updated about it. The Indian Penal Code and Criminal Procedure Code are procedural laws and changes in them will take some time for anyone to understand. At present, most of our workforce are busy managing the safety and security for the upcoming G20 Summit. So, the fixtures and batches for the training will be decided after this event, he said.

But the bills, if passed as law after scrutiny, will throw up some basic challenges, even at the level of applying sections for crimes. In IPC, for example, Section 302 and Section 420 are among the most well-known as they deal with murder and cheating. Under the proposed Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita , 302 stands for snatching (murder is now 99, and punishment for the crime are laid down in 101), and 420 does not exist (cheating is now 316).

A second Delhi Police officer aware of the development said the force will organise training programmes and workshops.

The police headquarters will issue detailed circulars highlighting the changes in the IPC, CrPC and the Evidence Act, which will act as a guide for the police force. Creation of training infrastructure is already in the pipeline. We are also identifying in-house resource personnel, who are experts in law and can train others. External resource persons like judges, retired judges, senior criminal lawyers, legal luminaries will also be outsourced for the training purpose, he said, asking not to be named.

Deputy commissioner of police (public relations) Suman Nalwa said, Apart from educating Delhi Police officers, we will also update or change some of the software used in police investigations, she said.

Whenever there is a new law, police officers are trained about it. In addition, police personnel also appear in annual examination for their time-bound promotion, but the pass percentage in this test is less than 50%, officers aware of the matter said.

According to lawyers, despite having several merits, the draft bills need consultation of all the stakeholders such as the police, prosecutors and courts; and the new laws will be a challenge to master for enforcement agencies, if and when implemented.

Former Delhi Police joint commissioner BK Singh, who is now a practising Supreme Court lawyer, said that a number of new provisions have been brought in under the draft code. It is a welcome step as punishment for crimes such as lynching and snatching have been introduced under this draft code. But learning and being trained in the new laws will be an enormous and challenging process for Delhi Police, where the pass percentage in the annual examinations for timebound promotion is not very encouraging, he said.

Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" "Exciting news! Hindustan Times is now on WhatsApp ChannelsSubscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
A massive fire broke out at a factory in the Anand Vihar area, New Delhi, an official said on Saturday evening. The fire tenders were deployed to spot to control the fire. (Representational image/HT Archive)

The official further informed that there were no immediate casualties or injuries in the blaze.

Upon receiving the information, the fire tenders were deployed to spot to control the fire.

The cause of the fire could not be ascertained.

This is a developing story. Further details are awaited.

Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" "Exciting news! Hindustan Times is now on WhatsApp ChannelsSubscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
Several parts of Delhi have been decked up for the ongoing G20 Summit, with lights, fountains, floral arrangements, and banners welcoming delegates. However, the decorations at the Walled City are slightly different  they have all been undertaken by residents and traders in the area. Decorations at Jama Masjid in Delhi. (Arvind Yadav/HT Photo)

The beautification of the Walled City included streets were lined by umbrellas and floral garlands, while fountains and tricolour lighting draped the entrance of the Jama Masjid  a sight that the delegates from Turkey enjoyed during their visit on Friday evening, spending 40-45 minutes inside the mosque.

They were also made aware of the mosques history, a police officer part of the security detail said, adding that their visit was facilitated by the Delhi Tourist Police.

Residents and traders said they were compelled to decorate the Walled City themselves, claiming a lackadaisical attitude by authorities towards beautifying the area.

Due to G20, the entire city has been beautified. Fountains have been placed across the Capital and the city has been decked up in lights. However, Old Delhi was not given adequate attention. Since it was sidelined by all agencies, we shopkeepers decided to spruce up the area ourselves. Just like in other parts of Delhi, we have installed a fountain. We have decked up the streets in tri colours and made floral decorations. Through these small efforts, we wanted to ensure that visitors go back with a good impression of our country and culture, said Haji Salimuddin, president of the Bazar Matia Mahal Shopkeepers Association, who also lives in the area.

Sanjay Bhargava, president of the Chandni Chowk Sarv Vyapar Mandal, a traders body, said, Old Delhi has been totally ignored. They have totally lost an opportunity to preserve and highlight the areas heritage and iconic sights.

M Nafis, a social activist and Lal Kuan resident, said that Old Delhi is synonymous with Red Fort and Jama Masjid, but efforts were not undertaken to make the area G20-ready. Old Delhi is a historical place but neither was it decorated nor other efforts taken to pitch it as the cultural corner of the city, said Nafis.

Salimuddin said shopkeepers collectively funded the entire exercise, and no help of any kind was extended by various government agencies. As citizens of India, we took it up as a responsibility and want visiting delegates to appreciate our country, he said.

HT reached out to the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), but officials in the civic body did not respond to requests for a comment on the allegations by the traders and residents.

Delhi minister Saurabh Bharadwaj, at a press conference on September 6, had said that MCD had undertaken a facelifting exercise at the Town Hall and at Mirza Ghalibs haveli in Ballimaran.

Residents and traders, however, said only last-minute exercises were undertaken.

Barring minor cosmetic clean-ups, they have done nothing. At the Town Hall, they have installed a huge board with moving imagery that mars the view of the heritage structure. Encroachments and littering continue to be a major problem, said Bhargava.

Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" "Exciting news! Hindustan Times is now on WhatsApp ChannelsSubscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Eyeing the upcoming Assembly polls in Rajasthan and next years general elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has launched a special campaign to reach out to the Scheduled Caste (SC) and Schedules Tribes (ST) voters on 138 seats, where they hold influence. The BJP has launched a month-long special drive to connect with voters in those reserved seats (Representative Photo)

Of the 200 Assembly seats in Rajasthan, 34 are SC reserved, while 25 are reserved for ST and of 25 Lok Sabha seats, seven are reserved for SC/ST.

The Dalits and tribals together account for about 31% of Rajasthans population and wield considerable political influence. While the Dalits account for 17.8% of the states population, tribals make up 13.5%, as per the 2011 census.

The BJP has launched a month-long special drive to connect with voters in those reserved seats and other seats where they are predominant. The party is also taking feedback on the kind of schemes these communities want, so they can be tailor-made for them in future.

KC Meena, state in-charge of the ST Samajik Sampark Abhiyan, said the BJPs target is to reach 500,000 SC households and 400,000 ST households during the campaign that will continue till month end.

Dr Bhajanlal Rolan, state in-charge of the SC Samajik Sampark Abhiyan, said the BJP wants to reach out to the maximum number of voters through this campaign.

In the 2013 assembly polls, the BJP won 32 SC seats. In 2018, however, it could only grab 12 seats while the Congress won 19 and three went to independents.

Similarly, in 2013, the BJP won 18 of the ST seats. But it won only nine of the 25 ST reserved seats in 2018, while the Congress bagged 16.

However, in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the SC and ST voters largely supported the BJP which won all 25 seats.

Apart from the 34 reserved seats, there are another 53 seats where the population of SC voters is above 20%, said Dr Rolan.

The Congress has spread the canard that SCs are traditionally their voters. We believe the SC voter is not tied to any party. They are voting on issues. Whoever can convince them on issues, will vote for them. So, our effort is to reach the maximum number of voters and tell them about the welfare schemes of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the Dalits, he said.

During their campaign, the team members will interact with the people and will make them aware of the Centres welfare schemes for the SC and ST.

The party workers will also highlight the failures of the Congress government under chief minister Ashok Gehlot and the poor law and order situation, atrocities against women, Dalits and tribals, issues of scarcity of water, electricity, health and education facilities and discrimination against the SCs and STs in state government schemes, said Meena.

Meena said there are 25 seats reserved for ST and another 26 on which there are more than 20%, these seats are mainly in the southern and eastern parts of Rajasthan.

For the campaign, BJP has formed a five-member team who are working specifically on the 89 SC/ST seats. The teams comprise one convenor, two party workers and two workers from the Mandal, where the team is visiting, said Meena.

He added that these teams have been allotted specific areas to approach the voters directly. The teams have been tasked with visiting 100-150 homes per day in their areas.

The teams will take feedback about the benefits the people have received through the various schemes of the government and further what more is needed and the areas that the government should focus on.

The survey data will be used by the government to address any problems and to remodel and bring in new schemes, said Meena.

The 2023 Rajasthan state election is scheduled for November to elect all 200 members of the states Legislative Assembly.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Urvashi Dev Rawal Urvashi Dev Rawal is assistant editor with Hindustan Times Rajasthan edition and is based in Jaipur. She reports on politics, development journalism and womens issues. She has reported from Delhi and Gujarat previously. ...view detail
Former Rajasthan minister and Congress MLA Rajendra Singh Gudha, who was sacked by chief minister Ashok Gehlot, joined the Shiv Sena on Saturday in the presence of Maharashtra chief minister Eknath Shinde. Shiv Sena leader and Maharashtra CM welcomed Rajendra Gudha to the party (Twitter Photo)

Shinde, who flew to Jaipur, then Udaipurwati (assembly constituency of Gudha) on Saturday, announced the joining of the Bahujan Samaj Party-turned-Congress MLA Gudha to Shiv Sena.

Addressing a gathering in Udaipurwati in Jhunjhunu district, Shinde welcomed him to the Shiv Sena and said Gudha left the ministerial position for the cause of the people and such leaders are required in the country and state.

He (Gudha) talked about the safety of women and law and order but was removed. What wrong did he say? said Shinde.

Gudha was the minister of state for Panchayati Raj and rural development in Rajasthan. He was sacked from his position in July this year after he cornered the Gehlot-led Congress government in the Assembly over the law and order situation in the state comparing with the violence in Manipur and crime against women in Rajasthan.

Following his removal, he came up with a red diary allegation which he claimed held details of irregularity in the financial transactions of the Gehlot government.

Hitting out at the Rajasthan chief minister, Shinde said that a year back (on Gudhas sons birthday), Gehlot had stated I am chief minister because of Gudha, and still he dismissed him (Gudha).

He continued, What mistake did Gudha do? Is it a crime to support the truth? You had raised your voice only about law and order and atrocities against women in Rajasthan.

Shinde said that Gudha left the ministerial post, but did not leave the truth.

Like you (Gudha), I too had left the post of minister. ...I had left the post of minister for the thoughts and ideals of Bala Saheb. Gudha left the post of minister for truth. Law and order should be good in Rajasthan. Rajasthan should develop, said Shinde.

The Maharashtra CM said that Rajasthan needs improved law and order, safety of women, job opportunities for youths and progress of farmers.

Shinde further asserted that Rajasthan requires development and progress.

Rajasthan requires industries and there is huge potential in sectors like mining which can be used to create job opportunities for local youths so that they do not need to migrate to other states in search of jobs, he added.

Rajendra Gudha contested the 2018 assembly elections on a BSP ticket and later joined the Congress along with five other MLAs.

A senior Congress leader said with Gudha joining Shiv Sena, it will be his loss and not partys.

Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" "Exciting news! Hindustan Times is now on WhatsApp ChannelsSubscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
The Centre has informed the West Bengal government that at least 61 railway projects are stuck in the state as requisite land could not be acquired. Union railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw (File Photo)

In a letter written to chief minister Mamata Banerjee, Union railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw informed that railway infrastructure projects to the tune of Rs.50,915 crore are in progress in West Bengal.

However, most of the railway projects falling fully or partly in West Bengal are not progressing due to the non-availability of requisite land, stated the letter.

Railways had initiated efforts for the acquisition of land for most of the sanctioned railway projects but could not succeed in acquitting land for these projects. Consequently, the remaining sanctioned railway projects in the state could not be taken forward, reads the letter.

The budgetary allocations for railway projects in West Bengal for the financial year 2023-24 was Rs.11,970 crore, which is the highest allocation among all states, Vaishnaw had told reporters in February this year.

Further, in the letter, the railway ministry has requested the West Bengal government to initiate intervention in the procurement of land required for the completion of the pending projects.

I would request you to issue suitable instructions to the concerned officers to expedite the process of land acquisition so that execution of the projects may be taken up, Vaishnaw wrote.

Meanwhile, the issue triggered a political row with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) accusing the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) of deliberately stalling railway projects ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.

This (TMC-led) government has no focus on development. They dont want the railway projects to get going. They dont know how to work for the people and stand beside them. Their only focus is vote bank and thats why they are playing politics, said Samik Bhattacharya, BJP spokesperson.

The TMC has hit back saying that the West Bengal government is aware of what people need and how to best work for them.

Banerjee has been the Union railway minister earlier and the state got some of the best projects during her tenure. So, the BJPs railway minister need not teach her whats best for railway projects in West Bengal, said Kunal Ghosh TMC spokesperson.

It is unfortunate that railway projects are stuck due to non-availability of land. The entire country is facing hassles over land acquisition. The problem is more acute in West Bengal. Both the Centre and the state have to come forward, Adhir Chowdhury, Congress MP, told reporters.

Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" "Exciting news! Hindustan Times is now on WhatsApp ChannelsSubscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
The Samajwadi Party candidates victory in the Ghosi assembly bypoll may deal a blow to the ministerial aspirations of BJP candidate Dara Singh Chauhan and Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party (SBSP) chief Om Prakash Rajbhar who was a key campaigner for Chauhan. Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party (SBSP) chief Om Prakash Rajbhar. (HT FILE)

Rajbhar often gave the indication that he, along with Chauhan, was likely to be inducted as minister in the Yogi Adityanath government.

His aspirations ran high ever since the SBSP was made a partner of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) partner and Chauhan was re-inducted into the BJP following his resignation as SP MLA.

Senior BJP leaders insisted that the Ghosi by-election was not contested on any issues concerning the BJP governments in the state or at the Centre.

The BJP leaders asserted that the Ghosi by-election was contested between the SP candidate Sudhakar Singh and Dara Singh Chauhan instead of being an I.N.D.I.A. vs NDA, or even BJP vs SP election.

The Ghosi by-election was contested on local and personal issues. This was not an election between political parties or the alliances. The BJP does not promise any official position when leaders from other parties join or align with the party. So, we cannot say anything about the ministerial aspirations of the two leaders, said a senior BJP leader.

Rajbhar was not available for comment. In his initial reaction to the Ghosi poll outcome to newspersons, he appeared disappointed and said the leaders of opposition parties would not be able to blame or question the EVMs for the poll results now onwards.

Uttar Pradesh BJP vice-president Vijay Pathak said the BJP would study and analyse the poll results.

We will scrutinise the poll result and take corrective measures accordingly thereafter, he said.

Samajwadi Party spokesman Rajendra Chaudhary said the poll outcome would have adverse impact on the BJP and its alliance partners.

Asked to comment on the ministerial aspirations of Rajbhar and Chauhan, he said how can it (the BJP government) assure any future to Rajbhar or Dara Singh Chauhan?

Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" "Exciting news! Hindustan Times is now on WhatsApp ChannelsSubscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Umesh Raghuvanshi Umesh Raghuvanshi is a journalist with over three decade experience. He covers politics, finance, environment and social issues. He has covered all assembly and parliament elections in Uttar Pradesh since 1984. ...view detail
The Yogi Adityanath government will ensure regular monitoring of air quality, noise, ground water quality, soil quality and ground water level in areas falling under the Defence Industrial Corridor in Lucknow, Kanpur and Aligarh districts. For representation only (HT File Photo)

The U.P. Expressways Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA) has invited applications from laboratories affiliated with the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL), the ministry of environment, forests, and climate change (MoEF), and the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), for regular monitoring of mainly five environment standards in Lucknow, Kanpur, and Aligarh.

From among the applicants, one is to be selected by September 11. The selected applicant will be responsible for inviting tenders to select an agency (laboratory) for regular monitoring of set parameters in areas falling under the Defence Industrial Corridor in Lucknow, Kanpur and Aligarh.

According to the state government, the contract will be for a year and it may be extended based on the performance. The UPEIDA may distribute the work among one or more labs.

There will not only be regular monitoring of the set parameters in three cities but also periodic reports.

For air quality monitoring, the labs will conduct 24-hour monitoring of particulate matters (PM-10 and PM-25), sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and other nitrous components.

Besides, the level of noise pollution will also be measured on day and night basis.

For monitoring of water and ground pollution levels, parameters such as acidity, alkalinity, aluminum, arsenic, biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), bicarbonates, calcium carbonate, chloride, chromium, copper, iron, lead, magnesium, manganese, nickel, nitrogen compound, sulphates, sodium and zinc will be monitored.

In addition to this, for testing the soil quality, the SAR (specific absorption rate) value of ammonia, bicarbonates, boron, calcium, calcium carbonate, chloride, color, electrical conductivity, magnesium, nitrates, nitrites, pesticide pH, phosphates, sodium, potassium, cadmium, manganese, cobalt and soil sample will be the key factors.

Monitoring will be based as per the standards set by the pollution boards.

On February 21, 2018, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced 20,000 crore Defence Industrial Corridor in Bundelkhand region which is considered as one of the most backward regions in the state.

Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" "Exciting news! Hindustan Times is now on WhatsApp ChannelsSubscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
At a time when the Uttar Pradesh government is focused on the objective of making the state a trillion-dollar economy in five years, efforts are on to improve the methodology for accounting of the Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) and other aggregates. A team of Uttar Pradeshs economic and statistical division will undergo training in collecting, compiling and disseminating statistics at the National Statistical Office (NSO) headquarters in Kolkata from September 11 to 15 this year. (FOR REPRESENTATION)

In this scenario, a team of Uttar Pradeshs economic and statistical division will undergo training in collecting, compiling and disseminating statistics at the National Statistical Office (NSO) headquarters in Kolkata from September 11 to 15 this year.

The NSO is holding these learning sessions as part of the Union ministry of statistics and programme implementations Support for Statistical Strengthening (SSS) scheme aiming to improve the statistical capacity and operations of the state statistical system.

The Support for Statistical Strengthening scheme involves preparation of the state strategic statistical plan, capacity building, using innovative techniques and methodologies for improving the efficacy of statistical processes and operations. It also includes holding of stakeholders consultations and surveys, dissemination of annual reports on the performance of the state statistical systems, besides improving the cost effectiveness and ease of data access. Such training sessions under the SSS will be helpful to all those involved in the collection of data and ensure greater coverage of the unorganised sector and lead to an improvement in capturing data in the state.

We need to undertake quality and efficiency improvement measures for capturing data which is important to assess the ground realities in various sectors. This will help in achieving the objective of making the state a trillion-dollar economy in five years, said Alok Kumar-III, principal secretary, state planning department and nodal officer for one-trillion dollar economy.

Special secretary, state planning department, Amrit Tripathi said after completing the learning sessions at Kolkata, the team may impart such training to those dealing with the data in various other departments.

He said the department proposes to hold various surveys at the district level.

An Uttar Pradesh government team had met the secretary, Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MOSPI), in New Delhi a few months ago and discussed the methodology for GSDP calculations and how to bring about further improvement in the GSDP in coming years. An improvement in the methodology of accounting of GSDP and other aggregates is needed keeping in view the possibility of underestimation of GSDP. The state economy is characterised by a large informal economy and there is a need to formalise the informal by extending registration and proper accounting of unregistered enterprises.

Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" "Exciting news! Hindustan Times is now on WhatsApp ChannelsSubscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
The Ghosi bypoll result in Mau district of eastern Uttar Pradesh (UP) will lend impetus to the loyalists vs turncoats debate within the ruling Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP). Samajwadi Party workers celebrating the victory of party candidate Sudhakar Singh in the Ghosi constituency by-election, in Lucknow. (FILE PHOTO)

Though raging for a while, the debate gets overshadowed every time the party notches up a string of spectacular electoral successes, largely attributed to a charismatic leadership.

BJP candidate Dara Singh Chauhan and Suheldev Bhartiya Samaj Party (SBSP) chief Om Prakash Rajbhar were the two principal characters whose performance was on test in this bypoll. Both are OBC leaders and known turncoats.

In a space of 14 months, they were hitting out at the same Samajwadi Party that they had praised in the 2022 Uttar Pradesh assembly polls when the BJP was their target.

Both leaders were ministers in Yogi Adityanaths first government. They are still contenders for a ministerial berth in Adityanaths second consecutive term.

Some BJP leaders feel though a final decision on their becoming ministers is yet to be taken given the partys OBC focus, and their appeal among their backward voters, both could still become ministers but with markedly reduced political heft.

Uttar Pradesh minister and BJP ally Nishad party chief Sanjay Nishad, who claims the support of the influential OBC riverine community, wasted no time in pinning the blame for the Ghosi defeat on Dara Singh Chauhan.

National elections are fought on leadership and national issues, state elections on chief minister and state issues while bypolls are contested on the appeal of the local candidate, Nishad said on Chauhan, who is considered closer to Rajbhar.

Despite the Ghosi defeat, the BJP still lacks a homegrown Rajbhar leader with the same political-connect among this community as Om Prakash Rajbhar. For all his political flip-flops, there are few east U.P. leaders who can match Dara Singh Chauhans appeal among his Nonia OBC voters.

Thats the reason perhaps why the two are expected to figure in the BJPs scheme of things for the high stakes 2024 Lok Sabha polls, now just about six months away. The BJP is surveying each seat, leaders with the right caste matrix and the connect those local leaders have with their community for the parliamentary polls.

The thinking in the BJP is that the by-poll was a good political workout with some takeaways, that could now serve as a wakeup call ahead of the big battle.

The wide margin of the Ghosi loss was indeed a surprise. Its like scoring very poorly in a test before the main exam and thus (one) gets time to prepare better. Such wake-up calls are always better than staying complacent till the end, said a BJP leader.

You would have noticed how despite losing key Lok Sabha bypolls in 2018 in Gorakhpur and Phulpur, the BJP emerged triumphant in 2019 Lok Sabha polls despite a formidable SP-BSP alliance. This time the BSP too is away and as for the others, most were there together in 2019 too, this leader said.

As to the larger debate of loyalists vs turncoats, BJP leaders admit that while the party would continue to strategically open doors for leaders from opposition parties nearer the 2024 polls, the old guard would also factor in the partys plan.

There are some leaders who argue that Ghosi loss may reduce the seat-sharing pull of Rajbhar, who had claimed that the Ghosi bypoll was a contest between the SP and the SBSP.

His son Arun Rajbhar, however, felt the media was unnecessarily hyping the loss and pinning the blame for the defeat mostly on Om Prakash Rajbhar.

The Ghosi result are also being viewed from another angle: while Rampur may have the highest number of Muslims, it is Ghosi that has a sizeable number of Pasmanda (backward) Muslims - bunkars (weavers) - in particular. It is the same Pasmanda group to which UP minister Danish Azad Ansari, the lone Muslim face in the Yogi Adityanath government, belongs.

Rampur may have the most Muslims, but Ghosi has a record number of Pasmanda Muslims, especially weavers and this election has its own symbolism, said Congress spokesman JP Pandey.

Ansari had held a series of meetings among localities featuring Pasmanda - a target group being aggressively wooed by the BJP since June 2022 when it made inroads in Muslim dominated Rampur and Azamgarh Lok Sabha followed by its first win Rampur (sadar assembly) seat in December 2022 and win of its ally Apna Dal (S) in Suar assembly seat. The Ghosi bypoll was held with six other byelections across the country, including one in Tripura where the BJPs Muslim candidate Tafajjal Hossain won.

This is a win of the INDIA alliance of the opposition, said a Congress leader who also pointed out how in Uttarakhand, where the Congress-SP fought separately, the Congress lost the Bageshwar bypoll.

A BJP leader said: The way Shivpal Yadav helped SP chief Akhilesh Yadav by camping in the constituency till the end means that the SP has now finally put its house in order. This is something that will be factored in as we prepare our strategies.

U.P. BJP chief Bhupendra Chaudhary while admitting that the SP win would be analysed, also wondered if the SP would now accept the victory or pin it on EVMs (electronic voting machines). This comment was a reference to the oft repeated charge of EVM tampering each time the BJP wins.

Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" "Exciting news! Hindustan Times is now on WhatsApp ChannelsSubscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
The Samajwadi Partys Ghosi bypoll victory has come as a much-needed morale booster for the principal opposition party and the newly formed I.N.D.I.A (Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance) bloc. After the result, Akhilesh Yadav: Ghosi has not only made the SP candidate win but it also is the victory of the INDIA coalition candidate. And now this will be the outcome of the approaching tomorrow (2024) (HT FILE)

The win will strengthen SP chief Akhilesh Yadavs position and role within the opposition I.N.D.I.A bloc in the state during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, political observers say.

The Ghosi victory is also likely to give the SP stronger bargaining power in seat- sharing and organising the oppositions 2024 battle plan, they add.

Samajwadi Party (SP) candidate Sudhakar Singh defeated Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) nominee Dara Singh Chauhan by a margin of over 42,000 votes.

After the result, Akhilesh Yadav: Ghosi has not only made the SP candidate win but it also is the victory of the INDIA coalition candidate. And now this will be the outcome of the approaching tomorrow (2024)

The bypoll was held on September 5 and the result was declared on Friday (September 8). Chauhans move of quitting his membership as SP MLA from Ghosi and rejoining the BJP camp caused the bypoll.

Senior Samajwadi Party leader Sudhir Panwar posted on X: Ghosi big win. Akhiesh Yadavs maiden gift of win to INDIA. Ready for 2024.

In an elaborate statement, he subsequently said: The big win in Ghosi is the rejection of false narratives of the BJP like doubling of farmers income, creation of employment opportunities, record investment, better law and order, and protector of Hindutva and so on. The ignominious defeat of the BJP exposed the failure of OBC caste arithmetic formulated by the BJP through Om Prakash Rajbhar and Dara Singh Chauhan. The big win is the proof that Samajwadi Party is getting votes across society, which is significant considering the 32% vote share of the SP in 2022. Ghosi provided much-needed booster to Akhilesh Yadav for 2024 and precious gift to INDIA.

Uttar Pradesh Congress chief Ajay Rai said: The victory of the INDIA coalitions candidate declares that people are distressed with the BJPs anti-people policies and hate politics. Its decided! In 2024 the people of Uttar Pradesh have made up their minds to bid adieu to NDA.

Communist Party of India state secretary Arvind Raj Swaroop said: The CPI congratulates the INDIA alliance and SP candidate. The victory is historic. The result has indicated the changing public mood in Uttar Pradesh. Now, in 2024 the BJPs exit is certain. And now the Left powers and their workers will have to be more alert at the booth level.

Communist Party of India national secretary Atul Kumar Anjaan said that the great leap of the opposition conglomeration INDIA on Ghosi assembly bye election will pave the road for grabbing the overwhelming seats out of 80 parliamentary seats of Uttar Pradesh.

SHIVPALS ROLE

Known for his cadre-centric organisational capabilities and his grip on eastern Uttar Pradesh, SP national general secretary Shivpal Yadav emerged as a key manager of the victory.

Samajwadi Party zindabaad; Akhilesh Yadav zindabad, said Shivpal, who made multiple visits to Ghosi before the polls. As the polls neared, he camped in the constituency, managing booth committees and door-to-door campaigns. He himself went door-to-door, apart from holding public meetings for Sudhakar Singh.

Shivpal had also played a vital role in Mainpuri Lok Sabha bypoll victory of Dimple Yadav after his reunion with the SP.

The Ghosi victory is likely to enhance his role and responsibility in managing eastern UP for the party in 2024 Lok Sabha polls.

Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" "Exciting news! Hindustan Times is now on WhatsApp ChannelsSubscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Lucknow Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden hailed the growing academic collaboration between Indian and American higher education institutions even as the Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur (IITK) and Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Varanasi, figured prominently in a joint statement issued by India and the United States after the bilateral talks between the two countries on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in New Delhi. Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his meeting with US President Joe Biden in New Delhi on September 8. (Courtesy PM Narendra Modi Social Media Handle)

A number of multi- institutional collaborations in academics took place in the bilateral meeting on Friday evening. The US President is in India to attend the two-day G20 Summit that got under way in the national capital on Saturday.

The Indo-US Global Challenges Institute that will work in a virtual mode will provide a platform for addressing strategic research programmes that require interdisciplinary solutions in critical and emerging technologies.

A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed by the Association of American Universities (AAU) president Barbara Snyder and IIT Kanpur director Abhay Karandikar on behalf of IIT Council representing Indian universities in India on Friday.

A collaborative institutional partnership has been formalised between the New York University Tandon School of Engineering and the IIT Kanpur to launch the New York University-Tandon and IIT Kanpur Advanced Research Centre in critical and emerging technologies.

Additionally, multi-institutional joint research centres involving the State University of New York at Buffalo and IIT Delhi, Kanpur, Jodhpur, and BHU are also being set up in the areas of critical and emerging technologies.

The joint statement reads, Both leaders (Modi and Biden) also welcomed the growing number of multi-institutional collaborative education partnerships... in the areas of critical and emerging technologies.

Prof Karandikar said, In these centres, we will be initiating large number of dual PhD programmes in multiple domains. IITK students will get global exposure. The PhD degree will be awarded by both IITK and NYU.

In a groundbreaking initiative, IIT Council on behalf of all higher educational institutes in India entered into an MoU with the Association of American Universities (AAU) to establish and seek support for the Indo-US Global Challenges Institute.

The institute will seek to address some of the most consequential economic, environmental, and technological challenges that have the potential to affect the security, prosperity, and stability of both countries.

The institute will be a virtual network of partner universities and provide a platform for addressing strategic research programmes that require interdisciplinary solutions in critical and emerging technologies such as sustainable energy and agriculture, health and pandemic preparedness, semiconductor technology and manufacturing, advanced materials, telecommunications, artificial intelligence (AI), and quantum science.

The joint Indo-US Global Challenges Institute Governing Council will develop an organisational framework to promote research collaborations, create knowledge sharing platforms, work towards resource mobilisation and ensure inclusive growth of research enterprise.

Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" "Exciting news! Hindustan Times is now on WhatsApp ChannelsSubscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Rajeev Mullick Rajeev Mullick is a Special Correspondent, he writes on education, telecom and heads city bureau at Lucknow. Love travelling ...view detail
MumbaiFormer Rajasthan minister and Congress MLA Rajendra Gudha, sacked from his position in July, joined the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena on Saturday. Before joining the Congress in 2019, he was with the Bahujan Samaj Party. When questioned, Maharashtra Congress spokesperson Atul Londhe said that Gudha joining the Shiv Sena was an exceptional case. There must be some reason for this, he said. In all the other states, people from the BJP are joining the Congress.) (ANI)

Gudha, the minister of state for panchayati raj and rural development, was sacked from the Ashok Gehlot ministry after he criticised the government in the state assembly in the midst of a discussion on the Manipur violence against women, saying it needed to secure its own backyard before looking at other regions.

Following his dismissal by the Congress, Gudha had come up with allegations of a red diary, which, he claimed, held details of the Ashok Gehlot governments irregularities in financial transactions.

Maharashtra CM Shinde flew to Jaipur and then travelled by helicopter to Udaipurwati, Gudhas hometown, to welcome him into the party. Addressing a gathering in Udaipurwati, Shinde declared that Gudha had relinquished a ministerial position for the sake of the people. What was wrong with what he did? he demanded. He raised his voice about law and order and atrocities against women in Rajasthan. Such leaders are required for the country.

The Maharashtra CM then compared Gudhas revolt with his own action last July when he defected from the Shiv Sena to join hands with the BJPwhich, according to him, was a sacrifice in pursuit of truth.

Shinde also held forth on Rajasthan, saying its law-and-order situation needed improvement as well as the safety of women, progress of farmers and job opportunities for the youth. When reporters asked him whether the Shiv Sena and BJP would have a poll pact in Rajasthan, he replied that this was just the beginning and they would take a decision keeping in mind the good of the people. On being asked how many seats they would contest in Rajasthan, Shinde said that his party would follow the politics of development and alliances would come later.

When questioned, Maharashtra Congress spokesperson Atul Londhe said that Gudha joining the Shiv Sena was an exceptional case. There must be some reason for this, he said. In all the other states, people from the BJP are joining the Congress.

Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" "Exciting news! Hindustan Times is now on WhatsApp ChannelsSubscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
The North Goa Police on Friday busted a sex trade racket and rescued five Kenyan women, and arrested two men in connection. (Representative Photo)

Police said the arrested accused are traffickers lured the Kenyan women to India on the promise of offering jobs in Goas hospitality industry, but instead forced them into the flesh trade.

We have rescued five ladies, who are of Kenyan nationality and we have arrested two accused, also from Kenya, North Goa superintendent of police (SP) Nidhin Valsan said.

Speaking to the reporters, deputy superintendent of police (DSP) Jivba Dalvi said that young, educated, and vulnerable Kenyan women were falsely promised jobs in the hospitality industry by agents working on behalf of traffickers based in Goa.

After being brought to India, the traffickers seized the womens passports and visas, forcing them into prostitution under threat of violence and debt, said the DSP.

Dalvi said that the women were forced to work in massage parlours and then forced into the flesh trade.

Police said accused Maria Dorcas alias Israelite, 28, and Wilkista Achista, 22, have been arrested under sections 370, 370 (A) 370 (3) r/w 34 IPC (human trafficking) and section 4,5,8 of Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act 1956.

One more accused is a Nigerian national who is absconding, said police.

The police received a tip-off from Anyay Rahit Zindagi (ARZ) and an NGO working with victims of trafficking who informed them that women from Goa were being taken to cities like Bangalore for prostitution.

The racket, a close-knit group involving the trafficker duo Maria and Wilkista, operated largely online, leveraging escort websites to solicit clients. Victims were in a terrible condition -- in an unknown country without their documents, they were pushed into commercial sexual exploitation. We are working with the victims so they go back home safely and participate in the prosecution, Juliana Lohar, who works with ARZ, said.

The police have also launched legal action against the two hotels in Anjuna in North Goa, where the traffickers allegedly operated.

Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" "Exciting news! Hindustan Times is now on WhatsApp ChannelsSubscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
Ron DeSantis's campaign is sicker than an unvaxxed Floridian loaded to the gills with Ivermectin. In an attempt to make it look like he's got a chance against Trump, he's now saying that second place is actually the first place.

From Politico:

"We believe it's already a two-person race," a top DeSantis campaign official granted anonymity to discuss strategy told POLITICO. "But the reality is, on the ballot there are other choices, and our goal is to get this down to a two-person race on the ballot, especially as we head into South Carolina and beyond into March."

Speaking ahead of DeSantis' weekend trip to Iowa, the official said "a strong second-place showing gives us an opportunity to go in[to] New Hampshire and show success."



"I don't think there's a single state we have to win," the DeSantis campaign official said. "I would say there's a lot of pressure on the former president of the United States not to lose Iowa."
A day after Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) hit back at the education department, making it clear that the commission is not under the department and any interference with its activities is unconstitutional, unwarranted and unacceptable, the latter has retorted with an equally harsh letter, saying that autonomy does not mean anarchy and the commission could not be allowed to drift from established procedures. Aspirants arrive at an examination centre in Patna to appear for the BPSC Teacher Recruitment 2023 exam on August 24. (Santosh Kumar/HT)

The education department, through a letter signed by secondary education director Kanhaiya Prasad Srivastava, responded Friday evening to the BPSC secretary after the latters letter became public. He has written that after the intervention of the chief secretary in the matter, clarification on the issues raised and necessary directions to the district magistrates with regard to document verification for teachers recruitment, the letter from the BPSC secretary is unnecessary and childish action. Therefore, the letter is returned in original to you, Srivastava has written in his letter, which has been seen by HT.

This is the first time that top bureaucrats have been involved in a letter war in public. While KK Pathak is the additional chief secretary of the education department, Atul Prasad is the chairman of the Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC). Due to the continuing spat, chief secretary Amir Subhani also had to intervene, but to no avail. A senior official of the BPSC said the matter is being escalated and it is for the government to take a view to settle it.

The department is aware and it is an established fact that the BPSC is free to discharge its responsibilities, but it is also equally important that the commission does not do anything in contravention of the provisions laid down under the Bihar state teachers (recruitment, transfer, disciplinary action and service condition) rules, 2023 to unnecessarily create reasons for judicial cases in future. The burden of the court cases falls on the department, said the letter.

Citing relevant sections of the rules, the director has written that their compliance is important. Still, there is no point wasting energy in unnecessary correspondence using unwarranted words. It is better to proceed as per the laid down provisions so that there is no litigation in future and exercise in timely completed, the director wrote.

Referring to the BPSC secretarys letter that the commission was not under department, he has further written that in case of any deviation from established practices, the commission could have held a meeting at its own level to discuss the issues with the departments of education, law and general administration.

The autonomy of the commission does not give licence to start a foolish and senseless tradition, which could create a legal challenge before the government in future. The BPSC should make it clear when in the past it had gone in for document verification without publishing the results of the written examination. It has been mentioned in the rules that there should be discussion on the different aspects of exam with the administrative department, Srivastava has said in the letter regarding the examination recently held by the BPSC for teachers recruitment.

Following the spat, chief secretary Subhani had to intervene and write to all the district magistrates not to deploy education department officials for the verification of documents related to teachers recruitment by the BPSC and instead rope in officials from other departments.

At present, the education department is carrying out a statewide driver to strengthen the government school system and daily monitoring, in which all the officials and teachers are engaged. Therefore, the education department officials and teachers need to be kept away from the work of verification and scanning of OMR answer-sheets so that they could remain engaged with education, said the letter from the chief secretary to all the DMs.

However, a day later, the BPSC responded, maintaining that document verification is done in two phases  one at the level of commission prior to recommendation and another at the level of recruitment agency at the time of joining  and both have their relevance and both complement each other.

If it is not clear to you, study the relevant articles of the Constitution. This should be clear that raising a question mark over the propriety of any internal process of the commission or attempts to put pressure is unconstitutional, unwarranted and unacceptable. It is surprising how the department, despite being aware, expects the commission to make recommendations without document verification, said the BPSC secretary Ravi Bhushan in a reply to director, secondary education.

Which officer from which department is to be deployed is the prerogative of the government. If there is any objection or request should be made to the state government, he has written.

BPSC chairman Atul Prasad had also expressed his displeasure with a tweet Friday morning, though he did not address any individual or department.

Govt deputes its officers and changes later. It doesnt concern us at all. But on this pretext, elements who tried to get our teachers recruitment  document verification cancelled should try harder, he had tweeted.

Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" "Exciting news! Hindustan Times is now on WhatsApp ChannelsSubscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
The Bihar police on Saturday arrested the state secretary of banned terror outfit Popular Front of India (PFI) from East Champaran district for his alleged involvement in anti-national activities. Representational image.

According to the police, the PFI activist, identified as Riyaz Maroof alias Bablu, was arrested from Subhash Chowk in Chakiya after the police received a tip-off on Saturday morning.

Riyaz Maroof, who was one of the main operatives of PFI, has been arrested. He served as the state secretary of the banned outfit. His interrogation is underway, East Champaran superintendent of police Kantesh Kumar Mishra said.

A Chakiya police team, led by sub divisional police officer Satyendra Kumar Singh, rushed to Subhash Chowk in plain clothes and arrested Maroof. He was wanted by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) after they busted the alleged Phulwari Sharif terror module.

A case was initially registered on 12 July 2022 at Phulwari Sharif police station in Patna after the module was busted. The NIA then re-registered the case 10 days later after taking over the investigation.

Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" "Exciting news! Hindustan Times is now on WhatsApp ChannelsSubscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
The Patna high court on Friday rejected the anticipatory bail petition of Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad Yadavs younger brother-in-law Subhash Yadav in a case of land grab, cheating, extortion, intimidation, and other matters filed under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code. Representational image.

The Bihta police had on June 5 registered an FIR against seven persons, including former MP Subhash Yadav, based on the statement of one Bhim Verma, a resident of Bela village in rural Patna. Those named accused in the case include Subhash, his wife Renu Devi, son Randhir Kumar, Pankaj Singh Yadav, Arjun Ray, Arun Kumar Munsi alias mukhiya, and Arun Kumar Singh.

According to the FIR, Subhash Yadav purchased a plot of land of 7 kattha in the name of his wife after paying Bhims mother Meena Devi 96 lakh. The complainant alleged that on 27 February 2021, the former RJD MP called him along with his mother and brother at his house and forced them to return 60 lakh. The former MP, taking the complainants mother and brother hostage, allegedly threatened Bhim with dire consequences if he failed to return the amount.

Considering the aforesaid facts and the nature of allegation against the petitioner, this court is not inclined to extend the privilege of anticipatory bail to the petitioner in connection with the Bihta police station case to the satisfaction of the learned ACJM-I, Danapur. Accordingly, the prayer for anticipatory bail of the petitioner stands rejected, the court said in its order.

Judge Dr Anshuman in his verdict said that if the petitioner surrenders within a period of six weeks from the date of the order, then upon surrender, the trial court shall pass further orders on the same date without prejudice from the date of the rejection order passed by this court.

Earlier, the victim approached the mukhya mantri janta darbar on 6 June 2022, which directed the Patna DM to probe the incident. The victim had again on May 4 met Patna district magistrateb Dr Chandrasekhar Singh, who then spoke to Patna SSP Rajiv Mishra. The FIR was registered against Subhash Yadav after the intervention of the Patna DM and SSP, Verma said.

Earlier on 10 May 2010, a Bihar court had ordered the registration of an FIR against Subhash Yadav, his wife Renu Devi and three others at the Jakkanpur police station in Patna for allegedly kidnapping a liquor shop employee.

Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" "Exciting news! Hindustan Times is now on WhatsApp ChannelsSubscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Danny Masterson, who was jailed this week for raping two women, has been called a "role model" by his That '70s Show co-star Ashton Kutcher. As per news agency AFP, Ashton and his wife-actor Mila Kunis reportedly wrote letters to the judge to ask for leniency for Danny. The letter was one of dozens submitted to the judge. (Also Read | What led to Danny Mastersons rape retrial and what happens next) Ashton Kutcher, Mila Kunis and Danny Masterson featured together in That '70s Show.

What Ashton wrote

News agency AFP cited a letter written by Ashton, "I met Danny Masterson when I was 20 years old in 1998. He instantly became a friend, dedicated co-worker, and role model to me. And has remained as such for 25 years. He's an extraordinarily honest and intentional human being. Over (the) 25-year relationship I don't ever recall him lying to me. He's taught me about being direct and confronting issues in life and relationships head-on, resolving them, and moving forward."

The letter said that Ashton was aware his friend had been found guilty, but wanted his character reference to be taken into account in sentencing. "I do not believe he is an ongoing harm to society and having his daughter raised without a present father would (be) a tertiary injustice in and of itself," he added.

What Mila said

Mila Kunis also vouched for Danny, telling the judge he had "innate goodness and genuine nature". "Throughout our time together, Danny has proven to be an amazing friend, confidant, and, above all, an outstanding older brother figure to me. His caring nature and ability to offer guidance have been instrumental in my growth both personally and professionally."

About Danny

Danny was sentenced to at least 30 years in prison for drugging and sexually assaulting his victims at his swanky Los Angeles home two decades earlier. He co-starred again with Ashton in Netflix's The Ranch. He was fired in 2017 and written off the show when Los Angeles police confirmed they were investigating multiple rape allegations against the actor. Danny was convicted in May on two counts of rape following a retrial. An initial trial on three counts deadlocked.

Judge Charlaine Olmedo on Thursday ordered him to serve 15 years to life for each count, to run consecutively. That means the actor will be 77 years old before he can apply for parole. Danny, who is married to actress Bijou Phillips and has a nine-year-old daughter, was ordered to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life upon his release from prison.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON

ABOUT THE AUTHOR HT Entertainment Desk Dedicated professionals who write about cinema and television in all their vibrancy. Expect views, reviews and news. ...view detail
Actor Jessica Chastain made an impassioned plea to American actors at the Venice Film Festival press conference for Michel Franco's drama Memory, imploring them to encourage indie films, reported Variety. (Also Read | Twitterverse reacts to Jessica Chastain's charming moments at Oscars 2023) Jessica Chastain at the 80th Venice Film Festival - Premiere for the film Memory.(REUTERS)

I was very nervous about coming, said Jessica who was wearing a black SAG-AFTRA (Screen Actors Guild and American Federation of Television and Radio Artists) on Strike T-Shirt, revealing that there were actually some people on my team who advised me against it.

Jessica then said that actors are, often made to keep quiet in order to protect future working opportunities, and we are often told and reminded how grateful we should be. And that is the environment that I think has allowed work to be abused, to go unchecked for many decades. And is also the environment that has saddled members of our union with unfair contracts".

As per Variety, since Memory obtained an interim agreement from SAG-AFTRA, Jessica and co-star Peter Sarsgaard were present at the press conference. I am here because SAG-AFTRA has been explicitly clear that the way to support the strike is to post on social media, walk the picket line and to work and support interim agreement projects, she said. Its what our national board, negotiating committee and our elected leadership has asked us to do.

Jessica continued, The independent producers, like the ones here, are letting the AMPTP know that actors deserve fair compensation, that AI protection should be implemented, and there should be sharing of streaming revenues. I hope my being here today encourages other independent producers, and encourages actors to show up [at festivals] and support our union members. Hopefully we will see an end to the strike soon and hopefully AMPTP will go back to the table.

Memory, directed and written by Michel, is about Sylvia (Jessica), a "social worker who leads a simple and structured life," according to the film's synopsis. "This is shattered when Peter (Sarsgaard) follows her home from their high school reunion. Their unexpected encounter will have a tremendous influence on each of them as they open the door to the past."

In an interview with Variety, Michel said of casting Jessica in the film: Jessica is possibly the best actress in the states right now, its not an exaggeration to say shes the best actress in the world.

Mexican auteur Michels last two films, New Order (2020) and Sundown (2021), both premiered at Venice. Art thriller New Order was awarded the festivals grand jury prize. Jessica, who won best actress at the Oscars last year for The Eyes of Tammy Faye, last had a film premiere at Venice in 2011 with Texas Killing Fields, reported Variety.
No business leaders have been extended invitations to the G20 India dinner set to take place at Bharat Mandapam on Saturday, according to PIB Fact Check, the central government's agency responsible for debunking fake news and misinformation. G20 Summit in New Delhi(REUTERS)

Follow: G20 Summit LIVE updates

Some media reports had suggested that the dinner would serve as an occasion to assemble India's prominent figures during the leaders' summit, with purported invitations extended to around 500 business magnates, including notable figures such as Gautam Adani from the Adani Group, Mukesh Ambani of Reliance Industries, N Chandrasekaran, chairman of Tata Sons, billionaire Kumar Mangalam Birla, and Sunil Mittal, founder-chairman of Bharti Airtel.

"Media reports based on an article by Reuters have claimed that prominent business leaders have been invited to G20 India Special Dinner being hosted at Bharat Mandapam on 9th Sep. This claim is misleading. No business leaders have been invited to the dinner," in a social media post shared on Friday," the Press Information Bureau's fact check unit said in a statement.

The national capital welcomed foreign delegates and leaders from around the world for the two-day G20 Summit, held at the International Exhibition-cum-Convention Centre complex in the Pragati Maidan area. Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived at the complex early Saturday morning to receive the world leaders.

Following the first day of the summit, President Droupadi Murmu is scheduled to host a grand dinner at Bharat Mandapam. The event will be attended by world leaders such as US President Joe Biden, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Saudi Arabia's Mohammed Bin Salman, and Japan's Fumio Kishida, among others. In addition to foreign delegates, invitations have been extended to cabinet ministers, state chief ministers, and former prime ministers, among other guests.

Chinese President Xi Jinping will not be attending the meeting and will be represented by Premier Li Qiang, while Russia's Vladimir Putin will also be absent, with Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov taking his place.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday formally announced the inclusion of the African Union as a permanent member of the Group of 20 (G20) states. PM Modi and external affairs minister S Jaishankar welcomed African Union chair and Comoros President Azali Assoumani to officially join the bloc at the G20 Summit in Delhi. A giant screen displays India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the International Media Centre, as he delivers the opening speech during the G20 summit in New Delhi, India, September 9, 2023.(REUTERS)

"India put a proposal to give permanent membership of G20 to the African Union. I believe that with we have everyone's agreement on this," Modi said in his opening address to the summit.

"With everyone's approval, I request the African Union head to take his seat as a permanent G20 member," he added, banging a ceremonial gavel.

Diplomats of G20 member states had said the African Unions inclusion is not expected to lead to a change in the name of the grouping.

Finding consensus among G20 members has become increasingly difficult in recent years with deep divisions on the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

In his inaugural remarks during Session-1 of the G20 Summit on 'One Earth', the prime minister called upon the world to transform the global trust deficit into one of trust and reliance.

This is the time for all of us to move together. In this time, the mantra of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas' can be the torch bearer for us, PM Modi said.

Be it the divide between North and South, the distance between East and West, management of food and fuel, terrorism, cyber security, health, energy or water security, we will have to find a solid solution to this for future generations, he added.

Before starting with the formal proceedings of the G20 Summit at Delhi's Bharat Mandapam, Prime Minister Modi expressed his sympathy for the people of Morocco affected due to the devastating earthquake in Morocco.

We pray that the injured recover at the earliest. The entire global community stands with the people of Morocco. India welcomes all of you as the president of the G20 Summit, he said.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
The Bharat country tag at Prime Minister Narendra Modis table during his opening remarks at the G20 Summit grabbed attention on Saturday morning. Modis unequivocal endorsement of the countrys name came days after President Droupadi Murmu sent an invite for a dinner as part of the multilateral event in the name of the President of Bharat. The Bharat country tag at Prime Minister Narendra Modis table during his opening remarks at the G20 Summit grabbed attention on Saturday morning.

Also Read| How to read the fine print of the G20 Delhi Declaration

Interestingly, Bharat: The Mother of Democracy, a glossy 24-page magazine thats disappearing fast from bookracks at the international media centre of the G20 Summit venue, Bharat Mandapam at Pragati Maidan, explains its title on the second page: Bharat is the official name of the country. It is mentioned in the Constitution as also in the discussions of 1946-48, which preceded the adoption of the charter.

The use of Bharat as the official name of the country in a magazine distributed among G20 foreign delegates and journalists from both the country and abroad is the latest, and clear, indication that the name, currently used interchangeably with India, albeit largely in a domestic context, will now be the name the country wants to be known by in the international context.

Also Read| At G20, skilful diplomacy to clear messaging: How India forged consensus on the declaration

India may have been the name under which it ascended to the G20 presidency, but Bharat was the name under which it announced, at 3.30pm on Saturday, September 9, that the Delhi Declaration had been adopted.

Published by the Union government, the magazine has been produced specially for the summit to be distributed free among delegates and journalists. Under the header on Page 2, titled Democratic Ethos in Bharat Over Thousands of Years, the glossy identifies the beginning of the Indian civilisation as the Sindhu-Saraswati civilisation: 6000 BCE -2000 BCE , what history books, both in India and abroad, refer to as the Indus Valley Civilisation.

The introduction further identifies Ramayana: Beyond 2000 BCE and the Mahabharata : Beyond 1100 BCE, indicating that these were, in fact, real eras, and not mythological events embellished over a thousand years of oral and written traditions in Indian folk and religious narratives.

It also refers to the Chinese monk, Fa Hsien, who travelled to India in 5th century CE. The magazine identifies several other eras in Indias history: Mahajanapada and Gantantra (7th and 8th century BCE), Buddhism (since 500 BCE), Jainism (since 650 BCE) besides mentioning Megasthenes (the Greek explorer) followed by Kautiliya and his political treatise, Arthashastra.

After the mention of the Vijayanagar Empire (14th to 16th century) in southern India comes the only mention of a Muslim king under the headline The Understanding Monarch. Good administration should embrace everyones welfare, regardless of religion. That was the kind of democracy the 3rd Mughal Padishah Akbar practised, the magazine describes him, adding: Akbars democratic thinking was unusual and way ahead of its time.

The magazine ends with the mention of the years between 1952-2023 where all prime ministers of the country and the peaceful transfers of power are mentioned.
Adroit diplomacy, the leverage provided by long-standing goodwill, IOUs and personal relationships, and straightforward messaging of what the or-else option would involve  these were some of the levers India pulled to achieve a consensus on the historic Delhi Declaration of the G20, which was announced just a few hours after the leaders summit started on the morning of Saturday September 9, on Day 1 of the two-day meet. Prime Minister Narendra Modi holds hands with Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula Da Silva, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, US President Joe Biden and World Bank President Ajay Banga during the G20 Leaders' Summit, at Bharat Mandapam, Pragati Maidan, in New Delhi on Saturday. (ANI)

HT spoke to diplomats and officials from several G20 countries to understand how India achieved a diplomatic feat that many considered impossible in the context of Russia wanting to walk back the language of the Bali G20 declaration that spoke of its aggression in Ukraine, and China deciding to be obstructionist.

India told the West that flexibility over terminology on Russias aggression in Ukraine would help G20 arrive at a declaration. It also indicated that if the Indian presidency failed in the quest, not only did the summit risk being a failure, there was a bigger risk of Chinas efforts to carve out an alternative international power structure gaining traction.

The contrasting images of a failed G20 and an energised Brics was on offer. But if it was flexible, the West was told, not only would this danger be averted, on substantive issues that went beyond the terminology used to describe the war in Ukraine, the West and the Global South could nuance their positions about the implications of the war. The US, which has been invested in seeing the success of the Indian presidency, saw merit in the argument and displayed unexpected flexibility to support Delhi.

Also Read| G20 Summit: A pledge to build sustainable, inclusive cities of tomorrow

India also told Russia that it would accommodate Moscows concerns by ensuring that the declaration did not include language that explicitly spoke about its aggression in Ukraine, and adopt a more generic framing which spoke about the need for all States to refrain from the threat or use of force to acquire territory not just against the territorial integrity and sovereignty but also the political independence of any state. In return, it was incumbent on Moscow not just to agree to the text of the declaration but also convince its friend, Beijing, to play along. If it still did not agree, it was for Moscow to understand how it would perceived in India and the global South. Russian President Vladimir Putin understood what his old friend was offering, a chance at partial international redemption in return for flexibility, and took it.

India then worked with the past and future G20 presidencies, of Indonesia, Brazil and South Africa. Both the Brics Summit in Johannesburg and the ASEAN Summit in Jakarta offered opportunities for in-person engagement with these countries at the highest levels. Just as Delhi was invested in seeing the Bali summit succeed last year, Brasilia and Pretoria were invested in seeing the Delhi summit succeed. And Jakarta knew it owed Delhi a debt for its stellar role in carving out a consensus last year. In addition, the fact that the declaration would outline the adverse implications of the war in terms of the food, fuel and fertiliser crises in more detail than before appealed to countries which have suffered the consequences of turbulence in Europe. All these three capitals have ties with Moscow and Beijing and appear to have sent out their own messages about the importance of a declaration.

After the pieces fell in place, it was clear that Beijing had a choice. It could either decide to derail the summit to spite Delhi and risk getting isolated, not just from the western bloc with which it shares an uneasy and adversarial relationship in any case, but also from other countries not wedded to the western bloc, with which Beijing is keen to cultivate ties. Or China could join the party and show that it remained a responsible international stakeholder. To be fair, Beijing had supported other elements in the ministerial outcome statements. Traditionally reluctant to be seen as a spoiler, it came on board.

From Washington to Moscow, from Beijing to Johannesburg, from Jakarta  where Prime Minister Narendra Modis personal interventions during a quick visit just a day before the G20 summit played an influential, almost determining role, in the words of external affairs minister S Jaishankar  to New Delhi, informal internal, bilateral and trilateral conversations intensified. And over the past few days, as sherpas and ministers and then leaders congregated in the Indian capital, what was at stake and what paths who wanted to choose and the benefits and risks associated with it was becoming clear.

The deal wasnt done till it was done, but by Saturday morning, the mood of pessimism had turned into cautious optimism. At Bharat Mandapam, even before the opening session, Indian negotiators were walking around confidently, ribbing sceptics and asking them to have patience, even as others sought to lower expectations. It was clear something clearly had shifted.

And that shift is what broke the impasse over the 255 words that had, over the past 10 months, led every G20 ministerial to settle for a chairs summary or outcome statement rather than a joint communique.

Personal relationships between Modi and world leaders, his top officials and their counterparts, helped. Recognising what was the raw interest, and the particular vulnerability, of the top players, and how to press the right buttons right around it, helped. Knowing who to call to talk to whom to influence the outcome helped. The private incentives on offer, and the outlining the public costs of failure, helped. But eventually, the Delhi declaration was a testament to how states in the international system can be made to exercise rational choices based on a close reading of their power structures and international positioning. And as soon as the moment was ripe and an agreement was on the table, on Day 1 of the summit itself, India announced it had a declaration, before any player could develop what can be termed buyers remorse and change their mind.

For two consecutive years  two since Delhis role in enabling the Bali declaration was more central than many know  Indias leadership has shown that it has the ability to carve a consensus, based on a unique set of relationships it has with key actors, its astute understanding of what motivates them, and its ability to add value to any conversation by speaking the language of interest in private and common good in public. The size of the countrys population and economy, and its soft power, too helped.

The Delhi Declaration is the result of combining high ideals with realpolitik, leadership with shoe-leather diplomacy, and morality with pragmatism. And it is, at the end of the day, a victory, not just for India, but the world.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
External affairs minister S Jaishankar on Saturday dismissed any comparison between the Bali declaration and the New Delhi declaration of the G20 leaders and said the situation when the Bali Declaration was adopted was different. "In regards to the comparison with the Bali declaration, I can only say Bali was Bali and New Delhi is New Delhi. Bali was a year ago, the situation was different. Many things have happened since then," Jaishankar said at the press conference after the consensus was achieved over the joint statement of the G20 leaders. External affairs minister S Jaishankar at press briefing of G20 on Saturday.

Modis guarantee': Jaishankar recalls PM's assurance to ex-African Union chief on merger with G20

"In the geo-political segment of the leaders' declaration, there are in totality eight paragraphs and seven of which actually focus on the Ukraine issue and many of them highlight problems which are of great contemporary significance...One should not have a theological view of this," Jaishankar said.

New Delhi declaration responds to the situation and concerns as it is today just as the Bali declaration did in a situation which was there a year ago, the external affairs minister said.

Jaishankar said China was very supportive of various outcomes at the G20 summit. "Its for every country to decide at what level they will be represented. I dont think one should overly read meanings into it. What I think is important is what is the position that country has taken, and how much that country has contributed to the deliberations and the outcomes, and I would say that China was very supportive of the various outcomes," Jaishankar said.

In a milestone, India at its G20 presidency achieved consensus as all the leaders adopted the declaration after India changed its text on Ukraine. "Concerning the war in Ukraine, while recalling the discussion in Bali, we reiterated our national positions and resolutions adopted at the UN Security Council and the UN General Assembly (A/RES/ES-11/1 and A/RES/ES-11/6) and underscored that all states must act in a manner consistent with the Purposes and Principles of the UN Charter in its entirety. In line with the UN Charter, all states must refrain from the threat or use of force to seek territorial acquisition against the territorial integrity and sovereignty or political independence of any state. The use or threat of use of nuclear weapons is inadmissible," the declaration on Ukraine read.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered the inaugural address at the G20 Summit at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi on Saturday. Interestingly, the nameplate kept in front of the prime minister read 'Bharat' instead of India. The nameplate reads Bharat as Prime Minister Narendra Modi makes remarks at Session-1 on 'One Earth' during the G20 Summit at the Bharat Mandapam convention Centre on Saturday.(PTI)

This comes days after a huge controversy broke out over the shift to India from Bharat in the dinner invitation from President Droupadi Murmu to foreign leaders attending the G20 Summit this weekend.

On Friday, the United Nations said it will change India's name to Bharat in UN records when New Delhi completes all the formalities for the same, a spokesperson for the global body.

"When India completes the formalities to change the name, they will inform us and we will change the name at the UN (records)," United Nations Secretary General's chief spokesperson Stephane Dujarric told NDTV.

As the debate was triggered ahead of the upcoming special session of Parliament, the agenda of which is yet to be disclosed, it prompted unconfirmed reports that a change of name could be discussed and passed during the session. While the members of the ruling BJP suggested that the name Bharat should take primacy over India, opposition leaders termed it a distraction saying 'Bharat' is already mentioned in the constitution.

Modi asks ministers to avoid political row over 'Bharat'

Modi, however, told his ministerial colleagues on Wednesday to avoid the political row around the Bharat issue, noting that it has been the country's ancient name.

The preamble to the English version of the constitution starts with the words We, the people of India, and then in Part One of the document it states India, that is Bharat, shall be a Union of States.

In Hindi, the constitution replaces India with Bharat everywhere, except the part defining the countrys names, which says in Hindi, Bharat, that is India, shall be a Union of States.

Changing India's name to only Bharat would require an amendment to the constitution which would need to be passed by a two-thirds majority in both houses of parliament.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
A Canada-based research group, which specialises in tracking multilateral summits such as G7, G20 and Brics (Brazil-Russia-India-China-South Africa), has sent a battery of researchers to New Delhi to keep a track of commitments made by leaders of the G20 countries. The International Media Centre at Pragati Maidan during the G20 Summit in New Delhi on Saturday. (ANI Photo)

The group aims to bring out a report card next year on how the member countries deliver on a broad range of issues, including growth, climate, sustainable development, gender and financial inclusion, representatives of the group said on the opening day of the summit.

The G20 Research Group (along with the G7 and Brics research groups) functions under the Global Governance Programme at the University of Toronto and has been keeping a record of commitments made by leaders of the grouping and their fulfilment since 2008.

According to data gathered by the group, only 54% of the more than 3,000 commitments collectively made by G20 members during the last 15 years have been fulfilled.

My job is to build tools powered by artificial intelligence to predict how well the G20 members are likely to follow through on their commitments, said the groups senior researcher Jessica Rapson, who holds a masters degree in statistical science and machine learning from Oxford University. Predictive AI opens new avenues to scale up the G20s effectiveness to drive progress on critical global issues, she said.

Indias G20 presidency focusses on the theme of One Earth, One Family and One Future to address shared challenges. The key focus areas include ensuring growth, addressing the climate crisis, reversing the setbacks on sustainable development goals, pushing digital public infrastructure, reforming multilateral institutions and promoting women-led development.

Also Read:G20 Summit: Modi calls for showing new direction to world, ending trust deficit

In an article on Strengthening the G20 System, as part of a 172-page special publication by the G20 Research Group on the New Delhi summit, Rapson writes that by integrating predictive AI into the G20 operations, the members can identify high-risk commitments, make more informed decisions and allocate resources strategically to those areas where compliance needs to increase the most.

She is among the research groups 15 specialists attending the two-day summit.

Predictive AI models can analyse the characteristics of commitments and detect patterns associated with low compliance. For instance, commitments that mention specific dates or monetary values have been shown to be less likely to be met. By recognising such characteristics early, G20 can prioritise these commitments for targeted support and diplomatic efforts, she writes.

Born in the wake of the 2008 global financial crisis, the mandate of the G20 leaders summit has expanded from coordinating macroeconomic policy and ensuring growth to a wide domain.

Earlier this month, the research group published the final compliance report on the G20 summit held in Bali, Indonesia last year. According to the report, the European Union had the highest compliance rate, with their leaders priority commitments at 97%, followed by Australia and Germany (93%), and Canada, Korea and the United Kingdom at 90%. India and Argentina met 87% of the key commitments made by their leaders in Bali in 2022.

In an article on Transcending Divisions to Reach Critical Consensus in the publication, the research groups director John Kirton, who is also in India, writes that the New Delhi summit is the most important one ever held by G20 leaders with the world facing an unprecedented combination of interconnected crises.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Telugu Desam Party (TDP) president and former Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu was arrested in a multi-crore AP State Skill Development Corporation (APSSDC) scam in the early hours of Saturday. Several TDP leaders have also been placed under house arrest following the arrest of Chandrababu Naidu. Senior TDP leaders requested Sridhar Reddy to join the ongoing padayatra led by TDP president N Chandrababu Naidus son and general secretary Nara Lokesh in Nellore distric (PTI)

A large contingent of the police led by Nandyal range DIG Raghurami Reddy and the Crime Investigation Department (CID) arrived at RK Function Hall while Naidu was resting in his caravan. TDP supporters gathered in large numbers and resisted the police, with even SPG forces guarding the former CM initially preventing access to Naidu.

Eventually, at around 6 am, the police managed to arrest the TDP chief, and he is now being transported to Vijayawada. Naidu was arrested on non-bailable charges under Sections 120(8), 166, 167, 418, 420, 465, 468, 471, 409, 201, 109 r/w 34 & 37 IPC and other sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.

The arrest comes days after the TDP supremo predicted his fate during an interaction with the public at Rayadurgam in Anantapur district today and alleged that he could even be attacked.

"Today or tomorrow they could arrest me. They may even attack me. Not one, they will do many atrocities," Naidu said on Wednesday pointing out to the YSRCP government.

What is AP State Skill Development Corporation scam?

In March, the Crime Investigation Department of the Andhra Pradesh police initiated a probe into an alleged scam worth 3,300 crore in the APSSDC during the previous Telugu Desam Party regime. The investigation follows notices issued to Arja Srikanth, a former Indian Railway Traffic Service (IRTS) officer who was the CEO of APSSDC in 2016, based on statements from an accused turned approver and depositions by three IAS officers.

In 2016, during the tenure of the TDP government, the APSSDC was established with the aim of empowering unemployed youth by providing skill training to enhance their employability.

The preliminary investigation by the CID revealed:

The TDP government entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for a project valued at  3,300 crore.

3,300 crore. This MoU involved a consortium with Siemens Industry Software India Ltd and Design Tech Systems Pvt Ltd.

Siemens Industry Software India was tasked with establishing six centres of excellence for skill development.

The state government was supposed to contribute around 10% of the total project cost, while Siemens and Design Tech would provide the remaining funds as grant-in-aid.

The investigation uncovered several irregularities:

Lack of tender process: The project was initiated without following the standard tendering process. Bypassing Cabinet approval: The state cabinet did not provide approval for this project. Misappropriation of funds: Siemens Industry Software India allegedly failed to invest any of its own resources in the project and instead diverted a substantial portion of the  371 crore allocated by the state to various shell companies. Shell companies: The funds intended for the project were funnelled into shell companies, including Allied Computers, Skillers India Pvt Ltd, Knowledge Podium, Cadence Partners, and ETA Greens.

Siemens Global Corporate Office initiated an internal inquiry into the project and discovered that the project manager had misappropriated the government-allocated funds to shell companies as hawala transactions. Consequently, the project manager was dismissed.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
N Chandrababu Naidu, Telugu Desam Party president and former chief minister of Andhra Pradesh, was arrested by the Nandyal Police in the early hours of Saturday, a party spokesperson said. Criminal Investigation Department (CID) serves an arrest warrant to TDP chief and former Andhra Pradesh CM N Chandrababu Naidu.

A large contingent of the police led by Nandyal range DIG Raghurami Reddy and the Crime Investigation Department (CID) swooped on the camp of Naidu at RK Function Hall in the town around 3am to take him into custody. He was taking a rest in his caravan at that time.

However, the police faced stiff resistance from the TDP cadres who gathered there in large numbers. Even the SPG forces guarding Naidu did not allow the cops, saying they could not allow anybody to reach Naidu till 5.30am as per the rules.

Finally, around 6am, the police knocked on the doors of Naidu's vehicle, brought him down and arrested him.

The DIG told him that he was being arrested in the AP Skill Development Corporation scam, in which he is accused No. 1. A notice to that effect was handed over to him.

After initial resistance, Naidu was taken into the vehicle. He is being shifted to Vijayawada.

As per the notice issued under Section 50 (1) (2) of Criminal Procedure Code, the cops informed Naidu that he was being arrested under Sections 120(8), 166, 167, 418, 420, 465, 468, 471, 409, 201, 109 rw 34 & 37 IPC and other sections of Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.

Stating that it is a non-bailable offence, the notice said he cannot be released on bail. "You may seek bail through court only," the notice served by CID deputy superintendent of police M Dhanunjayudu, said.

Further details are awaited.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
The Congress on Saturday alleged that the government did not allow access to the United States press officials who have travelled to India along with President Joe Biden for the G-20 Summit. Bringing the press freedom issue along with it, the Congress said India's ranking in the World Press Freedom Index was falling year after year. Prime Minister Narendra Modi with US President Joe Biden, in New Delhi. (PTI)

The journalists travelling with Biden on the Air Force One flight to India were told by National Security Advisor (NSA) Jake Sullivan and White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre that the press access issue was seriously taken up by the US with their Indian counterparts but added that it was best to follow the protocols of the host country, according to reports.

Taking to X, formerly Twitter, Congress said, Journalists have come from America with President Joe Biden. These journalists wanted to question PM Modi and Joe Biden. The American government was ready for questions, but the Modi government did not allow journalists to ask questions.

Biden met PM Modi at the latter's residence on Friday. Reuters reported that the US press officials, who travelled with US President were kept in a van, being out of the eyesight of the two leaders. Reuters stated that this was an unusual situation for the US reporters and photographers who usually follow Biden across the world to record his appearances.

Congress further said, India is at number 161 in the World Press Freedom Index, out of 180 countries. This ranking is falling year after year.

Sullivan told the press, as per a transcript released by the White House, Biden has had bilateral meetings without the press being present. He added that this wasn't a typical bilateral visit to India and the discussions were held at PM Modi's home instead of the Prime Minister's Office.

Reuters foreign policy reporter Humeyra Pamuk tweeted that Pierre told US reporters, Look, guys, we are doing everything that we can to make sure that there is access.

Sullivan said, This is the host of the G-20 hosting a significant number of leaders, doing so in his home, and he has set out the protocols hes set out.

Explaining the press, Sullivan explained that this was a circumstance-based issue and nothing larger.

Pierre said that several US officials  Sullivan, White House Communications Director Ben LaBolt, Kurt Campbell and John Finer from the US National Security Council, and members of the US sherpa team  contacted India. She added that this wasn't unusual in summits.

Sullivan and Pierre referred to the June 22 press conference, which was held when Modi visited the United States on an official State visit. Sullivan called it the unusual circumstance of a press conference in which Prime Minister Modi took questions.

(With inputs from agencies)

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
NEW DELHI: The G20 member states have adopted a consensus leaders declaration for their summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced on Saturday after prolonged negotiations on the outcome document that had been held up over a reference to the Ukraine crisis. India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi (C) speaks during the first session of the G20 Leaders' Summit at the Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi on September 9, 2023. (Photo by Ludovic MARIN / POOL / AFP) (AFP)

Friends, we have just got good news. With the hard work of our teams, and with the cooperation of you all, there is consensus on the New Delhi G20 Summit Leaders Declaration, Modi said in a brief televised statement during the second session of the summit, speaking in Hindi.

After proposing that the leaders declaration be adopted, Modi said: I announce that this declaration is adopted. He then banged the gavel thrice and thumped the desk as other G20 leaders clapped loudly.

On this occasion, I convey my heartfelt thanks to ministers, sherpas and all officials who worked hard to make this possible and they are worthy of being praised, Modi added.

No details were immediately available on how the G20 states reached consensus on the leaders declaration, especially the contentious paragraph referring to Russias invasion of Ukraine. The issue had held up joint statements at all ministerial meetings hosted by India during its presidency.

In a post on X, formerly Twitter, finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman said: @PMOIndia @narendramodis emphasis on human-centric globalisation and our concerns of #GlobalSouth have found resonance and recognition. Thanking all G20 members for their cooperation and support.

The development came hours after the Indian side circulated among the G20 states new text to refer to the Ukraine crisis in the draft leaders declaration in an effort to break the impasse on the issue.

A draft of the declaration prepared on Friday, that most G20 states had agreed on, had left the paragraph on the geopolitical situation or the Ukraine crisis blank, people from a G20 member state and a G7 member state said.

The negotiators from G20 states hammered out an agreement on 75 other paragraphs in the draft, including issues such as financing for climate transition, reform of multilateral development banks and regulation of cryptocurrency.

The Indian side circulated the draft paragraph on the Ukraine issue among the other G20 members this [Saturday] morning. It is now being considered by the other states. Some countries have no problem with the wording, a person from a G7 state had said earlier on condition of anonymity.

The sherpas, or personal representatives of G20 leaders, were unable to reach an agreement on the paragraph on Ukraine despite several sessions on Thursday and Friday. These sessions were held after the conclusion of the fourth and final sherpas meeting at Manesar on September 6.

The people described all the discussions on the Ukraine crisis as tough and noted that it had remained the main issue holding up consensus for days.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
In a huge win for India's G20 presidency, the New Delhi Leaders' Summit Declaration was adopted on Saturday after consensus was reached among the member states. "Have just got the good news that due to the hard work of our teams and your cooperation, a consensus has been reached on the New Delhi G20 Leaders Summit Declaration," Modi said while addressing the second session of the Summit at the Bharat Mandapam. PM Modi thanked the ministers who worked for towards building the consensus which was reached at G20 in Delhi.

India proposes new text on Ukraine crisis to break impasse on G20 communique

"It is my proposal that this G20 declaration be adopted," the prime minister said. After the approval of the members, Modi declared that it has been adopted. "On this occasion, I would like to thank our ministers, sherpas, and all officials who made this possible with their hard work," PM Modi said.

Indias G20 Presidency has been the most ambitious in the history of G-20. With 112 outcomes and presidency documents, we have more than doubled the substantive work from previous presidencies," PM Modi said. Consensus among the members has been difficult to achieve as the member countries are divided over Russia's war in Ukraine.

Indias G20 Presidency has been the most ambitious in the history of G-20. 73 outcomes (lines of effort) and 39 annexed documents (presidency documents, not including Working Group outcome documents).

G20 Delhi Declaration: New text on Ukraine

At the G20 sherpa meeting that took place in Haryana from September 3 to 6, the negotiators did not reach any consensus on the text to describe the Ukraine issue. Had there been no consensus, the summit might have ended without a joint declaration.

To avoid such a conclusion, India circulated a new paragraph on the Ukraine conflict which was accepted by the group leaders.

The Indian side circulated the draft paragraph on the Ukraine issue among the other G20 members this [Saturday] morning. It is now being considered by the other states. Some countries have no problem with the wording, a person from a G7 state said on condition of anonymity.

Two people from a G20 state also said the draft paragraph on Ukraine had been circulated among the other member states for discussions in an effort to break the logjam on the issue.

The people described the discussions as tough and noted that the Ukraine crisis remained the main issue holding up consensus on the draft leaders declaration. The Indian side has pushed for the draft paragraph to be accepted by all states in order to ensure a successful conclusion to the summit, but the people acknowledged that the discussions are likely to be extended.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Former chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu was arrested in Nandyala after much drama in the early hours of Saturday in connection with the alleged 3,300 crore Andhra Pradesh Skill Development Corporation (APSSDC) scam during the previous Telugu Desam Party (TDP) rule. Chandrababu Naidu after his arrest in a corruption case. (PTI)

A police contingent arrived around 3am to take Naidu into custody while the former chief minister was sleeping but could not arrest him as TDP cadres workers gathered in large numbers and put up a stiff resistance. Naidus security detail also intervened saying they could not allow police to arrest him until 5.30am as per the rules. Naidu was eventually arrested around 6am.

Deputy inspector general (Nandyal Range) Raghurami Reddy, who led the police contingent, told Naidu he was being arrested in connection with the alleged scam, in which he is accused number one.

Andhra Pradesh Polices Crime Investigation Department (CID) deputy superintendent M Dhanunjayudu handed over to Naidu a notice before the former chief minister was taken to Vijayawada, over 300 km away.

The notice said Naidu was being arrested under Indian Penal Code Sections including 120(8) (criminal conspiracy) and the Prevention of Corruption Act. The notice said since Naidu has been arrested under a non-bailable offence, he has to seek bail through court.

Naidus arrest comes months before Andhra Pradesh is due to go to the polls. He lost power to his arch-rival YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, who swept back to the government in 2019 winning 151 seats in the 175-member assembly.

The CID in March began the probe into the alleged scam related to APSSDC, which was formed in 2016 to provide unemployed youth training to make them employable. The previous TDP government signed a memorandum of understanding with a consortium involving Siemens Industry Software India Ltd and Design Tech Systems Pvt Ltd for executing the project worth 3,300 crore.

Siemens Industry Software India was to set up six centres of excellence for skill development with the state paying around 10% of the total cost. The rest of the cost was to be borne by Siemens and Design Tech as grant-in-aid. No tender was allegedly invited for the project, which was executed without approval from the state Cabinet.

A statement from chief minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddys office in March cited the probe into the case and said it revealed that Siemens Industry did not spend a single rupee on this project, but siphoned off a major portion of 371 crore contributed by the state. The money was allegedly diverted to shell companies, the statement said citing the CID investigation.

It cited Siemens Global Corporate Offices internal investigation and said the project manager siphoned off the money released to shell companies and he was fired over it.

In 2018, the ACB [anti-corruption bureau] received complaints from a whistle-blower on these allegations. However, the people in power blocked any investigation from taking place and started removing key documentary evidence from the state secretariat, the statement said.

The probe into the alleged scam was initiated after YS Jagan Mohan Reddy was voted to power the following year.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
A few months after coming to power in 2014, the Andhra Pradesh government led by Telugu Desam Party president N Chandrababu Naidu proposed to establish AP State Skill Development Corporation (APSSDC), under public-private partnership mode, with an objective of developing employability skills to students studying non-professional courses and promoting the quality of entrepreneurship in them. Former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu being taken to Vijaywada after his arrest from Nandyal in the Skill Development Corporation scam, in Nandyal district on Saturday. (PTI)

Also Read| List of cases against TDP leader, former ministers in Andhra

The corporation was to serve as an executive agency for the department of skill development, entrepreneurship and innovation in the Andhra Pradesh government.

As part of public-private sector model, the Naidu government signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Siemens India in January 2015 to set up six skill development centres across the state in collaboration with Design Tech Systems Pvt Ltd.

The total project cost was 3,356 crore, out of which the state government would provide 10% only as a grant-in-aid while the rest would be invested by Siemens.

Also Read| Former Andhra CM Naidu arrested in graft case, TDP cadre stages protest

According to the Crime Investigation Department (CID) authorities, the Naidu government had established the corporation through an executive order without the approval from the cabinet.

The CID said the Naidu government issued a government order (GO No. 4 dated June 30, 2015) releasing 371 crore to Siemens and DesignTech for setting up of six centres of excellence, without any due verification of the credentials of the companies, their financial worth, the actual market prices of the products offered by them.

No tender called for the project, and this was done without the approval from the state cabinet. The funds were released even before identifying the places where the Skill development centres had to be set up. No performance guarantee or bank guarantee was sought from Siemens and DesignTech, before releasing the amount, the police had claimed.

In fact, senior IAS officials in the Naidu government, including then chief secretary IYR Krishna Rao, PV Ramesh and K Sunitha, wrote in the note-files raising objections to the release of funds in advance to DesignTech. They also indicated that the funds were being released as per the instructions of the then chief minister.

The CID said two of these senior IAS officers also deposed to this effect under Section 164 Criminal Procedure Code before a magistrate during the investigation later.

The CID said the investigation revealed that Siemens Industry Software India and Design Tech had not spent a single rupee from their own resources on this project, but in fact, siphoned off major portion of 371 crore contributed by the state government.

Investigations revealed that the money was diverted to shell companies like Allied Computers, Skillers India Pvt Ltd, Knowledge Podium, Cadence Partners and ETA Greens.

In June 2018, the ACB had received complaints from a whistle blower on these allegations. However, the people in power blocked any investigation from taking place and started removing key documentary evidences from the state secretariat, the CID charged.

In 2018, the central agencies like Enforcement Directorate, GST intelligence wing and IT Department also initiated a probe into the case acting on a complaint from a whistle blower.

In fact, Siemens Global Corporate Office had conducted an internal investigation into the project and found that the then MD of Siemens India Suman Bose had acted on his own without authorization from the global headquarters or its legal team. He was fired later.

Investigations revealed that Suman Bose and Vikas Khanvilkar, MD of DesignTech, used a network of shell companies to issue fake invoices, without the actual delivery of the goods and services and siphoned off the funds to the extent of 241 crores. The Siemens received only  58.8 crore out of the 371 crores paid to Designtech by APSSDC.

While the CID is continuing its investigation to trace the end-beneficiaries of the misappropriated monies, the Enforcement Directorate, too, launched an investigation on the aspect of money laundering involved in the issue.

The ED authorities arrested Suman Bose, Vikas Khanvelkar and two others in a money laundering case for diversion and misutilization of funds. The ED provisionally attached properties amounting to 31.20 crore belonging to DesignTech Systems.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
NEW DELHI: The African Union became a permanent member of the G20 on Saturday at a summit of leaders of the worlds largest economies in New Delhi, marking the first expansion of the bloc since it was created in 1999 to cope with a series of financial crises. PM Modi greeted African Union President Comoros Azali Assoumani with a hug before the G20 leaders began their deliberations (Twitter/@g20org)

The African Union will have the same status as the 27-member European Union (EU), the only regional bloc with full membership of the G20. The move was in line with the Indian G20 presidencys efforts to put the concerns and interests of the Global South at the centre of its agenda for the summit.

In a brief televised inaugural session, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the move to make the 55-member African bloc the new member of the G20. In keeping with the sentiment of sabka saath (with everyone), India proposed that the African Union should be given permanent membership of the G20. I believe we all are in agreement on this proposal, Modi said, speaking in Hindi.

After saying with your agreement, Modi banged a gavel thrice to mark the entry of the African Union into the grouping. Before we start our work, I invite the African Union president to take his position as a permanent member, he said.

External affairs minister S Jaishankar escorted the current chairperson of the African Union, Comoros President Azali Assoumani, to a seat at the table for permanent members of the G20. Modi greeted Assoumani with a hug before the G20 leaders began their deliberations behind closed doors.

Addressing the opening session of the summit, Modi called for the G20 to work together to find solutions to pressing challenges such as a turbulent global economy, the North-South divide, management of food, fuel and fertilisers and ensuring health, energy, and water security. Indias G-20 presidency has become a symbol of inclusion, both within the country and beyond, representing the spirit of Sabka Saath (with everyone), he said.

Africa was also in spotlight as the delegates gathered in New Delhi because of an earthquake in Morocco. Modi offered condolences and support for the victims. The entire world community is with Morocco in this difficult time and we are ready to provide them all possible assistance, he said.

The inclusion of the African Union will also add to the clout of the G20, which already accounts for about 85% of global GDP, more than 75% of global trade and about two-thirds of the world population.

In June, Modi wrote to his counterparts among G20 members that the African Union should be given full membership of the grouping. The proposal was also backed by key members of the European Union (EU), China and Russia, albeit for different reasons.

Besides the EU, members of the G7 such as Japan backed the move to give African countries, which are part of the Global South, a greater say in the global governance architecture. China was reluctant to be seen as going against the move in view of its large investments in Africa through the Belt and Road Initiative, while Russia has been keen to woo more African states to its side to counter its isolation by the West over the Ukraine conflict.

India is elated to welcome @_AfricanUnion as a permanent member of the G20. Together, let us foster global unity and progress. Let us also do whatever we can for the development of the Global South, Modi posted on X.

In response to a message in French posted on X by Assoumani, Modi said India believes in a collaborative future and this step further solidifies our collective commitment to global progress. Modi also responded to a congratulatory message from South African President Cyril Ramaphosa by saying: With the @_AfricanUnion strengthening the G20 family, we will cement partnerships that prioritise all-round development, leading to a better planet.

Ramaphosa said the global reconstruction in the wake of Covid-19 presents an opportunity to accelerate the transition to low-carbon, climate resilient, sustainable societies at a time when developing economies are bearing the brunt of climate change.

Diplomats of G20 member states have said the African Unions inclusion would not lead to a change in the name of the grouping.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
A woman walking along Hoyt Lake at Delaware Park on Tuesday was grabbed by a stranger and pulled to the ground in an attempted sexual assault that ended after her screams helped scare off the attacker.

Buffalo police publicized the incident Saturday and said they are seeking the publics help in identifying the perpetrator, who remains at large.

The suspect rode on a bicycle up to the woman just after 8 p.m. as she was walking on a path along Hoyt Lake near the statue of David, according to police.

He asked her what time it was, and the woman responded, Buffalo Police Commissioner Joseph Gramaglia said at a news conference outside Buffalo Police headquarters Saturday afternoon. The suspect then continued riding until the corkscrew pedestrian bridge, where he stopped and sat on a bench, Gramaglia said.

When she walked by, the man got up and attacked the woman, he said.

The woman, who was not injured, told police the man was riding a black and silver mountain bike.

She also reported to investigators that he grabbed her by the back of her neck, pulled her off the path, pushed her down and tried to assault her.

The suspect made some comments during the assault, but Gramaglia would not elaborate on what those were.

The woman screamed for help, while fighting and kicking. Another man walked over in response to her yelling and came to her aid, police said.

This prompted the suspect to ride off westbound on his bike.

I will say this about the woman involved: She did exactly what we wanted her to do. She made a lot of noise, she yelled, she fought, she kicked, Gramaglia said. And there are a lot of people that use the parks system, Delaware Park, Hoyt Lake. And thankfully for that, this individual also ran up and was able to help her out very quickly.

Gramaglia said police have yet to speak with the good Samaritan and are asking him to go to a police station or call the police tip line to assist with the investigation.

Police patrols, including foot patrols, have been increased in the area. Anyone who sees anything suspicious in the area is urged to call 911.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call or text the confidential tip line at 716-847-2255.
The Bharat country tag at Prime Minister Narendra Modis table as he made his opening remarks at the G20 Summit on Saturday grabbed much attention days after President Droupadi Murmu sent an invite for a dinner as part of the event in the name of the President of Bharat. A screen displays Prime Minister Narendra Modi as he sits behind the country tag reading Bharat. (REUTERS)

The reference to Bharat in the invite triggered speculation that the government planned to change the countrys official name particularly since it has called a special session of Parliament later this month without specifying its agenda.

Government functionaries linked Murmus priority to Bharat to coming out of the colonial mindset. References to Bharat were made including in documents relating to Modis recent visits abroad including Indonesia this week.

The Opposition linked the references to Bharat to the ruling Bharatiya Janata Partys nervousness about the formation of the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) ahead of the 2024 national polls.

In his opening remarks, Modi called on converting the global trust deficit post-Covid pandemic into trust and confidence while underlining the significance of the current period of the 21st century and the need for showing a new direction to the world. Modi said the world faced a new challenge of trust deficit following the Covid pandemic and unfortunately, it has been further deepened. But we must remember that if we can defeat a pandemic like Covid, we can also overcome the challenge of this trust deficit.

Modi said he was honoured to welcome the African Union as a permanent member of G20. This will strengthen the G20 and also strengthen the voice of the Global South.

India assumed G20s presidency in December and has since held a series of meetings related to 32 sectors. The events will culminate with the meeting of heads of the governments and states of the worlds 20 largest economies in New Delhi over the weekend.

Modi underlined the importance for G20 of moving forward by fulfilling all their responsibilities with a human-centric approach. This is the time when the age-old challenges are demanding new solutions from us. This is the time for all of us to walk together, he said. Therefore, the mantra of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas can become a guiding light for us all.

In an interview with moneycontrol.com ahead of the Summit, Modi said his governments Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas approach has yielded great dividends domestically and that it was the guiding principle in global relations as well.

Modi fleshed out the approach. Sabka Saath  bringing the world together to face collective challenges that affect all of us. Sabka Vikas  taking human-centric growth to every country and every region. Sabka Vishwas  winning the trust of every stakeholder through recognition of their aspirations and representation of their voices. Sabka Prayas  utilising every countrys unique strength and skill in furthering the global good.
Amid the G20 Summit, the National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA) on Saturday hosted a lavish luncheon and a splendid exhibition for the members of the family of heads of State. The culinary treat during their lunch break boasted a diverse array of cuisines, offering options such as 'Tadka dal' and 'chaat, straight from the bustling streets of Delhi. G20 Summit: Wife of UK PM Rishi Sunak, Akshata Murthy, (second from left) and other family members of the world leaders spotted at Delhi's Pusa campus on Saturday.

Alongside these delights, they can also savor a range of cuisines that includes 'Pumpkin and Coconut Shorba,' 'Naga Black Rice Bhel,' 'Beetroot and Peanut Butter Tikki,' and 'Bengal Mustard,' among other delicacies. Further, it includes treats like Anar Kulfi Sorbet, Slow Roast Pumpkin with Coconut Curry, Appalam, Wild Nettle Raita, Herb Jowar Roti, Coconut and Curry Leaf Pulao, and a Haji Ali inspired dessert, the Custard Apple Cream. (G20 LIVE updates)

The exhibitions at the beautified NGMA, located on Sher Shah Road in central Delhi was organised for the family members while the world leaders deliberated on key agendas during the summit.

Earlier, they were also invited to take a curated tour of the 1,200-acre Pusa-IARI campus in New Delhi, the cradle of the green revolution in India. UK PM Rishi Sunak's wife Akshata Murthy was also spotted at the event.

The day 1 of the two day summit began its inaugural session One Earth with adding African Union as the new permanent member of the grouping of the largest economies of the world. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during the inaugural remarks at the Summit, asked the President of the Union of Comoros and Chairperson of the African Union (AU), Azali Assoumani, to join other leaders at the high table.

AU is a 55-member bloc and has become the second multi-nation grouping after the European Union to be a permanent member of the G20.

The member nations also adopted a consensus leaders declaration for their summit, Modi announced. Friends, we have just got good news. With the hard work of our teams, and with the cooperation of you all, there is consensus on the New Delhi G20 Summit Leaders Declaration, Modi said during a televised statement during the second session of the summit.

The development came hours after the Indian side circulated among the G20 states new text to refer to the Ukraine crisis in the draft leaders declaration amid increasing tensions and divergent views over the conflict.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
From Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's wife Yuko Kishida to IMF chief Kristalina Georgieva, several top foreign dignitaries donned traditional Indian ensembles at the G-20 Dinner hosted by President Droupadi Murmu on Saturday night. PM Modi, Japan PM Fumio Kishida, President Droupadi Murmu, Japan's First lady Yuko Kishida.

For the special occasion, all guests were dressed to the nines. Many opted to embrace Indian fashion in special ways.

IMF Chief Georgieva arrived at Bharat Mandapam in Delhi for the G-20 Dinner in a purple ethnic suit that she paired with a golden dupatta.

She looked exquisite in Indian wear. (G20 LIVE updates)

Japanese PM Fumio Kishida's wife Yuko Kishida wore a beautiful green saree. She complemented her outfit with a pink blouse.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa's wife Tshepo Motsepe donned an Indo-western outfit. She tied her hair in a bun and accessorised it with a gajra.

Prime Minister of Mauritius Pravind Kumar came for the dinner in a black bandhgala suit. His wife Kobita Jugnauth looked gorgeous in a saree.

Sheikh Hasina, Prime Minister of Bangladesh, exuded ethnic charm in a saree teamed with a pearl necklace.

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's wife Akshata Murty added a traditional touch to her modern outfit.

Before the start of the dinner, President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi warmly welcomed world leaders at a dias, set against a backdrop depicting the ruins of the Nalanda University in Bihar and India's G20 presidency theme -- 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam - One Earth, One Family, One Future'.

PM Modi wore a white kurta and churidar. He elevated his look with a blue V-neck striped jacket. President Murmu donned a traditional beige saree with a contrasting turquoise border.

Prior to the dinner, PM Modi met world leaders at the inaugural session of the two-day G20 Summit.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, US President Joe Biden, Britain's Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and other world leaders gathered at sprawling Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi's Pragati Maidan for the 18th G20 Summit which began on Saturday, September 9. A glimpse of Bharat Mandapam in Pragati Maidan ahead of the G20 Summit in New Delhi.(ANI/PIB)

With the national capital spruced up and partly emptied of people for the mega world event, the host, India, scrambled for last-minute agreement on vexed issues including the Ukraine war, climate and global governance.

United Nations secretary-general Antonio Guterres has already warned leaders that their differences risked stoking conflict and damaging public trust.

Even before it began, the importance of the G20 Summit was undermined when Chinese President Xi Jinping decided to skip the summit and sent his Premier Li Qiang instead.

While there was no official reason given for Xi's absence, New Delhi and Beijing have been at loggerheads over a border dispute.

Also Read: Stage set for 2 days of tough parleys at G20 summit

Modi, however, expressed confidence that the conclave will chart a new path in human-centric and inclusive development. Refusing to be drawn into the specifics of contentious issues such as the Russia-Ukraine war and climate-related topics, India's top G20 officials told a news conference on the eve of the two-day summit that the Declaration was "almost ready" and they were hopeful of clinching a joint communique by consensus.

Here's the full schedule of G20 Summit 2023:

Day 1 (September 9)

9:30am to 10:30am: Arrival of leaders and heads of delegations at the summit venue, Bharat Mandapam, followed by a welcome photograph with the Prime Minister at Tree of Life Foyer. Subsequently, leaders and heads of delegation assemble in Leaders' Lounge, Level 2 at Bharat Mandapam.

10:30am to 1:30pm: The first session, called 'One Earth,' will take place at the Summit Hall at Bharat Mandapam, followed by a working lunch.

Also Read: India disappointed that Russia and China arent at G20: US top official

13:30am to 3:30pm: Various bilateral meetings will be held.

3:30pm to 4:45pm: The second session, 'One Family,' will take place in the summit venue after which the leaders return to their hotels.

7pm to 8pm: Arrival of leaders and heads of delegation for dinner, beginning with a welcome photograph on arrival.

8pm to 9pm: During dinner, the leaders will engage in talks over their meal.

9pm to 9:45pm: Leaders and heads of delegation will assemble in the Leaders' Lounge at Bharat Mandapam to bring the day to a close.

Day 2 (September 10)

8:15am to 9am: Arrival of leaders and heads of delegations in their individual motorcades at Rajghat and a signing of the peace wall inside the Leaders' Lounge at Rajghat.

9am to 9:20am: World leaders to lay wreaths at Mahatma Gandhi's Samadhi followed by a live performance of Mahatma Gandhi's favourite devotional songs. Subsequently, leaders and heads of delegations will move to the Bharat Mandapam's Leaders' Lounge.

9:40am to 10:15am: Arrival of leaders and heads of delegation at Bharat Mandapam.

10:15am -10:30am: Tree planting ceremony at Bharat Mandapam's South Plaza.

10:30am to 12:30pm: The third session of the summit, called 'One Future', will take place at the venue followed by the adoption of the New Delhi Leaders' Declaration.

G20 Summit: Who is attending and who is not

Confirmed G20 attendees

Joe Biden

Rishi Sunak

Fumio Kishida

Justin Trudeau

Emmanuel Macron

Anthony Albanese

Olaf Scholz

Yoon Suk Yeol

Cyril Ramaphosa

Recep Tayyip Erdogan

Who will be absent

Xi Jinping

Vladimir Putin

Pedro Sanchez

Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Both sessions  One Earth and One Family  of the much-awaited G20 Leaders' Summit on the first day concluded with achieving the significant joint declaration after full consensus by the member states. The 37-page declaration has also mentioned the War in Ukraine and added Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Todays era must not be of war' remark on conflicts. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, U.S. President Joe Biden, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and President of Argentina, Alberto Fernandez(REUTERS)

Moreover, after much anticipation, the Group of Twenty (G20) nations have officially made the African Union a permanent member of the intergovernmental forum. The grouping had 19 countries along with the European Union (EU), and the joining of the 55-member African bloc adds another member to the forum.

Here are key takeaways from day 1 of G20 Leaders' Summit:

Leaders' Declaration

Speculations were rife about the failure in achieving a joint declaration after Russia warned of blocking any declaration that doesn't reflect Moscow's views along with EU's continued criticism of Russia which also made its way to this summit. However with a climbdown on its language from last year's summit in Bali, this year's declaration featured PM Modi's comment on conflict resolution, indicating that the G7 nations and EU have appreciated India's stance amid Russia-Ukraine crisis.

Revisiting the roots of the G20 congregation, the declaration noted that the forum is not a platform to settle security and geopolitical issues, however, it agreed that these issues can lead to crucial consequences for the global economy.

With respect to war in Ukraine, the declaration called for upholding of international law by all states, including sovereignty and territorial integrity.

2. India's rail, waterway link to Middle-East and Europe

The formal announcement of the ambitious India-Middle East-Europe Corridor on the sidelines of the G20 Summit has paved way for the first-of-its-kind drive to strengthen trade ties between India and other countries in the sub-continent like Nepal and Bangladesh and Middle-Eastern and European nations, including UAE, Saudi Arabia, Italy, Germany and France.

This initiative will play a pivotal role in counterbalancing China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). It would establish railways, ports, electricity, hydrogen pipelines and data network between participating nations.

"This is a real big deal," said US President Joe Biden, locking arms with Modi and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in a triple handshake.

3. Welcoming new member to the bloc

Meeting India's commitment, the G20 began its 2023 Summit by welcoming the African Union to its league. A congregation of resource-rich nations, the AU's membership will ensure its contribution towards checking the climate change. It has 60% of the world's renewable energy and over 30% of the minerals that are used to develop renewable technologies with low-carbon emissions.

The African bloc at full strength has 55 members, however, six junta-ruled nations are currently suspended. It has a collective GDP of $3 trillion with some 1.4 billion people.

4. Push for climate financing

One of the key challenges faced by the G20 is to establish a concrete financing structure to combat climate change. The Green Development Pact will be a step towards tackling with this challenge. This declaration calls upon the developed nations to double their funding for the cause from $100 billion a year by 2025.

The India-led global biofuels alliance has also been announced in a bid to form a group international organisations, governments and industries to ensure the adoption of biofuels.

India has also announced a G20 Satellite Mission for Environment and Climate Observation with an aim to provide data on climate and weather for all nations, especially for the Global South.

"The climate and weather data obtained from this will be shared with all the countries, especially the countries of the Global South. India invites all G20 countries to join this initiative," PM Modi said during a session.
G20 Summit highlights: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday announced that the G20 leaders had reached consensus on the Summit Declaration and expressed gratitude to members of the bloc for their support and cooperation. G20 Summit LIVE: PM Modi, President Murmu at Delhi's Bharat Mandapam.

While addressing the inaugural session of the summit, Modi called on converting the global trust deficit post-Covid pandemic into trust and confidence. The 18th G20 Summit is being organised at Bharat Mandapam Convention Centre in New Delhi.

In his opening remarks at the G20 summit where a name badge at his table read Bharat, he announced to include the African Union as the permanent member of the G20 organisation. Earlier in the day, he welcomed the world leaders for the mega conclave . The high-level conclave is hosting over 30 global leaders including US President Joe Biden, UK PM Rishi Sunak, French President Emmanuel Macron among others.

The day concluded with President Droupadi Murmu hosting a lavish dinner for nearly 400 guests at the G20 venue - Bharat Mandapam in Delhi. Murmu, Modi received Biden, Sunak, among several leaders as they arrived at the venue to attend the grand dinner.
Revamping multilateral development banks (MDBs), global coordination in the regulation of crypto-assets, financial inclusion through digital public infrastructure (DPI), and efforts to develop a globally fair and sustainable tax system are among the seven key achievements of the finance track under the G20 India Presidency, said. G20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant , External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar , Finance Minister Nirmala Sitaraman, DEA Secretary Ajay Seth and Chief Coordinator G20 Harsh Vardhan Shringla after the press conference during the G20 Summit. (Sanjeev Verma/HT)

Also Read| G20 Summit: On Ukraine war, a fine balance in declarations language

The other three are debt resolution under a common framework, financing cities of tomorrow, and a mechanism to generate resources for climate finance, she added after the release of the Delhi Declaration on Saturday evening.

The Delhi Declaration, announced on Day 1 of the G20 leaders summit incorporates, on the finance track, almost all the issues the Indian presidency of G20 wished to address.

Also Read| At G20, skilful diplomacy to clear messaging: How India forged consensus on the declaration

The G20 India Presidency has been able to adopt people-centric, action-oriented and far-sighted approach and several outcomes of the finance track will certainly reflect these objectives that no one is left behind in our pursuit of global solutions, the minister said.

Sitharaman said members unanimously accepted recommendations to restructure MDBs to meet challenges of the 21st century. In the declaration G20 members commit to pursue reforms for better, bigger and more effective MDBs to address global challenges to maximise developmental impact.

Recognising the urgent need to strengthen and evolve the MDB ecosystem for the 21st century, we appreciate the efforts of the G20 Independent Expert Group on Strengthening MDBs in preparing Volume 1 of the Report and look forward to its examination in conjunction with Volume 2 expected in October 2023, the declaration said.

Also Read| G20 Summit: A pledge to build sustainable, inclusive cities of tomorrow

While the issue isnt new, it was India that gave it a definite shape by setting up an expert group led by former US treasury secretary Lawrence Summers and veteran Indian policymaker and 15th Finance Commission chair NK Singh. The framework suggested by the experts could potentially yield additional lending headroom of approximately $200 billion over the next decade, Sitharaman said.

Speaking about the second key achievement in finding a common ground for regulating crypto-assets, the FM said, The global push for clearer policy for crypto-assets have gained momentum. The declaration supported a coordinated and comprehensive policy and regulatory framework taking into account the underbelly of crypto assets, including money laundering and terror financing .

The third third was financial inclusion and productivity gains through digital public infrastructure (DPI). The minister said India has been able to successfully develop all the three foundational DPIs  digital identity (in its case, Aadhaar), real-time fast payment (the Unified Payments Interface), and a platform to safely share personal data without compromising privacy, she explained. The declaration also welcomed Indias plan to build and maintain a Global Digital Public Infrastructure Repository (GDPIR), a virtual repository of DPI, voluntarily shared with G20 members and others.

On the fourth issue , debt resolution, Sitharaman said, the declaration re-emphasised the importance of addressing debt vulnerabilities in low and middle-income countries in an effective, comprehensive and systematic manner. She said since 2018 only Chad could get its debt restructured under the mechanism . Since India took over the G20 Presidency good progress has been made in the ongoing country cases under the common framework of debt treatment. And the three countries in that are Zambia, Ghana and Ethiopia, she said.

Beyond the Common Framework, we welcome all efforts for timely resolution of the debt situation of Sri Lanka, including the formation of the official creditor committee, and we call for the resolution as soon as possible, the declaration said.

Financing the cities of tomorrow was the fifth point, the minister said. We emphasise the need for enhanced mobilisation of finances and efficient use of existing resources in our efforts to make the cities of tomorrow inclusive, resilient, and sustainable, the declaration read.

The sixth key point pertained to the two-pillar international tax package. International taxation is a complex area, involving multinational enterprises and, increasingly, digital businesses and transactions. The two-pillar model defines jurisdictions and recommends a basic minimum tax for multinational enterprises.

We reaffirm our commitment to continue cooperation towards a globally fair, sustainable and modern international tax system appropriate to the needs of the 21st century, the declaration said. Sitharaman said the group has made substantial progress in the two-pillar solution and work has also happened on the exchange of immovable property transactions between countries.

The seventh issue is the mechanism to support the timely and adequate mobilization of resources for climate finance. We recall and reaffirm the commitment made in 2010 by the developed countries to the goal of jointly mobilizing $ 100 billion climate finance per year by 2020, and annually through 2025, to address the needs of the developing countries, in the context of meaningful mitigation action and transparency in implementation. Developed country contributors expect this goal to be met for the first time in 2023, the declaration said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday called on converting the global trust deficit post-Covid pandemic into trust and confidence while underlining the significance of the current period of the 21st century and the need for showing a new direction to the whole world. Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivering the welcome address on Day 1 of the G20 Summit in New Delhi on Saturday. (HT PHOTO)

In his opening remarks at the G20 summit where a name badge at his table read Bharat, Modi said the world faced a new challenge of trust deficit following the Covid pandemic and unfortunately it has been further deepened. But we must remember that if we can defeat a pandemic like Covid, we can also win over the challenge of this trust deficit.

Modi underlined the importance of moving forward by fulfilling all their responsibilities with a human-centric approach. This is the time when the age-old challenges are demanding new solutions from us. This is the time for all of us to walk together! he said.

Therefore, the mantra of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas can become a guiding light for us all.

In an interview with moneycontrol.com ahead of the meeting of heads of the governments and states of the intergovernmental forum G20, Modi said his governments Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas approach has yielded great dividends domestically and that it was the guiding principle in global relations as well.

Modi fleshed out the approach. Sabka Saath  bringing the world together to face collective challenges that affect all of us. Sabka Vikas  taking human-centric growth to every country and every region. Sabka Vishwas  winning the trust of every stakeholder through recognition of their aspirations and representation of their voices. Sabka Prayas  utilising every countrys unique strength and skill in furthering the global good.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Prime Minister Narendra Modi may launch a Global Biofuel Alliance on the sidelines of the G20 Leaders Summit, two officials aware of the development said on Saturday, adding that the announcement is expected around 5pm today. Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi on Saturday. (AFP Photo)

However, the officials are apprehensive that Russia, China and Saudi Arabia may oppose the move because of their vested interests and geopolitical reasons.

Fossil fuel producers such as Saudi Arabia and Russia will not like any such alliance happening at a big scale because that would go against their interests, one of them said. China would anyway not like India to take another lead in the climate discourse, he added.

The move made by India, the United States and Brazil as has already received expressions of interest from 19 countries, including both G20 and non-G20 countries, HT published a Mint report on this matter on Friday.

According to the report, the proposal for the alliance, however, has not forged a consensus among all G20 member countries.

With an eye on Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (Opec) Plus grouping, of which both Saudi Arabia and Russia are a part, the alliance, conceptualised at the behest of India, is being positioned as a global forum to help boost demand and technology transfer for the production of biofuels and enhance trade.

India is also looking at enhancing its biofuel production through varied sources in a bid to reduce its import dependence for fuel at a time when the Opec+ grouping has resorted to successive production cuts, according to the Friday report.
Catholic Charities of Buffalo is looking for older adults in Erie County to participate in its Telephone Assurance Program, which provides free check-in calls to homebound, older or disabled adults.

TAP is the longest running program of its type in Erie County, according to Linda Chadderdon, Catholic Charities program manager. The program's main purposes are to alleviate loneliness and help people living by themselves to stay independent.

"Regular conversation decreases social isolation by bringing a renewed sense of friendship and connectedness to older adults, Chadderdon said in a statement.

Volunteers call TAP members, generally for 15 to 60 minutes, once a week on scheduled days and times that work best both for the volunteer and matched member.

The program is funded through a grant from the Erie County Department of Senior Services and the New York State Office for Aging. Those who are interested in receiving calls as a TAP member should contact Catholic Charities at 716-262-6164 or email TAP@ccwny.org.
After day-long deliberations and meet-ups, delegates attending the G20 Summit in New Delhi will be relishing India's culinary delicacies, including dishes made of millets. In view of the United Nations General Assembly accepting India's proposal for the International Year of Millets 2023, world leaders, representatives of member states are already being served with millets-based dishes at the hotels they are staying. Raimati Ghiuria (L). Subasa Mohanta (R)

Millets have several health benefits, as well as, come with environmental impact. To introduce the significance of this crop and dishes made out of it, two tribal women from Odisha  Raimati Ghiuria and Subasa Mohanta  will share insights at the dinner programme which will be hosted by President Droupadi Murmu.

Both women took up millet farming at a time when many were unwilling to venture into it. They will showcase how farming the crop has helped change the life of many tribal women.

Raimata Ghiuria

36-year-old Ghiuria belongs to the Bhumia community and a native of Nauguda village in Odisha's Koraput. She is known as a seed conservator and has conserved over 70 traditional varieties of indigenous rice as well as over 30 varieties of millets. A mother of three, she became a resource person for her community who has trained other farmers on packaging practices of millets and other crops. She also runs a company that procures millets from local farmer and allow them to sell them at a minimum support price. She has also been training farmers on line transplanting, millet intensification, organic pest management and intercropping since 2012.

Subasa Mohanta

45-year-old Mohanta is a resident of Singarpur village in Odisha's Mayurbhanj. She became a successful farmer of ragi  a type of millet  from a struggling paddy farmer with the use of traditional methods. Once a staple food of tribals, millets saw a decline from farms in her village. After taking its cultivation, she encouraged other farmers to take it up as their part of farm produce. She started cultivating millets after the state government launched Odisha Millets Mission in 2017. Earlier she used to have regular crop failures during paddy farming. Mohanta was one of those who interacted with Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the global conference on millets.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
The replicas of the wheel and sculptures of dancing women at the Konark Sun Temple in Odisha greeted world leaders and foreign delegates to the G20 Leaders' Summit at the Bharat Mandapam International Exhibition and Convention Centre in New Delhi on Saturday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeted arriving world leaders for G20 Summit. Prime Minister Narendra Modi greets as waits to welcome leaders of the G20 countries in New Delhi on Saturday,(REUTERS)

Modi shook hands with World Bank chief Ajay Banga, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and other delegates arriving for a two-day discussion of contentious global issues in the Indian capital.

What is Odisha's Konark Sun Temple wheel?

The Konark wheel was built during the 13th century under the reign of King Narasimhadeva-I. The wheel with 24 spokes is also adapted into India's national flag embodies India's ancient wisdom, advanced civilisation, and architectural excellence.

The rotating motion of the Konark Wheel, symbolises time, Kalachakra as well as progress and continuous change. It serves as a powerful symbol of the wheel of democracy that reflects the resilience of democratic ideals, and commitment to progress in society.

The first session of the G20 Summit would begin around 10:30am under this year's theme 'One Earth'. This global meeting, a culmination of various ministries, meetings and the engagement of different groups that happened throughout the year, aims to address key issues around the globe.

Complete schedule of G20 Summit 2023:

Day 1 (September 9)

9.30 am to 10:30 am: The event will start with the arrival of leaders and heads of delegations at the summit venue, Bharat Mandapam. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, along with the world leaders, would take photographs with the Tree of Life Foyer. The leaders will then assemble in the Leader's Lounge, at Bharat Mandapam.

Between 10:30 am and 1:30 pm: The first session under the theme "One Earth" will take place at the Summit Hall at Bharat Mandapam, followed by a working lunch.

Between 1:30 pm and 3:30 pm: Various bilateral meetings will take place.

From 3:30 to 4:45 pm: The second session, 'One Family, will be held. After concluding this session, the leaders would then return to their hotels.

Between 7 pm and 8 pm: Leaders and heads of delegation will attend dinner, beginning with a welcome photo on arrival.

8 pm to 9 pm: The leaders will engage in conversation over dinner.

9 pm to 9:45 pm: Leaders and heads of delegations will then gather in the leaders' loungue at Bharat Mandapam and return to their hotels.

Day 2 (September 10)

8:15 am to 9 am: The leaders and heads of the delegations will arrive at Rajghat in individual motorcades.

9:00 am to 9:20 am: The leaders will then lay a wreath at Mahatma Gandhi's Samadhi. Also, a live performance of Mahatma Gandhi's favourite devotional songs.

9:20 am: Leaders and Heads of Delegations will then move to Bharat Mandapam's Leaders' Lounge.

9:40 am to 10:15 am: Arrival of leaders and heads of delegation at Bharat Mandapam

10:15am10:30am: Tree planting ceremony at Bharat Mandapam's South Plaza

10:30 am12:30 pm: The third session of the summit, called 'One Future', will take place at the venue, followed by the adoption of the New Delhi Leaders' Declaration.

US President Joe Biden, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida are among the key leaders who will attend the event in the country's capital city today and tomorrow.

Notably, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin will not be taking part in the weekend summit. China, however, will be represented at the summit by Chinese Premier Li Qiang, and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will represent Russia.

(With inputs from agencies)

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
US President Joe Biden and G20 partners plan to roll out plans on Saturday for a shipping corridor that would connect India with the Middle East and ultimately Europe  which could be a game changer for global trade. Prime Minister Narendra Modi points to US President Joe Biden his seat as they arrive for the first session of the G20 Summit in New Delhi.

President Biden and Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke for nearly an hour on Friday and their discussion also featured a "major breakthrough" related to infrastructure and communications that would link India with the Middle East and Europe that could be announced on Saturday, Kurt Campbell, the senior US official for Indo-Pacific policy, told reporters after the discussions.

A White House official said the multinational rail and ports deal linking the Middle East and South Asia will be announced on Saturday on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in New Delhi.

Officials said the US, Saudi Arabia, the European Union, the United Arab Emirates and others will sign the agreement to augment trade flows between Europe and India.

G20 Summit: What is the rail and ports deal?

1. The deal will benefit low and middle-income countries in the region, and enable a critical role for the Middle East in global commerce, US deputy national security adviser Jon Finer told reporters at the G20 annual summit.

2. The development comes at a critical time as US President Joe Biden seeks to counter China's Belt and Road push on global infrastructure by pitching Washington as an alternative partner and investor for developing countries at the G20 partners.

3. The pact aims to link Middle East countries by railway and connect them to India by port, helping the flow of energy and trade from the Gulf to Europe, US officials have said, by cutting shipping times, costs and fuel use.

4. "Linking these key regions, we think, is a huge opportunity," said Finer. No immediate details of the value of the deal were available.

5. From the US perspective, Finer said the agreement helps turn the temperature down across the region and address a conflict where we see it.

6. The rail and shipping corridor would enable greater trade among the countries, including energy products.

7. "The India - Middle East - Europe economic corridor" is "nothing less than historic" European Union leaders are expected to say when the details of the plans are unveiled, news agency AFP reported.

8. Finer laid out three big rationales for the project in a call with reporters. He said first that the corridor would increase prosperity among the countries involved by increasing the flow of energy and digital communications. Second, the project would help to address the lack of infrastructure needed for growth in lower- and middle-income nations. And third, Finer said it could help turn the temperature down on turbulence and insecurity coming out of the Middle East.

(With inputs from agencies)

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
In a massive breakthrough, the G20 member states on Saturday adopted a 100 percent consensus to the New Delhi Leaders' Summit Declaration, announced Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Calling it historic and pathbreaking, G20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant said India's G20 Presidency delivered phenomenal action on high ambitions for the world. (CHECK LIVE UPDATES HERE) Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman along with MEA S. Jaishankar and G20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant addresses the media during a press conference during G20 Leaders' Summit, at International Media Centre in New Delhi on Saturday

With 83 paras and absolutely no dissent, no footnotes, no chair summaries - the #NewDelhiLeadersDeclaration symbolises unparalleled global consensus, Kant wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.

In another post, he wrote: The new geopolitical paras are a powerful call for Planet, People, Peace, and Prosperity in todays world.

Meanwhile, speaking to the news agency ANI, Kant said, I think one of the biggest achievements of this New Delhi leaders' declaration is what we've achieved on women-led development, with a massive focus on women empowerment and gender equality. There is a huge focus on gender-inclusive climate action. There's a completely big focus on women's food security, nutrition, and well-being.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar while addressing a press conference said the Declaration focuses on promoting strong, sustainable, balanced, and inclusive growth.

The declaration seeks to accelerate progress on SDGs and has come up with an action plan accordingly. It envisages a green development pact for a sustainable future, it endorses high-level principles on lifestyle for sustainable development, voluntary principles of hydrogen, the Chennai principles for a sustainable resilient blue economy, and the Deccan principles on food security and nutrition among others, the minister said.

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman thanked the G20 member nations for their cooperation and support towards the New Delhi Leaders' Declaration. Highlighting PM Modi's leadership, the minister said his human-centric approach to global development had resonated strongly with the international community.

Meanwhile, Netherlands Prime Minister Mark Rutte also reacted to the adoption of the Declaration saying, I think it is very good that we came to a final conclusion, as quoted by ANI.

(With inputs from agencies)
The Indian Presidency of G20 delivered the New Delhi Leaders Declaration, carving out a consensus at a time of deep geopolitical fracture between the East and West and developmental divide between the North and South, and marking a moment that will go down in history as arguably Indias greatest foreign policy accomplishment in a global forum. Pragati Maidan illuminated at night in Delhi/ (REUTERS)

Soon after the second session of the first day of the G20 Summit commenced on Saturday afternoon, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, without any warning, Friends, we have just got good news. With the hard work of our teams, and with the cooperation of you all, there is consensus on the New Delhi G20 Summit Leaders Declaration.After proposing it be adopted, Modi said: I announce that this declaration is adopted. He then banged the gavel three times and thumped the desk as other G20 leaders  together representing the largest economies  clapped loudly, even as the world outside took a moment to absorb the scale of the unexpected achievement.

Charting a middle way between the western bloc and Russia on the contentious issue of the war in Ukraine, an issue that had led to a lack of consensus in all G20 meetings in the past 10 months, the declaration firmly positioned India as a reconciler of global contradictions. By incorporating all the key priorities of the Indian Presidency, it catapulted New Delhi as a global rule-shaper. By ensuring that it had both weaved together the issues that pertained to the anxieties and aspirations of the developing world in the final document, and enhancing their representation in the grouping, India became a voice of the Global South.

And it did so in style. A Presidency marked by an unprecedented democratisation of foreign policy as the representatives of the group travelled to every state of the country over the past 10 months saw its crowning moment at a grand venue, Bharat Mandapam, in the national capital where a majority of worlds most powerful leaders congregated.

Addressing a press conference soon after Modis announcement and the release of the declaration, the PMs G20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant said, The New Delhi leaders declaration has 83 paragraphs in all. All 83 paras have 100% consensus across all countries. He added there were eight paras on the geopolitical issue entitled planet, people, peace and prosperity. All those eight paras have 100% acceptance...This is one declaration without a single footnote and without any chairs summary.

Kant was referring to Ukraine, where the Indian Presidency pulled off an unlikely balancing act in bringing adversaries on the same page. The text recognised the immense human suffering caused by wars and conflicts in general and it reaffirmed the principles of the UN charter, principles of territorial integrity and sovereignty and need for peaceful resolution of conflict, all of which was mentioned in the last G20 leaders declaration in Bali.

But given the Russian and Chinese objection to carrying forward the same text, and the Wests insistence on the inclusion of the war in Ukraine in the document, India found a way. The declaration allowed states to reaffirm their national positions but reformulated the key paragraph to avoid making a specific reference to Russias aggression. Instead, it read, All states must refrain from the threat or use of force to seek territorial acquisition against the territorial integrity and sovereignty or political independence of any state. It then went on to outline the adverse economic consequences of the war for the world, particularly the vulnerable, it called for the full implementation of the Black Sea Grain Deal, it called for relevant and constructive initiatives for a comprehensive, just, and durable peace; and it ended with Modis message to Russian President Vladimir Putin last year: Todays era is not the era of war.

That breakthrough allowed the Indian Presidency to push a range of its priorities in the text, accommodating the concerns of the weaker and vulnerable states in the international order and the weaker and vulnerable citizens in the world. No one left behind has become a goal for foreign policy as much as domestic policies, said external affairs minister S Jaishankar, whose ministry played a key role in reconciling contradictions between major players by leveraging its independent relationship with each of them, and combing idealism with hard-nosed realpolitik.

Jaishankar also said that G20 had made India ready for the world, and the world ready for India.

Under the Indian presidency, the African Union became the newest permanent member of G20, dramatically expanding the voice of a continent that had gone inadequately represented in the group. This spirit of inclusion found its way through the letter and spirit of the text. Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman said that the G20 India Presidency had been able to adopt people-centric, action-oriented and far-sighted approach. So today, as I look back at the 10 months of Indian Presidency, I am left with gratitude and satisfaction. I can confidently say that Indian G20 Presidency has walked the talk, the foreign minister said.

Among the highlights of the declaration include a global consensus on the broad idea of digital public infrastructure (DPI) as a central tool in enabling inclusion and growth, and a recognition of Indias pioneering role in this regard. It includes a green pact that declares the ambition of net zero emissions by 2050 and lays out the financial needs of developing countries to meet the target. It adopts the principles to make Lifestyle for Environment (LiFE) an everyday, every person movement.

The Delhi Declaration moves the needle decisively on the long vexed issue of reform of multilateral development banks (MDBs), by recognising the importance of expanding the mandate of the World Bank to include climate while battling poverty and suggesting innovative ways of finding additional resources to finance the new mandate. The Indian presidency has also succeeded in enabling the management of the debt crisis in four countries, Zambia, Ghana, Ethiopia and Sri Lanka. It has made the regulation of crypto assets a top issue in the global conversation, while, for the first time, bringing in the issue of the responsible use of articulate intelligence on to the agenda of the G20.

Commenting on the significance of the Delhi Declaration, veteran Indian policymaker NK Singh, who was also the co-convenor of the expert group on MDB reform and thus watched the process closely from inside, said, This has shown that the Indian leadership has the ability to transform the impossible into possible, to balance contradictions into global advantage, and demonstrate that whereas politics is the art of possible, leadership is the art of the impossible.

He added that the fact that India had been able to pull off successfully a Delhi Declaration spoke volumes about the Indian leaderships sagacity, preparatory work, team spirit, cohesiveness, ability to convert contradictions into consent and convert asymmetries into symmetry. And this, he said, was done by ironing out the differences in an extraordinary short period of time. The achievement highlights not only our continued political leadership and the global recognition of this leadership but also the new aura that surrounds the arrival of India on the global stage in its own right in the matrix of global decision-making. India had arrived, he said, on the high table.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
NEW DELHI: The Congress on Saturday renewed its attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over the Adani issue, contrasting PM Modis repeated appeals to the international community at previous G20 summits to crack down on corruption and money laundering with its reluctance to order a full-fledged probe against the group. In a statement, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh recalled PM Modis previous calls for global action against money laundering and economic offenders (PTI)

Saturdays statement by the Congress was timed to coincide with the start of the G20 Summit in New Delhi.

In a statement, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said that as the 2023 G20 Summit begins in Delhi, it was worth recalling PM Modis many exhortations at previous meetings of the grouping,

At the 2014 Brisbane G20 meeting, the prime minister called for global cooperation to eliminate safe havens for economic offenders, to track down and unconditionally extradite money launderers and to break down the web of complex international regulations and excessive banking secrecy that hide the corrupt and their deeds, the Congress leader said. At the 2018 Buenos Aires G20 summit, PM Modi presented a nine-point agenda for action against fugitive economic offences and asset recovery, he said.

The PMs brazenness would be laughable if his complicity in high-level corruption and economic offences were not so serious. The PM has not simply facilitated the creation of Modi-made Monopolies (3M) for his close friends, the Adanis, in critical sectors like ports, airports, power and roads using all the tools at his disposal, he has systematically blocked all investigations into Adanis wrongdoing by agencies as varied as SEBI, CBI, ED, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) and the Serious Fraud Investigation Office..., Jairam Ramesh charged.

The G20 slogan this year is One Earth, One Family, One Future. However, the PM actually seems to believe in One Man, One Government, One Business Group.

The Congress has been demanding the constitution of a joint parliamentary committee to probe the Adani Group after the release of the Hindenburg report on 24 January that accused the Gautam Adani-led group of brazen accounting fraud and stock manipulation.

The Adani Group, however, denied allegations of stock market manipulation and accounting fraud by Hindenburg but the charges triggered a massive rout of Adani Group stocks and forced the cancellation of a 20,000 crore share sale in the groups flagship.

A six-member panel, led by former Supreme Court judge AM Sapre, was set up by the Supreme Court on March 2 to investigate allegations of regulatory failure and breach of laws against the Adani group and to suggest steps to bolster the statutory and supervisory regime.
India, Brazil, South Africa and the United States on Saturday reaffirmed their commitment to the G20 as the premier forum for international economic cooperation to deliver solutions for the shared world. The World Bank President, Ajay Banga and leaders of the four countries pose for a picture on Saturday.

As the G20's current and next three presidencies, India, Brazil, South Africa, and the United States called for building on the "historic progress" of India's G20 presidency to address global challenges. (G20 LIVE updates)

"We, the Leaders of India, Brazil, South Africa, and the United States, met on the margins of the G20 Leaders' Summit in New Delhi to reaffirm our shared commitment to the G20 as the premier forum for international economic cooperation to deliver solutions for our shared world," according to a joint statement.

"As the G20's current and next three Presidencies, we will build on the historic progress of India's G20 Presidency to address global challenges," the statement said.

In this spirit, together with the World Bank President, the four countries welcomed the G20's commitment to build better, bigger, and more effective multilateral development banks.

"This commitment underscores what we can do, by working together through the G20, to support our people toward a better future," the statement said.

Also, a White House fact sheet said the United States is committed to the G20 and to building on the progress made in India's G20 presidency, starting with Brazil's Presidency in 2024 and South Africa's Presidency in 2025.

In a sign of the President's steadfast commitment to the G20 as the premier forum for international economic cooperation, the United States will host the G20 in 2026.

As President Biden called for at the US-Africa Leaders' Summit last year, the United States is also pleased to have supported and now welcome the African Union as a permanent member of the G20, a reflection of both the G20's vitality and the important role of Africa in the global economy.
NEW DELHI: The Indian side on Saturday circulated among G20 member states a new text to refer to the Ukraine crisis in the draft leaders declaration in an effort to break the impasse on the issue, people familiar with the matter said. India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses the G20 Leaders' Summit at the Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi (AFP)

A draft of the declaration prepared on Friday, which most G20 member states had agreed on, had left the paragraph on the geopolitical situation or the Ukraine crisis blank, people from a G20 member state and a G7 member state said.

The negotiators from G20 states had hammered out an agreement on 75 other paragraphs in the draft, which included issues such as financing for climate transition, reform of multilateral development banks and regulation of cryptocurrency, the people said.

The sherpas, or personal representatives of G20 leaders, were unable to reach an agreement on the paragraph on Ukraine despite several sessions on Thursday and Friday. These sessions were held after the conclusion of the fourth and final sherpas meeting at Manesar on September 6.

The Indian side circulated the draft paragraph on the Ukraine issue among the other G20 members this [Saturday] morning. It is now being considered by the other states. Some countries have no problem with the wording, a person from a G7 state said on condition of anonymity.

Two people from a G20 state also said the draft paragraph on Ukraine had been circulated among the other member states for discussions in an effort to break the logjam on the issue.

The people described the discussions as tough and noted that the Ukraine crisis remained the main issue holding up consensus on the draft leaders declaration. The Indian side has pushed for the draft paragraph to be accepted by all states in order to ensure a successful conclusion to the summit, but the people acknowledged that the discussions are likely to be extended.

In an indication of the tough negotiations over the wording of the paragraph on the Ukraine crisis, people said there were differences on whether the issue should be referred to as the war in Ukraine or war against Ukraine. The G20 functions by consensus and objections by even one member could hold up an agreement.

In another development, the Chinese side has also pushed back against a reference in the text to the presidency of the G20 in 2026 being held by the US, two people said.

Russia and China have been holding out against any reference to the Ukraine crisis in the draft leaders declaration. The Russian side has said it is not willing to accept the text used in the leaders declaration in last years G20 Summit to refer to the Ukraine crisis as the situation on the ground has changed. China has opposed any mention of the Ukraine war on the grounds that the G20 is an economic forum and should not take up geopolitical issues.

All ministerial meetings held under the Indian presidency of the G20 this year were unable to issue joint statements due to differences on the Ukraine crisis.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
New Delhi: An upcoming India-US Global Challenges Institute will function virtually and conduct research in emerging areas in campuses of partner higher education institutions from both countries, people aware of the details said on Saturday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi with US President Joe Biden, in New Delhi on Friday. (PTI)

A joint statement issued after a bilateral meeting between US President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Indian universities, represented by the Council of Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT Council), and the Association of American Universities (AAU), to set up the India-US Global Challenges Institute.

According to the statement, the institute will bring together leading research and higher-education institutions from the two countries to advance new frontiers in science and technology, spanning collaboration in sustainable energy and agriculture, health and pandemic preparedness, semiconductor technology and manufacturing, advanced materials, telecommunications, artificial intelligence and quantum science.

IIT-Kanpur director Abhay Karandikar, who will co-chair the upcoming institute, said it will function virtually with a programme management office or secretariat in both countries for coordination. Research work, however, will be carried out in campuses of participating institutes, he added.

In the coming months, we will formulate multi-institutional research projects involving higher education institutions from both nations, he said.

Karandikar clarified that all higher education institutions having expertise in different emerging areas will be allowed to be a part of various projects. It will not just be limited to IITs. These collaborative projects will then carry out research over the next few years with some tangible research goals and outputs.

Explaining the funding mechanism of the institute, Karandikar said the initial $10 million which has been committed for the institute will be the seed fund to kick start activities for writing research proposals. Once the research begins, we will need more funding. They will be made available from various funding agencies from both India and the US.

The virtual institute, Karandikar said, will have a governing council with members from both the nations, and will be co-chaired by the countries. From the US side, it will be co-chaired by AAU president Barbara R. Snyder.

The institute will provide a platform to partner universities from the US and India to come together. We believe bringing the best minds from both nations will be able to solve some cutting edge research problems that can have an impact of creating an ecosystem of startups and enterprises, the IIT-Kanpur director said.

The two countries also announced several other collaborations, including setting up of New York University-Tandon and IIT Kanpur Advanced Research Center, and the Joint Research Centers of the State University of New York at Buffalo and IITs in Delhi, Kanpur, Jodhpur, and Banaras Hindu University, in areas of critical and emerging technologies. And IIT-Bombay joined the Chicago Quantum Exchange (CQE), headquartered at the University of Chicago, as an international partner.

It is a great opportunity for IIT Bombay to work with the University of Chicago on some of the most critical and evolving technologies our nations are seeing today. Our collective strength will help bring forth impactful breakthrough innovations benefiting the society, IIT Bombay director Subhasis Chaudhuri said.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Fareeha Iftikhar Fareeha Iftikhar is a Special Correspondent with the national political bureau of the Hindustan Times. She tracks the education ministry, and covers the beat at the national level for the newspaper. She also writes on issues related to gender, human rights and different policy matters. ...view detail
As G20 leaders brainstormed on the worlds most pressing issues, their spouses on Saturday toured the 1,200-acre Pusa-Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) campus in New Delhi , the sprawling cutting-edge agricultural research establishment and snacked on unique millet savories. They walked down Agri Street, an exhibition, which, in a span of 200 metres, showcased Indias journey from being a net importer of food to an agricultural powerhouse. Partners of the heads of G20 countries at the National Agriculture Science Centres Rangoli area featuring two massive millet Rangolis. (HT Photo)

Also Read| Time to end trust deficit, herald era of cooperation: PM Modi at G20

The visitors then headed out to the National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA), where they bought souvenirs and witnessed an exhibition of traditional Indian weaves and dance performances. The NGMA complex was decorated with 800 kites to welcome the dignitaries.

India is using its G20 presidency to bolster its global standing by highlighting its technological leap, from a successful moon landing to a digital public infrastructure.

The purpose of the Pusa trip for the spouses of G20 leaders was to give them an insight into Indias advancements in agriculture too and how we are an important pillar of global food and nutritional security, said Ashok Kumar Singh, the head of the flagship Indian Agricultural Research Institute, who accompanied the guests. The guests were received by Kyoko Jaishankar, the wife of Indias external affairs minister S Jaishankar, at the institute.

Also Read| G20 Summit: MDB rejig, fair tax system key achievements

The visitors included Britains first lady Akshata Murty, Australian PM Anthony Albaneses wife Carmel Tebbutt, Mauritiuss first lady Kobita Ramdanee, Japanese first lady Yoku Kishida, the wife of Turkeys president Emine Erdogan and Heiko von der Leyen, the husband of EU chief Ursula von der Leyen.

The focus was on coarse cereals or millets, as India seeks to make these hardy grains a global source of nutritional security, amid increasing vulnerability of cereals to climate change. The United Nations has declared 2023 as the International Year of Millets based on a proposal moved by India and backed by over 70 nations.

Also Read| At G20, skilful diplomacy to clear messaging: How India forged consensus on the declaration

The visitors witnessed climate-resistant crops, transforming technologies by 15 agri startups, and interacted with farmers who told them how food has shaped the countrys colourful culture.

Their first pit stop was the National Agriculture Science Centres Rangoli area featuring two massive millet Rangolis. Rangoli is a popular art form in which patterns are made on the floor, usually with finely ground cereal powders, colours and flowers.

One of the counters demonstrated live cooking of several top varieties of basmati developed by Indian scientists to improve their aroma, taste and fluffiness. The visitors discovered that basmati was a staple for all of them. India is the worlds top exporter of the scented rice.

The guests, especially UKs first lady Akshata Murty, were amazed to see how some Indian basmati varieties, when cooked, grew two to four times their original size, Singh said.

Celebrity chefs Kunal Kapur, Anahita Dhondy and Ajay Chopra, along with culinary experts from the ITC Group prepared a full-course millets-based meal. On the menu was jowar-mushroom khichda, millet thekua and a lemon shrikhand mille-feuille dessert.

At NGMA, the lunch menu included pumpkin and coconut shorba, Naga black rice bhel, beetroot and peanut butter tikki, Bengal mustard and wild nettle raita.

The NGMA event was also marked by performances of regional dances, including Bihu, Chau, Kuchipudi, Lavani, and Manipur. A total of 44 artistes performed in the event.

The curator of the exhibition Roots and Routes at NGMA, Raghvendra Singh, earlier told reporters: It is an attempt to curate the scattered pieces that present our culture... So that the grandiose is on display... This has increased the prestige of the exhibition... We wanted to prepare a world-class exhibition for world leaders. And we got the opportunity... what better opportunity than this...

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Award ceremony held to honor foreigners for contribution to cultural exchanges

Xinhua) 15:38, September 09, 2023

Li Shulei, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and head of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee, attends the inaugural Orchid Awards ceremony and delivers a speech in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 8, 2023. (Xinhua/Ding Lin)

BEIJING, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- The inaugural Orchid Awards ceremony was held in Beijing Friday, honoring foreign friends who have promoted humanity's shared values, and facilitated cultural exchanges between China and the rest of the world and mutual learning among global civilizations.

Li Shulei, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and head of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee, attended the ceremony and delivered a speech.

Among the ten foreign awardees were Joseph W. Polisi from the United States, Essam Sharaf from Egypt, Flora Botton Beja from Mexico, and David Ferguson from the United Kingdom.

The awardees agreed that fostering deeper people-to-people exchanges and cultivating mutual understanding represented a shared global aspiration. In light of this, they called for more cultural envoys to promote exchanges and mutual learning among diverse civilizations.

Regarding their roles in implementing the Global Civilization Initiative, the awardees pledged more contributions to enhancing consensus among societies and promoting closer people-to-people ties.

Over 300 people from relevant central departments, international organizations, diplomatic envoys in China, representatives of Chinese and foreign think tanks and media organizations attended the ceremony. An international cultural forum was held after the award ceremony.

The Orchid Awards is spearheaded by the China International Communication Group.

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Sheng Chuyi)
Two brothers who admitted filing fraudulent applications for forgivable Paycheck Protection Program loans spent the money on their own investments as well as personal expenses and home improvements, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office.

Larry Jordan, 45, of Lancaster, and Sutukh El, 41, of Buffalo, also known as Curtis Jordan, pleaded guilty Thursday before U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra Jr. to conspiracy to commit bank fraud and wire fraud. Jordan also pleaded guilty to bank fraud.

Between April and September 2020, Jordan and El conspired to submit eight fraudulent PPP loan applications on behalf of companies they owned or controlled. Three of the applications were submitted to Evolve Bank & Trust in Tennessee and the other five were submitted to Lendio, a financial technology company based in Utah. The applications contained false statements about the 2019 payroll expenses of each company, which were used to calculate the amount of PPP funds to which the applicant-companies would be entitled.

To corroborate the applications, Jordan and El submitted false IRS forms, which had never been filed with the IRS, as well as fraudulent payroll registers that purported to identify the names, personal information and salary of the employees identified on the PPP applications, according to a court filing from Assistant U.S. Attorneys Charles Kruly and Grace Carducci.

For example, a PPP loan application was submitted on behalf of 5 Stems Inc. to Evolve. The application represented that in 2019 the company had 194 employees and an average monthly payroll of $242,133. But 5 Stems had nine employees and paid them a total of $57,380 in 2019. Evolve approved the application and funded a $605,200 loan. The money was deposited into an account controlled by El.

Sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 17.

If the judge accepts sentencing guidelines that have been calculated for the pair, El faces between 15 and 41 months in prison, as well as $7,500 to $150,000 in fines. The sentence will depend on specific offense characteristics the judge decides to apply.

Jordan faces 37 to 46 months in prison and up to a $150,000 fine, if the judge adheres to the sentencing guidelines.

Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving Covid-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justices National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
The historic Konark Wheel of Odishas Sun Temple became a centre of attraction at the G20 Summit venue on Saturday as Prime Minister Narendra Modi chose a wall depicting the 13th century artefact as the backdrop for his welcome handshake with world leaders at the Bharat Mandapam in Delhi. PM Modi was seen explaining the historic significance of the Konark Wheel to world leaders like American president Joe Biden at the G20 venue in Delhi on Saturday. (AFP)

PM Modi, who had rekindled the memories of Sengol (a historical sceptre from Tamil Nadu) during the inauguration of the new Parliament building earlier this year, was also seen explaining the significance of the Konark wheel to world leaders like American president Joe Biden at the G20 venue.

Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan, who is from Odisha, said that it is a moment of great pride for all Indians.

Odishas magnificent culture and heritage finds a place of pride at #G20 India. The Konark chakra is an architectural marvel illustrating the civilizational concepts of time, space, continuity and the future. PM Narendra Modi explaining the significance of Indias heritage and knowledge traditions to Joe Biden is truly a beautiful sight, Pradhan said on X (formerly Twitter).

Also Read | Consensus on G20 Summit Leaders Declaration achieved, announces PM Modi

Odishas timeless wonder KONARK CHAKRA at G20 for the welcome handshake. A moment of great pride for all Indians, particularly my Odia brothers and sisters. A symbol of Indias civilisational, cultural and architectural excellence, the Konark chakra symbolises continuity and progress, he added.

The monument dedicated to the sun god Surya and shaped like a gigantic chariot with 7 horses on 12 pairs of beautifully decorated wheels was built during the reign of King Narasimhadeva-I.

Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore once described it as a place where the language of man is defeated by the language of stone. Of all the parts of the World Heritage monument, the wheel remains the most celebrated symbol of the temple as it adorns several drawing rooms. Last month, celebrity chef Vikas Khanna unveiled a replica of the wheel at the Times square of New York City. The wheel is also depicted on the back side of the currency notes of 10.

Experts say the 12 pairs of wheels made of Khondalite stones signify the 12 months of the year and the 8 spokes on each of the wheels represent the 8 prahars or time divisions of the day.

The 7 horses represent the days of a week and the 12 pairs of wheels represent the 12 months of the year and the 24 wheels indicate 24 hours of a day. As for 8 major spokes, they signify prahars (three hour period) of a day. The wheel has 8 wider or major spokes and 8 thinner or minor spokes. The distance between two major spokes is 3 hours while the same between a major spoke and a minor spoke is 90 minutes, said Professor Sushant Patra of department of Ancient Indian History, Culture and Archaeology in Bhubaneswars Utkal University.

There are 30 beads at the edge of the wheel between one major spoke to the next minor spoke and they divide the 90 minutes. When there was no clock, the Konark wheel probably served as a timepiece as the intricate design allowed sunlight to pass through it and cast shadows that could be used to determine the exact time. The wheel was designed to align with the suns rays at different times of the year, indicating the changing seasons, he said.

Patra said though all the 24 wheels are similar, each one of them is decorated differently. The thicker wheels have circular medallions carved at their centres. The rims are carved with designs of foliage with various birds and animal. The medallions in the spokes have carvings of figures of amorous women mostly of erotic nature, he said.

Superintending archaeologist of Archaelogical Survey of Indias Puri circle, Dibishad Gadnaik said the wheels symbolise Wheel of Life. It is believed to represent cycle of life, death, and rebirth. The 12 pairs of wheels may also possibly represent the 12 zodiac signs. Some researchers also believe that the wheel is the same as the Dharmachakra of the Buddhists - the Wheel of Karma or the wheel of the Law.

At the G20 venue, a 27-ft-tall bronze statue of Nataraja, weighing 20 tonne, also grabbed much attention. Nataraja is Lord Shiva in his dynamic dance posture, called tandava, which in a single pose captures Shivas roles as creator, preserver, and destroyer.

The sculpture has been made using traditional casting methods and ashta dhatu, a blend of eight metals, with copper as the primary component at 87%. Artisans from Swamimalai in Kumbakonam in Tamil Nadu devoted approximately 325,000 man-hours to bring the sculpture to life, according to officials familiar with the matter.

Prime Minister Modi reached Bharat Mandapam on Saturday morning, accompanied by external affairs minister S Jaishankar and national security advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval, among others.

US President Joe Biden, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Brazil President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Japan Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and several other top leaders were welcomed at the two-day Summit.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Hyderabad : The multi-crore Andhra Pradesh state skill development corporation fraud case, in which Telugu Desam Party president and former chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu was arrested by the Crime Investigation Department on Saturday is one of many such cases filed against him and his party leaders since YS Jagan Mohan Reddy came to power in May 2019, people familiar with the matter said. Although the Andhra Pradesh police have booked Naidu in several cases in the last four years, it is the first time that he has been arrested. (ANI)

Although the Andhra Pradesh police have booked Naidu in several cases in the last four years, including the insider trading case in the capital region of Amaravati and the attempt-to-murder case at Punganur in Chittoor district, it is the first time that he has been arrested.

In 2020, the CID police booked a case against Naidu and his erstwhile cabinet colleague P Narayana for the alleged insider trading of lands in Amaravati, stating that Naidus family, benamis and other TDP leaders have benefited enormously from surreptitious land deals executed before the December 2014 declaration of Amaravati as the new capital region.

The case was, however, quashed by the state high court in January 2021 and later by the Supreme Court in July 2021.

In March 2021, the Jagan-led government filed another criminal case against Naidu for allegedly acquiring assigned lands in Amaravati in the name of capital development, which were purchased through by the TDP leaders through alleged fraudulent means. The case is still under investigation.

The TDP chief was also booked for conducting a meeting at a crowded place at Nellore in which eight people died in stampede in December 2022, instigating violence by the TDP workers against the police at Angallu village and Punganur town in August this year.

Besides, the state police have also filed several petty cases against Naidu for creating panic among people regarding the Coronavirus in May 2021, attack on YSRC leaders at Ramatirtham temple in Vizianagaram district in January 2022, posting a provocative message on social media in April 2022 and causing traffic jams at Bikkavole in East Godavari district in February 2023.

Several other TDP leaders have also been booked by the Andhra Pradesh police in various cases. Former TDP MLC Parchuri Ashok Babu was booked for forgery of his degree certificates to get promotion during the TDP regime; former minister P Narayana in the class X question paper leakage scandal, former MLA Dhulipalla Narendra in the dairy scandal in Guntur, former minister Ch Ayyanna Patrudu in land encroachment scandal of Narsipatnam, TDP leader M Bharat in Gitam University land scandal in Visakhapatnam and SC/ST case against TDP womens wing president Vangalapudi Anitha etc.

Senior TDP leaders B Tech Ravi, former MLA J C Prabhakar Reddy, Chintamaneni Prabhakar, Kollu Ravindra and Kuna Ravi Kumar were also arrested in various criminal cases.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden, in their second bilateral meeting in three months, have hailed the close and enduring partnership between the two countries; lauded the progress made in implementing the groundbreaking achievements during Modis state visit to Washington in June; and told their governments to continue to transform the bilateral strategic partnership across all dimensions of our multifaceted global agenda, based on trust and mutual understanding. Prime Minister Narendra Modi with US President Joe Biden on Friday. (PTI)

According to a joint statement issued at the end of a Friday evening bilateral meeting, symbolising that both sides were committed to consolidating ties, Biden and Modi also agreed to resolve the only outstanding trade dispute between the two countries at the World Trade Organisation. They deepened defence ties by exchanging notes on progress, with the US Congress not objecting to the GE jet engine deal and India issuing its letter of request (LOR) for the MQ-9B Predator drones. They intensified cooperation in various domains under the initiative on critical and emerging technologies (iCET), particularly telecom networks, semiconductors, and space. The two countries also announced specific new initiatives on health and education partnership. And Modi said he looked forward to welcoming Biden for the Quad summit in India next year, reinforcing the buzz that Biden may be the chief guest for the Republic Day event. If the idea was to convey that the two sides had moved with alacrity on the June bilateral, there was enough in the statement to suggest that this was indeed the case.

Right after Biden arrived in New Delhi on Friday evening, he drove down to the PMs residence in Lok Kalyan Marg. The two leaders met for an hour and ten minutes.

After the meeting, Modi tweeted, Our meeting was very productive. We were able to discuss numerous topics which will further economic and people-to-people linkages between India and USA. The friendship between our nations will continue to play a great role in furthering global good.

In a statement, the Prime Ministers Office said that Modi, during the meeting, expressed his appreciation for Bidens consistent support for Indias G20 presidency as well as his vision and commitment to further strengthen the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership, which is based on shared democratic values, strategic convergences and strong people-to-people ties.

Biden was accompanied by secretary of state Antony J Blinken,Treasury secretary Janet Yellen, national security advisor Jake Sullivan, US ambassador to India Eric Garcetti and senior officials of National Security Council, Kurt Campbell and Eileen Laubacher. Modis delegation included external affairs minister S Jaishankar, NSA Ajit Doval, principal secretary PK Mishra, foreign secretary Vinay Kwatra, and joint secretaries in the PMs office Deepak Mittal and Hiren Joshi.

The two countries issued their second joint statement in less than three months, which is unusual in the world of high diplomacy. It illuminated the speed of implementation of agreements and new benchmarks set for the future. And the conversation, those familiar with the contours of the meeting said, was candid and marked by trust.

On G20, Biden, according to the statement, lauded Indias leadership, and both leaders expressed the confidence that the outcomes this weekend at the summit will accelerate progress on common challenges, including reform of multilateral development banks.

Biden and Modi also reaffirmed the importance of Quad and the principles of free, open, inclusive and resilient Indo-Pacific, with Modi saying he looked forward to welcoming President Biden to the next Quad Leaders Summit to be hosted by India in 2024. This is an indication that Biden may visit India before next years general elections, the first time a US President will visit India twice in his first term in history. Biden also reiterated the American support for Indias quest for a permanent UN Security Council seat, and more specifically, its bid for a non-permanent member seat in 2028-29.

On the defence front, both leaders welcomed completion of the Congressional Notification process on 29 August 2023 and the commencement of negotiations for a commercial agreement between GE Aerospace and Hindustan Aeronautical Limited (HAL) to manufacture GE F-414 jet engines in India. HT had first reported that the Congressional green signal for the deal was through. Biden also welcomed the issuance of a LOR from Indias defence ministry to procure 31 General Atomics MQ-9B (16 Sky Guardian and 15 Sea Guardian) drones.

Biden and Modi also hailed the conclusion of a second Master Ship Repair Agreement, with the most recent agreement signed by the US Navy and Mazgaon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd. in August 2023. Both sides recommitted to advancing Indias emergence as a hub for the maintenance and repair of forward-deployed U.S. Navy assets and other aircraft and vessels. The two countries also welcomed the intensified discussions between the two sides on expanding opportunities for facilitating India-US collaboration in nuclear energy, but there is no breakthrough yet in the domain.

In the field of energy and climate, the two welcomed the inaugural meeting of the India-US Renewable Energy Technologies Action Platform. This will enable lab-to-lab collaboration, piloting, and testing of innovative technologies; collaboration on policy and planning to advance renewable energy and enabling technologies; investment, incubation and outreach programmes; and training and skill development to accelerate the uptake and adoption of new and emerging renewable technologies and energy systems. Indias National Investment and Infrastructure Fund and the US Development Finance Corporation have also exchanged letters of intent to each provide up to US$500 million to anchor a renewable infrastructure investment fund, besides the two countries reiterating their agreement to support the decarbonisation of Indias transport sector.

Biden and Modi also, building on their agreement in June, welcomed bilateral cooperation in cancer research, prevention, control, and management, and looked forward to the launch of the India-US Cancer Dialogue in November 2023. In addition, the US-India Health Dialogue, taking place in October 2023 in Washington DC.

Those familiar with the intricacies of the relationship suggest that the fact that India and the US, on the sidelines of a major multilateral summit, could come up with a substantial bilateral document outlining progress and charting the path forward across domains was a sign of the consistency and the commitment in both countries vis a vis the relationship.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had assured former African Union (AU) president Macky Sall on the bloc's membership in the Group of Twenty (G20), Union foreign affairs minister S Jaishankar said on Saturday at a press conference, adding that PM Modi delivered the assurance that he made. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar(Hindustan Times)

The Union minister recalled the last G20 Summit which was held in 2022 in Indonesia's Bali where the then AU chief, who is also the President of Senegal, complained about the G20 membership.

PM (Modi) had assured the (African Union President ) that under the Indian G 20 presidency, it would certainly be doneAnd you have seen that he has delivered this assurance that he had made. During the BRICS summit, the then (AU) president came to the PM and he reminded him that you had assured us and you really impacted it, he said.

The 55-member African Union has officially been made the permanent member of the G20 on Saturday. In a brief televised inaugural session, PM Modi announced the move to make the African bloc the first new member of the G20 since its creation in 1999 to cope with a series of financial crises.

In keeping with the sentiment of sabka saath (with everyone), India had proposed that the African Union should be given permanent membership of the G20. I believe we all are in agreement on this proposal, PM Modi said.

Lauding the move, current AU chief Moussa Faki Mahamat said the bloc's entry into the G20 will allow Africa to make its effective contribution in meeting global challenges.

I welcome the African Union's entry into the G20 as a full member. This membership, for which we have long been advocating, will provide a propitious framework for amplifying advocacy in favor of the Continent and its effective contribution to meeting global challenges, he wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
NEW DELHI: India and the UK will work at pace to address remaining issues holding up a free trade agreement (FTA) so that a balanced and forward-looking trade deal is concluded soon, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his British counterpart Rishi Sunak agreed on Saturday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi with his Britain counterpart Rishi Sunak during a bilateral meeting on the first day of the G20 Summit (HT Photo)

Recent talks on the FTA, earlier meant to be concluded last year, have focused on contentious areas such as market access for British spirits and automobiles and greater mobility for Indian professionals and students. The UK side has insisted its priority is a broad-based trade deal that benefits both sides rather than a timeline.

The two leaders reviewed the progress of the negotiations and expressed hope that the remaining issues could be addressed at the earliest so that a balanced, mutually beneficial and forward-looking free trade agreement is concluded soon, the external affairs ministry said after Modi and Sunak met on the margins of the G20 Summit in New Delhi.

A readout from the British side said the leaders agreed that ministers and negotiating teams would continue to work at pace towards an FTA. The readout characterised the conversation about the FTA negotiations as productive and said Sunak reiterated the UKs ambition to deliver a landmark trade deal which benefits businesses and workers in both countries and grows our trade in both goods and services.

Modi conveyed his appreciation for the UKs support during Indias G20 presidency and the leaders expressed satisfaction in progress in diverse areas of bilateral cooperation in line with the India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and the Roadmap 2030. Both sides noted the progress in economy, defence, security, green technology, health and mobility and the leaders also discussed international and regional issues.

The British readout said the leaders also focused on the growing ties between the UK and India, exemplified in the living bridge between the people and agreed it was important to build on the past and focus on the future to cement a modern partnership in cutting-edge defence technology, trade and innovation.

Modi and Sunak also discussed a number of consular issues, the British readout said without giving details. Sunak also accepted Modis invitation for a bilateral visit at an early date.

Modis other significant bilateral meeting on the margins of the G20 Summit was with Prime Minister Fumio Kishida of Japan, a key partner of India in the Indo-Pacific region. The two leaders agreed to work together in maintaining and strengthening a free and open international order based on the rule of law, and in the field of advanced technology, including space, a Japanese readout said.

The Indian Prime Ministers Office posted on X that Modi and Kishida are committed to bolster cooperation in key sectors such as connectivity and commerce.

During the meeting that lasted about 20 minutes, Kishida called for cooperation in improving Indias investment environment to realise the target of 5-trillion yen in public and private investment and financing from Japan by 2027.

Both leaders welcomed the provision of a 400-billion yen loan for the flagship high-speed rail project. They welcomed various initiatives for the Japan-India tourism exchange year and Kishida said coordination is underway to launch the Japanese Grant Aid for Human Resource Development Scholarship (JDS), whereby Indian officials who will play a leading role in bilateral ties can study in Japan.

Modi also held a bilateral meeting with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and discussed ways to bolster their partnership in trade, investment, commerce, defence and security. I had excellent meeting with PM @GiorgiaMeloni. Our talks covered sectors such as trade, commerce, defence, emerging technologies and more, Modi posted on X.

This was Melonis second trip to India this year following a state visit in March, when bilateral ties were raised to the level of a strategic partnership. Modi appreciated Italys joining the Global Biofuel Alliance and the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Rezaul H Laskar Rezaul H Laskar is the Foreign Affairs Editor at Hindustan Times. His interests include movies and music. ...view detail
Telugu Desam Party (TDP) president and former Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidus arrest early on Saturday morning triggered a political uproar in the state, with all opposition parties condemning the move, even as analysts maintained it will send the cadre of both TDP and ruling YSR Congress Party into hyperdrive months before the simultaneous elections to state assembly and Lok Sabha. Police personnel detain Telugu Desam Party supporters during their protest against the arrest of former Andhra Pradesh chief minister and party chief N Chandrababu Naidu, in Nandyal on Saturday (ANI)

The development, according to political analysts, will also exacerbate widening fault lines between chief minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy and his predecessor Naidu in the run-up to the crucial polls.

Elections to the legislative assembly, which has 175 members, and the 25 Lok Sabha seats are held simultaneously in Andhra Pradesh.

In a state where much of the political narrative is defined by the two regional powerhouses, the arrest of three-time former chief minister Naidu attracted condemnation from both newly formed opposition bloc INDIA (Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance) and the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), besides actor-turned-politician Pawan Kalyans Jana Sena.

If there is really a case, he should be served prior notice. Why should the police create so much hungama (ruckus)? said state Congress working president N Tulasi Reddy.

The TDP is not part of the INDIA bloc, which has been constituted to take on the BJP in the 2024 parliamentary elections. Naidu, however, has met top BJP leaders like Union home minister Amit Shah and party president JP Nadda over the past three months, fuelling speculation of joining the NDA.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) state unit chief Daggubati Purandeswari alleged that the police did not follow set procedure in arresting the TDP chief. In fact, his [Naidus] name was not mentioned in the FIR [first information report] at all and the police did not even bother to at least take his explanation in the case, she said.

The state unit of the BJP has so far remained non-committal publicly on a possible alliance with the TDP.

When a person is arrested as per the law, there must be a reasonable cause and certain procedures must be followed. Otherwise, one is forced to think it is an act of partisanship, said BJP national secretary Y Satya Kumar.

Pawan Kalyan, who left for Vijaywada to meet the TDP chief, termed the development an act of vengeance by chief minister Reddy.

Prima facie, there is no evidence against Naidu but the Jagan government is resorting to political witch-hunt, the actor-politician alleged in a statement.

Meanwhile, TDPs Vijayawada MP, Kesineni Nani, dashed off a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking his intervention. The letter said that Naidu had dedicated 45 years of his life to serving the nation and was widely known as a clean and principled leader.

The ruling YSRCP, however, rejected these allegations.

He was arrested only after the police gathered strong evidence in the skill development scam, which is the worst economic offence in the history of Independent India, YSRCP general secretary Sajjala Ramakrishna Reddy said.

With crucial assembly and parliamentary elections less than a year away, political analysts said Naidus arrest would have a clear bearing on the campaign in the run-up to the polls.

This is a controversial and contentious move of the Jagan Mohan Reddy government which will galvanise both parties into hyper election mode months before the scheduled polls, political analyst and author Sriram Karri said.

The move comes at a time when Naidu, who was the first chief minister of divided Andhra Pradesh post the states bifurcation in 2014, and his TDP have been making efforts to revive themselves politically after hitting historic lows in 2019.

In the 2019 assembly elections, Naidus party managed to win only 23 of the 175 seats, coming a distant second to YSSRCP, which won an impressive 151 seats. In the simultaneous Lok Sabha polls, the TDP won only three of the 25 seats, losing the other 22 to the YSRCP.

It is still unclear, Karri said, whether Naidus arrest would benefit the TDP or the YSRCP. It will depend on how the neutral voters react. At this stage, the jury is still out.

Another political analyst Ramesh Kandula said though the move reeks of revenge, the calculation could have been that the TDP would become rudderless if Naidu was in jail for a few months. If that happens, the opposition could panic and that would help the YSRCP return to power, Kandula said. It is key how this move is received by the people.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Congress MP Rahul Gandhi who is in Brussels posted a tweet on Saturday, the first day of the mega G20 event in Delhi, saying that there is no need to hide India's reality from the guests. "GOI is hiding our poor people and animals," Rahul Gandhi wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. The Congress has been continuing its attack on the government on several aspects of the G20 -- hiding the poor of the capital being Rahul Gandhi's point of objection in this tweet. The party earlier shared a video of coolie camp, a slum in Delhi's Vasant Vihar, which has been hidden from the public view ahead of the G20 summit. Rahul Gandhi is not in Delhi as the capital hosts the world leaders for G20. Rahul Gandhi is on a week-long tour tu Europe.

In another video, Congress claimed that the many street dogs were cruelly dragged by their necks and thrown into cages as Delhi got all decked up for hosting the international leaders. "They are being denied food and water, and they are being subjected to extreme stress & fear. It is imperative that we raise our voices against such appalling acts and demand justice for these voiceless victims.," the video claimed.

Congress leaders alleged many loopholes in the G20 arrangement as Jairam Ramesh claimed that India did not allow media to ask questions to US President Joe Biden and PM Modi after their bilateral meeting. "President Biden's team says despite multiple requests India has not allowed media to ask questions of him and Prime Minister Modi after their bilateral meeting. President Biden will now take questions in Vietnam on Sept 11th from the media accompanying him. Not surprising at all. This is how democracy is done Modi-style!" Jairam Ramesh said.

'Welcoming guests with Shape of You?'

Congress leader Supriya Shrinate shared a video and asked whether Ed Sheeran's 'Shape of You' was indeed being played when the G20 leaders reached India. In the video shared by Shrinate, a classical rendition of Shape of You can be heard. Sharing another video, Shrinate said the Oman head of state looked awkward and left abruptly at the cultural function. "What the hell is wrong with our diplomats? Is there no input and background done on guests culture sensitivity? The Oman head of state looked awkward and left abruptly," Shrinate said.

'Low-level politics': Mallikarjun Kharge on not being invited to G20 dinner

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Saturday said not inviting him to the G20 dinner is not good politics, but low-level one which the Centre should not have done. Several Congress leaders including Rahul Gandhi reacted after Kharge was not invited to the dinner. Rahul Gandhi said it showed that the government did not respect the leader of the 60% of India.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Former Rajasthan minister and Congress legislator Rajendra Singh Gudha, who was sacked from the cabinet after he attacked his party government in the assembly, on Saturday joined the Maharashtra chief minister Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena. Former minister and Congress legislator Rajendra Singh Gudha with Maharashtra chief minister Eknath Shinde in Jhunjhunu district on Saturday. (HT Photo)

Gudha, the legislator from Udaipurwati assembly constituency, who was elected on a Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) ticket in 2018 and then switched to the Congress, has been targeting Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot since his termination from the cabinet on July 21 after he cornered the government in the assembly drawing parallels between sexual violence in ethnic strife-torn Manipur and crimes against women in Rajasthan.

Former minister of state for panchayati raj and rural development, Gudha has claimed that he had a red diary that contained details of alleged illegal transactions by Gehlot. The opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has used the allegation to attack the Congress-led government ahead of the crucial state assembly polls due for later this year. Shinde welcomed Gudha to the Shiv Sena during an event in Udaipurwati in Jhunjhunu district, saying he sacrificed the ministerial position for the cause of people.

He (Gudha) spoke about the safety of women and law and order but was removed. What wrong did he say? Shinde said, adding that leaders like the former Rajasthan minister were invaluable to the country and the state.

Addressing the gathering, Shinde further said that Rajasthan needs improved law and order, safety of women, job opportunities for youths and progress of farmers.

Is it a crime to support the truth?... You [Gudha] left the ministerial post, but did not leave the truth, Shinde added.

On the possibility of an alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party in Rajasthan, Shinde  whose party is in alliance with the BJP in Maharashtra  said that decisions on it will be taken when elections are closer. Shiv Sena will only engage with the politics of development for polls, he added.

After joining the Shiv Sena, Gudha was quoted by news agency ANI as saying: With Eknath Shinde, I will work for the youth and women of the state...

A senior Congress leader, requesting anonymity, said Gudha joining the Shiv Sena will be his loss and not the states ruling party. We are in no haste to remove him. But the party will issue a notice and the decision will be taken by the assembly speaker, the leader added.

Political analyst Narayan Bareth said the BJP and Shinde-led party have similar Hindutva agenda, adding that Gudha will miss out on core Congress vote bank if he chooses to contest on Shiv Sena ticket.

The Congress is ignoring Gudha as the party has already accepted that he wont stick with the party. It seems, the ruling party does not want to get into any verbal spat with Gudha, Bareth added.

Elections to the 200-member Rajasthan legislative assembly are scheduled for later this year. In 2018, Gudha won the Udaipurwati assembly seat on a BSP ticket and later joined the Congress along with five other BSP legislators. The BSP had won six seats in the last assembly polls.
The Ayodhya administration in Uttar Pradesh has identified several sites to set up the proposed museum of temples in the city and also roped in a team of architects from Mumbai to finalise the land, officials familiar with the matter said on Saturday The project will be rolled out before the opening of Ram Mandir in Ayodhya in January next year, according to officials (ANI)

The state-of-the-art museum will showcase the history of the famous temples across the country. It will also virtually display the journey of the architecture of the temples across the country from the prehistoric age till date, said the officials.

Providing details, Gaurav Dayal, divisional commissioner of Ayodhya, who is spearheading the project said: Chief minister Yogi Adityanath has committed to provide the land for the temple museum project. It will showcase the timeline and history of architecture of the temples across the country from prehistoric age till date.

According to the officials from Ayodhya administration, SNK Consultants (Somaya & Kalappa Consultants) of Mumbai will execute the project.

The architects have sought around 20-25 acre land alongside the Saryu river for the project, the officials quoted above added. After the land is finalised, it will be transferred to the state tourism department, which will handle the project, according to government officials.

The state government is also roping in experts from all across the country who have expertise in temple architecture, one of the officials quoted above said, adding, they (the experts) will assist the state government in finalising the content for the museum.

The temple museum will have architectural details of temples in the north, south, east and the west. For this, we need experts in temple architecture who will be roped in from all across the country, said a state government official, on the condition of anonymity.

Earlier on Wednesday, the Ayodhya administration had given a presentation on the project before Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi in the presence of CM Yogi Adityanath.

The project will be rolled out before the opening of Ram Mandir in Ayodhya in January next year, according to officials. PM Modi will preside over the consecration ceremony of Ram Lalla in Ayodhya in January 2024.
Telugu Desam Party (TDP) spokesman Kommareddy Pattabhiram, hours after the arrest of party president and former Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu, said on Saturday that the Andhra Pradesh police and the Crime Investigation Department (CID) had begun the process of illegally arresting Naidu. TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu after being arrested in a corruption case, in Nandyal, in the eary hours of Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. (PTI Photo)

Speaking to news agency ANI, Pattabhiram said, From yesterday night the Andhra Pradesh police & CID started the process of illegally arresting Chandrababu Naidu. Hundreds of policemen gathered outside the campsite of Chandrababu Naidu.

Naidu was arrested in a multi-crore Andhra Pradesh's State Skill Development Corporation (APSSDC) scam. Several TDP leaders were also placed under house arrest following the arrest of Naidu.

Pattabhiram claimed that in the initial FIR, Naidu had not been named. Defending Naidu, he said that the former CM was responsible for intalling highest number of skill development centres in the country. In a case where there is no evidence, how can arrests be made?

He added that Naidu was protected by Z-plus security, the highest security category in India, and the National Security Guard (NSG), the counter terrorism fource.

He said, Even after knowing that, hundreds of policemen illegally detained all the leaders who were staying at the campsite with Chandrababu Naidu.

Pattabhiram said that NSG officials tried to stop the police stating that it wasn't the correct procedure to arrest an NSG-protected individual at 5:30 am on Saturday.

A huge police contingent led by Nandyal range DIG Raghurami Reddy and the CID arrived at RK Function Hall where Naidu was resting in his caravan. TDP supporters tried to resist the police as they gathered in large numbers. Even SPG forces guarding the former CM initially prevented access to Naidu.

When Naidu questioned the police asking them on what basis was he being arrested, Pattabhiram claimed that the police had no answer.

Isn't it the right of a person to know on what grounds is he being arrested? Are we living in a democracy or are we living in a draconian state?

After his arrest, Naidu was being transported to Vijayawada. He was arrested on non-bailable charges under Sections 120(8), 166, 167, 418, 420, 465, 468, 471, 409, 201, 109 r/w 34 & 37 IPC and other sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.

Pattabhiram also said that for the past two years, the skill development case drama had been going on and claimed that Naidu's arrest came ahead of the elections. He said, They have carried out this arrest just to brand Chandrababu Naidu as some kind of a corrupt politician.

TDP attacks chief minitster YS Jagan Mohan Reddy

Attacking Andhra Pradesh chief minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, Pattabhiram said, People know that it is Jagan Mohan Reddy who is the most corrupt politician in the entire country. For the last 40 years, no corruptiong charges have ever been proved against Chandrababu Naidu because he is such a sincere politician.

He further added that Reddy faced 11 CBI chargesheetsand six ED chargesheets of corruption. It is Jagan Reddy who has been in jail for 16 months and even now, he is living on bail. He is not free.

Stating that Reddy was the wealthiest chief minister in the country, Pattabhiram said, A person who has an income of 9,00,204 has become the richest chief minister in 2019. How is it possible? It is because of his corrupt practices.

Andhra Pradesh chief minister Jagan Mohan Reddy is the wealthiest chief minister of the country with a total of 510 crore assets, according to poll affidavits analysed by the Association for Democratic Reforms.

TDP members stage protests across Andhra Pradesh

Naidu's son Nara Lokesh staged a protest in Andhra Pradesh along with other party members who could be heard shouting slogans  We want justice.

TDP leaders and activists also staged protests in Annapurna Sarukulu centre in Tirupati against Naidu's arrest.

Buses from Tamil Nadu to Andhra Pradesh have been stopped at the border in light of the ongoing ruckus in the state.

What is AP State Skill Development Corporation scam?

In March, the Crime Investigation Department of the Andhra Pradesh police initiated a probe into an alleged scam worth 3,300 crore in the APSSDC during the previous TDP regime. The investigation followed notices issued to Arja Srikanth, a former Indian Railway Traffic Service (IRTS) officer who was the CEO of APSSDC in 2016, based on statements from an accused turned approver and depositions by three IAS officers. In 2016, during the tenure of the TDP government, the APSSDC was established with the aim of empowering unemployed youth by providing skill training to enhance their employability.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Conceived as an ambitious project quietly by India and close ally UAE two and a half years ago, the India-Middle East-Europe Corridor was announced by a galaxy of leaders on the side-lines of G-20 summit with support from US led Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment (PGII) today. (L-R) Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud. Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi. US President Joe Biden. UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

After several quiet meetings between National Security Advisors (NSA) of India, UAE, USA, and with full support of Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the Middle-East corridor project envisages movement of goods through standardized containers from India to Fujairah Port on the eastern seaboard of UAE and then to Port of Haifa in Israel through 2650 kilometer of railroad via Saudi Arabia and Jordan. Some 1,850 kilometers of railroad is already functioning between the two countries with Saudi Arabia planning to build the remaining portion so that the goods reach the Port of Haifa. From there, the goods from India and other countries in the sub-continent like Nepal and Bangladesh will be shipped to various ports in Europe including Italy, Germany and France.

Proposed by the leaders of India, US, UAE, Saudi Arabia and joined now by leaders of Italy, Germany and France, the Middle-East corridor will be completed in phases with the rail engines to be powered by solar energy in the final stages.

The middle-east corridor will be a rail bridge to send goods from Vietnam to India via Myanmar and Bangladesh in future and ensure that the Indian goods hit European destinations within a matter of seventy two hours. The containers will be standard sized and will be shipped to Fujairah and Haifa ports. The Haifa port in Israel is currently being operated and upgraded by an Indian company, said a top official.

India's PM Modi, US' Joe Biden, and Saudi PM Mohammed bin Salman

The project has been under discussion for the past two and a half years including meetings in Dubai and Jeddah. The last known meeting of the project was held in Jeddah under the stewardship of Crown Prince MBS with Indian NSA Ajit Doval, US NSA Jake Sullivan and UAE NSA Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan in attendance in May this year.

It is understood that each participating country will fund the project in its own territory with the possibility of South Asian countries joining at a later stage. With Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Joe Biden, Saudi PM Mohammed bin Salman, UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed, EU Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, French President Emmanuel Macron and Italian PM Giorgia Meloni all present at the announcement of the project in New Delhi this evening, the India-Middle East-Europe project will act as the most important trade and technology bridge between the three important regions of the world.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
NAGPUR: A female tiger cub being treated at Chandrapurs Wildlife Transit Treatment Centre after being rescued from the Ballarpur forest range of Chandrapur died on Saturday morning. The cub was spotted by forest guards on patrol duty near the carcass of two cubs in the Kalamna on September 7. A Sumatran tiger cub cleans one of its parents during the annual weigh-in to document the health and condition of animals (REUTERS FILE?REPRESENTATIVE IMAGE)

The cub hadnt been eating and was intravenously administered saline, said Jitendra Ramgaonkar, chief conservator of forest, Chandrapur Circle. The Toadoa-Andhari Tiger Reserve, which has about 130 big cats, is in Chandrapur.

Officials said the cubs found dead by local forest guards were about four months old. A five-member team has been formed to trace their mother.

The tigress had probably gone hunting and then probably got lost in the jungle and so the cubs were left alone. Forest staffers knew about the three lonely cubs and were observing their movement but two cubs were most likely killed by some wild animal and one later died at the wildlife TTC, said Ramgaonkar. He further stated that forest officials were trying hard to locate the missing tigress.

This was the second case of cubs being found dead this month after two cubs were found dead in the buffer zone of Pench Tiger Reserve (PTR) in Maharashtras Nagpur district last week. Last month an adult leopard and its two cubs were electrocuted after coming in contact with live wires laid to kill wild boars in Gondia district of eastern Maharashtra.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Rishi Sunak and First Lady Akshata Murty are scheduled to visit the Akshardham temple in Delhi on Sunday. Security arrangements have been tightened outside the temple in view of the UK PM's visit. Speaking to news agency ANI about Sunak's visit, an official from the temple Jyotindra Dave said, "We do not know when the PM of Britain will arrive tomorrow but we got to know from the Britain High Commission that he will be visiting. We have made all the preparations in view of his visit. Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Rishi Sunak and First Lady of the United Kingdom Akshata Murty being welcomed by Union Minister Ashwini Kumar Choubey upon their arrival at Palam Airforce Airport on Friday.(PTI)

We are planning to give him a diary and a model of the Akshardham temple, Dave added.

In a statement made earlier, Rishi Sunak called himself a proud Hindu and said that he was hoping to visit a temple in a few days. I'm a proud Hindu, and that's how I was raised. That's how I am. Hopefully, I can visit a Mandir while I'm here for the next couple of days, he told ANI. Sunak said that though he celebrated Raksha Bandhan earlier he did not have the time to celebrate Krishna Janmashthami properly and that he hoped to "make up for it" by visiting a temple.

Rishi Sunak and his wife Akshata Murty arrived in the national capital on Friday to attend the two-day-long G20 Summit which began on September 9. Sunak was received by Union Minister Ashwini Kumar Choubey at the airport. Choubey gifted Sunak with a rudraksha, a copy of Hanuman Chalisa and Bhagavad Gita.

UK PM Sunak also held a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the Summit on Saturday. In pictures that were shared on social media after the meeting by PM Modi, Sunak was seen engaged in talks with the PM as well as seen hugging him.

(With inputs from ANI)
Bengaluru: Mangalore University Vice-Chancellor, Jayaraj Amin, has alleged that he was threatened by BJP MLA Vedavyas Kamath to organise the Ganesh Chaturthi celebration at the main campuss Mangala Auditorium. In a letter addressed to the Vice-Chancellor secretariat on Friday, Amin detailed the alleged threats and pressures he faced over the controversy around conducting the Ganesh Chaturthi celebration Mangalore University Vice-Chancellor, Jayaraj Amin, has alleged that he was threatened by BJP MLA Vedavyas Kamath to organise the Ganesh Chaturthi celebration at the main campus.

They demanded that the Ganesh Chaturthi programme should be held in Mangala Auditorium at the expense of the University. They applied pressure on me for about two hours and threatened to organise a large-scale protest, agitation, and a media conference if I did not agree immediately, said Amins letter addressed to the principal secretary, department of higher education.

He also requested the government relieve him of his post as in-charge vice chancellor, as he is under constant pressure from many sides. The Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations since past four decades held at the boys hostel and another celebration that started about five years ago at the science block were merged and shifted to Mangala Auditorium. The university also provided financial assistance for the celebrations. However, there was an audit objection to providing financial grants , he said.

He said that in 2022, 1.97 lakh was sanctioned for the celebrations, and the previous year it was 1.52 lakh. The auditor has asked for an explanation about sanctioning funds for the celebrations.

This year, there is a request from the student welfare office to celebrate the festival, like in previous years. We have asked whoever wants to conduct the celebration to hold it at the boys hostel premises. The funds from the cultural fee can be used for it. However, the celebrations cannot be held in the auditorium, and MU cannot provide funds, Amin stated in the letter.

Responding to the controversy, Karnataka Legislative Assembly speaker and Mangaluru MLA UT Khader said there was no need for outsiders interference in the conduct of Ganeshotsava in the Mangalore University campus in his constituency. The Vice-Chancellor is competent to decide as per the prevailing rules and regulations, Khader said, taking an indirect dig at D Vedavyasa Kamath, Mangaluru city south MLA.

HT reached out to Kamath, but did not receive a response.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
NEW DELHI: The African Union became a permanent member of the G20 on Saturday at a summit of leaders of the worlds largest economies in New Delhi, marking the first expansion of the bloc since it was created in 1999 to cope with a series of financial crises. Prime Minister Narendra Modi greets President of the Union of the Comoros and chairperson of the African Union (AU) Azali Assoumani after the Union became permanent member of the G20 in New Delhi (PTI/PMO)

The African Union will have the same status as the 27-member European Union (EU), the only regional bloc with full membership of the G20. The move was in line with the Indian G20 presidencys efforts to put the concerns and interests of the Global South at the centre of its agenda for the summit.

In a brief televised inaugural session, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the move to make the 55-member African bloc the new member of the G20. In keeping with the sentiment of sabka saath (with everyone), India proposed that the African Union should be given permanent membership of the G20. I believe we all are in agreement on this proposal, Modi said, speaking in Hindi.

Also Read: The Middle-East trade-tech corridor will bring India and Europe close via Saudi Arabia

After saying with your agreement, Modi banged a gavel thrice to mark the entry of the African Union into the grouping. Before we start our work, I invite the African Union president to take his position as a permanent member, he said.

External affairs minister S Jaishankar escorted the current chairperson of the African Union, Comoros President Azali Assoumani, to a seat at the table for permanent members of the G20. Modi greeted Assoumani with a hug before the G20 leaders began their deliberations behind closed doors.

Addressing the opening session of the summit, Modi called for the G20 to work together to find solutions to pressing challenges such as a turbulent global economy, the North-South divide, management of food, fuel and fertilisers and ensuring health, energy, and water security. Indias G-20 presidency has become a symbol of inclusion, both within the country and beyond, representing the spirit of Sabka Saath (with everyone), he said.

In a post on X along with a video of the announcement, PM Modi said: Honoured to welcome the African Union as a permanent member of the G20 Family. This will strengthen the G20 and also strengthen the voice of the Global South.

Africa was also in spotlight as the delegates gathered in New Delhi because of an earthquake in Morocco. Modi offered condolences and support for the victims. The entire world community is with Morocco in this difficult time and we are ready to provide them all possible assistance, he said.

The inclusion of the African Union will also add to the clout of the G20, which already accounts for about 85% of global GDP, more than 75% of global trade and about two-thirds of the world population.

In June, Modi wrote to his counterparts among G20 members that the African Union should be given full membership of the grouping. The proposal was also backed by key members of the European Union (EU), China and Russia, albeit for different reasons.

Besides the EU, members of the G7 such as Japan backed the move to give African countries, which are part of the Global South, a greater say in the global governance architecture. China was reluctant to be seen as going against the move in view of its large investments in Africa through the Belt and Road Initiative, while Russia has been keen to woo more African states to its side to counter its isolation by the West over the Ukraine conflict.

India is elated to welcome @_AfricanUnion as a permanent member of the G20. Together, let us foster global unity and progress. Let us also do whatever we can for the development of the Global South, Modi posted on X.

In response to a message in French posted on X by Assoumani, Modi said India believes in a collaborative future and this step further solidifies our collective commitment to global progress. Modi also responded to a congratulatory message from South African President Cyril Ramaphosa by saying: With the @_AfricanUnion strengthening the G20 family, we will cement partnerships that prioritise all-round development, leading to a better planet.

Ramaphosa said the global reconstruction in the wake of Covid-19 presents an opportunity to accelerate the transition to low-carbon, climate resilient, sustainable societies at a time when developing economies are bearing the brunt of climate change.

Diplomats of G20 member states have said the African Unions inclusion would not lead to a change in the name of the grouping.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Virgin Galactic Holdings Inc. said it launched its third commercial flight Friday morning, sending another crew of paying tourists to the edge of space and back. Space Tourism: Virgin Galactic's third commercial flight takes tourists to the edge of space and back (AP Photo/Andres Leighton)

The flight, called Galactic 03, marks the latest milestone for the venture, founded by billionaire Richard Branson, as it strives to reach a monthly cadence of launches for its commercial business.

The mission took off at 8:34 a.m. local time, the company said in a post on social media site X, with Virgin Galactics VMS Eve carrier aircraft hoisting the space plane VSS Unity into the sky from Spaceport America in New Mexico. Roughly 45 minutes later, Unity dropped from the aircraft and climbed to the edge of space, the company said in another X post.

On board this trip were two company pilots, three customers and one employee support astronaut, Virgin Galactic said in a press release last month.

The company didnt announce the names of Galactic 03s passengers ahead of Fridays flight or provide a livestream of the trip, as it did with the previous two missions, citing their privacy. However, the company did release a video prior to the flight teasing the crew members nationalities.

Galactic 03 comes a month after the companys previous flight, which sent its first private tourists to space. Virgin Galactic kicked off commercial spaceflight operations in June with Galactic 01, a research mission for the Italian Air Force  a feat that came nearly two decades after the companys founding.

Virgin Galactics shares were down roughly 4% in New York. The stock is down 35% so far this year.

Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" "Exciting news! Hindustan Times is now on WhatsApp ChannelsSubscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
Mammoth Lakes in California boasts of unparalleled natural beauty, where majestic mountains, pristine lakes and lush forests converge to create a picturesque haven for seekers of tranquillity and adventure. Amidst this stunning backdrop, the Mammoth Lakes Yoga Festival offers a harmonious blend of wellness and serenity that perfectly complements the awe-inspiring surroundings. Travelling to California? Check out this unique experience designed for Yoga lovers in Mammoth Lakes (Photo by N Bhattacharya)

Want to immerse yourself in a captivating fusion of rejuvenating Yoga practices and more? Check out this venue from Thursday, September 14 to Sunday, September 17 between 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM each day!

The Mammoth Yoga Festival is reportedly a captivating retreat for those searching for adventure, personal growth and meaningful connections amidst the majestic Sierra Nevada Mountains of California. Each September, this festival unveils a haven for "Yoga and meditation for every body type, every age, and every ability," extending a warm invitation to all who yearn to embark on this transformative journey.

Whether you are a novice venturing into the realm of Yoga for the first time, a practitioner seeking to deepen your connection or an explorer on a quest for holistic well-being, there are options for all skill levels. Over the course of these four days, the event promises a journey of high-energy healing set against the breathtaking backdrop of Mammoth Lakes in California.

The festival presents an eclectic array of classes designed to nurture and expand your practice where from early morning sessions delving into innovative Yoga sequencing and the art of precise cueing to thought-provoking discussions on decolonizing Yoga, there is a wealth of wisdom to absorb. Throughout the weekend, masterful asana and meditation sessions led by esteemed teachers will guide you, allowing you to root yourself firmly in the present moment.

Invigorating workshops, Kids Yoga and a Stand-Up Paddleboard (SUP) are the highlights along with the radiant sunrises to the starlit Sierra nights as the festival offers a seamless transition from dawn to dusk. As the sun sets, The Vendor Village Market comes to life with captivating performances by ethereal musicians and this year's lineup will feature Dub Sutra, EQUANIMOUS, GEM, KailaXGaia, Katie Wise + Bhakti Explosion.

The ambience is expected to transform into a captivating experience with live music that will make you sway and groove under the celestial sky. It stands as an invaluable opportunity for Yoga and fitness professionals to accrue essential continuing education credits that promise an unforgettable journey of self-discovery and enlightenment amid the enchanting embrace of the Mammoth Yoga Festival.

Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" "Exciting news! Hindustan Times is now on WhatsApp ChannelsSubscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
Theres never such a thing as a good time for diplomats to be seen as making undiplomatic comments. But the Chinese ambassador to Nepal Chen Songs recent remarks about Nepals not so beneficial trade ties with India have come at a particularly wrong time. Nepals PM Pushpa Kamal Dahal, aka Prachanda, visits China on September 22. And Chen has put the Maoist prime minister in a political spot. PREMIUM Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Chen Song and Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal. (right)(Photo courtesy: Office of Prime Minister and Council of Ministers)

As Chen was addressing a foreign-policy forum on Chinas role in the global economy, including Nepal, it is very unlikely that his remarks were off-the-cuff. He was trying to explain Nepals potential for power exports and the market reality. Unfortunately, you have a neighbour like India, he said, but fortunately, you have a neighbour like India, because India is a huge market with huge potential you can tap into.

He then made the most controversial statement a Chinese envoy could make about India: But at the same time, India's policy towards Nepal and other neighbours is not so friendly and not so beneficial to Nepal.

Last fiscal year, you exported 10 billion of electricity to India. How much did you import from India? My Nepalese friends, you imported 19 billion of electricity from India. You had a deficit in electricity trade, one of the products you are proud of, and you think that will bring you economic independence.

In its entirety, Chens remarks were not entirely unfounded, but he seemed to have forgotten  or chose to forget  that he sits in Kathmandu as Beijings ambassador, and Nepalis dont want the envoy from one powerful neighbour telling them how to handle ties with another powerful neighbour. The political response in Kathmandu also underpins Nepals difficult balancing act, a small states constant nervousness as it sits between big neighbours  one, the worlds second-largest economy and the other, the fifth-largest.

Historically, Nepals communist leaders share a stronger ideological allegiance towards Beijing than New Delhi (and the West and Washington) and, therefore, are likely to exercise greater restraint when it comes to their political positioning vis-a-vis China. Historically, China has also been viewed in Nepal as a less interventionist power.

That perception has certainly been changing in recent years. In 2020, the then Chinese ambassador to Nepal Hou Yanqi lobbied hard with the leaders of the Nepal Communist Party, which enjoyed close to a two-thirds majority in Parliament, to remain together. The party eventually split into three parties, and in the 2022 elections, the centrist Nepali Congress emerged as the largest party in a deeply hung parliament.

Last week, when China published its new political map, it included the disputed trijunction in Nepals northwest, bordering China and India  the district of Pithoragarh in Uttarakhand. Though Nepals official response was non-committal, it again brought to public view that the new China will do what it deems fit, regardless of Nepali sentiments. Nepal governments official response to the map was muted, unlike that of Chinas other aggrieved neighbours. The Philippines, Malaysia, Vietnam and India not only rejected China's new map they also issued strong statements accusing Beijing of claiming their territory. In its public statement Kathmandu, however, stopped short of mentioning China at all, merely urging for respect for its own map unanimously approved by Parliament in 2020.

Chens remarks have been widely covered by Nepals media and the envoy has been on the receiving end for his interventionist foreign-policy approach in what is widely seen as Nepals own business. Earlier this week, members of the Parliaments Foreign Relations Committee, which includes former prime minister Madhav Kumar Nepal, censured Chen. Ambassadors, particularly from the neighbouring countries, said MK Nepal, who also heads the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Socialist), should be mindful of Nepals geo-political sensitivity.

In an op-ed piece in the Chinese Communist Party mouthpiece, The Global Times, Zhang Jiadong, the director of Center for South Asian Studies at Fudan University, has argued that India has actively competed with China over major projects in Nepal and has banned the import of electricity from Nepal that is linked to Chinese investment or involvement, be it equipment, workers, or subcontractors, a move that restricts the development of Nepal's hydropower industry. This, according to him, reflects India's influence in Nepal and highlights the inevitable geopolitical and economic challenges in Nepal-China trade cooperation.

In the Maoist Prime Minister Prachanda, Beijing sees a fellow Maoist alright. But it is also well aware that he lands in China in the third week of September as the leader of a shaky coalition where his political life requires a fine balance, both among fellow coalition partners and between two powerful neighbours.

Akhilesh Upadhyay is a former editor of the Kathmandu Post, and a Senior Fellow at IIDS, a Kathmandu-based think tank. The views expressed here are personal
India and the US on Friday said they have started talks to put in place a strategic framework for human space flight by year-end as they plan to send an Indian astronaut to the International Space Station in 2024. Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets the United States President Joe Biden on the sidelines of the G20 Summit, in New Delhi on Friday. (ANI)

US President Joe Biden also congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the historic landing of Chandrayaan-3 at the south polar region of the Moon and the success of Aditya-L1 solar mission.

"Determined to deepen our partnership in outer space exploration, ISRO and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) have commenced discussions on modalities, capacity building, and training for mounting a joint effort to the International Space Station in 2024, and are continuing efforts to finalise a strategic framework for human space flight cooperation by the end of 2023," said a joint statement issued after the 52-minute talks between the two leaders.

During Modi's visit to the US in June, Biden had announced India and the US were collaborating to send an astronaut to the international space station in 2024.

On Friday evening, Biden drove to Modi's official residence at the Lok Kalyan Marg soon after his arrival at the airport here.

"India and the United States also intend to increase coordination on planetary defence to protect planet Earth and space assets from the impact of asteroids and near-Earth objects, including US support for India's participation in asteroid detection and tracking via the Minor Planet Center," the joint statement said.

"Having set a course to reach new frontiers across all sectors of space cooperation, the leaders welcomed efforts towards establishment of a Working Group for commercial space collaboration under the existing India-U.S. Civil Space Joint Working Group," the joint statement said.

It said the US reiterated its commitment to working together with India in the quantum domain, both bilaterally and through the Quantum Entanglement Exchange, a platform to facilitate international quantum exchange opportunities.

The two leaders welcomed the participation of S N Bose National Centre for Basic Sciences as a member of the Quantum Economic Development Consortium.

It was also recognised that the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay joined the Chicago Quantum Exchange as an international partner.

Sharing a vision of secure and trusted telecommunications, resilient supply chains, and global digital inclusion, Modi and Biden welcomed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Bharat 6G Alliance and Next G Alliance, operated by Alliance for Telecommunications Industry Solutions, as a first step towards deepening public-private cooperation between vendors and operators.

They further acknowledged the setting up of two Joint Task Forces focused on collaboration in the field of Open RAN and research and development in 5G/6G technologies, the joint statement said.

"A 5G Open RAN pilot in a leading Indian telecom operator will be undertaken by a US Open RAN manufacturer before field deployment. The leaders continue to look forward to the participation of Indian companies in the U.S. Rip and Replace Program," it said, adding that Biden also welcomed India's support for a Rip and Replace pilot in the United States.

The two leaders hailed the signing of an Implementation Arrangement between the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) and Department of Biotechnology to enable scientific and technological research collaborations in biotechnology and biomanufacturing innovations.

They welcomed the call for proposals released by NSF and Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology to foster academic and industrial collaboration in semiconductor research, next generation communication systems, cyber-security, sustainability and green technologies, and intelligent transportation systems.

Reaffirming their commitment to building resilient technology value chains and linking defence industrial ecosystems, the leaders recommitted their administrations to promoting policies and adapting regulations that facilitate greater technology sharing, co-development, and co-production opportunities between Indian and U.S. industry, government and academic institutions.

They also welcomed continued engagement through an inter-agency monitoring mechanism under the auspices of the bilateral Strategic Trade Dialogue, launched in June 2023.

The two leaders welcomed the signing of an MoU between Indian universities, represented by the Council of Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT Council), and the Association of American Universities (AAU) to establish the India-U.S. Global Challenges Institute, with a combined initial commitment of at least USD10 million.

The Global Challenges Institute will bring together leading research and higher-education institutions from across the two nations, including beyond AAU and IIT membership, to advance new frontiers in science and technology, spanning collaboration in sustainable energy and agriculture, health and pandemic preparedness, semiconductor technology and manufacturing, advanced materials, telecommunications, artificial intelligence, and quantum science, the statement said.

The leaders also welcomed the growing number of multi-institutional collaborative education partnerships, such as those between New York University-Tandon and IIT Kanpur Advanced Research Center, and the Joint Research Centers of the State University of New York at Buffalo and IIT Delhi, Kanpur, Jodhpur, and BHU, in the areas of critical and emerging technologies.

Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" "Exciting news! Hindustan Times is now on WhatsApp ChannelsSubscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on Sunday informed Aditya L1, India's first solar mission, has successfully performed third earth-bound manoeuvre during its journey to the Sun. Aditya L1 completes 3rd earth-bound manoeuvre.(ISRO)

The third Earth-bound maneuvre (EBN#3) is performed successfully from ISTRAC, Bengaluru, the space agency posted on X.

ISRO's ground stations at Mauritius, Bengaluru, SDSC-SHAR and Port Blair tracked the satellite during this operation, it added.

Giving information about the fourth manoeuvre, ISRO said, The new orbit attained is 296 km x 71767 km. The next maneuvre (EBN#4) is scheduled for September 15, 2023, around 02:00 Hrs. IST.

What are earth-bound manoeuvres?

Earth-bound manoeuvres involve the firing of rockets and some adjustments to angles, as required. How this will work can perhaps be understood by taking the example of when a person is on a swing  to make the swing go higher, a pressure (by shifting body weight) is applied in the phase when the swing is coming down towards the ground. In Aditya-L1s case, once it gains enough velocity, it will slingshot around to its intended path towards L1.

What is L1 point?

The L1 point refers to Lagrange Point 1, where gravitational forces of celestial objects work in such a way that the spacecraft can be parked in what is known as a halo orbit  an oval that shifts on three axes. Once Aditya-L1 arrives at the L1 point, another manoeuvre will be performed to bind the craft to the orbit, the space agency said.

The satellite spends its whole mission life orbiting around L1 in an irregularly shaped orbit in a plane roughly perpendicular to the line joining the Earth and the Sun, an Isro document read.

The strategic placement will ensure that Aditya-L1 can continuously monitor the Sun. This location also allows the satellite to access solar radiation and magnetic storms before they are influenced by Earths magnetic field and atmosphere, the document said.

The gravitational stability at this point will also minimise the need for frequent orbital maintenance, it added.

Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" "Exciting news! Hindustan Times is now on WhatsApp ChannelsSubscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
The Amherst Industrial Development Agency acted correctly in terminating the remaining property and sales tax breaks it had awarded to Bureau Veritas in 2017.

The consumer products testing company failed to comply with its agreement to keep at least 266 full-time local jobs, and for that failure, it should lose promised benefits.

Thats why the company will not receive another seven years of relief from school property taxes and six years of town and county property taxes. It will also forfeit $29,679 in sales tax breaks.

Some may believe that the Amherst IDA is being too tough. That is not true. In fact, just the opposite. Too often industrial development agencies do not claw back or discontinue tax breaks despite unfulfilled promises by companies. Taxpayers end up on the losing end of that bargain.

IDAs should always make clear the repercussions when applicant businesses fall short of the promises they make. The Amherst IDA came to a balanced conclusion, voting not to recapture more than $762,750 in tax incentives that were previously received by the company. This exception was fair, because Bureau Veritas did satisfy its obligation for capital spending on construction and equipment, in addition to its use of local labor in construction.

Moreover, the Amherst IDA also noted that the companys investment has generated new property taxes that otherwise would not have been collected without the project.

It is important that the industrial development agency made such a distinction, sending the message that the IDA is paying attention to both the parts of the picture, as well as the whole.

Looking at that whole picture, the IDA has reserved the right to claw back the rest of the subsidies if Bureau Veritas does not fulfill its new agreement to maintain the Amherst facility, numbering at least 202 employees through the end of 2029. Good for the Amherst IDA for making clear its requirements going forward. Now, it is up to the company to maintain and achieve those goals in order to benefit from the array of incentives that taxpayers are providing.

Company officials have agreed to the revised terms and should be given that second chance. Thats true, in part, because some of the shortfall  around 60 of the 266 jobs in question  appears to be due to Covid-19.

However, the extenuating circumstances upon which company officials have blamed the shortfall of more than 60 jobs on the lingering effects of Covid-19 is rational.

The Covid-19 pandemic and subsequent Great Retirement has unfortunately affected several industries. Owners and managers continue to deal with what seems like a never-ending aftereffect. Still, it shouldnt absolve every business that comes before industrial development agencies for some sort of dispensation.

As News business reporter Jonathan D. Epstein wrote, the action by the Amherst IDA represents a rare rebuke of a company by an industrial development agency.

Such rebukes need to be balanced, but they should not be rare. Industrial development agencies have, in the past, notoriously declined to claw back or refrain from offering future incentives. The argument that these agencies benefit from doling out incentives has been documented in this newspaper. Follow the money. It is where all roads lead, and industrial development agencies make money when delivering incentives.

The Amherst IDA has shown its willingness to hold at least one company accountable in a manner that is both thoughtful and fair.

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.
Elon Musk has confirmed that he declined a Ukrainian request to activate his Starlink satellite network in Crimea's port city of Sevastopol last year. The purpose of the request was allegedly to support a Ukrainian attack on Russia's fleet in the region. Musk explained that he refused this request because Starlink's terms of service explicitly prohibit its use for offensive military actions. Elon Musk's Starlink is a satellite constellation comprising thousands of satellites orbiting the Earth.

The comment from the world's richest person comes after, Walter Isaacson's upcoming biography, "Elon Musk," reveals that when Ukrainian explosive-laden submarine drones approached the Russian fleet last year, they lost connectivity and posed no threat, reported CNN. Musk's decision to deactivate Starlink during this incident reportedly stemmed from his fear that Russia might respond to a Ukrainian attack with nuclear weapons, a concern driven by his conversations with senior Russian officials and his apprehensions about a potential "mini-Pearl Harbor" scenario.

Isaacson's post on a social media platform elaborated that Ukraine mistakenly believed that Starlink coverage extended all the way to Crimea. They approached Musk to enable it for their drone submarine attack on the Russian fleet, a request he denied due to concerns about potentially triggering a major war.

In response to this, Musk, in an X post, said there is a meaningful difference between refusing a request from Ukraine and intentionally altering Starlink to obstruct Ukraine. He said at no point did he or anyone at SpaceX promise coverage over Crimea, and Starlink's terms of service clearly prohibit its use for offensive military purposes. Our terms of service clearly prohibit Starlink for offensive military action, as we are a civilian system, so they were again asking for something that was expressly prohibited, he wrote in the social media post on Saturday.

Musk also said SpaceX is developing Starshield for the US government, a system similar to Starlink but smaller in scale and dedicated to civilian use.

The strategic Crimea peninsula has been under Russian control since 2014, with the Black Sea Fleet based in Sevastopol.

What is Starlink?

Starlink is a satellite constellation comprising thousands of satellites orbiting the Earth at an altitude of 550 kilometres.

ALSO READ: Elon Musk's Starlink satellite-based internet now in all seven continents

Starlink advantage over traditional geostationary satellites, which orbit at much higher altitudes, is its ability to provide faster and lower-latency internet services. Starlink claims to offer latency as low as approximately 20 milliseconds, compared to the 600+ milliseconds of traditional satellites.

Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" "Exciting news! Hindustan Times is now on WhatsApp ChannelsSubscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
A picture of UK PM Rishi Sunak and his wife Akshata Murty was shared online. The adorable picture is of a candid moment between the couple. It shows Murthy fixing her husband and the prime ministers tie. The image shows UK PM Rishi Sunak and his spouse Akshata Murty. (Instagram/@rishisunakmp)

The picture was shared on PM Rishi Sunaks Instagram page a day ago, along with a few other images. Weve landed in Delhi ahead of the G20. We're here to deliver for the British people, reads the caption posted along with the photos.

The share has three pictures. One of them shows the couple deboarding the plane and the other one shows them with Indian delegates. The third picture, taken inside the flight, shows Murthy fixing the PMs tie.

Take a look at the Instagram post and the image:

Since being shared, the post has received over five lakhs views and counting. Many took to the comments section to share their reactions. While some wrote Welcome, a few others commented how adorable the couple looks.

About Akshata Murty and Rishi Sunak:

The couple first met back in 2004 when they were students at Stanford University in America. They tied the knot in August 2009 in Bengaluru in a lavish wedding. They are presently visiting India to attend the G20 Summit.

Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" "Exciting news! Hindustan Times is now on WhatsApp ChannelsSubscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
A video of Indonesian President Joko Widodos son Kaesang Pangarep visiting the Taj Mahal in Agra with his spouse was shared online. The president, along with his family, is presently in India to attend the G20 Summit. The image shows Kaesang Pangarep with his wife Erina Gudono at Taj Mahal. (X/@ANI)

ANI took to X to share the video of Kaesang Pangarep enjoying a visit to the world famous ivory-white marble mausoleum located at the banks of River Yamuna.

Uttar Pradesh | Indonesian President Joko Widodo's son Kaesang Pangarep and his wife Erina Gudono visit the Taj Mahal in Agra, ANI wrote while posting the video.

The clip opens to show Kaesang Pangarep sitting on a bench along with his wife Erina Gudono, with the Taj Mahal in the backdrop. As the video progresses, a few others are also seen joining the couple.

Take a look at the video:

The video was posted a few hours ago. Since being shared, it has received more than 1.5 lakh views and counting. Additionally, the post has gathered close to 10,000 likes.

People posted varied comments while reacting to the video. Awesome, wrote an X user. Lovely couple, posted another. Looking so cute. Love from India, shared a third.

Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" "Exciting news! Hindustan Times is now on WhatsApp ChannelsSubscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
Brazilian rescue workers were on Friday searching for almost 50 people still missing after a devastating cyclone unleashed torrential rain and flooding in the south of the country. Unchecked urbanization and irregular housing built on hillsides are also making weather disasters deadlier in Brazil, experts say.(REUTERS)

Five days after the cyclone, which left 41 dead, the country is taking stock of a rising toll, with at least 223 people injured and 11,000 forced from their homes, according to official statements.

More than 147,000 people were affected across the state of Rio Grande do Sul, civil defense authorities said in a statement.

It added that the number of missing had gone from 25 to 46.

Nearly a thousand emergency workers and a dozen helicopters have been deployed in the rescue efforts, which have been complicated by the destruction of two bridges and blocked roads.

Eight military aircraft and hundreds of soldiers are also taking part in search and rescue.

President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, in India for the G20 summit, is sending Vice President Geraldo Alckmin to the region, where he will arrive Sunday with a ministerial delegation.

"We are acting on all fronts," Lula wrote on social media.

Alckmin announced at a press conference in Brasilia that the federal government would send 20,000 food baskets and medicine kits for 15,000 people in Rio Grande do Sul, where authorities have declared a state of emergency.

In addition, the more than 3,000 people who lost their homes will receive 800 reais ($167), he said.

The governor of Rio Grande do Sul, Eduardo Leite, has estimated rebuilding road infrastructure will cost about 100 million reais ($20 million).

Brazil is not used to cyclones, but it is becoming "more and more frequent" for them to make landfall in the country, according to Francis Lacerda, a researcher at the Pernambuco State Agronomy Institute's Climate Change Laboratory.

"This is all a result of climate change," Alckmin said.

Unchecked urbanization and irregular housing built on hillsides are also making weather disasters deadlier in Brazil, experts say.

In June, another cyclone left 13 dead in Rio Grande do Sul and forced thousands of people from their homes.

In February, 65 people died in landslides caused by record flooding in the southeastern resort town of Sao Sebastiao, on the coast of Sao Paulo state.

An estimated 9.5 million of Brazil's 203 million people live in areas at high risk of flooding or landslides.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Ahead of an expected pull-aside meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has said he will raise the issue of foreign interference in the countrys internal affairs. Prime Minister Narendra Modi (left) and Canadian PM Justin Trudeau (right) (File Photo)

Speaking to the media in Singapore, prior to reaching New Delhi on Friday evening for the G20 Leaders Summit, Trudeau, according to CBC News said, As always, we will emphasize how important the rule of law is.

Asked specifically about India in the context of foreign interference, Trudeau said, It is incredibly important that we continue to protect Canadians from any and all types of interference.

One of the things were focused on in this inquiry is recognising. Yes China and Russia are responsible for interference, but other countries engage in it as well, the Canadian PM added.

The inquiry he referred to was the Public Inquiry into Foreign Interference in Federal Electoral Processes and democratic institutions, which was announced on Thursday by Dominic LeBlanc, minister of Public Safety, Democratic Institutions and Intergovernmental Affairs.

The commissioner for the inquiry will be Marie-Josee Hogue, a judge in the province of Quebec. She is mandated to examine and assess interference by China, Russia and other foreign states or nonstate actors, including any potential impacts, to confirm the integrity of, and any impacts on, the 43rd and 44th federal general elections at the national and electoral district levels, according to a release from the Public Safety department on Thursday.

She will deliver an interim report by February 29, 2024, and a final report by December 2024.

Indian officials have repeatedly told the Hindustan Times that it does not interfere in the internal affairs of a fellow democratic nation like Canada and expects Ottawa to reciprocate. However, an official stressed, New Delhi has a legitimate concern over Khalistani extremism being fostered in Canada, with backers including prominent politicians and the lack of commitment from Ottawa in countering separatist activity.

An official said earlier this year that while Canadian officials talk of Indian interference, they are conflating attempts by countries like China to influence Federal elections in 2019 and 2021 with India protecting its territorial integrity and acting against terrorist groups.

Trudeau arrived in Delhi for the G20 Summit with his son Xavier on Friday. He was received by Union minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar.

New Delhi is hosting the 18th G20 Summit on September 9 and 10, which will witness the presence of over 25 world leaders and their accompanying delegates. The mega event is being organised at state-of-the-art Bharat Mandapam in Pragati Maidan.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
California has moved one step closer to decriminalising the possession and personal use of some natural psychedelics, including magic mushrooms. On Thursday, lawmakers set in motion the process by passing a bill which may become law after necessary legal processes and approvals. Magic mushrooms have been shown in clinical trials to treat severe depression , anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder.(Shutterstock)

Californias veterans, first responders, and others struggling with PTSD, depression, and addiction deserve access to these promising plant medicines, state Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) said in a statement after the bill passed the Assembly in a bipartisan 42-11 vote.

Its time to stop criminalizing people who use psychedelics for healing or personal well-being, added Wiener.

According to a report by the Los Angeles Times, the bill will further need to approved by Governor Gavin Newsom. It aims to remove criminal charges for the possession and use of psilocybin and psilocin, the active ingredients in psychedelic mushrooms, mescaline and dimethyltryptamine, or DMT, known as ayahuasca.

ALSO READ| Who is the president? These Americans are searching Google to figure out POTUS

Once the bill becomes law, with the tentative date being on and after January 1, 2025, persons 21 years of age or older will be able to legally use the listed natural psychedelics in specified quantities. However, personal transfer or sale of psychedelics in dispensaries will not be allowed.

Notably, veterans groups who have been demanding the legislation, highlight that some natural psychedelics can be effective in treating post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety and depression than the traditional drugs and therapies.

Before the bill becomes law, the California Health and Human Services Agency would study the therapeutic use of psychedelics and submit a report on its research to the legislature.

Meanwhile, some people in California support the curbs on the use of natural psychedelics including magic mushrooms. Parental organisations also fear that teenagers and young adults may be adversely affected by decriminalisation.
Bijou Phillips, the actress, and former model who is married to Danny Masterson, is reportedly terrified that her husband will be killed in prison after he was sentenced to 30 years to life for raping two women. Bijou Phillips fears for Danny Mastersons life in prison after rape conviction(Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

According to the Daily Mail, Phillips said that she is very worried about Mastersons safety behind bars, as she fears that someone will harm him for his crimes.

An insider revealed that Phillips is under a lot of stress and that the situation is a nightmare for her.

She will be on his side moving forward and continue to be present for their daughter, the insider added.

Phillips, who is the daughter of John Phillips of The Mamas & The Papas and Genevieve Waite, has been married to Masterson since 2011 and has a 9-year-old daughter with him, Fianna Francis. She has stood by him throughout his legal ordeal and has refused to believe that he is guilty of raping two women in 2003.

Danny is adamant he did nothing wrong and Bijou believes him, the insider expressed.

Phillips support for her husband was evident on Thursday, when she left the courtroom with a somber and tearful expression after Masterson was sentenced. She also wrote a letter to the judge before the sentencing, in which she praised Masterson as an amazing father, a life-saving partner, and an extraordinary husband.

I never once heard him complain. The two were inseparable, she wrote.

I know he has been convicted of serious crimes. But the man I married has only been an extraordinary husband to me and a devoted father to our daughter.

Phillips is not the only one who has defended Mastersons character.

Several of his former co-stars from That 70s Show, including Ashton Kutcher, Mila Kunis, Debra Jo Rupp, Kurtwood Smith, Giovanni Ribisi, and Billy Baldwin, also wrote letters to the judge, asking for leniency for Masterson.

ALSO READ| That 70s Show star Danny Masterson blows kiss to wife Bijou Phillips in court after 30-year rape sentence

Kutcher called Masterson a positive influence and a role model, while Kunis called him an amazing friend and a confidant. Rupp, Smith, Ribisi, and Baldwin also vouched for Mastersons honesty, integrity, and generosity.

However, their letters have been met with backlash online, as many people have criticized them for supporting Masterson after he was found guilty of drugging and raping his victims.

Mastersons attorneys have said that they will appeal his conviction and sentence. Phillips is reportedly holding on to the hope that the appeal process will clear her husbands name.

She is hanging on to the fact that she completely trusts he never did what he was charged for, she cant accept that to be true, the Daily Mail reported.

and she is looking to the appeal process for justice to be served.
A federal judge has rejected Mark Meadows attempt to move his criminal case from state to federal court, dealing a blow to the former chief of staff of Donald Trump and his co-defendants who are accused of trying to overturn the 2020 presidential election. FILE PHOTO: White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows speaks to reporters following a television interview, outside the White House in Washington, U.S. October 21, 2020. REUTERS/Al Drago/File Photo(REUTERS)

US district judge Steve Jones ruled on Friday that Meadows actions were not part of his official duties as Trumps top White House aide, but rather part of a conspiracy to pressure election officials in Georgia to change the vote count in favor of Trump, who lost the state to Democratic president Joe Biden.

The former White House chief of staff is charged with arranging calls and meetings in which prosecutors say Trump asked Brad Raffensperger, the Georgia secretary of state, to find enough votes to give him the state.

He has pleaded not guilty.

Prosecutors had argued that those acts were not necessary and proper for a US president and his chief of staff, but Meadows claimed they were within his scope of work.

ALSO READ| X users call out CNN for oversampling Republican voters in poll to set anti-Biden narrative

The law allows a defendant to have their case heard in federal court if the charges against them stem from their official duties.

He could appeal the ruling.

The 64-year-old could have benefited from a more favorable jury pool in federal court, which draws from a larger and more politically diverse area than Fulton County, Georgia, the Democratic stronghold where the case was filed.

Moving to federal court would have also allowed Meadows to argue that he was immune from state prosecution because he was carrying out his duties as a federal official.

Meadows, Trump, and 17 others were indicted in August by Fulton County prosecutors.

They allege that they conspired to influence state officials to alter Georgias election result in Trumps favor and to undermine the electoral college, a largely ceremonial body that formally elects the president.

Trump has denied wrongdoing and pleaded not guilty. He has also said that the criminal case and three others he faces are part of a political plot aimed at preventing him from retaking the White House in the November 2024 election.

ALSO READ| Time to move on, California Gov. Gavin Newsom denies 2024 presidential run, supports President Joe Biden'n age

The former president is also under indictment in Florida for his handling of classified documents upon leaving office, in Washington DC for his efforts to overturn the election, and in New York over a hush money payment he paid to a porn star.

Trump has denied wrongdoing and pleaded not guilty in all three cases.
The African Union Commission (AUC) chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat on Saturday lauded AU's entry into the G20, saying that it will allow Africa to make its effective contribution in meeting global challenges. (CHECK LIVE UPDATES HERE) African Union Commission (AUC) Chairperson H.E. Moussa Faki Mahamat (AFP)

I welcome the African Union's entry into the G20 as a full member. This membership, for which we have long been advocating, will provide a propitious framework for amplifying advocacy in favor of the Continent and its effective contribution to meeting global challenges, the AU head wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday announced the 55-member African Union as a permanent member of the G20. Addressing the inaugural session of the mega Summit, PM Modi said, In keeping with the sentiment of sabka saath (with everyone), India had proposed that the African Union should be given permanent membership of the G20. I believe we all are in agreement on this proposal.

"Before we start our work, I invite the African Union president to take his position as a permanent member, he said.

As the announcement was made, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar escorted the current chairperson of the African Union and Comoros President Azali Assoumani to his seat.

Meanwhile, Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who is present at the Summit, said, As a continent, we look forward to further advancing our aspirations on the global stage using the G20 platform.

Collectively, African Union member states have a GDP of nearly USD 3 trillion and a population of around 1.4 billion.

(With inputs from agencies)
An Uber driver in Chicago was violently attacked and beaten by a group of women on Tuesday. The women snatched the 62-year-old man's car keys and took away the vehicle. Video footage of the incident(Twitter)

According to Fox News who cited the Chicago Police Department, the crime happened at the intersection of 22nd Place and Princeton Avenue in the city's Chinatown neighbourhood. The man named Danxin Shi was attacked near his home by three women, one of whom had a pipe.

As per video footage of the incident, the man is seen trying to escape the group. But two of the women take him down to the ground and the third suspect hits him with what appears to be a pipe.

ALSO READ| Prince Harry pays tribute to Queen Elizabeth II at Windsor castle on first anniversary of her death

"I parked my car and I walked out, and I start to walk toward the apartment, and three Black females jump on me, hold me, and grab me and took my car key," Shi, the victim, told the media.

Community activist Andrews Holmes requested people to come forward with any information about the perpetrators.

"To the mothers and fathers of these young ladies, if you see this on TV, you know this is your daughter, your family, you know this is her, turn them in," said Holmes.
"There is a lot of hard work" to do before the UK strikes a trade deal with India, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said Saturday at the G20 leaders' summit in New Delhi. "There is a desire on both of our parts to see a successful trade deal concluded," Sunak told UK media at the event. UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak(AP)

"The opportunities are there for both countries, but there is a lot of hard work that is still to go," he added.

The two countries have been negotiating a post-Brexit trade pact for more than two years, but missed previously hoped-for deadlines to conclude it.

The agreement is important for Britain as it seeks alternative markets after leaving the European Union in 2020. However, talks have reportedly previously snagged over fears among the ruling Conservatives that it would lead to an increase in immigration.

Sunak's parents were born into the Indian diaspora in east Africa, and trace their heritage back to pre-independence Punjab in northern British India.

He is married to Indian-born Akshata Murty, whose father co-founded IT giant Infosys.
Kyiv estimates that Russia has deployed more than 400,000 soldiers in areas it controls in the east and south of Ukraine, Deputy Intelligence Chief Vadym Skibitsky said Saturday. Kyiv's troops are also contending with renewed assaults around Kharkiv in the northeast, in areas liberated last year.(AFP/ Representative)

"The Russian Federation has concentrated more than 420,000 servicemen in our territories that are temporarily occupied, including Crimea," Skibitsky said at a conference in Kyiv.

The figure "does not include the Russian National Guard and other special units that maintain occupation authorities on our territories," he added.

Skibitsky also said Russia had for a month been actively launching attacks from Crimea, which it annexed in 2014.

"Drones deployed in Crimea are used against our ports of Izmail and Reni," which have been used as alternative exports hub, particularly since the expiry of a deal protecting exports on the Black Sea.

Ukraine launched a counteroffensive in the east and south in June but has come up against fierce resistance from entrenched Russian forces.

Kyiv's troops are also contending with renewed assaults around Kharkiv in the northeast, in areas liberated last year.

"(Russians) want to take their revenge" in the Kharkiv region, said Deputy Defence Minister Ganna Malyar.

She said Russian troops were trying to disperse Ukrainian forces in the east "so that we can't centralise them around Bakhmut, where we are successfully advancing."

She acknowledged that "the enemy is strong, they have more people and weaponry."

Malyar said the Russian army fired "almost 400,000 shells" at Ukrainian positions on the eastern front over the past week.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
The death toll from a powerful 6.8 magnitude earthquake that struck Morocco on Friday night surpassed 1,000, Reuters reported citing state television. The toll is expected to climb further even as frantic search and rescue operations continued, searching for survivors in dust and rubble. A cat walks through the rubble after an earthquake in Moulay Ibrahim village, near Marrakech, Morocco, Saturday.(AP)

The Interior Ministry of Morocco on Saturday morning confirmed at least 1,037 fatalities, mostly in tourist city of Marrakech and five provinces near the quakes epicentre, and another 1,204 people were injured. (Morocco Earthquake LIVE updates)

Photos and videos emerged from different parts of the country, showing panic-stricken people woken by the quake, running into the streets in terror and disbelief after being as the strongest quake in 120 years struck the North African country. The countrys infrastructure suffered extensive damage as its ancient cities with stone and masonry structures were vulnerable to earthquakes.

Also Read: Video shows the moment earthquake hit Morocco killing hundreds

Top updates on the Morocco earthquake:

1)Algeria, which broke off ties with Morocco last year, said Saturday that it would open airspace for humanitarian and medical flights to and from earthquake-hit Morocco. Algeria had earlier offered "its sincere condolences to the brotherly Moroccan people for the victims of the earthquake", according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

2)Of the total injured, 721 people are in critical condition, the interior ministry said. It also noted that of the casualties noted so far, more than a half happened in Al-Haouz, the epicenter, and Taroudant provinces.

3)In the wake of the disaster, Moroccos King Mohammed VI ordered the armed forces to mobilise air and land assets, specialised search and rescue teams and a surgical field hospital, according to a statement from the military. While the world has offered condolences and assistance to Morocco, its government is yet to formally ask for assistance, a step required before outside rescue crews could deploy.

4)In addition to world leaders, Pope Francis conveyed his support and solidarity with Moroccans. "The pope expresses his profound solidarity with those who are touched in the flesh and heart by this tragedy," read a telegram sent to Morocco by the Vatican's Secretary of State Pietro Parolin.

5)Local media has reported that rescue efforts are facing hindrances due to congested roads leading to the mountain region around the epicenter, with vehicles and rocks blocking the way. Following the quake, weak aftershocks were recorded at the epicentre of the earthquake in the Al Haouz region, Nasser Jabour, director of Moroccos National Institute of Geophysics, said on national broadcaster SNRT. He also urged citizens to stay calm, according to Hespress.

6)As of Saturday morning, the full extent of the damage to Marrakech, a UNESCO World Heritage site popular with tourists, remained unclear. While most of the main historic sites in the old city appeared largely unscathed, unverified videos emerged online, depicting cracks and fallen debris in a small section of the medieval walls, along with a collapsed minaret.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Nisha Anand Trainee Content Producer at HT Digital. I read about feminism, late modern history, and globalisation of Korean music. ...view detail
California Governor Gavin Newsom has dismissed any speculation that he might run for president in 2024 and challenge Joe Biden, the current Democratic incumbent. He said that Democrats should move on from the question of Bidens age, which will be 82 by the next election. California Gov. Gavin Newsom denies 2024 presidential run, supports Joe Biden and Kamala Harris.(AP)

President Biden is going to run, Newsom said in an interview with NBCs Meet the Press that aired on Friday.

I think theres been so much wallowing in the last few months and handwringing in this respect. But were gearing up for the campaign. Were looking forward to it.

Newsom, 55, said he would advise donors worried about Bidens age to time to move on.

U.S. President Joe Biden and Governor of California Gavin Newsom attend the round table on Artificial Intelligence, in San Francisco, California, (REUTERS)

He also expressed his support for Vice President Kamala Harris, 58, and a former colleague of Newsom in California politics. He said he had a very good relationship with Harris and that he could not imagine ever running against her.

Its the Biden-Harris administration, he said.

The California Gov. sparked rumours of his presidential ambitions earlier this year when he appeared on Fox Newss Sean Hannity and challenged Florida Governor Ron DeSantis to a debate over their different approaches to governing their states.

Maybe Im a little old-fashioned about presidents and vice presidents, he said.

I was a lieutenant governor, so Im a little subjective.

Newsom said he had known Harris before they both entered politics and that they worked closely together when she was the district attorney of San Francisco, the attorney general of California, and a US senator.

ALSO READ| X users call out CNN for oversampling Republican voters in poll to set anti-Biden narrative

So you cant imagine ever having to run against each other? host Chuck Todd asked.

Of course not. By definition, wont happen, Newsom replied.

But Ive said that a thousand times. We privately continue to maintain a very good relationship.

Shes not upset that youre going to debate Ron DeSantis? Todd pressed.

Apparently someone in her office is because I read some off-the-record quotes, Newsom said.

I wish I knew who that was. But I dont hear it from her, so, and Im certainly not hearing it from the White House itself.

DeSantis, 44, a potential Republican presidential candidate in 2024, accepted Newsoms challenge last month and said he was ready to face him in a debate.

Florida has been the number-one state for net in-migration. We have the number one-ranked economy, number one now in education, crime rate at a 50-year low, DeSantis said on Fox News in August.

But in another sense, this is the debate for the future of our country, because you have people like Joe Biden [who] would love to see the Californication of the United States.

The Florida Gov. also suggested that both Newsom and Harris were eyeing the White House.

A recent poll by The Wall Street Journal showed that 73% of registered voters and two-thirds of Democrats think Biden is too old to serve another term as president.

ALSO READ| CNN poll: Majority of Americans think Joe Biden had links to son's business deals during VP tenure

A CNN poll of US adults also showed that Biden trails behind almost every Republican contender in a hypothetical general election matchup, except for businessman Vivek Ramaswamy. He is tied with DeSantis.

The debate between Newsom and DeSantis is expected to take place in November in a swing state such as Nevada, Georgia, or North Carolina, according to an aide for the California governor who spoke to Politico in August.
Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on Saturday on the 75 anniversary of the country's founding and called for stronger ties "on all fronts". Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, and North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un(AP File)

"I am convinced that thanks to our joint efforts we will continue to strengthen... bilateral ties on all fronts", Putin said in a message to Kim as quoted by the Kremlin.

READ | North Korea's Kim Jong Un to meet Putin in Russia this month: Report

"This fully corresponds to the interests of our people" and helps to ensure "the security and stability on the Korean peninsula and northeast Asia," he said.

Putin noted that the Soviet Union was the first country to recognise the North Korean regime and said that "since then relations between our two countries have always been based on the principles of friendship, good neighbourliness and mutual respect".

"I sincerely wish you good health and success and I wish all North Korean citizens peace and prosperity," Putin added.
Many Americans don't know who the president of the United States is and need to Google it to find out, reveals a study by Casino.org. The study analysed the origin states of who is search queries by Americans from June through August. The study has been titled as "States Curiosity Revealed: Who Is State By State Google Searches". A general view of the White House, the official residence of President of the United States of America(REUTERS)

According to the study, Who is the president? was the top who is search in New York, New Jersey, and Texas. Infact, "Who is the president?" was the third most popular question in the US, with three states leading its search.

Overall, the top search in America was Who is Grimace? as 56.8% of Americans queried about it. The second most Google searched question was Who is the richest person in the world?.

The study also reveals that that people of states New Mexico and North Dakota, were interested in finding out Who is running for president 2024? In fact, this question was the fourth most popular "who is" search query by Americans on Google.

ALSO READ| Group of women attack and beat Uber driver in Chicago, carjack his vehicle

Among the other queries, Americans searched for "who is" Jelly Roll, Matt Rife and Michael Rubin. Two American states namely Virginia and California Google searched "Who is Kanye West's new wife?".

Meanwhile, "Who is Kim K dating" was the top Google search in Monatana.

Notably, Joe Biden is the current US President and is from the Democratic Party. In 2024, the US Presidential elections are to held for which the campaign process by the candidates is in full swing across the nation. Donald Trump, Vivek Ramaswamy, Nikki Haley and Ron DeSantis are some of the notable candidates from Republican Party for the 2024 Presidential elections.
Disabled Americans could be higher in numbers, as claimed by the Center for American Progress' disability justice initiative director, Mia Ives-Rublee.

The question is, what does having a disability mean during job hunting? Here's what experts say.

Disabled Americans Could Be Higher Than Expected

According to CNBC's latest report, the Pew Research Center recently released a survey to show how many U.S. residents have disabilities.

Based on its database, around 13% of Americans identify as disabled people. Pew's survey stated that this is around 42.5 million disabled U.S. residents.

The American think tank added that the disabilities that residents have are usually hearing, walking, and vision, as well as self-care or independent living difficulties. But, Ives-Rublee explained that this could be an undercount.

She explained that efforts are also conducted to know how many disabled people are working and how many Americans have disabilities.

But, Mia said that the numbers acquired are "always an undercount" because there's a stigma around identifying with the disability.

The Center for American Progress official explained that disabled people can choose if they will self-identify in their job applications or not.

Now, should disabled Americans disclose their disabilities when applying for work or not?

Read Also: Why Amateur Mushroom Pickers Should Avoid AI-Generated Books

Is It Necessary to Disclose Your Disability?

Ives-Rublee explained that most companies provide three options that Americans can choose when asked about their disability status:

Yes: Confirming that you have a disability.

No: Saying you don't have a disability.

Will not answer the question.

Employers don't really have the right to ask if applicants have disabilities during a job interview. However, they can still include voluntary questions about disabilities.

Ives-Rublee explained that the information about Americans' disabilities can't be flagged by employers.

"Anything around race, disability, and gender are all supposed to be anonymous and are taken for federal reporting guidelines," she added.

This means that you have the option of disclosing your disability or not disclosing it at all.

However, Mia stated that there are many reasons why Americans should consider disclosing their disabilities to their employers.

These include being able to ask for the assistance that applicants legally deserve.

"You have to assess on your own whether disclosing is beneficial to you," said Ives-Rublee.

If you want to learn more details about disclosing disabilities in job applicants, you can click here.

Related Article: Research Shows Unemployed Veterans are Increasing

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
A young valet attendant died in Atlanta, Georgia, after trying to stop car thieves. The Atlanta police announced that they have issued arrest warrants to catch the suspect who killed Harrison Olvey.

Georgia: Valet Attendant Dead After Trying to Stop Car Thieves

According to Fox News' latest report, the incident happened on Sunday, Sept. 3, at a nightclub on Piedmont Road Northeast.

Authorities said that Harrison was trying to stop a car break-in. Sadly, he was shot at around 1:40 a.m. that day.

The 25-year-old valet attendant was quickly taken to the Grady Memorial Hospital. However, his injuries were fatal, leading to his death shortly.

The Atlanta police said that they had a lead to the suspect who shot Harrison. On Sunday, officers shared photos of an armed and dangerous man on social media.

In the images, the guy can be seen driving what could be a newer Kia K5 with dark-tinted windows.

As of writing, police authorities are still investigating if the man they have arrest warrants for and the guy in the photos are the same individual.

Since they are not sure if the man in the photos is the one who killed Olvey, officers decided to keep his identity anonymous, for now.

Read Also: [VIRAL] Maryland Police Officer Suspended After Footage Shows Him Kissing a Female, Getting Into Patrol SUV

Harrison's Mom Shares Strong Words for Shooter

The valet attendant's mother shared strong words for the man who killed his son. "He's a poor excuse for a human being," said Autumn Ernst via Fox5 Atlanta.

She said that the killer should be sentenced to prison for the rest of his life and never be allowed to step outside ever again.

Harrison's mother, who is deeply devastated by her son's passing, also shared stronger statements about the man and his mother.

"I want his mom to suffer, I want her to lose her son. I want her to have his life taken, so she knows what it feels like. I want her to hurt," said Autumn.

Meanwhile, Harrison's brother, Addison Olvey, said that his sibling's death has been very hard for them. He added that Harrison was his best friend, best sibling, and the older brother that anyone can ask for.

Harrison's family and friends organized a fundraiser for the valet attendant's funeral. Their goal is to acquire $50,000 in donations. As of press time, they already achieved over $49,000.

If you wish to help the heroic Atlanta valet attendant, you can click here to send your donations.

Related Article: At Least 61 Arrested in Georgia Over Racketeering Charges in Relation With 'Stop Copy City' Movement

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
News / National

by Staff reporter

.@UN Chief @antonioguterres congratulates HE @edmnangagwa on his reelection as President of the Republic of #Zimbabwe & noted the countrys efforts to advance political participation of women. He encouraged the President to promote gender parity in Cabinet & snr appointments pic.twitter.com/etFZkUEkSq  UN Zimbabwe (@UNZimbabwe) September 9, 2023

The United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres has congratulated President Emmerson Mnangagwa on his election victory.Mnangagwa was re-elected for a second and final five-year term late Saturday in results announced much earlier than expected following another troubled vote in the southern African country with a history of violent and disputed elections.Mnangagwa's victory meant the ZANU-PF party retained the governmental leadership it has held for all 43 years of Zimbabwe's history since the nation was re-named following independence from white minority rule in 1980.Mnangagwa won just over 2.3 million of 4.4 million votes cast, and Chamisa received 1.9 million.
With the upcoming synod of bishops scheduled to begin in October, a new book was published warning readers of what the authors considered a threat to the very existence of the Catholic Church.

Authored by Latin American Catholic thinkers Jose Antonio Ureta and Julio Loredo de Izcue, the book, titled "The Synodal Process is a Pandora's Box" (which can be read for free online here), utilizes a comprehensive 100-item question-and-answer format to argue that the synodal process is rehabilitating old heresies once condemned by the church and imposing a harmful radical progressive agenda as a result.

Both authors are senior members of the Brazilian Plinio Correa de Oliveira Institute, a Catholic association seeking to defend the pillars of Christian civilization threatened by de-Christianization in the West, as per the National Catholic Register. They are also leading figures of Correa de Oliveira's organization Tradition, Family, and Property (TFP).

Authors See Synod as "Revolutionary," Self-Destructive

Loredo and Ureta viewed the upcoming synod, which is currently running a three-year process beginning October 2021 and culminating in two general assemblies in Rome in October 2023 and October 2024, as a "revolutionary" process that would re-promote heresies that were already condemned by the Holy See.

The Vatican promoted the process under the theme "For a synodal Church: communion, participation, and mission," and allegedly provided it as an opportunity for the church to practice introspection of its character and mission, as well as to promote an approach that the authors feared would destabilize the church's very institution which steadily progressed for almost 2,000 years.

The authors also assert the new "synodal" church would include those who profess to be Catholic but are doctrinally and morally heterodox, such as LGBT+ people, unmarried couples, and people living in "polygamous marriages" at the expense of heterosexual families (i.e. a family where children have a biologically male father and a biologically female mother), as well as those who are open to discuss "women's ordination to the priesthood, or at least the diaconate," which the Vatican categorically and vehemently prohibits prior to the synod's announcement.

The Vatican also sought to reconsider Catholic doctrine on homosexuality and marriage and "tamper with the Church's form of government by transforming it into an 'inverted pyramid' whose top is beneath the base," the authors further claimed.

In other words, the authors criticize those within the Vatican organizing the synod for promoting the heresy of conciliarism by wanting a more "democratic and participatory" church that, they said, would destroy the very essence of the Catholic faith.

"It's not a hidden agenda, because they've been making discreet references here and there about their goals, but it's a discreet agenda," Ureta told the Register. "Not even the bishops we have spoken with are aware of all that is at stake."

Ureta added that, through the book, he and Loredo precisely intended "to alert the hierarchy, the circles of the Catholic intelligentsia and the common faithful about the heterodox serpents and lizards inside the Pandora's Box that is being opened."

Read Also: Ukrainians Slam Pope Francis for Message to Russian Catholic Minority

Past Lessons and Caveats

The 110-page book has been divided into six chapters and an introduction, in which the authors explained why they saw the synod as a revolutionary threat and a "watershed" in the church's history, specifically in the pontificate of Francis, himself a Latin American cleric prior to his election in 2013.

In the introduction of the book, the authors said the term synodality risked becoming a "talismanic word," quoting Correa de Oliveira.

The authors also quoted many significant Catholic intellectuals who are concerned with the whole concept, including the late Australian Cardinal George Pell, French Vaticanist Jean-Marie Guenois, as well as former Anglican bishops and Catholic converts Dr. Gavin Ashenden and Msgr. Michael Nazir-Ali explained why the Church of England failed miserably in their synods.

Ashenden - who remained a Catholic lay person unlike his former Anglican peers, such as Nazir-Ali, who were ordained into the Catholic priesthood as part of personal ordinariates for former Anglicans converting to Catholicism - was particularly quoted by the authors for denouncing the concept of "inclusion" in the synod, specifically its Working Document for the Continental Stage, as a "Trojan horse" seeking to "manipulate" people's hearts and minds by engaging in wordplay.

"The words trick is easily explained. The association with being excluded is being unloved," he said in a November 2022 Catholic Herald article. "Since God is love, he obviously doesn't want anyone to experience being unloved and therefore excluded; ergo God, who is Love, must be in favor of radical inclusion. Consequently, the language of hell and judgment in the New Testament must be some form of aberrational hyperbole which must not be taken seriously, because the idea of God as inclusive love takes precedence. And since these two concepts are mutually contradictory, one of them has to go. Inclusion stays, judgment and hell go. Which is another way of saying 'Jesus goes and Marx stays.'"

Prior to conversion, Ashenden was an Anglican bishop who later became a chaplain to the late Queen Elizabeth II, the mother of the current British monarch King Charles III.

In addition, the authors quoted the late Pope Benedict XVI, who as Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger and prefect of the Vatican's Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith under John Paul II, denounced attempts to upend the church's hierarchical structure as a "delusion" that "would lack all legitimacy" and should be "decisively and clearly refused."

The German Problem

Meanwhile, the main body of the book aims to understand what a synod of bishops is, what synodality really meant, whether its conclusions were binding, what the organizers meant by listening, and the drawbacks and disadvantages of relying on what they called the "modern concept of listening."

The book also heavily criticized the proposal of the Catholic bishops of Germany of a radical interpretation of synodality, which they called "Der Synodaler Weg" - "The Synodal Way" in English. The authors condemned the proposal as it not only passed motions to approve same-sex church blessings, lay preachers, and a push towards ending priestly celibacy, but it also emphasized the fear of some Vaticanists that "the influence of German and Dutch progressives could be decisive in the synodal work," just like what the German and Dutch congregations did in the Second Vatican Council (Vatican II), when they figuratively allowed "the Rhine [to flow] into the Tiber," referring to the principal rivers of several Germanic-speaking cities and Rome, respectively.

The authors have also lashed out criticism against Francis's attitude and response to the German Synodal Way, saying that his criticisms were more about method than its substance, and that no one was punished for formulating heterodox propositions during the universal process. That thought was written despite the Vatican's veto on the German Synodal Way and concerns coming from several bishops and lay Catholics worldwide, which the leaders of the movement and its allies from several national-level bishops' conferences ignored.

Moreover, the authors have quoted a German bishop dissenting the German Synodal Way, Cardinal Gerhard Muller - who was Benedict's successor as the Vatican's chief theologian upon the latter's election in 2005 - when he said the majority of his fellow Germans were "dreaming of another church that has nothing to do with the Catholic faith" and was leading the church into its destruction.

In the concluding portion of the book, both authors recalled how they were continuing Correa de Oliveira's work and legacy, which denounced the widespread infiltration of neo-modernist and leftist errors in the church. They have also asked for the intercession of the Virgin Mary to not allow the church's "disfigurement," as well as hoped for the fulfillment of her message in Fatima in 1917 that her "immaculate heart [would] triumph" in the end.

Read Also: Pope Francis Summons Jesuit Priest Running LGBT+ Catholic Outreach to Major Vatican Meeting in October

Cardinal Burke's Approval

The book's foreword was written by US Cardinal Raymond Burke, who congratulated Loredo and Ureta and everyone involved in the publishing of the book. He said the work was "diligently and excellently" accomplished to formulate the appropriate questions and provide authoritative answers.

Burke also praised the book for "clearly and comprehensively" addressing what he called "a most serious situation" in the Catholic Church.

"We are told that the Church which we profess, in communion with our ancestors in the faith from the time of the Apostles, to be One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic is now to be defined by synodality, a term which has no history in the doctrine of the Church and for which there is no reasonable definition," he emphasized. "Synodality and its adjective, synodal, have become slogans behind which a revolution is at work to change radically the Church's self-understanding, in accord with a contemporary ideology which denies much of what the Church has always taught and practiced."

Burke further stressed that only the divine truth taught by Jesus himself, as well as the unchangeable doctrine of the church and its disciplines could effectively address the situation by "uncovering the ideology at work."

He concluded his remarks with the hope that the book would "become available to Catholics throughout the world for the building up of the Church."

True Catholic Doctrine Scandalizes Sometimes, Francis Says

During the interview on his flight back to Rome following his visit to Mongolia, Francis responded to Burke's recommendation of the book by claiming that the root of ideas like the upcoming synod would irrevocably change Catholic doctrine was "ideologies" that were supposed to be responsible for dividing the faithful.

He further recalled how some religious sisters also expressed to him their fears about the upcoming synod, particularly their fears that it would change the church's doctrine, and that a "'doctrine' in quotation marks" was a doctrine likened to "distilled water," that is, "without any taste and is not true Catholic doctrine."

"Many times true Catholic doctrine scandalizes - how scandalous is the idea that God became flesh, that God became man, that Our Lady [the Virgin Mary] preserved her virginity. This scandalizes," he added. "Catholic doctrine sometimes scandalizes. Ideologies are all 'distilled' and never scandalize."

However, in January this year, the Associated Press reportedly quoted the pope calling the German Synodal Way "elitist" and "ideological."

Related Article: Pope Francis Admits Comments on Russian Imperialism Were Badly Phrased

The US Stake at the Synod

In an opinion article for the Washington Post, Fordham University Center on Religion and Culture director David Gibson criticized critics of the upcoming synod, specifically conservative US Catholics and their media organs like EWTN, for its purported focus on what he called a "pelvic theology," as a result of the country's cultural and sexual wars between conservatives and progressives.

"American conservatives don't simply disagree with Francis or dissent from his teaching," he said. "They actually see themselves as more Catholic than the pope, and they're not shy about saying so."

In response, Stephen White, the executive director of The Catholic Project at the Catholic University of America (CUA), wrote in The Catholic Thing, saying Gibson was not aware of what he was talking about.

"The problem with Gibson's just-so-story is not so much the progressive worldview that underlies it, as the fact that it relies on a highly tendentious retelling of the American Catholic life in the post-Conciliar era," he said.

White added that few American Catholics are interested in a return to the church's status prior to Vatican II, especially among US bishops. However, US Catholics also do not wish to return to what he said was "the tepid, low-stakes Catholicism that decimated the American Church in the last half-century."

Ashenden: Book Slams Francis's Diversity, Inclusion, Equality Agenda

Meanwhile, in a separate article for the Catholic Herald, Ashenden reviewed Loredo and Ureta's book where he was quoted to say that the integration of the contemporary concept of diversity, inclusion, and equality (DIE) into the synod - and extension, in the church - was a "Trojan horse."

He commended the authors for the "simplicity and clarity" of how it was written and how they presented the issues in such a way that everything the world perceived about the Catholic Church was at risk.

"This kind of language might strike some as unreasonably alarmist at first sight," he said. "And so to make their case as accessibly as possible they have written in the form of questions and answers, in a familiar catechetical style to help Catholics work it out for themselves."

Ashenden also reflected on how the authors detected alleged Marxist and Orwellian undertones in the way the synod was formulated and organized and how the Vatican failed miserably in addressing global concerns without compromising its key principles, doctrines, and policies. On the other hand, he also noticed that, aside from a vocal few, most people who were concerned about where the church was going were not made aware of the contextual implications such ideologies would have on the future of the church.

"If it is true that both our bishops, thinking Catholics and the Church, in general, have yet to grasp the character and the alleged strategy of the present turbulence, then reading [Loredo and Ureta's book] may be as important a task as the authors believe it to be," he concluded.

Related Article: US Catholics Slam Pope Francis's Pick to Lead Vatican Office Dealing with Sex Abuse Cases

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
AI-generated 2024 U.S. election ads are now required by Google to include clear disclaimers when artificial intelligence is used.

The search engine giant announced the new policy the GOP released two ad campaigns they created using AI tools.

AI-Generated 2024 US Election Ads Required to Include Clear Disclaimers

Google confirmed that election ads for the 2024 U.S. election will be required to put clear disclaimers.

Via its official blog post, the search engine giant said that they will be updating their Political content policy in mid-November.

Google stated that all verified election advertisers (in regions that have verification requirements) will need to disclose if ever they used synthetic content that falsely portrays realistic events and individuals.

"This disclosure must be clear and conspicuous, and must be placed in a location where it is likely to be noticed by users," said the tech giant.

Read Also: Will Tech CEOs Allow US to Be First Country With AI Laws?

What Election Ads are Included?

Google said that the new policy will apply to audio, video, as well as image content. Google provided examples of election ads that will fall in the new guideline:

An ad with synthetic content that alters footage of a real event or generates a realistic portrayal of an event to depict scenes that did not actually take place.

An ad with synthetic content that makes it appear as if a person is saying or doing something they didn't say or do.

The search engine firm also clarified that election ads that use artificial intelligence to generate content that is "inconsequential" to the advertisements' claims will be exempted.

Google said that if the ads only used AI tools for their editing techniques, such as color grading, image resizing, cropping, defect correction, and background editing, they are no longer required to include disclaimers.

AI as a Political Weapon

Gizmodo reported that the new policy was announced by Google since AI is already being used as a political weapon.

Recently, the Republican Party released an advertisement titled "Beat Biden." The GOP published this AI-generated election ad after U.S. President Joe Biden confirmed that he is running for the presidency again.

Another AI-generated election ad was released by a super PAC, which supports Ron DeSantis. These are just some of the instances when artificial intelligence tools are used for political purposes.

Related Article: AI Tech Creates Fictional Adult Versions of Vanished Children From Argentina's Military Dictatorship

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
The Human Rights Watch claims that Russia is using cluster munitions, leading to hundreds of deaths in Ukraine.

The NYC-based international non-governmental organization said that they fact-checked the denial statements of Putin and other Russian officials regarding the use of cluster munitions.

Is Russia Using Cluster Munitions in Ukraine? Human Rights Watch Says Yes

The Human Rights Watch said that the new annual cluster munitions report "Cluster Munition Monitor 2023" has attracted the interest of strong global media outlets.

The agency said that the yearly cluster munitions documentation, which it helped produce, was also covered by Russia's state-controlled media.

HRW describes these news outlets as propaganda outlets for the government.

The human rights organization said that these Russian-backed media companies didn't include the documentation about the Kremlin's repeated use of cluster munitions in Ukraine.

The Human Rights Watch stated that they left out important details about Russia's use of cluster munitions, especially the one in 2022 that killed around 58 Ukrainian civilians.

The international organization said that Putin and other Russian officials, such as Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, repeatedly denied the use of cluster munitions in Ukraine.

However, HRW said that it worked with the United Nations (UN) and Ukrainian officials to fact-check the denial statements of Russian leaders.

Based on their investigation, Russia is responsible for over 90% of cluster munition deaths in Ukraine. HRW revealed that in 2022, more than 890 Ukrainians were injured and killed by the Russian military's cluster bombs.

Read Also: North Korea's Kim Jong-Un Set To Meet With Russian President Vladimir Putin To Advance Arms Negotiations

Is Russia Allowed to Use Cluster Munitions in War?

Reuters reported that the use of cluster munitions is banned in more than 100 countries (specifically 124 countries).

This is because these cluster bombs can lead to civilian deaths during wars. Aside from this, experts said that some bomblets also tend to malfunction.

They can remain dormant for years or decades only to explode suddenly, which can lead to deaths even when wars are over.

But, although cluster bombs are highly criticized, Human Rights Watch said that the United States, Russia, and Ukraine are allowed to use them.

Recently, Vladimir Putin claimed that they haven't used cluster bombs in Ukraine yet. The Russian leader said that they will only use these deadly bombs if their enemies also use them.

"But of course, if they are used against us, we reserve the right to take reciprocal action," explained Putin.

Related Article: Russian Nuclear Strike Could Hit US Territories, Warns Russia's State TV

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
A court in San Bernardino, California, has temporarily banned a policy that would notify parents when their kid requested to use a pronoun or identity that does not correspond with their given gender at birth.

On Wednesday, September 6, Superior Court Judge Thomas S. Garza granted a temporary restraining order against parts of the new Chino Valley Unified School District policy that address gender and sex. He warned that the issue was very sensitive and should be treated as such moving forward.

"How do we safeguard these students who identify as LGBTQ? And in my view, it's a situation that is singling out a class of protected individuals differently than the rest of the students," Garza said, according to CNN.

Notably, the judge's ruling does not affect the parts of the Chino Valley district policy that deal with parental notice in cases of attempted suicide, threats, and bullying.

Potential Harm to Non-Conforming Teens

The Chino Valley's policy was enacted by the school district in July. The verdict comes after California Attorney General Rob Bonta filed a lawsuit against the district last month. Bonta has condemned the "forced outing policy" as a danger to the well-being of non-conforming teens who do not have a sense of belonging at school or home.

In a statement released on Wednesday, Bonta lauded the verdict, saying it properly safeguards children from harm and promotes the rights of our state's LGBTQ+ student community.

Meanwhile, on the same day the court handed down the decision, another school district in Sacramento decided to establish a policy mirroring Chino Valley's.

When a student in the Rocklin Unified School District chooses to use pronouns other than those associated with their biological sex or gender, or requests to be referred to by a name other than their given name, the district must notify the parents within three days. District trustee Dereck Counter remarked, "All we're doing is adding parent notification, parent communication, keeping those people involved."

Third-grade teacher Jessica Hardy expressed concern to the board that the policy might damage students' and teachers' relationships.

See Also: WSJ Editorial Details How Parents in Blue States Fight Back Against Gender Ideology

Parents' Right to Know

The policies are part of a broader trend by conservative lawmakers across the country to restrict LGBTQ people's ability to engage in a variety of daily activities, including access to health care, the use of public restrooms, and participation in sports.

Andi Johnston, a spokesman for the Chino Valley Unified School District, said they respect the court's decision and will continue to work toward the district's goal of strengthening ties between the school and the home.

Previously, School district president Sonja Shaw defended the policy and dismissed fears that it may do damage to students. Shaw made it clear that children who come to school seeking to be called anything other than their birth name are asking to be open with their transition. "The parent has every right to know about that."

See Also: Michigan Citizens Who Use Wrong Pronouns May Face Criminal Prosecution, $10,000 Fine

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
The British American Tobacco (BAT) is finalizing its exit from the Russian market. BAT announced that it would end its sales in the controversial nation, saying that the last cigarettes would be sold within a month.

British American Tobacco Will No Longer Sell Cigarettes in Russia

The Guardian reported that BAT, the London-based tobacco maker behind Camel and Lucky Strike cigarettes, will soon end its business in Russia.

The decision of BAT to end its sales in the 4th largest tobacco market in the world is part of its effort to support Ukraine against the invasion of the Kremlin.

In March, British American Tobacco was criticized because it maintained its operation in the Russian market despite the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.

Now, BAT confirmed that it reached an agreement to sell its Belarusian and Russian businesses to another group, which is led by its Moscow management team.

"Upon completion, BAT will no longer have a presence in Russia or Belarus and will receive no financial gain from ongoing sales in these markets," said the cigarette seller via Reuters.

BAT said that once its businesses are completely sold to the consortium, they will be called as ITMS Group. The company added that the new owner will have the trademark for BAT cigarette brands.

These include its traditional tobacco products, as well as Vuse vapes and other cigarette alternatives.

Read Also: Japan to WTO: China's Seafood Ban Over Fukushima Wastewater Release Is Unacceptable

Importance of Russia to BAT

British American Tobacco is considered to be a key cigarette manufacturer in the global tobacco market. It runs its business operations in more than 100 countries.

Among its top cigarette brands are Camel and Newport. In the Russian tobacco market, BAT controls nearly 25% of the sector.

Since Russia is the 4th largest tobacco market in the world, the Russian nation is responsible for 2.7% of the $16.73 billion revenues of the London-based cigarette maker during the first half of 2023.

Once it completes its exit, analysts estimated that British American Tobacco could lose almost $1 billion (specifically over $900 million) in its yearly revenues.

But, since it prioritizes its "ethos and values," BAT has no other choice but to leave its businesses in Russia.

The tobacco maker is not the only company that pulled out from Russia. In 2022, McDonald's, Coca-Cola, and Apple also stopped their business operations in the Russian market.

If you want to learn more details about these companies that no longer operate in Russia, you can click this link.

Related Article: Heineken Pulling Out of Russia, Sells Beer Business for 1

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Following news that China has tightened restrictions on iPhone usage by government employees in one of the US company's largest markets, Apple's shares dropped about 4% on Thursday, September 7. This triggers a decline in technology equities.

Tech Market After iPhone Ban

After the largest single-day decrease in more than a month on Wednesday, September 6, the market value of one of the largest businesses in the world was expected to plummet by roughly $100 billion, as reported by Reuters.

Stocks of Apple suppliers and firms with significant China exposure, such as Broadcom, Qualcomm, and Texas Instruments, declined by 1.4% to 4.7%. The three major US market indexes also felt the effects of Apple's decline.

Previously, it was reported that Beijing has ordered several key government organizations to ban the use of Apple mobile devices in the workplace.

The new policy fueled concerns about the financial impact of escalating relations between Washington and Beijing.

The US has, in recent years, limited China's access to critical technologies like cutting-edge electronics, while Beijing has worked to lessen its dependence on American technology by limiting shipments from companies like Boeing.

Huawei's new Mate 60 Pro smartphone is powered by a sophisticated processor produced by Chinese contract chipmaker SMIC, marking a milestone for the pair affected by US sanctions. However, some experts have warned of a possible sales blow owing to the smartphone.

Huawei's sales in its own country have been severely damaged by the US tech sanctions, giving Apple an opportunity to gain ground on the national favorite.

There is a chance, though, that Apple's demand may increase following an event next week in which the company is scheduled to reveal the iPhone 15 series and new smartwatches.

See Also: China Bans iPhones in Government Offices as Conflicts With US Increase

Preventing Any Future Security Risks

The iPhone ban directives were sent over the course of the previous several weeks through emails from managers to their staff.

According to five sources with knowledge of the situation, the orders were sent in August to government employees in ministries responsible for investment, trade, and international relations. Until the end of this month, employees in the mentioned departments were pressured to switch to a different company-issued smartphone brand.

Apparently, these regulations were put in place to avoid any possible security risks presented by a US firm's telecom equipment.

A similar restriction has been in existence for certain government entities for years, yet the most recent decision seems to have significantly expanded the scope of that ban.

Apple's iPhone is the only foreign-made smartphone with a considerable market share in China, according to Counterpoint Research, which monitors the global technology sector. In terms of market share in China, the iPhone was tied with Oppo and trailed behind Vivo with 17.2%.

See Also: US Restricts AI Chip Exports by Nvidia, AMD to China, Middle East

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Danny Masterson, an actor that starred in the hit TV series "That '70s Show" as Steven Hyde, was sentenced to 30 years in prison after being found guilty in May of raping two women more than two decades ago.

Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Charlaine Olmedo gave the sentencing on Thursday. The 47-year-old displayed no visible emotion at the time as the judge threw the book at him.

Danny Masterson Convicted to 30 Years in Prison

In a statement, Olmedo said that Masterson may believe he was sitting there steadfast amid his claims of innocence with no double belief that he is the victim of the justice system. However, the judge noted that he was not the victim.

The defendant's wife, Bijou Phillips, a model and actress who constantly attended her husband's trials, immediately wore a pair of sunglasses following the judge's announcement of the sentence. As per NBC News, she left the Los Angeles courtroom without saying a word.

The sentencing of Masterson comes four months after he was found guilty of two of the three rape counts he faced during his retrial in Los Angeles. The disgraced actor was previously charged with the rape of three women, identified at trial as Jane Doe #1, Jane Doe #2, and Jane Doe #3, between 2001 and 2003.

The defendant, a once popular sitcom star, did not take the stand at either of his trials in the case and, via his lawyers, repeatedly denied sexually assaulting the supposed victims. Additionally, Masterson did not make any statement at his sentencing and simply sat across the two women he was convicted of raping silently.

In court, Jane Doe #2 said that when Masterson raped her, he stole from her, adding that the crime was a "theft of the spirit." She added that the defendant is pathetic, disturbed, and completely violent. The accuser said the world would be better off if the actor were in prison.

Read Also: Florida Man's Bid to Run Across Atlantic in Hamster Wheel Ends in Arrest

Allegations of Rape

During the final trial, prosecutors in Masterson's case argued that the actor, a prominent Scientologist, used his role in the church to avoid accountability for the alleged attacks. The other woman that the actor is accused o raping said that he did not show even an ounce of remorse for the pain that he caused the victims, according to The Guardian.

The women who testified and helped in Masterson's conviction said that the actor gave them drinks, making them feel woozy. They then passed out, and that was when the defendant violently raped them.

In a statement, District Attorney George Gascon said that this has been a long and arduous road for the victims of the disgraced actor. He noted that not only did they survive the abuse, but they also survived a system that is often not kind to victims.

Last year, a deadlocked jury led to a mistrial, and prosecutors retried Masterson in May, successfully having him convicted of two counts of rape. The church the actor belongs to was also accused of trying to silence the women to prevent them from saying anything against the actor, said NPR.

Related Article: Remains of Yohanes Kidane Found in San Francisco Bay 2 Weeks After Disappearance

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
The Senate confirmed on Thursday United States President Joe Biden's pick for the nominee for the Federal Communications Commission, ending a years-long deadlock and giving Democrats the power to carry out major agenda items.

Senators held a vote that resulted in 55-43 in support of confirming Gomez, an FCC veteran and communications policy adviser for the State Department. With the confirmation, Gomez will take the third Democratic seat on the five-member commission responsible for overseeing broadband and communications regulation.

Anna Gomez Confirmation

The decision to choose Gomez returns the agency to full strength for the first time under Biden's administration. The Democratic president's initial pick for the FCC was Gigi Sohn, who withdrew after a contentious 16-month confirmation battle.

The impasse had left the FCC without a Democratic majority for the entirety of Biden's administration until now. Additionally, consumer advocates argued that a two-and-a-half-year delay hurt the agency's ability to carry out critical tasks that sought to protect Americans from potential abuse by the telecom giants, as per the Washington Post.

These actions include reinstating the Obama-era net neutrality regulations, which prohibited internet service providers from blocking or throttling content online. Additionally, Gomez's confirmation could allow the agency to oversee the telecommunications sector more aggressively.

This is something that President Biden has called for in a 2021 executive order, which includes potentially imposing more stringent utility-style regulation under Title II of the Communications Act of 1934.

When Biden nominated Sohn, an FCC alumna and a longtime consumer advocate, Senate Republicans sharply criticized him. They called him "partisan," citing her past remarks and social media activity on political matters. Furthermore, conservative groups mounted a campaign to tank Sohn's nomination.

Gomez has kept a low profile for much of her career and is now poised to help Chair Jessica Rosenworcel pass parts of the Biden administration's agenda without needing support from Republican commissioners, according to The Verge.

Read Also: UK Denies Backing Down on Plans to Scan Encrypted Messages for Harmful Content

Full FCC Roster

Various advocacy groups, including Public Knowledge and Free Press that support expanded internet access and net neutrality praised the nomination of Gomez. In a statement, Jessica Gonzalez, the co-CEO of Free Press, said they waited far too long for a fully functional FCC.

On the other hand, Public Knowledge president and CEO Chris Lewis said that the recently confirmed FCC commissioner is "publicly committed to supporting FCC authority over broadband to preserve an open internet and close the digital divide."

Additionally, Gomez earned praise from telecoms, such as Verizon, whose senior vice president of federal regulatory and legal affairs, Will Johnson, said she has vast experience in telecommunications policy and a significant record of public service.

Rosenworcel led the agency following the unpopular tenure of Ajit Pai during the former administration's rule. The former focused on improving broadband access and updating space-related rules.

However, the lack of a complete roster of commissioners meant the agency was limited in what it could accomplish. Techcrunch said any issue with political points, such as net neutrality, would be expected to face a 2:2 deadlock.

Related Article: Google Issues New Guidelines for AI-Generated 2024 US Election Ads

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
The United Kingdom's Met Office warned that there is a possibility that 30-degree Celsius temperatures will last for several days in the region, a record period.

The forecaster added that Thursday was the region's hottest day of the year, with a recorded 32.6-degree Celsius temperature in Wisley, Surrey. The highest temperature before that was set in June and recorded at 32.2 degrees Celsius.

UK Heat Wave

The heat wave in the UK has already broken the record for the most consecutive days, with temperatures above 30 degrees Celsius in September. Saharan dust generated vivid sunsets and sunrises in the clear conditions within the region.

The temperature recorded on Thursday made it the fourth day it hit above 30 degrees Celsius. It beat the record of three days seen on four previous occasions, most recently in 2016, per the Independent.

In a statement, Met Office meteorologist Simon Partridge said that observing 30 degrees Celsius until Sunday would mark six days of reaching that milestone temperature. He said there were only three days of such temperatures last September.

Partridge noted that while the current temperatures are not yet the hottest conditions observed since September, the period has been twice as long as previously seen. In South Yorkshire, the highest daily temperature in September was recorded as 35.6 degrees Celsius on Sept. 2, 1906.

However, the meteorologist added that there was no chance that the September daily temperature record would be broken in the following days. He noted that it might get warmer over the weekend but would not increase significantly. However, Partridge said it would be the warmest day of the year.

Several other areas in the UK recorded temperatures above 30 degrees Celsius on Thursday. According to BBC, BBC Weather forecaster Gareth Harvey added that the southeast of England could experience 33 degrees Celsius and that the heat is expected to last into Friday and a little bit over the weekend.

Read Also: Hurricane Idalia: Rare Blue Supermoon May Worsen Storm Surge

Rising Temperatures

Harvey said that southeast England could experience 31 degrees Celsius on Sunday, adding that it would be relatively cooler further north. He noted that much of Scotland and Northern Ireland will have temperatures in the low 20s.

The forecaster also said there is a growing possibility of some thundery showers in the north and west this coming weekend. This is because winds switch to a south-westerly direction, pulling in cooler, fresher air from the Atlantic.

Met Office chief meteorologist Paul Gundersen said that high pressure was located to the southeast of the UK, creating more settled conditions and temperatures above the average for this time of the year.

He added that while the highest temperatures are expected in the south, heat wave conditions will likely be experienced across much of England and Wales. The situation also comes as the UK Health Security Agency issued an amber warning for heat until Sunday at 9:00 p.m., said Yahoo News.

Related Article: Natural Catastrophes No Longer Covered by Some Home Insurers as Climate Threats Rise

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
(Photo : Anthony WALLACE / AFP) (ANTHONY WALLACE/AFP via Getty Images)

Heavy rains in Hong Kong paralyzed the city as officials recorded the heaviest downpour that the region has seen in more than a century.

Hong Kong was paralyzed after experiencing the heaviest downpour in over a century that flooded the streets, forcing authorities to shut down schools and urge workers to stay home temporarily.

The region saw the highest hourly rainfall since records started 140 years ago and had cascades of water tumbling down the city's mountainous terrain. The situation prompted authorities to issue landslide risk warnings.

Hong Kong's Heavy Rains

The heavy rains turned the city's streets into torrents of water as video footage circulated on social media platforms. One clip featured metro workers wading waist-deep in a station as they tried to stem the water flow gushing down from road level.

The Hong Kong Observatory also reported a rainfall of 158.1 millimeters between 11:00 p.m. local time on Thursday and midnight on Friday. The city's weather bureau also issued the highest "black" rainstorm warning and noted more than 200 millimeters of rainfall recorded on the main island, Kowloon, and the northeastern part of the New Territories since Thursday night, as per Reuters.

The trough of low pressure associated with the remnant of Typhoon Haikui resulted in torrential rain on the coast of China's Guangdong since Thursday. Officials expect that extreme conditions will last until at least Friday noon.

The city's stock exchange will not open on Friday morning and remain shut for the afternoon session if the rainstorm warning remains until noon. In a statement, city leader John Lee said he was very concerned about the severe flooding reported in many parts of the region. He also instructed all departments to respond to the situation with "all-out efforts."

The government noted that some passenger and cargo clearance points at two border control points between the city and neighboring Shenzhen were suspended because of the severe flooding.

Read Also: African Leaders Call for Global Taxes, International Finance Reforms To Fund Country's Fight Against Climate Crisis

Flooding of Streets

City officials are expected to make an announcement on Friday morning on whether or not it would be safe for roads and public transport to reopen and whether or not offices and schools will be allowed to open, according to the Washington Post.

The online weather data site OGimet noted that some parts of the densely populated city with a population of roughly 7.5 million experienced nearly 500 millimeters of rainfall in 24 hours. Many of the region's residents were surprised by the extreme conditions a few days after Hong Kong was battered by its strongest typhoon in five years.

Typhoon Saola, initially a super typhoon, eventually weakened to the equivalent of a Category 2 hurricane when it reached Hong Kong. However, it was still strong enough to knock down trees and cause hundreds of flight cancellations. The government reported that 86 people were injured because of the weather phenomenon.

The city's Mass Transit Railway also announced that it would suspend its services on one of its lines. The announcement came after a station in the Wong Tai Sin district was flooded, as seen in footage shared widely online featuring water gushing down the stairs, said CNN.

Related Article: Canada Lifts Wildfire Evacuation Order Despite Unhealthy Air Quality for Millions

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Climate activists in Barcelona on Friday sprayed paint on Walmart heiress Nancy Walton Lauries $300m superyacht  marking the second such attack in two months.

In July, members of the Spanish environmental group Futuro Vegetal vandalised the vessel with black and red paint before holding up a sign that read: You Consume Others Suffer.

Seven weeks later, two activists from Scientist Rebellion and Extinction Rebellion sprayed biodegradable red paint on the stern of the yacht at around 7am local time on Friday, while it was docked at Marina Port Vell in Barcelona.

The words Billionaires Should Not Exist were written on a banner they unfurled afterwards.

In a statement posted on X, formerly Twitter, Scientist Rebellion confirmed their protest which was carried out to denounce billionaires enormous impact on the climate crisis.

They also highlighted the findings of a 2022 Oxfam report.

The report, published last November, found that a billionaires average annual emissions are a million times higher than someone outside the richest 10 per cent of the worlds population, when including emissions from their investments.

A spokesperson for the port told CNN the megayacht was not damaged in Fridays attack and had since been returned to a perfect state.

A representative for Scientist Rebellion told the news website the protestors were detained by police at the marina for three hours before they were released.

CLIMATE KAOS



Activists from Scientist Rebellion and Extinction Rebellion Spain sprayed the Walton family's $300 million mega yacht with biodegradable paint to denounce billionaires' enormous impact on the #ClimateCrisis.#MakeThemPayhttps://t.co/4EBjc8SK3c  Scientist Rebellion (@ScientistRebel1) September 8, 2023

On the same day, climate change demonstrators disrupted the US Open womens semi-final match between Coco Gauff and Karolina Muchova, with at least one person gluing their feet to the floor in the Arthur Ashe Stadium stands.

Story continues

Ms Laurie inherited a stake in Walmart in 1995 from her father Bud Walton, who turned the brand into an American retail behemoth with his brother Sam Walton.

Forbes estimates her net worth at $9.3bn as of 9 September.

Her 361-foot-long yacht Kaos is worth around $300m and can accommodate 31 guests and a 45-person crew.

It includes an aquarium, a cinema, separate gyms for guests as well as crew, and a small hospital for emergencies.

The climate activists protest comes on the heels of an intense heatwave that gripped Spain and other parts of the Mediterranean, including Greece and Italy, this summer.

Wildfires erupted across the region, as Spain was faced with the third-worst summer for forest fires in 10 years.

Temperatures soared as high as 46.8C in some parts of the country this year.

According to a report published by the World Weather Attribution (WWA) in May, the record-breaking heatwave that swept across southern Europe and north Africa in April was made at least a 100 times more likely because of the climate emergency.

A coalition of international scientists, the WWA said the extreme heat wouldve been statistically impossible in the absence of human-induced global warming.
NASA's Space Launch System, which is the agency's mega moon rocket, has been hindered by financial constraints as it is considered to be "unaffordable."

The Thursday report that was released by the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) breaks down the SLS program's expenditures. It made the striking admission that senior NASA officials deemed the rocket to be unsustainable at its current cost levels. It also criticized what the GAO said is a lack of transparency into the program's ongoing costs.

NASA's Space Launch System

A spokesperson at NASA's headquarters did not immediately respond to requests for comments regarding the newly released report. However, the GAO noted that the space agency "recognizes the need to improve" the project's affordability moving forward.

The GAO's report said that with input from NASA management, the SLS program has already developed a roadmap that outlined short-term and long-term strategies that could result in future cost savings, as per CNN.

The plans include efforts to stabilize the program's flight schedule, increase efficiencies, encourage innovation, and adjust acquisition strategies to reduce cost risk. The issue comes as the SLS rocket is at the heart of the space agency's Artemis program, which is its flagship effort to return humans to the surface of the moon later this decade.

The effort involves various exploratory and science missions that seek to establish a permanent lunar settlement for humans to inhabit. The first test launch of the SLS, which was during a mission known as Artemis I, was conducted on Nov. 16 and was plagued with several delays.

While the mission was behind schedule, it was considered a spectacular success and it was able to set up the space agency to launch its first crewed test mission around the moon that is scheduled for late 2024. That particular mission is expected to be followed by Artemis III, which would be the first attempt to return American astronauts to the lunar surface since the Apollo program.

Read Also: Japan Suspends Launch X-Ray Telescope, Experimental Moon Lander Due to Powerful Winds

Financial Constraints

The GAO noted that another issue with the situation is that NASA's cost estimates did not appear to take into account delays to the Artemis missions. But one NASA official said that the delays would have no cost impacts on the mission, which others considered to be highly improbable, according to Ars Technica.

The report also indicated that the space agency did not regularly update its five-year production cost estimates for the mega moon rocket. It cited various concerns regarding the development costs of future hardware for NASA's program, including the Exploration Upper Stage.

On top of the issues brought up by the GAO, NASA is facing hurdles from a combination of decreasing budgets and increasing. The situation is putting a strain on the space agency's Deep Space Network (DSN).

The DSN will be responsible for providing communications for NASA's upcoming Artemis Moon missions. Furthermore, the space agency is already reliant on it for a number of its science missions.

NASA's DSN is a system made up of antennas that are located in Australia, the United States, and Spain. For several years, the system has successfully been used to communicate with spacecraft that are beyond our planet's orbit, said Interesting Engineering.

Related Article: India Seeks To Observe Sun in New Cosmic Mission Following Historic Moon Landing

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
With the signing of a strategic partnership on Friday, the Philippines and Australia strengthened their security and economic alliance to counter China's expanding regional influence.

The agreement was finalized after a meeting between Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in Manila.

Australia Affirms Ties With the Philippines

Albanese's visit, which marks the first bilateral discussions with an Australian prime minister in Manila in 20 years, is the latest in a series of visits by senior members of his administration to the archipelago nation since Marcos assumed the presidency in 2022.

Under the terms of a strategic partnership, the countries will seek to expand cooperation in a variety of areas, including defense, security, climate change, and education.

Australia regards a strategic partnership as the greatest level of bilateral relations. Beijing claims almost the entirety of the South China Sea, despite a judgment by the international community that its position is illegal.

The Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Brunei all stake claim to contiguous portions of it. The former president of the Philippines, Rodrigo Duterte, shifted the country's conventional security alliances away from the United States and toward China. The Marcos administration has attempted to reverse this policy, as per SCMP.

Last month, the Australian and Filipino military conducted a significant joint exercise near the contested waters. Marcos, his defense minister Gilberto Teodoro, and the Australian defense minister Richard Marles observed the event.

Read Also: US Announces $175 Million Ukraine Support Package, Includes Anti-Armor Rounds, Air Defense Equipment

South China Sea Dispute

According to AFP via Yahoo, under the terms of a strategic partnership, the countries will seek to expand cooperation in a variety of areas, including defense, security, climate change, and education.

China's growing assertiveness on Taiwan and the militarization of artificial islands in the contested South China Sea have prompted Canberra and Washington to strengthen defense ties with Manila, a longtime ally.

Marcos thanked Albanese for his "strong support" for the Philippines as it endeavors to defend itself against "not valid" maritime claims, a thinly veiled reference to China.

Albanese referred to the two nations as "great friends" and expressed his desire that his visit would assist in elevating their relationship to "an even higher level."

After a Philippine resupply mission to Second Thomas Shoal in the Spratly Islands was obstructed by China Coast Guard vessels using water cannons on August 5, these exercises ensued, sparking a diplomatic dispute and international indignation.

Friday's negotiations included signing a memorandum of understanding for reciprocal work and holiday visas. The nations also agreed to convene an annual meeting of defense ministers.

Human Rights Watch had urged Albanese to "seriously" debate human rights during his discussions with Marcos, including advocating for an end to Duterte's bloody drug war.

Meanwhile, Australia and China have made progress in resuming "unimpeded trade," Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Thursday as he met Chinese Premier Li Qiang at a regional summit in Indonesia. Albanese added that the progress should continue.

Australia's views will not always align with China's, "but we understand dialogue is absolutely critical," Albanese said. Per VOA News, Li said Albanese was welcome to visit China this year, and the Australian leader agreed.

The confirmation of the visit to Beijing, the first by an Australian leader to its largest trading partner since 2016, is a significant step towards the stabilization of relations.

In response to Australia's request for an investigation into the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic, China suspended diplomatic exchanges in 2020 by imposing restrictions on a dozen Australian exports.

Since Australia elected a Labor government in 2022, tensions have decreased, and China has recently removed tariffs on Australian barley exports. However, Australia wants restrictions on other exports, such as wine and lobster, to be abolished.

China is Australia's largest export market for iron ore, and Treasurer Jim Chalmers stated on Wednesday that a downturn in China would contribute to the economic strain on Australia.

Related Article: Watchdog CREW Files Lawsuit to Ban Trump from Colorado's 2024 Ballot

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
(Photo : Mike Coppola/Getty Images for Ben & Jerry's)

NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 02: Jimmy Fallon and Ben & Jerrys co-founders announce "Late Night Snack, the newest Fair Trade flavor at Studio 6B Rockefeller Center on March 2, 2011 in New York, United States.

Jimmy Fallon, the charismatic presenter of 'The Tonight Show,' has issued an apology to show staffers in response to a scathing report, which has sparked controversy on late-night television.

The information illuminates a toxic work environment that has left current and former employees sad and terrified. Amid escalating allegations, Fallon has issued an apology, further complicating his public image.

Jimmy Fallon's Apology in the Wake of Controversy

During a recent Zoom call with 'Tonight Show' staff, Fallon expressed regret, stating, "It's humiliating, and I feel terrible. I apologize if I embarrassed you or your loved ones. I am so miserable I cannot even express it... This show should be entertaining, all-inclusive, humorous, and the best show with the best individuals."

Despite this apology, the allegations portray a troubling picture of Fallon's behind-the-scenes behavior. Two current employees and fourteen former employees who feared retaliation chose to remain anonymous in the Rolling Stone report. These employees have recounted their memories of "good Jimmy days" and "bad Jimmy days." On the latter, Fallon's demeanor reportedly takes an abrupt turn, resulting in what some have termed "erratic outbursts."

During these outbursts, Fallon is rumored to berate crew members and staff for trivial inconveniences, creating a tense work environment. According to employees, when Fallon was in a bad mood, the entire work environment would deteriorate.

These allegations paint a bleak picture of the host's behavior, making it obvious that the workplace is far from the jovial image portrayed on television. One example cited by employees involved a confrontation with a crew member in control of cue cards during a taping with Jerry Seinfeld.

While others described the interaction as awkward, Seinfeld characterized it as innocuous. Another incident from 2017 raised concerns about Fallon's behavior when he allegedly appeared to be under the influence of alcohol and disoriented during a rehearsal.

Moreover, two employees claimed alcohol use in 2019 and 2020, raising concerns about Fallon's behavior behind the scenes. Despite human resources receiving employee complaints, the issues reportedly remain unresolved, leaving employees feeling helpless.

Per Daily Mail, the impact of Fallon's behavior on the mental health of his staff is evident, with some employees reporting hearing coworkers express suicidal thoughts on the set. Several employees disclosed that they had sought rehabilitation as a result of their experiences, while others disclosed that they had considered suicide due to their working conditions.

It appears that the culture of reluctance in the workplace has contributed to the enduring nature of these problems. Employees reported feeling pressure to remain silent and appreciative of their positions despite maltreatment.

Representatives for Fallon have not yet commented on the matter, and NBC's statement did not mention the host by name. This is not the first time Fallon has been the subject of controversy. In 2020, a twenty-year-old video resurfaced depicting Fallon in blackface while impersonating comedian Chris Rock on Saturday Night Live.

While Fallon issued a public apology, the report indicates he did not address the incident with his own staff, leaving some employees feeling unheard and marginalized.

Read Also: Wolverine in the UK! Hugh Jackman Spotted in Yorkshire

Challenges in Workplace Culture at 'The Tonight Show'

In addition, the report discloses that efforts to address workplace culture, including diversity and culture meetings initiated by showrunner Gavin Purcell, were unsuccessful.

Employees asserted that when new showrunners Jamie Granet-Bederman and Nedaa Sweiss took over in 2020, allegations of bullying and maltreatment continued to surface.

Since the writer's strike began in May, The Tonight Show has not aired. Employees hope that Fallon and NBC will be held accountable for the alleged maltreatment of employees in the past and present as the show prepares to return to television.

Certainly, the revelations have cast a shadow over the beloved late-night program, raising concerns about the behind-the-scenes dynamics that viewers rarely witness, as per Newsweek.

Related Article: Woody Allen Dismisses Cancel Culture, Attends Venice Film Festival Despite Controversial Reception

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
When you say a ransomware breach in business, many people tend to think about cyber attacks against Google and other giant companies.

But, the truth is ransomware attacks are also targeting SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises).

ATTENTION: Even SMEs are Vulnerable to Ransomware Attacks

In 2022, Forbes reported that SMEs are more likely to be targeted by ransomware breaches compared to larger businesses. This was revealed by the Barracuda Networks, a cloud security firm.

Researchers at the Barracuda Networks analyzed millions of emails across multiple companies between January 2021 and December 2021.

They discovered that a staff of an SME with less than 100 workers is likely to experience over 300% more social engineering attacks compared to an employee of a larger company.

Read Also: Bank of Ireland App Bug Gives Zero-Balance Clients Free Cash, Prompting Long Lines at ATMs

Cyber Attacks Commonly Attacking SMEs

American enterprise software company Jumpcloud said that ransomware is the most common cyber attack in SMEs. Security researchers said that up to 70% of ransomware attacks are aimed at smaller businesses.

Aside from ransomware, here are other malicious campaigns that are usually attacking SMEs:

Phishing

Supply-Chain Breaches

Software Vulnerability Exploits

Attack Takeovers

Advanced Persistent Threats

How SMEs Can Protect Themselves

ComputerWeekly reported that SMEs can protect themselves by establishing their DR (disaster recovery).

This is why DR planning is very critical for smaller businesses, especially since cyber attacks are becoming more frequent.

Here are the things that SMEs need to consider when establishing their DR:

SMEs must check if investing in infrastructure (physical resources) is worth it when it comes to protecting their systems from cyber-attacks.

The best option for smaller companies is to rely on cloud DR since it is cheaper and more practical. But, SMEs need to remember that sending data to the cloud can be costly.

Although in-house DR is not usually affordable, it is still a great option to protect SMEs from malicious campaigns.

SMEs need to know the most suitable DR providers for their businesses. Top DR providers include Google Cloud Platform, Azure, and AWS.

These are just some of the important details that smaller businesses need to know when it comes to establishing their direct response.

If you own a small business or work for small businesses, you can click this link to learn more about the importance of DR to your company.

Related Article: This Ransomware Gang Claims It Breached Sabre's Data

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
A robotic "dog" named Spot was recently used to carry out surveys of two off-limits buildings at the Cold War weapons facility at Orford Ness. The National Trust said the survey of the Cold War-era site under its care was the first of its kind.

Spot is a robot developed by Boston Dynamics and operated by BAM Nuttall, with the latter's innovations and technical lead Colin Evison saying the aim of the operation was to capture the buildings' "size and geometry."

The structures on the site, which previously tested out the capabilities of nuclear weapons without the actual use of nuclear material in the 1960s until its decommissioning and custodial transfer to the National Trust in 1993, have been closed to the public and its own staff for safety reasons.

National Trust general manager for Suffolk and Essex Russel Clement was also quoted by the BBC, saying that accessing the area was "a bit of a head-scratcher" since they would like to have the site mapped out using modern technology before it gets washed and reclaimed by the sea.

"These buildings are completely inaccessible but really really important," he added. "They're going to be lost to the sea eventually."

Aside from Spot, aerial drones built by Boston Dynamics were also used to conduct a study on the site.

Read Also: Will AI Soon Replace Pets? Expert Voices Concern

Safe Surveying

The survey conducted at Orford Ness was the first stage of a long-term project by BAM Nuttall, in collaboration with Historic England and University College London (UCL).

Evison said BAM Nuttall was tapped for the project after the National Trust spotted its work in the Shetlands.

"We can survey buildings too hazardous to put people in so we can get a detailed survey without putting people in harm's way," he added. "We want to capture the size and the geometry of the building because they are under managed decay at the moment, but we also wanted to create some content so visitors can have a look inside - there's no other means we can do that."

Clement also stated the project was commissioned to accurately detail the subject buildings, and at the same time, allow people to access them without having to risk getting injured due to its decaying concrete.

"With the data, we'll be able to recreate them virtually and people will be able to experience the interiors of these incredible buildings," he added.

Related Article: US Army to Weaponize Robot Dogs by Mounting Rifles, LMGs; Integrating AI Capabilities Part of Plan

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Microsoft stated in a threat analysis study on Thursday that more sophisticated Chinese state-aligned influence and misinformation campaigns are mimicking American voters and focusing on political candidates on multiple social media platforms.

The report, which concentrated on the rise in "digital threats from East Asia," stated that "covert influence operations have now begun to successfully engage with target audiences on social media to a greater extent than previously observed," according to NBC News.

The Microsoft report also issued a warning about the trend, which the company claimed started around March, of some Chinese influence campaigns now leveraging generative artificial intelligence to produce visual material that has "already drawn higher levels of engagement from authentic" users.

An Improvement in Chinese Influence

Chinese influence campaigns have always had difficulty connecting with their intended audiences, in this case, U.S. citizens and voters. However, Microsoft cautioned that those tactics have improved after the 2022 midterm elections.

(Photo: by STEFANI REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images) The Microsoft logo is displayed on an office building in Washington, DC, on February 15, 2023. - Retail sales in the United States rebounded in January, government data showed Wednesday, logging the biggest gain since early 2021 as policymakers watch for signs that consumer spending is cooling in the longer run.

Concern over foreign influence operations on social media platforms, particularly on X, formerly known as Twitter, has been voiced by industry professionals and policymakers.

Three Democratic House members requested information from X's owner Elon Musk concerning manipulation attempts on the site in December.

Read also: China Closes 100,000 Social Media Accounts as Beijing Ramps up Crackdown on Fake News

Chinese Influence Campaigns Spreading Disinformation

Microsoft discovered content from Chinese influence campaigns on a number of apps, including X, LinkedIn, Meta's Facebook, and Instagram. The parent company of Facebook, Meta, revealed in August that it had stopped the biggest disinformation effort ever and connected it to people with ties to the Chinese government.

Screenshots of two distinct X postings from April that were recognized as CCP-connected misinformation were provided in Microsoft's assessment. Both featured the same graphic and discussed the Black Lives Matter movement. The first was generated via a computerized CCP-connected account. Microsoft claimed that the second was uploaded seven hours later by an account pretending to be a conservative American voter.

According to Microsoft, the activities that were identified had characteristics in common with one that was reportedly operated by a select group within China's national security apparatus.

The Justice Department named this groupthe 912 Special Working Groupin April as the source of a nationwide harassment operation against Chinese citizens. 44 individuals, including 34 officers from China's Ministry of Public Security, were charged by the government.

In its operations for influence, China is joined by Russia and even pro-American groups. actors who have previously been caught doing the same. A vast network of accounts involved in a clandestine pro-American campaign was destroyed by X and Meta last year. propaganda offensive with a Middle Eastern and Central Asian focus. Whether the network was associated with American intelligence is unknown.

Related article: CISA Director Claims China Cyberattacks are 'Epoch-Defining Threat'; US Official Explains Why

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
According to health monitoring data, the most recent COVID-19 strain, BA.2.86, appears to be spreading in the UK.

Scientists are concerned about the variety known as Pirola because of the large number of mutations it carries, raising the chance that it may be more transmissible or able to evade the immune system, as reported by The Guardian.

Still Too Early to Determine the Scope of the Outbreak

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said in a briefing note on Friday that an outbreak at a care facility in Norfolk and other instances throughout the UK suggested there was probably community transmission of the strain, but that it was still too early to determine the entire scope of its dissemination.

(Photo: by YASUYOSHI CHIBA/AFP via Getty Images) Michael Rampangilei (2nd R), Legacy Lead of the ASEAN One Shot Campaign, speaks in front of the projected image of COVID-19 coronavirus during the ASEAN Business and Investment Summit 2023 ahead of the ASEAN Summit in Jakarta on September 5, 2023.

The UKHSA reported that at the end of August, there was an outbreak of COVID-19 in a care facility in Norfolk, where 33 out of 38 residents and 12 staff members tested positive for the virus.

One resident required hospital care, but there were no recorded fatalities. Following laboratory testing, it was discovered that six staff members and 22 residents shared the BA.2.86 variation.

Read also: UK: Bishop Gets One Year Jail Term For Selling Fake COVID-19 Kits

An Early Indicator That It May Be Transmissible

Although it was still too early to make any predictions about how BA.2.86 might behave in the larger UK population, the UKHSA said the outbreak was "an early indicator" that the variant may be sufficiently transmissible to have an impact in close-contact settings.

The UKHSA said that all staff members and 29 of the 33 residents at the care facility who tested positive for COVID-19 have made a full recovery.

Although BA.2.86 exhibited a "significant number of mutations" compared to other variations circulating, the UKHSA incident director Dr. Renu Bindra stated that the data was "too limited to draw firm conclusions" regarding the effect this might have on the transmissibility or severity of the virus.

Initial worries about the possibility of BA.2.86 causing a new worldwide wave of infection, similar to what happened with the advent of Omicron, have been allayed by some preliminary lab-based findings.

According to a preliminary investigation from Chinese researchers, BA.2.86 is less effective at infecting lab-grown cells than other circulating Omicron subvariants.

Researchers in Sweden showed that serum from blood donors could neutralize BA.2.86 just slightly less effectively than other versions, according to another pre-print study.

As a safety measure against BA.2.86, the most recent COVID-19 vaccination booster program has been moved from October to September.

On September 11, the booster program will start in England. Adult care home residents and clinically vulnerable individuals will initially receive vaccinations before everyone in the UK who is 65 years of age and older.

Related article: COVID-19 Cases: These 9 Countries Impose More Restrictions for Travelers from China Amid COVID Outbreak

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
A New York court on Wednesday, September 6, ordered the reinstatement with back pay of 10 workers who had been terminated by the city's Department of Education for rejecting the COVID-19 vaccination.

Unconstitutional and Unreasonable?

Anti-vaccine mandate advocates scored a huge win when State Supreme Court Judge Ralph J. Porzio ruled that the city's refusal to provide religious accommodations to certain workers was unconstitutional and unreasonable, as reported by Fox News.

The case, DiCapua v. City of New York, involved school administrators and teachers who sued the city after authorities denied their request for an exemption from the vaccination requirement on religious grounds.

From October 1, 2021, until February 10, 2023, all employees in the New York City Department of Education were required to prove that they had received the necessary vaccinations. To put it simply, the policy resulted in the dismissal of thousands of educators who had refused to implement the mandated changes.

Plaintiffs' attorney Sujata Gibson hailed the decision as a "watershed moment in the teachers' two-year fight for relief," as reported by Children's Health Defense, an organization established by vaccination skeptic and Democratic presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

In addition to helping these ten teachers, Gibson argues that the Court's decision establishes a crucial precedent for other educators who have been refused a religious accommodation.

Porzio's decision to side with the terminated teachers did not apply to petitioners who had not originally requested religious accommodation under the city's vaccination requirement, which a federal court had ruled illegal in 2021.

The court also denied the plaintiff's request for class certification, finding that the proposed class was overbroad.

See Also: Airbnb Blocks New York City Bookings Due to New Short-Term Rental Policies

Significant Legal Precedent

Although the judge's decision fell short of what Gibson and his team had hoped for, it still created a significant legal precedent. Even though the court denied class certification, thousands of educators who have been severely impacted by the vaccination mandate still have a chance of getting some kind of compensation in the future.

Gibson added, "We intend to file a motion of reconsideration on a narrower basis. Rather than waste public resources clogging the courts with so many individual lawsuits, legal action that will remedy these discriminatory policies for all impacted workers only makes sense."

New York educator Michael Kane, who was fired after rejecting the COVID-19 vaccination, described the judgment as "bittersweet." He stated, "While it's an important step in the right direction, justice for only 10 of us doesn't even scratch the surface of the injustice suffered by NYC workers as a result of this illegal mandate."

See Also: NYC Bus Drivers Strike Might Disrupt First Day of School Amid Teachers Shortage, Migrant Students Influx

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
In the Bible, it was said that Jesus healed a blind man at a pool in Jerusalem called the Pool of Siloam. After almost 2,000 years, archaeologists announced they had discovered the steps to the pool.

A Fox News Digital report detailed that the Israel Antiquities Authority, the Israel National Parks Authority, and the City of David Foundation announced earlier this year that the biblical site cherished by Christians and Jews would be open to the public for the first time in 2,000 years in the near future.

In recent weeks, archaeologists made unprecedented progress in the excavation after they unearthed some eight steps descending to the pool, which was last recorded during the time of Jesus himself.

City of David Foundation director of international affairs Ze'ev Orenstein said the excavations within the City of David, the historic site of biblical Jerusalem, served as "one of the greatest affirmations" of the shared heritage and the millennia-old bond Jews and Christians have with the holy city, both as a matter of faith and as a matter of fact.

"The half-mile running through the City of David, from the Pool of Siloam in the south, continuing along the Pilgrimage Road, up to the footsteps of the Western Wall, Southern Steps, and Temple Mount, represents the most significant half-mile on the planet," he added.

The organization was established in 1986 and was dedicated to the "preservation and development of the City of David and its environs," as well as to "connect people of all faiths and backgrounds" to ancient Jerusalem.

The pool was first discovered in 2004 when infrastructure work carried out by the Hagihon water company uncovered some of the pool's steps, which the Israel Antiquities Authority promptly launched a survey of the discovery.

Read Also: Human Almost Went Extinct, New Chinese Study Claims

Plunging in to Preserve the Pool

The Pool of Siloam was first built roughly 2,700 years ago as part of Jerusalem's water collection system. The construction was initiated by King Hezekiah as cited in the Bible's Old Testament, the two Israeli agencies and the foundation said.

In the Gospel of St. John, Jesus restored the sight of a man born blind at the Pool of Siloam.

According to estimates, the Pool of Siloam passed through many stages of construction and reached the size of 1.25 acres (0.51 hectares).

A small section of the pool which has been fully excavated has been accessible to the public for several years. Moreover, the vast majority of the pool is being excavated and would either be opened by segments or once the entire site has been unearthed.

Orenstein stressed that the pool needed to be preserved not only as a pilgrimage site within Jerusalem but also as a historical monument in its own right.

"Whether in the halls of the United Nations, ongoing efforts by the Palestinian leadership, or on university campuses, Jerusalem's Biblical heritage is under assault," he said.

In reaction to the discovery, the Congress of Christian Leaders president Rev. Johnnie Moore told Fox News Digital earlier this year that the Pool of Siloam was found as evidence of history preserved for mankind that was "revealed at just the right time."

"Theologically, it affirms Scripture, geographically it affirms Scripture, and politically it affirms Israel's unquestionable and unrivaled link to Jerusalem," he added. "Some discoveries are theoretical. This one is undeniable. It is proof of the story of the Bible and of its people, Israel."

Related Article: Archaeologists Discover 4 Perfectly-Preserved Roman Swords in Cave Near Dead Sea

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
A renowned British-Australian public health expert has been jailed in the Philippines for almost two years on what he believes are false drug charges. He is now challenging the country's primary drug enforcement agency, accusing them of fabricating evidence, theft, and corruption.

Philippines' Drug Enforcement Agency Faces Backlash

Elden Chamberlain, age 60, was scheduled to open his defense case in the regional trial court in the city of Cagayan de Oro. This case is expected to bring attention to previous allegations against the Philippines Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in the wake of the country's notorious bloody "war on drugs."

According to The Guardian, Chamberlain and witnesses for his defense claim in affidavits that illicit drugs were hidden in his house, evidence was interfered with, and food and money were stolen.

The hearing was originally scheduled for Thursday, September 8, but it was postponed until October 19.

Congressional and senate committees in the Philippines are looking into reports that PDEA agents have been trafficking narcotics among themselves, as well as allegations of false charges and human rights violations by the agency.

In addition, the agency is being investigated by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for its role in at least 12,000 deaths that occurred during the "war on drugs" era, in which former President Rodrigo Duterte advocated for the shooting of drug users.

See Also: Philippines' Request to Halt Inquiry Into Drug-Related Deaths Denied by ICC

Who Is Elden Chamberlain?

For the last 30 years, British-born and Australia-raised Chamberlain (who now makes his permanent home in the Philippines) has worked as a consultant for UN agencies, AusAid, and US Aid on HIV/Aids advocacy projects across southeast Asia. For the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria, he supervised the western Pacific region.

His references are from the western region's board members. One of them, Fiu Williame-Igara, also oversees operations in Papua New Guinea for the Save the Children organization. Chamberlain is a "person of the highest integrity and deeply respected colleague," according to her description.

But since 2019, he has been portrayed as a "drug fiend" in the Manila media and claims to be in constant terror of PDEA officials. He has spent time in prison twice while awaiting trial on two distinct sets of accusations.

He and his co-accused, Ace Lanzaderas, the administrator for the Global Fund in the western Pacific area, are now lodged in the Cagayan de Oro municipal prison. Similarly, Lanzaderas has entered a not-guilty plea.

Chamberlain claims he does not understand the basis for his charges. He believes he can disprove the accusations but had less than four hours of court time throughout his nineteen months behind bars.

The first charges against Chamberlain were filed in September 2019. He was the Chairman of the Australian Thai Foundation for HIV and had just returned to the Philippines after a business trip in Thailand.

In the affluent Manila neighborhood of Makati, he went to collect a debt from an HIV-positive drug addict who owed him money. Methamphetamines and gamma-butyrolactone, according to the police, were discovered in the apartment. Chamberlain was then accused of running a drug den.

See Also: SG Hangs First Woman in 19 Years After Finding Her Guilty of Trafficking Heroin

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Indian Space Research Organization scientists celebrate at the ISRO Telemetry Tracking and Command Network center in Bengaluru, India, on Monday after the successful lunar landing of Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft on the south pole of the moon. Photo by Indian Space Research Organization

Aug. 23 (UPI) -- India made history Wednesday, becoming the first to land on the south pole region of the moon.

The Indian Space Research Organization landed the unmanned Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft on the lunar surface shortly after 8:30 a.m. EDT. The mission, streamed live on YouTube, comes days after a robotic Russian spacecraft lost control and crashed trying to do the same thing.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi joined the ISRO via video from South Africa, where he is attending the BRICS Summit, waving the Indian flag as the Chandrayaan-3 safely landed on the moon. Many at the ISRO control center stood up and applauded at the altitude meter reached 0.00, indicating the spaceship had landed.

Modi gave brief comments commending the space agency on the historic landing as they prepared for the next phase, the deployment of the lunar rover.

An artist's illustration shows India's Vikram moon lander. Image courtesy of Indian Space Research Organization/EPA-EFE

India became the third country to make a soft landing on the moon, behind the United States, the former Soviet Union and China, and the first to land on the south pole.

There is significant scientific interest in the south pole because researchers believe it may contain frozen ice, which could be used as drinking water and help make fuel and oxygen allowing for life to be sustained there.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi joined the ISRO via video from South Africa, where he is attending the BRICS Summit, waving the Indian flag as the Chandrayaan-3 safely landed on the moon. Photo by Indian Space Research Organization

Chandrayaan-3's lander, the Vikram, holds a lunar rover that will be deployed to do a chemical analysis of the moon's sole pole surface in an effort to confirm some of the theories about frozen water and other elements.

While NASA's Artemis program is expected to return astronauts to the moon in 2025, India and Russia have been in a race for the first to reach the south pole. Its failed mission over the weekend has put Roscosmos considerably behind again.

Indian Space Research Organization scientists wait for the landing of spacecraft Chandrayaan-3 on the moon on Wednesday. There is significant scientific interest in the south pole because researchers believe it may contain frozen ice, which could be used as drinking water and help make fuel and oxygen allowing for life to be sustained there. Photo by Indian Space Research Organization

Images released by the Indian space agency last weekend revealed craters on the moon's surface, which will help it avoid potential hazards. Highlighting the danger of such a landing, Japan, Israel and the United Arab Emirates have all failed to safely land on the moon before Russia's mishap.
Elon Musk said he did not provide the Ukrainian government access to his Starlink communications network over Crimea to avoid becoming part of a "major act of war." He spoke out when a book claimed he had shut off Starlink to prevent a drone assault on Russian ships.

Kyiv has reportedly made an urgent Starlink activation request to the Russian city of Sevastopol.

'Committing Evil'

According to BBC, a senior Ukrainian official has accused Elon Musk of "committing evil" after reading a biography that revealed Musk ordered his Starlink satellite communications network to be turned off near the Crimean coast last year to disrupt a Ukrainian drone attack on Russian warships. He said that since then, Russian naval boats have taken part in fatal assaults on civilian targets.

In a post on X, formerly Twitter and owned by Musk, "By not allowing Ukrainian drones to destroy part of the Russian military fleet via Starlink interference, Elon Musk allowed this fleet to fire Kalibr missiles at Ukrainian cities."

The Ukrainian official then asked, "Why do some people so desperately want to defend war criminals and their desire to commit murder? And do they now realize that they are committing evil and encouraging evil?"

The controversy began with the publishing of Walter Isaacson's biography of the billionaire. It is claimed that Musk cut off Ukraine's access to Starlink out of concern for a nuclear retaliation from the Russian government after Ukraine's ambush of Russia's naval force in Crimea.

Submarine drones equipped with explosives used by the Ukrainians to attack Russian ships in Sevastopol eventually lost contact with Starlink and "washed ashore harmlessly," according to Isaacson.

There was an emergency request from government authorities to activate Starlink all the way to Sevastopol.



The obvious intent being to sink most of the Russian fleet at anchor.



If I had agreed to their request, then SpaceX would be explicitly complicit in a major act of war and  Elon Musk (@elonmusk) September 7, 2023

Also Read: Human Rights Watch Blames Russian Cluster Munitions for Hundreds of Deaths in Ukraine

Musk Denies Allegation

As the fighting has crippled the infrastructure of Ukraine, the Starlink terminals' ability to connect to SpaceX's orbiting satellites has proved critical to sustaining internet access and communication.

Shortly after Russia started its full-scale attack on its neighbor in February 2022, SpaceX, of which Musk is the biggest shareholder, began sending thousands of Starlink satellite dishes to Ukraine.

Musk claimed on X that SpaceX "did not deactivate anything" in response to the book's assertion because the company was never active in such areas to begin with.

"There was an emergency request from government authorities to activate Starlink all the way to Sevastopol. The obvious intent being to sink most of the Russian fleet at anchor. If I had agreed to their request, then SpaceX would be explicitly complicit in a major act of war and conflict escalation," he explained.

Musk has already said that long-range drone attacks using Starlink are not permitted, despite the fact that the system has become the connection backbone of Ukraine all the way to the front lines.

Also Read: State Secretary Antony Blinken Visits Ukraine, Pledges Long-Term Support for Kyiv

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
The US Marine Corps (USMC) has identified a student of the US Marine Corps University in Quantico, Virginia who died earlier this month as 24-year-old Sgt. Jaen Deshun Davis.

According to USMC officials, he was found unresponsive in his vehicle on Sept 2 and was later pronounced dead at the scene, a Marine Corps news release said.

No further information was provided about the cause of Davis's death as the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) is looking into the matter.

Davis's death is the latest of a string of tragedies within the Corps.

In July, three Marines were found dead inside their vehicle outside Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, from what local police say was carbon monoxide poisoning. Last month, LCpl. Joseph Whaley was killed during nighttime live-fire training at Camp Pendleton, California.

Two Marine aviation accidents also occurred in August, one involving a single-seater F/A-18 Hornet in California, and the other was a V-22 Osprey carrying multiple personnel in a military exercise in Australia. Four Marines were killed in those incidents.

As a result, the Osprey crash triggered the implementation of a service-wide safety review which was originally scheduled at a later date.

Read Also: US Southern Command HQ Shelves Showing of 'Sound of Freedom'-but Why?

Who was Sgt. Davis?

According to the USMC, Davis, attached to the 1st Battalion, 24th Marine Regiment, a reserve unit based in Selfridge, Michigan, was participating in enlisted professional military education at the Marine Corps University at the time of his death. He was also a member of the active-duty, inspector-instructor staff assigned to his unit.

He previously served with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit and the 1st Marine Logistics Group at Camp Pendleton.

At the time of his death, Davis was awarded with the Navy Marine Corps Achievement Medal, the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, and the National Defense Service Medal, among other military awards.

"His family, loved ones, and peers have our deepest sympathies as we continue to provide support during this difficult time," the Marine Corps statement concluded.

Related Article: US Military Tests Unarmed ICBM as Show of 'Nuclear Forces Readiness'

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Prince Harry was spotted Friday (September 8) leaving St. George's Chapel inside Windsor Castle to commemorate his late grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, who was buried there a year on since she died.

The Duke of Sussex, known for leaving the family and accusing his father and brother, Prince William, of racism, among other things, was in the UK to attend a charity awards ceremony in London this week while his father, King Charles III, was in Balmoral Castle in Scotland to commemorate Elizabeth's death and his accession at a prayer service at nearby Crathie Kirk.

Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, was not accompanying Harry on his UK trip.

Meanwhile, Harry's elder brother and Prince of Wales, William, was in his namesake principality, where he and his wife Catherine commemorated Elizabeth's first death anniversary at a service in St. David's Cathedral in Pembrokeshire, the BBC reported.

The Prince and Princess of Wales, also posted several photos of the late queen on Instagram, with the caption: "We all miss you."

Read Also: UK Rejoin EU Science and Space Programs in Major Post-Brexit Breakthrough

In marking the first anniversary of Her late Majestys death and my Accession, we recall with great affection her long life, devoted service and all she meant to so many of us.



I am deeply grateful, too, for the love and support that has been shown to my wife and myself during pic.twitter.com/NfM6LDWTA0  The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) September 7, 2023

King Charles Remembers Mother's Life of Service

There were no formal events to commemorate Elizabeth's first death anniversary, but gun salutes were fired around the country.

In an earlier statement, Charles marked the death of his mother by recalling "her long life" and "devoted service" to the UK, the Commonwealth, and beyond.

"I am deeply grateful...for the love and support that has been shown to my wife [Queen Camilla] and myself during this year as we do our utmost to be of service to you all," the king's statement read.

Elizabeth died on September 8, 2022, at Balmoral. She was 96. Her death and subsequent funeral were speculated as one of the most pivotal points in British, Commonwealth, and world history in the 21st century.

Commoners Also Commemorate Elizabeth's Life

Despite several calls to topple the monarchy in favor of a republic, many people in the UK still remember Queen Elizabeth's legacy and how Charles is doing his best to maintain the image of service she has instilled in the royal family and in the wider society.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said the gratitude of the people to the late queen and her life of service "only continues to grow," and that her "wisdom," "incredible warmth and grace," and "sharp wit" would be remembered.

"People across the UK - whether they had the good fortune to meet Her late Majesty or not - will be reflecting today on what she meant to them and the example she set for us all," he added

Meanwhile, opposition Labour Party leader Sir Keir Starmer reflected on the long line of mourners who wanted to see Elizabeth's coffin during the lying-in-state in the days leading up to her funeral.

"It was a relationship built from her understanding that service of this great nation is the thread that unites sovereign and subject," he said. "So, as we reflect on her legacy again today, let us embrace that spirit of public service as our guide towards a better future."

Related Article: Prince Harry Loses Legal Challenge to Pay for Police Protection in UK

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
A Ukrainian service member watches an Mi-8 helicopter during training in August. Alex Babenko

A Russian pilot defected to Ukraine with an Mi-8 helicopter and fighter jet parts this week.

The incident is the first public instance of such a defection after months of Ukrainian efforts.

Ukraine offers monetary rewards to Russian soldiers who bring their equipment to Ukraine.

Ukraine's longstanding efforts to convince Russian soldiers to defect alongside their equipment paid off in a cinematic way this week.

A Russian helicopter pilot landed an Mi-8 AMTSh on a Ukrainian air base on Wednesday in what Ukrainian officials said was the culmination of a six-month secret defection plot that involved moving the pilot's family out of Russia and into Ukraine.

On board the helicopter, the pilot also brought parts of Su-27 and Su-30SM multirole fighter jets, which were meant to be moved between two Russian air bases, The Kyiv Post reported .

"This sort of thing is not unprecedented, but it is unusual," Mark Cancian, a retired US Marine Corps colonel and a senior advisor with the Center for Strategic and International Studies' security program, told Insider.

Ukraine has sought to incentivize Russian soldiers to defect since the war began in February 2022, launching at least two programs targeted at would-be turncoats.

In April 2022, the Ukrainian parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, passed a law aimed at targeting Putin's demoralized troops, explicitly offering monetary rewards to Russian soldiers who defect with their equipment.

The bill promises payouts to anyone who delivers Russian equipment to Ukraine. For a warship or combat aircraft, a Russian soldier could pocket up to $1 million. A military vehicle, such as a specialized truck, meanwhile, carries a $10,000 prize.

A helicopter  like the one a Russian pilot flew into Ukraine this week  fetches $500,000, according to the legislation. It was not immediately clear if the pilot would be compensated in this instance.

"Right from the start, the Ukrainians have set the environment for Russians who wish to defect or cross over to the other side to do so," Mick Ryan, a retired Major General in the Australian Army and a military strategist, told Insider.

Story continues

The Rada bill also promises "secrecy, a safe stay in Ukraine, and support in obtaining new documents and leaving for a third country," for any Russian soldiers who abandon post.

The country broadened its efforts in September 2022, when the intelligence branch of the Ukrainian defense ministry launched the "I Want to Live" hotline, which encourages Russian soldiers to surrender safely. The emergence of the hotline coincided with Russian President Vladimir Putin's announcement that nearly 300,000 people would be mobilized, sending many Russian civilians into a panic.

As of January 2023, more than a million Russians had called, texted, or visited the hotline's website, the project spokesperson told ABC News , and more than 6,000 Russian personnel had requested to surrender, officials told The Guardian earlier this year.

The project treats high-level military personnel as top priority given their potential access to valuable intelligence, ABC News reported.

The helicopter that was surrendered this week was carrying two additional crew members who didn't know they were being flown into Ukraine by the defecting pilot, Ukrainian military officials told Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. Ukraine's military intelligence agency said the two crew members tried to run when they realized what happened and were ultimately unwilling to surrender and "eliminated."

Russian propaganda outlets said the helicopter landed in Ukraine by mistake after the pilot became disoriented, according to The Kyiv Post, but the Poltava military air base in Kharkiv where the helicopter landed is more than 180 miles from the frontline.

Whatever led to the defection, Ukraine undoubtedly secured itself a propaganda win, Ryan said.

"The Ukrainians can use this to set an example for other Russians who might like to defect or not fight," he told Insider, adding that the incident plays in Ukraine's favor among a Russian domestic audience as well.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Subscribers to Register-Star or The Daily Mail are eligible to receive full access to HudsonValley360.

If you have an existing print subscription, please make sure your email address on file matches your HudsonValley360 account email.
Columbia-Greene Media has recently teamed up with the US Postal Service to provide same-day delivery of your local newspaper with your mail. Our expanded daily delivery of your local news reaches into the following areas:
Lever, MFN Launches 2023 Berkshire Sustainability Challenge

NORTH ADAMS, Mass.  Lever and the Massachusetts Founders Network (MFN) are seeking clean energy startups to apply for the 2023 Berkshire Sustainability Challenge, supported by the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC).

The winning company will be awarded a $40,000 innovation grant. All participants will be eligible for an additional scholarship award sponsored by MassCEC.

Participating startups will attend four workshops over a 15-week period, culminating with a final event on Friday, Feb. 9.

Clean energy founders can expect "access to and conversations with mentors in the field, a community of investors and entrepreneurs in the clean tech space, and can expect to finish with a pressure-tested business plan," Lever Challenge Coordinator Elizabeth Nelson said. "If you're in the earlier stages, we'll also have a refresher course on making sure you're truly developing the product with the customer in mind."

Participating finalists will also be able to network with each other, continuing to strengthen ties with Massachusetts' clean energy startup ecosystem.

"Our challenge finalists develop a great sense of camaraderie," Nelson said. "You're sharing your experiences, where you got grants and other money, and creating community."

GenH of Somerville, Massachusetts won the 2022 Berkshire Sustainability Challenge, where Lever reached the milestone of awarding $1 million in innovation grants to scalable startups in the region.

This is the first Lever Challenge co-hosted with MFN, which launched in the summer of 2023. MFN is providing startup founders equitable access to resources that will help their companies grow, including meetings with experts, resource guides, and more. Learn more at massfoundersnetwork.org.
Williamstown Grappling With 'Fairness' of Property Tax Proposal

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass.  A property tax proposal that has dominated Select Board discussions this summer largely comes down to a question of how one defines "fairness."

Select Board member Stephanie Boyd has been advocating that the town consider adopting the commonwealth's residential tax exemption as a way to shift some of the tax levy away from owners of lower-priced homes and toward owners of higher-end properties.

She talked about the RTE in her campaign for the board in the spring, and she has argued in recent meetings that the exemption is one small step the town can make to require those who have a little more to pay a little more to support town services.

"The first thing we should talk about is our principles," Boyd said recently. "What are we trying to do with the tax policy? Everybody wants it to be fair. But what does that mean?

"Our current property tax is based on the theory that those with more expensive homes can pay more  even the way we do it today. I think it's worthwhile for us to evaluate whether our current tax system is doing what we want it to do."

Jeffrey Thomas is sure that it is.

Thomas, a former member of the Select Board, spoke from the floor of the body's Aug. 14 meeting to address the body for even thinking about replacing the current system, where all property in town (excluding tax-exempt properties or land protected by state programs) is taxed at the same "mill" rate, currently projected at $15.89 per $1,000 of property value.

"There's an implicit compact with communities that's been validated by the [Williamstown] Select Board as long as I can remember: Regardless of the property you own, you're going to pay a proportionate share of the tax burden," Thomas said last week. "We're not going to say to commercial property owners, 'You should pay more.' We're not going to say to second-home owners, 'You should pay more.'

"That's the deal we've all agreed to, implicitly. Maybe some of us are not aware that was the deal. But it worked for us. Select Boards and assessors year in and year out have said, this is fair. The minute you shift it around, you're going to make it unfair to some segment of the community."

The Select Board makes its annual decision to support the "implicit compact" at its tax classification hearing held in late summer. That is the meeting where the board decides whether to "split" the tax rate between the residential and commercial class or opt for a single tax rate and where it decides whether to apply the RTE, enacted into state law in 1979.

This year's tax classification hearing is scheduled for Monday, Sept. 11.

The exemption, if adopted by a municipality, allows the community to exclude up to 35 percent of the average property value from each residential lot, as long it is the full-time residence of the owner.

To date, just 19 of Massachusetts' 351 cities and towns have adopted the RTE.

That list includes Boston and Cambridge as well as a number of communities on Cape Cod and the Islands. On the Cape, the RTE is seen as a way to provide tax relief to full-time residents by raising more revenue from pricey second homes and vacation rental properties.

While Williamstown does not have nearly the percentage of vacation homes as, say, Provincetown, Boyd has argued that the RTE still has a place in the town. According to her calculations, the exemption would lead to lower annual property tax bills for most Williamstown homeowners with the difference made up by higher tax bills for those owning homes valued at $655,723 or more  a price point known as the "break-even" point.

It is a little like the argument in favor of the "Fair Share Amendment," or millionaires tax, that passed with 52 percent of the vote statewide  and 75 percent of the vote in Williamstown  in November 2022.

"What we're talking about here tonight is whether those of us with a lot of stuff can share a little bit of it with our community," Boyd said at the Select Board's most recent meeting.

A couple of weeks later, she said her argument is resonating with the community.

"Many of the people I've spoken to on the street  both people who would benefit from reduced taxes and those who would have to pay more  have said it's reasonable," Boyd said last week. "I think there's more support in the community than we're hearing from."

The board did hear from two former members  Thomas and Hugh Daley  at its mid-August meeting. Both urged the panel to follow past practice and reject the idea of implementing the RTE.

Thomas followed up his presentation with an email that he circulated to town residents with the subject line, "Select Board may raise your property taxes."

In it, he laid out the reasons he believes the RTE is a bad fit for the town. He repeated an argument made by Town Assessor Chris Lamarre, that the town's less than 1 percent delinquency rate on property tax bills proves residents are not overly burdened by the tax already. Thomas also detailed his reasons why the current system of one tax rate for all properties is more fair.

"In fact, property taxes [as currently allocated] are progressive with respect to property values," Thomas wrote. "Property tax payments are used solely to pay for town services, which are equally available to all primary residents. A family that lives here utilizes the same amount of town services whether they live in a home assessed at $750,000 or at $250,000. However, the family that lives in the $750,000 house pays three times as much for those services as does the family that lives in the $250,000 house."

Thomas argues that the current property tax system already is unfair to second-home owners, who don't get to vote on the town budget at town meeting and don't get to send their children to Williamstown's public schools, the largest single cost center for the town. Shifting even more of the tax burden onto non-residents would only exaggerate that disparity, Thomas writes.

Boyd comes at the fairness question from another direction.

She cites studies that indicate people who live in more expensive homes pay a lower percentage of their income for property tax than people in lower-valued homes, even when they are taxed at the same rate.

What she cannot do is prove that income and non-property assets (stocks or savings accounts, for example) are related directly to property value for Williamstown residents. The town does not have access to residents' tax returns and has no way to correlate income with home value; implicit in Boyd's proposal is an assumption that more affluent people tend to own higher value homes than do less affluent people.

Select Board member Andrew Hogeland has mentioned a couple of times this summer that he does not think property value is a good "stand in" for income when it comes to deciding tax burden. He has encouraged the town instead to find a "needs based" approach to providing property tax relief, pointing to a senior tax exemption expansion that passed overwhelmingly at May's annual town meeting.

Another unknown for those considering the residential tax exemption is exactly how it would play out in Williamstown if adopted. Unless and until there is a need for property taxpayers to prove their Williamstown homes are full-time residences, there is no way to calculate how the RTE would impact the tax rate or where that aforementioned "break-even" point would fall.

One thing that Boyd and Thomas agree on is that the property tax rate would go up under an RTE. How much it would go up and, thus, which properties would pay less in taxes and which would pay more (after the exemption is deducted from their property value) is a matter of estimation.

And those estimates have not been a point of disagreement.

Boyd, who has used a 10 percent RTE in her presentations to the board (the final exemption could be anywhere up to 35 percent), estimates the break-even point at around $655,000. Thomas' Aug. 27 email referenced a break-even point of $344,462 for full-time residents if the town chose a 10 percent RTE.

In his email, Thomas encouraged recipients to use an estimation calculator on the Massachusetts Department of Revenue website that was, at the time of his email, giving estimates that were quite different from those Boyd talked about in Select Board meetings.

On Tuesday, the DOR, which received inquiries from town residents and iBerkshires.com about the reliability of the calculator, adjusted the website.

On Wednesday morning, the DOR calculator projected a break-even point for Williamstown of $605,355.74 for a 10 percent RTE and $603,854.55 for a 35 percent RTE  numbers closer to Boyd's projections.

Prior to the DOR's adjustment, Thomas said it really did not matter to him what the break-even point was; he believes that the residential tax exemption is a bad idea for Williamstown no matter how many homeowners pay less in property taxes or how many pay more.

"I don't think the break-even level is terribly important," Thomas said. "None of my arguments against this are impacted by whether the break-even is $300,000 or $400,000 or $500,000, whatever the number is."

Boyd, meanwhile, also interviewed prior to DOR's fix to its website, said the RTE was worth looking at regardless of the break-even, though she said it might not make sense if it ended up being lower than the town's median home value, $395,100, according to Lamarre's testimony at last month's fire district tax classification hearing.

The Prudential Committee, an analog for the Select Board that governs the fire district, a separate taxing authority, opted to keep a single tax rate with no RTE as it has done in the past.

The Select Board, where only two of five members  Boyd and Randal Fippinger  to date have spoken favorably of the exemption, could do the same when it meets on Monday.

Even Boyd did not indicate in a recent interview that the board is likely to break with tradition this time around.

"I don't think the community is ready," she said.

"What I'd like to see now is a commitment that we do something so we have a better discussion over the next year  commit to having a consultant do the analysis, commit to pre-qualifying domiciled residents, commit to updating the [assessor's office] software, commit to move forward to grapple with this question."

Thomas, who called in his email for recipients to write letters to the editor and write their Select Board representatives directly, is looking for a different kind of commitment.

"When I addressed the Select Board, I told them, 'Please don't stand up a committee. Please don't hire a consultant,' " Thomas said. "I still feel this issue needs to be put to bed. It is such a bad idea for our community.

"Speaking personally, I don't want to wait around another year to find out if the Select Board is going to raise my taxes. I want the peace of mind to know I can budget for my retirement. I don't want to lose sleep over the possibility that I've got to change my plans because I have to work longer or find other ways to come up with the increased money to pay my taxes. It doesn't warrant further study."
Market 32 Campaign to Support EmbraceRace

ALBANY, N.Y.  Price Chopper/Market 32 is launching its September campaign to help raise funds for the nonprofit organization, EmbraceRace.

From Sept. 1 to Sept. 30, Price Chopper/Market 32 customers will be given the opportunity to round up their change at checkout, 100 percent of which will go directly to EmbraceRace.

Price Chopper/Market 32 will match all funds raised, up to $10,000.

EmbraceRace was founded in early 2016 by two parents who set out to create the community and gather the needed resources to meet the challenges faced of raising children in a world where race matters. There are too few resources for young children available for parents, grandparents, other caregivers, and early childhood educators. EmbraceRace helps fill that gap.

All proceeds made will be donated to EmbraceRace to help them create more content to fill this gap such as articles, webinars, and conversation guides. The donation will also help EmbraceRace train people to be first-person storytellers, share videos of first-person stories about race and make book suggestions for kids and their caregivers.

"EmbraceRace goes above and beyond in its efforts to make sure children grow up educated about race. We were pleased with the very positive reaction we got from our customers and teammates last year and are excited to continue working together in 2023," said Mona Golub, Price Chopper/Market 32s vice president of public relations.
MCLA Volleyball Downs Norwich

NORTH ADAMS, Mass.  Anais Badio had 12 kills Saturday to lead the MCLA volleyball team to a three-set win over Norwich.

Shannon OBrien passed out 20 assists in a 25-12, 25-15, 26-24 win that leveled the Trailblazers record at 2-2 this fall.

MCLA goes to Castleton State on Wednesday.




iciHaiti - South : Success of the literacy program supported by USAID





On this International Literacy Day (September 8, 2023), the United States Agency for International Development (USAID-Haiti) said it was proud to work with schools in the South and Grand Anse departments to support the improving the literacy and socio-emotional skills of 2nd grade students.



Before the implementation of the USAID-supported literacy program, 75% of students finishing grade 1 could not read a single word. Since the implementation of this program, 78% of students in the South departments and 72% in Grand'Anse have improved their reading by at least two levels.



USAID believes in building more inclusive, peaceful, just and sustainable societies.



IH/iciHaiti


















Ukrainians celebrate on Nov. 12, 2022, in Kherson, Ukraine, after Ukraine regained control of the city. Yevhenii Zavhorodnii/Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images

During a recent meeting with the nations diplomatic corps, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy gave Ukraines ambassadors their marching orders for the rest of the year: Work to help secure Ukraines membership in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and the European Union. Zelenskyy also told the ambassadors to focus on helping Ukraine secure bilateral agreements for security guarantees between Ukraine and individual G7 countries, including the United States.

The task of ambassadors to NATO countries is to work to consolidate all the capitals of the Alliance around common security priorities, he said. It is in Ukraine that security for our continent and for the rules-based international order as a whole is being gained, and this deserves political and legal recognition by all our allies.

Zelenskyy held the August 2023 meeting with ambassadors three weeks after leaving the NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, without the timetable for Ukraine to join the alliance that he wanted.

In some ways, Zelenskyy is steering Ukraine through a war on two fronts. There is the hot counteroffensive the country is waging against Russia in its own cities, villages and towns. And there is its long fight to be a formal part of the West through inclusion in NATO and the EU. The latter fight is not just about Ukraines desire for long-term security. It is also about its geopolitical identity.

NATO members promised in a July 11, 2023, communique during the alliances two-day summit in Vilnius that Ukraine could join NATO when Allies agree and conditions are met. Although the communique acknowledged Ukraine did not need to follow the alliances membership action plan, it lacked specific steps Ukraine must take to receive an invitation for membership.

The lack of specifics caught Zelenskyys attention and he tweeted, Its unprecedented and absurd when [a] time frame is not set neither for the invitation nor for Ukraines membership. While at the same time vague wording about conditions is added even for inviting Ukraine.

Story continues

Some leaders were reportedly stunned by Zelenskyys public criticism.

As a scholar of international relations, Ukrainian politics and European security, I have studied and taught about how Ukraines geopolitical and ideological moves away from Russia have developed since the fall of the Soviet Union and how its policy decisions have often depended on the status of its relationship with Russia, the EU and the U.S. I have also studied how Ukraine might follow the examples of other countries to gain membership in Western alliances.

Zelenskyy, like a majority of Ukrainians, views Ukraine as ideologically and geopolitically separate from Russia.

Leaders of NATO member stand with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during the NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, on July 12, 2023. Beata Zawrzel/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Ukraines movement to the West

Before the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, Ukraine was its second-most populous republic, after Russia. And Ukraine had the USSRs third-largest nuclear arsenal. But since the collapse, Ukraine has worked to separate from Russia and move toward the West, seeking national security and economic growth by realigning itself ideologically and politically with Europe.

Over the years, there have been many steps toward the West and some away from it.

In 1994, Ukraine joined the NATO Partnership for Peace program and through it worked with the alliance to fight corruption in Ukraines military, improve its military training and get other countries to take its excess and obsolete weapons. This showed that a post-Soviet Ukraine was willing to work with NATO even when membership was not an option.

During the 1990s and 2000s, NATO and the EU admitted some of Ukraines neighbors from post-communist Europe and post-Soviet Baltic, leaving Russian President Vladimir Putin to view the few countries that were left outside of these alliances  Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova  as without protection from the West.

The 2004 presidential contest between then Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych and Viktor Yushchenko, a former prime minister, was marred by such widespread allegations of election tampering by the Yanukovych campaign that it sparked a series of peaceful protests. Known as the Orange Revolution, these protests against electoral fraud were followed by a December 2004 election rerun. Ukrainians elected pro-Western Yushchenko president.

Ukraines transition is not smooth

At the April 2008 NATO summit in Bucharest, Romania, member nations agreed that Ukraine and Georgia would become members of NATO. But the alliance suggested conditions, including democratic reforms in both countries, with no clear plan for achieving those reforms.

In 2010, Yanukovych, who campaigned on a promise to keep Ukraine out of NATO, was elected president. Once in office, he abolished a commission that had been established to help Ukraine integrate with NATO. In 2013, Yanukovych ended discussions between Ukraine and the EU for a political and trade deal known as an association agreement. That decision sparked protests in Kyiv and around the country.

That protest, the Euromaidan Revolution, also known as the Revolution of Dignity, lasted until February 2014 and forced the Kremlin-aligned Yanukovych to flee to Russia. By March 2014, Russia had annexed Crimea and invaded the eastern Donetsk and Luhansk regions of Ukraine in April with help from Russian-backed separatists.

Following these aggressions by Russia, a November 2015 nationwide poll showed 57% of the Ukrainian citizens queried favored joining the EU, and 48% favored joining NATO.

In 2014, Ukraine eventually signed a deal with the EU that included a new comprehensive free trade agreement. That was followed in 2017 by a visa agreement that allowed Ukrainians visa-free travel to the EU for 90 days every six months.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, center, stands with four leaders of the European Union. Sergei Supinsky/AFP via Getty Images

Ukraines geopolitical identity

Putin, still angry about the collapse of the Soviet Union, ordered an invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. He claimed Russia needed to demilitarize and denazify the country.

Regardless of what Putin says were his motives, many security analysts maintain the invasion was possible because Ukraine and Georgia, which Russia attacked in 2008, had no protection. The two nations were not part of a Western alliance such as NATO or the EU.

When Russia invaded Ukraine, Zelenskyy looked to the West for help. On the third day of the invasion, he applied for Ukraines EU membership. And on Sept. 30, 2022, he applied for Ukraines membership in NATO. Ukrainians overwhelmingly support that decision. A February 2023 poll showed 83% of the people surveyed said Ukraine should join NATO.

By June 2023, the EUs leaders had determined that Ukraine had met two of seven conditions required for the country to begin membership talks. One condition concerns judicial reform, and the other is about its standards in media law. The country is making good progress on the third and some progress on the remaining four conditions, including the fight against corruption, said Oliver Varhelyi, the EUs commissioner for enlargement.

Although Ukraine hasnt joined NATO yet, Zelenskyys push for membership is part of a long-term goal for Ukraine to gain security from Russia. The country has never attacked a member of NATO or the EU.

This article is republished from The Conversation, an independent nonprofit news site dedicated to sharing ideas from academic experts. The Conversation is trustworthy news from experts, from an independent nonprofit. Try our free newsletters.

It was written by: Kateryna Shynkaruk, Texas A&M University.

Read more:



Kateryna Shynkaruk is affiliated as a nonresident scholar with the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.
Sign up to Roisin OConnors free weekly newsletter Now Hear This for the inside track on all things music Get our Now Hear This email for free Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

Roisin OConnors email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }}

Like a lot of Gen Z artists, Renee Rapp is many things: a musician, an actor, a Broadway musical star. As of recently, the 23-year-old is also being hailed as a hero to none other than Americas sweetheart Drew Barrymore who was, a few weeks ago, ambushed by a stalker on live TV. Rapp, who Barrymore was interviewing at the time, leapt to her feet, expertly shielding the actor while escorting her off stage. You are my Kevin Costner! Barrymore later gushed, setting off a chain reaction of adoration from fans. The reaction has been very sweet, Rapp says over Zoom from her home in LA, but a little confusing. In my brain, someone was about to harm my friend, so Im not just going to f***ing sit there. Are you kidding? You do not come for my friends. That man is lucky nobody laid him out.

Before the stalker interrupted, Rapp was in the middle of promoting her debut album  and contrary to its celestial-sounding title, Snow Angel is full of the same bullishness. Youre the worst person on Earth. I hate your guts, she coos over the breezy bossa nova of Poison Poison. Brazen and vulnerable, the record places Rapp in a pantheon of no-filter pop stars such as Olivia Rodrigo and Billie Eilish. Its hard to believe the album comes from a musician who is better known as an actor. Up until recently, Rapp was a lead on Mindy Kalings HBO show The Sex Lives of College Girls. Before that, she was pitch-perfect as the meanest of mean girls Regina George in Tina Feys musical theatre adaptation of her hit 2004 movie. Snow Angel, however, has now debuted at No 7 on the UK albums chart, making it the biggest solo debut of the year. If acting made Rapp a star, music could be the thing to make her a household name.

In fact, this had always been the plan. In the years Rapp spent on the set of The Sex Lives of College Girls or on stage for Mean Girls, her aspirations were elsewhere. While she is unreservedly grateful for the work (People believed in me for whatever f***ing reason, which I dont necessarily understand but I welcome with open arms), one foot was always out the door. For the first time ever now, I see myself as an artist and Im really proud of that, she says of releasing her debut. Its the only thing Ive wanted in my entire life.

Its still morning in LA and Rapp looks newly awake, wearing a baggy T-shirt that reads THOTS AND PRAYERS in big bold lettering. She says everything with conviction  even her confession to feeling incredibly insecure about her skills as an actor comes across as enviably headstrong. At the end of the day, I trust myself, she says. That doesnt mean I like myself all the time, but I do trust myself to power through. I try my hardest to never let a situation get the best of me.

You hear horrible stories of young women being exploited in the industry; bulldozed in conversations and shut out of meetings. Chatting with Rapp, I get the sense no one would dare. In 2018, before accepting her role in Mean Girls: The Musical, she made a deal with creator Fey and producer Lorne Michaels. I knew I wanted to be in music, she says. So I told them I would only say yes to playing Regina if they presented me as a musician first and foremost. I told them they had to market me like that. Fey and Michaels agreed. Has she always felt empowered to speak up like this? Yes, Rapp says before quickly adding: But lets be clear, thats for a lot of obvious reasons. Im a cis white woman and I dont think its very hard for me to do that, which is inherently f***ed up but something Im aware of. Im lucky to do those things without having to suffer the consequences a lot of other people would.

There is one moment, though, when Rapp stayed silent at a time she wished she had spoken up. She was 19 years old and working on Mean Girls: The Musical in New York City when someone on the production team made vile comments about her body. I was young, so I kept it to myself and I just beat myself up. I thought I was the problem, she says. In hindsight I wish I wouldve spoken to somebody, but I understand why I didnt. Its an incredibly difficult position to be put in but I would absolutely recommend talking to people you trust, because I did have those people at the time. I was just too scared to say anything.

The person in question, she says, is not involved in the film adaptation, which Rapp shot this summer with Busy Philipps, Jon Hamm and Angourie Rice. I feel very supported by the team now because we can talk about it. And you know, one bad egg does not make a bad batch or whatever.

Rapp was born in Huntersville, North Carolina, (population 61,000). The only shop in town was called The Old Store  literally, she laughs. Rapp doesnt have a Southern accent any more but she does attribute many of her qualities  including her mumma bear instincts, which led to that Bodyguard moment  to her upbringing. Growing up, Rapp had been part of a girl group called Daddys Little Girl. They made what she classifies as really sh**ty pop. In an earlier interview, Rapp said their music felt like gentrification; a white girl Destinys Child. As an artist and also a person, she is acutely aware of how she moves through the world.

In the years Rapp spent as Leighton Murray in The Sex Lives of College Girls, her true aspirations were elsewhere (HBO)

When Rapp took on the role of Leighton Murray, prep school princess and closeted lesbian in SLOCG, she agonised over what it meant for her  a bisexual woman  to be playing a gay character. Im a bisexual white woman so I dont think Im the pinnacle of queerness. However, I am fortunate to be part of a community that I love very deeply, she says now. Rapp felt a similar panic before writing What Can I Do. The lilting lullaby on her new album is about unrequited love; its also the first gay song Rapp has ever written. I remember being so scared about it  I think because Im lucky to have so many amazing queer friends and I wanted it to be something they were proud of.

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

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

Rapp came out as bisexual nine years ago, but her role in SLOCG involved coming out all over again, in a much bigger way. Theres an inherent responsibility. If youre somebody who has any sort of visibility as a queer person, right? she says. You dont want to be spewing bullsh**. You want to be careful and respectful and inclusive and really honest. I was freaked out when it started becoming this public thing.

She pauses for a moment, turning this over in her mind. Also, I was making it a public thing, she adds suddenly. I still go through this now  I was speaking to my girlfriend this morning, being like, Oh my God, I talk about being gay so much, and beating myself up for it, but then Im like, What am I beating myself up for? What are these internalised homophobic remarks Im saying to myself? To be clear, she has zero regrets about coming out to the world. It has improved my quality of life beyond belief. Im so fortunate in this regard because I dont deal with a tonne of homophobic sh** compared to my other friends who are very visibly queer. People can be so f***ing mean.

Contrary to its celestial-sounding title, Snow Angel, which debuted at No 7 in the UK, is full of bullishness (Label supplied)

Last year, Rapp was diagnosed with a mood disorder. For many, that wouldnt exactly constitute a jumping-for-joy moment but for Rapp, who had always felt like something of an emotional livewire, it was a relief. Now I dont have to hate myself for it, she says. The diagnosis came at the right time, too. I was in a relationship that didnt help matters  I had a panic attack in front of them, crying and pacing, and they just left me; they told me they couldnt handle it. Thats not how you treat somebody whether they have mental health issues or not. She exhales loudly, shrugging off the memory. Happily, they have since broken up; Rapp is now dating someone much more understanding of her big moods. Good or bad.

On social media, Rapp is almost as famous for her TikTok as she is for her music or acting. On her profile, where she has 1.4 million followers, she shares videos of herself reacting sarcastically to homophobic comments  or hilariously to the absolute wreck that is the clean version of Poison Poison, a very expletive-heavy song. My goal is to work hard now so I can step back at some point, she says of her online presence. I love this accessibility but its not sustainable for the rest of my life. I want to develop that kind of trust and relationship with my community so one day I can chill a bit. For now, though, chilling is the last thing on her mind.

Snow Angel is out now via Interscope
The story of the harrowing 1972 crash of the airplane carrying members of the Uruguay Rugby team in the remote snowy mountains of Argentina has been told cinematically a few times before. There was a rather crass version released in America as Survive! in 1976, and later a notable take on the story from director Frank Marshall called Alive through Disney Studios and starring Ethan Hawke and others in 1993.

But now with Netflixs Society of the Snow, director J.A. Bayona, who has previously found compelling stories depicting the will to survive in unspeakable human disasters, has made his own version of events of the half-century old story. The director of the 2012 The Impossible about tourists and locals caught in a killer tsunami in Thailand has taken a different approach here and based this stunning account on Pablo Viercis novel about it that was written 36 years after the actual crash. Bayona and his screenwriting team however veered from the book in choosing to focus not just on those 16 souls who ultimately made it out alive, but also on those others of the initial 29 who survived the impact but later succumbed to the elements. What he has made is a story of how humanity comes together for each other in the worst of circumstances, how faith can see us through, and the sheer will to live involved in just simply pulling off a miracle by never giving up.

More from Deadline

Despite all human disasters over the years, this is one that continues to catch our consciousness. In October 1972 the Old Christians Club Rugby Team were on a plane in Montevideo, Uruguay headed to Santiago, Chile for a match. On board were the team, some family and friends, about 45 in all. However it never made it, crashing instead into the Valley of Tears in the Andes in Argentina, one of the most remote, impenetrable areas on Earth. Some died instantly, but 29 survived the impact and this is their story of what happened up there in unimaginable freezing and snowy weather conditions for two and a half months before being found on December 23, 1972, a true Christmas miracle that only happened after three of the survivors set out to Chile on foot in order to find help, an impossible and treacherous journey just on its own.

Story continues

Of course this tale has been sensationalized over the decades for the simple fact that in order to live, the remaining survivors would eat the flesh of those who died. That aspect of cannibalism suggests a grisly horror story, yet Bayona is not interested in exploiting it and thankfully does not show graphic images, rather suggesting how even the dead made it possible for others to live. If you are coming to this film for any other reason you will be disappointed. This is ultimately a spiritual journey on many levels, focusing on the human will to overcome the worst of circumstances.

Bayona is an exceptional director of action and there is plenty here involving avalanches and other terrifying events over the two and a half months from the crash to the rescue. Most impressive however is the truly frightening crash itself captured in excruciating detail. Pedro Luque Briozzo Scu is the superb cinematographer and his cameras cover it with startling realism.

With this film Bayona has returned to making a film in the Spanish language and has assembled a fine ensemble of actors including Enzo Vogrincic in a leading role as the determined leader Numa, Augustin Pardella as Nando, and Matias Pecalt as Roberto.

Special mention should be made of Oscar-winning composer Michael Giacchinos stirring musical score.

Producers are Bayona, Belen Atienza and Sandra Hermida. The film was the closing-night attraction of the 2023 Venice Film Festival.

Title: Society of the Snow

Distributor: Netflix

Festival: Venice Film Festival (Out of Competition)

Director: J.A. Bayona

Screenwriters: J.A. Bayona, Bernat Vilaplana, Jaime Marques-Olearraga, Nicolas Casariego

Cast: Enzo Vogrincic, Augustin Pardella, Matias Recalt

Running time: 2 hrs 24 min

Best of Deadline

Sign up for Deadline's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Click here to read the full article.
Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

Lifestyle Edit email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }}

Maisie Smith has revealed that she was in Morocco two days before the country was hit by a major earthquake on Friday night.

At least 820 people have been killed and 672 injured, while 205 are said to be seriously hurt.

The tremors were in the High Atlas mountains, with the epicentre said to be in the Ighil area, about 40 miles (70km) south of Marrakech.

Videos have since been published on social media showing several buildings being reduced to rubble, while parts of the famous red walls in Marrakech have been damaged.

Now, Smith, 22, has offered her condolences to those affected by the tragedy.

I cant believe it, she wrote in a caption on Instagram alongside a photo of herself strolling through the Medina in Marrakech.

We only just flew back from this beautiful country just two days ago.

My thoughts are with all the victims and the families of those who lost their lives in this tragedy.

Smith had previously been updating fans about her trip on Instagram, posting photos of herself out and about in Marrakech.

Many residents in Marrakech have said they spent the night outside their homes in fear that a second quake might strike the region.

The earthquake was the strongest to hit the north African nation in more than a century.

It struck just after 11pm on Friday and has impacted the entire region, with tremors being felt thousands of miles away in Portugal and Algeria.

Smith was awarded runner-up in Strictly Come Dancing when she appeared on the show in 2020.

The actor joined EastEnders when she was just six years old, leaving briefly in 2014, before returning in 2016. She quit for good in 2022, but has since spoken about making a comeback.

Speaking to OK! Magazine, she said: You never leave EastEnders. Ive got a family on there that will be there for the next 50 years. Ill always have a place there.
For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }}

A British man who fought in Ukraine was found dead in a body of water with his hands tied behind his back, his family have revealed.

Jordan Chadwick, 31, who travelled to Ukraine in early October 2022, was fighting in the International Legion.

His mother, Brenda Chadwick, told the BBC her family was devastated by her sons death.

Mr Chadwick, known as Joe, was from Burnley in Lancashire. He served as a Scots Guard in the British Army from 2011 to 2015.

The Ukrainian International Army repatriated his body on 7 August.

Brenda Chadwick told the BBC Joe had always wanted to be a soldier.

His passion to support freedom and assist others with his skills led him to leave the UK and travel to Ukraine in early October 2022, she said.

On 26 June, Mrs Chadwick was informed by Lancashire Police that her son had been killed.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) contacted her the following day to confirm the news.

There will be an inquest held to find out the cause of Mr Chadwicks death in February.

Mrs Chadwick said: Although we are extremely proud of his unwavering courage and resilience, his death has been devastating.

A son, brother, grandson, nephew and uncle, who was loved immensely. (Brenda Chadwick)

No words can be found to describe the loss of such a short life.

A son, brother, grandson, nephew and uncle, who was loved immensely, she added.

Recommended

A spokesperson from the FCDO said: We are providing assistance to the family of a British man who died in Ukraine and we are in contact with the local authorities.

The Ukraine Foreign Legion was created by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in February 2022 and consists of soldiers from 60 countries.
For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }}

Britain has offered assistance to Morocco after the North African country was struck by a rare and powerful earthquake, killing at least 1,000 people.

The magnitude 6.8 tremor late on Friday damaged buildings from villages in the Atlas Mountains to the historic city of Marrakesh.

The full death toll of the most powerful quake to hit Morocco in 120 years will not be known until rescuers complete the challenging journey to the remote mountain villages that were the hardest hit.

Rishi Sunak said his thoughts are with everyone affected by the terrible earthquake.

The UK stands ready to support our Moroccan friends, the Prime Minister wrote on social media, in a message that echoed that of Foreign Secretary James Cleverly.

Mr Cleverly pledged support in whatever way we can.

The British Red Cross has launched an emergency fundraising appeal to provide humanitarian support.

Richard Blewitt, the charitys executive director, said: People have lost their homes, loved ones and livelihoods, and sadly the full scale of the destruction is only likely to become apparent in the coming days.

The Foreign Office updated its advice to Britons in the country, telling them to follow local media and safety instructions from local authorities.

A British journalist living in Morocco described waking up to the sound of his wife screaming as the quake shook their home.

Martin Jay told BBC Radio 4s Today programme that he had just settled into sleep when the tremor struck.

The first hint was my wife screaming, he said.

I couldnt quite equate the situation, I couldnt imagine I was in the middle of an earthquake.

Everything was vibrating, everything, the bed, the floor, the four walls.

Part of their home was damaged by the earthquake, with some of the brick walls collapsing from the tremors.

The epicentre of the earthquake was near the town of Ighil in Al Haouz province, roughly 43 miles south of Marrakesh.
 Close Escaped terror suspect Daniel Khalife arrested in west London

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }}

Daniel Khalife used a material that may have been from bed sheets to strap himself to the underside of a van when he escaped from prison last week, a court has heard.

Khalife appeared before Westminster Magistrates Court on Monday after being captured and charged with escaping from prison. He was remanded in custody.

The suspected terrorist was arrested on a canal towpath in west London at 10.41am on Saturday after being pulled off a push bike by a plain-clothes counter-terrorism officer.

His detention brought a dramatic end to a 75-hour nationwide land and air manhunt after Khalife went missing from the prison on Wednesday.

Prior to his alleged escape, Khalife was on remand at HMP Wandsworth after being charged with terror offences in January.

The incident has highlighted inadequacies in the condition of the facility, with the chief inspector of prisons calling for it to be shut down.
For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }}

More than 200 migrants arrived in the UK by crossing the Channel in the seventh consecutive day of recorded journeys, latest figures show.

A total of 210 people travelled on five boats to the UK on September 8 according to Home Office data, suggesting an average of 42 people per vessel.

This brings the total number of people who have made the journey over the past week to 2,188 new arrivals amid a spell of warm weather.

Saturday September 2 marked the highest number of people to travel in a single day this year, with 872 people in 15 boats who made the crossing.

This year so far, 22,289 people have arrived in the UK via the English Channel, which still remains lower than the same date last year where 27,705 people had made the crossing by September 8.

Stephen Kinnock, Labours shadow immigration minister, accused Prime Minister Rishi Sunak of having completely failed on his promise to stop the boats.

Despite his victory lap in Dover in June, asylum seekers have been crossing the Channel in their hundreds every single day for a week, the MP said.

This embarrassing record shows that gimmicks and headline chasing can never replace the hard graft needed to actually end these dangerous crossings.
For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }}

India has defied expectations to produce a New Delhi Declaration backed by all countries at this weekends G20 summit, at the expense of any meaningful condemnation of Russias invasion of Ukraine.

Indian prime minister Narendra Modi announced the good news shortly before 1600 local time [1030 GMT] on the first day of the G20 leaders summit in Delhi  much to the surprise of many observers and analysts, who felt that the Ukraine issue would stand in the way of a consensus on any joint statement at all, much less an early one.

Ukraine rejected the joint statement, saying the G20 has nothing to be proud of in the part about Russias aggression against Ukraine.

Ukraine does feature in the full 37-page declaration released by the Indian foreign ministry on Saturday, which says leaders highlighted the human suffering and negative added impacts of the war in Ukraine without directly mentioning Russia. There were different views and assessments of the situation, it adds, in something of an understatement.

We ... welcome all relevant and constructive initiatives that support a comprehensive, just, and durable peace in Ukraine, the declaration reads.

India was also able to get all G20 members, including Russia and China, to agree that the use or threat of use of nuclear weapons is inadmissible. Vladimir Putin, who is not attending the summit, has repeatedly threatened the West with the increasing prospect of nuclear weapons being used in Ukraine and said his own strategic nuclear weapons are on combat duty.

The deep divisions within the G20 bloc on Ukraine had loomed large over these talks, with quibbles over the wording on the issue preventing India from issuing a joint communique after any of the ministerial meetings of its presidency so far. It raised speculation that Indias G20 could go down in history as the first not to produce a leaders declaration.

But Indian foreign minister S Jaishankar said considerable time was spent, right up to the last few days, in regard to geo-political issues  a euphemism for the war in Ukraine.

The question of who helped [forge the agreement]? I mean, eventually, everybody helped because everybody came together for the consensus. I think the emerging markets took a particular lead on this, and many of us have a strong history of working together, he said. The point to be recognised is that a common landing point was ultimately fashioned out.

Ukraines foreign ministry spokesperson Oleg Nikolenko wrote on Facebook: Ukraine is grateful to its partners who tried to include strong wording in the text.

At the same time, the G20 has nothing to be proud of in the part about Russias aggression against Ukraine. Obviously, the participation of the Ukrainian side would have allowed the participants to better understand the situation. The principle of nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine remains as key as ever.

Rishi Sunak, who said putting pressure on Russia was one of his priorities for the summit, hailed the declaration as including very strong language about Russias illegal war in Ukraine.

What youll see in the communique is strong language, highlighting the impact of the war on food prices and food security, calling on Russia to re-enter the Black Sea grain initiative to allow exports to leave that part of the world and help feed millions of the most vulnerable people as well as the communique recognising the principles of the UN Charter respecting territorial integrity.

So I think that is a good and strong outcome. And as you can see from this summit, Russia is completely isolated.

Mr Sunak was one of few leaders welcomed with Mr Modis signature bear hug as he arrived for the talks on Saturday, and he thanked his counterpart for his countrys consummate presidency of the G20 this year, according to No 10.

Mr Modi and Mr Sunak held one-to-one talks on the sidelines on the days group events, and No 10 said discussions of a prospective UK-India free trade agreement were productive. The leaders reflected on the close and growing ties between the UK and India, exemplified in the living bridge between our people, a statement read.

Narendra Modi hugs Rishi Sunak on Saturday (Getty Images)

They agreed it was important to build on the past and focus on the future, cementing a modern partnership in cutting-edge defence technology, trade and innovation. They also discussed a number of consular issues.

Joe Biden, who arrived with secretary of state Antony Blinken and his delegation, announced ambitious plans to build a rail and shipping corridor linking India with the Middle East and Europe, a landmark project aimed at fostering economic growth and political cooperation.

But no timeline has been set by the White House for the completion of the corridor, which will serve as a rival to Chinas massive Belt and Road Initiative.

This is a big deal, said Mr Biden. This is a really big deal.

Modi with Joe Biden in the Indian capital on Saturday (Getty Images)

The first day of the summit began with an unexpected spell of rainshowers, bringing a welcome dip in temperatures as world leaders were driven through the deserted streets of Delhi  effectively locked down as part of a security effort around the G20 summit  to the newly built Bharat Mandapam venue.

Alongside Mr Putin, the summit was skipped by Chinas premiere Xi Jinping and the Mexican president Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador. The three were represented by their foreign minister, premier and economy minister respectively.

But there were plenty of world leaders for Mr Modi to greet regardless, with those in attendance including German chancellor Olaf Scholz, French president Emmanuel Macron, Saudi Arabias Mohammed Bin Salman and Japans Fumio Kishida.

Mr Modi addressed the opening of the summit from a chair with a nameplate reading Bharat  the Hindi word for the country  instead of the English-language name India, sparking a ripple of reactions online here. It follows a week of speculation that Mr Modis Hindu nationalist party is angling to officially change the countrys name from India to Bharat.

And there was a significant announcement at the start of the days talks as well as at the end, with Mr Modi beginning by inviting the president of the African Union to step up and take a chair as a new permanent member of the bloc.

It is the first time the bloc has been expanded since its foundation in 1999, and will see the grouping become the G21 from next year. Speaking to The Independent at the summit venue, South African government spokesperson Vincent Magwenya hailed it as a very significant development... one that we had been advocating for for quite some time.

Modi embracing Comoros president and African Union chair Azali Assoumani (C-R) after welcoming him to take up a permanent chair at the G20 table (EPA)

The G20 is the premier platform for international economic cooperation, and it was never sustainable that you were excluding a continent of more than 1.4 billion people. Africa is an integral part of the global economy, he said.

Though the declaration has been finalised already, Sundays talks are expected to bring more deals and commitments to tackle the G20s core areas of concern  development and the global economy.

The declaration committed to halve the digital gender gap by 2030 and said it expects to address barriers to accessibility, affordability, adoption and usage of digital tech, an area where India is among world leaders.

Recommended

It was also acknowledged that the global requirement for annual low-cost financing in the energy transition amounts to $4 trillion. This transition should prioritise a substantial presence of renewable energy within the primary energy mix, it said.

And ahead of the next round of UN climate talks beginning in Dubai in November, the declaration urged accelerating efforts towards a phasedown of unabated coal power, though it said this had to be done in line with national circumstances and recognising the need for support towards just transitions.
 Close CCTV captures moment earthquake strikes busy Marrakech street

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }}

Rescuers are racing the clock to find survivors in the rubble more than 48 hours after Morocco's deadliest earthquake in more than six decades.

Some 2,901 have people have been killed in a disaster that devastated villages in the High Atlas Mountains. More than 5,000 are still missing.

Aftershocks will continue to rock Morocco weeks or months, a seismological expert has warned. Remy Mossu, the director of the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre, told Sky News that more than 25 aftershocks have already hit the country since the 6.8 magnitude earthquake.

There will be aftershocks. It is not probably, it is a certainty, he said.

Some villagers say they are struggling to find enough space to bury their dead as funerals can take place beside rescue work. Others are preparing extra graves ready for more bodies, even as rescue operations continue.

Moroccos King Mohammed VI has thanked Spain, Qatar, the United Kingdom and the United Arab Emirates for sending aid, with the UK government set to send 60 search and rescue specialists and four search dogs to Morocco.

The damage from the quake could take several years to repair, according to the Red Cross.
For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }}

Rescuers are digging through the rubble of collapsed homes in Morocco for survivors of one of the worst earthquakes to strike the country  with more than 2,000 already declared dead.

The quake that struck in Moroccos High Atlas mountains late on Friday night also damaged historic buildings in Marrakech  the nearest city to the epicentre  while most of the fatalities were reported in mountainous areas to the south. Many more have been left homeless.

The Interior Ministry said 2,012 people had been killed and 2,059 injured, including 1,404 in a critical condition following the biggest quake to hit the North African country in 120 years.

In the village of Amizmiz near the epicentre, rescue workers picked through rubble with their bare hands. Fallen masonry blocked narrow streets. Outside a hospital, around 10 bodies lay covered in blankets as grieving relatives stood nearby.

When I felt the earth shaking beneath my feet and the house leaning, I rushed to get my kids out. But my neighbours couldnt, Mohamed Azaw told Reuters. Unfortunately no one was found alive in that family. The father and son were found dead and they are still looking for the mother and the daughter.

People woken by the quake ran into the streets in terror and disbelief. State television showed people clustered in the streets of Marrakech late at night, afraid to go back inside buildings that might still be unstable.

The epicentre of the quake was reported to be in the Ighil area, about 70km (40 miles) south of Marrakech.

The focal point was said to be about 18km below the Earths surface by the US Geological Survey (USGS), while Moroccos own National Seismic Monitoring and Alert Network, estimated it to be 11km below. Shallow quakes such as this are said to be more dangerous.

The quake had initially registered a magnitude of 6.8 when it hit at 2311 local time [2211 GMT] on Friday, with an aftershock that measured 4.9 on the Richter scale about 20 minutes later, according to the USGS. The initial tremor was measured at a magnitude of 7.2 by Morocco.

A woman in front of her earthquake-damaged house in the old city in Marrakech (AFP)

Tremors were felt in Huelva and Jaen in southern Spain, as well as Portugal and Algeria, the Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere and Algerias Civil Defence agency said.

Rescuers stood atop the pancaked floors of one building in Amizmiz, bits of carpet and furniture protruding from the rubble. A long queue formed outside the only open shop as people sought supplies. Underlining the challenges facing rescuers, fallen boulders blocked a road from Amizmiz to a nearby village.

Nearly all the houses in the area of Asni, some 40km (25 miles) south of Marrakech, were damaged, and villagers were preparing to spend the night outside. Food was in short supply as roofs had collapsed on kitchens, said villager Mohamed Ouhammo.

Montasir Itri, a resident of Asni, said the search was on for survivors. Our neighbours are under the rubble and people are working hard to rescue them using available means in the village, he told Reuters.

The Interior Ministry said the tremors hit the provinces of Al Haouz, Ouarzazate, Marrakech, Azilal, Chichaoua, and Taroudant. Officials urged residents to remain calm.

Locals shared videos on social media platforms showing the collapsed buildings, including the famous red walls surrounding the old city of Marrakech, a Unesco World Heritage site.

A damaged vehicle in Marrakech (Reuters)

In Marrakech, where 13 people were confirmed dead, injured people arrived from the surrounding areas seeking treatment. In the heart of its old city, a mosque minaret had fallen in Jemaa al-Fna Square.

Morocco declared three days of national mourning, during which the national flag will be flown at half staff throughout the country, the royal court said on Saturday.

The Moroccan armed forces will deploy rescue teams to provide affected areas with clean drinking water, food supplies, tents and blankets, it added.

A map by the United States Geological Survey shows the location of the quake (EPA/USGS Handout)

The UN said it is ready to assist the government of Morocco in its efforts to assist the impacted population.

The European Unions commissioner for crisis management Janez Lenarcic said the EU is ready to provide any assistance necessary.

Central Morocco has been hit by a devastating earthquake taking a heavy toll on human life, Mr Lenarcic said.

The G20 summit, that kicked off on Saturday in India began with a condolence message from prime minister Narendra Modi. Before starting the official proceedings, I would like to express my condolences to the people impacted by the earthquake in Morocco, Mr Modi said.

People take shelter outside their homes in the capital Rabat (AP)

The world is with Morocco and we are really to provide them with all the possible help.

Turkey, where powerful earthquakes in February killed more than 50,000 people, was among the other nations expressing solidarity and offering to provide support.

Algeria, which broke off ties with Morocco in 2021 after escalating tensions between the countries focused on the Western Sahara conflict, said it would open airspace for humanitarian and medical flights.

Despite an outpouring of offers of help from around the world, the Moroccan government had not yet formally asked for assistance by Saturday night, a step required before outside rescue crews can deploy.

Countries have, meanwhile, called for caution for those travelling to Morocco. The US embassy in Morocco has advised American citizens to exercise caution for the next 24 hours in case of additional earthquakes or aftershocks.

Residents take shelter outside shops in Marrakech (AFP)

People in Moroccos capital city of Rabat, about 350 km (217 miles) north of Ighil, and in the coastal town of Imsouane, about 180 km (112 miles) to its west, also fled their homes, fearing a stronger quake.

In Casablanca, some 250 km (155 miles) north of Ighil, people who spent the night in the streets were too scared to return home.

"The house rocked aggressively, everyone was scared," said resident Mohamed Taqafi.

Earthquakes are relatively rare in North Africa. In 1960, a magnitude 5.8 tremor struck near the Moroccan city of Agadir and caused thousands of deaths. That quake prompted changes in construction rules in Morocco, but many buildings, especially rural homes, are not built to withstand such tremors.

In 2004, a 6.4 magnitude earthquake near the Mediterranean coastal city of Al Hoceima left more than 600 dead.

Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report
Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }}

A Canadian beauty pageant winner claimed she had a flight attendant job offer withdrawn by Emirates Airlines after disclosing she had previously struggled with an eating disorder.

Madison Kvaltin, 25, said in a TikTok post that she was in the process of being hired by the United Arab Emirates-based airline when she was sent a series of extremely detailed and intrusive questions about her health.

Ms Kvaltin, who was crowned Miss Universe Canada last month, informed Emirates that she had been hospitalised with an eating disorder years earlier, and had since used the experience to educate and empower other young women.

I wasnt about to lie on this health document ... with my socials I talk about it all the time. So I indicate on the form that I did struggle with an eating disorder, and I am recovered and well.

Ms Kvaltin said received an email days later saying she didnt meet the precondition requirements for the job.

I am disgusted that they are discriminating against me for struggling with an eating disorder that has nothing to do with completing the job of being a flight attendant, she said in the TikTok.

Madison Kvaltin claimed she had a job offer rescinded by Emirates Airlines after disclosing an eating disorder (TikTok)

I dont understand why they would even ask an intrusive question like that.

Emirates did not immediately reply to a request for comment by The Independent.

@madisonkvetlana Imagine being denied a job because you struggled with an eating disorder? Especially in a job that has NOTHING to do with it, or has any effect (especially since Im certifiably recovered and well from my past).  original sound - Madisonkvetlana

The clip has attracted nearly 100,000 views and more than 3,000 comments since it was posted on 30 August, with many applauding Ms Kvaltin for sharing her story.

Self-disclosure should be risk-free. I commend your honesty, one posted. Ms Kvaltin responded by saying she shouldnt be scared of voicing my struggles.

If you recovered from an ED forever ago why did you disclose it. Its fr not their business, another person wrote.

Ms Kvaltin, from northern Ontario, is the founder of the Body Love Club, which she describes as a community dedicated to inspiring all bodies to be loved and respected.

She will represent Canada in the Miss Universe 2023 in El Salvador in November.

The Independent has contacted Ms Kvaltin for comment.
Campus Activities

Details

Get ready to immerse yourself in the vibrant rhythms, flavors, and traditions of the Caribbean at our upcoming General Meeting  the Caribbean Cultural Club



Whether you're already captivated by Caribbean culture or eager to explore something new, our Caribbean Culture Club promises an unforgettable experience for all. Connect with fellow students, embrace diversity, and celebrate the spirit of unity that defines our university community.



Remember to bring your friends along  everyone is welcome! Spread the word, and let's make this a gathering to remember. See you there, ready to dance, learn, and celebrate the Caribbean with us!
Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }}

Fox News has fired a 24-year veteran executive after an external review found he had violated the companys employment policies.

John Finley, an executive vice president of development who oversaw the launch of the Fox Nation streaming service, was dismissed on Friday after being placed on leave while a law firm investigated his actions, according to the Washington Post.

Fox News Media and John Finley have parted ways after an independent investigation concluded that he had violated certain standards of business conduct, a Fox News spokesperson said in a statement to The Independent.

The right-wing news company did not provide any further information about Mr Finleys dismissal.

But the Post, citing an anonymous source, reported that Mr Finley used his position to benefit someone over whom he had influence.

Mr Finley could not be reached for comment.

According to a 2019 release announcing his appointment as an executive vice president, Mr Finley helped create several primetime shows including Hannity and The Greg Gutfeld Show.

John Finley was a longtime executive producer on shows such as Hannity and The Greg Gutfeld Show (REUTERS)

He later oversaw the development of Life Liberty & Levin and The Next Revolution with Steve Hilton, and planned the networks 2016 presidential election coverage, according to the release.

Fox chief executive Suzanne Scott said the veteran executive played a fundamental part in the development of some of our most successful and signature programmes.

In 2011, Mr Finley was the subject of a misconduct investigation after a complaint by a female colleague when he was executive producer of Sean Hannitys primetime show, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

The networks human resources department reportedly found one problematic email during the investigation, but ultimately decided there was insufficient evidence of wrongdoing and he was cleared to return to work.

Fox News confirmed the investigation at the time, and said that changes had been made to the shows reporting structure to comfort the staff member, who later left the company.
Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }}

The mother of a 10-year-old Mississippi boy who was arrested for public urination has called for several officers from the Senatobia Police Department to be fired.

LaTonya Eason said her son Quantavious was handcuffed and caged after an officer spotted him urinating in a parking lot in the small town in northern Mississippi on 10 August.

Quantavious was charged in Youth Court with child in need of supervision, his family said.

My son did not deserve that. Nobodys kid deserves that, Ms Eason said during a news conference on Wednesday with her lawyer Carlos Moore.

I would feel the same way if that was somebody elses child.

In a statement last month, Senatobia Police Department chief Richard Chandler said that it was an error in judgment to take the child into custody when his mother was present.

He said one of the five officers involved in the incident was no longer working at the department.

That brought little comfort to Quantaviouss family.

Mr Moore said he would be filing a federal lawsuit against the City of Senatobia unless the arresting officer was terminated, an apology issued, monetary damages paid, and the charge against Quantavious was dropped.

Latonya Eason slammed cops for detaining her 10-year-old son, Quantavious Eason, for urinating behind her car (Latonya Eason/Facebook)

We will give the Senatobia two weeks to come to this family and do the right thing and settle this pre-litigation, Mr Moore said during the press conference.

Otherwise, the federal lawsuit will be filed, and we will get this family justice come hell or high water.

Recalling the 10 August arrest, Ms Eason said that Quantavious had relieved himself on private property behind her car while she was visiting a lawyers office in Senatobia.

LaTonya Eason with her son Quantavious at a news conference on Wednesday (Carlos Moore / Facebook)

She said the officer who spotted the boy urinating had initially been satisfied when she spoke to him. But then several other law enforcement officers arrived, and said they had to arrest her son and take him to the station.

Quantavious was locked in a cell for between 45 minutes and an hour, she said.

Would you have put a white child in a cage? If it had been a white child, you know what he probably wouldnt have even stopped, Ms Eason said.

In a separate statement, Chief Chandler said the officer's decisions had violated department policy.

This incident triggered an internal complaint and was investigated according to our procedures. As a result of this investigation, one of the officers involved is no longer employed, and the others will be disciplined.

The Independent has contacted Senatobia Police Department for comment.
Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }}

Experienced explorer Mark Dickey has emerged from a Turkish cave after a successful three-day rescue operation by teams from all over Europe to carry him out of one of the deepest caves in the world.

Mr Dickey said that it was Amazing to be above ground again, as he was taken to a medical tent for examination before he could be transferred to hospital after his ordeal, reported CNN.

And he thanked the rescue teams and Turkish government for bringing him to safety and said they had saved my life literally no questions asked.

And he added: I was underground for far longer than ever expected with an unexpected medical issue.

An international team of cave rescuers successfully brought Mr Dickey from 3,400 feet (1,036 metres) in the cave to safety at 12.37am on Tuesday local time, after a challenging operation that began on Saturday.

Mark Dickey was removed from the last exit of the cave at 00:37 and taken to the UMKE tent. Thus, the cave rescue part of the operation has ended successfully. We congratulate all those who have contributed! Turkish rescuers stated on X, the social media platform previously known as Twitter.

Turkish officials said that Mr Dickey would be taken by helicopter to a hospital in Mersin.

He seems fine at first look, Recep Salci of Turkeys disaster and emergency management authority (AFAD) said on Tuesday, according to CNN.

The 40-year-old American embarked on an expedition to map out one of the deepest cave systems in the world, in the Morca cave in Mersin provinces Taurus mountains on 2 September.

The Morca cave system descends through various, very narrow, twists, turns and rappels  making it a difficult exploration for any person in good health. The underground equivalent of the cave is like climbing Mount Everest.

But the expedition was suddenly cut short after Mr Dickey fell ill with gastrointestinal bleeding and became trapped at a depth of 1,040 metres (3,400 feet).

Video images from Turkish channel TRHaber show US caver Mark Dickey following his rescue (TRHaber)

His condition worsened quickly, making him unable to move and requiring a doctor to go down into the cave to administer vials of blood to keep him stabilised.

SON DAKIKA | Morca Magaras'nda arastrma yaparken mahsur kalan ABD'li bilim insan Mark Dickey'i kurtarma calsmas 10. gununde basaryla sonucland.



Dickey, helikopterle hastaneye sevk ediliyor. pic.twitter.com/kPmyi5aw8F  TRHaber (@trhaber_com) September 11, 2023

For days, rescuers were unsure if Mr Dickey would be strong enough to be rescued to the surface, but his condition began improving on Wednesday.

Members of the CNSAS, Italian alpine and speleological rescuers carry a stretcher holding American researcher Mark Dickey during a rescue operation in the Morca cave, near Anamur (AP)

Rescue teams from countries across Europe, including Turkey, Hungary, Bulgaria, Croatia, Italy and Poland, rushed to Mr Dickeys aid in the remote area in southern Turkey, with 158 of those rescuers being cave experts.

Mark Dickey was removed from the last exit of the cave at 00:37 and taken to the UMKE tent. Thus, the cave rescue part of the operation has ended successfully. We congratulate all those who have contributed! #MarkDickey #caverescue #Morca #tumaf@AFADBaskanlik  Turkiye Magaraclk Federasyonu (@tumaf1) September 11, 2023

And thus began the arduous rescue operation on Saturday 9 September, as Mr Dickey was slowly and carefully carried by stretcher through the dark, narrow underground passages.

Mark Dickey, who fell ill during an international expedition exploring the Morca cave in the south of Turkey (Sourced)

The base camp of international rescuers is seen near the Morca Cave (Umit Bektas/Reuters)

Cave rescue teams from several European countries conducted a extraction effort to rescue Dickey (AP Graphic)

Mr Dickeys fiancee and fellow caver Jessica Van Ord was with him when he fell ill and stayed with the 40-year-old until medics arrived and gave him IV fluid and blood.

She eventually climbed out and stayed at a base camp near the mouth of the cave, while working with the 150-strong team of cavers who have travelled to Turkey to help bring Mr Dickey out by stretcher.

The mouth of the Morca cave system in Turkey (REUTERS)

Rescuers initially worked to stabilise Mr Dickeys condition before he could be moved.

By Thursday, his bleeding had stopped and he was able to walk unassisted, according to Cave Rescue Bulgaria.

The mission to extricate Mr Dickey began on Saturday afternoon. Rescue teams set up medical base camps at various depths throughout the caves where they could rest and recuperate.

Rescue teams used explosives to blast open parts of the cave to safely extract him.

Apart from small explosives, rock hammers were also being used by rescuers to make way for a stretcher to ensure Mr Dickeys safety during ascent.

Mark Dickey is seen in Morca Cave, days before he fell ill (REUTERS)

A medical team takes care of Dickey inside the cave (AP)

Members of the CNSAS, Italian alpine and speleological rescuers, start to descent on ropes (AP)

The cave path from the surface is a known route, Denes Akos Nagy, a doctor with the Hungarian Cave Rescue Service, told the Wall Street Journal. But the path isnt frequently travelled and is difficult to navigate, he added.

If you imagine a skyscraper, that would be maybe 100 meters tall. They are 1,000 meters down there. Thats like 10 skyscrapers stacked on top of each other, Mr Nagy said. Its extremely far, far away.

In ideal conditions, it takes a full 15 hours for an experienced caver to reach the surface, the Speleological Federation of Turkey said. But this was not the case with Mr Dickey.

To tackle the issue, the team of international experts divided up the depths of the cave and assigned it to a specific team to figure out a solution for that specific area.

Officials from the Speleogical Federation of Turkey announced they had reached 100m below ground on Monday evening local time. Mr Dickey was reported to be in stable condition at the time.

An expert caver

A New Jersey native and current resident of Croton-on-Hudson, New York, Mr Dickey is a highly-trained caver, cave rescuer himself and well-known in the international speleological (cave expert) community, according to the European Cave Rescue Association (ECRA).

His resume of cave explorations and expert status is endless: secretary of the ECRA medical committee, lead instructor for Caving Academy, a US-based organisation that prepares other cavers for exploration and a national instructor for the National Cave Rescue Commission.

He also volunteers with the New Jersey Initial Response Team, a nonprofit search-and-rescue team.

Having participated in many cave explorations in karst areas around the world for many years, Mr Dickey is knowledgeable and skilled  the kind of person youd want on complicated cave exploration like the Morca mission.

Mr Dickey was on an expedition to map the 4,186-foot-deep cave system in southern Turkey for the Anatolian Speleology Group Association.

Photos from a Facebook page that seemingly belongs to Mr Dickey show him happily preparing for the mission by inspecting all the necessary gear before embarking.

But what Mr Dickey, and others, could not prepare for was the sudden emergency medical situation he found himself in during the journey.

On 2 September, Mr Dickey fell ill with severe gastric pain that was escalating quickly. Though there was initial hope that Mr Dickey could exit the cave on his own, the pain turned into gastrointestinal bleeding and it was clear he needed medical attention quickly.

The Speleological Federation of Turkey sent a medical team and six units of blood in the following days in the hopes of stabilising Mr Dickeys medical situation.

On Thursday, Mr Dickey appeared in a video for the first time, obtained by The Associated Press, where he thanked Turkish authorities for responding quickly to his medical needs.

As you can see, Im up. Im alert, Im talking, but Im not healed on the inside yet, he said.

I dont quite know whats happened, but I do know that the quick response of the Turkish government to get the medical supplies that I need, in my opinion, saved my life, Mr Dickey said. I was very close to the edge.

In this screen grab from video, American caver Mark Dickey, 40, talks to camera inside the Morca cave (AP)

While crews have been working to rescue Mr Dickey from the cave, a fundraiser for the efforts surpassed the $60,000 mark.

Many thanks to everyone who is contributing to Mark Dickeys rescue from Morca! The last cave rescue of this scale (Riesending, 2014) required 700 rescuers over the course of 2 weeks and cost approximately 960,000 Euros (about $1 million), the GoFundMe reads.

This GoFundMe is currently set to $100,000 and this will only be a start for the expenses. The funding will be put to good use towards the travel, food, gear and supplies that the rescuers have needed. This is a complex and expensive operation and your contributions to this effort are making a good impact towards supporting those involved!
 Close Aftermath of Russian missile strike on Ukraine mail depot that killed six

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }}

Vladimir Putins troops have been forced to regroup while suffering over 400 casualties a day in a drive to capture the eastern Ukrainian city of Avdiivka, Donetsk, Kyiv claimed.

The enemy is trying to move forward and then we beat them back, Oleksandr Shtupun, a spokesperson for Ukraines southern groups of forces, said.

So by no means can you speak of a fixed situation of some sort. Heavy fighting is continuing, though activity has subsided somewhat. The enemy is going through some kind of regrouping.

Mr Shtupun said Russian forces had suffered over 400 casualties a day in its campaign which has relied on small assault groups of 30 to 40 men.

Meanwhile, North Korea has shipped over 1,000 containers of military equipment to Russia, according to the UK Ministry of Defence.

It said Pyongyang was set to become one of Russias most significant foreign arms suppliers alongside Iran and Belarus.

On Wednesday, Vladimir Putin tested Russias ability to launch a massive retaliatory nuclear strike as he pulled the country out of an international test ban treaty.
Police officers continue their search on Chiswick Mall for Daniel Abed Khalife after he was reported missing from Wandsworth prison.

Police have confirmed sightings of the terror suspect in the Chiswick area of west London.

Officers have been stopping and checking cars in Chiswick and asking residents for their IDs and looking in boots of cars on Church Street and Chiswick Lane South.

Armed police officers have also been searching up and down the road.
Apartments accounted for the majority of new permissions

Planning permission was granted for 3,351 apartments and 424 houses in Dublin in the second quarter of the year. Photo: Niall Carson/PA

The number of homes granted planning permission dropped by 23pc in the second quarter of 2023, new statistics show.

However, officials cautioned that planning permission figures can fluctuate significantly between quarters and this is not necessarily indicative of a longer trend.

Figures published by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) show permission was granted for 8,723 properties in the second quarter of 2023, compared with 11,374 during the same period in 2022.

The number of houses granted planning permission fell by 18pc on an annual basis to 3,702 housing units, while apartment approvals were down by 27pc to 5,021 units. Despite the drop, apartments still accounted for the majority of new planning permissions.

This was almost entirely centred on Dublin, where the four local authorities in the capital granted permission for 3,351 apartments in the second quarter of the year. Permission was granted for 424 new houses in the capital over the same period.

By contrast, apartment activity was subdued outside the capital. During the same period, for the entire Midlands region  comprising counties Longford, Westmeath, Offaly and Laois  planning permission was granted for just 43 apartments and 195 houses.

The CSO attached an advisory note to the figures. It said the number of new homes granted planning permission can vary significantly from quarter to quarter if several big housing projects get approved within a single quarter.

The organisation said people should exercise caution in extrapolating long-term trends on the basis of a single quarters data.

The CSO also said there are various issues which could have impacted the data for the second quarter of 2022.

Changes to applications processes for Strategic Housing Developments (SHD) and related issues in An Bord Pleanala in 2022 may impact the number of planning permissions granted over recent quarters, it said.

The backlog of SHD applications which have been both processed and are still before [An Bord Pleanala] awaiting decision, may also impact the number of planning permissions granted over recent quarters.

The SHD system, originally introduced to speed up planning decisions for applications of more than 100 homes, was replaced last year after judicial reviews were taken against many of the projects cleared via the system.

There has also been a major backlog in the issuing of new decisions from An Bord Pleanala. The planning regulator issued a recent statement acknowledging issues due to a significant turnover of personnel at board level in the organisation over recent months.

The organisation has battled significant controversy, first being thrown into chaos after allegations made against Paul Hyde, its deputy chairperson.

In June, Mr Hyde was jailed for two months for failing to declare his interests in several properties. An Bord Pleanala said it now has a full board and is working to clear the backlog.
Firm which specialises in fire safety systems aims for revenues of over 130m this year

Mullingar-based WTech Fire Group has completed its fifth acquisition in two years with another deal in the Nordic region potentially closing within weeks.

Further takeovers are in train as the business looks to cement its position as a significant pan-European consolidator, CEO Ted Wright said.

A combination of organic growth and the bolt-on strategy will see revenues potentially exceed 130m this year as further deals are landed, he said.

Id now like to get that up to 200m-250m in the next two to three years, including through a couple of key acquisition, Mr Wright said.

We are trying to buy good companies that match our culture.

WTech Fire Groups original business, WriTech, designs, manufactures, installs and services fire safety systems for large buildings and complex facilities and is used in data centres, life sciences plants, logistics and retail parks, commercial property, and food and beverage facilities.

Its rapid expansion since has been financed thanks to investment from majority shareholder Waterland, a pan-European private equity firm, which bought into the second generation family firm in 2021.

The latest deal, a takeover of Ideal Fire, closed this week. Ideal Fire is a fire safety solutions provider based in Dublin that provides planned preventative maintenance on safety systems such as fire alarm systems, emergency lighting systems, fire extinguishers, automatic opening vents and gas suppression systems to clients including pharmaceutical plants.

It is the third acquisition this year, following deals to buy UK-based Jem Pumps and Wilec Fire & Security in Co Wicklow.

Those transactions followed earlier deals to buy Swedish fire protection business Ce Sprinkler for 10m, and UK based Compco Fire Systems, a provider of automatic fire suppression systems, for 25m.

The cumulative cost of the latest set of bolt-on acquisition is running at tens of millions of euro, Mr Wright said. He credited Waterland with bringing the capacity to finance the string of mergers and acquisitions.

The business has also reorganised since that deal, he said.

That included developing new group level finance and technology operations and replacing himself as day-to-day manager of the original Irish business to create his new growth-focused CEO role at group level.

While acquisitions are delivering large scale growth, the roll-out of group-wide software and other processes is increasing margins across the combined businesses, he said. Employee numbers will grow beyond 580 people this year, he said.

Mr Wright has been nominated as a finalist in this years EY Entrepreneur of the Year awards.
Spellcaster: The Fall of Sam Bankman-Fried is much more than just another podcast about an alleged con told from the sidelines

If you are not familiar with the name Sam Bankman-Fried, you will be once his New York trial starts in October, so why not buckle up and get the inside track now? Last December, what Bankman-Fried claimed was merely a screw up, but the US government termed one of the largest frauds in history, saw him plummet from being the crypto boy-genius feted by politicians and celebrities alike to the prospect of decades in jail. He had two companies: crypto exchange platform FTX and a crypto hedge fund called Alameda Research. After a run on deposits last year, FTX filed for bankruptcy.

Spellcaster: The Fall of Sam Bankman-Fried (Bloomberg and Wondery, widely available) explores the extraordinary career and sharp decline of the man once hailed as the next Warren Buffett. Bankman-Fried talked a lot about supporting the data-based philanthropic movement Effective Altruism, and the investment of company profits into ethical projects, but where did the money go? Now facing eight counts of fraud and election law violations, he is accused of misusing billions of dollars in customer accounts. His former girlfriend Caroline Ellison, who ran Alameda Research, pleaded guilty to fraud charges and is now co-operating with prosecutors.

Spellcaster gets its edge from the fact that investigative reporter and host Hannah Miller met and spent time with Ellison in 2019. With a mutual friend, they had heard plenty about each other, and Miller went to Ellisons family home in Massachusetts for the mutual pals engagement party.

Across seven episodes, Miller  along with fellow reporters Max Chafkin, Annie Massa and assorted finance and business guests  takes a deep-dive into the story behind FTX and those involved.

The level of access they get elevates this show into something more than just another story about an alleged conman told from the sidelines. Bankman-Fried kept a tight inner-circle, so on the basis that the company that Sam kept can tell us a lot about the person at the centre of this story, they interview members of his family, friends and former colleagues. Bankman-Fried comes across as an altruistic narcissist who would justify his actions by pointing to his charitable works, yet many of those who knew him claim he did more bad than good.

While there is a line (albeit sometimes a blurry one) between cons which were established as scams and those which began in good faith but turned fraudulent, both types are rooted in abuses of trust. Spellcaster asks: whats left when trust explodes? Definitely a podcast for fans of Jamie Bartletts excellent series The Missing Crypto Queen about Ponzi schemer Ruja Ignatova; The Dropout, the Elizabeth Holmes story; and the Australian series, Anatomy of a Scam.
Irish citizens in Morocco have been urged to follow safety instructions following a powerful earthquake which struck on Friday night killing more than 1,000 people.

The Department of Foreign Affairs has issued guidance to Irish citizens after the earthquake struck around 11pm local time near Marrakesh.

The earthquake had a preliminary magnitude of 6.8 and lasted several seconds.

Read more Morocco earthquake kills more than 1,000 people as rescuers dig for survivors

The Department of Foreign Affairs is closely monitoring the situation in Morocco after the tragic earthquake last night near Marrakesh, said the Department.

All Irish citizens in the affected areas are asked to follow safety instructions from local authorities and monitor local media.

If urgent, the Embassy of Ireland in Rabat, Morocco can be contacted in-country on +212 6 66 933 599. Any concerned family members in Ireland can

contact the Department of Foreign Affairs at 01 408 2000.

A man drives past a damaged wall of the historic Medina of Marrakesh (Mosaab Elshamy/AP/PA)

Meanwhile, president Michael D Higgins has offered his deepest sympathies to the people of Morocco following the devastating earthquake.

In a letter to Moroccos King Mohammed VI, Mr Higgins offered condolences on his behalf and on behalf of the people of Ireland.

We think also of all those who are lost and injured, as well as all who are now engaged in the difficult and courageous rescue efforts, Mr Higgins wrote.

Our thoughts remain with you and all affected by these sudden and devastating events.

The Moroccan ministry of the interior has said the most damage has occurred around the boundary of cities and towns, however, officials stressed that most of the dead are in hard-to reach mountain areas.

More than 800 people have been reported injured following the earthquake and a search is ongoing for survivors.

The historic old city of Marrakech is a popular tourist destination for Irish travellers and videos posted to social media show the buildings reduced to rubble. While parts of the famous red walls, a Unesco World Heritage site, have been damaged.

The tremors epicentre struck near the town of Ighil, roughly 70 kilometres south of Marrakech.

The earthquake is the countrys deadliest since 2004 when a tremor occurred in the northern Rif mountains and killed more than 600 people.
Family members have travelled to Rome this weekend to identify the bodies of Paul and Mary O'Reilly who were killed in a tragic accident on Thursday.

Sons Darren and Andrew, who arrived home on Friday afternoon were accompanied by other relatives family members on their journey.

Having taken a work break for their week long Rome holiday, the grandparents had planned on taking their grandchildren on holiday to Disney on their return.

Read more Wexford couple who died on busy road in Rome were due to take grandchildren to Disneyland

With the rural parish of Kilmore still in a state of silent shock locals and visitors, both to Kilmore village where the couple lived and the seaside resort of Kilmore Quay, have been signing the Books of Condolences in memory of the couple.

Parish Priest, Fr Pat Mernagh, says the Book of Condolence have been available to sign in St Mary's Parish Church, Kilmore, and in Stella Maris Hall in Kilmore Quay, so that the community can reflect on the lives of two beautiful people.

The Parish Priest says there has been a constant stream of people coming to pay tribute to the couple who were well connected in the community.

The local Community Centre where Mary worked closed on Friday but opened for the weekend from 10am to 2pm for tea and coffee as a place for locals to gather to remember the couple.

Mary is part of the family down there, said Fr Mernagh.

Councillor Jim Moore, who is a first cousin of Mary said: We're on a long journey of trying to come to terms with the shock of it all.

The community was in a state of stunned silence.

I suppose the words 'stunned' and 'shocked' don't adequately cover the feelings that have developed since Thursday afternoon when the family were informed of the double tragedy.

This is a traumatic incident for everyone involved, he said.

Cllr Moore also said that both sons, Darren who works in Toulouse, France, and Andrew and his grandchildren, who live in Bray, Co Wicklow, arrived home on Friday where they were consoled by grieving family members, relatives and neighbours.

We are hoping that the Post Mortem or Autopsy will be completed on Monday. It's a weekend but it's still giving us an opportunity to get our heads around matters and deal with what has been presented to us.

We are hoping for progress when the family members travel to Rome but we really don't know when the bodies will be repatriated, he said.

Cllr Moore added: The Book of Condolence has also been opened in Stella Maris Hall where Mary worked. It will give people an opportunity to meet and express their feelings. It will be an open house where Mary worked which is important as people come to terms with the tragedy, Cllr Moore added.

Paul (60) and Mary O'Reilly (59) had travelled to Rome on Tuesday for a week long holiday but were mowed down by a car as they crossed the road to a bus stop dying instantly at the scene.The horror crash occurred at a busy intersection near a campsite on the outskirts of Rome.

The devastation brought by the horrific accident was fuelled further when it was revealed that the couple were due to bring their grandchildren to Disneyland next week on their return home from Rome.

Local Parish Priest, Fr Mernagh, spoke of the couple having been looking forward to their Rome holiday.

They were looking forward to having a little holiday. It's such a tragic, tragic situation.

Paul and Mary were killed after being struck by a car while crossing the road on the Via Cristoforo Colombo in the south of Rome near the Presidential Palace, Castel Porziano, shortly before 1pm on Thursday.

The driver is believed to have suffered minor injuries in the collision and was taken to a local hospital for treatment.
A former Monroe County Sheriffs detective faces a criminal charge stemming from the death of a K-9 unit under his supervision.

Alexander E. Maas, 29, Tomah, was charged in Monroe County Circuit Court with a single misdemeanor count of mistreatment of an animal.

According to the criminal complaint, Maas left the dog inside his squad car with the windows closed May 10 from noon to 4 p.m. on a day when the temperature reached 81 degrees. The vehicle had been parked in the garage bay of the sheriffs office in Sparta.

The complaint says a sheriffs office captain received a frantic call around 4 p.m. from Maas, who said the dog was experiencing a medical emergency. When the captain arrived, he observed the dog was unresponsive and was being held by Maas under a water faucet. The captain reported the dog was hot to the touch, had a red tongue and was taking rapid, shallow breaths. Maas reportedly told the captain the dog had been in the vehicle for three hours.

The dog was transported to a local veterinary clinic, where the dogs temperature was reported to be 107 degrees. The dog was euthanized after a veterinarian determined its kidneys were irreparably damaged due to heat stress.

Investigators reviewed video which reportedly shows Maas arriving with the squad car and letting the dog out at 11:58 a.m. Two minutes later, he put the dog back into the squad car and remained inside the courthouse until 3:56 p.m. Investigators contacted numerous people who were recorded walking past the vehicle during that time. None recalled if the engine was running or if the windows were down.

The dogs remains were transported May 23 to the Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, which confirmed the diagnosis in Sparta.

Maas was contacted by investigators May 26. He declined to say anything on advice from his attorney, according to court records. He was placed on administrative leave after the dogs death and later resigned from the force.

The charge against Maas carries a maximum nine-month jail sentence and a $10,000 fine. His initial court appearance is set for Oct. 9.
The hosts of podcast My Therapist Ghosted Me Vogue Williams and Joanne McNally are fast becoming one of Irelands most popular exports.

Now the pair are expanding their horizons with a new E4 show that sees them meet people who are pushing the boundaries of conventional sex. It is a very on-brand venture for the duo, who are known for an openness on the intimate details of their lives that would leave an older Ireland red-faced.
A teacher has admitted submitting a forged document about her teaching qualifications to the Teaching Council in what was described as a desperate act as her hopes of obtaining registration were melting away.

A fitness-to-teach inquiry held by the Teaching Council yesterday heard that the 29-year-old teacher also accepted that she had provided false information to the regulatory body about her training experience.

The teacher, who cannot be named by direction of the councils disciplinary committee, did not attend the inquiry yesterday but her legal representative said at the outset of the hearing that his client admitted the seven allegations against her.

Solicitor Shane MacSweeney said the teacher, who currently works at a college of further education, did not feel in a position to attend the inquiry due to suffering daily panic attacks.

Mr MacSweeney said the teacher also accepted that her behaviour was dishonest and constituted professional misconduct and breaches of the Code of Professional Conduct for Teachers.

He told the inquiry that the teacher had made a grave error of judgement that had occurred during a series of correspondence without time for reflection.

Mr MacSweeney said the creation of the false document was a desperate act by someone who did not have a proper understanding of what was required to obtain qualified teacher status.

He said it was not a pre-planned fraud but a ham-fisted effort which happened as the teacher saw her chances of being registered as a post-primary teacher melting away.

However, Mr MacSweeney claimed there was an element of charge stacking against the teacher as the allegations effectively related to at most, two actions.

The solicitor argued the number of wrongdoings of which she was accused was harsh.

The inquiry heard that the teacher created a false document purporting to be a certificate issued by the UKs Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA), which confirmed that she had attained qualified teacher status.

She was also accused of submitting the forged document as part of her application to register with the Teaching Council on August 12, 2020.

Counsel for the Teaching Council, Caoimhe Daly, said five other allegations related to dishonest communications by the teacher in a series of emails to the Teaching Council in September 2020, which included references to the forged document.

They also related to false claims that she had completed her teacher training in Scotland and that she had obtained her qualified teacher status from the General Teaching Council for Scotland.

The teacher, who has an undergraduate degree in Irish and French, was pressing the Teaching Council to register her as a fully qualified teacher to allow her to avail of substitute teaching hours that she had been offered by a school in Ireland.

Ms Daly said the teachers conduct represented a breach of her professional code of conduct in relation to the requirement to act with honesty and integrity, and to uphold the reputation and standing of the teaching profession.

The inquiry heard that the teacher holds a postgraduate qualification from a university in the UK but it does not suffice to obtain qualified teacher status.

She was also registered with the General Teaching Council of Scotland but it was conditional on her carrying out 270 hours of teaching practice to be fully qualified.

Ms Daly said the false document from the TRA was submitted after the Teaching Council had informed her in August 2020 that her existing qualifications did not make her eligible for full registration.

However, the inquiry heard verification checks conducted by Teaching Council staff showed the TRA had no record for the teacher, while she had not carried out any teaching practice in Scotland.

When challenged about the false claims, the teacher stated she had made a genuine mistake of putting her Scottish registration number on a TRA form and never intended to mislead the Teaching Council.

However, Ms Daly said the TRA had confirmed that it would not be possible to download such a form from its website unless ones qualified teaching status had been verified.

The inquiry heard the teacher was shocked when the veracity of the TRA form was challenged and claimed she did not know at the time that there were different registration systems for teachers between England and Scotland.

Mr MacSweeney claimed his client was genuinely confused when her original application was refused by the Teaching Council as she believed her qualification from a University in the UK met the criteria for registration.

However, Ms Daly said the teacher had claimed in June 2021 that she was incredibly disappointed that an organisation which acts with the utmost professionalism and integrity like the Teaching Council would not allow someone to make a genuine mistake instead of making them go through a terribly stressful process.

The inquiry heard that the teacher had also made a complaint to the Ombudsman about how the Teaching Council had treated her.

In one exchange she stated: I am a person of good character who made a genuine mistake.

However, Ms Daly said there was a serious level of dishonesty in the teachers actions.

Pleading for leniency, Mr MacSweeney said his client had learnt her lesson, while there was never any issue with her teaching of students.

The solicitor said a decision to suspend the teacher would represent a loss for her current school and its students with whom she had an established relationship for several years.

A ruling on any sanction is expected to be issued next week.
A developer said they would refurbish Baggot Street hospital for free if migrants are to be accommodated.

Part of Baggot Street hospital may be used for a primary care centre despite calls for refugees to be housed at the empty Royal City of Dublin hospital.

There have long been calls to use the vacant building to accommodate Ukrainian refugees but Health Minister Stephen Donnelly has now said part of the site will be used for a primary care centre.

Money has been allocated to carry out a feasibility study this year and a needs assessment is currently being carried out, Mr Donnellys private secretary Fiona Conroy told councillors in Dublin City Council.

A portion of the former Baggot Street Hospital site has been identified as a suitable location for the future development of a primary care centre to serve the South Dublin Inner City area, wrote Ms Conroy last month.

Funding for design feasibility of the future primary care centre on the site has been included in the Health Service Executives 2023 Capital Programme and has been granted a Capital Allocation in 2023.

Community Healthcare East is currently undertaking a needs assessment to inform decision-making regarding the remaining portion of building or site.

However, since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, the local community has pushed for refugees to be housed there.

A developer even said they would refurbish the building for free if migrants are to be accommodated.

Ms Conroy said the HSE identified 300 properties across the country last year which could be potentially suitable for housing refugees. Specifically, some 230 sites and vacant premises owned by the HSE and under consideration for disposal, together with some 70 properties surplus to health needs and in disposal, were identified.

I can confirm that Baggot Street Hospital was included in this list, she said.

This list was then passed on to the Department of Housing, Department of Integration, Department of Taoiseach, local councils and the LDA.

I would like to confirm that both the Department of Health and the HSE will continue to contribute to the all-of-Government approach to the Ukrainian response and Housing for All, Ms Conroy wrote.

Labour Councillor Dermot Lacey said he would hugely welcome a primary care centre in Baggot Street but said it is a lasting shame the HSE has let it lie idle.

Mr Lacey had previously said it was quite shameful that the hospital had been empty for long and urged the HSE to make it available for Ukrainian refugees.

I would hugely welcome a PCC in Baggot Street but given the lethargy of HSE in delivering it, it would be far better to use it now for housing, he said.

On every issue I have engaged in with the HSE it has proven itself incapable and incompetent.

Time for Slaintecare and some democratic control.
Schooner Tara is docked in Galway this weekend amid mapping project

Amid a marine heatwave, the impact on Irelands coastline is currently being measured by international researchers on a two-masted sailing schooner.

The 36-metre French-registered yacht Tara will be docked in Galway this weekend where its crew of scientists and sailors will explain how they are taking a snapshot of the European coastal rim over a two-year period.

Chief scientist Emmanuel Boss explained that the Traversing European Coastlines (TREC) project is unique in that it involves both land- and sea-based researchers undertaking simultaneous sampling.

The schooner, working with a mobile laboratory for land work, is so well equipped that scientists can analyse samples even as they voyage across 46 different European regions extending from the Mediterranean to Scandinavia.

Offering a tour of the vessel in Galway docks before it sets sail, Dr Boss explained the range of activities and specialised equipment, and how plankton samples can be frozen on board.

At a time when the worlds oceans are experiencing more frequent heatwaves, pollution and acidification, the baseline information on coastal ecology gathered will serve as an invaluable reference point to measure coastal climate change impacts.

The scientists are already noticing a number of marine species are shifting north to cooler waters, while fish generally are getting smaller.

He believes the solution is marine-protected areas with no take zones as we still have to feed the planet.

His colleague and European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) senior scientist Detlev Arendt said it was too early to confirm the precise cause of the current marine heatwave but we know it relates to climate change. In Europe, the strongest temperatures are in Britain and it is difficult to say why, but two to three degrees makes a big difference  even half a degree does,Mr Arendt said.

The schooner, which is based in Lorient, France, is ice-strengthened to work in the Arctic, and can cope with being ice-locked.

It is financed through a mixture of private and public funds with French designer Agnes B one of the main sponsors.

It has an excellent chef, but everyone on board also gets to clean the toilets, Dr Boss said.

It doesnt matter if you are chief scientist or captain of the boat  everyone has to do their chores as part of a roster, he said. This makes for far better relations and no hierarchy, he said  the relationship between crew and scientists is tighter than on any other boat I have been on.

The 36-metre schooner is also committed to public outreach, he said.

Over 150 research teams from over 70 institutions in 29 European countries are involved, and the TREC project is being co-ordinated by the EMBL, working with local partners such as the Marine Institute in Galway.

The schooner, Tara, is open to the public tomorrow in Galway docks from 10am to 6pm. See EMBL.org for details.
Thandazile Soni who plays Rafiki in The Lion King at the Bord Gais Energy Theatre.

Brian Gilligan who plays Scar in The Lion King at the Bord Gais Energy Theatre.

Actor Brian Gilligan makes his hometown debut as an iconic Disney villain in The Lion King at the Bord Gais Energy Theatre this month.

The production plays a limited season in Dublin from Thursday, September 28 to Saturday, November 11, and Mr Gilligan told the Irish Independent that it is both nerve-wracking and exciting to perform at home.

The actor said it is great to play Scar, though said: Physically and mentally, it can be tiring and exhausting, but it's so fulfilling and rewarding. There's a lot about him that's very multifaceted.

He has everything from sarcasm to darkness to great humour. You either love him or you hate him and its just trying to balance those strands every single time you go out (on stage) and play him.

His favourite moment in the show is when the true nature of Scar is revealed to the audience.

Its not necessarily that I love how hes massively evil  or like, totally corrupted, the actor jokes.

I really love that, as an actor, finding the nuances in the light and in the shade, even though I dont think there is a lot of light to him.

He admits a lot of the most passionate reactions to Scars villainy come from the younger members of the audience. "At the confrontation scene when he says, tell them who is responsible for Mufasa's death, one in every ten shows you might hear a kid go you are!

And Im just standing there going, Youre right. And I cant disagree with you because Im trying to play the feckin role, he laughs.

We had one brilliant one previously where - I wasnt on but the guy who played the role, Richard Hurst, was on  Scar went on to do the eulogy and he said, So it is with a heavy heart that I assume the throne and there was a man (in his 20s) who said Oh no you dont, you effing.... - he just kind of lost it, he was so involved in the story.

Thandazile Soni who plays Rafiki in The Lion King at the Bord Gais Energy Theatre.

South African actress Thandi Soni, who plays Rafiki, said the musical is a timeless story and one that continues to resonate with audiences.

"It talks to you sometimes and reminds you of your own life, she told the Irish Independent.

When Nala sings Shadowland, that song takes me back every time.

When Im homesick, I have to be closer to the stage where I can listen to her. I think of the time when I was at home, longing for something to bigger to happen in my life, in my career and nothing was happening.

When she was asked to sing the song in her audition, she said it touched a nerve.

Because I was like, this song is talking about my life. With this show, if they can take me, that will change my life.

THE LION KING runs at Bord Gais Energy Theatre from Thursday 28 September - Saturday 11 November 2023. Tickets priced at 26.50 are available now through Ticketmaster.
Birdwatching became a comfort to many during lockdown. So how can you take the hobby on holiday? Here are 10 of the best places to go birding in Europe...

Since lockdown, there has been a 14pc increase in membership of BirdWatch Ireland, which is devoted to the conservation and protection of wild birds and their habitats. Theres also been a 70pc increase in its Garden BirdWatch programme.

Birds clearly bring comfort and fun to many of us, and our growing nation of birders (or birdwatchers, if you prefer) are not only realising what a wonderful collection of birds we have here in Ireland, but are also incorporating birding into trips overseas.

My own belief is that tourism like this brings genuine benefits to local communities, especially in developing countries, says Niall Hatch of BirdWatch Ireland. If you are burning airplane fuel to go somewhere, in other words, then birding is one of the more noble reasons to travel. Its showing them that theres an economic value to their wildlife habitats. Its one of the most environmentally efficient models of tourism that you can have.

By timing continental visits for autumn and spring, youll see the best of the migratory birds. Spain and Portugal really set the standard for how to market birds and their habitats to visitors, but some countries (particularly Poland) are catching up fast. Of course, there are plenty of birds to spot at home, too. Any time of year is good, depending on what you want to see. Puffins, for example, can be seen onshore in the months of May, June and July. Brent geese are arriving by early October. Terns breed here during the summer months.

Start with a good pair of binoculars (see birdwatchireland.ie for advice) and a good local field guide to find the best places to watch and identify birds. The Merlin Bird ID app from Cornell University is a superb free app that identifies birds by sight and by their sound.

1 Puffins on the Saltees and Skelligs

Skellig puffin. Picture: Valerie O'Sullivan

Five kilometres off the Wexford coast from Kilmore Quay, the Great Saltee island is one of the best places in Ireland to view puffins from May to July. Its a protected breeding ground for a number of birds (the gannet colony is spectacular), as well as the grey seal, but its puffins are the birds most associated with this privately owned pair of islands.

Puffins departing early from Skellig Michael

Skellig Michael is another iconic place to see puffins  the colony nesting in cracks and crevices across the rocky outcrop is closely monitored by Irelands National Parks & Wildlife Service (one was ringed in 1991 and spotted 31 years later by ornithologist Brian Power). Other notable areas for observing puffins from the land are Irelands Eye, Lambay Island, Rathlin Island and the Cliffs of Moher, the latter being probably the best place to observe them on land.

Details: The return ferry from Kilmore Quay (salteeferry.com; April-October) costs 30. For Skelligs boat operators, see heritageireland.ie

2 Bee-eaters in Mertola, Portugal

Bee-eaters in Mertola

The first time you see a Eurasian bee-eater, you wont forget it. With the grace of a swift and the stunning colour of something far more exotic, the sight of it in the air is a privilege that instantly reminds you that youre far from home. Spring/summer are the best seasons to see them, as they catch bees in the air, smacking them repeatedly to remove the sting before consuming them. The area in southeast Portugal around the beautiful hilltop towns of Mertola and Castro Verde is also renowned for its range of steppe birds, from great bustards to Spanish imperial eagles to black vultures. Its a couple of hours north of the Algarve.

Details: The Vale Goncalinho (lpn.pt) environmental centre in Mertola is a good place to start. See also visitportugalbirdwatching.com

3 Canaries on the Canary Islands

Atlantic canary, a small bird in the finch family. Picture: Afonso Farias

Its not the quantity of birds you can see in the Canary Islands, but the quality. There are several species here you wont see anywhere else, including a number under threat because of their rarity. The endemic bird list includes the Fuerteventura stonechat, the Canary Islands chiffchaff and the Tenerife goldcrest. The island of Fuerteventura in particular is known for its varieties of North African birds, including the houbara bustard and a sub-species of the Egyptian vulture. All times of year are good and, yes, you might also catch a glimpse of the native Atlantic canary.

Details: Check out birdwatchingspain.net for birding packages to the islands. See also hellocanaryislands.com

4 White-tailed eagles in Ireland

Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan

Originally native to Ireland, rendered extinct and then reintroduced from Norway, white-tailed sea eagles cut an impressive presence with their two-metre wingspan. A boat tour is the best way to see them  either on the coast near Glengarriff, Co Cork, on Lough Derg, or on the lakes near Killarney; 171 have been reintroduced since the project began 15 years ago, including 24 last month (osprey chicks have also begun to be reintroduced by the NPWS).

First flight of an osprey in Waterford. Picture: Valerie O'Sullivan

In the summer, the ultimate thrill is to see the eagles pluck fish out of the sea, while during winter, their dispersal is more widespread, often to be found in inland areas near large bodies of water. Sightings are never guaranteed, of course!

Details: npws.ie; nationalparks.ie; discoverloughderg.ie

5 Corncrakes in Poland

While news of returning corncrakes to Ireland is encouraging, Polands Warta Mouth National Park is a superb site to hear the corncrakes call, among the 245 different species found here. The summer months are when youll have a chance to see and/or hear this migratory bird, which winters in Africa. For organised birding tours in this up-and-coming birding country, the wetlands in the west are most accessible, but the unspoilt forests of eastern Poland are becoming very popular.

Details: British-based Naturetrek (naturetrek.co.uk) organises nature and birding trips to the Biaowieza Forest. Otherwise, you can fly-drive from Berlin (one hour) or Poznan (two hours) to Warta Mouth National Park. zpppn.pl

 6 Flamingos at Lagoa de Santo Andre, Portugal

Flamingo at Lagoa de Santo Andre

Among some 241 species of resident birds at this lagoon close to the Atlantic coast of Portugals Alentejo region, large flocks of flamingos delight birdwatchers all year round, with a dedicated Flamingo Viewing Spot on the northern shoreline. Apart from the flamingo, the Lagoons of Santo Andre (and the smaller Lagoon of Sancha) are home to the Eurasian coot, the cinnamon teal and the Eurasian reed warbler. With plenty to see all year round, winter is probably the best time to visit, when the bathers are gone, the kite surfers fewer, and the migrant birds more plentiful.

Details: From Lisbon, the lagoon is about one-and-a-half hours drive or two hours if youre driving from Faro. See birdwatchingalentejo.com for more information.

7 Griffon vultures in the Basque Country

Despite its relatively small size, the Basque Country offers multiple locations for birdwatching: an idea made even more mouthwatering by its great food offer. The Sierra Salvada  about 50km southwest of Bilbao  is a good place to start. One of the best viewing spots is overlooking the headwaters of the Nervion river. Its dramatic and varied landscape (valley floors, forests, plateaus and limestone rock) ensures a great variety of species to observe. From the likes of the griffon vulture (who can be seen all year round), Egyptian vulture and peregrine falcon to the yellow-billed chough and alpine accentor to the yellowhammers and water pipits, theres something for everyone.

Details: For more info on what to see and do in the Basque Country, visit tourism.euskadi.eus/en and spain.info

8 White storks in Extremadura, Spain

Theres a lot to be said for the languid style of the white stork  a bird that flourishes in many parts of continental Europe from mid-March to mid-August. Their nests atop poles or staggered up pylons like avian apartment blocks cut a semi-mythical presence. The large steppe area between the incredibly beautiful towns of Caceres and Trujillo is an important birdwatching spot. Even within the municipality of Caceres, there are three special protection areas for birds.

Eurasian hoopoe in Spain. Picture: Brais Seara

Apart from the proliferation of the white stork in town and country, there are many more species, depending on the time of year you visit, including the Eurasian hoopoe, with his distinctive call and spectacular hair-do, and the huge and ominous cinereous vulture.

Details: See turismoextremadura.com or spain.info for more. Casa Rural El Recuerdo is a guesthouse run by and for birders. birdingextremadura.com

9 Brent geese in Dublin

Brent geese take to the skies over Dublin Photo: PA/Brian Lawless

During the winter, Ireland gets a huge amount of water birds migrating to our shores, and its very good for whole species of duck, swans and geese, as well as long-legged waders. Over the winter months, you can see large flocks of brent geese, who choose to winter in areas in and around our capital, as well as north of it, having migrated from the colds of Baffin Island in Arctic Canada. Whether you choose to take a walk around St Annes Park, Bull Island, Raheny or Clontarf, or further north in Dundalk Bay or Carlingford Bay, you should have no problem spotting these tough-looking, dark, stubby migratory birds.

Details: For more information, see dublinbaybiosphere.ie, bullislandbirds.com, carlingfordandcooleypeninsula.ie

10 Wallcreepers in the Pyrenees

The small blue-grey wallcreeper with the striking crimson wings is one of the many smaller birds youll find in the Spanish Pyrenees. The wallcreeper migrates down from the highest peaks to the more accessible lower altitudes between early November and early April. The rare and scary-looking lammergeier is arguably the most amazing-looking of the many birds of prey to be found in the Pyrenees mountains, which include more of the griffon vulture and the Egyptian vulture. In the vast woodlands, you can also find the black woodpecker and Iberian green woodpecker.

Details: The Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park is a good place to begin, with multiple options for getting there. From either Bilbao or Barcelona, its three-to-four hours drive. spain.info
Gordon Rayner: After just a year on the throne, Charles has proved doomsayers of British monarchy wrong

King has mended bridges and stayed quiet on political matters

Britains King Charles received a warm welcome from members of the public in Hamburg during his first state visit to Germany earlier this year. Photo: Chris Jackson/Getty Images

Gordon Rayner Telegraph.co.uk Sat 9 Sep 2023 at 03:30

In the final years of Queen Elizabeths reign, a prophecy-of-sorts took root. Support for the British monarchy would collapse when she died, King Charles would be unable to keep his nose out of politics and, in short, he would be a disaster. Nervousness had even spread to Buckingham Palace.
Roisin McArdle, who hails from Louth and lives in North Dublin, taught a heels dance class in Liffey Trust Studios all in aid of breast cancer.

A new phenomenon that is heels dancing is taking over Dublin to encourage women to own their body and become more confident.

Roisin McArdle, who hails from Louth and lives in North Dublin, taught a heels dance class in Liffey Trust Studios in aid of breast cancer this morning.

Heels dance is a style of dance that is performed while wearing high-heeled shoes.

She hoped to make women feel good about themselves while allowing them to have fun and make lifelong friends.

When I started heels dancing in college, I suppose every young woman goes through the trenches of trying to get used to the way their body changes. Heels dancing gave me a sense of ownership and made me feel comfortable, she said.

Its breast cancer awareness month and Ive become more aware recently about how many people's lives that breast cancer affects, how many women it affects and how many families it affects.

I thought I should combine heels dancing with raising awareness, because the dancing is about femininity, owning your body and breast cancer unfortunately, can take out the possibility of owning their body.

Ive been a dancer since I was about seven years old, Ive always loved to dance. When I went to DCU I started dancing in high heels. It's very slow, very sexy, its about owning your body, feeling good about yourself.

Dancing has always been Roisins sport, its a form of exercise that is beneficial for her mental health. She highlighted that it improves her coordination, the endorphins released make her happy and overall, its great for her physical health.

Growing up dancing was always my sport, when you're on stage you can fall, you can break and you can but its okay because its all a part of the dance, you can let yourself go and lose yourself in something.

Complete beginners joined this morning along with those who danced before, we were in a shared space, and we motivated each other.

There was a bit of nerves with those who havent danced before, but they quickly became excited to discover what its all about. Its for charity so it was fun.

My first dance class in DCU, I decided to stand up front and conquer my nerves. I stood beside a girl called Orla and weve been sisters ever since, I havent left her side, were best friends.

With this type of dance, youll walk into a supportive environment and see all shapes and sizes. I found a group of friends that were really supportive, it was about them too and how we hyped each other up.
THE Harp concert series will see harpist Aisling Ennis performing concerts inspired by the fairies and their frolics taking place in every library throughout County Wicklow.

Funded by the Arts Council and Wicklow County Arts Office through the Strategic Projects Award Scheme and supported by Wicklow Library Services, the concert series will feature music from the Irish tradition as well as captivating works by 19th and 20th Century harp virtuosos and runs from September 22 through to October 20.

Created and performed by Aisling Ennis, each concert explores the fairy hysteria that swept the world and how the harp, especially the Irish harp, played an important role in this enchanting genre.

Enjoying a varied career as a soloist as well as a chamber, orchestral harpist and educator, Aisling has gained international recognition for her evocative renditions across a broad spectrum of genres, as well as her ongoing experimental collaborations and innovative approaches to programming. A current member of Wicklow Artists Panel, she works tirelessly to support and enrich the arts in her beloved County Wicklow.

Cathaoirleach of Wicklow County Council, Cllr Aoife Flynn Kennedy, stated: This project encompasses all the aims of the Strategic Project Award in order to nurturing practice and cultivate new audiences for the harp within County Wicklow.

Chief Executive of Wicklow County Council, Emer OGorman, said she was pleased to see Wicklow County Arts Office support an ambitious and inclusive concert series by a Wicklow Artist.

Admission is free but booking is essential. Contact your local library to secure tickets.
Our fashion editor rounds up the latest style news and fashion trends

A coat from Ruby Slevin's new AW'23 collection entitled Stripped Back, which she will show at London Fashion Week on September 18. Picture by Emily Fry

Talk about a busy week for Ruby Slevin, the Dubliner who has made a name for herself running a bespoke tailoring house for women on Savile Row.

It has been just four years since Banshee of Savile Row launched, and next week, Ruby is appearing once again at London Fashion Week with an evening salon show where she will be showing her new collection.

Entitled Stripped Back, Ruby says, when I was designing this collection, I had been thinking a lot about how in this day and age, people spend so much time on their phones and using technology, that we spend less time reading or learning new skills with our hands. I wanted this collection to be a distraction from technology, to allow people to have the ultimate form of self expression. My mood board was full of empowered and sexy confident women who I feel embody the Banshee woman. Being bold and not afraid to take risks.

The new season campaign images (right) were shot on the busy Millennium bridge and includes a number of striking coats.

Their latest film, shot in London and Ireland, nods to Banshees Irish female roots celebrating the wild and free Banshee women who dance between worlds  from the lush seaside of Ireland to the vibrant streets of London.

Over the past four years, Ruby has dressed Claire Foy, Stefani Martini and Angela Scanlon, to name a few, and has become both the only member of the British Fashion Council and London Fashion Week Designers on Savile Row.

In a new move this season, Ruby is introducing a new, more affordable, online made-to-order coat service in a fabric of your choice and in a fraction of the time of a bespoke suit service.

How it works is that you submit dress size and height and pick your coat shape. You can select from a choice of houndstooth, herringbone, Donegal tweed, wool coating or velvets, and the choice of linings includes a selection of silk or cupro, which is a sustainable option made from wood pulp. The coats will take six to eight weeks for delivery and shipping is worldwide.

Ruby says, our bespoke overcoats usually start at 3,000, so there is a significant saving by ordering online.

Coat styles includes the Raven black velvet coat. Inspired by nights at the opera, it is made from cotton velvet, and is also available in navy and purple velvet. The coat is fully lined in silk with velvet covered buttons and a choice of linings.

The other two coats on the made-to-order menu are the Long Brown Fox  a single breasted statement coat with a super wide peaked lapel made from Donegal houndstooth tweed  and The Lioness  a full length double-breasted coat made from handwoven Donegal tweed  and both coats have a full silk lining.

Watch out for Rubys next adventure as she takes Banshee to the U.S. and has lined up shows this Autumn in New York and L.A.

bansheeofsavilerow.com

Nicki Hoyne oversized bow pump heel in black glitter, 225, worn with Simone Rocha dress, Havana, Donnybrook. Picture by Naomi Gaffey

Big bows

Nicki Hoyne is having a pop up at the Chupi store in Dublins Powerscourt until next Tuesday to showcase her new Timeless collection.

The oversized bow flat and the heel pump (left) comes in combinations of gold glitter with a black bow, black glitter with a black bow, leopard print with a black bow and an all black suede. Available in sizes 36-42, prices start from 210.

Her Chelsea boot is back with three contrasting elastic colours, pink, emerald green, and cobalt blue all available in sizes EU 36-43.

nickihoyne.com

Danielle Conneely, owner of Coco Boutique wearing the Sanza cami, 45 from cocoboutique.ie

Retail chats

I was delighted to catch up with Danielle Conneely, whom some of you will remember from her very popular Coco Boutique on Dublins Clarendon Street.

Danielle didnt re-open the boutique after the pandemic, instead starting her popular cocoboutique.ie website and lively Instagram page, where she chats about what she has bought and why it works.

Best-selling items include her biker jackets in buttersoft leather (395) and flattering Commando leggings in faux leather (119) and a neoprene style (139). The Sanza cami tops with deep lace straps (45) look fab under a blazer or glimpsed under a casual top and she has some very cute sliders and day-to-night knits.

Another woman to develop an online business, diffusion.ie, after closing her Diffusion boutique on Clontarf Road is Kate Gaffney.

Kate has dressed everyone from a President of Ireland to women who have lost their style mojo or want something handy to layer up for the school runs.

New for AW23, the Riley Road jacket by Reset comes in a great shade of Borough Market green in sizes S-L with a real down filling ( 269). Cute and comfy, her leather ankle boots by Nude of Scandinavia are

Nude of Scandinavia leather ankle boot in shade Latte, 269, diffusion.ie

made in Italy, designed in Scandinavia. They have built-in orthotics insoles and come in cream and in black. A nice smart casual addition are the Italian Collection oversized satin bombers (229).
Columbus Community Hospital has released a 2023 physician directory which highlights physicians in the Columbus area who are providing patient-centered care to the community.

Over this past year, CCH has seen growth in many areas, including its medical professionals. The 2023 physician directory showcases the hospitals facility and campuses. It also lists CCHs services and includes a directory of the physicians who serve the area communities and their areas of practice, qualifications and contact information.
A military camp in the Gao region in northern Mali was attacked yesterday, a day after two separate assaults by al-Qaida-linked insurgents killed 49 civilians and 15 government soldiers, the military said.

Thursdays attacks targeted a passenger boat near the city of Timbuktu on the Niger River and a military position in Bamba further downstream in Gao, the military junta said on state television.
Britain

Nigel Farage giving offer to be in Im A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here very serious consideration
Tragic Matthew Perry said Jennifer Aniston was the one who reached out the most to me as he tried to get sober
Coming out as a lesbian to my children was hands down the most difficult thing I have ever had to do
Image Credit: twitter.com/_JeremyCN

Rabat: The death toll in Moroccos deadliest that jolted several cities of the country on Friday night crossed 1,000 on Saturday, AFP reported citing the authorities.

Updated interior ministry figures on Saturday showed the quake killed at least 1,037 people, the vast majority in Al-Haouz, the epicentre, and Taroudant provinces.

Another 1,204 people were injured, including 721 in critical condition, the ministry said.

A 6.8-magnitude earthquake hit Morocco Friday at 11:11 p.m. local time (2211 GMT) at a depth of 18.5 km, said the U.S. Geological Survey.

The epicenter of the earthquake was near the town of Ighil in Al Haouz Province, some 70 km southwest of Marrakesh.

The earthquake was felt in many cities across Morocco, including Rabat and Casablanca. Many houses collapsed in the cities of Taroudant and Marrakesh, local media reported.

The earthquake damaged many buildings in the old city of Marrakesh, the nearest big city to the epicenter, and many residents had to spend the night in the open space for fear of potential aftershocks, said Zhang Kai, an overseas Chinese living in Marrakesh, reported Xinhua.

Xinhua correspondents at Ouarzazate, about 190 kilometers southeast of Marrakesh, saw residents taking shelter in an open space after the earthquake.

"There have been earthquakes before, but none of them were as strong as this one," said a resident in Ouarzazate who requires anonymity.

On the way from Ouarzazate to the epicenter, rocks and rubbles from the mountains and buildings were seen scattered along the road.

Footage on social media showed part of a minaret collapsed on Jemaa el-Fna square in the historic city, stated the AFP report.

In a statement, US President Joe Biden said he was "deeply saddened by the loss of life and devastation".

Chinese leader Xi Jinping expressed "deep grief for the victims" and hope that "the Moroccan government and people will be able to overcome the impact of this disaster", according to Beijing's state media, AFP reported.

Pope Francis expressed "his profound solidarity with those who are touched in the flesh and heart by this tragedy".

The tremors were also felt in neighbouring Algeria. However, there was no damage or casualties, the Algerian Civil Defence said.

In 2004, at least 628 people lost their lives and 926 were injured in an earthquake jolted Al Hoceima in northeastern Morocco, and in 1960 a magnitude 6.7 quake in Agadir left more than 12,000 dead.

Rescuers have been sent to the quake-hit areas to search for survivors, local media reported.
PIB India X page

More than 25 world leaders, including US President Joe Biden and UK PM Rishi Sunak, will be participating in the two-day G20 Summit at the Bharat Mandapam Convention Centre in New Delhi on Saturday.

The world leaders started arriving in India on Friday for the crucial summit which Indian PM Narendra Modi said will chart a new path in human-centric and inclusive development.

Narendra Modi arrived at the Convention Centre on Saturday to welcome the guests.

Narendra Modi on Friday met United States President Joe Biden at his residence for bilateral discussions shortly after he landed in New Delhi for the G20 Summit scheduled to begin Saturday.

Also read: PM Modi holds 'productive' bilateral talks with US Prez Joe Biden; private dinner follows next

Biden's plane - Air Force One - touched down at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport shortly before 7 pm.

The Prime Minister's Office shared photos of the two leaders holding talks on "a wide range of issues (that) will further deepen the bond between India and the US".

Calling their meeting 'productive', PM Modi said: "We were able to discuss numerous topics which will further economic and people-to-people linkages between India and USA. The friendship between our nations will continue to play a great role in furthering global good."

Happy to have welcomed @POTUS @JoeBiden to 7, Lok Kalyan Marg. Our meeting was very productive. We were able to discuss numerous topics which will further economic and people-to-people linkages between India and USA. The friendship between our nations will continue to play a pic.twitter.com/Yg1tz9kGwQ  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 8, 2023

More than 25 heads of state and top officials from the European Union, invited guest countries, and 14 heads of international organizations are attending the event.
PM Modi hugging African Union President at G20 Summit in New Delhi | Photo courtesy: Facebook/MEA

New Delhi/IBNS: With all the existing members' approval, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday welcomed the 55-nation African Union to the G20, the members of which are here to attend this year's summit.

Modi, the G20 President for the year, announced the inclusion of the African Union during his inaugural address to the members.

Modi said, "Bharat's Presidency in G20 both inside and outside the country has become a symbol of inclusiveness. It has become the people's G20 in Bharat where crores of Bharatiyas are involved with the summit. There have been over 200 meetings in more than 60 cities.

"With the thought of inclusiveness, Bharat had proposed granting permanent membership to the African Union. I believe all of us (members of G20) are agreeing on it."

PM Modi welcoming African Union President to G20 | Photo courtesy: Facebook/MEA

After all the existing member nations agreed on it, Prime Minister Modi welcomed the African Union President to take his seat.

We are delighted that the #G20 has accepted the @_AfricanUnion as a member of the #G20.



Global reconstruction in the wake of the #COVID19 pandemic presents a unique opportunity to accelerate the transition to low-carbon, climate resilient, sustainable societies.



Developing pic.twitter.com/4u7ThqwRVq  Cyril Ramaphosa  (@CyrilRamaphosa) September 9, 2023

India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar was seen going up to the African Union President to lead him to his seat in the room filled with global leaders like US President Joe Biden, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak among others who are in New Delhi to participate in the two-day summit which began on Saturday.

G20 Summit begins today

More than 25 world leaders, including US President Joe Biden and UK PM Rishi Sunak, will be participating in the two-day G20 Summit at the Bharat Mandapam Convention Centre in New Delhi on Saturday.

The world leaders started arriving in India on Friday for the crucial summit which Indian PM Narendra Modi said will chart a new path in human-centric and inclusive development.

Modi arrived at the Convention Centre on Saturday to welcome the guests.

Narendra Modi on Friday met United States President Joe Biden at his residence for bilateral discussions shortly after he landed in New Delhi for the G20 Summit scheduled to begin Saturday.
Photo courtesy: UNI

Vijayawada/UNI: Former Chief Minister and Telugu Desam Party national president N Chandrababu Naidu was arrested by the Andhra Pradesh police in Nandyal in the wee hours of Saturday.

The AP CID police arrested Chandrababu Naidu and registered cases against him on the charge of misusing funds from AP Skill Development.

A high drama prevailed in Nandyal town for some time as a large number of police rushed there to arrest Naidu, for which TDP cadres raised objections.

The AP CID police were taking Chandrababu Naidu in a vehicle to the AP CID headquarters, located in Mangalagiri, for questioning. The police likely produced Naidu before the court in the evening.

The police registered cases against Naidu under sections 120 (B), 409, 201, r/w 13 (1), and other sections. The police on Saturday also arrested former Minister and TDP MLA Ganta Srinivasa Rao on the same charge in Visakhapatnam.

The police either house-arrested or detained a large number of TDP leaders across the state as a precautionary measure. The APSRTC has cancelled bus services across the state as a precautionary measure.

It may be mentioned here that Chandrababu Naidu indicated his arrest three days ago while addressing a meeting in Kurnool.
Photo Courtesy: Narendra Modi X page

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday met British PM Rishi Sunak at the sidelines of the ongoing G20 Summit when they discussed ways to deepen trade linkages and boost investment between the two nations.

"Great to have met PM @RishiSunak on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Delhi. We discussed ways to deepen trade linkages and boost investment. India and UK will keep working for a prosperous and sustainable planet," Modi posted on X.

The G20 Summit commenced on Saturday in New Delhi.

Rishi Sunak expressed hope that the G20 bloc will provide leadership to the world when it is facing enormous challenges.

Great to have met PM @RishiSunak on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Delhi. We discussed ways to deepen trade linkages and boost investment. India and UK will keep working for a prosperous and sustainable planet. pic.twitter.com/7kKC17FfgN  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 9, 2023

"15 years ago, #G20 leaders came together for the first time to restore global growth after the financial crisis," the UK PM tweeted.

"We meet at a time of enormous challenges  the world is looking to the G20 once again to provide leadership," he said.

He said: "Together I believe we can address these challenges."

The G20 Summit commenced in New Delhi on Saturday.

With all the existing members' approval, Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed the 55-nation African Union to the G20, the members of which are here to attend this year's summit.

Modi, the G20 President for the year, announced the inclusion of the African Union during his inaugural address to the members.

Modi said, "Bharat's Presidency in G20 both inside and outside the country has become a symbol of inclusiveness. It has become the people's G20 in Bharat where crores of Bharatiyas are involved with the summit. There have been over 200 meetings in more than 60 cities.

"With the thought of inclusiveness, Bharat had proposed granting permanent membership to the African Union. I believe all of us (members of G20) are agreeing on it."
Columbus City Council members commended the city administrator for her work after her pay became a topic of public comment during a recent meeting.

The City of Columbus' Sept. 30 budget deadline is approaching and this has been the predominant theme at meetings this month.

On Sept. 5, the council meeting started with a public hearing on the one- and six-year road plans, which saw no public comment. Within that plan lies 10 projects, seven for the city and three private. It was accepted.

In the following Committee of the Whole reports, the pay plan for 2023-2024 pay increases was brought up which prompted some public comments, though discussion topics strayed from the necessity and scale at which the pay scale was shifting.

Comments particularly pertained to City Administrator Tara Vasicek's salary increase of $6,804 for the year, going from $226,800 to $233,604.

"When she was appointed in 2017, she started at $150,000 so by my math  she's going to be somewhere north of $233,000  that's a $266 a week raise every week since she's been here the last six years," said Anthony Smith, a resident in attendance. "How can you possibly justify that? I think it's insane. There's no way the cost of living in Columbus is that much."

Smith, representing his website Platte Valley Media Group, said afterward that he believes the increase is too much for someone of Vasicek's tenure and position. Smith referred to an article posted by the city on Aug. 29 about Vasicek, her job and prior experience in the city of York in the same position.

Smith said that, while the article accurately portrayed salaries of city administrators across Nebraska, Vasicek doesn't measure up to their qualifications and therefore should not be paid in the same range.

"Those city administrators have double or triple the experience along with a formal finance degree. Tara doesn't fall into that category," Smith said. "I know a lot of other people think its way too much money for her being, in my opinion, underqualified and not possessing a formal finance degree and the fact she's in charge of millions of dollars and tens of thousands of Columbus residents' tax money, I think it's inappropriate to pay her that much."

The rate of increase, Smith said during the meeting, has climbed a few times over the years, which, given the cost of living in Columbus, he believes is unjustified in terms of quantity in the case of the city administration.

Vasicek said after the meeting that when she was initially contracted in 2017, her starting pay of $150,000 was based off of a comparability analysis of other cities' similar positions. Every year since then, her salary has increased the same as every other city employee for a cost-of-living adjustment, based off of the economy from the previous year. The city council elected for her to receive a merit-based increase one year in addition to the annual adjustment, but that was a one-off event, Vasicek said.

"Since way before I was in Columbus, the city council has always taken the consolidated consumer price index from June of the last year to June of the current year and whatever the adjustment was, they try their best to meet that," Vasicek said. "June last year to June this year was like a 2.97% change and I presented 2.5% and 3% and they elected 3%."

As to her qualifications, Vasicek has a degree in community and regional planning, but did pursue a graduate degree in public administration at one point. Trying to do her regular job and raise a family, that post-graduate education simply wasn't a sustainable option, she said. Given a choice of the three, she chose to leave school and continue with her work.

Two other Columbus residents, Joyce Heins and Michael Jones, came forward to voice similar concerns to Smith's and were met with similar responses. Heins said her main concern was regarding the impact on taxpayers for what she perceived to be not enough results.

Third Ward Council Member Ron Schilling told Heins that she should come in and see for herself, as he believed it would justify that 3% increase they were voting on for all city employees.

"What you need to do is come in and find out the type of work she does do and then maybe you'll understand a little more what her position is," Schilling said. "What she does, she takes care of every facet of this city and there's about 20 different avenues she's got to deal with on a daily basis."

Vasicek said after the meeting she is in a unique situation where some perceive her to have more power than she does and at the same time, she does more on a daily basis than most people know.

Smith and Jones touched on a couple of other issues they were concerned about, related to Vasicek but not to the issue at hand, such as the police and fire department's reposts of city announcements and articles on social media. City officials asked them to stick to the topic of the pay plan for public comments at that time.

Mayor Jim Bulkley responded at the time that the social media concern was up to the discretion of the fire and police departments' chiefs and that he trusts them to do what they believe is best. Smith said after that he wished there was more opportunity to discuss those topics.

Smith said this isn't about Vasicek herself and shouldn't be seen as anything against her. Rather, he is concerned, as a citizen of Columbus, about spending and the level of discussion at city council meetings surrounding many topics. Vasicek's salary increase was just one of those items and he thought it was necessary to bring it up.

"What I want is city leaders to be held accountable. I want to cut wasteful spending. I want better discussions amongst the city council members and really, that's really it. I think it's a pretty simple request," Smith said.

The pay plan was passed 7-1 with the one nay coming from Hope Freshour.

Freshour elaborated in a press release after the meeting why she voted nay. While she supports Vasicek's pay being a higher rate and the 3% raise for city employees, she was not so much in favor of that increase seeming so dramatically higher with a higher salary.

"What I took issue with is a blanket raise of 3% across the board for someone making $20 an hour is a lot different than a higher-level paid position," Freshour said in the press release.

In addition to the pay plan, the Capital Improvement Plan was also on the agenda and voted in. This, Vasicek said, was a little different this year as it was split into discretionary and non-discretionary projects, as decided by the city council and mayor, for the sake of prioritizing spending.

"This year, I asked that discretionary and non-discretionary be separate. Discretionary is things that would be nice. Non-discretionary means it needs to be done," Vasicek said.

The projects were given by department heads to elected officials and ranked, Vasicek said, with discretionary items being put on the bottom of the list.

"The purpose of the discretionary capital improvement projects is that elected officials now sponsor those discretionary projects. Staff are here to do the work. We're not here to sell the projects. We shouldn't be here to sell the projects, really go to bat for the projects," Vasicek said. "We're here to represent the will of the people and represent the will of the council."

Vasicek said with her involvement in all of the city's projects, there is some perception that she is fighting for certain initiatives, but all she does is what the public tells their representatives to do.

In that way, she said, she walks a fine line between coordinating communication between 20-some government channels, the public, city officials and the outside parties they may bring in on contract, while it may seem as if all she does is present agenda items to the city council.

"I don't do anything that isn't in the budget, that isn't a city policy. I can't build a building like this (Columbus Community Building) that's not voter-approved. I can't do anything that's not council-approved, voter-approved or in budget, all those things are council," Vasicek said. "I'm just the staff getting the council's vision to life."

Vasicek added that if someone has a question about any of those items on the pay plan or the capital improvement plan or the budget in general, they can contact her office, the city's finance director or even communications director and get answers.

If one is so inclined, she said, they can also search "budget" on columbusne.us, but they will be reading unabridged financial reports. For the easier-to-read version, the city has published articles summarizing such.
Photo Courtesy: Narendra Modi Twitter page

New Delhi: Indian PM Narendra Modi on Saturday discussed ways of enhancing cooperation in key sectors, including connectivity, and commerce, with Japanese PM Fumio Kishida on the sidelines of the G20Summit here.

Modi tweeted: "Held productive talks with PM @kishida230. We took stock of India-Japan bilateral ties and the ground covered during India's G20 Presidency and Japan's G7 Presidency. We are eager to enhance cooperation in connectivity, commerce and other sectors."

Several world leaders, including US President Joe Biden, arrived in India to attend the G20 Summit.

New Delhi is hosting the summit from Saturday.

In a big win for India's G20 Presidency, the leaders of the grouping on Saturday reached a consensus on the 'New Delhi Declaration.'

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday announced that G20 had received consensus on a leaders' declaration.

"Have just got the good news that due to the hard work of our teams and your cooperation, a consensus has been reached on the New Delhi G20 Leaders Summit Declaration," PM Modi said while addressing the second session of the Leaders' Summit here on Saturday.
Photo Courtesy: Ambassador Chen Song X Page

A Nepali politician has demanded the expulsion of Chinese Ambassador Cheng Song for his alleged undiplomatic remarks on the relationship between Kathmandu and New Delhi.

Abdul Khan, the former minister in the incumbent Pushpa Kamal Dahal-led government and vice president of the Janamat Party, demanded that the Foreign Ministry seek clarification from the top Chinese official in the country and declare Ambassador Song persona non grata.

Abdul Khan, Nepals member of Parliament,was quoted as saying by ANI, Nepal is a sovereign and independent nation. The same is inscribed in our Constitution. A foreign diplomat or envoy from another country is not supposed to determine our foreign policy. How we conduct our relations with any other country is to be decided by no one else. But an ambassador, on a public forum, spoke about the age-old relationship between Nepal and India, spewing venom. This is highly condemnable. If Nepal is truly a free country, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs should immediately summon the (Chinese) ambassador and declare him persona non grata.

Khan said the envoy should refrain from making comments on Nepal-India ties.

The Chinese ambassador, during an event earlier this week, advised Nepal to deal cautiously with India when it comes to trade and other aspects. Song, in his address, sought to enhance Chinese influence on Nepal while portraying India in a negative light, reported ANI.

The Chinese envoy was quoted as saying by the news agency, Unfortunately, you have a neighbour like India. It has a huge market, huge potential that you can tap into but at the same time, their policy towards Nepal and other neighbours are not so friendly and not beneficial to Nepal. We call it policy constraints.
Image Credit: twitter.com/amitabhk87

New Delhi: After differences within the G20 bloc over a joint statement owing to the Ukraine War, the New Delhi Leaders' Summit Declaration was adopted on Saturday following a 100% consensus.

Making the announcement, Prime Minister Narendra Modi made the announcement, terming it as historic and pathbreaking.

"I have received good news. Due to the hard work of our team, consensus has been built on New Delhi G20 Leaders' Summit Declaration. My proposal is to adopt this leadership declaration. I announce to adopt this declaration. On this occasion, I congratulate my Sherpa, ministers, who worked hard for it and made it possible," PM Modi said while making the announcement.

"It is my proposal that this G20 declaration be adopted," the Prime Minister said. The declaration was welcomed with G20 members thumping their desks.

History has been created with the adoption of the New Delhi Leaders Declaration. United in consensus and spirit, we pledge to work collaboratively for a better, more prosperous, and harmonious future. My gratitude to all fellow G20 members for their support and cooperation. https://t.co/OglSaEj3Pf  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 9, 2023

Amitabh Kant. Indias G20 Sherpa, said the New Delhi Declaration - running into 38 paragraphs, was adopted with "100% consensus on all developmental and geo-political issues".

"The New Delhi Leaders Declaration has been officially adopted at the G20 India Leaders Summit! Today's era must be marked as the golden age of human-centric globalisation and India's G20 Presidency under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi has worked tirelessly towards this goal," Kant posted on X (formerly Twitter).

With 83 paras and absolutely no dissent , no footnotes, no chair summaries - the #NewDelhiLeadersDeclaration symbolises unparalleled global consensus.

Steered by the vision of PM @narendramodi, #G20India Presidency has delivered phenomenal action on high ambitions for the world. pic.twitter.com/T94uji7WKe  Amitabh Kant (@amitabhk87) September 9, 2023

Earlier, it was reported that India was facing difficulties in creating a consensus on the "geopolitical paras"  as United States and Russia differed strongly on reference to the wording of the Ukraine crisis.

With the US pressing for a strong condemnation of Russia and Moscow making it clear that it will oppose any joint statement that does not reflect its views, coming up with one was a challenge.

However, a consensus was eventually reached despite the Ukraine issue.

Amitabh Kant said the declaration demonstrated Prime Minister Modi's leadership in today's world.

This effectively made G20 India "the most ambitious in the history of G20 presidencies", the top official said.

The New Delhi Leaders Declaration had a "huge India narrative, huge India footprint," the government said.

Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called for closing the rift between the group members, bridging the "global trust deficit" that had been widened further by the war in Ukraine.

India presented a new text on the ongoing Ukraine crisis to end the impasse over the Delhi Declaration.

The New Delhi Leaders Declaration broadly focuses on 5 key areas:

Strong, Sustainable, Balanced, and Inclusive Growth

Accelerating Progress on #SDGs

Green Development Pact for a Sustainable Future

Multilateral Institutions for the 21st Century

Reinvigorating Multilateralism
Image Credit: Image tweeted by @MEAIndia

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday announced the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) with India, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, the European Union, France, Italy, Germany and the US as its members.

Today we all have reached an important and historic partnership. In the coming times, it will be a major medium of economic integration between India, West Asia, and Europe, he said.

The corridor will provide a new direction to connectivity and sustainable development of the entire world, said PM Modi

In his remarks, the Prime Minister highlighted the importance of physical, digital, and financial connectivity. He said that IMEC would help promote economic integration between India and Europe.

Today we all have reached an important and historic partnership. In the coming times, it will be a major medium of economic integration between India, West Asia and Europe, he said. The corridor will give a new direction to connectivity and sustainable development of entire world, said PM Modi

The rail and shipping corridor is part of the Partnership for Global Infrastructure Investment (PGII)  an initiative of the G7 nations to fund infrastructure projects in developing nations.

Promoting infrastructure development and greater connectivity.



PM @narendramodi and @POTUS @JoeBiden chaired a special event on Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment & India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor, on the sidelines of the G20 Summit.



The event pic.twitter.com/senGrHk6Ul  Arindam Bagchi (@MEAIndia) September 9, 2023

PGII is being viewed as the blocs counter to Chinas Belt and Road Initiative.

The announcement after PM Modi and US President Joe Biden co-chaired a special event on Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment (PGII) and India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in New Delhi.

The event aimed at unlocking greater investment for infrastructure development and strengthening connectivity in its various dimensions between India, the Middle East and Europe.

Leaders of the European Union, France, Germany, Italy, Mauritius, UAE, and Saudi Arabia, as well as the World Bank, participated in the event.

An MOU on IMEC was signed by India, the USA, Saudi Arabia, UAE, the European Union, Italy, France and Germany.

PGII is a developmental initiative aimed at narrowing the infrastructure gap in developing countries as well as help towards accelerate progress on SDGs globally.

The IMEC comprises an Eastern Corridor connecting India to the Gulf region and a Northern Corridor connecting the Gulf region to Europe. It will include a railway and ship-rail transit network and road transport routes.

Some sections believe that the project is Bidens attempt to further strengthen the G20 group against the dominance of Chinas Xi Jinping and Russias Vladimir Putin.
Ukraine Slams G20 for avoiding accusations against Russia | Photo Courtesy: UNI

New Delhi/UNI/IBNS: Prime Minister Narendra Modi's message to Russian President Vladimir Putin concerning the ongoing Ukraine war found its place in the G20 declaration of 2023 on Saturday.

The G20 declaration, issued amidst the escalating Ukraine crisis, strongly asserted that the use of nuclear weapons is absolutely unacceptable.

This declaration holds significant weight, particularly in contrast to the earlier stance of Western nations that had been advocating for a more forceful condemnation of Russia's role in the Ukraine conflict.

In a notable shift from the language used in the previous year's Bali declaration, the 2023 declaration refers to the conflict as the "war in Ukraine," rather than the "war against Ukraine," suggesting a potential softening of the G7 and EU positions.

Furthermore, the declaration avoids direct mention of "Russia" in reference to the Russia-Ukraine war, marking another significant linguistic change in the document.

The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry expressed disappointment with the joint G20 declaration, labeling it as "nothing to be proud of" and criticizing its omission of any reference to Russia.

Oleg Nikolenko, the spokesperson for the Ukrainian foreign ministry, shared an edited image of the declaration on Twitter highlighting sections of the text that were revised to align with Ukraine's perspective.

G20 adopted a final declaration. We are grateful to the partners who tried to include strong wording in the text. However, in terms of Russia's aggression against Ukraine, G20 has nothing to be proud of. This is how the main elements of the text could look to be closer to reality pic.twitter.com/qZqYluVKKS  Oleg Nikolenko (@OlegNikolenko_) September 9, 2023

This emphasized Ukraine's view that it is a victim of unwarranted Russian aggression.

It is clear that the participation of the Ukrainian side (in the G20 meeting) would have allowed the participants to better understand the situation, Nikolenko wrote on Facebook.

Nikolenko expressed disappointment with the overall content of the G20 document but thanked Ukraine's allies for their efforts in advocating for Ukraine's position within the declaration.

"Ukraine is grateful to the partners who tried to include strong formulations in the text," Nikolenko concluded.
New Delhi: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Saturday said the New Delhi Declaration should not be compared with that of the Bali summit a year ago as many things have changed since then.

"Bali was Bali, New Delhi is New Delhi. Bali was a year ago, the situation was different and many things have happened since then. In fact, if you see, in the geopolitical segment of the declaration, there are eight paragraphs, seven of which actually focus on the Ukraine issue. Many of them highlight problems which are of great contemporary significance," he was quoted as saying by NDTV.

Jaishankar was responding to a question posed by a reporter, who compared the New Delhi Declaration with the one at the G20 Summit in Bali last year, on whether the references to Russias aggression on Ukraine was kept out of the joint statement to have Russia sign it.

"One should not have a theological view of this. I think the New Delhi declaration responds to the situation and concerns as they are today just as the Bali declaration did in a situation which was there a year ago," the minister added.

Earlier, John Kirby, US National Security Council coordinator for strategic, had said that it would be difficult for India to get a joint declaration due to the Ukraine War.

He had aired doubts on whether India could bring "20 clocks to chime at the same time."

"Often times the sticking point tends to be the war in Ukraine because countries like Russia and China are less likely to sign on to language that the rest of the international community is more comfortable signing on to, so we'll see where it goes. But we'd like to see that, absolutely," Kirby had said.

Further, China, too, supported the declaration. This gathers importance, especially as India recently strongly objected to Chinas new "standard map", showing Arunachal Pradesh and the Aksai Chin region as part of its territory.

Asked about China's opinion on the declaration, which is being seen as a major diplomatic victory for India, Jaishankar said that it was "very supportive of the outcomes," the report said.
Image: UN India/Ruhani Kaur

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has arrived in New Delhi for the annual G20 summit with a simple but urgent appeal for world leaders in attendance: come together to solve humanitys biggest challenges.

Speaking on the eve of the G20 summit of advanced economies, which will take place in the Indian capital on 9-10 September, Mr. Guterres said global leadership was especially needed in two priority areas  climate action and sustainable development.

No time to lose

We have no time to lose. Challenges stretch as far as the eye can see, the Secretary-General told a press conference.

He warned that the world was in a difficult transitional moment, faced with rising inequality and poverty and hunger levels and yet a distinct lack of global solidarity.

We cannot go on like this. We must come together and act together for the common good.

Lead on climate action

Mr. Guterres noted that G20 member countries were the worlds major producers of greenhouse gases, responsible for 80 per cent of total global emissions, and therefore needed to demonstrate greater leadership on climate action.

Leadership means keeping the 1.5-degree goal alive; rebuilding trust based on climate justice; and advancing a just and equitable transition to a green economy.

He added that leadership also meant wealthier countries finally delivering on their long-standing funding commitments to help developing countries meet their targets for reducing emissions, such as through the Green Climate Fund.

The Secretary-General said leaders must also take concrete action to ensure the world achieves the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on schedule by 2030.

Specific actions include:

Funding an SDG stimulus of at least $500 billion

Setting up an effective mechanism to reduce the debt burden on poorer countries

Changing the business model of multilateral development banks to leverage private finance on a much larger scale

Shifting subsidies away from fossil fuels to more productive uses

Catalyze SDG progress

Mr. Guterres said that together, these actions would catalyze SDG progress and help developing economies invest in key transitions across energy, food systems, digital, education, health, decent jobs and social protection.

He added that significant progress towards the Goals was still within reach so long as there was goodwill from all countries, regions and groups.

The UN chief will be taking part in the annual G20 summit this weekend, presided over by India with theme of One Earth, One Family, One Future.

He echoed that message during Fridays press conference underling that we must act together as one family to save our one Earth and safeguard our future.
Image: Russia-Ukraine

The so-called elections held by Russia in occupied areas of Ukraine have no legal grounds, a senior political affairs official said on Friday, reiterating UNs commitment to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine.

Briefing the Security Council, Miroslav Jenca, Assistant Secretary-General for Europe, reiterated the UN Secretary-Generals position that any annexation of a States territory by another State resulting from the threat or use of force is a violation of the principles of the Charter and international law.

He voiced concern over reports of Russia holding so-called elections in areas of Ukraine it controls militarily, stating: These so-called elections in the occupied areas of Ukraine have no legal grounds.

Clear UN position

Mr. Jenca recalled the illegal attempt by Russia to annex Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhya regions of Ukraine, through the organization of illegal so-called referendums in September last year.

I wish to reiterate that the United Nations remains fully committed to the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders, extending to its territorial waters, he said.

Legal obligations

Mr. Jenca also highlighted that Russia, as the occupying power, is obligated under international humanitarian law to respect, unless absolutely prevented, the laws of Ukraine in force in the areas that it occupies.

We continue to condemn any actions that could further escalate or deteriorate the situation.

Humanitarian concerns

The senior UN official expressed concerns about the humanitarian needs and human rights situation in Russian occupied areas, as well as the lack of access.

Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine [] continues to inflict large scale suffering on the people of Ukraine as they face daily, intensifying attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure, he said.

Since February 2022, the UN human rights office (OHCHR) has documented 26,717 civilian casualties, including 9,511 killed and 17,206 injured. At least 549 children have been killed and a further 1,166 injured.

Ongoing relentless attacks

Just this week, a Russian missile attack on a crowded market in Kostiantynivka, in the Donetsk region, claimed the lives of 16 people, including a child.

Ukraines agricultural and port facilities have also been subjected to continuing, relentless attacks, Mr. Jenca said, adding that Russian strikes, after it decided not to extend the Black Sea Initiative, risk having far-reaching consequences for global food security.

Attacks directed against civilians and civilian infrastructure, including objects necessary for food production and distribution, are prohibited under international law, he stressed.
As India gears up to host the landmark G-20 summit, the world watches with keen interest.

The summit, expected to be a beacon for international cooperation and economic growth, is crucial at this juncture when global leadership and collaboration are paramount.

Indias ambitious vision is evident in its proposition to include the African Union, amplifying the inclusivity of the summit and showcasing the spirit of global camaraderie.

However, shadows loom large over the summit, cast by orchestrated online campaigns and nefarious intentions.

Disturbingly, Pakistan, once again is at the forefront of opposition, this time in concert with the Khalistani network.

Their strategy is evident: to saturate the narrative with anti-India sentiments and potentially destabilize the G-20 summit preparations, based on a report by DFRAC.

A significant concern arises from the use of bot accounts to propagate misleading content, as evidenced by the proliferation of pro-Khalistan content and threats against the G-20 summit.

These tactics, combined with ominous slogans on Delhis metro stations and threats by key Khalistani figures, present a clear agenda to tarnish Indias image on the global stage.

Furthermore, its alarming to witness the endorsements from Pakistani authorities. Shafaat Shah, a prominent figure in Pakistan, has openly and aggressively championed the Khalistani movement. His questionable credibility is further exposed by his penchant for spreading fake news.

A key example being his allegation of the Khalistan flag being raised during the farmers protest, which was fact-checked and debunked.

Foreign entities are not immune from this wave of misinformation and malevolence. The Indian American Muslim Council, while under the facade of addressing minority concerns, is blatantly engaging in an anti-India propaganda campaign.

The New Democratic Party of Canada is also pushing for a boycott of the summit.

Such calls are not only counterproductive but also obstruct the path to meaningful dialogue and cooperation.

India stands at a precipice, ready to lead and foster international collaboration. The G-20 summit represents a vision of a more integrated, prosperous, and harmonious future. To allow a few actors with vested interests to overshadow this mission would be a disservice to global progress. Its essential to dissect the narrative, understand the intricacies of these campaigns, and ensure that the G-20 summit remains focused on its fundamental objective: international cooperation.

It is indeed a test for global leaders and the international community. Will they be swayed by misleading campaigns, or will they stand united for the broader vision of global progress? Only time will tell, but one thing is clear: India, with its rich history and commitment to progress, is more than ready to steer the ship.

(Image and text credit: Khalsavox.com)
LINCOLN  From the ashes of a destroyed 4-H camp at the Nebraska National Forest, an ambitious plan is rising for a $47 million center for tourists, conferences and local and regional events.

A feasibility study is underway for the proposed Sandhills Discovery Center near Halsey after the Nebraska Legislature, earlier this year, allocated $10 million towards replacing the State 4-H Camp, which was destroyed in a fire that swept through the forest 11 months ago.

State Sen. Mike Jacobson of North Platte, who represents the Halsey area and obtained the state funding, said that if the Sandhills center is done right, it could rival eastern Nebraskas Mahoney State Park and Lied Lodge.

All too often we dont dream big enough, Jacobson said in a press release.

He called the Nebraska National Forest and the Sandhills on which it sits two of our states greatest treasures.

The Nebraska Community Foundation, which helps dozens of Nebraska communities raise funds for local projects, has already done an economic impact study that estimates such a facility would bring a $4 million a year benefit to Halsey and nearby communities.

Now the foundation is conducting a feasibility study to gauge interest among donors for such a project, and what exactly should be built.

We want to figure out how to do this right, Jeff Yost, executive director of the Nebraska Community Foundation, said Wednesday.

This idea makes an enormous amount of sense to me, he added, because this is a unique part of the world, and people want experiences.

On Wednesday, the Nebraska 4-H Foundation announced that its board, in a special meeting, had voted to commit a $2 million insurance settlement from the fire toward development of the Discovery Center. The states funding must be matched dollar-for-dollar.

We look forward to working with the community in a statewide effort to provide a future, first-class educational opportunity for 4-Hers and an economic driver for the wider community, said Roberta Pinkerton, president of the 4-H Foundation.

The 4-H Camp, which had been a fixture at the Halsey forest for 65 years, hosted a variety of events, from family reunions and weddings to 4-H conferences and a Becoming an Outdoors Woman retreat.

Hard to imagine

Dianna Rodocker, Halseys village clerk, said losing the camp was a blow to the community and the nearby ranching area because so many weddings and reunions were held there and because it generated traffic for local businesses.

She was among an estimated 60-70 people equaling the population of Halsey  that packed a town hall meeting last month to hear about the plans from Jacobson and the Community Foundation.

Everyone in town would be happy to see it, Rodocker said. But its hard to imagine that were going to have a facility out here that costs that much money thats not in Omaha or Lincoln.

But Yost and Stuart Shepherd, executive director of the Nebraska 4-H Foundation, said that such a facility in Halsey has a lot going for it.

The 4-H Camp, which could accommodate up to 200 overnight visitors in its lodge and cabins, was almost always busy, Shepard said.

On route to Black Hills, Yellowstone

Yost said people want to experience the Sandhills, a vast area of grass-covered sand dunes that became a National Natural Landmark in 1984. The same holds true for the 90,000-acre forest near Halsey, the largest hand-planted forest in North America.

The Middle Loup River adjacent to the forest hosts canoe and float trips, he said, and visitors could access nearby agri-tourism attractions.

The center is being envisioned on private land, near the forest and possibly on Nebraska Highway 2, a route that leads to the Black Hills and Yellowstone.

Yost said the facility, if deemed feasible, would be built in stages, with the first phase possibly opening by 2026. He said hes been encouraged by the initial response.

This is perfectly reasonable based on what tourists in 2023 are doing and say they want to do, Yost said.

30 must-see Nebraska state and national park gems Pine Ridge National Recreation Area Snake River Falls Ashfall Fossil Beds Johnson Lake Nebraska National Forest Lake McConaughy Wildcat Hills State Recreation Area Calamus Reservoir Agate Fossil Beds Box Butte State Recreation Area Bridgeport State Recreation Area Buttes Cub Creek Recreation Area Chadron State Park Gavins Point Dam Courthouse and Jail Rocks Jeffrey Lake Toadstool Geologic Park Fort Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge Fort Robinson Louisville State Recreation Area Ponca State Park Platte River State Park Scotts Bluff National Monument Indian Cave State Park Niobrara National Scenic River Wildcat Hills State Recreation Area Halsey Lookout Tower Smith Falls State Park Lewis and Clark Lake State Recreation Area
Shah Rukh Khan has stopped giving interviews. He doesn't speak to the press directly. He instead hosts #AskSRK sessions on Twitter regularly to interact with his fans, and for other things, he uses cinema to speak his mind and talk about his politics. If you don't believe us, his latest film, Jawan, has proved just that!

Hidden messages in Jawan that you probably overlooked

Twitter

Also Read: Mirror To Society! 9 Compelling Reasons Why You Must Watch Jawan Even If You're Not A SRK Fan

There were so many subtle references in Jawan that you probably didn't notice. Even the sharpest and most seasoned cinephile or an ardent SRK buff wouldn't have realized the origin of these lines/scenes. How many did you get right? Scroll down and let us know in the comments section later.

1. Swades reference

Loved the Kaveri Amma reference in Jawan #JawanReview pic.twitter.com/VDAmbfCW6D  Syed Irfan Ahmad (@Iam_SyedIrfan) September 7, 2023

In the film, Ridhi Dogra's character of SRK's adoptive mother is named Kaveri Amma. Did it ring a bell? It's a popular character from Ashutosh Gowariker's Swades. Played by Kishori Ballal, Kaveri Amma was again his non-biological mother in the 2004 movie as well.

2. Reference to 2017 Gorakhpur hospital deaths

Dr. Kafeel Khan thanking Shah Rukh Khan & #Jawan team for such a brave attempt.. He may get justice in upcoming days.. pic.twitter.com/g4Q6OrpDod   (@SRKsCombatant) September 9, 2023

We all saw how our healthcare system nearly collapsed during the second wave of Covid-19. Taking a dig at that, Jawan references Gorakhpur hospital deaths in which more than 60 children died of encephalitis due to government negligence in supplying oxygen. Dr Kafeel Khan had then tried to save the children by buying oxygen with his own money. He was hailed by the citizens, too. Still, later, he was charged with dereliction of duty and engaging in private practice by the government, leaving him bankrupt before finally getting acquitted in 2019. Sanya Malhotra's character, Dr. Eeram, who is wrongfully framed by the authorities to cover up a similar failure, will remind you of Dr. Kafeel Khan.

3. The Lion King reference

In the film, one of his partners calls him Mufasa and his son Simba. They are the popular characters from The Lion King. Interestingly, Shah Rukh Khan has voiced the character of Mufasa in the Hindi version of Disney's The Lion King, while his son Aryan Khan has lent his voice to Simba.

4. Bhopal Gas tragedy reference

Just watched #SRK's 'Jawan' - a powerful cinematic journey that fearlessly tackles critical issues like farmer suicides, the Bhopal gas tragedy, healthcare & government corruption. A poignant reminder of the challenges we face & the need for change. @iamsrk #JawanCollection pic.twitter.com/irfKPN8pSw  Yasmeen Khan. (@YasmeenKhan_YK) September 8, 2023

Jawan references the Bhopal gas tragedy that killed thousands of people and wages war against anti-environment industrialists and their attempts to manipulate the government. SRK and his team get these factories shut.

5. The Matrix reference

Twitter

The character of Kalee, played by South superstar Vijay Sethupathi, who people say can even sleepwalk over a villainous role and still ace it, always keeps two pills with him. The red one for himself helps him maintain his blood pressure, and a blue one for his enemies as it causes instant death. Was he channelling his inner Keanu Reeves?

6. The Farmers' Suicide

Twitter

The film subtly addresses the issue of farmers' suicide, which remains a grave issue despite the repeal of the Farm Bills. In the movie, SRK emerges as the messiah who takes money from the rich and distributes it among the farmers facing harassment to repay the loans.

7. Sameer Wankhede reference

In Jawan, SRK said, "Bete Ko Haath Lagane Se Pehle Baap Se Baat Kar." Reminds us of Sameer Wankhede

Similarly, Aamir Khan should drop a line in Champions: "Sarkar bolte hai main deshdrohi hoon, but mera desh janta hain main kitna deshpremik hoon." @AKPPL_Official @r_s_prasanna  Rancho (@Prasen2022) September 9, 2023

"Bete ko haath lagaane se pehle baap se baat kar" - the most punchy and seeti-maar dialogue from Jawan was a dig at Sameer Wakhende? He even mouthed the same dialogue in Dubai during Jawan celebrations, saying, "To all the parents here, bete ko haath lagane se pahle baap se baat kar (Before touching the son, talk to the father)". That was perhaps a reference to the Aryan Khan-NCB case.

8. Dil Toh Pagal Hai reference

Twitter

"Rahul, naam toh suna hoga?" This famous dialogue from Dil Toh Pagal Hai has been recreated as "Rathore.. Vikram Rathore... Naam toh suna hoga?" and mouthed by the Badshah himself.

9. Arvind Kejriwal reference

Arvind Kejriwal have answers for all questions of Jawan#KejriwalKiGuarantee pic.twitter.com/wSpnefxsW1  2000 Watt (@shailesh_watt) September 7, 2023

Shah Rukh Khan's monologue, which has already become politician's favourite to take a dig at each other's parties, was a passionate appeal to everyone to exercise their vote responsibly. The AAP party is already claiming that before Shah Rukh Khan, Arvind Kejriwal delivered the same monologue.

Also Read: Politics Over Shah Rukh Khan's Jawan Has Begun: Is BJP Rattled And Why AAP Is Promoting It?

10. The Money Heist reference

Am i the only person you felt ending of Jawan and Money heist was similar..?? pic.twitter.com/wEn9ha59iW  mai samay hoon  (@samayhehoon) September 8, 2023

The Azad-Narmada story is quite similar to that of The Professor and Raquel in Money Heist, who falls in love with the man in charge of the heist and is loyal to him after learning about his background.

11. The Bad Boy Billionaires reference

Twitter

The character played by Vijay Sethupathi will definitely remind you of the Bad Boy Billionaires Subrata Roy, Nirav Modi, Vijay Mallya and Ramalinga Raju, the shrewd businessmen who secretly have an alliance with the government and capitalize on their favours to amass wealth at the expense of hardworking taxpayers.

12. The Nationalism reference

Twitter

Kali, played by Sethupathy, is the fourth largest arms manufacturer in the world, yet he provided defective weapons to the army that led to the deaths of many Jawans. Kali, who is accused of being anti-national, uses his influence to turn the tables around and instead names Vikram anti-national.

13. Dhoom reference

Twitter

The chase scene before the climax, where Khan and his team are chasing the villains on their bikes before they split up, will remind you of the famous chase scene from Dhoom.

14. Sholay reference

Twitter

The belt that Shah Rukh Khan wore in Jawan was similar to that Gabbar wore in Sholay.

15. Kill Bill reference

Twitter

In Jawan's song Zinda Banda, the dancers wear the same costume Uma Thurman wore in Kill Bill.

16. Moon Knight reference

SRk's bandaged look will remind you of Marvel Superhero Moon Knight.

17. The Aparichit reference

SRK wears a mask that's similar to the one that Vikram wore in Anniyan, aka Aparichit.

18. The Dark Knight reference

A character in the film was seen wearing the same mask as Bane, a villain in the Christopher Nolan movie.

19. Khalnayak

This unexpected Cameo of Sanjay dutt gave goosebumps to the audience and when told his iconic dialogue "NAYAK NAHI KHALNAYAK HU MAI" was fantastic bhaishab public pagal ho gai thi  #loveusanjubaba #Jawan #JawanBlockBuster #JawanReview pic.twitter.com/p0qQx25GRN  Bittu Yadav (@BittuYadav_) September 9, 2023

Sanjay Dutt, who is making a special cameo appearance in the movie, makes an entry with the dialogue "Nayak Nahi Khalnayak Hoon Main".

20. Baahubali

When Vikram is fighting Kali, he is interrupted by his right-hand man, Murad, who is very tall. As Vikram sees him, he exclaims, "Baahubali". Not just this, the birth of Azad in the prison will also remind you of the iconic scene from SS Rajamouli's movie.

How many references were you able to spot on your own in Jawan? Let us know in the comments section below.
Eid Milad Un Nabi 2023, also recognised as Mawlid or Eid-e-Milad, stands as a momentous occasion cherished by Muslims globally. Id-e-Milad is a precious festival for Muslims, who celebrate the birthday of Prophet Muhammad.

It is also known as Eid-e-Milad or Mawlid al-Nabi al-Sharif or Eid Milad un Nabi, are names used to observe the birth anniversary of Prophet Muhammad. The day unfurls with vibrant processions congregating at mosques, accompanied by the fervent recitation of Muhammad's teachings in public gatherings.

When is Eid Milad-Un-Nabi in 2023? Eid-e-Milad un Nabi Date, History And Significance Of Mawlid | Shutterstock

This joyous event unites Muslims across nations, transcending borders, as they come together to celebrate Eid Milad Un Nabi with unparalleled zeal and grandeur. Delve into this comprehensive article for a deeper understanding of the significance and the exuberant festivities associated with Eid Milad Un Nabi 2023 or Eid-e-Milad 2023.

It is believed that the birth of Prophet Muhammad is observed in the third month of the Islamic calendar. While Sunni scholars consider 12th Rabi al-awwal, Shi'a scholars accept 17th Rabi al-awwal as the rightful date to observe their prophet's birth anniversary.

Mawlid 2023 will be celebrated from September 26 to September 27, 2023. 'Mawlid' is celebrated by Muslims around the world during the month of Rabiulawal, the third month of the Muslim calendar.

When is Eid Milad-Un-Nabi in 2023?

In 2023, Milad-un-Nabi will begin on the evening of September 27th and end on the evening of September 28th (dates may vary depending on the positioning of the moon). Although Eid Milad un Nabi will be celebrated on the 26th and 27th of September in the UAE, the public holiday has been declared for September 29, 2023.

When is Eid Milad-Un-Nabi in 2023? Eid-e-Milad un Nabi Date, History And Significance Of Mawlid | Shutterstock

Why is Eid Milad Un Nabi celebrated?

Eid-e-Milad commemorates the birth anniversary of the renowned religious, social, and political leader, Prophet Muhammad, who is also recognized as the founder of the Islamic faith.

According to Islamic doctrine, Muhammad was chosen to impart the teachings of Adam, Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and other esteemed prophets to the people. It is also believed that Muhammad was the final prophet of God. Muhammad's birth is estimated to have occurred around 570 CE in the Arabian city of Mecca.

However, it is important to note that although Eid Milad Un Nabi holds significance for Muslims, the celebration of this festival is prohibited in Qatar and Saudi Arabia.

About Prophet Mohammad

Prophet Muhammad is believed to have been born on the 12th of 573 AD, the third month of Islam, Rabi al-Awwal. Eid-e-Milad is also mourned by some because it is also believed to be the death anniversary of the Prophet. The full name of Prophet Hazrat Mohammad was Mohammad ibn Abdullah ibn Abdul Muttalib. He was born in the city of Mecca. It is believed in 610 AD he attained enlightenment in a cave named Heera near Mecca. He later preached the teachings of the Quran, the holy book of the religion of Islam.

The festival of Milad-un-Nabi is celebrated by followers of Islam. However, the Shias and Sunnis have different views about this festival.

When is Eid Milad-Un-Nabi in 2023? Eid-e-Milad un Nabi Date, History And Significance Of Mawlid | Freepik

Eid Milad un Nabi 2022: History & Significance

Prophet Muhammad is believed to have been born around 570 CE in Makkah, Saudi Arabia. He is regarded as the final messenger of Allah and is held in high esteem and affection by Muslims worldwide. In the 8th century, this day gained popularity when the prophet's home was converted into a place of worship by Al-Khayzuran.

In the 11th century, the 'Mawlid' or 'Nabid' was celebrated by a prominent clan in Egypt, who marked the occasion with prayers and the recitation of verses from the Holy Quran.

It is also widely believed that the observance of Prophet Muhammad's birthday began with the Fatimids and has its roots in the early period of Islam, during the time of the first four Rashidun Caliphs.

However, the contemporary form of Mawlid celebrations took shape in the 12th century when countries such as Syria, Turkey, Morocco, and Spain began to commemorate this day.

It is worth noting that while many Muslims celebrate this occasion, there is a segment that believes the exact date of the Prophet's birthday is unknown and that it is not formally recognized. They hold the view that any festival apart from Eid ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Adha constitutes a form of innovation, or 'biddah,' in Islam.

When is Eid Milad-Un-Nabi in 2023? Eid-e-Milad un Nabi Date, History And Significance Of Mawlid | Freepik

How Eid Milad-Un-Nabi Is Celebrated?

Eid Milad-Un-Nabi, also known as Mawlid or Eid-e-Milad, is celebrated by Muslims to observe the birth anniversary of the Islamic prophet Muhammad. The way this occasion is celebrated can vary among different cultures and regions, but here is a general overview of how Eid Milad-Un-Nabi is typically celebrated:

Religious Gatherings: Muslims often begin the day by attending special prayers and religious gatherings at mosques or community centers. These gatherings typically involve the recitation of verses from the Quran and the narration of stories from the life of Prophet Muhammad.

Decorations: Many homes, mosques, and streets are adorned with colorful decorations, lights, and banners bearing Islamic calligraphy or quotes from the Quran. These decorations create a festive atmosphere in communities.

Processions: In some regions, grand processions are organised. These processions often include people marching, singing hymns, and displaying banners and flags. The procession may feature a tableau or float representing the life and teachings of Prophet Muhammad.

Charitable Acts: Eid Milad-Un-Nabi is also a time for acts of charity and kindness. Many Muslims use this occasion as an opportunity to help the less fortunate by giving to those in need, distributing food, or providing clothing to the poor.

When is Eid Milad-Un-Nabi in 2023? Eid-e-Milad un Nabi Date, History And Significance Of Mawlid | Freepik

Feasting: Special meals and feasts are prepared in homes and shared with family and friends. These meals often include traditional dishes and sweets, and it's customary to invite neighbors and guests to partake in the celebrations.

Educational and Cultural Events: Many educational and cultural institutions organise seminars, lectures, and exhibitions related to the life and teachings of Prophet Muhammad during this time. These events aim to promote a better understanding of Islam.

Reflection and Prayer: Muslims often take time for personal reflection and increased prayer during Eid Milad-Un-Nabi. It's a time for spiritual growth and self-improvement.

Family and Community Bonding: Families and communities come together to celebrate this special day. It's an opportunity for strengthening bonds, fostering unity, and sharing the teachings and values of Prophet Muhammad.

Happy Eid-e-Milad un-Nabi Messages in English 2023

1. On Eid-e-Milad, let's remember the Prophet's message of love and tolerance and strive to live by his example.

2. May the blessings of Allah be with you today and always. Eid-e-Milad Mubarak to you and your loved ones. Mawlid Mubarak!

3. On this special day, may your heart be filled with the joy of faith and the warmth of family and friends. Mawlid Mubarak!

4. Let's celebrate Eid-e-Milad by spreading love, kindness, and understanding to all those around us.

5. May the spirit of Eid-e-Milad bring you closer to Allah and strengthen your faith in His divine wisdom. Mawlid Mubarak!

6. On this blessed day, may your prayers be answered, and your life be filled with happiness and contentment.

7. Eid-e-Milad is a time to remember the significance of the Prophet's life and teachings. May you find inspiration in his journey.

8. As we commemorate Eid-e-Milad, may your heart be filled with gratitude for the guidance and blessings of the Prophet. Mawlid Mubarak!

9. On this sacred day, may you and your family be blessed with health, happiness, and an abundance of Allah's grace. Eid-e-Milad Mubarak!

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.


A massive earthquake jolted Morocco late Friday night, killing over 1,000 people and injuring hundreds more. The country's most lethal quake in more than six decades reportedly decimated houses in distant mountain villages where rescuers searched through rubble for survivors.

AFP

The quake hit Morocco's High Atlas mountains late on September 8, damaging historic buildings in Marrakech, the nearest city to the epicentre, while the most badly affected areas were in the hills nearby.



Death Toll climbs to 1,037

The Interior Ministry said 1,037 people had been killed and another 672 injured by the quake, gauged by the U.S. Geological Survey at a magnitude of 6.8 with an epicentre some 72 km (45 miles) southwest of Marrakech.



MASSIVE Earthquake in Morroco

632 People Dead and 320 injured



: Whole families wiped out as quake with a magnitude of 6.8 hits near Marrakesh and leaves trail of devastation pic.twitter.com/v9rKQTHZPq    Adaeze (@nubianbarbieeee) September 9, 2023

Moroccan citizens shared videos depicting the earthquake's aftermath, with buildings reduced to rubble and dust. Parts of the iconic red walls surrounding Marrakech's historic old city, a UNESCO World Heritage site, were also damaged.

Damage in Marrakech

In Marrakech, some houses in the tightly packed old city had collapsed, and people used their hands to remove debris while they waited for heavy equipment, said resident Id Waaziz Hassan.



People in the capital city of Rabat, about 350 km north of Ighil, and in the coastal town of Imsouane, about 180 km to its west, also fled their homes, fearing a stronger quake.



AP

In Casablanca, some 250 km north of Ighil, people who spent the night in the streets were too scared to return to their homes.



"The house rocked aggressively, everyone was scared," said resident Mohamed Taqafi.

Most potent quake in the region

Earthquakes are relatively rare in North Africa. Lahcen Mhanni, Head of the Seismic Monitoring and Warning Department at the National Institute of Geophysics, told 2M TV that the earthquake was the strongest ever recorded in the region.

Reuters

In 1960, a magnitude 5.8 tremor struck near the Moroccan city of Agadir and caused thousands of deaths.

The Agadir quake prompted changes in construction rules in Morocco, but many buildings, especially rural homes, are not built to withstand such tremors.

In 2004, a 6.4 magnitude earthquake near the Mediterranean coastal city of Al Hoceima left more than 600 dead.

Friday's quake was felt as far away as Portugal and Algeria, according to the Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere and Algeria's Civil Defense agency, which oversees emergency response.

PM Modi expresses grief

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday expressed grief at the loss of lives in the Morocco earthquake and offered all possible assistance to the country in this challenging time.



Extremely pained by the loss of lives due to an earthquake in Morocco. In this tragic hour, my thoughts are with the people of Morocco. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. May the injured recover at the earliest. India is ready to offer all possible assistance to  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 9, 2023

"Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. May the injured recover at the earliest. India is ready to offer all possible assistance to Morocco in this difficult time," the Prime Minister added.

(With inputs from agencies)

For more on news and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News.
Taobao, a popular Chinese online shopping portal, has made waves by offering a rather peculiar item known as "Einstein's Brain" at remarkably low prices, as the South China Morning Post reported.

Despite its unconventional nature, the platform asserts that purchasers of this product can potentially cultivate a mind akin to that of the renowned physicist Albert Einstein.

It's worth noting that this viral product is virtual and is not being marketed as a pharmaceutical or a physical chip.

Over 20,000 customers have already made purchases of this product, priced at just 0.1 to one yuan (equivalent to Re. 1 to  12) per unit. Interestingly, the product is accompanied by an image of Albert Einstein.

''Our product is virtual. After you pay for it, what you need to do is wait to become smart. Usually, after one night's sleep, you will find the Einstein brain has already grown in your head,'' an advertisement for the product says.

In the meantime, this product has become a sensation on the internet and garnered praise from its users.

A few individuals have gone so far as to assert that they've witnessed enhancements in their cognitive abilities.

One user said, "It's highly effective. I noticed a significant difference in my abilities when I took an exam after using it; I could solve all the problems."

However, some people made fun of the product and expressed their dissatisfaction. Mocking it, another customer wrote, 'After buying, I realized I was silly before. So, as expected, I became clever.''

Unsplash

A third person joked, ''I am glad to announce that I am researching the theory of controlled nuclear fusion.''



A psychological consultant from Chongqing explained that the product is meant to help manage emotions and provide comfort.

Chen Zhilin said, ''If you believe you have the same wisdom as Einstein and you bring the confidence and pleasure of doing so to the examination hall, you will score better than usual,''

''It doesn't cost much but can bring joy and satisfaction. In a fast-paced society, this kind of simple and low-cost emotional experience has become a way to relax and have fun,'' he added.

It's worth noting that Taobao, owned by the Alibaba Group, is China's top shopping website and ranked as the eighth most-visited website globally in 2021.

For more trending stories, follow us on Telegram.


Grindr, a dating app for LGBTQ individuals, made employees return to the office and stop remote work. About half of the staff quit. In August, Grindr said everyone had to return to the office. Workers had two weeks to decide if they'd move to their team's new "hub" city and work in person twice a week or leave the company with severance, as the Communications Workers of America (CWA) reported.



As of August 31, about 80 out of Grindr's 178 employees had to depart, according to the CWA. Many of these employees were initially hired to work remotely.

Unsplash

Still, they were compelled to move to designated "hub" cities, including New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C.



The CWA also claimed that the decision to make employees return to the office was retaliatory and a response to a unionization effort within the company. Just two weeks before Grindr's policy shift, most employees had filed to establish a union.

"Rather than recognize the union, the company issued a new return-to-office policy requiring staff to relocate or quit," the CWA said.

The union has lodged an unfair labor practice charge against Grindr with the National Labor Relations Board.

A spokesperson for Grindr responded, stating that the union's recent allegations are without merit. "We are looking forward to returning to the office in a hybrid model in October and further improving productivity and collaboration for our entire team," the spokesperson said.

The dispute shows the ongoing tension between employers and workers regarding returning to the office, even more than three years after the COVID-19 pandemic led many white-collar employees to work from home.

screenshot

In an August survey by the Conference Board, 73% of 185 US HR executives reported difficulties convincing employees to return to the workplace.



Enforcing on-site work requirements could make it harder to keep employees.

The survey revealed that 71% of employers with mandatory on-site work policies had trouble retaining workers.

Some prominent employers are getting stricter with their return-to-office mandates after Labor Day. Amazon CEO Andy Jassy informed employees they could express disagreement with the company's three-day office requirement, but non-compliance might affect their future at Amazon.

Meta (formerly Facebook) instructed employees already assigned to an office to come in three days a week by September 5. Managers will monitor attendance, and noncompliance could lead to disciplinary measures like lower performance ratings or even dismissal.

For more trending stories, follow us on Telegram.


Believing in manifesting, a popular trend where you think positive thoughts can attract success, might not always lead to good outcomes. A recent study in the Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin suggests that people who believe in manifesting are more likely to face bankruptcy.

Additionally, researchers at the University of Queensland in Australia found that people who believe in daydreaming are likelier to fall prey to risky investments and tend to overestimate their capacity for quick, unrealistic success.

"In our studies, we defined manifestation as the belief that if you send out your desires to the universe through positive thoughts, visualization, or acting as if goals have already come truelike writing a pretend check to yourselfthe universe will deliver what you desire," lead study author Lucas Dixon told The Times UK.

Researchers studied the beliefs of 375 people about manifestation.

They asked participants to rate statements like "I attract success with the help of the universe," "My soul or higher self aids my success," and "The universe sends people and events to aid my success" on a seven-point scale.

For each higher point on the scale, individuals were 40% more likely to have faced bankruptcy and 30% more likely to have invested in cryptocurrencies. However, they were less likely to have invested in stocks.

Lucas Dixon, the study's author, explained that those who believe in manifestation may focus on getting rich quickly, especially in cryptocurrency and its potential for rapid gains.

This focus on symbolic actions, like visualizing success, can divert attention from managing finances effectively.

Dixon noted that manifestation believers tend to feel they have control over uncontrollable aspects of life, potentially leading to a misallocation of time on long-term, unmanageable goals rather than short-term, manageable ones.

Some findings, like the link between manifestation belief and bankruptcy or the desire for quick riches, surprised the researchers. Dixon suggested that people might develop more confidence in manifestation after experiencing get-rich-quick schemes or bankruptcy.



Notably, one in three participants expressed doubts about manifestation, possibly due to the influence of social media influencers or books like "The Secret" and "Think and Grow Rich." For example, the hashtag #manifestation on TikTok has 43 billion views.



Unsplash

Dixon concluded that manifesters often display over-optimism and tend to believe in their future success, sometimes underestimating signs of business fragility like accumulating debt. While focusing on positivity can boost resilience, it may also lead to ignoring critical signs of financial instability.



For more trending stories, follow us on Telegram.


The minister said that authorities are on alert about Pinios river in Larissa , also in central Greece, whose overflooding already affected the village of Yiannouli and the town of Tyrnavos. Sections of Larissa were also flooded. Kikilias said that flooding phenomena may become more intense.
Deadly group suspected to be cultists have reportedely killed the Divisional Police Officer of Ahoada, CSP Bako Amgbasim, in Rivers State.

According to Daily Trust, the team ran out of ammunition, and the Police boss was ambushed and killed by the cultist.

Confirming the horrible incident, the spokesperson of the command, Grace Iringe-Koko, a Superintendent of Police, in a statement narrated that Bako was killed in the forest in an ambush during an onslaught against cultists in Ahoada.

Iringe-Koko said: In an unfortunate incident on 8th of September ,2023, the DPO of Ahoada Division, SP Bako Angbashim, displayed exemplary courage during a mission to combat criminal activities in the Odumude Area of Ahoada East Local Government Area in Rivers State.

READ MORE: Son Smashes Father To Death With Pestle Over Money In Rivers

SP Bako Angbashim, alongside his dedicated team, embarked on a raid of known criminal blackspots in the region.

The operation led to a pursuit of criminals from their concealed hideouts. Tragically, as they were returning from this operation, they were ambushed by a significant number of criminals who opened fire on the brave officers.

In the face of this adversity, SP Bako Angbashim, valiantly held his ground, while his men, depleted of ammunition, made a tactical retreat. Regrettably, during this engagement, SP Bako Angbashim sustained fatal injuries, and one of his informants was also injured, currently receiving medical care for a gunshot wound.

The criminals seized the body of SP Bako Angbashim, forcing the remaining officers to return to their base for reinforcement. Efforts were made to rescue and recover the DPOs body, with assistance sought from the Army teams stationed at FOB Base Etraco.

However, the operation proved challenging due to the extremely dark conditions within the dense bush.
A 15-year-old boy identified as Mustapha Abubakar, who was reportedly sentenced to death by hanging, has appealed to the Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum, for clemency or quick execution.

According to SaharaReporters, the 15-year-old requested speedy execution from the governor, after claiming that he is being sexually abused by older inmates and warders.

Abubakar of Cell 6, Unit 1, Cluster 2 at the Maiduguri Maximum Security Custodial Centre in Borno State, in a letter to the governor asked for his death warrant expeditiously signed if his appeal for clemency would not materialize within a reasonable time frame.

Abubakar was sentenced to death by hanging at age 14 after he was reportedly lured into a get-rich-quick scheme through kidnapping for ransom led to the death of the hostage.

The teenage boy who is the youngest inmate at the facility is on death row awaiting execution at the facility along with 81 men and two women.

READ ALSO: Woman, Husband Arrested For Using Underage Girls For Prostitution In Anambra

In his letter, he alleged that he was being prostituted, subjected to physical, mental and unprotected sexual abuse from the older inmates and perverted warders. According to him, he would have committed suicide if not that his religion forbids it. He lamented that it is highly irresponsible of the government to mix underage boys with older men and not expect anything bad to happen.

The juveniles here are like lamb in the midst of wolves, he said.

Right now, I believe I may have already contracted the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV); that can progress to full-blown Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) through unprotected anal sex from a sick inmate who was imposed on me by a prison pimp. This, in itself, would make the second time a death sentence has been given to me.

Through this open letter, I wish to draw the attention of the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) to respond as a matter of urgent national interest to what might become an epidemic starting from the Correctional facilities in Nigeria where sodomy without protection has become rampant.

An inmate here, one Charles Okah, has even advised the authorities to provide condoms to inmates so that those engaged in anal sex secretly can protect themselves instead of pretending that all is normal. The same man also asked the authorities to put a stop to the sharing of sharp objects by inmates and staff alike for shaving, and nail cutting.

There was also nothing stated in my judgement that during this waiting period, I would be on forced/slave labour in prison. Especially during the groundnut planting season, the inmates are forced to toil in the privately owned plots of farmland the warders have allotted to themselves inside the prison yard. They are made to work under the blazing sun and in the end, harvest crops for free.

There was nowhere in my judgement that says when in the MMSCC, I should be denied medical attention when needed. The only thing dispensed at the infirmary are excuses. This has left the inmates to help themselves through self-medication with disastrous results.

In fact, warders actually buy medicines and give certain inmates to retail and hawk for them when these inmates havent been given any formal training on drug prescription. Drug abuse has become commonplace in the center. What is worrisome is that whenever drugs do arrive, staff, who are under the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) are the major beneficiaries.

Abubakar said in his youthful exuberance, he allowed greed, and sheer stupidity on his part to be lured into a get-rich-quick scheme of kidnapping for ransom in order to buy a power bike. Unfortunately, not only did the plan backfire, he said it led to the untimely death of the hostage, a fellow human being who had medical complications without our knowledge at the time.

I am remorseful. Oftentimes in my quiet time, I reflect over the trajectory my life has taken. While my mates in secondary schools are preparing for exams toward a meaningful future, I am here languishing in prison at the outset of my life, waiting for the hangmans noose.

I feel ashamed of what I have done and sad to have let my family, friends, relatives and country down. Had I followed the right part, perhaps I would have turned out to be a surgeon; a dream I had once nurtured. But I also sense that if given another chance, my deteriorating health permitting, I will turn out to be a wiser and productive citizen. With one stroke of your pen, my derailed life can be back on track.

Your Excellency, I use this medium to plead for clemency within a reasonable time frame. I also plead on behalf of the other inmates on death row who had sent you a letter through the authorities of this centre which was never acknowledged because it probably was not delivered to you in the first place.

Your Excellency, if clemency for me within a reasonable time frame is an absolute impossibility, then I will request your Excellency to please be kind enough to sign my death warrant expeditiously instead of the current trend of a perpetual wait for execution day, coupled with the stress and abuses from the prison warders who still operate with a punitive and repressive mindset.

My judgement was rendered in simple and unequivocal language which I understood clearly. Nothing was stated throughout the reading by the honourable judge that while waiting on death row indefinitely in Maiduguri Maximum Security Custodial Centre, I should be prostituted, and subjected to physical, mental and unprotected sexual abuse from the older inmates and perverted warders. It is only because my religion forbids it, that I have not yet taken my life with my own hands.
Twice I have been to France, and twice I learned a valuable lesson.

My first run-in was with a baker across the street from my hotel. She was totally disgusted that an American would dare come into her bakery and request deux croissants for her breakfast.

I even began with bonjour, madame before I requested my croissant.

She frowned a disgusted frown, shook open a bag, threw the deux croissants into the bag and roughly tossed it across the counter.

She did not even reach out her hand for my euros. I placed them on the counter and she put my change where I had to reach over and slide the coins into my other hand. I ended with a smile and a merci.

The dilemma the next morning was whether to return to the shop across the street from my hotel or go wandering around to find a different bakery.

I decided to ratchet up my stubbornness and return to the rude baker.

Day 2 was no different, except that her eyebrows rose quite high as she saw me reenter her shop with a big smile on my face and a friendly bonjour, madame.

She frowned a disgusted frown, shook open a bag, threw deux croissants into the bag and tossed it across the counter. This time she crossed her arms as I slid my exact change to her side of the counter.

Im sure her practice generally kept Americans out of her shop.

I left her with a smile and a merci.

Day 3 I actually decided this was a bit of fun.

I walked into her bakery with a big smile on my face and immediately noted a bit of a cheery tweak on one corner of her frowning lips.

I cheerfully said, Bonjour, madame. She replied with a chuckle and a warm Bonjour. We had a bit of a laugh and she gently placed my croissants into a bag and wished me a good day.

I returned to her bakery every day for a week, and another week when I returned from a trip to Greece.

She always lit up when I walked in, and she enjoyed the sharing of my travel stories. On my last day in Paris, she came around from behind her counter, gave me a warm Parisian hug and urged me to return.

A person can always reply in kind to poor behavior, which never solves the problem. They can also swear never to return to the site of the poor behavior. But again, it does not solve the problem.

I found that not acknowledging the problem and not responding with my own poor behavior usually solves the problem and leaves us both with fond memories.

Next month: Lesson 2
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has expressed Nigerias readiness to play a major role within the G-20, as the body strives to forge a more equitable global order.

Recall that the Tinubu is currently attending the world leaders summit on the special invitation of Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi.

However, in a statement made available by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, Tinubu made this known while addressing world leaders at the 18th G20 Leaders Summit on Saturday.

Ajuri said the Nigerian leader called for global unity and cooperation in tackling pressing challenges, fostering inclusiveness, and establishing a fairer world order.

President Tinubu also emphasized that most of todays pressing issues are international in character and cannot be addressed without multilateral cooperation.

Therefore, stronger collaboration, cooperation, and partnerships among diverse regions are the pathways to a peaceful, prosperous, and sustainable future for our world.

This is why the role and contributions of the G20 in shaping a new world order that is fair and rules-based can not be over-emphasized. A world that lives as one family, but is divided by staggering income inequalities and uneven access to basic social goods by the vast majority of our people cannot result in a peaceful and secure world where shared prosperity is achieved.

READ MORE: I Was A Brilliant Student, I Am Where I Am Because Of My Can-Do Attitude  Tinubu To Nigerians In India

I hasten to add that such rules and global governance structures of our collective dreams must be collectively designed, collectively owned, and collectively managed. This is consistent with the true spirit of One Family, mutual respect, and sustainable development.

Nigeria is poised, able and willing to be a major player in this family of the G-20 and in shaping a new world, without whom, the family will remain incomplete, he said.

Reflecting on the theme of the Summit: One Earth. One Family. One Future, President Tinubu stressed the interconnectedness of global affairs and the need for collaborative efforts.

In addressing the sub-theme of Session II of the Summit, which is One Family, President Tinubu highlighted the magnitude of challenges facing humanity today.

The need for us to work together as one family has, therefore, become more imperative. We must strive to create a world of inclusiveness in which everyone has access to the basic necessities of life, and in a manner that widens and strengthens the ownership of our planet regardless of ones economic, social, and political status.

By doing so, we will be building a society anchored on the strong values of tolerance and mutual respect, where diplomacy, dialogue, and cooperation take precedence over competition, conflict, and divisions, which are based on inflexible ideologies and belief systems, the President concluded.
Gunmen suspected to be bandits have burnt down the parish house of Saint Raphaels Catholic Church in Zangon Kataf Local Government Area of Kaduna State, killing a seminarian in the process.

It was gathered that the attack on the cleric happened in the late hours of Thursday, 7th September.

INFORMATION NIGERIA learnt that some of the priests escaped, while Naaman Danlami who was serving as a seminarian was caught by the fire.

However, the body of the deceased has been deposited at the mortuary.

According to the Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the State, Rev. John Hayab, confirmed the incident in a statement released on Friday.

The statement reads: Our hearts are filled with pains at the wake of today (Friday) 8th September, 2023, with the sad news of the attack in our land and against our people at Fadan Kamatan Parish of the Catholic Diocese of Kafanchan, Zangon Kataf LGA of Kaduna State, burning the priests residence and burning to death, Seminarian Bro. Naam Ngofe Danladi, Hayab said.

READ MORE: Gunmen Attack Kaduna Mosque, Kill Five

This causes us to wonder some more, where is the hope, how much more terrible could the situation get?

Security is everyones business, it is disappointing that this kind of unholy activity could be recorded at the heart of Fadan Kamantan community and the criminals will operate unchallenged.

It is a slap to the security forces within that jurisdiction. It is a slap to the religious leaders, traditional and community leaders.

The position of CAN Kaduna State Chapter has always been that we as citizens must complement government in her primary responsibility of saving our lives and properties by proactively building a community security system that prevents any form of invading force into our community, sadly we are still here.
Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State, says having officially resumed duty after a three-month medical vacation, hell be alive to complete his tenure.

Recall that Akeredolu on Thursday, returned to Nigeria from Germany where he spent three months.

The Governor was welcomed by his close aides at his residence in Ibadan, Oyo State.

On Friday, Akeredolu met with stakeholders from the State, including Olamide Oladiji, Speaker of the Assembly; Lucky Aiyedatiwa, Deputy Governor, and members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), at his residence in Ibadan.

During the meeting, Akeredolu handed over his resumption letter to Oladiji and provided a copy to Aiyedatiwa.

Akeredolu however noted that by the grace of God, he will be alive to complete his tenure, which ends in February 2025.

I came back yesterday, and as you know, it was a long journey. I decided that I must meet with you today.

God has answered our prayers, and we give Him all the glory. I can assure you that our return is to the glory of God and the prayers of all of you here, and those who wished us well, I thank you very much.

God has done what the majority of our people wanted. The majority of our people here knelt down and prayed for our return, and we have returned.

So, because we had to land here in Ibadan first, I said I have to meet with house of assembly members here.

We are here, and we are back. I am back, and by the grace of God, I will be alive to complete my full tenure in office. I want to tell you that I am back, and I will resume work immediately. This is my letter of resumption, the Governor was quoted in a statement by Richard Olatunde, his media aide.

In June, Akeredolu left Nigeria for medical attention in Germany following a letter sent to the state House of Assembly of his intention to embark on a 21-day leave.

He asked his deputy to act in his stead.

Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State, says having officially resumed duty after a three-month medical vacation, hell be alive to complete his tenure.

Recall that Thursday, Akeredolu returned to Nigeria from Germany where he spent three months.

The Governor was welcomed by his close aides at his residence in Ibadan, Oyo State.

On Friday, Akeredolu met with stakeholders from the State, including Olamide Oladiji, Speaker of the Assembly; Lucky Aiyedatiwa, Deputy Governor, and members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), at his residence in Ibadan.

During the meeting, Akeredolu handed over his resumption letter to Oladiji and provided a copy to Aiyedatiwa.

Akeredolu however noted that by the grace of God, he will be alive to complete his tenure, which ends in February 2025.

I came back yesterday, and as you know, it was a long journey. I decided that I must meet with you today.

God has answered our prayers, and we give Him all the glory. I can assure you that our return is to the glory of God and the prayers of all of you here, and those who wished us well, I thank you very much.

God has done what the majority of our people wanted. The majority of our people here knelt down and prayed for our return, and we have returned.

So, because we had to land here in Ibadan first, I said I have to meet with house of assembly members here.

We are here, and we are back. I am back, and by the grace of God, I will be alive to complete my full tenure in office. I want to tell you that I am back, and I will resume work immediately. This is my letter of resumption, the Governor was quoted in a statement by Richard Olatunde, his media aide.

In June, Akeredolu left Nigeria for medical attention in Germany following a letter sent to the state House of Assembly of his intention to embark on a 21-day leave.

He asked his deputy to act in his stead.

READ ALSO:

Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has criticised Akeredolu, for staying in Ibadan, Oyo state capital, after his return.

In a statement issued on Friday, Kennedy Peretei, PDPs spokesperson in Ondo, said Akeredolus first port of call should have been his home state.

He said it was absurd for the Governor to stay in Oyo instead of Ondo, adding that it would have been a sign of respect to the residents of the state who had been praying for his recovery.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Ondo State Chapter expected that, now that the Governor is back in Nigeria, his first point of call should have been Ondo State, where everybody prayed for his quick recovery and return to his duties, the statement reads.

Instead, he headed for Ibadan and instructed all State Cabinet members and State Assembly men to join him.

This is very absurd and an insult on the sensibility of the Ondo State people. If Akeredolu has been certified fit to resume duties, let him notify the Assembly accordingly to conclude the remainder of his tenure for which he has been barely tolerated.

The opposition party also alleged that Akeredolu is planning to relocate the Ondo government house to his residence in Oyo by not resuming duty in Ondo.

READ ALSO: Im Eager To Reunite With My People  Gov. Akeredolu

Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has criticised Akeredolu, for staying in Ibadan, Oyo state capital, after his return.

In a statement issued on Friday, Kennedy Peretei, PDPs spokesperson in Ondo, said Akeredolus first port of call should have been his home state.

He said it was absurd for the Governor to stay in Oyo instead of Ondo, adding that it would have been a sign of respect to the residents of the state who had been praying for his recovery.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Ondo State Chapter expected that, now that the Governor is back in Nigeria, his first point of call should have been Ondo State, where everybody prayed for his quick recovery and return to his duties, the statement reads.

Instead, he headed for Ibadan and instructed all State Cabinet members and State Assembly men to join him.

This is very absurd and an insult on the sensibility of the Ondo State people. If Akeredolu has been certified fit to resume duties, let him notify the Assembly accordingly to conclude the remainder of his tenure for which he has been barely tolerated.

The opposition party also alleged that Akeredolu is planning to relocate the Ondo government house to his residence in Oyo by not resuming duty in Ondo.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has vowed to ensure that the Nigerian military is well-resourced and fit for purpose to discharge its constitutional duties of protecting the nation.

Represented by Mohammed Badaru, Minister of Defence, Tinubu made the promise during the graduation of participants of the National Defence College (NDC) Course 31, on Friday in Abuja.

While acknowledging that the Armed Forces of Nigeria represents one of the finest institutions that the nation could be proud of, he assured that the government would continue to appreciate the sacrifice and patriotism of men and women of the military.

He expressed confidence that the graduates of course 31 would bring the knowledge, expertise and skills acquired during the course to help in finding solutions to current and emerging security and developmental challenges in the country.

Our dear country is faced with the flora of challenges including insecurity, social economic hiccups, climate change and migratory issues, the so-called Japa Syndrome.

We are confronted by systematic corruption, crude oil theft, reduced national productivity, weak infrastructure, weak revenue base, and rising domestic and external debt among others.

Those challenges demand creative and purposeful driving leadership to mitigate.

Since coming into office, I have rolled up my sleeves myself to confront and address them frontally and we shall overcome with the special grace of God.

READ ALSO: Poor Funding, Obsolete Equipments Problem Of Nigerias Medical Sector  Health Minister, Pate

I must admit that those challenges will require the deployment of knowledge and insight you have acquired from this college, he said.

The president said he rejigged the leadership of the armed forces and police among others to usher in a fresh perspective to deal with the security challenges in the country.

He asked the participants to go back to their respective services and agencies and align with the visions of the new leadership.

Tinubu said the world is currently faced with myriads of threats such as the disruptive effect of emerging technologies, cyber threats, and unconstitutional change of government in the African sub-region.

He called on the military to help the governments build resilience against the recent spate of the democratic recession in West Africa and build stronger assistance to mitigate all the challenges.

I am banking on you to provide creative leadership solutions towards addressing those national, regional and global challenges, he added.

The President also pledged to ensure the completion of the colleges permanent site before the end of his first term to enable the institution to conveniently transmute into a full-fledged defence university.
Former Vice President Yemi Osinbajos aide, Laolu Akande, has disclosed that the refusal by the Independent National Electoral Commissions (INEC) to electronically transmit the results of the presidential and National Assembly polls has broken Nigerians trust in the commission.

Recall that the electoral body had earlier announced that it would transmit results from polling units to the INEC Portal (IReV), which did not happen during the presidential and National Assembly elections.

Despite knocks from Nigerians, the Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal (PEPT) ruled that the electoral umpire is at liberty to determine how to transmit election results.

However, Akande said INECs inability to e-transmit results has reduced the commissions trust level among Nigerians.

It is important to establish something we cannot basically run away from. INEC came out of this election as a damaged good. There is no doubt about that. INEC itself set up a standard. INEC determined the guidelines.

READ MORE: Tribunal Questions How Obi, Atiku Won In Some States If INEC Favoured Tinubu

INEC committed to the people of Nigeria that this is how we are going to declare the result of this election. In fact, the chairman of INEC went abroad and said, What we are going to do is that this results, when we get it, we would put it on IReV in real-time, he said on Channels Televisions Politics Today on Friday.

But guess what? When it was time for INEC to fulfill its guidelines for certain reasons we could talk about that INEC failed to do what it said it would do.

Now it is right that if you look at the law, and I think the judges also affirmed, INEC has not really broken the law. But INEC has broken the trust of the Nigerian people, he added.

It is a problem for political legitimacy for people who came out of that system, the former VP aide said.

So, there is a lot of cynicism, there is a lot of distrust [about those declared winners]. INEC is responsible for that, he noted.
A yet to be identified man has been electrocuted while attempting to steal transformer cables, belonging to the Niger State Printing Press in Minna.

It was gathered that the corpse of the man was found on Friday, by some staff of the printing press hanging on the transformer.

According to the Head of the Legal Unit, Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC), Aminu Ubandoma, said that the company had been receiving several reports of transformers being vandalised.

READ MORE: Electricity Consumers Increased To 11.47m in Q2 2023  NBS

He noted that the AEDC is working with security agencies, especially the police, to ensure that the rate of transformer vandalism in the area is reduced.

Also confirming the incident, the spokesperson of the Niger Police Command, DSP Wasiu Abiodun, said the incident occurred around the old secretariat area, on the premises of the printing press.

Abiodun said the body had been deposited at Mina General Hospital, adding that effort was ongoing to locate the relative of the deceased and that the matter was under investigation in collaboration with the AEDC.
A Nigerian lady heading to London, United Kingdom (UK) onboard Egypt Air MS 876 flight to Cairo has passed on aboard the flight

She (name withheld) allegedly left Nigeria for London on Monday through the Murtala Muhammad International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, but did not make it to her destination.

A family source who confirmed the incident, according to Daily Trust said the corpse was dropped in Cairo, the Egypt Capital by the airline.

READ ALSO: Anambra: Couple Starves Five-Year-Old Daughter For Alleged Witchcraft On Pastors Instruction

The family said the Airline didnt inform them, but rather they got a message from the consular office in Cairo informing them of her death on board the flight. Please they need to know what exactly happened and how to get her corpse back to Nigeria, the source said.

Its gathered that the lady was going to London on a student visa and boarded Egypt Air on connecting flight to London.

She was to connect to London via Egypt Air MS777 the following day.

There was no immediate response from Egypt Air as of press time as a source close to the airline said they were still awaiting information from Cairo on the incident.
Betta Edu, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, says shed be on the field everyday, reaching out to the poorest of the poor, during her tenure as Minister.

The Minister who stated this during a two-day visit to Maiduguri, Borno State, on Friday, said that high levels of poverty were not in Abuja but at the bottom of the countrys local government areas.

So, its going to be a field operation all through for me. I will basically not be found in my office because every day I will be on the field reaching out to the poorest of the poor. We dont want to do the Abuja business.

We dont want to do the state business, we want to drop it down all the way to local government so that individuals that are poor can be easily identified and easily supported, she said.

According to her, humanitarian hubs would be set up in all the 774 Local Government Areas in Nigeria to relieve the pains of Nigerians through various projects.

Well begin an expanded upscale social safety net programme which will be reaching out to at least 15 million households in Nigeria.

We are putting conditions to it, these are funds to start up businesses, these are funds that put you back on track, so it is not government giveaways as usual, Edu added.

She further warned that: Any money given by the government to anybody, there must be criteria attached to it and you will be held accountable for what you use government money to do.

READ ALSO: Gunmen Attack Parish House, Burn Seminarian In Kaduna

Edu noted that her ministry would work with the Borno State government on the expansion of the social register to accommodate more persons.

Presently we have 15.7 million households on the social register and we have about 62 million individuals on the social register. But, this is completely inadequate compared to the number of persons that require intervention by the Ministry of humanitarian affairs and poverty alleviation, she said.

The register, she said would be updated through immediate verification of people to know whether they deserve it or not.

Because, its not a permanent register but a dynamic one. There are people coming and people going out, so whoever left should leave the register. And, if you are coming in we should truly know that you deserve to be part of the register by the criteria, she said.

The minister assured Nigerians that if the verification happened within the next month, the expanded upscale social safety net programme would commence immediately.

While noting that the goal of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration was to resettle internally displaced persons, and refugees coming in from Cameroon, Chad and Niger and other persons of concern, she added that its not just about resettling them, or offering them humanitarian services or responding when we have a humanitarian crisis.

The issue is, how can we prevent these humanitarian crises from happening? How can we work with the security agencies, how can we work with the communities to prevent this crisis from happening?

Beyond this, we want to be able to provide a more resilient system that is reliable and the interventions are sustainable, so it is not about going to offer a cup or bag of rice, no, she said.
The House of Representatives, on Friday said that the Group Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Nigeria National Petroleum Limited (NNPCL), Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and the Nigeria Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) must appear in person before the and not send representatives.

Chairman of the Ad-hoc Committee investigating Crude Oil Theft, Alhassan Rurum gave the ruling on the matter on the second day of the investigative hearing of the panel where the heads of the agencies were invited but they rather sent their directors as representatives.

According to him, most of the invited CEOs had written to the House probe panel asking for permission to be represented by these agencies heads subordinate staff as they are not disposed to appear in person and honour the committes invitation

He said that the House probe panel has the powers under Section 88 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) to invite and cause the appearance of any individual, government official or corporate entity charged with the responsibility of administration of public funds.

READ ALSO: Osun Govt Orders Closure Of Iree Poly, Freezes Institutions Accounts

At the hearing, the Nigeria Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority NMDPRA and the Nigeria Upstream Regulatory Authority NUPRA said that the pipelines and flow stations are the major targets of these oil thieves.

They also blamed faulty metering procedure, faulty instruments and lack of technology as impediments in the efforts of these agencies to tackle oil theft.

A representative of the CEO of NMDPRA, Farouk Ahmed, had told the committee that there is no proper monitoring of the metering of the crude oil produced for exports due to lack of collaboration among agencies.

A Committee member Awaji Inombek Abiante, said that the pipeline location is not really the major cause of oil theft rather it is the neglect of oil host communities.

In his ruling, the Ad-hoc Committee Chairman, Rurum said that the heads of all the invited agencies must appear in person on Monday September 11, 2023 the next adjourned sitting date.

He also requested that the invited CEOs of these agencies come with a list of all other agencies working in export terminal of all the nations oil sector.
A young man identified as Ikechi has reportedly killed his father with a pestle at Rumuaghaolu in Obio Akpor local government area of Rivers State.

It was gathered that the suspect had requested for an undisclosed sum of money from his father and became angry when the deceased refused to give him the money.

According to an eye witness in an interview with Punch, said that the boy who was angry with the deceased, got hold of a pestle and smashed the fathers head with it, killing him on the spot.

He said: He was so enraged over the deceased refusal to give him money which he requested yesterday at Road 9, Rumuagholu, Port Harcourt.

READ MORE: Tenant Stabs Landlord For Allegedly Separating Fight With Wife In Rivers

The man was suspected to be on drugs. He was asking his dad for money and he refused to give him yesterday. He carried a pestle and hit him.

He said the man, on realising, tried to flee from the scene, but was held by some people after a neighbour raised the alarm.

When contacted Rivers State Police Command Public Relation Officer, SP Grace Iringe Koko confirmed the story, adding that the suspect has been arrested by the police and is under detention for proper investigation.

Iringe-Koko said: Yes, I can confirm the incident. The boy has been arrested and the matter transferred to the State Criminal and Investigation Department.
Americans do make faulty assumptions about Israel; Ms. Kenagys are faulty to an extreme (As I See It: Americans make faulty assumptions, misled by Israeli propaganda, Aug. 15).

Her blind advocacy for Palestine strengthens Arab bloodshed and violence, which Ms. Kenagy claims to abhor.

I base my assumptions on 10 years of eyewitness observation of facts on the ground in Israel. A former long-term resident of Corvallis, I am a religious Jew living in Jerusalem, the eternal capital of the Jewish people.

While we live in constant interaction with our Arab neighbors who enjoy full rights here, we know that a Jew daring to live in our ancient homeland can be murdered on any day at any moment  stabbed in the drugstore directly below my daughters apartment, mangled in a car ramming while waiting for the bus on my way to my third-grade granddaughters school, or shattered by a bomb on the main street of my walk home: all true near-misses in my recent life.

Yet Ms. Kenagy subtly justifies this lethal terror. She says that Israel is guilty of stealing Palestine from a Palestinian people. She tells us that todays Palestinians are merely avenging Israels cruel oppression when they murder Jews. Ms. Kenagy is telling us that violence against Israelis is justified; these are her assumptions.

Ms. Kenagy wrongly assumes that Jews took over a country called Palestine. When we began to return to our ancient homeland in the mid-1800s, there was no state of Palestine, no Palestinian currency, no Palestinian national identity, no Palestinian history and borders.

Until British occupation during World War I, the land of Israel was nothing more than part of Al-Shams, Greater Syria, controlled by the Ottoman Empire.

By contrast, the Jewish peoples connection to our land of Israel is likely the most documented of any people in the world. Ever since the destruction of the Second Temple in the first century CE, we had been a minority in our own land, exiled and persecuted until recent times, when we finally could come home.

Ms. Kenagy is wrong when she tells us there were 1 million Palestinians here before Israelis immigrated; the entire area held only a half-million people by the 1878 Ottoman census, including Jews and Christians. Our right to live in our ancient land was affirmed by the pre-United Nations League of Nations when it established the British Mandate for Palestine.

The Mandate period saw the Arab population double, finally reaching Ms. Kenagys million by 1948, driven by the immigration of Egyptian Muslims, Bedouin Arabs and Bosnian Muslims.

After the 1948-49 war, initiated by Arab states to annihilate nascent Israel, Arabs emigrating out equaled the number of Jewish refugees fleeing in from Muslim countries. We finally reached a majority in our country by the early 1950s. These are facts, not assumptions.

Palestinian terror is not justified revenge for the theft of a state that never existed. Jews had been massacred by Arabs long before Jews had any power here, for example, in Hebron in 1517, again in 1834, and yet again in 1929.

Hopefully Ms. Kenagy understands these massacres were not a reprisal for an as-yet nonexistent Israeli occupation. Palestinian organizations continue to promote violence against Jews today.

Ms. Kenagys unbalanced support for Palestinians strengthens the very violence she claims to abhor. We can only hope her assumptions are not motivated by hatred of the Jewish people but instead by her sincere concern over perceived social injustice.

Good people should check the facts on what we Jews face here in Israel and stop unwittingly supporting Arab bloodshed and violence.
Immediate former Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo has congratulated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his Vice, Kashim Shettima on their victory at the Election Petition Tribunal.

Recall that the court, in a unanimous decision, threw out the petition filed by the Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi and his Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) counterpart, Atiku Abubakar, ruling that President Tinubu was duly elected on February 25, as announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Meanwhile, the two petitioners, Atiku and Obi had rejected the courts judgment, vowing to approach the Supreme Court.

READ MORE: Tribunal Questions How Obi, Atiku Won In Some States If INEC Favoured Tinubu

In a statement on Saturday via his Facebook account, Osinbajo stated that the PEPC ruling was a great victory for Nigerias constitutional democracy and the rule of law.

The statement reads: Congratulations to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Vice President Senator Kashim Shettima, and our great party, the All Progressives Congress, on the judicial affirmation of the victory at the presidential election of February 25, 2023.

This ruling is a great victory for Nigerias constitutional democracy and its rule of law.

The practice of democracy in our nation has been further strengthened by the fact that all parties faithfully followed the electoral process according to the law and relied on our courts in the event of a dispute.

Our nation now needs all of us to work together to address our challenges and to deliver the realisation of the incredible potential of our nation, he said.
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) says it has no power to investigate electronic fraud, hence suspected cases should be directed to relevant security agencies.

The commission also urged telecommunications subscribers to report strange debit alerts from their accounts to financial institutions, then carry the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and security agencies along.

Director of Consumers Affairs, Umar Alkazeem, in his opening address during the campaign, Shine Your Eyes, No Fall Mugu in Bauchi State, said the commission can only enlighten the public on how to recognise fraud and protect themselves.

Alkazeem, who was represented by Banji Ojo, Head of Consumers Policy Development and Monitoring of the Consumers Affairs Department, said We are sensitizing everybody to know where they go when there is an electronic fraud issue. In this particular case, its the responsibility of security agencies to investigate any crime committed using any SIM. NCC does not have that right.

READ ALSO: If You Want To Stay Rich, Stay Stingy  Akon

What we have said is that all SIMs must be registered and if there is a registered SIM that has not been traced, hold the Nigerian Police and the EFCC responsible. Its not the fault of NCC. You can visit their websites if you have any complaints.

He regretted that telecommunications subscribers are still being defrauded due to unnecessary trust in family, friends, and strangers by exposing their sensitive information on the internet and offline.

According to him, greed on the part of some network subscribers is exacerbating the illegal activities.

Alkazeem said that many people want quick money or multiple interests and click on fraudulent links asking them to confirm money that was given to them, thereby falling victim.

This is as he warned Nigerians not to give out five vital information on their debit cards.

He said that the information include; the 16-digit number, three-digit number at the back, the card name, expiry date, and the card PIN.
The camp of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, has demanded details from the Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC) as to why Certified True Copies (CTC) of its judgment bears the stamp of President Bola Ahmed Tinubus presidential legal team.

Information Nigeria reports that there has been insinuations that the tribunals judgement on Wednesday was compromised in favour of the President due to the watermarks of Tinubus legal team found on the copies in circulation on social media.

Reacting, Babatunde Ogala, the coordinator of the Tinubu Presidential Legal Team, in a statement on Saturday debunked such insinuations.

The judgment, he said, was not compromised, and the watermarks were only applied by the team after they got their own copies of the consolidated judgment from the Court of Appeal.

According to him, the lawyers for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, were present at the registry when they picked up the clean copies of the tribunal ruling, adding that the PDP lawyers were even the first to pick copies of the judgement from the court registry.

However, Phrank Shaibu, the Special Assistant (Communications) to Atiku, in a statement said that it is very important that the PEPC should tell Nigerians why they chose to affix the header of the Respondents on the CTC copy of their judgment, whereas the copies that went to the petitioners did not have the same.

Was that because the Tinubu Legal Team is deemed to be accorded special privileges? The court must explain! he said.

Shaibu also questioned why the PEPC came to the decision to avail the Respondents, especially the Tinubu Legal Team to have a first receipt of the CTC of the judgment before the Plaintiffs.

The curiosity is more confounding based on the fact that the lead counsel to Atiku and the PDP had pleaded in the open court to have express receipt of the judgment, to which Justice Haruna Tsammani agreed to and promised to make the document available the following day, which was Thursday.

Nigerians want to know why the PEPC confers special privileges to the Tinubu Legal Team by making them have a first custody of copies of the PEPC judgment, even though it was more urgent for the Petitioners who needed the document in order to cause an appeal to the Supreme Court within 14 days including weekends.

In the course of delivering its judgement, the PEPC had spoken of the petition it was ruling upon in a vexatious and denigrating language as if it was a crime to bring a case of electoral banditry before the court.

However, unfolding developments after the courts ruling elicit suspicions about whether or not the Tinubu Legal Team provided clerical services to the PEPC. Otherwise, how and when did the Tinubu Presidential Legal Team creep into a document that was supposed to be the official document of the Court of Appeal of Nigeria.

READ ALSO: Kaduna: Perpetrators Intend To Ignite Ethnic, Religious Tension  Gov. Sani Condemns Catholic Church Attack

We need to restate that the Tinubu Presidential Legal Team on the top left-hand corner of all the 798 pages is neither a monochrome nor a metadata. It is actually a HEADER, meaning that except for a valid explanation, the Tinubu Presidential Legal Team is the originator of the document. For the purposes of clarity, a header is text that is placed at the top of a page, while a footer is placed at the bottom of a page. Typically, these areas are used for inserting information such as the name of the document, the chapter heading, page numbers, creation date, and the like. On the other hand, watermark is a faint design made in some paper during manufacture that is visible when held against the light and typically identifies the maker of the document.

The PEPC must, on its honour if indeed it still has any, clarify why the court chose to put the header of the Tinubu Legal Team on a CTC copy of its judgment document, while the only emblem that should have been on the document is the stamp of the Court of Appeal of Nigeria.

Again, the PEPC must explain why it came to the discretionary decision of having the Respondents have a custody of the judgement earlier in the day on Friday while only making same available to the Petitioners later in the day, and only after the lead counsel to Atiku and PDP had written a second letter (the first was on Thursday) to the court demanding for copies of the judgment.

Moreover, we have it on good authority that when the PEPC was informed that the CTC copies of the judgment given to the Respondents was already circulating in the public domain with the header of TPLT on it, a further delay was necessitated by the need for it to undertake a laundry of the documents by removing the Tinubu Presidential Legal Team header before handing over same to the lawyers of Atiku.

Whereas the legal team of the PDP and Atiku have statutory 14 days to prepare its appeal to the Supreme Court, the PEPC had erased 2 days out of that 14 days, no thanks to the PEPC whose Chairman, Justice Tsamani had promised to make available the CTC copy of the judgment to Atiku a day after its judgement was rendered, which ought to have been on Thursday, the statement read.

Atikus aide noted that Nigerians and the world are earnestly waiting for answers to these posers as the legal challenge shifts to the Supreme Court.

He said if explanations are not given it will validate suspicions that there were external factors involved in the formulation of the judgment and bring the entire judiciary of Nigeria into disrepute.

Shaibu added: Make no mistake about it. This legal challenge to the electoral banditry of February 25, which has now shifted to the apex court, is not about Atiku. It is indeed our last ditch effort to salvage our country and deepen our democracy.

Against the background of the decimation of nearly all of the institutions of state including the Independent National Electoral Commission which dragged us into this quagmire, our intent is to ensure that the judiciary, the last hope of the common man does not go to the dogs.
Jenks eighth graders helped lead efforts to combat "White Lives Matter" signs put up in Chestnut Hill around the school with messages of positivity. Pictured outside the school are (back row) Craig Wilson (from left), Lauren Thomas-Kirton, Leanni Miller-Allen, and (front row) Corey Sullivan, Gabriella Alexander, Khayli McKinney, Noelle Smith, and Laila Whitaker. Read more

Randal Green was aghast this week when he saw the sticker stuck to a trash can near J.S. Jenks Academy of Arts and Sciences, a public school in Chestnut Hill.

White Lives Matter, it read. Rise White Man. Preserve Posterity.

Green  part of a group of Jenks Dads on Duty, fathers, grandfathers, and brothers who volunteer daily directing traffic, escorting students, and generally keeping things safe at the school every morning  felt fear.

That kind of mentality, that sort of thinking, that sort of language, its scary to me, said Green, father of a Jenks fourth grader. Thats the kind of thing the guy who shot up the supermarket in Buffalo said. That was sitting in my gut all day.

White Lives Matter is characterized by the Southern Poverty Law Center as a hate group, a racist response to the civil rights movement Black Lives Matter and a neo-Nazi group that is growing into a movement as more and more white supremacist groups take up its slogans and tactics.

Green saw a line of stickers  affixed to a nearby parking meter, on a trash can, on stoplights and light poles, all within close range of the school on Germantown Avenue. Alarmed, he approached Jenks principal Corinne Scioli, who quickly alerted the Philadelphia School District and city police.

Philadelphia police confirmed an investigation is underway.

Scioli was alarmed, too, but determined to turn a message of divisiveness into a teaching moment.

Advertisement

Something traumatizing happened, but its all about how we respond, Scioli said. Through every challenge, theres an opportunity for growth and knowledge.

The principal notified the Jenks community, and directed teachers to talk about the incident in a developmentally appropriate way  the youngest students talked about friendship and love, and how it made them feel when people said unkind things. Older students took a more direct path.

Then, under the staffs direction, students chose to counterprogram in a very public way.

We decided to respond with love, said Lauren Thomas, a Jenks eighth grader.

Negative words can lead to more negativity, said Leanni Miller-Allen, her classmate. We wanted positivity.

Students and staff assembled bags of chalk. On sidewalks around the school, on the Jenks playground  which is widely used by the community when school is not in session  students spent time after school Thursday and before school Friday drawing hearts and writing messages they felt represented their school much better than White Lives Matter.

Love, they wrote. Please Stop Co-Opting Blackness. Black Lives Matter. Get Hate Out of the Equation.

Gabriella Alexander thought about the stickers  who took the time to display them and why?

Putting up something like that in the community, thats not OK, said Alexander, another eighth grader.

But Alexander and her classmates agreed that what theyll remember more is the part where they came together to do better.

And the Chestnut Hill community has embraced it. Students and staff left plastic bags of chalk on the sidewalk for passersby to add their own messages.

At midmorning Friday, a preschooler drew hearts on the Germantown Avenue sidewalk while a parent watched.

After school, staff from Philly Childrens Movement, a racial-justice organization that works with educators and community groups, came to the Jenks playground to support families and further discussions.
A digital drawing, made with black pencil and red and neon-blue gouache, shows a teenager standing in the center. Read more

Juan Campos has been working to save at-risk teens from gun violence for 16 years.

As a street outreach worker in Oakland, Calif., he has seen the pull and power of gangs. And he offers teens support when theyve emerged from the juvenile justice system, advocates for them in school, and, if needed, helps them find housing, mental health services, and treatment for substance abuse.

But, he said, hes never confronted a force as formidable as social media, where small boasts and disputes online can escalate into deadly violence in schoolyards and on street corners.

Teens post photos or videos of themselves with guns and stacks of cash, sometimes calling out rivals, on Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, or TikTok. When messages go viral, fueled by likes and comments, the danger is hard to contain, Campos said.

Advertisement

Its hundreds of people on social media, versus just one or two people trying to guide youth in a positive way, he said. Sometimes his warnings are stark, telling kids, I want to keep you alive. But, he said, it doesnt work all the time.

Shamari Martin Jr. was an outgoing 14-year-old and respectful to his teachers in Oakland. Mixed in with videos of smiling friends on his Instagram feed were images of Shamari casually waving a gun or with cash fanned across his face. In March 2022, he was shot when the car he was in took a hail of bullets. His body was left on the street, and emergency medical workers pronounced him dead at the scene.

 READ MORE: What parents should know about new research on social media risks for teens | Expert Opinion

In Shamaris neighborhood, kids join gangs when theyre as young as 9 or 10, sometimes carrying guns to elementary school, said Tonyia Nina Carter, a violence interrupter who knew Shamari and works with Youth Alive, which tries to prevent violence. Shamari was somewhat affiliated with that culture of gangs and guns, Carter said.

Shamaris friends poured out their grief on Instagram with broken-heart emojis and comments such as love you brother Im heart hurt.

One post was more ominous: its blood inna water all we want is revenge. Rivals posted videos of themselves kicking over flowers and candles at Shamaris memorial.

Such online outpourings of grief often presage additional violence, said Desmond Patton, a University of Pennsylvania professor who studies social media and firearm violence.

More than a year later, Shamaris death remains unsolved. But its still a volatile subject in Oakland, said Bernice Grisby, a counselor at the East Bay Asian Youth Center, who works with gang-involved youth.

Theres still a lot of gang violence going on around his name, she said. It could be as simple as someone saying, Forget him or F him  that can be a death sentence. Just being affiliated with his name in any sort can get you killed.

The U.S. surgeon general last month issued a call to action about social medias corrosive effects on child and adolescent mental health, warning of the profound risk of harm to young people, who can spend hours a day on their phones. The 25-page report highlighted the risks of cyberbullying and sexual exploitation. It failed to mention social medias role in escalating gun violence.

 READ MORE: How to take a break from social media

Acutely aware of that role are researchers, community leaders, and police across the country  including in Baltimore, Chicago, Los Angeles, Oakland, Pittsburgh, St. Louis, and Washington. They describe social media as a relentless driver of gun violence.

Michel Moore, the Los Angeles police chief, called its impact dramatic.

What used to be communicated on the street or in graffiti or tagging or rumors from one person to another, its now being distributed and amplified on social media, he said. Its meant to embarrass and humiliate others.

Many disputes stem from perceived disrespect among insecure young adults who may lack impulse control and conflict-management skills, said LJ Punch, a trauma surgeon and director of the Bullet-Related Injury Clinic in St. Louis.

Social media is an extremely powerful tool for metastasizing disrespect, Punch said. And of all the causes of gun violence, social media-fueled grudges are the most impenetrable.

Calls for regulation

Social media companies are protected by a 1996 law that shields them from liability for content posted on their platforms. Yet the deaths of young people have led to calls to change that.

When you allow a video that leads to a shooting, you bear responsibility for what you put out there, said Fred Fogg, national director of violence prevention for Youth Advocate Programs, a group that provides alternatives to youth incarceration. Social media is addictive, and intentionally so.

People note that social media can have a particularly pernicious effect in communities with high rates of gun violence.

Social media companies need to be better regulated in order to make sure they arent encouraging violence in Black communities, said Jabari Evans, an assistant professor of race and media at the University of South Carolina. But he said social media companies also should help dismantle the structural racism that places many Black youths in circumstances that resign them to want to join gangs, carry guns to school, or take on violent personas for attention.

L.A.s Moore described social media companies as serving in a reactionary role. They are profit-driven. They dont want to have any type of control or restrictions that would suppress advertising.

Social media companies say they remove content that violates their policies against threatening others or encouraging violence as quickly as possible. In a statement, YouTube spokesperson Jack Malon said the company prohibits content reveling in or mocking the death or serious injury of an identifiable individual.

Social media companies said they act to protect the safety of their users, especially children.

Rachel Hamrick, a spokesperson for Meta, which owns Facebook and Instagram, said the company has spent about $16 billion in the last seven years to protect the safety of people who post on its apps, employing 40,000 people at Facebook who work on safety and security.

We remove content, disable accounts, and work with law enforcement when we believe there is a genuine risk of physical harm or direct threats to public safety, Hamrick said. As a company, we have every commercial and moral incentive to try to give the maximum number of people as much of a positive experience as possible on Facebook. Thats why we take steps to keep people safe even if it impacts our bottom line.

Meta platforms generated revenue of over $116 billion in 2022, most of which came from advertising.

A spokesperson for Snapchat, Pete Boogaard, said the company deletes violent content within minutes of being notified of it. But, Fogg noted, by the time a video is removed, hundreds of people may have seen it.

Even critics acknowledge that the sheer volume of content on social media is difficult to control. Facebook has nearly 3 billion monthly users worldwide; YouTube has nearly 2.7 billion users; Instagram has 2 billion. If a company shuts down one account, a person can simply open a new one, said Tara Dabney, a director at the Institute for Nonviolence Chicago.

Things could be going great in a community, Fogg said, and then the next thing you know, something happens on social media and folks are shooting at each other.

Playing with fire

At a time when virtually every teen has a cell phone, many have access to guns, and many are coping with mental and emotional health crises, some say its not surprising that violence features so heavily in childrens social media feeds.

High school fight pages are now common on social media, and teens are quick to record and share fights as soon as they break out.

Social media puts everything on steroids, said the Rev. Cornell Jones, the group violence intervention coordinator for Pittsburgh.

Like adults, many young people feel validated when their posts are liked and shared, Jones said.

We are dealing with young people who dont have great self-esteem, and this love they are getting on social media can fill some of that void, Jones said. But it can end with them getting shot or going to the penitentiary.

While many of todays teens are technologically sophisticated  skilled at filming and editing professional-looking videos  they remain naive about the consequences of posting violent content, said Evans, of the University of South Carolina.

Police in Los Angeles now monitor social media for early signs of trouble, Moore said. Police also search social media after the fact to gather evidence against those involved in violence.

People want to gain notoriety, Moore said, but theyre clearly implicating themselves and giving us an easy path to bring them to justice.

In February, New Jersey police used a video of a 14-year-old girls vicious school beating to file criminal charges against four teens. The victim of the assault, Adriana Kuch, died by suicide two days after the video went viral.

Preventing the next tragedy

Glen Upshaw, who manages outreach workers at Youth Alive in Oakland, said he encourages teens to express their anger with him rather than on social media. He absorbs it, he said, to help prevent kids from doing something foolish.

Ive always offered youth the chance to call me and curse me out, Upshaw said. They can come and scream and I wont fuss at them.

Workers at Youth Advocate Programs monitor influential social media accounts in their communities to de-escalate conflicts. The idea is to get on it as soon as possible, Fogg said. We dont want people to die over a social media post.

Its sometimes impossible, Campos said. You cant tell them to delete their social media accounts, he said. Even a judge wont tell them that. But I can tell them, If I were you, since youre on probation, I wouldnt be posting those kinds of things.

When he first worked with teens at high risk of violence, I said if I can save 10 lives out of 100, Id be happy, Campos said. Now, if I can save one life out of 100, Im happy.

KFF Health News is a national newsroom that produces journalism about health issues.
Electricity poles and lines lay toppled on the road after Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico in 2017. As Maria, Hurricane Lee underwent a rapid intensification. Only five other storms in the satellite era have gained so much strength so quickly, a hurricane expert says. Read more

While Hurricane Lee almost certainly is going to make waves at the Jersey Shore  possibly big ones  the consensus during the weekend was that the Philadelphia region and the rest of the Mid-Atlantic would be spared any direct impacts.

Computer models Saturday were showing a variety of potential tracks over the next several days for a volatile storm that had intensified dramatically.

But, In the worst case scenario, its still a couple hundred miles off the coast, said Grady Gilman, a meteorologist with AccuWeather Inc.

The National Hurricane Center said it was way too soon to know where and how Lee might impact the East Coast or Bermuda, although it was sure to continue to act as a massive plunger in the Atlantic, generating potentially beach-eroding storm waves.

 READ MORE: In updates, forecasters had warned that this would be an active hurricane season

Advertisement

At 5 p.m. Saturday, the center reported that Lee was about 1,500 miles east of the Florida coast, moving west-northwest at roughly 10 mph with maximum sustained winds of 115 mph, still a major hurricane.

Lee underwent a spectacular intensification with its peak winds increasing by 80 mph in just 24 hours to become a Category 5 hurricane Thursday with maximum winds of 165 mph. It was only the seventh Atlantic hurricane in the satellite era to experience a similar increase in such a short period, according to Philip Klotzbach, hurricane specialist at Colorado State University.

Late Friday night, its top wind speeds dropped to 115 mph, but the center says they will increase to 140 mph on Monday and that it will remain a major hurricane  winds of at least 111 mph  through the remainder of the five-day forecast period.

The track

Chaos theory and weather systems over the United States and the North Atlantic will have a lot to say about Lees career, said Gilman.

The hurricane center has Lee migrating west, staying well north of the Caribbean islands and making a sharp northward turn about 350 miles east of Floridas eastern coast.

AccuWeathers track, which goes out seven days, has Lee a few hundred miles east of Cape May at 8 a.m. Saturday.

Bear in mind that the hurricane centers cone of uncertainty expands to 205 miles five days into a forecast, and it doesnt even list an uncertainty zone for seven days out.

Speaking of uncertainty: AccuWeather is saying Lee may make landfall anywhere from New England to Atlantic Canada or Atlantic Canada or perhaps instead stay out to sea with a sweep to the east of Newfoundland.

Spaghetti

The so-called spaghetti diagrams produced by computer ensemble forecasts  in which a variety of numerical-model runs produce results that generally are only slightly different  have been clustering on an offshore path.

One exception Saturday was an outlier model that took Lee through Florida and into the Carolinas, something no one is forecasting. Recall that in 2019 President Donald Trump got into some hot water when he said that Alabama would be threatened by Hurricane Dorian, based on a spaghetti diagram outlier. That drew howls of protests from National Weather Service meteorologists in Alabama who insisted their state was in no danger.

 READ MORE: Trump created a stir in 2019 when he suggested Dorian might hit Alabama

AccuWeathers Gilman said that ultimately Lees path will depend on the strength of an upper-air system over the United States due to move off the coast during the week.

Winds from the south, part of the clockwise circulation around high pressure over the North Atlantic, will guide Lee northward, but the system coming off the land will determine Lees speed and power, he said.

Thats how the weather works, said Gilman. Everythings connected.
Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw surprised many Philadelphians by announcing her departure last week. Many others wondered what took her so long. After all, Outlaw, the first Black woman to run the department, never truly seemed to settle in and presided over a sharp rise in shootings and homicides, even as the city police budget soared.

Her low-profile tenure was marked by a series of controversies and marred by events that she had little control over, including the racial reckoning after the police murder of George Floyd and the COVID-19 pandemic and a correlated rise in crime that swept the country.

While the number of homicides has been declining this year, it became increasingly clear that no matter Outlaws positive qualities as a person, police officer, and administrator, in a city and an institution that still struggles with xenophobia, sexism, and racism, she could not provide the leadership that Philadelphia needed.

The city can be a brutal place for outsiders. Portland, Ore., Outlaws most recent post before coming to Philadelphia, is a city of transplants. Per census data, only 40% of that citys population was born in state. In the City of Brotherly Love, nearly two-thirds of the population is from Pennsylvania. The Police Department and political establishment here is, if anything, more parochial than the already insular city it serves.

Advertisement

 READ MORE: Eddie Irizarry shooting demands accountability | Editorial

Outlaw deregulated nail polish for officers during her first week on the job in February 2020  this seemingly minor procedural act became a lasting source of discontent among some officers. While Outlaw presented the move as a way to ensure that women feel welcomed on the force, this message flew over the heads of her critics. The fact that she was taking over the department in the wake of a sexual harassment scandal involving her predecessor went beneath their notice.

Three months later, perhaps as an effort to showcase her toughness to these same critics, Outlaw then presided over the use of tear gas on demonstrators after Floyds murder. While Outlaw initially defended the action, she and Mayor Jim Kenney later apologized after video footage contradicted their initial accounting of events. The abusive tactics cost taxpayers $10 million after the city settled a class-action lawsuit brought by civil rights groups.

Numerous other scandals followed, including a police officer convicted of manslaughter, another officer charged with sexually abusing and assaulting girls, another officer convicted of sexually assaulting witnesses, still another officer convicted of possessing child pornography, and a number of wrongful convictions that were thrown out as well as the suspension of several cops accused of misspending antiviolence funds.

Last month, after Officer Mark Dial shot and killed Eddie Irizarry, the department released a statement alleging that Irizarry had lunged at officers with a knife. Video footage would later contradict this narrative, leading to another apology from the commissioner. Outlaw moved to fire the officer but seemed nonplussed by the false narrative put forward by the department.

Outlaw also dealt with something thats become an issue for institutional leaders across the city: a disengaged mayor. This was especially difficult for someone with her own outsider status. City leaders who managed to respond effectively to the pandemic-era struggles often could rely on a local network of supporters. Outlaw could not.

 READ MORE: Lacking accountability, some Philly cops follow checkered path to high-ranking positions | Editorial

Outlaws struggles have led some observers, including the Fraternal Order of Police, to call for hiring a commissioner from within the department. But the two strongest commissioners the city has had in the last quarter century came from outside the city.

Charles Ramsey, who led the police department under Michael Nutter, grew up in Chicago and served as top cop in Washington, D.C., before coming to Philadelphia. Ramseys tenure saw a significant decrease in homicide and violent crime in the city. He also held officers accountable for misconduct and sought to change the culture of the department.

Former Mayor Ed Rendell recruited John Timoney from the New York City Police Department in 1998. Timoney was a confident and colorful leader who implemented the use of crime mapping strategies and held precinct captains accountable for lowering crime. Timoney implemented other reforms but was frustrated by the stiff resistance from a police union that often fights change and accountability and all too often defends dirty cops.

Outlaws departure clears the way for Cherelle Parker, the likely next mayor, to choose her own top cop. Parkers choice will shape and influence her administration as the police commissioner may be her most important hire. During the Democratic primary campaign, Parker supported the controversial use of stop-and-frisk. That will be a delicate dance for the next commissioner.

Parker would be wise to consult with Ramsey, other respected law enforcement officials, and past mayors about the hiring of a police commissioner. She should also consult with the FOP and do the opposite of whatever they recommend.

 READ MORE: A damning audit of the Philadelphia police must be an impetus for real reform | Editorial

While police officers have a difficult job, the problems within a department that has a long history of abuse and corruption run deep and are systemic. Former City Controller Rebecca Rhynhart highlighted some of the issues in an audit last year citing staffing shortages, slow response times, and outdated practices that need changing.

The next commissioner must have a plan to make those changes and reduce crime. It should be someone who is battle-tested, but also understands that modern policing is not just about locking up bad guys.

The challenge of leading and inspiring a police force with a nearly $1 billion budget, while also reforming a department that is slow to change, will come with the job. But the next commissioner must also have the skills to manage the internal and external city politics and work with other law enforcement and government leaders.

It is a difficult job that requires toughness and tact.

Whether the next police chief comes from inside the force or outside the city, they must learn from Outlaws challenges  and her mistakes.
Mark Dial shot and killed 27-year-old Eddie Irizarry last month during an encounter in North Philadelphia where initial police reports were inaccurate. Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner released body-worn camera footage of the incident at a Friday news conference, describing it as extremely violent.
Ten non-profit organisations providing youth mental health support services will be funded under Rethink Irelands new HeadStart Fund.

The HeadStart Fund is a 3 million, three-year fund, created by Rethink Ireland in collaboration with the Z Zurich Foundation and the HSE.

Deirdre Mortell, CEO of Rethink Ireland, said: The crisis in youth mental health demands urgent action. We believe that non-profit organisations delivering community-led supports are a big part of the solution.

All of our young people deserve access to mental health supports when and where they need it, and long before they are in a crisis situation. The ten awardees were announcing today are responding to this need, so that our young people can live fulfilled lives and can reach for their full potential.

The ten groups receiving funding include: Childhood Matters [CHIPPS], Liquid Therapy CLG [A Drop in the Ocean], First Fortnight [Creative Therapy Services for YA], Hair Together CLG, The Bohemian Football Club CLG [Pride on the Pitch], Way2Work Ireland [Leaving no Young Person behind] , ShoutOut [ShoutOut's Educational Programme], SpunOut [Spunout Academy], Tacu Ballinrobe Family Resource Centre CLG [SPACE for Young People], and Involve CLG [No Shame Mental Health Programme for young people from the Traveller Community].

All ten groups offer early interventions, well-being and resilience programmes, and other mental health supports, to young people in Ireland.

A survey of more than 2,000 young people by the Ombudsman for Children earlier this year found that 28% rated their mental health as  not good. The survey found that 31% of girls rated their mental health as not good versus 16% of boys.

For those who identified as non-binary, another gender or preferred not to say, only 6% rated their mental health as good, while 61% state that their mental health is not good.
A quiet child, Molly was obsessed with the act of writing.

On my 8th birthday, I got a diary. I had nothing to say, but I filled the page with words, like happy, happy, happy.

As a teenager, Molly visited her grandmother, Phil, in various psychiatric hospitals, and she started to notice that the way members of authority spoke about her, conflicted to with what Molly knew of her, and what Phil told her.

The versions of her were at odds, and that confused me, she says. I started to pay close attention, and to write about my visits to her. She also wrote reams of poems.

Between her primary degree and MA, Molly worked in the National Concert Hall, and after her MA, she became a duty manager there.

I was there for seven years altogether, she says. There were 40 staff members under me.

She was teasing out the idea of writing essays exploring her family trauma  tracing her great-grandmothers experience of Grangegorman Mental Hospital, when, in 2019, she attended the Stinging Fly Summer School taught by Arnold Thomas Fanning.

He encouraged me to write about my feelings on the topic rather than to hide behind references.

Who is Molly Hennigan?

Date/ place of birth: 1994/Dublin, but grew up Celbridge, Co Kildare.

Education: St Wolstans Community School, Celbridge; Maynooth University, English with geography; Trinity College Dublin, M Phil in Creative Writing. At the moment Im taking a PhD in English in Massachusetts, on the topic of incarceration in Ireland.

Home: between Inisheer, and Massachusetts.

Family: Boyfriend, Ronan, and rescue dog, Harry.

The day job: Studying and writing.

In another life: I always wanted to be a dentist or a post woman.

Favourite writers: Maeve Brennan; Mary Gaitskill; Claire Keegan; Dean Fee; John Cheever; Colin Barrett.

Second book: Its a novel. I have a draft.

Top tip: Write when youre experiencing grief, loss, joy, or a hangover to give a thread to your feelings.

Instagram: @Mollyhennigan

The debut

The Celestial Realm by Molly Hennigan

The Celestial Realm

16.99/ Kindle, 8.17

Examining incarceration, Molly writes about the gaps and intimacies in the relationship with her grandmother, and what it means to be an unconventional woman in a conformist society.

The verdict: A luminously written account filled with wisdom and searing love.
A Tipperary man caught travelling in a stolen car in Cork City has been jailed for six months.

Martin Harty, 27, of 59 Summerhill, Nenagh, Co Tipperary, appeared at Cork District Court where he pleaded guilty to the charge arising out of an incident where he was found to be a front-seat passenger in the car.

Sergeant Gearoid Davis said the crime was detected on January 15 this year.

Gardai responded to a report of a stolen car being driven at Barnavara Crescent, Banduff Road, Cork. Garda Pat Harrington saw the Vauxhall Insignia coming to a stop at the rear of a house there.

This was the vehicle that had previously been reported stolen. Two men were seen exit the vehicle, one from the drivers seat and the other from a front passenger seat.

Both males fled into the back garden. The front-seat passenger was identified as Martin Harty, Sgt Davis said.

The defendant pleaded guilty to allowing himself to be carried in a stolen car on the occasion.

Defence solicitor Shane Collins Daly, outlined the circumstances whereby the car came to be used without the permission of the owner.

He said Harty and the other man had been at a party with friends and the car belonged to someone known to them but it was taken without the owners consent.

He accepts he was a passenger in the vehicle, the solicitor said.

Judge Olann Kelleher noted from previous convictions that this was the third time the defendant had travelled in a stolen car and this latest offence merited a prison sentence.

The accused had previous convictions totalling 96, Sgt Davis said at Cork District Court.
Young children held teddy bears at the requiem mass in Carrigaline, Co Cork today of a little girl who was swept out to sea just two days before she would have celebrated her 8th birthday alongside her twin brother.

The family of Emili Roman, of Crosshaven in Co Cork, had asked friends of their daughter to bring soft toys to her requiem mass at the Church of Our Lady and St John so that they could be placed on her grave.

The body of Emili was recovered from the water near the shore at about 7.30pm on Tuesday. She was found three hours after a search got underway off Fountainstown Beach after she disappeared from sight having gotten in to difficulty in the water.

Martha and Slawomir, parents of young Emili, her older sibling Inga and twin Jeremy walked alongside her white coffin as it was wheeled to the top of the church for her requiem mass at 11.30am today.

Emili loved the outdoor life. The picture on her coffin was of her standing by the sea, with a big smile on her face and her long, blonde hair blowing in the breeze.

Fr Aidan Cremen, CO PP of Carrigaline, told mourners that the people of Crosshaven, Fountainstown, Carrigaline and surrounding areas were heartbroken by the loss of the vibrant and loving youngster.

He said that Emili loved living in the beautiful piece of paradise by the sea that is Crosshaven.

Emili enjoyed the benefits of living in Crosshaven her loving parents giving her a fabulous lifestyle. We cant find words to express how we feel.

The funeral cortege arrives at the Church of Our Lady and St John, Carrigaline for Requiem Mass to the memory of Emili Roman. Picture: David Creedon

There must be some comfort that Emili was surrounded with love all her life. [She was] the centre of attention. All the buzz of family life and interactions with her brother and sister and devoted parents.

Fr Cremen said that Emili was brought to the same church to be baptised nearly eight years ago where she was anointed to be part of Gods family for all of eternity.

I can assure Slawomir and Martha Inga and Jeremy that Emili will be looking out for you and loving you and feeling your love for her. And that the Lord Jesus will send you grace to cope and to continue your journey through life until you are reunited again in Gods kingdom.

"Even though you are sad and heartbroken today everybody here has happy memories of Emili. A happy, joyful and contented child sensitive and caring I am told and appreciative of everything.

"The memories Emili has taken with her are happy, joyful beautiful memories. That is how people remember her.

Fr Cremen said that the Roman family truly appreciated the assistance of the emergency services and the support of the community in the aftermath of the tragedy.

Meanwhile, a guard of honour was provided at the start of the mass by teenage pupils from Colaiste Muire Realt na Mara in Crosshaven. The coffin of Emili was escorted in to the church by her family and her classmates at Templebreedy National School in Crosshaven.

Flowers left on the wall of as a tribute to Emili Roman who lost her life in a tragic incident at Fountainstown Beach, Co. Cork. Picture: David Creedon

Principal of the school, Doris Byran, said a reading at the requiem mass. Earlier this week she said that Emili had a beautiful smile, was artistic and gifted and was greatly loved by her classmates. As well as being her principal she taught Emili who had joined the school in 2020 when she entered Junior Infants.

Music at the mass was provided by Sarah Burke who sang touching and pure renditions of Edelweiss from The Sound of Music and the Abba song I Have a Dream. Another Love by Tom Odell was also played at the opening of the funeral mass.

Amongst the mourners were members of An Garda Siochana, the Ambulance and Fire service, the RNLI and the Coastguard. Local TDs including Minister for Finance Michael McGrath and Minister for Enterprise, Simon Coveney, were also in the body of the church alongside Canon Elaine Murray of the Carrigaline Union of the Church of Ireland.

Catholic Bishop of Cork and Ross, Fintan Gavin, of and Church of Ireland Bishop of Cork, Cloyne and Ross Paul Colton both asked that condolences and prayers be offered on their behalf at the mass.

Emili was laid to rest at St John's Cemetery in nearby Ballinrea, Co Cork.

On Tuesday, hundreds of people attended a candlelit vigil in Crosshaven as a show of solidarity to the Roman family. Poignantly it would have been the 8th birthday of Emili. Her twin brother Jeremy handed out tea lights to locals who attended the vigil.

The crowd gave the emergency services who searched for Emili a round of applause whilst members of the emergency services also attended the vigil.

The people of Fountainstown also paid tribute to Emili following her passing. The name Emili was spelled out with stones on the beach wall earlier this week with locals placing flowers around it.

A Go Fund Me page, set up by a family friend, raised thousands of euro to assist the relatives of Emili with funeral costs.

Beata OSullivan who set up the page said that Emili touched the lives of everyone she met with her warm smile and boundless enthusiasm She was a ray of sunshine in our lives. Her laughter was infectious and her kindness knew no bounds.
Two weeks before the Tanaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Defence arrived in Israel, the United Nations Security Council was given a bleak briefing by the UNs Middle East envoy Tor Wennesland.

He told them that more than 200 Palestinians and nearly 30 Israelis had been killed so far this year. These deaths came during demonstrations, clashes, military operations, attacks and other incidents. Its the highest number of fatalities since 2005.

The lack of progress towards a political horizon that addresses the core issues driving the conflict has left a dangerous and volatile vacuum, filled by extremists on both sides, Mr Wennesland said.

He added that Israeli settlement growth, demolitions, settler violence and Palestinian militant activity all persist which is resulting in Palestinians and Israelis killed and injured in near-daily violence.

This was the backdrop for Micheal Martins trip to the Middle East. And it was one he was well aware he was going into. On the last day of his trip in Jordan, he admitted hes been quite pessimistic for the last while.

All of the people I've met over the last three days have said its probably one of the most challenging phases on the issue and it is getting into more difficult terrain, to say the least, in terms of the settler violence and in terms of violence in Israel as well, he said.

Theres an urgent need in the first instance to try and develop measures to reduce the tensions. Im very mindful of the challenges on all fronts. I think a lot of people privately get the reality of whats going on.

The conflict since 1967

For many decades, the conflict between Israel and Palestine has ebbed and flowed, constantly escalating and de-escalating; outbreaks of violence, wars, peace talks.

After the Six Day War of 1967, in which Israel seized the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, the Palestinian populations in many of these areas have been under Israeli rule.

In the West Bank, where the Palestinian National Authority seeks to establish its own State, Israeli people have been making frequent incursions to expand Jewish settlements in the area. The reasons for doing this have been cited as both religious  in some Jewish traditions, it is said to be a religious imperative to settle the entire land of Israel  and for economic and security reasons.

A great many countries, including Ireland, believe Israeli settlements in occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem to be illegal. The issue of settler violence against Palestinian people, and the demolition of homes, has consistently been an issue in recent times. At the same time, Israel has hit out at attacks on its citizens and security personnel.

Conflict has escalated in the last few years, and has continued to do at a rapid pace in 2023.

With more right-wing figures in the coalition Government that came to power under long-time Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in late 2022, its understood that there are voices within that Government who are not committed to a two-state solution for Israel-Palestine.

Two-state solution

Put simply, the two-state solution would see two separate countries, with an independent state of Palestine alongside Israel, situated west of the Jordan River. Where the borders would be is one of great contention.

In any case, its a solution that Ireland is committed to. And remains so after the Tanaistes visit this week. But any kind of breakthrough is probably as far from becoming a reality now as at any point in recent decades.

At European level, Ireland is only one of a small number of countries that wants the Israeli-Palestinian conflict placed far higher up on the international relations agenda. The war in Ukraine and other crises have served to put it down the pecking order in terms of priority for other countries in recent years.

Part of the rationale for this trip was ostensibly a bid to try to bring it back into focus. Ireland has a long-standing reputation for support for Palestine and the two-state solution. So much so, that it has earned the country a fairly negative reputation in Israel.

Israel's view of Ireland

News articles in the Israeli media frequently criticise the Irish stance, such as an opinion piece in the Jerusalem Post last year asking simply Why does Ireland hate Israel?. In that article, and its an example thats frequently cited, the case of Eamon de Valera sending condolences to German authorities when Adolf Hitler died in 1945 is brought up.

Some of the discourse suggests that Ireland is both anti-Israel and anti-semitic. At an Israeli government level, its understood that Irelands view is at the extreme end of the spectrum. While it accepts criticism from its other allies such as the US, its said to believe that Ireland goes too far. And in a manner that is unhelpful.

During his visit, Micheal Martin attended numerous fora such as a speech to the Israel Council for Foreign Relations and his meetings with senior Israeli ministers including Prime Minister Netanyahu.

There are more right-wing figures in the coalition Government that came to power under long-time Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in late 2022. Photo: AP/Maya Alleruzzo

When asked by reporters his response to suggestions that Ireland is anti-semitic, he rejected these suggestions. We didnt pick that up in any meeting with ministers that theres a suggestion Ireland is anti-semitic, he said.

Mr Martin described linking it to de Valeras actions as a false connection that was shallow in substance. Successive governments have made it clear their absolute disdain and opposition to anti-semitism.

In classic political parlance, his exchanges with the Israeli Government were described as being frank, honest and open, where the importance of dialogue was discussed. But the possibility of solutions, even with Israel holding talks with its powerful nearby neighbour of Saudi Arabia, remain remote.

If Ireland had had an aim to try to see if a course could be plotted for progress, it wasnt making much headway following the first day of talks on Tuesday.

Demolitions

Even in the face of Israeli criticisms of Irelands approach, the Tanaiste was told what the situation was like on the ground from the perspectives of NGOs on his visit to the West Bank.

According to OCHA, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, which operates in the region, 2022 was among the worst-ever years in the Occupied Palestinian Territories of Gaza and the West Bank in terms of factors affecting civilians since 2005.

2023 is already set to be worse, it said.

The Tanaiste got to hear directly from refugees on the challenges they faced during his visit to Jordan. Phil Behan/DFA

As well as increased fatalities and violence, the number of demolished buildings is on the increase. This is when buildings occupied by Palestinians are demolished. OCHA said that, in the first six months of this year, the number of demolitions was 73% higher than last year in East Jerusalem at 123 structures.

One of the reasons often cited is the lack of a building permit to have built that structure or home in the first place. NGOs say that applications for such permits are frequently rejected or undecided by the time of demolition. In East Jerusalem, such demolitions are up 10% this year, according to OCHA.

The UN agency also said that there is a deepening coercive environment raising concerns of forcible transfer. In other words, Palestinians choosing to abandon their land due to the pressure being put on them, from the likes of threats against homes, schools and livelihoods, access restrictions on farming and grazing lands, poor law enforcement against violent settlers and the revocation of their residency rights.

The Israeli authorities have issued demolition or stop work orders against homes, animal shelters, cisterns and community infrastructure on the grounds that they were built without building permits, which are almost impossible to obtain, impeding the development of adequate housing, infrastructure, and livelihoods, the group said.

The West Bank Protection Consortium, a programme supported by the European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operation, 10 EU countries and Great Britain, spoke out strongly against the current situation.

Its chief, Allegra Pacheco, said: Since May 2022, nearly 500 Palestinians  almost half children  from seven herding communities in Area C [an Israeli-controlled area of the West Bank] have been forcibly transferred due to increased Israeli settler harassment and violence, as well as ongoing Israeli restrictive building and planning measures including demolitions of Palestinian residential, community, water and livelihood structures.

Ms Pacheco said in the last year Israeli authorities have demolished three EU donor-funded schools, including one just a few weeks ago.

She said:

The Israeli authorities demolished the school after the entire community was forcibly transferred by relentless settler attacks, with the aim on ensuring that Palestinian children will not return to their school building for the new school year.

Ms Pacheco said that international donors are supporting their provision of critical humanitarian aid to vulnerable communities in the region but said that their humanitarian space is shrinking.

We are not provided by Israeli authorities with unimpeded access, humanitarian staff face harassment and violence by Israeli settlers, she said, adding that the assistance they want to provide is absolutely essential to the communities in occupied Palestinian territories.

These are viewpoints that Mr Martin would have been made well aware of during his visit this week.

There is a responsibility on Israels combined power to protect Palestinians in this situation and to ensure that the rule of law is applied impartially and objectively, he said. And that is a matter of grave concern.

Recognising the state of Palestine

When Micheal Martin visited an all-girls school in Ramallah in the West Bank on Wednesday, it was a veritable red-carpet affair. The Palestinian Authoritys acting education minister was among the dignitaries to greet him, hailing the Tanaiste and the Irish people as great friends of Palestine.

Mahmoud Mosa Abu Mouis also said that he looked forward to Ireland declaring its recognition of the Palestinian State, which he expects soon.

Mr Abu Mouis may have jumped the gun. Irelands support for Palestine, although it may be stronger than most of our EU peers, is not without at least some reservations.

Micheal Martin and Mahmoud Abbas. Picture: Phil Behan/DFA

In his discussions with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas later that day, Mr Martin said he raised the fact that there have been no democratically held elections in Palestine since 2006.

That means people in their 30s have not voted for representatives to the Palestinian Authority, he said. And thats not good.

In reply, Mr Abbas said that Palestinians in East Jerusalem would not be permitted to vote in such elections by the Israeli authorities. He said he cannot have a general election without this population being included. Again, this is a problem that needs solving and the solutions arent easy ones.

As for recognising the state of Palestine, that is not something Ireland is ready to do just yet.

While it would be a significant step, the Tanaiste said Ireland going it alone among EU colleagues would have little impact. He wants a critical mass of European countries to move together on it, to have the strongest effect.

A pertinent example of the problems on the ground in certain areas, even away from the West Bank, came when he visited the city of Lod on Monday. Ireland contributes aid in multiple ways to the region, and one project it supports is the Abraham Institutes Project.

Lod is a mixed city of Jews and Arabs. The heads of the Abraham Institutes come from both sides of the fence. They want to bring the two communities together but described how it can be like banging heads against a brick wall.

While the equivalent of the local council is filled with Israeli citizens, the Palestinian population gets little to no representation. Playgrounds were said to have been burnt out. Buildings were torn down and car parks put in to replace them. No investment for infrastructure for that population.

In the central area full of Arab business owners, the street names are even provocative with one named after the Israeli Defence Forces. The Tanaiste was told its to always remember who has the upper hand.

Hopes of progress

After meeting Prime Minister Netanyahu, President Abbas, the UN agency, and many others over a packed first two days, the Irish Examiner asked the Tanaiste if hed seen or heard anything to give him hope that there was any chance of progress. The kind of progress that could see a reversal of the escalating tension and violence in the region of recent years.

Its worth reading his comments in full. While he said one always has to be hopeful, it struck a pessimistic chord. Ill take time to reflect on this, he said.

Yesterday was full on until last night. We met a very interesting group last night from civil society who were the two main people involved in Colum McCanns book Apeirogon. I met with them last evening at the parents' circle. These are parents whose children were killed either by Israeli forces or by Jihadists.

"In Ramis case, an explosion in Jerusalem. Its a great novel by Colum McCann. I never thought Id get the opportunity to meet the two protagonists but I did last evening with two others.

Theyve very interesting perspectives on peace and reconciliation... but again, even theyre finding themselves coming under pressure going into schools. It seems authorities dont want that message disseminated too widely.

Certainly in terms of whats happening on the increased settler violence issues and expanded settlements, as it runs contrary to the two-state solution. On the other hand, we see what happens in talks between the Israeli government, the Saudi Arabian government and the United States, with a linkage to the Palestinian question that might offer some hope. But theres a lot of work on that track yet.

One always has to be hopeful. However, there is a concern about a shrinking civil society space which produced transparency and on the proper underpinning of human rights for all citizens. And then the absence of proper dialogue between the Israeli Government and the Palestinian Authority. That will be concerning.

Even as the Tanaiste spoke these words on Wednesday evening, reports were emerging of a stabbing in the old city of Jerusalem. An Israeli man was seriously wounded in the attack, and a 17-year-old was arrested by police.

It was a timely reminder. The violence here is worsening. And with other crises happening that dominate headlines, much of the world is not watching.

Micheal Martin visited a Palestinian school which is part-funded by Irish support. Picture: Phil Behan/DFA

While the Irish government can repeatedly refer to our own peace process back home and how progress and a breakthrough once thought unthinkable all it likes, there appears little appetite or chance of anything like that happening here at the moment.

The talks between the Israelis and Saudis will be watched closely. Thats a potential source of progress.

The Irish State regularly fancies itself as punching above its weight when it comes to foreign affairs, a recent example being securing a seat on the UN Security Council. Making progress now on this at EU level seems to be a priority.

With no signs of Russian aggression in Ukraine stopping any time soon, among other things, it would be a Herculean effort for Ireland to make this a top priority again. Making it one in the EU could have a significant impact and force the hands of different parties into dialogue.

Despite what the Tanaiste himself described as a productive and helpful few days in the Middle East, whether even that can be achieved in the short term remains to be seen.
Last September, the oldest woman in Ireland climbed into the back of a model T Ford the same age as herself  108 years old  and took a turn around the Phoenix Park in Dublin, providing, as she went, a personal history of the State.

Theres a fascinating account of it on the Irish Life and Lore podcast in which Mairin Hughes, who died aged 109 on Tuesday, ensures that the details of her singular life are preserved. And what a life.

She lived in Ballydowney House in Killarney, where orator and rebel leader Robert Emmet is said to have been born. She knew island storyteller Peig Sayers and spent many summers on the Blaskets, making the crossing by traditional naomhog. She remembers the Spanish Flu of 1918, the arrival of the Black and Tans in Kerry in 1920, and a year later, the Free State army.

More than a decade later, in 1935, she had graduated with a science degree from University College Cork and went on to work in the universitys laboratory where she played a role in perfecting the production of synthesised Vitamin C, newly discovered at the time.

She told Maurice OKeeffe of the Irish Life and Lore podcast (irishlifeandlore.com), that she knew the biochemists who were more deeply involved in the project and helped them to isolate components other than vitamin C.

HISTORY HUB If you are interested in this article then no doubt you will enjoy exploring the various history collections and content in our history hub. Check it out HERE and happy reading

Her work in the 1930s and 40s also included testing blood samples sent by doctors from Cork city and county. I sat into that job beautifully, she said.

Maurice OKeeffe first became aware of Mairin Hughes and her exceptional memory through Paul Kerr, whose grandaunt and godmother, Nora Barrett, was Mairins best friend. The two women knew each other in Cork and later became residents of the same nursing home, Maryfield in Chapelizod, Dublin, around 1985.

A celebration was held for Mairin Hughes on her 109th birthday earlier this year.

In interviews, Mairin said she kept her mind sharp by reading, playing Scrabble and doing crosswords. Her friendship with Nora also played a key role. As Maurice OKeeffe explains: Both women would read a different book every week and discuss it at the weekends. The two-woman book club continued until shortly before Nora died, aged 105.

Maurice OKeeffe first met Mairin when she was 107 and interviewed her twice at her nursing home. He was keen to record and archive her exceptional story on the podcast he has been running with his wife, Jane OKeeffe, for over 30 years.

He got the idea of bringing her around the Phoenix Park in a Model T Ford the same age as herself after he interviewed the cars owner, John Brady, in Meath.

Its a joy to listen to a woman older than the Irish State. She was born in Belfast on May 22, 1914, and jokes that she brought the First World War in with her. During the Second World War, she recalls climbing onto rooftops to keep an eye out for bombs, armed with nothing more than a bucket of water to put out any fires they might cause.

Mairin's memories

Her reminiscences of her childhood in Killarney, her friendship with Peig Sayers, her love of Irish and her work as a scientist offer an unrivalled insight into the history of Ireland.

As a very young child in Killarney, she remembers her mother parcelling up food to give to those affected by the highly infectious flu epidemic. Those delivering the parcels were told to knock on the door and then run like the blazes to avoid getting infected.

Her father Liam Sheehan, originally from Rathmore, Co. Kerry, was a customs officer and was one of the few who had a car at the time, as he had to travel around the country hand-delivering pensions, among other things.

At one point, he had a Peugeot and was stopped by the guards. Unfamiliar with the make, the guards looked at the stylised marque on the car and said: Hes driving something called a gudget. Mairin breaks into peals of laughter as she recounts the story.

More laughter ensues when she recalls passing by her present nursing home, some 50 years ago with her mother, when it was being built. Her mother asked a group of young boys on the street what it was. Thats where the rich auld wans are going to live, she recalls, with a hoot.

And, at 108, she saw herself as one of those rich auld wans, rich in the sense that she was surrounded by such a good community, she said.

Of her family and childhood community, she says her mother Annie Dinneen, also from Rathmore, was involved in the Gaelic League with her husband. Her first cousin was the famous lexicographer and historian, Fr Padraig Dinneen, who compiled the Irish-English dictionary, first published in 1904.

Mairin's father Liam Sheehan, Mairin, her brother Sean and mother Annie (nee Dinneen), circa 1921. Annie designed the dress Mairin is wearing, using a Celtic design copied from one of the stained-glass windows in St Mary's Cathedral in Killarney. Photo courtesy of Maurice O'Keeffe

The family background instilled in Mairin a deep interest in the Gaelic Revival and the Irish language. Shes inclined to burst into song as Gaeilge. There is a wonderful surviving family photograph showing her wearing an outfit made by her mother which incorporated a Celtic design copied from one of the stained-glass windows in St Marys Cathedral, Killarney.

Indeed, one of Mairins first outings as a driver was as a teenager when she drove her mother to the dressmaker. When my father found out, there was murder! she said. And yet, on her 17th birthday, she came down to breakfast to find that he had bought her a driving licence.

She talks with ease about car brands and motorbikes, recalling registration numbers from the 1920s and explaining what the letters meant. She had a Brownie Box camera and treasured it, although it is her memory that is photographic.

With her mother and brother, she was one of hundreds of thousands of people who attended the International Eucharistic Congress in 1932, walking from Rathmines to the Phoenix Park. She is especially proud that her cousin, Lt Col Fionnbar OCathain, was one of those who flew in formation above the Cardinal Legates ship as it arrived in Dublin.

The Congress was hosted in Ireland to coincide with the 1,500th anniversary of the arrival of Saint Patrick. It was one of the largest gatherings of the 20th century.

Mairin moved to Dublin herself in the 1950s when she married Frank Hughes and she worked for many years as a teacher.

When she turned 109 earlier this year, she said: I just like living, and advised others not to waste time and to live life to the full.

She died on Tuesday night, after a short illness, surrounded by her Maryfield Community. She is survived and sadly missed, by her niece Nuala, nephew Michael, cousin Bairbre, and all of her Maryfield family who described her as an inspirational lady who taught us so much about life.

Mairin was full of knowledge and kindness. She cared deeply about nature, giving back to her local community, and religion played a large part of her life. She lived all of her 109 years to the fullest and we will miss her every day, they said in her funeral notice. Her funeral mass takes place today.

Mairin Hughes has left an indelible mark during her unusually long passage through this world. May the memory of her extraordinary life live on.

You can listen to Mairin Hughes' jaunt in a model T Ford in this Irish Life and Lore podcast episode.
It was all sunshine and smiles as ministers took a trip to Co Wicklow this week.

But its set to be a rocky road all the way to Christmas once members of Government get back to their offices in Dublin.

In recent months, the coalition parties have been testing how far they can push the other without forcing a breakdown in relations, but with constituency boundaries now firmly set, the limits will be pressed even further.

A number of issues including Helen McEntees hate speech bill and proposals on land use due from Pippa Hackett early next year have been marked as divisive within the coalition.

But with politicians now focused on their own futures after the next election, the spats are expected to get more parochial and even personal.

FREE Irish Examiner gilet with an annual digital subscription Subscribe for 1.54/week Billed as 80 for first year. Ts&Cs apply

Citing recent pointed comments from Fine Gael members on everything from school transport to agriculture, one Fianna Fail source said: I can see major tensions brewing between the coalition parties post recess, particularly in the backbench sections. Buckle up!

The first flashpoint is likely to come before TDs and senators make it back into their chamber seats when Fine Gael members next week confront Eamon Ryan on the contentious issue of funding for roads.

Frustration and anger around what has been perceived as a deliberate delay from the transport minister in allocating funding for roads has been brewing at both the Fianna Fail and Fine Gaelparliamentary party meetings in recent months.

The issue came to a head before the summer when a number of Fine Gael backbenchers and senators demanded that Ryan come before them during the recess.

The timing of this meeting has been repeatedly pushed out over the summer, but the Green Party leader will now face disgruntled members of Leo Varadkars party next Wednesday.

There are a lot of us that are essentially pissed off because we keep going to the department for money to progress these projects and every time they dont allocate enough funding and we have to go back again, said one Fine Gael member.

Fine Gael TDs and senators are frustrated that sufficient money is not being allocated to the likes of the N25 Midleton to Youghal route, the N4 between Longford and Sligo, and the N24 between Waterford and Tipperary.

Its driving us mad, said one Fine Gael member who said he anticipated a very vocal meeting.

But road infrastructure is not the only area which is causing friction between the Greens and the two main parties.

Rural TDs say they are getting it in the neck as it is believed that they are allowing the Greens to put a significant stamp on policy, with bog rewetting, carbon reductions across all sectors, and this weeks announcement around the nitrates derogation for farmers all being raised.

There is a toxicity now around the Green Party and what they are doing, especially in rural constituencies, so we will be more vocal, said one backbencher.

Of course, some of this is tactical scapegoating of a party that has not done itself any favours in its messaging of certain contentious changes, especially those measures that will have an impact on rural dwellers.

Fianna Fail and Fine Gael have also been ably assisted by several rural Independent TDs in demonising the green agenda.

In any coalition, the larger party or parties can often find an easy target in their smaller partners.

But increasingly the mudslinging has been between Fianna Fail and Fine Gael, which in the longer-term could be more destabilising for the Government.

The latest swipes came just hours after the cabinets away day to Avondale, when Fine Gaels Tim Lombard took to social media to denounce Fianna Fail Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue over his handling of the nitrates derogation issue for Irish farmers.

Brussels today with colleagues from the Agricultural Committee and meeting with Commissioner Sinkevicius tomorrow. In person. Yet our Minister for Agriculture had a virtual meeting on Monday to put our case to keep derogation, the senator posted.

A tit-for-tat ensued with Fianna Fail senator Erin McGreehan responding: I see there is a concerted effort by FG on here to attack Charlie McConalogue. Im certainly not happy with the commissions nitrates decision - it will be a disaster for some farmers. especially the smaller ones. Be constructive Tim.

Lombard dug in and issued a press release, stating it was a real blow to hear that McConalogue had a virtual meeting with the commissioner.

Some in Fianna Fail see remarks like this as a weakness from Varadkars party, which will be going into the next general election without at least seven of the current sitting TDs.

Fine Gael seem to be getting techy. They are knocking Norma [Foley], they are knocking Charlie [McConalogue], but they are happy to go out and be part of a coalition if there is any good announcement from us, said one Fianna Fail member.

Nevertheless, Fianna Fail members are still sore about comments made by Higher Education Minister Simon Harris in August.

Defending his own party, he claimed it takes many years to fix, to repair those deep scars from the economic crash and economic mismanagement of this country.

Members of Micheal Martins party have been keen to hit back, arguing that more than a decade of inaction on housing from Fine Gael in power has left Minister Darragh OBrien with a significant amount of work to get done.

However, one minister said those at a senior level will not be following the lead of Harris as they understand the importance of maintaining working relations around the cabinet table.

But this will not stop those lower down the ranks as they try to re-establish their identity among voters, by briefing against their so-called partners in power.

Those looking to retain or gain a seat are acutely aware that for many voters the choice will not be between the two Civil War parties, instead it will be between Sinn Fein and An Other.

Whether Fine Gael or Fianna Fail becomes the dominant other will depend a lot on the manoeuvring that goes on both in public and behind the scenes in the coming months.

In a lot of constituencies, the main rivalry is between Fianna Fail and Fine Gael for seats and people know that one minister said.

Backbenchers will be eager to ramp up the criticism of their partners in Government across several issues, which could lead to a bumpy ride to the coalition at times.

The niceties that were there between members of both parties are kind of starting to end now because we are in election mode, said one Fine Gael senator.

Buckle up, indeed.
Helen McEntee was adamant this week that she would not be watching the TV documentary based on interviews with John Gilligan.

Ms McEntee is the justice minister, while John Gilligan is a career criminal with a reputation for violence and thuggery. He is also widely suspected of having ordered the murder of journalist Veronica Guerin in 1996. He served 17 years in prison for drug offences before being released in 2013.

One might have thought that the minister for justice might find such a programme informative in terms of her brief. She could have watched the first 10 minutes of it and come to the conclusion that it was a load of cobblers in which Gilligan had been given a platform to make all sorts of wild and irrational allegations to distract from his criminality. But instead, she appeared to be making a virtue of her refusal to watch it at all.

This is a person who has been convicted of very serious drug trafficking crimes and who has inflicted untold misery on people  and I certainly wont be watching it and I know many people who wont be either, she said.

Who is she talking about?

Had she been contacted by members of the public complaining about the airing of the programme? She gave no further details.

The junior minister for drugs, Hildegarde Naughton, took a similar tack.

Freedom of the press is very important in any democracy but John Gilligan threatened that democracy through his criminal actions, she said.

I would hope that any journalist involved in this programme would challenge any assertions he might make. I would not be in favour of banning anyone from the air, but I would question the merit of programmes like this.

One wonders how these politicians would feel about an interview with Vladamir Putin, who has been responsible for mass murder and the widespread degradation of human beings.

Or any other of a raft of notorious individuals who are generally reviled and feared.

Is it the case that we should now never hear from anybody who is repulsive, irrespective of what they have to say?

Donald Trump has all the appearance of a man who was, if not continues to be, determined to usurp the basic tenets of democracy, a move that would inevitably have a huge impact on areas such as civil and human rights.

There was some debate last May when CNN organised a townhall style interview with Trump. Should he be given airtime? In the end, the TV station decided to go with it and Trump repeated all his usual bluster and lies but it would arguably have been far worse to refuse to hear from him, particularly as huge numbers of Americans intend to vote for him.

One of the best books published this year was Mark OConnells A Thread Of Violence. In it, OConnell attempted to divine the motives and emotional and psychological hinterland that propelled Malcolm McArthur to separately murder two people, Bridie Gargan and Derek Dunne, in 1982.

The killings were vicious and unprovoked. McArthur was a formerly wealthy, bookish socialite whose coffers were thinning out and the murders were apparently part of an attempt to rob money.

OConnell set out to explore how this could have happened. He searched for McArthur, who was released from prison in 2012, literally by walking the streets of Dublin during the pandemic.

He gained McArthurs confidence and conducted a number of meetings with him on which the book centres.

What emerges is a fascinating cerebral study of a man who could commit such a human outrage.

The families of the two murder victims declined to speak to the author, which is entirely understandable.

From this vantage, it seems obvious that McEntee and Naughton came out strongly against the Gilligan interview on the basis that Veronica Guerins brother, Jimmy, expressed strident opposition to the platforming of Gilligan, as he put it.

Jimmy Guerin is entitled to his outrage. He has been a loyal and vigilant keeper of his sisters flame. He says he was approached to participate in the programme but declined.

Notwithstanding the moral rectitude of his stance, any decision to broadcast what Gilligan has to say should not be his and his alone. Yet government ministers, largely on the basis of his opposition, quite obviously decided that the politically astute thing to do was to dismiss the programme without even viewing it. That is not a good look in a democracy.

There are limits to freedom of speech. One of those limits is the dissemination of hate speech, another is defamation. But, increasingly, in the current cultural milieu, there is a tendency to decide that some people must be silenced if their record or their views are deemed unacceptable. Tolerance in a democracy has to extend beyond those with whom we agree or whose views we feel should not be heard for whatever reason.

As it turns out, the Gilligan documentary is nothing to write home about, certainly the first installment of the scheduled three, broadcast last Monday.

Gilligan comes across as a thug, unrepentant and with no obvious redeeming features. He is pulled up here and there and is totally unconvincing.

That does not infer it was a bad idea to interview him but allotting three hours of airtime based on the interviews appears entirely over the top.

I would have difficulty sitting through a three-hour study of Bob Dylan, Seamus Heaney, or the writer Joan Didion, all of whom have had fascinating lives in which they positively touched millions.

Gilligan has had an impact on plenty of people but only through inflicting violence or living off the drug addictions of others for profit. He is not fascinating.

A half-hour interview would have been more than enough to find out that he is, more or less, exactly as all of us suspected and there is nothing further of value to extract from his opinions and self-serving accounts of his life.

The most interesting aspect of Gilligans story to emerge this week was the suspended sentence he received for drugs and firearms offences in Spain, where he now lives. The 71-year-old had been charged in relation to possession of a firearm and for smuggling cannabis from Spain to Ireland.

Prosecutors were initially looking for a six-year prison term but with the mitigation of an early confession, the judge decided that Gilligan would not be committed to prison.

There is much, often uninformed and understandably emotionally charged, comment on alleged lenient sentencing in this country. Everybody is entitled to a second chance, often expressed through the suspension of a prison term. Yet the outcome in the Spanish court appears inexplicable.

Gilligan is long past receiving one more rap on the knuckles and there is not a scintilla of evidence that he can be persuaded to give up crime this late in his life.
September 10 is World Suicide Prevention Day. This years theme Create Hope Through Action, aims to draw attention to this important public health issue globally, and by encouraging understanding and sharing experiences, this theme gives people the confidence to take action.

This year marks exactly 20 years since World Suicide Prevention Day was established in 2003 in conjunction with the World Health Organisation (WHO), which is a significant advocacy and awareness event aimed at reaching national organisations, governments and the general public, giving a singular message that suicide is preventable.

Considering that Ireland was the last country in Europe to decriminalise suicide in 1993, the catch-up on national and regional suicide prevention programmes with other countries has been significant, up to a level where Irish researchers currently advise international suicide prevention and research policy in WHO via the National Suicide Research Foundations WHO Collaborating Centre on Surveillance and Research in Suicide Prevention.

The second National Suicide Reduction Strategy, Connecting for Life, 2015-2024, co-ordinated by the HSE National Office for Suicide Prevention (NOSP), has provided a template for suicide prevention policy in other countries.

Unique elements of the Connecting for Life Strategy are the cross-sectoral approach, involving 22 government departments and agencies leading or co-leading on the strategys 69 actions and regional implementation plans, co-ordinated at county level by Resource Officers for Suicide Prevention.

Having spent more than three decades working in the field of suicide prevention research and public mental health, currently, the demand for evidence-based public mental health policy has never been greater, especially in light of the challenges posed by the covid-19 pandemic.

We have come a long way. Twenty years ago, the stigma associated with suicide was tangible, and we came across professionals and people in the community who would not feel comfortable using the word suicide, and sometimes they referred to the S-word. Fortunately, this has changed.

The UCC School of Public Health and National Suicide Research Foundation have seen a significant increase in requests for policy briefings, research collaborations, requests for real-time suicide and self-harm surveillance data to inform mental health promotion and suicide prevention programmes.

Requests for mental health expertise related to other public health emergencies have also increased over the past three years.

We have come a long way. Twenty years ago, the stigma associated with suicide was tangible, and we came across professionals and people in the community who would not feel comfortable using the word suicide, and sometimes they referred to the S-word. Fortunately, this has changed.

How can we even make a first step in preventing suicide, if we are not able to openly listen to and communicate with people who are experiencing suicidal thoughts? Despite the progress, it may take generations before people who are experiencing emotional pain are approached with the same openness as those experiencing physical pain.

Ongoing challenges

Compared to other countries, the overall suicide rates in Ireland are average. However, in relation to young people aged 15-19 years, Ireland ranks 9th in Europe, after Baltic and Scandinavian countries, which is a worrying development.

In addition, the National Self-Harm Registry Ireland, funded by the NOSP, has identified a sustained increase in hospital-presenting self-harm by children and adolescents. For example, the rate of self-harm presentations to hospital Emergency Departments by 10-to 14-year-olds doubled during the 10 years before the covid-19 pandemic.

Complete data on suicide deaths in Ireland are not available for several years and the pandemic has compounded this problem. For last years World Suicide Prevention Day, the Central Statistics Office (CSO) published a release on suicide statistics up to 2019.

The rate of self-harm presentations to hospital Emergency Departments by 10-to 14-year-olds doubled during the 10 years before the covid-19 pandemic. Picture: iStock

Among persons under 25 years of age, suicide was the leading cause of male deaths and the third-leading cause of female deaths. However, there was some evidence of a decrease in suicide over the period 2011-2019. For every 100,000 persons in the country, there were 12.5 suicides in 2011 compared to 11 suicides in 2019, a 12% reduction.

In order to have access to timely data, researchers in the School of Public Health and National Suicide Research Foundation, have established a real-time suicide surveillance system in collaboration with coroners in Cork and Kerry, known as the Suicide Observatory, which we aim to implement more widely in Ireland.

Having access to timely and accurate suicide mortality data is critical in order to provide a timely response and supports in situations of suicide contagion and clustering, which is an ongoing worrying phenomenon, especially among young people.

Also, the increasing challenges related to misinformation, including statements about apparent suicide clusters, rapidly and widely disseminated via social media, and not substantiated by real-time suicide data, have had harmful impacts on people who are vulnerable and who are currently at risk of suicide.

People who are experiencing a severe depression will selectively focus on negative news, such as a media headline referring to suicide epidemic, without questioning whether this is based on real facts.

Improved accuracy of suicide mortality data will also be critical in determining whether Ireland will be able to meet the UN Sustainable Development Goal, in particular target 3.4: to reduce by one third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases, including suicide by 2030.

Read More More than 410 people died by suicide last year

Supporting people who have experienced the loss of a family member, friend or colleague through suicide is another priority.

A recent national survey among people bereaved by suicide identified that one in five participants (21%) reported some degree of suicidal ideation in the previous two weeks, which was higher among men than women.

This underlines the need for structural and specialised supports for people bereaved by suicide, to meet their needs and to reduce suicide risk.

Evidence-based interventions and prevention programmes

People who present to hospital Emergency Departments following one or more episodes of non-fatal self-harm are at high risk of suicide.

Therefore, the introduction of the National Clinical Programme for Self-Harm and Suicide Related Education, in 2014, has been a major improvement in capacity building and quality improvement of the assessment and management of self-harm via the allocation of 49 Mental Health Clinical Nurse Specialists across Irish hospital Emergency Departments.

From the broader Public Mental Health perspective, and specifically the prevention of suicide and self-harm, we need to prioritise evidence-based intervention and prevention programmes at population level, to work more upstream.

Too often we are walking behind the facts, and it is critical that we become more effective in preventing mild depressive symptoms developing into a severe depressive disorder and suicidal behaviour. This is a key priority considering the increasing rates of self-harm under the age of 12.

How do we reach people at risk in the population, before they develop suicidal thoughts and before a first act of self-harm? Via schools (both primary and secondary), workplace settings, primary care services and community-based services.

A number of school-based mental health promotion programmes have shown to reduce self-harm and suicidal ideation, with one evidence-based approach: the Youth Aware of Mental Health Programme, implemented and evaluated in secondary schools in Cork and Kerry, reaching publication in The Lancet.

In recent years, the School of Public Health and the National Suicide Research Foundation, have worked intensively with colleagues in other European countries and Australia to implement and evaluate the impact of an online workplace mental health promotion and intervention programme, the MENTUPP-Hub, among both management and employees in the health, construction and information and communication technology sector.

The first outcome evaluation of implementing the MENTUPP-Hub in nine countries, including Ireland, has demonstrated the potential to strengthen employees wellbeing, reduce anxiety symptoms and improve stigmatising attitudes towards depression and anxiety.

In the Central Statistics Office statistics on suicide up to 2019, among persons under 25 years of age, suicide was the leading cause of male deaths and the third-leading cause of female deaths.

Within National Public Health Policy, it would be important to consider a National Suicide Prevention Act, which can legislate clear priorities, accountability, focus and sustainability. In Ireland, the second National Suicide Reduction Strategy, Connecting for Life, which commenced in 2015, is currently being implemented until 2024.

However, time-limited suicide prevention programmes may pose the risk that valuable and effective interventions may be discontinued, and changes in Government priorities may pose challenges and cause delays in initiating the next suicide prevention programme.

Internationally, we have seen that national suicide prevention legislation in other countries, such as Japan, can have a significant impact on reducing suicides.

In working with people with lived of experience of suicidal behaviour over the past decades, an observation that has remained stable over time is that people who attempt suicide dont want to die, what they want is a different life.

Support services:

The Samaritans - 116 123 or text: 087 2 60 90 90

Text about it: 50808

For information on mental health support services please visit: yourmentalhealth.ie
North Korea invited visiting Chinese delegates and Russian artists to a paramilitary parade to celebrate the 75th founding anniversary of the state on Saturday.

It was part of leader Kim Jong Uns latest effort to display his ties with Moscow and Beijing in the face of deepening confrontations with Washington, analysts said.

The event in the capital, Pyongyang, which began on Friday night, came amid expectations Mr Kim will travel to Russia soon for a meeting with President Vladimir Putin that could focus on North Korean arm sales to refill reserves drained by the Kremlins war on Ukraine.

While China has sent a delegation led by vice premier Liu Guozhong to the anniversary celebrations, Russia sent a military song and dance group.

South Korean media speculated the lack of Russian government officials at the festivities could be related to preparations for a summit between Mr Kim and Mr Putin, which Washington expects within the month.

Leader Kim Jong Un (right) attends the parade with his daughter (Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service via AP/PA)

Mr Putin is expected to attend an international forum that runs from Sunday to Wednesday in the eastern city of Vladivostok, which was also the site of his first summit with Mr Kim in 2019 and is now seen as a possible venue for their next meeting.

South Koreas spy agency told lawmakers in a closed-door briefing on Thursday that North Korea and Russia could also be arranging an unexpected surprise route for Mr Kims visit to avoid potential venues reported by the media.

North Korea has not confirmed any plans for Mr Kim to visit Russia.

Leif-Eric Easley, a professor at Ewha University in Seoul, said: Whether or not a Putin-Kim summit soon follows, the United States is attempting to deter serious violations of international law by pre-emptively releasing intelligence.

The growing co-operation between China, Russia and North Korea, and Chinese President Xi Jinpings decision to skip the G20 summit in India, gives the appearance of a widening fissure in Asias geopolitical landscape, he said.

Still, a major Russia-North Korea arms deal, which would breach numerous international sanctions, should worry Beijing because association with an emerging pariah state bloc could have negative repercussions for Chinas globalised but struggling economy, Mr Easley said.

People at Seoul railway station in South Korea watch a TV screen showing North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and his daughter (Ahn Young-joon/AP/PA)

KCNA said Mr Kim received letters from Mr Putin and Mr Xi on the anniversary, where both leaders said their countries strengthening ties with North Korea would contribute to the regions peace and stability.

Saturdays parade was centred around paramilitary organisations and public security forces protecting Pyongyang, rather than the military units that handle his nuclear-capable weapons systems, which have been the focus of other parades this year.

Millions of North Koreans between the ages of 17 and 60 are listed as Worker-Peasant Red Guards, a national civil defence organisation that could be loosely compared to military reserve forces of other countries.

Saturdays marches of the Red Guards included huge columns of motorcycles, anti-tank rockets towed by tractors and civilian-style trucks equipped with multiple rocket launchers, according to KCNAs text reports and photos.

Photos showed Mr Kim smiling and talking with his young daughter, believed to be named Ju Ae, as they watched the parade from leather chairs set up at his balcony in Kim Il Sung Square named after his state-founding grandfather.

KCNA said Mr Kim met with Mr Liu and other Chinese delegates ahead of the parade, where they exchanged views on further intensifying the multi-faceted co-ordination and co-operation between the countries.
The Group of 20 top world economies has added the African Union as a member at its annual summit, and host India was able to get the disparate group to sign off on a final statement, but only after softening language on the contentious issue of Russias war in Ukraine.

In the months leading up to the leaders summit in New Delhi, India had been unable to find agreement on the wording about Ukraine, with Russia and China objecting even to language that they had agreed to last year at the G20 summit in Bali.

The final statement, released a day before the formal close of the summit, highlighted the human suffering and negative added impacts of the war in Ukraine, but did not mention Russias invasion.

It cited the UN charter, saying all states must refrain from the threat or use of force to seek territorial acquisition against the territorial integrity and sovereignty or political independence of any state. The use or threat of use of nuclear weapons is inadmissible.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi gestures as he attends Session II: One Family at the G20 summit in New Delhi (Evelyn Hockstein, Pool/AP)

By contrast, the Bali declaration had cited a UN resolution condemning the aggression by the Russian Federation against Ukraine, and said most members strongly condemned the war in Ukraine.

Nazia Hussain, an associate research fellow at Singapores S Rajaratnam School of International Studies, said the statement showed a softening of the language on the war in Ukraine.

However, for New Delhi, getting out a joint statement with some reference to Ukraine, or a joint statement at all especially with both the United States and its Western allies as well as China and Russia toughening their stance on the war, is a win.

Many had been sceptical that there would be a final communique, which would have been the first time one was not released and have been a blow to the prestige of the G20.

Western delegations applauded the agreement, with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz calling it a success of Indian diplomacy.

He told reporters it was significant that in the end Russia had given up its resistance and signed on to the agreement that mentioned the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine.

A senior European Union official, speaking on condition of anonymity in order to be candid about the discussions, said the EU had not given up any of its position, and the fact that Russia had signed on to the agreement was important.

The option we have is text or no text, and I think its better text, he said.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, right, shares a light moment with African Union chairman and president of the Union of the Comoros Azali Assoumani upon his arrival at Bharat Mandapam convention centre for the G20 summit in New Delhi, India (Evan Vucc

At least if they dont implement, we know once more that we cannot rely on them.

Russian negotiator Svetlana Lukash described the discussions on the Ukraine-related part of the final statement as very difficult, adding that the agreed text had a balanced view of the situation, Russian media reported.

She said Ukraine was not the only point of contention in reaching a statement, and claimed that Western powers had tried to enforce the idea that its the Ukrainian conflict that provokes all the crises in the world now.

By contrast, there was widespread support for adding the AU to the G20, making it the second regional bloc to become a permanent member after the EU and adding momentum to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modis drive to give a greater voice to the Global South.

The continent was thrust into the spotlight as well by the earthquake in Morocco, which happened while most of the delegates gathered in New Delhi were asleep.

Mr Modi offered condolences and support in his opening remarks.

The entire world community is with Morocco in this difficult time and we are ready to provide them all possible assistance, he said.

The Indian prime minister told leaders they must find concrete solutions to the widespread challenges that he said stemmed from the ups and downs in the global economy, the north and the south divide, the chasm between the east and the west, and other issues such as terrorism, cybersecurity, health and water security.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi gestures to welcome US President Joe Biden upon his arrival at Bharat Mandapam convention centre for the G20 summit in New Delhi, India (Evan Vucci, Pool/AP)

Mr Modi addressed the delegates from behind a nameplate that listed his country not as India but as Bharat, an ancient Sanskrit name championed by his Hindu nationalist supporters.

India had made directing more attention to addressing the needs of the developing world a focus of the summit, though it proved impossible to decouple many issues, such as food and energy security, from the war in Ukraine.

The summit came just days after Russian President Vladimir Putin said a landmark deal brokered by the UN and Turkey allowing Ukraine to export grain safely through the Black Sea will not be restored until Western nations meet his demands on Russias own agricultural exports.

The G20 urged the resumption of grain, foodstuffs and fertiliser shipments from Russia and Ukraine, saying it was necessary to feed people in Africa and other parts of the developing world.

Russia has been attacking Ukrainian port facilities, and the G20 in its final statement also called for an end to attacks on infrastructure related to the grain exports, and expressed deep concern about the effect of conflicts on civilians.

The G20 includes Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, the United Kingdom, the United States and the European Union.

Spain holds a permanent guest seat.

Mr Putin and Chinas leader Xi Jinping opted not to come this year, ensuring no tough face-to-face conversations with their American and European counterparts.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, third left, calls South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, as World Bank president Ajay Banga, left, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, second left, and US President Joe Biden, right, watch during a group p

Participants arriving in the Indian capital were greeted by streets cleared of traffic, and graced with fresh flowers and seemingly endless posters featuring slogans and Mr Modis face.

Security was intensely tight, with most journalists and the public kept far from the summit venue.

Hundreds of Tibetan exiles held a protest far from the summit venue to condemn Chinese participation in the event and urge leaders to discuss Sino-Tibetan relations.

The G20 agenda featured issues critical to developing nations, including alternative fuels such as hydrogen, resource efficiency, food security and developing a common framework for digital public infrastructure.

Human Rights Watch urged the G20 leaders not to let international disunity over Ukraine distract them at the summit from the other issues.

In addition, Meenakshi Ganguly, deputy director of the organisations Asia division, said members should not shy away from openly discussing challenges like gender discrimination, racism and other entrenched barriers to equality, including with host India, where civil and political rights have sharply deteriorated under the Modi administration.

On Friday evening, before the meeting got formally under way, Mr Modi met with US President Joe Biden.

White House aide Kurt Campbell told reporters afterwards that there was an undeniable warmth and confidence between the two leaders.

As Indias regional rival China has become growingly assertive in the Asia-Pacific region, the US has been seeking to strengthen ties with India and others.

The US, India, the EU and others unveiled ambitious plans on Saturday to build a rail and shipping corridor linking India with the Middle East and Europe that aims to strengthen economic growth and political co-operation.

This is a really big deal, Mr Biden said.
Moroccan earthquake survivors huddled for a night in the open on the High Atlas Mountains on Saturday, a day after the country's deadliest quake in more than six decades killed more than 2,000 people and laid waste to villages.

Neighbours were still searching for survivors buried on the slopes, where houses of mud brick, stone and rough wood were cracked open and mosque minarets toppled by the quake that struck late on Friday. The historic old city of Marrakech also suffered extensive damage.

The Interior Ministry said 2,012 people had been killed and 2,059 injured, including 1,404 in critical condition. The U.S. Geological Survey said the quake had a magnitude of 6.8 with an epicentre some 72 km (45 miles) southwest of Marrakech.

In the village of Amizmiz near the epicentre, rescue workers picked through rubble with their bare hands. Fallen masonry blocked narrow streets. Outside a hospital, around 10 bodies lay covered in blankets as grieving relatives stood nearby.

A man stands next to a damaged hotel after an earthquake in Moulay Brahim village, outside Marrakesh, Morocco (Mosaab Elshamy/AP)

"When I felt the earth shaking beneath my feet and the house leaning, I rushed to get my kids out. But my neighbours couldnt," said Mohamed Azaw. "Unfortunately no one was found alive in that family. The father and son were found dead and they are still looking for the mother and the daughter."

Rescuers stood atop the pancaked floors of one building in Amizmiz, bits of carpet and furniture protruding from the rubble. A long queue formed outside the only open shop as people sought supplies. Underlining the challenges facing rescuers, fallen boulders blocked a road from Amizmiz to a nearby village.

Nearly all the houses in the area of Asni, some 40 km south of Marrakech, were damaged, and villagers were preparing to spend the night outside. Food was in short supply as roofs had collapsed on kitchens, said villager Mohamed Ouhammo.

Montasir Itri, a resident of Asni, said the search was on for survivors.

"Our neighbours are under the rubble and people are working hard to rescue them using available means in the village," he said.

The village of Tansghart in the Ansi area, on the side of a valley where the road from Marrakech rises up into the High Atlas, was the worst hit of any Reuters saw. Its once-pretty houses, clinging to a steep hillside, were cracked open by the shaking ground. Those still standing were missing chunks of wall or plaster. Two mosque minarets had fallen.

Abdellatif Ait Bella, a labourer, lay on the ground, barely able to move or speak, his head bandaged from wounds caused by falling debris.

"We have no house to take him to and have had no food since yesterday," said his wife Saida Bodchich, fearing for the future of their family of six with their sole breadwinner so badly hurt. "We can rely on nobody but God."

The village is already mourning ten deaths including two teenage girls, an inhabitant said.

Tremors were felt as far away as Huelva and Jaen in southern Spain. The World Health Organization said more than 300,000 people were affected in Marrakech and surrounding areas.

Children observe their home area of Moulay Brahim, which was damaged by the earthquake (Mosaab Elshamy/AP)

Running for shelter

Street camera footage in Marrakech showed the moment the earth began to shake, as men suddenly looked around and jumped up, and others ran for shelter into an alleyway and then fled as dust and debris tumbled around them.

In the heart of the old city, a UNESCO World Heritage site, a mosque minaret had fallen in Jemaa al-Fna Square. Some houses in the tightly packed old city collapsed and people used their hands to remove debris while they waited for heavy equipment, said resident Id Waaziz Hassan.

Morocco declared three days of national mourning, during which the national flag will be flown at half staff throughout the country, the royal court said on Saturday.

The Moroccan armed forces will deploy rescue teams to provide affected areas with clean drinking water, food supplies, tents and blankets, it added.

Turkey, where powerful earthquakes in February killed more than 50,000 people, was among nations expressing solidarity and offering to provide support.

Algeria, which broke off ties with Morocco in 2021 after escalating tensions between the countries focused on the Western Sahara conflict, said it would open airspace for humanitarian and medical flights.

The quake was recorded at a depth of 18.5 km, typically more destructive than deeper quakes of the same magnitude. It was Morocco's deadliest earthquake since 1960 when a quake was estimated to have killed at least 12,000 people, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

Mohammad Kashani, associate professor of structural and earthquake engineering at the University of Southampton, compared scenes of the aftermath to images from Turkey in February: "The area is full of old and historical buildings, which are mainly masonry. The collapsed reinforced concrete structures that I saw ... were either old or substandard."

Marrakech is due to host the annual meetings of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank from Oct. 9.

An IMF spokesperson, asked about the planned meetings, said: Our sole focus at this time is on the people of Morocco and the authorities who are dealing with this tragedy.

Villagers stand next to rubble after an earthquake in Moulay Brahim village (Mosaab Elshamy/AP)

A tractor helps remove rubble during a rescue operation for people affected by the earthquake in Moulay Brahim village (Mosaab Elshamy/AP)

The Moroccan military deployed aircraft, helicopters and drones and emergency services mobilised aid efforts to the hardest-hit areas, but roads leading to the mountain region around the epicentre were jammed with vehicles and blocked with fallen rocks, slowing rescue efforts.

Trucks loaded with blankets, camp cots and lighting equipment were trying to reach that hard-hit area, the official news agency MAP reported.

On the steep, winding switchbacks from Marrakesh to Al Haouz, ambulances with sirens blaring and honking cars veered around piles of red rock that had tumbled from the mountainside and blocked the road.

Red Cross workers tried to clear a boulder blocking the two-lane highway.

World leaders offered to send in aid or rescue crews as condolences poured in from countries in Europe, the Middle East and the Group of 20 summit in India.

The president of Turkey, which lost tens of thousands of people in a massive earthquake earlier this year, was among those proposing assistance.

France and Germany, with large populations of people of Moroccan origin, also offered to help, and the leaders of both Ukraine and Russia expressed support for Moroccans.

In an exceptional move, neighbouring rival Algeria offered to open its airspace to allow eventual humanitarian aid or medical evacuation flights to travel to and from Morocco.

Algeria closed the airspace when its government severed diplomatic ties with Morocco in 2021 over a series of issues.

A cracked mosque minaret after an earthquake in Moulay Brahim (Mosaab Elshamy/AP)

The countries have a decades-long dispute involving the territory of Western Sahara.

The US Geological Survey said the quake had a preliminary magnitude of 6.8 when it hit at 11.11pm (2211 GMT), with shaking that lasted several seconds.

The US agency reported that a magnitude 4.9 aftershock hit 19 minutes later.

The collision of the African and Eurasian tectonic plates occurred at a relatively shallow depth, which makes a quake more dangerous.

Earthquakes are relatively rare in North Africa.

Lahcen Mhanni, head of the Seismic Monitoring and Warning Department at the National Institute of Geophysics, told 2M TV that the earthquake was the strongest ever recorded in the region.

In 1960, a magnitude 5.8 tremor struck near the Moroccan city of Agadir and caused thousands of deaths.

That quake prompted changes in construction rules in Morocco, but many buildings, especially rural homes, are not built to withstand such tremors.

In 2004, a 6.4 magnitude earthquake near the Mediterranean coastal city of Al Hoceima left more than 600 dead.

Fridays quake was felt as far away as Portugal and Algeria, according to the Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere and Algerias Civil Defence agency, which oversees emergency response.
Political prisoners in Sagaings Monywa Prison are staging a hunger strike after their possessions and food were seized during a special inspection on Friday, according to a strike committee.

Monywa Peoples Strike Committee said in a statement that military and police intelligence personnel searched the prison and seized food, clothes, books and other possessions from political prisoners. The prisoners decided to stage a hunger strike after the prison authorities refused to demand the items be returned.

Currently, 14 political prisoners are on hunger strike and they have been moved to other cells, the committee said.

The political prisoners plan to continue the strike one group after another until their demands are met, a committee representative told The Irrawaddy.

The committee said the treatment of political prisoners is getting worse each day and has reached a critical state.

They seized the prisoners medicines for conditions like diabetes. The conditions are horrible. A hunger strike is the last stage. It is very risky, the representative said.

Other political prisoners are being held in solitary confinement with restricted food, he added.

U Thaik Tun Oo of the Myanmar Political Prisoners Network said: Seizing the permitted possessions is a violation of the prisoners right.

He said political prisoners are treated as military targets and oppressed by the regime.

I want to tell the public not to forget our comrades behind bars, he told The Irrawaddy.

Monywa Prison is notorious for its ill-treatment of political prisoners who have been arrested since the 2021 coup. At least 4,056 people have been killed and 24,740 civilians have been detained since the coup, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners. Of them, 19,447 remain behind bars.
Russian lessons on democracy

As junta boss Min Aung Hlaing hinted at a timeframe for the election he has promised, junta-appointed Union Election Commission chairman Thein Soe flew to Moscow on Wednesday. Junta media reported that his trip is intended to promote electoral cooperation between Myanmar and Russia.

Last week, Min Aung Hlaing told his cabinet that he plans to hold an election after a national census in October next year, indicating that the poll will not take place until at least 2025.

Meanwhile, Thein Soe will sign a memorandum of understanding with Russias Central Election Commission and observe local elections during his one-week trip, according to junta media.

Russia ranks as an authoritarian regime in the Economist Intelligence Unit (IEU)s latest Democracy Index.

In July, Thein Soe observed elections in Cambodia that took place soon after the main opposition party was banned and were criticized by the worlds democracies as neither free nor fair.

Why is Thein Soe choosing to observe elections that are neither free nor fair?

Myanmar citizens know what to expect from a former major-general who served in Than Shwes regime as Military Advocate-General, oversaw the 2010 general election that was widely considered rigged, annulled the results of 2020 general election won by the National League for Democracy (NLD), and amended electoral laws in favor of the militarys proxy Union Solidarity and Development Party, and against the NLD.

Maravijaya Buddha vs Bagan

The regime is promoting the Maravijaya Buddha statue  which was built by junta boss Min Aung Hlaing and opened only a month ago  as a major tourist attraction to match the countrys World Heritage-listed temple city of Bagan, which is nearly 1,000 years old.

The new statue in the administrative capital Naypyitaw was touted alongside famous landmarks like Bagan, Inle Lake, and the Gems Emporium by Naypyitaw Council chairman Lt-General Than Tun Oo at the inauguration of the International Tourism Alliance of Silk Road Cities in Chinas Jingdezhen city on September 1.

Built by a junta boss whose hands are stained with the blood of at least 4,000 civilians killed since he seized power, the colossal statue is the most controversial place of worship in Buddhist-majority Myanmar, where taking life is considered a cardinal sin.

Many have boycotted the statue, convinced it is nothing more than a tool Min Aung Hlaing is using to win public support.

Meanwhile, promoting the marble colossus as a match for the world-famous heritage site of Bagan is a cynical and brazen act of cultural vandalism.

Min Aung Hlaing is fooling no one

While never hesitating to torture and slaughter those who oppose him, Min Aung Hlaing is equally keen on creating a good impression. Despite leading a regime renowned for its barbarousness, he likes to portray himself as a humane and pious man with a passion for the environment.

At an annual tree-planting ceremony on September 7, the junta boss praised the cultivation of trees as a humane and very noble act that offers people benefits not only in the current life but also in lives to come.

However, extolling the virtues of humanity and nobility while simultaneously overseeing a crackdown that has killed thousands of civilians since his February 2021 coup amounts to nothing more than brazen hypocrisy.

The junta leader also visited his Maravijaya Buddha statue on September 5 to see if the trees planted in the grounds of the colossal vanity project are growing well.

Despite his best efforts, the majority of Myanmars people continue to see Min Aung Hlaing as a war criminal who ousted the elected National League for Democracy government over his obsessive jealousy of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and his thirst for power.

Junta adds Russias propaganda firehose to its arsenal

Russias Sputnik International News Media has signed a content sharing agreement with Myanmar junta mouthpiece the Global New Light of Myanmar. Read more here.

Election unlikely before 2025: Junta chief

Min Aung Hlaing says voting will take place after a census is taken in October 2024. Read more here.

Regime eyeing BRICS membership

The cash-strapped regime is seeking closer ties with allies China, Russia and India  as well as access to the BRICS bank. Read more here.
Country

United States of America US Virgin Islands United States Minor Outlying Islands Canada Mexico, United Mexican States Bahamas, Commonwealth of the Cuba, Republic of Dominican Republic Haiti, Republic of Jamaica Afghanistan Albania, People's Socialist Republic of Algeria, People's Democratic Republic of American Samoa Andorra, Principality of Angola, Republic of Anguilla Antarctica (the territory South of 60 deg S) Antigua and Barbuda Argentina, Argentine Republic Armenia Aruba Australia, Commonwealth of Austria, Republic of Azerbaijan, Republic of Bahrain, Kingdom of Bangladesh, People's Republic of Barbados Belarus Belgium, Kingdom of Belize Benin, People's Republic of Bermuda Bhutan, Kingdom of Bolivia, Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina Botswana, Republic of Bouvet Island (Bouvetoya) Brazil, Federative Republic of British Indian Ocean Territory (Chagos Archipelago) British Virgin Islands Brunei Darussalam Bulgaria, People's Republic of Burkina Faso Burundi, Republic of Cambodia, Kingdom of Cameroon, United Republic of Cape Verde, Republic of Cayman Islands Central African Republic Chad, Republic of Chile, Republic of China, People's Republic of Christmas Island Cocos (Keeling) Islands Colombia, Republic of Comoros, Union of the Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, People's Republic of Cook Islands Costa Rica, Republic of Cote D'Ivoire, Ivory Coast, Republic of the Cyprus, Republic of Czech Republic Denmark, Kingdom of Djibouti, Republic of Dominica, Commonwealth of Ecuador, Republic of Egypt, Arab Republic of El Salvador, Republic of Equatorial Guinea, Republic of Eritrea Estonia Ethiopia Faeroe Islands Falkland Islands (Malvinas) Fiji, Republic of the Fiji Islands Finland, Republic of France, French Republic French Guiana French Polynesia French Southern Territories Gabon, Gabonese Republic Gambia, Republic of the Georgia Germany Ghana, Republic of Gibraltar Greece, Hellenic Republic Greenland Grenada Guadaloupe Guam Guatemala, Republic of Guinea, Revolutionary People's Rep'c of Guinea-Bissau, Republic of Guyana, Republic of Heard and McDonald Islands Holy See (Vatican City State) Honduras, Republic of Hong Kong, Special Administrative Region of China Hrvatska (Croatia) Hungary, Hungarian People's Republic Iceland, Republic of India, Republic of Indonesia, Republic of Iran, Islamic Republic of Iraq, Republic of Ireland Israel, State of Italy, Italian Republic Japan Jordan, Hashemite Kingdom of Kazakhstan, Republic of Kenya, Republic of Kiribati, Republic of Korea, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Republic of Kuwait, State of Kyrgyz Republic Lao People's Democratic Republic Latvia Lebanon, Lebanese Republic Lesotho, Kingdom of Liberia, Republic of Libyan Arab Jamahiriya Liechtenstein, Principality of Lithuania Luxembourg, Grand Duchy of Macao, Special Administrative Region of China Macedonia, the former Yugoslav Republic of Madagascar, Republic of Malawi, Republic of Malaysia Maldives, Republic of Mali, Republic of Malta, Republic of Marshall Islands Martinique Mauritania, Islamic Republic of Mauritius Mayotte Micronesia, Federated States of Moldova, Republic of Monaco, Principality of Mongolia, Mongolian People's Republic Montserrat Morocco, Kingdom of Mozambique, People's Republic of Myanmar Namibia Nauru, Republic of Nepal, Kingdom of Netherlands Antilles Netherlands, Kingdom of the New Caledonia New Zealand Nicaragua, Republic of Niger, Republic of the Nigeria, Federal Republic of Niue, Republic of Norfolk Island Northern Mariana Islands Norway, Kingdom of Oman, Sultanate of Pakistan, Islamic Republic of Palau Palestinian Territory, Occupied Panama, Republic of Papua New Guinea Paraguay, Republic of Peru, Republic of Philippines, Republic of the Pitcairn Island Poland, Polish People's Republic Portugal, Portuguese Republic Puerto Rico Qatar, State of Reunion Romania, Socialist Republic of Russian Federation Rwanda, Rwandese Republic Samoa, Independent State of San Marino, Republic of Sao Tome and Principe, Democratic Republic of Saudi Arabia, Kingdom of Senegal, Republic of Serbia and Montenegro Seychelles, Republic of Sierra Leone, Republic of Singapore, Republic of Slovakia (Slovak Republic) Slovenia Solomon Islands Somalia, Somali Republic South Africa, Republic of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands Spain, Spanish State Sri Lanka, Democratic Socialist Republic of St. Helena St. Kitts and Nevis St. Lucia St. Pierre and Miquelon St. Vincent and the Grenadines Sudan, Democratic Republic of the Suriname, Republic of Svalbard & Jan Mayen Islands Swaziland, Kingdom of Sweden, Kingdom of Switzerland, Swiss Confederation Syrian Arab Republic Taiwan, Province of China Tajikistan Tanzania, United Republic of Thailand, Kingdom of Timor-Leste, Democratic Republic of Togo, Togolese Republic Tokelau (Tokelau Islands) Tonga, Kingdom of Trinidad and Tobago, Republic of Tunisia, Republic of Turkey, Republic of Turkmenistan Turks and Caicos Islands Tuvalu Uganda, Republic of Ukraine United Arab Emirates United Kingdom of Great Britain & N. Ireland Uruguay, Eastern Republic of Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of Viet Nam, Socialist Republic of Wallis and Futuna Islands Western Sahara Yemen Zambia, Republic of Zimbabwe
Reddit Email 46 Shares

By Ioanna Stamataki, University of Greenwich | 

Recent images of the devastating flash floods caused by Storm Daniel in Greece hit close to home literally and figuratively. As a Greek who has completed a PhD and worked for the past eight years on flash floods, the scenes unfolding across my homeland are painfully real: a stark reminder of the broader environmental challenges we face both on a local and a global scale.

These unprecedented flash floods were triggered by rainfall from the arrival of Storm Daniel on Monday September 4 which also affected Turkey and Bulgaria. The following day, in the village of Zagora, a record-breaking 754mm of rain fell in just 18 hours, leaving parts of the region of Thessaly in crisis and unable to respond.

To put this in perspective, London gets about 585mm of rain over the course of a year while Thessaly gets 495mm, meaning that on Tuesday, about 1.5 years worth of rain fell in 18 hours. Imagine the most torrential rain you have ever experienced, perhaps a cloudburst lasting 20 minutes or so. Now imagine it raining that hard but without pause for an entire day.

Flash flooding is short in duration but extremely intense, and typically happens within six hours of heavy rainfall. Unlike regular floods, which develop more slowly and can be predicted in advance, flash floods catch people off guard due to their rapid onset and are rarely recorded in the field.

Catastrophic effects

Across the three affected countries the floods have killed at least 18 people, with many others seeking refuge on their rooftops. There are ongoing power and water outages, infrastructure has been damaged, houses and even entire villages have been completely submerged.

I asked Andrew Barnes, an academic at the University of Bath with expertise in using AI to analyse extreme events why this event was so exceptional. He told me that throughout Tuesday, a strong low-pressure centre formed across the south of Greece creating a large rotating weather system known as a cyclone.

This cyclone carried large rain clouds from both the Mediterranean and Aegean Sea between Greece and Turkey. But it did not dissipate, and instead its low-pressure centre moved southwest and settled just south of Italy, with its bands of rain clouds also moving south and covering most of mainland Greece.

Trending across the region

It is crucial to emphasise that flash floods are not confined to Greece alone. They are in fact part of a broader pattern of extreme weather that has become more intense and frequent across the Mediterranean region.



Irini Arabatzi



Researchers who looked at 150 years of flood data in the Mediterranean found that most were flash floods, with their highest occurrence during the summer and autumn months. The region is particularly susceptible to these floods due to the combined effects of climate change and urbanisation. The latter has increased urban development in flood-prone areas and increased impervious surfaces (like roads and pavements), preventing the natural absorption of water into the ground.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Changes chapter on the Mediterranean region issued a warning that extreme rainfall events are going to occur more often and be even more intense, elevating the risk of flash floods. This warning, in combination with records of flash floods in 2023 in Spain, Italy, Turkey, Bulgaria, France and Greece, underscores the urgent need for proactive measures to address these climate-related challenges.

Research is advancing

Flash floods might be rare, but they are severe enough to be a matter of significant concern. Fortunately, research has advanced considerably in recent years. Were now better able to forecast when flash floods might happen, which areas might be susceptible, and to assess their impact in real-time.

My colleagues and I are working on a project that combines historical documentary sources and modern hydraulic modelling. This way we can shed light on past floods and better understand the risks they pose, helping us design effective mitigation strategies for the future. Practically, in the case of a flash flood some basic but very important actions can be found on the poster below.



Ioanna Stamataki



A complete eradication of flooding is neither technically feasible nor economically affordable. Instead on a larger scale it is key to start identifying flash-flood prone areas especially in catchments with historical flash floods. We should then focus on advocating for climate action and resilience measures, which can be anything from hard defences like new flood walls, through to policies and better public awareness of the risks. Only this will offer hope of a safer and more resilient future.

Ioanna Stamataki, Lecturer in Hydraulics and Water Engineering, University of Greenwich

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
K-drama fans in the Philippines are about to enjoy back-to-back events as Hallyu stars Park Seo Joon and Lee Min Ho announced their upcoming fan meetings!

Keep on reading to know more details about their upcoming visit.

Lee Min Ho To Re-Visit Manila for Special Fan Meeting

The first half of 2023 was a roller coaster ride for both Korean stars and their fans as they had the opportunity to see each other in different parts of the world. As we navigate the second half of this year, more happenings are about to come.

Korean stars from Kim Seon Ho, Kim Soo Hyun, Lee Jong Suk, Cha Eun Woo, Ji Chang Wook, Jung Hae In to other K-pop idols, almost every international fan fulfilled their dream of meeting their favorite.

In particular, Filipino fans have other events to celebrate as K-drama leading men Parks Seo Joon and Lee Min Ho are coming to the Philippines.

On September 7, according to a media outlet, Lee Min Ho is returning to Manila. He is scheduled to have his fan meeting on October 15 at SMX Convention Center. The property developer, SMDC, who signed up the actor as its global ambassador earlier this year confirmed the announcement.

In celebration of SM's 65th anniversary, Lee Min Ho will join the special event along with his Filipino fans. Meanwhile, details regarding the ticket-selling dates and other instructions for "Lee Min Ho Live in Manila," are yet to be announced.

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: Cha Eun Woo, Lee Min Ho Hailed as Most Influential Actors in South Korea

Lee Min Ho rose to prominence with his titular role as Gu Jun Pyo in the Korean series "Boys Over Flowers." Since then, the actor has starred in other big projects such as "City Hunter," "The Heirs," "Legend of the Blue Sea," "The King: Eternal Monarch," and "Pachinko."

Park Seo Joon Excites Filipino Fans for His Upcoming Fan Meeting in October

Adding to the list of stars who will visit the Philippines is "What's Wrong With Secretary" actor Park Seo Joon. On September 8, media outlets surprised Filipino fans by announcing the heartthrob's upcoming fan meeting happening this October 14.

According to CNN Philippines, Park Seo Joon is the next Korean superstar to have his fan meeting in Araneta Coliseum, following Jung Hae In and Cha Eun Woo. The said event will be handled by Wilbros Live and will be brought by local health brand IAM Worldwide, which recently named the K-drama actors as its newest ambassador.

Adding to the information for the Hallyu star's event, there will be special packages with tickets to the show beginning September 17. Other details about the ticket prices will be announced soon.

What can you say about Park Seo Joon and Lee Min Ho's upcoming fan meetings in the Philippines? 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.
One of the classic K-dramas "Heartstrings" starring Park Shin Hye, Jung Yong Hwa, and more, marks its twelve years this 2023. After almost a decade, let us know where the cast members of the romantic-musical series are now!

Park Shin Hye

Following her marriage with former co-star Choi Tae Joon, the celebrity couple welcomed their firstborn in 2022. Park Shin Hye is ready to break her hiatus as she is already booked to headline a new romance-medical drama "Doctor Slump."

Through this, she will reunite with "The Heirs" co-star Park Hyung Sik, who is also confirmed to lead the project. According to reports, the production has already started but the date of release is still in discussion.

Jung Yong Hwa

CNBLUE's leader and actor Jung Yong Hwa is currently active in the music industry. He is about to drop his second mini album "YOUR CITY!" this September 14. The idol-actor is busy working on his solo and group activities both in Korea and abroad.

His latest drama was with Cha Tae Hyun through KBS' "Brain Works." As of this writing, he has no confirmed acting projects yet.

Kang Min Hyuk

Kang Min Hyuk became an instant breakout star this 2023 after his spectacular role in the Netflix series "Celebrity." He transformed into a handsome but arrogant CEO, which exhibited the new side of him as an actor.

CNBLUE's drummer continues to receive support from fans abroad and even gained new supporters. In fact, he is already returning with a new movie, "Havana," in which he will play the role of a lawyer.

The film is said to be released this September.

Moon Ga Young

Following her back-to-back projects "Link: Eat, Love, Kill," " The Interest of Love," and special drama cameos, Moon Ga Young is currently on a break from acting. However, she is still working on various brand endorsements.

Her latest drama appearance was in tvN's "Delightfully Deceitful."

Im Se Mi

Making huge steps in her career, Im Se Mi is joining big stars Ji Chang Wook and Wi Ha Joon in the action-thriller series "The Worst of Evil." She will play Ji Chang Wook's supportive wife.

She also surprised many with her outstanding performance in the hit TVING series "Duty After School."

The new drama is expected to premiere on September 27.

Who among the "Heartstrings" cast members are you excited to watch with their upcoming projects? Share your 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.
MARKET MOVER: Kelownas Farmers and Crafters Market has been searching for a new home for many years. It looks like they may have finally found it...
5 Shares Share

Rural communities have a problem. Their health care options continue to shrink, as medical facilities close or consolidate. The trend has accelerated in recent years, but Westfield Memorial Hospital in Western New York wants to expand.

The tiny facility on the shores of Lake Erie has four inpatient beds, and has plans to double its capacity to eight. The $700,000 project would not require an additional wing or any new floor space. Westfield Memorial has available rooms that have sat vacant since 2006, when New York ordered the hospital to downsize as part of a statewide restructuring campaign.

Back then, a commission led by investment banker Stephen Berger decided New Yorkers had too much health care access, which threatened the ability of the states largest providers to make money. So Berger singled out some hospitals for closure and others for consolidation, and the state executed his recommendations under the force of law.

The rooms at Westfield Memorial now serve as storage closets for supplies rather than recovery areas for patients. Converting the rooms back to their original purpose would require renovation and funding for new staff. But first the hospital needs something else: a government permission slip called a certificate of need or CON.

Regulators in 38 states and Washington, D.C., require this piece of paper before health care providers can move forward with projects in one or more categories. A study from our public interest law firm, the Institute for Justice, shows that New York requires a CON in six broad categories: hospital beds, beds outside hospitals, equipment, facilities, services, and emergency medical transport. Overall, New York has the broadest and most intrusive CON laws in the nation.

The purpose of CON laws is to lower health care spending by limiting redundancy and oversupply, which works great for industry insiders. Reduced competition gives them leverage over doctors, nurses, and patients, who get funneled to their facilities. But the government interference can backfire, especially in rural communities, where providers already struggle with poverty, staffing shortages, and other challenges.

Besides adding thousands of dollars to any project, CON laws create unnecessary delays. Westfield Memorial applied for a CON on October 14, 2022, but is still waiting for approval more than ten months later. Its spare rooms are still vacant, and four beds that otherwise could be available are still on standby.

At least one other project in the same community remains on hold. A state grant allowed the Chautauqua County Health Department to purchase a mobile health clinic, which is set up and ready to roll. The vehicle made its debut in July 2023 at the county fair. But doctors and nurses could not treat actual patients. Until a CON comes through, the customized RV is little more than a photo op.

Similar stories are routine in rural communities nationwide.

States with CON laws have 30 percent fewer rural hospitals, spend more per patient on Medicaid in rural areas, and have higher emergency room utilization rates in rural areas than other states. Five states without rural hospital CON lawsColorado, Montana, Oregon, Utah, and Wyominghave had zero rural hospital closures since at least 2005, when the University of North Carolina started tracking the data.

All the evidence points to the same conclusion: CON laws are a failed experiment that hurts rural communities the most. Decades of real-world experience support this finding.

California, Texas, and ten other states dumped their CON laws years ago with good results. Elsewhere, lawmakers have substantially scaled back CON laws in Arizona, Ohio, Indiana, and Montana. Three more statesNorth Carolina, South Carolina, and West Virginiafollowed in 2023. Georgia and Kentucky could be next. Committees in these states are studying full CON repeal.

New York remains rigid. The state even doubled down in June 2023, adding a Health Equity Impact Assessment to the application process. In addition to showing market need, CON applicants now must prove their projects would reduce health disparities and benefit medically underserved groupsvague targets that can translate to concrete costs. One hospital system had to pay an extra $50 million as punishment for investing in an upscale Manhattan neighborhood.

None of this micromanagement helps rural health care. People on the ground in places like Westfield know best what their communities need, not bureaucrats looking at spreadsheets hundreds of miles away.

Jaimie Cavanaugh is an attorney. Daryl James is a writer.
Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup.
A federal judge on September 8 rejected former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows bid to move his Georgia criminal case to federal court. Meadows is seen here in October 2020 in Washington, DC.
Kendallville, IN (46755)

Today

Sunshine this morning followed by increasing clouds and a few snow showers this afternoon. High 38F. Winds WSW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of snow 30%..

Tonight

Some passing clouds. Low near 25F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph.
Auburn, IN (46706)

Today

Sunny skies this morning will become overcast during the afternoon. High 39F. Winds WSW at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. Low 24F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph.
American tourists wear Vietnamese conical hats 'non la' and traditional checkered black and white shawl 'khan rang' in HCMC on April 8, 2022. Photo by VnExpress/Huynh Nhi

The U.S. is the third biggest source of visitors and considered a 'golden mine' for Vietnam's tourism but experts said the market's potential has not yet been fully exploited.

Vietnam welcomed more than 7.8 million international visitors in the first eight months of this year, according to data from the National Tourism Administration. Of which, American tourists ranked third with nearly 503,000 arrivals, after South Korea (2.2 million) and China (950,000).

In 2022, when China has not yet reopened its borders, the U.S. sent the second highest number of visitors to Vietnam after South Korea.

Data from the National Tourism Administration showed that for 10 consecutive years before the pandemic (2010-2019), the number of American visitors to Vietnam always ranked 4th or 5th in the top source markets.

Huynh Phan Phuong Hoang, deputy general director of leading tour operator Vietravel, said American visitors to Vietnam spend a lot on food, hotels, and sightseeing tours, "even higher than other markets such as China and Europe."

According to the 2022 Statistical Yearbook of the General Statistics Office, American visitors spent an average of US$1,710 while visiting Vietnam in 2019, ranking third after Filipino ($2,257) and Belgian ($1,995).

American tourists also tend to travel longer and often bring relatives along, Hoang added.

Lindy, 40, came to Vietnam for three weeks with her family earlier this year and was quickly captivated by the local cuisine.

The American woman said she loves bun cha (Vietnamese grilled pork with rice noodles), banh cuon (steamed rice rolls) and dumplings.

"Seafood in Ha Long is extremely fresh and delicious. I visited Ha Long Bay and stayed for a week, but still wished I could stay longer," the tourist living in Kansas said.

"The whole family had a fun trip at a very affordable price."

Pham Ha, CEO of Lux Group, which specializes in operating luxury cruise tourism, said American tourists spend 15-45 days on average a year on traveling.

They always come to Vietnam and then visit Thailand, Laos or Cambodia, and return to Vietnam.

"American tourists account for 10% of total number of visitors my company welcomes every year, but their spending is double, triple or even 10 times that of visitors from other markets," said Ha.

According to statistics from Lux Group company, each American visitor spends an average of $400-500, even $1,000 a day. This number is considered high because an average foreign visitor in Vietnam for 9 days spends about $1,200.

The U.S. is not only a potential market but also a "gold mine" that the Vietnamese tourism industry needs to target to find a way to fully exploit it, Ha said.

Starting from 2017, Vietnam has added the U.S. in a list of eligible countries for e-visa issuance. But that seems not enough.

35 million American tourists traveled around the world in the first half of this year, but only more than half a million came to Vietnam.

Insiders said Vietnam should relax visa procedures and promote tourism campaigns in the U.S. to attract more Americans to Vietnam.

Ha said opening tourism representative offices in major cities in the U.S. is essential.

Hoang said travel businesses need to research and regularly participate in annual travel fairs and roadshows in the U.S. such as Roadshow Travel Industry Exchange, New York Times Travel Show and Seatrade Cruise Global.

Tourism insiders have several times called on the government to offer visa exemption for tourists from the U.S. to boost its tourism recovery. Vietnam already waives visas for travelers from 25 countries, including Japan, South Korea and Western European tourists.
Today, on the margins of the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment (PGII) event at the G20 in India, the European Union and the United States of America welcomed the recent commitment by Angola, Zambia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to develop the Trans-African Corridor connecting southern Democratic Republic of the Congo and northwestern Zambia to regional and global trade markets via the Port of Lobito in Angola.

To accelerate this work in partnership with the three African countries, the European Union and the United States are teaming up to support the development of the Corridor, including by launching feasibility studies for a new greenfield rail line expansion between Zambia and Angola. This represents a powerful evolution of the Partnership element of the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment with a collaborative approach that could be replicated in other strategic corridors around the world.

The EU-U.S. partnership will upgrade critical infrastructure across sub-Saharan Africa to unlock the enormous potential of this region. We are excited to join forces to generate economic benefits with our partners in Angola, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Zambia.

The partnership will combine financial resources and technical know-how to accelerate the Trans-African Corridor development, including investments in digital access and agricultural value chains that will increase regional competitiveness. This announcement shows Global Gateway and PGI at work, bringing partners together to finance multibillion dollar projects that will help create local jobs, decrease the carbon footprint and improve local economies.

As an immediate next step, the European Union and United States will support the Governments in launching pre-feasibility studies for the construction of the new Zambia-Lobito railway line from eastern Angola through northern Zambia. This builds on the initial U.S.-led support to refurbish the railway section from the Lobito port in Angola to the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Once transport infrastructure connecting all three countries is fully operational, the Corridor will enhance export possibilities for Zambia, Angola and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, boost the regional circulation of goods, and promote the mobility of citizens. By significantly reducing the average transport time, the new railway will lower the logistics costs and carbon footprint of exporting metals, agricultural goods, and other products, as well as for future development of any mineral discoveries.

The European Union and United States plan to explore cooperation in three specific areas: i) transport infrastructure investments; ii) measures to facilitate trade, economic development and transit; and iii) support to related sectors to fuel inclusive and sustainable economic growth and capital investment in Angola, Zambia and Democratic Republic of the Congo in the longer term. Specifically, this includes developing clean energy projects to increase the power supply to surrounding communities, supporting diversified investment in critical minerals and clean energy supply chains, extending digital access, growing agriculture value chains to enhance local food production for the region's expanding population and to address global food insecurity, as well as augmenting local workforce training, support for small and medium enterprises and economic diversification.
Amaravati (Andhra Pradesh) [India], September 9 (ANI): Condemning the arrest of Telegu Desam Party (TDP) chief Chandrababu Naidu in connection with an alleged corruption case, Janasena supremo Pawan Kalyan on Saturday said incidents were "unfortunate in a democracy".

Speaking to reporters on Saturday, the actor-turned-politician took a veiled swipe at Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Jananmohan Reddy, saying, "The manner in which the former chief minister was arrested today is sad. We condemn in the strictest terms the way the state authorities and the ruling party are making arrests on the orders of one leader (CM Jagan)."

Also Read | G20 Summit 2023: India's Presidency Has Walked the Talk on Concern of Global South on MBDs, Says Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.

Unleashing a no-holds-barred attack on the Andhra CM while invoking the "development" that the state saw under his predecessor Naidu, Pawan Kalyan said, "Jagan doesn't even have the minimum knowledge. We have all been witness to the developmental strides that the state made under the chief ministership of Chandrababu Naidu. He embodies that pride of the Telugu people."

"Those trying to provoke and file cases (against Opposition leaders) over the last three to four months should be condemned unequivocally, regardless of which party one belongs to," the Janasena chief said.

Also Read | Delhi Fire: Massive Blaze Erupts at Factory in Anand Vihar Area, Fire Tenders at Spot.

"Since Jagan ascended (to the CM post), his negative thoughts and deeds have plunged the state into darkness. Everyone knows how much the state has lost since bifurcation. However, Jagan is the only person who seems to be unaffected by this," he claimed.

Further questioning the Andhra CM, the actor-turned-politician said, "The case against Chandrababu Naidu was filed 3 years ago. Why did they arrest him now? It has become a habit of the ruling party to attack local leaders and create trouble whenever the Opposition parties plan meetings."

Tomorrow, all party leaders will organize a meeting in Mangalagiri and formulate an action plan to deal with the political crisis in the state, the Janasena leader said.

The Jagan government has made a major mistake by sending the former CM behind bars. Our party stands with the TDP," he added.

The TDP chief was taken into custody by the Andhra Pradesh Criminal Investigation Department (CID), in connection with the alleged skill development scam case. A First Information Report (FIR) in the case was lodged in 2021.

As police arrived early this morning to arrest the TDP chief, they faced resistance from party cadres. A minor scuffle also broke out between officials and Naidu's supporters during his arrest.

Naidu said that the CID made the arrest without any proper information and refused to show him evidence to support the charges against him. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Srinagar, Sep 9 (PTI) The Jammu and Kashmir police on Saturday said no civil traffic will now be stopped on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway during the movement of VVIPs or senior officers.

This was disclosed at a high-level meeting of police officers, security forces and other intelligence agencies in Anantnag district to review the security of the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway and SOPs being followed by security forces during convoy movement.

Also Read | G20 Summit 2023: India's Presidency Has Walked the Talk on Concern of Global South on MBDs, Says Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.

The meeting, chaired by Kashmir Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) Vijay Kumar, was attended by GOC Victor Force, J-K IG Traffic and other senior officers.

Kumar advised all the participating officers to conduct a joint survey of the highway viz a viz convoy movement in their area of responsibility and recommend some changes where and if possible, to modify the SOPs to maintain a smooth flow of civilian traffic during convoy movements without unnecessary hindrance.

Also Read | Delhi Fire: Massive Blaze Erupts at Factory in Anand Vihar Area, Fire Tenders at Spot.

During the meeting, it was decided that no civil traffic would be stopped on the national highway during VVIPs or senior officers' movement as an immediate measure and also to suggest additional measures for the smooth flow of civilian traffic in a phased manner.

The move comes as a respite for the commuters on the highway who often complained about being stopped on such occasions.

The officers participating in the meeting were also advised to conduct a joint survey and prepare SOPs to facilitate the free flow of traffic without compromising the security of convoys in a phased manner.

The new SOPs would be submitted to higher up for further approval.

Besides, special focus is given to lateral entries on the national highway and additional personnel may be deployed on laterals. In order to maintain a smooth flow of vehicles, Kumar urged traffic police to deploy additional manpower on important/busy laterals.

He advised the Senior superintendents of police (SSsP) and CAPFs/Army officers to identify the spots on the highway where engineering intervention is required in raising the height of dividers, direct lateral entries and U-turn on it.

They were also advised to identify the spots where a service lane is required and also send joint recommendations where underpasses or overpasses are required to maintain the smooth flow of traffic on the highway.

The ADGP Kashmir also directed the district heads to identify the spots where additional CCTVs can be installed and to employ SHOs/SDPOs during convoy movement at vulnerable spots.

The officers were also stressed by ADGP Kashmir to discourage illegal construction and also to assist civil administration and national highways authority in removing such illegal structures on the highway.

All district Superintendents of police (SsP) were also instructed to generate specific inputs and launch anti-terrorist operations along the sides of the highway, and take legal actions against overground workers operating in these areas.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Thiruvananthapuram, Sep 9 (PTI) A senior doctor of the General Hospital here was found dead in the Amayizhanjan canal in the city on Saturday, police said.

Dr Vibin (55) who was heading the department of anesthesia at the General Hospital was found dead after his car was abandoned near the canal at Kannammoola here.

Also Read | G20 Summit 2023: India Deeply Disappointed by Absence of Chinese President Xi Jingping, Vladimir Putin at G20 Meeting, Says US.

Police said the locals saw the car with the door open and later found the body in the canal.

"It looks like a suicide. We also found some syringes and medicines used for anesthesia," police said.

Also Read | Madhya Pradesh: Man Climbs up Tower After Quarrel With Wife in Indore, Brought Down by SDERF Team.

Police said upon preliminary investigation it was found that the doctor had shown symptoms of depression for the past few weeks.

He is survived by his doctor wife and son.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
The U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration is proposing to enact stricter rules to reduce miners exposure to silica dust. But some people involved with the metal/nonmetal side of the mining industry say that while it is important to protect coal miners from silica dust exposure, placing the same stringent requirements on metal/nonmetal mines will accomplish very little while greatly increasing costs and possibly putting some small mines out of business.

We heard the testimonies of some of these guys in their 30s with advanced cases of silicosis and pneumoconiosis, and thats terrible and tragic, but we just dont see that in metal/nonmetal, said DJ Schmutz, an industrial hygienist who is the director of operations for MSHA Safety Services, a Wyoming company which does training and industrial hygiene consulting for about 300 mining companies across the United States.

Schmutz traveled to testify in person at the hearings which were held on the proposed MSHA silica rule in Arlington, Virginia on Aug. 3 and in Denver, Colorado on Aug. 21. He said his business has slowed down the past month and a half as they have put a lot of time into putting together data on the negative impacts the new silica rule would have on the metal/nonmetal mining community.

Schmutz said the additional testing requirements would significantly increase revenues for MSHA Safety Services if the new silica rules go into effect.

But its going to be negative for the mining community, so weve had to speak out against it, Schmutz said.

When MSHA published a notice about the proposed silica rule on July 13, the deadline for comments was Aug. 28. Several mining companies and state mining associations asked for the deadline to be extended at least into December to allow more time to gather information in order to be able to submit informed comments. MSHA extended the comment period by two weeks, to Sept. 11.

The Nevada Mining Association gathered a working group of industrial health experts and attorneys to assess the proposal, which is 466 pages long and quite complex, said Dana Bennett, the NVMAs interim president. In essence, it seeks to treat metal/nonmetal mines like coal mines without acknowledging the vast differences among these facilities. We are certainly concerned about this proposal and are working diligently to prepare detailed comments to meet Mondays deadline.

Bennett said the large working group has been meeting weekly and assigning different sections of MSHAs proposed rule to different groups of people for review. She said the most recent version she has seen of the comments they have put together is 30 pages.

The rule

In its announcement on the silica rule MSHA said, The proposed rule would require mine operators to maintain miners Permissible Exposure Limit to respirable crystalline silica at or below 50 micrograms per cubic meter of air for a full shift exposure, calculated as an 8-hour time weighted average. If a miners exposure exceeds the limit, the proposed rule would require operators to take immediate corrective actions to come into compliance.

The rule also requires action to be taken if the amount of silica goes above 25 micrograms per cubic meter of air.

MSHAs previous standard set the silica limit at around 100 micrograms.

The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration enacted a rule on March 24, 2016 reducing the acceptable silica limit from 100 to 50 micrograms per cubic meter of air, but that rule does not apply to mining.

OSHA estimates that when the final rule on Occupational Exposure to Respirable Crystalline Silica becomes fully effective, it will save more than 600 lives annually and prevent more than 900 new cases of silicosis  an incurable and progressive disease  each year, an OSHA press release said. The agency also estimates the final rule will provide net benefits of about $7.7 billion per year.

Schmutz pointed out that OSHA allowed a 180-day comment period for their silica rule, and they gave general industry almost two and a half years to implement the new rules. MSHA is only allowing a 60-day comment period, and 120 days to implement the new rules.

Were working with a bunch of our clients to try to put comments together, Schmutz said. But you cant get quality comments and actually get good data in 60 days. Thats not anywhere near enough time. Its really frustrating.

Silicosis cases

One explanation for MSHAs push to enact the new silica rule is that cases of black lung among coal miners has been increasing in recent years. A March 14, 2023 story by Taylor Sisk for Kaiser Health News said, the number of miners diagnosed with the often-deadly disease declined for decades, after federal officials introduced regulations more than 50 years ago. But  the numbers have climbed precipitously as mining techniques have evolved to extract increasingly hard-to-reach coal reserves.

In mines, Sisk wrote, silica exposure comes from drilling into sandstone, which has become more common as thick coal seams peter out and miners move more rock to reach smaller veins.

Schmutz said that after recently receiving some help in how to use MSHAs online Mine Data Retrieval System he did some research into reports of lung disease. He said he found that there were 1,180 documented cases of miners diagnosed with silicosis in the past 10 years. Almost all of the miners with silicosis were coal miners. Schmutz said 1,160 of the cases were coal miners, and there were only 20 metal/nonmetal miners diagnosed with silicosis in the last 10 years. And Schmutz pointed out that around 91 percent of the miners in the U.S. are in metal/nonmetal mines, and only around nine percent are coal miners.

At MSHAs hearing in Denver on the silica rule, Dr. Jeremy Hua, a pulmonologist at National Jewish Health in Denver, said that there is a low number of diagnosed cases of lung disease among metal/nonmetal miners because testing has not been required for them as it has been for coal miners.

Over the more than two decades of the Miners Clinic program at National Jewish Health, thousands of miners have volunteered to undergo medical screening, including hundreds of metal and nonmetal miners, Hua said. A recent review of our clinic data shows that chest x-rays detected pneumoconiosis or dust-related lung disease in a quarter of the metal and nonmetal miners in our screening clinic. And our clinic represents only a small sample of workers in the metal and nonmetal industry. But without widespread, regular, high-quality medical screening and analysis of the findings, it is impossible to know how many metal and nonmetal miners have irreversible, work-related lung disease.

Schmutz later commented that he thought that any documented cases of pneumoconiosis or silicosis would have to be reported for workers compensation and would show up on the MSHA website, but he was only able to find the 20 cases of silicosis among metal/nonmetal miners there.

The costs

Schmutz said he believes the large amount of money which would be spent by metal/nonmetal mining companies to comply with the new silica regulations would be much better spent on safety measures and training in order to reduce the number of mining fatalities. As of Sept. 8, there have been 31 mining fatalities in 2023, according to MSHAs website. On the other hand, over 10 years there have been 20 metal/nonmetal miners diagnosed with silicosis, and many of them do not have symptoms.

MSHAs cost analysis of its new silica rule estimated that the rule would cost an average of $56.1 million per year in 2021 dollars, but that by preventing 410 deaths and 1,420 cases of silicosis over the first 60 years after the silica rule goes into effect, the estimated monetary benefit will be about $212.8 million per year.

At MSHAs hearing in Denver on the silica rule, Schmutz said he estimated that for small mine operators, the costs of complying with the new silica rule will be at least ten times higher than what MSHA had estimated.

Dana Bennett said the silica rule cost forecasts she has heard from Nevada miners has been concerning. She commented that she has found that agencies estimates of the costs of implementing a new rule may turn out to be incorrect.

Truly understanding the business model and the impact that a rule will have on a business is a continuous challenge in a regulated environment, Bennett said. And thats true with any business, not just mining. The folks who are developing the rules dont necessarily work in that business and do not understand all of the nuances, and so often those cost estimates that are presented are not as realistic as they as they could be.

Ultimately, its going to be easier for a lot of operators to shut down than to comply with the new standard, Schmutz predicted at the MSHA hearing in Denver on the silica rule. A couple of citations and they will shut down. And what is that going to do? We still have our infrastructure needs. Were going to be buying, but instead of buying locally, were going to be buying from metropolitan areas and were going to be outsourcing from other countries which dont have any safety controls in place.
New Delhi [India], September 9 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday shared a post on X welcoming Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who arrived in the country for the G20 Summit.

PM Modi recalled his meeting with the Brazilian President in Johannesburg on the sidelines of the recently held BRICS Summit. India will pass on the presidency of the G20 to Brazil.

Also Read | Earthquake in Morocco Kills at Least 296 People, Government Reports; Many Trapped Under Rubble (Watch Videos).

Happy to welcome President @LulaOficial to India. I had met him recently in Johannesburg and I am happy to be getting the opportunity to meet him again at the G20 Summit. His views on various subjects will be eagerly awaited, PM Modi said.

PM Modi had also held bilateral talks with Brazilian President Lula da Silva on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in the Japanese city of Hiroshima in May earlier this year.

Also Read | G20 Summit 2023 Begins Today in Delhi: From One Earth Session on Climate Action to Presidential Dinner, Heres What Will Happen on Day 1 of G20 Leaders Meet.

Accompanied by his wife Rosangela da Silva, Brazil President Lula da Silva landed in New Delhi on Friday. He was received at the airport by the Union Minister of State (MoS) for Home Affairs, Nityanand Rai.

India and Brazil share a close and multifaceted relationship based on shared democratic values and convergence of views on many global issues, according to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

The two countries cooperate not only bilaterally but also at plurilateral fora such as BRICS, IBSA, and G20 and in multilateral bodies such as the UN and WTO, among others. IndiaBrazil relations were elevated to a Strategic Partnership in 2006, thereby heralding a new phase in bilateral ties, it added.

Indias relationship with Brazil has continued to grow over the past decade with various high-level exchanges and got further intensified in 2019 and early 2020 with back-to-back VVIP visits.

PM Modi attended the XI BRICS Summit in Brasilia on November 13-14 in the year 2019. He also held a bilateral meeting with President Bolsonaro on the sidelines of the summit on November 13, 2019.

At the invitation of PM Modi, President Bolsonaro paid a State visit to India from January 25-27, 2020. He was also the Chief Guest at the Republic Day Parade on January 26, 2020.

India assumed the G20 presidency on December 1 last year and about 200 meetings related to G20 were organized in 60 cities across the country.

The 18th G20 Summit will be a culmination of all the G20 processes and meetings held throughout the year among ministers, senior officials, and civil societies. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Fulton County DA Fani Willis, who is investigating Donald Trump in his Georgia case, wrote a letter to House Judiciary Committee chair Jim Jordan and slammed him over his lack of knowledge of the law.

Despite not being a lawyer as he never even sat for a Bar exam, Jim Jordan chairs the important House Judiciary Committee. Willis tore into him for displaying his lack of knowledge when he demanded that she turn over all documents related to her RICO case against ex-President Donald Trump and 18 other co-defendants. As Vanity Fair puts it, she all but calls the Trump-aligned Republican congressman a Moron and is suggesting that he should "take a remedial civics course."

In an attempt to play into his MAGA Republican base, Jordan tried to prove that Willis was colluding with the Department of Justice in her investigation and that stated that the Atlanta-based DA was attempting to interfere with the 2024 election."

However, Willis educated Jordan about how investigations worked and pointed out his lack of knowledge regarding Georgia's racketeering statute and the basics of criminal conspiracy law. She also schooled him about what a special grand jury is, explaining that t "a Special Purpose Grand Jury made up of everyday citizens investigated for 10 months and made recommendations to me."

She further explained to him that "a grand jury of completely different Fulton County citizens found probable cause against the defendants named in the indictment for RICO violations and various other felonies"

Fani Willis Blasts Jim Jordan For Interfering in a Criminal Investigation

She then told Jordan to learn up on RICO cases, telling him with some shade, "For a more thorough understanding of Georgia's RICO statute, its application, and similar laws in other states, I encourage you to read "RICO State-by-State." As a non-member of the bar, you can purchase a copy for two hundred forty-nine dollars [$249]."

READ MORE: Donald Trump's Allies, Co-Defendants, Aides Are Turning Against Him, Says Report

Willis also pointed out that Jordan, a federal official, is interfering into state matters and told the Republican, "Those who wish to avoid felony charges in Fulton County, Georgia ... should not commit felonies in Fulton County, Georgia."

Jordan argued that Willis' investigation of Trump could "infringe on free speech and other rights" of the former president. However, Willis answered this in her letter too, stating that Jordan's request contained "inaccurate information and misleading statements." She then accused him of inappropriately interfering with a state criminal case for his "personal political gain."

Judge Refuses To Move Donald Trump Georgia Trial To Federal Jurisdiction

Elsewhere in the Donald Trump Georgia case. Mark Meadows tried to move the trial to a federal court. However, he also failed in that regard as a judge ruled that it must stay in Georgia.

According to NBC News, Meadows argued that he participated in the plot to overturn the elections as part of his duties as White House Chief of Staff, therefore should be prosecuted at a federal level and not on a state level. However, US District Judge Steve C. Jones ruled that "Meadows has not shown that the actions that triggered the State's prosecution related to his federal office."

The judge explained his decision, "Meadows' alleged association with post-election activities was not related to his role as White House Chief of Staff or his executive branch authority."

READ MORE: Donald Trump Arrested for Georgia Indictment; Changes Lawyer

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH: Fani Willis DESTROYS Jim Jordan For 'INTERFERENCE' In Trump Election Case | Roland Martin
A sixth-grader California boy had a frightening experience after taking on the One Chip Challenge, which led to a near seizure-like state, per Yahoo! News.

The challenge, offered by Paqui, a tortilla chip maker based in Austin, Texas, involves eating a chip reputed to be one of the spiciest in the world and enduring the burn without drinking anything for as long as possible.

John Pedigo, the California boy's father, received a concerning call from the school, initially believing his son had been poisoned.

He was worried and wondered who could have given his son something harmful. However, his anxiety eased when he arrived at the school and learned what had transpired.

The school administrator explained that the boy had participated in the One Chip Challenge.

Jack, the California boy who took the challenge, recounted that after consuming the chip, he began to breathe heavily, followed by bouts of vomiting.

Fortunately, the Pedigo family is grateful that the situation didn't escalate further, especially after hearing about a teenager's death in Massachusetts that may be linked to the One Chip Challenge.

READ NEXT: Boy Dead After Doing TikTok 'Benadryl Challenge'

6 Florida Students Sent to Nurse After Eating the Spicy Chip

Six Florida students required medical attention after trying the Paqui One Chip Challenge snack, according to WFLA.

The incident occurred when a 10-year-old girl found the chip in the trash and brought it to Forest Park Elementary School.

The father of the students involved, D'Anton Patrick, expressed concern over selling the chip to children.

He pointed out that the packaging clearly states that it is for adult consumption only and questioned why a 12-year-old could purchase it from a Boyton Beach Walgreens.

As a result of the incident, the 10-year-old girl received a one-week suspension from school.

The suspension letter mentioned that six Florida students had adverse effects from consuming the chip and were sent to the nurse.

Patrick expressed worry about the well-being of the students who consumed the chip and emphasized the potential danger it poses, especially to younger children.

Angela Cruz Ledford, a spokeswoman for the School District, stated that the district prioritizes student safety and well-being but declined to provide specific details about the medical situations to protect the Florida students' privacy.

Considering the incident, Patrick called for businesses like Walgreens to implement age verification measures before selling products like the One Chip Challenge.

Paqui's One Chip Challenge

Paqui's One Chip Challenge has garnered attention due to its extreme spiciness, featuring blue corn chips seasoned with sea salt, Carolina Reaper peppers, and Naga Viper peppers, the San Francisco Chronicle noted.

The Carolina Reaper pepper, renowned for its extreme heat, holds the Guinness World Record as the hottest chili pepper.

The company's website offers guidelines for those taking on the challenge, recommending the consumption of milk or ice cream to alleviate the intense heat and advising individuals to consult a physician if necessary.

However, the chip's packaging suggests waiting as long as possible before drinking or eating.

Despite the warnings and recommendations, Paqui acknowledged the increase in instances where teens and others have disregarded the precautions.

In response, the company announced that it would recall the product and provide refunds.

Paqui emphasized that the One Chip Challenge's packaging includes clear and prominent labeling warning against its consumption by children.

Recalling the product is a proactive step out of an abundance of caution to prevent further health concerns and ensure consumer safety.

READ MORE: College Student in Critical Condition Following Brutal Attack

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Bert Hoover

WATCH: Company pulling 'One Chip Challenge' from shelves after teen's death l GMA - From ABC News
Elon Musk's X Corp, the parent company of X, formerly known as Twitter, has filed a lawsuit against California's attorney general, Robert Bonta, challenging the state's new content moderation law, AB 587, according to CNN.

This law, signed by California Governor Gavin Newsom in September 2022, mandates that social media companies post their service terms online and provide semiannual reports to the state attorney general detailing their content moderation policies and practices.

Among the law's requirements are the disclosure of how automated content moderation systems function, definitions of controversial content categories such as "hate speech" and "disinformation," and the number of flagged or removed content pieces in these categories.

The law was designed to enhance transparency in social networks' content moderation practices.

However, in its complaint filed in California's Eastern District Court, X Corp alleges that the law infringes upon the First Amendment and California's constitution by potentially forcing the company to moderate politically charged speech by users.

READ NEXT: California Gov. Gavin Newsom Landmark Social Media Transparency Law

Elon Musk's X Corp.'s Lawsuit

The lawsuit that the X Corp. filed in federal court in Sacramento argues that California's content moderation law, AB 587, infringes upon the free speech rights of social media companies under both the U.S. and California constitutions, POLITICO noted.

According to X Corp, the law goes beyond mere disclosure requirements and forces companies to provide detailed information about their evaluation and regulation of vaguely defined categories of political speech.

The company claims that AB 587 compels it to engage in discussions about sensitive and controversial topics that it would rather avoid discussing, all to pressure X Corp to limit constitutionally protected content on its platform that the state finds objectionable or undesirable.

Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel, the author of the legislation, countered that the law does not dictate specific content moderation policies but simply requires companies to report on how they control the content displayed on their platforms.

Gabriel argued that if Elon Musk's X Corp has nothing to hide, they should have no objection to the bill.

This legal challenge reflects the ongoing debate over how to address offensive and predatory content on social media platforms while respecting free speech rights and without infringing on federal laws, including Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act.

Elon Musk and X

Under Elon Musk's leadership, X has been involved in various legal challenges as a plaintiff and defendant.

These challenges include disputes related to promised severance payments, refusal to pay rent and office fees, breach of contract with a regional jet company, a lawsuit against the Center for Countering Digital Hate over data collection, and threats to sue the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) for defamation regarding warnings about anti-Semitism on the platform.

These legal issues reflect the complex legal landscape that X is navigating in areas such as content moderation, workplace policies, and public statements by its CEO.

READ MORE: One Chip Challenge: Paqui's Spicy Chip Caused Several Medical Scare

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Bert Hoover

WATCH: Elon Musk moves Twitter to X Corp - From Yahoo Finance
EDITORS NOTE: This story was updated about 10:30 a.m. Sunday with information about an arrest in the first of two shootings, and 9:30 a.m. Monday confirming the shootings were not related.

Two people were shot in Bethlehem overnight in a span of less than two hours, city police said Saturday.

Both victims of the shootings, which took place late Friday and early Saturday, were treated at area hospitals.

Elijah Watkins, 19, of Bethlehem was charged Sunday with shooting the first victim. He allegedly shot a 19-year-old during a robbery attempt at 11:37 p.m. Friday, according to a news release. He allegedly shot the man inside a vehicle in the 200 block of East Ettwein Street in Center City Bethlehem.

This victim was shot in the arm and leg and police used a tourniquet to control the bleeding from the wounds within three minutes of the initial 911 call, a news release states. The victim was taken to the hospital and is expected to survive his wounds, police said.

Police located evidence of recent gunfire on scene, including bullet casings and damage to nearby vehicles from gunfire, a news release states.

Watkins is charged with attempted homicide, aggravated assault, robbery, possessing instruments of a crime and a gun offense, according to police. Police picked up Watkins at a home in the 600 block of Lamb Street. Police found a gun in the home, a news release says.

Watkins is expected to be arraigned later Sunday.

Police are investigating a second shooting at about 1:20 a.m., Bethlehem police were notified that a man arrived at an area hospital suffering from a gunshot wound to the leg, according to a news release. He was conscious and able to provide limited information to investigators, police said.

He encountered two individuals while walking in the area of Third Avenue and West Union Boulevard in West Bethlehem, he told police, and one of them displayed a handgun and began shooting at him. This victim was taken to the hospital for treatment of what appeared to be a single gunshot wound to the leg, according to the release.

Police confirmed the shootings were related, Capt. Nicholas Lechman told lehighvalleylive.com.

Both shootings are the focus of ongoing investigations and police asked anyone with information  including any video from home or business surveillance cameras  to contact investigators at 610-865-7000 or BethlehemPolice@bethlehem-pa.gov, or by contacting the departments anonymous tip line at 610-691-6660.

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to lehighvalleylive.com.

Kurt Bresswein may be reached at kbresswein@lehighvalleylive.com.
125 YEARS AGO

September 10, 1898: Valentine Walther left a choice lot of apples at this office last Friday. They were grown in his orchard in Huntington Valley. He has a fine place there and grows all kinds of vegetables and some of the hardier fruits.

Ice formed in iron pipes exposed, Tuesday night.

Johnny Garecht and wife have gone out to Mound Valley to reside, Mr. Garrecht having accepted a position as clerk in J.J. Hyltons store.

The Elko Schools opened last Monday morning with an attendance of 137, which number has been increased daily since and will continue to do so for some time to come, as many families will move into town for the winter months. The pupils were enrolled as follows: Elko County High School, enrollment 35. Elko Public School, 2upils.

100 YEARS AGO

September 3, 1923: The Tracy Fairchild Ranch in Independence Valley was the scene yesterday of a pretty home wedding when Miss Leona May Suttle, charming young daughter of G.T. Suttle of Independence Valley, became the bride of Clinton G. Chop Fairchild, well known son of Senator Fairchild. Judge McNamara of his city made the trip north to officiate at the wedding of this popular young couple. The happy couple will make their home on the Fairchild ranch, where young Fairchild is associated with his father.

September 5, 1923: Are you going to Wells tomorrow to attend the opening of the county fair? The special train leaves during the morning and the good people of our sister city offer us a day of unusual attractions.

September 7, 1923: The open season on ducks opens on September 16th, which falls on Sunday. The Elko hunters are making preparations to be out on this date and every one who can get away will leave here Saturday afternoon for Ruby Lake to be on hand early Sunday morning. Ruby Lake is so large that the more hunters the better the shooting, as the bombardment keeps the birds moving.

75 YEARS AGO

September 4, 1948: Inauguration on September 1 of newly authorized air parcel post service will give Elko overnight delivery of packages to practically every city in the nation, according to K. L. Wickwire, United Air Lines station manager here.

September 7, 1948: Students trudged doggedly up the steps of the Elko County High School this morning resigning their fate for the next nine months. When the bell rang officially opening the 1948-49 school year, more than 270 trooped into the auditorium for the opening assembly. After the assembly concluded, the students split into classes for the purpose of electing officers for the coming year. Officers selected are: Seniors  Alan Sargent, president; Leslie Jones, vice president; Arleen Cave, secretary treasurer; Leonard Herrera and Delia Carrillo, class representatives. Juniors: Floyd Vice, president; Leon Hay, vice president; Leah Gregory, secretary treasurer; Mary Lesbo and Douglas Glenn, class representatives. Sophomores  John Cobb, president; John Sheerin, vice president; Jerry Reynolds, secretary treasurer; Mary Todd and Bob Vizina, class representatives; Freshmen  Duane Kern, president; Raymond Paoli, vice president; Patty Samon, secretary treasurer; Telmela Wayman and Stanley Switzer, class representatives.

September 9, 1948: The call letters for the Elko radio station have been changed from KERS to KELK, according to an announcement from T. J. Slowier, secretary of the federal communications commission. Members of the corporation building the station had wanted KLKO for call letters, but these had already been assigned.

50 YEARS AGO

September 4, 1973: Bob Secrist of Elko County Farm Supply purchased John Palacios grand champion steer for a record price of $2.40 per pound during the 1973 4-H Auction held Sunday. Dawnel Wrights grand champion lamb was purchased by Spring Creek Animal Farm, represented by Lulu Pratt and Dick Culley. The animal sold for $8 per pound.

September 5, 1973: Archery season for polar bears opened in Elko this weekend or so it seems as an unknown archer shot an arrow (apparently aimed for the heart) at the Commercial Hotels White King and pierced the giant statue. The arrow, complete with red feathers, was discovered in the bear yesterday morning by a patrolling Elko policeman.

September 6, 1973: A 50 mile per hour wind whipped through Elko for a few minutes late yesterday afternoon causing damage to local roofs and trees and shattering a plate glass window at the Ruby Music Co. Bill Anderson of the U. S. weather service office called the windstorm a freak incident for this area as it was similar to a tornado. He added the wind was part of a squall line of thunderstorms passing the Elko area.

September 8, 1973: Dr. William Bert is a newcomer to the Northern Nevada Community College, accepting the position of executive vice president. He comes to Elko from Arizona where he was associated with Yuma Junior College for the past 10 years.

25 YEARS AGO

September 5, 1998: Are whiners, snipers, clams, time bombs, bulls or other difficult people driving you crazy at work? Are bottom line or disrupting performance and productivity? Do clients, customers, co-workers or bosses often ruin your workday? It can be a serious problem for companies, causing production delays, high employee turnover and lost business, according to national consultant Roz Parry, who will be teaching a course for area businesses Sept. 18 titled Dealing with Difficult People (and how to avoid becoming one yourself!) The program is being sponsored by NENDA and the Elko Chamber of Commerce.

September 8, 1998: Plans to build a bicycle/pedestrian path along a portion of the Humboldt River ran into a state roadblock when the city learned its application for a federally funded, state-administered grant had been refused. According to a letter to Assistant City Manager Charles Williams, the citys application called for a path that does not meet a minimum width requirement.

September 9, 1998: Ed Robertson of Lamoille was named Best All-Around Rider at the Elko County Fair and Livestock show and one of the horses he showed, Jay Wrights mare Miss Nevada, was named Outstanding Stock Horse. Robertson was presented the Melvin Jones Memorial Trophy for his riding and accepted the Louise Marvel Memorial Trophy on behalf of the horse.
This weekend and through Monday, the Patriot Day holiday, many around the country will remember the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001.

Its the 22nd anniversary and organizations in and around the Lehigh Valley are also planning to fulfill the promise they made more than two decades ago to Never Forget.

They pay tribute to those lost in the attacks, including the nearly three dozen individuals who called the greater Lehigh Valley region home at some point in their lives.

Below is a list of the various 9/11-related events and services occurring across the Lehigh Valley and northwestern New Jersey:

The SteelStacks campus in Bethlehem will host Patriot Day honoring the communitys first responders and revealing the Hometown Heroes First Responders Banners on Sunday. A 7 p.m. ceremony will include a presentation of ArtsQuests First Responder Valor Award to City of Bethlehem Police Sgt. Blake Kuntz.

Hanover Township, Northampton County will host a Patriot Day event at 5:30 p.m. Monday at the Hanover Township Community Center apron, 3660 Jacksonville Road. The event includes a speaker, a moment of silence and flag retirement.

Col. Patrick Callahan, superintendent of the New Jersey State Police, will serve as the guest speaker for Hunterdon Countys 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony, scheduled for 8:30 a.m. Monday, on the steps of the County Justice Center, at the corner of Court Street and Park Avenue in Flemington.

The Upper and Lower Macungie townships emergency service organizations will conduct their annual Community 9/11 Remembrance Service at 6 p.m. Monday in front of the Good Will Fire Company No. 1 in Trexlertown.

The Warren County Emergency Services 9/11 Committees 19th Annual Patriot Day Observance will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Warren County Emergency Services and 9/11 Memorial, which is located at 1500 State Highway 57, Washington, between Warren Tech and the Warren County Community College.

If you know of a local event that isnt included in this list, please email us at web@lehighvalleylive.com so we can consider adding the event.
By Lee M. Clark

Every year municipalities across the U.S. are experiencing heavier volumes of flooding events in their neighborhoods. These increasing levels of floods are ripping apart our public infrastructure and causing unprecedented damage, leaving taxpayers to bear the burden of repair costs and local officials to forge a path forward to handle a growing climate threat.

According to a report, 25% of the United States critical infrastructure is at risk of becoming inoperable due to flooding. This same study claims over the next 30 years, as a result of the progression of climate change, 63,000 miles of roads, 66,000 commercial properties, and 1.2 million residential properties will become flood risks across our country -- deeming them inoperable, inaccessible, or impassable. A national perspective of the dangerous effects flooding is having on our infrastructure shows much must still be done.

President Joe Biden recently approved a federal disaster declaration for Warren County submitted by New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy. Warren County has been ravished by massive flooding and rain storms, leaving communities across the county in shambles. Approximately 20 county routes were ordered closed due to extremely hazardous flooding conditions. In the northern portion of Warren County, a severe landslide that closed Route 46 was brought on by the excessive flooding. Experiencing up to 7 inches of rain throughout the county, residents and local businesses were forced to endure critical power outages and unsafe conditions as first responders risked their own safety to bring about order and direction.

As an elected councilman in Phillipsburg, residing in the southern portion of Warren County, this was the first extreme flooding event I had faced.

Our mayor coordinated with the governor via phone. Local first responders redirected citizens and traffic away from hazardous flood zones. And JCP&L worked to restore power. I connected with local businesses and residents in our downtown to provide any updates I could and provide any assistance or relief. We saw Warren County officials spring into action and immediately begin addressing the situation on the ground.

New Jersey has one of the oldest water infrastructures in the U.S. It would not be uncommon to venture into some of our states oldest cities and towns and find water piping from the late 1800s/early 1900s. New Jersey communities are equipped with sewer and drainage systems that were never designed to handle the massive volumes of water flowing through our local communities, as rain storms are becoming more frequent. It also doesnt help that some of our states water infrastructure is literally crumbling underneath our feet. When you examine all of the improvements and repairs necessary to make New Jerseys water infrastructure formidable to todays ever growing climate episodes and maintain public safety standards, estimates reach $26 billion investment over the next 20 years.

With investment costs so high on the state level, it becomes incredibly important to leverage all funding opportunities.

In 2021, President Biden signed the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), designed to be a massive investment in the nations infrastructure and spur job creation. This was also joined with the bipartisan passage and signing of the American Rescue Plan Act, designed to provide relief to Americans around the nation as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. These laws are relevant because New Jersey was granted approximately $900 million over five years through the BIL and approximately $300 million to address water infrastructure. These are funds that can be infused into local communities to help address flooding and invest in climate resilient infrastructure.

It is imperative for New Jerseys municipalities to address flooding through climate resilient infrastructure investment. The state of New Jersey is experiencing an unprecedented amount of federal funding that can directly assist in strengthening and improving infrastructure.

Climate change is not regressing, rather progressing. It is important that we meet the challenge of the 21st century, otherwise municipalities will continue to literally see their roads, bridges, and properties underwater in the not so distant future.

Lee M. Clark serves as vice president on the Phillipsburg Town Council. He is a Democrat.
Ken Smollen has announced that he will step down as as a county councillor in Offaly on health grounds.

In a post on social media this afternoon, Cllr Smollen, who runs the Ken Smollen Food Appeal, said he had to been ordered to take 'a complete break' by medical professionals.

The former Laois-based Garda who was stationed in Portlaoise, added that he had to push everything else to the back of his mind in order to help his body have the best chance during his treatment. Cllr Smollen said that he was told in May that he had lung cancer.

He said that he had received great personal satisfaction when being successful in helping to resolve the many problems that people asked for his assistance with.

Cllr Smollen, who contested the 2020 General Election, said that he would be nominating his wife Sandy Feehan-Smollen to take his seat stating that he knew she would do 'a terrific job'.

The KS Food Appeal was founded in November 2016 by Ken Smollen, who was elected to Offaly County Council in the 2019 local elections. Hundreds of families have been helped by the charity since it was set up with many volunteers in Laois, Offaly and other counties getting involved.

It started as a project that helped the homeless of Dublin but would soon focus on the Midlands.

His statement in full reads:

"Major changes that I need to make to ensure we continue to PUT PEOPLE FIRST, ALWAYS, especially the people of the Tullamore Municipal District who trusted me with their vote at the last Local Elections

"Being told last May that I have lung cancer was a huge shock to me and also to my family. For me personally I know that Im still in shock at having received what to most people would be a frightening diagnosis.

"I have learned over the last few months that if Im to have a reasonable chance of recovery I simply have to slow down and that includes staying away from the phone, internet and from meetings. A complete break from everything is what has been ordered by the medical professionals. I have to push everything else to the back of my mind in order to help my body have the best chance during my medical treatment.

"Whilst trying to deal with the problems and issues that affect the people living in this area is something I have always enjoyed doing, I have received great personal satisfaction when being successful in helping to resolve the many problems that people asked for my assistance with. Since being elected as a County Councillor in May 2019 Im proud of the work I have achieved in many areas of Tullamore Municipal District. However, I now realise that in order to recover from this serious medical condition I must listen to those who know better and take a back seat for now.

"While incapacitated, I do not want to leave any work undone and have taken the difficult decision to resign my position as an Offaly County Councillor.

"At the September meeting of Offaly Co Council I will be requesting that the person I feel would be most qualified and able to continue my work should replace me as one of your County Councillors. I have absolutely no hesitation in saying that I know my wife Sandy Feehan-Smollen will do a terrific job. She has a huge amount of experience as a member of a number of committees and groups both in Tullamore and in Clara for many years. I have always envied her enthusiasm and drive, especially at committee meetings where she always ensured that problems or issues at hand were resolved before the meeting ended, with a no-nonsense and common sense approach, no matter how long it took

"Since my election in 2019 Sandy has always stayed in the background and offered advice when it was most needed and it was always geared to keep me on the right path but the main fact is that she has always stood right beside me and for her invaluable help during that time I am extremely grateful  so who better to replace me as a new Offaly County Councillor?  and when the time is right I will look forward to assisting her in her role!

"Cllrs. Sean OBrien and Clare Claffey have agreed to Propose and Second her nomination at the Offaly Co Council meeting on 18th September next.

"Finally, as always, thanks very much to all of you for your tremendous support during the last few years. It is certainly my intention to return to local politics as soon as the good man above and YOU, the people of this area allows me to as we must continue to PUT PEOPLE FIRST, ALWAYS!
Jordan Auctioneers, Newbridge have just brought to the market a block of 53 acres in South Kildare.

The lands are located in a rural area between the villages of Suncroft (4km) and Nurney (7km) in South Kildare.

There is access via several local roads and the larger towns of Newbridge (12km), The Curragh (7km), Kildare Town (11km), Athy (13km); Kilcullen (12km) are all within easy reach.

The M9 and M7 Motorways are also both within easy reach (10 mins). The entire is being offered for sale in the following lots:

Lot 1: 45 acres with farmyard. These lands are all in the one block, currently in grass and laid out in four divisions with natural boundaries and hedgerows on all sides.

There is extensive frontage onto a cul-de-sac laneway. The yard, located at the entrance provides two hay barns with lean-to, cattle crush and loading pens.

Lot 2: 8 acres: This lot is directly opposite the lands above and is in grass, in one division. It would make an ideal site for a residence subject to obtaining the necessary planning permission

Lot 3: the entire. According to the selling agents; The entire is an ideal out farm or possible location for a hobby farmer looking to construct a residence. With the land leasing market also strong the investment merits of acquiring land to take advantage of the tax  free income also presents opportunities.

Jordan Auctioneers are issuing a guide price of 10,000 per acre.

Further information is available from Paddy Jordan or Clive Kavanagh on 045  433550.
A man in his 40s has been arrested in relation to a fatal road traffic collision which occurred in Tallaght, Dublin on Friday morning.

The collision involving a car and a pedestrian occurred shortly before 11am at the junction of Fortunestown Way and Cheeverstown Road. The pedestrian, a female in her 80s, was pronounced deceased at the scene. Her body was removed to the City Morgue at Whitehall for post mortem.

The car, which initially failed to remain at the scene, was identified and recovered by Gardai and will be subject to a technical examination.

The man arrested today under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984 is currently being detained in a Garda Station in the South Dublin area.

Gardai are continuing to appeal to anyone with information or who may have witnessed this collision to contact them.

"Any road users or pedestrians who may have camera footage (including dash-cam), and who were travelling on Fortunestown Way or Cheeverstown Road, yesterday morning between 10:30am and 11:15am, is asked to make this footage available to Gardai," a spokesperson said.

"Anyone with any information is asked to contact Tallaght Garda Station on 01 666 6000, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda station."
Cllr Enda McGloin asked that Leitrim County Council call on Waterways Ireland and Minister Malcolm Noonan to carry out a public consultation, in line with January 2019 Government guidance, before considering the introduction of the proposed new bye-laws for the Shannon catchment area.

The new bye-laws would reduce mooring times from five to three days, remove winter mooring, impose a tax on all business operating on the Shannon, all of which puts the upper Shannon region and its waterways at a disadvantage to attract boaters and visitors.

"These bye-laws will reduce both overnight stays and visitors and will have a detrimental effect on all towns and villages in the County," Cllr McGloin remarked, with Cllr Finola Armstrong-McGuire supporting the motion.

Cllr Des Guckian said it was a "disgrace" that Waterways Ireland have the power to make decisions such as these and said the matter should be under the remit of Leitrim County Council or the Government.

Cllr McGloin said that "it will go back to the Government; back to the realm of the minister for sign-off so that's why we hope that Waterways Ireland will review what they are proposing before it goes to the minister."

Cllr McGloin said the difficulty local people had in south Leitrim was that they felt "they didn't get the opportunity in a proper way to engage with Waterways Ireland in a public consultation".

He added that he felt it would be positive that "Minister Noonan is aware of our views in relation to this issue" in response to a suggestion from Cllr Padraig Fallon that the council write to him outlining their concerns.
CORRECTION -- Paramount Gold Completes an Updated Technical Report Summary for the Sleeper Gold Project





In a release issued under the same headline earlier today, Friday September 8th, by Paramount Gold Nevada Corp. (NYSE American: PZG), please note that the original press release contained a typographical error in the third bullet point of the sub headline by indicating a resource estimate of 31 million ounces of silver rather than the correct number of 21 million ounces, as was correctly indicated in the table within the press release. The corrected release follows:

TOTAL GOLD RESOURCE OUNCES INCREASE NEARLY 30%





MEASURED AND INDICATED GOLD RESOURCE OUNCES INCREASE TO 60% OF TOTAL RESOURCE FROM NIL





RESOURCE ESTIMATED AT 1.9 MILLION OUNCES OF MEASURED PLUS INDICATED CONTAINED GOLD AND 21 MILLION OUNCES OF SILVER, AND AN ADDITIONAL 1.2 MILLION OUNCES OF GOLD AND 9.5 MILLION OUNCES OF SILVER IN THE INFERRED CATEGORY



WINNEMUCCA, Nev., Sept. 08, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Paramount Gold Nevada Corp. (NYSE American: PZG) ("Paramount" or the "Company") has issued an S-K 1300 Technical Report Summary ("TRS" or the "Study") for its 100% owned Sleeper Gold-Silver Project (the "Project") improving upon the total resources and associated confidence in the resources previously reported.

Paramount's President and COO Glen Van Treek stated that, "Our team is thrilled with the progress we have made advancing the Sleeper project since the complete database verification process commenced. We are very optimistic this new resource estimate will support a robust Initial Assessment of project economics as recommended by our consultants, MDA of Reno, Nevada, a division of RESPEC."

CEO Rachel Goldman noted that, "The database verification process has captured the value of tens of millions of dollars of historical work done on the Sleeper Project. Sleeper is a significant asset which we think is not reflected in our current valuation and the future potential of our Company. This resource restatement is a major step forward towards realizing Sleeper's value for our shareholders."

The digitizing and validation of the Sleeper database included over 4,200 drill holes completed since the original AMAX gold discovery hole in the 1980's, a span of over 40 years. The database review included a revision of gold and silver values against original assay certificates, drill hole logs, sample sheets and verification of over 300,000 samples containing gold and silver assays. Additionally, the team re-assayed over 3,000 samples of old pulps and split core from drilling conducted in the 80's and 90's, bringing the overall database to current industry standards.

The new resource model based on the verified database increased total gold resources from 2.4 million ounces to 3.1 million ounces and improved the confidence level by upgrading 60% or 1.9 million ounces of total gold resources to the measured and indicated categories from inferred resources in the TRS filed in September of 2022.

Mineral Resources

Category Tonnes

(000's) Au

(g/T) Au

(000's oz) Ag

(g/T) Ag

(000's oz) Measured 4,902 0.537 85 3.61 570 Indicated 158,337 0.356 1,812 4.06 20,661 Inferred 119,909 0.315 1,214 2.45 9,454

Notes:

The estimate of mineral resources was done by RESPEC in metric tonnes.

Mineral Resources comprised all model blocks at a 0.14 g Au/t cut-off for Oxide and Mixed, 0.17 g Au/t for Sulfide within an optimized pit and 0.14 g Au/t for dumps.

The average grades of the Mineral Resources are comprised of the weighted average of Oxide, Mixed, Sulfide, and dumps mineral resources. Alluvium mineralized materials are not included in the mineral resources.

Mineral Resources within the optimized pit are block-diluted tabulations. Dumps mineral resources are undiluted tabulations.

Mineral Resources that are not Mineral Reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability.

Mineral Resources potentially amenable to open pit mining methods are reported using a gold price of US$1,800/oz, a silver price ofUS$22/oz, a throughput rate of 30,000 tonnes/day, assumed metallurgical recoveries of 84.6% for Au and 52.3% for Ag, mining costs of US$2.40/tonne mined, heap leach processing costs of US$3.08/tonne processed, floatation with bio-oxidation processing costs of US$8.52/tonne processed, general and administrative costs of $0.46/tonne processed. Gold and silver commodity prices were selected based on analysis of the three-year running average at the end of July 2023.

The effective date of the estimate is June 30, 2023.

Rounding may result in apparent discrepancies between tonnes, grade, and contained metal content.

Source: (As Filed) S-K 1300 Technical Report Summary Initial Assessment

RESPEC recommends the completion of a TRS Initial Assessment to test the preliminary project economics and if positive, recommends additional metallurgical testing and a 7,600-meter infill drill program to provide additional information related to geotechnical data, hydrology, improvements to resource reliability and confidence. RESPECs detailed recommendations, outlined in the Study, provide a clear path forward through to the completion of a Pre-Feasibility Study.

S-K 1300 is a Securities Exchange Commission ("SEC") requirement that requires registrants with material mining operations including those in the exploration and development stage to provide certain disclosures about its mining activities in its SEC filings.

Qualified Person Disclosure

The mineral resource estimate was completed and reviewed by a Qualified Person at RESPEC, and metallurgical inputs were given by a Qualified Person at Woods Process, who are independent of Paramount Gold Nevada Corp.

All the above-named Companies have reviewed and approved this news release.

To stay informed of future press releases, subscribe to our E-Alerts Program and to learn more about our projects visit the projects section of our website.

About Paramount Gold Nevada Corp.

Paramount Gold Nevada Corp. is a U.S. based precious metals exploration and development company. Paramount's strategy is to create shareholder value through exploring and developing its mineral properties and to realize this value for its shareholders in three ways: by selling its assets to established producers; entering joint ventures with producers for construction and operation; or constructing and operating mines for its own account.

Paramount holds a 100% interest in four gold projects: Grassy Mountain; Frost; Sleeper and Bald Peak.

The Grassy Mountain Gold Project consists of approximately 8,200 acres located on private and BLM land in Malheur County, Oregon. The Grassy Mountain Gold Project contains a gold-silver deposit (100% located on private land) for which results of a positive Feasibility Study have been released and key permitting milestones accomplished.

Frost is comprised of 84 unpatented lode claims covering approximately 1,730 acres located 12 miles southwest of the Company's proposed high-grade, underground Grassy Mountain gold mine in Malheur County, Oregon ("Grassy").

The Sleeper Gold Project is located in Northern Nevada, the world's premier mining jurisdiction. The Sleeper Gold Project, which includes the former producing Sleeper mine, totals 2,474 unpatented mining claims (approximately 44,917 acres).

The drill ready, Bald Peak Project in Nevada, consists of approximately 2,260 acres.

Cautionary Note to U.S. Investors

Paramount is subject to the reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and this filing and other U.S. reporting requirements are governed by Subpart 1300 of Regulation S-K promulgated by the SEC. Additionally, Paramount is subject to certain reporting requirements under applicable Canadian securities laws with respect to our material mineral properties under National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (NI 43-101). We caution investors that certain terms used under Canadian reporting requirements and definitions of NI 43-101 to describe mineralization may not be classified as a "reserve" unless the determination has been made that the mineralization could be economically and legally produced or extracted at the time the reserve determination is made. Therefore, investors are cautioned not to assume that all or any part of the mineralized material contained at any of our material projects will ever be converted to Subpart 1300 of Regulation S-K compliant reserves.

Safe Harbor for Forward-Looking Statements

This release and related documents may include "forward-looking statements" and "forward-looking information" (collectively, "forward-looking statements") pursuant to applicable United States and Canadian securities laws. Paramount's future expectations, beliefs, goals, plans or prospects constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and other applicable securities laws. Words such as "believes," "plans," "anticipates," "expects," "estimates" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although these words may not be present in all forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements included in this news release include, without limitation, statements with respect to the use of proceeds from the Offerings. Forward-looking statements are based on the reasonable assumptions, estimates, analyses and opinions of management made in light of its experience and its perception of trends, current conditions and expected developments, as well as other factors that management believes to be relevant and reasonable in the circumstances at the date that such statements are made, but which may prove to be incorrect. Management believes that the assumptions and expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable. Assumptions have been made regarding, among other things: the conclusions made in the feasibility study for the Grassy Mountain Gold Project (the "FS"); the quantity and grade of resources included in resource estimates; the accuracy and achievability of projections included in the FS; Paramount's ability to carry on exploration and development activities, including construction; the timely receipt of required approvals and permits; the price of silver, gold and other metals; prices for key mining supplies, including labor costs and consumables, remaining consistent with current expectations; work meeting expectations and being consistent with estimates and plant, equipment and processes operating as anticipated. There are a number of important factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to: uncertainties involving interpretation of drilling results; environmental matters; the ability to obtain required permitting; equipment breakdown or disruptions; additional financing requirements; the completion of a definitive feasibility study for the Grassy Mountain Gold Project; discrepancies between actual and estimated mineral reserves and mineral resources, between actual and estimated development and operating costs and between estimated and actual production; the global epidemics, pandemics, or other public health crises, including the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) global health pandemic, and the spread of other viruses or pathogens and the other factors described in Paramount's disclosures as filed with the SEC and the Ontario, British Columbia and Alberta Securities Commissions.

Except as required by applicable law, Paramount disclaims any intention or obligation to update any forward-looking statements as a result of developments occurring after the date of this document.

Paramount Gold Nevada Corp.

Rachel Goldman, Chief Executive Officer

Christos Theodossiou, Director of Corporate Communications

844-488-2233

Twitter: @ParamountNV

8 september 2023 at 12:20

News published onand distributed by:
The manufacturer of a widely used abortion pill asked the US Supreme Court on Friday, September 8, to toss out a lower court ruling that would restrict access to the drug. A US federal appeals court imposed restrictions last month on mifepristone but the ruling was put on hold pending an appeal to the Supreme Court.

Danco Laboratories, which markets mifepristone under the brand name Mifeprex, formally asked the nation's highest court on Friday to take up the case. The Justice Department is expected to file a brief supporting Danco's request for the Supreme Court to review the ruling by the lower court.

Last month's ruling by a three-judge panel of the New Orleans-based 5th Circuit Court of Appeals would limit the use of mifepristone to the first seven weeks of pregnancy, instead of the current 10, and block it from being distributed by mail. It would also require the abortion pill, which accounts for more than half of the abortions in the United States, to be prescribed by a doctor.

Read more Article reserve a nos abonnes Abortion pill: US Supreme Court opts for status quo

Anti-abortion groups are seeking to have mifepristone banned, claiming despite its long track record that it is unsafe. The case is the latest skirmish in the battle over reproductive rights in the United States. The appeals court panel said the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which approved the abortion pill in 2000 and made it more readily available in 2016, "failed to address several important concerns about whether the drug would be safe for the women who use it."

At a hearing in May, the judges pushed back against government arguments that the decision on whether to allow the use of mifepristone should be left to the FDA. In its brief to the Supreme Court, Danco said the 5th Circuit ruling "upends FDA-approved conditions of use for Danco's drug Mifeprex. "It does so at the request of a group of plaintiffs who do not prescribe or use the drug and whose real disagreement with FDA is that they oppose all forms of abortion," Danco said.

Read more Article reserve a nos abonnes American abortion law: 'The Supreme Court has to clear up what the FDA is supposed to do'

The case stems from an earlier ruling by a conservative US District Court judge in Texas that would have banned mifepristone. The 5th Circuit blocked a ban on the abortion pill, but imposed restrictions on access. Conservatives wield a 6-3 majority on the Supreme Court, which overturned the constitutional right to abortion in a landmark ruling in June of last year.

Since then, some 20 states, mostly in the South and the Midwest, have prohibited abortion outright or restricted access while others, mainly on the coasts, have moved to protect it. The FDA estimates that 5.6 million Americans have used mifepristone to terminate pregnancies since it was approved in 2000.

Read more Article reserve a nos abonnes 'The weakening of the Supreme Court reflects the weakening of democracy in the United States'
Security forces take part in a rescue operation after an earthquake, in Moulay Ibrahim village, near Marrakech, Morocco, Saturday, September 9, 2023. MOSA'AB ELSHAMY / AP

Algeria will allow aircraft carrying humanitarian aid to quake-hit Morocco to pass through its airspace, the president's office announced Saturday, suspending a two-year ban on flights to its regional rival.

A 6.8-magnitude earthquake struck a mountainous area southwest of the Moroccan tourist hotspot of Marrakech late Friday, September 8, killing more than 1,000 people, injuring at least 1,200 others and causing widespread damage. Algerian authorities "have decided to open the airspace to flights transporting humanitarian aid and injured" from the quake, the president's office said in a statement.

Algeria closed its airspace to all Moroccan aircraft in September 2021 after having cut diplomatic ties with its longtime foe.

Despite the rivalry between the North African neighbors, Algerian authorities were "fully prepared to provide humanitarian aid and mobilize all material and human resources in solidarity with the brotherly Moroccan people upon request from the Kingdom of Morocco," the statement said.

In an earlier statement, the Algerian foreign ministry offered the nation's "sincere condolences to the brotherly Moroccan people for the victims of the earthquake."
AS THE housing crisis continues, a new study has revealed there could be more than 50,000 spare bed spaces in Limerick.

The data comes following an analysis of the census results by rental website Homehak.com.

Its study indicates some 17,300 households across the city and county have two or more unoccupied bedrooms. This means over one in five homes have at least two more bedrooms than the number of occupants.

This, the company says, equates to 34,300 spare bedrooms, and potentially 52,000 unoccupied bed spaces.

The information has sparked calls on homeowners in Limerick to rent to a tenant.

In doing this, they will be able to receive up to 14,000 without paying tax.

Further to this, the analysis suggests there are 4,785 homes across the city and the county with three bedrooms - none of which are being used.

Pat Drinan, the founder and chief executive of Homehak.com said: We are calling on these homeowners to consider renting out some of these nearly 52,000 spare bedrooms, for a period of six months or more  and make considerable tax-free income for themselves in the process.

"Many homeowners simply dont know about the tax break that is the rent-a-room relief, which lets people earn up to 14,000 per year tax-free if they rent out a room in their home to private tenants, he said.

Mr Drinan added: There is an urgent, bona fide need for accommodation in this country. People come from all over Ireland, and other parts of the world, to fill roles in our health or education systems, IT and pharma industries, or to study and we must do a better job at securing places for them to live.

When they cannot find homes, these essential workers, talented labour force and students are forced to leave and move to places where they can put a roof over their heads, added Mr Drinan.
Commercial Aircraft Corp of China, or COMAC, will deliver the third Chinese-developed C919 aircraft next month to China Eastern Airlines, sources at the Shanghai-based airline told local media.

"China Eastern is scheduled to receive its third C919 in October, and a few more new flights are going to be launched before June next year, to enable more Chinese passengers to take flights on the Chinese-developed passenger aircraft," an executive in charge of the airline's aircraft operations was quoted as saying by local media Jiefang Daily on Thursday.

China Eastern said it plans to expand commercial services of the C919 to more Chinese cities.

The C919 is China's first self-developed trunk liner with international airworthiness standards and owning independent intellectual property rights, comparable to the Airbus A320 and Boeing B737 series.

The first C919 plane was delivered to China Eastern Airlines in December 2022. The aircraft's maiden commercial flight was from Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport to Beijing Capital International Airport on May 28.

With 164 passenger seats, including eight in the business class and 156 in the economy section, the first C919 has been in use for commercial flights between Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport and Chengdu Tianfu International Airport in Sichuan province.

Since Thursday, the second C919, which was delivered to China Eastern on July 16, joined the first one for daily flights between Shanghai and Chengdu, according to information on the public domain.

Lin Zhijie, an aviation analyst, said he has learned from industry sources and travel agencies that many Chinese flyers book C919 flight tickets just to experience the homegrown jet.

Lin, who contributes a column to carnoc.com, a well-known aviation website, said he expects the C919 to make the industry more competitive, thereby promoting the healthy development of the world's civil aviation market.

Zheng Hongfeng, founder and CEO of VariFlight, a provider of aviation data and related solutions, said China is entering the stage of having more Chinese-developed jets.

As C919 flights increase, the experience gathered would help in making future Chinese aircraft safer, thus helping its manufacturer COMAC to meet market demand better, Zheng said.

In an unrelated development, a model of the narrow-body C919 jet has been put on display at the three-day 2023 Inclusion Conference on the Bund that started in Shanghai on Thursday.

The 3.8-meter-long model, which is one-tenth the size of the first C919, features all the details of the jet's appearance, including the "world's first" sign.
Europe appears to be headed for a recession if its not there already, and matters are worse if you ask: Who will save it this time? Maybe Europe will have to fix itself.

Previous dismal estimates for gross domestic product in the second quarter of the year were revised down to abysmal Thursday. The European Union had zero growth quarter-on-quarter, and 0.4% year-on-year.

Most worrying is Germany, which has contracted or stood still since the last three months of 2022 and seems all but certain to tip into recession. Industrial output has fallen all summer, in a worrying way.

Some energy-intensive industries such as chemicals and pharmaceuticals appear to be recovering from the energy-price shock that started last year. But the summers industrial slowdown was driven by falling orders of investment goods such as machine tools, notes Holger Schmieding of Berenberg. This suggests a broader decline in confidence at home and in many of Germanys export markets.

In previous European downturns, foreigners were ready to help. This has taken the form of a booming U.S. economy or a roaring Chinese marketor boththat gave Europe an export-and-investment boost.

Maybe not this time. Chinese growth is in a slump of its own. It is undergoing a repricing of inflated assets such as property that means a recovery may be slow. Even if Beijing does respond with credit-easing stimulus for which many foreigners long, Europe is unlikely to be as big a beneficiary. When Chinese households and companies buy consumer goods or business equipment, these days President Xi Jinping prefers that they buy Chinese.

The U.S. might offer Europe more relief, but maybe not as much as usual. Much of current U.S. growth is the result of government spending, and subsidized private investment, in earmarked projects or industries.

European companies are struggling to profit from this owing to Buy American provisions built into the laws, such as preferential tax credits for U.S.-manufactured electric vehicles. This could still provide a profit boost to European companies able to build factories in the U.S. But it wont create European export jobs.

That leaves European leaders to fend for themselves, and they dont know what to do. The European Union is trying to pursue its own version of Americas green subsidy bonanza but lacks the financial resources. This may be just as well since Europe doesnt need more statist distortions than it already has.

Berlins coalition government recently proposed a series of tax and regulatory reforms aimed at stimulating business investment. But the scale is too modest for the moment and manufacturers remain trapped in a politician-imposed energy crisis. Spain could get a supply-side government under the center-right Popular Party, but it may also be stuck with incumbent Socialist Pedro Sanchez as Prime Minister for a while longer.

The global economy needs a Europe able to grow for itself, not least to finance the welfare states and increased defense spending its countries will need to deal with new global threats. The race is on to see which politicians and voters on the continent can return to the pro-growth policies their democracies need.
The Assam government has called for the Centre do withdraw the Disturbed Areas Act and the Armed Forces Special Powers Act from the entire state. The development came mere days after Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma met Union Home Minister Amit Shah to discuss the same. AFSPA was removed from several parts of the northeastern state last year and currently remains imposed in eight districts.

We decided to request the central government to withdraw AFSPA completely from the state of Assam. However, we will abide by the decision of the central government" said Chief Minister Sarma.

He however laid emphasis on the state's desire for a complete withdrawal of the stringent law.

Earlier on Monday the CM had discussed the roadmap for the complete withdrawal of AFSPA from Assam with Home Minister Amit Shah. As per details shared by a state government release, Sarma had also cited the significant improvement in the law and order situation and the drastic fall in deaths of security personnel and civilians as reasons. The northeastern state has also seen many underground cadres of extremist outfits surrendering with huge caches of arms and ammunition following the signing of several peace accords.

The Disturbed Area notification has been in force since 1990 in the whole of Assam. AFSPA was removed from the entire State of Assam  except for nine districts  at the beginning of April 2022. The districts under the stringent law later dropped to eight as the Act was withdrawn from the Lakhipur subdivision of Cachar district.

The law empowers the Armed Forces and the Central Armed Police Forces deployed in Disturbed Areas" to arrest a person without a warrant and enter or search premises without a warrant along with some other actions.

(With inputs from agencies)

"Exciting news! Mint is now on WhatsApp Channels  Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest financial insights!" Click here!
A replica of the Konark Wheel, originally from the Sun Temple in Puri, Odisha, was used as the backdrop for Prime Minister Narendra Modi 's welcoming handshake with G20 leaders at the Bharat Mandapam summit venue.

This remarkable wheel, constructed during the 13th century under the rule of King Narasimhadeva-I, features 24 spokes and has also been incorporated into the Indian Tricolour. It symbolizes India's profound historical knowledge, advanced civilization, and architectural mastery.

The rotating movement of the Konark Wheel signifies the concept of time, known as 'Kaalchakra,' and also represents progress and ongoing change. It serves as a potent symbol of the democratic process, reflecting the enduring nature of democratic principles and the dedication to societal advancement.

Also Read: G20 Summit: PM Modi, Joe Biden to unveil rail and shipping corridor linking India to Middle East, Europe

Prime Minister Modi arrived at Bharat Mandapam earlier in the day for the two-day gathering of global leaders. He was joined by prominent figures such as External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval.

On Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended a warm welcome to several of his international counterparts at the Bharat Mandapam venue in Pragati Maidan, where India was hosting the extended G20 Summit.

PM Modi greeted Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at the G20 Leaders' Summit location, and the two leaders exchanged handshakes and warm greetings. Trudeau had arrived in New Delhi the previous day as one of the early arrivals.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was also welcomed by PM Modi at Bharat Mandapam, where they exchanged handshakes and pleasantries.

Also Read: G20 declaration in final stages, time to find consensus

Sheikh Hasina, the Prime Minister of Bangladesh, received a warm welcome from PM Modi at the G20 venue, and the two leaders posed for photographs. They had engaged in bilateral discussions the day before. Following their meeting, PM Modi posted on X, saying, "Had productive deliberations with PM Sheikh Hasina. The progress in India-Bangladesh relations in the last 9 years has been very encouraging. Our discussions covered areas such as connectivity, commercial ties, and more."

The theme of this year's G20 Summit, held during India's presidency, is "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam," which translates to "One Earth  One Family  One Future." This theme draws inspiration from the ancient Sanskrit text of the Maha Upanishad. Essentially, it underscores the intrinsic value of all life forms, including humans, animals, plants, and microorganisms, emphasizing their interconnectedness on planet Earth and in the broader universe.

Following the conclusion of the 'One Earth' session, there will be lunch, and another session themed 'One Family' is scheduled for 3 pm as part of the Summit. Later, at around 7 pm, there will be a dinner hosted by President Droupadi Murmu. In addition to foreign delegates, parliamentarians, and members of the current Cabinet, the G20 Summit dinner will also be attended by some former senior leaders of the nation.

(With inputs from agencies)

"Exciting news! Mint is now on WhatsApp Channels  Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest financial insights!" Click here!
As the stage is all set for the two-day-long G20 Summit in Delhi, a prominent international gathering of world leaders has arrived in the national capital to attend the crucial conclave. Delhi has witnessed the implementation of strict traffic regulations on Saturday.

In an official statement, Delhi Traffic Police said, Entry of goods vehicles (HGV/MGV/LGV) except engaged in essential services has been restricted in Delhi. All modes of transport i.e., Buses, TSR/taxis, etc. on Ring Road and road network beyond Ring Road towards the borders are operational as usual and will continue during the summit also."

However, there is no restriction on the vehicles engaged in emergency and essential services throughout the capital. The telephone number (6828400604/112) is fully operational to assist in medical emergencies, according to ANI reports.

The cops have also advised commuters to use the Mappls (MapmyIndia) app for alternate routes to reach their destination. Meanwhile, the Delhi Metro has decided to start its services from 4 am from terminal stations on all network lines on September 8, 9, and 10.

What's open and what's closed?

Special Commissioner of Police (Traffic) S S Yadav said, Essential services such as postal and medical services, and sample collections by pathological labs will be allowed throughout Delhi."

The entire area inside the Ring Road (Mahatma Gandhi Marg) has been designated as a "regulated zone".

Only legitimate residents, authorized vehicles, emergency vehicles, and individuals with travel purposes to the airport, Old Delhi, and New Delhi Railway Stations will be granted access to the road network extending beyond the Ring Road toward the New Delhi district.

Additionally, vehicles engaged in housekeeping, catering, and waste management services for hotels, hospitals, and other critical facilities within the New Delhi district will be permitted entry after proper verification.

A total of approximately 16 roads and junctions will be designated as "Controlled Zone II" until 2 pm on Sunday. These include key locations such as W-Point, A-Point, DDU Marg, Vikas Marg (up to Noida Link Road-Pusta Road), Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, and Delhi Gate, among others.

Police have been requested to avoid traveling to places within the "regulated" and "controlled zones". It has listed alternative routes to take in case travel is unavoidable.

All types of goods vehicles, commercial vehicles, interstate buses and buses of the Delhi Transport Corporation and Delhi Integrated Multi-Modal Transit System will not be allowed to ply on the Mathura Road (beyond Ashram Chowk), Bhairon Road, Purana Quila Road and inside Pragati Maidan Tunnel from September 8 midnight till to 11.59 pm on September 10.

Delhi Police have strongly recommended that individuals stay updated on real-time traffic information by utilizing the 'G-20 Virtual Help Desk.' This resource will provide valuable route suggestions for travelers commuting to and from the airport, railway stations, or bus terminals during the G20 Summit.

The G20 Leaders' Summit will be held on September 9-10. The summit is set to be attended by more than 30 heads of state and top officials from the European Union and invited guest countries and 14 heads of international organizations.

(With inputs from agencies)

"Exciting news! Mint is now on WhatsApp Channels  Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest financial insights!" Click here!
As the national capital prepares to host the 18th G20 Summit today, with the participation of numerous global leaders and dignitaries, it is imperative to delve into the summit's agenda and objectives.

This high-profile event has attracted the presence of over 30 heads of state, alongside prominent officials from the European Union and guest countries who have been extended invitations. Additionally, the summit will see the participation of 14 heads of international organizations, making it a truly significant gathering on the global stage. India is hosting the G20 Leaders Summit in the national capital at the newly inaugurated Bharat Mandapam on September 9-10. Also Read: G20 Summit 2023: Traffic restrictions imposed till September 10; what's open, what's closed? Details here As reported by ANI, the Summit would commence with the arrival of the world leaders at the venue (Bharat Mandapam) from 9.30 am onwards. The first session of the G20 Summit, scheduled for approximately 10:30, will center around the theme of 'One Earth,' which represents a central topic of discussion among G20 leaders. This session is dedicated to expediting climate action by enhancing mitigation efforts and reinforcing the global commitment to achieving net-zero emissions at the earliest possible juncture, ANI reported.

Notably, the theme of this year's G20 Summit, which is taking place under India's presidency is Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam" or One Earth  One Family  One Future" - is drawn from the ancient Sanskrit text of the Maha Upanishad. Essentially, the theme affirms the value of all life  human, animal, plant, and microorganisms  and their interconnectedness on the planet Earth and in the wider universe.

After the conclusion of the 'One Earth' session, and followed by lunch, another session of 'One Family' would be conducted at 3.00 p.m. as a part of the Summit.

At around 7:00 pm in the evening hours, the dinner hosted by the President of India, Droupadi Murmu will take place.

Besides the foreign delegates parliamentarians and ministers in the current Cabinet, the G20 Summit dinner will be attended by some of the former senior leaders of the nation.

Also Read: G20 declaration in final stages, time to find consensus

Prominent leaders attending the event in the nation's capital include US President Joe Biden, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. Notably, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin will be absent from the weekend summit. Instead, China will be represented by Chinese Premier Li Qiang, while Russia will have Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov serving as its representative at the summit.

This is the first time that the G20 Summit is being hosted by India. Extensive preparations have been underway to portray India's tradition and strength.

India aims to achieve the twin objectives of adding the African Union as a member of G20 and resolving disagreements about a joint statement related to the war in Ukraine at the Summit.

During the presidency, India has focused on various issues like inclusive growth, digital innovation, climate resilience, and equitable global health access. By leveraging its presidency, India is fostering collaborative solutions that benefit its own population and contribute to the broader global well-being.

The countries taking part in the G20 Summit include Nigeria, Argentina, Italy, the AU (represented by Comros), and South Africa. Bangladesh, the United Kingdom, Japan Saudi Arabia, the Republic of Korea, Egypt, Australia, the United States, Canada, China, the U.A.E, Brazil, Indonesia, Turkey Spain, Germany, France, Mauritius, the European Union and Singapore.

The leaders who reached the national capital include US President Joe Biden, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Argentina President Alberto Fernandez and Japan Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa also reached India. He had hosted the BRICS summit last month.

Also Read: G20 summit 2023: Why China's President Xi Jinping skipping the mega event

Other leaders who arrived in the national capital include Chinese Premiere Li Qiang, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Oman Deputy Prime Minister Asaad bin Tariq bin Taimur, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, Egypt President El-Sisi, UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Turkiye President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Indonesian President Joko Widodo, Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Brazil President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

African Union Chairperson Azali Assoumani, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Argentina President Alberto Angel Fernandez, International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva, Mauritius Prime Minister Pravind Kumar Jugnauth Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Secretary-General, Mathias Cormann, World Trade Organisation (WTO) Director General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also reached Delhi.

(With inputs from ANI)

PREMIER More Information

"Exciting news! Mint is now on WhatsApp Channels  Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest financial insights!" Click here!
India is hosting the 18th Group of 20 or G20 Summit in national capital Delhi. The G20 leaders saw a productive day 1 on Saturday, 9 September. The important decisions taken on the first day of the G20 Summit included adoption of the New Delhi Leadership Declaration, announcement of a mega India-Middle East-Europe economic corridor and induction of the African Union (AU) as permanent member of the Group of 20.

As the G20 leaders and a 170 guests gather at Bharat Mandapam on the dinner invite by President of India Droupadi Murmu, let's take a look at what is on agenda for the second day of the G20 Summit.

The G20 Summit began at the Bharat Mandapam on Saturday and will conclude on Sunday.

G20 Summit Day 2 Agenda today (10 September 2023)

8:15 am to 9 am: The leaders and heads of the delegations will arrive at Rajghat in individual motorcades.

9:00 am to 9:20 am: The leaders will then lay a wreath at Mahatma Gandhi's Samadhi. Also, a live performance of Mahatma Gandhi's favourite devotional songs.

9:20 am: Leaders and Heads of Delegations will then move to Bharat Mandapam's Leaders' Lounge.

9:40 am to 10:15 am: Arrival of leaders and heads of delegation at Bharat Mandapam

10:15am10:30am: Tree planting ceremony at Bharat Mandapam's South Plaza

10:30 am12:30 pm: The third session of the summit, called 'One Future', will take place at the venue, followed by the adoption of the New Delhi Leaders' Declaration.

G20 Summit Day 1 ( 9 September 2023) Highlights

India-Middle East-Europe economic corridor

Plans for an ambitious India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor were unveiled on Saturday. This economic corridor of rail and shipping links aims to bolster trade between India, the Middle East and Europe, a modern-day Spice Route to bind regions that account for about a third of the global economy.

The US signed an agreement with India, Middle Eastern countries and the European Union aimed at connecting them via a network of railways and sea routes.

New Delhi Declaration adopted, call for peace in Ukraine

In a major breakthrough, the G20 adopted the New Delhi Leaders Summit Declaration. Asserting that "today's era must not be of war", the New Delhi Declaration of G20 countries on Saturday called on all states to uphold the principles of international law including territorial integrity and sovereignty and said the peaceful resolution of conflicts as well as diplomacy and dialogue are critical.

Notably, the G20 final statement, released a day before the summit formally closes, was less sharply worded over the war than one issued during last year's meeting in Bali and didn't mention Russia's invasion directly.

The wording on the contentious issue of Russia's war in Ukraine was limited to a call to avoid forcefully seizing territory or using nuclear weapons.

African Union made permanent member of G20

The Group of 20 top world economies welcomed the African Union as a member at their annual summit Saturday. There was widespread support for adding the AU to the G20, making it the second regional bloc to become a permanent member after the European Union and adding momentum to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's drive to give a greater voice to the Global South.

(With agency inputs)

"Exciting news! Mint is now on WhatsApp Channels  Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest financial insights!" Click here!
Group of 20 leaders have arrived at Delhi, India to attend the Summit meet to be held between 9-10 September. US President Joe Biden, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and his wife Akshata Murthy, Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, were the delegates who arrived on Friday among others.

Modi held bilateral meetings with Biden, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Mauritian PM Pravind Kumar Jugnauth on Friday evening. In their meeting, Modi and Biden reviewed the progress made on the decisions they took during the prime minister's state visit to Washington in June.

The leaders were welcomed by traditional dance performances by various troupes and a smiling IMF chief Kristalina Georgieva danced to the beat of the music at the airport.

According to media reports, the G20 leaders will be treated to an exquisite Indian vegetarian platter with delicacies from across the country.

Here's a list of what the world leaders will have for dinner on Friday, 8 September

Salad

Tossed Indian Green Salad

Pasta and grilled vegetable salad

Chickpea Sundal

Soup

Roasted Almond and vegetable broth

Vegetarian Main Course

Paneer Lababdar (Uttar Pradesh dish)

Potato Lyonnaise

Subz Korma (Andhra Pradesh dish)

Kaju Matar Makhana

Penne in Arrabiata Sauce

Lentil

Jawar Dal Tadka (Uttar Pradesh dish)

Rice

Pyaz Jeera Ki Pulao (Punjabi dish)

Indian Breads

Tandoori Roti, Butter Naan, Kulcha

Accompaniments

Cucumbar Raita

Tamarind and Date Chutney

Mix Pickle

Plain Curd

Dessert

Kuttu Malpua (Uttar Pradesh special)

Kesar Pista Rasmalai (Odisha special)

Warm Walnut and Ginger Pudding

Strawberry Ice Cream

Black Currant Ice Cream

The G20 leaders will deliberate on pressing global issues at the grouping's annual summit here on September 9 and 10. India is hosting the summit in its capacity as the current G20 chair.

The leaders of the influential grouping are being welcomed at the airport with cultural performances.

In its G20 presidency, India has been focusing on various issues such as inclusive growth, digital innovation, climate resilience and equitable global health access.

The G20 member countries represent around 85 per cent of the global GDP, over 75 per cent of the global trade and about two-thirds of the world population.

The grouping comprises Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, the UK, the US and the European Union (EU).

"Exciting news! Mint is now on WhatsApp Channels  Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest financial insights!" Click here!
G20 Summit update: India-Middle East-Europe' economic corridor including shipping and railway links will be launched soon. The first-of-its-kind economic corridor will be a historic initiative on cooperation on connectivity and infrastructure involving India, UAE, Saudi Arabia, EU, France, Italy, Germany, and the US.

Biden, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced the project during the annual Group of 20 summit of the world's top economies. The project is part of an initiative called the Partnership for Global Infrastructure Investment. The White House report stated that the rail deal will link shipping and rail lines from India to Europe through the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Israel. "The 'India-Middle East-Europe' economic corridor is historic. It will be the most direct connection till date that will make trade faster," said Ursula von der Leyen, European Commission President, at the Partnership for Global Infrastructure Investment (PGII) and India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor programme at Bharat Mandapam.

An India - Middle East - Europe economic corridor will make trade between India and Europe 40% faster", Ursula von der Leyen added. Von der Leyen described the project as a green and digital bridge across continents and civilizations." She added that it includes cables to transmit electricity and data.

The plans to build a rail and shipping corridor linking India with the Middle East and Europe is an ambitious project aimed at fostering economic growth and political cooperation.

This is a big deal," said US President Joe Biden. This is a really big deal."

The corridor would help to boost trade, transport energy resources and improve digital connectivity. It would include India, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Israel and the European Union, said Jake Sullivan, Biden's national security adviser.

He said the enhanced infrastructure would boost economic growth, help bring countries in the Middle East together and establish that region as a hub for economic activity instead of as a source of challenge, conflict or crisis" as it has been in recent history.

In January, the White House started having conversations with regional partners about the concept. By spring, maps and written assessments of existing rail infrastructure in the Middle East were being drafted. Sullivan, and senior White House aides Hochstein and Brett McGurk, travelled to Saudi Arabia in May to meet with their Indian, Saudi and UAE counterparts.

All sides have worked since then to finalize details of the agreement announced Saturday.

The parties also brought Israel and Jordan into the project. Saudi Arabia and Israel do not have diplomatic relations, though the White House has been pushing them toward normalizing relations.

"Exciting news! Mint is now on WhatsApp Channels  Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest financial insights!" Click here!
The world's most powerful countries remained divided on ways to address the Ukraine war as India began hosting the G20 Summit this week. A draft declaration circulated on Friday night left the segment blank, prompting India to circulate a new paragraph among delegates on Saturday. While Western nations push for strong condemnation of Russia, others have sought a focus on broader economic issues.

Reports quoting sources indicate that many G20 nations are unwilling to have any leaders' declaration without reference to the Ukraine conflict. A lack of consensus on the matter could lead to the Summit ending without a joint declaration  a first for the grouping.

The Indian side circulated the draft paragraph on the Ukraine issue among the other G20 members this morning. It is now being considered by the other states. Some countries have no problem with the wording," Hindustan Times quoted an individual from a G7 state to add.

As per a Reuters report, the G20 Sherpas have reached a compromise on the language to be used in the communique for delegates. While details remain elusive, it could be similar to language in the declaration issued in Indonesia at the 2022 summit. The missive released last year had noted that most nations condemned Russia for the invasion while there were also divergent views.

Meanwhile the African Union joined the Group of 20 leading economies during the first day of the Summit on Saturday.

"With everyone's approval, I request the African Union head to take his seat as a permanent G20 member," Modi said in his opening address, banging a ceremonial gavel.

The African Union at full strength has 55 members but six junta-ruled nations are currently suspended. Collectively, it has a GDP of $3 trillion with some 1.4 billion people.

(With inputs from agencies)

"Exciting news! Mint is now on WhatsApp Channels  Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest financial insights!" Click here!
General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Chinese President Xi Jinping on Saturday sent a message of congratulations to Kim Jong-un, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea on the 75th anniversary of the country's founding.

Under the strong WPK leadership and with the unremitting efforts of the DPRK people, new achievements have been made in the socialist construction of the DPRK over the past 75 years, Xi said.

He said that in recent years, Comrade General Secretary Kim has led the WPK and the people of the DPRK in fully implementing the spirit of the 8th WPK Congress and the plenary sessions of the 8th Central Committee, focusing on economic development and improvement of people's livelihood, and has achieved important results.

Xi expressed his confidence that under the leadership of Comrade General Secretary Kim and the WPK, the brotherly DPRK people will surely continuously advance the socialist cause of the country for new development and lift it to a new level.

China and the DPRK are friendly neighbors linked by the same mountain and river, Xi stressed, adding that the traditional friendship between China and the DPRK, established and cultivated by the elder generations of leaders of both parties and both countries, has been deeply rooted in the hearts of the two peoples and has grown stronger with time.

Xi noted that he and Kim have met five times in recent years, maintained close communication through various forms, and jointly led the traditional friendly and cooperative relations between China and the DPRK into a new era.

Noting that momentous changes unseen in a century are accelerating across the world, Xi said it has always been the unswerving position of the CPC and the Chinese government to maintain, consolidate and develop the traditional friendly and cooperative relations between China and the DPRK, no matter how the international and regional situation changes.

Under the new circumstances, China is willing to work with the DPRK to strengthen strategic communication and deepen practical cooperation, push China-DPRK relations to advance with the times and achieve greater development, so as to better benefit the two peoples and make greater contributions to regional peace, stability, development and prosperity, Xi added.
When it comes about showering love, scolding, and sharing stories of yore, there is no match of our grandparents. They are always ready with their words of wisdom to help in solving problems. Every year, Grandparents day is celebrated on September 10 to cherish the love and affection showered by our elders.

Also Read: Parents in Karnataka name newborns 'Vikram' and 'Pragyan' to celebrate Chandrayaan-3 success

Grandparents Day 2023: Date

The idea to celebrate the day is celebrated on different dates by different countries. This year it will be celebrated on 10 September in America. Its celebration dates back to the beginning by Jacob Reingold and Marian McQuade. In Brazil it is celebrated on July 26. Whereas, in Mexico it is observed on August 28. Australia celebrates the day on the last Sunday of October and Singapore observes the day on the fourth Sunday of November.

Also Read: Can a married woman set up a HUF with just her parents?

Grandparents Day: History

The celebration of the dates back to 1961 during the White House Conference on Aging. At that time, Jacob Reingold was inspired to signify the role of grandparents in society. He celebrated Grandparents day for the first time at his retirement home later that year.

Also Read: Is there a tax-friendly method for dividing my mothers property?

Grandparents Day: Ways to celebrate the day with your grandparents

-You can plan a Karaoke with your family members. The only condition will be to sing retro songs that are liked by your grandparents

-You can watch one of the favourite movies or show of your grandparent's choice.

-The best way to celebrate any day with grandparents is to listen to their stories patiently and calmly. Make sure to keep your phone aside at that time.

-Go on a naturewalk

Visit a nearby sanctuary, park, or even religious place with your grandparents. You can plan a visit to any small water body with your grandparents.

-Dinner

Plane a dinner at your place , or go outside, if your grandparents like can also enjoy dinner at hotels.

-Teach new technology

Grandparents are often too repulsive to learning to new technologies. Try teaching them something new, like clicking a selfie, dialling a number, or just introduce them to your personal assistant Google or Alexa.

"Exciting news! Mint is now on WhatsApp Channels  Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest financial insights!" Click here!
The India Government has allotted 120 Billion for the extensive expansion of railway infrastructure in the north eastern region. This move will facilitate the much awaited first-ever Bhutan-India railway link, Bhutan Live reported.

The fully funded Indian governments estimated 10 billion project of 57.5-kilometre railway line will connect Kokrajhar in Assam to Gelephu in Sarpang, Bhutan.

The project is set to be completed by 2026.

Just a month ago, Indias External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar, hinted at the ongoing discussions between India and Bhutan regarding this transformative railway connection.

Speaking to Indian media, he stated, We are currently in negotiations for a railway link between Bhutan and Assam. Bhutan is keen to open more avenues for tourism, and this endeavour promises to benefit Assam significantly. The proposed railway link between Gelephu and Kokrajhar, situated on the Assam border, could be a game-changer, promoting both trade and tourism."

The railway project can act as a breakthrough in terms of facilitating the export of goods, enabling cultural exchange, and strengthening bilateral ties between the two nations.

The project gained momentum during the Bhutanese PMs first visit to India in 2018. The commencement of the Gelephu-Kokrajhar rail link construction is expected to pave the way for more railway projects in the southern and eastern regions of both nations, including areas like Samtse, Phuentsholing, Nganglam, and Samdrupjongkhar.

Notably, Bhutan and India formalized their commitment to this transformative vision back in 2005 when they signed a Memorandum of Understanding, solidifying their shared aspiration to link the bordering towns of the two nations through a railway network.

As the wheels of progress turn, this Bhutan-India railway link inches closer to becoming a reality, heralding a new era of connectivity and cooperation.

India shares a 605 kilometres (376 mi) border with Bhutan and is its largest trading partner, accounting for 98 percent of its exports and 90 percent of its imports.

"Exciting news! Mint is now on WhatsApp Channels  Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest financial insights!" Click here!
Prime Minister Narendra Modi met UK PM Rishi Sunak on Saturday, during the latters first visit to India, on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in New Delhi. This was Sunaks first visit to India after taking office as Prime Minister in October 2022.

The two leaders noted with satisfaction the progress in diverse areas of bilateral cooperation as per the India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership as well as the Roadmap 2030, particularly in economy, defence and security, technology, green technology and climate change, health and mobility sectors. Both leaders also exchanged views on international and regional issues of importance and mutual interest," reads a press release by the Ministry of External Affairs.

Both leaders also reviewed the progress of Free Trade Agreement negotiations and expressed hope that the remaining issues could be addressed at the earliest so that a balanced, mutually beneficial and forward looking Free Trade Agreement is concluded soon," it goes on to say.

In August, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman indicated that India was close to a final call" on signing the FTA with the UK. Talks have been ongoing since 2021 with 13 rounds of talks thus far. Bilateral trade between the two countries hit USD 20.36 billion in 2022-23.

Prime Minister Modi invited PM Sunak for a bilateral visit at an early, mutually convenient date for a more detailed discussion. Prime Minister Sunak accepted the invitation and congratulated PM Modi for a successful G20 Summit," the release concludes.

PM Modi also met with Giorgia Meloni, the Prime Minister of Italy and Fumio Kishida, the Prime Minister of Japan.

"Exciting news! Mint is now on WhatsApp Channels  Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest financial insights!" Click here!
US official Margaret Macleod has made waves for her media interactions as India hosts the G20 Summit. The US State Department official repeatedly interacted with the press in fluent Hindi, with videos soon going viral. The government's Hindustani spokesperson is tasked with conveying US foreign policy priorities to Hindi and Urdu speakers around the world".

While the information relayed in her media addresses made news headlines, Macleod has also garnered an abundance of admiring remarks on social media over the past two days. The US State Departments Spokesperson's Hindi commentary on news channels is better than mine," marvelled one Twitter user. First time hearing Hindi with American accent! She is great. Nice to see this," added another.

Edhar hum angreji seekh rahe hai, udhar ye Hindi farratedar bol rahi hai," rued a third.

According to details uploaded on the US State government website, Macleod has served overseas in US Missions to India, Pakistan, and Japan. She holds a doctorate in Sustainable Development from Columbia University, a Bachelors degree in International Economics from Georgetown University, and studied at the Delhi School of Economics as a Rotary Scholar.

Her domestic assignments include International Security and Non-proliferation, International Organizations, and as a fellow on Capitol Hill," the official bio adds.
Jammu and Kashmir Director General of Police Dilbag Singh on Friday gave a stern warning to local terrorists operating from Pakistan and said that they will not be allowed to live in peace even across the border, according to a report published by the news agency PTI.

Speaking to media persons, on the sidelines of an event in Kishtwar, the DGP said, We want to give a clear message to the traitors who have gone across the border and trying to revive terrorism here that they cannot live in peace there because we will reach them and those who are supporting them from here will be dealt with sternly."

He said that the Chenab Valley comprising the Kishtwar, Doda, and Ramban districts was a target for terrorists in the past but the security agencies are vigilant and will not allow them to gain a foothold.

Singh was further asked about the recent busting of a hideout used by Jehangir Saroori, the longest surviving Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist, in the higher reaches of Kishtwar.

"Currently the action is underway to neutralize him and a couple of his associates. Saroori has reached that stage of his life where he is close to his grave. Time is not far when he will be in his grave," Singh said.

Saroori's cave hideout was dismantled by the police in collaboration with troops of the Rashtriya Rifles and the Central Reserve Police Force in a meticulously planned operation in the Paribag area of Bhadat Saroor on Tuesday, PTI reported.

In the early 1990s, Saroori joined militancy. He is believed to be hiding in the higher reaches of Kishtwar district. His brother Abdul Karim Butt was detained under the stringent Public Safety Act on charges of being a terrorist associate on August 3.

"They (Pakistan-based terrorists) tried to sow the seeds of militancy in Rajouri and Poonch. Strong action to destroy this seed is going on," the police chief said and added that many infiltration attempts were foiled this year.

He said the terrorists planned to infiltrate through Rajouri into nearby Reasi and ultimately to Kashmir or directly into Kashmir from Rajouri but all these attempts were thwarted, as per PTI reports.

Jammu and Kashmir is witnessing growing peace and stability because of the sacrifices of the police's fallen heroes, Singh added.

(With PTI inputs)

"Exciting news! Mint is now on WhatsApp Channels  Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest financial insights!" Click here!
During the inaugural session of the two-day G20 Summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared that the African Union (AU) had been granted permanent membership in the Group of 20 largest economies (G20) worldwide.

As reported by PTI, this announcement marked the AU's accession as a new member of this prominent global organization, consisting of 55 nations.

Shortly after the announcement, Union of Comoros President and AU chairperson Azali Assoumani took the seat as a full member of the G20.

In keeping with the sentiment of sabka saath (with everyone), India had proposed that the African Union should be given permanent membership of the G20. I believe we all are in agreement on this proposal. With your agreement (he banged the gavel thrice)," Modi said.

"Before we start our work, I invite the AU president as a permanent member to take his position," he said.

Also Read: G20 Summit: PM Modi, Prez Biden hold bilateral talks; discuss technology, democracy

Over the past few years, India has actively established itself as a prominent advocate, highlighting the issues, difficulties, and aspirations of the Global South, particularly the African continent. Prime Minister Modi has been at the forefront of these efforts, especially in advocating for the African Union's inclusion as a member of the G20. In June, Modi took the initiative by writing to the leaders of the G20 nations, urging them to grant full membership to the AU during the New Delhi summit.

A few weeks later, the proposal found its way into the official draft communique for the summit. This inclusion occurred during the third G20 Sherpas meeting, which convened in Hampi, Karnataka, in July.

The African Union (AU) is a significant organization consisting of 55 member states, collectively representing the nations across the African continent.

Also Read: G20 Summit: PM Modi, Joe Biden to unveil rail and shipping corridor linking India to Middle East, Europe

In an exclusive interview to PTI earlier this month, Modi said Africa is a "top priority" for India and that it works for the inclusion of those in global affairs who feel their voices are not being heard.

The G20 was established in 1999 as a response to various global economic crises.

The G20 member nations collectively account for approximately 85 percent of the world's GDP, more than 75 percent of global trade, and roughly two-thirds of the global population.

In addition to the recent addition, the G20 is made up of Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, the United Kingdom, the United States, and the European Union (EU).

(With inputs from PTI)

"Exciting news! Mint is now on WhatsApp Channels  Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest financial insights!" Click here!
Ceremonial gun salutes rang out across the UK on Friday to mark the accession of King Charles III, as he paid tribute to his mother Queen Elizabeth II on the first anniversary of her death.

A 41-gun Accession salute thundered across London's Hyde Park, followed by a 62-gun salute from the Tower of London, a historic royal palace on the banks of the River Thames.

Guns were also fired from Edinburgh Castle in the Scottish capital, Cardiff Castle in Wales and Hillsborough Castle in Northern Ireland.

Commemorations of the queen's death were low key, with the king -- who is at his sprawling Scottish Highland estate of Balmoral -- not expected at any official engagement.

In a short statement, the 74-year-old British head of state recalled the "great affection" for his mother, her life and public service.

"I am deeply grateful, too, for the love and support that has been shown to my wife and myself during this year as we do our utmost to be of service to you all," he added.

He and wife Camilla attended Crathie Kirk, the late monarch's place of worship near Balmoral, for private prayers and a moment of reflection.

Church of Scotland minister Kenneth Mackenzie said afterwards that the service was "a simple reflective time".

"We were able to give thanks for the life of the queen and recognise the poignancy of this day for his family and this community, as well as the nation and Commonwealth," he added.

Sad

Charles, dressed in a red tartan kilt, talked to well-wishers outside the church after the event.

"I saw the funeral procession go past last year, it's a sad day for everyone," Ross Nichol, a 22-year-old student from nearby Ballater, told AFP.

"She did a lot of good things and she had a standing in the world," added German tourist Nicole Hoppe.

"We feel a little bit sad and sentimental for her."

The queen, who was on the throne for a record-breaking 70 years, died on September 8, 2022 at Balmoral aged 96 after a period of declining health.

Flowers were left at the gates of Balmoral, while crowds gathered at Buckingham Palace and floral tributes were also left.

Throughout her reign the queen did not publicly mark her accession, as it was also the anniversary of her own father King George VI's death in 1952.

We all miss you

Elsewhere, the king's eldest son and heir, Prince William, and his wife, Catherine, attended a small private service at St David's Cathedral in west Wales.

The couple earlier posted a message on social media platform X, saying: "Today we remember the extraordinary life and legacy of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth. We all miss you. W & C".

William's estranged younger brother, Prince Harry, was in the UK for a charity event and was spotted on Friday visiting his grandmother's final resting place at Windsor Castle, west of London.

"She is looking down on all of us tonight, happy we're together," he told the event on Thursday evening.

Elizabeth II's death was a seismic event in British life. For most Britons alive, the queen was the only monarch and head of state they had ever known.

During the 10-day official mourning period, tens of thousands of people queued for up to 25 hours to file past her flag-shrouded coffin as it lay in state in Westminster Hall at the Houses of Parliament.

Even more packed the streets of London and the route west to Windsor Castle for the state funeral, which was beamed around the world to a television audience of millions.

Memorial

The queen was interred in the King George VI Memorial Chapel, Windsor, alongside her late husband, Prince Philip, who died in 2021, her father and mother and the ashes of her younger sister, Princess Margaret.

Earlier this week, the government announced that a national memorial to the late monarch will be commissioned "in due course".

In London on Thursday, there were mixed views about Charles's first year.

Some felt he had been right not to introduce sweeping reform too early.

"He's got a hard act to follow but he will I think change things," Joanne Hughes, 61, told AFP outside Buckingham Palace.

Others were indifferent about the new king -- and the monarchy in general.

"The monarchy is dying," said nursing student Mimi Jaffer-Clarke.

"If he wants it to not die, then he needs to try to get the younger generation to like him -- and we just don't."

"Exciting news! Mint is now on WhatsApp Channels  Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest financial insights!" Click here!

This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. Only the headline has been changed.
China is planning to dispatch Vice President Han Zheng to an annual United Nations meeting of government leaders later this month, according to people briefed on the matter, instead of sending its top foreign policy official on a broader U.S. trip as previously signaled.

Beijings decision to send Han, who plays a largely ceremonial role as the vice president, adds a wrinkle to the planning process for Chinese leader Xi Jinpings expected attendance at a summit of Asia-Pacific leaders to be held in San Francisco in November.

Diplomats from Beijing and Washington have been working for months to pave the way for Xis visit. As recently as late July, Chinese officials had indicated to their U.S. counterparts that Foreign Minister Wang Yi would participate in the U.N. General Assembly, which starts on Sept. 19. While in the U.S., the officials said, Wang would potentially travel to Washington for detailed discussions to prepare for Xis trip to San Francisco.

Wangs skipping of the U.N. event raises the question of when the top Chinese diplomat would come to the U.S. so both sides could firm up Xis attendance in Novembers Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit. Beyond that gathering, a Xi trip would include a separate summit between the Chinese leader and President Biden. Officials on both sides see that meeting as a potential boost to months of tentative efforts to stabilize ties.

Wang might still make a separate U.S. trip. He earlier accepted in principle a Biden administration invitation to visit the U.S., and the two sides are working to schedule a time for his visit, people close to Beijing said.

Still, the Chinese leaderships decision to send the vice president shows how Beijing likes to alter the script to keep others off balance and try to extract leverage. Xi is skipping this weekends summit of the Group of 20 major economies. Though Beijing didnt explain why Xi is staying away, the event is being hosted by India, a rival with which China has a volatile border dispute. The U.S. and its allies are also likely to spotlight the Ukraine war being waged by Chinas partner Russia.

Sending Vice President Han, who has only nominal authority, to New York for the U.N. assembly comes as Beijing sends mixed signals to Washington despite recent diplomatic overtures from the Biden administration. Beijing has received a series of senior Biden officials this summer, most recently Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo. Both sides agreed to hold regular discussions on business and investment issues and to set up a working group on technology controls.

Neither Beijing nor Washington, however, has budged on policies that keep relations friction-filled. Raimondo and other administration officials have refused to yield on restrictions on semiconductor exports that the U.S. says are aimed at keeping technology out of the Chinese militarys hands but that strike at Xis ambitions to make China an innovation powerhouse.

Likewise, Beijing has declined to resume contacts between the militaries as the Biden administration wants, to reduce chances for accidents and miscalculations. It has also tightened restrictions on uses of some U.S. technology, including barring government officials from using Apple iPhones or other foreign-branded devices for work.

Chinas Ministry of State Security, whose stature within the Chinese bureaucracy has been significantly elevated by Xi, recently and uncharacteristically opined on U.S.-China relations, usually the foreign ministrys domain. A Sept. 3 social-media posting by the ministry criticized the U.S. and hinted that Xi might not go to APEC in San Francisco unless Washington shows sufficient sincerity."

Some China observers in the U.S. view the recent moves by Beijing as a sign that the Chinese leadership might be trying to squeeze the U.S. for concessionssuch as a loosening of technology restrictions aimed at Chinato get Xi to attend the APEC summit and potentially meet with Biden.

Some Republicans in Congress urging a harder line on China have criticized the Biden administration for appearing overeager in its outreach to Beijing without wresting any concessions in return.

The people close to Beijing said no final decision has been made over Xis attendance at the coming APEC meeting.

Write to Lingling Wei at Lingling.Wei@wsj.com and Charles Hutzler at charles.hutzler@wsj.com

"Exciting news! Mint is now on WhatsApp Channels  Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest financial insights!" Click here!
Last October, the Biden administration unleashed one of its biggest countermeasures to date against Chinas military ambitions: export controls on, among other things, cutting-edge semiconductors used for AI systems. The new rule restricts not just U.S. companies but any manufacturer that uses specified U.S. software or technology to build their products. As Kevin Wolf, who ran the U.S. export-control regime from 2010 to 2017, put it, foreign dependence on U.S. equipment means that every such chip on the planet" is now subject to U.S. controls.

The measure has alarmed China. President Xi Jinping blames the U.S. for orchestrating a campaign to encircle, suppress and contain his country, while commentators claim that the U.S. is drawing closed a Silicon Curtain."

Pundits like Thomas Friedman once cited the semiconductor supply chain as a prime example of the flat world of globalization, in which economic interdependence would produce peace and prosperity. Now the U.S. has weaponized interdependence. American technology, which extends like a fishing trawlers long line through the entire global semiconductor production system, is being reeled back in, with allies and adversaries alike wriggling on the hooks.

At this early stage, it is hard to assess the wider consequences of the new U.S. policy. China is no stranger to such tactics, having long used restrictions on access to its own market and embargoes on strategic materials such as rare earths to punish countries that cross its diplomatic red lines. But a new tit-for-tat is emerging, and as China responds to the turn in American policy, there is a risk that the situation could escalate in a way that hurts both U.S. security and the global economy.

Until recently, American businesses were crucial to helping China advance its technological ambitions, through partnerships, investment and voluntary or forced technology transfer. As Matt Pottinger, Donald Trumps deputy national security adviser, told Nikkei Asia in May: We saw a baby shark and thought we could transform it into a dolphin. We kept feeding the sharkand now were dealing with a formidable Great White."

Jake Sullivan, President Bidens national security adviser, describes the export control system as a crucial strategic asset," allowing the U.S. and its allies to impose costs on adversaries and even over time degrade their battlefield capabilities." But the administration isnt starving the shark altogether. Its export-control strategy of creating a small yard" with a high fence" targets as-yet loosely defined key sectors. The idea is to impede Chinas advances in military AI and advanced weapons while trying to limit the policys wider economic repercussions.

How the U.S. arrived at such policies is an important story in itself; it is not the result of a well-orchestrated long-term plan. A decade ago, few would have expected export controls to be an important weapon. When Wolf worked in the Obama administration, he joked that export-control regulations were a lot like tax law but without the sex appeal.

Export controls began turning heads amid the chaos of the Trump administration. They got their first push thanks to the blunders of the Chinese telecommunications firm ZTE. Under the Obama administration, the company had been caught flouting U.S. sanctions against Iran. ZTE was put on the U.S. governments entity list," making it a commercial pariah. Other businesses werent allowed to provide specified goods to ZTE without U.S. government permission. ZTE got off the list only after agreeing to change its ways, pay a $430 million fine and accept a suspended penalty.

But then ZTE violated its agreement and lied about it. Trumps Commerce Department imposed the suspended penalty, cutting off the companys access to U.S. technology for seven years. This was a likely death sentence for ZTE and led to a political crisis in China. Chinese newspapers started panicking about the dangers of decoupling. A former senior U.S. official recounted to us how Xi kept raising ZTE in phone calls with Trump, asking him to reduce the penalty as a personal favor." Trump, who desperately wanted a trade agreement with Xi, announced his response by tweet. He was working with Xi to give ZTE a way to get back into business," because too many jobs in China lost."

Trump and Xi cooked up a deal under which ZTE would pay a bigger fine but still have access to U.S. technology. ZTE survived thanks to what Trumps national security adviser John Bolton described in his 2020 memoir as the black hole" of Trumps desire for a trade deal with China, twisting all other issues" around it. But even if Trump cared more about striking a deal than hobbling China, more hawkish officials saw the possibilities. Bolton, for one, hadnt previously known about the entity list, even though he told us he was delighted to find this additional tool."

In May 2019, Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross took the next step, adding the telecommunications giant Huawei Technologies to the entity list on national security and foreign policy grounds. Huaweis founder Ren Zhengfei once told Communist Party General Secretary Jiang Zemin that a nation that did not have its own [telecommunications] switching equipment was like one that lacked its own military." Unfortunately for Huawei, the U.S. agreed. Officials feared that Huaweis plan to build the worlds next generation communications infrastructure would promote Chinas security goals at Americas expense.

Putting Huawei on the entity list alone couldnt stop it from buying semiconductors made by non-U.S. companies. As Pottinger told us, We didnt think that the export controls would have much bite" without back-up. Trump administration officials found what they needed in an obscure regulation, the foreign direct-product rule."

They could use the rule to regulate products made in other countries if those products had been made with U.S. software or technology or even with tools that involved that American know-how. Since U.S. intellectual property is omnipresent in the semiconductor supply chain, this move had existential consequences for Huawei. A leaked 2022 memo by Ren warned Huawei employees that the continued blockade" by the U.S. contributed to making survival the most important guideline" for the company.

The Trump administration transformed export controls in fits and starts, with drive-by tweets and ordinary bureaucratic rulemaking. Its expanded use of the foreign direct-product rule is now the foundation of the Biden teams action against China and its effort to deprive Russia of certain strategic products. What began with the Trump administrations move against one company has evolved into the Biden administrations campaign to cut off access to key technologies for entire countries.

The U.S. can do this thanks to chokepoints in the global economy. Globalization didnt create a decentralized global marketplace as pundits and politicians anticipated. Instead, it systematically concentrated power in a small number of big firms. In semiconductor production, those companies include ASML, Nvidia, Synopsys and Cadence Design Systems. Thats why the new export controls are so effective.

In a 2019 academic paper on weaponized interdependence," we argued that this gave the U.S. government enormous powers of coercion and surveillance. We warned that this might go wrong, but we never dreamed that our research might help to fuel the phenomenon we were describing. Chris Millers recent history of semiconductors, Chip War," describes how an unnamed senior Trump official saw our ideas, in Millers words, as providing a game plan" for using the chokepoints in semiconductor production. They told him that weaponized interdependence is a beautiful thing."

But using economic chokepoints this way has a serious potential downside. For now, China is retaliating against the U.S. by threatening restrictions on key materials necessary for semiconductor production. The U.S. and its allies may find other sources, but China is also looking for other chokepoints that it might use to inflict pain. The risk for both sides is a deepening spiral of action and reaction.

In response to this American pressure, China is also now doubling down on a strategy of achieving technological independence. As Ali Wyne, a senior analyst with the Eurasia Group, has warned, the only thing worse than weaponized interdependence may be no interdependence at all. If China doesnt have to fear Western reprisals, it may be emboldened to attack Taiwan, press its territorial claims in the South China Sea and against India and bid for Asian hegemony.

Other countries might band together with China, or strike out themselves toward greater technological self-sufficiency, fearing that they might be next on the export-control hit list. Even close partners like Germany, which has a big economic stake in China, might find their loyalties fraying if they dont know where Americas small yard" begins and ends.

The Biden administration has considered these and other risks, and its small yard, high fence" approach may be the best of bad options. But for the policy to be less destabilizing, it cant be so open-ended and haphazard. Adversaries and fence-sitters alike need to see continued value in interdependence. Achieving this will require the U.S. to use one of its crucial advantages over Chinathe rule of lawto set specific standards and appeals procedures to limit uncertainty over its future actions.

The story of export controls, from Obama through Trump and Biden, is one of discovering new possibilities on the fly. It is time for the U.S. to move past improvisation to strategy.

Henry Farrell is the SNF Agora Professor at Johns Hopkins School for Advanced International Studies. Abraham Newman is a professor at the School of Foreign Service and government department at Georgetown University. This piece is adapted from their new book, Underground Empire: How America Weaponized the World Economy," which will be published by Henry Holt on Sept. 12.
The world of technology witnessed two smartphone launches from realme this week. Interestingly, Reliance Jio and Google Chrome celebrated their 7th and 15th anniversary, respectively. Moreover, ahead of the Apple Wonderlust event, there were several speculations related to the upcoming Apple devices. Here is a quick recap for you:

Realme C51 launched in India

Realme has launched the affordable Realme C51 smartphone with Android 13 and Realme UI T edition. Priced at 8,999 for the 4GB RAM/64GB ROM variant, it offers a discount of 500 with ICICI and HDFC bank cards. The phone features an octa-core Unisoc T612 processor, a 6.74-inch HD+ 90Hz LCD display, and a 50MP main camera. It boasts a 5,000mAh battery with 33W SUPERVOOC charging, charging from 0 to 50% in just 28 minutes. Available in Mint Green and Carbon Black, it is accessible on Flipkart, Realme.com, and authorized stores from September 6.

Apple patents futuristic Foldable Glass Panel iMac Concept

Apple has patented a foldable iMac concept with a unique design featuring a folding glass panel at the base, rather than a folding display. This design allows for space-saving benefits and adjustable screen angles. Users can slide out the keyboard and trackpad from behind the device, supported by a rear stand. The concept aims to offer an elegant all-in-one desktop solution with improved portability and functionality.

Reliance Jio celebrates its 7th anniversary; offers bonus on plans

Reliance Jio is celebrating its 7th anniversary by offering additional benefits with select prepaid plans. These include 7GB extra data with the 299 plan, 14GB extra data with the 749 plan, and 21GB extra data with the 2,999 annual plan. These offers are available until September 30 and also include discounts on McDonald's, Reliance Digital, flights, hotels, AJIO, and Netmeds. Here is everything you need to know.

Ranveer Singh joins BGMI as its official brand ambassador

Krafton India, the company behind the BGMI, has announced a collaboration in India. Bollywood actor Ranveer Singh has been named the official brand ambassador for Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI). As per the company, this partnership aims to bring together the thrill of gaming and the charisma of Superstar Ranveer Singh to engage and deliver elevated experiences for millions of gamers across the country.

Realme Narzo 60x with Dimensity 6100+ 5G SoC launched

Realme has launched its latest mid-range smartphone Narzo 60x 5G in two colour options - Stellar Green and Nebula Purple. Realme claims that this is the slimmest 5G smartphone in its segment with a 7.88mm thickness. The new Realme Narzo 60x comes with a 6.72-inch full HD+ IPS LCD display with a 2400 x 1080 pixels resolution and 120Hz refresh rate.

The Narzo 60x is powered by the octa-core Mediatek Dimensity 6100+ 5G processor paired with a Mali-G57 MC2 GPU. The phone comes in 4GB and 6GB RAM variants along with 128GB of UFS 2.1 storage. The smartphone also comes with support for 6GB of dynamic RAM and expanding the storage up to 2GB via the microSD card.

The Narzo 60x comes with a 50 MP main camera with a f/1.8 aperture and 1.28 m pixel size. It is paired with a 2MP depth sensor and an 8MP front camera for selfies and video calls.

The newest smartphone by Realme runs on Realme UI 4.0 on top of Android 13. It is run on 5,000 mAh battery with support for 33W SUPERVOOC fast charging which the company claims can take the phone from 1 to 50 percent in just 29 minutes.

Realme Narzo 60x has been priced at 12,999 for the 4GB/128GB version while the 6GB RAM/ 128 GB storage version comes at a price of 14,499.

Apple introduces iOS 16.6.1 update

The initial vulnerability lies within the ImageIO framework, posing a potential threat of arbitrary code execution when processing a maliciously crafted image. The second vulnerability resides in Wallet, creating a similar risk of arbitrary code execution when opening a maliciously crafted attachment.

To safeguard your iPhone against these security vulnerabilities, it is crucial to promptly install the iOS 16.6.1 update.

Google Chrome celebrates 15th anniversary with visual overhaul

Google Chrome is receiving a visual makeover and new features for its 15th anniversary. The update includes a refreshed design based on the Material You design language, customizable color palettes, a comprehensive menu for faster access to options, a redesigned Chrome Web Store with AI-powered extensions, and improved Safe Browsing for enhanced security against malware and phishing.

"Exciting news! Mint is now on WhatsApp Channels  Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest financial insights!" Click here!
"With the BRI, China promotes infrastructure development and connectivity across continents, offering a chance for countries to enhance their trade networks and expand their economic potential."

Not far away from downtown Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia, a high-speed railway jointly constructed by China and the southeast Asian country is about to see trains run at full steam.

The Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway, a flagship project of China-Indonesia Belt and Road cooperation, is the first overseas high-speed railway project that fully uses Chinese railway systems, technology, and industrial components, and will be the first high-speed railway in Indonesia and Southeast Asia.

Connecting Jakarta and Bandung, the fourth largest city in Indonesia, the railway is 142 km long and has a design maximum speed of 350 km per hour. It will cut the journey time between the two places from over three hours to around 40 minutes.

The railway is indeed a shining example of the infrastructure connectivity achieved through the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which China pioneered in the autumn of 2013.

ENHANCED CONNECTIVITY

Many other iconic projects under the BRI have been completed as scheduled and with high quality, including the China-Laos Railway. Since its launch in December 2021, the 1,035-km rail line, which links the Lao capital, Vientiane, with Kunming, the capital of southwest China's Yunnan Province, has generated enormous benefits.

With 19 million passengers and 24 million tonnes of freight delivered and its cross-border cargo transport covering over 10 countries and regions, the railway has dovetailed China-proposed BRI with Laos' strategy to convert itself from a landlocked country to a land-linked hub on the Indo-China Peninsula.

"The railway marks a milestone of the two countries' friendship in a new era," said Manila Sombandith, the consul general of Laos in Kunming.

In other directions, the Belt and Road cooperation is also flourishing. According to official data, the China-Europe Railway Express, a flagship project connecting China and Europe, has reached 211 cities in 25 European countries, and the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor has connected China's central and western regions with more than 300 ports in over 100 countries.

"With the BRI, China promotes infrastructure development and connectivity across continents, offering a chance for countries to enhance their trade networks and expand their economic potential," said Seun Sam, a policy analyst at the Royal Academy of Cambodia.

Over the past decade, the BRI has also witnessed close collaboration between China and its partners in policy coordination, trade facilitation, financial integration and people-to-people exchanges, achieving fruitful outcomes.

China has signed more than 200 cooperation documents on Belt and Road cooperation with 152 countries and 32 international organizations, covering 83 percent of the countries with which China has established diplomatic relations.

Financial cooperation has also been enhanced. As of the end of 2022, the China-proposed Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank has approved 202 projects with financing exceeding 38.8 billion dollars, making it a crucial financing platform for the BRI.

CHINESE WISDOM

As the world is facing emerging challenges, the BRI, a key platform for building a community with a shared future for humanity, provides Chinese wisdom for the world to achieve lasting peace and prosperity.

With a sluggish global economic recovery, global development needs strong drivers. The BRI has brought more prosperous international investment and trade. The World Bank estimates that the full implementation of transport projects under the framework could increase global income by 0.7 percent to 2.9 percent by 2030, lifting 7.6 million people out of extreme poverty and 32 million out of moderate poverty.

According to Julio Rios, a Spanish expert on China, the BRI is widely popular among developing countries. The initiative has become a public good, contributing not only to China but also to the modernization of the world, he said.

The BRI has enabled countries to jointly enlarge the pie of common interests and increased the popularity of win-win cooperation. Following the principle of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits, it has promoted true multilateralism and set an example of what is democratic and just global governance.

The BRI has brought tremendous advantages to all participating countries and has become a long-term strategy to promote intra-regional and inter-regional connectivity and cooperation in all areas, such as infrastructure, connectivity, economy, investment, finance, and people-to-people exchanges, said Kin Phea, director-general of the International Relations Institute of Cambodia, a think-tank under the Royal Academy of Cambodia.

"It is a new global force of peace, security, stability, development, prosperity, and harmony," he said.
India and Pakistan are set to clash again in the Super 4 stage of Asia Cup 2023. This time the fans are expected to get a closure as the previous match was abandoned due to rains

Credit : AP
The 23rd China International Fair for Investment and Trade (CIFIT) opened Friday in Xiamen, east Chinas Fujian Province, to boost investment and bolster global economic recovery.

The four-day event, themed Open and Integrated: Key to High-Quality Development, kicked off with an opening ceremony, and will encompass a range of activities including forums, seminars, exhibitions, and business matching sessions.

The theme of this years CIFIT reveals Chinas resolution to advance high-standard opening up and desire to promote international exchanges and cooperation, while sharing opportunities in its vast market with the rest of the world, said Chen Chunjiang, assistant minister of commerce, at the opening ceremony.

Cross-border investment is a crucial force in driving global economic growth, technological advancement and industrial upgrading, Chen said, stressing that boosting investment confidence and promoting open cooperation have become more urgent than ever given the uncertain global economic recovery.

Chen noted that the country will implement the 24 measures unveiled by the State Council to beef up foreign investment inflow, leverage the role of roundtable meetings with foreign enterprises, and create a market-oriented, law-based and first-class business environment that is up to international standards.

Chinas investment environment has always been good and it continues to be good, said Harley Seyedin, president of the American Chamber of Commerce in South China, adding that the new policies introduced by the government made it easier and more preferable for foreign companies to invest in China.

Data from the Ministry of Commerce (MOC) showed that 24,000 new foreign firms established themselves in China in the first half of the year, marking a 35.7-percent rise year on year. Investments from developed countries continued to grow, with investments from France, the United Kingdom, Japan, and Germany increasing by 173.3 percent, 135.3 percent, 53 percent, and 14.2 percent, respectively, during the period.

Electric Glass (Xiamen) Co., Ltd., a leading Japanese manufacturer and supplier of liquid crystal glass blocks, and participant of this years CIFIT, expressed confidence in the Chinese economy and expansion of investment.

Ohashi Nobuo, general manager of Electric Glass (Xiamen), said the company had completed capital increases and capacity expansion four times up to now in the worlds second-largest economy, and is currently stepping up its Phase V project, which is planned to start operation next year.

We will invest about 500 million yuan (69.3 million US dollars), and after completion, the output value will increase accordingly, he said. Over the past eight years, the companys total investment in China has reached more than 8 billion yuan.

Covering around 120,000 square meters, this years CIFIT has a distinct focus on the digital economy, intelligent manufacturing, green and low-carbon development, as well as rural revitalization. Various research reports on investment will also be released during the event.

More than 1,000 organizations and enterprises from all over the world participated in the exhibitions.

With several international organizations, including the United Nations Industrial Development Organization, present at the fair, this year has seen an increase in both the number and level of participation compared to previous editions.

Rebeca Grynspan, secretary-general of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, hailed Chinas dynamism, development perspective and scale in promoting inclusive and sustainable growth and investment.

Your commitment to the principles of multilateralism and open markets can help shape a better future, especially through the Global Development Initiative, Rebeca Grynspan said.

Brazil, Serbia and Qatar are the guest countries of honor at this years fair.

In 2024, we will celebrate 50 years of diplomatic relations between Brazil and China and, in this half century, we have developed a deep and strategic relationship, said Geraldo Alckmin, Brazilian Vice President and Minister of Development, Industry, Trade and Services, via video.

China has been our largest trading partner since 2009. Brazil is the fourth highest recipient of Chinese investment, he said.

Data from the MOC revealed that China-funded enterprises in foreign countries pay more than 50 billion U.S. dollars of taxes and fees to the host countries every year, creating nearly 2.5 million local jobs and making positive contributions to the economic recovery of the host countries and the world at large.

Chen said that China will continuously improve the quality and level of outbound investment cooperation, continue to promote the high-quality development of the Belt and Road Initiative, and actively participate in the formulation of global economic and trade rules.

Chinas non-financial outbound direct investment increased 18.1 percent year on year to 500.94 billion yuan in the first seven months of the year, MOC data showed.

First launched in 1997, the CIFIT has become an important platform to boost bilateral investment and facilitate global development.

Shayne Heffernan
"We should be trying to understand Chinese point of view and their culture. That's important for maintaining world stability and world peace," noted Colin Mackerras, world-renowned Australian sinologist, in an exclusive interview with China News Network. There would be more bilateral trade as the relations are getting better, said Mackerras.

Mackerras is now working as a fellow of the Australian Academy of the Humanities and emeritus professor at Griffith University. Since the 1960s, he has engaged in research on China.

To Mackerras' observation, more wines will be exported to China from Australia and more Chinese tourists will be traveling to Australia. Besides, bilateral educational cooperation will pick up and students will have more opportunities to study in each other's countries. Good signs have been released about the positive development of Australia-China relations since the current Australian government is better at diplomacy.

Mackerras admits that differences on some issues do exist between the two sides, but he thinks there is no "clash of civilization". "I think there is a clash of interests and there may be a clash of ideologies, but as for clash of civilizations, I doubt that very much," he explained.

He further pointed out that advocating the "clash of civilizations" means dividing the world into several different kinds of civilizations and saying that by their nature, they have to clash. He stressed, "I really doubt that very much. I don't think that's the case. We need to maintain dialogue and people-to-people exchange even during difficult times."

He also suggested that countries try to understand each other and cooperate within the world so Australia should be having good relations with other countries, especially important countries like China. In the interview, he said, "We should be trying to understand the Chinese point of view and their culture. That's important for maintaining world stability and world peace".

Apart from these suggestions, the sinologist with decades of experience warned that the Australian government should not treat China in a contemptuous manner or judge it on human rights and other issues, saying it could lead to conflicts.

Speaking of the dissemination of Chinese culture in Australia, he noted that even though Australia tends to identify itself as a multicultural country, British and American cultures are still preeminent in the current Australian society. He hopes that more Australians can understand and appreciate Chinese culture.

"China's got a great civilization. It's got a great history and a lot of great ideas in its cultural traditions," said Mackerras. In his eyes, it would be a good thing if there is more Chinese influence on Australian culture.

He didn't mince his words when talking about the negative impact of the America-built bloc in the Asia-Pacific region and said that he was disappointed when the Australian government chose to be dependent on the United States and copy everything they do.

"Some of what they (the U.S.) do is terrible." Mackerras indicated. "I just don't want to have our defense so dependent on the United States that we are almost automatically obliged to regard China as the threat but it's not a threat to Australia," he concluded.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed on Thursday that he would visit China later this year. Mao Ning, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson responded on the same day that China welcomes Prime Minister Albanese to visit China at the invitation of Premier Li Qiang and is willing to work with Australia to make preparations.

Click here to watch the video.
The Houses of the Oireachtas are set to decide on recommendations that could see an increase in the number of TDs returned to the Dail.

Longford/Westmeath is set to become a five-seat constituency following recommendations by the Electoral Commission in its Constituency Review published last week.

The proposals suggest that an additional 19 electoral divisions be moved into the Longford/Westmeath constituency from the Meath West constituency.

It's determined by their terms of reference, Longford solicitor and former political strategist Frank Gearty said of the changes. Frank is more familiar with the work of the Electoral Commission than most, having made submissions to the State body in the past.

The review suggests the creation of four new constituencies and an additional 14 Dail seats across Ireland.

The last boundary review took place in 2020, but the 8% increase in the Irish population since then has led the Electoral Commission to make recommendations for a significant number of changes to political representation in the country.

Overall, the Commission recommended that the next Dail should see 174 TDs representing 43 Dail Constituencies, up from the current 160 TDs in 39 Constituencies.

It looks like they have done a brilliant job, Frank told the Leader, It's great that Longford/Westmeath has been retained as a single constituency. The big challenge now is for the people of Longford to elect two TDs, that ought to be possible with our population. It will be up to the people of Longford and the calibre of the candidates. 

The Commission stated the Longford-Westmeath constituency's population justifies the allocation of an additional seat to make it a five seat constituency.

The constituency is now made up of the entire counties of Longford and Westmeath for the first time since 1980.



The constituency now includes an additional 19 electoral divisions in the north east of Westmeath. This area around Castlepollard brings in an additional 9,481 residents in the redrawn Longford/Westmeath.

Overall just seven of the 39 constituencies remain untouched under the Commissions Constituency Review 2023 Report. In concluding her report Ms Justice Marie Baker, Chairperson, An Coimisiun Toghch said: I commend these recommendations for consideration by the Houses of the Oireachtas.

The final determination of the constituencies for both Dail Eireann and the European Parliament will in due course be decided by the Houses of the Oireachtas in legislation.

Fianna Fail TD for Longford Westmeath, Deputy Joe Flaherty, said the review suggestions were positive: I broadly welcome the findings of the review. It's very hard please everybody, but important that the county boundaries were retained. Both counties have worked well together as a constituency and would have been remiss if they were pulled apart.

We went before with Longford Roscommon and whilst it successfully returned two Longford TDs, I dont think it worked as an entity, he told the Leader.

Fine Gael's Peter Burke said the return of the the 19 electoral division to Westmeath was a very welcome part of the proposed changes: It's great to see that Westmeath has been re-united and that the areas of Castlepollard, Delvin, Collinstown and Clonmellon, who voted in the Meath West Constituency since 2007, are now under to the fold of Westmeath again.

I am delighted the Electoral Commission will now be in a position to right this wrong due to recent population changes, he said.

Minister Burke believes the changes will be of benefit to him: As it stands, I do a huge amount of work for people from this area already. I never diverted them to the Meath West Constituency. I see them in my clinic every week, and as such, I will continue to represent them and work on their behalf. The only difference is now, they will be able to vote for me at election time, he concluded.

Longford local election candidate vows to press ahead with campaign bid after falling foul of racist abuse A Green Party candidate who declared an interest in representing the people of Longford received a barrage of racist abuse online after posting a video about her initial campaigning experience.

Fianna Fail's Robert Troy was also of the opinion that the proposals were well considered: I welcome the proposals on two particular grounds. Firstly it reunites the county of Westmeath. I believe it is important that county boundaries are respected. This is the first time the people of North Westmeath will be able to vote for a candidate from Westmeath for the first time in 20 years.

Secondly I believe it is important there is an additional seat. It recognises the huge increase, particularly in County Longford, of the population. It is important that the additional people living in Longford have additional representation.

The Mullingar based TD said the commission's proposal to keep the two counties together is the correct call: I welcome the fact Longford and Westmeath have been kept together. They have always been natural allies and a natural constituency. I don't believe that Longford Roscommon was a natural constituency. It was split between two provinces. I think we have a lot more in common in Longford Westmeath in terms of geography and in terms of our historical connectivity as a constituency down through the generations.

Deputy Troy said the situation that presides at present, where three of the sitting TDs are from the Mullingar area, will not be affected by the change: I don't believe that where the person sleeps at night is where they represent. I represent the people of Longford Westmeath, he said.

Sinn Fein's Sorca Clarke agreed that there was little surprise in the commission's proposal: It's not unexpected. That part of Westmeath returning into the constituency has been spoken of for a long time. There has been cross party support for the return of that part of Westmeath to the constituency.

The move to five seats is also not unexpected. The census population growth shows that the numbers are there for a five seater constituency.

The Teachta Dala believes that if the proposals are adopted it will make for an intriguing election: Longford Westmeath is going to be an interesting constituency. At one point Athlone had three TDs living in close proximity to each other. Where the TD is based changes.

The issues in the next general election will be less parochial, because people desperately need to see change taking place. They will look for the party that is capable of delivering change, Deputy Clarke concluded.
School & Education, Local News

By Long Island Published: September 09 2023

Governor Kathy Hochul today signed legislation to declare Asian Lunar New Year a public school holiday across NYS

Governor Kathy Hochul today signed legislation to declare Asian Lunar New Year a public school holiday across New York State. Legislation (A.7768/S.7573) would ensure schools are not in session on Lunar New Year, underscoring Governor Hochuls commitment to supporting and protecting New Yorks AAPI community.

By designating Lunar New Year as an official school holiday, we are taking an important step in recognizing the importance of New Yorks AAPI community and the rich diversity that makes New York so great, Governor Hochul said. It is not just a day off from school  it is an opportunity for our children to learn about and celebrate their own or different cultures and traditions.

Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie said, Making Lunar New Year a holiday for New York's public schools is a direct result of the hard work of the Assembly Majority and the dedicated members of our Asian Pacific Task Force. New York State is beautifully diverse, with people from different ethnic, religious and cultural backgrounds living, working and raising families together. The Lunar New Year holiday will give thousands of Asian students in our state the ability to gather together and celebrate with family and friends without having to sacrificing their education. I hope this will also shine a light on the culture and traditions of our Asian friends and neighbors, and in a time where we have seen hate and violence against Asian communities, this will open peoples eyes, encouraging tolerance and acceptance. I thank Governor Hochul for her leadership and signing this important legislation.

Legislation (A.7768/S.7573) amends the education law to declare Asian Lunar New Year a public school holiday statewide. The legislation requires that all public schools close for the Lunar New Year holiday.

State Senator Brian Kavanagh said, New Yorks story could not have been written without the many and varied contributions of Asian New Yorkers. Yet in many schools throughout the state, Asian families and students have to choose between attending school and celebrating their communitys most significant holiday. And many other New Yorkers are denied the opportunity to celebrate the diverse heritage of our state. So I am very proud that as of today we officially recognize Lunar New Year as a school holiday. I thank the the many Asian individuals, families, and organizations who advocated for this bill, the growing and powerful delegation of Asian colleagues in the State legislature for their leadership, guidance, and support  especially Assemblymember Grace Lee and Senators John Liu and Iwen Chu  Assembly bill sponsor, Bill Colton, for his great work passing the bill in the Assembly, and Governor Kathy Hochul for signing it into law today.

Assemblymember William Colton said, Asian Americans have played a vital role in shaping our state and nation while continuously struggling to overcome many obstacles of discrimination and hardship. Making Asian Lunar New Year a state school holiday will benefit not only Asian Americans but will promote a strong message of hope in obtaining the American Dream for all groups. This historic legislation could not be possible without the leadership of the Governor, the Legislative Leadership and the support of Assembly Member Grace Lee, the bills prime co-sponsor and so many of my colleagues.

Assemblymember Grace Lee, Co-Chair of the Assemblys Asian Pacific American (APA) Task Force said, "It is an honor to have led this historic effort to recognize Lunar New Year as a statewide holiday in New York. As Asian Americans, we have gone unseen and unheard in New York for too long, and this bill is recognition for our contributions to New York history, and validation that our voices and our stories matter. Now, I will be able to join thousands of families across the state in celebrating Lunar New Year at home with my kids. This law will expose new generations to Asian culture, and it will promote diversity and inclusion at a time when Asian New Yorkers are suffering from anti-Asian hate. By making New York the first state in the country to mandate statewide school closures in observance of Lunar New Year, we are setting a valuable example for other states to follow. I thank Governor Kathy Hochul, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, and all my colleagues who supported this effort to secure this historic achievement for New Yorks AAPI community.

Governor Hochul has remained committed to supporting, protecting, and celebrating New Yorks AAPI community. In the FY 2024 Budget, Governor Hochul allocated $30 million in awards for community organizations through Asian American Federation and the Coalition for Asian American Children and Families  the largest investment ever to support AAPI communities in the entire state. This funding goes towards an ever more diverse pool of community-based organizations providing culturally responsive and linguistically competent services, as well as addressing systemic violence, racism, and discrimination faced by the AAPI community.

State Senator John Liu said, "The Lunar New Year is the most significant time of the year for Asian Americans, and as the fastest growing community in the country, we need to make sure our heritage, culture and traditions are treated with the same respect and reverence as any other American holiday. Declaring Lunar New Year a State holiday is an important step in the recognition and validation of Asian Americans not just here in New York State, but throughout the country. Many thanks to Governor Hochul for making the signing of this legislation a priority."

State Senator Iwen Chu said, "Today, New York State will make Lunar New Year a public school holiday, a long fought effort for inclusion for Asian New Yorkers. Now families don't have to choose between their education and celebrating their cultural heritage. This act recognizes the contributions of the AAPI community in the diverse tapestry of our great state and brings greater awareness, combatting the hate that AAPI New Yorkers face. I'm proud to have given this legislation my strong support and I thank Governor Hochul, Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, and Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie for making this a priority in this legislative session."

Assemblymember Edward Braunstein said, "Establishing Lunar New Year as a statewide public-school holiday in New York is a landmark achievement, and I was proud to support this effort in the Assembly. A statewide school holiday will allow those who observe the holiday to celebrate with their families, as well as give all New Yorkers the opportunity to learn about the cultural and historical significance of Lunar New Year. I celebrate this historic moment and thank Governor Hochul for signing this bill into law."

Assemblymember Ron Kim said, It took multiple generations of lawmakers to finally make Lunar New Year a recognized statewide holiday and I want to thank Governor Hochul for recognizing Asian Americans in a meaningful way. From former members Jimmy Meng, Ellen Young, and Grace Meng to new members like APA Task Force co-chair Grace Lee making this legislation a top priority, I'm grateful for all their contributions. Lastly, I want to thank Speaker Carl Heastie for his leadership and guidance in celebrating Asian Americans in New York State.

Assemblymember Jenifer Rajkumar said, As the first South Asian woman ever elected to New York State Office, I thank Governor Kathy Hochul for signing this historic bill recognizing the rich diversity of our State and its AAPI community. Over 1 million New Yorkers across the State celebrate Lunar New Year, and today we say to all of them that we see you and we recognize you. I was proud to help drive this historic bill to passage. Today, we are making our education system work for all the diverse communities in our State. In an era of rising hate against the AAPI community nationwide, New York is a beacon of respect, tolerance, and love for people of every faith and background.

Assemblymember Jessica Gonzalez-Rojas said, Lunar New Year is an important holiday for many cultures practiced and represented by our neighbors across New York City and State. With the signing of this bill into law we can continue to validate that all cultures should be celebrated by New Yorkers including our school children. Thank you to the prime sponsors and advocates for getting this done.



Assemblymember Marcela Mitaynes said, " Vibrant cultural roots are what make Brooklyn the home for so many communities. If we choose not to honor those cultures through our state government, we run the risk of losing that valued vibrancy. My home in Sunset Park is made by immigrant families who have fought for a better future, such as my own family and many who live and work in Chinatown. It is an honor to provide support for those students who celebrate Lunar New Year and to show how much we value this holiday. Students should never have to choose between their culture or their education, because learning about culture provides some of the best education there is. I'm glad to see Lunar New Year become a school holiday and know that many families in my district will celebrate this change."
Blaze LI Lights Up the Night with a Pumpkin Octopus, Mermaid, and More

Family & Parenting, Music, Movies & Entertainment, Community, Charity & Cause, Seasonal & Current Events

By Catherine Eve Published: September 09 2023

The Great Jack O'Lantern Blaze returns to Old Bethpage Village Restoration with new pumpkin displays and activities, 9/22 to 11/5.

The temperatures may still be summer-like, but fall is ready to come in like a blaze of glory. The Great Jack O'Lantern Blaze returns to Long Island for the 2023 season at the Old Bethpage Village Restoration from September 22 to November 5.

Blaze Long Island is a family-friendly nighttime walk-through event that will light up the night at Old Bethpage's 19th-century village. Visitors can stroll the pumpkin trail past historic buildings and barns and immerse themselves in a fall wonderland of more than 7,000 spectacular hand-carved jack o'lanterns. A spooky soundtrack, synchronized lighting, and special effects set the mood.

New pumpkin displays and activities for 2023

Blaze Long Island will have its popular larger-than-life jack olantern displays and introduces several new features and activities this year, including:

A giant pumpkin-octopus

A gourd-geous mythical Montauk mermaid

Kid-friendly Pumpkin Pals

Giant 100+ pound carved Prizewinner pumpkins

Live pumpkin carving every night

Attendees can also explore the Hall of Fame, gaze at the Pumpkin Planterium, and find their favorite Hollywood monsters. Round out the fall fun with cider donuts and pumpkin beer at Cafe Blaze.

Visit The Blaze Long Island website to learn more and to purchase tickets, which start at $19. Tickets are also available by phone by calling 914-366-6900. Proceeds from ticket purchases support the education and preservation efforts of Old Bethpage Village Restoration. Old Bethpage Restoration Village is located at 1303 Round Swamp Road in Old Bethpage.
Indonesian President Joko Widodo (R) and Chinese Premier Li Qiang (Photo: Xinhua)

According to China's Xinhua News Agency, Li affirmed that China stands ready to expand the imports of Indonesian bulk commodities and premium agricultural and aquatic products.



Meanwhile, Widodo also specifically invited Chinese firms, both private and state-owned, to participate in a 32-billion-USD project to build Indonesia's new capital Nusantara.



The two sides also discussed flight connectivity between Indonesia and China.



An agreement was also signed between the two commerce ministries to expand their e-commerce cooperation.



At present, China is Indonesia's largest trading partner, with bilateral trade volume of over 133 billion USD last year. In recent years, the trade balance between the two countries has become increasingly balanced, and there is even a possibility that Indonesia may achieve a trade surplus this year./.
The rail link will increase the speed of trade between India and Europe by 40%

The rail link will increase the speed of trade between India and Europe by 40%  Photo credit: Shutterstock

The rail link will increase the speed of trade between India and Europe by 40%  Photo credit: Shutterstock

The US said it plans to sign a joint infrastructure plan with India, Middle Eastern countries and the European Union aimed at connecting them via a network of railways and sea routes, a development that comes as China builds its influence across the energy-rich region.

The US has been quietly holding talks on the project with India, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Israel. Its intended to link Middle Eastern countries by rail and to India through shipping lanes from ports in the region, extending on to Europe.

The project will integrate railway lines and port connections from India to Europe, across UAE, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Israel, leading to a faster transit of goods, a European Commission official said separately. It will develop energy infrastructure and enable the production and transport of green hydrogen to all partner countries. The plan includes enhancing telecommunications and data transfers with a new undersea cable connecting the region.

Leaders will also launch a trans-African corridor to improve transport connections between the Katanga region of the Democratic Republic of Congo and the so-called Copper Belt in Zambia to Lobito port in Angola, the European Commission official said. The US and the EU are backing this project.

The Middle East plan is more than just an infrastructure project, US Deputy National Security Adviser Jonathan Finer told reporters Saturday in New Delhi on the first day of the Group of 20 summit, without giving a timeline for its completion.

We have an approach to the Middle East that we had been implementing since the very first day of this administration, that is focused on turning the temperature down, on de-escalating the conflicts that have been underway in some cases for many years, he said, describing the region as historically often a net exporter of turbulence and insecurity.

Finer dismissed the idea the project was about countering Chinese influence in emerging markets. But US allies Saudi Arabia and the UAE have been moving closer to Beijing as they seek to strengthen ties with fast-growing economies to the east.

The corridor fills a damaging global gap and enables greater prosperity and better connectivity for key regions around the world, said Finer. The project will allow countries involved to play a key role in the global connective tissue of commerce, of digital communications, of energy.

The rail link will increase the speed of trade between India and Europe by 40%, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is expected to say later Saturday when announcing the plans.

Last month, Saudi Arabia and the UAE said they were joining the BRICS group of emerging-market nations after China led a push to open up membership of the bloc that was eventually backed by India.

The US and the EU have in recent years sought to counter President Xi Jinpings Belt and Road Initiative, which has financed hundreds of billions of dollars worth of infrastructure in emerging markets. China has also boosted ties with the Middle East, helping to broker a detente between Saudi Arabia and Iran earlier this year.
The Water Fountain Music and Lights Show opened at Upper Wright Parks Pool of Pines in Baguio City on Sept. 8, 2023.

Bloomberry Cultural Foundation Inc. provided P19 million for the newest attraction, whose project concept was approved by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. BCFI is the corporate social responsibility arm of Bloomberry Resorts Corp., the company behind Solaire Resort and Casino.

Baguio Citys government sought the assistance of PAGCOR in the installation of the Water Fountain Music and Lights Show in line with its efforts to breathe new life into the Upper Wright Park while preserving its rich heritage and beauty.

Were very grateful to all those who made this project possible. This vibrant and lively attraction will certainly enhance further our citys reputation as a premier tourist destination for both local and international visitors, said Baguio Mayor Benjamin Magalong, who was joined by BCFI representatives and other local officials in the event.

BCFI executive director Filipina Laurena said they agreed to team up with the local government in carrying out the project as they believe in its potential to reinvent the Upper Wright Parks identity as one of the citys most visited spots.

Baguio City has always been one of the centers of tourism in the Philippines with its cool climate and scenic attractions. Without a doubt, this Water Fountain Music and Lights will not only add to its charm but also provide every visitor a captivating experience, uniting the harmony of music, the magic of lights and the serenity of the parks iconic Pool of Pines, she said.

The Water Fountain Music and Lights Show project is part of the casino licensees provisional obligation to allot a portion of their revenues to their foundations every month to fund projects related to education, cultural heritage, environment and health.
The Philippine Economic Zone Authority said it approved P111.2 billion worth of investments from Jan 1. to Sept. 7, 2023, up by 180.6 percent from P39.71 billion in the same period in 2022.

We are on track on not just realizing our target for the year, which is 10-percent increase in investments and where we expect also the Philippines to achieve a 6 percent to 7 percent GDP growth rate, said PEZA director-general Tereso Panga.

PEZA said the PEZA target is aligned with the goals of other key industries such as the electronics and semiconductor sector, IT-business process management and real estate.

PEZA said investments in August reached P14 billion, up by 65 percent from P8.48 billion in the same month last year.

The investment promotion agency said most growth indicators are positive including investments, number of projects and additional jobs. Export sales, however, fell 2.12 percent to $63.99 billion from $65.37 billion.

Panga said fresh data indicate that exports from July to September would reflect positive growth.

PEZA exports accounted for 59.23 percent of the countrys total exports of $34.94 billion in the first half.

Japan led the list of countries with the highest investments, accounting for 27.334 percent, the US with 14.82 percent, the Netherlands with 11.68 percent and the UK with 6.84 percent. Local investors contributed 23.19 percent.

Semiconductor and electronics remain the top sector when it comes to investments followed by IT services and fabricated metal products.

This year we see a strong potential in metals as well as transport because of the entry of investments into the EV [electric vehicle] sector, Panga said.

Ecozone investments also benefited host local government units through taxes paid by the locators.

PEZA contributed 16.58 percent to the countys gross domestic product, 56 percent to Philippines exports of commodities and goods and 51 percent to service exports in 2022.
MOSCOWRussian President Vladimir Putin congratulated North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on Saturday on the 75 anniversary of the countrys founding and called for stronger ties on all fronts.

I am convinced that thanks to our joint efforts we will continue to strengthen bilateral ties on all fronts, Putin said in a message to Kim as quoted by the Kremlin.

This fully corresponds to the interests of our people and helps to ensure the security and stability on the Korean peninsula and northeast Asia, he said.

Putin noted that the Soviet Union was the first country to recognise the North Korean regime and said that since then relations between our two countries have always been based on the principles of friendship, good neighbourliness and mutual respect.

I sincerely wish you good health and success and I wish all North Korean citizens peace and prosperity, Putin added.
MARRAKESHMoroccos deadliest earthquake in decades has killed at least 820 people, officials said Saturday, causing widespread damage and sending terrified residents and tourists scrambling to safety in the middle of the night.

The 6.8-magnitude quake struck a mountainous area 72 kilometers (45 miles) southwest of tourist hotspot Marrakesh at 11:11 pm (2211 GMT) Friday, the US Geological Survey reported.

Strong tremors were also felt in the coastal cities of Rabat, Casablanca, and Essaouira.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. joined world leaders in expressing sadness and condolences over the disaster, the Palace said Saturday.

No Filipino was reported hurt in Morocco after the powerful earthquake late Friday (local time).

In a text message on Saturday morning, Philippine Ambassador to Morocco Leslie Baja said the embassy continues to monitor the situation as reports come in from local authorities.

Filipino community leader Regina Castillo said she has yet to receive reports of injured compatriots in her area of jurisdiction in Casablanca.

Castillo, who is currently in the city of El Jadida, about 230.2 km. from Marrakech, said the quake was so strong that she and her kids hadto rush out of their place to take cover.

We felt a very violent tremor, and I realized it was an earthquake, Abdelhak El Amrani, 33, told AFP by telephone from Marrakesh.

I could see buildings moving, said Amrani who went outside, joining many other people, all in shock and panic. The children were crying and the parents were distraught. It was the most powerful quake to ever hit the country, and one expert called it the regions biggest in more than 120 years.

Where destructive earthquakes are rare, buildings are simply not constructed robustly enough so many collapse, resulting in high casualties, said Bill McGuire, professor emeritus at Britains University College London.

Updated interior ministry figures on Saturday showed the quake killed 820 people, more than one-third of them in Al-Haouz, the epicenter, and Taroudant provinces.

The ministry also recorded deaths in Ouarzazate, Chichaoua, Azilal, and Youssoufia provinces, as well as in Marrakesh, Agadir, and the Casablanca area.

Another 672 people were injured, including 205 in critical condition, the ministry said.

Unbearable screams

Faisal Baddour, an engineer, said he felt the earthquake three times in his building.

There are families who are still sleeping outside because we were so scared of the force of this earthquake, he said. It was as if a train was passing close to our houses.

Frenchman Michael Bizet, 43, who owns three traditional riad houses in Marrakeshs old town, told AFP that he was in bed when the quake struck.

I thought my bed was going to fly away. I went out into the street half-naked and immediately went to see my riads. It was total chaos, a real catastrophe, madness, he said.

Bizet shared a video of piles of rubble from collapsed walls in the streets.

Other footage on social media showed part of a minaret collapsed on Jemaa el-Fna Square in the historic city.

An AFP correspondent saw hundreds of people flocking to the square to spend the night for fear of aftershocks, some with blankets while others slept on the ground.

Houda Outassaf, a local resident, told AFP he was walking around the square when the ground began to shake.

It was a truly staggering sensation. Were safe and sound, but Im still in shock, he said.

I have at least 10 members of my family who died I can hardly believe it, as I was with them no more than two days ago.

Fayssal Badour, another Marrakesh resident, told AFP the earthquake hit while he was driving.

I stopped and realized what a disaster it was The screaming and crying was unbearable, he said.

The interior ministry said authorities have mobilized all the necessary resources to intervene and help the affected areas.

The regional blood transfusion center in Marrakesh called on residents to donate blood for those injured.

In the town of Al-Haouz, near the quakes epicenter, a family was trapped in the rubble after their house collapsed, local media reported.

Significant damage likely

We heard screams at the time of the tremor, a resident of Essaouira, 200 kilometers west of Marrakesh, told AFP.

People are in the squares, in the cafes, preferring to sleep outside.

Pieces of facades have fallen.

The USGS PAGER system, which provides preliminary assessments on the impact of earthquakes, issued a red alert for economic losses, saying extensive damage is probable and the disaster is likely widespread.

Past events with this alert level have required a national or international level response, according to the US government agency.

Internet connectivity was disrupted in Marrakesh due to power cuts, according to global internet monitor NetBlocks.

European leaders offered condolences, as did Russian President Vladimir Putin and Arab countries, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Egypt, along with the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation.

Benjamin Netanyahu, the prime minister of Israel which established diplomatic ties with Morocco in 2020, ordered any necessary assistance.

The earthquake was also felt in neighboring Algeria, where the Algerian Civil Defence said it had not caused any damage or casualties.

In 2004, at least 628 people were killed and 926 injured when a quake hit Al Hoceima in northeastern Morocco, and in 1960 a magnitude 6.7 quake in Agadir killed more than 12,000.

The 7.3-magnitude El Asnam earthquake in neighboring Algeria in 1980 killed 2,500 people and left at least 300,000 homeless. With Charles Dantes
At the ribbon cutting ceremony. (Photo: VNA)

The factory covers an area of 12 ha and has an investment of 40 million USD. It is the first hi-tech foreign-invested project in Binh Dinh, which is expected to help the province attract more investors to the VSIP.



The factory has capacity of up to 15 million sq.m of products per year in its first phase including mainly LUXOR and ALUFIN films.



Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Vice Chairman of the provincial Peoples Committee Nguyen Tuan Thanh asked the provincial Industrial Parks Management Board to regularly coordinate with agencies to support the investor to solve difficulties during the operation of the factory.



Becamex Binh Dinh Joint Stock Company was asked to accelerate the construction to complete the technical and social infrastructure system of the industrial park.



Kurz Vietnam initially produced hot stamping foil products which are used in the process of heat pressing onto the plastic surface to create layers of decorative patterns.



On this occasion, Kurz Vietnam gave 800 million VND (over 33,100 USD) and 500 million USD to the scholarship fund of Quy Nhon University and Van Canh district, respectively./.
Once a news reporter in Massachusetts, Jack Lepiarz run away to join the circus. Hes returning to the commonwealth as part of the largest Renaissance festival in New England.

Known to fans as Jacques Ze Whipper or Jack the Whipper, his performances include speaking in a French accent with a drawn-on black mustache, colorful vests and button-up shirts adorned with scarves and a wide variety of different whips.

During performances, Lepiarz interacts with his audiences through songs and jokes, and thrills the crowd by lighting his whips on fire and flinging the flaming ropes artfully through the air.

He now has 3 million TikTok followers.

But its not his first time at the Renaissance festival.

While being a reporter, Lepiarz was moonlighting on weekends as Jack the Whipper for King Richards Faire in Carver since the beginning of his career with WBUR at 21 years old, The Boston Globe reported.

He announced he was leaving WBUR to take on performing full-time in Febraury.

The first 6 years of my life were spent on a circus lot and Ive been performing since before I knew how to tie my shoes, he said on X, formerly known as Twitter.

I came into the station as a bright-eyed, 21-year-old intern and over the years, had the privilege to cover some of the most important stories in Massachusetts, Lepiarz continued.

But a year without performing during the pandemic reminded me that, at heart, I am a circus kid, he said.

The Globe reported that due to Lepiarzs recent success in the world of circus performing, hes making more money with that passion than as a news anchor.

Lepiarzs fame on TikTok, his hold on the Guinness World Record for most bullwhip cracks in one minute (298 as of 2020, beating his own previous record of 289) and a popularity-boost from an appearance on Americas Got Talent last summer have all boosted Jack the Whipper to higher achievement.

There are a lot of skills that translate between the two of them. Being able to think on the fly, perform in front of an audience, Lepiarz said to the Globe. Being on stage my whole life has helped me not be afraid of having to talk without a script on radio. Im comfortable with improv.

Read more: Road to Sleepy Hollow Farm closed to public after popularity from TikTok

Hes performed all over the country, including in Florida, Colorado, Washington and at New Jerseys Renaissance Faire. But he always planned to return to the King Richards Faire.

The King Richards Faire is open on weekends until Oct. 22. Tickets to meet Jacques Ze Whipper are $139 and can be purchased online.
For those wondering what the 25 foot tower that appeared a couple of weeks before the start of the September Brimfield Flea Market show is all about, the bars on your cell phone may be a hint.

Verizon installed a temporary cell tower to help reception throughout the town, thanks to the prompting of the owners of auction acres, the land on which the tower sits on Route 20.

Kate Corriveau, owner of the field Auction Acres, told MassLive Saturday morning she and her husband, Rusty, with the help of longtime friend and Verizon employee Kasey Looney, reached out to Verizon to see if they could help with the notoriously poor cell phone reception that happens when about 50,000 shoppers and 4,000 vendors descend upon the town of about 3,600 three times a year.

Looneys mother was an antique dealer in town, so he appreciates the need for cell communication for vendors to process payments, and for customers to call buyers for permission or negotiations to buy things and whatever else they need cell reception for, Corriveau said.

He knows how important those three weeks are, she said.

What appears to be a temporary cell tower amplifier sits in a field on the side of Palmer Road/Rte. 20 in Brimfield, across from May's Antique Market field on Sept. 1, 2023, ahead of the September antique fair.Nicole Simmons/MassLive

The miles-long showcase takes place in May, July and September for six days each month its in town, according to its website. The flea market kicked off on Tuesday and will conclude Sunday until it makes a return in 2024.

Auction acres donated the use of their land to install the temporary tower on the edge of the property. Corriveau doesnt know how long it will stay, but the intention is for Verizon to explore a more permanent booster solution to help throughout the year.

The temporary tower came at no cost to the town or fields, she said. The improved reception benefits the whole town, which otherwise normally suffers when so many people come for a week three times a year.

When the tower was first installed, a process that took Verizon more than a week to do, she said, some people took to social media to inquire about it but Corriveau said once she explained what was happening, most people seemed to understand.

I was pleasantly surprised I didnt see any keyboard warriors getting all flustered, " she said.

Corriveau said next year marks the 65th anniversary of the market, which Gordon Reid started in a barn at Auction Acres. She expects there will be a celebration next year.
A rare, powerful earthquake struck Morocco late Friday night, killing more than 800 people and damaging buildings from villages in the Atlas Mountains to the historic city of Marrakech. But the full toll was not known as rescuers struggled to get through boulder-strewn roads to the remote mountain villages hit hardest.

People woken by the quake ran into the streets in terror and disbelief. State television showed people clustered in the streets of Marrakech late at night, afraid to go back inside buildings that might still be unstable.

A man said he was visiting a nearby apartment when dishes and wall hangings began raining down, and people were knocked off their feet and chairs. A woman described fleeing her house after an intense vibration. A man holding a child said he was jarred awake in bed by the shaking.

The magnitude-6.8 quake was the hardest to hit Morocco in 120 years, and it toppled buildings and walls in ancient cities made from stone and masonry that was not designed to withstand quakes.

The problem is that where destructive earthquakes are rare, buildings are simply not constructed robustly enough to cope with strong ground shaking, so many collapse resulting in high casualties, said Bill McGuire, professor emeritus of geophysical and climate hazards at University College London. I would expect the final death toll to climb into the thousands once more is known. As with any big quake, aftershocks are likely, which will lead to further casualties and hinder search and rescue.

In Marrakech, the famous Koutoubia Mosque, built in the 12th century, suffered damage, but the extent was not immediately clear. Its 69-meter (226-foot) minaret is known as the roof of Marrakech. Moroccans also posted videos showing damage to parts of the famous red walls that surround the old city, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

At least 820 people died, mostly in Marrakech and five provinces near the quakes epicenter, and another 672 people were injured, Moroccos Interior Ministry reported Saturday morning. Of the injured, the ministry wrote, 205 were seriously hurt.

Rescuers worked through the night, searching for survivors in darkness, dust and rubble.

The head of a town near the earthquakes epicenter told Moroccan news site 2M that several homes in nearby towns had partly or totally collapsed, and electricity and roads were cut off in some places.

Abderrahim Ait Daoud, head of the town of Talat NYaaqoub, said authorities are working to clear roads in Al Haouz Province to allow passage for ambulances and aid to populations affected, but said large distances between mountain villages mean it will take time to learn the extent of the damage.

The Moroccan military and emergency services mobilized aid efforts to the areas hit by damages, but roads leading to the mountain region around the epicenter were jammed with vehicles and blocked with collapsed rocks, slowing rescue efforts. Trucks loaded with blankets, camp cots and lighting equipment were trying to region that hard-hit area, the official news agency MAP reported.

On the steep and winding switchbacks from Marrakech to Al Haouz, ambulances with sirens blaring and honking cars veered around piles of Mars-like red rock that had tumbled from the mountainside and blocked the road. Red Cross workers tried to clear a boulder blocking the two-lane highway.

Later Saturday morning in Marrakech, ambulances and motorcycles whirred by the edge of the old city, where business as usual mostly resumed Saturday morning. Tourists and passersby navigated roadblocks and snapped photos of sections of the clay ochre wall that had cracked, spilling fragments and dust onto the sidewalk and street.

World leaders offered to send in aid or rescue crews as condolences poured in from countries around Europe, a Group of 20 summit in India, countries around Europe, the Mideast and beyond. Turkeys president, whose country lost tens of thousands of people in a massive earthquake earlier this year, was among those proposing assistance. France and Germany, with large populations of people with Moroccan origins, also offered to help, and the leaders of both Ukraine and Russia expressed support for Moroccans.

The Moroccan government has not formally asked for help, a step required in order for outside rescue crews to be brought in.

Read more: Watch Hurricane Idalia live as it makes Florida landfall

The U.S. Geological Survey said the quake had a preliminary magnitude of 6.8 when it hit at 11:11 p.m. (2211 GMT), with shaking that lasted several seconds. The U.S. agency reported a magnitude-4.9 aftershock hit 19 minutes later.

The epicenter of Fridays tremor was near the town of Ighil in Al Haouz Province, roughly 70 kilometers (43.5 miles) south of Marrakech. Al Haouz is known for scenic villages and valleys tucked in the High Atlas, and villages built into mountainsides.

The USGS said the epicenter was 18 kilometers (11 miles) below the Earths surface, while Moroccos seismic agency put it at 11 kilometers (7 miles) down. Such shallow quakes are more dangerous.

Initial reports suggest damages and deaths were severe throughout the Marrakech-Safi region, which more than 4.5 million people call home, according to state figures.

Earthquakes are relatively rare in North Africa. Lahcen Mhanni, Head of the Seismic Monitoring and Warning Department at the National Institute of Geophysics, told 2M TV that the earthquake was the strongest ever recorded in the region.

In 1960, a magnitude 5.8 tremor struck near the Moroccan city of Agadir and caused thousands of deaths.

Read more: Canadian wildfire smoke caused spike in ER visits from NY asthma patients

The Agadir quake prompted changes in construction rules in Morocco, but many buildings, especially rural homes, are not built to withstand such tremors.

In 2004, a 6.4 magnitude earthquake near the Mediterranean coastal city of Al Hoceima left more than 600 dead.

Fridays quake was felt as far away as Portugal and Algeria, according to the Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere and Algerias Civil Defense agency, which oversees emergency response.

Associated Press writers Angela Charlton in Paris and Brian Melley and Hadia Bakkar in London contributed to this report.
Comedian and actor Pete Davidson may have been surprised to find a special gift basket waiting for him when he got to his room at MGM Springfield Friday night.

Davidson was in town to perform at 7:30 p.m. at the MassMutual Center with fellow comedians Jon Stewart and John Mulaney for the Jon, John & Pete tour.

Judy Matt, president of the Spirit of Springfield  a booster for the city that puts on the annual pancake breakfast and Bright Nights at Forest Park, among other events  knew Davidson was coming to Springfield to perform and wanted to make him feel welcome. She also knew his father, Scott Davidson, was a New York City firefighter who died on duty on 9/11. The anniversary is Monday.

Matt teamed up with the Springfield Fire Department and put together some firefighter-themed gifts that she left for Davidson in his hotel room.

Matt said one of the gifts was a framed photograph of Springfields 9/11 memorial, with Scott Davidsons name written on the bottom of the photo and the date of the dedication.

The Springfield Fire Department provided its departments badge and patch.

Its a remembrance for him and his family, said Matt. We werent doing it for any publicity. We just wanted him to know that Springfield has this and were acknowledging that hes here [and] Springfield cares.

Matt said she wasnt actually going to see Davidson Friday night  either at the hotel or the show  instead opting to leave the gifts in his room for him to find whenever he got there.

Matt said they also left a framed photo for Jon Stewart, who performed with Davidson, as a way to thank him for everything [and] his tireless advocacy for the first responders.

Stewart has publicly advocated for the government to compensate first responders and victims whose health was compromised after the 9/11 attacks.
WEST SPRINGFIELD  Some 300 cyclists set off from the Irish Cultural Center in West Springfield Saturday morning on a 68-mile bicycle ride to local cities and towns in Hampden County and Connecticut to honor correction officers and emergency medical technicians.

The ride was launched in 2012 in tribute to Springfield police officer Kevin Ambrose and Westfield police officer Jose Torres, who died in the line of duty.
A Massachusetts State Police trooper shot and killed a man in Hancock early Saturday after responding to a 911 call, according to authorities.

The trooper was responding to the 911 call at a home on Richmond Road in Hancock shortly before 7 a.m. Saturday when the deadly altercation took place, according to a statement from state police.

During an interaction with an adult male resulting from that response, the trooper discharged his service weapon, state police said in the statement. The adult male sustained fatal injury.

The investigation into the facts and circumstances surrounding the fatal shooting is being overseen by the Berkshire District Attorneys Office.

No further information about the shooting was immediately released to the public Saturday afternoon.
A woman and man were killed in a crash in Somerset early Saturday after they entered a rotary in the wrong direction while on a motorcycle, according to police.

Police received a report around 1:14 a.m. Saturday of a vehicle having hit a phone pole at the rotary on Route 103 in Somerset. When officers arrived at the crash scene, they found the motorcycle and vehicle as well as the woman and man lying in the roadway, Somerset Police Chief Todd Costa said in a statement.

An initial investigation by police suggested the motorcycle entered the rotary in the wrong direction and collided with the vehicle, the chief noted in the statement.

The man, who is believed to have been the driver of the motorcycle, was pronounced dead at the crash scene. The woman, who is believed to have been the passenger, was taken by Somerset EMS to a local hospital, where she later died, according to the statement.

The driver of the vehicle was taken by EMS to a nearby hospital out of an abundance of caution, the statement said.

The woman and mans identities are being withheld by authorities until they are positively identified and their next of kin are notified, according to the statement.

Somerset police are investigating the fatal crash with help from the Massachusetts State Police Collision Analysis & Reconstruction Section and detectives assigned to the Bristol District Attorneys Office.
BOSTON  Saturday marks the 11th Red Sox game since they called up top prospect Ceddanne Rafaela on Aug. 28. For the ninth time in those 11 games, Rafaela is not in the starting lineup. For the most part, the versatile speedsters first taste of major league action has come as a bench player and defensive replacement.

Since being promoted, Rafaela has started just two games (both at shortstop) and has entered seven others as a late replacement. He has gotten just 16 plate appearances but has produced, hitting .438 (7-for-16) with two doubles and an RBI. Despite the hype surrounding Rafaela and his potential to immediately contribute, manager Alex Cora has been patient, taking a much different approach than he did a year ago when first baseman Triston Casas was called up and played every day. On Saturday, Cora explained that Rafaelas lack of playing time is based on Bostons position in the standings.

The Red Sox entered Saturday six games behind the Blue Jays for the final American League wild card spot and with a 2.7% chance of making the playoffs, according to FanGraphs. But because the team will face a couple of their chief wild card competitors on next weeks road trip, Cora isnt waving the white flag quite yet. That means winning  and not developing young players like Rafaela  is the top priority, at least for now.

Last year we were out, out, Cora said, explaining the difference between the Casas and Rafaela situations. This year, we still are kind of like in the hunt. It doesnt look great but weve still got games against Toronto. Weve still got Texas. We get on a hot streak here, those games might mean something. Right now, this is where were at.

$200 INSTANT BONUS DRAFTKINGS MASS CLAIM OFFER BET $5, GET $200 BONUS BET FANDUEL MASS CLAIM OFFER BET $50, GET $250 BONUS CAESARS MASS CLAIM OFFER $1,000 FIRST-BET BONUS BETMGM MASS CLAIM OFFER

Before being called up, Rafaela was an everyday player For Double-A Portland, then Triple-A Worcester, where he was promoted in late June. Between the two levels, the 22-year-old played 84 games in center field, 15 at shortstop and eight as designated hitter. The Red Sox are generally set at those positions with Trevor Story at short and Adam Duvall and Wilyer Abreu mixing and matching in center field. Rafaelas best chance to play may come at second base, a spot where he didnt spend a single inning during the minor league season. He played one game there last season for High-A Greenville and a handful more in 2021 with Single-A Salem. Still, the Sox are comfortable with him at second, using him as a defensive replacement there in each of the last two games. The expectation is that Rafaela will get some starts at second base as a right-handed alternative to Enmanuel Valdez in the coming days.

I think everybodys comfortable with it... He should be fine, Cora said. Its just a matter of for me to have the comfort level to play him out there, especially with the double plays. Obviously, with the different rules now, its not as dangerous as in the past, but still, we have to be smart about it. I dont want him to get hit on a double play and something bad happens. Weve got to be smart but at one point, hell start at second.

If the Red Sox want Rafaela to play every day again, they might choose to send him back to the WooSox when Pablo Reyes returns from the injured list in the coming days. Even if his first stint in the majors is a short one, Rafaela still made an impression on Cora and others.

A lot better than what we saw in spring training, Cora said. Hes made some adjustments. Not chasing that much, especially the breaking balls off the plate. So far, it has been good.

Smart kid. He wants to work. Those three kids (Rafaela, Abreu and Valdez) get here early. He has to work in the outfield, at short and second and has been good.
I hope everyone was able to enjoy some end-of-the-summer fun with the long weekend, especially with the hot weather. Remember to stay cool in the heat this week. If anyone needs any information on local cooling centers or splash pads, do not hesitate to reach out to my office.

As summer comes to end, formal session in the Legislature begins again. As chair of the Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs, chair of the Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Abuse, and Recovery, vice chair of the Joint Committee on Elder Affairs, and a member of several other committees, Im looking forward to bringing the voice of Western Mass. to Boston and having an impactful legislative session.

Wednesday, I was invited to join my fellow Greek Americans at Springfield City Hall to celebrate the beginning of Glendi  a weeklong cultural festival celebrating the Greek diaspora and Greek culture. Local officials and members or the Greek Orthodox Church gathered around for some brief remarks and to raise the Greek flag over City Hall. A big thanks to Mayor Sarno for hosting us.
Merck Foundation (www.Merck-Foundation.com) provided more than 1690 scholarships to young Doctors from 50 countries in 39 critical and underserved medical specialties in Africa and beyond; Merck Foundation has recently released the First Diabetes Animation Movie with the aim to raise Awareness about Diabetes Prevention and Early Detection and Promote Healthy Lifestyle, in Africa; Merck Foundation has also launched a Pan African TV Program  Our Africa to address the social and health issues such as diabetes & hypertension and promote healthy lifestyle in Africa through Fashion and ART.

Merck Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany awarded the Best Health Sector Philanthropy of the year 2023 at the Ghana Philanthropy Awards by The Business Executive, a leading Pan African media firm.

Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation and One of 100 Most Influential Africans 2019, 2020, 2021 & 2022 expressed, We are incredibly honored to receive the Ghana Philanthropy Award for the Best in Health Sector from Business Executive. This award is a testament of our efforts and commitment of the past 11 years, towards healthcare capacity advancement and patient care transformation in Africa and beyond.

 I am proud to share that Merck Foundation has provided more than 1690 scholarships to young doctors from 50 countries in 39 critical and underserved specialties. 

We are making history and legacy in Africa by training the first Fertility specialists, Embryologists, Oncologists, Diabetes, Endocrinology, Respiratory experts and more in many countries like Liberia, The Gambia, Burundi, Malawi, Sierra Leone, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Guinea and Ethiopia, Congo etc. Together with our partners like Africas First Ladies, Ministries of Health, Gender, Education and Communication, we are impacting the lives of people in the most disadvantaged communities in Africa and beyond.

Thank you to Business Executive Team for this special award. It further ignites our passion and deepens our commitment to realizing our vision of enabling everyone to lead a healthier and happier life.

The awards ceremony of 2nd Edition of Ghana Philanthropy Awards 2023 took place on 1st September 2023 at Accra, Ghana. The theme of the awards was Social Responsibility as a Means of ensuring Inclusiveness in Socio-Economic Growth and Development.

Merck Foundation has provided more than 1690 scholarships to doctors from 50 countries across Asia and Africa, for one year, two year and three year fellowship, diploma and master course in 39 underserved medical specialties like Oncology, Diabetes, Cardiology, Endocrinology, Respiratory, Acute Medicine, Sexual and Reproductive medicine, Embryology, Respiratory, Critical care, Psychiatry, General Surgery, Dermatology, Emergency and Resuscitation Medicine, Gastroenterology, Neuroimaging for Research, Pain Management, Rheumatology, Neonatal Medicine and more.

Moreover, Merck Foundation has recently released the First Diabetes Animation Movie with the aim to raise Awareness about Diabetes Prevention and Early Detection and promote healthy lifestyle, in Africa and beyond, in a very entertaining way. The movie is available in 4 languages  English, French, Portuguese and Spanish.

Merck Foundation CEO also understand the significance and value of songs in influencing cultural changes and mindsets, particularly in Africa. Merck Foundation has hence created over 30 songs in English, French, Portuguese and local languages, to address the issues at the heart of Foundation.

Listen to NO More Diabetes a remix of English, French and Portuguese to communicate an important message that diabetes can be prevented and managed with lifestyle modifications like going sugar-free, eating healthy, exercising regularly, stopping smoking, and limiting alcohol intake: https://apo-opa.info/41bYSw2

Merck Foundation has also launched a Pan African TV Program  Our Africa to address the social and health issues such as diabetes & hypertension and promote healthy lifestyle in Africa through Fashion and ART. The TV program has been conceptualized, produced, directed, and hosted by Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation.
Jointly held by the Vietnamese Embassy in Japan and the administrations of Vietnam's northern Ha Nam and Bac Ninh provinces, the event aimed to promote Japanese investment in the Southeast Asian country in the future.



Opening the event, Ambassador Pham Quang Hieu underlined that Japan is a leading economic partner and largest ODA provider of Vietnam. The country is also the second labour partner, the third biggest tourist market and fourth largest trading partner of Vietnam.



An overview of the forum (Photo: VNA)

Investors from Japan in general and Kanagawa in particular have played an important part in Vietnam's foreign direct investment attraction process over the past 35 years, he noted.



Nguyen Anh Chuc, Standing Vice Chairman of the Ha Nam People's Committee, highlighted the potential of the province in the fields of processing industry, information technology, automobile manufacturing, agricultural machinery and equipment, electric and electronic equipment, tourism and services.



He also underlined measures that the locality is applying to lure more foreign investment, including developing infrastructure system, and providing support to investors in human resources, and holding dialogues with them to settle obstacles facing them.



Meanwhile, Le Thi Thu Huyen, Vice Director of the Management Board of Bac Ninh Industrial Parks, said that Bac Ninh has been one of the 10 leading localities across the country in terms of FDI attraction.



As of 2022, Bac Ninh had lured nearly 2,000 FDI projects worth 24.4 billion USD, she said, adding that 70% of the projects are in the fields of processing and manufacturing industries.



So far, the province is home to more than 100 Japanese-invested projects with total capital of 1.67 billion USD, making Japan the third largest out of 39 countries and territories investing in Bac Ninh.



Huyen also introduced a number of incentives that Bac Ninh has offered to foreign investors, including a 10% tax cut in 15 years and exemption of corporate income tax in four years as well as a 50% cut in the following nine years.



Meanwhile, Kanagawa Governor Kuroiwa Yuji said that the forum was a good chance for local firms to update Vietnam's investment environment and make their plans to invest in the country in the future.



He hoped more Kanagawa businesses will choose Vietnam as their investment destination, thus making contributions to the cooperation between the two countries.



The forum was the first of a series of events within the framework of the Vietnam Days in Kanagawa in 2023 from September 8-10./.
Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, Prime Minister of the Republic of Mauritius, and Rishi Sunak, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, met today, 9th september 2023, in New Delhi in the margins of the G20 Summit.

They discussed enhancing opportunities of cooperation between the two countries as Commonwealth Partners in areas of shared interest, including strengthening trade and tackling the impact of climate change.

They also assessed the progress made so far in the negotiations between Mauritius and the United Kingdom on the exercise of sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago.

Both Prime Ministers agreed to meet again soon.
Gardai in Waterford are appealing for witnesses following a serious hit-and-run road traffic collision that occurred in Waterford city shortly before midday today, Friday 8th September 2023.

At approximately 11.45am a pedestrian was struck by a vehicle at the junction of The Glen and Ballybricken. The car failed to remain at the scene of the collision.

The male pedestrian, aged in his 40s, was seriously injured during the collision. He has been taken to Cork University Hospital where his condition is described as critical.

The Glen and Ballybricken roads are currently closed and the services of Garda Forensic Collision Investigators have been requested. Local diversions are in place.

Gardai are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed this incident to contact them.

"Any road users and pedestrians who were in The Glen, Ballybricken and surrounding areas this morning between 11.00am and 12.00pm (midday) and noticed any unusual activity is asked to contact investigating gardai," a garda spokesperson said.

Anyone who may have camera footage (including dash cam) of this area this morning is asked to make this available to gardai.

Anyone with information which may assist Gardai is asked to contact Waterford Garda Station on 051 305300, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.
by Wendy Davis @wendyndavis, September 8, 2023

As expected, a federal judge has ruled that Facebook users can proceed with a lawsuit alleging that Meta Platforms violated federal and state laws by tracking users' visits to health care providers' websites and monetizes data collected from those sites.

In a decision issued Thursday, U.S. District Court Judge William Orrick in the Northern District of California essentially said the users' allegations, if proven true, could support claims that Meta violated federal and state wiretap laws, and that the company violated representations in its terms of service.

Orrick previously signaled that he was inclined to allow the case to proceed, but didn't definitively rule until this week.

The decision comes in a battle dating to May of 2022, when several Facebook users alleged in a class-action complaint that Meta tracks their visits to hospital and health-care websites via the Meta Pixel.

The patients, who are proceeding anonymously, sued soon after The Markup reported that 33 of the country's top 100 hospitals have the Meta Pixel on their sites.

advertisement advertisement

That code sends Meta information about online visitors tied to their IP addresses, according to the Markup. Meta also can potentially draw on tracking cookies to identify some patients who are logged in to Facebook when they visit a hospital site, according to The Markup.

The complaint included claims that Meta violated various wiretap and privacy laws, and that it misrepresented its policies by claiming that publishers only send data to Meta if they have the legal right to do so.

That statement was untrue, according to the plaintiffs, because the hospital sites were subject to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, which prohibits doctors and hospitals from sharing information about patients without their consent.

Meta urged Orrick to dismiss the lawsuit at an early stage in the proceedings, arguing that the Meta Pixel is not in itself illegal.

The company also said it didn't intentionally receive sensitive health data, arguing both that it instructs outside web developers who install the tracking code to avoid sending health information and that it attempts to filter out sensitive data.

Orrick said in his ruling that questions surrounding Meta's intent couldn't be answered without more evidence.

While plaintiffs acknowledge that Meta may tell third parties and Facebook users that it intends to prevent receipt of sensitive health information, plaintiffs contend that is not what Meta really intends, he wrote. What Metas true intent is, what steps it actually took to prevent receipt of health information, the efficacy of its filtering tools, and the technological feasibility of implementing other measures to prevent the transfer of health information, all turn on disputed questions of fact that need development on a full evidentiary record.

The judge dismissed several other claims in the complaint, but said the users could amend their allegations regarding those claims and bring them again by September 27.
by Teresa Buyikian , September 8, 2023





Yelp will now make one lucky social media foodies dream a reality.

Yelp is giving wannabe food influencers their shot by launching its first national search for a Chief Food Photographer.

The winner will receive $10,000 to travel the U.S. to photograph dishes from hidden gem restaurants, according to the announcement this week.

The Chief Food Photographer role will be the authority on all things phone photography, utilizing their photos to help Yelp users discover new restaurants.

With the $10,000, Yelps official food photographer will be asked to visit two restaurants a month, write two blog posts and create photographic content to post to Yelps social media accounts. The gig only lasts two months, beginning December 1, 2023, through January 31, 2024.

Not just any food obsessed amateur photographer can randomly win the position. To enter, participants must submit one entry of up to 10 unique photos of food or restaurant businesses already added to Yelp pages, as well as a 30-60 second video, explaining why theyre qualified to be Yelps first ever food photographer. Entries are accepted on cameraeatsfirst.yelp.com.

advertisement advertisement

The contest kicked off this week and will run through October 7.

Participants will be judged based on their love for local restaurants, quality of photography and social media prowess.

To commemorate the contest, Yelp also released its list of the Most Photographed Restaurants of the Year.

Las Vegas restaurants came out on top with four on the list, led by Gordon Ramsay Hell's Kitchen on the Strip at #1. Coming in at #2 is the Bacchanal Buffet at Caesars Palace, Vanderpump a Paris is 11th and Catch in the Aria Resort and Casino is 18th. New York had three spots: Olio e Piu (#5), Katz's Delicatessen (#9) and Harry Potter New York (#25). Los Angeles made the list with two; Girl & The Goat (#3) and Bestia (#6).
by Wendy Davis @wendyndavis, September 8, 2023

X Corp, formerly Twitter, on Friday sued to strike down a new California law that requires large social platforms to post their content-moderation policies.

California's AB 587, signed last year, requires large social-media platforms to post information about their content moderation policies, and provide semiannual reports to the state attorney general about enforcement.

Those reports are supposed to include information about whether and how the companies define and handle material such as hate speech and disinformation.

X Corp. says the law is unconstitutional, arguing that the statute interferes with private companies' editorial judgments about how to handle speech that's protected by the First Amendment. In general, the First Amendment prohibits the government from attempting to suppress lawful speech -- including speech that's racist, sexist, or otherwise objectionable.

advertisement advertisement

The California law has both the purpose and likely effect of pressuring companies such as X Corp. to remove, demonetize, or deprioritize constitutionally-protected speech that the state deems undesirable or harmful, and places an unjustified and undue burden on social media companies such as X Corp., lawyers for the company, including First Amendment expert Floyd Abrams, allege in a complaint brought Friday in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California.

X Corp. says even though the state touts the law as a mere transparency measure, lawmakers' intention was to pressure platforms to suppress speech that's protected by the First Amendment.

The legislative record is crystal clear that one of the main purposes of AB 587 -- if not the main purpose -- is to pressure social media companies to eliminate or minimize content that the government has deemed objectionable, the complaint alleges.

The complaint also analogizes X Corp. to traditional media, arguing that it would undoubtedly violate the First Amendment to require newspapers to publish their standards for letters to the editor or opinions and make detailed disclosures about how many were accepted or rejected because they contained hate speech or misinformation.

The company adds that the law imposes tremendously burdensome requirements on social media companies, requiring them to keep records about potentially hundreds of millions of content moderation decisions made on a daily basis.

X Corp. is seeking a declaration that the law is unconstitutional, and an injunction prohibiting enforcement.
by Laurie Sullivan @lauriesullivan, September 8, 2023

Google on Friday filed a motion to dismiss a federal antitrust lawsuit from Gannett, one of the largest newspaper chains in the United States.

Disagreeing with the claims, the motion Google filed aims to dismiss allegations in the Gannett lawsuit based on its advertising-technology business. It suggests that Gannetts case largely duplicates the same unfounded allegations as a case filed by the Texas Attorney General nearly three years ago.

In 2022, U.S. District Court Judge Kevin Castel in New York partially sided with Google in a separate lawsuit that included some of the same claims raised by Gannett.

Gannetts late-in-the-game lawsuit fails to break new ground. Their claims are a copy-cat of the Texas Attorney Generals baseless case, much of which was dismissed by a federal court a year ago, Dan Taylor, vice president of global ads at Google, wrote in an email to Media Daily News. We are proud that publishers choose Google alongside other partners to help monetize their content in todays incredibly competitive advertising industry, and we will continue to defend how our products work.

advertisement advertisement

Google argued in the filing that Gannett missed a "permissible period to bring suit" -- four years -- under a provision of the Sherman Antitrust Act.

Its not surprising Google wants to retain their monopoly," said Polly Grunfeld Sack, Chief Legal Counsel at Gannett. "Gannett will continue seeking fair competition in the digital advertising marketplace to ensure the sustainability of essential content and journalism in the communities we serve across the country.

Gannett had filed the federal lawsuit in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, calling Googles ad-tech business a monopoly, and claimed that the company used deceptive commercial practices to gain dominance and undercut revenue for news publishers.

The lawsuit aimed to restore competition in the digital advertising marketplace.

Some of those allegations resulting in anti-competitive behavior included Googles tools and products such as exchange bidding, encrypting user IDs and its mobile format AMP.

For Gannett, 60% of all buyers come through Google. The publisher noted that at the time Google controlled 90% of the market for publisher ad servers, which publishers use to offer ad space for sale.

The publisher also estimated that Google at the time controlled more than 60% of the market for ad exchanges, which run auctions among advertisers bidding for ad space on publishers websites.

There have been other similar cases. Penned by the same counsel as the case filed by the Daily Mail AC, the Gannett and Daily Mail complaints contain nearly identical allegations, Google asserts.

For example, as in the Daily Mail case, many of Gannetts claims focus on Googles alleged campaign to kill header bidding, Google states.

The filing, however, adds that Gannetts own allegations underscore that header bidding is alive and wellGannett admits in its Complaint that it has used client-side header bidding since 2016, and continues to use it to this day.

Googles motion to dismiss focuses on three main areas:

Previously dismissed claims, as many of Gannetts core allegations were dismissed in the state Attorneys Generals lawsuit led by Texas a year ago.

Product design choices that are specifically built to benefit publishers and advertisers and promote competition, not to disadvantage competitors.

Stale allegations, as Gannetts alleged injury due to some product features are not within the permissible period to bring claims.

* This article was updated on Sept. 10 with additional reporting by Ray Schulz.
Winners of the awards at the event (Photo: VNA)

The awardees included Vuong Duy Duc (Chris Wong) who was named the ASEAN Young Practitioner of The Year; while the team Blue Energy won the Outstanding PR Project of Students, and Operation Smile Vietnam was named the Best PR Programme.



The award categories comprised Best PR Programme, Best PR Practitioners, Best PR Agencies, Best PR Campaign, Best Crisis Management Best Government, PR Best Comm Use of Digital Platform, Best Comm Use of Social Media Lifetime Achievement Award, ASEAN Young Practitioner of The Year, Outstanding PR Project  Students, Outstanding University/Institution in Public Relations.



Addressing the awarding ceremony in Ho Chi Minh City on September 8, Director of the municipal Department of Tourism Le Truong Hien Hoa said that the event was a chance for HCM City to introduce the image of a busy and friendly city playing the role as a major tourism centre of the country to the regional media.



It also offered a chance to recognise organisations and individuals' contributions to the promotion of tourism of the city and Vietnam as well, he said.



The official hoped the awards will become a motivation for those who are engaged in the PR industry and the media to continue to contribute to promoting the image of the Vietnamese nation and people.



The same day, the HCM City Department of Tourism also held a ceremony to honour 99 winners of the PR industry. They are travel firms, hotels and tourism service providers who contribute to the HCM City ITE 2023.



They included Vietnam Airlines, Saigontourist, Gem Centre, and Saigon Exhibition and Convention Centre (SECC).



The organising committee also honoured localities with best pavilions at the fair./.
At the final planning conference for the end-of-term field training under the ASEAN Defence Ministers Meeting Plus (ADMM Plus) Experts Working Group on Peacekeeping Operations Cycle 4. (Photo: VNA)

The field training will take place on September 20 with the attendance of senior officials from Vietnam, Japan and other ADMM+ members.



The organisation of the training, which will be co-chaired by Vietnam and Japan, will see the participation of 198 peacekeeping experts and trainees from 18 ADMM+ countries, including 26 from Vietnam.



It will be divided into three phases with theory and practical training, as well as associated training of military medical staff, engineers and military observers.



Recently, Sent. Lieut. Gen. Phung Si Tan, Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People's Army (VPA), head of the steering committee for the training, inspected the preparations for the event at the National Training Centre No. 4 in My Duc district of Hanoi.



He asked relevant units to closely coordinate with the Japanese side to finalise the preparations, ensuring utmost safety and affirming the position of the VPA.



Facilities are in excellent shape and well prepared to host the event.



At his meeting with the peacekeeping operation expert groups of Vietnam and Japan on the occasion, Tan affirmed that Vietnam will provide the best conditions for the organisation of the training, and expressed his hope to coordinate closely with the Japanese side in organising the event.



He also hailed the Japanese side's co-chairing of the training./.
How to use the mindat.org media viewer

Click/touch this help panel to close it.

Welcome to the mindat.org media viewer. Here is a quick guide to some of the options available to you. Different controls are available depending on the type of media being shown (photo, video, animation, 3d image)

Controls - all media types

Zoom in and out of media using your mousewheel or with a two-finger 'resize' action on a touch device.

Use the mouse or your finger to drag the image or the view area of the image around the screen.

< and > at the left and right hand side of the screen move forwards and backwards for the other images associated with the media you selected. Usually this is used for previous/next photo in a gallery, in an article or in search results. Keyboard shortcuts: use shift + the left and right arrow keys.

< and > in the bottom center are used for switching between the photos of the same specimen. Keyboard shortcuts: use the left and right arrow keys.

> in the bottom center, raises the information box giving details and further options for the media, < at the top of this box then hides it. Keyboard shortcuts: use the up and down arrow keys.

? opens this help window. Keyboard shortcuts: use the H key or the ? key.

Other keyboard shortcuts:

1 Fit image to screen 2 Fill screen with image 5 Display at full resolution < Make background darker > Make background lighter space Hide/dim titles and buttons

Scalebar

If the field of view (FOV) is specified for the photo, the scalebar appears in the left bottom corner of the viewer. The scalebar is draggable and resizeable. Drag the right edge to resize it. Double click will reset the scalebar to it's default size and position. If the scalebar is in default position, double click will make it circular.

Controls - Video

Video files have a standard set of video controls: - Reset to start, - Skip back, - Play, - Pause, - Skip forwards. Keyboard shortcuts: You can stop/start video play with the P key.

Controls - Animation (Spin Rotation)

Animation (usually 360 degree spin rotations) have their own controls: - enable spin mode. Note that while images are loading this option will not be available but will be automatically activated when the animation has loaded. Once active you can spin the image/change the animation by moving your mouse or finger on the image left/right or by pressing the [ or ] keys.

The button switches to move mode so that you can use your mouse/fingers to move the image around the screen as with other media types.

The button, or the P key will start playing the animation directly, you can interrupt this by using the mouse or finger on the image to regain manual movement control.

Controls - 3D Stereoscopic images

If a stereoscopic 3D image is opened in the viewer, the 3D button appears in the bottom right corner giving access to "3D settings" menu. The 3D images can be viewed in several ways:

- without any special equipment using cross-eyed or parallel-eyed method

- with stereoscope

- with anaglyph glasses.

- on a suitable 3D TV or monitor (passive 3D system)

For details about 3D refer to: Mindat manuals: Mindat Media Viewer: 3D

To enable/disable 3D stereo display of a compatible stereo pair image press the 3 key. If the left/right images are reversed on your display (this often happens in full-screen mode) press the 4 key to reverse them.

Controls - photo comparison mode

If a photo with activated comparison mode is opened in the viewer, the button appears in the bottom right corner giving access to "Comparison mode settings" menu.

Several layouts are supported: slider and side by-side comparison with up to 6 photos shown synchronously on the screen. On each of the compared photos a view selector is placed, e.g.: Longwave UV . It shows the name of currently selected view and allows to select a view for each placeholder.

Summary of all keyboard shortcuts
Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi arrived in Ukraine on a visit. The Japanese Embassy in Ukraine reported this on Twitter, publishing a video of the minister's welcoming.

This is the first visit by a Japanese foreign minister to Ukraine since Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

As previously reported, the Japanese Foreign Minister in Kyiv plans to meet with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba to discuss Japan's plans to hold a conference to promote the economic recovery of Ukraine early next year. It is also expected that Hayashi will take part in the ceremony of handing over Japanese truck cranes intended for removing unexploded bombs to the Ukrainian side.
The Reds made a handful of transactions this afternoon, placing outfielder Stuart Fairchild on the COVID-19 injured list while transferring left-hander Alex Young to the COVID IL. Players on the COVID IL do not count against the 40-man roster, allowing the club to add infielder Alejo Lopez to the big league roster from Triple-A as a replacement player. As a replacement, Lopez can be taken off the 40-man roster and returned to the minors without being placed on waivers.

The news serves as a continuation of Cincinnatis injury woes, with sixteen players now on the injured list. Fairchild, 27, is in his third season as a big leaguer and has looked like a decent fourth outfielder in 242 trips to the plate with a .223/.322/.379 with a wRC+ of 87, ten stolen bases, and solid outfield defense. Young, meanwhile, posted a 3.31 ERA in 49 innings of work for the Reds this year before going on the injured list with a hamstring issue back in August. He had just begun a rehab assignment earlier this week but now will surely be delayed in his comeback attempt.

Joining the roster for the time being is Lopez, who appeared in 59 games for Cincinnati last season, slashing .262/.314/.331 while playing second base, third base, and the outfield corners. While Lopez is hardly an impact bat, a 13.5% strikeout rate in the majors last year indicates he could provide contact off the bench, and his walk rate at Triple-A this year has ballooned to a career-high 13.4%. If that improved discipline can carry over to the majors and earn him extra free passes at the big league level, its possible that Lopez could be an interesting contributor for a Cincinnati infield that is currently without Matt McLain, Jonathan India, and Joey Votto.

That being said, Lopezs stay on the active roster may be a short one, as Reds manager David Bell indicated to reporters (including those at MLB.com) yesterday that both Votto and India have begun rehab assignments and Triple-A and could be nearing a return to action, with Votto in particular a potential option as soon as tomorrows game against the Cardinals. Also likely to return tomorrow is right-hander Hunter Greene, who is currently on the COVID IL but is listed as tomorrows probable starter opposite St. Louis righty Miles Mikolas.
YPSILANTI, MI -- Safety in downtown Ypsilanti and an ongoing housing crisis have become the focus of recent community meetings after a nonprofit was criticized for attempting to remove homeless people from its property.

Ypsilanti police and other officials are asking for grace and patience from the community as they work to address a housing crisis some say has led to an unsafe downtown area.

Residents and business owners spoke at a nearly two-hour public comment session during a Ypsilanti City Council meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 5, saying aggressive panhandling, ongoing partying and public defecation has made living and working downtown difficult, particularly around South Washington Street.

Jen Eastridge, owner of Unicorn Feed & Supply and Stone & Spoon, both on Michigan Avenue in Ypsilanti, said during the meeting she has picked up alleys littered with needles, condoms and liquor bottles and that panhandling and public urination has driven away business.

We pay huge taxes for public services, yet we dont see the police downtown unless we call about a crisis, she said. We need to see a regular presence to know that it is not all on us.

But police presence has also been a point of contention.

Ypsilanti nonprofit Growing Hope, 922 W. Michigan Ave., issued a public apology on Wednesday, Aug. 30, after police became involved in the installation of fencing around the nonprofits farmers market.

Growing Hope, a nonprofit focused on food insecurity, said on social media its board had received reports of safety breaches at its Ypsilanti Farmers MarketPlace, 16 S. Washington St. in Ypsilanti. The organization decided to install event fencing around the MarketPlace to increase safety, it said.

Ypsilanti police were called to the market around 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 23, for a report of disorderly conduct, according to a police report obtained by MLive/The Ann Arbor News. Police were called by Growing Hope, a spokesperson for the department confirmed.

Protesters arrived and threatened the workers installing the fence, the police report reads. The threats of violence by the protesters led to the workers leaving and the fence not being installed.

No one was formally trespassed from the property, although several homeless people were offered rooms for the evening, police said.

Growing Hope Executive Director Julius Buzzard told MLive/The Ann Arbor News a recent incident near the property had sparked the decision to put up fencing, but could not elaborate. He is often personally called to de-escalate situations at the market by those who are hesitant to call police, he added.

Weve had limited support from our community and the space outside of when were physically there, he said, adding the calls have highlighted a need for a sustainable way to create a safe community.

The nonprofit hosted a listening session on Aug. 31, with some of the roughly 100 attendees voicing concern about safety or pushing back on what they said is an unfair characterization of the problem.

There is a solution, and its housing and its as simple as that, said Brian Geiringer, who lives in the area, at listening session. People need housing right now and they need housing long term.

The incident at Growing Hope is not the first time concern has been raised over community-police relations.

The Rev. Anna Taylor-McCants, who runs Fed Up Ministries, told MLive/The Ann Arbor News she has been increasingly troubled about the relationship between her organization, the homeless community members it feeds, and police.

Although the organization, which hosts free meals in both Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti, has previously criticized police presence at its Ann Arbor events, the relationship with the respective departments is different, Taylor-McCants said.

Police in Ypsilanti seem to think more enforcement is the solution, Taylor-McCants said, whereas Ann Arbor police are more likely to communicate.

Ann Arbor is doing this better than Ypsilanti right now, she said.

Nicole Brown, mayor of Ypsilanti, asked residents at the most recent city council meeting not to vilify the citys police department. The city has been working with the county to provide mobile bathrooms, she added.

Washtenaw County spokesperson Crystal Campbell confirmed to MLive/The Ann Arbor News the county is working to provide mobile bathrooms in downtown Ypsilanti, although Campbell noted they were initially requested because of flooding at the downtown library.

Everybodys been turning their wheels, trying to figure out what we can do, Brown said at the meeting. And we know that the root of the problem is housing.

Ypsilanti police are not arresting homeless people on Growing Hopes property, Brown added.

Buzzard confirmed Growing Hope will connect homeless people on the property with resources and doesnt involve the police for non-violent incidents. But the nonprofit has no plans to open a shelter, he said, adding that housing and violence issues are not something thats new to our community.

The attention on the nonprofit is a crystallization of ongoing issues in Ypsilanti, he said.

Ypsilanti Police Chief Kirk Moore said during the city council meeting that conflict between police and homeless community members has been minimal.

Sometimes our unsheltered population is taking the brunt of blame on something that is not their burden to carry, Moore said.

Moore has been bringing a variety of advocates, nonprofit leadership and other officials to the table to come up with long-term solutions, he said. Moore encouraged residents to continue calling if they see illegal activity.

Its not going to be a solution that were going to have next week, Moore said. This is going to be long-term, sustainable, so that were not here next summer back at the same place.

Want more Ann Arbor-area news? Bookmark the local Ann Arbor news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Ann Arbor daily newsletter.

Read more from The Ann Arbor News:

Before and after: Old tree gets new life as climbing feature at Ann Arbor park

Turtle hatchlings rescued from Mid-Michigan pipeline project now back at home

22-year-old charged in fatal shooting of Michigan State University student
KALAMAZOO COUNTY, MI  The name of former Portage councilmember Lisa Brayton will not appear on the November ballot in the mayoral race, a Kalamazoo County judge ruled Friday.

Judge Curtis Bell ruled Friday, Sept. 8, that an affidavit showing her address on East Shore Drive in Portage was erroneous and she should not be on the ballot.

Otherwise the public citizenry will be faced with casting a vote for an individual who would otherwise not be eligible and, to that, would then be casting away the enfranchisement of individuals who have a right to vote for the individual they chose, Bell said.

Related: Perjury complaint filed against Portage mayoral candidate over where she resides

Brayton was accused by Portage resident and plaintiff Rusty Rathburn of falsifying her affidavit of identity when she filed to run for mayor on July 14. Rathburn alleged the candidates listed address was not accurate.

Braytons address on the affidavit, 9336 East Shore Drive, is owned by she and her husband, according to city property records. At issue is, they were not living there when the affidavit was filed, Rathburn claimed. That alone should get her removed from the ballot, he said.

The couple bought the East Shore Drive property in September 2021 and has been in the process of building a home at the address. They demolished the prior home in February 2022, but no occupancy permits have been issued since, per city records.

The property, at 9336 East Shore Drive in Portage, Michigan is owned by Portage Mayoral candidate Lisa Brayton and her husband Dan Brayton. The couple is in the process of building a home on the property, according to city records.

Brayton has not contested that she wasnt living at the address when she filed the affidavit. She has only stated that she expected to have an occupancy permit by July 25 when candidate affidavits were due.

She blames construction delays on not being in the home.

It is my house, she said to MLive previously. Its where Ive been registered. Its where my mail comes. Its where Ive intended to live. Its not fair that my construction wasnt done on time. I have no control over that.

The fact she was not living at the home at the time the affidavit was filed is what led to Rathburns challenge.

The plaintiff points to Michigan election law, which defines a residence as the place at which a person habitually sleeps, keeps his or her personal effects, and has a regular place of lodging.

Rathburn additionally argues the couple moved to Kalamazoo, where Brayton has a Consumers Energy account in her name.

The couple has denied living at the Kalamazoo address, stating it is their sons home.

Rathburns attorney, Michael Bovill, argued in court Friday that either Portage City Clerk Erica Eklov or County Clerk Meredith Place needed to remove Brayton from the ballot. He asked the judge to grant such an order.

The candidate has admitted publicly she does not live where she said she did on her affidavit of identity, he said. It cannot be the Michigan Legislatures intent, under Michigan Election Law, to permit a candidates name to appear on the ballot who has listed not only the wrong residential address, but concealed the fact that their proper and official residence is outside of the city limits. Thats not fair to the voters of this state.

While both clerks attorneys argued they did their ministerial duties in compliance with state law, Bovill argued the judge could and should order them to remove Brayton from the ballot.

The only remedy we have is an order by the court, which we believe is solely within the courts discretion, he said.

Brayton, herself, has even asked to be removed from the ballot, doing so on Aug. 30. The state deadline for a candidate to remove themself from the ballot was July 28, however.

Two days after a special meeting was held by Portage City Council to discuss the legal challenges pertaining to Braytons residency, Brayton resigned from City Council.

Related: Embattled Portage councilmember resigns amid residency challenges

Just to be clear  I want to resign my run for mayor due to my health Brayton said in an email to Eklov Aug. 30. The email was available as an exhibit in court documents.

My health is way important than all of this, Brayton said in another email to Eklov. I honestly dont feel I can be made to do something that I might not be able to physically do.

A separate challenge against Brayton was brought forth by Portage resident and private attorney, Russ Kreis. Kreis asked the Kalamazoo County Prosecutors Office to investigate Brayton for committing perjury, alleging she lied under oath on the affidavit.

The investigation was turned over to the Michigan State Police and is being reviewed, officials said.

Also on MLive:

Portage councilmembers resignation accepted, past votes not in question

Portage City Council questions if councilwoman should be disqualified from seat

State police investigating Portage mayoral candidate over residency issue
MUSKEGON, MI  Muskegon families in need of diapers, wipes and other baby supplies can find assistance through Priority Health.

The health care system is donating $30,000 worth of supplies to help an estimated 300 Muskegon-area families during a diaper drive with Catholic Charities West Michigan.

The diaper drive will take place at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 13, at Catholic Charities West Michigans office, 1720 Park Street in Muskegon.

Related: What 3.4M Michiganders should know about renewing their Medicaid

The diaper drive is motivated by an estimated 700,000 people in Michigan losing Medicaid coverage as the state rolls back federal expansions prompted by the pandemic.

Congress enacted the Families First Coronavirus Response Act that required state Medicaid agencies continue health care coverage for all medical assistance programs, even if someones eligibility changed. That expansion grew Michigans Medicaid caseload by more than 700,000.

During the diaper drive, Priority Health will have a Medicaid specialist on site to answer questions about renewals and assist with filling out renewal forms. Michigan residents who would like help with their Medicaid forms may need to provide proof of age, income, citizenship, disability or other health coverage if they would like on-site help.

MORE ON MLIVE

WWII aircraft flyover part of Sailor Salute at Mona Shores football game

Zoning for housing next to Mona Shores High School gets initial approval

Work on Sternberg Road at U.S. 31 could snag retail traffic near Muskegon

See each Michigan schools 2023 M-STEP scores
SAGINAW, MI  Students at the Saginaw Career Complex soon will get a taste of the Bavarian Inns business approach.

A cohort of students with the Saginaw Public Schools-operated institution this fall will spend four days weekly at the Frankenmuth business as part of an education credential that focuses on preparing pupils for hospitality- and tourism-based professions, officials said. The cohort will spend a fifth day weekly at the Saginaw Career Complex, learning about the professions there.

Randy Hegenauer, sales manager at Bavarian Inn, will provide instruction to the participants.

My philosophy is to expose as many students as possible in Saginaw County to the many unique and rewarding careers available to them in the hospitality industry, Hegenauer said in a statement. I love teaching and I love my career at Bavarian Inn. To be able to share my passion and bring this program to Saginaw Career Complex is extremely exciting.

State and local education leaders as well as representatives with Michigan Hospitality Foundation, a Lansing-based organization focused on the hospitality industry, coordinated to create the state-approved program, officials said.

Jenny Geno, the executive director of career and technical education at Saginaw Intermediate School District, in a statement said the program was designed to meet demands in the hospitality professions. That industry includes Bavarian Inn, the Frankenmuth business managed by the descendants of the companys late matriarch, Dorothy Zehnder.

Im grateful for all the support from the Zehnder family who were thrilled to partner, providing the space for students and a wonderful instructor, Geno said in a statement.

Saginaw Career Complex, 2102 Weiss in Saginaw, provides about 600 high school juniors and seniors with skills aimed at preparing them for college, advanced technical training and skilled entry-level professions. Students attend the institution during half-day sessions.

Want more Bay City- and Saginaw-area news? Bookmark the local Bay City and Saginaw news page or sign up for the free 3@3 daily newsletter for Bay City and Saginaw.
A pandemic-era expansion to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program that provided food stamps to low-income college student has been rolled back.

In 2021, the federal government temporarily expanded SNAP food benefits to an estimated 200,000 Michigan college students under emergency guidelines. But that expanded eligibility ended this summer 30 days after the federal public health emergency expired.
DETROIT -- Jose Urena is making a somewhat unexpected return to Comerica Park.

Urena will be selected to the Chicago White Sox roster to start Saturday nights game against the Detroit Tigers.

Urena, who turns 32 on Tuesday, signed a one-year, $3.25 million deal with the Tigers prior to the 2021 season after spending parts of six seasons with the Miami Marlins.

He pitched 100 innings for the Tigers in 2021, mainly as a starter. He finished with a 5.81 ERA and lost his rotation spot by the end of the year.

But Urenas career wasnt done.

He signed a minor-league deal with the Milwaukee Brewers and made the Opening Day roster out of spring training in 2022, but he lasted only a month. After clearing waivers, he signed with the Rockies and was a member of their rotation from July onward. He posted a 5.14 ERA in 89 1/3 innings and demonstrated the kind of ground-ball rate that seemed like a good fit for the mile-high Coors Field.

The Rockies re-signed Urena for 2023, but he was released after posting a 9.82 in 18 1/3 innings.

He signed with Chicago on a minor-league deal last month and will make his White Sox debut on Saturday.
Williams Akanyele

08.09.2023 LISTEN

Former Upper East Regional Vice Chairman of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr Williams Akanyele, has been announced dead after he was shot by unknown assailants last Wednesday, September 6, 2023.

The shooting incident happened at his family house in the Nabango-Chiana/Paga Constituency.

The tragic death of the former politician was made known by the Member of Parliament, Builsa South, and Deputy Ranking Member on the Education Committee, Dr. Clement Abas Apaak on Twitter.

He wrote, Shocking. UE Regional Secretariat of NDC announce with sorrow that our immediate past Regional Vice Chairman, Mr. Williams Akanyele, was shot dead yesterday, 6/9/2023, in his bedroom, family house, in Nabango-Chiana/Paga Constituency. The criminals must be found and punished.

The announcement of the death of the NDC stalwart has since received condolences from the rank and file of the party.

Meanwhile, the Ghana Police Service is yet to make an official communication on the cause of death of Mr. Williams Akanyele.

DGN online
Samira Bawumia reading a book to pupils at the library

09.09.2023 LISTEN



With titillating titles like The Beautyful Ones are Not Yet Born, Dilemma of a Ghost, and The Marriage of Anansewa, our illustrious literary elders sought to exercise their creative and intellectual rights to tell the stories of Ghana to Ghanaians and the larger world, and their fabled efforts have helped many of the next generation find their voices and identities.

The millennials of today may be blissfully unaware that the late, great Efua Sutherland took her activist and bookish pursuits much further, initially discussing the setting up of an indigenous publishing house in Ghana in the 1950s with academic luminaries like Dr. Busia and Dr. J. B. Danquah. She eventually put thought into action by incorporating and establishing Afram Publication in February 1973 with the late Prof. Kwabena Nketia, another erudite virtuoso, at Dzorwulu in Accra. This is aside from her pioneering work in theatre arts at the University of Ghana.

Accra has always been a confluence for ideas and ideals, hosting important conversations and serving as fertile ground for the pollination of opinions and thought. W.E.B Du Bois lived in Accra before passing away at 95; Maya Angelou uncaged her creativity in Accra in the 1960s, becoming an administrator at the University of Ghana, a freelance writer for the Ghanaian Times, writing and broadcasting for Radio Ghana, and working and performing for Ghanas National Theatre, among others. From Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to Malcolm X, various thought leaders, activists, and writers have forged new paths and sailed new worlds of ideas with Accra as a guiding lighthouse.

The decision by UNESCO to announce Accra as the World Book Capital for 2023, the 23rd city on our planet to be named so, and only the second city in Africa to receive that honour, is therefore apt, thrilling, and a tad bit challenging. UNESCOs World Book Capital designation is a global acknowledgment of the power of books as cornerstones for more inclusive, peaceful, and sustainable societies. By winning and receiving the baton for a year, Accra and indeed all of Ghana have affirmed their commitment to literacy, lifelong learning, respect for copyright, and freedom of expression, values that I personally hold very dear.

Like many avid readers of my generation, I made my way through Enid Blytons books, Nancy Drew stories, and The Baby-Sitters Club series as a teenager. Mind you, I had also read many of the socially and politically charged books in the African Writers Series, and the latter is what developed in me an intrigue for the people on this continent that I call home.

Then there were Pacesetters also African but more modern and, from a teenagers point of view, more interesting. The sparkling interest in books had grown into a conflagration by this time.

SEHPs Work in Literacy Promotion

Having always harboured an enchantment for books and intellectual pursuits when I started the Samira Empowerment and Humanitarian Projects (SEHP) in 2017, a not-for-profit organisation working on literacy programmes and fostering the love of reading was a very natural fit. At SEHP, we believe strongly in the expression of self through writing and the positively addictive power of books. Over the years, we have run several programmes and projects on literary and educational causes that have shaped the lives of many, from urban to rural areas.

Library-In-A-Box

The significance of education and literacy has remained central to SEHPs interventions. This is exhibited in our various educational projects, including the Library-In-A-Box (LIAB) project, where books and reading materials are provided to schoolchildren across the country to encourage and foster positive reading habits. At SEHP, we augment the government's efforts at resourcing schools with books under LIAB by partnering with international and local organisations such as Book Aid and EPP to provide books in diverse categories to deprived basic schools. Since 2017, the LIAB project has donated over two hundred thousand books (200,000) to sixty-five(65) basic schools across the country. Recently, SEHP commissioned the Kanda Cluster of Schools Model Literacy and Learning Centre, which is fully refurbished and resourced with books and computers.

Basic Education Certificate Examination Revision Project

SEHP also has a Basic Education Certificate Examination Revision Project, which provides final-year Junior High School pupils and teachers in selected districts across the country with support and resources to improve outcomes.

In 2021, the Krachi West district in the Oti Region benefited from the project, with a positively inspiring BECE pass-rate improvement from 31% to 63% in 2022.

This project does not only provide the revision materials to students but also includes a comprehensive training workshop, where Chief Examiners are brought in to train Head teachers and Teachers on essential examination preparation and the best usage of the revision packs.

By Samira Bawumia


The Ukrainian Red Cross Society (URCS) has trained more than 150,000 people in first aid skills since February 24, 2022.

"Now, during a period of war, after a full-scale invasion, first aid skills become even more necessary. We are the largest provider of first aid training in Ukraine... Our volunteers and employees, who are involved in conducting trainings and first aid courses, have taught more than 150,000 people such necessary and vital skills since February 24, 2022," Director General of the National Committee of the Ukrainian Red Cross Society Maksym Dotsenko said at a briefing on Saturday in Kyiv on the occasion of World First Aid Day.

Also, according to him, the Ukrainian Red Cross Society donated more than 1,000 first aid kits in 2023, mainly to educational institutions, the police, and the State Emergency Service. In addition, the Committee provided first aid kits to invincibility points.
08.09.2023 LISTEN

Ghana has signed a US$2.2 million grant agreement with the Republic of Korea to establish a master plan to modernise tax administration in the country.

The project aims to increase domestic revenue collection in Ghana by streamlining various tax systems and incorporating them into digital structures such as Mobile Money (MoMo) platforms.

Mr John Ampontuah Kumah signed on behalf of the Ghanaian government, while Mr. Dong Hyun Lee, Country Director of the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), signed the agreement on behalf of the Korean government.

At a short ceremony in Accra on Friday, Mr Kumah said he was confident that the establishment of the master plan would help broaden Ghana's tax base and increase domestic revenue mobilisation.

These projects are not just agreements, they represent the tangible efforts and collaboration between two nations to improve the lives of our citizens and contribute to sustainable development of Ghana, he said.

He said the agreement was a watershed moment in Ghana-Korea relations and that its successful implementation would have a long-term positive impact on the livelihoods of Ghanaians.

Mr. Lee noted that the projects implementation would entail collaboration with top Korean tax experts to tailor the master plan to Ghanas context to restructure the countrys tax administration.

He stated that tax revenue was crucial in every socio-economic area, as was the use of resources like land, energy, and human empowerment for sustainable development.

Hopefully, this project will help our Ghanaian partners put in place structures and initiatives for a more modernised, resilient tax administration systemand contribute to a positive, long-term transformation in Ghana, Mr Lee said.

Recounting Koreas experience with economic growth, Mr Lee stated that it was critical for Ghana to ensure that, in addition to business development, the government created institutional frameworks for the implementation of the master plan.

The $2.2 million project, which would be implemented by the Ministry of Finance and the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), would entail capacity building for revenue and taxation officials.

Consultations would be held to widen the Value Added Tax and income tax bases using the MoMo transactions database and promoting e-invoicing to improve the transparency and reliability of cross-border commercial transactions.

In addition, tax systems would be linked, including import VAT-related Customs Systems (ICUMS), the establishment of an electronic/mobile cash receipt system, and an integrated tax portal for citizens to effortlessly pay their taxes.

GNA
The Africa Food Systems Forum (AFSF) 2023 has climaxed in Dar es Salam - Tanzania with 10 African countries pitching investments needs to the tune of $10 billion in The Agribusiness Dealroom.

Government delegations from Ghana, Tanzania, Nigeria, Mali, Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, Togo, Mozambique, and Malawi, pitched investment opportunities to participants in the areas of food production, processing, marketing, and agri-inputs, among others.

Potential investors were encouraged to invest in these sectors in the various countries.

The Agribusiness Dealroom, a major segment of the forum, is a matchmaking platform that convenes stakeholders to facilitate partnerships and investments in African agriculture.

It specifically supports governments and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) with access to finance and partnership opportunities.

Vice president of AGRA in charge of strategic partnerships Vanessa Adam told the closing ceremony of the forum that an additional $204 million in investment needs were also presented by companies and SMEs.

Also, $127 million in pipeline investments were pitched.

She said the Agribusiness Dealroom has since launched a knowledge platform to investigate the plight of agribusiness SMEs going forward and recommend necessary actions.

Organised by AGRA, the AFSF is the worlds annual premier forum on African agriculture and food systems, bringing together stakeholders to take practical action and share lessons that will move African food systems forward. It was previously known as the Africa Green Revolution Forum (AGRF).

Disclosing details of the final communique issued at the end of the forum on Friday, Mr. Amath Pathe Sene, the Managing Director of AFSF said the 2023 edition discussed a lot of solutions. We intend to accelerate, scale out, and boost food system transformation on the continent.

Adopting one of the declarations from the just-ended Africa Climate Week, participants at the AFSF agreed to redouble our efforts to boost agricultural yield through sustainable practices to enhance food security whilst minimizing negative environmental impact.

We need more commitments and investments from the private sector, and government, to make sure public and private investments work for all, Sene added.

The communique also called for improved trade on the African continent.

We need to move the agenda through investments in food production, but also market and trade. It is an African Continental Free Trade market. We have the policies. We need to make it happen. The continent needs to trade with the rest of the world and we also need to trade among various African countries, Mr. Sene said.

The Africa Food Systems Forum 2023 has unified us under a banner of transformation, regeneration, and action. Collaboration, inclusivity, innovation, and financing. We are pushing this agenda to accelerate food systems transformation, he said.

More on AFSF:

5,400 delegates from over 90 countries around the world participated in this years forum, with 57% of participants being women. 5 heads of state and governments, 6 former heads of state, and 80 international agencies were also present.

Speaking at the closing ceremony, Deputy United Nations Secretary-General Amina Mohammed said; Access to food in quantity and quality is a primary right. Therefore, enhancing trade and harmonizing food systems is key to achieving sustainable development in Africa.

The UN is committed to working together with Africa for the achievement of Agenda 2065.

Prime Minister of Tanzania Kassim Majaliwa said; By leveraging financial resources, tech, innovations, training and support, we can support a new generation of agripreneurs. If we do this, we will see the difference in the Africa we want. We also need to be intentional on smart climate adaptation strategies to enhance resilience, reduce greenhouse emissions, and promote sustainability.

AGRA President Dr. Agnes Kalibata said the platform provided a good opportunity for Africa to solidify its voice on what can be done to help deal with the impact of climate change.

Our voice on how we are tackling climate change within the food systems as a continent has to come out strongly, she said.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeks to forge consensus Saturday on a host of contentious issues from Ukraine to climate change, as G20 leaders hold their annual summit in New Delhi.

Divided over Russia's war in Ukraine and gridlocked on finding agreement to slash carbon emissions, the summit's most tangible outcome could be the expected accession of the African Union to the grouping that represents 85 percent of global GDP.

The Group of 20 was conceived in the throes of the 2008 financial crisis as a way of managing the global economy.

But finding consensus among members has been increasingly difficult in recent years.

Even before it began, the importance of the New Delhi summit was called into question when China's Xi Jinping decided to skip the meeting and send his number two, Premier Li Qiang, to India instead.

No official reason was given for Xi's absence, but the Asian giants have been at loggerheads over a border dispute and other issues, while Beijing is seeking to make US-led groupings such as the G20 more amenable to its own interests.

Russia's seat is taken by Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, with diplomatic opprobrium and war crimes charges keeping the country's leader Vladimir Putin from the summit.

United Nations chief Antonio Guterres warned Friday of growing global divisions, insisting countries must assume responsibility regardless of "whether it's the president or the prime minister or the vice president" who is in New Delhi.

Climate 'out of control'

The backdrop to the talks could hardly be starker: the European Union's climate monitor has said this year is likely to be the hottest in human history, with Guterres declaring on Friday the "climate crisis is spiralling out of control".

G20 countries account for around 85 percent of global climate warming emissions, making action in the forum crucial to real progress.

India's Modi has painted the summit as his country's diplomatic coming of age -- evidence of New Delhi's clout and prestige on the global stage.

India's Modi has painted the summit as his country's diplomatic coming of age -- evidence of New Delhi's clout and prestige on the global stage. By INDRANIL MUKHERJEE (AFP)

While spoilers may yet stop the bid, Modi does look set to secure one notable diplomatic victory, with several leaders expressing support for expanding the bloc into the "G21" by including the African Union as a permanent member.

The move would help burnish Modi's image as a self-styled leader of the "Global South", a bridge between developed and developing countries.

Modi argues developing nations need a greater say in global decision-making, and an invitation for the 55-member AU to join could come as soon as Saturday.

South Africa is currently the only G20 member from the continent.

But on Ukraine there was little sign of progress.

Moscow continues to press its allies to water down international condemnation of its invasion of Ukraine, throwing up a major roadblock to joint action.

Ahead of his arrival in New Delhi on Friday, US President Joe Biden insisted that the G20 can still "deliver", even as markets fret that a trade war between the world's two largest economies -- the United States and China -- is poised to escalate.

Many G20 leaders fear their countries are already at risk of becoming collateral damage as the big beasts of world trade lock horns.

Washington has restricted US technology transfers to the world's second-largest economy and rumours have swirled that Beijing may be about to ban Apple's ubiquitous iPhone -- most of which are made in China.

China was overtaken as the world's most populous country by India this year and growth is slowing, with economists pointing to structural problems such as a shrinking labour force, slower productivity and an overheated real estate market.
The Ghana Grid Company Ltd. (GRIDCo) has announced that it encountered a system disturbance resulting in Friday evenings power outage in major parts of the country.

This is contained in a release issued by GRIDCo after the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) told the general public that the outage was a result of a technical challenge emanating from GRIDCo.

In its statement, ECG assured affected customers that immediately after the technical challenge is rectified, the power supply will be restored.

Taking responsibility for the power outage, GRIDCo through its release also apologised to the affected public.

The Ghana Grid Company Ltd ., (GRIDCo), the "Operator" of the National Interconnected Transmission System (NITS) informs the public that a system disturbance occurred at 19:03GMT affecting parts of the country.

Restoration commenced immediately and three-quarters of customers received supply as of 21:00 GMT. Power restoration efforts continue as generation is restored.

GRIDCo apologises for the inconvenience caused and appreciates your patience as we continue to restore power to all affected customers, parts of the GRIDCo release signed by its Corporate Communications Section said.

Power supply was restored at 10pm.
The African Union joined the Group of 20 leading economies at its summit on Saturday, giving the continent more of a voice on the global stage, with host Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi saying it turned the often divided bloc into the "people's G20".

"With everyone's approval, I request the African Union head to take his seat as a permanent G20 member," Modi said in his opening address, banging a ceremonial gavel.

Modi has painted the summit as India's diplomatic coming of age and is pushing for his country -- which wants a permanent seat on the UN Security Council -- to be seen as a voice of the Global South.

At full strength the African Union has 55 members, but six junta-ruled nations are currently suspended. Collectively it has a GDP of $3 trillion with some 1.4 billion people.

As the G20, the grouping included 19 countries and the European Union, representing 85 percent of the world GDP, with South Africa its only member state from the continent.

It was conceived in the throes of the 2008 financial crisis as a way of managing the global economy, but finding consensus among members has been increasingly difficult in recent years.

The AU membership could be among the most tangible outcomes from the summit itself, with Modi trying to forge consensus on a host of contentious issues, and key G20 members deeply divided over Russia's war in Ukraine and how to pay for climate change.

Infrastructure plan

On the summit sidelines, G20 partners will unveil ambitious plans Saturday to bolster trade between India, the Middle East and Europe, the United States said.

It is a modern-day Spice Route that could more closely bind three regions that account for about a third of the global economy -- and represent an alternative to China's vast investment in global infrastructure.

Washington, Saudi Arabia, the EU, UAE and others will sign an agreement on the sidelines of the G20 summit to explore a railway and port project to augment trade flows between Europe and India, officials said.

The African Union joining the G20 will give the continent more of a voice on the global stage. By TAUSEEF MUSTAFA (AFP)

The agreement comes with Washington actively engaging with Riyadh, a major oil producer and security partner, as it encourages the kingdom to normalise ties with Israel.

Jon Finer, US deputy national security advisor, said the announcement came after "months of careful diplomacy, quiet, careful diplomacy, bilaterally and in multilateral settings".

This project "has enormous potential" he said. "But exactly how long it takes, I don't know".

The project is still in the early stages, with participants studying how best to link India's vast 1.4 billion population and quick-growing economy with markets to the west.

But Michael Kugelman, South Asia Institute director at The Wilson Center, said the plan could be a significant response to China's much-vaunted Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) -- which has spread Chinese influence, investments and commerce across Europe, Africa, Asia and Latin America.

"If finalised, it would be a game changer that strengthens connectivity between India and the Middle East and would aim to counter BRI," Kugelman posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.

The plans will include data, rail, electricity and hydrogen pipeline links, EU officials told AFP.

Xi absence

Chinese leader Xi Jinping himself is skipping the summit, sending his number two, Premier Li Qiang, to India instead in a move that called into question the meeting's importance.

India's Modi has painted the summit as his country's diplomatic coming of age -- evidence of New Delhi's clout and prestige on the global stage. By INDRANIL MUKHERJEE (AFP)

No official reason was given for Xi's absence, but the Asian giants have been at loggerheads over a border dispute and other issues, while Beijing is seeking to make US-led groupings such as the G20 more amenable to its own interests.

Russia's seat is taken by Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, with diplomatic opprobrium and war crimes charges keeping the country's leader Vladimir Putin from the summit.

United Nations chief Antonio Guterres warned Friday of growing global divisions, insisting countries must assume responsibility regardless of "whether it's the president or the prime minister or the vice president" who is in New Delhi.

The backdrop to the talks could hardly be starker: the European Union's climate monitor has said this year is likely to be the hottest in human history, with Guterres declaring on Friday the "climate crisis is spiralling out of control".

G20 countries account for around 85 percent of global climate warming emissions, making action in the forum crucial to real progress.
Mangosuthu Buthelezi, the once-feared Zulu nationalist and historic leader of Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) which presided over South Africa's deadliest violence ahead of the first all-race elections, died Saturday aged 95, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced.

"I am deeply saddened to announce the passing of Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi ... Traditional Prime Minister to the Zulu Monarch and Nation, and the Founder and President Emeritus of the Inkatha Freedom Party." Ramaphosa said in a statement.

"Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi has been an outstanding leader in the political and cultural life of our nation, including the ebbs and flows of our liberation struggle, the transition which secured our freedom in 1994 and our democratic dispensation," Ramaphosa said.

Born of royal blood on August 27, 1928, Mangosuthu Gatsha Buthelezi was to some the embodiment of the Zulu spirit: proud and feisty. To others, he bordered on a warlord.

For years he was defined by his bitter rivalry with South Africa's ruling African National Congress (ANC), a party that was his political home until he broke away to form IFP in 1975.

He led the party from its inception, a reign marked by bloody territorial battles with ANC supporters in black townships during the 1980s and 1990s that left thousands dead.

In 2019, aged 90, he stepped down as party leader after 44 years at the helm, describing a "long" and "difficult" journey he had travelled.

"It was not my own decision to remain as party president for many years, but (we are) democrats, when my party unanimously asked me to lead, I accepted," he said in August 2019.

The IFP, initially formed as a cultural organisation, draws its support base from country's largest ethnic group, the Zulus.

Alleged collaboration

Buthelezi was often regarded as an ally of the apartheid regime. By HENNER FRANKENFELD (AFP/File)

As premier of the "independent" homeland of KwaZulu, a political creation of the apartheid government, Buthelezi was often regarded as an ally of the racist regime.

He was dogged by allegations of collaborating with the old government to fuel violence to derail the ANC's liberation struggle -- a claim he furiously denied.

The bespectacled and slender chief would sometimes lead marches of shield- and spear-wielding IFP supporters through the streets of Johannesburg and Durban, clad in traditional leopard skin regalia.

In the 1980s, the rift between his party and the ANC intensified as he distanced himself from the party and its anti-apartheid strategies, denounced by then-jailed Nelson Mandela as undermining the black leadership.

In the 1980s the rift between his party and the ANC intensified. By WALTER DHLADHLA (AFP/File)

He also stirred the wrath of the liberation movements by calling for increased international investment in South Africa, opposing the call for sanctions to put pressure on the white government.

Thousands killed

Violence between Inkatha supporters and rival liberation groups escalated in the mid-1980s. By 1990 more than 5,000 people had been killed in clashes.

In 1991, Mandela and Buthelezi held talks and called for an end to the bloodshed.

But a year later, reports resurfaced of IFP-fomented violence, backed by apartheid security forces in Johannesburg and in the eastern Natal region.

There was a new surge of violence between ANC and IFP supporters in the run-up to the first democratic elections in 1994, with about 12,000 people killed. By WALTER DHLADHLA (AFP/File)

A charismatic speaker with a heavy stutter, Buthelezi blamed the ANC for the unrest that threatened to become a full-blown civil conflict, which the apartheid government garishly referred to as "black-on-black" violence.

"Bull... it's all bull... I am a Christian and all my life have been committed to the precepts of Christianity," Buthelezi responded to claims that his supporters fanned the violence.

There was a new surge of unrest between ANC and IFP supporters in the run up to the first democratic elections in 1994, that claimed about 12,000 lives.

Buthelezi threatened to boycott the poll, saying that it would be "impossible" for IFP to participate, but he changed his mind a week before, after frantic interventions.

The IFP went on to win control of the newly formed province of KwaZulu-Natal and fared decently in Johannesburg.

But support for his party dwindled over the years, marred by leadership squabbles with calls for his removal as party leader to make way for new blood.

In the first non-racial elections in 1994, the IFP won 43 seats -- but its showing had plummeted to just 14 seats in the May 2019 vote.

Long-serving politician

The violence largely dissipated after 1994, with Buthelezi appointed home affairs minister. He went on to become one of the longest-serving lawmakers.

Support for the IFP dwindled over the years, marred by leadership squabbles. By RAJESH JANTILAL (AFP/File)

In September 1998, while then-president Mandela was out of the country and Buthelezi was acting president, he authorised an ill-fated military invasion of Lesotho.

Buthelezi is also listed in the Guinness World Records as having made the longest speech to a legislative assembly with an address in March 1993 over 11 days, with an average of two-and-a -half hours each day.

Buthelezi aged with his gutsy demeanour right until his last days, fiercely protecting the Zulu monarchy.

In 2021, in his 90s and playing his role as the traditional premier of the Zulu nation, he actively mediated in the succession squabbles following the death of the Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithini.

He sent vicious messages to opposing factions in televised speeches, sparking nostalgia of his once militant leadership style.

But soon after the new king was crowned, reports of a rift with Buthelezi started to emerge, pointing to a waning influence at court.

Debilitated and barely able to walk, the once-feared leader stood hunched back and small, a shadow of his former self, peering at the crowd over his glasses perched on his nose, as he attended the Zulu annual reed dance in September 2022.

His wife Irene died in March 2019.
Morocco's deadliest earthquake in decades has killed over 1,000 people, authorities said Saturday, causing widespread damage and sending terrified residents and tourists scrambling to safety in the middle of the night.

The 6.8-magnitude quake struck a mountainous area 72 kilometres (45 miles) southwest of tourist hotspot Marrakesh at 11:11 pm (2211 GMT) Friday, the US Geological Survey reported.

Strong tremors were also felt in the coastal cities of Rabat, Casablanca and Essaouira.

"I was nearly asleep when I heard the doors and the shutters banging," said Ghannou Najem, a Casablanca resident in her 80s who was visiting Marrakesh when the quake hit.

"I went outside in a panic. I thought I was going to die alone."

It is the strongest-ever quake to hit the North African kingdom, and one expert described it as the region's "biggest in more than 120 years".

Deadly quake in Morocco. By Valentin RAKOVSKY, Sophie RAMIS (AFP)

"Where destructive earthquakes are rare, buildings are simply not constructed robustly enough... so many collapse, resulting in high casualties," said Bill McGuire, professor emeritus at Britain's University College London.

Updated interior ministry figures on Saturday showed the quake killed at least 1,037 people, the vast majority in Al-Haouz, the epicentre, and Taroudant provinces.

Another 1,204 people were injured, including 721 in a critical condition, the ministry said.

The ministry also recorded deaths in Ouarzazate, Chichaoua, Azilal and Youssoufia provinces, as well as in Marrakesh, Agadir and the Casablanca area.

'Unbearable' screams

Faisal Badour, an engineer, said he felt the quake three times in his building in Marrakesh.

"There are families who are still sleeping outside because we were so scared of the force of this earthquake," he said. "The screaming and crying was unbearable."

In Moulay Brahim village, in the mountains of Al-Haouz province near the quake's epicentre, rescuers were searching for survivors in the rubble of collapsed houses, AFP correspondents reported.

A powerful earthquake killed hundreds and left parts of Marrakesh's old city in ruins. By FADEL SENNA (AFP)

On a nearby hill, residents began digging graves for the victims, the correspondents said.

Frenchman Michael Bizet, 43, who owns three traditional riad houses in Marrakesh's old town, told AFP that he was in bed when the quake struck.

"I thought my bed was going to fly away. I went out into the street half-naked and immediately went to see my riads. It was total chaos, a real catastrophe, madness," he said.

Footage on social media showed part of a minaret collapsed on Jemaa el-Fna square in the historic city.

An AFP correspondent saw hundreds of people flocking to the square to spend the night for fear of aftershocks, some with blankets while others slept on the ground.

Mimi Theobold, 25, a tourist from England, said she was with friends on a restaurant terrace when the tables began shaking and plates went flying.

Houda Outassaf, a local resident, said she was "still in shock" after feeling the earth shake beneath her feet -- and losing relatives.

"I have at least 10 members of my family who died... I can hardly believe it, as I was with them no more than two days ago," she said.

An AFP correspondent saw hundreds of people flocking to Jemaa el-Fna square in Marrakesh to spend the night for fear of aftershocks. By Fadel SENNA (AFP)

The interior ministry said authorities have "mobilised all the necessary resources to intervene and help the affected areas".

The regional blood transfusion centre in Marrakesh called on residents to donate blood for those injured.

The army has set up a field hospital in Moulay Brahim and deployed "significant human and logistical resources" to support search and rescue efforts in Al-Haouz, state news agency MAP said.

Significant damage likely

"We heard screams at the time of the tremor," a resident of Essaouira, 200 kilometres (125 miles) west of Marrakesh, told AFP. "Pieces of facades have fallen."

The USGS PAGER system, which provides preliminary assessments on the impact of earthquakes, issued a "red alert" for economic losses, saying extensive damage is probable.

Foreign leaders expressed their condolences and many offered assistance, including Israel with which Morocco normalised relations in 2020.

US President Joe Biden said in a statement he was "deeply saddened by the loss of life and devastation".

Chinese leader Xi Jinping expressed "deep grief for the victims" and hope that "the Moroccan government and people will be able to overcome the impact of this disaster", according to Beijing's state media.

Pope Francis expressed "his profound solidarity with those who are touched in the flesh and heart by this tragedy".

The earthquake was also felt in neighbouring Algeria, where the Algerian Civil Defence said it had not caused any damage or casualties.

In 2004, at least 628 people were killed and 926 injured when a quake hit Al Hoceima in northeastern Morocco, and in 1960 a magnitude 6.7 quake in Agadir killed more than 12,000.

The 7.3-magnitude El Asnam earthquake in Algeria killed 2,500 people and left at least 300,000 homeless in 1980.
The Isle de Jean-Charles, on the coast of Louisiana in the United States, is on course to disappear within two generations as a result of climate change and oil extraction. Since the 1950s almost 98 percent of the island has been swallowed by the salty waters of the Gulf of Mexico  a phenomenon being documented by French photographer Sandra Mehl.

"What touched me enormously was not only bearing witness to the effects of global warming, but also showing what is disappearing and preserving the memory of what once was," Mehl told RFI, who's been photographing its sinking since 2016.

"Especially since on this island there was a community of French-speaking Indians with an extremely unique and rich culture."

Those Indians were the first official climate refugees in the US.

On the Isle de Jean-Charles, 130 kilometres south of New Orleans, hurricanes have become more and more frequent. Climate change has destroyed all or most of the inhabitants' homes, as well as infrastructure such as roads, schools and fire stations.

"It creates a kind of idleness and at the same time, there is a lot of courage," Mehl says.

The residents have had to leave the area and have been relocated 70 kilometres north in Gray, which sits on higher land.

Some of them were not eligible for ressettlement while others preferred not to leave the island.

"They are the first official climate refugees in the sense that this is the first time an entire community has been relocated to more sustainable land and that this programme is supported by the US federal government," Mehl says.

 Visa pour l'Image runs in Perpignan from 2 to 17 September 2023. It will also be on display at La Villette in Paris from 16 to 30 September.
09.09.2023 LISTEN

It all tallies. War, investments and returns. The dividends, solid, though the effort expended  at least by others  awful and bloody. While a certain narrative in US politics continues in the vein of traditional cant and hustling ceremony regarding the Ukraine War  noble freedom fighters, we salute you! twinned with Russian aggressors will be defeated  there are the inadvertently honest ones let things slip. A subsidised war pays, especially when it is fought by others.

The latter narrative has been something of a retort, an attempt to deter a growing wobbling sentiment in the US about continuing support for Ukraine. In a Brookings study published in April, evidence of wearying was detected. A plurality of Americans, 46%, said the United States should stay the course in supporting Ukraine for only one to two years, compared with 38% who said the United States should stay the course for as long as it takes.

In early August, a CNN survey found that 51% of respondents believed that Washington had done enough to halt Russian military aggression in Ukraine, with 45% approving of additional funding to the war effort. A breakdown of the figures on ideological grounds revealed that additional funding is supported by 69% of liberals, 44% of moderates and 31% of conservatives. In Congress, opposition to greater, ongoing spending is growing among the Republicans, reflecting increasing concern among GOP voters that too much is being done to prop up Kyiv.

Such a mood has been anticipated by number crunching types keen to reduce human life to an adjustable unit on a spreadsheet. The Centre for European Policy Analysis, for example, suggested that a cost-benefit analysis would be useful regarding US support for Ukraine. Its producing wins at almost every level, came the confident assessment. In spectacularly vulgar language, the centre notes that, from numerous perspectives, when viewed from a bang-per-buck perspective, US and Western support for Ukraine is an incredibly cost-effective investment.

War-intoxicated Democrats would do well to remind their Republican colleagues about such wins, notably to those great patriots known as the US Arms Industry. Aid packages to Ukraine, while dressed up as noble, democratic efforts to ameliorate a suffering countrys position vis-a-vis Russia, are much more than that.

In May 2022, for instance, President Joe Biden signed a bill providing Kyiv $40.1 billion in emergency funding, split between $24.6 for military programs, and $15.5 billion for non-military objects. Even then, it was clear that one group would prove the greatest beneficiary. Stephen Semler of the Security Policy Reform Institute was unequivocal: US military contractors.

Of the package, rich rewards amounting to $17.3 billion would flow to such contractors, comprising goods, be they in terms of weapons and equipment, or services in the form of training, logistics and intelligence. It allows the Biden administration, writes Semler, to continue escalating the United States military involvement in the war as the administration appears increasingly disinterested in bringing it to an end through diplomacy.

Broadly speaking, the US military-industrial complex continues to gorge and merely getting larger. Whatever the outcome of this war  talk of absolute victory or defeat being the stuff of dangerous fantasy  it remains the true beneficiary, the sole victor fed by new markets and opportunities. Former Israeli foreign minister Shlomo Ben-Ami, now vice president of the Toledo Center for Peace, had to concede that the US arms industry was the one clear winner in this bloody tangle.

The addition of new member states to NATO, in this case Finland and Sweden, will, Ben Ami suggests, open up a big new market for US defence contractors, because the alliances interoperability rule would bind them to American-made defence systems. The evidence is already there, with Finlands order of 64 new F-35 strike fighters developed by Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman and BAE Systems. The Ukraine War has been nothing short of lucrative in that regard.

Such expansion also comes with another benefit. The interoperability requirement in the NATO scheme acts as a bar to any alternatives. The market for their goods is expanding, writes Jon Markman for Forbes, and they will face no competition for the foreseeable future.

It should come as little surprise that the US defence contractors have been banging the drum for NATO enlargement from the late 1990s on. While a good number of those in the US diplomatic stable feared the consequences of an aggressive membership drive, those in the business of making and selling arms would have none of it. The end of the Cold War necessitated a search for new horizons in selling instruments of death. And with each new NATO member  Hungary, Poland, the Czech Republic  the contracts came. Washington and the defence contractors, twinned with purpose, pursued the agenda with gusto.

In 1997, Democratic Senator Tom Harkin was awake to that fact in hearings of the Senate Appropriations Committee on the cost of NATO enlargement. He was particularly concerned by a fatuous remark by Secretary of State Madeleine Albright comparing NATOs expansion with the economic Marshall plan implemented in the aftermath of the Second World War. My fear is that NATO expansion will not be a Marshall plan to bring stability and democracy to the newly freed European nations but, rather, a Marshall plan for defense contractors who are chomping [sic] at the bit to sell weapons and make profits.

The moral here from the US military-industrial complex is: stay the course. The returns are worth it. And in such a calculus, concepts such as freedom and democracy can be commodified and budgeted. As for Ukrainian suffering? Well, let it continue.

Dr. Binoy Kampmark was a Commonwealth Scholar at Selwyn College, Cambridge. He currently lectures at RMIT University. Email: [email protected]
Nigerian journalist Damilola Ayeni was reporting on the environment when he was arrested by Benin police on August 31, 2023. (Photo courtesy Fisayo Soyombo)

09.09.2023 LISTEN

Durban, South Africa, September 8, 2023The Committee to Protect Journalists welcomed Fridays decision by Beninese authorities to release without charge Nigerian environmental journalist Damilola Ayeni after Benin police detained him incommunicado for nine days on suspicion of participation in terrorist activities.

We are relieved that Beninese authorities have finally freed investigative journalist Damilola Ayeni, who was falsely accused of being a jihadist by police apparently intent on soliciting a bribe for his freedom, said Angela Quintal, CPJs Africa program coordinator. We hope that Ayeni will be allowed to continue his important reporting without further harassment and that authorities will take firm action against any police officer who has brought Benin into disrepute and wasted resources that should be used to counter real extremism, not journalism.

Ayeni, the editor of Nigerias Foundation for Investigative Journalism, was released on Friday afternoon after appearing before the special prosecutor at the Court for the Repression of Economic Offences and Terrorism (CRIET) in Benins capital of Porto-Novo, according to Ayenis lawyer, Elie Dovonou, and the journalist himself, who both spoke to CPJ by phone, and a statement by the media outlet.

Ayeni was arrested on August 31 while on the second leg of a cross-border environmental investigation in the north of Benin. In its report announcing the release, the FIJ said Ayeni was handed over to Nigerian authorities but would remain in Benin Republic for a little longer.

In a September 5 report announcing Ayenis detention, the FIJ said a man who identified himself as the commissioner of the Central Police Station of Parakou in Benin had demanded a bribe of 800,000 CFA (US$1,315) to release the journalist.

FIJ attributed its reporters release to the combined efforts of sustained media pressure, relentless work by the Nigerian Embassy in Benin, and legal representation and advocacy efforts facilitated by the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ) and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ).
Zelenskyy: We agree with Japanese FM to begin talks on bilateral agreement on security guarantees in development of G7 Declaration

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy met in Kyiv with Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi.

"We agreed to begin negotiations on a bilateral agreement on security guarantees in the development of the G7 Declaration," Zelenskyy wrote on his Telegram channel.

"I am grateful to Japan for remaining our key partner in Asia and supporting Ukraine," he said.

According to the press service of the Ukrainian head of state, Zelenskyy noted the importance of approving the G7 Joint Declaration on support for Ukraine during Japan's chairmanship.

In turn, the Japanese Foreign Minister announced Japan's readiness to begin negotiations in the near future on concluding a bilateral security agreement with Ukraine.

The meeting was attended by top managers of leading Japanese companies accompanying the head of the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs during his visit to Kyiv, including representatives of Rakuten, Marubeni, Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Allm Inc., Tsubame BHB.

"We are pleased to welcome representatives of Japanese business in Ukraine. This is very important because we are actively working on the recovery of the Ukrainian economy and attracting new investments to Ukraine. We are open to cooperation and ready to share ideas and our vision," the President said.

During the meeting, there was also an exchange of views on the practical implementation of the Ukrainian Peace Formula and Japan's involvement in the preparations for the Global Peace Summit. Particular attention was paid to intensifying cooperation with Japan in the recovery and reconstruction of Ukraine.

The Head of State emphasized Ukraine's readiness for active collaboration with Japan in the preparation of the Ukraine Recovery Conference, scheduled for the beginning of next year and set to take place in Japan. "The involvement of Japanese business in the conference to the fullest extent is important for us," the Head of State said.

Zelenskyy expressed gratitude to Japan for its comprehensive support in overcoming the consequences of Russian armed aggression.

"I'm grateful for the significant humanitarian and financial assistance that Japan has provided to our country since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion. Japan has made significant efforts to help us get through the winter period and overcome the challenges to Ukraine's energy system that have arisen due to Russian attacks," the President said.
In August, the US-Mexico border crossing by migrant families hit record high. The same happens in Europe, where irregular immigration from the African continent is increasing. Hence, an obvious question arises: Since the West is sending billions of dollars in foreign aid, how come the number of economic migrants is growing?

The USAID website informed that the Presidents Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 Budget Request includes $32 billion in foreign assistance, which is $3 billion (10 percent) above the FY 2023 Adjusted Enacted level. To this amount of money, one should add other billions of dollars coming from European foreign assistance agencies. However, as, over the years, the total of grants and highly concessional loans (which are often forgiven) amounts to trillions, people in developing countries should be by now very rich. Since this is not the case, foreign aid clearly failed.

Hollywoods Pop Culture Of Aid

Foreign aid has been financing central governments (not the people!), which ended up promoting statism, and discouraging the creation of an entrepreneurial culture. As a result, government bureaucrats became richer, and regular citizens got poorer. As British economist Peter Bauer put it: Aid is a process by which the poor in the rich countries subsidize the rich in poor countries.

According to Zambian-born economist Dambisa Moyo, Hollywoods pop culture of aid bolstered the misconceptions that development assistance is helpful. However, aid has helped make the poor poorer, and growth slower. In her book Dead Aid, Moyo stated: [Aid] props up corrupt governments  providing them with freely usable cash. These corrupt governments interfere with the rule of law making both domestic and foreign investment in poor countries unattractive which leads to fewer job opportunities and increasing poverty levels. As a result of growing poverty, donors give more aid, continuing the downward spiral of poverty.

Foreign Aid Has Not Favored Agricultural Development

Concerning Africa, where recently several military coups took place, state interventionism, which has been promoted by foreign aid, is also one of the causes that countries in the continent have become food importers instead of exporters, as they used to be in the past. In fact, foreign aid has not favored agricultural development, since donor countries did not promote a type of agriculture aimed at the market, but rather at self-consumption. In fact, Western donor countries tried to make the traditional production system survive (i.e., low-tech agriculture), without realizing that this system was crumbling because of demographic growth.

Subsistence agriculture allows farmers to obtain only the minimum necessary for survival, and this is a problem for African peasants, as they cannot accumulate wealth to invest in their own business. Hence, African farmers live in precarious conditions: they have no savings, no food supplies and cannot borrow money from banks. Furthermore, in certain areas, a year with little rain can create a state of famine.

In addition, aid-recipient African governments have destroyed peasant capitalism, a term that was coined by Ghanaian economist George Ayittey. In the continent, even though the operating unit was the tribe, and not the individual, the clan could engage in whatever economic activity it chose (trade, fishing, or cloth-weaving) without having to ask the tribal chiefs permission. If an occupation or a line of trade was unprofitable, African natives switched to more profitable ones and always enjoyed the economic freedom to do so. In modern parlance, those who go about their economic activities on their own free will are called free enterprisers, Ayittey explained.

Foreign Aid Thwarted the Entrepreneurial Spirit

Yet, this entrepreneurial spirit was thwarted by the dependence on foreign aid. In this regard, Nigerian expert Ibrahim Anoba remarked: Donations rarely alleviate the problem. Instead, they push local businesses out of the market through unfair competition with free goods.

On a similar note, Nigerian-based ALOD think tank further stated: [Aid] catalyzes the vicious cycle of corruption and poor economic structure, hindering economic growth. There is a clear correlation between increased aid and corruption. It increases the resources available to already-corrupt elite groups, thus tipping the balance of power further into the hands of the executive arm of government. This is why developing countries need access to markets and direct investments, not charity misused by central governments. However, till foreign aid keeps discouraging free enterprise and limiting economic growth, the migrant crisis will continue and become unsustainable.

Anna Mahjar-Barducci is a researcher and author.
The EKAJ Education Fund has distributed close to 5,000 customized exercise books to all eight (8) Senior High Schools in the Asante Akim South Municipality to support needy students in the beneficiary schools.

The distribution of the books is the first major activity being undertaken by the EKAJ Education Fund to support all Senior High Schools (SHS) in the Municipality including private secondary schools in its operational area.

The beneficiary Senior High Schools were the Juaso Senior High and Technical School, Banka Community Day Senior High School, Morso Community Senior High School, Dampong Senior High School, Bompata Presbyterian Senior High School, Ofoase Senior High School, Krofa Senior High School and the Oduro Apenteng Senior High School.

At separate ceremonies to present the exercise books to the beneficiary schools, the Founder of the EKAJ Education Fund, Mr. Eric Kofi Amofa Junior who is also the Managing Director of Seabiege Ghana Limited  producers of Safare Tissues indicated that the books distribution was just one of the numerous activities lined up by the Foundation to ensuring quality education and human resource development in the area.

The ceremonies were attended by the various chiefs, queen mothers, community leaders, parents, teachers and students who are the direct beneficiaries of the learning materials.

Mr. Eric Amofa said that his decision to distribute the exercise books was a testament of how he struggled at the basic and secondary school levels to acquire even basic necessities like exercise books for his studies.

I cannot forget my bitter experience in secondary school where my parents could only afford one exercise book for all the seven subjects. So, I divided the book by pages for the various subjects, and I remember how I jealously guarded the book from being stolen or missing because that was very crucial for my revisions during exams.

Accompanied by some of the Trustee Board members of the Fund, Mr. Eric Amofa took the opportunity to encourage and inspire the senior high school students in the Asante Akim South Municipality to aspire to become great and impactful members of society.

He further encouraged them to take their studies seriously and desist from any activities such as alcoholism, smoking, homosexual and other social vices that would jeopardize their future.

Mr. Eric Amofa pledged the commitment of the EKAJ Education Fund to support more needy but brilliant students in the Asante Akim area who want to pursue tertiary or vocational education.

Receiving the exercise books on behalf of their schools, the various heads of the beneficiary schools expressed their profound gratitude to Mr. Eric Amofa and his EKAJ Education Fund for the kind gesture.

Some of the heads asserted that many of their students sit in classrooms without exercise books to copy notes or do class exercises.

The Queen Mother of the Morso Traditional Area, Obaahema Acheampomaa Anima Kotoka II, who graced the presentation of the exercise books to the Morso Senior High School with all his cabinet members applauded the EKAJ Foundation for such a massive donation.

She also applauded the Founder, Mr. Eric Amofa for touching many lives in the Municipality in recent years.

The Queen Mother who pledged her readiness to support the EKAJ Education Fund, challenged other influential people in the Asante Akim South to emulate the shining examples of Mr. Eric Amofa and also contribute to the Fund to ensure more needy students are supported.

The EKAJ Education Fund was established in early 2023 by Mr. Eric Amofa with a seed capital of One Hundred Thousand Ghana Cedis (GHC100,000.00) to give educational scholarships to needy but brilliant students in the Asante Akim South Municipality of the Ashanti Region.

The Fund is governed and managed by some prominent personalities in the area as Trustee Board members and patrons.

The EKAJ Foundation also made an undisclosed cash donation to support SRC activities in the Juaso SHS, his alma mater.
Ghanaian activist and convener of the #FixTheCountry movement, Oliver Barker Vormawor, has urged the main opposition party, the National Democratic Congress (NDC), to defy a court ruling and proceed with its planned protest at the Bank of Ghana (BoG).

The NDC had planned a demonstration calling for the removal of Bank of Ghana's Governor, Dr. Ernest Addison, over allegations of mismanagement following the central bank's 60.8 billion cedi loss in 2022.

The planned protest was halted by a court order.

"Sometimes I really do not understand the NDC as a party. Are they a serious opposition party?" Mr. Barker Vormawor wrote in a tweet on Saturday, September 9.

The activist criticized the NDC for its response to the court's postponement of the ruling on the protest from September 4 to September 8, which then led to a further delay of one week as the court allowed the police to correct defects in their application against the protest.

"This judge claims that he needs to adjourn the matter to rule. Mind you, the protest was due the next day. He adjourns to 8th September. The NDC postpones the march to 12 September," he said.

Mr. Barker Vormawor noted that the NDC was not being assertive enough in its opposition role.

"Basically, he played the NDC like they were kids. The biggest opposition party. With no less a people than the Minority MPs. What do you hear? Silence," he added.

He further urged NDC to call on its members to go ahead with the march, despite the court ruling, stating that democracy is not a spectator sport.

"If you want to play gentle, tyranny will win always. They will use their courts and their judges. They will make you look unserious," he said, adding, "Call up people to march on BOG on Monday. The judge can chew the case!"
The Australia-based Atlantic Lithium Limited has denied commencing commercial operation in Ghana as being speculated.

According to the company, it had secured only a prospecting license which gave the mining company access to 139.23 square km of the lithium-rich site awaiting a comprehensive environmental impact assessment before a commercial production license is issued by appropriate institutions.

Additionally, its operations were strictly monitored by various state agencies to ensure legal compliance and social impact mitigation measures were yielded to.

Mr Kofi Antwi Boasiako, the Social Performance Manager, disclosed this to the Ghana News Agency after a four-day community engagement in its operational areas on Friday.

Contrary to reports that some licenses have been issued for mining lithium, the government has not given out any exploitation licenses yet.

No person, or company has any permit or license to mine or exploit lithium. The licenses that were granted were for exploration, which is different from exploitation.

It was through the exploration activities that lithium was discovered in commercial quantities at Ewoyaa, the epicenter of our activities, he stressed.

It is projected that Ghana will generate about $4.8 billion over the life of the mine (LOM) based on a five percent carried interest in the Project.

Globally, it is estimated that the lithium industry alone is valued at $11 billion at the mining stage, with the value of the industry at the highest end estimated at $7 trillion.

He said Lithium and its compounds have several industrial applications, including Heat-Resistant Glass and Ceramics, Lithium Grease Lubricants, Flux Additives for Iron, Steel and Aluminum Production, Lithium Metal Batteries, and Lithium-ion Batteries, among others.

The community engagements were arranged by the Mfantseman Municipal Assembly, led by Mr. Ike Lord Ennu, the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE).

Others were officials from the Atlantic Lithium Company, National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO) Social Welfare, and Municipal Environmental Officers.

Together, they visited communities including Anokyi, Abonko, and Oboadzi near Mankessim.

Others are Ewoyaa where the project is located, Abonko, Ansaadze, Ekurabadze, Anomasa, Tayedo, Ndansiman, Pomadze, Krofu, and Krampakrom.

The purpose of the meeting was to sensitize stakeholders on the companys operations and, most importantly, the benefits that will accrue to the people of the beneficiary communities and Ghana in general.

It formed part of the companys strategic vision to develop a sustainable lithium supply with a positive social impact to support the global transition to a carbon-neutral future.

The development of lithium deposits in Ghana, he said, was built on a strong priority of fostering and maintaining strong communications with the local communities.

For the company, he said: Being a good neighbour lies in regular, open dialogue with the communities in which we work, commencing at the grassroots level.

With that, he gave a strong assurance of the companys commitment to transparency and strong collaboration with stakeholders to deliver long-term benefits for the communities in which it operates.

As such, wherever possible, the company will endeavour to employ and engage local staff and service providers as well as drive social and environmental initiatives.

He said the company will set up a Community Consultative Committee (CCC) with key stakeholders to create harmonious working relationships, empower women, and strongly boost STEM education for mutual gain.

He said the company was conscious of the impact on the environment and has developed different practices that allowed them to work with a sustainable, environmentally minded approach.

Knowing that, he said the company recognized the importance of leading and promoting the highest principles and practices to ensure health and safety for the company workers onsite and in wider communities.

Minimizing our environmental footprint is a key priority.

We aim to undertake all activities in an environmentally responsible manner by integrating the protection of the environment into our everyday working practices, Mr Antwi assured.

Acting by international frameworks and in line with modern practices, he said the company has a proven ability to make significant mineral resource discoveries and create value by advancing assets toward commercialization.

Mr Ennu asked the traditional authorities and the people to collaborate to bring development to the area.

He said the company has an excellent mining agreement that seeks sustainable jobs through local content participation.

In all the communities visited, various traditional authorities and the public took turns to ask questions about benefits to locals, resentments, compensations, and environmental impact, and we are accordingly addressed.

GNA
S&P 500 4,166.82 DOW 32,928.96 QQQ 349.20 Amazon just gave us 3 reasons to expect fresh highs Trading Experts Call It The Perfect Tesla Trade (Ad) Still thinking about buying 3M for its dividend? Consider this Is Apple a buy ahead of earnings? Trading Experts Call It The Perfect Tesla Trade (Ad) McDonald's pumps brakes on prices as US traffic falls slightly, but Q3 sales beat expectations Western Digital, Lumentum rise; ON Semiconductor, Revvity fall, Monday, 10/30/2023 New CBOE special perk helps traders target income every weekend (Ad) McDonalds bottoms, plus more good news for fast food stocks Enterprise CEO says rental car prices have moderated as supplies have improved but remain high

S&P 500 4,166.82 DOW 32,928.96 QQQ 349.20 Amazon just gave us 3 reasons to expect fresh highs Trading Experts Call It The Perfect Tesla Trade (Ad) Still thinking about buying 3M for its dividend? Consider this Is Apple a buy ahead of earnings? Trading Experts Call It The Perfect Tesla Trade (Ad) McDonald's pumps brakes on prices as US traffic falls slightly, but Q3 sales beat expectations Western Digital, Lumentum rise; ON Semiconductor, Revvity fall, Monday, 10/30/2023 New CBOE special perk helps traders target income every weekend (Ad) McDonalds bottoms, plus more good news for fast food stocks Enterprise CEO says rental car prices have moderated as supplies have improved but remain high

S&P 500 4,166.82 DOW 32,928.96 QQQ 349.20 Amazon just gave us 3 reasons to expect fresh highs Trading Experts Call It The Perfect Tesla Trade (Ad) Still thinking about buying 3M for its dividend? Consider this Is Apple a buy ahead of earnings? Trading Experts Call It The Perfect Tesla Trade (Ad) McDonald's pumps brakes on prices as US traffic falls slightly, but Q3 sales beat expectations Western Digital, Lumentum rise; ON Semiconductor, Revvity fall, Monday, 10/30/2023 New CBOE special perk helps traders target income every weekend (Ad) McDonalds bottoms, plus more good news for fast food stocks Enterprise CEO says rental car prices have moderated as supplies have improved but remain high
Chewy, Inc. is a leading American online retailer specializing in pet food and other pet-related products. Founded in June 2011 by Ryan Cohen and Michael Day under "Mr. Chewy," the company quickly gained prominence in the pet care e-commerce industry. With its headquarters in Plantation, Florida, Chewy operates through its user-friendly e-commerce platform, catering to pet owners across the United States.

Chewy, Inc. started in 2011 as "Mr. Chewy," aiming to disrupt the traditional pet retail market by offering a wide range of pet products through a convenient online platform. The company's founders sought to leverage their e-commerce and retail expertise to provide pet owners with a seamless and personalized shopping experience.

The company's innovative approach quickly gained traction, and by 2017, Chewy had become a major player in the online pet retail space. In May 2017, Chewy made headlines when PetSmart acquired it for a groundbreaking $3.35 billion, making it the largest-ever acquisition of an e-commerce business at that time. Following the acquisition, Chewy continued to operate as an independent unit under the leadership of Ryan Cohen, the visionary co-founder and Chief Executive Officer.

Chewy's mission is to create a customer-centric platform that delivers happiness and joy to pets and their owners. The company is dedicated to providing pet owners with a comprehensive selection of high-quality pet products, personalized recommendations, and exceptional customer service. Chewy aims to enhance the bond between pet parents and their beloved companions by simplifying caring for pets through its convenient and reliable e-commerce platform.

The company's e-commerce platform provides pet owners the convenience of ordering products from the comfort of their homes, with the added benefit of subscription services for recurring shipments. Chewy's subscription model offers automatic delivery of pet essentials, ensuring pet owners never run out of their pet's favorite items.

Chewy's target market comprises pet owners across the United States who seek convenience, a vast selection of high-quality products, and exceptional customer service for their furry companions. The company caters to a diverse demographic of pet owners, including individuals, families, and pet enthusiasts. The company's e-commerce platform appeals to pet owners who prefer the ease and efficiency of online shopping. Chewy's user-friendly website and mobile app offer a seamless shopping experience, making it an attractive choice for first-time and experienced pet owners.

Chewy, Inc. is led by a seasoned and visionary management team, driving the company's strategic direction and success. As the Chief Executive Officer of Chewy Inc, Sumit Singh brings a wealth of experience in e-commerce and technology to the company. Singh's strategic leadership has been instrumental in Chewy's growth and market positioning. Mario J. Marte is the Chief Financial Officer, overseeing the company's financial operations and strategies. His financial management and planning expertise contributes to Chewy's financial growth and stability.

Chewy, Inc.'s financial data over the past few years reflects the company's impressive growth and financial performance. The company has achieved revenue growth, with a reported revenue increasing year over year. The net income also witnessed significant growth, with a yearly growth rate exceeding 150%. The company's net profit margin improved, reflecting a more than 150% year-over-year change. Chewy, Inc.'s valuation metrics indicate strong investor sentiment and optimism about the company's future growth prospects. Investors appear willing to pay a premium for Chewy's shares, driven by its consistent financial performance, expanding market presence, and customer loyalty.

Chewy, Inc. operates in the broader e-commerce and pet care industry, which has experienced significant growth in recent years. The pet care industry is fueled by increasing pet ownership and a growing trend of pet humanization, where pet owners seek premium products and services for their furry companions. As an e-commerce platform in the pet care industry, Chewy enjoys several competitive advantages. Its user-friendly interface, personalized customer experience, and subscription services have contributed to its strong market positioning. Chewy's vast selection of pet products and efficient logistics have also provided a competitive edge.

However, the industry remains highly competitive, with numerous established players vying for market share. Chewy faces competition from traditional brick-and-mortar pet stores, other e-commerce platforms, and specialty pet retailers. The company's ability to innovate, maintain customer loyalty, and expand its product offerings will be critical to sustaining its competitive advantage.

Chewy, Inc. has further identified several growth opportunities to solidify its pet care industry position. The growing trend of pet humanization and pet owners' willingness to invest in premium pet products present significant opportunities for Chewy to expand its product offerings and drive revenue growth. The company's expansion into the pharmacy segment with Chewy Pharmacy, providing prescription medications, offers additional growth potential in healthcare. Chewy can leverage its customer loyalty and personalized shopping experience to explore new markets and expand its customer base internationally.

Chewy, Inc. has demonstrated strong performance and growth potential. However, the company also faces risks and challenges that could affect its future outlook. Notably, the e-commerce and pet care industries are highly competitive, with numerous established players and newcomers vying for market share. Chewy must continuously innovate and invest in customer acquisition and retention strategies to maintain its market leadership.

Moreover, the company's stock price is susceptible to fluctuations due to market conditions, investor sentiment, and industry dynamics. External factors, economic conditions, and changes in consumer behavior can significantly impact Chewy's financial performance. As an e-commerce platform, Chewy heavily relies on efficient logistics and supply chain operations. Any disruptions or inefficiencies in these processes could affect its ability to meet customer demands and maintain high levels of customer satisfaction.

Additionally, the pet care industry is subject to various regulations, particularly concerning product safety, labeling, and health standards. Compliance with these regulations is crucial to avoid potential legal issues and to uphold consumer trust in the brand. Chewy's management team must be proactive in mitigating these risks and devising effective risk management strategies to navigate the competitive landscape and maintain its growth trajectory. By addressing these challenges, Chewy can continue to deliver on its mission of providing exceptional products and services that bring happiness to pets and their owners.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 9. The Secretariat of the Parliamentary Assembly of Turkic States strongly condemns the so-called presidential elections organized by the illegal regime created by Armenia in the Karabakh region of the Republic of Azerbaijan on 9 September 2023, Trend reports.

"As a gross violation of norms and principles of international law as well as the Constitution and legislation of the Republic of Azerbaijan, this provocative step is a blow to efforts for peace and stability in the region, and reintegration of the Armenian residents of the Karabakh region into the constitutional framework of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

Reiterating its strongest support to the sovereignty, territorial integrity and inviolability of internationally recognized borders of brotherly Azerbaijan, the TURKPA Secretariat calls to refrain from any steps that could endanger the normalization efforts in the region," the statement said.
you are here:
Siddharth Upasani is a Special Correspondent at Moneycontrol. He has been covering the Indian economy, economic data, and monetary and fiscal policies for nine years. He tweets at @SiddharthUbiWan. Contact: siddharth.upasani@nw18.com
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 9. The Canadian Parliament should be watchful of Armenia's inflammatory statements, publicly affirm its support for the peace process, and refrain from acting in a way that might damage these connections, the Working Group for Azerbaijani-Canadian Inter-Parliamentary Relations said, Trend reports.

"As members of the Working Group for Inter-Parliamentary Relations between Azerbaijan and Canada, we are outraged by the most recent declaration made by the so-called "Canada-Artsakh Parliamentary Friendship Group." The so-called group in the Canadian Parliament made a declaration that defies international law's norms and principles and disrespects Azerbaijan's sovereign rights. It is also regretful that this remark was made in the Canadian Parliament on behalf of a fictitious group known as the "Friendship Group"", said the working group.

While Armenia and its protectors, as well as revanchist forces supporting them, are working around the clock to thwart Azerbaijan's efforts to ensure peace and security in the region while large-scale reconstruction work is being done in the areas that have been freed from occupation by separatist forces holding Armenian residents hostage.

Azerbaijan has appointed a special representative to conduct negotiations with the Armenians living in Karabakh as well as facilitate the reintegration of these Armenian residents into Azerbaijani society. In particular, President Ilham Aliyev guaranteed the protection of the cultural, religious, educational, and municipal rights of Armenian residents living in the Karabakh region of Azerbaijan.

According to the Working Group for Azerbaijani-Canadian Inter-Parliamentary Relations, the separatist regime in the Karabakh region ignores Azerbaijan's proposals and even blocks the Aghdam-Khankendi road in order to prevent the implementation of these proposalsthe delivery of food cargo to Armenian residents sent by the Azerbaijani Red Crescent Society.

One of the proposals put forward by Azerbaijan is that if the Aghdam-Khankendi road is opened, the Lachin road will also be used. This proposal was confirmed not only by Azerbaijan but also by international partners, as well as during the recent discussions held within the framework of the UN Security Council.

The separatist regime in the Karabakh region of Azerbaijan, which is currently supported by Armenia, is a tool used to conceal ethnic cleansing and the occupation by Armenia of the sovereign territories of Azerbaijan.

"The presence of such a "group" in parliament contradicts Canada's position in the field of foreign policy and the norms and principles of international law, which we consider wrong," the statement said.
Invite your friends and family to sign up for MC Tech 3, our daily newsletter that breaks down the biggest tech and startup stories of the day
Nickey Mirchandani NICKEY MIRCHANDANI Assistant Editor at Moneycontrol. Shes a presenter and a stock market enthusiast with over 12 years of experience who loves reading between the lines and scanning through numbers.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 8. On September 9 at 03:55, units of the Armenian armed forces from their positions located in the direction of the Develi region fired small arms at the positions of the Azerbaijani Army located in the direction of the Sadarak region of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, Trend reports citing Azerbaijani Defense Ministry.

The ministry says that units of the Azerbaijani Army took retaliatory measures.
Sneha Mahale is an independent environment journalist. She is on Twitter @randomcards Views expressed are personal
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 9. President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has sent a congratulatory letter to President of the Republic of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon on the occasion of the Independence Day, Trend reports.

"Dear Emomali Sharifovich,

On my own behalf and on behalf of the people of Azerbaijan, I am happy to extend my sincere congratulations and best wishes to you and through you to all your people on the occasion of the national holiday of the Republic of Tajikistan  the Independence Day.

As a friendly country, we rejoice in the achievements of Tajikistan in strengthening statehood, improving the social and economic well-being of the people, and gaining prestige on the international arena under your wise leadership.

The current level of our interstate relations stems from the sympathy, respect and trust our peoples have historically expressed to each other. The high-level reciprocal visits, regular contacts, numerous documents signed in various fields have contributed to the dynamic and successful development of our bilateral relations and partnership.

I believe that by effectively using the favorable conditions for expanding the scope of Azerbaijan-Tajikistan relations, we will achieve the strengthening of our mutually beneficial cooperation and the further deepening of our interaction on both a bilateral and multilateral basis.

Dear Emomali Sharifovich, on this remarkable day, I wish you good health, happiness, success in your endeavors, and the brotherly people of Tajikistan everlasting peace and prosperity," the letter said.
Sanjukta Sharma is a freelance writer and journalist based in Mumbai. Views expressed are personal.
Vishal Bhargava is a real estate enthusiast who views and reviews new projects, when not busy with his newstoon platform Snapnews. The views are personal, and do not represent the stand of this publication.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 9. Armenia keeps on with its heavy artillery systems concentrated near the Azerbaijani border, Trend reports.

This is confirmed by videos disseminated on social networks.

The video shows that the transported equipment is an air defense system (ADS).

During this week, a large number of photos and videos were disseminated related to the concentration of manpower and military equipment by Armenia in the border with Azerbaijan.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 9. Iran is concentrating its forces close to Nakhchivan on the Azerbaijani border., Trend reports.

Videos posted on social networks are evidence for this.

The media in Iran released a video that depicts the movement of military hardware.

To note, Iran held military exercises last year, gathering troops on the border with Azerbaijan.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 9. We call on the international community to strongly condemn the so-called "elections" in Karabakh, the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry said, Trend reports.

"The illegal activity under the false pretext of presidential elections by the puppet regime created as a result of the occupation by Armenia is a gross violation of the Constitution and legislation of the Republic of Azerbaijan as well as norms and principles of international law.

Only the Constitution and laws of the Republic of Azerbaijan form the legal basis for the expression of will through elections in the territory of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

The puppet separatist regime is the consequence of the aggression and ethnic cleansing policy that continued for nearly 30 years. The steps taken by this regime to continue its existence due to the military, political, financial and other types of support of Armenia, have no legal validity whatsoever.

The mentioned step is another element of the provocative and inflammatory activity of Armenia, which has deteriorated recently, and is a serious blow to the efforts of normalization in the region and reintegration of ethnic Armenian residents into the constitutional framework of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

Holding the so-called elections once again clearly shows that Armenia and the puppet regime created by it, which have taken steps to maintain the status quo and continue its occupation policy, are not really interested in the peace process, on the contrary, have taken the path of provocation and escalating the situation.

Armenia should stop its futile attempts to deceive its people and the international community, put an end to the claims against the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, constructively participate in the normalization process and comply with its international obligations.

Armenia's obstruction of the dialogue of Azerbaijan with the ethnic Armenians living in its sovereign territory is a gross interference in the internal affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan, is an attack on the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan.

The Republic of Azerbaijan will resolutely counter threats to its sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders.

The only way to achieve peace and stability in the region is the unconditional and complete withdrawal of the Armenian armed forces from the Karabakh region of Azerbaijan and the disbandment of the puppet regime.

The Republic of Azerbaijan urges all members of the international community, in accordance with their obligations within international law, to make a correct political assessment on the steps directed against the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, to take effective measures to prevent Armenia from taking steps that endanger the fragile normalization efforts in the region, and to strongly condemn the illegal activities named as elections," said the ministry.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump departs from Trump Tower to give a deposition to New York Attorney General Letitia James who sued Trump and his Trump Organization, in New York City, U.S., April 13, 2023. REUTERS/Mike Segar/File Photo
Guam Power Authority General Manager John M. Benavente gives his report, with his management team, to the Consolidated Commission on Utilities during a regular monthly meeting Aug. 29 at the Gloria B. Nelson Public Service Building Conference Room in Mangilao.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 9. Armenia hasn't moved closer to peace since the signing of the trilateral statement [signed by Azerbaijani, Armenian, and Russian leaders following the 2020 second Karabakh war] and has been gradually preparing for the next war, the former military attache of Turkiye in Azerbaijan, reserve general Yucel Karauz told Trend.

"Armenia's provocations against Azerbaijan in recent days along the border, both in the Nakhchivan direction and in Karabakh, the presence of remnants of separatists in the territory temporarily stationed by Russian peacekeepers [under the trilateral statement], Armenia's partial mobilization, joint exercises between the US and Armeniaall of these are signs of an impending war," he said.

Karauz added that tension in the region is increasing day by day.

"It seems that Armenia won't come to its senses until it feels the force of the 'Iron Fist' again. Unfortunately, it has rejected the friendly attitude shown by Azerbaijan and Turkey and the hand of peace extended to it," he noted.

For several days now, social media has been sharing videos suggesting that Armenia continues to deploy heavy artillery near the border with Azerbaijan.
This is Naked Capitalism fundraising week. 550 donors have already invested in our efforts to combat corruption and predatory conduct, particularly in the financial realm. Please join us and participate via our donation page, which shows how to give via check, credit card, debit card or PayPal or our new payment processor, Clover. Read about why were doing this fundraiser, what weve accomplished in the last year,, and our current goal, continuing our expanded news coverage.

Yves here. Keep in mind that this post illustrates yet another example of what I call the Western side negotiating with itself, as in fantasizing what positions or outcomes are tolerable from their side without considering what the Russians will accept.

In contrast with the Ukraine belief that they can declare a ceasefire unilaterally or otherwise call it quits and Russia will stop, we have a series of confounding issues. The first is the hawks, thanks to Bidens belligerence and unwillingness to climb down, are in charge in Washington and will conduct a long war with Russia if they have to, despite a Rand paper in 2022 warning explicitly against that. Second is that Russia is determined Ukraine commit to not joining NATO. That would seem to require regime change or prostration of Ukraine. Confirming that view is Alaistair Crooke, in an interview with Glenn Diesen and Alexander Mercouris, who at 7:45 points out that the war has changed the psyche in Russia, that the government and public want to see the regime defeated.

By Andrew Korybko, a Moscow-based American political analyst who specializes in the global systemic transition to multipolarity in the New Cold War. He has a PhD from MGIMO, which is under the umbrella of the Russian Foreign Ministry. Originally published at his website

The takeaway is that a theoretical Russian breakthrough along the front lines, perhaps in Kharkov Region where its armed forces have gradually made progress over the summer, could be enough to force Kiev into accepting an informal ceasefire as a last resort against its will.

CNNs Fareed Zakaria is among the most well-known representatives of the Mainstream Media so its important to keep an eye on what he says if one wants to see what narratives the Western elite are pushing at any given moment. His latest article for the Washington Post (WaPo) about how Ukrainians are determined to persevere, but they worry that their allies arent is a case in point. Here are the highlights, which will then be analyzed to help make sense of whats going on behind the scenes:

-

* Life in the Ukrainian capital is practically unaffected by the ongoing conflict

 Despite the war, Kyiv feels almost normalStores and cafes in the city are bustling. Air raid sirens went off while I was having dinner at a friends place, and no one even stopped eating.

* Nevertheless, the mood there is becoming dour

 Everyone is exhausted and sober. Ukraines losses have been terrible, measured both in cities destroyed and soldiers and civilians killed.

* No one wants to surrender, but complaints about the counteroffensive are common

 But exhaustion does not equal surrender. No one I spoke with believed that Ukraine should stop fighting to get back its territories. They were disappointed that the counteroffensive is not going better, but its difficulties only remind them that this will be a long struggle.

* Some are even whispering about a ceasefire

 When you speak with people at greater length, their views are more nuanced. No surrender is the mantra, but some said it was possible to imagine a cease-fire  with Ukraine never legally endorsing the legitimacy of Russian rule over parts of Donbas and Crimea  in exchange for real security guarantees.

* An unnamed politician hinted that the militarys rank-and-file would support that scenario

 As one Ukrainian politician (who wished to stay unnamed) told me, Its easy for all of us who have not been in the fighting to refuse to compromise. The real question is what are the attitudes of the soldiers in the field and those who have returned. They might have more nuanced positions. But they will have to articulate them.

* These shifting sentiments might be partially due to the Western publics fatigue

 The dominant worry in Kyiv is not about Russia but the West. Ukrainians have reason to be worried. Support for their fight is waning in some European countriesSupport for Ukraine is also slipping in the United StatesUkrainians are determined to persevere, but they worry that their allies are not.

-

The average Westerner might be surprised to learn that Kiev is practically unaffected by the ongoing conflict, which could result in even more of them turning against their politicians who want to continue redistributing the publics hard-earned tax wealth to Ukrainians. As for the locals in that country, Westerners might also have been unaware that they too are beginning to wonder whether its worth fighting Russia indefinitely, with these two points combining to boost popular support for a ceasefire.

Thats not to say that one will be forthcoming, especially not after the recent events detailed here strongly suggest that Kiev and its liberalglobalist patrons in the US permanent bureaucracy plan to keep the conflict going into next year, but just that divisions between the public and policymakers will widen. The preceding trend could lead to more support for the Republicans ahead of next years elections while worsening the fatigue and frustration that Western media earlier reported has taken hold of Ukrainians.

The first therefore wont stand a chance of reshaping policy until sometime in 2025 at the earliest, but even that cant be taken for granted, whereas the second could have much more immediate implications. The fact that an unnamed Ukrainian politician hinted to WaPo about how war-weary his countrys troops have become and their growing interest in a least a temporary respite show that the armed forces might not be able to fulfill policymakers expectations of a protracted conflict.

All the dynamics that have been discussed thus far are made even more acute by the symbiotic relationship between Ukraine and the West at the state and the local levels. Their officials vicious blame game over the counteroffensive arguably influenced their peoples perceptions of this conflict and one another, which accelerated their overall fatigue and mutual distrust. This had the direct effect of contributing to the dour mood that Zakaria observed during his visit to Kiev.

The takeaway is that a theoretical Russian breakthrough along the front lines, perhaps in Kharkov Region where its armed forces have gradually made progress over the summer, could be enough to force Kiev into accepting an informal ceasefire as a last resort against its will. The logic is that this could limit Ukraines losses together with preventing the collapse of its armed forces. It would obviously be under duress and opposed by the US, but Zelensky might feel that he doesnt have an alternative.

Each side would of course blame the other, but the Ukrainian leader could claim moral authority over America if he spins this decision as the will of his armed forces (heroes), though the US might still try to exploit the resultant scandal to undermine his re-election bid if this happens before the next vote. There are veritably pros and cons to this scenario, and its largely dependent on the uncertain possibility of a Russian breakthrough, but the substance of Zakarias articles suggests that it cant be ruled out.
Some 30 warships and 3,200 personnel from 15 nations will participate in the annual two-week naval exercise Northern Coasts, which starts on Saturday (9 September 2023) in the Baltic Sea, primarily off the coasts of Estonia and Latvia. Led by the German Navy, Northern Coasts is one of the biggest exercises in the region, and is focusing for the first time on high-end warfare and the collective defence of NATO Allies.

Seven  soon to be eight  NATO Allies border the Baltic Sea, so the area is of crucial importance to our Alliance, said Acting NATO Spokesperson Dylan White. Russias war of aggression against Ukraine has radically altered the security situation in the Baltic Sea, and NATO has substantially increased its defensive presence in the region at sea, on land and in the air. Exercises like these send a clear message that NATO stands ready to defend every inch of Allied territory.

Over the coming two weeks, Allies will train amphibious operations, air defence, strikes from sea to land, and securing sea lanes. Standing NATO Maritime Group One and Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group One are participating in the manoeuvres, which involve personnel from Allies Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, the U.S. and NATO invitee Sweden. Held annually, the exercise is being run for the first time from Germanys new Navy Command in Rostock.
Hurricane Lee becomes Category 5 storm, could hit the East Coast this weekend

Hurricane Lee became a Category 5 storm late Thursday night, Sept. 7, and is expected to reach wind speeds of 180 mph that could present dangerous beach conditions in the East Coast as early as Sunday, Sept. 10.

The Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunters have found that Lee has "skyrocketed to Category 5 strength," the National Hurricane Center (NHC) said in its 11 p.m. update Thursday.

The storm is expected to toggle between Category 4 and Category 5 status over the next five days as it makes its way north and westward. (Related: Over 1,300 flights cancelled and 6,000 delayed by SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS that hit the East Coast.)

However, it is still deep over the Atlantic Ocean, and the NHC warned that it is "way too soon" to know what impact the hurricane might have on the U.S. East Coast, Bermuda or Canada.

"The hurricane is expected to slow down considerably over the southwestern Atlantic. Regardless, dangerous surf and rip currents are expected along most of the U.S. East Coast beginning Sunday," the NHC said. There are currently no watches or warnings in effect.

Hurricane Lee comes less than a week after Hurricane Idalia slammed much of the U.S. Southeast, damaging homes and knocking out power in Florida while flooding parts of Georgia and the Carolinas.

The NHC has repeatedly warned that Lee could become very powerful in an exceptionally short time. That guidance has now become even more dire, as the NHC said many forecasting tools "are calling for remarkable rates of intensification, beyond rates normally seen with model forecasts."

The hurricane center currently predicts that Lee will churn north-northwest, reaching a point well north of Puerto Rico by Tuesday morning, Sept. 12.

So far, the storm isn't posing an immediate threat to anyone on land. But experts advise keeping a close eye on the storm.

All eyes are on Lee's path

It's too early to say with certainty whether Lee might make landfall anywhere, or if it will spin harmlessly away from the U.S. Atlantic coast and other land masses.

Several long-range models currently have Lee eventually curving north, missing the Caribbean and remaining offshore. While models are generally accurate, they're not perfect. In 2017, Hurricane Irma was supposed to follow a similar path  instead, it walloped Florida's Gulf coast.

Even if Lee misses land, forecasters say swells generated by the storm "are expected to reach portions of the Lesser Antilles on Friday, Sept. 8, and the British and U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico this weekend. These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions."

The system has been gaining power as it passes over "record-warm waters of near [86 degrees Fahrenheit] east of the Lesser Antilles," the NHC said. It added that such warm waters are more expected in the Gulf of Mexico, not the Atlantic Ocean.

"The peak of hurricane season is September 10 so it's an excellent time all up and down the East Coast of the United States to recheck your family's preparedness plan and know what you might do if a storm was approaching your community," Kelly Godsey, a senior service hydrologist and meteorologist with the National Weather Service (NWS) in Tallahassee, Florida, told Newsweek.

Tropical storm Margot

Tropical Storm Margot also formed Thursday afternoon over the eastern tropical Atlantic, with wind speeds of 40 mph and traveling west-northwest at 17 mph.

Margot was still just a depression Thursday morning but is expected to continue to strengthen as it's forecasted to turn north into the central Atlantic Ocean.

"Gradual strengthening is expected during the next several days, and the depression is forecast to become a tropical storm later today or tonight," said hurricane specialist David Zelinsky.

Another system a few hundred miles west-northwest of Spain is associated with the remnants of Hurricane Franklin. Forecasters said the system is not likely to develop as it heads for harsh conditions and is not currently a threat to South Florida.

Visit Disaster.news for more stories like this.

Watch the following video about West Coast tropical storm Hilary slamming Southern California.

This video is from the InfoWarsSideBand channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Biden declares state of emergency in Florida as Tropical Storm Idalia approaches.

Federal government may have "weaponized" Hurricane Ian to magnify climate change narrative.

US government has ability to manipulate hurricanes, 50-year-old documentation shows.

Sources include:

UPI.com

NHC.NOAA.gov

NPR.org

Newsweek.com

NOLA.com

Brighteon.com
City council of sanctuary Los Angeles orders probe into Abbotts migrant busing program, signaling they dont want migrants after all

The Los Angeles City Council arrived at a unanimous decision earlier this week, ordering the city attorney's office to embark on a criminal probe against Governor Greg Abbott over Texas' migrant busing program . Should the investigation prove that there were crimes committed such as kidnapping and human trafficking through the migrant bus program, lawsuits will be filed.

The 13-0 vote was made following the 11th bus load of illegal migrants that arrived in the Sanctuary "City of Angels" jurisdiction, carrying 42 asylum seekers from Guatemala, Honduras, Peru, Venezuela and even Russia. The migrants included 21 adults and 14 children, according to the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights Los Angeles (CHIRLA). Since the start of the program on June 14, Abbott's program has transported 435 migrants. In total, more than 30,000 migrants have been transported to Democrat-led cities around the country, including New York City, Chicago and Washington, D.C.

For one of the council members, what Abbott is doing is "racist." "The competition between these Republican governors about who could be more racist, I think, is just an utter failure and shows clearly that they do not have any intention to govern effectively," Hugo Soto-Martinez said, claiming that the Republican governor is disregarding the lives of these illegals' families and that he should be fully investigated on the accountability of his "criminal actions."

Moreover, L.A. Mayor Karen Bass (D-CA) expressed her displeasure with Abbott's busing program, claiming that there has been little communication from Texas officials. "We hear about the buses headed our way when they're on the way. We have no idea who's going to be on the bus, how many people it is, or what condition they're going to be in when they get here," Bass said Wednesday. "Sometimes they haven't had any food; they barely have enough water."

In a statement to Fox News Digital on Thursday, the Texas governor's office answered all the allegations thrown against him, highlighting L.A.'s status as a sanctuary city. "The L.A. City Council members are complete hypocrites," Abbott spokesman Andrew Mahaleris slammed the council. "In June, they unanimously voted to become a sanctuary city, welcoming migrants to the city. Texas began busing migrants to sanctuary cities like Los Angeles last year to provide relief to our overrun and overwhelmed border communities."

LA City Council voted unanimously in June to become a sanctuary city. Less than 3 months later, they cant handle it. LA experiences a fraction of what overwhelmed Texas border towns face DAILY. Dont threaten Texas  tell Biden to secure the border.https://t.co/ToxUjshmrM  Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) September 1, 2023

He also asserted that migrants had willingly chosen to go to Los Angeles on buses stocked with food and water, saying they "signed a voluntary consent waiver available in multiple languages upon boarding that they agreed on the destination."

Mahaleris also pointed out that the city council should call on President Joe Biden to look into his border policies. Obviously, Biden has been soft on border control and continuously failed to secure the border, "instead of complaining about dealing with a fraction of the border crisis our small border towns deal with every day."

Abbott and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis have both engaged in sending migrants to other states. To some observers, L.A.'s decision was quite "baseless" as the illegal border crossers could no longer be contained and maintained by the Lone Star State. Abbott argued other states must help share the burden, especially the Democrat states because they voted for this. (Related: Biden's federal border patrol agents sabotage Texas Gov. Abbott's efforts to keep illegal migrants out.)

NYC transported migrants back to Florida and Texas, even to China

New York City has received by far the most migrants from Texas in recent months, according to reports, much to the anger of Mayor Eric Adams. However, documents revealed that Adams sent back dozens of migrants to Florida and Texas. He did not stop within the United States territory.

As per the information obtained exclusively by Politico through a public information request, from April 2022 to April 2023, the Big Apple's government spent around $50,000 to resettle 114 migrant households in cities around the U.S. and the globe. The most common destinations were Florida, which received 28 families, and Texas, which received 14. He also transported more to countries in South America and one illegal all the way to China.

The independent news outlet noted that this brings Adams in a tight spot. "The migrant crisis is costing the city billions. And as pressure on its shelter system reaches a critical level, the mayor is trying every possible release valve from busing asylum-seekers to other destinations to housing them in former jails," the article read.

Like the L.A. City Council, the NYC mayor condemned Abbott and DeSantis back in September last year for busing migrants to his city and called the program a stunt. "This was part of a political ploy and that's what we need to understand," he said during an appearance on MSNBC.

"Less than three weeks ago, Mayor Adams said busing migrants is 'morally bankrupt.' Where is all the outrage and condemnation from the White House and Democrats for one of their own sending migrants out of town, out of state, and even out of the country?" Mahaleris commented, adding that the mayor should also call on Biden and Congress to do their jobs to secure the southern border.

InvasionUSA.news contains more stories related to the influx of illegal immigrants via open borders.

Sources for this article include:

OANN.com

FoxNews.com

Politico.com
NYC Mayor Eric Adams warns illegal immigrants will DESTROY the city

New York City Mayor Eric Adams warned in a speech on Wednesday, Sept. 6, that illegal immigration and the ongoing migrant crisis "will destroy" the city

Adams, a Democrat, said this during a town hall meeting Wednesday evening in the Upper West Side neighborhood of Manhattan. During his speech, a visibly frustrated Adams warned about how the administration of President Joe Biden is continuing to let tens of thousands of migrants stream into the border and affect the lives of those who live in New York City. (Related: This needs to STOP! Tax dollars are being used to fund ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION across America.)

"Let me tell you something, New Yorkers: Never in my life have I had a problem that I did not see an ending to. I don't see an ending to this," he said. "This issue will destroy New York City. We're getting 10,000 migrants a month. Now again, people from all over the globe have made their minds up that they're going to come through the southern part of the border and come into New York City."

Adams pointed out how the situation the United States is facing has gotten worse in recent months. At first, the illegal immigrants were only coming from Venezuela. But now, Adams has noticed an influx of people from Ecuador, Russia and all over the world.

"Now we're getting Western Africa, now we're getting people from all over the globe," he said. "And everyone is saying, 'It's New York City's problem.'"

"Every community in this city is going to be impacted. We have a $12 billion deficit that we're going to have to cut every service in this city is going to be impacted," he warned. "All of us. It's going to come to your neighborhoods. All of us are going to be impacted by this."

Adams attacks both Biden and Abbott for NYC migrant crisis

Adams has repeatedly called on the Biden administration and the state government of New York to provide significant support for New York City to help it navigate the ongoing migrant crisis.

The city has already received about $140 million in federal funding, all of which can only be spent on shelters and other services to house and care for migrants. The White House claims it can't send any more federal assistance to the state, blaming congressional hurdles for their opposition to spending on illegals.

Adams has also criticized Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, calling him a "madman" for busing illegal immigrants from his state to New York and other major cities governed by the Democratic Party. Data shared by the governor notes that he has bused 35,000 migrants out of Texas to sanctuary cities, including 13,000 in New York City alone.

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul seems to be going in the opposite direction in terms of policy. Her state government has recently announced a workforce initiative to connect illegal immigrants in the state with employers. She has previously suggested repeatedly that migrants are necessary for employers looking to hire foreign workers.

Hochul has also been lobbying the Biden administration to spend even more to provide for the housing, healthcare and public transit needs of illegals in New York.

Learn more about the migrant crisis at Migrants.news.

Watch this clip featuring the full speech of Mayor Adams warning about the illegal immigrants that are destroying New York City.

This video is from the channel American Patriots God Country on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

NYC Mayor Eric Adams mulling unconventional housing solutions for ILLEGALS.

NYC Mayor Eric Adams announces plans to house THOUSANDS OF MIGRANTS on an island in the East River.

NYC to build migrant TENT CITY near Riker's Island to accommodate 2,000 illegals.

NYC migrant crisis: Central Park being considered as HOUSING for migrants.

NYC Mayor Adams: Illegal immigration under Biden has become a NATIONAL CRISIS.

Sources include:

Breitbart.com

TheHill.com

ABC7NY.com

NYPost.com

Brighteon.com
Details added, first published at 14:04

BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 9. We call on the international community to strongly condemn the so-called "elections" in Karabakh, the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry said, Trend reports.

"The illegal activity under the false pretext of presidential elections by the puppet regime created as a result of the occupation by Armenia is a gross violation of the Constitution and legislation of the Republic of Azerbaijan as well as norms and principles of international law.

Only the Constitution and laws of the Republic of Azerbaijan form the legal basis for the expression of will through elections in the territory of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

The puppet separatist regime is the consequence of the aggression and ethnic cleansing policy that continued for nearly 30 years. The steps taken by this regime to continue its existence due to the military, political, financial and other types of support of Armenia, have no legal validity whatsoever.

The mentioned step is another element of the provocative and inflammatory activity of Armenia, which has deteriorated recently, and is a serious blow to the efforts of normalization in the region and reintegration of ethnic Armenian residents into the constitutional framework of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

Holding the so-called elections once again clearly shows that Armenia and the puppet regime created by it, which have taken steps to maintain the status quo and continue its occupation policy, are not really interested in the peace process, on the contrary, have taken the path of provocation and escalating the situation.

Armenia should stop its futile attempts to deceive its people and the international community, put an end to the claims against the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, constructively participate in the normalization process and comply with its international obligations.

Armenia's obstruction of the dialogue of Azerbaijan with the ethnic Armenians living in its sovereign territory is a gross interference in the internal affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan, is an attack on the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan.

The Republic of Azerbaijan will resolutely counter threats to its sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders.

The only way to achieve peace and stability in the region is the unconditional and complete withdrawal of the Armenian armed forces from the Karabakh region of Azerbaijan and the disbandment of the puppet regime.

The Republic of Azerbaijan urges all members of the international community, in accordance with their obligations within international law, to make a correct political assessment on the steps directed against the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, to take effective measures to prevent Armenia from taking steps that endanger the fragile normalization efforts in the region, and to strongly condemn the illegal activities named as elections," said the ministry.
RFK Jr. says Democrat Party has already rigged nomination for Biden by EXCLUDING everyone else

Even though he is arguably the best candidate running, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has a tough battle ahead for the White House, especially since the Democratic National Committee (DNC) has already "rigged" the 2024 election for Joe Biden

Rigged is the exact word RFK Jr. himself used in a recent interview with The Liberty Daily in which he fleshed out the fact that the Democrat Party has already chosen its candidate, and that candidate is Biden.

"It's pretty clear that the DNC does not want a primary," RFK Jr. explained. "You know, I don't want to say they want a coronation, but I think that's a fair way to put it actually."

"They're fixing the process to make it almost impossible to have democracy function. They're effectively disenfranchising the Democratic voters from having any choice in who becomes president, in who becomes the Democratic nominee."

(Related: If elected president in 2024, RFK Jr. has promised to "end the corrupt merger of state and corporate power.")

RFK Jr. would have to win 80% of states in order to beat Biden, based on corrupt rules

When asked what the DNC has done to rig the election, RFK Jr. revealed that the Iowa primary has been moved and the rules have been changed in such a way as to disenfranchise all other candidates besides Biden from standing a chance at winning.

"Two of the things today is they've moved the Iowa primary, they've made rules that if anybody campaigns in Iowa or sets foot, any candidate sets foot in the state of Iowa or steps foot in the state of New Hampshire, then none of the votes that are cast for that candidate will be tallied," RFK Jr. said.

"In other words, any delegate that I win in Iowa or New Hampshire would go instead to the president. And now they're trying to change it that if I campaign in New Hampshire that none of the votes cast for me in Georgia will count, and that's significant because it's hard to win the nomination without Georgia."

Based on the distribution protocol for superdelegates and automatic delegates, which will basically just go to Biden by default, RFK Jr. would have to win 80 percent of all the states in order to beat him  even if Biden himself only wins 20 or 25 percent.

"These rules will not be finalized until September 14 and we've written [to] the DNC protesting," RFK Jr. said about what his campaign is doing to try to stop this miscarriage of democracy from winning in the end.

"There are some really wild things they are now considering including forcing me to actually pay for the primaries, and their logic is that they don't need a primary because they already have a candidate, and therefore I'm costing them all of this money and that money should be paid for by me and maybe Marianne Williamson."

RFK Jr. knows that the 2024 election is unlikely to ever be 100 percent fair no matter what he and his campaign do. Still, he wants there to at least be a chance that someone else other than "their chosen, anointed candidate" can win.

"It's a process that is rigged," RFK Jr. added. "We live at a time in American history when a lot of Americans think that democracy is broken, that the system, the political system, is rigged, and that there's not really any democracy. And unfortunately, the DNC is taking a lot of steps that confirm that outlook."

"If the DNC is going to make it, is going to rig it so it is simply impossible for anybody to challenge President Biden, then I need to look at other alternatives because I can't go back to the people supporting me and to my donors and say, you know, I'm in this to make a point  I need to show them a road to victory."

The latest news about RFK Jr.'s run for the presidency in 2024 can be found at VoteDemocrat.news.

Sources for this article include:

Rumble.com

NaturalNews.com
THESE are the specific media outlets that have been COMPROMISED by the CIA according to RFK Jr.

Weirdly enough, conservatives seem to be more amicable with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. than his own party is.

(Article republished from TheBlaze.com)

Its probably because hes anti-establishment, anti-censorship, and pro-truth-telling. Thats enough to get you forever demonized by the left wing.

Unfortunately, he will not be on a debate stage with Joe Biden because obviously the Democrats are not going to allow that to happen, says Dave Rubin, but here he is talking about how the CIA, part of the machine, uses their propaganda machine against us  the people of the United States of America.

Dave then plays a clip of the Democratic candidate explaining how the CIAs parameters have shifted and which media outlets are most likely compromised.

There [was] a provision of the CIA charter that [said] that the CIA cannot propagandize the American people, says RFK Jr., but when President Obama repealed this propaganda ban in 2016, that essentially reopened the door for Operation Mockingbird and the CIA began once again to propagandize the American people.

And for those who dont know, Operation Mockingbird was an operation to compromise American journalists, according to the candidate.

High-level intelligence officials or people associated with the intelligence industry are running those journals, he continues.

What are those journals, you ask?

Just some of the biggest journalistic outfits out there.

Noah Schlackman who runs Rolling Stone  Daily Beast was run by John Avalon, who has deep ties to the intelligence agencies, RFK Jr. explains.

But it doesnt stop there.

Even journals like the Smithsonian and National Geographic, Nature, the Washington Post, the New York Times appear to be compromised by the CIA, he continues.

We know from the Twitter files that both the FBI and CIA were operating portals within Twitter and Facebook that allowed them to manipulate information and to deplatform people, and to  silence certain people that they didnt like.

Today, the CIA is the biggest funder of journalism in the world, RFK Jr. says.

That is unbelievably powerful stuff, says Dave.

Want more from Dave Rubin?

To enjoy more honest conversations, free speech, and big ideas with Dave Rubin, subscribe to BlazeTV  the largest multi-platform network of voices who love America, defend the Constitution, and live the American dream.

Read more at: TheBlaze.com
Experts explained that climate change played a significant role in the rapid intensification of extreme weather events. Hurricanes, wildfires and prolonged drought can significantly impact human lives and environments.

Rapid intensification of hurricanes due to climate change

As September begins, active hurricanes are most likely to emerge. Hurricanes and tropical storms can unleash severe weather conditions:

Landslides

Flooding

Torrential Rain

Mudslides

Evacuations

Flash flooding

Recently, Hurricane Idalia hit parts of Florida's Gulf Coast, Eastern Carolinas and the Big Bend Region in August and early September. Meanwhile, tropical storm Hilary unloaded heavy rain conditions in Southern California.

According to an expert, Andrew Grigg, the Gulf of Mexico experienced a noticeable increase in hurricanes' frequency and rapid intensification in recent years.

Grigg is a weather historian and an MA student in Environmental Science.

Grigg added that the trend of hurricanes can be attributed to the climate change effects. Grigg also began a blog called Climate Conduit that provides perspectives and articles about climate, environment and weather conditions.

"The key factors driving this phenomenon include warmer sea surface temperatures, which provide more energy for hurricanes to intensify and rising sea levels that exacerbate storm surge impacts," according to Grigg.

The recent Communications Earth and Environment report showed climate change could fuel back-to-back or shift from flooding to drought conditions. The frequency of shift could make it more challenging for communities to prepare.

Grigg added that climate change could help shift atmospheric circulation patterns. It can allow hurricane development to intensify due to favorable conditions.

The ocean's role in climate change

As global warming unleashes more heat, the ocean plays a crucial role in absorbing the heat and greenhouse gas emissions. It could likely influence the intensification of possible storms or hurricanes.

"Warmer ocean waters supply the fuel that hurricanes require to thrive," according to Abner Miller, who is also an environmental scientist at starlinkhow.

Miller explained that warm waters and global temperature rise could likely accelerate hurricane formation. He mentioned that "every 1C increase in sea surface temperatures, storm intensity increases by 5% to 10%.

Climate change has a crucial role in sudden or unprecedented excessive rainfall.

According to Miller, the warmer air has more moisture, which can unload stronger storms and rain. The result can cause dangerous flooding and damage to infrastructures.

People near the coast or flooded-prone areas can become at risk of hurricane impacts, especially in poorer countries.

As a result, weather forecasting and improved warning systems can help anticipate the impacts of intense weather events.

Also Read: Climate Change Threatens Sea Urchin Survival That Can Devastatingly Affect Coral Reef

Climate change linked to wildfires

Climate change is also a key driver in prolonged drought and extreme wildfires. The human-caused activities has caused all-time greenhouse gas emissions.

Grigg explained that wildfire frequency in parts of Canada and the Western US is linked to climate change. The role of rising temperatures and prolonged droughts are conducive conditions to wildfires, including dry vegetation.

"Climate change can lead to altered precipitation patterns, reducing rainfall in certain regions and contributing to drier conditions that increase the risk of wildfires, " Grigg said.

In a study in Environmental Research Letters, researchers warned of the unusual autumn wildfire in California that caused widespread power outages and safety concerns. The favorable conditions could unleash unprecedented fires.

On the other hand, Miller noted the the infernos in the making or the increasing wildfires in parts of the Western United States and Australia.

"Long periods of high temperatures and drought produce tinderbox landscapes. The changing climate exacerbates these conditions, increasing the likelihood of wildfires erupting and spreading quickly," Miller added.

According to a report in Ecosphere, researchers warned that fire frequency could result in potential ecosystem collapse, affecting animals sensitive to heat.

In Australia, low-intensity fires harm the habitats of riparian birds, causing a significant impact on the rare and threatened population of Purple-Crowned fairy-wrens.

In the US and Canada, the greenhouse gas emissions contributed by 40% to deadly wildfires in US and Canada.

Also Read: Summer Reaches Hottest On Record; Warmer Temperatures Become Unusually Frequent, Reports Warn

Climate change can prolong drought conditions and heatwaves

Grigg explained that prolonged drought conditions and heatwaves are also linked to climate change, especially the extreme heat waves in the Pacific Northwest in 2022.

"In various parts of the world, climate change is associated with an increased likelihood and severity of droughts, " Grigg said. He noted that higher temperatures can likely lead to reduced soil moisture and water scarcity, impacting water resources and ecosystems.

In addition, Miller explained that the rising temperatures would result in high temperatures that cause the water supply to dry up, leading to problems in food security.

In the US, the American Red Cross warned of the health impacts of extreme heatwaves, bringing more risks to people without cooling conditions and vulnerable sectors.

Intense heat can kill more people than other natural weather events.

In Europe, a recent study in Nature Medicine showed that 61, 672 deaths were linked to heat illnesses due to challenging heatwaves in 2022 based on the record between May 30 and September 4.

Meanwhile, soaring temperatures can harm coral reefs and aquatic animals, making survival challenging amidst the heat. The rising global temperatures impact human health and food security without mitigation efforts.

Extreme weather event significant damages

Extreme weather events can result in a devastating aftermath, especially to biodiversity and ecosystems.

In the US, NOAA records showed the country suffered from heavy losses due to billion-dollar weather disasters.

Since 1980, the US has experienced about 363 weather disasters. The disaster cost reached $2.590 trillion.

This year (2023), at least 15 weather disasters occurred in the country, of which 13 refer to severe storm events.

Yearly, at least 3.3 million adults in the US are forced to relocate or displaced due to extreme weather and natural disasters.

Climate change is a societal and environmental problem, together with global warming. The increasing burning of fossil fuels, the greenhouse effect, and deforestation can worsen the impacts of climate change.

Preparing for extreme weather events

As extreme weather events become more frequent, preparations and disaster management are essential to prevent devastating impacts. Widespread loss of infrastructures and lives could happen without efficient weather forecasting.

Countries are advised to invest in disaster-resilient plans and improved weather-predicting tools to mitigate the possible effects of human-induced hurricanes or heat waves.

Better forecasting can efficiently warn and suggest to communities to anticipate the shift from drought to extreme rainfall.

Moreover, coordination with local, regional and national forecasting agencies is essential to inform communities about possible weather events.

Homeowners can also prepare by turning on their mobile disaster alerts or checking the weather outlook. Keeping home emergency kits is also vital during evacuations.

Related Article: Fire Frequency Can Cause Ecosystem Collapse, Research Shows

For more similar stories, don't forget to follow Nature World News.
The United Nations has warned that climate breakdown has begun as the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) recorded the world's warmest Northern Hemisphere summer on record.

The WMO reported, citing data from the European Union's Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S), that this month was the warmest August on record "by a large margin" and the second hottest ever month after July 2023.

The month of August was expected to be 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit) higher than the pre-industrial norm. It also saw the greatest global monthly average sea surface temperature on record, nearly 21 degrees Celsius (69.8 degrees Fahrenheit).

According to C3S, 2023 is the second-hottest year on record, trailing only 2016.

"The dog days of summer are not just barking, they are biting," UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in a statement.

Human-caused climate change

Scientists blame ever-warming human-caused climate change on the consumption of coal, oil, and natural gas, with a boost from the natural phenomenon El Nino, which is a brief warming of sections of the Pacific Ocean that affects weather around the world.

Typically, an El Nino, which began earlier this year, adds extra heat to global temperatures, but this is especially true in its second year.

"What we are observing, not only new extremes but the persistence of these record-breaking conditions, and the impacts these have on both people and planet, are a clear consequence of the warming of the climate system," C3S's Climate Change Service Director Carlo Buontempo said.

Laura Patterson, the WMO's representative to the U.N, believes that this is just a beginning and expected that next summer would be hot again.

She stated that in order to decrease the global warming trend, people must cut carbon emissions from the use of fossil fuels and move toward renewable energy.

Read Also: Earth "Still on the Brink of Climate Catastrophe" Despite Multiple International Efforts

Air quality

The WMO also said that climate change has a quantifiable impact on air quality and thus human health, implying that the two must be addressed jointly rather than separately.

In the 2023 WMO Air Quality and Climate Bulletin, it focuses on the harm caused by heatwaves.

It states that high temperatures are not only dangerous in and of themselves, but they also cause harmful pollution.

The research cites examples such as the northwestern United States, where heat waves sparked wildfires, and Europe, where heat waves were accompanied by desert dust invasions.

Both resulted in hazardous air quality in 2022.

According to the report's case studies, parks and tree-covered areas within cities can enhance air quality, absorb carbon dioxide, and lower temperatures, benefiting residents.

Guterres, meanwhile, said G20 leaders have the ability to resolve a "spinning out of control" climate disaster and urged them to change global finance regulations that he described as obsolete and unfair.

He also urged the G20 leaders to commit to keeping the "1.5 degree goal alive," referring to the 2015 Paris Agreement goal of keeping global average temperature rise well below 2C over pre-industrial levels, with a target of 1.5.

"The climate crisis is worsening dramatically - but the collective response is lacking in ambition, credibility, and urgency," Guterres said in a speech in New Delhi, capital city of India, which is chairing the G20 this weekend.

Related Article: Climate Scientist Calls Fossil Fuel Companies to be Held Accountable for Years of Careless Emission

Related Video:
Death Valley sustained significant damage from Hilary, including pavement and a wet, unstable landscape. As a result, what was known to be the driest national park had to be temporarily closed to visitors indefinitely.

Death Valley National Park Closes Temporarily

With only 2.2 inches of rain falling there annually on average, Death Valley, stretching from California to Nevada, is the driest national park in the US. It is also known as the world's hottest region and a zone of extremes. Death Valley is far more vibrant than its name suggests; travelers are intrigued by the secrets of the wildlife that has managed to survive in this desolate and dry environment.

Many people travel to Death Valley to take in the breathtaking scenery, which includes canyons and alluvial fans. These features are primarily the result of flooding, which can occasionally be quite dramatic and have a considerable impact on infrastructure used by people.

It might therefore come as a bit of a shock to find that the Death Valley National Park has been closed for more than two weeks already, though not because of the extreme heat that the region has been experiencing this summer. The drenching aftermath of Hurricane Hilary is to blame.

Hilary Aftermath

The National Park Service recently announced that August 20 was the wettest day ever recorded at Furnace Creek in Death Valley when 2.2 inches of rain were observed.

A park that receives so little rain was hit by a storm that spilled so much rain that the delicate vegetation was severely damaged. Major roads in the park have extensive damage, including undercutting and pavement degradation, and many of the roadways are littered with debris.

Wet and Fragile Landscape

Death Valley has experienced devastation of this nature for the past two years in a row. Additionally, the park was closed in August 2022 due to then-record rainfall when maintenance was being done on the facilities, trails, and roadways.

All that work has just started again. The NPS stated that even though all paved roads from the 2022 flood damage have been fixed, more work still needs to be done in the wilderness and this most recent storm has further increased the damage.

The timing of the current closure is still uncertain. The park stated on Labor Day that they do not currently have an estimated time for when the roads would reopen due to the magnitude of Tropical Storm Hilary's effects, the extensive amount of debris on roads, and sections of pavement damage.

Joshua Tree National Park is accessible to the south for those seeking a national park desert getaway, as the National Park Service suggested. A fire ban was in effect there on Wednesday night as a reminder of how harsh desert terrain can be.

Also Read: California Reservoirs at High Water Levels Following Tropical Storm Hilary

Hoping for Superblooms

Regarding superblooms, the park stated that in certain deserts, floods produce lovely flowers in a matter of weeks. However, the average daily high temperature in Death Valley in August is over 115 degrees Fahrenheit, so while some plants may begin to green up, no blooms are anticipated any time soon.

It is too soon to say whether the water from this summer will cause a superbloom in the spring of 2024. Superblooms are uncommon occurrences that frequently call for both rain in the autumn or winter before and no drying wind in the spring.

Related Article: Labor Day Sees 72,000 Stranded in Burning Man Festival Flood
Officials in Australia are tackling the feral cat problem with new regulations, which may require pet owners to adhere to a rigorous curfew for their feline pets.

Pet Owners vs. Feral Cat Problem

According to new regulations that the federal government is considering, cat owners may not be allowed to let their pets outside.

This Monday, Tanya Plibersek, the environment minister, presented new regulations to safeguard native wildlife, which are gravely threatened by both domestic and wild cats.

On Thursday, the government made its suggested strategy to deal with the cat issue available for public comment. It involves granting authority to councils across Australia to forbid cats from going outside altogether or to put nighttime curfews on them.

New Restrictions and Fines

If people break the regulations or reside close to conservation areas, local governments may even completely ban cat ownership in addition to enforcing the rules with steep fines.

One of the main causes of the extinction of 20 of the 29 native mammal species in Australia since settlement, according to Professor Sarah Legge, who participated in the plan, cats are one of the biggest risks to the country's native biodiversity.

Although local governments all around the country currently have their pet ownership regulations, the national government's proposed proposal would aim to standardize them rather than create a "patchwork" of different rules.

In the study, the Australian government will also discuss approaches to managing the threat posed by feral cats.

Naturally, feral cats pose the biggest hazard, but domestic cats must also be carefully controlled, according to Plibersek.

Pets, Ferals, Invasives, and Natives

The Invasive Species Council estimates that Australia has 5 million domestic cats, which kill 500 million indigenous creatures annually.

Feral cats typically kill 1.5 billion native mammals, birds, and reptiles annually, while their numbers can vary from 1.4 million to 5.6 million depending on rainfall.

According to the Australian government, feral cats are a significant factor in the demise of numerous land-based endangered species, including the bilby, bandicoot, bettong, and numbat.

To create the regulations and local councils responsible for their enforcement, the federal government would need to collaborate with the State and Territory governments.

Plibersek emphasized that this consultation document would address very significant issues including whether or not there should be a curfew for cats and whether or not local governments should have the authority to impose cat ownership restrictions in their communities.

The need for improved management was also mentioned by Plibersek, who added that most responsible cat owners who genuinely love their pets already practice many of these measures, such as keeping their pets indoors, especially over the course of the night.

Also Read: Utah Coyotes Kill 4 Pet Cats in Sandy Neighborhood

Policy Draft

The document is aiming for an increase of 30% in suburbs where the number of cats is controlled, either by prohibiting cat ownership or by forbidding them from going outside.

The government's paper is up for public comment until December 11th. To guarantee the long-term survival of indigenous species and ecological communities, the plans outline research, management, and other activities stakeholders across Australia can take.

Related Article: Australia Takes Out Feral Cats via Solar-Powered Lasers Rigged with Toxic Gel
The Gorongosa National Park alongside a community of farmers in Mozambique has been saved and sustained thanks to coffee farming.

Mozambique Coffee

Most people agree that Africa is where coffee originated, and today, some of the best coffee in the world is thought to come from Ethiopia and Kenya. A newcomer from the continent, though, is Mozambique, which is trying to establish a reputation for itself.

In order to grow coffee in an ethical and environmentally responsible manner, the nation this year joined the International Coffee Organization.

The Gorongosa Coffee Project has contributed to Mozambique's efforts to become a global leader in the coffee industry. It was established in 2013 to recover the national park it is located in, a 1,500-square-mile region in the middle of the nation. Around 200,000 people live there, together with famous African elephants and lions. Today, coffee is also giving the local communities a second source of income.

Gorongosa Coffee Project and a Community of Farmers

Juliasse Sabao, supervisor of the Gorongosa Coffee Project, shares a transformative story of how coffee brought change to a community within a national park. Previously, the residents were subsistence farmers, struggling to produce enough for their families. The project introduced coffee cultivation, providing training and indigenous tree seedlings for shade and reforestation.

Today, coffee is a source of income, enabling families to afford education, uniforms, and essentials. Initially, only 10 families participated, but over a decade, around 1,000 families joined as farmers, roasters, pickers, and tasters. Success stories spread, drawing more people into the initiative.

Sofia Molina, head of the project, emphasizes the growing coffee quality and believes that profit alone isn't sustainable. Reforestation and community involvement are crucial. Sabao concurs, highlighting coffee as a catalyst for reforestation, uniting financial gain and environmental restoration.

South Africa is the largest market for the coffee from Gorongosa, which is primarily exported within Africa. Tanzania, Malawi, Kenya, and the neighboring country of Zimbabwe are all potential new markets for the business.

By inviting farmers from other nations to see the park model and sending its own employees there, The Coffee Project is also promoting the exchange of ideas.

Reforestation After Degradation

Reforestation is vital for Gorongosa Park, which has suffered from natural disasters, conflict, and development, harming its wildlife. Creatures like the Mount Gorongosa pygmy chameleon are endangered due to habitat loss, making environmental restoration crucial for biodiversity protection.

Coffee cultivation, coupled with conservation, has tripled annual revenues for some communities, making them Mozambique's top coffee producers. Profits fund school construction and teacher training, with a focus on empowering local girls by offering safe spaces, discouraging child marriages, and providing after-school programs that promote ecosystem awareness and play - a missing element in their lives before.

Also Read: Global Chocolate Consumption Linked to 1.5 Million Hectares of Deforestation in Africa

Gorongosa National Park Revival

One of Africa's biggest success stories in wildlife restoration, according to Vasco Galante, the national park's head of communications, is the revitalization of Gorongosa National Park. He claims that the manufacturing of coffee has contributed to this and that sales of the commodity have enabled consumers to participate in the self-sustaining system that supports the park's restoration and protection, generates employment, and offers its residents healthcare, education, and training.

Related Article: Coffee Farming Yields Down By 50% Due to Rising Temperatures
Rescue operations have been deployed to help affected residents as a powerful cyclone unleashed in South Brazil. At least 46 people are still missing, while 3000 homes are destroyed.

A video of a toddler was rescued in September as a cyclone hit the country. The weather report showed heavy rain hit Santiago, Passo Fundo, and Cambara Do Sul.

The recent flooding rainfall could be blamed on an extratropical cyclone in Brazil.

Southern Brazil cyclone impact: Casualties, injuries and evacuations

Residents near the Rio Grande do Sul braced for the impacts of the recent cyclone in Brazil. Reports revealed that over 147,000 residents were affected in the region.

Missing number of people reached 46 individuals.

223 individuals were injured.

41 people were reported casualties

11,000 people were immediately evacuated from their houses

3,000 residents lost their houses due to the flooding

Furthermore, over 55 municipalities in South Brazil are also affected. Residents are advised to check the weather and flooding before returning home.

As of Friday (September 8, 2023), rescue operations were present to assist weather-affected residents and to find missing people over the South of Brazil.

Helicopters, eight military aircraft and emergency personnel also helped with the rescue, especially when most roads were flooded.

On June 19's report, parts of the Rio Grande do Sul were hit by a powerful cyclone with 13 casualties.

5,000 houses were damaged.

84,000 people suffered from power outages

Food baskets and medicine kits

In the Rio Grande do Sul, the reconstruction of damaged buildings could likely reach 100 million reais ($20 million).

Meanwhile, Vice President Geraldo Alckmin said the government would immediately help affected residents with the following assistance:

20,000 food baskets

15,000 medicine kits

800 reais ($167) for residents who lost their homes

Also Read: Global Impact of Extreme Weather Events: Climate Change Can Intensify Frequent Hurricanes, Drought, Wildfires

Climate change could likely the culprit

Experts said that the cyclones in Brazil had become more frequent. Alckmin explained that the events could be a result of climate change.

Nature World News (NWN) reported climate change impacts on extreme weather events. It can rapidly intensify tropical storms, hurricanes, and other extreme weather events.

Researchers explained that the warmer sea surface temperatures could likely help intensify the severe weather events.

As a result, better weather prediction is crucial to prepare for possible stormy conditions. Efficient coordination with local, regional and national forecasting is essential to help communities evacuate.

Furthermore, homeowners should stay updated with the weather forecasts in their areas or communities.

Limiting outdoor activities during the storm is also recommended, as slower commutes and travel disruptions are possible.

As storms become more frequent, keeping emergency kits at home could be helpful during evacuations and widespread power outages.

Related Article: Powerful Hurricane Jova Likely to Bring Rough Surf, Rip Currents to Southern California, Mexico

For more similar stories, don't forget to follow Nature World News.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 9. The only way to achieve peace and stability in the region is the complete withdrawal of the Armenian armed forces from the Karabakh region of Azerbaijan, and the dissolution of the separatist regime, Trend reports.

The Azerbaijani MFA has made the remark in its statement in connection with the illegal activities of the separatist regime created by Armenia in the Karabakh region of Azerbaijan.

"The Republic of Azerbaijan urges all members of the international community, in accordance with their obligations within international law, to make a correct political assessment on the steps directed against the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, to take effective measures to prevent Armenia from taking steps that endanger the fragile normalization efforts in the region, and to strongly condemn the illegal activities named as elections," said the ministry.
Shruti R By

Online Desk

It has been six years since activist and journalist Gauri Lankesh, an outspoken critic of the right, was brutally shot dead in Bengaluru. Although the chargesheet was filed years ago, the trial only began in July 2022  and the pace has been slow.

We need more court time. Five days a month is not enough. We have 400 eyewitnesses left to testify and be examined, says Kavitha Lankesh, sister of Gowri Lankesh, and first informant in the case.

Editor of the Kannada tabloid Gauri Lankesh Patrike, Gauri Lankesh was walking back home, which was just feet away, when she was shot dead by a gunman on the evening of September 5, 2017. Spontaneous demonstrations subsequently erupted all over Bangalore and elsewhere.

The framing of charges had been delayed for over two years on account of COVID and applications filed by the accused.

Since the case went to trial, charges have been framed against 18 accused while 17 have been arrested.

The trial started in July 2022, and since then five days in a month, we go to the courts. 3-4 witnesses are examined at a time, said Shivsundar, an activist and close associate of Gauri Lankesh.

Since February 2023, the trial has been on camera because of certain disturbances. The depositions are available on the website. The prosecution is doing its best but unless a special court is constituted this will take a very long time. Exclusive time has to be given to this case, he said.

From August 2022 to August 2023, only 83 witnesses have been examined. The trial is going at a very slow pace. We had asked former CM Bommai and CM Siddaramaiah to help expedite it. We will be asking again, he added.

Prof. VS Sridhar, a member of the Gauri Memorial Trust, says, We are happy that the trial is on, and with the investigation, but not with the speed at which it is being carried out. We are planning a meeting of all the trust members to approach CM Siddaramaiah soon asking for a speedy trial or a special court. The ultimate purpose is to see justice done to Gowri.

ALSO READ | Was there 'common thread' in murders of Dabholkar, Pansare, Lankesh and Kalburgi? SC to CBI

Talking about the trial and the memorial held on Gauri Lankeshs anniversary, Kavitha Lankesh said, The memorial we had on September 5 was a great tribute to Gowri. CM Siddaramaiah was present and spoke at the function. He said Gowri will get justice. Gowri would have very much liked it.

She added, We are seeking a speedy trial. We are planning to meet the CM and Home Minister by November.

Case timeline and arrests:

On the evening of September 5, 2017, Gauri Lankesh was walking back home from work when she was shot dead.

CCTV footage accessed by the police from her residence showed one assailant firing shots at Gauri in the portico of her house. The bullets pierced Lankesh while the killers escaped shortly.

Soon, an SIT was formed to probe the case.

The killer arrived on a motorcycle with an accomplice who has been identified by the SIT as Ganesh Miskin alias Mithun, 35.

Between 2018 and 2020, the SIT arrested 17 of the 18 accused. All 17 were also booked under the stringent Karnataka Control of Organised Crime Act (KCOCA).

Among the 18 accused  Vikas Patil alias Dada (Big Brother) alias Nihal (A-15)  remains absconding.

On May 2018, Amol Kale, the main accused in planning Gauris murder and recruiting shooters from far-right groups, was arrested along with two other men.

On June 20th 2018, Parashuram Waghmare, the man identified as the shooter in the case, was arrested. According to the SIT, Parashuram Waghmare confessed to the murder of Gauri Lankesh.

In July 2018, Ganesh Miskin was arrested. He was recruited by Amol Kale. Miskin was the motorcycle rider who ferried Parashuram Waghmare for the murder of Gauri. He has also been named as the shooter in the August 30, 2015 murder of Kannada scholar MM Kalburgi.

A forensics report on September 13, 2017 indicated that the same gun used on Lankesh was used to kill scholar MM Kalburgi at his home in Dharwad on August 30, 2015. The same gun was also found to have been allegedly used to shoot down Govind Pansare (81), a politician from the CPI, in Kolhapur, Maharashtra, on February 16, 2015.

A second gun used in the Pansare shooting was found to match the one used to shoot down Maharashtra rationalist Narendra Dabholkar (69) in Pune on August 20, 2013.

In 2018, the SIT submitted the chargesheet against 18 people including Waghmare, with alleged links to Sanatan Sanstha and other smaller far-right fringe groups.

The accused were allegedly trained by a right-wing group in using guns and explosives. They had allegedly created a syndicate to carry out killings mainly in Karnataka and Maharashtra between 2013 and 2018.

Since the trial, the special court has examined more than 80 of the over 400 witnesses in the case.

Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp

It has been six years since activist and journalist Gauri Lankesh, an outspoken critic of the right, was brutally shot dead in Bengaluru. Although the chargesheet was filed years ago, the trial only began in July 2022  and the pace has been slow. We need more court time. Five days a month is not enough. We have 400 eyewitnesses left to testify and be examined, says Kavitha Lankesh, sister of Gowri Lankesh, and first informant in the case. Editor of the Kannada tabloid Gauri Lankesh Patrike, Gauri Lankesh was walking back home, which was just feet away, when she was shot dead by a gunman on the evening of September 5, 2017. Spontaneous demonstrations subsequently erupted all over Bangalore and elsewhere.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The framing of charges had been delayed for over two years on account of COVID and applications filed by the accused. Since the case went to trial, charges have been framed against 18 accused while 17 have been arrested. The trial started in July 2022, and since then five days in a month, we go to the courts. 3-4 witnesses are examined at a time, said Shivsundar, an activist and close associate of Gauri Lankesh. Since February 2023, the trial has been on camera because of certain disturbances. The depositions are available on the website. The prosecution is doing its best but unless a special court is constituted this will take a very long time. Exclusive time has to be given to this case, he said. From August 2022 to August 2023, only 83 witnesses have been examined. The trial is going at a very slow pace. We had asked former CM Bommai and CM Siddaramaiah to help expedite it. We will be asking again, he added. Prof. VS Sridhar, a member of the Gauri Memorial Trust, says, We are happy that the trial is on, and with the investigation, but not with the speed at which it is being carried out. We are planning a meeting of all the trust members to approach CM Siddaramaiah soon asking for a speedy trial or a special court. The ultimate purpose is to see justice done to Gowri. ALSO READ | Was there 'common thread' in murders of Dabholkar, Pansare, Lankesh and Kalburgi? SC to CBI Talking about the trial and the memorial held on Gauri Lankeshs anniversary, Kavitha Lankesh said, The memorial we had on September 5 was a great tribute to Gowri. CM Siddaramaiah was present and spoke at the function. He said Gowri will get justice. Gowri would have very much liked it. She added, We are seeking a speedy trial. We are planning to meet the CM and Home Minister by November. Case timeline and arrests: On the evening of September 5, 2017, Gauri Lankesh was walking back home from work when she was shot dead. CCTV footage accessed by the police from her residence showed one assailant firing shots at Gauri in the portico of her house. The bullets pierced Lankesh while the killers escaped shortly. Soon, an SIT was formed to probe the case. The killer arrived on a motorcycle with an accomplice who has been identified by the SIT as Ganesh Miskin alias Mithun, 35. Between 2018 and 2020, the SIT arrested 17 of the 18 accused. All 17 were also booked under the stringent Karnataka Control of Organised Crime Act (KCOCA). Among the 18 accused  Vikas Patil alias Dada (Big Brother) alias Nihal (A-15)  remains absconding. On May 2018, Amol Kale, the main accused in planning Gauris murder and recruiting shooters from far-right groups, was arrested along with two other men. On June 20th 2018, Parashuram Waghmare, the man identified as the shooter in the case, was arrested. According to the SIT, Parashuram Waghmare confessed to the murder of Gauri Lankesh. In July 2018, Ganesh Miskin was arrested. He was recruited by Amol Kale. Miskin was the motorcycle rider who ferried Parashuram Waghmare for the murder of Gauri. He has also been named as the shooter in the August 30, 2015 murder of Kannada scholar MM Kalburgi. A forensics report on September 13, 2017 indicated that the same gun used on Lankesh was used to kill scholar MM Kalburgi at his home in Dharwad on August 30, 2015. The same gun was also found to have been allegedly used to shoot down Govind Pansare (81), a politician from the CPI, in Kolhapur, Maharashtra, on February 16, 2015. A second gun used in the Pansare shooting was found to match the one used to shoot down Maharashtra rationalist Narendra Dabholkar (69) in Pune on August 20, 2013. In 2018, the SIT submitted the chargesheet against 18 people including Waghmare, with alleged links to Sanatan Sanstha and other smaller far-right fringe groups. The accused were allegedly trained by a right-wing group in using guns and explosives. They had allegedly created a syndicate to carry out killings mainly in Karnataka and Maharashtra between 2013 and 2018. Since the trial, the special court has examined more than 80 of the over 400 witnesses in the case. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
By PTI

JALNA: Quota activist Manoj Jarange hardened his position on Saturday asserting that his fast will go on till Marathas in Maharashtra get Kunbi certificates under the OBC category and threatened to stop taking water and medicines from Sunday.

Jarange, whose hunger strike at Antarwali Sarati village in Jalna district for reservation for the community in government jobs and education entered the 12th day, also rejected the fresh outcome of talks held with a delegation of Maratha community leaders and the government late Friday night in Mumbai.

"Our demand is that the Maratha community in Maharashtra get Kunbi caste certificates," Jarange said.

Earlier this week, the Maharashtra cabinet decided that Kunbi caste certificates would be issued to those Marathas hailing from the Marathwada region who possess revenue or education documents from the Nizam era that recognise them as Kunbis.

Announcing the cabinet decision, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said that he would also speak with his Telangana counterpart for any help in this matter.

Based on the cabinet decision, a Government Resolution (GR) was issued on September 7, but it failed to placate Jarange.

Kunbis, a community associated with agriculture, are grouped under the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category in Maharashtra and enjoy reservation benefits in education and government jobs.

The Marathwada region was part of the erstwhile Hyderabad kingdom before it became part of Maharashtra.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and deputy Chief Ministers Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar met a delegation of Maratha leaders on Friday night following which a sealed envelope was sent to Jarange.

However, he was not pleased with the outcome of the meeting.

ALSO READ | Maharashtra govt issues resolution to recognize Marathas with pre-Nizam era documents as Kunbi

Jarange said they had suggested that the GR be revised to give Kunbi caste certificates to the Maratha community across Maharashtra.

"That did not happen," he said.

The GR brought by the government earlier this week states that one has to give genealogy documents and evidence for procuring the Kunbi certificate and this was also subject to a report by a panel formed by the government to look into the issue.

Jarange has made three more demands apart from seeking revision in the September 7 GR.

The activist has said that the government had brought out a GR in 2004 recognising Kunbis, Maratha-Kunbis and Kunbi-Marathas as OBCs (Other Backward Classes) but it was too rigid and did not benefit those who deserved quota.

He has asked the government to amend that GR.

He has also demanded action against those policemen who lathi-charged protesters in Jalna district last week and the withdrawal of police cases against the agitators.

The Maratha quota matter snowballed into a major challenge for the state government after the police last week baton-charged a violent mob at Antarwali Sarati when protesters allegedly refused to let authorities shift Jarange to the hospital.

Several persons, including 40 police personnel, were injured and more than 15 state transport buses were set ablaze in the violence.

The police action in Jalna triggered more protests by the community across the state and a war of words between the ruling dispensation and the opposition.

Amid the developments, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said on Monday that the government regretted the use of force.

Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp

JALNA: Quota activist Manoj Jarange hardened his position on Saturday asserting that his fast will go on till Marathas in Maharashtra get Kunbi certificates under the OBC category and threatened to stop taking water and medicines from Sunday. Jarange, whose hunger strike at Antarwali Sarati village in Jalna district for reservation for the community in government jobs and education entered the 12th day, also rejected the fresh outcome of talks held with a delegation of Maratha community leaders and the government late Friday night in Mumbai. "Our demand is that the Maratha community in Maharashtra get Kunbi caste certificates," Jarange said.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Earlier this week, the Maharashtra cabinet decided that Kunbi caste certificates would be issued to those Marathas hailing from the Marathwada region who possess revenue or education documents from the Nizam era that recognise them as Kunbis. Announcing the cabinet decision, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said that he would also speak with his Telangana counterpart for any help in this matter. Based on the cabinet decision, a Government Resolution (GR) was issued on September 7, but it failed to placate Jarange. Kunbis, a community associated with agriculture, are grouped under the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category in Maharashtra and enjoy reservation benefits in education and government jobs. The Marathwada region was part of the erstwhile Hyderabad kingdom before it became part of Maharashtra. Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and deputy Chief Ministers Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar met a delegation of Maratha leaders on Friday night following which a sealed envelope was sent to Jarange. However, he was not pleased with the outcome of the meeting. ALSO READ | Maharashtra govt issues resolution to recognize Marathas with pre-Nizam era documents as Kunbi Jarange said they had suggested that the GR be revised to give Kunbi caste certificates to the Maratha community across Maharashtra. "That did not happen," he said. The GR brought by the government earlier this week states that one has to give genealogy documents and evidence for procuring the Kunbi certificate and this was also subject to a report by a panel formed by the government to look into the issue. Jarange has made three more demands apart from seeking revision in the September 7 GR. The activist has said that the government had brought out a GR in 2004 recognising Kunbis, Maratha-Kunbis and Kunbi-Marathas as OBCs (Other Backward Classes) but it was too rigid and did not benefit those who deserved quota. He has asked the government to amend that GR. He has also demanded action against those policemen who lathi-charged protesters in Jalna district last week and the withdrawal of police cases against the agitators. The Maratha quota matter snowballed into a major challenge for the state government after the police last week baton-charged a violent mob at Antarwali Sarati when protesters allegedly refused to let authorities shift Jarange to the hospital. Several persons, including 40 police personnel, were injured and more than 15 state transport buses were set ablaze in the violence. The police action in Jalna triggered more protests by the community across the state and a war of words between the ruling dispensation and the opposition. Amid the developments, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said on Monday that the government regretted the use of force. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
Harpreet Bajwa By

Express News Service

CHANDIGARH: Since the Taliban return and India re-opening dialogue channels with the radical regime, there appears more to New Delhis engagement. Onions and garlic are being imported this season from Afghanistan through the Integrated Check-Post (ICP) at the Attari-Wagah border.

Dry fruits, too, are coming in with abundance from the war-torn country. The prices, however, remain on the higher side as Indias festival season has started and orders for Diwali are being placed in advance swiftly. ICP sources said at least one truckload of onions is coming into India after a gap of about three years. One truck carries 20-40 tonnes (20,000 to 40,000 kg) of the kitchen staple as it makes its way from the wholesale market of Kabul to reach ICP via Pakistan.

The crop costs between around Rs 22-24 per kg. The garlic import is much more: at least 10 trucks of the Indian seasoner arrive daily. A kg of it is between Rs 80-140. The reason for a cheaper import is attributed to the damage to the crops on the Indian side due to untimely rain and hailstorms. Most of these vegetables are imported by traders in Punjab and Delhi. They book their consignments with their counterparts in Afghanistan. In about two weeks, the consignment arrives.

Talking with this newspaper, Satish Dhyani, manager at Land Port Authority of India at the ICP said of the 50-55 trucks arriving from Afghanistan, at least 15 carry garlic, a couple of them ferry onions, and the rest carry dry fruits. About 1,110 tons of various kinds of agricultural material are pouring into India daily. Before mid-August, it was a meagre 450 tonnes, said Dhyani.

The ICP infrastructure has been upgraded; the passenger terminal is centrally air-conditioned. The power supply to ICP is through solar panels. So, our electricity bill is low, he said. Anil Mehra, a dry fruit merchant based in Amritsar told this newspaper that the prices are on a higher side this season and have not dipped as the crop yield was poor last year in Afghanistan. Almonds from Afghanistan come for Rs 700 per kg, while anjeer (fig) is sold between Rs 750 to Rs 850 per kg. These orders are mainly from Mumbai, Delhi and Indore, sources said.



Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp

CHANDIGARH: Since the Taliban return and India re-opening dialogue channels with the radical regime, there appears more to New Delhis engagement. Onions and garlic are being imported this season from Afghanistan through the Integrated Check-Post (ICP) at the Attari-Wagah border. Dry fruits, too, are coming in with abundance from the war-torn country. The prices, however, remain on the higher side as Indias festival season has started and orders for Diwali are being placed in advance swiftly. ICP sources said at least one truckload of onions is coming into India after a gap of about three years. One truck carries 20-40 tonnes (20,000 to 40,000 kg) of the kitchen staple as it makes its way from the wholesale market of Kabul to reach ICP via Pakistan. The crop costs between around Rs 22-24 per kg. The garlic import is much more: at least 10 trucks of the Indian seasoner arrive daily. A kg of it is between Rs 80-140. The reason for a cheaper import is attributed to the damage to the crops on the Indian side due to untimely rain and hailstorms. Most of these vegetables are imported by traders in Punjab and Delhi. They book their consignments with their counterparts in Afghanistan. In about two weeks, the consignment arrives.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Talking with this newspaper, Satish Dhyani, manager at Land Port Authority of India at the ICP said of the 50-55 trucks arriving from Afghanistan, at least 15 carry garlic, a couple of them ferry onions, and the rest carry dry fruits. About 1,110 tons of various kinds of agricultural material are pouring into India daily. Before mid-August, it was a meagre 450 tonnes, said Dhyani. The ICP infrastructure has been upgraded; the passenger terminal is centrally air-conditioned. The power supply to ICP is through solar panels. So, our electricity bill is low, he said. Anil Mehra, a dry fruit merchant based in Amritsar told this newspaper that the prices are on a higher side this season and have not dipped as the crop yield was poor last year in Afghanistan. Almonds from Afghanistan come for Rs 700 per kg, while anjeer (fig) is sold between Rs 750 to Rs 850 per kg. These orders are mainly from Mumbai, Delhi and Indore, sources said. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 9. The number of provocations committed by units of the Armenian Armed Forces as well as Armenian separatist troops on the territory of Azerbaijan, where the Russian peacekeeping contingent is temporarily stationed, has increased recently, Azerbaijani Defense Minister Colonel-General Zakir Hasanov said, Trend reports.

Zakir Hasanov received a delegation of the armed forces of Iran headed by Major General Mohammad Ahadi, who is on a visit to Azerbaijan to participate in the meeting of the Azerbaijani-Iranian joint military commission.

The minister gave information about the reconstruction and construction works carried out under the leadership of the President of Azerbaijan and Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Ilham Aliyev in the territories liberated from occupation, as well as about the operational situation on the Azerbaijani-Armenian conditional border and in the Karabakh Economic Region.

He said that the number of provocations committed by units of the Armenian armed forces as well as Armenian separatist troops on the territory of Azerbaijan, where the Russian peacekeeping contingent is temporarily stationed, has recently increased, and these provocations are immediately and decisively prevented by units of the Azerbaijani army.
By PTI

NEW DELHI: The African Union on Saturday joined the G20 after all member countries accepted Prime Minister Narendra Modi's proposal to bring the key bloc of the Global South to the high table of the world's top economies, a major diplomatic achievement of India's presidency.

In his inaugural remarks at the G20 summit, Modi asked the President of the Union of Comoros and Chairperson of the African Union (AU), Azali Assoumani, to join other leaders at the high table, making the 55-member bloc the second multi-nation grouping after the European Union to be a permanent member of the G20.

"In keeping with the sentiment of 'sabka saath' (with everyone), India had proposed that the African Union should be given permanent membership of the G20. I believe we all are in agreement on this proposal," Modi said.

"Before moving forward with the proceedings, I would like to invite the president of the African Union to take his place as a permanent member of the G20," he said amid thunderous applause by world leaders gathered at the Bharat Mandapam, the venue of the Summit.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar then escorted Assoumani to take his seat at the G20 high table.

Before taking his seat, Assoumani shared a warm handshake and hug with Prime Minister Modi.

In a post on X later, the Prime Minister's Office said, "Advancing a more inclusive G20 that echoes the aspirations of the Global South! PM @narendramodi extends a heartfelt welcome to President @_AfricanUnion and the President of Comoros Azali Assoumani. Thrilled to have the African Union as a permanent member. A milestone for the G20 family indeed," it said.

In an interview ahead of the G20 Summit, Modi had said India backs the inclusion of the African Union as a full member of the Group of 20 largest economies as no plan for the future of the planet can be successful without the representation and recognition of all voices.

Africa is "top priority" for India and that it works for the inclusion of those in global affairs who feel their voices are not being heard, Modi had said.

In the last few years, India has been positioning itself as a leading voice, flagging concerns, challenges and aspirations of the Global South, or developing nations, especially the African continent.

"I would like to draw your attention to the theme of our G20 presidency -- 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam -- One Earth, One Family, One Future'. It is not just a slogan but a comprehensive philosophy that is derived from our cultural ethos," Modi said during the wide-ranging interview.

The prime minister was leading from the front on the issue of the African Union's membership of the G20.

In June, Modi wrote to G20 leaders to pitch for the African Union's full membership of the grouping at its New Delhi summit. Weeks later, the proposal was formally included in the draft communique for the summit during the third G20 Sherpas meeting in Hampi, Karnataka, in July.

The Addis Ababa-headquartered African Union (AU) comprises the 55 member states that make up the countries of the African Continent.

It was officially launched in 2002 as a successor to the Organisation of African Unity, Africa's first post-independence continental institution set up in 1963 with 32 members.

Collectively, African Union member states have a GDP of nearly USD 3 trillion and a population of around 1.4 billion.

US President Joe Biden, Chancellor Olaf Scholz, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, his Italian counterpart Giorgia Meloni, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva are among those attending the two-day Summit.

Chiefs of many leading global bodies such as the United Nations, International Monetary Fund, World Bank and World Health Organisation are also participating in the conference.

After assuming the presidency of the bloc on December 1, India held around 200 meetings related to the G20 across the country on a range of its priority areas.

The G20 member countries represent around 85 per cent of the global GDP, over 75 per cent of the global trade, and about two-thirds of the world population.

Besides the African Union, the G20 grouping comprises Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, the UK, the US and the European Union (EU).

The G20 was founded in 1999 after a financial crisis as a forum for the finance ministers and Central bank governors to discuss global economic and financial issues.

It was upgraded to the level of heads of states and governments in the wake of the global economic and financial crisis of 2007. In 2009, it was designated the "premier forum for international economic cooperation".

The G20 Summit is held annually, under the leadership of a rotating presidency.

Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp

NEW DELHI: The African Union on Saturday joined the G20 after all member countries accepted Prime Minister Narendra Modi's proposal to bring the key bloc of the Global South to the high table of the world's top economies, a major diplomatic achievement of India's presidency. In his inaugural remarks at the G20 summit, Modi asked the President of the Union of Comoros and Chairperson of the African Union (AU), Azali Assoumani, to join other leaders at the high table, making the 55-member bloc the second multi-nation grouping after the European Union to be a permanent member of the G20. "In keeping with the sentiment of 'sabka saath' (with everyone), India had proposed that the African Union should be given permanent membership of the G20. I believe we all are in agreement on this proposal," Modi said.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); "Before moving forward with the proceedings, I would like to invite the president of the African Union to take his place as a permanent member of the G20," he said amid thunderous applause by world leaders gathered at the Bharat Mandapam, the venue of the Summit. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar then escorted Assoumani to take his seat at the G20 high table. Before taking his seat, Assoumani shared a warm handshake and hug with Prime Minister Modi. In a post on X later, the Prime Minister's Office said, "Advancing a more inclusive G20 that echoes the aspirations of the Global South! PM @narendramodi extends a heartfelt welcome to President @_AfricanUnion and the President of Comoros Azali Assoumani. Thrilled to have the African Union as a permanent member. A milestone for the G20 family indeed," it said. In an interview ahead of the G20 Summit, Modi had said India backs the inclusion of the African Union as a full member of the Group of 20 largest economies as no plan for the future of the planet can be successful without the representation and recognition of all voices. Africa is "top priority" for India and that it works for the inclusion of those in global affairs who feel their voices are not being heard, Modi had said. In the last few years, India has been positioning itself as a leading voice, flagging concerns, challenges and aspirations of the Global South, or developing nations, especially the African continent. "I would like to draw your attention to the theme of our G20 presidency -- 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam -- One Earth, One Family, One Future'. It is not just a slogan but a comprehensive philosophy that is derived from our cultural ethos," Modi said during the wide-ranging interview. The prime minister was leading from the front on the issue of the African Union's membership of the G20. In June, Modi wrote to G20 leaders to pitch for the African Union's full membership of the grouping at its New Delhi summit. Weeks later, the proposal was formally included in the draft communique for the summit during the third G20 Sherpas meeting in Hampi, Karnataka, in July. The Addis Ababa-headquartered African Union (AU) comprises the 55 member states that make up the countries of the African Continent. It was officially launched in 2002 as a successor to the Organisation of African Unity, Africa's first post-independence continental institution set up in 1963 with 32 members. Collectively, African Union member states have a GDP of nearly USD 3 trillion and a population of around 1.4 billion. US President Joe Biden, Chancellor Olaf Scholz, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, his Italian counterpart Giorgia Meloni, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva are among those attending the two-day Summit. Chiefs of many leading global bodies such as the United Nations, International Monetary Fund, World Bank and World Health Organisation are also participating in the conference. After assuming the presidency of the bloc on December 1, India held around 200 meetings related to the G20 across the country on a range of its priority areas. The G20 member countries represent around 85 per cent of the global GDP, over 75 per cent of the global trade, and about two-thirds of the world population. Besides the African Union, the G20 grouping comprises Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, the UK, the US and the European Union (EU). The G20 was founded in 1999 after a financial crisis as a forum for the finance ministers and Central bank governors to discuss global economic and financial issues. It was upgraded to the level of heads of states and governments in the wake of the global economic and financial crisis of 2007. In 2009, it was designated the "premier forum for international economic cooperation". The G20 Summit is held annually, under the leadership of a rotating presidency. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
By PTI

GUWAHATI: The Assam government will recommend to the Centre for the complete withdrawal of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 or AFSPA from the state from October 1, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said.

In view of the significant improvement in the security situation of the state, the cabinet approved the recommendation for the withdrawal of AFSPA from the remaining eight districts of the state, Sarma said late on Friday night.

"The final decision, however, will be taken by the Government of India," he added.

The AFSPA empowers security forces to conduct operations and arrest anyone without any prior warrant besides giving immunity from arrest and prosecution to the security forces if they shoot someone dead.

The state cabinet also approved an additional Rs 41.77 crore for developing infrastructure for the newly-raised 2nd battalion of the Assam Police in Hailakandi, 4th battalion in Sivasagar and 5th Battalion in Biswanath, Sarma said.

The cabinet also decided to provide a one-time financial aid of Rs 10 crore to the Himachal Pradesh government from the Chief Minister's Relief Fund to deal with the devastation caused by the heavy rains and floods.

This aid will help alleviate the sufferings caused by the monsoons and support the Himachal Pradesh government's efforts to provide immediate relief and rehabilitation in the affected areas, Sarma said.

The cabinet also approved the creation of 79 subdivisions, to be known as sub-districts, with geographical limits that would be co-terminus with the boundaries of assembly constituencies, he said.

The existing civil sub-divisions, except under Bodoland Territorial Region districts and sixth schedule districts of Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao districts, will cease to exist.

This will ensure effective governance and bring public administration closer to the people, the chief minister said.

The cabinet also decided to amend the Assam Disaster Management Manual for revising the annual flood season in the state from May 1 to October 31, and rationalisation of the fodder rate for flood-affected livestock, he said.

The cabinet decided to upgrade seven colleges to universities in line with NEP 2020, he said. The cabinet also gave its nod to the declaration of the Charaideo archaeological site and 17 monuments located in its buffer area as protected monuments.

Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp

GUWAHATI: The Assam government will recommend to the Centre for the complete withdrawal of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 or AFSPA from the state from October 1, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said. In view of the significant improvement in the security situation of the state, the cabinet approved the recommendation for the withdrawal of AFSPA from the remaining eight districts of the state, Sarma said late on Friday night. "The final decision, however, will be taken by the Government of India," he added.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The AFSPA empowers security forces to conduct operations and arrest anyone without any prior warrant besides giving immunity from arrest and prosecution to the security forces if they shoot someone dead. The state cabinet also approved an additional Rs 41.77 crore for developing infrastructure for the newly-raised 2nd battalion of the Assam Police in Hailakandi, 4th battalion in Sivasagar and 5th Battalion in Biswanath, Sarma said. The cabinet also decided to provide a one-time financial aid of Rs 10 crore to the Himachal Pradesh government from the Chief Minister's Relief Fund to deal with the devastation caused by the heavy rains and floods. This aid will help alleviate the sufferings caused by the monsoons and support the Himachal Pradesh government's efforts to provide immediate relief and rehabilitation in the affected areas, Sarma said. The cabinet also approved the creation of 79 subdivisions, to be known as sub-districts, with geographical limits that would be co-terminus with the boundaries of assembly constituencies, he said. The existing civil sub-divisions, except under Bodoland Territorial Region districts and sixth schedule districts of Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao districts, will cease to exist. This will ensure effective governance and bring public administration closer to the people, the chief minister said. The cabinet also decided to amend the Assam Disaster Management Manual for revising the annual flood season in the state from May 1 to October 31, and rationalisation of the fodder rate for flood-affected livestock, he said. The cabinet decided to upgrade seven colleges to universities in line with NEP 2020, he said. The cabinet also gave its nod to the declaration of the Charaideo archaeological site and 17 monuments located in its buffer area as protected monuments. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
Rajesh Kumar Thakur By

Express News Service

NEW DELHI: On the eve of the commencement of the G20 Summit on Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while outlining the expected outcomes of the meet, stated that the G20 would chart a new path toward human-centric and inclusive development.

Just hours before his meetings with the US President and other foreign dignitaries for bilateral discussions on Friday, Modi announced that he would be chairing sessions on One Earth, One Family and One Future, covering a wide range of issues.

Taking to X (formerly Twitter), shortly after the arrival of British PM Rishi Sunak along with his India-born wife Akshata Sunak, Modi expressed his anticipation of a fruitful summit to collaboratively work towards a better planet.

Subsequently, he remarked, India is delighted to host the 18th G20 Summit on September 9 at New Delhis iconic Bharat Mandapam. This marks the first-ever G20 Summit hosted by India. I look forward to productive discussions with world leaders over the next two days, he said.

Quoting Mahatma Gandhis mission, the PM further stated, India places great emphasis on a human-centric approach to progress. It is essential to emulate Gandhis mission of serving the underprivileged, especially those at the very end of the queue. He also mentioned that he would be chairing discussions on various issues, including the promotion of strong, sustainable, inclusive, and balanced growth.

We aim to accelerate progress toward Sustainable Development Goals, the Green Development Pact for a Sustainable Future, and strengthening multilateral institutions for 21st century, the Prime Minister said, adding that Collectively, we will work towards furthering gender equality, empowering women, and ensuring world peace.

ALSO READ | G20 Summit: Receive delegates with message 'welcome to sacred land of Bharat', Centre to ministers

Elaborating on the essence of Indias G20 Presidency theme, the PM stated, Rooted in our cultural ethos, Indias G20 Presidency theme Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam  One Earth, One Family, One Future deeply resonates with our worldview that the entire world is one family.

ALSO READ | Human-centric Globalisation: Taking G20 to the last mile, leaving none behind

Heard in the corridor

Biden arrives, spreads cheer

US President Joe Biden was in great spirits on his arrival in New Delhi. When Minister VK Singh welcomed him, Biden thanked him with a wide smile. During the chat that followed, he was seen bursting into laughter many times. Then he spotted an unusual guest  US ambassador to India, Eric Garcetti, had brought along his daughter. Biden hugged the girl and quite affectionately asked her how she was doing, to which she replied, Very nice, sir. He displayed a great sense of humour, making all of us laugh. He made us feel as if we were old acquaintances, said an official.

IMF chief shakes a leg upon arrival

The global leaders arriving for the summit in New Delhi are being welcomed by traditional Indian dance performances by various troupes. When IMF chief Kristalina Georgieva arrived, the cultural team showcased a traditional folk dance to the tunes of a Sambalpuri song. A smiling Georgieva danced to the beat of the music at the airport. Prime Minister Modi said he appreciated the affection she has shown for Indias culture when she landed here.

I am a proud Hindu, says Sunak

Union minister Ashwini Choubey greeted British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak with a Jai Siyaram. Choubey, introducing himself, said he hailed from Bihars Buxar, where Lord Ram and Laxman killed the demon Tadka. O great! Thats so much pious to hear, Sunak remarked. He was informed that he had come to his sasural (in-laws home) and his wife was Bharat ki beti (Indias daughter). Choubey gifted him a garland of rudraksha, a copy of Bhagwat Gita and a copy of Hanuman Chalisa. I am a proud Hindu, Sunak later remarked, pointing to his roots.

On the menu: Pearl Peas Soup

As the G20 Summit unfolds in all its glory, the Ashoks Culinary Team has embarked on an exciting journey of culinary innovation. The dedicated chefs have meticulously crafted a range of unique recipes for the distinguished dignitaries. The team has developed extraordinary recipes such as pearl peas soup, jowar anjeer ke kofte, falafel in pita pockets served with hummus, grilled salmon in south Indian style curry leaf marination, bao (steamed buns with exotic fillings) and amaranth jalebi with thandai rabdi.

Garden of garlands at Lutyens Delhi

Trees lining the roads leading to the G20 venue Bharat Mandapam and the delegates hotels have been decorated with garlands of yellow flowers. More than 1,000 quintals of flowers were brought in for this, sources said. Lutyens Delhi resembles a big colourful garden with thousands of garlands made of marigold, chrysanthemum, daisy and asparagus mary. About 20 flower boards are displayed at the venue with the G20 logo and slogan Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam  One Earth, One Family, One Future.

(Compiled by Rajesh Kumar Thakur and Parvez Sultan)

Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp

NEW DELHI: On the eve of the commencement of the G20 Summit on Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while outlining the expected outcomes of the meet, stated that the G20 would chart a new path toward human-centric and inclusive development. Just hours before his meetings with the US President and other foreign dignitaries for bilateral discussions on Friday, Modi announced that he would be chairing sessions on One Earth, One Family and One Future, covering a wide range of issues. Taking to X (formerly Twitter), shortly after the arrival of British PM Rishi Sunak along with his India-born wife Akshata Sunak, Modi expressed his anticipation of a fruitful summit to collaboratively work towards a better planet.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Subsequently, he remarked, India is delighted to host the 18th G20 Summit on September 9 at New Delhis iconic Bharat Mandapam. This marks the first-ever G20 Summit hosted by India. I look forward to productive discussions with world leaders over the next two days, he said. Quoting Mahatma Gandhis mission, the PM further stated, India places great emphasis on a human-centric approach to progress. It is essential to emulate Gandhis mission of serving the underprivileged, especially those at the very end of the queue. He also mentioned that he would be chairing discussions on various issues, including the promotion of strong, sustainable, inclusive, and balanced growth. We aim to accelerate progress toward Sustainable Development Goals, the Green Development Pact for a Sustainable Future, and strengthening multilateral institutions for 21st century, the Prime Minister said, adding that Collectively, we will work towards furthering gender equality, empowering women, and ensuring world peace. ALSO READ | G20 Summit: Receive delegates with message 'welcome to sacred land of Bharat', Centre to ministers Elaborating on the essence of Indias G20 Presidency theme, the PM stated, Rooted in our cultural ethos, Indias G20 Presidency theme Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam  One Earth, One Family, One Future deeply resonates with our worldview that the entire world is one family. ALSO READ | Human-centric Globalisation: Taking G20 to the last mile, leaving none behind Heard in the corridor Biden arrives, spreads cheer US President Joe Biden was in great spirits on his arrival in New Delhi. When Minister VK Singh welcomed him, Biden thanked him with a wide smile. During the chat that followed, he was seen bursting into laughter many times. Then he spotted an unusual guest  US ambassador to India, Eric Garcetti, had brought along his daughter. Biden hugged the girl and quite affectionately asked her how she was doing, to which she replied, Very nice, sir. He displayed a great sense of humour, making all of us laugh. He made us feel as if we were old acquaintances, said an official. IMF chief shakes a leg upon arrival The global leaders arriving for the summit in New Delhi are being welcomed by traditional Indian dance performances by various troupes. When IMF chief Kristalina Georgieva arrived, the cultural team showcased a traditional folk dance to the tunes of a Sambalpuri song. A smiling Georgieva danced to the beat of the music at the airport. Prime Minister Modi said he appreciated the affection she has shown for Indias culture when she landed here. I am a proud Hindu, says Sunak Union minister Ashwini Choubey greeted British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak with a Jai Siyaram. Choubey, introducing himself, said he hailed from Bihars Buxar, where Lord Ram and Laxman killed the demon Tadka. O great! Thats so much pious to hear, Sunak remarked. He was informed that he had come to his sasural (in-laws home) and his wife was Bharat ki beti (Indias daughter). Choubey gifted him a garland of rudraksha, a copy of Bhagwat Gita and a copy of Hanuman Chalisa. I am a proud Hindu, Sunak later remarked, pointing to his roots. On the menu: Pearl Peas Soup As the G20 Summit unfolds in all its glory, the Ashoks Culinary Team has embarked on an exciting journey of culinary innovation. The dedicated chefs have meticulously crafted a range of unique recipes for the distinguished dignitaries. The team has developed extraordinary recipes such as pearl peas soup, jowar anjeer ke kofte, falafel in pita pockets served with hummus, grilled salmon in south Indian style curry leaf marination, bao (steamed buns with exotic fillings) and amaranth jalebi with thandai rabdi. Garden of garlands at Lutyens Delhi Trees lining the roads leading to the G20 venue Bharat Mandapam and the delegates hotels have been decorated with garlands of yellow flowers. More than 1,000 quintals of flowers were brought in for this, sources said. Lutyens Delhi resembles a big colourful garden with thousands of garlands made of marigold, chrysanthemum, daisy and asparagus mary. About 20 flower boards are displayed at the venue with the G20 logo and slogan Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam  One Earth, One Family, One Future. (Compiled by Rajesh Kumar Thakur and Parvez Sultan) Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
By PTI

NEW DELHI: Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram on Saturday slammed the government over the Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge not being invited to the G20 gala dinner, saying this can happen only in countries where there is no democracy or no opposition.

Chidambaram said he hopes India, that is Bharat, has not reached a stage where democracy and the opposition will cease to exist.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday said party chief and the Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha Kharge has not been invited to the G20 gala dinner.

He alleged that the government doesn't value the leader of 60 per cent of India's population.

In a post on X, Chidambaram said, "I cannot imagine any other democratic country's government not inviting the recognised Leader of the Opposition to a state dinner for world leaders. This can happen only in countries where there is no Democracy or no Opposition."

"I hope India, that is Bharat, has not reached a stage where Democracy and the Opposition will cease to exist," he said.

I cannot imagine any other democratic country's government not inviting the recognised Leader of the Opposition to a state dinner for world leaders



This can happen only in countries where there is no Democracy or no Opposition



I hope India, that is Bharat, has not reached a  P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) September 9, 2023

President Droupadi Murmu will host the dinner on Saturday at Bharat Mandapam, the venue for the G20 Summit of world leaders.

Interacting with the media at Brussels Press Club in Brussels, Gandhi said the government's action tells about its thinking.

ALSO READ | G20 Summit: Nitish, Mamata, Stalin to attend President's dinner, no invite to Kharge

Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp

NEW DELHI: Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram on Saturday slammed the government over the Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge not being invited to the G20 gala dinner, saying this can happen only in countries where there is no democracy or no opposition. Chidambaram said he hopes India, that is Bharat, has not reached a stage where democracy and the opposition will cease to exist. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday said party chief and the Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha Kharge has not been invited to the G20 gala dinner.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); He alleged that the government doesn't value the leader of 60 per cent of India's population. In a post on X, Chidambaram said, "I cannot imagine any other democratic country's government not inviting the recognised Leader of the Opposition to a state dinner for world leaders. This can happen only in countries where there is no Democracy or no Opposition." "I hope India, that is Bharat, has not reached a stage where Democracy and the Opposition will cease to exist," he said. I cannot imagine any other democratic country's government not inviting the recognised Leader of the Opposition to a state dinner for world leaders This can happen only in countries where there is no Democracy or no Opposition I hope India, that is Bharat, has not reached a  P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) September 9, 2023 President Droupadi Murmu will host the dinner on Saturday at Bharat Mandapam, the venue for the G20 Summit of world leaders. Interacting with the media at Brussels Press Club in Brussels, Gandhi said the government's action tells about its thinking. ALSO READ | G20 Summit: Nitish, Mamata, Stalin to attend President's dinner, no invite to Kharge Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
By Express News Service

GUWAHATI: A ruling BJP MLA in Manipur has asked the states 10 Kuki-Zo legislators to quit and contest from another state if they are not serious about working for peace and focused only on the separate administration demand.

BJP MLA Rajkumar Imo Singh asked how these elected representatives, including seven from his party could find a solution to the ongoing turmoil in Manipur by talking to Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga.

These so-called legislators seem to be attending office in another state. Are they all serious about bringing a peaceful solution to our state? And how will that be possible by discussing with another state leader who has a different agenda? Singh wrote on X, previously Twitter.

The Kuki-Zo legislators had a closed-door meeting with the Mizoram CM in Aizawl on Wednesday. Leaders of some Kuki-Zo civil society organisations also attended it.

ALSO READ | Toll in Manipur's Pallel violence rises to 3 with one more death

Singh said if these legislators continue to stick to their demands and are not serious about bringing about peace, he would urge them to resign from the Manipur Assembly.

it is morally not correct to remain in public office, take a salary from the state and talk about division and separation from the state, Singh said, adding that it is better to have legislators in these constituencies from other tribal communities who are willing to work unitedly for the progress of the state.

I request my fellow legislators to come back to the state and work unitedly for a peaceful and prosperous Manipur or resignhonourably and continue with their demand and contest from some other state, he further wrote on X.

The Kuki-Zo lawmakers raised the demand for a separate administration after Manipur was virtually partitioned on ethnic lines in the wake of the violence.

Meanwhile, security forces and police recovered one 7.62mm SLR, one 9mm carbine and one 9mm pistol during a joint operation on Saturday. These weapons were believed to have been looted during violence earlier.

Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp

GUWAHATI: A ruling BJP MLA in Manipur has asked the states 10 Kuki-Zo legislators to quit and contest from another state if they are not serious about working for peace and focused only on the separate administration demand. BJP MLA Rajkumar Imo Singh asked how these elected representatives, including seven from his party could find a solution to the ongoing turmoil in Manipur by talking to Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga. These so-called legislators seem to be attending office in another state. Are they all serious about bringing a peaceful solution to our state? And how will that be possible by discussing with another state leader who has a different agenda? Singh wrote on X, previously Twitter. googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The Kuki-Zo legislators had a closed-door meeting with the Mizoram CM in Aizawl on Wednesday. Leaders of some Kuki-Zo civil society organisations also attended it. ALSO READ | Toll in Manipur's Pallel violence rises to 3 with one more death Singh said if these legislators continue to stick to their demands and are not serious about bringing about peace, he would urge them to resign from the Manipur Assembly. it is morally not correct to remain in public office, take a salary from the state and talk about division and separation from the state, Singh said, adding that it is better to have legislators in these constituencies from other tribal communities who are willing to work unitedly for the progress of the state. I request my fellow legislators to come back to the state and work unitedly for a peaceful and prosperous Manipur or resignhonourably and continue with their demand and contest from some other state, he further wrote on X. The Kuki-Zo lawmakers raised the demand for a separate administration after Manipur was virtually partitioned on ethnic lines in the wake of the violence. Meanwhile, security forces and police recovered one 7.62mm SLR, one 9mm carbine and one 9mm pistol during a joint operation on Saturday. These weapons were believed to have been looted during violence earlier. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
By PTI

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, US President Joe Biden and other top leaders of the world's wealthiest economies began deliberations on pressing global challenges at the G20 Summit here on Saturday under the shadow of the Ukraine war that has significantly fragmented the global geopolitical order.

Hosting the big-ticket summit for the first time, India is looking at producing tangible results in areas of financing for climate transition, digital public infrastructure, accelerated implementation of sustainable development goals, a framework for cryptocurrency and reform of the international financial institutions.

The majority of priorities of the Indian G20 presidency were aimed at benefiting the Global South or the developing countries.

Indian negotiators involved in drafting the leaders' declaration are confident that most of New Delhi's proposals would be endorsed by the top leadership of the grouping.

The leaders attending the summit include German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, his Italian counterpart Giorgia Meloni, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

However, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin are not attending the summit.

Chiefs of many leading global bodies such as the United Nations, International Monetary Fund, World Bank, World Health Organisation and African Union are also attending the two-day summit that is taking place at Bharat Mandapam in the heart of the national capital.

India currently holds the G20 presidency, which rotates annually among the member nations.

In his talks with Modi last night, US President Biden lauded India's presidency for further demonstrating how the G20 as a forum is delivering important outcomes.

However, the biggest question looming over the summit is whether it will be able to come out with a joint leaders' declaration in view of the sharp differences between the West and the Russia-China combine on the text to describe the Ukraine conflict in the document.

If the summit ends without the joint declaration, it will be a first for the grouping.

Multiple sources said on Friday night that China emerged as the main stumbling block in reaching a consensus on the Ukraine conflict as well as some other proposals, including on climate change.

They said Russia is completely isolated on the Ukraine issue. The G20 operates under the principle of consensus. Both Russia and China had agreed to the two paragraphs on the Ukraine conflict in the Bali declaration, but they backtracked from it this year, creating difficulties for India.

Almost all key meetings held under India's G20 presidency, including those of finance and foreign ministers, could not come out with consensus documents in view of opposition from Russia and China to any text referring to the Ukraine conflict.

India's G20 sherpa Amitabh Kant said on Friday that the New Delhi Leaders' Declaration will reflect the voice of the Global South and developing countries.

"Our New Delhi Leaders' Declaration is almost ready, I would not like to dwell on it because this declaration will be recommended to the leaders during the summit and the leaders will then accept it and only after it is accepted by the leaders, we will be able to talk about the actual achievements of this declaration," he said.

Some of the key issues facing the G20 Summit are reshaping international debt architecture, offering loans to developing nations, and having some kind of regulatory framework for cryptocurrency and artificial intelligence.

As the G20 president, India has been focusing on issues like inclusive growth, digital innovation, climate resilience and equitable global health access.

By leveraging its presidency, India is fostering collaborative solutions that not only benefit its own population but contribute to the broader global well-being, reinforcing its spirit of 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' (the world is one family).

Besides the G20 member nations, India has invited leaders of Bangladesh, Egypt, Mauritius, the United Arab Emirates, Spain, Singapore, Oman, Nigeria and the Netherlands as guests to the summit.

After assuming the presidency of the bloc on December 1, India held around 200 meetings related to the G20 across the country on a range of its priority areas.

The G20 member countries represent around 85 per cent of the global GDP, over 75 per cent of the global trade, and about two-thirds of the world population.

The grouping comprises Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, the UK, the US and the European Union (EU).

Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, US President Joe Biden and other top leaders of the world's wealthiest economies began deliberations on pressing global challenges at the G20 Summit here on Saturday under the shadow of the Ukraine war that has significantly fragmented the global geopolitical order. Hosting the big-ticket summit for the first time, India is looking at producing tangible results in areas of financing for climate transition, digital public infrastructure, accelerated implementation of sustainable development goals, a framework for cryptocurrency and reform of the international financial institutions. The majority of priorities of the Indian G20 presidency were aimed at benefiting the Global South or the developing countries.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Indian negotiators involved in drafting the leaders' declaration are confident that most of New Delhi's proposals would be endorsed by the top leadership of the grouping. The leaders attending the summit include German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, his Italian counterpart Giorgia Meloni, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. However, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin are not attending the summit. Chiefs of many leading global bodies such as the United Nations, International Monetary Fund, World Bank, World Health Organisation and African Union are also attending the two-day summit that is taking place at Bharat Mandapam in the heart of the national capital. India currently holds the G20 presidency, which rotates annually among the member nations. In his talks with Modi last night, US President Biden lauded India's presidency for further demonstrating how the G20 as a forum is delivering important outcomes. However, the biggest question looming over the summit is whether it will be able to come out with a joint leaders' declaration in view of the sharp differences between the West and the Russia-China combine on the text to describe the Ukraine conflict in the document. If the summit ends without the joint declaration, it will be a first for the grouping. Multiple sources said on Friday night that China emerged as the main stumbling block in reaching a consensus on the Ukraine conflict as well as some other proposals, including on climate change. They said Russia is completely isolated on the Ukraine issue. The G20 operates under the principle of consensus. Both Russia and China had agreed to the two paragraphs on the Ukraine conflict in the Bali declaration, but they backtracked from it this year, creating difficulties for India. Almost all key meetings held under India's G20 presidency, including those of finance and foreign ministers, could not come out with consensus documents in view of opposition from Russia and China to any text referring to the Ukraine conflict. India's G20 sherpa Amitabh Kant said on Friday that the New Delhi Leaders' Declaration will reflect the voice of the Global South and developing countries. "Our New Delhi Leaders' Declaration is almost ready, I would not like to dwell on it because this declaration will be recommended to the leaders during the summit and the leaders will then accept it and only after it is accepted by the leaders, we will be able to talk about the actual achievements of this declaration," he said. Some of the key issues facing the G20 Summit are reshaping international debt architecture, offering loans to developing nations, and having some kind of regulatory framework for cryptocurrency and artificial intelligence. As the G20 president, India has been focusing on issues like inclusive growth, digital innovation, climate resilience and equitable global health access. By leveraging its presidency, India is fostering collaborative solutions that not only benefit its own population but contribute to the broader global well-being, reinforcing its spirit of 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' (the world is one family). Besides the G20 member nations, India has invited leaders of Bangladesh, Egypt, Mauritius, the United Arab Emirates, Spain, Singapore, Oman, Nigeria and the Netherlands as guests to the summit. After assuming the presidency of the bloc on December 1, India held around 200 meetings related to the G20 across the country on a range of its priority areas. The G20 member countries represent around 85 per cent of the global GDP, over 75 per cent of the global trade, and about two-thirds of the world population. The grouping comprises Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, the UK, the US and the European Union (EU). Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
Preetha Nair By

Express News Service

NEW DELHI: After it emerged that Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge has not been invited to the G20 dinner hosted by President Droupadi Murmu on Saturday, chief ministers belonging to the Opposition-ruled states  Mamata Banerjee, Arvind Kejriwal, Nitish Kumar, and MK Stalin, confirmed their presence. Kharge is the leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha and enjoys the cabinet minister rank.

The Kharge episode came after the President described her position as President of Bharat that led to an INDIA-versus-Bharat row. Congress MP Rahul Gandhi said at a presser in Brussels that the government does not value the leader of 60% of Indias population. All Cabinet and state ministers and all CMs, including opposition-ruled states, have been invited to the event, which will be attended by several world leaders and other dignitaries.

However, several Opposition chief ministers have expressed their inability to attend the dinner citing pre-scheduled engagements. Except for Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, other CMs from Congress-ruled states are unlikely to attend. Sources told this newspaper that Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will not attend the dinner on account of pre-scheduled programmes. Vijayan will be travelling to Delhi on September 15th for party engagements, his office said.

ALSO READ | 'Govt does not value leader of 60% of population', Rahul on Kharge not being invited for G-20 dinner

The CMs of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Odisha CM are also unlikely to attend the dinner. While sources in Telangana CM K Chandrasekhar Raos office confirmed that he would not attend the dinner, Andhra Pradesh CM Jagan Mohan Reddy is on a foreign tour. Karnataka CM Siddaramaiahs office said he would not attend the dinner. It is unlikely that Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot and Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik will attend.

ALSO READ | G20 summit: President's dinner to be an evening of musical journey

Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp

NEW DELHI: After it emerged that Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge has not been invited to the G20 dinner hosted by President Droupadi Murmu on Saturday, chief ministers belonging to the Opposition-ruled states  Mamata Banerjee, Arvind Kejriwal, Nitish Kumar, and MK Stalin, confirmed their presence. Kharge is the leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha and enjoys the cabinet minister rank. The Kharge episode came after the President described her position as President of Bharat that led to an INDIA-versus-Bharat row. Congress MP Rahul Gandhi said at a presser in Brussels that the government does not value the leader of 60% of Indias population. All Cabinet and state ministers and all CMs, including opposition-ruled states, have been invited to the event, which will be attended by several world leaders and other dignitaries. However, several Opposition chief ministers have expressed their inability to attend the dinner citing pre-scheduled engagements. Except for Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, other CMs from Congress-ruled states are unlikely to attend. Sources told this newspaper that Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will not attend the dinner on account of pre-scheduled programmes. Vijayan will be travelling to Delhi on September 15th for party engagements, his office said.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); ALSO READ | 'Govt does not value leader of 60% of population', Rahul on Kharge not being invited for G-20 dinner The CMs of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Odisha CM are also unlikely to attend the dinner. While sources in Telangana CM K Chandrasekhar Raos office confirmed that he would not attend the dinner, Andhra Pradesh CM Jagan Mohan Reddy is on a foreign tour. Karnataka CM Siddaramaiahs office said he would not attend the dinner. It is unlikely that Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot and Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik will attend. ALSO READ | G20 summit: President's dinner to be an evening of musical journey Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
Namita Bajpai By

Express News Service

LUCKNOW: At the upcoming G-20 summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi plans to gift state heads and foreign dignitaries a unique hand-made brass artefact in the shape of a lotus, called 'Kamalam', from Mahoba in Bundelkhand.

The five-inch tall artefact, crafted by Manmohan Saini, a national award-winning metal craftsman from Mahoba, comprises 16 petals - eight big and eight small.

Saini was given a heads-up eight months in advance by the UP Handicrafts Development and Marketing Corporation to prepare 50 lotuses in brass, which were sent to Delhi in advance, along with spare pieces.

Saini expressed his excitement at the prospect of his work being showcased on such a prestigious platform and said he believes that the brass work will get a new lease of life after this. The artefact is designed to resemble a lotus in full bloom and can be opened and closed with a slight rotation of the outermost petals. Saini is the only artisan who can prepare these special lotuses.

It took him three months to make 50 of them, and the corporation experts monitored the making process for quality control and design.

Saini's 'Kamalam' gained national attention in 2016 when BJP MP Kunwar Pushpendra Chandel gifted it to the Prime Minister at the Parivartan rally. It caught the PM's attention and won a lot of appreciation. Saini learned this craft from his father, Gyasi Saini, who used to make decorative brass pieces in Kulpahad.

His two brothers, Azad Saini and Shiv Kumar Saini, have also won state awards in the skill. Saini hopes that Kamalam's recognition on an international platform will revive the traditional brass work in Mahoba and its surroundings.

It is a matter of pride for Mahoba district and Bundelkhand that such a unique memento made in Mahoba will be given to the state heads and foreign dignitaries at the G-20 summit, said the district magistrate Mridul Chowdhary.

Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp

LUCKNOW: At the upcoming G-20 summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi plans to gift state heads and foreign dignitaries a unique hand-made brass artefact in the shape of a lotus, called 'Kamalam', from Mahoba in Bundelkhand. The five-inch tall artefact, crafted by Manmohan Saini, a national award-winning metal craftsman from Mahoba, comprises 16 petals - eight big and eight small. Saini was given a heads-up eight months in advance by the UP Handicrafts Development and Marketing Corporation to prepare 50 lotuses in brass, which were sent to Delhi in advance, along with spare pieces.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Saini expressed his excitement at the prospect of his work being showcased on such a prestigious platform and said he believes that the brass work will get a new lease of life after this. The artefact is designed to resemble a lotus in full bloom and can be opened and closed with a slight rotation of the outermost petals. Saini is the only artisan who can prepare these special lotuses. It took him three months to make 50 of them, and the corporation experts monitored the making process for quality control and design. Saini's 'Kamalam' gained national attention in 2016 when BJP MP Kunwar Pushpendra Chandel gifted it to the Prime Minister at the Parivartan rally. It caught the PM's attention and won a lot of appreciation. Saini learned this craft from his father, Gyasi Saini, who used to make decorative brass pieces in Kulpahad. His two brothers, Azad Saini and Shiv Kumar Saini, have also won state awards in the skill. Saini hopes that Kamalam's recognition on an international platform will revive the traditional brass work in Mahoba and its surroundings. It is a matter of pride for Mahoba district and Bundelkhand that such a unique memento made in Mahoba will be given to the state heads and foreign dignitaries at the G-20 summit, said the district magistrate Mridul Chowdhary. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
By PTI

NEW DELHI: India on Saturday launched the Global Biofuels Alliance with Prime Minister Narendra Modi urging the G20 nations to join the initiative with a plea to take ethanol blending with petrol globally to 20 per cent.

The Alliance was launched on the sidelines of the G20 Summit by Modi along with a host of global leaders, including US President Joe Biden, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.

Besides India, the initiating members included Argentina, Bangladesh, Brazil, Italy, Mauritius, South Africa, the UAE and the US, while Canada and Singapore are observer countries.

Earlier while speaking at the G20 Summit session on 'One Earth', Prime Minister Modi also proposed launching the 'G20 Satellite Mission for Environment and Climate Observation' and urged leaders to commence work on the 'Green Credit Initiative'.

"Today, the need of the hour is that all countries should work together in the field of fuel blending. Our proposal is to take an initiative at a global level to take ethanol blending in petrol up to 20 per cent," he said.

"Or alternatively, we could work on developing another blending mix for the greater global good, one that ensures a stable energy supply while also contributing to climate security," Modi said at the session attended by US President Biden, Saudi Arabia Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak among others.

ALSO READ | G20 Summit: PM Modi announces launch of Global Biofuel Alliance

Prime Minister Modi said energy transition is a significant need of the 21st-century world considering the challenge of climate change.

He said trillions of dollars are required for an inclusive energy transition and that developed countries play a very crucial role in this.

"Along with India, all the countries of the Global South are pleased that developed countries have taken a positive initiative this year, in 2023. Developed countries have expressed their willingness to fulfil their commitment of USD 100 billion for climate finance for the first time," he said.

At the Copenhagen UN climate talks in 2009, developed countries committed to providing USD 100 billion per year by 2020 to support developing countries in combating climate change.

However, the wealthier nations failed repeatedly to fulfil this commitment.

The Global Biofuels Alliance, which the world's third biggest oil consumer wants to push during its G20 presidency, mirrors the International Solar Alliance (ISA) piloted by New Delhi and Paris in 2015 to bring clean and affordable solar energy within the reach of all.

Earlier this month, Prime Minister Modi in an exclusive interview told PTI that India's proposal for a global alliance on biofuels among members of the Group of 20 major economies would help accelerate sustainable biofuels deployment in support of the global energy transition.

"Such alliances are aimed at creating options for developing countries to advance their energy transitions," he had said.

"Biofuels are also important from the perspective of a circular economy. Markets, trade, technology, and policy all aspects of international cooperation are crucial in creating such opportunities," Modi had said.

ALSO READ | G20 Summit: Delhi Declaration rejects use of force to acquire territory in reference to Russia

Biofuel is a renewable source of energy which is derived from biomass.

India, which imports over 85 per cent of its crude oil needs, is gradually building capacity to produce fuel from such items as crop stubble, plant waste, and municipal solid waste.

While India is on schedule to double the mixing of ethanol extracted from sugarcane and agriculture waste to 20 per cent with petrol by 2025, it is also setting up dozens of compressed biogas (CBG) plants.

The Global Biofuels Alliance is aimed at facilitating cooperation and intensifying the use of sustainable biofuels across sectors, including transportation.

Its focus is primarily on strengthening markets, facilitating global biofuel trade, developing concrete policy lesson-sharing and providing technical support for national biofuel programmes worldwide.

Such an initiative is also aimed at helping India's transition to alternative fuels and cutting its import bill, as it seeks to achieve its net zero carbon emissions goal by 2070.

On the other hand, the ISA aims to mobilise more than USD 1,000 billion of investment needed by 2030 for the massive deployment of solar energy.

The International Energy Agency (IEA) estimates that global sustainable biofuel production will need to triple by 2030 to put the world's energy system on track towards net-zero emissions by 2050.

Liquid biofuels provided more than four per cent of the total transport energy supply in 2022.

Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp

NEW DELHI: India on Saturday launched the Global Biofuels Alliance with Prime Minister Narendra Modi urging the G20 nations to join the initiative with a plea to take ethanol blending with petrol globally to 20 per cent. The Alliance was launched on the sidelines of the G20 Summit by Modi along with a host of global leaders, including US President Joe Biden, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. Besides India, the initiating members included Argentina, Bangladesh, Brazil, Italy, Mauritius, South Africa, the UAE and the US, while Canada and Singapore are observer countries.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Earlier while speaking at the G20 Summit session on 'One Earth', Prime Minister Modi also proposed launching the 'G20 Satellite Mission for Environment and Climate Observation' and urged leaders to commence work on the 'Green Credit Initiative'. "Today, the need of the hour is that all countries should work together in the field of fuel blending. Our proposal is to take an initiative at a global level to take ethanol blending in petrol up to 20 per cent," he said. "Or alternatively, we could work on developing another blending mix for the greater global good, one that ensures a stable energy supply while also contributing to climate security," Modi said at the session attended by US President Biden, Saudi Arabia Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak among others. ALSO READ | G20 Summit: PM Modi announces launch of Global Biofuel Alliance Prime Minister Modi said energy transition is a significant need of the 21st-century world considering the challenge of climate change. He said trillions of dollars are required for an inclusive energy transition and that developed countries play a very crucial role in this. "Along with India, all the countries of the Global South are pleased that developed countries have taken a positive initiative this year, in 2023. Developed countries have expressed their willingness to fulfil their commitment of USD 100 billion for climate finance for the first time," he said. At the Copenhagen UN climate talks in 2009, developed countries committed to providing USD 100 billion per year by 2020 to support developing countries in combating climate change. However, the wealthier nations failed repeatedly to fulfil this commitment. The Global Biofuels Alliance, which the world's third biggest oil consumer wants to push during its G20 presidency, mirrors the International Solar Alliance (ISA) piloted by New Delhi and Paris in 2015 to bring clean and affordable solar energy within the reach of all. Earlier this month, Prime Minister Modi in an exclusive interview told PTI that India's proposal for a global alliance on biofuels among members of the Group of 20 major economies would help accelerate sustainable biofuels deployment in support of the global energy transition. "Such alliances are aimed at creating options for developing countries to advance their energy transitions," he had said. "Biofuels are also important from the perspective of a circular economy. Markets, trade, technology, and policy all aspects of international cooperation are crucial in creating such opportunities," Modi had said. ALSO READ | G20 Summit: Delhi Declaration rejects use of force to acquire territory in reference to Russia Biofuel is a renewable source of energy which is derived from biomass. India, which imports over 85 per cent of its crude oil needs, is gradually building capacity to produce fuel from such items as crop stubble, plant waste, and municipal solid waste. While India is on schedule to double the mixing of ethanol extracted from sugarcane and agriculture waste to 20 per cent with petrol by 2025, it is also setting up dozens of compressed biogas (CBG) plants. The Global Biofuels Alliance is aimed at facilitating cooperation and intensifying the use of sustainable biofuels across sectors, including transportation. Its focus is primarily on strengthening markets, facilitating global biofuel trade, developing concrete policy lesson-sharing and providing technical support for national biofuel programmes worldwide. Such an initiative is also aimed at helping India's transition to alternative fuels and cutting its import bill, as it seeks to achieve its net zero carbon emissions goal by 2070. On the other hand, the ISA aims to mobilise more than USD 1,000 billion of investment needed by 2030 for the massive deployment of solar energy. The International Energy Agency (IEA) estimates that global sustainable biofuel production will need to triple by 2030 to put the world's energy system on track towards net-zero emissions by 2050. Liquid biofuels provided more than four per cent of the total transport energy supply in 2022. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
By AFP

KYIV: Kyiv on Saturday criticised the G20 leaders' statement on the Russian invasion, which denounced the use of force for territorial gain but refrained from direct criticism of Russia by name.

"Ukraine is grateful to the partners who tried to include strong wording in the text. At the same time, in terms of Russia's aggression against Ukraine, the Group of 20 has nothing to be proud of," said Oleg Nikolenko, a spokesman at the Ukrainian foreign affairs ministry.

G20 adopted a final declaration. We are grateful to the partners who tried to include strong wording in the text. However, in terms of Russia's aggression against Ukraine, G20 has nothing to be proud of. This is how the main elements of the text could look to be closer to reality pic.twitter.com/qZqYluVKKS September 9, 2023

Nikolenko posted a photo of a part of the statement edited in red, changing "the war in Ukraine" to "the war against Ukraine" and adding references to Russia.

The document had said that "all states" should "refrain from the threat or use of force to seek territorial acquisition against the territorial integrity and sovereignty or political independence of any state".

There was no explicit reference to Russia, unlike in a G20 statement in Bali last year that cited a UN resolution condemning "in the strongest terms the aggression by the Russian Federation against Ukraine".

"It's obvious that the Ukraine's participation (in the meeting) would allow the participants to better understand the situation," Nikolenko said.

European nations and the United States had pressed for the G20 not to water down its earlier condemnation of a war that has caused food and fuel price spikes worldwide.

But after the agreement on the statement, a top White House official said Washington was happy with the outcome.

"From our perspective, it does a very good job," US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan told reporters.

He said the G20 statement stood up "for the principle that states cannot use force to seek territorial acquisition or to violate the territorial integrity and sovereignty or political independence of other states."

With Putin repeatedly raising the spectre of the conflict turning atomic, Sullivan also pointed to the G20's agreement that "the use of nuclear weapons is inadmissible".

ALSO READ :

G20 Summit: Delhi Declaration rejects use of force to acquire territory in reference to Russia

Beginning of new world order: India's G20 Presidency inclusive, decisive and action-oriented, says PM

Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp

KYIV: Kyiv on Saturday criticised the G20 leaders' statement on the Russian invasion, which denounced the use of force for territorial gain but refrained from direct criticism of Russia by name. "Ukraine is grateful to the partners who tried to include strong wording in the text. At the same time, in terms of Russia's aggression against Ukraine, the Group of 20 has nothing to be proud of," said Oleg Nikolenko, a spokesman at the Ukrainian foreign affairs ministry. G20 adopted a final declaration. We are grateful to the partners who tried to include strong wording in the text. However, in terms of Russia's aggression against Ukraine, G20 has nothing to be proud of. This is how the main elements of the text could look to be closer to reality pic.twitter.com/qZqYluVKKSgoogletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); });  Oleg Nikolenko (@OlegNikolenko_) September 9, 2023 Nikolenko posted a photo of a part of the statement edited in red, changing "the war in Ukraine" to "the war against Ukraine" and adding references to Russia. The document had said that "all states" should "refrain from the threat or use of force to seek territorial acquisition against the territorial integrity and sovereignty or political independence of any state". There was no explicit reference to Russia, unlike in a G20 statement in Bali last year that cited a UN resolution condemning "in the strongest terms the aggression by the Russian Federation against Ukraine". "It's obvious that the Ukraine's participation (in the meeting) would allow the participants to better understand the situation," Nikolenko said. European nations and the United States had pressed for the G20 not to water down its earlier condemnation of a war that has caused food and fuel price spikes worldwide. But after the agreement on the statement, a top White House official said Washington was happy with the outcome. "From our perspective, it does a very good job," US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan told reporters. He said the G20 statement stood up "for the principle that states cannot use force to seek territorial acquisition or to violate the territorial integrity and sovereignty or political independence of other states." With Putin repeatedly raising the spectre of the conflict turning atomic, Sullivan also pointed to the G20's agreement that "the use of nuclear weapons is inadmissible". ALSO READ : G20 Summit: Delhi Declaration rejects use of force to acquire territory in reference to Russia Beginning of new world order: India's G20 Presidency inclusive, decisive and action-oriented, says PM Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 9. Minister of Defense of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Colonel-General Zakir Hasanov, has received a delegation of the Iranian Armed Forces headed by Major-General Mohammad Ahadi, who is on a visit to Azerbaijan to participate in the meeting of the Azerbaijani-Iranian joint military commission, the Ministry of Defense told Trend.

First, the Iranian delegation visited the Alley of Shehids (Martyrs) and paid tribute to the memory of the heroes of the Motherland, who sacrificed their lives for the independence and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, as well as laid a wreath at the Eternal Flame monument.

At the meeting held at the Ministry of Defense, Colonel General Z. Hasanov welcomed the guests and spoke about the reconstruction works carried out in the liberated territories under the leadership of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Mr. Ilham Aliyev, as well as the operational situation on the Azerbaijani-Armenian conditional border and in the Karabakh economic region.

The Minister of Defense emphasized that recently, the number of provocations committed by the Armenian armed forces units and the illegal Armenian armed detachments in the territory of Azerbaijan, where the Russian peacekeeping forces are temporarily stationed, has increased, and these provocations have been immediately and resolutely suppressed by the Azerbaijan Army Units.

Expressing gratitude for the hospitality, Major General M. Ahadi conveyed the greetings of the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Lieutenant General Mohammad Hossein Bagheri. He noted that Azerbaijani-Iranian relations are based on ancient historical roots, as well as highlighted the importance of mutual visits in terms of expanding friendly and neighborly relations.

Expressing satisfaction with the reconstruction work carried out by Azerbaijan in the liberated territories, the Iranian delegation expressed concern about Armenia's activities that could pose a threat to stability and security in the region.

During the meeting, the sides exchanged views on the prospects for the development of cooperation between the countries in the military sphere, regional security issues, as well as on other issues of interest.

In the end, Colonel General Z.Hasanov wished the members of the Azerbaijan-Iran Joint Commission success in their activities, expressed hope that such meetings will make a positive contribution to the bilateral military cooperation, and asked to convey his greetings to the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
By PTI

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a bilateral meeting with his Japanese counterpart Fumio Kishida on the sidelines of the G20 Summit here on Saturday.

Modi said India and Japan were eager to enhance cooperation in connectivity, commerce and other sectors.

Held productive talks with PM @kishida230. We took stock of India-Japan bilateral ties and the ground covered during India's G20 Presidency and Japan's G7 Presidency. We are eager to enhance cooperation in connectivity, commerce and other sectors. pic.twitter.com/kSiGi4CBrj September 9, 2023

"Held productive talks with PM Kishida. We took stock of India-Japan bilateral ties and the ground covered during India's G20 Presidency and Japan's G7 Presidency. We are eager to enhance cooperation in connectivity, commerce and other sectors," Modi said on X.

Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a bilateral meeting with his Japanese counterpart Fumio Kishida on the sidelines of the G20 Summit here on Saturday. Modi said India and Japan were eager to enhance cooperation in connectivity, commerce and other sectors. Held productive talks with PM @kishida230. We took stock of India-Japan bilateral ties and the ground covered during India's G20 Presidency and Japan's G7 Presidency. We are eager to enhance cooperation in connectivity, commerce and other sectors. pic.twitter.com/kSiGi4CBrjgoogletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); });  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 9, 2023 "Held productive talks with PM Kishida. We took stock of India-Japan bilateral ties and the ground covered during India's G20 Presidency and Japan's G7 Presidency. We are eager to enhance cooperation in connectivity, commerce and other sectors," Modi said on X. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
Rajesh Asnani By

Express News Service

Amid Raje dilemma, BJP begins Parivartan Yatra

In the election season, supporters of former CM Vasundhara Raje are excited by her presence at the launch of BJPs four Parivartan Yatras in the state. However, Raje's loyalists are still waiting for her to get an important responsibility. Rajes chief rival and Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat has reiterated that state polls will be fought on the face of PM Narendra Modi. Beyond the Raje dilemma, a big buzz has erupted over comments of Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari while launching the last of the Yatras in Hanumangarh district. He also profusely praised the works of previous Raje governments.

Pilots absence in Jaipur questions his role in polls

While former Deputy CM Sachin Pilot was out of town on his birthday, the Pink City was full of posters and hoardings congratulating him on the occasion. Amid discussions on why Pilot stayed away from celebrations in the election year, some of his supporters say that he is in America for family reasons. However, there is no official information of any kind. After Pilot was made a CWC member a fortnight ago, his loyalists were thrilled. But a day before his birthday, Pilot was not made the chairman of any of the eight major committees formed for the Rajasthan elections.

Jodhpurs ex-Queen on Padyatra in Election year

Former Maharani of Jodhpur Hemlata Raje has started a very special socio-religious journey. In 9 days, all Padyatris, including the former queen, will walk 180 kms, with 20 kms being covered daily. A large number of women are participating in the yatra which will end at the Baba Ramdev temple in Jaisalmer. Earlier, the former Jodhpur King Gaj Singh had also taken out a pilgrimage on foot. The former Queen Hemlata Raje says there is nothing like Mannat but I want prosperity and peace in the country. May love and brotherhood prevail. This yatra is being undertaken with this objective in mind.

Rajesh Asnani

Our correspondent in Jaipur

rajesh.asnani@ newindianexpress.com

Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp

Amid Raje dilemma, BJP begins Parivartan Yatra In the election season, supporters of former CM Vasundhara Raje are excited by her presence at the launch of BJPs four Parivartan Yatras in the state. However, Raje's loyalists are still waiting for her to get an important responsibility. Rajes chief rival and Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat has reiterated that state polls will be fought on the face of PM Narendra Modi. Beyond the Raje dilemma, a big buzz has erupted over comments of Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari while launching the last of the Yatras in Hanumangarh district. He also profusely praised the works of previous Raje governments. Pilots absence in Jaipur questions his role in pollsgoogletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); While former Deputy CM Sachin Pilot was out of town on his birthday, the Pink City was full of posters and hoardings congratulating him on the occasion. Amid discussions on why Pilot stayed away from celebrations in the election year, some of his supporters say that he is in America for family reasons. However, there is no official information of any kind. After Pilot was made a CWC member a fortnight ago, his loyalists were thrilled. But a day before his birthday, Pilot was not made the chairman of any of the eight major committees formed for the Rajasthan elections. Jodhpurs ex-Queen on Padyatra in Election year Former Maharani of Jodhpur Hemlata Raje has started a very special socio-religious journey. In 9 days, all Padyatris, including the former queen, will walk 180 kms, with 20 kms being covered daily. A large number of women are participating in the yatra which will end at the Baba Ramdev temple in Jaisalmer. Earlier, the former Jodhpur King Gaj Singh had also taken out a pilgrimage on foot. The former Queen Hemlata Raje says there is nothing like Mannat but I want prosperity and peace in the country. May love and brotherhood prevail. This yatra is being undertaken with this objective in mind. Rajesh Asnani Our correspondent in Jaipur rajesh.asnani@ newindianexpress.com Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
Sudhir Suryawanshi By

Express News Service

MUMBAI: The Maharashtra government would soon be in double trouble over the reservation storm triggered by Maratha activist Manoj Jarange Patil. Now the Dhangar community wants its inclusion into the Scheduled Tribe (ST) category.

A member of the Dhangar Aarakshan Kruti Samiti threw turmeric powder over Maharashtra Revenue Minister and BJP MLA Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil in Solapur on Friday. The Dhangar community is currently included in the OBC category, while they have demanded their inclusion in the Scheduled Tribe (ST) category.

The STs opposing the Dhangars demand have threatened agitation. Shekhar Bangale, a member of the Dhangar Aarakshan Kruti Samiti Bangale who had gone to meet Vikhe-Patil to submit a memorandum pulled the sachet of turmeric powder from his pocket and threw it at BJP minister Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil at Government Guest House in Solapur.

He also hurled slogans against the government. Vikhe Patil is also the guardian minister of Solapur district.

Bangale was later thrashed by the BJP ministers supporters and frisked away by cops. Then, he was immediately taken into custody by police. We will not hesitate to blacken the face of incumbent ministers or the chief minister if his communitys reservation demand is not met by them, said an angry Bangale.

However, after the incident, Vikhe-Patil asked the police not to file a case against Bangale.

We have submitted a memorandum to the guardian minister on behalf of the Dhangar Samiti. We have demanded the long-pending reservation for the Dhangar community and also requested the government not to touch the OBC quota, he said. We have been demanding reservation for a very long time. BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis during his 2014 state elections campaign had assured us that the community would get the benefit soon. It has been nine years since Fadnavis statement, said Bangale.

Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp

MUMBAI: The Maharashtra government would soon be in double trouble over the reservation storm triggered by Maratha activist Manoj Jarange Patil. Now the Dhangar community wants its inclusion into the Scheduled Tribe (ST) category. A member of the Dhangar Aarakshan Kruti Samiti threw turmeric powder over Maharashtra Revenue Minister and BJP MLA Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil in Solapur on Friday. The Dhangar community is currently included in the OBC category, while they have demanded their inclusion in the Scheduled Tribe (ST) category. The STs opposing the Dhangars demand have threatened agitation. Shekhar Bangale, a member of the Dhangar Aarakshan Kruti Samiti Bangale who had gone to meet Vikhe-Patil to submit a memorandum pulled the sachet of turmeric powder from his pocket and threw it at BJP minister Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil at Government Guest House in Solapur.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); He also hurled slogans against the government. Vikhe Patil is also the guardian minister of Solapur district. Bangale was later thrashed by the BJP ministers supporters and frisked away by cops. Then, he was immediately taken into custody by police. We will not hesitate to blacken the face of incumbent ministers or the chief minister if his communitys reservation demand is not met by them, said an angry Bangale. However, after the incident, Vikhe-Patil asked the police not to file a case against Bangale. We have submitted a memorandum to the guardian minister on behalf of the Dhangar Samiti. We have demanded the long-pending reservation for the Dhangar community and also requested the government not to touch the OBC quota, he said. We have been demanding reservation for a very long time. BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis during his 2014 state elections campaign had assured us that the community would get the benefit soon. It has been nine years since Fadnavis statement, said Bangale. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
By IANS

BHOPAL: Maharani Jiteshwari Devi of Madhya Pradeshs erstwhile Panna royal family was dragged out from a temples sanctum sanctorum during Janmashtami celebrations and prevented from performing a ritual.

A video showing Devi attempting to perform the ritual on Thursday before getting dragged out and the priests accusing her of misbehaving in an inebriated state has gone viral on social media.

Later, she was booked for hurting religious sentiments by entering a temples sanctum sanctorum during Janmashtami celebrations. As per the police, Devi has been booked under the Indian Penal Codes Sections 295A (hurting religious sentiments) and 353 (assault or criminal force to deter a public servant from discharge of his duty).

The priests of the temple maintained that only men of the royal family were allowed to perform this ritual, but she broke the rule. "Jiteshwaris son was invited to perform it but he did not show up. Jiteshwari Devi entered the temple and started creating a nuisance," Santosh Tiwari, a temple administrator said, adding that "only men of the royal family have been performing the ritual on Janmashtami for the past 300 years."

Police said Devi came to the temple and tried to create a ruckus. The temple administration allowed her to perform the ritual during midnight 'aarti' but when she tried to enter the sanctum sanatorium, the devotees protested. "Devi started creating a nuisance. She fell down and the policewomen, who were deployed to take care of the crowd, had to take her away," police said.

Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp

BHOPAL: Maharani Jiteshwari Devi of Madhya Pradeshs erstwhile Panna royal family was dragged out from a temples sanctum sanctorum during Janmashtami celebrations and prevented from performing a ritual. A video showing Devi attempting to perform the ritual on Thursday before getting dragged out and the priests accusing her of misbehaving in an inebriated state has gone viral on social media. Later, she was booked for hurting religious sentiments by entering a temples sanctum sanctorum during Janmashtami celebrations. As per the police, Devi has been booked under the Indian Penal Codes Sections 295A (hurting religious sentiments) and 353 (assault or criminal force to deter a public servant from discharge of his duty).googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The priests of the temple maintained that only men of the royal family were allowed to perform this ritual, but she broke the rule. "Jiteshwaris son was invited to perform it but he did not show up. Jiteshwari Devi entered the temple and started creating a nuisance," Santosh Tiwari, a temple administrator said, adding that "only men of the royal family have been performing the ritual on Janmashtami for the past 300 years." Police said Devi came to the temple and tried to create a ruckus. The temple administration allowed her to perform the ritual during midnight 'aarti' but when she tried to enter the sanctum sanatorium, the devotees protested. "Devi started creating a nuisance. She fell down and the policewomen, who were deployed to take care of the crowd, had to take her away," police said. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
Rajesh Kumar Thakur By

Express News Service

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Modi delivered the inaugural address at the G20 Summit at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi on Saturday. The nameplate kept in front of the PM read "Bharat".

"India seems to have been replaced by Bharat at the government function. And it is now clear with this arrangement made at G20", remarked an official, describing the move worth merits.

The nameplate is a strong message amid the Bharat vs. India row, This has also sparked speculation that the special session of Parliament scheduled for September 18-22 is aimed at formalising this push to rename the country as Bharat.

This comes days after a huge controversy broke out over replacing India with Bharat in the invitation from President Draupadi Murmu to the G23 delegates.

The UN had also in the backdrop of the recent raging controversy over the likely name change hinted that if New Delhi moves and completes the required formalities for the name change the UN will go by the book and will change the name at the UN (records).

Deputy Spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Farhan Haq, referenced Turkey's recent name change to Turkiye as an example.

Bharat instead of India has started figuring in many places. Recently, a government booklet on the PM's visit to Indonesia referred to Narendra Modi as the Prime Minister of Bharat.

Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Modi delivered the inaugural address at the G20 Summit at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi on Saturday. The nameplate kept in front of the PM read "Bharat". "India seems to have been replaced by Bharat at the government function. And it is now clear with this arrangement made at G20", remarked an official, describing the move worth merits. The nameplate is a strong message amid the Bharat vs. India row, This has also sparked speculation that the special session of Parliament scheduled for September 18-22 is aimed at formalising this push to rename the country as Bharat.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); This comes days after a huge controversy broke out over replacing India with Bharat in the invitation from President Draupadi Murmu to the G23 delegates. The UN had also in the backdrop of the recent raging controversy over the likely name change hinted that if New Delhi moves and completes the required formalities for the name change the UN will go by the book and will change the name at the UN (records). Deputy Spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Farhan Haq, referenced Turkey's recent name change to Turkiye as an example. Bharat instead of India has started figuring in many places. Recently, a government booklet on the PM's visit to Indonesia referred to Narendra Modi as the Prime Minister of Bharat. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
By Express News Service

RAIPUR: Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, expressing concerns over the reduction in the allocated target for rice procurement for the central pool from the state, has written to the Union Minister of Food and Public Distribution Piyush Goyal to reconsider the Centres decision.

Last month, the BJP in Chhattisgarh found strong reason to take credit after the Modi-led Centre gave the consent letter to Chhattisgarh to buy 86.5 lakh metric tons (LMT) of rice in the upcoming Kharif marketing season from the state. The opposition has welcomed the Centres decision in an attempt to woo the paddy farmers in the state ahead of the Assembly polls.

The CM cited the proceedings of the meeting of the food secretaries convened by the Government of India on August 21 this year when the estimated paddy procurement in the state for the years 2023-24 has been revised to 86.5 LMT of produced rice.

To justify the stand of the government, Baghel said, The state has decided to increase the procurement limit for paddy to 20 quintals per acre from the earlier 15 quintals per acre in response to demands from the farmers group.

Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp

RAIPUR: Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, expressing concerns over the reduction in the allocated target for rice procurement for the central pool from the state, has written to the Union Minister of Food and Public Distribution Piyush Goyal to reconsider the Centres decision. Last month, the BJP in Chhattisgarh found strong reason to take credit after the Modi-led Centre gave the consent letter to Chhattisgarh to buy 86.5 lakh metric tons (LMT) of rice in the upcoming Kharif marketing season from the state. The opposition has welcomed the Centres decision in an attempt to woo the paddy farmers in the state ahead of the Assembly polls. The CM cited the proceedings of the meeting of the food secretaries convened by the Government of India on August 21 this year when the estimated paddy procurement in the state for the years 2023-24 has been revised to 86.5 LMT of produced rice.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); To justify the stand of the government, Baghel said, The state has decided to increase the procurement limit for paddy to 20 quintals per acre from the earlier 15 quintals per acre in response to demands from the farmers group. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
By ANI

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his address to the G20 Summit emphasised the importance of the 21st century in finding new solutions to old challenges and called for a human-centric approach to address global challenges.

In his opening remarks at the G20 Summit, being held at the Bharat Mandapam in the national capital, PM Modi pointed out that to address global challenges and overcome trust deficits caused by conflicts there is a need to adopt a human-centric approach.

"The 21st century is an important time to show the world a new direction. This is the time when old problems are seeking new solutions from us and that is why we should move ahead fulfilling our responsibilities with a human-centric approach," he said.

"Following the Covid pandemic, the world faced a new challenge of trust deficit and unfortunately, the wars have further deepened this. But we must remember that if we can defeat a pandemic like Covid, we can also win over the challenge of this trust deficit," he said.

PM Modi asserted that the war in Ukraine has resulted in a trust deficit at the global level and called on all the G20 summit leaders to work together.

Today, as the president of G 20, India calls upon the world together to transform the global trust deficit into one of trust and reliance. This is the time for all of us to move together. In this time, the mantra of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas' can be the torchbearer for us, PM Modi said.

He added, Be it the divide between North and South, the distance between East and West, management of food and fuel, terrorism, cyber security, health, energy or water security, we will have to find a solid solution to this for future generations."

In a significant development, PM Modi said that the African Union has been made a permanent member of the Group of 20 and invited the AU, represented by Chairperson Azali Assoumani, to take a seat at the table of G20 leaders as a permanent member.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi hugs President of the Union of Comoros and Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Azali Assoumani as the latter takes his seat after the Union became a permanent member of the G20 during the G20 Summit 2023 at the Bharat Mandapam, in New Delhi | PTI

At the start of his address, PM Modi expressed grief over the loss of lives in Morocco, which was hit by an earthquake early this morning.

He said, "Before we start the proceedings of G20, I want to express my condolences over the loss of lives due to an earthquake in Morocco. We pray that all injured recover at the earliest. India is ready to offer all possible assistance to Morocco in this difficult time."

India assumed the G20 presidency on December 1 last year and about 200 meetings related to G20 were organized in 60 cities across the country.

The 18th G20 Summit is a culmination of all the G20 processes and meetings held throughout the year among ministers, senior officials, and civil societies.

The summit is being attended by more than 30 heads of state and top officials from the European Union and invited guest countries and 14 heads of international organisations.

In a recent editorial that has been published across newspapers, PM Modi wrote The voice of Global South Summit, which witnessed participation from 125 countries, was one of the foremost initiatives under our Presidency. It was an important exercise to gather inputs and ideas from the Global South. Further, our Presidency has not only seen the largest-ever participation from African countries but has also pushed for the inclusion of the African Union as a permanent member of the G20.

Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his address to the G20 Summit emphasised the importance of the 21st century in finding new solutions to old challenges and called for a human-centric approach to address global challenges. In his opening remarks at the G20 Summit, being held at the Bharat Mandapam in the national capital, PM Modi pointed out that to address global challenges and overcome trust deficits caused by conflicts there is a need to adopt a human-centric approach. "The 21st century is an important time to show the world a new direction. This is the time when old problems are seeking new solutions from us and that is why we should move ahead fulfilling our responsibilities with a human-centric approach," he said.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); "Following the Covid pandemic, the world faced a new challenge of trust deficit and unfortunately, the wars have further deepened this. But we must remember that if we can defeat a pandemic like Covid, we can also win over the challenge of this trust deficit," he said. PM Modi asserted that the war in Ukraine has resulted in a trust deficit at the global level and called on all the G20 summit leaders to work together. Today, as the president of G 20, India calls upon the world together to transform the global trust deficit into one of trust and reliance. This is the time for all of us to move together. In this time, the mantra of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas' can be the torchbearer for us, PM Modi said. He added, Be it the divide between North and South, the distance between East and West, management of food and fuel, terrorism, cyber security, health, energy or water security, we will have to find a solid solution to this for future generations." In a significant development, PM Modi said that the African Union has been made a permanent member of the Group of 20 and invited the AU, represented by Chairperson Azali Assoumani, to take a seat at the table of G20 leaders as a permanent member. Prime Minister Narendra Modi hugs President of the Union of Comoros and Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Azali Assoumani as the latter takes his seat after the Union became a permanent member of the G20 during the G20 Summit 2023 at the Bharat Mandapam, in New Delhi | PTI At the start of his address, PM Modi expressed grief over the loss of lives in Morocco, which was hit by an earthquake early this morning. He said, "Before we start the proceedings of G20, I want to express my condolences over the loss of lives due to an earthquake in Morocco. We pray that all injured recover at the earliest. India is ready to offer all possible assistance to Morocco in this difficult time." India assumed the G20 presidency on December 1 last year and about 200 meetings related to G20 were organized in 60 cities across the country. The 18th G20 Summit is a culmination of all the G20 processes and meetings held throughout the year among ministers, senior officials, and civil societies. The summit is being attended by more than 30 heads of state and top officials from the European Union and invited guest countries and 14 heads of international organisations. In a recent editorial that has been published across newspapers, PM Modi wrote The voice of Global South Summit, which witnessed participation from 125 countries, was one of the foremost initiatives under our Presidency. It was an important exercise to gather inputs and ideas from the Global South. Further, our Presidency has not only seen the largest-ever participation from African countries but has also pushed for the inclusion of the African Union as a permanent member of the G20. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
Rajesh Asnani By

Express News Service

JAIPUR: The political landscape in Rajasthan has been shaken up by the recent move of former Congress MLA Rajendra Gudha.

Dismissed from his ministerial post and having launched a front against the Gehlot government over the Lal Diary issue, Gudha joined the Shiv Sena's Shinde faction on Saturday. The event took place in his native village of Gudha (Neemkathana) in the presence of Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde, who appointed him as the coordinator for Rajasthan.

Gudha's move to the Shiv Sena was unexpected, given his offensive against the Congress and the CM Gehlot in particular. Many had expected him to join the BJP, but he chose to join Shiv Sena's Eknath Shinde group to avoid any taint of a nexus with the BJP. In fact, Gudha had previously been associated with both the BSP and the Congress.

During the event, Gudha launched a scathing attack on Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, accusing him of using agencies like the ED and CBI, similar to how he claims the Central Government does. He also expressed doubts about the Congress party's current situation, suggesting that the election results would reveal the truth.

Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde, who welcomed Gudha into the party, questioned Chief Minister Gehlot's actions and stated that the public would judge Gehlot's actions. Shinde emphasized that Gudha may have left his ministerial position but remained committed to the truth. He added that the unity of Rajasthan's courage and Maharashtra's valour is heartening and that they would ensure the well-being of every Rajasthani in Maharashtra.

It is worth noting that Gudha's history of political affiliations is noteworthy. He initially contested elections on a BSP ticket in 2008 and later switched to the Congress after a victory, where he became a minister. In 2013, he lost as a Congress candidate, and in the 2018 assembly elections, he rejoined the BSP after winning as an MLA. Surprisingly, he once again switched back to Congress and was appointed as a Minister of State.

Despite Rajendra Gudha joining Shiv Sena, he will not immediately lose his MLA status, according to experts. Gudha falls under the purview of the defection law, which entails a thorough process to terminate his membership, requiring time to complete. A petition must be filed with the Assembly Speaker to disqualify Gudha on the grounds of defection. The Congress Legislature Party whip or any MLA can submit this petition to the Speaker.

Afterwards, the Assembly Speaker will issue a notice to Gudha, soliciting his response. Following Gudha's reply, the Assembly Speaker will conduct hearings akin to a court, with legal representation present. Following a comprehensive hearing, the Speaker will render a decision, after which Gudha's fate will be determined.

Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp

JAIPUR: The political landscape in Rajasthan has been shaken up by the recent move of former Congress MLA Rajendra Gudha. Dismissed from his ministerial post and having launched a front against the Gehlot government over the Lal Diary issue, Gudha joined the Shiv Sena's Shinde faction on Saturday. The event took place in his native village of Gudha (Neemkathana) in the presence of Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde, who appointed him as the coordinator for Rajasthan. Gudha's move to the Shiv Sena was unexpected, given his offensive against the Congress and the CM Gehlot in particular. Many had expected him to join the BJP, but he chose to join Shiv Sena's Eknath Shinde group to avoid any taint of a nexus with the BJP. In fact, Gudha had previously been associated with both the BSP and the Congress.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); During the event, Gudha launched a scathing attack on Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, accusing him of using agencies like the ED and CBI, similar to how he claims the Central Government does. He also expressed doubts about the Congress party's current situation, suggesting that the election results would reveal the truth. Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde, who welcomed Gudha into the party, questioned Chief Minister Gehlot's actions and stated that the public would judge Gehlot's actions. Shinde emphasized that Gudha may have left his ministerial position but remained committed to the truth. He added that the unity of Rajasthan's courage and Maharashtra's valour is heartening and that they would ensure the well-being of every Rajasthani in Maharashtra. It is worth noting that Gudha's history of political affiliations is noteworthy. He initially contested elections on a BSP ticket in 2008 and later switched to the Congress after a victory, where he became a minister. In 2013, he lost as a Congress candidate, and in the 2018 assembly elections, he rejoined the BSP after winning as an MLA. Surprisingly, he once again switched back to Congress and was appointed as a Minister of State. Despite Rajendra Gudha joining Shiv Sena, he will not immediately lose his MLA status, according to experts. Gudha falls under the purview of the defection law, which entails a thorough process to terminate his membership, requiring time to complete. A petition must be filed with the Assembly Speaker to disqualify Gudha on the grounds of defection. The Congress Legislature Party whip or any MLA can submit this petition to the Speaker. Afterwards, the Assembly Speaker will issue a notice to Gudha, soliciting his response. Following Gudha's reply, the Assembly Speaker will conduct hearings akin to a court, with legal representation present. Following a comprehensive hearing, the Speaker will render a decision, after which Gudha's fate will be determined. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
By PTI

NEW DELHI: A series of hardball negotiations by India with China, Russia and other key Western players and strong backing by Brazil, South Africa and Indonesia to the efforts helped New Delhi achieve consensus on the G20 declaration, defying fears about whether the document could be issued at all in view of sharp divisions in the bloc on the Ukraine war, diplomatic sources said on Saturday.

India managed well in convincing China to agree to the text relating to the Ukraine conflict after the European Union concurred with the text, they said.

On the first day of the summit on Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that the G20 leaders' declaration was adopted with consensus, throwing a major surprise as both the Russia-China combine and the West had indicated that they would not budge from their respective position on the Ukraine conflict.

French diplomatic sources said India has displayed a "kind of power and an ability to bring countries together", adding not many countries are in a position to negotiate as New Delhi has done to take on board comments from everyone, and work out a compromise proposal on the Ukraine conflict.

It was a tough negotiation and the consensus on the declaration was a great achievement by India, European sources said on the condition of anonymity.

Asked about the absence of the term "Russian aggression" on Ukraine in the declaration which figured in the Bali G20 declaration, the sources said the Western countries were satisfied with the overall outcomes.

Another source said India circulated the final draft to the G20 members on Friday night saying if they do not agree to it, then there will be no declaration.

India's G20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant said the negotiations with Russia and China took place last night.

The French diplomatic sources described the declaration as "very satisfactory" from Paris's point of view.

The joint statement also found mention of Modi's famous remark that "Today's era must not be of war."

His vision of Lifestyles for Sustainable Development (LiFE) also figured in the declaration.

The French diplomatic sources also said that the Indian presidency wanted to see a language of "consensus emerge".

To achieve a language of consensus on a subject as divisive as Ukraine, "we had to be able to reaffirm what we said in Bali, which we have done by recalling the Bali conversation", a source said.

"We had to refer to the United Nations texts, which are indeed mentioned," the source said.

"Then we had to affirm a few obvious points for us, but which are not necessarily obvious for everyone, that is that a war of territorial conquest is unacceptable, that the sovereignty and territorial integrity of States must be respected, and that a just and lasting peace must respect these principles," the source said.

"All this is well incorporated in the text and, as was our main objective at this summit. It enables us to look ahead to what should be the solution for a just and lasting peace at the end of the war in Ukraine," the source added.

The declaration said that all States must refrain from conquering territories by force.

"Russia is the only country to have done so. All this helps to build consensus for the future," the source said.

In the declaration, the G20 leaders said they looked forward to meeting again in Brazil in 2024 and in South Africa in 2025, as well as in the United States in 2026 at the beginning of the next cycle.

"We welcome Saudi Arabia's ambition to advance its turn for hosting the G20 Presidency in the next cycle. We also look forward to the Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2024 as a symbol of peace, dialogue amongst nations and inclusivity, with participation of all," it said.

ALSO READ

From leaf crisps to pudding, India's 'super food' millet finds its way onto G20 dinner menu

Really big deal': Rail and shipping corridor linking India to Middle East, Europe announced at G20 Summit

G20 Summit: Delhi Declaration rejects use of force to acquire territory in reference to Russia

'Grateful, but...': Ukraine says G20 statement on Russian war 'nothing to be proud of'

Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp

NEW DELHI: A series of hardball negotiations by India with China, Russia and other key Western players and strong backing by Brazil, South Africa and Indonesia to the efforts helped New Delhi achieve consensus on the G20 declaration, defying fears about whether the document could be issued at all in view of sharp divisions in the bloc on the Ukraine war, diplomatic sources said on Saturday. India managed well in convincing China to agree to the text relating to the Ukraine conflict after the European Union concurred with the text, they said. On the first day of the summit on Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that the G20 leaders' declaration was adopted with consensus, throwing a major surprise as both the Russia-China combine and the West had indicated that they would not budge from their respective position on the Ukraine conflict.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); French diplomatic sources said India has displayed a "kind of power and an ability to bring countries together", adding not many countries are in a position to negotiate as New Delhi has done to take on board comments from everyone, and work out a compromise proposal on the Ukraine conflict. It was a tough negotiation and the consensus on the declaration was a great achievement by India, European sources said on the condition of anonymity. Asked about the absence of the term "Russian aggression" on Ukraine in the declaration which figured in the Bali G20 declaration, the sources said the Western countries were satisfied with the overall outcomes. Another source said India circulated the final draft to the G20 members on Friday night saying if they do not agree to it, then there will be no declaration. India's G20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant said the negotiations with Russia and China took place last night. The French diplomatic sources described the declaration as "very satisfactory" from Paris's point of view. The joint statement also found mention of Modi's famous remark that "Today's era must not be of war." His vision of Lifestyles for Sustainable Development (LiFE) also figured in the declaration. The French diplomatic sources also said that the Indian presidency wanted to see a language of "consensus emerge". To achieve a language of consensus on a subject as divisive as Ukraine, "we had to be able to reaffirm what we said in Bali, which we have done by recalling the Bali conversation", a source said. "We had to refer to the United Nations texts, which are indeed mentioned," the source said. "Then we had to affirm a few obvious points for us, but which are not necessarily obvious for everyone, that is that a war of territorial conquest is unacceptable, that the sovereignty and territorial integrity of States must be respected, and that a just and lasting peace must respect these principles," the source said. "All this is well incorporated in the text and, as was our main objective at this summit. It enables us to look ahead to what should be the solution for a just and lasting peace at the end of the war in Ukraine," the source added. The declaration said that all States must refrain from conquering territories by force. "Russia is the only country to have done so. All this helps to build consensus for the future," the source said. In the declaration, the G20 leaders said they looked forward to meeting again in Brazil in 2024 and in South Africa in 2025, as well as in the United States in 2026 at the beginning of the next cycle. "We welcome Saudi Arabia's ambition to advance its turn for hosting the G20 Presidency in the next cycle. We also look forward to the Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2024 as a symbol of peace, dialogue amongst nations and inclusivity, with participation of all," it said. ALSO READ From leaf crisps to pudding, India's 'super food' millet finds its way onto G20 dinner menu Really big deal': Rail and shipping corridor linking India to Middle East, Europe announced at G20 Summit G20 Summit: Delhi Declaration rejects use of force to acquire territory in reference to Russia 'Grateful, but...': Ukraine says G20 statement on Russian war 'nothing to be proud of' Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
Ramakrishna Badseshi By

Express News Service

KALABURAGI: Congress as a political party is concentrating on uniting all the non-BJP and likeminded parties and in this present juncture it does not want to fall in the controversy of Santana Hindu Dharma, said AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge on Saturday.

Kharge said that he didn't want to comment on the statement of TN Minister Udayanidhi Stalin comparing Sanatana Hindu Dharma with dengue and malaria calling for the the elimination of Sanatana Hindu Dharma.

"I will not mix politics with religion, whenever religious agenda comes we will debate on that matter at that time," Kharge said.

Our main aim is to unite the opposition parties and to fight with unity in the ensuing Lok Sabha Elections, it is our political agenda, he added.

He said that the constituents of I. N. D. I. A. have already held three meetings and another meeting will take place shortly in North India as the first meeting was held in his residence in New Delhi, second meeting was held at Bengaluru and 3rd meeting in Mumbai.

When asked about the seating sharing issue between the constituents of I. N. D. I. A. will get finalized, Kharge said that it will take a long time as the parties will have to decide first on how many places they have a strong presence in and then put a proposal before the core committee of I.N.D.I.A.

The AICC President further said that the extended meeting of the Congress Working Committee (CWC) will be held at Hyderabad on 16th and 17th September at Hyderabad.

I.N.D.I.A. and Bharat

To a question on BJP especially Prime Ministers interest in renaming India as Bharat, Mallikarjun Kharge said that Congress Party has not made any difference between India and Bharat.

"We have raised slogans including Bharata Maataa ki Jia, our leader took up Pada Yatra in the name of Bharat Jodo," he added.

It is the Prime Minister who has launched programmes in the name of India: Make in India, Startup India, and Digital India etc.

Now that 27 opposition parties have formed an alliance in the name of I.N.D.I.A, the PM is scared and is trying to create an illusion before the public, he added, "For Congress both India and Bharat are one and the same.

Tie-up between BJP and JD (S)

The AICC President said that he has read in newspapers about possible tie-up between JD (S) and BJP and has seen the picture of Deve Gowda shaking hands with Narendra Modi.

It is not yet clear on the nature of understanding between both the parties.

JD (S) claims to be a secular party, now it has to clarify to the people on how can it consider a tie-up with BJP. The understanding between BJP and JD (S) will not make any impact on the prospect of Congress Party, he said.

Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp

KALABURAGI: Congress as a political party is concentrating on uniting all the non-BJP and likeminded parties and in this present juncture it does not want to fall in the controversy of Santana Hindu Dharma, said AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge on Saturday. Kharge said that he didn't want to comment on the statement of TN Minister Udayanidhi Stalin comparing Sanatana Hindu Dharma with dengue and malaria calling for the the elimination of Sanatana Hindu Dharma. "I will not mix politics with religion, whenever religious agenda comes we will debate on that matter at that time," Kharge said.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Our main aim is to unite the opposition parties and to fight with unity in the ensuing Lok Sabha Elections, it is our political agenda, he added. He said that the constituents of I. N. D. I. A. have already held three meetings and another meeting will take place shortly in North India as the first meeting was held in his residence in New Delhi, second meeting was held at Bengaluru and 3rd meeting in Mumbai. When asked about the seating sharing issue between the constituents of I. N. D. I. A. will get finalized, Kharge said that it will take a long time as the parties will have to decide first on how many places they have a strong presence in and then put a proposal before the core committee of I.N.D.I.A. The AICC President further said that the extended meeting of the Congress Working Committee (CWC) will be held at Hyderabad on 16th and 17th September at Hyderabad. I.N.D.I.A. and Bharat To a question on BJP especially Prime Ministers interest in renaming India as Bharat, Mallikarjun Kharge said that Congress Party has not made any difference between India and Bharat. "We have raised slogans including Bharata Maataa ki Jia, our leader took up Pada Yatra in the name of Bharat Jodo," he added. It is the Prime Minister who has launched programmes in the name of India: Make in India, Startup India, and Digital India etc. Now that 27 opposition parties have formed an alliance in the name of I.N.D.I.A, the PM is scared and is trying to create an illusion before the public, he added, "For Congress both India and Bharat are one and the same. Tie-up between BJP and JD (S) The AICC President said that he has read in newspapers about possible tie-up between JD (S) and BJP and has seen the picture of Deve Gowda shaking hands with Narendra Modi. It is not yet clear on the nature of understanding between both the parties. JD (S) claims to be a secular party, now it has to clarify to the people on how can it consider a tie-up with BJP. The understanding between BJP and JD (S) will not make any impact on the prospect of Congress Party, he said. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 9. The Turkish Foreign Ministry has strongly condemned the so-called "presidential elections" of the separatist regime in Azerbaijan's Karabakh, Trend reports citing the ministry's statement.

The Turkish Foreign Ministry said in a statement that these so-called "elections" are a new manifestation of attempts to legitimize the situation in the region, which is contrary to international law:

"This step is a violation of international law, including UN Security Council resolutions and OSCE principles. We condemn these so-called "elections" and perceive it as an attempt to undermine the peace talks between Azerbaijan and Armenia. Turkiye does not recognize these so-called "elections", which represent a violation of Azerbaijan's sovereignty and territorial integrity. We call on the UN and the international community not to recognize these "elections". Turkiye supports the process of peace talks between Azerbaijan and Armenia and believes that signing a peace agreement as soon as possible will make a great contribution to peace and stability in the region," the statement reads.
Prabhu Chawla By

The Empire tried to strike back but got struck in the back instead at the G20 summit in New Delhi. In the 1940s, as Indias freedom struggle raged, Winston Churchill warned, If Independence is granted to India, power will go to men of straw. Churchill would be spinning in the grave after UKs Hindu Prime Minister Rishi Sunak famously chanted Jai Shri Ram at Cambridge earlier this month. But Jai Sunak calls at the G20 meet were muted.

Though the British PM was the first Indian-origin person to run a white country which had enslaved India for over 200 years, Sunak was met at the airport by Minister Of State Ashwani Choubey. Indias Prime Minister held a bilateral meeting with him on the summit sidelines and gave him the famous Modi Hug. But he received no special treatment like the heads of the US, Bangladesh and Mauritius, whom Modi invited home to 7 Lok Kalyan Marg for bilateral talks. This was a first in diplomatic historyIndias premier throwing an informal dinner for an American president at his residence. Usually, its the President of India who plays the host. Narendra Modi, the Maestro of Subtle Signals, was his belligerent besttelling Putin and Xi that India was a peninsular superpower which made its calls on oil or Ukraine.

Clearly, Sunak, a brown man trying to prove that he is whiter than the whites, got brownie points from neither India nor Britain. However, he was given an honour similar to other not so significant government leaders. New Delhi isnt amused about the UK law enforcement ignoring terror attacks on the Indian High Commission and failing to block Khalistan protestors. Even after 13 rounds of talks, Whitehall obstructs a vital trade agreement that gives Indian immigrants a better deal. Sunak, who runs with the hare and hunts with the hounds, is experiencing an identity crisis: Is he a Hindu first or a Briton? Diplomacy is heavily imbued with symbolism; despite her Indian roots, Akshata went for a patterned skirt and shirt instead of the sari that her mother would have worn for a ceremonial function.

Although this is Sunaks first official India visit, he was hardly feted. He being a staunch Hindu, the ruling political class should have pulled out all stops to celebrate Sunaks arrival with myriad social engagements. When the media aggressively grilled him about British soft pedalling on Khalistan, he replied, We are working very closely with the Indian government to tackle PKE (Pro-Khalistan Extremism) particularly. I dont think its right. Our security minister recently was just in India talking to his counterparts. We have working groups together to share intelligence and information so that we can root out this kind of violent extremism. Its not right, and I wont tolerate it in the UK.

ALSO READ: PM Modi has one-on-one with Sunak, Kishida & Meloni; Talk on Free Trade Agreement

But it was all bluster. His alibi was, Im a proud Hindu, and thats how I was raised. Thats how I am. Hopefully, I can visit a Mandir while Im here for the next couple of days. We just had Raksha Bandhan, so from my sister and my cousins, I have all my rakhis, and I didnt have time to celebrate Janmashtami properly the other day. But hopefully, I said, I can make up for that if we visit a Mandir this time. But its something that is important to me. I think faith is something that helps everybody who has faith in their lives, particularly when you have these stressful jobs like I have.

According to government sources, many reasons exist for not extending Sunak special courtesies. He is just one of the 20-odd heads of state attending the Summit. Second, his Conservative Party and prominent ministers are raving at India. The UK Secretary for Home, Suella Braverman, born to Kenyan-Indian and Mauritian parents, is Indias most ardent critic. Last year, she attacked Indians publicly, stating, ...the largest groups of people who overstay are Indian migrants. We even reached an agreement with the Indian government last year to encourage and facilitate better cooperation in this regard. It has not necessarily worked very well. She openly opposes the trade deal.

Sunak has missed numerous deadlines to deliver on the deal that would benefit Indian tech-fin companies. He told the media, Lots of progress has been made on this one, but were not there yet, so weve got to keep going,.. We cant rush it, and I wont rush it. Thousands of Indian students are in limbo because of long term visa restrictions. Hobbled by contradictions, the premier sounded diplomatically undiplomatic on Ukraine, telling journalists, Well, its not for me to tell India what positions to take on international issues, but I know India rightly cares about the international rule of law, UN Charter, and respect for territorial integrity. I think those are things that are universal values that we all share. Those are things that I believe, and India, I know, believes in those things too. He indirectly advised New Delhi to support the West in its war against Indias age-old ally, Russia. The New Delhi Declaration turned out to be precisely the opposite of what Sunak was lobbying for.

READ MORE: Surprise parliamentary session another Modi adventurism

MEA pashas believe Sunak enjoys little clout in his party and doubt his ability to deliver fast. After all, he grabbed power by betraying his mentor, Boris Johnson, and by moving into 10 Downing Street following the resignation of Britains 44-day PM Liz Truss, who tanked the economy. Now Sunaks popular ratings are plummeting as he faces revolt from within. His Indian family affiliation is a liability. Labour MP Darren Jones questioned the trade treaty, citing Sunaks likely conflict of interests, by arguing that it could benefit Infosys, which Akshatas billionaire dad Narayana Murthy founded and in which she has a substantial shareholding.

Rishi Sunak is a victim of his binary identity predicament. At home, the British aristocracy and white establishment havent come to terms with a brown person leading them. To make the best of both worlds, he champions Hinduism while wooing the empire nostalgics who abhor everything Indian and Hindu. Sunak was for Britain First when he first became PM: he had taken the time to ensure international negotiations and work for the British people and wont rush things for the sake of it until theyre right for us.

It wont go right for Sunak if he fails to resolve Britains economic and racial crises. Conservatives in India will see him as a white man with brown skin, a Hindu by convenience, and British by convictions. Modi doesnt need Sunak for the global Hindu Diasporas gargantuan support. Indias supremo understands only strength, and the G20 is a summit for strongmen, not a forum for Britains man of straw---an accidental Prime Minister.

CLICK THIS LINK TO READ MORE COLUMNS BY PRABHU CHAWLA

prabhuchawla@newindianexpress.com

(Follow him on Twitter @PrabhuChawla)

Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp

The Empire tried to strike back but got struck in the back instead at the G20 summit in New Delhi. In the 1940s, as Indias freedom struggle raged, Winston Churchill warned, If Independence is granted to India, power will go to men of straw. Churchill would be spinning in the grave after UKs Hindu Prime Minister Rishi Sunak famously chanted Jai Shri Ram at Cambridge earlier this month. But Jai Sunak calls at the G20 meet were muted. Though the British PM was the first Indian-origin person to run a white country which had enslaved India for over 200 years, Sunak was met at the airport by Minister Of State Ashwani Choubey. Indias Prime Minister held a bilateral meeting with him on the summit sidelines and gave him the famous Modi Hug. But he received no special treatment like the heads of the US, Bangladesh and Mauritius, whom Modi invited home to 7 Lok Kalyan Marg for bilateral talks. This was a first in diplomatic historyIndias premier throwing an informal dinner for an American president at his residence. Usually, its the President of India who plays the host. Narendra Modi, the Maestro of Subtle Signals, was his belligerent besttelling Putin and Xi that India was a peninsular superpower which made its calls on oil or Ukraine. Clearly, Sunak, a brown man trying to prove that he is whiter than the whites, got brownie points from neither India nor Britain. However, he was given an honour similar to other not so significant government leaders. New Delhi isnt amused about the UK law enforcement ignoring terror attacks on the Indian High Commission and failing to block Khalistan protestors. Even after 13 rounds of talks, Whitehall obstructs a vital trade agreement that gives Indian immigrants a better deal. Sunak, who runs with the hare and hunts with the hounds, is experiencing an identity crisis: Is he a Hindu first or a Briton? Diplomacy is heavily imbued with symbolism; despite her Indian roots, Akshata went for a patterned skirt and shirt instead of the sari that her mother would have worn for a ceremonial function.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Although this is Sunaks first official India visit, he was hardly feted. He being a staunch Hindu, the ruling political class should have pulled out all stops to celebrate Sunaks arrival with myriad social engagements. When the media aggressively grilled him about British soft pedalling on Khalistan, he replied, We are working very closely with the Indian government to tackle PKE (Pro-Khalistan Extremism) particularly. I dont think its right. Our security minister recently was just in India talking to his counterparts. We have working groups together to share intelligence and information so that we can root out this kind of violent extremism. Its not right, and I wont tolerate it in the UK. ALSO READ: PM Modi has one-on-one with Sunak, Kishida & Meloni; Talk on Free Trade Agreement But it was all bluster. His alibi was, Im a proud Hindu, and thats how I was raised. Thats how I am. Hopefully, I can visit a Mandir while Im here for the next couple of days. We just had Raksha Bandhan, so from my sister and my cousins, I have all my rakhis, and I didnt have time to celebrate Janmashtami properly the other day. But hopefully, I said, I can make up for that if we visit a Mandir this time. But its something that is important to me. I think faith is something that helps everybody who has faith in their lives, particularly when you have these stressful jobs like I have. According to government sources, many reasons exist for not extending Sunak special courtesies. He is just one of the 20-odd heads of state attending the Summit. Second, his Conservative Party and prominent ministers are raving at India. The UK Secretary for Home, Suella Braverman, born to Kenyan-Indian and Mauritian parents, is Indias most ardent critic. Last year, she attacked Indians publicly, stating, ...the largest groups of people who overstay are Indian migrants. We even reached an agreement with the Indian government last year to encourage and facilitate better cooperation in this regard. It has not necessarily worked very well. She openly opposes the trade deal. Sunak has missed numerous deadlines to deliver on the deal that would benefit Indian tech-fin companies. He told the media, Lots of progress has been made on this one, but were not there yet, so weve got to keep going,.. We cant rush it, and I wont rush it. Thousands of Indian students are in limbo because of long term visa restrictions. Hobbled by contradictions, the premier sounded diplomatically undiplomatic on Ukraine, telling journalists, Well, its not for me to tell India what positions to take on international issues, but I know India rightly cares about the international rule of law, UN Charter, and respect for territorial integrity. I think those are things that are universal values that we all share. Those are things that I believe, and India, I know, believes in those things too. He indirectly advised New Delhi to support the West in its war against Indias age-old ally, Russia. The New Delhi Declaration turned out to be precisely the opposite of what Sunak was lobbying for. READ MORE: Surprise parliamentary session another Modi adventurism MEA pashas believe Sunak enjoys little clout in his party and doubt his ability to deliver fast. After all, he grabbed power by betraying his mentor, Boris Johnson, and by moving into 10 Downing Street following the resignation of Britains 44-day PM Liz Truss, who tanked the economy. Now Sunaks popular ratings are plummeting as he faces revolt from within. His Indian family affiliation is a liability. Labour MP Darren Jones questioned the trade treaty, citing Sunaks likely conflict of interests, by arguing that it could benefit Infosys, which Akshatas billionaire dad Narayana Murthy founded and in which she has a substantial shareholding. Rishi Sunak is a victim of his binary identity predicament. At home, the British aristocracy and white establishment havent come to terms with a brown person leading them. To make the best of both worlds, he champions Hinduism while wooing the empire nostalgics who abhor everything Indian and Hindu. Sunak was for Britain First when he first became PM: he had taken the time to ensure international negotiations and work for the British people and wont rush things for the sake of it until theyre right for us. It wont go right for Sunak if he fails to resolve Britains economic and racial crises. Conservatives in India will see him as a white man with brown skin, a Hindu by convenience, and British by convictions. Modi doesnt need Sunak for the global Hindu Diasporas gargantuan support. Indias supremo understands only strength, and the G20 is a summit for strongmen, not a forum for Britains man of straw---an accidental Prime Minister. CLICK THIS LINK TO READ MORE COLUMNS BY PRABHU CHAWLA prabhuchawla@newindianexpress.com(Follow him on Twitter @PrabhuChawla) Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
By PTI

AMARAVATI: Hours after his arrest in connection with an alleged multi-crore skill development scam, TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu on Saturday said he was prepared to sacrifice his life to safeguard the interests of Telugu people, and no force can stop him.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the former Andhra Pradesh CM said, "For the past 45 years, I have selflessly served Telugu people. I am prepared to sacrifice my life to safeguard the interests of the Telugu people. No force on earth can stop me from serving Telugu people, my #AndhraPradesh and my motherland."

For the past 45 years, I have selflessly served Telugu people. I am prepared to sacrifice my life to safeguard the interests of Telugu people. No force on earth can stop me from serving Telugu people, my #AndhraPradesh and my motherland.



Posted at 6 AM, 09th September 2023 pic.twitter.com/721COYldUd September 9, 2023

During his arrest, he appealed to people and party cadre to exercise restraint.

"Finally, truth and dharma will triumph. Whatever they do to me, I will march forward for the people," he said.

Naidu was arrested in an early morning police operation, which involved officers knocking on the door of the caravan in which he was asleep.

The leader of the opposition was arrested by the CID around 6 a.m. from a marriage hall (outside which his caravan was parked) at Gnanapuram in Nandyal town.

ALSO READ |

Ex-Andhra CM Chandrababu Naidu arrested in alleged corruption case

Curious timing of I-T notice to TDP's Chandrababu Naidu

TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu says he might be arrested in a day or two

Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp

AMARAVATI: Hours after his arrest in connection with an alleged multi-crore skill development scam, TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu on Saturday said he was prepared to sacrifice his life to safeguard the interests of Telugu people, and no force can stop him. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the former Andhra Pradesh CM said, "For the past 45 years, I have selflessly served Telugu people. I am prepared to sacrifice my life to safeguard the interests of the Telugu people. No force on earth can stop me from serving Telugu people, my #AndhraPradesh and my motherland." For the past 45 years, I have selflessly served Telugu people. I am prepared to sacrifice my life to safeguard the interests of Telugu people. No force on earth can stop me from serving Telugu people, my #AndhraPradesh and my motherland. Posted at 6 AM, 09th September 2023 pic.twitter.com/721COYldUdgoogletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); });  N Chandrababu Naidu (@ncbn) September 9, 2023 During his arrest, he appealed to people and party cadre to exercise restraint. "Finally, truth and dharma will triumph. Whatever they do to me, I will march forward for the people," he said. Naidu was arrested in an early morning police operation, which involved officers knocking on the door of the caravan in which he was asleep. The leader of the opposition was arrested by the CID around 6 a.m. from a marriage hall (outside which his caravan was parked) at Gnanapuram in Nandyal town. ALSO READ | Ex-Andhra CM Chandrababu Naidu arrested in alleged corruption case Curious timing of I-T notice to TDP's Chandrababu Naidu TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu says he might be arrested in a day or two Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
By AFP

TEHRAN: Authorities in Iran's southwest have arrested six people accused of "organising riots" on the first anniversary of Mahsa Amini's death in custody which triggered nationwide protests, state media reported Saturday.

Amini, an Iranian Kurd, died on September 16, 2022, after her arrest in Tehran for an alleged breach of the Islamic Republic's strict dress rules for women.

The intelligence organisation of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad province suspended five social media pages and arrested the six individuals behind them, it said according to the official news agency IRNA.

IRGC accused them of "organising riots and driving insecurity on the internet", the statement said without identifying the suspects.

ALSO READ | Iran news editor suspended over protest coverage: media

"The individuals were active during last year's riots and have criminal records," it added.

"Concurrent with attempts of the enemies to create chaos on the anniversary of last year's riots, the administrators of these five social media pages were planning gatherings to create disturbances in the coming days."

Demonstrations across Iran in the months that followed Amini's death saw hundreds of people killed, including dozens of security personnel, and thousands arrested in connection with what officials labelled as foreign-instigated "riots".

The latest arrests came days after the IRGC's intelligence body and Tehran's intelligence ministry announced they had "identified and dealt a blow" to a "riot-organising network that was being financially supported by the US State Department".

Members of the alleged network were accused of attempts "to prepare and present an agenda for rioters to revive the atmosphere of tension and disturbance", according to a joint statement issued on Wednesday.

Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp

TEHRAN: Authorities in Iran's southwest have arrested six people accused of "organising riots" on the first anniversary of Mahsa Amini's death in custody which triggered nationwide protests, state media reported Saturday. Amini, an Iranian Kurd, died on September 16, 2022, after her arrest in Tehran for an alleged breach of the Islamic Republic's strict dress rules for women. The intelligence organisation of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad province suspended five social media pages and arrested the six individuals behind them, it said according to the official news agency IRNA.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); IRGC accused them of "organising riots and driving insecurity on the internet", the statement said without identifying the suspects. ALSO READ | Iran news editor suspended over protest coverage: media "The individuals were active during last year's riots and have criminal records," it added. "Concurrent with attempts of the enemies to create chaos on the anniversary of last year's riots, the administrators of these five social media pages were planning gatherings to create disturbances in the coming days." Demonstrations across Iran in the months that followed Amini's death saw hundreds of people killed, including dozens of security personnel, and thousands arrested in connection with what officials labelled as foreign-instigated "riots". The latest arrests came days after the IRGC's intelligence body and Tehran's intelligence ministry announced they had "identified and dealt a blow" to a "riot-organising network that was being financially supported by the US State Department". Members of the alleged network were accused of attempts "to prepare and present an agenda for rioters to revive the atmosphere of tension and disturbance", according to a joint statement issued on Wednesday. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
G20 summit: Egypt President El-Sisi arrives in India to a rousing welcome

New Delhi, September 8

E gypt President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi on Friday arrived in the national capital for the G20 summit.

The summit, which will be attended by a sizeable complement of world leaders and delegates representing international organisations, will be hosted at the state-of-the-art Bharat Mandapam over two days -- September 9 and 10.

On his arrival at Delhi's Palam airbase, the Egyptian President was treated to a folk dance.

Earlier, on his maiden visit to Egypt in July, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was conferred the country's highest state honour by President El-Sisi.

It was the 13th state honour of its kind to have been conferred on Prime Minister Modi.

PM Modi also held a one-to-one meeting with the Egyptian President during which the countries formally arrived at an agreement to elevate the bilateral relationship to a 'strategic partnership'.

The two leaders discussed ways to further deepen the partnership between the two nations, including trade, investment, defence, security, renewable energy, cultural and people-to-people ties.

Prime Minister Modi also held a roundtable meeting with his Egyptian counterpart Mostafa Madbouly in Cairo. He also met thought leaders in Egypt as a part of his two-day visit to the land of the Pharaohs.

On his return to Delhi, PM Modi called his two-day visit to Egypt a "historic one", stating that it will add renewed vigour to the relations between India and Egypt and benefit the people of the two countries.

India and Egypt share close political understanding based on a long history of contacts and cooperation on bilateral, regional and global issues.

The countries, which represent two of the world's oldest civilizations, have enjoyed a history of close contact from ancient times.

Egypt has been traditionally one of India's most important trading partners in the African continent. The India-Egypt Bilateral Trade Agreement has been in operation since March 1978 and is based on the Most Favoured Nation clause and the bilateral trade has increased more than five times in the last ten years, an official release by the Ministry of External Affairs states.

At present, the Indian community in Egypt numbers about 4,200, with the majority concentrated in the capital city, Cairo.

G20 summit: Egypt President El-Sisi arrives in India to a rousing welcome

Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us!
New Delhi, September 8

U nion Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and United States Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen met in New Delhi today, laying the groundwork for the upcoming G20 Leaders' Summit scheduled for September 9-10.

The meeting centred on G20 priorities and explored avenues for enhancing bilateral cooperation between the two democratic nations to tackle pressing global economic and financial challenges.

Against the backdrop of the forthcoming G20 Leaders' Summit, Finance Minister Sitharaman and Secretary Yellen engaged in discussions aimed at fostering international collaboration.

Ministry of Finance posted on X, "Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Secretary Janet Yellen discussed key G20 priorities and bilateral cooperation between the two democracies to address pressing global economic and financial issues".

The discussions held today serve as a prelude to the broader deliberations expected during the G20 Leaders' Summit, where leaders from around the world will come together to address global economic challenges and chart a course towards a more resilient and sustainable global economy.

Finance Minister Sitharaman, US treasury secretary Janet Yellen discuss key G20 priorities

Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us!
US President Biden arrives in India for G20 Summit, to hold bilateral meeting with PM Modi

New Delhi, September 8

U S President Joe Biden arrived in India on Friday for the G20 Summit during which he will engage with other leaders on issues facing major economies of the world.

He was received at the airport by Minister of State for Road Transport & Highways and Civil Aviation Gen VK Singh . US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti was present at the airport with his daughter. President Biden interacted with her as also had a brief chat with the union minister. He also cheered the group of dancers who performed a traditioinal dance to welcome him.

During the visit, Biden will hold bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This is his first visit to India as US President.

US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan told reporters on Air Force One earlier that G20 hosted by India will be an important milestone moment for global cooperation at a critical time.

"As we head into the G20, we're looking forward to an opportunity to engage on a range of what we think are really significant issues facing all of the major economies of the world," Sullivan said.

"And that goes from climate, to energy security, to food security, to global macroeconomic stability, to being able to deliver public goods to people everywhere through ambitious initiatives like the World Bank reform initiative that President Biden has been working on. And so, we think this will be a -- an important milestone moment for global cooperation at a critical time," he added.

The 18th G20 Summit is being held at the state-of-the-art Bharat Mandapam Convention Centre in New Delhi on September 9 and 10.

The bilateral meeting between PM Modi and Biden will be held on Friday evening.

"I'm headed to the G20 - the premier forum for international economic cooperation - focused on making progress on Americans' priorities, delivering for developing nations, and showing our commitment to the G20 as a forum that can deliver," Biden had said on X before leaving for Delhi.

Prime Minister Modi was on a state visit to the US from June 21 to 24.

Sullivan said the bilateral meeting will be an opportunity to follow up on Prime Minister Modi's visit to the United States.

"We will see meaningful progress on a number of issues, including the GE jet engine issue, the MQ-9 Reapers, on 5G/6G, on collaboration on critical and emerging technologies, and progress also in the civil nuclear area as well," he said.

US President Biden arrives in India for G20 Summit, to hold bilateral meeting with PM Modi

Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us!
New Delhi, September 8

T he President of the United Arab Emirates, Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, on Friday arrived at Delhi's Palam airbase to attend the G20 summit.

The two-day summit, being hosted in the national capital under India's presidency of the 20-member bloc, will get underway at the state-of-the-art Bharat Mandapam from Saturday.

President Al Nahyan was received by Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, Nityanand Rai.

Meanwhile, ahead of the G20 summit, which will bring together some of the most powerful leaders of the free world as well as delegates representing international organisations, Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra said, "The coming together of the 41 Heads of delegations, Heads of State/Govt, Heads of international organisations in India, starting yesterday is under PM's personal leadership and direction. It is essentially a celebration of the coming together of the G 20 family...This is the largest-ever participation of the Global South in India."

India assumed the G20 presidency on December 1, last year, with about 200 related meetings organised across 60 Indian cities.

The 18th G20 Summit will be a culmination of all the G20 processes and meetings held throughout the year among ministers, senior officials, and civil societies.

One of the takeaways of India's G20 presidency is the revolutionisation of Digital Payment Infrastructure, as initially very few people knew about it, but it has taken forward extensively, G20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant said on Friday.

After concluding his recent official visit to the UAE, PM Modi shared a video clip of his trip to the Gulf nation saying both countries will continue to work closely for the global good.

Sharing the video on Twitter, which showed him attending important events in the UAE, PM Modi posted, "India and UAE will keep working closely to further global good!"

During the visit, PM Modi and UAE President Al Nahyan affirmed that India's G20 presidency will play an important role in accelerating cooperation in combating climate change, said the India-UAE joint statement on Climate Change.

PM Modi and the UAE President recognized the urgent need to address the global challenge of climate change through global collective action while respecting the foundational principles and obligations under the United Nations Framework Convention on the Climate Change and the Paris Agreement, read a joint press release.

PM Modi also congratulated UAE on being chosen as the host country for COP28 in 2023 while pledging the country's full support to the Gulf nation as it assumes the COP28 Presidency. President Al Nahyan, in turn, congratulated India on its leadership role in the G20.

Both leaders affirmed the importance and significance of India's G20 presidency while stressing the grouping's role in fostering and accelerating cooperation in combating climate change, with emphasis on finance and technology as critical enablers, as well as on just, inclusive and sustainable energy transitions, the joint statement said.

The leaders committed to enhancing cooperation on climate ambition, decarbonization, and clean energy, and work together to have tangible and meaningful outcomes from the 28th Session of the UNFCCC Conference of Parties.

UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan arrives in New Delhi to attend G20 Summit

Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us!
Progress in India-Bangladesh relations in last nine years gladdening: PM Modi

New Delhi, September 8

P rime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said progress in India-Bangladesh relations in the last nine years has been gladdening.

The PM made the remarks after holding a bilateral meeting with Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Friday ahead of the G20 Summit scheduled to be held in New Delhi on September 9, 10.

"Had productive deliberations with PM Sheikh Hasina. The progress in India-Bangladesh relations in the last 9 years has been very gladdening. Our talks covered areas like connectivity, commercial linkage and more," the PM posted on X on Friday.

The Bangladesh PM arrived in New Delhi on Friday to attend the G20 Summit.

Sheikh Hasina was received by Darshana Jardosh, Minister of State in the Ministry of Textiles and in the Ministry of Railways at the Delhi Airport.

Earlier in the day, PM Modi also held a bilateral meeting with his Mauritius counterpart Pravind Jugnauth, who arrived in New Delhi on Thursday.

India and Bangladesh share bonds of history, language, culture, and a multitude of other commonalities. The partnership has strengthened, matured and evolved as a model for bilateral relations for the entire region and beyond.

Earlier Last month, India and Bangladesh held the fifth Annual Defence Dialogue on August 28 in Dhaka, where the two nations agreed to enhance their defence cooperation including increasing the bilateral exercises.

The two-day Joint Group of Customs meeting between India and Bangladesh was held in New Delhi where both sides discussed issues relating to customs cooperation and cross-border trade facilitation, the finance ministry informed in an official release.

The G20 Leaders' Summit is scheduled to take place on September 9 and 10 in New Delhi.

The 18th G20 Summit in New Delhi will be a culmination of all the G20 processes and meetings held throughout the year among ministers, senior officials, and civil societies.

Progress in India-Bangladesh relations in last nine years gladdening: PM Modi

Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us!
Guwahati, September 8

A ssam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday inaugurated training centres to train 5,750 youth under the Assam Skill Development Mission under 59 vocations at the programme held at Janata Bhawan in Guwahati.

It may be noted that in the same programme, CM Sarma also flagged off "Skill Yatra" to generate a skill awareness programme initially in four districts through skill vans. The districts are Kamrup, Nalbari, Darang and Morigaon.

He also launched a scheme namely "Indigenous Skill Training by Gurus". Under the scheme, initially, 15 districts will be covered to undertake the programme and 10 candidates will be selected from each district.

Besides, the Chief Minister also launched the process of releasing stipends through DBT to 500 trainees under the Jal Jeevan Mission and Assam Skill Development Mission.

The Chief Minister also inaugurated the Training Centre of Schwing Stetter. As a part of the programme, 50 trainees from ITI Guwahati will be trained for the job of concrete Pump Operator. Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said that the inauguration of training centres in Assam is an important development for skilling the youth of the state and making them fit for employment as well as for self-employment.

He said that the 60 training centres set up across the state under the state-funded Placement Linked Skill Development Training Programme to train the youth in short-term skill courses will prove to be a force multiplier in making the youth employable and creating self-employment avenues in the state.

He said that 59 job roles across 10 sectors will cover all the 60 training centres across the state. The Chief Minister said that the Skill Yatra that he flagged off would also go a long way in connecting students of classes 9 to 12 of government schools with a provision to counselling the students along with their parents.

Sarma also said that under the Indigenous Skill Training by Guru scheme, special focus will be made on preserving and promoting indigenous trades of Assam like mask making, bell and brass metal etc. The Chief Minister also said that the State government is on track to skilling the youth of the state to make them self-reliant. He said that since Assam is rich in tourism, hospitality and other associated fields, the skilling of the youth will help them meet the demands of the job markets.

Talking about the bell and brass metal industries, Sarma said that adequate skilling of the artisans in these trades will help them to create products that will be aesthetically superior along with their durability. He also spoke on the need for a fusion of traditional and modern methods to make handicraft items more attractive. The Chief Minister also said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will launch a scheme namely Viswakarma on 17 September for skilled workers. The scheme will also help the skilled workers in the state to hone their skills to the satisfaction of their customers.

He, moreover, said that the State government will also launch a scheme where two lakh youth will be skilled in modern technology.

He said that the State government will collaborate with Tata Technology to train the youth of the state in 70 ITIs on concepts and components like AI, Machine Learning, Augmented Reality etc. to make them ready for 'Industry 4.0'.

He also thanked ASDM for designing and organising the programmes which according to him would bring about a paradigm shift in the skill landscape of the state.

The Chief Minister on the occasion also interacted with mask-making artiste Bell Metal artisan virtually on the occasion. Minister Skill, Employment and Entrepreneurship etc. Jayanta Mallabaruah while speaking on the occasion gave a brief snapshot of the programmes.

He also said that the schemes have been launched primarily to help the youth of the state to become employable and create self-employment avenues in the state. Minister Revenue and Disaster Management Jogen Mohan, Minister Tea Tribes Welfare Sanjay Kishan, MP Rajya Sabha and Chief Minister's Political Secretary Pabitra Margherita, Principal Secretary Skill, Employment and Entrepreneurship B Kalyan Chakravarthy, Mission Director ASDM Ankur Jain and a host of other dignitaries were present on the occasion.

Assam CM Sarma launches series of initiatives for skill development

Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us!
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 9. Azerbaijani Ambassador to Iran Ali Alizada shared photos of ruins of Azerbaijan's Fuzuli city destroyed during the Armenian occupation, Trend reports.

The diplomat wrote on his page on X (Twitter) that this was done by Armenia, and these facts are countless.

Despite all these facts, Azerbaijan offered the hand of peace to Armenia, but again faces with the policy of aggression from its neigbour, he added.

Fuzuli city was liberated from the occupation during the 2020 second Karabakh war.

Following the liberation of its territories from Armenian occupation in 2020, Azerbaijan initiated the long-awaited 'Great Return' program, which envisions the return of internally displaced persons (IDPs) to their native lands.

To date, 95 families (349 people) have returned to the liberated Fuzuli city, and in the coming days, this process will continue.
New Delhi, September 8

E xpressing pride for his 'Hindu' roots, United Kingdom Prime Minister Rishi Sunak expressed his hope that he will find time to visit a temple, here in India, during his stay for the G20 Summit.

Sunak said that he has "enormous respect" for PM Modi and said that he is keen to support him in making G20 an enormous success.

He also spoke about celebrating 'Raksha Bandhan'.

Speaking exclusively to ANI, Rishi Sunak said, "I am a proud Hindu. That's how I was raised, that's how I am. Hopefully, I can visit the Mandir while I am here for the next couple of days. We just had Rakshabandhan, so from my sister and my cousin, I have all my Rakhis."

"I didn't have time to celebrate Janmashtami. But hopefully, as I said I can make up for that if we visit a Mandir this time," he added.

He further said that faith is something very important as it gives strength and resilience during stress.

"It is something that is important to me. I think faith is something that helps everybody who has faith in their lives, particularly when you have these stressful jobs like I do. Having faith gives you resilience, gives you strength that is important and it provides an outlook on life which I find particularly valuable," Sunak added.

On being asked about his equation with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Sunak said, "Yes, and I have enormous respect for Modiji and he's been personally very warm and kind to me and we're working very hard as I said on our shared ambition of concluding an ambitious and comprehensive trade deal between India and the UK, because both of us think that would be a good thing and both of us need to make sure it works for our two countries."

"And at forums like this. I'm very keen to support Prime Minister Modi and making sure that this G20 is an enormous success for India which I know it will be and this has been a great year for India more generally," he added.

The UK PM also called his visit to India as 'fantastic' and said that he has enjoyed his first few hours here.

"It is fantastic for me to be back in India. Obviously, it's personally very special for me to be here, particularly with Akshata, and we thoroughly enjoyed the first few hours of our trip so far," he said.

He also recalled the days he used to spend time with his wife Akshata Murthy in Bangalore and expressed his desire to visit one of his favourite restaurants.

"Well you know obviously you know my wife is from Bangalore, we got married in Bangalore. We used to spend lots of time together before we had children in Delhi and were trying to figure out if we can go to one of our old favourite restaurants this evening," Sunak said.

Expressing happiness on coming to India in his present role, Sunak said he is very proud to see India doing so well on the world stage.

He added, "But look, it's personally incredibly special for me to be back in India. It is a country I love dearly, a country where my family are from. But to come here in this role to represent the UK, to find ways to forge closer links with India and play a part in making sure that India has an incredibly successful G20 and I'm very proud to see India doing so well on the world stage".

I am a proud Hindu...: Rishi Sunak on his Indian roots

Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us!
New Delhi, September 8

A ustralian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese arrived in New Delhi to participate in the G20 Summit scheduled to be held on September 9-10. The Australian premier was accompanied by his partner Jodie Haydon.

Australian PM Albanese was received by Rajeev Chandrasekhar, State Minister for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship of India at Delhi Airport on Friday.

Meanwhile, India is geared up to host G20 Leader's Summit in the national capital at the newly inaugurated Bharat Mandapam on September 9-10.

This is the first time that G20 Summit is taking place under India's presidency. The event will be graced by many global leaders and delegates. Extensive preparations and arrangements have been made for the summit, with an intention of showcasing both India's soft power as well as modern face.

Earlier in May, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was on a three-nation visit when he also visited Australia.

Australian PM said that PM Modi's visit to Australia has strengthened the relationship between the two countries.

"This is a relationship we need to invest in. Our strong partnership with India will deliver benefits for Australia in trade, investment and business and in regional security and stability," Anthony Albanese said.

Underscoring the value Australia gives to India, Albanese said that he met PM Modi six times.

He also stated that Australia is a better place because of the contributions of the Indian-Australian community and he wanted to see more connections between the two countries.

Meanwhile, on Twitter, Albanese said that Australia and India are working more closely together to boost renewable energy in both our countries.

After concluding his visit, PM Modi thanked his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese for the hospitality during his Sydney visit, one which will "boost the friendship between Australia and India," and noted that the two leaders will keep working towards a "vibrant India-Australia friendship," which is also in the "interest of global good."

The Australia-India relationship is already strong, but both saw the potential for growth and an opportunity for a better future.

As his Australia visit comes to an end, PM Modi tweeted, "From productive talks with PM @AlboMP to a historic community programme, from meeting business leaders to eminent Australians from different walks of life, it's been an important visit which will boost the friendship between Australia and India."

Moreover, PM Modi reassured that the two leaders would work together to strengthen the friendship of the two countries.

G20 India Summit: Australian PM Anthony Albanese arrives in New Delhi

Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us!
New Delhi, September 8

C anadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Friday arrived in India to attend the G20 Summit.

The Canadian PM, accompanied by his son Xavier, was received by the Union Minister of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Rajeev Chandrasekhar.

The summit, which will witness the participation of world leaders and delegates from international organisations, will be hosted in the national capital under India's presidency of the 20-member bloc.

The two-day huddle is set to get underway at the state-of-the-art Bharat Mandapam at Delhi's Pragati Maidan on September 9 and 10.

The Canadian PM recently called India a key partner in the promotion of shared values of democracy.

"As the world's largest democracy, India is - and will continue to be - a key partner for Canada in the promotion of our shared values of democracy, pluralism, and progress. We are committed to building on this rich history of collaboration, including under India's presidency of the G20 this year," Trudeau said in a statement.

"Looking ahead, as Canada strengthens its presence in the region under its Indo-Pacific Strategy, we will continue to work together to preserve the rules-based international order, promote multilateralism, and grow our economic ties to benefit people in both our countries as well as the region at large," he added.

"The Canada-India relationship is based on strong and longstanding ties between our people. Canada is home to one of the largest Indian diasporas in the world, with nearly 1.4 million people of Indian descent living in our communities from coast to coast to coast. These communities are an integral part of Canada's national identity, and today we recognize their valuable contributions, past and present, that have made our country stronger, more prosperous, and more inclusive," the Canadian PM said.

Trudeau said Canada is home to one of the longest Indian diasporas in the world, adding that nearly 1.4 million people of Indian descent live in the country.

Meanwhile, ahead of the summit on Saturday, Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra said, "The coming together of the 41 Heads of delegations, Heads of State/Govt, Heads of international organisations in India, starting yesterday is under PM's personal leadership and direction. It is essentially a celebration of the coming together of the G 20 family...This is the largest-ever participation of the Global South in India."

India assumed the G20 presidency on December 1 last year and about 200 meetings related to G20 were organized in 60 cities across the country.

The 18th G20 Summit will be a culmination of all the G20 processes and meetings held throughout the year among ministers, senior officials, and civil societies.

One of the takeaways of India's G20 presidency is the revolutionisation of Digital Payment Infrastructure, as initially, very few people knew about it, but it has taken forward extensively, G20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant said on Friday.

He further said that the digital payment infrastructure has been widely accepted as a way to bring financial inclusion.

Addressing a pre-summit briefing in the national capital, Kant said, "When India started the G20 Presidency, very few people knew about Digital Payment Infrastructure and the open source model of it. This has been extensively taken forward, by both the Finance track and Sherpa track in a very rigorous manner. Digital Payment Infrastructure, has broadly been accepted as...the way to bring financial inclusion. This is the way to do fast payments, this is the way to drive the innovation of the future".

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau arrives for G20 Summit

Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us!
New Delhi, September 8

T urkiye President Recep Tayyip Erdogan arrived in New Delhi on Friday ahead of the G20 Summit. He was accompanied by his wife, the first lady of Turkiye Emine Erdogan.

Erdogan was received by Shantanu Thakur, Minister of State for Ports, Shipping and Waterways of India.

The G20 summit will be attended by world leaders and delegates representing international organisations and will be hosted at the state-of-the-art Bharat Mandapam over two days -- September 9 and 10.

Earlier in May, Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on his re-election as President of Turkey. PM Modi said that he is confident that the bilateral ties between the two nations and cooperation on global issues will continue to grow.

Earlier today, G20 Chief Coordinator Harsh Vardhan Shringla said that India's presidency will bring economic benefits to the country as the G20 meetings and activities included extensive participation of people through "Jan Bhagidari" from across the nation.

"We would have received a total of 100,000 visitors for our G 20 presidency from over 125 nationalities and for many of them this has been a discovery of a new India. G 20 presidency will bring economic benefits to our country and to our citizens," Shringla said during a pre-summit press conference at the International Media Centre.

Leaders of the G20 summit will be treated with first-of-its-kind instrumental music performances showcasing the cultural depth of Bharat on the occasion to be hosted by the President of India on September 9.

Moreover, India and Turkey share historical connections. Diplomatic relations were established and Ambassadors exchanged in 1948. High level visits were exchanged regularly, according to the Ministry of External Affairs.

Bilateral relations have been strengthened by the exchange of visits of leaders of both countries in recent times.

Earlier in 2015, Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the G20 Summit held in Antalya on November 15-16, 2015 and on the margins of the Summit, Prime Minister had bilateral talks with President Erdogan.

Moreover, India-Turkiye economic and commercial cooperation constitutes an important dimension of the bilateral relationship.

G20 Summit: Turkiye President Erdogan arrives in Delhi

Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us!
New Delhi, Sep 8

I ndia and Bangladesh on Friday expressed appreciation for operationalisation of settlement of bilateral trade in Indian rupee and encouraged the business community on both sides to utilise the mechanism.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Bangladeshi counterpart Sheikh Hasina held bilateral discussions, which covered the entire gamut of bilateral cooperation including political and security cooperation, border management, trade and connectivity, water resources, power and energy, development cooperation, cultural and people to people ties.

Current developments in the region and cooperation in the multilateral fora were also discussed, official sources said.

The two leaders also looked forward to beginning of negotiations on the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), covering trade in goods, services, and protecting and promoting investment.

The leaders welcomed the operationalisation of the agreement on the use of the Chattogram and Mongla Ports and commissioning of the India-Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline.

Expressing satisfaction at the implementation of development cooperation projects, they looked forward to the joint inauguration of following projects at a convenient date later.

These include opening of the Agartala-Akhaura rail link, operationalisation of the Unit-II of the Maitri power plant and that of the Khulna-Mongla rail link. They also welcomed the exchange of MoUs for strengthening bilateral cooperation in digital payment mechanisms between the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) and the Bangladesh Bank.

Another pact on renewal of the Cultural Exchange Programme (CEP) between India and Bangladesh for 2023-2025 was also exchanged. An agreement between Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and Bangladesh Agriculture Research Council (BARC) is to be cleared soon, sources said further.

Regarding the regional situation, Modi expressed appreciation of the burden shouldered by Bangladesh in hosting over a million persons displaced from Rakhine state in Myanmar, and conveyed India's constructive and positive approach to support solutions towards safe and sustainable repatriation of the refugees.

The Indian side welcomed the Indo-Pacific outlook announced by Bangladesh recently. The leaders agreed to continue working together to intensify their wide-ranging engagement.

Sheikh Hasina is visiting India as its guest country to participate in the G20 leaders summit on September 9 and 10.

Modi, Hasina hold talks, exchange MoUs on areas of mutual cooperation

Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us!
New Delhi, September 8

B ritish Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who arrived for his maiden Indian visit on Friday, shared his delight at meeting the students and staff at the British Council in the national capital, calling them "the world leaders of tomorrow".

The British PM, who was received by Union Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Ashwini Choubey, will join fellow world leaders at the G20 summit.

The summit, being hosted in the national capital under India's presidency of the 20-member bloc, will get underway at the state-of-the-art Bharat Mandapam on Friday.

Sunak visited the British Council of India along with his wife Akshata Murty.

Taking to his official handle on X, Sunak posted, "Before meeting the world leaders of today I've been meeting with the world leaders of tomorrow. It's been fantastic to visit students and staff here at @inBritish- a reflection of the living bridge that exists between the UK and India."

He further called the little ones "a living bridge between the UK and India".

On his arrival at the national capital, the British PM said the G20 has been a huge success for India and it is the "right country at the right time to be hosting this".

The UK PM said that he will make sure that the G20, under India's presidency, achieves success.

"G20 has been a huge success for India. India is the right country at the right time to be hosting this.I feel we are going to have a very good couple of days of deliberations and decisions made," the British Prime Minister said, adding that the coming two days will witness hectic deliberations.

Referring to the theme of the 18th G20 Summit, 'One Earth, One Family, One Future', UK PM said, "I think it's a great theme. I am an example of the incredible living bridge that Prime Minister Modi described between UK and India."

Ahead of his arrival in Delhi, Sunak said that he was heading to the G20 summit with a clear focus, which includes stabilising the global economy, building international ties and supporting the most vulnerable.

"At the summit, the Prime Minister will stress the importance of those who do choose to attend demonstrating their leadership, both in helping the world's most vulnerable people to deal with the terrible consequences of Putin's war and in addressing wider challenges like climate change and the stability of the global economy," read an official release from 10, Downing Street.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold a bilateral meeting with Sunak on Friday, on the sidelines of the G20 Summit, sources said.

Ahead of G20 huddle, UK PM Rishi Sunak meets world leaders of tomorrow

Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us!
New Delhi, September 8

P rime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday "reiterated India's commitment to furthering the voice of the Global South" in a bilateral meeting with his Mauritius counterpart Pravind Jugnauth here.

"PM @KumarJugnauth and I had a very good meeting. This is a special year for India-Mauritius relations as we mark 75 years of diplomatic ties between our nations. We discussed cooperation in sectors like infrastructure, FinTech, culture and more. Also reiterated India's commitment to furthering the voice of the Global South," PM Modi said in a post on X.

Earlier today, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar held a meeting with the Mauritius Prime Minister and the two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to take forward the "truly special partnership" between India and Mauritius.

Mauritius Prime Minister highlighted India's support seen in all sectors of the Mauritian economy and said that New Delhi was the first to sign an agreement with Port Louis.

On Mauritius-India trade relations, PM Jugnauth said, "India has signed first agreement with the first country in Africa with Mauritius. The Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement is another testimony of the consideration that India has for Mauritius. This has now opened up new avenues for trade between the two countries...It is beneficial to both countries..."

Meanwhile, in 2023, India, and Mauritius celebrated 75 years of diplomatic relations. "I think in itself, it is a milestone that needs to be celebrated and also a testimony of how this relationship has been strengthening throughout the years so that we have reached a situation today where I can say that never before has this relationship reached such heights," Jugnauth said.

The Mauritian PM then went ahead to thank the Indian government, Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the country's consistent support in Mauritius's fight for decolonisation.

India and Mauritius share a colonial past and are joined by unique diaspora ties. Both countries celebrate diversity of ethnicities, faiths, languages, and cultures, and draw strength from being inclusive democracies with independent judiciary and a vibrant media.

"We are very thankful for the role that India has played. I believe that with the influence of India, we have gathered even larger support and we are very convinced that we are progressing each time that we are moving forward," he said.

Mauritius Prime Minister Jugnauth arrived in New Delhi on Thursday to attend the G20 Summit set to be hosted under India's Presidency on September 9-10.

PM Modi, his Mauritius counterpart Pravind Jugnauth discuss cooperation in infrastructure, FinTech, culture

Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us!
New Delhi, Sep 8

T he total market capitalisation of Adani Group's listed companies has clawed back to over Rs 11 lakh crore, after an initial knee-jerk reaction post reports by OCCRP, Financial Times and The Guardian.

"It is an indication that the current prices factor in all the negatives and the market is ignoring all the incremental allegations. For the group as well as its investors, it could very well mean that the worst is over," said experts.

The group's market capitalisation has increased by 40 per cent in the past three months and the rally is being led by the four leading group stocks -- Adani Enterprises, Adani Ports, Adani Power and Adani Green Energy. Shares of all four companies have more than doubled from their lows.

While the flagship company AEL's stock has gained the highest from its lows (up to 150 per cent), Adani Ports and Adani Power, two of the oldest group companies to demerge from the incubator AEL, are at pre-Hindenburg level.

Adani Ports is the most widely-tracked company in the group by analysts and the most widely-owned by institutional investors among all the group stocks. But despite the claims, including those by its outgoing auditors, both analysts and investors have remained positive on the stock.

Equity research arms of Goldman Sachs, Jefferies, Bernstein, Kotak and ICICI have all maintained buy on the stock of India's largest port operating company.

Market experts who track the group closely said that there are two main reasons for such a strong show by the group stocks.

The group has demonstrated that its businesses are unaffected by all the noise. In the June quarter of FY24, which was also the first quarter after the short-seller report, the group's portfolio of listed companies delivered a robust performance with each business delivering strong growth.

The combined EBITDA of all the listed companies increased by 42 per cent year-on-year. At the same time, its balance-sheet continued to strengthen. Net debt to EBITDA is now close to 3x and the cash balance is as high at Rs 42,500 crore.

All financial institutions, equity as well as debt investors and rating agencies, foreign as well as domestic, have unfailingly backed the group and its businesses. The group has comfortably raised close to Rs 39,000 crore from institutional investors, including one of the largest sovereign funds, Qatar Investment Authority, in the last six months. On the debt side, it has raised Rs 18,000 crore in the June quarter alone.

Promoters buying shares worth Rs 6,000 crore of Adani Enterprises in August shows the confidence and faith they have in the group's businesses.

Adani stocks see no impact of recent allegations

Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us!
New Delhi, Sep 8

I ndia and the US on Friday, while sharing a vision of secure and trusted telecommunications, resilient supply chains, and global digital inclusion, welcomed the signing of a pact between Bharat 6G Alliance and Next G Alliance, operated by Alliance for Telecommunications Industry Solutions, as a first step towards deepening public-private cooperation between vendors and operators.

In a joint statement issued by India and the US after the bilateral discussions between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden, the endeavour towards building resilient global semiconductor supply chains was re-emphasised.

In this respect, the two leaders noted a multi-year initiative of Microchip Technology, Inc, to invest approximately $300 million in expanding its research and development presence in India and Advanced Micro Device's announcement to invest $400 million in India over the next five years to expand research, development, and engineering operations in India.

The leaders welcomed completion of the Congressional Notification process on August 29 and the commencement of negotiations for a commercial agreement between GE Aerospace and Hindustan Aeronautical Ltd (HAL) to manufacture GE F-414 jet engines in India, and recommitted to work collaboratively and expeditiously to support the advancement of this unprecedented co-production and technology transfer proposal.

Biden congratulated Modi and the scientists and engineers of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on Chandrayaan-3's historic landing at the south polar region of the Moon, as well as the successful launch of India's first solar mission, Aditya-L1.

Having set a course to reach new frontiers across all sectors of space cooperation, the leaders welcomed efforts towards establishment of a Working Group for commercial space collaboration under the existing India-US Civil Space Joint Working Group.

"Determined to deepen our partnership in outer space exploration, ISRO and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) have commenced discussions on modalities, capacity building, and training for mounting a joint effort to the International Space Station in 2024, and are continuing efforts to finalise a strategic framework for human space flight cooperation by the end of 2023," the statement said.

India and the US also intend to increase coordination on planetary defence to protect the Earth and space assets from the impact of asteroids and near-Earth objects, including US support for India's participation in asteroid detection and tracking via the Minor Planet Center, it added further.

The leaders expressed satisfaction at the ongoing implementation of announcements made in June 2023 by US companies, Micron, LAM Research, and Applied Materials.

They further acknowledged the setting-up of two joint task forces focussed on collaboration in the field of Open RAN and research and development in 5G/6G technologies.

A 5G Open RAN pilot in a leading Indian telecom operator will be undertaken by a US Open RAN manufacturer before field deployment. The pact was signed in the presence Modi and Biden.

The two leaders reaffirmed technology's defining role in deepening their strategic partnership and lauded ongoing efforts through the India-US Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET) to build open, accessible, secure, and resilient technology ecosystems and value chains, based on mutual confidence and trust, which reinforce shared values and democratic institutions.

The US and India intend to undertake a midterm review of iCET in September to continue to drive momentum toward the next annual iCET review, co-led by the National Security Advisors of both countries, in early 2024, the statement added.

The leaders lauded the settlement of the seventh and last outstanding World Trade Organisation (WTO) dispute between them. This follows the unprecedented settlement of six outstanding bilateral trade disputes in the WTO in June.

During their meeting, which took place shortly after Biden landed in India to participate in the G20 Summit, the two leaders continue to look forward to the participation of Indian companies in the US Rip and Replace Program, and the President also welcomed India's support for a Rip and Replace pilot in the US, according to the joint statement.

"The United States reiterated its commitment to working together with India in the quantum domain, both bilaterally and through the Quantum Entanglement Exchange, a platform to facilitate international quantum exchange opportunities; and welcomed the participation of India's S.N. Bose National Centre for Basic Sciences, Kolkata, as a member of the Quantum Economic Development Consortium. It was also recognised that the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay joined the Chicago Quantum Exchange as an international partner," the statement added.

The leaders applauded the conclusion of a second Master Ship Repair Agreement, with the most recent agreement signed by the US Navy and Mazgaon Dock Shipbuilders, Ltd, in August.

Both sides recommitted to advancing India's emergence as a hub for the maintenance and repair of forward-deployed US Navy assets and other aircraft and vessels. The leaders also welcomed further commitments from US industry to invest more in India's maintenance, repair, and overhaul capabilities and facilities for aircraft.

President Biden welcomed the issuance of a Letter of Request from the Indian Defence Ministry to procure 31 General Atomics MQ-9B (16 Sky Guardian and 15 Sea Guardian) remotely piloted aircraft and their associated equipment, which will enhance the intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities of India's armed forces across all domains, the statement said.

Reiterating the importance of nuclear energy as a necessary resource to meet the two nations' climate, energy transition, and energy security needs, Modi and Biden welcomed intensified consultations between the relevant entities on both sides to expand opportunities for facilitating India-US collaboration in nuclear energy, including in development of next generation small modular reactor technologies in a collaborative mode.

The US reaffirmed its support for India's membership in the Nuclear Suppliers Group and committed to continue engagement with like-minded partners to advance this goal.

The leaders welcomed the inaugural meeting of the India-US Renewable Energy Technologies Action Platform (RE-TAP), in August, under which the two countries will engage in lab-to-lab collaboration, piloting, and testing of innovative technologies; collaboration on policy and planning to advance renewable energy and enabling technologies; investment, incubation and outreach programmes; and training and skill development to accelerate the uptake and adoption of new and emerging renewable technologies and energy systems.

Reiterating the importance of decarbonising the transport sector, the leaders welcomed progress to expand electric mobility in India, including joint support for a payment security mechanism financed through both public and private funds. This will accelerate the procurement of 10,000 made-in India electric buses including those for the Indian PM e-Bus Sewa programme that will include the associated charging infrastructure.

The two countries are committed to working together to help diversify the global supply chain for e-mobility. India and the US are also advancing the creation of investment platforms to lower the cost of capital and accelerate the deployment of greenfield renewable energy, battery storage and emerging green technology projects in India.

Towards this end, India's National Investment and Infrastructure Fund and the US Development Finance Corporation exchanged letters of intent to each provide up to $500 million to anchor a renewable infrastructure investment fund.

Modi and Biden also hailed the signing of an Implementation Arrangement between the US National Science Foundation (NSF) and India's Department of Biotechnology to enable scientific and technological research collaborations in biotechnology and biomanufacturing innovations. They welcomed the call for proposals released by NSF and India's Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology to foster academic and industrial collaboration in semiconductor research, next generation communication systems, cyber-security, sustainability and green technologies, and intelligent transportation systems.

"Reaffirming their commitment to building resilient technology value chains and linking defence industrial ecosystems, the leaders recommitted their administrations to promoting policies and adapting regulations that facilitate greater technology sharing, co-development, and co-production opportunities between Indian and US industry, government and academic institutions," the joint statement said.

They also welcomed continued engagement through an inter-agency monitoring mechanism under the auspices of the bilateral Strategic Trade Dialogue, launched in June 2023. The leaders welcomed the signing of an MoU between Indian universities, represented by the Council of Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT Council), and the Association of American Universities (AAU) to establish the India-US Global Challenges Institute, with a combined initial commitment of at least $10 million.

The Global Challenges Institute will bring together leading research and higher-education institutions from across our two nations, including beyond AAU and IIT membership, to advance new frontiers in science and technology, spanning collaboration in sustainable energy and agriculture, health and pandemic preparedness, semiconductor technology and manufacturing, advanced materials, telecommunications, artificial intelligence, and quantum science. B

iden and Modi also welcomed the growing number of multi-institutional collaborative education partnerships, such as those between New York University-Tandon and IIT Kanpur Advanced Research Center, and the Joint Research Centers of the State University of New York at Buffalo and IIT Delhi, Kanpur, Jodhpur, and BHU, in the areas of critical and emerging technologies.

The leaders affirmed the importance of efforts to close the gender digital divide in the digital economy, noting a G20 commitment to halve the digital gender gap by 2030 and expressed support for the Women in the Digital Economy Initiative, which brings together governments, private sector companies, foundations civil society and multilateral organisations to accelerate progress toward the closure of the digital gender divide, the joint statement added.

Modi, Biden hold talks, hail pact in telecom sector, seek cooperation in defence, renewable and nuclear energy

Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us!
New Delhi, Sep 8

P rime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday met his Mauritian counterpart Pravind Kumar Jugnauth on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Delhi.

Jugnauth thanked Modi for the special invitation extended to Mauritius to participate in the G20 format as a 'Guest Country'.

Modi appreciated the active participation of Mauritius in various working groups and ministerial meetings of the G20 under Indian presidency.

Both leaders expressed pleasure over G20 engagements taking place alongside the commemoration of the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

The two leaders reviewed the multi-faceted bilateral cooperation between India and Mauritius, official sources said. They noted the rapid pace of bilateral exchanges in the past year, with more than 30 delegation visits and signing of 23 bilateral agreements.

Jugnauth congratulated Modi on the success of Chandrayaan-3 Mission and looked forward to further cooperation between the two sides in the space sector.

Modi holds talks with Mauritian counterpart Jugnauth

Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us!
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 9. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine has condemned the holding of the so-called "presidential elections" in Karabakh on September 9, Trend reports.

"The holding of these so-called "presidential elections" contradicts the norms and principles of international law. Ukraine once again expresses its support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Azerbaijan within its internationally recognized borders and stands for a political and diplomatic settlement," the statement of the ministry reads.
New Delhi, Sep 8

U S President Joe Biden on Friday lauded India's G20 presidency for further demonstrating how the grouping, as a forum, is delivering important outcomes.

He and Prime Minister Narendra Modi reaffirmed their commitment to the G20 and expressed confidence that the outcomes of the G20 Leaders' Summit in New Delhi will advance the shared goals of accelerating sustainable development, bolstering multilateral cooperation, and building global consensus around inclusive economic policies to address their greatest common challenges, including fundamentally reshaping and scaling up multilateral development banks, a joint statement issued after the bilateral meeting between the two leaders said.

Biden, who arrived in India on Friday evening to attend the G20 summit, which is scheduled to take place between September 9 and 10, along with Modi, reaffirmed the importance of the Quad in supporting a free, open, inclusive, and resilient Indo-Pacific.

Modi looked forward to welcoming Biden to the next Quad Leaders' Summit to be hosted by India in 2024, the statement said.

India welcomed the US decision to co-lead the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative Pillar on Trade Connectivity and Maritime Transport, further to the US decision to join IPOI in June 2023.

Continuing to share the view that global governance must be more inclusive and representative, Biden reaffirmed his support for a reformed UN Security Council with India as a permanent member, and, in this context, welcomed once again India's candidature for the UNSC non-permanent seat in 2028-29.

The leaders once again underscored the need to strengthen and reform the multilateral system so it may better reflect contemporary realities and remain committed to a comprehensive UN reform agenda, including through expansion in permanent and non-permanent categories of membership of the UN Security Council.

Earlier Modi welcomed Biden to India, reaffirming the close and enduring partnership between India and the US. The leaders expressed their appreciation for the substantial progress underway to implement the ground breaking achievements of Prime Minister Modi's "historic" June visit to Washington, the joint statement said.

The two leaders called on their governments to continue the work of transforming the India-US Strategic Partnership across all dimensions of their multifaceted global agenda, based on trust and mutual understanding.

"They re-emphasised that the shared values of freedom, democracy, human rights, inclusion, pluralism, and equal opportunities for all citizens are critical to the success our countries enjoy and that these values strengthen our relationship," the joint statement noted.

Biden hails India's G20 presidency for delivering important outcomes, reaffirms support for India's candidature for UNSC non-permanent seat

Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us!
Assam to recommend to Centre to completely withdraw AFSPA & Disturbed Areas Act from state

Guwahati, Sep 8

T he Assam Cabinet on Friday decided to recommend to the Central government to withdraw the Armed Forces Special Powers Act and the Disturbed Areas Act from the entire state.

The decision was taken during a Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.

Speaking to the reporters after the meeting, Sarma said "AFSPA and the Disturbed Areas Act have been in effect in Assam since 1990. Today, after reaching a decision, we are officially moving towards our aim to withdraw both Acts completely as per our commitment."

Earlier on Monday, Sarma met Home Minister Amit Shah at his residence in Delhi to discuss the roadmap for the complete withdrawal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act from the state.

It is also to be mentioned that Sarma had previously announced the repeal of the AFSPA from the entire Assam in his Independence Day speech on August 15.

Assam to recommend to Centre to completely withdraw AFSPA & Disturbed Areas Act from state

Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us!
New Delhi, September 9

U S President Joe Biden on Friday met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and discussed issues ranging from defence cooperation, and technology sharing. The US President also congratulated India for the success of the Chandrayaan-3 mission.

The two leaders held bilateral talks at PM residence - 7, Lok Kalyan, Marg in New Delhi, ahead of the G20 Summit over the weekend.

During this, India and the US also settled the seventh and last outstanding World Trade Organisation dispute.

Notably, the six previous disputes were resolved during PM Modi's state visit to the US.

"Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed United States President Joseph R. Biden, Jr., to India today, reaffirming the close and enduring partnership between India and the United States. The leaders expressed their appreciation for the substantial progress underway to implement the ground breaking achievements of Prime Minister Modi's historic, June 2023, visit to Washington," the India-US joint statement read.

The two leaders called on their governments to continue the work of transforming the India-US Strategic Partnership across all dimensions of our multifaceted global agenda, based on trust and mutual understanding.

After the meeting, both the leaders lauded the India-US relations and said that the friendship between the two nations will continue to play a great role in furthering global good.

"Happy to have welcomed @POTUS @JoeBidento 7, Lok Kalyan Marg. Our meeting was very productive. We were able to discuss numerous topics which will further economic and people-to-people linkages between India and USA. The friendship between our nations will continue to play a great role in furthering global good," PM Modi said in a post on 'X' .

President Biden also affirmed support towards making the India-US partnership stronger, closer, and more dynamic.

"Great seeing you, Mr Prime Minister. Today, and throughout the G20, we'll affirm that the United States-India partnership is stronger, closer, and more dynamic than any time in history," President Biden posted on X.

The two leaders re-emphasized that the shared values of freedom, democracy, human rights, inclusion, pluralism, and equal opportunities for all citizens are critical to the success our countries enjoy and that these values strengthen our relationship.

"PM Modi and President Biden also lauded the settlement of the seventh and last outstanding World Trade Organisation dispute between India and the United States. This follows the unprecedented settlement of six outstanding bilateral trade disputes in the WTO in June 2023," the joint statement read.

President Biden also lauded India's G20 Presidency for further demonstrating how the G20 as a forum is delivering important outcomes.

The two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to the G20 and expressed confidence that the outcomes of the G20 Leaders' Summit in New Delhi will advance the shared goals of accelerating sustainable development, bolstering multilateral cooperation, and building global consensus around inclusive economic policies to address our greatest common challenges, including fundamentally reshaping and scaling up multilateral development banks, as per the statement.

During the bilateral meeting, PM Modi and President Biden reaffirmed the importance of the Quad in supporting a free, open, inclusive, and resilient Indo-Pacific. Prime Minister Modi looked forward to welcoming President Biden to the next Quad Leaders' Summit to be hosted by India in 2024.

India also welcomed the US decision to co-lead the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative Pillar on Trade Connectivity and Maritime Transport, further to the US decision to join IPOI in June 2023.

President Biden reaffirmed his support for a reformed UN Security Council with India as a permanent member.

The US also welcomed India's candidature for the UNSC non-permanent seat in 2028-29, the White House said in a statement.

"Continuing to share the view that global governance must be more inclusive and representative, President Biden reaffirmed his support for a reformed UN Security Council with India as a permanent member, and, in this context, welcomed once again India's candidature for the UNSC non-permanent seat in 2028-29," the joint statement read.

The two leaders reaffirmed technology's defining role in deepening our strategic partnership and lauded ongoing efforts through the India-US Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology to build open, accessible, secure, and resilient technology ecosystems and value chains, based on mutual confidence and trust, which reinforce our shared values and democratic institutions.

India and the US also intend to undertake a midterm review of iCET in September 2023 to continue to drive momentum toward the next annual iCET review, co-led by the National Security Advisors of both countries, in early 2024.

During the meeting, President Biden congratulated PM Modi and the scientists and engineers of the Indian Space Research Organisation on the historic success of Chandrayaan-3 at the south polar region of the Moon, as well as the successful launch of India's first solar mission, Aditya-L1.

The leaders welcomed efforts towards the establishment of a Working Group for commercial space collaboration under the existing India-US Civil Space Joint Working Group. Determined to deepen our partnership in outer space exploration, ISRO and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration have commenced discussions on modalities, capacity building, and training for mounting a joint effort to the International Space Station in 2024, and are continuing efforts to finalise a strategic framework for human space flight cooperation by the end of 2023, the joint statement read.

India and the US also intend to increase coordination on planetary defence to protect planet Earth and space assets from the impact of asteroids and near-Earth objects, including US support for India's participation in asteroid detection and tracking via the Minor Planet Center.

The leaders further reiterated their support for building resilient global semiconductor supply chains, noting in this respect a multi-year initiative of Microchip Technology, Inc., to invest approximately USD 300 million in expanding its research and development presence in India and Advanced Micro Device's announcement to invest USD 400 million in India over the next five years to expand research, development, and engineering operations in India.

The leaders also expressed satisfaction at the ongoing implementation of announcements made in June 2023 by US companies, Micron, LAM Research, and Applied Materials.

PM Modi and President Biden reaffirmed their commitment to building resilient technology value chains and linking defence industrial ecosystems.

The leaders recommitted their administrations to promoting policies and adapting regulations that facilitate greater technology sharing, co-development, and co-production opportunities between Indian and US industry, government and academic institutions. They also welcomed continued engagement through an inter-agency monitoring mechanism under the auspices of the bilateral Strategic Trade Dialogue, launched in June 2023.

They also welcomed the signing of an MoU between Indian universities, represented by the Council of Indian Institutes of Technology, and the Association of American Universities to establish the India-US Global Challenges Institute, with a combined initial commitment of at least USD 10 million, as per the joint statement.

PM Modi and President Biden also welcomed the growing number of multi-institutional collaborative education partnerships, such as those between New York University-Tandon and IIT Kanpur Advanced Research Center, and the Joint Research Centers of the State University of New York at Buffalo and IIT Delhi, Kanpur, Jodhpur, and BHU, in the areas of critical and emerging technologies.

The Global Challenges Institute will bring together leading research and higher education institutions from across our two nations, including beyond AAU and IIT membership, to advance new frontiers in science and technology, spanning collaboration in sustainable energy and agriculture, health and pandemic preparedness, semiconductor technology and manufacturing, advanced materials, telecommunications, artificial intelligence, and quantum science.

Prime Minister Modi and President Biden reaffirmed their commitment to deepen and diversify the India-US Major Defence Partnership through expanded cooperation in new and emerging domains such as space and AI, and accelerated defence industrial collaboration.

The two leaders also pledged high-level of engagement to realise their ambitious vision for an enduring India-US partnership.

"Prime Minister Modi and President Biden pledged to sustain the high-level of engagement between our governments, industries, and academic institutions and realize their ambitious vision for an enduring India-US partnership that advances the aspirations of our people for a bright and prosperous future, serves the global good, and contributes to a free, open, inclusive, and resilient Indo-Pacific," the joint statement further stated.

Earlier in June, Prime Minister Modi was on a state visit to the US from June 21 to 24. During this, he led a special yoga event at the UN Headquarters, held bilateral talks with US President Joe Biden at the White House and also addressed the UN Congress

Meanwhile, the 18th G20 Summit is scheduled to begin at the state-of-the-art Bharat Mandapam Convention Centre in New Delhi on September 9.

PM Modi, US President Biden lay emphasis on defence cooperation, tech sharing; last WTO dispute settled

Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us!
'Look forward' to cooperation in space sector: Mauritius PM Jugnauth congratulates PM Modi for Chandrayaan-3

New Delhi, September 9

M auritius Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth on Friday congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the success of the Chandrayaan-3 mission and looked forward to further cooperation between the two sides in the space sector, the Ministry of the External Affairs said in an official release.

PM Modi met his Mauritian counterpart Jugnauth on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Delhi.

Prime Minister Jugnauth thanked PM Modi for the special invitation extended to Mauritius to participate in the G20 format as a 'Guest Country'.

Mauritius' active engagement in the G20 Working Groups and Ministerial Meetings under India's G20 Presidency. was appreciated by PM Modi.

Both leaders expressed satisfaction that the G20 events coincided with the celebration of the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two nations.

The two leaders reviewed the multi-faceted bilateral cooperation between India and Mauritius. They noted the rapid pace of bilateral exchanges in the past year, with more than 30 delegation visits and the signing of 23 bilateral agreements, the MEA release said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday "reiterated India's commitment to furthering the voice of the Global South" in a bilateral meeting with his Mauritius counterpart Pravind Jugnauth here.

"PM @KumarJugnauth and I had a very good meeting. This is a special year for India-Mauritius relations as we mark 75 years of diplomatic ties between our nations. We discussed cooperation in sectors like infrastructure, FinTech, culture and more. Also reiterated India's commitment to furthering the voice of the Global South," PM Modi said in a post on X.

Earlier today, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar held a meeting with the Mauritius Prime Minister and the two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to take forward the "truly special partnership" between India and Mauritius.

Mauritius Prime Minister highlighted India's support seen in all sectors of the Mauritian economy and said that New Delhi was the first to sign an agreement with Port Louis.

On Mauritius-India trade relations, PM Jugnauth said, "India has signed first agreement with the first country in Africa with Mauritius. The Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement is another testimony of the consideration that India has for Mauritius. This has now opened up new avenues for trade between the two countries...It is beneficial to both countries..."

'Look forward' to cooperation in space sector: Mauritius PM Jugnauth congratulates PM Modi for Chandrayaan-3

Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us!
New Delhi, September 9

A n ambient advertising campaign titled '50 years of friendship and trust to the shining future of Korea and India' has garnered significant attention as India prepares to host the 18th G20 summit on Saturday.

The G20 summit which is being held under India's presidency this year in New Delhi, will witness the participation of South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol as well.

In anticipation of President Yoon Suk Yeol's participation in the India G20 Summit beginning on September 9 and the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between South Korea and India, the Office of the Overseas Public Relations Secretary organized an ambient advertising campaign titled "50 Years of friendship and trust, to the shining future of Korea and India', according to a statement issued by Korean Embassy.

This promotion campaign, emphasizing the longstanding friendship and trust between the two nations, was installed in two locations in New Delhi on Wednesday last during the presidential visit.

The campaign features the commemorative slogan for the 50th anniversary of Korea-India diplomatic relations "50 years of friendship and trust, to the shining future of Korea and India" It carries a message of moving towards a bright future based on the 50 years of friendship and trust between both countries Ambient advertising leverages the characteristics of specific locations or environments for advertising.

The campaign utilized the architectural and environmental features of the South Korean Embassy in India's main entrance and exterior walls, as well as the exterior walls and rooftop of the Korean Cultural Center India.

The advertisement installed at the Korean Embassy shows an intriguing design. When the main entrance is closed, it displays the message "50 years of friendship and trust."

However, when the entrance is opened, it reveals the message "50 years of creating a bright future'" on the main building's exterior wall. Additionally, an interesting '50' logo representing the 50th anniversary of Korea-India diplomatic relations is also shared.

Ahead of G20 Summit, South Korea launches advertising campaign to highlight 'friendship'

Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us!
New Delhi, Sep 9

A s the high-profile G20 Summit began here on Saturday, Bangladesh Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan told IANS that the relation between New Delhi and Dhaka is a "very deep rooted one" and "we believe that every time the two countries remain united in every cause".

Khan, who is also a trusted aide of Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, also asserted that his country will get some good results from the G20 Summit.

Sheikh Hasina is one of the more than 150 heads of state attending the two-day event at the national capital.

Bangladesh is the only country that has received an invitation for the G20 Summit among the South Asian nations, indicating the importance of India's Act East Policy with the northeast at the centrestage.

Besides Bangladesh, Egypt, Oman, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Spain, the Netherlands, Singapore are also among the special invitees.

These are some of the excerpts from the interview

IANS Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had a bilateral meeting with her counterpart Narendra Modi on Friday evening. So what do you expect the outcome of the meeting and how much Bangladesh will gain from the G20?

Asaduzzaman Khan Actually, our relation is a deep rooted one with India since the inception of Bangladesh. We believe in everytime India-Bangladesh to remain united in every cause, definitely we get some result from this summit.

IANS How is Bangladesh dealing with terrorism?

Asaduzzaman Khan. Our government is committed to deal with terrorism and violent extremism in all its forms and manifestations. We have taken various measures to prevent, counter and respond to the threat of terrorism in Bangladesh, such as enacting and enforcing anti-terrorism laws and regulations, such as the Anti-Terrorism Act (2008) and the Money Laundering Prevention Act (2012), to criminalise terrorism and terrorist financing activities and to impose strict penalties for them.

Strengthening law enforcement and security agencies, such as the Rapid Action Battalion, the Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime Unit, and the Bomb Disposal Unit, to enhance their capacity and capability to detect, disrupt and dismantle terrorist networks and plots.

Enhancing border security and immigration control, such as by installing biometric systems, electronic passport machines, and advanced passenger information systems at all major ports of entry, to prevent the movement of terrorists and their resources across borders.

Cooperating regionally and internationally for combating terrorism, such as by participating in various forums, initiatives and mechanisms, such as the Global Counterterrorism Forum, the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation, and the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation, to share information, best practices and resources with other countries and organisations. Implementing social measures to address and fight the root causes of terrorism, such as by promoting education, employment, social justice, interfaith dialogue, tolerance and moderation among the youth and the general public, to counter the narratives and ideologies of violent extremism.

We are determined to protect our people and our nation from the scourge of terrorism. We are also grateful for the support and solidarity of our friends and partners in this endeavor. We believe that together we can overcome this challenge and ensure peace and security for all.

IANS The Sheikh Hasina government has sought to restore secularism and freedom of religion. What has been her achievement so far?

Asaduzzaman Khan Our Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, is not only a great visionary leader like her father, the Father of Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, but she has been a champion of secularism and freedom of religion in Bangladesh.

She is the beacon of right and peace for all and with that vision in mind, she has restored religious freedom in the constitution as the cornerstone of our secular identity and declared a 'Zero Tolerance Policy on any form of discrimination or violence against religious minorities'.

She has also clarified that secularism in the constitution never conflicts with Islam, which is the state religion, and that everyone has the right to follow their own belief and religion. She has balanced her personal piety with a firm secular stand, rallying the support of a major section of the liberal intelligentsia.

The Prime Minister has sought to foster religious harmony and tolerance among all communities in Bangladesh, which is a secular country.

She has also ensured that family law, which contains separate provisions for different religious groups, is enforced in secular courts. These are some of her achievements so far in upholding secularism and freedom of religion in Bangladesh.

IANS What is your role to contain terrorism in the Bangladesh-India border?

Asaduzzaman Khan As you may already know, the former BNP-Jamaat led government, being supported by certain other quarters of external elements who were against liberation of Bangladesh, during their tenure extended support to separatist elements from India's northeastern states, particularly Assam.

Our government has taken action to deport numerous insurgents, especially from Assam, to India in the last few years.

Our security forces totally ensured that Bangladesh soil would never be used by any foreign insurgents for separatist activities or terrorism, in Bangladesh or elsewhere.

Apart from this, as the Minister of Home Affairs of Bangladesh, my role is to ensure the security and stability of our country and our people. I am also responsible for maintaining good relations with our neighboring countries, especially India, with whom we share a long and historic border.

We have a common interest in preventing infiltration, terrorism, and other illegal activities along our border. We have been working closely with the Indian authorities to address these issues and enhance our cooperation in security and border management.

We respect each other's sovereignty and territorial integrity and do not interfere in each other's internal affairs. We also condemn any violence or discrimination against any religious or ethnic group in either country.

We are committed to upholding the values of democracy, secularism, and human rights that bind us together as friendly nations.

One of the subjects of the agreement signed by our great leader Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and then Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in May 1974 was to complete the demarcation of the land border between Bangladesh and India on the basis of compromise.

Bangladesh is maintaining border management with friendly relations with India in accordance with this agreement.

IANS You have been one of the longest running Minister holding the Home portfolio in Bangladesh, how do you measure your success in upholding the law and order situation?

Asaduzzaman Khan I have been serving as the Minister of Home Affairs of Bangladesh since 2014, and I am honoured to have this responsibility given to me by Prime Minister.

I measure my success in upholding law and order situation in Bangladesh by looking at various indicators, such as the Global Law and Order Index, the number of terrorist incidents, the effectiveness of legislation and law enforcement, and the public perception of safety and security.

According to the Global Law and Order Index 2022, Bangladesh scored 79 out of 100, which is similar to the UK. This shows that Bangladesh has a relatively high level of law and order situation compared to many other countries in the world.

Bangladesh also improved its score from 77 in 2021, which indicates that we are making progress in this area.

In terms of terrorist incidents, Bangladesh has been able to prevent and counter many potential attacks by extremist groups, such as Neo-JMB and home grown ISIS, with the help of our police and security forces.

For example, in 2021, we detected and neutralized a remote-controlled explosive device in Narayanganj, raided a militant den and recovered weapons and bomb-making materials, and arrested a lone-wolf attacker who hurled a petrol bomb in the Gulshan Diplomatic Zone.

These are just some examples of how we are combating terrorism and ensuring public safety. We have also enacted and enforced various laws and policies to strengthen our legal framework and capacity to deal with terrorism and other crimes.

The Anti-terrorism Act of 2009, as amended, remains the basis for the arrest and detention of terrorist suspects. The Digital Security Act of 2018 enables us to counter online extremism and hate speech.

We are also considering a US "Alert List" project to create a dedicated terrorist watchlist.

Finally, we measure our success by listening to the people of Bangladesh and their feedback on the law and order situation.

We are aware that there are still some challenges and areas for improvement, such as smuggling of narcotics, communal violence, political unrest, and border security.

We are committed to addressing these issues and ensuring that every citizen feels safe and secure in Bangladesh.

IANS What are the immediate and long-term challenges with respect to the law and order situation of Bangladesh?

Asaduzzaman Khan As the Minister of Home Affairs, I am aware of the immediate and long-term challenges that we face in maintaining and improving the law and order situation in our country.

Some of these challenges are Environmental crimes and harms Bangladesh is one of the most environmentally fragile countries in the world, facing threats from climate change, natural disasters, pollution, deforestation, wildlife trafficking, and illegal mining.

These crimes and harms not only damage our natural resources and biodiversity, but also affect our health, economy, and security.

We need to strengthen our environmental laws and regulations, enhance our law enforcement and border security capacities, and collaborate with our neighbouring countries and international organisations to combat environmental crimes and harms. Terrorism and extremism

Bangladesh has been a target of terrorist attacks by extremist groups, such as Neo-JMB and home grown IS, who use online platforms to recruit, fund, radicalise, and incite violence. These attacks pose a serious threat to our national security, social harmony, and regional stability.

We need to prevent and counter these attacks by enhancing our intelligence and surveillance capabilities, disrupting their networks and activities, prosecuting their members and supporters, and countering their narratives and ideologies.

In this regard we are constantly holding dialogues with national and international stakeholders to exchange views, technologies and data to ensure strict vigilance and cooperation to eradicate terrorism by extremist groups in the sub-continent.

Rohingya Refugees While under the instruction of our Prime Minister, we opened our borders to refugees from Myanmar back in 2017 and ever since been providing them with shelter and food; however, as it is well documented, the Rohingya Refugees are posing serious threat not only with regards to law and order situation but also economically for the country as it is becoming greatly burdensome for a developing country like ours.

Some of these refugees are getting engaged with drug peddling, some are fleeing the camps and crossing borders with fake identities as Bangladeshi citizen and committing crimes in other countries, tarnishing the image of Bangladesh.

Through you, I would like to request all concerned to voice out the concerns and pursue the government of Myanmar to allow the fefugees to return to their homestead at the earliest.

These are some of the major challenges that we face in upholding the law and order situation in Bangladesh.

We are committed to addressing these challenges with determination, dedication, and collaboration.

We seek the support and cooperation of all stakeholders, including the media, civil society, political parties, and the public, in this endeavour.

IANS With respect to the geographic location of Bangladesh, sharing borders and long coastal border, what are your views of transnational crimes and cross border security?

Asaduzzaman Khan Bangladesh is a country that faces many challenges in terms of transnational crimes and cross border security. Some of the major threats include terrorism, arms- and drug smuggling, human trafficking, climate security, and financial crime.

These threats jeopardise our economy, social development, and national sovereignty.

As the Minister of Home Affairs, I am committed to enhancing our capacity and cooperation to combat these threats. We have established specialised units such as the Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime Unit (CTTCU) to deal with terrorism and organized crime.

We have also strengthened our border security with the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), which is responsible for guarding our 4,427 kilometers border with India and Myanmar.

We also recognise the need for regional and international collaboration to address the transnational nature of these threats. We have been working closely with our neighbours, especially India and Myanmar, to resolve border disputes, prevent cross-border crimes, and assist the Rohingya refugees.

We have also ratified the UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC) and participated in its review mechanism to enhance our legal framework and share best practices.

We are determined to make Bangladesh a safe and secure country for our people and our partners.

We welcome any constructive suggestions and support from the international community to achieve this goal.

IANS We are aware that in line with your government's vision of Digital Bangladesh and now, Smart Bangladesh, your ministry has implemented certain schemes, can you elaborate on your efforts of digitalisation of Border, Security Services and relevant issues by your Ministry?

Asaduzzaman Khan The Ministry of Home Affairs is committed to the vision of Digital Bangladesh and Smart Bangladesh, and has taken several initiatives to digitalise the border and security services and address the relevant issues.

Some of these initiatives are Digitalising the immigration system to facilitate the movement of people across borders, reduce processing time and cost, and enhance security and data management.

To this end, we have already implemented E-Passport system and soon will be launching E-Visa issuance for foreign nationals intending to visit Bangladesh and the Advance Passenger Information System (APIS) for pre-security clearance for all travellers.

Our 999 police helpline service has received millions of calls and it has provided services to them promptly.

Already many citizen services including filing of General Diary with police station, application for passports, work permits for foreign nationals can be made digitally through designated web portals.

Further, we have established a biometric database for the Rohingya refugees to ensure their identification, protection and repatriation.

Also, we have implemented e-governance in the ministry and its subordinate offices to improve efficiency, transparency and accountability.

We believe that these efforts will contribute to the economic and social development of Bangladesh, as well as to the regional and global peace and stability.

IANS What are your views on the Rohingya refugee Ssituation in Bangladesh from the perspective of security concerns and border control? How are your Ministry placed to tackle this crisis in the long term?

Asaduzzaman Khan On this burning issue, the Rohingya refugee situation is one of the most complex and protracted humanitarian crises in the world.

Bangladesh has been hosting more than 1.1 million Rohingya refugees in Cox's Bazar district since August 2017, when they fled from the atrocities committed by the Myanmar military in Rakhine state.

The Ministry of Home Affairs is fully aware of the security concerns and border control challenges posed by this massive influx of refugees.

We have taken several measures to address these issues, such as Strengthening the border security with additional personnel, equipment and surveillance systems to prevent illegal entry, exit and cross-border crimes.

Establishing a biometric database for the Rohingya refugees to ensure their identification, protection and repatriation.

Enhancing the law and order in and around the refugee camps with the deployment of police, army and civil administration to prevent and respond to violence, trafficking, smuggling and other criminal activities.

However, we also recognise that these measures are not enough to solve the root causes of the crisis.

We need a comprehensive, durable and inclusive solution that ensures the safe, voluntary and dignified return of the Rohingya refugees to their homeland in Myanmar with full citizenship rights and security guarantees.

We urge the international community to support our efforts and to exert more pressure on Myanmar to create conducive conditions for the repatriation.

Through you, we would also like to express our gratitude and appreciation to the humanitarian assistance and solidarity shown by various countries, organizations and individuals to alleviate the suffering of the Rohingya refugees.

IANS What is your response to the allegations made by different local and international organisations regarding human rights violation and extra judicial killing by law enforcement agencies in Bangladesh?

Asaduzzaman Khan The Ministry of Home Affairs is committed to uphold the rule of law and protect the human rights of all citizens in Bangladesh.

We do not condone any form of human rights violation or extra judicial killing by law enforcement agencies. We have taken several steps to ensure accountability and transparency in the conduct of our law enforcement personnel, such as issuing clear guidelines for the use of force and firearms by law enforcement agencies in accordance with the UN Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials.

Establishing complaint mechanisms for the victims or their families to report any allegations of human rights violation or extra judicial killing by law enforcement agencies to the relevant authorities.

Conducting prompt and impartial investigations into any allegations of human rights violation or extra judicial killing by law enforcement agencies and bringing the perpetrators to justice in accordance with the law.

We also welcome the constructive engagement and cooperation of local and international organisations in monitoring and reporting on the human rights situation in Bangladesh.

We are ready to address any legitimate concerns or recommendations raised by them in a respectful and constructive manner.

We believe that dialogue and partnership are essential for ensuring the promotion and protection of human rights in Bangladesh.

However, we also reject the baseless and biased allegations made by some local and international organizations regarding human rights violation and extra judicial killing by law enforcement agencies in Bangladesh.

These allegations are politically motivated and aimed at tarnishing the image and reputation of our government and our law enforcement agencies.

They are also part of a larger conspiracy to destabilize our country and undermine our development achievements.

We urge these organisations to refrain from making such unfounded and irresponsible accusations and to respect the sovereignty and integrity of Bangladesh.

We also invite them to engage with us in a constructive and cooperative manner to address any genuine concerns or issues related to human rights in Bangladesh.

(Anand Singh can be contacted at anand.s@ians.in)

Indo-B'desh relation very deep rooted, Dhaka will get good results from G20 Summit: HM Asaduzzaman Khan (IANS Interview)

Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us!
New Delhi, September 9

S audi Arabia's Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud who is on a State visit to India till September 11 will attend the G20 Summit being hosted under India's Presidency on September 9-10, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Saturday.

India is hosting the two-day-long G20 Leader's Summit in the national capital at the newly inaugurated Bharat Mandapam starting today. The Summit would commence with the arrival of the world leaders at the venue from 930 am onwards. The theme of this year's G20 Summit, which is taking place under India's presidency is "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam" or "One Earth ? One Family ? One Future".

Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince has travelled to India at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, according to the Ministry of External Affairs statement. Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud is accompanied by a high-level delegation, including Ministers and senior officials.

On September 11, Saudi Arabia's PM will call on President Droupadi Murmu.

Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud will hold a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and both the leaders leaders will co-chair the First Leaders' Meeting of the Strategic Partnership Council.

The two leaders will review the progress made under the two Ministerial Committees of the Strategic Partnership Council i.e. the Committee on Political, Security, Social and Cultural Cooperation and the Committee on Economy and Investments Cooperation.

PM Modi and Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince will discuss all aspects of bilateral relations, including political, security, defence, trade and economic, cultural and people-to-people ties. Both the leaders will also discuss the regional and international issues of mutual interest.

Earlier, Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince visited India on a State visit in February 2019 and the current visit will be his second State visit to the country. "India and Saudi Arabia have historically close and friendly relations with extensive people-to-people contacts. The trade between both countries reached all time high of USD 52.75 billion in FY 2022-23, the External Affairs Ministry said.

India is Saudi Arabia's second-largest trading partner whereas Saudi Arabia is India's fourth-largest trading partner. Both countries also have a strong partnership in the area of energy.

According to the MEA there is a vibrant Indian community of around 2.4 million in Saudi Arabia. Their contribution towards the development of the host country and role as bridges to deepen the multifaceted ties between the two countries is highly appreciated. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia also facilitates Hajj pilgrimage of over 175,000 Indians every year."

Saudi Arabia Crown Prince to attend G20 Summit, hold bilateral meeting with PM Modi

Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us!
New Delhi, September 9

P rime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday shared a post on X welcoming Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who arrived in the country for the G20 Summit.

PM Modi recalled his meeting with the Brazilian President in Johannesburg on the sidelines of the recently held BRICS Summit. India will pass on the presidency of the G20 to Brazil.

"Happy to welcome President @LulaOficial to India. I had met him recently in Johannesburg and I am happy to be getting the opportunity to meet him again at the G20 Summit. His views on various subjects will be eagerly awaited," PM Modi said.

PM Modi had also held bilateral talks with Brazilian President Lula da Silva on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in the Japanese city of Hiroshima in May earlier this year.

Accompanied by his wife Rosangela da Silva, Brazil President Lula da Silva landed in New Delhi on Friday. He was received at the airport by the Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, Nityanand Rai.

India and Brazil share a close and multifaceted relationship based on shared democratic values and convergence of views on many global issues, according to the Ministry of External Affairs .

The two countries cooperate not only bilaterally but also at plurilateral fora such as BRICS, IBSA, and G20 and in multilateral bodies such as the UN and WTO, among others. IndiaBrazil relations were elevated to a Strategic Partnership in 2006, thereby heralding a new phase in bilateral ties, it added.

India's relationship with Brazil has continued to grow over the past decade with various high-level exchanges and got further intensified in 2019 and early 2020 with back-to-back VVIP visits.

PM Modi attended the XI BRICS Summit in Brasilia on November 13-14 in the year 2019. He also held a bilateral meeting with President Bolsonaro on the sidelines of the summit on November 13, 2019.

At the invitation of PM Modi, President Bolsonaro paid a State visit to India from January 25-27, 2020. He was also the Chief Guest at the Republic Day Parade on January 26, 2020.

India assumed the G20 presidency on December 1 last year and about 200 meetings related to G20 were organized in 60 cities across the country.

The 18th G20 Summit will be a culmination of all the G20 processes and meetings held throughout the year among ministers, senior officials, and civil societies.

G20 Summit: PM Modi welcomes Brazil President to India

Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us!
Mumbai, Sep 9

T he Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay has joined the Chicago Quantum Exchange at the University of Chicago as an international partner  among only five globally - for a new collaborative science and technology initiative between the two renowned academic institutions.

The partnership was announced at the G20 Summit between visiting US President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and will promote cooperation in the fields of quantum information science, climate and energy, advanced microelectronics, artificial intelligence and data science.

"It reaffirms the goals of the US-India initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET), to elevate and expand our strategic technology partnership and defense industrial cooperation between the governments, businesses, and academic institutions of our two countries," said an official here.

IIT-B Director, Prof. Subhasis Chaudhuri, termed it as a strong bond being built between India and US academia, as evident from the joint declaration by Biden-Modi.

"It will also be a great opportunity for IIT-B to work with the University of Chicago on some of the most critical and evolving technologies our nations are facing today. Our collective strength will help bring forth impactful breakthrough innovations benefiting the society," said Prof. Chaudhuri.

A key component of the partnership is that IIT Bombay has joined CQE as one of only five worldwide academic partners, he added.

The CQE, an intellectual hub for advancing the science and engineering of quantum information, is anchored by the US Department of Energy's Argonne National Laboratory and Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and Northwestern University.

This follows recent University of Chicago quantum-focused announcements in Japan, the first at the G7 regarding a partnership between the University of Chicago, the University of Tokyo, IBM and Google to build the world's first quantum supercomputer, and the second with Tohoku University to accelerate quantum research.

The IIT Bombay anchors the Quantum Information Computing Science & Technology (QuICST) Hub, one of the leading centers for quantum research in India.

"Strong global partnerships provide the expertise and resources to advance breakthrough innovation and are an essential part of developing a robust quantum ecosystem," said CQE Director David Awschalom, and the Liew Family Professor in Molecular Engineering at the University of Chicago, and senior scientist at Argonne.

In addition to quantum, UChicago and IIT Bombay will collaborate and conduct joint research in fields such as climate, energy, advanced microelectronics, artificial intelligence and data science, with a host of joint research activities, conferences, exchanges of information as well as faculty and scholar visits.

For joint conferences and researchers visiting India, the University of Chicago's Delhi Center, which will celebrate its 10th. anniversary in 2024, will be a resource for these and similar collaborations.

"Our goal at the University of Chicago is to strengthen collaborations with our Indian counterparts in science, technology, and engineering, where the US and India are increasingly aligned in research and development, and this partnership is an outstanding opportunity to build shared US-India scientific knowledge," said UChicago Delhi Center Faculty Director Supratik Guha.

G20 Summit: IIT-B, Chicago Quantum Exchange forge new science-tech partnership

Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us!
New Delhi, Sep 9

N orwegian Cruise Line, the innovator in global cruise travel, has unveiled six new immersive shore excursion categories to help guests uncover more of each destination they visit, including Europe, Asia, South America, Australia, Africa and the Middle East.

"We are committed to delivering unparalleled experiences across our fleet and the over 400 destinations we visit," said David Herrera, NCL President. "Travelers are looking for more immersive vacations, from longer itineraries to more authentic experiences, which is why together with our destination partners we've created a collection of new on-shore offerings designed to create unforgettable moments for our guests."

"We are committed to delivering unparalleled experiences across our fleet and the over 400 destinations we visit. Travelers are looking for more immersive vacations, from longer itineraries to more authentic experiences, which is why together with our destination partners we've created a collection of new on-shore offerings designed to create unforgettable moments for our guests."

David Herrera, President of Norwegian Cruise Line

The new categories include

Beyond BlueprintsA bespoke selection of 15 tours that uncover the design secrets and stories of some of Europe's most iconic architectural landmarks, including those in Barcelona, Lisbon, Belfast, Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Oslo and Helsinki. Examples include

La Villa Mediterranee and MUCEMin Marseille, France

Victoria Square and Titanic Belfastin Belfast, Northern Ireland

Riverside Museum and Glasgow Science Museumin Glasgow (Greenock),Scotland

Gourmet Tours Designed for the foodie-driven traveler, this suite of experiences takes guests behind the scenes to uncover the secrets behind local cuisine of some of Europe's most iconic culinary destinations. Guests will taste their way from port-to-port with cooking classes led by a local artisan, authentic dining experiences at a family-owned homestead and more. Examples of shore excursions that offer a true taste of travel include

Castello Di Siza & Sicilian Luncheonin Palermo (Sicily), Italy

Folkloric-Gastronomical Experiencein Olympia (Katakolon), Greece

Seasonal Gastro-cultural Experiencein Barcelona, Spain

Go Local Guest will uncover the everyday rhythms and customs of life in destinations as diverse as Europe, Asia, South America and South Africa. These tours are designed to offer authentic cultural experiences that connect guests to locals in a meaningful and memorable way, while showcasing how the locals live, work, eat and play

A Day at the Farmin Kusadasi, Turkey

Lisbon Soulin Lisbon, Portugal

Explore Florence Like a Localin Florence/Pisa (Livorno), Italy

Let's Take a Selfie Already proving very popular, these excursions deliver the ultimate destination photos in worldwide locations. A knowledgeable guide will share the perfect angles and most picturesque spots to capture unforgettable moments

Santorini, Greek Isles

St Thomas, US Virgin Islands

Cartagena De Indias, Colombia

Small Group Tours With no more than 16 guests per group, these tours provide a more intimate experience of some of the most popular NCL excursions available in idyllic destinations like Italy, Greece and Spain. Small Group Tours are available to book by calling NCL. Examples include

Captivating Malaga in Spain

Highlights of Cagliari in Sardinia, Italy

Best of Corfu, Greek Isles

Design Your Day These bespoke experiences are curated for the individual traveler, from private wine tastings to a five-course dining experience at a Michelin starred restaurant. If guests can dream it, NCL's shore excursion team can plan it. Design Your Day experiences are available to book by calling NCL.

(IANSlife can be contacted at ianslife@ians.in)

ianslife/ tb

Six new land excursions

Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us!
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 9. The Secretary-General of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS), Kubanychbek Omuraliev has issued a statement condemning the so-called "presidential elections" organized by the separatist regime in Azerbaijan's Karabakh, the OTS told Trend.

Omuraliev expressed deep concern over this situation.

"We strongly condemn this provocative act that damages peace and stability in the region, constitutes a gross violation of international law, as well as the Constitution and laws of Azerbaijan," the official said.

He called for refraining from any actions that could hinder the process of normalization between Azerbaijan and Armenia.

"At the same time, we highly appreciate Azerbaijan's efforts to reintegrate Armenian residents of the Karabakh region," Omuraliev added.

Earlier, EU Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine and Turkiye have denounced the so-called "elections" held by the separatist regime in Karabakh.

The Azerbaijani MFA has called on the international community to strongly condemn these "elections", noting that "holding the so-called elections once again clearly shows that Armenia and the puppet regime created by it, which have taken steps to maintain the status quo and continue its occupation policy, are not really interested in the peace process, on the contrary, have taken the path of provocation and escalating the situation.
New Delhi, September 9

I n a surprise development, the G20 leaders on Saturday arrived at a consensus on the Delhi Declaration and adopted it, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced.

As Chair of the summit, Modi made the announcement during the second session of the ongoing G20 Leaders' Summit in New Delhi.

"There is good news, with everyone's cooperation consensus has been reached on New Delhi G20 Leadership Declaration," he said.

He praised the hard work of the Sherpas and officials for making it possible to forge a consensus on the final outcome document or the Delhi Declaration.

The development was quite unexpected as the Delhi Declaration was being expected to be announced on Sunday, the last day of the Summit.

Though the details of the wordings of the Delhi declaration are not yet known, the fact that Modi personally having announced that a consensus has been arrived at, indicates that some sort of compromise between Russia/China combined and other members of the G20 bloc has been arrived at, especially on the language related to the Ukraine war..

"India's G20 Presidency has been the most ambitious in history of G20. There are 73 outcomes (lines of effort) and 39 annexed documents (presidency documents, not including Working Group outcome documents). With 112 outcomes and presidency documents, we have more than doubled the substantive work from previous presidencies," official sources said.

As reported earlier, amid hectic parleys over finding a consensus on the wordings for the Russia-Ukraine war, the G20 diplomats are learnt to have arrived at a "compromise language" to describe the full scale invasion.

PM Modi announces adoption of Delhi Declaration

Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us!
Agra, September 9

I ndonesian President Joko Widodo's son Kaesang Pangarep and his wife Erina Gudono visited the Taj Mahal in Agra on Saturday. The couple reached the monument and posed for photographs.

Kaesang Pangarep is an Indonesian entrepreneur and YouTuber. He is the third and youngest child of the Indonesian President.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo arrived in India on Friday for attending the G20 Summit, which will be held on September 9-10.

He was received by Minister of State Shantanu Thakur at the airport.

Notably, Widodo's visit to India comes just a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the 18th East-Asia Summit and 20th ASEAN-India Summit in Jakarta, Indonesia.

Indonesia is the chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations this year.

India is hosting the G20 Leaders Summit at the newly inaugurated Bharat Mandapam Convention Centre at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi on September 9-10.

This is the first time that the G20 Summit is taking place under India's presidency. Formed in 1999, the G20 was setup to maintain global financial stability by incorporating middle-income countries.

India assumed the G20 presidency on December 1 last year and about 200 meetings related to G20 were organized in 60 cities across the country. The 18th G20 Summit in New Delhi will be a culmination of all the G20 processes and meetings held throughout the year among ministers, senior officials, and civil societies.

A G20 Leaders' declaration will be adopted at the conclusion of the G20 Summit, stating Leaders' commitment towards the priorities discussed and agreed upon during the respective ministerial and working group meetings. The next G20 presidency is going to be taken over by Brazil in 2024, followed by South Africa in 2025.

Indonesian President's son visits Taj Mahal in Agra as India hosts G20

Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us!
New York, September 9

A fter losing the semi-final against Russia's Daniil Medvedev, defending champion and World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz said that he could not find solutions of Medvedev's outstanding game.

Medvedev ousted Alcaraz to set up a US Open final clash with Novak Djokovic on Friday night.

"He played a really, really great game. I couldn't find solutions, I thought that right now I am a better player find solutions when the match is not going in the right direction for you. But after this match, I'm going to change my mind. I'm not mature enough to handle these kind of matches. So I have to learn from that," Alcaraz said as cited by ATP's official website.

"He played with more speed in his shots. I think the running forehand was great today. Probably with the slice in the previous matches helped me a lot to find my own game, but today I couldn't," Alcaraz said.

Medvedev set up the US Open 2021 final rematch against Djokovic. Now on Sunday, he will try to keep Djokovic away from a record 24th Grand Slam title.

"He found great directions with his shots, no mistakes, great serve today. 10 out of 10, as he said... He's one of the best returners on the Tour. That obviously is amazing how he can return from the back of the court really deep and really powerful. When I do serve and volley, he always finds the passing shot from from his house," he added.

On Monday, Alcaraz will hand over his No. 1 ranking in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings to Novak Djokovic, who will begin his 390th week at the top. However, if the 36-year-old loses against Medvedev in Sunday's final match, the Spaniard will maintain a razor-thin lead over the Serbian in the Pepperstone ATP Live Race to Turin.

The Race determines which eight players qualify for the Nitto ATP Finals, but it also serves as an indicator of which player will finish the year World No. 1.

Alcaraz concludes his Grand Slam season with his first Wimbledon win and semi-final appearances at Roland Garros and the US Open. He was unable to compete in the Australian Open due to injury.

US Open: Carlos Alcaraz couldn't find solutions of Daniil Medvedev's great game

Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us!
New Delhi, Sep 9

A s Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the adoption of the Delhi G20 leadership declaration, he expressed his gratitude to the hardwork of all the Sherpas, minister and officials, for helping arriving at a consensus on the outcome document.

Official sources later informed that among all G20 presidencies, India's G20 presidency has been the most ambitious one as a total of 112 documents have been adopted during its tenure.

Out of these 112 documents, there have been 73 outcome documents and 39 annexed documents.

This data is in comparison with previous G20 presidencies since 2017. During the 2022 Bali summit, 50 documents has been adopted.

"The #NewDelhiLeadersDeclaration has been officially adopted at the #G20India Leaders' Summit! Today's era must be marked as the golden age of human-centric globalisation & India's G20 Presidency under the leadership of PM @narendramodi has worked tirelessly towards this goal," India's G20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant said on X, soon after the Prime Minister broke the news.

"There is good news, with everyone's cooperation consensus has been reached on Delhi G20 Leadership Declaration. My proposal is that it should be adopted," PM Modi said in a sudden announcement during the second session of the ongoing G20 leaders summit.

He then announced that the Delhi Declaration has been adopted, amid thunderous applause from all the world leaders.

The adoption of the Delhi Declaration came amid reports that aggressive deliberations had taken place between September 7 and 8 among the diplomats and Sherpas of the G20 nations on arriving at a consensus on formulating the language for the final declaration document, related to the reference to the Ukraine conflict, to which both Russia and China have been vehemently opposed.

The consensus over the language has been arrived at after apparently overcoming differences between Russia and other G20 nations, and it is being described as "compromise language", reports quoting sources said.

'India's G20 presidency most ambitious as 112 documents adopted'

Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us!
New Delhi, September 9

F rench President Emmanuel Macron on Saturday arrived in New Delhi to attend the G20 Summit hosted by India under its Presidency on September 9-10.

Union Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Anupriya Patel received Macron at Delhi's Palam airport. He was given a rousing welcome at the airport with a cultural dance performance.

Macron is due to have bilateral meetings over the two-day summit with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva among others.

Macron, who was among the last leaders to arrive in the country is slated to have a working lunch meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on September 10, according to sources. Previously, the two leaders met in July during PM Modi's visit to France to attend the Bastille Day Parade.

The French president will also have bilateral meetings with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva Brazilian president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, and Indonesian President Joko Widodo among others, according to the Embassy of France in India.

A statement from Macron's office said, "The G20 Summit will enable France's Head of State to continue his ongoing dialogue with his counterparts from every continent, so as to combat the risks of fragmentation of the world. It will also be an opportunity to make progress in implementing joint responses to the major global challenges that can only be tackled effectively through multilateral action peace and stability, poverty alleviation, protection of climate and our planet, food security, and digital regulation."

It further said, "The Summit will also provide an opportunity to follow up on the Summit for a New Global Financial Pact held in Paris last June. This had led to the establishment of the Paris Agenda for People and the Planet, providing a framework for collective action to ensure that no country has to choose between fighting poverty and protecting the planet."

India is hosting the G20 Leaders Summit at the newly inaugurated Bharat Mandapam Convention Centre at Pragati Maidan on September 9-10.

India assumed the G20 presidency on December 1 last year and about 200 meetings related to G20 were organized in 60 cities across the country. The 18th G20 Summit in New Delhi will be a culmination of all the G20 processes and meetings held throughout the year among ministers, senior officials, and civil societies.

Prior to his departure, Macron is likely to hold a press conference at the venue on Sunday afternoon, according to the Embassy of France in India. He will depart for Bangladesh for a bilateral visit on Sunday afternoon.

India and France have traditionally close and friendly relations. Since the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two nations in 1947, and the upgrading of the partnership to the strategic level in 1998, India and France have consistently acted together, building on a high level of mutual trust, shared commitment to the principles enshrined in the United Nations Charter and common values rooted in international law, according to the Ministry of External Affairs.

To mark the 25th anniversary of the Indo-French partnership, both countries agreed to adopt a roadmap to set the course for the bilateral relationship up to 2047, which will celebrate the centenary of India's independence, the centenary of the diplomatic ties between the two countries and 50 years of the strategic partnership.

French President Emmanuel Macron arrives in India for G20 Summit

Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us!
New Delhi, September 9

S outh African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Sunday welcomed the inclusion of African Union as permanent G20 member and said that his country is delighted with the group's inclusion in G20.

President Ramaphosa stressed on the accelerating the transition of low-carbon, climate resilient, sustainable societies and said that the developing economies are getting affected with the continuous evolving climate change.

Taking to X, he said, "We are delighted that the #G20 has accepted the @_AfricanUnion as a member of the #G20. Global reconstruction in the wake of the #COVID19 pandemic presents a unique opportunity to accelerate the transition to low-carbon, climate resilient, sustainable societies. Developing economies are bearing the brunt of climate change, despite carrying the least responsibility for this crisis."

"As African and other developing economy countries, we face the task of meeting our climate commitments in the midst of significant developmental challenges like poverty, inequality and unemployment," he added.

President Ramaphosa also called for a collective action for tackling issues like Climate change, environmental degradation, unsustainable consumption and production and resource scarcity.

He further said, "South Africa calls for an enhanced and expanded Global Partnership for Sustainable Development. This must be supported by the concrete policies and actions outlined in the Addis Ababa Action Agenda on Financing for Development."

Earlier PM Modi had invited the head of the African Union to take his seat as a member of the G20.The first session of the summit under the theme 'One Earth' started at Bharat Mandapam, the venue of the conference.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar accompanied the President of the Union of Comoros and Chairperson of the African Union, Azali Assoumani as he took his seat among world leaders.

"With everyone's approval, I request the African Union Chairperson to take his seat as a permanent G20 member," PM Modi said.

African Union's inclusion in G20 was among India's key priorities in the G20 summit under its presidency. African Union's inclusion in G20 grouping was proposed by PM Modi in June this year.

South African President welcomes African Union inclusion in G20 as permanent member

Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us!
Prez Biden meets US Embassy staffers after arriving in India for G20

New Delhi, September 9

U S President Joe Biden, who is in India to attend the G20 Summit, met with the US Embassy staffers and their families after arriving in New Delhi, the White House informed.

White House posted on X, "President Biden met with U.S. Embassy staff and their families today after arriving in New Delhi."

Biden arrived in India on Friday for the G20 Summit and was received at the airport by Minister of State for Road Transport & Highways and Civil Aviation Gen VK Singh .

After his arrival, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met American President Joe Biden in New Delhi at his official residence.

During the meeting, PM Modi conveyed his appreciation for President Biden's vision and commitment to further strengthen the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership, which is based on shared democratic values, strategic convergences and strong people-to-people ties, according to the Ministry of External Affairs press release.

The two leaders commended the progress in implementing the futuristic and wide-ranging outcomes of PM Modi's historic State visit to the U.S. in June 2023, including under the India-U.S. Initiative for Critical and Emerging Technology .

The Indo-US joint statement added that the leaders also welcomed the sustained momentum in bilateral cooperation in the areas of defence, trade, investment, education, health, research, innovation, culture and people-to-people ties.

Biden congratulated PM Modi and the people of India on Chandrayaan-3's historic landing near the lunar south pole and highlighted deepening cooperation between the two countries in Space.

The two leaders also exchanged views on a number of regional and global issues. They agreed that India- US partnership was beneficial not only for the people of the two countries but also for global good.

Prime Minister Modi thanked President Biden for the consistent support received from the United States in ensuring success of India's G20 Presidency.

The 18th G20 Summit has begun at the state-of-the-art Bharat Mandapam Convention Centre in New Delhi today.

Prez Biden meets US Embassy staffers after arriving in India for G20

Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us!
New Delhi, September 9

P rime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday held a bilateral meeting with Japanese Prime Miniser Fumio Kishida on the sidelines of G20 summit being hosted under India's presidency this year.

The meeting was held at the G20 summit venue, Bharat Mandapam in Pragati Maidan.

Kishida arrived in the national capital yesterday to attend the G20 Leaders' Summit.

At the G20 summit in India, Kishida plans to show Japan's stance of proactively contributing to various global issues, based on the results of the G7 summit in Hiroshima in May, Japanese media reported.

"The agenda in India will include global food security, which has been affected by Russia's invasion of Ukraine, as well as development, digital transformation and other international issues," according to NHK.

Earlier this May, PM Modi had met with his Japanese counterpart in Hiroshima at the G7 Summit in Hiroshima.

The cooperation between India and Japan continues to deepen over time as the two nations share historical linkages with exchanges between the two countries being traced to the 6th century when Buddhism was introduced in Japan.

As both nations deal with the challenges provided by an aggressive China in the Asian region, India's political ties to Japan have grown significantly over the past few decades.

In the lead-up to both the G20 and G7 summits, the visit of Japanese PM Kishida to India in March bolstered further commitment between the two countries to work together for the realisation of a 'Free and Open Indo-Pacific".

India and Japan have already developed various frameworks of security partnership including a '2+2' Dialogue involving Foreign and Defence ministers. The two countries regularly participate in joint military exercises such as the Malabar Exercise and have various partnership agreements ranging from defence equipment trade to military logistics.

Japan is India's 13th-largest trading partner, whereas India is Japan's 18th-largest. With Japan's private sector investment in India steadily increasing, it is among the top five foreign investors in India.

India and Japan's joint efforts to foster a free, open, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region demonstrate the strength and potential of their ever-strengthening relationship.

This is the first time that the G20 Summit is taking place under India's presidency. Formed in 1999, the G20 was setup to maintain global financial stability by incorporating middle-income countries.

India assumed the G20 presidency on December 1 last year and about 200 meetings related to G20 were organized in 60 cities across the country. The 18th G20 Summit in New Delhi will be a culmination of all the G20 processes and meetings held throughout the year among ministers, senior officials, and civil societies.

A G20 Leaders' declaration will be adopted at the conclusion of the G20 Summit, stating Leaders' commitment towards the priorities discussed and agreed upon during the respective ministerial and working group meetings. The next G20 presidency is going to be taken over by Brazil in 2024, followed by South Africa in 2025.

PM Modi, Japan PM Kishida holds bilateral meeting on sidelines of G20 Summit

Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us!
New Delhi, September 9

T he spokesperson to the South African President lauded the Group of Twenty's decision to add the African Union as a permanent member of the bloc, saying, "we are grateful to India's leadership in this regard".

In a landmark development, African Union was made a full member of the Group of Twenty on Saturday.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his inaugural address of the first session of the Global Leaders' Summit, announced that the African Union has been made a full member of the G20 on Saturday.

Vincent Magwenya, spokesperson of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, speaking on the G20 presidency of India, said, "We're quite delighted at the leadership demonstrated by Prime Minister Modi, and demonstrated by the Indian government during its presidency of the G20."

"Prime Minister Modi has sought to focus this summit to opening up space for the Global South, to ensuring that the voices of many smaller developing economic countries that were often excluded from these forums are included and that they are heard. So, we are delighted at the development of the EU included as a member of the G 20, and we are grateful to India's leadership in this regard," he added.

On India rising as the voice of the Global South at G20, Magwenya said that South Africa shares a lot of common challenges with India, particularly with respect to climate change, and those issues cannot be resolved through exclusive approach.

"Well, it has always been important, and put it this way, it was always a myth that you will have such forums for international economic cooperation running with the exclusion of large parts of the world. Now we are moving towards a direction that includes those parts of the world that were excluded. We share a lot of common challenges, particularly with respect to climate change, and those issues cannot be resolved through exclusive approaches, they have to be inclusive," Ramaphosa's spokesperson added.

When asked about impact of AU's inclusion in G20 on African continent, he said, "It's very important development to have the African continent included in such forums and processes. And we see it as an important step that signals more reform processes that we would like to see with respect to the United Nations Security Council, with respect to your global, multilateral financial institutions."

Adding the African Union as a member of G20 was among India's key aims to achieve during the ongoing G20 summit. African Union is a continental union consisting of 55 member states located on the continent of Africa. The move to include the African Union into the G20 grouping was proposed by PM Modi earlier this June.

Grateful for Indian leadership: South Africa lauds African Union inclusion in G20

Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us!
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 9. Azerbaijan and Ukraine recognize and support each other's sovereignty and territorial integrity, the Foreign Ministry of Azerbaijan said, Trend reports.

The ministry made the remark commenting on the so-called "elections" held in some territories of Ukraine.

"Based on this, Azerbaijan states that any elections conducted on the territory of Ukraine in accordance with the Constitution and laws of that state can be considered legitimate. This principled position of Azerbaijan is based on universally recognized norms and principles of international law concerning the respect for the rights related to the sovereignty of states," the ministry noted.

"Since the recent "elections" in parts of internationally recognized territories of Ukraine don't meet these criteria, they have no legal force," added the ministry.
Champaign, IL (61820)

Today

A mix of clouds and sun, with gusty winds developing this afternoon. High 38F. Winds W at 20 to 30 mph. Higher wind gusts possible..

Tonight

Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. Low around 25F. Winds NW at 10 to 20 mph.
Latest update

UKHSA publishes latest BA.2.86 analysis in new technical briefing

The UK Health Security Agency ( UKHSA ) has published SARS-CoV-2 variant surveillance and assessment technical briefing 53. It contains the latest epidemiological and genomic analysis of the emergent BA.2.86 variant.

As of 4 September 2023, 34 confirmed cases of BA.2.86 had been identified in England. Of these, 5 were hospitalized and no deaths due to COVID-19 have been reported amongst these cases.

Multiple unlinked cases in different regions without reported travel history suggests a degree of community transmission within the UK. However, there is currently not enough data to conclude what the extent of this transmission might be. It is also too early to draw conclusions on the impact the variant may have on the UK population due either to its clinical or immune escape properties.

Of the 34 cases in England, 28 cases were from a single outbreak at a care home in Norfolk. Specialists from UKHSA have been working with Norfolk County Council to offer infection control advice and support.

Staff and residents of the care home were asked to undergo polymerase chain reaction ( PCR ) testing by local health protection officials when an unusually high number of people became unwell. Positive samples were sent for whole genome sequencing at UKHSA laboratories, where BA.2.86 was confirmed in the majority of samples.

Based on the information from this incident, it is too early to draw any conclusions about how BA.2.86 will behave in the wider UK population, but it is an early indicator that it may be sufficiently transmissible to have impact in close contact settings. UKHSA scientists are investigating this and will publish further analysis in future technical briefings. This variant has been detected in a number of countries globally.

Dr Renu Bindra, Incident Director, UKHSA said:

While BA.2.86 has a significant number of mutations to the viral genome compared to other currently circulating COVID-19 variants, the data so far is too limited to draw firm conclusions about the impact this will have on the transmissibility, severity or immune escape properties of the virus. UKHSA scientists are working with international partners to culture the samples and analyse the evidence as it becomes available. However, it is likely to be some time before we have enough data to make a confident assessment. Specialists from UKHSA have been working with Norfolk County Council to offer infection control advice and support following a confirmed outbreak of BA.2.86 in a care home. It is clear that there is some degree of widespread community transmission, both in the UK and globally, and we are working to ascertain the full extent of this. In the meantime, it remains vital that all those eligible come forward to receive their autumn vaccine as soon as it is offered to them."

The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) announced last week that the autumn vaccine program will be brought forward to 11 September as a precautionary measure following the emergence of BA.2.86.

Previous

Friday 1 September 2023

The UK Health Security Agency ( UKHSA ) has published a situational assessment for SARS-CoV-2 variant V-23AUG-01 (BA.2.86).

Friday 18 August 2023

UKHSA publishes risk assessment for BA.2.86

The UK Health Security Agency ( UKHSA ) has published an initial risk assessment of the SARS-CoV-2 variant BA.2.86. This variant was detected in the UK on Friday 18 August, and has also been identified in Israel, Denmark and the US. It has been designated as V-2023Aug01 for the purpose of UKHSA monitoring.

The newly identified variant has a high number of mutations and is genomically distant from both its likely ancestor, BA.2, and from currently circulating XBB-derived variants. There is currently one confirmed case in the UK in an individual with no recent travel history, which suggests a degree of community transmission within the UK. Identifying the extent of this transmission will require further investigation.

There is currently insufficient data to assess the relative severity or degree of immune effectiveness compared to other currently-circulating variants.

Dr Meera Chand, Deputy Director, UKHSA said:

V-2023Aug01 was designated as a variant on 18 August 2023 on the basis of international transmission and significant mutation of the viral genome. This designation allows us to monitor it through our routine surveillance processes. We are aware of one confirmed case in the UK. UKHSA is currently undertaking detailed assessment and will provide further information in due course."

UKHSA will continue to monitor the situation closely and will publish the results of our analysis when they are available.

Friday 21 April 2023

The UK Health Security Agency ( UKHSA ) has released variant technical briefing 52. The full document and underlying data is available on GOV.UK.

Friday 10 March 2023

The UK Health Security Agency ( UKHSA ) has released variant technical briefing 51. The full document and underlying data is available on GOV.UK.

Friday 10 February 2023

The UK Health Security Agency ( UKHSA ) has released variant technical briefing 50. The full document and underlying data is available on GOV.UK.

Wednesday 11 January 2023

UKHSA releases updated analysis on XBB.1.5

The UK Health Security Agency ( UKHSA ) has released a new variant technical briefing detailing updated analysis of epidemiological and genomic data relating to SARS-CoV-2 variants currently circulating in the UK, including the XBB.1.5 variant which has been increasing in the US in recent months.

The analysis shows that coronavirus (COVID-19) cases in the UK are primarily made up of BQ.1 and its sublineages, consistent with the UKHSA risk assessment published in October. Two variants, CH.1.1 and XBB.1.5, appear to have a growth advantage in the UK. Both are variants in the Omicron family.

XBB.1.5 remains at very low prevalence in the UK, so estimates of growth are highly uncertain.

The risk assessment conducted by UKHSA together with academic partners found that CH.1.1 and XBB.1.5 are currently the variants most likely to take over from BQ.1 as the next dominant variant in the UK, unless further novel variants arise. Neither have been designated as variants of concern by UKHSA .

Dr Meera Chand, Director of Clinical and Emerging Infections, UKHSA , said:

Through our genomic surveillance we continue to see evolution of variants in the Omicron family. UKHSA is constantly monitoring the situation and working to understand the implications for public health. Vaccination remains our best defence against future COVID-19 waves, so it is still as important as ever that people come take up all the doses for which they are eligible as soon as possible."

Friday 28 October 2022

UKHSA designates 2 new COVID-19 variants

The UK Health Security Agency ( UKHSA ) has published its latest COVID-19 variant technical briefing. It contains epidemiological data and updated analysis of COVID-19 variants currently circulating in the UK.

A number of Omicron variants are currently circulating in England, many of which have acquired mutations which may produce a degree of immune escape. Omicron sublineages BQ.1 and XBB have been given UKHSA variant designations to facilitate continued studies. Neither have currently been designated as variants of concern.

BQ.1 (V-22OCT-01) is a BA.5 sub-lineage which has been designated on the basis of rapid growth. So far, there have been 717 V-22OCT-01 sequences uploaded from the UK to the international GISAID database.

XBB (V-22OCT-02) is a recombinant lineage derived from 2 previous Omicron sublineages. Currently there are 18 UK samples in GISAID, out of a global total of 1,086; 639 samples have been uploaded from Singapore, and it is thought that XBB may be a factor in the recent spike in cases there.

Neutralization studies are currently being undertaken at the University of Oxford. Overall, data shows significant reductions in neutralization against several of the newly emergent variants (BA.2.75.2, BA.2.3.20 and BJ.1), compared to BA.2, BA.4 and the dominant BA.5. This suggests that, as immunity begins to wane, these newly emerging BA.2 variants may fuel future waves of SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Dr Meera Chand, Director of Clinical and Emerging Infection at UKHSA , said:

It is not unexpected to see new variants of SARS-CoV-2 emerge. Neither BQ.1 nor XBB have been designated as variants of concern and UKHSA is monitoring the situation closely, as always. Vaccination remains our best defence against future COVID-19 waves, so it is still as important as ever that people come take up all the doses for which they are eligible as soon as possible.

Friday 22 July 2022

BA.5 now dominant in the UK according to UKHSA variant technical briefing

The latest UK Health Security Agency ( UKHSA ) COVID-19 variant technical briefing, published today, includes updated epidemiological analysis which indicates that Omicron BA.5 has, as expected, become the dominant SARS-CoV-2 variant in the UK.

An estimated 78.7% of confirmed cases in England are BA.5 which was first identified in April and was designated as a Variant of Concern on 18 May.

UKHSA 's latest National flu and COVID-19 surveillance report indicates that the increase in COVID-19 case rates and hospitalizations continues to show signs of slowing. However, UKHSA scientists say there is no room to be complacent. People aged 75 and over remain at particular risk of severe disease if they are not up to date with their vaccinations.

Omicron BA.2.75, the variant derived from the BA.2 lineage which was identified internationally earlier this month, has now been categorized as a separate variant and given the designation V-22JUL-01.

This designation means that data relating to BA.2.75 will now be reported separately from other BA.2 cases. There are small numbers of cases in the UK and this designation is intended to allow investigation into the specific properties of this variant.

As of 18 July 2022, there were 24 cases of BA.2.75 in the UK. Of these, 20 were in England, 3 in Scotland and 1 in Wales.

Dr Meera Chand, UKHSA Director of Clinical an Emerging Infection, said:

We continue to monitor the emergence of new variants and give them variant designations if they are sufficiently distinct to warrant separate epidemiological and laboratory assessment. It is not unexpected to see new lineages and continued investigation is a normal part of the surveillance of an infectious disease. It is important that everyone ensures that they are up to date with vaccinations offered as they remain our best form of defence against severe illness."

Friday 24 June 2022

UKHSA issues COVID-19 vaccination reminder as Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 become dominant in the UK, driving increase in infections

The UK Health Security Agency ( UKHSA ) is reminding people to ensure their COVID-19 vaccinations are up to date and to continue following COVID-safe behaviors, as latest technical data indicates BA.4 and BA.5 have become dominant in the UK and are driving the recent increase in infections.

The UKHSA 's COVID-19 variant technical briefing 43, published today, includes epidemiological analysis that shows that Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 now make up more than half of new COVID-19 cases in England, accounting for approximately 22% and 39% of cases, respectively.

Omicron BA.4 and Omicron BA.5 were designated as variants of concern on 18 May on the basis of an apparent growth advantage over the previously-dominant Omicron BA.2 variant.

UKHSA 's latest analysis suggests that Omicron BA.5 is growing 35.1% faster than Omicron BA.2, while Omicron BA.4 is growing approximately 19.1% faster. This suggests that BA.5 is likely to become the dominant COVID-19 variant in the UK.

The increasing prevalence of Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 is likely to be a factor in the recent increase in cases seen in the UK and elsewhere, though there is currently no evidence that Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 cause more severe illness than previous variants.

So far, vaccination means that the rise in cases is not translating to a rise in severe illness and deaths. UKHSA scientists are urging anyone who has not had all the vaccines they are eligible for to make sure that they get them as soon as possible.

COVID-19 has not gone away, so it is also vitally important that people continue to follow the guidance. Stay at home if you have any respiratory symptoms or a fever and limit contact with others until you are feeling better, particularly if they are likely to be at greater risk if they contract COVID-19.

Professor Susan Hopkins, Chief Medical Advisor at UKHSA said:

It is clear that the increasing prevalence of Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 are significantly increasing the case numbers we have observed in recent weeks. We have seen a rise in hospital admissions in line with community infections but vaccinations are continuing to keep ICU admissions and deaths at low levels. As prevalence increases, it's more important than ever that we all remain alert, take precautions, and ensure that we're up to date with COVID-19 vaccinations, which remain our best form of defence against the virus. It's not too late to catch up if you've missed boosters, or even first doses so please take your recommended vaccines. Our data also show that 17.5 per cent of people aged 75 years and over have not had a vaccine within the past six months, putting them more at risk of severe disease. We urge these people in particular to get up-to-date. If you have any symptoms of a respiratory infection, and a high temperature or feel unwell, try to stay at home or away from others - especially those who are elderly or vulnerable. Face coverings in crowded indoor spaces and hand washing will help to reduce transmission of infection and are especially important if you have any respiratory symptoms."

UKHSA encourage everyone to continue to follow the most up-to date guidance.

As we learn to live safely with COVID-19, there are actions we can all take to help reduce the risk of catching COVID-19 and passing it on to others.

The risk of catching or passing on COVID-19 is greatest when someone who is infected is physically close to, or sharing an enclosed or poorly ventilated space with, other people.

You will not always know whether someone you come into contact with is at higher risk of becoming seriously ill from respiratory infections, including COVID-19. They could be strangers (for example people you sit next to on public transport) or people you may have regular contact with (for example friends and work colleagues).

There are simple things you can do in your daily life that will help reduce the spread of COVID-19 and other respiratory infections and protect those at highest risk. Things you can choose to do are:

get vaccinated

let fresh air in if meeting others indoors

practise good hygiene: wash your hands cover your coughs and sneezes clean your surroundings frequently

wear a face covering or a face mask, particularly if you are in crowded and enclosed spaces

Friday 6 May 2022

Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 designated as variant of concern by UKHSA

The UK Health Security Agency ( UKHSA ) has elevated the classification of the COVID-19 variants Omicron BA.4 and Omicron BA.5 to variants of concern ( VOCs ) on the basis of observed growth.

As of 17 May, 115 cases of BA.4 and 80 cases of BA.5 have been confirmed in England and the latest UKHSA variant technical briefing has been published today.

Whilst Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 are in the early stages of growth in the UK, analysis of the available data suggests that they are likely to have a growth advantage over the currently-dominant Omicron BA.2 variant.

There can be several reasons for growth advantage, but in the case of BA.4 and BA.5, laboratory data suggests a degree of immune escape which is likely to contribute.

Dr Meera Chand, Director of Clinical and Emerging Infections at UKHSA , said:

The reclassification of these variants as variants of concern reflects emerging evidence on the growth of BA.4 and BA.5 internationally and in the UK. Whilst the impact of these variants is uncertain, the variant classification system aims to identify potential risk as early as possible. UKHSA is undertaking further detailed studies. Data and analysis will be released in due course through our regular surveillance reporting."

Friday 6 May 2022

The UK Health Security Agency ( UKHSA ) has released variant technical briefing 41.

This edition includes an update on the current circulating lineages, including several cases of Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 which have been detected in the UK.

UKHSA has also released a variant risk assessment for Omicron BA.4 and BA.5, summarising the emerging epidemiology and laboratory evidence.

As of 2 May 2022, 21 confirmed cases of Omicron BA.4 and 19 confirmed cases of Omicron BA.5 have been detected in England.

Dr Meera Chand, Director of Clinical and Emerging Infections at UKHSA , said:

UKHSA continues to monitor and study variants of SARS-CoV-2 closely and is working with academic partners to rapidly assess the significance of the lineages BA.4 and BA.5. Our continued genomic surveillance allows us to further investigate variants that are growing within the UK."

Friday 25 March 2022

UKHSA releases updated analysis into recombinant COVID-19 variants in the UK

UKHSA 's most recent variant technical briefing includes examination of a number of recombinant variants which have been identified in the UK, as well as updated epidemiological and genomic analysis of Omicron BA.2.

A recombinant variant occurs when an individual becomes infected with 2 or more variants at the same time, resulting in a mixing of their genetic material within the patient's body. This is not an unusual occurrence and several recombinant SARS-CoV-2 variants have been identified over the course of the pandemic.

As with any other coronavirus (COVID-19) variant, the vast majority do not confer any advantage to the virus and die out relatively quickly.

UKHSA 's new analysis examines 3 recombinants, known as XF, XE, and XD. Of these, XD and XF are recombinants of Delta and Omicron BA.1, while XE is a recombinant of Omicron BA.1 and BA.2.

In the UK, 38 cases of XF have been identified, though none have been seen since mid February. There is currently no evidence of community transmission within the UK.

XD has not been identified in the UK to date, though 49 cases have been reported to global databases, the majority of these are in France.

A total 637 cases of XE - a recombinant of Omicron BA.1 and BA.2 - have been confirmed in the UK so far. The earliest of these has a specimen date of 19 January 2022. There is currently insufficient evidence to draw conclusions about growth advantage or other properties of this variant. We continue to monitor all recombinants closely, routinely through our world-leading genomic surveillance and sequencing capability.

Professor Susan Hopkins, Chief Medical Advisor, UKHSA said:

Recombinant variants are not an unusual occurrence, particularly when there are several variants in circulation, and several have been identified over the course of the pandemic to date. As with other kinds of variant, most will die off relatively quickly. This particular recombinant, XE, has shown a variable growth rate and we cannot yet confirm whether it has a true growth advantage. So far there is not enough evidence to draw conclusions about transmissibility, severity or vaccine effectiveness. UKHSA will continue to monitor the situation closely as a matter of routine, as we do all data relating to SARS-CoV-2 variants both in the UK and internationally."

The variant technical briefing also includes updated analysis on Omicron BA.2, currently the dominant variant in the UK.

BA.2 is estimated to account for approximately 93.7% of cases in England, with the highest prevalence in the South East (96.4%) and the lowest in the East Midlands (91.1%). Data for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland is not included in the UKHSA Technical Briefing.

BA.2 continues to demonstrate a substantial growth advantage. Since the middle of February, this growth rate has settled at approximately 75% higher than other circulating Omicron lineages in England.

Ongoing analysis by UKHSA has found no evidence that infection with Omicron BA.2 results in a greater risk of hospitalisation, compared to Omicron BA.1.

UKHSA has also this week published further vaccine effectiveness data against hospitalization following a booster dose. For the first time, this data includes analysis on vaccine effectiveness 15+ weeks after the booster dose.

This data shows that protection against severe illness from COVID-19 remains at over 90% in those aged 65 and over up to 14 weeks after a booster dose. While there is a suggestion that this wanes slightly after 15 weeks, protection in this age group remains high at over 85%.

This paper can be found as a pre-print, and the data is referred to in the latest vaccine surveillance report.

Change to variant classifications

UKHSA is updating its variant classification system to give a clearer indication of which variants have significant changes compared to the current dominant variant.

Under the new system, the variant of concern ( VOC ) label will be assigned to variants which are currently emerging or circulating, and which the following characteristics can be confirmed or predicted:

1. A detrimental change in biological properties (changes in transmissibility, severity or immune evasion) compared to the current dominant variant.

2. A growth rate potentially compatible with the eventual replacement of the current dominant variant.

There will be no other categorization of variants, including no variant under investigation ( VUI ) category. Previous variants of concern which no longer meet the criteria will be redesignated.

UKHSA will continue to designate new variants, and these will receive a variant number (in the format V-date-number). We will continue to closely analyze all available biological, epidemiological and genomic evidence for any SARS-CoV-2 variant in the UK or internationally.

These changes will take effect as of 1 April 2022 and will be reflected in full in future technical briefings.

Friday 25 February 2022

The UK Health Security Agency ( UKHSA ) has published variant technical briefing 37.

Friday 28 January 2022

UKHSA publishes variant analyses of Omicron sub-lineage BA.2

The UK Health Security Agency ( UKHSA ) has published analyses of Omicron sub-lineage BA.2. Data by variant related to intensive care unit admissions is presented and an analysis into the effect of the recent surge of Omicron cases in care homes is also available in the latest technical briefing.

Omicron sub-lineage BA.2 ( VUI -22JAN-01)

As of 24 January 2022, 1,072 genomically confirmed cases of BA.2 have been identified in England and all assessments remain preliminary whilst case numbers are relatively low.

BA.2 has an increased growth rate compared to BA.1 in all regions of England where there are enough cases to assess it. While growth rates can be overestimated in early analyses of a new variant, the apparent growth advantage is currently substantial.

Analysis from routine contact tracing data indicates that transmission is likely to be higher among contacts of BA.2 cases in households (13.4%) than those for contacts of other Omicron cases (10.3%) in the period 27 December 2021 to 11 January 2022. These early findings should be interpreted with caution as transmission data and dynamics can fluctuate, meaning that early findings can change quickly when new variants are identified.

A preliminary assessment did not find evidence of a difference in vaccine effectiveness against symptomatic disease for BA.2 compared to BA.1. After 2 doses, vaccine effectiveness was 9% and 13% respectively for BA.1 and BA.2, after 25+ weeks. This increased to 63% for BA.1 and 70% for BA.2 at 2 weeks following a third vaccine.

There is currently no data on the severity of BA.2. UKHSA will continue to carry out laboratory and epidemiological investigations to better understand the characteristics of this variant.

Dr Susan Hopkins, Chief Medical Advisor for UKHSA , said:

Ongoing variant analysis is an important part of our pandemic response. Thanks to the expertise of scientists at UKHSA and partner organisations, we're able to respond quickly to new variations of the virus. We now know that BA.2 has an increased growth rate which can be seen in all regions in England. We have also learnt that BA.2 has a slightly higher secondary attack rate than BA.1 in households. Although hospitalisations and deaths remain low, cases are still high in some areas and some age groups so it's important that we continue to act cautiously as restrictions are lifted. Consider wearing a face covering when in crowded places. Take a vaccine to protect yourself against COVID-19. If you have any symptoms, take a test."

Omicron data

UKHSA has also published analyses related to the original Omicron strain BA.1. Where variant information was available, the majority of intensive care unit ( ICU ) admissions from 24 November 2021 to 19 January 2022 had Delta infections. Overall numbers of ICU admissions have decreased over time, but where data was available admissions with Omicron have increased from 9% to more than 50% in the most recent week.

Although there was a rapid increase in SARS-CoV-2 infections in care homes during December 2021 in line with case rises in the community, there has not been an associated increase in hospital admissions.

Our findings suggest the current wave of Omicron infections is unlikely to lead to a major surge in severe disease in care home populations with high levels of vaccine coverage and/or natural immunity. There were very limited numbers of BA.2 in this study and no inferences can be made regarding BA.2.

Friday 21 January 2022

Omicron sub-lineage BA.2 designated as a variant under investigation ( VUI )

The Omicron variant sub-lineage known as BA.2 has been designated a variant under investigation ( VUI -22JAN-01) by the UK Health Security Agency ( UKHSA ).

Overall, the original Omicron lineage, BA.1, is dominant in the UK and the proportion of BA.2 cases is currently low. The designation was made on the basis of increasing numbers of BA.2 sequences identified both domestically and internationally. There is still uncertainty around the significance of the changes to the viral genome, and further analyses will now be undertaken.

To date, there have been 426 cases of Omicron BA.2 confirmed by Whole Genome Sequencing ( WGS ), with the earliest dated 6 December 2021.

The areas with the largest number of confirmed cases are London (146) and the South East (97). Data for the devolved administrations will follow in due course.

Early analyses suggest an increased growth rate compared to BA.1, however, growth rates have a low level of certainty early in the emergence of a variant and further analysis is needed.

In total, 40 countries have uploaded 8,040 BA.2 sequences to GISAID since 17 November 2021. At this point it is not possible to determine where the sublineage may have originated. The first sequences were submitted from the Philippines, and most samples have been uploaded from Denmark (6,411). Other countries that have uploaded more than 100 samples are India (530), Sweden (181), and Singapore (127).

Omicron BA.2 lacks the genetic deletion on the spike protein which produces S-gene target failure ( SGTF ) in some polymerase chain reaction ( PCR ) tests, which has been used as a proxy for Omicron cases previously.

Dr Meera Chand, COVID-19 Incident Director at UKHSA , said:

It is the nature of viruses to evolve and mutate, so it's to be expected that we will continue to see new variants emerge as the pandemic goes on. Our continued genomic surveillance allows us to detect them and assess whether they are significant. So far, there is insufficient evidence to determine whether BA.2 causes more severe illness than Omicron BA.1, but data is limited and UKHSA continues to investigate. Case rates remain high throughout the UK and we must remain vigilant and take up vaccinations. We should all continue to test regularly with LFDs and take a PCR test if symptoms develop."

Health and Social Care Secretary, Sajid Javid, said:

We are learning to live with this virus - and thanks to our world-leading surveillance system we can rapidly detect and carefully monitor any genetic changes to COVID-19. Our exceptional vaccine rollout means the number of people severely affected by COVID-19 is low, and the UK's innovation and research has discovered life-saving treatments for those most at risk from COVID-19. As we cautiously return to Plan A, I encourage you to give yourself and your loved ones the best protection possible and Get Boosted Now.

As is routine for any new variants under investigation, UKHSA is carrying out laboratory and epidemiological investigations to better understand the characteristics of this variant. We will continue to monitor this situation closely and recommend appropriate public health measures if needed.

More detail will be available in UKHSA 's regular variant technical briefings.

Friday 14 January 2022

UKHSA publishes updated Omicron risk assessment and analysis on vaccine efficacy, sub-lineage and symptoms

The UK Health Security Agency ( UKHSA ) has published a new variant technical briefing containing an updated Omicron risk assessment, alongside analysis on vaccine efficacy, sub-lineages and symptoms.

The updated risk assessment includes indicators for infection severity in both adults and children.

There is now high confidence that the Omicron variant causes low severity of disease in adults. However, confidence levels for severity indicators for children are low because further analysis is required to compare the risk of hospitalisation between Omicron and Delta, and to assess the clinical nature of illness in children.

Susan Hopkins, Chief Medical Advisor at UKHSA , said:

This latest set of analysis once again demonstrates that a booster dose of the vaccine provides you with significant protection against hospitalisation from Omicron. Booster doses also increase the protection against symptomatic and asymptomatic infection which will reduce transmission in the population. While signs remain encouraging on Omicron's severity compared with Delta, the high levels of community transmission continue and may cause pressures on health services. We'll be undertaking further analysis to investigate the small rise in the number of children admitted to hospital but currently coronavirus (COVID-19) poses a very low health risk to children and infants. Early data shows that young children who are hospitalised experience mild illness and are discharged after short stays in hospital. Getting your booster jab remains the most effective way of protecting yourself and others from infection and severe disease. While prevalence remains high, make sure to wear your mask in indoor settings and take a lateral flow test before meeting others. If you develop any symptoms, isolate immediately and get a PCR test."

BA.2 sub-lineage

As of January 10 2022, 53 sequences of the BA.2 sub-lineage of Omicron had been identified in the United Kingdom.

This sub-lineage, which was designated by Pangolin on 6 December 2021, does not have the spike gene deletion at 69-70 that causes S-gene target failure ( SGTF ), which has previously been used as a proxy to detect cases of Omicron. UKHSA are continuing to monitor data on the BA.2 sub-lineage closely.

Vaccine effectiveness

Vaccine effectiveness ( VE ) against Omicron has again been updated in this week's briefing.

As previously published, data continues to show vaccine effectiveness against hospitalization for Omicron remains high.

A booster dose was associated with a 74% reduced risk of hospitalization in the first 2 to 4 weeks after vaccination, with the figure dropping to 66% 10 weeks or more after this dose. When combined with VE against symptomatic disease, the reduced risk of hospitalization climbed to 92% 2 to 4 weeks after a third dose of the vaccine, down to 83% after 10 weeks or more.

There is further data showing that effectiveness against symptomatic disease is significantly lower compared to the Delta variant, and wanes more quickly.

Analysis shows that protection against symptomatic disease 2 to 4 weeks after a booster dose ranges from around 65% to 75%, dropping to 55% to 65% at 5 to 9 weeks - and 45% to 50% 10 weeks or more following the booster dose.

In the SIREN study, a large cohort of healthcare workers are tested regularly by PCR to detect asymptomatic infection in addition to normal testing practices for symptomatic infection. Updated analysis shows the additional incremental benefit from each vaccine exposure including for boosters, even in those who have had prior infection.

Prior infection is 44% effective at preventing future infection, increasing to 71% with 3 doses of the vaccine.

Symptoms

Technical Briefing 34 contains further analysis on symptom comparison on Omicron and Delta.

Of symptomatic cases, loss of smell and taste was found to be more common in people who tested positive for Delta than those who had Omicron. This matches a recent study led by Oxford University and the Office for National Statistics ( ONS ), using data from the COVID-19 Infection Survey produced by the latter.

Hospital admissions in children aged 0 to 5

There are indications of a small rise in children admitted to hospital, but these early signals need further investigations before we can draw any conclusions about whether Omicron causes more severe illness in children.

Early data shows that young children who are hospitalized experience mild illness and are discharged after short stays in hospital. Data continues to show COVID-19 poses a very low health risk to children and infants.

However, any stay in hospital for a child is too long if you're a parent and it's important we all take precautions to avoid the spread of infection.

Follow the latest self-isolation rules if you develop symptoms - wear a mask where required to do so, take regular LFD tests and observe good hand hygiene.

We continue to urge everyone who is eligible to get a COVID-19 vaccine and booster.

Health and Social Care Secretary Sajid Javid said:

This data is yet more evidence that vaccines remain our best line of defence against COVID-19. Booster jabs are protecting people against infection and severe disease - so I urge you to play your part in our national mission and get boosted now."

Friday 31 December 2021

UKHSA publishes updated Omicron hospitalization and vaccine efficacy analysis

The UK Health Security Agency ( UKHSA ) has published a new variant technical briefing containing updated analysis on Omicron hospitalization risk and vaccine efficacy against symptomatic disease and hospitalization.

Protection against hospitalization from vaccines is good against the Omicron variant. One dose of any vaccine was associated with a 35% reduced risk of hospitalization among symptomatic cases with the Omicron variant, 2 doses with a 67% reduction up to 24 weeks after the second dose and a 51% reduced risk 25 or more weeks after the second dose. A third dose was associated with a 68% (95% confidence interval 52 to 82%) reduced risk of hospitalization when compared to similar unvaccinated individuals. When the reduced risk of hospitalization was combined with vaccine effectiveness against symptomatic disease, the vaccine effectiveness against hospitalization was estimated as 52% after one dose, 72% 2 to 24 weeks after dose 2, 52% 25+ weeks after dose 2 and 88% 2 weeks after a booster dose.

As set out last week, the effectiveness of all vaccines against symptomatic infection continues to be lower in all periods against Omicron compared to Delta. The latest data confirmed that among those who had received 2 doses of AstraZeneca, there was no effect against Omicron from 20 weeks after the second dose. Among those who had received 2 doses of Pfizer or Moderna, effectiveness dropped from around 65 to 70% down to around 10% by 20 weeks after the second dose. Two to 4 weeks after a booster dose, vaccine effectiveness ranged from around 65 to 75%, dropping to 55 to 70% at 5 to 9 weeks and 40 to 50% from 10+ weeks after the booster.

Working alongside Cambridge University MRC Biostatistics unit, UKHSA analyzed 528,176 Omicron cases and 573,012 Delta cases between 22 November and 26 December to assess the risk of hospitalization in England after testing positive for Omicron. This analysis found that the risk of presentation to emergency care or hospital admission with Omicron (testing for symptomatic or asymptomatic infection) was approximately half of that for Delta, while the risk of hospital admission alone with Omicron was approximately one-third of that for Delta. In this analysis, the risk of hospitalization is lower for Omicron cases with symptomatic or asymptomatic infection after 2 and 3 doses of vaccine, with an 81% (95% confidence interval 77 to 85%) reduction in the risk of hospitalization after 3 doses compared to unvaccinated Omicron cases.

This analysis is not an assessment of hospital severity, which will take further time to assess.

Health and Social Care Secretary Sajid Javid said:

This is more promising data which reinforces just how important vaccines are. They save lives and prevent serious illness. This analysis shows you are up to 8 times more likely to end up in hospital as a result of COVID-19 if you are unvaccinated. It is never too late to come forward for your first dose and it's vital that everyone comes forward to get boosted now as we head into the new year."

Susan Hopkins, Chief Medical Adviser at UKHSA , said:

The latest set of analysis is in keeping with the encouraging signs we have already seen. However, it remains too early to draw any definitive conclusions on hospital severity, and the increased transmissibility of Omicron and the rising cases in the over 60s population in England means it remains highly likely that there will be significant pressure on the NHS in coming weeks. The data once again shows that coming forward for your jab, particularly your third dose, is the best way of protecting yourself and others against infection and severe disease."

Thursday 23 December

UKHSA publishes updated Omicron hospitalisation and vaccine efficacy analysis

The UK Health Security Agency ( UKHSA ) has published the latest variant technical briefing. It contains updated analysis on Omicron hospitalisation risk, vaccine efficacy against symptomatic disease from Omicron, and the COVID-19 reinfection rate.

As of 20 December, 132 individuals with confirmed Omicron have been admitted to or transferred from emergency departments. Over 40% of hospital admissions were in London. Of those patients admitted to hospital, 17 had received a booster vaccine, 74 people had 2 doses and 27 people were not vaccinated. The vaccination status was unknown for 6 people, while 8 had received a single dose. Fourteen people are reported to have died within 28 days of an Omicron diagnosis, ranging in age from 52 to 96 years old.

UKHSA analysis shows that the risk of hospital admission for an identified case with Omicron is reduced compared to a case of Delta. This analysis excludes individuals with confirmed previous COVID-19 infection. An individual with Omicron is estimated to be between 31 and 45% less likely to attend A&E compared to Delta, and 50 to 70% less likely to be admitted to hospital. This analysis is preliminary and highly uncertain because of the small numbers of Omicron cases currently in hospital, inability to effectively measure all previous infections and the limited spread of Omicron into older age groups. This is consistent with analysis published yesterday by Imperial College London and the University of Edinburgh.

The population rate of people becoming infected with Omicron after having previously contracted COVID-19 has increased sharply. Of those with Omicron, 9.5% have had COVID-19 before, which is likely to be a substantial underestimate of the proportion of reinfections, as many prior infections will have been asymptomatic and not picked up by the analysis.

Vaccine efficacy analysis continues to show lower effectiveness for symptomatic Omicron disease. There is evidence that protection against symptomatic disease wanes after the second dose of vaccine, and then improves after the booster. But the latest data suggests this extra protection starts to wane more rapidly, being about 15 to 25% lower from 10 weeks after the booster dose. There are insufficient severe cases of Omicron as yet to analyse vaccine effectiveness against hospitalisation, but this is more likely to be sustained, particularly after a booster.

Omicron continues to grow faster than Delta, with an increased risk of transmission, particularly in contacts outside of the household. Therefore, although early suggestions are that individuals may be less likely to require hospitalisation, many more people are likely to become infected. Even if a smaller proportion of these individuals require hospitalisation, these are still large numbers of people requiring hospital care and pressures on the NHS will increase. It is therefore vital that people continue to exercise caution in order to limit the transmission of the virus.

Dr Jenny Harries, UKHSA Chief Executive, said:

Our latest analysis shows an encouraging early signal that people who contract the Omicron variant may be at a relatively lower risk of hospitalisation than those who contract other variants. However, it should be noted both that this is early data and more research is required to confirm these findings. Cases are currently very high in the UK, and even a relatively low proportion requiring hospitalisation could result in a significant number of people becoming seriously ill. The best way that you can protect yourself is to come forward for your first 2 doses of vaccine, or your booster jab and do everything you can to stop onward transmission of the infection."

Health and Social Care Secretary Sajid Javid said:

This new UKHSA data on Omicron is promising - while 2 doses of the vaccine aren't enough, we know boosters offer significant protection against the variant and early evidence suggests this strain may be less severe than Delta. However, cases of the variant continue to rise at an extraordinary rate - already surpassing the record daily number in the pandemic. Hospital admissions are increasing, and we cannot risk the NHS being overwhelmed. This is early-stage analysis and we continue to monitor the data hour by hour. It is still too early to determine next steps, so please stay cautious this Christmas and get your booster as soon as possible to protect yourself and your loved ones."

Friday 17 December

The UK Health Security Agency ( UKHSA ) has published the latest Variant Technical Briefing.

UKHSA has performed an initial laboratory evaluation of the current lateral flow devices ( LFDs ) for COVID-19 in current use in the UK. Initial data suggests that LFDs are as likely to detect Omicron as other variants including Delta, which has been the dominant variant in the UK from May to December 2021.

Of 5,153 individuals identified with an Omicron infection between 1 November and 11 December 2021, 305 were linked to a previous confirmed infection and had an interval from the previous positive test of 90 days or more. The data so far suggests an increase in overall reinfection rates, alongside an increase in first infections.

Dr Jenny Harries, UKHSA Chief Executive, said:

Our data shows that LFD tests are similarly able to detect COVID-19 in individuals who have been exposed to Omicron as in those exposed to previous variants. This is very encouraging. As we all work to limit the high levels of transmission of this variant over the Christmas period, we are urging people to test regularly, particularly before attending social gatherings. As always, the booster vaccine remains the best protection against infection. Please come forward to receive your booster as soon as possible."

Monday 13 December

The UK Health Security Agency ( UKHSA ) can confirm that 10 people have been hospitalised with the Omicron variant in England; the individuals were diagnosed on or before admission. These people are spread around the country and are a mix of age ranges between 18 to 85 years - the majority had received 2 doses of vaccination.

One individual diagnosed in hospital has sadly died.

Dr Susan Hopkins, Chief Medical Adviser at UKHSA , said:

Hospitalisations always lag a few weeks behind infections, therefore it isn't surprising that we have started to see people being admitted to hospital with the Omicron variant. Our data shows that getting the booster vaccine is more effective against this variant than 2 doses alone. Everyone over 18 is now able to walk into a vaccine centre, so do not hesitate to get yours."

Friday 10 December

The latest variant technical briefing suggests that Omicron continues to grow rapidly in all regions of England as measured by confirmed cases and S gene target failure ( SGTF ). None of the cases to date is known to have been hospitalised or died.

Studies of contacts show that Omicron is transmitting more effectively than Delta. The UK Health Security Agency ( UKHSA ) estimates that if Omicron continues to grow at the present rate, the variant will become the dominant strain, accounting for more than 50% of all COVID-19 infections in the UK by mid-December. It is projected that if current trends continue unchanged, the UK will exceed one million infections a day by the end of this month.

The technical briefing also includes early analysis of vaccine effectiveness against the Omicron variant compared to Delta.

The analysis looked at 581 people with confirmed Omicron. It showed that the AstraZeneca and Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines provided much lower levels of protection against symptomatic infection compared to the protection that they provide against Delta. However, the preliminary data showed effectiveness against the new variant appears to increase considerably in the early period after a booster dose, providing around 70% to 75% protection against symptomatic infection.

The analysis included very small numbers of cases as only a few people in the UK currently have this variant, meaning this data should be interpreted with caution until more cases have been studied. Due to the early nature of the findings, all estimates are subject to significant uncertainty and are subject to change. The early observations for 2 doses of AstraZeneca are particularly likely to be unreliable as they are based on small numbers and are likely to reflect an older population and a population with more co-morbidities than those given the Pfizer vaccine.

There are differences in the populations that have received different vaccines. AstraZeneca was the main vaccine used early in the programme in care homes and among those in clinical risk groups. These groups have been prioritised for booster doses since the start of the rollout in September to increase their protection. The percentage of people to have received a booster dose will also already be higher in older age groups and those with underlying health conditions due to prioritisation of the rollout so far.

Vaccine effectiveness against severe disease from Omicron is not yet known but is expected to be significantly higher than protection against symptomatic disease. Data on this won't be available for several weeks.

It is vital that everyone over the age of 40 who is eligible for a booster jab comes forward as soon as possible to get increased protection against this new variant. Those aged 18 to 39 should wait to be called.

Dr Mary Ramsay, Head of Immunisation at UKHSA , said:

These early estimates should be treated with caution but they indicate that a few months after the second jab, there is a greater risk of catching the Omicron variant compared to Delta strain. The data suggests this risk is significantly reduced following a booster vaccine, so I urge everyone to take up their booster when eligible. We expect the vaccines to show higher protection against the serious complications of COVID-19, so if you haven't yet had your first 2 doses please book an appointment straight away. Working from home where possible, consistently wearing masks in crowded or enclosed spaces, washing your hands regularly and isolating and getting tested if you feel unwell are also vitally important in reducing the impact of COVID-19 this winter."

UKHSA has also published a breakdown of confirmed Omicron cases and SGTF cases by local authority. The most affected local authorities are West Northamptonshire, where there are 49 confirmed cases and 68 SGTF , and Manchester, where there are 7 confirmed cases and 61 SGTF .

Evidence continues to show that Omicron is transmitting more rapidly than the dominant Delta variant. Studies of households and contacts have found that there is a higher risk of transmission to contacts from an Omicron case, when compared to Delta.

Dr Jenny Harries, UKHSA Chief Executive, said:

Once again, we urge everyone who is able to get a booster jab to come forward and do so. It is the best defence we have against this highly transmissible new variant. It is also absolutely critical that we all do what we can to reduce transmission in the community so that we have time to administer as many booster doses as possible. Please make sure you follow all the available guidance. Work from home if you are able to, wear a mask indoors around other people, and ventilate indoor spaces well."

Sajid Javid, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, said:

Today's new data shows how important booster jabs are to protect us against this variant. They are our best defence and we have turbocharged our rollout programme inviting 7 million more people over the age of 40 to get their booster jab so even more people get protection from this disease. I urge you to come forward as soon as you're eligible to help keep yourself and your loved ones safe."

Wednesday 8 December

UKHSA publishes update on Omicron risk assessment, S gene target failure and local case numbers

The assessment suggests that Omicron is displaying a significant growth advantage over Delta, meaning that it is likely to outcompete Delta in the UK and become the dominant variant.

This assessment is based on analysis of UK data showing increased household transmission risk, increased secondary attack rates (such as the chance of each case infecting another individual) and increased growth rates compared to Delta.

If the growth rate and doubling time continue at the rate we have seen in the last 2 weeks, we expect to see at least 50% of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases to be caused by Omicron variant in the next 2 to 4 weeks.

The risk assessment also suggests that Omicron displays a reduction in protection offered by having had a previous infection or vaccination. Whilst there are insufficient data to quantify either vaccine effectiveness or risk of reinfection in the UK exactly, the observed growth, case distribution and early analyses in both South Africa and the UK are consistent with some loss of immune protection against infection. New studies are being undertaken to assess this further.

There is insufficient data to make any assessment of protection against severe disease, or to assess the severity of illness caused by Omicron. Further studies are underway in the UK and abroad.

In addition, UKHSA has published data which shows the detection of cases exhibiting S-gene target failure ( SGTF ) in recent weeks across the country. Approximately half of PCR tests in the UK are able to detect SGTF .

SGTF is a useful indicator of the presence of Omicron, because as a rule Delta cases have the S-gene and Omicron cases do not. However, it is not confirmatory as there are a number of other reasons that a sample might exhibit SGTF . For example, there are still a small number of cases of other variants, such as Alpha, in the UK which would also result in S-gene dropout or there is a lower amount of virus present in the sample where S-gene dropout cannot be confirmed.

Positive tests with sufficient virus detected from people arriving in the UK are sent for confirmation through Whole Genome Sequencing, regardless of the presence or absence of SGTF .

As part of UKHSA 's routine genomic surveillance, approximately 15 to 20% of all positive PCR tests are also sent for sequencing.

Until the week beginning 23 November 2021, the weekly count of cases with SGTF was routinely less than 150, making up less than 0.1% of all cases. Analyses of sequenced SGTF samples has indicated that until mid-November, more than 99% of these were Delta cases.

In the most recent week of data (specimen dates from 30 November 2021 reported as of 6 December), the number of cases with SGTF has increased to 705. The majority of these cases are located in London and the South East.

Trends in SGTF over and time are however affected by the coverage of laboratories contributing to this surveillance data.

UKHSA Chief Medical Advisor, Dr Susan Hopkins said:

It is increasingly evident that Omicron is highly infectious and there is emerging laboratory and early clinical evidence to suggest that both vaccine-acquired and naturally acquired immunity against infection is reduced for this variant. It is therefore absolutely critical that we all do everything that we can to help break the chains of transmission and slow the spread of this new variant. Vaccination is critical to help us bolster our defences against becoming severely ill from this new variant - please get your first, second, third or booster jab without delay. Please also make sure to follow all Government guidance to reduce the spread of infection. It remains vital that anyone with COVID-19 symptoms isolates and gets a PCR test immediately."

Saturday 4 December

The latest number of COVID-19 cases with mutations consistent with B.1.1.529 in England are published on UKHSA 's social media channels.

Further information is also available in the latest variant technical briefing.

UKHSA is gathering scientific information as quickly as possible in order to inform the right balance of interventions to prevent transmission and protect lives. This includes analysing live samples of the new variant in our laboratories to investigate properties such as response to current vaccines.

Where individuals are suspected or confirmed to have the Omicron variant as the result of testing, their close contacts will be contacted by NHS Test and Trace, required to self-isolate and asked to take a PCR test, regardless of whether they have been vaccinated.

Anyone who is contacted because of a link to a probable or possible Omicron case will be asked to take a PCR test, even if they have received a positive COVID-19 PCR test within the last 90 days.

Dr Jenny Harries, Chief Executive of UKHSA , said:

We are continuing our efforts to understand the effect of this variant on transmissibility, severe disease, mortality, antibody response and vaccine efficacy. Vaccination is critical to help us bolster our defences against this new variant - please get your first, second, third or booster jab without delay. A booster dose for everyone over 18 years is now recommended and will be available at a minimum of 3 months from your last primary course jab. Please take up this offer as soon as you are eligible to protect yourself, your families and your communities. Please make sure to wear a mask in line with government guidance, including on public transport and in shops, to help break the chains of transmission and slow the spread of this new variant. It's critical that anyone with COVID-19 symptoms isolates and gets a PCR test immediately."

Friday 3 December

A further 75 cases of Omicron variant confirmed

The UK Health Security Agency ( UKHSA ) has identified 75 further cases of COVID-19 with mutations consistent with B.1.1.529 in England, in addition to the previous 29 confirmed cases of the SARS-CoV-2 variant known as B.1.1.529.

The total number of confirmed cases in England is now 104.

The individuals who have tested positive and their contacts have been asked to self-isolate. Work is underway to identify any links to travel. We have now identified cases in the East Midlands, East of England, London, North East, North West, South East, South West and West Midlands. UKHSA is carrying out targeted testing at locations where the positive cases were likely to be infectious.

1 case has been identified in Wales. A further 16 cases have been identified in Scotland, bringing the total in Scotland to 29. There are no confirmed cases in Northern Ireland.

Dr Jenny Harries, Chief Executive of UKHSA , said:

Increased case detection through focused contact tracing has led to more cases of the Omicron variant being identified and confirmed, as we have seen in other countries globally. We are continuing to monitor the data closely. Teams nationally and locally are working at pace to identify and trace all close contacts of every Omicron case. It is critical that anyone with COVID-19 symptoms isolates and gets a PCR test immediately. We have started to see cases where there are no links to travel, suggesting that we have a small amount of community transmission. That's why it's so important that everybody, everywhere, takes simple steps to protect themselves from infection. Please wear face coverings in line with government guidance, let in fresh air when mixing indoors and wash your hands regularly. Vaccination is critical to help us bolster our defences against this new variant so please get your first, second, third or booster jab as soon as you are eligible to protect yourself, your families and your communities."

Where individuals are identified as being a possible or probable case of Omicron, their close contacts will be contacted and advised they are required to isolate for 10 days, regardless of whether they have been vaccinated or received a negative COVID-19 test result. Everybody who is contacted or has symptoms should take a PCR test as soon as possible, even if they have received a positive COVID-19 PCR test within the last 90 days.

UKHSA is acting to get scientific information available as quickly as possible in order to inform the right balance of interventions to prevent transmission and protect lives. This will include analysing live samples of the new variant in our laboratories to investigate properties including its response to current vaccines.

As viruses mutate often and at random, it is not unusual for small numbers of cases to arise featuring new sets of mutations. Any variants showing evidence of spread are rapidly assessed.

Friday 3 December

The UK Health Security Agency ( UKHSA ) has published a new variant technical briefing describing ongoing work on the Omicron variant. It includes a complete list of studies planned and already under way into the emerging variant. A new risk assessment for Omicron VOC -21NOV-01 (B.1.1.529) has also been published and is available here.

Delta remains the predominant variant in England, accounting for over 99% of all COVID-19 cases. As of 30 November 2021, there are 22 confirmed cases of Omicron (B.1.1.529), identified through sequencing or genotyping in England. None of these cases are known to have been hospitalised or died. More recent data on Omicron cases is published regularly here.

Available data are limited at this early stage, but it remains likely that the cases identified so far are a result of a number of separate introductions into the country.

Omicron has a deletion at position 69/70 of the spike protein which allows it to be tracked through S gene target failure ( SGTF ) in some PCR tests. Currently, approximately half of all tests conducted in the UK are able to detect SGTF . SGTF is not a 100% accurate test for Omicron and results are regularly evaluated against sequencing to ensure they are interpreted correctly. However, increases in SGTF can give a useful early indication of variant spread.

The proportion of test results displaying SGTF has been very low in recent months but an increase has been observed in the past week. This is still a very small number of cases but is being investigated carefully to understand whether it is related to travel, any other variant or whether there is evidence of spread of Omicron beginning in the community.

UKHSA Chief Executive, Jenny Harries said:

I want to thank everyone who has been working globally and locally to help us act incredibly quickly in response to the Omicron variant. Thanks to very high levels of vaccine coverage we already have a robust wall of defence against COVID-19 as new variants emerge. We are working as fast as possible to gather more evidence about any impact the new variant may have on severity of disease or vaccine effectiveness. Until we have this evidence, we must exercise the highest level of caution in drawing conclusions about any significant risks to people's health. The most important thing everyone can do now is to get any vaccine dose that you are eligible for - it is by far the most effective action you can take to protect yourself, your families and your communities. It is also vital to continue with all the other precautions we have become used to throughout the pandemic - keep indoor areas well ventilated, wear a face covering in enclosed spaces, and take a rapid lateral flow (or LFD ) test before a situation where you may be at high risk of catching or passing on the virus."

Previous

Thursday 2 December

A further 7 cases of Omicron variant confirmed

The UK Health Security Agency ( UKHSA ) has identified 7 further cases of COVID-19 with mutations consistent with B.1.1.529 in England, in addition to the previous 22 confirmed cases of the SARS-CoV-2 variant known as B.1.1.529. The total number of confirmed cases in England is now 29.

The individuals who have tested positive and their contacts are all isolating. Work is underway to identify any links to travel. We have now identified cases in the East Midlands, East of England, London, South East and North West. UKHSA is carrying out targeted testing at locations where the positive cases were likely to be infectious.

A further 3 cases have been identified in Scotland, bringing the total to 13.

Dr Jenny Harries, Chief Executive of UKHSA , said:

"We are continuing our efforts to understand the effect of this variant on transmissibility, severe disease, mortality, antibody response and vaccine efficacy.

"Vaccination is critical to help us bolster our defences against this new variant - please get your first, second, third or booster jab without delay.

"A booster dose for everyone over 18 years is now recommended and will be available at a minimum of 3 months from your last primary course jab. Please take up this offer as soon as you are eligible to protect yourself, your families and your communities.

"Please make sure to wear a mask in line with government guidance, including on public transport and in shops, to help break the chains of transmission and slow the spread of this new variant.

"It is very likely that we will find more cases over the coming days as we are seeing in other countries globally and as we increase case detection through focused contact tracing. That's why it's critical that anyone with COVID-19 symptoms isolates and gets a PCR test immediately."

Where individuals are identified as being a possible or probable case, their close contacts will be contacted and advised to isolate for 10 days and to take a test. Everybody who is contacted or has symptoms should take a PCR test as soon as possible, even if they have received a positive COVID-19 PCR test within the last 90 days.

UKHSA is acting to get scientific information available as quickly as possible in order to inform the right balance of interventions to prevent transmission and protect lives. This will include analysing live samples of the new variant in our laboratories to investigate properties such as response to current vaccines.

As viruses mutate often and at random, it is not unusual for small numbers of cases to arise featuring new sets of mutations. Any variants showing evidence of spread are rapidly assessed.

The breakdown of cases by local authority is:

Barnet: 2

Bexley: 1

Brentwood: 1

Buckinghamshire: 2

Camden: 2

Chiltern: 1

Haringey: 1

Lambeth: 1

Lancaster: 1

Lewisham: 2

Liverpool: 1

Newham: 1

North Norfolk: 1

Nottingham: 1

Oxfordshire: 1

South Cambridgeshire: 1

South Northamptonshire: 2

Spelthorne: 1

Sutton: 1

Three Rivers: 1

Wandsworth: 1

Westminster: 3

Wednesday 1 December

A further 9 cases of Omicron variant confirmed

The UK Health Security Agency ( UKHSA ) has identified 9 further cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) with mutations consistent with B.1.1.529 in England, in addition to the previous 13 confirmed cases of the SARS-CoV-2 variant known as B.1.1.529. The total number of confirmed cases in England is now 22.

The individuals that have tested positive and their contacts are all isolating. Work is underway to identify any links to travel to Southern Africa. We have now identified cases in the East Midlands, East of England, London, South East and North West. UKHSA is carrying out targeted testing at locations where the positive cases were likely to be infectious.

A further case has been identified in Scotland, bringing the total to 10.

Dr Jenny Harries, Chief Executive of UKHSA , said:

We are continuing our efforts to understand the effect of this variant on transmissibility, severe disease, mortality, antibody response and vaccine efficacy. Vaccination is critical to help us bolster our defences against this new variant - please get your first, second, third or booster jab without delay. Following the change in JCVI advice earlier this week, a booster dose for everyone over 18 years is now recommended and will be available at a minimum of 3 months from your last primary course jab. Please take up this offer as soon as you are eligible to protect yourself, your families and your communities. Please make sure to wear a mask in line with government guidance, including on public transport and in shops, to help break the chains of transmission and slow the spread of this new variant. It is very likely that we will find more cases over the coming days as we are seeing in other countries globally and as we increase case detection through focused contact tracing. That's why it's critical that anyone with COVID-19 symptoms isolates and gets a PCR test immediately."

UKHSA has updated its stay at home guidance and non-household contacts guidance to reflect changes to self-isolation requirements for contacts of people who have been identified as a suspected or confirmed case of the Omicron variant of COVID-19.

UKHSA is acting to get scientific information available as quickly as possible in order to inform the right balance of interventions to prevent transmission and protect lives. This will include analysing live samples of the new variant in our laboratories to investigate properties such as response to current vaccines.

As viruses mutate often and at random, it is not unusual for small numbers of cases to arise featuring new sets of mutations. Any variants showing evidence of spread are rapidly assessed.

The breakdown of cases by local authority is:

Barnet: 2

Bexley: 1

Brentwood: 1

Buckinghamshire: 1

Camden: 2

Haringey: 1

Lancaster: 1

Lewisham: 2

Liverpool: 1

Newham: 1

North Norfolk: 1

Nottingham: 1

South Cambridgeshire: 1

Sutton: 1

Three Rivers: 1

Wandsworth: 1

Westminster: 3

Tuesday 30 November 2021

Further 8 cases of Omicron variant confirmed

The UK Health Security Agency ( UKHSA ) has identified 8 further cases of COVID-19 with mutations consistent with B.1.1.529 in England, in addition to the previous 5 confirmed cases of the SARS-CoV-2 variant known as B.1.1.529. The total number of confirmed cases in England is now 13.

The individuals that have tested positive and their contacts are all isolating. Work is underway to identify any links to travel to Southern Africa. We have now identified cases in the East Midlands, East of England, London and North West. UKHSA is carrying out targeted testing at locations where the positive cases were likely to be infectious.

Nine cases have also been identified in Scotland, with 5 cases in the Lanarkshire area and 4 in the Greater Glasgow and Clyde area.

Dr Jenny Harries, Chief Executive of UKHSA , said:

We are continuing our efforts to understand the effect of this variant on transmissibility, severe disease, mortality, antibody response and vaccine efficacy. Vaccination is critical to help us bolster our defences against this new variant - please get your first, second, third or booster jab without delay. Following the change in Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation ( JCVI ) advice yesterday, a booster dose for everyone over 18 years is now recommended at a minimum of 3 months from your last primary course jab. Please take up this offer as soon as you are invited to protect yourself, your families and your communities. Please make sure to wear a mask in line with government guidance, including on public transport and in shops, to help break the chains of transmission and slow the spread of this new variant. It's very likely that we will find more cases over the coming days as we are seeing in other countries globally and as we increase case detection through focused contact tracing. That's why it's critical that anyone with COVID-19 symptoms isolates and gets a PCR test immediately."

UKHSA is acting to get scientific information available as quickly as possible in order to inform the right balance of interventions to prevent transmission and protect lives. This will include analysing live samples of the new variant in our laboratories to investigate properties such as response to current vaccines.

As viruses mutate often and at random, it is not unusual for small numbers of cases to arise featuring new sets of mutations. Any variants showing evidence of spread are rapidly assessed.

Background

The breakdown of cases by local authority is:

Barnet: 2

Brentwood: 1

Camden: 2

Haringey: 1

Liverpool: 1

North Norfolk: 1

Nottingham: 1

Sutton: 1

Wandsworth: 1

Westminster: 2

Monday 29 November 2021

A further 2 cases of Omicron variant confirmed

The UK Health Security Agency ( UKHSA ) has identified 2 further cases of COVID-19 with mutations consistent with B.1.1.529 in England, in addition to the previous 3 confirmed cases of the SARS-CoV-2 variant known as B.1.1.529 on 27 and 28 November. The total number of confirmed cases in England is now 5.

The individuals that have tested positive are not connected to each other and are not linked to the previously confirmed cases. Both have links to travel to Southern Africa. One case is located in Camden, London, and one case is located in Wandsworth, London. The individuals and their households have been told to self-isolate. UKHSA is carrying out targeted testing at locations where the positive cases were likely to be infectious.

Six cases of the SARS-CoV-2 variant known as B.1.1.529 have also been identified in Scotland, with 4 cases in the Lanarkshire area and 2 in the Greater Glasgow and Clyde area.

Dr Jenny Harries, Chief Executive of UKHSA , said:

We are continuing our efforts to understand the effect of this variant on transmissibility, severe disease, mortality, antibody response and vaccine efficacy. Vaccination is critical to help us bolster our defences against this new variant - please get your first, second or booster jab without delay. The guidance on vaccination is changing to help all of us bolster our defences in the face of this new variant. Everyone should complete a primary course as soon as possible - for most this will be a first and second dose. For some more vulnerable a third dose is available. Following the change in JCVI advice today, a booster dose for everyone over 18 years is now recommended and will be available at a minimum of 3 months from your last primary course jab. Please take up this offer as soon as you are eligible to protect yourself, your families and your communities. It is very likely that we will find more cases over the coming days as we are seeing in other countries globally and as we increase case detection through focused contact tracing. That's why it's critical that anyone with COVID-19 symptoms isolates and gets a PCR test immediately. UKHSA is acting to get scientific information available as quickly as possible in order to inform the right balance of interventions to prevent transmission and protect lives. This will include analysing live samples of the new variant in our laboratories to investigate properties such as response to current vaccines."

As viruses mutate often and at random, it is not unusual for small numbers of cases to arise featuring new sets of mutations. Any variants showing evidence of spread are rapidly assessed.

Sunday 28 November 2021

A further case of Omicron variant confirmed

Following the first 2 confirmed cases of the SARS-CoV-2 variant known as B.1.1.529 on 27 November, the UK Health Security Agency ( UKHSA ) has identified one further case of COVID-19 with mutations consistent with B.1.1.529 in the UK.

The individual tested positive after travel to the UK and is linked to travel to Southern Africa. The individual is no longer in the UK, but UKHSA is carrying out targeted testing at locations where the positive case visited when they were likely to have been infectious. While in the UK, the individual was in Westminster, London.

Dr Jenny Harries, Chief Executive of UKHSA , said:

Our advanced sequencing capabilities enable us to find variants and take rapid action to limit onward spread. It is very likely that we will find more cases over the coming days as we are seeing in other countries globally and as we increase case detection through focussed contact tracing. We are continuing our efforts to understand the effect of this variant on transmissibility, severe disease, mortality, antibody response and vaccine efficacy. It's critical that anyone with COVID-19 symptoms isolates and gets a PCR test immediately. Vaccination is critical to help us bolster our defences against this new variant - please get your first, second or booster jab without delay. Wear a mask in crowded places, including public transport and shops, to ensure we all help break the chains of transmission and slow the spread of this new variant."

UKHSA designated variant B.1.1.529 as a variant under investigation ( VUI ) on Thursday 25 November. It was designated a variant of concern ( VOC ) on Saturday 27 November.

The B.1.1.529 variant includes a large number of spike protein mutations as well as mutations in other parts of the viral genome. These are potentially biologically significant mutations which may change the behaviour of the virus with regards to vaccines, treatments and transmissibility.

UKHSA , in partnership with scientific bodies across the globe, is constantly monitoring the status of SARS-CoV-2 variants as they emerge and develop worldwide. We are particularly grateful to health protection specialists and the government of South Africa for early sharing of local information on the omicron variant in an exemplary way to support global health security.

UKHSA is acting to get scientific information available as quickly as possible in order to inform the right balance of interventions to prevent transmission and protect lives. This will include analysing live samples of the new variant in our laboratories to investigate properties such as response to current vaccines.

As viruses mutate often and at random, it is not unusual for small numbers of cases to arise featuring new sets of mutations. Any variants showing evidence of spread are rapidly assessed.

Friday 26 November 2021

The UK Health Security Agency ( UKHSA ) has announced the emerging SARS-CoV-2 variant known as B.1.1.529 as a variant under investigation ( VUI ).

The first genomes of this variant were uploaded to the international GISAID database on 22 November. Genomes have now been uploaded from South Africa, Botswana and Hong Kong but the extent of spread is not yet determined. No cases have been identified in the UK.

B.1.1.529 has a large number of mutations in the gene coding for the spike protein, and also in other parts of the viral genome. These are potentially biologically significant mutations which may change the behaviour of the virus with regards to immune escape, transmissibility or susceptibility to treatments, but this has not been proven. More investigation is required to fully determine the extent of these mutations' impact.

UKHSA is monitoring the situation closely, in partnership with scientific and public health organisations across the world.

UKHSA 's most recent variant technical briefing can be found on GOV.UK.

Friday 22 October 2021

Delta sub-lineage AY.4.2 designated as a variant under investigation by UK Health Security Agency

The Delta variant sub-lineage known as Delta AY.4.2 was designated a variant under investigation ( VUI ) by the UK Health Security Agency ( UKHSA ) on 20 October 2021 and has been given the official name VUI -21OCT-01.

The designation was made on the basis that this sub-lineage has become increasingly common in the UK in recent months, and there is some early evidence that it may have an increased growth rate in the UK compared to Delta. More evidence is needed to know whether this is due to changes in the virus' behaviour or to epidemiological conditions.

The genome of VUI -21OCT-01 does not have many mutations compared to Delta. However, a small change may be enough to cause a difference in the virus properties in some circumstances. UKHSA is monitoring this closely.

The original Delta variant remains overwhelmingly dominant in the UK, making up approximately 99.8% of all cases. As of 20 October, there were 15,120 cases of VUI -21OCT-01 confirmed by whole genome sequences in England since it was first detected in July. In the last week, VUI -21OCT-01 accounted for approximately 6% of all Delta cases. Cases have been confirmed through whole genome sequencing in all 9 regions of England.

While evidence is still emerging, so far it does not appear this variant causes more severe disease or renders the vaccines currently deployed any less effective. As is routine for any new variants under investigation, UKHSA is carrying out laboratory and epidemiological investigations to better understand the properties of this variant.

Dr Jenny Harries, Chief Executive of the UK Health Security Agency, said:

Viruses mutate often and at random, and it is not unexpected that new variants will continue to arise as the pandemic goes on, particularly while the case rate remains high. It is testament to the diligence and scientific expertise of my colleagues at UKHSA , and the genomic sequencing capacity developed through the pandemic, that this new variant has been identified and analysed so quickly. However, it should serve as objective evidence that this pandemic is not over. The public health advice is the same for all current variants. Get vaccinated and, for those eligible, come forward for your third or booster dose as appropriate as soon as you are called. Continue to exercise caution. Wear a mask in crowded spaces and, when meeting people indoors, open windows and doors to ventilate the room. If you have symptoms take a PCR test and isolate at home until you receive a negative result."

UKHSA continues to examine all available data relating to SARS-CoV-2 variants in the UK and abroad. We constantly assess the genetic diversity within the known variants of concern ( VOCs ) to inform our ongoing public health response to the pandemic. New sub-lineages within Delta continue to be identified. This is to be expected and UKHSA is monitoring the situation closely.

Friday 1 October 2021

UK Health Security Agency ( UKHSA ) has published variant technical briefing 24.

UKHSA releases weekly updates on the number of confirmed new cases of variants of concern and variants under investigation identified in the UK.

Previous updates were published by Public Health England.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 9. Azerbaijan's Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov has held a phone talk with the US Acting Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Yuri Kim, Trend reports.

The sides discussed the current situation in the region.

Bayramov informed about an increase in provocations of Armenia and the separatist regime on Azerbaijani territories against Azerbaijan's territorial integrity and sovereignty.

The minister emphasized that the Armenian armed forces, which haven't yet been withdrawn from Azerbaijani territories despite Armenia's commitments [taken under the trilateral statement signed by Azerbaijani, Armenian and Russian leaders following the 2020 second Karabakh war], pose a major threat to peace and security in the region.

He noted that the illegal activity called "presidential elections" in the separatist regime in Azerbaijan's Karabakh region is a gross violation of the Constitution, laws of Azerbaijan, and norms and principles of international law.

According to him, this activity has dealt a serious blow to efforts to normalize relations in the region and the process of reintegrating the Armenian residents of Karabakh.

The minister stressed the need for the unconditional and complete withdrawal of Armenian armed forces from the Karabakh region of Azerbaijan and the dissolution of the so-called regime.

He called for a resolute condemnation of this illegal activity carried out on Azerbaijani territory under the name of "elections," in accordance with obligations under international law.

During the phone talk, the parties exchanged views on other matters of mutual interest.

Earlier, EU Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Turkiye and Moldova have denounced the so-called "elections" held by the separatist regime in Karabakh.

The Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry has called on the international community to strongly condemn these "elections", noting that "holding the so-called elections once again clearly shows that Armenia and the puppet regime created by it, which have taken steps to maintain the status quo and continue its occupation policy, are not really interested in the peace process, on the contrary, have taken the path of provocation and escalating the situation.
IndiGo has announced the reintroduction of its direct flight from Delhi to Maldives. The direct flight service is set to start from November 1. This decision is strategically timed to coincide with the upcoming peak holiday season and reinforces IndiGos position as the airline with the most extensive flight network connecting the two countries. The introduction of these non-stop flights is expected to boost tourism traffic between India and the Maldives, offering passengers enhanced travel convenience.

IndiGo recently announced to relaunch of its direct flight service connecting Hyderabad in South India to Male in the Maldives, starting on October 31. The airlines Flight 6E 1137 will operate this route regularly, offering flights on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. Travellers looking to plan their trips can easily book tickets through the official IndiGo website, ensuring convenient access to this new flight option.

The Maldives has consistently remained a preferred destination for Indian travellers, witnessing a significant surge in Indian visitor numbers. Given Indias crucial role in promoting tourism in the Maldives, these additional flight options will cater to the needs of Indian travellers, further strengthening the relationship between the two nations.

Delhi-Male Direct Flight Schedule and Timings

IndiGo Airlines will introduce flight number 6E 1135, connecting Delhi and Male. This route will operate on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays. It will depart from Delhi at 8:50 AM, passengers can expect to arrive in Male at 12:25 PM. Additionally, the return flight, 6E 1136, will operate on the same days, with a departure time of 13:25 PM from Male and an arrival time of 18:05 PM in Delhi. These flights aim to enhance connectivity between these two destinations and offer travellers convenient options for their journeys.
Toyota has recently unveiled a prototype of the hydrogen-powered Toyota Hilux pick-up truck in the United Kingdom. This announcement comes after the Japanese automaker had previously announced its plans to develop a hydrogen fuel cell-powered Hilux about nine months ago.

The project was made possible through government funding from the Advanced Propulsion Centre, and the vehicle was showcased at Toyotas production facility in Derby, UK. Currently, this hydrogen-powered pick-up truck is in the prototype stage, with only ten examples manufactured for testing purposes to assess performance and feasibility.

Toyota Hilux Hydrogen Fuel Cell EV Range

The Toyota Hilux fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) is powered by the same powertrain technology as the Toyota Mirai sedan. Toyota claims that this pick-up truck will offer an impressive range of up to 590 kilometres, thanks to the three high-pressure hydrogen storage tanks. Additionally, the electricity generated by the hydrogen fuel cell is stored in battery packs located in the trucks loading deck.

Toyota began working on the Hilux FCEV prototype in 2022, according to reports. Currently, a few more leading firms are working on the hydrogen-powered Hilux. Ricardo, a known global partner in the automotive industry, was in charge of integrating the fuel cell components into the trucks chassis. In addition, D2H Advanced Technology performed computational fluid dynamics (CFD) study, while Thatcham Research, which conducts research and testing for automotive safety, has been working on confirming repairability and developing an FCEV training package.

Toyota has been working on hydrogen fuel cells and other hybrid technologies for many years. The automaker recently revealed a 48-volt mild-hybrid technology for its turbo-diesel engines. Toyota created a mild hybrid system to resist water crossings, using strengthened components and a waterproofing architecture. This features a high-strength ribbed belt to reduce friction loss when immersed, as well as strategically positioned mild hybrid components throughout the cabin.

According to the Japanese automaker, vehicles fitted with this technology can endure water depths of up to 700 mm, making it especially ideal for rugged vehicles such as the Hilux, Land Cruiser Prado, and Fortuner. Toyota differentiates this mild hybrid system from the Toyota Hybrid System II (THS II), which has two motor-generators and a power split device. The mild hybrid setups compact and lightweight design enables for easy integration into existing powertrains.

On the other hand, the Toyota Hilux offered in India is powered by a 2.8-litre turbocharged diesel engine that produces 201 bhp and 420 Nm with the manual gearbox and 500 Nm with automatic transmission. It was launched in March, this year.

The Hilux is available in two trim levels: STD and High. The STD variant only has a manual gearbox option, but the High variant has both a manual and an automatic transmission. The Hilux also comes standard with 44 and a low-range transmission in all models. The vehicles price starts from Rs 30.40 lakh and goes up to Rs 37.9 lakh (both prices are ex-showroom).
Petrol and diesel prices today, September 9, remained broadly unchanged in the country. In Delhi, petrol price today stood at Rs 96.72 per litre and diesel was at Rs 89.62 per litre. In Mumbai, per-litre petrol was selling at Rs 106.31 per litre on Sunday, while diesel stood at Rs 94.27.

Among other major cities, in Kolkata, petrol was selling at Rs 106.03 per litre, while diesel was at Rs 92.76 a litre. In Chennai, the price of petrol stood at Rs 102.86 per litre and diesel at Rs 94.24 per litre. In Hyderabad, the petrol price was at Rs 109.66 a litre and diesel stood at Rs 97.82 per litre.

In Lucknow, the petrol price stood at Rs 96.57 per litre and diesel was at Rs 89.76 per litre.
Getting placed in big companies like Google, Microsoft, Apple, and IBM is a dream for many techies. Harshita Banthia, an MBA student at Goa Institute of Management achieved her long-time dream as she bagged a job at Microsoft with a handsome package of Rs 55 LPA. This is reportedly the highest package offer from this institute this year. Before Harshita joined GIM for her MBA, she was working with an international bank as a software development engineer in Pune.

She completed her BTech degree from a college in Chhattisgarh. Harshita hails from Raipur and lives with her family. Earlier this year, the Goa Institute of Management announced her achievement through an official release. The statement said that a bright girl from a family of advocates followed her dreams and accomplished her life goals.

The management school claimed that Harshita Banitha got the opportunity at one of the biggest tech companies of all time due to the combination of tech skills and perspective development that she learned at the Business school. She scored amazingly well in her CAT exams, and applied to multiple institutes, it said.

The director of Goa Institute of Management, Dr Ajit Parulekar also said that GIM has been invariable at the forefront of industry excellence regarding their students well-being and education.

We encourage our students to bear the torch of conscious leadership and excel in their career paths. Like every year, we have seen tremendous growth in our recruiters portfolio and placements this year too, said the statement. The average salary package at GIM was Rs 14.66 LPA last year

GIM was ranked 36th in the National Curriculum Ranking Framework (NIRF) in the list of management colleges last year. In the 2020-21 academic year. out of 424 graduates, 407 got placed and the median salary of the students was Rs 10 lakh per annum.
Many of us wish to step out of the comforts of our homes and study or work abroad. A similar eagerness is seen in Indians, who aspire to work in a foreign country. For these aspirants, we have some good news. Finland is inviting foreigners, especially Indians to live in their country and enrich their community. Finland is planning to welcome 15,000 foreign students and 30,000 workers every year until the year 2030. In an interview with the Times of India, Glen Gessen, director of Immigration Affairs in Helsinki said, The Finnish society is ageing; therefore, the country needs more young people to join the labour market. It further added that it see India as one of its focus countries and wants to intensify its partnership. He added, India has a growing young population, and a lot of untapped talent and Finland has had excellent experiences with Indian students, researchers, entrepreneurs, and professionals. Reportedly, Glen Gessen continued that there is an active Indian business community in Finland and has witnessed immigrants integrate quickly and emerge successful.

As shared by him, currently, there are many positions open for vacancy across many sectors. Healthcare and elderly care are looking for young workers. Similarly, manufacturing industries are on the lookout for skilled labourers. Finland attracts talented professionals (especially from the USA and the UK) from across the globe to come and work in its knowledge-intensive industries.

Finland houses many renowned and high-tech companies that have invested in new-age and futuristic technologies like cybersecurity, AI, quantum, new space, health, creative industries, biotech, and materials. It lacks a workforce in the data, IT, early education and administrative sectors. Along with this, theres also a shortage of staff in the nursing and STEM-related work in the sustainable development and environment sectors.

Finland is on the watch for the best talent who can be recruited into the workforce and can make the country compete at a global level and push it towards excellence and progress. After all, the country is known for its progressive and innovative landscape.
The Indian and US governments have partnered to set up an India-US Global Challenge Institute, which aims to further collaborations between the premier research higher education institutions of the two countries in key areas such as sustainable energy, pandemic preparedness, Artificial Intelligence (AI), semiconductor technology and quantum science, among others.

G20 Summit 2023 in Delhi LIVE

The development came late on Friday evening, as US President Joe Biden came down to the national capital for the G20 summit and met Prime Minister Narendra Modi at his official residence.

Announcing the partnership, Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Saturday said on social media platform X, As the #G20Summit gets underway, Im delighted to share the transformative Joint Statement issued by Hon. PM Shri @narendramodi and President Joe Biden @POTUS. This statement celebrates our educational collaboration through the India-US Global Challenge Institute and marks a significant milestone in defence innovation through the India-US Defence Acceleration Ecosystem (INDUS-X).

He further said the India-US Global Challenge Institute being set up between Indian higher educational institutes and US universities aims to tackle global issues ranging from sustainable energy to pandemic preparedness.

Also, the institute will work on new frontiers in science and technology, spanning collaboration in sustainable energy and agriculture, health and pandemic preparedness, semiconductor technology and manufacturing, advanced materials, telecommunications, artificial intelligence and quantum science.

India-US bond deepens as collaboration in academic soars with the growing number of multi-institutional collaborative education partnerships between the two countries, said Pradhan on X.

According to officials in the Ministry of Education (MoE), an MoU was signed between Indian universities, represented by the Council of Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT Council), and the Association of American Universities (AAU) to establish the India-US Global Challenges Institute, with a combined initial commitment of at least USD 10 million.

The institute aims to foster collaborative efforts among premier research and higher education institutions from both nations, addressing global challenges that require interdisciplinary solutions, the ministry said in a statement.

IIT-Council is the top decision-making body for all of the 23 IITs in the country.

Officials said IIT-Kanpur is collaborating with the New York University Tandon School of Engineering to launch the NYU-Tandon Advanced Research Center in critical and emerging technologies.

IIT-Kanpur, IIT-Jodhpur, IIT-BHU and IIT-Delhi will join forces with the State University of New York at Buffalo to create Joint Research Centers. IIT Kanpur, IIT Hyderabad and other institutions will also participate in the Academia Startup Partnership under the India-US Defence Acceleration Ecosystem (INDUS-X), the statement read.

Besides, IIT-Bombay has joined the Chicago Quantum Exchange as an international partner. This will give shape to a shared vision of a global quantum economy, it said.

According to the MoE, the partnerships serve as a testament to the strengthening ties between India and the US in the key sector of education.
The homicide department of Kolkata Police informed on Friday that the 12 accused present and former students of Jadavpur University, who have been arrested in connection with the tragic death of a fresher of the institute, will now be booked under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.

The first year student of Bengali honours had died after falling from the balcony of a students hostel on August 10. It is suspected that he became a victim of ragging.

It has been decided to add sections under the POCSO Act against the 12 accused in view of the fact that the deceased student was below 18 years of age, and hence should be considered as minor, said an official of the city police.

All the 12 accused students are currently in judicial custody and will be presented before a lower court in Kolkata on September 11.

The demand for inclusion of provisions under POCSO Act was first raised by the West Bengal Child Rights Commission (WBCRC) on grounds that the victim was a minor at the time of his death.

The tragic event exposed the sorry state of monitoring and supervision within the JU campus, especially in the students hostels where former students not only occupied beds months after passing out from the institute, but also acted as the final authority in accommodation-related administrative matters.

Recently, the internal probe committee of the university had suggested rustication of four current students from the university for their involvement in ragging.
Women in India were often referred to as the second gender, especially during the initial years after independence. Now, women are serving the nation and are also dominating several sectors of society. Today, well take a look at the inspiring story of a woman who made the nation proud. Chonira Belliappa Muthamma became Indias first woman IFS Officer and Ambassador/High Commissioner. She was the first woman to clear the Indian Civil Service examination in 1948. C B Muthamma wanted to join the Indian Foreign Service, but the board of directors discouraged her during her interview, stating it is not suitable for women. Muthamma stood on her ground. In 1949, she became the first IFS woman officer.

C B Muthamma had to sign an undertaking that stated that if she got married, she would have to resign. Several ambassadors rejected her for their gender biases. Later, she joined the Indian Embassy in Paris and realised her peers didnt want a female colleague.

Later in 1979, she filed a petition in the Supreme Court against the Appointments Committee of Cabinet (ACC) and Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), as she was overlooked for promotion to Grade 1, the highest level of Secretary to the Government of India, because she was a woman. The ministry provided her with the promotion in the hope that the case would be dismissed.

C B Muthammas case was held in 1979, and headed by Justice VR Krishna Iyer. The case emphasised the need to remove sex discrimination in the service sector.

C B Muthamma was born on January 24, 1924, in Karnataka. She lost her father at an early age, and she grew up during Indias freedom struggle period. Her mother made sure to provide her with the best education; she completed her schooling at St Josephs Girls School, Madikeri. Her graduation was from Womens Christian College, Chennai, and she completed her Masters in English literature from Presidency College, Chennai.

After her retirement, C B Muthamma became an Indian member of the Independent Commission on Disarmament and Security Issues. She passed away on October 14, 2009.
Dipika Kakar and Shoaib Ibrahim, one of the beloved couples in the small screen industry, have captured the hearts of fans with their adorable relationship. While they may have stepped away from the limelight, their online presence remains active, particularly on YouTube. Their vlogs are filled with sweet interactions and occasional playful arguments, which always grab the attention of their dedicated followers. Recently, the couple welcomed their first child and as new parents, they always prioritize their newborns care. However, in a recent vlog, the Sasural Simar Ka star appeared visibly upset as Shoaib teased her and mentioned that hes planning to watch Shah Rukh Khans film Jawan alone.

Dipika, with a hint of emotion, says, Main ro dungi, mujhe chedo mat. (I will cry, dont tease me), as Shoaib makes an effort to cheer her up. In the next scene, the actress appears to be in a playful mood as she talks to her son, Ruhan. She tells him, Movie akele dekhlo aur ghumne bhi, Dubai jayenge hum dono akele aur wahan se sabko video call karenge. (Watch the movie alone and have fun. We both will go to Dubai alone, and from there, well video call everyone). Shoaib adds humorously, Dekho, you know I love you, lekin SRK ke movie hai. (Look, you know I love you, but its an SRK movie).

Amid laughter, Shoaib teases her more, saying, Main tumhe wahan se obvious si baat hai messages toh karta rahunga, batata rahunga kaisi hai movie, interval hua, Shah Rukh Khan kaisa lag raha hai. (Ill obviously send you messages from there, Ill let you know how the movie is, during the interval, how Shah Rukh Khan is looking). Dipika adds to the humor, saying, Nahi mujhe nahi sunna, ab jab OTT pe ayegi main tab dekhungi. (No, I dont want to hear it now. Ill watch it when it comes on OTT). In the background, someone jokingly suggests that Shoaib should video call her during the opening scene of Jawan, which only adds to Dipikas annoyance while Shoaib cant help but burst into laughter.

However, Shoaib Ibrahim then lovingly expresses that hell genuinely miss Dipika Kakar and their son, Ruhan, during the movie. Dipika then reveals, Jab se hum mile hain, ye by default tha ki humlog kabhi bhi akele film dekhne nahi jayenge. (Ever since we met, we had decided that we would never watch movies alone. while Shoaib adds, Humlog zyada movie dekhne jaate hain nahi. (We dont really go to watch movies often).

The next morning, Shoaib was seen praising Shah Rukh Khan and his acting skills in the vlog. He playfully teased Dipika and mentioned that every frame of the film was impressive and SRK appeared in a unique that gave him goosebumps. He also praised the director, music director and the entire cast and crew for their contributions to the movie.

Both Dipika and Shoaib agreed that SRK is truly one of a kind and the last movie star. They highlighted that SRKs charisma and talent are unmatched and no one can replicate his iconic presence in the film industry.

Later, Shoaib feels guilty for watching the movie without Dipika and decides to make it up to her. He promises to take her out for a special outing. The couple agrees that when the weather improves and their son Ruhaan is ready to go out, they will plan something fun.
While the world leaders gather in Delhi to deliberate upon pressing economic and other issues facing the world, the Bharat Mandapam will play a crucial role in the G20 Summit, which begins today.

Bharat Mandapam, situated in the national capitals Pragati Maidan, will not only host leaders including Joe Biden, Rishi Sunak and Emmanuel Macron, but also be the venue for the working lunch, hosted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, for the world leaders.

PM Modi on Friday changed his display picture on X (formerly Twitter) to that of the Bharat Mandapam, the venue of the G20 summit. The picture shows a brightly-lit Bharat Mandapam with a Nataraja statue installed there.

Here is all you need to know about Bharat Mandapam:

It was officially inaugurated by PM Narendra Modi on July 26 and boasts of cutting-edge amenities, including exhibition halls, a convention center, and an amphitheatre. During the G20 summit, Bharat Mandapam will also serve as the stage for a rich tapestry of traditions hailing from 29 different countries, including India and the special invitees. It will also display physical and virtual exhibitions, creating an immersive experience for visitors The venue hosts a monumental bronze statue of Nataraja, towering at a height of 27 ft and crafted from Ashtadhatu, weighing approximately 18 tons. The sculpture was crafted by the renowned sculptor Radhakrishnan Sthapaty, hailing from Swami Malai in Tamil Nadu, who completed the masterpiece within a mere seven months. Bharat Mandapam will serve as a promoter of India as a premier global business hub and the architectural marvel has been designed to serve as a venue for large-scale international exhibitions, trade expos, conventions, conferences, and various prestigious assemblies. The venue also has an impressive multi-purpose hall and plenary hall that can together accommodate up to seven thousand attendees, surpassing the seating capacity of Sydney Opera House in Australia. Built at an investment of around Rs 2,700 crores, it has numerous meeting rooms, auditoriums, lounges, amphitheatre, and a fully-equipped business center, making it apt to host a wide spectrum of events. Bharat Mandapam covers an area of 123 acres and has been developed as Indias largest MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) destination. With a huge campus area and state of the art facilities, it ranks among the top exhibition and convention complexes globally.

What does Bharat Mandapam mean?

Bharat Mandapam draws inspiration from Lord Basaveshwaras concept of Anubhav Mandapam, which was a platform for public ceremonies.

It will be open to the public and will offer comprehensive facilities and extensive amenities to contribute to the countrys ambition of advancing into a contemporary and developed society.

Bharat Mandapam Architectural Design

The architecture of the Bharat Mandapam building draws inspiration from Indias rich traditions. The shape of the building is inspired by the elegant form of the Shankha, or conch shell.

The state-of-the-art international convention-cum-exhibition centre embraces the fluidity of river Yamuna, which flows through the city, in its elliptical design devoid of any sharp edges  a theme that also reflects in the pavilions and the galleries.

Hundreds of years back, the Yamuna flowed through this site. If you look at the convention centre, we have created it in very fluid lines. Fluidity is the nature of water. Similarly, the convention centre does not have any sharp edges. It is elliptical, there are two ramps which come down, Sanjay Singh, Director, Arcop Associates, and the architect of the project told PTI.

The Bharat Mandapam also abuts Lutyens Delhi and also has a Window to Delhi at the highest level which looks out to the Kartavya Path, the India Gate and the canopies of the Rashtrapati Bhawan.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 9. The Committee on International Relations and Inter-Parliamentary Relations of the Azerbaijani Parliament has sent an open letter to the US Senate Committee on Foreign Relations in connection with the hearings to be held in this committee on Karabakh, Trend reports.

"The organization of these hearings is not at all surprising, since this is another manifestation of prejudice, manipulation and discrimination against Azerbaijan, supported by certain circles in the US Congress. From the first day of Azerbaijan's independence, radical Armenian groups and the forces supporting them in Congress have chosen a path of action that encourages aggression against Azerbaijan and provokes radicals to commit serious crimes that cause suffering to people. The Republic of Armenia expelled 250,000 Azerbaijanis from their native lands on the territory of modern Armenia, kept 20 percent of the internationally recognized territory of Azerbaijan under occupation for 30 years, and committed other serious crimes against Azerbaijanis. The international community, including the UN and other international organizations, condemned these barbaric acts, but radical supporters were able to prevent assistance from being provided to the Azerbaijani people who were victims of aggression. At the same time, the aggressor state Armenia received generous assistance.

After the multinational and multi-religious people of Azerbaijan restored the sovereignty and territorial integrity of their state in 2020, the prospect of peace has once again appeared in the region. The triumph of justice brought hopes for peace, normalization and reconciliation to the region. Azerbaijan took this opportunity to offer Armenia a peace agreement based on international law. International support for this, including from the US government, has led to noticeable results. But every time there is hope of signing a peace agreement, Armenia returns to its notorious tactics that it has used for the last 30 years: creating the appearance of negotiations, retreating from previous agreements and avoiding fulfilling its obligations. It should be noted that Armenia does not fulfill its obligations to withdraw its armed forces from the territory of Azerbaijan, which is a source of instability in the region. This country supports separatism by all possible means, turning residents of Armenian origin in Karabakh into hostages, using them to implement their insidious plans. In this regard, it should be noted that the organization of the above-mentioned hearings serves to fuel instability and conflict in the region. Despite all this, Azerbaijan will continue to suppress actions directed against its sovereignty, seek peace, normalize relations and reintegrate its citizens of Armenian origin within the framework of its Constitution," the letter said.

Meanwhile, hearings in the US Senate Committee on Foreign Relations on Karabakh will be held on September 14.
In a significant moment for Indias G20 presidency, the Joint Communique of the summit was officially adopted by the participating members, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced on Saturday.

On the back of the hard work of all the teams, we have received consensus on the G20 Leaders Summit Declaration. I announce the adoption of this declaration, PM Modi told the G20 leaders in New Delhi.

G20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant announced on X (formerly Twitter), G20 India has been the MOST ambitious in the history of G20 presidencies. With 112 outcomes and presidency documents, we have more than tripled the substantive work from previous presidencies.

There were speculations whether India would be able to forge consensus on a host of contentious issues among the participating nations.

What Does the Joint Communique Say?

The Joint Communique or the New Delhi Leaders Declaration issued at the G20 has 112 outcomes and presidency documents, which is double the work done by the previous presidencies. The G20 Declaration had the full consensus by the participating members on all developmental and geo-political issues.

At the One Family Session of the G20 Summit, elaborated on how to collectively think about empowering fellow humans and making our planet more inclusive as well as sustainable. Gave the example of how technology has been leveraged to bring a positive difference in the lives of pic.twitter.com/SqT9OjStps  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 9, 2023

The declaration focused on promoting strong, sustainable, balanced and inclusive growth, seeks to accelerate progress on SDGs, envisages a green development pact for a sustainable future and endorses high-level principles on lifestyle for sustainable development.

It also reiterated PM Modis statement that Todays era must not be of war and called on states to uphold the principles of international law, sovereignty and international humanitarian law.

The G20 pushed for prioritising sustainability-based development to reduce burden and provide a better world for future generations. The push for food security through promotion of Millets and ensuring equitable healthcare for all.

On climate change, the leaders declaration called on the G20 member states to set an ambitious, transparent and trackable New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) of climate finance in 2024, from a floor of $100 billion a year, taking into account the needs and priorities of developing countries in fulfilling the objective of the UNFCCC and implementation of the Paris Agreement.

Highlights of New Delhi Leaders Declaration

Accelerate strong, sustainable, balanced and inclusive growth. Accelerate the full and effective implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Pursue low-carbon emissions, climate-resilient and environmentally sustainable development. Improve access to medical countermeasures and facilitate more supplies and production capacities in developing countries. Promote resilient growth by urgently and effectively addressing debt vulnerabilities in developing countries. Scale up financing from all sources for accelerating progress on SDGs. Accelerate efforts and enhance resources towards achieving the Paris Agreement, including its temperature goal.

Why is the Leaders Declaration Important?

The G20 meetings are held throughout the year among different bodies like Finance Track, Sherpa Track and civil society groups and among ministers, delegates and diplomats. Under Indias presideny there were more than 220 meetings in 60 Cities with over 25,000 delegates from more than 115 countries.

The G20 summit is the culmination of all the processes and meetings held throughout the year among ministers, senior officials and civil society groups.

At the end of the summit, there is a joint communique agreed by all the participating nations which outlines common positions on global matters like conflicts, climate change or areas of future cooperation.

In the last years Summit in Bali, the deliberation was hindered by differences over Russias invasion of Ukraine and Indonesia President Joko Widodo was able to come out with a weak declaration at the last minute.

There were speculations that key members would be deeply divided over Russias war in Ukraine and China would oppose Indias stance during the summit.

But India was able to bring out 91 lines of efforts and presidency documents which is more than the previous G20 presidencies till 2017. With 112 outcomes and presidency documents, India has more than doubled the substantive work from previous presidencies.

Indias Achievements

Indias G20 Presidency will go down in history as one of the most inclusive, culturally vibrant as well as goal-oriented events that have taken place so far. The full membership of African Union is among the most tangible outcomes from the summit.

The event helped in showcasing Indias push for development, ensuring ease of living through use of technology and bringing peace in all parts of India.

The G20 leaders said they would back efforts to triple global renewable energy capacity by 2030, promising to boost action to tackle climate change.

The joint declaration also decried the use of violence in Ukraine war without naming Russia. All states must refrain from the threat or use of force to seek territorial acquisition against the territorial integrity and sovereignty or political independence of any state, it read.
India, US, UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Europe are set to unveil a major infrastructure initiative of a railway and shipping corridor that will enhance commerce, energy and digital connectivity on the sidelines of the G20 summit, US principal deputy national security advisor Jon Finer said on Saturday.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden intend to reveal the project within the framework of the Partnership for Global Infrastructure Investment.

This initiative, comprising a rail and shipping corridor, is aimed at facilitating increased trade between the participating nations, including the exchange of energy products, a report in Associated Press said.

The project is seen as counters to Chinas own belt and road initiative that sought to connect more of the world to that countrys economy.

Why is the Project Significant?

As per reports, the Gulf nations and Arab countries will be connected via a network of railways which shall be connected to India via shipping lanes from ports in the Western Asian region. The initiatives will significantly reduce shipping times, cost and the use of diesel and would make trade faster and cheaper.

The deal would involve ship transit between India and Saudi Arabia, train network through Saudi Arabia and the UAE and likely to Jordan; and ship transit to Turkey and onward from there by train, a report in Times of Israel said.

The corridor would increase prosperity among the countries involved by increasing the flow of energy and digital communications. The project would help to address the lack of infrastructure needed for growth in lower- and middle-income nations. It could also help turn the temperature down on turbulence and insecurity coming out of the Middle East.

The US is also looking into a separate proposal to speed up land-trade routes between Gulf Arab countries and the Mediterranean Sea, according to Bloomberg.

Countering China

The US wants to push the project as its key initiative in the Middle East to counter Chinas growing influence in the region. The project is being projected as a substantial response to Chinas Belt and Road Initiative.

Though the Middle East is not only a key part of Chinas Belt and Road Initiative, Beijing has been playing a crucial role in mediating Saudi and Iran and Saudi and Houthi militants in Yemen.

With the project, the US is portraying itself as an alternative partner for and investor in developing countries, especially in the Indo-Pacific region.

Israel to be Part of Project?

The project was supposed to be implemented under the I2U2 framework (which includes India, Israel, UAE, and US). However, it will begin without Israel because the efforts at normalisation between Israel and Saudi is still work in progress.

Though Israel has not been included as a part of this initiative currently, but it would be added to the project at a later stage since the Biden administration seeks a broader diplomatic deal in the Middle East that would have Saudi Arabia recognise Israel.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday welcomed world leaders arriving at the Bharat Mandapam in Delhis Pragati Maidan for the G20 Summit. PM Modi received the G20 leaders and shook hands with them for the customary photo-op with the replica of Konark Wheel of Odisha in the background.

The prime minister also shook hands with US President Joe Biden at the arrival area of the G20 venue and explained the significance of the Konark Wheel, which has been engraved in the walls of the Sun temple in Odisha.

The temple is designed as a chariot consisting of 24 such wheels built in the 13th century. A video from the event shows the prime minister shaking hands with Biden and then telling the US President about the spokes of the wheel and the interesting history behind the wheel.

All about Konark Wheels

The Konark Wheel was built during 13th century under the reign of King Narasimhadeva-I. The wheels are part of the Sun Temple at Konark, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Monument and a popular tourist destination in Odisha.

Narasimhadevas temple was built in the form of a huge Ratha or chariot, having twelve pairs of wheels exquisitely carved out and drawn by a team of seven spirited horses.

The wheel having 24 spokes is adapted into Indias national flag and embodies the ancient wisdom, and advanced civilisation. The rotating movement of the Konark Wheel symbolises time as well as progress and continuous change, according to NDTV.

It serves as a symbol of the wheel of democracy that reflects the resilience of democratic ideals, and commitment to progress in society.

The Significance of the Konark Wheels

The beauty of the Sun temple lies in the exquisitely carved wheels of the chariot that have sculptures engraved all along its spokes containing figures of women in different postures along with the divine Lord Krishna in the centre charming them with the tune of his flute.

The Konark Wheel, 9 feet in diameter, consists of 8 wider spokes and 8 inner spokes. The temple has 24 wheels representing the wheels of Lord Suryas sun chariot.

Out of the 24 wheels, 6 are in either side of the main temple, 4 wheels are on each side of the Mukhasala and 2 wheels on each side of steps at eastern front. As per reports, 12 wheels of the temple signify the 12 months of the year and the 8 spokes represent the 8 prahars or time divisions of the day. The huge wheels of the Konark Temple are one of the major attractions for visitors.

According to other reports, the wheels of the chariot have been interpreted as the Wheel of Life, portraying the cycle of creation, preservation and achievement of realisation.

According to legend, it is said that the Konark sundial was used to calculate the precise time of day based on the position of the sun. The intricate design of the wheel allows sunlight to pass through it and cast shadows that could be used to determine the exact time.
The inclusion of the African Union in G20 through the efforts of Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be the ever-lasting legacy of Indias G20 Presidency and is a strong statement on Indias advocacy for the Global South, top government officials said.

The G20 summit has hence stood true to its message that India holds, which is Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, and proves to be one of the most inclusive summit of all, officials said. The sherpas and delegates in the last 9-10 months have showcased how New India under PM Modi has been all inclusive from economy to opportunities to ensuring access to welfare across the country.

The G20 summit held in Delhi will be a milestone of taking the message of One Family globally with the inclusion of African Union, officials said. The African Union comprises 55 nations, and its inclusion in the G20 is a significant milestone, making it the second-largest group of nations within the G20, following the European Union, officials said. For long, it was asked if the EU can be part of the G20, why not the AU, an official said.

The inclusion of African Union will help in propagating the goal of inclusive global economy and improved security and also help in creating a cohesive environment, where countries support each other than divide, officials said. This will help in enshrining the message of trust and reliance, they added.

With full G20 membership, the AU can represent a continent thats home to the worlds largest free trade area. Its also enormously rich in the resources the world needs to combat climate change, which Africa contributes to the least but is affected by the most, officials added.

The African continent has 60 per cent of the worlds renewable energy assets and more than 30% of the minerals key to renewable and low-carbon technologies. Congo alone has almost half of the worlds cobalt, a metal essential for lithium-ion batteries, according to a United Nations report on Africas economic development.

This is a testament to PM Modis foreign policies and raise of Indias stature as the voice of Global South. This is truly a historic milestone, with a new beginning of a powerful member gaining a seat at the table, the official added.
A Rajasthan BJP leaders son died in an accident on the Delhi-Mumbai Highway near Devla Nagli hamlet in Haryanas Nuh on Tuesday. The victim has been identified as Akash Chandila, son of Satveer Chandila, the BJP leader.

The police said Akash was on his way back to his Faridabad home on Tuesday after an event in Rajasthan when his luxury car rammed into the milk tanker.

The victim met with the accident when the tanker driver suddenly stepped on the brakes and the could not control his vehicle. Akash was rushed to Nalhar Medical College and later moved to a private hospital in Gurgaon, where he passed away on Wednesday.

We have identified the driver as Nitin Yadav from Uttar Pradesh, who has been working as a driver for four years. We will arrest him, said the police.

The victims brother, Monty, who was driving behind Akash at the time of the collision, filed an FIR at the Sadar Nuh police station. Monty alleged that the tanker driver was at fault and accusing him of driving recklessly.
Former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has been arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in connection with the Skill Development Corporation scam. The CID arrested Naidu in Nandyal, the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) said on Saturday.

The TDP chief was arrested at around 6 a.m. in the morning following high drama after midnight. After the CBI officials reached a function hall at Nandyal late yesterday night and served an arrest warrant to Naidu, they were prevented from taking him into custody by the TDP supporters.

Before police took him in custody, Naidu took to X (formally Twitter), and wrote, For the past 45 years, I have selflessly served Telugu people. I am prepared to sacrifice my life to safeguard the interests of Telugu people. No force on earth can stop me from serving Telugu people, my #AndhraPradesh and my motherland.

Several cases have been registered against him under sections 120(b), 166, 167, 418, 420, 465, 468, 201, and 109, along with 34 and 37 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). Charges under the Prevention of Corruption Act 1988 have also been invoked against him.

The authorities are preparing to shift Naidu to Vijayawada jail in the convoy under NSG security.

After his arrest, Naidus counsel said, CID has taken Chandrababu for a medical check-up after high blood pressure and diabetes were detected. We are approaching the High Court for bail.

Meanwhile, several TDP leaders have also been placed under house arrest following the arrest of Chandrababu Naidu by Andhra Pradesh CID in connection with the skill development case.

The Case Against TDP Chief

During 201415, an agreement was signed with the TDP-led Andhra government to set up Centres of Excellence for Skill development training with two companies involved  Siemens India Software Ltd and Design Tech. They projected the project would cost about Rs. 3356 crores. The SISW & DT would sponsor 90 per cent of the cost of the project. The Government of Andhra Pradesh had to pay only 10 per cent of the cost to the tune of Rs 371 crores.

Nara Chandrababu Naidu has been referred to as accused number one in the case and is facing allegations of corruption and misleading the cabinet in a scam that has rocked the state.

The allegations against Naidu and others involved in the case include manipulating contracts, misappropriating public money, and orchestrating a fraudulent scheme under the guise of the Skill Development Corporation.

Government agencies such as GST, Intelligence, IT, ED, and SEBI, among others, have all conducted thorough investigations into this scam. The authorities have successfully repatriated looted funds that were stashed abroad.

This scandal came to light just two months after Chandrababu Naidu assumed power in June 2014.

Siemens, a major player in this scandal, conducted an internal inquiry and provided a statement under Section 164 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) before a Magistrate.

Siemens emphasized that their company had no involvement in the Joint Venture (JVO) or the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) issued by the government.

One of the central issues in this case is the manner in which a note from Skill Development, showing the estimated cost as a Detailed Project Report (DPR), was presented to the cabinet, bypassing established government procedures.

This irregularity, combined with the swift approval and release of funds, has raised serious questions regarding adherence to rules, regulations, and due process.

Furthermore, the contract and government orders appear to be at odds, as funds were released without a clear contractual basis. Allegations suggest that Naidu gave orders for the immediate release of funds, even when objections were raised by finance department officials.

Key officials within the government, including the Finance Principal Secretary and the Chief Secretary, have reportedly played a role in facilitating the release of funds. However, the whereabouts of these funds remain unknown.

It has also come to light that over 70 transactions involving this money occurred through shell companies. A whistleblower had previously reported this skill development scam to the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) in the state.

Additionally, a government whistleblower issued a similar warning in June 2018. Unfortunately, initial investigations into these claims were set aside.

In a troubling twist, notefiles related to the project were allegedly destroyed when these investigations commenced.

Further complicating matters, companies such as PVSP/Skiller and DesignTech, which played a significant role in the Skill Scam, have claimed Cenvat without paying service tax.

Suspicion arose when GST officials noticed irregularities in the companys transactions, which were eventually revealed to involve money transfers through Hawala channels as early as 2017.

(With Inputs from News18s Ramana Kumar PV)
As many as 15 spouses of G20 leaders including Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishidas wife, Yoko Kishida, on Saturday visited the 1,200-acre PUSA-Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) campus here  the seat of Indias Green Revolution  and saw the breakthroughs in Indian agriculture and enjoyed the farm-to-fork millet experience.

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunaks wife Akshata Murty and World Bank President Ajay Bangas wife Ritu Banga were among the delegation of first ladies and spouses of G20 leaders who visited the IARI campus here in the national capital.

They were received by Kyoko Jaishankar, the wife of Indias External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. They were welcomed by two grand millets-rangolis capturing the theme of Harmony of Harvest and The World is One Family at the exhibition organised by Ministry of Agriculture.

The exhibition had a range of captivating components, such as a millet-focused live cooking session led by celebrity chefs as well as the display of cutting-edge agricultural technology from prominent Indian startups, farmer producer organisations (FPOs), and interaction with Indian women agri-champions, an official statement said.

At the exhibition area, 15 #Agristartups showcased innovative tech solutions to address ground-level challenges. #FPOs from across the nation displayed edible products marketed nationwide, aligning with the theme Empowering Rural Prosperity through Collective #Agriculture, the agriculture ministry posted on social media platform X.

Climate smart agriculture; innovation in agriculture value chain; agro logistics and supply chains; quality assurance for sustainable consumption; and Millets: Sustaining Health, Empowering Agriculture  were a few themes that were covered in the exhibition.

During an hour-long visit, the delegates also met young woman tribal farmer Lahari Bai from Dindori, Madhya Pradesh who has conserved more than 150 indigenous seed varieties, including about 50 varieties of millet seeds in her two-room hut earning the title of Millet Queen of India.

They also saw vertical farming, hydroponic farming and other sustainable agriculture methods.

Lahari Bai is among 20 women farmers from remote villages who shared their experiences and wisdom about millet farming with the spouses of G20 leaders at IARI.

Women farmers were invited from far-flung villages of 11 millet-producing states  Madhya Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Uttarakhand, and Odisha.

The progress of Indian agriculture depicting advances made in agriculture through research in food and nutrition security was displayed through exhibitions. The delegates took keen interest in understanding all about Indian agriculture, IARI Director A K Singh told PTI.

Besides millets, the exhibition also demonstrated the latest innovations in precision agriculture, agricultural technology, and mechanization advancements driving sector growth. Each stall showcased specific crop advancements backed by government initiatives, the statement said.

Some of the key stalls focused on themes like the journey of the Basmati revolution, its role in the prosperity of millions of Basmati farmers, and its status as a USD 5 billion forex earner.

Another stall highlighted Indias status as the Land of Spices emphasizing the wide variety and global fame of Indian spices, along with future scope.

The esteemed guests also viewed the sensor-based system that facilitated the real-time monitoring of environmental conditions during the transportation, storage, and ripening of bananas, among other interesting exhibits, the statement said.

Within the exhibition, there was a dedicated culinary section that showcased millet-based dishes from all G20 member countries, paying homage to each nation that participated in the event, the statement said.

The spouses of G20 leaders visited the live millet cooking counter , helmed by three celebrity chefs  Kunal Kapur, Anahita Dhondy, and Ajay Chopra, who were joined by two culinary expert chefs Kusha and Nikita from the ITC Group.

These chefs prepared a full course meal with a special focus on millets encompassing appetizers, salads, main courses, and desserts. India has been spearheading the movement to highlight millets, adopting a resolution to declare 2023 as the International Year of Millets (IYM), which was supported by 72 members of the United Nations General Assembly.
G20 Summit Day-1 Highlights

Asserting that todays era must not be of war, the New Delhi G20 Summit Leaders Declaration under Indias presidency called on all States to uphold the principles of international law, including territorial integrity and sovereignty and pitched for initiatives for comprehensive, just, and durable peace in Ukraine.

The New Delhi Declaration, another major stepping stone, was announced through a consenses.

Friends, we have just got good news, with the hard work of our teams, and with the cooperation of you all, there is consensus on the New Delhi G20 Summit Leaders Declaration, Modi said.

I announce that this declaration is adopted, he said, and banged the gavel thrice.

All member countries of the G20 accepted Modis proposal to bring the 55-member African Union(AU) to the high table of the worlds top economies in a significant milestone under Indias G20 presidency.

Modi said the African Union becoming a member will strengthen the G20 and also the voice of the Global South. The union collectively has a GDP of nearly USD 3 trillion and a population of around 1.4 billion. It is the first expansion of the G20 since its inception in 1999 after the Asian financial crisis.

All member countries of the G20 accepted Modis proposal to bring the 55-member African Union(AU) to the high table of the worlds top economies in a significant milestone under Indias G20 presidency.

Modi said the African Union becoming a member will strengthen the G20 and also the voice of the Global South. The union collectively has a GDP of nearly USD 3 trillion and a population of around 1.4 billion. It is the first expansion of the G20 since its inception in 1999 after the Asian financial crisis.
India, Saudi Arabia, UAE and the United States are set to announce a major joint infrastructure deal that will connect the Gulf and Arab countries via a network of railways as well as connect with India through shipping lanes from ports in the region.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who is on a state visit to India amid the G20 Summit, was received by Indias Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on his arrival. There has been speculation around this infrastructure plan since May, when Indias National Security Advisor Ajit Doval travelled to Riyadh for a meeting with US NSA Jake Sullivan and their Saudi and Emirati counterparts.

India is expected to be a key player in the project, not just with its burgeoning market and manufacturing capacity, but also with its labour capital and engineering capacity in the field of railway development.

This may also lead to the involvement of Israel, with the White House pushing a normalisation deal between Saudi Arabia and Israel. With this deal and the soaring ties with UAE since the Abraham Accords signed in 2020, Israel could serve as a stable gateway to the Eastern Mediterranean waters and into Europe. India is also joining hands with the Eastern Mediterranean power bloc of Greece, Cyprus and Israel, further opening up opportunities.

This could very well be the birth of a transcontinental economic corridor spanning from Greece in Europe to Israel through the eastern Mediterranean and from Israel to India across the Arabian Peninsula and the Arabian Sea.

There is a mega-deal with Saudi Arabia on the cards that the Joe Biden administration is keen to achieve before the 2024 US Presidential Elections. This will be a major infrastructure project and is one of the key initiatives that President Biden is pushing in West Asia as Chinas influence in the region deepens.

West Asia is a key part of Chinas Belt and Road vision. If the deal comes through, it will be the most highlighted success for PM Modi and President Biden at the G20 summit in New Delhi.

A transport infrastructure project of continental scale backed by democratic powers India and US, and with the possible involvement of Israel, passing through the Gulf and the Levant is a two-birds-one-stone deal. It helps the US re-establish its presence in West Asia and counter the progress made by China. A freight and shipping corridor spanning several nations shall provide tremendous economic opportunities, including for India, and also help cement lasting peace in the region.

This will be complemented further by the Adani Group-owned Haifa port in Israel, Indias free trade deal with the UAE and soaring ties with the US, Saudi Arabia and Greece.

Biden Rebuilding Relations With Riyadh

An announcement of the project will likely increase the chances of a possible brief bilateral meeting between Biden and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on the sidelines of the G20.

The US is keen on rebuilding ties with Saudi Arabia, which deteriorated since Joe Biden walked into the White House in 2021. In this time period, Saudi Arabia drifted closer to China and Russia, despite being a Middle Eastern ally of the US.

Saudi Arabia is exploring the development of a nuclear energy program. While the United States remained hesitant to offer its support, China, Russia, and France have expressed their interest in collaborating on this initiative.

Now, however, that may change as the US opens up to the idea and Israel agrees to accept a civilian nuclear programme in Saudi Arabia. The White House is also seeking a renewed defence treaty with Saudi Arabia.

Flashbacks of I2U2

The I2U2, which has been pegged as the West Asian Quad with a focus on countering Chinese influence, comprises India, Israel, the US and the UAE.

The forum, initiated in late 2021, was created with the primary purpose of deliberating on strategic infrastructure ventures in the Middle East. It was conceived as a means to counterbalance Beijings increasing influence in the region.

During the past years I2U2 meetings, Israel introduced the concept of establishing regional railway connections. This proposal also involved tapping into Indias extensive experience in managing large-scale infrastructure projects, according to one source. Subsequently, the Biden administration broadened the scope of the initiative to encompass the active involvement of Saudi Arabia.

Setback to Chinas BRI

Xi Jinpings highly ambitious Belt and Road Initiative, worth over a trillion dollars, has been losing steam amid global pushback against Chinas debt trap diplomacy and other faults which include poorly planned projects, lack of transparency, economic infeasibility and lack of local job creation which made countries question the benefits offered by Beijing.

Chinas ulterior motives became clear when it sought to expand its influence through government corruption, political interference, debt trap diplomacy and by pushing Chinese workers and Mandarin on nations that agreed to the BRI project. Such an infrastructure project with Chinese characteristics challenged Western powers to follow a more constructive and democratic approach to counter Beijings tactics.

India rejected the BRI in 2017 as China and Pakistan agreed on CPEC, an economic corridor which ran through Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir. India continues to oppose this Chinese initiative, and has refused to endorse it at the BRICS and the SCO forums.

Meanwhile, the United States, India, Japan and Australia came together to reform the Quad, focused on the Indo-Pacific as a counterweight to Chinese influence and aggression in the region. The I2U2 hinted in a similar direction when it was formed in 2021.
Speaking at the G20 Summit session on One Earth, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday announced the launch of the Global Biofuel Alliance and urged G20 nations to join the initiative with a plea to take ethanol blending with petrol globally to 20%.

#WATCH | G-20 in India: PM Narendra Modi launches Global Biofuels Alliance in the presence of US President Joe Biden, President of Brazil Luiz Inacio, President of Argentina, Alberto Fernandez and Prime Minister of Italy Giorgia Meloni. pic.twitter.com/fPpm77ONax ANI (@ANI) September 9, 2023

The prime minister also proposed launching the G20 Satellite Mission for Environment and Climate Observation and nudged the leaders to commence work on the Green Credit Initiative.

Today, the need of the hour is that all countries should work together in fuel blending. Our proposal is to take an initiative at a global level to take ethanol blending in petrol up to 20 per cent, PM Modi said.

Or alternatively, we could work on developing another blending mix for the greater global good, one that ensures a stable energy supply while also contributing to climate security, the prime minister said at the session attended by US President Joe Biden, Saudi Arabia Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak among others.

The prime minister said energy transition is a significant need of the 21st-century world considering the challenge brought upon by climate change.

PM Modi further noted trillions of dollars are required for an inclusive energy transition and that the developed countries play a very important role in this.

Along with India, all the countries of the Global South are pleased that developed countries have taken a positive initiative this year, in 2023. Developed countries have expressed their willingness to fulfil their commitment of USD 100 billion for climate finance for the first time, he said.

The leaders of the worlds 20 most powerful nations begin the much-anticipated annual G20 summit today in New Delhi.
The toll in the violence that broke out at Pallel in Manipurs Tengnoupal district rose to three with a 37-year-old man succumbing to his injuries while undergoing treatment at a hospital, officials said on Saturday.

The man sustained bullet wounds on his head during the crossfire between security forces and armed miscreants, they said.

He died overnight while undergoing treatment at the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) in Imphal, they added.

Earlier, two persons were killed and 50 others, including an Army major, were injured when hundreds of people from the majority community attempted to storm tribal villages, officials said.

On Friday morning, a gunfight erupted at Molnoi village near Pallel between security forces and armed persons who attempted to arson and indulge in violence in the village.

As the news of the gunfight spread, large groups of Meitei community members, including Meira Paibis and Arambai Tenggol militiamen dressed in commando uniforms, attempted to break through security check posts and move towards Pallel.

Security forces personnel attempted to stop the mob to ensure peace and stability in Pallel, where the situation had been tense for a few days.

Being blocked by the forces, some armed persons who were dressed in police uniforms and part of the mob opened fire, resulting in gunshot injuries to an Army major. The officer was evacuated to a military hospital in Leimakhong by helicopter. Three other police personnel were also injured in the incident.

In a calibrated response, the forces used minimum force to disperse the mob, officials said.

More than 45 women were injured after security forces personnel lobbed teargas shells to defuse the situation, officials said.

The Friday morning gunfight led to the death of a person, officials said.

Also, a 48-year-old man was killed in the crossfire, officials said.

In the meantime, a contingent of RAF personnel heading to Pallel from Imphal to contain the mob was blocked by locals, including Meira Paibis, at Thoubal.

This comes two days after thousands of protesters gathered at Phougakchao Ikhai in Bishnupur district on Wednesday and tried to break through army barricades.

Though they were claiming that they wanted to reach their deserted houses in Torbung, sources within the security establishment alleged that the mob wanted to ransack the houses of tribals besides attacking them.

A day before the protest, a full curfew had been clamped in all the five valley districts of Manipur as a preventive measure.

More than 160 people have been killed and several hundred injured since ethnic violence broke out in Manipur on May 3, when a Tribal Solidarity March was organised in the hill districts to protest against the majority Meitei communitys demand for Scheduled Tribe status.

Meiteis account for about 53 per cent of Manipurs population and live mostly in the Imphal valley, while tribals, including Nagas and Kukis, constitute 40 per cent and reside mostly in the hill districts.
Those issues are very much on agenda, the White House said when asked if bulldozing slums in Delhi ahead of the G20 Summit was brought up in the bilateral meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden.

What I will say is that the state of democratic governance both in the world and in each of our countries is a core facet of the US-India bilateral relationship. Both PM Modi and President Biden have said that, which means that those issues are very much on the agenda in every one of their conversations, Principal Deputy National Security Advisor Jon Finer said on Saturday.

Reports had earlier stated that authorities have already cleared many slums in Delhi like the one in Janta Camp. A report by Reuters stated that the demolitions started four months ago.

Reuters report also stated that hundreds of stray dogs that roam the streets of the national capital were being rounded up by authorities too. They were moved to shelters in the run-up to the G20 summit, the report quoted animal activists.

The G20 summit, the biggest ever gathering of world leaders in New Delhi, is being attended by US President Joe Biden, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida among others.
A youthful appearance is often considered a reflection of skin health, and various structural proteins & compounds contribute to this. Two critical proteins that give our skin its strength and elasticity are collagen and elastin. Dr Batul Patel, Leading Celebrity Dermatologist, Founder & Medical Director  The Bombay Skin Clinic explains the two proteins and their benefits.

Collagen:

Collagen is the most abundant protein in the skin, making up approximately 75-80% of it. It is responsible for giving the skin structure, firmness, and strength. Young skin is rich in collagen, but as we age, the production of this protein decreases, leading to sagging, fine lines, and wrinkles. Various external factors like sun exposure, smoking, and pollution can accelerate collagen degradation, further contributing to skin ageing. Topical retinoids and vitamin C serums are often recommended to stimulate collagen production, but their efficacy varies from person to person.

Elastin:

Elastin is another vital protein that contributes to skin elasticity. It allows your skin to return to its original shape after stretching or contracting. With age, the elastin fibres in the skin break down, resulting in less elastic and more fragile skin. This process is further exacerbated by UV radiation, leading to the formation of solar elastosis, a condition characterised by thickened, leathery skin.

Other Components:

Hyaluronic Acid is another important molecule that helps retain moisture in the skin. A decrease in its levels contributes to dryness and the appearance of fine lines. Antioxidants like vitamin E can counteract oxidative stress, which speeds up skin ageing.

Understanding these key components is crucial in addressing the signs of ageing effectively. Various treatments like laser resurfacing, chemical peels, and even injectable fillers aim to restore some of these lost components, but prevention, primarily through sun protection and a healthy lifestyle, is still the best medicine for youthful skin.
Grandparents Day in India is observed on the first Sunday of September each year. This year it will be celebrated on September 10. It is a day to honour and celebrate the invaluable role grandparents play in the lives of their grandchildren. It promotes intergenerational bonding, appreciation, and the sharing of wisdom and love across generations. It is also a day to show our appreciation for the love and support that they give us. Discover the origins, cultural significance, and heartwarming celebrations of Grandparents Day in India.

ALSO READ: Happy Grandparents Day 2023: 50+ Best Wishes, Images, Greetings, Messages to Share With Your Dear Grandparents!

GRANDPARENTS DAY HISTORY

The concept of Grandparents Day originated in the United States. It was initiated by Marian McQuade, a housewife from West Virginia, who wanted to encourage grandchildren to tap into the wisdom and heritage their grandparents could provide. She also hoped to strengthen the bonds between generations. Her efforts led to the proclamation of Grandparents Day as a national holiday by President Jimmy Carter in 1978.

ALSO READ: Grandparents Day 2023: Supporting Grandparents Coping with Dementia

In India, Grandparents Day gained popularity over the years as people recognized the importance of honouring and celebrating the wisdom and contributions of grandparents.

GRANDPARENTS DAY SIGNIFICANCE

Grandparents Day holds significant cultural and familial importance. It is a day to acknowledge the pivotal role that grandparents play in the lives of their grandchildren. Its an opportunity to show appreciation for their love, guidance, and the valuable lessons they impart through their experiences.

GRANDPARENTS DAY FACTS

Grandparents often serve as a bridge between generations, passing down traditions, values, and stories. In many cultures, grandparents play a crucial role in childcare, helping working parents take care of their children. Grandparents often have more time to spend with their grandchildren, providing emotional support and companionship. The celebration of Grandparents Day varies from country to country, with different traditions and customs.

HOW TO CELEBRATE GRANDPARENTS DAY?

Family GatheringsFamilies come together to spend quality time with their grandparents. Its a day for reunions and bonding. Gifts and CardsGrandchildren often express their love and gratitude by giving gifts, cards, or small tokens of appreciation to their grandparents. Stories and MemoriesSharing stories, reminiscing about the past, and listening to the wisdom of grandparents are common activities on this day. Crafts and ActivitiesMany schools and communities organize special activities where children can create crafts or art projects to present to their grandparents. Intergenerational EventsSchools and organizations sometimes host intergenerational events or activities that involve both grandparents and grandchildren. Service and VolunteeringSome families take the opportunity to do volunteer work or engage in acts of kindness together, demonstrating the values passed down by grandparents. Cooking and BakingCooking or baking traditional family recipes with grandparents is a meaningful way to connect and preserve culinary traditions.

HAPPY GRANDPARENTS DAY 2023 QUOTES & MESSAGES
As Brahmastra: Part One  Shiva marks one year since its release on Saturday, September 9, the films leading lady Alia Bhatt took to Instagram to share some sweet behind-the-scenes moments from the films shoot. Alia shared a video featuring unseen moments from the films shoot. From Ranbir and Alias first look test to their memorable time in Varanasi, Alias video showed several heartfelt moments.

Alia captioned the video, A piece of our hearts.. Cant believe its already been a wholeeeee year Love & Light alwayss. Synced to the song Kesariya from the film, the video begins with a snippet of Ayan and Alia rehearsing for a scene as Ranbir records them and says, Moment hai, moment hai.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Alia Bhatt (@aliaabhatt)

The video then cuts to Ranbir and Alias first look test for the franchise. In the photo, Ranbir could be seen donning a different hairstyle than the one finally featured in the film. He fondly holds Alias close as they lovingly gaze into each others eyes.

Alia also showed glimpses from the crews first trip to Tel Aviv, their memorable time filming in Varanasi and the fun they had while traveling to promote the film. One snippet has Ayan meditating on an airplane as a giddy Alia looks at him, trying to contain her laughter but in vain.

The video also featured several moments shared by Ranbir and Alia while shooting the film. The two could be seen goofing around in a car as they waited for the shooting to begin. One photo also showed Ranbir wrapped in towels as Alia sat next to him. She captioned this part of the video as, Someone just hated the rain sequence.

In another photo, Ranbir made a heart with his hands as he rested between shots and posed for Alias camera. Many snippets also hint at the moments when their roles reversed and Alia became Ranbirs muse instead.

Earlier on Saturday, the films director Ayan Mukerji had updated fans that parts two and three of the film are currently in progress. The second installment in the franchise is likely to focus on the story of Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singhs characters. However, an official confirmation is awaited.
Heres some good news for BTS ARMYs across the world! Group member V aka Kim Taehyung will be holding an offline fan meeting later this year. Recently, BigHit Music Agency announced the same and left fans super excited. It shared that Vs fan meeting will be held on October 14 in Seoul, South Korea. However, the exact location of the event will be announced later.

You are cordially invited to V special offline fan meeting, in celebration of the release of V Solo Album [Layover]. Join us for special performances and get the behind-the-scenes stories of the [Layover] album from V himself! ARMY, lets have a special time with V! We look forward to seeing you! *Enter Raffle, *Check Raffle Status, *Buy Album, statement by BigHit read.

[Event Date and Time (KST)] Saturday, October 14, 2023 (The exact time will be announced later). [Raffle Eligibility] All customers who purchased at least 1 V Solo Album [Layover] on Weverse Shop Global during the event period (after Friday, September 8, 2023, 1:00 PM (KST) and entered the raffle. *V Solo Album [Layover] (Weverse Albums version) is not eligible for event entry, the agency added.

BTS music agency further revealed that fans who purchased at least one Layover album from Weverse Shop Global during the event period and entered the raffle are eligible to participate in the fan meet. Raffle Period (KST)] Friday, September 8, 2023, 2:00 PM  Wednesday, September 13, 2023, 11:59 PM. [Winner Announcement (KST)] After Wed. September 20, 2023, 6:00 PM. The winners will be announced via a notice. Customers can also check My Events page to check the result, it stated.

For the unversed, Vs Layover album marks his debut as a soloist. The album was unveiled on September 8. The album will feature six tracks, including Love Me Again, Rainy Days, Slow Dancing, For Us, Blue and an instrumental version of Slow Dancing. Prior to Kim Taehyung, his fellow BTS members Jin, Suga, J Hope, RM, Jimin and Jungkook had also released their solo albums.
Samantha Ruth Prabhu has been in the spotlight because of her recent filmi outing, Kushi, with Vijay Deverakonda, which released on September 1. This film was her last project before taking a break from acting to focus on her treatment for myositis, a condition she was diagnosed with earlier this year. She went to the US for treatment in August and has now returned to India. After spending a week in Mumbai, it looks like shes getting ready to head out. She was papped at the Mumbai airport in chic casuals on Saturday night. The stunning actress opted for brown trousers, brick-coloured tank top and a sweater thrown on. She wore a mask to stay away from attention. Earlier this week, a pap video of the actress at the Mumbai airport went viral. In the video, Samantha can be heard saying, I thought I will escape.

Samantha recently unveiled the first look of Kushi co-star Vijay Deverakondas brother, Anand Deverakondas next, Gam Gam Ganesha. Excited to share the killer first look of dearest @ananddeverkondas next. #GamGamGanesha looks wonderful. Best wishes to the entire team :), she wrote.

Samantha recently went to the wild and hilly region of Big Sur in California and posted several pictures of the lush forests and green landscapes of Big Sur, along with a photo of herself in a swimming pool.

Meanwhile, since September 4, Monday, Kushi suffered a slight decline. On its seventh day, the film was only able to collect Rs 50 lakh. News reports suggest that the release of Jawan and Miss Shetty Mr Polishetty could be a big reason for the films recent decline in the theatres. At the moment, the domestic collection of the film on its seventh day stands at Rs 41 crore.

The actress will be next seen opposite Varun Dhawan in the Indian adaptation of Citadel.
Bollywood actress Esha Gupta often takes to social media to share jaw-dropping and impeccable fashion looks. She recently dropped another head-turning look on Instagram in a sexy lavender bikini set, which she paired with a matching cap. The actress looked breathtakingly gorgeous as she stood in front of lush green trees, flaunting her curves.

Esha Gupta took to Instagram on Saturday to share the ravishing photo from Portugal with the caption, Mentally Im here. In the photo, Esha looked away from the camera as she tried to adjust her cap. The actress looked flawless as she soaked in some faint sunshine amid lush greenery.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Esha Gupta (@egupta)

Soon after the picture was shared online, fans rushed to the comment section to compliment the actress. While many dropped fire emojis, one of the fans wrote, one person commented, Superb lovely adorable @egupta . Another wrote, Sexy MAMA!!! Hotness queen, commented one fan of the actress. You are looking very attractive , another fan added.

Meanwhile, on the work front, Esha Gupta was last seen in Prakash Jhas Aashram 3 which also starred Bobby Deol in the lead. In Aashram 3, Esha played the role of an image builder, Sonia, who is brought to change the image of Nirala Baba, the titular character essayed by Bobby Deol. Earlier in an interview with News18, the actress had said that saying yes to the Prakash Jha-directed web series was a no-brainer for her.

I had heard about this show so much from word of mouth. Everyone was talking about it during the pandemic and I was at my parents home in Delhi at the time. And everyone would say, What a show! So when it was offered to me by Prakash Jha and sir told me, This is your character, I simply said, I dont want to hear anything. You just give me one rupee and I will still do it. I was not at all worried about money or shooting schedule or my dates. I told him all that is my managers headache. Everything was better and better for me in this show and Im so glad that Prakash sir thought of me for the role of Sonia, Esha said.
Sharon Osbourne, known for her unfiltered opinion, recently sat down for an interview with E News, proving once again that she doesnt shy away from speaking on controversial topics. The wife of rock legend Ozzy Osbourne and former co-host of The Talk teamed up with her daughter, Kelly, for an entertaining and honest conversation. In a segment called Stir The Pot, the mother-daughter duo openly discussed their celebrity crushes, feuds and more. However, it was during a particular part of the interview that Sharon was asked to name the rudest celebrity shed ever met. True to her style, she didnt hold back and it appears that Ashton Kutcher might not be on her list of favorite stars.

At first, the former Americas Got Talent panellist struggled to recall his name and she turned to her daughter, asking, The guy thats married to an actress and he used to do That 70s Show." Kelly was quick to remind her and said, Oh, Ashton Kutcher. Really?" Yes. Oh, rude, rude, rude, rude little boy," Sharon firmly asserted. The host expressed surprise, stating that they werent prepared for such a candid response. Even Sharon Osbournes daughter, Kelly, admitted, I was not prepared for that either, Really?" while she added, Rude, rude. Yes. Dastardly little thing."

Although Sharon Osbourne didnt provide specific details about why she dislikes Ashton Kutcher in this recent interview, its not the first time she has expressed her opinions about him. In a previous appearance on Larry King Now in 2018, she discussed an uncomfortable encounter they had on The Talk, shedding some light on the reasons behind her hatred towards him.

She mentioned that she didnt have a good relationship with him. When King told her that the Jobs star was a highly paid actor, Sharon reacted with disapproval, suggesting that his attitude was a major issue. She recounted a specific incident where she had mispronounced his name wrong, which had clearly upset him. According to Sharon, the actor questioned her about her achievements in the industry.

Sharon responded, I was like, Kid, dont start with me because Im going to eat you up and s**t you out. I was just like, You dont know what youre dealing with kid."

Meanwhile, Sharon Osbourne and her daughter, Kelly, are all set to launch a podcast called The Osbournes Podcast. Joining them in this project are Ozzy Osbourne and son Jack. The podcast will be launching on September 12.
Bigg Boss Kannada OTT fame Sonu Gowda often stuns her fans with her impeccable fashion sense and adorable personality. Recently, the actress dropped a stunning video from her Maldives getaway that took the internet by storm. In the video, she can be seen donning a red bikini and grooving to a song against the backdrop of the crystal clear Maldivian sea. Dancing in her beach-ready attire, Sonu Gowda exudes an aura of charm and serenity. She opted for a no-makeup look and kept her hair open as he danced her heart out.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cw777sxP19G/?igshid=MTc4MmM1YmI2Ng==

So far, the video has garnered more than 11,000 views. Social media users have showered Sonu Gowda with love and adulation in the comments section.

Some time back, Sonu shared another set of photos from her vacation. Sonu wore a blue sleeveless crop top with white shorts, looking stunning as she walked gracefully in the video.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cw5PMvJPY_m/?igshid=MTc4MmM1YmI2Ng==

Sonu Gowda is a well-known figure in the film industry, with impressive roles in movies like Gultoo, Best Actor, Yuvarathnaa, and Kiragoorina Gayyaligalu. Her filmography also includes Half Mentlu, Enga Kaatula Mazhai, Amara, Sivappu Mazhai, Drishya 2, and Narathan. She marked her acting debut with the Kannada film Inthi Ninna Preethiya in 2008.

After her Maldives vacation, Sonu Gowda returned to her hometown recently and got back to work. She revealed the poster of her upcoming movie titled Cadburys, produced by Dream Productions, starring Dharma Keerthiraj and Adhvithi Shetty in lead roles.

Sharing the poster of her upcoming film, Sonu Gowda wrote, Hello everyone, as you all know I said I was playing a lead role in the film Cadburys, produced by Dream Productions. Now the shooting of the movie is in its last stage; we will present you the film by the end of this year. Today, my first poster of this film has been released. I request all of you to bless me and my film team.

Sonu Gowda is all set to appear on the big screens in KS Nandeeshs upcoming movie, Godhraa. She will be sharing the screen with Shraddha Srinath, Achyuth Kumar, and Vasishta N. Her other upcoming projects include Shalini IPS, Red, Anugrahan, Tenant, and Shabdha.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 9. The Republic of Moldova does not recognize the so-called "presidential elections" held in Azerbaijan's Karabakh on September 9, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Moldova said, Trend reports.

In a statement, Moldovan MFA has called those "elections" contrary to the norms and fundamental principles of international law.

"The Moldovan Foreign Ministry once again underlines its strong support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Azerbaijan within internationally recognized borders," the statement reads.

Earlier, the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine and Turkiye have denounced the so-called "elections" held by the separatist regime in Karabakh.

The Azerbaijani MFA has called on the international community to strongly condemn these "elections", noting that "holding the so-called elections once again clearly shows that Armenia and the puppet regime created by it, which have taken steps to maintain the status quo and continue its occupation policy, are not really interested in the peace process, on the contrary, have taken the path of provocation and escalating the situation".
Tamannaah Bhatia and Vijay Varma have been ruling hearts and headlines ever since the two announced their relationship. They never shy away from expressing love for one another and are often seen making public appearances together. On Friday night too, the two actors made a stylish appearance as they attended an event in Mumbai. However, a video of Tamanaah and Vijay has now surfaced on social media which has left everyone in complete awe.

In the viral video, Vijay Varma can be seen posing for the paparazzi. He sported a black and silver suit and looked stunning as always. However, it wasnt just the paparazzi who clicked his pictures but Tamannaah too. In the clip, the Babli Bouncer actress can be seen taking her boyfriends pictures as he posed for the shutterbugs.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Instant Bollywood (@instantbollywood)

The video has left fans completely impressed who are now declaring Tamannaah Bhatia and Vijay Varma the cutest couple of the tinsel town. Reacting to the viral clip, one of the fans wrote, Bhabhi photo click kar rhi hai. Another social media user commented, This is so cute yrr. A third user called them couple goals.

Meanwhile, Tamannaah Bhatia and Vijay Varma were also seen holding hands as they left the venue after the event ended. Watch it here:

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Viral Bhayani (@viralbhayani)

For the unversed, Tamannaah Bhatia announced her romantic relationship with Vijay Varma in an interview with Film Companion earlier this year, when she said, I dont think you can get attracted to someone just because they are your co-star. I have had so many co-stars. I think if one has to fall for someone, feel something for someone its definitely more personal, its nothing to do with what they do for a living, I mean thats not the reason why this would happen. The two then featured together in Lust Stories 2, for which Tamannaah even broke her no-kiss on-screen policy.
After stirring up a lot of debate with his 2022 film The Kashmir Files, film director Vivek Agnihotri is back with another real-life inspired movie, titled The Vaccine War. Despite all the debates surrounding The Kashmir Files, there is no denying the fact that the film, based on the 1990 exodus of Kashmiri Pandits from Kashmir valley was a humongous success. And it seems like Agnihotri plans on achieving the same success with The Vaccine War. The buzz revolving around the upcoming bio-science drama has already started. Now, Agnihotri has treated fans with another surprise. The filmmaker has dropped the first look poster of The Vaccine War on social media, spiralling the excitement further.

PRESENTING: The first look at Indias first-ever Bio-science film The Vaccine War. Releasing worldwide on 28 September 2023 wrote Vivek Agnihotri on X (formerly Twitter) and on Instagram. The first-look poster offered a glimpse of the star cast of the film, including Anupam Kher, Nana Patekar, Raima Sen, Pallavi Joshi, Sapthami Gowda, Nivedita Bhattacharya, Girija Oak Godbole, and Mohan Kapur.

PRESENTING: The first look of Indias first ever Bio-science film #TheVaccineWar. Releasing worldwide on 28 September 2023. pic.twitter.com/svasq9XXtI  Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri (@vivekagnihotri) September 9, 2023

The poster presented a worrisome situation, with the cast exhibiting tense expressions. Kantara fame Sapthami Gowda was dressed in a doctors coat giving a major indication of the role she would be playing in The Vaccine War. Raima Sen, on the other hand, was draped in a saree. The poster also featured an embed of a COVID-19 vaccine bottle alongside a nurse, wearing a face mask and holding a tray in her hands.

Social media users rallied into the comment section to congratulate The Vaccine War team for their forthcoming cinematic venture. Noting the first-look poster, a user wrote that it Looks promising. Another excited user claimed, Congratulations to the whole team. What a wonderful movie. Eagerly waiting to rewatch it once released. Sir, what about the trailer? We cant wait, please noted a third individual.

Looks promising  Gyani Khopdi (@gyaniKhopdi) September 9, 2023

https://twitter.com/nischaycii/status/1700351337962025039

Sir, what about trailer? We can't wait please  Deepak Kumar Yadav (@DeepakK67631349) September 9, 2023

On Tuesday, September 5, The Vaccine War scripted history after launching its first song Srishthi Se Pehle at Times Square in New York, becoming the first Indian movie to do so. During the India For Humanity tour, conducted by Vivek Agnihotri and the films producer-actress Pallavi Joshi, The Vaccine War witnessed special screenings in the US.

The Vaccine War is based upon the relentless efforts of scientists and researchers to invent the indispensable COVID-19 vaccine at a time when the world was suffering the brunt of the coronavirus pandemic. It is slated to hit the big screens on September 28.
As world leaders assemble in New Delhi, Chinese President Xi Jinping, who is staying back in Beijing, will have plenty of time to contemplate the ancient Chinese proverb: When the winds of change blow, some people build walls and others build windmills.

In the absence of any official statement, theories flourish about why the Chinese supremo has skipped the Bharat edition of the G20 summit.

Some experts say theres a threat to Xis position as the self-declared president for life given the growing public antipathy in China. Earlier this year Chinese citizens stridently demonstrated against Xis absurd zero-COVID policy. Now, there are increasing reports of public discontent at the hardships induced by Chinas flagging economy. Others suggest Xi wants to snub India for trying to challenge China in the Indo-Pacific.

But, given that Xi travelled to the BRICS summit earlier in the month, his no-show in Delhi is most likely because hes finding it increasingly difficult in getting his way in the assemblies of global governance. Indeed, under Xi, China is being contained: outflanked on the diplomatic mainstage and now drifting further away from global supply chains.

Indeed, near-shoring or friend-shoring is taking off. For the uninitiated, the terms loosely apply to the concept of shortening supply chains to cut down logistical inefficiency and prop up reliability by bringing manufacturing closer to home. Till recently, it was thought that multinational companies would not readily embrace the disruption. But for a variety of compelling reasons, they have.

For the first time in 17 years, the US, once Chinas largest trade partner, has imported its smallest share of Chinese goods. Analysts say that China is expecting a net-zero investment inflow and that outward capital will total $180 billion for 2023.

As the Chinese economy slumps (GDP is at an unprecedented 3% and projected to decrease further) even Chinese companies are diversifying out of the country, further inflating the level of outward capital flow.

But Chinas loss has been Indias gain.

Bloomberg reported that in July Japans Nidec, the worlds biggest maker of electric motors, plans to manufacture cutting tools in India and South Koreas Hyundai Motor plans to sink $2.4 billion to help construct electric vehicles in India. The financial major also observes that its not just capital thats on the move, but India is eyeing overseas human resource talent too as a manufacturing ecosystem takes shape around the country.

If the world is witnessing the humbling of China, then much of the blame must lie at Beijings door. Ever since he took over, Xi has taken a hammer to the rule-based global order.

The Chinese supremo has been obsessed with the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. To that end and to ensure that China takes centre stage in the world he has ignored existing diplomatic forums in favour of others (BRICS, SCO) that can be manipulated into exclusively furthering Chinese interests.

In March 2023, Xi codified the new foreign policy doctrine with a 24-character formula covering the dare to fight phrase. In doing so Xi abandoned the strategic patience doctrine pronounced by the late reform-minded leader Deng Xiaoping more than 30 years earlier. Deng had wanted China to provide a stabilising alternative vision for the world by working within the framework of global governance. Deng had realised that pursuing muscular diplomacy could spell severe consequences for Chinas credibility in a rapidly flattening world.

But Xi has abandoned the Deng way. His expansionist instincts have propelled the Peoples Liberation Army to undermine the territorial integrity of almost all of Chinas neighbours.

On the diplomatic front, Xi has chosen to project Chinas influence through the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). The BRI promises to lock China and other nations into a mutually beneficial trading ecosystem to bring prosperity to regions of the world that are left behind by the inadequate Western patented globalisation project. But far from being an instrument of uplift or equity, the BRI, as many governments around the world are now realising, is a stratagem designed to reduce them to the status of a Chinese client-state. These nations are now going to assemble in Beijing in a few days  not as equals but as supplicants.

More so, the realisation Beijing was not a friend in times of need was reinforced during the pandemic. Instead of building windmills, Xis China built metaphorical walls. And when it did reach out from behind its defences it did so on punishing terms fashioned to nudge the needy into further servitude to Beijing. Its response to the pandemic unmasked Chinas ruse of being a benign super-power committed to global do-gooding.

Misled by China and left behind in the promise of globalisation, many nations are now yearning for a third way. Their quest has brought them to India.

Unlike Xis China, a rapidly rising India under Modi has shown a willingness to work within the rule-based order to revive and reform globalisation. Be it vaccine diplomacy or championing the rights of the global subaltern through inclusive diplomacy founded on the ancient philosophical principle, Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, Bharat has shown that it can walk the talk. This is drawing appreciative comparisons to the mean-spiritedness of China.

So long as the Indian windmill is powered by an ethical and inclusive dharma, it will continue to power the winds of positive change that could blow across the globe.
The inexorable cycle of time keeps affecting the fortunes of nations at periodic intervals. Fluctuating fortunes of nations are closely linked with political history, geography, discoveries and inventions, battles, environment, and other connected factors.

The present world economic order is considered to have commenced in 1945, when the US and its capitalist allies quickly designated themselves as developed economies. Many US-based economists and the World Economic Situation and Prospects (WESP) took upon themselves the task of classifying all countries of the world into one of the three broad categories: developed economies, economies in transition and developing economies. Then, there are nearly 46 countries on the list of least developed countries (LDC). Other classifications include poorest countries of the world, those with the lowest gross domestic product (GDP) per capita.

Burundi is the poorest country in the world with a GDP per capita of $237, and 19 out of the 20 poorest countries are all located in Africa. Bhutan, which was classified by the UN as an LDC, retaliated by pointing out that it was the happiest when measured by the unique gross national happiness (GNH) index that it uses to measure well-being. As a result, western economists have grudgingly accepted GNH as a vital factor in assessment protocols.

Niger, a landlocked African country, is classified as one of the poorest in the world but has two significant uranium mines. It provides 7.5 percent of the world a mining output of highest-grade uranium ore and was a leading supplier of uranium to the European Union, which paid a measly $56.25 per pound in July 2023 while the ruling price was $140 in 2007. Niger produced 2,020 tonnes of uranium in 2022, which was grabbed by the French at a throwaway price, so, no wonder that the country is wallowing in poverty while Europe splurged on cheap nuclear power to illuminate its cities and fuel industries, enjoy fabulous lifestyles and get ranked as developed. The current military coup in Niger will likely tick up uranium prices and get the people a reasonable and fair price.

In this system, developed and advertised by the western countries, those who exploited cunningly, profited and this led them to give themselves higher rankings while those who couldnt decipher the sophisticated exploitation, struggled with poverty and rock-bottom rankings. Seismic policy shifts are needed to disrupt and redistribute wealth and power by way of revolutions, military coups or wars, for the old world order to collapse and a new world order to emerge and the process repeated ad infinitum.

What is most hilarious is that China  the worlds second largest economy; ranks in the top five countries for trade and foreign investment; has the worlds largest number of middle-class consumers; and provides an estimated $3 billion per year in foreign aid expenditures  is still classified as a developing economy, as per the most recent UN 2022 World Economic Situation and Prospects. Just a mere glance at the 16 critical infrastructure sectors classified by the US governments Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency  chemicals; communications; critical manufacturing (metals, machinery, electrical, transportation); energy; food and agriculture; medical and pharmaceuticals; information technology  reveal heavy dependence on Chinese imports by the US, which has prompted President Joe Biden to issue an executive order dated February 24, 2021, to secure Americas critical supply chains. Beijing sees Washingtons unwillingness to acknowledge China as a global power with legitimate interests in international affairs, as a big deterrent.

Europe is in a similar predicament as the US. President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, in her speech delivered at Brussels on March 30, pointed out that Chinese President Xi Jinping wanted to make China less dependent on the world and the world more dependent on China.

A combination of surging energy costs and increasing imports from China has led to Europes first significant trade deficit in more than a decade. Another interesting aspect is that most western economies have become military merchandise economies, and are constantly innovating and upgrading military arsenal for sale to Third World countries at astronomical prices. To pep up sales, conflicts are created by intelligence agencies, which are hyperactive to foment discord and highly destructive weapons are sold, making many poor countries into war-ravaged zones.

Yet western economists are reluctant to coin the term military merchandise economies for these western economies. As some sort of a karmic retribution, refugees from war-ravaged zones are flooding the entire Europe, as also the US. The migration challenge is slowly but surely destroying Europe, dragging the economy to lower levels. A survey by Plan International UK found more than a third of girls aged 14 to 21 in the UK have struggled to afford or access menstrual products. This is equivalent to over one million girls. Half of those surveyed said they did not have enough money to buy period products at all, and around 73 percent had to use toilet paper as an alternative. It was estimated that more than 1,37,700 girls in the UK missed school in 2021 because they could not afford sanitary products.

Six percent of parents said they were so desperate to equip their daughters with menstrual products that they resorted to stealing. More than a fifth of parents said they had gone without eating themselves, so that they had enough money to meet their childs needs. This is the situation in a developed country.

Migrants from a bewildering array of countries  Syria, Afghanistan, across Africa, the Middle East and Far East  have inundated Europe, whose development goals are to take the European continent on a journey back in time to the 7th century.

The 7.8 percent GDP growth rate makes India the fastest growing major economy. Global agencies Nomura, Deutsche Bank, Morgan Stanley and Moodys have raised Indias FY24 GDP forecast after strong growth in Q1. Compared to Indias 7.8 percent GDP growth rate, Chinas economy grew 6.3 percent during the same quarter ending in June. India will surpass Germany in 2027 and Japan by 2029, at the current rate of growth, and become the worlds third largest economy  a movement of seven places up since 2014, when India was ranked 10th.

According to the Harvard Business Review, a report titled Is India the worlds next great economic power? released on September 6, states: By 2030, Indias working-age population is expected to be 1.04 billion with a dependency ratio to be the lowest in its history at 31.2 percent, contributing just under a quarter of the incremental global workforce. The working-age population bulge is expected to last till 2055. The Asian Miracle was built on harnessing this trend: Japan entered this sweet spot in 1964, South Korea in 1967 and China in 1994. Additionally, India also has the largest pool of English-speaking STEM graduates in the world.

Writing in Nikkei Asia, Indias rise is beyond doubt dated February 7, columnist Richard Yetsenga opined: But economic development has no standard recipe. The rise of the Asian Tigers  Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan and South Korea  was unique. Chinas rise has been unique. So will Indias. Textbooks have to be rewritten after each such rise and likely will be again as India progresses.

The two Asian neighbours, India and China, are starkly contrasting: while China is administered ruthlessly by dictator Xi Jinping, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is in an inflexible and chaotic democracy. Yet, despite all odds, the country is growing by leaps and bounds. According to a report dated July 11 by Goldman Sachs Research: India is expected to overtake the US and become the worlds second-largest economy by 2075.

Maybe the target date is quite distant and the world lives in uncertain times, yet India is headed in that direction. The people of India should not forget that just a few years back, in 2012-13, the Indian economy was performing poorly and economists were toying with the idea of replacing India by Indonesia in BRICS (BRICS is a grouping of the world economies of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa). The dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Modi has made a remarkable turnaround, compelling even the World Bank to laud Indias progress under his leadership ahead of the G20 Leaders Summit underway in New Delhi.

The 2024 Lok Sabha elections will decide if the people of India want to keep soaring upwards or take a U-turn and return to stagnation and poverty. That apart, the moot question is: when will the western economists see the two galloping horses on the horizon, China and India? Has the time not come to rewrite terms like developed and developing, and replace them with disintegrating economies and galloping economies?

(The writer is a retired officer of the IRS and the former director-general of the National Academy of Customs, Indirect Taxes & Narcotics. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views)
Dharayate iti dharma  that which sustains is dharma. Essentially dharma (pronounced dharm) lends itself to different meanings and inferences. But, at its core, dharma means that which is the true nature of a being. It then extends from individual into inter-personal, social and societal dimensions. Hence, dharma finds its interpretations in duty, righteousness, character etc. Its simple and complex at the same time.

In every form or interpretation, however, dharma seeks to uphold and sustain. It is the process by which the most evolved living being on Earth  humans  can achieve their true potential and aim for a higher consciousness. If everyone did their duty, were truthful and practised righteousness, human society would reach the pinnacle of existence. So, what is the true nature of a human being?

As a student of the Bhagavad Gita, I will endeavour to stick to the instructions of Bhagavan Shri Krsna. They were delivered in the middle of a battlefield to one of the foremost among nara (human beings), Arjun  a learned warrior who had mastered the most advanced warcraft, sciences, conquered sleep, was ambidextrous, all in all a superhuman  by the Supreme Personality of Godhead Shri Krsna, who was 89 years old at the time but did not look a day older than 20. He had come down from the highest dimension (thats what avatar means) to reinstall dharma (Dharma sansthapanaya sambhavami yuge yuge).

Krsna was born a prince, grew up as a cowherd and delivered the Gita as the charioteer to Arjun. His life on Earth shows that varna was purely based on ability and action and not by birth. In Chapter 4, Krsna says: Catur varnam maya sristham guna karma vibhagasaha, which translates to, The four varnas are my creation based on the guna (ability) and karma (action).

Hence, the varna-shrama, which is being wrongly criticised and attacked in the current day, is a system based purely on ability and action and not by birth. All the characters in the Mahabharata were named and referred to by their actions and their ability and not by their birth. Yes, there were references to their parents or lineage but their varna was defined by their action and ability.

We make such references today as well. An IT professional is a techie, one in media is a journalist, in police a cop. In our academic format, those with a higher intellect are encouraged to pursue the sciences, those with skill are encouraged to do vocational work, those with an aptitude for book-keeping or accounts or trade enter business while those with poor intellect and ability end up doing menial jobs. Its a reality all around us. It was the same more than 5,000 years ago. Only then, society referred to them by their varna and not by their caste.

Interestingly, all the characters in Mahabharata and Ramayana are addressed by the first name (there is no surname, which is a colonial concept). The caste, by the way, is a foreign insertion into the Bharatiya way of life. Caste originates from the Portuguese word casta. And this elitist concept that formally qualified people by birth was further cemented by the colonisers. They did it purely because they couldnt understand the Bharatiya societal system and the Hindu way of life.

Bharata Desham had the Bhagavad Gita and other scriptures, knowledge of the ancients to guide it all along. The colonisers didnt. They not only corrupted the system, they also burnt down important texts that listed the guiding principles. The Bhagavad Gita, however, like many other scriptures was preserved.

The Bhagavad Gita, meaning the song of God, outlines the principles of dharma for humanity. It is the summary of all knowledge that was sung by Krsna in the battlefield, heard by Arjun, Sanjaya, Dhritharashtra, Bhishma and Vyasadeva. It was written down by Krishna Dwaipayana Vyasa who taught it to Vaishampayana and, thereafter, handed down over eons from acharya to shishya in a knowledge-sharing continuum.

Early on in the Gita, Krsna says this knowledge was shared by him first to Vivasvan at the beginning of human society and, thereafter, it was passed on. This Rahasyam hy etad uttamam (most confidential knowledge from BG 4.3), which was supposed to be passed by a chain of the guru-shishya parampara was lost as the chain of transfer was broken.

Krsna says he is only reviving the chain by sharing this knowledge with Arjun as he is his friend, disciple and a trusted intellectual being elevated in consciousness. So Bhagavan in the Gita establishes clearly that this most confidential yoga (or knowledge union of the human to the divine) is not something new. It has been there since the beginning of time and continues to exist. So, this knowledge and instruction by its own nature is Sanatan (eternal and continuous). Krsna then says he descends on this planet each time this knowledge is lost and humanity is in the throes of adharm. Whenever the forces inimical to dharma (Dharmasya glanir bhavati from BG 4.7) start assuming dominance, I descend to restore balance and to re-establish the Sanatan Dharm continuum.

Krsna, upon being questioned by a disillusioned Arjun, goes on to explain what the core principles of dharma are, which a human being must practise and aspire to imbibe so that they rise above the mundane and gain a higher consciousness that brings them closer to the Supreme Bhagavan.

The six pillars of dharma are: truthfulness, compassion, austerity, cleanliness, charity, and spiritual education. The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: fearlessness; purification of ones existence; cultivation of spiritual knowledge; charity; self-control; performance of sacrifice; study of the Vedas; austerity; simplicity; non-violence; truthfulness; freedom from anger; renunciation; tranquility; aversion to faultfinding; compassion for all living entities; freedom from covetousness; gentleness; modesty; steady determination; vigour; forgiveness; fortitude; cleanliness; and freedom from envy as well as from the passion for honour  these transcendental qualities, O Son of Bharata, belong to godly men endowed with divine nature. (BG 16.1-3)

Are any of these qualities undesirable, predatory or discriminatory? Shouldnt all of humanity aspire to imbibe these qualities?

Krsna further elucidates that the sole purpose of a human being is service, that too with devotion. This message ties back to the core dharma of a jiva tattva  to serve the purpose of its creator, the divine supreme from whom all emerges and into whom all converges.

Krsna elucidates that while the body perishes that atma (jiva tattva) lives on and continues on its quest to eventually unite from where it originated (param-atma or Krsna himself).

My limited and simple understanding of a complex text, which has many scientific, philosophical and Daivic layers, lead me to believe that it is human beings that have corrupted an eternal system of sustenance. Sadly, those that have chosen to deviate from the Sanatan path and choose another are busy defaming it.

Even there Krsna says in the Gita that it is important that the jiva has faith. Wherever, whoever the jiva has faith or devotion in for whatever material benefit, I place the faith in that devata. But, know Arjun that all these devatas are but part manifestations of me. Eventually, it all comes back to me. Mamaivamsho jeeva loke jeeva bhutah sanatana (BG 15.7).

As Arjun finds his doubts dispelled and his purpose revealed, he accepts Krsna as the maintainer of the eternal dharma, or Sanatan Dharma (BG 11.18). And, that is why, Krsna says Sarva dharman parityajya mam ekam sharanam vraja, which translates to Give up all other duties/desires/faith, just commit yourself unto me, my service, Aham tvam sarva papebhyo moksha ishyami ma sucha (I will deliver you from all bad karma and grant you moksha, which means free your atma from this cycle of material existence  BG 18.66).

The beauty of Sanatan Dharma is that it allows all forms of faith and manifestation. Yet, it continues. Yet, it prevails. Yet, it is eternal. Those who want to eradicate Sanatan Dharma will perish soon in this cycle of their life but their atma will enter another form as that is the Sanatan law mandated by Bhagavan. However, their actions (karma) in this life will be the residue that the atma carries into its next. Their karma will determine whether the atma that resides in their body rises to a higher plane or slips in the mortal order.

Dharma eva hato hanti/dharmo rakshati rakshitah, which means dharma protects those who protect it and destroys those who try to destroy it.

(Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views)
Global turmoil, ever since the virus leaked from Wuhan, has only become more unprecedented with our world reeling under health duress, economic stress and a more protectionist ethos revolving around it. China has been at the centre of the storm for the Covid pandemic, unfair trade practices, trying to push for expansionist projects, threatening Taiwan, taking up cudgels with India and even sniffing Russia precariously. It has also antagonised the US to the extent that China Plus One strategy has become a reality with businesses looking at countries beyond China and the trust deficit is exponentially increasing with many countries in NATO, the EU and countries nearer to us like Sri Lanka, Nepal and others.

While China played its devious cards a bit too early to compete with the US economically and militarily and has been burning bridges across the globe, Bharat on the other hand, has been building bridges through soft diplomacy, hard calls against terrorism and unfair practices and has silently become a Vishwa Guru, while appealing to Global South, African Union and countries that are Special Invitees to the G20 Summit at New Delhi.

Endeavours of Bharat have curtailed the flow of finance into Pakistan and China had to spend more to support its lapdog through the last few years with no visible gains. The misadventure at Galwan and threats to the sovereignty of Taiwan, Philippines, Malaysia and others have caused geopolitical isolation for China and in an era where war might not be feasible, the reaction from Bharat, militarily during Galwan and thereafter and also sustained infrastructure development and relocation of forces from LoC and mechanised formations in hinterland to LAC has caused much unease to the Dragon.

While most Heads of State will be gracing the G20 Summit, Xi has decided to send Chinese Premier Li Qiang and speculations are abuzz for what could be the reasons other than embarrassing Modi? Well if it is truly about embarrassment then the absence of Xi actually prevents him from the embarrassment that he envisages. It is a G20 Summit that he misses, at the peril of China, as multilateralism will elude China in years ahead, as Bharat takes on the mantle to lead nearly 4.5 billion of the world through a collective developmental approach; truly enshrined in Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam.

Xi might not be in Delhi due to many reasons but the seven sins of Xi could be encapsulated to be:

Reduced clout in global affairs, as China has made more enemies in the last 4 years and has been unable to bring large projects in other countries to fructification. Truly the trust is declining. Expects backlash during engagements at the Summit from other countries including the African Union and will not be able to contribute towards consensus, as a leader, to issues where China has been found wanting. The inability to agree to fairer trade norms is a handicap that China is aware of as it has manipulated the WTO and many multilateral organisations in its rise to the current economic stature and Xi doesnt want to be pointed out directly by a group of other countries. Internal turmoil has grown in China and there is much unrest, even after quelling of it in the last wave of the Covid pandemic and rebuke from within the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has emerged recently. Solidarity with Russia is something Xi has in the equation and while Russian President Vladimir Putin has personally called Prime Minister Modi to explain the reasons, as Russia is being boycotted by the West, Xi lacks the maturity, capability and intent to do so for now. Global South and the African Union are being positively steered by G20 Presidency and inclusion will add to the stature of Bharat as well, as right through this year, Bharat has reached out to seek suggestions for matters to be taken up during G20 events; 200 of which have happened over 60 cities in Bharat over the last year. Recent backlash on maps by others, including Russia and the fear that Xi will be pulled into a bilateral by US President Joe Biden or, a group for multilateral talks on the sideline.

Xi Jinping missing the G20 Summit; one which promises to make many promises for global good, is a sign that he is not inclined and China is not prepared to be a part of the collective endeavours of the world and is selfish in intent for growth.

The G20 Summit in Delhi is a Moment for Bharat to lead and heal the world and Xi will not be missed.

Colonel Rohit Dev, a 2nd Generation Army Officer, is an Adjunct Professor at the Rashtriya Raksha University, a Geo-political Analyst and a Primetime TV personality. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views.
In a serendipitous exhortation on September 3, RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat, in an epiphanic elucidation, entreated the citizenry, advocating for the nomenclature Bharat as opposed to the anglicised India. He emphasised, The name of the country, Bharat, will remain Bharat wherever you go in the world. Just two days after this proclamation, an invitation from the President of Bharat took social media by storm, setting off a whirlwind of political dialectic. This sudden move sparked speculation in the political corridor about a potential renaming of the nation, especially against the backdrop of the G20 summit. The ensuing controversy saw the BJP and the fragmented Opposition trading blows. The I.N.D.I.A. alliance countered by pressing that the BJP government is considering renaming the nation simply because of their alliance name.

Revisiting the nomenclature in the Constitution

The Constitution of India, uniquely imbued with both India and Bharat in its commencement, serves as a testament to the nations history and identity. This duality wasnt merely a whim but a culmination of fervent constituent assembly debates, tracing back to November 17, 1948, which sought to crystallise the nations appellation. The Constituent Assembly resonated with voices championing the names indigenous essence. Hari Vishnu Kamath and Hargovind Pant stood out, advocating for Bharat and highlighting the lingering colonial connotations of India. Pant, in particular, emphasised the genuine aspiration of the people for an identity untarnished by foreign imposition. As Dr. B.R. Ambedkar astutely summarised, the contention wasnt against Bharat but its juxtaposition with India. Through these deliberations, the dichotomy of Bharat and India emergedthe former was rooted in the illustrious annals of Puranic literature and the epics of Ramayana and Mahabharata, while the latter was reminiscent of our colonial past. The Puranas portrayed Bharata as a vast realm stretching between the southern seas and the northern snowy peaks. Catherine Clementin-Ojha articulated Bharata as more than just geographical territory; it epitomised a socio-cultural entity. The name echoed through history, from the legend of King Bharata, the progenitor of the Rig Vedic Bharatas, to Nehrus writings emphasising the timeless unity of Bharata. Yet, as time progressed, the Mughal dynasty adopted Hindustan to represent the Indo-Gangetic plains, and by the late 18th century, the term India, aided by colonial influences, began to overshadow Hindustan. Historian Ia J. Barrow argued that this shift encapsulated a changing perspective on the subcontinents identity.

As a nation-state reborn in 1947, we surged forward with vigour but faced a palpable voida lack of a unifying language, which inadvertently weakened our connection to our storied past. In this light, it is not just a matter of pride but a duty of a self-respecting society to reinstate names like Bharat, reconnecting us with our heritage and strengthening our national identity. The transition from Bharat to India is emblematic of the nations multi-faceted identity, interwoven with its colonial legacy and its endeavour towards an indigenous renaissance.

The Dharmic rubric of Bharat is the essence of our civilisation and culture. That we are outwardly looking, non-aggressive, progressive, pluralistic, tolerant, responsible, and democratic has been inveterately ingrained in our DNA since time immemorial. The roots of democracy can be traced as early as the 4th century. The stone inscriptions of Thanjavur are a living testimonial of the same. As former Union Minister, the late Anil Madhav Dave, noted in his seminal work, Shivaji and Suraj, in the midst of our national evolution, there emerges a pressing dialogue about embracing our ancestral roots, symbolised powerfully in the name Bharat. He further goes on to say, There are some in our progressive society who may question the merit of reverting to ancient names for places and cities. However, one cannot overlook the profound wisdom embedded in our traditional linguistic science, which posits that a name, composed of specific syllables, is not just an identifier but a reflection of the Supreme One.

PM Modis Crusade Against Colonial Vestiges

From its inception, the Modi administration has been assiduously labouring to purge what they term the relics of British dominion and emancipate the nation from its colonial baggage. The venerated PM Modi accentuated this trajectory by heralding decolonisation as a cardinal tenet of the Panchpraan from the ramparts of the Red Fort on August 15, 2022. Aligned with this ethos, the state embarked on a series of nomenclatural metamorphoses. These efforts also include renaming roads and buildings related to both Indias Mughal and colonial pasts. A case in point is the 2022 appellation overhaul of Rajpath, erstwhile Kingsway, to Kartavya Path. A similar transmogrification was witnessed in 2018 in the Andaman and Nicobar archipelago, wherein three Indian islands named after British rulers were renamed to erase the sign of slavery. Also, the cartographic representation of Akhand Bharat in the nascent parliamentary edifice is emblematic of these exertions.

The use of Bharat on the G20 invites didnt go unnoticed and has raised eyebrows among Opposition leaders. However, the Modi governments track record has demonstrated a blend of modern pragmatism and cultural heritage. Initiatives like Ayushman Bharat, Swachh Bharat Mission, and Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyaan have witnessed unprecedented success, while Modi named his top-of-the-breed initiatives Start-up India and Make in India, thereby displaying pragmatism when dealing with non-Indian stakeholders from time to time. Its puzzling why the Opposition overlooks the nations legacy.

The enigma persists as to the Oppositions myopia towards our national patrimony. Article 1 of the Constitution clarifies India is Bharat. Moreover, former PM Jawaharlal Nehru, despite conventional norms, awarded himself the title of Bharat Ratna. The Congress has often championed Nehru for the inception of PSUs like BHEL (Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited) and Bharat Petroleum. More recently, a communethat now flaks the purported change, which is not even official yetwhile expressing scorn for the name Bharat, was busy then tomtoming about the Bharat Jodo Yatra. If they harbour reservations about the name Bharat, their choices seem incongruous. Even a cursory Google search of Bharatiya Reserve Bank points towards the RBI. Further, one must ponder if the I.N.D.I.A. alliance endorses Bharat Bhagya Vidhata in our national anthem or not! An archaic verse from the sacrosanct Vishnu Purana encapsulates the sentiment:

     |        ||

This translates to, The country that lies north of the oceans and south of the snowy mountains is called Bharata, for there dwell the descendants of Bharata. Bharata is the land of works, in consequence of which men go to heaven or obtain emancipation.

Final Reflections

The renaming of the topic prompts a question: Why did the UPA decide to rebrand as the I.N.D.I.A alliance if renaming is so unnecessary in the first place? Perhaps we must explore the reason behind the fact that a Britisher named A. O. Hume founded the Indian National Congress while India wasnt a free nation. Does the Indian National Congress not agree with our nations heritage, or are they just opposing the ruling party regardless of the issue, like in the past? Well, the discussion doesnt seem limited to the Indian National Congress vs. the Bharatiya Janata Party. Should a nation with a millennia-spanning history adhere to a name designated by foreigners, or should it seek to embrace and reclaim its ancient glory? As V.S. Naipaul delineated the issue, India is a wounded civilisation, and Bharat, as they say and document, has been the golden bird, contributing a third of the worlds economy from 3000 BCE to around the 10th century AD. India came into existence after the British, but Bharat has been here since time immemorial and will be here till the end of eternity.

Yuvraj Pokharna is an independent journalist and columnist. He tweets with @iyuvrajpokharna. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views.
As India celebrates the New Delhi declaration over a grand G20 banquet hosted by the President of Bharat, the vacant chairs reflect the discord between the government and Congress. Congress chief ministers have skipped the banquet though they dont want to call it that.

This is because having accused the Bharatiya Janata Party of disrespecting a tribal President due to her absence at the inauguration of the new Parliament building, the Congress cannot afford to boycott the banquet. Hence, the partys CMs are accusing the home ministry of blocking air traffic.

The reason the Congress is angry is because the partys president who is also the leader of the opposition in the Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, has not been given an invitation for the banquet. The Congress has called it petty and small.

But government sources say, former Prime Ministers and chief ministers have been extended an invite. The BJP has also asked why Kharge did not attend the August 15 event at Red Fort despite the fact that he was invited.

MISSED CHANCE OR FAUX PAS?

This brings us to the question  does the Congress commit bloopers during high-profile foreign visits of the PM and events like the G20 summit?

For example, this time Rahul Gandhi is on a three-nation tour to Norway, France, and Belgium. On the first day of the G20 summit, as dignitaries began to pour into Delhi, Rahul Gandhi accused the government of being undemocratic and not doing enough on Manipur. This has invited criticism that he runs down the image of the country abroad when high-profile leaders are in town.

SOCIAL MEDIA STORM

It didnt just stop at this. Even as the summit meetings are on, Congresss social media team is viral with attacks on the PM. Some of the posts on social media site X made fun of the fact that silverware was being used during the presidential banquet. One allegedly released a doctored clip of the PM. Some raised the Adani issue, taunting the One Nation, One Future slogan of the summit. Another showed the Congresss past attendance at the previous summits.

While the rest of the opposition parties, especially the INDIA front, have preferred to remain silent or reticent, aware that it could give the BJP a narrative against them, the Congress has walked into a trap. Again.
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday termed as wrong Congress Party chief Mallikarjun Kharge not being invited to the G20 gala dinner in Delhi.

He also said, he will not be attending the dinner due to prior work commitments.

President Droupadi Murmu will host the dinner today at Bharat Mandapam, the venue for the G20 Summit of world leaders in New Delhi.

He (Kharge) is not only the Congress President, he is the leader of opposition in the upper house (Rajya Sabha). According to me he should have been invited, not inviting him is wrong, Siddaramaiah told reporters in Hubballi.

Asked whether he will be attending the dinner, he said, no, I will not be able to go, as have some other work commitments. Though Kharge and other opposition leaders were not invited to the dinner, Union Ministers and Chief Ministers, including that of states ruled by opposition parties, have received invites.
A day after West Bengal Education Minister Bratya Basu accused him of trying to destroy the higher education system in the state and running a puppet regime in universities, Governor C V Ananda Bose on Saturday warned of much bigger action at midnight.

Wait for the stroke of midnight today. You will see what is the action, Bose told reporters on the sidelines of a programme in Kolkata.

Minutes after Boses comment, Basu, without naming the governor, mocked him by calling him the new vampire in town and cautioned the people to beware of him.

See till midnight, see the action BEWARE! BEWARE! BEWARE! New Vampire in the town! Citizens please watch yourselves. Eagerly waiting for the Rakkhas Prahar (monster prahar), according to Indian Mythology!, Basu posted on X.

In the continuing war of words between the West Bengal government and the Raj Bhavan over the appointment of interim vice-chancellors in universities, Basu had on Friday accused the governor of trying to destroy the higher education system in the state.

The minister also charged the governor, who is the chancellor of state-run universities, with running a puppet regime in the varsities and threatening registrars not to hold meetings with the higher education department.

The honourable governor wants to run a puppet regime by appointing people according to his whims to satisfy someones ego. He is making a constant effort to dismantle the higher education system, Basu said.

The West Bengal Educationists Forum, in a statement, described Boses comment on midnight action as threats.

It is unfortunate to witness the chancellor blaring out threats of staging a midnight drama of revenge against the educationists and the officials and functionaries of the state higher education department, the statement said.

Notably, state Chief Secretary HK Dwivedi on Saturday met the governor at the Raj Bhavan in the evening.

According to sources in the Raj Bhavan, Dwivedi called on Bose around 5.20 PM and the meeting lasted nearly an hour.

The topic of the meeting, however, was not disclosed by either the state government or there was any official statement from the governors office.

The governor, in his capacity as the chancellor of state-run universities, has recently appointed interim vice-chancellors for eight varsities, including the prestigious Presidency University, MAKAUT and the University of Burdwan, a step which was severely criticised by the chief minister as a bid to interfere with the running of state-administered universities.

Sources said the interim vice-chancellors of eight other universities have also been finalised and appointment letters will be issued soon.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 9. The illegal activity called "presidential elections" of the separatist regime in Azerbaijan's Karabakh region is a gross violation of the Constitution, laws of Azerbaijan, and norms and principles of international law, Azerbaijan's Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov said during a phone talk with the US Acting Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Yuri Kim, Trend reports.

He noted that this activity deals a serious blow to efforts to normalize relations in the region and the process of reintegrating the Armenian residents of Karabakh.

The minister emphasized the need of the unconditional and complete withdrawal of the Armenian armed forces, which haven't yet been withdrawn from Azerbaijani territories despite Armenia's commitments

The minister stressed the need for the unconditional and complete withdrawal of Armenian armed forces from the Karabakh region of Azerbaijan [under the trilateral statement signed by Azerbaijani, Armenian and Russian leaders following the 2020 second Karabakh war] and the dissolution of the so-called regime.

He called for a resolute condemnation of this illegal activity carried out on Azerbaijani territory under the name of "elections," in accordance with obligations under international law.

Earlier, EU Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Turkiye and Moldova have denounced the so-called "elections" held by the separatist regime in Karabakh.

The Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry has called on the international community to strongly condemn these "elections", noting that "holding the so-called elections once again clearly shows that Armenia and the puppet regime created by it, which have taken steps to maintain the status quo and continue its occupation policy, are not really interested in the peace process, on the contrary, have taken the path of provocation and escalating the situation.
Google has shared not one but two good news for consumers in India this week. The company officially shared the teaser for the Pixel 8 series launch in the country, and now it has also given us a positive news on the launch of Pixel Watch 2 in India.

Thats right, the second-gen Pixel Watch will be the first Pixel smartwatch to launch in the country. The official teaser here not only gives a glimpse into the Pixel Watch 2 but also gives us the launch date for the smartwatch in India, and where it will be available.

Google Pixel Watch 2 India Launch Date And Availability

Google Pixel Watch 2 will be globally unveiled at the Pixel 8 series launch event in New York City on October 4. And the Google India teaser suggests that Pixel Watch 2 will be unveiled for the Indian consumers on October 5, which is likely to be midnight in Indian time.

Worth every minute of the wait Meet the all-new #PixelWatch 2 on 5th October.Available exclusively on @Flipkart pic.twitter.com/PB5rUXi0WY  Google India (@GoogleIndia) September 8, 2023

Google continues to rely on Flipkart as its exclusive partner for the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro phones. The Pixel Watch 2 will also be available through the platform in the country.

Google Pixel Watch 2 Specifications

The Pixel Watch 2 is expected to launch in both Wi-Fi and LTE variants. The new Pixel Watch is likely to use the Snapdragon W5 Gen 1 chip which should provide longer battery life compared to the first-gen Pixel Watch. Google could go with a 1.2-inch OLED display this time around and support ultrawide-band (UWB) which provides improved connectivity for the wearable.

But all the bets on the Pixel Watch 2 will be thrust on the Wear OS 4.0 version based on Android 13. The new version should deliver better battery life and a host of features that makes the Android smartwatch an appealing option. Google will hopefully have the Pixel Watch 2 priced in the sub-Rs 30,000 segment, giving the brand a chance to compete with Samsung Galaxy Watch series and Apple Watch Series.
As India geared up for the much-anticipated G20 Summit here in the capital over the weekend, researchers from homegrown cyber-security company CloudSEK has uncovered a plan by multiple hacktivist groups from Pakistan and Indonesia to launch cyber attacks on India.

CloudSEKs contextual AI digital risk platform, XVigil, observed that the governments digital infrastructure is the primary target of hacktivists.

This orchestrated campaign, known as #OpIndia, is motivated by a complex web of political factors, with many attacks seen as retaliatory strikes in the ongoing hacktivist warfare between nations. The primary attack methods anticipated in this campaign are Mass Defacement and DDoS (distributed denial of service) attacks, the researchers noted.

The ominous call for action was sounded on September 7, when Team Herox, a hacktivist group, issued a message on encrypted messaging platform Telegram.

They sought support from fellow hacktivist organisations to join forces for a series of attacks scheduled for September 9-10, aligning perfectly with the G20 summits timeline, the researchers informed.

The hacktivist groups have been plotting cyberattacks on both public and private Indian organisations in the past, with tactics ranging from DDoS attacks to compromised account takeovers and data breaches.

These hacktivists consistently exploit significant political events like the G20 Summit to gain visibility, making the governments digital infrastructure a prime objective. The coordinated efforts by hacktivist groups from Pakistan and Indonesia to target Indias G20 Summit with planned cyberattacks are a stark reminder of the digital threats nations face, said Darshit Ashara, Head of Security Research and Threat Intelligence at CloudSEK.

The researchers highlighted a similar insight into a recent hacktivist campaign that targeted over 1,000 Indian websites as part of their Independence Day campaign in August.

The campaign, orchestrated by hacktivist groups from various countries, utilised tactics such as DDoS attacks, defacement attacks, and user account takeovers, echoing the patterns previously highlighted in CloudSEKs hacktivists warfare report.

The report also reveals a significant spike in hacktivist attacks during the first quarter of 2023 with India emerging as the primary focus of attacks.

Our mission is to stay ahead of these evolving risks and empower organisations and individuals to fortify their digital defenses, Ashara added. CloudSEK urged organisations and authorities to remain vigilant and bolster their cybersecurity measures to thwart these malicious activities.
Making judgments seems to be a common trait among Desis, and it occurs frequently and in various situations. While these judgments are often controversial, one particularly interesting aspect of their judgmental tendencies is their obsession with assessing the taste of their beloved chai based on its colour. Before taking a sip, they carefully observe the hue of the tea and make assumptions about its flavour. Its almost as if their sixth sense kicks in at that moment. And when the colour of their Kadak Chai doesnt meet their expectations, Desis cant help but criticise it relentlessly. After all, they dont like to tamper with this beverage that flows through the minds and hearts of every Indian.

So, when a Redditor shared a photo of enjoying sweets with tea, Desis couldnt resist expressing their disapproval at the Chais light colour.

In a Reddit post under the IndianFoodPhotos subreddit, a user named VideoBeast666 shared a picture with the caption, American Bro enjoying some Tea & sweets in India (balushahi & peda with homemade tea).

Well, it remains a bit unclear whether the term American Bro refers to the poster himself or his American friend. Nevertheless, alongside this post was a picture depicting a steel box filled with Balushahi (an Indian sweet resembling a glazed doughnut but with distinct texture and taste) and Peda (thick, semi-soft round Indian sweets) accompanied by a cup of tea.

Check it Out:

One user couldnt resist commenting, Thats just milk, while another boldly declared, That is the ugliest looking tea Ive ever seen. Bros drinking straight up milk and saying its tea. However, the photo also provoked discussions about the unusual combination of consuming sweets with chai. A user chimed in, Thats not how it works, you have tea with something crunchy/salty/Savory, NOT SWEET, coz tea is already sweet, maybe try rusks, khaari (puff pastry), jeera butter, or simple Monaco biscuits.

Nonetheless, the original poster felt compelled to defend the criticised comments and eventually resorted to clarifying matters in another Reddit post. They wrote, My response to those who insulted my tea, I HAVE PROOF THE FLASH WAS THE REASON IT LOOKED LIGHTER, SEE HERE, A PICTURE WITHOUT FLASH (SAME sweets & tea). Im a chef, I know very well how to make tea! Im also a photographer, so Im telling you it was the flash!!

Expanding on the combination of sweets and tea, the Redditor explained, Second off, barfi and tea and mithai with Tea is how it is always served in the Doaba Punjab Himalayan Himachal Regions. Thats how we serve ours, as many of you know each state has their own methods for making food.

Also Read: Dum Ki Chai Recipe Video Disgusts Internet and No One Wants to Take a Sip

The Reddit post eventually gained viral attention, accumulating over 300 upvotes.
US President Joe Biden arrived on Friday night for the G20 Summit in Delhi. The national capital is in celebration mode. Its not just the capital city thats celebrating, Padma Shri awardee and renowned artist Sudarshan Pattnaik has created a wonderful sand art at Puri beach in Odisha to extend a unique welcome to US President Joe Biden. Using approximately two thousand diyas, Pattnaik has created sand art that has been receiving praise from social media users. Amid discussions surrounding India and Bharat, the artist wrote, Welcome to Bharat. He has also added the official logo of the grand summit.

The complex sculpture required approximately five tonnes of sand and it was created by Pattnaik and his students from Pattnaiks Sand Art Institute. Sharing the video, Pattnaik wrote, My sand sculpture at Puri beach by using 2000 diyas to welcome the US president.

The White House earlier confirmed that President Joe Biden will follow all COVID-19 guidelines during his visit to India for the G20 Summit.

Biden and the US delegation are staying at the ITC Maurya Sheraton in Chanakyapuri for the two-day event. For the security and convenience, his secret service team and secret commandos have been positioned on every floor of the hotel. Approximately 400 rooms have been reserved at the hotel. Additionally, a special elevator has been installed to ensure easy access for President Biden to his room on the 14th floor.

Leaders from various member countries, including the US, UK, Australia, Japan, Germany, South Korea, Canada, France, South Africa, and Turkey have participated in the G20 Summit. However, China, Russia, Spain and Mexico, have opted not to attend for various reasons.

India has also invited leaders from non-member countries, these nations including Bangladesh, Netherlands, Nigeria, Egypt, Mauritius, Oman, Singapore, Spain and the United Arab Emirates.

Prior to the commencement of the G20 Summit in New Delhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a bilateral meeting at Lok Kalyan Marg. PM Modi held meetings with US President Joe Biden, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, and Mauritius Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth.
Police in Arizona, USA are currently conducting an investigation following a shocking discovery at a local store. On September 5, a human skull was found among donated items at the Goodwill store located near Sarival Avenue and Yuma Road. Thankfully, Goodwill staff acted quickly, as they called the police without wasting any time. A photo provided by the police shows the skull covered in dark black spots, with upper front teeth and a false eye placed on the left side. The store staff reported the donation to the Goodyear Police Department and theyre fully cooperating with their ongoing inquiry. Surprisingly, the investigation has revealed that the skull is historic and is not connected to any criminal activity.

In a statement, Lisa Berry, the Public Information Officer stated, When police arrived on the scene, they did discover that there was indeed what appeared to be a human skull and so upon further investigation, they determined they would send it off to the medical examiners office to be further examined. We did speak with the examiners, they did confirm that it is in fact a human skull but at this point and this is preliminary. It appears to be historic, ancient and does not appear to have any forensic value at all and what that means is that no crime is really attached to this skull.

Sharing the post on Instagram, the officials wrote, Goodyear Police responded and took possession, transporting it to the Maricopa County Medical Examiners Office for further investigation. Thank you to Goodwill employees who took action and reported this to police.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Goodyear Police (@goodyearpolice)

Following the discovery of the human skull, the news garnered attention on social media. Some individuals made jokes about the unusual find, while others found the situation disturbing.

A user wrote, Wow. I wonder if the people that donated the skull even knew if it was real?

They really tried to cover it up with a fake eye, a comment read.

Another wrote, Nah, this is a solution to a cold case.

One more added, Wow. Im so glad I didnt find that. Eewww factor 1000.

In a discussion with ABC15, Lisa Berry highlighted the uniqueness of this situation. She explained that the human skull in question never reached the sales floor at the Goodwill store. Instead, it was discovered inside a donation box alongside other taxidermy items. Berry praised Goodwill for taking the appropriate steps by immediately reporting anything suspicious.
Rishi Sunak arrived in Delhi on Friday for the G20 summit. Many images that have emerged show the UK PM with his wife Akshata Murty. Amid all the images that have surfaced, CEO and co-founder of boAt, Aman Gupta, took to Instagram and shared another image of Sunak. In the image, he can be seen interacting with Indian students. The photo is special for Gupta as Sunak is seen wearing a pair of boAt headphones.

Also Read: Rishi Sunak And Akshata Murty Had a Low-Key Date Night At This Delhi Restaurant

The image was originally shared by Sunak. Aman reshared that image and wrote, Bharat mein aapka boAt boAt Swaagat. The post was shared 18 hours ago and has garnered over 93K likes.

Aur Janab Kiya Chal Raha Hai, Hindustan Me To BoAt Chal Raha hai, commented an Instagram user. Another person wrote, BoAt accha free main promotion.

Meanwhile, as per several reports, Sunak, along with his wife Akshata Murty opted for a low-key dinner date on Friday night. As per the Telegraph UK, Sunak had planned to hold talks with PM Modi at his official residence in central Delhi on Friday afternoon. However, the meeting was called off early. Instead, PM Modi held a dinner at his residence for US President Joe Biden on Friday evening.

Also Read: Lion in Kenya Steals GoPro Camera and Gives Never-seen-before POV in Viral Video

Another plan for Sunak and Murty on Friday evening was also canceled due to extensive traffic curbs. After the couple could not proceed with any such arrangement, they opted for a private dinner in Lutyens Delhi. The couple is staying at the five-star Shangri-La Hotel and they walked to a nearby restaurant for dinner on Friday night.
An incident of ATM robbery has been reported from the Beed district of Maharashtra. It happened after two masked men tried looting the machine using their car. The entire incident was captured on a CCTV camera and the video is now doing rounds on social media. The attempt, however, was unsuccessful as the police arrived at the spot and took charge of the matter. According to reports, the incident took place on the night of September 6 at around 3 am.

Also Read: Mumbai Man Performs Dangerous Stunts on Local Train, Police Responds to Viral Video New

Both the thieves somehow uprooted the ATM machine belonging to Maharashtra Bank using a car in the Yelambaghata area of Maharashtra. The thieves tried to flee upon seeing the police arriving at the spot. However, on the basis of the CCTV footage, the police launched a search operation to locate the culprits.

Here, have a look at the viral video:

Fast & Furious dekhne ke baad car se ATM tod rahe  pic.twitter.com/XRahj82svw Raja Babu (@GaurangBhardwa1) September 8, 2023

The robbery was inspired from the popular Hollywood movie Fast & Furious. It showcased a similar scene involving the stealing of a bank vault.

Also Read: SRK Fans Celebrate Kings Iconic Bollywood Dialogues After Jawan Rules Hearts Across India

Meanwhile, earlier, in another strange incident, two individuals, who were reportedly intoxicated, approached a couple on the streets of Delhi with the intention of robbing them. The viral video showed two assailants on a motorcycle attempting to rob the couple at gunpoint. One of the robbers proceeds to search the mans pockets. However, to their surprise, the robbers discovered that the couple had nothing except a Rs 20 note. After seeing this, the robbers handed over a Rs 100 note to them.
The death toll for the Morocco earthquake has risen to 1,037, with 1,204 people injured, state-run TV station said as it updated an earlier toll of more than 800. Among the injured 205 are in critical condition, the interior ministry said, after the late-Friday quake that measured 6.8, making it Moroccos strongest ever recorded.

The United States Geological Survey (USGS) said that this was the strongest tremor to hit that part of the North African nation in more than a century. The quake hit 71 kilometres southwest of Marrakesh at a depth of 18.5 kilometers at 11:11 pm (local time). The earthquake was also felt in the coastal cities of Rabat, Casablanca and Essaouira.

The Royal Moroccan Armed Forces said that residents were still vulnerable to aftershocks. We remind you of the need to exercise caution and take safety measures due to the risk of aftershocks, the military wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.

On Saturday, messages of support began to roll in from around the world on Saturday. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz posted condolences on X. A UN spokesperson said that the United Nations is ready to assist the government of Morocco in its efforts to assist the impacted population.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was the first to express his deep sorrow for the lives lost due to the devastating earthquake. He conveyed his condolences to the affected families and offered his thoughts and support to the people of the North African country during this tragic time.

Extremely pained by the loss of lives due to an earthquake in Morocco. In this tragic hour, my thoughts are with the people of Morocco. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. May the injured recover at the earliest. India is ready to offer all possible assistance to Morocco in this difficult time, PM Modi wrote on X.

Extremely pained by the loss of lives due to an earthquake in Morocco. In this tragic hour, my thoughts are with the people of Morocco. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. May the injured recover at the earliest. India is ready to offer all possible assistance to Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 9, 2023

Morocco experiences frequent earthquakes in its northern region due to its position between the African and Eurasian plates. In 1960, a magnitude 5.8 tremor struck near the Moroccan city of Agadir and caused thousands of deaths. The Agadir quake prompted changes in construction rules in Morocco, but many buildings, especially rural homes, are not built to withstand such tremors. In 2004, a 6.4 magnitude earthquake near the Mediterranean coastal city of Al Hoceima left more than 600 dead. Fridays quake was felt as far away as Portugal and Algeria

(With agency inputs)
Urging world leaders at the G20 Summit to overcome the trust deficit caused by conflict, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said this is the time for all the countries to move together with the mantra of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas.

Addressing the inaugural session of G20 at Bharat Mandapam here, PM Modi said, After Covid-19, a huge crisis of lack of trust has come in the world. Conflict has deepened this trust deficit. Just as we can overcome COVID, we can also overcome this crisis of mutual trust. While the Prime Minister addressed the need to resolve mutual conflicts, he refrained from explicitly mentioning the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.

Today, as the President of the G-20, India invites the entire world to come together and, first and foremost, transform this Global Trust Deficit into global trust and confidence. This is a time for all of us to walk together, and the mantra of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, and Sabka Prayas can become a guiding light for all of us, he added.

My remarks at Session-1 on One Earth during the G20 Summit. https://t.co/loM5wMABwb Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 9, 2023

During the inaugural G20 session, the African Union joined the Group of 20 leading economies at its summit, with host PM Modi saying it turned the often divided bloc into the peoples G20.

Before the start of the session, the Prime Minister also expressed grief over the loss of lives due to a massive earthquake in Morocco that killed nearly 300 people. We pray that all injured recover at the earliest. India is ready to offer all possible assistance to Morocco in this difficult time, he said.

The 18th G20 Summit is being held at the Bharat Mandapam Convention Centre in the national capital on Saturday and Sunday. A Leaders Declaration will be adopted at the conclusion of the New Delhi Summit. Indias G20 Presidency theme is Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam  One Earth, One Family, One Future.

During the G20 presidency, India has focused on various issues like inclusive growth, digital innovation, climate resilience, and equitable global health access. By leveraging its presidency, India is fostering collaborative solutions that benefit its own population and contribute to the broader global well-being.

The summit is being attended by over 30 heads of state and top officials from the European Union and invited guest countries and 14 heads of international organisations.
The G20 joint statement in its language calling for cessation of hostilities and restoration of peace in Ukraine signifies a major shift under Indias Presidency, which conveys a clear message that the G20 is not a platform to resolve geopolitical and security issues.

There is a significant shift in the terms used to describe the ongoing war, which has been referred to in the 2023 G20 Summit joint statement as war in Ukraine and not war against Ukraine, opposite to what was seen in Bali Declaration last year when Indonesia was the G20 President. This also signals a major climbdown by G7 and EU over language used to condemn the war.

The New Delhi Leaders Declaration did not directly condemn Russia for its role in the ongoing 2022 Russo-Ukrainian war. The leaders urged all parties to push for a comprehensive, just, and durable peace in Ukraine.

However, the G20 nations were very clear on the nuclear weapons issue and said that the use, or threat of use, of nuclear weapons is inadmissible. They also reminded member states to refrain from the threat, or use of force, to seek territorial acquisition.

Last year in Indonesia, the G20 referred to a United Nations resolution that strongly condemned aggression by the Russian Federation against Ukraine, unlike this years statement which took a more measured tone.

G20 India Sherpa Amitabh Kant on Saturday emphasised that India during its G20 Presidency achieved 100 percent consensus. Ukraine was mentioned four times in the 37 pages document.

The New Delhi Leaders Declaration has 83 paras in all and all 83 paras have 100 percent consensus among all countries, G20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant said. All countries have unanimously agreed to the New Delhi Leaders Declaration and is a complete statement with 100% unanimity, Kant further added, and said it brings all developing and developed countries and is the most ambitious presidency in the history of G20.

Western nations and the US have been pushing for stronger wording regarding Ukraine and Russias involvement in the conflict but the language used shows that a compromise was struck. It acknowledges one position agreed upon during the Nusa Dua summit which said that most members strongly condemned the war, but acknowledged the existence of other views and different assessments of the situation.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 9. On September 9, around 17:25 (GMT+4), Armenian illegal armed formations on the territory of Azerbaijan, where the Russian peacekeeping contingent is temporarily deployed, attempted to dig new trenches in front of the positions of the Azerbaijani Army in Fuzuli, Trend reports.

As a result of measures taken by units of Azerbaijani Army, work was stopped, the Azerbaijani Ministry of Defense said.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Saturday said he is delighted to see the African Union become a permanent member of the Group of 20 (G2o) during the inaugural session of the summit in New Delhi.

We are delighted that the #G20 has accepted the @_AfricanUnion as a member of the #G20.Global reconstruction in the wake of the #COVID19 pandemic presents a unique opportunity to accelerate the transition to low-carbon, climate resilient, sustainable societies. Developing pic.twitter.com/4u7ThqwRVq  Cyril Ramaphosa  (@CyrilRamaphosa) September 9, 2023

Ramaphosa also called for an enhanced and expanded Global Partnership for Sustainable Development backed by the suggestions outlined in the Addis Ababa Action Agenda on Financing for Development (AAAA).

The AAAA, announced in 2015 in Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa, is a new global framework for financing sustainable development.Its agenda is to align all financing flows and policies with the vision outlined in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi invited the head of the African Union, who is also the President of the Union of Comoros, Azali Assoumani, to take his seat among the other permanent members of the G20.

With everyones approval, I request the African Union head to take his seat as a permanent G20 member, he added, banging a ceremonial gavel.

Ramaphosa highlighted that the transition to low-carbon, climate resilient and sustainable societies can be achieved as the world goes through a process of reconstruction in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The South African President, however, highlighted that African nations are having to meet their climate commitments while navigating through the significant developmental challenges like poverty, inequality and unemployment.

Ramaphosa also pointed out that developing economies across the world are bearing the brunt of climate change even though they are not responsible for it.

As African and other developing economy countries, we face the task of meeting our climate commitments in the midst of significant developmental challenges like poverty, inequality and unemployment, Ramaphosa said.

Climate change, environmental degradation, unsustainable consumption and production and resource scarcity are challenges that can only be addressed collectively and with a great deal of solidarity, the South African President said in a post on social media site X, formerly known as Twitter.

The AAAA also calls for mobilising domestic resources and using it as a main source to finance sustainable development. The declaration said that these resources will build functioning institutions to drive sustainable development, improve government accountability to communities and decrease dependence on foreign support.
The African Union became a permanent member of the Group of 20 (G20) on Saturday. .

#WATCH | G 20 in India | President of the Union of Comoros and Chairperson of the African Union (AU), Azali Assoumani takes his seat as the Union becomes a permanent member of the G20. pic.twitter.com/Sm25SD80n9 ANI (@ANI) September 9, 2023

Prime Minister Narendra Modi invited the head of the African Union, who is also the President of the Union of Comoros, Azali Assoumani, to take his seat as the permanent member of one of the main forums of global economic cooperation.

ALSO READ | How India Paved Way for African Unions G20 Membership & Why It is Win-Win Game for Delhi | Explained

India put a proposal to give permanent membership of G20 to the African Union. I believe that we have everyones agreement on this, PM Modi said, kicking off the summit and extending the invitation of permanent membership of G20 to the African Union. According to news agency PTI, the group could be renamed to G21.

With everyones approval, I request the African Union head to take his seat as a permanent G20 member, he added, banging a ceremonial gavel.

Assoumani then took his seat among world leaders at the invitation of Indias foreign affairs minister S. Jaishankar.

India during its entire period of G20 Presidency said that the forum should represent the interests of the Global South. The Union external affairs ministry said that it is one of the key outcomes of the G20 Summit.

For a G20, which is more inclusive and more vocal for the Global South! PM Narendra Modi warmly invites the President of the African Union and Comoros Azali Assoumani to join other G20 leaders as the African Union becomes a permanent member of the G20. A key outcome of G20 India, the external affairs ministry said.

The African Union is headquartered in Ethiopia and was created in 2022 after the Organisation of African Unity was disbanded. The presidency of the African Union is a rotational one. The African Union at its full strength has 55 members, but currently six junta-ruled nations are currently suspended. It collectively has a GDP of $3 trillion and represents some 1.4 billion people.

PM Modi has been pitching for the inclusion of the African Union in the G20 and wrote to leaders in June extending Indias proposal to include the African Union to better represent the aspirations of an entire continent.

The formal proposal was included in the draft communique for the summit during the third G20 Sherpas meeting in July in Karnatakas Hampi. This is also a diplomatic win for India as it will drive international economic cooperation and African Unions joining will also help member-nations navigate the challenges posed by the China-backed Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) which has thrown several African economies into the Chinese debt trap.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended a warm welcome to the heads of delegations from more than a dozen nations, guest countries, and international organizations at the summit venue in New Delhi, marking the commencement of the 18th G20 Summit.

At the Bharat Mandapam convention center in Pragati Maidan, PM Modi welcomed Director IMF Kristalina Georgieva, World Bank President Ajay Banga, and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

Tune in!PM @narendramodi receives G20 Heads of Delegations arriving for the landmark G20 Summit at Bharat Mandapam. #G20India  Watch live https://t.co/N4XhWxLLb2  Arindam Bagchi (@MEAIndia) September 9, 2023

The Prime Minister also welcomed his heads of state from South Africa, Turkey, the UK, and from other countries. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman and US President Joe Biden reach the state-of-the-art venue. Behind the name Bharat Mandapam of the International Exhibition-cum-Convention Centre (IECC) complex, there is the inspiration of Anubhav Mandapam of Bhagwan Basaveshwara. Modi earlier said, This is a beautiful gift by us Indians to our democracy as we celebrate the 75th anniversary of Independence.

VIDEO | PM Modi welcomes US President Joe Biden at Bharat Mandapam, the venue of G20 Summit in Delhi.#G20India2023 #G20SummitDelhi pic.twitter.com/XanLV3LLB2 Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) September 9, 2023

After the G20, a Leaders Declaration will be adopted at the conclusion of the New Delhi Summit. Indias G20 Presidency theme is Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam  One Earth, One Family, One Future. It is a global roadmap for sustainable, inclusive, and human-centric development.

During the G20 presidency, India has focused on various issues like inclusive growth, digital innovation, climate resilience, and equitable global health access. By leveraging its presidency, India is fostering collaborative solutions that benefit its own population and contribute to the broader global well-being.

The summit is being attended by over 30 heads of state and top officials from the European Union and invited guest countries and 14 heads of international organisations.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said that a consensus has been built on New Delhi G20 Leaders Summit Declaration and urged world leaders to adopt the leadership declaration.

The #NewDelhiLeadersDeclaration has been officially adopted at the #G20India Leaders Summit! Todays era must be marked as the golden age of human-centric globalisation & Indias G20 Presidency under the leadership of PM @narendramodi has worked tirelessly towards this goal Amitabh Kant (@amitabhk87) September 9, 2023

I have received good news. Due to the hard work of our team, consensus has been built on New Delhi G20 Leaders Summit Declaration. My proposal is to adopt this leadership declaration. I announce the adoption of this declaration. On this occasion, I congratulate my Sherpa, ministers, who worked hard for it and made it possible, PM Modi said at the beginning of the second session of the 18th G20 Heads of State and Government Summit in New Delhi.

Amitabh Kant, the G20 Sherpa of India, also took to social media site X, formerly known as Twitter, to announce that the New Delhi Leaders Declaration has been officially adopted at G20 India Leaders Summit. Todays era must be marked as the golden age of human-centric globalisation and Indias G20 Presidency under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi has worked tirelessly towards this goal, Kant said.

What Does the New Delhi Leaders Declaration Focus On?

Amitabh Kant took to social media site X and explained that the New Delhi Leaders Declaration focuses on  strong, sustainable, balanced, and inclusive growth, accelerating progress on #SDGs, green development pact for a sustainable future, multilateral institutions for the 21st century, and reinvigorating multilateralism.

The #NewDelhiLeadersDeclaration focuses on  Strong, Sustainable, Balanced, and Inclusive GrowthAccelerating Progress on #SDGsGreen Development Pact for a Sustainable FutureMultilateral Institutions for the 21st CenturyReinvigorating Multilateralism#G20India  Amitabh Kant (@amitabhk87) September 9, 2023

Kant also pointed out that the summit declaration witnessed a hundred per cent consensus on all developmental and geo-political issues. The new geopolitical paras are a powerful call for Planet, People, Peace and Prosperity in todays world, Kant said.

Historical & Path breaking #G20 Declaration with 100% consensus on all developmental and geo-political issues. The new geopolitical paras are a powerful call for Planet, People, Peace and Prosperity in todays world . Demonstrates PM @narendramodi leadership in todays world. Amitabh Kant (@amitabhk87) September 9, 2023

Kant also said that it demonstrates Prime Minister Narendra Modis leadership in todays world.

Most Ambitious Presidency

Indias G20 Presidency was the most ambitious in history of G20, government officials said. They said that 73 outcomes (lines of effort) and 39 annexed documents were adopted in the course of the past year.

#G20India has been the MOST ambitious in the history of #G20 presidencies. With 112 outcomes and presidency documents, we have more than tripled the substantive work from previous presidencies. #NewDelhiLeadersDeclaration  pic.twitter.com/grk35UwC1Z Amitabh Kant (@amitabhk87) September 9, 2023

With 112 outcomes and presidency documents, we have more than doubled the substantive work from previous presidencies, the officials mentioned above said.

They pointed out that the outcomes and annexed documents were two to five times higher as compared to previous presidencies.

Later, Amitabh Kant, in a social media post, also said that the Indian Presidency of the G20 has been the most ambitious and action oriented in all of G20 Presidencies.
The leaders of India, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, EU, France, Italy, Germany and the United States announced a major joint infrastructure deal on Saturday which will connect West Asia and Gulf nations via a network of railways and then connect that with India through shipping lanes from ports in the region, people familiar with the developments said. The announcement was made during a meeting held on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in New Delhi.

Sharing my remarks at the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment & India-Middle East-Europe Economics Corridor event during G20 Summit. https://t.co/Ez9sbdY49W Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 9, 2023

The India  Middle East  Europe Economic Corridor will boost trade, economic partnerships and international cooperation between countries involved and also increase cooperation between Asia and Europe.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasised on respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity of all nations while promoting the connectivity initiative. The leaders of India, USA, UAE, Saudi Arabia, France, Germany, Italy and the European Union Commission have signed the Memorandum of Understanding to begin the construction of the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor.

The project was first discussed earlier this year in May when national security advisors (NSAs) of the US, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and India met in Saudi Arabia.

Today we all have seen a historic agreement being done. In coming days India will be a way for economic integration with the Middle East and Europe, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said while announcing the historic and first of its kind initiative on cooperation on connectivity and infrastructure.

The India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor will have two separate corridors. It will have an east corridor connecting India to West Asia (Middle East) and a northern corridor which will connect West Asia (Middle East) to Europe.

Along with physical infrastructure, social, digital and financial infrastructure is attracting investment like never before and with this we are putting a strong foundation for developed India, PM Modi further added.

The idea came up during the I2U2 forum talks held last year. This multilateral forum includes the US, Israel, the UAE and India and seeks to deepen economic cooperation among each other. It is unclear at this point if Israel will join the deal but for the nation to join the deal, the relationship between Saudi and Israel will have to first normalise.

It will contain a rail line that will provide a reliable and cost effective cross-border ship-to-rail transit network to supplement the existing multi-modal transport routes. This will enhance transshipment of goods and services between southeast Asia through India to West Asia and Europe.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that India does not contain connectivity within regional boundaries. We believe connectivity between various countries is not only for increasing business but also trust, the Prime Minister said.

Two years after the launch of the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment with @POTUS, two new large-scale projects are seeing the light:The India  Middle East  Europe Economic Corridor. And the Trans-African Corridor  https://t.co/fmLr2opyjE  Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) September 9, 2023

US President Joe Biden said it is a big deal and thanked Prime Minister Modi for bringing the concept of One Earth, One Family, One Future into focus and making it a theme of Indias G20 Presidency and also applying it in this partnership.

Today I am proud to announce that we finalised this historic agreement for the new India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor. As a key part of this corridor we are going to invest in ships and rail. It extends from India all the way to Europe connected by the UAE and Saudi Arabia, Biden said.

The project is also key for the US as it witnesses itself losing ground in West Asia and the Gulf region, where it once was a key player, and China emerging as a major stakeholder. China after brokering peace between Iran and Saudi Arabia has tried to promote itself as a bringer of peace in the region and Chinese President Xi Jinpings Belt and Road Initiative lays special focus on the region.

EU Chief Ursula von der Leyen also lauded the project and thanked all partners for ensuring that this project got the green light. Crown Prince and Saudi Arabian Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud said his country is looking forward to the project. We look forward to the integration of the initiative and the Economic Corridor project which is announced in this meeting. I would like to thank those who worked with us to reach this founding step to establish this important economic corridor, Mohammed bin Salman, aka MBS, said.

Italian PM Giorgia Meloni said that the corridor will build better infrastructure for a better future in low and middle-income nations. Today the launch of the new economic corridor between India and the Middle East and Europe goes precisely in this direction and is a milestone in strengthening global interconnections. And that is why I want to thank Prime Minister Modi, President Biden, and all the others, Ursula von der Leyen, and all the others who made it possible, she said.

I want to thank Prime Minister Modi for organising this meeting and President Biden for sharing this meeting with him. With the European Commission here, we commit to invest alongside you on this road. And this is a very important project from Asia through the Middle East to Europe to offer big opportunities and connect people, Macron added.
India and the United States have agreed to resolve their last outstanding dispute at the World Trade Organization (WTO), as leaders of both countries met for the G20 summit. The deal came as Prime Minister Narendra Modi hosted US President Joe Biden at the 7, Lok Kalyan Marg in New Delhi amid the ongoing G20 Summit.

The leaders lauded the settlement of the seventh and last outstanding World Trade Organisation (WTO) dispute between India and the United States. This follows the unprecedented settlement of six outstanding bilateral trade disputes in the WTO in June 2023, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement.

Prime Minister @narendramodi and @POTUS @JoeBiden are holding talks at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg in Delhi.Their discussions include a wide range of issues and will further deepen the bond between India and USA.   pic.twitter.com/PWGBOZIwNT  PMO India (@PMOIndia) September 8, 2023

The US Trade Representatives (USTR) office said the latest deal resolves the remaining long-standing dispute and opens a new chapter of bilateral cooperation that will deepen the trade ties between the two countries. The final outstanding clash involved poultry, and in particular Indias import restrictions on certain agricultural products from the US over avian influenza concerns.

As part of the agreement, India also agreed to reduce tariffs on certain U.S. products, including frozen turkey, frozen duck, fresh blueberries and cranberries, frozen blueberries and cranberries, dried blueberries and cranberries, and processed blueberries and cranberries. These tariff cuts will expand economic opportunities for U.S. agricultural producers in a critical market and help bring more U.S. products to customers in India, said the USTR in a statement.

Earlier in June, Washington and New Delhi had agreed to end six WTO disputes, with India also consenting to reduce tariffs on some US products such as chickpeas and lentils.
Maldives leader Ibrahim Mohamed Solih described Saturdays presidential vote as the most free and fair in the Indian Ocean archipelago, as he sought a second term in a tough re-election bid.

Solihs bid for another term has turned the poll into a referendum on his pursuit of renewed ties with India, the archipelago nations traditional benefactor.

The polls officially closed after eight hours, but those who had joined voting queues were being allowed to cast their ballots, the independent Elections Commission said.

Previous votes have been marred by violent clashes as well as allegations of widespread voting fraud, but there were no immediate reports of any violence or rigging.

Police said they detained two people in connection with election-related incidents, but did not give further details.

Solih, 61, and his main rival Mohamed Muizzu, the mayor of Male, were among those voting early in the capital island Male where schools were turned into polling stations.

There have been no significant reports of unrest anywhere, Solih told reporters after casting his ballot.

The election campaign activities had also proceeded very smoothly. There is unprecedented peace in the Maldives.

Former president Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, whose son is an opposition candidate, voted early and wished the nation well.

May Maldives continue to reap the benefits of true democracy and peace in the years ahead, Gayoom said on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Party split

Solih, who was dressed in a yellow T-shirt and cap, the colours of his Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), addressed a large gathering in Male on Friday.

His main rival, 45-year-old Muizzu, a proxy of jailed opposition leader and former president Abdulla Yameen, attended a mass rally marking the end of a short campaign.

Convicted prisoners in the Maldives can vote but Yameen did not register to vote at his Maafushi high security prison, officials said. Five ballot boxes are at prisons.

Yameen is serving an 11-year sentence following his corruption conviction in December.

Eight candidates are contesting for the top job in the nation of 1,192 coral islets, scattered in a long line stretching around 800 kilometres (500 miles) across the Indian Ocean.

We have registered nearly 60 percent turnout in six hours of polling, an election official told reporters in Male.

The final turnout was not immediately known. But officials expect it to be about 80 to 90 percent of the 282,000-strong electorate.

Solih polled 58.3 percent at the previous election in 2018, but this time his party has split, with another candidate in the running.

After his shock victory five years ago, Solih moved swiftly to repair relations with New Delhi strained under Yameen, who banked on Beijing for loans and diplomatic support.

During his autocratic five-year tenure, Yameen borrowed heavily from China for construction projects, making the nation  better known for upscale beach tourism and celebrity travellers  a hotbed of geopolitical rivalry.

Election officials said they expected results to be announced late Sunday. If no candidate wins a majority of votes, a run-off is scheduled for September 30.

Balloting also took place in overseas locations with large Maldivian populations, such as Trivandrum in the southern Indian state of Kerala, as well as in the capitals of Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Britain and the United Arab Emirates.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday expressed his deep sorrow for the lives lost due to the devastating earthquake that struck Morocco, leaving over 1,000 dead and more than 1,200 injured. He conveyed his condolences to the affected families and offered his thoughts and support to the people of the North African country during this tragic time.

Extremely pained by the loss of lives due to an earthquake in Morocco. In this tragic hour, my thoughts are with the people of Morocco. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. May the injured recover at the earliest. India is ready to offer all possible assistance to Morocco in this difficult time, PM Modi wrote on X.

Extremely pained by the loss of lives due to an earthquake in Morocco. In this tragic hour, my thoughts are with the people of Morocco. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. May the injured recover at the earliest. India is ready to offer all possible assistance to Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 9, 2023

The powerful quake hit 71 kilometres southwest of Marrakesh at a depth of 18.5 kilometers at 11:11 pm (2211 GMT). The United States Geological Survey (USGS) said that this was the strongest tremor to hit that part of the North African nation in more than a century.

The earthquake was also felt in the coastal cities of Rabat, Casablanca and Essaouira. We heard screams at the time of the tremor, a resident of Essaouira, 200 km west of Marrakech, told AFP by telephone. People are in the squares, in the cafes, preferring to sleep outside. Pieces of facades have fallen.

The Royal Moroccan Armed Forces said that residents were still vulnerable to aftershocks. We remind you of the need to exercise caution and take safety measures due to the risk of aftershocks, the military wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Significant damage is likely and the disaster is potentially widespread, CNN reported citing USGS. It notes that that many people in the area reside in structures that are highly vulnerable to earthquake shaking. The North African country experiences frequent earthquakes in its northern region due to its position between the African and Eurasian plates.
North Korea invited visiting Chinese delegates and Russian artists to a paramilitary parade featuring rocket launchers pulled by trucks and tractors, state media said Saturday, in leader Kim Jong Uns latest effort to display his ties with Moscow and Beijing in the face of deepening confrontations with Washington.

The event in the capital, Pyongyang, which began Friday night to celebrate North Koreas 75th founding anniversary that fell on Saturday, came amid expectations that Kim will travel to Russia soon for a meeting with President Vladimir Putin that could focus on North Korean arm sales to refill reserves drained by the Kremlins war on Ukraine.

While China has sent a delegation led by Vice Premier Liu Guozhong to the North Koreas anniversary celebrations, Russia sent a military song and dance group.

South Korean media speculated that the lack of Russian government officials at the festivities in Pyongyang could be related to preparations for a summit between Kim and Putin, which Washington expects within the month. According to some U.S. reports, it could happen as early as next week.

Putin is expected to attend an international forum that runs from Sunday to Wednesday in the eastern city of Vladivostok, which was also the site of his first summit with Kim in 2019 and is now seen as a possible venue for their next meeting. South Koreas spy agency told lawmakers in a closed-door briefing Thursday that North Korea and Russia could also be arranging an unexpected surprise route for Kims visit to avoid potential venues reported by the media.

North Korea has not confirmed any plans for Kim to visit Russia.

Whether or not a Putin-Kim summit soon follows, the United States is attempting to deter serious violations of international law by preemptively releasing intelligence, said Leif-Eric Easley, a professor at Ewha University in Seoul.

The growing cooperation between China, Russia and North Korea, and Chinese President Xi Jinpings decision to skip the Group of 20 Summit in India, give the appearance of a widening fissure in Asias geopolitical landscape, he said.

Still, a major Russia-North Korea arms deal, which would breach numerous international sanctions, should worry Beijing because association with an emerging pariah state bloc could have negative repercussions for Chinas globalized but struggling economy, Easley said.

KCNA said Kim received letters from Putin and Xi on the anniversary, where both leaders said that their countries strengthening ties with North Korea would contribute to the regions peace and stability.

Saturdays parade was centered around paramilitary organizations and public security forces protecting Pyongyang, rather than the military units that handle his nuclear-capable weapons systems, which have been the focus of other parades this year.

Millions of North Koreans between the ages of 17 and 60 are listed as Worker-Peasant Red Guards, a national civil defense organization that could be loosely compared to military reserve forces of other countries. Saturdays marches of the Red Guards included huge columns of motorcycles, anti-tank rockets towed by tractors and civilian-style trucks equipped with multiple rocket launchers, according to KCNAs text reports and photos.

Photos showed Kim smiling and talking with his young daughter, believed to be named Ju Ae, as they watched the parade from leather chairs set up at Kims balcony in Kim Il Sung Square named after his state-founding grandfather.

Since November, Kim Jong Un has been bringing his daughter  believed to be around 10 years old  to major public events involving the countrys military. Analysts say Kims showcasing of his daughter is meant to send a statement to the world that he has no intention of voluntarily surrendering the nuclear weapons and missiles he sees as the strongest guarantee of his survival and the extension of his familys dynastic rule.

State media did not mention whether Kim made a speech during the parade, indicating that he likely didnt.

KCNA said Kim met with Liu and other Chinese delegates ahead of the parade, where they exchanged views on further intensifying the multi-faceted coordination and cooperation between the countries.

Tensions in the Korean Peninsula are at their highest point in years, as the pace of both North Koreas missile tests and the United States combined military exercises with South Korea and Japan have intensified in tit-for-tat.

To counter the deepening security cooperation between Washington, Seoul and Tokyo, Kim has been trying to boost the visibility of his partnerships with Moscow and Beijing as he seeks to break out of diplomatic isolation and have North Korea be a part of a united front against the United States.

In July, Kim invited delegations led by Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and Chinese Communist Party Politburo member Li Hongzhong to a huge military parade in Pyongyang, where he rolled out his most powerful weapons, including intercontinental ballistic missiles designed to target the U.S. mainland.

A day before the parade, Kim took Shoigu on a tour of a domestic arms exhibition, which demonstrated North Koreas support for Russias invasion of Ukraine and added to suspicions the North was willing to supply arms to Russia.

In exchange for providing Russia with artillery shells and other ammunition, North Korea could seek badly needed energy and food aid and advanced weapons technologies, analysts say. There are concerns that potential Russian technology transfers would increase the threat posed by Kims growing arsenal of nuclear weapons and missiles that are designed to target the United States and its Asian allies.
Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on Saturday on the 75 anniversary of the countrys founding and called for stronger ties on all fronts.

I am convinced that thanks to our joint efforts we will continue to strengthen bilateral ties on all fronts, Putin said in a message to Kim as quoted by the Kremlin.

This fully corresponds to the interests of our people and helps to ensure the security and stability on the Korean peninsula and northeast Asia, he said.

Putin noted that the Soviet Union was the first country to recognise the North Korean regime and said that since then relations between our two countries have always been based on the principles of friendship, good neighbourliness and mutual respect.

I sincerely wish you good health and success and I wish all North Korean citizens peace and prosperity, Putin added.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 9. The Eurasian Regional Center of the Islamic Cooperation Youth Forum has strongly condemned Armenia's provocative actions, which artificially ignite tensions and ultimately derail the normalization process, Trend reports.

"ICYF-ERC strongly condemns the illegal activities named as elections held in the Karabakh region of the Republic of Azerbaijan by the puppet separatist regime supported and established by the Republic of Armenia. This step is a flagrant violation of norms and principles of international law as well as the legislation of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

The Republic of Armenias continuous support for the puppet separatist regime, including the existence of the illegal Armenian armed forces among many other illegal activities in the sovereign territories of Azerbaijan, not only constitutes a violation of Azerbaijans territorial integrity and sovereignty but also deals a serious blow to the efforts of normalization in the region and the reintegration of ethnic Armenians living in the Karabakh region into the constitutional framework of the Republic of Azerbaijan. ICYF-ERC calls for the unconditional and complete withdrawal of the Armenian armed forces from the Garabagh region of Azerbaijan and disbandment of the separatist puppet regime.

ICYF-ERC urges Armenia to immediately cease its illegal activities directed against the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan and to constructively engage in diplomatic negotiations with the Republic of Azerbaijan to support the normalization process in the region. ICYF-ERC supports peace negotiations between Armenia and Azerbaijan and believes that signing a peace agreement will make a major contribution to peace and stability in the region.

Moreover, ICYF-ERC calls upon the international community, including the Member States of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), to strongly condemn the illegal activities pursued by the Republic of Armenia against the Republic of Azerbaijan. A robust international condemnation, in line with all OIC resolutions and statements as well as United Nations Security Council resolutions, is needed to prevent the Republic of Armenia from taking further steps that endanger the fragile normalization efforts in the region," the organization said in a statement.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a bilateral meeting with Japanese counterpart Fumio Kishida on Saturday on the sidelines of the G20 Summit. PM Modi and Kishida spoke on the ground covered during Indias Presidency of the Group of 20 and Japans Presidency of G7.

Held productive talks with PM @kishida230. We took stock of India-Japan bilateral ties and the ground covered during Indias G20 Presidency and Japans G7 Presidency. We are eager to enhance cooperation in connectivity, commerce and other sectors, PM Modi wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Held productive talks with PM @kishida230. We took stock of India-Japan bilateral ties and the ground covered during Indias G20 Presidency and Japans G7 Presidency. We are eager to enhance cooperation in connectivity, commerce and other sectors. pic.twitter.com/kSiGi4CBrj Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 9, 2023

The two leaders met after the first session on One Earth during the summit. The 18th G20 Summit is being held at the Bharat Mandapam Convention Centre in the national capital on Saturday and Sunday. A Leaders Declaration will be adopted at the conclusion of the New Delhi Summit.

Prime Minister Modi is holding over a dozen bilateral on the sidelines of the mega summit. Since Friday, PM Modi has held a one-to-one conversation with a number of global leaders including US President Joe Biden.

Indias G20 Presidency theme this year is Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam  One Earth, One Family, One Future. It is a global roadmap for sustainable, inclusive, and human-centric development.

During the G20 presidency, India has focused on various issues like inclusive growth, digital innovation, climate resilience, and equitable global health access. By leveraging its presidency, India is fostering collaborative solutions that benefit its own population and contribute to the broader global well-being.

The summit is being attended by over 30 heads of state and top officials from the European Union and invited guest countries and 14 heads of international organisations.
Top US Air Force officer General Charles Brown warned service members Friday that China is seeking to exploit American and NATO military knowledge to improve its armed forces. The United States says China is its most consequential challenge, and maintaining a military edge aids Washingtons efforts to deter aggression by Beijing.

The Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) wants to exploit your knowledge and skill to fill gaps in their military capability, Brown  who has been nominated to become the top US military officer  wrote in a document addressed to members of the Air Force.

Foreign companies are targeting and recruiting US and NATO-trained military talent across specialties and career fields to train the PLA abroad, Brown said. By essentially training the trainer, many of those who accept contracts with these foreign companies are eroding our national security, putting the very safety of their fellow service members and the country at risk, and may be violating the law.

China and the United States in recent months have resumed dialogue with hopes of bringing greater stability to the turbulent relationship between the two countries.

Tensions soared this year over issues including an alleged Chinese spy balloon that was shot down by a US warplane after traversing the country, and competing interests in the democratic self-ruled island of Taiwan, which Washington supports militarily while Beijing claims it as part of its territory.
As the G20 Leaders Summit begins Saturday in New Delhi, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak underlined the significance of global cooperation in addressing pressing challenges that affect everyone around the world, including the British people. In a video shared on social media platform X, PM Sunak emphasised the need for countries to draw lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic and tackle climate change and address the ongoing Ukraine conflict.

He highlighted the G20 Summit as a unique platform for direct discussions with world leaders, stressing that the decisions made at such gatherings impact job creation, economic growth, and national security.

Global issues matter. There are some things that we simply cant do alone. Countries have to work together. We have seen this during covid, and its right that we come together to fight climate change and Putins illegal war. The G20 Summits can provide a unique opportunity to talk face-to-face with the leaders of other countries and address those issues. And the decisions we make there deliver the jobs, growth, and security that British people expect from their PM. I am looking forward to a productive few days, Sunak said in a video posted on X amid G20.

On Friday, Rishi Sunak arrived in New Delhi. On the first day of his visit, he highlighted the huge success of Indias G20 Presidency.

G20 has been a huge success for India. India is the right country at the right time to be hosting this, Sunak was quoted as saying by news agency ANI. Feel we will have a very good couple of days of deliberations and decisions made, Sunak further added.

The Indian-origin British PM stated that he is keen to deepen and broaden UK-India ties. The FTA is an obvious way for us to do that, which is why it remains our priority. I hope we can conclude a successful FTA, Sunak said. He stressed that both London and New Delhi are eager to strengthen the security relationship.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 9. On September 9, the Deputy Minister of Defense of the Republic of Azerbaijan - Director General Mr. Agil Gurbanov met with the delegation of the Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran led by Major General Mohammad Ahadi visiting Azerbaijan, Trend reports referring to Azerbaijan's Ministry of Defense.

The Deputy Defense Minister welcomed the Iranian delegation, and emphasized that there is a great potential for the further development of cooperation between the two states in many fields, including the field of military cooperation. The Director General expressed confidence that the working meeting of the Joint Commission being held in Azerbaijan will make positive contributions on bilateral military cooperation.

Then, the International Military Cooperation Department hosted the 3rd meeting of the Joint Commission on cooperation in the military field between the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

During the meeting, detailed views were exchanged on the expansion of military cooperation between Azerbaijan and Iran, the organization of mutual visits of the military representatives of both countries, and other issues.
UPDATE

Sep 9, 2023 1:15 PM CDT

Months into their sentences, Todd and Julie Chrisley are serving shorter sentences than those imposed by a federal court in November. Records show Todd Chrisley is scheduled to be released from prison on Jan. 22, 2033, two years earlier than the original date, USA Today reports. Julie Chrisley's release date is now about a year sooner: Oct. 19, 2028. Their lawyer said the Federal Bureau of Prisons made the decision partly because their offenses were nonviolent. "Todd and Julie are model incarcerated individuals who received exorbitant sentences," Jay Surgent said, per the Insider. Federal guidelines allow terms to be reduced for a number of reasons, including good behavior and the completion of certain programs.

Nov 22, 2022 12:33 AM CST

Reality TV stars Todd and Julie Chrisley were sentenced Monday to lengthy prison terms after being convicted in June on charges including bank fraud, tax evasion, and conspiring to defraud the IRS, the AP reports. US District Judge Eleanor Ross in Atlanta gave Todd Chrisley 12 years in prison plus 16 months of probation, while Julie Chrisley got seven years behind bars and 16 months of probation, news outlets reported. The Chrisleys gained fame with their show Chrisley Knows Best, which follows their tight-knit, boisterous family. Federal prosecutors said the couple engaged in an extensive bank fraud scheme and then hid their wealth from tax authorities while flaunting their lavish lifestyle.
The Saudi crown prince once vilified by President Biden has been elevated from a fist bump to a hearty handshake. Biden warmly greeted Saudi Arabia's de facto leader, Mohammed bin Salman, after they appeared together along with several other leaders at the Group of 20 summit Saturday in New Delhi. The leaders had gathered to announce a sweeping plan to build a rail and shipping corridor linking India with the Middle East and Europe, the AP reports. Biden smiled and shook hands with the crown prince, who is often referred to by his initials MBS, as the announcement wrapped up. This year's G20 host, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, quickly draped his own hand over their hands.

The cordial greeting was a sharp contrast to the last time Biden and the crown prince met, just over a year ago, in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. During that encounter, Biden awkwardly greeted the crown prince with a fist bump, a moment roundly criticized by human rights activists who were already upset at Biden's decision to meet with the Saudi leader. Bin Salman has been harshly criticized for his human rights violations. US intelligence officials determined that the prince approved the 2018 murder of the US-based writer Jamal Khashoggi, who was a contributor to the Washington Post and a tough critic of the kingdom's ruling family.

Fred Ryan, who was publisher of the Post at the time of last year's Biden-Prince Mohammed meeting, said the fist bump "projected a level of intimacy and comfort that delivers to MBS the unwarranted redemption he has been desperately seeking." Biden refused to speak to Prince Mohammed at the start of his administration. As a presidential candidate in 2020, Biden said he wanted to make the Saudis "pay the price, and make them in fact the pariah that they are." But concerns about human rights eventually were eclipsed by other factors, including Iran's nuclear plans, the volatility of the oil market after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and recognition by the Biden administration that the crown prince will likely be an important voice of one of the Middle East's most important countries for years.

(Read more President Biden stories.)
Calling it "the ultimate American art form," Vice President Kamala Harris led a celebration of hip-hop on Saturday, marking its 50th anniversary. "Hip-hop culture is America's culture,"" Harris said in remarks to more than 400 people at the vice president's residence, the Hill reports. "It is music and melody and rhyme. Hip-hop is also an ethos of strength and self-determination; of ambition and aspiration; of pride, power and purpose. Hip-hop is a declaration of identity." The event was a collaboration with the Recording Academy's Black Music Collective and Live Nation Urban, per Deadline.
Sorry!

This content is not available in your region
Spc. Christopher Anderson, a Fire Support Specialist with the 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team Ghost, 2nd Infantry Division, adjusts the antenna on top of the mission command platform during operational testing of the Command Post Integrated Infrastructure at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington. Under development in two increments, termed Increment 0 and Increment 1, the Soldiers are testing Inc. 0 of the Command Post Integrated Infrastructure.(Photo by Tad Browning)
The Public Safety Report is compiled from criminal complaints filed in state and federal courts, as well as some police blotter information, trooper dispatches, fire department reports and interviews with public safety officials. Individuals named as arrested and/or charged with crimes in this report are presumed innocent until proved guilty in a court of law.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 9. Azerbaijan has not received any proposal from the Armenian government to conduct urgent negotiations with President Ilham Aliyev, Assistant to the President of Azerbaijan - Head of the Foreign Policy Department of the Presidential Administration Hikmet Hajiyev told Reuters, Trend reports.

As Hajiyev previously said, the Azerbaijani Army is conducting scheduled exercises in preparation for the fall-winter season, and this is part of the regular planning process.

"Armenia is massing troops on the border and purchasing new weapons systems," he said.

He added that Armenian illegal armed groups in Karabakh also left their barracks and were put on high alert.

Our strategy is to suppress any armed actions or illegal military actions and provocations against Azerbaijan, he said.
State Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington Washington D.C. West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Puerto Rico US Virgin Islands Armed Forces Americas Armed Forces Pacific Armed Forces Europe Northern Mariana Islands Marshall Islands American Samoa Federated States of Micronesia Guam Palau Alberta, Canada British Columbia, Canada Manitoba, Canada New Brunswick, Canada Newfoundland, Canada Nova Scotia, Canada Northwest Territories, Canada Nunavut, Canada Ontario, Canada Prince Edward Island, Canada Quebec, Canada Saskatchewan, Canada Yukon Territory, Canada

Postal Code
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 9. A total of 86 spiritual Jewish authorities from Europe, America, and Muslim countries, as well as numerous Jewish religious media outlets worldwide, voiced their objections to the exploitation of Holocaust symbolism by Armenian political figures, including Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, which is a part of a campaign to demonize Azerbaijan.

On September 6, 50 leading rabbis, representing the largest association of Jewish religious leaders known as the Rabbinical Center of Europe, collectively composed an official letter addressed to the Prime Minister and President of Armenia. In this letter, they demanded an immediate and complete halt to the use of Holocaust symbolism in Armenian propaganda, stating that it should not be utilized for any political objectives.

The Rabbinical Center of Europe has also condemned "the Armenian leaders for using Holocaust rhetoric in a campaign against their neighbor, Azerbaijan".

Israel Heritage Foundation, the American association created by the Holocaust survivors, noted in its statement, that they "reject the loose usage of the word Holocaust by officials in the Armenian government to discuss the situation in the Karabakh region, and firmly contend that any comparisons to the Holocaust are unwarranted and unjustified".

Chabadinfo website, one of the leading online platforms of Chabad, one of the largest Hasidic groups and Jewish religious organizations in the world, has called the accusations against Baku regarding the so-called "genocide" of the Armenians in Azerbaijan's Karabakh a "smear campaign".

Pan-European Jewish magazine, Judisches Europa, noted that drawing analogies between the Nazi policy of the "final solution to the Jewish question" and Azerbaijans attitude towards Armenians in Karabakh, as the Prime Minister of Armenia does, is completely unfounded. Judisches Europa further emphasized that regarding Azerbaijans accusations of the "genocide" of Armenians, "there is no tangible evidence of it".

Bruno Fischzon, who is the Chief Rabbi of the Moselle department in northeastern France and the city of Metz, wrote on his personal Facebook page: "I am shocked by the comments made by the Armenian political leader comparing the current situation with the extermination of Jews during the Shoah (Holocaust)".

Viennese Rabbi Arie Folger accused French municipal officials of politicizing humanitarian aid, who at the end of August tried to travel from Armenia to Azerbaijani Karabakh without the consent of official Baku.

Leading rabbis from France, Germany, Spain, Italy and the UK have signed the appeal among nearly a hundred European Jewish spiritual authorities who spoke out against the methods of Armenian propaganda and demonization of Azerbaijan.








As the Kogi State governorship election draws closer, the national chairman of All Progressive Congress, Dr. Umar Ganduje, has assured that the party is working on modalities to retain the state.





Ganduje gave the assurance on Saturday while addressing newsmen in Sokoto.





He said the party is doing everything humanly possible to retain the state.





You are aware that Kogi is part of progressive and we have been winning the state before now, so winning the state will not in anyway difficult for us.





The governor is in charge in the state and I know with him and his achievement in office so far, we are good to go, he said.





Talking about the achievements recorded by the Sokoto State governor, Ahmed Aliyu Sokoto, in his first 100 days of assumption of office, the chairman described them as unprecedented.





According to him, I came and saw the achievements recorded so far by Governor Ahmed Aliyu, and I am fully impressed with what I saw so far.





The governor is a young man who is ready for the job. I can see that immediately after he was declared as the governor elect, he started to make plans for what he intends to do when he assume office.





The results of his plan is what we are seeing now. When I came here, I witnessed the distribution of palliatives to the victims of flooding.





I also inaugurated another newly constructed road yesterday which was part of his achievement within 100 days. These are apart from numerous road projects still expected to be inaugurated soon, he said.
On Wednesday, the presidential election petitions tribunal affirmed the victory of Bola Tinubu as the duly elected president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in the February 25 election.

The five-member panel tribunal dismissed three different petitions challenging the outcome of the presidential poll.

Part of the issues raised by the petitioners against Tinubu included his failure to secure 25 percent of votes cast in the federal capital territory (FCT), his forfeiture of $460,000 in the US, his academic records alleged to have been forged and his non-qualification due to the double nomination of his running mate, Kashim Shettima.

The petitioners also challenged the failure of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to transmit election results electronically.

However, the tribunal led by Haruna Tsammani held that the petitioners  Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Peter Obi of the Labour Party (LP) and the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), failed to adduce credible evidence to prove the allegations contained in their different petitions.

Consequently, the court held that all three petitions were devoid of merit.
President Bola Tinubu says he will do everything within his constitutional powers to ensure that the Nigerian military is well-resourced and fit-for-purpose in the duties of protecting the nation.

Tinubu, represented by Mohammed Badaru, minister of defence, spoke on Friday during the graduation of participants of the National Defence College (NDC) Course 31 in Abuja.

Tinubu said the Nigerian armed forces represent one of the finest institutions that the nation could be proud of.

He added that the government would continue to appreciate the sacrifice and patriotism of the gallant men and women of the military.

The president congratulated the commandant and college management team for working hard to grow and empower such a crop of strategic leaders.

He said the college has continued to produce military and civilian leaders who are intellectually sound, courageous, patriotic and of high integrity.

Tinubu added that the colleges unique style of consolidated knowledge through a broad thematic area has helped in finding sustainable solutions to national security and development problems in Africa and beyond.

He expressed confidence that the graduates of course 31 would bring the knowledge, expertise and skills acquired during the course to help in finding solutions to current and emerging security and developmental challenges in the country.

Our dear country is faced with a plethora of challenges, including insecurity, social economic hiccups, climate change and migratory issues, the so-called Japa syndrome, NAN quotes Tinubu as saying.

We are confronted by systematic corruption, crude oil theft, reduced national productivity, weak infrastructure, weak revenue base, and rising domestic and external debt among others.

Those challenges demand creative and purposeful driving leadership to mitigate.

Since coming into office, I have rolled up my sleeves myself to confront and address them frontally and we shall overcome with the special grace of God.

I must admit that those challenges will require the deployment of knowledge and insight you have acquired from this college.

The president said he rejigged the leadership of the armed forces and police among others to usher in a fresh perspective to deal with the security challenges in the country.

He asked the participants to go back to their respective services and agencies and align with the visions of the new leadership.

Tinubu said the world is currently faced with myriads of threats such as the disruptive effect of emerging technologies, cyber threats, and unconstitutional change of government in the African sub-region.

He called on the military to help the governments build resilience against the recent spate of the democratic recession in West Africa and build stronger assistance to mitigate all the challenges.

I am banking on you to provide creative leadership solutions towards addressing those national, regional and global challenges, he added.

The president also pledged to ensure the completion of the colleges permanent site before the end of his first term to enable the institution to conveniently transmute into a full-fledged defence university.
The Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC has drawn a battle line with the Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike over the demolitions in the capital city, Abuja.

The NLC president Comrade Joe Ajaero in an interview described the demolitions which he said were mainly directed at the poor as akin to Hitlers tyranny.

Responding to question during an interview on AIT, Comrade Ajaero said: Shelter is among Maslows hierarchy of needs and you go and demolish it and ask them to go to hell and your so called master plan is in your pocket.

Nobody knows where your master plan is. And you watch NLC draws battle line over Wikes demolition planin Abuja them, some of them use their retirement benefits to start foundation (and you demolish it), that will not continue, Ajaero said.

Alleging a war by the Nigerian elites against the poor, Comrade Ajaero said that Nigerias political class should realise that the poor are suffering that they can no longer breathe.

Noting the way that Wike has gone about the demolitions which the NLC president said has mostly affected the poor in Abuja, he said: it is impoverishing the masses and it is done with a level of impunity similar to Hitlers tyranny in Germany. That should not continue because it is affecting more workers. If you check the people whose houses are being demolished it is that class of people that you have not provided houses for.

Nigerias disposition to welfarism is gone even when it is provided for in the Constitution.

Nobody cares for your transportation, you generate your water, your electricity, you pay your childrens school fees, no hospitals. Even when workers contribute money for housing policies, it is being diverted.

So, this war cannot continue, the NLC president said in vowing to put a stop to the demolitions allegedly orchestrated by Wike that affect the working class in Abuja.
President Bola Tinubus legal team has denied the allegation that certified copies of the judgement of the Presidential Election Petition Court, PEPC, which was made available to all the parties by the Registry of the court, had their imprint on it.

The Tinubu Presidential Legal Team, TPLT, in a statement it made available to newsmen through its coordinator, Babatunde Ogala, SAN, described the allegation which has gained traction on social media as the handiwork of mischief makers.

Ogala, SAN, explained that lawyers representing the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and its presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, were at the Registry of the court when certified copies of the PEPC judgement was handed to the parties.

According to him, upon receipt of the judgement, President Tinubus legal team watermarked its own copy before circulating it to its members.

He said: Following some mischievous insinuations being made in certain quarters regarding the innocuous water-mark of copies of the consolidated judgment of the Court of Appeal with the inscription -Tinubu Presidential Legal Team TPLT, it is has become necessary to offer this clarification.

After the delivery of judgment in the 3 (Three) election petitions by the Court of Appeal on September 6, 2023, the Court directed its registry to make physical copies of same available on September 7, 2023.

Accordingly, the Tinubu Presidential Legal Team applied for a certified true copy of the said judgment and paid the prescribed fee.

Lawyers for PDP were present at the registry at the same time to collect the same judgment.

In fact, the representative of the PDP collected the first copy that was made available by the registry.

On collecting our own copy, we immediately scanned and water-marked with the inscription  Tinubu Presidential Legal Team TPLT before circulating the scanned soft copies to the lawyers in our team.

The certified true copies issued to us and other parties in the petitions by the registry do not contain the said inscription and any insinuation to the contrary is untrue.

Counsel to the petitioners will also appreciate the fact that the insinuations being circulated in some quarters are untrue, unkind, unfair, and unfortunate, as they have the same certified copies of the judgment as we have, the statement further read.

It will be recalled that the court had last Wednesday, upheld President Tinubu as the valid winner of the presidential election that held on February 25.

However, dissatisfied with the unanimous verdict of the Justice Haruna Tsammani-led five-member panel of the court, both Atiku of the PDP and Mr. Peter Obi of the Labour Party, LP, who came second and third in the presidential election, vowed to approach the Supreme Court for redress.

Atiku, who has 14 days to perfect the filing of his appeal, had earlier accused the court of deliberately frustrating his effort to approach the apex court within time, alleging that it refused to furnish him with a copy of the judgement.
A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Ekiti State, Lere Olayinka, has urged the Presidential candidate of the party, Atiku Abubakar to give up his ambition.

He said the former Vice President should allow younger Nigerians lead the PDP.

Olayinka was the main House of Representatives opposition candidate for Ekiti Central Federal Constituency 2 in the last National Assembly election.

He said the opposition should rather blame itself for losing the presidential election to the All Progressives Congress, APC.

He said this while appearing on different shows on TVC and Silverbird Television on Friday.

Olayinkas comments were in reaction to the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal that validated the victory of Bola Tinubu in the last election.

He said, it is a waste of time going to court to challenge an election the PDP should have won so easily.

How do you prove malpractices in an election held in over 176,000 polling units when it is mandatory that you must call witnesses in all polling units where you alleged irregularities?

For instance, if you claimed irregularities in 10,000 polling units, how do you bring 10,000 party agents to the court to give evidence?

Therefore, it is better to do all that you must do within the ambit of the law to win instead of waiting to lose and go to the Tribunal.

When you choose to sacrifice five governors for a single National Chairman, you should know that the result will be a failure.

And after planning to fail, you now want the court to help you remedy your own failure? Who does that?

Therefore, rather than dissipate energies and resources, going from one court to the other in search of an electoral victory that the opposition threw away by itself, what should be happening is a rebuild towards 2027, with younger Nigerians taking the lead.
President Bola Tinubu met with Narendra Modi, the prime minister of India, on the first day of the G20 summit.

Tinubu departed Nigeria on September 4 for the two-day summit in New Delhi, India.

On Saturday, the African Union (AU) formally joined the group of 20 top global economies.

Tinubu appreciated Modi for hosting the summit and for inviting Nigeria.

As the president of the most populous black nation on earth, I look forward to meeting fellow world leaders and forging strong alliances to secure a brighter future for our great nation, Nigeria  and indeed, the entire African continent, he wrote on his X page.

I am committed to advancing our renewed 4D foreign policy objectives: Democracy, Development, Demography, and Diaspora.

The president also had a brief interaction with Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Union (EU), before the opening session commenced.

Below are photos.

Tinubu in a handshake with Modi

Tinubu with Leyen, EU president




AGHDAM, Azerbaijan, September 9. The Azerbaijan Red Crescent Society (AzQAC) is still waiting for answer on food cargo delivery to Khankendi, AzQAC's General Secretary Jeyhun Mirzayev told Trend.

He pointed out that the food convoy sent from Baku for the Armenian residents of Azerbaijan's Karabakh has been on the Aghdam-Khankendi road for 12 days already.

There is nothing new yet. No information has been received from the Russian peacekeeping contingent [temporarily stationed in Karabakh under the trilateral statement signed by Azerbaijani, Armenian and Russian leaders following the 2020 second Karabakh war] regarding the passage of food cargo. If conditions are created for the cargo transportation, further details will be provided about this, he added.

Two trucks with 40 tons of flour have been in front of the Russian peacekeepers' post on the Aghdam-Askeran-Khankendi road since August 29. Employees and volunteers of the Azerbaijan Red Crescent Society spend the night in tents set up on the territory.

The delivery from the Azerbaijani side was supposed to be picked up by another truck, from the other side of the post, however the criminal separatist regime created by Armenia in Khankendi, doesn't allow it to take on the cargo.

On August 29, the Azerbaijani Red Crescent Society organized the delivery of food to meet the needs of people of Armenian origin living in Azerbaijan's Karabakh economic region. At the initial stage, it was planned to deliver 40 tons of flour along the Aghdam-Khankendi road.




President Bola Tinubu has extended his heartfelt condolences to King Mohammed VI of Morocco following Fridays devastating earthquake in his homeland, which claimed over 800 lives.





In the face of this adversity, Nigeria will continue to stand in solidarity with Morocco as they recover, rebuild and come out stronger than ever from this unfortunate event, the President assured Mohammed VI in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale on Saturday.





The statement is titled Earthquake: President Tinubu sends condolences to King of Morocco.





A powerful earthquake of magnitude 6.8 struck the village of Amizmiz, about 64km south of Marakesh on Saturday, the US Geological Survey confirmed.





Scientists said the earthquake, which was centred in Ighil destroyed some buildings in the ancient city and a UNESCO world heritage site.





Moroccan state media reports that at least 820 persons were killed and 672 injured. It said most deaths were in hard-to-reach mountainous areas.





President Tinubu commiserated with all families who lost loved ones and all those otherwise affected by the tragedy while wishing a full and swift recovery to those who were injured, Ngelale revealed.





He assured the government and people of Morocco that the heartfelt prayers and thoughts of Nigerians are with them during this difficult moment of tragedy.





Meanwhile, King Mohammed VI has ordered the armed forces to mobilise air and land assets, specialised search and rescue teams and a surgical field hospital, the Associated Press reports, citing a statement from the military.





The measure, the military says, is a sign of the huge scale of the disaster.





Nonetheless, despite offers of help from world leaders including French President Emmanuel Macron, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy of Ukraine, Narendra Modi of India and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, the Moroccan government is yet to formally seek assistance; a crucial move required for the deployment of rescue crews.





Saturdays earthquake is described as Moroccos deadliest since 2004 when a tremor in the northern Rif mountains killed over 600 people.
The National and State Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal in Benin City, has dismissed two petitions filed against the declaration of Dennis Idahosa as winner of the February 25 Ovia Federal Constituency election for lack of merit and being incompetent.

The petitioners, Epele Asemota of the Labour Party (LP) and Barr Omosede Igbinedion of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), had separately approached the court to challenge the victory of Idahosa.

Asemota and Igbenediion had accused INEC of not complying with the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022, as amended, in the conduct of the election.

They also contended that the election victory of the APC candidate was marred by irregularities through overvoting and multiple thumbprinting.

Osayuki Asemota and Omosede Igbinedion further alleged the non-usage of the BVAS machine during the election.

In its judgement, the tribunal, led by Justice Yusuf Mohammed, dismissed the two petitions on the grounds that they lacked merit and were incompetent, as the petitioners could not present any evidence to support their cases.

The three-man panel held that the onus was on the petitioners to prove the issues of overvoting, corrupt practices and non compliance with the Electoral Act as contained in their petitions.

According to the tribunal, The declaration of the 3rd respondent (Idahosa) is valid and petition dismissed.

Reacting to the judgement, counsel to Omosede, Mr Santos Owootori, expressed dissatisfaction with the verdict, maintaining that they would approach the court of appeal for redress.

On his part, counsel to Idahosa, Mr Famous Osawaru, lauded the judgement, adding that it was based on facts and not sentiment.

According to him, the mandate of Ovia people cannot be stolen, adding that his victory is a sign of liberation.
Laolu Akande, a former spokesperson of Yemi Osinbajo, former vice-president, says none of his political comments after May 29, should be ascribed to his former principal.

The former journalist was reacting to critics of his statement, where he said the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has lost the trust of citizens, by failing to electronically transmit the results of the 2023 presidential election.

In an interview on Friday, Akande described the electoral empire as damaged goods for failing to fulfil its promise.

His comment soon received clapbacks, particularly from members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), many of whom have ascribed his statements to Osinbajo.

Responding to critics on Saturday, Akande said he no longer speaks for the former vice-president.

I am aware some people think my comments since May 29 were on behalf of my former boss, VP Osinbajo who I worked with from 2015-2023 as media aide. It is now important to say I now only speak for myself & those views I have shared & will share going forward are entirely mine, he wrote on his X page.

There was tension in the party, especially between loyalists of Osinbajo and President Bola Tinubu, when the former vice-president declared his bid to contest against Tinubu at the APC presidential primary.
The Sheraton Mahwah Hotel, an iconic 22-story hotel in Bergen County, has filed notice with the state to lay off 91 workers as officials say the structure is likely to be demolished to make way for two huge warehouses.

The Sheraton Mahwah Hotel will lay off the workers by Dec. 15, according to a WARN notice filed last month with the states Department of Labor and Workforce Development.

The hotel, located near the New York border on more than 100 acres near Routes 17, 287 and 202, was built in 1986 and remains the largest structure in Mahwah, according to township Mayor Jim Wysocki.

I think its absolutely gorgeous, an iconic building for the township. Its going to be strange not seeing it there, Wysocki told NJ Advance Media on Friday.

When the Sheraton was built, the tallest structure in Mahwah was three stories, the mayor said.

Wysocki said the property was designated an office park in 2012, and that a portion of the hotel was rented as office space over the years. But when the pandemic hit, businesses disappeared as employees began working remotely.

Currently, the corporate end is only at 30% capacity, the mayor said.

While the hotel has been self-sustaining, Wysocki said income generated from guests and corporations isnt viable for current owner Crossroads Development Corp., which has seen a strong demand for industrial and warehouse uses.

From 1961 to 1980, the property was home to a large assembly plant owned by Ford Motor Company, according to Wyscocki.

Wysocki said the township planning board will meet next week to hear about Crossroads plans to redevelop the Sheraton property into warehouse space, along with impacts to the environment associated with demolishing the structure.

Anthony G. Attrino may be reached at tattrino@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyAttrino. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
Must love dogs. Jersey, too.

French director Luc Besson went to New Jersey last year to film his latest movie, which has plenty of both.
A small explosion damaged one side of a Washington Township home Friday night, fire officials said.

The cause of the explosion that badly damaged the Michael Terrace home around 8:30 p.m. was under investigation, Washington Township Fire Chief Rob Borkowski told NJ Advance Media.

Pictures from the scene showed that one side of the second floor of the home was blown out.

No injuries were reported but it was unclear if anyone was home at the time of the incident, Borkowski said.

No other details were released late Friday night.

Police stand outside a home that was damaged after a reported explosion in Washington Township, NJ, on Friday, September 8, 2023.Dave Hernandez | For NJ Advance

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com.

Chris Sheldon may be reached at csheldon@njadvancemedia.com.
A former senior corrections officer at the at Edna Mahan Correctional Facility, New Jerseys lone womens prison, was sentenced Friday to five years in state prison after he previously admitted having sexual contact with a prisoner, authorities said.

Tyrell Harris-McLaughlin, 29, of Jersey City was accused in October 2021 of sexually assaulting a female inmate at the Hunterdon County prison over whom he had supervisory and disciplinary authority through his position as a correctional officer, according to a statement from the Hunterdon County Prosecutors Office.

Evidence collected from the alleged assault was a match to Harris-McLaughlins DNA, according to the criminal complaint. The woman detailed the alleged assault in a recorded conversation with authorities less than a week later.

According to court documents, Harris-McLaughlin had sex with the unidentified prisoner on Sept. 22, 2021  just weeks after state and federal officials announced an agreement to rein in the abuse and exploitation of prisoners as Edna Mahan.

He was arrested, charged and later indicted last on single counts of second-degree sexual assault, second-degree official misconduct and fourth-degree criminal sexual contact, officials said.

On June 27 pleaded guilty to third-degree tampering with a witness and fourth-degree criminal sexual contact, the office said.

The Hunterdon County Prosecutors Office is committed to providing the highest standards of public service through effective investigations and prosecutions aimed at ensuring justice for all, Hunterdon County Prosecutor Renee M. Robeson said in a statement. When those entrusted to serve the public are alleged to have violated their oath, we will thoroughly and objectively carry out our commitment to seek justice. Our office will continue to work with the Attorney Generals Office and other law enforcement partners in our ongoing mission to create a safe environment for everyone in Hunterdon County. The sentence imposed by the Court today reinforces those collaborative goals.

The senior corrections officer is one of more than a dozen accused since 2017 of sexually abusing inmates. Under state and federal law, inmates cannot consent to sex, so any contact between a prisoner and an employee is considered a crime.

Harris-McLaughlin charges came during a time when the facility and the treatment of women incarcerated was under an intense microscope.

In 2020, the U.S. Department of Justice released their findings that sexual abuse of prisoners at the facility was rampant and an open secret for years. It led to the state and federal authorities recently reaching an agreement to appoint an independent monitor to oversee the prison and enact reforms to be better protect the incarcerated population.

As the two parties were working toward the agreement, NJ Advance Media reported on a coordinated and violent assault by officers against a handful of prisoners in January during late-night cell extractions. The incident led to the arrest of 10 officers, the resignation of DOC commissioner Marcus Hicks and prompted Gov. Phil Murphy to announce his intention to close the prison in the coming years.

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com.

Chris Sheldon may be reached at csheldon@njadvancemedia.com.
MINNEAPOLIS (AP)  A state commission went to work Tuesday on designing a new state flag and seal for Minnesota to replace a current emblem in both thats considered offensive to Native Americans.

One of the main elements of Minnesotas state flag includes a prominent state seal against a blue background. The seal depicts a Native American riding off into the sunset while a white settler plows his field with his rifle leaning on a nearby stump. The imagery suggests to many that the Indigenous people were defeated and going away, while whites won and were staying.

Not only do the states Dakota and Ojibwe tribes consider that offensive, but experts in the scientific and scholarly study of flags  known as vexillology  say its an overly complicated design.

Guidelines from the North American Vexillological Association say flags should be simple but meaningful, with just a few colors, easily recognizable from a distance, and without seals or lettering. The association ranks Minnesota in 67th place out of 72 U.S. and Canadian state and provincial flags. Minnesotas design dates from 1957, an evolution from the 1893 original.

Minnesota is joining several other states in redesigning flags that havent withstood the test of time. The Utah Legislature last winter approved a simplified flag design that still includes a beehive, a symbol of the prosperity and the industriousness of the Mormon pioneers who settled the state. Mississippi voters in 2020 chose a new state flag with a magnolia and the phrase In God We Trust to replace a Confederate-themed flag that had been used by Ku Klux Klan groups and was widely condemned as racist.

Other states considering simplifying their flags include Maine, where voters will decide next year whether to replace their current banner with a retro version featuring a simple pine tree and blue North Star, as well as Michigan and Illinois.

The Democratic-controlled Minnesota Legislature earlier this year tasked its commission  which includes representatives of the states tribal and other communities of color  with producing new designs for the flag and seal by Jan 1. Unless the Legislature rejects them, the new emblems will automatically become official on April 1, 2024, which Minnesota observes as Statehood Day.

What I am looking forward to is creating a flag that we can all be proud of, and a flag that everybody can look at and say: Yeah, thats Minnesotas flag. Thats a cool flag. Thats very distinctive, said the commissions vice chair, Anita Gall, who teaches state history at Minnesota West Community and Technical College in Worthington.

In contrast to flags, state seals, which are used among other things to stamp official documents, can be more intricate, said Democratic Rep. Mike Freiberg, of Golden Valley, an author of the legislation for the new emblems.

Democratic Secretary of State Steve Simon, who sits on the panel, noted that one of his official duties is to serve as keeper of the state seal. These are enduring symbols and emblems meant to last not just decades, but one or more centuries, Simon said. And so its a big responsibility.

Two Republican legislators with nonvoting seats on the panel urged their colleagues to choose designs that will be unifying symbols.

Rep. Bjorn Olson, of Fairmont, said the change will be difficult for him, as a student of history and as a captain in the Army Reserve, because outnumbered soldiers from Minnesota staged a critical charge that helped hold the Union line against advancing Confederate forces in the Battle of Gettysburg during the Civil War. The 1st Minnesota Infantry Regiment suffered heavy casualties while carrying a flag that was similar to the current design, he said.

I know that theres many Minnesotans that think we need a new flag and theres many that dont, said Sen. Steve Drazkowski, of Mazeppa. Obviously, the decision is made  were going to have a new flag. And so my goal going forward ... is that we have a flag that doesnt represent one idea or one ideology or one anything, but represents all of Minnesota.

 By STEVE KARNOWSKI Associated Press
Four drownings in 24 hours.

The unofficial end to summer at the Jersey Shore turned tragic just that quickly over Labor Day weekend as rough surf, sweltering temperatures and packed beaches combined for dangerous conditions that claimed four lives.

This is, experts say, the most dangerous time of year at the Jersey Shore.

Beach patrol ranks are depleted by departing college and high school students. Hurricanes hundreds of miles off the coast can spawn treacherous rip currents. And the ocean water remains an inviting respite for the still steamy days of late summer that continue to draw big crowds.

Were working with limited staff and its the height of the hurricane season in September, Harvey Cedars lifeguard Chief Randy Townsend told NJ Advance Media. Its the most challenging time of the year.

The drownings over Labor Day weekend were scattered between four different Jersey Shore towns some 80 miles apart - Belmar, Beach Haven, Seaside Park and Strathmere.

In the Strathmere drowning, a man died trying to rescue his fiance's 12-year-old daughter, who got caught in a rip current. A surfer pulled the girl to safety, but the man was swept away.

Countless other tragedies were averted on the Jersey Shores beaches with lifeguards making saves as a high risk of rip currents persisted through what Townsend described as an extremely busy Labor Day weekend.

Lifeguards in Asbury Park made 25 rescues on Sunday alone, the citys beach safety supervisor, Joe Bongiovanni said.

On a normal weekday, wed have 27 to 30 lifeguards, Bongiovanni said. Now we have like five, so its a lot of territory for them to cover and its a lot of pressure on them, especially when the water is bad like that. Kids going back to college, teachers going back to school  thats the majority of what we have as lifeguards.

Asbury Park technically closed its beaches to swimmers for the summer at 6 p.m. on Labor Day, but it was too hot to keep people out of the water even with rip currents still an issue earlier in the week, Bongiovanni said.

A lot of people just dont get it and they still want to go in the water, Bongiovanni said. They dont understand how quickly these rip currents can grab you and pull you out.

The National Weather Service says strong rip currents can be deadly, and swimmers should follow these safety tips.National Weather Service

While Saturday is expected to finally mark the end of the heat wave that has gripped New Jersey for days, warm temperatures are expected to remain amid scattered showers.

The bigger concern could be Hurricane Lee - a monster storm that has already treaded into Category 5 status - that could churn rough surf for days as it slows considerably far off the coast.

The National Hurricane Center is already warning of dangerous surf and rip currents for the entire East Coast starting Sunday.

Hurricane Lee is expected to turn north in the middle of next week as a category 4 hurricane.AccuWeather.com

My guess is were going to have to go back to red-flagging and just not allowing people in the water, Bongiovanni said of the threats from Hurricane Lee.

The National Weather Service typically issues rip current alerts in two-day increments and those headed to beaches are advised to stay alert for the long reach of Lee.

When this thing does end up turning to the north, we do expect prolonged swells and a prolonged high risk of rip currents, said Cameron Wunderlin, a meteorologist in the National Weather Services office in New Jersey.

When the inevitable rough surf and rip currents hit, there will be far fewer lifeguards on New Jersey beaches to keep people safe.

Townsend urged beachgoers to be careful, especially with Lees swells set to create dangerous ocean conditions in the coming days.

Theres obviously an elevated risk for individuals going out into the surf, whether the beaches may have been guarded or those who decide to throw caution to the wind and swim after hours not in front of a lifeguard, the Harvey Cedars lifeguard chief said. We always recommend to everyone know your limits and when it doubt, dont go out.

Red warning flags shown on the Jersey Shore in a file photo.Ed Murray | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com.

Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com.
Rescue teams began the arduous process Saturday of extricating an American researcher who became seriously ill while he was 3,000 feet below the entrance of a cave in Turkey, officials said.

It could take days to bring Mark Dickey to the surface since rescuers anticipate he will have to stop and rest frequently at camps set up along the way as they pull his stretcher through the narrow passages.

This afternoon, the operation to move him from his camp at 1040 meters to the camp at 700 meters began, Turkeys Disaster and Emergency Management Directorate, AFAD, told The Associated Press.

The 40-year-old experienced caver lives in New York and is the chief of the New Jersey Initial Response Team, a volunteer group that aids in search and rescue operations. He began vomiting on Sept. 2 because of stomach bleeding while on an expedition with a handful of others in the Morca cave in southern Turkeys Taurus Mountains.

Rescuers from across Europe have rushed there to help Dickey and to extract him, including one Hungarian doctor who reached and treated him inside the cave on Sept. 3. Doctors gave Dickey IV fluids and 4 liters (1 gallon) of blood inside the cave, officials said. Teams comprised of a doctor and three or four others take turns staying with the American at all times.

Were in touch with Turkish officials regarding the rescue operation underway for Mark Dickey  a local caver who leads the NJ Initial Response Team in Sussex County, reads a statement from Gov. Phil Murphys Facebook page Saturday morning. We are grateful to the Turkish military and first responders leading the rescue effort.

There are 190 personnel from eight countries assisting in the rescue effort, including doctors, paramedics and experienced cavers, Mersin Gov. Ali Hamza Pehlivan told media on Saturday. He added that 153 of them were search and rescue experts.

We have received information that his condition is getting better, thanks to medical intervention. He has been in stable condition as of yesterday, he added.

Speaking with the AP before rescue operations began, Recep Salci, head of AFADs search and rescue department, said the rescue will depend on Dickeys condition.

If he feels well, we will assist him, and he will come out (of the cave) fast. But if his condition worsens, we will have to bring him up on a stretcher. He said bringing Dickey up in a stretcher could take up to 10 days.

Yusuf Ogrenecek of the Speleological Federation of Turkey says that one of the most difficult tasks of cave rescue operations is widening the narrow cave passages to allow stretcher lines to pass through at low depths.

Stretcher lines are labor intensive and require experienced cave rescuers working long hours, Ogrenecek said, adding that other difficult factors range from navigating through mud and water at low temperatures to the psychological toll of staying inside a cave for long periods of time.

In Rome, Federico Catania, the spokesman for Italys National Alpine and Speleological Rescue described the cave as one of the deepest in the world.

The cave is made up of many vertical shafts, so many sections that are extremely vertical with few horizontal sections where (the) rescuers are setting up temporary camps, he said.

Turkish authorities made a video message available that showed Dickey standing and moving around on Thursday. While alert and talking, he said he was not healed on the inside and needed a lot of help to get out of the cave. He thanked the caving community and the Turkish government for their efforts to rescue him.

NJ Advance Media staff writers contributed to this report.
ASTANA, Kazakhstan, September 9. The Presidents of Kazakhstan and Albania, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Bajram Begaj, expressed satisfaction with the implementation of large-scale initiatives related to the development of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (Middle Corridor) in Central Asia in a joint statement by the presidents of the two countries following the meeting in Astana, Trend reports.

"The parties highly appreciated the reforms being carried out in both countries and measures for sustainable development of internal policy and social economy aimed at improving the well-being of the peoples of Kazakhstan and Albania, the statement said.

It is noted that both sides are willing to further enhance the transparency, stability, and predictability of investment policies for the economic development of their countries; to continue efforts on ensuring a stable, open, and predictable business environment for investors; and to jointly support cooperation projects aiming at the realization of mutual benefits and safeguarding the rights and interests of investors.

According to the statement, the parties also expressed interest in opening direct air connections between the countries and further increasing the number of flights and destinations.

The Middle Corridor is a transportation and trade route that connects Asia and Europe, passing through several countries in the region. It is an alternative route to the traditional Northern Corridor and Southern Corridor. The route starts in China and crosses Central Asian countries such as Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan. It then passes through the Caspian Sea, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Turkey before reaching Europe. The Middle Corridor offers a land route that connects the eastern parts of Asia, including China, with Europe, bypassing the longer maritime routes.
A 50-year-old Vineland man was indicted by an Atlantic County grand jury Thursday for second-degree vehicular homicide in connection with a motorcycle accident that occurred back in 2021.

Joseph Melini was riding his motorcycle at around 8:10 p.m. October 30, 2021 where he crashed his motorcycle in the 300 block of Delaware Avenue in Atlantic City, according to a release from the Atlantic County Prosecutors Office.

His passenger, 36-year-old Naisha Peterson of Mays Landing, was ejected from the motorcycle and died from her injuries.

Further investigation concluded that Melini was under the influence at the time of the crash and he was arrested in June. The prosecutors office has not said why the arrest took nearly two years.

According to her obituary, Peterson was the mother of two sons and a daughter.

Please subscribe now and support the local journalism YOU rely on and trust.

Lauren Musni may be reached at lmusni@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @Laurengmusni. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
Town officials, a developer, and residents are continuing a back-and-forth scuffle in an attempt to figure out the future of a historic parcel of New Jersey land that once housed a bustling research lab that helped prove the Big Bang Theory.

The Holmdel Planning Board this week voted to recommend to the Township Committee that a portion of Crawford Hill be deemed a condemnation area in need of redevelopment. And now the township committee has on the agenda for its Sept. 12 meeting a resolution concurring with the Planning Boards recommendation.

A representative for Phillips Preiss Grygiel Leheny Hughes LLC, Kate Keller, presented the findings from a township-funded study to the Planning Board that looked only at Lot 7  an 8.4 acre portion of the 42-acre Crawford Hill property. It contains the two story, 56,000 square foot office and research building, the main parking area, certain circulation driveways and the stormwater management basin.

There were two criteria that make the site fit the designation as an area in need of redevelopment for condemnation, Keller said  its obsolete and has been vacant for more than two years.

The building was completed in 1962 and used by Bell Labs and other incarnations of the company up until 2020. In its heyday, 150 to 200 people worked there. It has been vacant for about three years.

The 42-acre property, which contains the Horn Antenna, a national historic landmark that confirmed the Big Bang, was purchased last year for $3.7 million by Crawford Hill Holdings. Its development plan calls for 88 townhomes for people 55 and older to be built.

Residents groups Citizens for Informed Land Use, Friends of Holmdel Open Space and Preserve Holmdel started a petition that has gathered 9,800 signatures calling for the preservation of the Horn Antenna and Crawford Hill.

And the Township Committee last month passed two ordinances concerning lots 6 and 6.01, where the Horn Antenna sits, to negotiate for the purchase of those 32 acres and to use eminent domain if those negotiations fail to produce results.

The 5-to-1 vote in favor of recommending that lot 7 on Crawford Hill be deemed a condemnation area in need of redevelopment has no affect on those sites.

Joseph Grather, an attorney for Crawford Hill Holdings, the owner of the property, told the Planning Board that if they took the handcuffs off the zoning, the property would have a tenant.

Its currently zoned for research and office space, the very specific use that Nokia and its predecessors used it for.

It is clear from [the] planning board meeting and consideration of whether the Crawford Hill property is truly an area in need of redevelopment that the township is rushing to judgment without considering all the facts, Rakesh Antala, a principle for Crawford Hill Holdings, said in a statement to NJ Advance Media.

Besides the expert witnesses, residents at the meeting shared that the ... former Nokia building that is on the site is in good condition and does not pose any detriment or harm to the community. Yet, the town wants to condemn it.

At least two residents spoke out in favor of finding a new use for the building.

We dont need development or redevelopment, but rather, reuse, said Ralph Blumenthal. Since December, we and others have advocated for the preservation of all three lots as a park with public access.

He suggested using the buildings as a park office and more.

Lets preserve and build upon the history making research that happened here, Blumenthal said.

Another resident, Roberta Kaufman, suggested making the building into a science center.

The potential of developing this for our children as a science center  is so overwhelmingly great. The property is ready for that kind of thing, she said.

Keller, of Phillips Preiss Grygiel Leheny Hughes LLC, said designating it an area in need of redevelopment by condemnation does not rule out the possibility of reusing the building.

The lone Planning Board member who voted against the designation, Ron Emma, said, I think this goes against the Master Plan from 2004. So I cant make a recommendation for redevelopment.

Are you an agent, buyer or seller who is active in this changing market? Do you have tips about New Jerseys real estate market? Unusual listings? Let us know.

More real estate coverage:

Thank you for relying on us to provide the local news you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a subscription.
Six-day (Tuesday through Sunday) print subscribers of the Watertown Daily Times are eligible for full access to NNY360, the NNY360 mobile app, and the Watertown Daily Times e-edition, all at no additional cost.

If you have an existing six-day print subscription to the Watertown Daily Times, please make sure your email address on file matches your NNY360 account email. You can sign up or manage your print subscription using the options below.
Watertown, NY (13601)

Today

Partly cloudy this morning. A few showers developing during the afternoon. High around 45F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 30%..

Tonight

Rain and snow showers this evening turning to all snow overnight. Low 31F. Winds light and variable. Chance of precip 70%. About one inch of snow expected.
ASTANA, Kazakhstan, September 9. As part of the fifth Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asia, the transport ministers of Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan will meet for the first time on September 13 in Dushanbe, Trend reports.

The transport ministers of the region's countries plan to present and approve the draft agreement on strengthening the interconnectedness of land transport in Central Asia, which will be signed within the framework of the fifth Consultative Meeting of Heads of State.

The purpose of signing this agreement is to achieve strong relations in the Central Asian region in the field of transport and logistics, including the creation of favorable conditions for the development of international transportation by land transport. In addition, the parties hope that this step will ensure a competitive environment in the transport services market in the Central Asian region, increase efficiency, and form new international corridors, including multimodal ones.

Following the meeting, the transport ministers of the five countries in the region will adopt a joint communique.
After allegedly killing his former girlfriend and wounding a man who tried to intervene, investigators believe Jones fled the country, crossing the border into Mexico, said Capt. Jason Rivarde, spokesperson for the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office. He might even have made his way to Central America.

"I want him to go to jail. I want him to see what he's done," Kim Richburg said. "Death is too easy."

As Ronnika Richburg's family gathered at Providence Memorial Park and Mausoleum in Metairie Thursday to honor what would have been her 36th birthday, Jones' freedom as a fugitive cast a bitter pall.

"My sister's been dead for three years, and he still ain't been to trial. How's that possible?" Ronald Richburg Jr., 42, asked through tears.

Stalking and harassment
his work is supported with a grant funded by the Walton Family Foundation and administered by the Society of Environmental Journalists.

Email Mark Schleifstein at mschleifstein@theadvocate.com or follow him on Twitter, @MSchleifstein.
Subscription to paid content

Gain access to all that Trend has to offer, as well as to premium, licensed content via subscription or direct purchase through a credit card.
There has been much debate about this national programme and how fair it is to those businesses who have to pay the bills.

For the government, it is an important part of the overall receipts as it generates around 30 billion per year.

Business rates are effectively a property tax linked to the underlying value of commercial premises. In addition to raising money for the Treasury, this also accounts for nearly 25% of all council spending power.

The system has been rightly criticised as it disproportionately effects sectors of the economy. There have also been real problems with the slow-moving nature of the process which is both ponderous and almost invariably out of step with real property values. The system should be the subject of a five yearly revaluation to make sure that it accurately reflects the real time economy. In recent years however this has proved to be such a slow process that high values have persisted when, in reality, bills should have been significantly lower. This has particularly been the case in the retail sector. One of the major concerns is that it effectively is a tax only raised from those who own premises. There are many who do not get caught by the system, such as, the online retailers  Amazon etc. who operate warehouses from remote locations and often from international basis, who pay little or nothing towards this tax thereby creating an unfair trading advantage.

It is nothing new that the woes of this process have been criticised. Several reports have been produced as far back as 2004. Sir Michael Lyons was appointed by government to undertake a comprehensive enquiry into the system. Little or nothing came from this. It was then followed by the launch of the most wide-ranging review of national business rates in a generation in 2015. Again, nothing significant appeared from this. Every year since 2020 a new fundamental review has been promised, but still many suffer from the same system that has become one of the biggest payments for many business premises occupiers.

It is worth noting that the government have introduced discount rates and exemptions for the smallest businesses. This certainly helps many small traders but still this proves to be a huge outgoing which is holding back investment in staff, equipment, and marketing.

Receipts are roughly apportioned between the major commercial sectors as 21% from retail, 23% from offices, 26% from industry and 30% from other sources.

Such as the nature of the current economic environment that it is inevitable that the demands for reforming this 'unfair tax' have never been louder. Many, particularly in the retail sector, say that this is crippling High Streets. It is certainly the case that many of the gaps we are now seeing in our High Streets are partly the result of this system. Nationally there have been over 6,000 stores closed in the last five years. Only in the last few days have we heard announcements that the Wilko Group will be closing 52 branches in the next few weeks, including three stores in Cornwall (Falmouth, Truro, and St Austell). The effect on real peoples lives is a tragic outcome from this  more than 1,000 people will lose their jobs because of these Wilko closures.

The problem with the system used is the 'multiplier'. This is the uniform business rate multiplied by the rateable valuable of the property. This is used to calculate the rates bill. This has risen from 34p in 1990 to the current level of 51.2p. During Covid, the government introduced business rate holidays for retail, hospitality, and leisure. This undoubtedly helped many to survive Covid lockdowns. All commercial businesses were awarded some relief until July 2021. This whole package however has now unwound, and the benefits will disappear by April 2024. It is estimated by the British Retail Consortium that this will add half a billion pounds to the cost of doing business. If this cost is added to increased energy bills and 9% staff wage rises, then it is easy to see how profitable trading will be difficult to achieve.

It may be the case that the government recognise how difficult trading conditions are and that they will extend the discount period for another 12 months. This is a big ask for them, as they have little or no capacity to support economic initiatives because the Treasurys coffers are virtually empty. It is also difficult to see how the government can back out of this system. They have created a rod for their own back. To replace the full benefits of the current system would inevitably put pressure on other areas of tax revenue.

It is my view that now is the time to mount a major campaign and to use the current state of political volatility (particularly in the run up to the next general election  probably somewhere between May-October 2024), to mobilise the collective voice of business to ensure that this whole process is modernised. The main areas of reform which would be beneficial include reducing the multiplier, introducing more frequent revaluations  ideally every year but improving this to three years rather than five would help - improving the degree of transparency from the governments Valuation Office Agency and reforming the appeal system, particularly the time it takes to successfully present a case and get an outcome.

A campaign to remove the system all together would be extremely difficult. Almost every country in the developed world has a form of property tax, the result therefore of abolishing the current business rate system would only result in it being replaced by something else.

Another area where fairness should prevail, is to ensure that all those who are involved in the online market are included somehow in this whole process. This would result in a more level playing field for High Streets and Town Centres.

It would also be more transparent if businesses could fully understand how paying this tax benefits them through public services. To most of us there is no real clarity as to where on earth this money is spent.

This whole matter is an important issue for business survival and profitability. A concerted campaign across Northern Devon to all our prospective new elected Members, would be a campaign worth fighting.
CROWN POINT  A Crown Point man who was one of the first to pursue police during the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol was arrested Friday in connection with the insurrection, according to a according to a statement released by the U.S. Attorneys Office.

Gregory Mijares, 41, drove from Crown Point to Washington to protest the election and attend a rally held that day in support of former President Donald Trump, according to the statement, which cited court documents.

Following the rally, Mijares began walking with the crowd toward the U.S. Capitol and entered the grounds, wearing a gas mask, the statement said. Mijares eventually made his way to the Lower West Terrace as he pursued retreating police officers. As officers attempted to fall back into the Lower West Terrace Tunnel, Mijares stood in their path and raised a flag over his head. Officers then attempted to remove Mijares from their path, and a physical altercation ensued between officers and Mijares.

Closed Circuit TV footage from the Capitol shows that Mijares was one of the first rioters to pursue police into the Tunnel, entering the archway at approximately 2:41 p.m., the statement said.

Body-worn camera footage and open-source video show Mijares as he approached a set of glass doors that police previously locked behind them as they moved further into the Tunnel, according to the statement. Moments later, rioters smashed one of the panes of glass in the doors. Mijares then held up his middle finger at officers before pulling open the now-broken door for others to push forward. Mijares then approached a second set of Tunnel doors just behind the first and pulled one open for his fellow rioters. Officers attempted to push Mijares back using a riot shield, and he responded by taking a step back and slamming his body into the shield.

Mijares pushed against the riot shield as he was swarmed by other protesters who were fighting with the police, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office.

At some point, an officer struck Mijares with a baton while he was facing the shield wall, the U.S. Attorneys Office said. Mijares attempted to block the baton by raising his arms up in front of his head, eventually grabbing the baton.

Later in the attempted coup, Mijares joined other rioters in a coordinated pushing heave ho effort against the police line for approximately several minutes, the statement said, and also assisted other rioters in coordinating the passing of riot shields that had been taken from the police.

Mijares was arrested Friday in Crown Point and made his initial appearance in the Northern District of Indiana. He was charged with felony civil disorder, as well as the misdemeanor offenses of entering or remaining in a restricted building or grounds, and disorderly and disruptive conduct in any restricted building or grounds.

In the 32 months since the insurrection, more than 1,146 individuals have been arrested in nearly all 50 states and charged with crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including more than 398 individuals charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement, the U.S. Attorneys Office said.
Two Gary schools and a Hebron Middle School teacher were recognized at the second annual Indiana Educational Excellence Award Gala, held in Indianapolis on Friday night.

During the gala, hosted by the Indiana Department of Education, nearly $5 million were awarded to school and educators across the state.

According to an IDOE press release, schools were awarded for their efforts in areas including early literacy, STEM education, college readiness and teacher professional development. The amount of each financial award was based on the school's student population.

In addition, 16 teachers were each awarded $2,500 for their efforts in areas including professional growth, technology use in the classroom and creating community partnerships.

Beveridge Elementary School in Gary won Excellence in STEM, and received $85,250. The award recognizes schools that have expanded access to high-quality STEM learning opportunites for its students.

Principal Tyneasha Banks said they were honored to be recognized by IDOE.

"Our team and students worked tirelessly to earn a state recognized STEM certification, and we remain committed to building our knowledge base and offering meaningful educational opportunities to our students," Banks said.

21st Century Charter School in Gary won Excellence in College Readiness, which recognizes schools that demonstrated a commitment to helping students prepare for college. The school was awarded $250,000.

Kevin Teasley, founder and superintendent of 21st Century, said they were grateful to be acknowledged by the state department of education.

"When we show our students that there is a future for them in college and various careers, they are more driven to do the work to graduated from high school on time," Teasley said in a press release. "These efforts are paying off."

Kristy Stephens, an eighth grade English language arts teacher at Hebron Middle School was one of two educators who received the Lifetime Educator Excellence Award, which recognized teachers with 16 years or more of experience that demonstrated a commitment to their own and other teachers' professional development.

"We are trilled Kristy is receiving this honor as she is very deserving," Hebron schools Superintendent Jeff Brooks said.

School awards were funded by state ESSER fund, while individual teacher awards were funded through sponsorships.

PHOTOS: U.S. Transportation Secratary Pete Buttigieg visits Gary
GARY  More than one month after his death, the family of Matthew Potocki is encouraging anyone who saw him the day he disappeared to come forward.

Potocki's family and friends handed out flyers near the corner of Cline Avenue and Blaine Street in Gary, where Potocki was last seen on video surveillance July 28, his family said. The street has numerous construction and trucking businesses and the family is hoping one of the employees passing by might have seen him.

"This was the last place Matt was seen getting out of his car," his mother Donna Higuet said. "Then a week later, I'm getting a call that they found him."

The body of Potocki, 32, of Hebron, was pulled from a body of water on the morning of Aug. 4 in a marsh area near East 163rd and Cline avenues in Gary. He was found by an individual spraying the area for weeds, Higuet said. The family posted signs around the area and displayed a large banner on the corner of Blaine Street that reads, "Justice for Matt Potocki."

One week before he was found, Higuet said he called her around 3:15 p.m. that afternoon and told her he was being kidnapped in the area of Cline Avenue and Fifth Avenue. She was terrified, she said, and called police. She then phoned his friend Jason Rodriguez and asked him if he had heard from Potocki that day. Rodriguez, who said was working nearby, hadn't heard from his friend, so he drove over to the area. He found Potocki's car abandoned near the area with his license and the keys inside.

"I was driving back and forth down Fifth Avenue for like 20 minutes looking for him," Rodriguez said.

Thirty minutes after Potocki called Higuet, he called 911. County police were dispatched to the area, Higuet said, but did not discover anything suspicious. He placed a one minute phone call to a friend ten minutes after calling 911. After that call, he wasn't heard from again. Higuet filed a missing person's report the following Wednesday. Potocki battled with substance use and was intoxicated at the time of the calls.

"Even when he relapsed, we always kept in touch," Higuet said.

The Lake County coroner's office said Potocki's death was caused by toxic effects of cocaine and alcohol. The manner is undetermined. However, it is being investigated as a homicide by the Lake County Prosecutor's Homicide Task Force.

His 24-year-old sister, Tara, said she remembers him as someone who had a true zest for life and "always lived life on the edge."

"He loved gambling, motorcycles, anything that would get your blood pumping," Tara said. "And he was big on family and loyalty."

Rodriguez said he had known Potocki for approximately 20 years and felt like an older brother to him.

"That guy lived for every moment," Rodriguez said. "He had this effervescent glow that would blind you, man. He had such big ambitions. He would dive head first into anything."

Potocki's family and friends hope to receive more information from authorities in the coming weeks. Tara Potocki said the family will keep pushing forward until they figure out what happened to Matt.

"We will fight like hell for justice for my brother," she said.

Anyone with information can contact Detective Gary Runde with the Lake County Prosecutor's Homicide Task Force at grunde@isp.in.gov.
Soon, viewers around the world will be able to see a Munster native rappel down to golden eagle nests, treat sloths that climbed up power lines in Costa Rica and try to round up a herd of bison by helicopter.

Wildlife veterinarian Michelle Oakleys popular National Geographic show is returning for the 12th and final season.

Dr. Oakley, Yukon Vet will debut the first episode of the new season, in which she herds unruly reindeer and treats a limping mini ram, at 9 p.m. Saturday on NatGeo Wild, a cable network that reaches viewers around the world. It will air at the same time every Saturday night and be added to the popular streaming services Disney+ and Hulu in October.

Its a show about me and my three daughters in the Yukon and really remote Alaska. We also travel to Costa Rica this season, she said. We travel all over the world doing vet work. Weve been to Uganda, Sri Lanka and remote places where they dont get vet care. Theres a good mix of vet care, wildlife conservation and adventure this season.

She goes to Nome, Alaska to treat golden eagles that suffer from nearly toxic levels of lead contamination, partly from eating deer carcasses hunters left bullet-riddled. Its a problem that also affects condors and bald eagles.

The bald eagle parents nest on cliffs in remote areas you cant access, he said. So we had to rappel down to the nests, which was crazy. We checked on the chicks to make sure theyre okay.

This season she also rescues dogs, cats, chickens, bison and sloths in Costa Rica.

They love to climb power lines and they get zapped, which can lead to injury and mortality, she said. We have messages out to the power companies to block the ability for sloths to climb. Some sloths survive but end up with broken bones, burns and fractures that sometimes have to be amputated. They can be released back in the wild even after an amputation. There are three-legged sloths out in the wild. Sloths, especially females, also have babies with them or are pregnant so if they die, we have to raise the baby for two years because it can be released.

She also cares for spider monkeys, ocelots and other wild animals with the help of her daughters Sierra, Maya and Willow.

A really cool part of the show is that its a family show. We travel together to provide vet services, she said. Sierras now a vet student in Australia. Willow couldnt travel with us in past seasons but is now working on the show almost full-time. They were younger when the show started 10 years ago and people have been able to watch them grow up on the series. Its docureality. You cant script anything with animals. Its all as it happening.

She said it was an emotional season as it was the last. She hopes the program inspired more international wildlife rescue efforts.

We get letters from older kids saying it inspired them to become veterinarians, she said. There are no words to describe how that makes me feel. When I was a kid I was really into animals and found out Jane Goodall was coming to the Lincoln Park Zoo with her book. My mother took me to meet her and I told her I want to do what you do. She waved her hand and said, and you shall. Its really exciting to be able to return that encouragement to young women, girls and boys too.

Her mother Georgia Plantinga, who lives in Schererville, said Oakley was always around animals when she was a kid and cut her teeth at the Hammond Animal Hospital, where she volunteered every week. Oakley, whose first job was as a Times of Northwest Indiana carrier, learned from the veterinarian David George, who became a lifelong friend who went to her wedding.

After graduating from the University of Michigan she got an internship at the Calgary Zoo, which led to a job with the Canadian government when she moved to the Yukon. It sent her repeatedly to Sweden to work on a major international grizzly bear study.

She ended up striking out to start a private veterinary practice that led her to treat wild animals all over the world, including dogs, koalas and kangaroos that were burned in wildfires.

Im so proud of her, Plantinga said. Her show is broadcast worldwide. People all over the world are inspired by what shes done. Shes an inspiration to them.

NatGeo Wild airs the show in more than 50 countries. She gets recognized on the street in East Africa and South America.

When we started the show there werent that many wildlife vets or vet shows, she said. They originally came to film three episodes and it just snowballed.

The shows success allowed her to obtain more equipment for the animals she treats, like X-rays and ultrasounds. It gave her the chance to meet many interesting people living in remote areas of Alaska and the Yukon.

Especially the last couple seasons, the show has done a great job of telling the individual and family stories of the people living these remote lifestyles, she said. They deserve their own reality shows. Theyre so interesting and independent.

It also led to a lot of adventure, such as flying in helicopters and leaning out to try to dart wild animals. In this season, she for instance attempts to herd bison with a helicopter before switching to horseback when that didnt work.

She hopes the show will continue to find viewers on streaming services and inspire people to do what they can to conserve wildlife.

Hopefully people are inspired, she said. Everyone has a role to play. Some people volunteer for projects but you can do conservation by just not using plastic. I had to remove a plastic bag from a reindeers stomach this season. You can play a role by trying to buy things with less plastic and packaging.

Shes launching the new Better Wild foundation, which will work to conserve wildlife worldwide. It will help wildlife centers and sell products like healthy, sustainable pet food with minimal packaging.

Its a nonprofit like Newmans Own, she said. It will all go to help with wildlife conservation.

Starting up the foundation may end up being the subject of her next reality show, which shes still in talks about. She hopes to continue to inspire people.

My mom has always been there for me. My dad and grandma were too. They always told me I could do whatever I wanted and to go for it and just do it. They believed in me. I was lucky to grow up with that love and support, she said. Its a reminder to parents to encourage their kids to follow their dreams.
A man beat up a mercenary of Wagner PMC named Vyacheslav in Bataysk, Rostov region (Russian Federation) in the city park on the night of September 3, who participated in the war against Ukraine. The Russian shot the war criminal 13 times with a traumatic pistol, but the Wagner soldier survived.

ADVERTISIMENT

The suspect in "attempted murder from hooligan motives" was detained. The incident was confirmed by the Investigative Committee of the aggressor country.

Russian media writes that the shooting took place near the Klever cafe. 28-year-old Vyacheslav, who returned home from the SMO, was injured. He was hospitalized in the Central Hospital in the morning, where several operations were performed.

According to the relatives of the occupant, he was walking in the park with a girl and met an old friend, so the men began to lift each other joyfully. A stranger standing near the cafe was watching them. Vyacheslav asked him why he was looking like that and if he had any questions.

An altercation ensued, and a crowd of about 20 people appeared from the side of the cafe. They started beating Vyacheslav. Then one of the men suggested the Wagner soldier "step back and talk". The occupant took off his shirt as he thought they would fight. But the man, according to the mercenary's mother, opened fire at Vyacheslav with a traumatized gun.

ADVERTISIMENT

By the way, the brother of the Wagner criminal said that now "kind people" will patrol the city center in the evenings, the Klever cafe in particular. Most of them are Russian occupiers who participated in the criminal full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

"Military say that fights are constantly taking place near this establishment, and the residents of Bataysk are tired of getting knives and bullets in the back".

ADVERTISIMENT

As OBOZREVATEL wrote, a man in military uniform recently threatened to detonate a grenade in Russian Rostov-on-Don. He chose a tent in which they collected aid for the Russian occupiers as his target.

Only verified information from us on Telegram Obozrevatel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
The CEO of Pulse Technology, whose Indiana headquarters are in Merrillville, spoke at a national conference in Boston about the importance of diversification in the office technology industry now that working from home has caught on.

Chip Miceli, the CEO of the firm that's a successor to McShane's in Munster and Kramer Leonard in Chesterton, addressed the 2023 BTA National Conference, a two-day industry conference featuring vendor exhibits and many presentations on industry issues.

Miceli served as a panelist on a diversification panel.

Diversification in our industry is critical to the survival of dealerships, he said. Our industry has seen some major changes and the dealers who adapt to diversifying their products and offerings are the ones who will thrive in the future.

He stressed that the industry suffered during the coronavirus pandemic, which result in more working from home and hybrid work arrangements. Office technology dealers must diversify to survive and thrive, he said.

MPS was a strong part of the business of office dealers for many years, but the forward-looking ones are adding other services to their business, including managed network, software sales, and document management, to name a few.

Dating back to 1955, Pulse Technology has offices in Merrillville, Schaumburg and Rockford, serving businesses across the Midwest. The firm at 3801 E Lincoln Hwy in Merrillville offers managed IT services, office technology, software, office design and the office supplies that long were the bread and butter of McShane's and Kramer Leonard.
A lawsuit claims a new state statute permitting Ukrainians temporarily residing in the United States to obtain an Indiana driver's license or identification card unlawfully discriminates against individuals from other counties also living in the U.S. on "humanitarian parole."

The Indiana chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union last month challenged the constitutionality of a portion of House Enrolled Act (HEA) 1050 on behalf of five Haitians lawfully admitted to the United States on a temporary basis who currently are living in central or southern Indiana, along with any other person in Indiana facing a similar situation.

The ACLU claims the Indiana law violates the Equal Protection Clause of the U.S. Constitution's 14th Amendment by allowing only Ukrainians on humanitarian parole to get a driver's license or state ID, while denying access to those essential documents to everyone else with similar status, including individuals from Afghanistan, Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua and Venezuela.

"Persons on humanitarian parole from other countries could benefit equally from being allowed to drive or otherwise obtaining state-issued identification, and the limitation imposed by HEA 1050 represents quintessential national-origin discrimination," the lawsuit says.

The lawsuit also notes the legal ability to drive is essential in Indiana, especially rural Indiana, where public transit generally is nonexistent, employment and self-sufficiency largely depend on regular use of a vehicle, and driving is particularly necessary for individuals on humanitarian parole who are new to the country, have few friends and likely must attend numerous appointments and other obligations connected to their temporary status in the United States.

"There is no legitimate governmental interest, let alone a compelling one, in allowing persons on humanitarian parole from Ukraine but not from other countries to obtain Indiana drivers licenses and identification cards and to register and title vehicles," the lawsuit says.

Republican Attorney General Todd Rokita is scheduled to respond to the lawsuit in defense of the statute enacted by the Republican-controlled General Assembly and Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb, and on behalf of the Bureau of Motor Vehicles commissioner, no later than Oct. 5.

Oral arguments before U.S. District Judge Tanya Walton Pratt are set for 3 p.m. Region time Nov. 7 at the federal courthouse in Indianapolis.

Records show the United States granted humanitarian parole to eligible Ukrainians in April 2022 following Russia's unlawful invasion of the European nation.

Their temporary status, currently scheduled to last two years but may be extended, permits qualified Ukrainians to live and work in the United States for the duration of their parole.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security launched a second humanitarian parole program in 2022 that now allows a total of 30,000 citizens of Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua and Venezuela to be temporarily admitted to the United States each month in recognition of the dangerous conditions prevailing in their home countries.

Gallery: Get to know these new Indiana laws that took effect July 1 AirTags Alcohol permits Animal facilities Annexation Book bans Bullying Charter schools Child molesting Childrens hospitals Domestic violence Drinking water Electric/hybrid vehicles Encroachment FAFSA Financial literacy Firefighting equipment Food and beverage tax Gender-affirming care Gary schools Gasoline tax Human trafficking Illiana Expressway Inmate gender Insurance fund Juror pay Juveniles Lake County convention center Lake County recorder Landlords Little Calumet River Lost farmland Machine guns Mail-in ballots Mental health Military bases Military pay Pension investments Public health School board elections Service animals Sex education SNAP assistance Speed cameras State comptroller Storage units Tax sales Taxpayer receipt Teachers unions Throwing stars Transit Development District 21st Century Scholars Valparaiso lawsuit Xylazine
Every county in Northwest Indiana, and nearly all of the state's 92 counties, has agreed to accept a massive infusion of state support to expand their public health programs and services.

Senate Enrolled Act 4 (2023), sponsored by state Sen. Ed Charbonneau, R-Valparaiso, established Health First Indiana to bolster local public health infrastructure in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic that's killed more than 25,000 Hoosiers since 2020.

The Republican-controlled General Assembly and Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb backed the initiative by providing in House Enrolled Act 1001 (2023) a total of $75 million for local public health during the 2024 calendar year, and another $150 million in 2025.

In comparison, GOP state budgets enacted in prior years distributed just $6.9 million for local public health across the state.

In exchange for the extra cash, counties had to agree to spend it only on so-called "core public health services," including disease prevention, tobacco cessation, maternal and child health, chronic illness reduction, sexually transmitted infections testing, childhood lead screening, health education and access to vaccinations, among others.

County health departments also must track how each dollar is spent and the impact the money has on health outcomes; regularly report the results to the state, local elected officials and the general public; and maintain local government funding for public health services at least at the same level as prior to the infusion of the additional state dollars.

Records show the county commissioners in Lake, Porter, LaPorte, Newton and Jasper counties all opted-in to Health First Indiana.

As a result, the state is preparing to distribute next year the following amounts: $6 million to Lake County, including the Gary and East Chicago public health departments; $1.8 million to Porter County; $1.4 million for LaPorte County; $156,000 for Newton County; and $333,000 for Jasper County.

In 2025, Lake County public health agencies will receive approximately $12 million in Health First Indiana funding, Porter County is in line for about $4 million, LaPorte County will get $3 million or so, Newton County up to $400,000, and Jasper County about $750,000, according to the Indiana Department of Health.

That's an unprecedented increase relative to this year's state-provided local public health funding of just $190,000 for Lake County, $136,000 to Porter County, $117,000 to LaPorte County, $47,000 in Newton County and $52,000 in Jasper County.

The governor said he's pleased 86 counties chose to participate in Health First Indiana, and he's optimistic the additional support for public health, community partnerships and innovative health programs will reverse the numerous indicators showing Hoosiers are considerably less healthy than other Americans.

"Communities across the state are recognizing this 1500% increased state investment as a game-changer for Hoosiers not just today, but for generations to come," Holcomb said.

Records show the six counties opting out are: Crawford, Fountain, Harrison, Johnson, Wells and Whitley.

Meet the 2023 Northwest Indiana legislative delegation State Rep. Carolyn Jackson, D-Hammond State Rep. Earl Harris Jr., D-East Chicago State Rep. Ragen Hatcher, D-Gary State Rep. Ed Soliday, R-Valparaiso State Rep. Pat Boy, D-Michigan City State Rep. Chuck Moseley, D-Portage State Rep. Mike Aylesworth, R-Hebron State Rep. Mike Andrade, D-Munster State Rep. Vernon Smith, D-Gary State Rep. Hal Slager, R-Schererville State Rep. Kendell Culp, R-Rensselaer State Rep. Julie Olthoff, R-Crown Point State Rep. Jim Pressel, R-Rolling Prairie State Sen. Dan Dernulc, R-Highland State Sen. Lonnie Randolph, D-East Chicago State Sen. Eddie Melton, D-Gary State Sen. Rodney Pol Jr., D-Chesterton State Sen. Ed Charbonneau, R-Valparaiso State Sen. Rick Niemeyer, R-Lowell State Sen. Mike Bohacek, R-Michiana Shores
A federal appeals court ruled on Friday that the Biden administration most likely overstepped the First Amendment by urging the major social media platforms to remove misleading or false content about the Covid-19 pandemic, partly upholding a lower courts preliminary injunction in a victory for conservatives.

The ruling, by a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit in New Orleans, was another twist in a First Amendment case that has challenged the governments ability to combat false and misleading narratives about the pandemic, voting rights and other issues that spread on social media.

The judges wrote that the White House and the Office of the Surgeon General had coerced the platforms to make their moderation decisions by way of intimidating messages and threats of adverse consequences and significantly encouraged the platforms decisions by commandeering their decision-making processes.

The appellate court also found that the Federal Bureau of Investigation had used coercion in its interactions with the companies, which took down 50 percent of the material online that the bureaus agents flagged as troublesome.
FRONT PAGE

An article on Monday about torrential rains that left thousands stranded at Burning Man festival misstated the name of the piano bar where the musician known as ELEW performed. It is called the Black Rock Piano Lounge, not Playa Piano Bar.

NATIONAL

An article on Tuesday about the trial of ex-Trump aide Peter Navarro referred incorrectly to interactions between the House committee investigating the Capitol attack and two officials from whom it sought testimony. While Mark Meadows, President Donald J. Trumps final chief of staff, turned over more than 9,000 documents to the panel, his deputy, Dan Scavino, did not provide the committee with records. It is not the case that both men negotiated terms to provide documents. The error was repeated in an article on Friday about Mr. Navarros conviction.

WEEKEND ARTS

An article on Friday about Charles Buschs memoir misstated the cause of death for Charles Buschs sister Margaret. She died of heart disease, not cancer.

An article on Friday about a retrospective of Ed Ruschas artwork at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City misstated the year Ed Ruscha was born. It was 1937, not 1935.
This week, I found myself breathlessly refreshing TikTok and Twitter  still not ready to call it X, sorry  for the latest updates in the saga of the Tabi Swiper.

The story goes like this:

After a second date, a man named Josh went home with a woman named Alexis Douge for the evening. The following morning, after Josh left, Alexis discovered that her Tabi Mary-Janes  a pricey shoe from the brand Margiela with a polarizing cloven toe  were missing. Alexis posted a TikTok video recapping the situation. It didnt take the internet hive mind long to identify Josh, who had just given his girlfriend a pair of the same shoes. After a protracted public shaming, Josh came clean and gave Alexis her shoes back. The end!

My colleague Jessica Roy interviewed Alexis about the whole mess. Josh, perhaps unsurprisingly, declined to be interviewed.

Im glad Alexis got her shoes back. There is nothing worse than that powerless and unsettling feeling you get after realizing something has been stolen from you. (Im still mourning some prized rain boots that were snatched from my gym locker.) But the whole situation has me thinking about Josh as the latest in a line of bad date villains who have been put on blast for the internet to judge.
A Tennessee man and his mother were sentenced to prison on Friday for seeking to intimidate lawmakers by marching with matching tactical vests and carrying zip tie-style handcuffs during the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol, federal prosecutors said.

The man, Eric Munchel, 32, of Nashville, who became known on social media as Zip Tie Guy, was sentenced to nearly five years in prison, the Justice Department said. His mother, Lisa Marie Eisenhart, 59, of Woodstock, Ga., was sentenced to two and a half years in prison, the department said.

They were fined $2,000 each, and their prison terms will be followed by two and a half years of supervised release.

The two were found guilty in April of conspiracy to commit obstruction, obstruction of an official proceeding, disorderly conduct in a Capitol building and parading, demonstrating or picketing in a Capitol building, according to court documents.
President Biden, under pressure to address a surge of migrants who are overwhelming resources in New York and several other American cities, is ramping up efforts to ensure that some of those people can get jobs  a move designed to ease the spiraling political and financial costs of the crisis.

After more than two years in which his administration has struggled to find short-term solutions to an immigration system that has been badly broken for decades, Mr. Biden now faces demands from within his own party to confront the consequences of that migration, hundreds of miles from the border with Mexico.

Under federal law, migrants have to wait about six months after they file their asylum applications to apply for permission to work in the United States. The requirement has vexed cities like New York, where thousands of people have taken refuge in shelters, straining the system.

Some people who come into the United States legally through special programs are able to request work permits immediately, but they do not always do so. The Biden administration is focusing on those people in a new campaign.
Dear readers,

I dont have much of a sweet tooth, but there is one dessert I would walk into traffic for. You might know it under an outrageously continental name, fruit givre, but thats a baroque way to say a frozen dessert served in the fruit its made of. Really, it doesnt have to be fancy. It could be peak season Charentais melon from the south of France, gently coaxed into sorbet; it could also be sherbet from the dairy counter-cum-gas station dropped into an orange rind you hollowed out that morning, left to freeze next to French bread pizzas.

I grew up loving these, which partially explains my devotion. But as Ive gotten older I see their real power lies in their simplicity, the unassuming pleasure of an individual essence cranked up to 11. Yes, your dessert may look like a rock-hard citrus in a coupe, but nudge it open and you might find threads of verbena that push you to reconsider what a lemon ought to taste like. Even if you think you know what youre getting, the application of sugar, water and deep-chill conditions can transform fruit from something recognizable and commonplace into an experience that borders on the surreal. If I worked at Bain, I might tell you these desserts overdeliver.

The books I recommend here share that same power, and both make endings their business. I cant promise unadulterated sweetness in either one  a cloistered family novel and a diary of a marriages breakdown  but the espirit du fruit givre is there. These books are what they resemble, of course, but they become much more.

Joumana Khatib
Max Gomez, an award-winning medical and science journalist who delivered informed reports for more than 40 years on TV stations in New York and Philadelphia, most recently during the Covid-19 pandemic, died on Sept. 2 at his home in Manhattan. He was 72.

His partner, Amy Levin, said the cause was head and neck cancer, with which he had been diagnosed four years ago.

Billed as Dr. Max, Mr. Gomez brought an easygoing gravitas to reporting on subjects like vaccinations, knee replacements, prostate cancer, colonoscopies, sickle cell anemia and, when he himself contracted them, Lyme disease and the MRSA infection. One of his reports on Alzheimers disease focused on his father, a physician, who was swindled as his memory abandoned him.

Dr. Gomez had been chief medical correspondent at WCBS, Channel 2, in New York City since 2007 and made his last appearance there in March 2022. He also worked at WNBC, Channel 4, and WNEW, Channel 5 (now WNYW), as well as KYW, Channel 3, in Philadelphia.
World sanctions, closed skies, rising prices and explosions in the temporarily occupied Ukrainian Crimea have made Russian tourists think of domestic resorts, but their vacation there has shocked them. One of the tourists, a teacher from St. Petersburg, complained that the popular city of Sochi had changed beyond recognition.

ADVERTISIMENT

In particular, he was shocked by the behavior of vacationers and residents of the city. A low standard of living is to blame for roughness and aggression, Russian media writes.

The tourist was "welcomed" already in the cab, where he witnessed a quarrel between the driver and pedestrians. The cab driver yelled at the people and told the passenger that he did not intend to wait for them to cross the road, although he had to let them pass according to traffic rules.

A Russian was unpleasantly surprised by the familiarity and rudeness of locals and tourists, who swear at children and each other in public places. Russians in Sochi address strangers with the words "dude", "lad" and "gal".

ADVERTISIMENT

"The city has changed for the worse and the prices are crazy. The locals have become poorer, from this irritability and rudeness. I don't travel there. Never, no matter what the weather is. I want to go to the sea, but not there," the vacationer said.

By the way, this is not the first time Russians have complained about vacationing in Sochi. The other day vacationers near the Black Sea coast said that some of their fellow citizens behave inadequately. They let children defecate in the sea, from which other kids then drink water.

As OBOZREVATEL wrote, there was a stir because of the demilitarization of the Russian occupiers in Crimea at the Anapa resort, 300 km from Sochi. To know what is happening on popular beaches, visit the link.

ADVERTISIMENT

Only verified information from us on Telegram Obozrevatel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
When the Supreme Court struck down President Bidens plan to cancel up to $20,000 in federal student loan debt in June, I was one of 43 million people whose financial future took a hit. I had $10,459 in federal loans at stake.

In a coincidence of timing, I was no longer on the hook for the other half of my student loan debt  private loans I had defaulted on, totaling about $12,700. They were now uncollectable: outside the reach of debt collectors and the monstrous assemblage of complex financial instruments that claimed to own it.

The statute of limitations to sue to collect a debt in Pennsylvania is four years. I had waited it out. From my understanding, after speaking with a credit counselor and a few lawyers, the loans still exist on paper, but the entity that owns my debt had lost the only way to forcibly obtain the money, in court.

The National Collegiate Student Loan Trusts, one of the countrys largest owners of private student loan debt, has always shown a perplexing disinterest in the money it said I owed it. It has never attacked my credit score and its debt collectors, in the years since I had defaulted, called rarely and only sent me letters biannually.
Tara Driver would love to retire before age 70. But its not going to be easy.

The 51-year-olds finances are still recovering from the hit they took more than a decade ago, after she spent about eight years caring for her ailing father.

During that time, every extra dollar went to pay for supplies and care for him, a veteran who died after a series of strokes and other complications. When she lost her job as an academic adviser because her employer shut down, Ms. Driver had to pull money shed amassed in a 401(k) from two jobs before, as a program manager for the Y.M.C.A., so she and her father could survive until she found more work. She also deferred payments on her student loans, forced to let the interest build up.

Under a federal law enacted 30 years ago, the Family and Medical Leave Act, the majority of American workers can take up to 12 weeks off work each year to care for a family member without fear of losing their job. But that leave isnt paid. So some states are taking on the issue.

This year, Minnesota and Maine became the latest of 13 states, along with the District of Columbia, to offer paid caregiving leave. The programs cover all eligible workers and are financed either by workers alone, or workers and employers. Lawmakers have also recently introduced bills in Illinois, Michigan and Pennsylvania, among others.
Poor Things, directed by Yorgos Lanthimos, was awarded the Golden Lion for best film at the 80th Venice International Film Festival on Saturday by a competition jury led by Damien Chazelle. The film stars Emma Stone in a virtuoso performance as a woman with an initially childlike understanding of the world who comes into her own through a sexual and philosophical journey.

Bella Baxter, the main character in the film, wouldnt exist without Emma Stone, Lanthimos said. This film is her, in front of and behind the camera. Stone previously collaborated with Lanthimos on The Favourite, which won the Grand Jury Prize at the festival in 2018.

Like many other actors in films screened at the festival, Stone was not in attendance, as the strike by SAG-AFTRA, the union that represents television and movie actors, continued.

Set in a partly fantastical 19th-century Europe, Poor Things follows Bella (Stone) on her eye-opening adventures in Tony McNamaras adaptation of the 1992 Alasdair Gray novel. The film also stars Willem Dafoe as Bellas father who is a doctor, Ramy Youssef as his assistant and her suitor, and Mark Ruffalo as a lascivious lawyer.
Agency leaders are now being asked to find 5 percent of their city-funded budgets to trim in each of three upcoming budget plans, the first of which will be made public in the Office of Management and Budgets fiscal update in November. The next rounds of cuts would come in January and April.

While the City Council could reject the budget modification this fall, the mayor is legally allowed to slow down spending at will and its vote would be largely symbolic. The Council will be able to exert more leverage next summer, when the mayor seeks its approval to roll over the accrued savings into that fiscal years budget, which is expected to face major gaps.

The mayors early announcement will give agencies time to think creatively about how to reduce spending without cutting core services right away, Ms. Champeny said. But she added that the proposed cuts would be a bigger lift than earlier savings efforts.

In a news release on Saturday, the mayor said there would be no layoffs as a result of his directive. And an infusion of federal and state funding could remove the need for cuts, he said, stating that the die is not yet cast.

We need Washington and Albany to finally do their part by paying their fair share, he said.

An estimated 10,000 migrants are arriving in New York each month, overwhelming the citys homeless shelters, which now house more than 112,300 people. The city, which is required to provide shelter to anyone who asks for it, has opened more than 200 emergency sites to house migrants.
Protesters were thousands-thick in Tompkins Square Park in Manhattans East Village when the police moved in with horses and nightsticks. The tactics were described by a labor leader as an orgy of brutality and brought a public outcry demanding that police officials be fired.

This was not a Black Lives Matter protest in 2020, or even the riot that erupted in the same park in 1988 as officers charged at protesters. This head-knocking happened during a demonstration by unemployed workers amid the financial panic of 1873.

New York has long been one of the biggest stages for protest in the United States, with a vocal, sometimes volatile populace and a rich tradition of dissent. How the police handle such demonstrations in the densely packed city has been a source of debate since the departments founding 178 years ago, and its actions have sometimes shaped American history.

On Tuesday, a proposal for a sweeping agreement was filed in federal court between police officials and the state attorney general that might strike a new equilibrium. Though the citys largest police union opposes the deal and the judge overseeing the case has said she will hear its complaints, the plan has created tentative hope among civil libertarians.
Mangosuthu Buthelezi, the Zulu nationalist who positioned himself as Nelson Mandelas most powerful Black rival in South Africas tortuous transformation from a white segregationist society to a multiracial democracy in the 1990s, died on Saturday. He was 95.

His death was announced in a statement by President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa. The statement did not say where he died or give a cause.

Mr. Buthelezi, President Ramaphosa said, had been an outstanding leader in the political and cultural life of our nation, including the ebbs and flows of our liberation struggle, the transition which secured our freedom in 1994 and our democratic dispensation.

In the political turmoil of apartheids final years, Mangosuthu Buthelezi (pronounced mahn-goh-SOO-TOO boo-teh-LAY-zee) was the third man in South Africa: the linchpin with whom F.W. de Klerk, president of the white minority government, and Mr. Mandela, a global symbol of resistance to injustice released from prison after 27 years, had to reckon to hammer out a new Constitution and the future of the nation.
To the Editor:

Re Marriage, Not Career, Brings Happiness, by David Brooks (column, Aug. 20):

Mr. Brookss advice that ambitious college graduates prioritize marriage over career could only come from a privileged male. Given the glass ceiling, if women do not prioritize a career, they may not be successful, and their self-esteem may suffer.

Professional women who want to marry may have trouble finding a husband, as men often seek less ambitious younger women to care for their needs and children, or resent the demands of their wives work. Women who prioritize marriage may end up with far less financial security after divorce or after the death of a breadwinning husband.

Once divorced, women typically have more trouble finding a second spouse than men. Further, within marriage, women generally take on a second shift domestically, are more likely to care for infirm husbands late in life and are more subject to domestic violence.

While I agree that a strong marriage is a wonderful asset and intimacy is critical to happiness, making marriage itself a priority over financial security and self-fulfillment can backfire, especially for women.
When I was writing my series on Americans declining interest in organized religion, I laid my cards on the table: I will always define myself as Jewish, but I have little desire to go to temple. When I started my reporting, I was somewhat ambivalent about my lack of traditional observance as an adult. I went to temple growing up and Im proud of my heritage and the values I consider to be Jewish. I believe its important to pass those values along to my children, but I was concerned that without the structure of regular in-person worship, intergenerational transmission would be more difficult.

After the series published, many readers reached out to me with kind offers to take me and my family to shul, and spoke warmly about their welcoming Jewish communities. While I was quite moved by their generous offers, these entreaties had an unintended effect: They strengthened my resolve about raising my kids with Jewish rituals at home, but without being part of a traditional faith community. If my girls want to be more observant when theyre older, theyll have enough background in Judaism to make that choice  a choice Id support.

There are a lot of reasons for this reaction, but the most deep-rooted may be that Im not a joiner. Ive always had the Groucho Marx approach to group activities, which is to say, I dont want to be part of any club that would have me as a member. Im often skeptical of institutions, their exclusionary tactics and their hidden agendas, which makes me a good journalist (and arguably a good Jew, because we love to question everything).

I also have an aversion to being told what to do by my peers, which is why Ive dropped out of every book club Ive ever joined after a single meeting. Once a book becomes an assignment, reading it starts feeling like a chore, rather than a pleasure. Im lucky enough to have many strong family, friend and workplace relationships that Ive built up over the years, and many obligations through my childrens schools, so Ive never felt that I have an unmet need for social interaction.
A new biography of Elon Musk portrays the billionaire entrepreneur as a complex, tortured figure whose brilliance is often overshadowed by his inability to relate on a human level to the people around him  his wives, his children and those on whom he relied to help develop the space exploration and electric car businesses that made him the wealthiest man on Earth.

Mr. Musks life so far  his difficult childhood in South Africa, his stormy romantic relationships, his success as a visionary who built SpaceX and Tesla, and his impetuous decision to buy Twitter  is detailed through scores of interviews with his family, friends, business associates and Mr. Musk himself.

The book, which will be released on Tuesday, is by Walter Isaacson, the journalist whose previous works have chronicled the lives of Steve Jobs, Albert Einstein, Leonardo da Vinci and Benjamin Franklin.

It opens with a quote from Mr. Jobs, the co-founder of Apple, who once said, The people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is negotiating with the Russian Foreign Ministry on a possible easing of sanctions against Russia. It is assumed that some of the restrictions may be lifted in exchange for the resumption of the grain agreement. This is what the Kremlin demanded by blackmailing Ukrainian grain exports.

ADVERTISIMENT

Thus, BILD has obtained a secret letter from Guterres, which he sent to Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on August 28. The letter, according to the publication, says that the UN proposes to agree on a grain deal, which includes fulfillment of Russia's requirements.

It is about the removal of several sanctions. Four points are mentioned:

The lifting of sanctions against Rosselkhozbank in the EU and authorization to circumvent restrictions related to the disconnection from SWIFT

RSHB Capital SA ("Rosselkhozbank", - Ed.) will exchange messages with global financial institutions via SWIFT. (This will allow it. - Ed.) to assume the role of an interface and provide technical services for payments without playing the role of a bank, so it will not need a banking license under Luxembourg law," the letter of the UN Secretary-General said.

ADVERTISIMENT

The journalists also contacted SWIFT, where they indirectly confirmed the data. "We are aware of the high-level discussions currently taking place around the Black Sea Grain Initiative and are closely following the developments," SWIFT noted.

Insurance of Russian cargo ships in the Black and Azov Seas by British Lloyd's insurer



"A UN co-funded insurance company for Russian food and fertilizer exports could start working with Lloyd's within 4-6 weeks.... The UN will support insurance to emphasize the importance of Russian exports to global food security and increase the number of market participants with the ultimate goal of lowering insurance costs to reduce Russian exporters," Guterres said in the letter.

Earlier, Lloyd's said it would not insure grain shipments from Ukrainian ports without a new corridor under the auspices of the UN. The company's CEO John Neil said that there were "active discussions" with the UN about a new agreement on a "grain corridor" in the Black Sea.

ADVERTISIMENT

Partial return of the assets frozen in the EU to Russian fertilizer producers



"The UN can continue to help unfreeze frozen assets of Russian fertilizer companies in the European Union," Guterres wrote to Lavrov. The UN secretary-general asked the Russian Foreign Ministry to provide "a list of specific accounts or assets" and said that "Russian fertilizer companies should apply to the relevant EU national authorities for exemptions."

Allowing Russian food and fertilizer ships to dock in EU ports

"The UN is ready to consider further options to facilitate access of Russian vessels to EU ports in the context of trade in agricultural products, including simplified procedures for issuing relevant permits, including before leaving Russian ports," the letter says. It is noted that UN representatives have already "held talks with the European Commission and individual authorities (Germany, Belgium, Spain, the Netherlands)."

ADVERTISIMENT

It is noted that the Kremlin has not agreed to the UN proposal yet. However, it is indicated that the Russian side does not respond because it considers the conditions "too good to be true" and doubts the reality of the implementation of the UN plan.

As reported by OBOZREVATEL, Ukraine officially offered Turkey to resume the work of the "grain corridor" in the Black Sea without Russia. There has been no response from the Turkish side so far, despite the talks between the presidents of Turkey and Russia.

Only verified information from us on Telegram Obozrevatel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
At an unknown time and at an unknown location, Danelo Souza Cavalcante, a 34-year-old citizen of Brazil, entered the United States unlawfully  without being inspected or admitted by a U.S. immigration official, according to the Department of Homeland Security.

Sometime after that, in April 2021, prosecutors said he fatally stabbed his Brazilian girlfriend in front of her children in Pennsylvania, and he was convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison. It was the second time he was accused of a horrific crime: He was fleeing a 2017 murder charge in Brazil when he entered the United States, the authorities said.

His escape from the Chester County Prison in Pennsylvania on Aug. 31 touched off a colossal manhunt, now entering its second week, and a host of questions about why Mr. Cavalcante had not been deported after his arrest in the United States  and whether, once captured, he would remain in a U.S. prison at taxpayers expense.

The case highlights an issue the criminal justice system has long confronted: the question of what happens when crimes are committed by undocumented immigrants, who studies show are much less likely to commit crimes than U.S.-born citizens.
Two Kentucky men who spent 22 years in jail for an unsolved 1992 murder they did not commit agreed this week to settle a civil rights case against Louisville for $20.5 million.

In 2018, Garr Keith Hardin and Jeffrey Clark were exonerated in the stabbing death of Rhonda Sue Warford after lawyers presented DNA and other evidence casting doubt on the 1995 murder conviction of the men, who were accused of killing Ms. Warford as part of a satanic ritual.

The settlement pretty loudly and clearly represents an acknowledgment by the city of Louisville that Jeff and Keith were completely innocent and wronged through egregious police misconduct, said Elliot Slosar, a Chicago-based lawyer who represented Mr. Clark in the case.

Kevin Trager, a spokesman for the Louisville mayors office, said that after many years of litigation, we have reached an important conclusion with this settlement.
Over the past four months, Gavin Newsom, the Democratic governor of California, has traveled to six Republican-led states. He has goaded Gov. Ron DeSantis, the Republican presidential candidate from Florida, to debate on Fox News. He has assembled a small staff of political advisers and created a political action committee to distribute $10 million to Democratic causes and candidates.

And this week, he raised $40,000 for a long-shot candidate for the United States Senate in Tennessee, one of the red states he has criticized his own party for neglecting.

By all appearances, Mr. Newsom is a man with an eye on the White House, building a national network of supporters and accumulating the kind of good will among donors, party operatives and voters that could prove critical should he decide to move beyond Sacramento. Mr. Newsom said in an interview that he was not running for president, and that the time has come for Democrats to rally around President Biden.

The train has left the station, Mr. Newsom said. Were all in. Stop talking. Hes not going anywhere. Its time for all of us to get on the train and buck up.
Interviews with more than a dozen Republican donors and their allies revealed hand-wringing, magical thinking, calls to arms and, for some, fatalism. Several of them did not want to be identified by name out of a fear of political repercussions or a desire to stay in the good graces of any eventual Republican nominee, including Mr. Trump.

If things dont change quickly, people are going to despair, Mr. Levine said in an interview. He is among the optimists who believe Mr. Trumps support is not as robust as the polls suggest and who see a quickly closing window to rally behind another candidate. In Mr. Levines 2,500-word Labor Day missive, he urged his readers to pick Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina.

Other schools of thought exist. Some donors have backed Mr. Trumps rivals despite believing that he is unbeatable in the primaries. These donors are banking, in part, on the chance that Mr. Trump will eventually drop out of the race because of his legal troubles, a health scare or some other personal or political calculation.

Fred Zeidman, a Texas businessman who is an enthusiastic backer of Nikki Haley, the former South Carolina governor, said he had given her a blunt assessment of her prospects last month.

Youre at 2 percent, and hes at 53 percent, he recalled telling her, in only a slight exaggeration of Mr. Trumps polling advantage. He aint going to erode that much. Something needs to happen to him for you to overtake him.
Supporters and campaign strategists say Ms. Haleys approach reflects her personal experiences. In college, she watched a friend worry that her rape would result in an unwanted pregnancy. She later struggled with infertility, and underwent fertility treatments to have her two children. Her husband, Michael Haley, was adopted as a young child, an experience that made him, she said, reason No. 1 for her opposition to abortion.

I dont know if any of the others on that debate stage or Trump can do what she has done, and go out there and talk about this in this way where its understanding and compassionate and empathic and its coming from a position of real knowledge, said Jennifer Nassour, the former head of the Massachusetts Republican Party, who is backing Ms. Haley. Shes the only leader who can take such a divisive issue and bring everyone together on it.

Ms. Haleys record tells a slightly more complicated story. During her time in South Carolina, Ms. Haley pushed her conservative state to restrict and limit abortion access.

As a state legislator, she backed bills mandating ultrasound tests and a 24-hour waiting period before an abortion could be performed. In 2005, she voted for a bill granting constitutional rights of due process and equal protection to a zygote, the fertilized egg cell that forms after conception. And, four years later, she co-sponsored legislation mandating that a right to life begins at the point when a sperm cell fertilizes an egg, several weeks before a pregnancy can generally be detected.

Such bills have been used by opponents of abortion to try to grant constitutional rights to embryos and fetuses. Those fetal personhood laws, as they are broadly known, could provide a legal framework not just for banning abortion but for limiting access to in vitro fertilization and contraception.
One day in June of last year, at a time when federal investigators were demanding security footage from former President Donald J. Trumps Mar-a-Lago estate, Yuscil Taveras shared an explosive secret.

Mr. Taveras, who ran Mar-a-Lagos technology department from a cramped work space in the basement of the sprawling Florida property, confided in an office mate that another colleague had just asked him, at Mr. Trumps request, to delete the footage that investigators were seeking.

Mr. Taveras later repeated that story to at least two more colleagues, who in turn shared it with others, according to people with knowledge of the matter. Before long, the story had ricocheted around the grounds of Mr. Trumps gold-adorned private club and up the chain of command at Trump Tower in Manhattan, prompting Mr. Taverass superiors in New York to warn against deleting the tapes.

But by then, Mr. Taveras had already balked at what prosecutors said was Mr. Trumps request. Looking to steer clear of the investigation into whether the former president was hoarding classified documents at Mar-a-Lago, he told one colleague that he was unwilling to cross a line and potentially go to prison, according to another person with knowledge of the conversation.
Serious earthquakes in Morocco, which the U.S. Geological Survey calls uncommon but not unexpected, have inflicted deaths and significant economic damage before.

The worst in Moroccos recent history was a 5.8-magnitude earthquake that killed about 12,000 people and injured another 12,000 in March 1960.

The western coastal town of Agadir crumbled under that quakes force. About a third of its population perished. Restaurants, shops and the central market were leveled. Thousands of people were buried under concrete.

A 6.5-magnitude earthquake struck northern Morocco in February 2004, killing about 630 people, injuring hundreds and leaving about 15,000 homeless.
Follow the latest news on Moroccos deadly earthquake.

A powerful earthquake struck about 50 miles from the southern city of Marrakesh in the High Atlas Mountains of Morocco, killing more than 2,500 people, turning houses and buildings into rubble and terrifying residents.

Morocco has a history of serious earthquakes, and the one that hit shortly after 11 p.m. on Friday was the strongest to strike the area in more than a century. The full extent of the casualties and damages was not yet known.

It didnt last long, said one person who experienced the quake in Amizmiz, about 30 miles southwest of Marrakesh, but felt like years.
The powerful earthquake that struck Morocco late Friday night killed at least 1,000 people, with at least several hundred more injured. It was the strongest to hit the area in more than a century.

Volunteers and aid groups have mobilized to help support the victims of the earthquake and provide medical care to those who have been affected.

Here is some guidance for those who wish to help.

First, do your research

Before donating, do some research to verify that the organization is reputable, especially if it is lesser-known. Charity Navigator and Guidestar are two resources that provide information on nonprofits and aid agencies and can direct you to reputable organizations.

And if you think an organization or individual is committing fraud, you can report it to the National Center for Disaster Fraud, part of the Justice Department.
From our perspective, it does a very good job of standing up for the principle that states cannot use force to seek territorial acquisition or to violate the territorial integrity and sovereignty or political independence of other states, Jake Sullivan, the presidents national security adviser, told reporters.

But Oleg Nikolenko, a spokesman for Ukraines Foreign Ministry, said on Facebook that the omission of Russian aggression was nothing to be proud of.

Mr. Biden and his advisers focused on what the new declaration had achieved: It included new language on the issue of global debt and on overhauling institutions like the World Bank to address the growing strains on poorer countries; an invitation to the African Union to join the G20; and a push for more financing to help vulnerable nations deal with the costs of dealing with climate change. The declaration also underscored the potential of digital technologies to increase inclusion in global economies.

The president joined other leaders in announcing a project to create a rail and shipping corridor linking India to the Middle East and, eventually, Europe. It was a promise of new technological and trade pathways, they said, in a part of the world where deeper economic cooperation was overdue.

The project lacked key details, including a time frame or budget. Even so, it represented much softer than usual rhetoric about Russia from Mr. Biden and other Western leaders, who have spent the better part of two years spending billions on arming Ukraine and burning untold domestic political capital building support for the war. Facing a summit rife with deep divisions, Mr. Biden did not speak publicly about the war or almost anything else, except to say it would be nice if President Xi Jinping of China, who skipped the summit along with the Russian leader, Vladimir V. Putin, had attended.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said that Kyiv has information that Russian dictator Vladimir Putin was involved in the assassination of the owner of the Wagner PMC Yevheny Prigozhin. According to him, there is one less terrorist and the morale of Russians after his death has decreased.

ADVERTISIMENT

"Putin has deflated both as a person and as a politician. He killed Prigozhin; at least that's the information we have. Ukrainians had no mourning days when the world lost Prigozhin. There is one less terrorist for us," the head of state said at the Yalta summit in Kyiv.

Zelensky added that Ukraine benefited from the elimination of Prigozhin, as the Russians lost a valuable resource (Wagner soldiers) who were sent forward to the frontline for slaughter.

"The morale of the Russians decreased because they covered themselves with the PMC and were thrown forward. They can not go back. I think that they lost this defense of covering themselves with the lives of the Wagner mercenaries. It is a plus for us for sure," the President said.

On August 25, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov called publications of Western media about the involvement of the Russian authorities in the shooting down of the Prigozhin's plane "lies" and "speculations".

ADVERTISIMENT

On August 24, commenting on Prigozhin's death, Putin himself called him a man of complicated fate and said that he had known him since the late 90s. The president of the aggressor country also promised that the investigation would be brought to an end.

On September 1, Putin made an unannounced visit to Russia's Tver region, where Prigozhin's plane crashed. Peskov said that the head of the Kremlin allegedly decided to visit the "places of ancestors".

As reported by OBOZREVATEL:

- On the evening of August 23, Prigozhin's plane crashed in the Tver region of Russia. Ten people were on board; all of them died.

- The death of Prigozhin is officially confirmed in Russia. According to Moscow's statement, DNA examination has established the identities of all ten victims of the airplane crash.

- The DIU of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine said that the Ukrainian intelligence has no concrete certainty in the death of Prigozhin. At the same time, they confirmed the death of his associate Utkin.

ADVERTISIMENT

Only verified information from us on Telegram Obozrevatel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
When President Biden is greeted by Vietnamese officials in Hanoi on Sunday, he will be celebrating the prospect of adding another friend in Asia to a coalition that his administration hopes will side with American interests rather than Chinas and Russias.

During Mr. Bidens visit, the two nations will underscore their commitment to increase peace, prosperity, and stability in the region, a White House press statement said. Nguyen Phu Trong, the top Vietnamese leader, is expected to confer upon the United States an upgrade of strategic ties. The Biden administration has reciprocated early, glossing over the Communist Party of Vietnams intensifying human rights crackdown.

But even as the United States and Vietnam have nurtured their relationship over recent months, Hanoi is making clandestine plans to buy an arsenal of weapons from Russia in contravention of American sanctions, an internal Vietnamese government document shows.

The Ministry of Finance document, which is dated March 2023 and whose contents have been verified by former and current Vietnamese officials, lays out how Vietnam proposes to modernize its military by secretly paying for defense purchases through transfers at a joint Vietnamese and Russian oil venture in Siberia. Signed by a Vietnamese deputy finance minister, the document notes that Vietnam is negotiating a new arms deal with Russia that would strengthen strategic trust at a time when Russia is being embargoed by Western countries in all aspects.
Despite 24 Sussexs symbolic importance, its fall into near ruin has been going on for decades, as I wrote almost five years ago. And the lack of will to reverse its decline comes from a fear of political backlash. As Mr. Trudeau, who lived in the house as a child when his father was prime minister, once said: No prime minister wants to spend a penny of taxpayer dollars on upkeeping that house.

[Read: Justin Trudeaus Official Home: Unfit for a Leader or Anyone Else]

While 24 Sussex was in a dismal state when I wrote that article, with an estimated restoration cost of 38 million Canadian dollars at the time, the situation has become even worse. In 2021, the National Capital Commission, the federal agency whose duties include looking after Canadas six official residences, rated its condition as critical in a report.

The building systems at 24 Sussex Drive have reached the point of imminent or actual failure and require replacement, that report warned, adding, the age and condition of the electrical systems poses a fire hazard, and the plumbing systems have failures on a regular basis.

In April, The National Post obtained government documents that revealed there was a rodent infestation in the house. So many dead rodents and so much rodent excrement had piled up in its walls, attic and basement, a memo said, that there were real concerns with air quality.

After Mr. Trudeau moved into Rideau Cottage in the backyard of Rideau Hall, the governor generals official home, some of his staff remained working in the kitchen at 24 Sussex, which is across the street. The household kitchen in Rideau Cottage is much smaller and not up to workplace safety standards, so Mr. Trudeaus meals were ferried across Sussex Drive. But even the cooks were moved out of 24 Sussex last November and the building was officially closed.
A half-dozen or so men gathered last month for afternoon drinks at the penthouse bar of one of Kyivs swankiest hotels to discuss the lucrative business of arming Ukrainian troops.

The group included Ukrainian military and government officials, who are always in the market for explosive shells to lob at invading Russian soldiers. The center of attention was their gregarious host, a Florida-based arms contractor named Marc Morales, who regaled them with stories of his new $10 million yacht, the Trigger Happy, and his search for someone to manage his companys nine-digit portfolio.

And joining the group was a stout, bearded man who served both the buyers and sellers: Vladimir Koyfman, a chief sergeant in the Ukrainian military whom Mr. Morales pays to arrange meetings with his government contacts. That unusual arrangement, legal experts say, tests the boundaries of American and Ukrainian corruption laws prohibiting payments to government officials.

The meeting, which was recounted by two people in attendance, offered a glimpse at a quiet aspect of the Biden administrations war strategy. The administration has sent Ukraine more than $40 billion in security aid, including advanced weapons like HIMARS rockets and Patriot missiles. But the Pentagon also relies heavily on little-known arms dealers like Mr. Morales, who have the connections needed to secure ammunition, much of it lower-quality or Soviet-caliber, from around the world.
In 2021, UNESCO added Palestinian embroidery to its list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, recognizing it as a widespread social and intergenerational practice in Palestine, a symbol of national pride and a way in which women supplement family income. But like other Indigenous handicrafts across the world, it faces threats, including mechanization and abandonment of old styles of dress.

Now there is a push to revive the handicraft in younger generations and to preserve old thobes that tell Palestinian history.

Those efforts include plans to reintroduce embroidery in curriculums in Palestinian schools, to include it as part of school uniforms and to open an academy in the Israeli-occupied West Bank dedicated to the handicraft, overseen by the Palestinian Authoritys cultural ministry.

In July, the museum inaugurated a Textile Conservation Studio to preserve Palestinian thobes and other heritage fabrics and to provide training for conservation and restoration.

We need to practice our heritage so we dont lose it, said Maha Saca, the founder and director of the Palestinian Heritage Center in Bethlehem, who helped submit the UNESCO application and is now working on opening the academy.
Federal law generally protects savings in workers retirement plans when a company files for bankruptcy protection or goes out of business. Yet there may still be situations when employees lose money, as some former workers at Bed Bath & Beyond have discovered.

Bed Bath & Beyond, a home furnishings retailer, filed for bankruptcy protection in April and has been closing up shop and selling off assets. It also terminated its 401(k) retirement plan as of Aug. 1.

Some former workers, who had invested in a guaranteed interest account that they believed was low risk, saw losses of about 10 percent related to the plans termination. One saver shared a financial statement showing he had lost about $10,000 in his guaranteed interest account, while another said he had lost more than $2,000. The two former workers spoke on the condition of anonymity, saying they were still determining what recourse they may have.

Its a shame and a real slap in the face, especially since it was likely the more conservative participants who chose that option, said Cheryl Costa, a certified financial planner in Framingham, Mass.
NYU President Linda G. Mills and Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur Director Abhay Karandikar today announced that they had signed a memorandum of understanding for NYU and IIT Kanpur to engage in joint research on critical areas (such as cybersecurity and AI), substantially expand doctoral exchange programs, and share teaching and research strategies.

The agreement comes amidst the backdrop of US President Joe Bidens visit to India for the G20 summit as well as the Association of American Universities recent push to expand US/India university partnerships. The agreement also marks an exciting new opportunity for NYU to advance its widely-recognized and respected agenda of global engagement, and it is emblematic of Indias efforts, led by Director Karandikar, to elevate the countrys research enterprise through expanded international collaborations.

President Biden and Prime Minister Modi noted the agreement in their official joint statement, expressing their support for the partnership among other academic collaborations

The new agreement between the universities also contemplates a joint research center, to be developed and located at IIT Kanpur, where scholars and researchers from the two institutions can work together on pressing, critical, and emerging areas of research in science and technology, such as cybersecurity, the pursuit of next generation wireless, and AI.

President Mills said, This is great news! I am so delighted for NYU to enter into this agreement with IIT Kanpur. It comes as the conditions are just right and the moment is just righta time when cooperation and joint efforts between our countries top institutions are so very welcome. We share a belief that our research is greatly enhanced by developing relationships such as this, in turn providing fantastic new opportunities for our scholars, researchers, and students. Engaging globally, working together to advance science and techthis is where NYUs future lies. Congratulations are in order all around.

Director Karandikar said, This agreement represents a significant milestone in our collaboration. It not only enhances ties between our institutions but also broadens the way for fostering the next generation of researchers and innovators. Our commitment to sharing teaching and research strategies underscores our dedication to excellence in academia. I look forward to the transformative impact our collaboration will have on addressing challenges in some of the critical & emerging technologies.

Jelena Kovacevic, Dean of NYUs Tandon School of Engineering, said, International academic partnerships are a key aspect to scientific innovation. By expanding our relationship, between IIT Kanpur and NYU Tandon, we will work together to create safer cyber networks, take a responsible approach to AI's applications while advancing its underlying technologies, and chart the path to next generation wireless communications.

US Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer, who traveled to India earlier this year to urge more economic and research partnerships between the two countries, said, A strong U.S.-India relationship is a must for technology advancement, educational enhancement, cultural exchange and increased economic growth for both countries. I applaud NYU, as one of our leading research institutions and a trailblazer in building international relationships, for engaging in this effort which will ensure that New York remains at the cutting edge in the development of new technologies, from AI to quantum computing to next generation wireless.

Tandon and IIT Kanpur have an existing dual degree program for doctoral students in electrical and computer engineering. This agreement will expand the dual degree program into many more disciplines, provide for many more student exchanges, and potentially enable the two universities to serve as Study Away sites for one another.

About NYU

Founded in 1831, NYU is one of the worlds foremost research universities (with more than $1 billion per year in research expenditures) and is a member of the selective Association of American Universities. NYU has degree-granting university campuses in New York, Abu Dhabi, and Shanghai; has 12 other global academic sites, including London, Paris, Florence, Tel Aviv, Buenos Aires, and Accra; and both sends more students to study abroad and educates more international students than any other U.S. college or university. Through its numerous schools and colleges, NYU is a leader in conducting research and providing education in the arts and sciences, law, medicine, engineering, business, dentistry, education, nursing, the cinematic and performing arts, music and studio arts, public administration, social work, and professional studies, among other areas.

About IIT Kanpur

Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur was established on 2nd November 1959 by an Act of Parliament. The institute has a sprawling campus spread over 1055 acres with large pool of academic and research resources spanning across 19 departments, 22 centres, and 3 Interdisciplinary programs in engineering, science, design, humanities, and management disciplines with more than 560 full-time faculty members and approximately 9000 students. In addition to formal undergraduate and graduate programs, the institute has been active in research and development, incubation and startups. For more information, visit www.iitk.ac.in
Will It Rain Today In Chennai, Bengaluru? Get Latest Weather Report

Watch: Massive Fire Breaks Out At Depot In Veerbhadra Nagar, Bengaluru, Over 21 Buses Gutted

Bengaluru Bandh On Sep 11: Will Schools, Namma Metro Be Closed? Will Cabs Be Available?

Bengaluru

oi-Madhuri Adnal

Bengaluru Bandh: Bengaluru is bracing for a major transport strike on Monday, i.e on September 11, with private transporters, including auto-rickshaws, taxis, and school-bus operators, set to join the strike.

The strike has been called by the Federation of Karnataka State Private Transport Association, which has 32 member unions. The association has demanded that the state government meet their 30 demands, including a ban on bike taxis, financial aid for drivers, and the inclusion of private buses in the Shakti scheme.

The strike is expected to have a major impact on the city's transportation system.

According to reports, several schools in the city have already declared September 11 as a holiday, and passengers traveling to and from Kempegowda International Airport are advised to make alternative arrangements.

Bengaluru Bandh On Sep 11: What's Open and Closed?

The transport minister, Ramalinga Reddy, has expressed the government's willingness to discuss the 30 demands, but the strike is still scheduled to go ahead.

Closed:

Private Transport Services: Private transport services, including auto-rickshaws, taxis, and school-bus operators, will be closed due to the strike.

Private transport services, including auto-rickshaws, taxis, and school-bus operators, will be closed due to the strike. Some Schools: Several schools in the city have declared September 11 as a holiday due to the strike. They have also rescheduled examinations.

Several schools in the city have declared September 11 as a holiday due to the strike. They have also rescheduled examinations. Airport Cabs: Airport cabs, including those from cab aggregators like Ola and Uber, will participate in the strike, affecting passengers traveling to and from Kempegowda International Airport.

Airport cabs, including those from cab aggregators like Ola and Uber, will participate in the strike, affecting passengers traveling to and from Kempegowda International Airport. Private Cabs for Businesses: Private cabs serving IT-BT companies and other offices are also likely to participate in the strike.

Open:

Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC): BMTC buses, including the Vayu Vajara airport service, will continue to operate as usual.

BMTC buses, including the Vayu Vajara airport service, will continue to operate as usual. Bengaluru Metro: Bengaluru Metro will run additional trains based on demand, ensuring that the metro service remains available.

Bengaluru Metro will run additional trains based on demand, ensuring that the metro service remains available. Discussions: The government has expressed its willingness to discuss the demands raised by the transport unions, indicating a potential for resolution.

The government has expressed its willingness to discuss the demands raised by the transport unions, indicating a potential for resolution. Additional Buses: Transport minister Ramalinga Reddy has instructed BMTC and KSRTC to deploy additional buses on September 11 to minimise passenger inconvenience.

Traffic Advisory

The Bengaluru traffic police has issued a traffic advisory in response to the call for a 'Bengaluru Bandh' by the Karnataka State Private Vehicles Owner Association. In accordance with this advisory, the police have recommended that the public plan their routes accordingly and avoid certain key areas, including KG Road, Sheshadri Road, GT Road, and the vicinity of Freedom Park and Majestic Bus Stand.

To ease traffic flow, the traffic police has suggested the following alternative routes for commuters:

For vehicles traveling from RR Junction to Khodays Circle: Divert towards Krishna Flour Mill and continue onward towards Malleshwaram.

For vehicles approaching from Goodshed Road: Proceed towards GT Road via Sangolli Rayanna Circle to reach Okalipuram, and then continue towards Sujatha Theatre.

For vehicles approaching from Ananda Rao Circle: Head towards Old JDS Office Road and reach Sheshadripuram Road.

For vehicles arriving from Mysuru Bank Circle: Make your way towards Palace Road, leading to the Maharani Junction underpass, and continue towards Basaveshwara Circle.
South Africa Praises Modi's Leadership as African Union Joins G20

Vincent Magwenya, a spokesperson for the President of South Africa stated that the inclusion of the African Union into the G20 signals a positive step towards global institutional reforms. He praised Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modis leadership role in this development.

India

-Krishna Kripa

On Saturday, a leading South African official expressed his optimism that the voice of Africa and the Global South will grow stronger globally following the inclusion of the African Union in the G20. Vincent Magwenya, a spokesperson for South Africa President Cyril Ramaphosa, emphasized that this significant move signals a positive stride towards much-needed reforms within various global multilateral institutions including the United Nations Security Council.

African Union Joins G20

The incorporation of the African Union into this influential bloc is seen as an important step forward in amplifying voices from underrepresented areas on a global scale. The 55-nation grouping's entry into G20 was welcomed by all member countries, signaling their acknowledgment of its significance and potential impact.

India's Role in Inclusion

When asked about India's role in facilitating this inclusion, Magwenya expressed gratitude and appreciation for Prime Minister Narendra Modis leadership. He said "We are very thankful and delighted about the leadership Prime Minister Narendra Modi has demonstrated." PM Modi has been instrumental in defining this summit around expanding representation for smaller developing countries or what is collectively referred to as 'the Global South'. This move aligns with his vision to create an inclusive platform where these nations have a say in critical global decisions.

Influence on Multilateral Institutions

Beyond just providing greater representation for Africa and other developing regions, Magwenya believes that AUs inclusion also indicates progress towards reforming key international bodies such as UN Security Council and myriad global multilateral financial institutions. These organizations have long faced criticism over their structure which many believe disproportionately favors developed nations at the expense of less-developed ones.

Potential Impact on Global South

This development holds substantial implications not only for Africa but also for other parts of the Global South. With the African Union now part of the G20, there is a stronger platform for these nations to voice their concerns and perspectives on global issues. This could potentially lead to more balanced and equitable decision-making processes within these powerful organizations.

In conclusion, the inclusion of the African Union in the G20 marks a significant step forward towards greater representation and influence for Africa as well as other developing regions globally. It also signals progress in ongoing efforts to reform major global institutions like UN Security Council and various financial bodies. The role played by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in facilitating this inclusion underscores India's commitment to fostering an inclusive global order where voices from all corners of the world are heard and considered.
US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken has accused Russia of strikes on Ukraine's civilian infrastructure on the Danube River, from where Ukrainian grain is exported. Moscow, the US senior official believes, has resorted to its usual terror tactics and is turning food into weapons.

ADVERTISIMENT

According to the Kremlin's plan, people from countries on the verge of starvation will pay for Russian aggression and the desire to occupy Ukrainian lands. Blinken wrote this on his X account, formerly known as Twitter.

"Russia continues its attacks on Ukraine's vital Danube ports, systematically destroying civilian infrastructure to keep Ukrainian grain from feeding the world. This is Russia's 'methodology'. It opts for strangling Ukrainian grain exports, using food as a weapon and making hungry people pay the price," the US Secretary of State said confidently.

Russian troops attacked the Odesa region with drones on the night of September 8. The occupiers launched 20 kamikaze attack drones, 16 of which were shot down by the defenders of the Ukrainian sky.

ADVERTISIMENT

This attack was the fifth attempt to strike the Odesa region in the last week. Before that, the invaders attacked the region with Iranian kamikaze drones on the night of September 7.

The invaders' targets in these attacks were the port and grain infrastructure of the Odesa region.

Russian Shahed drones fell and detonated on Romanian territory during a strike on the night of September 4. The Romanian authorities denied this fact at first, but finally recognized it two days after the information about the incident appeared online. Romania also said that it would strengthen security measures in the areas bordering Ukraine.
'Bali was Bali, Delhi is Delhi': Jaishankar After Delhi Declaration Text On Ukraine War

India

oi-Madhuri Adnal

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar dismissed any comparisons between the Bali Declaration and the New Delhi Declaration of the G20 leaders. He emphasized that the situations at the time of their adoption were different.

"In regards to the comparison with the Bali declaration, I can only say Bali was Bali and New Delhi is New Delhi. Bali was a year ago, and the situation was different. Many things have happened since then," Jaishankar stated during a press conference following the consensus reached on the G20 leaders' joint statement.

He further elaborated on the content of the leaders' declaration, particularly in the geopolitical segment, which comprises eight paragraphs. Jaishankar pointed out that seven of these paragraphs primarily address the Ukraine issue and highlight contemporary challenges. He stressed the importance of not interpreting the situation in a dogmatic manner.

G20 Summit: Putin, Xi Jinping Give It A Skip, MEA Jaishankar Reacts

"The New Delhi declaration responds to the situation and concerns as they are today, just as the Bali declaration did in a situation that existed a year ago," the External Affairs Minister explained.

Regarding China's participation at the G20 summit, Jaishankar emphasized that it's up to each country to determine its level of representation. He noted that what matters most is the position a country takes and its contributions to the deliberations and outcomes. Jaishankar mentioned that China was very supportive of various outcomes during the G20 summit.

Under India's G20 presidency, a significant milestone was achieved as all leaders adopted the declaration following adjustments made by India on the Ukraine issue. The declaration emphasized adherence to the UN Charter's principles, refraining from the use or threat of force for territorial acquisition, and the inadmissibility of the use or threat of use of nuclear weapons.
Bharat Replaces India In PM Modi's Nameplate At G20 Summit

India

oi-Prakash KL

Amid row over the name change of India to Bharat, the nameplate kept before Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the G20 Summit read 'Bharat' instead of India.

The two-day G20 Summit was kicked off on Saturday at the Bharat Mandapam at the Pragati Maidan in New Delhi. At the summit, the Prime Minister has been identified as the leader representing 'Bharat'.

Dinner invitations sent out by the Rashtrapati Bhawan to delegates and dignitaries attending the G20 Summit were in the name of President of Bharat, which triggered a political storm with the opposition alleging that the government was planning to drop the name India.

African Union Joins G20, All Member Countries Accept PM Modi's Proposal

Speaking at the G20 Summit, Prime Minister on Saturday said, "The 21st century is an important time to show the world a new direction. This is the time when old problems are seeking new challenges from us and that is why we should move ahead fulfilling our responsibilities with a human-centric approach...If we can defeat COVID-19, we can also triumph over the trust deficit caused by the war"

Recommended Video

G20: 'Bharat' replaces India in nameplate as Modi addresses Summit | India vs Bharat | Oneindia News

India's G20 presidency has become a symbol of inclusion, of 'sabka saath' both inside and outside the country, he stated. He added, "This has become people's G20 in India. Crores of Indians are connected to this. In more than 60 cities of the country, more than 200 meetings have taken place. With the sense of 'Sabka Saath', India had proposed that the African Union be granted permanent membership of G20. I believe that all of us agree to this proposal."

Meanwhile, The United Nations has stated that it will change India's name to Bharat in its records once New Delhi completes all the necessary formalities, a spokesperson for the global body told NDTV today. United Nations Secretary-General's chief spokesperson, Stephane Dujarric, explained, "When India completes the formalities to change the name, they will inform us, and we will change the name in the UN records."

G20 Summit: Justin Trudeau To Raise Foreign Interference Issue With PM Modi

Dujarric, speaking on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Delhi, remarked, "It's not for the UN to comment on the debate."

He further clarified, "As long as the formalities are completed, the UN will change the name too. It's a bureaucratic matter when it comes to what the UN needs to do."

For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications

Story first published: Saturday, September 9, 2023, 12:16 [IST]
TDP President N Chandrababu Naidu Pens An Open Letter From Prison: Not In Jail, But In People's Hearts

Chandrababu Naidu Arrested: What Is The Skill Development Scam All About?

India

oi-Prakash KL

Former Andhra Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu was arrested by the CID around 6 am on Saturday at Gnanapuram in Nandyala town in a corruption case.

He has been arrested under relevant IPC sections, including Sections 120B (criminal conspiracy), 420 (cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property) and 465 (forgery), according to the notice. The Andhra Pradesh CID has also invoked the Prevention of Corruption Act against him.

The former CM himself had predicted days ago that he would be arrested and attacked. Hence, the development has not come as a surprise.

Recommended Video

Chandrababu Naidu, former CM, arrested by Andhra CID in skill development case | Oneindia News

What is the alleged scam all about?

The skill development programme was envisaged under the then Telugu Desam Party government between 2014 and 2019. An investigation into the issue was launched by the CID in March 2023.

Back in 2016, under the administration of the TDP government, APSSDC was founded with the primary objective of empowering unemployed young individuals by delivering skill training programs aimed at boosting their job prospects.

According to officials, GVS Bhaskar, an accused in the case and former employee of Siemens Industrial Software, inflated the valuation of the project, which involved Siemens Industrial Software India and Design Tech Systems, to Rs 3,300 crore. However, the cost of Siemens Industrial Software India's software was only Rs 58 crore.

The inquiry stems from notifications sent to Arja Srikanth, a former Indian Railway Traffic Service (IRTS) officer who served as the CEO of APSSDC in 2016. These notifications were prompted by statements from a previously accused individual who has since become a witness cooperating with the authorities, as well as testimonies given by three IAS officers.

Suman Bose, the then MD of Siemens Industrial Software India, and Design Tech System MD Vikas Kanwilkar allegedly met the then Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu for the project in 2014-15.

As part of the agreement, Siemens Industrial Software India and Design Tech Systems were to contribute 90 per cent of the funds for the programme with the balance 10 per cent coming from the state government. However, neither company spent a single penny while the state government's share of 10 per cent - amounting to Rs 371 crore - was allegedly misappropriated, the CID stated.

It is alleged that former special secretary to the state government Ganta Subba Rao and former IAS officer K Lakshminarayana had played key roles in the programme. The Crime Investigation Department (CID) identified Lakshminarayana as a close friend of Naidu, according to a PTI report.

CID officials claimed that the misappropriated money was funnelled into shell companies such as Allied Computers (Rs 60 crore), Skillers India, Knowledge Podium, Cadence Partners and ETA Greens.

According to reports, former finance secretary Sunita had objected to the release of funds but senior government officials overruled her.

When the CID contacted the German headquarters of Siemens, it clarified that Bose had acted on his own volition, which resulted in his services being terminated, the official told the news agency.

Overall, the CID investigation revealed a series of improprieties. Notably, the investigating agency has found out that the project was approved without getting the cabinet approval and initiated without formal tendering, Hindustan Times reported.

The Enforcement Directorate has also launched a probe into the alleged scam and has issued notices to 26 people.
Delhi: Man Killed While Saving His Teenage Son From Group Of Boys

India

oi-Sushmita Halder

Amid the tight security organised in the national capoital for the G20 Summit, a horrific incident came into limelight where a 38-year-old person was beaten to death with brikcks.

The incident took place in Sanjay Colony area of Delhi's Okhla Phase 2. A group of boys attacked the victim with bricks on Friday night. The victim has been recognised as Mohammad Hanif.

The incident took place at around 11 PM on Friday when a teenager son of the victim went outside to get his bike which was parked in a street. He saw a group of boys sitting on it and asked them to move. However, they refused to do so.

How To Get Real Time Traffic Updates In Delhi During G20 Summit? Use Delhi Police's Virtual Help Desk

Later both the parties indulged in a verbal spat thus creating a ruckus in the area. Meanwhile Hanif interfered in the issue and tried to save his son from the group of boys.

But unfortunately, the argument became extreme and the miscreants started beating Hanif with bricks. His sons were also badly injured.

Later, a police team quickly reached the spot in response to an SOS call. Hanif was admitted to AIIMS' trauma centre, however, the doctors declared him dead. His minor sons were also injured in the clash.

Hanif worked as a porter. A case has been registered and the police is searching for the accused involved in the case.

The city is decked up with more than 50,000 personnel along with dog squads and mounted police, to keep a close watch on the city during the summit.

G20 Summit 2023: Are Liquor Shops In Delhi Open Or Closed? Deets Inside

A tight security has been organised across the national capital for the two-day meeting that include top world leaders like President of the Unite States Joe Biden and the United Kingdom Prime Minister Rishi Sunak among others.

For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications

Story first published: Saturday, September 9, 2023, 14:56 [IST]
Skill Development Scam: Ex-AP CM Chandrababu Naidu Faces CID Interrogation At SIT Office

India

oi-Madhuri Adnal

The Andhra Pradesh CID began interrogation of TDP chief N. Chandrababu Naidu following his arrest and designation as the "principal conspirator" in the Skill Development Corporation scam, allegedly resulting in a loss of Rs 300 crore to the state government. Naidu was transported from Nandyal, where he was apprehended, to Vijayawada, where the questioning is taking place at the CID office.

Naidu's arrest occurred after a pre-dawn police operation, with officers knocking on the caravan's door where he was sleeping. The arrest, conducted around 6 AM, transpired at a marriage hall in Gnanapuram, Nandyal, where Naidu's caravan was parked. Notably, this arrest took place while Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy was abroad on a private visit.

The investigation implicates the former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and TDP leader as a beneficiary of fund misappropriation in connection with the establishment of clusters of Centers of Excellence (CoEs) in the state, with an estimated project value of Rs 3,300 crore. This alleged fraud has reportedly caused a substantial loss of over Rs 300 crore to the Andhra Pradesh government.

Naidu, responding to his arrest on X (formerly Twitter), expressed his commitment to serving the people of Andhra Pradesh and safeguarding their interests, stating that "truth and dharma will triumph."

In response to the arrest, the Telugu Desam Party has decided to stage a mass hunger strike across the state to protest what they view as an "illegal" arrest of their party's leader.

Opposition parties in the state, including the BJP, CPI, and Janasena (a local ally of the BJP), have condemned the arrest, accusing the YSRC government of not adhering to due procedure.

#TDP president #ChandrababuNaidu was brought to the office of the Special Investigation Team (#SIT) of the CID for interrogation and preparation of the remand report. However, Naidu reportedly refused to answer the 20 questions posed by the SIT.#CID #CBNLeaks #CBN #CBNArrested pic.twitter.com/2IoSbT5Qlf  Madhuri Adnal (@madhuriadnal) September 9, 2023

The Skill Development Corporation Scam involves allegations of abuse of power, money laundering, and cheating, as highlighted by YSR Congress parliamentary party leader and MP V. Vijaysai Reddy.

Protests have erupted in various parts of the state, with TDP supporters denouncing the arrest.

The CID official has emphasized that Naidu is considered the "principal conspirator" behind the scheme, orchestrating the transfer of public funds to private entities through shell companies, leading to losses for the public treasury and gains for private interests. Naidu's knowledge of transactions and his role in issuing government orders and MoUs make him a central figure in the investigation, requiring custodial interrogation.

The case revolves around the establishment of Centers of Excellence (CoE) clusters in Andhra Pradesh, with a project estimate of Rs 3,300 crore. However, the investigation has revealed that the funds were diverted to shell companies through fraudulent invoices, with no actual delivery of goods or services. A portion of the funds was used to create CoE clusters, while the rest was funneled to shell companies, contrary to official procedures.

The CID chief further noted that critical documents related to the case have gone missing, with suspicions pointing to Naidu and other individuals. The charges in the case carry penalties of up to 10 years of imprisonment, necessitating custodial interrogation to uncover all aspects of the financial fraud.

Siddaramaiah Govt's Decision To Transfer Udupi Restroom Case To CID Creating Suspicious: BJP MLA

Naidu's influence over witnesses and other accused has also been noted, making his arrest essential to prevent interference with the investigation and potential tampering of evidence. Special teams will be dispatched to apprehend two accused individuals who have reportedly fled to Dubai and the USA.

Furthermore, the role of TDP general secretary Nara Lokesh and his associate Kilaru Rajesh will be thoroughly examined in cases related to irregularities in AP Fibrenet, the Skill Development scam, and Amaravati inner ring road.

Naidu, under Z-Plus category protection, was transported to the CID office in Vijayawada after a nine-hour road journey from Nandyal. During his transit, TDP supporters gathered along the route, chanting slogans and attempting to block the convoy, although they were eventually cleared by the police. Despite the offer of a helicopter, Naidu chose to travel by road, with authorities ensuring his safety and comfort.
Significant Shift in G20 Stance: No Mention of Russian Invasion at New Delhi Summit

From Paatram To Madhurima, What's On The Menu For G20 Dinner Tonight?

India

oi-Madhuri Adnal

Following a dynamic day at the G20 Summit on Saturday, global leaders are concluding their day with a lavish dinner hosted by Indian President Droupadi Murmu at the Bharat Mandapam in the national capital. Several dignitaries, including UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Mauritius Prime Minister Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, and French President Emmanuel Macron, have already arrived at the venue.

The G20 leaders will savor a sumptuous Indian vegetarian feast. Here's a glimpse of what the world leaders will enjoy for dinner tonight:

Starter

Paatram: Foxtail millet leaf crisps adorned with a yogurt sphere and spiced chutney

Main Course

Vanavarnam: Jackfruit galette served with glazed forest mushrooms, crispy little millet, and Kerala red rice with curry leaf seasoning

Indian Breads

Mumbai Pao: Soft buns flavored with onion seeds

Bakarkhani: Sweet bread infused with cardamom

Dessert

Madhurima: Cardamom-scented Barnyard millet pudding accompanied by fig-peach compote and Ambemohar rice crisps

Beverages

Kashmiri Kahwa, filter coffee, and Darjeeling tea

In addition, the leaders will be treated to Paan-flavored chocolate leaves.

Earlier in the day, leaders from the world's top 20 economies gathered at the Bharat Mandapam for the grand G20 Summit hosted by India.

Under India's G20 presidency, a significant milestone was achieved on Saturday when all G20 member states adopted the New Delhi Leaders' Summit Declaration with 100 percent consensus. During the second session of the Summit, Prime Minister Modi announced, "We have just received the good news that, due to the hard work of our teams and your cooperation, a consensus has been reached on the New Delhi G20 Leaders Summit Declaration... My proposal is to adopt this G20 declaration."

"History has been made with the adoption of the New Delhi Leaders' Declaration. United in consensus and spirit, we pledge to work collaboratively for a better, more prosperous, and harmonious future. My gratitude to all fellow G20 members for their support and cooperation," Prime Minister Modi shared on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Additionally, PM Modi declared the 55-member African Union as a permanent member of the G20, marking the first expansion of the influential bloc since its inception in 1999.
G20: India Circulates New Paragraph Among Nations To Describe Ukraine Crisis In Leaders' Declaration

India

oi-PTI

India on Saturday circulated a new paragraph among the G20 countries to describe the Ukraine conflict in the joint leaders' declaration to be unveiled at the end of the two-day summit of the grouping, diplomatic sources said. With consensus eluding on the paragraph relating to the Ukraine conflict, India on Friday circulated a draft summit declaration among the member countries without the paragraph on the geopolitical issue in an attempt to hammer out a positive outcome.

India's circulation of the new text on Ukraine came as the G20 leaders began deliberations on pressing global challenges on the first day of the annual summit of the bloc. A lack of consensus on the text on Ukraine may result in the summit ending without a joint declaration, which will be a first for the grouping. There was no consensus on the text to describe the Ukraine issue at the G20 Sherpa meeting that took place in Nuh district of Haryana from September 3-6.

Indian negotiators believe that there will be consensus on the new paragraph that was circulated on Saturday morning, the sources said. The response of the Western powers as well as China and Russia to the new text was not known immediately. Two sources had earlier said the G7 countries are not agreeable to any leaders' declaration without reference to the Ukraine conflict.

G20 Summit: Candid Picture Of Rishi Sunak With Wife Akshata Murty Will Melt Your Heart

The G20 operates under the principle of consensus and there have been apprehensions that lack of a common view may result in the summit ending without a joint declaration. Both Russia and China had agreed to the two paragraphs on the Ukraine conflict in the Bali declaration but backtracked this year, creating difficulties for India. Almost all key meetings held under India's G20 presidency, including those of finance and foreign ministers, could not come out with consensus documents in view of opposition from Russia and China to any text referring to the Ukraine conflict.

For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications

Story first published: Saturday, September 9, 2023, 14:20 [IST]
G20 Summit: Justin Trudeau To Raise Foreign Interference Issue With PM Modi

India

oi-Sushmita Halder

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau who came to India to witness the G20 Summit is all set to discuss over the foreign interference in the country's internal affairs with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

While addressing the media in Singapore over foreign interference, Trudeau said, "It is incredibly important that we continue to protect Canadians from any and all types of interference."

"One of the things we're focused on in this inquiry is recognising. Yes China and Russia are responsible for interference, but other countries engage in it as well," the Canadian PM added.

G20: Konark Wheel Replica Serves As Backdrop Of PM Modi's Welcome Handshake With Leaders

By inquiry he meant to say the Public Inquiry into Foreign Interference in Federal Electoral Processes and democratic institutions, which was announced on Thursday by Dominic LeBlanc, minister of Public Safety, Democratic Institutions and Intergovernmental Affairs.

Officials from India claimed that India doesn't interfere in Canada's internal affairs and expects from Ottawa the same. However, they further said that India is completely concerned over Khalistani extremism cultivated in Canada with some politicians backing them and failure of Ottawa in countering such separatist activity.

Emphasising on Indian interference, an official from India earlier said that Canadian officials ae combining attempts by countries like China to influence Federal elections in 2019 and 2021 with India protecting its territorial integrity and acting against terrorist groups.

G20 Summit Begins In India: Full Schedule Of The 2-Day Event In Delhi

The Canadian Prime Minister arrived in Delhi with his son Xavier on Friday to attend the G20 Summit. He was received by Union minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar.

New Delhi who is hosting the 18th G20 Summit on September 9 and 10, is decked up beautifully to welcome the global leaders for the biggest event. The event will witness the presence of over 25 global leaders and their accompanying delegates. The mega event is being organised at state-of-the-art Bharat Mandapam in Pragati Maidan followed by a lunch organised by PM Modi.

For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications

Story first published: Saturday, September 9, 2023, 11:57 [IST]
G20 Summit Leaders Reach Consensus, Delhi Declaration Adopted

India

oi-Madhuri Adnal

During the G20 summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the adoption of a consensus leaders' declaration after prolonged negotiations, which had been stalled due to a reference to the Ukraine crisis.

Modi, speaking in Hindi, declared, "Friends, we have just received good news. With the hard work of our teams and the cooperation of you all, there is consensus on the New Delhi G20 Summit Leaders Declaration." He proposed the adoption of the declaration and then proclaimed its adoption with a gavel strike, followed by applause from fellow G20 leaders.

Speaking at the Session-2 on 'One Family' during the G20 Summit in Delhi. https://t.co/tj1jrzelBA  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 9, 2023

He expressed gratitude to the ministers, sherpas, and officials who worked diligently to achieve this consensus.

G20: India Circulates New Paragraph Among Nations To Describe Ukraine Crisis In Leaders' Declaration

Details regarding how the G20 states reached consensus on the leaders' declaration, particularly the contentious paragraph concerning Russia's invasion of Ukraine, were not immediately available. The issue had previously stalled joint statements at all ministerial meetings during India's presidency.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman later acknowledged the achievement on social media, thanking all G20 members for their cooperation and support.

Today at the #G20 Leaders Summit #NewDelhiLeadersDeclaration is officially adopted. @PMOIndia @narendramodis emphasis on human-centric globalisation and our concerns of #GlobalSouth have found resonance and recognition. Thanking all G20 members for their cooperation and  Nirmala Sitharaman (@nsitharaman) September 9, 2023

The breakthrough came after the Indian side shared a new draft text addressing the Ukraine crisis among G20 states to resolve the deadlock. The previous draft, agreed upon by most G20 states, had left the paragraph regarding the "geopolitical situation" or the Ukraine crisis blank.

Bharat Replaces India In PM Modi's Nameplate At G20 Summit

Negotiators from G20 states had already reached an agreement on 75 other paragraphs in the draft, covering topics such as financing for climate transition, multilateral development bank reform, and cryptocurrency regulation.

Although discussions on the Ukraine crisis were described as "tough," some countries had no issues with the proposed wording of the paragraph, according to sources. The sherpas had been unable to reach an agreement on the Ukraine paragraph during several sessions held after the final sherpas' meeting on September 6.

For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications

Story first published: Saturday, September 9, 2023, 17:37 [IST]
Uncertain Outcome at G20 Summit Over Ukraine Crisis: Will There Be A Breakthrough?

Ahead of the G20 summit, uncertainty prevails over achieving consensus regarding the text describing the ongoing conflict in Ukraine for joint leaders' declaration. The negotiations are still ongoing with hope for positive outcomes despite major obstacles such as differing views from China and Russia.

India

-Krishna Kripa

As the G20 summit approaches, the international community is eagerly anticipating a resolution regarding the ongoing Ukraine crisis. However, on Friday, there was no clear indication of an imminent breakthrough in reaching a consensus on how to describe the situation in Ukraine for the joint leaders declaration. The negotiations are expected to continue down to the wire as nations grapple with this contentious issue.

China: A Stumbling Block

Multiple sources have cited China as one of the main obstacles in achieving a consensus on both Ukraine and other critical proposals, including those related to climate change. Despite these challenges, negotiators remain hopeful that positive outcomes can be achieved across all contested issues. Two sources disclosed that without reference to the conflict in Ukraine, any leader's declaration would not be accepted by G7 countries; however, they remained optimistic about overcoming these hurdles.

The Principle of Consensus

The G20 operates under a principle of consensus which means that unless all member nations agree upon an issue or proposal, it cannot move forward. This has raised concerns that if a common view on certain key issues like Ukraine conflict is not reached at this summit then it might conclude without a joint leaders' declaration - something unprecedented and potentially damaging for global governance.

Russia and China's Backtracking

Last year during the Bali declaration both Russia and China agreed to two paragraphs concerning the Ukrainian conflict but they have since backtracked from their previous stance creating difficulties particularly for India which shares close strategic ties with Russia while also being keenly interested in maintaining its relationship with western democracies like United States and European Union who are strongly opposed to Russian actions in Ukraine.

A Test For Diplomacy

This diplomatic impasse presents itself as a significant test for diplomacy where competing interests need careful balancing against larger global objectives. It is also a challenge for India as it seeks to manage its relationships with both Russia and China amidst this ongoing conflict.

In conclusion, the upcoming G20 summit will be closely watched by international observers. The Ukraine crisis has become a litmus test for global cooperation and consensus building amongst world's leading economies. How the G20 leaders navigate these complex issues will not only determine the future of Ukraine but could also set precedents for dealing with similar conflicts in future. It remains to be seen whether this summit can deliver on its promise of fostering global economic cooperation or whether it will end up being another platform where geopolitical divisions are further deepened.
Ukrainian defenders have advanced east of Rbotyne in Zaporizhzhia, while the Russian occupiers are moving forces from other parts of the front to this area. The Defense Forces also continue to put pressure on enemy positions south of Bakhmut, gradually advancing between Klishchiivka and Andiivka.

ADVERTISIMENT

This is stated in the summary of the military intelligence of the UK released on the morning of September 9. As noted, units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine have advanced to the multi-level main enemy defense line east of Robotyne.

Ukrainian infantry continues its gradual tactical offensive against Russian positions and is depleting Russian forces in the area, the report said.

In addition, the AFU continues to put pressure on the positions of the invaders south of Bakhmut, gradually advancing between Klishchiivka and Andriivka.

ADVERTISIMENT

"It is highly likely that Russia has redeployed forces from other parts of the front line to replace degraded units around Robotyne. These redeployments are likely limiting Russia's ability to conduct its own offensive operations in other parts of the front line. The redeployments are also a possible sign of pressure on their defensive lines, particularly around Robotyne," British intelligence said.
World Leaders' Spouses Treated to Exclusive Cultural Experience during G20 Summit in Delhi

The spouses of some world leaders attending the G20 summit enjoyed a specially curated cultural experience. They had lunch at Jaipur House followed by a guided tour of an exhibition showcasing India's rich cultural artifacts at National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA).

India

-Krishna Kripa

New Delhi, the bustling capital of India, played host to a unique cultural experience for the spouses of world leaders attending the G20 Summit on September 9. The event took place at Jaipur House and was followed by an enlightening tour of an exhibition showcasing culturally-rich artefacts at NGMA (National Gallery of Modern Art), according to official sources.

Special Lunch at Jaipur House

The attendees were treated to a special lunch that featured millet-based dishes, providing them with a taste of traditional Indian cuisine. They also had the opportunity to sample some street food, further immersing themselves in local flavours and gastronomic traditions. Among those present were first ladies from Turkiye, Japan, UK, Australia and Mauritius.

Exhibition Tour at National Gallery of Modern Art

Post-lunch saw these distinguished visitors being given a guided tour through an exhibition hosted at the NGMA. This exhibition titled 'Roots and Routes', which opened on the same day as their visit was specially curated for them. It explores India's civilisational heritage, ethos and inter-connectedness  offering insights into its rich history and diverse culture.

The NGMA falls under the Union Ministry of Cultures purview and boasts an impressive collection comprising paintings, sculptures and photographs  each piece telling its own story about Indias artistic journey over centuries.

This gallery has historical significance too; it was inaugurated by S Radhakrishnan who served as vice-president then in 1954 as per records from Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav website.

A Culmination Event Amidst G20 Summit

The special lunch along with the NGMA exhibition were not standalone events but organised on sidelines of two-day long G20 Summit which commenced on Saturday itself. The summit is being held at the newly-built international convention and exhibition centre -- Bharat Mandapam  located at Pragati.

This cultural exposure for the spouses of world leaders is a testament to India's commitment to showcasing its rich heritage on global platforms. It also underscores the importance of cultural exchange in fostering understanding and cooperation among nations, thereby enhancing diplomatic relations.

In conclusion, this event was not just about sharing food and art but it was an opportunity to share stories, experiences and perspectives. It was a chance for these dignitaries from different parts of the world to get a glimpse into Indias vibrant culture and history through its cuisine and art. And perhaps most importantly, it served as a reminder that despite our diverse backgrounds, we are all connected by shared human experiences - something that transcends borders and politics.
Surprise as India Achieves Consensus on Tense G20 Declaration Amidst Ukraine War Divisions

After tough negotiations with China, Russia and other Western nations, India managed to achieve consensus on the G20 declaration despite sharp divisions over the ongoing war in Ukraine. The success was backed by Brazil, South Africa and Indonesia and has been hailed as a display of diplomatic power.

India

-Krishna Kripa

The recent G20 summit saw India playing a pivotal role in achieving consensus on the declaration, despite strong disagreements within the bloc, particularly regarding the Ukraine conflict. This accomplishment was made possible due to a series of intense negotiations conducted by India with key global players including China, Russia and several Western nations. The efforts were further bolstered by robust support from Brazil, South Africa and Indonesia.

India's Diplomatic Triumph

According to diplomatic sources on Saturday, there were initial apprehensions about whether the document could be issued at all given the sharp divisions within the bloc over the ongoing war in Ukraine. However, India's adept handling of these negotiations helped overcome these fears. A significant breakthrough was achieved when India managed to persuade China to agree to text relating to the Ukraine conflict after securing concurrence from European Union (EU).

A Major Announcement

The first day of the summit witnessed an unexpected announcement by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi that took many by surprise. He announced that the G20 leaders' declaration had been adopted with full consensus. This came as a major shock since both Russia-China combine and Western countries had earlier indicated their firm stance on their respective positions concerning Ukraine conflict and seemed unwilling for any compromise.

Global Recognition for New Delhis Negotiation Skills

In light of this development, French diplomatic sources lauded India's negotiation skills highly stating that not many countries are capable of such feats as displayed by New Delhi during this summit. They acknowledged that it is indeed remarkable how effectively New Delhi has managed to take into account comments from everyone while crafting a compromise proposal on such a contentious issue like Ukraine conflict.

Tough Negotiations Yield Fruitful Outcome

Certainly, reaching this point was not easy; it involved tough negotiations and strategic diplomacy which ultimately yielded positive results. The consensus on the G20 declaration, despite significant differences among member nations, is a testament to India's diplomatic prowess and its ability to navigate complex international relations.

In conclusion, Indias role in achieving consensus on the G20 declaration demonstrates its growing influence and respect within global platforms. It also highlights the country's potential as a peace broker in resolving critical global issues. This development not only marks a significant milestone for Indian diplomacy but also underscores Indias position as an emerging leader capable of bridging divides and fostering unity among diverse nations.
India Ready to Make Mark at G20 Summit as Presidency Offers 'Golden Opportunity'

India is set to make its mark on the global stage with its presidency of the upcoming G20 Summit. Top officials believe this is a golden opportunity for India which is currently celebrating 75 years of independence and has become the fifth largest economy in the world.

India

-Krishna Kripa

As India gears up to host the G20 Summit, a sense of optimism and anticipation is palpable in the country. Holding the prestigious G20 Presidency at this time is seen as a golden opportunity for India to make its mark on the global stage, according to a top official from the Ministry of External Affairs. The G20 Summit, often regarded as an influential platform that brings together leaders from major economies across the world, offers an excellent chance for India to showcase its progress and potential.

A Golden Opportunity

In an exclusive interview on Friday with Muktesh Pardesi, Special Secretary  G20 India, it was asserted that India is all prepared for the summit. According to him, not only does this event hold significance as a standalone global meeting but also because it coincides with several positive developments within India. "We celebrated 75 years of our Independence; we are now recognized as the fifth largest economy and maintain our status as the largest democracy," said Pardesi.

Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam: One Earth, One Family, One Future

Pardesi further revealed that 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' -- translating into 'One Earth, One Family, One Future' will be at heart of discussions during this year's summit. This ancient Indian philosophy emphasizes universal kinship and shared responsibility towards sustainable development - themes that resonate strongly amidst current global challenges such as climate change and socio-economic disparities.

World Leaders Arrive in Delhi

The capital city New Delhi has been bustling with activity since Friday when many world leaders started arriving ahead of the summit. Among them was US President Joe Biden who held wide-ranging talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi upon his arrival.

An Upbeat Mood Prevails

"The mood of the people in the country ahead of the G20 Summit is upbeat and it's because India holding the G20 Presidency at this time is like a golden opportunity," Pardesi told. The sentiment reflects not just anticipation for what India can contribute to global discussions, but also pride in how far the nation has come.

In conclusion, as India steps into its role as host and president of this years G20 summit, there are high expectations both domestically and internationally. This event represents a significant moment for India to showcase its growth, resilience, and leadership on pressing global issues. Its a golden opportunity that could further elevate India's stature on the world stage while promoting constructive dialogue towards 'One Earth, One Family, One Future'.
Significant Shift in G20 Stance: No Mention of Russian Invasion at New Delhi Summit

At the recent G20 summit held in New Delhi, leaders refrained from explicitly mentioning the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. This is seen as a major shift from last year's stance where most members strongly condemned Russia's aggression against Ukraine. Emerging economies such as Brazil, South Africa and India were pivotal in achieving this unexpected consensus.

India

-Krishna Kripa

The G20 leaders' declaration, which conspicuously omitted any reference to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, instead made a broad appeal for all states to adhere to principles of territorial integrity and sovereignty. This move is widely perceived as a retreat by Western powers from the conflict. However, India was able to facilitate an unexpected consensus among the G20 nations on this contentious issue through intense negotiations. Key roles in achieving this breakthrough were played by emerging economies such as Brazil, South Africa and Indonesia.

Role of Emerging Economies

Brazil, South Africa and Indonesia emerged as significant players in these critical discussions. According to sources close to the matter, these three nations also contributed significantly in drafting the text that eventually won unanimous approval from all member countries.

Comparison with Previous Declarations

The declaration issued at last year's G20 summit held in Bali had expressed strong condemnation for what it termed 'Russian aggression against Ukraine.' Most members had vociferously condemned the war. When asked about how this current declaration compared with its predecessor from Bali, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar responded during a media briefing: "Bali was Bali and New Delhi is New Delhi." He went on to explain that circumstances have changed since then; many events have transpired over the past year which have influenced current geopolitical dynamics.

A Shift in Geopolitical Dynamics

In fact, if one examines closely the geo-political segment of this latest leaders' declaration issued at New Delhi, there are eight paragraphs dedicated entirely towards addressing these changes. The diplomatic language used within these sections reflects an apparent shift in global power dynamics and attitudes towards international conflicts like those currently unfolding between Russia and Ukraine.

Indias Diplomatic Maneuvering

This development demonstrates India's ability to navigate complex diplomatic waters successfully. By facilitating a consensus among the G20 nations, India has shown that it can play a significant role in shaping global geopolitical discourse. The country's diplomatic maneuvering and negotiation skills have been brought to the fore, with emerging economies like Brazil, South Africa and Indonesia acting as crucial allies.

In conclusion, while the avoidance of direct reference to Russias invasion of Ukraine by the G20 leaders' declaration may be seen as a climbdown by Western powers, it also signifies shifting geopolitical dynamics. In this new landscape, countries like India are demonstrating their ability to influence global discourse while aligning with other emerging economies. The situation is fluid and continues to evolve; only time will tell how these changes will impact future international relations and conflicts.
No Discussion On Seat Sharing: HD Kumaraswamy On BJP-JDS Alliance

India

oi-Prakash KL

Former Karnataka Chief Minister and JDS leader HD Kumaraswamy on Saturday said that his party has not had any discussion with the BJP over the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.

BJP will have an understanding with former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda led JD(S) for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, former Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa said on Friday, an announcement that shot up political temperature in the State.

Responding to Lingayat strongman B S Yediyurappa's comment that the the BJP has agreed to give four Lok Sabha seats to the JDS, Kumaraswamy said, that it is his "personal reaction."

"Until now, there has been no discussion on seat sharing or anything. We have met cordially 2 or 3 times. Later on, let us see what is going to happen... We are coming together and having a discussion to go before the people... People need it because Congress is looting the state. People need alternatives... I joined hands with the BJP in 2006. My goodwill was created because of my 20 months of administration," the former CM added.

"BJP and JD(S) will have an understanding. Amit Shah (Union Home Minister) has agreed to give four Lok Sabha seats," to the JD(S))," four-time Chief Minister Yediyurappa said on Friday.

BJP, JDS Join Hands In Karnataka Ahead Of 2024 Lok Sabha Polls

Speaking to reporters, he said, "this has given us great strength and this will help us in winning 25 or 26 Lok Sabha seats together."

The BJP swept the 2019 Lok Sabha polls in Karnataka by winning 25 seats, while an independent backed by it won in one seat. The Congress and JD(S) emerged victorious in one seat each.

As per the reports, JDS wanted to contest from Mandya, Hassan, Tumakkuru, Chickballapur and Bengaluru Rural. However, the saffron party agreed to let it contest on four seats -- Kolar, Hassan, Mandya and Bengaluru rural.

For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications

Story first published: Saturday, September 9, 2023, 13:58 [IST]
Janasena, TDP Will Go Together In Next Elections: Pawan Kalyan After Meeting Naidu In Prison

AP Police Block Pawan Kalyan's Convoy Heading Towards Vijayawada

Janasena party president, Pawan Kalyans convoy was blocked twice by the Andhra Pradesh police while he was en route to Vijayawada. This happened following the arrest of TDP chief, N Chandrababu Naidu in a pre-dawn operation at Nandyala. The blockade has led to protests from Janasena leaders and cadres.

India

-Krishna Kripa

In a recent incident, the Andhra Pradesh police halted a convoy of vehicles belonging to Janasena party president Pawan Kalyan in NTR district twice on Saturday night. This intervention forced Kalyan to disembark from his vehicle and proceed towards Mangalagiri in Vijayawada on foot, as reported by a party leader.

The action by the police was taken when Kalyan was en route to Vijayawada, expressing his support for TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu who had been arrested earlier. The arrest of Naidu took place in a pre-dawn operation at Nandyala and he was then transported via road to Vijayawada. At present, the former Chief Minister is being interrogated by Andhra Pradesh CID in relation to an alleged Skill Development scam.

Blockades En Route

The first blockade of Kalyan's convoy occurred near Jaggayyapeta after he successfully crossed the Telangana-Andhra Pradesh border via road. Despite this initial obstruction, Kalyan managed to move forward only to be blocked again at Anumanchipalli, according to one of the party leaders.

"After crossing Jaggayyapeta, Kalyan has been stranded by AP police," said the Janasena leader while sharing videos of these incidents with reporters. The blockade has sparked protests among party leaders and cadres alike.

Kalyan's Reaction

Nadendla Manohar, second-in-command for Janasena shared a video on X (formerly Twitter), where Pawan Kalyan can be heard saying "looks like we need a visa and passport to enter Andhra Pradesh at this juncture." His statement reflects his frustration with the blockades imposed upon him during his journey.

Following the second blockade, Kalyan chose to alight from his vehicle and continue his journey on foot towards Vijayawada. This act of defiance further underlines his determination to support Naidu amidst these challenging circumstances.

Conclusion

The blockades imposed by the Andhra Pradesh police on Pawan Kalyan's convoy have sparked a wave of protests among Janasena party leaders and members. The situation has highlighted the escalating political tension in the state, particularly in light of former Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu's arrest. It remains to be seen how this incident will impact the political dynamics within Andhra Pradesh moving forward.
TDP President N Chandrababu Naidu Pens An Open Letter From Prison: Not In Jail, But In People's Hearts

TDP Chief Chandrababu Naidu Arrested In Corruption Case

India

oi-Prakash KL

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) on Saturday arrested former Andhra Chief Minister and TDP Chief N Chandrababu Naidu in Nandyala.

The former CM was arrested by the CID around 6 am from R K Function Hall at Gnanapuram in Nandyala town, an official told PTI.

In a notice served to Naidu, the Deputy Superintendent of Police of the CID's Economic Offences Wing (EOW), M Dhanunjayudu, said, "It is to inform you that you have been arrested... at 6 am at R K Function Hall, Gnanapuram, H/o Moolasagaram, Nandyala town and it is a non-bailable offence."

The former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister has been arrested under relevant IPC sections, including Sections 120B (criminal conspiracy), 420 (cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property) and 465 (forgery), according to the notice. The Andhra Pradesh CID has also invoked the Prevention of Corruption Act against him. The notice was served under CrPC Section 50 (1) (2).

Recommended Video

Chandrababu Naidu, former CM, arrested by Andhra CID in skill development case | Oneindia News

#WATCH | Criminal Investigation Department (CID) arrest former Andhra Pradesh CM and TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu.



(Video Source: TDP) pic.twitter.com/W2KN3BDUjY  ANI (@ANI) September 9, 2023

High drama unfolded in Nandyal when a group of police officers arrived in the area during the early hours of Saturday to apprehend the TDP leader. As per the party, the police will take Chandrababu to Vijayawada by flight from Orvakal Airport.

Chandrababu Naidu Arrested: What Is The Skill Development Scam All About?

The TDP Chief opposed his arrest as the arrest was initiated without showing 'evidence for allegations' and he told them he would only cooperate if only shown the evidence.

"I did not commit any malpractice or corruption. CID arrested me without any proper information and I asked them to show the evidence but they refused to show and attached my name to the FIR without my role," said N Chandrababu Naidu ahead of going into police custody.

"CID has taken Chandrababu for a medical check-up after high Blood Pressure and diabetes were detected. We are approaching the High Court for bail," the legal counsel of the TDP Chief told ANI.

On the arrest of the former Andhra Pradesh CM, TDP spokesman Kommareddy Pattabhiram said, "From yesterday night the Andhra Pradesh police & CID started the process of illegally arresting Chandrababu Naidu. Hundreds of policemen gathered outside the campsite of Chandrababu Naidu...They have illegally detained all the leaders who were staying at the campsite with Chandrababu Naidu...Chandrababu Naidu came out of the bus & asked a simple question 'What grounds are you arresting me?'...The police had no answer...For the past two years, the skill development case drama has been going on & just before the elections, they have carried out this arrest just to brand Chandrababu Naidu as some kind of a corrupt politician...People know that it is Jagan Mohan Reddy who is the most corrupt politician in the entire country..."
Uttar Pradesh: Toddler Gets Attacked By A Stray Dog In Amrohar

India

oi-Sushmita Halder

A series of incidents showing children being attacked by stray dogs in Uttar Pradesh has created a state of panic among the locals and one such incident is of a toddler being attacked by street dogs in Uttar Pradesh Amroha.

A CCTV footage showing a small boy being attacked by some street dogs in Amroha has taken the internet by storm. In the visuals, the minor boy can be seen running away from the dog as the canine speeds up to catch the boy and attack.

Local residents express their fear of letting their children out of their houses as there are many other cases in the city which has created panic in the minds of people.

Caught On Camera: Car Driver Runs Over Stray Dog In Bellandur, Netizens Outraged

Meanwhile, the administration has claimed to be reviewing animal birth control schemes in the area and look into the matter seriously as the situation claims safety of children.

District Magistrate Amroha Rajesh Kumar Tyagi was quoted saying as, "We have called a team to catch dogs and they are catching them in localities. Action is being taken at the district level."

Reportedly, a dozen cases of such attacks have surfaced in recent months and the incident from Amroha is one among them.

According to the local residents, the city has recorded several cases of stray dogs attacking pedestrians, including children. They further said that children carry sticks in hands while stepping out f their houses fearing dogs' attacks.

14-Year-Old Boy Dies Of Rabies After Hiding Dog Bite From Parents

"How will children go to schools when they are afraid of dogs attacking? Even when children go to buy goods from the shops, they step out with a stick. Wherever the children go, they carry a stick," a local resident was quoted saying.

Earlier on July 6, a similar CCTV video went viral where a girl can been seen attacked by a stray dog on the streets of Uttar Pradesh's Ghaziabad. The girl sustained severe injuries during the attack. The incident took place in Mirzapur area of Ghaziabad.

For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications

Story first published: Saturday, September 9, 2023, 11:04 [IST]
Amit Shah appeals for votes in MP, says BJP ensured development in all sectors

PM Modi Inaugurates Gujarat's First Heritage Train Amid Other Projects On His Two Day Visit

Will Give New Direction To Connectivity, Sustainable development: PM Modi On India-Middle East-Europe Corridor

India

oi-PTI

Plans for an ambitious India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor were unveiled on Saturday with Prime Minister Narendra Modi asserting that India does not limit connectivity to regional borders and believes that it can play a key role in strengthening mutual trust.

At the launch event of the 'Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment' and 'India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor' during the G20 Summit, Modi said today ''we all have reached an important and historic partnership''.

He said in the times to come, it will become an effective medium for economic integration of India, the Middle East and Europe. ''It will give a new direction to connectivity and sustainable development of the entire world,'' the prime minister said.

''It will drive sustainable development for the entire world,'' Modi said.

At the launch, he also said strong connectivity and infrastructure are fundamental basis for humanity and India has always laid strong emphasis on this.

''We are laying a strong foundation for a developed India. Through PGII (Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment), we can play a key role in filling infrastructure gap in Global South countries. India does not limit connectivity into regional borders. We believe connectivity can also play a key role in strengthening mutual trust,'' he said.

Modi stressed on respecting sovereignty and integrity of all nations. He also stressed on promoting financial viability rather than debt burden as well as on following all environmental guidelines.

G20 Summit: PM Modi Calls For Global Effort On Climate Change, Green Finance

''With such a major step on connectivity, we are sowing the seeds for future growth,'' he said.

US President Joe Biden said he was proud to announce that they have finalised a ''historic agreement'' for the new India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor.

''As key part of this corridor, we are investing in ships and rails, that extends from India to Europe connected by the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Israel. It will make it far easier to trade. I want to thank sponsors and particularly Prime Minister Modi and (Saudi Crown Prince) Mohammed bin Salman,'' he said.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen hailed the agreement on the corridor, saying this is nothing but historic. ''It will be the most direct connection to date between India, the Arabian Gulf and Europe with a rail link that will make trade between India and Europe 40 per cent faster,'' she said.

French President Emmanuel Macron said it is about having a first global green trade route as hydrogen is also part of this project.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said, ''We have to ensure that we implement it successfully and Germany is committed to contribute in that regard.'' The launch of the new corridor is a milestone in strengthening global integration, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said. She thanked Modi, Biden and all others who made it possible.

''This will scale up our economic growth. Italy is ready to play a decisive role in this initiative and we want to contribute in building bridges between the Mediterrarnian and Indo Pacific,'' Meloni said.

For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications

Story first published: Saturday, September 9, 2023, 19:09 [IST]
China Questions US's Bid To Chair G20 Again

International

oi-Madhuri Adnal

China has expressed objections to the United States hosting the Group of 20 (G20) nations in 2026, as previously announced by President Joe Biden's administration, according to four individuals familiar with the matter, according to Bloomberg report.

The G20 member states take turns presiding over the group, including hosting the annual summit of world leaders. The United States has stated its intention to assume the presidency after India, Brazil, and South Africa complete their respective yearlong terms.

China's objection, with support from Russia according to one of the sources, is largely symbolic, and it's unlikely that the decision will be reversed. These discussions are private, and the individuals requested anonymity.

The news of China's objection was first reported by the Financial Times.

G20 Summit Leaders Reach Consensus, Delhi Declaration Adopted

Reportedly, China requested that its dissatisfaction be noted, but the specific reasons for its objections are not known. It's worth noting that by the end of 2025, all G20 members will have had the opportunity to host at least one summit, signaling a new rotation. The United States previously hosted the inaugural G20 summit in Washington in 2008.

China's attempts to challenge this convention may be seen as part of its broader standoff with the United States on various issues, ranging from Taiwan to technology export controls. Notably, neither Chinese leader Xi Jinping nor Russian President Vladimir Putin attended the G20 summit in New Delhi.

The G20 is divided into regional sub-groups, with member nations determining who will host the summit. The United States is in a subgroup with Canada, Australia, and Saudi Arabia.

As of now, the White House has not responded to requests for comment.

G20: India Circulates New Paragraph Among Nations To Describe Ukraine Crisis In Leaders' Declaration

Speaking in New Delhi, US Deputy National Security Advisor Jon Finer emphasized that India, Brazil, and South Africa, referred to as "the three democratic members of the BRICS," are the current and next two chairs of the G20. He added, "They are committed to the G20's success, as is the United States. We will host after those three. If China is not, that's unfortunate for everyone, but we believe it's much more unfortunate for China."

For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications

Story first published: Saturday, September 9, 2023, 17:53 [IST]
Traces of war crimes by the Russian terrorist army continue to be discovered in the de-occupied territories of Ukraine. Law enforcers have already managed to establish the locations of 80 Russian torture centers.

ADVERTISIMENT

According to Deputy Interior Minister Kateryna Pavliuchenko, Russian invaders kept Ukrainians in inhumane conditions. This is reported by the press service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine.

During a meeting with the UN special rapporteur on Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment Alice Jill Edwards, Pavliuchenko noted that investigators of the Main Investigation Department discovered another torture room on the territory of Bucha.

151 people were illegally detained by the Russians at the beginning of the full-scale invasion. Law enforcers emphasized that the occupants did not give people medicines, food or water.

At the same time, the deputy head of the Interior Ministry emphasized that many Ukrainian military and rescue workers are still in captivity. Pavliuchenko noted that the conditions in which the enemy holds prisoners is still unknown.

ADVERTISIMENT

"We cannot forget that many servicemen and rescuers are still in captivity. The relatives of these people do not have proper access to information regarding their detention. There are also civilians in Russian captivity. They are hostages. All these issues require special attention of the international community," she said.

Prosecutor-General Andriy Kostin said that Russia had built a developed system of torture and ill-treatment of Ukrainians. According to the latest data, about 90% of Ukrainian prisoners of war went through torture, rape or threats of sexual violence.

Earlier it was reported that the SSU detained a collaborator in Kherson, who swore "allegiance to Russia", helped the enemy to carry out mass repression and participated in the torture of Ukrainians during the occupation of the city. He was given the position of "junior inspector" in a local prison called "isolator No. 1," and is now faces up to 15 years in prison.

ADVERTISIMENT

As reported by OBOZREVATEL, Russian military men frankly confess to war crimes in conversations with their relatives. Occupants commit them against both peaceful Ukrainians and soldiers. However, invaders simply shoot the defenders.

Only verified information from us on Telegram Obozrevatel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
Moroccan Earthquake Death Toll Crosses 1,000, Over 1,200 Injured

International

oi-Madhuri Adnal

The death toll from the powerful earthquake that struck central Morocco late on Friday night has risen to over 1,000, according to reports from the news agency AP. The Moroccan Interior Ministry has stated that at least 1,037 people have been killed and 1,204 others injured, with most of the casualties occurring in Marrakech and five provinces near the earthquake's epicenter.

The earthquake, measuring 6.8 in magnitude, struck Morocco's High Atlas Mountain range around 11 pm local time on Friday. It had a relatively shallow depth of 18.5 km. The epicenter was located approximately 72 km southwest of Marrakech, a city with a population of around 840,000 people and a popular tourist destination.

This earthquake is reported to be the most significant to hit Morocco in 120 years. Many buildings in the affected areas suffered severe damage and collapsed, as they were not constructed to withstand such powerful earthquakes. The walls of these structures, often made from stone and masonry, were not designed to withstand strong ground shaking.

In response to the disaster, King Mohammed VI of Morocco ordered the mobilization of the armed forces, including air and land assets, as well as specialized search and rescue teams to conduct rescue operations.

Morocco Earthquake Tremors Caught in This Spine-Chilling Video

Of the 1,204 people injured, 721 were in critical condition, as reported by Morocco's Interior Ministry.

According to experts, earthquakes of this magnitude are infrequent but not unexpected in the region. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) noted that since 1900, there have been no earthquakes with a magnitude greater than 6 within 500 km of the epicenter. Only nine earthquakes with a magnitude of 5 have occurred in the same region.

The Royal Moroccan Armed Forces issued a warning to locals to remain vigilant for aftershocks. On X (formerly Twitter), the military emphasized the need for caution and safety measures due to the risk of further seismic activity.

Marrakech, known for its historic old city, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site, is also the fourth-largest city in Morocco and serves as a significant economic center.

For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications

Story first published: Sunday, September 10, 2023, 0:16 [IST]
While Germany searches for a permanent storage facility for its nuclear waste, it risks sitting on piles of dangerous waste for decades. The problem drains public finances by hundreds of millions of euros every year.
G20 leaders have adopted a joint declaration that contains vague wording amid divisions over Russia's war in Ukraine. The AU was also welcomed into the group as the summit got underway in New Delhi. DW has more.
Russia's invasion has forced many to rethink having kids, but some refuse to put their lives on hold.
PM Modi is scheduled to hold 15 bilateral meetings over three days as world leaders gather in Delhi for the G20 summit. On Saturday, he will meet leaders of the UK, Japan, Germany and Italy besides attending the G20 events. On Sunday, he will have a working lunch meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron, sources said.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the G20 nations' adoption of a consensus declaration at the leaders' summit here on Saturday, calling it an important step toward a better future for all. India scored a major diplomatic victory after the G20 Summit adopted a consensus declaration on the Russia-Ukraine conflict, with Prime Minister Modi calling for an end to the "global trust deficit."
When applying to the state's public universities, Florida students may soon have access to an alternative to the SAT and ACT, which are currently required.
New Delhi: In a big boost to Indian economy, leaders of the US, India, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, France, Germany, Italy and the European Union jointly announced an ambitious India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor during the G20 Summit here on Saturday.

The new economic corridor is regarded as an alternative to China's Belt and Road Initiative.



In another major move, the G20 leaders admitted African Union as permanent member and called for peace in Ukraine.

India's diplomatic win

The New Delhi declaration marked India's diplomatic win after the G20 summit adopted a consensus declaration overcoming major differences on the Russia-Ukraine war, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi called for ending "global trust deficit".

Modi also announced that African Union was admitted as G20's permanent member.

Asserting that "today's era must not be of war", the New Delhi G20 Summit Leaders' Declaration under India's presidency called on all States to uphold the principles of international law, including territorial integrity and sovereignty and pitched for initiatives for "comprehensive, just, and durable peace in Ukraine". "The use or threat of use of nuclear weapons is inadmissible."

The announcement about a consensus on the 37-page declaration and its subsequent adoption was made by Prime Minister Modi at the start of the second session on the opening day of the two-day summit of the grouping of major developed and developing countries. It came hours after India circulated a new text to the members countries to describe the Ukraine conflict.

"Friends, we have just got good news, with the hard work of our teams, and with the cooperation of you all, there is consensus on the New Delhi G20 Summit Leaders' Declaration," Modi said.

"I announce that this declaration is adopted," he said, and banged the gavel thrice.

"History has been created with the adoption of the New Delhi Leaders' Declaration. United in consensus and spirit, we pledge to work collaboratively for a better, more prosperous, and harmonious future. My gratitude to all fellow G20 members for their support and cooperation," Modi said later on X.

G20 summit condemns terrorism

The G20 leaders also condemned terrorism in all its forms and called for strengthening of efforts to increase the effectiveness of international cooperation to deny terrorist groups safe haven, freedom of operations as well as financial, material or political support. "It constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security."

They also called for a strong, sustainable, and inclusive growth as an answer to the uneven recovery the world has seen from the pandemic-infused plunder, and flagged the need for trillions of dollars for countries to meet their climate goals and clean energy technologies.

On other issues, the G20 grouping strongly deplored all acts of religious hatred against persons, religious symbols and holy books. They emphasised the freedom of religion or belief, freedom of expression and the right to peaceful assembly.

African Union in G20

In his opening remarks, Prime Minister Modi urged world leaders to turn the "global trust deficit" into trust and confidence and announced that the African Union has been granted permanent membership of the grouping.

All member countries of the G20 accepted Modi's proposal to bring the 55-member African Union(AU) to the high table of the world's top economies in a significant milestone under India's G20 presidency.

Modi said the African Union becoming a member will strengthen the G20 and also the voice of the Global South. The union collectively has a GDP of nearly USD 3 trillion and a population of around 1.4 billion. It is the first expansion of the G20 since its inception in 1999 after the Asian financial crisis.

"It is time for all of us to walk together for global good," Modi said while addressing the 'One Earth' session of the 18th G20 summit and the first to be hosted by India.

India-Middle East-Europe Corridor

The corridor comprises an eastern corridor connecting India to the Gulf region and a northern corridor connecting the Gulf region to Europe, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said, adding it will include a railway and ship-rail transit network and road transport routes.

The countries signed the Memorandum of Understanding to establish the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor which is expected to stimulate economic development through enhanced connectivity and economic integration between Asia, the Arabian Gulf, and Europe.

Modi and US President Joe Biden co-chaired the special event on Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment (PGII) and India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC).

In his remarks at the event, Modi also stressed on promoting financial viability rather than debt-burden as well as on following all environmental guidelines in connectivity projects and said India does not limit connectivity to regional borders as it believes that connectivity can play a key role in strengthening mutual trust.

"The event aimed at unlocking greater investment for infrastructure development and strengthening connectivity in its various dimensions between India, Middle East and Europe," the MEA said.

It said the PGII is a developmental initiative aimed at narrowing the infrastructure gap in developing countries as well as help towards accelerating progress on sustainable development goals globally.

The initiative will consist of two separate corridors -- East Corridor connecting India to West Asia/Middle East and Northern Corridor connecting West Asia or Middle East to Europe.

It will include a rail line which upon completion will provide a reliable and cost effective cross-border ship-to-rail transit network to supplement the existing multi-modal transport routes enhancing transshipment of goods and services between South East Asia through India to West Asia or Middle East Europe.

Along the railway route, participants intend to enable the laying of cable for electricity and digital connectivity, as well as pipe for clean hydrogen export.

This corridor will secure regional supply chains, increase trade accessibility, improve trade facilitation, and support an increased emphasis on environmental social, and government impacts.

The leaders attending the two-day summit included US President Joe Biden, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Saudi Arabia Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, his Italian counterpart Giorgia Meloni, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and Brazilian President Luiz Incio Lula da Silva.

However, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin skipped the summit.

(with PTI inputs)
The 18th annual summit of G20 leaders began in New Delhi on Saturday.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday morning reached the G20 Summit venue Bharat Mandapam to welcome top world leaders to the two-day summit.

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director and Chairman Kristalina Georgieva and World Trade Organisation (WTO) Director General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala were among the first to arrive.

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina also arrived at the newly built venue at Pragati Maidan here.

Modi welcomed the world leaders against the backdrop of the replica of the Konark Wheel, a 13th-century artefact symbolising time, progress and continuous change.

The Prime Minister was accompanied by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, among other officials.

The three main summits are based on themes of One Earth, One Family and One Future.

African Union becomes permanent member

In a significant milestone under India's G20 presidency, the African Union on Saturday became a new permanent member of the grouping of the largest economies of the world. It is the first expansion of the influential bloc since its inception in 1999.

All member countries of the G20 accepted Prime Minister Narendra Modi's proposal to bring the key bloc of the Global South to the high table of the world's top economies.

"Honoured to welcome the African Union as a permanent member of the G20 Family. This will strengthen the G20 and also strengthen the voice of the Global South," Modi posted on X along with a video of his announcing that the African Union has become a permanent member of the G20.

In his inaugural remarks at the Summit, Modi asked the President of the Union of Comoros and Chairperson of the African Union (AU), Azali Assoumani, to join other leaders at the high table, making the 55-member bloc the second multi-nation grouping after the European Union to be a permanent member of the G20.

"In keeping with the sentiment of 'sabka saath' (with everyone), India had proposed that the African Union should be given permanent membership of the G20. I believe we all are in agreement on this proposal," Modi said at the Bharat Mandapam, the venue of the Summit.

Divided on Ukraine

The leaders have convened deeply divided over the war in Ukraine but in broad agreement on issues such as cryptocurrencies and reforms in multilateral development banks. According to a draft of the summit declaration reviewed by Reuters, negotiators were unable to resolve disagreements over the wording of the war in Ukraine, leaving it to the leaders to reach a compromise if possible.

The 38-page draft that was circulated among members left the "geopolitical situation" paragraph blank, while it had agreed on the 75 other paragraphs.

G20 sherpas, or country negotiators, have been struggling for days to agree on the language because of differences over the war, hoping to get Russia on board to produce what is called the Leaders' Declaration.



Russia is being represented by Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov at the meeting, and he has said he will block the final declaration unless it reflects Moscow's position on Ukraine and other crises.

An official said Russia had the option to accept Western countries' views and give its dissent as part of the statement. In the absence of an agreement, India will have to issue a chair statement, which would mean that G20 for the first time in 20 years of summits will not have a declaration.



Other issues settled



The document showed that the group agreed to address debt vulnerabilities in low and middle-income countries "in an effective, comprehensive and systematic manner", but did not produce a plan for fresh action.



The draft also shows countries pledged to strengthen and reform multilateral development banks, while it accepted the proposal for tighter regulations of cryptocurrencies.

It also agreed that the world needs a total of $4 trillion in low-cost financing annually for energy transition. The draft did not mention a fossil fuel phase-down.

Noted for Chinese President's absence

The two-day summit is expected to be dominated by the West and its allies. Chinese President Xi Jinping is skipping the meeting and sending Premier Li Qiang instead, while Russia's Vladimir Putin will also be absent.

Biden, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Saudi Arabia's Mohammed Bin Salman and Japan's Fumio Kishida, among others, will attend.

China, Russia's most powerful ally, said on Friday it is willing to work with all parties and push for a positive outcome at the summit.



India has avoided blaming Moscow for the war and has called for a solution through dialogue and diplomacy.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government is projecting India's presidency of the group and the summit as a showcase for the country's fast-growing economy and its rising global stature.

(With Reuters inputs.)
Remarks for first session of Kateri Peace Conference, September 8, 2023

I think I'm preaching largely to the choir here. As we know from the song by Emma's Revolution, it can be enjoyable to do that. But I actually prefer trying to persuade the unconverted. Just look around. There are millions of people dramatically unconverted. Activism is mocked. There are real estate construction booms in places guaranteed to go under water or become uninhabitably hot. Two governments with most of the nuclear weapons on Earth are locked in a war that can end only through nuclear apocalypse or compromise, and both have declared compromise to be heresy. Residents of the country that principally drives the world's war business dine on the dead flesh of the world-killing livestock industry in airconditioned funhouses watching television broadcasts explain how a government that sets new records for the unpopularity of its political candidates every four years and polls below used car dealers for trustworthiness must coat the planet with weapons in the name of democracy, including weapons that will deform infants, blow the arms and legs off children, and poison soil for centuries to come, including weapons that never make it to the destination used to justify them but end up killing elsewhere, even while that same government sabotages peace talks and deports Russians who fled the war because upholding the sanctity of the military draft is even more important than crushing Russia.

And your average person appears intent on changing as few behaviors as possible. Outdoor exercising can get moved to the middle of the night. Burning Man can switch from the name of an event to the name of a species. But lifting a finger to protest nuclear weapons? That would be crazy! Isn't watching a movie about it enough?

And what about us in the choir? Are we also intent on changing as few behaviors as possible? I don't think we should change for its own sake or blame ourselves for the misdeeds of others. But we should change when we see a more strategic path to peace.

If I saw three people drowning and two people sitting on a bench watching, I wouldn't ask any questions, but immediately scream "Get up and let's help!" Yet when I see the whole world's ecosystems collapsing and governments racing toward nuclear apocalypse, and I see two people sitting on a bench, I'm more inclined to walk up to them mumbling "Excuse me, I'm really sorry to disturb you but I'm conducting a survey for the Chamber of Commerce to raise funds for stranded kittens in Ukraine -- may I ask, if it's not too much trouble, Have you ever heard of nuclear winter?"

Now, I think we need something in between those two extremes of screaming at people and treating people like they're delicate china. We need to sympthize with people, assume the best of people, recognize that almost everybody put together are not doing the damage that a very few billionaires are doing, recognize that people are sometimes overworked, overstressed, and underinformed, be aware that people only arrive or stay in office in Washington D.C. through developing horrible habits that it can be hard for them to break, but at the same time be honest with people. It's not fair to them or ourselves or the generations that might or might not be to come for us not to tell them, not to speak when we are aware of crimes being committed, crimes that can only be reported to an authority higher than a government, namely the people.

I think we need to focus ever more of our efforts against war on the issues of nuclear threat and environmental destruction. If nuclear weapons continue to exist, there will very likely be a nuclear catastrophe, and the more the weapons have proliferated, the sooner it will come. Hundreds of incidents have nearly destroyed our world through accident, confusion, misunderstanding, and extremely irrational machismo. When you add in the quite real and increasing possibility of non-state terrorists acquiring and using nuclear weapons, the danger grows dramatically and is only increased by the policies of nuclear states that react to terrorism in ways that seem designed to recruit more terrorists.

We should celebrate Vassily Arkhipov, with the presumably easy lesson being that we shouldn't count on always having a Russian sailor to save us.

War and preparations for war are not just the pit into which trillions of dollars that could be used to prevent environmental damage are dumped, but also a major direct cause of that environmental damage. Global militarism produces roughly twice the greenhouse gases as non-military aviation, and if it were a country it would rank fourth in greenhouse gas emissions. The U.S. military's greenhouse gas emissions are more than those of most entire countries. To the damage of militaries' pollution should be added that of the weapons manufacturers, as well as the enormous destruction of wars: the oil spills, oil fires, methane leaks, etc. In militarism we're talking about a top destroyer of land and water and air and ecosystems as well as climate, as well as the chief impediment to global cooperation on climate, as well as the primary sinkhole for funds that could be going into climate protection (well over half of U.S. tax dollars, for example, go to militarism).

We also need to adjust to the partisan situation in the United States, where CNN says the majority oppose more weapons to Ukraine, but many peace groups are wary of catching up to that majority. The problem is that we're more familiar with having millions of people oppose a war because the president is a Republican. We don't know what to do with people who oppose a war because the president is a Democrat, or because they want a war with China, or because they've just discovered that wars cost money, or because they support Russian warmaking, or because Tucker Carlson told them to. How do we collaborate without accepting horrible views as part of the package? How do we work for peace while shunning fascistic and rightwing notions that make peace impossible?

We also need to adjust to the propaganda around Ukraine. How do we help well-meaning people understand that keeping an endless war going is not "helping" anyone, quite the reverse? How can we build on new-found awareness that wars cost money and have victims? How can we build on the tendency of the U.S. public to get tired of mass slaughters after about 18 months?

We also need to adjust the language we use and I recommend the new guide to talking about war that's found at wordsaboutwar.org.

We also need to adjust to the coming pandemic known as a U.S. election year. We have to figure out how to do events for peace that are not painted as rallies for one side of a war or for one political candidate -- neither one of the hopeless ones, nor one of the two actually allowed to compete. Can we use and abuse election events to communicate? And can we at the same time stop the election from eating up quite all of our energy and funding?

World BEYOND War recently gave out our third annual War Abolisher Awards to stand-out activists -- perhaps putting human faces on activism can give it some of the allure of elections.

We also have to recognize which of our activities simply need to be increased and which abandoned. I think a great deal -- not all -- of what we lobby for in Washington D.C. is a complete waste of time, at best assisting certain Congress Members in scamming us and themselves into believing they're trying.

I think most protests and rallies and teach-ins and media production and local organization building and global solidarity efforts need primarily to be expanded. World BEYOND War has hired organizers in Canada and Latin America and is searching for the funding to hire them across the globe, because we are stronger as a global movement.

Next Page 1 | 2

(Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher).
A Ukrainian kamikaze drone hit the election headquarters of the Russian occupiers. The enemy stored ballots and documentation in this room.

ADVERTISIMENT

Two Ukrainian kamikaze drones "voted" against the occupiers in the Zaporizhzhia region. This was reported by OBOZREVATEL's sources in the SSU (to watch the video, scroll to the end of the page).

Law enforcers said that attack UAVs hit the so-called headquarters during the pseudo-elections held by Russia in the temporarily occupied territories. The drones "visited" the election headquarters of the invaders in the village of Skelky in the Vasylivka district.

This room was used for storing ballots and documents. The SSU hit the building with a precise shot.

The occupants were nervous. They surrounded the nearby streets and started checking on people. The enemy also raised their drones in the air. Law enforcers emphasized that this was another warning to the occupiers and collaborators that the Ukrainian land is to burn under their feet.

ADVERTISIMENT

As reported by OBOZREVATEL, Ukrainian intelligence officers are constantly working in the territories temporarily seized by Russian troops. In particular, they ensure the activities of the guerrilla movement and conduct subversive activities on fake "elections", which the Russians illegally arranged in Ukrainian cities.

The European Union promised to punish Russia for holding fake "elections" in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine. We are talking about both the political leadership of the Russian Federation and all those who were involved in organizing this "expression of will".

Only verified information from us on Telegram Obozrevatel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
Amid continued flouting of Pakistan Supreme Court and High Court orders by the army-backed government, lawyers of Pakistan have launched a campaign against the Army.

Just two examples:

Pakistan Supreme Court had ordered on March 1 that elections in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwah provinces should be held within 90 days. The two assemblies were dissolved in January. But its order was ignored and not implemented.

One September 1, while releasing the former Chief Minister of Punjab, Parvez Elahi, Lahore High Court ordered that no intelligence agency, state institution or other authority should arrest him. However, Parvez Elahi was arrested before he could reach home from the court.

In this situation, Supreme Court Bar Association of Pakistan (SCBAP) Thursday called a convention to address the prevailing constitutional crisis. The speakers, one after another, emphasized that currently there is no rule of law in the country as the constitution has been suspended practically.

The speakers pointed out that in the past the military rulers have formally suspended the constitution; however, the present army Chief of Staff, General Asim Munir, has in practice suspended the constitution without declaring so.

The speakers pointed out that it was the lawyers' community that challenged the military rulers in the past and they will continue their struggle to restore the rule of law in the country. Several speakers also bitterly criticized the army for its role in politics and seizing economic resources of the country.

Rabia Bajwa Advocate in her speech at the conference said Pakistan is now a garrison states.

She was of the view that in the past Army Generals have called traitors all those leaders, including Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, who represented the peoples' aspirations.

"Generals called Prime Minister Hussain Shaheed Suhurwardy a traitor. Imran Khan, who challenged the status quo, is called a traitor."

Rabia Bajwa Advocate said our struggle is against the establishment (meaning army). "Lawyers' community is the only community which can challenge the Army."

Prominent lawyers Sardar Latif Khosa and Chaudhry Aitzaz Ahsan expressed deep concern about the current state of the country. They argued that the country was descending to a level where it could be justifiably depicted as a nation without a constitution.

They cited recent incidents such as the disappearance of anchorperson and journalist Imran Riaz Khan, the daylight kidnapping of former Punjab CM Chaudhry Pervez Elahi by unidentified individuals believed to be affiliated with the Islamabad police, and the arrest of political workers.

Supreme Court Bar Association of Pakistan (SCBAP) Secretary Muqtedir Akhtar Shabbir on Thursday announced that all bar associations across the country will observe strike on September 14 to "defend and uphold the Constitution, rule of law and human rights".

Next Page 1 | 2

(Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher).
63% of Americans live paycheck to paycheck, and 40% of American workers have less than $400 in savings. Not only is this level of financial precarity a psychological burden that research shows is the equivalent of losing 13 IQ points, it is also the biggest driver of wealth inequality. Pete Stavros, a partner at private equity firm KKR, is acutely aware of this fact. The son of a construction worker, he grew up hearing about his father's frustration about how difficult it is to build wealth on an hourly wage. This remains a problem in modern America to this day; the bottom half of the US population owns 2% of the wealth, and few people at the bottom of the income ladder are even aware of shares as an option for building wealth, yet equity is surest way to escape the poverty trap.

This observation is what drove Stavros to found Ownership Works, a non-profit organization devoted to promoting workers' access to equity; employees literally own a stake in the company, meaning that they can grow their net worth as their company grows. "It's not right for a leadership team to drive a company super hard for five years and at the end of it, out of thousands of people, only a handful of people generate real wealth," he explains.

Ownership Works has already seen great success in this respect; CHI, one of the companies that it has partnered with, was recently sold to Nucor and employees received average payouts of $175,000. Ownership Works now works with dozens of companies, employing upwards of 45,000 people, and they hope that examples of success stories like CHI will help generate momentum for employee ownership programs in the wider economy. By providing companies with tools and methods to help them implement these programs, Ownership Works conservatively estimates that they will create thousands of new employee-owners and generate at least $20 billion of wealth for working families.

However, implementing an employee ownership program is not as simple as just rolling out a new compensation policy; according to Stavros, this radical change in philosophy the idea that everyone should share in the value generated by the company requires a massive cultural shift, and the key success factor is aligned leadership: the management team needs to be on board, You need full buy-in and commitment to implement a holistic "culture of ownership" where employee engagement is front and center.

Senior management will often have to accept slightly less equity in the company, and existing shareholders need to understand that, although the total value of their equity is diluted, as well as it being the right thing to do, they ultimately also benefit in the long term through improved employee engagement, which results in better employee performance and, ultimately, better financial results.

Implementing this employee ownership model requires forethought, dedication and determination especially as it can sometimes take a while before the results are visible. "You have to treat employees like owners. Set goals and talk about progress often. Share information transparently. Ensure there is a strong understanding of stock and its potential value. And ownership cannot be in exchange for wages or other benefits; this is not about shifting risk on to the workforce," Stavros says. Education is also key: "More junior colleagues in a company won't understand and value the ownership," but financial education and equity ownership are mutually reinforcing. One of the main barriers to financial literacy is that the majority of the workforce has zero net wealth; people have no incentive to learn about personal finance if they have nothing to invest and they certainly don't want to talk about their debt but employees are much more likely to want to take ownership of their wealth if they realize they have an investment to look after.

There can be a certain tension between profit sharing and investment, so in order to convince employees to forego a short-term increase in profits in order to invest in advertising or equipment, for example, management will have to sell their project and convince workers that it increases their long-term earning potential, but there is also evidence such schemes can also boost innovation. This implies a high level of transparency and mutual trust, but it also ensures that employees who do stay are in it for the long haul.

Another partner of Ownership Works, French private equity firm Ardian has long sought to ensure employees are rewarded with a fair share of the company's profits. In 2009, Ardian became one of the first signatories of the United Nations' Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI), and for the firm's Senior Sustainability Manager, April Tissier, CSR and employee ownership can go hand in hand: "Ardian is committed to sustainable investment, and as such, it was important for us that everyone working for our portfolio companies be rewarded for their contribution to the company's success. That's why being part of the ownership Works program really makes sense for us as a company," she explains. "Since 2008, 28,000 people working for our portfolio companies have benefited from Adrian's profit-sharing mechanism, and employees have received the equivalent of up to 6 months' salary," she adds.

Sharing value is truly part of Ardian's DNA, as evidenced by the fact that when Ardian split from AXA Private Equity in 2013, it gave the firm's employees an opportunity to become shareholders, which 80% of them now are. The case of Ardian, which also aims to roll out a shared ownership program for its portfolio companies in 2024, shows how employee ownership can be a major element of a company's CSR policy by promoting equity, helping working families develop greater financial resilience, and by helping workers and managers alike find more purpose and meaning in their work. And having happy workers who feel valued and who enjoy a sense of purpose is a mutually advantageous situation because, as CEO Dominique Senequier says, "the most sustainable companies will have the greatest long-term value to their stakeholders".
Remarks for second session of Kateri Peace Conference, September 9, 2023

Two hundred years ago this coming December, a local boy from my town gave a speech. In the years that followed pundits and politicians took an excerpt of that speech, carved it in marble, lit it with eternal white phosphorus bombs, and prayed to it before every shareholders' meeting. They named it the Monroe Doctrine. It created the model, used ever more frequently up to this day, of picking out the worst thing a U.S. president has said and declaring it to be their doctrine. There's nothing in U.S. law about the presidential power to create doctrines, much less the power of newspaper columnists to do so, but here we are.

Almost everyone accepts doctrines. Almost everyone pretends that the half of the Monroe Doctrine about the U.S. staying out of wars in Europe never happened. Half of the U.S. political establishment proudly promotes the Monroe Doctrine, meaning subjugation of Latin America, and by extension the rest of the world. The other half does the exact same thing but less proudly and while declaring themselves opposed to the Monroe Doctine.

The notion that the United States can arrogantly dominate the rest of the Western Hemisphere long preceded its ability to do so, and was followed up including in subsequent presidential doctrines with the notion that the rest of the world was next. The U.S. and its NATO sidekicks now treat Africa similarly, and with similar results. How do these countries that manufacture no weapons or military trainers manage so many well-armed and well-trained coups? It's not even a mystery in U.S. discourse; it's just understood as a reflection on the backward cultures of Africa. Which itself says something about the backwardness of a culture, but it isn't a culture in Africa.

Also 200 years ago this year, President James Monroe's buddy, Supreme Court Chief Justice John Marshall, put the Doctrine of Discovery into U.S. law the doctrine that the U.S. government, as a replacement for European governments, could steal any non-European land it wanted. Monroe was the leading militarist and warmonger of his day but probably wouldn't have been needed had someone else been president. The people who developed the Monroe Doctrine justified imperialism to themselves with the following ideas:

We're opposing European imperialism, so we can't be doing imperialism. Anybody who had the chance would want to be part of the United States, so we're not forcing anything on anyone. These people are subhuman animals or ignorant heathen who don't know that they want to be part of the United States, so we have to show them. What people? The lands are basically empty.

The story of U.S. conduct in New York State during Monroe's presidency (1817 to 1825) probably lacks no outrage ever committed in Central America under the banner of the Monroe Doctrine. Monroe himself in 1784 had been the first member of the Congress of the Confederation to go "west" when he took a tour of New York state and Pennsylvania to explore the edges of the empire. When Monroe was president, nations of people who had assisted the United States in its revolution were forced to give up their land by their "great father" President Monroe, in the interests of profitable corporations like the Ogden Land Company, facilitated by modern transportation improvements like the Erie Canal (built between 1817 and 1825). In Ohio, the U.S. bribed chiefs to sell lands. In Indiana, native nations were forced out, west of the Mississippi. Treating the Doctrine of Discovery as law meant that Monroe and his bloodthirsty subordinate Andrew Jackson could take land from people who could be said not to legally possess it. Marshall later, in 1831, would rule against the Cherokee Nation, citing the use of phrases like "great father" to claim that Indigenous nations were related to the U.S. government as a "ward" is to "his guardian."

In his fateful speech, President Monroe denounced Russian efforts to claim non-U.S. territories as an outrage against good republican governments and a threat to spread bad systems of government. It would eventually become the "manifest destiny" of the United States to take over much of North America, in part to keep Russia out of it. If any of this sounds familiar, or if you're struck by how powerful Russiagate or Ukraine War propaganda has been, it's because the tradition is long broken principally by that moment when the Soviets defeated the Nazis, which we've all been conditioned to pretend never happened.

This background can help explain why it has taken so long to see peace activism in the United States grow in opposition to the war in Ukraine.

From a certain perspective, it's very strange that it's taken so long. Nothing in my lifetime has done more to increase the risk of nuclear apocalypse than the war in Ukraine. Nothing is doing more to impede global cooperation on climate, poverty, or homelessness. Few things are doing as much direct damage in those areas, devastating the environment, disrupting grain shipments, creating millions of refugees. While death and injury counts in Iraq were heatedly disputed in U.S. media for years, there's widespread acceptance that deaths and injuries in Ukraine are already near half a million. There's no way to precisely count how many lives could have been saved around the world by investing hundreds of billions in something wiser than this war, but a fraction of that could end starvation on Earth.

Last week in the New York Times we read about villagers in Ukraine whose plows turn up weaponry in their fields from both the current war and still to this day from World War II. While Russians blowing things up and killing people is supposed to be understood as horrible or noble depending which of those two wars it's part of, the poisons and dangers left in the fields look about the same to the people who live there. Both sides of the current war are adding cluster bombs to the mix, and at least the U.S. side is adding depleted uranium.

From another perspective, it's clear why there has been so much acceptance of this war. It's U.S. weapons, not U.S. lives. It's a war against a country demonized in U.S. media for decades and centuries, for its actual crimes and for fictions like imposing Donald Trump on us. (I can understand not wanting to admit that we did that to ourselves.) It's a war against a Russian invasion of a smaller country. If you're going to protest U.S. invasions, why not protest a Russian invasion? Indeed. But a war is a not a protest. It's mass slaughter and destruction.

Manipulating good intentions is part of the standard package, and it's our job to help people see through that. Destroying Iraq was marketed in the United States as for the benefit of the Iraqis. The most obviously provoked war in recent years, in Ukraine, was christened "The Unprovoked War." U.S. and other Western diplomats, spies, and theorists predicted for 30 years that breaking a promise and expanding NATO would lead to war with Russia. President Barack Obama refused to arm Ukraine, predicting that doing so would lead toward where we are now as Obama still saw it in April 2022. Prior to the "Unprovoked War" there were public comments by U.S. officials arguing that the provocations would not provoke anything. "I don't buy this argument that, you know, us supplying the Ukrainians with defensive weapons is going to provoke Putin," said Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) One can still read a RAND report advocating creating a war like this one through the sorts of provocations that senators claimed wouldn't provoke anything.

But what can be done? Provoked or not, you have a horrendous, murderous, criminal invasion. Now what? Well, now you have endless stalemate, with years of killing or nuclear war. You want to do what you can to "help" Ukraine, but the millions of Ukrainians who have fled, and those who have stayed to face prosecution for peace activism, look wiser each day. The question is whether keeping a war going is more helpful to Ukrainians or the rest of the world than ending it with a compromise aimed at a sustainable peace. According to Ukrainian media, Foreign Affairs, Bloomberg, and Israeli, German, Turkish, and French officials, the U.S. pressured Ukraine to prevent a peace agreement in the early days of the invasion. Since then, the U.S. and allies have provided mountains of free weapons to keep the war going. Eastern European governments have expressed concern that if the U.S. slows or ends the weapons flow, Ukraine might become willing to negotiate peace.

Peace is viewed by some on both sides of the war (many of them quite far removed from the fighting), not as a good thing, but as even worse than ongoing slaughter and devastation. Both sides insist on total victory. But that total victory is nowhere in sight, as other voices on both sides quietly admit. And any such victory would not be lasting, as the defeated side would plot vengeance as soon as possible.

Yet both sides persist in declaring victory imminent. Yesterday the New York Times wrote, "The images of Russian troops retreating from a village in Ukraine under fire leave little doubt of the impact of cluster munitions." You're supposed to read that and obediently have little doubt, even if you're pretty sure that videos exist of soldiers retreating under fire with non-cluster munitions.

Compromise is a difficult skill. We teach it to toddlers, but not to governments. Traditionally a refusal to compromise (even if it kills us) has more appeal on the political right. But political party means everything in U.S. politics, and the President is a Democrat. So, what is a liberal thinking person to do? We have to encourage them to think a bit more or differently. Nearly two years of peace proposals from around the globe almost all include the same elements: removal of all foreign troops, neutrality for Ukraine, autonomy for Crimea and Donbas, demilitarization, and lifting sanctions. This is a consensus view of expert observers. Should we pay attention?

Next Page 1 | 2

(Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher).


Skeptics on the Radio

(Image by Socialist Planning Beyond Capitalism) Details DMCA



Article by Bruce Lerro, co-founder and organizer of Socialist Planning Beyond Capitalism

(Image is of young skeptics in action)

Summary of Part I

The purpose of this two-part article is to present an eight-step method that a self-organized community of scientific skeptics developed specifically to investigate the claims of the existence of paranormal phenomena. I began Part I with a survey of what the Yankee population believes about the paranormal, including psychic healing, ESP, the existence of ghosts and extraterrestrials' visitations to earth. Using the work of Jonathan Smith I categorized eight types of paranormal experience on a spectrum, based on how modest or extraordinary their claims are. The bulk of the article was to name the first three of the eight steps skeptics use in evaluate paranormal claims. This include the quality of sources, how sound the logic is as well as the quality of observation.

In part two of my article, I complete the rest of the eight steps. These include quantitative reasoning (assessing probability); perceptual trickery; memory errors; the placebo effect and the possibility of hallucinations that can lead to false conclusions about the paranormal. Furthermore, I identify four reasons why believing in the paranormal is not harmless, either at an individual or societal level. I close my article with the optimal conditions for a good scientific process of investigation as well as how best to evaluate the most superior among competing theories. The image in the front of this article are young skeptics in action.

Estimating Probability and Gauging of Chance

Are you more likely to die on a motorcycle or on a bicycle? Are you more likely to die on a bus or a train? Which is more likely, drowning in a swimming pool or in a bathtub? A psychic will claim it is big news that among 75 people in a room, she predicted there are two people there who have the same birthday. Did you know that the chances of this happening are 99%?

People around the world are very bad at gauging chance occurrences. This is because quantitative rationality only goes back to the 17th century. Learning this skill takes special training in at least two courses: research methods and statistics. We also misjudge probabilities because of a lack of experience with the unusual that only becomes possible through familiarity working with large numbers.

Heuristic mistakes

People are also terrible at estimating probabilities because we are prejudiced for numbers that stand out and are easy to recall. This is called the availability bias. Conversely, people underestimate the probability of rare negative events such as the likelihood they will get injured in a car accident. Furthermore, we have slight biases towards optimism rather than seeing things as they really are. This is why smokers think they are less likely to die of cancer than other smokers. A knowledgeable but unscrupulous psychic or astrologer who knows these human tendencies can comfortably predict that you will have good fortune to persuade you that astrology works.

Coincidences

Coincidences are events that unexpectedly occur together in a meaningful way without any apparent causal link. Therefore, they could be interpreted as a prophesy or an omen. The average person is very bad at generating random numbers. This is because random numbers are just as likely to appear in clumps or streaks as well as simple alternations. Alternations like HTHTHT to the end of a page are too regular to be random. They need to include streaks like HHHHH or TTTTT. People underestimate the frequency of the size and the frequency of the clumps. Winning at gambling 3 times in a row is just as usual at alternating between winning and losing. For our purposes it is important to know that Blackmore and Troscianko have found that people who believe in the paranormal ability are especially prone to make mistakes in probability judgments. This is called psychic bias.

Perceptual Trickery

Barnum Effect

Perception (how our senses are organized) is selective and distorted. We select (mostly unconsciously) what serves our interest and needs. Our perception is something like a spotlight that targets and intensifies some stimuli and ignores others. Our emotions and motivations guide this spotlight. Tricksters can, and do, take advantage of this. The Barnum effect is displayed in the following experiment by Bertram Forer's personality tests. He gave participants generic descriptions based on their horoscopes and found that subjects who were more likely to believe the results were true if: a) the subject thinks it only applies to them; b) the subject has confidence in the authority; and c) the horoscope reveals mainly positive traits.

Cold Readings

Stage magic is an old practice in which skilled sleight-of-hand is involved in deceiving an audience into making errors in perception. The range goes from simple card tricks to escaping locked jails to the feats of Houdini. Stage magicians are so good they have convinced PhD physicists under laboratory conditions that paranormal effects are real. For instance, that they can bend spoons and read pictures sealed in envelopes. Cold readings are a judgment about a stranger based on a combination of reading body language, knowledge of rhetorical techniques, behind the scenes investigation into a person combined with knowledge of how to create atmospheric effects.

Jonathan Smith names five techniques in cold reading.

Maximize the Barnum effect and confirmation bias

You pursue elaborations of a prediction that seem to evoke a positive response in the audience. For example, "you have more creative talent than you give yourself credit for" or "your friends respect and love you more than you might expect". After that, engage in "shot gunning" - you ask your subject so many questions and claims that some are bound to be right. Participants are more likely to seize on what fits and ignore that what doesn't fit (confirmation bias).

Develop sneaky strategies for tricking the subjects into telling you things about themselves when they are not focused

One method can be informally chatting with the audience before a performance is about to begin. These can easily be worked into part of the reading. Another is to encourage cooperation. Insist that doing a reading is a collaborative venture. This is a way to narrow down the scope of what the stage magician is after. For example, games such as Twenty Questions where the question asked is "is it an animal, vegetable or mineral?" allows the narrowing of the focus through the process of elimination.

Ways of drawing inferences from information other than what the subject tells you

For example, reading subtle cues and body language, noting the clothes, demeanor, posture and gestures of the subject. Also, what really captures attention is basing predictions on a probable but unexpected statistic. For example, people don't realize that in most homes they would likely find old, unsorted photographs; some toy or book that dates from childhood; some jewelry from a deceased relative; a deck of cards with one or more cards missing and an instruction book on a hobby one no longer pursues. When the psychic mentions one of these the naive target begins to wonder whether there really is something to parapsychology.

Ways of making less than perfect readings seem accurate

An easy way to turn a miss into a hit is to say your claim refers to something that will happen in the future. Another technique is to blame the subject for being too skeptical. "You are thinking so much it is blocking the energy" or "there is too much negative energy in the room".

Creating atmospheric effects

The hypnotist, Mesmer, was very good at creating atmosphere such as candlelight, incense, eerie or dreamy music and photos of mystics and strange animals, especially cats.

Memory Errors

This is especially relevant when it comes to paranormal tales of reincarnation and alien abductions. Many people believe that everything we experience is recorded in memory, like a personal security system camera that is always with us. In fact, our memory capacity is limited and new memories can replace corrupt old ones. Memory is reconstructed more as historical fiction or docudrama. Also, memories such as alien abductions could hardly be repressed as advocates suggest. Traumatic experiences are much more likely to be remembered.

A false memory is an inaccurate recollection based on selective forgetting - the mixing of memories or memory fragments, along with the mushing together of dreams and fantasies. In addition, we don't have mechanisms that can isolate our real past from information gotten from TV and movies. Neither can these memories be isolated from the influence of authority figures like therapists who are committed to theories of repressed memories.

Placebo Effect: When Wishing Makes it So

What it is and when it works

What is a placebo? A placebo is when a pharmacologically or physiologically inactive substance can have therapeutic, physiological or psychological effect if it is administered to a patient who has the expectation that it is effective. The placebo is stronger for problems with a strong psychological component, such as pain or depression with up to 60% efficiency. As you might expect, placebos have less effect on problems that are mostly physical, such as cancer. The following are some tips for how accentuate the placebo.

How to pump up your placebo

Motivate your subject to want to get better. Give then exciting testimonials of others.

Find a nurse to administer the treatment.

Give a complicated explanation that sounds plausible and uses scientific sounding terms.

Introduce a complicated and sophisticated procedure. Put water in a chemistry flask surrounded by tubes that run through an electronic device with lots of knobs, dials and lights.

Belief that colored pills work better than white pills; large rather than small pills; capsules are better than pills. They work better when they are administered frequently rather than infrequently and when they are expensive rather than cheaper.

Alter the placebo so that it has a slight negative side effect. Spike the water so that it stings. Or give it a slight unpleasant medical odor. The sting will be interpreted as a sign it is working.

Hallucinations

What they are and how sleep affects them

Hallucinations are generally defined as false involuntary perceptions that occur while awake when a sensory experience occurs in the absence of corresponding external stimulation. Before falling asleep some people experience hypnogogic hallucinations, which are typically static images. On the other hand, hypnopompic hallucinations can emerge in the twilight state of sleep but before waking. Experiences of ghosts, alien inductions and angels reported throughout history and around the world are examples of what can happen when hypnopompic or hypnogogic hallucinations or sleep paralysis in physiologically is in operation.

Hallucinogenic proneness

Smith cautions us that while some people are more likely to experience hallucinations than others, it is a mistake to think of some sort of hallucination trait, once manifest, can affect someone for the rest of their lives. Instead, Aleman and Lari prefer to use the term "hallucination proneness", which may be expressed in childhood, is controllable, and emerges only when triggered.

Five types of hallucination;

Deprivation that can include food and fasting; oxygen deprivation (too much or too little carbon dioxide); sleep deprivation and fatigue

that can include food and fasting; oxygen deprivation (too much or too little carbon dioxide); sleep deprivation and fatigue Reduced sensory input

Sensory loss (blindness or loss of hearing) or social isolation

Sensory overload

This includes increased external stimulation such as a gambling casino, an amusement park or walking in Manhattan's Times Square.

Sensory orchestration - to create a depthful meaning. A sacred example of this is in magical rituals with singing and dancing. A Catholic religious ritual that combines stained glass windows (sight); organ music (sound); incense (smell) oak pews (touch) and holy communion (taste). A secular version of this would be creating a patriotic spirit with songs, pledging of allegiance, taste (apple pie) and flags.

- to create a depthful meaning. A sacred example of this is in magical rituals with singing and dancing. A Catholic religious ritual that combines stained glass windows (sight); organ music (sound); incense (smell) oak pews (touch) and holy communion (taste). A secular version of this would be creating a patriotic spirit with songs, pledging of allegiance, taste (apple pie) and flags. Stressful and strenuous situations

Such as trauma and bereavement.

Consumption of chemical substances

These include LSD, cannabis, mescaline, PCP, amphetamines and cocaine.

Please see the table at the end of this article for a summary of the typical mistakes parapsychologists make in each of the eight steps of critical thinking.

The Bottom Line About Parapsychology

Why the public likes parapsychologists

In spite of all these criticisms, why does the public continue to believe in the paranormal? Some of this has to do with the way scientists are perceived. The public's picture of a scientist is they are overly serious and somewhat angry that people remain interested in parapsychology. They seem narrow and rigid, as Smith says, "sexless geeks wearing white lab coats, isolated from the real world in windowless laboratories". Scientists speak in a specialized language of mathematics that takes time to learn. On the contrary, books about parapsychology are filled with mystery and can be understood by an educated layperson.

When it comes to physical health, most medical doctors are locked into managed-care hospitals with little time for their patients. But if the public wishes to see a homeopath, they will be attended to by a professional who is not beaten down by seeing patient after patient. Homeopaths are more emotionally available and will see the patient for a full hour. Attention, as we know, is very important to people. Parapsychologists seem to be more open and flexible, although as we shall see they are actually less open.

Parapsychologists as researchers

Jonathan Smith concludes that Psi researchers are frustratingly persistent in ignoring and discounting reasonable requests to fix problems. Replications have been inconsistent and are generally cancelled out by other studies that find no effect. Psychologist James Alcock says that parapsychologists have never been able to produce a successful experiment that neutral scientists with appropriate skill, knowledge and equipment have that can replicate the original experience.

Meanwhile, parapsychologists complain that mainstream science is inflexible, prejudiced and unconsciously afraid. They imagine that scientists are not open to the mysterious. But this is not true. Smith points out that in the case of dark energy it was once rejected and it took five years of astronomical observations to change their minds. But they did change. Science is open to new findings if it plays by the rules of scientific method, as we shall see. In fact, some of the findings of science such as Einstein relativity theory, black holes and dark matter are far weirder and more exotic than anything parapsychologists have come up with.

Who is more rigid in changing their minds, believers or skeptics?

Psychics often claim that skeptics are rigid in their thinking and not open to new possibilities. But research by Susan Blackmore has not born this out. She says research shows that when believers are compared to skeptics in terms of changing their minds, skeptics are more likely to change. Believers are rigid and fail to reconcile the negative evidence.

Paranoia among parapsychologists

The distance between parapsychologists and mainstream science can be seen when parapsychologists often argue that some individual, agency or force is actively suppressing evidence. For example, the state doesn't want you to know all the proven powers of the human brain because such knowledge could lead to challenging the state. Therefore, people believe in ESP. Another example is about flying saucers. Information that flying saucers have visited earth would case mass panic and social chaos. Therefore, the information is being suppressed. The movie Close Encounters of the Third Kind is an example. Others will say there are some everyday herbs that can cure many illnesses and eliminate the need for physicians and specialist treatments. The medical profession hides information that could threaten the livelihood of doctors.

It is frequently noted that one of the strongest findings in scientific research on the paranormal is a negative correlation between study quality and obtained support for the paranormal. In parapsychology poorly designed and inexpensive studies are more likely to yield positive results. Good studies are much more likely to yield negative results. This is the opposite of what is found in all other areas of research. There, the better the studies the more likely we are to find a positive result.

Dangers of Believing in Parapsychology

Cults

Some may say to scientists "what is the harm of believing in ESP or telepathy? It isn't harming anyone?". Well the answer is it can be quite harmful. For one thing the flying saucer cultists of Marshall Applewhite paid with their lives by collectively committing suicide. Nine hundred followers of Jim Jones lost their lives when they followed his instructions to kill themselves. Followers of fundamentalist David Koresh died in a shoot-out in Waco Texas

Religion and politics

Those Catholics and Protestants who believed in the realities of witches in the Middle Ages murdered at least 100,000 witches. In the case of faith healing, people throw crutches away and the pain returns after the adrenaline rush subsides. Seriously ill patients have died after paying for healing instead of medicine. Parents have lost children they have deprived of life-saving medicine by those who followed Christian Science claiming all disease is in the mind. During the Nazi murders of Jews in the 1930s, the Nazi top advisers consulted astrology.

Costs of alternative medicine

Smith points out that up to 75% of the population believes alternative medicine is as effective as mainstream medicine. The risks involve the cost of ineffective intervention. In the case of acupuncture research has shown that its successes mostly have to do with the placebo effect. If acupuncture is used alongside of Western medicine its limits are difficult to expose. But if a person uses acupuncture instead of western medicine the costs are very high since most health insurance doesn't cover it and the results are questionable.

Costs of subjective relativism: believing every individual creates their own reality

Subjective relativism is the claim that each of us creates our own reality. Reality depends on what you believe. For upper middle class people who become interested in the paranormal, specifically channeling, the cost of imagining you create your own reality is not high. Since upper middle class people have a high degree of control over their lives it is not so far-fetched to believe this. But suppose the person is from the working class background and cannot find work because of the economy. They would be completely justified in getting depressed because they are unsuccessful in creating their own reality. It would lead to political passivity and hopelessness because for the working class, socio-economic reality is much harder to change.

Problems with subjective relativism are as follows:

If an individual can will something to be true, someone else can will it to be false.

There is a logical contradiction: if in the real world there are no absolutes; if subjective relativism is part of the real world then it is also not absolutely true.

They attribute to themselves god-like powers - individuals make anything exist by thinking or wishing it. For most people in the world this may seem grandiose, to say the least.

They are eclectic - they don't take a stand on the validity of conflicting claims. This leaves the contradictions to lie in suspended animation.

They appeal to ignorance. They say just because it can't be measured by science doesn't mean it's not true. They do not provide any way other than science that can be tested beyond personal experience.

What is a Good Theory?

Public, replicable, reliable and valid

All observation involves collecting data in a way that is both public and replicable.

Typically parapsychologists have great difficulty producing these conditions because they were not public. Secondly, they were not replicable because there was no way the researcher could do the same thing in their head. In addition the measures should be both reliable and valid. Reliability means consistency of results over time. That means yielding the same result again and again. Validity measures what it claims to measure and not something else.

Free of fraud, error, deception and sloppiness

The optimal research situation needs to have an expert, independent and impartial supervision and replication to eliminate fraud, detect error, deception and sloppiness.

Fraud means the investigator changes data, reports only positive results, fails to report compromising design features, or claims to have done something they haven't done.

Error is when the investigator misuses experimental tools, methods or statistics unintentionally. Deception is where research participants, assistants or colleagues trick the investigator. Lastly, there is sloppiness. This is where the investigator does not account for stimulus leakage, untrained or careless assistance or failing to account for eight steps in critical thinking that skeptics use. After publication, the mechanisms of science are unsuited for identifying potential sources of sloppiness, error and fraud. For example, laboratories may have closed making direct inspection impossible. Out of the thousands of experiments done on paranormal claims few provide enough evidence to check for sloppiness, error and fraud.

Control groups, double-blind procedures and stimulus leakage

The best way to rule out alternative explanations is to establishing a control group, have in place double blind procedures and controls for stimulus linkage. What do all these mean? Control groups answer the question - compared to what? A good way to rule out random fluctuations as an explanation is to include a control group. Perhaps students generally pass their first driving test after hot herbal tea for a week. The claim might be that the herbal tea has calming ingredients. We need a control group of students who take their first driving test without drinking herbal tea and seeing the difference.

Stimulus leakage can come about when the enthusiasm and beliefs of an experimenter rubs off on participants. Perhaps they have unconsciously picked up on this excitement and become more motivated. In addition, a psychic might detect the facial expressions of their students. This is hard to test and may require a magician or any expert trained in deception, distraction and subliminal control. To protect against this leakage double-blind control might be introduced where neither the experimenter nor the participants know which treatment anyone has received.

Criteria for an Adequate Theory

In their book How to Think About Weird Things, the authors identify five criteria for an optimally adequate theory.

Falsifiability

This means a theory is formulated in a way that it states the conditions under which it can be proven wrong. In the field of the paranormal Jungians are often guilty of failing the falsifiability test. Their theory of the existence of the collective unconscious is not stated in such a way that you could find out if it were real one way or another. When alternative medicine people discuss "energy blockages" they don't present their claims so that the existence of this energy can be measured and challenged. Quantum theory of ESP cannot be tested. How can we test the existence of connections between thoughts connected to a subatomic level? If everyone is connected shouldn't everyone have access to everyone's thoughts all the time? Or are the connection between thoughts random, like the flickering of electrons? In the case of astrology, predictions can be falsified but the problem is that the astrologers simply don't take nature's "no" for an answer. The complexity of the system allows for a slew of never-ending secondary rationalizations.

Fruitfulness

Suppose two theories are testable. How do you decide which theory is better? Fruitfulness not only explains existing phenomena but it explains phenomena in another field. A very good example of this is Darwin's theory of biological evolution. Not only has Darwinian theory explained the life of animals on earth but it also explains certain aspects of social evolution as well. Specifically, the sexual behavior of men and women in mating strategies.

Comprehensiveness (scope)

How much of the world within a discipline does the theory explain? Good theories have wide scope. Einstein's theory of gravity is more productive than Newton's. It predicted the unexpected. It includes more than what Newton provided without violating Newton's theory, which was still true on a smaller scale.

In addition, another question to ask is if it has evolved over time. Parapsychology is very weak in this area. After a century of research, it is still asking the same questions. There is no development of deeper questions after the basic questions have been settled.

Simplicity (Occam's razor)

The best explanations are ones the requires the fewest assumptions. A weak theory implies additional untested questions that must be answered. Also, the link between the parts of the theory is not explained simply. Assume no more than is required to explain the theory. The simpler the better and the easiest to test. If possible, it is better not to use a blow furnace to light a cigarette!

Conservativism (preservation and respect for the past)

Some parapsychologists announce that their findings will revolutionize the sciences, mostly physics and psychology. They talk about this as if it were a good thing. The fact that all the hard work of centuries that have been built up would be overturned is a signal that the parapsychologists' theory is not likely to be true. Because parapsychologists often see themselves as outsiders undermines their sense that they are part of a community. So do they celebrate some kind of victory? Sometimes parapsychologists are not very well informed about the disciplines of physics or psychology and don't realize what has already been achieved as well as what has proven wrong. A theory is better if it does not create more problems than it resolves.

On the whole, maximum adequacy explains a wide ranging set of phenomena in depth within a discipline (scope) and across disciplines (fruitfulness) that doesn't conflict with what we already know (conservativism). It does so with the simplest explanation that can be tested to yield results beyond a reasonable doubt.

The Challenge of Pandora's Box

One problem that scientists face is how to deal with the relationships between the spectrum of the paranormal I have laid out. In many of my critical thinking classes over the years I asked students to fill out a paranormal profile. What I found is that some of them believed in ghosts, but they thought that extra-terrestrial abduction was too far-fetched. Others felt the opposite. Some believed that ESP was reasonable but poltergeists weren't. What they didn't realize is that their ontologically and epistemology were inconsistent. If we return to the levels of nature we discussed at the beginning of this article we found:

In science there are three levels in nature:

the world of physics material objects that have volume, occupy space and can transmit physical energy;

the world of biology in which living creatures require food, reproduce, transmit disease, get sick and die; and

the world of psychology in which living beings have choice, make decisions and have a conscious mind.

What parapsychologists do is cross these boundaries like:

mixing physics and psychology, claiming that rocks can have thoughts and that thoughts can move rocks;

mixing physics with biology, claiming you might get sick by standing next to a broken rock; and

mixing biology with psychology. This claims you can make someone sick by thinking about them.

Since we didn't discuss alternative energy treatments or supernatural religion we have six areas on the paranormal spectrum. They all cross ontological boundaries. What Jonathan Smith says is that if we open the paranormal box just enough to let one out we must accept the right of others to come out. If you critique one thoroughly it must apply to others and all the rest. If you believe in ghosts you must believe in astrology and reincarnation. This puts the paranormal proponent in a bind. If they accept all the paranormal beliefs they will be caught in contradictions that my students would have to face, especially the contradictions between parapsychology and supernatural religion. If they accept opening Pandora's box they must live with beliefs that might not make intuitive sense. If you accept weak support in bad sources, bad logic and sloppy scientific observation - and you wish to be intellectually honest - you must accept other claims based on equivalent support. Accepting a claim that would have catastrophic implications for physics such implications should not prevent you from accepting other equally catastrophic claims.

See a summary of paranormal common mistakes at Socialist Planning Beyond Capitalism
Nike will close its community store in Northeast Portland permanently, it told the neighborhood business district on Friday.

The Soul District Business Association said in a news release Friday that the community was dealt a major economic blow after Nike finalized its plan to close and vacate the store at 2650 N.E. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.

Nike confirmed its plans in a statement to The Oregonian/OregonLive and said that the company was reimagining Nikes retail space ... and considering future locations as part of this communitys long term revitalization plan.

The footwear and apparel store had been mostly closed to the public for most of the year, and it had been unclear whether the closure is temporary or permanent.

John Washington, executive director of the Soul Business District Association, said that he had sent a letter to Nike roughly a month ago asking about the status of the Northeast Portland Nike store, which at that point had been closed for more than six months.

The store closure was starting to impact the small businesses in the area, who were telling me that they were getting less and less foot traffic and business was not going well, he said. That prompted me to ask Nike what their intentions were.

Washington said he followed up with Nike earlier this week about the stores status, and the sneaker company responded with news of the closure during a Zoom meeting on Friday morning. He said the sneaker giant blamed safety and security issues.

Word about the store closing landed like a lead balloon, he said. Why close down a flagship store that has supported Black Portland for over 40 years? It was an economic driver in this area, and we should be looking at the long-term impact of that closure.

In February, Nike made a request to Mayor Ted Wheeler and city officials to detail off-duty police officers to provide security at the community store. Wheelers office, however, nixed the request for police attendants.

Mayor Ted Wheeler said in a statement Friday that he was very disappointed with the news of the Nike Community Stores closure and that his team and city staff have worked tirelessly and in good faith with Nike for almost a year to offer creative solutions to their safety challenges.

Ultimately, the city cannot offer Nike, or any other private business, with dedicated off-duty (Portland Police Bureau) officers due to PPBs staffing shortage, Wheeler added.

The Nike Community Store had been a staple in its Portland neighborhood, once the core of the citys Black population, since it opened in June 1984.

Portland civil rights and education activist Ron Herndon and the Black United Front worked with Nike in the 1980s to bring the brands first ever factory store on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, then called Union Avenue.

Herndon said all the store not only hired workers from the neighborhood, but also invested all the profits from sales at the store into Portlands Black community.

Obviously, I was disappointed to hear that they wasnt going to be able to reopen the store, Herndon said. I think this is a failure of leadership at City Hall ... I just believe folks at City Hall dont have the skill or creativity to address major issues that impact not only the Black community but all of Portland.

Herndon said that the store has been a great economic multiplier since it opened and that its closure would hurt businesses in the area.

You wouldve thought that city leaders wouldve tried harder to keep the store to stay open because of its impact on other small businesses in the community, but I didnt see that at all, he said.

Nike nonspecific about plans to open a new store in North or Northeast Portland. The company said it would seek the input of local community organizations and leaders to determine the best new location.

The sneaker giant added that it was providing employees at the Northeast Portland store with options to continue to be part of the Nike family.

--Kristine de Leon; kdeleon@oregonian.com
A federal judge Friday ordered the Oregon Department of Corrections to keep a transgender woman housed in her own cell and away from predatory prisoners who have sexually assaulted her.

U.S. District Judge Ann Aiken also ordered that Zera Lola Zombie be designated as a vulnerable person and not have to shower or dress in front of male prisoners or staff.
For more than two weeks, the largest fire in decades in the Bull Run watershed has raged in the protected area that serves as Portlands primary drinking water source, triggering fears about water supply availability, water quality and the watersheds resilience to climate change.

As of Friday, the lighting-sparked fire was estimated to be about 1,940 acres and was 17% contained. It has crept within a mile of one of the watersheds two drinking water reservoirs and about 2 miles from the Headworks treatment plant, which disinfects all Bull Run water.

Water from the Bull Run  about 25 miles east of downtown Portland in Mount Hood National Forest  serves about 1 million Portland-area residents and provides water to 19 water districts through wholesale contracts, including the cities of Gresham, Sandy and Tualatin.

Heres what you need to know.

How unusual is the fire?

Though large fires have burned in the watershed in past centuries, the Camp Creek fire  named for the nearby Camp Creek Trail  is by far the largest in decades, said Edward Campbell, the Portland Water Bureaus deputy director.

This is definitely the closest fire weve had to our facilities in at least a half-century, Campbell told The Oregonian/OregonLive.com.

Water from the Bull Run River  which mostly comes from rainfall  is diverted by dams to two reservoirs in the forest, then treated and piped to Portland and other cities.

The 2017 Eagle Creek Fire, which burned through nearly 49,000 acres of forest in the Columbia River Gorge, came close, but did not enter the Bull Run watershed.

Is the Bull Run water source at risk?

The Water Bureau is closely monitoring water in the reservoirs and says the water is safe to drink. But the fire could, under certain conditions, lead to the shutdown of the Bull Run system.

If it gets too close to the Headworks plant, staff will have to evacuate, prompting a shutdown of the treatment plant and the Bull Run water source.

As of this week, five to 15 staff members continue to work in the watershed, depending on the day, managing the treatment facility, conducting water quality testing, performing critical maintenance and monitoring and removing vegetation to help contain the fire, water officials said.

Bull Run would also be shut down if the fire impairs water quality in the reservoirs.

Heavy rains could wash ash, other burned materials and higher-than-average volumes of dirt into streams and reservoirs, leading to an increase in turbidity (the amount of particles suspended in the water). And because high turbidity decreases the effectiveness of water disinfection, it can make water unsafe to drink.

To be clear, fires dont cause turbidity, Campbell said. The Water Bureau has shut down the Bull Run water source 11 times since 1985, most recently in November 2022 after a big storm. But fire can potentially increase turbidity, he said.

Higher volumes of burned materials in the reservoirs can also increase the amount of phosphorus and other nutrients, leading to an increase in algae blooms. Sediment can also react with chlorine, leading to health problems.

Was the Portland Water Bureau prepared for a major fire in the Bull Run?

The bureau has worked for years with the U.S. Forest Service, the Oregon Department of Forestry and local fire districts to prepare. The Forest Service, in conjunction with the other agencies, drafted the Bull Run Fire Management Plan, which prioritizes protecting the drinking water source.

The plan, reviewed annually, includes guidelines on fire prevention and fire response strategies, including minimizing erosion and sedimentation by avoiding fireline construction near streambanks and reducing pollution in the watershed by capturing spills from heavy equipment and routing road runoff away from streams.

The bureau also uses a lightning detection service. Each time lightning strikes, staff can see where the strikes occurred and are able to check the area for fire starts.

Has fire retardant been used to fight the fire?

A fire retardant called Phos-Chek was used on Aug. 25 and 26 inside the watershed, said Karen Dante-Wood, a spokesperson for the Great Basin Incident Management Team in charge of fighting the fire. The decision to use fire retardant  or any other firefighting strategy  is made by the federal firefighting agencies.

Water Bureau officials told The Oregonian/OregonLive.com thats the only time retardant has ever been used in the watershed.

Phos-Chek  composed of 85% water, 10% fertilizer and 5% other ingredients  is the most commonly used retardant in Oregon and Washington, Dante-Wood said, and is generally sprayed when high-value resources are at risk.

Some environmental groups have raised issues with Phos-Chek, saying it can harm soil, plants, fish and other species and cause more plants to grow, adding fuel to future fires. But the Multnomah County Health Department has determined that the risk to human health from using fire retardant in the Bull Run watershed is negligible, Water Bureau spokesperson Felicia Heaton said.

The Water Bureau hasnt detected the chemical associated with the fire retardant (namely, phosphorus, a key ingredient in fertilizer) in any of the samples it regularly takes in or near the reservoirs, Heaton said. Even if it were detected, the reservoir near the fire holds 7 billion gallons of water, meaning the dilution rate would be so high that the retardant would have little impact on water quality.

Have firefighters used controlled burning or other strategies to prevent large fires in the Bull Run?

No preventive forest management  including controlled burning or tree thinning when no fires are active  has been done to date in the Bull Run watershed.

Thats in part because the Oregon Resource Conservation Act of 1996 prohibits logging in the Bull Run.

Its also because of the distinct ecology of the Bull Run forest  a temperate old growth rainforest where regrowth is so productive that forest management can actually increase fire risk by stimulating new growth, said Campbell, the Water Bureau deputy director.

As part of fighting the Camp Creek fire, crews are using fire to remove fuels along the fires edge. These low-intensity fires consume ground fuels, creating a buffer to contain the fire within the control line.

What happens if the Water Bureau has to shut down Bull Run?

When the Bull Run system shuts down, the Water Bureau relies on its groundwater system from the Columbia South Shore Well Field. That system has enough water to serve as the Portland regions sole water source for 60 days, Campbell said, though some restrictions would be needed during the warmer months when water demand is higher.

Typically, groundwater serves as a supplemental water source during dry summer seasons, for about a month on average. In late August, Portland began blending groundwater with Bull Run water due to reduced rainfall and increased demand over the summer.

But groundwater is also Portlands emergency backup supply. Since the groundwater system came online in 1985, the city has relied exclusively on groundwater 19 times due to Bull Run system disruptions. The longest emergency groundwater use happened in 2017 for 31 days due to the detection of cryptosporidium, a potentially disease-causing microorganism.

If the system had to be shut down for longer, Edwards said, Portland would ask its wholesale customers to rely on their other drinking water sources and the public to restrict water use.

What if a fire did wipe out the Headworks treatment plant?

The possibility that the fire will destroy Headworks is slim, Campbell said.

If fire directly threatens the plant, firefighters will wrap it in fireproof material. Theyll also clear brush around it and set up sprinklers to keep it wet. The same approach was successfully used in the Eagle Creek fire to save historic structures in the Columbia River Gorge, he said.

Theres a lot of optimism that we can protect our facility even if we do have to evacuate it, Campbell said. Were not expecting any real devastating impacts at this point.

The Water Bureau is evaluating the possibility of building a temporary treatment facility in the unlikely scenario that the Camp Creek fire damages the Headworks plant beyond repair, said Heaton, the Water Bureau spokesperson. Plans would be finalized only after the existing plant sustains damage, she said.

In the meantime, the Water Bureau plans to break ground in September on a massive new Bull Run water filtration plant, to be located just outside the Bull Run watershed. When completed in 2027, the new facility will increase the systems resilience to wildfires, Campbell said, by reducing the impacts of water turbidity. (Per federal mandates, the new plant also will help filter out the parasite cryptosporidium, which occasionally shows up in Bull Run water.)

Earlier this summer, Portland officials said the price tag for the new plant has grown to $1.83 billion, a nearly four-fold increase from the $500 million plan first approved by Portlands elected leaders six years ago.

The increase is due to ballooning construction costs and a tight labor market, city officials said. Construction costs will be paid by ratepayers through a series of annual water rate hikes and by a low-interest loan from the federal Environmental Protection Agency.

What lessons does the fire hold for the future of Bull Run?

The fire has strengthened the relationships and partnerships within the city and with local and federal firefighting agencies, Campbell said, reinforcing the need for continued coordination, planning and sharing of information.

It also has highlighted the need to do more work on how climate change amplifies the frequency and intensity of natural disasters and how individual disasters can affect the Bull Runs water supply, he said.

The Water Bureau already employs climate scientists who analyze water supply availability, but their focus has been on long-term projections rather than the impact of particular natural emergencies such as wildfires, Campbell said.

The fire is also a good reminder that Portlanders should prepare an emergency water supply kit in case of future water restrictions, which may become more common due to climate change.

Disruptions to water service, Heaton said, can happen at any time.

 Gosia Wozniacka; gwozniacka@oregonian.com; @gosiawozniacka

Our journalism needs your support. Please become a subscriber today at OregonLive.com/subscribe/
We have used your information to see if you have a subscription with us, but did not find one. Please use the button below to verify an existing account or to purchase a new subscription.
On the morning of September 8, an explosion was heard in Krivyi Rih, Dnipropetrovsk region. A police building was destroyed, and more than ten more administrative buildings, a religious building, 17 apartments and 4 private houses, as well as more than four dozen cars, were damaged.

ADVERTISIMENT

It is known about one dead and 59 wounded by 14:40. The search and rescue operation has been completed. It was reported the head of the Dnipropetrovsk RMA Serhiy Lysak.

"Explosions in Krivyi Rih. The missile hit the administrative building. 1 dead and 9 injured by now. 3 people were pulled out from under the rubble. Garages caught fire, covering 200 square meters. The information is being specified. Occupiers, burn in hell for the grief you sowed Ukraine with! We will not forgive you," Lysak wrote at 09:40.

ADVERTISIMENT

Ukrainian Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko later clarified that the police building in the center of Kryvyi Rih was hit. It was destroyed.

"As a result of the Russian strike, a policeman was killed. Three more rescuers of the State Emergency Service were pulled out from under the rubble. They are in serious condition. 6 employees received injuries of varying degrees of severity. Rescuers extinguish a fire of 200 square meters," he said.

ADVERTISIMENT

He added that nearby residential houses were also affected. Police are making apartment rounds to check the condition of the residents. Rescue operations are ongoing.

"We ask locals not to approach the place of work of emergency services for safety reasons", Klymenko said.

Subsequently, he published clarified information. The number of traumatized and injured exceeded 20 people as of 10:00.

"Just received clarified information: the number of injured as a result of the Russian strike on Kryvyi Rih has increased to 25 people as of 10:00," he said.

Meanwhile, the Office of the Prosecutor General of Ukraine reported 26 injured at 10:17.

"According to preliminary data, one person was killed and 26 were injured. A fire broke out. The blast wave and debris blew out windows in nearby apartment buildings and damaged cars and other civilian infrastructure. Rescue and search operations are ongoing. The exact number of victims is being established," the message reads.

ADVERTISIMENT

The number of victims of the Russian missile attack on Krivyi Rih has increased to 32 people as of 10:40.

"Already 32 injured due to the missile attack in Krivyi Rih. Most are in a condition of average severity or 'satisfactory'. However, there are also 'heavy' cases. 3 administrative buildings are damaged. 7 residential buildings were hit, including a multi-story building. The fire that broke out in the garages has been localized. The inspection of the territory continues", Lysak said.

ADVERTISIMENT

The head of the city's defense Council Oleksandr Vilkul, when being at the site, reported 41 injured and one dead at about 11:00.

"The elimination of the consequences of the strike continues. Unfortunately, one person is dead, 41 injured and 19 are now already in the hospital. Three of them, unfortunately, are in severe condition with polytraumas, they are all in the operating room. All headquarters have been deployed. Construction materials are being provided. Liquidation of the consequences of the missile attack continues," Vilkul said in a short video recorded from the site of the strike.

ADVERTISIMENT

The Ministry of internal Affairs of Ukraine reported another increase in the number of victims at 11:00.

"Krivyi Rih. According to preliminary data, 1 person died and another 44 were injured as of 11:00. The State Emergency Service provided assistance to 68 persons in the point of psychological assistance. Work continues. All necessary services are working on the site," the message reads.

ADVERTISIMENT

Lysak reported another increase in the number of victims at 12:38.

"There are now 52 injured in Kryvyi Rih. Three of them are 'heavy'. Rescuers extinguished the fire that broke out due to the missile strike. Utility services are working. They are removing the rubble, garbage and broken glass," he said.

According to the specified data, as a result of the strike 14 administrative buildings, a religious building, 17 apartments and 4 private houses, as well as more than four dozen cars, were damaged.

"Headquarters have been deployed on the spot. It is possible to get water, food, building materials. Those who were in the epicenter of events are provided with psychological assistance. More than 70 people needed it," Lysak wrote.

Klymenko reported the completion of the search and rescue operation in Kryvyi Rih at about 13:30.



ADVERTISIMENT

"Search and rescue operations completed in Kryvyi Rih. It is known about 55 victims as of 13:30: 1 dead and 54 injured, it included 9 police officers. Additional police groups from neighboring regions have arrived in the city for reinforcement. Tents have been deployed near the site of the shelling, where specialists provide psychological assistance and mobile points for receiving applications from victims," the Minister of Internal Affairs said.

ADVERTISIMENT

A pre-trial investigation for violation of the laws and customs of war, coupled with premeditated murder (part 2 of article 438 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine) has been initiated under the procedural guidance of the Dnipropetrovsk Regional Prosecutor's Office.



ADVERTISIMENT

ADVERTISIMENT

The State Service for Emergency Situations reported that a total of 59 people were injured in the attack as of 14:40.



According to Nikolaevsky Vaniok, Russian forces hit Kryvyi Rih with an Iskander-K missile.

Head of the Kryvyi Rih Defense Council Oleksandr Vilkul was the first to officially report the explosion in Kryvyi Rih. It was heard during the air alert.

ADVERTISIMENT

"Krivyi Rih. Explosion. Do not film anything and do not post on the Internet," the message said.

The air raid alert in Krivyi Rih was announced at 08:57. The message about the explosion appeared on Vilkul's Telegram channel at 09:03.

"There is information on broken windows and heavy fire. All of you see the photos. Don't publish them. We are waiting for official information. The alarm is still ongoing", Svoi. Kryvyi Rih said in the message.

ADVERTISIMENT

However, later some channels spread information about a strong fire at the place of the strike.

ADVERTISIMENT

ADVERTISIMENT

Russian troops struck a private sector in Sumy on September 8, there were three casualties. One of the houses was destroyed to the ground, several more were damaged.

The invaders also hit the city of Sumy the day before. The SSU reported that a Russian woman who adjusted the strikes on Sumy on September 7 was detained.
Tripoli, Libya (PANA) - The Libyan Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Government of National Unity has welcomed the African Union's accession to the status of permanent member of the G20 at the group's summit held on Saturday in New Delhi, India
New York, US (PANA) - The world is not on track to meet the long-term goals set out in the Paris Agreement for limiting global temperature rise, a major UN report warned on Friday, calling for a commitment to decisive action
Photo: (Photo : Library of Congress on Unsplash)

Naomi Bowden, a mother who testified, brought to life the haunting experience of losing her daughter to stillbirth in 2009. She painfully recounted staying in the maternity ward and listening to other babies cry, a constant reminder of her unimaginable loss. "It's a scar that never heals," Bowden said.

Hannah Dahlen, a professor of midwifery at Western Sydney University, deemed the inquiry the MeToo movement of birth. She said that most women blame themselves for unfortunate birth experiences, leading to a culture where issues remain unreported and unresolved.

The term "birth trauma" is formally defined by the inquiry as "inappropriate, disrespectful, or abusive treatment before, during, and after birth. Studies suggest that at least one in three women globally experiences such trauma, often leaving them with both emotional and physical scars.

However, the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (RANZCOG) raised concerns about the term. Dr. Jared Watts, RANZCOG Board Director, warned that the terminology might imply deliberate harm by medical professionals. "No one goes to work to cause trauma," he stated, pushing for a more constructive language framework that could better engage doctors in the dialogue.

Heartbreaking and Disturbing Testimonies

Carly Griffin shared her unsettling experience, where an obstetrician suddenly decided to proceed with a C-section, claiming it was an emergency, and then casually left to go for dinner. Griffin couldn't shake the feeling that she was being rushed to free up the birthing room.

Jessica Holliday's initial joy at her pregnancy was marred by constant fat-shaming from healthcare providers. She was categorized as high-risk due to her weight and was repeatedly discouraged from having a natural birth, despite having no medical complications.

Amanda Macaulay spoke of the utter devastation of losing her son to stillbirth days after she had begged the hospital for help. The incident has left her and her family scarred emotionally and psychologically.

Committee Chair Emma Hurst clarified that the objective of the inquiry is not to assign blame to individuals but to uncover systemic failures. Hurst said, "It's about finding out where the system is failing and working towards changing those systems."

Amy Dawes, founder of the Australasian Birth Trauma Association, reinforced this by stating that the issue is global in scope. Dawes emphasized the need for a global conversation on birth trauma by saying, "We receive contacts from women all over the world."

Read Also: Shropshire Maternity Scandal: 300 Babies Died or Had Brain Damage Due to Denied Caesarian Births

Impact on Medical Professionals

Fiona Reid, a veteran clinical midwife, noted that the increasing trend of medical intervention in births has not only harmed mothers but is causing secondary trauma among medical staff as well. She underscored the need for a holistic reevaluation of maternal care standards.

Reid said, "We need to look at the quality of care, not just the rate of interventions. We are not improving maternal and infant outcomes; in fact, we are breaking mothers."

The inquiry is expected to conclude by February 2024, but it has already set off a nationwide debate on the ethics and quality of maternal care in Australia. The public and the medical community are eagerly awaiting the findings, hopeful that they will bring about much-needed systemic changes.

The inquiry serves as a grim reminder and a wake-up call that the medical system, as it stands, is failing many women. For many mothers and healthcare professionals alike, it is a tipping point, signaling that enough is enough-no means no, even in childbirth.

Related Article: A Guide to Nerve Damage in Newborns
Photo: (Photo : Ryan Franco on Unsplash)

As the United States endures a record-breakingly hot summer, concerns about the impact on the health of some communities have come to the fore. Among these populations are pregnant women, who, according to a newly published study in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), face considerable health risks due to prolonged exposure to extreme heat.

The Data: Eleven Years, 400,000 Pregnancies, and Alarming Findings

The exhaustive study reviewed data spanning 11 years and covered over 400,000 pregnancies in Southern California. The findings were alarming: exposure to temperatures of 95 degrees Fahrenheit or above for three or more consecutive days led to a 27% increase in the risk of life-threatening complications such as sepsis, hemorrhage, and clotting disorders.

This new scientific data is particularly poignant considering the present climate conditions millions of Americans are enduring.Earlier this week, 19 states, from Maine to California, issued severe heat warnings. Cities like Dallas may anticipate temperatures of 106 degrees, while Washington, DC, will only reach 96. Already notorious for its scorching summers, Phoenix is predicted to establish a new record in 2020 for the most consecutive days with temperatures exceeding 110 degrees.

However, this JAMA study doesn't exist in a vacuum; it builds upon a growing body of research that has consistently linked environmental conditions to women's and infants' health. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), pregnant women are already at a physiological disadvantage when it comes to heat. They are more vulnerable to heat-related diseases since their systems must cool off both themselves and their growing fetuses.

Additionally, since they are more likely to get dehydrated, pregnant women have a lower body's ability to regulate its core internal temperature, known as thermoregulation. A 'perfect storm' of circumstances is therefore created, which may result in serious health problems.

Previous investigations support these concerns. For instance, a 2020 study reported in the prestigious magazine Nature calculated that heat exposure may have contributed to roughly 25,000 preterm births a year between 1969 and 1988. According to other studies, high ambient temperatures may cause premature births, and air pollution in particular populations might cause lower birth weights.

Read Also: More Pain for Parents as Heat Waves and High Energy Costs Hit Communities in the United States

Recognizing and Treating Heat-Related Illnesses

Dr. Jennifer Ashton, an OB/GYN with board certification and ABC News' top medical reporter, offers some simple recommendations. The best course of action if you're expecting is to remain indoors where there's air conditioning during periods of excessive heat, she says. If you must go outside, be proactive by bringing an ice pack, wearing it around your neck or under your armpits, and attempting to spend as little time in the sun as possible.

Dr. Ashton also cautions about the ailments brought on by the heat developing quickly. Heat stroke is a dangerous condition characterized by a body temperature higher than 103 degrees, and other symptoms include nausea, vomiting, confusion, and even a change in mental status. Rapid dehydration follows on the heels of heat exhaustion, which manifests as fatigue, dizziness, lethargy, and nausea.

Finally, as the United States continues to experience high temperatures, the health risks for vulnerable groups like pregnant women are proving to be more severe than ever. An urgent call to action was made by the most recent research published in JAMA, urging politicians, the general public, and healthcare professionals to acknowledge and address the catastrophic implications of climatic conditions on maternal health. During these difficult times, expectant moms should take all essential measures to safeguard themselves and their unborn children.

Related Article: Classroom Heatwave Crisis: Rising Temperatures Test Students' Resilience in School
Photo: (Photo : Alexey Shikov on Unsplash)

Yuliya Balahura, a 38-year-old mother from Bucha, just outside Ukraine's capital Kyiv, recounts a harrowing tale that illustrates the difficult choices Ukrainian women face when considering motherhood. Yuliya's baby daughter Mia spent her first night in the hospital's underground bomb shelter, amidst ear-splitting sirens and explosions due to the constant missile attacks on Kyiv.

Yuliya says, "You just get more hardened. You get used to attacks and constant air raids. You get stronger."

Widespread Decline in Birth Rates

According to data from Ukrainian analytics firm Opendatabot, just over 38,000 fewer babies were born in Ukraine in the first half of this year compared to the same period in 2021, before Russia's full-scale invasion began. This represents almost a third of the decline in the birth rate, and it's expected to continue plummeting as long as the conflict rages on.

Even before the war, Ukraine's birth rate was on the decline. But the current conflict has separated families, forcing many to postpone plans to have children. With hundreds of thousands of men enlisted or drafted and an unknown number dying in the process, many young women have been left in a state of uncertainty.

"Some of these women could have given birth this year but won't. After the end of the war, they might return to Ukraine or not. Maybe their husbands will join them abroad. Some families may break up," warns Oleksandr Hladun, deputy director of the Ptoukha Institute for Demography and Social Studies in Kyiv.

Despite the grim circumstances, some Ukrainian women are choosing not to let the conflict deter them from motherhood. Natalya Stolynets, a pediatrician in Bucharest, explains that even one or two newborns in a month have become a sign of hope. "Life shouldn't stop; even now we need to move on," she insists.

Halya Rudyk and her husband, Kostia Nechyporenko, both working journalists in Ukraine, have recently become parents and epitomize this spirit.

"When, if not now?" asks Halya. "We don't know if we will have jobs or how it's going to be in the future," she says, emphasizing that waiting for a "better time" could mean waiting indefinitely.

Read Also: Ukrainian Surrogates Refuse to Flee Ukraine, Leaving Foreign Parents Anxious About Their Babies

A Difficult Choice

However, not everyone feels the same way. Iryna Melnychenko, a 35-year-old writer living in Kyiv, has chosen to delay her plans for a child. Her husband was called up to fight just three weeks after they were married.

"I could end up as a single mother," she realized, underscoring the severity of the situation.

Back in Bucha, Yuliya continues her daily walks with her daughters, viewing this normalcy as an act of defiance against the war. She hopes that the conflict will soon become a distant memory for her children and is determined that it's the adults' responsibility to make Ukraine a safe place for families once more.

The stories of these Ukrainian women highlight the complexities and agonizing decisions involved in choosing motherhood during a time of war, yet they also offer a glimpse into the resilience and hope that define the human spirit.

Related Article: U.N. Panel Says Russian Troops Raped and Tortured Kids in Ukraine
Photo: (Photo : ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS / Getty Images)

In a defining move that promises to shape the future of reproductive rights, the Biden administration has urged the Supreme Court to preserve extensive access to mifepristone.

A pivotal medication abortion pill, culminating in heightened debates and potentially setting a historic decision by summer.

Medication Abortion Pill under the Microscope

The medication abortion pill, mifepristone, once again finds itself in the crosshairs of legal scrutiny. The recent court submission by the Justice Department could herald the final chapter in a protracted legal battle over the federal validation of mifepristone.

With the Supreme Court's attention now squarely focused on this issue, the nation watches with bated breath, anticipating a possible oral debate and a decisive stance by next summer.

Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar emphasized that this is a landmark case. It's the first instance where a court has dared to question the FDA's "expert judgment" concerning their drug certification process.

The Biden administration, championing women's rights, contends that siding with the lower court's decisions would be detrimental to several stakeholders, especially women opting for medication abortions.

One of the vital access routes at stake is mifepristone's availability via mail, a procedure that won the FDA's approval back in 2021.

The Biden Administration, FDA, and the Path to the Supreme Court

The Biden administration's alignment with Danco, the producer of Mifeprex (mifepristone's brand version), was evident when both lodged parallel appeals on Friday. But before the Supreme Court decides on this contentious matter, a counter-response from the opposing camp is awaited, a step that might span several months.

Historically, the Supreme Court, acting as the guardian of justice, intervened earlier in April. A judgment by Texas U.S. District Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk, which contested the FDA's approval of the medication abortion pill dating back two decades, was quashed in its entirety by the justices. This decisive act by the Supreme Court ensured unhindered access to mifepristone, as the ongoing legal saga unraveled.

Spearheading the challenge against mifepristone's accessibility is a coalition of medical professionals, buttressed by the conservative Christian group, Alliance Defending Freedom. They opine that the FDA's nod in 2000 was fraught with oversight, particularly concerning potential risks to women.

In sharp contrast, both the FDA and Danco reiterate that severe side effects from the medication abortion pill remain a rarity.

Read Also: Mindfulness for the Whole Family: Simple Practices to Reduce Stress

Implications and the Road Ahead

Should the Supreme Court choose to abstain, the 5th Circuit's judgment will cascade nationwide.

As articulated by Prelogar, representing the Biden administration's stance, such an outcome could severely disrupt mifepristone's regulatory framework.

This would inevitably hinder women's access to lawful abortions and rattle a healthcare system heavily reliant on the medication abortion pill's widespread accessibility.

The aftermath? Women might be deprived of mifepristone deliveries by mail and could be mandated to make multiple direct visits to medical facilities.

While the legal landscape experienced a seismic shift with the overturning of Roe v. Wade in 2022, the controversies surrounding mifepristone present a unique set of challenges.

Given the Supreme Court's previous involvement and the Biden administration's robust support, the opponents of the abortion pill might have to grapple with significant legal obstacles.

Conclusively, it's imperative to note that the FDA-approved protocol for medication abortion involves a blend of mifepristone and misoprostol.

As per the Guttmacher Institute's findings, this combination remains the preferred choice for the majority of U.S. abortions.

With the Supreme Court at the heart of this debate, the Biden administration's intervention, the FDA's role, and the future of the medication abortion pill, mifepristone, the nation is poised at the cusp of a defining moment in reproductive rights.

Related Article: Massive Recall of ConAgra's Frozen Chicken Strips: USDA Alerts Over Plastic Contamination
Photo: (Photo : John Moore / Getty Images)

The landscape of school safety in Minnesota is experiencing tumultuous changes as a rising number of police departments and sheriff's offices across the state reconsider their partnerships with educational institutions.

At the heart of this shift lies the controversial Restraint Law, prompting many to question its potential impact on the immediate safety response in schools.

A Law with Profound Impacts

In the backdrop of intensifying concerns for School Safety, the Restraint Law is generating spirited discussions among stakeholders in Minnesota Schools.

Incorporated into a larger education bill by Gov. Tim Walz earlier this year, the law's directives have led several police departments, including those in Anoka, Clay, and Hennepin, to voice concerns over potential legal repercussions.

While the intent behind the Restraint Law is clear-prohibiting school employees and agents from holding students face down in a "prone" position or employing a comprehensive restraint on vital areas like the head, neck, and torso-the execution and practical implications are being heavily debated.

As Jeff Potts, the executive director of the Minnesota Chiefs of Police Association, elucidated to the Star Tribune, "If they're acting as an agent of a school, the new legislative changes put them in a position where, in all practicality, they have to remain hands-free."

The wave of Police withdrawals isn't limited to the aforementioned regions.

Recent reports indicate that School resource officer programs in places like Andover, Moorhead, and Rockford have also been momentarily suspended as their law enforcement allies reassess their roles in light of the Restraint Law.

Meanwhile, other educational districts, such as Burnsville-Eagan-Savage School District, are still in deliberations on the matter, according to the Star Tribune.

The Dual Perspective

On one side, many law enforcement agencies believe the Restraint Law might constrict the School resource officers' capacity to act during perilous situations or even expose them to legal actions.

Their primary concern revolves around the ambiguous language of the law which, they argue, can potentially handcuff officers from responding promptly to dangerous or criminal conduct within Minnesota Schools.

On the flip side, Attorney General Keith Ellison presented a counter-narrative last week.

According to his legal interpretation, the Restraint Law does not specifically impede the use of force to thwart injury or death, provided the force used falls within the bounds of being "reasonable."

Read Also:Chinese Women Seek Egg Freezing in Hong Kong Despite Legal, Financial Hurdles

Minnesota Schools: Navigating Uncharted Waters

With the ever-evolving narrative and the potential Police Withdrawal from numerous Minnesota Schools, there are rising apprehensions regarding School Safety.

The relationship between educational institutions and law enforcement, once taken for granted, now finds itself under the microscope.

While the journey ahead for Minnesota Schools is dotted with challenges and uncertainties, it's pivotal to strike a balance between ensuring the safety of students and respecting the boundaries set by the Restraint Law.

The unfolding events surrounding this law will undoubtedly sculpt the blueprint for future collaborations between schools and law enforcement agencies in the state.

Related Article: Paqui's One Chip Challenge Suspended After Teen's Tragic Death: Risks of Extreme Spiciness
The commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces Valeriy Zaluzhny had a telephone conversation with the chief of the Defense Staff of the Romanian Armed Forces General Daniel Petrescu. The military leaders discussed Russian attacks on the port infrastructure.

ADVERTISIMENT

The conversation included the situation related to the shelling of civilian infrastructure on the Danube River by the occupants. Zaluzhny reported about this on his Telegram.

According to the commander-in-chief of the AFU, they discussed the risks associated with Russian shelling. The issue of interaction and exchange of information with partners was also raised.

In addition, Zaluzhny pointed out the need to strengthen Ukraine's Air Defense.

Some of the UAVs fell and detonated on the territory of Romania during a massive drone attack on the Odesa region on the night of September 4. Russian drones flew into the territory of Romania during the attack near the port of Izmail.

ADVERTISIMENT

Romanian President Klaus Iohannis reacted to the fall of Russian Shahed drones on the territory of his country, saying that he demanded an urgent and professional investigation into the origin of the wreckage and the circumstances under which they ended up in Romania.

By the way, earlier Romanian President Klaus Iohannis denied the fall of Russian drones on the territory of his country. He claimed that no drone or any part of any device reached Romania.

As reported by OBOZREVATEL, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg commented on the fall of the Russian kamikaze attack drone on the territory of Romania. According to him, there is no information indicating that this action was deliberate.

Only verified information from us on Telegram Obozrevatel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
The operation by the Military, the Regional Security Council and the Minerals Commission to eradicate illegal miners on the Black Volta has yielded some positive results based on pictures cited by ghextractives.com.



It will be recalled that on Friday, July 21st, 2023, the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel A. Jinapor, briefed the media on the operations on the Black Volta and assured of the Governments determination to crackdown on illegal miners on the River as a result of the surge in illegal mining activities (galamsey).



Report say, areas such as Jama, Jugboi and Bamboi in the Savannah Region have all been cleared off illegal miners.



Our checks show the crackdown has resulted in a significant improvement in terms of pollution.

Source: Peacefmonline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
Ugandas National Drug Authority has admitted it knew HIV medicine was being used to fatten up animals in 2014 but did not warn the public.



The regulators senior drugs inspector Amos Atumanya told parliament it became aware anti-retrovirals were being given to pigs and chickens to treat them.



Mr Atumanya said that for humans, consuming small quantities of the drugs in food could be dangerous.



But the NDA has since tried to downplay his comments.



A spokesman said that if there was a health risk it would have warned the public, while the NDAs job was to regulate drugs not food or animal feed.



A recent report by the prestigious Makerere University found that more than a third of chicken and 50% of pork it tested contained traces of anti-retroviral drugs. The meat was sourced from markets in the capital, Kampala, and the northern city of Lira.



Appearing before Ugandas House Committee on HIV/Aids, Mr Atumanya said the National Drug Authority had carried out an investigation in 2014 into the use of anti-retrovirals (ARVs) in animal farming. However, while a report was published, it did not issue a public warning for fear of hurting the countrys food exports if we blow it out of proportion.



So we were trying to find other means in which we could manage that situation, he said.



One respondent to the study by Makerere Universitys College of Health Sciences, said pigs that were given anti-retroviral drugs grow faster and fatter and are sold off quickly.



But Mr Atumanya said this could cause serious problems for humans who ate the meat and became infected with HIV.



You are likely to develop resistance to these ARVs, he said. In the future if you need them, then youll find this ARV is not working for some.



Around 1.4 million people in Uganda are living with HIV/Aids, according to the United Nations.



The NDAs report back in 2014, found that antiretrovirals were mainly used to treat African swine fever which is also known as Pig Ebola and currently has no cure. It also verified claims that ARVs were being used to treat Newcastle disease in chicken.



Following Mr Atumanyas remarks, however, a spokesman for the NDA defended its decision to not publicise its findings.



The NDA is mandated to regulate the drugs, not food or animal feeds, he said.



If there was any public health threat concerning the drugs under the use, NDA will be the first one to come out and warn the public as we always do.



The NDA remains vigilant and committed to ensuring that Ugandans have access to safe, efficacious and quality medicines.



He added that the regulator had launched several actions to stop the misuse of drugs, which led to several arrests and prosecution.

Source: BBC









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
No mortuary facility, public or private, has obtained the requisite licence to operate in the country as required under the Health Institutions and Facilities Act, 2011 (Part 2), the Mortuaries and Funeral Facilities Agency has said.



The agency said it had identified at least 232 mortuaries operating in the country and more of such facilities were likely to spring up.



None of these 232 mortuaries is licensed to operate per the law, the Chief Executive Officer of the agency, Dr Yaw Twerefour, told the Daily Graphic, adding that licences will tell you how to operate.



The agency, Dr Twerefour said, had consequently developed standards in line with the law in the quest to enforce the act, stressing that the move was to properly regulate the system and streamline the work of mortuary operators.



He said the standards would be handed over to the stakeholders to apprise themselves of it after which they would be given time to prepare for inspection and the enforcement of the law by licensing the facilities.



By the end of the next quarter, we would have engaged everybody for them to know what they are expected to do, Dr Twerefour said.



After that, he said, they would be given three months to put their houses in order in terms of licensing.



After all of this, when we come to your premises and you still dont comply or you dont fall within what we have, then you dont have any business on the field, he said.



Act



The agency, established under Part Two of Act 829, is responsible for licensing, controlling and regulating facilities connected with the storage, transportation and disposal of human remains through functions, including receiving, considering and approving applications of licences for both facilities and practitioners.



Practitioners to be licensed comprise pathologists, autopsy assistants, embalmers, funeral home directors, mortuary attendants, undertakers, cremators, hearse service providers and drivers; cemetery managers, graveside workers, professional pallbearers, mausoleum directors and funeral escorts.



The facilities to be licensed include cold storage facilities for human remains, mortuaries, funeral homes, crematoria, columbaria, mausoleums, cemeteries and hearses.



Dr Twerefour said the facilities had standards they were supposed to meet, adding that, for instance, if I come to your morgue, I need to know the composition of management, the registration  who are the owners, their financial capacity, your vision, your mission, infection prevention control, security, backup water and backup generator.



He said a backup tank should be able to keep the facility in operation for one week, meaning it should have a huge tank as water was one of the main requirements for operating mortuaries.



So if I come and you dont have a storage tank of a certain capacity, you are out; you cant work.



Even if you have a borehole, you must have a storage tank since that could fail and may not be able to pump water, he explained.



Crime



Dr Twerefour said because there were no standards, someone could kill another person, bundle the body up and deposit it at any mortuary and abscond.



Such situations, he said, resulted in some bodies being left in mortuaries for a long time and afterwards they were declared as unclaimed bodies and often given a mass burial.



He said because there were no standards, some facilities just accepted anybody without trying to find out the details of where it came from, among other conditions.



Now, who is checking them, nobody.



So now its a free-for-all field and people are just doing what they like.



Some morgues want to do the right thing but because others are not doing the right thing, they have also relaxed, he noted.



An advantage of licensing the morgue, he said, was that it would also weed out unlicensed hearses, as those would also be checked if they met the requirements of the law.



Through that and other measures, he said, there would be a chain reaction when activities within the sector were streamlined.



But the ultimate goal is to go digital such that when I sit in my office I can know how many bodies entered the cemetery in the Western Region on a daily basis.



This is because once you enter you have to key in the information, real-time information, he said.



Dr Twerefour disclosed that the infrastructure to that effect was being developed.



By the end of the year we would have started licensing all the facilities - hearses, morgues, crematoriums, mausoleums.



This is a new dawn, things are changing; it is either you join us or you fall out.



I am for collaboration; I am not here to kill or destroy anybodys business.



I am here to support and set the standards; either you meet the standards or you drop out, he emphasised.

Source: graphic.com.gh









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
Beneficiaries under the Youth in Garment and Textile Module of the Youth Employment Agency (YEA) have assured government of their determination to put the funds allocated them to good use and expand their companies.



The beneficiaries, who have received their funds, said the money will help them expand and accommodate a lot of the trainees by purchasing new machines, pieces of equipment and other tailoring materials to help with the smooth operation of the training processes.



These beneficiary companies gave this assurance when the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Kofi Baah Agyapong, and other officials from YEA carried out disbursement of funds to them in Ashanti Region.



So far, the YEA has disbursed funds to beneficiaries in the Greater Accra, Eastern and Central Regions.



Addressing the beneficiaries in the Ashanti Region, Kofi Baah Agyapong pointed out that management of the YEA has kick-started the disbursement of funds to some 500 small-scale dressmaking companies and 40 industrial garment and textile companies that were shortlisted to train 2000 trainees in dressmaking.



He mentioned the fund disbursement, under the Youth in Garment and Textile Module, was designed to bridge the skill gaps as well as create sustainable employment opportunities for young people interested in tailoring or dressmaking and ultimately contribute towards growth and development.



According to Kofi Baah Agyapong, each of the 500 small-scale dressmaking and the 40 industrial garment and textile companies received more than GH18000 and GH92000 respectively as funding support to begin the training.



He stressed that government is supporting the YEAs "Youth in Garment and Textile" projects because of the significant role the garment industry plays in the countrys economy, contributing to export revenue, employment generation and culture preservation.



He averred that the project is in line with the Presidents vision of sustainable job creation for the youth by ensuring the majority of the youth benefit from various programmes rolled out by the YEA which includes the Youth in Garment and Textile Module, hence the need for beneficiaries to utilize the opportunity created by the government.



For this reason, the government is supporting the garment and textile industry to train the many beneficiaries who applied for the programme to sharpen their skills to reduce unemployment and also contribute to the economic growth of the country, he said.

He however stated the beneficiary companies are required to have active bank accounts as a condition for the disbursement of the funds as monies will not be paid in cash or through mobile money.



Kofi Baah Agyapong said the YEA has approved little over one hundred (100) tailors and seamstresses in the Ashanti Region to benefit under the module.



According to him, 95 of those approved beneficiaries have submitted their bank account details for disbursement of funds urging the rest of the beneficiaries to endeavour to do so.



Dont pay any commission to any YEA official, Report to the police should anyone comes to you to collect part of the money, he advised.



He also explained to the beneficiaries that the YEA will give every trainee beneficiary GH500 every month through their stay in training.



The beneficiaries, excited at the development, thanked the YEA and its CEO for the gesture and assured them they are ready to work with the funds so as to yield the needed results.

Source: Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
The High Court in Accra has given the Ghana Police Service seven days to change the title of its injunction application seeking to debar the Minority in Parliaments protest against the Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Dr Ernest Addison and his two deputies.



In a ruling today (Sept 8) the Court presided over by Justice Edward Twum, said the use of Republic as the title on the application brought by the Ghana Police Service was a mere misnomer on behalf of lawyers of the Police Service.



It added that the service had indicated in its supporting documents that its real intention was to institute the action on behalf of the Inspector General of Police for the Police Service, a corporate body with the capacity to sue and be sued under the 1992 constitution and not the Attorney-General



While commending lawyers for the Minority in Parliament for scrutinizing the application filed by the Police Service, Justice Twum noted that in the interest of fairness, technicalities should not be employed to delay the substantive matter.



The Court subsequently gave the Police Service seven days to replace the title, Republic to Inspector General of Police.



The case has been adjourned to Monday, September 18, 2023.



Meanwhile the Minority is expected to meet with the Accra Regional Police Command later today to discuss the modalities for the demonstration originally scheduled for Sept 5 this year but was later rescheduled to Tuesday, 12th September, 2023 following the Court action.



Preliminary legal objection



Filed by Ghana Police Service, the application was seeking to debar the Minority in Parliamenta demonstration in the interest of public safety following a disagreement on selected routes for the demonstration.



But in Court last Monday, (Sept 4), counsel for the demonstrators, Godwin Edudzie Tamekloe, argued that per section 99(1)(a) of the State Proceedings Act, 1998 (Act 555), the Attorney-General or a person authorised by the A-G was the sole person mandated to conduct the proceedings and not a lawyer from the Ghana Police Service since on the face of the charge sheet, the police had labelled the Republic and not the Ghana Police Service as the institution conducting the case.



Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), Sylvester Asare, lawyer for the Police, he said, was not the A-G, or an officer authorised by the A-G adding: Therefore, he cannot purport to sign this originating process for and on behalf of the Republic.



He further added that the Ghana Police was a corporate body with the capacity to sue and be sued hence, the action ought to have been filed by the Inspector General of Police.



He therefore, urged the Court to dismiss the application.



Opposed



However, DSP Asare, who is also the Head of Legal and Prosecutions at the Criminal Investigations Department, argued that the points raised by Mr Tamakloe were unfounded.



There is nothing that bars a constitutionally mandated institution such as the Ghana Police Service from bringing a public order action.



The Public Order Act clearly gives us the mandate to apply to this court praying for the prohibition of the proposed special event, he added

Source: graphic.com.gh









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
Gabon's transition agreement, as published in the official gazette, does not clearly prohibit General Brice Oligui Nguema, who overthrew President Ali Bongo from standing in elections after the transition period.



The document, seen by the BBC, outlines five key bodies overseeing the transition:



-President of the transition

-National Council of the transition

-government of the transition

-Parliament of the transition

-Constitutional Court of the transition.



Members of these bodies, including the prime minister and the vice-president, are prohibited from standing in the presidential elections that will mark the end of the transition period.



The only exemption is for the president.



Gen Nguema has promised free elections leading to a transfer of power but has not laid out a timetable.



The agreement also grants amnesty to all military personnel who took part in the overthrow of President Bongo.



"Members of the Committee for the Transition and Restoration of Institutions, CTRI for short, and all those who took part in the events between August 29, 2023 and the inauguration of the president of the transition, benefit from immunity," the charter says.

Source: BBC









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
Fishermen and other fishing industry stakeholders across the country have welcomed the automated fuel outlets, commending the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development for the effort to reduce abuse and waste in the supply chain.



They said the new system would better the livelihoods of fisherfolk.



The Vice-President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, last Tuesday simultaneously inaugurated 50 automated premix fuel dispensing and monitoring outlets, using three sites at Elmina to symbolically mark the inauguration of the facilities across the country.



The project is expected to transform and redefine the landscape of the fishing industry and usher in an era of efficiency, transparency and accountability.



Dr Bawumia said the project was an indication of the government's commitment to leverage its digitisation agenda to grow the economy.



Impressions



A fisherman, Kwesi Ashie, said he was excited about the premix fuel automation project because the "kalabule" in the sale of premix fuel was worrying.



With the automated system, fishermen can purchase premix fuel with a card without stress. We have suffered enough at the hands of middle men. They buy the fuel as middlemen and sell it at higher prices to us. This increases the operational cost and we get nothing. Thank God it is all ending," he said.



Another fisherman, Kofi Acquah, said it had come to ease the burden on canoe owners.



"When the premix fuel gets to the community, the connection men will take over the fuel and sell it at their own prices, so the automated system is better for us fishermen," he said.



Chief fisherman



The Chief Fisherman of Elmina, Nana Badu, urged fishermen to get their registered biometric identification cards for an easy and safe distribution process.



He appealed for more supplies of premix fuel for the outlets, commended the ministry and its partners for the project and assured that fishermen would take good care of the facility.



Fish is a major source of animal protein in the country, with a per capita consumption of fish being 26 kilogrammes (kg), far exceeding the average of 15kg for West Africa.



Fish contributes significantly to national food and nutrition security in Ghana.



The Executive Director of Hen Mpoano, a civil society organisation promoting sustaining fisheries sector, Kofi Agbogah, stated that the automation was good for monitoring of the premix.



He, however, called for the premix Legislative Instrument (LI) 2233 to be revised to reflect the restructuring, looking at the profit-sharing formula at the landing beaches.



"What will be the relevance of the national premix committee if premix can be deposited at gas stations just like petrol and diesel, he queried.



Mr Agbogah, who is also a fisheries consultant, called for the removal of persons whose activities were fraught with corruption and political patronage for the system to operate well.



For his part, the Convenor of the Fisheries Alliance, Kyei Kwadwo Yamoah, indicated that the new premix automation system was very good in many ways.



"It is designed to address challenges of the old premix fuel distribution system, including preventing diversion of the premix fuel, reducing hoarding of the product to create artificial shortage and price hikes and preventing protocol sale of the product where individuals who were not fishers received the premix fuel but the actual fishers did not get access, he said.



Mr Kyei, who is also a Programmes Officer of Friends of the Nation (FoN), further stated that the system would also address issues where distribution tankers distributed less volume of fuel to communities.



"The government has provided automation cards to fishers. The card is biometric and has the data of the fisher and his fishing canoe and gears, so by that, the actual quantity required by the fisher can be identified by the new automation system to guide over sale or under sale. It is good," he added.



Significant step



The Canoe and Fishing Gear Owners Association of Ghana (CaFGOAG) commended the MoFAD and the National Premix Fuel Secretariat for automated systems.



The President of CaFGOAG, Nana Kweigyah, stated that "we see the project as a transformative and significant step towards addressing the longstanding irregularities in the distribution of premix fuel at landing beaches.



"For years, the premix fuel distribution at landing beaches has been marred by irregularities, including hoarding by individuals who do not own canoes or fishing gears, which has led to the sale of premix fuel at prices well above the government-mandated rates and negatively impacting the sector," he stated



He said canoe owners were optimistic that such irregularities would be curbed with the new system.



"With the automated system in place, it is important for MoFAD and the NPFS to relook the establishment of the Landing Beach Committees (LBCs) to bring sanity in the management and distribution of premix fuel at the landing beaches, Nana Kweigyah stated.



The current composition of the LBCs, as specified in LI 2233, involves the chief fisherman as the chairman, representatives of canoe owners, fishmongers, the district assembly and a fisherman nominated by the ministry in consultation with the district assembly.



Additionally, the committee is required to have a secretary and a pump attendant.



However, Nana Kweigyah observed that due to the non-adherence of the LI, the LBCs were formed without the appropriate representation as specified in the law.







Source: graphic.com.gh









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
ALGIERS, Algeria (AP)  Algeria has offered humanitarian aid to neighboring Morocco after a powerful earthquake in the kingdom on Friday night left more than 1,000 people dead.

In an exceptional move, Algeria offered to open its airspace to allow humanitarian aid or medical evacuation flights to travel to and from Morocco. Algeria closed the airspace when its government severed diplomatic ties with Morocco in 2021 over a series of issues. The countries have a decades-long dispute involving the territory of Western Sahara.

People were jolted out of bed Friday night by the magnitude-6.8 quake, a rarity in Morocco. In addition to the dead and injured, scores of structures not built to withstand such a powerful temblor crashed to the ground.

People affected by an earthquake camp outside their homes, in Moulay Brahim village, near Marrakech, Morocco, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy)AP

A cracked mosque minaret stands after an earthquake in Moulay Brahim village, near Marrakech, Morocco, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy)AP

People dig graves for people who died, during an earthquake, in Moulay Brahim village, near Marrakech, Morocco, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy)AP

The dead are mostly in Marrakech and the five provinces near the quakes epicenter, Moroccos Interior Ministry reported Saturday morning.

Avril Benoit, executive director of Doctors Without Borders, MSF-USA, said in a statement that people who live in the affected region are key to the initial response when searching for survivors.

Earthquake survivors often require medical care such as surgery or dialysis, which can be a challenge when local health systems are affected by a disaster. Restoring health services and providing essential supplies also can be a priority at this stage. Our response will depend on the needs that are assessed on site.
By SAM METZ and MOSAAB ELSHAMY, The Associated Press

MARRAKECH, Morocco (AP)  A rare, powerful earthquake struck Morocco, sending people racing from their beds into the streets and toppling buildings in mountainous villages and ancient cities not built to withstand such force. More than 1,300 people were killed, and the toll was expected to rise as rescuers struggled Saturday to reach hard-hit remote areas where the dead were buried even as desperate efforts were underway to save those trapped.

The magnitude-6.8 quake, the biggest to hit the North African country in 120 years, sent people fleeing their homes in terror and disbelief late Friday. One man said dishes and wall hangings began raining down, and people were knocked off their feet. The enormity of the destruction came into view in the daylight.

The quake brought down walls made from stone and masonry not constructed to endure quakes, covering whole communities with rubble and leaving residents picking their way precariously through remains.

A tent typically used for celebrations was erected for shelter in the center of the impoverished mountain community of Moulay Brahim, where homes made of clay and brick were largely left uninhabitable. Fathers sobbed into phones telling loved ones about losing their children. Bodies covered with blankets lay in the health center next to a mosque as doctors pulled shards from peoples feet and treated surface wounds.

Theres nothing to do but pray, said Hamza Lamghani, who lost five of his closest friends.

People could be seen on state TV clustering in the streets of historic Marrakech, afraid to go back inside buildings that might still be unstable. Many wrapped themselves in blankets as they tried to sleep outside.

Marrakechs famous Koutoubia Mosque, built in the 12th century, was damaged, but the extent was not immediately clear. Its 69-meter (226-foot) minaret is known as the roof of Marrakech. Moroccans also posted videos showing damage to parts of the famous red walls that surround the old city, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

At least 1,305 people died, mostly in Marrakech and five provinces near the quakes epicenter, Moroccos Interior Ministry reported Saturday evening. Another 1,832 people were injured  1,220 critically  the ministry said.

In a sign of the huge scale of the disaster, Moroccos King Mohammed VI ordered the armed forces to specialized search and rescue teams and a surgical field hospital, according to a statement from the military.

The king said he would visit the hardest hit area Saturday, but despite an outpouring of offers of help from around the world, the Moroccan government had not formally asked for assistance, a step required before outside rescue crews could deploy.

People gather as they prepare to bury a person who was killed by the earthquake, in Ouargane village, near Marrakech, Morocco, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy)AP

Hundreds of men gathered in town as more than a dozen blanket-covered bodies were carried down the hill from the health center to the square. They knelt on a rugs and prayed for the dead in a funeral ritual before taking them to be buried.

The epicenter of Fridays tremor was near the town of Ighil in Al Haouz Province, roughly 70 kilometers (44 miles) south of Marrakech. Al Haouz is known for scenic villages and valleys tucked in the High Atlas Mountains.

World leaders offered to send in aid or rescue crews as condolences poured in from countries in Europe, the Middle East and the Group of 20 summit in India. The president of Turkey, which lost tens of thousands of people in a massive earthquake earlier this year, was among those proposing assistance. France and Germany, with large populations of people of Moroccan origin, also offered to help, and the leaders of both Ukraine and Russia expressed support for Moroccans.

A man drives past a damaged wall of the historic Medina of Marrakech, after an earthquake in Morocco, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy)AP

In an exceptional move, neighboring rival Algeria offered to open its airspace to allow eventual humanitarian aid or medical evacuation flights to travel to and from Morocco. Algeria closed the airspace when its government severed diplomatic ties with Morocco in 2021 over a series of issues. The countries have a decadeslong dispute involving the territory of Western Sahara.

The U.S. Geological Survey said the quake had a preliminary magnitude of 6.8 when it hit at 11:11 p.m. (22:11 GMT), with shaking that lasted several seconds. The U.S. agency reported a magnitude 4.9 aftershock hit 19 minutes later. The collision of the African and Eurasian tectonic plates occurred at a relatively shallow depth, which makes a quake more dangerous.

Earthquakes are relatively rare in North Africa. Lahcen Mhanni, head of the Seismic Monitoring and Warning Department at the National Institute of Geophysics, told 2M TV that the earthquake was the strongest ever recorded in the region.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a regular meeting in the Headquarters of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief on Saturday, September 9. During the meeting, the implementation of a plan to protect the energy sector and critical infrastructure from possible Russian air attacks was discussed.

ADVERTISIMENT

This was announced by the leader of the state on his Telegram channel. Measures to prepare for winter were also discussed.

In addition, the meeting raised the issue of the protection of ports of the Odesa region and infrastructure related to the transportation of grain.

"Implementation of the plan for the protection of energy and critical infrastructure from Russian strikes from the sky. Protection of Odesa region ports and infrastructure of the 'grain corridor'. Protection of frontline territories. Preparation for winter", he said.

"Prime Minister, the Ministry of Energy, Ukrenergo, Ukrhydroenergo, NAK Naftiogaz and the General Staff presented the reports. All of the orders have been distributed. The work continues," the President said.

ADVERTISIMENT

The President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky introduced a new head of the Ministry of Defense Rustem Umerov to the Staff of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief on Friday, September 8. At the same time, the head of state removed the former head of the Defense Ministry, Oleksiy Reznikov, from the regular meetings in the Headquarters.

Earlier, Volodymyr Zelensky said that Putin may use nuclear terrorism as a tool of diplomatic pressure on the West again. This is one of the possible steps in his strategy.

Only verified information from us on Telegram Obozrevatel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
A Palmyra man who is the son of a prominent conservative activist has been convicted of charges that he stormed the U.S. Capitol on Jan, 6, 2021, bashed in a window, chased a police officer, invaded the Senate floor and helped a mob disrupt the certification of Democrat Joe Bidens presidential election victory.

Leo Brent Bozell IV, 44, was found guilty Friday of 10 charges, including five felony offenses, after a trial decided by a federal judge, according to the Justice Department.

Bozells father is Brent Bozell III, who founded the Media Research Center, Parents Television Council and other conservative media organizations.

U.S. District Judge John Bates heard testimony without a jury before convicting Bozell of charges including obstructing the Jan. 6 joint session of Congress convened to certify the Electoral College vote that Biden won over then-President Donald Trump, a Republican.

Bozell was a major contributor to the chaos, the destruction, and the obstruction at the Capitol on January 6, 2021, prosecutors said in a pretrial court filing.

The judge is scheduled to sentence Bozell on Jan. 9.

Bozells lawyer, William Shipley Jr., did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment on Saturday.

Bozell was initially identified as a participant in the riot at the U.S. Capitol in part due to his sweatshirt representing Hershey Christian Academy, a private school located in Hummelstown. The school later said he was never an employee there.

Prosecutors said that before the riot, Bozell helped plan and coordinate events in Washington in support of Trumps Stop the Steal movement. They said that after Trumps rally near the White House on Jan. 6, Bozell marched to the Capitol and joined a mob in breaking through a police line. He smashed a window next to the Senate Wing Door, creating an entry point for hundreds of rioters, according to prosecutors.

After climbing through the smashed window, Bozell joined other rioters in chasing a Capitol Police officer, Eugene Goodman, up a staircase to an area where other officers confronted the group.

Later, Bozell was captured on video entering office of then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif. He appeared to have something in his hand when he left, prosecutors said.

Entering the Senate gallery, Bozell moved a C-SPAN camera to face the ground so it could not record rioters ransacking the chamber on a live video feed. He also spent several minutes on the Senate floor.

Bozell roamed thorough the Capitol for nearly an hour, reaching more than a dozen different parts of the building and passing through at least seven police lines before police escorted him out, prosecutors said.

In a pretrial court filing, Bozells lawyer denied that Bozell helped overwhelm a police line or engaged in any violence against police.

In fact, video evidence will show that Mr. Bozell assisted in some small way law enforcement officers that he thought could be helped by his assistance, Shipley wrote.

Shipley also argued that Bozell was  for the most part  simply lost and wandering from place-to-place observing events as they transpired.

Bozell was arrested in February 2021.

More than 1,100 people have been charged with Capitol riot-related federal crimes. More than 650 of them have pleaded guilty. Approximately 140 others have been convicted by judges or juries after trials in Washington.

READ MORE:

Capitol riot defendant is a big name in central Pa. business, political circles
Four drownings in 24 hours.

The unofficial end to summer at the Jersey Shore turned tragic just that quickly over Labor Day weekend as rough surf, sweltering temperatures and packed beaches combined for dangerous conditions that claimed four lives.

This is, experts say, the most dangerous time of year at the Jersey Shore.

Beach patrol ranks are depleted by departing college and high school students. Hurricanes hundreds of miles off the coast can spawn treacherous rip currents. And the ocean water remains an inviting respite for the still steamy days of late summer that continue to draw big crowds.

Were working with limited staff and its the height of the hurricane season in September, Harvey Cedars lifeguard Chief Randy Townsend told NJ Advance Media. Its the most challenging time of the year.

The drownings over Labor Day weekend were scattered between four different Jersey Shore towns some 80 miles apart - Belmar, Beach Haven, Seaside Park and Strathmere.

In the Strathmere drowning, a man died trying to rescue his fiance's 12-year-old daughter, who got caught in a rip current. A surfer pulled the girl to safety, but the man was swept away.

Countless other tragedies were averted on the Jersey Shores beaches with lifeguards making saves as a high risk of rip currents persisted through what Townsend described as an extremely busy Labor Day weekend.

Lifeguards in Asbury Park made 25 rescues on Sunday alone, the citys beach safety supervisor, Joe Bongiovanni said.

On a normal weekday, wed have 27 to 30 lifeguards, Bongiovanni said. Now we have like five, so its a lot of territory for them to cover and its a lot of pressure on them, especially when the water is bad like that. Kids going back to college, teachers going back to school  thats the majority of what we have as lifeguards.

Asbury Park technically closed its beaches to swimmers for the summer at 6 p.m. on Labor Day, but it was too hot to keep people out of the water even with rip currents still an issue earlier in the week, Bongiovanni said.

A lot of people just dont get it and they still want to go in the water, Bongiovanni said. They dont understand how quickly these rip currents can grab you and pull you out.

The National Weather Service says strong rip currents can be deadly, and swimmers should follow these safety tips.National Weather Service

While Saturday is expected to finally mark the end of the heat wave that has gripped New Jersey for days, warm temperatures are expected to remain amid scattered showers.

The bigger concern could be Hurricane Lee - a monster storm that has already treaded into Category 5 status - that could churn rough surf for days as it slows considerably far off the coast.

The National Hurricane Center is already warning of dangerous surf and rip currents for the entire East Coast starting Sunday.

Hurricane Lee is expected to turn north in the middle of next week as a category 4 hurricane.AccuWeather.com

My guess is were going to have to go back to red-flagging and just not allowing people in the water, Bongiovanni said of the threats from Hurricane Lee.

The National Weather Service typically issues rip current alerts in two-day increments and those headed to beaches are advised to stay alert for the long reach of Lee.

When this thing does end up turning to the north, we do expect prolonged swells and a prolonged high risk of rip currents, said Cameron Wunderlin, a meteorologist in the National Weather Services office in New Jersey.

When the inevitable rough surf and rip currents hit, there will be far fewer lifeguards on New Jersey beaches to keep people safe.

Townsend urged beachgoers to be careful, especially with Lees swells set to create dangerous ocean conditions in the coming days.

Theres obviously an elevated risk for individuals going out into the surf, whether the beaches may have been guarded or those who decide to throw caution to the wind and swim after hours not in front of a lifeguard, the Harvey Cedars lifeguard chief said. We always recommend to everyone know your limits and when it doubt, dont go out.
WILLIAMSPORT-Welcome home dear brother, you are not forgotten.

Those words by Capt. Matt Lower, an Army chaplain at Fort Dix in New Jersey, set the tone Saturday for a private funeral and military burial for 2nd Lt. James Litherland III.

The South Williamsport resident was the co-pilot of a B-17 Flying Fortress shot down during World War II by anti-aircraft fire after a bombing raid on a German V-2 rocket site in Bois-Coquerel, France.

Before the plane crashed near the city of Le Translay, France, three of the airmen parachuted successfully while the other seven crew members, including Litherland, 25, were still on board.

The plane went down Feb. 28, 1944, the same day his daughter Suzanne Walker was born. She lives in Raleigh, North Carolina, with her husband Andrew.

Her fathers remains were not identified until March and Walker had the opportunity to have him laid to rest in France but I wanted him to be with his family, she said.

He is now buried in Wildwood Cemetery in Williamsport next to his father and grandfather.

That occurred after a brief service that included a 21-gun salute by a military honor guard and the playing of taps by Jacob Reynolds of Hughesville, a former member of the Penn State Blue Band.

Nearly 40 family members and relatives attended the private funeral in Montoursville where they heard Lower say about Litherland: He died doing what he loved  serving America.

The chaplain repeated at the graveside service that Litherland shed his blood for the freedoms Americans enjoy today.

The Army and the government kept a promise to bring him home and honor him, he said.

A certificate from the Lycoming County commissioners recognizing Litherlands service was presented to Walker.

Hometown Heroes will be sponsoring a banner in Litherlands name that will be hung from a street light pole in Williamsport, Michael McMunn, the county director of veterans affairs, said.

His name has been on the World War II monument in Williamsports Veterans Memorial Park.

The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) gives this account of how Litherlands remains were identified after 79 years:

In 1945 American investigators reviewed German documents detailing American planes and their crew during the war.

Those documents revealed six sets of remains were recovered near the crash site and were buried in the English World War I Memorial Cemetery at Abbeville, France on March 2, 1944.

In June 1945 American Graves Registration team disinterred the six sets of remains from Abbeville and buried them in the U.S. Military Cemetery at St. Andre, France.

Five of the six sets of remains were identified with the other designated as X-452 St. Andre.

Beginning in 1946, the American Graves Registration Command (AGRC) was tasked with recovering missing American personnel in the European Theater.

In March 1947 AGRC investigators identified X-452 as being associated with Litherland but were unable to identify him and the remains were transferred to Suresnes American Cemetery, France. He was declared non-recoverable Dec. 26, 1950.

In September 2017, a DPAA investigation team traveled to Le Translay to locate the B17Fs crash site.

A DPAA recovery team recovered material evidence and bone remains that were sent to a laboratory for analysis.

The DPAA had difficulty locating Walker to obtain her DNA in the identification process because her last name changed twice first by adoption and then by marriage, she said.

In 2018 she and her husband learned a recovery team used Google maps to locate the crash site and did a hand dig to find the remains.

Also found was one of his dog tags and his wedding ring both of which Walker now has.

The COVID-19 pandemic caused a pause in the identification process but she learned last November the remains believed to be those of her father were being tested. She got the call in March they were Lithlerlands.

2nd Lt. James Litherland III

The South Williamsport High School graduate enlisted in the Army Air Corps in 1942 as an aviation cadet.

A year later he married the former Wilma Jane Wurster of South Williamsport. Walker was their only child.

Litherland received a number of military awards and decorations including the Purple Heart posthumously.

A rosette will be placed next to his name on the Tablets of the Missing at Ardennes American Cemetery in Neupre, Belgium, to indicate his remains have been identified.

In her research about her father, Walker said she learned he was an outdoorsman and with friends had built a toboggan slide on the side of the mountain near their South Williamsport home.

Although she never saw her father, she said he became real through pictures and an oil painting.
A pediatrician who is the focus of complaints from parents is no longer medical director at the Lehigh Valleys center for investigating suspected child abuse.

Dr. Debra Esernio-Jenssen was the target of parental criticism at recent meetings of the elected governing bodies of both Lehigh and Northampton counties. These concerns were aired over hours of public comment during Thursday nights meeting of Northampton County Council and the Aug. 23 meeting of the Lehigh County Board of Commissioners.

In a statement this week, Lehigh Valley Health Network said Esernio-Jenssen is no longer medical director of the John Van Brakle Child Advocacy Center (CAC) housed at Lehigh Valley Hospital-17th Street in Allentown.

Dr. Sarah Kleinle took over as medical director in early September, after a nearly yearlong national search, the hospital network said.

Dr. Kleinle will lead the team of physicians responsible for performing medical evaluations for children who are referred to the CAC, the network stated.

The Brakle center assess patients referred from both Lehigh and Northampton counties and beyond, Lehigh Valley Health Network spokesman Brian Downs said. It serves the regions most vulnerable children and their families through a multidisciplinary community partnership that provides evaluations, treatment and a coordinated response to promote justice, according to the statement.

The networks statement notes that Kleinle assumed the role previously held by Esernio-Jenssen but makes no reference to the recent criticism of Esernio-Jenssen from dozens of Lehigh Valley parents, grandparents, other caregivers and youths who were the focus of child-abuse investigations. Downs declined to comment beyond the statement. Esernio-Jenssen has not responded to a request for comment.

The statement notes that Esernio-Jenssen dedicated many years of service at the CAC and that she will continue to provide care part time in other Lehigh Valley Health Network locations.

The public criticism of Esernio-Jenssen comes amid the Aug. 23 release of a report by Lehigh County Controller Mark Pinsley titled The Cost of Misdiagnosis, which outlined recommendations that essentially call for a second opinion when a parent is being accused of abusing a child. Pinsley did not single out any medical professional or facility by name.

Lehigh County Controller Mark Pinsley speaks during a news conference Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2023, outside the Lehigh County Government Center in Allentown about his report outlining concerns about the potential misdiagnosis of child abuse. He is joined by parents, many of whom spoke out before the county board of commissioners later in the evening.Kurt Bresswein | For lehighvalleylive.com

His report cites a comparatively high rate in the Lehigh Valley of diagnoses of a particular type of child abuse called Munchausen syndrome by proxy, which involves exaggerating, faking or even causing disease-like symptoms in a victim in an effort to appear as a heroic, self-sacrificing caregiver.

Of 10 reported cases between 2017 and 2021 across the 14-county northeastern region of Pennsylvania, eight were in Lehigh and Northampton counties  a significant majority, according to the controller. During that time, Philadelphia had seven reported cases of the syndrome despite a population more than twice that of the two Lehigh Valley counties combined, Pinsley said.

Pinsleys report also pointed to statistics showing the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services Office of Children, Youth and Families upholds most findings of child abuse, while on further appeal the departments Bureau of Hearings and Appeals has consistently overruled a supermajority of cases in which child abuse is indicated by an investigation.

Without a judge or jury these caregivers are labeled as child abusers in the eyes of Pennsylvania, Pinsley said during a news conference prior to last months Lehigh County commissioners meeting where people spoke out.

During Thursday nights Northampton County Council meeting, heartbreaking stories were shared publicly of allegedly false accusations of child abuse handled through the John Van Brakle Child Advocacy Center, and the lost custody of children.

Among those who spoke at both meetings was Kim Steltz, of Emmaus, who with husband Steve lost custody of two children after seeking care for their oldest at Reilly Childrens Hospital inside Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest in Salisbury Township.

They were diagnosed with Munchausen syndrome by proxy, launching a 12-month court battle that Kim Steltz called soul-crushing and which she said ended with Lehigh County authorities dropping their case. The Steltzes formed the Parents Medical Rights Group Greater Lehigh Valley Chapter, which via Facebook on Friday responded to the replacement of Esernio-Jenssen as saying more changes are needed.

This is the toughest three hours I have ever had to sit through in my entire life, Northampton County Council President Kerry Myers said following the public comment period of Thursday nights meeting. If you think we werent listening, youre fooling yourself.

County Executive Lamont McClure called Myers response profound. And I think that its important that people know theyre heard, that theyre seen and theyre heard, McClure said.

McClure labeled the subject matter complicated but said theres no denying the pain and the real trauma of the voices of the people.

The Lehigh County Solicitors Office in response to Pinsleys report stated its findings were under review: At first glance we are concerned that this appears to be rather one-sided in its presentation of facts and conclusions regarding the County of Lehighs Office of Children and Youth Services. The caseworkers and attorneys of the Office of Children and Youth Services are dedicated professionals who are committed to the protection of children and youth as both a legal and moral imperative. Any case in which the agency seeks to remove a child from their parent(s) must first be presented to the Lehigh County Court of Common Pleas before emergency placement, and then a hearing occurs shortly after placement.

While we are constrained by both State and Federal law from fully discussing the situations of the specific Lehigh County cases identified by Mr. Pinsley, we have reviewed the facts and are comfortable with the Countys handling of these matters, and the protection of the children involved.

READ MORE:

Baby returned to home where she was killed after CYS dismissed foster moms worries as condescending

Central Pa. woman can share CYS documents about her grandsons death: Court of Appeals

School district, CYS allowed child sexual abuse by former employee: lawsuit
More than $67,000 was raised and shared with the families affected by fires that destroyed 10 homes in the 900 block of Ferry Street in Easton, city officials announced on Friday.

The Ferry Street Fund was launched by the United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley, Greater Easton Development Corporation and Third Street Alliance for Women and Children immediately after the disaster, and donations poured in from more than 200 people, companies and organizations, a news release states.

This outpouring of support in a time of crisis truly speaks to the caring power of the Easton community, said David Lewis, president, United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley.

The fires on May 29 destroyed or significantly damaged 16 homes and displaced 32 residents, including nine children and two senior citizens, officials reported.

Assessments on the properties assumes 10 homes will need to be demolished.

Crews Tuesday, May 30, 2023 continued to assess smoke, water and fire damage of about a dozen row homes torched in a six-alarm blaze in Easton, Pa. (Tim Wynkoop | lehighvalleylive.com contributor, file)Tim Wynkoop

Officials declared the blaze a six-alarm fire  a rarity in the city  when it happened. By comparison, the warehouse that burned down in nearby West Easton earlier this year was a four-alarm fire. Fire Chief Henry Hennings called the fire on May 29 the citys biggest fire in years.

Several fire departments from Eastons surrounding communities, including Warren County in New Jersey, responded to the scene. Roughly 200 firefighters representing more than 30 departments from five counties were needed to extinguish the blaze, officials said.

Roofs were opened by saws and water was blasted through upper-level windows in order to beat back the flames.

Given the scale of the fire, it was important to partner with a regional organization like United Way to bring more visibility to the issue and, ultimately, more funds to help the households impacted by the fire. Jared Mast, executive director of Greater Easton Development Partnership, said.

Approximately $31,000 went directly to the residents who were impacted, and $36,000 went to Third Street Alliance for Women & Children to provide stable housing for nine of the families who could not return to their homes.

All money was raised and distributed between May 31 and Aug. 23, the news release states.

29 1 / 29 Easton fire aftermath, May 30, 2023

Glenn Epps can be reached at gepps@lehighvalleylive.com or glenn_epps_on Twitter.
No, Vivek Ramaswamy, climate change is not a hoax.

This summer made the facts crystal clear. Its hot and getting hotter on planet earth. Thats a fact, here in Pennsylvania and around the world. The record-breaking heat, flash floods and wildfires are the clearest signs yet of the danger our earth is facing from climate change.

Rome, Palermo, Cannes, Tunis and Quebec are among the many cities that have shattered heat records. In the United States, a slew of cities have broken heat records, including Las Vegas, Phoenix, Miami, Denver, and Philadelphia.

Harrisburg International Airport recorded a temperature of 97-degree Fahrenheit on Monday, Sept. 4. It broke the record of 93 degrees set in 1964 and tied in 2008 and 2015.

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) says our state is getting warmer and wetter. It says temperatures will continue to soar, with predictions that the traditionally warmest parts of Pennsylvania could have as many as 37 days with temperatures above 95 degrees.

Scientists predict temperatures across Pennsylvania will get significantly hotter in coming years.

What weve experience this summer is indisputable. Climate change is here. And those like Ramaswamy who are still denying its reality are foolishly threatening future generations, who may find life on earth untenable. Thats why young people like climate activist Greta Thunberg are so exasperated at the lack of urgency to address the threat to their futures.

We can feel the impact of climate change everywhere. We are now living with the dangerous repercussions of not doing enough to manage it a decade ago when we might have lessened the impact. Rivers are overflowing with flash floods threatening more regions than ever before. Wildfires are destroying cities and killing people before they even have a chance to flee. We saw that in Maui. And scientists say we will see it again.

The McDougall Creek wildfire burns on the mountainside above houses in West Kelowna, British Columbia, on Aug. 18, 2023.Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP

The smoke-filled air of raging fires can impact people hundreds of miles away, as people in Central Pennsylvania experienced from wildfires in Canada this June. Air pollutions from wildfires is only one of the many health repercussions climate change is causing.

There are plenty of others.

DEP says we can expect more deaths from heat and respiratory illnesses. Well see more diseases and pests. And the intense heat will adversely impact agriculture and related industries.

28 1 / 28 Climate change affects Pennsylvania farmers Mark Pynes

PennLives Ivey DeJesus has reported how climate change is forcing Pennsylvania farmers to plant new crops. Fifth-generation farmer Hugh McPherson in southeastern York County gave up growing McIntosh apple because they love cool nights. And these nights are just too darn hot.

Weve kicked the can down the road for too long. The reckoning is upon us, but experts who have long predicted climate disaster offer a ray of hope. They say theres still something we can do about it, if we dont listen to people like Ramaswamy.

Republican presidential candidate businessman Vivek Ramaswamy called the "climate change agenda" a hoax during a Republican presidential primary debate hosted by FOX News Channel Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2023, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)AP

First, we all must take personal responsibility to change lifestyles to reduce carbon emissions that are fueling climate change. In the United States, our lifestyles encourage wasteful energy use. Too many of us have gas-guzzling cars that we drive everywhere. Too many of us keep lights on throughout the house even when rooms are empty. Too many of us dont recycle anything.

A full line of charcuterie products being processed in New Jersey.Karim Shamsi-Basha

The United Nations Climate Action Report says the vast consumption of meat in the Western world is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions fueling climate change. Its hard for some to fathom, but maybe we should eat a little less meat.

Second, we must pressure lawmakers and politicians at all levels to stop denying climate change and take steps to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels. We must be wise and practical in moving to clean energy sources, but we must accept the fact that greenhouse gas emissions will kill our planet if we dont take concrete steps to reduce them.

Pennsylvania has taken concrete steps to address climate change, although many argue they may not be nearly enough.

Last year, Pennsylvania became the twelfth state to join the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI). The consortium aims to provide incentives to the power sector to curb carbon pollution. But court challenges and misguided opposition have threatened its implementation here. That is not good for the people of Pennsylvania nor for addressing the present danger of climate change.

Gov. Tom Wolf discusses release of new climate action plan that, if implemented, will help state achieve greenhouse gas reduction in compliance with Paris targets.Pennsylvania Internet News Service

The state also has a Climate Action Plan 2021 that provides a pathway to reduce our greenhouse gas emission by 26 percent by 2025. The plan would reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 80 percent by 2050 from 2005 levels. We urge Pennsylvanians to read the plan and make sure the governor and legislators stick to it, if not improve it.

Here is a link to the complete plan and its overview: https://www.dep.pa.gov/Citizens/climate/Pages/PA-Climate-Action-Plan.aspx

Most of all, climate deniers need to stop confusing people. Climate change is not a hoax, Mr. Ramaswamy. This summer has proven that.

Quality local journalism has never been more important. You deserve the best. Not a subscriber yet? Please consider supporting our work.
Much was discussed at the Aug. 30 meeting of the Penn Twp. Board of Supervisors. During the two and a half hour meeting, a building permit issue was discussed, raises for township employees were approved, and a request from the tax collector was considered. A healthcare package was selected for township employees, and a refund of taxes for one estate was authorized.

During the public comment period, former supervisor Henry Holman Jr. spoke about a building permit which was issued. The building was erected about 400 feet from the location on the permit. Once the township was aware of the discrepancy, a cease-and-desist was issued. A court case is pending.

John Keller notified supervisors that his neighbor has been hauling refrigerators and freezers without taking the doors off or securing them. He stated that kids play in the area and was concerned about their safety. He also complained that the same neighbor would regularly have vehicles parked in a manner that blocked the road.

According to a Pennsylvania statute, A person is guilty of a summary offense if he discards or abandons in any place accessible to children any refrigerator or icebox having a capacity of 1.5 cubic feet or more with an attached lid or door, or being the owner, lessee or manager of any place accessible to children knowingly permits an abandoned or discarded refrigerator, icebox or chest to remain there with an attached lid or door.

After some discussion, supervisors agreed to send the code enforcer to the individual, so that they can maintain a file on the issue. Notifying the Pennsylvania State Police also was discussed, as improper disposal of a refrigerator is a state crime.

After public comments, supervisors moved on to approving invoices and expenditures before also approving the treasurers report. The July 10 budget meeting minutes were approved.

During the highway report, a part-time employee was moved to full-time to fill a vacancy. That employee and the crew leader both will receive a 25-cent an hour raise. The crew leaders raise will be retroactive to the beginning of the quarter, and the promoted employee raise is retroactive to Aug. 21.

Line painting will be done on Creek, Linton Hill, Schoolhouse and Butchershop roads. The bid received gave a cost of $4,646 for four miles of painting, or 22 cents a foot. Supervisors approved the project, with a stipulation that total cost is not to exceed $5,000.

The townships mowing tractor ran into mechanical issues. It is under warranty and is being repaired.

During the EMS report, Kraig Nace stated a tree had fallen on communications lines near the station. Blue Ridge Communications and Brightspeed have been notified, and the township is waiting for them to remove the tree.

When I got the phone call about 3:30, I had my chainsaw. I was all ready to go out, said supervisor Henry Holman III. I looked at it and said, Were not doing this one. Its too much risk for us to take the liability on it unless there was a massive amount of storms around here and we had more issues and stuff. Im not taking the chance on it.

A building addition at the EMS station will be receiving an occupancy permit. The addition is 40 feet by 60 feet and will be used for storage. Duncannon EMS Sunday dinners will continue to run through October.

Two zoning hearing board meetings will be held on Sept. 14. One hearing board is for Karns, which is seeking two variances for a solar panel project. The other is for Conroy Farms LLC, which is seeking a variance to build a private gym attached to their garage.

During the secretarys report, several issues were discussed. A refund of taxes, totaling $172, was approved for the Sarah Krum estate for years 2018-2023. Employee evaluations will be conducted on Sept. 15 starting at 11 a.m. Medical, dental and vision insurance will be provided to township employees through Capitol Blue Cross. The fall cleanup will be held Oct. 12-14, from 7 a.m. until 6 p.m. on the 12th and 13th, and from 7 a.m. until 2 p.m. on the 14th.

The townships tax collector requested the township place a drop box on its municipal building for residents to drop off taxes. He is in the process of moving and believes that it will be more dangerous for residents to access his new property on Route 11/15. Concerns about the townships liability if the box were to be vandalized or stolen was enough for the supervisors to decline to place the drop box. It was suggested that the tax collector could instead utilize a post office box.

A codification project, which was started in 2021 by the previous board of supervisors was discussed. The project will cost $9,995 in total, of which $1,999 has been paid thus far. The project will compile all of the townships ordinances and will provide the township with a piece of media which will be placed on its website that will allow the public to view ordinances. Supervisors agreed to continue the project, paying the next installment of $1,999.

It also was reported that the liquid fuels audit was to be completed Aug. 31.

A payment of $216 was approved for tractor repairs.
The key intrigue of the two-day G20 summit, which started in the Indian capital New Delhi on September 9, was whether a joint declaration would be adopted at the end of the meeting. The "stumbling block" was Russia's war against Ukraine, the mention of which caused Russia and China to block the G20 communique following the summit in Indonesia.

ADVERTISIMENT

However, this time a joint declaration with references to the war in Ukraine may be adopted. The Bloomberg publication reported on reaching a compromise on the G-20 statement on the war in Ukraine.

According to Bloomberg, during the discussion of the text of the final declaration of the summit, New Delhi managed to achieve a "breakthrough". The publication claims that diplomats were able to agree on "compromise language" that satisfied all G-20 participants, who were divided based on strong condemnation or "neutrality" on the issue of Russian aggression against Ukraine.

Thus, the text of the G-20 joint declaration was stripped of most of the language that expressed differences of opinion on such issues as sanctions and direct condemnation of Russia's war, but they were changed by a unanimous position supported by references to the principles of the United Nations.

ADVERTISIMENT

In particular, while the communique of the November 2022 Bali summit in Indonesia contained the phrase "the majority of members strongly condemned the war" opposed by China and Russia, the September text will not have it. The document will recall the principles of the UN Charter, which prohibit the use of force and advocate territorial integrity.

The new draft also welcomes efforts to achieve a "comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine."

"Unlike last year's text, it does not include the contentious issue of sanctions, on which the membership could not agree. It is expected that the final statement will refer to Russia's war 'in Ukraine' rather than the war 'against Ukraine', which the US and its allies sought and Moscow opposed," the publication writes.

The joint statement will also include a phrase that was repeated by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi after February 24, 2022, many times. It says, "Today's era should not be an era of war".

ADVERTISIMENT

Russian President Vladimir Putin will not be at the G-20 summit this year for the second time in a row. For fear of arrest on a warrant from the International Criminal Court, the Russian dictator has sent Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov to the international event once again. Putin himself has hardly traveled outside the Russian Federation since the beginning of the full-scale aggression against Ukraine, especially after the accusations of kidnapping Ukrainian children.

This important international event will not be personally attended by the leader of the PRC for the first time since 2008. Xi Jinping sent the Chinese Prime Minister instead. One of the reasons for the "demarche" of the head of China is considered to be the territorial contradictions of the PRC with India, which escalated shortly before the start of the summit in New Delhi again.

ADVERTISIMENT

To know how the absence of Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin will affect the summit, whether the Western countries will be able to take advantage of the opportunity for rapprochement with the Global South and whether India will change its position of "neutrality" regarding the Russian-Ukrainian war, read OBOZREVATEL material.
EPT Barcelona Hands of the Week: Flopped Royal Flush, Failed Bluffs & an Incredible Call

September 08, 2023 Chad Holloway Executive Editor U.S.

The 2023 European Poker Tour (EPT) Barcelona recently wrapped up. We already brought you some of the biggest hands from the early part of the series, and we thought we'd round it off with some more hands from the latter half, which included the 5,300 EPT Barcelona Main Event.

The PokerNews Live Reporting Team was on hand all series long to capture all the action, and during that time they documented some big hands, be they bad beats, sick coolers, or just game-changing in nature. Heres a look at some of the biggest hands from the latter half of the EPT Barcelona festival.

Matrai Soars As Benitez Runs Kings Into Aces

Francisco Benitez

On Day 2 of the EPT Barcelona Main Event, it was Level 13 (1,000/2,500/2,500) when reporter Connor Richards saw Francisco Benitez open to 5,000 from early position and Andras Matrai three-bet jammed a stack of around 25,000 from the button. Morelli Felipe cold-called in the big blind and Benitez took some time before four-bet jamming with Felipe covered. Felipe snap-called for around 140,000.

Morelli Felipe: 77

Andras Matrai: AA

Francisco Benitez: KK

Matrai was on the right side of the massive preflop cooler and improved to a set on the 2AQ flop before the board finished out 3J to earn him the big pot and send Felipe to the rail.

Fournier Set Up

Samuel Fournier

On Day 5, just 19 players remained in Level 28 (40,000/80,000/80,000) when reporter David Salituro caught a big hand. It happened when action folded to Samuel Fournier in the small blind who limped in. Carl Shaw then raised to 300,000 and Fournier reraised to 800,000.

Shaw called and they saw a flop of 2JA. Fournier led out for 275,000 and Shaw quickly called.

The turn came the K and Fournier moved all in for around 1,900,000. Shaw practically beat him into the pot and turned over AA for top set. Fournier was caught bluffing with Q8 and needed to hit a ten on the river to stay alive with a straight.

The dealer instead turned over the 7 and Fournier's tournament came to a sudden end.

Santiago Plante Done and Dusted

Santiago Plante

On Day 7 with just four players remaining, it was Level 34 (150,000/300,000/300,000) when Santiago Plante was all in and at risk for 4,150,000 from the small blind against Carl Shaw in the big blind.

Santiago Plante: QQ

Carl Shaw: Q9

Plante was in fantastic shape to double up, but the flop of 10J10 created a sweat by giving his opponent an open-ended straight draw.

The K turn gave Shaw the lead with a straight and Plante couldn't win or chop as the J bricked out on the river to mark Plante's elimination in fourth place.

Phillipe Barouk Defies the Odds

Phillipe Barouk

On Day 1 of 3,000 EPT Mystery Bounty, it was early in Level 1 (100/200/200) when reporter Ollie Garland saw a pot that stood at approximately 17,000 with two players looking at a full board that read Q10A2A.

Uri Reichenstein, who was under the gun, bet out 5,000. In response, Phillipe Barouk, in the cutoff, moved all in for 20,300, sending Reichenstein into the tank.

Reichenstein eventually folded and Barouk proudly slammed KJ on the table for a flopped Royal Flush.

A bit later on in Level 8 (600/1,200/1,200), reporter Matt Warburton saw Antoine Vranken raised to 2,000 from late position and was called by Barouk on the button. Jose Luis Garcia Devesa then reraised to 7,500 from the big blind. Both Vranken and Barouk called.

The flop came 5KJ. Devesa moved all in for around 52,000, Vranken folded and Barouk called. Players flipped their cards, with Barouk at risk.

Phillipe Barouk: Q10

Jose Luis Garcia Devesa: A6

Barouk had a made flush and Devesa had the ace-high flush draw. The turn came the 9 and the river was the 2.

The turn completed Devesa's ace-high flush, but it also brought Barouk a straight flush to give him the pot. Players took out their phones to take photos of what was a rare moment in poker. Barouk was in disbelief as he scooped up his chips for the double-up.

Yaroshevskyy's Incredible Call Sends Melogno to the Rail

Pablo Melogno

In Level 22 (10,000/20,000/20,000) in the 10,300 EPT High Roller, reporter Tyler Foran saw about 220,000 in the middle on a J738 turn. Igor Yaroshevskyy checked to Pablo Melogno, who fired a bet of 135,000. Yaroshevskyy called.

The 3 completed the board, and Yaroshevskyy checked before Melogno moved all in. Yaroshevskyy asked for a count and went into the tank.

After hearing it was 355,000, Yaroshevskyy went deep into the tank, using four time banks before dropping in the call. Melogno tapped the table to say good call as he rolled over Q5, and Yaroshevskyy showed AK to drag the pot with just ace-high.

Click here to see who won the 10,300 EPT High Roller

Check out our guide to the Best Online Casinos around the world. For US players, online real money casino is available in Pennsylvania, Michigan, New Jersey and West Virginia. If you're looking to start playing Online Casino right now, then we recommend FanDuel Casino. If youre in a State where real money online casino isnt an option, then you still have the chance to play via Social Casino sites such as Chumba Casino and LuckyLand Slots.

Sharelines Check out some of the biggest and game-changing hands from the @PokerStars #EPTBarcelona.
Facebook

Twitter

Pinterest

Email

Print

In case anyone had lingering doubts about Russias affinity for former president Donald Trump, at least 23 jurors have been doxxed and had their personal information posted on conspiracy websites hosted by a Russian company that is known to be uncooperative with law enforcement.

Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis said at least 23 jurors in the case have had their personal information  including their names, ages, addresses and vehicle details posted anonymously on conspiracy theory websites hosted by a Russian company as part of an effort to harass and intimidate them,' Axios reported.

Willis and other members of her office were also doxed, including her family member names, dates of birth, home and work addresses, GPS coordinates and more. This information was intertwined with derogatory and racist remarks, Willis said in the filing.

Willis asked a judge to protect the jurors who indicted the former president and a number of his allies who tried to steal the 2020 election and allegedly sought to steal votes from Americans.

In the filing, the Department of Homeland Security said the Russian company is known to be uncooperative with law enforcement, which translates to the information will not be taken down because there is no way to get the Russian company to comply with law enforcement requests.

Surely if Russian officials told this company to comply with U.S. law enforcement, they would. But Russian officials are not doing that. They are letting this company aid and assist Donald Trumps supporters in attacking innocent people.

While Trump threatening jurors and witnesses is nothing new, this matters because it highlights Russias efforts (yet again) to protect Donald Trump, this time from the U.S. law enforcement.

What would a hostile foreign country and a former U.S. president have in common that would cause the hostile foreign country to not take down the doxxing of innocent people? Russia is waging a war of aggression against Ukraine and now they are going to bat against U.S. law enforcement.

Why is a former president being protected by a hostile foreign country as he faces criminal charges for trying to steal an election?
Slovakia's new populist Prime Minister Robert Fico said Thursday that his government was stopping military aid to Ukraine, in the first Western reversal of the kind.
WARRENVILLE  The groundbreaking ceremony Friday for the $59-million Warren Mill Lofts project also was a reunion for some of the former employees of Warren Mill, a textile factory that closed for good in 1982.

Piedmont Private Equity LLC and Camden Management Partners, both based in Georgia, have teamed up to transform Warren Mill and its 11.11-acre site at 512 Trestle Pass into an apartment community.

Former Warren Mill plant manager Arthur Tommy McElveen Jr., 83, is pleased that people soon will be living in his one-time workplace.

Im glad to see them use it for something and not let it go to wrack and ruin like it was doing, just sitting there deteriorating, he said.

Annie Weeks, 94, who worked in the weaving and cloth rooms at Warren Mill, expressed a similar opinion about the future of the defunct factory, which she believes is looking a lot better than it used to.

The weeds that once grew on the Warren Mill land have been cleared away and debris has been removed in preparation for the renovation and new construction.

Im glad theyre doing something with it. I couldnt stand the mess that was here, Weeks said.

Then she reminisced about her time at Warren Mill.

Weeks was an employee for around 15 years. She first got a job there when she was 23.

I came here from Germany, and I wanted to make money to go back home and visit, she said. On my husbands salary, I couldnt do that.

Weeks thought the environment at the mill would be nasty, but discovered that it was much cleaner than she had imagined.

I didnt mind working there, Weeks said.

The Warren Mill Lofts community will have 205 apartment homes with one, two or three bedrooms. There will be 139 renovated units and 66 newly constructed units.

Plans also call for amenities such as a swimming pool, a clubhouse and lounge, and a fitness center that will be resort-style, said Camden Management Partners President John Gumpert.

Walter M. Hall III, managing partner for Piedmont Private Equity, described the apartments as technically workforce housing.

The rent for one-bedroom units will be about $1,200 a month, and for two bedrooms it will be a little bit more than that, he said.

They should be affordable for a schoolteacher or a firefighter or a nurse, Hall added. Thats our goal, anyway, to create residential options for those kinds of people. They dont have to be wealthy to live here.

Hall expects the first Warren Mill Lofts units to be available for rent by August of next year. The entire project is scheduled to be completed in November 2024.

It just feels right that were bringing back a vestige of the textile industry here that is long gone, Hall said. Its a fantastic project, and its going to mean a lot to this part of Aiken County. It will stabilize property values, and new businesses will come here. It will create lots of jobs.

Aiken County Council Chairman Gary Bunker described the Warren Mill Lofts project as the biggest investment in the [S.C. Highway] 421 corridor in history and said that it would be a good spur for additional economic development in the area.

Warren Mill, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is a four-story, 190,677-square-foot brick structure.

It was built in the 1890s and more was added to it later.

Charles Warren operated the factory as a cotton mill.

The Graniteville Company eventually acquired Warren Mill, which was producing heavyweight denim when it shut down 41 years ago.

Warren Mill Invesco LLC purchased Warren Mill for $1.6 million in September 2021 from Warren Mill LLC. At the time, Reggie Barner, a former CEO of the Aiken Housing Authority, was the registered agent for Warren Mill LLC.

In May of this year, there was a change in Warren Mills ownership from Warren Mill Invesco to Warren Mill Lofts LLC that involved no money, according to Aiken County land records.

Barner wanted to convert much of the mill into apartments, and hes happy that Piedmont Private Equity and Camden Management Partners are carrying out his vision.

Im sure many of you thought it would never happen, but today is a testament to [the power of] faith, Barner told the groundbreaking ceremony's approximately 100 attendees.

Owner equity, a construction loan from the Churchill Stateside Group and federal and South Carolina historic tax credits are providing the funding for the Warren Mill Lofts project.

Walters told the Aiken Standard that Piedmont Private Equity and Camden Management Partners are working together on a project at the Vaucluse Mill that will be very much like the one at Warren Mill.

The groundbreaking [at the Vaucluse Mill] will be in the first quarter of 2024, he said.
Aiken Standard reporter

Matthew Christian is a reporter for the Aiken Standard. He covers the Savannah River Site, city of Aiken and politics.

Matthew previously covered government and politics for the Morning News in Florence. He is a graduate of the University of South Carolina School of Law and the University of Charleston in West Virginia.

To support local journalism, sign up for a subscription. See our current offers 
Aiken, SC (29801)

Today

A mix of clouds and sun early followed by cloudy skies this afternoon. Much cooler. High 68F. Winds NNE at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Cloudy skies early, followed by partial clearing. Low 37F. Winds N at 10 to 15 mph.
A former manager of a Wagener business has been ordered to pay a little over $800,000 to his former employer after being accused of taking money from the business.

In a civil case, Dustin Dillon, 40, of Aiken and Southland Hay and Cattle Co. LLC were ordered by a judge in August, to pay $803,044.72 to Wagener Milling Co.

Dillon and his company Southland Hay are accused of taking money from the business between April 4, 2020, to Jan. 8, 2021.

Court records show that Dillon is alleged to have misappropriated at least $817,833.73 from the business.

Dillon was arrested and charged Sept. 15, 2022, with seven counts of breach of trust with fraudulent intent (value $10,000 or more) and one count of breach of trust with fraudulent intent (value of more than $2,000 but less than $10,000), according to jail records.

He was also charged with five counts of forgery  four counts of forgery were valued less than $10,000, according to the records.

Dillon has been released on a $4,000 surety bond and is awaiting trial on the criminal charges.

Details of the case

According to court documents, when the plaintiffs purchased Wagener Milling in 2019 there was approximately $150,000 in inventory present, but by the end of December 2020, the value was only $25,000 to $30,000.

Court records show the bank accounts didn't reflect the proceeds from the increase in goods sold.

In May 2021, the plaintiffs hired an investigative and consulting service to investigate the source of the missing money, according to an incident report from the Aiken County Sheriffs Office.

Warrenville man charged with kidnapping and assault of real estate agent A Warrenville man was charged with kidnapping and assault involving a local realtor.

The investigator with Carroll Investigative and Consulting Services LLC alerted authorities to his findings, which revealed that sales were not being recorded and money was not being deposited into the Wagener Milling account.

The investigation also indicated that Dillon, who had been employed as the manager of Wagener Milling since April 2019, used the business's bank account and debit card for personal and unnecessary expenses, according to court documents.

An investigator determined that while Dillon was employed at Wagener Milling Co., he sold hay through his personal business Southland Hay and Cattle Co. in violation of the terms of the agreement Dillon had with Wagener Milling Co., the report said.

Court documents allege Dillon used company money to purchase a horse and a camper for $10,000, and rent a forklift for $20,726.20

Dillon also deposited $4,770 and $7,000 checks payable to Wagener Milling into the Southland Hay accounts, court records show.

Owners of the milling company became concerned in October 2020 after several checks bounced, court records show.

Dillon was terminated on Jan. 8, 2021, and Wagener Milling owed more than $40,000. On the day Dillion was terminated, he collected two checks and deposited them into a Southland Hay account, court documents said.

According to court documents, Dillon was charged with breach of trust with fraudulent intent for the following actions:

 Not depositing $377,746.21 in cash received by Wagener Milling into the business's account;

 Not depositing $25,481.40 in checks received by Wagener Milling into the business's account;

 Depositing $38,359.70 in payments intended for Wagener Milling into the Southland Hay account;

 Writing checks in the amount of $12,951.53 for his personal benefit from the Wagener Milling account;

 Electronically transferring $2,942.71 from Wagener Milling accounts to the Southland Hay account;

 Using the Wagener Milling debit card to complete transactions totaling $15,308.64 for personal purchases;

 Incurring overdraft and insufficient funds fees against Wagner Milling accounts in the amount of $7,035; and

 Not recording sales, selling inventory at a discount and stealing inventory resulting in a loss to Wagener Milling in the amount of $276,508.54.

Dillon's forgery charges stem from transacting four checks made payable to Wagener Milling and falsely signed documents including a checking account agreement, LLC authorization resolution, debit card application and an altered application for credit, court records show.

+3 Two arrested in Warrenville following five-month drug distribution investigation Following a five-month drug distribution investigation, two people were arrested Friday in Warrenville and large amounts of controlled substan
Youre seeing The Post and Courier's weekly real estate newsletter. Receive all the latest transactions and top development, building, and home and commercial sales news to your inbox each Saturday here.

Charleston architecture firm goes from historic to higher

A regional architectural firm recently completed its move from a prominent downtown Charleston location to a more highly visible structure on the peninsula.

McMillan Pazdan Smith relocated its offices in late August to 12,000-square-feet on the sixth floor of the 12-story Morrison Yard building at 850 Morrison Drive.

For the past seven years, the firm was located in the historic three-story, 7,450-square-foot Harleston-Boags Building at 121 Calhoun St., previously the site of Harleston-Boags Funeral Home.

Paulette Myers, agency principal and Charleston studio director, said the firm outgrew its previous location and she looks forward to seeing who takes over the Calhoun Street site, which is now vacant.
A new apartment development is coming to a master-planned community in Goose Creek.

GBT Realty Corp. plans to build a 306-unit multifamily complex called The Village at Carnes Crossroads between St. James and 3rd avenues. More than 11,000 square feet of retail space also will be part of the project.

The Brentwood, Tenn.-based company bought the nearly 12-acre parcel off U.S. Highway 17A in early August for $5.14 million from Carnes Crossroads Associates LLC, according to Berkeley County land records.

The property is across the street from a planned Publix-anchored shopping center in the 2,300-acre Carnes Crossroads development.

The four-story community will include 11 buildings, featuring studio to three-bedroom units. Amenities for the "lifestyle community" will include small- and large-breed dog parks, saltwater pool, fitness center and co-working space, according to GBT executive Barry Yoeckel.

A coffee purveyor is expected to be added as well.

"We designed and planned our community to enhance and connect with the surrounding Carnes Crossroads neighborhoods," Yoeckel said.

The first units are expected to be available by spring 2025.

Sign up for our real estate newsletter! Get the best of the Post and Courier's Real Estate news, handpicked and delivered to your inbox each Saturday. Email

Sign Up!

Relocated

A regional architectural firm recently completed its move from a prominent downtown Charleston location to a more highly visible structure on the peninsula.
From Kiawah and James islands to North Charleston and Nexton, new clinics and free-standing emergency departments will open soon to provide more health care options for patients in the Lowcountry. That expansion will likely accelerate now that South Carolina has ended most restrictions on building new health care facilities, and they are likely to spiral outside downtown Charleston as providers target fast-growing areas.

James Island will be the first in the area to see expansion once Trident Health's new free-standing emergency department opens Sept. 13. But that is just the beginning now that most of the Certificate of Need regulatory process was removed earlier this year by the S.C. Legislature, said Christina Oh, CEO of Trident Health.

Under CON, state licenses were needed for significant new health care facilities such as hospitals, free-standing emergency departments, or even big expansions or purchases of expensive equipment. Even if the state was inclined to grant it, competitors could appeal that decision or take it to court, tying up those moves for years in costly litigation. The regulation on hospitals will stand until 2027 in most cases, otherwise, the brakes are off.

"I think it is fair to say that the average health care consumer can look for more outpatient health care access that is easier access and less expensive as we invest post-CON," Oh said.

The Sea Islands Medical Pavilion on Kiawah Island was already begun by MUSC Health under the CON process and will likely open closer to 2025, officials said, providing a closer option for residents there and on Seabrook Island.

Others will be clinics embedded in developments. Roper St. Francis Healthcare is developing a 40,000-square-foot "ambulatory hub" clinic in the Sawmill community near Summerville.

"A lot of the folks in Dorchester County have been waiting for Roper to make a bigger presence in that region," said COO Kevin Hoak.

MUSC Health is working with the Point Hope community in Cainhoy to develop a medical office building there that should start construction this year, said CEO Patrick Cawley.
Gabby Staats was a big hit among Mount Pleasant Rotarians during her enthralling presentation of a recent year-long experience in Europe she returned from in late June.
In a contest where Pence's exit amounts to more of a shoulder shrug than a major shift, political watchers agree that his biggest contribution could be what he represents: the first major domino to fall. Read moreMike Pence exits 2024 race after paying little attention to South Carolina
On Saturday, Egypt conveyed its heartfelt condolences to Morocco in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake that struck the country late on Friday, claiming the lives of over 600 people.

In an official statement released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Saturday, Egypt expressed its deepest condolences to the victims of the earthquake that struck multiple regions and cities in Morocco late Friday.

Egypt reaffirms its unwavering solidarity with the Kingdom of Morocco, both its government and its people, as they grapple with the devastating consequences of this tragic and painful incident, the statement added.

The statement also wished a speedy recovery to all the injured.

According to the Moroccan government, the number of people killed by the earthquake has exceeded 600, while the number of injured is over 300.

The earthquake also destroyed vast parts of Marrakech, a renowned tourist destination with a population of around 840,000.

The United States Geological Survey (USGS) said that the earthquake was the strongest tremor to hit that part of the North African nation in more than a century.

The earthquake struck in Morocco's High Atlas Mountain range, approximately 72 kilometres southwest of Marrakech, shortly after 11 pm local time at a relatively shallow depth of 18.5 kilometers, according to the USGS.

Egypts National Research Institute of Astronomy and Geophysics (NRIAG) reported on Saturday that their monitoring stations were even able to detect the quake in Egypt, thousands of kilometres away.

Search Keywords:

Short link:


The ace in the hole for abortion-rights advocates was supposed to be the long-overlooked privacy provision in South Carolinas constitution.

And indeed, that was the reason the S.C. Supreme Court put the states 6-week abortion ban back on hold once the state started enforcing it in the aftermath of the U.S. Supreme Courts abortion decision, which declared there is no right to privacy in the U.S. Constitution, and thus no federal right to an abortion.

More importantly, it was the basis for the state courts surprise ruling in January striking down the so-called fetal heartbeat law passed in 2021.

Supporters of a more liberal abortion law wisely didnt take the privacy provision for granted, though: They defeated efforts over the past year to ban nearly all abortions rather than just most abortions, as the Legislature eventually did. In the end, they lost in court because contrary to popular opinion, our constitutional privacy provision doesnt actually guarantee a right to privacy.

The 'unreasonable' standard

As Associate Justice John Kittredge explained in the majority opinion last month in Planned Parenthood South Atlantic v. South Carolina, the South Carolina Constitution does not create an absolute bar against all state action that infringes on a person's privacy. Instead, the state constitution draws the line at unreasonable invasions of privacy.

Frankly, I was surprised the court said the privacy provision barred the first abortion law, particularly after Attorney General Alan Wilson built the states defense around the argument that it applied only to search and seizure and electronic surveillance. It was a strong argument, backed by the historical record  although it begged the question of why the Legislature had bothered to add that language to a constitution that already prohibited unreasonable search and seizure.
The city of North Charleston soon will undergo a seismic political transformation, not only because longtime Mayor Keith Summey is not seeking reelection but also because five members of City Council have opted not to run again. Adding to the unknowns are the city's regrettable method of ele Read moreEditorial: Eight picks for North Charleston City Council
All other things being equal, it makes sense for a governor to defer to local legislators when he appoints a county master-in-equity. Unlike the magistrate court, where local senators have simply assumed control with the implicit threat to block any appointments they dont like, state law actually requires the local legislative delegation to play a central role in appointing an equity court judge.

But things arent always equal. Sometimes local delegations insist on recommending someone who is clearly partisan. Or otherwise ethically unfit for the job.

Sometimes  as weve witnessed in this summers political melodrama in Richland County  they violate state law by recommending someone who doesnt meet the legal requirements, refusing to recommend the only candidate who does meet those requirements, forcing that candidate to spend his own money suing the delegation and then officially complying with the Supreme Courts direct order to recommend the candidate. While simultaneously urging the governor to reject him so they can recommend someone else.

In such a case, the governor can go along with the recommendation, so he doesnt anger the legislators who control pretty much all the judicial and nonjudicial appointments in his hometown. Or he can do the right thing  as Gov. Henry McMaster did last week when he nominated Judge Joseph Strickland for a final six-year term in the seat he has held since 1989. To have done otherwise would have been to condone a string of illegal actions by Richland County legislators.

As The Post and Couriers Seanna Adcox reports, the governor noted that Judge Stricklands appointment has become a source of contention among delegation members, but he also made a point of noting that no member of the delegation has presented me with any convincing evidence or credible basis upon which to conclude that Judge Strickland is not fit to continue serving as master-in-equity  a role in which he has, by most accounts, served with honor and distinction (and with little or no opposition) for more than 30 years.
FLORENCE  Francis Marion Universitys Board of Trustees approved the names of five new facilities at its Sept. 7 meeting.

The universitys new School of Education and School of Business building will have four classrooms and an auditorium named after longtime business and education professors. Each of the professors worked for at least 20 years at the university. Some are moving toward four decades.

Its really a recognition of these individuals, Trustee Chairman Randy Dozier said.

The $23.4 million, 60,000 square-foot building will be nearly a third larger than the universitys existing nursing building. Two classrooms and an auditorium will take the names of education professors while two more classrooms will be named for business professors.

Ben Kyer and Kay Lawrimore-Belanger will be the two business professors honored. Both are longtime professors at the university with Kyer starting in 1989 and Lawrimore-Belanger in 1987. Together, the two have put in nearly 70 years of service at the university.

Both have received numerous awards and accolades from the university during the course of their careers.

In 2015, Kyer was named an FMU Trustee Research Scholar for the school year. In 2013, Lawrimore-Belanger was recognized as the FMU Distinguished professor.

The universitys Board of Trustees did not choose the faculty members who were honored, President Fred Carter said. Instead, they were nominated by their colleges.

All five are truly legendary faculty members of Francis Marion University, Carter said.

Shirley Carr Bausmith and Stephen Taylor are the two education professors who will be honored with classrooms in the new building. Bausmith began working at the university in 2003 and Taylor in 1991. Both have retired  Bausmith in 2017 and Taylor in 2022.

Bausmith and Taylor each served as the director of graduate studies for the College of Education during their careers. Bausmith served as dean of the School of Education and was recognized as faculty emerita upon her retirement.
PAMPLICO  Hannah-Pamplico High School teacher Jill Ard has been selected by the Palmetto State Teachers Association to attend the Strategies for Teacher Advancement and Renewal seminar.

Ard is a ninth through 12th-grade teacher at Hannah-Pamplico High School. The STAR award is given to outstanding veteran teachers in South Carolina. Ard is one of 10 to be selected in the state.

She has spent 21 years as an educator and is the chairwoman for the Social Studies department at her school. She teaches government, economics and world history.

She said she jokes with her students but makes sure they understand the voting and electoral process.

My goal is to make these new or almost-new voters informed citizens she said, I tease them and tell them that I am going to make sure they can argue accurately on Facebook.

She also is yearbook adviser for the school, and the 2023-2024 Hannah-Pamplico High School Teacher of the Year.

Ards approach to teaching has had to adapt with changes in technology, like school-issued computers.

She might not be teaching with paper and pencil, but her mission to love and make her students feel at home has remained unchanged.

The STAR seminar is a five-day event where the selected teachers will have a platform to discuss education-related topics. The seminar will be completely funded by the Foundation for Professional Development and the Palmetto State Teachers Association.

Ard has made a tremendous positive impact on her students, as shown by the STAR award. The students also remind her to have an open mind and to be her own person.

Teenagers often get a bad rep, but I love helping them find their voice, she said.

The 2023 STAR seminar will be held at Seabrook Island from Oct. 30 to Nov. 3.
FORT MILL  She wrote it off initially as a bug bite in her ear.

But as Ann Schurmann tried to sleep at her Indian Land home in late August, her ear was really hurting, a fever perked up and her body tremored with shivers.

The 65-year-old shortly became one of the 22,000 people who have been treated at the emergency room at the Piedmont Medical Center - Fort Mill since it opened on Sept. 7, 2022.

Doctors began taking in patients to intensive care that day.

"This community really needed a hospital," CEO Chris Mitchell said on the one-year anniversary of the opening. "York County as a whole has experienced growth in the last 15 years, and Fort Mill really outpaced that. It grew exponentially. With growth comes the need for services."

The hospital, located at the corner of S.C. Highways 160 and 21 Bypass, is the third Piedmont operation in York County, following its Rock Hill hospital and the free-standing emergency room in Gold Mill, which opened in 2020. Mitchell said it was strategic to have a hospital there to provide service for northern York, as well as Lancaster County, where Schurmann traveled from.

"It's about 22 minutes from home for me, versus 30 minutes to Rock Hill," she said. "And there's less lights to get here."

Once she was there, the emergency room doctor diagnosed Schurmann with cellulitis, a bacterial infection that can happen on any body part.

"My ear was totally swollen," she said. "They took me in pretty quickly. They checked to make sure the infection wasn't spreading. The doctor came in and explained what was happening. He took a lot of time with me. Usually the doctor is there two minutes and he's out."

Schurmann rested on one of the 100 beds in the facility, which has its focuses on emergency services, surgeries and its maternity care section, which Mitchell calls "The Nest." The first birth there happened seven days after it opened last year, followed by the first twin births on June 7.
ROCK HILL  Winthrop University is hosting Democratic presidential nominee Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for a town hall meeting at 5 p.m. Sept. 10.

He's the second Democratic presidential candidate to visit Rock Hill in recent weeks. Marianne Williamson spoke at a few events there in late August.

Both are considered longshot challengers for the nomination against President Joe Biden, who is seeking his second term.

Anyone who wants to attend the Kennedy event needs to reserve a seat by e-mail to rockhill@kennedysc.org.

In a statement, Winthrop President Edward Serna said the university is courting other candidates to speak on campus as the campaigns continue.

Winthrop was visited by future presidents from both parties as well as many other notable candidates over the past four elections," Serna said in the statement. "We want our students, faculty, staff and the community to have the opportunity to see candidates in person and to decide for themselves who is best to lead our nation."
According to an Egyptian diplomat, the discovery of the spy ring would not affect cooperation between Egypt and Israel on Middle East peace.

Speaking to Al-Ahram Online, the diplomat, who served in the Egyptian embassy in Israel, insisted that political consultation and cooperation between Egypt and Israel "is handled through a different channel" than that which deals with cases of espionage.

This is not the first and will not be the last case, according to an official source familiar with the history of Israeli spying over Egypt.

Since the signing of the Egyptian-Israeli peace treaty in 1979, Egyptian authorities have unearthed "dozens and dozens" of rings of Israeli spying on Egypt  mostly on national economic interests and science and technology developments.

"They collect information about our trade relations, scientific cooperation with other countries and so on," the official source explained. This, he added, does not exclude the "regular" political and military attempts at espionage.

The public announcement of the unearthing of the spy ring comes days after the release of an Israeli book that once again implicates a dead Egyptian presidential official from the years of former President Anwar Sadat in alleged espionage on behalf of Israel.

Written in Hebrew by Israeli political science professor Yori Bar Yosef, "The Angel: Ashraf Marwan, the Mossad and the Surprise of the Yom Kippur War" alleges that Marwan, the late President Gamal Abdel Nassers son-in-law, provided Mossad with credible information about Egyptian-Syrian plans for the 1973 war, shortly ahead of the beginning of the military operation on the 6th of October.

The new book attempts to refute the "double agent" account that had been suggested by former MI chief Maj. Gen. Eli Zeira. Zeira had argued that Marwan gained the trust of Mossad by offering accurate classified information for several years, before he started to mislead Israel.

Egypt had categorically denied this allegation against Marwan from the highest level. Upon his mysterious death  he fell to his death from the balcony of his London home  President Hosni Mubarak said that Marwan had served his national immensely.

Marwans cause of death has never been established with Mossad and other elements accused for fear that he would reveal sensitive information during his "double agent days" in memoirs he was writing, the manuscript of which disappeared on the day of his death.

Search Keywords:

Short link:


President Joe Biden insists there was an absolute wall between himself and his familys overseas business adventures. Too bad for him, that wall appears to be crumbling.

As the truth about Bidens knowledge of and likely financial benefit from these deals emerges, the media is focused on the one charge against Hunter Biden that has nothing to do with the president: He lied on 2018 federal gun form by claiming he was neither addicted to or even using any illegal drugs at the time.

The U.S. Department of Justice wants Americans to know they are on it. They take it so seriously, in fact, that special counsel David Weiss promises to indict Hunter by the end of the month on the charge (before the statute of limitations in this case expires). In a Wednesday court filing, the Weiss team stated: The Speedy Trial Act requires that the Government obtain the return of an indictment by a grand jury by Friday, September 29, 2023, at the earliest. The Government intends to seek the return of an indictment in this case before that date.

Their sudden concern for the Speedy Trial Act regarding a case that has dragged on for five years would be laughable if the implications werent so serious.

Putting aside the possibility that the misguided diversion agreement reached between prosecutors and Hunters legal team in June may yet hold up, an indictment of Hunter on a gun charge is a sideshow intended to divert attention from the presidents involvement in the familys vast pay-to-play business.

Despite the governments desperate attempts to distract from Joe Bidens alleged complicity in the familys grift, which includes an administration-wide stonewalling campaign and four indictments of his most formidable political opponent, evidence of his guilt continues to be exposed on a weekly basis. And it is slowly being corroborated by bank records, eyewitnesses, emails, text messages, and other communications.

Chairman of the House Oversight Committee James Comer (R-KY) revealed on Wednesday that his team had discovered a Dec. 4, 2015 email from Eric Schwerin, a longtime Biden family business associate, to Kate Bedingfield, who at the time, served as then-Vice President Joe Bidens communications director. According to the HOC, Schwerin provid[ed] quotes the White House should use in response to media outreach regarding Hunter Bidens role in Burisma.

Several hours later, Bedingfield replied: VP signed off on this[.]

Let that sink in for a moment. Considering Bidens fierce denials that he had any knowledge of his sons business dealings, its kind of strange that his own staff members would have such a close working relationship with Hunter Bidens business associates.

In a Wednesday letter to the National Archives and Records Administration, in which he requested numerous pertinent documents, Comer wrote: The timing of this email traffic is concerning to the Committee. According to Devon Archer (another longtime Biden family business associate), after a Burisma board of directors meeting in Dubaion the evening of December 4, 2015 (midday in Washington, D.C.)Hunter Biden called D.C. to discuss pressure that Burisma asked him to relieve.

It gets worse. Three days later, Joe Biden flew to Ukraine. It was during this trip that Biden delivered his now-infamous ultimatum to then-Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko: fire Prosecutor General Viktor Shokin (who was investigating Burismas founder and then-president Mykola Zlochevsky) or the U.S. would withhold $1 billion in aid.

Combine this with the House Oversights discovery in July of a November 2015 email exchange between Hunter, Archer, Schwerin, and Burisma executive Vadym Pozharskyi. The messages, first reported by the New York Post in October 2020 and verified by Fox News Digital in July, reveal the ultimate purpose of Burismas cushy job offer to Hunter Biden: to end any cases/pursuits against Nikolay. (Pozharskyi refers to Burismas founder and then-president, Mykola Zlochevsky, as Nikolay.)

It also supports the allegations made in a June 2020 FBI 1023 report from a highly credible confidential human source that Joe Biden and Hunter Biden were paid $5 million each by Zlochevsky to alter U.S. policy. And dont forget FBI Director Christopher Wrays rabid efforts to keep that report from ever seeing the light of day.

The story is all starting to come together. GOP investigators have already connected most of the dots, but definitive proof will require additional documents. And the Biden administration is not cooperating. House Republicans may be forced to open an impeachment inquiry into the president to obtain this evidence.

Still, the DOJ tries to distract. Memo to Attorney General Merrick Garland and special counsel David Weiss: the gun charge is a sideshow and the public knows it.
After preliminary data showed the number of migrants entering the U.S. illegally had hit an all-time high last month, three U.S. officials told the Los Angeles Times the Biden administration is considering a plan to force some illegal migrants to remain in Texas while awaiting asylum screening, effectively limiting their ability to travel within the U.S.

According to the Times, Supporters of the remain-in-Texas idea, which has yet to be finalized, hope that it would help the administration advance its goals of quickly deporting families who fail initial asylum screenings and deterring other families from crossing in the first place.

Steven wrote about this story here.

Americans who have been watching the conditions at our open southern border spiral out of control for the past three years see this proposal quite a bit differently.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott came out swinging on Friday. Abbott, who has rightly been busing thousands of illegals to U.S. sanctuary cities such as New York City, Chicago, Washington, D.C., and Los Angeles, vowed to send even more migrants to Washington, D.C.

He wrote: We will send Biden the same swift justice. And, we will add even more buses of migrants to Washington, D.C.

Biden considers forcing migrant families to remain in Texas. This scam was tried years ago & was shot down by a judge. We will send Biden the same swift justice. And, we will add even more buses of migrants to Washington D.C.https://t.co/732FdGZ8jB  Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) September 8, 2023

As Judicial Watch Tom Fitton points out, if this proposal is implemented, it could utterly destroy the state.

Rather than securing border, Biden admin considers requiring million of illegal alien invaders to remain in Texas, which could utterly destroy the state. https://t.co/kH8CorC4Gj via @YahooNews  Tom Fitton (@TomFitton) September 8, 2023

Texas and the other border states have borne the brunt of the Biden administrations abject failure to enforce U.S. immigration laws. As millions of migrants have poured into the country illegally, the administration has ignored border state governors appeals for federal assistance.

The situation has now become so dire that Democratic officials in sanctuary cities that have received a mere fraction of the number of migrants that border states have been forced to contend with, are now sounding the alarm.

The Remain in Texas proposal came one day after New York City Mayor Eric Adams told a group at a Town Hall meeting that the crisis will destroy New York City.

Fox News reported that 110,000 migrants have arrived in the city over the past year.

Although Adams ludicrously blamed the crisis on former President Donald Trump, he issued a grim warning to Big Apple residents:

Let me tell you something, New Yorkers. Never in my life have I had a problem that I did not see an ending to. I dont see an ending to this. I dont see an ending to this. This issue will destroy New York City. Destroy New York City. Were getting 10,000 migrants a month. We had a $12 billion deficit that were going to have to cut. Every service in this city is going to be impacted. All of us. Its going to come to your neighborhoods. All of us are going to be impacted by this. I said it last year when we had 15,000. Im telling you now with 110,000. The city we knew were about to lose. And were all in this together. Were getting no support on this national crisis. Now we are getting people from all over the globe have made their minds up that theyre going to come through the southern part of the border and come into New York City. And everyone is saying its New York Citys problem. Every community in this city is going to be impacted.

Its already impacting New Yorkers. In a profanity-laced TikTok video (which can be viewed here), an angry mother paints a vivid picture of how city students  and their parents  are being marginalized as public schools try to accommodate the influx of an estimated 21,000 migrant children. (Language warning.)

The decisions of border state governors to bus migrants to sanctuary cities throughout the country was a stroke of genius. Americans were content to ignore the crisis when it was merely a Texas- or an Arizona-problem. Now, its become a U.S. problem and it will only grow worse over the next 14 months.
The familiar adage is that a prosecutor can get a grand jury to indict a ham sandwich. Support for that idea comes from this story: Georgia special grand jury recommended charges for Sens. Lindsey Graham, David Perdue, Kelly Loeffler.

A special grand jury recommended that Atlantas district attorney seek to charge three current and former US senators in connection with former President Donald Trumps attempts to overturn the 2020 presidential election results.

Attempting to overturn the apparent result of an election is perfectly legal, and when done by a Democrat, it is considered praiseworthy. Al Gore did it. Stacey Abrams did it. Al Franken got into the Senate by doing it. Nevertheless, it seems that this grand jury would have indicted the entire Republican Senate caucus if prosecutor Fani Willis had so desired.

The panel, whose 28-page report was released Friday, recommended Fulton County DA Fani Willis indict Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and former Sens. Kelly Loeffler (R-Ga.) and David Perdue R-Ga.), as well as former Trump national security adviser Michael Flynn and Boris Epshteyn, a top adviser to the 45th president.

So Fani Willis had the grand jury so hopped up that they would have indicted someones grandmother for wandering around in the Capitol for a few minutes. (No, wait, just kidding, that actually happened. But it was a different grand jury.) Apparently Willis thought that at some point, discretion was the better part of valor. Nineteen defendants were enough, and her legal theories were already laughable.

One wonders what Lindsey Graham, David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler did that could possibly be illegal. The answer: nothing. But when it comes to a conspiracy, anything goeslike tracking down someones phone number, which was Chief of Staff Mark Meadows purported crime.

The significance of this story is that it confirms that the indictments that have been returned against Donald Trump and various associates have zero credibility. Activist DAs who have sole control over a grand jury that meets in secret and with no accountability can indict anyone they choose. Indictment by a Democratic Party DA should be accorded no significance.
Mark Meadows is one of the defendants in the Georgia state criminal case brought by Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis against President Trump and a cast of thousands. Meadows is Trumps former chief of staff and the two crimes with which he is charged arise from his service to Trump. Meadows therefore sought removal of the charges against him from state to federal court under the federal officer removal statute codified at 28 U.S.C.  1442(a)(1). I wrote about Meadowss motion in Take a load off Fani: The removal issue.

The motion came on for hearing before Judge Steve C. Jones of the Northern District of Georgia on August 28. Yesterday Judge Jones denied Meadowss motion in 49-page memorandum order that is posted online here. Judge Jones is an Obama appointee, but his order is immediately appealable to the Eleventh Circuit. Indeed, Meadows has already filed an appeal with the Eleventh Circuit. I should think he played it straight in his analysis in anticipation of appellate review.

Each of the former federal officers charged in the Georgia case has his own right of removal. Joness memorandum order tells us where his mind is on the issue. However, the Eleventh Circuit has yet to be heard from. If I were one of the federal officer defendants, I would seek removal before the 30-day clock expires.

Unfortunately, the Fulton County case lumbers on with its epic cast in any event. Defendants remain stuck inside of Fulton County with the D.C blues again.
PR-Inside.com: 2023-09-09 16:04:57

Press Information





Published by

ACCESSWIRE News Network

888.952.4446

e-mail

http://www.accesswire.com







# 442 Words

ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446

NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / September 9, 2023 / Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC, a nationally recognized law firm, notifies investors that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Comerica Incorporated ("Comerica " or the "Company") (NYSE:CMA) and certain of its officers.Class Definition:This lawsuit seeks to recover damages against Defendants for alleged violations of the federal securities laws on behalf of all persons and entities that purchased or otherwise acquired Comerica securities between February 9, 2021 and May 29, 2023, inclusive (the "Class Period"). Such investors are encouraged to join this case by visiting the firm's site: www.bgandg.com/cma Case Details:The complaint alleges that throughout the Class Period, Defendants made materially false and misleading statements and/or failed to disclose, among other things, that: (1) Comerica failed to provide meaningful oversight over the vendors to whom it contracted out day-to-day operations of the Direct Express program, a system through which it is contracted to provide federal benefits to millions of Americans without bank accounts; (2) as a result of violations in the day-to-day operations of Direct Express, including handling fraud disputes and allowing sensitive data to be handled out of a vendor's office in Pakistan, Comerica was not in compliance with the Federal Contract, and knew it was not in compliance; (3) Comerica knew and failed to disclose that it was in potential violation of Regulation E due to inadequate fraud prevention in the Direct Express program and responses to instance of fraud; and (4) as a result, Defendants' statements about its business, operations, and prospects, were materially false and misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis at all relevant times. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages.What's Next?A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to review a copy of the Complaint, you can visit the firm's site: www.bgandg.com/cma or you may contact Peretz Bronstein, Esq. or his Law Clerk and Client Relations Manager, Yael Nathanson of Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC at 332-239-2660. If you suffered a loss in Comerica you have until October 20, 2023, to request that the Court appoint you as lead plaintiff. Your ability to share in any recovery doesn't require that you serve as a lead plaintiff.Why Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman:Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC is a nationally recognized firm that represents investors in securities fraud class actions and shareholder derivative suits. Our firm has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors nationwide.Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.CONTACT:Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLCPeretz Bronstein or Yael Nathanson332-239-2660 | info@ bgandg.com SOURCE: Bronstein, Gewirtz and Grossman, LLC
PR-Inside.com: 2023-09-09 12:30:06

Press Information

Dhirtek Business Research and Consulting Private Limited









+91 7580990088

email

www.dhirtekbusinessresearch.com



Published by

Parmeet Singh

7580990088

e-mail

https://www.dhirtekbusinessresearch.com/







# 689 Words

+91 7580990088Parmeet Singh7580990088

The global conveyor monitoring market report is a comprehensive report that provides a detailed analysis of the current status and future trends of the conveyor monitoring market worldwide. This report provides valuable information to industry stakeholders by offering an in-depth perspective on market dynamics, competitive landscape, growth opportunities, and key challenges faced by industry participants.From the perspective of market dynamics, this report explores the factors driving the growth of the conveyor monitoring market. This includes the increasing demand for conveyor monitoring products due to changes in consumer preferences, technological advancements, and the demand for more efficient and sustainable solutions. Additionally, government regulations and initiatives to promote the adoption of conveyor monitoring products also contribute to market growth. On the other hand, this report identifies and analyzes factors that may hinder market growth, such as economic uncertainty, supply chain disruptions, and intense competition in the market.Request for Sample Report:The competitive landscape section of the report provides a comprehensive analysis of the leading companies operating in the conveyor monitoring market. It introduces the major companies, their business strategy, product portfolio, recent trends, and financial performance. This analysis provides valuable insights for market stakeholders to understand the intensity of competition in the market and gain an insightful view of the strategies adopted by major market players to maintain their position.Some of the major companies in the Conveyor Monitoring market are as follows: Beltscan Systems Pty, Bruel and Kjaer, ContiTech Conveyor Belt Group, Emerson Electric, Fenner Dunlop, Honeywell International, PHOENIX CBS GMBH, Parker Hannifin, SKF, YellowtecBy segmenting the market, the report provides a detailed understanding of each segment by analyzing market size, growth potential, and key trends within each segment. Through this detailed analysis, industry participants can identify profitable opportunities, develop strategies tailored to specific customer segments, and allocate resources effectively.Market Segmentation:Type: Heavy Conveyor Monitoring, Light Conveyor MonitoringApplication: Mining Industry, Power Generation, Oil and Gas, OthersIdentifying growth opportunities is crucial for companies operating in the conveyor monitoring market. This report focuses on highlighting these opportunities by analyzing emerging technologies, market trends, and changing customer needs that have the potential to shape the future of the market. By identifying untapped market segments, geographies with high growth potential, and innovative product development strategies, this report supports stakeholders in harnessing these opportunities and leading business growth.In addition, this report addresses the key challenges faced by industry participants. It provides insightful information on challenges such as intense market competition, price pressure, regulatory compliance, and technological confusion. By understanding these challenges, companies can develop effective mitigation strategies and adapt to a constantly changing market environment. This enables them to ensure sustainable growth.The regional analysis section of the global conveyor monitoring market report thoroughly evaluates the market in various regions, including North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, the Middle East, and Africa. This section provides valuable information on market size, growth potential, and key market trends specific to each region.Market by Regions:North AmericaU.S.CanadaEuropeGermanyU.K.FranceItalySpainRest of EuropeAsia PacificChinaIndiaJapanRest of Asia PacificMiddle East & AfricaGCCSouth AfricaRest of Middle East & AfricaLatin AmericaBrazilMexicoRest of Latin AmericaThis report provides a comprehensive assessment of the conveyor monitoring market in these specific regions, enabling stakeholders to understand regional differences, market potential, and growth prospects. This provides valuable insights that help make informed decisions related to market entry, expansion strategies, and resource allocation. Additionally, understanding the regulatory landscape and market dynamics in each region is useful for companies to comply with regulatory requirements and adjust their business strategies to fit specific markets.Overall, the global conveyor monitoring market report strives to provide comprehensive and practical information to industry stakeholders. By offering a deep understanding of market trends, competitive dynamics, growth opportunities, and potential risks, this report plays a valuable role as a tool for manufacturers, suppliers, distributors, and investors. Through this information, they are able to make informed business decisions and execute successful strategies in the dynamic and evolving conveyor monitoring market.
PR-Inside.com: 2023-09-09 02:00:20

Press Information





Published by

ACCESSWIRE News Network

888.952.4446

e-mail

http://www.accesswire.com







# 473 Words

ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446

SINGAPORE, SINGAPORE / ACCESSWIRE / September 8, 2023 / Cheelee, a social media platform that pays users for watching feeds, attends Token2049, where the team plans to open a Series A fundraising campaign after a massive success with the first onboarded users.Cheelee proudly reports surpassing 790,000 users and achieving a remarkable $1,000,000 in revenue. They are set to unveil insights and the challenges early adopters face at their upcoming event in Singapore.Cheelee's team is excited to announce that their CPO Iurii Kardonov and Chief Communications Officer, Viktoriia Miracle, will attend Token2049, an event that every year gathers leading voices in crypto. Token2049 provides a unique opportunity for the Cheelee team to showcase their remarkable achievements in the social media market.With over 500,000 active users per month, Cheelee has swiftly become a dynamic platform of choice for users who are tired of the negative effects of the hustle culture, and feel ashamed of spending time on social media.At Token2049, Viktoriia Miracle and Iurii Kardonov will share data and experiences regarding Cheelee's rapid growth and their pioneering endeavours in the Web3 and social media market. Their presence at Token2049 promises to be a testament to Cheelee's unwavering commitment to innovation and community engagement.Iurii Kardonov, Co-Founder of Cheelee, expressed, "Cheelee is the social media app that people have been eagerly waiting for so long. It offers users the unique opportunity to watch feeds, earn value, and, most importantly, not feel ashamed about spending time on social media. We believe in transforming the digital landscape by providing a platform that not only entertains, but also empowers individuals to make the most of their online interactions." The Cheelee team is thrilled to announce its participation at an event like Token2049, where innovation and technology converge. Attendees can visit the Cheelee booth P100, where they'll have an opportunity to engage directly with the team behind this groundbreaking platform.Visitors can chat with team members, gain an exclusive view on Cheelee's rapid growth and achievements, and even get their hands on Cheelee merchandise. It marks a significant milestone for Cheelee as they welcome the community in Singapore, offering an up-close and personal experience with the future of social media.About CheeleeCheelee is a pioneering short video platform with a clear mission: to empower users to monetize their social media engagement. Leveraging innovative game mechanics and cutting-edge Web3 technology, Cheelee offers users the unique opportunity to generate income simply by scrolling through their feeds.To learn more about Cheelee and its features, please visit their website at https://cheelee.io/ Social LinksYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Cheelee_Eng Medium: https://medium.com/cheelee-cheel Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cheelee.global/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/Cheelee_Tweet Telegram: https://t.me/CheeleeCommunity_ENDiscord: https://discord.com/invite/cheelee Media ContactContact: karasevich@ cheelee.io Website: https://cheelee.io/ SOURCE: Cheelee
PR-Inside.com: 2023-09-09 12:33:46

Press Information





Published by

ACCESSWIRE News Network

888.952.4446

e-mail

http://www.accesswire.com







# 852 Words

ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA / ACCESSWIRE / September 9, 2023 / As the founder of Advance Yourself Career Services with more than 25 years of experience in helping people move forward in their careers, Tom Hannemann has seen many experienced professionals, managers and executives unintentionally sabotage their careers through avoidable mistakes in their resumes. In this article, we'll explore some of these detrimental actions and learn how to create a strong and compelling resume that helps boost your career prospects.1.Too Much Jargon and Too Many AcronymsA common blunder many people make is to overload their resumes with industry-specific and company-specific jargon, acronyms, and abbreviations. While these terms may be understood by colleagues within your field, it becomes a barrier for people outside your organisation or industry. Your resume should engage a broad audience. Using too many specialised terms and abbreviations can alienate hiring managers and recruitment consultants. Opt for clear and straightforward language that anyone can understand, emphasising your capabilities and higher-level thinking and skills.2. A Focus on Duties rather than AchievementsMany resumes look like repurposed job descriptions or duty statements by listing every task and responsibility of each role. This is a wasted opportunity. Hiring managers and recruitment consultants already know the typical responsibilities of the roles for which they are hiring. Focus on highlighting your achievements, the value you added, the impact you have had and the significance of what you have done. Where possible, provide tangible evidence of the benefits of your contributions.3. Meaningless WordsCertain words tend to clutter resumes without adding value. Steer clear of using generic terms such as "responsible for," "assisted with," "contributed to," "closely", "key", and " significant." Instead, provide concrete evidence of your skills and accomplishments. Ditch empty claims like "strategic", "dynamic", "passionate", "energetic" or "committed" unless you can back them up with specific examples of how you demonstrated those qualities. And, please don't use the word "seasoned" ever. And, if you use the word "stakeholders," tell the readers of your resume who the stakeholders are.4. ErrorsSpelling, typographical, and grammatical errors on your resume can ensure that your resume goes straight into the bin. While some recruiters and hiring managers overlook mistakes, most don't. Avoidable mistakes may lead potential employers to question your attention to detail and professionalism. Always double-check your resume for errors, apply Word's spelling and grammar checking function and use a tool such as Grammarly.5. Embellishments and FibsNever lie, embellish, or exaggerate your qualifications, work history, or achievements on your resume. It's very easy for recruitment consultants and internal recruiters to verify what you say in your resume. Dishonesty can lead to irreparable damage to your career and reputation. Present your abilities and experience in an authentic way that can be corroborated and focus on how you can make a can contribute.6. Irrelevant Personal InformationDon't provide personal details such as your date of birth, physical address, political affiliations, irrelevant personal interests or marital status. They are unnecessary and occupy valuable space. They could also create biases or alienate some employers. Only include information directly related to the roles you are pursuing.7. Criticising PeopleDon't criticise former or current employers, colleagues, or managers in your resume. Even if you've faced challenging situations, maintain a professional tone, and focus on your achievements and contributions. Diplomacy and tact are highly valued traits and reflect positively on you.8. Not Protecting ConfidentialitySharing sensitive or confidential information about the organisations in which you have worked, such as financial performance, future business plans, or unreleased products, is a career blunder. Employers need to trust that you will handle sensitive data with discretion. Maintain confidentiality and focus on discussing your contributions without revealing proprietary information.9. Overusing GraphicsUnless you are applying for a position in graphic design, avoid excessive use of graphics and complex resume designs. Many of the applicant tracking systems used by most recruitment firms and larger employers might not recognise graphics, potentially leading to the loss of important text or distorted formatting. Keep your resume simple and easy to read, using a clean and professional format.10. Listing all your ProjectsIf you've managed or been involved in numerous projects, don't just list them. Instead, select the most significant, talk about the impact and benefits of these projects, and indicate the challenges you overcame to achieve the outcomes. Highlighting your management and leadership skills and accomplishments will set you apart from other applicants and make you a more compelling candidate.By avoiding these common pitfalls and following the advice of experienced career experts like Tom Hannemann, you can create a resume that showcases your skills, accomplishments, and potential, significantly increasing your chances of landing the job you want. Keep it clear, concise, and focused on your achievements to demonstrate the value you can add.To learn more about Advance Your Career Services, visit their website, go to Tom's YouTube channel for valuable insights, or connect with him directly on LinkedIn.Contact: Tom HannemannEmail: tom@ advance-yourself.com.au SOURCE: Advance Your Career
A Cairo misdemeanor court set Saturday, 16 September as the verdict date in the trial of the publisher and liberal activist Hisham Kassem, in which he faces libel and slander accusations from former Labour Minister Kamal Abu Eita.

Kassem  who was detained since 20 August -- will remain in custody pending sentencing.

On 29 July, Abu Eita filed a libel and slander lawsuit against Qassem for a Facebook post that accused him of corruption.

The public prosecution questioned Qassem and ordered his release on EGP 5,000 bail.

However, the renowned publisher refused to post the bail and declared on X (formerly Twitter) on 20 August that he had been unfairly detained.

He was later charged with verbally assaulting police officers at Sayeda Zeinab police station.

Last week, Nasser Amin, Kassem's lawyer, told Ahram Online that the publisher's family announced that he was on hunger strike and was only taking in fluids after visiting him in detention.

Kassem plans to remain on hunger strike until his release, according to Amin.

Search Keywords:

Short link:


PR-Inside.com: 2023-09-09 12:31:02

Press Information

Dhirtek Business Research and Consulting Private Limited









+91 7580990088

email

www.dhirtekbusinessresearch.com



Published by

Parmeet Singh

7580990088

e-mail

https://www.dhirtekbusinessresearch.com/







# 680 Words

+91 7580990088Parmeet Singh7580990088

The global trailer assist system market report is a comprehensive report that provides a detailed analysis of the current status and future trends of the trailer assist system market worldwide. This report provides valuable information to industry stakeholders by offering an in-depth perspective on market dynamics, competitive landscape, growth opportunities, and key challenges faced by industry participants.From the perspective of market dynamics, this report explores the factors driving the growth of the trailer assist system market. This includes the increasing demand for trailer assist system products due to changes in consumer preferences, technological advancements, and the demand for more efficient and sustainable solutions. Additionally, government regulations and initiatives to promote the adoption of trailer assist system products also contribute to market growth. On the other hand, this report identifies and analyzes factors that may hinder market growth, such as economic uncertainty, supply chain disruptions, and intense competition in the market.Request for Sample Report:The competitive landscape section of the report provides a comprehensive analysis of the leading companies operating in the trailer assist system market. It introduces the major companies, their business strategy, product portfolio, recent trends, and financial performance. This analysis provides valuable insights for market stakeholders to understand the intensity of competition in the market and gain an insightful view of the strategies adopted by major market players to maintain their position.Some of the major companies in the Trailer Assist System market are as follows: Bosch, Continental, Ford, Land Rover, Magna, WABCO, WestfaliaBy segmenting the market, the report provides a detailed understanding of each segment by analyzing market size, growth potential, and key trends within each segment. Through this detailed analysis, industry participants can identify profitable opportunities, develop strategies tailored to specific customer segments, and allocate resources effectively.Market Segmentation:Type: Semi-Autonomous(L3), Autonomous(L4, L5)Application: Vehicle Manufacturing, Traffic, OthersIdentifying growth opportunities is crucial for companies operating in the trailer assist system market. This report focuses on highlighting these opportunities by analyzing emerging technologies, market trends, and changing customer needs that have the potential to shape the future of the market. By identifying untapped market segments, geographies with high growth potential, and innovative product development strategies, this report supports stakeholders in harnessing these opportunities and leading business growth.In addition, this report addresses the key challenges faced by industry participants. It provides insightful information on challenges such as intense market competition, price pressure, regulatory compliance, and technological confusion. By understanding these challenges, companies can develop effective mitigation strategies and adapt to a constantly changing market environment. This enables them to ensure sustainable growth.The regional analysis section of the global trailer assist system market report thoroughly evaluates the market in various regions, including North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, the Middle East, and Africa. This section provides valuable information on market size, growth potential, and key market trends specific to each region.Market by Regions:North AmericaU.S.CanadaEuropeGermanyU.K.FranceItalySpainRest of EuropeAsia PacificChinaIndiaJapanRest of Asia PacificMiddle East & AfricaGCCSouth AfricaRest of Middle East & AfricaLatin AmericaBrazilMexicoRest of Latin AmericaThis report provides a comprehensive assessment of the trailer assist system market in these specific regions, enabling stakeholders to understand regional differences, market potential, and growth prospects. This provides valuable insights that help make informed decisions related to market entry, expansion strategies, and resource allocation. Additionally, understanding the regulatory landscape and market dynamics in each region is useful for companies to comply with regulatory requirements and adjust their business strategies to fit specific markets.Overall, the global trailer assist system market report strives to provide comprehensive and practical information to industry stakeholders. By offering a deep understanding of market trends, competitive dynamics, growth opportunities, and potential risks, this report plays a valuable role as a tool for manufacturers, suppliers, distributors, and investors. Through this information, they are able to make informed business decisions and execute successful strategies in the dynamic and evolving trailer assist system market.
The African Union on Saturday joined the Group of Twenty (G-20) at the ongoing summit in New Delhi India.

Advancing a more inclusive G20 that echoes the aspirations of the Global South! PM Narendra Modi extends a heartfelt welcome to President African Union and the President of Comoros Azali Assoumani. Thrilled to have the African Union as a permanent member. A milestone for the G20 family indeed, the Office of the Prime Minister of India said in a post on the social networking platform X.

Mr Modi said AU membership will strengthen the G20 and also strengthen the voice of the Global South. A position India has touted since assuming the G20 presidency.

AU chairperson, Moussa Faki, welcoming AUs membership of the G20, said,  This membership, for which we have long been advocating, will provide a propitious framework for amplifying advocacy in favour of the Continent and its effective contribution to meeting global challenges.

READ ALSO:

India took over the presidency of the G20 in December 2022. The G20 is a group of 19 countries and the European Union whose focus is global economics and development.

The G20 was founded in 1999 after the Asian financial crisis as a forum for Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors to discuss global economic and financial issues.

The G20 was upgraded to the level of Heads of State/Government in the wake of the global economic and financial crisis of 2007, and, in 2009, was designated the premier forum for international economic cooperation.

The G20 Summit is held annually, under the leadership of a rotating presidency. The G20 initially focused largely on broad macroeconomic issues, but it has since expanded its agenda to include trade, climate change, sustainable development, health, agriculture, energy, environment, climate change, and anti-corruption.

Share this: Twitter

Facebook

WhatsApp

Telegram

LinkedIn

Email

Print


At least 820 people have died and another 672 injured following an earthquake that hit Morocco on Friday night.

Moroccos state television reported the death toll on Saturday, citing the Ministry of Interior. Of those injured, 205 were in a critical condition.

Six provinces including Al Haouz, Ouarzazate, Marrakesh, Azilal, Chichaoua and Taroudant were hit by the quake, the Interior Ministry said in a televised statement while calling for calm.

Residents have fled into the streets for fear of their lives. The earthquake destroyed buildings, cars amongst others.

The Royal Armed Forces, local authorities, security services and civil protection  continue to mobilise and harness all means and capabilities in order to intervene, provide the necessary assistance, and assess the damage, Aljazeera quoted the interior ministry as saying.

According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the 6.8 magnitude earthquake near Oukaimedene, Morocco, occurred due to oblique-reverse faulting at shallow depth within the Moroccan High Atlas Mountain range, roughly 75 km southeast of Marrakech.

Earthquakes are relatively rare in North Africa. Lahcen Mhanni, head of the Seismic Monitoring and Warning Department at the National Institute of Geophysics, told 2M TV that the earthquake was the strongest ever recorded in the mountain region.

In 1960, a magnitude 5.8 tremor struck near the Moroccan city of Agadir and caused thousands of deaths.

According to Alarabiya, the Agadir quake prompted changes in construction rules in Morocco, but many buildings, especially rural homes, are not built to withstand such tremors.

In 2004, a 6.4 magnitude earthquake near the Mediterranean coastal city of Al Hoceima left more than 600 dead.

Fridays earthquake was felt as far away as Portugal and Algeria, according to the Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere and Algerias Civil Defense agency, which oversees emergency response.

Although seven Algerian states felt the quake, no casualties were recorded, the Civil Defence Service in Algeria wrote on Facebook.

Share this: Twitter

Facebook

WhatsApp

Telegram

LinkedIn

Email

Print


Hadiza Murtala, a widow, runs a restaurant along the Nigeria-Niger border in Katsina State to cater for herself and 10 dependants.

My husband is late. I live with my children, grandchildren and sister. There are 10 people in the house who depend on this business. This is our only source [of livelihood), she told PREMIUM TIMES.

Having lived 18 years now in Kongolam, a border community in the northwest Nigerian state of Katsina, Mrs Murtala had seen the border closed under former President Muhammadu Buharis administration. But it had not affected her business as the current case.

Katsina State is one of the seven northern Nigeria states along the Nigeria-Niger border. Although Niger shares borders with seven African countries, the 1,600km-long (994-mile-long) border with Nigeria, Africas largest economy, is the longest and its most important.

More than a million people live in these communities where centuries of intermarriage, commercial and cultural ties have blurred the artificial border line.

Since 30 July when West African regional body, ECOWAS, imposed harsh economic sanctions on Niger over a military coup, life has not remained the same for Mrs Murtala and her family.

Her restaurant, located at the Kongolam border in Katsina and usually flooded by people crossing the border, had not a single customer when PREMIUM TIMES visited in August. It has been that way since the sanctions were imposed, she said.

Although the border was closed during the Buhari administration, you cannot compare it with what is happening now. I used to make an average of N35,000 a day but now, nothing is moving, business is not moving. There is nothing, everything is just at a standstill, she narrated.

We do not cook anymore, I only cook what my family will eat, she added.

Just like Mrs Murtala, Prisca Obinnas petty trade has also taken a hit.

We are doing nothing here now; our business will collapse. They (Nigeriens) are the ones who buy what we sell, she said.

The mother of seven who has lived at Kongolam border for over 24 years contemplated relocating, she told this reporter. But where will I go?

When the border was closed before, it was not like this. Immigration usually allowed people to across the border to patronise us but not anymore. As it is now, not even a fly can pass through the border, Mrs Obinna said.

She said she has three of her children at the Federal University Katsina who had been calling to ask for money. I can barely feed, talk more of sending money to them. Things are very hard for us now.

The community is also affected by the power cut in Niger. With electricity supply erratic in Kongolam, residents depend on neighbouring Nigerien communitries for water and cold beverages.

Mrs Obinna wants President Bola Tinubu to allow trade to resume across the border. He should have pity on us.

Mrs Obinna who used to make an average daily turnover of about N20,000 said she had barely made N3,000 a day since the sanctions began.

Mercy Ogbonna, a hairstylist, is also affected by the closure of the border. Since the closure, I cannot remember making hair for two people in the past one week.

She said she had not restocked her store due to lack of patronage.

Sanctions and more sanctions

On 3o July, ECOWAS heads of state and government met in Abuja and agreed to impose economic sanctions on Niger. The sanctions include closure of land and air borders.

The regional body also gave the putschists seven days to reinstate the ousted President Mohamed Bazoum or face military intervention to restore constitutional rule. This ultimatum was ignored by the junta.

At the end of the second meeting of the ECOWAS heads of state and government, Ajuri Ngelale  the spokesperson of President Tinubu, who is also ECOWAS chairperson  said more sanctions had been imposed on the putschists and their allies.

But Tayo Teniola, lead, economic intelligence, Office for Strategic Preparedness and Resilience (OSPRE), said the sanctions will push already struggling women traders at the border communities back into harsh economic situations.

The border areas between Nigeria and Niger are typically more fragile zones and some of them have been affected by conflict. Female cross-border traders have already been badly affected by the conflict as many of them had to shift from large scale trade to retail, and some of them already had to shift to other forms of enterprises, she explained.

Beyond the effects on their businesses, the sanctions can expose women to more dangers related to conflicts, which characterise border communities especially between Nigeria and Niger. Ms Teniola said closure of the border may also increase the vulnerability of women cross-border traders and negatively impact livelihoods. If the formal borders remain closed, female informal cross border traders can be exploited by smugglers and exposed to potential violence.

Additionally, the loss of their livelihoods has wider ramifications for household incomes, especially for those who are the only income earners in their households.

This is Mrs Murtalas current reality, being the breadwinner of her family.

However, despite the situation of traders like Mrs Murtala, President Tinubu said last week that the sanctions will remain until the Niger putschists give better concessions. He told Nigerian Islamic leaders who are mediating the crisis that the putschists should be willing to relinquish power in nine months instead of the three years they proposed.

Other businesses

Musa Iliyasu, a foreign exchange trader in Dankama, another border community in Katsina, said he had chosen to be patient in the face of the current downtime in his business.

I started this business when I could not get a job and it is this business that bought me the land which I am now building on. The border closure has taken a hit on my business. Before now, at least 30 Nigeriens could come in and have their money exchanged but that is no longer the case, he narrated.

I used to make N10,000 as daily profit but I now struggle to make N2,000.

Safulayi Saya, whose truck is one of those parked along the road, lamented bitterly. He said the border closure affects them and the customers they serve as they are unable to access Jibiya because border control officials believe that if the goods come into Jibiya, getting into Niger is inevitable.

All the trucks lined up here have goods in them, some goods have been soaked by water and the driver will be the one to pay for any damages, he said.

READ ALSO: US repositions troops in Niger

A visibly frustrated Mr Saya said they just want to return to their families. Is Jibiya in Nigeria or Niger? he asked rhetorically, adding that the government should intervene because if people stop earning legitimately, they could resort to illegitimate means.

PREMIUM TIMES also reported how the transport sector has been affected by the sanctions with freight services halted between member states and Niger.

Way out

Asked how she plans to cope with the situation if it persists, Mrs Murtala said God will take control of everything because we are not the ones feeding ourselves.

Ms Teniola lamented that the welfare of women was not considered in the handling of the Niger crisis. ECOWAS, under Nigerias leadership, needs to figure out ways to apply pressure on the military junta without sacrificing the well-being of cross-border communities, including female traders, she said.

Preserving market access for these women does not really have any impact on the junta so they should consider this, she added.

This report was done with support from the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development with funding support from the Open Society Foundation.

Share this: Twitter

Facebook

WhatsApp

Telegram

LinkedIn

Email

Print


The African Union (AU) will likely be admitted as a permanent member of the G20 at the latters summit in New Delhi this weekend. To date, the AU has only attended summits of the G20  the worlds foremost club for addressing global issues  as a guest.

The G20 comprises 19 of the worlds systemically most important economies plus the European Union (EU). South Africa is an outlier, brought in largely to represent Africa.

But now Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is hosting the gathering, and other key G20 leaders, have backed the AUs bid for a permanent seat. The continental body looks fairly certain to be accepted into what would presumably become the G21.

The Chief Executive of the South African Institute of International Affairs, Elizabeth Sidiropoulos, suggests that inviting the AU in is something of a guilty charm offensive by G20 leaders. This is because of its double standards, of its rhetorical support for developing country concerns, which have not been matched by action (such as vaccine apartheid, debt sustainability and development finance), and of its own violation of some of the principles of the UN Charter when it suited it.

Even so, the AU would be joining at a fraught moment in the G20s history, as the elite club increasingly exhibits symptoms of fracturing under the pressure of a polarising global order.

Russian President Vladimir Putin did not attend last years summit in Indonesia and is not expected at this one either, because of tensions with the West since Russia invaded Ukraine. And there are now strong suggestions that Chinese President Xi Jinping wont be at the summit, though that hasnt been officially announced. Whether this is because of friction with the United States, India or both, is not clear.

John Kirton, director of the G20 Research Group at the University of Toronto, told ISS Today he was sure Mr Xi would not attend because of competition with Mr Modi about who should represent and lead the global south. Some of those tensions were apparent at last months BRICS summit in Johannesburg.

READ ALSO:

That meeting was deemed a success for Africa as Egypt and Ethiopia were admitted to BRICS, along with four other countries. The blocs membership expanded for the first time since accepting South Africa in 2010.

BRICS Plus, or the BRICS11, boasted that it now had a bigger collective gross domestic product in purchasing power parity terms than the G7. But as British economist Jim ONeill, author of the BRICs concept, told Daily Maverick last week, the important thing was not for the G7 or BRICS to be stronger than the other. It was to ensure that the G20, which encompasses both of them and other major countries, functions properly.

Which it is not doing at the moment, evidenced by its failure to address Russias aggression against Ukraine head-on. Yet the G20 has become more important than ever because the United Nations, particularly its Security Council, have been paralysed, mainly by the Ukraine war.

So the AU would be entering choppy waters, forced to navigate the Ukraine issue, rising tensions between China and the West, and seemingly now also those between China and India.

Africa does not have a common position (unsurprisingly) on any of those issues. That is true of other countries and regions too, but the AU would be in a unique position. Its membership has been advocated largely on the grounds that the EU is already a member. But the EU is different because its a supranational and not just an intergovernmental body like the AU, and so has a more (though not completely) coherent foreign policy.

The EU also has a more focused institutional structure. It is represented at the G20 (and elsewhere) by both the European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and its EU Council President, Charles Michel. The AU would be represented by the AU Commission Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat, and AU Chairperson, Comoran President Azali Assoumani.

The difference though is that the AU chair rotates every year, while the EU Council president is elected for a two-and-a-half-year term, which can be renewed once. This gives the position continuity that the rotating AU chair lacks.

As a result, says Paul-Simon Handy, ISS Regional Director for East Africa and AU representative, and analyst Felicite Djilo, the AU should be represented at the G20 by the AU Commission chairperson. As a long-term position, it provides the necessary continuity. Others have suggested having a former head of state represent the AU for a multi-year term.

These analysts all agree the AU would have a lot of preparatory work for G20 membership, including formulating common African positions. As Handy and Djilo observe, the G20 covers a range of subjects, and so the AU would have to devise policies on many issues it probably has not considered, such as North Koreas nuclear weapons. Or worse, issues it is deeply divided on, like whether Israel should be an observer at the AU.

Many matters before the G20 are, however, extremely pertinent to Africa, like global tax reform and other methods of tackling illicit financial flows, debt relief, addressing climate change and democratising international financial institutions.

Either way, this will require assembling the sort of infrastructure South Africa  currently the only African representative  has had to mobilise for its G20 membership, including appointing sherpas, facilitating think tanks and the like.

The AU and the global south are clear in their demands for a greater voice in global economic and political governance  and rightly so. Gaining a seat at the G20 table will give the AU a chance to redress these deficits. But it will also test whether the AU can translate rhetoric into reality.

Peter Fabricius, Consultant, Institute for Security Studies (ISS) Pretoria

(This article was first published by ISS Today, a Premium Times syndication partner. We have their permission to republish).

Share this: Twitter

Facebook

WhatsApp

Telegram

LinkedIn

Email

Print


A combined team of security agencies, on Thursday, uncovered and destroyed two more illegal refineries in Egbema West in Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area of Imo State, South-east Nigeria.

The army spokesperson, Onyema Nwachukwu, disclosed this in a statement on Friday.

Mr Nwachukwu, a brigadier-general, said the combined team comprised troops of 34 Artillery Brigade of the Nigerian army, personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and Tantita Security Services, the security firm contracted to protect crude oil pipelines.

The army spokesperson said the combined team carried out the operation as part of their intensified fight against criminals sabotaging Nigerias oil sector.

The troops (and the other security agencies) completely shut down the operation of the illegal refining sites containing 44 drum ovens, three reservoirs of estimated 30,000 litres capacity of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) and 53 sacks of AGO, he said.

Destruction of illegal refining camps in Delta

Mr Nwachukwu said the combined team, in a separate operation, also destroyed four active illegal camps in Opumami, a community in Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State, South-south Nigeria.

The anti-oil theft operatives destroyed three wooden boats, six ovens, six reservoirs, 11 drums containing illegally refined AGO, one large reservoir loaded with stolen crude oil, 38 sacks of stolen crude oil and two tapping hoses, he said.

Not the first time

Nigerias security agencies have been uncovering and destroying illegal oil refineries in Imo and Delta State in recent times.

Last Saturday, troops uncovered 12 illegal oil bunkering sites in Owahwa Creek, Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State.

The discovery occurred barely one week after troops of 3 Battalion clamped down on active illegal refining site in Enokora, a community in Burutu Local Government of the state.

Also, the troops, in late August, cracked down on an illegal oil camp belonging to suspected crude oil thieves in Obokofia, a community in Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area of Imo State.

Oil theft, illegal bunkering in oil-producing communities mainly in South-south and South-east Nigeria, and its negative impact on the countrys economy have been a source of concern to the Nigerian government over the years.

The Federal government in August 2022 awarded a pipeline surveillance contract reportedly worth N48 billion per year (N4 billion per month) to Government Ekpemupolo, who is popularly known as Tompolo, to check massive oil theft in the region.

Anti-insurgency operation in Borno

The army spokesperson said, in another operation on Thursday, combined troops of 192 Battalion and 26 Task Force Brigade Garrison in conjunction with Hybrid Force, conducted an anti-terrorism operation against insurgents in Borno State, North-east Nigeria.

The operation was carried out within Gobara, Ambaga and Madachi in Gwoza Local Government Area of the state.

During the operations, troops neutralised three Boko Haram terrorists and recovered one AK-47 rifle, one beretta pistol, 17 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, four rounds of 9 mm ammunition and a dane gun, he said.

Mr Nwachukwu said the combined troops of 231 Battalion and 331 Artillery Regiment of the army, in a similar operation, intercepted five suspected Boko Haram terrorists logistics suppliers in the state.

READ ALSO: Military destroys 107 illegal refineries in Niger Delta

He said the suspects were intercepted while the troops were mounting a stop-and-search operation along Biu  Maiduguri Road in the state.

Two vehicles conveying 20 bags of maize, 11 bags of soya beans, 11 bags of biscuits, 14 bags of rice, 46 bags of corn flours and N3,186,000 were recovered from the suspects, according to the army.

Suspects are currently in custody helping with further investigation, he said.

The Chief of Army Staff, Taoreed Lagbaja, has lauded the troops high level of resoluteness and alertness, Mr Nwachukwu said.

Mr Lagbaja, a lieutenant-general, urged them to sustain the momentum and ensure other terrorists and oil thieves in their areas of responsibility were completely cleared.

Share this: Twitter

Facebook

WhatsApp

Telegram

LinkedIn

Email

Print


President Bola Tinubu has approved the construction of 1,000 houses in Sokoto, Kebbi, Katsina, Zamfara, Kaduna, Niger and Benue States as part of a broad plan by the federal government to address the conflict in the north, Vice President Kashim Shettima has said.

The vice president, who represented President Tinubu, disclosed this Friday evening in Maiduguri, Borno State during the commissioning of projects executed by the state government in the last 100 days.

According to the VP, the president has approved N50 billion to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to kick-start the Pulaku initiative  a non-kinetic solution to the crisis confronting the people of the northwest region.

According to him, The president has approved the construction of 1,000 houses in Sokoto, Kebbi, Katsina, Zamfara, Kaduna Niger and Benue, with all the ancillary facilities of schools, clinics, veterinary clinics and ranches for the Fulani community; in Kaduna and Benue, he insisted that all the victims must be carried along.

He added that all the parts of the country would benefit from the developmental strides of President Tinubu, while also stating that the federal government was planning to re-ignite wheat production in the country.

Speaking further, the vice president noted that President Tinubu was aware of the challenges confronting Nigerians and would make efforts to address them.

He said Issues confronting Nigerians will be addressed. We will use all available vehicles to fix things. President Tinubu means well for this country and he is determined to change the fortunes of the nation for the better.

He is a person filled with a lot of empathy for the less privileged in the society. Some of the painful decisions taken by the government were products of the circumstances we have found ourselves in.

Be rest assured that in the coming weeks and months, this government will unveil a lot of projects and programmes that will touch the lives of many, he said.

The vice president who was cheered by a jubilant crowd, particularly school children during the commissioning of projects executed by the state government within 100 days, commended the vision and leadership of the governor of Borno State, Babagana Zulum, particularly in addressing the welfare of the people.

He said We are extremely lucky in having him as our leader, governor and brother at this time. Governor Zulum and I have the best of relationships, we have become the reference point in relationship management between a successor and predecessor in modern-day Nigeria.

READ ALSO:

I want to thank him for all the empathy and support and most importantly for putting Borno first, he stressed.

Among the 77 new projects completed in 100 days of the Zulum administration, the VP commissioned the Shuwari ll Community School and Healthcare Centre.

He also commissioned the Alikaramti Community School and the Gamboru Liberty Day Secondary School, all within the Maiduguri metropolis.

Earlier on arrival in Maiduguri, Mr Shettima was at the Shehu of Bornos Palace to pay homage in the company of the Minister of Agriculture, Abubakar Kyari, some legislators from National and State Assembly, the deputy governors of Borno, Gombe and Taraba States, among others.

Share this: Twitter

Facebook

WhatsApp

Telegram

LinkedIn

Email

Print


Detained Nigerian environmental journalist, Damilola Ayeni, of the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ), regained freedom Friday night in Cotonou, Republic of Benin, after one week of incarceration at Benins northwestern Pendjari National Park.

Police authorities initially detained Mr Ayeni at the Commissariat Central, Parakou Police Station, in Parakou, and later moved him to Cotonou, on grounds of alleged terrorism and espionage for taking pictures at the park, claiming he had no authorization to be at the spot.

Charges were subsequently dropped following intense clamour for his release and a concert of civil society and diplomatic intervention led by Olukayode Aluko, Nigerias ambassador to Benin, and support from Debo Adesina, the ambassador to Togo, who was a former editor of the Guardian newspapers in Lagos.

The Coalition for Whistleblowers Protection and Press Freedom (CWPPF), home to 15 Nigerian newspapers and human rights organisations, the New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), the West African investigative journalism group, CENOZO, based in Burkina Faso, and the local Benin office of Amnesty International all called on Beninois police and prosecutor authorities for the immediate and unconditional release of Mr Ayeni, and that all charges against him be dropped and he should be allowed to work safely.

Fisayo Soyombo, FIJ publisher who spoke to the CPJ, denied the allegations against Mr Ayeni and said the reporter was at the park to report on an environmental conservation story. Since an incident of terrorism was spotted at its northern borders, Beninois authorities have been edgy on media reporting around the park. Last year, police at the Pendjari park arrested three journalists, Flore Nobime of the local AFP office, Dutch journalist Oliver van Beemen, and a French TV 5 reporter, for similar reasons, according to Rachida Houssou, the BBC Africa correspondent in Benin.

ALSO READ: Nigerian journalist arrested in Benin Republic

President of the Union of Media Professionals of Benin, Zakiath Latoundji, told CENOZO that efforts to reach Mr Ayeni were hindered for most of Friday in an apparent effort to quickly charge him. However, the union helped secure the services of an attorney, Elie Dovonou, to announce representation for the journalist before the Special Prosecutor at the Court for the Repression of Economic Offenses and Terrorism, CRIET, the Beninois body that tries terrorism cases.

Receiving Mr Ayeni later at the Nigerian embassy, Mr Aluko joked about the prestige and value of being a journalist such that the whole world stood up for the reporter to secure his freedom. I cannot recall the number of calls I got on this one case, from local and international organisations to our ambassador to Togo, to his employers and even from the Villa, a reference to the Nigerian presidency.

Share this: Twitter

Facebook

WhatsApp

Telegram

LinkedIn

Email

Print


Students of Osun State Polytechnic, Iree, have raised concern over the fresh closure of the institution following the leadership crisis rocking the polytechnic.

Since the removal of the institutions substantive rector, Tajudeen Odetayo, and the appointment of his replacement, Kehinde Adeyemi, in an acting capacity, the staff and students of the school have continued to protest the governments decision.

The government, during the week, announced another two-week break following the return of Mr Odetayo to the office after he was granted relief by the National Industrial Court (NIC) in Lagos.

The leadership tussle is sending students home for the second time since the controversy began.

The first closure lasted more than two weeks, from 24 July to 14 August. On Wednesday, the government announced another two-week closure.

Protest

Meanwhile, the leadership of the Osun State axis of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) Joint Campus Committee (JCJ) said it would embark on a peaceful protest should the state government fail to find a lasting solution to the problem on the campus as soon as possible.

The associations statement issued a statement signed by its Chairman, Ogungbe Adedamola, and General Secretary, Afolabi Faruq.

We believe that the mandated holiday for students will not only have negative intellectual consequences but also contribute to their academic setbacks, it said.

The students described the disruption as unfair, saying it makes students victims of internal disagreements over the appointment of a rector or other administrative matters.

Should the government and school authorities fail to find a solution in the next few days, the students threaten a peaceful protest which it said would be confrontational.

The statement reads in part; We call on the management of Osun State Polytechnic, the Osun State Government, and all other stakeholders involved to find a prompt and lasting solution to the impending crisis on the Ospoly campus within the next few days.

Failure to do so will leave us with no choice but to take to the streets in peaceful protest. We emphasise that this press release serves as a consultative measure, and we strongly urge the Osun State Government and Ospoly management to address our concerns before we resort to street demonstrations, which are confrontational in nature.

In conclusion, we have faith in the leadership of the Osun State Government, led by His Excellency, Ademola Nurudeen Jackson Adeleke, and we believe that he will listen to our yearnings as a caring leader and responsible governor.

Background

The leadership crisis began late in July when the state government suspended Mr Odetayo over allegations of financial recklessness, corruption, misappropriation of funds, and abuse of office and immediately appointed Mr Adeyemi as acting Rector.

The development led to an instant protest by students and lecturers under the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) who were against Mr Odetayos suspension.

Dissatisfied with his suspension, Mr Odetayo approached the National Industrial Court, which voided his suspension and restrained the state government from appointing a rector for the institution.

He insisted he was never issued a query before the state government announced his suspension.

Following the courts decision, Mr Odetayo, on Thursday, visited the premises of the polytechnic, accompanied by officials of the State Security Service (SSS).

But Mr Adeyemi, the acting rector, described Mr Odetayos return as a forceful invasion of the rectors office but called for calm.

Later that day, the state Commissioner for Education, Dipo Eluwole, announced the closure of the school for two weeks. He also described Mr Odetayos return to the school as forceful.

The immediate break is a necessary action to maintain peace in the institution following the forceful return of the suspended Rector, Dr Odetayo, he said in a statement.

Qosim Suleiman is a reporter at Premium Times in partnership with Report for the World, which matches local newsrooms with talented emerging journalists to report on under-covered issues around the globe

Share this: Twitter

Facebook

WhatsApp

Telegram

LinkedIn

Email

Print


The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on Thursday, handed over a three-bedroom semi-detached duplex in Edo State, South-south Nigeria, to an American named Cheryldene Cook, who was scammed by a Nigerian, Aisosa Ohue.

The property was recovered from Mr Ohue, otherwise known as Frederick Leonard, who has been convicted of Internet fraud by a Nigerian court, according to a statement on Friday from the commission.

The convict had collected N104 million in 2021 from the American woman in a love scam while posing as a famous Nigerian actor, Frederick Leonard.

He had lied to her that he was in love with her and was going to marry her, according to the EFCC.

Apart from the house, which is at Ward 36A Amagba Community in Oredo Local Government Area of Edo, the EFCC also handed over N19 million, a Lexus E350 saloon car, an iPhone 13 Pro Max and a Samsung A31 phone to the American at the EFCC zonal office in Abuja.

The EFCC Zonal Commander, Adebayo Adeniyi and the Head, Advanced Fee Fraud Section 1, Jimoh Rauf did the presentation on behalf of the commission to Ms Cook, who flew in from the US to receive the items.

Ms Cook, accompanied by her lawyer, Mike Nwosu, thanked the commission for the recovery, according to the EFCC statement.

Justice C.E Nwecheonwu of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Kuje, had in January ordered the forfeiture of the house, money, and the other items after Mr Orhue was convicted of obtaining money by false pretence.

The EFCC has been clamping down on Nigerian fraudsters who amassed illegal fortunes by defrauding women, mostly foreign nationals, who seek love via the internet.

The commission in June arrested a young Nigerian man, Ifechukwu Makwe, in Abuja, for allegedly scamming a Spaniard woman of 5.7million after meeting on social media in 2013.

Mr Makwe made his victim believe he was a US Federal Bureau of Investigation agent.

How to avoid being scammed

Scammers will express intense emotions for you in a short period of time and will advise that you take the connection away from the internet and onto a more private channel, such as phone, email, or instant messaging. They frequently claim to be Australians or residents of another western country but are actually travelling or working in another country, a Nigerian law firm, Olisa Ogbakoba Legal said on its website where it provides advice on how to avoid being scammed and what steps to take if you are a victim.

Scammers will go to great lengths to pique your interest and earn your trust, including showering you with love words, providing personal information, and even giving you gifts. They may spend months cultivating what appears to be a lifetime romance and may even pre-book airfare to visit you but never arrive.

The law firm advises internet users to conduct an online search to verify the persons identity, including their name, photo, location, email address, and other facts when meeting people via dating sites or social media.

Never give money to an internet love interest through wire transfer, gift card, or cash reload card. Youre not going to get it back, it says.

Share this: Twitter

Facebook

WhatsApp

Telegram

LinkedIn

Email

Print


Egypt on Saturday condemned a series terrorist attacks in northeastern Mali that resulted in a number of deaths and injuries, according to a statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The ministry conveyed its heartfelt condolences to the victims' families and expressed sincere wishes for a swift recovery for all those injured.

Cairo reiterated its "denunciation of these heinous acts of terrorism and called upon the international community to unite in eradicating terrorism at its roots."

On Friday, the Malian armed forces published a statement on Facebook reporting a complex Kamikaze attack on the airport area of a Gao military base with no further details about the casualties.

A day earlier, two separate attacks targeted a ferry on the Niger River near Timbuktu as well as an army position at Bamba, also in the Gao area.

The assaults left 49 civilians and 15 soldiers dead, according to a statement by the Malian interim government.

According to the government, the attacks were carried out by suspected Al-Qaeda-linked militants.

Landlocked, impoverished Mali has been struggling with insecurity since 2012 when a revolt led by ethnic Tuaregs erupted in the north of the country.

The insurgency was fanned by jihadists, who three years later took their own campaign into central Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso, sending shockwaves across the Sahel.

The northern rebellion was formally ended by a peace agreement signed between the region's rebels and the Malian government in 2015.

However, the fragile deal came under strain after the civilian government was toppled in 2020 and replaced by a junta.

Search Keywords:

Short link:


A boat carrying 23 people capsized in Njuwa Lake in Yola South Local Government of Adamawa State, killing at least 15 people, the states emergency agency and witnesses said.

The accident occurred on Friday afternoon as the victims travelling to Yola town.

Faisal Dabo, a witness, suggested the mishap was caused by a heavy windstorm.

It was raining when the accident happened. A heavy windstorm blew water into the boat and it capsized instantly, he said.

He said the boat was in the middle of the river when the accident occurred.

Mr Dabo said the boat was conveying 23 passengers, including farmers, traders and children.

He said only six passengers were rescued by local divers and a bigger boat, which arrived at the scene.

He appealed to the government to provide motorised boats for the community which suffered from an annual overflooding of River Benue.

Confirming the incident, the Executive Secretary, Adamawa State Emergency Management Agency (ADSEMA), Muhammad Suleiman, said seven people were rescued, two were confirmed dead and fifteen were still missing.

He called for calm as authorities were making efforts to find the missing passengers.

Also speaking on the incident, the Adamawa State Police Public Relations Officer, Suleiman Nguroje, said the command had deployed Marine police officers to help in the rescue operation.

Share this: Twitter

Facebook

WhatsApp

Telegram

LinkedIn

Email

Print


The Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (Agile) Project is building 150 senior and junior secondary schools in Katsina State to increase access to education in the state.

The project initiative is a federal government initiative with support from the World Bank that seeks to improve secondary education opportunities for adolescent girls in seven states.

Agile also seeks to improve education outcomes and the overall wellbeing and life trajectory of adolescent girls in Nigeria.

The project consists of three components which are: creating safe and accessible learning spaces, fostering an enabling environment for girls, and project management and system strengthening.

Katsina is one of the seven states in the country where the AGILE project is being implemented. The other six states are Borno, Ekiti, Kaduna, Plateau, Kano and Kebbi.

In the first phase of the project, N1.5 billion support was given to 15 existing senior and junior secondary schools in the state. The support will be extended to other schools.

Ninety junior secondary schools and 60 senior secondary schools would be built according to Mustapha Shehu, the states project coordinator.

He said 72,900 pupils would be enrolled in the 150 schools.

Mr Shehu, who spoke Saturday during the foundation laying event of one of the schools in Charanci area of the state, said children of school age would have the chance of attending schools close to their homes.

What we witnessed today is the foundation laying of seventy five schools. But this is the first phase of the project. The target of the project is to build 150 secondary schools; ninety for junior and sixty for senior.

The idea is to ensure that schools are closer to communities. The national policy on education provides the maximum distance a child should trek to go to school. These schools will serve more than nineteen communities who have primary schools but dont have secondary school, so these schools will provide easier access for children to go to school. The schools will also ensure seamless transition from junior to senior secondary school, Mr Shehu said.

He said the schools would have classrooms, multipurpose laboratories, administration blocks, multipurpose halls, and toilets.

Mr Shehu said the classrooms are designed to accommodate 45 pupils each.

As of 2022, Katsina State had 536,132 out of school children, according to the United Nations Children Education Fund (UNICEF).

Share this: Twitter

Facebook

WhatsApp

Telegram

LinkedIn

Email

Print


Gunmen, suspected to be cultists, have beheaded Bako Angbashim, the divisional police officer (DPO) in charge of Ahoada in Ahoada East Local Government Area of Rivers State, South-south Nigeria.

The incident happened on Friday night.

PREMIUM TIMES gathered that the officer, a superintendent of police, was beheaded by suspected members of Iceland cult group in Odemude, a community in the council area.

The attackers were said to have laid an ambush for him while the DPO and other officers were planning to raid some criminal hideouts in the area.

A video clip, which went viral on Friday night, showed Mr Angbanshims head, hand and his private part cut into pieces.

In the clip, seen by PREMIUM TIMES, the gunmen chanted victory songs while the officers remains littered the ground.

The spokesperson of the police in Rivers State, Grace Iringe-Koko, did not respond to calls seeking her comment.

However, Mrs Iringe-Koko, also a superintendent of police, confirmed the killing of the DPO in a statement on Saturday morning.

The police spokesperson said the DPO was shot and killed after his fellow police team members exhausted their ammunition during a shoot-out with the cult group

In the face of this adversity, SP Bako Angbashim, valiantly held his ground while his men, depleted of ammunition, made a tactical retreat. Regrettably, during this engagement, SP Bako Angbashin sustained fatal injuries, she said.

The criminal seized the body of SP Bako Angbashim, forcing the remaining officers to return to their base for reinforcement.

Mrs Iringe-Koko said thick darkness at that time prevented some officers and military reinforcement team from recovering the DPOs body from the hoodlums.

She said the Commissioner of Police in the state, Polycarp Nwonyi, has expressed deep determination to track down the killers of the DPO.

An extensive investigation is underway to uncover the circumstances surrounding this tragic event, she said.

The spokesperson said the police in the state have condoled with the family of the slain DPO and everyone affected by the distressing incident.

Share this: Twitter

Facebook

WhatsApp

Telegram

LinkedIn

Email

Print


WUXI, China, Sept. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The China International Intelligent Communication Forum 2023, hosted by China Media Group and the Jiangsu Provincial People's Government, took place in Wuxi, Jiangsu on September 7 to 9.

China International Intelligent Communication Forum 2023

The forum has been held twice since 2021, building a high-end platform for international exchanges and cooperation in intelligent communication. Themed on "A New Journey towards Boundless Connectivity", this year's forum brought together former political dignitaries, representatives of international organizations, ambassadors to China, as well as Chinese and foreign media representatives, experts, scholars and entrepreneurs. They shared views and achievements on the development trend of intelligent communication, media responsibility in the era of intelligence, and so forth.

Participants of the forum included relevant leaders of China Media Group and the Jiangsu Provincial People's Government, relevant officials of the Wuxi Municipal People's Government, Lin Shangli, President of Renmin University of China, Matteo Renzi, Former Prime Minister of Italy, Erik Solheim, Former Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and President of the EU-Asia Centre, Shahbaz Khan, Representative of UNESCO Multisectoral Regional Office for East Asia, and John Collins, Academician of Cambridge University. They attended the forum in person or via video link and delivered speeches. During the forum, China Media Group grandly released the "CMG Algorithm".

Representatives of young people at home and abroad were invited for a round-table dialogue, to seek solutions from a multicultural perspective through discussions, which centered around new opportunities and challenges faced by the young generation in the era of intelligent media.

Three sub-forums on " Intelligent Technology " , " Intelligent Consumption" and "Intelligent Culture" were held, together with activities such as " 'Wuxi onto the World Stage' Global Livestream", "Internet Celebrity's Journey to Wuxi " , and "Ambassadors' Wuxi Tour".

Wuxi, the host city, has long been known as "A Shinning Pearl of Taihu Lake and A Prosperous Land of Jiangnan Region". With over 3,000 years of written records, Wuxi was one of the birthplaces of Wu culture and became the cradle of Chinese national industry and commerce in the 20th century. In recent years, Wuxi has taken the forum as an opportunity to develop intelligent media industry and apply cooperation achievements.

SOURCE CCTV.com
NEW YORK, Sept. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP, a leading national securities law firm, is investigating potential claims against Comerica Incorporated ("Comerica" or the "Company") (NYSE: CMA) and reminds investors of the October 20, 2023 deadline to seek the role of lead plaintiff in a federal securities class action that has been filed against the Company.

If you suffered losses exceeding $100,000 investing in Comerica stock or options between February 9, 2021 and May 29, 2023 and would like to discuss your legal rights, call Faruqi & Faruqi partner Josh Wilson directly at 877-247-4292 or 212-983-9330 (Ext. 1310). You may also click here for additional information: www.faruqilaw.com/CMA.

There is no cost or obligation to you.

Faruqi & Faruqi is a leading minority and Woman-owned national securities law firm with offices in New York, Pennsylvania, California and Georgia.

As detailed below, the lawsuit focuses on whether the Company and its executives violated federal securities laws by making false and/or misleading statements and/or failing to disclose that: (1) Comerica failed to provide meaningful oversight over the vendors to whom it contracted out day-to-day operations of the Direct Express program, a system through which it is contracted to provide federal benefits to millions of Americans without bank accounts; (2) as a result of violations in the day-to-day operations of Direct Express, including handling fraud disputes and allowing sensitive data to be handled out of a vendor's office in Pakistan, Comerica was not in compliance with the Federal Contract, and knew it was not in compliance; (3) Comerica knew and failed to disclose that it was in potential violation of Regulation E due to inadequate fraud prevention in the Direct Express program and responses to instanced of fraud; and (4) as a result, Defendants' statements about its business, operations, and prospects, were materially false and misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis at all relevant times. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages.

On May 30, 2023, American Banker issued an article titled "Comerica in 'serious violation' of Treasury's Direct Express program". The article states "Comerica Bank officials privately acknowledged significant compliance failures in their operation of a Treasury Department program that provides federal benefits on prepaid cards to millions of unbanked Americans."

The article further states that Comerica executive said the bank faced "serious contract violation" for allowing fraud disputes and data on Direct Express cardholders to be handled out of a vendor's office in Lahore, Pakistan, the documents show.

Personally identifiable information on veterans, Social Security and disability recipients were routinely shared and handled by i2c Inc., a vendor based in Redwood City, Calif., with an office in Lahore, Pakistan  in violation of the government contract, the Comerica executive said. The Treasury's agreement with the bank states that all services provided "shall be performed in the United States or its territories."

The court-appointed lead plaintiff is the investor with the largest financial interest in the relief sought by the class who is adequate and typical of class members who directs and oversees the litigation on behalf of the putative class. Any member of the putative class may move the Court to serve as lead plaintiff through counsel of their choice, or may choose to do nothing and remain an absent class member. Your ability to share in any recovery is not affected by the decision to serve as a lead plaintiff or not.

Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP also encourages anyone with information regarding Comerica's conduct to contact the firm, including whistleblowers, former employees, shareholders and others.

Attorney Advertising. The law firm responsible for this advertisement is Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP (www.faruqilaw.com). Prior results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome with respect to any future matter. We welcome the opportunity to discuss your particular case. All communications will be treated in a confidential manner.

SOURCE Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP
GARY, Ind., Sept. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- 21st Century Charter Schoo l, the leading charter school in Indiana for college and career readiness, received the "Excellence in College Readiness" award from the Indiana Department of Education on September 8th. The school also received a $250,000 grant as part of this recognition.

"...we have already witnessed several students earn a full year of college before graduating from high school. " Post this Proud Dual Degree Graduates

Founded in 2005 as a response to Gary's high dropout rate, the 21st Century Charter School (21C) currently serves more than 1300 students from minority and economically disadvantaged backgrounds. It consistently achieves 90% or higher graduation rates, surpassing state averages annually. Its unique focus on college and career readiness is key to the school's high school graduation success.

"When we show our students that there is a future for them in college and various careers, they are more driven to do the work to graduate from high school on time. We place students in real college courses and real career training programs while in high school and help them earn high-quality college credits, degrees, and career certifications. These efforts are paying off," said Kevin Teasley, founder of the GEO Foundation and 21st Century Charter School.

This past year, 21C students beat the state average in their demographic by nine times. In 2013, a 21C student became the first in Northwest Indiana to earn a full associate degree while in high school. In 2017, a 21C student became the first in Indiana history to earn a full bachelor's degree while in high school. In 2024, the school expects two more students will complete their bachelor's, and the school has five additional students on track to earn their bachelor's before graduating high school in 2025.

In 2022, Indiana Black Expo honored the GEO Foundation, founders of the 21st Century Charter School, with the Rev. Charles Williams "Excellence" award.

"GEO has been doing great work in Gary, Indiana, for many years, and it is for this reason that Indiana Black Expo invited GEO to start a new school here in Indianapolis in 2019," said Alice Watson, president of Indiana Black Expo. "While GEO's school in Indianapolis is only beginning its 4th year of operation, we have already witnessed several students earn a full year of college before graduating from high school. These efforts are extremely important to us and our community as they go directly toward improving equity and upward economic mobility."

"Our model improves high school completion rates, college-going and college completion rates, college affordability, debt, and career readiness," said Teasley. "We are grateful to have this acknowledgment from the Indiana Department of Education."

For Media Inquiries - contact [email protected]

SOURCE GEO Foundation and 21st Century Charter School
Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi called for a comprehensive approach to tackle global challenges and achieve shared goals, in his speech at the opening session of the G20 summit held in India on Saturday.

El-Sisi emphasized the need for multilateral cooperation based on the UN Charter and international law to achieve common interests.

"We must work together to shape a future order that is based on the principles of the UN Charter and international law, and that maximizes the role of international institutions in responding effectively to crises and challenges," said the president.

G20 leaders are meeting for a two-day summit in the Indian capital New Delhi, under the theme One Earth  One Family  One Future.

El-Sisi highlighted the crucial role of the G20 in addressing global financial imbalances and finding sustainable solutions to structural issues for developing countries.

These solutions include addressing growing debt challenges, re-evaluating the effectiveness of development aid, and bridging finance gaps for sustainable development and a transition to a low-carbon economy.

He also discussed Egypt's commitment to promoting African development, especially through its leadership of the African Union's New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD).

Egypt is actively working towards African integration via the African Continental Free Trade Area, as part of the AU's development agenda.

El-Sisi also noted Egypt's commitment to addressing the global threat of climate change. He recalled how Egypt hosted the 27th UN Climate Change Conference (COP27) in Sharm El-Sheikh last November, where it introduced to the agenda the concept of a just transition to a green economy, and called for the creation of a fund to address climate losses and damages.

According to El-Sisi, all parties must fulfill their "common but differentiated responsibilities" in a spirit of "equity." Following through on collective decisions is crucial to maintaining trust and the efficacy of the multilateral framework, he added.

On Saturday, the Summit failed to commit to a phase-out of polluting fossil fuels, a requirement deemed "indispensable" just a day earlier by the United Nations to achieve a net-zero goal.

In addressing the energy crisis, Egypt announced the launch of an international forum for financing green hydrogen projects. The country aims to position itself as a regional energy hub through initiatives like the Eastern Mediterranean Gas Forum.

El-Sisi also discussed efforts to combat food crises, announcing Egypt's ambition to host a global center for grain storage and trade.

"We look forward to our summit contributing to addressing challenges that hinder economic recovery and sustainable development," El-Sisi said.

Sideline meetings



On the sidelines of the G20 summit, the Egyptian president discussed current developments and impacts of the Russian-Ukrainian crisis in a meeting with European Council President Charles Michel.

Michel commended Egypt's efforts in mediating regional crises, managing illegal migration, and hosting a significant number of refugees.

El-Sisi also held sideline meetings with other attending leaders from the European Commission, South Africa, Comoros, Brazil, Japan, China, and the World Health Organization.

Egypt's president arrived in India on Friday to participate in the 18th G20 summit, having previously attended the 2016 G20 summit in China, and the 2019 summit in Japan.

Search Keywords:

Short link:


DUBLIN, Sept. 8, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Bilateral Defense Business Relationship Growth Opportunities" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

This research service examines several bilateral defense business relationships, highlighting growth drivers, restraints, and opportunities. It outlines the most relevant individual and joint projects, presents representative contracts, and lists key companies from each discussed country.

Recent geopolitical chaos has compelled countries to increase collaboration in defense matters, whether by turning to longtime allies (such as the United States and Israel, and the United Kingdom and Australia) or seeking new counterparts (such as Brazil and Sweden, and Poland and South Korea).

Joint military exercises have become more frequent and are valuable for evaluating the interoperability of defense technologies. Funding for collaborative defense projects is increasing, with missile defense, aircraft and subcomponents, and unmanned technology as main focus areas.

Differences in regulatory frameworks for defense technology, however, can create challenges in international transfers. incompatible standards and operating procedures can also affect defense equipment procurement agreements between countries.

Key Topics Covered:

1 Strategic Imperatives

Why is it Increasingly Difficult to Grow?

The Strategic Imperative

The Impact of the Top 3 Strategic Imperatives on Bilateral Defense Business Relationships

Growth Opportunities Fuel the Growth Pipeline Engine

2 Growth Opportunity Analysis

Research Scope and Overview

Growth Trends

Growth Challenges

Growth Drivers

Growth Restraints

3 Country Profiles and Bilateral Defense Business Relationships

Country Profile: United States

Country Profile: Israel

Bilateral Relationship Between the United States and Israel

Country Profile: Brazil

Country Profile: Sweden

Bilateral Relationship Between Brazil and Sweden

Country Profile: Poland

Country Profile: South Korea

Bilateral Relationship Between Poland and South Korea

Country Profile: United Kingdom

Country Profile: Australia

Bilateral Relationship Between the United Kingdom and Australia

and Country Profile: India

Country Profile: Japan

Bilateral Relationship Between India and Japan

4 Growth Opportunity Universe

Growth Opportunity 1: Open-Source C2 Systems

Growth Opportunity 2: Manned-Unmanned Teaming (MUM-T)

Growth Opportunity 3: Mutual Cyberdefense Assistance

Countries Covered

Australia

Brazil

India

Israel

Japan

Poland

South Korea

Sweden

United Kingdom

United States

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/678q12

About ResearchAndMarkets.com

ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.

Media Contact:

Research and Markets

Laura Wood, Senior Manager

[email protected]

For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470

For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630

For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900

U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907

Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/539438/Research_and_Markets_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Research and Markets
NEW ORLEANS, Sept. 8, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- ClaimsFiler, a FREE shareholder information service, reminds investors that they have until October 23, 2023 to file lead plaintiff applications in a securities class action lawsuit against Hawaiian Electric Industries, Inc. (NYSE: HE), if they purchased the Company's securities between February 28, 2019 and August 16, 2023, inclusive (the "Class Period"). This action is pending in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California.

Get Help

Hawaiian Electric investors should visit us at https://claimsfiler.com/cases/nyse-he/ or call toll-free (844) 367-9658. Lawyers at Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC are available to discuss your legal options.

About the Lawsuit

Hawaiian Electric and certain of its executives are charged with failing to disclose material information during the Class Period, violating federal securities laws.

The alleged false and misleading statements and omissions include, but are not limited to, that: (i) the Company's wildfire prevention and safety protocols and procedures were inadequate to meet the challenges for which they were ostensibly designed; (ii) accordingly, despite knowing the degree of risk that wildfires posed to Maui, the Company's inadequate safety protocols and procedures placed Maui at a heightened risk of devastating wildfires; and (iii) as a result, the Company's public statements were materially false and misleading at all relevant times.

The case is Bhangal v. Hawaiian Electric Industries, Inc., et al., No. 23-cv-04332.

About ClaimsFiler

ClaimsFiler has a single mission: to serve as the information source to help retail investors recover their share of billions of dollars from securities class action settlements. At ClaimsFiler.com, investors can: (1) register for free to gain access to information and settlement websites for various securities class action cases so they can timely submit their own claims; (2) upload their portfolio transactional data to be notified about relevant securities cases in which they may have a financial interest; and (3) submit inquiries to the Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC law firm for free case evaluations.

To learn more about ClaimsFiler, visit www.claimsfiler.com.

SOURCE ClaimsFiler
DUBLIN, Sept. 8, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Oral Antiviral Market by Indication, Drug Class, Distribution Channel: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2021-2031" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The report is a thorough examination of the current trends, estimations, and market dynamics from 2021 to 2031. The oral antiviral market encompasses drugs specifically designed for the treatment of viral infections. Unlike most antibiotics that destroy pathogens, antiviral drugs inhibit their development by targeting different stages of the viral life cycle.

A significant rise in viral infections, particularly influenza, HIV, and hepatitis, is driving the market's growth. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) 2022 report highlighted 9 million influenza cases, leading to 4 million medical visits and 10,000 hospitalizations. Along with the increased prevalence of hepatitis and herpes globally, the market growth is further supported.

Moreover, several initiatives by government and non-government organizations aim to increase viral disease awareness and the available oral treatments. Enhanced adoption of advanced diagnostic technologies and a stress on early viral infection diagnosis, such as hepatitis and HIV, are also contributing factors. Key market players have been noted to adopt strategies like collaborations, agreements, and alliances, which further bolsters market growth.

However, high costs associated with oral antivirals and the availability of vaccines for diseases such as influenza, hepatitis, and HPV might limit the market expansion. Nevertheless, an increasing demand for novel therapeutics and regulatory approvals offers vast opportunities for key market players.

In terms of segmentation, the oral antiviral market is categorized based on indication, drug class, distribution channel, and region. Notably, in 2021, the HIV segment, reverse transcriptase inhibitors drug class, and drug stores and retail pharmacies distribution channel dominated in terms of revenue. Regionally, North America contributed the largest revenue in 2021, while Asia-Pacific is projected to observe the highest growth rate in the upcoming decade.

Prominent players in the global oral antiviral market include AbbVie Inc., Amneal Pharmaceuticals LLC, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, F. Hoffman-La Roche Ltd, GlaxoSmithKline plc, Gilead Sciences, Inc., Johnson & Johnson, Merck & Co., Inc., Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., and Viatris Inc.

Key Market Segments

By Indication

Hepatitis

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)

Influenza

Others

By Drug class

Protease inhibitors

Reverse transcriptase inhibitors

Others

By Distribution channel

Hospital pharmacies

Drug store and retail pharmacies

Online providers

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/p75dd1

About ResearchAndMarkets.com

ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.

Media Contact:

Research and Markets

Laura Wood, Senior Manager

[email protected]



For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470

For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630

For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900



U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907

Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/539438/Research_and_Markets_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Research and Markets
DUBLIN, Sept. 8, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Agricultural Robots Market Report 2023-2033" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The Agricultural Robots Market has experienced significant growth, with predictions suggesting it will exceed $15.74 billion in 2023.

Driving Forces Behind the Boom

The increasing need for higher agricultural productivity due to the rising global population and increased food demand are pushing the market forward. The current labor shortage in agriculture, coupled with the rising costs of skilled labor, makes it imperative for farmers to adopt automated solutions. For instance, Japan has taken the lead by employing autonomous harvesting robots to combat the labor shortages caused by an aging population.

The introduction of precision farming techniques, like variable rate application and site-specific crop management, has further amplified the demand for agricultural robots. These techniques allow for more specific operations, which in turn boosts resource efficiency and crop yields.

Market Breakdown

Segments by Farm Produce:

Dairy & Livestock

Field Crops

Fruits & Vegetables

Other Farm Produce

Segments by Application:

Dairy & Livestock Management

Harvest Management

Field Farming

Soil & Irrigation Management

Other Applications

By Type of Robot:

Milking Robots

UAVs/Drones

Automated Harvesting Systems

Driverless Tractors

Robotic Weeding & Seeding

Other Types

Regional Outlook

The report provides revenue predictions on a global scale while also delving deep into regional and key national markets. Regions covered include North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa. Specific forecasts for countries like the US, Canada, Brazil, Germany, France, UK, Italy, China, India, Japan, and Australia are also featured prominently.

Industry Leaders

The agricultural robots industry boasts of some notable players including AGCO Corporation, AgEagle Aerial Systems Inc., BouMatic Robotics B.V., CNH Industrial N.V., and Deepfield Robotics among others.

Challenges and Opportunities

While the market exhibits immense potential for growth, challenges remain. The initial high costs of agricultural robot investments, coupled with limited awareness among farmers, and challenges in integrating these systems into current farming infrastructure could hinder growth.

However, the evident shift towards precision and site-specific farming techniques, coupled with the growing demand from emerging economies and the rising popularity of automation in livestock farming, present considerable growth opportunities.

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/vkiwxt

About ResearchAndMarkets.com

ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.

Media Contact:

Research and Markets

Laura Wood, Senior Manager

[email protected]

For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470

For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630

For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900

U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907

Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/539438/Research_and_Markets_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Research and Markets
DUBLIN, Sept. 8, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "LED Panel Light Market: Global Industry Trends, Share, Size, Growth, Opportunity and Forecast 2023-2028" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The global LED panel light market reached a size of US$ 22.1 billion in 2022 and is projected to grow to US$ 41.1 billion by 2028, exhibiting a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 11.1% during the period of 2023-2028.

LED panel lights are highly efficient and cost-effective lighting fixtures known for their energy efficiency, long lifespan, uniform light output, and low maintenance requirements.

They are gradually replacing traditional fluorescent ceiling lights and are considered an excellent indoor lighting solution. LED panel lights come in various shapes, sizes, and designs suitable for a wide range of applications, including offices, hotels, showrooms, hospitals, and educational institutes.

Key Advantages of LED Panel Lights:

Energy Efficiency: LED panel lights are known for their energy efficiency and are considered an environmentally friendly lighting option.

LED panel lights are known for their energy efficiency and are considered an environmentally friendly lighting option. Long Lifespan: They have a long operational life, reducing the need for frequent replacements.

They have a long operational life, reducing the need for frequent replacements. Heat Dissipation: LED panel lights are designed for efficient heat dissipation, which extends their lifespan.

LED panel lights are designed for efficient heat dissipation, which extends their lifespan. Instant Start: Unlike fluorescent lights, LED panel lights start instantly without any restrike delays.

Unlike fluorescent lights, LED panel lights start instantly without any restrike delays. Easy Installation: They are easy to install, making them suitable for retrofitting existing fixtures.

They are easy to install, making them suitable for retrofitting existing fixtures. Advanced Features: LED panel lights offer advanced features like dimmability, remote plug-and-play drivers, emergency options, and compatibility with building controls and sensors.

LED panel lights offer advanced features like dimmability, remote plug-and-play drivers, emergency options, and compatibility with building controls and sensors. Environmentally Friendly: LED panel lights are constructed with non-hazardous materials, making them a green alternative to traditional lighting fixtures.

Market Segmentation: The LED panel light market is segmented based on application:

Retrofit: Retrofitting existing lighting fixtures with LED lights is the largest application segment.

Retrofitting existing lighting fixtures with LED lights is the largest application segment. Retail & Hospitality: LED panel lights are widely used in retail and hospitality settings.

LED panel lights are widely used in retail and hospitality settings. Outdoor: They are also utilized for outdoor lighting applications.

They are also utilized for outdoor lighting applications. Offices: Offices extensively use LED panel lights for their efficiency and uniform lighting.

Offices extensively use LED panel lights for their efficiency and uniform lighting. Architectural: In architectural applications, LED panel lights offer design flexibility.

In architectural applications, LED panel lights offer design flexibility. Residential: LED panel lights are gaining popularity in residential settings.

LED panel lights are gaining popularity in residential settings. Industrial: The industrial sector uses LED panel lights for their efficiency and durability.

Regional Insights:

China : China dominates the global LED lighting market, driven by the construction of malls, hotels, and commercial complexes.

dominates the global LED lighting market, driven by the construction of malls, hotels, and commercial complexes. India : India is another growing market for LED panel lights, with increasing adoption in various applications.

is another growing market for LED panel lights, with increasing adoption in various applications. Europe : Europe has a significant presence in the market due to the widespread adoption of LED lighting.

has a significant presence in the market due to the widespread adoption of LED lighting. United States : The United States is a prominent market for LED panel lights, particularly in commercial and residential applications.

is a prominent market for LED panel lights, particularly in commercial and residential applications. Japan : Japan also contributes to the market's growth, with demand for advanced lighting solutions.

Companies Mentioned

Myriant Corporation

Santa Cruz Biotechnology

Merck

Deinove

Amyris

Sigma-Aldrich Corporation

Dynacare

Thermo Fisher Scientific

Zhongxing Flavors & Fragrance

& Fragrance TCI

Alfa Aesar

Toronto Research Chemicals

Key Attributes:

Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 137 Forecast Period 2022 - 2028 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2022 $22.1 Billion Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2028 $41.1 Billion Compound Annual Growth Rate 10.9 % Regions Covered Global

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/av1wba

About ResearchAndMarkets.com

ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.



Media Contact:

Research and Markets

Laura Wood, Senior Manager

[email protected]



For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470

For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630

For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900



U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907

Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/539438/Research_and_Markets_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Research and Markets
NEW ORLEANS, Sept. 8, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- ClaimsFiler, a FREE shareholder information service, reminds investors that they have until October 19, 2023 to file lead plaintiff applications in a securities class action lawsuit against Shift4 Payments, Inc. (NYSE: FOUR), if they purchased the Company's securities between November 10, 2021 and April 18, 2023, inclusive (the "Class Period"). This action is pending in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

Get Help

Shift4 investors should visit us at https://claimsfiler.com/cases/nyse-four/ or call toll-free (844) 367-9658. Lawyers at Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC are available to discuss your legal options.

About the Lawsuit

Shift4 and certain of its executives are charged with failing to disclose material information during the Class Period, violating federal securities laws.

On April 19, 2023, Blue Orca Capital reported that "Shift4 [is], in reality, a roll-up of low-tech POS systems and payment processors which is substantially less profitable, generates far less cash, and is materially more levered than investors are led to believe," and that in 2022, the Company "engaged in a string of highly questionable and hyper-aggressive accounting maneuvers seemingly designed to keep the stock afloat, from cash flow manipulation to inexplicable distributor acquisitions that enabled it to capitalize a major component of COGS [cost of goods sold]."

On this news, shares of Shift4 fell $5.95 per share, or 8.68%, to close at $62.59 per share on April 19, 2023.

The case is O'Meara v. Shift4 Payments, Inc., et al., No. 23-cv-03206.

About ClaimsFiler

ClaimsFiler has a single mission: to serve as the information source to help retail investors recover their share of billions of dollars from securities class action settlements. At ClaimsFiler.com, investors can: (1) register for free to gain access to information and settlement websites for various securities class action cases so they can timely submit their own claims; (2) upload their portfolio transactional data to be notified about relevant securities cases in which they may have a financial interest; and (3) submit inquiries to the Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC law firm for free case evaluations.

To learn more about ClaimsFiler, visit www.claimsfiler.com.

SOURCE ClaimsFiler
NEW ORLEANS, Sept. 8, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- ClaimsFiler, a FREE shareholder information service, reminds investors that they have until November 6, 2023 to file lead plaintiff applications in a securities class action lawsuit against UiPath Inc. (NYSE: PATH), if they purchased the Company's shares between April 21, 2021 and March 30, 2022, inclusive (the "Class Period"). This action is pending in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York.

Get Help

UiPath investors should visit us at https://www.claimsfiler.com/cases/nyse-path or call toll-free (844) 367-9658. Lawyers at Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC are available to discuss your legal options.

About the Lawsuit

UiPath and certain of its executives are charged with failing to disclose material information during the Class Period, violating federal securities laws.

On March 30, 2022, the Company, a global provider of robotic process automation software, announced its financial results for the quarter and year ended January 31, 2022, disclosing disappointing earned revenues results as well as guidance for ARR (annualized renewal run-rate, an important indicator of the Company's success) and revenue that were substantially below consensus analysts' expectations, indicating that the declining growth trends adversely impacting the Company were expected to continue.

On this news, shares of UiPath fell $7.45, or more than 25%, to close at $21.59 per share on March 31, 2022.

The case is Gera v. UiPath, Inc., et al., No. 23-cv-7908.

About ClaimsFiler

ClaimsFiler has a single mission: to serve as the information source to help retail investors recover their share of billions of dollars from securities class action settlements. At ClaimsFiler.com, investors can: (1) register for free to gain access to information and settlement websites for various securities class action cases so they can timely submit their own claims; (2) upload their portfolio transactional data to be notified about relevant securities cases in which they may have a financial interest; and (3) submit inquiries to the Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC law firm for free case evaluations.

To learn more about ClaimsFiler, visit www.claimsfiler.com.

SOURCE ClaimsFiler
NEW YORK, Sept. 8, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Web 3.0 Blockchain Market by End-user (BFSI, Government, Healthcare, and Others) and Geography (North America, Europe, APAC, South America, and Middle East and Africa) - Forecast and Analysis 2023-2027" report has been added to Technavio's offering. The potential growth difference for the Web 3.0 blockchain market between 2022 and 2027 is USD 27.42 billion. Blockchain technology in Web 3.0 is receiving more funding. For instance, the Web 3.0 payment application and protocol HI received a USD 30 million investment from Animoca Brands, a well-known metaverse gaming and venture capital firm, in July 2023. This protocol operates on layer 2 Ethereum side chain HI Protocol and is essentially a Web 3.0 financial application. Additionally, the Blockchain Founders Fund raised USD 75 million in February 2023. This fund is heavily used to encourage the use of blockchain and Web 3.0 technology. Due to these investments in Web 3.0 blockchain technology, the market is benefiting. As a result, it is expected to drive market growth during the forecast period. With ISO 9001:2015 certification, Technavio has proudly partnered with more than 100 Fortune 500 companies for over 16 years. Get deeper insights into the market size, current market scenario, future growth opportunities, major growth driving factors, the latest trends, and much more. Buy full report here

Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Web 3.0 Blockchain Market 2023-2027

Market Challenge - System configuration concerns are one of the key challenges hindering the Web 3.0 blockchain market growth. Learn about additional key drivers, trends, and challenges available with Technavio. Read Sample PDF Report Now

End-user Segment - The BFSI segment is estimated to witness significant growth during the forecast period. Web 3.0 blockchain is being widely used in the BFSI sector for financial credit services including lending and borrowing and securely confirming credit histories. Tokens are widely used by several investment institutions for securities, bonds, and other assets. For instance, NFTs are used to tokenize expensive physical commodities like diamonds or fine art, which can then be traded. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) also introduced the Digital Rupee-Retail segment in December 2022 , which is treated on a par with traditional currency. Numerous businesses in the BFSI sector are increasingly implementing blockchain in trade settlement, payments, reference data, and trade finance. For instance, in July 2023 , Animoca Brands teamed with Hi, a Web 3.0 neo-banking software that offers conventional digital banking as well as cryptocurrency trading services. Several banks are also increasingly using metaverse to train their staff members and engage with one another, fostering strong bonds and improving understanding of customer service. Hence, such factors are expected to fuel the growth of this segment which in turn will drive the market growth during the forecast period.

The BFSI segment is estimated to witness significant growth during the forecast period. Web 3.0 blockchain is being widely used in the BFSI sector for financial credit services including lending and borrowing and securely confirming credit histories. Tokens are widely used by several investment institutions for securities, bonds, and other assets. For instance, NFTs are used to tokenize expensive physical commodities like diamonds or fine art, which can then be traded. The Reserve Bank of (RBI) also introduced the Digital Rupee-Retail segment in , which is treated on a par with traditional currency. Numerous businesses in the BFSI sector are increasingly implementing blockchain in trade settlement, payments, reference data, and trade finance. For instance, in , Animoca Brands teamed with Hi, a Web 3.0 neo-banking software that offers conventional digital banking as well as trading services. Several banks are also increasingly using metaverse to train their staff members and engage with one another, fostering strong bonds and improving understanding of customer service. Hence, such factors are expected to fuel the growth of this segment which in turn will drive the market growth during the forecast period. Geography Analysis- North America is estimated to contribute 40% to the growth of the global market during the forecast period. View Sample Report for insights into the contribution of all the segments and regional opportunities in the report.

Key Companies in the Web 3.0 blockchain market:

Alchemy Insights Inc., Antier Solutions Pvt. Ltd., Binance Holdings Ltd., Coinbase Global Inc., Guardian Blockchain Labs Pte Ltd., Helium Systems Inc., Intel Corp., Kadena LLC, Messari Inc., Ocean Protocol Foundation Ltd., Polygon Labs, Protocol Labs, Silota Research and Development Inc., and Web 3.0 Technologies Foundation

Related Reports:

Blockchain Market in Supply Chain Industry by Application, Type, and Geography - Forecast and Analysis 2023-2027 is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 52.21% between 2022 and 2027. The size of the market is forecast to increase by USD 4,936.05 million.

Blockchain Technology in Energy Market by End-user and Geography - Forecast and Analysis 2022-2026 is expected to increase by USD 919.5 million from 2021 to 2026, and the market's growth momentum will accelerate at a CAGR of 66.37%.

Web 3.0 Blockchain Market Scope Report Coverage Details Base year 2022 Forecast period 2023-2027 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 47.85% Market growth 2023-2027 USD 27.42 billion Market structure Concentrated YoY growth 2022-2023 (%) 42.48 Regional analysis North America, Europe, APAC, South America, and Middle East and Africa Performing market contribution North America at 40% Key countries US, China, Japan, UK, and Germany Competitive landscape Leading Vendors, Market Positioning of Vendors, Competitive Strategies, and Industry Risks Key companies profiled Alchemy Insights Inc., Antier Solutions Pvt. Ltd., Binance Holdings Ltd., Coinbase Global Inc., Guardian Blockchain Labs Pte Ltd., Helium Systems Inc., Intel Corp., Kadena LLC, Messari Inc., Ocean Protocol Foundation Ltd., Polygon Labs, Protocol Labs, Silota Research and Development Inc., and Web 3.0 Technologies Foundation Market dynamics Parent market analysis, Market growth inducers and obstacles, Fast-growing and slow-growing segment analysis, COVID 19 impact and recovery analysis and future consumer dynamics, Market condition analysis for forecast period Customization purview If our report has not included the data that you are looking for, you can reach out to our analysts and get segments customized.

TOC:

Executive Summary

Market Landscape

Market Sizing

Five Forces Analysis

Market Segmentation by End-user

Market Segmentation by Geography

Customer Landscape

Geographic Landscape

Drivers, Challenges, & Trends

Company Landscape

Company Analysis

Appendix

About Technavio

Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions.

With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.

Contacts

Technavio Research

Jesse Maida

Media & Marketing Executive

US: +1 844 364 1100

UK: +44 203 893 3200

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.technavio.com/

SOURCE Technavio
President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi addressed the growing challenge of the food crisis in the African continent in the mini Africa-Europe summit held on the sidelines of the G20 summit in New Delhi on Saturday, the Egyptian presidency announced.

The mini Africa-Europe summit brought together leaders and representatives from Egypt, Germany, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, France, South Africa, Nigeria, and the Comoros Islands as the current chair of the African Union, along with the European Union, the World Bank, and the International Monetary Fund.

The Egyptian presidency highlighted the negative impact of current international developments on food security especially in Africa.

El-Sisi stressed that these challenges requires a shared vision to enhance the governance of the global food security system.

This vision should be centred on the importance of a multilateral framework and the coherence of efforts by international financial institutions in responding swiftly and effectively to the crisis, addressing its multiple roots and dimensions.

Furthermore, the president reaffirmed that one of the top priorities of Egypt's presidency of the NEPAD (New Partnership for Africa's Development) is to activate the comprehensive African programme for agricultural development to support food security in Africa.

The summit also addressed the AU formally joining the G20.

President El-Sisi welcomed this development, emphasizing that it represents a positive step toward enabling the continent to prioritize its issues on the international agenda.

Meeting with von der Leyen



On the sideline of the G20 summit meeting, President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi also met with President of the European Union Commission Ursula von der Leyen to discuss ways to boost and deepen EU-Egyptian relations.

El-Sisi said that Egypt considers the EU a crucial partner in development, including on major infrastructure projects, energy initiatives, and the green transition.

Meanwhile, the EU Commission president highlighted the importance of the EU-Egypt Partnership Priorities Document 2021-2027 to deepening their partnership.

There is good momentum in the European-Egyptian relations and we should keep it going said von der Layan on her Twitter account on Saturday following their meeting.

The EU Commission president added that she assured El-Sisi of the EUs continued support for food and security.

President El-Sisi arrived in India on Friday to participate in the 18th G20 summit, taking place in New Delhi from 9-10 September.

This is the third time Egypt has participated in the G20, following the China summit in 2016 and Japan in 2019.

Search Keywords:

Short link:


Colombo, Sep 9 : Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe proposed a 'Defence Review-2030' amid the evolving security landscape in the Indian Ocean region and for setting up the island nation's defence policy for the future.

"The comprehensive document outlined protecting the sovereignty of the island nation, avoiding military alliances, refraining from conflicts in the Indian Ocean, countering non-state actors adverse to Sri Lanka and contributing to global peace had been handed over to the Cabinet," the President Media Division (PMD) said issuing a statement on Friday.

The PMD said, however, the security dynamics have witnessed a significant shift.

"Previously, Sri Lanka's primary focus was on combating internal terrorism, notably the LTTE. Today, the strategic environment has grown more complex, marked by great power rivalries between the US and China, the emergence of strategic alliances such as the Quad and AUKUS, the Ukraine war and the omnipresent threat of climate change," it stated.

The 'Defence Review-2030' is to serve as a crucial step to adapt Sri Lanka's defence policy and it has outlined a roadmap for the future, encompassing both the immediate future and steps beyond 2030, the PMD said.

The key components of the Defence Review include strategic vision and challenges for Sri Lanka in 2030, security interests of Sri Lanka, Defence Policy Objectives for 2030, power posture and power structure to address strategic challenges and prioritization of urgent needs within the constraints of the existing financial situation.

President Wickremesinghe has appointed a group including retired senior military officials, officials from the Foreign Service and economists and they are to receive support from active-duty military personnel, Foreign Service officers, Treasury officials and experts in relevant fields.

"This defence review marks the initial step toward formulating a comprehensive national defence policy, reflecting Sri Lanka's commitment to safeguarding its sovereignty and contributing to global peace in an ever-changing world," the PMD added.

Stressing on Sri Lanka and India's close security ties, in July this year, President Wickremesinghe reiterated that Sri Lanka would not be allowed to be used as a base for any threats against India.

Speaking to the media, the Sri Lankan President had said that the island nation would remain "neutral" and there had been no military agreements with China.

"We are a neutral country, but we also emphasise the fact that we cannot allow Sri Lanka to be used as a base for any threats against India," Wickremesinghe had said in an interview with France24.
New Delhi, Sep 9 : While parties to the 2015 Paris Agreement have taken widespread actions to address climate change and its impacts, ambition and implementation must be accelerated rapidly, according to a key technical report released on Friday by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) on the global stocktake.

The global stocktake was designed under the Paris Agreement to assess the global response to the climate crisis and chart a better way forward.

The global stocktake is held every five years and is intended to inform the next round of nationally determined contributions to be put forward by 2025.

It started with a data collection phase in 2021, collecting a wide range of inputs from parties, international bodies, and non-party stakeholders.

A technical dialogue was carried out across three meetings in 2022 and 2023 and was chaired, with the assistance of the UN Climate Change secretariat, by two co-facilitators Farhan Akhtar and Harald Winkler, nominated by developed and developing countries respectively.

"The technical dialogues were based on the best available science, drawing on the latest findings of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and other sources of knowledge, with broad participation of experts and non-party stakeholders with diverse backgrounds.

"Across the discussions, it was clear that the Paris Agreement has inspired widespread action that has significantly reduced forecasts of future warming. This global stocktake is taking place at a crucial moment to inspire further global action in responding to the climate crisis," said Akhtar.

The synthesis report of the technical dialogue summarizes 17 key technical findings from the discussions.

Across the topics, the report makes clear that there is progress, but much more needs to be done.

While there are well-known gaps, the technical findings highlighted existing and emerging opportunities and creative solutions to bridge these gaps.

Good practices and proposals to accelerate implementation, action and support, are highlighted in all areas.

The report lays a strong scientific and technical base for the conclusion of the first global stocktake in Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates, at the UN Climate Change Conference COP28.

"More than 137 non-party stakeholders submitted input on their actions and support for the Paris Agreement goals, in total over 170,000 pages of written submissions were received, and we had over 252 hours of meetings and discussions over the three meetings of the technical dialogue a" in plenaries, roundtables and world cafe formats. As the report's technical findings show, much more is needed now, on all fronts and by all actors to meet the long-term goals of the Paris Agreement," said Winkler.

During this final phase - the consideration of outcomes, a series of high-level events will be held to discuss the implications of these technical findings.

These discussions will inform a decision and declaration summarizing key political messages, identifying opportunities, good practices, and challenges to enhance climate action and support.

"This global stocktake report provides clear direction on how we can meet the expectations of the Paris Agreement by taking decisive action in this critical decade," said COP28 President-Designate Sultan Al Jaber.

"To keep 1.5 within reach we must act with 'ambition and urgency' to reduce emissions by 43 per cent by 2030. That is why the COP28 Presidency has put forward an ambitious action agenda centred around fast-tracking a just and well-managed energy transition that leaves no one behind, fixing climate finance, focusing on people's lives and livelihoods, and underpinning everything with full inclusivity. I believe we can deliver all of this while creating sustainable economic growth for our people, but we must urgently disrupt business as usual and unite like never before to move from ambition to action and from rhetoric to real results," he added.

Simon Stiell, Executive Secretary of UN Climate Change, said: "I urge governments to carefully study the findings of the report and ultimately understand what it means for them and the ambitious action they must take next."

"It's the same for businesses, communities and other key stakeholders. While the catalytic role of the Paris Agreement and the multilateral process will remain vital in the coming years, the global stocktake is a critical moment for greater ambition and accelerating action," he added.
WASHINGTON, Sept. 24, 2019 (Xinhua) -- U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (front) walks to her office on Capitol Hill in Washington D.C., the United States, on Sept. 24, 2019. Nancy Pelosi announced Tuesday the initiation of a formal impeachment inquiry. Image Source: IANS News

Washington, Sep 9 : Former Speaker of the US House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi said that she will seek a 19th term in office in November 2024.

Pelosi, 83, was first elected to her San Francisco district in 1987, before serving two terms as speaker between 2007-2011 and 2019-2023, reports the BBC.

She led House Democrats for two decades before standing down as leader after Republicans won last year's election.

In a post on X on Friday, Pelosi said: "Now more than ever our City needs us to advance San Francisco values and further our recovery.

"Our country needs America to show the world that our flag is still there, with liberty and justice for ALL. That is why I am running for re-election - and respectfully ask for your vote."

Pelosi is the first woman in US history to serve as speaker of the House

She had been widely credited with marshalling the passage of former President Barack Obama's signature healthcare legislation, as well as bills to address infrastructure and climate change under incumbent President Joe Biden.

Pelosi also directly challenged Donald Trump throughout his presidency, famously ripping up a copy of his State of the Union address behind his back, reports the BBC.

She stood down as Democratic leader after the Republicans narrowly re-took the House in last year's election and Kevin McCarthy was elected Speaker after a lengthy process.
Mumbai, Sep 9 : Kangana Ranaut and Raghava Lawrence's upcoming film 'Chandramukhi 2' has been postponed due to "technical delays." Lyca Productions took to Instagram where they announced that the film will now release on September 28.

The production house shared a video with the new release date and captioned it: "Chandramukhi-2 release date has been pushed to September 28 due to technical delays. Vettaiyan & Chandramukhi will be back fiercer than ever."

The film, directed by P. Vasu, was first scheduled to hit the theaters on September 15.

'Chandamukhi 2' is the sequel of 'Chandramukhi', which was released in 2005 starring Rajinikanth and Jyothika. It revolves around a woman who suffers from dissociative identity disorder that affects a family, and a psychiatrist who intends to solve the case while risking his life.

'Chandramukhi' is an official remake of director's own Kannada film Apthamitra (2004) which is the adaptation of Malayalam film Manichitrathazhu (1993)

Currently ruling the screens is Shah Rukh Khan's latest film 'Jawan'. It raked in over Rs 100 crore in just two days of release beating his last release 'Pathaan'.
Mumbai, Sep 9 : The Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay (IIT-B) has joined the Chicago Quantum Exchange at the University of Chicago as an international partner - among only five globally - for a new collaborative science and technology initiative between the two renowned academic institutions.

The partnership was announced at the G20 Summit between visiting US President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and will promote cooperation in the fields of quantum information science, climate and energy, advanced microelectronics, artificial intelligence and data science.

"It reaffirms the goals of the US-India initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET), to elevate and expand our strategic technology partnership and defense industrial cooperation between the governments, businesses, and academic institutions of our two countries," said an official here.

IIT-B Director, Prof. Subhasis Chaudhuri, termed it as a strong bond being built between India and US academia, as evident from the joint declaration by Biden-Modi.

"It will also be a great opportunity for IIT-B to work with the University of Chicago on some of the most critical and evolving technologies our nations are facing today. Our collective strength will help bring forth impactful breakthrough innovations benefiting the society," said Prof. Chaudhuri.

A key component of the partnership is that IIT Bombay has joined CQE as one of only five worldwide academic partners, he added.

The CQE, an intellectual hub for advancing the science and engineering of quantum information, is anchored by the US Department of Energy's Argonne National Laboratory and Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and Northwestern University.

This follows recent University of Chicago quantum-focused announcements in Japan, the first at the G7 regarding a partnership between the University of Chicago, the University of Tokyo, IBM and Google to build the world's first quantum supercomputer, and the second with Tohoku University to accelerate quantum research.

The IIT Bombay anchors the Quantum Information Computing Science & Technology (QuICST) Hub, one of the leading centers for quantum research in India.

"Strong global partnerships provide the expertise and resources to advance breakthrough innovation and are an essential part of developing a robust quantum ecosystem," said CQE Director David Awschalom, and the Liew Family Professor in Molecular Engineering at the University of Chicago, and senior scientist at Argonne.

In addition to quantum, UChicago and IIT Bombay will collaborate and conduct joint research in fields such as climate, energy, advanced microelectronics, artificial intelligence and data science, with a host of joint research activities, conferences, exchanges of information as well as faculty and scholar visits.

For joint conferences and researchers visiting India, the University of Chicago's Delhi Center, which will celebrate its 10th. anniversary in 2024, will be a resource for these and similar collaborations.

"Our goal at the University of Chicago is to strengthen collaborations with our Indian counterparts in science, technology, and engineering, where the US and India are increasingly aligned in research and development, and this partnership is an outstanding opportunity to build shared US-India scientific knowledge," said UChicago Delhi Center Faculty Director Supratik Guha.
Los Angeles, Sep 9 : Blink 182 is once again hitting the stage as Travis Barker is back with the pop rock group after he had left the tour to attend to his wife, Kourtney Kardashain's "urgent fetal surgery." Blink-182 resumed their live appearances on September 8 for the first time since Barker left the U.K. leg of their tour last week to be with his pregnant wife, as she underwent an emergency surgery.

After postponing three shows in Glasgow, Belfast, and Dublin, citing "an urgent family matter" regarding Barker at the time, the pop-punk group was able to return to the stage in Antwerp, Belgium, People magazine reported.

The rock drummer shared the footage on Instagram, captioning the post: "1st day of tour." The video shows Barker walking up to the venue and giving his drumsticks to a fan, who broke down in tears after meeting the musician.

The drummer also posted several photos from Belgium to his Instagram Stories, taking followers on a tour of a church.

During their night time gig in Antwerp, the band posted on X (formerly Twitter), a video of the crowd singing to their song 'I Miss You'.

Several days before the concert, the musician confirmed the 'All the Small Things' rockers would be able to resume their European dates with a post on X. He shared his gratitude for both his fans and his wife's health, as the reality star experienced a pregnancy complication.

The recording artiste wrote: "God is great. I flew home for a life-threatening emergency surgery for our baby that I'm so grateful went well. I want to say thank you for all the support. Tour resumes Friday."

Talking about her surgery, Kourtney Kardashain wrote on Instagram: "I am eternally grateful to my husband who rushed to my side from tour to be with me in the hospital and take care of me afterwards, my rock. And to my mom, thank you for holding my hand through this."
New Delhi, Sep 9 : Three people were arrested in Delhi on Saturday in connection with stabbing a man following a dispute, a police official said.

According to the official, the Nabi Karim police station received a PCR call at around 2.45 a.m. regarding a stabbing incident in the Prem Nagar area.

A police team rushed to the spot and shifted the 30-year-old injured victim, Deepak, to thehospital.

"On enquiry, the identity of the injured was established as Deepak, a resident of Multani Dhanda. Deepak is 'Bad Character' of Paharganj police station. It further emerged that he was attacked by three persons (his friend and associates) which resulted in an injury on his thigh," the police official said.

The accused identified as Vishal (31), Himanshu (29), and Ritik (23) were arrested and the weapon of offence has also been recovered.

"Ritik and Deepak were friends but a few days back they had a dispute between them and consequent to that Ritik attacked Deepak along with his associates to teach Deepak a lesson," said the official.

"Deepak had moved to Nabi Karim a few days ago and was living with one Pooja. Deepak is already married and Pooja has also claimed that she had married Deepak five days ago."

--IANS

ssh/ksk
Bhopal, Sep 9 : Madhya Pradesh High Court has upheld a district court's order of prosecuting a man under the POCSO Act, asserting that a man pulling the clothes of a girl and putting his hand on her shoulder shows his sexual intent.

The court made this assertion while hearing a plea challenging Mandsaur district court's order to sentence a 22-year-old man to three years'

imprisonment along with a fine of Rs 4,000.

A bench headed by Justice Prem Narayan Singh said that as per law, any prosecution for any offence under the POCSO Act requires a culpable mental stage on the part of the accused and the same shall be presumed by the special court in such type of offences.

"So far as the demurrer of sexual intent is concerned, at the time of incident, the appellant was a 22 years old person. He pulled the clothes of prosecutrix and put his hand on her shoulder. This conduct clearly signified the sexual instinct of the appellant," the court said.

It was the prosecution case that when the victim, a 9th-grade student, was returning from her relative's house, the accused grabbed her hand with malicious intent and pulled her clothes in 2021.

Local police had filed a charge sheet and on the basis of that Mandur district court found the man guilty. The trial court had then imposed a sentence of three years of rigorous imprisonment along with a fine of Rs 4,000 for the offence under the POCSO Act.

The appellant moved the High Court challenging the trial court's order. The HC not only upheld the trial court decision but also made a strong observation that "a man pulling the clothes of a girl and putting his hand on her shoulder shows his sexual intent."

The court said that the victim's statement was corroborated by the statement of a witness, one Manish (victim's uncle). It was also consistent

with the details provided in the first information report (FIR), the court added.

Additionally, the court took into account the fact that during the medical examination of the victim, a medical officer had identified an abrasion on

the upper part of the prosecutrix's left hand.

"Virtually, the testimony of a prosecutrix should be regarded as an injured witness of the case and it is well settled that criminal jurisprudence

attaches great weightage to the evidence of a person injured in the incident. Such a testimony comes with an in-built guarantee of truth,

especially when it is a case of molestation or sexual assault. Such type of witness cannot spare the actual culprit in order to foist an innocent

person," the court said.
Heatwaves in Antarctica may cause more ice loss and sea level rise. Image Source: IANS News

New York, Sep 9 : Antarctica -- Earth's coldest and driest continent experienced both an unprecedented heatwave and extreme precipitation in 2022, according to new research led by one of an Indian-origin.

In the 33rd annual State of the Climate report, an international assessment of the global climate published in the Bulletin of the American

Meteorological Society, researchers report the world saw another year full of extreme weather events resulting from climate change in 2022, from

intense storms to soaring temperatures and rising sea levels. Antarctica was no exception to this.

"My hope is that the public starts to see both the fragility and complexity of these polar regions," said Rajashree Tri Datta, a research associate in

the Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences at Colorado University-Boulder.

While Antarctica may seem isolated from the rest of the world, changes to the icy continent could significantly impact the rest of the world.

"Most of the planet's freshwater is held on the ice sheet of Antarctica. What happens there ends up affecting coasts across the world, and what

affects coasts across the world impacts everything from agriculture to migration patterns," Datta said.

In recent years, scientists have observed rapid sea ice decline and enhanced warming there. Regions of Antarctica, such as the West Antarctic

Ice Sheet, have started to lose ice rapidly, contributing to sea level rise.

Datta and her team report that for six days last March, a large region of East Antarctica experienced temperatures exceeding 18 degrees Fahrenheit

(10 degrees Celsius) above the historic March average from 1991 to 2020.

The temperature recorded at a weather station in the interior of East Antarctica reached a record-breaking 14.7 F (-9.6C) on March 16, 2022, more

than 79 F (44 C) higher than the average March temperature at that location.

Normally, March marks the transition from summer to winter in Antarctica, and the temperature drops rapidly. Following the heatwave, the Conger Ice shelf, a floating tongue of ice the size of Rome, collapsed in East Antarctica. This ice shelf had become increasingly vulnerable over the

years.

The collapse of floating ice shelves can often hasten the loss of upstream glaciers, resulting in ice loss and sea level rise.

As people around the world also experienced more frequent and intense heat waves in 2022, Datta said the team's research provides an opportunity to communicate with the public about climate change in Antarctica in a way that resonates with them.

"They know what a heatwave means. They experience it in their daily lives, and it is impacting Antarctica as well, although in very different ways"

Datta said.
Los Angeles, Sep 9 : Actor Danny Masterson's wife, Bijou Phillips is fearful that, her husband may get killed in prison over his rape convictions, given their gravity. Married to Masterson for over 12 years, Philips has consistently refuted the rape claims.

Bijou Phillips has refused to accept the charges filed against her husband, calling him an "amazing father" who worked to "shield younger actors from temptation" in a letter begging a judge for leniency in his sentencing.

In the same letter, she has also expressed fear that her husband may get killed in prison, and is concerned for his safety.

In her letter obtained by the Daily Mail, the 'Raising Hope' actress claimed Masterson was a "life-saving" partner who dedicated himself to farming to support his family when the accusations about him started to emerge and he lost his acting career.

She also noted Masterson's aversion to drugs - a common principle of the controversial church of Scientology - and his dedication to helping young actors escape the downfalls of wealth and fame. His aversion to drugs was also supported by actor Mila Kunis, in her letter to the judge, asking for a lighter sentencing.

The source at Daily Mail said: "Bijou's only positive outlook on things stems from her trust in Danny and the appeal process. She is hanging on to the fact that she completely trusts he never did what he was charged for, she can't accept that to be true. And she is looking to the appeal process for justice to be served."

"Danny is adamant he did nothing wrong and Bijou believes him. Her other thoughts are a little more scary and morbid, she doesn't believe Danny will harm himself in jail, but she is very worried someone will harm him or even kill him. The stress of that, is bringing is on its own level of stress that she never has felt before. It is a nightmare, but she will be on his side moving forward and continue to be present for their daughter," it added.
No casualties have been reported yet among Egyptian expats in Morocco after a 6.8 magnitude earthquake struck the North African nation, according to a statement released by the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Saturday.

So far no victims or injured people have been detected among members of the Egyptian community, said Ahmed Abu Zeid, the spokesman for the Egyptian foreign ministry.

The Egyptian foreign ministry said it has been in contact with the relevant Moroccan authorities, the Egyptian embassy in Morocco, and Egyptian expat associations to verify the safety of Egyptians in the affected areas, read a statement on Saturday.

The quake, which struck late on Friday and was followed by a 4.9 aftershock, killed at least 1,000 people and left around 700 others in critical condition, according to Moroccan officials.

The foreign ministry extended its condolences to the Moroccan government, wishing a speedy recovery for the injured.

The quake hit the High Atlas Mountains, southwest of Marrakesh, at a depth of 18.5km, causing several buildings to partially or fully collapse.

Rescue operations in search of survivors are still ongoing.

Search Keywords:

Short link:


New Delhi, September 9 : As Chinese President Xi Jinping skipped the G20 Summit in New Delhi, the US on Saturday said that it was up to the Beijing government to explain his absence from the multilateral event.

"It's incumbent upon the Chinese government to explain why its leader would or would not participate," said Jon Finer, the US Deputy National Security Adviser, while speaking to reporters in New Delhi.

He further added that it was "unfortunate" if China wasn't committed to the success of the grouping.

"Some have speculated China's absence indicates that it is giving up on the G20, building an alternative world order, that it will privilege groupings like the BRICS," Finer added.

Chinese premier Li Qiang is representing the country at the G20 Leaders' Summit.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has also skipped the summit amid Moscow's ongoing war against Ukraine.

He is being represented by Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.

India has played down the absence of both the leaders from the high-profile Summit, saying the main focus is to evolve consensus among all members on key issues facing the multilateral event.

--IANS

ans/ksk
New Delhi, Sep 9 : Considering retrieving the Women's Reservation Bill from cold storage, the then Congress President Sonia Gandhi wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2017, urging his party to pass the legislation, given their majority in Lok Sabha.

Already cleared in Rajya Sabha in 2010, this bill seeks to reserve 33 per cent representation for women in Parliament and state legislatures.

"I am writing to request you to take advantage of your majority in the Lok Sabhato now get the Women's Reservation Bill passed in the lower house as well," she wrote, assuring Congress' support and adding that this bill would be a significant step in the direction ofwomenempowerment.

It was on March 8, 2016, on the occasion of International Women's Day that the Congress supremo made a strong pitch for this "long awaited" bill.

"The long awaited Women's Reservation Bill requires the government's attention," she said in Lok Sabha, adding pertinently that "the Congress is proud to have given the first and only woman Prime Minister", referring to Indira Gandhi.

BJP, along with Congress and Left parties supported this bill despite opposition by some regional parties.

Calling out on the NDA government's "minimum government, maximum governance" dictum, Sonia Gandhi criticised, saying that "maximum governance means giving women their due." She pointed out that the notion of "maximum governance" is inclusive of "preserving the social and communal fabric" of the nation, which " involves the expansion of scope of debate without retaliation and retribution".

Although this bill was first tabled in Lok Sabha as the 81st Amendment Bill in September 1996 by the then Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda-led United Front government, it failed to get the approval of the House and lapsed with the dissolution of the session.

A dramatic scene happened in 1998, when Law Minister M. Thambidurai introduced the bill on behalf of then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government in the 12th Lok Sabha.An RJD MP went to the well of the House, grabbed the bill and tore it to bits. As expected, the bill lapsed again.

Even though the bill was reintroduced in 1999, 2002 and 2003, with the collective support of Congress, the BJP and the Left parties, it failed to receive requisite votes to become a law.

Later,Manmohan Singh-led UPA-I government tabled the billin the Rajya Sabha where it was passed with 186-1 votes on March 9, 2010,amid protests by some regional parties and collective support of the Congress, BJP and Left parties. But since it was left pending in the Lower House, it lapsed with the dissolution of the 15th Lok Sabha.

A long history of persistent endeavours

The Woman's Reservation Bill had its seeds sown way back in 1931, whenBegum Shah Nawaz and Sarojini Naidu wrote to the British Prime Minister, submitting the official memorandum jointly issued on the status of women in the new Constitution by three women's bodies: "To seek any form of preferential treatment would be to violate the integrity of the universal demand of Indian women for absolute equality of political status."

When the matter of women's reservation came up in the Constituent Assembly debates, it was rejected as unnecessary, presuming that democracy accords equal representation to all groups.

In 1947, noted freedom fighter Renuka Ray said: "We always held that when the men who have fought and struggled for their country's freedom came to power, the rights and liberties of women too would be guaranteed."

However, it did not take very long to become clear that this was not the case. Hence, special representation for women became a recurring concern in policy debates and discussions.

When the Committee of the Status of Women in India was set up in 1971, it commented on the declining political representation of women in India. Though a majority remained against reservation for women in legislative bodies, they all supported reservation for women in local bodies. Eventually, many state governments began announcing reservations for women in local bodies.

The National Perspective Plan for Women recommended in 1988 that reservation be provided to women from the grassroot to the apex levels, ie, from panchayat to the Parliament.

These recommendations made way for the historic the 73rd and 74th amendments to the Constitution which mandate all state governments to reserve one-third of the seats for women in Panchayati Raj Institutions and one-third of the offices of the chairperson at all levels of the Panchayati Raj Institutions, and in urban local bodies.

Within these seats, one-third are reserved for Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe women. States such as Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and Kerala have made legal provisions to ensure 50 per cent reservation for women in local bodies.

It is widely argued and understood thatwomen's interests are not and cannot be isolated from social, economic and political issues. That being the case, Sonia Gandhi's push for this bill is a timely reminder, just as several previous attempts by preceding governments.

In 2014, BJP had promised 33 per cent reservation for women in its manifesto and stuck to this promise in its 2019 agenda. Since there has been no movement from the government in this direction, the Congress supremo's 2017 letter to the Prime Minister looms as a question mark on both, the future of the Women's Reservation Bill as well as on the word of the ruling party.

(Kavya Dubey may be reached atkavya.d@ians.in)
Melbourne, Sep 9 : Australia women's national selector Shawn Flegler has revealed that the fast bowlers and spinners will be increasing their bowling loads during the upcoming Women's Big Bash League (WBBL) with an eye to prepare for a day-night pink-ball match on their tour of India scheduled for later in the year.

Though dates for Australiaas multi-format series in India are yet to come out, it is believed that the tour will begin with a day-night pink-ball Test. It means that Australia are set to play their first Test match in India since 1984.

The two teams featured in a day-night pink-ball Test when India toured Australia in 2021. Before flying to India, Australiaas players will be participating in the WBBL from October 19 to December 2, with skipper Harmanpreet Kaur the lone player from her country to feature in the competition.

"We've got to do preparation during the WBBL. Which is really important for, one, our pace bowlers to have their loads up and be ready to go if required to bowl long spells during the Test match, but also our spin bowlers. So it's a balancing act playing WBBL but also getting some loads in and preparing," Flegler was quoted as saying by ESPNCricinfo.

Flegler also stated that Australia will not be playing a first-class warm-up match before the Test against India, though it played a three-day tour match against England A ahead of this year's one-off Ashes Test at Trent Bridge. Instead, they will resort to central wicket practice, apart from an intrasquad match and use Indian bowlers as net bowlers.

"We're going to go to India a week or 10 days before the Test match starts. So we'll have some good training prep leading into that. We'll have some extra players from India that we will use in some centre-wicket scenarios. We don't have an actual warm-up fixture."

"We've gone down the path of having an intrasquad game essentially. So we'll have the squad over there with some extras from India. It'll be a good challenge for everyone coming out of WBBL into a pink-ball Test match under lights," he concluded.

--IANS

nr/cs
New Delhi, September 9 : In a surprise development, the G20 leaders on Saturday arrived at a consensus on the Delhi Declaration and adopted it, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced.

As Chair of the summit, Modi made the announcement during the second session of the ongoing G20 Leaders' Summit in New Delhi.

"There is good news, with everyone's cooperation consensus has been reached on New Delhi G20 Leadership Declaration," he said.

He praised the hard work of the Sherpas and officials for making it possible to forge a consensus on the final outcome document or the Delhi Declaration.

The development was quite unexpected as the Delhi Declaration was being expected to be announced on Sunday, the last day of the Summit.

Though the details of the wordings of the Delhi declaration are not yet known, the fact that Modi personally having announced that a consensus has been arrived at, indicates that some sort of compromise between Russia/China combined and other members of the G20 bloc has been arrived at, especially on the language related to the Ukraine war..

"Indiaas G20 Presidency has been the most ambitious in history of G20. There are 73 outcomes (lines of effort) and 39 annexed documents (presidency documents, not including Working Group outcome documents). With 112 outcomes and presidency documents, we have more than doubled the substantive work from previous presidencies," official sources said.

As reported earlier, amid hectic parleys over finding a consensus on the wordings for the Russia-Ukraine war, the G20 diplomats are learnt to have arrived at a "compromise language" to describe the full scale invasion.

--IANS

ans/ksk
PM Modi has not responded to request of all party meeting delegation: Siddaramaiah. Image Source: IANS News

Hubballi, : Sept 9 (IANS) Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday said that Prime Minister Modi has not responded to the request of meeting an all party delegation from the state which had sought Modi's time to deliberate between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka over the Cauvery dispute.

Talking to media persons at Hubballi Airport, the Chief Minister said that although the state government is ready to launch the Mahadayi project, the forest and environment clearance has not been obtained from the central government.

He said that all related reports have been sent to the Centre.

On JDS is BJP's B team, the Chief Minister said that they got annoyed with him when he said that JDS is BJP's B team. "The Janata Dal, a party that claims to be secular, has united with the communalists. Former prime minister Deve Gowda used to say that he would not join with other parties for any reason. But MLA G.T Deve Gowda is saying that he is joining hands with BJP for the survival of the party. It shows that the JDS party has no ideology," the Chief Minister said.

He said that JDS has proved that they are ready to do anything for power.

Reacting to the issues of 'Hijab', 'Halal', 'Hindutva' and 'Sanatana Dharma'; the Chief Minister said that the 'Hijab' and 'Halal' issues are in the court.

He said the cabinet has taken a decision to conduct an inquiry regarding the uniforms distributed to children under Vidya Vikas scheme from Karnataka textiles organisation.

"Since payment is also made, it has been decided that the concerned people will be held responsible. Inquiry is underway and action will be taken for repayment of the amount from the concerned," the Chief Minister said.

On farmers' protest, the Chief Minister said that there was not enough rain in August. "Pumpsets should be properly maintained in summer. Due to this, a large amount of electricity is consumed," he said.

The Chief Minister said that the measures are being taken to supply electricity by purchasing electricity from outside to solve the problems of farmers.

On Congress President not getting an invite for G20, the Chief Minister said that Kharge is officially the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha and it is wrong not to invite him for the G20 meeting.

The Chief Minister said that a request has been submitted to the Center to revise the guidelines for providing relief to drought declared areas, but no response has been received so far.

"In the drought declared areas, the state government undertakes many measures including drinking water, assistance for sowing. But the timely help should come from the central government," the Chief Minister said.

Responding to some Congress enthusiasts hoping for Siddaramaiah to become Prime Minister, the Chief Minister said that in a democracy, anyone can become a Prime Minister.

"Modi became a Prime Minister, directly from being the Chief Minister of Gujarat," he said.

The Chief Minister said that he has no interest in national politics.
Bengaluru, Sep 9 : The Karnataka government's scheme to provide Rs 3 lakh financial assistance to minority community for purchasing taxi or goods vehicles has created a controversy.

Union Minister for State for Entrepreneurship, Skill Development, Electronics and Technology, Rajeev Chandrasekhar slamming the Congress government in the state, said, "Here comes another example of shameless, lazy, appeasement politics by Rahul's Congress in Karnataka."

"Buy a vehicle for Rs 6 lakh, using 50 per cent subsidy, sell it the next day for Rs 5 lakh. Cool profit of Rs 2 lakh. Only available for non-Hindus and does not include poor deprived Hindu communities," he said.

"Shameless bribing of a community by using public resources meant for all Kannadigas. Brazen discrimination and violation of Article 14 of Constitution from a party that goes abroad and talks of Bharat's Constitution being under threat.

"State sponsored Conversion inducement. This is the appeasement and corrupt politics of dynasts UPA and I.N.D.I.A alliance," Chandrasekhar said.

Responding to Chandrasekhar, state Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao said, "You are forgetting that this scheme was there even during your BJP government. Don't let your blind hatred for the minorities make you look like a fool. Correct your stupid tweet."

Bengaluru South MP Tejasvi Surya objecting to the scheme stated that Congress to fund its freebies, is increasing guidance value by 30 per cent, has doubled electricity charges, hiked excise duty, milk prices, road tax and also plans to extract 5 per cent cess.

"Now Karnataka's middle class will fund a 'religion targeted scheme', specifically designed for minorities, that gives Rs 3 lakh as subsidy to buy vehicles. Congress goes to any extent to appease its core voter base even if it means to undermine hardworking tax paying middle class families," he stated.

The Karnataka Minorities Development Corporation Limited Scheme poster stated that under the scheme, a subsidy of 50 per cent on vehicle value or up to a maximum of Rs 3 lakh will be given to each beneficiary to buy auto rickshaw, taxi, goods vehicles. The last date for the application is mentioned as September 25.
Vijayawada, Sep 9 : The Telugu Desam Party (MLA) and popular Tollywood actor N. Balakrishna had termed the arrest of party president and former chief minister, Nara Chandrababu Naidu as an 'atrocious' act.

Balakrishna alleged that Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy is resorting to vengeful attitude instead of concentrating on the welfare of the people.

Balakrishna, who is also brother-in-law of Naidu, said that it is the misfortune of the people of Andhra Pradesh to have Jagan as their Chief Minister.

The MLA from Hindupur said that Jagan who was in jail for 16 months, wants to see Chandrababu too behind bars.

Balakrishna questioned the legality of the arrest of Chandrababu Naidu in the Skill Development project case, particularly in the absence of concrete evidence.

He said that the allegations on the Skill Development project are merely propaganda and part of a larger political conspiracy.

The actor also raised doubts over the timing of the arrest events, pointing out that while an FIR was registered on December 19, 2021, no charge-sheet has been filed till now.

He referred to a High Court ruling that found no connection between frozen accounts and the alleged crime.

He cited another High Court order which noted that employment was provided to 72,000 students while 2.13 lakh students received training by the Skill Development Corporation and hence this cannot be labeled as a scam.

Asking as to why the Chief Minister is repeatedly getting admonished by the High Court, Balakrishna strongly felt that Chandrababu Naidu's arrest is politically motivated and unwarranted.

"Such kind of threats will not deter us from moving ahead and we will certainly go to the people's court to get their verdict," Balakrishna added.
Bengaluru, Sep 9 : Congress MLC B.K. Hariprasad on Saturday put up a show of strength against Chief Minister Siddaramaiah by holding a meeting of leaders and religious seers of various backward classes at the Palace Grounds in Bengaluru.

Hariprasad, without taking the name of Siddaramaiah, targeted him throughout his speech, saying, "Dalit leader G. Parameshwar served for the longest period as the state President of the Congress party. He deserved to become the Chief Minister. In spite of making him Chief Minister, he was demoted from the post of DyCM to a minister. A Dalit should have been chosen for the post of Deputy Chief Minister. Minister Satish Jarkiholi should have been made the Deputy Chief Minister.".

"If one thinks that he has formed the government and decides to act as per his whims and fancies, the people will take their calls. You will not become Devaraj Urs (late former CM of Karnataka and icon of backward classes) by sitting in his car. You need to have the thinking," Hariprasad said.

"No CM in the past has pursued caste politics. Wearing a dhoti and watch and claiming to be a socialist will not work. He also maintained that khaki (seen as the colour of RSS) is disguised in dhoti," he said.

"Our community is divided today. When the elections came, there were a slew of announcements. After coming to power, the backward classes have been forgotten. We have not realised the power of our own masses," Hariprasad said.

Narayana Guru Mutt's Pranavanada Swamiji stated that, "how long will you be the CM? Do we have to die waiting?."

Jnana Prakash Swamiji asked why a Dalit can't become the CM?

Hariprasad, an aspirant for the cabinet post, is now with Deputy CM Shivakumar's camp.
Bengaluru, Sept 9 : Karnataka former chief minister H.D. Kumaraswamy on Saturday said that former chief minister B.S. Yediyurappa's statements in connection with the BJP-JD (S) alliance are personal.

"Until now there is no discussion about seat sharing. But people do need parallel force in the state and there is internal bickering within the Congress," he said.

He said that we met a few times "cordially" and we will see what will happen in the coming days.

On the charge of Congress that two desperate parties who can't win elections are joining hands, he said that discussions are going on between the two parties. "We are coming together to go before the people," he said.

"People need it. They require the alternative in the backdrop of misdeeds by the Congress government in the last three months. People are watching all developments," he underlined.

When asked about many JD (S) leaders quitting the party, Kumaraswamy said that there is no problem. "I joined hands with BJP in 2006 and the entire state appreciated my stint as the Chief Minister for 20 months," he said.

Kumaraswamy said that there is still time for the merger.

Speaking to reporters after attending a special worship andhoma(fire ritual), Kumaraswamy maintained that he won't talk about the alliance between BJP and his party (JD (S)) for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections at this juncture.

Former Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa on Friday had said that an alliance with JD(S) for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections will strengthen BJP in Karnataka.

Yediyurappa had also welcomed the alliance of BJP and JD(S). "With the alliance, it is possible to win more seats. Talks are on in New Delhi in this regard. JD(S) top leader and former prime minister H.D. Deve Gowda had held talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Amit Shah.

The leaders of both the parties have agreed. Amit Shah has agreed to give four MP seats to JD(S). We will contest in the rest of the seats," Yediyurappa had said.

--IANS

mka/dan
UK not to call for release of British Sikh detained in India: Report. Image Source: IANS News

London, Sep 9 : As British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak attends the ongoing G20 Summit in Delhi, the UK government has decided not to call for the release of its national imprisoned in India on terror charges for the past five years.

The refusal to call for British Sikh Jagtar Singh Johal's release came in a letter sent to Scottish National Party MP Martin Docherty-Hughes on Friday, saying that "the course of action would not be in his best interests", The Guardian reported.

The letter signed by the Minister for Asia, Lord Ahmad, said: aHaving carefully considered the potential benefits and risks to Mr Johal of calling for his release, as well as the likely effectiveness of doing so, we do not believe this course of action would be in his best interests."

Lord Ahmed wrote that with Johalas trial underway in India, a call for his release would be considered interference in the Indian judicial process, which could jeopardise UK's ability to offer consular assistance.

The response came after a group of more than 70 MPs called on Sunak earlier this week to urge Prime Minister Narendra Modi to secure Johal's "immediate release".

Before them, Docherty-Hughes had sent a letter on July 20.

Lord Ahmad further said that the UK will continue to raise its concerns directly with the government of India, adding that the issue was brought up by the British Foreign Secretary with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on March 1.

aWhere appropriate, the Prime Minister will also raise Johalas case during his upcoming engagements with the Indian government," Lord Ahmed wrote in response to Docherty-Hughes.

In addition, he said that the UK government will continue to support Johal and his family, keeping their best interests in mind.

aTo lead is to choose -- and the Prime Minister has chosen not only to prioritise a desperate bid for a free trade deal (with India) over the life of a British citizen, he has also chosen to snub a perfectly reasonable request to him made by more than 70 of his fellow MPs, across all parties," Docherty-Hughes told The Guardian.

Reacting to the report, British Sikh Labour MP Preet Kaur Gill said that it is shocking that Sunak is not going to call for Johal's release as he visits India.

"Jaggi is a British national and has been arbitrarily detained. The Sikh community is concerned," she wrote on X (formerly Twitter) on Friday.

Sharing an audio clip on X from an interview to British radio station BBC Asian Network, Gill said: "What people expect from this government is clear leadership. This is a British national. The least any government should be doing is making sure that they can secure their release, especially when they have been arbitrarily detained."

Johal from Dumbarton was in Punjab for his wedding when he was arrested from Jalandhar on November 4, 2017, over his alleged role in killings by the Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF), a banned terrorist organisation.

His family claims that the 36-year-old was tortured, including through electric shocks, before being made to sign a blank confession document -- allegations that have been denied by the Indian authorities.

In May 2022, the UN working group on arbitrary detention concluded that he had been arbitrarily detained and that his detention breached international human rights law.

He is currently being held at the Tihar Jail in Delhi and faces a possible death penalty over 10 accusations of murder and conspiracy to murder.
The Ministry of Education and Technical Education reaffirmed that smartphone usage is prohibited in Egyptian public schools for both students and teachers, as outlined in the ministry's guidelines for the upcoming academic year 2023/2024.

The decision took effect in public schools in the 2022/2023 academic year, the education ministry's spokesman Shady Zalata told Ahram Online.

Students and educators are permitted to carry only basic phones without cameras or applications while at school, provided these devices are not used during instructional hours.

The ministry has underscored its commitment to enforce penalties for any violations of these regulations.

Furthermore, Minister of Education and Technical Education Reda Hegazy has issued directives to educational authorities across the governorates to actively address the issue of private tutoring.

Hegazy emphasized the importance of taking legal measures against teachers who are absent from school or fail to adhere to their assigned class schedules as per the school timetable.

In addition to these measures, the minister has stressed the necessity for students "to comply with uniform dress codes in public schools, and to ensure discipline within the schools, with the provision that students are not obligated to purchase uniforms from specific vendors".

The upcoming 2023/2024 school year is scheduled to commence on 30 September 2023 and conclude on 8 June 2024.

Search Keywords:

Short link:


Chandigarh, Sep 9 : Setting aside speculations, senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and two-time Punjab chief minister, Capt Amarinder Singh, on Saturday dismissed rumours that he had met Congress leader Sonia Gandhi.

He said these were baseless rumours and made it clear that he was committed to the BJP, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and party president J.P. Nadda.

The former Chief Minister asserted that he has made up his mind once for all and he will always remain committed to the BJP.

"At such a level you don't look back," he said, adding, it is his principle in life that a decision once made is never taken back.
New York, Sept 9 : Russian President Vladimir Putin, whose invasion of Ukraine and the entrapment in a battlefield quagmire there defies logic, has reveled in making this unpredictability his persona to play mindgames with the nuclear threat.

This peril has put limits on how far the West  which in any case doesn't really have a firm centre  would go in their defence of Ukraine.

Putin appeared to draw a redline when he said last September that "we will certainly use all the means at our disposal" when his country is "threatened".

"It's not a bluff," he added.

In response, US President Joe Biden said the next month that Putin was "not joking when he talks about the use of tactical nuclear weapons or biological or chemical weapons".

The West is united in its rhetoric against Russia and, to a large extent, financial aid to Ukraine and sanctions on Moscow, but differences emerge when it comes to arming Kiev.

It has drawn its own line, a shifting one, though, on how far to go.

It has moved enough that the US and its allies have slowly started increasing their supply of defence equipment like tanks and F-16 fighter jets -- and even the cluster bombs banned by many in the West.

Germany was reluctant to send Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine lest it be singled out by Russia and insisted that the US send M1 Abrams tanks as a condition for its aid.

As for F-16s, Biden said Ukraine didn't need them, but was shamed into agreeing to send them by offers of Denmark and Sweden to send them.

Western Europe  or Europe  itself falls into clusters, some of them overlapping and they all have common interests as well as differences driven by national interests.

There is the military alliance, NATO, whose fears of expansion could have been a factor behind the Russian invasion.

The invasion propelled Finland to give up its neutrality and join the pact. Sweden also joined in  after overcoming objections from Turkey, a country that seldom registers as Western.

Straddling Europe and Asia, it continues to maintain ties with Moscow, acting as the honest broker on matters like facilitating foodgrains export from Ukraine, and in the NATO it has veto powers like all members.

Action by NATO  the only Western body that can act militarily against Russia  is ruled out unless Putin attacks any of its 31 members, who stretch from Greece in the south to Finland in the north, and embrace the US and Canada across the Atlantic.

The European Union (EU), whose ranks have swelled with the admission of 11 countries that were once a part of the Soviet Union or communist-run, has no military might, but it has imposed at least 48 types of sanctions against Russia, which are observed by members.

An outgrowth of economic cooperation, the EU marches towards political and social integration and diplomatic coordination, but still has differences within it.

Britain's departure from the EU shows its frailty and the limits of it overreach even on matters like agriculture and common product standards.

The Baltic states, once like Ukraine a part of the Russian empire euphemistically known as the Soviet Union till 1991, along with former Soviet vassals like Poland, and former communist states like Romania or the splinters of Yugoslavia, are another cluster.

They are most stridently anti-Russian and for the defence of Ukraine, based on their history; yet, Hungary is soft on Russia.

Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban has bluntly said that Ukraine has no chance of winning the War and, therefore, the West must make a deal with Russia that would give Kyiv security and sovereignty, but not NATO membership.

The Scandinavian, Northern European and Baltic countries, who see themselves as particularly vulnerable, have been at the forefront of aiding Ukraine.

When aid to Ukraine is adjusted as a percentage of their gross domestic product (GDP), the top donor is Norway, followed by three Baltic nations, Denmark, Poland, Slovakia and the Czech Republic  ranging approximately from 1.5 per cent of the GDP to 0.58 per cent  according to the Ukraine Support Tracker of the Germany-based Kiel Institute.

Besides the US, the three big powers of the West  Germany, France and Britain  march to their own drummer.

Even in the 1960s when the US was seen as "the leader of the Free World" in the standoff with the Soviet Union, France under President Charles de Gaulle struck its own course.

And now the Paris-Washington divide is over China and it was given form in an interview to Politico by France's President Emmanuel Macron who acknowledged China as the second superpower.

After a visit to Beijing, he railed against the "extraterritoriality of the US dollar", warned against Europe becoming "vassals" and called for "strategic autonomy".

The US straddling the Atlantic and the Pacific has to watch both flanks, especially the Pacific where China challenges it.

But the Europeans are not cognisant of the China risk as the US is and, hence, not entirely on board with Washington's Indo-Pacific priorities making a worldwide response difficult.

Germany, the country with the highest GDP in Europe, has been reluctant to step up to a leadership role given its role in World War II, the most calamitous event of modern times.

Bonn also had a strong economic relationship with Moscow, the most controversial of which was the Nord Stream pipelines to bring gas directly from Russia that it ventured into against Washington's advice.

The US imposed sanctions on companies associated with the pipelines.

Nord Stream 1, which had been in operation, was shut down last year by Russia after problems with it, while Nord Stream 2 was stopped from coming into operation by Germany  both at great cost to Bonn.

All the three West European majors have rivalries among themselves going back centuries.

Britain is probably the closest ally of the US, but it broke with the rest of Europe by leaving the EU, and even though it provides substantial military aid to Ukraine, it has criticised the US for supplying the controversial cluster bombs to Ukraine.

For now, for all its shortcomings, the US is the closest to a leader of the fractious West -- not quite the leader who can lead them into battle.

(Arul Louis can be contacted atarul.l@ians.inand followed at @arulouis)
London, Sep 9 : Five former Met Police officers have pleaded guilty to sharing racist jokes involving UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Queen Elizabeth II and many others in a WhatsApp group between 2020 and 2022, the police said.

Peter Booth (66), Robert Lewis (62), Anthony Elsom (67), Alan Hall (65) and Trevor Lewton (65) appeared at the Westminster Magistrates' Court on Thursday, where they pleaded guilty to 19 offences under Section 127(1) (a) of the Communications Act 2003.

The officers, who retired between 2001 and 2015, shared offensive messages on the WhatsApp group titled 'Old Boys Beer Meet', The Evening Standard reported.

Investigators found that Lewis, who retired from Met in 2015, pleaded guilty to eight counts of sending by public communication grossly offensive racist messages.

In one of the slurs, he shared a photo of Sunak, former Home Secretary Priti Patel and former Health Secretary Sajid Javid under the mocked-up street sign "Browning Street".

Booth, who admitted to four offences, shared a picture of the late Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip with a golliwog doll and a joke about Pakistani flood victims.

Elsom had put a picture with mocked-up speech bubbles suggesting Princess Catherine had made monkey noises at black children.

Lewton admitted one count, while Hall pleaded guilty to three counts including a slur aimed at the Duchess of Sussex's race, The Standard reported.

"The racist and discriminatory content of these messages is absolutely appalling and, given the defendants once served as police officers, we recognise that this case may further damage confidence in policing," Commander James Harman, who leads the Met's Anti-Corruption and Abuse Command, said in a statement.

"Colleagues across the Met will be disgusted to know that these men once served in the force and will be pleased to see the outcome today."

All five of them have been released and their sentencing hearing is scheduled for November 6.

A sixth man, Michael Chadwell, 62, appeared at the same court and pleaded not guilty to one count of sending by public communication grossly offensive racist messages. He is expected to stand trial on the same date.

The charges come after a 2022 BBC Newsnight investigation, which sparked a Met Police probe.
New Delhi, Sep 9 : As PC and laptop makers urge the government to rethink its decision on import licensing requirements accompanied by a quota, the industry stakeholders have met IT Ministry officials to seek solutions on the matter.

The meeting discussed proposed changes, like linking the import of IT hardware to the local manufacturing of a company value and its export value of electronic items, according to sources.

The meeting on Friday was called to give suggestions on how the proposed import management system should work and get the stakeholders' feedback.

Another meeting is likely to happen again next week to continue discussions on the issue.

Last month, the India Cellular and Electronics Association (ICEA) wrote to the IT Ministry, requesting the government to rethink its decision on import licensing requirement accompanied by a quota, which was extended by 3 months until October 31, fearing that this may lead to price rise in consumer electronics products as companies are not yet prepared for manufacturing PCs, laptops and servers domestically at scale.

The letter said that an overarching factor that should be taken into consideration in "avoiding supply chain disruption till domestic production ramps up" is that any "reduction in supplies or even an indication will lead to hoarding and market distortion".

This, in turn, can push up consumer prices, "which will adversely impact not just key stakeholders such as students, but also those who are the core of growing the digital economy, i.e. start-ups, IT and ITES firms, BPOs".

The industry seeks at least nine-month breather after the PLI for IT Hardware was launched.

"The government may undertake a re-assessment of the investment pipeline and the supply situation before inviting the industry to discuss whether any further policy intervention is needed at that stage. It may be too early to assess the full implication of the new scheme before then," according to the letter.

Where servers are concerned, the ICEA has received inputs that companies in that sector seek a relook at their inclusion in the proposed intervention.

The Central government earlier deferred its decision to restrict the import of certain categories of laptops and computers until November 1, allowing companies three-months time to import these devices.

Post November 1, no entity will be allowed to import laptops, computers, and related items without a license.

The PLI 2.0 for IT hardware has garnered applications from 40 companies including global and domestic. The expected incremental production under the scheme is around Rs 3.35 lakh crore.
New Delhi, Sep 9 : The world leaders in G20 summit on Saturday condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestation.

"We condemn terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, including those on the basis of xenophobia, racism and other forms of intolerance, or in the name of religion or belief, recognising the commitment of all religions to peace," said the Delhi Declaration.

"It constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security. We strongly condemn all terrorist acts against critical infrastructure, including critical energy facilities, and against other vulnerable targets. All acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation, wherever, whenever and by whomsoever committed."

The G20 leaders said that, effective counterterrorism measures, support for the victims of terrorism and the protection of human rights are not conflicting goals, but complementary and mutually reinforcing. A holistic approach on the basis of international law can effectively counter terrorism.

Efforts to increase the effectiveness of international cooperation should be strengthened to deny terrorist groups safe haven, freedom of operations, movement and recruitment, as well as financial, material or political support, they said.

The G20 leaders said that they also express concern about illicit trafficking and diversion of small arms and light weapons. International cooperation among States is critical to combat these phenomena, including export, import controls, and tracing.

"We commit to supporting the increasing resource needs of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and FATF Style Regional Bodies and encourage others to do the same, including for the next round of mutual evaluations. We remain committed to the timely and global implementation of the revised FATF Standards on the transparency of beneficial ownership of legal persons and legal arrangements to make it more difficult for criminals to hide and launder ill-gotten gains. We welcome the ongoing work of the FATF to enhance global efforts to recover criminal proceeds, in particular, the progress made by the FATF towards revising its standards on asset recovery and reinforcing global asset recovery networks."

"We reiterate the importance of countries developing and implementing effective regulatory and supervisory frameworks to mitigate risks associated with virtual assets in line with FATF Standards, especially for terrorism financing, money laundering, and proliferation financing risks."

The G20 leaders said that in this regard, we support the FATF's initiative to accelerate the global implementation of its standards, including the "travel rule", and its work on risks of emerging technologies and innovations, including decentralised finance (DeFi) arrangements and peer-to-peer transactions.
New Delhi, Sep 9 : Ashok Swain, who is a Sweden-based Professor of Indian origin, has moved to the Delhi High Court again challenging a fresh order issued by the Centre cancelling his Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) Card.

Notably, the high court on July 10 set aside Centre's order cancelling the OCI Card of the faculty member of peace and conflict research at the Department of Peace and Conflict Research at Sweden's Uppsala University, Swain, observing that other than repeating Sections, no proper reason has been given in the order as to why his registration has been removed.

Swain has contended that he cannot be witch-hunted for his views on current government or its policies.

He has said that despite specific and unequivocal directions of the court to pass a detailed order, the Embassy of India to Sweden & Latvia passed the fresh order in a "callous manner" by merely para-phrasing the provisions of law.

"The Petitioner has an ailing mother aged about 78 years who is suffering from various medical ailments including Diabetes, High Blood Pressure and other age-related ailments. The Petitioner is the only son, and has not been to India in the past 3 years. Thus, there is an extreme urgency for him to visit India and attend to his ailing mother," the plea said.

Swain has also said that he is a well-known academic and researcher, and that being an Academician, he analyses and criticises certain policies of the present government.

"He cannot be made to suffer for his views on the policies of the government. As a scholar it his role in the society to discuss and critique the policies of Government through his work. The Petitioner cannot be witch-hunted for his views on the political dispensation of the current government or their policies. Criticism of certain policies of the government would not amount to being an inflammatory speech or an Anti-India activity," the plea added.

The court has listed the matter for next hearing on September 11.

Earluer, he had mentioned in his plea that his OCI card was cancelled in February 2022 as he criticised the current Indian government.

He stated that he has not delivered any inflammatory speech.

An OCI card is issued to a foreign national of Indian origin, who is allowed to live and work in India for an indefinite period.

"The respondents are directed to pass a detailed order giving the reason for exercising its power under Section 7D(e) of the Citizenship Act. The impugned order is set aside. The respondents are directed to complete the exercise in a period of three weeks from today," the court had said.

"This hardly is an order, doesn't give any reasonsThis hardly gives any indication of the application of mind on the matter. Pass a detailed order with reasons for cancellation," a single-judge bench of Justice Subramonium Prasad had said as he perused the impugned order.

Swain had argued that his card was cancelled on the alleged premise that he was indulging in inflammatory speeches and anti-India activities, however, there were no specific instances or materials to prove the same.

"It is submitted that the petitioner has never engaged in any inflammatory speeches or Anti-India activities. As a scholar it is his role in society to discuss and criticise the policies of government through his work," Swain's petition had read.

It had added: "Being an Academician, he analyses and criticises certain policies of the present government, mere criticism of the policies of the current ruling dispensation shall not tantamount to anti-India activities under Section 7D(e) of the Citizenship Act, 1955."
New Delhi, Sep 9 : As the Delhi Declaration desisted from making any reference to Russia at all and chose to re-emphasise the need for all states to "refrain from the threat or use of force to seek territorial acquisition against the territorial integrity and sovereignty or political independence of any state", Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar on Saturday said that it could not be compared to the Bali Declaration.

In Bali, the G20 members had reiterated their national positions of "deploring in the strongest terms the aggression by the Russian Federation against Ukraine".

In contrast to that, the Delhi Declaration said: "Concerning the war in Ukraine, while recalling the discussion in Bali, we reiterated our national positions and resolutions adopted at the UN Security Council and the UN General Assembly and underscored that all states must act in a manner consistent with the Purposes and Principles of the UN Charter in its entirety.

"In line with the UN Charter, all states must refrain from the threat or use of force to seek territorial acquisition against the territorial integrity and sovereignty or political independence of any state. The use or threat of use of nuclear weapons is inadmissible."

Jaishankar explained the change in India's language on the war in Ukraine and said: "Regarding the change in language on the Russia-Ukraine conflict from the Bali Declaration -- Bali was Bali, New Delhi is Delhi. Many things have happened since the Bali Declaration."

He went on to add that "one should not have a theological view of this. New Delhi Declaration responds to the situation as it stands today. The New Delhi Declaration responds to the concerns of today just like the Bali Declaration responded to the concerns of that time".

He further said that the Delhi Declaration is a comprehensive document as eventually everybody, including China, helped in achieving consensus on the portions related to Ukraine.

"Due to everybody's efforts, a common landing point was ultimately arrived at," the Foreign Minister said while addressing a press conference along with Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and G20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant.

On his part, Kant said that the adoption of the Delhi Declaration was a result of a great teamwork.

"Brazil, Indonesia and South Africa worked with emerging markets on Ukraine and the consensus was clinched after aggressive discussions and great teamwork by India. It (consensus) was arrived at when it even evaded the world and could not be achieved in Bali."

Meanwhile, the Delhi Declaration also appreciated the efforts of Turkiye and UN-brokered Istanbul Agreements consisting of the MoU between Russia and the secretariat of the UN on promoting Russian food products and fertilisers to the world markets and the initiative on the safe transportation of grain and foodstuff from Ukrainian ports (Black Sea Initiative), and call for their full, timely and effective implementation to ensure the immediate and unimpeded deliveries of grain, foodstuffs, and fertilisers/inputs from Russia federation and Ukraine.

This, it said, is necessary to meet the demand in developing and least developed countries, particularly those in Africa.

"In this context, emphasising the importance of sustaining food and energy security, we called for the cessation of military destruction or other attacks on relevant infrastructure. We also expressed deep concern about the adverse impact that conflicts have on the security of civilians thereby exacerbating existing socio-economic fragilities and vulnerabilities and hindering an effective humanitarian response," it noted further.

We call on all states to uphold the principles of international law including territorial integrity and sovereignty, international humanitarian law, and the multilateral system that safeguards peace and stability, the Delhi Declaration added.

"The peaceful resolution of conflicts, and efforts to address crises as well as diplomacy and dialogue are critical. We will unite in our endeavour to address the adverse impact of the war on the global economy and welcome all relevant and constructive initiatives that support a comprehensive, just, and durable peace in Ukraine that will uphold all the Purposes and Principles of the UN Charter for the promotion of peaceful, friendly, and good neighbourly relations among nations in the spirit of 'One Earth, One Family, One Future'.

"Today's era must not be of war," the Declaration emphasised.
New Delhi, Sep 9 : The G20 leaders on Saturday said that they are committed to inclusive, equitable and high quality education for all the people.

"We are committed to inclusive, equitable, high-quality education and skills training for all, including for those in vulnerable situations. We recognise the importance of investment in supporting human capital development," the Delhi Declaration said.

"To this end, we recognise the importance of foundational learning (literacy, numeracy, and socio- emotional skills) as the primary building block for education and employment. Reiterate our commitment to harness digital technologies to overcome the digital divides for all learners."

The G20 leaders said that they extend support to educational institutions and teachers to enable them to keep pace with emerging trends and technological advances including Al.

It said that there they would emphasise expanding access to high-quality Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET).

"Reaffirm our commitment to promote open, equitable and secure scientific collaboration and encourage mobility of students, scholars, researchers, and scientists across research and higher education institutions."

The leaders said that they emphasise the importance of enabling life-long learning focused on skilling, reskilling, and upskilling especially for vulnerable groups.

"We thank India for successfully hosting the 18th G20 Summit in New Delhi, for its warm welcome to delegates, and for its valuable contributions to the strengthening of the G20. We appreciate the successful conclusion of various G20 Working Groups and Ministerial meetings and welcome their outcomes as annexed. We also congratulate India on the successful landing on the moon on 23 August 2023."

"We thank international organisations for their participation and support. We thank the Engagement Groups of B20, S20, SA120, Startup20, T20, U20, W20, Y20, C20, P20 and L20 and the Initiatives, namely, EMPOWER, Research Initiative, Space Economy Leaders Meeting (SELM), Chief Science Advisers' Roundtable (CSAR) and the G20 Cybersecurity Conference for their valuable recommendations," the Delhi Declaration said.
Imphal, Sep 9 : Influential Manipur BJP MLA Rajkumar Imo Singh on Saturday slammed ten state's legislators for meeting Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga.

Singh, son-in-law of Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, said in X, formerly Twitter, that as the ten MLAs are demanding a separate state they should resign from the assembly.

"If they are not serious in bringing peace here and only stuck with the demand, then I really urge them all to resign from the Manipur Legislative Assembly, as it is morally not correct to remain in public office of the state, taking salary from the state and also talk about division and separation from the state."

Singh said that it is better to have legislators in these constituencies from other tribal communities who are willing to work unitedly for the progress of the state.

"I thus request my fellow legislators to come back to the state and work unitedly for a peaceful and prosperous Manipur or resign from their respective posts honourably and continue with their demand and contest from some other state," he said.

"Did they allow this conflict to take place ? Are all the 10 signatories (MLAs) doing it willingly or being forced to do so by pressure groups and insurgent groups ? Who is responsible for the loss of lives in the state resulting out of the rally due to the High Court Order ? Couldn't the organisation just appeal to the Supreme Court, thus no rally, no violence, no conflict ? On the pretext of the High Court Order, was the solidarity rally on May 3 pre-planned to show it as a sacrifice to seek this new separate state demand ?," the BJP MLA asked.

He said that people of the state want to live in a peaceful state with no such conflict, a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic state of 34-35 indigenous tribes.

Ten tribal legislators from the hill districts of Manipur, including seven BJP along with various tribal organisations have been demanding a separate administration (equivalent to separate state) for the tribals since May 12, nine days after the devastating ethnic violence broke out in the northeastern state on May 3.

On Wednesday, the 10 MLAs and leaders of tribal organisations from Manipur held a meeting with Mizoram Chief Minister in Aizawl on Wednesday.

After meeting with the 10 MLAs and tribal leaders, Zoramthanga, who is also the President of the ruling Mizo National Front (MNF), had said that people of his state were ready to help their distressed fellow brothers and sisters of Manipur and suggested that the future course of action should be undertaken in consultation with various organisations, leaders concerned, and the public.

He said that he was deeply hurt with the sufferings of people due to the violence in Manipur.

Zoramthanga, his Cabinet colleagues and MNF MLAs had participated in the 'Solidarity March', organised by the NGOs Coordination Committee in Mizoram on July 25 to express solidarity for the Kuki-Zo tribals, affected in the violence in Manipur.
Kolkata, Sep 9 : An Election Commission of India (ECI) delegation will visit Kolkata on Sunday to review the preparedness for 2024 Lok Sabha polls.

Sources said that the ECI delegation will include two senior deputy election commissioners namely Dharmendra Sharma and Nitesh Kumar Vyas.

"The main agenda will be to have an idea about the poll preparedness for 2024, where the two senior officers are expected to highlight areas that need to be given more focus," an official from the CEO, West Bengal office said.

He said that the special focus of the meeting on Monday will be the revision in the voters' list, where the two senior officials might seek reports on the progress relating to inclusion of names of new voters, deletion of the names of the deceased voters and cancellation of the duplicate EPIC cards.

"The two officers from Delhi might seek discussion on the security issues during the elections in the backdrop of the massive violence in the recently concluded panchayat polls in the state although it was not monitored and conducted by the ECI," the official said.

Discussions are also likely about the conditions of the electronic voting machines that are in stock in West Bengal and evaluate the necessities for additional EVMs.
Leaders and diplomats the world over expressed condolences and support on Saturday for Morocco after a devastating earthquake struck near tourist hotspot Marrakesh.

The 6.8-magnitude earthquake that hit late Friday killed at least 632 people and injured 329 others, including 51 in critical condition, according to Moroccan authorities.

Support poured in from leaders across the world, including:

Europe

French President Emmanuel Macron said he was "devastated" by news of the quake, adding that "France stands ready to help with first aid."

Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, of Morocco's cross-strait neighbour Spain, expressed his "solidarity and support to the people of Morocco in the wake of this terrible earthquake... Spain is with the victims of this tragedy".

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said "our thoughts are with the victims of this devastating earthquake. Our sympathy goes out to all those affected".

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said she "learned with grief of the tragic toll" from the quake and pointed to "Italy's willingness to support Morocco in this emergency".

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen expressed sympathy "with the Moroccan people in the face of the terrible earthquake", while top EU diplomat Joseph Borrell said the bloc is ready to provide Morocco "the assistance it wishes".

Swiss President Alain Berset expressed his condolences. The country's foreign ministry said it activated a crisis cell and is evaluating sending aid.

Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo said his country stands by Morocco "in these difficult moments."

Russia, Ukraine

The leaders of both Russia and Ukraine also offered their sympathies.

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed his "deepest condolences to HM King Mohammed VI and all Moroccans for the lives lost in the horrible earthquake."

"Ukraine stands in solidarity with Morocco during this tragic time," he said on social media.

Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed similar sentiments and said, in a message to Morocco's king, "we share the pain and the mourning of the friendly Moroccan people."

India, Middle East

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is hosting the G20 summit this weekend, said he was "extremely pained by the loss of lives due to an earthquake in Morocco".

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan offered support to "our Moroccan brothers in every way in this difficult hour".

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu "instructed all government bodies and forces to provide any necessary assistance to the people of Morocco, including the preparations for sending an aid delegation to the area," a statement from his office said.

Arab World

The president of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, said we "stand with the Kingdom of Morocco during this difficult time and wish a speedy recovery ahead to all those affected".

He also ordered an "air bridge to deliver critical relief" to the country, according to state news agency WAM.

Saudi Arabia and Egypt also issued statements expressing their condolences and support after the quake.

World bodies

The head of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, said he "learnt with great sadness of the tragic consequences of the earthquake that hit the kingdom of Morocco", expressing his "sincere condolences" to the king, the Moroccan people and the families of the victims.

The secretary-general of the Jeddah-based Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, Hissein Brahim Taha, prayed for "mercy on the victims and a speedy recovery for the injured".

World Health Organization chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus described the quake as "heartbreaking", adding: "We stand ready to support the immediate health needs."

Search Keywords:

Short link:


Los Angeles, Sep 9 : Actor Sylvester Stallone recently went to the Vatican and met Pope Francis, who surprised the 'Rocky' actor with a punch, revealing that he's a big fan of Stallone's movies.

The 'Rambo' star was introduced, along with his wife, daughters and brother, to the Pontiff in a meeting shared on social media. The video shows a smiling Pope telling Stallone that he was a longtime fan, Deadline reported.

Stallone began the meeting, saying: "Well, thank you very much for taking time from your busy day. We appreciate this very much." The Pope replied, "I am honoured. We grew up with your films."

This caught the veteran actor by surprise, after which he said "Well I'm honoured, too," before raising his fists and air-pumping, saying: "Ready? We box."

The Pope added to the joke with a fake jab, clearly catching everyone by surprise. The group later assembled for a photo, shared on social media by Vatican News.

"It's so great I appreciate it so much," added Sly (Sylvester Stallone's nickname). The 77-year-old wrote about the meeting in a post on Instagram, captioned: "Very rare and special moment. I was allowed to hold the keys that open every single door in the entire Vatican City. Including the Sistine Chapel. Of course they wouldn't let me out of their sight with the keys. I don't blame them."

The meeting with the Pope, came ahead of Sly's latest series 'Tulsa King', where Stallone plays mafia member Dwight 'The General' Manfredi who went to prison for 25 years to save the family.

Upon his release he tries to re-establish relations, but is sent to Tulsa, Oklahoma, to start running criminal operations.

In addition, the actor will also be releasing another production, titled 'Sly', which is a new Netflix documentary - looking at his early challenges as a troubled child in New York before breaking into the film industry, followed by huge successes with 'Rocky', 'Rambo' and other characters.

'Sly' will premiere on the closing night of the Toronto Film Festival. It is directed by Thom Zinny, and is billed as "an intimate and unexpected look" at the veteran actor's life and career. The documentary is due for release in November, 2023.
New Delhi, Sep 9 : An India-Middle East-Europe' economic corridor including shipping and railway links will be launched soon, sources said on Saturday.

The first-of-its-kind economic corridor will be a historic initiative on cooperation, connectivity and infrastructure involving India, UAE, Saudi Arabia, EU, France, Italy, Germany, and the US.

US President Joe Biden, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced the project during the annual Group of 20 summit of the world's top economies.

Modi wrote on X" "Charting a journey of shared aspirations and dreams, the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor promises to be a beacon of cooperation, innovation, and shared progress. As history unfolds, may this corridor be a testament to human endeavour and unity across continents."

The project is part of an initiative called the Partnership for Global Infrastructure Investment (PGII).

Ursula von der Leyen at the Partnership for Global Infrastructure Investment (PGII) and India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor programme at Bharat Mandapam said: "Since we launched the PGII, a joint vision by the world leaders, leading economies, to invest in the infrastructure that low and middle income countries need. And two years on more large-scale projects are seeing the light. And we are presenting two of them today.

"First, the India-Middle East-Europe economic corridor. Thi is nothing but historic. This will be more direct connection to date between India, the Arabian Gulf and Europe with a rail link that will make trade between India and Europe 40 per cent faster."

She also said that with an electricity cable and clean hydrogen pipeline to foster clean energy trade between Asia, Middle East and Europe.

"With the high speed data cable to link some of the most innovative digital ecosystems in the world and create business opportunities all along the way. These are state of the art connections for the world of tomorrow faster, shorter, cleaner. This corridor is much more than just a railway or cable. It is a green and digital reach across continents and civilisations," she said.

Meanwhile, Biden said, "This is a real big deal. I want to thank the Prime Minister. One Earth, One Family, One Future that's the focus of this G20 Summit. And in many ways, it's also the focus of this partnership that we are talking about today."

He said: "Building sustainable, resilient infrastructure, making quality infrastructure investments and creating a better future... Last year, we came together as one to commit to this vision. And this afternoon I want to highlight the key ways in which the United States and our partners are working to make this a reality."

"Economic corridor. You're going to hear that phrase more than once, I expect, over the next decade. As we work to address infrastructure gaps across low-middle-income countries, we need to maximize the impact of our investments. That's why a few months ago announced that the United States will work with our partners to invest in economic corridors," the US President said.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said: "When we launched the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment (PGII) just over a year ago, we committed to building better infrastructure for a better future in low and middle-income nations."

She said that we committed to cooperate with these nations with an equal...to create new opportunities and prosperity.

"Today is the launch of the new economic corridor between India and the Middle East and Europe goes precisely in this direction and is a milestone in strengthening global interconnections. And that is why I want to thank Prime Minister Modi, President Biden, and all the others, Ursula von Derleyan, and all the others who made it possible..."

The development comes amid the ongoing G20 summit which, in a major diplomatic breakthrough for India, agreed on a joint declaration.
New Delhi, Sep 9 : Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday said that India's G20 presidency has walked the talk as it has successfully put forward the concerns of the Global South on Multilateral Development Banks (MBDs).

"I can confidently say that the Indian G20 presidency has walked the talk. India has harnessed G20 presidency to effectively articulate concerns of Global South on MBDs," she said.

The G20 has committed to pursue reforms for better, bigger and more effective MDBs to address global challenges to maximise developmental impact, she added, while addressing a press conference on the sidelines of the G20 summit.

India's G20 presidency ensured that divergences don't overcome the core aims, the Finance Minister said.

"India has endeavoured to include countries from the global south to be a part of the global decision-making process. The Indian presidency has worked to ensure divergences don't overshadow the core developmental objectives," she said.

She said that the Indian presidency adopted an action-oriented approach to ensure adequate and timeline mobilisation of resources for climate finance.

"Since India took over the G20 presidency good progress has been made in the ongoing debt restructuring of Zambia, Ghana, and Ethiopia. The outcomes of the Indian presidency are a testament to multilateralism," she emphasised.

"We welcome the sustainable finance working group's (SFWG) recommendations for scaling up blended finance and risk-sharing facilities, including the enhanced role of MDBs in mobilising climate finance.

"We underscore the importance of maximising the effect of concessional resources, such as those of the multilateral climate funds, to support developing countries' implementation of the Paris.

"Agreement and call for an ambitious second replenishment process of the Green Climate Fund for its upcoming 2024-2027 programming period. We will undertake work to facilitate access to multilateral climate funds and enhance their leverage and ability to mobilize private capital," the Delhi Declaration said on climate finance.

"Recognising the importance of supporting the commercialisation of early-stage technologies that avoid, abate and remove greenhouse gas emissions and facilitate adaptation, we note the recommendations on financial solutions, policies, and incentives to encourage greater private flows for the rapid development, demonstration, and deployment of green and low-emission technologies. We reiterate the importance of a policy mix consisting of fiscal, market and regulatory mechanisms, including, as appropriate, the use of carbon pricing and non-pricing mechanisms and incentives toward carbon neutrality and net zero," it said further.

The Delhi Declaration also said that it recognises the need for increased global investments to meet our climate goals of the Paris Agreement, and to rapidly and substantially scale up investment and climate finance from billions to trillions of dollars globally from all sources.

In this context it said that "countries, in particular for their needs to implement their NDCs, as well as the need of $4 trillion per year for clean energy technologies by 2030 to reach net zero emissions by 2050."
Chennai, Sept 9 : An elderly couple was found murdered in Tamil Nadu's Erode on Saturday. The deceased have been identified as K. Muthuswamy (85) and his wife Samiyathal (80).

The police said that the couple's three daughters are married and stay somewhere else. The murder was detected after their grandson came to the residence of the elderly couple and found them dead.

Erode district Superintendent of Police Jawahar told mediapersons that the circumstantial evidence shows that the couple had gone to bed after having dinner on Friday night. The police believe that some burglars opened the latch of the door using an iron rod, entered the house and killed the elderly couple.

A gold chain and earrings worn by Samiyathaal were stolen from the house.
Delhi court overturns JJB's order, two juveniles to be tried as adults in murder case. Image Source: IANS News

New Delhi, Sep 9 : A Delhi court has granted permission to Congress leader and industrialist Naveen Jindal, who is accused in three cases related to alleged irregularities in the allocation of coal blocks, to travel to Oman and the UAE from September 11 to 13 for business purposes.

Special Judge Arun Bhardwaj approved Jindal's travel request, taking into account his previous travel history and his consistent return to India to face trial within the prescribed timeframe.

The court directed Jindal to furnish a fixed deposit of Rs 1 crore and mandated that he must not tamper with evidence or attempt to influence any witnesses during his trip.

Jindal had sought permission to travel abroad in connection with his business interests.

He is a key accused in multiple cases involving coal block allocations, with one case being investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and another by the Enforcement Directorate (ED).

These cases revolve around allegations of irregularities in the allocation of coal blocks.

Both the CBI and the ED did not oppose Jindal's travel application, leading to the court's decision to grant him permission to travel to Oman and the UAE.

"In the considered opinion of this court, the applicant/accused is entitled to permission of the court to travel abroad to Oman and UAE from September 11 to 13," the court said.
New Delhi, Sep 9 : The Jharkhand High Court has directed the Additional Director General of the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), Sub Zone, Ranchi to pay a compensation of Rs 8 lakh to a man who was falsely implicated in a NDPS (Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances) and remained in jail for about 8 years for a crime he did not commit.

Justice Sanjay Kumar Dwivedi observed: "In view of above and considering that it is an admitted position that the petitioner has falsely been implicated in the case and case for withdrawal has also been filed under section 321 of the Cr.P.C. by none other than the NCB which was rejected that is the subject matter in criminal revision before the co-ordinate Bench of this Court, the entire criminal proceeding arising out of F.I.R. N.C.B. Crime No. 04/2015 (02-2015/16), corresponding to NDPS Special Case No.17/2015(N), pending in the court of learned AJC-I, Ranchi including the impugned order dated 01.04.2016 are quashed."

"He has remained in jail custody for about eight years for a crime which he has not committed. In view of the above position of law, the petitioner shall be entitled for a sum of Rs 8 lakh as compensation and the same shall be paid to the petitioner through the Additional Director General of the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), Sub Zone, Ranchi within eight weeks from the date of receipt/ production of a copy of this order," Justice Dwivedi added while directing the petitioner to released forthwith and the necessary formalities to be made by the authority concerned without any delay, Live Law reported.

The case revolved around the quashing of an FIR linked to an NDPS Special Case registered under sections 8/18(b) of the NDPS Act, 1985, in the court of AJC-I, Ranchi.

The petitioner sought the quashing of the charges against him, his release, and compensation of Rs 50 lakh, Live Law reported.
Srinagar, Sep 9 : Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) Kashmir Vijay Kumar on Saturday chaired a high-level meeting with the officers of Police, security forces and other intelligence agencies in south Kashmir's Anantnag district to review the security of National Highway and SOPs being followed by security forces during convoy movement.

The ADGP advised all the participating officers to conduct a joint survey of NHW viz a viz Convoy movement in their Area of Responsibility (AOR) and recommend some changes where and if possible, to modify the SOPs in order to maintain a smooth flow of civilian traffic during Convoy movements without unnecessary hindrance.

"During the meeting, ADGP Kashmir advised the SSsP and CAPFs/Army Officers to identify the spots on National Highway where engineering intervention is required in raising heights of dividers, direct lateral entries and U-turn on National Highway.

aThey were also advised to identify the spots where service lane is required and also send joint recommendation where underpass or over pass are required to maintain the smooth flow of traffic on National Highway," the statement said.

"ADGP Kashmir further directed the district heads to identify the spots where additional CCTVs can be installed."

The statement said that during the meeting, it was decided that no civil traffic will be stopped on National Highway during VVIPs /Senior Officers movement as an immediate measure and also to suggest additional measures for smooth flow of civilian traffic in phased manners.
New Delhi, Sep 10 : Amid euphoria over the G20 nations reaching a consensus on the Delhi Declaration, especially pertaining to the reference on Ukraine conflict amid pressure from Russia and China, India's G20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant said on Saturday that the weight of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's name was needed to ensure a joint communique.

In an interview to a news channel, Kant said that ultimately the weight of Modi's name clinched the consensus over the language of the final declaration.

The Delhi Declaration urges all states to "refrain from use of force to seek territorial acquisition". However, there is no reference of Russia at all in the entire document.

This, Kant told the news channel, was a result of almost 200 hours of non-stop negotiations, and consensus was reached only on Friday night.

It was a joint effort of the Sherpas and emerging markets led by India, Brazil, South Africa and Indonesia, and later Mexico, Turkey and Saudi Arabia that put pressure on the G7 nations and brought them to the table, he said.

The Sherpa informed that from the first draft, the negotiations moved on to a second one and then to a third one, while bilateral meetings with all countries also helped.

After this, India, Brazil, South Africa and Indonesia along with Mexico, Turkey and Saudi Arabia worked together to apply pressure, Kant told the news channel.
New Delhi, Sep 9 : The G20 leaders on Saturday committed to adopt, build and maintain Global Digital Public Infrastructure and also agreed to foster a wholesome and safe Digital ecosystem, and a resilient Global Digital Economy.

In the Delhi declaration, the G20 leaders said, "Technology can enable rapid transformations for bridging the existing digital divides and accelerate progress for inclusive and sustainable development."

"Digital public infrastructure (DPI), as an evolving concept and as a set of shared digital systems, built and leveraged by both the public and private sectors, based on secure and resilient infrastructure, and can be built on open standards and specifications, as well as open source software can enable delivery of services at societal-scale," it said.

It said that in our voluntary efforts to make digital public infrastructure interoperable, we recognize the importance of data free flow with trust and cross-border data flows while respecting applicable legal frameworks. We also reaffirm the role of Data for Development.

"We recognize that safe, secure, trusted, accountable and inclusive digital public infrastructure, respectful of human rights, personal data, privacy and intellectual property rights can foster resilience, and enable service delivery and innovation. To this end, we welcome the G20 Framework for Systems of Digital Public Infrastructure, a voluntary and suggested framework for the development, deployment and governance of DPI."

It also said that it welcomes Indiaas plan to build and maintain a Global Digital Public Infrastructure Repository (GDPIR), a virtual repository of DPI, voluntarily shared by G20 members and beyond and take note of the Indian Presidencyas proposal of the One Future Alliance (OFA), a voluntary initiative aimed to build capacity, and provide technical assistance and adequate funding support for implementing DPI in LMICs.

Talking about building safety, security, resilience and trust in the digital economy, the G20 leaders in Delhi Declaration said: "An enabling, inclusive, open, fair, non-discriminatory and secure digital economy is increasingly important for all countries and stakeholders while respecting applicable legal frameworks. We will share our approaches and good practices to build a safe, secure and resilient digital economy. To this extent, we welcome the non-binding G20 High-level Principles to Support Businesses in Building Safety, Security, Resilience, and Trust in the Digital Economy and also welcome the G20 Toolkit on Cyber Education and Cyber Awareness of Children and Youth."

Talking about Fostering Digital Ecosystems, the Delhi Declaration said: "We resolve to deploy all available digital tools and technologies and spare no effort in fostering safe and resilient digital ecosystems, and ensuring that every citizen on our planet is financially included. To support this, we commit to promote responsible, sustainable and inclusive use of digital technology by farmers and an ecosystem of Agri-Tech start-ups and MSMEs. Welcome the establishment of the Global Initiative on Digital Health (GIDH) within a WHO-managed framework to build a comprehensive digital health ecosystem in compliance with respective data protection regulations."

"And will leverage digital technologies for the protection and promotion of culture and cultural heritage and adopt digital frameworks for the development of cultural and creative sectors and industries," it added.

In a major breakthrough, the New Delhi Leaders' Summit Declaration was adopted on Saturday after consensus was reached among member states during the G20 Summit.
Rabat, Sep 9 : The death toll from a strong earthquake that struck Morocco on Friday night has risen to 1,037, the country's Interior Ministry said on Saturday. The earthquake has also injured at least 1,204 people, according to the latest update from the ministry.

A 6.8-magnitude earthquake hit Morocco on Friday at 11:11 p.m. local time at a depth of 18.5 km, said the US Geological Survey.

The epicentre of the earthquake was near the town of Ighil in Al Haouz Province, some 70 km southwest of Marrakesh, Xinhua news agency reported.

The earthquake was felt in many cities across Morocco, including Rabat and Casablanca. Many houses collapsed in the cities of Taroudant and Marrakesh, local media reported.

The earthquake damaged many buildings in the old city of Marrakesh, the nearest big city to the epicenter, and many residents had to spend the night in the open space for fear of potential aftershocks, said Zhang Kai, an overseas Chinese living in Marrakesh.

Xinhua correspondents at Ouarzazate, about 190 km southeast of Marrakesh, saw residents taking shelter in an open space after the earthquake.

"There have been earthquakes before, but none of them were as strong as this one," said a resident in Ouarzazate who requires anonymity.

On the way from Ouarzazate to the epicenter, rocks and rubbles from the mountains and buildings were seen scattered along the road.

Rescuers have been sent to the quake-hit areas to search for survivors, local media reported.

The Red Cross Society of China (RCSC) announced on Saturday that it would provide the Moroccan Red Crescent with 200,000 U.S. dollars in cash as emergency humanitarian assistance to assist in its rescue operations.

The RCSC said it would keep abreast of the relief needs in Morocco and pledged to offer assistance to the best of its ability.

Arab countries and organizations, including Arab League (AL), Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Tunisia, Algeria and Lebanon, on Saturday sent condolences to Morocco over the devastating earthquake.

Ahmed Aboul-Gheit, secretary-general of the Cairo-based AL, said he hoped Morocco would quickly overcome the crisis.

Hours after the strong earthquake hit the North African country, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday instructed his government to prepare assistance for Morocco, including planning to send an aid delegation to the area.
Algeria expressed its "sincere condolences to the brotherly Moroccan people" on Saturday, following an earthquake on Friday evening that left hundreds dead and injured.

"Algeria follows closely with great sorrow and sadness the repercussions of the violent earthquake that affected several regions in the Kingdom of Morocco," the Algerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.

"Algeria extends its sincere condolences and sincere sympathy to the families of the victims and to the brotherly Moroccan people, with sincere wishes for a speedy recovery for the injured," the statement added.

A 6.8-magnitude quake struck a mountainous area 72 kilometres southwest of tourist hotspot Marrakech at 11:11pm local time Friday, killing at least 820 people.

The earthquake was also felt in Algeria, but did not cause any damage or casualties, according to Algerian Civil Defence.

Algeria broke off diplomatic relations with neighbouring Morocco in August 2021 amid a persistent dispute between the two countries over Western Sahara.

The Algiers-backed Polisario Front is seeking independence from Rabat's rule and has declared the territory a "war zone."

Algeria sealed the border in 1994, after Morocco accused it of involvement in a jihadist attack on a Marrakech hotel that killed two tourists.

In July, Morocco's King Mohammed VI expressed hope for a return to normality and reopening of borders between the two North African countries.

Search Keywords:

Short link:


Indian diversity on display in President's dinner menu for G20 leaders. Image Source: IANS News

New Delhi, Sep 9 : The dinner hosted by President Droupadi Murmu for G2O leaders at Bharat Mandapam in Delhi today, promises to be a delectable delight.

The menu begins with an introduction to how India, with all its diversity, is connected by 'taste'.

"A medley of traditions, customs and climate, Bharat is diverse in many ways, Taste connects us," the menu read.

Paatram: Foxtail millet leaf crisps topped with a yoghurt sphere and spiced chutney.

Main Course:

Vanavarnam: Jackfruit galette served with glazed forest mushrooms, Little millet crisp and curry leaf-tossed Kerala red rice.

Indian Breads:

Mumbai Pao: Onion seed-flavoured soft bun.

Bakarkhani: Cardamom-flavoured sweet flatbread.

Dessert:

Madhurima aPot of golda: Cardamom scented Barnyard millet pudding, fig-peach compote and Ambemohar rice crisps.

Beverages:

Kashmiri Kehwa, Filter Coffee and Darjeeling Tea.

Paan-flavoured chocolate leaves.
Paris, Sep 9 : The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) on Saturday raised concern over the "noticeable increase in signals of SARS-CoV-2 transmission" in European countries.

The agency said the rise in cases deviates from previously very low levels, and blamed large gatherings and increased travel for the increase in the number of cases.

The ECDC said as per data from 24 countries there has been a rise in 14-day case rate, although the magnitude of the observed increase is far lower than previous epidemic peaks.

Countries reporting age-specific data show increased case rates in people ages 65 and older, a group known to be at higher risk for severe disease.

Meanwhile, test positivity was up in 12 of 19 reporting countries. Hospitalisation and intensive care unit admission levels were stable, but a few countries reported a rise in death rates from Covid, especially among older people.

In total, 135 deaths were reported by 18 countries.

"SARS-CoV-2 continues to acquire mutations that enable its circulation at unpredictable times throughout the year. Recent transmission increases have coincided with the emergence of Omicron sub-lineages, particularly the XBB.1.5-like variants," the ECDC said in its latest epidemiological report.

"While global case detections of BA.2.86 are limited, low-level community transmission is suspected in multiple countries. BA.2.86 is highly divergent from currently circulating SARS-CoV-2 strains, raising concerns of increased re-infections if it outcompetes existing variants," it added.

In addition, there have been reports of waning levels of immunological protection against infection, although severe disease remains well protected against in the general population.

"Currently, there is no evidence to suggest that infection with one of the emerging variants is associated with more severe disease or a reduction in vaccine effectiveness when compared to other currently circulating variants," ECDC Director Andrea Ammon said in the report.

"However, older individuals and those with underlying health conditions remain at an increased risk of severe disease if infected, so autumn vaccination programmes should prioritise protecting individuals at risk of severe disease, such as those aged over 60 years and other vulnerable groups," she added.

The ECDC emphasised the need for vaccination amid the high-risk groups and also called countries for increasing surveillance against Covid.
New Delhi : UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and his wife interact with school children at the British Council. Image Source: IANS News

New Delhi, Sep 9 : UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who is in Delhi to attend the G20 Summit, will visit the Akshardham temple in the national capital on Sunday morning, while many of the world leaders will be visiting the Rajghat, the memorial of Mahatma Gandhi, sources said on Saturday.

According to the sources, Sunak is likely to be accompanied by his wife Akshata Murthy during his visit to the Akshardham temple.

While officials remained tight-lipped on the plans, security arrangements have been tightened around the temple, sources said.

Temple authorities too have been informed by the British High Commission about the visit of the UK Prime Minister and his wife and preparations are in place to welcome the couple at 'Mayur Dwar', the main entrance of the temple, sources said.

Sunak arrived in India on Friday afternoon and was received by Union minister Ashwini Choubey, British High Commissioner to India Alex Ellis and other senior diplomats.

He also held a bilateral meeting with Prime MInister Narendra Modi at the latter's official residence here on Saturday evening.

The sources also said that on Sunday morning, many foreign dignitaries will visit the Rajghat, including leaders from Spain, Indonesia and other countries, to pay their tributes to Mahatma Gandhi.
New Delhi : PM Modi's remarks during the first session of G20 Summit. Image Source: IANS News

New Delhi, Sep 9 : India, Brazil, South Africa and USA issued a joint statement on Saturday.

"We, the Leaders of India, Brazil, South Africa, and the United States, met on the margins of the G20 Leadersa Summit in New Delhi to reaffirm our shared commitment to the G20 as the premier forum for international economic cooperation to deliver solutions for our shared world," reads the statement.

The Prime Minister's Office said that the joint statement mentioned: "As the G20as current and next three Presidencies, we will build on the historic progress of Indiaas G20 Presidency to address global challenges.

aIn this spirit, together with the World Bank President, we welcome the G20as commitment to build better, bigger, and more effective multilateral development banks. This commitment underscores what we can do, by working together through the G20, to support our people toward a better future."
Panaji, Sep 9 : Goa Police have asked the concerned authorities to seal two resorts in North district for allegedly using premises for international sex trafficking racket.

Deputy Superintendent of Police Jivba Dalvi said that Anjuna Police have written to Sub Divisional magistrate to take action. "Two resorts were used as brothel houses. We have sought action against them. SDM has the power to seal these premises under section 18 of the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act," Dalvi said.

Goa Police on Friday busted an international sex trafficking racket and rescued five women while arresting two female Kenyan nationals.

"The accused persons were produced before court on Saturday and taken to five days of police custody," police said.

The sex racket was busted with the collaborative efforts of Anjuna Police in North Goa and an NGO named ARZ.

The accused persons have been identified as Maria Dorcas (28) and Wilkista Achista (22), both natives of Kenya.

The five rescued women, all natives of Kenya, have been lodged at a shelter home in Merces.

Police said that young, educated and vulnerable Kenyan women were falsely promised jobs in the hospitality industry by agents working on behalf of the traffickers based in Goa.

"After being brought to India, the traffickers seized the women's passports and visas and forced them into prostitution under the threat of violence," the police said.

"The racket, a close-knit group involving the trafficker duo Maria and Wilkista, operated largely online, leveraging escort websites to solicit clients. ARZ, the NGO, became aware of the operation when the victims were taken to Bengaluru for prostitution," Police said.
Panaji, Sep 10 : Archbishop of Goa Filipe Neri Cardinal Ferrao on Saturday expressed his "deep regret" over a certain recent "pronouncements" made by "some members of the Church", which according to him have "gone against the authentic spirit of inter-religious dialogue and reciprocal respect".

"We exhort the Catholic community to abide by the teachings of the Church and avoid saying or doing anything that could hurt the religious feelings of others. May God bless our country," the Archbishop said in a statement.

"We deeply regret that certain recent pronouncements made by some members of the Church have gone against the authentic spirit of inter-religious dialogue and reciprocal respect. We wish to assure that the Church leadership has taken appropriate action with regard to them and has also sternly warned them to avoid such utterances in the future," he said.

"It is distressing to note that certain expressions used recently in public by some members of the Catholic Church may have hurt the religious sentiments of people of other religious traditions. This statement is issued to clarify the Churchas stand with regard to other religions," Ferrao added.

He further said: "India is blessed with a confluence of different religions, languages and cultures. This enriching diversity constitutes the very identity of our nation and every citizen has the sacred duty to value and respect othersa cultural heritage and religious integrity. 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' is a value that is embedded in our ethos,"

"According to the teachings of the Church, Catholics are called to acknowledge, preserve and promote the spiritual and moral truths found in the social life and culture of other religious traditions (Vatican II's Declaration on the Relationship with other Religions, 28 Oct 1965). The Church's Apostolate of Inter-Religious Dialogue is precisely meant to foster this," the Archbishop said.

"Pope Francis has reiterated the Church's commitment to promote religious harmony and has cautioned against using religions to incite hatred, violence, extremism and blind fanaticism, and to refrain from using God's name to justify acts of violence, injustice and oppression, which degrade the dignity of human life," he added.

Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Friday took note of a video circulating on internet, in which a member of the clergy was heard speaking dismissively of other gods, had said that strict action will be taken against those who make statements against other religions and disturbs the communal harmony.

"Nobody should criticise other religions. It is up to every individual to which god they should admire or worship. Neither Hindu nor Christian should speak against the other religions. If peoples sentiment gets disturbed with such statements then the government will take action," Sawant said, referring to the video.
Washington, Sep 10 : The US has reaffirmed that it will host the 2026 G20 Summit here as it sees itself as a dominant partner to balance the equations for the developing world in a strife-torn geo-political world leading to a global economic crisis.

The G-20 summit in Delhi is a major step forward in providing solutions to the most pressing issues, the White House said on Saturday.

A White House statement, coming immediately after the Delhi declaration, said: "At a moment when the global economy is suffering from the overlapping shocks of the climate crisis, fragility, and conflict -- including the immense suffering unleashed by Russiaas war in Ukraine -- this year's New Delhi Summit proved that the G20 can still drive solutions to our most pressing issues."

At the G20 Summit in Delhi, President Biden has continued to deliver on the commitments he undertook while assuming office to restore the US' leadership role in the world, "rebuild our relationships abroad, and champion an economic agenda at home and abroad to deliver sustainable and inclusive growth for American families -- and families everywhere", the statement said.

The US said it is committed to the G20 and to building on the progress made in India's G20 Presidency, starting with Brazil's Presidency in 2024 and South Africa's Presidency in 2025.

The US "will host the G20 in 2026 to show its steadfast commitment to the G20 initiatives for a global geopolitical and economic order based on equity and justice".

The US is also "pleased to have supported and now welcome the African Union as a permanent member of the G20, a reflection of both the G20's vitality and the important role of Africa in the global economy".

In Delhi, Biden and other G20 leaders committed to implementing the G20 2023 Action Plan to Accelerate the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

At the G20, he rallied G20 partners to agree to collectively mobilize more headroom and concessional finance to boost the World Bank's capacity to support low- and middle-income countries. This initiative will make the Bank a better and bigger institution able to provide resources at the scale and speed needed to tackle global challenges and address the urgent needs of the poorest countries, the White House statement said.

G20 leaders committed to redouble efforts to resolve ongoing debt distress cases -- like Ghana and Sri Lanka. Biden made it clear that the US "expects meaningful progress" by the World Bank and IMF Annual Meetings in October.

Make financing more sustainable:

Biden urged leaders to think out of the box to come up with new solutions to enable converting unsustainable debt into transformative investments. He also pressed all creditors -- including the private sector and multilateral development banks -- to offer climate-resilient debt clauses in their lending.

The US Export-Import Bank is preparing to do so in select bilateral lending, in line with its governance framework. At an event co-hosted by President Biden and Prime Minister Modi, Biden and partners announced a landmark India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor that will usher in a new era of connectivity from Europe to Asia, facilitating global trade, as well as cooperation on energy and digital connectivity.

Biden also announced a new partnership with the European Union to expand investments in the Lobito Corridor. The President called on partners to deploy public capital to strategically leverage the expertise and financing of the private sector to help secure and diversify 21st-century energy supply chains, expand digital connectivity, increase electricity access, bolster food security, and strengthen health systems.

Delivering on Food Security:

At the G20, Biden championed an agenda focused on mitigating the acute food crises the world is facing today, as well as working together with G20 countries to mitigate against future shocks.

Delivering on Global Health Challenges:

The United States is the world's largest bilateral donor for global health and is committed to working alongside the G20 to build a safer, more equitable future, the White House said.

Tackling the overdose crisis:

G20 leaders came together for the first time to elevate counternarcotics challenges, and synthetic drugs in particular, as a G20 priority. Leaders recognised the public health threats posed by synthetic drugs and committed to enhanced information sharing and capacity building to address these challenges, advancing the critical actions the Biden-Harris Administration is taking to address the overdose crisis at home.

Tripling global renewable energy capacity by 2030:

In Delhi, Biden and G20 leaders committed to pursue efforts to triple global renewable energy capacity by 2030, encouraging more countries to follow the IRA playbook of investing in clean energy manufacturing and deployment, creating jobs, and fighting climate change.
Rabat, Sep 10 : The devastating earthquake that struck Morocco on Friday night has claimed the lives of more than 1,300 people.

The 6.8-magnitude earthquake struck the High Atlas mountain range shortly after 11:00 p.m. local time on Friday at a relatively shallow depth of 18.5 km, as reported by the US Geological Survey (USGS).

The earthquake has claimed the lives of 1,305 people and injured at least 1,832, with 1,220 of them in serious condition, according to the latest update from the country's Interior Ministry on Saturday.

After the devastating earthquake, Morocco declared on Saturday three days of national mourning, and flags will be flown at half-mast on all public facilities during the national mourning.

Morocco has not experienced a disaster of this magnitude since 2004 when a 6.3-magnitude earthquake hit the port city of Al Hoceima, killing around 630 people.

The Moroccan state TV said the majority of casualties in Morocco's Friday night earthquake were from the remote and inaccessible mountainous regions near the epicentre, with damaged roads further hindering rescue efforts.

The Royal Moroccan Armed Forces issued a warning urging residents to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions in light of potential aftershocks.

"We emphasize the importance of exercising caution and implementing safety measures due to the potential for aftershocks," the military wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

Fearing aftershocks, many Moroccans spent Friday night outdoors.

The earthquake caused significant damage in the old city of Marrakesh, which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

In addition to human casualties, the earthquake also ruined several structures and parts of the city walls, as witnessed by Xinhua reporters.

Some of the historic red walls that encircle the ancient city centre, created in the early 12th century, crumbled due to the powerful tremor, while squares and traffic roundabouts were crowded with people seeking refuge.

Some local residents in Marrakesh on Saturday prepared makeshift beds as they braced for an overnight stay in the open.

The earthquake's tremors were also felt in the capital city Rabat, situated some 350 km to the north of the High Atlas mountains, according to local reports.

International community shows solidarity:

India has reached out to offer assistance to its nationals in Morocco, which was hit by a powerful 6.8 magnitude earthquake, leaving at least 296 people dead and over 150 others injured.

The Indian Embassy in Morocco released a helpline number asking Indians to reach out for any kind of assistance.

"In the wake of the recent earthquake in Morocco, Indian nationals in Morocco may reach out to Indian Embassy helpline number +212661297491 for any assistance," the Embassy posted a message on X on Saturday.

Condoling the loss of lives, Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered assistance to the North African nation.

"Extremely pained by the loss of lives due to an earthquake in Morocco. In this tragic hour, my thoughts are with the people of Morocco. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones," Modi posted on X (formerly Twitter).

"May the injured recover at the earliest. India is ready to offer all possible assistance to Morocco in this difficult time."

The Cairo-based Arab League offered its condolences to Morocco soon after the earthquake, hoping the country would quickly overcome the crisis.

Israel, which normalized ties with Morocco in 2020, also offered its condolences and assistance to the North African kingdom. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant held a phone call with his Moroccan counterpart to express Israel's desire to assist the earthquake-stricken country "as much as is required."

Turkiye, which suffered massive earthquakes in February, said it was "ready to provide all kinds of support to heal the wounds", its state-run Anadolu news agency reported Saturday, citing the Turkish Foreign Ministry.

Other countries that have offered condolences or assistance include Iran, Egypt, France, Germany, the US, Qatar, the UAE, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Tunisia, and Algeria, among others.
PTI Fact Check: Old photo of slums covered with sheets and banners from Mumbai shared out of context ahead of G20 Summit in Delhi

New Delhi, Sep 8 (Abhinav Gupta / Pratyush Ranjan PTI Fact Check): An X (formerly known as Twitter) user shared a photo claiming that it showed slums in Delhi being covered with sheets and banners to hide them ahead of the G20 Summit, scheduled to be held on September 9-10. In its investigation, the Desk found that an old photo taken during a G20 event in Mumbai was shared as recent on social media with a false claim. An X (formerly known as Twitter) user shared a photo claiming that it showed slums in Delhi being covered with sheets and banners to hide them ahead of the G20 Summit, scheduled to be held on September 9-10. In its investigation, the Desk found that an old photo taken during a G20 event in Mumbai was shared as recent on social media with a false claim.

The G20 Summit, being held in Delhi under Indias presidency this time, will be attended by eminent leaders. Ahead of the mega event, a beautification drive was carried out in several areas of the national capital.

Claim

An X user shared a photo claiming that it showed slums in Delhi being covered with sheets and banners to hide them ahead of the G20 Summit, scheduled to be held on September 9-10.

AMRIT KAAL that we have to Hide the Clusters in New Delhi so that no one get to Know What BJP has done in so many years In MCD, read the September 5 post.

the link and archive link to the post, and below is a screenshot of the same: Here isandto the post, and below is a screenshot of the same:

Investigation

Starting the investigation, the Desk conducted a Google Reverse Image Search on the photo shared in the X post. The results took us to several such posts, shared recently with the same photo. While the posts didnt mention about the location of the photo, the captions insinuated that they were from Delhi, since the G20 Summit is being held there.

here and here) and archive links (here and here) to two such X posts, and below are their screenshots: Here are the links (and) and archive links (and) to two such X posts, and below are their screenshots:

The search results further led us to a Deccan Herald article, published on June 7, 2023, which carried the same photo, crediting it to PTI.

Green curtains put up outside Jogeshwari slums along the Western Express Highway as the city is hosting several G20 meetings in Mumbai, read the caption of the photo, which confirmed that the photo was neither recent nor clicked in Delhi.

the link to the news report titled Hiding the poor is not a desired development model. Below is a screenshot of the same: Here isto the news report titled Hiding the poor is not a desired development model. Below is a screenshot of the same:

The Desk further came across a report by Gujarati Mid-Day, published on December 16, 2022, which carried the same photo. The headline of the report, when translated to English, read: Green sheets along with red carpet for G20.

the link to the report and below is a screenshot of the same: Here isto the report and below is a screenshot of the same:

A slum adjacent to the highway at Jogeshwari on the Western Express Highway has been covered with green cloth as its delegation will visit the National Park in Borivali today after a three-day meeting of the G20 Development Working Group in Mumbai, read the English translation of a portion of the news report.

Another report by National Herald, published on Dec 17, 2022, also carried the same photo, but from a different angle, stating that it was from Mumbai.

the report titled Ahead of G20 event, Mumbai covered up in sheets. Below is a screenshot of the same: Here is the link totitled Ahead of G20 event, Mumbai covered up in sheets. Below is a screenshot of the same:

Subsequently, the Desk concluded that a year-old photo from Mumbai was being shared on social media as recent from Delhi, where the G20 Summit is being held.

Claim

Slums in Delhi covered with sheets and banners ahead of the G20 Summit.

Fact

The photo was taken during a G20 event in Mumbai in December 2022.

Conclusion

Several X users shared a photo of slums draped in green sheets and banner of G20 Summit put over them, claiming that it was from Delhi, where the mega event is scheduled to be held on September 9-10. In its investigation, the Desk found that the photo was taken during a G20 event in Mumbai in December last year. The photo was shared out of context ahead of G20 Summit in New Delhi.

You can contact PTI Fact Check on WhatsApp Number +91-8130503759 and share any claim or social media post you think is essential to fact-check and want us to verify.
Israeli forces shot dead a Palestinian teenager Saturday at a refugee camp in the West Bank, the Palestinian health ministry said, in the latest violence to rock the occupied territory.

The ministry identified the teenager as 16-year-old Milad Munther al-Raee, and said he was killed at the entrance to Al-Arroub refugee camp near the city of Hebron.

He was "shot in the back by the occupation (Israeli) bullets", the ministry said in a statement.

The Israeli military did not immediately comment on the incident.

Palestinian official news agency Wafa reported that Israeli forces fired "live bullets and tear gas canisters at several young men and children" at the entrance to the camp, adding that the teenager died of his wounds.

Saturday's incident is the latest in the West Bank, where violence linked to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has surged since early last year.

At least 227 Palestinians have been killed so far this year in violence linked to the conflict.

The bloodshed has also seen 32 Israelis, a Ukrainian and an Italian killed over the same period, according to an AFP tally based on official sources on both sides.

They include, on the Palestinian side, combatants as well as civilians and, on the Israeli side, three members of the Arab minority.

Search Keywords:

Short link:


In Putting Ourselves Back in the Equation (Farrar, Straus and Giroux, Nov.), Musser reports on the work of physicists trying to explain human consciousness.

How long before science arrives at a robust theory of consciousness?

Heres the thing about a theory of consciousness: there are different levels of it. Theres the essential principle that will address things like the so-called hard problem of consciousness, or the gap between the material world and the mind. It almost feels like were there, and thats whats so tantalizing and frustrating. But explaining consciousness is also going to require a unique way of thinking. Its going to require some new conceptual input of the sort that AI might help us with, either directly or as part of the experimentation. By creating the AI, maybe well have to enlarge our thinking in ways that will lead to that understanding of consciousness.

How did you approach crossing disciplines to write this book?

Im a science journalist, a dabbler. I studied for a PhD in planetary science but the fields of neuroscience and AI were new to me, and so before starting this book I said I needed to get more involved. Im still getting my head around precisely how neural networks work and Im confused by brain anatomy and so forth, so Im still very much a student of that.

How do you go about making abstract philosophical and scientific discussions captivating?

I try to be complete at the level that Im talking at and not leave loose ends, or appeal to black boxes with answers like thats what the math says, which you see in a lot of popular writing, especially on physics. Those answers are very unsatisfying to a reader. Also, I try to change up the pace by throwing in a joke, introducing a human story, or simply switching topics. I think variety helps.

What was it like interviewing some of the brightest minds in science?

I met such wonderful scientists, scholars, philosophers, and engineers. Sometimes wed just hang out or go to breakfast. Im a curious person and probably come across as an overeager student who asks lots of questions. Normally, I try to meet with everyone in person, though the pandemic really altered my reporting strategy. I had whole trips to Australia and Canada that didnt work out, so I had to conduct those interviews over Zoom.

Are you a sci-fi fan? What are some of your favorites?

Stanislaw Lems Fiasco, about what its like to encounter the truly alien, was one of the reasons I got into science. The Three-Body Problem trilogy by Cixin Liu, with its idea that the laws of physics are basically detritus left over after eons of battles in the universe among different civilizations, is another. And Ted Chiangs short stories. I think if I were teaching introductory quantum mechanics, I would assign a couple. Theyre that good.

Correction: An earlier version of this article incorrectly stated that the author had received his PhD in planetary science.
Memoirs by former publishing executives have become something of a cottage industry this year. On September 19, former Macmillan CEO John Sargents Turning Pages: The Adventures and Misadventures of a Publisher is due out from Skyhorse Publishing, and on November 7, Lyons Press will release Scribners: Five Generations in Publishing by Charles Scribner III. These titles follow Applause Books January publication of Stephen Rubins Words and Music: Confessions of an Optimist, which recounts his executive days at Random House and Macmillan.

Unlike Rubins book, which at times offers harsh critiques of his colleagues, the upcoming titles are by men who grew up with publishing in their veins. Sargents ancestors include Doubledays, while Scribners family name still adorns one of publishings most admired imprints.

And besides writing books due out within a few weeks of each other, they have some other shared history: Sargent writes in his prologue that his great grandfather, Frank Nelson Doubleday, got his start in publishing when he quit school and went to work for Charles Scribner, a prominent publisher of the time. In his book, Scribner notes that while 1897 was a good year for Scribners, the company did suffer a major loss when the business manager of Scribners magazine left, noting that Frank Nelson Doubleday joined the company 20 years earlier as a fourteen-year-old lad.

Sargent and Scribner also had a shared mentor. Jeremiah Kaplan hired Sargent to work at Macmillan, and Kaplan would later bring Sargent to S&S when he moved there. Kaplan was the president of Macmillan when the Scribner family sold the company to them. After the deal, Scribner worked for Kaplan as v-p of special projects.

Similar to Rubin in his book, Sargent and Scribner describe publishing as an exciting, rewarding, and at times very stressful life at the executive level. Scribners account is cleverly written and punchy, with a focus on how publishings movers and shakers (including authors) operated, while Sargents memoir maintains the CEO-of-the-people style that made him one of publishings most popular CEOsan approach that got him fired.

To answer the question many in the industry still wonder about, does Sargent disclose why he was in let go in late 2020? The answer is not exactly, but he does drop several clues. When the Covid pandemic hit, Macmillans owners, in particular Stefan von Holtzbrinck, were worried about the companys liquidity and had Sargent implement a number of cost cuts, which included cutting salaries. As Macmillans financial results remained better than expected, Sargent convinced von Holtzbrinck to undo the cuts, though Sargent admits he was impolite during those discussions.

In August, von Holtzbrinck called Sargent again with a plan to protect the capital structure of his familys holdings, Sargent writes. Sargent reluctantly agreed to implement the plan, but as work on the project progressed, he said he became certain the plan was wrong and that hundreds of employees would lose their jobs. (He goes no further about what the plan was. His account doesnt counter the widespread belief that von Holtzbrinck wanted to sell the trade division, but it also doesnt discount the idea that von Holtzbrinck wanted to consolidate and streamline Macmillans various departments.)

Sargent told von Holtzbrinck in an email on August 21 that he would not carry out the plan, and von Holtzbrinck responded that the plan would be scrapped, since the board agreed it could not go ahead without his support. Sargent writes that he thought things were settled, but the next day I got the gate.

Sargent notes that he doesnt burn with anger over his dismissal and was grateful for the time he had running the company and appreciated the remarkable autonomy the von Holtzbrinck family gave him. He also offered a salute to Macmillan employees, saying they will always have his respect and admiration for achieving all the goals that had been set for them.

Until that episode, Sargent had a stellar career and was involved in some of publishings most important developments around such hot-button issues as free speech, copyright protections, and publisher relations with Amazon. Regarding the latter, Sargent was running Macmillan when Amazon decided to turn off the buy buttons on Macmillan titles in a dispute over e-book terms. After a week of tense negotiations, a deal was reached, which led Amazon to post an infamous statement in the Kindle forum, explaining that it would have to eventually accept an agreement with Macmillan because Macmillan has a monopoly over their own titles.

Sargent joined Macmillan in 1996 as head of St. Martins and quickly rose up the ranks. In the book, he recounts interactions with publishing legends, including Roger Straus as he was heading toward retirement; the decision to publish Monica Lewinskys book, which drew criticism inside and outside of the company; and the decision to publish Fortunate Son, a book critical of thenRepublican presidential nominee George W. Bush that Macmillan would later need to recall.

Sargent once again dealt with White House issues in 2018 when Macmillans Holt division published Michael Wolffs Fire and Fury, one of the first books critical of then-president Trump. After word spread about the impending publication, Trump sent a cease-and-desist letter to Macmillan, but the company released the title anyway, and it went on to become one of its biggest bestsellers.

No book about Macmillan can be written without some comment on its former headquarters. The Flatiron Building was one of New Yorks first skyscrapers, and though it was elegantly designed, the problem, as Sargent notes, was everything else. When the lease was up in 2018, despite much employee support for staying, Sargent decided Macmillan had no choice but to find a new home.

Tracing Scribners

If Sargents book is about modern publishing history, Scribners is a deep dive into the history of Scribnersknown for much of its life as Charles Scribners Sons. Founded in 1846 by Charles Scribnerthe father of five sonsand a partner in New York City, the company shortened its name to Scribner in 1994 following its acquisition by Viacom, S&Ss parent company.

From the start, Scribners published some of the bestselling authors in America, beginning with the British authors Rudyard Kipling, Henry James, and Robert Louis Stevenson. The book also details Scribners long association with New York Cityincluding the building of both a printing plant on West 43rd Street that was closed in 1955, and a new headquarters at 597 Fifth Avenue, which is now a New York landmark, and which also housed the Scribners bookstore.

Large sections of Scribners book feature stories about two of the companys most famous authors, F. Scott Fiztgerald and Ernest Hemingway. Scribner also gives plenty of attention to legendary editor Maxwell Perkins, who worked with both Fitzgerald and Hemingway.

Scribner also describes communications among various key players, including Fitzgerald, Hemingway, Perkins, and Scribners father and grandfather. Hemingway, Scribner, writes, considered his grandfather his best friend. The Scribner familys close relationship with the Hemingways would yield a number of bestselling Hemingway novels released after his death.

While Scribners is well-known for its fiction, Scribners father considered the publishers reference works to be its crown jewel. The heart of the reference department was based on the Dictionary of American Biography and began with the Dictionary of Scientific Biography. Scribners trade and reference divisions would go their separate ways in 1998, when Viacom sold S&Ss reference and education divisions to Pearson.

Scribner picks 1983 as the year it became clear that the familys ownership of the house was beginning to slip away. Two of Scribners top executives left the company, and as Scribner writes, the days of private family publishing firms were clearly numbered, as history would confirm. He acknowledges that by the early 1980s the company was undercapitalized, prompting his father to arrange a merger with Macmillan in a stock transaction. While Scribner said his father chose a stock deal because he wanted to keep the family in the book business, the choice would be a happy one for shareholders when, four years later, Robert Maxwell won a bidding war for Macmillan, and in the process Macmillans stock finished six times higher than its price after the Scribners-Macmillan merger.

Still, Scribner writes, the Maxwell purchase wasnt necessarily a happy one for the family. He notes that the deal was the end of a fine company, and my father and I were sad at this outcome we never envisioned.

Scribner would continue to work in various capacities at what had been his familys company. He left the S&S payroll in 2004 and returned to his previous life as an art historian.
The African Union formally took its seat as a new member of the G20 Saturday at the invitation of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The expansion of the bloc is a notable diplomatic victory for Modi, who faces national elections next year and has used hosting rights for this year's forum to burnish his image as an international statesman.

Before his opening speech, Modi greeted African Union chair and Comoros President Azali Assoumani with a warm hug.

"India put a proposal to give permanent membership of G20 to the African Union. I believe that with we have everyone's agreement on this," Modi said in his opening address to the summit.

"With everyone's approval, I request the African Union head to take his seat as a permanent G20 member," he added, banging a ceremonial gavel.

Assoumani then took his seat among world leaders at the invitation of India's foreign affairs minister S. Jaishankar.

The African Union has advocated for full membership for seven years, AU spokesperson Ebba Kalondo said. Until now, South Africa was the bloc's only G20 member.

Finding consensus among members has been increasingly difficult in recent years with deep divisions on the Ukraine war.

"The world has a huge crisis of trust," Modi said in his opening remarks.

"War has made this trust deficit deeper. If we can defeat Covid, we can also conquer this mutual trust crisis."

Permanent G20 membership signals the rise of a continent whose young population of 1.3 billion is set to double by 2050 and make up a quarter of the planet's people.

The AU's 55 member states have pressed for meaningful roles in the global bodies that long represented a now faded post-World War II order, including the United Nations Security Council.

They also want reforms to a global financial system - including the World Bank and other entities - that forces African countries to pay more than others to borrow money, deepening their debt.

The African continent has 60% of the worlds renewable energy assets and more than 30% of the minerals key to renewable and low-carbon technologies. Congo alone has almost half of the worlds cobalt, a metal essential for lithium-ion batteries, according to a United Nations report on Africa's economic development released last month

Search Keywords:

Short link:


As the New York Times reports, this week brought us something of a historic moment: a joint statement from a coalition of 13 presidential libraries and museums affirming that "democracy holds us together." While the prose of the statement itself is fairly unremarkable, it is remarkable (although not at all surprising to librarians, teachers, publishers and writers) that these venerable institutions felt the need to broadly, publicly defend democracy and the quintessential American value of pluralism.

"As a diverse nation of people with different backgrounds and beliefs, democracy holds us together," the statement reads. "We are a country rooted in the rule of law, where the protection of the rights of all people is paramount. At the same time, we live among our fellow citizens, underscoring the importance of compassion, tolerance, pluralism, and respect for others." The statement calls on elected officials to "lead by example and govern effectively in ways that deliver for the American people."

In Alabama, AL.com shares a September 1 letter from Alabama governor Kay Ivey to state library service director Nancy C. Pack expressing concern about allegedly inappropriate content in public libraries, and taking particular aim at the ALA. "Rather than supporting Alabama families, out-of-state library groups like the American Library Association appear to be making the situation worse," Ivey writes, regurgitating an increasingly popular right wing strategy to attack and mischaracterize the ALA's efforts to defend the freedom to read. The letter lists nine questions for Pack to answer by September 13, the last three pertaining to the ALA.

In a statement, Pack responded politely to Ivey. "Alabama's public libraries will always value parental involvement in overseeing the materials their children borrow, and many libraries already have policies in place that require parental supervision when a child checks out items," she writes. "The intrinsic value of Alabama's public libraries to its citizens cannot be overstated. They are more than just buildings filled with books; they are dynamic, inclusive, and essential institutions that empower, enrich, and unite our communities."

Meanwhile, the Montgomery Advertiser reports on the debate in one Alabama community specifically called out by Ivey in her letter. "The Prattville City Council sided against a resolution Tuesday that could have changed rules for how books are handled at the Autauga-Prattville Public Library, or threatened its funding," the article notes. "A group called Clean Up Prattville wants the books removed from the children's section and placed behind the counter where anyone checking the books out would have to ask for them, or have some other restricted access to the books. The group opposed to Clean Up Prattville wants the books to remain where they are. For the library boards part, it has decided to keep the books where they are currently displayed. 'I think it's best left up to the parents and what they feel is appropriate for their children to read,' said board member Wayne Lambert in a previous interview."

 I think it's best left up to the parents and what they feel is appropriate for their children to read. 

But following that failed vote, local affiliate WSFA.com reports that the Prattville Library will now institute an age requirement. "Effective September 15, children under the age of 15 will not be allowed in the library without adult supervision following public claims of books containing sexually explicit material in the childrens section," the article notes. "The current library policy mandates children 12 and under to be under adult supervision."

The Associated Press has a broader article on conservative lawmakers in a number of states taking aim at ALA. "Wyoming librarians are being 'constantly critiqued' but theynot the ALAare the ones who control their collections based on community needs," Wyoming Library Association president Conrrado Saldivar told reporters. "ALA is not telling our library workers, our collection development librarians, you have to have this book in your library collection," Saldivar added.

In South Carolina, the State reports that South Carolinas superintendent of education has ended the states relationship with the S.C. Association of School Librarians, citing the use of politicized rhetoric to oppose book bans. Superintendent Ellen Weaver said the organization "had shown a 'lack of discernment' on the issue by hosting an advocacy toolkit on its website from the American Library Association, testifying about library 'censorship' before the teacher recruitment and retention task force, and sending letters to school board members across the state."

Via local NPR affiliate KNKX.org, a lawsuit has been filed challenging a ballot measure to dissolve a local library in Washington state over claims that it offers pornographic books. "The public library, based in Dayton, is the only library in the county. If the ballot measure succeeds, librarians said this would be the first time in the nation that a library would be dissolved following book challenges," the report notes.

In Oregon, local affiliate KGW8 reports that libraries and schools across the state reported a record number of book challenges in 2022-2023. "A new report shows that 45 challenged incidents were reported within that timeframe. A total of 85 titles were challenged in those incidents, alongside events and programs, setting a new record. The previous record of 70 titles challenges was set back in 1992-1993," the report notes. "It's not just books that face challenges. Displays, events and programs are scrutinized as well. For example, the report lists seven challenges to Pride displays and one challenge to a library offering materials in Spanish."

In a story we've been following in this column, The Northern Virginia Daily reports that the future of the Samuels Library in Front Royal, Virginia, continues to hang in the balance after community members packed a board of supervisors meeting this week. "Debate about the library, its collection, funding, and operations began this spring when a group filed requests to remove 140 books from the library, with the vast majority of the books having LGBTQ characters or dealing with LGBTQ themes. Members of that group, which calls itself Clean Up Samuels, asked supervisors in a June public hearing to withhold library funding until the books were removed, to replace the library staff, and to force the library to sever ties with the American Library Association. The group is now asking the county to take over operations at the library by installing trustees appointed by the board of supervisors," the report notes. "Kelsey Lawrence, spokesperson for Save Samuels, a group that supports the librarys policies, said Tuesday that opponents of the librarys operations and collection do not represent the majority of the community."

At Book Riot, Kelly Jensen begins her weekly censorship column by looking ahead to Banned Book Weeks and pointing out what really matters. "Although Banned Books Week can be as annoying as it is important, it can and should be reframed as an opportunity to revisit library policies and procedures to ensure that the First Amendment Rights of every individual within a community are being considered, addressed, and honored," Jensen writes. "At the end of the day, we know none of this is about books. Its about people." Jensen this week also wrote about the saga at the Samuels Library.

Via the Verge, huge news this week: the U.S. Senate has confirmed Anna Gomez to serve a five-year term as an FCC commissioner. "The Senate has voted to confirm Anna Gomez as the fifth commissioner of the Federal Communications Commission, breaking a deadlock that has lasted for most of President Joe Bidens first term in office, the Verge reports. "As a Democratic commissioner, shes poised to help Chair Jessica Rosenworcel pass parts of the Biden administrations agenda that have no support from Republican commissioners, particularly restoring net neutrality rules that were rolled back under the Trump administration." In a statement, ALA praised the confirmation. "Gomez's confirmation is a victory in restoring the FCC's full complement of commissioners to advance its work promoting access, competition, innovation and investment in broadband services and facilities for all Americans. "

Via Library Journal, congratulations to the Page Public Library, in Arizona, winner of LJ's 2023 Best Small Library in America award. "Plenty of what the Page Library does looks, on the surface, like traditional work: book and media checkouts, expanded childrens and teen services, programming and outreach for the local senior center. But other needs have been systematically addressed, as needed, in recent years. The library has helped Canyonlands Urgent Care get out the word about a Naloxone vending machine set up at the citys community center, and stocked items for checkout like bicycles, camping and pickleball equipment, and baking pans. Coconino Community College asks the library to help with customer service classes or to give instruction on APA or MLA formats. The library, college, and local Marriott partner on a job fair most recently attended by 45 businesses and more than 400 job seekers. And thats just the beginning..."

And finally this week, via the Philadelphia Inquirer, a lovely tribute to Beatrice Bethel Johnson, the first Black librarian in the School District of Philadelphia, who died at the age of 96.

"She oversaw the school library at Martha Washington for more than two decades and made encyclopedias and other educational material readily available to interested students and parents until her retirement in 1993. She made it a point to teach Black history in addition to the traditional elementary school subjects, contributed local historical research to the U.S. Library of Congress, and discussed important civil rights issues of the day with her pupils," the obit notes. "'Her love for reading and books was her lifes calling,' her daughter, Adriana Bethel-Hibbler, and longtime friend, Karyn Brockington Conway, said in a tribute. Every child that came into her presence left with a higher sense of themselves, their culture, and infinite possibilities of the life that was ahead of them.'

The Week in Libraries is a weekly opinion and news column. News, tips, submissions, questions or comments are welcome, and can be submitted via email. Previous columns can be viewed here.
Doubtlessly, Russias invasion of Ukraine has led to significant ramifications within Russia and without. With an estimated Russian death toll of some 120,000, Vladimir Putin and his people have found themselves bogged down in a grinding attritional war that has invoked comparisons to the trenches of World War I. With a major conflict raging and nuclear threats being hurled from the Kremlin with reckless abandon, Europe faces a much more dangerous world than at any point since the end of the Cold War. Interestingly, though, the most seismic transformations in European security have taken place in the Baltic, a region whose key players once placed neutrality at the center of their strategic outlooks. But no longer.

On April 4, Finland formally became NATOs 31st member state, abandoning a policy of neutrality to which it fastidiously held since the end of World War II. Seemingly jolted into action by the Russian menace, Finlands strategic volte-face came at breakneck speed, its accession to NATO being the fastest in the blocs 74-year history.

Swedens rise to NATO membership seems not far behind, with Turkeys President Erdogan, finally agreeing to put Swedens membership in the alliance to the Grand National Assembly (Turkeys parliament) when it reconvenes in October. Swedens sudden abrogation of its neutrality is even more momentous than that of Finland. Aside from scattered participation in UN peacekeeping missions, the last time Sweden waged war was in 1814 during the War of the Sixth Coalition against Napoleon. Russias invasion of Ukraine appears poised to sweep away two centuries of Swedish neutrality.

Never before in modern history has the region been so militarily aligned and ideas abound on how to approach this new Baltic order. Indeed, there seems to be a great appetite among many observers in the West to lean into Finland and Swedens newfound alignment. Particularly pronounced are the triumphalist calls to turn the Baltic into a NATO lake, notably by Estonias foreign minister. Of great focus is the challenge this would pose to the freedom of movement and operation for Russias Baltic Fleet with some arguing that NATOs two new Nordic allies should play a role in closing the Baltic to Russian activity. Others, like the Hudson Institutes Luke Coffey, have built upon this idea, proposing an abrupt militarization of the Baltic. According to Coffey, a permanent air and ground presence should be established in the region, including a new forward-deployed NATO battlegroup, and the Baltics island chains should play a prominent role in NATOs operational planning. As Sweden draws closer to formal membership, arguments like these will likely grow louder.

Allied leaders should resist these calls to embrace the NATO lake strategy, which would further inflame NATO-Russia tensions within a particularly thorny flashpoint. The security of the alliance may depend on its approach to the region.

Forging the Baltic into a NATO lake would prove a strategically risky enterprise. As Julian Pawlak at the Royal United Services Institute argued last year, viewing NATOs Baltic doctrine in this way is not constructive in terms of either internal or external communication. Internally, the notion might mislead policymakers into assuming that a NATO lake is a fait accompli while externally, actors might view the move as NATO staking a claim over a sphere of influence, the kind of approach the West legitimately criticises in other parts of the world.

But the danger goes deeper than optics. Kaliningrad has been dubbed Russias aircraft carrier in the Baltic and Moscow has reacted sharply to attempts to restrict access to the exclave in the wake of the invasion of Ukraine. Unlike Crimea or the Donbas region of Ukraine, Kaliningrad is widely recognized as sovereign Russian territory and, as such, is situated credibly under Moscows nuclear umbrella. NATO supremacy over the Baltic could very well lead to the reality  let alone the perception  that this forward plot of Russian land is under enemy blockade, greatly increasing the potential for miscalculation and escalation. Indeed, just last month Russia carried out a large-scale naval exercise in the Baltic, coming on the heels of a previous exercise in June, two months after Finland joined NATO. NATOs response to these signals should be measured and circumspect.

So, with the stakes as high as they are, what should NATOs Baltic doctrine be? In effect, the new doctrine should be the old one.

It must first be recognized that no new NATO forces are needed in the region. Finland has already rejected the suggestion of hosting NATO troops within its borders (though Sweden appears more open to it) and recent comments by the nations foreign minister suggest that there is no realistic Russian threat to Finland. Such an Allied force would, in any event, be unenviably tasked with policing an extensive 830 mile land border with Russia and defending a country whose capital sits just 100 miles from the Russian frontier. Those prodding NATO to establish a new Baltic forward presence also ignore the fact that three of NATOs eight battlegroups reside in the Baltic already. Amplifying NATOs force posture in the Baltic has little merit beyond needless provocation.

Precipitously militarizing the Baltic may paradoxically make the region less secure while a better model may in fact be found in its newest members own history of armed neutrality. Finland and Swedens longstanding traditions of neutrality have worked well for them throughout the generations. NATOs leaders should embrace those traditions in conceptualizing Baltic security. Finland and Sweden have a long history of cooperation with NATO in the civil-diplomatic and security spheres. NATO is not building this alliance from scratch and has no reason to panic at the prospect of doing so. Retaining present security arrangements somewhat retains the regional status quo, preserving the new members strong strategic identities while also rejecting a climb up the escalatory ladder. Keeping the Baltic safe and peaceful means recognizing that while Russia has no right to claim military suzerainty over the region, neither does NATO.

Scott Strgacich is a Research Associate at Defense Priorities.
Property details:

.BUY LAND NOW OWN YOUR LAND!This land is perfect for Land Banking! Buy and hold for future investment. Many companies and investors purchase land at a substantial discount for their investment portfolios. Then later, use this as collateral for their business. Low Low Prices!Great Investment for new investor. Start your own land business now!DescriptionThis is a nice land lot in a small town in Pennsylvania . Near everything but will be booming. Maybe build something , hold for the future , turn ...

Price: $ 888 Seller State of Residence: California Type: Recreational, Acreage Property Address: off South 3rd Street , Shamokin , Pennsylvania 17872 Zip/Postal Code: 17872 Zoning: Mixed City: Shamokin State/Province: Pennsylvania Location: 178**, West Milton, Pennsylvania

You will be redirected to eBay



Nearby Pennsylvania
This includes strategies that nurture safer use, abstinence and meeting drug users where they are, like needle exchange programs. These programs and others like them are necessary to change how we view drug users and create safer environments that allow for the destigmatization and legalization of safe substances, especially psychedelics.
To come up with first EV by 2025, expects market to grow two to three-fold in the next ten years

IMAGE: Siddhartha Lal, managing director of Eicher Motors, the parent company of Royal Enfield. Photograph: Kind courtesy Royal Enfield.

Call it 'Royal Enfield 3.0' or a revitalised strategy by the iconic desi brand amid competition with the entry of Triumph and Harley-Davidson into the Indian market.

Royal Enfield on Thursday, August 31, 2023, lined up a long-term strategy, which includes introducing brands in the ICE segment, foraying into electric vehicles by 2025, expanding its presence abroad, and playing the lead role in the domestic market, which may see two- to three-fold growth in 10 years.

Photograph: Kind courtesy Royal Enfiled/Facebook

A day before the launch of the new Bullet 350, the company not only revealed its strategy Royal Enfield 3.0 but also expressed confidence in dealing with the competition.

I (Royal Enfield) am not just a leader, but the leader, said Siddhartha Lal, managing director, Eicher Motors, the parent company of Royal Enfield, when asked about the competition.

B Govindarajan, chief executive officer of Royal Enfield and a wholetime director at Eicher Motors, said: We are coming up with a slew of products ... I believe that Royal Enfield is now at RE 3.0. We are a 122-year-old startup mentality company.

Eicher Motors has applied for inclusion in the production-linked incentive scheme, entailing an investment of Rs 2,000 crore for Royal Enfield and the commercial vehicle business.

Photograph: Kind courtesy Royal Enfiled/Facebook

The change might not be merely ornamental. The company is prepared to finetune even its celebrated Thump for the electric vehicle model, which gives Royal Enfield bikes their own distinctive and loud exhaust note.

The Thump represents a unique calming rhythm. We don't want to do anything to fake it. Authenticity is more important,

Lal added.

This marked Lal's first face-to-face media interaction after Triumph, with the Speed 400, and Harley-Davidson, through the X440, began their efforts to enter India's sub-500cc roadster segment in collaboration with Bajaj Auto and Hero MotoCorp, respectively.

Interestingly, Royal Enfield holds over 90 per cent of the market in this segment.

The company has stated that it is on track to introduce its first electric vehicle from its portfolio by 2025.

We are working hard. The goal is to come up with a product that will reshape the market dynamics. There are no delays ... our plan is to be out in the market in 2025, Lal said.

Photograph: Kind courtesy Royal Enfiled/Facebook

To meet its electric vehicle aspirations, the company has partnered European electric motorcycle manufacturer Stark Future by making an investment in the company last year.

Now, it has also roped in 11-12 suppliers for the EV ecosystem. The intention is to incorporate localised components and technologies, where Indian technology is well-developed.

The company appointed Mario Alvisi chief growth officer for its electric-vehicle business.

Lal expressed the hope that the mid-level segment was expected to grow two- to-three-fold in 10 years, driven by increasing competition.

We won't be upset if we fall to an 89 per cent market share. We take our competition seriously. We take our customers more seriously, he added.

The size of the segment is currently around 1 million in India.
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva told world leaders Saturday the planet was facing an "unprecedented climate emergency" while addressing the G20 Summit in India.

"The lack of commitment to the environment has led us to an unprecedented climate emergency," said Lula at the two-day meeting in New Delhi. "Droughts, floods, storms and fires are becoming more frequent."

G20 leaders meet this weekend during what is likely the hottest year in human history, but hopes are slim that the divided grouping can agree ambitious action on the crisis.

Any failure to do so could lower expectations ahead of crucial COP28 climate talks that begin in November in the United Arab Emirates.

In July, G20 energy ministers failed to even mention coal in their final statement, let alone agree a phase down roadmap, and there was no progress on the renewables goal.

G20 countries account for 85 percent of global GDP and a similar amount of global climate warming emissions, making action in the forum crucial to real progress.

G20 leaders are meeting for a two-day summit in New Delhi, under the theme One Earth  One Family  One Future.

Search Keywords:

Short link:


The African Union on Saturday joined the G20 after all member countries accepted Prime Minister Narendra Modi's proposal to bring the key bloc of the Global South to the high table of the world's top economies, a major diplomatic achievement of India's presidency.

IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi embraces African Union President and Comoros President Azali Assouman as he warmly invites him to join other G20 leaders as the African Union becomes a permanent member of the G20 during the G20 Summit, at Bharat Mandapam, Pragati Maidan, in New Delhi on Saturday. Photograph: ANI Photo

In his inaugural remarks at the G20 summit, Modi asked the President of the Union of Comoros and Chairperson of the African Union (AU), Azali Assoumani, to join other leaders at the high table, making the 55-member bloc the second multi-nation grouping after the European Union to be a permanent member of the G20.

"In keeping with the sentiment of 'sabka saath' (with everyone), India had proposed that the African Union should be given permanent membership of the G20. I believe we all are in agreement on this proposal...," Modi said.

"Before moving forward with the proceedings, I would like to invite the president of the African Union to take his place as a permanent member of the G20," he said amid thunderous applause by world leaders gathered at the Bharat Mandapam, the venue of the Summit.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar then escorted Assoumani to take his seat at the G20 high table. Before taking his seat, Assoumani shared a warm handshake and hug with Prime Minister Modi.

In a post on X later, the Prime Minister's Office said, 'Advancing a more inclusive G20 that echoes the aspirations of the Global South! PM @narendramodi extends a heartfelt welcome to President @_AfricanUnion and the President of Comoros Azali Assoumani.'

'Thrilled to have the African Union as a permanent member. A milestone for the G20 family indeed,' it said.

In an interview with PTI ahead of the G20 Summit, Modi had said India backs inclusion of the African Union as a full member of the Group of 20 largest economies as no plan for the future of the planet can be successful without the representation and recognition of all voices.

Africa is 'top priority' for India and that it works for the inclusion of those in global affairs who feel their voices are not being heard, Modi had said.

In the last few years, India has been positioning itself as a leading voice, flagging concerns, challenges and aspirations of the Global South, or developing nations, especially the African continent.

"I would like to draw your attention to the theme of our G20 presidency -- 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam -- One Earth, One Family, One Future'. It is not just a slogan but a comprehensive philosophy that is derived from our cultural ethos," Modi had said during the wide-ranging interview.

The prime minister was leading from the front on the issue of the African Union's membership of the G20.

In June, Modi wrote to G20 leaders to pitch for according the African Union full membership of the grouping at its New Delhi summit.

Weeks later, the proposal was formally included in the draft communique for the summit during the third G20 Sherpas meeting in Hampi, Karnataka, in July.

The Addis Ababa-headquartered African Union (AU) comprises the 55 member states that make up the countries of the African Continent.

It was officially launched in 2002 as a successor to the Organisation of African Unity, Africa's first post independence continental institution set up in 1963 with 32 members.

Collectively, African Union member states have a GDP of nearly $3 trillion and a population of around 1.4 billion.

US President Joe Biden, Chancellor Olaf Scholz, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, his Italian counterpart Giorgia Meloni, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva are among those attending the two-day Summit.

Chiefs of many leading global bodies such as the United Nations, International Monetary Fund, World Bank and World Health Organisation are also participating in the conference.

After assuming presidency of the bloc on December 1, India held around 200 meetings related to the G20 across the country on a range of its priority areas.

The G20 member countries represent around 85 per cent of the global GDP, over 75 per cent of the global trade, and about two-thirds of the world population.

Besides the African Union, the G20 grouping comprises Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, the UK, the US and the European Union (EU).
Rishi Sunak arrived in India for the first time after he took charge as the United Kingdom's prime minister on Friday, September 8, 2023.

Rishi told British journalists that he was supposed to make a family trip to India in February 2020, but had to cancel after then PM Boris Johnson appointed him chancellor of the exchequer (the British finance minister).

His mother's relatives had planned a dinner and celebration for Rishi and wife Akshata Murty this weekend, but those plans were scuttled by their packed itinerary during the G20 Summit.

Will they have time to meet Akshata's parents, Infosys Co-Founder N R Narayana Murthy and best-selling author Sudha Murty, during their 70 odd hours in Delhi?

IMAGE: Akshata fixes Rishi's tie before they land at the Palam airforce station on Friday. Photograph: ANI Photo

Photograph: ANI Photo IMAGE: Is Akshata wearing a skirt from an Indian designer? Any idea, folks? Please e-mail news1995@ rediffmail.com if you do.

IMAGE: Union Minister of State for Consumer Affairs Ashwini Kumar Choubey welcomed Rishi and Akshata, apparently with a 'Jai Siya Ram'. Photograph: ANI Photo

IMAGE: Choubey informed Rishi that he is an MP from Buxar, Bihar, which, the minister said, is believed to be the place where Lord Ram and his brother Lakshman studied under the sage Vishwamitra. Photograph: ANI Photo

IMAGE: Rishi speaks to Asian News International (ANI) National Bureau Chief Naveen Kapoor (not in frame) about the G20 Summit and the India-United Kingdom free trade agreement, which is still entangled in a few hair-splitting issues. Photograph: ANI Photo

IMAGE: As Rishi and Akshata interacted with the staff at the British Council, we were transfixed by the rakhis on the British PM's wrist.

Were they tied by his sister Raakhi Williams or his daughters Anoushka and Krishna? Photograph: ANI Photo

IMAGE: We haven't seen Akshata smile so much! Good to be back home, eh Akshata? Photograph: ANI Photo

IMAGE: Rishi and Akshata with students at the British Council. Good tee to wear on weekends, Rishi? Photograph: ANI Photo

IMAGE: 10 Downing Street tweeted this picture of Rishi meeting some 'Innovators of Tomorrow'. Photograph: @10DowningStreet/X

Photographs curated by Manisha Kotian/Rediff.com

Feature Presentation: Rajesh Alva/Rediff.com
Telugu Desam Party chief N Chadrababu Naidu was arrested on Saturday in connection with an alleged fraud case involving misappropriation of funds from the Skill Development Corporation, leading to a loss of Rs 300 crore to the state government, Andhra Pradesh Crime Investigation Department (CID) Chief N Sanjay said.

IMAGE: TDP chief and former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu. Photograph: ANI Photo

Addressing reporters after Naidu's arrest, the police official said the investigation implicated the former AP CM and TDP as beneficiaries of misappropriation of funds.

This case revolves around the establishment of clusters of Centers of Excellence (CoEs) in the state of Andhra Pradesh, with a total estimated project value of Rs 3,300 crores.

The alleged fraud has caused huge loss to the Government of Andhra Pradesh in excess of Rs 300 crores, noted Sanjay, addressing a press conference at the CID office in Mangalagiri.

Reacting to his arrest, Naidu in a post on X (formerly Twitter), said, 'For the past 45 years, I have selflessly served Telugu people. I am prepared to sacrifice my life to safeguard the interests of Telugu people. No force on earth can stop me from serving Telugu people, my #AndhraPradesh and my motherland.'

During his arrest, he appealed to people and party cadre to exercise restraint.

"Finally, truth and dharma will triumph. Whatever they do to me, I will march forward for the people," he said.

Elaborating further, the CID chief said, "The principal conspirator behind the entire scheme and who orchestrated the transfer of public funds from government to private entities via shell companies has taken place with the act of leadership of Nara Chandrababu Naidu."

Naidu possesses the exclusive knowledge of transactions leading to the issuing of government orders and MoUs from time to time which makes him the central figure of the investigation, he said, adding that Naidu's custodial interrogation is required.

The skill development case pertains to the setting up of clusters of centres of excellence (CoE) in the southern state with the total estimate of the project valued at Rs 3,300 crore but ended up causing a loss in excess of Rs 300 crore to the state government.

Incidentally, before the private entities involved in this project could spend any money, the state government released an advance of Rs 371 crore, which is 10 percent of the government's commitment.

The money released by the state government was diverted to shell companies through fake invoices while no delivery or sale of the items mentioned in the invoices took place.

Some of the shell companies were also located in Singapore.

Further, he said that departing from the official procedure, a portion of the funds was used to create CoE clusters while the remaining amount was routed to shell companies.

According to Sanjay, the statement of public officials recorded under section 164 CrPC clearly points to the involvement of former AP CM as the principal decision maker to release the money in advance.

He insisted that further investigation of individuals like Vikas Khanvelkar, managing director of Design Tech Systems is required.

Moreover, the CID chief said that several key documents of this case have gone missing and Naidu and other individuals are suspected to be behind it.

The charges in the case carry penalty of up to 10 years imprisonment while custodial interrogation is deemed necessary to uncover all the aspects of the financial fraud.

The ADGP noted that the Enforcement Directorate and GST authorities have already investigated this case.

The entire offence has occurred with the knowledge of the prime mover, conspirator and final beneficiary of defalcation money. He is the former chief Minister of AP, he said.

Naidu's influence over the witnesses and other accused has come on record, making his arrest compulsory because of his position and it is clearly visible that he is trying to thwart further investigation and possible tampering of evidence, Sanjay added.

Two accused Manoj Vasudev and Pendyala Srinivas have fled to Dubai and the USA respectively. Special teams will be dispatched to those countries to apprehend them.

He also said the role of TDP general secretary Nara Lokesh and his friend Kilaru Rajesh will be seriously probed in the alleged cases of irregularities in AP Fibrenet, Skill Development scam and Amaravati inner ring road.

Naidu was arrested in an early morning police operation in Nandyala, which involved officers knocking on the door of the caravan in which he was sleeping.

The former CM was arrested by the CID around 6 am from a marriage hall (outside which his caravan was parked) at Gnanapuram in Nandyal.
The Supreme Court has awarded life imprisonment to former Lok Sabha MP from Bihar Prabhunath Singh for the killing of two persons on polling day during assembly elections in Saran district in 1995, observing that the state had not prosecuted the case fairly and rather assisted the accused throughout.

IMAGE: The Supreme Court of India. Photograph: ANI Photo

On August 18, the apex court convicted Singh in the case, overturning the orders of the trial court and the Patna high court that had acquitted him.

While sentencing Singh, an apex bench headed by Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul also imposed a total fine of Rs 25 lakh on the Rashtriya Janata Dal leader.

Referring to Section 357 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, which deals with the order to pay compensation, the apex court noted that Clause (a) provides for defraying the expenses incurred in the prosecution.

"We are not inclined to grant any such expenses to the state considering the fact that the state in fact did not prosecute the case fairly, rather throughout assisted the accused," the bench, also comprising justices Abhay S Oka and Vikram Nath, said in its judgement delivered on September 1.

It said considering the conduct of the state and also the amount of trauma and harassment faced by the victim's family, it is of the view that in addition to the damages awarded under Section 357 of CrPC, further compensation be awarded under section 357-A of CrPC.

"The state of Bihar will compensate the legal heirs of the two deceased and the injured if alive otherwise her legal heirs in the like amount of the fine awarded above i.e. Rs 10 lakh each to the legal heirs of the deceased Rajendra Rai and Daroga Rai and Rs 5 lakh to the injured Devi or her legal heirs, as the case may be," it said.

"Considering the facts and circumstances of the case and the findings recorded by us and also taking into consideration the fact that the incident is of the year 1995, almost 28 years old, awarding death sentence would not be appropriate and as such we award imprisonment for life to respondent no.2 (Singh) under Section 302 (murder) IPC along with fine of Rs 20 lakh," the bench said in its September 1 verdict.

The bench, which also sentenced Singh to seven years imprisonment for the offence of attempt to murder along with a fine of Rs 5 lakh, said both the sentences would run concurrently.

It said a fine of this magnitude has been awarded considering the "shocking facts and circumstances" of the case which were considered in detail and findings were recorded in the August 18 judgment.

The apex court directed the fine awarded to be paid as damages and Rs 10 lakh each be given to the legal heirs of the deceased.

It said the trial court will get a preliminary enquiry conducted with regard to the legal heirs of the two deceased and the amount will be disbursed to them as per law of succession.

The bench said a fine amount of Rs 5 lakh would be disbursed in the same manner by the trial court to the injured victim, if she is alive, and if not, to her legal heirs.

It said the amount of fine and compensation be deposited with the trial court within two months, failing which the same shall be recovered as arrears of land revenue by the trial court.

While convicting Singh, the apex court had observed that it was dealing with a case which was an "exceptionally painful episode of our criminal justice system".

The top court had observed there was not even an iota of doubt that Singh was instrumental in making all possible efforts to "wipe out" the evidence against him.

It had observed the three main stakeholders in a criminal trial -- the investigating officer, the public prosecutor and the judiciary -- have "utterly failed" to discharge the duties and responsibilities cast upon them.

It had noted that an FIR was registered on March 25, 1995 at Chapra on the statement of Rajendra Rai, who said that he along with eight-nine other villagers was returning after casting their votes when a car pulled over.

It was alleged that Singh, who was then contesting the assembly elections as a candidate of the Bihar People's Party, was sitting in the car and enquired as to who they had voted for.

The FIR alleged when Rai answered that they had cast their votes in favour of another political party, Singh opened fire from his rifle and injured three people.

The offence of murder under Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code was added later as two out of the three injured, including Rajendra Rai, died during treatment.

The top court had delivered its August 18 verdict on an appeal challenging the December 2021 judgement of the Patna high court which had dismissed a revision petition and confirmed the trial court order acquitting the accused in the case.

The apex court had not disturbed the acquittal of other accused in the case, saying their names were not reflected either in the dying declaration of Rajendra Rai or in the statement of his mother, who was a court witness.

Singh is currently lodged in Hazaribagh jail after his conviction in the murder of Janata Dal MLA Ashok Singh at the latter's residence in the high-security zone of the Bihar capital in 1995.
India on Saturday pulled off a big diplomatic win after the G20 summit adopted a consensus declaration overcoming major differences on the Russia-Ukraine war, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi called for ending "global trust deficit".

IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi announces adoption of the G20 Leaders Summit Declaration during Session 1 on 'One Earth' at the Summit, at Bharat Mandapam, Pragati Maidan, in New Delhi. Photograph: ANI Photo

Modi also announced that African Union was admitted as G20's permanent member.

Asserting that "today's era must not be of war", the New Delhi G20 Summit Leaders' Declaration under India's presidency called on all States to uphold the principles of international law, including territorial integrity and sovereignty and pitched for initiatives for "comprehensive, just, and durable peace in Ukraine".

"The use or threat of use of nuclear weapons is inadmissible."

The announcement about a consensus on the 37-page declaration and its subsequent adoption was made by Prime Minister Modi at the start of the second session on the opening day of the two-day summit of the grouping of major developed and developing countries.

It came hours after India circulated a new text to the members countries to describe the Ukraine conflict.

"Friends, we have just got good news, with the hard work of our teams, and with the cooperation of you all, there is consensus on the New Delhi G20 Summit Leaders Declaration," Modi told the leaders at the summit.

"I announce that this declaration is adopted (Banged the gavel thrice)," he announced.

"History has been created with the adoption of the New Delhi Leaders' Declaration. United in consensus and spirit, we pledge to work collaboratively for a better, more prosperous, and harmonious future. My gratitude to all fellow G20 members for their support and cooperation," Modi said later on X.

The G20 leaders also condemned terrorism in all its forms and called for strengthening of efforts to increase the effectiveness of international cooperation to deny terrorist groups safe haven, freedom of operations as well as financial, material or political support. "It constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security."

They also called for a strong, sustainable, and inclusive growth as an answer to the uneven recovery the world has seen from the pandemic-infused plunder, and flagged the need for trillions of dollars for countries to meet their climate goals and clean energy technologies.

On other issues, the G20 grouping strongly deplored all acts of religious hatred against persons, religious symbols and holy books. They emphasised the freedom of religion or belief, freedom of expression and the right to peaceful assembly.

In his opening remarks, Prime Minister Modi urged world leaders to turn the "global trust deficit" into trust and confidence and announced that the African Union has been granted permanent membership of the grouping.

All member countries of the G20 accepted Modi's proposal to bring the 55-member African Union(AU) to the high table of the world's top economies in a significant milestone under India's G20 presidency.

Modi said the African Union becoming a member will strengthen the G20 and also the voice of the Global South.

The union collectively has a GDP of nearly $3 trillion and a population of around 1.4 billion.

It is the first expansion of the G20 since its inception in 1999 after the Asian financial crisis.

"It is time for all of us to walk together for global good," Modi said while addressing the 'One Earth' session of the 18th G20 summit and the first to be hosted by India.

The leaders attending the two-day summit included US President Joe Biden, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Saudi Arabia Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, his Italian counterpart Giorgia Meloni, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

However, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin skipped the summit.

"Following the Covid pandemic, the world faced a new challenge of trust deficit and unfortunately, the wars have further deepened this," Modi said addressing the gathering at the swanky new exhibition-cum-convention centre Bharat Mandapam.

"But we must remember that if we can defeat a pandemic like Covid, we can also win over the challenge of this trust deficit. Today, as the president of the G20, India calls upon the entire world to turn this global trust deficit into trust and confidence," said Modi, who was identified as the leader representing 'Bharat' at the summit.

"This is a time when age-old challenges are calling for new solutions from us. And therefore, with a human-centric approach, we have to move forward to fulfil our responsibilities."

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar while responding to a question on the change in language referring to the Ukraine conflict in the New Delhi Declaration from the G20 position in the Bali document, said, "Regarding the change in language on the Russia-Ukraine conflict from the Bali Declaration - Bali was Bali, New Delhi is Delhi. Many things have happened since the Bali Declaration."

"One should not have a theological view of this. The New Delhi Declaration responds to the situation as it stands today. The New Delhi Declaration responds to the concerns of today just like the Bali Declaration responded to the concerns of that time."

The G20 Bali Leaders' Declaration adopted last year said, "We reiterated our national positions as expressed in other fora, including the UN Security Council and the UN General Assembly, which, in Resolution No. ES-11/1 dated 2 March 2022, as adopted by majority vote (141 votes for, 5 against, 35 abstentions, 12 absent) deplores in the strongest terms the aggression by the Russian Federation against Ukraine and demands its complete and unconditional withdrawal from the territory of Ukraine."

It had also said, "most members strongly condemned the war in Ukraine."

Jaishankar also responded to a question on how difficult it was to arrive at a consensus on the Ukraine conflict. "This is a declaration of 83 paras, there are a lot of subjects covered, but obviously because of the ongoing conflict and the different views on it, considerable time was spent in the last few days with regard to geopolitical issues which were mostly centred around the war in Ukraine," he said.

Asked which countries helped forge a consensus on the Ukraine conflict, Jaishankar said," Actually... Everybody helped. Everybody came together to forge a consensus, but emerging markets took a particular lead on this and many of us have a strong history of working together. Bear in mind that actually, you have four developing countries in succession for the G20 presidency...Indonesia, us, Brazil and South Africa."

Describing the negotiations on the wordings of the Ukraine conflict as "tough and ruthless", India's G20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant said it went on for days and the issue was clinched because of the leadership of the prime minister.

"We had to say, the leader wants it and this has to be delivered."

Kant said the Declaration focusses on strong and sustainable growth, accelerating progress on sustainable development goals, green development pact, and reinvigorating multilateralism.

In a series of posts on X, he said the Declaration was historical and path-breaking with "100 per cent consensus" on all developmental and geo-political issues.

"The new geopolitical paragraphs are a powerful call for planet, people, peace and prosperity in today's world."

According to a report by Russian news agency TASS, Svetlana Lukash, Russia's sherpa in the G20, told a news conference that the negotiations on the Ukrainian issue at the G20 summit in New Delhi were very complicated, but the collective position of the BRICS countries worked,

Emphasising the importance of sustaining food and energy security, the G20 leaders also called for the "cessation of military destruction or other attacks on relevant infrastructure".

The biggest question that loomed over the Delhi summit was whether it will be able to come out with a joint leaders' declaration in view of the sharp differences between the West and the Russia-China combine on the text to describe the Ukraine conflict in the document.
The G20 grouping on Saturday strongly deplored all acts of religious hatred against persons, religious symbols and holy books.

IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, US Joe Biden and Saudi Arabia Prime Minister and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and other world leaders during the PGII and India Middle East Europe connectivity corridor launch event on the sidelines of G20 Summit, in New Delhi, September 9, 2023. Photograph: ANI Photo

The leaders of the grouping who met under India's presidency in New Delhi adopted the Delhi Declaration in which they emphasised the freedom of religion or belief, freedom of expression and the right to peaceful assembly.

"We note the UNGA Resolution A/RES/77/318, particularly its commitment to promote respect for religious and cultural diversity, dialogue and tolerance. We also emphasise that freedom of religion or belief, freedom of opinion or expression, the right to peaceful assembly, and the right to freedom of association are interdependent, inter-related and mutually reinforcing and stress the role that these rights can play in the fight against all forms of intolerance and discrimination based on religion or belief.

"In this regard, we strongly deplore all acts of religious hatred against persons, as well as those of a symbolic nature without prejudice to domestic legal frameworks, including against religious symbols and holy books," the G20 said in its joint declaration.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his introductory remarks at the start of the G20 meeting said, "India is a land of diversity of faith, spirituality and traditions. Many major religions of the world were born here, and every religion of the world has found respect here."

"As the 'mother of democracy,' our belief in dialogue and democratic principles has been unwavering since time immemorial. Our global conduct is rooted in the fundamental principle of 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam,' which means 'world is one family', Modi said in his speech.
India on Saturday circulated a new paragraph among the G20 countries to describe the Ukraine conflict in the joint leaders' declaration to be unveiled at the end of the two-day summit of the grouping, diplomatic sources said.

IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi greets prior to addressing the Session 1 of the G20 Summit at Bharat Mandapam, in New Delhi on Saturday. Photograph: ANI Photo

With consensus eluding on the paragraph relating to the Ukraine conflict, India on Friday circulated a draft summit declaration among the member countries without the paragraph on the geopolitical issue in an attempt to hammer out a positive outcome.

India's circulation of the new text on Ukraine came as the G20 leaders began deliberations on pressing global challenges on the first day of the annual summit of the bloc.

A lack of consensus on the text on Ukraine may result in the summit ending without a joint declaration, which will be a first for the grouping.

There was no consensus on the text to describe the Ukraine issue at the G20 Sherpa meeting that took place in Nuh district of Haryana from September 3-6.

Indian negotiators believe that there will be consensus on the new paragraph that was circulated on Saturday morning, the sources said.

The response of the Western powers as well as China and Russia to the new text was not known immediately.

Two sources had earlier said the G7 countries are not agreeable to any leaders' declaration without reference to the Ukraine conflict.

The G20 operates under the principle of consensus and there have been apprehensions that lack of a common view may result in the summit ending without a joint declaration.

Both Russia and China had agreed to the two paragraphs on the Ukraine conflict in the Bali declaration but backtracked this year, creating difficulties for India.

Almost all key meetings held under India's G20 presidency, including those of finance and foreign ministers, could not come out with consensus documents in view of opposition from Russia and China to any text referring to the Ukraine conflict.
Plans for an ambitious India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor were unveiled on Saturday with Prime Minister Narendra Modi asserting that India does not limit connectivity to regional borders and believes that it can play a key role in strengthening mutual trust.

IMAGE: Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, US President Joe Biden at the launch of 'India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor' during the G20 Summit in New Delhi. Photograph: @narendramodi/X, formerly Twitter

At the launch event of the 'Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment' and 'India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor' during the G20 Summit, Modi said today "we all have reached an important and historic partnership".

He said in the times to come, it will become an effective medium for economic integration of India, the Middle East and Europe. "It will give a new direction to connectivity and sustainable development of the entire world," the prime minister said.

"It will drive sustainable development for the entire world," Modi said.

At the launch, he also said strong connectivity and infrastructure are fundamental basis for humanity and India has always laid strong emphasis on this.

"We are laying a strong foundation for a developed India. Through PGII (Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment), we can play a key role in filling infrastructure gap in Global South countries. India does not limit connectivity into regional borders. We believe connectivity can also play a key role in strengthening mutual trust," he said.

Modi stressed on respecting sovereignty and integrity of all nations. He also stressed on promoting financial viability rather than debt burden as well as on following all environmental guidelines.

"With such a major step on connectivity, we are sowing the seeds for future growth," he said.

United States President Joe Biden said he was proud to announce that they have finalised a "historic agreement" for the new India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor.

"As key part of this corridor, we are investing in ships and rails, that extends from India to Europe connected by the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Israel. It will make it far easier to trade. I want to thank sponsors and particularly Prime Minister Modi and (Saudi Crown Prince) Mohammed bin Salman," he said.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen hailed the agreement on the corridor, saying this is nothing but historic. "It will be the most direct connection to date between India, the Arabian Gulf and Europe with a rail link that will make trade between India and Europe 40 per cent faster," she said.

French President Emmanuel Macron said it is about having a first global green trade route as hydrogen is also part of this project.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said, "We have to ensure that we implement it successfully and Germany is committed to contribute in that regard."

The launch of the new corridor is a milestone in strengthening global integration, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said. She thanked Modi, Biden and all others who made it possible.

"This will scale up our economic growth. Italy is ready to play a decisive role in this initiative and we want to contribute in building bridges between the Mediterrarnian and Indo Pacific," Meloni said.
The highly anticipated historic G20 Leader's Summit begins on Saturday, September 9, in New Delhi.

IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi waits to welcome leaders of the G20 countries, in New Delhi, on Saturday, September 9, 2023. Photograph: Evan Vucci/Pool via Reuters

The world leaders who have arrived in Delhi have gathered at the Bharat Mandapam International Exhibition and Convention Centre.

The first session of the G20 Summit would begin at around 10.30 am under this year's theme 'One Earth'.

This global meeting, a culmination of various ministries, meetings and the engagement of different groups that happened throughout the year, aims to address key issues around the globe.

A look at the complete schedule of the G20 Summit 2023:

Day 1 (September 9)

9.30 am to 10:30 am: The event will start with the arrival of leaders and heads of delegations at the summit venue, Bharat Mandapam. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, along with the world leaders, would take photographs with the Tree of Life Foyer. The leaders will then assemble in the Leader's Lounge, at Bharat Mandapam.

Between 10:30 am and 1:30 pm: The first session under the theme 'One Earth' will take place at the Summit Hall at Bharat Mandapam, followed by a working lunch.

Between 1:30 pm and 3:30 pm: Various bilateral meetings will take place.

From 3:30 to 4:45 pm: The second session, 'One Family, will be held. After concluding this session, the leaders would then return to their hotels.

Between 7 pm and 8 pm: Leaders and heads of delegation will attend dinner, beginning with a welcome photo on arrival.

8 pm to 9 pm: The leaders will engage in conversation over dinner.

9 pm to 9:45 pm: Leaders and heads of delegations will then gather in the leaders' loungue at Bharat Mandapam and return to their hotels.

Day 2 (September 10)

8:15 am to 9 am: The leaders and heads of the delegations will arrive at Rajghat in individual motorcades.

9:00 am to 9:20 am: The leaders will then lay a wreath at Mahatma Gandhi's Samadhi. Also, a live performance of Mahatma Gandhi's favourite devotional songs.

9:20 am: Leaders and Heads of Delegations will then move to Bharat Mandapam's Leaders' Lounge.

9:40 am to 10:15 am: Arrival of leaders and heads of delegation at Bharat Mandapam

10:15am10:30am: Tree planting ceremony at Bharat Mandapam's South Plaza

10:30 am12:30 pm: The third session of the summit, called 'One Future', will take place at the venue, followed by the adoption of the New Delhi Leaders' Declaration.

US President Joe Biden, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida are among the key leaders who will attend the event.

Notably, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin will not be taking part in the weekend summit.

China, however, will be represented at the summit by Chinese Premier Li Qiang, and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will represent Russia.
The Congress on Saturday accused the government of covering up or demolishing slums and rounding up stray animals in view of the G20 Summit, with its leader Rahul Gandhi saying 'there is no need to hide India's reality from our guests'.

IMAGE: A beautification work to welcome delegates ahead of G20 Summit, in New Delhi. Photograph: Ayush Sharma/ANI Photo

The Congress shared a video on X, formerly Twitter, showing some slum areas being covered with green sheets ahead of the two-day summit, which began in New Delhi on Saturday and was attended by leaders of the largest economies of the world.

'The Government of India is hiding our poor people and animals. There is no need to hide India's reality from our guests,' Gandhi, who is currently abroad, said in a post on X.

Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh also attacked the prime minister over the matter.

'G20 is intended to be a productive gathering of the major world economies, aimed at dealing with global problems in a cooperative manner. President Putin may have stayed away, but Prince Potemkin has been in full display with slums being either covered up or demolished, rendering thousands homeless. Stray animals have been cruelly rounded up and mistreated, only to burnish the PM's image,' Ramesh said in a statement.

In addition to the video of slums being covered up, the opposition party shared videos of cruelty towards stray dogs and animals ahead of the G20 Summit.

'The government considers us insects. Are we not humans,' said a slum resident, whose video the Congress shared.

'Before G20, Modi government has covered their houses with curtains to hide its failure. Because the king hates the poor,' the opposition party said on its X handle.

'Watch this video to witness the shocking cruelty inflicted upon innocent street dogs by the Modi government in preparation for the G20 summit.

'Dogs are being dragged by their necks, beaten with sticks and thrown into cages. They are being denied food and water, and they are being subjected to extreme stress and fear,' it said.

'It is imperative that we raise our voices against such appalling acts and demand justice for these voiceless victims,' the opposition party said.

However, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) refuted the allegation and termed it 'misinformation'.

It said the dogs that were picked up from the roads of the national capital have been kept in proper care and no cruelty or harm has been caused to them.

'It's high time to say NO TO MISINFORMATION. The video shared here is short on credibility and authenticity. MCD assure one and all that the dogs are picked up on 'urgent need' basis and are kept in proper care with medical and other facilities. No cruelty or harm was caused,' the civic body said from its official handle on X.
The G20 summit in New Delhi managed to defy expectations and reach consensus on a joint declaration by world leaders, but not without compromises over the Ukraine conflict and action on climate change.

Here are the five defining moments of the summit so far:

And then there were 21



The Group of 20 leading economies began the weekend's proceedings by welcoming the African Union, the newest member of a bloc which already represented 85 percent of world GDP.

Host and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has portrayed this weekend as India's diplomatic coming of age, and his country's presidency as an opportunity to give a voice to the needs of the Global South.

Modi opened the summit's formal proceedings by inviting African Union President Azali Assoumani to take a seat alongside world leaders with the ceremonial bang of a gavel.

Before Saturday, the G20 comprised 19 countries and the European Union, with South Africa its only member state from the continent.

The African Union at full strength has 55 members but six junta-ruled nations are currently suspended. It has a collective GDP of $3 trillion with some 1.4 billion people.

'Different views' on Ukraine



G20 leaders have been deeply riven over Moscow's offensive in Ukraine since last year, with Russian President Vladimir Putin skipping the summit entirely to dodge political opprobrium.

Facing the prospect of a major diplomatic embarrassment, host India pressed members to agree a common statement that watered down its earlier condemnation of the war.

In the end, the G20 denounced the use of force for territorial gain but refrained from direct criticism of Russia by name.

"There were different views and assessments of the situation," the leaders' statement said.

Kyiv's foreign ministry spokesman Oleg Nikolenko criticised the statement, saying the G20 had "nothing to be proud of".

Failure on climate



Leaders failed to agree on a phase-out of fossil fuels, despite a UN report a day earlier deeming the drawdown "indispensable" to achieving net-zero emissions.

G20 nations account for around 80 percent of global emissions and an inability to agree on the phase-out is a cloud over a key round of climate discussions to begin in November in the oil-rich United Arab Emirates.

"We need stronger bolder action from leaders," said Madhura Joshi, senior associate at climate think tank E3G.

But for the first time the G20 backed a target of tripling global renewable energy capacity and referenced the need for emissions to peak before 2025.

It also acknowledged that limiting warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius will require slashing greenhouse gases 43 percent by 2030 from 2019 levels.

'Real big' Middle East infrastructure



A broad alliance including the United States and Saudi Arabia unveiled ambitious plans to create a modern-day Spice Route linking Europe, the Middle East and India.

If the initiative goes ahead, it would establish railways, ports, electricity and data networks and hydrogen pipelines in a counterbalance to lavish Chinese infrastructure spending.

One proposed project would link rail and port facilities across the Middle East, potentially speeding trade between India and Europe by up to 40 percent.

The plans are also being touted as a means of helping normalise relations between Israel and Gulf Arab states.

"This is a real big deal," said US President Joe Biden, locking arms with Modi and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in a triple handshake.

India or Bharat?



For days India has been abuzz with rumours that official usage of the country's English name would be dropped.

Modi gave the biggest signal yet of a potential change in his opening address to the summit, seated behind a country nameplate labelled "Bharat".

India and Bharat are both official names for the country under its constitution.

Modi himself typically refers to the nation as "Bharat", a word steeped in Hindu religious symbolism and dating back to ancient scripture.

Members of his Hindu nationalist party have campaigned against using the better-known moniker India, which has roots in Western antiquity and was imposed during the British conquest.

Search Keywords:

Short link:


Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on Saturday informed that he will be unable to attend the G20 dinner hosted by President Droupadi Murmu for the current G20 Leaders' Summit this evening due to limitations on air travel in and around Delhi.

IMAGE: The First Session of the G20 Summit at Bharat Mandapam, in New Delhi on Saturday. Photograph: ANI Photo

Responding to this, the Ministry of Home Affairs posted on X, 'In a news report, Chief Minister Chhattisgarh has expressed his inability to participate in G20 Dinner at Leaders Summit at Delhi on 9 Sept 2023 due to air restrictions in and around Delhi.'

'MHA has clarified to the State that while a high tech security air cover has been deployed for G20 Leaders Summit at Delhi on 8-11 September 2023, movement of Governors and State Chief Ministers on their State aircrafts are allowed, it said.

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot also said that he will not attend the G20 special dinner hosted by President Murmu, claiming that approval for his helicopter was denied by the Ministry of Home Affairs, however, MHA denied the allegation also.

'In a news report, the Rajasthan Chief Minister has claimed denial of approval for his helicopter flight by the MHA. Four requests were received from CM Rajasthan for flight permissions, including for Sikar, and all were approved by the MHA,' the MHA posted on X.

Notably, both the Congress chief ministers decided to skip the G20 dinner to be hosted at Bharat Mandapam on Saturday after the party chief and the Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, was not invited to the banquet.

Former prime ministers Manmohan Singh and HD Deve Gowda are among the invitees to the G20 dinner.

However, Deve Gowda informed me that he won't be able to attend the dinner, hosted by President Droupadi Murmu, due to health reasons.
The quantum leap in the victory margin of Samajwadi Party candidate Sudhakar Singh in the Ghosi bypoll in Uttar Pradesh is being seen as a rejection of "Aaya Ram, Gaya Ram" politics by the voters.

IMAGE: Samajwadi Party supporters celebrate the party's victory in Ghosi by-election, in Lucknow, September 8, 2023. Photograph: ANI Photo

Singh defeated Bharatiya Janata Party's Dara Singh Chauhan in the bypoll to the Ghosi Assembly constituency in Mau district with a margin of 42,759 votes on Friday.

In last year's Uttar Pradesh assembly polls, Chauhan (then with the SP) defeated BJP's Vijay Kumar Rajbhar by a margin of 22,216 votes.

Backed by other constituents of the INDIA opposition bloc, the SP retained the seat, with Singh garnering 1,24,427 votes (57.19 per cent), while Chauhan got 81,668 votes (37.54 per cent), according to the Election Commission.

Six of the 10 candidates in the poll fray got less votes than NOTA. Sanaullah of the Peace Party secured the third spot, bagging 2,570 votes, while Afroz Alam of the Jan Adhikar Party secured 2,100 votes.

NOTA (None of the Above) polled 1,725 votes.

The bypoll saw a 50.77 per cent voter turnout. In the 2022 Assembly election, the polling percentage was 58.59.

The bypoll was necessitated after Chauhan, an Other Backward Classes leader, quit the SP and joined the BJP.

Chauhan's defeat in the bypoll has also hurt the political prospects of Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party chief Om Prakash Rajbhar as a positive result in the ruling NDA's favour would have strengthened his bargaining power with the BJP ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.

The voters were apparently angry over Chauhan switching his allegiance to the BJP.

"People have rejected these turncoats, who only change their political allegiance for their vested interests. The voters are aware of this," said Arvind Kumar Chauhan, a medical representative.

Social worker Arvind Kumar Rajbhar said, "A slogan was coined before the bypoll -- 'Bahari Bhagao, Ghosi Bachao' (drive away outsiders in order to save Ghosi). The voters have also completely rejected those indulging in 'Aaya Ram, Gaya Ram' politics and shown them the door. People want development."

Chauhan submitted his resignation to Assembly Speaker Satish Mahana on July 15. He was the forest and environment minister in the previous BJP government in the state headed by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, before he resigned from the Council of Ministers in January 2022 and joined the SP.

He had also represented the Ghosi parliamentary seat in the 15th Lok Sabha as a Bahujan Samaj Party member.

Chauhan was the BJP MLA from Madhuban in Mau from 2017 to 2022. He won the Ghosi Assembly seat in last year's Assembly polls on an SP ticket.

The phrase "Aaya Ram, Gaya Ram" was coined when Gaya Lal, an MLA from Hodal in Haryana, won the election as an independent candidate in 1967 and then joined the Congress.

Thereafter, he switched his allegiance thrice in a fortnight -- first from the Congress to the United Front, then back to the Congress and then back to the United Front again within nine hours.

When he quit the United Front and joined the Congress, Rao Birender Singh, then a leader of the grand old party who had engineered the defection, presented Gaya Lal before reporters at a press conference in Chandigarh and declared: "Gaya Ram is now Aaya Ram."

The BSP, which has neither aligned with the NDA nor the INDIA, did not contest the Ghosi bypoll. INDIA constituents Congress, CPI(M), CPI, RLD, AAP, CPI(ML)-Liberation and Suheldev Swabhiman Party had extended support to Singh.

Singh (64) represented the Ghosi constituency in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly from 2012 to 2017. Earlier, he had represented the Nathupur (Madhuban after delimitation) seat in the assembly.

He won from Nathupur in the 1996 Assembly polls. In the 2017 Assembly election, he lost to BJP's Fagu Chauhan.
It was a tough negotiation and the consensus on the declaration was a great achievement by India, European sources said on the condition of anonymity.

IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi attends Session 1 on 'One Earth' during the G20 Summit, at Bharat Mandapam, Pragati Maidan, in New Delhi on Saturday. Photograph: ANI Photo

A series of hardball negotiations by India with China, Russia and other key Western players and a strong backing by Brazil, South Africa and Indonesia to the efforts helped New Delhi achieve consensus on the G20 declaration, belying fears about whether the document could be issued at all in view of sharp divisions in the bloc on the Ukraine war, diplomatic sources said on Saturday.

India managed well in convincing China to agree to the text relating to the Ukraine conflict after the European Union concurred with the text, they said.

On the first day of the summit on Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that the G20 leaders' declaration was adopted with consensus, throwing a major surprise as both the Russia-China combine and the West had indicated that they would not budge from their respective position on the Ukraine conflict.

French diplomatic sources said India has displayed a "kind of power and an ability to bring countries together", adding not many countries are in a position to negotiate as New Delhi has done to take on board comments from everyone, and work out a compromise proposal on the Ukraine conflict.

It was a tough negotiation and the consensus on the declaration was a great achievement by India, European sources said on the condition of anonymity.

Asked about the absence of the term "Russian aggression" on Ukraine in the declaration which figured in the Bali G20 declaration, the sources said the Western countries were satisfied with the overall outcomes.

Another source said India circulated the final draft to the G20 members on Friday night saying if they do not agree to it, then there will be no declaration.

India's G20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant said the negotiations with Russia and China took place last night.

The French diplomatic sources described the declaration as "very satisfactory" from Paris's point of view.

The joint statement also found mention of Modi's famous remark that "Today's era must not be of war." His vision of Lifestyles for Sustainable Development (LiFE) also figured in the declaration.

The French diplomatic sources also said that the Indian presidency wanted to see a language of "consensus emerge".

To achieve a language of consensus on a subject as divisive as Ukraine, "we had to be able to reaffirm what we said in Bali, which we have done by recalling the Bali conversation", a source said.

"We had to refer to the United Nations texts, which are indeed mentioned," the source said.

"Then we had to affirm a few obvious points for us, but which are not necessarily obvious for everyone, that is that a war of territorial conquest is unacceptable, that the sovereignty and territorial integrity of States must be respected, and that a just and lasting peace must respect these principles," the source said.

"All this is well incorporated in the text and, as was our main objective at this summit. It enables us to look ahead to what should be the solution for a just and lasting peace at the end of the war in Ukraine," the source added.

The declaration said that all States must refrain from conquering territories by force.

"Russia is the only country to have done so. All this helps to build consensus for the future," the source said.

In the declaration, the G20 leaders said they looked forward to meeting again in Brazil in 2024 and in South Africa in 2025, as well as in the United States in 2026 at the beginning of the next cycle.

"We welcome Saudi Arabia's ambition to advance its turn for hosting the G20 Presidency in the next cycle. We also look forward to the Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2024 as a symbol of peace, dialogue amongst nations and inclusivity, with participation of all," it said.
The G20 leaders declaration avoided mentioning the Russian invasion of Ukraine and made a general call to all states to follow the principle of respecting each other's territorial integrity and sovereignty, in what is largely seen as a climbdown by the Western powers on the conflict.

IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivers his remarks at Session 1 on 'One Earth' during the G20 Leaders' Summit, in New Delhi, September 9, 2023. Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula Da Silva (right) is also seen. Photograph: ANI Photo

India managed to hammer out an unexpected consensus among the G20 countries on the contentious issue through a series of hectic negotiations with emerging economies such as Brazil, South Africa and Indonesia playing a leading role in reaching the breakthrough.

Sources said these three countries also helped in drafting the text that drew every member nation's approval.

The declaration issued at the G20's Bali summit last November had deplored in the strongest terms the Russian aggression against Ukraine while most members strongly condemned the war.

"With regard to the comparison with the Bali Declaration, I would only say Bali was Bali and New Delhi is New Delhi. I mean, Bali was a year ago," External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said at a media briefing.

"The situation was different. Many things have happened since then. And in fact If you see in the geo-political segment of the leaders declaration, there are, in total, eight paragraphs, seven of which actually focus on the Ukraine issue," he said.

"I think one should not have a theological view of this. I think the New Delhi Declaration responds to the situation and concerns as it is today, just as the Bali Declaration did in a situation which was there a year ago."

The New Delhi G20 Declaration refers only to the "war in Ukraine" and noted with "deep concern the immense human suffering and the adverse impact of wars and conflicts around the world."

In reference to the Ukraine conflict, it also has a line that "there were different views and assessments of the situation."

Asked about this line, Jaishankar said it was only right to record what was the "reality".

"On the phrase about having different viewpoints and assessments, I think we are being transparent. It is a fact, this (Ukraine conflict) is today a very polarising issue," he said.

"There are multiple views on this.There are a spectrum of views on this. So I think in all fairness, it was only right to record what was the reality in the meeting rooms and I think that is the sense that is sought to be captured," Jaishankar said.

Asked about the absence of the term "Russian aggression" on Ukraine in the declaration which figured in the Bali G20 declaration, European diplomatic sources said the Western countries were satisfied with the overall outcomes.

Both Russia and China had agreed to the two paragraphs on the Ukraine conflict in the Bali declaration, but they backtracked from it this year creating difficulties for India.

The external affairs minister said considerable time was spent, especially in the last few days with regard to the "geo-political issues".

"It is a declaration of 83 paragraphs. It has a lot of content. There are a lot of subjects which have been covered," he said.

"Obviously, because of the ongoing conflict and strong views about it, considerable time was spent, especially in the last few days in regard to geo-political issues which really centred around the war in Ukraine," he said.

Asked who specifically helped in forging the consensus, Jaishankar said, "Eventually, everybody helped because everybody came together for the consensus. I think the emerging markets took a particular lead on this, and many of us have a strong history of working together," he said.

"Bear in mind that actually, you have four developing countries in succession as G20 presidents -- Indonesia, India, Brazil and South Africa," he said.

"But I would say rather than who helped, the point to be recognised is that a common landing point was ultimately fashioned out," he added.

Jaishankar also said "the G20 has contributed to making India world-ready and the world India-ready."

"The declaration the leaders have agreed on today, focuses on promoting strong sustainable, balanced and inclusive growth. It seeks to accelerate progress on SDGs and has come up with an action plan accordingly," he said.
Quota activist Manoj Jarange hardened his position on Saturday asserting that his fast will go on till Marathas in Maharashtra get Kunbi certificates under the Other Backward Class category and threatened to stop taking water and medicines from Sunday.

IMAGE: Manoj Jarange, the politician-turned activist whose hunger strike in support of Maratha quota from August 29, 2023 in Jalna, Maharashtra, entered 12th day, September 9, 2023. Photograph: Courtesy Manoj Jarange on X

Jarange, whose hunger strike at Antarwali Sarati village in Jalna district for reservation for the community in government jobs and education entered 12th day, also rejected the fresh outcome of talks held with a delegation of Maratha community leaders and the government late on Friday night in Mumbai.

Our demand is that the Maratha community in Maharashtra get Kunbi caste certificates, Jarange said.

Earlier this week, the Maharashtra cabinet decided that Kunbi caste certificates would be issued to those Marathas hailing from the Marathwada region who possess revenue or education documents from the Nizam era that recognise them as Kunbis.

Announcing the cabinet decision, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said that he would also speak with his Telangana counterpart for any help in this matter.

Based on the cabinet decision, a government resolution was issued on September 7, but it failed to placate Jarange.

Kunbis, a community associated with agriculture, are grouped under the Other Backward Classes category in Maharashtra and enjoy reservation benefits in education and government jobs.

The Marathwada region was part of the erstwhile Hyderabad kingdom before it became part of Maharashtra.

CM Shinde and deputy CMs Devendra Fadnavis Ajit Pawar met a delegation of Maratha leaders on Friday night following which a sealed envelope was sent to Jarange.

However, he was not pleased with the outcome of the meeting.

Jarange said they had suggested that the GR be revised to give Kunbi caste certificates to the Maratha community across Maharashtra.

That did not happen, he said.

The GR brought by the government earlier this week states that one has to give genealogy documents and evidence for procuring the Kunbi certificate and this was also subject to a report by a panel formed by the government to look into the issue.

Jarange has made three more demands apart from seeking revision in the September 7 GR.

The activist has said that the government had brought out a GR in 2004 recognising Kunbis, Maratha-Kunbis and Kunbi-Marathas as OBCs (Other Backward Classes) but it was too rigid and did not benefit those who deserved quota.

He has asked the government to amend that GR.

He has also demanded action against those policemen who lathi-charged protesters in Jalna district last week and the withdrawal of police cases against the agitators.

The Maratha quota matter snowballed into a major challenge for the state government after the police last week baton-charged a violent mob at Antarwali Sarati when protesters allegedly refused to let authorities shift Jarange to hospital.

Several persons, including 40 police personnel, were injured and more than 15 state transport buses were set ablaze in the violence.

The police action in Jalna triggered more protests by the community across the state and a war of words between the ruling dispensation and the opposition.

Amid the developments, deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said on Monday that the government regretted the use of force.
The key risk factors would be anti-incumbency, small vote share swings causing large impact on outcomes and the 2004 example.

IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra D Modi at the inauguration of various development projects in Sagar, Madhya Pradesh. Photograph: ANI Photo

Political continuity is the most likely outcome of the upcoming general elections in May 2024, predict analysts at Jefferies in a recent note, and attach a 70 per cent probability (base-case for the markets) that Narendra D Modi-led Bharatiya Janata Party will form a majority government.

Given this, they expect property and capex-related plays including cement, infrastructure and capital goods, large banks and small-and midcaps (SMID) to do well.

However, the key risk factors, Jefferies said, would be anti-incumbency, small vote share swings causing large impact on outcomes and the 2004 example.

Potential market volatility ahead of the elections should be used to add domestic cyclicals.

The political calendar will get busy in the next few months as five states Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Telangana and Mizoram go to the polls, which experts suggest will be seen as an indicator of the BJP's performance in 2024.

In 2018, the BJP lost power in MP, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh to the Congress and the results came as a negative surprise.

'Political continuity is the most likely outcome, though the margin of victory could be narrower. We, therefore, are overweight on capex recovery plays including banks, industrial and property. Our top picks are Axis Bank, ICICI Bank, SBI, L&T, Ultratech and property and select industrial mid-caps including Thermax, KEI Industries, Siemens and Kajaria. We are also tactically overweight staples running up to the elections in the expectations of favourable rural policies,' wrote Mahesh Nandurkar, managing director, Jefferies, in a recent note co-authored with Abhinav Sinha and Nishant Poddar.

Out of the last four national elections, the previous two elections results were more on the expected lines, yet the Indian market outperformed MSCI AxJ during the election results period (10 days including results impact) by 5-9 percentage points (ppts).

An analysis of the past four general elections in 2004, 2009, 2014 and 2019 suggests that the equity markets slowly begin to price in the expected election results over a period of six months prior to the actual election date.

Equity markets, Nandurkar said, like a stable government headed by a leader with a strong development/reform agenda.

'In the previous 6 months leading up to the election week, India outperformed before 2014 elections, but performed in line for 2019 elections. We note that in December 2018 (4-5 months before the 2019 national elections), BJP had lost three key state elections in the state of MP, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh, yet won the final national election in style,' the note said.

IMAGE: Modi at a public meeting in Ajmer, Rajasthan. Photograph: ANI Photo

Jefferies attaches a 20 per cent probability to the event that the BJP will fall 20-30 seats short of the majority mark, but will form the government with the support of its allies.

In such a scenario, it expects a hint of populism, but expects the government's priorities to largely remain on track.

Property, select capex plays including Larsen & Toubro, cement, and discretionary consumption are the themes to bet on in such a scenario, the Jefferies note said.

It attaches a 10 per cent probability to INDIA -- the Opposition alliance -- forming a weak and populist government.

Investor sentiment, it cautioned, will take a hit and sees over 10 per cent fall in the markets in this backdrop.

'Staples, information technology, pharma, domestic cyclicals can be bought after the initial fall,' Nandurkar suggests.

Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff.com
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday urged world leaders to end a 'global trust deficit' as India proposed a new text on the Ukraine crisis to break the impasse on G20 communique, and also announced that the African Union has been granted permanent membership of the grouping.

IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivers his remarks at Session 1 on 'One Earth' during the G20 Summit, in New Delhi on Saturday. Photograph: ANI Photo

All member countries of the G20 accepted Prime Minister Modi's proposal at the start of the forum's summit in New Delhi to bring the 55-member African Union (AU) to the high table of the world's top economies in a significant milestone under India's G20 presidency.

Modi said the African Union becoming a member will strengthen the G20 and also the voice of the Global South.

The union collectively has a GDP of nearly $3 trillion and a population of around 1.4 billion.

It is the first expansion of the G20 since its inception in 1999 after the Asian financial crisis.

"It is time for all of us to walk together for global good," Modi said while addressing the 'One Earth' session of the 18th G20 summit and the first to be hosted by India.

The leaders attending the two-day summit included US President Joe Biden, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Saudi Arabia Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, his Italian counterpart Giorgia Meloni, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and Brazilian President Luiz In cio Lula da Silva.

However, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin are not attending the summit.

"Following the Covid pandemic, the world faced a new challenge of trust deficit and unfortunately, the wars have further deepened this," he said while addressing the gathering at the swanky new exhibition-cum-convention centre Bharat Mandapam.

"But we must remember that if we can defeat a pandemic like Covid, we can also win over the challenge of this trust deficit. Today, as the president of the G20, India calls upon the entire world to turn this global trust deficit into trust and confidence," said Modi, who was identified as the leader representing 'Bharat' at the summit.

Modi said India's G20 presidency has become a symbol of inclusion and togetherness within and outside the country, as G20 leaders held deliberations on pressing global challenges under the shadow of the Ukraine war that has significantly fragmented the global geopolitical order.

"This is a time when age-old challenges are calling for new solutions from us. And therefore, with a human-centric approach, we have to move forward to fulfil our responsibilities."

The prime minister told the gathering that it had become a people's G20 in India with over 200 events held in more than 60 cities.

"For all challenges, right from the upheaval in the global economy to the North-South divide, from food management to fuel and fertiliser management, from terrorism to cyber ??security, from health to energy and water security, we have to move towards concrete solutions, together," Modi said.

Modi asked the President of the Union of Comoros and Chairperson of the African Union (AU), Azali Assoumani, to join other leaders at the high table, making the 55-member bloc the second multi-nation grouping after the European Union to be a permanent member of the G20.

"In keeping with the sentiment of 'sabka saath' (with everyone), India had proposed that the African Union should be given permanent membership of the G20. I believe we all are in agreement on this proposal."

"Before moving forward with the proceedings, I would like to invite the president of the African Union to take his place as a permanent member of the G20," Modi said amid thunderous applause by the gathering of world leaders.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar then escorted Assoumani to take his seat at the G20 high table. Before taking his seat, Assoumani shared a warm handshake and hug with Prime Minister Modi.

"Honoured to welcome the African Union as a permanent member of the G20 Family. This will strengthen the G20 and also strengthen the voice of the Global South," Modi posted on X along with a video of his announcing that the African Union has become a permanent member of the G20.

"Thrilled to have the African Union as a permanent member. A milestone for the G20 family indeed."

India circulated a new paragraph among the G20 countries to describe the Ukraine conflict in the joint leaders' declaration to be unveiled at the end of the summit, diplomatic sources said.

A lack of consensus on the text on Ukraine may result in the summit ending without a joint declaration, which will be a first for the grouping.

The G20 countries account for 85 per cent of the world's economic output and 75 per cent of world trade.

The G20 is also home to two-thirds of the world population and Modi has repeatedly stressed that the group also hears the voice of the Global South.

A replica of the Konark Wheel from Odisha's Sun Temple served as the backdrop of Prime Minister Modi's welcome handshake with G20 leaders as they arrived at the summit venue.

The backdrop carried a striking image of the Konark Wheel with the G20 logo on one side and the theme of India's presidency of the grouping -- 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' - One Earth. One Family. One Future' -- on the other.

Modi welcomed the leaders amid melodious strains of shehnai as flags of G20 member countries, invited nations and several international organisations fluttered in the pleasant morning breeze.

A multi-layer security cover has been put in place around the Pragati Maidan area in central Delhi where the summit is taking place while vehicle checking in New Delhi and bordering areas has been intensified.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi met his British counterpart Rishi Sunak on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in New Delhi on Saturday and discussed ways to deepen trade linkages and boost investment.

IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and United Kingdom PM Rishi Sunak hold a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the G20 Summit, at Pragati Maidan in New Delhi on Saturday. Photograph: ANI Photo

Sunak, who arrived in New Delhi on Friday, held talks with Modi after the first session of the G20 Summit.

Earlier, Sunak greeted Modi with a namaste as the latter received him at the venue.

In a post on X after the meeting, Modi said, 'Great to have met PM @RishiSunak on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Delhi. We discussed ways to deepen trade linkages and boost investment.'

India and the United Kingdom will keep working for a prosperous and sustainable planet, he said.

Prime Minister Modi also held a bilateral meeting with his Japanese counterpart Fumio Kishida on the sidelines of the G20 Summit.
The Sharad Pawar-led faction of the Nationalist Congress Party on Saturday said that it has told the Election Commission that there was no dispute in the party, except that a few mischievous individuals have defected from the organisation for their personal ambitions, a reference to the rebel group headed by Maharashtra deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar.

IMAGE: Opposition INDIA leaders Rahul Gandhi, Sharad Pawar and Uddhav Thackeray during a press conference, in Mumbai, September 2, 2023. Photograph: ANI Photo

In a statement, the Nationalist Congress Party led by the former Union minister said the Election Commission had sought its response to a petition filed by Ajit Pawar, and the party submitted its "preliminary response" to the poll panel on September 7.

"We have established the recurring contradictory stands of Ajit Pawar and how he has, without any legal or material basis, made a claim before the Election Commission," the Sharad Pawar faction said.

"We have communicated to the Election Commission that there exists no dispute within the party and that except for a few mischievous individuals, who for their personal ambitions, have defected from the party," it said.

It further stressed that the organisation remains intact and overwhelmingly united behind party president Sharad Pawar.

Meanwhile, Maharashtra deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, who heads the rebel faction of the Nationalist Congress Party, on Saturday said the Election Commission of India will give the right decision about the NCP.

Ajit Pawar and eight MLAs of NCP joined the Shiv Sena-Bharatiya Janata Party government in the state in July this year, leading to a split in the party that was founded by Sharad Pawar in 1999.

Ajit Pawar later moved the ECI to stake claim to the party and its symbol.

The Sharad Pawar-led faction recently submitted its response to the poll panel over a petition filed by the Ajit Pawar group, in which it claimed that there was no dispute in the party, except that a few mischievous individuals have defected from the organisation for their personal ambitions.

When asked about the rival faction's response, Ajit Pawar told reporters, "I will speak about our stand in the rally to be held tomorrow (in Kolhapur). While both factions of the NCP have issued notices against each other, I think the Election Commission will give the right decision."

On the demand for Maratha reservation, he said, "We are working on the issue. A decision on providing quota to the community will be taken by the court. We are trying to convince activist Manoj Jarange (to end his hunger strike), but we are failing to do so."

The Maratha quota issue returned to centre stage when the police last week baton-charged a violent mob at Antarwali Sarati village in Jalna district after protesters allegedly refused to let authorities shift Jarange to a hospital. His hunger strike entered the 12th day on Saturday.

When asked about the rain situation in the state, Pawar said, "There are several places in the state, where no satisfactory rainfall has been recorded so far. As a result, dams in the state are yet to be filled. Kharif crops have suffered damages at many places. We are trying to issue crop insurance to farmers at the earliest."
Hours after his arrest in connection with alleged multi-crore skill development scam, Telugu Desam Party chief N Chandrababu Naidu on Saturday said he was prepared to sacrifice his life to safeguard the interests of Telugu people, and no force can stop him.

IMAGE: TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu speaks to the media after meeting with the Election Commission, outside the ECI office, in New Delhi on August 28, 2023. Photograph: ANI Photo

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the former Andhra Pradesh CM said, 'For the past 45 years, I have selflessly served Telugu people. I am prepared to sacrifice my life to safeguard the interests of Telugu people. No force on earth can stop me from serving Telugu people, my #AndhraPradesh and my motherland.'

During his arrest, he appealed to people and party cadre to exercise restraint.

'Finally, truth and dharma will triumph. Whatever they do to me, I will march forward for the people,' he said.

Naidu was arrested in an early morning police operation, which involved officers knocking on the door of the caravan in which he was asleep.

The leader of opposition was arrested by the CID around 6 am from a marriage hall (outside which his caravan was parked) at Gnanapuram in Nandyal town.
Westernisation occurs when non-Western societies are influenced by Western culture. However, the world is not the West, and the West is not the world.

We were once about to go and pay our respects to a friend whose mother had passed away, and my husband, who had lived overseas for decades, suggested that we take a bouquet of flowers to the mourning family.

I was appalled at the idea: Egyptians do not expect flowers when they are in mourning. It is just not done. Mourning is a sombre event in Egypt, with women wearing black and ongoing recitals from the Quran or long subdued services in a church. In many Western societies, on the other hand, sending flowers to the family of a deceased person is a very common gesture.

Other gestures include bringing food and celebrating the life of the deceased and not wearing black attire. Mourning is a sombre moment in Western societies too, but no one can deny that there are differences.

On another occasion a Chinese student whom I had taught for several years graduated in Canada. As I congratulated her, I gave her a warm hug. However, her arms remained loose next to her sides in response. She later told me that she had never been hugged in her life. She also told me that in Chinese culture hugging is awkward as public displays of affection cause embarrassment.

My mother, Egyptian to the core, also never hugged but always gave a peck on both cheeks. The same goes for most Egyptians, though this is changing. This is the case while in many Western countries hugging is a common way to show affection.

When an Egypt person invites a Western person over to his house, he often puts on a spread. The Western person may be shocked, asking does he really expect me to eat all this? No, the Egyptian person does not expect the visitor to eat all the food piled up in front of him, but Egyptian hospitality dictates that there must be a huge display of food.

When a Western person comes over with a bottle of gourmet vinegar or some guest soap, for example, an Egyptian person may be confused. Vinegar is sour, and soap implies the need for more cleanliness. Sweets and dessert would be more in order.

In 2003, when former US president George W Bush ducked the flying shoes of a journalist who yelled this is a gift from the Iraqis. This is a farewell kiss, you dog, many Western reporters emphasised Bushs ability to dodge while ignoring the essence of the gesture, as Bush jokingly brushed it off by saying all I can report is a size 10.

But the flying shoes and the name calling  dog is a derogatory term to Arabs  meant much more and were perhaps even a redemption of a sort in the eyes of the Iraqis, turning the journalist into a hero. No one can deny how different the spectacle was in the eyes of Iraqis from what it was in the eyes of westerners.

Some westerners now add the pronouns she/her or he/him to their signatures in an email or letter. Its a way for the person receiving the email to understand the preferred way to address the sender. However, it is also a way for the sender to show support and solidarity for transgender and non-binary people.

Rodrigo Heng-Lehtinen, deputy director of the National Centre for Transgender Equality in the US, said that if I was introducing myself to someone, I would say, Im Rodrigo. I use him pronouns. What about you?

In many societies around the world, people would find such distinctions difficult to comprehend.

Cultural values create different social norms, so we should not expect nations and peoples to become mirror images of one another. In fact, it is a good thing that we arent all alike. If we were, it would be a very boring world.

As the world gets smaller and smaller, we must accept different cultures as they are. Different social norms may surprise, even shock, but trying to impose one culture on another will never work.

Standards of shame, modesty, respect, personal freedom, religious values, and much more will all remain stumbling blocks in the face of our becoming indistinguishably alike. In fact, cultural norms set social guidelines that people adhere to in order to fit into the contours of their own society and not necessarily those of other societies.

More importantly, should one society try to impose its standards on other societies? Non-Western societies should not adopt Western values or take them at face value without looking at them carefully and weighing up the worth of any change and whether it would apply in their case or not.

More importantly, the West should not expect the rest of the world to accept its standards as a given.

Western values do not equate to globalisation and should not be taken as a standard. In fact, Western dominance is sometimes seen as a continuation of Western imperialism. Hence, applying the values of the West in an Asian, Arab, or African society often counteracts and clashes with those of that society. Besides, the West has its own pitfalls that should be looked at as warnings to others that no one should implement, ethnic cleansing, slavery, colonialism, and racism, to name a few.

Recent developments in the West have created even more of a gap between the West and other societies. Euthanasia, same-sex marriage, and comprehensive sex education in schools have all been remolding fundamentals. It is not up to non-Western societies to appraise such changes when they take place in Western societies, but it is their prerogative not to accept them.

Western society itself is still grappling with many of these issues, so for the West to expect such values to be implemented elsewhere is hardly rational. The West should understand that rejecting them is justifiable.

However, as societies worldwide dispute such values, they are being besieged by them through images in Hollywood films and on streaming platforms such as Netflix and Disney, as well as on social media. One of the hardest battles for the world in general will remain the juxtaposition of what societies believe are their own social standards and invading foreign influences.

Cultural expectations are not the same across the board. The rule should be to each his own.

The writer is former professor of communication based in Vancouver, Canada.



* A version of this article appears in print in the 7 September, 2023 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly

Search Keywords:

Short link:


President Droupadi Murmu on Saturday hosted a grand dinner for G20 guests at Bharat Mandapam -- the venue for the Summit -- in New Delhi, with the menu offering dishes made from millets and Kashmiri Kahwa.

IMAGE: Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and his wife Yuko Kishida pose for a photograph with President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi as they arrive at Bharat Mandapam for the G20 Dinner hosted by the President Murmu, in New Delhi. Photograph: ANI Photo

President Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed G20 leaders and other guests, including US President Joe Biden and UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, before the start of the dinner from the reception dais, whose backdrop showcased the ruins of the Nalanda University in Bihar besides India's G20 presidency theme -- 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam - One Earth, One Family, One Future'.

Nalanda university ruins, a UNESCO world heritage site, was one of the oldest educational institutes of the world.

President Murmu and PM Modi received Biden and exchanged greetings briefly at the dais. They also interacted briefly with Sunak, who was accompanied by his wife Akshata Murty.

The delicacies served to the dignitaries included dishes made from "Shree Anna" (millets) -- considered as super foods -- and Kashmiri Kahwa, according to the dinner's menu which reflected India's diverse culinary tradition.

IMAGE: Premier of the People's Republic of China Li Qiang arrives at Bharat Mandapam for the G-20 Dinner.

"A medley of traditions, customs and climate, Bharat is diverse in many ways. Taste connects us. We celebrate 'Sharad Ritu', the autumn season of abundance in this menu. It showcases the wealth of ingredients across Bharat, expressing our rich culinary heritage in a modern mosaic dedicated to the spirit of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' - 'One Earth, One Family, One Future'," according to the menu paper of the dinner.

To give the taste of millets grown across India "to our esteemed guests, we have included a few dishes in the menu today", which use different types of millets, namely: Foxtail millet (in Paatram), Little millet (in Vanavarnam) and Barnyard millet (in Madhurima)," reads another page of the menu, mentioning the dinner hosted by the "President of Bharat" on the occasion of G20 Summit.

IMAGE: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman exchanged pleasantries with Prime Minister of United Kingdom Rishi Sunak.

Paatram 'A breath of fresh air' -- Foxtail millet leaf crisps topped with a yoghurt sphere and spiced chutney -- was part of the starter.

In main course, Vanavarnam 'Strength from the soil' -- jackfruit galette served with glazed forest mushrooms, little millet crisp and curry leaf tossed Kerala red rice, was served, according to the menu.

Indian breads -- "Mumbai Pao" (onion seed flavoured soft bun) and "Bakarkhani" (cardamom-flavoured sweet flat bread) were also on the special dinner's menu.

"Madhurima" 'Pot of gold' (cardamom scented barnyard millet pudding, fig-peach compote and ambemohar rice crisps) was served as dessert.

IMAGE: World Bank president Ajay Banga with his wife Ritu Banga .

Kashmiri Kahwa, filter coffee and Darjeeling tea were among the beverages served to the guests.

Nearly 300 guests, including heads of states and those invited by the Indian government, attended the dinner.

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director and Chairman Kristalina Georgieva, dressed in Indian attire Salwar Kurta, World Bank President Ajay Banga along with his wife Ritu Banga, and Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina were among the first to arrive at the newly built convention for the dinner.

French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and his wife Yoko Kishida, who was wearing a saree, Chinese Prime Minister Li Qiang, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese along with his spouse and Mauritian PM Pravind Kumar Jugnauth and his wife, were among other dignitaries welcomed by Murmu and Modi.

Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Indonesian President Joko Widodo and his wife, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov were also received by the two leaders.

The prime minister was also seen explaining to some of the G20 leaders, including Biden, Sunak and his wife Akshata, Macron and Albanese, about the Nalanda university.

IMAGE: Nirmala Sitharaman interacts with Kristalina Georgieva, Managing Director of the IMF.

Bharat Mandapam -- the newly built international convention and exhibition centre -- and its verdant lawns dazzled at night with colourful illumination while its gurgling fountains and the 'Nataraja' statue placed on front of the state-of-the-art building created a pretty picture.

In a significant milestone under India's G20 presidency, the 55-member African Union on Saturday became a new permanent member of the grouping of the largest economies of the world. It is the first expansion of the influential bloc since its inception in 1999.

All member countries of the G20 accepted Prime Minister Modi's proposal to bring the key bloc of the Global South to the high table of the world's top economies.

Earlier in the day, President Murmu had said that India's G20 Presidency theme, 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam - One Earth, One Family, One Future', is a global roadmap for sustainable, inclusive, and human-centric development.

"A warm welcome to all Heads of Delegations of the G20 nations, guest countries, and international organisations participating in the 18th G20 Summit in New Delhi," Murmu had said in a post on X.

The G20 Summit began on Saturday and will conclude on Sunday.

Later in the evening Rashtrapati Bhavan posted some photographs on X (formerly Twitter) from the dinner, saying, "'It was a pleasure to host the heads of delegations of G20 nations, guest countries and international organisations at the magnificent Bharat Mandapam for the G20 Summit Gala Dinner.

Experiencing our time-honoured tradition of Atithi Devo Bhava, I am sure that our distinguished guests are enjoying the best of Indian culture, cuisine and hospitality during their stay with us, as we work together for a better future.

Here are the photographs shared by President Murmu.

IMAGE: President Murmu and Prime Minister Modi with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and partner Jodie Haydon.



IMAGE: With French President Emmanuel Macron.



IMAGE: With US President Joe Biden.



IMAGE: With Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her daughter Saima Wazed, whose presence in the high-profile international meet has fuelled speculation.



IMAGE: With Mauritian Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth and wife Kobita Ramdanne Jugnauth.



IMAGE: With British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and wife Akshata Murthy.


More than 1,000 people were killed and about 1,200 injured as a magnitude 6.8 earthquake struck Morocco in the intervening night of Friday and Saturday.

IMAGE: A view of a damaged vehicle in the historic city of Marrakech, following a powerful earthquake in Morocco, September 9, 2023. Photograph: Abdelhak Balhaki/Reuters

The Moroccan government has said that the earthquake death toll rose to 1,037, while more than 1,200 were injured.

The horrified tremors of the earthquake damaged buildings and sent terrified residents fleeing their homes into the streets for safety, Al Jazeera reported.

According to Al Jazeera, residents of Marrakesh, the nearest big city to the epicentre, said some buildings collapsed in the old city, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Local television showed images of a fallen mosque minaret with rubble lying on smashed cars.

An earthquake of magnitude 6.8 on the Richter scale hit 56 km W of Ouka'medene, Morocco late on Friday night, the United States Geological Survey reported.

IMAGE: People gather on a street in Casablanca, following a powerful earthquake in Morocco. Photograph: Abdelhak Balhaki/Reuters

The earthquake took place at 03:41:01 (UTC+05:30) at a depth of 18.5 km.

The magnitude of the earthquake caused pulses to travel from Sidi Ifni in the south to Rabat in the north and beyond.

The epicentre is 72 kilometre west of Marrakesh, a major economic centre.

According to the USGS, its epicentre was found to be Latitude: 31.110 N and Longitude: 8.440 W respectively.

IMAGE: A man looks at damage in the historic city of Marrakech. Photograph: Abdelhak Balhaki/Reuters

Videos and pictures shared on social media showed mountains of rubble and dust clouds as walls gave way to the earthquake's intensity.

In other posts, frightened locals could be seen fleeing into the street and out of nearby buildings in search of safety.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday expressed grief at the loss of lives in an earthquake in Morocco and said India is ready to offer all possible assistance to it in this difficult time.

IMAGE: People work next to damage in the historic city of Marrakech. Photograph: Abdelhak Balhaki/Reuters

Modi began his opening remarks at the G20 summit by offering condolences to those affected by the tragedy.

"In this difficult hour the entire world community is with Morocco and we are ready to offer them all possible assistance," he said.

Moroccans posted videos showing buildings reduced to rubble and dust and parts of the famous red walls that surround the old city in historic Marrakech, a UNESCO World Heritage site, damaged.

Modi had earlier said on X, "Extremely pained by the loss of lives due to an earthquake in Morocco. In this tragic hour, my thoughts are with the people of Morocco. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. May the injured recover at the earliest. India is ready to offer all possible assistance to Morocco in this difficult time."
Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman arrived in New Delhi on a three-day state visit during which he will hold a bilateral meeting and co-chair the first leaders' meeting of the Strategic Partnership Council with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

IMAGE: Saudi Arabia Prime Minister and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud being welcomed by Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on his arrival at the airport ahead of the G20 Leaders' Summit, in New Delhi on Saturday. Photograph: ANI Photo

During this visit, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia will also attend the G20 Summit being hosted in Delhi on Saturday and Sunday.

He will continue his stay in India on Monday for the state visit, a statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement.

On his arrival, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman was received by Union minister Ashwini Vaishnaw at the airport.

The Saudi Crown Prince had earlier come to India on a state visit in February 2019 and this will be his second state visit. He is accompanied by a high-level delegation, including ministers and senior officials.

This visit follows the visit of Prime Minister Modi to Saudi Arabia in October 2019 during which the two countries established the Strategic Partnership Council, a bilateral mechanism.

On September 11, the Crown Prince will call on President Droupadi Murmu.

He will also hold a bilateral meeting with Modi and the two leaders will co-chair the First Leaders' Meeting of the Strategic Partnership Council, the MEA said.

They will review the progress made under the two Ministerial Committees of the Strategic Partnership Council i.e. the Committee on Political, Security, Social and Cultural Cooperation and the Committee on Economy and Investments Cooperation.

They will discuss all aspects of bilateral relations, including political, security, defence, trade and economic, cultural and people-to-people ties.

Both the leaders will also discuss the regional and international issues of mutual interest, the statement said.

India and Saudi Arabia have historically close and friendly relations with extensive people-to-people contacts.

The trade between both countries reached an all-time high of $52.75 billion in 2022-23.

India is Saudi Arabia's second largest trading partner whereas Saudi Arabia is India's fourth largest trading partner.

Both countries also have a strong partnership in the area of energy.

There is a vibrant Indian community of around 2.4 million in Saudi Arabia.

Their contribution towards the development of the host country and their role as bridges to deepen the multifaceted ties between the two countries is highly appreciated.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia also facilitates Hajj pilgrimage of over 1,75,000 Indians every year.
Former Chief Minister and Telugu Desam Party chief Chandrababu Naidu was arrested in connection with an alleged Rs 371 crore Skill Development scam in an early morning police operation in Nandyala on Saturday which involved officers knocking on the door of the caravan in which he was sleeping.

IMAGE: TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu during a public meeting as part of the Bhavishyat ki Guarantee campaign program, in Anantapur on September 7, 2023. Photograph: ANI Photo

The former CM was arrested by the CID around 6 am from a marriage hall (outside which his caravan was parked) at Gnanapuram in Nandyala town, police said.

In a notice served to Naidu, the Deputy Superintendent of Police of the CID's Economic Offences Wing (EOW), M Dhanunjayudu, said, 'It is to inform you that you have been arrested... at 6 am at R K Function Hall, Gnanapuram, H/o Moolasagaram, Nandyala town and it is a non-bailable offence.'

The former Andhra Pradesh chief minister has been arrested under relevant Indian Penal Code sections, including Sections 120B (criminal conspiracy), 420 (cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property) and 465 (forgery), according to the notice.

The Andhra Pradesh CID has also invoked the Prevention of Corruption Act against him. The notice was served under Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) Section 50 (1) (2).

At a recent meeting in Rayadurgam, Anantapur district, Naidu hinted that he could be attacked or arrested very soon.

Meanwhile, TDP's official X handle (formerly twitter) shared dramatic videos of police swooping in on Naidu's bus to arrest him. The video showed TDP leaders arguing with police officials.

After addressing a women's gathering at Banaganapalli in Kurnool district under Babu Surety Bhavishyathuku Guarantee' outreach programme, Naidu retired in his caravan at Nandyala to be woken up by police in the small hours of Saturday for his arrest.

Police were seen knocking Naidu's caravan door to wake him up in the run-up to his arrest. Further visuals showed the TDP chief discussing with officials while seated in the marriage hall.

Before arresting him, in the video shared by TDP, Naidu was seen demanding the police to provide him the FIR copy.

"How could you arrest me without having my name in the FIR. Without providing the material. You have to give me all the information," demanded Naidu.

Another TDP leader sitting beside Naidu demanded the police to show the prima facie cause for arresting the opposition leader.

However, the police official observed that this was a two-year-old case, referring to the alleged Skill Development Scam involving the misappropriation of Rs 371 crore.

TV visuals suggest that there are protests by the TDP cadre at some places in the state.

Government Adviser S Ramakrishna Reddy told media that the police need not give notice before arrest in economic offences.

Even if there is no mention of the accused name in the FIR, he added.
India on Saturday pulled off a big diplomatic win after the G20 summit adopted a consensus declaration overcoming major differences on the Russia-Ukraine war, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi called for ending "global trust deficit".

Modi also announced that African Union was admitted as G20's permanent member.

Here are some of the takeaways from the first day of the Summit.

IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi holds hands with Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula Da Silva, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, US President Joe Biden and World Bank President Ajay Banga during the G20 Leaders' Summit, at Bharat Mandapam, Pragati Maidan, in New Delhi on Saturday. Photograph: ANI Photo

African Union joins G20

The 55-nation African Union joined the G20 after all member countries accepted Prime Minister Narendra Modi's proposal to bring this key bloc of the Global South to the elite group of world's top economies.

G20 New Delhi Leaders' Declaration adopted

Prime Minister Modi announced the adoption of G20 New Delhi Leaders' Declaration, a significant victory for India's presidency of the bloc that came amid increasing tensions and divergent views over the Ukraine conflict.

Launch of Global Biofuel Alliance announced

India announced the launch of the Global Biofuel Alliance and urged G20 nations to join the initiative with a plea to take ethanol blending with petrol globally to 20 per cent.

India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor

Prime Minister Modi unveiled plans for an ambitious India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor. It extends from India to Europe connected by the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Israel. A Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment was launched to play a key role in filling infrastructure gap in Global South countries.

G20 Satellite Mission for Environment and Climate Observation proposed

Prime Minister Modi proposed to launch the G20 Satellite Mission for Environment and Climate Observation and urged leaders to start working on a Green Credit Initiative.
G20 Delhi host, India's Prime Minister Narendra D Modi waxed eloquent about how India's G20 presidency has become a symbol of inclusion and togetherness within and outside the country.

'It has become the people's G20 in India. Crores of Indians joined it, over 200 meetings were held in more than 60 cities of the country,' Modi declared.

As Modi spoke, two Cabinet ministers sat behind him as did senior diplomats and civil servants. National Security Adviser Ajit K Doval -- a regular attendee alongside Modi at such international gatherings -- was intriguingly seated behind the Cabinet ministers and the PM's principal secretary.

All Photographs: Press Information Bureau IMAGE: External Affairs Minister Dr Subrahmanyam Jaishankar stands respectfully as Modi embraces African Union President and Comoros President Azali Assouman and warmly invites him to join other G20 leaders as the African Union becomes a permanent member of the G20 during the G20 Summit.

IMAGE: Is that Doval -- the gentleman sitting behind Finance Minister Nirmala Sitaraman -- Jaishankar is speaking to? But why would he not be seated alongside Jaishankar and Sitaraman? After all, the NSA has the rank of Cabinet minister.

IMAGE: The gent on Sitaraman's left is Dr P K Mishra, Modi's principal secretary, who is listed ahead of Doval on the PMO Web site. On Dr Mishra's left is Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra.

To Foreign Secretary Kwatra's left is the IFS officer (2004 batch) and IIT-Bombay alumnus Vivek Kumar, who is Modi's personal secretary.

One IFS and one IAS officer is assigned to the PMO as the prime minister's personal secretaries. They are of joint secretary rank in the civil services hierarchy.

IMAGE: Seated behind Jaishankar is Amitabh Kant, the retired IAS officer and G20 Sherpa.

Photographs curated by Manisha Kotian/Rediff.com

Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff.com
A replica of the Konark Wheel from Odisha's Sun Temple served as the backdrop of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's welcome handshake with G20 leaders as they arrived at the summit venue, Bharat Mandapam, in New Delhi on Saturday.

IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi exchanges greetings with US President Joe Biden during the G20 Leaders' Summit, at the Bharat Mandapam, Pragati Maidan, in New Delhi on Saturday. Photograph: ANI Photo

The backdrop carried a striking image of the Konark Wheel with the G20 logo on one side and the theme of India's presidency of the grouping -- 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' - One Earth. One Family. One Future' -- on the other.

Modi welcomed heads of state and other leaders amid melodious strains of shehnai as flags of G20 member countries, invited nations and several international organisations fluttered in the pleasant morning breeze.

The Konark Wheel was built during the 13th century under the reign of King Narasimhadeva-I. The wheel embodies India's ancient wisdom, advanced civilisation and architectural excellence.

Its rotating motion symbolises time, 'Kaalchakra', as well as progress and continuous change.

It serves as a powerful symbol of the wheel of democracy that reflects the resilience of democratic ideals and commitment to progress in society.

United States President Joe Biden, United Kingdom Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Brazil President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Japan Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and several other top leaders were among those welcomed by Modi at the G20 Summit.

Artists played 'Vaishnav Jan To', 'Padharo Mharo Des' and 'Raghupati Raghav Raja Ram' on shehnai as the leaders walked the red carpet at the Bharat Mandapam.
There were 23 films competing for the top prize, the Golden Lion, at the 80th edition of the Venice Film Festival, to be announced on Saturday.

Here is a run-down of how they fared:

POOR THINGS by Yorgos Lanthimos

Considered by many to be the film to beat, and even an "instant classic", this feminist reworking of Frankenstein sees Emma Stone as a reanimated corpse who discovers the joys of sex and the silliness of men, and had Venice crowds in stitches.

PRISCILLA by Sofia Coppola

Critics were largely full of praise for this unvarnished look at the love affair of Elvis Presley and his young bride Priscilla ("Euphoria" heartthrob Jacob Elordi and Cailee Spaeny), whom he met when she was 14 and he 24.

FERRARI by Michael Mann

Mann's long-gestating biopic of the racing car supremo (Adam Driver) combined family drama with thrilling road action, including one of the most shocking crashes ever seen on screen. Some felt the Italian accents were a bit dodgy but there was praise for Penelope Cruz as Ferrari's hard-bitten wife and business partner.

MAESTRO by Bradley Cooper

An old-school prestige drama in which Cooper is uncannily transformed into legendary conductor-composer Leonard Bernstein. It focuses less on his music than his complex private life -- torn between love for his wife (Carey Mulligan) and his bisexuality.

THE KILLER by David Fincher

The writer and director of "Seven" reunite for this slick thriller about an assassin (Michael Fassbender) trying to remain in control while things fall apart. Some loved it, some found it hollow.

MEMORY by Michel Franco

An unlikely but extraordinarily powerful relationship emerges between a recovering alcoholic (Jessica Chastain) and a man trying to live normally despite his dementia (Peter Sarsgaard). The latest from festival favourite Franco raises a wealth of thorny moral issues and boasts exceptional performances.

EL CONDE by Pablo Larrain

Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet (Jaime Vadell) is reimagined as a bloodthirsty vampire whizzing up hearts in a food blender. The caustic satire got mixed reviews.

DOGMAN by Luc Besson

Abused as a boy, a young man (Caleb Landry Jones) finds refuge with a pack of dogs and a drag show. Some critics were charmed by the latest from "The Fifth Element" director, but most found the story ludicrous, with The Telegraph calling it "the year's dumbest film".

THE PROMISED LAND by Nikolaj Arcel

Good reviews for this sumptuous historical tale of a low-born soldier battling to cultivate a patch of barren land with a typically charismatic turn from Mads Mikkelsen, normally the villain in Hollywood, but often the hero in Denmark.

THE BEAST by Bertrand Bonello

Rejected by Cannes, this strange era-jumping love story starring Lea Seydoux and British newcomer George MacKay found many admirers in Venice, touching on AI, incels and much more, with touches of David Lynch.

IO CAPITANO by Matteo Garrone

The blistering account of two young Senegalese boys crossing Africa in search of a better life in Europe by the director of "Gomorrah". Epic in its cinematic scope and counting a crowd-wowing performance from newcomer Seydou Sarr.

EVIL DOES NOT EXIST by Ryusuke Hamaguchi

The director's follow-up to Oscar-winner "Drive My Car" was a quiet but unsettling story about a pristine rural village upset over the arrival of a tourism project.

GREEN BORDER by Agnieszka Holland with Jalal Altawil, Maja Ostaszewska

Harrowing account of refugees trapped between Belarus and Poland during a real-life crisis on the EU border in 2021. The deeply humanist film angered the Poland's right-wing government, whose justice minister compared it to Nazi propaganda.

ORIGIN by Ava DuVernay

Many were impressed by this heartfelt fictionalisation of a journalist's exploration of the roots of racism and caste by the "Selma" director, though some felt it would have worked better as a documentary.

FINALLY DAWN by Saverio Costanzo with Lily James, Rebecca Antonaci

Lily James stole the show as a diva befriending a young girl in 1950s Rome at the height of the country's cinematic strength.

OUT OF SEASON by Stephane Brize

The French director follows a string of hard-hitting films about workplace politics with a softer mood piece about two former lovers (Guillaume Canet and Alba Rohrwacher) reconnecting on missed chances. "Delicate and beautifully performed," said Variety.

ENEA by Pietro Castellitto with Pietro Castellitto, Giorgio Quarzo Guarascio (Italy)

An excoriating look at Rome's high society, full of exclusive clubs, drugs and disaffection. "Overstuffed but never dull," said Deadline.

COMANDANTE by Edoardo De Angelis

Critics were lukewarm on this WW2 movie starring Pierfrancesco Favino, about an Italian navy captain who decides to save the Belgian crew of a ship he just sank.

LUBO by Giorgio Diritti

The story of Swiss nomads separated from their children is told through a street artist press-ganged into the army, later searching for his children. Praise for Franz Rogowski in the lead, but some found it a slog.

THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING by Timm Kroger

An ambitious, Hitchcock-influenced metaverse mystery from a first-time director that failed to convince critics.

ADAGIO by Stefano Sollima

With two of Italy's top stars, Pierfrancesco Favino and Toni Servillo, this was a well-crafted and testosterone-fuelled cops-and-gangsters thriller from the director of "Sicario 2".

WOMAN OF... by Malgorzata Szumowska

A Polish film charting the life of a small-town man who always felt like a woman. Critics found it nuanced and sensitive.

HOLLY by Fien Troch

A young girl has a strange premonition about a disaster at her school, and then finds she has a strange power to restore people's faith. Critics found it eerie and compelling.

Search Keywords:

Short link:


Ahmed Saad, Hamza Namira, Wegz, and Marwan Moussa dominate YouTube charts with their songs making it to the 'top music videos' and 'top trending music' categories.





Their new songs have been equally successful on music streaming platforms such as Spotify in Egypt and Anghami.

Ahmed Saad's song Ekhtayaraty has reached 70 million views on YouTube since its release two months ago, ranking it first in the 'top music video' category in Egypt.



The songs success extends to other Arab countries, ranking as YouTube's number-one music video in Saudi Arabia.



Meanwhile, Ekhtayaraty comes second on Spotify charts this week and as the third most listened-to song on Anghami.

Ahmed Saads collaboration with Roubi in Ya Layali ranks 4th on YouTube's top music videos, with 22 million views. Meanwhile, it is the most listened-to song on Anghami and ranks 5th on Spotify.

Numerous songs from Hamza Namiras latest album Raye2 also made it to YouTube's top 10 list in Egypt.

Recently-released Reyah El-Hayah entered the 7th position, and Aalam Kaddaba the 8th. The song came 4th on both Anghami and Spotify this week.

Raye2, the title song released almost two months ago, moved to the 46th position today, however with 6 million views, it has been one of the album's most successful songs.





Namiras songs are equally successful in YouTubes top trending for music category in Egypt. His song Ya Safeena, released last Wednesday, comes first with 700 thousand views.

Ya Safeena is followed in second place by Wegz's recent release Helwa Menak.

The main song featured in the upcoming Egyptian black comedy film Voy! Voy! Voy!, Wegz's single has reached more than 440 thousand views since its release last Wednesday.

Shortly behind Wegz, Namira returns with two more songs from the Raye2 album.

We Regeana Lewagaa El-Alb released also last Wednesday, comes third in 'top trending for music', garnering 420 thousand views, followed by Merayat in 4th position, with over 1.7 million views since its release on 30 August.

YouTube's top trending charts also include a number of songs from Marwan Moussa's most recent album Import-Export.

Hob Khena'a, Dokhol-Khorog, Roh Aalatol, and Volt Aaly come in 7th, 8th, 11th, and 12th positions respectively. The songs have scored between 150 and 250 thousand views on YouTube.

The eight songs from Marwan Moussa's album were all released on one day last week, attracting the attention of the rapper's fans who mostly applauded his new fusion of rap, shaabi, and mahraganat genres.

Meanwhile, Nawal Abdechaffi's 2022 music video Mekhasmak had a new surge in popularity, reaching the second position on YouTube's top music videos. The song came first on Spotify this week and second on Anghami.

Search Keywords:

Short link:


Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, right, shares a light moment with African Union Chairman and President of the Union of the Comoros Azali Assoumani upon his arrival at Bharat Mandapam convention center for the G20 Summit in New Delhi, India, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi invited the African Union to join the G20 as a permanent member on Saturday in his opening remarks, calling on members to end a global trust deficit.

"It is time for all of us to move together, Modi said.

Modi announced later in the day during the summit that negotiators had resolved deep differences over the wording on the war in Ukraine.

"On the back of the hard work of all the teams, we have received consensus on the G20 Leaders Summit Declaration. I announce the adoption of this declaration," Modi told the G20 leaders in New Delhi.

China and Russia are known to be opposed to any joint statement that censures Russias invasion of Ukraine.

Despite widespread anticipation that this years summit would be a damp squib  perhaps resulting in no communique at all  the G20 appeared to be pushing back on Chinas apparent lack of willingness to play ball with the developed world.

The announcement of permanent inclusion of the 55-nation African Union (AU) is likely to be a blow for Chinese president Xi Jinping, who is not attending the summit for unknown reasons, and recently heralded the new membership of six countries in the BRICS grouping as historic.

The AUs young population of 1.3 billion is expected to double by 2050, when it will account for a quarter of the global population. Its strategically important to both China, Africas largest trading partner and one of its largest lenders, and Russia, its leading arms provider.

U.S. President Joe Biden listens to the opening remarks of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the first session of the G20 Summit, in New Delhi, India, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. Credit: Evan Vucci/Pool via Reuters

Meanwhile, in what will likely be seen as a challenge to Xis ambitious Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), U.S. President Joe Biden, Modi and allies were reported to have plans to announce a rail and shipping corridor connecting India with the Middle East and ultimately Europe.

The project would include the United States, India, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, the European Union and other countries in the G20, the Associated Press reported Jon Finer, Bidens principal deputy national security adviser, as saying.

Biden, Modi and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen were to announce the project as part of the Partnership for Global Infrastructure Investment, with commentary speculating that it would enable greater trade and be an ambitious counter to Chinas massive BRI, through which it has sought to invest and lend its way to making its economy better connected with the world.

The moves on Saturday, which were roundly seen as pushback against China, came against a background of speculation as to why Chinas Xi was not present and calls for Beijing to explain itself.

Its incumbent upon the Chinese government to explain" why its leader would or would not participate, Jon Finer, the U.S. deputy national security adviser, told reporters in Delhi.

He said there was speculation that China is giving up on G20 in favor of groupings like BRICS, where it is dominant.

Edited by Elaine Chan and Mike Firn.
China and Russia starkly at odds with group opposition to the war in Ukraine.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi waves as he arrives at Bharat Mandapam convention center for the G20 Summit, in New Delhi, India, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023.

United States President Joe Biden touched down in India Friday, amid dwindling hopes that a New Delhi Declaration that is acceptable to all parties will emerge from the G20 summit.

U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan told media on board Air Force One that the U.S. was joining the summit in the spirit of compromise, adding that the U.S. hoped it was possible to agree on a text that everybody can live with.

Speaking to objections raised by China on issues related to the Ukraine war and climate issues, Sullivan said, We are not there yet.

Some 15 years after the inauguration of the G20, which brings together the worlds 20 biggest economic powerhouses, this years gathering shows every sign of having lost its momentum, as key members find themselves at loggerheads over everything from territorial claims to trade  and most of all Russias invasion of Ukraine.

But China, like the U.S. said it would be working to achieve a mutually acceptable, positive outcome.

Chinas foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on Friday that China is willing to work with all parties and push for a positive outcome at the G20 summit in New Delhi.

Mao was responding to questions about media reports saying that British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak blamed China for delaying an agreement on various issues, including Ukraine.

NSA Advisor Sullivan said that Biden would not be meeting with Premier Li Qiang, who arrived from the ASEAN summit in Jakarta in place of Chinese President Xi Jinping, who is not attending the G20 summit for unknown reasons.

U.S. President Joe Biden arrives ahead of G20 Summit, in New Delhi, India, September 8, 2023. Credit: Reuters/Evelyn Hockstein

Russian President Vladimir Putin is not attending due to an international arrest warrant for war crimes, while Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has tested positive for COVID and has withdrawn from attendance.

Miguel Chanto, the chief economist for emerging Asia at Pantheon Macroeconomics, an independent research firm, told RFA earlier in the week, the best hope was for a nicely-worded  but naturally vague  statement to be issued when the summit ends on the weekend.

Media reactions

Media coverage of the Indian summit was absent in China on Saturday morning, although English-language state media tabloid the Global Times suggested it was New Delhi not Beijing that was the spoiler at the global meet.

Meanwhile, Indian media has been abuzz in the leadup to the event about the ambitions of summit host Narendra Modi.

Indian media is also much preoccupied by an internal nationalist debate: should India change its name in accordance with classical Sanskrit and become Bharat  think of it as England renaming itself as Albion.

Modi today dominates Indias politics, observers agree, and now his ambition is to make India shine on the world stage. Some argue he sees India as key to finding a balance in the geopolitical face-off between Washington and Beijing, a role Xi Jinping doesnt want India to have.

Xis absence, China watchers say, underscores that reluctance to grant India a greater role in global geopolitics.

A general view of the venue for the G20 summit in New Delhi, India, September 9, 2023. Credit: Reuters/Amit Dave

Meanwhile, foreign delegates to New Delhi received a G20 booklet titled Bharat, The Mother Of Democracy, amid reports of slum clearances in the city, stray animals being rounded up and heated discussion on social media about Indias decision to serve delegates all veg meals on golden plates.

Said Ashok Swain, professor of peace and conflict research at Uppsala University, Modi has got Trump disease  silver plates and gold utensils for G20 dinner! Megalomaniac forgets India ranks 107th out of the 121 countries in Global Hunger Index, worse than Pakistan, Bangladesh & Nepal.

Wheres Xi?

Despite no shortage of speculation  is Xi sick, is he snubbing India, snubbing the developed world, is he dealing with domestic issues, a power struggle even?  its unknown why Chinas Xi is not gracing the New Delhi summit with his presence.

But it is lost on nobody that his absence contrasts sharply with his attendance at the recent BRICS summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, which Xi proclaimed historic, announcing six new members for the grouping that claims to represent the Global South.

Xi has never skipped a G20 summit before, although he attended the Rome 2021 meet virtually by video link due to COVID-19 pandemic restrictions.

Senior Biden administration officials have flown to China in recent months in an attempt to break an unprecedented impasse between the two world powers and the G20 summit was seen as an opportunity for the two leaders to meet in person.

Speaking to Reuters 10 foreign envoys to China said that Xis absence at the G20 comes at a time in which there are increasing concerns that China is turning in on itself and it is becoming ever more difficult to reach out to Chinese officials and collect information on China.

Ryan Neelam, a foreign policy analyst who previously served as an Australian diplomat based in Hong Kong, said that under Xis strict regime, Beijing officials have become more wary about engaging with foreign powers.

That has trickle-down effects through the system where lower-level officials, bureaucrats and diplomats are less willing to go off script, said Neelam.

Edited by Elaine Chan and Mike Firn.
In Lebanon, hopes are pinned on September for filling the 11-month vacancy in the Lebanese presidency. Amid international and regional talks and initiatives such as the five-member committee for a solution in Lebanon and the Saudi-Iranian rapprochement, the Lebanese Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri has launched a call for dialogue to elect a president.

Berris call, announced on 31 August, is not new. In recent months, he has issued similar appeals to the parliamentary blocs to come to meet with a view to reaching a consensus on a candidate they could elect after 12 parliamentary sessions had failed to achieve this end. But Lebanons complex political and economic crisis is worsening as the presidential seat remains empty while the powers of the caretaker government are limited. An outgoing governor of the Banque du Liban, Lebanons central bank, has to be replaced; and electing a new president is apparently the only way to go about this difficult task.

Several opposition parties had rejected Berris previous calls for dialogue, claiming that they were an attempt to waste time and circumvent the constitution which stipulates certain deadlines for electing the president, even if it requires a second round in which the president can be elected by a simple majority (65 out of 128 members) instead of the two-thirds majority required in the first round. A two-thirds quorum is also required for the first round, but not for the second. Generally, during a presidential vote, the camp aligned with Hizbullah and Berri would withdraw after the first round to prevent the 50 per cent plus one quorum for the second round. In response, other parties such as the independents and the Forces for Change, demanded that the presidential election session should remain open, meeting over consecutive days for however long it takes to elect a president.

Berris latest initiative calls for national dialogue among all Lebanese stakeholders based on two conditions. First, it would be attended by all the parliamentary blocs and, secondly, it would last seven days, after which parliament would convene in an open session to elect a president in successive rounds. The wording of the second condition appears aimed at attracting the opposition forces that had rejected previous calls for dialogue and demanded open sessions instead. The call is also something of a compromise between those who demanded a national dialogue to address the countrys many other pressing problems before the presidential election and those who insisted that the president should be elected before the dialogue.

Some have questioned whether Berri could act as an impartial dialogue sponsor. Not only is he a cornerstone of the Hizbullah camp, but his refusal to entertain the idea of an open session was also instrumental to the failure of 12 previous parliamentary sessions to elect a president. It is no secret that Berri supports Hizbullahs preferred candidate, Suleiman Franjieh, what is more. The fact that he called for a dialogue without stating the conditions for a candidate has therefore aroused suspicions. The reactions to Berris national dialogue initiative are inconclusive. Several Forces of Change MPs have expressed enthusiasm because of his mention of open sessions, though they want more details about the dialogues mechanisms and agenda before making up their mind. The Forces of Change were the first bloc to demand open presidential election sessions to avert the type of deadlock that has kept the presidents seat vacant for so long.

Gebran Bassil, the leader of the Free Patriotic Movement (FPM), also welcomed the dialogue this time, stating that open sessions were a good thing regardless of whether the participants reached a consensus on a candidate. He had rejected Berris previous calls for dialogue. This may be a sign that Bassil has shifted positions on some issues. Recently he joined other Christian forces such as the Lebanese Forces (LF) and the Kataeb (Phalanges) Party in nominating former minister of finance Jihad Azour to run against Hizbullahs candidate, Frangieh. Bassil is currently in talks with Hizbullah to repair their alliance which had frayed because of differences over the presidential candidate.

Kataeb leader Sami Gemayel said that in stipulating an open session in his dialogue call, Berri effectively admitted that he had been obstructing the implementation of the constitution for months. LF leader Samir Geagea took the occasion to lash out against Hizbullah and its allies for attempting to monopolise the political process by either imposing its candidate or prolonging the presidential vacuum.

The Maronite Patriarch welcomed Berris dialogue initiative, saying that it was the only way to complete the presidential elections after all other avenues had failed.

While it is still uncertain whether the dialogue will go ahead as it awaits the approval of Lebanese political forces who want further details before determining whether to attend, the initiative is clearly a serious attempt to end political polarisation through a Lebanese mechanism. The French envoy, Jean-Yves Le Drian, is expected to arrive in Beirut again next week to steer an effort to identify the qualities a potential candidate should have in order to be acceptable to all sides. A succession of French initiatives has been unable to break through the Lebanese blocs intransigence. Paris lacks the means to induce them to compromise. Although it is in continuous dialogue with Iran and its allies in Lebanon, it is averse to using the threat of sanctions or other means to pressure them to cooperate.

The US mediator Amos Hochstein achieved remarkable success last year in the Lebanese-Israeli negotiations over the maritime border demarcation between the two countries. He did not hesitate to use the threat of sanctions or of prolonging sanctions that have already been imposed on some Lebanese politicians. When one contrasts Hochsteins performance during his recent visit to Beirut to discuss the question of the land border with Israel with French attempts to broker a political solution in Lebanon, one sees a considerable difference between the US and the French ability to budge the stagnant waters of Lebanese politics.

Iran, which aspires to a fruitful rapprochement with Saudi Arabia, needs to do so through various regional issues, one of which is Lebanon. Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian has urged Tehrans allies in Beirut to tone down their anti-Saudi discourse in the hope that this will smooth the way to a regional breakthrough. Nevertheless, while the Saudi-Iranian rapprochement had picked up pace in March, it has since abated somewhat, which is reflected in the more entrenched deadlock in Lebanon. The contours of a Saudi-Iranian agreement on regional issues remain unclear, but it is likely to involve a trade-off between the Lebanese and Yemeni questions.

In this broader context, Berris call for dialogue seems to be an attempt to introduce a domestic mechanism to pre-empt the results of the bartering between Riyadh and Tehran which could force concessions on Irans allies in Lebanon. The success of his initiative is contingent, first, on its being accepted by the largest possible number of MPs and, secondly, on the effective implementation of its process, namely meeting for seven days and then holding an open session to elect a president from the candidate or rival candidates that emerge from the dialogue. If all this goes forward, the open presidential election session will make its mark as the decisive factor in choosing the next president.

* A version of this article appears in print in the 7 September, 2023 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly

Search Keywords:

Short link:


Display of military might on its 75th year of founding comes as it grapples with economic slump, regional tensions.

A parade commemorating the 75th anniversary of the founding of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea is held in Pyongyang, North Korea, September 9, 2023.

North Korea staged an anniversary parade on Saturday as the nation strives to boost internal unity while seeking stronger military ties with China and Russia to buffer a slumping economy and growing regional tensions.

A civil defense military parade to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the founding of the republic was grandly held at Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang, North Koreas official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported on Saturday.

The parade held at midnight featured columns of motorcycles with high mobility and anti-tank missile launchers towed by tractors, KCNA said. A photo released by the news agency showed the Kim Il Sung Square filled with people, some of them holding cards that said Arming the Entire People.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, clad in a black suit, watched the parade alongside his daughter Ju Ae from a white, marble-decorated balcony. Kim did not give a speech.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and his daughter Kim Ju Ae watch a civil defense military parade commemorating the 75th anniversary of the founding of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, in Pyongyang, September 9, 2023. Credit: KCNA via Reuters





Since it was a civil defense force parade, it could be seen that Pyongyang was predominantly aiming to solidify its internal unity, said Cheon Seong-whun, a former security strategy secretary for South Koreas presidential office.

Internal solidarity is a prerequisite for the sustainability of the North Korean regime. It could also be that Pyongyang is preparing for possible social and ideological relaxations, following its decision to open its borders for the first time after the COVID pandemic, Cheon added.

The parade is also the third of its kind this year, following similar events in February and July. It marks the first time under Kim Jong Uns leadership that North Korea has held three military parades within a single year.

Holding multiple parades within one year requires the states decision to centralize resources, including finances, manpower and other logistical capabilities, which underscores its urgent need to shore up internal solidarity. North Korea usually tries to overcome its internal problems with its military might, via putting an emphasis on its defense capability.

Pyongyang also conducted multiple missile tests this year, among which were several launches of its Hwasong-series intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) that it claims could deliver nuclear warheads to the U.S. mainland. The military provocations came after its economy contracted for the third straight year in 2022, according to the Bank of Korea. The COVID restrictions, combined with international sanctions, are widely seen to have further depressed the Norths struggling economy.

The economy may slump further this year. Kim last month blasted his premier Kim Tok Hun for his irresponsible response to flood damage on the western coast, which he claimed hurt the economy, according to KCNA. Almost half of the North Korean people were undernourished between 2020 and 2022, a World Food Program report published in July found.

The food shortage in North Korea appears to be spreading, with sources inside the country telling Radio Free Asia that as many as 30% of farmers in two northern provinces are unable to work on collective farms because theyre weak from hunger.

A paramilitary parade at Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang to mark the 75th founding anniversary of North Korea. Credit: Str/KCNA via KNS/AFP





Although Saturdays parade only consisted of a civil defense force, any form of military parade may still elevate tension on the Korean Peninsula. The parade did not feature North Koreas regular military, new or strategic weapons, including ICBMs, but it bore diplomatic significance  demonstrated by support from its regime backers, China and Russia  despite Pyongyangs ongoing nuclear provocations.

Chinas vice premier Liu Guozhong was present at the military parade, while Russia sent its military orchestra to Pyongyang. Presidents Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin sent letters hailing their countries' strengthening ties with North Korea, which will contribute to regional stability and prosperity, KCNA reported.

Beijing and Moscow remain among the few states that maintain amicable ties with Pyongayng, amid heavy sanctions and criticisms it faces due to its nuclear weapons and missile development.

Showcasing foreign delegations in North Koreas military parade is not common, according to South Koreas Kyunghee University professor Joo Jae-woo, a North Korea expert. The latest, thus, signals the Norths attempt to enhance the regime backers against the strengthening security collaboration with the U.S., South Korea and Japan.

In reality, forming an authoritarian bloc against the U.S. and its allies may not be a simple task, given the diverse interests of Beijing and Moscow.

With Russia, mutual interests are more aligned as Moscow also faces international sanctions for its aggression against Ukraine. According to South Koreas National Intelligence Service, Russia has formally proposed a joint naval drill with China and North Korea in July. Moreover, Russian President Vladimir Putin is likely to meet Kim Jong Un later this month, with arms trade anticipated to be at the center of discussion.

Chinas stance, however, differs. While North Korea is valued as a strategic asset against the U.S. and its allies, getting too cozy with North Korea could jeopardize its relations with the U.S. and its regional allies, which are crucial to improving its economic situation.

The international community has witnessed Chinas economic decline and weakening real estate market in recent months. China needs to maintain access to international markets and foreign investment in order to prevent a further deterioration of its economy. As China may seek to repair its ties with the U.S. and its allies, strengthening its political ties with North Korea and Russia may prove difficult.

Edited by Elaine Chan and Mike Firn.
The United States has condemned a violent anti-Semitic event at an airport in Russia's predominantly Muslim region of Daghestan in which a mob overran the airport and threatened an aircraft arriving from Tel Aviv.

U.S. State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said Washington condemned the incident, adding at a briefing with reporters on October 30 that the storming of the airport "looked like a pogrom to me" in videos of the incident that he had viewed.

"We call on Russian authorities to publicly condemn these violent protests, to hold anyone involved accountable, and to ensure the safety of Israelis and Jews in Russia," Miller said.

The violence occurred on October 29 when dozens of protesters, angry over the situation surrounding the current war between Israel and Hamas militants, broke through doors and barriers at Makhachkala airport, with many of them chanting "Allahu akbar" (God is great) as they stormed the runway after the aircraft arrived.

Riot police and reinforcements, including National Guard units, were subsequently sent to "ensure the safety of arriving passengers, according to the Baza Telegram channel.

Officials said more than 20 people were injured -- two critically -- in the unrest, with 10 of those injured needing hospitalization, while Baza said six police officers were among the casualties.

It was not clear whether any Israeli citizens were on the plane that arrived from Tel Aviv or whether any passengers were among the injured.

The RIA Novosti news agency reported on October 30 that more than 60 people were detained at the airport.

In a statement on October 30, the head of Russia's Federation of Jewish Communities, Rabbi Aleksandr Boroda, said the incident "undermined the basic foundations of our multicultural and multinational state."

"The events of October 29 at the Makhachkala airport, as well as previous incidents...clearly show that the conflict in the Middle East has already affected the lives of people in Russia, and that anti-Israel sentiment has now turned into open aggression toward even Russian Jews," Boroda said.

The incidents Boroda referred to include a suspected arson attack on a Jewish center under construction in the city of Nalchik and reports that crowds gathered in front of two hotels in the Dagestani city of Khasavyurt demanding "refugees from Israel" leave the premises.

Russia's aviation authority closed the airport and said it would remain out of operation until November 6, but later changed its stance and as of late on October 30, air traffic had resumed.

Flights from Israel, however, were being temporarily rerouted to other cities in Russia.

The Investigative Committee, meanwhile, said it had conducted searches of the residences of some of those involved in the unrest.

"Participants in the mass unrest are being interrogated under the relevant criminal case...records from video surveillance cameras have been retrieved," the committee said.

Anti-Jewish protests have broken out in several cities in the region in the face of Israels war with Hamas, rulers of the Palestinian-controlled Gaza Strip.

The Israeli Foreign Ministry on October 29 demanded that Russia protect Israelis and Jews and to apprehend anyone threatening them.

"Israel expects the Russian authorities to protect all Israeli citizens and all Jews, and to act decisively against the rioters and against incitement to violence against Jews and Israelis," a statement said.

The Kremlin blamed the unrest on "outside interference," and without showing any evidence accused Ukraine of involvement.

Ukraine rejected the accusation, saying that the Russian Foreign Ministry was attempting to "shift responsibility from a sick person to a healthy one." Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesman Oleh Nikolenko added on Facebook that the events in Makhachkala "reflect deep-rooted anti-Semitism of Russian elites and society."

The United States also rejected the Russian accusation about Ukrainian involvement. "I've seen their comments about blaming Ukraine. They are absurd," Miller said.

Late on October 29, videos and photos from the scene published by RFE/RLs Caucasus.Realities indicated that protesters had stormed onto the Makhachkala runway, attempting to gain entry to the incoming plane.

Some media said the mob gathered at the airport after a Telegram channel said "uninvited guests" would be on the plane and that they should be met in "adult fashion" and forced to go elsewhere.

A local news Telegram channel reported that protesters were attempting to check the identities of arriving passengers, seeking to prevent Jews from leaving the airport, including searching police vehicles.

A protester was seen in one unconfirmed video carried a sign saying, "Child killers have no place in Daghestan."

Daghestani officials accused "enemies of Russia" of instigating the anti-Semitic sentiments after the Coordination Center of Muslims of the North Caucasus called on authorities to prevent refugees from Israel from entering the republic, according to the Caucasian Knot news website.

The Interior Ministry said that, "against the background of the situation in Makhachkala, the identities of all those who take part in the riots will be established, since video surveillance works at the airport."

"We recommend that all persons who have violated the operating procedures of the [airport] to cease the illegal actions and to not interfere with the work of airport employees," a Telegram statement said.

"It is not easy for each of us to stand and watch the inhumane massacre of a civilian population -- the Palestinian people, the government statement said.

"Still, we urge residents of the republic not to succumb to provocations of destructive groups and not to create panic in society."

Anti-Semitic rallies took place over the weekend in other cities of the North Caucasus protesting against Israels military campaign.

The Middle East conflict broke out after Hamas militants stormed Israel on October 7, killing hundreds of people and taking more than 200 hostage. Israel retaliated with a military campaign against Gaza, leading to the deaths of some 8,000 people and the destruction of much of Gaza City.

On October 28, a rally was held in Cherkessk, the capital of the Karachayevo-Cherkessia region, demanding that residents of Israel not be allowed in.

On the night of October 29, residents of Derbent in Daghestan protested after false reports of the settling of refugees from Israel in local hotels.

With reporting by AFP, Reuters, and RIA Novosti
SKOPJE -- After Filiz Ndochi was diagnosed with cancer in December 2022, she was quickly thrust into a sea of potentially life-changing decisions. Foremost among them was where to seek treatment. Her conclusion, she says, surprised even her.

"I've worked in the health system for 21 years, contributing," she said, "and after 21 years you end up not having confidence to be treated in your own country. This feeling was terrifying for me."

Ndochi, who is head nurse at a state dental clinic in North Macedonia's capital, had heard rumors for years of rampant corruption and abuse involving prescription drugs at the University Clinic of Radiotherapy and Oncology in Skopje, the Balkan country's premier state-run cancer-treatment center.

So, she added up her savings and borrowed money from friends and relatives to undergo an operation and treatment more than 500 kilometers away in Turkey. "The disease couldn't wait for me to confirm the rumors from my colleagues, so I decided to get treated abroad," she told RFE/RL's Balkan Service.

One operation and nine months of treatment later, she says she felt oddly vindicated at news that allegations that life-saving cancer medication from the same clinic was being sold on the black market finally caught the attention of police investigators.

"I had a guilty conscience that I was 'luxuriating' and spending other people's money for treatment abroad," Ndochi said. "But when I found out about [the] Oncology [Clinic scandal], somehow it became easier for me -- I didn't make a mistake by deciding to be treated on the side."

A steady stream of scandals in the ex-Yugoslav republic's health-care sector going back at least a decade has long undermined Macedonians' faith in their state-run system.

But the situation boiled over this month when prosecutors finally took action four months after damning reports of mismanagement and abuse at the Oncology Clinic, including the serial theft of expensive, badly needed cancer drugs for sale on the black market.

North Macedonia's president, Stevo Pendarovski, described the situation as "horrifying" and welcomed the actions of the Prosecutor-General's Office and the Interior Ministry. He added that "the health system has obviously failed, losing trust not only among those patients, but also inviting questions about the quality of treatment for each future patient."

The health minister and other senior officials within Prime Minister Dimitar Kovachevski's Social Democratic Union-led government, which has been in office since early 2022, have acknowledged problems but argue that the current issues stretch back to previous administrations.

In Poor Health

Health-care spending has indeed steadily declined in North Macedonia to one of the lowest levels in Southeastern Europe, according to the European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies, a multinational monitoring and assessment network. Meanwhile, an increasing reliance on out-of-pocket payments has frustrated patients, exacerbated by a shortage of prescription medicines. And experts say an exodus of trained medical professionals has further contributed to the health-care problem.

Mortality rates for noncommunicable diseases, including cancer in particular, have climbed worryingly over the past two decades, along with perceptions that North Macedonia has too many "access barriers" to care, such as a shortage of medicine and staff and inadequate public spending.

The Oncology Clinic has long been regarded as the country's most advanced -- and prestigious -- publicly owned cancer-treatment center.

But the findings at the center of the current uproar, published in a series of investigative articles by Fokus beginning in May, are damning. They paint a picture of a once-prestigious institution run amok, with mismanagement at the Skopje Oncology Clinic creating some 20 million euros ($21.4 million) of debt and employees stealing cytostatics, the costly drugs used to destroy cancer cells by inhibiting cell division, even as patient waiting times ballooned for those and other potentially life-saving drugs.

The Fokus reports quote state auditors in March pointing to failures that include procurement and pricing irregularities, logistical and scheduling chaos, and budget overruns compounded by neglect that left equipment like a multimillion-dollar particle accelerator lying around gathering dust instead of being used for radiation therapies.

'Murderers!'

The announcements by the Prosecutor-General's Office and the Interior Ministry on September 2 of raids on the clinic and other locations sparked a raucous demonstration outside the government headquarters and the Health Ministry in Skopje two days later. Demanding justice for affected patients, the crowd pelted the buildings with eggs, splattered red paint on sidewalks, and accused officials at corrupt institutions of being "murderers" and of "killing oncology."

The same day, Health Minister Fatmir Medjiti had issued assurances that patients at the Skopje clinic were receiving adequate treatment and urged the public to avoid spreading false information.

"I understand the frustration this case has caused our citizens, especially those directly affected by cancer," Medjiti said. "I will do everything in my power to clear up the case of the Oncology Clinic and to determine the responsibility of everyone. I will create conditions so that this never happens again."

He pledged full transparency to ensure a thorough investigation.

Interior Minister Oliver Spasovski issued a harsh statement but also appeared to deflect the political fallout by blaming decades of rot and abuse.

"Such events have been happening for 20 years [and] there have been clues many times before, but now the moment has come to clean up corruption, and for that we are taking all the steps and measures available," Spasovski said. "Everyone who was involved, regardless of the positions they held, will be part of the process and bear responsibility."

He added that unidentified individuals had been placed under special investigative measures and that many people, including journalists, have shared information related to the case with the ministry.

The leading opposition party, the nationalist VMRO-DPMNE, which has been in power for much of the last two decades, has insisted there must be criminal and political consequences for the "monstrous actions" at the center of the oncological scandal. It accuses Kovachevski's government of staying silent despite knowing about the clinic's problems and juxtaposed the current coalition's billboards touting European-level health care with what it described as the reality of "a mafia" in the system.

Medical Disasters

The scandal has also evoked painful memories of past disasters in the health-care sector that went unresolved or resulted in seemingly mild punishments despite public cries for accountability.

Suspended sentences were handed down against two hospital executives in June in connection with a modular hospital -- a medical facility built cheaply and quickly, often with prefabricated materials -- in the northwestern city of Tetovo, where a fire in September 2021 killed 14 people and injured a dozen more. Investigators are said to be still looking into further charges in the case, and appeals are still winding through the courts.

An investigation using German expertise blamed the Tetovo blaze on a short circuit in an extension cord. But sleuths at the Investigative Reporter Laboratory (IRL) claimed in a recent documentary that the construction of the Tetovo facility and other modular COVID-19 sites built during the pandemic crisis was shoddy and skirted fire inspections and other safety controls.

The same year as the Tetovo tragedy, the state auditor concluded that there had been a series of illegalities in public procurement for state hospitals during the pandemic, including secret agreements among administrators and profiteering.

Also in 2021, an investigation by RFE/RL's Balkan Service found that millions of dollars' worth of advanced medical equipment for radiotherapy had been gathering dust in a warehouse since 2013, even as cancer patients nearby were forced to travel to Skopje for similar treatment. For some of the devices, safety certifications had long expired.

More recently, Health Minister Medjiti in July was forced to acknowledge an acute problem acquiring the drug Trikafta, essential for treatment of the 130 patients with cystic fibrosis in North Macedonia, after the government took up the issue under public pressure.

At the same time, some of the country's 150,000 or so sufferers of diabetes protested what they said was a seven-month absence of instruments like test strips and blood-glucose monitors that help them control the disease.

Left To Die

But the revelations of alleged abuse at North Macedonia's foremost treatment center for oncology have hit differently, and the damage is already being felt in the community of patients and their families.

Simona Divanishova's mother, Georgieva, had been undergoing treatment for breast cancer at the Oncology Clinic for two years before her condition worsened earlier this year.

Her doctors ordered tests on April 18 to determine if she was a candidate for treatment with cytostatics.

"Since we knew even then that there was a problem with the supply of this therapy, my mother told the doctor that if it was determined that she needed it, we were ready to pay for it ourselves, just so she could receive it as soon as possible," Divanishova told RFE/RL's Balkan Service. "However, the doctor said that in 10 days she'd have the results and that, if necessary, she would start receiving the therapy immediately."

Four months later, with her condition worsening, they still hadn't received the results and no cytostatics had been prescribed.

Now, mourning the death of her mother and with the Oncology Clinic mired in scandal and disrepute, Divanishova is filled with doubts and regret.

"Our results about whether my mother was suitable for that expensive immunotherapy with cytostatics never came back, and my mother died," Divanishova said. "So the question remains whether my mother should have received that therapy and whether maybe with that therapy her condition might have improved."

Written by Andy Heil based on reporting by Pelagija Stojanchova
The final declaration of the Group of 20 (G20) major economies in India left Kyiv angry over its refusal to condemn Moscow for its aggression against Ukraine, as new fragments of projectiles appeared to have landed on NATO-member Romania's territory on September 9.

"We are grateful to the partners who tried to include strong wording in the text," Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesman Oleh Nikolenko posted on Facebook.

"However, in terms of Russia's aggression against Ukraine, [the] G20 has nothing to be proud of," he wrote.

Live Briefing: Russia's Invasion Of Ukraine RFE/RL's Live Briefing gives you all of the latest developments on Russia's full-scale invasion, Kyiv's counteroffensive, Western military aid, global reaction, and the plight of civilians. For all of RFE/RL's coverage of the war in Ukraine, click here.

The final declaration revealed the sharp divisions over Russia's invasion of Ukraine, with host India able to get attendees to agree to a final statement only after softening language on Moscow's war on its neighbor.

The statement underlined the "human suffering and negative added impacts of the war in Ukraine," but did not mention Russia's invasion.

"All states must refrain from the threat or use of force to seek territorial acquisition against the territorial integrity and sovereignty or political independence of any state. The use or threat of use of nuclear weapons is inadmissible," it said, referencing the UN Charter.

A senior EU diplomat told AP that the bloc had not given up any of its position and said the fact that Moscow had signed on to the agreement was important.

"The option we have is text or no text, and I think it is better [to have a] text. At least if they [the Russians] don't implement, we know once more that we cannot rely on them," the diplomat said.

Meanwhile, Kyiv said the toll of the wounded from a Russian missile strike on the Ukrainian city of Kryviy Rih rose to 74, as Ukrainian forces pressed their slow counteroffensive against Russian forces in southern and eastern regions.

Elsewhere, Romanian officials said they had found new drone fragments on the NATO member's territory near the Ukrainian border for the second time this week. The Defense Ministry said they were "similar to those used by the Russian Army."

President Klaus Iohannis said in a statement that the fragments indicated "an absolutely unacceptable violation of the sovereign airspace of Romania, a NATO ally, with real risks to the security of Romanian citizens in the area."

Iohannis added that he had a phone call with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg to inform him of the new finding and that he had received assurances of the alliance's support.

Moscow did not comment on the report.

Eighteen months into Russia's full-scale invasion, Ukraine is struggling to build momentum in the counteroffensive taking place over three fronts, with the primary push coming south of Orikhiv, in the southern Zaporizhzhya region.

While some Western allies have expressed frustration with the slow pace of the effort, now in its third month, Ukrainian troops have shown glimpses of success in breaching the Russian defensive lines.

Kyiv also claimed "partial success" in the east, near the obliterated Donetsk region city of Bakhmut, which Russia captured earlier this year.

And in Crimea, Russian-installed authorities in the city of Simferopol called a blaze at a military post a "domestic fire" and not the result of an attack by Ukrainian drones.

Full details of the blaze were not immediately available. Kyiv has not commented.

A main goal of Ukraine's southern counteroffensive is to drive toward the peninsula and eventually retake the region, which was illegally annexed by Russia in 2014.

Kyiv estimates that Russia has deployed more than 420,000 soldiers in areas it controls in the east and south of Ukraine, deputy intelligence chief Vadym Skibitskiy said on September 9.

"The Russian Federation has concentrated more than 420,000 servicemen in our territories that are temporarily occupied, including Crimea," Skibitskiy said at a conference in Kyiv. The figure "does not include the Russian National Guard and other special units that maintain occupation authorities on our territories."

Ukraine is almost entirely dependent on Western military aid and equipment to wage its defense against the Russian invasion. Kyiv has repeatedly pressed the United States and other allies for more powerful weaponry, such as F-16 fighter jets, which could be put into service next year.

Kyiv has also sought supplies of long-range, U.S.-designed Army Tactical Missile Systems, which have a greater distance for striking at Russian targets.

The United States has been reluctant to send the weapons, but unnamed U.S. officials told ABC News that the systems, known as ATACMS, or "attack-ems," were likely to be supplied in the end.

"They are coming," one anonymous official told ABC News on September 8. A second official said the missiles were "on the table" and likely to be included in an upcoming weapons package.

Japans foreign minister arrived in Kyiv on September 9 in an unannounced visit aimed at showing support for Ukraine.

Yoshimasa Hayashi met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and agreed to begin talks on potential security guarantees and to cooperate on reconstructing Ukraine's economy, Japan's Foreign Ministry said.

Japan has joined the West in supporting Ukraine and imposing sanctions on Russia. However, it does not allow the supply of weapons, under long-standing pacifist government policies.

It's the first visit by a Japanese foreign minister to Ukraine since Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba in a joint news conference thanked Hayashi for his country's support and that he wanted the foreign minister "and the entire Japanese people to know that the Ukrainian people remember and will never forget the humanitarian aid."

With reporting by Reuters and AP
Last weeks violent clashes between Arab tribes and Kurdish forces in northeastern Syria bear witness to the mosaic of competing interests in the region.

Violent clashes took place in northeastern Syria last week between fighters from the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) led by the Kurdish Peoples Defence Units (YPG) and military forces affiliated with Arab tribes in the area, resulting in high rates of death and injury.

The clashes took place after SDF militias arrested the leader of the Deir Al-Zor military

Council Ahmed Al-Khbeil and other military clan leaders after they were lured into a meeting in Al-Hassakeh in northeastern Syria.

The fighting then spread to towns and villages throughout northern and northeastern Syria. Medium-size and sometimes heavy weapons were used, prompting Arab tribes in the area to mobilise their supporters and call on support from local residents.

The Arab tribes in eastern and northern regions of Syria rushed to support the fighters of the Deir Al-Zor Military Council, issuing declarations that they would be ready to participate in long-term combat, fight the SDF, and receive US support.

The Arab clans were not only backed by Arab residents and tribes, but also by displaced Arab tribesmen north of Al-Hassakeh or outside Syria who urged Turkey to allow them to cross to Deir Al-Zor to fight the SDF. Others called on the International Coalition led by the US, which supports the Kurds, to mediate between the military council and the SDF to end the bloodshed.

Disputes between the two warring parties are nothing new. Arab tribal forces represented by the Deir Al-Zor Military Council were first allied with the SDF, and both were supported by the US. Tensions began when the council became suspicious that the SDF wanted to replace it with the Al-Sanadid Military Group, another ally of the SDF.

The tribal council objected to the SDF transporting the Al-Sanadid militia to eastern Syria, triggering clashes between the two sides.

The Deir Al-Zor Military Council commands some 4,000 combatants from Arab tribes in northeastern and eastern Syria. The Kurds control the SDF, which is loyal to the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK)  classified as a terrorist organisation by Turkey and other countries.

The council includes fighters from influential tribes in the region, including the Al-Aqidat, Busaraya and Baggara. The Shammar clan is the backbone of the Al-Sanadid group,

with some 2,000 fighters. In past years, both sides operated under the umbrella of the SDF, after reaching understandings involving the US.

This week, due to the fierce battles between the two sides, tribal forces in Deir Al-Zor chased out the SDF militias from areas around the city. Some 100 combatants defected from the SDF, prompting the US to intervene to stop the bloodshed.

On Sunday, US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Ethan Goldrich and Commander of the Combined Joint Task Force Joel Vowell mediated between the SDF and tribal leaders in

Deir Al-Zor. The US officials reminded both sides that Washingtons support for them stemmed from their role in defeating the Islamic State (IS) group in the region.

For the time being, US efforts to mediate between the two sides have not succeeded, however.

Geographically, the SDF controls the eastern bank of the Euphrates River that divides the Deir Al-Zor Province into two parts. Syrian regime forces and pro-Iranian groups are stationed on the west bank of the river, though they do not have the power to intervene to halt the local fighting.

The Syrian opposition said that the move by the SDF against Al-Khbeil was in response to the US intention to close the Syrian-Iraqi border and to the protests in southern Syria (Suwayda).

The opposition discounts the SDFs explanation that Al-Khbeil is corrupt, stressing that the militias that cooperated with him already knew his track record, since he had previously been accused of smuggling antiquities and gold.

Other parties in the region believe the SDF actions are triggered by concerns over Al-Khbeils ambitions, since he wants to break away from the SDF by relying on local Arab tribes.

Ahmed Rahal, a Syrian dissident military analyst, said that the events in Deir Al-Zor were the result of accumulated problems between the leadership of the SDF and the Deir Al-Zor Military Council, as well as the SDF and locals in Deir Al-Zor.

Rahal suggested that Al-Khbeils arrest could have been coordinated between the SDF and the US-led coalition based on reports of smuggling deals between Al-Khbeil and Iranian militias. However, once the clashes had accelerated, the US had reconsidered its position and urged the two sides to de-escalate, he said.

Rahal said that this did not mean that Washington would give the SDF the upper hand. The US is unhappy with the SDFs refusal to buy into the US scheme to expel Iranian militias from areas along the Syrian-Iraqi border, he said. They support the Arab tribes, in preparation to engage them in any US efforts. The SDF has sensed this and wants to abort these attempts in their infancy.

The clashes between the two sides were sparked by inadequate reasons. In reality, the fighting was triggered by injustices felt by local Arab tribes and claims that the Kurds were marginalising the Arabs on local councils and monopolising US assistance and aid and that the Arabs were subjected to security repression and SDF corruption.

There is also a conviction that the SDF is cooperating with the regime led by Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad in Damascus. This would not be the first time that the regime has wanted to change the control of northeastern Syria and sabotage the US plans there.

Washington wants to close the Syrian-Iraqi border and stop the flow of Iranians and Iranian weapons from Iraq to Irans allies in Syria. It may also be concerned about indirect coordination with SDF forces.

As a result, the US did not fight the tribal forces in the recent clashes, and it did not put pressure on them. Instead, it stepped in to mediate, stop the fighting, and find compromises, which shows that Washington supports the tribal forces indirectly.

Northeastern Syria is a complex area, and all the players there have different interests. Each is trying to control the decision-making in this important strategic region, whether because it is an oil region, or the gateway to the Syrian-Iraqi border, or the area adjacent to the Turkish border, or for other reasons.

The US intervenes in northeastern Syria, as does Turkey, this time to end the Kurdish threat. The Iranians are involved because the area hosts their weapons as they move from Iraq to Syria.

The tribes, the majority of the local population, feel the Syrian opposition is closer to them than are their ties to the SDF and the Kurds. The Syrian regime is focused on sabotaging US plans in the region and facilitating those of its Iranian ally. Russia is also involved in order to prevent losses by the Syrian regime.

The area is an incomplete mosaic. It seems likely that the disputes will continue and will remain as embers under the ashes that will ignite later, even if they appear to be doused for now.

* A version of this article appears in print in the 7 September, 2023 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly

Search Keywords:

Short link:


G-20 Summit

World Bank President, UN Secretary-General, IMF MD Among Distinguished Guests at Bharat Mandapam

NEW-DELHI: The G-20 Summit, presided over by India, commenced with great fervor in the national capital, New Delhi. Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended a hearty welcome to a multitude of world leaders, including prominent figures such as World Bank President Ajay Banga and Kristalina Georgieva, at the prestigious 'Bharat Mandapam,' the chosen venue for the G20 Summit on Saturday.

In an atmosphere of camaraderie and diplomatic engagement, Prime Minister Modi greeted and ushered in the distinguished leaders who had assembled at the Pragati Maidan's Bharat Mandapam for the G-20 summit. Among the notable figures gracing the summit are World Bank President Ajay Banga, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Managing Director and Chairman of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Kristalina Georgieva, and the Director General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.

Advertisement

As the world leaders gathered, Prime Minister Narendra Modi stood in welcome at the Bharat Mandapam, with the iconic Konark Chakra replica just behind him. The Konark Chakra, a renowned 13th-century symbol, represents the passage of time, progress, and the constant state of change.

Notably, The Two-day G-20 Summit, scheduled for September 9th and 10th, is poised to be a pivotal platform for international dialogue and cooperation. As leaders from diverse nations convene in New Delhi, the Konark Chakra bears witness to the collective pursuit of global progress and unity.




PM Modi at G-20 Summit

World Leaders Gather at Delhi's Bharat Mandapam for Historic G20 Summit; PM Modi Welcomes Diverse Delegation

NEW-DELHI: The Eagerly Anticipated G-20 summit commenced with a momentous announcement by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who welcomed global leaders and dignitaries to the Bharat Mandapam in the heart of Delhi. This historic event, attended by heads of state and influential industrialists, marked a significant turning point as it witnessed the inclusion of the African Union into the G-20, prompting the renaming of the esteemed forum as the G21.

In his opening address, PM Modi underscored the importance of the 21st century, which he described as a pivotal era destined to chart a transformative course for the world. He articulated that the current age confronts humanity with age-old challenges that demand innovative solutions, emphasizing the need for a human-centric approach in tackling these issues.

Advertisement

PM Modi addressed the profound lack of trust that has plagued the world, deepened by the COVID-19 pandemic and exacerbated by global conflicts. Drawing a parallel with the successful fight against the pandemic, he asserted that just as nations came together to conquer COVID-19, they can unite to overcome the crisis of mutual mistrust. He called upon the international community to collectively restore trust across the globe.

Notably, the seating arrangement at the summit bore Bharat's name, signifying its pivotal role in hosting this prestigious gathering. Union Minister Smriti Irani aptly expressed the significance of the occasion on Twitter, stating, "A new name for hope and faith - Bharat."

Azali Assoumani, President of the Comoros Federation and Chairman of the African Union (AU), assumed a permanent seat as a member of the G-20, cementing the African Union's presence in the forum. This transformative development heralds a new chapter in the G-20's history, rechristening it as the G21 and reflecting the growing importance of Africa in the global landscape.

Advertisement

Notably, The G21 summit, under the theme of unity and trust, is poised to be a pivotal moment in international diplomacy, bringing together a diverse range of nations to collectively shape a brighter future for all.
Arvind Kejriwal

AAP Leader Arvind Kejriwal Commends the Robust 'INDIA' Alliance and Accuses BJP of Desperation

NEW-DELHI: Following the Assembly by-elections in which the 'INDIA' alliance secured victories in four out of seven seats, Arvind Kejriwal, the national convener of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), has praised the alliance's formidable strength. He also criticized the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for its response to the alliance's success.

In a noteworthy electoral development, the 'INDIA' alliance, composed of the Congress, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), Trinamool Congress (TMC), and Samajwadi Party (SP), demonstrated its political prowess by securing victories in four constituencies during the recent by-elections. These elections were conducted in seven assembly seats across six states, including Uttar Pradesh, Tripura, and West Bengal.

Advertisement

Arvind Kejriwal, the Chief Minister of Delhi, expressed his admiration for the 'INDIA' alliance's robust performance through a social media post on the 'X' platform. He highlighted the alliance's strength by stating, "The opposition alliance 'INDIA' is incredibly powerful. This is the reason for the BJP's agitation. It is why the BJP is seeking to change the country's name."

The By-election results, revealed on Friday, presented a mixed outcome, with the BJP emerging victorious in three of the seven seats, while the opposition parties, as part of the 'INDIA' alliance, secured four seats. This outcome reflects a competitive electoral landscape and a resurgence of opposition unity in various states.

The 'INDIA' alliance, formally known as the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance, comprises a range of regional and national parties united in their common objective of challenging the ruling BJP. The electoral success of this alliance underscores the potential strength of political coalitions in India's diverse political landscape.

Advertisement

In the aftermath of these election results, the BJP has faced criticism and scrutiny from both the opposition and political observers. The outcome highlights the evolving dynamics of Indian politics, with opposition alliances gaining traction and asserting their influence in state-level elections.

As India's political landscape continues to evolve, these by-election results serve as a reminder of the importance of strategic alliances and the challenges faced by political parties in navigating the intricate terrain of Indian politics.


Injured Man

Phagwara Campus of LPU Rocked by Violent Assault Leaving 1 Dead and 2 Injured, Police Launches Investigation

PHAGWARA: A Horrifying Incident unfolded at the Law gate of Lovely Professional University (LPU) in Phagwara when a group of around 30 armed miscreants launched a brazen attack on a group of youths. The attackers with sharp weapons and firearms, unleashed a barrage of violence, including gunfire and explosives. Tragically, one young man lost his life in the attack, identified as Harpreet Singh, a resident of Singhpur, while two others sustained injuries.

Arjan Singh Rana, one of the injured victims, provided an account of the harrowing assault. He revealed that he, along with his brother Harpreet and their friend Saurabh, had been en route to another hostel to drop off their friend Mani. As they stood near the Law gate, a group of 25 to 30 individuals on motorcycles descended upon them. The attackers were armed with dangerous weapons, including sharp blades and even firearms.

Advertisement

In the terrifying moments that followed, it became apparent that some of the assailants were carrying pistols. Without warning, they initiated a brutal attack on the group of young men. Harpreet, who bore the brunt of the assault, was grievously injured, particularly on his head. He was immediately rushed to a private hospital in Jalandhar, where tragically, he succumbed to his injuries.

Arjan Singh Rana further identified some of the attackers by name, including Manohar, Roshan, Saba, and Abhishek, along with several unidentified individuals. Notably, Roshan, one of the assailants, is known to have associations with the local police. Following the incident, he reportedly left the scene in a police vehicle, and attempts were made to transport him away in a police car.
Jalandhar Police

Jalandhar Police Uncover 21 Kg of Heroin in Three Days, Unmasking International Drug Network

JALANDHAR: In a significant blow to cross-border drug smuggling operations, Jalandhar Rural Police have successfully recovered 12 kilograms of heroin during an intelligence-driven operation. This substantial seizure comes as part of a larger crackdown, with the district police having netted a total of 21 kilograms of heroin in just three days.

The Director-General of Police (DGP) for Punjab shared the remarkable news, highlighting the relentless efforts of the law enforcement agencies in combating drug-related crimes. He stated, "Following the initial seizure of 9 kilograms of heroin by Jalandhar Rural Police, an additional 12 kilograms of heroin have been recovered. This operation has seen a total of 21 kilograms of heroin taken off the streets in the past three days." The police have filed a Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) FIR at Thana Goraya under the relevant act, and further investigations are currently underway.

Advertisement

This Recent Success builds on the earlier achievement of Jalandhar Rural Police when they apprehended a key drug smuggler, Malkiat Singh, also known as Kali, and confiscated 9 kilograms of heroin. Kali, along with associates, was involved in cross-border drug smuggling operations. Subsequent investigations revealed that Kali had connections with traffickers based in Pakistan. He was responsible for sending individuals across the border to Pakistan, ordering consignments of up to 50 kilograms of heroin, which were later distributed among six different smugglers upon reaching India.

The ongoing efforts against drug trafficking have yielded significant results in recent times. A youth from Ludhiana was apprehended with 8 kilograms of heroin, marking a crucial breakthrough in the campaign against narcotics. Subsequently, Mehtpur police arrested another individual in possession of half a kilogram of heroin. Both individuals provided critical information leading to the identification of the mastermind, Malakiat alias Kali. Further investigations revealed that the main accused used hawala channels to send money to contacts in Pakistan, facilitating the procurement of drug consignments.
Pakistani ambassador to Egypt Sajid Bilal said that Pakistan-Egypt relations are built on a strong foundation of common faith, cultural affinities, and aspirations, on the occasion of Pakistan's Defence and Martyrs' Day.

Ambassador Bilal hosted a reception party on 5 September to mark Pakistan's Defence and Martyrs' Day, paying tribute to Pakistani soldiers who have fearlessly laid down their lives, past and present.

At the event, the Pakistani diplomat hailed Pakistan-Egypt relations as grounded in shared faith, cultural values and aspirations. As the two countries celebrate the 75th anniversary of their diplomatic relations this year, military-to-military cooperation is rising, says Bilal.

The ambassador highlighted the participation of a large contingent of the Pakistani armed forces in "Bright Star military exercises hosted by Egypt as symbolic of the countries' close bilateral defence cooperation.

The reception was attended by Pakistani Defence Attache Col. Shahid Javaid and Pakistani press attache Mohamed Faisel, together with members of the diplomatic corps, the defence attaches of various countries, and members of the Pakistani community in Egypt.

In his remarks, Ambassador Bilal stated that "the Defence and Martyrs' Day stands out in the history of Pakistan as a symbol of enduring display of unity, indomitable courage and unmatched sacrifices by our gallant soldiers. On this day 58 years ago, our valiant soldiers displayed unprecedented bravery and professionalism; together with the whole nation at their back, Pakistan Army, Navy and Air Force defeated the enemy on all fronts, the Ambassador highlighted".

He noted that the world has also witnessed the resolve of the armed forces of Pakistan in their protracted battle against terrorism. "Pakistan has faced the brunt of global and regional terrorism, which was not only confronted by our armed forces but by the nation as a whole", the ambassador added. He also lauded the work of the troops during floods, earthquakes and other natural calamities.

Bilal also recalled Pakistan's longstanding territorial dispute with India over the territory of Jammu and Kashmir, emphasizing the need to resolve the issue in accordance with relevant UNSC resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people.

The ambassador called on the international community to fulfil its promises made to the Kashmiri people for the realization of their inalienable right to self-determination.

Defence Attache Javaid spoke as well, noting that Defence and Martyrs Day commemorates the courage and heroic resolve of Pakistani forces in the Indo-Pak War of 1965 and the sacrifices made in the fight against terrorism.

He highlighted operations Zarb-e-Azb and Rad-ul-Fassad for wiping out terrorist networks inside Pakistan. He also talked about the active role being played by the Pakistan Army as part of the United Nations Peacekeeping Forces in different operations around the globe.

Search Keywords:

Short link:


Fire Incident at Amritsar

Prompt Response by Fire Brigade Prevents Disaster as Blaze Threatens Adjacent Gas Agency

AMRITSAR: A Massive Fire erupted at a garment factory situated on Batala Road in the Amritsar district, sending shockwaves through the area. Swift action by the fire brigade averted a potential disaster, and authorities managed to successfully bring the blaze under control. However, preliminary estimates suggest that the fire may have caused losses amounting to lakhs.

The Sudden Outbreak of the fire in the garment factory triggered chaos in the vicinity as thick plumes of smoke billowed into the sky. The situation became even more critical due to the presence of a gas agency located just 100 meters away from the inferno's epicenter. Fortunately, the fire department's timely intervention prevented this dire scenario of fire reaching the gas agency from unfolding.

Advertisement

A Fire Department Official provided reassurance, stating, "We have effectively contained and extinguished the fire." While the exact cause of the fire is yet to be determined, initial suspicions point towards a potential short circuit as the possible ignition source.
Heroin

Indian Authorities Continue to Disrupt Pakistani Smugglers' Heroin Trade along the Border

FAZILKA: In an ongoing battle against cross-border drug smuggling, the State Special Operation Cell (SSOC) Fazilka of the Punjab Police has achieved a significant breakthrough. A daring raid led to the arrest of an Indian drug smuggler and the seizure of a substantial consignment of heroin weighing 15 kilograms, with an estimated value of Rs 105 crore.

According to Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav, this operation was meticulously planned as part of intelligence efforts to dismantle the network of drug traffickers operating across the border. The arrested Indian smuggler was found transporting the illicit substance cleverly concealed within a trolley filled with straw.

Advertisement

DGP Gaurav Yadav emphasized the unwavering commitment of the Punjab Police to disrupt the nefarious heroin trade flowing in from Pakistan. Notably, this seizure comes on the heels of SSOC Fazilka's remarkable success in confiscating 147 kilograms of heroin in the past 45 days.

A case under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act has been registered at the Sadar Fazilka police station, and legal proceedings are underway. Simultaneously, authorities are diligently interrogating the apprehended individual to gather vital information in the matter.


For Representative Purpose Only

Investment of 45 Lakhs Leads to Heart Attack, Coma, and Tragic Death in the USA

JALANDHAR: In an unfortunate incident, a young Punjabi man, identified as Harcharan Singh Parhar, hailing from the Kalra district in Jalandhar, ventured to the United States with dreams of a promising future. The journey, which began a mere month ago, took an unexpected and devastating turn when he experienced a severe heart attack shortly after his arrival.

The Sudden and Unforeseen Health crisis left Harcharan Singh Parhar in a dire situation. He was rushed to a local hospital, where he fell into a coma as medical professionals battled to stabilize his condition. Despite their best efforts, the young man's health deteriorated rapidly.

Advertisement

Tragically, despite the medical attention and treatment he received, Harcharan Singh Parhar lost his life, leaving his family and community in grief and disbelief. The 45 lakhs invested in pursuit of his American dreams ended in a heartbreaking loss that has sent shockwaves through the local community.

Notably, Each year, a significant number of young individuals from Punjab set out on journeys to foreign lands, driven by the hope of a better future. However, incidents like these underscore the risks and challenges that can accompany such aspirations.
Earthquake

PM Modi Offers Condolences and Support, International Community Rallies for Relief

NEW-DELHI: Tragedy struck Morocco as a powerful 6.8-magnitude earthquake rattled the southwestern region of Marrakesh late Friday night, leaving behind a trail of destruction and a heartbreaking death toll exceeding 630 individuals. This Natural Disaster has also left dozens injured and has prompted swift international responses to aid the affected.

The Earthquake, which struck at approximately 11:11 pm local time, sent tremors of terror throughout the region. The Epicenter was located 71 kilometers from Marrakesh, with a depth of 18.5 kilometers, amplifying the intensity of the quake and its devastating consequences.

Advertisement

Even as the news of the disaster unfolded, leaders from around the world extended their condolences to Morocco. During a G-20 meeting, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his heartfelt condolences to the victims and their families. He said, "I want to express my condolences to the people affected by the earthquake in Morocco. We pray for a speedy recovery for all the injured. The entire world community is with Morocco in this difficult time. We are ready to provide all possible assistance to them."

Videos capturing the aftermath of the earthquake have emerged, depicting a grim scene of devastation. Streets are littered with scattered goods, and individuals can be seen fleeing shopping centers, restaurants, and apartment buildings in panic. The U.S. Geological Survey, responsible for monitoring such events, issued preliminary data on the earthquake's magnitude. They have also issued an Orange Alert, indicating significant economic damage with further consequences expected.

As Morocco grapples with the aftermath of this catastrophic event, the international community has rallied to provide support and relief efforts. The focus is on delivering immediate assistance to those affected, including medical aid, shelter, and essential supplies.


A source near Naypyidaw, the military-built capital located in the north of the former capital, Yangon, has confirmed to VOA that the 78-year-old Nobel laureate's health has taken a serious downturn in recent days.

"This, together with vomiting and dizziness making her unable to stand or walk, gives reason for serious concerns about her overall ill health and treatment during her two and a half years in a military prison," Kim Aris told VOA via text message on Thursday.

According to her son, Suu Kyi has been suffering from severe dental and gum issues, which have left her unable to eat.

Concern is growing about the health of Myanmar's ousted leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, who has been serving a 27-year sentence in a Naypyidaw prison.

 Denied Medical Care

According to the source, prison authorities were reportedly alerted to her deteriorating health, prompting a visit from the prison's chief medical officer. Despite her worsening condition, the junta has denied Suu Kyi's request to see a dental surgeon, said the source, who spoke to VOA on condition of anonymity due to safety concerns.

VOA sought confirmation of Suu Kyi's health condition from Myanmar's junta and prison authorities, but no response has yet been received.

Suu Kyi was arrested when the army seized power from her elected government in February 2021. She has been convicted of a string of criminal offenses, mostly on charges brought by the military government. Her supporters and legal experts say the cases are an attempt to legitimize the military's seizure of power while discrediting her and preventing her return to politics.

 Health Care for Detainees a Basic Right

"The military refusing my mother the right to requested treatment by a trusted doctor, is yet another callous and cruel action on the part of the junta," wrote Aris. "As the right to health is a fundamental part of our human rights, that must be enjoyed without discrimination."

UN spokesperson Farhan Haq underscored the right to health care for Suu Kyi at a news briefing Wednesday.

"Everyone in detention should be able to have access to health care, that's a basic right," said Haq. "We have made clear our concerns about Aung San Suu Kyi, and we've called and continue to call for her release as well as the release of the other leaders of the National League for Democracy."

 Concerns About Prison Conditions

Aris, 46, who is based in the U.K., says his mother "has faced appalling living conditions, mistreatment and inadequate food since her arrest and imprisonment." In addition, Aris said that his mother has been denied access to legal counsel.

"Given how many people lose their lives in prison in Burma [now Myanmar] this is of grave concern," he told VOA via text message.

Suu Kyi saw her sentence reduced from 33 years to 27 years imprisonment in August. Despite some reports that Suu Kyi had been moved to house arrest, the spokesperson for Myanmar's military junta, General Zaw Min Tun, claimed ignorance in his response to VOA by phone. "Regarding this matter," he said, "we have not heard anything."
Bob and Kathy Carpenter inside their Escondido restaurant Sunny Side Kitchen, which recently was ranked among the top 100 places to eat in the U.S. by the website Yelp.com.

Two weeks ago, the website Yelp published its 2017 list of the top 100 places to eat in the U.S., and planted firmly in the middle at No. 51 is Sunny Side Kitchen in Escondido.

The 2-year-old breakfast/lunch cafe in downtown Escondido was among the 100 restaurants nationwide to earn the most 5-star reviews on Yelp in recent years. Yelp is a crowd-sourced website, where the public can rate their visits on a scale of 1 to 5 and post photos of and reviews. The only other restaurant in San Diego to make the list is the Classic Malt Shop, a 50s diner in San Diegos Midway district that ranked No. 100.

Advertisement

Sunny Side Kitchen

What: Family-run breakfast/lunch cafe

When: 6:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays

Where: 155 S. Orange St., Escondido

Phone: (760) 294-4450

Online: sunnysidekitchencom.ipage.com/

Sunny Sides married co-owners Kathy and Bob Carpenter say the list published on the Yelp blog Jan. 17 caught them completely by surprise and has already doubled their business.

When we read the blog we thought oh my God, this is huge, Kathy said. Were very proud of our five-star rating but we had no idea they did this kind of list. It came as a big shock.

Besides a boom in business, she said the restaurant has been getting lots of media attention and has attracted the attention of Yelp fans from as far away as Los Angeles. Most diners who find the restaurant via Yelp are travelers and newcomers, so the list has brought in a lot of new customers.

This is the fourth year Yelp has done a top 100 list and the first where the rules were changed to spotlight up-and-coming and newer restaurants, rather than major chain and famous restaurants that have amassed thousands of 5-star reviews since Yelp started in 2004. As a result, this years top 3 finishers this year were newer small-town delis and bistros in Texas, Florida and Virginia.

Carpenter said she believes the reason for all the 5-star reviews at Sunny Side Kitchen is its mostly home-made menu with virtually everything cooked and prepared in-house, including soups, roasted chicken, dressings, sauces and baked goods, which are custom-prepared to order.

Our menus small but we tailor it for whatever the customer wants when they walk through the door, she said. I get upset if people arent happy.

Sunny Side Kitchens head baker and chef Kathy Carpenter hands out a menu during a busy lunch service on Wednesday. (Hayne Palmour IV / San Diego Union-Tribune)

The Carpenters, who married in 2010, both came from a background of journalism. He wrote for car and truck enthusiast magazines and she was a newspaper food and features editor before moving into public relations. When she was laid off from her job in 2011, she decided to pursue a lifelong dream of working in the hospitality field.

My Mom is a gracious hostess and a very good cook and Ive always admired her ability to feed people and make them feel comfortable, she said. I just loved food and always wanted to be the perfect hostess as well, so I decided to start small with the cookies I love eating and making for other people.

Five years ago, the couple rented a booth selling bite-size cookies at the farmers market near the Sikes Adobe in south Escondido. When the markets sandwich maker left, the Carpenters added sandwiches to their product line. Then they added fresh-squeezed lemonade to wash everything down.

Its been an organic growth process that served us well by bringing people along little by little, she said.

Eventually their customer base grew large enough that they were able to open their restaurant in March 2015 at 155 S. Orange St. in Escondido. It seats 21 inside and 12 on the sidewalk.

Sunny Side serves breakfast and lunch only. The bulk of its weekday business is lunch deliveries to businesses in the downtown area. Their signature items are their mini cookies and the Tuscan panini made with roast chicken, fresh spinach, sun-dried tomatoes and four types of cheese.

Kathy is the baker and head chef and Bob oversees the business and order management. Their next goal is to begin offering a special-menu dinner service two to three night a month. The couple  who have four children and one grandchild between them  work side by side in the restaurant every day, because they want to ensure the 5-star reviews keep rolling in.

Its truly a mom and pop business, she said. I feel like its my responsibility to be there and feel connected to my customers. I want them to be happy and Bob feels the same way.

pam.kragen@sduniontribune.com
Agnieszka Holland asked for just one minute of everyones time. With that, the never-ending conversation at the Venice Film Festival stopped. There was no cinema, no divas, no glamour. Suddenly, silence reigned for 60 seconds, and then everyone went back to their own business. But it was no longer the same. The veteran Polish director had forced everyone to look, to think, with her gesture at a press conference on Tuesday and, especially, with her film Green Border, a powerful portrait of the ignominy at the border between Belarus and Poland. There, one government intentionally lets migrants cross, while the other sends them back. And so it goes, back and forth, like a twisted game of human pinochle. There is a nuance to the situation: on one side of the border, there is a dictator; on the other, there is the theoretically beloved, peaceful and welcoming European Union.

Thats where Seydou, the main character in Matteo Garrones Io Capitano, wants to go. He journeys from Senegal to Sicily in pursuit of a better life. Between the two films, the Mostra competition looked beyond its bubble for a while. And it challenged Brussels, Rome and Warsaw, where xenophobic governments rule and boast of their anti-immigration policies. But the magic of cinema was not forgotten, for its what helps Hollands film shine, making it destined to leave its mark; it isnt quite as present in the journey featured in the Italian film; and its what sinks the days third feature. In terms of subject matter, Ava DuVernays Origin could well be added to the days reflection on racism, caste and discrimination. In terms of film quality, however, it is light years away. Whats more, its preachiness  even in favor of such a just cause  is unbearable.

The comparison was painful, because Green Border shows the eternal validity of a formula that is rarely in fashion today: a difficult subject deserves an equally complex approach. No matter how infuriating the issue, the best way to do it justice is grappling with the topics many nuances, which there always are. The mistreated Syrians and Afghans, the border guards, the activists, the citizens. Holland does not avoid looking at death and barbed wire; she is clear about the fact that there are executioners and victims. But she also attempts to observe everything going on, even at the cost of losing some depth in some characters. The only ones missing are politicians, which says it all.

Agnieszka Holland (center) with two of the actors from her movie 'Green Border' on Tuesday at its gala premiere at the Venice Film Festival. ETTORE FERRARI (EFE)

Io Capitano takes on the stimulating perspective of a boy in pursuit of a dream. Its the viewpoint of Kouassi Pli, the flesh-and-blood inspiration for the script, who sat next to Garrone at the press conference. Its been 15 years since my cousin and I left to reach Europe, no matter what it took. We know its a deadly journey, he said. Today, he is 40. And he knows enough Italian to use the very Neapolitan term cazzimma (a mixture of courage, determination and mischievous cunning). Thanks to that, Holland made it to his new home. But he was a young man with another home, and a family that he, like thousands of others, left behind on his way to the unknown. In Europe today, many call such people a danger. In Poland, people see [Belarusian dictator] Lukashenkos weapons in them, where there are only people left in limbo.

The migrant crisis will shape Europes future. Its leaders are not stupid, they know it will continue to grow, and the methods that they are using to address the emergency are ineffective. They know that building walls, paying African or Asian tyrants to keep refugees in their territories will not solve the problem. The challenge is deciding what to do. If we continue as we are now, the EU will become like a fortress where we will kill people who try to enter, Holland told the press. The director was praised by Europes denunciations, and Europe returned the attack. Even against her own listeners, she decried the inaction, the medias polarization and the fact that our societies  so reluctant to change and leave their comfort zones  offer fertile ground for populist discourse. Meanwhile, time goes by, the sand in the hourglass keeps dwindling and the drama continues.

The message October, 2021 at the beginning of Green Border makes it clear that the story it is telling could have happened yesterday. Or even today: a message at the end of the film reiterates that there are still hidden refugees, or even dead bodies, on that border, even as the viewer is reading those lines. Its not so far from Ukraine, which Russia invaded. Here is another point of contact among these three films at the festival: what they show on film is also projected every day in our reality. Some will lose their lives here, not because Europe cannot help them, but because it has chosen not to, concluded the statement Holland read out. In the meantime, Brussels could well finance a screening of the film in every school on the continent. That would at least be doing something.

Matteo Garrone (center) with actors Seydou Sarr and Moustapha Fall before the premiere of 'Io Capitano' at the Venice Film Festival. GUGLIELMO MANGIAPANE (REUTERS)

Garrone also decided to act. Europe sometimes receives migrants, sometimes rejects them, but it always awaits, as a point of arrival. The filmmaker grabbed his camera and equipment and went to film the point of departure. For decades we have been seeing boats arriving in the Mediterranean; sometimes they are saved, sometimes not. Over time, we think of them as numbers and lose sight of the fact that there is a whole world and so many desires behind them. The idea is to put the camera on the opposite side, to offer the counter-perspective, he said. The film works, but only halfway: the main character seems as credible as his journey. The films focus never loses sight of Seydou and his perspective: road movie, tragedy, magical realism. The odyssey is very similar to that of Ulysses.

However, the movie hardly surprises or thrills; its well-filmed and commendable but ultimately predictable. Traveling across so many countries, the boy crosses deserts and encounters monsters, as well as salvific souls. The director believes that the feature film has elements of his Gomorrah or Pinocchio. He feels that only one adjective defines the adventure that so many migrants dare to face: Epic. Garrone adds that there is a deep injustice on a higher ethical plane in the fact that many of these kids have no answer as to why their contemporaries go to their countries on vacation, but to make the reverse journey, they must face dangers, barges and often death, he added.

A still from Matteo Garrone's 'Io Capitano'.

The filmmaker chose to limit himself to suggesting questions. Holland insisted that she does not have the answer. It is up to the viewer, then, to extend the discussion. Origin, however, opts to give it to the audience already resolved. And it seeks to prompt outrage to such an extent that it ends up doing so for the wrong reason: namely, its condescension toward the audience. It is true that the film discusses complex issues: it follows journalist Isabel Wilkerson, the first African American journalist to win a Pulitzer Prize, as she develops the theory that leads to her bestselling book Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents. Wilkerson argues that the beginning of discrimination against blacks can be found in caste rather than racism, Nazi Germany and the Dalits (the lowest caste in Indian society).

All of this is, a priori, fascinating, but it comes from the book. The film concentrates its efforts on pre-chewing its message, lest someone choke on it. I dont write questions, I write answers, says the protagonist. The film devotes its last half hour to a statement on all these evils and how to overcome them. Once again, Hollywood teaches us how to save the world. Presumably, it expects applause and thanks in return. Perhaps the only good news is that now, at least, the main players are no longer the same old powerful white men. We will have to be satisfied with that.

Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition
Lifeboat doesnt usually appear on the list of Alfred Hitchcocks best-known films, although, when it was released in 1944, it sure gave people a lot to talk about. The movie caused a scandal when critics and viewers detected an uncomfortable subtext in its story, which starred nine survivors of a shipwreck in the middle of the ocean. Among them was a German with superhuman traits, which generated anger and misunderstanding in the context of World War II (1939-1945). Now, a French-language documentary titled Le Film Pro-Nazi dHitchcock  premiered on September 8 at the Venice Film Festival  delves into the British directors cursed film, investigating this forgotten controversy.

At the beginning of the 1940s, Hitchcock had just succeeded with his first American film  Rebecca  and had shot two films with the war as a backdrop: Special Agent and Sabotage. He had become popular in Hollywood. Following his much-praised film adaptation of John Steinbecks The Grapes of Wrath, Hitchcock had the idea of asking the author to write him an original script with a war theme. This would become the movie Lifeboat.

Steinbeck created an allegory starring eight American and British characters from different social backgrounds. The lead  a capricious reporter  was played by Tallullah Bankhead, who took on the role after a decade away from cinema. The other protagonists included a communist worker, a Black butler, an insufferable businessman and a mother who went mad after the death of her baby, who was still in her arms when she got into the lifeboat.

The cast eventually rescues the captain of a Nazi submarine (the same one that sank their ship). They have no choice but to rely on their survival instincts, as none of them know how to navigate. It was the portrait of the German captain, Willy  who was capable of using a compass, amputating a leg and rowing for days without ever getting tired  that bothered the public. For many, he embodied the physical superiority of the German people.

An image of the British director from his show, 'Alfred Hitchcock Presents,' which ran on American TV from 1955 to 1965. Les Films de la Plage

The first to protest was Steinbeck, who had written the story, although not because of the sticky Nazi question (in 1942, the writer had been criticized for excessively humanizing the Germans in his novel, The Moon Is Down). While he said that that film was excellent, he took issue with Hitchcocks portrayals of the communist and African-American characters. The novelist detested the on-screen caricatures of these men, which, he vowed, didnt do justice to what he had written.

A generally positive review in The New York Times was among the first to evoke the pro-Nazi subtext. Clearly, [the film] doesnt intend to elevate the ideal of a superman but we suspect that the Nazis, with a few edits, could turn Lifeboat into a whiplash against decadent democracies, wrote the highly respected film critic Bosley Crowther. Its questionable whether such a picture, with such a theme, is judicious at this time.

Shortly thereafter, Dorothy Thompson  perhaps the most influential American journalist of her day  called for the screening of the film to be suspended, going so far as to call on the FBI to ban it. 20th Century Fox  concerned about the protest letters it kept receiving  decided to limit the number of screenings in the United States and reduce the promotional campaign to a minimum. However, this didnt prevent Lifeboat from getting three Oscar nominations, including one for Hitchcock as director and one for Steinbeck as screenwriter.

By then, the author of East of Eden and Of Mice and Men had unsuccessfully asked Fox to withdraw his name from the project.

The recently-premiered documentary by Daphne Baiwir, a 31-year-old Belgian director, refutes the pro-Nazi reading of Lifeboat, but also explains why such an interpretation isnt completely unreasonable. Hitchcock didnt want to make a pro-German film, but we can understand the criticism. Perhaps he didnt know how to defend himself forcefully enough, which ended up causing a kind of snowball effect against the film, Baiwir opines. In reality, his desire wasnt to exhibit his (non-existent) Nazi allegiances, but to issue a warning to the allies.

At that time, there were two forces facing each other: the democracies and the Nazis. While the democracies were totally disorganized, all Germans were moving in the same direction, Hitchcock explained in his book of interviews with Francois Truffaut, published in 1966. The intention was to say that these democracies should put aside their differences and join forces to focus on the common enemy.

In reality, this German captain in Lifeboat isnt exactly a model of virtue. He lies to his companions, denies them their water supplies, and changes course to sneakily inch them towards another Nazi ship. He also consumes vitamins so that he can row tirelessly, while the others are exhausted. It would have been better if Hitchcock had made it clear that, in reality, the vitamins were drugs, but the censorship of the time wouldnt have allowed it, Baiwir notes. The providential man who appears at the beginning of the film is revealed to be an impostor: the Nazi is actually on steroids. The eight characters will end up sacrificing him  in a terrible scene that Hitchcock filmed from afar  with his executioners turned away and behaving like a pack of hounds, as he admitted to Truffaut. The British director was trying to say that, to defeat the Nazis, the Allies would have to stain their hands with blood.

Caption: An image from the documentary 'Le film pro-nazi d'Hitchcock.' It shows a 1944 headline from an Australian newspaper that highlighted the controversy. Les Films de la Plage

Hitchcock defended himself poorly when he was accused  or not at all. He tiptoed over this thorny chapter of his career, so its not hard to deduce that it left a traumatic mark on him. Right after the film was released, Hitchcock agreed to shoot two propaganda shorts for the British Ministry of Information  Bon Voyage and Aventure Malgache  about the French Resistance. To film them, he returned to Europe, while the bombs were falling. I felt the need to contribute to the war effort I was too fat and old to do military service, he joked. I knew that, if I didnt do anything, I would always regret it.

In 1945, Hitchcock agreed to advise Sidney Bernstein  a childhood friend and future media mogul, who was then at the helm of British propaganda  during the editing of a documentary film about the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp, which used a handful of real footage. He advised using long, naturalistic shots to reinforce the feeling that these terrible images were real and not a cinematographic invention. Hitchcock declared that this esthetic would prevail in the postwar period, during the years of Italian neorealism.

A photograph from the filming of 'Lifeboat.' Les Films de la Plage

Despite its dismal reputation, Lifeboat is one of Hitchcocks most daring and challenging films: all the action takes place on the ship, without tricky flashbacks. The music is made conspicuous by its absence: the only soundtrack is the waves of the sea, the wind and the rain  a very unusual choice at that time. Additionally, Lifeboat also contains some themes that would go on to become classics in Hitchcocks cinema, such as the claustrophobia surrounding the cast, or the notion of seemingly-unbeatable villains, who the heroes end up defeating in the end. In fact, Lifeboat is also one of the best early examples of the survival subgenre, where privileged characters learn to survive and value whats important in life. We can think of a modern-day Lost.

Finally, the controversy surrounding Lifeboat heralds the censorship of works of art that, by the 1950s, would be imposed in the form of McCarthyism. During this era, when the Wisconsin senator held his infamous hearings, a film was only considered acceptable if it unambiguously exhibited its patriotism and moral virtue. A situation that, according to Baiwir, continues to this day:

In contemporary, mainstream American cinema, any project must have a positive message and avoid gray areas at all costs, the director affirms. Lifeboat is a precedent for the cancel culture that were witnessing today.

Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition
Statement of Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva on the successful resupply mission in the Ayungin Shoal

September 9, 2023

We laud the efforts of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine Coast Guard for a successful resupply mission in the Ayungin Shoal despite continuous harassment from China.

This is a clear indication that the Philippine government is firm on asserting its position that will protect our sovereignty and sovereign rights.

In the Senate, we have passed a resolution creating the Special Committee on Philippine Maritime and Admiralty Zones that will discuss Maritime Zone bills and the Archipelagic Sea Lanes bills which are included in the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028. These bills will strengthen our position in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

We have also filed Senate Bill No. 2307 or the Philippine Coast Guard Modernization Act to support the PCG in strengthening our maritime presence by modernizing their equipment and further capacitating our PCG personnel.

Ang usapin tungkol sa West Philippine Sea ay hindi lamang po tungkol sa ating pagmamay-ari. Ito po ay ang pagpapakita ng tapang ng bawat Pilipino na kaya nating manindigan para sa ating mga karapatan laban sa isang bully.

******

Here is the copy of Senate Bill No. 2307:

http://legacy.senate.gov.ph/lisdata/4210138293!.pdf
President Joe Biden opened his visit to India on Friday by meeting privately with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Indian leaders home in a session the White House said was marked by undeniable warmth and confidence in one another going into the annual Group of 20 summit where climate, economic security and more will dominate the weekends talks.

Biden spent 52 minutes with Modi after a lavish welcome ceremony at the airport, and Kurt Campbell, a Biden adviser on the Indo-Pacific, told reporters afterward that warm sentiments have replaced a sense of distrust and uncertainty that previously defined relations between the two countries.

What I have seen grown over time is an undeniable warmth and confidence between the two leaders, Campbell said.

Another adviser, Eileen Laubacher, senior director for South Asia at the White House National Security Council, added that Biden and Modi were so comfortable discussing, really, the breadth of things that were trying to accomplish together.

A joint statement issued after the meeting reaffirmed U.S.-India partnerships on several fronts, especially with regard to computer chips, telecommunications, higher education, access to shipping lanes in the Indo-Pacific and the reduction of carbon emissions that contribute to climate change. Biden also congratulated Modi on Indias recent moon landing.

While India was disappointed that Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin declined to attend the G20, those absences could give Biden the space to further stitch together U.S. and India ties.

There are undeniable opportunities here for the United States, Campbell said. We fully intend to strengthen and deepen our relationship. We leave it to China, in particular, to discuss and explain why theyre not here.

Campbell also suggested that a major infrastructure and communications project to connect India with the Middle East and Europe will be announced soon.

But when asked if Biden pushed Modi on press access and broader democratic issues in India, Campbell said Biden tries to be clear about issues critical to the health of democracy. Still, Campbell declined to get into specifics, saying the president has determined that he wants to conduct that dialogue in a dignified, respectful way.

The U.S. president received a Bollywood-style greeting after Air Force One landed, with dancers in flowing purple outfits gyrating to pop music.

Having feted Modi with a state visit to Washington in June, Biden is banking on the idea that successful diplomacy depends on personal connections. But its a relationship largely being explored in private. White House reporters traveling with Biden were denied access to the leaders meeting. Indian state media shared visuals of the meeting on social media.

Biden and Modi have had more than a dozen in-person or virtual engagements since 2021 as both look to tighten the U.S.-India partnership amid shared major concerns. Those include an increasingly assertive China and monumental challenges posed by climate change, artificial intelligence, global supply chain resilience and other issues.

Modi has heavily branded the summit as his own. The prime minister has his image posted along the highway from the airport, greeting G20 delegates with quotes about climate change, innovation, and Indias unique role as an advocate for developing countries. As a result, Biden was something of a houseguest when he met his Indian counterpart.

Modi held the meeting at his residence, so it is unusual in that respect, White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan told reporters Thursday aboard Air Force One.

Biden, a center-left Democrat, and Modi, a conservative Hindu nationalist, are hardly ideological soulmates. Yet, both leaders are increasingly drawn together by Chinas military and economic maneuverings in the Indo-Pacific.

India late last month lodged an objection through diplomatic channels with Beijing over Chinas new standard map that lays claim to Indias territory along their shared border.

The version of the Chinese map published by the Ministry of Natural Resources website shows Arunachal Pradesh and the Doklam Plateau  over which the two sides have feuded  included within Chinese borders, along with Aksai Chin in the western section that China controls but India still claims. The Philippines and Malaysia have also lodged protests over the new Chinese map.

The map was released just days after Modi and Jinping met on the sidelines of a summit of the BRICS bloc of developing economies  Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa  and agreed to work to de-escalate tensions at their disputed border.

The administration was eager to build on the momentum from Modis June state visit, which included announcements on climate, health care and space as well as some major private sector projects.

The two sides set the groundwork for U.S.-based General Electric to partner with India-based Hindustan Aeronautics to produce jet engines for Indian aircraft in India and the sale of U.S.-made armed MQ-9B SeaGuardian drones. U.S.-based Micron Technology agreed to build a $2.75 billion semiconductor assembly and test facility in India, with Micron spending more than $800 million and India financing the rest. The administration also plans to discuss civil nuclear issues.

The White House has sought to play down Biden and Modis differences over Russias war in Ukraine. India abstained from voting on U.N. resolutions condemning Russia and refused to join the global coalition against Russia. Since the start of the war, the Modi government has dramatically increased its purchase of Russian oil.

Bidens effort to pull India closer has been shadowed by concerns from activists and some American lawmakers about Indias human rights record under Modi.

The prime minister has faced criticism over legislation amending the countrys citizenship law that fast-tracks naturalization for some migrants but excludes Muslims, over a rise in violence against Muslims and other religious minorities by Hindu nationalists, and the recent conviction of Indias top opposition leader, Rahul Gandhi, for mocking Modis surname.

India also ranks 161st out of 180 countries in this years Press Freedom Index published by Reporters Without Borders.

Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition
Marilin Vinent holds up a photo of her son dressed in military fatigues, on Sept. 8, 2023. Vinent said that her son traveled in July to Russia after being promised work in a construction job, but that he was one of the Cubans recruited to fight in the war.

Cuban authorities have arrested 17 people in connection with what they described as a network to recruit Cuban nationals to fight for Russia in Ukraine. The head of criminal investigations for Cubas Interior Ministry, Cesar Rodriguez, said late Thursday on state media that at least three of the 17 arrested are part of recruitment efforts inside the island country.

He did not identify the alleged members of the network but said they had previous criminal records. Some families started speaking up about the case on Friday, and at least one mother said that her son was promised a job in construction in Russia.

Cubas Foreign Ministry said on Monday that the government had detected a network operating from Russia to recruit Cuban citizens living both in Russia and in Cuba to fight in Ukraine. It said authorities were working to neutralize and dismantle the network but gave no details. Cuba is not part of the war in Ukraine, the Foreign Ministry said in a news release.

Cuba and Russia are political allies, and Cubans do not require a visa to travel to Russia. Many go there to study or to work.

In May 2023, a newspaper in the Russian region of Ryazan, about 100 miles (62 kilometers) southeast of Moscow, reported from a military enlistment office there that several citizens of the Cuba Republic signed up to join the army. The Ryazanskiye Vedomosti newspaper quoted some Cubans as saying they were there to help Russia complete tasks in the special military operation zone. It also said, some of them in the future would like to become Russian citizens.

In Havana, prosecutor Jose Luis Reyes told state TV that suspects are being investigated for crimes, including being a mercenary or recruiting mercenaries, and could face sentences of up to 30 years or life in prison, or even the death penalty.

Marilin Vinent, 60, said Friday that her son Dannys Castillo, 27, is one of the Cubans recruited in Russia.

At her home in Havana, she said her son and other Cubans traveled at the end of July to Russia after being promised work in a construction job. They were all deceived, she said.

Vinent showed reporters photos of her son in her cellphone, including some of him dressed in military fatigues.

She said that her son told her he had accepted the offer to go to Russia because he wanted to economically help the family, as the island is suffering an economic crisis, with people facing shortages of some products.

I dont know if my son is alive. We dont know anything, she said. What I would like is to talk to him.

Russian law allows foreign nationals to enlist in its army, after signing a contract with the Defense Ministry. Since September 2022, foreigners who have served in the Russian army for at least one year are allowed to apply for Russian citizenship in a simplified procedure, without obtaining a residency permit first.

Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said earlier in September that the city was setting up infrastructure to assist the Russian Defense Ministry in facilitating the enlistment of foreign nationals in the capitals main government office for migrants.

Last month, Russian media reported cases of authorities refusing to accept citizenship applications from Tajik nationals until they sign a contract with the Defense Ministry and enlist in the army. And in an online statement last week, the British Defense Ministry said there are at least six million migrants from Central Asia in Russia, which the Kremlin likely sees as potential recruits.

On X, a social media platform previously known as Twitter, the ministry said that exploiting foreign nationals allows the Kremlin to acquire additional personnel for its war effort in the face of mounting casualties.

It also noted that there have been online adds seeking recruits for the Russian army in Armenia and Kazakhstan.

Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition
When diagnosing patients with alcohol use disorder (AUD), a physician usually asks about the persons drinking habits, performs a physical examination, orders laboratory tests and may refer them for a psychological examination. In Spain, 20,000 people were diagnosed with AUD in 2020, according to a Ministry of Health report last year. Often, patients face an overworked healthcare system that lacks the necessary resources for comprehensive neuropsychological monitoring, says Laura Orio, a senior researcher at the Hospital 12 de Octubres I+12 Foundation in Madrid, Spain. The scientist is leading a research project that has discovered a biomarker that, through a blood test, can detect cognitive deterioration in those suffering from this disease.

The team observed that patients with lower cognitive levels also had higher levels of reelin, a protein found in the brain that helps its formation in early stages and its proper function and protects the brain when it suffers damage. We were very surprised. In the scientific community, it is understood to be a good protein, Orio explains. The scientists also found that people with the highest reelin levels also had another protein, called apolipoprotein E-4 (APOE-4), which is produced by a genetic mutation and only present in a very small percentage of the population. APOE-4 promotes alcohols toxic effects in those who have it, says Berta Escudero, the studys other lead author, a psychologist and a researcher at the I+12 Foundation.

The study included a sample of 24 patients who had been diagnosed with AUD and were in the early abstinence period (four weeks without drinking) and a control group of 34 people. They assessed the subjects cognition using a screening test for alcoholism-related cognitive impairment. The test evaluates visuospatial skills (object representation), memory and executive function (everything related to attention, concentration and decision-making). Those with the worst results also had the highest levels of reelin. The studys findings were published last June in the International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology.

When patients enter a detoxification program, they are given pharmacological treatment and group therapies. The former focuses on alleviating withdrawal syndrome, although there are also abuse-deterrent drugs that instead seek to reduce the desire to consume [alcohol], explains Francisco Pascual, the president of Socidrogalcohol, a non-profit scientific organization dedicated to treating and preventing addictions.

The researchers found that both cognitive deterioration and reelin levels had been reduced in the worse-off patients after six months of abstinence. It is still too early to speak of causality, but it is possible to do so in relational terms, says the psychologist.

One of Orios hypotheses is that this protein appears with alcohol withdrawal as a response mechanism and then gradually decreases. The body tries to produce more of [the protein] to increase the probability of it having a protective effect, Escudero explains. That is why it is important to measure [reelin] during the first weeks of abstinence; it serves as a biomarker.

Each persons reelin levels also depend on other factors, such as the length of time the patient has been drinking and the amount consumed. Persistent alcohol use causes inflammation, and the attendant changes in the brain, to spread over time and can lead to lesions in the brain structure, says Javier Carmina, the spokesman for the Spanish Society of Neurology (SEN), which is not involved in the research.

Alcohol use disorder is linked to cancer, type 2 diabetes, liver disease and heart disease, but it can also damage mental health and lead to cognitive impairment and diseases like dementia. In addition to all these effects, it also causes social and occupational problems for those who suffer from the condition. However, the problem is underdiagnosed because society does not recognize that alcohol consumption causes diseases beyond addiction, laments Pascual, of Socidrogalcohol, who did not participate in this research project. It is part of our traditions [and] our innermost being, we celebrate everything with alcoholic beverages.

Patients who consume alcohol and have cognitive dysfunction should seek help because it can be improved

Cognitive rehabilitation treatment specifically trains executive function and short-term memory, which are necessary in most day-to-day activities, Carmina explains. Once alcohol consumption is discontinued, several areas tend to improve, especially attentional functions, at the beginning. According to the neurologist, patients recovery of cognition depends heavily on how much alcohol they have consumed during their addiction.

The project is ongoing. Orio says that they are monitoring the patients long-term to find out the mechanism that links reelin and cognitive impairment due to alcohol use disorder. They are also continuing to search for new biomarkers that can serve as indicators.

All four experts agree that this finding can make an important difference for patients. Identifying people with cognitive impairment would make it easier to refer them directly to a cognitive stimulation program; instead of their cognition worsening, it could be maintained or even improved, says Escudero. Carmina concludes: Patients who consume alcohol and have cognitive dysfunction should ask for help because it can be improved.

Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  Nearly 40 years after two boys trouncing through a patch of woods in suburban New Jersey discovered the body of a newborn baby, authorities announced the girls mother has been arrested in the case.

At a press conference held Thursday by Morris County Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll, authorities said the woman charged, now 57 years old, was arrested in April in South Carolina and charged in a juvenile delinquency complaint with one count of manslaughter, NJ.com reported.

She was 17 years old and a resident of Morris County at the time of the death, authorities said.

Carroll said the mother, whose name was being withheld because shes being charged as a minor, was being monitored but not yet detained Thursday in connection with the homicide. At the time of the incident, as news spread throughout the community of the tragic discovery, the girl came to be known as Baby Mary.

If found guilty, she could face up to three years prison. A possible motive or reason for abandoning the child was not discussed by authorities, the outlet reported.

The girls body was found in a wooded area of Mendham Township on Christmas Eve. Her umbilical cord was still attached and she was wrapped inside a towel inside of a plastic bag, authorities said. She was believed to be alive when she was abandoned.

Carroll said DNA of the alleged victim taken at the time of her discovery was later matched to her father, who has since died and is not believed to have known about the baby. But that hundreds if not thousands of leads, ultimately led investigators to the mother.

At a press conference this week, Sheriff James Gannon pleaded with young parents who might find themselves in similar situations today, Gothamist reported.

I want young parents to know that there is help available, Gannon said, pointing to the Safe Haven Protection Act that was passed in 2000, 16 years after Baby Marys discovery.

The law allows parents or their representatives to anonymously surrender a newborn baby at any hospital emergency room, police station, fire station, ambulance, first aid, or rescue squads that are staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week, he said. If the baby appears to be 30 days old or less, and free of any abuse or neglect, the baby will be accepted with no questions asked. This is about no shame, no blame, no names.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  Months prior to a mans arrest in the stabbing death of his 63-year-old neighbor inside their Mariners Harbor apartment building, the defendant was accused of assaulting a school bus driver in Brooklyn, court records show.

Enrique Scott, 47, of 35 Holland Ave., was arraigned Friday in Criminal Court on charges of second-degree murder in connection with what police described as as a gruesome discovery Aug. 27 by security staff at the building. A source previously noted that the body of the victim, Anthony Williams, was found decomposing inside his apartment.

Prosecutors stated to the court Friday that the defendant made the following statements following his arrest:

I had an altercation with him and went to my apartment to get a knife. We were arguing and swinging at each other. He closed the door. I kicked it in and then some other s happened. I dont think I hit him with the knife. I put it in the sink.

The victim suffered stab wounds to the chest that punctured his stomach and heart, according to law enforcement officials.

Judge John McPadden ordered that Scott be remanded without bail, and adjourned the case to Sept. 13.

A woman who shares a child with the defendant attended the hearing Friday in support. Scotts attorney declined to comment at this point in the case.

A police car is parked outside a Holland Avenue apartment complex in Mariner Harbor as police investigate a homicide on Monday, Aug. 28, 2023. (Staten Island Advance/Jan Somma-Hammel).Jan Somma-Hammel

ALLEGED DISPUTES WITH BUS DRIVER, FAMILY

The defendant previously was arrested June 13 in Brooklyn in connection with a pair of misdemeanor assault cases, one that allegedly occurred that same day and the other a year prior, court records show.

One was a domestic situation and the other involved a confrontation with a school bus driver, a source with knowledge of the investigations said Friday.

After pleading not guilty to the charges in Brooklyn, Scott was released on his own recognizance June 14 by a criminal court judge in that borough.

Court records show at least one of the cases had been moved to the recently instituted Red Hook Community Justice Center in southwest Brooklyn.

Scott also pleaded guilty more than 20 years ago to a gun charge and has one failure to appear on his record, prosecutors said Friday at his arraignment.



RELATED CONTENT: Staten Island courts

>>Nearing completion of court-ordered program, Staten Island man now accused of car theft

>>Cache of firearms removed in raid lands Staten Island man behind bars

>>Staten Island man, 20, accused of attack that left woman with punctured lung

>>Guilty plea taken in burglary fracas after Staten Island woman missed court, struck door after appearance

>>Every parents worst nightmare  Staten Island man pleads to sex abuse of child

>>Source: Shooter, 19, sprayed bullets toward afternoon basketball game at Staten Island park. Arraigned Wednesday.

>>Staten Island home invasion will land defendant in prison. At least one other case ongoing.
After months of speculation, fans got confirmation that reality star and makeup maven Kylie Jenner, 26, and actor-heartthrob Timothee Chalamet, 27 are a couple, according to PEOPLE.

The reality TV star of Keeping Up with the Kardashions and the Oscar-nominated actor were spotted locking lips in a vieo posted by TMZ at Beyonces Renaissance World Tour on Sept. 5. They were first romantically linked in April 2023.

In Feb. 2022, Jenner announced on Instagram she gave birth to her second child, a son, Aire, with rapper Travis Scott, 32. The couple have a daughter, Stormi, 4.

According to Forbes, in 2019, Jenners net worth was estimated at $1 billion, making her the worlds youngest self-made billionaire.

She starred in the E! reality television series Keeping Up with the Kardashians from 2007 to 2021 and is the founder and owner of cosmetic company Kylie Cosmetics.

Chalamet, star of Lady Bird, Little Women and Call Me by Your Name, has a high-profile dating history of his own, having previously been linked to Madonnas daughter Lourdes Leon and actress Lily-Rose Depp.

Kylie Jenner arrives at The Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute Benefit Gala, celebrating the opening of "Manus x Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology" on Monday, May 2, 2016, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)Evan Agostini/Invision/AP

RELATIONSHIP TIMELINE OF TIMOTHEE CHALAMET AND KYLIE JENNER

The celebrity couple were first spotted in Paris during Fashion week in January 2023. Eagle-eyed fans noticed them interacting and rumors thus started to fly, per social media. In the video, the dreamy French actor can be seen flashing his famous smile and reaching for Jenners hand.

Kylie Jenner and Timothee Chalamet interacting during Paris Fashion Week in resurfaced video amid dating rumors. pic.twitter.com/kWc7Vlsd9z  Buzzing Pop (@BuzzingPop) April 8, 2023

In April 2023, the celebrity gossip account DeuxMoi first to reported an anonymous tip that Chalamet has a new girl and named Kylie Jenner. The buzz garnered more than one million views.

A source told PEOPLE that she was no longer with Scott, as of January 2023, and she had spent the holidays with her famous family. They have split several times in the past and this is probably not the end of their relationship, said the source.

Timothee Chalamet poses for photographers upon arrival at the BAFTA Film Awards, in London, Sunday, Feb. 18, 2018. (Photo by Vianney Le Caer/Invision/AP)Vianney Le Caer/Invision/AP

A month later, in May 2023, a source told PEOPLE that Jenner and Chalamet were seeing each other but it wasnt serious. Kylie enjoys dating, but her main focus is being a mom, the insider said, clarifying that their relationship is not serious.

Soon after, the Kylie Lip Kit founder and The King star were reportedly seeing each other on a weekly basis.

Kim Kardashian, left, and Kylie Jenner arrive at the 2022 Baby2Baby Gala on Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022, at the Pacific Design Center in West Hollywood, Calif. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP

In July 2023, Scott reportedly referenced Chalamet in his new song, Meltdown, mentioning the fictional chocolatier Willy Wonka, whom the actor portrays in the movie, Wonka.

The rapper then challenges Jenner to find another man as hot as him.

Chocolate AP and chocolate the Vs got the Willy Wonka factory (Vs)/ Burn a athlete like its calories, find another flame hot as me, bitch, he sings in the track off of his new album, Utopia.

Actor Timothee Chalamet attends the premiere of "Little Women" at the Museum of Modern Art on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2019, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)Evan Agostini/Invision/AP

In September 2023, TMZ spotted the couple at Beyonces concert, hanging out in the VIP section with Jenners sister, Kendall, Justin and Hailey Bieber, Adele, Zendaya, and Kim Kardashian.

The video shows Jenner and Chalamet kissing and hugging, their arms wrapped around each other, having an enjoyable time, surrounded by their celebrity family members and friends.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  Community Media of Staten Island (CMSI) has announced that it has created with Cablecast a new streaming platform for all four of its channels, plus an on-demand portal for community-created programming.

The industry has changed and we are evolving to meet the needs and demands of our community, said Jennifer Sammartino, executive director of CMSI.

A still-new partnership with Cablecast allows CMSI to not only broadcast to Spectrum and Verizon as they currently do on four channels, but also offers streaming and video-on-demand on a new website, communitymediasi.org, and via a new app.

The new CMSI app can be found by searching the Apple Store and Google Play for community media. To watch programming via the website, go to communitymediasi.org/watch.

The app is free and available on Google Play, App store, Apple TV, Amazon Firestick and Roku.

We are embarking on a new chapter of technology, said Maria Esposito, chairwoman of the CTV board of directors. We are thrilled today that we are able to share some remarkable updates to the studio that speak volumes to our growth.

We believe that it is extremely important to meet our audiences where they are, added Sammartino. In order to do that, we need to deliver content directly to our community in the way they are most comfortable, in addition to our existing Cable TV channels. For many Staten Islanders, that means via a handheld device like your phone or via smart TV.

CMSI has debuted a new streaming platform. Pictured are Jennifer Sammartino, left, executive director of Community Media of Staten Island (CMSI), Maria Esposito, chairwoman of the board of directors of CTV, and Borough President Vito Fossella. (Courtesy CMSI)

LIVE BROADCASTS NOW AVAILABLE, TOO

In addition to Cablecast, CMSI recently invested in LiveU, which allows CMSI staff to broadcast live from outside of the studio.

While we are not a news organization, there are certainly times where going to live from the field is an asset to the community, said Sammartino.

Borough President Vito Fossella praised the new expansion of CMSIs services.

I think its fair to say that today marks a whole new chapter in the storybook of community media for Staten Island, he said. I credit the leadership here for investing (in) it, making the decision and commitment to advance, if you will, in technology.

There is no reason why Staten Island cant be on the cutting edge of anything, including this technology and providing among other things live streaming from the field.

Fossella and Sammartino announced that this year  for the first time ever- the annual 9/11 Memorial Ceremony at Postcards will be broadcast live on channels 34 and 37/1997.

We know there are plenty of Staten Islanders that would like to participate in the ceremony who are not able to physically get to the site, Sammartino said. By going live from the event, these folks can be a part of this very special memorial and it is my most sincere hope that it brings them comfort.

In addition to the live broadcast of Postcards, it will also air on Tuesday, Sept. 12 at 7 p.m. on channel 34.

The 911 ceremony will be the first (live event), and how fitting, said Fossella. The community of Staten Island came together to help those who needed help at that dire time. Fortunately, here we are 22 years later, and the community of Staten Island still stands with those 911 families and victims.

That community spirit cannot go away. I think by integrating these new technologies, new platforms and new ways of delivering information we can bring Staten Island even closer.

ABOUT COMMUNITY MEDIA OF STATEN ISLAND

Staten Island Community Television (SICTV) was founded in 1983 as a result of a franchise agreement between the city of New York and Staten Island Cable (now Spectrum). Permanently opened in 1988, SICTV is organized as a not-for-profit corporation under IRS Code 501C3 and currently has a board of directors appointed by the borough president of Staten Island. Channels provide local programming created by the wide variety of individuals, groups and organizations within a community.

In 2023, the name was changed to CMSI. CMSI provides comprehensive television production training for eligible community members. Eligible members are defined as Staten Island residents or individuals affiliated with Staten Island-based not-for-profit organizations. Volunteers, who assume all responsibility for materials submitted for Cablecast, produce programming from start to finish. Access to channel space is on a first-come, first-served basis. Equipment and channel usage is free of charge to eligible community members.

Interested in making your own content? Give them a call at (718) 727-1414, or visit sictv.org.
A traffic stop on an Alabama interstate led to the seizure of 7 kilograms of cocaine found hidden inside a cooler.

The 17th Judicial Circuit Drug Task Force  which covers multiple west Alabama counties  made the bust Wednesday night.

Task force Commander Clint Sumlin said investigators stopped a 2019 GMC Terrain on Interstate 20/59 near the Eutaw exit for a traffic violation.

They learned the 36-year-old driver was traveling from Roma, Texas, to New York.

He gave officers consent to search the SUV, where they found wrapped kilos hidden in the liner of an Igloo cooler. The 7 kilos, Sumlin said, have a combined wholesale value $210,000.

Rolando Garza was arrested on a charge of trafficking cocaine. He is being held in the Greene County Jail.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  New York State Assemblyman Sam Pirozzolo (R-Mid Island) will address members of Community Board 1 about the migrant crisis on Tuesday, Sept. 12, at 6:30 p.m. in Salem Church, 634 Clove Rd.

Also, during the meeting, David Mandel, a community liaison for Percent for Art, will introduce an artwork conceptual design presentation for the Mary Cali Dalton Recreation Center, located at 6 Victory Blvd., Tompkinsville. Artists Miguel Braceli and Risa Puno will present the designs for two public artworks being commissioned.

In addition, Michael Gertelman, a local businessman who plans to open a Staten Island weed delivery service in Port Richmond, will give an update.

Community Board 3

Community Board 3 will host several public meetings this week.

A virtual meeting of the Parks and Recreation and Environmental Committee will take place on Tuesday, Sept. 12, at 7 p.m. Members will hear from a representative from New Yorkers for Parks, a non-profit that aims to protect the citys parks. The representative will speak about the campaign to increase the Parks budget from .5% to 1%.

A Land Use Public Hearing will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 13, at 7 p.m. in the Community Board 3 conference room. At the meeting, several applications will be considered:

24 Ross Lane, Eltingville: It is proposed to legalize the one-family dwelling and obtain a certificate of occupancy. The existing building fronts only on Ross Lane, an existing open record street that is not duly placed on the official New York City map.

15, 23 and 29 Radigan Ave, Rossville: It is proposed to construct a two-story, two-family home on each of the lots. It will be located partially in the bed of a mapped, but unbuilt portion of Radigan Avenue.

15, 17, 19 Bedell St.,Pleasant Plains: This appeal application is filed after receipt of objection from the Staten Island borough commissioner denying approval to complete construction in accordance with zoning rules and regulations existing at the time of the foundation construction.

318 Seguine Ave., Ambulatory Surgery Center, Princes Bay The proposal is to enlarge an existing building to allow for an as-of-right development.

On Thursday, Sept. 14, there will be a 7 p.m. virtual meeting of the Community Alliance Committee. During the meeting, two New York State Liquor Authority applications for permits will be considered.

The businesses applying for the permits are Island Social Bar & Grill and Palermo Pizzeria & Restaurant.

Those wishing to attend virtual meetings must register by 9 a.m. on the day of the meeting at: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfoRtWdJIEHArsHcfpbqnJORNWRcfcjxYy21k5nLvAwh2OPFg/viewform

Community Board 2

Community Board 2 has no meetings planned this week.

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

All Community Board meetings and meetings of their committees are open to the public. They provide an excellent opportunity for residents to learn about happenings in their neighborhood and surrounding areas.

Below is more information about the Islands three Community Boards:

COMMUNITY BOARD 1

Arlington  Castleton Corners  Clifton  Concord  Elm Park  Fort Wadsworth  Graniteville  Grymes Hill  Livingston  Mariners Harbor  New Brighton  Port Richmond  Randall Manor  Rosebank  St. George  Shore Acres  Silver Lake  Stapleton  Sunnyside  Tompkinsville  West Brighton  Westerleigh.

The board chairman is Nicholas Siclari. The district manager is Joan Cusack. The telephone number is 718-981-6900.

COMMUNITY BOARD 2

Arrochar  Bloomfield  Bulls Head  Chelsea  Dongan Hills  Egbertville  Emerson Hill  Grant City  Grasmere  High Rock  Lighthouse Hill  Midland Beach  New Dorp  New Springville  Oakwood  Ocean Breeze  Old Town  Richmond  South Beach  Todt Hill  Travis.

The phone number is 718-568-3581. The fax number is 718-568-3595. The chairman is Fred Guinta. The district manager is Debra A. Derrico.

COMMUNITY BOARD 3

Annadale  Arden Heights  Bay Terrace  Charleston  Eltingville  Great Kills  Greenridge  Huguenot  New Dorp  Oakwood  Pleasant Plains  Princes Bay  Richmond Valley  Richmond  Rossville  Tottenville  Woodrow.

The office phone number is 718-356-7900. The board chairman is Frank Morano; the district manager is Charlene Wagner.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- While the U.S. has a respected public education system, a new report is highlighting the disparities in its funding, noting that financial resources are not distributed equally to towns and cities across all 50 states. And, according to the data, New York has some of the least equitable school districts in the nation.

In many states, more affluent school districts receive a greater amount of funding per student than poorer districts, with one estimate claiming that low-income districts are underfunded by around $6,700 per pupil, notes new research from personal finance website WalletHub.

And the sites research shows that the discrepancies between the rich and poor were exacerbated during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Low-income students suffered the greatest learning loss due to partial or total remote learning, WalletHubs report says. People in low-income districts are less likely to have the technological resources they need. Now, less fortunate students must struggle to make up the educational ground that they lost due to this lack of resources.

To find out where school funding is distributed most equitably on a local level, WalletHub scored 674 districts in New York based on two metrics: average household income and expenditures for public elementary and secondary schools per pupil. Heres a look at the top 10 most equitable school districts in the state:

1. Washingtonville Central School District

Expenditures per pupil: $23,594

Income by school district: $92,060

2. NYC Chancellors Office

Expenditures per pupil: $29,931

Income by school district: $70,663

3. New Rochelle City School District

Expenditures per pupil: $25,309

Income by school district: $87,159

4. Glen Cove City School District

Expenditures per pupil: $27,091

Income by school district: $81,693

5. William Floyd Union Free School District

Expenditures per pupil: $24,390

Income by school district: $87,741

6. Lake Placid Central School District

Expenditures per pupil: $29,251

Income by school district: $72,273

7. New Lebanon Central School District

Expenditures per pupil: $28,251

Income by school district: $78,333

8. Deruyter Central School District

Expenditures per pupil: $28,558

Income by school district: $74,276

9. East Ramapo Central School District (Spring Valley)

Expenditures per pupil: $30,802

Income by school district: $71,036

10. Beacon City School District

Expenditures per pupil: $24,654

Income by school district: $90,625




A suspect in a burglary in Shenandoah led police in pursuit overnight that ended on the Pennsylvania Turnpike.



Captain Bowman has charged Vazquez-Matos with felony burglary, felony criminal trespass, misdemeanor stalking, loitering and prowling at night, as well as careless and reckless driving. Additional charges are pending from the pursuit.



Jose Vazquez-Matos was arraigned early Wednesday morning by on-call Magisterial District Judge Dave Plachko, Port Carbon. He has been remanded to Schuylkill County Prison with bail set at $150,000 in cash.

According to court documents, on Tuesday, September 5, 2023, at approximately 10:30 PM, Shenandoah Police Captain Travis Bowman, accompanied by Patrolman Mindy Petrus, responded to a radio dispatch reporting a possible breaking and entering in progress on North Vine Street.This incident marked the second visit to the same address that evening for Captain Bowman. At around 9:30 PM, Captain Bowman had previously received a similar radio dispatch regarding an attempted break-in by Jose Vazquez-Matos, who had fled the scene before the police arrived.Upon returning to the scene, officers spoke with the caller, who identified Jose Vazquez-Matos, a 35-year-old resident of Trenton, NJ, as the person attempting to gain entry through a second-floor window. The caller, who resided in the house, expressed fear for herself and her family, describing Vazquez-Matos as relentless in his harassment. She revealed that Vazquez-Matos had previously broken a window in an attempt to enter her home.The caller explained that she had been in a relationship with Vazquez-Matos but had recently ended it. Despite the breakup, Vazquez-Matos continued to pursue her. She informed the police that Vazquez-Matos was operating a black Honda Civic with New Jersey registration, noting that the vehicle was missing its rear bumper and had a broken taillight.While patrolling the area in search of the described vehicle, Captain Bowman spotted the Honda Civic, driven by Vazquez-Matos, traveling eastbound in the 600 block of West Centre Street. Bowman activated his emergency lights and initiated a vehicle stop in the Boyers Markets parking lot at 600 West Centre Street.However, the vehicle only briefly stopped before speeding away at a high rate of speed. Vazquez-Matos ignored police orders, making a left turn onto South Vine Street and then a right turn onto West Centre Street. He continued east on West Centre Street at speeds exceeding 60 MPH, eventually reaching State Route 54.The pursuit continued onto State Route 54 into Mahanoy City, with Vazquez-Matos passing multiple vehicles in the oncoming westbound lane. As the vehicle left Mahanoy City, Captain Bowman lost visual contact with it on Vulcan Hill Road. Bowman decided to discontinue the pursuit and informed radio dispatch of the possible direction of travel.Approximately 15 minutes later, the West Penn Township police attempted to stop Vazquez-Matos's vehicle, initiating another pursuit when he refused to yield. The pursuit continued until the Pennsylvania State Police at Fogelsville joined the pursuit traveling down Route 309, to Route 100, to Interstate 78. State police eventually took Vazquez-Matos into custody after executing a pit maneuver on the Pennsylvania Turnpike. The pursuit was estimated at 50 miles long.
A patient prepares to take Mifepristone, the first medication in a medical abortion, at Alamo Women's Clinic in Carbondale, Illinois, on April 20, 2023.

The Supreme Court is being asked to reverse an appellate ruling that would cut off mail-order access to a drug used in the most common method of abortion in the United States. The case would be the first major abortion dispute decided by the Supreme Court since it overturned Roe v. Wade last year. That ruling has led to bans on abortion at all stages of pregnancy in 15 states, with some exceptions, and once cardiac activity can be detected, which is around six weeks, in two others.

In an appeal filed Friday, New York-based Danco Laboratories, the manufacturer of mifepristone, argued that federal judges should not second-guess the Food and Drug Administrations approval of the drug or the conditions under which it is dispensed. The Biden administration also was expected to file an appeal.

A federal appeals court ruling in August would revoke approval for sending the drug through the mail and would shorten, from the current 10 weeks to seven weeks, the time during which mifepristone can be used in pregnancy.

The justices previously intervened in the case in April to assure the availability of mifepristone while a challenge proceeds in the federal courts. The Supreme Court is widely expected to agree to hear the case and have the final word, probably by early summer 2024 and in the middle of presidential and congressional campaigns.

In urging the justices to reverse the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, lawyers for Danco wrote, For the women and teenage girls, health care providers, and States that depend on FDAs actions to ensure safe and effective reproductive health care is available, this case matters tremendously.

The appellate ruling left intact the FDAs 23-year-old approval of mifepristone. But it would reverse changes regulators made in 2016 and 2021 that eased some conditions for administering the drug.

When the high court voted in April to block any changes until a final decision, Justices Samuel Alito, the author of last years decision overturning Roe, and Clarence Thomas said they would have allowed some restrictions to take effect while appeals played out.

Women seeking to end their pregnancies in the first 10 weeks without more invasive surgical abortion can take mifepristone, along with a second drug, misoprostol. The pills are now used in more than half of all abortions in the U.S.

Misoprostol is also used to treat other medical conditions. Health care providers have said they could switch to misoprostol if mifepristone is no longer available or is too hard to obtain. Misoprostol is somewhat less effective in ending pregnancies.

The FDA has eased the terms of mifepristones use over the years, including allowing it to be sent through the mail in states that allow access and reducing the dosage that is needed to end a pregnancy.

Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition
Thank you for visiting the Daily Journal.

Please purchase an Enhanced Subscription to continue reading. To continue, please log in, or sign up for a new account.



We offer one free story view per month. If you register for an account, you will get two additional story views. After those three total views, we ask that you support us with a subscription.



A subscription to our digital content is so much more than just access to our valuable content. It means youre helping to support a local community institution that has, from its very start, supported the betterment of our society. Thank you very much!
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 Good evening, Im Helen Norville. And Im Dale Jennings. And youre watching News at Six. Its 1987 and the power couple at the centre of the ABC drama The Newsreader are riding high. Sam Reid and Anna Torv as Helen Norville and Dale Jennings in The Newsreader. Helen, played by Anna Torv, and Dale, played by Sam Reid, are now the established co-anchors, even though the networks CEO refers to them as the silver couple of news. But as their Melbourne newsroom boss Lindsay (a marvellous William McInnes) reminds them, sometimes youre the bronze couple and sometimes youre dangerously close to polished turd territory. But here is where it gets tricky. Even though Helen and Dales partnership has continued beyond the news desk, its complicated. (And here, dear reader, is where I remind you that spoilers follow, and if you havent watched the first season, go and do it now. Everyone else, carry on). Their relationship is complex, to say the least. Hes attracted to men just as much as hes attracted to Helen. I have these feelings, they wont go away, said Dale in the final episode of season one. But neither will my feelings for you.

Advertisement

It was a heartbreaking revelation that capped off an extraordinary season for The Newsreader, which managed to effortlessly rocket through the big news events of 1986  Challenger disaster, Halleys Comet, the Lindy Chamberlain case and the Chernobyl disaster among others  while juggling two ambitious and difficult characters without ever feeling weighed down. It was funny and serious, with a supporting cast whose stories never felt superfluous. It then scooped the 2021 AACTA Awards: best television drama series, best actress for Torv, best supporting actor for McInnes and best director for Emma Freeman, while Reid was nominated for best actor. The shows creator Michael Lucas also won an Australian Writers Guild Award and the Logies even chimed in with a most outstanding drama award. The News at Six crew (from left) William McInnes, Chum Ehelepola, John Leary, Anna Torv and Sam Reid. It was so lovely to be in something that people watched, says Reid over Zoom from his familys farm between Canberra and Cooma. We felt like a slightly different show and we werent sure how Australian audiences were going to react to it. So [the reaction] was lovely. Why was he not sure how Australian audiences would react? Were dealing with characters who are a bit more on the fringe, on the outside, says Reid. Its about people looking for acceptance, and having to mould themselves to fit into a sort of normalised culture, I suppose. And Helen and Dale, theyre kind of oddballs, but they find a sense of self and acceptance with each other. Along with Torv, Reid has been given clearance to promote The Newsreader during the ongoing strikes in the US, and they both stand in solidarity with SAG-AFTRA and WGA. Reid has been helping his dad with calving on the farm and cuts a much more relaxed figure than Dale, who permanently looks uncomfortable in his own skin.

Advertisement

I just like to lean into the most awkward parts of myself, says Reid. Its actually very cathartic because you know all those really uncomfortable, shame spirals that you go through at home after you go to a party and you speak to someone and say something stupid, and then you think about it? Thats the kind of stuff that I think about with Dale, hes just stuck in that space and that is a very restrictive space. Even Dales clothes are designed to make him feel uncomfortable, says Reid, with jackets that are slightly too big or pants just a bit too short. Dale is rarely sighted out of work clothes  the closest he gets is pyjamas, and even they have a collar. He is a shirt man, confirms Reid, laughing. He feels comfortable with a collar at all times. Sam Reid and Anna Torv as Dale and Helen. Their relationship is more about an acceptance of one another, says Torv. Season two of the six-part series picks up a year later, in July 1987, on the eve of the Hawke v Howard federal election. The bicentenary is looming, Charles and Diana are on their way, while the Hoddle Street massacre and the stockmarket crash are coming. The CEO Little Charlie (a gloriously slippery performance from a mustachioed Daniel Gillies) wants the news to be more entertaining and has enlisted an Irish comedian, Gerry, to join Helen and Dale on the desk on election night. That doesnt sit well with Helen or Dale, who is instructed to make sure Helen keeps a lid on her hissy fits. When I catch Torv on the phone, she has been filming in remote South Australia and is on her way to horse and cattle training at an outback station. Im just trying to find a park, she says. Sorry if Im a bit distracted. Torv is magnetic as the brittle and forthright Helen, whose brashness conceals a soft heart and fragile mental state. When Dale confesses he has feelings for men, Helens immediate reaction is to tell him she loves him just the way you are.

Advertisement

Theres a non-judgmental space between them, says Torv. And I think that its pretty rare to find somebody you have that connection or that feeling with. And thats what she feels in him, that theres an allowance to be herself. Does she think Helen is in denial about where her relationship with Dale can go? I think thats a tricky question, says Torv. Because its not what shes in denial of, its what you are willing to accept. And to accept things in another person, as opposed to accepting things in yourself, is a completely different thing. The Newsreader creator Michael Lucas as a DJ during his season one cameo. For his part, Reid sees their pairing as one grounded in a love for the job, just as much as their love for each other. Thats the most romantic thing between Helen and Dale, he says. There was this scene in season one in Darwin and he tries to have a date and hes trying to have this romantic moment and Helens wrapped up in work. And [Dale] says, You want to just do your work, dont you? and [Helens] like, Yeah. And hes like, OK. They get each other. Its like, I know that work is too important for you and Im not going to take that away from you. Its a very romantic thing.

Advertisement

For The Newsreaders creator Michael Lucas, who is an expert at relationship dramas, having been a producer and writer on the rom-com Offspring and the comedy-drama Five Bedrooms, it has been interesting watching how viewers react to Dale and Helens relationship. At the end of season one, when Dale did that whole big speech, I think a lot of people heard the first bit [of the speech] and in some ways saw it as a coming out, says Lucas. And that maybe, season two was going to be Dale just living a queer life. But the reality is that he said he had both instincts in him and then, how OK can Helen be with that. Lucas sees Helen and Dales relationship as being much more complex than a lavender marriage, the old-fashioned Hollywood term for a marriage of convenience that masked the sexuality of one or both partners. Rock Hudson is one of the most famous. He quickly married his agents secretary out of fear he was going to be outed by the tabloids. They really do love each other, says Lucas. They are genuine soulmates in a way, but theyve got all these complexities about them. And we never wanted it to fall into, Oh, its just a marriage of convenience or anything like that, Its a lot more complicated. And in television, Ive written a lot of relationshippy things and youre always looking to create these couples where they cant quite be together. But what I love about Helen and Dale is the things that make them great, and their inherent flaws, are just right there in their characters. We understand why they love each other, but we also understand why theyre never going to be able to quite be that perfect, golden couple of news. So what do they do? How do they negotiate it? Whos the loser? Whos the winner? And ultimately, you know, will it destroy them to try and commit to that?

Advertisement
Over 100 million years, the Maugean skate has evolved to live in the dark, tannin-rich waters of Macquarie Harbour, a fjord-like estuary on the remote west coast of Tasmania.

But this Gondwanan relic, dubbed the thylacine of the sea, is now on the brink of extinction. A federal conservation plan released this week found industrial fish farming and no changes to hydroelectric dam flows into Macquarie Harbour  the only place the species survives  will have a catastrophic effect on the skates dwindling population.

The Maugean skate is on the brink of extinction. Credit: Neville Barrett

Conservation groups are calling for Australias major supermarkets  Coles, Woolworths and Aldi  to halt the sale of farmed salmon from Macquarie Harbour to prevent the extinction of the endangered skate. Salmon aquaculture is the primary cause of reduced levels of dissolved oxygen in the harbour.

Woolworths, Coles and Aldi have an extinction on their hands  they are selling a product that is killing one of Australias rare and unique animals, said Alistair Allan, a marine campaigner at the Bob Brown Foundation.
An online marketplace designed to help struggling regional businesses during the Black Summer bushfires has been forced to shut down as financial pressures hit retailers and customers.

Four years after her social media campaign drew attention to businesses hit by fire, drought and flood, Buy from the Bush founder Grace Brennan confirmed the online marketplace would close on Wednesday.

Buy from the Bush founder Grace Brennan will close its online marketplace on Wednesday. Credit:

It just feels like the right thing to do. We launched the marketplace to leverage this enormous opportunity we had to connect city customers with bush business, said Brennan, from Warren in NSWs central west.

It feels like the life cycle of our campaign and our platform is asking us to move in a different direction now.
Indonesia has lifted its suspension of Australian live export cattle, declaring it safe from lumpy skin disease.

The country had stopped the importation from four Australian facilities in early August after its authorities found a small number of Australian cattle had been detected with the disease.

Indonesia suspended shipments from live cattle imports from four Australian facilities as a result of the presence of the highly contagious disease. Credit: Glenn Campbell

The disease, which causes blisters and reduces milk production, is transmitted by insect bites, is highly infectious and affects cattle and buffalo. It poses no risk to humans.

Federal Agriculture Minister Murray Watt said the lifted suspension meant the live cattle and buffalo export trade from Australia to Indonesia can resume.
When textile designer and academic Wajiha Pervez first experimented with artificial intelligence tool Midjourney just six months ago, she was unsure how useful it would be.

Now she is using it to generate fashion designs for her PhD at the University of Technology Sydney, while also teaching her students how to use AI in their work effectively.

Wajiha Pervez is a UTS PhD student and lecturer. She is using AI to complete her PHD Credit: Steven Siewert

I tell the bot what kind of look I want, how I want the fabric to drape off the body, what kind of textures and materials to use, and it gives me image results, Pervez said.

Less than one year after generative AI program ChatGPT burst onto the scene and sparked cheating and ethics concerns, university lecturers are increasingly embracing the tools and building their use into courses.
At 4am on Sunday morning, when most people were asleep and the citys street sweepers began their patrol, a 55-year-old French man stood at the base of the Sydney Opera House and took the first step of a 3865-kilometre mission to walk across Australia.

Serge Georgelin has set himself the goal of traversing the Australian continent in just 38 days, hoping to break a world record set by another French national, Patrick Malandin, a decade ago.

55-year-old Frenchman Serge Georgelin Credit: Flavio Brancaleone

Beating his countryman will involve running for 50 km in the morning (the equivalent of more than a marathon each day) before walking a further 51 km to reach his 101 km daily total over the next 38 days.

He expects to go through five pairs of shoes and lose five kilograms of body weight in the process.
Property developer Mirvac has won the bid to develop a landmark $2 to $3 billion commercial and residential precinct at the eastern gateway to Melbournes CBD.

But the design and timing of the controversial project known as Treasury Square remains in doubt due to post-pandemic economic conditions and the complexity of the site, including building above busy rail lines.

The Treasury Square site is located on the southern side of Flinders Street next to the rail corridor, and spans the area between Exhibition and Flinders streets, and Wellington Parade South. Credit: Joe Armao

In 2019, the state government triggered a race among developers, and an outcry from East Melbourne residents, when it announced its plan to sell vacant VicTrack land in the south-east corner of the city to help pay for transport projects.

An indicative design of the site, which was released to the market in 2020, showed three monolithic glass-clad towers of about 20 storeys.
KYODO NEWS - Sep 9, 2023 - 23:53 | All, Japan, World

Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi made an unannounced visit to Ukraine on Saturday, vowing to bolster support for the Eastern European nation's efforts to defend against the ongoing Russian invasion as well as its recovery.

It is the first Ukraine visit by Japan's top diplomat since Moscow launched the war in February 2022. All other Group of Seven member nations had sent their foreign ministers to Ukraine since the invasion, making Japan the last to do so.

Hayashi, who embarked on a trip to the Middle East and Poland last Sunday, held talks with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba in Kyiv and told him of Japan's plan to hold a conference to promote the economic reconstruction of Ukraine at the beginning of next year in Japan, the Foreign Ministry said.

Based on a joint declaration by the G-7 leaders in July pledging each nation will "work with Ukraine on specific, bilateral, long-term security commitments," Hayashi and Kuleba agreed to craft a document on bilateral cooperation.

Hayashi said at a joint press conference following the meeting with Kuleba that the ministry will launch a new section focusing on the promotion of Ukraine's economic recovery.

Kuleba, meanwhile, described Ukraine's relations with Japan as having reached an unprecedentedly high level.

Prior to their talks, the Japanese minister visited Bucha, a town on the outskirts of Kyiv where many civilians were killed under Russian occupation in the early days of the invasion, and paid tribute in front of a memorial for the victims at a church, the site of a mass grave.

Bucha has become the most potent symbol of Russian atrocities in the ongoing war.

Hayashi also held talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, with Zelenskyy expressing his appreciation for Japan's support for the war-ravaged country.

He also said Japan will provide Ukraine with Japanese crane trucks designed to remove unexploded munitions and promised support in preparations for the coming winter.

His trip comes after Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's surprise visit to Kyiv in March for talks with Zelenskyy ahead of the G-7 summit in Hiroshima in May.

At the meeting with Zelenskyy, Kishida promised $470 million in grant aid for the energy sector and a $30 million contribution for the supply of nonlethal equipment through a NATO fund and invited him to virtually join in the Hiroshima gathering.

Japan has pledged over $7.6 billion in total in support for Ukraine so far and has provided assistance in various areas, including the removal of landmines and infrastructure reconstruction.

Zelenskyy attended the G-7 summit in the western Japan city in person on its closing day, with the leaders of the major democracies there vowing to support Ukraine "for as long as it takes in the face of Russia's illegal war of aggression."

With the aim of encouraging the Japanese private sector to engage in Ukraine's reconstruction, e-commerce giant Rakuten Group Inc. Chairman and CEO Hiroshi Mikitani and other business leaders accompanied Hayashi to Ukraine, according to the sources.

Hayashi took the role of foreign minister in November 2021. Earlier this week, he toured Jordan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Poland to hold meetings with his counterparts and their leaders.

Related coverage:

Ukraine counterattacks against Russia effective: presidential adviser
Kurnai elder Aunty Cheryl Drayton is on a mission to make clear to her local community in the Victorian electorate of Monash that she will be voting No in the Voice referendum and that they should do the same.

Drayton is not affiliated with the No campaign, nor is she a member of a political party. But she is fiercely opposed to the Voice, unconvinced by the arguments of Yes advocates that it will empower grassroots communities when there is little detail about how it will operate.

Aunty Cherly Drayton plans to vote No in the Indigenous Voice to parliament referendum. Credit: Chris Hopkins

While theres no meat on the bone of how this is going to work, I cant see how any normal person with a brain could vote for it, Drayton, 71, said.

One person persuaded by Drayton is Monash MP Russell Broadbent. The veteran Liberal MP had long been an outspoken supporter of the Voice, and even contributed to a book published earlier this year in which he argued a rejection of the proposal would impoverish the country.
The news

Acting premier Steven Miles has dismissed the second poll in a month showing slipping support for his Labor government ahead of his bosss weekend return from an overseas break.

Asked about some recent media commentary his past two weeks of travel across the state and almost daily press conferences had been an audition for the top job, Miles said he was perplexed by the suggestion. Credit: Matt Dennien

The RedBridge Group survey placed the Labor share of Queenslanders primary voting intention at just 26 per cent, compared to 41 per cent for the LNP and 14 per cent for the Greens.

Speaking at a Woolloongabba press conference to mark the installation of the first of almost 100 escalators in new Cross River Rail stations, Miles said he was not too concerned.
Delhi: Prime Minister Anthony Albanese hailed the G20 summit for delivering what he described as the harshest international rebuke yet of Vladimir Putins war on Ukraine, even as the leaders declaration watered down its comments on the conflict and the statement drew praise from Moscow.

Speaking in New Delhi, Albanese said world leaders had issued an extraordinarily strong statement on the war, describing it as the strongest language yet to be agreed by the international community.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomes Anthony Albanese upon his arrival for the G20 Summit. Credit: AP

Russia has to have gotten the message that this is having a devastating impact and that the world wants this war to stop because of the impact on the people of Ukraine, but also because of the impact that its having on global inflation, on global economies, Albanese said.

But the G20s language was softer than last years statement in Bali, dropping a direct reference to the war against Ukraine and a paragraph that said most members strongly condemned the war in Ukraine.
WILEMSTAD:--- Last Friday, the candidates of the new Basic Coast Guard Training (BOK) 2023 entered Marinebase Parera after four intensive introductory weeks. The 21 aspirants from Aruba, Curacao, and Sint Maarten all share one goal, a promising career with the Coast Guard.

During the introductory weeks, the young recruits underwent four weeks of classroom lessons under the guidance of their instructors and experienced various orientation camps. During the camps, the aspirants marched for kilometers, swam extensively, cooked their own meals, built rafts, and completed amphibious exercises. Their final exercise for the introductory weeks began last Thursday evening. For the final exercise, the aspirants marched and paddled at sea, with Marinebase Parera as their destination on Friday morning. At the entrance of Marinebase Parera, the aspirants were warmly welcomed with loud applause by coastguards and other colleagues.

During the entrance ceremony, Coast Guard Director Walter Hansen gave a speech to the aspirants and their instructors. Your journey began on August 14th as 21 individuals. 10 candidates from Aruba, 6 from Curacao, and 5 from Sint Maarten. Now, 4 weeks later, I see one group! Being a Coast Guard member is a beautiful, important, and honorable profession. You are two things in one: a police officer and a sailor. Now, the rest of the training begins. This is just the end of the first phase. Everything you learn and practice now can be applied in the future. Now is your chance to make mistakes and learn. You can only succeed if you do it together. Together Stronger! Congratulations!

After the Director's speech, the aspirants were allowed to receive their official BOK caps as a token of appreciation for their achievements during the introductory weeks.

This week, the aspirants will begin the basic skills module, including first aid and marksmanship, which will last for 8 weeks. The Coast Guard wishes the coast guard aspirants great success.
PHILIPSBURG:--- A high-level delegation comprising Ministers of Justice from Curacao, Aruba, and Sint Maarten, along with Chiefs of Police, police officials, and policy advisors, concluded a productive working visit to the Republic of Suriname from Wednesday, August 23, 2023, to Saturday, August 26, 2023. The visit was organized at the invitation of the honorable Kenneth Amoksi, Minister of Justice and Police of Suriname.

The working visit commenced on Wednesday evening, August 23, 2023, with a warm and traditional Javanese welcome dinner hosted by Minister Amoksi for the delegation. The event provided a platform for meaningful interactions and discussions between the visiting dignitaries and their Surinamese counterparts. The occasion also underscored the historic significance of the collaboration between the Ministers of Justice of the four countries.

During the visit, the delegation was offered a comprehensive overview of Suriname's law enforcement and justice chain. The program included visits to key institutions such as the Youth Transit Center "Opa Doelie," the Combating Serious Crime Unit, the Police Academy, the Command Center of the Suriname Police Force, the Central Penitentiary Santo Boma, and the Youth Correction Center. These visits were complemented by informative presentations by experts in various fields.

Particularly noteworthy was the visit to the pre-detention youth center "Opa Doelie," where Minister Anna E. Richardson of Sint Maarten expressed admiration for the integrated approach at the center involving multiple partners in the law enforcement chain. The Center's emphasis on education and resocialization of young detainees in collaboration with the Ministry of Education left a lasting impression.

At the Combating Serious Crime Unit, the delegation received insights into transborder crime prevention, the fight against drug trafficking, and efforts to combat human trafficking and human smuggling. Presentations at the Police Academy shed light on police personnel recruitment and retention strategies, while a demonstration of a scenario involving Community Police Officers highlighted real-life challenges.

The representatives from Curacao, Aruba, and Sint Maarten, engaged with Surinamese officials in discussions about enhancing cross-border cooperation, combating crime, and strengthening ties between the countries. The delegation also made a courtesy visit to the President of the Surinamese Parliament, Mr. Marinus Bee, where the importance of renewing and strengthening the working relationships among the parliaments of the four countries was emphasized. The Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Business and International Cooperation Mr. Ramdin was also paid a visit for a discussion on common interests. The delegation further had the opportunity to meet with the President of the Republic of Suriname, Mr Chandrikapersad Santokhi. In the meeting with the President, the close relationship between the countries was highlighted along with the potential for increased cooperation. President Santokhi further expressed that he very much looked forward to visiting the countries in the future.

The working visit culminated on Saturday, August 26, 2023, with the signing of a Declaration of Intent in which the participating countries declared their intention to establish cooperation with regard to, the wish to hold annual consultations at the ministerial level in order to coordinate a joint judicial strategy, and to create a platform for the exchange of knowledge on judicial strategy and judicial frameworks.

Minister Anna E. Richardson expressed her satisfaction with the outcome of the working visit, commending her colleagues' willingness to collaborate. She noted that the delegation's immersion in Suriname's institutions provided invaluable insights into its operations.

The working visit marked a significant step towards increased cooperation and joint efforts to ensure security and justice across the Caribbean region. The participants expressed optimism about the prospect of continued collaboration and the strengthening of ties between the nations.
Silver for Cloud Seeding

It is well known that silver makes many things possible. Cloud seeding is intended to increase precipitation.

Cloud seeding, the introduction of silver iodide into clouds, is based on silver and is a technology that has been around for more than 50 years. It is used, for example, in Texas to help drought areas receive more rainfall. But the technology is also used in Mexico, China and the United Arab Emirates. At the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, for example, cloud seeding was used to prevent competitors from being exposed to rain during the competitions. So, silver can also serve in the fight against climate change.

That the use of silver in medicine is an advantage, especially to kill bacteria and fungi and promote wound healing, is well known. The power of silver is also used in animals such as horses. In humans, the precious metal helps in medical sensor applications by allowing a deeper look into the body without X-rays to detect abnormalities and tumors. The advantage is also that silver is non-toxic. So-called DNA/silver nanocluster combinations are thus used to detect tumors, among other things. Silver should be interesting for investors, because the increasing demand from the photovoltaic industry could gold plate the raw material in the next few years. The stocks of companies that own silver in the projects should then provide for profits in particular. For example, Vizsla Silver or Sierra Madre Gold and Silver.

Vizsla Silver  https://www.commodity-tv.com/ondemand/companies/profil/vizsla-silver-corp/  is reviving the previously producing Panuco gold and silver mine in Mexico.

Also in Mexico, Sierra Madre Gold and Silver  https://www.commodity-tv.com/ondemand/companies/profil/sierra-madre-gold-silver/  is working on three highly prospective, high-grade gold and silver projects.

Latest corporate information and press releases from Vizsla Silver (- https://www.resource-capital.ch/en/companies/vizsla-silver-corp/ -) and Sierra Madre Gold and Silver (- https://www.resource-capital.ch/en/companies/sierra-madre-gold-and-silver-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/
KYODO NEWS - Sep 9, 2023 - 16:03 | All, Japan

The number of child abuse cases handled by child consultation centers in Japan reached an all-time high of 219,170 in fiscal 2022, marking an increase for the 32nd consecutive year, according to recent government data.

Psychological abuse, including physically abusing family members in the presence of children, accounted for about 60 percent of cases in which the centers took action, preliminary data released Thursday by the Children and Families Agency showed.

The new record saw a rise of 11,510 from the previous high logged in fiscal 2021, according to data from the agency, which was launched in April this year to oversee the government's child policy.

More than half of the cases reported to the centers came from the police after its officers were dispatched to respond to domestic quarrels, an agency official said.

As of April 2023, there were 232 child consultation centers across Japan.

However, Akira Kawamatsu, a professor of child welfare at Meisei University, pointed out that despite an increase in personnel in these centers, it is not enough to handle the rise in abuse cases.

Since statistics on the number of cases handled by the centers started being compiled in fiscal 1990, the figure exceeded 10,000 in fiscal 1999, topped 100,000 in fiscal 2015 and passed 200,000 in fiscal 2020.

By type of abuse reported in fiscal 2022 ended March, psychological abuse, including verbal abuse, accounted for 59.1 percent, or 129,484 cases, physical abuse 23.6 percent, or 51,679 cases, neglect 16.2 percent, or 35,556 cases, and sexual abuse 1.1 percent, or 2,451 cases.

Notably, psychological abuse and neglect rose significantly in the reporting year, up 4,760 and 4,108 cases, respectively.

More than half of child abuse cases, or 51.5 percent, were reported to the centers by police, followed by those notified by neighbors and acquaintances at 11.0 percent, and by family members and relatives at 8.4 percent.

A panel of the agency has also disclosed that 74 children died from abuse in fiscal 2021.

Of the 50 victims excluding murder-suicide cases, 24 were under 1-year old, and biological parents were main abusers in most cases.

Biological mothers were main assailants in 20 cases, while biological fathers were responsible in six cases and both parents were held accountable in three cases.

"It is necessary to grasp the living situations of families involved in childrearing," the panel said.

Related coverage:

Japan to require day nurseries, schools to block sex offenders from jobs
Kamran was found suffering from multiple knife wounds. He was treated at the scene but despite the best efforts of the emergency services to save him, he was pronounced dead a short time later.
Any witnesses or anyone with any information is asked to call police on 101 or contact via Twitter @MetCC. Please quote reference CAD 5493/04Sep. To give information anonymously contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online at crimestoppers-uk.org.
It is said he elicited or tried to elicit information that could be useful for a terrorist on August 2 2021, and breaching the Official Secrets Act by gathering information that could be useful to an enemy.
This year so far, 22,289 people have arrived in the UK via the English Channel, which still remains lower than the same date last year where 27,705 people had made the crossing by September 8.
While Katy Loudon fails to stand up to her political masters in the SNP and offers only impotent opposition at Westminster, I have a plan to put money into the pockets of working people in Rutherglen and Hamilton West during the cost-of-living crisis.
The Prime Minister, who is the first British leader of Indian descent, told reporters during his flight from London to New Delhi on Thursday that an agreement was not a given but his comments have gradually become more positive since arriving at the G20.
So part of our research community said that there are bits of this that we would rather not be a part of because we think were better off having a bespoke UK scheme, he said.
I think just bearing that in mind and appreciating what we have here and being thankful for that, but also doing all we can to help out people who are in need and give them that constant source of hope.
He is also accused of placing three canisters with wires at RAF Stafford with the intention of inducing in another a belief that the said article was likely to explode or ignite and thereby cause personal injury or damage to property on or before January 2 this year, contrary to section 51 of the Criminal Law Act 1977.
By Shiori Takita, KYODO NEWS - Sep 9, 2023 - 14:45 | All, Japan, Feature

This month marks a decade since a city ordinance established new rules for "yatai" food stall operators in Fukuoka, southwestern Japan.

The tightening of yatai regulations in the 1990s had caused a decline in Japan's famous food stalls. But since the ordinance went into effect -- the first in the nation to clarify rules for the stalls -- a resurgence has been underway, despite the aging of shop owners and the more recent consequences of the coronavirus pandemic.

The "akachochin" red lanterns of the yatai are part of the nightlife scene in the city's Hakata district, where more than 100 food carts line the streets, enticing visitors to Japan among others to try their wares.

On the night of Aug. 22, Park Hye Bin, an 18-year-old university student from Busan, South Korea, visited a food stall in Hakata's Nakasu area. "I came here to feel the summer in Japan. The ramen is delicious," she said.

According to Hiroomi Tanaka, 50, the owner of the stall, nearly 40 percent of his customers are foreign tourists, and there has been a noticeable uptick in Chinese patrons lately with the lifting of the ban on group tours to Japan imposed under COVID-19 restrictions.

"Many customers wait around for us to open the food stall," Tanaka said while wiping sweat from his brow.

Yatai, which open in the early evening and close in the wee hours, serve a variety of Japanese fare such as ramen, yakitori and oden, along with beer, sake, shochu and other beverages.

In its Jan. 12 travel section, The New York Times listed "52 Places to Go in 2023," featuring Fukuoka in 19th place.

The Fukuoka city office has introduced its yatai specialties on the internet for people both inside and outside of Japan.

The city has been stepping up its efforts since around July, and Takayuki Mukae, 49, head of an association of mobile restaurants in Fukuoka, welcomes the "great effect of the city's promotion of yatai stalls."

After World War II, many former soldiers and others returning to the country operated yatai to make a living, but the food carts were abolished under pressure from the Allied occupation headquarters, citing concerns over sanitary conditions.

However, in Fukuoka, yatai operators formed a trade association and campaigned for their continuation in hard-fought negotiations with the government and other parties.

At their peak around 1965, there were more than 400 food stalls in the city. But sidewalk occupancy and other issues, such as sewage dumping, became a problem.

In 1995, police decided to basically not allow new entrants to the yatai business, with the city following suit. This led to a decline in their number.

But with the city seeing yatai as vital for attracting tourists, a new ordinance went into effect on Sept. 1, 2013, requiring clear displays of food prices and adherence to hours of use on city streets. Business hours have been set from 5 p.m. to 4 a.m. the following day.

New yatai businesses who have gone through a public offering procedure were also allowed in the city from 2016.

In other regions of Japan, yatai have also helped stimulate local economies.

In Obihiro, Hokkaido in Japan's northernmost main island, a food stall village has been popular since 2001. The restaurants there serve wild game such as deer and brown bear. Even in the winter, some 7,000 people come each night.

In Kure, Hiroshima Prefecture in western Japan, about 10 yatai stand side by side on one of its streets.

Commenting on food stalls in Fukuoka, Yusuke Nakatani, a professor of economic policy at Bunri University of Hospitality, said, "There used to be some gray areas, such as unclear accounting practices, but since the ordinance came into effect, they are becoming an entity that visitors to Japan can use with peace of mind."
A man in his 30s was arrested at an address in Oxfordshire and a man in his 20s was arrested at an address in Edinburgh. Searches were also carried out at both the residential properties, as well as at a third address in east London.
Osman said: They (MI6) just said: No, its fine I would have been terrible. Im too tall, not bright enough, and if I have a secret, I tell everybody. You could not find a worse spy. I cannot tell a lie.
KYODO NEWS - Sep 9, 2023 - 09:21 | All, World

A major Ukrainian counteroffensive mounted against Russia for the past three months has been "effective," and the attacks will continue until Russian forces withdraw, Ukrainian presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak said in a recent interview.

Podolyak also denied in the exclusive interview with Kyodo News that cease-fire negotiations were on the agenda, stating that such talks at this point "would mean surrender for Ukraine."

Despite a lack of air dominance, ammunition, and long-range artillery, the Ukrainian military have broken through the first line of defense constructed by Russian forces and are steadily advancing, with any delays due to the pace of weapons supply from the West, according to Podolyak, adviser to the head of the Office of the President of Ukraine.

Podolyak also speculated that attacks within Russian territory on airports and other targets by anti-government groups would only increase.

Western countries have come to accept the Ukrainian counterattacks on the Crimean Peninsula, which Russia annexed in 2014, despite initial concerns that they would only escalate tensions, Podolyak said.

As Russia has militarized the peninsula and is using it to resupply, "we will destroy all military-related facilities in Crimea to reduce frontline combat," he said.

Ukraine's goal is not to advance troops to borders drawn in 1991 after the country declared independence from the Soviet Union, but to "disrupt Russian battle lines and force them to withdraw from Ukrainian territory," Podolyak stressed.

He accused Russia of trying to buy time by pretending to seek a cease-fire and initiate negotiations.

But Podolyak expressed hope for changes within Russia following the death of Yevgeny Prigozhin, the founder of the Wagner mercenary group, suggesting that Russian President Vladimir Putin was involved in the incident.

Putin has started to suspect everyone after the group staged a rebellion against him, with "repression against close associates also likely to begin," Podolyak said.

Podolyak also expressed his gratitude toward Japan for its support, saying the country is "supporting the principles of democracy and freedom in the world."

Related coverage:

New U.S. aid to Ukraine includes depleted-uranium ammunition
Blog Archive Apr 2010 (22) May 2010 (25) Jun 2010 (8) Jul 2010 (12) Aug 2010 (18) Sept 2010 (19) Oct 2010 (29) Nov 2010 (30) Dec 2010 (18) Jan 2011 (13) Feb 2011 (21) Mar 2011 (23) Apr 2011 (19) May 2011 (31) Jun 2011 (36) Jul 2011 (46) Aug 2011 (26) Sept 2011 (12) Oct 2011 (15) Nov 2011 (17) Dec 2011 (7) Jan 2012 (18) Feb 2012 (4) Mar 2012 (12) Apr 2012 (17) May 2012 (10) Jun 2012 (21) Jul 2012 (8) Aug 2012 (15) Sept 2012 (7) Oct 2012 (17) Nov 2012 (20) Dec 2012 (10) Jan 2013 (58) Feb 2013 (59) Mar 2013 (60) Apr 2013 (98) May 2013 (134) Jun 2013 (203) Jul 2013 (292) Aug 2013 (350) Sept 2013 (363) Oct 2013 (347) Nov 2013 (374) Dec 2013 (437) Jan 2014 (543) Feb 2014 (473) Mar 2014 (525) Apr 2014 (526) May 2014 (470) Jun 2014 (408) Jul 2014 (472) Aug 2014 (522) Sept 2014 (440) Oct 2014 (471) Nov 2014 (496) Dec 2014 (535) Jan 2015 (535) Feb 2015 (520) Mar 2015 (578) Apr 2015 (657) May 2015 (679) Jun 2015 (673) Jul 2015 (728) Aug 2015 (803) Sept 2015 (922) Oct 2015 (919) Nov 2015 (798) Dec 2015 (789) Jan 2016 (781) Feb 2016 (834) Mar 2016 (929) Apr 2016 (864) May 2016 (945) Jun 2016 (1044) Jul 2016 (880) Aug 2016 (1034) Sept 2016 (966) Oct 2016 (918) Nov 2016 (854) Dec 2016 (884) Jan 2017 (879) Feb 2017 (777) Mar 2017 (896) Apr 2017 (872) May 2017 (850) Jun 2017 (851) Jul 2017 (971) Aug 2017 (1040) Sept 2017 (998) Oct 2017 (1144) Nov 2017 (1046) Dec 2017 (838) Jan 2018 (873) Feb 2018 (769) Mar 2018 (885) Apr 2018 (808) May 2018 (827) Jun 2018 (820) Jul 2018 (840) Aug 2018 (854) Sept 2018 (844) Oct 2018 (851) Nov 2018 (870) Dec 2018 (912) Jan 2019 (919) Feb 2019 (827) Mar 2019 (957) Apr 2019 (913) May 2019 (1007) Jun 2019 (934) Jul 2019 (949) Aug 2019 (936) Sept 2019 (910) Oct 2019 (920) Nov 2019 (874) Dec 2019 (908) Jan 2020 (941) Feb 2020 (848) Mar 2020 (898) Apr 2020 (848) May 2020 (822) Jun 2020 (787) Jul 2020 (819) Aug 2020 (858) Sept 2020 (841) Oct 2020 (873) Nov 2020 (811) Dec 2020 (780) Jan 2021 (765) Feb 2021 (716) Mar 2021 (819) Apr 2021 (805) May 2021 (815) Jun 2021 (824) Jul 2021 (830) Aug 2021 (832) Sept 2021 (791) Oct 2021 (754) Nov 2021 (683) Dec 2021 (693) Jan 2022 (694) Feb 2022 (654) Mar 2022 (740) Apr 2022 (745) May 2022 (748) Jun 2022 (701) Jul 2022 (704) Aug 2022 (702) Sept 2022 (699) Oct 2022 (737) Nov 2022 (718) Dec 2022 (692) Jan 2023 (662) Feb 2023 (611) Mar 2023 (692) Apr 2023 (652) May 2023 (696) Jun 2023 (701) Jul 2023 (742) Aug 2023 (737) Sept 2023 (732) Oct 2023 (740)
The Romanian authorities are in close contact with the Moroccan authorities and are ready to offer assistance, Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu announced on Saturday.

Following the devastating earthquake in Morocco, the Romanian authorities are in close contact with the Moroccan authorities and are ready to offer assistance. My thoughts go out to the victims and grieving families and to the brave rescuers who are working against the clock, the Prime Minister of Romania wrote in a post on Twitter, agerpres reports.



At least 632 people died in a powerful earthquake that struck Morocco overnight Friday into Saturday, causing enormous damage and causing panic in the popular tourist destination of Marrakech and several other cities, according to a new official toll quoted by AFP.



The National Center for Scientific and Technical Research (CNRST), based in Rabat, indicated that the earthquake had a magnitude of 7 on the Richter scale, and its epicenter was located in Al-Haouz province, southwest of the city of Marrakech, a very popular destination among foreign tourists.



More than 300 people were injured, of whom 51 are in serious condition.



According to the Moroccan media, this is one of the strongest earthquakes that have hit the kingdom so far.
The following article ran in Sept. 9, 1927 editions of the Post-Dispatch

Alphonse Palazzolo's notorious career as a gunman for Italian moonshiners was abruptly ended today in a fusillade at Tenth and Wash streets, a block from the Carr Street Police Station.

The assassins escaped, one on foot and three in an automobile. They fired shotguns and pistols. One shotgun slug inflicted a flesh wound in the back of a 9-year-old boy, Emanuel Capraro, who was playing ball in the street, and another slug passed through the trousers of George Hanselman, 14, who was delivering bundles.

Casting about for a motive, police concluded that Palazzolo was marked for death by friends of three other Italian gunmen, Tony Russo, Vincent Spicuzza and Benjamin Giamanco, who were assassinated last month, Russo and Spicuzza near Chicago, and Giamanco in downtown St Louis.

The killing of Russo and Spicuzza disclosed that there had been a split in a gang of Italian gunmen and moonshiners  the gang that waged warfare last year with Cuckoo gangsters, 13 men being killed and 14 wounded before an armistice was reached. Underworld gossip had It that Palazzolo lured Russo and Spicuzza to their deaths, and had Giamanco killed because he boasted he would take Russo's place as chief gunman.

Wounded Boy Tells Story.

Dressed in new and gaudy raiment, Palazzolo, shortly after his return from Chicago, was loitering, at 10:15 a.m., in front of a poolroom at 1006 North Tenth street, when a Chrysler touring car occupied by four men sped past. The best account of what occurred after that was obtained from the wounded Capraro boy.

"The car went north to Carr street then turned around and came back. A man jumped out of the car and ran toward Palazzolo. The man had a pistol. Palazzolo stepped back, but the man shot at him.

"Then Palazzolo reached back and I think he brought out a pistol and began firing, too. The three men. still in the automobile, had shotguns and they began firing. Palazzolo fell on the sidewalk, the other man ran through a hallway, and the men in the car drove on."

Beside the body police found an automatic pistol, which had just been fired, and three empty cartridges.

At City Hospital Morgue, to which Palazzolo's body was taken, half a dozen shotgun slugs dropped from his clothes. Other slugs had pierced his chest arms and feet, there being about 20 wounds. That the assassins continued firing after Palazzolo fell face forward on the sidewalk was indicated when it was found a slug had passed through a rubber heel into his left foot.

Palazzolo was 30 years old, and the address he gave police on the occasion of his last arrest  he had been arrested often  was 1136 North Seventh street. He was a partner of John Giannola, Italian leader, in the wholesale sugar business.

Police Raid Nearby Shop.

A few minutes after the shootlng police raided a butcher shop at 1433 North Fourteenth street, which has been under surveillance for some time. The store was deserted, except for a boy in charge.

In a room upstairs police seized three rifles and six revolvers one with six notches in it. Clothing and pictures in the room indicated it had been occupied, police reported, by Frank Agrusa, former pal of Palazzolo. Agrusa is being sought.

Agrusa, Palazzolo and a third man were shot in front of the Santa Fara Club at Eighth and Biddle streets, Aug. 19, 1926, as the Cuckoo gangsters went to war against an Italian faction which had refused to pay the Cuckoo's excessive demands for "protection money."

Another episode in that gang feud was the killing of Kustandy Ajelouny, Syrian lace peddler, and the wounding of a second peddler. Louis Badrah, Oct. 15, 1926, in University City, three blocks from John Giannola's home. Palazzolo was identified by Badrah as one of the slayers, and released on $25,000 bond. Police believed the peddlers were fired on by friends of Giannola, when mistaken for gangsters with designs on Giannola's life.

After the Cuckoo-Italian feud was settled through intervention of third parties, the Italians took to quarreling among themselves, and some even sought the assistance of the Cuckoos.

The break between Palazzolo and the Russo-Spicuzza clique had its origin in Spicuzza's claim that Palazzolo had "trimmed" him In a $1500 loan. When Palazzolo refused to pay $1500, Splcuzza is said to have held him up with a revolver. Palazzolo Insisted he did pot have money available, and Spicuzza intimidated him into assigning his Lincoln automobile to Spicuzza. Palazzolo retaliated later, according to underworld gossip, by luring Spicuzza and his pal, Russo, to their deaths in Chicago.

Giannola, the would-be successor to Russo, was shot down much as Palazzolo was killed. He was standing in front of a restaurant at 116 North Sixth street, the night of Aug. 24, when killed by bullets fired from a passing automobile. A stray bullet killed Aloys F. Beelman, lawyer, who was inside the restaurant.

William Russo at Station.

Fifteen minutes before today's shooting, William Russo, brother of the assassinated Tony, entered the Carr Street Station and asked to see Capt. Nally.

"For' God's sake, give me some protection. Captain," he begged. "They're going to kill me. I'm even afraid to go to my place of business."

Russo would not say who was pursuing him, but Capt. Nally detailed three men to accompany him to his filling station at 1218 North Sixth street. Just as the policemen concluded that Russo was in no immediate danger and prepared to go back to the station, the killing of Palozzolo occurred. This was the first time Russo ever appealed to police for protection.

In a store room next to the poolroom in front of which Palazzolo was killed, police found 38,500 pounds of corn sugar, in 100-pound sacks, and a quantity of five-gallon cans such as used by moonshiners.
A major problem facing downtown can be summed up in two words  and theyre not Tishaura Jones. Theyre working remotely.

In June 2020, John Berglund, the architect-engineer who was in charge of transforming the old Post-Dispatch building into the new St. Louis home for the technology company Square, gave me a tour of the almost-finished project. It was impressive. Not just the building, either. It seemed like the neighborhood was turning a corner. Young, high-salaried professionals would soon be wandering the streets  and they might be the vanguard of a much larger assembly. The city was so thrilled with Square that it declared the neighborhood to be the North Washington Avenue Innovation District.

Who cared that the building was two blocks from Washington Avenue? Also, the St. Patrick Center, an organization that provides services for the homeless, was just south of the building. Would the city give the heave-ho to an organization that serves the homeless to make room for some tax-paying techies?

The struggling restaurants and saloons in the neighborhood knew that answer was yes, and they were thrilled.

COVID made everybody hunker down. When that cloud finally lifted, nothing.

Techies, it turns out, like working remotely.

That means theyre not going out for lunch. Theyre not having a drink or two with colleagues at a saloon near the office after work.

I loved my job. Truly loved it. But take away lunch and socializing after work, and what are you left with? Your colleagues. Thats not nothing.

My son lives in Austin and works for a large tech company. He got used to working from home during COVID. When that passed and workers could return to the office, he was not thrilled. I like working from home, he told me. I really believe Im more productive, he added.

Productive? This is not about what you can do for your company, I said. This is about you. Dont you see the value of having two lives?

I tried to explain. You can exist in two realities.

You mean like I can be a character in The Office? he asked.

Exactly, I said.

Why would I want that? he asked.

His thinking, it seems, is shared by lots of young workers and not just in the tech industry. Many young people would rather avoid the commutes and the parking and the general hassles of going to work.

This is a bigger deal than you might think. Ever since the Industrial Revolution, people have gone to work. That is what we have always called it. Going to work. There is a directional component to it. You leave your house to go to work.

Also, you need work clothes. A woman might need a skirt and a blouse. A man might need a dress shirt, maybe even a jacket. My father wore a dark green work shirt and dark green work pants. People had two sets of clothes  work clothes and home clothes.

Mostly, though, I am thinking about relationships. Of course, I was lucky. A newsroom is fun. Or was. I am not in the office much anymore, but I can tell that things have changed. A smaller staff means everybody works harder. My colleagues and I were slackers by comparison. Big-time slackers. People would go to lunch and get lost.

There was a good chance they might be at the Missouri Bar & Grille, but this was in the time before cell phones, and only doctors and drug dealers had beepers. Everybody else was incommunicado. A reporter-seeking editor could only call the Grille and ask if the reporter were there. The bartender, Athena, would turn to the bar and say loudly, Has anybody seen Bill? If Bill were to shake his head, shed go back to the phone. Nobodys seen him.

Eliot Porter, John Michael McGuire and I shared a pod. We had two computers to share. We needed some way to determine who had priority use. Porter was of English descent, and my ancestors were Orangemen from Northern Ireland, so we established The Protestant Men of Letters Society of the Post-Dispatch, membership of which was confined to the pod. Society members had rights of first usage for the computers.

Marys much younger brother came to St. Louis for a visit when he graduated from high school. He spent the day with me. He said to Mary, Dont tell Bill, but my friends in high school are more mature than Bill and his friends. Thats what he likes about it, Mary said.

We really did not have a problem with the computers. Porter was seldom there. He was very smart and Harvard-educated and a little out of place in the newsroom. He spent a lot of time in the downtown public library. He researched things in a time before the internet. He knew how to use to use a library. That is a lost art, like navigating by the stars.

Then the newsroom banned smoking. The bosses took one of the small meeting rooms and made it the smoking lounge. When Porter wasnt at the library, he stayed in the lounge. He smoked a pipe, which was a habit he said he had developed in Korea during the war. He was an infantryman. He said it was easier to smoke a pipe in the bitter cold. Although I had by then quit smoking, I sometimes went into the smoking lounge to chat with Porter. Our friendship enriched my life. And McGuire was like a brother.

Perhaps its just as easy to make friends on Zoom. Maybe you can sense simpatico. That is probably the case. And, of course, you can meet people anywhere. It doesnt have to be at work. Remote workers are not necessarily lonely.

But the streets around the North Washington Avenue Innovation District are generally empty these days, except for the homeless people who line up for free lunch at the St. Patrick Center. Restaurants and saloons have shut down. The Grille has become a crab shack.

There is a park just east of the old newspaper building. I spent some time in the park around noon Wednesday. I didnt see anybody come out of the building.

Deserted streets are a huge problem for downtown, and its a problem that feeds on itself.

How do you fix a deserted downtown in a time of remote work?
JENNINGS  The embattled mayor of this north St. Louis County city was silent Friday on whether he would abide by the city councils vote to resume construction of a long-awaited $11 million city center that he had canceled just weeks ago.

Mayor Gary Johnson declined an interview and did not respond to questions in writing, the day after five of the citys nine lawmakers held an emergency meeting to resume the city center contract. The move, the council majority said, was necessary to avoid a breach-of-contract lawsuit from the company.

Its our job to protect the city and be good stewards of our tax dollars, Councilman Terry Wilson said in an interview after the meeting. Were upholding our duty as a council.

The council also voted 5-0 to hire a lawyer to fight a lawsuit Johnson filed to have recent council votes thrown out.

The meeting was the second time the majority called an emergency session to reverse actions they say Johnson took without their input or approval, including stopping the city hall project, a long sought goal for his predecessor.

But it was unclear whether the council vote Thursday was enough to convince contractor Hankins Construction to resume work on the city center project. President Stephen Hankins, who said in a letter last week that Johnsons stop-work order cost the company more than $100,000 in damages, did not respond to a request for comment Friday.

The meeting Thursday was the latest sign of gridlock in Jennings, a municipality of 13,000 in north St. Louis County along St. Louis citys northwest border. Recent resignations by top city employees and disagreements between the mayor and city council members on hirings, firings and other personnel matters have put Jennings city government on hold. And both factions last month held separate meetings without involving one another.

The fight isnt unusual to governments in the region, particularly smaller municipalities in St. Louis County. Earlier this year, Cool Valley, which is about 4 miles west of Jennings, impeached former Mayor Jayson Stewart. And this summer, zealous code enforcement divided the small North County municipality of Bel-Nor into two camps, split between two candidates for alderwoman.

The rift in Jennings emerged after Johnson narrowly defeated Mayor Yolanda Austin, Wilsons mother, 469 to 435 in the April election, after a campaign in which Johnson had accused Austin of misspending. Austin and Wilson were both elected in 2016, after the council impeached the former mayor.

Last month, five Jennings city employees quit in protest, including longtime city attorney Sam Alton and clerk Deletra Hudson, who alleged Johnson had created a hostile working environment and then tried to oust them illegally.

A council majority called the emergency meeting Aug. 18 to reinstate the employees, but neither Hudson nor Alton have since returned. Johnson attempted to stop the meeting, and St. Louis County police had to intervene when Johnson and a council member began shoving each other. Police intervened again as council members argued among themselves during the meeting, while residents questions about city business went unanswered.

Johnson has questioned the need for the city hall and community center project, pointing toward a pending audit of the citys budget. The city had paid $150,000 to a construction manager for the new city hall project, he said, but nothing had yet been built. He instead pushed an economic development plan centered around rehabilitating abandoned properties.

On Thursday, the council majority said that while some members shared Johnsons concerns about whether the project was the citys most urgent need, he never discussed it with them.

The council has had zero communication about this at any time, Councilwoman Nadia Quinn said. None of us had any of this information to make an educated decision.

The council hoped that by reversing the stop-work order, they could avoid a potential lawsuit from Hankins demanding payment for damages, including work done on architectural and design plans and hiring of subcontractors.

Theres going to be some kind of fines, theres no way around it, Quinn said. There are consequences for breach of contract.

Wilson, in a lengthy address, said the council wanted to discuss the moves with Johnson in public meetings but the mayor and his staff wouldnt cooperate.

It doesnt work like that, its not a dictatorship, Wilson said.

The comments were greeted with applause from some of the more than two dozen people in the crowd, including Austin, the former mayor. But the applause was mixed with jeers from several people who appeared to be supporters of Johnson.

Lies! one woman shouted. Another woman left the building while shouting obscenities at the council.

During scheduled public comment, Geraldine Silas, 65, criticized the council for furthering division in the city. In her 40 years living in Jennings, she said, she had never seen improvements in her neighborhood until Johnson became mayor.

Nothing happened until Mayor Johnson got in, Silas said. Grass cutting, houses being torn down. New houses being built.

Dorothy Howard, 68, said Silas was seeing the fruit of work the previous administration had put in motion.

Everything youre doing right now is what the other mayor was already doing, Silas said.

The council majority Thursday was comprised of Wilson, Quinn, Alan Stichnote, Jane Brown and Jeannie Roberts.

Absent from the special meeting were Johnson, the city attorney, the city clerk and three of eight council members: Kimberly Morton, Lorraine Clower, and Denise Woods.
It was great to read about Serenity High School in Texas, where students in recovery from drugs and alcohol can finish high school and continue to work on their sobriety. ("Recovery high school provides accountability, safe space amid rising drug use," Aug. 9.)

About a year ago, the Missouri Legislature passed an omnibus education law, part of which calls for up to four pilot public recovery high schools in our state. There is an effort in Kansas City to start a recovery high school there called Be Free KC. And here in St. Louis, we have a parent-led group working with several local school districts to make it happen (Aspire Advocates for Behavioral Health).

A recovery high school can offer not only a safe space for students, but also provide school-based recovery support. Students can also get support for co-occurring disorders while fulfilling state requirements for a secondary school diploma. We also hope to help the families learn how to live with and support their young people in recovery.

We dont have a location yet, but hope to start up in the fall of 2025. This will be a public high school, available to any student in the St. Louis area.

More information is available at: www.aspireadvocates.org/recovery-high-school

Connie Mueller  University City
WASHINGTON  Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced Friday she will seek reelection to Congress in 2024 as Democrats try to win back the majority, saying "democracy is at stake."

Pelosi, 83, made the announcement before volunteers and labor allies in the San Francisco area district she has represented for more than 35 years.

"Now more than ever our City needs us to advance San Francisco values and further our recovery," Pelosi said in a tweet. "Our country needs America to show the world that our flag is still there, with liberty and justice for ALL. That is why I am running for reelection  and respectfully ask for your vote."

Republicans now control the House, but just narrowly, with a 222-212 majority and one vacancy. Democrats believe they have a chance to regain power as President Joe Biden runs for a second term.

Pelosi's announcement quells any talk of retirement for the long-serving leader, who, with the honorific title of speaker emeritus, remains an influential lawmaker, pivotal party figure and strong fundraiser for Democrats.

It also unfolds as Washington is grappling with the sunset of a political era as an older generation of leaders, including Biden, 80, face questions about their age.

This week, Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell, 81, said he would finish his term as leader and senator despite concerns about his recent health episodes. One of California's long-serving leaders, Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein, 90, has announced she will not seek another term.

In her remarks, Pelosi said others had asked her to say longer, and she said she is also working to ensure a second term for Biden at the White House.

"We have a challenge in our country. Our Democracy is at stake," she said, according to excerpts released of her remarks.

First elected to Congress in 1987, Pelosi made history by becoming the first female speaker in 2007, and in 2019 she regained the speaker's gavel.

Pelosi led the party through substantial legislative achievements, including passage of the Affordable Care Act, as well as turbulent times with two impeachments of Republican President Donald Trump and the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol.

Her announcement comes as House Republicans prepare to launch an impeachment inquiry into Biden over the business dealings of his son, Hunter.

Pelosi stepped away from the day-to-day political limelight after a younger generation of Democrats led by Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries took charge in 2023, but she remains a political force and keeps a robust schedule of public and private events.

According to a person familiar with Pelosi's thinking about her 2024 decision, Pelosi believes democracy hangs in the balance in the upcoming election as she works to reelect Biden and make Jeffries the next House speaker.

Pelosi is among the party's most prolific fundraisers for the House and key political strategists. She has said she does not intend to hover over the new Democratic House leadership team, but she and Jeffries are often seen huddling quietly on the House floor.

It's rare, but not unprecedented, for former party leaders to continue in Congress as members.

Back in California, Pelosi's decision to seek another term is sure to disappoint other Democrats who want a run for the congressional seat.

But Pelosi has priorities she is trying to secure for her home state and especially San Francisco as the city works to recover from the coronavirus pandemic-era closures that also dimmed other metro downtowns.

San Francisco faces a delicate moment, Pelosi believes, and needs federal resources to continue its recovery, said the person familiar with her thinking, who spoke on the condition of anonymity.

Last year, Pelosi's husband, Paul Pelosi, was seriously injured when an attacker broke into the family's San Francisco home, seeking the Democratic leader at a highly divisive time in American politics. A trial is expected.

The suspect said there was "evil in Washington" and he wanted to harm Rep. Pelosi because she was second in line for the presidency, a San Francisco police investigator testified.

Instead, the suspect severely beat her husband with a hammer in an attack that was witnessed by two police officers.

"Now more than ever our City needs us to advance San Francisco values and further our recovery. Our country needs America to show the world that our flag is still there, with liberty and justice for ALL. That is why I am running for reelection  and respectfully ask for your vote."

Nancy Pelosi, former House Speaker
KYODO NEWS - Sep 9, 2023 - 16:16 | World, All

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un attended a paramilitary parade with his daughter in Pyongyang late Friday night to mark the 75th anniversary of the country's founding but made no speech, according to state-run media.

The parade was staged by the Worker-Peasant Red Guards, a civilian defense organization, in the capital's Kim Il Sung Square ahead of Saturday's anniversary, according to the official Korean Central News Agency.

KCNA described the leader's child as a "respected daughter." She is believed to be Kim Ju Ae.

South Korea's Yonhap News Agency said the event started at midnight Friday. A Chinese delegation headed by Vice Premier Liu Guozhong and the Russian army song and dance ensemble watched the parade as they had been invited by Pyongyang, KCNA said.

The North Korean leader met Liu and other members of the Chinese group Friday and expressed gratitude to President Xi Jinping for sending the delegation to celebrate the anniversary, the state media said.

Xi sent a congratulatory message to Kim, saying Pyongyang has achieved "important results" in economic development and improvement of people's livelihood under his leadership, according to KCNA and China's official Xinhua News Agency.

Kim plans to visit Vladivostok in the Russian Far East next week to discuss with President Vladimir Putin the possibility of further weapons supplies for Russia's war against Ukraine, as well as other military cooperation, The New York Times reported Monday.

Putin also congratulated Kim in a message, expressing his confidence that the two countries will expand their ties in all respects and stronger bilateral relations will contribute to ensuring security and stability on the Korean Peninsula and in Northeast Asia, KCNA said.

In July, a Chinese group headed by Li Hongzhong, a member of the ruling Communist Party's Political Bureau, and a Russian delegation led by Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu attended events in Pyongyang celebrating the 70th anniversary of the Korean War armistice, watching a military parade with Kim.

Related coverage:

U.S. warns North Korea not to supply weapons to Russia for Ukraine war

North Korea's Kim to meet Putin in Russia to talk weapons supply: NYT
Ukraine has officially received nearly $100 billion in military aid. That number is inflated because many of the weapons and munitions were obsolete or, in the case of munitions, near or past their use by date. The older weapons were still useful against Russian forces. The Russians had few weapons that were as current or effective as the more modern weapons sent by NATO nations, and most of the older Western stuff was as good or better than what the Russians invaded the Ukraine with. Many of the donors are sending weapons they no longer use but had not disposed of. This includes older tanks, aircraft and ships that were put in storage just in case there was another conflict. Many of these reserve items have gone to Ukraine, including older German Leopard 1A5 tanks, IFVs (Infantry Fighting Vehicles) and MRAPs (armored trucks). These were a lifesaver for Ukrainian infantry, especially during the current offensive in southeastern Ukraine. Several NATO nations also had older IFVs to send to Ukraine.

Using standard accounting methods, these older tanks and other armored vehicles are worth very little but, to the Ukrainians, most of these vehicles are better and more effective than anything the Russians had at the start of the war. Russia lost most of its modern tanks in the first months of the war to the modern portable anti-tank weapons NATO supplied Ukraine with before and during the war. The tanks Russia still has available are sixty year-old T-55s and fifty year-old T-62s, which are generally ineffective against Western tanks but lethal to lighter armored vehicles. Russia has limited numbers of these older tanks, and had to do some refurbishment on many of them so that these vehicles could be operational in a combat zone. Russia is still building newT-72s, which are an upgraded model with better armor and fire control than the older T-72s that were lost in early 2022. Economic sanctions limit the number of new tanks the Russians can build and these new tanks lack some features because they required components imported from Western nations.

Russia is going into debt to pay for their war in Ukraine. Russia was economically weak before the war and never expected it to last this long or destroy so many Russian weapons. The Russian armed forces will come out of this war with far fewer heavy weapons than they had when they invaded. It will take five or ten years for Russia to replace the lost tanks, IFVs , artillery and artillery munitions. Current Russian strategy is to keep the war going a long time, on the assumption that Ukraines NATO suppliers will tire of providing Ukraine with weapons and munitions and be willing to force Ukraine to accept a peace deal that will include Russia remaining in control of some Ukrainian territory. There are already symptoms of that. For example, Ukraine recently replaced its Minister of Defense. The dismissed one was corrupt or tolerating corrupt practices that were diverting some of the money from the West to corrupt Ukrainian defense officials. The new Defense Minister was chosen based on proven ability to eliminate corruption and not tolerate efforts to revive the corrupt practices. Russia has far worse problems with corruption in its Defense Ministry, and among senior generals as well. Russia is less able to shut down this corruption because it involves Putin himself and his senior associates, so it goes straight down through civilian defense officials and senior officers all the way to supply sergeants. Ukraine inherited this culture of corruption after it became independent of Russia when the Soviet Union dissolved in 1991.

Ukraine looked west after 1991 and discovered that Western nations were less tolerant of Soviet-era corruption. The current Ukrainian president, Volodymir Zelensky, was elected in 2019 because he seemed able to reduce corruption. Zelensky did that but discovered that the corruption was more widespread and persistent than anyone realized. That meant Zelensky was presiding over a two front war. In addition to the Russians, he also had to deal with a seemingly endless supply of corrupt Ukrainian officials. Zelensky remains the best hope for reducing and curbing the corruption, especially when he reminds Ukrainian officials that a growing number of Western politicians see the persistent corruption in Ukraine as a reason to withdraw support and let Ukraine deal with the Russians on their own. Ukraine would have a difficult time on its own and might end up absorbed back into Russia. Western military leaders realize abandoning Ukraine is not a good option because it would not only risk Ukraine losing its independence, but would also provide Russia with many modern Western weapons. Russia could sell some of these to China and also determine how the Western weapons were built and borrow what technology they could.

The Ukraine War is full of risks and demonstrates to Western supporters how complex the situation in Ukraine and Russia is. Supporting Ukraine is not only expensive, but also more difficult than expected because of the far greater corruption found in nations that were once part of the Soviet Union. East European nations that were once subservient to Russia before 1989, joined NATO as soon as they could and warned the West that Russia was still a threat and it took the Russian invasion of Ukraine to make that clear. This will end up costing Western nations over $100 billion in military and economic aid, but will also make it clear that the East European NATO nations, especially Poland, were correct in their assessment of the Russian threat. Poland acted on its beliefs and sent Ukraine billions of dollars worth of weapons while also spending even more to purchase Western replacements for the weapons sent to Ukraine. Other East European NATO nations also sent most of their Soviet-era weapons and munitions to Ukraine. These nations were already in the process of replacing these weapons with modern Western ones. This was one of the conditions of joining NATO and the Ukraine War speeded up this process. East European warnings that Russia was still a threat are now accepted by all NATO nations and that makes it easier for these democracies to justify the expense of upgrading the weapons and equipment their troops use. This turned out to be an expensive lesson, costing billions of dollars in expenses these nations hoped to avoid.
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / September 8, 2023 / Blue Lagoon Resources Inc. (the "Company") (CSE:BLLG); (FSE:7BL); (OTCQB: BLAGF) announces the resignation of Carmelo Marrelli as the Chief Financial Officer of the Company. The Company would like to thank Mr. Marrelli for his valuable contributions to the Company and wishes him success in his future endeavors.

The Company also announces that, effective immediately, Regina Lara Yunes will assume the role of the Company's new Chief Financial Officer. Ms. Lara Yunes is a designated chartered professional accountant with a bachelor's of technology in accounting, with distinctions, from the British Columbia Institute of Technology. As a financial reporting manager at Treewalk, she provides accounting, financial reporting and compliance services to publicly listed companies. Prior to her time at Treewalk, Ms. Lara Yunes worked as an accountant with Smythe LLP, a public accounting firm, providing audit and tax services to private and public companies.

For further information, please contact:

Rana Vig

President and Chief Executive Officer Telephone: 604-218-4766

Email: [email protected]

The CSE has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

SOURCE: Blue Lagoon Resources Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:
Alcon Vivity Registry continues to demonstrate excellent outcomes with AcrySof IQ Vivity and AcrySof IQ Vivity Toric, the first and only PCIOL+ with wavefront-shaping technology

World-renowned surgeons will present new registry data at #ESCRS2023, including data on rates of visual disturbances1,2

Registry monitored 900+ cataract patients post-surgery, including those with certain mild comorbidities

GENEVA--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Alcon (SIX/NYSE: ALC), the global leader in eye care dedicated to helping people see brilliantly, today revealed final data from its Vivity Registry Study, which monitored real-world patient experiences for up to 12 months post cataract surgery with implantation of either AcrySof IQ Vivity or AcrySof IQ Vivity Toric presbyopia-correcting intraocular lens (PCIOL). Data from more than 900 cataract patients demonstrated sustained clinical performance, high patient satisfaction and reduced dependence upon spectacles (glasses). Evidence also suggested that AcrySof IQ Vivity can be used successfully in a broad range of patients, providing surgeons and patients with additional treatment options.

Since its introduction, AcrySof IQ Vivity has been a disruptive technologyand an innovation we are very proud of as a company. Vivity is a first-of-its kind, non-diffractive extended depth of focus IOL built with our proprietary X-WAVETM technology, which stretches and shifts light without splitting it, said Sunil Vasanth, VP, Europe Surgical Franchise, Alcon. Our real-world registry data gives surgeons the confidence that Vivitys performance is sustained over time. This data is also important as it includes patients with common mild comorbidities like glaucoma, dry eye and retinopathy/maculopathy.

The Vivity Registry Study3 was a multicentre, ambispective, non-comparative, open-label, non-interventional registry study conducted across 41 sites from eight (8) countries: Australia, Belgium, Germany, New Zealand, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain and the United Kingdom. Researchers concluded that:3

Three-quarters of patients reported no difficulty with their sight for activities in everyday life

Most patients (92%) reported they were satisfied with their sight

More than 91% of patients reported no halos, glares or starbursts (common visual disturbances that come from splitting the light in a diffractive IOL)

Excellent binocular distance and intermediate uncorrected visual acuity was observed, with mean Snellen visual acuity values of 20/20 and 20/25, respectively

More than 78% and 88% of patients reported they no longer needed to use glasses to see at arms length and far away, respectively

These results and additional data are being discussed in 11 sessions with world-renowned surgeons at the 41st Congress of the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons (ESCRS), currently underway in Vienna, Austria. For a full overview of relevant abstracts, please visit MyAlconatESCRS.com.

AcrySof IQ Vivity, a non-diffractive IOL, uses Alcons proprietary Wavefront-Shaping X-WAVETM technology, a next-generation optical principle that stretches and shifts light without splitting it.2 As a result, it fulfils an unmet medical need to provide excellent distance, intermediate and functional near vision (e.g., for close-up daily activities such as using a mobile device), while maintaining low visual disturbances.2

Vision is at the top of peoples minds as they get olderand surgeons can make a difference

According to a new Global Alcon Survey, vision ties with mobility as the second most important quality of ageing (83%), with only memory scoring higher at 84%.4,* For people already diagnosed with cataracts, vision is the most important concern when it comes to ageing. According to the survey, cataract patients report they have an improvement in quality of life post-surgery, including 81% of patients who received any PCIOL. Additionally, 69% of all people surveyed, including those who have not been diagnosed with cataracts, would feel liberated without their glasses. Of those diagnosed with cataracts and awaiting surgery, 3 in 4 reported that they would be willing to pay for a lens that eliminates the need for spectacles.4

Vision plays a powerful role in empowering people as they age. AcrySof IQ Vivity can help to meet patient demands and expectations related to performance, quality of life and spectacle independence.

AcrySof IQ Vivity and AcrySof IQ Vivity Toric may not be approved in all markets; please reach out to your Alcon Rep for questions about availability in your local market. Please refer to relevant products DFU or Operators manuals for complete list of indications, contraindications and warnings.

This content is intended for Healthcare Professionals (HCPs) only. Please note that product related promotion of Medical Devices to non-HCPs may be subject to restrictions based on local rules and regulations.

About the AcrySof IQ Vivity IOL

The non-diffractive AcrySof IQ Vivity Extended Vision Posterior Chamber Intraocular Lens Model DFT015 (referred to as AcrySof IQ Vivity IOL) is a UV-absorbing and blue light filtering foldable intraocular lens (IOL). This IOL, compared to a monofocal IOL, provides an extended range of vision from distance to near without increasing the incidence of visual disturbances.

Potential side effects: As with any surgery, there is an implicit risk, whether or not the IOL is implanted. The complications of the IOL implantation surgery ranges from minor side effects (usually temporary) to serious complications. Patients with previous illnesses or disorders (such as chronic infections of the eye or eyelids, or diabetes) may present a higher risk of complications. Temporary surgical complications include, but are not limited to, reactions to medications such as irritation or mild allergic response, bleeding, redness, itching of the eye, sensitivity to light, swelling, corneal edema (swelling of the cornea), problems with the iris, cell growth in the IOL, and an increase temporary eye pressure. There is a small risk of needing further surgical treatment (such as IOL replacement implanted by a different one or surgery to improve vision) after the implantation of the initial IOL.

About Alcon

Alcon helps people see brilliantly. As the global leader in eye care with a heritage spanning over 75 years, we offer the broadest portfolio of products to enhance sight and improve peoples lives. Our Surgical and Vision Care products touch the lives of more than 260 million people in over 140 countries each year living with conditions like cataracts, glaucoma, retinal diseases and refractive errors. Our more than 25,000 associates are enhancing the quality of life through innovative products, partnerships with Eye Care Professionals and programs that advance access to quality eye care. Learn more at www.alcon.com.

References

AcrySof IQ Vivity Extended Vision IOL DFU. Bala et al. Multicountry clinical outcomes of a new nondiffractive presbyopia-correcting IOL. J Cataract Refract Surg 2022; 48:136143. Reus NJ, Kooijman M, Perez-Vives C. Overall Visual Outcomes from a Real-world Study of Presbyopia-correcting IOLs in a Large Population. Presented at the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ESCRS) Annual Meeting; 8-12 Sept, 2023; Vienna, Austria. Alcon Cataract Survey [REF-21516].

+Presbyopia Correcting Intraocular Lens

CATQUEST 9SF, patients were asked: Do you have difficulty with the activities because of your sight? If so, to what extent?

Subject satisfaction was evaluated with the Catquest 9SF Questionnaire. Statistic refers to very or fairly satisfied.

Visual disturbances were evaluated by asking open, non-prompted questions about visual experience.

IOLSAT: In the past 7 days, how often did you need to wear eyeglasses to see?

*The Alcon Eye on Cataract survey was conducted between March and April 2023 in Australia, Brazil, China, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Spain, South Korea and the United States, and set out to evaluate vision and cataract insights among the worlds rapidly aging population. Survey participants totaled 7,331, including 1,826 pre- and post-cataract surgery patients aged 50+ who had received their diagnosis within the last five years (both monofocal and multifocal intraocular lens recipients), and 5,505 people aged 50+ who had not been diagnosed with cataract(s) and who had not undergone surgery.

Connect with us on

Facebook

LinkedIn

X

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230908619997/en/

Investor Relations

Allen Trang

+ 41 589 112 110 (Geneva)

+ 1 817 615 2789 (Fort Worth)

[email protected]

Media Relations

Cara Jones-Faye

+ 41 79 93 3811 (Geneva)

[email protected]

Source: Alcon Inc. Corporate
OTTAWA--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Edgewater Wireless Systems Inc. (TSXV: YFI) (OTC: KPIFF), the industry leader in Wi-Fi Spectrum Slicing technology for residential and enterprise markets, is pleased to announce its financial and operational results for the Year Ending April 30, 2023, which are available on SEDAR (www.SEDAR.com).

Further review by our team and an external subject matter expert has resulted in the re-categorization of the 2022 Convertible Debentures. The additional prudence taken in preparing our YE financials led to a delay in filing our results, said Andrew Skafel, President and CEO of Edgewater Wireless Systems Inc. Operationally, were delighted by the progress over these last few months, and were on track for a positive 2023 and 2024. The launch of our next-generation WiFi7 Spectrum Slicing silicon has captured the imagination of Service Providers, and were fielding multiple requests for engineering samples from Tier 1 Service Providers and OEMs. Spectrum Slicing offers a proven, real-world solution to better home Wi-Fi for ALL devices  existing and new.

FY 2023 Operating Results:

Net loss for FY 2023 was $799,444 compared to a net loss of $1,057,599 for FY 2022

Revenue in FY 2023 was $7,574 from sales of Wi-Fi Spectrum Slicing development kit and lab system purchases compared to $11,369 in FY 2022.

FY 2023 and Subsequent Activities and Accomplishments highlights:

On May 25, 2023, Edgewater reached a significant milestone, announcing its next-generation Wi-Fi Spectrum Slicing powered silicon solutions targeting residential, enterprise and prosumer applications. Building on the latest Wi-Fi standard, WiFi7 (802.11BE), Edgewaters groundbreaking platform offers more physical channel capacity than single-channel, legacy Wi-Fi architectures  bringing lower latency and reduced contention for EXISTING and NEW devices. The AI-enabled, dynamic channel-width capable platform supports up to 28 concurrent links/channels. It is the worlds first silicon solution to couple the performance of WiFi7 with the proven robustness and flexibility of Wi-Fi Spectrum Slicing.

On April 25, 2023, Edgewater Wireless completed submissions, a new patent application to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office titled: Method and Apparatus for In-Band Multi-channel Determination and Utilization. The new patent application further solidifies Edgewaters leadership position in multi-link Wi-Fi and wireless innovation, which is essential in delivering a higher quality of service and lower latency for all modern and legacy wireless devices. The culmination of many years of customer-driven, extensive real-world research and development, the Company leveraged the Industry Research Assistance Program funded by the National Research Council of Canada to identify and further IP licensing opportunities.

On March 7, 2023, Liberty Global joined Edgewater Wireless on a Light Reading hosted webinar titled Unlocking Real-World Performance in Home Wi-Fi. A significant milestone for the Company, the webinar has generated commercial momentum from additional major Tier 1 Service Providers facing identical Wi-Fi challenges.

Detailed information from the Companys interim consolidated Financial Statements and Management Discussion and Analysis are available on www.SEDAR.com.

For more information on the benefits of increasing channel/link density with Spectrum Slicing, watch our recent Light Reading webinar, Unlocking real-world performance in Home Wi-Fi with our guest, Liberty Global, here:

https://www.lightreading.com/webinar.asp?webinar_id=2209

About Edgewater Wireless

We make Wi-Fi. Better.

Edgewater Wireless is the industry leader in innovative Spectrum Slicing technology for residential and commercial markets. We develop advanced Wi-Fi silicon solutions, Access Points, and IP licensing designed to meet the real-world needs of service providers and their customers. With over 26 granted patents, Edgewaters in-band multi-channel/link technology revolutionizes Wi-Fi, delivering next-generation Wi-Fi today.

Edgewaters physical layer Spectrum Slicing allows a frequency band to be divided, or sliced, to enable more radios to operate in a given area. Think of Spectrum Slicing like moving from a single-lane road to a multi-lane highway  regardless of Wi-Fi technology. The recently completed Proof of Concept (PoC) with a major Tier 1 Service Provider showed 7 to 18 times performance gains in 75% of homes surveyed. Interestingly, homes with the most devices saw the greatest improvements.

For more information, visit www.edgewaterwireless.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. The use of any of the words "expect", "anticipate", "continue", "estimate", "objective", "ongoing", "may", "will", "project", "should", "believe", "plans", "intends" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking information or statements. Although Edgewater Wireless believes that the expectations and assumptions on which such forward-looking statements and information are based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements and information because Edgewater Wireless can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. By its nature, such forward-looking information is subject to various risks and uncertainties, which could cause Edgewater Wireless actual results and experience to differ materially from the anticipated results or expectations expressed. These risks and uncertainties, include, but are not limited to access to capital markets, market forces, competition from new and existing companies and regulatory conditions. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on this forward-looking information, which is given as of the date it is expressed in this news release or otherwise, and to not use future-oriented information or financial outlooks for anything other than their intended purpose. Edgewater Wireless undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

NEITHER THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230908965752/en/

Edgewater Wireless:

Andrew Skafel, President and CEO

E: [email protected]

Bill Mitoulas, Investor Relations

E: [email protected]

T: +1.416.479.9547

www.edgewaterwireless.com

Source: Edgewater Wireless Systems Inc.
NASSAU, The Bahamas, Sept. 09, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- OKX, a leading crypto exchange by trading volume and a leading Web3 technology company, has issued updates for September 9, 2023.

OKX to Launch Limit Orders for Options Based on Implied Volatility (IV) and USD Price

OKX will launch limit orders for options based on implied volatility (IV) and the price of USD at 2:00 pm (UTC+8) on September 8, 2023 to enhance the functionalities offered to options traders. This feature will first be launched on the OKX website and will be available on the OKX app at a later date.

With the introduction of this feature, traders will be able to place a limit order with an IV value to specify the target price level of their options contract. The BTC/ETH prices of these orders will be continuously updated using the Black-Scholes (BS) options pricing formula, ensuring that the corresponding IVs of the orders remain close to the levels specified.

Similarly, traders will also be able to place a limit order with a USD price to specify the target price level of their options contract. The BTC/ETH prices of these orders will be continuously updated using the prevailing crypto index price, ensuring that the corresponding USD prices of the orders remain close to the level specified. The BTC/ETH prices of these orders will be updated every 3 seconds in the order book.

In addition, OKX has adjusted the currency used in options trading. Options prices and order/position amounts will no longer be displayed in the local currency selected by traders. Instead, these fields will only be displayed in crypto or USD. The BTC/ETH price index used as the underlying index for options contracts will also no longer be displayed in the local currency selected by traders. Only the USD index of BTC/ETH will be displayed.

To place a limit order based on IV or USD price, traders can check the "Tracking orders" box on the limit order UI for options. Traders can continue to place limit orders for options using prices specified in crypto (BTC/ETH).

To learn more, read this site announcement.

For more information, please visit the Support Center.

For further information, please contact:[email protected]

About OKX

OKX is a leading global crypto exchange and innovative Web3 company. Trusted by more than 50 million global users, OKX is known for being the fastest and most reliable crypto trading app for traders everywhere.

As a top partner of English Premier League champions Manchester City FC, McLaren Formula 1, Olympian Scotty James, and F1 driver Daniel Ricciardo, OKX aims to supercharge the fan experience with new engagement opportunities. OKX is also the top partner of the Tribeca Festival as part of an initiative to bring more creators into web3.

The OKX Wallet is the platform's latest offering for people looking to explore the world of NFTs and the metaverse while trading GameFi and DeFi tokens.

OKX is committed to transparency and security and publishes its Proof of Reserves on a monthly basis.

To learn more about OKX, download our app or visit: okx.com

Disclaimer

This announcement is provided for informational purposes only. It is not intended to provide any investment, tax, or legal advice, nor should it be considered an offer to purchase, sell, hold or offer any services relating to digital assets. Digital assets, including stablecoins, involve a high degree of risk, can fluctuate greatly, and can even become worthless.

Source: OKX
Oxnard, CA, Sept. 08, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Moving into his third harvest, Herzog Wine Cellars Director of Winemaking and Operations David Galzignato decided to expand the talent roster in the winemaking department. His first move was to promote former Assisstant Winemaker Alicia Wilbur to Production Winemaker. Her new role gives her much bigger scope to be hands on with the winemaking process at Herzog in a more top-down and complete way. Together, Galzignato and Wilbur began their search for new individuals to fill key winemaking roles prior to what will be a challenging harvest in California.

The first position to be filled was that of Assisstant Winemaker. Chicago native and University of Missouri alum Patrick Toomey was selected for the task. Having learned his craft in both Oregon and New Zealand, it wasn't until he established himself in the Central Coast region of California that he truly was able to test his skills. Working at both Justin Vineyards and Midnight Cellars in Paso Robles, Toomey quickly established himself as an invaluable member of any winemaking team he joins. He works closely with the rest of the winemaking team and spends a majority of his time in the cellar for his very hands-on role.

The next role looking to be filled was that of Enologist, or wine scientist. This role has a heavy lab component that is constantly checking wines as they're being made to ensure that all the conditions and processes are as optimal as possible. It's also a key position to establish if something is going wrong with the wine so it can be corrected before too late. Ventura County local Dorian Williams was the perfect candidate. With AAs in both Enology and Viticulture, he brings a mixture of textbook and real world perspectives. Having worked at both Reninger and Prospice in Walla Walla, WA and interning at Spottswoode in Napa, Williams has spent the majority of his career in winemaking as a Cellar Master. The move to Enologist gives him a more macro perspective on the winemaking process at Herzog while also dealing in the smallest of details everyday.

The core winemaking team at Herzog, supplemented by a new array of technological upgrades to the winery under Galzignato's guidance, is more than ready for the challenge of whatever Harvest 2023 throws its way.

ABOUT HERZOG WINE CELLARSCalifornia-based Herzog Wine Cellars is a division of Royal Wine Corporation, a family-owned company and one of the largest producers of kosher wines in North America. Specializing in sustainable viniculture, Herzog offers more than 25 grape varieties in its award-winning wines, including brands like Baron Herzog and Jeunesse. The craftsmanship of Herzog wines is attributed to a 150-year legacy of wine making, passed down for nine generations from Czechoslovakia to the United States and now led by Director of Winemaking and Operations, David Galzignato. To learn more about Herzog, connect on social media or visit herzogwine.com

David Whittemore Herzog Wine Cellars 8059831560 [email protected]

Source: Herzog Wine Cellars
NEW YORK, Sept. 08, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --

WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of the securities of Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE: VZ) between February 4, 2020 and July 26, 2023, both dates inclusive (the Class Period), of the important October 2, 2023 lead plaintiff deadline in the securities class action commenced by the Firm.

SO WHAT: If you purchased Verizon securities during the Class Period you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement.

WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the Verizon class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=17727 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] or [email protected] for information on the class action. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than October 2, 2023. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation.

WHY ROSEN LAW: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources, or any meaningful peer recognition. Many of these firms do not actually litigate securities class actions, but are merely middlemen that refer clients or partner with law firms that actually litigate the cases. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm has achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs Bar. Many of the firms attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers.

DETAILS OF THE CASE: According to the lawsuit, throughout the Class Period, defendants made materially false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose, among other things, that: (1) Verizon owns cables around the country that are highly toxic due to being wrapped in lead, and which harm Company employees and non-employees alike; (2) Verizon faces potentially significant litigation risk, regulatory risk, and reputational harm as a result of its ownership of these lead-covered cables and the health risks stemming from their presence around the United States; (3) Verizon was warned about the damage and risks presented by these cables but did not disclose them as a potential threat to employee safety or to everyday people and communities around the country; and (4) as a result, defendants statements about its business, operations, and prospects were materially false and misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis at all relevant times. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages.

To join the Verizon class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=17727 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] or [email protected] for information on the class action

No Class Has Been Certified. Until a class is certified, you are not represented by counsel unless you retain one. You may select counsel of your choice. You may also remain an absent class member and do nothing at this point. An investors ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff.

Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm or on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm.

Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013. Rosen Law Firm has achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company. Rosen Law Firms attorneys are ranked and recognized by numerous independent and respected sources. Rosen Law Firm has secured hundreds of millions of dollars for investors.

Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

-------------------------------

Contact Information:

Laurence Rosen, Esq.

Phillip Kim, Esq.

The Rosen Law Firm, P.A.

275 Madison Avenue, 40th Floor

New York, NY 10016

Tel: (212) 686-1060

Toll Free: (866) 767-3653

Fax: (212) 202-3827

[email protected]

[email protected]

[email protected]

www.rosenlegal.com
Tidalove, a personal care brand dedicated to reducing plastic waste and advancing sustainability, proudly introduces its visionary product range. The brand's unwavering commitment to a plastic-free, water-free ethos reflects its mission of environmental responsibility, benefiting both consumers and the planet.

Atlanta, Georgia--(Newsfile Corp. - September 9, 2023) - Tidalove, the leading personal care brand dedicated to reducing plastic waste and promoting sustainability, proudly introduces its innovative product line. Tidalove's commitment to a plastic-free, water-free ethos embodies a vision of environmental responsibility that benefits consumers and the planet.

Tidalove Unveils Innovative Personal Care Line, Pioneering Sustainability in the Beauty Industry.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8703/180015_4a2020c5f4930887_001full.jpg

Tidalove recognizes the immense advantages of waterless personal care products. Waterless formulations reduce weight, resulting in fewer CO2 emissions during manufacturing and shipping. Furthermore, these formulations require fewer preservatives, contributing to a healthier and more natural skincare regimen.

Tidalove's waterless products are packaged in biodegradable FSC-certified materials, making them an eco-friendly choice. Consumers have the option to use their existing bottles or jars to store these products, or they can purchase refillable containers directly from Tidalove. This commitment to sustainability extends to the packaging, aligning perfectly with the mission to reduce environmental impact.

The product range includes innovative solutions for everyday personal care needs:

Toothpaste Tablets with Fluoride: Tidalove understands that transitioning to eco-friendly oral care can be a challenge. That's why we offer toothpaste tablets with fluoride, catering to those not yet ready to depart from traditional fluoride toothpaste. Most toothpaste tablets on the market lack fluoride.

Body Wash Sheets: Perfect for camping, gym bags, and travel, body wash sheets are lightweight and pre-portioned. Unlike inexpensive paper soaps, they contain a blend of four botanical ingredients, making them ideal for sensitive skin.

Facial Cleanser Beans: Tidalove's facial wash beans are versatile and adaptable to skincare routines. Use them daily as a cleanser, as an exfoliator, or as a wash-off mask, enhancing skincare regimens with ease.

Tidalove products are proudly vegan and cruelty-free, free from artificial fragrances, SLS, parabens, and triclosan. This brand believes in providing consumers not only with effective personal care solutions but also ethical and sustainable choices.

By choosing Tidalove, consumers actively contribute to a reduction in plastic waste and a decrease in carbon emissions. A passion for making a positive impact on the environment and empowering individuals to embrace eco-conscious practices drives Tidalove's mission.

About the Company - Tidalove:

Tidalove is a personal care brand committed to reducing plastic waste and promoting sustainability. By introducing innovative refillable solid cleansers in compostable packaging, Tidalove aims to revolutionize personal care while championing environmental responsibility.

Media Contact:

Company Name: Tidalove

Contact Name: Penny Choi

Email: [email protected]

Website: http://www.tidalove.com/

Country: Georgia, USA

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/180015
"We are willing to work with all parties to promote the New Delhi summit to achieve positive results based on the principle of consensus." - Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning.



The 18th summit of the G20 (Group of Twenty) is being held between 9 - 10 September 2023 in India. As the rotating president and host of the G20, India is holding such a large-scale multilateral diplomatic summit for the first time. Leaders of the G20 gathered in the capital New Delhi. China's top leader Xi Jinping is skipping the event with Premier Li Qiang attending instead. In addition to G20 members, other countries invited to the summit include Bangladesh, Egypt, Mauritius, the Netherlands, Nigeria, Oman, Singapore, Spain and the United Arab Emirates. International organizations such as the United Nations, International Monetary Fund, WHO, WTO, International Labor Organization (ILO), and the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) have also been invited. So are organizations including the International Solar Alliance (ISA), the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI), the Asian Development Bank (ADB), and others.

No joint statement from India G20 summit

Economic recovery and multilateral diplomacy have always been the main themes of the G20 summit. Like last year's summit in Bali, Indonesia, however, this year will inevitably encounter challenges involving geopolitics and power struggles. At the time of publishing, no joint statement has been issued. It is reported that G20 member states have found it difficult to reach an agreement on wording related to the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The United States and Western countries sought to express strong condemnation of Russia as a precondition for issuing a joint statement, which failed to be recognized by all G20 member states.

At a regular press conference on September 8, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said the G20 countries has not yet made a joint statement on this summit, "China has always attached great importance to the G20 and actively participated in related activities. In order to prepare for this summit in New Delhi, the Chinese delegation also participated in the consultation and discussion of the statement with a positive and constructive attitude. We are willing to work with all parties to promote the New Delhi summit to achieve positive results based on the principle of consensus."

Economic development and debt restructuring issues are top priorities

According to sources from the Indian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Modi government hopes the G20 will focus on climate change and the debt crisis of developing countries instead of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. In the past year as India assumed the presidency of the G20, the nation has paid increasing attention to many major issues, with focuses including how to allow multilateral institutions to provide more loans to developing countries, reform of the international debt structure, regulation of cryptocurrencies, and examining the impact of geopolitical uncertainty on food and energy security. Among these issues, economic development and debt restructuring are top priorities.

While India is promoting a debt restructuring agenda, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that India, as the rotating president, attached great importance to the global challenges caused by debt vulnerabilities, especially for southern countries. Some Indian media positioned India as a leader "guiding the southern countries to confront the debt traps created by certain countries", which is quite consistent with India's portrayal of itself as the "leader of the southern countries" in recent years.

In April this year, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said that China is not the source of the "debt trap" plaguing African countries, but a partner that helps Africa and other developing countries escape the "poverty trap". China attaches great importance to Africas debt problems and actively helps to deal with the problems, he said.

For the G20 Debt Service Suspension Initiative (DSSI), China has made the biggest contribution among the countries that participated in the DSSI. "The latest research results of the China-Africa Institute of Johns Hopkins University in the United States show that China has actively participated in the G20 DSSI and contributed as much as 63% of debt service suspensions." The report highlighted that China has conducted good communication with other participants and well performed duties with effective implementation of debt suspension measures. Wang Wenbin said at that time.

Wang Wenbin emphasized that China has always been committed to providing support for the economic and social development of developing nations including African countries, carrying out investment and financing cooperation based on the principle of equality and mutual benefit, and striving to help developing countries ease their debt burden.

African countries are also considering applying to join the G20

On August 27 this year, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated at the G20 Business Summit in New Delhi that India, as host of this year's summit, would focus on developing countries and propose to grant the African Union full member status of the G20. Modi said "We have an inclusive vision and in line with this vision, we have invited the African Union to become a full member of the G20."

China is the first country to explicitly support the African Union's participation in the G20. In August 2022, then State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said in his speech at the coordinators meeting for the implementation of the outcomes of the 8th Ministerial Conference of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) that China firmly supports African countries in following their own path and uniting to strengthen themselves, and that China also supports the African Union to join the G20. Since then, China has reiterated this position on many occasions.

At present, the downward pressure on the world economy is increasing, and all countries have their own considerations for jointly responding to outstanding challenges in international economic development. Mao Ning, spokesperson of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said at a regular press conference on September 4 that the G20, as a major international economic forum for cooperation, should strengthen partnerships and joint efforts to address outstanding challenges in international economic development, and make positive contributions to promoting world economic recovery and global sustainable development. China hopes that the New Delhi summit will build such a consensus, convey confidence to the international world, and promote prosperity and development through joint effort.

Contact Info:

Name: Janet Yang

Email: Send Email

Organization: BON CLOUD

Website: http://www.bon-cloud.cn



Release ID: 89107107

In case of detection of errors, concerns, or irregularities in the content provided in this press release, or if there is a need for a press release takedown, we strongly encourage you to reach out promptly by contacting [email protected]. Our efficient team will be at your disposal for immediate assistance within 8 hours  resolving identified issues diligently or guiding you through the removal process. We take great pride in delivering reliable and precise information to our valued readers.
Paid press release content from The Financial Capital. The StreetInsider.com news staff was not involved in its creation.

SEO.co has unveiled a compelling case study addressing the challenges of optimizing websites for mesothelioma law firms. CMO Samuel Edwards and CRO Timothy Carter discuss innovative strategies for overcoming this competitive niche, offering law firms valuable insights to enhance their online presence.



SEO.co, a leading SEO company, is pleased to announce the release of its latest SEO case study, focusing on the intricate challenges of optimizing websites within the competitive field of mesothelioma lead generation for law firms. This comprehensive study explores the strategies and tactics employed by SEO.co to help law firms achieve higher search engine rankings, attracting more potential clients in the process.

Search engine optimization has always been a demanding field, but the challenges are magnified when it comes to mesothelioma law firms. Samuel Edwards, Chief Marketing Officer at SEO.co, elaborated on the difficulties of ranking websites in this highly competitive niche:

"Mesothelioma law firms operate in a space where competition is fierce. Ranking on the first page of search engine results is essential to attract clients who need specialized legal services. SEO.co understands the unique challenges of this niche and has developed innovative strategies to help our clients stand out from the crowd."

SEO.co's case study delves into these innovative strategies, shedding light on how the company employs cutting-edge lawyer SEO techniques to help mesothelioma law firms improve their online visibility and generate more leads.

Timothy Carter, Chief Revenue Officer at SEO.co, commented on the importance of this new SEO case study for law firms:

"Our new case study provides valuable insights into the world of mesothelioma law firm SEO, revealing the complexities and nuances of optimizing websites in this competitive landscape. By sharing our expertise and showcasing real-world results, we aim to empower law firms to make informed decisions about their online marketing efforts."

The case study includes a detailed analysis of the challenges faced by mesothelioma law firms and the specific strategies employed by SEO.co to overcome these obstacles. It highlights the importance of keyword research, content optimization, backlink building, and other essential SEO techniques tailored to this specialized field.

Law firms seeking to enhance their online presence and attract more mesothelioma-related cases can benefit from the insights and strategies outlined in this case study. By partnering with SEO.co, law firms can tap into a wealth of SEO expertise and experience, ultimately achieving better rankings and increased visibility in search engine results.

For more information about the mesothelioma SEO case study or to explore SEO.co's range of SEO services, please visit [Website URL].

About SEO

SEO.co is a leading search engine optimization (SEO) services company that specializes in helping businesses improve their online visibility and rankings in search engine results. With a team of dedicated SEO experts, SEO.co has a proven track record of delivering tangible results for clients across various industries. As part of the Marketer digital marketing network, the company offers a wide range of SEO services, including keyword research, content optimization, link building, and website audit services, tailored to meet the unique needs of each client.



About Us: SEO.co is a premier SEO company with a focus on search engine optimization for law firms.

Contact Info:

Name: Ryan Nead

Email: Send Email

Organization: Marketer

Website: https://marketer.co



Release ID: 89107078

If there are any deficiencies, problems, or concerns regarding the information presented in this press release that require attention or if you need assistance with a press release takedown, we encourage you to notify us without delay at [email protected]. Our diligent team is committed to promptly addressing your concerns within 8 hours and taking necessary actions to rectify any identified issues or facilitate the removal process. Providing accurate and trustworthy information is of utmost importance.
HARBIN, Sept. 9 (Xinhua) -- Villager Yang Chungui saw his farmhouse inundated as torrential rains caused severe flooding in Heilongjiang Province in northeast China.

Yang's house in the village of Longwangmiao was built over 20 years ago. The flooding damaged its walls, with water stains measuring over one meter in height still visible.

As he was busy renovating on Thursday morning, President Xi Jinping walked into the house.

"I came by to visit your home," said Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, as he carefully checked the damage around the 90-square-meter house.

"How much would this (renovation) cost you?" the president asked.

"Less than 60,000 yuan (about 8,170 U.S. dollars), and the government provided some subsidies," Yang replied. "I also took the chance to do some refurbishing."

Yang told Xi that his farmland had also suffered from flooding, but timely guidance from agricultural experts helped him recover some losses.

"What other needs do you have for post-disaster reconstruction?" Xi asked.

"Now we just hope to harvest more grain during the autumn, and if the grain prices are good, we can cover our costs," Yang replied, adding that the government has already taken care of all sorts of other work in post-disaster reconstruction.

Xi looked relieved. "No matter whether it is food, housing, transportation, employment, schooling, medical care, or disease prevention, when the disaster-stricken people feel any inconvenience, governments at all levels must step up efforts to do it well," he said.

Xi has been very concerned about the life of flood-stricken people all along.

Over the past two months, he has closely followed flood situations across the country. He made multiple instructions and convened meetings to plan disaster relief and reconstruction work.

On his inspection of Heilongjiang, Xi went straight from the provincial capital Harbin to Longwangmiao in Shangzhi City, which has been severely affected by the disaster.

Upon arrival, he walked along dirt paths through rice fields, carefully inspecting the crop damage.

He saw large portions of rice plants flattened on the ground, covered in mud.

Learning that about half of the village's farmland was inundated, Xi looked towards the fields with a serious expression.

"How much of the harvest can be salvaged?" Xi asked.

"In the less affected fields, about 50 percent can be salvaged," said a local official.

Xi was informed that besides some subsidies, there was also agricultural insurance compensation for the affected farmlands. He nodded in approval.

In Longwangmiao, Xi also visited a construction site and carefully inquired about the size, layout, and earthquake resistance levels of the house being built. He specifically asked about heating details.

"It gets really cold during the winter in the northeastern region, and people can't afford to endure freezing conditions," Xi told local officials. "Make sure that villagers can move in before winter."

Word spread that the president came to Longwangmiao, and villagers gathered enthusiastically alongside a village road outside Yang's house to greet him.

Xi said this year's flood season has caused severe damage in provinces and municipalities in northern China, including Hebei, Beijing, Tianjin, and the northeastern region.

"Many residents have said that they have never experienced such extensive flooding before. I have been concerned about the disaster-stricken areas, and on this trip to Heilongjiang, I specifically came to Shangzhi, which has been heavily affected by the disaster," Xi said.

Noting that the damage is severe to the crops, Xi called for efforts to minimize the losses and recover some of the yields. He reiterated that the restoration of the damaged houses must be finished before winter.

"In China, when our people face difficulties, we must give full play to the advantages of the socialist system, which means that when one place is in trouble, support comes from all quarters, and the state provides full support," Xi said, to a long and enthusiastic applause. 
EDMONTON, AB , Sept. 8, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - AutoCanada Inc. ("AutoCanada" or the "Company") (TSX: ACQ), a multi-location North American automobile dealership group, and CanadaOne Auto Group ("CanadaOne Auto"), a multi-location automobile dealership group operating dealerships across Canada , announced today that they have agreed to resolve the legal proceedings between AutoCanada, Patrick Priestner and CanadaOne Auto that were commenced in 2019. Mr. Priestner was previously the Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of AutoCanada.

As part of this resolution, AutoCanada has agreed to sell to CanadaOne Auto properties on which two of CanadaOne Auto's dealerships are located, and CanadaOne Auto has agreed to amend the leases for two AutoCanada dealerships located on properties owned by CanadaOne Auto. The parties have also agreed to co-operate on certain commercial matters for each other's mutual benefit, and plan to work together on certain charitable initiatives. Neither party has admitted any wrongdoing or liability.

About AutoCanada

AutoCanada is a leading North American multi-location automobile dealership group currently operating 83 franchised dealerships, comprised of 28 brands, in eight provinces in Canada as well as a group in Illinois, USA . AutoCanada currently sells Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram, FIAT, Alfa Romeo, Chevrolet, GMC, Buick , Cadillac, Ford, Infiniti, Nissan, Hyundai, Subaru, Audi, Volkswagen, Kia, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, BMW, MINI, Volvo, Toyota, Lincoln , Acura, Honda and Porsche branded vehicles. In addition, AutoCanada's Canadian Operations segment currently operates 3 used vehicle dealerships and 1 used vehicle auction business supporting the Used Digital Retail Division, 12 RightRide division locations, and 11 stand-alone collision centres within our group of 27 collision centres. In 2022, our dealerships sold approximately 100,000 vehicles and processed over 900,000 service and collision repair orders in our 1,367 service bays generating revenue in excess of $6 billion .

Additional information about AutoCanada is available at www.sedarplus.ca and the Company's website at www.autocan.ca.

For further information about AutoCanada contact:

Azim Lalani , Chief Financial Officer

Phone: 780-732-3157

Email: [email protected]

About CanadaOne Auto

CanadaOne Auto is a multi-location automobile dealership group, currently operating 29 dealerships across Canada in the provinces of British Columbia , Alberta , Saskatchewan , Manitoba and Ontario . Our 2500+ employees proudly sell and service vehicles from some of Canada 's top automotive brands, including Subaru, Honda, Kia, Toyota, Lexus, Ford, Lincoln , Chevrolet, Buick , Cadillac, GMC, and Corvette.

Additional information about CanadaOne Auto is available at www.canadaoneauto.com.

For further information about CanadaOne Auto contact:

David Gordey , Chief Financial Officer

Phone: 780-224-2980

Email: [email protected]

Certain statements contained in this press release are forward-looking statements and information (collectively "forward-looking statements"), within the meaning of the applicable Canadian securities legislation. We hereby provide cautionary statements identifying important factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those projected in these forward-looking statements. Any statements that express, or involve discussions as to, expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance (often, but not always, through the use of words or phrases such as "will likely result", "are expected to", "will continue", "is anticipated", "projection", "vision", "goals", "objective", "target", "schedules", "outlook", "anticipate", "expect", "estimate", "could", "should", "plan", "seek", "may", "intend", "likely", "will", "believe", "shall" and similar expressions) are not historical facts and are forward-looking and may involve estimates and assumptions and are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors some of which are beyond our control and difficult to predict.

Accordingly, these factors could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements. Therefore, any such forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by reference to the factors discussed throughout this press release.

The Company's Annual Information Form and other documents filed with securities regulatory authorities (accessible through the SEDAR website at www.sedarplus.ca) describe the risks, material assumptions and other factors that could influence actual results and which are incorporated herein by reference.

Further, any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which such statement is made, and, except as required by applicable law, we undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which such statement is made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for Management to predict all of such factors and to assess in advance the impact of each such factor on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/autocanada-patrick-priestner-and-canadaone-auto-group-settle-outstanding-litigation-301922491.html

SOURCE AutoCanada Inc.
Lahaina to Remain Closed to the Public While Disaster Recovery Efforts Continue

HONOLULU , Sept. 8, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Governor Josh Green , M.D., today declared in a statewide address that the West Maui communities of Ka'anapali, Napili, Honokowai, and Kapalua will fully reopen on Sunday, October 8 , two months after the August 8 wildfires that destroyed Lahaina .

Hawai'i residents and visitors are encouraged to make travel plans to Maui and support the island's businesses, restaurants, retail outlets, attractions, and accommodations. All previous restrictions for travel to West Maui communities north of Lahaina will be lifted October 8 and no one should be discouraged or reluctant to go and support the businesses and workers that rely on tourism in West Maui for their families' livelihood.

Governor Green stated, "Beginning October 8 , all travel restrictions will end and West Maui will be open to visitors again, so people from Hawaii and around the world can resume travel to this special place and help it begin to recover economically. This difficult decision is meant to bring hope for recovery to the families and businesses on Maui that have been so deeply affected in every way by the disaster."

Lahaina itself will remain fully closed to the public until further notice out of respect to the town's residents. County, state, and federal emergency responders continue with efforts to identify victims and the missing, and conduct clean-up efforts of debris and hazardous materials resulting from the wildfires.

"No one in Hawai'i will ever forget the tragedy that our friends, families, loved ones, and colleagues in Lahaina are enduring," said Daniel Naho'opi'i, Chief Administrative Officer of the Hawai'i Tourism Authority. "The response from residents statewide and by people around the world to support Maui's recovery has been incredible and inspiring. Now is the time for people everywhere to show their support for Maui by booking trips, making restaurant reservations, and frequenting Maui's retail stores and attractions that support workers and their families."

For the latest information on travel to the Hawaiian Islands, visit our official travel site, gohawaii.com.

About the Hawai'i Tourism Authority

The Hawaii Tourism Authority is the state agency responsible for representing The Hawaiian Islands around the world, and for holistically managing tourism in a sustainable manner consistent with community desires, economic goals, cultural values, preservation of natural resources, and visitor industry needs. HTA works with the community and industry to Malama Hawaii  care for our beloved home. For more information about HTA, visit www.hawaiitourismauthority.org or follow @HawaiiHTA on Facebook, Instagram, Threads and Twitter.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/governor-josh-green-md-declares-west-maui-communities-to-reopen-on-october-8-urges-visitors-to-support-local-businesses-and-workers-301922524.html

SOURCE Hawaii Tourism Authority
BEIJING , Sept. 8, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Gravitas Education Holdings, Inc. ("GEHI" or the "Company") (NYSE: GEHI), a leading early childhood education service provider in China and Singapore , today announced its unaudited financial results for the first half of 2023.

The Company's Acquisition of eLMTree and Divestiture of its PRC Business

The Company announced on April 18, 2023 , that it has entered into an agreement and plan of merger (the "Merger Agreement"), dated April 18, 2023 , with Bright Sunlight Limited, a Cayman Islands exempted company and a direct, wholly owned subsidiary of the Company (the "Merger Sub"), Best Assistant Education Online Limited, a Cayman Islands exempted company ("Best Assistant") and a controlled subsidiary of NetDragon Websoft Holdings Limited (HKEX: 0777, "NetDragon"), a Cayman Islands exempted company, and solely for purposes of certain named sections thereof, NetDragon. It is contemplated that Best Assistant will transfer the education business of NetDragon outside of the PRC to Elmtree Inc., a Cayman Islands exempted company limited by shares ("eLMTree") and currently a wholly owned subsidiary of Best Assistant. Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, Merger Sub will merge with and into eLMTree with eLMTree continuing as the surviving company and becoming a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company (the "Merger").

Concurrent with the execution of the Merger Agreement, the Company has entered into a share purchase agreement (the "Divestiture Agreement") with Rainbow Companion, Inc. (the "Divestiture Purchaser"), a purchaser consortium formed by Joy Year Limited, Bloom Star Limited, Ascendent Rainbow (Cayman) Limited (and its affiliates), Trump Creation Limited and China Growth Capital Limited. Pursuant to the Divestiture Agreement, immediately prior to the Closing, the Company will transfer all its education business in China to the Divestiture Purchaser (the "Divestiture"). Upon completion of the Divestiture, the Company will cease to operate any education business in China .

As the Company will divest its China business, the Company's China operations and its associated assets and liabilities have been reclassified as discontinued operations in the financial results. After the Divestiture, the Company's Singapore operations and its associated assets and liabilities will continue to remain with the Company. As the Merger has not closed, the financial information of eLMTree is not included in the Company's financial results for the first six months of 2023. For the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information which presents the combined financial information of the Company following the Divestiture and eLMTree after giving effect to the Merger, please refer to the proxy statement for extraordinary general meeting of the Company that was included in our current report on Form 6-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 31, 2023 .

First Six Months of 2023 Financial Results

Net revenues from continuing operations were US$18.0 million , compared with US$15.3 million for the first six months of 2022.

, compared with for the first six months of 2022. Gross profit from continuing operations was US$2.7 million , compared with US$1.0 million for the first six months of 2022.

, compared with for the first six months of 2022. Net loss from continuing operations attributable to ordinary shareholders of GEHI for the first six months of 2023 was US$2.2 million , compared with US$1.1 million for the same period of 2022. Adjusted net loss from continuing operations attributable to ordinary shareholders [1] of GEHI for the first six months of 2023 was US$2.1 million , compared with US$1.0 million for the same period of 2022.



Net loss attributable to ordinary shareholders of GEHI for the first six months of 2023 was US$4 .5 million, compared with US$26 .8 million of net income attributable to ordinary shareholders of GEHI for the same period of 2022. Adjusted net loss attributable to ordinary shareholders [1] of GEHI for the first six months of 2023 was US$4 .1 million, compared with US$27.3 million of adjusted net income attributable to ordinary shareholders [1] of GEHI for the same period of 2022.

First Six Months of 2023 Financial Results

Net Revenues from Continuing Operations

Net revenues from continuing operations for the first six months of 2023 were US$18.0 million , an increase of 17.9% from US$15.3 million for the same period of 2022.

Revenues from kindergarten services from continuing operations for the first six months of 2023 were US$9.5 million , an increase of 18.5% from US$8.0 million for the same period last year. The increase in our revenues generated from kindergarten services was primarily due to a 3.3% increase in the average number of students from 1,412 to 1,459, and a 14.7% increase in the average tuition and fees from US$933 to US$1,070 during the comparison periods.

Revenues from student care center services from continuing operations for the first six months of 2023 were US$7.8 million , an increase of 17.1% from US$6.7 million for the same period last year. The increase in our revenues generated from student care center services was primarily due to a 18.5% increase in the average number of students from 5,757 to 6,820.

Revenues from franchise services from continuing operations for the first six months of 2023 were US$0.7 million , an increase of 18.1% from US$0.6 million for the same period last year. The increase in our revenues generated from franchise services was primarily due to an increase in the number of franchise facilities.

Cost of Revenues of Continuing Operations

Cost of revenues of continuing operations for the first six months of 2023 was US$15.3 million , compared with US$14.2 million for the first six months of 2022. The increase was primarily due to an increase in staff compensation at the Company's directly operated kindergartens and higher operating cost.

Gross Profit from Continuing Operations

Gross profit from continuing operations for the first six months of 2023 was US$2.7 million , compared with US$1.0 million for the same period last year.

Operating Expenses of Continuing Operations

Total operating expenses of continuing operations for the first six months of 2023 were US$6.0 million , compared with US$3.3 million for the same period last year. Excluding share-based compensation expenses, operating expenses of continuing operations were US$5.8 million for the first six months of 2023, compared with US$3.1 million for the same period last year.

Selling expenses of continuing operations were US$0.3 million for the first six months of 2023, compared with US$0.2 million for the same period last year.

General and administrative expenses of continuing operations for the first six months of 2023 were US$5.7 million , compared with US$3.0 million for the same period last year. Excluding share-based compensation expenses, general and administrative expenses of continuing operations were US$5.5 million for the first six months of 2023, an increase of 90.9% from US$2.9 million for the same period of 2022. The increase in general and administrative expenses excluding share-based compensation expenses was primarily due to the increase in transaction cost related to the Merger.

Operating Loss from Continuing Operations

Operating loss from continuing operations for the first six months of 2023 was US$3.3 million , compared with US$2.2 million for the same period last year. Adjusted operating loss[2] from continuing operations for the first six months of 2023 was US$3.1 million , compared with US$2.1 million for the same period last year.

Net Loss from Continuing Operations

Net loss from continuing operations attributable to ordinary shareholders of GEHI for the first six months of 2023 was US$2.2 million , compared with US$1.1 million for the same period of 2022. Adjusted net loss from continuing operations attributable to ordinary shareholders of GEHI for the first six months of 2023 was US$2.1 million , compared with US$1.0 million for the same period of 2022.

Basic and diluted net loss from continuing operations per American Depositary Share ("ADS") attributable to ordinary shareholders of GEHI for the first six months of 2023 were both US$1.59 , compared with both of US$0.79 for the same period of 2022. Each ADS represents twenty Class A ordinary shares.

Adjusted basic and diluted net loss from continuing operations per ADS attributable to ordinary shareholders[3] of GEHI for the first six months of 2023 were both US$1.49 compared with both of US$0.69 for the same period of 2022.

EBITDA[4]from continuing operations for the first six months of 2023 was negative US$1.6 million , compared with negative US$0.1 million for the same period of 2022. Adjusted EBITDA[5] from continuing operations for the first six months of 2023 was negative US$1.4 million , compared with US$31.0 thousand for the same period of 2022.

Net Income/loss from Discontinued Operations

Loss from discontinued operations after taxes for the first six months of 2023 was US$2.4 million , compared with US$4.1 million for the same period last year. Gain on disposal of discontinued operations after taxes for the first six months of 2023 was nil, compared with US$30.5 million for the same period of 2022. This was primarily because the company divested its directly operated kindergarten business and recognized $30.5 million disposal gain in the first half of 2022, while the Divestiture announced on April 18, 2023 has not complete in the first half of 2023 and the company has not recognized any gains from the Divestiture.

Net Income/loss

Net loss attributable to ordinary shareholders of GEHI for the first six months of 2023 was US$4.5 million , compared with US$26.8 million of net income attributable to ordinary shareholders of GEHI for the same period of 2022. This was primarily due to the decrease of US$30.5 million disposal gain the Company recognized from discontinued operation in the first half of 2022.

Adjusted net loss attributable to ordinary shareholders of GEHI for the first six months of 2023 was US$4.1 million , compared with US$27.3 million of adjusted net income attributable to ordinary shareholders of GEHI for the same period of 2022.

Basic and diluted net loss per ADS attributable to ordinary shareholders of GEHI for the first six months of 2023 were both US$3.15 , compared with both US$19.11 of basic and diluted net income per ADS attributable to ordinary shareholders of GEHI for the same period of 2022. Each ADS represents twenty Class A ordinary shares.

Adjusted basic and diluted net loss per ADS attributable to ordinary shareholders[3] of GEHI for the first six months of 2023 were both US$2.93 , compared with both US$19.42 of adjusted basic and diluted net income per ADS attributable to ordinary shareholders[3] of GEHI for the same period of 2022.

EBITDA for the first six months of 2023 was negative US$3.3 million , compared with US$36.3 million for the same period of 2022. Adjusted EBITDA for the first six months of 2023 was negative US3.0 million, compared with US$36.8 million for the same period of 2022.

[1] Adjusted net income (loss) (from continuing operations) attributable to ordinary shareholders is a non-GAAP financial measure, which is defined as net income (loss) (from continuing operations) attributable to ordinary shareholders excluding share-based compensation expenses and changes in redeemable non-controlling interests. See "Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures" and "Reconciliations of GAAP and non-GAAP results" elsewhere in this earnings release. [2] Adjusted operating income (loss) is a non-GAAP financial measure, which is defined as operating income (loss) excluding share-based compensation expenses. See "Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures" and "Reconciliations of GAAP and non-GAAP results" elsewhere in this earnings release. [3] Adjusted basic and diluted net income (loss) (from continuing operations) per ADS attributable to ordinary shareholders is a non- GAAP financial measure, which is defined as basic and diluted net income (loss) (from continuing operations) per ADS attributable to ordinary shareholders excluding share-based compensation expenses and changes in redeemable non-controlling interest. See "Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures" and "Reconciliations of GAAP and non-GAAP results" elsewhere in this earnings release. [4] EBITDA is defined as net income (loss) excluding depreciation, amortization and income tax expenses. See "Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures" and "Reconciliations of GAAP and non-GAAP results" elsewhere in this earnings release. [5] Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure, which is defined as net income (loss) excluding depreciation, amortization, income tax expenses, and share-based compensation expenses. See "Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures" and "Reconciliations of GAAP and non-GAAP results" elsewhere in this earnings release.

About Gravitas Education Holdings, Inc.

Founded on the core values of "Care" and "Responsibility," "Inspire" and "Innovate," Gravitas Education Holdings, Inc. (formerly known as RYB Education, Inc.) is a leading early childhood education service provider in China . Since opening its first play-and-learn center in 1998, the Company has grown and flourished with the mission to provide high-quality, individualized and age-appropriate care and education to nurture and inspire each child for his or her betterment in life. During its two decades of operating history, the Company has built itself into a well-recognized education brand and helped bring about many new educational practices in China's early childhood education industry. GEHI's comprehensive early childhood education solutions meet the needs of children from infancy to 6 years old through structured courses at kindergartens and play-and-learn centers, as well as at-home educational products and services.

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

We use EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted operating income, adjusted net income, and adjusted basic and diluted net income per ADS, each a non-GAAP financial measure, in evaluating our operating results and for financial and operational decision-making purposes.

EBITDA is defined as net income excluding depreciation, amortization and income tax expenses; adjusted EBITDA is defined as net income excluding depreciation, amortization, income tax expenses, and share-based compensation expenses; adjusted operating income is defined as operating income excluding share-based compensation expenses; adjusted net income attributable to ordinary shareholders is defined as net income attributable to ordinary shareholders excluding share-based compensation expenses and changes in redeemable non-controlling interest; and adjusted basic and diluted net income per ADS attributable to ordinary shareholders are defined as basic and diluted net income per ADS attributable to ordinary shareholders excluding share-based compensation expenses and changes in redeemable non-controlling interest.

We believe that EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted operating income, adjusted net income, and adjusted basic and diluted net income per ADS, help identify underlying trends in our business that could otherwise be distorted by the effect of certain expenses that we include in income from operations and net income. We believe that EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted operating income, adjusted net income, and adjusted basic and diluted net income per ADS, provide useful information about our operating results, enhance the overall understanding of our past performance and future prospects and allow for greater visibility with respect to key metrics used by our management in its financial and operational decision-making.

EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted operating income, adjusted net income, and adjusted basic and diluted net income per ADS, should not be considered in isolation or construed as an alternative to net income or any other measure of performance or as an indicator of our operating performance. Investors are encouraged to review the historical adjusted financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measures. EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted operating income, adjusted net income, and adjusted basic and diluted net income per ADS, presented here may not be comparable to similarly titled measures presented by other companies. Other companies may calculate similarly titled measures differently, limiting their usefulness as comparative measures to our data. We encourage investors and others to review our financial information in its entirety and not rely on a single financial measure.

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. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about the Company's beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement, including but not limited to the following: the Company's brand recognition and market reputation; student enrollment in the Company's teaching facilities; the Company's growth strategies; its future business development, results of operations and financial condition; trends and competition in China's early childhood education market; changes in its revenues and certain cost or expense items; the expected growth of the Chinese early childhood education market; Chinese governmental policies relating to the Company's industry and general economic conditions in China. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in the Company's filings with the SEC. All information provided in this press release and in the attachments is as of the date of this press release, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law.

For investor and media inquiries, please contact:

In China:

Gravitas Education Holdings, Inc.

Investor Relations

Tel: 86-10-8767-5752

E-mail: [email protected].cn

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (in thousands of U.S. dollars)



As of

June 30 , 2023 December 31 ,

2022 Current assets:



Cash and cash equivalents 19,753 20,510 Accounts receivable, net 1,097 658 Inventories 103 96 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 661 691 Amount due from related parties 526 504 Current assets for discontinued operations 12,260 18,786 Total current assets 34,400 41,245





Non-current assets:



Property, plant and equipment, net 4,979 4,780 Intangible assets, net 5,614 5,647 Deferred tax assets 33 34 Other non-current assets 1,545 1,354 Prepayments to related parties 1,076 1,009 Operating lease right-of-use assets 4,589 5,559 Non-current assets for discontinued operations 17,839 21,045 Total assets 70,075 80,673





Liabilities



Current liabilities:



Prepayments from customers, current portion 32 53 Accrued expenses and other current liabilities  third

parties 5,068 3,670 Accrued expenses and other current liabilities 

related parties 344 232 Income tax payable 835 949 Operating lease liabilities, current portion 2,807 2,928 Deferred revenue, current portion 400 892 Current liabilities for discontinued operations 19,540 23,509 Total current liabilities 29,026 32,233





Non-current liabilities:



Other non-current liabilities 3,509 3,604 Deferred income tax liabilities 950 959 Operating lease liabilities, non-current portion 1,943 2,468 Non-current liabilities for discontinued operations 13,314 16,510 Total liabilities 48,742 55,774





Mezzanine equity



Redeemable non-controlling interests 281 111





Equity



Ordinary shares 29 29 Treasury stock (6,897) (7,445) Additional paid-in capital 134,828 135,060 Statutory reserve 5,293 5,293 Accumulated other comprehensive loss (1,005) (1,625) Accumulated deficit (111,512) (107,059) Total Gravitas Education Holdings, Inc.

shareholders' equity 20,736 24,253 Non-controlling interest 316 535 Total equity 21,052 24,788 Total liabilities, mezzanine equity and total equity 70,075 80,673

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share, ADS, per share and per ADS data)

























Six months Ended











June 30 ,











2023

2022

















Net revenues:















Services















Services-third parties









17,891

15,188 Services-related parties







36

54 Total services revenues







17,927

15,242 Products















Products-third parties







91

42 Total products revenues







91

42 Total net revenues







18,018

15,284 Cost of revenues:













Services









15,270

14,198 Products









57

37 Total cost of revenues







15,327

14,235 Gross profit









2,691

1,049

















Operating expenses













Selling expenses







285

227 General and administrative expenses





5,687

3,046 Total operating expenses





5,972

3,273

















Operating loss from continuing operations



(3,281)

(2,224) Government subsidy income





1,199

1,095 Loss before income taxes from continuing operations

(2,082)

(1,129) Less: Income tax benefits







-

(3)

















Net loss from continuing operations





(2,082)

(1,126)

















Discontinued operations













Loss from discontinued operations, net of income taxes

(2,401)

(4,146) Gain on disposal, net of income taxes





-

30,537 Net (loss) income from discontinued operations, net of







income taxes







(2,401)

26,391

















Net (loss) income







(4,483)

25,265 Net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interest from







continuing operations







167

(18) Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest from









discontinued operations







(197)

(1,550) Net (loss) income attributable to ordinary shareholders of







Gravitas Education Holdings, Inc.





(4,453)

26,833





















































Net (loss) income per share attributable to ordinary







shareholders of Gravitas Education Holdings, Inc.  Basic







and diluted















Net loss from continuing operations





(0.08)

(0.04) Net (loss) income from discontinued operations



(0.08)

1.00 Net (loss) income







(0.16)

0.96 Net (loss) income per ADS attributable to ordinary









shareholders of Gravitas Education Holdings, Inc.  Basic







and diluted (Note 1)













Net loss from continuing operations





(1.59)

(0.79) Net (loss) income from discontinued operations



(1.56)

19.90 Net (loss) income







(3.15)

19.11

















Weighted average shares used in calculating net (loss)







income per ordinary share











Basic and diluted







28,234,094

28,078,124















Note 1Each ADS represents twenty Class A ordinary shares.

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share, ADS, per share and per ADS data)











Six months Ended

June 30 ,



2023

2022 Net (loss) income

(4,483)

25,265 Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax of nil:







Change in cumulative foreign currency translation

adjustments

(251)

(2411) Total comprehensive (loss) income

(4,734)

22,854 Less: Comprehensive loss attributable to non-

controlling interest

(49)

(1,928) Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to

Gravitas Education Holdings, Inc.

(4,685)

24,782

RECONCILIATION OF GAAP AND NON-GAAP RESULTS (in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share, ADS, per share and per ADS data)























Six Months Ended



June 30 ,



2023

2022 Operating loss from continuing

operations

(3,281)

(2,224) Share-based compensation expenses on

continuing operations

142

142 Adjusted operating loss from continuing

operations











(3,139)

(2,082)









Net loss from continuing operations

attributable to ordinary shareholders of

Gravitas Education Holdings, Inc.

(2,249)

(1,108) Net (loss) income from discontinued

operations attributable to ordinary

shareholders of Gravitas Education

Holdings, Inc.

(2,204)

27,941 Net (loss) income attributable to

ordinary shareholders of Gravitas

Education Holdings, Inc.

(4,453)

26,833 Share-based compensation expenses on

continuing operations

142

142 Share-based compensation expenses on

discontinued operations

175

293 Adjusted net loss from continuing

operations attributable to ordinary

shareholders of Gravitas Education

Holdings, Inc.

(2,107)

(966) Adjusted net (loss) income from

discontinued operations attributable to

ordinary shareholders of Gravitas

Education Holdings, Inc.

(2,029)

28,234 Adjusted net (loss) income attributable

to ordinary shareholders of Gravitas

Education Holdings, Inc.

(4,136)

27,268



















Net loss from continuing operations

(2,082)

(1,126) Net (loss) income from discontinued

operations

(2,401)

26,391 Net (loss) income

(4,483)

25,265 Add: Income tax benefits on continuing

operations

-

(3) Income tax expenses on discontinued

operations

292

6,667 Depreciation of property, plant and

equipment, and amortization of intangible

assets of continuing operations

494

1,018 Depreciation of property, plant and

equipment, and amortization of intangible

assets of discontinued operations

415

3,393 EBITDA from continuing operations

(1,588)

(111) EBITDA from discontinued operations

(1,694)

36,451 EBITDA

(3,282)

36,340 Share-based compensation expenses on

continuing operations

142

142 Share-based compensation expenses on

discontinued operations

175

293 Adjusted EBITDA from continuing

operations

(1,446)

31 Adjusted EBITDA from discontinued

operations

(1,519)

36,744 Adjusted EBITDA

(2,965)

36,775









Net (loss) income per ADS attributable

to ordinary shareholders of Gravitas

Education Holdings, Inc.- Basic and

diluted (Note1)







Net loss from continuing operations

(1.59)

(0.79) Net (loss) income from discontinued operations

(1.56)

19.90 Net (loss) income

(3.15)

19.11









Adjusted net (loss) income per ADS

attributable to ordinary shareholders

of Gravitas Education Holdings, Inc.-

Basic and diluted (Note1)







Net loss from continuing operations

(1.49)

(0.69) Net (loss) income from discontinued operations

(1.44)

20.11 Net (loss) income

(2.93)

19.42









Weighted average shares used in

calculating basic and diluted net (loss)

income per ADS (Note1)

28,234,094

28,078,124 Weighted average shares used in

calculating basic and diluted adjusted net

(loss) income per ADS (Note1)

28,234,094

28,078,124









Adjusted (loss) net income per share

attributable to ordinary shareholders of

Gravitas Education Holdings, Inc.-

Basic and diluted (Note1)







Net loss from continuing operations

(0.07)

(0.03) Net (loss) income from discontinued

operations

(0.08)

1.00 Net (loss) income

(0.15)

0.97









Note 1Each ADS represents twenty Class A ordinary shares.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/gravitas-education-holdings-inc-reports-first-half-2023-financial-results-301922182.html

SOURCE Gravitas Education Holdings Inc.
FILE PHOTO: A Combined Joint Task Force 50 (CJTF-50) search, rescue and recovery member conducts search operations of areas damaged by Maui wildfires in Lahaina, Hawaii, U.S. August 15, 2023. U.S. Army National Guard/Staff Sgt. Matthew A. Foster/Hand

By Jonathan Allen

(Reuters) -A month after a ferocious fire razed a town in Maui, 66 people remained unaccounted for as workers continued to remove toxic debris from the burn site, a process that could take almost a year, Hawaii Governor Josh Green said on Friday.

The official death toll of the Aug. 8 fire that left the historic town of Lahaina in charred ruins still stands at 115 people, a number unchanged in more than two weeks.

Only 60 of those victims had been identified as of Thursday, according to the Maui Police Department.

Officials have said some victims may have been cremated in the blaze, leaving no remains to recover; a final death toll is uncertain, as is the future of the land where Lahaina stood.

Earlier in September, county and federal officials circulated a list of more than 380 people still unaccounted for; by Friday, the list had been reduced to 66 people, the governor said in remarks broadcast online.

While some families wait in limbo, relatives of those confirmed dead face additional difficulties.

Tim Laborte's stepfather, Joseph Lara, was killed in the fire, his body found a short drive from Lara's house in his native Lahaina. Now the family are trying to piece together whether a mortgage is owed on Lara's ruined property and what kind of insurance polices he held.

"His affairs are a mess," Laborte said. "He didn't have a will, he didn't have a trust."

The family have tried to get Lara's remains released from a temporary morgue, but Laborte said they had been told that none would be released until officials were sure the burn area had been cleared of all human remains, and that obtaining a death certificate could take months.

Hawaii's Department of Health, which issues death certificates in the state, did not respond to questions about how officials are certifying the fire's victims.

Survivors of the fire have not been allowed to return to survey the ruins of their homes and businesses, though some have managed to make their way in on brief forays.

The governor said on Friday that residents and business-owners would soon be allowed to go into the burn zone on scheduled supervised visits.

"The ash, we are told, is quite toxic, so we need to be careful," Green said.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers are leading the removal of toxic debris from Lahaina, a clean-up that Green said would take "the better part of a year" and cost about $1 billion.

The state was asking the owners of short-term rental properties on the island to consider renting their properties long-term to people left homeless by the fire, and was speaking with several hotels about leasing their entire properties for the displaced, Green said.

More than 6,000 survivors of the fire are still sheltering in hotel rooms, Green said. The Federal Emergency Management Agency was helping the state provide housing grants and rental assistance for displaced people for the next 18 months, he said.

Lahaina was built along the shore where Maui's western volcano slopes down into the Pacific Ocean, and it was the former seat of the Hawaiian Kingdom before becoming a popular tourist destination. How it might be rebuilt remains unclear.

"The people of Maui must have as much time as they need to heal and recover and will begin to rebuild only when they are ready," Green said. "I want to emphasize this again: The land in the Lahaina is reserved for its people as they return and rebuild."

(Reporting by Jonathan Allen in New York; Editing by Stephen Coates)
FILE PHOTO: An ethnic Armenian soldier looks through binoculars as he stands at fighting positions near the village of Taghavard in the region of Nagorno-Karabakh, January 11, 2021. Picture taken January 11, 2021. REUTERS/Artem Mikryukov

By Felix Light and Nailia Bagirova

TBILISI (Reuters) - Ethnic Armenian authorities in Azerbaijan's breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh agreed on Saturday to let in aid shipments from Baku-held territory for the first time in decades, in return for the restoration of road links to Armenia.

The moves - initially reported by Armenia's Armenpress state news agency and confirmed by Baku - appear at least partly to grant Azerbaijan's decades-old demand to restore transport links between Azeri government-held territory and the province, which broke free of Baku's rule in the 1990s.

Armenpress cited Karabakh authorities as saying that they had "decided to allow access of the Russian goods to our republic through the town of Askeran," referring to a Karabakh town close to the frontline with Azerbaijan.

"At the same time, an agreement has been reached to restore humanitarian shipments by the Russian peacekeepers and the International Committee of the Red Cross along the Lachin Corridor," the Armenpress report said, referring to the area through which the road linking Karabakh to Armenia passes.

It said the move was driven by "severe humanitarian problems" in the blockaded region.

Hikmet Hajiyev, a foreign policy advisor to Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, confirmed to Reuters that both routes would be opened simultaneously, while an Azerbaijani checkpoint on the road to Armenia would stay in place. He restated Baku's longtime position that the Karabakh separatist authorities must dissolve and disarm.

Karabakh is recognised globally as part of Azerbaijan, but has been controlled by its population of around 120,000 ethnic Armenians since a war that coincided with the breakup of the Soviet Union.

Azerbaijan recaptured large swathes of territory in a second major war in 2020, and for the past nine months has exerted new pressure on the region by restricting its access to Armenia through the Lachin corridor. The road has been cut off apart for urgent medical cases, leading to shortages of basic supplies, including bread.

Azerbaijan had previously accused Armenia of using the corridor to smuggle weapons, and of rejecting an offer to reopen the road simultaneously with another route into Karabakh.

The apparent deal came on a day Karabakh's parliament chose a new president of its self-proclaimed independent republic, a move Azerbaijan has denounced as illegal, amid days of escalating tensions between Baku and Yerevan.

Azerbaijan said on Saturday that Armenian forces had fired on its troops overnight, and that Azerbaijan army units took "retaliatory measures". Armenia denied the incident.

The Armenian government said Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan held phone conversations on Saturday with the leaders of France, Germany, Iran and Georgia, and with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken. Azerbaijan said its foreign minister discussed the situation with a senior U.S. State Department official, Yuri Kim.

Baku has a close relationship with Turkey, while Yerevan has historically held close ties with Russia, which sent peacekeepers to the area and promised to keep the Lachin corridor open as part of a peace deal that ended the 2020 war. Pashinyan has lately complained that Moscow failed to live up to its assurances, leading him to seek wider international support.

According to Armenia's government, Pashinyan told the foreign leaders that tensions were rising on the border, and that Azerbaijan was concentrating troops there and around Nagorno-Karabakh. Baku has denied this, while accusing Armenia of similar steps.

Pashinyan said he was ready to hold an urgent meeting with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to defuse tensions, according to the Armenian government. Hajiyev, Aliyev's foreign policy adviser, told Reuters Baku had received no such offer.

Earlier on Saturday, Karabakh's separatist parliament elected Samvel Shahramanyan, a military officer and former head of the territory's security service, as its new president, replacing an incumbent who resigned a week ago.

In a speech to parliament, Shahramanyan called for direct negotiations with Azerbaijan, and for transport links to Armenia to be restored.

Azerbaijan's foreign ministry called the ethnic Armenian leadership of Karabakh a "puppet separatist regime" and said the vote was illegal.

"The only way to achieve peace and stability in the region is the unconditional and complete withdrawal of the Armenian armed forces from the Karabakh region of Azerbaijan and the disbandment of the puppet regime," it said in a statement.

Both Ukraine and Baku's traditional ally Turkey condemned the election, and expressed support for Azerbaijan's claim to Karabakh. The European Union said it did not recognise the election, but that Karabakh residents should "consolidate around the de facto leadership" in talks with Baku.

In the capitals of both Armenia and Azerbaijan, residents told Reuters they feared a new war between the two countries.

"We will probably have martyrs again," said Mansura Lahicova, a woman in the Azerbaijani capital Baku. "I have two sons who have reached military age. I hope it will be a victory and that everything calms down."

In Armenia's capital Yerevan, a local resident who gave his name as Hayk accused Azerbaijan of wanting to start another war.

"I hope this does not happen, but if it does, all of us, all friends and brothers, are ready to go to war. Last time we buried our friends, now it's our turn."

(This story has been corrected to fix Pashinyan's title to prime minister, not president, in paragraph 12)

(Writing by Mark Trevelyan and Felix Light; Reporting by Felix Light in Tbilisi and Nailia Bagirova; Editing by Ros Russell and Peter Graff)
FILE PHOTO: Former Mexico City Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum reacts after she was nominated as a presidential candidate, in Mexico City, Mexico September 6, 2023. REUTERS/Henry Romero/File Photo

By Dave Graham

MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - When Mexican presidential contenders Claudia Sheinbaum and Xochitl Galvez entered politics at the start of the millennium, more than four in five senators in the country were men. Today, the majority are women.

The rise of Sheinbaum, who was named on Wednesday as the ruling party's candidate for next year's presidential election, and Galvez, the main opposition contender, is the culmination of a rapid process of female inclusion in politics since 2000.

"It's extraordinary in a patriarchal country," said Josefina Vazquez Mota, who made history in 2012 as the first female presidential candidate for one of Mexico's main parties.

"I'm sure this is going to be a watershed," added Vazquez Mota, a senator who, like Galvez, represents the center-right National Action Party, or PAN, which ruled from 2000-2012.

Confirmation that both leading candidates for the June 2 election would be women came within days of the Mexican Supreme Court striking down a federal law criminalizing abortion.

Many women in Mexico, who make up 52 percent of the population, hope the government that takes office in October 2024 will empower them as never before.

"Just imagine having a female president in a country as macho as Mexico!" said Maria del Carmen Garcia, 70, a secretary who said women's pay needs to catch up with men's.

Latest polls suggest either former Mexico City Mayor Sheinbaum, the current favorite and candidate of leftist President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, or Galvez, a businesswoman-turned senator, are likeliest to win the election.

Still, respected former foreign minister Marcelo Ebrard, who was runner-up to Sheinbaum in the ruling National Regeneration Movement's presidential primary, denounced the contest as unfair and could soon mount a rival bid.

Almost half of continental Latin America, including Brazil, has already elected female heads of government, but only Honduras and Peru currently have women presidents. Victory for Sheinbaum or Galvez would make them the first woman to win a general election in the United States, Mexico or Canada.

Home to the world's second biggest Roman Catholic population, Mexico was for years a bastion of traditional values that tended to limit women's access to a life outside the home.

"We're only just starting to feel these changes now," said Angelica Rodriguez, 49, an accountant who said she lost her government job two decades ago because she was pregnant. "Because before, men just looked out for men."

Women remain seriously under-represented in board rooms, are paid significantly less than male counterparts, and are more likely to work in the informal economy, studies show.

Forced marriages of girls still plague Mexico, and violence against women has been rising.

Four in every 100 girls aged 12-17 were either married or in a voluntary conjugal union, or had been, according to a 2020 census.

Meanwhile femicides, or gender-motivated killings of women, have more than doubled since 2015, when 427 were recorded.

CROSSED CULTURES

Modern Mexico took shape as the Church's hold on daily life since the Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire began weakening in response to secular and revolutionary upheaval that often sidelined women, viewing them as a conservative constituency.

Yet no symbol is more synonymous with Mexico than its patron saint, the Virgin of Guadalupe, who according to tradition, in 1531 appeared to an early Aztec convert to Christianity.

The Marian vision was central in converting Mexico to Catholicism, fusing its Mesoamerican and European cultures, and making the virgin something akin to mother of the nation.

"She's the one that managed to unite the two cultures that seemed irreconcilable," said former candidate Vazquez Mota.

For most of Mexico's colonial era, women were largely relegated to the periphery of public affairs.

A famous exception was 17th century nun, writer and poet Sor Juana Ines de la Cruz, an inspiration to feminists who clashed with the Church over women's right to knowledge.

Pressure began building to enfranchise women voters in the early 20th century, notably in the southeastern state of Yucatan, said Lorenzo Meyer, a historian at the Colegio de Mexico.

Clashes in the 1920s and '30s between anticlerical heirs of the Mexican Revolution and the Church slowed the drive because of concerns that women, who were deemed to be more pious than men, could hinder the government's revolutionary agenda, he said.

Mexican women did not win full voting rights until 1953, 33 years after the neighboring United States.

Spurred on by the end of one-party rule in 2000 and international advances in women's rights, reforms to increase their political clout gathered pace. By 2019, Mexico had enshrined parity of representation in the constitution.

If parties fail to field at least 50% women candidates, they can be barred from competing.

Mexico now has the joint fourth-highest level of female inclusion in the national parliament worldwide, according to the Inter-Parliamentary Union, a global body of national parliaments. It is well ahead of Brazil, Britain and the United States, where only a quarter of senators are women.

Today, Vazquez Mota said, her PAN ally Galvez no longer had to respond to whether Mexico was ready for a female president.

"I got this question every day and every night of my campaign across the entire country," she recalled.

Polls indicate that Mexico is ready.

A study published in May by national statistics agency INEGI showed over nine-tenths of the public strongly or somewhat backed having a woman president.

Mexican law restricts presidents to a single six-year term.

Since the 2018 election campaign, more women have won state governorships than in the rest of Mexico's history; the country has also appointed its first female Supreme Court chief justice and central bank governor. Federal Congress is now half female.

Gabriela Cuevas, a former federal lawmaker and first Mexican to head the Inter-Parliamentary Union, said the political victories were only part of a longer journey: "What's been done in politics has still to be achieved in all walks of life."

Working poverty rates have been improving in Mexico, but at the end of the first quarter still afflicted nearly 38% of the population, official data show.

Think tank Mexico Como Vamos reported in May that for every 100 men in working poverty, there were 112 women.

The median wage gap between women and men in Mexico stands at 16.7% - marginally narrower than the U.S., according to data compiled in 2022 by the OECD group of developed nations. But it was above Brazil (11.1%), Turkey (10%) and Argentina (6.3%). INEGI puts the gap higher at 42%, based on mean average income.

And a 2022 study of 182 listed firms by think tank the Mexican Institute for Competitiveness showed that women occupied 11% of board seats and made up just 4% of CEOs.

(This story has been refiled to remove the duplicate text after paragraph 24)

(Reporting by Dave Graham; Additional reporting by Stefanie Eschenbacher and Alberto Fajardo in Mexico City; Editing by Stephen Eisenhammer and Claudia Parsons)
By Ahmed Eljechtimi

MARRAKECH, Morocco (Reuters) - Morocco's deadly earthquake hit near Marrakech, a city beloved of Moroccans and foreign tourists for its medieval mosques, palaces and seminaries richly adorned with vivid mosaic tiling amid a labyrinth of rose-hued alleyways.

The extent of damage to Marrakech, a UNESCO World Heritage site, was not yet clear on Saturday morning though most of the main historic sites in the old city appeared largely unscathed.

However footage shared online, but not verified by Reuters, showed cracks and fallen rubble at a small section of the medieval walls and a collapsed minaret.

The shaking was bad enough to drive most residents from their houses when it struck soon after 11 p.m. (2200 GMT) and many slept outside, fearful of aftershocks in a city where many of the old houses are made from stone and mud brick.

Standing outside the city hospital, Karim El Baridi said his uncle was being treated for broken ribs after leaping out of an upper story for fear his building would collapse. "He was scared and jumped," Baridi said.

At the Jemaa al-Fna Square, Marrakech's grand centrepiece overlooked by the medieval Kotoubia mosque and a haunt of street entertainers, market stalls and snake charmers, the most precious heritage appeared intact.

The towering minaret of the Kotoubia, which is kept carefully maintained due to its prized status, looked unharmed but the minaret of a less well-known mosque in another part of the expansive square had collapsed, smashing some cars with rubble.

Standing in front of a pile of rubble elsewhere in the old city, with elegant archways rising up behind it, Marrakech resident Miloud Skrout said the damage had blocked alleyways making it hard to help trapped residents.

"Everything is God's will but we sustained great harm... there is no way to enter houses and my parents are ill at home," he said.

Some houses also fell in the tightly packed old city, though residents told Reuters that these appeared to be mostly uninhabited.

Residents were using their hands to remove the rubble, one local said.

Winston Churchill, Britain's World War Two leader, enjoyed painting views of Marrakech and is said to have called it the best place on earth to spend an afternoon.

The World Bank and IMF are due to hold their annual meetings in the city from Oct. 9, and it was not yet clear if this plan would be affected by the quake.

TOURISTS IN THE CITY

Although the high tourism season has finished, many foreigners are still in the city, drawn by architectural glories that have attracted visitors for centuries.

At the hospital, where most badly injured people had been brought in from the mountains, visible to the south beyond the crenulated city walls, some tourists had joined the locals to donate blood.

"We need every drop of blood," said Mahmoud Abghach, the head of a blood donation centre where about 200 people were queuing.

"We are glad to see foreign tourists join to give blood following this painful event," he added.

(Reporting by Ahmed Eljechtimi and Abdulhak Balhaki; Writing by Angus McDowall; Editing by Frances Kerry)
By Ahmed Eljechtimi and Abdulhak Balhaki

AMIZMIZ, Morocco (Reuters) -Moroccan earthquake survivors huddled for a night in the open on the High Atlas Mountains on Saturday, a day after the country's deadliest quake in more than six decades killed more than 2,000 people and laid waste to villages.

Neighbours were still searching for survivors buried on the slopes, where houses of mud brick, stone and rough wood were cracked open and mosque minarets toppled by the quake that struck late on Friday. The historic old city of Marrakech also suffered extensive damage.

The Interior Ministry said 2,012 people had been killed and 2,059 injured, including 1,404 in critical condition. The U.S. Geological Survey said the quake had a magnitude of 6.8 with an epicentre some 72 km (45 miles) southwest of Marrakech.

In the village of Amizmiz near the epicentre, rescue workers picked through rubble with their bare hands. Fallen masonry blocked narrow streets. Outside a hospital, around 10 bodies lay covered in blankets as grieving relatives stood nearby.

"When I felt the earth shaking beneath my feet and the house leaning, I rushed to get my kids out. But my neighbours couldnt," said Mohamed Azaw. "Unfortunately no one was found alive in that family. The father and son were found dead and they are still looking for the mother and the daughter."

Rescuers stood atop the pancaked floors of one building in Amizmiz, bits of carpet and furniture protruding from the rubble. A long queue formed outside the only open shop as people sought supplies. Underlining the challenges facing rescuers, fallen boulders blocked a road from Amizmiz to a nearby village.

Nearly all the houses in the area of Asni, some 40 km south of Marrakech, were damaged, and villagers were preparing to spend the night outside. Food was in short supply as roofs had collapsed on kitchens, said villager Mohamed Ouhammo.

Montasir Itri, a resident of Asni, said the search was on for survivors.

"Our neighbours are under the rubble and people are working hard to rescue them using available means in the village," he said.

The village of Tansghart in the Ansi area, on the side of a valley where the road from Marrakech rises up into the High Atlas, was the worst hit of any Reuters saw. Its once-pretty houses, clinging to a steep hillside, were cracked open by the shaking ground. Those still standing were missing chunks of wall or plaster. Two mosque minarets had fallen.

Abdellatif Ait Bella, a labourer, lay on the ground, barely able to move or speak, his head bandaged from wounds caused by falling debris.

"We have no house to take him to and have had no food since yesterday," said his wife Saida Bodchich, fearing for the future of their family of six with their sole breadwinner so badly hurt. "We can rely on nobody but God."

The village is already mourning ten deaths including two teenage girls, an inhabitant said.

Tremors were felt as far away as Huelva and Jaen in southern Spain. The World Health Organization said more than 300,000 people were affected in Marrakech and surrounding areas.

RUNNING FOR SHELTER

Street camera footage in Marrakech showed the moment the earth began to shake, as men suddenly looked around and jumped up, and others ran for shelter into an alleyway and then fled as dust and debris tumbled around them.

In the heart of the old city, a UNESCO World Heritage site, a mosque minaret had fallen in Jemaa al-Fna Square. Some houses in the tightly packed old city collapsed and people used their hands to remove debris while they waited for heavy equipment, said resident Id Waaziz Hassan.

Morocco declared three days of national mourning, during which the national flag will be flown at half staff throughout the country, the royal court said on Saturday.

The Moroccan armed forces will deploy rescue teams to provide affected areas with clean drinking water, food supplies, tents and blankets, it added.

Turkey, where powerful earthquakes in February killed more than 50,000 people, was among nations expressing solidarity and offering to provide support.

Algeria, which broke off ties with Morocco in 2021 after escalating tensions between the countries focused on the Western Sahara conflict, said it would open airspace for humanitarian and medical flights.

The quake was recorded at a depth of 18.5 km, typically more destructive than deeper quakes of the same magnitude. It was Morocco's deadliest earthquake since 1960 when a quake was estimated to have killed at least 12,000 people, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

Mohammad Kashani, associate professor of structural and earthquake engineering at the University of Southampton, compared scenes of the aftermath to images from Turkey in February: "The area is full of old and historical buildings, which are mainly masonry. The collapsed reinforced concrete structures that I saw ... were either old or substandard."

Marrakech is due to host the annual meetings of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank from Oct. 9.

An IMF spokesperson, asked about the planned meetings, said: Our sole focus at this time is on the people of Morocco and the authorities who are dealing with this tragedy.

(Additional reporting by Zakia Abdennebi in Rabat, Tarek Amara in Tunis, Alexander Cornwell in Imsouane, Ahmed Tolba in Dubai, Jose Joseph in Bengaluru, Muhammad Al Gebaly and Adam Makary in Cairo; Michelle Nichols in New York, Graham Keeley in Madrid, Josephine Mason in London; Writing by Angus McDowall and Tom Perry; Editing by Tomasz Janowski, Frances Kerry, Alexander Smith, Peter Graff and Daniel Wallis)
FILE PHOTO: India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi gestures during a joint press conference with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis at the Maximos Mansion in Athens, Greece, August 25, 2023. REUTERS/Stelios Misinas

(Reuters) -Following are offers of aid and other reaction from foreign governments to the powerful earthquake that struck Morocco late on Friday, killing more than 1,000 and destroying buildings in the deadliest tremor to hit the country in decades.

****OFFERS OF FOREIGN AID AND SUPPORT

ALGERIA

Algeria, which broke off ties with Morocco two years ago, said it would open its air space for humanitarian and medical flights to Morocco. In a statement, Algeria's presidency said it was ready to provide humanitarian aid and offer all its material and human capabilities in solidarity with the Moroccan people, if Morocco requests such help.

TURKEY

The Turkish Foreign Ministry said Ankara was ready to provide all kinds of support "to heal the wounds of the earthquake in Morocco".

Turkey's AFAD disaster management authority said 265 aid workers from AFAD, Turkish Red Crescent and other Turkish NGOs were ready to travel to the earthquake region in case Morocco calls for international assistance. It also said that Turkey was ready to deliver 1,000 tents to the affected areas.

GERMANY

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, speaking at a G20 summit in New Delhi, said the quake "has moved and worried many people here. We are all in the process of organizing support. Germany has also already mobilized its technical relief agency and we will do the best we can to help those who can be helped".

UNITED STATES

Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement, "I express my deep sadness at the loss of life and destruction caused by yesterdays earthquake in Morocco and extend my heartfelt condolences to the families of those affected. The United States is ready to provide any necessary assistance as Morocco responds to this tragedy."

FRANCE

"France ... is ready to provide immediately its help for the rescue and assistance to the populations affected by this tragedy," the French Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

Valerie Pecresse, president of the Paris region, said on X it was offering 500,000 euros ($535,000)in aid for Morocco.

Benoit Payan, the mayor of Marseille, said firemen will be sent to help rescue crews in Morocco, adding that Marrakech is Marseille's "sister city". The regions of Occitanie, Corsica and Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur jointly pledged 1 million euros in humanitarian aid for Morocco.

Telecoms group Orange said in a statement that from 8 p.m. (1800 GMT) on Saturday it would implement for its mobile clients free fixed and mobile calls as well as free SMS to Morocco, until Sept. 16. Its units in Belgium, Poland, Romania and Slovakia have also announced free communications to Morocco for a week.

SPAIN

"The Spain military emergency unit and our embassy and consulates are at the disposal of Morocco," Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares said at the G20 meeting in New Delhi.

Antonio Nogales, president of Spain's Firefighters Without Frontiers, told RTVE Spanish television: "We are in contact with the Moroccan authorities and we are ready to go and help." The organization was involved in helping find survivors of the earthquake in Turkey in February.

ISRAEL

Foreign Minister Eli Cohen said Israel is extending its hand to Morocco in this difficult time that it is experiencing," according to the ministry's post on X, originally in Arabic.

Israel's Magen David Adom national medical and disaster emergency service said its head contacted the president of Moroccan Red Crescent with an offer of help.

"Representatives from Magen David Adom are gearing up to depart within the next few hours," it said in a statement. "They will be joining hands with delegations from the Ministry of Health and the Israel Defense Forces."

TUNISIA

The Tunisian presidency said President Kais Saied had

"authorized coordination with the Moroccan authorities to direct urgent aid and send civil protection teams to support the Kingdoms search and rescue efforts. He also authorized the facilitation of a delegation from the Tunisian Red Crescent to contribute to relief operations and surround the injured."

KUWAIT

Kuwaits Emir Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah directed the government to provide all necessary relief supplies for Morocco, the state news agency (KUNA) said.

ROMANIA

Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu said "the Romanian authorities are in close contact with the Moroccan authorities and ready to offer assistance".

TAIWAN

Taiwans fire department said it had put a team of 120 rescuers on standby to go to Morocco who can go the moment they get instructions from Taiwans foreign ministry.

----------------

**** SOME OTHER QUOTES FROM FOREIGN LEADERS

INDIAN PRIME MINISTER NARENDRA MODI, INAUGURATING A G20 SUMMIT IN NEW DELHI

"We pray that all the injured people get well soon. The entire world community is with Morocco in this difficult time and we are ready to provide them all possible assistance."

RUSSIAN PRESIDENT VLADIMIR PUTIN IN A MESSAGE TO MOROCCO'S KING MOHAMMED VI

"Please convey words of sympathy and support to the families and friends of the victims, as well as wishes for a speedy recovery to all those who have suffered as a result of this natural disaster."

IMF MANAGING DIRECTOR KRISTALINA GEORGIEVA

"My heart goes out to the victims and their families as they cope with this tragedy, and to those on the frontline of rescue efforts."

An IMF spokesperson, asked about the planned IMF-World Bank annual meetings due to start in Marrakech on Oct. 9 said:

Our sole focus at this time is on the people of Morocco and the authorities who are dealing with this tragedy.

TURKISH PRESIDENT TAYYIP ERDOGAN

"We stand by our Moroccan brothers with all our means in this difficult day."

ALGERIAN FOREIGN MINISTRY

"Algeria expresses its sincere condolences to the Moroccan people's brothers in the earthquake victims," the ministry was quoted as saying on the state TV's Facebook page. "Algeria follows with great grief the consequences of the violent earthquake that hit several regions in the Kingdom of Morocco."

GERMAN FOREIGN MINISTER ANNALENA BAERBOCK

"Awful images are reaching us from Morocco. Together with the people of Morocco, we mourn the victims of the terrible earthquake. Our thoughts are with them and all those who are searching for those buried in these hours and fighting for the lives of the many injured."

FRENCH PRESIDENT EMMANUEL MACRON

"We are all shocked after the terrible earthquake in Morocco. France stands ready to help first aid responses."

KING FELIPE VI OF SPAIN IN MESSAGE TO MOROCCO'S KING

"I wish to inform you in the name of the Spanish people of our deepest sympathies for the terrible consequences of the disaster and our deepest condolences."

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed its sincere condolences to the government and people of Morocco, and to the families of the victims of this tragedy, as well as its wishes for a speedy recovery for all the injured.

-------------

**** ASSISTANCE TO FOREIGN NATIONALS

FRANCE

The French Foreign Ministry said its embassy in Morocco and the ministry in Paris have opened crisis centres "to respond to demands for information or help from our compatriots."

GERMANY

The German embassy in Rabat has set up an emergency number for Germans affected by the earthquake and is in close contact with local authorities, a German foreign ministry spokesperson said, without providing further details.

ISRAEL

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it was identifying the locations of its citizens now present in Morocco, "communicating with them and checking on them."

($1 = 0.9347 euros)

(Compiled by Tomasz Janowski with contributions from Reuters bureausEditing by Frances Kerry)
By Ali Sawafta

JERUSALEM (Reuters) -A 16-year-old Palestinian boy was shot dead by Israeli forces on Saturday near the occupied West Bank city of Hebron, Palestinian health officials said.

The Israeli military said that militants hurled explosives at soldiers who were in a nearby military post.

"IDF soldiers responded with riot dispersal means and live fire," the Israeli military said in a statement but did not confirm the death.

The West Bank, which is among the areas where Palestinians seek statehood, has seen a surge in violence over the last 18 months amid long-deadlocked U.S.-sponsored peacemaking efforts.

Local Palestinian media said Israeli forces had fired live bullets and tear gas at youngsters in the Al-Arroub refugee camp, in the southern West Bank, during a raid. Reuters could not confirm the report.

(Reporting by Emily Rose; Editing by Alexander Smith, Peter Graff and Chizu Nomiyama)
GENEVA, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- More than half of the world's 14.8 million school-aged refugee children are currently missing out on formal education, the UN refugee agency UNHCR said on Friday here.

William Spindler, spokesperson for the UNHCR, told a press briefing here Friday that according to the 2023 UNHCR Refugee Education Report, by the end of 2022, the number of school-aged refugees jumped nearly 50 percent from 10 million a year earlier.

Refugee enrolment in education varied dramatically by education level in reporting countries, with 38 percent enrolled in pre-primary level, 65 percent in primary, 41 percent in secondary, and just six percent in tertiary, he said.

He told reporters that with 20 percent of refugees living in the world's 46 least-developed countries and more than three-quarters living in low- and middle-income countries, the costs of educating forcibly displaced children fell disproportionately on the poorest.

Ahead of the International Day to Protect Education from Attack, which will fall on Saturday, the United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Friday delivered a message saying that "On this day, we shine a light on a startling truth: 224 million children and young people are in urgent need of educational support -- including 72 million who are out-of-school altogether -- because of crises like armed conflict."

He called on "all countries to ensure the protection of schools, children and teachers at all times." 
FILE PHOTO: A United Airlines Boeing 777-200ER plane is towed as American Airlines Boeing 737 plane departs from O'Hare International Airport in Chicago, Illinois, U.S. November 30, 2018. REUTERS/Kamil Krzaczynski/File Photo

By David Shepardson

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The National Transportation Safety Board said on Friday the February 2021 engine failure on a United Airlines Boeing 777 in Colorado was due to a crack in a fan blade and cited inadequate inspections as a contributing cause.

Soon after the failure, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) ordered immediate inspections of 777 aircraft with Pratt & Whitney 4000 engines before further flights, which led to the planes' grounding for more than a year.

The Boeing 777-200 bound for Honolulu after takeoff from Denver showered debris over nearby cities, but no one was injured and the plane safely returned to the airport.

The NTSB cited "the inadequate inspection of the blades, which failed to identify low-level indications of cracking, and the insufficient frequency of the manufacturers inspection intervals, which permitted the low-level crack indications to propagate undetected and ultimately resulted in the fatigue failure." Pratt & Whitney, a unit of RTX, did not immediately comment.

United said on Friday it "closely collaborated with the NTSB, FAA, Boeing and Pratt and Whitney on each step of the investigation and are pleased to have these aircraft back in our fleet."

In March 2022, the FAA finalized new safety directives after three reported in-flight fan blade failures including the Colorado incident that prompted enhanced inspections and modifications. The FAA said on Friday it had issued the safety directives in response to the fan blade incidents.

Boeing said since the failure it "has identified appropriate design changes to improve the structural integrity of the engine inlet and cowling and has been communicating with the FAA, Pratt & Whitney and airline customers on its progress.

United is the only U.S. operator of 777s with the PW4000 engine and had 52 of those planes as of 2022.

As of January, 17 confirmed cracked fan blades have been found, the NTSB said, the first of which was identified in December 2004 - not including three fan blades that sustained full-blade separation in service.

(Reporting by David Shepardson; editing by Jonathan Oatis and Grant McCool)
TAIPEI (Reuters) -A U.S. and a Canadian warship sailed through the Taiwan Strait on Saturday, the U.S. Navy said, marking the second such joint mission since June and coinciding with the leaders of both countries attending the G20 summit in India.

The U.S. Navy's 7th Fleet said the guided-missile destroyer USS Ralph Johnson and Canada's HMCS Ottawa conducted a "routine" transit "through waters where high-seas freedoms of navigation and overflight apply in accordance with international law".

"Ralph Johnson and Ottawa's bilateral transit through the Taiwan Strait demonstrates the commitment of the United States and our allies and partners to a free and open Indo-Pacific," the U.S. Navy added in a statement.

China's military condemned the transit as is usual with such missions, accusing the ships of carrying out "public hyping" in the strait, which separates Chinese-claimed Taiwan from China.

Taiwan's government strongly rejects China's sovereignty claims, saying only the island's people can decide their future.

The Eastern Theatre Command of China's People's Liberation Army said its forces monitored the ships and "handled" the situation in accordance with the law and regulations.

Taiwan's defence ministry said the ships sailed in a southerly direction and that it had observed nothing unusual.

The mission was announced by the U.S. Navy as the G20 summit in New Delhi was wrapping up, skipped by Chinese President Xi Jinping but attended by both U.S. President Joe Biden and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

After the June joint sailing, the U.S. Navy released a video of what it called an "unsafe interaction" in the Taiwan Strait, in which a Chinese warship crossed in front of a U.S. destroyer.

While U.S. warships transit the strait around once a month, it is unusual for them to do so with those of other allies.

China has been increasing its military operations around Taiwan over the past few years in response to what it calls "collusion" between Taiwan independence forces and the U.S.

(Reporting by Ben Blanchard; Editing by Alexander Smith)
U.S. President Joe Biden listens to the opening remarks of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the first session of the G20 Summit, in New Delhi, India, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. Evan Vucci/Pool via REUTERS

By Nandita Bose

NEW DELHI (Reuters) -Global leaders announced a multinational rail and ports deal linking the Middle East and South Asia on Saturday on the sidelines of the G20 summit in New Delhi.

The pact comes at a critical time as U.S. President Joe Biden seeks to counter China's Belt and Road push on global infrastructure by pitching Washington as an alternative partner and investor for developing countries at the G20 grouping.

Biden said it was a "real big deal" that would bridge ports across two continents and lead to a "more stable, more prosperous and integrated Middle East."

He said at an event announcing the pact that it would unlock "endless opportunities" for clean energy, clean electricity, and laying cable to connect communities.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi of summit host India said: "Today, as we embark upon such a big connectivity initiative, we are sowing the seeds for future generations to dream bigger."

The deal will benefit low and middle-income countries in the region, and enable a critical role for the Middle East in global commerce, Jon Finer, the U.S. deputy national security adviser, told reporters at the bloc's annual summit in New Delhi.

It aims to link Middle East countries by railway and connect them to India by port, helping the flow of energy and trade from the Gulf to Europe, U.S. officials have said, by cutting shipping times, costs and fuel use.

A memorandum of understanding on the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor, or IMEC, was signed by the European Union, India, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, the U.S. and other G20 partners.

IMEC is envisioned to consist of two separate corridors with an east corridor connecting India to the Arabian Gulf, and a northern corridor connecting the Arabian Gulf with Europe, according to the MOU.

Along the railway route, participants intend to lay cable for power and data lines, as well as pipeline for hydrogen derived from renewable energy for use in power generation.

French President Emmanuel Macron said the pact offers opportunities for manufacturing, innovation and people. "But our intention is to make it real, and to be sure that after this commitment we have concrete results," he said at the event. No immediate details of the value of the deal were available.

The move comes amid U.S. efforts for a broader diplomatic deal in the Middle East that would have Saudi Arabia recognise Israel.

From the U.S. viewpoint, Finer added, the deal helps "turn the temperature down across the region" and "address a conflict where we see it".

(Reporting by Nandita Bose, Krishn Kaushik in New Delhi and Timothy Gardner in Washington; Writing by Shivam Patel; Editing by Clarence Fernandez and Marguerita Choy)
Migrants climb over a barbed wire fence after crossing the Rio Grande into US from Mexico, in Eagle Pass, Texas on Aug. 25, 2023. (Suzanne Cordeiro/AFP via Getty Images/TNS)

(Tribune News Service)  Texas Gov. Greg Abbott slammed President Joe Biden on Thursday over a Los Angeles Times report that Washington is considering forcing some migrant families to remain in Texas while they await asylum processing.

This scam was tried years ago & was shot down by a judge, Abbott wrote in a late-night post on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. We will send Biden the same swift justice.

The Texas governor, a fierce critic of Bidens border policies, has bused thousands of migrants to Los Angeles, Washington, D.C. and other blue cities since 2022. He vowed in his post on X that he would send even more buses of migrants to Washington D.C.

The Biden plan, which has not yet been finalized, would force certain migrant families to remain in Texas  or possibly other border states  by tracking their location through GPS monitoring devices, such as ankle bracelets.

But it was always almost certain to attract the ire of not only immigrant advocates but also border-state officials such as Abbott.

Migrants and their advocates have already laid out objections to the plan.

When people cross borders their human rights come with them, said Marisa Limon Garza, head of the Las Immigrant Advocacy Center in El Paso, in a statement. Politicians like Abbott and Biden cannot continue playing games with the lives of thousands of children and families, she added. Migrants are not hot potatoes.

Most of the unauthorized migrants who have arrived in blue cities such as L.A. and New York from Texas were not bused there by Abbott; they paid their own way to cities where job opportunities are plentiful and the policy environment makes it easier to move through the world without papers.

Punishing people seeking refuge flouts refugee law & plays into the hands of perpetrators of fear-mongering & invasion rhetoric who paint people seeking refuge as threats, Eleanor Acer, refugee protection director at Human Rights First, wrote on X.

But as Abbott alluded to in his post, the Biden administrations plan is not without precedent.

In 1988, President Reagans administration forced thousands of migrants to stay in south Texas while they awaited asylum processing. Migrants quickly set up camps in parking lots and abandoned buildings.

In January 1989, a federal judge ordered immigration officials to stop enforcing the policy while he assessed whether they had the authority to enact it, and the migrants filtered out to other parts of the country to pursue their asylum cases elsewhere.

But although the judge, Filemon B. Vela, temporarily blocked immigration officials from keeping migrants in Texas that January, Abbott is mistaken about the ultimate outcome of the case.

In February 1989, after President George H.W. Bush had taken office, Vela ruled in the federal governments favor, holding that the government was within its power to keep migrants in south Texas while officials considered their asylum claims.

By that point, Bush administration officials had begun to shift strategies. Instead of allowing migrants to camp out in south Texas towns while they waited, the administration formally detained them. Single adults were held in the Port Isabel facility outside Brownsville, Texas. Families were held in a Red Cross shelter in Brownsville.

The Biden administration, however, has promised not to restart family detention  leaving the Bush-era strategy off the table, at least for the moment.

2023 Los Angeles Times.

Visit at latimes.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
New York Mayor Eric Adams speaks at a rally calling for expedited federal work authorization for asylum seekers. (Yuki Iwamura/Bloomberg )

In August 2022, after greeting one of the first buses of immigrants arriving in New York City with handshakes and boxes of food, Mayor Eric Adams pledged officials would set the right tone of being here for these families.

A year later, that tone has shifted dramatically. Adams is warning of dire consequences for the city after 110,000 arrivals. Hes begging the federal government for money, telling migrants at the border not to come and demanding state officials find other places to house those who arrive anyway.

Let me tell you something New Yorkers: Never in my life have I had a problem that I did not see an ending to. I dont see an ending to this, Adams said at a town hall meeting this week, lamenting the 10,000 people pouring into the Big Apple every month. This issue will destroy New York City.

Frustration is boiling over in Democratic strongholds from Boston to Chicago to Denver and Los Angeles as thousands of migrants, many of them seeking asylum, overwhelm shelters, social services and stretched budgets. Not only is the situation creating tensions within cities on how to respond, its becoming a divisive issue going into the 2024 election. Polls show that one of President Joe Bidens biggest political vulnerabilities among his base is the administrations handling of immigration.

The immigration issue in general is dicey for Democrats, said Jim Kessler, the executive vice president for policy at the center-left think tank Third Way. President Biden is using tape and paste and duct tape to deal with an issue that really needs to be dealt with by Congress.

New York City is shouldering a great deal of the cost, largely due to a decades-old law known as right-to-shelter that means no one who needs housing can be turned away. Adams, who went to court in May to try to end that obligation, said that the city could spend as much as $12 billion supporting migrants in the next two years.

For months now, hes been fighting with Governor Kathy Hochul and the federal government over whose responsibility it is to care for migrants. Its soured the mayors once close relationship with Biden, and members of the city council have accused him of using xenophobic rhetoric that plays into Republican talking points.

For its part, the Biden administration has requested $600 million more from Congress to provide shelter and other services nationally and says it will work with cities to help eligible asylum seekers apply for work permits. New York City says almost all its recent arrivals have sought asylum or indicated they will.

White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre said Thursday that federal officials have provided the state and city with $140 million this fiscal year. She added that officials talked with Hochul that day to discuss ways the federal government can support New York.

The president has done all that he can from his perch, Jean-Pierre said. We need Congress to act.

While encounters with immigrants at the border slowed earlier this summer, more recently the numbers have ticked higher again. Republicans are criticizing Biden for not taking aggressive action to stem crossings and pointing to urban turmoil as evidence of the chaos caused by too many people entering the country.

In Los Angeles, the influx is worsening one of the nations most dire homeless crises. Denver is reaching out to migrants at the border, telling them not to come and offering tickets to Chicago instead. Massachusetts declared a state of emergency last month, and advocates are pushing Biden to do the same at the national level.

In the Windy City, shelters are so full that police stations are housing hundreds of recent arrivals, who often set up sidewalk camps in residential neighborhoods during the day. Officials are warning of millions of dollars in budget-busting expenses and asking for help. And fissures are growing along racial lines, with Black residents questioning why so much is being spent on immigrants following years of neglect in their communities.

It comes less than a year before Chicago hosts the Democratic National Convention, where Biden is expected to be nominated for a second term. While organizers say theyre confident the convention will put a spotlight on workers rights, reproductive freedom and economic justice, worries are growing about how Chicago will be portrayed when 50,000 attendees and hordes of media descend on the city. OHare International Airport recently erected curtains to hide migrants sleeping there from public view.

Amid memories of violent protests when Chicago hosted the convention in 1968, the anxiety is such that local politicians have begun speculating, without offering evidence, that Republican governors will send extra buses of migrants before the convention to sow chaos.

Republicans already have signaled that they want to make this an issue in the campaign, said David Axelrod, a senior adviser to former president Barack Obama. They are going to try and exploit that, and so to do it at the Democratic Convention seems completely consistent with what weve seen.

Sending migrants from border states is a political move that can put them in harms way and put pressure on cities that welcome them, said Cristina Pacione-Zayas, first deputy chief of staff in Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnsons administration. The citys costs totaled at least $93.4 million from Jan. 1 through June 30, she said.

The federal government in fiscal 2023 gave more than $48 million to Chicago and Illinois for humanitarian relief, shelter and services.

One of the biggest challenges for cities, and for many migrants, is how they can support themselves. Those who have applied for asylum cant seek work permits until about six months after the request.

Neyer, who asked to be identified only by his first name, arrived in Chicago from Venezuela with a friend last month. He is hoping to obtain a work permit so he can get jobs in construction to pay for his own housing and eventually unite his family.

Im broke and I need to find something long term, Neyer, 24, said in an interview at a police station where he was staying in the Albany Park neighborhood.

U.S. Representative Delia Ramirez, a first-term Democrat from Chicago, says quickly granting work permits to eligible asylum seekers is critical for ending the crisis. She lamented what she described as migrants and long-suffering Black communities fighting over who gets what crumbs, calling it painful to witness.

In one majority Black neighborhood on the South Side, tensions have flared over a plan to convert a hotel into a migrant shelter. Residents at a community meeting last month objected to the city spending so much on new arrivals.

Take them someplace else or send them back to Venezuela, one woman said. Most of the people homeless in this city are Black people. What have you done for them?

About 1,000 miles (1,600 kilometers) west in Denver, the cost to shelter and support the 16,700 immigrants who have arrived so far has topped $23 million. Mayor Mike Johnston, a Democrat who took office in July, said the city has been helping pay for bus tickets for those hoping to get to other places.

Its much more efficient for us to contact them in El Paso and say, Before you get on a bus to Denver, if your goal is really to go to Chicago, lets get you on a bus to Chicago,  Johnston said in August. Thats better for them and much more efficient and affordable for us.

Cities have complained for more than a year about receiving buses of immigrants dispatched by Republicans including Texas Governor Greg Abbott.

Until President Biden steps up and does his job, Texas will continue busing migrants to sanctuary cities to provide relief to our overwhelmed border towns, a spokesman for the governors office wrote in an email.

Whats new is that tensions are rising between Democratic cities that are the destinations for migrants.

Anne Williams-Isom, New Yorks deputy mayor for health and human services, said the rest of the U.S. seems to be taking advantage of the citys generous housing policies for migrants by encouraging more people to go there.

We have a big heart, we have compassion, were going to take care of people, she told reporters Sept. 6. While we love that and we are so proud of that, I think in a way its being used against us and I am frustrated by that.

Attracting new arrivals is crucial to support the labor market and cities growth, according to Muzaffar Chishti, a senior fellow for the nonpartisan Migration Policy Institute, which collects data on the subject. Last year, foreign-born workers drove the majority of the U.S. workforce expansion.

But the surge in new arrivals has been difficult to absorb in such a short time, Chishti said. He points out that the political firestorm and fiscal strain in the Democrat-led cities comes when they still havent regained their footing from the Covid-19 pandemic. The situation is testing some cities commitments to being a sanctuary for migrants, Chishti said.

They realize welcoming is nice, but its not free, he said.

Bloombergs Tarso Veloso, Jordan Fabian, Vincent Del Giudice, Ellen M. Gilmer and Julie Fine contributed to this report.
A sculpture of Indian flag motifs in New Delhi, India, is seen on March 2, 2023. (Prakash Singh/Bloomberg )

India is studying possible responses to a potential Chinese invasion of Taiwan following discreet inquiries from the U.S. on how the South Asian nation could contribute in the event of a war, according to senior Indian government officials.

About six weeks ago, Defense Chief General Anil Chauhan - Indias top military commander - commissioned a study to examine the wider impact of any war over the island that also involves the U.S. and its allies, and what action India could take in response, according to two senior Indian officials, who asked not to be named since discussions are private. The order came after the U.S. raised the issue in several different forums, they said.

The study will assess various war scenarios and provide options for India in case a conflict breaks out, they said. Some Indian military commanders believe that strong statements may suffice as a response in case the war is short, but ultimately that will not be enough if the conflict drags on like Russias war in Ukraine, the officials said.

Indias preparation for a potential war over Taiwan shows how its policy of multi-alignment will be tested in the event of a drastic deterioration of U.S.-China ties. Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India has forged its own path on international relations, effectively hedging its bets by developing close ties to the U.S. while refusing to join international sanctions on Russia.

Yet tensions with China have also flared along their disputed Himalayan border, contributing to a deterioration in relations that may have prompted President Xi Jinping to skip the Group of 20 summit this weekend in New Delhi. India has strengthened defense ties with the U.S. in recent years, joining the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue along with Japan and Australia - a band of democracies intent on countering Chinas growing influence.

One option the Indian military will study involves serving as a logistics hub to provide repair and maintenance facilities for allied warships and aircraft, as well as food, fuel and medical equipment for armies resisting China, the officials said. A more extreme scenario, they added, would assess the potential for India to get directly involved along their northern border, opening a new theater of war for China.

While no deadline has been set to complete the study, the Indian military is under orders to finish it as soon as possible, one of the officials said. The options prepared will be available for Modi and other political leaders to make a final call on any action should the need arise, the official said.

Indias Defense Ministry and Foreign Ministry didnt respond to emailed questions. The U.S. State Department didnt immediately respond to a request for comment.

By hyping up the Taiwan question, creating tensions and provoking confrontation, the U.S. attempts to turn the Taiwan question into an international issue, Mao Ning, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman, told reporters in Beijing on Friday. This is highly dangerous.

India and China have mobilized thousands of troops, artillery guns, tanks and missiles closer to the unmarked border running some 3,500 kilometers (2,200 miles), roughly the length of the U.S.-Mexico boundary. Diplomatic talks have yielded little, with China last month releasing a new map claiming India-controlled territory that External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar described as absurd.

India has publicly resisted efforts to make the Quad appear like a military alliance, and remains reliant on Russia - Chinas most important diplomatic partner - for weapons that would be used in any regional war. Even so, it has quietly sought better relations with Taiwan: Three former Indian military chiefs who stepped down in the past year all visited Taiwan last month.

Five years ago, India and the U.S. signed a Logistics-Exchange Memorandum of Agreement, a foundational pact to allow refueling and replenishing of warships and aircraft, as well as access to bases when required.

Even though India is examining military options, it remains unlikely that the nation would get involved directly in a war over Taiwan, according to Lisa Curtis, senior fellow and director of the Indo-Pacific Security Program at the Washington-based Centre for a New American Security, who earlier worked with the National Security Council, CIA and the State Department. Its possible India may provide access to places like the Andaman and Nicobar Islands near Southeast Asia, she added.

If there were to be some kind of conflict or crises in the Taiwan Strait, I think Indias position would be to stand back and not get militarily involved, she said. Even though they may support Taiwan with statements and humanitarian assistance, I think they would be very weary about providing any kind of military assistance to the United States.

Bloombergs Iain Marlow and Adrian Leung contributed to this report.
The guided-missile destroyer USS Rafael Peralta fires an SM-2 missile during a Talisman Sabre drill in the Coral Sea, July 22, 2023. (Colby Mothershead/U.S. Navy)

YOKOSUKA NAVAL BASE, Japan  The Navy recently rearmed a warship with a missile at a port in southeast Australia, a sign of its increasing logistics options Down Under.

The guided-missile destroyer USS Peralta took on an SM-2 missile for the first time at the Australian navy wharf in Eden on Aug. 22, the 7th Fleet said in a news release Thursday. The port is about 230 miles south of Sydney.

The reloaded SM-2  an air and surface defense missile  replaced one launched July 22 during at the start of the Talisman Sabre exercise in eastern Australia, Task Force 70 spokesman Lt. Cmdr. Seth Koenig told Stars and Stripes by email Friday.

There is tremendous value in expanding the range of locations throughout the Indo-Pacific where U.S. Navy ships can rearm missiles while deployed, the Peralta's skipper, Cmdr. Charles Cooper, said in the release. Increasing our options for reload sites provides increased flexibility across our mission sets and operating areas. Working closely with our Australian allies, we were able to successfully demonstrate this capability at Eden.

U.S. and Australian sailors and contractors inspect and prep an SM-2 missile to be loaded aboard the USS Rafael Peralta in Eden, Australia, Aug. 22, 2023. (Colby Mothershead/U.S. Navy)

The Navy coordinated with the Australian Defence Force to transport and briefly store the missile ahead of the Rafael Peraltas arrival at Eden, Koenig said. He declined, citing concern for operational security, to say where the missile originated or how the process was coordinated.

Our U.S.-Australia team then worked together to ensure the safe transportation to Eden, where a U.S. team from Navy Munitions Command Unit East Asia Division worked with the Royal Australian Navy to prepare it for the rearm and onload it to Rafael Peralta, he said.

After Talisman Sabre concluded Aug. 4, the Rafael Peralta, homeported at Yokosuka, remained close to Australia. It made a Sydney port call before heading to the sea phase of the Malabar exercise off Australias eastern coast, according to the news release.

Weve worked hand-in-hand with the Australians through multiple exercises and engagements over the past month, Cooper said in the release. It is inspiring to see how our teams have  operated as a unified force.
Chinese Premier Li Qiang addresses the first session of the 18th G20 Summit in New Delhi, India, Sept. 9, 2023. (Xinhua/Li Tao)

NEW DELHI, Sept. 9 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Qiang urged on Saturday the Group of 20 (G20) members to resolutely advance economic globalization and promote unity, cooperation and inclusion within the G20.

Keeping in mind the future of humanity, Chinese President Xi Jinping has proposed the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative, Li said at the first session of the 18th G20 Summit.

Noting that humanity shares a common destiny, Li urged all countries to respect one another, seek common ground while shelving differences, and live together peacefully, adding that no one can remain immune in the face of major crises and common challenges.

Solidarity and cooperation is the right path for the world, he added.

The G20 members should stick to the original aspiration of unity and cooperation, and shoulder the responsibility of the times for peace and development, Li said.

He urged the G20 members to act as partners in promoting global economic recovery through effectively strengthening macro-economic policy coordination to convey confidence and provide impetus for world economic growth.

The G20 members should resolutely promote economic globalization, jointly maintain the stability and smoothness of industrial and supply chains, and be partners in promoting global open cooperation, Li said.

The G20 members should also work together to protect the earth's green home, promote green and low-carbon development, protect the marine ecological environment, and be partners in promoting global sustainable development, he said.

The G20 needs unity instead of division, cooperation instead of confrontation, and inclusion instead of exclusion, he added.

Li stressed that China will steadfastly deepen reforms, expand opening-up, promote high-quality development, and advance the Chinese modernization.

The bright prospect of China's development will surely inject more new vitality into global economic recovery and sustainable development, Li said, adding that China is ready to work with all parties to make greater efforts and contributions for the shared Earth, the shared homeland, and the shared future of humanity.

Leaders of G20 members, leaders of guest countries, and heads of relevant international organizations attended the session. Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India, which holds this year's G20 presidency, chaired the meeting.

Leaders at the meeting welcomed the African Union to join the G20, saying that G20 cooperation determines the direction of the world.

They said it is necessary to build partnerships, take concrete actions and mobilize all resources to advance green and low-carbon transition, jointly address global challenges including climate change, as well as energy and food security, and accelerate the realization of strong, sustainable, balanced and inclusive growth, so as to build a better future together. 

Chinese Premier Li Qiang attends the first session of the 18th G20 Summit in New Delhi, India, Sept. 9, 2023. Li also addressed the first session of the 18th G20 Summit in New Delhi on Saturday. (Xinhua/Li Tao)

Chinese Premier Li Qiang arrives in New Delhi, India on Sept. 8, 2023 to attend the 18th G20 Summit at the invitation of the government of the Republic of India. Li attended and addressed the first session of the 18th G20 Summit in New Delhi on Saturday. (Xinhua/Li Tao)
Victor Stelmakh, head of an attack drone unit in the 68th Jaeger Brigade, rests a Starlink-connected phone on his body armor to communicate with soldiers while piloting a drone in the Luhansk region on Sept. 1, 2023. (Heidi Levine for The Washington Post)

This story has been corrected

DNIPRO, Ukraine  New details about how limited Starlink satellite internet service prevented Ukraine from attacking Russian ships in Crimea last year have provided a stark reminder of how vital the service is to Kyivs forces  and how success on the battlefield depends partly on the whims of Elon Musk, the mercurial billionaire.

Musks company SpaceX dispatched Starlink terminals to Ukraine after Russias invasion in February 2022, when Moscow quickly cut off all other service. Ever since, the high-speed satellite terminals have formed the backbone of the Ukrainian militarys digital communications. Nestled into trenches, covered in camouflage atop armored vehicles and humming in dusty command centers, the small WiFi terminals are so essential many soldiers say not having them would put their lives at risk.

Modern war zones are awash in digital communication, requiring fast, secure internet. In Ukraine, Starlinks data stream helps pipe in drone feeds from across the battlefield, allowing commanders to view enemy forces in real time and coordinate artillery strikes much faster than relaying the same information over radios.

There are some 42,000 Starlink terminals in Ukraine, officials have said, which provide military, government and civilian communications as Russia relentlessly attacks civilian infrastructure. The terminals are also playing an increasingly important role in Ukraines counteroffensive, giving soldiers portable communication options in rural areas along the southern front that are either too remote or where cellular towers have been damaged and destroyed.

The terminals also provide connectivity for smartphones and tablets, which do everything from helping soldiers stay updated in group chats to running apps that help compute targeting information for howitzer batteries. Soldiers often use the same Starlink-connected devices to communicate with loved ones back home or abroad and to upload battlefield videos onto social media.

In a recent operation in the northeast Luhansk region near Russian lines, a Starlink terminal pumped WiFi data for a three-man attack drone team, allowing the pilot to monitor a group chat providing real-time updates on enemy locations and movements. Victor Stelmakh, the head of an attack drone unit in the 68th Jaeger Brigade, used that information to deploy several drones and drop grenades on enemy positions. The strikes, which were observed by Washington Post reporters, wounded several Russian soldiers.

Details about Musks role in limiting Starlink service are included in a new biography of the billionaire businessman by Walter Isaacson. An excerpt of the book was published in a Washington Post opinion article. The details from the book about Musks role were first reported by CNN.

The revelations in Isaacsons book have reignited concerns about the influence that SpaceX and Musk, as its owner, wield over the war in Ukraine.

In October 2022, Ukrainian sea drones were unable to attack Russian ships based in Crimea because Starlink service was not available around the occupied peninsula, which Russia illegally invaded and annexed in 2014.

A Starlink terminal is positioned outside a Ukrainian base in Bakhmut district in April, 2023. (Ed Ram for The Washington Post )

Ukrainian and U.S. officials scrambled to get service restored, according to the book, appealing to Musk directly. Musk eventually agreed. There was an emergency request from government authorities to activate Starlink all the way to Sevastopol, Musk said Friday on X, the company he owns formerly known as Twitter. He was referring to the Crimean port city that has long been the headquarters of Russias Black Sea Fleet. Russia maintained the headquarters under a lease agreement with Ukraine after the collapse of the Soviet Union.

In a conversation with Isaacson, Musk expressed reluctance that his service be used for such an attack. The obvious intent being to sink most of the Russian fleet at anchor, Musk told Isaacson. If I had agreed to their request, then SpaceX would be explicitly complicit in a major act of war and conflict escalation.

SpaceX did not return a request for comment. Ukrainian officials note that Russias invasion of Crimea in 2014 and of the entirety of Ukraine in 2022 were illegal acts of aggression and alleged war crimes under international law.

On Thursday, Mykhailo Podolyak, an adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, said Musks decision to sever Starlink service near Crimea and other occupied territories of Ukraine had resulted in the deaths of civilians.

As a result, civilians, children are being killed, Podolyak posted on X.

This is the price of a cocktail of ignorance and big ego, Podolyak continued. However, the question still remains: Why do some people so desperately want to defend war criminals and their desire to commit murder? And do they now realize that they are committing evil and encouraging evil?

Ukraines minister of digital transformation, Mykhailo Fedorov, whose ministry deals directly with Starlink, did not respond to a request for comment.

Musks ability to control Ukrainian military operations have alarmed some corners of the Pentagon, which has sent billions of dollars in weapons to help Ukraine defend against the Russian invasion. The Defense Department has struggled to rein him in, though it has agreed to foot costly Starlink service bills following threats from Musk that he would stop providing the service free.

Ukrainian troops have integrated Starlink into every corner of the conflict, relying on the service for virtually any task that requires digital communication.

An air reconnaissance soldier with the call sign Labrador, using the gaming term IMBA, or imbalance, said Starlink offers a significant advantage over Russian capabilities. Multiple drone feeds on a single screen provide commanders and scouts with situational awareness, Labrador said. Surveillance drones watching artillery fire can send fast and precise impact locations, he said, allowing howitzer crews to quickly adjust their aim and hit a target.

A medic from Ukraine's 43rd Brigade stands next to Starlink equipment at a base in the Bakhmut district on April 19, 2023, in Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine. (Ed Ram for The Washington Post )

Labrador, as other soldiers, spoke on the condition that he be identified only by his call sign in keeping with Ukrainian military rules.

Losing Starlink, he said, would force Ukraine to fall back on more traditional communications such as radio or other inferior alternatives. It could be done, he said, but it would require difficult trade-offs. For instance, he said, where digital communication is used between trenches, soldiers might have to leave relative safety to pass on information orally.

These are additional risks, he said. It can be said that the lack of an alternative to Starlink will increase the level of mortality and injuries.

Internet access through Starlink has also helped soldiers when they need to access training manuals and get more information about the advanced weapons and equipment they have received from the West, said Rusyn, the deputy commander for the Carpathian Sich 49th infantry battalion.

If they stopped working at some point, it wouldnt be the end of the world, Rusyn said, but it would significantly worsen our situation at the front, our effectiveness.

Starlink provides a crucially important lifeline for civilians too.

A year ago, after a surprise Ukrainian advance liberated swaths of territory in the countrys northeast, civilians emerged from a Russia-controlled information bubble. For months, with most cell and internet service cut, they had been unable to connect with loved ones elsewhere in Ukraine. And even for days after cities and towns came back under Ukrainian control, some were unable to contact their families to confirm they had survived.

In Izyum, for example, when Ukrainian soldiers set up base in town and hooked up their Starlink  slightly damaged from a previous shelling  locals gathered around to connect to the network and speak to relatives, sometimes for the first time since the early days of Russias invasion in February 2022.

Journalists covering the war, including those working for The Washington Post, also routinely use Starlink as the only way to send news reports, images and video from areas that otherwise do not have functioning internet service.

The Ukrainian use of Starlink has drawn a strong response from Moscow, including experimentation with secretive electronic warfare capabilities intended to neutralize the service, according to leaked U.S. intelligence assessments obtained by The Washington Post.

The Russian military for months tested ways to disrupt communication links over Ukraine, the classified documents said, but the documents did not conclude whether the tests were successful or had their intended effect.

Siobhan OGrady and David L. Stern in Kyiv contributed to this report.
The SpaceX Starship explodes after launch for a flight test from Starbase in Boca Chica, Texas, on April 20, 2023. (Patrick T. Fallon/AFP/Getty Images/TNS)

(Tribune News Service)  While SpaceX has its next flight-ready Starship and Super Heavy on the launch pad, it cant take off until it gets the OK from the Federal Aviation Administration.

The FAA announced Friday it had closed the investigation into the massive rockets mishap from an April 20 launch attempt that destroyed much of the launch pad at SpaceXs Boca Chica, Texas, facility Starbase, and ended up with SpaceX sending a self-destruct command to the rocket off the Texas coast in the Gulf of Mexico before it reached orbit.

But the FAA said that doesnt mean its ready to let the new Starship get off the ground yet.

The final report cites multiple root causes of the April 20, 2023, mishap and 63 corrective actions SpaceX must take to prevent mishap reoccurrence, according to a press statement emailed by the FAA. Corrective actions include redesigns of vehicle hardware to prevent leaks and fires, redesign of the launch pad to increase its robustness, incorporation of additional reviews in the design process, additional analysis and testing of safety critical systems and components including the Autonomous Flight Safety System, and the application of additional change control practices.

In a letter the FAA sent Friday to SpaceXs Shana Diez, its director of Starship reliability, the FAA laid out the reasons it classified it as a mishap.

During lift-off, structural failure of the launch pad deck foundation occurred, sending debris and sand into the air, the letter said. On ascent, the vehicle deviated from the expected trajectory, resulting in the Autonomous Flight Safety System (AFSS) issuing a destruct command. After an unexpected delay following AFSS activation, Starship broke up, resulting in the loss of the launch vehicle.

As such, SpaceX was required to do a mishap report, and the FAA conducted its final review of that report on Aug. 21. The FAA stated that it oversaw the SpaceX-led investigation while granting NASA and the National Transportation Safety Board official observer status. The report was not made public because it includes proprietary data and U.S Export Control information, the FAA stated.

The FAA has been provided with sufficient information and accepts the root causes and corrective actions described in the mishap report, the letter continued. Consequently, the FAA considers the mishap investigation that SpaceX was required to complete to be concluded.

The April 20 flight was a one-time approval from the FAA, and more Starship flights will require SpaceX to submit to the FAAs satisfaction that it has addressed all 63 corrective actions. SpaceX then has to apply for and receive a license modification from the FAA that addresses all safety, environmental and other applicable regulatory requirements prior to the next Starship launch.

Elon Musks company has already implemented several changes including the construction of a massive water deluge system and more rigid launch pad, as well as changes to the rocket that aim to solve the problems seen on the first launch.

The 33 Raptor engines on the Super Heavy Booster are capable of more than 17 million pounds of thrust at liftoff, and the April launch saw that energy decimate the launch pad with what was a very long time before clearing the launch tower.

Musk said in a June interview that the new booster will have a higher thrust-to-weight liftoff, so it will just spend less time on the ground.

And the Starship itself, which when combined with Super Heavy stands at 395 feet tall, will actually fire up its own Raptor engines before complete separation from the booster in what he called hot staging.

We shut down most of the engines on the booster leaving just a few running and then at the same time start the engines on the ship, or upper stage, which obviously results in kind of blasting the booster, Musk said. So then you have to protect the top of the boost stage from getting incinerated by the upper stage engines.

If and when SpaceX gets FAA approval for a second attempt, the flight plan still calls for it to reach space, and do about 2/3 an orbit around Earth. The Super Heavy booster is slated for a hard landing in the Gulf of Mexico after separation while Starship is slated for a hard water landing near Hawaii. The system, though, is designed to be fully reusable with both booster and Starship able to make vertical landings.

If it makes orbit, it would surpass current record holder for most powerful orbital rocket held by NASAs Space Launch System, which used 8.8 million pounds of thrust on the Artemis I mission last year to send the Orion spacecraft on its mission to the moon.

NASA is waiting on SpaceXs Starship, though, so that it can move forward with the human landing aspect of its future Artemis missions. Artemis III currently slated for as early as December 2025 aims to return humans, including the first woman, to the lunar surface for the first time since the end of the Apollo program in 1972.

A version of Starship won the contract to be NASAs first Human Landing System for that Artemis III mission, designed to meet up with Orion in orbit around the moon and then fly two astronauts down to the moons south pole and return them back to Orion.

SpaceX has to manage a successful uncrewed moon landing with Starship before NASA will let humans on board as well.

NASA leaders said recently that delays to Starship would potentially force NASA to shift its Artemis III mission to something other than a lunar landing, perhaps as a mission to support construction of its planned lunar space station Gateway.

For SpaceX itself, it plans to fly dozens if not more than 100 operational launches of Starship before it lets any humans on board, as it too has at least three commercial human spaceflight missions already lined up in addition to the NASA mission.

Testing development flight hardware in a flight environment is what enables our teams to quickly learn and execute design changes and hardware upgrades to improve the probability of success in the future, SpaceX posted to its account on X, formerly Twitter. We learned a tremendous amount about the vehicle and ground systems during Starships first flight test.

Test flights will continue from Texas, but SpaceX is also building out a Starship launch tower at Kennedy Space Center for when it begins operational flights.

Recursive improvement is essential as we work to build a fully reusable launch system capable of carrying satellites, payloads, crew, and cargo to a variety of orbits and Earth, lunar or Martian landing sites, SpaceX posted.

2023 Orlando Sentinel

Visit at orlandosentinel.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
The U.S. Capitol is seen on July 13, 2023, in Washington, D.C. (Carlos Bongioanni/Stars and Stripes)

At a recent town hall back home in Omaha, Republican Rep. Don Bacon was confronted by one of his constituents who, like a growing number of conservatives, was displeased with the vast sums of U.S. weaponry and money being given to Ukraine. Why, this man wanted to know, does the congressman believe that after 18 months it remains in Americas best interest to continue bankrolling the war?

Bacon, a retired Air Force general, was ready. Russia, he explained, launched its invasion because Ukraine was growing closer to the United States, becoming more democratic, and posing an existential threat to the authoritarian rule of President Vladimir Putin and his desire to reclaim the Kremlins lost empire.

I told the town hall: When I was a kid, if you had a bully on the playground - that bully never stops unless he gets punched in the nose, Bacon said later in an interview.  And so weve got to stand up to Putin here.  But he said he included a caveat in that response too: We shouldnt give just a blank check to Biden. Hes got to justify why he needs this.

The exchange in Nebraska is emblematic of a growing tension throughout the Republican Party, and among a small number of Democrats, as Congress begins anew the contentious process of considering just how big of a check President Biden can have to sustain the flow of U.S. assistance - and for how long lawmakers will keep the spigot open. American attitudes toward Ukraine are shifting, Capitol Hill is feeling the pressure as the country heads into an election year, and Ukraines highly anticipated summer offensive has made only minor territorial gains thus far. So, with each subsequent ask for funding, securing congressional approval is likely to grow more challenging, lawmakers and analysts say.

The White House in August sent lawmakers a supplemental budget request seeking $40 billion, more than half of which would go toward aiding Ukraine and related efforts intended to shore up NATO allies defenses and provide a cushion for other vulnerable countries impacted by the war. The funding, if approved, would bring total U.S. investment to $135 billion, according to an analysis by Mark F. Cancian at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

As the war struggles onward, though, questions like the one aired in Omaha reflect a larger dispute thats tearing at the GOP, whose raucous right flank is waging an aggressive campaign to rally public support for slashing Ukraine aid. If some Republicans had their way, the price tag on future assistance would be zero.

Republican leaders, Democrats and the White House insist that a majority of Congress continues to support helping Ukraine. Following a Thursday meeting with Senate leadership on the issue, Bidens national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, acknowledged that lawmakers have a lot of specific questions about the administrations policy and constructive suggestions for what ought to change. But he told reporters there remains a strong bipartisan will to uphold Americas commitment.

Nonetheless, the America-first agenda is posing seismic challenges for moderate Republicans as they work to convince the partys increasingly wary base that standing with Ukraine, and alongside like-minded Democrats, is consistent with conservative fiscal values, essential for U.S. national security, and wont amount to another forever war like Afghanistan - an argument pushed by the hard-right.

For Republicans, historically hawkish and supportive of American interventionism, the internal battle over Ukraine aid underscores what analysts say is the partys broader struggle to define what it represents - a long-smoldering question that is expected to grow more torrid as the next election cycle heats up.

Im old enough to remember Ronald Reagan, said Bradley Bowman of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, a conservative Washington think tank, lamenting what he called the GOPs fight for its soul.

I just cant imagine a Republican Party that is soft on the Kremlin, he said, that doesnt understand the importance of security in Europe.

The blank check debate

Many of Kyivs most influential backers in the GOP believe that Biden hasnt been supportive enough, and they are unabashed in their criticism of his management of the crisis. They have warned that uninterrupted aid is vital to Ukraines survival and further weakening Russias capacity to threaten the West. In the Senate on Wednesday, Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), while jabbing the president, admonished detractors not to compound his administrations failures with failures of our own.

It is not the time to ease up. . . . Its not the time for America to step back, he said of U.S. support in Ukraine.

Though not explicitly aimed at the Republican-led House, McConnells remarks were an indication of the volatility there. Earlier this summer, as the chamber worked to advance its version of the annual defense policy bill, a bloc of 70 GOP lawmakers banded together in what was ultimately a failed bid to force a cutback on Ukraine assistance.

Rep. Brian Mast (R-Fla.), who says he will not vote for additional aid to Ukraine, criticized the administration for having offered Congress no coherent strategy, objective or timeline for the war, adding that he needs to see one he can back funding it. I can support something, but I cant support nothing. Thats how you get what happened in Afghanistan, said Mast, an Army veteran who lost both of his legs in an explosion there.

For now, it is unclear when or even if Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), who has given mixed signals on Ukraine, will ask the House to vote on a supplemental budget request. (It was McCarthy who, last fall, said he did not back giving Kyiv a blank check only to say this past spring that he does support U.S. aid for Ukraine.) A spokesman said Friday that considering Bidens latest funding request is not a priority.

There has been a shift, Bacon said of his party and the country. Seventy members is a minority, but its one-third of the Republican caucus, he noted.

A lot of people responded to the politics and, you know, the polling, he said, referencing recent data that suggests Americans good will is waning. You see a lot of this B.S. propaganda out there, he added, faulting the spread of misinformation and what he called a lot of echo chamber and a lot of groupthink within segments of his party. Ive seen a lot of stuff like: A lot of these weapons ended up in terrorists hands, or being sold on the black market. Thats absolutely not true. We are tracking these weapons.

The Republican presidential primary race also is playing a role in the intraparty clash over Ukraine. Former president Donald Trump, who holds a strong lead, has repeatedly scorned the security assistance program, telling interviewers that he would end the war in a day by forcing Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to make a deal with Putin - a suggestion Trumps critics have read as capitulating to Russia.

At last months GOP primary debate in Milwaukee, businessman Vivek Ramaswamys hand shot up when moderators asked if any of the candidates would halt funding to Ukraine should they become president.

Ramaswamy, who cast Americas involvement in the war as protecting against an invasion across somebody elses border when those resources could be better used to staunch illegal immigration to the United States, drew sharp rebukes from Trumps former vice president Mike Pence and some of the other candidates.

Pence, who is polling in the single digits among voters, gave a fiery address this month further distancing himself from the brand of populism espoused by Trump and his imitators - declaring himself a traditional conservative and arguing for the continuation of robust support to Ukraine.

Rep. Joe Wilson (R-S.C.), who served in the Reagan administration, and currently chairs the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, said he also has been disturbed by the shift. The traditions of - in my view - of the Republican Party are for peace through strength, and supporting liberation and democracy around the world, he said in an interview. And so its somewhat startling to see that we now have a level of isolationism in the party.

Both Republicans and Democrats say constituents questions about Ukraine have grown fewer and farther between since the initial rush of interest following Russias invasion last year.

Sen. Roger Wicker (R), who wears to work a lapel pin bearing the U.S. and Ukrainian flags, said that he received hardly any pushback about his support for Ukraine funding when, during last months congressional recess, he spent time back home in Mississippi. But he has also tired of those who do.

I lose patience with people saying We need to quit writing a blank check [because] were not writing a blank check. To the skeptics, he said, I think we have to ask the question of what the alternatives are? What does the world look like, and what does American foreign policy look like, when we cease supporting Ukraine and leave them at the mercy of a Czarist like Vladimir Putin? It would be an earth-shattering geopolitical change that would harm the United States for generations.

Americans attitudes are shifting

A recent Fox News poll found that while most Americans still believe the United States should be supporting Ukraine, a growing minority - 36 percent, up from 26 percent in December - said the help should be less. Within the Republican Party specifically, though, Fox found that a 56 percent majority now say U.S. aid should be rolled back. Less than 40 percent of respondents felt that way in late 2022.

A separate poll released last month by CNN found that 55 percent of respondents dont want Congress to authorize any additional Ukraine funding.

On the far-left, some Democrats also have voiced concerns about the amount of aid being given to Ukraine, calling instead for greater spending on domestic programs. A handful of progressive Democrats have previously voted against funding for Ukraine, and some last year appealed for a negotiated solution to the war, later rescinding that request.

White House officials say they remain optimistic that the additional funding for Ukraine will pass. But members of both parties have quietly complained that the administration has failed to help them sell the idea to constituents by making a more convincing argument.

Matt Dimmick, who served as director for Russia and Eastern Europe on Trumps National Security Council, credited the Biden administration for doing all the right things, for the most part, except for on a slower scale. But, said Dimmick, now with Spirit of America, an organization providing nonlethal assistance to Ukraine, nobody in the administration that Ive heard has come out and said: Heres why. Its always been sort of mealy-mouthed.

Sullivan said in recent days that the president has made clear, repeatedly, since this conflict began what the stakes are for the American people: that letting Russia run roughshod over Ukraine would put Europe at risk. And we know what happens when a marauding, aggressive, hostile power places the continent of Europe in military risk. It comes at a much greater cost, not just in American treasure, but in American lives later.

There are many Republicans who agree. But Rep. Jim Baird (R-Ind.) said that voters in his largely rural manufacturing district west of Indianapolis, are concerned about the country, our country, America. And so thats going to take a precedence over anyone else.

In the past few years, the cost of filling up the gas tank on his pickup truck has risen from $50 to $100, Baird said - a fact, he said, that should underscore why his constituents could soon lose their tolerance for funding a war that seems foreign and far away.

Were going to have to be smart about the kind of help we can give them, he said. . . . You know, none of us want another 20 year war.

Bacon also said he worries about the American publics patience waning. At some point, maybe this opportunity closes to help them out, Bacon said. And I dont want that to happen, but I think we should be going in pretty hard right now and trying to get the job done.

Matt Viser and John Hudson contributed to this report.
President Dr Arif Alvi and Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar have expressed grief and sorrow over earthquake in Morocco which claimed over 800 lives.

In their separate statements on Saturday, the President and Prime Minister condoled with the quake affected families.

The President expressed solidarity with the people and government of Morocco. He also prayed for the speedy recovery of those injured in the calamity.

Caretaker Prime Minister Anwar-ul-Haq Kakar said in this hour of difficulty, Pakistan stands with the brave people and government of Morocco and will provide them all possible support.

Meanwhile in a tweet, the Prime Minister said our hearts ache for those affected by the severe earthquake in Morocco.

He said Pakistan extends its hand in unity and support to Morocco in this trying time.

Read: Morocco earthquake toll tops 600 as rescue operation begins

Caretaker Federal Minister for Human Rights, Khalil George has expressed grief and sorrow over the loss of life and property caused by the earthquake in Morocco.

The Minister said that he is with the government and people of Morocco in this hour of trial.

Khalil George further said that he sympathizes with the affected families for the loss of life and proper
A powerful earthquake that shook Morocco klled more than 600 people, interior ministry figures showed, sending terrified residents fleeing their homes in the middle of the night.

The 6.8-magnitude quake struck 72 kilometres (45 miles) southwest of tourist hotspot Marrakesh at 11:11 pm (2211 GMT), the US Geological Survey reported.

Strong tremors were also felt in the coastal cities of Rabat, Casablanca and Essaouira.

"We felt a very violent tremor, and I realised it was an earthquake," Abdelhak El Amrani, a 33-year-old in Marrakesh, told reporters.

"I could see buildings moving. We don't necessarily have the reflexes for this type of situation. Then I went outside and there were a lot of people there. People were all in shock and panic. The children were crying and the parents were distraught."

"The power went out for 10 minutes, and so did the (telephone) network, but then it came back on," he added. "Everyone decided to stay outside."

Updated interior ministry figures on Saturday showed the quake killed 632 people, more than half of them in Al Haouz and Taroudant provinces. The ministry also recorded deaths in Ouar zazate, Chichaoua, Azilal and Youssoufia provinces, as well as in Marrakesh, Agadir, and the Casablanca area.

Another 329 people were injured, including 51 in a critical condition, the ministry said.

Internet connectivity was disrupted in Marrakesh due to power cuts, a ccording to global internet monitor NetBlocks.

Moroccan media reported it was the most powerful earthquake to hit the country to date.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz offered condolences, while Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was "pained" by news of the quake.

The earthquake was also felt in neighbouring Algeria, where the Algerian Civil Defence said it had not caused any damage or casualties.

In 2004, at least 628 people were killed and 926 injured when a quake hit Al Hoceima in northeastern Morocco, and in 1960 a magnitude 6.7 quake in Agadir killed more than 12,000.

The 7.3-magnitude El Asnam earthquake in neighbouring Algeria in 1980 was regionally one of the most destructive earthquakes in recent history.

It killed 2,500 people and left at least 300,000 homeless.
Shen Yueyue, vice chairperson of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, also chairperson of Good-Neighborliness, Friendship and Cooperation Commission of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, reads out President Xi Jinping's congratulatory message to the 10th China-Central Asia Cooperation Forum before delivering a keynote speech in Xiamen, southeast China's Fujian Province, Sept. 9, 2023. The forum opened here on Saturday. (Xinhua/Jiang Kehong)

XIAMEN, Sept. 9 (Xinhua) -- The 10th China-Central Asia Cooperation Forum opened Saturday in the eastern Chinese city of Xiamen, Fujian Province.

Shen Yueyue, vice chairperson of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, attended the opening ceremony and read out President Xi Jinping's congratulatory message to the forum before delivering a keynote speech.

Shen, also chairperson of Good-Neighborliness, Friendship and Cooperation Commission of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, said that relations between China and Central Asian countries have entered a new era under the strategic guidance of the heads of state, and the forum is a practical measure to implement the consensus reached by the leaders at the China-Central Asia Summit.

China and Central Asia countries need to comprehensively deepen political mutual trust, expand practical cooperation, jointly achieve high-quality development, continuously deepen people-to-people exchanges, develop close international coordination, and build an even closer China-Central Asia community with a shared future, Shen added.

More than 400 people, including leaders and government officials from Central Asian countries and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Secretary General, attended the forum. The Xiamen Initiative was released at the event. Enditem

Shen Yueyue, vice chairperson of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, also chairperson of Good-Neighborliness, Friendship and Cooperation Commission of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, attends the opening ceremony of the 10th China-Central Asia Cooperation Forum in Xiamen, southeast China's Fujian Province, Sept. 9, 2023. Shen read out President Xi Jinping's congratulatory message to the forum before delivering a keynote speech. (Xinhua/Jiang Kehong)
The alleged incident happened at Dr Quirkeys Good Time Emporium on OConnell Street

A father of five stole almost 4,000 in slot-machine credit from a gambler in a Dublin casino, it is alleged.

Madalin Oprea (25) is accused of taking a ticket from the machine when the user stepped away from it, and cashing it in himself.

The case was adjourned at Dublin District Court for the accused to decide how he intends to plead.

Mr Oprea, of Ballyshannon Road, Kilmore, Coolock, is charged with theft.

The offence is alleged to have happened at Dr Quirkeys Good Time Emporium on OConnell Street on July 26.

Garda Sergeant Derek Spain told Judge Bryan Smyth the DPP consented to the case being dealt with at district court level, subject to the issue of jurisdiction being considered.

The judge asked for an outline of the prosecution evidence.

Sgt Spain said the alleged victim was playing a slot machine at the premises and had credit of 3,745. He left the machine momentarily and it was alleged that Mr Oprea took the ticket from it and cashed it in.

Judge Smyth accepted jurisdiction, allowing the case to remain in the district court instead of being sent for trial to the circuit court.

The accuseds solicitor asked for the memo of Mr Opreas garda interview to be disclosed to the defence.

The judge ordered this and also granted free legal aid after hearing the accused was a warehouse operative with five children, three of whom were of school-going age. Mr Oprea was remanded on continuing bail to a date in October.
Sources claim Henry has been blasting band music morning, noon and night in the home.

Wife-beating thug Alistair Fritzl Henry has been described as a wolf in sheeps clothing after he was rehoused in a fold for vulnerable people with dementia.

We can reveal the PSNI have already been called out to the fold in Coleraine where the 61-year-old has been throwing parties and being his usual anti-social self.

Sources have told the Sunday World neighbour from hell Henry has been blasting band music morning, noon and night and has had to be spoken to by wardens as well as the police.

As reported here, his previous home was repeatedly attacked by locals fed up with his late-night rowdy drink and drugs parties.

His windows were put in at his Kylemore Road home and after they were fixed by the Housing Executive, they were put in again.

Paint bombs were also thrown at the property and a downstairs window was smashed during a sustained campaign to have him moved out.

Workmen installed new windows at his old address this week as the Housing Executive prepares to place new tenants in the property.

A jubilant local resident told the Sunday World: Its the best news ever  Alistair Henry has been moved out somewhere else. Everyone round here is delighted. Living beside him was a nightmare.

He brought the dregs of Coleraine into his flat and had parties that went on for days and all through the nights.

The paramilitaries targeted his house, hoping it would intimidate him, but he didnt care. He just carried on. I cant believe theyve put him in a fold though. Thats a disaster for the other poor people living there. Thats like sending a wolf into the sheep pen.

The authorities have rehomed Henry  who was once jailed for a terrifying campaign of abuse against his wife  in accommodation designed for people who are vulnerable and require assistance.

Run by a housing association, the fold, which we arent identifying, is described as being a supported living scheme in Coleraine for more than 50 tenants who are classified within the dementia or cognitive impairment category.

The facility consists of a number of flats with en-suite facilities as well as one-bedroom self-contained flats and two-bedroom bungalows.

Henry has been using a mobility scooter for the last 12 months and last December we pictured him going about his business on his new vehicle complete with personalised number plate AL1.

You see him flying about on this thing all the time now but he doesnt seem to have too much bother walking round the shops, a witness told us at the time.

He parks it in a space for cars, danders round the shop to get his groceries and then he speeds off as fast as he can.

But sources say hes a wreck of a man and has been spotted falling off his scooter while drunk.

We also revealed how he has a list of convictions for violent offences and how he remains the only person to be convicted in connection to the murder of Coleraine pensioner Norman Moffatt.

The late Norman Moffatt

Henry was jailed in 2013 after he falsely accused a drinking pal hed fallen out with of murdering 73-year-old Moffatt, when, in fact, he made it all up.

Evil Henry had taken revenge after a squalid drinking fallout to accuse his mate of the murder and the innocent man had to live with that hanging over him for 11 years.

Last December the police apologised to the family of Mr Moffatt after a watchdog review found multiple failings in an investigation of his murder.

The OAP was attacked as he walked along Railway Road in Coleraine in January 2001. He died two months later.

A subsequent review from the Police Ombudsman identified shortcomings in the police investigation.

Henry was convicted of perverting the course of justice and jailed for two years after deliberately lying to police that a fellow drinking buddy had been the man who stabbed Mr Moffatt to death.

Alistair Fritzl Henry

The court was told at the time that Henrys outrageous lie had hampered their investigation by directing their efforts away from the real main suspect, James McCook.

McCook, who has since died in England, was charged but acquitted of the murder after his trial collapsed over witness evidence.

Henry, who was 50 at the time, conned cops into arresting the innocent man after making sworn police statements that he could connect him to the murder scene.

Henry only admitted his crime when police suspicion fell upon him. He told police, by way of an excuse: Me and him fell out. That was a way of making life hard for him, hes given money to other winos and not me.

Handing Henry two concurrent sentences of two years in custody and 18 months probation, the judge described his crime as despicable.

Henry hit the headlines over a decade ago when he was unmasked by the Sunday World as Ulsters Fritzl, after Austrian man Joseph Fritzl who imprisoned his daughter Elizabeth for 24 years, subjecting her to repeated rapes and violent assaults.

Henry regularly locked his wife in a wardrobe for days at a time, forcing her to eat her own excrement and drink her urine while subjecting her to repeated physical and sexual assaults.

He kept a locked room in the house where he compiled charts of her bad behaviour and stored trophies of the abuse he inflicted on her.

Sources have told the Sunday World Henry has continued his partying way at the fold and residents have made a number of complaints.

The police have already been out to him, said a source. Hes been warned his antics wont be tolerated there and if he doesnt settle down hell be put out.

The people living here couldnt cope with his all-night partying.

Hes also been blasting band tunes morning, noon and night.

But sources have revealed how bully- boy Henry is facing a sad end to his life.

Hes got nobody now, said a former friend.

He lost himself in drink and drugs and when the truth came out about the Moffatt stitch-up and what he had done to his wife, everyone turned their back on him.

His only friends the last couple of years have been alcoholics and drug fiends.

Hes nasty man who a lot of people think is getting his comeuppance with the way his life has ended up.
One man has since been charged and appeared before court this morning.

Two men were arrested by gardai investigating the false imprisonment and assault of a man in his 40s in west Dublin.

The incident occurred on Friday, July 21.

Both men, aged in their 20s, were arrested on Thursday and held under Section 50 of the Criminal Justice Act, 2007 at Garda stations in Dublin.

One man has since been charged and appeared before court this morning. The other man was released without charge.

Gardai in Clondalkin arrested two men in relation to an investigation into the false imprisonment and assault of a man (40s) in Clondalkin, Dublin 22, on 21st July 2023, a garda spokesperson said.

Both men were arrested on Thursday, 7th September 2023 and detained under Section 50 of the Criminal Justice Act, 2007 at Garda stations in Dublin.

One man has since been charged and is due to appear before the Criminal Courts of Justice this morning, Saturday 9th September 2023 at 10.30am.

The second man was released without charge and a file will be prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions, they added.
A woman was trying to steal a moped from an apartment car park when she threatened residents with a razor blade, assaulting two of them, it is alleged.

Nicola Malone (38) is facing trial on multiple charges following the alleged incident in south Dublin.

Judge John Hughes refused her bail when she appeared in Dublin District Court, where she was served with a book of evidence.

The accused, from Belcamp Green, Priorswood, Coolock, was sent forward for trial to Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.

Objecting to bail, Garda Mark McDonnell said the accused was charged with unauthorised taking of a vehicle, assaulting two women, producing a weapon in the course of a dispute, threatening to kill or cause serious harm and criminal damage.

Outlining the prosecutions case, he said it was alleged the accused entered the underground car park at The Davitt apartment complex on Davitt Road, Drimnagh last June 14.

According to gardai, she took a moped without the consent of the owner and was attempting to remove it from the car park by pushing it up a ramp when some residents tried to stop her.

It was alleged she assaulted two women, one of whom suffered a physical injury to her cheek.

She was accused of kicking the second woman.

It was also alleged she produced a razor blade in a threatening manner and brandished it towards the residents. Ms Malone was still at the scene when gardai arrived, it was alleged. She was arrested and made no admissions while in custody, Gda McDonnell said.

Gardai believed if granted bail, Ms Malone would not turn up in court to answer to the charges.

The accused was presumed innocent and entitled to bail, her solicitor Luke Staines said.

If his client contested the charges, she might be in custody until 2025 awaiting trial, he said.

Ms Malone, who was on social welfare, had no money to offer the court for bail, but her partner and sister who were supporting her could offer a small sum.

Ms Malone had an address she could live at and would abide by bail conditions.

Refusing bail, Judge Hughes gave the accused the formal notice that she had 14 days to provide alibi details to the prosecution.

He ordered the prosecution to disclose the accuseds garda interview video to the defence.

The judge then sent Ms Malone for trial to the next sittings of the circuit court, on a date next month.
A man in his 40s is in a critical condition in hospital following a separate hit-and-run in Waterford today.

A female pedestrian was killed after she was struck by a car in Tallaght

Gardai have identified a chief suspect in a fatal hit-and-run in which a woman in her 80s was killed on Friday morning in Dublin.

The car involved failed to remain at the scene and fled the area following the horrific incident in Tallaght.

However, a third party subsequently made contact with gardai and informed investigators where the car involved could be located.

It has since been removed for examination to recover evidence linked to the fatal crash.

Gardai have also identified the individual they believe was driving the car at the time of the crash and sources said detectives expect to make an arrest very soon as part of the probe.

The woman in her 80s, who was a pedestrian, died after she was struck by a car shortly before 11:00am at the junction of Fortunestown Way and Cheeverstown Road (R136) in Tallaght. The road is closed for an examination by Forensic Collision Investigators.

Gardai and emergency services attended the scene and the woman was pronounced dead shortly afterwards.

Her body has since been removed to the City Morgue at Whitehall where a post mortem will take place at a later stage.

A man in his 40s is critically injured in hospital following a separate hit-and-run incident in Waterford today.

The man, also a pedestrian, was struck by a vehicle shortly before midday today at the junction of The Glen and Ballybricken in Waterford City.

The car failed to remain at the scene of the collision.

The male pedestrian was seriously injured and he has been taken to Cork University Hospital where his condition is described as critical.

The Glen and Ballybricken roads are currently closed and the services of Garda Forensic Collision Investigators have been requested. Local diversions are in place.

Gardai are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed either incident to contact them.

Any road users and pedestrians who were in The Glen, Ballybricken and surrounding areas this morning between 11.00am and 12.00pm (midday) and noticed any unusual activity is asked to contact investigating Gardai.

Any road users or pedestrians who may have camera footage (including dash-cam), and who were travelling on Fortunestown Way or Cheeverstown Road, this morning between 10:30am and 11:15am, is asked to make this footage available to Gardai.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Tallaght Garda Station on 01 666 6000, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda station.

Anyone who may have camera footage (including dash cam) of this area this morning is asked to make this available to Gardai.

Anyone with information which may assist Gardai around the hit-and-run in Waterford is asked to contact Waterford Garda Station on 051 305300, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.
The shop is open 24/7, anybody can come in and do anything they want to

Ministers Paschal Donohoe and Helen McEntee at Ballybough Community Centre for the launch of a new three-year safety plan for the north inner city

Staff working in all-night convenience stores in Dublin city centre say they have witnessed the worst since Covid, as drug deals openly go on outside.

Independent.ie visited four shops in the city centre this week, on the northside and southside, to find out what staff were experiencing on a day-to-day basis.

It comes as a new three-year public safety plan was being launched by the Government for the north inner city.

One worker at a 24-hour store in the city centre said they regularly see people buying drugs from outside the shop.

Since Covid its been worse. People had free roam of the streets, there was nothing around except them. Then when everything went back to normal, it became a territory battle.

Im from Dublin so Id know some of the customers, theyd come in and give me a knuckle touch.

But the lads who are from abroad can have a tough time. Theyd get a bit more abuse from the people on the streets here.

Another employee claimed the problems in work worsened since Covid, but added that the increased garda presence makes her feel more comfortable.

The shop is open 24/7, anybody can come in and do anything they want to. Its a party area, and people are drunk. Staff is being abused, right, left and centre, she said.

If you walk by here at 3am, you can see whats going on by yourself. Theres a lot of junkies, a lot of homeless, and staff are being attacked. We only have security on the door at night.

They have given us safety protocols, they always tell staff members not to be a hero and your safety is always first.

Im doing day shifts so its fine. We have security from 3pm. Theres more guards walking around, so its a lot better now, she added.

Another worker highlighted the efforts taken by their employers to protect them.

We have taken security measures, weve cameras, an anti-aggression system, we have body cams and a security guard as well, they said.

On the weekends, we have them for 18 hours. Weve the same problems during the day and during the night.

Another staff member said they moved to work in a different shop after problems in a store near College Green.

I feel safe, I used to work in College Green, but it wasnt nice. There were a lot of incidents. This place is safer. Its better. Ive no problems here, they said.

Gardai on patrol in Dublin city centre. Pic: Frank McGrath

Justice Minister Helen McEntee today launched the new initiative to keep public spaces safe, including areas currently used for drug dealing.

Community safety wardens will form part of the three-year safety plan for the north inner city which sets out 51 actions to make the area safer following a number of assaults last month.

The minister believes that engaging with members of the community, businesses and gardai will bring groups together to tackle drug dealing and anti-social behaviour.

The role of the wardens, I suppose, theres multiple elements to this. Its about being a presence in the city centre, she said.

Its about being visible and engaging with members of the community who are in the area but also linking in with businesses.

Its about identifying issues that arise, its not for wardens to take the role of An Garda Siochana but they're certainly working hand in hand.

Minister for Public Expenditure, Paschal Donohoe, added that he is certain the safety plan would make a difference, particularly around the OConnell Street area.

This plan will build on the work thats already under way in the north east inner city that will deliver longer term benefits, he said.

Minister for Justice Helen McEntee launches a three-year community safety plan for the north inner city. Pic: PA Wire

However, opposition TDs have criticised the plans, stating that many of the measures have been announced previously and that 10m in funding given to gardai should also be matched for community initiatives.

Green Party TD for Dublin Central, Neasa Hourigan, said the plan was disappointing and a hugely missed opportunity.

It demonstrates a lack of ambition and scope for improving community life in the heart of Dublin city.

While I welcome the recent allocation of 10m in funding for An Garda Siochana, it is now time to do the serious work of investing in neighbourhoods and young peoples future in the city.

Social Democrat TD Gary Gannon claimed many of the measures had already been announced in previous plans for the North East Inner City.

To me, this reads like an analysis of existing problems rather than the minister saying what she is actually going to do about them, he said.

Laughably, proposals to repair lighting, improve the appearance of streets and tackle littering are simply a description of Dublin City Council doing a job they already should be doing.
Womens Aid have expressed their dissatisfaction with the airing of a programme where a known perpetrator of violence towards women

Gangster John Gilligans jokes about beating his ex-wife in a new book published on his life.

In the controversial new biography  called The Gilligan Tapes  the crime boss says of wife Geraldine Gilligan: I think I gave her a few boxes over the years.

"I cant remember what it was exactly. I wont say I ve never hit her from the day I met her until the day we got separated. I apologised for hitting her, but whatever it was  my temper, such and such.

Making a vile joke, Gilligan says: Of course its never right to hit a woman. And if youre going to kick a woman, should always take the shoes off only messing.

In response, domestic abuse charity Womens Aid has called on Virgin Media to rethink continuing to air their programme on Gilligan called Confessions of a Crime Boss.

The partys spokesperson on Equality, Mary Seery-Kearney, said she has not watched the documentary as she is too angry that such an individual is given any platform at all.

This man was accused and acquitted of extremely serious crimes in circumstances where witness tampering and intimidation was alleged, she said.

Jimmy Guerin

He has actually been convicted of drug smuggling and while this programme is airing, has entered a plea bargain for drugs and weapons charges in Spain.

Senator Seery-Kearney pointed out that Ms Guerin isnt here to tell us about the violence he allegedly perpetrated against her prior to her murder.

Womens Aid have expressed their dissatisfaction with the airing of a programme where a known perpetrator of violence towards women is given a platform to trivialise such appalling actions," she said.

Mr Gilligan, who was acquitted for the murder of journalist Veronica Guerin in June 1996, said in in the first episode, in which he described his upbringing , that he was not sorry for the things I have done.

The Fine Gael senator called for the Oireachtas Media Committee to review the standards in place regarding complaints for documentaries like Confessions of a Crime Boss.

The satisfaction of sensationalist morbid curiosity and voyeurism to see such individuals exhibited by some sectors of the public must be balanced against the public interest in securing a culture that supports an abhorrence against drug dealing and violence, she said.

We must ensure all editorial broadcasting mechanisms are governed by the highest standards and a thorough review clearly needs to happen now on foot of this skewed documentary.
Being stuck next to a screaming baby has been voted one of the most head-wrecking things about flying

Admit it, parents: youre only delighted the kids are finally back at school - and doing their teachers heads in instead of yours.

So Ill be fielding no complaints about the child-free zones set to be trialled on flights being offered by a Dutch airline later this year.

Starting from November 3, Corendon Dutch Airlines will offer an adults-only area on flights between Amsterdam and the Caribbean island of Curacao, complete with walls and curtains separating it from the rest of the plane to create a shielded environment that contributes to a calm and relaxed flight.

And that sounds like 45 well spent, if you ask me.

Being stuck next to a screaming baby has been voted one of the most head-wrecking things about flying.

Although, Id be happy to stump up the 100 the airline is planning to charge for extra-large seats in the section to avoid sitting next to man babies like the Southwest Airlines passenger who went viral earlier this year when he had a meltdown over a crying infant on a Florida-bound flight.

Suffice to say, that when it comes to the sardine tin environment that is modern air travel, young children suffering from airplane ear are hardly the worst offenders.

But, while I havent yet entered shut that baby up territory, like tantrum man, as someone who is child-free, childless - call it what you like - I'll be the first in line to give the new seats a go.

That's if they haven't all been snapped up already by the mums and dads who know all too well about the stress of travelling with smallies.

The parents of 18 month-old twin girls Ashley and Abby weren't going to risk the wrath of intolerant travellers, anyway, when they placated fellow passengers with chocolate during their daughters first flight to visit their grandparents in Florida in 2016.

An accompanying note read: Well try to keep our cool, but in case we decide to get crazy, weve provided a sweet treat and some ear plugs for your enjoyment.

Not that they should have to apologise for flying with their offspring, it was a thoughtful gesture, which is not something that can be said for TikToker Samuel Leeds, who earlier this year boasted of travelling in first class with his wife on the social media site, while his young children (and their nanny) slummed it in economy in order to teach them a lesson.

Was the lesson that mummy and daddy are assholes, I wonder?

Speaking about the Only Adult zone, launched in response to customer feedback, Corendon Dutch Airlines told how they hoped it would have a positive effect for both parents and non-parents.

Theyre not the first airline to make such a change after Japan Airlines unveiled a new online tool to help passengers avoid sitting next to children aged between eight days and two years old.

Now if they could warn where the sock removers, seat kickers and snorers are sitting, Id be completely on board.
The judge said his imprisonment was for an indefinite period until he purges his contempt.

Burke family wait at Garda Station, before Enoch is sent to Mountjoy

Sacked teacher Enoch Burke has been sent to Mountjoy Prison for a second time for contempt of court orders restraining him from entering or trespassing on the premises of his former school.

Mr Justice Mark Heslin this evening granted an order sought by the board of management of Wilsons Hospital School for Mr Burkes imprisonment for repeated violation of the injunction.

The judge said his imprisonment was for an indefinite period until he purges his contempt.

Mr Justice Heslins ruling was interrupted by angry outbursts from members of the Burke family and he had to rise from his bench five times while delivering it.

Mr Burkes sisters Ammi and Jemima, brother Isaac and father Sean were ejected from the courtroom by gardai following separate interruptions. Both sisters agreed to leave without a struggle, but Isaac fell to his knees when gardai approached him and was carried from the courtroom by three officers. Sean Burke also fell to his knees but walked out after gardai lifted him to his feet.

At least a dozen gardai were in the vicinity of the court as the judgment was delivered.

Lawyers for the school had said they made the application reluctantly after Mr Burke continued turning up for work at the Co Westmeath school last month on the resumption of the new school year and refused to give an undertaking to stay away.

In an affidavit, school principal Frank Milling said Mr Burkes presence was a massive distraction to staff and students and causing stress and upset for staff members.

Mr Burke, who represented himself, claimed he had not been trespassing, that he was there to work, and that the injunction order was flawed, void, worthless and based on an unfair hearing. He also claimed the school had created a false narrative that his presence there was causing fear.

I am awaiting reinstatement in my classroom. I am awaiting reinstatement in my job, he said.

However, Mr Justice Heslin said the evidence before the court put beyond doubt that Mr Burke was in breach of a valid court order.

He said deliberate disobedience of an order of the court was an extremely serious matter and that the will of the Irish people, via the Constitution and legislation, was that court orders must be observed.

In other words, it is an insult to all law abiding citizens when someone who is subject to a court order decides to ignore it, Mr Justice Heslin said.

While delivering his ruling, members of the Burke family became irate.

First there was an outburst from Mr Burkes mother Martina, who shouted: He has a right to be in that school and you are a traitor as a judge.

Then came interruptions from Mr Burke himself and his sisters Ammi and Jemima, brother Isaac and father Sean leading the judge to rise from the bench. He only concluded his ruling after Mr Burke's parents and siblings had all been removed.

Mr Burke previously spent 108 days in prison for breaching similar, albeit temporary, orders last year but was eventually released shortly before Christmas despite refusing to purge his contempt.

He continued turning up at the school for the rest of the 2022/23 school year even after the High Court imposed fines of 700-a-day on him for doing so.

The teachers repeated defiance of court orders over the past year has highlighted the limitations of the contempt regime in Ireland.

Neither imprisonment nor fines, two of the main tools available to coerce an individual into abiding by a court order, have convinced Mr Burke to comply.

The latest order breached by him was made by Mr Justice Alexander Owens in July in a case where the judge found the schools suspension of Mr Burke in August last year was lawful.

Mr Burke, who is an evangelical Christian, was suspended after a number of incidents in which he publicly objected on religious grounds to a request from the schools then principal that staff call a transgender student by a new name and they/them pronouns.

He was sacked in January and is currently appealing his dismissal.

Despite Mr Justice Owens order, the court heard Mr Burke showed up at the school on August 25 and stood outside the office of deputy principal John Galligan, who is responsible for timetabling and the allocation of teachers to classes. He had also turned up at the premises every school day since.

According to court filings, gardai in Mullingar were called. However, they did not intervene as they considered it a civil matter.

Mr Burke had previously been arrested at the school in January, but the DPP decided not to prosecute him for trespass.

Alex White SC, for the board of management, said the school had been placed in an impossible position and was not able to deal with the matter without the intervention of the court.

Mr White said the hiring of private security to keep Mr Burke out had been considered, but this was discounted by board of management chairman John Rogers as he couldnt countenance the school being some sort of prison patrolled by private contractors.

Mr Burke opposed the application in colourful terms, describing it as manifestly diabolical and claiming the court was dipping its hands in blood by considering it at all.

We are being asked to choose between a hanging and a shooting all because a teacher said he would not deny his conscience and encourage children down the destructive path of transgenderism, he said.

In affidavits filed in support of the committal application, Mr Milling and Mr Rogers said Mr Burkes presence had caused stress, distraction, disruption and fear, and was a safety concern for the school.

Mr Milling said it was a frightening situation when someone could blatantly ignore the order of the court.

The principal said he was spending significant time trying to prevent Mr Burke entering the school or monitoring his presence and this was making it difficult for him to carry out his functions.

Meanwhile, Mr Rogers said Mr Burkes presence was creating untold difficulties for the staff and students.

However, Mr Burke denied the claims in Mr Millings and Mr Rogers affidavits.

In an affidavit, Mr Burke claimed Mr Milling had behaved in a provocative and intimidating manner towards him at the school, mocking him for his imprisonment and religious beliefs.

He also disputed claims he had stared at deputy principal John Galligan or looked at him in a menacing way.

Mr Burke also denied accusations by Mr Galligan that his presence was causing the deputy principal fear and anxiety, alleging the claim was not credible.

He went on to claim he had been receiving support from staff and students.

In one of the more colourful parts of his affidavit, he claimed students en masse had been in support of his presence at the school and would come up to where he was standing and ask him for autographs.

He claimed that on one occasion last May approximately half of the Leaving Cert class of 2023 came around the corner to where he was standing, begging that I sign their school shirts and blouses.

Other students requested a photo, shook hands with me and wished me well, he said.

Mr Burke also claimed that during the final days of the last school term there was a flow of students requesting photos, handshakes, and autographs on their school annual, uniform, flag or pieces of paper.

This is despite the fact that students have been warned not to talk to me outside the school, he said.

Elsewhere in the affidavit, he claimed that on August 28 he was greeted by several students within minutes of arriving. He claimed one of them told him to stay strong and another told him they agreed with what he was doing.

His affidavit went on to outline several other occasions Mr Burke said he had received commendation and support from parents and staff members while standing outside the school.

He said these people approached him and shook his hand, that one parent told him I think it is terrible what theyre doing to you and that another said: Keep strong, Mr Burke.

In his judgment last May, Mr Justice Owens said the school was entitled to suspend Mr Burke in August 2022, entitled to a permanent injunction prohibiting him from attending at its premises, and to damages of 15,000 for his continuing trespass at the school's campus.

The judge said the school's decision to suspend Mr Burke was "rational and reasonable after he had voiced his strong objections to the request on how to address the transgender student.

In addition to the award of damages, Mr Burke must pay the schools legal costs, likely to run to six figures.

On top of that, the teacher is facing fines of in excess of 150,000 for defying court orders.

The teacher claims the request about how to address the student was a breach of his rights and his religious beliefs.

He denied any wrongdoing and brought a counterclaim stating that the disciplinary proceedings against him were unlawful and in breach of his rights. However, his counterclaim was dismissed.

Mr Burkes appeal against his dismissal was due to be heard earlier this year by a three-person panel made up of figures from the education sector.

But it has been delayed after Mr Burke took a High Court challenge to the composition of the panel. Judgment is awaited in those proceedings.
BEIJING, Sept. 9 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Saturday sent a congratulatory message to the 10th China-Central Asia Cooperation Forum, which opened Saturday in the eastern Chinese city of Xiamen, Fujian Province.

Xi noted in the congratulatory message that, since the establishment of the forum, its scale and influence have been expanding gradually. Through the forum, China and the Central Asian countries seek common cooperation and shared development, and have greatly enhanced mutual understanding and traditional friendship and written a new chapter in good-neighborly friendship and common progress.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the proposal of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), and the China-Central Asia Summit was successfully held in May, Xi said, emphasizing that China and Central Asian countries have taken the lead in jointly promoting BRI and their relations have entered a new era.

China-Central Asia cooperation has much to achieve and will achieve much under the new circumstances, Xi said.

Xi expressed the hope that all parties will take the forum as an opportunity to strengthen mutual learning, deepen cooperation in jointly developing BRI, and promote more fruitful results in developing China and Central Asian countries relations.

The 10th China-Central Asia Cooperation Forum was organized by the Good-Neighborliness, Friendship and Cooperation Commission of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and Fujian Provincial People's Government, with the theme of advancing friendly relationships and deepening mutually beneficial cooperation. 
Protestors will be holding a No Males In Womens Jails banner as they gather at lunchtime

The Dochas Centre is the principal prison for women in Ireland

A protest in Dublin today will be calling for violent transgender inmates to be banned from the Dochas womens prison.

Women will be demonstrating outside the facility on the citys North Circular Road after a transgender woman was jailed there yesterday.

Protestors will be holding a No Males In Womens Jails banner as they gather at lunchtime.

It follows the jailing of a violent prisoner, who pleaded guilty to assault causing harm to a homeless woman at the Novas Centre, Rathmines Road in April 2022, and received a three-month suspended sentence.

In her statement, the victim said the accused had grabbed her by the hair and pulled her onto the ground, striking her with a closed fist four or five times.

The court also heard she told gardai that the woman sat on top of her and pulled clumps of hair out of me.

It has been reported that the offender had 15 prior criminal convictions since 2009 and was previously a prisoner in Limerick womens prison.

A spokeswoman for Womens Space Ireland, who organised the protest, said that when it comes to prisons, Rule 11 of the UN Mandela Rules states that, men and women shall so far as possible be detained in separate institutions.

They say that in February the UK Ministry of Justice updated the policy for prisoners in England and Wales with transgender offenders no longer being housed in womens prisons if they have male genitalia or have committed any violent or sexual offence.

These rules apply regardless of whether the prisoner has a Gender Recognition Certificate or not, they say.

Another transgender prisoner, Barbie Kardashian, has been moved to a mens prison proving that men with Gender Recognition Certificates dont have to be in a womens prison said a spokeswoman for the women protesting said.

Protestors are urging TDs to support the Gender Recognition (Amendment) (Prisons) Bill 2023 proposed by The Countess womens group to stop transgender inmates being housed in womens prisons.

Putting men in womens jails is one area which the Taoiseach would probably agree hasnt worked well, added spokeswoman Jill Nesbitt of Womens Space Ireland, a website covering womens sex-based rights.

He also said recently that he doesnt believe violent males should be kept in womens jails.

Why is the Government rushing to put through referenda on gender equality but hasnt yet produced a policy on transgender prisoners to protect women? she asked.

Yesterday we saw yet again that the safety and well-being of vulnerable women - homeless women and women prisoners - have been neglected in order to facilitate men who identify as women. We havent heard one word yet from Government about how the rights and needs of women are to be protected, she says.

According to Womens Space Ireland, Dublin City Council has previously outlined how clients presenting to DRHE Homeless Services must undergo a full assessment and placements are made on a case by case basis.
The scene of the accident where Paul and Mary Reilly died in Rome

The Co Wexford couple who died when they were struck by a car on a busy road in Rome were due to take their grandchildren to Disneyland next week.

Members of the family of Paul and Mary OReilly will travel to Rome over the weekend to complete the identification of their parents who died after they were struck by a car in Rome on Thursday.

Describing the accident, Cllr Jim Moore, chairman of Rosslare Municipal District, and cousin of Mary OReilly, said: This is a traumatic incident for everyone involved.

Cllr Moore also said that both the Co Wexford couples sons, Darren, who works in Toulouse, France, and Andrew, who lives in Bray, Co Wicklow, arrived home yesterday where they were consoled by grieving family members, relatives and neighbours.

We are hoping that the post-mortem of autopsy will be completed on Monday. Its a weekend but its still giving us an opportunity to get our heads around matters and deal with what has been presented to us, Cllr Moore said.

Meanwhile, a book of condolences has been opened in the tragic couples parish church in Kilmore, and also in Stella Maris Hall in Kilmore Quay.

Married Irish couple killed in Rome holiday

The book of condolences has been opened in Stella Maris Hall where Mary worked. It will give people an opportunity to meet and express their feelings. It will be an open house where Mary worked which is important as people come to terms with the tragedy, Cllr Moore added.

Cllr Moore said: We will gather around as a family and a community to support their children. There is a feeling of stunned silence in the area.

Parish priest Fr Pat Mernagh said opening of the book of condolences presented a way for people to offer their name to the list of people wanting to express their sorrow to the family.

Paul (60) and Mary OReilly (59) had travelled to Rome on Tuesday for a week-long holiday but were struck by a car as they crossed the road to a bus stop, dying instantly at the scene.

The couple were due to bring their grandchildren to Disneyland next week on their return home from Rome.

Fr Mernagh said: They were looking forward to having a little holiday. Its such a tragic, tragic situation.

Mr OReilly had previously worked in the fishing industry and was currently working in the maritime area, which took him abroad a lot. Mrs OReilly worked in the local community centre in Kilmore as a seamstress and is well known and liked through the community.

The couple were killed after being struck by a car at a busy intersection while crossing the road on the Via Cristoforo Colombo in the south of Rome near the Presidential Palace, Castel Porziano, shortly before 1pm on Thursday.

The driver of the car, a 54-year-old man from Rome, remained at the scene and tried to lend assistance but both were pronounced dead at the scene.

The driver suffered minor injuries in the incident and was taken to a local hospital for treatment.

Local police secured the scene on Thursday afternoon and began an investigation into the fatal accident.

The Department of Foreign Affairs said it was aware of the case and was providing consular assistance.

The road on which the two were killed is noted as one of Romes most dangerous with a string of recent deaths there resulting from traffic collisions.
Family speak out about restrictions as Brexit halts free travel across the border

Kenneth Odumukwu and Adamma Antonia with their sons Daniel and David

Two boys at a Derry school must apply for a visa from the Irish Government if they want to go on a day trip to Donegal with classmates.

Thats the reality of an invisible hard border which limits travel between Northern Ireland and the Republic for many people.

Those affected include international students who have secured a visa to study in each jurisdiction.

If they or their families want to travel across the border for any reason  including a school trip or a day out at the beach  they have to apply for another visa, which can take months to secure.

The issue centres around what is known as the Common Travel Area (CTA).

The CTA was created after the partition of Ireland in 1922 to ensure people could travel freely between the Republic and the UK.

However, the right to cross the Irish border without the need for a visa does not extend to all permanent residents of Northern Ireland and the Republic.

Adamma Antonia moved from Nigeria to Derry last year after securing a UK international student visa to study at the Magee campus of Ulster University.

She travelled with her husband, Kenneth Odumukwu, while their young sons, Daniel and David, joined them in Derry earlier this year.

The boys (11 and five) are now pupils at St Eugenes Primary School in the city.

Yet, despite only living a few miles from the border, the family are not allowed to cross it without a visa.

Under the current rules, non-UK and non-Irish citizens married to UK or Irish nationals also require a visa to enjoy free movement between the Republic and Northern Ireland.

I see it as a disadvantage to the economy of the Republic, said Kenneth.

An event is being held in Dublin later this month to highlight issues around the restrictions. It is being organised by the North West Migrants Forum, the Committee on the Administration of Justice and the Irish Network Against Racism.
The series is about the fictional town of Drumban, a rural village of rattled misfits on the border of Ireland

Hollywood star Christina Hendricks looks totally apt in radiant green matching her red hair as she films in Ireland for a TV series being directed by Chris ODowd.

ODowd has returned to his home county of Roscommon to film new Sky series Small Town, Big Story.

Mad Men star Christina grinned as Chris clapped his hands on set in Boyle as they filmed scenes for the series, which also stars English actor Paddy Considine as the male lead.

The series is about the fictional town of Drumban, a rural village of rattled misfits on the border of Ireland and another world, and what happens when a Hollywood production rolls into town and throws the spotlight on a secret thats been kept hidden since the eve of the Millennium.

Christina (48) looked elegant for her role, dressed in a smart green suit, wearing black boots with a large black bag draped over her shoulder, and occasionally donned a pair of black sunglasses in glorious sunshine.

She looked in wonder at a gory pigs head which was attached to the base of a statue in the town, with a placard underneath saying Death to the infidels.

Christina stars as Wendy Patterson, a local girl done good as a hot-shot television producer, who returns to her hometown from LA with a Hollywood production in tow.

Christina Hendricks on set in Roscommon

Chris (43)  who is normally known for his actor and comedy roles  looked at home as he took to the directors chair and wore a large pair of earphones as he doles out instructions.

His mum and dad, Sean and Denise, also popped along to see how he was doing.

He previously starred in and directed the Sky series Moone Boy, which was also filmed in his home town of Boyle, and was based on his childhood.

The Roscommon man first made is big in Channel 4s The It Squad and made his major Hollywood breakthrough as lovable policeman Rhodes in Bridesmaids.

Married to comedian Dawn OPorter, he has since starred in the likes of Mary Poppins Returns, Loving Vincent, This is 40 and Calvary.

As well as being an accomplished stage actor he also does voice overs, including for The Simpsons and Family Guy.

Hendricks, who has also starred in Good Girls, earlier in the week posted a picture of herself in a pub in the capital with the wording Hello Dublin, nice to meet you.

Christina Hendricks in Dublin

Sporting a brown hat and wearing a brown waistcoat and white t-shirt the star appeared to be in the company of a fellow guest who was drinking a pint of stout while she drank a pint of lager.

The Tennessee born star who is best known for playing Joan Harris in Mad Men  earlier this year got engaged to camera operator George Bianchini.

English actor Considine stars as Drumbans local doctor and pillar of the community Seamus Proctor. Eileen Walsh (Catastrophe) stars as Catherine Proctor, Seamus wife and local schoolteacher. Clelia Murphy (Fair City) and David Rawle (Moone Boy) star as siblings Joanne and Sonny Proctor.

Hendricks has received various accolades including two Emmy award nominations

In 2010, a poll of female readers taken by Esquire magazine named her "the sexiest woman in the world".

Born to an American mother and English father in Knoxville, Tennessee, Hendricks was raised in Portland, Oregon, and Twin Falls, Idaho, where she became active in local theatre. After completing high school in Virginia, she moved to New York City and pursued a career as a model following her entry into a Seventeen cover contest. She continued to work internationally as a model for over a decade before transitioning into acting.

Hendricks had recurring roles in several television series, including Beggars and Choosers (20012002) and Kevin Hill (20042005) before being cast as Joan Holloway on the AMC period drama series Mad Men in 2007, of which she remained a main cast member until the series' conclusion in 2015.

She received critical acclaim for her role, including six Emmy Award nominations and multiple Screen Actors Guild Awards for Best Ensemble.
One lucky Lotto player from Auckland will be dancing in their living room after winning $1 million with Lotto First Division in Saturday nights live Lotto draw.

The winning ticket was sold on MyLotto to a player from Auckland.

Powerball was not struck and has rolled over to Wednesday night, where the jackpot will be $6 million.

Meanwhile, one lucky Strike player from Greymouth will also be celebrating after winning $600,000 with Strike Four. The winning Strike ticket was sold at Countdown Greymouth in Greymouth.

The winning doesnt stop there! Lotto NZs Father's Day Triple Dip promotion was also drawn on Saturday night, and 75 extra prizes of $10,000 cash were up for grabs. The results of Lotto NZs Mothers Day Triple Dip promotion are available online at http://www.mylotto.co.nz.

13 Lotto players win Second Division

Thirteen lucky Lotto players will be toasting a special win after each winning $20,729 with Lotto Second Division in Saturday nights live Lotto draw. Two lucky players also won Powerball Second Division, taking their total winnings to $29,560. The winning Powerball Second Division tickets were sold on MyLotto to players from Manukau and Selwyn. The winning Second Division tickets were sold at the following stores: Store Location MyLotto Auckland MyLotto (+PB) Manukau Pak N Save Pukekohe Pukekohe MyLotto Hamilton Four Square Ngatea Ngatea Countdown Te Awamutu Te Awamutu Tamatea Pak n Save Tamatea MyLotto Napier MyLotto Wellington New World Stanmore Richmond MyLotto (+PB) Selwyn MyLotto Otago MyLotto Dunedin City

Anyone who bought their ticket from the above store or on MyLotto should check their ticket as soon as possible in-store, on MyLotto, or through the MyLotto App.

Lotto NZ is proud to support Gambling Harm Awareness Week, which runs from Monday September 4 to Sunday September 10.

"At Lotto NZ, we always want you to play our games in a way that is fun and healthy, and we have a range of tips and tools on how to Play Smart at www.lottonzplaysmart.co.nz," says a Lotto spokesperson.

With 100% of Lotto NZs profits supporting thousands of great causes.
DUBAI, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has strongly condemned the twin terrorist attacks in northeastern Mali, which have claimed at least 64 lives, the official news agency WAM reported Friday.

In a statement, the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs extended its sincere condolences and sympathy to the government and people of Mali and the families of the victims, wishing a speedy recovery for all the injured, according to the report.

The ministry affirmed the country's permanent rejection of all forms of violence and terrorism that run contrary to human values and principles and undermine security and stability.

The dual attacks, which took place on Thursday, targeted a passenger boat on a waterway and a military camp in northeastern Mali, killing 49 civilians and 15 soldiers, according to a statement from Mali's interim government.

The Group to Support Islam and Muslims, a jihadist organization affiliated with al-Qaida, had claimed responsibility for the attacks, the statement added.

Since 2012, Mali has been plagued by insurgencies, jihadist incursions, and inter-community violence that have left thousands of people dead and hundreds of thousands displaced. 
Oneida, N.Y.  Blyth Jones woke at 3 a.m. to police lights down the street from her Oneida home.

She and her boyfriend watched for a little bit, then she went back to bed. Three hours later she was shaken awake by a massive blast.

It shook my bed, Jones said. A big boom.

She thought it was gunfire and jumped out of her bed.

They went outside where everyone was out on West Elm Street, confused. Smoke was rising from the trees and debris was everywhere, she said. A window was blown out from her house at 502 West Elm St. Next door, several were shattered.

Around 3 a.m. a stolen 2012 Toyota Rav4 crashed into the home at 532 West Elm St. police said. The crash severed the natural gas line at the house, prompting an evacuation of the street.

First responders could hear the gas coming out of the broken pipe, said Oneida Police Sgt. Mike Burgess. Because of the risk of explosion, only six people were at the scene, he said.

Three hours after the crash, the gas exploded, he said.

No warning, Burgess said. It was very loud.

The blast sent debris airborne. It landed on roofs, cars, and trees. It hit one firefighter in the shoulder, he said.

We were close enough that we needed to retreat for our own safety, he said.

The responders hit the ground, he said. None was injured.

The house was destroyed. The stairs leading to the front door are still standing but nothing else is. An armchair is seen, still upright in the wreckage. An American flag still hangs. Pieces of the house are strewn across the road and on neighbors roofs.

Samantha Field, a Madison County spokesperson, said Saturday the juvenile driver of the RAV4 had a hand and wrist injury. Hes expected to be charged, she said.

The vehicle was taken from a home on South Willow Street, Field said.

Staff writer Rylee Kirk covers breaking news, crime and public safety. Have a tip, story idea, photo, question or comment? Reach her at 315-396-5961, on Twitter @kirk_rylee, or rkirk@syracuse.com.
Join NY Cannabis Insider for our next full-day conference on Sept. 21 at the Pearl Street Grill & Brewery in Buffalo. Tickets will sell out.

From concerns about HHS Schedule III recommendation, chatter about the prevalence of illegal shops and state legislators thinking about increasing oversight of the industry, it was another week with plenty of moving pieces in New York cannabis.

Lets take a look at the stories NY Cannabis Insider covered last week:

First of all, we encourage anyone in or around Western New York (or willing to make the trip) to join us in Buffalo Sept. 21 for an all-day conference. Weve been hosting events and publishing stories for nearly two years, but this is our first event in Buffalo, and were really excited!

Panels will feature candid discussions about whats happening right now from several key stakeholder perspectives, such as cultivators, processors, retailers, politicians, attorneys, and medical operators.

On Thursday, we covered state Sen. Jeremy Cooneys announcement that lawmakers will hold a fact-finding hearing on Oct. 30 to address the states troubled rollout of its legal cannabis industry.



Sign up for the NY Cannabis Insider Newsletter

Enter your email address to get exclusive reporting on NY's cannabis market delivered to your inbox:









During the Oct. 30 hearing of the Senate Subcommittee on Cannabis, legislators will hear testimony from industry stakeholders, and question regulators about issues that have stymied New Yorks legal marijuana launch, Cooney said. The hearing could inform future legislation.

Earlier in the week, we spoke with three cannabis-focused attorneys in New York about how the federal governments possible reclassification of marijuana from a Schedule I substance to Schedule III might affect the Empire States legal market.

Each of the lawyers was kind enough to write us a blurb about what they thought of the move, and all said there will be positive and negative outcomes if rescheduling happens.

Paula Collins, a tax attorney dedicated to the cannabis industry, contributed a column in which she does some back-of-the-envelope math to figure out that there could be more than 36,000 illegal marijuana shops in New York State.

The numbers do not include the independent weed dealers who do not have brick-and-mortar stores, nor does it include internet-based operations, such as delivery businesses, Collins wrote about her finding.

Speaking of math; Jeff Jones, an AUCC based in the Finger Lakes, wrote a guest column that posits basic economics could destroy the equity agenda for New Yorks legal weed market.

New York is about to repeat the tragedy of California by handing large corporations the dual sabres of 1) supply and demand, and 2) cash flow is king, Jones wrote. As a result, New Yorks small business and social and economic equity outcomes will be severely muted.

Continuing our NYs women in cannabis series, we ran a profile on Barbara Vaughn, the CEO and founder of Cannabicity, which aims to open as a dispensary in Schenectady.

We also added a new entry to our People to know in NY cannabis series: Louis Feuillatte, who works at MJstack, a free vendor-agnostic cannatech consulting service that pairs cultivators and retailers with the right tech partners.

Lastly, we posted attorney Jeffrey Hoffmans latest Ask Me Anything segment, in which he answered questions about the Department of Health and Human Services recommendation that cannabis be reclassified as a Schedule III substance, CAURD-related lawsuits in litigation and more.

Have a great weekend everyone, well be back with plenty more next week.
THE HAGUE, Sept. 9 (Xinhua) -- The provinces of South Holland, the Netherlands, and Shandong, China, have held here a matchmaking event for enterprises from both sides to bolster agricultural ties and foster mutual growth.

Some 200 representatives, including Meindert Stolk, vice governor of South Holland, Chen Ping, vice governor of Shandong, and entrepreneurs from both countries, attended the event held on Friday.

In his address, Stolk highlighted that Shandong is renowned in China for its agriculture, particularly in the cultivation of fruits, vegetables, aquaculture and livestock, while the Netherlands is the world's second-largest exporter of agricultural products.

South Holland has significant advantages in modern greenhouse technology and horticulture industry clusters, and there is ample room for further deepening agricultural cooperation between the two regions, he said.

For his part, Chen noted that last year marked the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and the Netherlands.

Over the past five decades, cooperation in agriculture between Shandong and the Netherlands has continually deepened, with successful mechanisms for collaboration established in areas such as agricultural machinery, agricultural product trade and investment, he said.

Chen expressed hope that the matchmaking event would serve as an opportunity for both sides to strengthen cooperation in various domains, including infrastructure, technological innovation, trade and investment.

During the subsequent ceremony, Sino-Dutch businesses signed several agricultural cooperation agreements and memoranda of understanding.

Tjerk Opmeer, director of the International Department at the Netherlands Enterprise Agency, emphasized the "longstanding friendly relations" between the Netherlands and Shandong.

"At this moment, we have around 80 Dutch companies investing in Shandong and more than 40 Shandong companies establishing their business in the Netherlands," he said. "So cooperation among our companies cover a wide range of industries such as agriculture, water management, health care, new energy, maritime, logistics, advanced manufacturing, etc."

Opmeer stressed that China and the Netherlands are both major producers and exporters of agricultural products.

Bilateral collaboration in areas such as vegetable seed breeding, greenhouse technology, dairy products, agricultural robotics and refrigeration technology has a long history, he said. "It's clear that our economies are highly compatible and complementary."

Gert Dral, the executive advisory board member of Dutch Greenhouse Delta, a foundation dedicated to promoting Dutch agricultural technology worldwide, said that his organization is committed to offering a full industry chain collaboration, ranging from seeds to greenhouse design and construction.

China is their most prioritized market globally, and they are eagerly looking forward to collaborating with Chinese partners, said Dral.

The long-standing relationship between the Netherlands and China is a very good base for cooperation, he told Xinhua. "I see a lot of opportunities, because there is a huge demand on Chinese side for better, safe, healthy food, increase of volumes, and other chances. We can provide technology, experience ... so, there are very good conditions for further cooperation."

During the event, representatives from Sino-Dutch businesses took the stage to introduce their companies, discuss development plans, and explore potential areas for mutual cooperation. 
Eleanor Ellie Abulencia, 87, of North Syracuse, died on Wednesday. She and her husband, Jack, had just celebrated their 69th wedding anniversary the day before.

Abulencia was born in Syracuse and was a 1953 graduate of North Syracuse High School.

Her working life started with a job with The Post-Standard in Syracuse, according to her obituary. She worked for several banks and she eventually retired from Lincoln (Chase) and Seneca Savings banks.

Abulencia enjoyed camping at Gilbert Lake in the Adirondacks and taking her children to Enchanted Forest when they were young. She liked long rides and decorating her home.

Calling hours will take place from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Monday at Fergerson Funeral Home, 215 S. Main St., North Syracuse.

There will be a burial service at 10 a.m. in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, 259 East Onondaga St., Syracuse. Burial will be in North Syracuse Cemetery.

Donations may be made to the Alzheimers Association, CNY Chapter, 5015 Campuswood Drive, Suite 102, East Syracuse, NY 13057; the North Syracuse Volunteer Firemens Association, 109 Chestnut St., North Syracuse, NY 13212 or to the Central New York SPCA, 5878 East Molloy Road, Mattydale, NY 13211.

Contact Sharon Dellinger by phone at 315-470-2265 or by email.
The Taos News delivered to your Taos County address every week for a full year! We offer our lowest mail rates to zip codes in the county. Click Here to See if you Qualify. Plan includes unlimited website access and e-edition print replica online. Your auto pay plan will be conveniently renewed at the end of the subscription period. You may cancel at anytime.
shresan23 BHPian

Join Date: Apr 2022 Location: Chennai Posts: 111 Thanked: 296 Times

re: The beater car culture in India | Bought a 13-year old Maruti A-Star for 1.8 lakhs



Mine is, as i said before, Maruti Suzuki A-star, VXi, non ABS version. It is a manual since i wanted some form of mechanical connection to the car and that it is the best form of driving (except for B2B traffic).



It has a 1 litre engine that spits out 66 and some change horses and is by no means the fastest on the road.







I got the sunlight copper that only gets better with age. One colour that MS nailed, is this sunlight copper. We previously owned a Swift with the same colour and i absolutely loved it.



The rest of the spec can be easily sourced and learnt with the aid of Google. This one is aimed at the long term reliability. You see, there are many reviews that say

"i dont know how it will hold up 10 years in the future"



Right now, it is 10 years in the future.



With that rampant rant, let us get into a detailed description/review/likes/dislikes/niggles/quirks etc of this car.



Up first,





Performance



By now, everyone would be familiar with the K series of Maruti, with the increasingly boring engines today. But back then, the K10 series packed something of a punch. All forms of environment issues were put on back seat while these engines delivered raw torque. Of course, not your F1 torque, not even your S-cross 1.6 ddis torque. The type of torque that lets you push ahead of any modern day car, in a drag pull.



I am not joking. I am not fibbing. This one houses the K10B engine, that has an increased compression ratio of 11 to 1. Now, i dont know what that means. I do know that combined with the low weight of the car, acceleration and low end torque is something that is not to be missed.



All this is superficial. Does it hold up today? Yes. Even today, in the right gear, lower ones, pushing the A surges the car forward. Ive had cases where i decided to gap a Hybrid Brezza on a short stretch. The Brezza however, overtook me when the torque fun ended. This one is best for quick city drives and short bursts of power. In the highway, where the displacement matters, this one lacks.



I have not had a chance to go on long drives. The longest ones are reserved at 20km journey with 5 km of open roads, intermittently. I couldnt test the highway capability. But with the short experience i could fathom that the car gets to 90 pretty quickly, but has trouble going upwards or staying there. The car was settled, but you dont get the confidence you get from a newer car.



And oh, combined with the lack of ABS and Airbags, it is usually heart in the mouth situation.



The car has a lot of low end torque as i previously mentioned, yet, it refuses to pick up at times, without the aid of the A. This might be the age issue and the fact that it is 70k kms old. But it is what it is, for the price. However, this is very rare. Given the actual low end torque i have been able to pick the car up from ridiculously low speeds. You can practically crawl and move the car from a stand still in the second gear itself. The third gear also has enough surge to pull from as low as 20. The fourth gear is when the engine starts to run out of huff as the power in 4th and 5th is barely noticeable. I use the 5th gear in the city only if i have a long coasting situation. Acceleration is practically null in 5th gear. If you have to reach 90 or 100 without having to depend on the last gear, you will have to shift a little late and push the car a bit. I wouldnt say it is a sedate car. Its just that the car wont do anything to surprise you, unless you do something first.



Mileage has gone to waste. With my daily 10km of running, i manage to scrape 12 or 13 per litre. Given the major chunk of B2B traffic, it sometimes drops to 10. I must say however, it never goes below 10.



As far as the noise, vibration and harshness is concerned. Yes, Yes and Yes. Come what may, Noise will tear your ears. This engine is by no means refined. It vibrates like hell and growls like a bear. All this is on the inside. On the outside, i have been surprised by the lack of noise. I once let the car idle when i stepped out and heard nothing. And that was after a pretty hard run too. I mean, it seems the definition of comfort has been altered.

But then in between all this, i have begun to like the note. In the middle gears, the sound mimics that of a classic muscle, albeit weakly. It is kinda good, when you have the windows down.



Shifting is smooth. The gearbox is by no means slick. It is hard and sometimes it does not fall into place. Tying two logs together sometimes requires lesser force. The problem however is only with the 1st and Reverse. Otherwise it is smooth.



Hard, smooth? As in, the shifting part sometimes gets stuck in places and a little bit of effort is required to push it into the slot. But then, the gear rarely falls out of place. Rarely, the R falls out, giving that big grinding noise.



The brakes are, there. Nothing great, nothing bad. It does the work and that is it. I have found it a bit too hard at times. Surprisingly, the brakes hold up even today. I dont know if some sort of replacement or repair was done before my purchase, but the performance is good. Works well even in wet situations. The lack of ABS, although alarming, has never found a way to creep into a real incident. Even at high speeds (read as 45 or 50, very rarely 60, if i am in a jolly mood, 70), i have braked hard to a complete stop without the horrible screeching noise, which makes me question the model. It was pointed out that doing this is highly dangerous in a non ABS model, so i manually pump the brakes intermittently, if i am ever in a similar situation (which was only once after.)







Handling is not bad. The steering wheel is extremely light and going from my car to my dad's feels like driving a truck. There is some understeer in tight curves at 40-50, but nothing that a little bit of engine braking will fail to manage. Didnt change the tyres, they do have tread, so i will change them once they wear out. As of now, they are grippy and only once i felt lack of grip. That is alright though.







You can very easily drive this car with one hand. And the size of the horn ...plate? and the stalk orientation helps.



I would have loved it if the gear ratios are a bit more refined, coming from new cars. For example, the 2nd and 3rd gear are so overlapping that, it is next to impossible to correctly guess which one is the right gear for the scenario. Of course, there is a major power change, but 3rd also pulls from 20, 2nd also pulls from 20 without too much rattle. I am just a newb, maybe that is how it is supposed to work. It is often a question between too much power and too less power.



Something a bit more recent. In Chennai, there is a 40kmph restriction everywhere. The problem is, i have to upshift really early, to be able to coast in the 4th gear, at 40. Otherwise, 3rd gear has too much power/ high rpm, causing the car to start braking using the engine. It is a trouble and a half.



Speaking about engine braking, i rely quite a lot on engine braking if i am on big roads or roads with minimal traffic. I am not really sure if it is good for the engine. I wouldnt rate mine as excessive engine braking, but i would be lying if i said i use it minimally.



And did i mention, this car can launch out of a corner, if you can shift down before the corner at the right moment to get the rpm down enough. If it is right, the car just yeets itself out of the corner.



End of the day, this car can do both. Sedate driving if the day is mundane, fun driving if the music is fast. I dont know about this, but i heard a particular 1L turbo venue was giving mileage in single digits. Compared to that and other similar 1L turbo cars, i should say that it is a fair tradeoff for me.



Also there is no tachometer. So for the first few weeks i had to rely on the speeds and depend on engine behaviour to know when to shift. I would recommend this for new manual drivers. This has helped me drive any type of car, without having to rely on the dash. With 5 minutes of information gathering, i am able to shift at the right time without having to look down.





Interior



Well, the interior is drab. It is the dumbest combo of two tone ever. Atleast for me. Surprisingly, the garnishes show no signs of wear and tear or discolouration. Thats a win. The knobs for the Air Conditioner are physical dial types that you find even today in entry level MS cars. The hazard lights button is placed at the bottom. I should commend the ideas of the design team that thought of this completely inefficient placing.







There are no cup holders on the side of the front doors, which i deem to be a stupid decision. I always keep a water bottle with me, in case the car requires it and now, it is in the back seat. Kind of lame design choice. There are two cup holders in front of the gear box. That one is also completely useless. If you keep anything bigger than your local tea cup, it will block the gear shift and the inner cubicle. They could have removed it and kept something else there.



This is one thing that feels like "features on paper". There is a hollow segment on the passenger side which is supposed to be a "mini dash" as such. Of course, yesterday's nokia phones would have had a party in the amount of space available, but today's samsungs would have to cram in and worry about falling. You could keep just about anything, but one tap of the Brake pedal and those things would experience what falling feels like. A small lip would have helped a ton.







Coming to the AC. It is busted. It was working when i bought it and then slowly, it lost force and then finally it gave out. I am looking to replace the condenser, based on a report given by the MAS service techie. When it was working, the cooling was efficient. On a warm day, level 2 chilled the cabin quickly. On a sunny day, the AC struggled. At level 4 it is just noise. Again, at the time of launch, weather was not as horrible.



Onto the seats. They also have this weird geometric dual tone cover. I am liking this dual tone concept as such in a mid variant car. Today, dual tone is something that is mostly reserved for higher variants. However, the choice of black and grey seems a bit dull. The seat is not very comfy, underthigh support is non existent and in the 6 months of ownership, i have never placed my rear end in the back seats. Based on passenger reports, it is not a jolly place to be in either. It does the job and nothing more. There is a bit of throwing around but it is not out of hand. Given the FWD and torque-ey engine, i would expect nothing less.







The seats are showing signs of age, nothing out of the ordinary. Once i get some time, i am thinking of replacing the cover, or installing those off market ventilated covers. I have no idea how it is going to ventilate a normal seat, but then, it is cheap and comes in a variety of colours.





The car has full power windows and this surprised me when i looked at the car for the first time. When my dad said he was getting me a car, i mentally prepared myself for the incessant cranking of windows. This was a sweet bonus. The right side rear window gets stuck at times however. Its usually me in the car. Occassionaly i drop a few of my friends. The rear seat is often unused, so yeah.



Central lock, works. I dont use it. Given the fact that the car is so old and the fact that there are no airbags, i dont want to waste precious seconds if (god forbid) something happens. I lock it if there are kids in the car. That is it.



If you read the reviews, you should recall that in many C2 cars, the sentence



"The rear seat can host two healthy adults and a kid" appears frequently. In this one, remove the two healthy adults. The back row can host kids. Not even your adolescent freakbombs that grow up a foot everytime you blink. I am talking about the sweet sub 12 kids. Forget two healthy adults, even malnourished adults wont be able to fit in, given the very low knee room. Only the ones that are vertically cursed, may be able to fit in.







Boot. I have no idea how many Aquafinas (litres) it can hold. But then, for a small car the boot is alright. I rarely use the boot because i am the only one who uses the car. Even if there is another passenger, the rear seats act as boot and that is it. I am yet to load up the car but then for a small family, two or three suitcases and two travel bags should fill the boot.













Driveability



This is not a usual segment when it comes to reviews. I am still learning how to drive and i thought, this would be a good segment to convey how well the car can manoeuvre around town.



Like i said, this is a tiny car. I have taken this car through the tiniest of roads. I have parked it in the most unimaginable places. All you need is 3.5m long space and 2 metres wide spot and you can just crawl in easily. This car also turns like a champ. Not the smallest, but i was hardly forced to do a 2 point u-turn.







This is the perfect car to learn to drive. It is not sporty and does not jump at every tap. You need to master the car to be able to do that. Parking is easy, so you dont have to question your life choices while trying to parallel park. (I was in and out in a second. Didnt have to shift between R and 1 multiple times)







Sometimes, due to its tiny size, bigger cars dont care. But, this car has one of those huge trumpet like double horn, confusing people into thinking that this is a van of sorts. In the end, people move out of the way and the horn gets through the headphones of jaywalkers, so im happy.



Steering feel is something that i wanted to talk about. In recent cars, the steering feels a lot more detached from the car, than not. If you dont get what i mean, the new cars, their weight, the steering feel, steering weight and response are not mated to each other. It often feels a bit virtual, handling a newer car and i know this first hand because i drive one 2022 car and a 2013 car. The beater car, has good feel. It weighs up and down according to speed, you can feel a lot more of the road while driving, the steering feels a lot more connected to the car. Maybe this is because of the lack of insulation that is creating some sort of non cocoon effect, but it is what it is, and i prefer it.



For example, in my dad's kicks, i find it very hard to judge how much the wheels have turned and what response i can expect, when i turn the steering wheel. I have to rely on how much the car moves. This is not a problematic situation, but in tight spots, it can be quite irritating. But, in my car and other older ones, i can feel the movement, when i turn the steering wheel. Almost as if, the wheel sends the signal back to the steering wheel.



I dont know if this makes sense, i really hope it does, though.



Onto the Lights. The ones that were once a good fit for the car, are not now a good fit for the society filled with eye blinding, tear inducing LED lights. This is particularly infuriating for me, with my astigmatism. One flash of light and i am largely blinded for a signinficant amount of time. Bigger cars like Thar, Bolero etc, have their headlights in line with my IRVM, so when they decide to tail me, i have to spend the time with eye pains, because of their powerful beams. Due to this particular reason, my dad decided to install the three coloured LEDs for his High beam. I am yet to install one in mine. All in all, those high powered LED's should be banned. Or, tech like adaptive light by Volkswagen or Audi, should be mandated. It is almost like bullying someone into giving you space.







If you have these blinding lights. Atleast have the empathy to turn those abominations off, if there is a car coming towards you, in two way lane or tiny lane.



That said, VFM? yes. Considering the cost, fuel prices and everything. Yeah. I spend about 2000 a month on fuel, no major problems. Once, the synchromesh gearbox gave out. Turns out, a small bush was the reason for the whole thing. It was promptly changed, although i had to pay 2000 for it.



Attached below are

1. The only addition in the car, glow in the dark knobs

2. The size of the car, compared to a two lane road. This road can host a bus and another car adjacent to each other.





Well, that was the short (long) review for this car. Read on, for some afterthought and rants. And now, onto mine.Mine is, as i said before, Maruti Suzuki A-star, VXi, non ABS version. It is a manual since i wanted some form of mechanical connection to the car and that it is the best form of driving (except for B2B traffic).It has a 1 litre engine that spits out 66 and some change horses and is by no means the fastest on the road.I got the sunlight copper that only gets better with age. One colour that MS nailed, is this sunlight copper. We previously owned a Swift with the same colour and i absolutely loved it.The rest of the spec can be easily sourced and learnt with the aid of Google. This one is aimed at the long term reliability. You see, there are many reviews that say"i dont know how it will hold up 10 years in the future"Right now, it is 10 years in the future.With that rampant rant, let us get into a detailed description/review/likes/dislikes/niggles/quirks etc of this car.Up first,By now, everyone would be familiar with the K series of Maruti, with the increasingly boring engines today. But back then, the K10 series packed something of a punch. All forms of environment issues were put on back seat while these engines delivered raw torque. Of course, not your F1 torque, not even your S-cross 1.6 ddis torque. The type of torque that lets you push ahead of any modern day car, in a drag pull.I am not joking. I am not fibbing. This one houses the K10B engine, that has an increased compression ratio of 11 to 1. Now, i dont know what that means. I do know that combined with the low weight of the car, acceleration and low end torque is something that is not to be missed.All this is superficial. Does it hold up today? Yes. Even today, in the right gear, lower ones, pushing the A surges the car forward. Ive had cases where i decided to gap a Hybrid Brezza on a short stretch. The Brezza however, overtook me when the torque fun ended. This one is best for quick city drives and short bursts of power. In the highway, where the displacement matters, this one lacks.I have not had a chance to go on long drives. The longest ones are reserved at 20km journey with 5 km of open roads, intermittently. I couldnt test the highway capability. But with the short experience i could fathom that the car gets to 90 pretty quickly, but has trouble going upwards or staying there. The car was settled, but you dont get the confidence you get from a newer car.And oh, combined with the lack of ABS and Airbags, it is usually heart in the mouth situation.The car has a lot of low end torque as i previously mentioned, yet, it refuses to pick up at times, without the aid of the A. This might be the age issue and the fact that it is 70k kms old. But it is what it is, for the price. However, this is very rare. Given the actual low end torque i have been able to pick the car up from ridiculously low speeds. You can practically crawl and move the car from a stand still in the second gear itself. The third gear also has enough surge to pull from as low as 20. The fourth gear is when the engine starts to run out of huff as the power in 4th and 5th is barely noticeable. I use the 5th gear in the city only if i have a long coasting situation. Acceleration is practically null in 5th gear. If you have to reach 90 or 100 without having to depend on the last gear, you will have to shift a little late and push the car a bit. I wouldnt say it is a sedate car. Its just that the car wont do anything to surprise you, unless you do something first.Mileage has gone to waste. With my daily 10km of running, i manage to scrape 12 or 13 per litre. Given the major chunk of B2B traffic, it sometimes drops to 10. I must say however, it never goes below 10.As far as the noise, vibration and harshness is concerned. Yes, Yes and Yes. Come what may, Noise will tear your ears. This engine is by no means refined. It vibrates like hell and growls like a bear. All this is on the inside. On the outside, i have been surprised by the lack of noise. I once let the car idle when i stepped out and heard nothing. And that was after a pretty hard run too. I mean, it seems the definition of comfort has been altered.But then in between all this, i have begun to like the note. In the middle gears, the sound mimics that of a classic muscle, albeit weakly. It is kinda good, when you have the windows down.Shifting is smooth. The gearbox is by no means slick. It is hard and sometimes it does not fall into place. Tying two logs together sometimes requires lesser force. The problem however is only with the 1st and Reverse. Otherwise it is smooth.Hard, smooth? As in, the shifting part sometimes gets stuck in places and a little bit of effort is required to push it into the slot. But then, the gear rarely falls out of place. Rarely, the R falls out, giving that big grinding noise.The brakes are, there. Nothing great, nothing bad. It does the work and that is it. I have found it a bit too hard at times. Surprisingly, the brakes hold up even today. I dont know if some sort of replacement or repair was done before my purchase, but the performance is good. Works well even in wet situations. The lack of ABS, although alarming, has never found a way to creep into a real incident. Even at high speeds (read as 45 or 50, very rarely 60, if i am in a jolly mood, 70), i have braked hard to a complete stop without the horrible screeching noise, which makes me question the model. It was pointed out that doing this is highly dangerous in a non ABS model, so i manually pump the brakes intermittently, if i am ever in a similar situation (which was only once after.)Handling is not bad. The steering wheel is extremely light and going from my car to my dad's feels like driving a truck. There is some understeer in tight curves at 40-50, but nothing that a little bit of engine braking will fail to manage. Didnt change the tyres, they do have tread, so i will change them once they wear out. As of now, they are grippy and only once i felt lack of grip. That is alright though.You can very easily drive this car with one hand. And the size of the horn ...plate? and the stalk orientation helps.I would have loved it if the gear ratios are a bit more refined, coming from new cars. For example, the 2nd and 3rd gear are so overlapping that, it is next to impossible to correctly guess which one is the right gear for the scenario. Of course, there is a major power change, but 3rd also pulls from 20, 2nd also pulls from 20 without too much rattle. I am just a newb, maybe that is how it is supposed to work. It is often a question between too much power and too less power.Something a bit more recent. In Chennai, there is a 40kmph restriction everywhere. The problem is, i have to upshift really early, to be able to coast in the 4th gear, at 40. Otherwise, 3rd gear has too much power/ high rpm, causing the car to start braking using the engine. It is a trouble and a half.Speaking about engine braking, i rely quite a lot on engine braking if i am on big roads or roads with minimal traffic. I am not really sure if it is good for the engine. I wouldnt rate mine as excessive engine braking, but i would be lying if i said i use it minimally.And did i mention, this car can launch out of a corner, if you can shift down before the corner at the right moment to get the rpm down enough. If it is right, the car just yeets itself out of the corner.End of the day, this car can do both. Sedate driving if the day is mundane, fun driving if the music is fast. I dont know about this, but i heard a particular 1L turbo venue was giving mileage in single digits. Compared to that and other similar 1L turbo cars, i should say that it is a fair tradeoff for me.Also there is no tachometer. So for the first few weeks i had to rely on the speeds and depend on engine behaviour to know when to shift. I would recommend this for new manual drivers. This has helped me drive any type of car, without having to rely on the dash. With 5 minutes of information gathering, i am able to shift at the right time without having to look down.Well, the interior is drab. It is the dumbest combo of two tone ever. Atleast for me. Surprisingly, the garnishes show no signs of wear and tear or discolouration. Thats a win. The knobs for the Air Conditioner are physical dial types that you find even today in entry level MS cars. The hazard lights button is placed at the bottom. I should commend the ideas of the design team that thought of this completely inefficient placing.There are no cup holders on the side of the front doors, which i deem to be a stupid decision. I always keep a water bottle with me, in case the car requires it and now, it is in the back seat. Kind of lame design choice. There are two cup holders in front of the gear box. That one is also completely useless. If you keep anything bigger than your local tea cup, it will block the gear shift and the inner cubicle. They could have removed it and kept something else there.This is one thing that feels like "features on paper". There is a hollow segment on the passenger side which is supposed to be a "mini dash" as such. Of course, yesterday's nokia phones would have had a party in the amount of space available, but today's samsungs would have to cram in and worry about falling. You could keep just about anything, but one tap of the Brake pedal and those things would experience what falling feels like. A small lip would have helped a ton.Coming to the AC. It is busted. It was working when i bought it and then slowly, it lost force and then finally it gave out. I am looking to replace the condenser, based on a report given by the MAS service techie. When it was working, the cooling was efficient. On a warm day, level 2 chilled the cabin quickly. On a sunny day, the AC struggled. At level 4 it is just noise. Again, at the time of launch, weather was not as horrible.Onto the seats. They also have this weird geometric dual tone cover. I am liking this dual tone concept as such in a mid variant car. Today, dual tone is something that is mostly reserved for higher variants. However, the choice of black and grey seems a bit dull. The seat is not very comfy, underthigh support is non existent and in the 6 months of ownership, i have never placed my rear end in the back seats. Based on passenger reports, it is not a jolly place to be in either. It does the job and nothing more. There is a bit of throwing around but it is not out of hand. Given the FWD and torque-ey engine, i would expect nothing less.The seats are showing signs of age, nothing out of the ordinary. Once i get some time, i am thinking of replacing the cover, or installing those off market ventilated covers. I have no idea how it is going to ventilate a normal seat, but then, it is cheap and comes in a variety of colours.The car has full power windows and this surprised me when i looked at the car for the first time. When my dad said he was getting me a car, i mentally prepared myself for the incessant cranking of windows. This was a sweet bonus. The right side rear window gets stuck at times however. Its usually me in the car. Occassionaly i drop a few of my friends. The rear seat is often unused, so yeah.Central lock, works. I dont use it. Given the fact that the car is so old and the fact that there are no airbags, i dont want to waste precious seconds if (god forbid) something happens. I lock it if there are kids in the car. That is it.If you read the reviews, you should recall that in many C2 cars, the sentence"The rear seat can host two healthy adults and a kid" appears frequently. In this one, remove the two healthy adults. The back row can host kids. Not even your adolescent freakbombs that grow up a foot everytime you blink. I am talking about the sweet sub 12 kids. Forget two healthy adults, even malnourished adults wont be able to fit in, given the very low knee room. Only the ones that are vertically cursed, may be able to fit in.Boot. I have no idea how many Aquafinas (litres) it can hold. But then, for a small car the boot is alright. I rarely use the boot because i am the only one who uses the car. Even if there is another passenger, the rear seats act as boot and that is it. I am yet to load up the car but then for a small family, two or three suitcases and two travel bags should fill the boot.This is not a usual segment when it comes to reviews. I am still learning how to drive and i thought, this would be a good segment to convey how well the car can manoeuvre around town.Like i said, this is a tiny car. I have taken this car through the tiniest of roads. I have parked it in the most unimaginable places. All you need is 3.5m long space and 2 metres wide spot and you can just crawl in easily. This car also turns like a champ. Not the smallest, but i was hardly forced to do a 2 point u-turn.This is the perfect car to learn to drive. It is not sporty and does not jump at every tap. You need to master the car to be able to do that. Parking is easy, so you dont have to question your life choices while trying to parallel park. (I was in and out in a second. Didnt have to shift between R and 1 multiple times)Sometimes, due to its tiny size, bigger cars dont care. But, this car has one of those huge trumpet like double horn, confusing people into thinking that this is a van of sorts. In the end, people move out of the way and the horn gets through the headphones of jaywalkers, so im happy.Steering feel is something that i wanted to talk about. In recent cars, the steering feels a lot more detached from the car, than not. If you dont get what i mean, the new cars, their weight, the steering feel, steering weight and response are not mated to each other. It often feels a bit virtual, handling a newer car and i know this first hand because i drive one 2022 car and a 2013 car. The beater car, has good feel. It weighs up and down according to speed, you can feel a lot more of the road while driving, the steering feels a lot more connected to the car. Maybe this is because of the lack of insulation that is creating some sort of non cocoon effect, but it is what it is, and i prefer it.For example, in my dad's kicks, i find it very hard to judge how much the wheels have turned and what response i can expect, when i turn the steering wheel. I have to rely on how much the car moves. This is not a problematic situation, but in tight spots, it can be quite irritating. But, in my car and other older ones, i can feel the movement, when i turn the steering wheel. Almost as if, the wheel sends the signal back to the steering wheel.I dont know if this makes sense, i really hope it does, though.Onto the Lights. The ones that were once a good fit for the car, are not now a good fit for the society filled with eye blinding, tear inducing LED lights. This is particularly infuriating for me, with my astigmatism. One flash of light and i am largely blinded for a signinficant amount of time. Bigger cars like Thar, Bolero etc, have their headlights in line with my IRVM, so when they decide to tail me, i have to spend the time with eye pains, because of their powerful beams. Due to this particular reason, my dad decided to install the three coloured LEDs for his High beam. I am yet to install one in mine. All in all, those high powered LED's should be banned. Or, tech like adaptive light by Volkswagen or Audi, should be mandated. It is almost like bullying someone into giving you space.If you have these blinding lights. Atleast have the empathy to turn those abominations off, if there is a car coming towards you, in two way lane or tiny lane.That said, VFM? yes. Considering the cost, fuel prices and everything. Yeah. I spend about 2000 a month on fuel, no major problems. Once, the synchromesh gearbox gave out. Turns out, a small bush was the reason for the whole thing. It was promptly changed, although i had to pay 2000 for it.Attached below are1. The only addition in the car, glow in the dark knobs2. The size of the car, compared to a two lane road. This road can host a bus and another car adjacent to each other.Well, that was the short (long) review for this car. Read on, for some afterthought and rants. Attached Thumbnails







Last edited by shresan23 : 8th September 2023 at 12:16 .
The Everything app is one less feature from bringing all a person needs as Elon Musk's X banking and FinTech dreams are over according to reports. It was because there was a significant complaint that lawyers submitted via an open letter, with the law firm known for representing a Saudi family that is suing X, and the US bank regulators receiving it.

Supposedly, X's bank features were seeing good traction as the company filed it, as various regulators in different states approved it until the letter sent it down the drain.

Elon Musk's X Bank/FinTech Dreams Are Over, But Why?

(Photo : ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images)

The dream to turn X into an app that also provides banking/FinTech services is over for now and this is because there is a law firm that represented a Saudi Arabian family who have issued a warning to US authorities.

An open letter (via Ars Technica) from the lawyers of Walden Macht & Haran LLP addressed US regulators including "attorney generals and banking commissioners" across 50 states about Musk's X and its plans to bring FinTech services.

Here, they claimed that X is "unfit" to hold banking licenses for various reasons, with the firm claiming that the company has problems regarding personal data handling of its current users, as well as "intentional complicity" in human rights violations.

According to Ars Technica, before this, eight US states have already approved X's filing for its banking licenses as the company prepares for a shift towards this new feature.

Read Also: Elon Musk to Sue the Anti-Defamation League Because of its Claims Against Him and X, Takes the Fight Online

Saudi's Letter Pushed US Regulators to Turn it Down

The lawyers' letter has reportedly reached the ranks, with the states that already issued license getting pressure to revoke it.

The Saudi family that filed the complaint against Twitter back in May centers on the story of human rights activist, Abdulrahman Al-Sadhan, with his sister, along with the help of lawyers, who sued the social media for conspiring with the Saudi regime.

X, the Everything App, and its Developments

The renowned X platform has been trying to do it all, and this is because of its CEO, Elon Musk, who wants to turn it into a destination that would cover everything that a user needs. Its current CEO, Linda Yaccarino, has previously hinted that FinTech is coming to X, centering on payments and banking features that took a page from Musk's "X.com" which is now known as PayPal.

Like various features on X which were enjoyed by users before for free, Musk has sent it behind a paywall to feature the Blue subscription service (Twitter Blue), with the verification checkmark being its main offer. However, other features joined the verified checks as the likes of X Pro (formerly the TweetDeck), long-form tweets, massive video uploads, and more are also exclusive here.

The plans to turn X into the Everything app are growing, but certain entities believe X/Twitter should not be given the liberty to do so. The banking or FinTech dreams are over for now, but this is not yet thrown away entirely as Musk did not confirm anything being scrapped regarding this, now looking to persuade the US regulators to reconsider its application moving forward.

Related Article: Elon Musk Shut Down Starlink to Prevent Ukraine from Attacking Russia as per the Isaacson Biography

 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
X is taking California to court over AB 587, a new law forcing social media companies to reveal their content moderation methods. This law demands transparency regarding how these platforms handle hate speech, extremism, and misinformation.

(Photo : JOSH EDELSON/AFP via Getty Images)

A newly constructed X sign is seen on the roof of the headquarters of the social media platform previously known as Twitter, in San Francisco, on July 29, 2023. Challenging California Law

Engadget reported that X has filed a lawsuit against the state of California challenging a new law, AB 587, that mandates social media companies to disclose their content moderation practices.

Under this law, social media platforms are required to make public their strategies for addressing hate speech, extremism, misinformation, and related issues, along with internal moderation procedures.

Legal representatives for X contend that this law is unconstitutional and may result in censorship. They argue that AB 587 seems designed to pressure companies like X Corp. into removing, demonetizing, or deprioritizing content protected by the Constitution.

X asserts that the true intent of the law is to compel social media platforms to eliminate specific constitutionally-protected content deemed problematic by the State.

The lawsuit contends that X has the right to privately apply its own definitions and moderation methods on its platform, essentially expressing itself.

While this might seem peculiar, legally and contextually, it's not without precedent. The argument is that the company engages in a protected "editorial" form of speech.

California's AB 587

One year ago, Governor Gavin Newsom signed AB 587 into law, emphasizing the importance of transparency and accountability in understanding how these platforms influence public discourse and shape the content we encounter on social media daily.

Starting in 2024, social media companies must biannually disclose their approaches to handling issues such as hate speech, racism, extremism, disinformation, harassment, and foreign political interference.

This includes definitions, enforcement rules, and user options for clarity and potential challenges to these practices.

California has positioned itself firmly on the government involvement spectrum, driven by its progressive nature and its status as the birthplace and testing ground for numerous tech giants.

For instance, TechCrunch reported that the state's privacy legislation is often viewed as a potential model for a nationwide law aiming to safeguard consumers from tech companies' actions.

Also Read: California Takes Initiative to Examine Risks, Benefits of Generative AI



In response to the legal action, Jesse Gabriel, the California Assemblymember who authored the bill, stated that AB 587 is solely aimed at promoting transparency.

He emphasized that the law does not impose specific content moderation policies but rather mandates companies to openly disclose their content moderation approaches.

He further commented that if X has nothing to hide, then they should have no objection to this bill. This type of rhetoric is often used in cases of perceived government overreach, such as the controversial stop-and-frisk policies in New York.

It's important to consider that Gabriel represents a government that, for various reasons we won't delve into here, routinely engages in intrusions into private data, albeit on a personal level.

Related Article: Apple Unexpectedly Backs the California Right to Repair Bill for Accessibility, Sustainability

 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
South Korea has emerged as the global leader in the integration of robots within manufacturing processes, as per data provided by IFR for the year 2021.

(Photo : ANTHONY WALLACE/AFP via Getty Images)

TOPSHOT - A young girl and her mother interact with a 'Robot Dog', made by Ghost Robotics, displayed for the public during an event at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul on August 31, 2022.

Topping Global Rankings in Robot Adoption

The deployment of robots serves as an indicator of global economic vitality and expansion. One common method for assessing the adoption of robots is by comparing the number of industrial robots to the manufacturing workforce.

The International Federation of Robotics (IFR) regularly releases data on the worldwide utilization of robots in manufacturing. This reveals that South Korea is the frontrunner in terms of robot integration in the manufacturing sector.

The country recorded a remarkable 1,000 robots for every 10,000 manufacturing employees, securing the top spot.

Singapore followed closely behind, registering 670 robots. China claimed the fifth position with 322 robots per 10,000 workers, while the United States, ranking seventh, reported 274 robots for every 10,000 manufacturing employees.

South Korean Companies

South Korea stands as a major producer of industrial robots extensively employed across diverse manufacturing sectors, including machinery, electronics, and automotive production, as per Interesting Engineering.

Prominent South Korean companies in this sector, such as LS Mtron, Doosan Robotics, and Hyundai Robotics, have been instrumental in advancing manufacturing efficiency by manufacturing a wide array of industrial robots, including robotic arms and automation systems.

Furthermore, South Korean manufacturers have been pioneering the development of collaborative robots, often referred to as cobots. These innovative machines are designed to work safely and efficiently alongside human workers.

Companies like Hanwha Robotics and Techman Robot in South Korea have been actively involved in producing these cobots, which find applications on assembly lines and enhance manufacturing operations.

Also Read: Self-Destructing Soft Robots by Korean Researchers Can Effectively Disappear After Completing Military, Intelligence Tasks

The South Korean government has played a substantial role in advancing the robotics manufacturing industry by providing funding, research grants, and incentives for research and development initiatives.

These efforts have spurred healthy competition and accelerated growth within the sector. Additionally, South Korean universities and research institutions have been proactive in the field of robotics research and development, propelling technological advancements at a remarkable pace.

Many of these academic institutions collaborate with the private sector to foster innovation and create novel robotics solutions. This synergy between academia and industry contributes significantly to South Korea's position as a leader in the global robotics landscape.

Exporter in the Robotics Industry

ITIF reported that this has led to a robust and thriving market where South Korean robot manufacturers export their products worldwide, establishing the country as a major player in the global robotics industry.

Their reputation for producing high-quality and reliable robotics solutions has significantly contributed to South Korea's status as a notable exporter in this sector.

However, it's essential to bear in mind that the dynamics of the robotics manufacturing sector can undergo transformations as new enterprises enter the market and existing ones diversify their product portfolios.

IFR has reported that China is surpassing South Korea in terms of the rapid adoption of robotic technology, signifying potential shifts in the industry's competitive landscape.

Related Article: US Calls South Korean Chipmakers to Not Fill Any Market Gaps if China Bans Micron Chips

 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
UNITED NATIONS, Sept. 9 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres was saddened by the loss of life in the earthquake in Morocco, said his spokesperson on Saturday.

"The secretary-general expresses his solidarity with the government and people of Morocco in these difficult times. He addresses his most sincere condolences to the families of the victims and wishes a speedy recovery to the injured," said Stephane Dujarric, the spokesperson, in a statement.

The United Nations is ready to assist the government of Morocco in its efforts to assist the impacted population, said the statement.

A 6.8-magnitude earthquake hit Morocco Friday at 11:11 p.m. local time (2211 GMT) at a depth of 18.5 km some 70 km southwest of Marrakesh. The death toll has risen to 632, local media reported on Saturday. 
SpaceX CEO Elon Musk said earlier this week that Starship was ready to be launched again. However, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) noted that the spacecraft is not yet clear for another test flight.

The FAA concluded its investigation of the rocket's mid-flight explosion in April, saying SpaceX needs to take 63 corrective actions before it is cleared for a second launch.

The Starship is grounded for now as the company needs to check everything on the FAA's list to obtain its green light for another launch.

SpaceX's Starship Is Not Launching Any Time Soon

In a press statement, the FAA 63 called for SpaceX to take 63 corrective actions before it could launch another Starship Super Heavy rocket test flight and prevent the occurrence of another mishap.

It is known that SpaceX is already locked in for the latest launch of the rocket. The already fully-stacked Starship rocket is currently on the launch pad at the company's Starbase at Boca Chica, Texas.

SpaceX's latest post on X claimed that "testing development flight hardware in a flight environment" would help its teams to "quickly learn and execute design changes and hardware upgrades to improve the probability of success in the future."

The company is looking forward to getting a green light from the FAA, rallying on social media regarding the importance of a launch on its future rocket venture.

"We learned a tremendous amount about the vehicle and ground systems during Starship's first flight test," SpaceX noted.

Read Also: Elon Musk Shut Down Starlink to Prevent Ukraine from Attacking Russia as per the Isaacson Biography

FAA Investigation: 63 Corrective Actions for Starship

Despite the words from SpaceX, the FAA is still firm on its decision that stemmed from its investigation, all centering on the April explosion of the rocket.

Regulators cited multiple root causes of the April 20 mishap and 63 corrective actions SpaceX must take to improve the Starship and prevent mishap reoccurrence in the future.

The FAA noted that corrective actions include redesigns of vehicle hardware to prevent leaks and fires, redesign of the launch pad to increase its robustness, incorporation of additional reviews in the design process, further analysis and testing of safety-critical systems and components including the Autonomous Flight Safety System, and the application of additional change control practices.

"The closure of the mishap investigation does not signal an immediate resumption of Starship launches at Boca Chica," the FAA said in the statement.

"SpaceX must implement all corrective actions that impact public safety and apply for and receive a license modification from the FAA that addresses all safety, environmental, and other applicable regulatory requirements prior to the next Starship launch," it added.

SpaceX's Starship and the FAA

SpaceX is looking forward to bringing its rockets to space, but it has to appease the regulators for its every launch to get a green light.

Previously, a lawsuit was filed against the FAA after the April 20 launch of the SpaceX Starship, one of the world's most powerful rockets.

The suit was raised by environmental groups concerned about what the Starship left behind, which is massive pollution in areas near the launch site and disturbing the ecosystem around it.

SpaceX also received complaints from environmental groups for its rocket's operations in Boca Chica without a comprehensive environmental review.

There are claims that the company's rockets have an active hand in destroying the ecosystem near it, including the debris field it left on its last test, but the company denied these allegations.

The FAA still has the final say regarding SpaceX's future missions, especially with the Starship, which is still in an experimental phase.

Related Article: Elon Musk: SpaceX Starship is Fully Stacked and Ready for Launch, Only Awaiting FAA Approval

 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Enterprise software development companies offer a wide range of solutions that help organizations scale and become more efficient in achieving their goals. They provide greater control over data storage, improve workflows, and increase employee productivity, which results in high customer satisfaction and sales revenue.

The digital landscape continues to evolve as new advancements are being innovated. Businesses require the latest technologies to support their large enterprise operations, such as customer relationship management, enterprise communication, and etc.

Why choose enterprise software development over standard software development?

The solutions of enterprise software development serve the needs of large businesses. They are more tailored to each department and are more complex, given the scale of an organization. The service is a specialized field of software engineering that involves an in-depth understanding of business processes so an enterprise software development company can integrate the appropriate solution into an organization's development plan.

Meanwhile, regular or standard software development caters to smaller groups of users to produce high-quality software that meets customer expectations. From mobile apps and other online platforms, it deals with more straightforward projects and involves a simpler development process compared to enterprise software development.

Outlined below are the top 5 best enterprise software development companies in 2023:

1 Rikkeisoft

Overview

Founded in 2012, Rikkeisoft is an award-winning enterprise software development company based in Vietnam whose presence thrives across the US and the APAC region. Trusted by over 500 worldwide clients, the global services provider is known for its deep understanding of complex systems and technologies of enterprises, including but not limited to Cloud, Data Analytics, Business Intelligence, AI, and legacy software.

Rikkeisoft has been leveraging its expertise in enterprise software development to empower mid-size and Fortune 1000 companies with innovative solutions for over a decade. As the number one private tech company in Vietnam, it has unrivaled access to the resourceful and competitive workforce in Southeast Asian markets, enriching and expanding its talent pool that can adapt to demanding business requirements as the technology landscape evolves.

The enterprise software development company houses over 1600 tech professionals with diverse skill sheets and experience across many industries, including finance, retail, automotive, and healthcare. Recently, Rikkeisoft has expanded its roots in the US with its latest subsidiary RKTech Corp, to bridge the gap between the Vietnam-based services provider and enterprises worldwide.

Each subsidiary under its ecosystem specializes in a unique domain:

Rikkei Digital focuses on consulting and offering digital transformation solutions for enterprises.

Rikkei Academy is dedicated to IT resource training.

Rikkei AI Research delves into researching and developing AI application solutions.

Rikkei Venture Builder focuses on investing in high-tech application projects.

The diversified technology ecosystem has led to the sustainable growth of Rikkeisoft, which now exists as a reliable partner of global enterprises.

From working with over 500 clients, Rikkeisoft has launched over a thousand successful projects and maintained a 97% retention rate and 91% satisfaction rate. With offices and delivery centers in Thailand, Japan, and the US, the Vietnam-based enterprise software development company affirms its position in the tech landscape as a partner for organizations looking for robust, scalable, and innovative solutions.

Services

Rikkeisoft strives to meet and exceed the world's standards by having a team of high-class professionals to deliver its enterprise software development services and cost-efficient solutions that transform businesses to achieve their goals.

Software development consulting

Equipped with 11 years of industry expertise and an in-depth understanding of enterprises' challenges, Rikkeisoft offers enterprise software development consulting for mid-size and Fortune 1000 companies. The service provider ensures its clients can stay ahead of their competitors through a cost-effective development process.

Software Development Security

Enterprise software development security involves identifying an infrastructure's critical vulnerabilities. Rikkeisoft implements encryptions and protocols so businesses can operate freely without worrying about any risks or disruptions, ensuring a smooth flow of operations.

Software Integration

Software integration allows seamless communication between existing software and applications with the new technology. Rikkeisoft handles all levels of complex integration from architectural design, testing, debugging, and execution.

Software Testing & QA

The enterprise software development company tailors its software testing solutions based on the unique needs of its clients to deliver optimized results. Rikkeisoft also conducts quality assurance (QA) to identify the issues with a detailed explanation of how to resolve them.

Mobile App Development

Rikkeisoft also offers a complete cycle of mobile app development service as an enterprise-class solution for mid-sized and Fortune 1000 companies. Clients can expect a functional, reliable, and scalable mobile application that matches the robust applications of their business.

Web Development & Accessibility

The specialties of Rikkeisoft extend beyond enterprise software development. The company offers web development and accessibility that covers web frontend design, backend development, custom web applications, and SaaS application development. Its professionals can turn a website's concept, vision, or idea into reality.

Rikkeisoft has two work models for the delivery of its enterprise software development services: an offshore delivery team for its overseas clients and a project-based team for a highly targeted outcome. A group composed of project managers, developers, analysts, and designs is selected to deliver tailor-made solutions to achieve the client's desired result.

The enterprise software development company ensures fast delivery of its projects as 98% of them are finished within pre-defined timelines and budget scopes, a reality made possible due to its team's extensive experience in identifying stakeholder requirements, managing projects, and collaborating remotely. With its commitment to excellence and a fresh perspective for innovations, Rikkeisoft effectively addresses business bottlenecks and ensures organizational resilience for its clients.

2 Vention

Overview

Vention is a premier global leader in enterprise software development. Based in New York, it provides access to a global pool of talents to equip technology leaders with the world's best software engineers from the most respected tech hubs.

For over 20 years, it has offered durable and scalable solutions for the most successful tech-empowered enterprises, industry innovators, and startups. By honoring its pillars of collaboration, innovation, expertise, and solution-driven mentality, it ensures the materialization of its client's product vision and sets them up for success.

Services

Vention tailors its enterprise software development services according to the client's needs. It pairs its time-tested best practices with cutting-edge technologies to deliver scalable solutions that grow with the business. The company offers a wide range of services, including mobile apps, web development, QA and testing, cloud development, and UI/UX design.

Vention's team dives into the existing infrastructure to identify the strengths and weaknesses so all resources are appropriately utilized and allocated during the design and build phases of the enterprise software. With a diverse portfolio of successful design projects, it delivers stylish and visually appealing solutions to match any organization's branding.

The enterprise software company also ensures speed, stability, and scalability attributes are present in every development project it accepts, incorporating the latest and most appropriate technologies to build high-quality software. To ensure expectations are met, Vention conducts regular check-ins so the client's feedback is considered at every stage of the software life cycle.

Once the enterprise software is deployed, Vention extends its availability in case of refinement, ensuring the product is fully optimized to function without error so businesses are set up for inevitable success. Trusted by world-renowned companies like Coca-Cola, PayPal, and IBM, Vention promises impeccable delivery and solid partnerships when chosen for its enterprise software development services.

3 Gorilla Logic

Overview

Founded in 2002, Gorilla Logic offers world-class enterprise software development and consulting services for growing organizations and Fortune 500 companies. With over 500 employees and four office locations, clients have relied on the provider's Agile teams to enhance their existing resources, reduce time-to-market, and set them up for success. Equipped with industry expertise and a passion for delivering high-quality service, Gorilla Logic is committed to providing products organizations can rely on.

Services

Gorilla Logic prides itself on teams that continue to up-skill to recommend enterprise software development solutions that fit their client's needs. By continually investigating the latest technologies, the company excels in delivering world-class services, including responsive web application development, mobile apps, application testing, and application security.

The enterprise software development company ensures no potential security risks in every app by identifying potential threats beforehand and protecting existing and new applications with security features like single sign-on. It also conducts performance tuning so the enterprise web applications operate at high performance and are easy to use.

Gorilla Logic utilizes AMP (accelerated mobile pages) to provide lightning-fast, intuitive, mobile-friendly web apps. Sharing the same code between apps reduces the time-to-market, resulting in faster design and delivery of full-stack web applications. From concept to deployment, its team works closely with its clients to match the best technology for custom enterprise software development solutions.

4 MentorMate

Overview

MentorMate offers personalized, in-depth technical guidance for organizations on a global scale. For over twenty years, the company has been leveraging its expertise in enterprise software development to materialize the software ideas of its clients.

Together with its partners in Bulgaria, it has completed over 1500 projects. Since 2001, hundreds of organizations have trusted the enterprise software development company to guide their vision, design innovative products, and deliver secure solutions.

Services

MentorMate customizes its services based on the organization's needs, ensuring the solutions scale as the business grows. The services are web development, quality assurance, mobile development, enterprise architecture, and systems integration.

MentorMate builds applications that not only work for businesses but also their end-users. From designing a complex enterprise platform with a backend database or a responsive web app, the company ensures its solutions operate smoothly and deliver a consistent experience across all platforms.

Well-versed in comprehensive testing best practices, MentorMate uses its mix of manual testing, compatibility testing, and other QA services to identify, fix, and prevent software quality issues. The enterprise software company also offers standalone quality assessment and a managed-service automation framework for clients looking to manage costs, fast-track deployment, or increase test coverage.

Given the complexity of software systems, MentorMate aims to simplify the process to create a cohesive software ecosystem. With experience in API development, DevOps, and automation strategies, the company ensures all systems are seamlessly integrated to propel the business forward.

5 Zco Corporation

Overview

Zco Corporation is a leading enterprise software development company based in New Hampshire. It has a team of over 250 professional and skilled programmers, artists, and project managers to deliver its services. The company has a unique portfolio of projects spanning interactive augmented reality experiences to enterprise-scale cloud storage solutions. Catering to startups and Fortune 500 companies, the industry leader utilizes multiple development technologies to make apps scalable and future-proof.

Services

Zco Corporation offers enterprise software development as a service tailored to optimize business processes with a fully functional, fast, and scalable solution. It takes into account the users' day-to-day needs to transform the approach of how an organization achieves its goals. It utilizes powerful technologies like custom PHP development and native languages like Swift and Kotlin to design web and mobile apps.

The company begins by assessing the project's requirements and software life cycle.

The scope needs to be defined so its project managers and account executives can develop a plan of action to outline the time and resources required. Zco Corporation then lays out the technical requirements from security, encryption, databases, integrations, and the cost of development. This process is essential to understand the goals and set a clear path for a successful enterprise software launch.

Zco Corporation develops through agile methodology, proven and tested to result in higher-performing products. It also conducts rigorous QA testing to eliminate any bugs found to avoid future malfunctions. The QA tests are done in a secure testing environment; rest assured, production-level operations have no interruptions.

Zco Corporation puts maximum effort into every enterprise software development project it builds. With over 30 years of development experience and over a thousand completed projects, the New Hampshire-based company is fully equipped to help solve business problems with innovative and future-proof custom software solutions.

Conclusion

Choosing the best service provider for enterprise software development requires a thorough evaluation of its process to see if its solutions match the goals and objectives of the business. One must also take note of the cost, experience, and quality of its services to identify if the provider can handle all aspects of the project. Also, please do not overlook the importance of its expertise. With these top 5 best enterprise software development companies, rest assured they tailor their solutions to deliver robust and scalable software.

 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is weighing in on requiring all planes to be equipped with technology designed to prevent pilots from landing on the wrong runway or a taxiway.

According to the Associated Press, while newer commercial aircraft are equipped with some of these safety features, a considerable number of older planes and private ones lack this capability.

FAA Calls Upon an Internal Advisory Group of Experts

To address this, the FAA has called upon an internal advisory group of experts to provide recommendations on implementing systems that would promptly alert pilots if they are on course to land on an incorrect runway or a taxiway or when the runway they have selected is too short.

This move is part of the FAA's broader initiative to mitigate "serious close calls." It comes after seven such incidents since the start of the year, which have been under investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).

The AP reported that most aircraft are already equipped with GPS-based systems that issue warnings to pilots in scenarios where collision with terrain or obstacles is imminent.

Entities like Honeywell enhance these systems with supplementary data during taxiing, taking off, and landing phases, thereby minimizing the likelihood of close calls or runway-related incidents.

Although many commercial aircraft currently possess technology that alerts pilots to potential wrong runway landings, this capability is not presently obligatory. Douglas Moss, a retired airline pilot and aviation instructor at the University of Southern California, emphasized this to AP.

Chris Manno, an airline pilot and aviation blogger, also told the outlet that limitations in GPS precision could impede the technology's ability to caution pilots about wrong runway landings, particularly in situations where parallel runways are in close proximity.

An Air Canada incident at San Francisco International Airport in 2017 serves as a striking example, wherein the aircraft nearly collided with others after misidentifying a taxiway for the runway.

Manno expressed support for the FAA's initiative, asserting that warnings about runway length or landing at the wrong airport are both feasible and immensely valuable.

Read Also: SpaceX Starship Is NOT Launching Any Time Soon-FAA Demands '63 Corrective Actions'

Close Calls

Initial reports on close calls this year have indicated instances of pilot error and air traffic controller blunders, according to AP. The NTSB disclosed that a blocked radio transmission was responsible for a near-miss involving Southwest and SkyWest planes at San Diego International Airport in June.

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg highlighted a surge in the more severe category of close calls earlier this year. He emphasized the FAA's efforts, including a safety summit in March and increased investment in airport infrastructure, as measures taken to reduce such incidents.

Due to the absence of a fatal crash involving a US airline since 2009, industry and government figures have emphasized that safety standards continue to improve.

On the other hand, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg told the AP that those remarks do not indicate complacency. He urged vigilance in addressing potential issues before they escalate into incidents.

"When you have a year with zero fatal crashes, you have to concentrate your efforts on keeping it that way by turning to anything that could have led to a problem if it hadn't been caught... We're moving toward anything that could even come close to an incident," Buttigieg told the outlet.

FAA's associate administrator for safety, David Boulter, emphasized that while alerting technologies are crucial, addressing human factors also plays a pivotal role in averting close calls.

Related Article: Elon Musk: SpaceX Starship is Fully Stacked and Ready for Launch, Only Awaiting FAA Approval

 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
NASA's Space Launch System (SLS), a cornerstone of the ambitious Artemis program, faces scrutiny over its costs and schedules, as revealed by a recent audit conducted by the US Government Accountability Office (GAO). The SLS rocket is at the core of NASA's ambitious Artemis program to establish a base on the moon.

According to the GAO report released Thursday, senior NASA officials conveyed to the GAO that, at current expenditure levels, the SLS program is "unaffordable," Space.com reported. The cost associated with the program reportedly exceeds NASA's available budget for the upcoming Artemis missions.

NASA's Artemis Mission to the Moon

Since its inception in 2011, NASA has allocated $11.8 billion towards the development of SLS. Despite several delays, the SLS rocket debuted on November 16, 2022, successfully launching the uncrewed Artemis 1 mission to the moon.

An additional $11.2 billion has been earmarked in the 2024 federal budget request for further development of SLS between 2024 and 2028. These funds are intended to enhance core stages, rocket engines, and other components aimed at bolstering the vehicle's efficiency and payload capacity for Artemis missions.

However, the audit highlighted a lack of established baseline costs and schedules for these future endeavors, a concern raised by the GAO over nearly a decade. The report claimed that NASA does not intend to track production costs to gauge the program's affordability.

While NASA's 2021 policy revision permitted the agency to adhere to five-year cost estimates post the initial demonstration of SLS capabilities, the GAO deems these estimates insufficient for long-term cost performance assessment.

The audit also pointed out that NASA has not factored in escalating expenses, such as those resulting from the delay of the Artemis 4 mission from 2026 to 2028.

While a substantial contract of nearly $2 billion was granted for the construction of core stages for Artemis 3 and Artemis 4 missions, the GAO's evaluation reveals an escalating cost trend for subsequent core stages.

It is worth noting that this is not the first instance of scrutiny over SLS costs. The GAO had previously urged NASA, as early as 2014, to outline costs associated with flying the SLS Block 1 for various Artemis missions.

Read Also: NASA Moon Lander Competition: Blue Origin and Northrop Grumman Go Head-to-Head for Crewed Lunar Transportation

Affordability of NASA SLS Program

Around the end of 2021, a report by NASA's Office of Inspector General projected that the Artemis program would involve a cumulative cost of $93 billion between 2012 and 2025.

This estimate included an approximate expenditure of $4.1 billion for each SLS launch. A considerable portion of this budget was allocated to contractor fees spanning various US states and multiple European partners.

"To improve the long-term affordability of the SLS program, NASA has developed a long term affordability and sustainability initiative. Under this initiative, officials told us that they are exploring different operating models moving forward, such as a joint venture or a consolidated contract that provides a launch services operating model," the GAO's report said.

The report further noted that the government would award a contract under a launch services model to secure contractor future launches and payload capabilities.

"In essence, NASA would purchase future SLS launches and payload capabilities from a contractor who would own, operate, and integrate the SLS vehicle. The officials told us the agency is still reviewing its future strategy in advance of releasing a request for proposals to support an eventual contract award," the GAO report added.

Related Article: NASA Artemis: Orion's Callisto Tech Demo Shows iPad Use, Alexa Voice Command Possible-Send Messages to the Moon

 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
The Stuttgart, Germany-based firm H2FLY has achieved a significant milestone in aviation by successfully conducting the world's first piloted flight of an electric aircraft powered by liquid hydrogen.

The achievement comes after a series of four flights, one lasting over three hours, using H2FLY's HY4 demonstrator aircraft equipped with a hydrogen-electric fuel cell propulsion system and cryogenically stored liquid hydrogen.

H2FLY Uses Liquid Hydrogen in Aviation

The trials demonstrated that the application of liquid hydrogen, as opposed to gaseous hydrogen, could double the maximum range of the HY4 aircraft from 750 km to an impressive 1,500 km. This breakthrough holds pivotal implications for the realization of emissions-free, medium- and long-haul commercial flights.

Professor Josef Kallo, co-founder of H2FLY, expressed the significance of this achievement, emphasizing the potential of liquid hydrogen to revolutionize emissions-free aviation, particularly for medium and long-range flights.

"This achievement marks a watershed moment in the use of hydrogen to power aircraft. Together with our partners, we have demonstrated the viability of liquid hydrogen to support medium and long-range emissions-free flight," Kallo said in a statement.

The successful campaign results from H2FLY's extensive research efforts and signifies the culmination of Project HEAVEN, a consortium supported by various European governments.

It was established to validate the feasibility of employing liquid, cryogenic hydrogen in aircraft and is spearheaded by H2FLY. Partners in this venture include Air Liquide, Pipistrel Vertical Solutions, the German Aerospace Center (DLR), EKPO Fuel Cell Technologies, and Fundacion Ayesa.

The German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK), the German Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport (BMVD), and The University of Ulm provided funding for this endeavor.

Compared to pressurized gaseous hydrogen storage (GH2), using liquified, cryogenic hydrogen (LH2) presents the advantage of significantly reduced tank weights and volume, leading to expanded aircraft range and payload capacity.

Read Also: H2FLY's Aircraft Passes Groundbreaking Liquid Hydrogen Test for Cryogenic Powertrain

Potential in Aviation

Pierre Crespi, Innovation Director at Air Liquide Advanced Technologies, emphasized the accomplishment's demonstration of liquid hydrogen's immense potential in aviation, highlighting its viability for storage and transportation, which are pivotal aspects of the energy transition.

Dr. Syed Asif Ansar, Head of Department Energy System Integration at the German Aerospace Center (DLR), cited DLR's extensive experience in electrified aircraft, culminating in this historic achievement: the application of cryogenic liquified hydrogen as fuel storage for a four-seater aircraft powered by fuel cells.

Having concluded the flight testing in project HEAVEN, H2FLY is shifting focus towards commercialization. It recently unveiled the development of its H2F-175 fuel cell systems, capable of operating at full power in flight altitudes of up to 27,000 ft.

H2FLY is set to inaugurate its Hydrogen Aviation Center at Stuttgart Airport next year in collaboration with the Ministry of Transport Baden Wurttemberg.

This facility will play a central role in Europe's aviation industry and hydrogen economy, providing integration facilities for fuel cell aircraft and liquid hydrogen infrastructure.

Related Article: Hydrogen Electric Plane That Can Seat 40 Passengers Completes Maiden Flight

 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
The US government has initiated an official investigation into an advanced China-made chip integrated into Huawei's latest smartphone.

According to Bloomberg, the Commerce Department, which has previously imposed a series of sanctions against both Huawei and China's chip sector, announced it is actively seeking more information about the purported 7-nanometer processor featured in the Mate 60 Pro.

This chip was manufactured by China's Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp (SMIC), an entity blacklisted by the US government, thereby restricted from accessing US technology.

US Action Sparks a Debate

This revelation has sparked a debate in the country regarding the effectiveness of sanctions aimed at constraining a geopolitical rival. Simultaneously, China has expanded its ban on the use of iPhones in government-affiliated agencies and state-run enterprises.

The US has been striving to limit China's technological sector, primarily driven by concerns about potential advancements in military capabilities.

Conversely, China has articulated its own apprehensions about integrating foreign technology into critical industries, with a concerted effort to decrease dependence on American software and hardware.

According to Bloomberg, the possible tightening of regulations around iPhones poses a significant challenge to Apple's position in a market that accounts for approximately one-fifth of its revenue.

This market is also the primary manufacturing center for Apple's flagship product. In light of these developments, Apple's market capitalization has declined by roughly $200 billion in the past 48 hours, amplifying existing concerns related to China's impact on major US stock indices.

Read Also: US Blacklists Chinese Entities Linked to Beijing's Aerospace Programs Following Spy Balloon Takedown

New Phone of China Firm's Huawei

Huawei's discreet introduction of a mobile phone featuring technology that the US intended to keep out of Chinese hands has the potential to disrupt recent reconciliation endeavors by the Biden administration.

The phone was quietly made available online while Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo was on an official visit to China last week. The Mate 60 Pro smartphone incorporates a notably high proportion of Chinese components in addition to its primary processor.

That suggests progress in China's efforts to bolster its domestic tech capabilities. US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan has opted to withhold commentary until further information is obtained.

He said in a statement: "I can't give you an exact number of days but this is not going to be months down the road. We're going to want to look at this carefully, consult with our partners, get a clearer sense of what we're looking at, and then we'll make decisions accordingly."

Meanwhile, Huawei has unveiled an even more powerful smartphone, the Mate 60 Pro+. This model offers a maximum storage capacity of 1 terabyte and 4GB more memory than the standard Pro version.

According to Bloomberg, the unveiling led to a surge in shares of Huawei's suppliers on Chinese stock exchanges, hitting their 10% daily limit.

Related Article: Germany's Interior Minister Stands Firm Over Removal of China's Huawei Equipment From the Country's 5G Network

 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
The Biden administration is considering sending long-range Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) missiles to Ukraine to help the nation in its fight against Russia.

According to ABC News, while two US officials confirm this consideration, they emphasize that such plans are subject to potential alterations until officially confirmed. The decision, if finalized, might take months before the ATACMS missiles are delivered.

US ATACMS Missiles Range of Up to 190 Miles

These long-range guided missiles, with a range of up to 190 miles depending on the variant, would substantially extend Ukraine's reach compared to its current rocket systems.

This could be a pivotal upgrade, allowing Ukraine to target areas nearly four times farther than its existing arsenal, which includes US-made High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems and M270 multiple-launch rocket systems.

The US previously hesitated to fulfill Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's appeals for these weapons. This reluctance stemmed from concerns over potential escalation with Russia and the need to safeguard America's own stockpiles.

Both the UK and France have supplied comparable Storm Shadow missiles to Ukraine, a move that the US had refrained from doing until now.

National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan had previously indicated the US government's reluctance to provide ATACMS missiles due to concerns of possible direct conflict with Russia.

However, more recently, Sullivan has hinted at a potential shift in this stance, emphasizing that the decision ultimately rests with President Joe Biden, who has already spoken with Zelenskyy about it.

"They continue to have that conversation," Sullivan said in July.

Read Also: US Officials Claim Russian Military Company Received Arms from North Korea Amid Ongoing War with Ukraine

US Support for Ukraine to Withstand Russia's Attacks

Since the initial invasion, the Biden administration has escalated the types of weapons provided to Ukraine. That ranged from handheld launchers to advanced air-defense platforms, armored vehicles, and even reversing previous decisions regarding Abrams tanks and F-16 fighter training.

The potential inclusion of ATACMS missiles comes at a critical juncture as Ukrainian forces face formidable Russian defenses. There's increasing political pressure in the US to augment military aid, coupled with a growing expectation for substantial progress on the battlefield.

According to ABC News, an unexpected discovery of additional ATACMS in the US inventory may influence this decision. However, the specifics regarding the condition and type of missiles found are yet to be clarified.

ATACMS comes in different forms, ranging from missiles with large high-explosive warheads to cluster-munition versions that disperse numerous bomblets.

If greenlit, the introduction of ATACMS would not only extend Ukrainian forces' ability to make a strike from a safer distance but also potentially enable precision strikes on targets in Crimea.

This step aligns with the broader US dedication to helping Ukraine, which has already earmarked more than $43.7 billion in security assistance since the start of the Russian invasion in February 2022.

Related Article: Richest Man in Ukraine is Helping His Country's War Against Russia by Producing Portable Steel War Shelters

 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Morocco recently experienced its deadliest earthquake in over six decades. The powerful earthquake, measuring 7.2 on the Richter scale, struck the High Atlas mountains late Friday night, leaving a trail of destruction.

As the nation grapples with the aftermath, the death toll continues to rise, with at least 820 confirmed fatalities and hundreds more injured.

Powerful Earthquake Hits Morocco

Reuters reports that the earthquake's epicenter was approximately 70 kilometers southwest of Marrakech, the nearest major city.

While the quake's magnitude alone was alarming, its location in the mountainous High Atlas region posed unique challenges for rescue and relief efforts.

Many casualties were reported in these remote and hard-to-reach mountain areas, where access is limited.

Marrakech's Historic City Damaged

Marrakech, renowned for its stunning historic architecture and vibrant culture, bore a significant brunt of the earthquake.

The UNESCO World Heritage site, Marrakech's old city, suffered severe damage. One of its iconic landmarks, a minaret in Jemaa al-Fna Square, crumbled.

Residents of this ancient city were forced to spend the night outdoors, fearful that their historic homes might collapse.

Read Also: NASA Study Reveals Himalayas Glaciers Rapidly Melting Amid Worsening Climate Crisis

Rising Death Toll

The latest casualty toll from the Interior Ministry paints a grim picture, with 820 lives lost and 672 individuals injured.

To add to the tragedy, most of the wounded had to travel from the mountainous areas outside Marrakech, as local hospitals lacked the capacity to treat severe injuries.

The earthquake's impact extended beyond Moroccan borders, with tremors felt in Andalusia, southern Spain, according to Spanish television RTVE.

Governments worldwide have expressed solidarity and offered assistance, with Turkey, still reeling from its devastating earthquakes earlier in the year, pledging support.

Rescue and Recovery Challenges

Rescue teams in Morocco have been grappling with the enormity of the situation. Damaged and blocked roads have impeded access to the hardest-hit areas, delaying vital aid and rescue operations.

As the nation faces a logistical and humanitarian challenge, international support has poured in from countries like India, Israel, and France.

Strongest Earthquake in 60 years

Reuters tells us that this magnitude 7.2 earthquake is being touted as the strongest to hit Morocco in more than 60 years.

The rarity of such powerful earthquakes in Morocco is underlined, with only nine quakes of magnitude 5 or higher reported since 1900, none surpassing a magnitude of 6.

Jonathan Stewart, a civil and environmental engineering professor at the University of California, Los Angeles, tells CNN that while the Moroccan earthquake was weaker than the devastating 7.8 magnitude quake in Turkey earlier that year, it still unleashed "a tremendous amount of energy," causing substantial damage.

Aftershocks and Uncertainty

Experts are concerned about the possibility of multiple aftershocks, with some predicted to have a magnitude in the "high fives."

This ongoing seismic activity has left residents anxious and authorities on high alert.

Stay posted here at Tech Times.

Related Article: Japan's Waters Near Fukushima Nuclear Plant Pass Radiation Test, Easing Concerns Amid Wastewater Release

 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Southwest Airlines has exposed potentially fraudulent aircraft parts supplied by an obscure UK-based company, AOG Technics Ltd., sending shockwaves through the aviation industry.

Bloomberg reports that this discovery has prompted a meticulous review of components across the global fleet, with major carriers and engine manufacturers scrambling to identify counterfeit parts that have infiltrated some of the world's most widely flown passenger jets.

A Troubling Discovery

Southwest Airlines announced on Friday that it had removed two "suspect parts" linked to AOG Technics Ltd. from one of its Boeing Co. 737 aircraft, marking the first major carrier to acknowledge such an action publicly.

The stakes were further raised when CFM International Inc., a joint venture between General Electric Co. and Safran SA responsible for manufacturing engines for numerous older-generation Airbus SE A320 and Boeing 737 aircraft, reported the presence of parts with fraudulent documentation on 68 of its power plants.

This troubling discovery has shaken an industry where safety reigns supreme. Aviation manufacturing and maintenance standards demand rigorous verification of every component.

Now, regulators, airlines, and industry stakeholders are combing through their records, desperately seeking out the suspect components sourced from AOG Technics Ltd., the enigmatic supplier at the epicenter of this crisis.

Legal Battles and Investigations

CFM International, the world's largest jet engine manufacturer, has responded robustly to this situation by filing a lawsuit against AOG Technics Ltd. in the UK.

The lawsuit seeks an injunction to compel AOG to provide critical information to assist in the search for suspect components. It aims to recover any parts falsely claimed by AOG to be from CFM or GE.

In response to Bloomberg News inquiries, Southwest Airlines revealed that the two components they removed were low-pressure turbine blades supplied by AOG. The carrier took immediate preventive measures, guided by the fact that these components came from AOG.

Impact on Aircraft Models

These suspect parts were uncovered in an engine mounted on a Boeing 737 NG, an older version of Boeing's widely popular model.

Although newer models like the Airbus A320neo and Boeing 737 Max have been upgraded with different powerplants unaffected by the AOG case, the CFM56 model remains the most widely used jet engine in service today.

Over 33,000 of these engines have been delivered to more than 600 operators worldwide, primarily for single-aisle planes, a staple of short-haul flights used by millions of passengers daily.

Read Also: Germany's H2FLY Completes World's First Piloted Flight of Liquid Hydrogen-Powered Electric Aircraft

Counterfeit Documentation

CFM and GE Aerospace have meticulously identified 78 falsified documents, covering 52 CFM56 engine part numbers, and uncovered two counterfeit records for CF6 components.

It is important to note that AOG Technics Ltd. has no direct affiliation with CFM or its partners.

Similar Instances

Pratt & Whitney, a well-known company that provides engines for passenger airplanes, faced a significant issue with their Geared Turbofan (GTF) engines back in late July.

Experts found metal contamination in several of these engines used in many Airbus A320neo planes flown by different airlines.

As a result, Pratt & Whitney has initiated a massive recall and inspection process that affected more than 1,000 GTF engines.

Stay posted here at Tech Times.

Related Article: FAA Wants to Require Planes to Be Equipped With Technology That Could Help Avoid Some Dangerous Landings

 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
ISLAMABAD, Sept. 9 (Xinhua) -- Pakistani caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar on Saturday expressed condolences over the loss of lives in a strong earthquake in Morocco.

At least 820 people were killed and 672 others injured after the strong earthquake hit Morocco Friday night, according to Morocco's Interior Ministry.

Expressing grief and sorrow over the loss of lives and damage caused by the earthquake, the Pakistani caretaker prime minister said that his sympathies are with the affected families.

"In this hour of difficulty, Pakistan stands with the brave people and government of Morocco and will provide them all possible support," Kakar said. 
We test the Dyson Gen5 Detect: it vacuums up to what you can't see

"Everything Happens Without Our Participation": Russian Scientists Come Closer to Unraveling the Processes of the Origin of Life on Earth

The family restaurant that wants to make birria fashionable in Madrid, that Mexican stew that is eaten in a taco and dipped in the broth

Reunion Island targeted by several bomb threats, "no real threat detected", according to the prefect

iPhone 15: Apple has had a BMW problem for weeks  and still no solution

To comply with the Paris Climate Agreement: Global CO budget smaller than previously assumed, according to study

Self-perception of animals: Roosters may be able to recognize themselves in the mirror

"It Will Lead to New Scientific Discoveries": Russian Physicist on the Use of Neural Networks in Space Research

Hate speech and incitement to kill Palestinians. Is there a way to criminalize it?

Guangxi woman gave up a foreign company with a high salary to accompany her mother to Bama for recuperation and filmed "migratory bird" for recuperation, attracting a large number of fans

Astronaut Zhu Yangzhu triumphantly Parents hope that their children will go home and have a good meal in their hometown

Tiger mosquito: how does this insect continue its proliferation in France and can we protect ourselves from it?

Visit the only global atmospheric background station in the hinterland of the Eurasian continent-Chinanews video

When the Northeast autumn vegetables are in progress: young people take over the traditional folk customs

The vampire of the eighteenth century, the monster that crystallizes all fears

"We were in the age of discarded stones": The truth of the send-off party for the 80th anniversary of the departure of students | NHK

The female cashier embezzled public funds 7 times in 982 years! Spend more than 290 yuan on beauty and health

The eternal fight for Alberti: Garcia Montero charges against the widow and Anna Caballe calls him a "political commissar"

Forget 5-0 against Italy at the World Cup: "They have been re-energized"

World Cup-2034: Australia throws in the towel and paves the way for Saudi Arabia

Tax credit for home-based employment: the amount of the immediate advance soon to be capped?

Stock prices rise slightly, following the announcement of the Bank of Japan's monetary policy "more flexible"

Zhengzhou's housing provident fund loans "recognize houses but do not recognize loans", and the sales area of newly built commercial residential buildings has declined for five consecutive months

"We are in the process of emerging from the inflationary crisis," says Bruno Le Maire

The ratio of first-class rice has dropped significantly, the national average is extremely hot, and Niigata is also remarkable.

The Government confirms that it is considering entering the capital of Telefonica

The Tarim Oilfield supplied more than 3400 billion cubic meters of gas to the West-East Gas Pipeline Network

Economy: growth held up modestly in the third quarter, according to INSEE figures

Botin (Santander): "You have to pay taxes, but if you pay too much, people leave"

Twelve investigated for the death of an elderly woman in a geriatric home in Murcia

Bogdanov told the Israeli ambassador about the importance of the safe evacuation of Russians from Gaza

Deputy Vlasov commented on the plans of the commission on regulations to deprive him of his mandate

Leonor de Borbon: Who is this 18-year-old girl who will one day become Queen of Spain?

Lithuanian Foreign Ministry: Most of the American funds sent to Kyiv were spent in the United States

A case of treason was opened against a native of the Tver region captured in the LPR

Why is Gaza plunging into darkness while its coastline is full of gas?

Leonor swears to "comply with and enforce the Constitution" and renews the validity of the parliamentary monarchy

Altitude record for mammals: mice lived at an altitude of more than 6000 meters in the Andes

The whole of Uppsala without district heating  the heating plant without electricity

What is the curse of the "eighth decade" that Ehud Barak feared and Abu Obeida waved?

Matthew Perry's Estate: His Parents and Five Siblings, the Possible Heirs to His Million-Dollar Fortune

Public campaigns to pay for international companies to pay for their support for Israel

Israeli army rescues kidnapped woman: "We will use the astonishing information she has revealed to us"

The Price of "De-Occupation": How the Utro Dagestan Telegram Channel Is Connected to Politician Ponomarev

SPIEGEL ONLINE: Baerbock almost disrupted a meeting with the Emir of Qatar due to accusations in absentia

 Communities 2019 - Privacy

The information on this site is from external sources that are not under our control.The inclusion of any links does not necessarily imply a recommendation or endorse the views expressed within them.
Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, convenes a key meeting on striving for the full revitalization of northeast China in the new era and delivers an important speech, in Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Sept. 7, 2023. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)

HARBIN, Sept. 9 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping has stressed "writing a new chapter" in striving for the full revitalization of northeast China as he convened a key meeting in Heilongjiang Province earlier this week.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks at the meeting held in the provincial capital Harbin on Thursday afternoon.

To revitalize northeast China in the new era, the president called for both increasing support and stimulating self-motivation. He emphasized the need to blaze a path of high-quality and sustainable development with more courage and concrete actions.

Cai Qi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and director of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee, and Ding Xuexiang, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and vice premier of the State Council, attended the meeting.

Xi noted that the provinces of Liaoning, Jilin, and Heilongjiang and the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region have made new progress in revitalizing northeast China following a relevant meeting in 2018.

Noting that northeast China boasts rich resources, solid industrial foundations, favorable geological locations, and significant development potential, Xi pointed out that the region is now faced with new and great opportunities.

It is important for the region to push for industrial innovation via scientific and technological innovation and accelerate the modernization of its distinctive industrial system, said Xi.

To push for the full revitalization of northeast China, the real economy is the foundation, sci-tech innovation is the key, and industrial upgrading is the direction, he added.

It is also important to promote the digital and intelligent transformation of traditional industries and make them more internet-based, Xi said, calling for fostering sound industrial chains and clusters.

He stressed the importance of cultivating emerging strategic industries, including new energy, new materials, advanced manufacturing, and electronic information, and accelerating the development of clean energy such as wind power, photovoltaic power, and nuclear power.

Xi called on the region to accelerate the modernization of agriculture and rural areas, saying that northeast China shoulders the main responsibility for ensuring stable production and supply of grain in the country.

It is imperative to ensure that grain production and supply are abundant at regular times and reliable during extreme circumstances, said Xi. 

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, convenes a key meeting on striving for the full revitalization of northeast China in the new era and delivers an important speech, in Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Sept. 7, 2023. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, convenes a key meeting on striving for the full revitalization of northeast China in the new era and delivers an important speech, in Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Sept. 7, 2023. (Xinhua/Yin Bogu)

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, convenes a key meeting on striving for the full revitalization of northeast China in the new era and delivers an important speech, in Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Sept. 7, 2023. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)
Alena Maschke writes for The Acadiana Advocate as part of a health collaborative with The Current, supported by the Schumacher Family Foundation, Pugh Family Foundation, Pinhook Foundation and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana. Email her at alena.maschke@theadvocate.com. You can read her work at thecurrentla.com and theacadianaadvocate.com.
John Schroder, Sharon Hewitt, Stephen Waguespack, Hunter Lundy and Shawn Wilson take part in the first televised debate of the Louisiana governorOs race at the WWL-TV Studios in New Orleans, Thursday, Sept. 7, 2023. The debate was sponsored by the Advocate, WWL, WBRZ, KATC, KBTS, PAR and Urban League. (Pool Photo by Sophia Germer)
In 2016, while chief executive of Wesfarmers, Richard Goyder was dealing with a scandal at the group. He told the board it made him feel sick to the stomach that there had been accounting irregularities in its Target division, where the retailers income had been inflated by $21 million.

Seven senior staff were fired, and Goyder went to Geelong, where Targets head office was, to address almost 1000 staff and reinforce the values that he said were intrinsic to Wesfarmers culture: integrity, accountability, openness and boldness.

Qantas chairman Richard Goyder is under pressure from the companys largest investors. Credit: Rhett Wymann

Those Wesfarmers values would follow Goyder as he transitioned from a chief executive into a company director onto boards where he now serves as chair at the AFL, Woodside and Qantas.

Goyder has come under pressure to disclose what the Qantas board knew about an investigation into the airline by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission.
General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee Xi Jinping, also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, inspects a forest farm in Mohe in the Dahinggan Mountains, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Sept. 6, 2023. Xi inspected northeast China's Heilongjiang Province from Wednesday to Friday. (Xinhua/Yin Bogu)

HARBIN, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping has called on the northeastern province of Heilongjiang to firmly grasp its strategic position in China's overall development, and strive to open new ground for its high-quality development.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks during his inspection in the province from Wednesday to Friday.

Xi stressed that Heilongjiang should turn its strengths into new development impetus and build and strengthen itself as an important national commodity grain production base and a heavy equipment manufacturing base, an important energy and raw material supplier, a vital guardian of ecological security in northern China, and a pivotal gateway for the nation's northward opening up.

He urged the province to play an active part in safeguarding national defense, food, ecology, energy, and industrial security.

At a forest farm in Mohe in the Dahinggan Mountains on Wednesday afternoon, Xi underscored that afforestation and protection of forests should be given equal priority, urging precaution against potential dangers to ensure that long-term achievements will not be swept away overnight.

At the Beijicun, or "North Pole Village," a riverside border village, he stressed the importance of increasing green coverage and protecting forests, calling for measures to enable people to increase their income on the basis of ecological protection.

Noting the importance of tourism sector in achieving high-quality development, Xi urged policy support to ensure that local scenery and snow and ice tourism resources generate more income for local people.

Concerned with the post-flood reconstruction, Xi on Thursday came to a village in Shangzhi City of Harbin, which bore the brunt of the recent flooding, where he checked the damage to rice crops and the reconstruction progress of damaged buildings.

Xi said that he felt reassured seeing that reconstruction was proceeding smoothly and that life and work are ensured.

Urging efforts to make sure those affected by the floods stay warm during the winter, Xi asked the local authorities to make detailed and sound plans as soon as possible on all matters related to people's livelihood such as food, accommodation, employment, education and health, leaving no loopholes.

He called for accelerating post-disaster reconstruction, minimize the agricultural losses caused by the disaster, and guarantee the disaster-stricken people relief and security.

At Harbin Engineering University, Xi underscored the work in education, science and technology and talent, and called for more accomplishments in building China into a leading country in those respects.

In light of the upcoming Teachers' Day, Xi extended festival greetings to faculty members of the university as well as all teachers across the country.

Xi heard a work report by the CPC Heilongjiang Provincial Committee and the provincial government.

Xi noted that sci-tech innovation should lead the overall industrial revitalization, urging concrete efforts to promote the high-quality development of advanced manufacturing, accelerate the upgrading of traditional manufacturing, and improve the primary, secondary and tertiary industries in all respects.

Sci-tech innovation resources should be integrated to spearhead strategic emerging industries and future industries, Xi said, adding that the province should enhance the core competitiveness of state-owned enterprises and guide the sound development of private enterprises.

The province should actively link with national industrial and supply chains, better integrate into the unified national market, and play a bigger role in bridging domestic and international economic flows.

He also emphasized the adherence to green development and establishing a sound economic system that facilitates green, low-carbon and circular development.

Heilongjiang should serve as a "ballast" in ensuring national food security, Xi stressed, urging the province to prioritize developing modern agriculture and take the lead in achieving modernization regarding agricultural equipment, science and technology, and operation and management, as well as in realizing agricultural informatization and the sustainability of resource utilization.

Xi said digital technology and biotechnology should be reinforced, and agriculture-related science and technology should be given greater prominence.

He also ordered efforts to create new modes of agricultural operation, forge industrial clusters, and speed up advancing rural revitalization to ensure modern production and living conditions are accessible to rural residents.

Tourism with distinctive cultural features should be vigorously developed, Xi said, noting that the winter economy should be fostered as a new source of growth, promoting the overall development of sports, culture, equipment, and tourism related to ice and snow.

Xi highlighted the efforts to maintain the original views of forests, rivers, lakes, wetlands and snow, improve the infrastructure in border areas and develop tourism in those areas.

A pivotal gateway for the nation's northward opening up should be built, Xi stressed, adding that more efforts should be made in coordinating trade, investment and platforms, as well as introducing measures in market access and flows of production factors to form a new pattern of all-round opening up.

Xi also stressed the need to improve the transport network oriented to the opening up toward Northeast Asia, while integrating more deeply into the Belt and Road cooperation, and participating more actively in regional cooperation.

On the ongoing education campaign launched by the CPC, Xi urged efforts to turn good practices refined during the campaign into long-term mechanisms.

He called for sound and coordinated planning for the campaign under specific guidance to ensure that concrete results are achieved.

Cai Qi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and director of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee, accompanied Xi on the inspection tour. 

General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee Xi Jinping, also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, inspects a memorial hall at Harbin Engineering University in Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Sept. 7, 2023. Xi inspected northeast China's Heilongjiang Province from Wednesday to Friday. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)

General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee Xi Jinping, also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, talks with local residents while inspecting the Beijicun, or "North Pole Village," a riverside border village, in Mohe, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Sept. 6, 2023. Xi inspected northeast China's Heilongjiang Province from Wednesday to Friday. (Xinhua/Ju Peng)

General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee Xi Jinping, also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, inspects the yard of a homestay run by villager Shi Ruijuan at the Beijicun, or "North Pole Village," a riverside border village, in Mohe, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Sept. 6, 2023. Xi inspected northeast China's Heilongjiang Province from Wednesday to Friday. (Xinhua/Ju Peng)

General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee Xi Jinping, also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, inspects the Beijicun, or "North Pole Village," a riverside border village, in Mohe, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Sept. 6, 2023. Xi inspected northeast China's Heilongjiang Province from Wednesday to Friday. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)

General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee Xi Jinping, also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, inspects a forest farm in Mohe in the Dahinggan Mountains, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Sept. 6, 2023. Xi inspected northeast China's Heilongjiang Province from Wednesday to Friday. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)

General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee Xi Jinping, also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, talks with representatives of faculty members and students while inspecting Harbin Engineering University in Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Sept. 7, 2023. Xi inspected northeast China's Heilongjiang Province from Wednesday to Friday. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)

General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee Xi Jinping, also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, inspects a memorial hall at Harbin Engineering University in Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Sept. 7, 2023. Xi inspected northeast China's Heilongjiang Province from Wednesday to Friday. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)

General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee Xi Jinping, also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, greets local residents while inspecting the Beijicun, or "North Pole Village," a riverside border village, in Mohe, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Sept. 6, 2023. Xi inspected northeast China's Heilongjiang Province from Wednesday to Friday. (Xinhua/Ju Peng)

General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee Xi Jinping, also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, talks with local residents while inspecting the Beijicun, or "North Pole Village," a riverside border village, in Mohe, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Sept. 6, 2023. Xi inspected northeast China's Heilongjiang Province from Wednesday to Friday. (Xinhua/Yin Bogu)

General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee Xi Jinping, also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, talks with villager Shi Ruijuan and her family members at the Beijicun, or "North Pole Village," a riverside border village, in Mohe, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Sept. 6, 2023. Xi inspected northeast China's Heilongjiang Province from Wednesday to Friday. (Xinhua/Ju Peng)

General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee Xi Jinping, also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, inspects the Beijicun, or "North Pole Village," a riverside border village, in Mohe, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Sept. 6, 2023. Xi inspected northeast China's Heilongjiang Province from Wednesday to Friday. (Xinhua/Yin Bogu)
Hannay, however, did not stick to transplanted Europeans and their buildings. He veered off the track to find Aboriginal people living on their own Country. Loading Near Portland, on a forested hill known as Mt Clay and in the volcanic lava fields nearby, he photographed the last people still clinging to their traditional lives  the Cart Gunditj of the Gunditjmara. This was a moment of transition that would end in despair. Within eight years of Hannay capturing them with his camera, the Aboriginal people in the south-west, their lands and many of their lives stolen, would be confined to a mission station established at nearby Lake Condah, where they would be forbidden even to use their own language. Hannay, thus, built a collection of images that froze the end of one way of life, an ancient one, with the beginnings of another, imported.

The wonder of it is that this haul of photographs made it into the 21st century in such condition that its numerous pictures could be digitised and published in a handsome book. No one is quite sure where these pictures spent much of the last century and a half, or how they survived. Somehow, they found themselves in the possession of a Portland historian, Joe Wiltshire, who is no longer alive to say where he got them. The Kangaroo Hunt Club gathers for an outing. Credit: Thomas Hannay Before he died in 2012, Wiltshire passed them on to another Portland district resident, Vern McCallum, who has spent years building a vast archive of historical photos. McCallum recognised the Hannay pictures were important to Victorias historical record. He offered the original prints to the State Library of Victoria, where they now reside.

Meanwhile, friends of the McCallum Collection set about turning more than 100 of the Hannay pictures into a book, simply called Thomas Hannay, Travelling Photographer in the Colony of Victoria, 1858-59. Few of the pictures are what we would call today candid studies. Many homes were humble in 1859. James Brebner, a teamster, weatherproofed his cottage in Merino with a bark roof. It was demolished later to make way for a police station. Credit: Thomas Hannay Most, in the manner of mid-19th century photography, were carefully constructed, for Hannay paid for his travels by accepting commissions, advertising his services in local papers. T. Hannay begs to inform the inhabitants of Portland that he intends remaining here for a few days for the purpose of taking views of houses, stores etc, for which he may receive orders, he announced in the Portland Guardian and Normanby General Advertiser in September 1859.

The orders tumbled in. Photography was new and exotic. In 1851, an Englishman, Frederick Scott Archer, announced he had invented a system called the collodion wet-plate photographic process. It was simpler than the earlier daguerreotype method, used since 1839. This allowed photographers to move out of the studio and chronicle their world on glass plates before converting the images to paper. Just eight years after the newfangled process appeared, the resourceful Thomas Hannay set off on his expedition to record early Victoria. A year earlier, he had photographed parts of the gold mining town of Beechworth, and two of these pictures also appear in the new book.

There is a dollop of magic in photos taken not long after the birth of photography. All strands of my own family arrived in Portland between the mid-1840s and 1852. They would have seen precisely what Thomas Hannay photographed in 1859, and I can now see what they saw more than a century and a half ago. Julia Street, Portland, in 1859. Much of it is recognisable today. Credit: Thomas Hannay Much of it is still there. You can stand in Portlands Julia Street, which runs towards the sea, and reflect on how little this beautiful area of the old town has changed by gazing at Hannays pictures. There is the great bulk of the old Union Bank, still on the corner where it has stood since 1857, reminding us that the Portland district became wealthy not long after the town was founded.

The students of Miss Clarkes Seminary, a girls school through the whole second half of the 19th century, gathered for Hannay to prove that Portland took education seriously. The Kangaroo Hunt Club, its members keen on hunting native animals on horseback, assembled for Hannays camera too. Education was valued by many families in south-west Victoria in 1859. Miss Clarkes Seminary, a school for girls in Portland, assembled for the new-fangled camera. Credit: Thomas Hannay The most arresting photographs though are those of the Cart Gunditj of the Gunditjmara. Hannay managed to photograph a group of men in full body paint, apparently before a corroboree, and another group in a mix of traditional and western clothing, armed with spears and boomerangs.

The portrait of three Cart Gunditj men in face paint staring into the camera  one defiant, one quizzical and one plain sad  tells a story needing no words. The eyes of Cart Gunditj men of the Gunditjmara visit us from 1859, telling us more than we might want to know. Credit: Thomas Hannay Other clans had been wiped out by massacres, disease and hunger, their hunting grounds stolen. Outraged and desperate, the Gunditjmara rose up in the late 1830s and waged what became known as the Eumeralla War, named after a small river that flows to the sea between Port Fairy and Portland. It was a protracted but asymmetric war, the result inevitable. Europeans had guns, horses and a corps of native police troopers. The elders of the Cart Gunditj, however, got wise early. They banned their people from entering Portland township, knowing the absence of mercy in the hearts of many of the sealers, whalers and escaped convicts who arrived in the early 1830s.

Later, they negotiated to assist whalers by putting up smoke from their hill when whales came into the bay, getting an agreement that they could feast on the slain whales once their valuable oil had been removed. Loading It proved not enough to save their way of life. Local Gunditjmara elder Walter Saunders once told me of his peoples memory of a mysterious end to the clan. Our story, handed down, is they were rounded up by settlers, taken to a big depression in the land above the Surrey River, a sort of sinkhole, and taken away in the night on bullock carts, he said. They just disappeared. We dont know where they went. And their eyes shine on, reminding us of too much.
Matt Golding Credit: .

To submit a letter to The Age, email letters@theage.com.au. Please include your home address and telephone number. No attachments, please include your letter in the body of the email. See here for our rules and tips on getting your letter published.

St Kildas misery

Two interesting but depressing St Kilda stories with Costings missing from new St Kilda plan, (6/9) and Hope for a U-turn on Acland Street blues (9/9).

It is remarkable that the City of Port Phillip is discussing the Triangle site  again  while its two existing major iconic St Kilda hospitality and shopping precincts are a misery.

How about fixing up the problems and demonstrate to residents and traders that council can manage precincts and amenity?

We might then have confidence that anything proposed for the Triangle wont end up the same as Acland and Fitzroy streets.

Geoffrey Conaghan, St Kilda

Street of sadness

The Age has done well to document the woes of Acland Street. At the northern end sits Fitzroy Street. It was once a vibrant, seedy, eclectic thoroughfare with a life of its own. It was Melbournes Kings Cross. But no more.

The do-gooders destroyed it by removing car parks, widening footpaths, planting tram track plantations and turning the street into single-lane traffic.

A drive along Fitzroy Street fills me with sadness.
When Wendy Angliss and Derrick Thompson received an invoice to pay for a brand new Mercedes-Benz SUV earlier this year, they did not suspect that the PDF document from the dealer had been doctored by hackers.

The couple, from Point Lonsdale in Victoria, purchased a Mercedes-Benz GLE 400d in February for the sticker price of $157,000. After the deposit and trade-in, the pair owed an extra $139,000 before the car could be delivered.

A Mercedes GLE 400, similar to the model that the couple tried to buy. Credit:

But the keys for the luxury car are yet to arrive, after Angliss and Thompson were caught up in a brazen impersonation scam that involved payments to an unknown bank account not belonging to Mercedes-Benz.

They are now taking court action against the Australian arm of the German carmaker over how the money disappeared without anyone realising before it was too late to recover.
Melbournes criminal underworld is on the brink of a new gangland war after one of the citys most violent figures, Gavin Capable Preston, was shot dead in an ambush attack.

Terrified brunch patrons jumped for their lives as a killer dressed in black ran up to a cafe on a quiet suburban shopping strip in Keilor Village, in Melbournes north-west, and fired at Preston while he sat at a table on the footpath.

Warning: The video below shows highly confronting scenes. The footage has been edited to exclude some moments.

The son of late underworld enforcer Nabil Maghnie, Abbas Jr AJ Maghnie, saw what was coming. He was seated across from Preston as the shooter stopped just metres away and raised his gun. Maghnie dived away but was shot in the upper body and rushed to hospital for surgery on Saturday.
Farmers say they are collateral damage in the federal governments decision to block the bid by Qatar Airways for 28 extra flights per week, arguing there are limited avenues to expand exports of fresh boxed meat into the lucrative Middle East market at a time they remain below pre-COVID levels.

With the Albanese government facing a mounting political storm over the decision, sheep producers say there has been a failure to appreciate the ramifications of the decision on exporters who were already fighting for air freight space.

Sheep producers say the impact of the Qatar decision on exporters has been eclipsed by a focus on the hit to tourism. Credit: Christopher Pearce

Australian lamb exports are on track for a record year according to the Meat and Livestock Association, with most of the produce shipped frozen by sea to key overseas markets including China, the US, South Korea and the Middle East.

But the industry relies on the availability of cargo hold space in passenger planes to transport premium chilled meat into the Middle East, where consumers prefer fresh rather than frozen meat.
As a condition of using the allowance, MPs are required to produce a travel report on their findings after they return. They must also state whether the trip relates to parliamentary business or electorate business. Months out from last years election, Labor MP Cesar Melhem  who was moved to an unwinnable position on the upper house ticket  was part of a three-MP delegation to the UK costing more than $10,000. Taxpayers have picked up the bill for Victorian MPs to fly overseas to learn about TikTok, visit galleries in Milan and pursue electorate business in London. Credit: Paul Jeffers Weeks out from the election, two former Labor MPs  Frank McGuire and Dr Tien Kieu  also billed taxpayers for trips overseas before losing their seats. In the past 18 months, following the reopening of the states borders and the rebooting of international travel, dozens of MPs have used their electoral expenses on solo international travel  which doesnt require pre-approval from the party leader.

In June and July, newly elected MP Chris Crewther spent three weeks on a taxpayer-funded trip to Canada which he wrote was primarily of benefit for both the Mornington electorate and his roles as shadow parliamentary secretary for justice and corrections and Liberal Party Whip. According to allowance records, more than 40 per cent of the Liberal Party were scheduled to travel overseas on a taxpayer-funded trip during September 2023. That included a delegation of Liberal MPs who were due to fly to Israel last weekend for a study tour led by the Australia Israel Jewish Affairs Council. But the trip was postponed just days before the MPs were due to depart after Victorian Liberal party leadership was served with defamation concern notices by British anti-trans rights activist Kellie-Jay Keen. Liberal MPs who have invoiced taxpayers for a trip during this month include former leader Matthew Guy who billed Victorians $8599.84 for a study tour to the Argentinian capital of Buenos Aires.

Guy doesnt hold any shadow portfolios, nor is he on any committees, but remains the local MP for Bulleen which takes in the suburbs of Doncaster, Templestowe and Bulleen. During last years election campaign, Guy named the Argentinian beach resort town of Mar del Plata as his dream holiday destination in an interview with the Berwick Star News. Loading Labors Gary Mass, who represents Narre Warren South, is the only Labor MP to take a solo study tour since the election. In July, Maas travelled to the US on electorate business which included attending Netroots Nation, a political conference for progressive political activists. In his report, Maas said he took part in a session on using social media including TikTok and listened to keynote speakers such as American civil rights leader Jesse Jackson and co-founder of the Black Lives Matter movement, Alicia Garza. I enjoyed the keynote sessions  they gave me interesting comparator views to what is happening in our Victorian parliament and indeed to that in a multi-cultural Narre Warren South, Maas said in his report.

Liberal MPs Brad Battin, Wayne Farnham and Richard Riordan are currently on a three-week study tour of India and Sri Lanka at a total cost of $15,295 to Victorian taxpayers. In April, Liberal MPs Bev McArthur and Renee Heath spent nine nights in Bangkok which included understanding the Thai experience of partial decriminalisation of cannabis. Another Liberal MP went on the trip but did not use any taxpayer funds. Loading In July, McArthur again travelled overseas to South Korea with Liberal MPs Bill Tilley and David Hodgett to engage in meetings with government and business stakeholders. During the trip, the trio experienced using the Seoul Metro system, visited the Choryang traditional market in the city of Busan and compared and contrasted (it) with the Queen Victoria Market, and also took a tour to the Korean Demilitarised Zone. In response to the travel of Liberal MPs, a spokesperson for Opposition Leader John Pesutto said: It is the responsibility of individual MPs to ensure that overseas travel meets parliamentary guidelines. Only one delegation of Labor MPs has travelled abroad this year. Four MPs  Matt Fregon, Lee Tarlamis, Meng Heang Tak and Dylan Wight  collectively billed taxpayers more than $24,000 for a nine-day tour of India which included a trip to the Taj Mahal.
UAE-based Pantheon Development has signed up Al Serh Al Kabeer Construction as the main contractor and Al Khawajah Engineering Consultants as design consultant for its latest residential project, Elysee Heights, in Jumeirah Village Circle (JVC), Dubai.

The G+4P+11 project coming up in District 15 of JVC will be spread across an area of 200,000 sq.ft, said a statement from Pantheon Development.

An affordable luxury residential developer, Pantheon said the AED150 million ($41 million) project will feature 183 residential units with a mix of studios, one- and two-bed options as well as 10 retail units.

Studios will be in the range of 390-425 sq ft, one-bedroom unit will be 650 to 800 and two-bed units ranging from 850 to 1,100 sq.ft. The planned hand over of Elysee Heights is in Q4 2025.

"Elysee Heights is yet another milestone in our affordable luxury residential proposition in Dubais realty market," said Kalpesh Kinariwala, a top executive of Pantheon Development.

"Pantheon has successfully created and nurtured the niche of affordable luxury with four projects, and Elysee Heights is yet another value-packed development in this category, contributing to Dubais reputation as a high-return real estate investment destination," he stated.

"As a prestigious development, Elysee Heights will add to the impressive skyline of Dubais real estate sector and yet another exclusive property in JVC," he added.

Pantheons project portfolio includes Pantheon Boulevard and Elysee I and Elysee II in JVC which have been completed and handed over.

Apart from Elysee Heights, its ongoing projects include Elysee 3 and Pantheon Heights, stated Kinariwala, adding that cumulatively it has successfully delivered over 1.3 million sq ft of projects.-TradeArabia News Service
This photo taken on Sept. 8, 2023 shows a view of the 23rd China International Fair for Investment and Trade (CIFIT) in Xiamen, east China's Fujian Province. (Xinhua/Lin Shanchuan)

XIAMEN, Sept. 9 (Xinhua) -- China's commitment to high-standard opening-up and an improved business environment has boosted the confidence of foreign investors attending the ongoing 23rd China International Fair for Investment and Trade (CIFIT), with senior officials reiterating the country's sincerity in facilitating international exchanges and cooperation.

The event kicked off in Xiamen, east China's Fujian Province, on Friday, drawing the participation of companies from 102 countries and regions.

Wang Yong, vice chairman of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, said that China will unswervingly promote high-standard opening up.

Noting that the country is committed to its fundamental national policy of opening to the outside world and is pursuing a mutually beneficial strategy of opening up, Wang stressed that China would promote high-standard opening up, further improve the environment for foreign investment and firmly safeguard the multilateral trading regime.

Among those attending CIFIT is ABB, a world leading electrification and automation company. It has invested approximately 19 billion yuan (about 2.63 billion U.S. dollars) in China over the past 31 years, expanding its operations to encompass research, manufacturing, sales and engineering services in 700 Chinese cities.

James Zhao, senior vice president of ABB (China) Ltd., told Xinhua, "China's business environment has been continuously improving over the years." He cited the Foreign Investment Law, which came into effect three years ago, as a significant step in providing a legal framework and protection for foreign investments.

"China's recent introduction of new policies will surely provide a more equitable business environment," Zhao added.

According to a report released by the Development Research Center of the State Council during CIFIT, China has maintained its position as the world's second-largest recipient of foreign investment since 2017 and remains one of the most attractive investment destinations globally.

In 2022, China's actual use of foreign direct investment (FDI) reached 189.1 billion U.S. dollars, marking an 8 percent year-on-year increase on a comparable basis. The country's share of global FDI rose from 8.2 percent in 2012 to 14.6 percent in 2022.

The report attributed China's success to its proactive alignment with high international standards, continuous optimization of investment policies and the business environment, and persistent expansion of market access.

Saleh Ali Khabti, Deputy Minister of Investment of Saudi Arabia, lauded China's investment environment as "great" and cited the growth of Saudi companies' investments in China as evidence of the improved business environment. He also mentioned the recent increase in investment by Saudi Aramco, the world's oil giant, in various Chinese regions.

This photo taken on Sept. 8, 2023 shows the Signing Ceremony of Fujian Key Investment Projects during the 23rd China International Fair for Investment and Trade (CIFIT) in Xiamen, east China's Fujian Province. (Xinhua/Lin Shanchuan)

At a CIFIT forum for promoting investment in China, Chen Chunjiang, assistant minister of commerce, met with companies both from home and abroad, pledging greater efforts to enhance opening up.

He said the country would shorten the negative list for foreign investment access, remove and relax restrictions on foreign investment, and increase the openness of the modern service industry.

China will also increase policy support for foreign investment, improve services and guarantees for foreign-funded enterprises, and strengthen the protection of the rights and interests of foreign investors, Chen added.

"With China stepping up efforts to stabilize foreign investment and promote consumption, events like CIFIT provide us with golden platforms, allowing us to engage in deep communication with the Chinese government and creating favorable opportunities," Lu Haiqing, chief corporate affairs and strategic relations officer of IHG Greater China, told Xinhua.

As one of the first multinational hotel groups coming to China, the UK-headquartered hotel giant has launched 658 hotels across 200 Chinese cities, operating under 12 distinct brands.

Lu highlighted the company's impressive growth trajectory in China, noting, "Every year, we witness the inauguration of approximately 100 new IHG hotels in China, and we currently have 500 more in the pipeline for construction."

He affirmed IHG's commitment to accelerating its expansion in China, particularly in the post-epidemic era, as it remains confident in the country's promising economic prospects and the continuously improving business landscape.

Lu disclosed that he had directly exchanged ideas with various provincial and city-level government officials. "We had offered our insights and received active feedback from the governments," Lu said, adding that the group had secured good opportunities for future development during the exchanges.

When asked about the details, Lu responded with a confident smile, stating, "We will provide more details when they are finalized, and some of them are in the second and third-tier cities. We anticipate swift progress in the follow-up work." 
UNITED NATIONS, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese envoy on Friday called for international peace efforts to solve the Ukraine crisis.

As the crisis in Ukraine drags on, tensions on the ground remain high and the spillover effects are spreading more rapidly. The UN Security Council should work with a greater sense of responsibility and urgency to find ways to achieve cease-fire and restore peace at an early date, said Geng Shuang, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations.

"Priority should be given to making good use of the mediation tools granted by the (UN) Charter to promote the implementation of various peace initiatives and to leverage the core role of the international collective security mechanism," he told the Security Council.

The Ukraine crisis has complex causes and there is no easy fix. Its resolution takes concerted efforts of all parties, he said. "No matter how challenging it is, the door of political settlement cannot be closed; efforts to promote cease-fire and peace talks cannot relent; the process of diplomatic negotiations cannot stall."

China's position on the question of Ukraine has been consistent and clear. China has always maintained that the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries should be safeguarded, the purposes and principles of the UN Charter should be upheld, the legitimate security concerns of all parties should be taken seriously, and all efforts conducive to the peaceful settlement of the crisis should be supported, said Geng.

China stands ready to strengthen dialogue and communication with all parties and will continue to make constructive efforts to promote the political settlement of the Ukraine crisis, he said. 
CM for constantly monitoring of law & order





Staff Reporter

Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan while addressing the Commissioners, IGs, Collectors and SPs through video conference asked them to continuously monitor law and order situation, supply of fertilisers, electricity supply, timely payment in beneficiary oriented schemes, implementation of tap water schemes and operation of Vikas Raths. It is our duty to maintain law and order: Chouhan said that it is our duty to maintain law and order. Let us not let leave any chance for lacuna. The Director General of Police should continuously review the law and order situation during festivals. He asked them to hold a meeting of SP-Collector Peace Committee and take decisions, create an environment of peace in the state. Relief for crop loss: The Chief Minister said that it is a matter of happiness that rains. This will give life to many crops, but soybean crops have been damaged at many places. Farmers should not worry. The welfare of farmers is the priority of the government. All district officers should keep an eye on the crops. Relief will be given for loss of crop due to deficient rainfall, Crop insurance will also be paid. Chouhan said that it is our duty to provide relief under RBC 6(4) after assessing the damage.

10 hour power supply for agriculture: Chouhan said that situation regarding power supply is normal, but we are constantly monitoring the situation. Collectors-Commissioners should also keep assessing the supply situation in and ensure 10 hours of power supply for agriculture. Chouhan instructed to develop a system to provide necessary guidance to farmers to save them from damage to crops. He said that arrangements should be made to provide quick guidance to the farmers according to the circumstances. Instructions were given to hold a meeting of the water utility committee of the district and to ensure water supply from the dam for the crops. Give fertiliser to farmers on time: The Chief Minister said that there is no shortage of fertilisers. It is the responsibility of the collectors to ensure the supply of fertilisers. After assessing the availability of fertilisers in the district on time, the demand of the district should be conveyed to the State Government. It is necessary to ensure that fertilisers are available to the farmers at the time of need.

Chief Minister Chouhan said that the works of Jal-Jeevan Mission should be reviewed. All related tasks are completed within time frame. Restoration works should be completed on priority. Payments to beneficiaries: Chief Minister Chouhan said that timely payment of benefits under beneficiary oriented schemes should be ensured. Beneficiaries did not face any problem in payment due to election work or other reason. Chief Minister Jan Awas Yojana soon: Chief Minister Chouhan said that Mukhyamantri Jan Awas Yojana is being implemented in the state soon. Those who could not be included in Pradhan Mantri Awas and Awas Plus will be provided houses under this scheme. It is necessary to ensure that no unethical activity starts in this work. Copies of Gareeb Kalyan Panchayat-level: Chief Minister Chouhan said that on September 10, Ladli Bahna Day, the amount of Ladli Bahna Yojana will be deposited in the accounts of women from Gwalior. He instructed to make copies of the reports of Gareeb Kalyan available up to the panchayat level.
Participants practise Qigong a day before the World Health Qigong Day at the Tivoli park in Ljubljana, Slovenia, on Sept. 8, 2023. The World Health Qigong Day is celebrated each year on the second Saturday in September in many countries. (Photo by Zeljko Stevanic/Xinhua)

Participants practise Qigong a day before the World Health Qigong Day at the Tivoli park in Ljubljana, Slovenia, on Sept. 8, 2023. The World Health Qigong Day is celebrated each year on the second Saturday in September in many countries. (Photo by Zeljko Stevanic/Xinhua)
G20: India hopeful of consensus on New Delhi Declaration





NEW DELHI,

AHEAD of the G20 summit, India on Friday said the New Delhi Leaders Declaration was almost ready and the negotiators were moving towards a consensus. Refusing to get into the specifics of sticking points such as the Russia-Ukraine war and climate-related issues, Indias top G20 officials told a pre-summit press conference that they were hopeful of clinching a joint communique by consensus. Indias expectation is that all G20 members will move towards a consensus and we are hopeful of a consensus on the communique, Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra said in response to a question on the Ukraine conflict holding up an agreement on the New Delhi Declaration. The G20 Leaders Summit gets underway on Saturday and will conclude the next day. On the inclusion of the African Union in the G20 bloc, Kwatra said he expected that Summit proceedings starting on Saturday would take a suitable decision on it.

Indias G20 sherpa Amitabh Kant said Prime Minister Narendra Modi is a great believer in the Global South and had written to all the leaders on the inclusion of the African Union in the G20. He said there has been a very positive response and formally that will come before the Summit. India also said its presidency of the G20 has lived up to Modis vision of being inclusive, ambitious, action-oriented and very decisive. Kant said the New Delhi Leaders Declaration will be the voice of the global south and developing countries. Modi had asserted Indias presidency should be inclusive, ambitious, action-oriented and decisive, he said. These are the four principles on which we have worked. We have lived up to his vision of being inclusive, action-oriented, ambitious and very decisive during our presidency, Kant said.
Greater Panna Landscape Plan gets approval for conservation of endangered species





By Ankita Garg

Greater Panna Landscape Council headed by Madhya Pradesh Chief Secretary Iqbal Singh Bains has approved Greater Panna Landscape Management Plan as part of Ken-Betwa Link Project to be executed in 11 districts of Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. This is one of the unique conservations of wildlife and biodiversity in Panna Tiger Reserve (PTR) and surrounding areas. The plan has been prepared by the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) Dehradun. Center, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh Governments will be spending Rs 3,186 crores till year 2032 on this project. Central Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Central Water Ministry, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh Forest Department will be funding the project jointly. A total of 18 representatives of Center, MP and UP governments are members of this council.

The plan includes habitat development on 47,000 sq km of land and corridor protection for conservation of tiger, vulture and crocodile within ten years. The plan includes forest areas of Panna, Ranipur, and proposed Nauradehi-Durgavati Tiger Reserve and there are around 150 to 200 tigers and around 90 crocodiles and four vultures count.

In order to execute the Greater Panna Landscape Management Plan and better monitoring, an Integrated Research and Learning Center (IRLC) will be set up in district Panna. Sagar, Damoh, Chhattarpur, Narsinghpur, Panna, Katni, Satna, Rewa, Banda, Chitrakoot districts will be included in Greater Panna Landscape.Talking about the project, J N Kansotia, ACS Forest Department, Madhya Pradesh, said that the Center, MP and UP joint council has approved that Greater Panna Landscape Plan. The council formed by Center is headed by Madhya Pradesh Chief Secretary and this plan is part of the Ken-Betwa Project. He said that conservation plan for endangered species like tiger, vulture, crocodile will be held in next ten years with cost of Rs 3,186 crores.

The goal of the GPL and the council is to ensure a win-win situation for conservation through integration with the development process based on a balanced approach and considering the diverse stakes. The broad objectives are to enable betterment of habitat, protection, and management for flagship species viz. tiger, vulture, and gharial in the landscape; to consolidate the landscape for overall biodiversity conservation through spatial prioritisation and well-being of the forest dependent communities; and to provide species-specific and site-specific monitoring strategies under the integrated landscape management in context with feedback loop and adaptive management options. Ken-Betwa Link Project (KBLP), the first inter-linking of rivers project under National Perspective Plan (NPP) taken for implementation, would be a game-changer for the socio-economic prosperity of the Bundelkhand region, which faces recurrent drought situation. The project is aimed at not only providing water security in the Bundelkhand but also ensuring the overall conservation of the region and specially for landscape dependent species such as tiger, vulture and crocodile.
NEW DELHI,

PRIME Minister Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden on Friday vowed to deepen and diversify the bilateral major defence partnership while welcoming forward movement in Indias procurement of 31 drones and joint development of jet engines. In their over 50-minute talks, the two leaders deliberated on Indias G20 presidency, cooperation in nuclear energy, critical and emerging technologies such as 6G and Artificial Intelligence, and ways to fundamentally reshape multilateral development banks. The US President is visiting India primarily to attend the two-day G20 summit beginning Saturday. He arrived in Delhi around 7 pm and was greeted with songs and a musical show at the airport. The joint statement said, the US President welcomed issuance of a Letter of Request from Indias Defence Ministry to procure 31 MQ-9B remotely piloted aircraft from American defence giant General Atomics. It said, the two leaders also welcomed completion of the Congressional notification process and the commencement of negotiations for a commercial agreement between GE Aerospace and Hindustan Aeronautical Limited (HAL) to manufacture GE F-414 jet engines in India.

It said, the two leaders recommitted to work collaboratively and expeditiously to support the advancement of this unprecedented co-production and technology transfer proposal. In the talks, Biden lauded Indias G20 Presidency for further demonstrating how G20 as a forum is delivering important outcomes. The meeting was held soon after Biden arrived in New Delhi. US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, Secretary of State Anthony Blinken and US NSA Jake Sullivan were also present in the meeting from the US side while the Indian delegation included External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and NSA Ajit Doval. The joint statement said, Modi and Biden reaffirmed commitment to G20 and expressed confidence that the outcomes of the summit will advance shared goals.

The two leaders also reaffirmed the importance of Quad in supporting a free, open, inclusive, and resilient Indo-Pacific. Modi looked forward to welcoming Biden to the next Quad leaders summit to be hosted by India in 2024, it said. The two leaders also called on their Governments to continue work on transforming the India-US strategic partnership across all dimensions and reiterated their support for building resilient global semiconductor supply chains.

The leaders re-emphasised that the shared values of freedom, democracy, human rights, inclusion, pluralism, and equal opportunities for all citizens are critical to the success our countries enjoy and that these values strengthen our relationship, it said.
Nirmala holds bilateral meeting with US Treasury Secy, discusses G20 priorities





NEW DELHI,

FINANCE Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Friday held a bilateral meeting with US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and discussed G20 priorities. The bilateral meeting took place a day ahead of the G20 Leadership Summit beginning on Saturday here.FM Smt. @nsitharaman and Secretary Ms. @SecYellen discussed key #G20 priorities and bilateral cooperation between the two democracies to address pressing global economic and financial issues, the Finance Ministry said in a post on X (formerly Twitter). Yellen on Thursday had said Russias war against Ukraine has led to the needless loss of lives and stands in direct contradiction to everything the G20 stands for.

Sitharaman also held a meeting with Nigerian Minister of Finance and Economy Adebayo Olawale Edun and Nigerian Minister of Budget and National Planning Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, against the backdrop of the G20 Leaders Summit. The Ministers discussed issues of mutual interest in several areas. FM Smt. @nsitharaman conveyed Indias continued support to people of Nigeria in their development trajectory through Indian lines of credit, cooperation, the Finance Ministry said in a post. on X. Minister Edun appreciated the rich contribution of Nigerian citizens of Indian origin in the development of the Nigerian economy, it said.
PM Modi holds talks with Mauritian counterpart Pravind Jugnauth





NEW DELHI,

PRIME Minister Narendra Modi on Friday held talks with his Mauritian counterpart Pravind Jugnauth here, the Indian leaders first bilateral meeting before the start of the G20 Summit. Jugnauth arrived on Thursday to a warm welcome at the New Delhi Airport to attend the Summit from September 9-10. The Prime Minister is scheduled to hold 15 bilateral meetings over the next three days when world leaders gather in the national capital for the Summit.

In a riot of brown, green and shades of vivid orange, hundreds of trees lining roads through which heads of states and foreign delegates will travel during the G20 Summit have been adorned with garlands of marigold. Tree trunks wrapped with marigold can been seen in the Palam technical area, Sardar Patel Marg, Rajghat and other important intersections. On Saturday, Modi will hold bilateral meetings with leaders of the UK, Japan, Germany and Italy besides attending the G20 events. On Sunday, he will have a working lunch meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron, sources said.
Shikshak Sahakari Bank fetes meritorious students





Business Bureau

Atul Moghe, Karyawah of Vidarbha Prant of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) recently said while the life is progressing, students should keep in mind whether their life is heading towards achieving meaningful goal for the society. The students should keep bigger goal before them and act accordingly, he said while expressing his views at the function organised by Shikshak Sahakari Bank Ltd here to felicitate meritorious students. Moghe was chief guest of the function while Anil Sole, Chairman of the bank, presided over the event. The function was held to mark Teachers Day.

Yogesh Ban, Director of the bank, gave the introductory remarks. Anil Mulay, Bholanath Sahare, Sunil Patil, Tularam Meshram, Kalpana Pande, Vivek Jugade, Dr Manisha Wakode, Dr Ravindra Yenurkar, Adv. Vinayak Rajkarne, Gopal Bohare, all directors; and others were also present.
Terrorist wanted by India shot dead in PoK mosque





JAMMU,

A TERRORIST wanted in India was shot dead by unidentified gunmen inside a mosque in Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir on Friday, officials said. This was the fourth such killing of a top terrorist commander operating from across the border this year. Riyaz Ahmad alias Abu Qasim, affiliated with the proscribed Lashkar-e-Toiba, was one of the main conspirators behind the Dhangri terror attack on January 1. Seven people died and 13 were injured when terrorists struck Dhangri village of Rajouri district and fired indiscriminately. They also left behind an improvised explosive device that went off the following morning.

Originally hailing from the Jammu region, Ahmad exfiltrated across the border in 1999. He was considered as the brains behind the revival of terrorism in the twin border districts of Poonch and Rajouri, the officials said. Quoting reports from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), they said Ahmad was shot dead by unidentified gunmen inside the Al-Qudus mosque in the Rawalakot area during pre-dawn prayers. Ahmad mostly operated from the Lashkar-e-Toiba base camp in Muridke but had recently shifted to Rawalakot. He was a close associate of Sajjad Jaat, the Lashkar-e-Toibas chief commander, and also looked after the outfits finances, the officials said.

He was the fourth top commander of different terror outfits operating from Pakistan to be gunned down this year. In March, a top Hizbul commander was shot dead by unidentified assailants in Pakistans Rawalpindi. Bashir Ahmad Peer alias Imtiyaz Alam, who hailed from Jammu and Kashmirs Kupwara district, had been living in Pakistan for more than 15 years. He was accused of getting Zakir Musa, chief commander of the Ansar Gazwat-ul-Hind -- an offshoot of al-Qaeda in Kashmir -- killed in May 2019. In February, unidentified gunmen shot ex-Al-Badr Mujahideen commander Syed Khalid Raza dead in Karachi.
The Bharat Metaphor!





By Vijay phanshikar

The President of Bharat requests the company of ... at Dinner on Saturday, September 9, 2023 at 2000 hrs ...

IN OVERWHELMING numbers, . the common people of India that is Bharat welcomed the nomenclature Bharat on the invitation President Mrs. Droupadi Murmu sent to her guests for a banquet. Some political types did have a problem with the use of the name Bharat, all right. But all such people were vastly outnumbered. The political controversy might not die down soon, but people of Bharat have already settled the issue for themselves -- leaving behind some politically-inclined people who opposed the idea. The issue, thus, stands settled. A few years ago, this scribe wrote a series of articles in this column with title Bharat Narrative, to explain what the word Bharat stood for once upon a time and what its current nuances can be. Bharat, certainly, is the name of our country -- historically and constitutionally. But it also has numerous implications and nuances that common people must understand. For, Bharat symbolises a whole thought-process that signifies what the country is -- culturally, emotionally and spiritually! That time, when the series was being carried for several weeks on end, countless numbers of people across the world had responded positively, stressing that Bharat was not also just a word but also a complete and deep thought with multiple facets.

The series had sought to expand upon the narrative that Bharat stood for. The effort was to bring to peoples attention the metaphor that the name concealed in its six letters. It is common knowledge that Bharat finds countless references in ancient literature. In the vast -- much vaster than what our country today is geographically -- country, there lived people who worshipped knowledge, truth, and followed a culture of complete accommodation and inclusion. In that culture, nothing was an anathema, so to say -- in the sense every thought was respected, every opinion had its own place in the intellectual domain. Those were the people who wrote and read and internalised goodness and swore by a way of life that discarded negativism of all kinds. They were followers and researchers of science as a pursuit of truth, but did not encourage technology to dominate their material life. They did have the ability to convert science into a tool of acquiring material comfort of all kinds. They did have technology, too, to make use of. But they chose deliberately to keep the use of technology under restriction of logic and good sense. That was the speciality of the land named Bharat, located between the Himayalays in the north and three seas in the east, south and west -- described so wonderfully, so meaningfully by Mahakavi Kalidas: Astyuttarasyam Dishi Devatatma (On the north is the abode in whose heart gods reside) Himalayo Naam Nagadhirajah (That is the king of mountains named Himalaya) Poorvaparou Toyanidhim Vagahya (To its east and west are the great reservoirs of water -- the seas) Sthitah Prutthivya Iva Maandandah (That -- the Himalaya -- is the Earths totem pole, scepter).

The reference to the Himalayas in the Bharat metaphor does not connote a geographical feature alone. It represents certain spirituality, certain historicity, certain emotionality! Whenever the nomenclature Bharat is used, the Himalaya rises over the mental horizon -- as the abode of gods, as the ashram of the sages, as the birth-place of the Vedas, as a unique environmental eco-system that lent Bharat a very distinct dimension to its signature. Minus the Himalaya, the definition of Bharat remains rather incomplete. For, as the ancient truth tells, the country named Bharat created its spiritual footprint by using the high perch of the Himalayas to seek and acquire knowledge of eternal truth, eternal light. It is in that metaphysical domain that the sages realised the wisdom of travelling from darkness to light -- Tamaso Maa Jyotirgamaya ...! Bharat is all that and much more. Bharat, thus, is not just a simple nomenclature that refers to a geography. Ancient texts might have mentioned the geography all right. But those texts do not miss the references to spirituality -- Devatatma Himalaya, for example. Understanding all this is understanding Bharat. Bharat boasts of a history whose depth, whose time-line (to use a modern terminology) is beyond normal imagination. The calculations of years in a Yug (Satya Yug, Treta Yug, Dwapaar Yug, Kali Yug) are mind-boggling. Modern man cannot even imagine that human history could be so ancient, so much deep back in time. Trying to fathom that is understanding Bharat. Seen from this angle, the controversy about Bharat versus India has little value. There is no versus in that issue!!!
UNIVERSAL G20





AS India, that is, Bharat, basks in the glory of the moment of the G20 Summit under her Presidency, heads of various countries are all praise for the host. There is a long list of reasons too, ranging from massive public outreach, pitch for inclusion of new members, institutional reforms, forging of new ties, and reshaping of the global order towards a more co-operative whole. But, there is one more reason that needs to be understood in right spirit. That is, India ushering in the era of transformation of the world from GDP-centric to human-centric globalisation. If one has to use a fine distinction, this transformation is actually from globalisation to universalisation. As has been stated by personalities of international stature time and again, globalisation in its present form has left many thinking about its utility to the humanity. Since inception of the term, and evolution over the years, the focus of the process of globalisation has been on the economic aspects of human activity. Gradually, globalisation actually became elitist and the under-developed or developing nations remained deprived of the benefits. In fact, the developing and under-developed countries became source of raw material in the global supply chains, and the elitist developed nations became the processors and manufacturers of goods.

The developed nations sold the finished products to the developing countries. When understanding of this reality dawned upon the humanist thinkers, the talk of de-globalisation emerged on the world scene. COVID-19 just reflected how globalisation needed to be reformed from its present form into something human-centric. Under Indias G20 Presidency, precisely this process has gained momentum. Hence, Indias G20 Presidency is of significance to the world. India has been at the centre of the narratives on both sides of globalisation that worked on the concept of market forces. Besides, being one of the oldest civilisations on Earth, India has an advantage of the right heritage of universal thought ingrained in her culture. Coming up with a fine blend of these universal values -- inclusive of treating the whole world as one family as indicated in the expression Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam -- and present-day reality of the world, India has been talking of human-centric globalisation for a shared future. This idea of human-centric globalisation places humanity at the centre of all the processes of the world and functioning of all the institutions. This was reflected through related talks of diversified globalisation when it came to reforms in the institutions of global importance like the United Nations Security Council. It was reflected also in Indias pitching for expansion of the BRICS grouping into BRICS Plus.

Now, as highlighted by Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi through his article, Indias G20 Presidency aims at achieving something far greater than serving merely economic interests. If all these dots are to be connected to weave a full picture of the core of Indias outreach and actions, one can say that Indias G20 Presidency aims at achieving universalisation of human values. There is a fine distinction between globalisation and universalisation. While the term globalisation conveys the sense of boundaries, universalisation reflects boundlessness. Globalisation may be restricted to groupings with territorial interests, but universalisation carries a sense of common set of virtues running through diverse groupings and interests. Already, the world recognises India as a fine representation of unity in diversity. With G20 Presidency of India, the world is getting an opportunity to respond positively to more inclusive, and yet expansive, idea called universalisation.
XIAMEN, Sept. 9 (Xinhua) -- China's commitment to high-standard opening-up and an improved business environment has boosted the confidence of foreign investors attending the ongoing 23rd China International Fair for Investment and Trade (CIFIT), with senior officials reiterating the country's sincerity in facilitating international exchanges and cooperation.

The event kicked off in Xiamen, east China's Fujian Province, on Friday, drawing the participation of companies from 102 countries and regions.

Wang Yong, vice chairman of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, said that China will unswervingly promote high-standard opening up.

Noting that the country is committed to its fundamental national policy of opening to the outside world and is pursuing a mutually beneficial strategy of opening up, Wang stressed that China would promote high-standard opening up, further improve the environment for foreign investment and firmly safeguard the multilateral trading regime.

Among those attending CIFIT is ABB, a world leading electrification and automation company. It has invested approximately 19 billion yuan (about 2.63 billion U.S. dollars) in China over the past 31 years, expanding its operations to encompass research, manufacturing, sales and engineering services in 700 Chinese cities.

James Zhao, senior vice president of ABB (China) Ltd., told Xinhua, "China's business environment has been continuously improving over the years." He cited the Foreign Investment Law, which came into effect three years ago, as a significant step in providing a legal framework and protection for foreign investments.

"China's recent introduction of new policies will surely provide a more equitable business environment," Zhao added.

According to a report released by the Development Research Center of the State Council during CIFIT, China has maintained its position as the world's second-largest recipient of foreign investment since 2017 and remains one of the most attractive investment destinations globally.

In 2022, China's actual use of foreign direct investment (FDI) reached 189.1 billion U.S. dollars, marking an 8 percent year-on-year increase on a comparable basis. The country's share of global FDI rose from 8.2 percent in 2012 to 14.6 percent in 2022.

The report attributed China's success to its proactive alignment with high international standards, continuous optimization of investment policies and the business environment, and persistent expansion of market access.

Saleh Ali Khabti, Deputy Minister of Investment of Saudi Arabia, lauded China's investment environment as "great" and cited the growth of Saudi companies' investments in China as evidence of the improved business environment. He also mentioned the recent increase in investment by Saudi Aramco, the world's oil giant, in various Chinese regions.

At a CIFIT forum for promoting investment in China, Chen Chunjiang, assistant minister of commerce, met with companies both from home and abroad, pledging greater efforts to enhance opening up.

He said the country would shorten the negative list for foreign investment access, remove and relax restrictions on foreign investment, and increase the openness of the modern service industry.

China will also increase policy support for foreign investment, improve services and guarantees for foreign-funded enterprises, and strengthen the protection of the rights and interests of foreign investors, Chen added.

"With China stepping up efforts to stabilize foreign investment and promote consumption, events like CIFIT provide us with golden platforms, allowing us to engage in deep communication with the Chinese government and creating favorable opportunities," Lu Haiqing, chief corporate affairs and strategic relations officer of IHG Greater China, told Xinhua.

As one of the first multinational hotel groups coming to China, the UK-headquartered hotel giant has launched 658 hotels across 200 Chinese cities, operating under 12 distinct brands.

Lu highlighted the company's impressive growth trajectory in China, noting, "Every year, we witness the inauguration of approximately 100 new IHG hotels in China, and we currently have 500 more in the pipeline for construction."

He affirmed IHG's commitment to accelerating its expansion in China, particularly in the post-epidemic era, as it remains confident in the country's promising economic prospects and the continuously improving business landscape.

Lu disclosed that he had directly exchanged ideas with various provincial and city-level government officials. "We had offered our insights and received active feedback from the governments," Lu said, adding that the group had secured good opportunities for future development during the exchanges.

When asked about the details, Lu responded with a confident smile, stating, "We will provide more details when they are finalized, and some of them are in the second and third-tier cities. We anticipate swift progress in the follow-up work." Enditem
BEIJING, Sept. 9 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping has called on the country's teachers to make greater contributions to building a stronger China and realizing national rejuvenation.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks in a letter sent to representatives of outstanding teachers attending a meeting in Beijing on Saturday.

In the letter, Xi, on behalf of the CPC Central Committee, sent greetings to teachers and all the other people working in the education sector across the country ahead of Teachers' Day, which falls on Sept. 10. 
The acting Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, has flagged off the massive construction of Customs Service Zone B Headquarters in Kaduna State.

It was learnt that the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction was held on Thursday, 7th September at Mando area of Kaduna State.

The Nigerian Voice understands that he extraordinary edifice of 25 hectares of land situated in the Mando area l is part of acting CGC's unalloyed commitment to improve the welfare and efficiency of the Service.

Speaking at the ceremony, the CGC described the initiative as a magnificent project that will pave the way to establishing a solid and efficient infrastructure to drive the activities of the Service.

I am glad to be here this morning, and as previously stated, this is the second project site I will be visiting - and it is my wish that this site will be put to a difference in remarkable readiness and preparations.

According to him, redefining the Nigeria Customs Service has been his priority since he assumed duty as the Ag. Comptroller-General of the Service, to continue from where my immediate predecessor stopped - to fast-track a more robust implementation of a good project for the Service.

The Customs Boss, who said that the to-be-completed Zone B Headquarters is one of the ongoing projects that the Service started across the federation, assured the construction company of his support to ensure it is delivered in good time.

He also told the Chairman of CCECC Nigeria Limited that once the project is delivered on time and in good shape, it will open ways for them to get more opportunities from the Service.

Earlier on his part, the Chairman of the Chinese-owned construction company, CCECC Nigeria Limited, Jason Zhang, commended the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, for entrusting them with the responsibility to construct the Zone B Headquarters.

He said the construction will serve as a landmark project for the Service, adding that your presence today emphasizes the significance of this occasion - and I want to assure you of our esteem commitment to deliver this project properly.

Speaking to journalists shortly after laying the project's foundation, the CGC said the Headquarters will be more of a cantonment that entails everything that the Service needs for optimal Customs operation in Zone B and other places across the Federation.

It was learnt that the site at Mando consists of Nigeria Customs Service Zone B Headquarters, Auditorium, Residential Accommodation for the ACG, Comptrollers then block of flats for DCs, ACs, CSC and other ranks.

Other facilities include Farmers Market, shopping mall, religious buildings, water treatment plant, sewage treatment plant, roads and drainage.
Visitors look at products during "China Homelife Turkiye", a Chinese products fair, in Istanbul, Turkiye, Sept. 8, 2023. (Photo by Omer Kuscu/Xinhua)

ISTANBUL, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- More than 50,000 products from nearly 600 Chinese companies are being showcased at a Chinese products fair in Istanbul, Turkiye, attracting thousands of visitors.

The fair, named "China Homelife Turkiye," started on Thursday and runs through Saturday. It features a wide range of products, including textiles, ready-to-wear clothing, accessories, construction materials, and household appliances.

The fair attracted business people from different provinces in Turkiye, with the fairgrounds packed with visitors.

Mustafa Ozturk, a security equipment trader doing business in China, came all the way from the Central Anatolian province of Eskisehir to visit the fair.

"The Chinese are very hardworking people. That's why it's a pleasure for me to do business with them, and we make good money. We thank them," Ozturk told Xinhua at the fair.

The businessman negotiated with several companies at the fair and discovered some desirable products that could be added to his portfolio. "I hope we will include them in our product range in the future and develop our business," he said.

Selcuk Kutuk, an electrical engineer, was among the visitors. "The fair is very good," Kutuk told Xinhua. "It looks successful, and we have the opportunity to get to know the Chinese companies operating in our sector." 

A visitor gets information about a product during "China Homelife Turkiye", a Chinese products fair, in Istanbul, Turkiye, Sept. 8, 2023. (Photo by Omer Kuscu/Xinhua)

A visitor gets information about a product during "China Homelife Turkiye", a Chinese products fair, in Istanbul, Turkiye, Sept. 8, 2023. (Photo by Omer Kuscu/Xinhua)
The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau has said it has commenced an investigation into a serious incident involving an Embraer ERJ145 with registration number 5N-BWY belonging to United Nigeria Airlines.

The Bureau noted that the incident, which occurred around 06:33 p.m. on Friday, had 51 passengers and four crew members onboard.

This was contained in a statement released on Saturday morning by the NSIB General Manager, Public Affairs, Tunji Oketunbi, signed by the Director, Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, James Odaudu.

The Bureau said the aircraft upon landing on Runway 18R of Muritala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, skidded off.

It, however, noted that there there was no injury or fatality recorded.

It was learnt that the aircraft skidded off the runway at Murtala Muhammed International Airport Lagos on Friday evening while trying to land during the downpour on Friday night.

In a statement by the Head of Corporate Communications of the airlines, Achilleus-Chud Uchegbu, the flight had successfully operated and landed at its destination, having arrived from the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport in Owerri.

However, upon touching down in the downpour, the planes tires lost grip on the wet surface, causing it to skid off the runway.

Meanwhile, the NSIB has appealed to members of the public to assist with any information that would further shed light on the incident.

The statement read, The NSIB, hereby, solicits information from the general public in the form of pictures, video or recording evidence to assist in conducting a comprehensive investigation.

The Bureau can be reached through [email protected] and NSIB_Nigeria on its social media platforms. The Bureau can also be reached on its emergency line +234-807-709-0909 .

The NSIB will appreciate that the general public and press respect the privacy of the people involved and not assume the cause of the serious incident until the formal report is released.

The NSIB is a multimodal investigation agency charged with the mandate to investigate transportation accidents and serious incidents in Nigeria with the aim of identifying the probable causes and proffer safety recommendations that can prevent reoccurrence.

The Bureau will release the preliminary report soon.
Musk says blocked Ukraine attack on Russian warships

WASHINGTON: US tech billionaire Elon Musk says he prevented Ukraine from wiping out Russias Black Sea navy fleet last year by denying Starlink internet access - a revelation that prompted a furious response from Kyiv yesterday (Sept 8).

RussianUkrainetechnologymilitary

By AFP

Saturday 9 September 2023 12:40 PM

Elon Musk at the Vivatech technology startups and innovation fair at the Porte de Versailles exhibition center in Paris, on June 16. Photo: AFP

The satellite-based communications system Starlink, operated by Musk-owned company SpaceX, has been deployed in Ukraine since shortly after the country was invaded by Russia in February 2022.

The network, which helps increasingly high-tech soldiers to operate in areas where other means of communication are down, is a key battlefield tool for Kyiv.

But the admission by Musk - who has previously angered Ukraine with proposals including validating Russias claim to sovereignty over the occupied Crimea region - raises questions about whether Starlink can be fully counted on by Kyiv.

The incident in question revolves around a dramatic plan by Ukraine to cripple Russias Black Sea naval fleet based in Sevastopol, a strategic harbor in Crimea, which Moscow occupied and claimed to annex in 2014.

There was an emergency request from government authorities to activate Starlink all the way to Sevastopol. The obvious intent being to sink most of the Russian fleet at anchor, Musk posted Thursday on his social media platform X, formerly named Twitter.

If I had agreed to their request, then SpaceX would be explicitly complicit in a major act of war and conflict escalation, said Musk, the worlds richest person.

The billionaires post sparked sharp condemnation from Mykhailo Podolyak, a senior aide to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

By not allowing Ukrainian drones to destroy part of the Russian military (!) fleet via #Starlink interference, @elonmusk allowed this fleet to fire Kalibr missiles at Ukrainian cities. As a result, civilians, children are being killed, Podolyak wrote on X.

This is the price of a cocktail of ignorance and big ego, he added.

The Pentagon did not directly respond when asked if Musks actions were acceptable for a US government contractor and what actions it was taking as a result.

Medvedev praises Musk

Instead, a spokesman said the Defense Department is aware of the coverage and interest in this topic and that while it does contract with Starlink, for reasons of operational security we have not released additional information regarding their specific capabilities or other operational details.

Musks account of preventing the attack on Russias fleet came in response to a post based on information from an upcoming biography by Walter Isaacson, which says the tech tycoon had deactivated Starlink in the Crimea area to do so.

In an excerpt published by The Washington Post on Thursday, Isaacson wrote that in September 2022, the Ukrainian military was attempting a sneak attack on the Russian naval fleet based at Sevastopol in Crimea by sending six small drone submarines packed with explosives, and it was using Starlink to guide them to the target.

Musk had spoken to the Russian ambassador to the United States... (who) had explicitly told him that a Ukrainian attack on Crimea would lead to a nuclear response, Isaacson wrote.

Musk secretly told his engineers to turn off coverage within 100 kilometers of the Crimean coast. As a result, when the Ukrainian drone subs got near the Russian fleet in Sevastopol, they lost connectivity and washed ashore harmlessly.

Musk pushed back against Isaacsons account, saying in a post on X: The Starlink regions in question were not activated. SpaceX did not deactivate anything.

Dmitry Medvedev, Russias ex-president and current senior security advisor to President Vladimir Putin, praised Musk for the books account of his actions.

He was concerned about a retaliatory nuclear strike, Medvedev posted on X, adding: If what Isaacson has written in his book is true, then it looks like Musk is the last adequate mind in North America.

Musk also called Thursday for a truce in the conflict, in which Ukrainian forces regained significant ground from Russia last year but have only made slow progress in a counteroffensive launched in June.

Both sides should agree to a truce. Every day that passes, more Ukrainian and Russian youth die to gain and lose small pieces of land, with borders barely changing. This is not worth their lives, Musk posted.

Ukraines leadership has repeatedly said it is committed to driving out Russian troops and retaking all its occupied territory. The US government says it will continue to support Kyiv with billions of dollars of weaponry and other support to drive back Putins invasion.
Phuket not being overtaken by Russians, officials confirm

PHUKET: Authorities held a press coference yesterday (Sept 8) to deny reports that surfaced in foreign media earlier in the week stating that the island had effectively been overtaken by Russians, including members of the Russian mafia.

tourismRussianChineseimmigrationcrimepatongpolicepolitics

By The Phuket News

Saturday 9 September 2023 09:50 AM

The report in Al Jazeera on Wednesday (Sept 6) stated there is an increasing backlash from local residents who are concerned Russian tourists are taking jobs typically reserved for Thais, operating illegal businesses and inflating real estate prices, making it increasingly difficult to rent property on the island.

Official statistics state that there have been more than 400,000 Russians arrive in Phuket between January and July this year, double the number of visitors from the country before Russias war against Ukraine, which started in February 2022.

Phuket has emerged as a safe haven for many Russians fleeing the fallout of the war in Ukraine, especially as many other countries around the world effectively introduced bans on Russian visitors.

Many have set up business on the island, buying properties and securing long stay-visas, while Sergey Lavrov, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, officially opened the Consulate General of the Russian Federation in Phuket at Royal Phuket Marina on July 15.

There have been a spate of Russian-only businesses emerging using Russian-only language and instances of illegal workers being detected, such as the bust Phuket Immigration carried out on July 18 in Cherng Talay when they arrested three Russian women for working illegally at a beauty salon.

Were affected by these Russians who came to run the whole tourism business, Prayut Thongmusik, the president of the Phuket van drivers club, which represents 200 tourist minibus operators, told Al Jazeera.

They drive personal vehicles that have not been registered with the Thai transport department as service vehicles, picking up tourists who book them through a Russian app, offering nearly 20 percent cheaper fees than us. They make sure all the roubles stay with the Russians.

The influx of Russian nationals only looks set to increase, with no signs of the war in Ukraine abating and a recent Phuket tourism roadshow held in Moscow attracting representatives from more than 80 travel agencies.

Of greater concern to the islands residents is the threat of gangland violence rearing its head on the streets, such as when a Kazak national opened fire four times in broad daylight on 44-year-old Russian businessman Dmitry Aleynikov outside a cafe in Boat Avenue on June 7.

However, authorities sought to clarify the report and relay any fears at the official press conference held at the Phuket Immigration Office yesterday, overseen by Police Major General Sermphan Sirikong, Commander of the Phuket Provincial Police and Immigration Bureau Police Colonel Thanet Sukchai, who were joined by representatives from the tourism industry.

General Sermphan explained that in the past five years there have only been three crimes involving Russians citizens where police have arrested the offenders in question, adding that most disputes were business related and no suggestion of a mafia presence has ever been detected.

General Sermphan also said that the number of long-term Russian tourists is very small and has not had an impact on inflating the islands real estate prices, while confirming that regular checks are made by police on taxi operators and none have been found to be operated illegally by Russians.

However, Colonel Thanet explained that checks would become more stringent in the coming months to ensure no foreigners are staying illegally on the island, particularly after new Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin confirmed a free-visa travel privilege for Chinese visitors on Monday (Sept 4) in efforts to further boost the countrys economy.

Colonel Thanet stressed the importance of the notification of residence according to the Immigration Act 1979 to be able to verify the address of people renting properties. A total of 401 foreigners were caught on overstay during the month of August, according to Phuket Immigration, 94 of which were Russian.

General Sermphan concluded yesterdays press conference by stating that the authorities were aware of the peoples concerns and would continue to work with them to address any major issues.

He also added that complaints of such a nature can be directed via the Traffy fondue application or by contacting the Phuket Provincial Immigration hotline number, 087-911-5850.
Joseph W. Polisi, president emeritus and chief China officer of the Juilliard School in the United States, speaks during a meeting in the Tianjin Juilliard School in the Binhai New Area of north China's Tianjin Municipality, March 25, 2023. (Xinhua)

TIANJIN, Sept. 9 (Xinhua) -- Joseph W. Polisi, president emeritus and chief China officer of the Juilliard School in the United States, was awarded the Lifetime Honorary Prize at China's inaugural Orchid Awards on Friday.

Music transcends national boundaries to connect people from different backgrounds, said Polisi, who is also chairman of the board of directors of the Tianjin Juilliard School.

Selection for the Orchid Awards started last August, aiming to honor non-Chinese nationals and organizations around the world that have made significant contributions to cultural exchanges between China and the rest of the world, and to promote mutual learning between Chinese and other civilizations.

"It's only with communication and understanding of each other that we're going to make progress," Polisi said. "Instead of dwelling on the negative, let's dwell on the positive."

Located in the Binhai New Area of north China's Tianjin Municipality, the Tianjin Juilliard School is the first and so far the only branch campus of the Juilliard School in the world, with music students enrolled from all over the world.

"We are seeing an increase in the number of applications, especially in the number of enrolled students from outside of China," Polisi said in an interview with Xinhua.

Strengthening artistic and cultural exchanges is one of the basic goals of the Tianjin Juilliard School. "We emphasize the interchanges with major cities around China and with countries all around the world," Polisi said.

He mentioned an orchestral symposium in May to which many young artists from various conservatories in China and other countries had been invited to rehearse and perform.

"Students didn't necessarily speak English or speak Chinese, but as soon as they started playing together, they understood each other," he said. "It's a wonderful and magical connection."

Polisi said he plans to give the award money to the Tianjin Juilliard School for use in special projects, such as inviting international teachers to the school and launching exchange concerts.

"So, already, I think that the school has created the bridge, and that bridge will be used over and over again," he said. Enditem

Joseph W. Polisi (5th R), president emeritus and chief China officer of the Juilliard School in the United States, attends China's inaugural Orchid Awards ceremony in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 8, 2023. (Xinhua)
In a shocking turn of events, three individuals have been apprehended in connection with a case of child abuse involving visually impaired minors in a residential facility in Haridevpur, Kolkata.

The incident has drawn widespread attention and raised concerns about child safety in such institutions.

The saga began when allegations of abuse emerged, prompting swift action from law enforcement.

Advertisement

On Friday morning, the police arrested Bablu Kundu, a staff member at the residential home on charges related to the alleged abuse.

The authorities wasted no time and later on Thursday night, also detained the institutions secretary, Jibesh Datta and a female director, whose identity had previously remained undisclosed.

The residential facility in Haridevpur primarily houses visually impaired individuals, with a total of 38 boys and girls residing there. The institution also doubles as an educational centre for these vulnerable children.

Shockingly, reports indicate that the abuse had been ongoing since 2010, leaving the victims scarred and traumatized.

The police have filed multiple first information reports (FIRs) in connection with the case, naming the director, secretary, and Kundu as the primary accused parties.

The charges include physical abuse, sexual harassment, and molestation.

Legal proceedings against the accused have been initiated, with the victims finally receiving a glimmer of hope for justice. Despite allegations of abuse spanning over a decade, the institutions director had reportedly taken no significant action to address the situation, leading to widespread outrage within the community.

Police said that the home inmates mostly came from Jharkhand and Giridih. Police shifted the inmates of the home from Haridevpur. Thirty-two inmates and another eight teenage girls were shifted to another location. Complaints were filed with the West Bengal Commission for the Protection of Child Rights (WBCPCR), and later, the police took cognizance of this case.
IITs (Kanpur, Jodhpur, BHU and Delhi) will join forces with the State University of New York at Buffalo to create Joint Research Centers and also participate in the Academia Startup Partnership under the India-US Defence Acceleration Ecosystem (INDUS-X), the Education Ministry said on Saturday.

INDUS-X will serve as a catalyst for developing the next-generation technology in defence and security by our instituions and startups.

India-US bond deepens as collaboration in academics soars with the growing number of multi-institutional collaborative education partnerships between the two countries, an official of the ministry said.

Advertisement

An MoU was signed between Indian universities, represented by the Council of Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT Council), and the Association of American Universities (AAU) to establish the India-US Global Challenges Institute, with a combined initial commitment of at least US$10 million.

India-US Global Challenges Institute being setup between Indian higher educational institutes and US universities aims to tackle global issues ranging from sustainable energy to pandemic preparedness, the ministry of education said

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said, As the G20 summit gets underway, Im delighted to share the transformative Joint Statement issued by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden. This statement celebrates our educational collaboration through the India-US Global Challenges Institute and marks a significant milestone in defence innovation through the India-US Defence Acceleration Ecosystem (INDUS-X).

The Ministry of Education said that the institute aims to foster collaborative efforts among premier research and higher education institutions from both nations, addressing global challenges that require interdisciplinary solutions.

IIT Kanpur is collaborating with New York University Tandon School of Engineering to launch the NYU-Tandon Advanced Research Center in critical and emerging technologies.

IIT Bombay has joined the Chicago Quantum Exchange as an international partner, which will shape to a shared vision of a global quantum economy. These partnerships serve as a testament to the strengthening educational ties between India and the US in the core, key sector of education, the official added

The Union education Ministry said that Prime Minister Modi and US President welcomed the signing of an MoU between Indian universities, represented by the Council of Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT Council), and the Association of American Universities (AAU) to establish the India-US Global Challenges Institute, with a combined initial commitment of at least US$10 million.

The Global Challenges Institute will bring together leading research and higher-education institutions from across our two nations, including beyond AAU and IIT membership, to advance new frontiers in science and technology, spanning collaboration in sustainable energy and agriculture, health and pandemic preparedness, semiconductor technology and manufacturing, advanced materials, telecommunications, artificial intelligence, and quantum science, the official added.

The ministry said that the leaders also welcomed the growing number of multi-institutional collaborative education partnerships, such as those between New York University-Tandon and IIT Kanpur Advanced Research Center, and the Joint Research Centers of the State University of New York at Buffalo and IIT Delhi, Kanpur, Jodhpur, and BHU, in the areas of critical and emerging technologies.

Multi-faceted partnership like IIT Bombay joining Chicago Quantum Exchange, New York University setting up NYU-Tandon IIT Kanpur Advanced Research Center, State University of NewYork at Buffalo setting up joint research centers in IIT Delhi, Kanpur, Jodhpur and IIT BHU symbolise the strength and breadth of the India-US relationship.

Pradhan said, I applaud our Higher Education Institutions for being at the forefront of these revolutionary collaborations.
Aman Gupta, Co-founder and CEO of homegrown consumer electronics brand boAt, had a time of his life when he saw UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak wearing his companys headphones at a meeting in the Capital.

Sunak, in India with his wife Akshata Murthy to attend the G20 Summit, spent time with students at the British Council of India on Friday.

Sunak later shared pictures on Instagram of him at the British Council of India on Instagram, where he was seen using boAt headphones to interact with children.

Advertisement

Bharat mein aapka boAt boAt Swaagat, Gupta wrote and shared a screenshot of the image of Sunak wearing boAt headphones.

The British Prime Minister also told reporters in the Capital on Saturday that he was confident a free trade deal with India could be secured but there is still hard work to do.

Meanwhile, Gupta was also among the young entrepreneurs invited as part of the official delegation for Prime Minister Narendra Modis state visit to France in July this year.

The Shark Tank India judge had the honour of speaking about Make In India and Indian startups at the Indo-French CEO Forum.

Gupta and his wife Priya Dagar had also walked the red carpet at the Cannes Film Festival in May this year  the first entrepreneur from India to do so at the prestigious event.
Reality TV star Kim Kardashian has asked US President Joe Biden to prevent another Armenian genocide.

The 42-year-old star, who is of Armenian descent, has co-written an article with Dr Eric Esrailian for Rolling Stone, in which they plead with Biden to take action to protect Armenians from Azerbaijan, reports aceshowbiz.com.

My Plea to President Joe Biden to Stop Another Armenian Genocide. Its time for America (and the world) to take action to protect Armenians from Azerbaijan, Kim shared a link to the article on X (formerly Twitter) and wrote.

Advertisement

Kim wrote that she and countless others are descendants of Armenian Genocide survivors and went on to detail how Azerbaijans actions have affected those living in Armenia.

She wrote: Azerbaijan has blockaded the only lifeline between the indigenous Christian Armenians of Artsakh and the rest of the world.

Adding that the war in Ukraine has meant some countries have come to rely on Azerbaijan for oil, she wrote that Azerbaijan in using starvation as a weapon against the Armenian population in the region.

Kim is asking President Biden to cut off foreign aid to Azerbaijan and boycott international events happening in the country.

The star, whose late father Robert Kardashian was Armenian, donated $1 million to the Armenia Fund three years ago.

She wrote on Instagram at the time: Ive been speaking out about the current situation in Armenia and Artsakh and having conversations with so many others to bring further awareness to the crisis that we cannot allow to advance.

My thoughts and prayers are with the brave men, women and children. I want everyone to remember that despite the distance that separates us, we are not limited by borders and we are one global Armenian nation together.

She explained that donations to the Armenia Fund go toward helping civilians who have been impacted or displaced by the conflict, through food, shelter, medical care and other supplies.
Actually people are very angry with the BJP. This government is in the ventilator of the central government, its finances are in doldrums and the chief ministers kith and kin are involved in his uncles (YS Vivekananda Reddy) murder case which is being investigated by the CBI.

By Statesman News Service 30 September, 2023 8 mins read
G20 India Summit 2023: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday called upon the world to come together to transform the global trust deficit into one of trust and reliance and gave the mantra of Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas. In his opening remarks at the G20 Summit, being held at the Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, PM Modi said highlighted the importance of 21st century in giving the world a new direction.

The 21st century is an important time to show the world a new direction. This is the time when old problems are seeking new solutions from us and that is why we should move ahead fulfilling our responsibilities with a human-centric approach, he said.

He added, Today, as the president of G 20, India calls upon the world together to transform the global trust deficit into one of trust and reliance. This is the time for all of us to move together. In this time, the mantra of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas can be the torchbearer for us.

Advertisement

The prime minister said that the world will have to come together to find a solution to the problems humanity is facing at the moment.

Be it the divide between North and South, the distance between East and West, management of food and fuel, terrorism, cyber security, health, energy or water security, we will have to find a solid solution to this for future generations, he said.

The prime minister also secured a major diplomatic victory after G20 members allowed the African Union to become a permanent member of the grouping. During his opening remarks, PM Modi invited African Union Chairman Azali Assoumani to take a seat as permanent member of the G20.

Earlier, Prime Minister Modi started his address by offering his condolences to the deaths of over 290 people in Morocco due to earthquake.

Before we start the proceedings of G20, I want to express my condolences over the loss of lives due to an earthquake in Morocco. We pray that all injured recover at the earliest. India is ready to offer all possible assistance to Morocco in this difficult time, PM said.
The name plate of Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his opening remark at the 18th G20 Summit in Delhi has added more fuel to the countrys name change fire. The name plate read BHARAT and not India as has been the tradition. This is the first instance when Bharat is written in the name plate of PM Modi at an international event.

This comes days after a major name change controversy over President Droupadi Murmus official dinner invitation sent to G20 leaders. The invitation addressed her as President of Bharat instead of the traditional President of India. A note on PM Modis Indonesia visit to attend the ASEAN-India summit also used the term Prime Minister of Bharat.

The Opposition claimed that the government has called the special session of parliament to effect the name change. Leaders of several Opposition parties said that the name of the country is being changed to Bharat because they named their alliance INDIA.

Advertisement

As many as 28 Opposition parties have come together to take on the BJP-led NDA in the Lok Sabha Elections 2024. They have formed an alliance INDIA  an acronym for the Indian National Democratic Inclusive Alliance.

The government, however, played down the name change controversy and said that the name Bharat is already written in the Constitution of the country. India, that is Bharat, shall be a union of states, is written in the Article 1 of the Constitution and those objecting to Bharat should read it, Union External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said.

The Opposition Congress, however, said that they dont have any objection with the name Bharat and but they raised the issue because one of the BJP leaders said India should be removed and Bharat should be made the official name of the country. PM Modi has also asked his Council of Ministers to avoid giving unnecessary statements on the India-Bharat row.
In a historic moment for Indias G20 presidency, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday announced the adoption of the New Delhi G20 Leaders Summit Declaration after consensus was reached among all the members. The G20 members were said to be divided over the issue of the Russia-Ukraine war. However, consensus was reached after India intervened and reportedly proposed a new text.

Due to the hard work of our team, consensus has been built on the New Delhi G20 Leaders Summit Declaration. I propose that we adopt this leadership declaration. I announce that we adopt this declaration. On this occasion, I congratulate my sherpa, ministers, who worked hard for this and made it possible, PM Modi announced.

The joint declaration does not directly blame Russia and only mentions the immense human suffering of wars and conflicts around the world. Initially, according to sources, several countries wanted to hold Russia responsible for the war.

Advertisement

We note with deep concern the immense human suffering and the adverse impact of wars and conflicts around the world, the G20 New Delhi Summit Leaders Declaration says.

New Delhi G-20 Leaders Summit Declaration: Concerning the war in Ukraine, while recalling the discussion in Bali, we reiterated our national positions and resolutions adopted at the UN Security Council and the UN General Assembly (A/RES/ES-11/1 and A/RES/ES-11/6) and pic.twitter.com/RBqXlmeYIh  ANI (@ANI) September 9, 2023

Indias Presidency: Most Ambitious and Action-Oriented

The Prime Minister said that Indias G20 presidency has been the most ambitious and action-oriented in the history of the G20 summit with a total of 112 outcomes and presidency documents. The substantive work under Indias presidency has more than doubled from previous presidencies.

The New Delhi summit saw as many as 73 outcomes (lines of effort) and 39 annexed documents (presidency documents, not including Working Group outcome documents), which is nearly 2.5 times more than the total substantive work that happened during the 2022 Bali G20 Summit.

During the Bali G20 Summit, the number of line-of-effort outcomes was just 27. The number of annexed documents was just 23. The Italy G20 Summit 2021 saw 36 lines of effort documents and 29 annexed documents being adopted.

The 18th G20 Summit is being held under Indias presidency in Delhis Bharat Mandapam Convention Centre.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday said that during the G20 Summit the leaders will take a call on crypto asset regulations.

During the media briefing on Saturday, Sitharaman also spoke on the policy paper for crypto activities, jointly published by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and Financial Stability Board (FSB).

According to Sitharaman, FSB has focused more on the crypto regulations, whereas IMF has emphasised the macroeconomic implications of crypto assets. Sitharaman highlighted that the IMF-FSB Synthesis Paper for crypto asset policies will be discussed in Morocco. Its for the membership to take a call as to how it wants to move on it, a framework or a template. I dont think we have given it a name as of yet, and also to now discuss whether its going to be a regulation only and not a ban, Sitharaman stated.

Advertisement

Meanwhile, the Finance Minister also expressed gratitude to all G20 member nations for their cooperation and support in endorsing the New Delhi Leaders Declaration.

The New Delhi Leaders Declaration underscores the importance of addressing the concerns and priorities of the Global South, recognising the challenges and opportunities faced by these nations.

It reflects a commitment to fostering inclusive growth and ensuring that the benefits of globalization are distributed equitably among all countries and their citizens.

Prime Minister Modis emphasis on human-centric globalisation places people at the forefront of international economic and social policies.

It encourages cooperation among nations to address pressing global issues, such as climate change, economic inequality, and public health crises, with a focus on improving the well-being of all individuals worldwide.

The adoption of this declaration comes as a significant step forward in shaping the future of global cooperation, promoting sustainable development, and ensuring that no nation is left behind in the pursuit of shared prosperity.
The 18th G20 Summit, which starts on Saturday, September 9, will bring together Prime Minister Narendra Modi, US President Joe Biden, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, and other international leaders together at the expansive Bharat Mandapam in New Delhis Pragati Maidan.

The host nation, India, struggled for last-minute agreement on contentious subjects including the Ukraine war, climate change, and global governance as the national capital was spruced up and somewhat depopulated for the huge world event.

Leaders have already received warnings from UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres that their disagreements run the risk of igniting conflict and undermining public confidence.

Advertisement

The decision by Chinese President Xi Jinping to boycott the meeting and send his Premier Li Qiang in its place diminished the significance of the G20 Summit even before it started.

Full schedule of G20 Summit 2023

Day 1 (September 9)

9:30am to 10:30am: Arrival of leaders and heads of delegations at the summit venue, Bharat Mandapam, followed by a welcome photograph with the Prime Minister at Tree of Life Foyer. Subsequently, leaders and heads of delegation assemble in Leaders Lounge, Level 2 at Bharat Mandapam.

10:30am to 1:30pm: The first session, called One Earth, will take place at the Summit Hall at Bharat Mandapam, followed by a working lunch.

1:30pm to 3:30pm: Various bilateral meetings will be held.

3:30pm to 4:45pm: The second session, One Family, will take place in the summit venue after which the leaders return to their hotels.

7pm to 8pm: Arrival of leaders and heads of delegation for dinner, beginning with a welcome photograph on arrival.

Day 2 (September 10)

8:15am to 9am: visit of leaders to Rajghat

9:40am to 10:15am: Arrival of leaders and heads of delegation at Bharat Mandapam.

10:15am -10:30am: Tree planting ceremony at Bharat Mandapams South Plaza.

10:30am to 12:30pm: The third session of the summit, called One Future, will take place at the venue followed by the adoption of the New Delhi Leaders Declaration.

G 20 leaders who are present

Joe Biden

Rishi Sunak

Justin Trudeau

Emmanuel Macron

Anthony Albanese

Fumio Kishida

Olaf Scholz

Yoon Suk Yeol

Cyril Ramaphosa

Recep Tayyip Erdogan

Prominent absentees

Xi Jinping

Vladimir Putin

Pedro Sanchez

Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador
Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, convenes a key meeting on striving for the full revitalization of northeast China in the new era and delivers an important speech, in Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Sept. 7, 2023. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)

HARBIN, Sept. 9 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping has stressed "writing a new chapter" in striving for the full revitalization of northeast China as he convened a key meeting in Heilongjiang Province earlier this week.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks at the meeting held in the provincial capital Harbin on Thursday afternoon.

To revitalize northeast China in the new era, the president called for both increasing support and stimulating self-motivation. He emphasized the need to blaze a path of high-quality and sustainable development with more courage and concrete actions.

Cai Qi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and director of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee, and Ding Xuexiang, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and vice premier of the State Council, attended the meeting.

Xi noted that the provinces of Liaoning, Jilin, and Heilongjiang and the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region have made new progress in revitalizing northeast China following a relevant meeting in 2018.

Noting that northeast China boasts rich resources, solid industrial foundations, favorable geological locations, and significant development potential, Xi pointed out that the region is now faced with new and great opportunities.

It is important for the region to push for industrial innovation via scientific and technological innovation and accelerate the modernization of its distinctive industrial system, said Xi.

To push for the full revitalization of northeast China, the real economy is the foundation, sci-tech innovation is the key, and industrial upgrading is the direction, he added.

It is also important to promote the digital and intelligent transformation of traditional industries and make them more internet-based, Xi said, calling for fostering sound industrial chains and clusters.

He stressed the importance of cultivating emerging strategic industries, including new energy, new materials, advanced manufacturing, and electronic information, and accelerating the development of clean energy such as wind power, photovoltaic power, and nuclear power.

Xi called on the region to accelerate the modernization of agriculture and rural areas, saying that northeast China shoulders the main responsibility for ensuring stable production and supply of grain in the country.

It is imperative to ensure that grain production and supply are abundant at regular times and reliable during extreme circumstances, said Xi.

Xi stressed advancing opening up and cooperation internally and externally, and called on the northeastern region to integrate closely into Belt and Road cooperation and play a bigger role in facilitating domestic economic flows and linking domestic circulation and international circulation.

Xi urged efforts to systematically lay out and develop a modern infrastructure system in northeast China, speed up the study and building of oil and gas pipelines, railway and high-speed railway networks, new-type power grids and power transmission channels, as well as new-generation mobile communications and data networks.

Xi stressed improving the overall quality of the population and supporting the full revitalization of northeast China with high-quality development of the population.

Vigorous efforts should go into developing public-interest childcare services and easing burden on families in childbearing, parenting and education while keeping the birth rate and population scale at a proper level, Xi said.

Policy support for fostering talent should be enhanced, and more entrepreneurship and innovation platforms should be established to help the northeastern region retain and bring in talent, Xi said.

Xi underlined more work to improve the political atmosphere, create a sound business environment, and spur enthusiasm for hard work and entrepreneurship.

Xi urged Party members and cadres to support the development of private companies, and proactively address their concerns and help them solve problems while ensuring no corruption emerges.

He underlined efforts to promote integrity and credibility, enhance the protection of intellectual property rights, and create a stable, transparent, regulated, and predictable legal environment for all business entities.

Work should be accelerated to defuse local government debt risks as well as address risks concerning medium-sized and small financial institutions to restore a healthy financial environment, Xi said.

He stressed that strengthening Party leadership and Party building is the fundamental guarantee for the full revitalization of northeast China.

Noting that parts of northeast China have been ravaged by severe flooding since the flood season started, Xi urged efforts to arrange post-disaster restoration and reconstruction, resume the order of production and life in the disaster-hit areas as soon as possible, and stay on high alert against the autumn flood season.

Ding Xuexiang called for studying and implementing the guiding principles of Xi's speech, making new breakthroughs in the full revitalization of northeast China to serve the country's overall development better.

Ding also stressed upholding the people-centered development philosophy and continuously enhancing people's sense of fulfillment, happiness, and security. 

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, convenes a key meeting on striving for the full revitalization of northeast China in the new era and delivers an important speech, in Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Sept. 7, 2023. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, convenes a key meeting on striving for the full revitalization of northeast China in the new era and delivers an important speech, in Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Sept. 7, 2023. (Xinhua/Yin Bogu)

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, convenes a key meeting on striving for the full revitalization of northeast China in the new era and delivers an important speech, in Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Sept. 7, 2023. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)
G20 Summit 2023 India Live Updates: Prime Minister Narendra Modi opened the G20 Summit being held under Indias presidency at the Bharat Mandapam Convention Centre in New Delhis Pragati Maidan. The two-day Group of 20 annual Summit is ben held on the theme of Vasudhaiv Kutumbhkam: One Earth, One Family and One Future. The G20 India Summit is attended by world leaders, including US President Joe Biden, UK PM Rishi Sunak, Australia PM Anthony Albanese and UN General Antonio Guterres among others. During the two-day G20 Summit, world leaders will sit together and address major global challenges and resolve to find their solutions. In his opening remarks, PM Modi called upon world leaders to come together and find solutions to the problems the world is facing.

Below are the updates on G20 Summit India September 9:

8:00 PM: Dinner menu: Mumbai Vada Pao, Millet crisp, Kerala red rice and more delicious Indian cuisines will be served to the G20 leaders. G20 leaders have arrived at Bharat Mandapam for the Presidents dinner.

Advertisement

G-20 in India | Menu of the dinner hosted by President Droupadi Murmu at Bharat Mandapam in Delhi#G20India2023 pic.twitter.com/ynToOCXRiR  ANI (@ANI) September 9, 2023

3:50 PM: Indias Footprint on G20 Outcomes

Deccan High-Level Principles on Food Security and Nutrition Chennai High-Level Principles for Blue/Ocean Economy Goa Roadmap for Tourism Gandhinagar Implementation Roadmap for land restoration. Jaipur Call for Action to enhance MSMEs access to information

3:30 PM: PM Modi says consensus built on draft leaders declaration: I have received good news. Due to the hard work of our team, consensus has been built on New Delhi G20 Leaders Summit Declaration. My proposal is to adopt this leadership declaration. I announce to adopt this declaration. On this occasion, I congratulate my Sherpa, ministers, who worked hard for it and made it possible

2:30 PM: Handshake by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, US President Joe Biden, President of Brazil Luiz Inacio, President of South Africa Cyril Ramaphosa and World Bank President Ajay Banga at Bharat Mandapam, the venue for G-20 Summit in Delhi.

#WATCH | G 20 in India: Handshake by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, US President Joe Biden, President of Brazil Luiz Inacio, President of South Africa Cyril Ramaphosa and World Bank President Ajay Banga at Bharat Mandapam, the venue for G-20 Summit in Delhi. pic.twitter.com/n5Ahe0G5Ia  ANI (@ANI) September 9, 2023

2:30 PM: PM Modi, Rishi Sunak bilateral: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UK PM Rishi Sunak hold bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the G20 Summit. Both leaders discussed the UK-India free trade agreement and other issues of mutual interests.

#WATCH | G-20 in India: Bilateral meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UK PM Rishi Sunak underway in Delhi #G20SummitDelhi pic.twitter.com/vG5gFj6wK1  ANI (@ANI) September 9, 2023

2:05 PM: BREAKING NEWS: According to reports, India has proposed new text to refer to Ukraine crisis in a bid to break the impasse over draft leaders declaration.

1:50 PM: P Chidambaram on Congress chief Kharge not being invited for G20 dinner: I cannot imagine any other democratic countrys government not inviting the recognised Leader of the Opposition to a state dinner for world leaders This can happen only in countries where there is no Democracy or no Opposition I hope India, that is Bharat, has not reached a stage where Democracy and the Opposition will cease to exist.

1:00 PM: PM Modis Mantra to solve worlds problems: Prime Minister Narendra Modi called upon the world to come together to transform the global trust deficit into one of trust and reliance and gave the mantra of Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas. Read full story here

12:30 PM: African Union Chairman hugs PM Modi: PM Modi had proposed to include the African Union as a permanent member of the grouping. After the announcement, AU Chairman Azali Assoumani hugged PM Modi. Read full story here

11:05 AM: Time to give world a new direction: The 21st century is an important time to show the world a new direction. This is the time when old problems are seeking new solutions from us and that is why we should move ahead fulfilling our responsibilities with a human-centric approachIf we can defeat COVID-19, we can also triumph over the trust deficit caused by the war

#WATCH | G 20 in India | Prime Minister Modi at the G 20 Summit says The 21st century is an important time to show the world a new direction. This is the time when old problems are seeking new solutions from us and that is why we should move ahead fulfilling our responsibilities pic.twitter.com/xzWDVyDpgK  ANI (@ANI) September 9, 2023

11:00 AM: Sabka Sath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas: In the opening remarks, PM Modi says This is the time for all of use to come together. In this time, the mantra of Sabka Sath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas can be the torch bearer for us.

10:50 AM: BREAKING NEWS: Prime Minister Narendra Modi invites the Head of the African Union to take his seat, as a permanent member of the G20.

10:45 AM: PM Modi condoles Morocco Earthquake Deaths: Prime Minister Narendra Modi started the first session of the G20 Summit with condolences to deaths in Morocco due to massive earthquake. Read Full Story on Morocco Earthquake

#WATCH | G 20 in India | PM Modi at the G 20 Summit says Before we start the proceedings of G20, I want to express my condolences over the loss of lives due to an earthquake in Morocco. We pray that all injured recover at the earliest. India is ready to offer all possible pic.twitter.com/ZTqcg11cKI  ANI (@ANI) September 9, 2023

10:35 AM: US President Biden and Saudi Crown Prince arrive at Bharat Mandapam to attend the first session  One Earth.

10:30 AM: African Union to be permanent member of G20: We welcome the African Union as a permanent member of the G20 and strongly believe that inclusion of the African Union into the G20 will significantly contribute to addressing the global challenges of our time, the draft declaration said.

10:20 AM: Our Chinese guests have arrived: Premier of the Peoples Republic of China Li Qiang arrives at Bharat Mandapam, the venue for G 20 Summit in Delhis Pragati Maidan

10:15 AM: Brazil President arrives at the venue: President of Brazil Luiz Inacio arrives at Bharat Mandapam, the venue for G 20 Summit in Delhis Pragati Maidan.

10:00 AM: First session One Earth to begin shortly: The first session of the 18th G20 Summit  One Earth  will begin at 10:30 AM: Vasudhaiv Kutumbkam  One Earth, One Family, One Future is the theme of the G20 Summit being held under Indias presidency.

9:52 AM: More leaders arrive at Bharat Mandapam: Canadian PM Justin Trudeau, Argentina President Alberto Fernandez, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has reached Bharat Mandapam.

9:50 AM: President of the UAE reaches: Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan arrive at Bharat Mandapam, the venue for G 20 Summit in Delhis Pragati Maidan.

9:48 AM: WHO Chief at Bharat Mandapam: DG World Health Organization (WHO) Tedros Adhanom arrives at Bharat Mandapam, the venue for G 20 Summit in Delhis Pragati Maidan.

9:45 AM: Egypt and Mauritius leaders arrive: Egyptian President Abdel Fattah ElSisi and Prime Minister of Mauritius Pravind Kumar Jugnauth arrive at Bharat Mandapam, the venue for G 20 Summit in Delhis Pragati Maidan.

9:42 AM: Bangaldesh PM Sheikh Hasina arrives at the G20 Venue: Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina arrives at Bharat Mandapam, the venue for G 20 Summit in Delhis Pragati Maidan.

9:40 AM: World leaders start arriving at Bharat Mandapam: Managing Director of IMF (International Monetary Fund), Kristalina Georgieva, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, World Bank president Ajay Banga arrive at Bharat Mandapam, the venue for G 20 Summit in Delhis Pragati Maidan.

#WATCH | G 20 in India: Managing Director of IMF (International Monetary Fund), Kristalina Georgieva, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, World Bank president Ajay Banga arrive at Bharat Mandapam, the venue for G 20 Summit in Delhis Pragati Maidan. pic.twitter.com/tT8uzbw3dW  ANI (@ANI) September 9, 2023

9:35 AM: Welcome handshake of G20 leaders with PM Modi to showcase the Konark Wheel: The Konark Wheel was built during the 13th century under the reign of King Narasimhadeva-I. The wheel with 24 spokes is also adapted into Indias national flag and embodies Indias ancient wisdom, advanced civilization, and architectural excellence.

9:30 AM: PM Modi reaches Bharat Mandapam: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has reached the G20 Summit venue Bharat Mandapam Convention Centre in New Delhis Pragati Maidan. He will receive world leaders who are likely to start reaching the venue soon.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz arrived in New Delhi today to attend the two-day-long G20 Summit which is being held under Indias Presidency.

He was received by Union Minister of State for MSME, Bhanu Pratap Singh Verma at the airport.

A group of dancers also presented a traditional dance to welcome the German chancellor.

Advertisement

In May this year Prime Minister Narendra Modi had met the German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and reviewed the progress in bilateral relations and exchanged views on regional developments and global challenges.

The two leaders met on the sidelines of the 49th summit of the Group of Seven (G7) in the Japanese city of Hiroshima in May recently.

During the meeting, PM Modi welcomed Germanys support for the India-EU trade and investment agreements, and for Indias G20 Presidency.

After the meeting MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi had posted on X Ever growing India, Germany ties! PM @narendramodi met @Bundeskanzler Olaf Scholz of Germany at the Hiroshima @G7 Summit, the leaders reviewed and positively assessed the progress in bilateral relations. Exchanged views on regional developments and global challenges.

India and Germany also work closely at multilateral and international platforms. It was in February this year that Olaf Scholz came to India on the first standalone visit by any German Chancellor since the commencement of the Inter-Governmental Consultation (IGC) mechanism between the two nations in 2011, according to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) press release.

It is the common ideals, trust, and understanding that underpin the India-Germany Strategic Partnership. Stronger economic and investment links, collaboration on green and sustainable development, and expanding people-to-people ties have strengthened the bilateral relations between the two nations.

The 18th G20 Summit is being held at the state-of-the-art Bharat Mandapam Convention Centre in New Delhi on September 9 and 10. A Leaders Declaration will be adopted at the conclusion of the New Delhi Summit.

During the G20 presidency, India has focused on various issues like inclusive growth, digital innovation, climate resilience, and equitable global health access. By leveraging its presidency, India is fostering collaborative solutions that benefit its own population and contribute to the broader global well-being.

The summit is being attended by more than 30 heads of state and top officials from the European Union and invited guest countries and 14 heads of international organisations.
India declined the request of the White House to grant additional access to media members who traveled to India with US President Joe Biden ahead of the G20 Summit. When Joe Biden and PM Narendra Modi met in Delhi, reporters were not allowed to question either of them, according to two US officials with knowledge of the situation.

PM Modis house will be the location of Modis meeting with US President Joe Biden. As a result, it differs slightly from a regular bilateral visit to India, according to US national security adviser Jake Sullivan, according to CNN.

This is the G20 host hosting a significant number of leaders, doing so in his home, and he sets out the protocols, Sullivan was reported by CNN as saying.

Advertisement

The administration pushed for a pool spray of the meeting, and he responded with Of course in response to another query from reporters. He added that when Joe Biden hosts world leaders at the White House, it is typical. Jake Sullivan quipped in jest in response to another media question that Americans spend lives asking for pool sprays and other things for reporters. When the US President or other officials are meeting leaders from other countries, photographers and other media are permitted to briefly speak with them at an event known as pool spray.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed the heads of States at the Bharat Mandapam with handshakes and hugs.

Japanese PM Fumio Kishida, President of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, President of South Africa Cyril Ramaphosa were seen shaking hands with PM Modi.

President of South Korea Yoon Suk Yeol, President of the European Council Charles Michel, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and many other leaders have reached the G20 venue in the national capital.

India is hosting the G20 Summit, scheduled for today and tomorrow, under its Presidency amid divisions in the grouping over the Russia-Ukraine war.
The G20 summit currently taking place in India has seen significant developments in the US-India bilateral meeting. Margaret MacLeod, the spokesperson for the US State Department, expressed enthusiasm about the discussions, highlighting the diverse range of sectors in which India and the US collaborate.

MacLeod stated, We will have discussions on several issues. India and the US share a partnership in several sectors including critical emerging technologies, Artificial Intelligence, Education, Student mobility, and others. America wants to work with India after seeing the ambition of the youth in India.

During the event, a reporter from ANI conducted an interview with MacLeod in Hindi, inquiring about the specific topics the leaders would address.

Advertisement

#WATCH | G 20 in India | On US-India bilateral meeting, Margaret MacLeod, US State Department's Spokesperson says "We will have discussions on several issues. India and the US share a partnership in several sectors including critical emerging technologies, Artificial pic.twitter.com/FqDgzOz26I  ANI (@ANI) September 8, 2023

In response, Margaret MacLeod said, So far, there is no information available on their specific agenda. However, I can state that the discussions will likely revolve around global peace. We have engaged in collaboration with India across various fields, including crucial emerging technologies, Artificial Intelligence, education, and student mobility. Observing Indias student population, ambition, and aspirations, America is prepared to work closely with India.

When asked about the voice of the global south, MacLeod acknowledged Indias growing economic influence and its efforts to assert its voice on the global stage. She emphasized the importance of including opinions from around the world in discussions and revealed ongoing talks regarding African Union membership, which the United States supports.
Former Karnataka Chief Minister and JD-S leader HD Kumaraswamy on Saturday termed BJP leader BS Yediyurappas claim that Janata Dal-Secular will contest just four seats in the next years Lok Sabha election as his personal reaction.

Yediyurappas yesterday reaction is his personal reaction. Until now, there has been no discussion on seat sharing or anything. We have met cordially two or three times. Later on, let us see what is going to happen, Kumaraswamy told ANI.

The JD-S leader, however, confirmed his party is in talks with the BJP for an alliance because Congress is looting the state.

Advertisement

We are coming together and having a discussion to go before the people People need it because Congress is looting the state. People need alternatives I joined hands with the BJP in 2006. My goodwill was created because of my 20 months of administration, the JD(S) leader added.

Earlier on Friday, former Kanataka CM Yediyurappa claimed that his party BJP has joined hands with the JD-S for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls and they have reached a seat sharing agreement.

I am happy that Deve Gowdaji met our Prime Minister and they have already finalised about 4 seats. I welcome them, Yediyurappa told reporters in Bengaluru.

Reacting to Yediyurappas statement, the ruling Congress party said that while it is up to the JD-S and the BJP to join hands but formation of alliances based on convenience are rejected by the people.

It is up to the JD(S) and the BJP to form an alliance in the Lok Sabha elections. They made an alliance before the assembly elections also, then it broke. Now they are talking about alliance again. You lose the trust of people after forming alliances based on your convenience. Along with this, the credibility of the respective parties also goes, he said.
A huge political standoff erupted at the G20 dinner that President Droupadi Murmu hosted after prominent members of the Opposition were not invited to the high-profile event. Mallikarjun Kharge, the leader of the Congress and a member of the Rajya Sabha, was also not invited by the administration, which led to a huge uproar from his partys leaders.

Kharge has now spoken up about the matter. He remarked in a clear assault on the BJP, which is currently in power, They shouldnt have done politics on that.

Bhupesh Baghel, the chief minister of Chhattisgarh, referred to Kharges treatment as an attack on democracy, and Rahul Gandhi, the former president of the Congress, said it was indicative of a type of thinking on the part of the administration that did not value the leader of 60% of Indias population.

Advertisement

Tamil Nadu Congress politician Mohan Kumaramangalam reportedly made the remark Modi hai to Manu hai in response to Kharges expulsion, seemingly making fun of caste divisions.

Kharge and other opposition figures were not invited, but Union ministers and chief ministers, including those of states governed by opposition parties, were.

Mamata Banerjee, the chief minister of West Bengal, and Hemant Soren, the chief minister of Jharkhand, have already indicated that they will attend the gala dinner; Nitish Kumar, the chief minister of Bihar, has already left for the nations capital.

The brand-new Bharat Mandapam in Pragati Maidan will host the Presidents G20 dinner on Saturday. The menu will feature Indian cuisine with a specific focus on millets, a crop that the nation has been promoting.

A three-hour concert encompassing several genres of classical and modern music will be played for the world leaders, adding to the majesty of the occasion.
The Orissa High Court has directed the State Government to instruct its police officers not to unnecessarily arrest when a case under Section 498-A of IPC is registered.

It has to be ensured that police officers shall not arrest the accused unnecessarily and the Magistrate shall not authorize detention casually and mechanically, the High Court registry said.

The police officers need to satisfy themselves about the necessity for arrest under the parameters laid down under The Section 41 of Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, the High Court registry stated citing the recent judgment pronounced by the Supreme Court of India.

Advertisement

The Section 41 of Cr.PC lays the conditions for when police may arrest without warrant. The rule otherwise requires police officers to obtain an order from a Magistrate along with a warrant authorizing arrest of a person.

The Section 498A of the IPC deals with harassment or cruelty towards a woman by her husband or in-laws over unlawful demand of property.

The police officer shall forward the checklist duly filled and furnish the reasons and materials which necessitated the arrest, while producing the accused before the Magistrate for further detention.

The Magistrate while authorizing detention of the accused shall peruse the report furnished by the Police officer in terms aforesaid and only after recording its satisfaction, the Magistrate will authorize detention.

The decision not to arrest an accused is to be forwarded to the Magistrate within two weeks from the date of the institution of the case with a copy to the Magistrate which may be extended by the Superintendent of Police of the district for the reasons to be recorded in writing.

Notice of appearance in terms of section 47-A cr.p.c. is to be served on the accused within two weeks from the date of institution of the case, which may be extended by the superintendent of police of the district for the reasons to be recorded in writing.

Failure to comply with the directions aforesaid shall apart from rendering the police officers concerned liable for departmental action, they shall also be liable to be punished for contempt of court to be instituted before the High Court having territorial jurisdiction.

Authorizing detention without recording reasons as aforesaid by the Judicial Magistrate concerned shall be liable for departmental action by the High Court.

The directions shall not only apply to the case under Section 498-A IPC or Section 4 of the Dowry Prohibition Act, but also such cases where offence is punishable with imprisonment for a term which may be less than seven years or which may extend to seven years, whether with or without fine.

The above directions of the Court shall be followed by all the Sessions Courts and all other and Criminal Courts dealing with various offences scrupulously, the HC registry concluded in the statement.
Strongly endorsing Prime Minister Narendra Modis observation that todays era must not be of war, the G20 leaders on Saturday expressed concern over the Ukraine conflict and, without directly condemning Russia, called for a comprehensive, just, and durable peace in the embattled nation.

They called upon all states to uphold the principles of international law, including territorial integrity and sovereignty, international humanitarian law, and the multilateral system that safeguard peace and stability.

After thorny negotiations, New Delhi was able to achieve 100 per cent consensus on all issues, demonstrating Mr Modis ability to bring all countries together, Indias G20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant said at a press conference while releasing the G20 New Delhi Leaders Declaration.

Advertisement

The declaration was formally adopted at the second session of the G20 Summit at which Mr Modi complimented his team for the hard work it had put in to develop a consensus. The PM himself had told Russian President Vladimir Putin on the margins of the SCO Summit in September 2022 that todays era was not of war.

It is learnt that Indian officials had to burn the midnight oil to bring about a consensus on the declaration by diluting the language on the Ukraine conflict. India worked very closely with Brazil, South Africa and Indonesia to achieve consensus, Mr Kant said. Very tough, very ruthless negotiations were conducted for days together before we were able to achieve consensus, he added.

Another senior official, who did not wish to be identified, claimed that Indias G20 Presidency has been the most ambitious in the history of the grouping.

With 112 outcomes and presidency documents, we have more than doubled the substantive work from previous presidencies, a source said. In this regard, he pointed out that there were 73 outcomes and 39 annexed documents ((presidency documents, not including Working Group outcome documents) at the New Delhi Summit which was unprecedented.

The source pointed out that there were 27 outcomes and 23 annexed documents at the G20 Summit in Indonesia last year, the total being 50. This was apparently due to sharp differences among member nations over the Ukraine conflict.

Even at the summit in Italy in 2021 held under the shadow of the Covid-19 pandemic, there were 36 outcomes and 29 annexed documents while in Saudi Arabia in 2020 there were 22 outcomes and just eight annexed documents.

At the summit in Japan in 2019, there were 13 outcomes and 16 annexed documents. In 2018 in Argentina, there were twelve outcomes and 21 annexed documents. At the previous summit in Germany in 2017, there were eight outcomes and 14 annexed documents.

Indias footprints can be clearly noticed on some of the significant outcomes in New Delhi like the Deccan High-Level Principles on Food Security and Nutrition; Chennai High-Level Principles for Blue/Ocean Economy; Goa Roadmap for Tourism; Gandhinagar Implementation Roadmap for land restoration; and the Jaipur Call for Action to enhance MSMEs access to information.

The 34-page declaration said the G20 leaders noted with deep concern the immense human suffering and the adverse impact of wars and conflicts around the world. While recalling the discussion at the G20 Summit in Bali, they reiterated their national positions and resolutions adopted at the UN Security Council and the UN General Assembly on Ukraine and underscored that all states must act in a manner consistent with the Purposes and Principles of the UN Charter in its entirety. A consensus had eluded the G20 leaders at their Bali Summit last year on the Russia-Ukraine war.

Reaffirming that the G20 is the premier forum for international economic cooperation, and recognising that while the G20 is not the platform to resolve geopolitical and security issues, we acknowledge that these issues can have significant consequences for the global economy, the declaration said.

The G20 leaders emphasised the importance of sustaining food and energy security and called for the cessation of military destruction or other attacks on relevant infrastructure. We also expressed deep concern about the adverse impact that conflicts have on the security of civilians thereby exacerbating existing socio-economic fragilities and vulnerabilities and hindering an effective humanitarian response.

The 83-para declaration said the G20 leaders were of the view that the peaceful resolution of conflicts, and efforts to address crises as well as diplomacy and dialogue were critical.

On terrorism, the G20 leaders said they condemn the menace in all its forms and manifestations, including those on the basis of xenophobia, racism and other forms of intolerance, or in the name of religion or belief, recognising the commitment of all religions to peace. They said terrorism constituted one of the most serious threats to international peace and security.

We strongly condemn all terrorist acts against critical infrastructure, including critical energy facilities, and against other vulnerable targets. All acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation, wherever, whenever and by whomsoever committed. Effective counterterrorism measures, support for the victims of terrorism and the protection of human rights are not conflicting goals, but complementary and mutually reinforcing. A holistic approach on the basis of international law can effectively counter terrorism. Efforts to increase the effectiveness of international cooperation should be strengthened to deny terrorist groups safe haven, freedom of operations, movement and recruitment, as well as financial, material or political support, the declaration added.

The G20 leaders committed themselves to accelerating strong, sustainable, balanced and inclusive growth, accelerating the full and effective implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and pursuing low-GHG/low-carbon emissions, climate-resilient and environmentally sustainable development pathways by championing an integrated and inclusive approach. They agreed to urgently accelerate their actions to address development and climate challenges, promote Lifestyles for Sustainable Development (LiFE), and conserve biodiversity, forests and oceans, improve access to medical countermeasures and facilitate more supplies and production capacities in developing countries to prepare better for future health emergencies.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday called upon top world leaders to transform the global trust deficit arising from Covid-19 and the Ukraine conflict into global trust and confidence, saying this was a time for the entire global community to walk together.

After Covid-19, a huge crisis of lack of trust has come to the world. The (Ukraine) war has deepened this trust deficit. When we can defeat Covid, we can also overcome this crisis of mutual trust, he said during the opening of the two-day G20 Summit in New Delhi.

The summit is being attended by heads of 41 countries and multilateral agencies. While Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping have given it a miss, the summit is being attended by US President Joe Biden, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and other top leaders.

Advertisement

Emphasising that it was time for the G20 to move together, Modi said the mantra of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas and Sabka Prayas could become a guiding light for the global community.

Observing that the 21st century was a time that has the potential to give a new direction to the entire world, the PM said: Its a time when years old challenges demand new solutions from us. Therefore, we must move forward by fulfilling all our responsibilities with a human centric approach.

Mr Modi particularly spoke about the challenges like the turmoil in the global economy; divide between North and South; distance between East and West; management of food, fuel and fertilizer; terrorism and cyber sSecurity; health, energy and water Security and said: we have to move towards concrete solutions to these challenges for the present as well as future generations.

The PM said Indias G20 presidency has become a symbol of inclusion, of sabka saath within and outside the country. In India, it became the Peoples G-20. Crores of Indians joined it. In more than 60 cities of the country, over 200 meetings were held, he told the summit leaders.

Mr Modi told them that just a few kilometers away from the place where they have gathered, stood a pillar that was nearly two and a half thousand years old. Inscribed on this pillar in the Prakrit language were the words which in English meant: The welfare and happiness of humanity should always be ensured.

Two and a half thousand years ago, the land of India, he said, gave this message to the entire world and the G20 Summit must remember this message.
At the G-20 Summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi demonstrated India as a country that brings global together, said G20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant empasising it with the logo Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam ~ One Earth, One Family, One Future as the theme of Indias presidency this year.

G20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant said on Saturday that the New Delhi Declaration adopted by the G20 leaders focuses on strong and sustainable growth, accelerating progress on sustainable development goals, green development pact, and global biofuel alliance.

In a media briefing on Saturday, Kant emphasised that all members of the Summit have successfully reached a consensus.

Advertisement

Amitabh Kant highlighted its key features and the geopolitical aspects of the declaration. He said it focuses on the 4 Ps: Planet, People, Peace and Prosperity. Kant said the G20 Declaration was historical and path-breaking with 100 per cent consensus on all developmental and geo-political issues.

I think one of the biggest achievements of this New Delhi leaders declaration is what weve achieved on women-led development, with a massive focus on women empowerment and gender equality. Theres a huge focus on gender-inclusive climate action. Theres a completely big focus on womens food security, nutrition and well-being. And weve created a new working group on empowerment of women.

Kant also shared some of the topics discussed during the summit including climate action, empowerment of women, technology transformation, climate action, global fuel alliance, and green hydrogen among others.

The G20 comprises 19 countries including Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, United Kingdom, the United States, and the European Union.
UNITED NATIONS, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- The UN global fund for education in emergencies, Education Cannot Wait (ECW), on Friday called on world leaders to scale up financial support to aid in emergencies and protracted crises.

The plea was launched as world leaders are gathering at the UN headquarters in New York in 10 days for the General Debate of the UN General Assembly.

The ECW's 2022 Annual Results Report said the fund and its global partners reached 8.8 million children with quality, holistic education since its founding in 2016 and more than 4.2 million last year alone.

The report said total available funding has grown by more than 57 percent over three years, from 699 million U.S. dollars in 2019 to more than 1.1 billion dollars in 2022.

However, the needs have skyrocketed over recent years. Funding asks for education in emergencies within humanitarian appeals have nearly tripled from 1.1 billion dollars in 2019 to almost 3 billion dollars at the end of 2022. In 2022, only 30 percent of education requirements were funded, indicating a widening gap, it said.

The fund said that some of its largest donors have not yet committed money for the entire 2023-2026 period, and there remains a gap in financing for the private sector, foundations and philanthropic donors.

In the first half of 2023, the fund faces a funding gap of approximately 670 million dollars to fully finance results under the Strategic Plan 2023-2026, which will reach 20 million children over the next three years, said the ECW. 
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday announced the mega India-Middle East-Europe shipping and railway connectivity corridor on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Delhi. The announcement was made in the presence of US President US Biden, Saudi Arabia Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman and leaders of the EU. The ambitious project is a joint effort by India, UAE, USA, Saudi Arabia and the European Union to counter Chinas Belt and Road initiative.

The shipping and railway connectivity corridor between India and Europe vie Middle East will allow movement of goods from India to UAEs Fujairah Port and then to the Port of Haifa in Israel vie Saudi Arabia and Jordan. A railway line is already functioning between Saudi Arabia and Jordan. As part of the corridor, remaining portion will be build to connect Jordan to Israels Haifa Port.

From Haifa Port, goods from India and other Asian countries will be shipped to Europe. Italy, Germany and France have also been actively involved in the project.

Advertisement

Biden terms India-Middle East-Europe a real big deal

US President Joe Biden has termed the corridor a real big deal that will help low-middle-income countries in addressing their infrastructure gaps once completed.

This is a real big deal. I want to thank PM (Modi). One Earth, One Family, One Future  thats the focus of this G20 Summit. And in many ways, its also the focus of this partnership that were talking about today, the US President said while addressing the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment (PGII) and India Middle East Europe Economic Corridor event held on the sidelines of the G20 Summit.

The corridor is a historic and first-of-its-kind initiative on cooperation on connectivity and infrastructure involving India, UAE, Saudi Arabia, EU, France, Italy, Germany and the USA.

I expect, over the next decade as we work to address infrastructure gaps across low-middle-income countries, we need to maximize the impact of our investments. Thats why a few months ago announced that the United States will work with our partners to invest in economic corridors, the US president said.

Connectivity increases business as well as trust, says PM Modi

Addressing the event, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that strong connectivity and infrastructure are the base of development of human civilization and it increases not only business but trust as well.

India has given the highest priority to this topicwe believe connectivity between different countries increases not only business but trust between themby promoting connectivity initiative, we need to ensure we stick to philosophiesthat is, adhesion to international rules, respect for all nations sovereignty and regional integrity the PM said.
In a major turn of events, former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and Telugu Desam Party (TDP) chief N Chandrababu Naidu was Saturday arrested by the officers of Andhra Pradesh Criminal Investigation Department. Naidu is accused of corruption in the Andhra Pradesh State Skill Development Corporation during his tenure. The TDP chief was arrested from the Nandyal district but later shifted to Vijayawada.

Before going into custody, Naidu claimed the CID arrested him without any proper information and said that his name was added to the FIR without any evidence.

I did not commit any malpractice or corruption. CID arrested me without any proper information and I asked them to show the evidence but they refused to show and attached my name to the FIR without my role, Naidu was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.

Advertisement

Andhra Pradesh | Criminal Investigation Department (CID) serves arrest warrant to TDP chief and former Andhra Pradesh CM N Chandrababu Naidu. pic.twitter.com/Y8PU6EIdtc  ANI (@ANI) September 9, 2023

High drama before arrest

Before the arrest, high drama took place in Nandyal where the TDP chief has gone to attend a function. The CID team reached Nandyal Friday night and served him with the arrest warrant. However, they could not arrest him as supporters of Naidu started protesting. Even at the time of the arrest, some of the supporters tried to block the car in which Naidu was taken.

Besides Naidu, his son Nara Lokesh was also detained from the East Godavari district by Andhra Pradesh police. Lokesh was detained after he was trying to meet his father. In visuals shared by the TDP on its X account, Lokesh is seen having and argument with police.

According to which section you are stopping a son from seeing his father, he told the police showing them a copy of the Constitution of India.



Naidus counsel said that they will move to High Court for bail. We are approaching the High Court for bail, he said. Before arresting Naidu, the CID reportedly took him for a medical check-up where high blood pressure and diabetes were detected.
Rishi Sunak, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, and First Lady Akshata Murty are planning on Sunday to visit the Akshardham temple in Delhi. In anticipation of the UK PMs visit, security measures outside the shrine have been increased.

An administrator from the temple named Jyotindra Dave said: We do not know when the PM of Britain would come tomorrow but we have word from the Britain High Commission that he will be visiting. For his coming, we have made every preparation possible.

Dave continued, Were going to gift him a notebook and a model of the Akshardham temple.

Advertisement

In a previous remark, Rishi Sunak identified himself as a proud Hindu and expressed hope to visit a temple soon. Im a proud Hindu, and I was brought up that way. I am in that way. While Im here over the next few days, I hope to visit a Mandir, he told ANI. Sunak claimed that even though he had already celebrated Raksha Bandhan, he had not had time to properly observe Krishna Janmashthami and that he planned to make up for it by going to a temple.

Dave continued, Were going to gift him a notebook and a model of the Akshardham temple.

In a previous remark, Rishi Sunak identified himself as a proud Hindu and expressed hope to visit a temple soon. Im a proud Hindu, and I was brought up that way. I am in that way. While Im here over the next few days, I hope to visit a Mandir, he told ANI. Sunak claimed that even though he had already celebrated Raksha Bandhan, he had not had time to properly observe Krishna Janmashthami and that he planned to make up for it by going to a temple.

For the two-day G20 Summit that started on September 9, Rishi Sunak and his wife Akshata Murty arrived in the capital city on Friday. Union Minister Ashwini Kumar Choubey met Sunak at the airport. A rudraksha, a copy of the Bhagavad Gita, and the Hanuman Chalisa were gifts from Choubey to Sunak.

On Saturday, UK Prime Minister Sunak and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also had a private meeting. Sunak was seen conversing with PM Modi and hugging him in photos that were posted on social media by the PM following the meeting.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday welcomed the Chairman of the African Union (AU) as a permanent member of the G20 during the groupings annual summit in New Delhi. On Indias initiative, a draft declaration was brought by the members to include the AU in G20, which will now become G21.

We welcome the African Union as a permanent member of the G20 and strongly believe that inclusion of the African Union into the G20 will significantly contribute to addressing the global challenges of our time, the draft declaration said.

In his remarks to open the G20 summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi asked the African Union chairman to take his seat as a permanent member.

Advertisement

With everyones approval, I request the AU head to take his seat as a permanent G20 member, Modi said in his address.

AU Chief hugs PM Modi

The announcement from PM Modi was followed by a huge round of applause from other world leaders present there to attend the first One Earth session.

After the announcement African Union Chairman Azali Assoumani went to PM Modis seat and hugged him. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar accosted Assoumani as he took his seat among world leaders.

Earlier in the June, PM Modi had proposed to include the African Union as a permanent member of the grouping. Indias G20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant had Friday said that PM Modis proposal received positive response from all the members and a formal decision would be taken before the session starts.

Adding the African Union as a member of G20 was among Indias key aims to achieve during the ongoing G20 summit. The move is also being seen as Indias counter to Chinas growing influence in the African countries.
India is all set to host for the first time the Group of Twenty (G20) Summit in the national capital on September 9-10, on the theme One Earth, One Family, One Future. The city has undergone a significant makeover for this mega event. The whole city has been decked up to give it a bridal look.

The G20, the premier forum for international economic cooperation, was founded in 1999 against the backdrop of the Asian financial crisis as an informal forum for the Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors to discuss global economic and financial issues.

It was upgraded to the level of Heads of State/Government in the wake of the global economic and financial crisis of 2007. It is the worlds most influential economic multilateral forum that has transcended the North-South divide as well as the West and the Rest dichotomy, where both developed and developing countries have equal stature.

Advertisement

The G20 comprises the worlds 19 major economies (Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkiye, the United Kingdom, and the United States) and the European Union.

The members represent around 85 per cent of the global GDP, over 75 per cent of international trade, and about twothirds of the world population.

In the absence of a permanent secretariat, the leadership of the G20 is managed under a troika system made up of the immediate past, current president, and next host countries to ensure continuity of the agenda.

The troika system ensures that no single country dominates the agenda of the G20. The present troika, for the first time, comprises only developing economies ~ Indonesia, India and Brazil ~ which offers a unique opportunity to look at developments from the perspective of the developing world because so far the developed country members have largely set the tone and tenor of discussions at the G20.

The objective of the G20 is to create a new international financial structure, coordinate policy between members to achieve global economic stability, and sustainable growth and promote financial regulations that reduce risks and prevent future financial crises.

It guides the international financial institutions and develops and enforces rules of global economic governance.

The G20 presidency offers India a unique opportunity to showcase its achievements and demonstrate its leadership capabilities.

It also provides an opportunity to set the global economic governance agenda and make it inclusive in consultation with other members and in response to developments in the global economy.

As host of the G20, India will also influence the negotiation process and direction of the international financial institutions such as the IMF and the World Bank as they work closely with the G20 host and member states for the year and the year after its presidency as part of the Troika.

During the early years, the focus of the G20 has largely been to build consensus on issues related to international financial stability, but of late, it has expanded to include in its agenda a wide array of economic issues such as trade and investment, financial inclusion, energy and climate change, empowering women, global health, agriculture, development policy, digitization, employment policy, and terrorism.

Generally, the G20 Chair defines the priorities of the presidency. India wants its presidency to be inclusive, ambitious, decisive, and action-oriented.

With that aim, it has decided to focus on six priorities comprising inclusive and resilient growth; progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs); green development and Lifestyle for the Environment (LiFE); climate finance; technological transformation and public digital infrastructure; reforming multilateral institutions; women-led development; and international peace and harmony. India also wants to give voice to the concerns of the Global South, and with this in mind, it is batting for full G20 membership for the African Union.

Issues related to women and youth, such as financial inclusion, education, and employment, have been under discussion in the concerned official Working Group and Work streams, and also form part of Indias Presidency priorities.

The priorities discussed and agreed upon during the Ministerial and Working Group Meetings will be adopted in the form of a Leaders Declaration at the conclusion of the Summit, which is generally prepared by two working tracks: the finance track and the Sherpa track.

There seems to be consensus among the G20 members on most issues, like strengthening multilateralism, promoting food and energy security, climate change, gender issues, and counter-terrorism, except for the war in Ukraine.

While the Western countries insist on including two paragraphs regarding the Ukraine conflict, which were part of the Bali G20 declaration, Russia and China are jointly opposing their inclusion this time, making it difficult for India to build consensus on the G20 leaders communique.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has threatened to block the summits final declaration unless its position on Ukraine and other issues are reflected in the document.

If we fail to adopt a consensus declaration, it would be a great setback for India, which has used this routine rotating presidency into an image-building machine to burnish its global reputation as a leading and powerful voice on the world stage, and to reap political mileage nationally by portraying the G20 summit as a great recognition that India has arrived under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi.

India has convened more than 200 G20 meetings in more than two dozen cities across the country in all states, and Union Territories, which is the widest geographical spread in any G20 presidency.

It must be noted that despite great endeavours and maintaining a neutral position on the Ukraine conflict, India has so far not been able to manage a single joint statement in any of the key discussion tracks since it took over the G20 presidency in December 2022, except issuing a non-binding chairs summary and outcome documents.

Elevating the presidency so much and creating hype around it with pomp and celebration has also raised the expectations for India to deliver some concrete breakthroughs.

The ability of the G20 to deal with the diverse issues prioritised in its declarations is always questioned in view of the absence of any enforcement mechanism.

The reform in global financial architecture, which is generally viewed as loaded against emerging economies, is a major challenge for the summit. Notwithstanding the numerous challenges faced by the G20, bringing together actors with such disparate profiles is in itself a great feat.

Despite Indias enthusiastic participation in the G20, it suffers from abysmal performance in forums such as the Think 20 due to the absence of leading specialised institutions and serious academics with proven track records of inter-disciplinary research on issues of the international monetary system, global financial architecture, global trading system, etc., with the exception of a few in the country.

This handicap makes India a passive rule-taker, not a rulemaker or designer of global economic rules.

If India wants to have anequitable global economics and governance to its satisfaction, it will require developing serious expertise and dedicated institutions, and not mere propaganda machines. As former Reserve Bank governor Raghuram Rajan once said, those who hold the pen, write the rules.

The writer is a professor at Aligarh Muslim University and heads its Strategic and Security Studies Programme
China has moved quickly to boost economic ties with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) even as US President Joe Bidens absence from the gathering of the blocs leaders in Jakarta this week highlighted Washingtons failure to challenge its strategic rivals dominance in the region. Despite simmering tensions over Chinas new territorial map among some ASEAN member-states, China and ASEAN on Wednesday inked several agreements including one to make agriculture a new growth engine and another to ensure food security in the region which also comprises some less well-off nations. Significantly, the leaders also agreed to upgrade the ASEAN-China Free Trade Agreement ~ FTA 3.0 ~ that will now include cooperation in the spheres of digital economy, green economy and supply chains, the Indonesian Foreign Minister told the media. The minister added that the controversy over Chinas map was not discussed. Chinese Premier Li Qiang ensured the optics were just right too, hopping on for a test ride on the China-backed Jakarta-Bandung high-speed railway which is expected to begin commercial services next month. He was also reported to have iterated that Beijing would be very happy if it can also get involved in a plan to further connect the line to Surabaya, the biggest city in Indonesias East Java province. Given China has over the past decades built 41,000 kilometres of high-speed rail, many other ASEAN-states are expected to queue up for Chinese funds, technology, and execution capability to improve their respective transport infrastructure. In contrast to the Chinese Premiers high impact meetings with ASEAN leaders and concrete outcomes of those talks, the ASEAN-US summit in which America was represented by Vice President Kamala Harris seemed insipid and resulted in no tangible takeaways. Ms Harris said her usual piece about the defence and deterrence commitments of the USA in the region, reiterated that ASEAN was at the centre of Americas commitment to the Indo-Pacific, and added that the Biden Administration plans to establish a US-ASEAN Centre in Washington to facilitate a visual ASEAN engagement and support further exchange between our people, businesses and academic institutions. Experts are unanimous that Chinas economic influence, given its trade, investment, and infrastructure partnerships with ASEAN countries, is extraordinary. This was exemplified by the fact that not a single ASEAN leader directly attacked Beijings new territorial map in public despite misgivings. Such is the need felt by ASEAN countries to keep China onside that nobody was willing to risk raising the map issue as Mr Li may well have abandoned the meet if they did. The fact that President Biden chose not to attend ~ his participation would have gone some way in counterbalancing growing Chinese influence across Southeast Asia ~ may have confirmed for ASEAN that a regional hegemon needs placating more than a faraway ally. A deepening of China-Asean strategic relations is on the anvil given the rock-solid economic partnerships already in place. The region had better watch out.

Advertisement
Indian film director and actor G Marimuthu, known for his contributions to the Tamil film industry, has passed away due to a heart attack. Marimuthus sudden demise has led to an outpouring of condolences from the film fraternity. The actor was reportedly dubbing for a show when he got a heart attack. Let us delve into his life and films.

Marimuthu, whose career spanned nearly three decades, started his journey from the village of Pasumalaitheri in Theni and ventured to Chennai with a dream of becoming a film director. Hailing from an agrarian family background, his interest in cinema was ignited after watching Bharathirajas film Muthal Mariyathai in 1985.

Initially working as a waiter in hotels, Marimuthu crossed paths with lyricist Vairamuthu, sharing a common passion for literature. He later joined as an assistant director with Rajkiran, marking his initial steps into the world of cinema.

Advertisement

As an actor, he was popular for his role in the TV series Ethirneechal. There his natural humor and spontaneous acting received a lot of appreciation.

G Marimuthu and his works:

In the 2010s, Marimuthu transitioned to acting and took on supporting roles in Tamil films. Notably, he received an introduction as an actor by Mysskin in Yuddham Sei (2011), portraying a corrupt police officer. His success in this role led to appearances in films like Aarohanam (2012), Nimirndhu Nil (2014), and Komban (2015), often portraying police officer characters.

In addition, he had a small part in Lokesh Kanagarajs movie Vikram (2022), in which Kamal Haasan held the lead role. He portrayed a negative character in Nelson Dilipkumars film Jailer (2023), where Rajinikanth portrayed Tiger Muthuvel Pandian. Unfortunately, Jailer became his final feature film before his unexpected passing.

Rajinikanth, the legendary actor, expressed his condolences to Marimuthus grieving family in Tamil, describing him as a wonderful person and expressing his shock at the actors untimely demise.
At the G20 summit in India, the spotlight recently shifted to Margaret MacLeod, the US State Departments spokesperson, thanks to her unexpected statements in Hindi. This move has piqued the interest of Hindi speakers worldwide. Lets take a closer look at Margaret MacLeod and her role.

Margaret MacLeod serves as the US State Departments spokesperson for Hindi and Urdu-speaking audiences worldwide. In this capacity, she effectively conveys the United States foreign policy priorities to these linguistic communities.

A seasoned Foreign Service Officer, MacLeod has served in various overseas assignments, including roles in US Missions in India, Pakistan, and Japan. Her contributions also extend to domestic assignments, where she has worked in International Security and Non-Proliferation, International Organizations, and as a fellow on Capitol Hill.

Advertisement

With an impressive academic background, she holds a doctorate in Sustainable Development from Columbia University, earned her bachelors degree in International Economics from Georgetown University, and pursued studies at the Delhi School of Economics as a Rotary Scholar. Notably, MacLeod is proficient in both spoken and written Hindi and Urdu.

Taking a glimpse at her LinkedIn profile, MacLeod describes herself as a results-driven professional with a fourteen-year career as a US diplomat. Her experience includes working in the US Senate and the US Mission to the United Nations, as well as various international assignments.

Her roles have encompassed tasks such as writing for high-ranking officials, strategic communication, public speaking, and ensuring regulatory compliance within a global organization.

What did Margaret MacLeod say?

During the G20 summit, a reporter from ANI approached MacLeod, conversing with her in Hindi. When asked about the specific topics that the leaders would discuss, MacLeod responded in Hindi, stating that as of now, the details of their agenda remain undisclosed.

However, she expressed her belief that the discussions would likely revolve around global peace. MacLeod also highlighted the ongoing collaboration between the United States and India across various domains, including critical emerging technologies, AI, education, and student mobility. She further emphasized Americas readiness to work closely with India, driven by the ambition and aspirations of Indian students.

In response to a question about the global souths voice, MacLeod acknowledged Indias rising economic prominence and its efforts to assert itself on the global stage.
On Friday, the United States and India resolved their final dispute at the World Trade Organisation (WTO) regarding poultry products.

India also agreed to reduce tariffs on various American goods, including frozen turkey, frozen duck, fresh and frozen blueberries and cranberries, dried and processed blueberries and cranberries, and fresh and frozen cranberries, as confirmed by the Office of the United States Trade Representative.

This development was announced by US Trade Representative Katherine Tai and is expected to create economic opportunities for US agricultural producers and increase the availability of US products in the Indian market.

Advertisement

This development coincided with a meeting between US President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi ahead of the G20 Leaders Summit.

Following the G20 Trade and Investment Ministers Meeting in August this year, Ambassador Tai met with Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal. The two leaders discussed the WTO issue at the meeting, and they both indicated a desire for a speedy resolution.

Resolving this last outstanding WTO dispute represents an important milestone in the US-India trade relationship, while reducing tariffs on certain U.S. products enhances crucial market access for American agricultural producers, said Ambassador Tai. These announcements, combined with Prime Minister Modis State Visit in June and President Bidens trip to New Delhi this week, underscores the strength of our bilateral partnership. I look forward to continuing to work with Minister Goyal to deliver inclusive economic opportunities for our people, Tai said, according to the release.

Notably, the six previous disputes were resolved during PM Modis state visit to the US in June. India also agreed to reduce tariffs on certain U.S. products, including chickpeas, lentils, almonds, walnuts, apples, boric acid, and diagnostic reagents.

US President Joe Biden on Friday met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and discussed issues ranging from defence cooperation, and technology sharing.

The US President also congratulated India for the success of the Chandrayaan-3 mission.

The two leaders held bilateral talks at PM residence  7, Lok Kalyan, Marg in New Delhi, ahead of the G20 Summit over the weekend.

The two leaders called on their governments to continue the work of transforming the India-US Strategic Partnership across all dimensions of our multifaceted global agenda, based on trust and mutual understanding.

After the meeting, both the leaders lauded the India-US relations and said that the friendship between the two nations will continue to play a great role in furthering global good.

Happy to have welcomed @POTUS @JoeBidento 7, Lok Kalyan Marg. Our meeting was very productive. We were able to discuss numerous topics which will further economic and people-to-people linkages between India and USA. The friendship between our nations will continue to play a great role in furthering global good, PM Modi said in a post on X (formerly known as Twitter).

President Biden also affirmed support towards making the India-US partnership stronger, closer, and more dynamic.

Great seeing you, Mr Prime Minister. Today, and throughout the G20, well affirm that the United States-India partnership is stronger, closer, and more dynamic than any time in history, President Biden posted on X.

(With Inputs from ANI)
BEIJING, Sept. 9 (Xinhua) -- General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and Chinese President Xi Jinping on Saturday sent a message of congratulations to Kim Jong Un, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) and president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) on the 75th anniversary of the country's founding.

Under the strong WPK leadership and with the unremitting efforts of the DPRK people, new achievements have been made in the socialist construction of the DPRK over the past 75 years, Xi said.

He said that in recent years, Comrade General Secretary Kim has led the WPK and the people of the DPRK in fully implementing the spirit of the 8th WPK Congress and the plenary sessions of the 8th Central Committee, focusing on economic development and improvement of people's livelihood, and has achieved important results.

Xi expressed his confidence that under the leadership of Comrade General Secretary Kim and the WPK, the brotherly DPRK people will surely continuously advance the socialist cause of the country for new development and lift it to a new level.

China and the DPRK are friendly neighbors linked by the same mountain and river, Xi stressed, adding that the traditional friendship between China and the DPRK, established and cultivated by the elder generations of leaders of both parties and both countries, has been deeply rooted in the hearts of the two peoples and has grown stronger with time.

Xi noted that he and Kim have met five times in recent years, maintained close communication through various forms, and jointly led the traditional friendly and cooperative relations between China and the DPRK into a new era.

Noting that momentous changes unseen in a century are accelerating across the world, Xi said it has always been the unswerving position of the CPC and the Chinese government to maintain, consolidate and develop the traditional friendly and cooperative relations between China and the DPRK, no matter how the international and regional situation changes.

Under the new circumstances, China is willing to work with the DPRK to strengthen strategic communication and deepen practical cooperation, push China-DPRK relations to advance with the times and achieve greater development, so as to better benefit the two peoples and make greater contributions to regional peace, stability, development and prosperity, Xi added. 
Icon, the boutique landscape architecture and urban infrastructure firm in the UAE, is set to unveil its brand-new look at the upcoming Cityscape Global 2023.

The company had recently opened a new office in Riyadh following an increased number of project wins across Saudi Arabia.

Designed to reflect the innovative companys global vision, the new branding will be revealed during Icons participation at the worlds biggest and most influential real estate event.

Taking place in Riyadh from September 10 to 13, Icons international team of talented landscape architects and multi-disciplinary engineers and designers will be showcasing a number of the firms most recent projects across the Kingdom.

In addition, Michael Patte, Icons Associate Director of Design and Manager of Icons new Riyadh studio, will be speaking on Social Equity and Community Engagement on September 12.

Operating under the tagline Crafting Spaces For Life, Icon specialises in creating soulful urban spaces, landscapes and infrastructures that connect communities, improve lives and work in harmony with the natural environment.

Launched in Abu Dhabi in 2006, Icon brings over 17 years of experience and past and present clients across 10 different countries.

The brand later expanded to Dubai and Manila in 2019, and now it has continued its global trajectory by launching a new office in the bustling city of Riyadh.

Amongst Icons 100 successful past projects are some of Abu Dhabis most important architectural landmarks, including the Qasr Al Watan presidential palace and the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, said its top official.

"As we celebrate the further expansion into an international market with the launch of our new office in Riyadh, we felt the time was right to rebrand with a new look and feel that reflects our global vision," remarked Christoph Kayser, Icons Director for Business Development.

"Riyadh marks our first step into the wider GCC market, and we are excited to work with globally recognised architecture firms on prestigious projects across the Kingdom. We aim to create spaces that connect communities, celebrate diversity and protect the worlds natural resources. The new office in Riyadh forms part of our wider expansion plans, and it is an honour to participate in Cityscape Global 2023 to showcase our latest regional work to all attending experts and industry representatives," he noted.

"Skilled at engineering infrastructure, the versatile and multi-talented team of 110 professionals has also completed a multitude of Iconic community projects for various government and private developers. This includes major large-scale such, Abu Dhabis popular waterfront promenades of Al Qana, The Corniche and Al Gurm, and The Grove, Saadiyat Islands state-of-the-art, mixed-use development," he added.

According to him, Icon also led the re-development of Dubai Office Parks, Media City, Internet City and Academic International City in Dubai, while its projects in Saudi Arabia include creating the masterplan for the sustainability-driven Rua Al Madinah Project, and developing the recently opened Via Riyadh Shopping Mall.

Eager to boost its presence in Saudi Arabia, Icon is currently working in co-operation with world-renowned architects Gensler to create another impressive and functional shopping mall in the kingdom.

"Passionate about sustainability, Icon creates spaces that aim to minimise carbon emissions and conserve natural resources," remarked Kayser.

"By incorporating sustainable and natural materials, innovative irrigation methods, and carefully selected plants and greenery that can withstand the extreme climate and temperatures of the Middle East, Icon is supporting not only the UAEs net-zero vision, but promoting sustainable practices across the globe," he added.-TradeArabia News Service
NEW DELHI, Sept. 9 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Qiang urged on Saturday the Group of 20 (G20) members to resolutely promote economic globalization and jointly maintain the stability and smoothness of industrial and supply chains.

Li made the remarks when addressing the first session of the 18th G20 Summit. 
Mumbai, India - September 9, 2023

Swan Energy Limited, a prominent player in the Indian energy sector with diversified interests, has announced impressive quarterly results that have caught the attention of both investors and industry experts. The company, listed on both the National Stock Exchange (NSE) and Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), is currently trading at Rs. 301 per share, and it appears poised to offer multibagger returns in the coming months.

One of the standout developments for Swan Energy Limited was the recent investment by France's largest fund, "Society General," which acquired 20 lakh shares at approximately Rs. 305 per share. This significant investment not only reflects confidence in Swan Energy's potential but also signals growing international interest in the Indian energy sector.

Robust Quarterly Performance

Swan Energy Limited's latest financial report for the quarter has shown remarkable growth across various key indicators:

Revenue Growth: The company reported a staggering 208.89% year-on-year (YoY) increase in revenue. This surge can be attributed to the company's expansion into new markets and the rising demand for natural gas.

Net Profit: Swan Energy recorded a net profit of Rs. 144.82 crores, which marks significant growth compared to a YoY quarterly loss of Rs 49.5 crores and quarter-on-quarter (QoQ) profit of Rs 62.14 crores. This achievement can be attributed to effective cost-saving measures and the remarkable surge in revenue by adapting to changing market dynamics.

Healthy Gross Margin: The gross margin stood at a robust 63.4%, indicating a 10.4% YoY increase. This signifies Swan Energy's efficient cost control.

Debt Management: The company demonstrated prudent debt management with a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.36, down from 0.42 in the previous quarter. This showcases Swan Energy's commitment to responsible financial practices.

Strong Cash Flow: Swan Energy reported cash flow from operations of Rs. 414 crore, reflecting an impressive 127.7% YoY growth. This substantial cash flow signifies the company's capacity to finance its operations and future growth.

Future Growth Prospects

Swan Energy Limited's positive quarterly results are a clear indicator of its potential for future growth. Several factors contribute to the optimism surrounding the company:

Natural Gas Prices: The rising prices of natural gas present an opportunity for Swan Energy to capitalize on increased demand.

Renewable Energy Focus: The company's commitment to renewable energy projects aligns with global sustainability trends and positions Swan Energy for long-term success.

New LNG Terminal: The commissioning of its new LNG terminal in Gujarat is a significant milestone that can boost the company's revenue and expand its market presence.

Company Overview

Swan Energy Limited is a well-established Indian energy conglomerate with diverse business interests spanning textiles, real estate, energy, and petrochemicals. Founded in 1909 and headquartered in Mumbai, Maharashtra, the company has consistently demonstrated impressive growth and profitability.

In the last fiscal year, Swan Energy recorded a remarkable 208.89% YoY revenue growth and a 167.1% YoY increase in net profit. The company's forward-looking approach, with a focus on renewable energy and the recent commissioning of the Gujarat LNG terminal, positions it as a key player in India's dynamic energy sector.

Moreover, Swan Energy Limited is committed to environmental sustainability and has received recognition for its transparency and disclosure of sustainability information, earning the GRI Sustainability Reporting Award.

Strengths and Future Outlook

Swan Energy Limited stands out in the industry for several reasons:

Diversified Portfolio: The company's diversified business portfolio minimizes risk exposure.

Strong Financial Performance: Swan Energy has consistently achieved robust growth and profitability.

Renewable Energy Focus: Its commitment to renewable energy projects aligns with future energy trends.

Environmental Responsibility: Swan Energy's dedication to environmental sustainability sets a positive example in the industry.

Overall, Swan Energy Limited is a well-managed company with a promising future. Its diversified business approach, strong financial performance, commitment to sustainability, and strategic investments indicate that it is well-positioned to capitalize on the evolving energy landscape and become a leader in the sector. Investors and stakeholders are eagerly watching as Swan Energy continues to make strides in the energy industry.
Hungary's second-largest city, Debrecen, came alive recently with cultural splendor as it hosted a delightful celebration of the Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival, which will fall on Sept. 29 this year.








Crosswords, a timeless intellectual pursuit, have been a staple in newspapers and puzzle books for generations. But beyond the traditional grids we've come to love lies an intriguing and ever-evolving world of specialty crosswords. These innovative variations, including cryptic, diagramless, and rebus crosswords, are redefining the boundaries of this classic puzzle form, offering new challenges and experiences to enthusiasts of all levels. From visual wordplay to shapeless intrigue, specialty crosswords provide a fresh perspective on what a crossword can be. In this comprehensive exploration, we will delve into the unique characteristics of these fascinating adaptations. We'll uncover the artistry and creativity that go into crafting these puzzles, explore their appeal to both novice and veteran solvers, and celebrate the ingenuity that has transformed a simple pastime into an expansive and ever-adaptive art form. Join us as we journey through the myriad twists and turns of specialty crosswords, unveiling their unique charm and complexity.

1. Cryptic Crosswords: A Challenging Twist

Cryptic crosswords are known for their complex and enigmatic clues that require a different kind of thinking. Unlike traditional crosswords, where clues are straightforward, cryptic clues often involve wordplay, anagrams, homophones, and hidden meanings. Solving them requires a blend of lateral thinking, humor, and linguistic dexterity, providing a deeply satisfying intellectual challenge. Even clues provided through crossword creators and on platforms like NY Crossword Today can be hard to decipher.

2. Diagramless Crosswords: Shapeless Intrigue

Diagramless crosswords defy conventional expectations by forgoing the standard grid lines that mark the boundaries of words. Solvers are presented with an almost blank canvas and must discern the layout themselves, weaving together clues and spatial awareness. This absence of a guiding structure adds an extra layer of complexity and challenge, emphasizing logical deduction and pattern recognition. It requires solvers to approach the puzzle from a whole new angle, thinking not only about the words themselves but also about how they fit into an uncharted space. Diagramless crosswords present a refreshing and invigorating twist to the conventional crossword experience. They turn the traditional crossword into an even more interactive puzzle, pushing solvers to use their intuition and creativity. It's a game within a game, a metapuzzle that rewards persistence and adaptability. The shapeless intrigue of diagramless crosswords offers a unique and stimulating experience, and stands as a testament to the evolving creativity within the world of word puzzles.

3. Acrostic Puzzles: A Literary Connection

In acrostic puzzles, solvers fill in a crossword-like grid, but the answers also reveal a quote or passage from a literary work. This combination of crossword-solving and literary appreciation adds depth and context, providing a rich experience that appeals to both book lovers and puzzle enthusiasts.

4. Rebus Crosswords: Visual Wordplay

Rebus crosswords take the art of crossword puzzles to a new dimension by incorporating visual elements within the traditional grid. These pictures or symbols replace or supplement words, challenging solvers to interpret clues through both verbal and visual means. It's a fusion of different cognitive processes, requiring solvers to think flexibly and creatively. The visual elements can be both playful and perplexing, as they meld imagery with language in unexpected ways. From simple icons to complex illustrations, rebus crosswords expand the boundaries of wordplay, adding depth and dynamism to the solving experience. They offer a visually stimulating twist that appeals to those looking for a unique challenge or a break from purely text-based puzzles. Rebus crosswords are an embodiment of the innovative spirit that characterizes the world of specialty crosswords. They showcase the endless possibilities that exist within the realm of puzzles, proving that even a well-established format can be reimagined and revitalized. By engaging multiple senses and cognitive skills, rebus crosswords elevate the art of puzzle-solving, providing a rich and multifaceted experience that continues to captivate and inspire.

5. Barred Crosswords: Breaking the Grid

Barred crosswords replace the standard black squares with subtle lines or bars, creating a sleek and continuous grid. The lack of visual boundaries adds a layer of difficulty, demanding more concentration and analytical thinking. This visually minimalistic approach redefines the aesthetic and experiential aspects of crossword solving.

6. Three-Dimensional Crosswords: A Volumetric Challenge

Pushing the boundaries even further, three-dimensional crosswords extend the puzzle into physical space, with clues and answers intertwined in a multi-dimensional grid. These sculptural puzzles engage spatial reasoning and visualization skills, elevating the solving experience to a tangible, tactile realm.
Apple has lost around $200 billion in market capitalisation over several days as tensions between the US and China rise, with several media outlets reporting this week that the iPhone maker is being singled out by Beijing.

Apple shares fell 3 per cent Thursday and are down more than 5 per cent for the week on reports of an iPhone ban for Chinese state employees that is being dictated by Beijing.

The ban was first reported by the Wall Street Journal, which cited unnamed sources saying China is ordering officials at central government agencies not to use iPhones or other foreign branded phones.

The Financial Times cited six unnamed sources at government institutions and state-owned companies, including a nuclear technology company and a hospital, saying they've been told to stop using Apple phones. The ban widens earlier restrictions on using iPhones for work, the outlets said.

Beijing is looking to reduce its dependence on US technology, but this (ban) acts as a significant headwind to Apple as China is its largest international market and accounts for about 20 per cent of its revenues, said Victoria Scholar, head of investment at interactive investor, a UK investment platform.

Apple didn't respond to a request for comment.

When asked about the ban at a daily briefing in Beijing, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning didn't comment directly, saying only that products and services from any country are welcome to enter the Chinese market as long as they comply with Chinese laws and regulations.

Tensions between the US and China have been rising and early last month, President Joe Biden signed an executive order to impose blocks and regulations on US high-tech investment in China, reflecting the intensifying competition between the world's two largest economies.

White House officials said Biden, who departed Thursday evening for New Delhi, will use the annual G20 Summit as an opportunity for the US to highlight a proposition for developing and middle-income countries that would increase the lending power of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund by some $200 billion.

Biden seeks to drive home that the United States and its like-minded allies are better economic and security partners than China.

The reported ban on the iPhone comes at a bad time for Apple, which is gearing up for its latest product launch next Tuesday September 12, when it is expected to unveil its latest smartphone, the iPhone 15.

A teaser of the livestream for the event, dubbed Wonderlust, has been posted on YouTube, revealing no details. Reports are swirling that big changes are in store for the iPhone, including a switch from Apple's Lightning connector to the USB-C plug that rivals are starting to adopt, partly in response to a European Union mandate.

Apple also faces a threat from Chinese tech giant Huawei, which recently launched its latest flagship smartphone, the Mate 60 Pro.

The phone reportedly has enough power and speed to rival the iPhone and has been selling briskly in China. Huawei has been low key about the device, but its capabilities have raised concerns that China has been able to circumvent US curbs on Huawei that stop it from acquiring high tech components like advanced processor chips that had effectively crippled its smartphone business.
Trailing the government's missing money through a complex web of shell companies, unusual government postings, murky dealings of top executives of a global firm, and a Government Order that never materialized led to the arrest of former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu at the sunrise on Saturday by a Special Investigations Team (SIT) of the Andhra Pradesh Crime Investigation Department (CID). The CID chief, N. Sanjay, declared Naidu as the 'prime accused' in a case valued at Rs 370 crores, which dates back half a decade to when he was the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh.

The arrest did not come as a surprise to Naidu who had made statements anticipating his arrest in the last 2-3 days. The police officials picked up the three-time CM from Nandyal where Naidu was on a political tour. Immediately after the arrest, Naidu reacted to the media, saying, I want to tell the people and my cadre, I did no wrong. They have arrested me without furnishing any evidence. They have foisted false cases against me.

Medical tests were conducted on Naidu, following which he was transported by road to Vijayawada to be presented before a court. He has been booked under various sections, including those that are non-bailable.

The Skill Development scam for which Naidu was arrested has been in the making for quite some time. The first signs of misuse of public money came to light in 2017 when Naidu was still serving as the CM of the bifurcated state. The intelligence wing of GST detected irregularities and probed the matter. It also came to the notice of the Enforcement Directorate, which made the arrests. Then there was an alleged 'whistleblower' who complained to the government about this issue in 2018 when the Naidu government was in power, but no action was initiated. In mid-2019, Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy's government came to power, and the alleged scam came under scrutiny, with the CID taking up the case in 2021. After a thorough investigation spanning two years, the CID suspects that Naidu and his associates embezzled government funds through illegal channels.

The origins of the case date back to 2014, immediately after Chandrababu Naidu came to power as the first Chief Minister of the newly-carved Andhra Pradesh, according to the investigating agency, CID. In the second half of 2014, a presentation was given to the CM and senior officials in the state secretariat about a project dealing with the skill development of youth. It was to be helmed by global majors, Siemens Industry Software (India) Private Limited, with the support of the Indian company, DesignTech.

The very next month, the Government formed a new body, the AP State Skill Development Corporation (APSSDC). G. Subba Rao, Secretary to the CM, was appointed as the MD of the Corporation. By January 2015, Subba Rao was holding four posts, including Secretary to the higher education department and secretary to the Department of Skill Development, Entrepreneurship, and Innovation (the departments controlling the newly-formed Skill Development Corporations).

In June 2015, a Government Order was issued, according to which Siemens and DesignTech would invest 90 per cent as a grant-in-aid out of the total of Rs 3281 crores, and the remaining 10% would be borne by the state to create six Centres of Excellence to skill the youth of the state. The same was also made public by the then AP government. However, deviating from the contents of the GO, a green signal was given to a Memorandum of Understanding sometime later.

According to this MoU, Rs 371 crores were sanctioned to Siemens and DesignTech, completely absolving the technology partners of any contribution towards the project. According to investigating officials, the amount was sanctioned bypassing the regular bureaucratic processes and without any performance guarantee from the side of the team, comprising Siemens and its software distribution partner, DesignTech.

The CID probe has found that the major chunk of the Rs 370 crores has been siphoned off, as only Rs 58 crores were forwarded to Siemens. The rest of the amount was embezzled, allegedly by the senior executives of Siemens and the management of DesignTech, who issued fake invoices of shell companies and routed the money through them. The investigating agency has found that the companies had neither spent any money nor delivered any goods. The funds were channeled through hawala and converted to cash without being utilized for the purpose of establishing Centres of Excellence.

The CID is still probing the end beneficiaries of this alleged scam and strongly suspects that they have been routed back to Naidu through his close associates. The CID said that the scope of the investigation may be extended in the coming days to include Nara Lokesh, the son of Naidu. According to the CID, there were notings made by senior IAS officers, including those in the finance department, at the time of the release of funds, pointing to some objections and making it clear that funds were being released as per the instructions of Naidu.

A female IAS officer, the wife of a senior executive of Siemens, was also appointed to the Skill Development Corporation around the time of the execution of the project, further strengthening the case for the CID. Some of the companies named in the case are PVSP IT Skills Projects Pvt Ltd, ETA Greens Build Tech, IT Smith Solutions, and Bharatiya Global Infomedia Limited. Those who were arrested include G. Subba Rao, former Secretary, APSSDC; Soumyadri Suman Bose, former MD, Siemens Industry Software (India) Pvt limited; and Vikas Vinayak Kahnvelkar, MD of DesignTech Systems Limited.

The CID also maintains that note-files were destroyed sometime in 2018 when the fraud got exposed. Siemens, which had conducted an internal inquiry, has disassociated itself from the scam and blamed the senior executive for wrongful conduct and keeping them in the dark. The CID has said that Naidu was the chief conspirator of the scam, which took place between 2015 and 2018.
Telugu Desam Party (TDP) president and former Andhra Pradesh chief minister Chandrababu Naidu was arrested in the early hours of Saturday, in connection with an alleged Rs 371 crore Skill Development case. He has, reportedly, been shifted to Vijayawada.

Andhra Pradesh Criminal Investigation Department officers reached Nandyal, where Naidu had retired for the night after addressing a women's gathering in Kurnool district, with an arrest warrant against him. However, they could not take him into custody as TDP supporters protested. They questioned the late-night action against Naidu.

A minor scuffle, too, broke out between the police and the party workers.

The former Andhra Pradesh chief minister, who is also the opposition leader in the state assembly, was finally arrested around 6am from RK Function Hall at Gnanapuram, an official said.

In a notice served to Naidu, the Deputy Superintendent of Police of the CID's Economic Offences Wing (EOW), M. Dhanunjayudu, said, "It is to inform you that you have been arrested... at 6 am at R K Function Hall, Gnanapuram, H/o Moolasagaram, Nandyala town and it is a non-bailable offence."

Naidu has been arrested under relevant IPC sections, including Sections 120B (criminal conspiracy), 420 (cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property) and 465 (forgery), according to the notice. The Andhra Pradesh CID has also invoked the Prevention of Corruption Act against him.

The notice was served under CrPC Section 50 (1) (2).

Interestingly, on September 6, in a public meeting at Rayadurgam in Anantapur district, Naidu had said he could be arrested soon.

"Today or tomorrow they could arrest me. They may even attack me. Not one, they will do many atrocities," Naidu said, targeting the YSRCP government.

He had said that that nobody dared to file a suit against him in 45 years, and added that there was no proof or evidence against him.

He had also said that former chief minister Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy had allegedly filed several cases against him but had failed to cause any damage to him.
Which water please? Still or sparkling? Or better still, a sugar free coke? Asks a helpful volunteer trying to help a befuddled journalist on his choice of drinking water. The journalist is clearly lost for choice and everythings for free! He just wanted to quench his thirst after encountering Delhis hot sun outside.

There are also scores of counters loaded with snacks from idli, corn cutlets, stir and make it yourself cups of upma and idli sambar and to sandwiches and cookies galore.

And then tea and coffee just for the asking complete with a machine to crush your own coffee beans. There is even a choice where to drink it froma thermocol cup, a ceramic one with plates or even a kullar for the ones for the desi sip.

Just outside the smoking room lies a rectangular stand with a few dangling nodes. That is for smokers to light a cigarette, points out another volunteer. Many journalists from the developed nations were looking at the lighting device in curiosity. Clearly they had not seen such a contraption before.

Among the many mediapersonsall confined to the plush International Media Centera small distance away from the barricaded Bharat Mandapam where the leaders are meetingthe important question seemingly was whether non-vegetarian food would be served for lunch and dinner The answer seemed obviousvegetarian.

About 3,000 journalistsincluding 2,000 foreign onesare reported to have registered to cover the G20 meet. The cited numbers may be much on the higher side but on the face of it, it seems as if the world media has come to Delhi.

Yet the facilities provided have much to talk to home about and could have catered to many more people. Nor is there any shortage of working stations with superfast internet connections.

The air-conditioned bus ferrying the media persons from the Jawaharlal Nehru stadium to the Bharat Mandapam complex sees a gaggle of dialects from Spanish to Tamil to what have you. And like always, when languages dont match, sign language holds the key.

And inside the futuristic interiors plush with swanky escalators and see-through lifts, it is another world. In one of the halls, one can experience a unique range of digital experience.

An upbeat India, in its oft-repeated Amrit Kaal, is playing up its technology-driven and knowledge based economy status to the hilt.

If this is the global south, who needs the north?
The much-awaited 18th G20 Leaders' Summit will begin today at the sprawling Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi's Pragati Maidan. The national capital welcomed world leaders such as US President Joe Biden, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, French President Emmanuel Macron and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida among others, for the two-day summit.

ALSO READ: China elephant in the room as Modi, Biden talk Predators, fighter engines

Over 14 heads of international organisations, too, have been invited. Along with the summit, there will be bilateral meetings and press conferences.

India is hosting the annual summit of the G20 for the first time, and has pulled out all the stops in rolling out a grand welcome to the leaders and making the summit a success. Delhi has also undergone a major makeover.

However, it remains to be seen whether there will be a joint leaders' declaration in view of the sharp differences between the west and the Russia-China combine on the text to describe the Ukraine conflict in the document. The silver lining for India's presidency is likely to be the support by almost all G20 countries to its proposal to include the African Union as a permanent member of the bloc.

Here's the detailed schedule of G20 Summit 2023:

September 9

9:30am to 10:30am:

Arrival of leaders and heads of delegations at the summit venue, Bharat Mandapam, followed by a welcome photograph with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Tree of Life Foyer. Subsequently, leaders and heads of delegation assemble in Leaders' Lounge, Level 2 at Bharat Mandapam.

10:30am to 1:30pm:

The first session, called 'One Earth,' will take place at the Summit Hall at Bharat Mandapam, followed by a working lunch.

1:30pm to 3:30pm:

Bilateral meetings will be held.

3:30pm to 4:45pm:

The second session, 'One Family,' will take place in the summit venue after which the leaders return to their hotels.

7pm to 8pm:

Arrival of leaders and heads of delegation for dinner, beginning with a welcome photograph on arrival.

8pm to 9pm:

Dinner.

9pm to 9:45pm:

Leaders and heads of delegation will assemble in the Leaders' Lounge at Bharat Mandapam to bring the day to a close.

ALSO READ: India confident of a joint Delhi Declaration

September 10

8:15am to 9am:

Arrival of leaders and heads of delegations in their individual motorcades at Rajghat and a signing of the peace wall inside the Leaders' Lounge at Rajghat.

9am to 9:20am:

World leaders to lay wreaths at Mahatma Gandhi's Samadhi followed by a live performance of Mahatma Gandhi's favourite devotional songs. Subsequently, leaders and heads of delegations will move to the Bharat Mandapam's Leaders' Lounge.

9:40am to 10:15am:

Arrival of leaders and heads of delegation at Bharat Mandapam.

10:15am -10:30am:

Tree planting ceremony at Bharat Mandapam's South Plaza.

10:30am to 12:30pm: The third session of the summit, called 'One Future', followed by the adoption of the New Delhi Leaders' Declaration.
China cast its long overriding shadow in the bilateral talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden in New Delhi when they met on the eve of the G20 Leaders Summit on Friday night.

A White House release on the bilateral meeting was predictable. From Quad to Predator drones to General Electrics F 414 engines to power Indias future fighter aircraft fleet, it had it all.

Just after the introductory perfunctory, the joint statement brought up the Quadthe grouping comprising the US, China, Australia and Japan that many view as an anti-China grouping.

The fourth para in the 29 para release said: Prime Minister Modi and President Biden reaffirmed the importance of the Quad in supporting a free, open, inclusive, and resilient Indo-Pacific.

The next meeting of the Quad Leaders Summit will be hosted by India in 2024. India welcomed the US decision to co-lead the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative Pillar on Trade Connectivity and Maritime Transport, further to the US decision to join IPOI in June 2023, it added.

Welcoming the August 29 US Congressional notification and the ongoing negotiations for the agreement on the GE F-414 jet engines, the two leaders reaffirmed the commitment for collaboration to support the advancement of this unprecedented co-production and technology transfer proposal.

The US has never transferred technology of the aircraft engines to the level that is being offered to India.

Similarly, there were polite words for the Indian proposal to buy 31 General Atomics MQ-9B (16 Sky Guardian and 15 Sea Guardian) remotely piloted aircraft and their associated equipment.

As expected, President Biden reiterated support for Indias permanent membership in the UN Security Council. This assumes significance in the backdrop of strong signals by the UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres in his press conference in New Delhi on Friday of his eagerness to include India in an expanded Security Council.

Notably, Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, said on Thursday in Jakarta that Gutterres has been a strong advocate for India's inclusion in the permanent seat for the UN Security Council.

Dujarric was speaking on the sidelines of the ASEAN-India Summit and East Asia Summit in Jakarta, which was also attended by Modi.

The US also reaffirmed its support for Indias membership in the Nuclear Suppliers Group.

On the India-US Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET), the two leaders declared their intention to undertake a midterm review of iCET in September 2023 to continue to drive momentum toward the next annual iCET review, co-led by the National Security Advisors of both countries, in early 2024.

The two nations also sought to deepen the partnership in outer space exploration with ISRO and the NASA having commenced discussions on modalities, capacity building, and training for mounting a joint effort to the International Space Station in 2024 besides continuing efforts to finalise a strategic framework for human space flight cooperation by the end of 2023.

The two leaders also declared the intention to increase coordination on planetary defence to protect planet Earth and space assets from the impact of asteroids and near-Earth objects.
The G20 just became biggerit added a continent. The African Union will become a full member from the next summit in Brazil to make it officially G21.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi secured his first win. And all before the Leaders G20 Summit officially began. It was quick and a win for 'Bharat'. In a first at an international conferencebut certainly not last, Modis nameplate on the table read simply as 'Bharat'.

It is in the spirit of togetherness of all that we proposed permanent membership of the African Union, he said in his opening remarks. With your concurrence, before we proceed, I would like to invite the chair of AU to take his place as a permanent member of G20.

For India, the presidency of the G20 has been overshadowed by the war on Ukraine. Despite the theme of inclusivitywhich has been woven into the G20 programmeand development, there has been no joint communique in the meetings. The Bali consensus on the war on Ukraine is not acceptable to Russia and China, and the West too, does not want to compromise.

While India is still hopeful that a Delhi Declaration will be unanimous, getting the African Union as a membereven before the Leaders Summit beginsis very much a power move. Especially, as it has been initiated by PM Modi. In terms of India's legacy as President of the G20, the inclusion of the African Union ensures that India or Bharat is on a pretty good wicket.

This is a period to give the world a new direction, he said. It is a time in which age-old challenges are demanding new solutions from us. It is therefore with a humanistic centric approach that we must fulfill each of our responsibilities and move forward.

Referring to the elephant in the roomthe Ukraine warModi said that after Covid-19, the world was going through a new crisisthe lack of trust. War has further deepened this trust deficit..whether it is terrorism, cyber security, health, energy and border security, we have to find concrete solutions for challenges, said Modi.

The first session of the G20 titled One Earth will end in the afternoon, after which there will be a window for bilateral meetings. At 3pm, another session on One Family will begin. The leaders are all hosted by the President for a banquet.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday welcomed the world leaders at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi ahead of the beginning of first session of the G20 summit.

While delivering the G20 opening speech, PM Modi said that We live in times when age old problems are seeking answers, need to fulfill our responsibilities with human-centric approach.

"This is the time for all of us to move together. In this time, the mantra of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas' can be the torch bearer for us. Be it the divide between North and South, the distance between East and West, management of food and fuel, terrorism, cyber security, health, energy or water security, we will have to find a solid solution to this for future generations," Modi was quoted by ANI.

He also added that India appeals to entire world to turn deficit to confidence in each other.

The G20 under India's presidency admitted African Union as the permament member. As the summit began, Modi invited the Head of the African Union, Azali Assoumani, to take his seat, as a permanent member of the G20. "With support from all of you, I invite African Union to join G20," he said.

'Bharat' replaces India in nameplate

The nameplate kept in front of the PM read 'Bharat' instead of India as Modi delivered his opening speech. This comes in the wake of the huge controversy that was triggered after the G20 dinner invite from President Draupadi Murmu stated 'President of Bharat' rather than 'President of India'.

Reportedly, United Nations said that it will change India's name to Bharat in UN records when Centre completes all its formalities for the same.

Ahead of the upcoming special session of Parliament, a huge debate was triggered with the opposition lashing out at the Centre's move of renaming the nation.

Modi welcomed world leaders

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director and Chairman Kristalina Georgieva and World Trade Organisation (WTO) Director General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala were among the first to arrive at the summit venue.

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina also arrived at the newly built venue at Pragati Maidan.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, World Health Organisation (WHO) chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Premier of the People's Republic of China Li Qiang were among the others who arrived on Saturday morning to attend the two-day G20 summit.

All the leaders were given a traditional welcome at the airport and they were scheduled to gather at the G20 venue.

Welcoming the Brazilian president to India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi recalled that he met him recently in Johannesburg.

I am happy to be getting the opportunity to meet him again at the G20 Summit. His views on various subjects will be eagerly awaited, Modi posted on X.

Brazil is set to take over the next presidency of G20 from India.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is likely to summon former Lok Sabha member and CPI(M) leader P.K. Biju for questioning in the Karuvannur Service Cooperative Bank scam in Kerala. The agency has already served a third notice to former minister A.C. Moideen, who had skipped the previous two summons, in connection with the Rs 300 crore case.

Early this week, the ED arrested two personsP.Satheesh Kumar and P. Kiran

Meanwhile, Congress leader Anil Akkara on Saturday accused Biju of having a major role in the scam and said Satheesh is the mentor of the CPI(M) leader.

Satheesh was the biggest source of finance for Biju. An internal panel led by Biju has submitted a report on the scam. Satheeshs name was not mentioned in this report. This confirms Bijus involvement in the crime, Akkara said while talking to the media in Thrissur.

The Congress leader further alleged that Biju and CPI(M) district secretariat member P.K. Shajan had stayed in Karuvannur for a month to prepare the inquiry report. The duo had also held talks with employees at the bank and local committee members, he said.

It is really suspicious that none of the bank employees named the first accused who made transactions of crores. If CPI(M) has found Satheesh's involvement in the case, they should have informed the matter to the Crime Branch. The party should make the inquiry report public to clarify all these matters, Akkare said.

The ED has, in its third notice, asked Moideen to appear before it on Monday. On August 22, the agency had carried out searches at the residences of Moideen, Kiran, and Satheesh. ED is pursuing the investigation with the assumption that former minister played a pivotal role in facilitating the disbursement of illicit loans from the bank.

The questioning of two prominent leaders in the case is expected to place the CPI(M) in a more defensive position, given Kumar's close affiliations with numerous local party leaders. Furthermore, there are allegations that the illegal transactions orchestrated by Kiran for the fraud were purportedly conducted with the approval of the bank's board of directors, who were all CPI(M) activists. ED is actively probing this association.

Additionally, there are claims that Kumar held multiple accounts in various banks under the control of the CPI(M), which were allegedly used to facilitate various illicit loan disbursements. In the days ahead, ED will delve deeper into the extent of the connections between those arrested and CPI(M) leaders, including Moideen and Biju.

Currently, the CPI(M) is actively protecting its leaders. The party is upholding its stance by repeatedly emphasizing the narrative that the Union government is employing central agencies to undermine the reputation of opposition leaders.

With inputs from Nirmal Jovial
Chinese Premier Li Qiang meets with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on the sidelines of the G20 summit in New Delhi, India, Sept. 9, 2023. (Xinhua/Yue Yuewei)

NEW DELHI, Sept. 9 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Qiang said on Saturday that the Chinese side is ready to strengthen communication and coordination with Italy within the Group of 20 (G20) framework to jointly safeguard the security and stability of the global industrial and supply chains.

Li made the remarks in his meeting with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on the sidelines of the G20 summit.

A healthy and stable China-Italy relationship is in line with the common interests and the need for better development of both countries, he said.

Li recalled that last November, Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Prime Minister Meloni in Bali, Indonesia, where both sides reached important consensuses on enhancing solidarity and cooperation, and jointly tackling challenges.

Noting that next year marks the 20th anniversary of the China-Italy comprehensive strategic partnership, the Chinese premier called on the two sides to take this opportunity to further strengthen dialogue and cooperation and jointly promote development and prosperity.

He also pointed out that China is willing to deepen institutional cooperation with Italy and make good use of such cooperation mechanisms as the Joint Meeting of the China-Italy Government Committee to upgrade the level of cooperation between the two sides.

Li called on both sides to continue to expand bilateral trade, saying that China will continue to expand market access to create more opportunities for Italian quality products to enter the Chinese market.

He expressed the hope that the Italian side will provide a fair, just and non-discriminatory business environment for Chinese enterprises to invest and do business in the European country.

For her part, Meloni said Italy and China are both ancient civilizations and the two countries enjoy a long history of friendly exchanges.

Meloni added that Italy welcomes the successful convening of the Joint Meeting of the China-Italy Government Committee and stands ready to strengthen exchanges and dialogue with China under the bilateral framework to further deepen bilateral cooperation. 

Chinese Premier Li Qiang meets with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on the sidelines of the G20 summit in New Delhi, India, Sept. 9, 2023. (Xinhua/Yue Yuewei)
President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday welcomed G20 leaders and other guests, including US President Joe Biden, at a grand dinner hosted for them at Bharat Mandapam, the venue for the Summit, here.

They welcomed the guests before the start of the dinner from the reception dais, with its backdrop showcasing the ruins of the Nalanda University in Bihar besides India's G20 presidency theme -- 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam - One Earth, One Family, One Future'.

Nalanda university ruins, a UNESCO world heritage site, was one of the oldest educational institutes of the world.

President Murmu and PM Modi received Biden and exchanged greetings briefly at the dais.

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director and Chairman Kristalina Georgieva, dressed in Indian traditional attire Salwar Kurta, World Bank President Ajay Banga along with his wife Ritu Banga, and Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina were among the first to arrive at the newly built convention centre in Pragati Maidan.

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and wife Akshata Murty, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and his wife Yoko Kishida, who was dressed in a saree, Chinese Prime Minister Li Qiang, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese along with his spouse and Mauritian PM Pravind Kumar Jugnauth and his wife, were among other dignitaries welcomed by President Murmu and Modi.

Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Indonesian President Joko Widodo and his wife, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov were also greeted by Murmu and Modi.

The prime minister was also seen explaining to some of the G20 leaders, including US President Biden, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, French President Macron and Australian PM Albanese, about the importance of the university.

President Murmu hosted the ceremonial dinner for the G20 leaders, international delegates and other dignitaries at the Bharat Mandapam.

The newly built international convention and exhibition centre and its verdant lawns dazzled at night with colourful illumination while its gurgling fountains and the 'Nataraja' statue placed on front of the state-of-the-art building created a pretty picture.

In a significant milestone under India's G20 presidency, the 55-member African Union on Saturday became a new permanent member of the grouping of the largest economies of the world. It is the first expansion of the influential bloc since its inception in 1999.

All member countries of the G20 accepted Prime Minister Modi's proposal to bring the key bloc of the Global South to the high table of the world's top economies.

Earlier in the day, the President has said that India's G20 Presidency theme, Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam - One Earth, One Family, One Future', is a global roadmap for sustainable, inclusive, and human-centric development.

"A warm welcome to all Heads of Delegations of the G20 nations, guest countries, and international organisations participating in the 18th G20 Summit in New Delhi," Murmu had said in a post on X.

The G20 Summit began at the Bharat Mandapam on Saturday and will conclude on Sunday.
In the annals of history, the year 2016 stood as a clear testament to the influential role of social media in shaping the fate of nations. As an insidious military coup threatened to engulf Turkey, President Erdogan resorted to unconventional methods of mobilization, leveraging FaceTime and Twitter. The remarkable display of solidarity that ensued demonstrated the potential of technology to alter the course of political history. This pivotal moment marked the dawning of a new era, wherein social media became a double-edged sword, capable of both oppressing and empowering, where a single post could change a nation's destiny.



In the 21st century, political communication and branding underwent a profound transformation globally, fuelled by the rise of social media and digital platforms. India, with its vast diversity and numerous citizens, experienced a seismic shift in political communication over the last decade. Gone were the days when traditional mega rallies and public speeches were the primary means of reaching out to the masses. Embracing the power of social media, particularly among the youth, political parties embarked on digital campaigns, forging direct connections with citizens through online ad spending and creative content creation.

Smartphone revolution in Indian politics

A significant catalyst behind this paradigm shift was the smartphone revolution in India which revolutionised internet accessibility for millions, particularly in rural regions. This widespread connectivity empowered citizens from diverse backgrounds to actively engage with political content on social media, bridging the digital divide between urban and rural areas and transforming the dynamics of political communication.

Furthermore, the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic expedited this digital transformation. With physical gatherings restricted, politicians turned to virtual rallies, town halls, and live sessions on social media platforms to maintain meaningful connections with their constituents. The pandemic highlighted the importance of establishing a strong online presence, rendering social media an indispensable tool for political leaders to engage with the masses even during challenging circumstances.

Rise of the political startups

The emergence of social media also gave rise to a new breed of political players and political startups. Parties like AAP (Aam Aadmi Party) and YSRCP (Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party), among others, harnessed innovative strategies and social media platforms to challenge the dominance of established political forces. They utilised various tactics, such as organising extensive digital campaigns and embracing the burgeoning meme culture, to leverage social media and engage with netizens like never before.

Through direct interactions with various cohorts, sharing engaging short videos, and promoting positive campaigns, these startups effectively resonated with their target audiences. This marked a significant departure from traditional political outreach and demonstrated how social media had become a powerful tool for new-age political movements.

IT-Cells and the future of Indian politics

Social media's profound impact extended to its ability to influence voter perception as a result of its personalised approach. Through targeted messaging on platforms like WhatsApp, political parties could tailor messages to specific groups, capitalising on pre-existing biases to win supporters. This personalised approach granted parties a significant advantage in the realm of digital politics.

At the brink of the political transformation, the BJP, led by the then Chief Minister of Gujarat Narendra Modi, who had till then faced isolation from the media in the aftermath of the 2002 incident, astounded everyone by becoming one of the pioneers to successfully extend their influence to a nationwide level using social media. This remarkable shift demonstrated a direct transition from conventional media, which had marginalized him as a state CM, to social media, where the masses embraced him wholeheartedly from the very beginning. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) thereon has emerged as a prime example of the IT 'cell'isation of politics, adeptly utilising WhatsApp (among other social media platforms) for targeted messaging. Presenting different pieces of information to different voter groups, the party tailored messages to align with their beliefs and aspirations, securing an edge in political communication and thereby paving a model for other parties to follow.

As social media gained ascendancy, traditional media outlets faced stiff competition from platforms like WhatsApp and Facebook in disseminating political information. This shift reflected changing audience preferences, with social media becoming a primary source of news and information for many.

Concerns in the digital age

Nonetheless, the rise of social media also raised ethical concerns regarding data privacy, manipulation, and responsible use of targeted messaging. The Cambridge Analytica scandal, in particular, exposed the darker side of digital politics, necessitating discussions on accountability and responsible practices.

Rahul gets the smart point

The case of Rahul Gandhi serves as a prime illustration of social media's capacity to shape public perception and pave the way for the next generation of political leadership. Recently, his interactions with citizens through platforms like YouTube and Instagram shorts signify a departure from his previous communication approach. Opting for direct cohort engagements over traditional public speeches enabled him to exercise greater control over the content and presented him as a charismatic and charming leader to the public. This shift in communication style demonstrates how social media can be harnessed strategically to enhance the image and appeal of political leaders, fostering a new paradigm for future political communication and engagement.

In conclusion, the cases of Turkey and India serve as powerful examples of how social media has revolutionised political communication and branding in the 21st century. From leveraging social media during crises to democratising political engagement, the digital revolution has reshaped the way politicians interact with citizens. The IGNITE approach, characterised by I nnovation, G rassroots engagement, N urturing I nclusivity, T ailored Messaging and E mbracing media pluralism, holds the potential for responsible and inclusive political communication in the digital age. By embracing this approach, political leaders can ignite the collective power of the people, leading nations towards a brighter and more united future. As technology continues to shape political dynamics, it is imperative that we navigate this transformation ethically, prioritising transparency and accountability, and ensuring that technology remains a tool for empowerment and positive change.

In the boundless realm of digital discourse, social media wields the quill of change, inscribing a new chapter in the tapestry of political communication. With innovation as our compass and authenticity as our ink, let us script a symphony of unity and understanding, where technology's embrace nurtures democracy's bloom, and our collective voice resonates with the harmonies of progress.

The authors are Public Policy and social impact consultants
SpaceX finds itself in the midst of regulatory challenges following the explosion of its colossal Starship rocket during its inaugural flight. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has concluded its investigation into the incident and issued a set of stringent requirements before the rocket can take flight again. These measures come in the form of 63 corrective actions mandated by the FAA, alongside a modified FAA license application.

The April launch mishap resulted in a spectacular explosion, sending debris soaring for thousands of meters and scattering pulverized concrete across kilometers. Elon Musk, the visionary behind SpaceX, responded by enhancing both the 394-foot rocket and its launch platform. The newly redesigned Starship now stands ready for its next launch, albeit empty.

During the initial test flight, the rocket spiraled out of control shortly after liftoff, crashing into the Gulf of Mexico. The root cause was identified as fuel leaks during ascent, which triggered fires at the rocket's tail, ultimately severing its connection with the main flight computer.

SpaceX acknowledges the lessons learned from this incident and remains committed to its ambitious goals. NASA is eyeing Starship for future moon missions, while Musk envisions a fleet of Starships that will transport humans and cargo to Mars.

Starlink internet satellites

In another SpaceX update, the company successfully launched 22 Starlink internet satellites on August 31 at 10:21 p.m. EDT (September 1, 07:51 a.m. IST). The Falcon 9 rocket carrying these satellites completed its mission with the first stage returning for a controlled landing on the drone ship "A Shortfall of Gravitas" in the Atlantic Ocean. This marked the seventh successful launch and landing for this particular booster, setting the stage for further spaceflight reuse records in the future.

The Falcon 9's upper stage is set to deploy the 22 Starlink satellites into low Earth orbit about 65 minutes after liftoff. This launch followed a SpaceX doubleheader, with another Falcon 9 scheduled to launch 13 satellites for the US Space Force from Cape Canaveral earlier in the day. SpaceX continues to make strides in both rocket recovery and satellite deployment, advancing the realm of space technology.
A powerful earthquake of magnitude 6.8 struck Morocco on late Friday night killing over 600 people. According to the state media reports at least 632 people were killed in the mishap. According to interior ministry, over 300 people got injured.

Videos of building collapsing and people stuck in vehicles and streets had gone viral in the social media.

As per the United States Geological Survey, the earthquake struck at a relatively shallow depth 71 km south-west of Marrakesh.

People were still in shock and panic. "I could see buildings moving. Then I went outside and there were a lot of people there. People were all in shock and panic...The power went out...Everyone decided to stay outside," Abdelhak El Amrani, a 33-year-old in Marrakesh told AFP.

The historic city of Marrakesh, a UNESCO World Heritage site was severely damaged.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his deep condolences to those who lost their loved ones. "Extremely pained by the loss of lives...Condolences to those who lost their loved ones," Modi posted on X (formerly Twitter).

He also added that India is ready to offer all possible assistance to Morocco this difficult time.

The officials are yet to access the damage as the rescue operations are still ongoing in the quake-hit city.
New Delhi, Sep 8 (PTI) India and the US have settled the last trade dispute at the World Trade Organization (WTO) over poultry products, according to a joint statement released on Friday.

With this, the two countries have mutually resolved all the seven pending trade disputes at the WTO.

"The leaders lauded the settlement of the seventh and last outstanding WTO dispute between India and the United States. This follows the unprecedented settlement of six outstanding bilateral trade disputes in the WTO in June 2023, the joint statement said.

It was issued after the meeting of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and United States President Joseph R Biden, Jr., here. Biden is here to attend the G20 Summit to be held on Saturday and Sunday.

Modi and the US President vowed to "deepen and diversify" the bilateral major defence partnership while welcoming forward movement in India's procurement of 31 drones and joint development of jet engines.

In their over 50-minute talks, the two leaders deliberated on India's G20 presidency, cooperation in nuclear energy, critical and emerging technologies such as 6G and artificial intelligence, and ways to fundamentally reshape multilateral development banks.

Earlier, the seventh dispute was discussed during the visit of US Trade Representative Katherine Tai's meeting with Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal meeting last month here.

They had tasked their respective teams with continuing discussions on this dispute in order to reach a solution soon.

During Modi's visit to the US in June, the two countries announced ending of six trade disputes at the WTO and India's removal of tariffs on certain U.S. products (chickpeas, lentils, almonds, walnuts, apples, boric acid, and diagnostic reagents).

The poultry case was filed by the US against India in the WTO in 2012. India has lost the dispute both at the panel as well as the appellate body levels. It was ruled against India that New Delhi's ban on imports of poultry products from the US was inconsistent with global norms.

As India was not able to implement the decision within the stipulated time frame, the US had demanded compensation. After that, both countries were discussing ways to resolve the case mutually.

The US is the largest trading partner of India. In 2022-23, the bilateral goods trade increased to USD 128.8 billion as against USD 119.5 billion in 2021-22.
 As per Finance Ministry notification no. 15/2023 dated 31st march 2023 Biodiesel blending will be Mandatory from 1st April 2024 leading to more than 100 Biodiesel Plants that are expected to commence supplies during the next one year with an average investment of Rs. 2000 crores







 About 61 biodiesel plants are already registered with OMCs and new capacities are under various stages of Erection and commissioning take the total biodiesel capacity to 2 million Tons per year







 About 25Cr Liters of Biodiesel have been supplied post COVID for the National Biodiesel blending program and Bio Diesel Association of India sets target of 100 crore Litre during year 23-24 to OMCs.







New Delhi (India), September 9: Green economy is being continuously prioritized by the central government by targeting the vision of net zero in the year 2070. Biodiesel has emerged the key tool for Air pollution mitigation and emphasis is on indigenous feedstock. Finance Ministry notification no. 15/2023 dated 31st march 2023 mandates Biodiesel blending from 1st April 2024. The OMCs and Biodiesel Industry are creating required infrastructure to meet this demand. The Biodiesel demand has seen an average doubling in the last one year and large-scale investment is being made by MSME sector due to anticipated demand by oil companies. Dharamveer Singh Rajpurohit, Vice President of Biodiesel Association of India has indicated that more than 100 new plants will be started in the country within the next one year with an average investment of Rs. 2000 crores.







India's proposal for a global alliance on biofuels at the G20 summit being held in the country aims to boost sustainable biofuels as part of global energy. Sustainable biofuels can increase energy security, open new opportunities for domestic industries and create green jobs. Recently, a new managing committee of Biodiesel Association of India has been formed in which shri SK Mondal has been elected as President, Dharamvir Singh Rajpurohit as Vice President and Brij Shah, Sarad Agrawal & Yatin Saggar as Members.







Newly Elected Vice President of BioDiesel Association of India Mr. Dharamvir Singh Rajpurohit said that, "Sustainable biofuels can increase energy security, open new opportunities for domestic industries and create green jobs. We committed the Government to provide 100 Crore Litre Biodiesel in FY23-24. In the Next 1 Year 100 Plants are coming up in Maharashtra, Delhi, South, Gujarat, Rajasthan and many more and there will be an investment of approx. Rs.2000 crore. E-Diesel Biofuels Pvt Ltd.s largest biofuel plant in the country at Nadiad (Gujarat) will also see an investment of Rs 150 crore and capacity of Daily 10 lakh litre production to double the production capacity.







BDAI has been supporting the G20 initiative of the Government and participated at Goa, Mumbai and Delhi displaying its commitment to national vision of net zero by 2070. The country's top oil companies like BPCL, HPCL and IOCL have been buying about 5-10 crore Liters biodiesel annually during the pre-COVID era which will now increase multi-folds in near future.



(Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with PNN and PTI takes no editorial responsibility for the same.). PTI PWR

PWR
New Delhi, Sep 9 (PTI) G20 leaders on Saturday stressed on promoting international cooperation and further discussions on international governance for Artificial Intelligence and called for a secure, trusted, accountable and inclusive digital public infrastructure (DPI) for service delivery and innovation.

Recognising the role of DPI in the delivery of services at a societal scale, the G20 New Delhi Leaders Declaration welcomed the 'G20 Framework for systems of Digital Public Infrastructure', a voluntary and suggested framework for the development, deployment and governance of DPI.

The G20 declaration asserted that safe, secure, trusted, accountable and inclusive digital public infrastructure (DPI), respectful of human rights, personal data, privacy and intellectual property rights can foster resilience, and enable service delivery and innovation.

The G20 New Delhi Leaders' Declaration also draws attention to building safety, security, resilience, and trust in the Digital Economy.

"To this end...we welcome the G20 Framework for Systems of Digital Public Infrastructure, a voluntary and suggested framework for the development, deployment and governance of DPI," it said.

The Declaration talks of building safety, security, resilience and trust in the Digital Economy, fostering digital ecosystems, and harnessing Artificial Intelligence (AI) responsibly for 'Good and for All'.

"To unlock the full potential of AI, equitably share its benefits and mitigate risks, we will work together to promote international cooperation and further discussions on international governance for AI," it said.

The declaration also welcomed India's plan to build and maintain a Global Digital Public Infrastructure Repository (GDPIR), a virtual repository of DPI, voluntarily shared by G20 members and beyond.

Further, it takes note of the Indian Presidency's proposal of the One Future Alliance (OFA), a voluntary initiative aimed to build capacity and provide technical assistance and adequate funding support for implementing DPI in LMICs.

"In our voluntary efforts to make digital public infrastructure interoperable, we recognise the importance of data free flow with trust and cross-border data flows while respecting applicable legal frameworks. We also reaffirm the role of Data for Development," it said.

On technological transformation and Digital Public Infrastructure, the Declaration noted that technology can enable rapid transformations for bridging the existing digital divides and accelerate progress for inclusive and sustainable development..

"Digital public infrastructure (DPI), as an evolving concept and as a set of shared digital systems, built and leveraged by both the public and private sectors, based on secure and resilient infrastructure, and can be built on open standards and specifications, as well as opensource software can enable delivery of services at societal-scale," it said.

Put simply, Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) refers to blocks or platforms such as digital identification, payment infrastructure and data exchange solutions that help countries deliver essential services to their people, empowering citizens and improving lives by enabling digital inclusion.

A case in point is the India Stack, say the identity system Aadhaar, payment platform UPI and others, all of which have been receiving ringing praises globally.

DPIs are interoperable, open, and inclusive systems supported by technology and provide essential, society-wide, public and private services that play a critical role in accelerating this digital transformation in an inclusive manner.

G20 New Delhi Leaders' Declaration has laid emphasis on building safety, security, resilience and trust in the digital economy.

An enabling, inclusive, open, fair, non-discriminatory and secure digital economy is increasingly important for all countries and stakeholders while respecting applicable legal frameworks.

"We will share our approaches and good practices to build a safe, secure and resilient digital economy. To this extent, we...welcome the non-binding G20 High-level Principles to Support Businesses in Building Safety, Security, Resilience, and Trust in the Digital Economy...welcome the G20 Toolkit on Cyber Education and Cyber Awareness of Children and Youth," it said.

It reaffirmed its commitment to G20 AI Principles (2019) and endeavour to share information on approaches to using AI to support solutions in the digital economy.

"We...Will pursue a pro-innovation regulatory/governance approach that maximizes the benefits and takes into account the risks associated with the use of AI," it said.

It also pledged to "promote responsible AI for achieving SDGs".

On harnessing Artificial Intelligence (AI) responsibly for Good and for All, it said the rapid progress of AI promises prosperity and expansion of the global digital economy.

"It is our endeavour to leverage AI for the public good by solving challenges in a responsible, inclusive and human-centric manner, while protecting people's rights and safety. To ensure responsible AI development, deployment and use, the protection of human rights, transparency and explainability, fairness, accountability, regulation, safety, appropriate human oversight, ethics, biases, privacy, and data protection must be addressed," it said.
Washington, Sep 9 (PTI) As President Joe Biden visited New Delhi, two powerful lawmakers have introduced legislation in the US House of Representatives to remove high-tech export barriers to India to give a big boost to the unrestricted export of sensitive technologies to the country and bolster bilateral technology cooperation.

The legislation was introduced on Friday by Congressmen Gregory Meeks, Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and Andy Barr, vice chair of the House India Caucus.

The Technology Exports to India Act aims to facilitate the sale of high-performance computers and related equipment to India and strengthen United States-India technology cooperation.

As President Biden visits India for the G-20 Summit, we are happy to introduce the Technology Exports to India Act to bolster technology cooperation between the United States and India, the two lawmakers said in a joint statement.

This bill removes restrictions on the sale of US products, such as digital computers and electronic assemblies, to India without a Department of Commerce license, thereby enhancing US-India technology trade, linkages between our technology companies, and supply chain resilience for a critical industry, they wrote.

In light of the further strengthening of our strategic partnership with India, this legislative change reduces regulatory barriers to technology cooperation, Meeks and Barr said.

The bill says Congress feels that greater technological and defence cooperation with India is critical to tackling shared geopolitical and security challenges.

As such it is important to reduce regulatory barriers to technological cooperation with India in ways that enhance national security and advance strategic priorities, the bill says.

The bill says President Biden providing flexibility to export high-performance computers to India would bolster United States-India technological cooperation and demonstrate Congresss commitment to India as a strategic partner.

As such, removing India from the Computer Tier 3 eligible countries' list in section 740.7(d) of title 15 of the Code of Federal Regulations would help to strengthen the bilateral relationship, the bill says.

Noting that the United States designated India a US Major Defence Partner, providing it access to a wide range of military and dual-use items regulated by the Department of Commerce, the bill says for the items controlled for national security reasons by the Department of Commerce, India is subject to a general policy of approval for licenses for civil or military end uses in India or for the Government of India so long as the items are not for nuclear, missile or chemical or biological activities.

However, currently, the export of high-performance computers meeting certain specifications to India requires authorisation of the United States Government under section 1211 of the National Defence Authorisation Act for Fiscal Year 1998.

The US President does not have the authority to remove or delete India from the excluded Computer Tier 3 eligible country list. The bill once passed by Congress would help facilitate that.

On Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Biden met in New Delhi on the sidelines of the G20 summit and the two leaders vowed to deepen and diversify the bilateral major defence partnership.
Mumbai, Sep 9 (PTI) The unpleasant reality of how patriarchy functions in rural India, where women continue to be seen as commodities, particularly in an arranged marriage scenario, is the subject of director Jayant Digambar Somalkars debut film Sthal, which will have its world premiere at the 48th Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) on Saturday.

The Marathi language movie, whose title translates to "A Match" in English, is told from the viewpoint of Savita, a young girl, portrayed by first-time actor Nandini Chikte.

The film is set in the director's hometown of Dongargaon in Maharashtras Vidarbha region and explores the custom of arranged weddings.

"It is a simple slice-of-life story about a girl and the men who come to see her. The film is about her journey, how she goes through these things. We have touched upon small nuances like what happens during such meetings. But the main thing is about patriarchy.

"Like how girls in a rural set-up are presented as a commodity, like a 'wastu' (thing). People are like whether her nose is ok or not. Is she tall or fat, fair or dark, they just judge her. Im trying to comment on these things, Somalkar, who has previously co-directed a web-series Guilty Minds, told PTI in a virtual interview.

Sthal is the only Indian film to be selected in TIFF's Discovery Programme, which showcases the first and second features of emerging filmmakers from around the world.

Even though the movie is set in a small-town India, the writer-director is confident that patriarchy as a central issue will connect with audiences across the globe.

"It is a local story but the theme of patriarchy is prevalent in villages, cities, and even outside of India. It is about how we treat girls, quite often the parents tell girls what they are supposed to do, and that they cant do this or that, we dont pay attention to the aspirations of a girl.

"I think patriarchy is a universal theme. It is not like in developed nations such as the US, the UK, everything has changed, patriarchy is still prevalent. It (film) will connect across the world."

The inspiration for the film came from Somalkar's personal experiences when, in 2014, he went to a 'Kande Poha Karyakram', a metaphor for a formal meeting between a boy and a girl for marriage. The name comes from Kanda Poha, a tangy, spicy, and sweet Maharashtrian snack.

Somalkar said the meeting triggered something in him and inspired him to write the script.

"Ive seen this match-making process since my childhood, my two sisters too had a similar process. But back then I didnt realise anything. When I went with my cousin for it, I saw a girl sitting in the centre surrounded by men, who asked several questions.

"I wondered what would go on in the mind of the girl. So, that was the trigger point for me to make a film. I started writing it immediately," he said, adding he completed about four years ago.

After co-directing Shriya Pilgaonkar's courtroom drama series "Guilty Minds" in 2022, Somalkar was eager to work on a realistic feature film.

"Im a Maharashtrian, so I know the culture very well. I want to make realistic and true stories. I had not thought that I'd debut with this film but it just happened. Before that, I had written a few scripts and I was trying to make it but Sthal happened organically, he said.

Somalkar said it was a conscious decision to cast local people from the village to give an authentic vibe to the story.

"They are all real people. Like, a farmer is a farmer, housewife is a housewife, the protagonist Savita, is studying in the same college as it is shown in the film. In filmmaking, youve to tell an actor to get into the skin of a character. Here, I didnt have to, I just told them to be themselves."

Somalkar recently watched Sthal during a preview show and he said the movie made him feel emotional and nostalgic.

"There is a personal connection because we have shot the film in the same village and house, where I was born, and we have the same people of that village. Theres a feeling of nostalgia. It all felt emotional as there are a lot of memories attached. It is a very personal film."

The director is excited about the film's premiere at TIFF and believes it is a significant moment for Marathi cinema.

It is a big thing for regional movies to be selected for an international film festival. Marathi films have made a name for themselves at such festivals. It is a big thing for me, Im trying to boost the industry further, he said, citing the example of noted Marathi filmmakers like Nagraj Manjule, Umesh Kulkarni and Chaitanya Tamhane, who have received acclaim for their movies internationally," Somalkar said.
New Delhi, Sep 9 (PTI) He has played characters of all hues but Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub says he wonders why directors don't imagine him in a romantic role.

In Haddi, director Akshat Ajay Sharmas debut film, Ayyub is playing the love interest to Nawazuddin Siddiquis transgender character.

Ayyub, who has established himself as a versatile performer, said he was excited when Sharma offered him a role with a romantic arc.

I was excited about that (in Haddi). I was like Yaar, koi to mujhe romantic role me dekh raha hai' (I was like at least someone imagined me in a romantic role). I thought it would be fun, Ayyub, who most recently wowed critics with his turn as a principled editor in Hansal Mehtas Scoop, told PTI .

Asked whether he ever wondered why such roles dont come his way, the actor said, Even I want to know. Why not? I would love to play a romantic character.

And if need be, he is ready to dance around the trees as well, he joked.

Dancing around the trees is not the only way to do a romantic story but if it is interesting, vo bhi kar lenge (will do that also)

Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap, who plays the antagonist in the film and sat down for the interview with Ayyub and Sharma, quipped that the actor would dance around the trees only if the story is set in Switzerland.

Sharma, on his part, said he had fun directing a romantic scene between Siddiqui and Ayyub in the movie.

Ayyub, 39, said he was happy with the response to the films romantic number Beparda after he shared it on social media. He now hopes the film garners a similar reaction.

"Haddi", currently streaming on ZEE5, is a revenge drama that explores the "intoxicating world of vengeance, violence and power".

Sushmita Sen-starrer Taali, Made In Heaven and now Haddi, transgender stories are finding representation in the mainstream. Ayyub said inclusivity is always a gradual process.

I have always felt that if you talk about inclusivity by introducing a special character, then it is half baked. But when you take a normal story Like if I am showing three people in the society and one of them is transgender and the other two are boy or girl and they are just normal friends, I feel it is more inclusive than showing how others behave towards that one person. And it has begun, he said.

The actor said the length of his role in the movie may not be long, but his character adds a lot to the story.

It was an important character and an important film that he (Sharma) was making and I was getting an opportunity to work with them so that was also a factor when I was signing the film. I thought I would enjoy myself, Ayyub added.
KUALA LUMPUR, Sept. 9 (Xinhua) -- The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) will continue to see its ties with China strengthen with particular focus on economic matters, a Malaysian observer said.

The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and the ASEAN-China Free Trade Area 3.0 Upgrade Negotiations see the two sides move in lockstep to secure and improve their economic cooperation to face an uncertain global outlook, according to Azmi Hassan, a senior research fellow at Nusantara Academy for Strategic Research.

China has proposed to accelerate ASEAN-China Free Trade Area 3.0 Upgrade Negotiations and strive to conclude negotiations in 2024, according to a list of China's cooperation initiatives for the ASEAN-related summits, which just concluded in Indonesia.

"I think ASEAN and China have been trading smoothly. A few years ago, when RCEP was finalized, and all 10 ASEAN plus five other countries made RCEP materialize, it is part of the healthy relationship between China and ASEAN in terms of economic matters," he told Xinhua in an interview.

In 2022, bilateral trade increased 11.2 percent year-on-year to 975.3 billion U.S. dollars, up significantly from 443.6 billion dollars a decade ago. By July this year, two-way investments topped 380 billion dollars, with an increasing number of Chinese-funded companies and jointly-developed innovation parks.

During the 26th China-ASEAN Summit on Wednesday, a joint statement was issued on mutually beneficial cooperation between The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific. A series of outcome documents were also adopted in such fields as science and technology, agriculture and e-commerce.

Azmi also pointed to the 2023 China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS) as another successful cooperation where ASEAN nations are also participating, with China's openness drawing in ASEAN interest for its tourism, services, technology, innovation and digital economy. 
London, Sep 9 (PTI) British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has agreed a new strategic partnership with Singapore during a meeting with Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on the margins of the G20 Summit in New Delhi on Saturday.

Following the new UK-Singapore Strategic Partnership, Downing Street said both countries will work to conclude a "new and modern" bilateral investment treaty  the first the UK has negotiated since Brexit.

The pact is expected to give Singaporean companies more confidence to invest in the UK and vice-versa, creating jobs and growth for both economies.

This new agreement with Singapore will take us even further in delivering our priorities and ensure that, as we map the future of the world economy, we are doing so alongside our closest partners, said Sunak in a statement from Delhi.

As Prime Minister, Ive put the interests of the British people front and centre of my international engagement. I am ensuring that diplomacy delivers. You have already seen that through deals that will stop illegal migration, make our economy more secure and increase trade with our international partners, he said.

Downing Street pointed out that the UK has forged a number of new bilateral and multilateral partnerships since Sunak took charge as Prime Minister, with an FTA with India still some way to go after 12 rounds of negotiations.

We are in the process of negotiating further free trade agreements (FTAs), including a deal with India which would be the first the country has signed with a European country, it said.

In addition to enhanced economic cooperation, the new UK-Singapore Strategic Partnership is expected to strengthen security cooperation, science and technology innovation, and research and development.

This includes collaboration to counter new and emerging threats in domains like cyber, through a first-of-its-kind partnership between Singapores new Digital and Intelligence Service and the UK, Downing Street said.

According to official data, the UK-Singapore trade relationship is worth 21 billion pounds, accounting for 40 per cent of Britains total trade with Southeast Asia, and Singaporean entities have a total of 226 billion pounds invested in the UK.

Sunak arrived in New Delhi on Friday for the G20 Leaders' Summit and started the three-day visit with an interaction with British Council students and staff with wife Akshata Murty ahead of the first set of official multilateral discussions taking place on Saturday.

15 years ago, G20 leaders came together for the first time to restore global growth after the financial crisis. We meet at a time of enormous challenges  the world is looking to the G20 once again to provide leadership. Together I believe we can address these challenges, he tweeted from the summit.
Colombo, Sep 9 (PTI) Sri Lanka's Defence Ministry on Saturday defended the country's intelligence chief after he was accused by a British television channel as the plotter of the 2019 Easter Sunday suicide bombings which killed 270 people, including 11 Indians.

The move came two days after ousted former President Gotabaya Rajapaksas denial of Major General Suresh Sallay's involvement in the bombings and that he had benefited from the attacks to win the presidential election in November 2019.

UKs Channel 4 television station on Tuesday aired a documentary titled Sri Lankas Easter Bombings  Dispatches alleging the involvement and complicity of certain government officials in orchestrating the 2019 Easter suicide bombings.

It called the attacks a crafted act aimed at forcing a political change in favour of the Rajapaksa brothers.

The Ministry of Defence vehemently denounces the accusation of orchestrating the attack and assisting the bombers against a dedicated senior military officer who has served the nation for 36 years," the ministry said in a statement.

The ministry maintains that Major General Sallay was serving at the Sri Lanka High Commission in Malaysia from December 2016 until December 2018.

He left for India on January 3, 2019 and returned to Sri Lanka on November 30, 2019, after completing the National Defence College Course in Delhi.

The ministry says since the attacks the successive Sri Lankan governments have taken action to uncover the truth.

They have done so by facilitating transparent investigations conducted by both local and international professional agencies - the comprehensive investigation conducted by the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in the United States, along with the subsequent verdict rendered by the US Department of Justice, have reaffirmed the findings of local investigations," it said.

Responding to the claims that Major General Sallay was a Rajapaksa loyalist, Rajapaka on Thursday said that Sallay was a career military officer who had served under many presidents and that all military officers are loyal to the State and not to private individuals.

Rajapaksa claimed that he had no contact with Sallay after leaving the position of Defence Secretary in 2015 and until he was elected President in 2019.

He added that Sallay had informed Channel 4 that he was not in Sri Lanka when the documentary alleged a meeting between the Major General and the suicide bombers.

Nine suicide bombers belonging to the local Islamist extremist group National Thawheed Jamaat (NTJ) linked to ISIS carried out a series of devastating blasts that tore through three Catholic churches and as many luxury hotels on April 21, 2019, killing nearly 270 people, including 11 Indians, and injuring over 500.

On Wednesday, the Minister of Labour and Foreign Employment, Manusha Nanayakkara, told Parliament that the Cabinet decided to appoint a special Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) to probe into the allegations made by the UKs Channel 4 programme.

The April 2019 Easter attacks led to a significant political change in Sri Lanka. It emerged that the then authorities had ignored prior intelligence on the attack by Indian intelligence agencies.

Then President Maithripala Sirisena and the entire top police brass were ordered to pay compensation by court during a hearing of fundamental rights petitions filed by the victims relatives.
Johannesburg, Sep 9 (PTI) Veteran South African politician and the traditional Prime Minister of the ethnic Zulu Monarch and nation, Mangosuthu Buthelezi, died early on Saturday at the age of 95.

Buthelezi, who was the President Emeritus of the Inkatha Freedom Party, had just marked his 95th birthday last week.

The elder statesman was admitted to a hospital in August after complications related to the treatment for a back pain operation but returned home last week to recover and recuperate.

President Cyril Ramaphosa announced Buthelezis death early on Saturday morning through a statement.

"I am deeply saddened to announce the passing of Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi, the Prince of KwaPhindangene. Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi has been an outstanding leader in the political and cultural life of our nation, including the ebbs and flows of our liberation struggle, the transition which secured our freedom in 1994 and our democratic dispensation, Ramaphosa said.

The Inkosi (Chief) of the Buthelezi clan was a formidable leader who has played a significant role in our countrys history for seven decades, he added.

The statement said that announcements on the arrangements to mourn and honour Buthelezi would be made in due course based on consultations between the government and the family.

Tributes started pouring in on Saturday morning after Buthelezi's passing.

The Buthelezi family described him as South Africas truest champion and greatest servant.

We realise that this loss will be deeply felt by many and that many will wish to express their condolences and pay their respects in the days ahead. The family will engage His Majesty the King and the royal family, His Excellency the President, the Buthelezi Clan and the leadership of the IFP as the necessary funeral arrangements are made. Further details in this regard will be announced in due course, read a statement issued by the family.

The only South African Indian-origin citizen to have been anointed a Prince of the Zulu Kingdom by the late King Goodwill Zwelithini, Ishwar Ramlutchman Mabheka Zulu, also shared his grief.

We have travelled a long journey with Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi, who was also the Honorary Patron of the Sivananda World Peace Foundation, Ramlutchman said, adding that Buthelezi would always be remembered for fostering good relationships with the Indian people across the globe.

As an Indian Zulu, I am grateful to have been associated with (Buthelezi). I have learnt Zuluness through him, Ramlutchman said.

The Nelson Mandela Foundation condoled Buthelezis passing in a statement which described him as a prominent figure in the tapestry of South Africa's history.

His legacy is an imposing and complex one, embracing strands as diverse as the mobilisation of ethnic identities in political struggles, the making of peace, service in a government of national unity, and dedication to making democracy work in South Africa, the Foundation said.

His life journey intersected at multiple points with that of Nelson Mandela. In many ways, the two leaders came to embody an understanding of reconciliation which had no need of forgiveness, nor of forgetting the past, nor even of learning to like one another  it was simply about determining to get on together, it added.

Buthelezi remained a controversial figure throughout his life.

A strong proponent of securing the identity of the Zulu nation, the largest ethnic group in South Africa, he had once been the Chief Minister of a Bantustan for the Zulus, one of several ethnic territories created by the apartheid-era white minority government.

He gave so much to strengthen the institution of the monarchy and ensure the recognition of the King, IFP leader Velenkosini Hlabisa said in his tribute.

Buthelezi established the Inkatha National Cultural Liberation Movement (INCLM) in 1975. As democracy dawned with the release of Nelson Mandela after 27 years as a political prisoner, the name was changed in 1994 to the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP).

Buthelezi remained its leader until he stepped down from the post in August 2019, allowing Hlabisa to become the second leader of the IFP in its long history.

The IFP became a kingmaker as negotiations started for the first democratic elections that brought Mandela to power as President, heading a government of national unity. Buthelezi served in the cabinet as the Minister of Home Affairs.

Buthelezi was renowned for his long speeches in Parliament. One of these, which stretched over 18 days, earned him a place in the Guinness Book of Records.

The longest speech made was one by Chief Mangosuthu Buthelezi, the Zulu leader, when he gave an address to the KwaZulu legislative assembly between 12 and 29 Mar 1993. He spoke on 11 of the 18 days, averaging nearly 2 hours on each of the 11 days, the Guinness entry stated.
New Delhi: Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Saturday underlined the need for unity amongst the G20 members and called for cooperation, inclusion and resolute support for economic globalisation.*



FGN26: SAFRICA-BUTHELEZI-2NDLD OBIT

*Veteran South African politician Mangosuthu Buthelezi dies at 95

Johannesburg: Veteran South African politician and the traditional Prime Minister of the ethnic Zulu Monarch and nation, Mangosuthu Buthelezi, died early on Saturday at the age of 95.*



FGN24: LANKA-EASTER-BOMBING-INTEL CHIEF

*Sri Lanka defends intelligence chief over Easter Sunday attacks allegations by UK channel

Colombo: Sri Lanka's Defence Ministry on Saturday defended the country's intelligence chief after he was accused by a British television channel as the plotter of the 2019 Easter Sunday suicide bombings which killed 270 people, including 11 Indians.*



FGN21: UK-SINGAPORE-PACT

*UK PM Rishi Sunak signs new strategic pact with Singapore in India

London: British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has agreed a new strategic partnership with Singapore during a meeting with Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on the margins of the G20 Summit in New Delhi on Saturday.*



FGN19: PAK-SHARIF-RETURN-REPORT

*Former PM Nawaz Sharif likely to return to Pakistan in October: Report

Islamabad: Ending his over four years of self-imposed exile in the UK, former prime minister Nawaz Sharif is likely to return to Pakistan next month, according to a media report on Saturday.*



FGN6: US-INDIA-TECH-LEGISLATION

*Legislation introduced in US House to remove high-tech export barriers to India

Washington: As President Joe Biden visited New Delhi, two powerful lawmakers have introduced legislation in the US House of Representatives to remove high-tech export barriers to India to give a big boost to the unrestricted export of sensitive technologies to the country and bolster bilateral technology cooperation.**
Male (Maldives), Sep 9 (AP) Voting started in the Maldives presidential election Saturday, a virtual referendum over which regional power  India or China  will have the biggest influence in the Indian Ocean archipelago state.

Eight candidates are vying for the post, with current President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih  perceived as pro-India  fighting his main rival, Mohamed Muiz.

Solih is seeking re-election for a second term and is battling allegations by Muiz that he had allowed India an unchecked presence in the country.

Muiz has promised that if he wins the presidency, he would remove Indian troops stationed in the Maldives and balance the countrys trade relations, which he said, is heavily in Indias favour.

The Peoples National Congress, Muizs party, is viewed as heavily pro-China. Its leader, Abdullah Yameen, when he was president from 2013-2018, made the Maldives a part of China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). It envisages building ports, railways, and roads to expand trade  and Chinas influence  in swathes across Asia, Africa, and Europe.

Mohamed Shareef, a senior official for Muizs party, told The Associated Press that the removal of Indian military personnel was a non-negotiable position for the party. He said that the number of Indian troops and their activities are hidden from Maldivians and that they have near-exclusive use of certain parts and airports in the country.

Both India and China vie for influence in the tiny archipelago state made up of some 1,200 coral islands in the Indian Ocean, located by the main shipping route between East and the West.

Solih was considered the front-runner in the field of eight candidates since his strongest rival, Yameen, was blocked from running by the Supreme Court because he is in prison for corruption and money laundering convictions.

Muiz hoped to take advantage of a split in Solih's Maldivian Democratic Party that led Mohamed Nasheed, a charismatic former president, to break away and field his own candidate.

Sahida Saeed, a university student who was voting in the Maldives Embassy in Sri Lanka, said she expects a leader who can take care of the current issues. Due to the population increase, the employment rates are at risk (of decreasing). So, I hope that in the future those issues are addressed, she said.

Indian influences are a threat to us since military bases are coming to Maldives. And I dont believe that any other countrys military forces should come to our country and try to take over, said Isaq Nuhan, a schoolteacher, also voting at Colombo.

Nasheed is currently backing Ilyas Labeeb who, though not highly critical of India, has accused Solih of not being transparent in his dealings with New Delhi, said Azim Zahir, a political science and international relations lecturer at the University of Western Australia.

The India Out campaign  spearheaded by Muizs party  has been all over social media in the run up to the election and almost all candidates, except Solih, adopted the India versus the rest rhetoric, said Zahir.

Solih is widely credited for having brought stability to the country and adeptly handling the COVID-19 health crisis, which can work in his advantage, added Zahir.

He said that Solih has no corruption allegations against him, unlike Muiz, who had served as a housing minister.

There is also a possibility that the mostly Sunni Muslim nation could become more socially conservative because both sides are backed by religious hard-liners. The groups are not known to espouse violence but want more control over women, are against music and art as well as religious freedom, Zahir said.

The Maldives is believed to have sent the highest number of fighters per capita when the Islamic State group was active. A local group with the IS ideology set off a bomb targeting Nasheed in 2021, seriously wounding him.

More than 282,000 people are eligible to vote in Saturdays election. A candidate would need to get 50 per cent plus one vote to win outright. Otherwise, the top two finishers would meet in a runoff election later this month. (AP) NPK

NPK
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his British counterpart Rishi Sunak on Saturday agreed to continue to work at pace towards a landmark free trade agreement (FTA) during their bilateral meeting on the margins of the G20 Leaders Summit in New Delhi.*



FGN34: G20-WB-BIDEN

*Biden rallies G20 nations to boost World Bank support for low- and middle-income countries

Washington/New Delhi: US President Joe Biden has rallied G20 nations to agree to collectively mobilise more headroom and concessional finance to boost the World Banks capacity to support low- and middle-income countries, the White House said on Saturday.*



FGN35: G20-CHINA-LD LI

*China asks G20 countries to resolutely advance economic globalisation; calls for unity & cooperation

Beijing/New Delhi: Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Saturday underlined the need for unity amongst the G20 members and called for cooperation, inclusion and resolute support for economic globalisation.*



FGN41: PAK-SC-IMRAN

*Imran Khan moves Pak SC against amendments in Official Secrets Act & Army Act

Islamabad: Pakistan's jailed prime minister Imran Khan on Saturday moved the Supreme Court, challenging the changes made to the Official Secrets Act and the Pakistan Army Act.*



FGN38: UK-COPS-RACISM

*5 ex-cops convicted in UK for racist messages on Rishi Sunak, royals

London: Five former Metropolitan Police officers have pleaded guilty to sending grossly offensive racist messages on WhatsApp against British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and late Queen Elizabeth II, among others, between 2020 and 2022.*



FGN32: UK-LD AKHTAR

*Prose not as capable of being truthful as poetry: Javed Akhtar

London: Award-winning Indian poet and lyricist Javed Akhtar has reflected upon the importance of poetry at an event celebrating the India-UK arts and educational relationship here.**
Washington, Sep 9 (AP) The son of a prominent conservative activist has been convicted of charges that he stormed the US Capitol on January 6, 2021, bashed in a window, chased a police officer, invaded the Senate floor and helped a mob disrupt the certification of Democrat Joe Biden's presidential election victory.

Leo Brent Bozell IV, 44, of Palmyra, Pennsylvania, was found guilty Friday of 10 charges, including five felony offenses, after a trial decided by a federal judge, according to the Justice Department.

Bozell's father is Brent Bozell III, who founded the Media Research Centre, Parents Television Council and other conservative media organizations.

US District Judge John Bates heard testimony without a jury before convicting Bozell of charges including obstructing the January 6 joint session of Congress convened to certify the Electoral College vote that Biden won over then-President Donald Trump, a Republican.

Bozell was a major contributor to the chaos, the destruction, and the obstruction at the Capitol on January 6, 2021, prosecutors said in a pretrial court filing.

The judge is scheduled to sentence Bozell on January 9.

Bozell's lawyer, William Shipley Jr., did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment on Saturday.

Prosecutors said that before the riot, Bozell helped plan and coordinate events in Washington in support of Trump's Stop the Steal movement. They said that after Trump's rally near the White House on January 6, Bozell marched to the Capitol and joined a mob in breaking through a police line. He smashed a window next to the Senate Wing Door, creating an entry point for hundreds of rioters, according to prosecutors.

After climbing through the smashed window, Bozell joined other rioters in chasing a Capitol Police officer, Eugene Goodman, up a staircase to an area where other officers confronted the group.

Later, Bozell was captured on video entering office of then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif. He appeared to have something in his hand when he left, prosecutors said.

Entering the Senate gallery, Bozell moved a C-SPAN camera to face the ground so it could not record rioters ransacking the chamber on a live video feed. He also spent several minutes on the Senate floor.

Bozell roamed thorough the Capitol for nearly an hour, reaching more than a dozen different parts of the building and passing through at least seven police lines before police escorted him out, prosecutors said.

In a pretrial court filing, Bozell's lawyer denied that Bozell helped overwhelm a police line or engaged in any violence against police.

In fact, video evidence will show that Mr. Bozell assisted in some small way law enforcement officers that he thought could be helped by his assistance, Shipley wrote.

Shipley also argued that Bozell was  for the most part  simply lost and wandering from place-to-place observing events as they transpired.

Bozell was arrested in February 2021. An FBI tipster who identified Bozell recognised him in part from the Hershey Christian Academy sweatshirt that he wore on January 6.

More than 1,100 people have been charged with Capitol riot-related federal crimes. More than 650 of them have pleaded guilty. Approximately 140 others have been convicted by judges or juries after trials in Washington. (AP)



GRS

GRS
Kyiv, Sep 9 (AP) The United Nations atomic watchdog warned of a potential threat to nuclear safety from a spike in fighting near Europe's largest nuclear power plant in Ukraine, whose forces continued pressing their counteroffensive on Saturday.

The International Atomic Energy Agency said its experts deployed at the Russia-occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant reported hearing numerous explosions over the past week, in a possible indication of increased military activity in the region. There was no damage to the plant.

I remain deeply concerned about the possible dangers facing the plant at this time of heightened military tension in the region, IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi warned in a statement issued late Friday.

He noted that the IAEA team was informed that staff at the nuclear power plant had been reduced temporarily to minimum levels due to concerns of more military activity in the area.

Whatever happens in a conflict zone, wherever it may be, everybody would stand to lose from a nuclear accident, and I urge that all necessary precautions must be taken to avoid it happening," Grossi said.

The IAEA has repeatedly expressed concern that the fighting could cause a potential radiation leak from the facility, which is one of the world's 10 biggest nuclear power stations. The plant's six reactors have been shut down for months, but it still needs power and qualified staff to operate crucial cooling systems and other safety features.

As Ukrainian forces pressed to expand their gains after recently capturing the village of Robotyne in the Zaporizhzhia region, the UK Defence Ministry noted in its latest report that Russia has brought in reinforcements to stymie the Ukrainian advances.

It is highly likely that Russia has redeployed forces from other areas of the frontline to replace degraded units around Robotyne, it said. These redeployments are likely limiting Russia's ability to carry out offensive operations of its own along other areas of the front line.

The Washington-based Institute for the Study of War noted that the Russian military has made notable changes to its command and control structure to protect command infrastructure and improve information sharing.

Russian forces have continued their barrage across Ukraine. The regional authorities in the northeastern region of Sumy that borders Russia said that the latest Russian shelling left four people wounded, one of whom later died in a hospital.

The Kremlin reaffirmed Saturday that Russia will not extend a landmark deal allowing Ukraine to export grain safely through the Black Sea until the West fully meets Moscow's demands regarding its own agricultural exports.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov commented on reports that Western powers were allegedly discussing a deal that would allow the Russian Agricultural Bank to open a subsidiary that would be reconnected to the SWIFT payment system and meet other Russian demands.

He said that Moscow expects the West to fulfill the original agreements to facilitate Russian agricultural exports that were reached in July 2022.

For instance, they are now saying that the West is allegedly ready to promise to open SWIFT for a subsidiary of the Russian Agricultural Bank, but the thing is that the agreements envisage SWIFT access for the Russian Agricultural Bank, not its subsidiary, Peskov said in a conference call with reporters.

He added that because they have already made a lot of promises, we considered ourselves entitled and obligated to wait first for the implementation before resuming the deal.

Russia refused to extend the deal in July, complaining that a parallel agreement promising to remove obstacles to Russian exports of food and fertiliser hadn't been honoured. It said restrictions on shipping and insurance hampered its agricultural trade, though it has shipped record amounts of wheat since last year.

Ukraine and its Western allies have dismissed the Kremlin's demands as a ploy to advance its own interests.

On Saturday, Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi arrived to Ukraine for an official visit and prayed at a church in the Kyiv suburb of Bucha, where some of the worst atrocities of Russia's war occurred early during the invasion.

"I am grateful to Japan for remaining our key partner in Asia and supporting Ukraine, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

Speaking after talks with his Ukrainian counterpart, Hayashi pledged that Japan will go hand in hand with Ukraine until peace returns to its beautiful land.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said that while Japan cannot provide Ukraine with lethal weapons, it has "already demonstrated that it can do many other important things to improve our security.

Japan has given Ukraine more than USD 7 billion in assistance since the start of the full-scale invasion. As part of its assistance, Tokyo provided two transformers to help Ukraine restore its energy systems after relentless Russian strikes, and donated 24 trucks to help Ukraine clear unexploded ordnance. (AP)



GRS

GRS
Ankara, Sep 9 (AP) Rescue teams began the arduous process Saturday of extricating an American researcher who became seriously ill while he was 1,000 metres below the entrance of a cave in Turkiye, an official from Turkiye's disaster management agency said.

It could take days to bring Mark Dickey to the surface since rescuers anticipate he will have to stop and rest frequently at camps set up along the way as they pull his stretcher through the narrow passages.

This afternoon, the operation to move him from his camp at 1,040 metres to the camp at 700 metres began, the official from the Disaster and Emergency Management Directorate told The Associated Press.

The 40-year-old experienced caver began vomiting because of stomach bleeding while on an expedition with a handful of others in the Morca cave in southern Turkiye's Taurus Mountains.

Teams of rescuers from across Europe have rushed to Dickey's aid. A Hungarian doctor reached and treated him inside the cave on September 3. Doctors and rescuers have since been taking turns caring for him. (AP)



GRS

GRS
Nagpur, Sep 9 (PTI) Three men from Rajasthan have been arrested for allegedly creating a fake Facebook account in the name of the Nagpur police commissioner and duping a man of Rs 24,000, police said on Saturday.

A team from the Nagpur police on Friday apprehended the accused from Alwar district of Rajasthan and brought them to the city, an official said.



According to the police, the accused created a fake account in the name of Nagpur police commissioner Amitesh Kumar on Facebook and sent the complainant a friend request.

The accused posed as a CRPF officer and initiated a chat with the complainant, during which they offered to sell him household appliances at subsidised prices, the official said.

The complainant agreed to buy the appliances for Rs 24,000 and transferred the amount to the accused. The appliances, however, were never delivered and the accused could not be contacted, he said.

A case under section 420 (cheating) and other relevant provisions of the Indian Penal Code and IT Act was registered, the official said.

Following the arrest, the police have frozen Rs 1.23 lakh in the trio's bank account, and seized four mobile phones and bearer cheques, he said.

The accused have been identified as Surendra Pritam Singh (28), Taufik Khan Fateh Nasib Khan (25) and Sampatram Shribansilal Prajapati (33), all residents of Alwar, the official said.
ADDIS ABABA, Sept. 9 (Xinhua) -- The number of people arriving in Ethiopia due to the conflict in Sudan has reached 78,598, said the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).

As of Aug. 29, as many as 78,598 crossings have been made by returnees, refugees and asylum seekers from conflict-affected Sudan to its neighboring country Ethiopia, the OCHA said in its latest update issued Friday.

Of the total number of crossings, some 46 percent are Ethiopian nationals, 34 percent Sudanese nationals while the remaining 20 percent are third-country nationals.

The crossings, OCHA said, started on April 21 shortly after the onset of the conflict in Sudan, mainly through the Metema and Kurmuk Ethiopia-Sudan border entry points.

Sudan has been witnessing, since April 15, deadly clashes between the country's armed forces and the paramilitary forces in Khartoum and other areas. 
Ahmedabad, Sep 9 (PTI) President Droupadi Murmu will inaugurate the National e-Vidhan Application (NeVA) project of the Gujarat Assembly and address legislators on September 13, an official said on Saturday.

The President will inaugurate NeVA, a project has been implemented on the concept of 'One Nation, One Application' of Prime Minister Narendra Modi with the aim to make the Assembly paperless, and then address MLAs, Gujarat Assembly secretary DM Patel said.

"Vidhan Sabha Speaker Shankar Chaudhary had invited President Murmu to inaugurate the project and address the House during the 3rd session of the 15th Assembly which commences on September 13," Patel said in a video statement.

"The work to make Gujarat Assembly digital as part of PM Modi's 'One Nation, One Application' project was completed under the guidance of speaker Shankar Chaudhary. President Draupadi Murmu has accepted the invitation to inaugurate the digital house of Gujarat Assembly," he said.

The application aims for active participation of MLAs in various technology-based operations facilitated through tablets for which training was provided to them.
Ahmedabad, Sep 9 (PTI) Mukul Wasnik, the Congress general secretary in charge of Gujarat, on Saturday directed the heads of the party's frontal organisations in the state to fill up vacant posts, sources said.

He also discussed a roadmap for the Lok Sabha elections with the state leadership, they added.

During his second visit to Gujarat in less than two weeks after being appointed as state in-charge, Wasnik held one-to-one meetings with the presidents of various frontal organisations and also participated in a meeting of the core committee here, the party sources said.

"He directed them to fill up vacant posts at every level and appoint dedicated people from across communities to make the party strong," said a leader.

State Congress president and Rajya Sabha member Shaktisinh Gohil and legislature party leader Amit Chavda were among those present at the core committee meeting.

Congress suffered a drubbing at the hands of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the 2022 Gujarat assembly polls, winning only 17 seats in the 182-member assembly.

Wasnik will be in Vadodara on Sunday to meet local leaders and participate in a bike rally before interacting with party workers.
Kolkata, Sept 9 (PTI) A day after state Education Minister Bratya Basu accused him of trying to "destroy" the higher education system in the state and running a "puppet regime" in the universities, Governor C V Ananda Bose Saturday warned of much bigger action at midnight.

"Wait for the stroke of midnight today. You will see what is action," Bose told reporters on the sidelines of a programme here.

Within minutes, Basu without naming the governor mocked him by calling him the "new vampire in town" and cautioned the people to "beware of him".

"See till midnight, see the action" BEWARE! BEWARE! BEWARE! New Vampire in the town! Citizens please watch yourselves. Eagerly waiting for the "Rakkhas Prahar" (monster prahar), according to Indian Mythology!," Basu posted on 'X'.

In the continuing war of words between the West Bengal government and the Raj Bhavan over the appointment of interim vice-chancellors in universities, Basu on Friday accused the governor of trying to "destroy" the higher education system in the state.

The minister also charged the governor, who is also the chancellor of state-run universities, with running a "puppet regime" in the universities and threatening registrars not to hold meetings with the higher education department.

"The honourable governor wants to run a puppet regime by appointing people according to his whims to satisfy someone's ego. He is making a constant effort to dismantle the higher education system, he said.
Puri, Sept 9 (PTI) Prominent Supreme Court lawyer and activist Prashant Bhushan on Saturday said he would be prompted to file a contempt of court case against the Odisha government if it did not return land to farmers following the Supreme Court verdict nullifying land allocation for Vedanta University project in Odishas Puri district.

Bhushan said this while addressing a farmers' gathering at Beladala village in Puri district held to celebrate the victory of Vedanta University Sangharsh Samiti in the Supreme Court.

The apex court had in April this year upheld the 2010 judgment of Orissa High Court which quashed the land acquisition proceedings initiated by the Odisha government to acquire about 6000 acres for the proposed university.

Bhushan said the state government should start returning land to the affected farmers who had sacrificed their plots for the purpose.

Since the purpose of the land is not met, the farmers should get back their plots, he said.

He also denounced the manner in which the state and the central governments have been allocating mines to different corporates in Odisha.

Alleging that mines were being allocated by flouting norms, he said if the practice continues, there will be little mineral left for the future generations.

Bhushan cited the instances of Niyamgiri, Kashipur and Bolangir where local tribals need to be evicted to facilitate corporate mining operations.

Activist Medha Patkar said natural flora and fauna serve as the lifeline for people and the locals are fighting to preserve their rights over the natural resources.|

OPCC president Sarat Pattnayak and senior Congress leader Niranjan Patnaik criticised the BJD and BJP governments for allocating 8,000 acres of agricultural land belonging to 6,000 families to set up a varsity by Vedanta group.

Umaballav Rath, who organised the farmers rally, said the farmers must get back their land immediately.
Kolkata, Sept 9 (PTI) A man was critically injured after his scooter was hit by a car on Maa Flyover in Kolkata on Saturday morning, police said.

The man, a resident of Beliaghata, was rushed to the state-run SSKM hospital, and his condition was stated to be very critical, they said.

The accident happened around 9 am on the eastbound flank of the 7.50-km-long flyover. The scooter was hit by the private car from behind, they added.

"The car fled after the accident. A search is on for it," a police officer said.
Purulia (WB), Sep 9 (PTI) The police has made a breakthrough in its probe into a daring dacoity at a jewellery shop in West Bengal's Purulia district with the arrest of one person, a senior official said on Saturday.

The mastermind of the August 29 dacoity had planned it from a correctional home, where he is lodged in connection with a different case, Purulia District SP Abhijit Banerjee said.

"We have arrested one of the persons involved in the dacoity at the jewellery shop," he told reporters here.

The senior official said that a recce of the shop was done by the members of the gang several times from August 20 before the actual crime was committed.

"It is a well-organised gang. The perpetrators had put up at a shelter at a place in Jharkhand, which is about 50 km from here," Banerjee said.

Two shops of a jewellery company were looted on August 29, with one being at Ranaghat in Nadia district.

Five persons have been arrested in connection with the Ranaghat dacoity.
New Delhi, Sep 9 (PTI) Recognising the importance of investment in supporting human capital development, the G20 on Saturday committed to harness digital technologies to overcome digital divides for all learners and support educational institutions and teachers in keeping pace with emerging trends and technological advances

The G20 members, in its Leaders' Declaration, supported promoting open, equitable and secure scientific collaboration and encourage mobility of students, scholars, researchers and scientists across research and higher education institutions.

"We are committed to inclusive, equitable, high-quality education and skills training for all, including for those in vulnerable situations. We recognize the importance of investment in supporting human capital development. We recognise the importance of foundational learning (literacy, numeracy, and socioemotional skills) as the primary building block for education and employment," the Declaration said.

"We reiterate our commitment to harness digital technologies to overcome the digital divides for all learners and extend support to educational institutions and teachers to enable them to keep pace with emerging trends and technological advances including AI," it added.

The Declaration emphasised on expanding access to high-quality Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET).

"We reaffirm our commitment to promote open, equitable and secure scientific collaboration and encourage mobility of students, scholars, researchers, and scientists across research and higher education institutions," it said.
New Delhi, Sep 9 (PTI) India along with the US and several major economies on Saturday announced an ambitious India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor with Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasising on respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity of all nations while promoting connectivity initiatives.

The new economic corridor, which many see as an alternative to China's Belt and Road Initiative, was jointly announced by the leaders of the United States, India, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, France, Germany, Italy and the European Union on the sidelines of the G20 summit.

The countries signed the Memorandum of Understanding to establish the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor which is expected to stimulate economic development through enhanced connectivity and economic integration between Asia, the Arabian Gulf, and Europe.

In his remarks at the event, Modi also stressed on promoting financial viability rather than debt-burden as well as on following all environmental guidelines in connectivity projects and said India does not limit connectivity to regional borders as it believes that connectivity can play a key role in strengthening mutual trust.

The initiative will consist of two separate corridors -- East Corridor connecting India to West Asia/Middle East and Northern Corridor connecting West Asia or Middle East to Europe.

It will include a rail line which upon completion will provide a reliable and cost effective cross-border ship-to-rail transit network to supplement the existing multi-modal transport routes enhancing transshipment of goods and services between South East Asia through India to West Asia or Middle East Europe.

Along the railway route, participants intend to enable the laying of cable for electricity and digital connectivity, as well as pipe for clean hydrogen export.

This corridor will secure regional supply chains, increase trade accessibility, improve trade facilitation, and support an increased emphasis on environmental social, and government impacts.

The launch of the initiative was hailed as "historic" by leaders of all participating nations, including the co-chairs Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden.

Besides Modi and Biden, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan participated in the event.

"I am happy to co-chair this event with my friend President Biden," Prime Minister Modi said and added that an important and historic partnership had been achieved with this corrider.

He said that in the times to come, it will become an effective medium for economic integration of India, the Middle East and Europe.

"It will give a new sustainable direction to connectivity and development in the entire world," the prime minister said.

At the launch, Modi also said strong connectivity and infrastructure are fundamental basis for the development of human civilisation and India has always laid strong emphasis on this in its development journey.

"We are laying a strong foundation for a developed India," he said.

"Through PGII (Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment), we can play a key role in reducing the infrastructure gap in Global South countries," Modi said.

"India does not limit connectivity into regional borders. It has been India's priority to increase connectivity with all regions. We believe that connectivity between various countries is not only a source of increasing trade but also for strengthening mutual trust," he said.

It is important to keep in mind certain aspects while promoting connectivity initiatives such as adhering to international norms and rules, he said.

Modi stressed on respecting sovereignty and territorial integrity of all nations while promoting such initiatives.

"With such a major step on connectivity, we are sowing the seeds for future growth," he said.

Later, in a post on X, Modi said, "Charting a journey of shared aspirations and dreams, the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor promises to be a beacon of cooperation, innovation, and shared progress. As history unfolds, may this corridor be a testament to human endeavour and unity across continents."

Modi and US President Joe Biden called for accelerating investments to scale high-quality infrastructure projects and the development of economic corridors through the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment (PGII).

Biden said he was proud to announce that they have finalised a "historic agreement" for the new India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor.

"As key part of this corridor, we are investing in ships and rails, that extends from India to Europe connected by the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Israel. It will make it far easier to trade. I want to thank sponsors and particularly Prime Minister Modi and (Saudi Crown Prince) Mohammed bin Salman," he said.

Asserting that "this is a big deal", Biden said the partnership was focused on building a sustainable, resilient infrastructure, making quality infrastructure investments, and creating a better future.

"We need to maximize the impacts of our investments. That's why a few months ago, I announced that the United States will work with our partners to invest in economic corridors," he said.

"That means we're focusing on regional infrastructure projects that deliver results across multiple countries and multiple sectors," he said.

"This is a game changing regional investment," Biden said, adding that the US continues to make big investments in infrastructure around the world including in India.

The Saudi Crown Prince said he looks forward to the integration of the economic corridor.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen hailed the agreement on the corridor, saying this is nothing but historic. "It will be the most direct connection to date between India, the Arabian Gulf and Europe with a rail link that will make trade between India and Europe 40 per cent faster," she said.

French President Emmanuel Macron said it is about having a first global green trade route as hydrogen is also part of this project.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said, "We have to ensure that we implement it successfully and Germany is committed to contribute in that regard."

The launch of the new corridor is a milestone in strengthening global integration, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said. She thanked Modi, Biden and all others who made this possible.

"This will scale up our economic growth. Italy is ready to play a decisive role in this initiative and we want to contribute in building bridges between the Mediterrarnian and Indo Pacific," Meloni said.
New Delhi, Sep 9 (PTI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi, US President Joe Biden, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and South Africa's Cyril Ramaphosa on Saturday reaffirmed their shared commitment to the G20 as the premier forum for global economic cooperation to deliver tangible solutions.

The four leaders held a meeting on the sidelines of the G20 Summit.

While India is the current president of the G20, Brazil, South Africa, and the United States will hold the charge in the next three years respectively.

A joint statement said the leaders vowed to build on the "historic progress" of India's G20 presidency to address global challenges.

"We, the leaders of India, Brazil, South Africa, and the United States, met on the margins of the G20 Leaders' Summit in New Delhi to reaffirm our shared commitment to the G20 as the premier forum for international economic cooperation to deliver solutions for our shared world," it said.

"As the G20's current and next three Presidencies, we will build on the historic progress of India's G20 Presidency to address global challenges," it said.

"In this spirit, together with the World Bank President, we welcome the G20's commitment to build better, bigger, and more effective multilateral development banks," it said.

The statement said this commitment "underscores what we can do, by working together through the G20, to support our people toward a better future."

The G20 declaration noted that its leaders are looking forward to meeting again in Brazil in 2024 and South Africa in 2025, as well as in the US in 2026 at the beginning of the next cycle.

"We welcome Saudi Arabia's ambition to advance its turn for hosting the G20 Presidency in the next cycle. We also look forward to the Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2024 as a symbol of peace, dialogue amongst nations and inclusivity, with participation of all," the summit declaration said.
New Delhi, Sep 9 (PTI) As the world's top leaders assembled here for the G20 Summit, they called for an urgent need to tackle various challenges before the globe including on the climate front.

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said the G20 leaders came together for the first time 15 years ago to restore global growth after the financial crisis.

"We (now) meet at a time of enormous challenges - the world is looking to the G20 once again to provide leadership. Together I believe we can address these challenges," he said.

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said during his country's G20 presidency, it will launch a Task Force for Global Mobilisation against Climate Change.

"We want to reach COP 30, in 2025, with a climate agenda balanced between mitigation, adaptation, loss and damage and financing, ensuring the sustainability of the planet and the dignity of people," he said.

He said Brazil hopes to count on everyone's engagement so that the beauty of the Earth is not just a "photograph seen from space".

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said "we are delighted" that the G20 has accepted the African Union as a member of the grouping.

"Global reconstruction in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic presents a unique opportunity to accelerate the transition to low-carbon, climate resilient, sustainable societies," he said.

Developing economies, he said, are bearing the brunt of climate change, despite carrying the least responsibility for this crisis.

"As African and other developing economy countries, we face the task of meeting our climate commitments in the midst of significant developmental challenges like poverty, inequality and unemployment," he observed.

Climate change, environmental degradation, unsustainable consumption and production and resource scarcity are challenges that can only be addressed collectively and with a great deal of solidarity, he felt.

"South Africa calls for an enhanced and expanded global partnership for Sustainable Development," he said.

"This must be supported by the concrete policies and actions outlined in the Addis Ababa Action Agenda on Financing for Development," he asserted.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo said before joining the leaders of the G20 countries and heads of international organisations who had arrived, we took a group photo. The background of the photo is the wheel that is the icon of the Kornark Sun Temple, a part of the UNESCO world heritage site.

Saturday's first session of the G20 India Summit raised a topic with the theme One Earth, he noted.

European Union Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said climate change is man-made. "So it means we can address it. For this we need innovation, investments in green technologies, renewable energy capacity and energy efficiency. This requires more investments".

"At the G20, I invited leaders to join the call for global carbon pricing. In a more fragmented world, the G20's role as a forum to address global challenges is vital. The Delhi Summit, under the strong stewardship of PM Narendra Modi, will therefore be instrumental," she said.

The EU, she said, will do its utmost to make it a success.
COLOMBO, Sept. 9 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lankan migrant workers have remitted over 3.8 billion U.S. dollars during the period from January to August, an increase of 74.4 percent from a year earlier, Minister of Labor and Foreign Employment Manusha Nanayakkara said Saturday.

The minister said on the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, that nearly 500 million dollars were remitted in August alone.

The minister earlier said over 200,000 Sri Lankans had left the South Asian country for foreign employment by early September this year after registering with Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment.

In 2021, Sri Lankan workers sent a total of 5.49 billion dollars, compared to around 3.8 billion dollars recorded in 2022, showed official data.

Workers' remittances are one of the main sources of foreign revenues for Sri Lanka. 
Jaipur, Sep 9 (PTI) Sacked Rajasthan minister and BSP-turned-Congress MLA Rajendra Singh Gudha has joined Shiv Sena, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde announced on Saturday.

Addressing a gathering in Gudha's assembly constituency, Udaipurwati, in Jhunjhunu district, Shinde welcomed the former Rajasthan minister to the Shiv Sena and said Gudha left the ministerial position for the cause of people.

Gudha has come to Shiv Sena. I welcome him to Shiv Sena family, Shinde said.

Shinde said that Gudha spoke about the safety of women and law and order and he was removed for it. What wrong did he say? the Maharashtra chief minister said.

Gudha, who was the minister of state for panchayati raj and rural development, was dismissed from the post in July after he cornered the Ashok Gehlot-led Congress government in the state assembly drawing parallels between sexual violence in strife-hit Manipur and crimes against women in Rajasthan.

Following his termination, Gudha claimed he had a 'red diary' that contained details of alleged illegal transactions by Gehlot.

Shinde said that Rajasthan needs improved law and order, safety of women, job opportunities for youths and progress of farmers.

The Maharashtra chief minister said that Rajasthan requires industries and there is huge potential in sectors such as mining which can be used to create job opportunities for local youths so that they are not forced to migrate to other states in search of jobs.

Gudha gave up the ministerial post "for truth" and therefore he has joined Shiv Sena, Shinde said.

On the possibility of an alliance with the BJP in Rajasthan, Shinde said Shiv Sena will only engage with the "politics of development" for elections and added that decisions on it will be taken when polls are closer.

Rajendra Gudha contested the 2018 assembly elections on a BSP ticket and joined Congress along with five other BSP MLAs. BSP had won six seats in the last assembly elections and all the MLAs had joined the ruling party.
New Delhi, Sep 9 (PTI) The European Commission on Saturday urged G20 countries to agree to global targets on tripling renewable energy capacity and doubling energy efficiency by 2030, seen as critical to limiting the global average temperature increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius.

Addressing the "One Earth" session at the G20 Leaders' Summit in New Delhi here, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen emphasised the urgency of addressing climate change, saying: "Climate change is man-made. So, it means we can fix it."

She underscored the disproportionate impact of climate change, noting that G20 countries are responsible for a staggering 80 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions, while Africa, with less than 4 per cent of emissions, is among the most affected.

The European Commission president reminded the G20 countries that "we are about to miss our objective of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees".

"So, it is absolutely critical that we maintain our path of 1.5 degrees. Only what gets measured gets done, we know this principle. We need to triple renewable energy capacity and double energy efficiency until 2030 if we are to reach our goal of limiting temperature increases to 1.5 degrees," she said.

She called for a global commitment at COP28 for renewable energy and energy efficiency targets to be reached by 2030, saying such global goals would serve as benchmarks for tracking progress and provide predictability to the private sector.

Addressing the financial aspect of climate action, von der Leyen said delivering on the USD 100 billion climate finance target this year is a must.

"The EU is doing its fair share, with USD 27 billion delivered in 2021, and I want to assure you that we will continue to do so," she said.

The European Commission president urged the G20 countries to mobilise additional resources for climate finance through a broader adoption of carbon pricing and carbon markets.

She said only 23 per cent of the global emissions are currently covered by a carbon price sufficient to meet the Paris Agreement goals and added that the European Union's Emissions Trading System reduced emissions by 35 per cent and generated over 152 billion euros in revenue since 2005.

Von der Leyen said the EU has already unveiled a "Call for Action for Paris Aligned Carbon Markets", an initiative aimed at covering at least 60 per cent of global emissions with carbon pricing mechanisms and allocating a significant portion of the revenues to support green technologies and vulnerable communities in developing countries and emerging markets.

She said the EU plans to invest at least 4 billion euros in renewable energy and hydrogen in developing economies over the next five years through the "Global Gateway" plan.

This initiative not only focuses on financial investments but also aims to facilitate technology sharing and attract private capital, essential elements in the fight against climate change.

Von der Leyen also drew attention to the intertwining challenges of climate change and food security, particularly in the context of the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

She called on Russia to permit the export of grain from Ukraine through the Black Sea, emphasising the critical role of food stability in global security.

Von der Leyen reiterated the EU's commitment to facilitate the movement of grain through land routes. However, she said it's important for grain to travel by sea to stabilise global prices and prevent food insecurity.
Shimla, Sep 9 (PTI) Hitting out at DMK leaders' remarks on Sanatan Dharma former Himachal Pradesh chief minister Jai Ram Thakur on Saturday said no power on earth can eradicate Sanatan Dharma and those who tried to finish it never succeeded.

The BJP leader's remarks come amid a political row after DMK leader Udhayanidhi Stalin blamed Sanatan Dharma for promoting division and discrimination among people and said it should be eradicated.

DMK leader A Raja likened Sanatan Dharma to diseases like leprosy and HIV which had social stigma, prompting the BJP to accuse opposition leaders of suffering from "deep-rooted Hinduphobia".

In a statement, Thakur said the "so-called" intellectuals and leaders of the INDIA alliance are supporting such remarks by remaining silent.

The Congress and the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) among other opposition parties are constituents of the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) that is preparing to take on the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance in 2024.

Accusing the Congress and its associates of maligning Sanatan Dharma, Thakur said their mentality has been exposed.

Leaders of the INDIA bloc should stop their malicious propaganda against Sanatan Dharma, he said.

"Those trying to attack and malign Sanatan Dharma should know that such efforts have been made for the past 1,000 years, but never succeeded," he said and asked Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, a senior Congress leader, to clarify his stand on the issue.

"No power on the earth can eradicate Sanatan Dharma and the invaders who tried to finish Sanatan Dharma were finished themselves," Thakur said.

He also reminded that Sukhu had claimed that Congress won the assembly polls by defeating the BJP in the state where 97 per cent of the population is Hindu.
New Delhi, Sep 9 (PTI) A youth was stabbed to death allegedly by three people in northeast Delhi's Dayalpur area, police said on Saturday.

Police received information about the incident at around 12 am on Saturday. The incident took place on Nala Road near Brijpuri Pulia in Dayalpurs Chand Bagh, they said.

The victim -- Adnan, a resident of Moonga Nagar -- was a tailor and the youngest among three siblings, police said.

Adnan received multiple stab wounds on his chest, left side thorax and neck. It has been found that the victim was assaulted by three people, Deputy Commissioner of Police (northeast) Joy Tirkey said.

He was rushed to GTB Hospital where he was declared brought dead, he said.

The CCTV footage in the area is being scanned. Adnan had come out of his house on Friday evening with some friends. There was a history of altercation with some persons about a week ago, the DCP said.

Efforts are being made to round up all his friends and acquaintances. The accused will be identified soon, police added.
Lakhimpur Kheri (UP), Sep 9 (PTI) Two dozen people were injured when a private tourist bus carrying over 60 pilgrims from Medinipur, West Bengal fell into a roadside ditch on the Bareilly-Lucknow national highway at Jang Bahadur Ganj (JB Ganj) bypass near Allipur village on Saturday morning, police said.

Ten of the wounded were transported to the neighbouring Shahjahanpur district for treatment, JB Ganj police outpost in-charge Hemant Katiyar told PTI.

All injured were reported to be out of danger barring a woman identified as Madhumita, who got a head injury, Katiyar said.

The bus driver and his helper fled after the accident.

Pilgrims said they had boarded the bus on August 25 and after visiting Gaya, Bodhgaya, Prayagraj, Chitrakoot, Vrindavan and Haridwar, were on their way to Ayodhya and Varanasi.

In another incident nearby, two brothers were killed and a third got injured after the motorcycle they were travelling on was hit by a bus in the Mirzapur Police Station area of the district.

"One Musharraf (30) and his brothers Mashroor (25) were travelling on a motorcycle with one Buddu (55). Their motorcycle was hit by a bus near Gaushera Village Friday night," Superintendent of Police (Rural) Sagar Jain said.

While Musharraf and Mashroor were killed on the spot, Buddu was taken to a hospital for treatment, Jain said.

The bus driver decamped with his bus after the incident. Police are trying to track him.
Srinagar, Sep 9 (PTI) The Jammu and Kashmir State Investigation Agency on Saturday announced a cash reward of Rs 10 lakh for information about the killers of Babar Qadri, an advocate shot dead by militants in 2020.

The State Investigation Agency (SIA) said in a public notice, "A cash reward of Rs 10,00,000 (Rs 10 lakh) is announced for those providing information leading to the arrest of the persons involved in the killing of senior advocate of Jammu and Kashmir High Court Babar Qadri  who was killed by terrorists on 24.09.2020 at his residence."

The agency said the identity of the informer will be kept highly confidential.

"Those having any information can contact us at the mobile/WhatsApp/Telegram/Signal number 9103998467 and email sitsiabq62@gmail.com," it said.

Qadri was shot dead by militants in his residence in the Hawal area here.

The police had earlier said Saqib Manzoor, the deputy commander of The Resistance Front, was involved in Qadri's killing. Manzoor was killed in an encounter in the city in August 2021 along with Abbas Sheikh, the outfit's chief commander.
Ghaziabad (UP), Sep 9 (PTI) Known for making controversial remarks, priest of Dasna Devi temple Yati Narsinghanad Saraswati was booked on Saturday for allegedly making obnoxious comments about former president Abdul Kalam, police said.

The FIR was lodged based on a video clip which went viral on social media on Friday night, Commissioner of Police Ajay Kumar Mishra told PTI.

Yati, in the 16-second video clip, is seen making obnoxious remarks about the former president and using objectionable language for Muslims which can flare up hate and hamper communal harmony, Mishra said.

Based on the clip, Sub Inspector Prashant Kumar Gautam filed a complaint against Yati at the Wave City police station here and subsequently, an FIR was lodged on Saturday, the police said.

Yati, in his defence, told PTI that the said video clip was old and accused the police of repeatedly lodging FIRs on the same issue time and again.
(This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)
Jammu, Sep 9 (PTI) Four persons have been arrested for allegedly raping two minor girls in separate incidents in Samba district of Jammu and Kashmir, police said on Saturday.

Balbir Singh, a resident of Mohar Garh village, was arrested on Saturday for the alleged abduction and rape of a teenage girl in Samba, a police officer said.

In another incident, three persons were arrested on Friday for their alleged involvement in a case of gang rape involving a teenager in Samba, the officer said.

The trio -- Suresh Kumar alias Babu, Karandeep Singh alias Bunty and Pankaj Targotra -- were arrested within 24 hours after they allegedly committed the crime, he added.

Balbir Singh and the trio arrested on Friday have been booked in two separate cases under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, including abduction and rape, besides relevant sections of the Protection Of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, the police said.
Jaipur, Sep 9 (PTI) A Dalit student of a government school in Rajasthan's Bharatpur was allegedly assaulted by a teacher for drinking from his water camper, police said on Saturday.

When the boy's family members learnt about Friday's incident, they reached the school and protested against the teacher, identified as Ganga Ram Gurjar.

The student claimed that he drank from the camper as there was no water in the tank.

The boy's family members have lodged a complaint against the teacher at the local police station. SHO Sunil Kumar said the matter is being investigated.
A young girl poses for photos in Hanfu costume while visiting the Chinese Pavilion at the Brussels Comic Strip Festival in Brussels, Belgium, on Sept. 8, 2023. The Chinese Pavilion opened its exhibition to the public on Friday during the Brussels Comic Strip Festival from Sept. 8 to 10.

Besides comics from China, the Chinese Pavilion also presents Belgian and European comic strip enthusiasts with around ten traditional Chinese craft techniques, such as Tang dynasty pottery, Erhu, pipa and Huimo ink making, with the art of comic books. (Xinhua/Zhao Dingzhe)

BRUSSELS, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese Pavilion opened its exhibition to the public on Friday during the Brussels Comic Strip Festival from Sept. 8 to 10.

Besides comics from China, the Chinese Pavilion also presents Belgian and European comic strip enthusiasts with around ten traditional Chinese craft techniques, such as Tang dynasty pottery, Erhu, pipa and Huimo ink making, with the art of comic books.

Chinese comics, called "Manhua" in China, is not a mere product of contemporary culture, but has deep-seated roots within China's rich cultural heritage, said Gong Yi, director of the Chinese Cultural Center in Brussels, which hosts the pavilion.

Visitors to the China Pavilion can also take part in various activities suitable for all ages, such as Hanfu Salon workshop, on-site handcrafting New Year Pictures, Book Corner of Chinese comics, selected Chinese animation screening.

Micha Kapetanovic, director of the Client Experience Department at Visit Brussels, thanked the Chinese Cultural Centre in Brussels for "showing off its fine work."

He said that this event is also an opportunity to showcase all the aspects of comics, including Franco-Belgian comics, independent comics and international comics.

The BD Comic Strip Festival, which was launched in 2010 and is better known as the Brussels Comic Strip Festival, is a major annual event dedicated to comics. 

People visit the Chinese Pavilion at the Brussels Comic Strip Festival in Brussels, Belgium, on Sept. 8, 2023. The Chinese Pavilion opened its exhibition to the public on Friday during the Brussels Comic Strip Festival from Sept. 8 to 10.

Besides comics from China, the Chinese Pavilion also presents Belgian and European comic strip enthusiasts with around ten traditional Chinese craft techniques, such as Tang dynasty pottery, Erhu, pipa and Huimo ink making, with the art of comic books. (Xinhua/Zhao Dingzhe)

Young girls visit the Chinese Pavilion at the Brussels Comic Strip Festival in Brussels, Belgium, on Sept. 8, 2023. The Chinese Pavilion opened its exhibition to the public on Friday during the Brussels Comic Strip Festival from Sept. 8 to 10.

Besides comics from China, the Chinese Pavilion also presents Belgian and European comic strip enthusiasts with around ten traditional Chinese craft techniques, such as Tang dynasty pottery, Erhu, pipa and Huimo ink making, with the art of comic books. (Xinhua/Zhao Dingzhe)

People visit the Chinese Pavilion at the Brussels Comic Strip Festival in Brussels, Belgium, on Sept. 8, 2023. The Chinese Pavilion opened its exhibition to the public on Friday during the Brussels Comic Strip Festival from Sept. 8 to 10.

Besides comics from China, the Chinese Pavilion also presents Belgian and European comic strip enthusiasts with around ten traditional Chinese craft techniques, such as Tang dynasty pottery, Erhu, pipa and Huimo ink making, with the art of comic books. (Xinhua/Zhao Dingzhe)
Westerly, RI (02891)

Today

Partly cloudy. High 51F. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies this evening. Increasing clouds with periods of showers late. Low 38F. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%.
Thousands of motorists are unaware that they can appeal punitive new fines introduced by London Mayor Sadiq Khan on vehicles that do not meet his new environmental standards  if they have been issued wrongly.

Ultra Low Emission Zone (Ulez) operates 24 hours a day and is designed to improve London's air quality by discouraging drivers of older and more polluting vehicles from coming into the capital.

Transport for London (TfL) collected 73 million in fines from drivers entering Ulez last year. And now the zone includes all 32 boroughs and the City of London, the Mayor of London is issuing demands for more than 700,000 in Ulez fines each day.

Drivers who are caught in the zone without paying the 12.50 charge will be slapped with a penalty charge notice (PCN) of 180, which falls to 90 if paid within 14 days.

However, drivers who appeal these hefty fines have a one in three chance of winning, according to penalty adjudicator London Tribunals.

Appeal: Paul Farrant won his case after being issued with six penalties despite paying

The most common reason a fine was overturned was because the motorist should not have been charged in the first place, London Tribunals says.

In 2020/21, almost two fifths of 11,597 closed congestion zone and Ulez appeals were upheld.

'You have 28 days from the date you receive a penalty charge notice to appeal. You should start by contacting Transport for London by phone or through its website,' says Scott Dixon, consumer champion at The Complaints Resolver.

'If your appeal is rejected then you can appeal to the Road User Charging Adjudicators (RUCA), which are part of London Tribunals.'

Meanwhile, around five per cent of drivers were issued with fines despite already having paid the charge, it says.

Among them was Paul Farrant, 60, who successfully appealed to London Tribunals this year after receiving penalty charge notices totalling more than 1,000.

In March, the father of two set up a direct debit to pay Ulez charge for his beloved Bentley.

Paul had entered his registration number and card details into the TfL website and selected autopay, which would debit his account by 12.50 every time he drove his car into the emission zone.

A week later Paul, a former businessman, received a letter demanding 180 for unpaid charges. In the coming days, five more notices followed and TfL began chasing him for more than 1,080.

'When the first letter came through the door I was shocked as I thought autopay had been set up. I was always happy to pay the 12.50 charge, which is why I set up an account in the first place,' he says.

In August, Paul took his case to London Tribunals, where he used a screenshot to prove that he had registered for the service  which gave him grounds to appeal. The adjudicator ruled in his favour and the charges were later dismissed.Paul says: 'If I had not taken a screenshot showing that I had registered for the service then I would not have won as I would have had no proof. The fines were not fair as I made every attempt to register for the service in the first place.

'Lots of drivers could be caught up in this system and will end up paying the fines, even if they're not at fault, as they don't know how to appeal.'

There are three things TfL needs to prove in order to issue you with a Ulez fine, says Nick Freeman, a lawyer at Freeman & Co Solicitors.

'TfL must prove that your vehicle is not compliant with the new rules; it is inside a Ulez zone; and the signage is clear enough to show you that you need to pay for a fine to be upheld,' he says.

Make sure to bring any evidence to show that you paid the charge, your vehicle is compliant with the new rules or the signage was not clear when you got to court.

Ken Little, 68, was fined 180 after accidentally driving into the Ulez zone after going to a performance in London. The retired business owner and his wife Janet, 64, had borrowed their daughter's Audi A3 to drive from their home in Whitstable, Kent, to the Royal Albert Hall to see Cirque du Soleil for Ken's birthday.

But despite thinking they had registered to pay the Ulez charge, the couple received a 180 bill a week later. 'We took out insurance for our daughter's car for the day and had paid the Ulez charge at the same time as it's just not worth taking the risk,' Ken says.

'A few days later we received a bill from TfL. It was so annoying to get the letter as we did everything we could to pay the charge.'

The couple appealed to London Tribunals, which agreed that they had been fined unfairly and dismissed the case. Ken says: 'We used to go into London a lot but Ulez has put us off. It's just too complicated to know when you are in the zone or how much you should pay.'

A TfL spokesman says drivers can challenge a penalty they believe is unfair through an appeals process which includes the chance to have their case heard by an independent adjudicator.

'Of the Congestion Charge and Ulez cases that an adjudicator has considered at a hearing since the clean air zone was introduced in 2019, 90 per cent have been ruled in TfL's favour.' he says.'

If you want to appeal a Penalty Charge Notice, visit tfl.gov.uk/modes/driving/ultra-low-emission-zone/ulez-payments or call 0343 222 2222.
It's the weekend of the G20 summit in New Delhi, and it is a reminder of where power really lies in the world. America is still very much top dog.

Just about every leader is there. Joe Biden is, of course. Rishi Sunak is there, billing himself as 'India's son-in-law'. His wife, Akshata Narayana Murty, is Indian commercial aristocracy, daughter of one of the founders of software giant Infosys. Indeed, just about all the leaders of the big economies are there, bar two.

One absentee is Vladimir Putin. The other is Xi Jinping. While it is not hard to see why the Russian president is not there, the absence of China's leader seems odd, all the more so since he went to the BRICS economic summit in South Africa last month. The G20 encompasses some 80 per cent of the world economy. The BRICS  that is Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa  about 30 per cent.

Challenge: Even if China did pull past the US in the 2040s, it would be by only a small margin and the US would probably regain top position later this century

So why send your number two, premier Li Qiang, to the most important economic meeting, and go yourself to the less important one?

The best answer surely is that China can boss around the BRICS, for it is by far the largest economy there, but it has to play second fiddle to the US at the G20. Indeed, it is trying to build up the BRICS as a rival body, so that when it passes the US as the world's largest economy, it can also dominate global economic debate.

New members of the BRICS group joining next year do include some countries allied to the US, including Saudi Arabia and the UAE. But they also number Iran. And while the G20 covers the whole developed world  the UK, Europe, Canada, Australia, Japan and so on  the BRICS explicitly excludes developed nations.

It is easy to see what is going on, but China's strategy makes sense only if it does pass the US to become number one. Until a few months ago, that was the expectation of most economic forecasters, the main debate being whether this would happen in the next ten years or if would take a bit longer. But now that assumption is being increasingly challenged.

For example, last week a study by Bloomberg Economics suggested that even if China did pull past the US in the 2040s, it would be by only a small margin and the US would probably regain top position later this century. Indeed, I think it is quite likely that China will never become the world's biggest economy. If that turns out to be right, it changes everything.

Why the shift in view? It is partly because of increasing evidence that the Chinese economy is in trouble: slowing growth, falling exports, huge debts, and a property crash of monumental proportions. It is partly because America is trying to stop its technology being sold or copied by Chinese firms. But most of all, it is because China's population seems to be falling much faster than was previously expected.

India has just passed it as the world's most populous nation and it is possible that it may decline from more than 1.4 billion people now to 800 million by the end of the century. Or maybe even fewer.

Fertility rates are way below the replacement rate, for though falling births were originally triggered by the one-child policy, now relaxed, Chinese women are choosing to have far fewer children than not just their counterparts in the US, but those in Britain and Western Europe too.

China will still have a lot of people, but most of them will be retired. They will need to be looked after by shrinking numbers of young. The US, by contrast looks like it is carrying on increasing its population, and hence its workforce, far into the future.

What does all this mean for the rest of us? For a start we should recognise that the US is likely to lead the 21st century just as it did the 20th. That is good news for the UK, for let's remember that the US is our largest source of inward investment and our largest single export market. But it will be difficult for countries that have become overly reliant on Chinese sales, notably Germany, which is losing market share in cars.

But most of all, we should be aware that there will be another rival power that we will all need to respect and work with, and that is India. I have seen some projections that suggest it might even become the world's largest economy, but there is not much doubt that it will become number three, behind the US and China. That creates interesting opportunities for the UK, given the long, sometimes warm, sometimes difficult, relationship with the sub-continent. We will get no special treatment, nor should we expect it. But it is a partnership that could work very well for both sides.
Eco-warriors frequently fret about the environmental damage caused by flying. Some refuse to step on to a plane.

But it's not just aviation, many sectors cause pollution, not least the 160 billion a year fertiliser industry, responsible for 5 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions  more than aviation and shipping combined.

Atome Energy has developed a way of making zero-carbon fertiliser at scale, using hydro-electric power, water, air and limestone. The company listed on AIM at 80p in December 2021, the shares are 82.5p today and should move rapidly higher as the business moves closer to commercial production.

Power surge: Atome Energy boss Peter Levine and the Paraguay hydro-electric site that will help it produce eco-friendly fertiliser

Atome is chaired by Peter Levine, best known for floating oil and gas group Imperial Energy for little more than 2 million in 2004 and selling it four years later for 1.4 billion.

At his side is Olivier Mussat, who spent almost a decade at the World Bank, as head of financing for energy projects.

Recognising that the farming industry is under real pressure to go green, the duo have turned their attention to eco-friendly fertiliser, which can dramatically reduce harmful emissions while fostering efficient food production.

Atome's main project is in Paraguay, close to the border with Brazil. The location makes sense on several levels.

Paraguay is run by a business-friendly government, it is rated by investors and growing at a decent clip.

Importantly, too, the country is behind the world's largest hydroelectric plant, which it shares with Brazil. The plant produces more electricity than Paraguay knows what to do with and ministers are anxious to exploit that.

Atome intends to use some of that electricity to power a plant that will source hydrogen from water, mix it with nitrogen from the air and add nearby limestone to create premium fertiliser for local and international use.

Brazil is an obvious port of call, as the world's largest importer of fertiliser. But Atome's product will be in granular form so can easily be shipped further afield, and talks are already under way with UK crop producers and Irish potato farmers.

Atome has come a long way since listing on the stock market. The Paraguay project has been meticulously designed and top contractors appointed to bring it to fruition.

Funding now needs to be found  stretching to more than 250 million  but Levine and Mussat are confident that they can secure the cash, supported by the Inter-American Development Bank, which finances select projects in Latin America.

Discussions are in progress with local potential customers and energy giant Baker Hughes recently became a key investor. The US multinational spent 2.4 million on a 6.6 per cent stake in Atome, a glowing sign of confidence in Levine and Mussat's strategy.

The group intends to move into commercial production by 2026, making around 250,000 tons of fertiliser a year, worth well in excess of 80 million, at today's prices.

Plans are already in place to increase production in Paraguay from 2027 and longer term, two other projects are in the pipeline one in Costa Rica, which uses copious amounts of fertiliser to grow pineapples, melon and other fruit, the second in Iceland, using geothermal energy to make green fuel for the local shipping industry.

Atome may be a small company with projects in far-flung locations but the firm is based in Leeds and run by an experienced and ambitious management team. The technology is proven and has been deployed in other spheres for decades and there is strong demand for the fertiliser it intends to produce.

Many of the largest food businesses in the world are under pressure from governments and regulators to reduce their carbon footprint, while consumers are also increasingly keen on produce that does not pollute the planet. The war in Ukraine highlighted another key issue  global reliance on Russia and Belarus for fertiliser.

Green fertiliser, sourced from other parts of the world, can help on both counts, cutting agriculture's carbon footprint and making food production more secure.

Midas verdict: Atome is at the forefront of the green fertiliser sector and supporters believe the shares should soar to more than 2 in the next year or two. At 82.5p, the stock is a buy.

Traded on: AIM Ticker: ATOM Contact: atomeplc.com or 0113 337 2210
Bowing out: Sir Pascal Soriot

AstraZeneca boss Sir Pascal Soriot has privately told friends and trusted advisers that he is looking to leave the biggest company in the FTSE 100, The Mail on Sunday understands.

He has had one of the most successful careers in British corporate history, spearheading the development of one of the first Covid-19 vaccines and fending off a blockbuster takeover bid from US rival Pfizer.

Soriot, 64, has discussed leaving with several people, according to a source, but he has not spoken with the pharmaceuticals company's board or chairman.

He is said to be considering leaving as soon as next year, though no decisions have been made and there is no firm timeline.

In February Soriot was asked about whether he planned to depart AstraZeneca, to which he said: 'I still feel fit so I am not about to leave any time soon.'

And in April, when the company's new chairman Michel Demare was appointed, Soriot said he looked forward to working with him 'in the years to come'. He did not say in what capacity they would work together.

Soriot has been in the role for 11 years. He took over as head of the pharmaceuticals giant in 2012 and has been widely credited for spearheading a turnaround that has transformed AstraZeneca's image from laggard to pioneer, with a formidable portfolio of blockbuster cancer treatments.

Under his leadership, its market value has more than tripled to 168 billion, ahead of Shell and HSBC. And the French-Australian was last year the best-paid chief executive in the FTSE 100, netting 15.3 million, including a 10.5 million bonus, which is paid to Soriot in shares if he reaches a number of performance targets.

He is one of the few bosses on the Footsie to have earned more than 100 million, pocketing 120 million so far.

AstraZeneca's present success is a far cry from Soriot's early days at the firm. It got off to a rocky start in 2013 when his decision to move its headquarters from Alderley Park in Cheshire to Cambridge, was branded by unions as a 'massive blow' to north-west England.

The following year AstraZeneca was subject to an opportunistic takeover bid by its US rival Pfizer, which offered to buy it for 70 billion as part of a plan to move its headquarters to the UK for tax purposes. Pfizer eventually walked away after a public row, with AstraZeneca's management arguing the bid undervalued the business.

Soriot and his team have since been proven correct, with the British drugmaker now worth more than its American suitor, which is worth around 154 billion. In July, AstraZeneca itself snapped up Pfizer's portfolio of gene therapy drugs in a deal worth nearly 800 million.

Five years ago, Soriot said he was one of the lowest-paid bosses in the pharmaceutical sector, a global industry where the heads of US giants make colossal sums.

He also stirred controversy this February, blaming the high cost of doing business in the UK for prompting AstraZeneca to switch plans for a 330 million investment in a manufacturing plant to Ireland. Soriot said he wanted to build a 'state-of-the-art' facility close to existing sites in the North West, but chose Ireland because the UK tax regime was 'discouraging'.

He doubled down on the critique in April, describing Britain as 'very unattractive for companies to invest' in and warning it was difficult for pharma firms to establish manufacturing bases in the UK.

AstraZeneca became a household name at the height of the pandemic when it teamed up with Oxford University to produce a jab that was sold for no profit  though Soriot irked investors by spending much of the pandemic at his family home in Australia.

He risked shareholder ire again in 2021 leading a 28 billion takeover of US rare disease specialist Alexion, at the time the sector's biggest acquisition since the pandemic began. The jab helped earn him a knighthood in 2022 for services to the life sciences sector.

After his exit, it is thought the father-of-two will spend more time in Australia, where his family live.

AstraZeneca declined to comment.
Private equity group Advent International has fired the starting gun on its break-up of cutting-edge British aerospace group Ultra Electronics.

The US group has sold Ultra's pioneering forensics division to a Texas-based group called Leads Online.

Advent swooped on Ultra, which was a FTSE 250 index member, in a 2.6 billion deal in June 2021.

But the takeover went through only last year following an in-depth investigation that scrutinised how the sale to a US firm would affect the UK's national security.

Ultra was regarded as a strategically important company because its work includes making sonobuoys for hunting enemy submarines and technology used in F-35 fighter jets.

Flight risk: Ultra's work includes making sonobuoys for hunting enemy submarines and technology used in F-35 fighter jets (pictured)

Advent had already come under fire for the rapid break-up of another British defence company, Cobham, which it pounced on in 2019 for 4 billion.

Ultra's ballistic forensics business had previously been earmarked for sale by Advent as it was not regarded as a core part of the company.

Its world-class technology is used by police forces and crime agencies in 80 countries to solve gun-related crime by analysing bullets in detail and putting the information in databases. This enables users to connect 'cold cases' and link crimes that have been committed with the same gun. Leads Online, which provides data and intelligence tools to law enforcement agencies, did not say how much it paid for the forensics division.

The sale will fuel fears that Advent could further break up the company.

Despite pledging to be a 'long-term investor', Advent carved up Cobham, which pioneered air-to-air refuelling technology, within 18 months of acquiring it.

This is a typical business model for private equity firms, which was why many defence experts and MPs criticised the sale.

Lord West of Spithead, the former First Sea Lord, previously said Ultra's sale to Advent could leave Britain at the mercy of Russia and China's navies as submarine warfare is set to become the next 'major theatre of war'.

Ultra traces its history to 1920, when it started as a small electronics factory in West London.
Mylene Mathieu (L) tosses chilies in Huangling Village, Wuyuan County of east China's Jiangxi Province, Aug. 8, 2023. (Xinhua)

NANCHANG, Sept. 9 (Xinhua) -- On a scenic platform offering panoramic vistas of traditional grey-and-white Chinese buildings nestled among lush trees, Mylene Mathieu, who is from France, extended her arms, grasping a broad bamboo sieve with hands, tossing red chili peppers up and down.

Tossing is a procedure aimed at properly drying agricultural products, such as chili, corn, and peanuts, for longer preservation. The common rural practice is also part of Mathieu's myriad countryside experiences on her trip to Huangling Village, Wuyuan County of east China's Jiangxi Province.

Mathieu, who moved to Beijing earlier this year after more than seven years of studying Chinese, shares her daily life experiences on social media, and has gained tens of thousands of followers in just months. Her trip to Huangling turned out to be a unique experience.

"This is my first time coming to a Chinese village, and I didn't expect to meet such a beautiful one," Mathieu said. She posted a video about the chili-tossing on her TikTok-like Douyin account, with a Chinese profile name translated as "French wife xiaobengbeng," alluding to her status as the spouse of a Chinese man.

Before coming to Huangling, Mathieu did not have high expectations. "I had this image of Chinese rural areas as old and remote," she said.

However, upon entering Huangling, she was immediately captivated by the village's blend of ancient charm and modern convenience. Traditional architecture intricately adorned the landscape, and wide, flat stone paths connected every corner of the village.

Mathieu was especially impressed with a local light festival showcasing folk customs.

"I had only seen light festivals in big cities before, but Huangling combines traditional folk parades with lights, preserving tradition while showcasing the charm of modern technology," she said.

This photo shows a light festival held in Huangling Village, Wuyuan County of east China's Jiangxi Province, July 9, 2023. (Xinhua)

She was also captivated by the village's operating model. Local villagers found meaningful employment within the scenic area, leading to a shared sense of happiness and prosperity.

"You can feel their happiness radiating from within. Under the village leadership, everyone shares the consensus to pursue happiness together in this picturesque place," she said.

In just a few years, Huangling transformed from a poverty-stricken village into a rural tourism hotspot. Villagers can rake in tourism-related income from sectors such as accommodation, catering, and transportation.

The average annual income per villager increased from 3,500 yuan (486.1 U.S. dollars) before tourism development to over 50,000 yuan currently, with some families earning over a million yuan annually through their involvement in the tourism industry.

Today, Huangling is gradually gaining global recognition. It had hosted international summits featuring rural tourism and formed alliances with tourist villages from around the world. 
Tobacco companies were back in the spotlight last week as the backlash against vaping was reignited by startling statistics.

Official figures showed that one in six people aged 16 to 24 use e-cigarettes at least occasionally, up from one in nine in 2021, fuelling fears that vapes are too appealing to young people.

And the number of young women vaping every day has more than tripled in the past year to one in 15, according to the Office for National Statistics.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has previously laid out plans to curb the rise of controversial youth vaping by closing a loophole that allows free samples to be given to children. He may also introduce rules banning child-friendly packaging for disposable vapes that have sweet flavours and garish boxes.

Concern about vaping, which was initially marketed as a way to get long-term smokers to move away from cigarettes, has already dealt a blow to the share prices of London-listed cigarette companies British American Tobacco (BAT) and Imperial Brands.

Appealing: Official figures showed that one in six people aged 16 to 24 use e-cigarettes at least occasionally

But analysts believe that in the long run, tighter restrictions on the industry could instead unleash its growth.

Owen Bennett, a global tobacco analyst at investment bank Jefferies, said: 'Greater regulation would be positive for big tobacco.'

Tighter rules on the type of company that can operate in the UK would limit the amount of competition and drive out the cheaper, disposable brands, he explained.

The global vape and e-cigarette industry is worth an estimated 18 billion and could reach more than 130 billion by 2030.

BAT, which is best known for cigarette brands such as Dunhill and Lucky Strike, sold vapes worth 1.4 billion in 2022. It recently said nicotine pouches, tobacco heating products and vapes made up 16.6 per cent of group revenue, with about 40 million people using these products annually.

Meanwhile, Rizla maker Imperial raked in revenues of 208 million last year from its tobacco alternatives, which include Blu vapes and heated tobacco.

Rae Maile, an analyst at investment bank Panmure Gordon, said regulators needed to be cautious in their next steps.

'We've got to be careful about throwing the baby out with the bathwater with regulation. It shouldn't be driven by the middle-class angst that allows the demonisation of a product based on perception rather than reality, when that product has a role to play in harm reduction,' he said.

A 2018 assessment by Public Health England found that vaping is at least 95 per cent less harm- ful than smoking, despite the long-term effects being largely uncertain.

Hazel Cheeseman, the deputy chief executive of campaign group Action on Smoking and Health, said that though regulation was needed to protect young people, it could lead to unexpected results. 'A balance must be struck,' she said.

Oliver Kutz, general manager UK and Ireland at Imperial Brands, said: 'Government, industry, and enforcement authorities must work together to create a regulatory framework that both supports the important role vapes can play in helping adult smokers quit and prevents the appeal and access of these products to under-18s.'

Kingsley Wheaton, BAT's chief strategy and growth officer, told The Mail on Sunday: 'We believe there is a need in the UK to introduce a smart, well thought-through regulatory framework to address underage usage of disposable products.'
Airbus has warned that investors shunning defence stocks are undermining British industry and the country's long-term security.

The world's biggest plane maker, which employs 11,000 people in the UK, joins a chorus of companies and politicians that have urged the City to support the defence industry in the wake of the Ukraine war.

The Government is growing increasingly concerned about the refusal of large financial institutions to back defence stocks due to their environmental, social and governance (ESG) policies.

Concern: Airbus joins a chorus of companies and politicians that have urged the City to support the defence industry in the wake of the Ukraine war

Andrew Griffith, the City Minister, and James Cartlidge, the defence procurement Minister, said in July that it was 'perverse' that some investors would shun or pull out of security companies at a time of war in Europe.

'It wasn't that long ago that the defence industry was being labelled as 'uninvestable' by certain sections of the City due to ESG criteria,' said Ben Bridge, the UK chairman of Airbus's defence business.

Bridge said that since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, 'some' of this has changed  but he added that there was evidence it had not gone far enough.

'Recent data from Morningstar showed that British defence companies continue to be sold off by UK investors, undermining both our industrial landscape and our sovereign capability,' he said.

Around 130,000 people work in the UK's defence industry and the supply chain encompasses around 3,000 home-grown companies.
The following companies are subsidiares of Corteva: 3319858 Nova Scotia Company, AG EMEA Cooperatief U.A., AG EMEA Holding 1 BV, AG EMEA Holding 2 BV, AG EMEA Holding 3 BV, AG EMEA Holding 4 BV., AG EMEA Holding 6 BV, AG EMEA Holding B.V., AG Holdco Mexico S. DE R.L. DE C.V., AG MX 2 Inc., AG Mexico LLC, AG Orion Holding B.V., AgSurf Corporation, AgVenture Inc., Agar Cross Paraguaya S.A., Agrigenetics Inc.d/b/a Mycogen Seeds, Agroservicios de Mexico DDM S de R.L. de C.V., Alforex Seeds LLC, Christiana Insurance LLC, Coodetec Desenvolviment Producao e Comercializaca Agricola Ltda., Corteva (China) Inc., Corteva Agriscience (Shanghai) Co. Ltd, Corteva Agriscience Cote d' Ivoire LLC, Corteva Agriscience Egypt LLC, Corteva Agriscience SLO trgovina in storitve d.o.o., DAS Agricultural Investment Holding Company Ltd, DDP AgroSciences Nigeria Limited, DDP AgroSciences US DCOMCO Inc., DPM Netherlands B.V., DUPONT DE NEMOURS HOLDING LLC, DUPONT HOLDING NEDERLAND B.V., DUPONT India LIMITED LLC, DUPONT MEXICANA S. DE R.L. DE C.V., DUPONT SVERIGE AB, DUPONT South Africa HOLDCO (PTY) LTD, Dairyland Seed Co. Inc., Dikanka Nasinnia LLC, Doeblers Pennsylvania Hybrids Inc., Dow AgroSciences (Jiangsu) Co. Ltd., Dow AgroSciences Argentina SRL, Dow AgroSciences Asia Sdn. Bhd, Dow AgroSciences Hungary Kft. Szeged Szolnok, Dow AgroSciences International Ltd, Dow AgroSciences Polska Sp.z.o.o., Dow AgroSciences Vertriebsgesells chaft m.b.H., Dow Venezuela C.A., DuPont (Cambodia) Company Limited, DuPont (Myanmar) Company Ltd, DuPont (New Zealand) Limited, DuPont (South America) Holdings LLC, DuPont (Taiwan) Agriscience Co. Ltd., DuPont AGR Services Sarl, DuPont Argentina S.R.L., DuPont Asturias S.L.U., DuPont Bangladesh Limited, DuPont Belgian Capital LLC, DuPont Belgium North America Finance Company, DuPont Bulgaria Eood, DuPont CZ s.r.o., DuPont Capital Management Corporation, DuPont Chemical and Energy Operations Inc., DuPont Chile S.A., DuPont Company (Singapore) Pte Ltd., DuPont Conid S.P.A., DuPont Danmark ApS, DuPont Deutschland Real Estate Partner GmbH, DuPont Eastern Europe BV, DuPont Energy Company LLC, DuPont Far East Inc., DuPont Feedstocks Company LLC, DuPont Global Operations Inc., DuPont Hellas S.A., DuPont Holdco Spain III SL, DuPont Iberica S.L.U., DuPont International BV, DuPont International Operations Sarl, DuPont Kazakhstan LLP, DuPont Magyarorszag Kft, DuPont North America Inc., DuPont Operations Worldwide LLC, DuPont Orient Operations Ltd., DuPont Overseas Operations Inc., DuPont Phi Nigeria Limited, DuPont Pioneer Egypt Holding B.V., DuPont Pioneer Investment Co. Ltd., DuPont Poland Sp z.o.o., DuPont Portugal Unipessoal LDA, DuPont Production Agriscience (Malaysia) SDN. BHD, DuPont Production Agriscience Deutschland GmbH, DuPont Production Agriscience Kabushiki Kaisha, DuPont Quimica de Venezuela C.A., DuPont Romania S.R.L., DuPont SRB d.o.o. Beograd, DuPont Science and Technologies LLC, DuPont Solutions (France) SAS, DuPont Textiles & Interiors Delaware Inc., DuPont Turkey Endustri Urunleri Limited Sirketi, DuPont Ukraine LLC, DuPont Vietnam Co. Ltd., DuPont de Colombia S.A., DuPont de Ecuador SA, DuPont de Nemours (France) S.A.S., DuPont de Nemours Groupe SAS, DuPont de Nemours Investments SARL, DuPont de Nemours Italiana S.r.l., DuPont de Nemours South Africa (Pty) Ltd., DuPont de Peru S.A.C., DuPont do Brasil S.A., Ducoragro S.A. de C.V., Dunhuang Seed Pioneer Hi-Bred Company Ltd., E. I. DuPont Services Center India Private Limited, E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company, E.I. DuPont India Private Limited, Farms Technology LLC, Grainit S.R.L., Granular Australia Pty Ltd, Granular Brasil Licenciamento e Distribuicao de Software de Agricultura Ltda., Granular Canada Company, Granular Inc., Green Meadows Ltd., Griffin L.L.C. Valdosta, Hickory Holdings Inc., Hickory Securities LLC, Hoegemeyer Hybrids Inc., Imperial Metal and Chemical Company, Lavie Bio Ltd., MISR Pioneer Seeds Company S.A.E., Mycogen Plant Science Inc, NuTech Seed LLC, Orion Mexico LLC, P.T. DuPont Indonesia, PHI Financial Services Canada Ltd., PHI Financial Services Inc., PHI Mexico S.A. de C.V., PHI Seeds Private Limited, PHI Servicios S de R.L. de C.V. f/k/a PHI Servicios S.A. de C.V., PNR Enterprises (Pvt) Ltd., PT Dow AgroSciences Commerce Indonesia, PT Dow AgroSciences Indonesia, PT DuPont Agricultural Products Indonesia, Pannar Industrial Holdings (Pty) Ltd., Pannar International (Pty) Ltd., Pannar Ltd., Pannar Properties Zambia Limited, Pannar Research Farms (Pty) Ltd., Pannar Seed (Malawi) Limited, Pannar Seed (Pty) Ltd., Pannar Seed (Zimbabwe) Private Limited, Pannar Seed Holdings (Pty) Ltd., Pannar Seed Inc. - USA, Pannar Seed Kenya Ltd., Pannar Seed Lda, Pannar Seed Lesotho (Pty) Ltd., Pannar Seed Swaziland (Pty) Ltd., Pannar Seed Tanzania Ltd., Pannar Seed Zambia Ltd., Performance Materials Danmark ApS, Performance Materials Hungary Kft., Philippines Holdings Inc., Phytogen Seed Company LLC, Pioneer Argentina S.R.L., Pioneer Ble Sarl, Pioneer China Business Trust, Pioneer DuPont Zambia Limited, Pioneer Genetique Sarl, Pioneer HI-Bred Private Limited, Pioneer Hi-Bred (Switzerland) S.A., Pioneer Hi-Bred (Thailand) Co. Limited, Pioneer Hi-Bred (Zimbabwe) (Private) Limited, Pioneer Hi-Bred Agro Servicios Spain SL, Pioneer Hi-Bred Australia Pty Ltd., Pioneer Hi-Bred Canada Company, Pioneer Hi-Bred Europe Inc., Pioneer Hi-Bred Foundation, Pioneer Hi-Bred Hellas S.A., Pioneer Hi-Bred Holding Spain SL, Pioneer Hi-Bred International Inc., Pioneer Hi-Bred International Production Limited, Pioneer Hi-Bred Italia SRL, Pioneer Hi-Bred Italia Sementi SRL, Pioneer Hi-Bred Italia Servizi Agronomici SRL, Pioneer Hi-Bred Kenya Limited, Pioneer Hi-Bred Magyarorszag Kft, Pioneer Hi-Bred Northern Europe Sales Division GmbH, Pioneer Hi-Bred Northern Europe Service Division GmbH, Pioneer Hi-Bred Philippines Inc., Pioneer Hi-Bred Poland Sp z.o.o., Pioneer Hi-Bred Production Company, Pioneer Hi-Bred Production and Service Company Limited, Pioneer Hi-Bred Puerto Rico Inc., Pioneer Hi-Bred R.S.A. (Pty) Ltd., Pioneer Hi-Bred Research R.S.A. (Proprietary) Ltd., Pioneer Hi-Bred Romania S.R.L., Pioneer Hi-Bred Rus Limited, Pioneer Hi-Bred S.A.R.L., Pioneer Hi-Bred SRB doo Novi Sad, Pioneer Hi-Bred Seed Agro S.R.L., Pioneer Hi-Bred Seeds Ethiopia PLC, Pioneer Hi-Bred Sementes de Portugal S.A., Pioneer Hi-Bred Services GmbH, Pioneer Hi-Bred Slovensko Spol S.R.O., Pioneer Hi-Bred Spain S.L., Pioneer Hi-Bred Ukraine, Pioneer Hi-Bred Vietnam Limited, Pioneer Mexico Holdings LLC, Pioneer Mexico Operations S. de R.L. de C.V., Pioneer Overseas Corporation, Pioneer Overseas Corporation (Hong Kong) Holdings Limited, Pioneer Overseas Corporation (Hong Kong) Holdings No 1 Limited, Pioneer Overseas Corporation (Hong Kong) Holdings No 2 Limited, Pioneer Overseas Corporation (Singapore) PTE LTD, Pioneer Overseas Investors LLC, Pioneer Overseas Research Corporation, Pioneer Pakistan Seed Limited, Pioneer Seed Holding Nederland B.V., Pioneer Seed Holding Participations B.V., Pioneer Seeds Inc., Pioneer Semena Bulgaria EOOD, Pioneer Semena Holding GmbH, Pioneer Semena Holding GmbH Parndorf, Pioneer Semences S.A.S, Pioneer Service Holding B.V., Pioneer Sjeme D.o.o, Pioneer Tohumculuk A.S., Pioneer Tohumculuk Disribution and Marketing, Pioneer Turks & Caicos LLC, Pitt-Consol Chemical Company, Production Agriscience (Australia) Pty Ltd, Production Agriscience Belgium BVBA, Production Agriscience Canada Company, Production Agriscience Diamond LLC, Production Agriscience Korea Ltd., Production Agriscience Netherlands BV, Production Agriscience UK LTD, SP International Holding 3 BV, Seed Consultants Inc., Semillas Pioneer Chile Ltda., Semillas Pioneer de Venezuela C.A., Shandong Denghai Pioneer Seed Company Limited, Sociedad Comercial Agar Cross S.A., Sporting Goods Properties Inc., Stasi Nasinnia LLC, Teiling Pioneer Seed Research Co Ltd., Terral Seed Inc., The Advantage Corp., The Union Metallic Cartridge Company, and Village Court Inc..

Read More
RIYADH, Sept. 9 (Xinhua) -- Saudi Arabia announced on Saturday the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the United States to establish intercontinental green transit corridors, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The MoU, signed on Friday, provides a framework for developing a protocol for establishing green transit corridors through the kingdom to connect Asia and Europe.

This project aims to facilitate the transit of renewable electricity and clean hydrogen via transmission cables and pipelines, as well as constructing rail linkages, said the report.

It will also help enhance energy security, promote the digital economy, trade and transport of goods, added the report. 
NEW DELHI, Sept. 9 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Saturday expressed the hope that the European Union (EU) will uphold the principles of market economy and fair competition, keep its trade and investment markets open, and provide a fair, transparent and non-discriminatory environment for Chinese companies to invest and operate in Europe.

Li made the remarks in his meeting with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on the sidelines of the G20 summit. 
This Account has been suspended.
September 08, 2023





A typical shopping experience on the online shopping app Temu might involve ordering a dozen items for around $30. These could range from $3 socks to $8 earbuds. The platform has quickly built a reputation as the digital destination for flash sales and bargain hunting. Of course, the question that follows from such low prices is: Are these products any good? To answer this question, thousands of influencers have taken to social channels like TikTok, Instagram, and Twitter to explain their Temu hauls to viewers.







A Temu haul comes in the form of the companys distinctive large orange bags or boxes full of budget-friendly items, from jewelry and clothes to tech gadgets and car parts. The shopper, usually an influencer with thousands  or hundreds of thousands  of followers, reveals each item, describes its quality, and highlights just how inexpensive it was.

These videos have caught on as a way of helping shoppers figure out just what kind of quality they can expect from Temu. The general response has been positive, with videos continuing to spring up and influencers often pleasantly surprised that these inexpensive items tend to arrive as advertised.

This phenomenon is part of a larger trend of influencers building on the popularity of new e-commerce apps and generating social media traffic. Theyre using social platforms to both form partnerships with these sites and brands and speak to their viewers curiosity about just how quality items could be sold at such low prices.

Why Influencers Post Temu Hauls

Shopping hauls enable influencers to connect with brands and answer their followers' questions about the quality of a product. They can also explain how a shopping platform works and delve into their own experience of using an app to shop. Influencers use shopping hauls to promote products and brands that they have established partnerships with and that they think their followers will enjoy. The goal is to build trust and rapport with followers and generate increased sales for the brands with a more genuine promotional approach.

For fans of these influencers, it can be exciting to see what new products theyve found, and it can be helpful to get an honest opinion on whether or not a product is worth buying. Shopping hauls help viewers learn about new brands and products that they might not have heard of before. Influencers are usually seen as opinion leaders in their respective niches, be it fashion, beauty, DIY crafting, or lifestyle. Haul videos provide a platform for influencers to showcase their expertise and knowledge about the products they've purchased.

These videos generate a lot of traffic on social media platforms like TikTok and YouTube (News - Alert), with some reaching hundreds of thousands of views. A recent video made by popular influencer TheCraftyDIYGuy has over 215,000 views on YouTube. It features reviews of 30 items representing a range of Temus product categories, including home decor, fashion, mens jewelry, automotive supplies, and kitchen accessories.

Temu did reach out to me and asked if I would partner with them on this video today and they wanted me to share some of their products and of course I jumped at the chance and said yes, explained TheCraftyDIYGuy in his haul video. This is probably one of my most organized hauls ever. If you see something you like, you can go right to my description box and order it directly now with Temu.

This candid explanation makes the influencer haul strategy clear. Its established from the start that theres a partnership with the platform, but to maintain a loyal following, influencers need to remain genuine and give their honest opinion on the products. In some ways, these haul videos function as a traditional celebrity endorsement would. However, instead of partnering with a massive star and trying to reach millions of people at once, brands team up with several influencers and reach thousands of their followers at a time. Its a more diversified approach that enables platforms like Temu to reach niche audiences in a way that would be difficult using traditional advertising channels.

A recent report by business intelligence company Morning Consult, which was based on survey responses from 2,000 respondents aged 13 to 38, found that half of millennials said they trust influencers product recommendations, compared to 38% who said they trust celebrities.

Influencers and E-Commerce

The number of people seeking careers or side hustles as influencers has skyrocketed in recent years. The report found that 86% of young people wanted to try influencing on their social channels, with 12% already considering themselves to be influencers and 20% reporting that they know at least one influencer personally.

At the same time, e-commerce continues to grow and isnt expected to stop anytime soon. Market researchers Insider Intelligence expects the sector to grow by double digits in 2023 to reach $1.148 trillion.

The percentage of consumers who start their online shopping experience on social media channels is also projected to increase, reaching 19% for TikTok, 19% for Instagram, 20% for Facebook (News - Alert), and 25% for YouTube.

This confluence of changing factors in retail and social media suggests that Temus business model could continue to see success. With more influencers using haul videos to reach niche audiences, theres plenty of room for growth for the platform, and its reaching broader audiences at the same time, even airing a Super Bowl ad in February 2023. The company has also actively pursued international expansion. After its initial launch in the U.S., its since expanded to Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Europe. As Temu enters its second year of operations this fall, its growth trajectory and general industry trends suggest that it will continue to play a role in a fast-evolving e-commerce sector.
[September 08, 2023]

Taiwan Information and Communications Technology Industry Report 2023-2026: Development of the Information Hardware Industry, Analyzing Shipment Value and Volume

DUBLIN, Sept. 8, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Development of the Taiwan Information and Communications Technology Industry, 2023 and Beyond" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

This report provides an overview of the Taiwan information and communication technology industry with statistical facts.

It examines the development of the Taiwan information hardware industry, analyzing shipment value and volume by product category, including notebook PC, desktop PC, tablet, motherboard, and server system.

It also investigates the growth of the Taiwan communications hardware industry, assessing shipment value and volume by product category, such as smartphone, WLAN NIC, DSL modem,cable modem, PON CPE, cable STB, IP STB, and OTT STB.







Furthermore, the report delves into the future prospects of both the Taiwan information hardware and communications hardware industries, offering production value forecasts for the period 2023-2026.

Key Topics Covered:

Development of the Taiwan Information and Communication Technology Industry

Development of the Taiwan Information Hardware Industry

Development of the Taiwan Communications Hardware Industry

A selection of companies mentioned in this report includes

Amazon

AMD

Applied Materials

ASML

Dell

Google

Merck

Meta

Micron

Microsoft

Mitsubishi Chemical

NXP

Qualcomm

Supermicro

Synopsys

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/nlszgu

About ResearchAndMarkets.com

ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.

Media Contact:

Research and Markets

Laura Wood, Senior Manager

[email protected]

For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470

For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630

For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900

U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907

Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/539438/Research_and_Markets_Logo.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/taiwan-information-and-communications-technology-industry-report-2023-2026-development-of-the-information-hardware-industry-analyzing-shipment-value-and-volume-301921903.html

SOURCE Research and Markets
[September 08, 2023] Bernstein Litowitz Berger & Grossmann LLP Receives Approval of a Landmark $1 Billion Settlement for Shareholders in Wells Fargo Securities Class Action Tweet

The federal judge overseeing a securities class action against Wells Fargo (NYSE:WFC) for deceiving investors about its compliance and risk management practices has given final approval to a $1 billion settlement with Wells Fargo investors who challenged the bank's severe disclosure lapses. Following the announcement of the settlement this past May, U.S. Judge Jennifer L. Rochon of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York granted final settlement approval in a hearing today. The $1 billion settlement is the largest ever in a securities class action not involving a restatement, an SEC action, or DOJ criminal charges. Leading investor law firm Bernstein Litowitz Berger & Grossman was co-lead counsel for Wells Fargo shareholders, including Swedish institutional investor Handelsbanken Fonder AB, the Public Employees' Retirement System of Mississippi, and the State of Rhode Island, Office of the General Treasurer, on behalf of the Employees' Retirement System of Rhode Island. "We are honored to have played a key role in securing such a significant recovery for Wells Fargo investors," said BLB&G founding partner Max Berger, who helped negotiate the final settlement "As we noted when the settlement was announced this past spring, the case further underscores the critical role that institutional investors can play to help protect and maintain trust in the financial markets, which is crucial for global stability and economic growth."



The action, In re Wells Fargo & Company Securities Litigation, No. 20-CV-04494 (JLR), alleged that Wells Fargo issued false and misleading statements to investors regarding the status of the bank's compliance with regulatory Consent Orders requiring the bank to remedy serious risk management deficiencies. Wells Fargo's investors were harmed after a series of disclosures revealed the bank had misrepresented its compliance with those orders, causing a sharp decline in Wells Fargo's stock price. The $1 billion settlement was reached after three years of litigation and achieved with the assistance of a respected mediator, former U.S. District Judge Layn R. Phillips.

In addition to Mr. Berger, BLB&G's Wells Fargo litigation team included partners John C. Browne, Jeroen van Kwawegen, Hannah Ross, Jonathan Uslaner, and Michael Blatchley, and senior associate Lauren Cruz. The law firm of Cohen Milstein Sellers & Toll PLLC served as co-lead counsel. About BLB&G BLB&G (www.blbglaw.com) is widely recognized as a leading law firm worldwide, advising clients on securities litigation and prosecuting class and private actions on behalf of individual and institutional clients. Since its founding in 1983, BLB&G's distinguished group of trial-tested litigators have obtained many of the largest monetary recoveries in history - securing nearly $40 billion on behalf of investors. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230908226950/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[September 09, 2023] Baron & Budd Announces $1.4 Billion Settlement From Kroger in Nationwide Opioid Lawsuit Tweet

Today, the nationally recognized attorneys at Baron & Budd announced a $1.4 billion nationwide settlement agreement with retail pharmacy giant Kroger concerning the company's role in the opioid epidemic. Baron & Budd's President and Managing Shareholder, Russell Budd, played a lead role in negotiating the settlement. When added to the previous settlements obtained from opioids manufacturers, distributors, and pharmacies, this $1.4 billion settlement with Kroger brings the total national settlement value to nearly $61.4 billion. While Kroger is typically known as a grocery store, the company has more than 2,000 pharmacies within its stores nationwide. During the multi-year litigation, the plaintiffs (States, cities, and counties) argued that Kroger, in operating its pharmacies, failed to comply with its "corresponding responsibility" obligations. Retail pharmacies, such as Kroger, are required under federal and state law to refuse to fill opioid prescriptions with red flags indicating that the drugs may not be for a legitimate medical purpose, unless the red flags can be resolved. The plaintiffs also argued that Kroger failed to comply with state and federal laws regarding "suspicious orders" with respect to its distributor operations concerning opioid drugs. When corporations distribute opioids through their own distribution network, they are required to monitor, detect, investigate, and report suspicious opioid orders. "The opioid crisis has damagedand taken so many lives and put an enormous financial burden on families and entire communities. This settlement, along with the others, will help put our country on a path to recovery," said Russell Budd.



For more than a decade, opioid painkillers have flooded the country by corporate actors that have placed profits over patient safety, resulting in an epidemic of opioid overdose deaths and addiction. Prescription opioid supply and dispensing is a primary driver of the opioid epidemic, and increased volume is causally associated with the explosion of heroin and fentanyl use, and related harms, including the high rates of OUD (opioid use disorder), overdoses, opioid-related-mortality, hospitalization rates, foster care placements, child exposure to parental opioid abuse, and NAS (neonatal abstinence syndrome). Baron & Budd Opioid Litigation Team

Baron & Budd attorneys represent municipalities, states, cities, counties, and tribal nations across the country in the complex opioid litigation. The firm started the opioid multidistrict litigation (MDL) and is part of the team which filed one of the first lawsuits against the drug distributors. Our attorneys co-led the first AG trial to be completed against the pharmacies, and have helped communities hold pharmacies, distributors, and manufacturers accountable for the opioid epidemic in the United States. For more information visit, www.nationalopioidcrisis.com. About Baron & Budd, P.C. Baron & Budd, P.C. is among the largest and most accomplished plaintiffs' law firms in the country. With more than 40 years of experience, Baron & Budd has the expertise and resources to handle complex litigation throughout the United States. As a law firm that takes pride in remaining at the forefront of litigation, Baron & Budd has spearheaded many significant cases for hundreds of public entities and tens of thousands of individuals. Since the firm was founded in 1977, Baron & Budd has achieved substantial national acclaim for its work on cutting-edge litigation, trying hundreds of cases to verdict and settling tens of thousands of cases in areas of litigation as diverse and significant as dangerous and highly addictive pharmaceuticals, defective medical devices, asbestos and mesothelioma, wildfires, environmental contamination, fraudulent banking practices, e-cigarettes, motor vehicles, federal whistleblower cases, and other consumer fraud issues. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230908662446/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today announced the launch of the historic India-Middle East-Europe economic corridor, a mega initiative involving Saudi Arabia, UAE, France, Italy, Germany and US, giving a new direction to connectivity and sustainable development of entire world, reported the Press Trust of India.

The announcement of a multimodal transport and energy corridor between India and Europe via the Middle East today at the G20 summit marks a breakthrough in post-Partition Indias quest for deeper connectivity with the regions to the north-west of the Subcontinent.

Long anxious about Chinas connectivity projects in the region under its decade-old Belt and Road Initiative, frustrated by Pakistans refusal to allow overland access and a futile quest for credible connectivity through Iran into the Eurasian landmass, India has finally found a formula to connect to both Arabia and Europa.

"Today we all have reached an important and historic partnership. In the coming times, it will be a major medium of economic integration between India, West Asia and Europe," said PM Modi, addressing the world leaders.

The idea of ship and rail connectivity between India and the Arabian peninsula came up when National Security Adviser Ajit Doval met his US counterpart Jake Sullivan in May this year.

Since then, the idea has acquired much traction a lot faster than anticipated. The presence of all the key actors in New Delhi for the G20 summit, including the European Union, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and the United States, provided the opportunity to unveil the formal framework for pursuing this transformative project, reported The Indian Express.

This corridor will give a new direction to connectivity and sustainable development of entire world, said the Indian Premier.

The US President Joe Biden termed the launch of the India-Middle East a big deal and said that one is going to hear the phrase economic corridor more often in the coming decade.

This is a real big deal. I want to thank PM Modi. One Earth, One Family, One Future that's the focus of this G 20 Summit. And in many ways, it's also the focus of this partnership that we're talking about today. Building sustainable, resilient infrastructure, making quality infrastructure investments and creating a better future. A future that presents greater prosperity and dignity for everyone, said Biden.

I want to highlight the key ways in which the United States and our partners are working to make this a reality. Economic corridor. You're going to hear that phrase more than once, I expect, over the next decade. As we work to address infrastructure gaps across low-middle-income countries, we need to maximize the impact of our investments. That's why a few months ago announced that the United States will work with our partners to invest in economic corridors, he said.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen too commended the Indian PM for the landmark initiative. Terming it historic, she said it would be the most direct connection to date between India, the Arabian Gulf and Europe.

"We are presenting two large-scale projects today. First the India-Middle East-Europe economic corridor. This is nothing but historic. It would be the most direct connection to date between India, the Arabian Gulf and Europe, with a rail link that would make the trade between India and Europe 40% faster. With an electricity cable and hydrogen pipeline to foster clean energy trade between the Middle East and Europe. This corridor is much more than a railway or cable corridor. It is a green and digital bridge across continents and civilizations," she said.

"In this spirit, we announce the second project: The trans-African Corridor which will connect the port of Lobito in Angola with Katanga province in DRC and the copper belt in Zambia," stated the European Commission President.

The UAE has pledged to work alongside the Governments of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Member States of the European Union, the Republic of India, and the United States on the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), reported Wam.

The announcement was made in the presence of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on the sidelines of the 18th G20 Heads of State and Government Summit held in New Delhi, India, where the UAE is participating as a guest of honour.

The establishment of the corridor aims to significantly enhance connectivity and integration between participating countries and will be comprised of two different pathways  the east corridor connecting India to the Arabian Gulf and the northern corridor connecting it to Europe.

The cross-border ship-to-rail transit corridors will reduce shipping costs across the network and facilitate trade in goods and services to, from, and between the UAE, Saudi Arabia, India, and Europe.

Participants will also assess the potential of electricity and clean hydrogen exports to enhance regional supply chains and connectivity as part of joint efforts to lower greenhouse gas emissions and integrate environmental conservation in the initiative.

The UAEs cooperation on this initiative reflects the countrys efforts to strengthen its international partnerships and contribute towards a sustainable future, particularly in advance of its hosting of the upcoming COP28 climate conference in November, the report added.

Participants are looking forward to working together to establish coordinating bodies that will address a range of technical, financial, legal, and regulatory affairs. In the coming period, participants will also meet to advance the design and implementation of the transit network, it added.
Chinese Premier Li Qiang meets with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on the sidelines of the Group of 20 summit in New Delhi, India, Sept. 9, 2023. (Xinhua/Rao Aimin)

NEW DELHI, Sept. 9 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Qiang said on Saturday that the mainstream of China-Europe ties is cooperation, and the relations are win-win in nature.

In his meeting with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on the sidelines of the Group of 20 summit, Li also said that China and Europe, as two major forces in a multipolar world and two major engines of global development, should come together even closer and step up their cooperation.

He called on both sides to offset uncertainties in the international landscape with the stability of China-Europe relations.

China, Li said, stands ready to work with Europe in successfully hosting the China-EU Summit this year, deepen mutual trust and properly handle differences through communication and consultation, and jointly make more positive contributions to global peace and development.

Risk prevention as well as cooperation are not mutually exclusive, Li said, adding that people should not simply equate interdependence with insecurity, nor should they overstretch the concept of security and politicize economic issues.

China's development and openness bring opportunities, not risks, to Europe and the world, he noted.

The premier said China stands ready to strengthen communication and cooperation with Europe to enhance the reliability and stability of China-Europe economic and trade relations.

Li expressed the hope that the EU will uphold the principles of market economy and fair competition, keep its trade and investment markets open, and provide a fair, transparent and non-discriminatory environment for Chinese companies to invest and operate in Europe.

China is willing to further deepen green partnership with Europe, strengthen dialogue and cooperation in such fields as clean energy and green finance, and provide support for developing countries in tackling climate change, he added.

For her part, Von der Leyen said that since the beginning of this year, exchanges between Europe and China have been continuously strengthened and yielded positive results.

The European side, she added, is willing to strengthen dialogue and cooperation with China in various fields to jointly tackle climate change and other global challenges. 

Chinese Premier Li Qiang meets with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on the sidelines of the Group of 20 summit in New Delhi, India, Sept. 9, 2023. (Xinhua/Rao Aimin)
[September 09, 2023] Jackery's Solar Generators: Empowering Malaysians with Clean, Safe, and Portable Energy Tweet

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Sept. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Jackery, a global leader of innovative portable power and green outdoor energy solutions, has announced its official entry into the Malaysian market, the first country in the Southeast Asian market that it has launched operations. This is just the start of Jackery's global aspirations. Looking ahead, Jackery will enter more markets to bring clean and green energy solutions to the world. Jackery Solar Generator: Sustainable, safe and portable Jackery's Solar Generator, consisting of a portable power station and solar panel, offers new green options for people in need. Equipped with the Solar Generator, customers are able to become self-sufficient through a closed-loop electricity supply. Whether it be for outdoor leisure, home backup, professional work, or industrial applications, Jackery's range of products guarantees a seamless power supply for a wide array of devices. From smartphones and laptops to refrigerators and electric cooking equipment, Jackery's offerings cater to diverse power needs. Jackery has achieved remarkable success, selling over 3 million units worldwide and emerging as a global leader in terms of sales and market share. Jackery: Pioneers in Solar Generators Jackery is the global leading Solar Generator brand which expertise in it for 11 years. Moreover, its successes have been recognized in over 00 top media and organizations including The New York Times, CNN and Forbes.Last year, Forbes dubbed Jackery's solar generators "the Apple of portable power devices."



With the mission of "Bring Green Energy to All", Jackery is committed to providing clean energy solutions for outdoor living and emergencies while reducing the carbon footprint and environmental impact. The company has received carbon footprint verification from TUV SUD for multiple solar panel and portable power products, a remarkable achievement in the solar generator industry. Furthermore, Jackery's pursuit of sustainable innovation was recognized with the prestigious SEAL Sustainable Product Award for 2023. The company also actively engages in environmental preservation initiatives, partnering with organizations like the National Forest Foundation (NFF), the Nature and Biodiversity Conservation Union (NABU), and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF). Empowering Malaysia's Energy Transition

Jackery will be orientated to long-term operational goals and deeply associate themselves with he local consumer groups. Through extensive cooperation with local digital home appliances, outdoor products and other large retailers, the company plans to build a strong channel sales network; and through an extensive after-sales service system will aim for further market expansion. By providing green, safe, and portable Solar Generators, Jackery can not only support Malaysians' enjoyment of the outdoor lifestyle, but also serve as emergency backup power for the home. Customers in Malaysia can now purchase select classic products: Explorer 1000 Pro, 500, 240 portable power station, and the SolarSaga 100W Solar Panel in offline retailers of digital appliances and outdoor products from Sep 15th.The four products are priced at MYR 4399, 2099, 1199 and 1199. Learn more about the Jackery https://my.jackery.com/ About Jackery Jackery, the world's leading innovative portable power and green outdoor energy solution provider founded in California in 2012, is a global top-selling solar generator brand born with a mission to bring green energy to all. Jackery launched the world's first outdoor portable power stations in 2016 and developed the world's first portable solar panels in 2018. Jackery has sold over 3 million units globally since 2018, and has been recognized by over 200 authorized media and organizations worldwide and received 58 prestigious international design awards. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/jackerys-solar-generators-empowering-malaysians-with-clean-safe-and-portable-energy-301922572.html SOURCE Jackery Inc.

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
A quick roundup of court cases, police action and community outreach notes . . .



Check TKC news gathering . . .

Kansas City-area Proud Boy pleads guilty for actions in Jan. 6 Capitol attack An Olathe man pleaded guilty in federal court Thursday to a felony charge connected to his role in the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol.

Missouri man 'barreled into' officers with shields during Capitol riot, charges say "(Chancelor) Taylor ran toward the officers and barreled into the line with his shoulder," court documents said. "After retreating, Taylor turned around and shouted at officers, 'I hope you all f---- die!'"

Jackson County judge sentences cop killer to life in prison without parole A convicted cop killer avoided the death penalty, but a judge ruled Friday the killer will spend the rest of his life in prison.

Federal grand jury in Kansas City, Missouri charges 15 in fentanyl-distribution scheme The 63-count superseding indictment was unsealed following the arrest of one defendant.

Kansas police took Jeremy Sellhorn's car in 2020 and he can't get it back. He isn't alone Police can take money, cars and other property from Kansans through a process called civil asset forfeiture. Police say it's a tool that stops criminals. But opponents say law enforcement takes too much.

Kansas couple criminally charged for sleeping in church | Opinion Pushed out of Denver by high rent, moving to a small town west of Wichita and fighting City Hall has been a bureaucratic and legal quagmire.

Independence Police asking for help to find a woman who got into an unfamiliar car Police said 44-year-old Ebony Duncan was last seen Wednesday evening and did not show up for work Thursday.

Developing . . .
QOur son is starting his second year of university. Hes always been a good student, and has a few goals regarding his future choice of study and work, which he hasnt yet defined for us.

We trust his good judgment and are able to pay for his tuition and rented space in a students residence, along with books, etc.

Last year, which was his first living away from home, he mentioned several times the name of a female student living there.

But very recently, and before he returned to school, he mentioned her again and we learned that theyve kept in close touch over the summer.

To our surprise, he asked for an advance on the money well be giving him when school starts  in just weeks. It didnt make sense to us.

When he hesitated (suddenly looking ill at ease), we were told that his clothes are all wrong, according to this girlfriend (hed never used that description before and we have never met this girl).

He said that he needs extra money to buy the right clothes.

I admit that we were taken aback. His university costs alone are somewhat of a reach for us. We also have a daughter wholl graduate from high school in two years.

My husband and I felt some empathy for our sons embarrassed request. But weve always seen his clothing choices as casual, practical and suitable. Also, he had a part-time job throughout his later high school years, so he never asked for an allowance.

But when we hesitated about paying for new clothes, he looked miserable. So, we said wed discuss it.

One week later, as he was packing to leave, he said we could forget about the new clothes.

The girlfriend had dumped him. We ache for his inner pain and outer embarrassment. How can we help him heal this wound?

Sons Life Lesson

AIts his life to live and learn from. He now knows that people  even if he once cared for them  can be shallow and frivolous. Hes also seen the thoughtfulness of his parents in weighing whether a surprise request for more financial help had merit.

And hes already experienced great family support and should hold that concept close, for now, for his sisters well-being, and his own future.

His wound will lessen considerably when he ultimately realizes that hes come away lucky to not be enmeshed in someone elses false values.

QLast year I accepted a new boarder for my well-maintained apartment. I offered him a nicely furnished room. And because he was new here, I took him on a few weekend adventures.

We both had a good time and I paid (nothing too expensive). We both enjoyed the occasional pizza and a movie.

When he asked if two people close to him could stay one week each, I agreed.

I was super friendly and accommodating. However, they always turned me down when I offered to take them out. They did everything without me  even cooking and not including me.

I challenged my roommate but he blamed me for allowing the invite.

Furious, Im considering asking him to leave (with two months notice).

Confused on Etiquette

AYour intentions regarding the visitors were generous and well-meant, but misguided. Theres no mutual etiquette here to discuss. Theyre new to the area, and chose to explore it themselves.

To avoid future discontent with any renters, youd benefit from studying Ontarios Landlord Tenant Act.

QMy husbands parents, in their mid-70s, live in Switzerland. We live in Canada.

His parents house is borderline hoarding, cluttered with stuff and dust. They do nothing about it. My husbands dad often volunteers or works part-time. His mom is always at home.

Wed like to clean their place, involving them when we visit yearly, and do this before the hoarding worsens or one spouse dies. The other wont manage well alone.

Whenever we raise this, they brush us off.

Hoarding Seniors

AAmong the toughest relationship topics, hoarding is a red-hot issue that equally upsets caring relatives and alarms hoarders who disbelieve and distrust them.

The challenge: Cognitive behavioural therapy is the main treatment for hoarding disorder. So, relatives or others must find a therapist or other mental health provider with treatment expertise.

However, as the Mayo Clinic puts it, some people don't even recognize the negative impact of hoarding on their lives, or they simply don't believe that they need treatment.

Ellies tip of the daySome early and harsh life lessons gradually become better understood and even appreciated, from your own more mature view.

Ellie Tesher and Lisi Tesher are advice columnists for the Star and based in Toronto. Send your relationship questions via email: ellie@thestar.ca or lisi@thestar.ca.
A Toronto police officer has been charged with aggravated assault for a February shooting in North York that left a man with serious injuries.

Ontarios Special Investigations Unit (SIU) announced Friday it is charging Const. Andrew Davis in the Feb. 27 shooting of Devon Fowlin during a confrontation near Black Creek Drive and Trethewey Drive, steps from a North York police station.

In a news release, the SIU said its director Joseph Martino had charged Davis with one count each of aggravated assault and of discharging his firearm with intent to maim, wound, disfigure or endanger life.

As the matter is before the courts, and in consideration of the fair trial interests of the accused, the SIU will not provide further comment on the investigation, the SIU said in its release.

Fowlin, 31, was Tasered and shot in the abdomen, chest and arm in a confrontation that police said began with call about a man in a park threatening another man with a knife.

Officials have released few details about the shooting. According to the SIU, after officers arrived from nearby 12 division they chased a man who was walking a dog  now identified as Fowlin  through a green space near Tretheway Park East, before one police officer fired a gun and two others Tasered him. The man was taken to hospital where he underwent emergency surgery.

At an emotional press conference a few weeks after the shooting, Fowlin said he was lucky to have escaped with his life.

He told reporters hed been fired on by police with little warning, even though he hadnt threatened anyone and wasnt posing any public safety risk.

I feared for my life, Fowlin said in March, flanked by crying relatives, his right arm in a purple cast. I didnt do anything wrong at all.

Fowlin said the shooting happened during his daily walk with his dog, and that the green space had been empty at the time of the confrontation.

He said he was carrying a knife that morning, but said it was cooking and for prayer. At the time, hed lost his airport job in the pandemic, was experiencing homelessness and was living out of his car.

On the morning of the shooting, Fowlin said hed raised his arm a few times while holding the knife and then noticed someone approaching. He said it was a police officer in an unmarked car who then got out and started walking toward him.

According to Fowlin, he then noticed two other police cruisers arriving, saw officers get out, then they pointed their guns at me right away.

They shouted one command and then immediately I felt a shot, Fowlin at the time. Right after, I just heard multiple shots going off.

Davis is scheduled to appear in court October 3.

Earlier this year, the SIU charged Toronto police officer Calvin Au in the April 2021 sudden death of Black teen Chadd Facey. Au is charged with manslaughter and aggravated assault in an exceedingly rare case of an off-duty cop charged in a homicide.

More to come.

Wendy Gillis is a Toronto-based reporter covering crime and policing for the Star. Reach her by email at wgillis@thestar.ca or follow her on Twitter: @wendygillis
What is it about lighthouses that were so drawn to? Look! I exclaim to my husband with glee, pointing to the white and red tower perched on a craggy headland in the distance. Whether the structures simply make for a pretty postcard scene or evoke some deeper, subconscious sense of safe harbour, Im delighted to spot one at the end of our days trek along a red-sand beach on Prince Edward Islands Island Walk.

The 700-kilometre walking trail skirts the edges of Canadas smallest province, taking travellers down back-roads, across secluded beaches and through historic towns. Although it was created in 2019, due to pandemic restrictions 2022 was the first full year the walk welcomed off-island visitors. Clocking 20 to 25 kilometres a day, you would need about a month to accomplish the whole route, but trekkers can also opt to walk sections over the course of several days, as Im doing.

In the blue Atlantic to my left, I count 20 harbour seals, just their slick grey heads visible, bobbing in the waves. After another half-hour of trudging across rust-coloured sand glittering with shards of sea glass and small, pearl-like white shells (iron-rich sandstone and soil give many of P.E.I.s beaches a red hue), we scramble up a dusty cliffside and drop our packs at the foot of the East Point Lighthouse, one of 63 lighthouses scattered across the island.

Its fitting that these towers, symbols of salvation for generations of seafarers, have become a type of trail marker for me as I traverse northern P.E.I. on foot. It was only a year ago, on Sept. 24, 2022, that post-tropical storm Fiona ripped across the island, sliding dunes into the sea and leaving forests and towns torn apart.

Its taken hope and resilience for communities to bounce back. The basic yet cheerful Sirens Beach Motel, where were staying for a couple of nights, shut down for months after Fiona hit, only reopening this past spring. It was tough, but we persevere here, says Dave Clark, the motels manager, when he drives us back to the property at the end of our day of hiking.

The Island Walk has the unique potential to help islanders do just that. Even though there are remote sections where we have the trail to ourselves, unlike long-distance wilderness hikes, the route is never far from small communities, creating an opportunity to support locally owned businesses along the way. Walkers dollars go directly to inns, restaurants, and transportation operators who ferry them back to their accommodation at the end of the day.

The Island Walk has been a big help post-Fiona, says Bill Kendrick, who works with visitors to plan their trek through his company, Go For A Walk PEI. The route goes into communities and areas that dont traditionally get a lot of tourism.

Not only do Island Walk trekkers immerse themselves in one place for a long stretch, investing in the destination in a meaningful way  the essence of slow travel  they also have a light carbon footprint once they arrive, and they often visit in the shoulder seasons, when conditions are cooler for hiking, mitigating the effects of overtourism.

That night, we head into the neighbouring seaside town of Souris for dinner, where we tuck into steaming bowls of fresh mussels at the family-owned 21 Breakwater Restaurant. A neighbouring table overhears our plans to track down a traditional lobster supper while were here and offers their recommendation.

The earnest helpfulness of locals is something we encounter often during our walk. You get an experience of being part of the community, and thats whats working the best about the Island Walk, says Bryson Guptill, the routes founder and a former president of Island Trails, a P.E.I.-based not-for-profit. Guptill conceived of the walk after hiking the Camino de Santiago in Spain and Portugals Rota Vicentina, realizing the potential for a similar experience at home.

Exploring at a walking pace connects me intimately with the landscape, which has been recovering with the help of volunteer cleanup crews and Parks Canada staff, while also regenerating naturally. Our first day on the walk took us along a red dirt road thats part of the Confederation Trail, a 273-kilometre route built on a decommissioned railway line that now makes up half of the Island Walk, and is also popular with cyclists and equestrians.

The path carves through green fields, the smell of sun-baked hay riding on the wind. Knots of white butterflies flit around pale pink milkweed that hems us in on both sides, and the only sound is the occasional cow bell tolling in the distance, or a bike swishing by.

I immerse myself in the sights, sounds and scents of the island, savouring the slow pace of life by the ocean  and tasting it, too. The summer months here produce a bounty of fresh seafood, and we reward ourselves with it when we break for lunch and dinner each day, prying open shells to reveal buttery mussels and slurping down briny, tangy oysters.

Our last day on the trail takes us through Prince Edward Island National Park, where we hike from our hotel, the historic Dalvay by the Sea, along the water to the Dunes Studio, a gallery and cafe that exhibits the work of local artists and artisans.

As we trace the shoreline, uprooted trees and slumping dunes are a reminder of how hard-hit the park was by the hurricane. At our lunch pit stop, Richards Fresh Seafood, the line of beachgoers winds around the front of the pub. The spot is beloved by locals and visitors alike and was almost destroyed completely by the storm. After a short wait, we rest our feet on the upper patio overlooking the water, biting into heaping lobster rolls, washed down with cold beer under the midday sun.

The effects of Fiona have thrown into high relief the importance of choosing low-impact ways of exploring that help the island regenerate and flourish. But even barring natural disasters, sustainability should be top of mind in a place where rising sea levels threaten the delicate ecosystem. Coastal erosion has taken on more urgency, and its an issue thats going to impact P.E.I. in the years ahead, says Guptill.

After lunch, we make our way back down to the waters edge to finish up the days walk. Powdery white sand stretches out in front of me as far as I can see. Heaving grassy dunes crest and fall like waves, and smaller ones are already rebuilding themselves. Up ahead, I spot a lighthouse.

Tips for exploring P.E.I.s Island Walk

Visit theislandwalk.ca for detailed resources, including a map, descriptions of all 32 trail sections (noting accommodations and food businesses), and answers to frequently asked questions.

Consider embarking on the Island Walk during the shoulder seasons, from May to June, and September to October, when the crowds thin out and weather is cooler.

Get help with planning. Because there isnt always accommodation at the end of each trail section, tour operators like Go For A Walk PEI can assist you in plotting a route and booking hotels and transfers along the way.

Follow the leave no trace principles of responsible outdoor recreation. Its especially important to stay off the delicate sand dunes.

Chloe Berge travelled as a guest of Tourism PEI, which did not review or approve this article.
Displaced Palestinian kids play in a displacement site in Sidon, south Lebanon, Sept. 9, 2023. Armed clashes between members of the Fatah Movement and Islamic militants in Ain Al-Helweh Palestinian refugee camp in southern Lebanon intensified on Saturday, killing two people and injuring 11 others, the National News Agency reported.

The clashes led to a new wave of displacement from the camp, as hundreds of families took refuge in the hall of the Mosuli Mosque in the city of Sidon. (Photo by Ali Hashisho/Xinhua)

BEIRUT, Sept. 9 (Xinhua) -- Armed clashes between members of the Fatah Movement and Islamic militants in Ain Al-Helweh Palestinian refugee camp in southern Lebanon intensified on Saturday, killing two people and injuring 11 others, the National News Agency reported.

This brings the death toll to three and the total number of injuries to 55 since the beginning of the clashes on Thursday, according to the Elnashra news website.

The clashes led to a new wave of displacement from the camp, as hundreds of families took refuge in the hall of the Mosuli Mosque in the city of Sidon.

A meeting was held between the municipality of Sidon and the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) to find ways to shelter the displaced people and secure their food and health needs until the security situation in the camp calms down.

Meanwhile, Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati on Saturday discussed with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas about the developments in the camp.

Mikati stressed the priority of stopping military actions and cooperating with the Lebanese security services to address the existing tensions.

"What is happening does not serve the Palestinian cause at all and constitutes a grave insult to Lebanon in general, and in particular to the city of Sidon, which embraces the Palestinian brothers," Mikati said, adding that residents on Lebanese territories must respect the laws and regulations of the country to preserve the safety of its citizens.

For his part, Abbas issued strict instructions to rival Palestinians in the camp to achieve a complete and comprehensive truce, the official Palestinian news agency WAFA reported on Saturday.

Between July 29 and Aug. 3, clashes between Palestinian rival groups in the largest Palestinian refugee camp in Lebanon had killed at least 13 people and injured dozens of others. 

Displaced Palestinian kids play in a displacement site in Sidon, south Lebanon, Sept. 9, 2023. Armed clashes between members of the Fatah Movement and Islamic militants in Ain Al-Helweh Palestinian refugee camp in southern Lebanon intensified on Saturday, killing two people and injuring 11 others, the National News Agency reported.

The clashes led to a new wave of displacement from the camp, as hundreds of families took refuge in the hall of the Mosuli Mosque in the city of Sidon. (Photo by Ali Hashisho/Xinhua)

Lebanese army snipers stationed on the roof of a building overlook Ain Al-Helweh Palestinian refugee camp near Sidon, south Lebanon, Sept. 9, 2023. Armed clashes between members of the Fatah Movement and Islamic militants in Ain Al-Helweh Palestinian refugee camp in southern Lebanon intensified on Saturday, killing two people and injuring 11 others, the National News Agency reported.

The clashes led to a new wave of displacement from the camp, as hundreds of families took refuge in the hall of the Mosuli Mosque in the city of Sidon. (Photo by Ali Hashisho/Xinhua)

Volunteers from the Lebanese Red Cross set up tents for Palestinians displaced from Ain Al-Helweh camp in Sidon, south Lebanon, Sept. 9, 2023. Armed clashes between members of the Fatah Movement and Islamic militants in Ain Al-Helweh Palestinian refugee camp in southern Lebanon intensified on Saturday, killing two people and injuring 11 others, the National News Agency reported.

The clashes led to a new wave of displacement from the camp, as hundreds of families took refuge in the hall of the Mosuli Mosque in the city of Sidon. (Photo by Ali Hashisho/Xinhua)

Two firemen check out a house hit by a missile after armed clashes in Ain Al-Helweh Palestinian refugee camp near Sidon, south Lebanon, Sept. 9, 2023. Armed clashes between members of the Fatah Movement and Islamic militants in Ain Al-Helweh Palestinian refugee camp in southern Lebanon intensified on Saturday, killing two people and injuring 11 others, the National News Agency reported.

The clashes led to a new wave of displacement from the camp, as hundreds of families took refuge in the hall of the Mosuli Mosque in the city of Sidon. (Photo by Ali Hashisho/Xinhua)

Smoke rises from houses in Ain Al-Helweh Palestinian refugee camp near Sidon, south Lebanon, Sept. 9, 2023. Armed clashes between members of the Fatah Movement and Islamic militants in Ain Al-Helweh Palestinian refugee camp in southern Lebanon intensified on Saturday, killing two people and injuring 11 others, the National News Agency reported.

The clashes led to a new wave of displacement from the camp, as hundreds of families took refuge in the hall of the Mosuli Mosque in the city of Sidon. (Photo by Ali Hashisho/Xinhua)

Lebanese army snipers stationed on the roof of a building overlook Ain Al-Helweh Palestinian refugee camp as smoke rises from a shell near Sidon, south Lebanon, Sept. 9, 2023. Armed clashes between members of the Fatah Movement and Islamic militants in Ain Al-Helweh Palestinian refugee camp in southern Lebanon intensified on Saturday, killing two people and injuring 11 others, the National News Agency reported.

The clashes led to a new wave of displacement from the camp, as hundreds of families took refuge in the hall of the Mosuli Mosque in the city of Sidon. (Photo by Ali Hashisho/Xinhua)
The Public Administration Minister held a media conference on Monday about office space at Park Court which cost taxpayers $55 million but was not occupied for the past three years
Hi, my name is Scott C. Waring and I wrote a few books and am currently a ESL School Owner in Taiwan. I have had my own UFO sighting up close and personal, but that's how it works right? A non believer becomes a believer when they experience their first sighting. You witnessed it, your perceptual field changes, so now you need to share it.





I created this site to help the UFO community get a little bit organized. I noticed that there was a lot of chaos when searching for UFO sighting reports, so I hope this site helps. I wanted to support those eyewitnesses who have tried to tell others about what they have seen, yet were laughed at by even closest of friends.





More and more each day the governments of the world leak bits and pieces of UFO information to the public. They have a trickle down theory in hopes of slowly getting citizens use to the idea that we are not alone in universe and never have been. The truth is being leaked drop by drop until one day we look around and find ourselves neck high in it.





The discovery of alien species in existence is the most monumental scientific event in human history, suppression of that information is a crime against humanity.





About me:

I live in Taiwan. I OWN MY OWN ENGLISH SCHOOL, AND ONCE HAD 5 SCHOOLS.

Am Former USAF at SAC base (flight line).

Age: 42

Educ: BA in Elem ed. Masters in Counseling ed.





I had two UFO sightings, (30+bus size orbs) in military and in 2012 personally saw the UFO over Taipei 101 building on New Years Day (and recored it).
NEW DELHI, Sept. 9 (Xinhua) -- China's development and openness bring opportunities, not risks, to Europe and the world, and risk prevention as well as cooperation are not mutually exclusive, Chinese Premier Li Qiang said Saturday.

People should not simply equate interdependence with insecurity, nor should they overstretch the concept of security and politicize economic issues, said Li while meeting with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on the sidelines of the Group of 20 Summit. 
Ukraine hopes to more reliably protect energy facilities from Russian strikes this winter, thanks to some more modern air defense capabilities.

Thats according to Reuters, Ukrinform reports.

Crews of Ukrainian air defense systems are hoping for new and better weapons to arrive that should help keep the country from slipping into darkness during the second winter of Russian drone and missile strikes, the article says.

The report notes that nearly half of the Ukrainian energy infrastructure was affected last winter.

However, most of the damage caused last winter has already been repaired, and Kyiv has strengthened its air defenses, including with the recently donated German-made Gepard systems, Reuters says.

According to GUR defense intelligence representative Vadym Skibitskyi, the threat of new strikes remains relevant, given the information about Russia creating its own enterprise for the production of one-way attack drones.

The spokesperson says Russia may resume strikes on Ukrainian energy infrastructure facilities in late September or early October. At the same time, the enemy will likely employ drones and missiles in combined attacks to complicate the response of Ukrainian air defenses.
In the Konotop district of the Sumy region, a pontoon crossing was built on the site of a bridge destroyed by the enemy.

This was reported on Facebook by the Sumy Regional Military Administration, Ukrinform reported.

"In the Konotop district, on the site of the bridge destroyed by the enemy, a pontoon crossing was built, connecting the northern and central districts of the region," the statement said.

It is noted that the arrangement of access roads is still being completed, but traffic is already open. It is carried out in reverse mode.

Read also: Russians report attempted drone attack targeting Crimea Bridge

"This transport artery is very important for our region both economically and socially," said Volodymyr Artyukh, head of the Sumy Regional State Administration.

He thanked the partners from Sweden for helping with materials, local communities, entrepreneurs, and deputies for their support of the construction of the crossing.

The head of the region also announced the new construction of the bridge, noting that the development of design and estimate documentation is already being finalized, and the construction is scheduled to be completed next year.

As reported, 16 bridges have already been rebuilt in Ukraine as part of the UNITED24 initiative thanks to donors.
Ukraine's defense forces continue their offensive operation in the Melitopol sector, making gains south of Robotyne in the Zaporizhzhia region.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine said this in a post on Facebook on Friday, September 8, Ukrinform reports.

"Ukraine's defense forces continue to conduct an offensive operation in the Melitopol sector, destroying the enemy and gradually liberating occupied territories, making gains in areas south of Robotyne, and consolidating their positions," the report said.

According to the General Staff, the operational situation in the east and south of Ukraine remains difficult. In total, 24 combat clashes took place at the front throughout the day.

Read also: First Leopard 1 tanks from three countries arrive in Ukraine

Ukrainian aircraft launched ten strikes on Russian invaders, including nine strikes on concentrations of military personnel, weapons and military equipment and one strike on the positions of anti-aircraft missile systems.

For their part, Ukrainian rocket and artillery units hit the enemy's ammunition depot, nine artillery pieces, six command posts and a Russian electronic warfare station.

The Russian army carried out ten missile strikes and 60 airstrikes and launched 37 MLRS attacks on the positions of Ukrainian forces and populated areas.
The Republic of Lithuania continues to provide uninterrupted military support for Ukraine and has delivered 1.5 million rounds of ammunition today.

The relevant statement was made by Lithuanias National Defence Ministry, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

To date, the military aid provided by Lithuania has included the Mi-8 helicopters, L-70 anti-aircraft guns with ammunition, M113 armored personnel carriers, millions of cartridges, and grenade launcher ammunition.

Additionally, Lithuania will soon send the NASAMS surface-to-air missile systems, countermeasures equipment, material and technical equipment, and other support to Ukraine.

In 2024-2026, Ukraine is expected to receive a military aid package worth EUR 200 million from Lithuania.

In addition to military vehicles and equipment, Lithuania provides training for Ukrainian servicemen, as well as treatment and rehabilitation for Ukrainians, organizes expert consultations, and contributes to the international funds providing support for Ukraine.
Ukraine's partners will provide more Gepard anti-aircraft tanks to Ukraine to protect its energy infrastructure facilities.

President Volodymyr Zelensky announced this in his latest video address to the nation, as reported by Ukrinform.

"And Id like to thank our partners  we have another agreement. Ukraine will receive more Gepards to protect our energy grid," he said.

Zelensky emphasized that Ukraine is mobilizing all its forces in order to increase the supply of various air defense systems and to ensure physical protection of energy infrastructure facilities from Russian strikes.

As Ukrinform reported earlier, on September 9, 2023, President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine held a meeting of the Staff of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief regarding the protection of energy and critical infrastructure from enemy missile and drone strikes.
The Ambassador of Poland to Ukraine, Bartosz Cichocki, believes that although the topic of Russia potentially starting a nuclear war should be taken seriously, one should not give in to Russian blackmail.

The diplomat expressed the opinion in an interview with the BBC, reports Ukrinform.

The ambassador noted that Russian claims that Poland could be the target of a Russian nuclear strike are "terrible" and that the move to deploy tactical nuclear arms in Belarus is "very bad."

"Unfortunately, in the 21st century, we must seriously consider the topic of a nuclear war that Russia can start. However, if you give in to blackmail - it's like in the case of a terrorist, a kidnapper - it will only encourage them to make further threats and attacks... It seems to me that the best response to such nuclear blackmail is not to be intimidated. Then, perhaps, this terrorist will understand that their threats against us do not work," said Cichocki.

As reported, Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said in June, against the backdrop of the threat of Russian nuclear weapons being deployed in Belarus, that Poland is ready to host NATO nuclear weapons.
Alternative routes for grain exports from Ukraine are unlikely to compare with the Black Sea routes.

According to Ukrinform, the UK Ministry of Defense reported this.

As noted, the successful export of Ukrainian grain under the Black Sea Grain Initiative (BSGI) helped to reduce world food prices.

During the initiative, over 32 million tonnes of food entered the world market. The food price index fell by 23% from its peak in March 2022.

Developing countries have particularly benefited from lower prices and direct grain imports from Ukraine.

"Russias withdrawal from the BSGI has reduced Ukraines exports, a clear effort to degrade the Ukrainian economy and its ability to support the war effort," the report said.

The UK Ministry of Defense recalls that the agricultural sector accounted for 40% of Ukraine's exports before the war and remains vital to the country, with food exports bringing in USD 28 billion in 2021.

"Ukraine has found success using alternative methods like river, rail and road to export its grain; however, it is unlikely that this will match the capacity of the Black Sea export routes," the review states.

As reported, the UK's Permanent Representative to the UN, Barbara Woodward, informed that the UK has information indicating that the Russian military may be attacking civilian ships in the Black Sea.
Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal has discussed business cooperation at a meeting with Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi and representatives of leading Japanese companies.

Shmyhal reported this on Telegram, according to Ukrinform.

"Japan's big business is interested in long-term cooperation with Ukraine. This was discussed during a meeting with Japan's Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi and representatives of leading Japanese companies," he wrote.

Shmyhal thanked Japan for supporting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, for financial and humanitarian support, and for sanctions against Russia. Ukraine has already received $2.1 billion in macro-financial assistance from Japan and cooperation continues, he added.

"We appreciate efforts by Japanese partners within the G7 and the UN. We discussed prospects for cooperation in housing reconstruction, guaranteeing global food security, supporting small and medium-sized businesses, and humanitarian demining. We are creating a favorable business climate for attracting investments. We expect Japanese companies to become residents of Diia.City - a space that provides unique legal and tax advantages," Shmyhal said.

Hayashi, in turn, said that Japan would continue to support Ukraine, strengthen anti-Russian sanctions, and help Ukraine survive the winter. Japan will also hand over 24 cranes for humanitarian demining to Ukraine.

Japanese businesses, in turn, presented specific cooperation projects, particularly in the fields of communications, infrastructure and medicine.

Hayashi arrived in Ukraine on Saturday, September 9.
Moldova has sent another batch of aid to Ukraine, worth 1.2 million lei (over $67,000), including equipment necessary for electricity supply.

That's according to NewsMaker, Ukrinform reports.

On September 9, employees of the General Inspectorate for Emergency Situations went to Ukraine with a batch of aid, which was allocated by the management of RED Nord and the state enterprise Moldelectrica.

Moldovan rescuers brought electrical equipment to Khmelnytskyi, including cables, lamps, power transformers, various types of clamps, insulators and other equipment necessary for power supply in Ukraine.

"Moldova stands in solidarity with Ukraine and offers its constant support and assistance to the Ukrainian people," the rescuers' press service said.

Moldova has already provided humanitarian aid to Ukraine, including in connection with the disaster caused by the destruction of the Nova Kakhovka dam.

In late August, Moldova supplied Ukraine with canned food, worth 3.3 million lei.

Photo: newsmaker.md
Polish President Andrzej Duda signed an amendment to the law on export insurance guaranteed by the State Treasury, which, among other things, allows the Polish state insurance corporation KUKE to provide more effective assistance to private businesses interested in the Ukraine recovery effort.

This was reported by the press service of the Ministry of Economy of Ukraine, Ukrinform saw.

"This is the first such comprehensive insurance tool that supports investments and activities of Polish companies in Ukraine. We hope that this important step by Poland will be an impetus for the insurance market and other countries to more actively provide guarantees to companies operating in Ukraine. And as a result, this will contribute to the attraction of more investments and the entry of new players into the Ukrainian private sector," said Yulia Svyrydenko, First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy of Ukraine.

The law is the basis of the reconstruction program with the participation of Polish businesses.

The program includes three points. The first is safe trade with Ukraine. The insurance covers a wide range of risks, in particular, it protects Polish companies against losses caused by non-payment for delivered goods or services. And it also includes reinsurance of transport insurance and a guarantee that protects the banks that issue letters of credit.

The second point is support for investments by Polish companies. Support for entrepreneurs in financing investments made in Poland for export to Ukraine and beyond. As well as those investments that will be flowing directly into Ukraine. This is especially relevant to new takeover and acquisition projects.

The third point is support for the development of Ukraine. Ensuring financing of investment projects implemented by Polish or foreign entrepreneurs for investors from Ukraine (private and public).

Among the new solutions is reinsurance by other insurers. In cases where the risk is above average or where it is not possible to obtain reinsurance on the commercial market. This will mainly concern the reinsurance of transport risks with commercial insurers (in particular, CASCO and third-party liability insurance). Thanks to this, Polish entrepreneurs will be able to carry out transportation to Ukraine and participate in the recovery process.

The new Polish law also provides opportunities to insure Polish branches of foreign companies on a par with local companies. For Ukrainian companies, this is an opportunity to expand business in Poland on better terms.

As reported, the government of Ukraine defines five priorities for rapid recovery  energy, damaged housing, critical infrastructure, demining, and development of small and medium-sized businesses. In particular, at the Ukraine Recovery Conference 2023 in London, Ukraine's investment opportunities and state investment stimulation instruments were presented.

The Ukrainian side is counting on Poland's significant contribution to the reconstruction of Ukraine, in particular, to the restoration of Kharkiv region, where demining and active restoration of critical and social infrastructure is ongoing.

Photo: NurPhoto
HARBIN, Sept. 9 (Xinhua) -- "We've found where north is!" a tourist exclaims with a grin, posing for a photograph by a sign reading "China's Arctic".

Here in Beiji Village, situated at the northernmost tip of China, one hears this exuberant statement time and again -- a play on a Chinese expression, indicating that one is no longer ruffled and disoriented.

Beiji Village -- or "North Pole Village" -- in the city of Mohe, Heilongjiang Province, is a riverside border village located in the Dahinggan Mountains at 53 degrees north latitude. The village is among the coldest places in China, with a meteorological record low of minus 52.3 degrees Celsius.

The unforgiving coldness of the place used to discourage outsiders from paying a visit. However, the village has now morphed into a bustling tourist destination, bringing prosperity to the previously desolate and poverty-stricken community. It has thus become a shining example of rural revitalization in China.

"More and more people are taking vacations in Beiji Village, and business is growing more brisk," said Lu Hong, a local resident and the owner of a countryside homestay business.

Beiji has also done its utmost to facilitate the growth of local tourism -- paving asphalt roads, installing street lights and building squares -- with an increasing number of villagers becoming involved in tourism businesses.

In the early years, Party members and cadres in the village took the lead in renovating their old houses and starting homestay businesses, to boost the confidence of the risk-averse villagers.

The village has also helped with publicizing local homestays, including Lu's hotel, which has found its way onto several online tourism platforms. "Previously, we had to make efforts to woo customers, but now we get numerous inquiries from them," she said.

At the "Northernmost Post Office" in Beiji Village, several tourists from the southern Guangdong Province are mailing blueberries back home. They are a local specialty, as the berries grow in cold temperatures.

Such "northernmost check-in places" span from the northernmost tip to the "northernmost supply and marketing cooperatives," attracting curious tourists from across the country. The village has brought its unique geographical characteristics into full play.

The Dahinggan Mountains provide an important ecological barrier in northern China, and Beiji Village has been searching for a high-quality development path with ecological security as a prerequisite. Ecological tourism has thus become an important sector worth pursuing.

Today, the village boasts over 200 homestay hotels and cafeterias, with the annual per capita income of villagers standing at 31,000 yuan (4,296.6 U.S. dollars), according to Wu Qingjun, Party secretary of the city of Mohe.

According to Sun Haojin, director of the economic research institute of the Heilongjiang Provincial Academy of Social Sciences, by fostering ecological tourism, many villages have found a balance between ecological conservation and economic growth, and have achieved a win-win result.

Furthermore, Sun added, as the living standards rise, countryside tourism, which offers idyllic landscapes and opportunities to walk into mother nature, has gained traction. The internet has amplified its popularity, turning even landlocked villages into internet phenomena, which further prompts the upgrading of countryside tourism.

"Beiji Village is a good example of this phenomenon," said Sun. 
Moldova does not recognize and condemns Russia's holding of so-called local and regional elections in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine.

That's according to a statement issued by the Moldovan Foreign Ministry, Ukrinform reports, citing NewsMaker.

"Russia's attempt to legitimize the forceful occupation of the territories of the sovereign state of Ukraine is illegal and completely contradicts the norms of international law and international treaties to which Russia itself is a party. By holding the so-called elections, Russia directly contradicts the UN Charter and the Helsinki Final Act, and also deliberately violates the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine," the ministry said.

The ministry said that Moldova firmly supports the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders.

As reported, Russia announced the holding on September 8-10, 2023, of the so-called elections to local occupation administrations in the temporarily occupied parts of the territories of the Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson regions of Ukraine, as well as the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine said that the illegal elections held by Russia in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine would not have any legal consequences and would not lead to a change in the status of the Ukrainian territories captured by the Russian army.
Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi is making an unannounced visit to Ukraine on Saturday in a show of support for Kyiv's defense against Russia's ongoing invasion.

That's according to Kyodo, which cites the Japanese government, Ukrinform reports.

It is the first Ukraine visit by the Japanese foreign minister since Moscow launched the war in February 2022.

All other Group of Seven member nations have sent their foreign ministers to Ukraine after the invasion, making Japan the last to do so.

Read also: Stefanchuk arrives in Tokyo on a visit

Hayashi, who embarked on a trip to the Middle East and Poland last Sunday, will hold talks with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba in Kyiv and tell him of Japan's plan to hold a conference to promote the economic reconstruction of Ukraine at the beginning of next year, the Foreign Ministry said.

Hayashi is also expected to attend a ceremony for the provision of Japanese crane trucks designed to remove unexploded bombs.

His trip comes after Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's surprise visit to Kyiv in March for talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky ahead of the G-7 summit in Hiroshima in May.

At the meeting with Zelensky, Kishida promised $470 million in grant aid for the energy sector and a $30 million contribution for the supply of nonlethal equipment through a NATO fund and invited him to virtually join in the Hiroshima gathering.

Zelensky attended the G-7 summit in the western Japan city in person on its closing day, with the leaders of the major democracies there vowing to support Ukraine "for as long as it takes in the face of Russia's illegal war of aggression."

Hayashi took the role of foreign minister in November 2021. Earlier this week, he toured Jordan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Poland to hold meetings with his counterparts and their leaders.

Illustration photo
Lithuanian Prime Minister Ingrida Simonite said that after the war in Ukraine ends, disputes will arise over how to make Russia pay for the damage they inflicted.

She said this during the Vilnius Conference, Ukrinform reports with reference to European Pravda.

According to the head of the Lithuanian government, although the resolution of the issue will cause some controversy, the aggressor country must ultimately pay as this is the only fair way.

Read also: Foreign architects to be involved in reconstruction of Kharkiv central part

She noted that it is normal that democratic countries, the EU, the U.S., and all other nations support Ukraine on this path, but in the end, the bill must be issued to be paid by those who caused destruction.

As Ukrinform reported earlier, since the outset of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the United States has seized more than $1 billion worth of private Russian assets based in other countries.
Japan has condemned Russia's holding of illegal local and regional "elections" in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine.

This is reported on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, Ukrinform saw.

Russia's "annexation" of parts of Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions, as well as Crimea, is a clear violation of international law that infringes on the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, and is also inconsistent with the relevant UN General Assembly resolutions.

Japan strongly condemns it as such an act is absolutely unacceptable. It is also totally unacceptable for Russia to conduct such elections in these regions on the basis of such an illegal annexation.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized that Russia's aggression against Ukraine is an outrageous act that shakes the very foundation of the international order, and Japan cannot condone any attempts to unilaterally change the status quo by force.

"Japan will continue to strongly urge Russia once again to stop the aggression and withdraw its forces to Russian territory immediately. Japan will coordinate with the international community including the G7 and implement severe sanctions against Russia and provide strong support for Ukraine to realize a just and lasting peace in Ukraine as soon as possible," the statement said.

As reported earlier, the Russian Federation has announced that on September 8-10, 2023, the so-called elections to local occupation administrations will be held in the temporarily occupied parts of the territories of the Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson regions of Ukraine, as well as the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine stated that these sham elections will not yield any legal consequences and will not lead to a change in the status of the Ukrainian territories captured by the Russian army.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken condemned Russian strikes on Ukrainian ports on the Danube.

He wrote about this on the X social network (formerly known as Twitter), reports Ukrinform.

"Russia continues its attacks on Ukraine's vital Danube ports, systematically destroying civilian infrastructure to prevent Ukrainian grain from feeding the world. This is Russia's playbook: strangle Ukrainian grain exports, weaponize food, and make hungry people pay the price," Blinken emphasized.

As Ukrinform reported earlier, Romanian Foreign Minister Luminita Odobescu and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke about the progress of the investigation into the drone debris found near the border with Ukraine.

On Wednesday, Romania announced that the authorities had discovered the wreckage of a drone on its territory, near the village of Catalca. Experts are investigating their origin.

Earlier, the Ukrainian authorities stated that they had evidence that on the night of September 4, a Russian drone crashed and exploded on the territory of Romania. The Romanian Ministry of Defense and the Romanian President denied this.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Dmytro Kuleba of Ukraine said that the government has photo evidence to prove the fact.

After that, the President of Romania, Klaus Iohannis, demanded that a thorough investigation be carried out to establish the origins of the debris found near the border of Ukraine, which may belong to a drone.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan, Hayashi Yoshimasa, arrived on an unannounced visit to Ukraine.

This was reported by the Embassy of Japan in Ukraine on its Facebook page, Ukrinform saw.

The embassy posted a video showing the minister by the train at the station.

Earlier, Kyodo News, with reference to the Japanese government, wrote that Hayashi Yoshimasa is making an unannounced visit to Ukraine on Saturday in order to demonstrate support to Kyiv in the fight against the Russian invasion.

This is the first visit of the Japanese foreign minister to Ukraine since Moscow unleashed a full-scale war in February last year.

Hayashi, who was on a trip to the Middle East and Poland last Sunday, will hold talks with his Ukrainian counterpart Dmytro Kuleba and tell him about Japan's plans to hold a conference to promote Ukraine's economic recovery early next year.

He is also expected to take part in the ceremony of handing over to the Ukrainian side Japanese cranes and other equipment designed to remove unexploded ordnance.
Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine Oleksiy Danilov met with the delegation of the Parliament of Great Britain.

This was reported on the NSDC website, Ukrinform saw.

The delegation included Conservative MP Robert Seely, Conservative MP Jack Lopresti, and former member of the House of Lords, Lord Michael Ashcroft.

During the meeting, the parties exchanged views on the current security situation in the region and worldwide and discussed ways to step up bilateral cooperation and strengthen Britain's support for Ukraine on its way to victory over the Russian aggressor.

Danilov thanked the delegation for Britains comprehensive assistance to Ukraine in its fight.

"From the first days of the war, Great Britain is one of our key partners, there is constant communication. That's what real friends do, I sincerely thank you for everything youve been doing," Danilov noted.

He once again emphasized that "we must draw conclusions and, after victory, carry out a fundamental transformation of the country." According to him, "the world is already a new place and will continue to change", and Russia's war of aggressive does not concern only Ukraine and Russia, since "autocratic regimes draw lessons from this war".

According to Danilov, Russia's blocking of the Ukrainian grain transportation through the Black Sea is "not only about weaponizing food, it is also an attempt to forcefully change the international rules of navigation and force the world to follow other rules." The civilized world, he said, should respond to this in an appropriate manner.

During the meeting, the parties also paid special attention to bilateral cooperation in the field of the defense-industrial complex, increasing sanctions pressure on the Russian Federation, and monitoring sanctions in order to prevent them from being circumvented by the terrorist state.

In turn, Robert Seely noted that in the British Parliament he heads the inter-party parliamentary group on support for Ukraine, which is a "privilege" for him. Seely assured Danilov of the UKs unwavering support for Ukraine and readiness to further provide the country with the necessary military, economic, and other assistance.

As Ukrinform reported earlier, former Prime Minister of Great Britain Boris Johnson arrived in Lviv.
Ukraine and Japan have agreed on specific steps to involve as many Asian countries as possible in the implementation of President Volodymyr Zelenskyi's Peace Formula.

Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi said this at a joint briefing with his Ukrainian counterpart Dmytro Kuleba in Kyiv on Saturday, according to an Ukrinform correspondent.

He noted that Japan welcomes Ukraine's efforts aimed at achieving lasting peace, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's proposals regarding the Peace Formula and the holding of two meetings at the level of national security assistants following the G7 summit in Hiroshima.

Hayashi added that at the meeting with Kuleba, both parties had agreed to coordinate the efforts of Japan, as the G7 chair, to cooperate in implementing the Formula.

"In this context, we agreed that Japan and Ukraine will work together to call on the international community, including the Global South, to achieve this goal - to attract as many countries from Asia as possible," Hayashi said.

Photo: Dmytro Kuleba / X
Ukraine and Japan are strengthening technology cooperation.

Ukraine's Deputy Prime Minister for Innovation, Development of Education, Science and Technology, Minister of Digital Transformation Mykhailo Fedorov announced this on Telegram, Ukrinform reports.

"We are strengthening technological cooperation between Ukraine and Japan. We met with the Japanese delegation. Japan was represented by members of the Ministry of Economy and businesspersons, including CEO of the technology giant Rakuten Hiroshi Mikitani. They shared with us technological solutions that will help during reconstruction -- telecom, agribusiness, telemedicine," Fedorov said.

He noted that a separate track is deepening cooperation with Rakuten.

Fedorov said that the company had been supporting Ukraine since the first days of the full-scale war, and this support is increasing.

"We discussed with Hiroshi the possibility of joint projects on the English language, the integration of Diia and the strengthening of the Ukrainian telecom infrastructure," he said.

Fedorov also noted that support from one of the world's most technologically advanced countries is very important for Ukraine.

Hayashi visited Ukraine on September 9. This is the first visit by Japan's foreign minister to Ukraine since the beginning of the full-scale war.

Photos: Mykhailo Fedorov / Telegram
Canada does not recognize the elections illegally organized by Russia in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine.

Thats according to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Ukrinforms own correspondent reports.

"This week, Vladimir Putin attempted to hold so-called elections in occupied Ukrainian territories  a cynical attempt to legitimize military conquest under the guise of democracy. But Ukrainians are not fooled, and neither are we. Canada does not, and will not ever, recognize the results of these sham elections or Russia's attempted illegal annexation of Ukraine," Trudeau said.

The false choice offered to people in the regions of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson, as well as the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the City of Sevastopol, is an attack on Ukraine's sovereignty, territorial integrity, and independence, the prime minister stressed. These sham elections are serious violations of international law, including the United Nations Charter."

He emphasized that Canada condemns, in the strongest possible terms, Russias illegal war of aggression against Ukraine and its attempted annexation of Ukraines territory."

"Canada will remain united with our G7 partners to ensure that Vladimir Putin and the Russian regime's collaborators face consequences for their actions," Trudeau said.

The prime minister appealed to all Ukrainians who continue to resist the authoritarianism of the Russian regime, assuring them that "Canada will continue to stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes." "We see through the lies. Putin will not redraw the map as he pleases, and Ukraine's territory shall remain Ukraine's," he concluded.

As reported earlier, the Russian Federation has announced that on September 8-10, 2023, the so-called elections to local occupation administrations will be held in the temporarily occupied parts of the territories of the Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson regions of Ukraine, as well as the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine stated that these illegal elections will not have any legal consequences and will not lead to a change in the status of the Ukrainian territories captured by the Russian army.
RAMALLAH, Sept. 9 (Xinhua) -- Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Saturday said he issued strict instructions to rival Palestinians in a refugee camp in southern Lebanon to achieve a complete and comprehensive truce.

During a phone call with Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati, Abbas said that he had ordered the Fatah fighters to end their clashes with the Islamist groups in the Ain Al-Helweh refugee camp, the official Palestinian news agency WAFA reported.

"It is important to put an end to such unfortunate events between the Palestinians in our sister country of Lebanon," Abbas stressed.

After about a month of calm, armed clashes broke out in the Ain Al-Helweh refugee camp Thursday evening after Islamic militants carried out a surprise attack on the Fatah Movement centers, resulting in 3 deaths and 55 injuries.

Lebanese and Palestinian officials were engaged in talks trying to achieve a cease-fire which was agreed upon as of Friday.

Between July 29 and Aug. 3, clashes between the two groups in the camp killed at least 13 people and injured dozens of others.

Ain Al-Helweh camp is the largest Palestinian refugee camp in Lebanon, hosting nearly 50,000 registered refugees, according to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East. 
Prosecutor General of Ukraine Andriy Kostin and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen paid a visit to Bucha, in the Kyiv region, to honor the victims of war crimes committed by the Russian Federation.

The Prosecutor General's Office reported this on Telegram, according to Ukrinform.

The head of the Prosecutor General's Office showed Frederiksen the places of war crimes committed in Bucha by the Russian military and emphasized the need to always remember their victims.

Kostin emphasized that, despite the liberation of the Kyiv region from the Russian invaders, the aggressor continues to indiscriminately shell peaceful cities of Ukraine.

"This morning, the enemy launched another missile attack on Kyiv and the region's settlements. But each such attack only strengthens our determination to stop Russia and ensure that the criminal regime of the Russian Federation is held accountable for every crime committed," the Prosecutor General said.

He thanked Denmark for its support of Ukraine's struggle for sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as for assistance on the path to justice.

"Denmark is one of the top 10 countries in terms of aid to Ukraine in relation to GDP. We highly appreciate the military assistance, especially the historic decision to provide Ukraine with F-16 fighter jets," Kostin emphasized.

As reported, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen arrived in Kyiv and addressed the Verkhovna Rada.
A former employee of Russias Federal Protection Service, who guarded President Vladimir Putin's residence in occupied Crimea, resigned from service and managed to cross out of Russia to Ecuador. He calls Putin a criminal and opposes the war in Ukraine.

This was reported by Dozhd, Ukrinform saw.

Vitaliy Bryzhatiy moved with his family from Kamchatka to the temporarily occupied Crimea, got a job in riot police, and then - in the FPS as a K9 instructor. He guarded Putin's residence in the village of Oliva on the southern coast of Crimea. In the neighborhood are the residences of the Deputy Head of the Security Council, Dmitry Medvedev, and the head of the FSB, Aleksandr Bortnikov.

According to Bryzhaty, Putin does not trust anyone, not even his bodyguards, who may not know whether the president is around or not. "People can be told: 'he is resting at this residence,' and everyone runs around and guards the place, but he may be in another location," claims the former security official.

Bryzhatiy says that during trips to Crimea, Putin's arrival is announced simultaneously at two airports  Sevastopol and Simferopol, the distance between them being more than 100 kilometers. But the president can arrive by other means of transport, for example, by sea. "This is how the man fears for his life," says Bryzhatiy.

He explains that he became disillusioned with the president after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. His agencys employees were forbidden to communicate with Ukrainian relatives, citizens of the United States, the European Union, and any people who oppose the war, under threat of criminal prosecution.

His colleagues expected that after the war, if Ukraine was captured, they would have more jobs and new positions.

Bryzhatiy tried to resign from service, but at first he was not allowed to, and at the same time he was threatened with deployment to the frontline. He secretly obtained a foreign travel passport. His wife was issued a residence permit in Ecuador as a skilled worker. Bryzhatiy informed the employer that now he also has a permit and therefore the law prohibits him from remaining on the government job. After that he was dismissed. "The last phrase I heard when I was walking out was: 'good luck at the frontline,'" Bryzhatiy claims.
ALGIERS, Sept. 9 (Xinhua) -- Algeria expressed its heartfelt condolences to the people of Morocco in the wake of a powerful earthquake that struck the kingdom on Friday night, the Algerian Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Saturday.

"Algeria extends its sincere condolences and deepest sympathies to the families of the victims and the fraternal Moroccan people, with heartfelt wishes for a speedy recovery for the injured," reported the state-owned news agency APS quoting the statement.

Also on Saturday, the Algerian Presidency said in a statement that Algeria is ready to provide assistance to Morocco and will open its airspace to flights providing humanitarian assistance.

The earthquake, which occurred on Friday night, caused significant damage and loss of life in Marrakesh and surrounding areas.

The death toll has risen to 1,037 and at least 1,204 others were injured, according to the Moroccan Interior Ministry's latest update.

The strong quake also damaged ancient buildings and forced thousands of residents out of their homes, reported local media. 
G20 leaders meeting Saturday failed to commit to a phase-out of polluting fossil fuels, a requirement deemed "indispensable" just a day earlier by the United Nations to achieve a net-zero goal

New Delhi, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 9th Sep, 2023 ) :G20 leaders meeting Saturday failed to commit to a phase-out of polluting fossil fuels, a requirement deemed "indispensable" just a day earlier by the United Nations to achieve a net-zero goal.

The Group of 20 leaders have been meeting in the Indian capital New Delhi during what is likely the hottest year in human history.

Achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 will require phasing out fossil fuels whose emissions cannot be captured, and dramatically increasing clean power, the UN's first progress report on meeting Paris Agreement climate goals said on Friday.

"Scaling up renewable energy and phasing out all unabated fossil fuels are indispensable elements of just energy transitions to net zero emissions," the first UN Global Stocktake said.

But while the G20 warned funds for climate transition must "substantially scale up", and they said they would back efforts to triple global renewable energy capacity by 2030, they did not mention the critical phase-out of all fossil fuels.

Instead, their statement referred to "accelerating efforts towards phasedown of unabated coal power, in line with national circumstances and recognising the need for support towards just transitions".

G20 countries account for 85 per cent of global GDP and a similar amount of global climate warming emissions, making action in the forum crucial to real progress.

But per capita coal emissions have risen by nine per cent across the grouping since 2015, research showed this week, largely driven by India, Indonesia and China, despite transition efforts by some members.

The group "will pursue and encourage efforts to triple renewable energy capacity", the leaders' statement said, recognising the importance of speeding up the development of technologies and policies to move to low-emission energy systems.

Wealthy nations have already failed to deliver on a pledge to provide $100 billion a year in climate finance to poorer nations by 2020.

"We commit to urgently accelerate our actions to address environmental crises and challenges including climate change," the statement added.

Earlier on Saturday, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva told the summit that the planet was facing an "unprecedented climate emergency".
(@ChaudhryMAli88)

NEW DELHI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News / WAM - 09th Sep, 2023) Rangan Banerjee, Director of the Indian Institute Of Technology Delhi (IIT-Delhi) - Indias leading technical education and research institution  said that the institutions first international campus is expected to open in Abu Dhabi in 2024, further enhancing the UAE-India distinguished relations and joint cooperation, especially in the field of higher education.

On the sidelines of the Emirates news Agencys (WAM) visit to IIT Delhis campus, coinciding with the convening of the G20 Summit in New Delhi, Rangan noted that the institution signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) the with Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK) and Indias Ministry of Education this past June during the visit of Indian Prime Minster Narendra Modi to the UAE.

He stressed that the IIT-Delhi Abu Dhabi reflects the shared vision of the two countries in focusing on areas of educational excellence, innovation, knowledge exchange and investment in human capital.

Rangan explained that the institution will handle all academic matters in its new Abu Dhabi branch, including curriculums, labs, and research initiatives, in addition to participating in infrastructure planning, especially digital infrastructure, in cooperation with partners in ADEK and other relevant entities.

The Director of IIT-Delhi stated that the Abu Dhabi branch will provide an added value to the research and innovation sector in the emirate, adding that it will benefit from cooperation opportunities with institutions such as the Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI), New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD), and Technology Innovation Institute (TII) to provide integrated programmes and advanced research.

He further said that some of the areas targeted by the institute's branch in Abu Dhabi in the first phase include computer science, artificial intelligence, energy and sustainability, health care, in addition to research programmes.
Mal, Maldives, Sept 9 (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 8th Sep, 2023 ) :Voters went to polls in the Maldives on Saturday with incumbent Ibrahim Mohamed Solih facing a tough re-election bid in the Indian Ocean nation of coral atolls.

Solih is seeking a second term in a poll that has turned into a referendum on his pursuit of renewed ties with India, the archipelago nation's traditional benefactor.

Solih, 61, and his main rival Mohamed Muizzu, the mayor of Male, were among those voting early in the capital island Male where schools were turned into polling stations.

Both men had ended their campaigning with rallies in the capital.

Solih, who was dressed in a yellow T-shirt and cap, the colours of his Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), addressed a large gathering.

The 45-year-old Muizzu, a proxy of jailed opposition leader and former president Abdulla Yameen attended a mass rally marking the end of a short campaign.

Convicted prisoners in the Maldives can vote but Yameen did not register to vote at his Maafushi high security prison, officials said. Five ballot boxes are at prisons.

Yameen is serving an 11-year sentence following his corruption conviction in December.

Eight candidates are contesting for the top job in the nation of 1,192 coral islets, scattered in a long line stretching some 800 kilometers (500 miles) across the Indian Ocean.
(@ChaudhryMAli88)

A soldier of Pakistan Army on Saturday embraced martyrdom while gallantly fighting with terrorists during an exchange of fire that took place between the security forces and terrorists in the general area of Mir Ali, North Waziristan District

RAWALPINDI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 9th Sep, 2023 ) :A soldier of Pakistan Army on Saturday embraced martyrdom while gallantly fighting with terrorists during an exchange of fire that took place between the security forces and terrorists in the general area of Mir Ali, North Waziristan District.

According to the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR), the Army troops effectively engaged terrorists' location.

The martyred soldier was identified as Lance Naik Jamshed Khan (age 28 years, resident of District Upper Dir), having fought gallantly, embraced, Shahadat, during intense exchange of fire.

Sanitization of the area was being carried out to eliminate any terrorists found in the area.

"Security Forces of Pakistan are determined to eliminate the menace of terrorism and such sacrifices of our brave soldiers further strengthen our resolve," the ISPR said.
CAIRO, Sept. 9 (Xinhua) -- Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi hailed on Saturday the admission of the African Union (AU) as a full member to the Group of 20 (G20), said the Egyptian presidency in a statement.

The Egyptian president stressed that the move is "a step in the right direction that offers an opportunity to set the continent's priorities on the international agenda."

Sisi's remarks came during an Africa-Europe mini-summit held on the sidelines of the G20 summit underway in New Delhi, India.

During the mini-summit, African and European leaders agreed on the importance of continuing coordination and action to boost their partnership and achieve mutual interests and gains, according to the statement.

On Saturday, G20 members agreed to grant permanent membership to the AU in an effort to make the group more representative. 
An airstrike in a town in Somalia caused several casualties, including children, said residents and authorities, while three members of an al-Qaida-linked extremist group were killed.

The U.S. military in a statement Friday said, Unfortunately, civilians were injured and killed in the vicinity of a military operation by Somali forces in El-Lahelay village Wednesday.

The U.S. said that it evacuated injured civilians at the Somali governments request, but that American forces had not conducted airstrikes or been at the scene of the operation.

The U.S. Africa Command did not respond to questions that included the number of civilians killed and injured. The United States for years has conducted airstrikes in support of Somali forces combating the al-Qaida-linked al-Shabab group.

The claim being spread by al-Shabab that U.S. forces caused the unfortunate harm to civilians is false, the statement said. The U.S. in the past has acknowledged killing civilians with airstrikes.

Accounts by witnesses and local authorities of Wednesdays events varied.

Amal Ali, a relative, told The Associated Press that an airstrike targeted a vehicle belonging to al-Shabab when it was passing near the family home in El-Garas town in Galmudug state. A grandmother and five of her grandchildren were killed, she said.

The childrens father, Dahir Ahmed, in a brief phone call confirmed the incident but said he could not immediately give details.

It was an American airstrike, Abdifatah Ali Halane, secretary-general of the El-Garas administration, told the AP. Theyve been providing crucial aerial support throughout our operations against extremists in Galmudug state.

He said the airstrike killed three people, including two suspected members of al-Shabab, and injured five people, including four children.

Halane said Somali forces quickly came for the wounded, who were evacuated to the capital, Mogadishu, for medical treatment.

Somalias deputy information minister, Abdirahman Adala, told journalists that three al-Shabab members were killed in the operation by Somali forces. But he said extremists had placed explosive materials in a nearby home that killed civilians.

Somalias government last year launched what the president called total war on al-Shabab, which controls parts of rural central and southern Somalia and makes millions of dollars through taxation of residents and extortion of businesses.
Australia is expected to continue its efforts to end a trade dispute with China when Prime Minister Anthony Albanese visits Beijing this year. The trip, announced Thursday, will be the first by an Australian leader to China since 2016.

Analysts said that the visit is the latest sign of improving relations between the two countries but that more work is needed to normalize ties.

Albanese's center-left Australian government, elected in May 2022, has been eager to end friction with China, by far its biggest trading partner.

In recent years, China imposed trade sanctions on a range of Australian imports, including coal, barley and wine.

Analysts have said there have been various triggers to the diplomatic tensions, such as disagreements on human rights, Taiwan and freedom of navigation in the South China Sea.

Australias previous conservative government infuriated China with its support for an inquiry into the origins of COVID-19. That was interpreted in Beijing as criticism of its handling of the early phases of the pandemic.

Bilateral relations are improving and some, but not all, of Chinas restrictions on Australian imports have been removed.

Richard McGregor, a senior fellow for East Asia at the Lowy Institute, a Sydney-based research group, told the Australian Broadcasting Corp. that Albaneses visit is a sign that relations are improving but not yet back to normal.

It is obviously significant, particularly from an Australian perspective, McGregor said. I would not exaggerate it. It is not a reset.  We are not going back to what the relationship was previously. But I think it is a big step in the gradual stabilization of the relationship.

Chinese tariffs on Australian wine imports remain in place. Australia has agreed to suspend its action against those restrictions at the World Trade Organization if Beijing agrees to carry out a prompt review of the barriers.

Chinas demand for resources, most notably iron ore and coal, has fueled Australias recent prosperity.

Australia is a middle power with far-reaching security ties to the United States. It is a former British colony and one of the worlds most multicultural countries. China is its biggest trading partner.

The Albanese government has to balance these often-competing interests.

He met with Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of a G20 meeting in Bali, Indonesia, last year.

There is no confirmed date for Albanese's Beijing trip.

The announcement followed a meeting between Albanese and the Chinese premier, Li Qiang, on the sidelines of an Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit in Jakarta, Indonesia, this week.
A former British soldier who escaped from a London prison four days ago was captured Saturday while riding a bike on a path west of London, police said.

Daniel Abed Khalife, 21, escaped from HMP Wandsworth by leaving the prison kitchen where he was working and fastening himself to the bottom of a food delivery van. He was caught about 16 kilometers from where he escaped.

Discharged from the British army in May, Khalife was awaiting trial on offenses related to terrorism and violations of the Official Secrets Act. He is accused of planting fake bombs at an army base in England and, the BBC reported, collecting sensitive personal information about soldiers from a British Defense Ministry database. His trial is scheduled for November.

He is also charged with obtaining information that might be "directly or indirectly useful to an enemy." The BBC reported that enemy was Iran. Khalife has denied the charges.

Khalife's prison escape from HMP Wandsworth, a medium-security prison that opened in 1851, prompted criticism of the governing Conservative Party's years of austerity.

"We need answers about how on earth a prisoner charged with terror & national security offences could have escaped in this way," Yvette Cooper, a member of the Labour Party in the House of Commons, wrote on social media Saturday.

British Justice Minister Alex Chalk briefed Parliament on the escape Thursday and promised an immediate investigation into the prison's protocols and the decision about where Khalife was held. He said a second independent investigation will take place at a later date as well.

"No stone must be left unturned in getting to the bottom of what happened," Chalk said.
Chinese leaders, worried by a wave of discouraging economic reports, have been appealing for foreign investors to remain in or return to China even as Western officials point out that it is Beijings own policies that are driving investors away.

August saw a flurry of Chinese trade officials talking to state media about the governments commitment to improve foreign investment environment and spare no effort in keeping foreign capital onshore.

These proclamations followed a July 24 meeting of the 24-member Communist Party Politburo chaired by party General Secretary Xi Jinping, where a broad slowdown in the Chinese economy was discussed.

According to a report on the meeting in the state-controlled Peoples Daily, admonitions to boost domestic consumption and foster employment were accompanied by instructions to ensure the essentials of foreign trade and foreign investment remain steady.

Leaders of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) have good reason to be concerned. A report published by Chinese state media in August 2021 quoted Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao as saying that companies with foreign investment have generated 40 million jobs in China, equal to 10% of the work force, and have contributed one-sixth of the governments total tax income.

But Nikkei Asia reported last month that foreign direct investment (FDI) in China fell to its lowest level on record in the second quarter of this year. Bloomberg said one measure of FDI had hit a 25-year low in the April-June quarter.

'Commentaries'

What looks like a campaign to safeguard the essentials of foreign trade and investment kicked into full gear on August 13 with the publication of a set of commentaries issued by the State Council on what it thinks ought to be done to further improve foreign investment environment and attract additional foreign investment.

No effort shall be spared, the commentaries stated.

Nine days after that, Beijing announced that the U.S. had removed 27 Chinese entities from a U.S. export control list and that Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo would visit Beijing August 27-30.

During her visit, Raimondo appeared to have struck a friendly tone with her Chinese counterparts and was quoted by CNN as having encouraged U.S. businesses in Shanghai to continue to do what youre doing. When she faced traveling media, however, Raimondo struck a different tone.

Increasingly I hear from businesses, China is uninvestible because its become too risky, Raimondo told reporters aboard a high-speed train from Beijing to Shanghai.

Earlier, a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute pointed out in an article for in The Wall Street Journal that foreign businesses are having difficulty in obtaining insurance policies that cover political risks for their China ventures.

The insurance firms are drawing back because of fears that range from political interference in companies operation all the way up to war with Taiwan, Elisabeth Braw told VOAs Mandarin Service in a subsequent interview.

Raimondo, in her remarks to reporters, said factors scaring off American companies included Chinas newly implemented anti-espionage laws and fines levied against companies doing business there.

Mintz Group

Shortly before Raimondos trip, reports emerged that Mintz Group, an American research consultancy firm with offices in North and South America, Europe and Asia, had been fined $1.5 million for engaging in research that Chinese authorities had not approved in advance.

In March, Mintz Group confirmed that Chinese authorities had detained the five staff members in its Beijing office and that the companys operations there had been shut down. Reuters reported that the raid took place on March 20, and that the employees were being held incommunicado at locations outside Beijing.

On July 5, Beijing authorities announced the seizure of $730,000 that Mintz Group had earned "illegally" and said the company had been fined an equal amount.

Anders Corr, editor of The Journal of Political Risk, told VOA in a written interview that the apparent contradiction between Chinas outreach to foreign investors and the crackdown on foreign companies reflected fault lines within the Chinese leadership itself.

While some pro-business officials are attempting to put the best face on a negative investment environment for Westerners  everybody knows that the pro-business faction is not calling the shots, and he who is calling the shots is anti-capitalist and anti-Western, wrote Corr, whose book The Concentration of Power warns of the dangers of power in the hands of illiberal governments.

Yes, Xi wants both [Chinese Communist Party] expansion and FDI, but he clearly is prioritizing power expansion  and therefore FDI is looking for safer outlets, Corr said.

Keith Krach, who served as the U.S. undersecretary of state for economic growth, energy and the environment from 2019 to 2021, told VOA in a written interview that the shine is off the Chinese market for a growing number of CEOs.

"Too many of them have been scarred by the communist systems lawlessness, including industrial theft, forced technology transfer, corruption, cyberattacks and difficulty getting their earnings out of the country, among other complications, he said.

Krach, who founded the tech diplomacy institute at Purdue University, added that international companies understand that if Xi pulls a Putin and invades Taiwan, the fallout  especially on retirement security and the high-tech sector  would be catastrophic.

Caution urged

Billionaire U.S. investor Mark Mobius, who has been described as the godfather of emerging markets, said in March that he couldnt take his money out of China because of the countrys capital controls, even though he has a bank account in Shanghai. In an interview with Fox Business, Mobius cautioned investors to be very, very careful about investing in an economy that is under a tight government grip.

It is a mistake to fancy that foreign companies can escape the governments harsh tactics aimed at preserving their sense of order, which is in fact their grasp of power and control of the whole society, said Wei Jingsheng, one of Chinas best-known dissidents, in a phone interview with VOA.

The Chinese government has made it clear repeatedly that weiwen (maintaining stability), which Wei calls a euphemism for cracking down on dissent, is its highest priority, Wei and others point out.

Normal business operates under the protection of rule of law, but theres no genuine rule of law in China, where rule by men can override laws and regulations at any time, Wei said. Compared to their own safety concerns, tax breaks and other material measures to entice foreign entities to stay in China appear trivial.

Patrick A. Mulloy, a former U.S. trade official, said a changing political atmosphere in the United States is causing American businesses to think twice about their footprint in China.

Mulloy currently serves as a board advisor to the Coalition for a Prosperous America (CPA). The organization was founded in 2007 by a group of American farmers, ranchers, manufacturers and labor representatives, working together to rebuild the American work force and overall economy.

The fact that people from both parties are talking about it now and getting a good reaction suggests that people understand [the U.S.-China relationship] has not been good for them, added Mulloy, who served five two-year terms at the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission.

I imagine [corporations] are concerned that their profits are not as high as they used to be, and the fact that they might get a bad reputation in the United States for fostering economic ties that have cost millions of U.S. manufacturing jobs and created a huge trade imbalance in Chinas favor, Mulloy said in a phone interview.

U.S. government data issued by the Bureau of Economic Analysis show that out of the roughly $700 billion trade between the United States and China in 2022, about $153.8 billion, or less than 25%, was U.S. exports to China, while about $536.8 billion, or more than 75%, was U.S. imports from China, resulting in a U.S. trade deficit of $382.9 billion, an increase of $29.4 billion from 2021.

A survey by the American Chamber of Commerce in China echoed Mulloys observation that changing public attitudes at home are playing a significant role in businesses calculation. Two-thirds of the more than 300 member companies polled by AmCham said U.S.-China tensions were the top factor when it comes to risks in doing business in China.

VOA's Mandarin Service contributed to this report.
Heavy rain in Hong Kong and southern China overnight flooded city streets and some subway stations, with hundreds evacuated and two deaths reported in Hong Kong.

Hong Kong authorities said during a joint news conference Friday that the extreme weather was expected to last until at least midnight, with widespread flooding and heavy disruptions to public transport in multiple districts.

An official from the Hong Kong observatory said the city had recorded over 600mm of rain so far  a quarter of the city's average annual rainfall. The Hong Kong Observatory said it recorded nearly 16 centimeters of rain in the hour between 11 p.m. Thursday and midnight, the highest recording for a single hour since records began in 1884.

Hong Kong police said that two bodies were found floating in waters in different parts of the city. The city's fire services department said it had evacuated 110 people and assisted 20 injured people.

The city's response to the rain and floods has drawn criticism from residents online, who questioned the authorities' preparedness for such an emergency.

Hong Kong's No. 2 official, Eric Chan, said that the predictability of rainfall "cannot be compared with that of a typhoon." He said that various departments in Hong Kong had been working overnight to tackle the situation.

Videos circulating on social media show flooded streets in Hong Kong and nearby Guangdong province, with vehicles driving through the water and rescue teams using rafts to navigate the streets.

Water rushed down the stairs and escalators of a flooded subway station in Hong Kong, and cars were caught in muddy water on flooded streets, including in the cross-harbor tunnel that connects Hong Kong Island with Kowloon.

The heavy downpours led Hong Kong and the mainland city of Shenzhen to close schools, and nonessential workers in Hong Kong were urged to stay home Friday. Most bus services in Hong Kong were halted.

The Hong Kong stock exchange also did not open Friday.

On the mainland, more than 11,000 people were evacuated from water-logged areas in Meizhou, a city in Guangdong province, according to state broadcaster CCTV. Trains and flights were suspended in Guangdong and several landslides blocked roads the report said.

Shenzhen's total rainfall was almost 47 centimeters  the heaviest rainfall since Shenzhen started meteorological records in 1952, CCTV said.

Beijing issued a flood disaster warning for several districts of the Chinese capital, forecasting heavy rainfall through Saturday night.

The city observatory attributed Friday's rain to a trough of low pressure associated with the remnants of a recent typhoon.
Pakistan and Afghanistan's Taliban authorities have met multiple times in the last week to negotiate the reopening of their main border crossing but could not make headway, stranding many trade convoys and travelers on both sides for the fourth consecutive day Saturday.

Pakistani officials said the standoff erupted Wednesday after Taliban guards began constructing a new outpost near the historic Torkham border crossing, violating mutual agreements and ignoring warnings to stop the work.

The tensions eventually led to brief skirmishes between border security forces from the two countries, killing a Taliban guard and a civilian, according to the Afghan side.

The Taliban rejected the allegations, saying the outpost was being built on the Afghan side of the nearly 2,600-kilometer (1,616 miles) British colonial-era boundary separating the two countries.

On Saturday, officials in both countries said the situation remains fluid and it is unclear when or if a resolution will be reached soon for all stranded travelers and truck convoys to resume their journey through the Torkham point of transit for trade and travelers.



Mufti Asmatullah Yaqoob, a senior Taliban official at Torkham, alleged while speaking to the BBC Afghan radio service that the Pakistani forces had started the armed clashes and closed the border gate. He rejected claims that Taliban guards were building the post on the zero point or the border conjunction.



"A zero point exists where there is a formal border, but this is just an imaginary line," Yaqoob said, referring to the border with Pakistan, which Afghanistan historically disputes and rejects as an international boundary.



Islamabad rejects Afghan objections, saying it inherited the international border after gaining independence from Britain in 1947.

Wednesday's conflict over the controversial outpost occurred just hours after hundreds of heavily-armed Afghan-based militants stormed two Pakistani security outposts in the remote northern Chitral district close to the border at an elevation of 1,670 meters (5,479 feet).



Pakistan's military said the ensuing clashes killed four soldiers and 12 "terrorists" before the assailants retreated to Afghanistan.



The outlawed Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), also known as the Pakistani Taliban, claimed responsibility for the attack. TTP leaders and fighters mostly reside across the border in Afghanistan and orchestrate cross-border terrorism from there, according to Pakistani officials and recent United Nations assessments.

Pakistani Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said Friday that her government was in close contact with Afghan authorities.



"We have shared our concerns with regards to the terrorist threat against Pakistan that emanates from the Afghan soil... All these concerns and developments are relevant to the opening or closure of the border as well," Baloch stressed.



The Pakistani ministry also summoned the head of the Taliban-run Afghan Embassy in Islamabad and formally protested the Chitral cross-border terrorist raid and the Torkham incident, official sources said.



The Taliban envoy was told to convey to Kabul "our serious concern over TTP's use of Afghan territory to enter into Chitral" and attempts by the Taliban "to encroach upon Pakistani territory at Torkham," a senior Pakistani diplomat privy to the meeting told VOA Saturday. He spoke anonymously because he was not authorized to interact with journalists on the subject publicly.



In a media interview Friday, Taliban chief spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid rejected allegations that the TTP attack in Chitral had originated in his country. He reiterated that his government is not allowing anyone to use Afghan soil to threaten other nations and advised Islamabad to stop blaming Kabul for its internal conflicts.



However, Pakistani officials and independent critics questioned Mujahid's claims that TTP does not exist in Afghanistan. A recent U.N. assessment estimated that more than 4,000 TTP militants are active on Afghan soil.



Islamabad maintains that the Taliban's return to power in Kabul in August 2021 has emboldened the TTP, and it increasingly uses Afghanistan as an operation base for orchestrating attacks in Pakistan.



The TTP's fugitive chief, Noor Wali Mehsud, has publicly pledged allegiance to Hibatullah Akhundzada, the supreme leader of the Taliban government, and has stated the Pakistani Taliban "is a branch" of the Afghan Taliban. Mehsud has been frequently spotted and spoken to journalists in Afghanistan after the Taliban takeover.



The Taliban hosted Pakistan's talks with the TTP leadership in Kabul last year but refused to evict the militants from the country. The dialogue process collapsed late last year, leading to a dramatic surge in deadly TTP attacks against Pakistani security forces.



Pakistan says that some militants killed during recent counterterrorism operations against the TTP were members of the Afghan Taliban and their bodies and other personal details were shared directly with Kabul authorities.



A foreign ministry official in Islamabad told VOA that in recent meetings with Kabul representatives, his government has unsuccessfully sought an explanation that "while the Taliban condemn Islamic state terrorist attacks in Pakistan, they maintain a stoic silence when the TTP conducts its attacks in Pakistan."

The official requested anonymity for not being authorized to speak to the media publicly.

He also questioned the effectiveness of a recent "diktat" or decree issued by Hibatullah declaring cross-border attacks by Afghan Taliban fighters as "haram" or forbidden.

"Either the Amir ul-Momineen (leader of the faithful) has no authority to implement his orders, or the (Afghan) Taliban are hand in glove with the TTP," the Pakistani official said, using the title the Taliban use for Hibatullah.
September 11, 2001, seems like yesterday for the small group that gathered Friday at the Pentagon Courtyard to mark the 22nd annual memorial for those who perished in the attack.

The event began with a solemn performance by the United States Army Brass Quintet. Audience members fanned themselves with event guides in the sweltering Virginia heat, most clustering beneath nearby trees for relief.

Those in attendance knew the 184 people who were killed at the Pentagon more than two decades ago. Some were close friends, family members, or co-workers  all lost to an act of terrorism that would change the course of American history.

On the 2001 morning, 19 al-Qaida terrorists hijacked four commercial airplanes, turning them into precision missiles. The first plane crashed into the North Tower of the World Trade Center in New York City. Sixteen minutes later, the second plane hit the South Tower. Manhattanites abandoned their cars and watched as disaster unfolded 110 stories above.

A third plane smashed into the Pentagon, headquarters of the Department of Defense in Arlington, Virginia. The last plane likely was destined for the Capitol but instead crashed in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, after passengers tried unsuccessfully to wrest control of the cockpit. Nearly 3,000 people from 93 countries lost their lives that day, the worst attack on American soil since Japan's assault on Pearl Harbor in 1941.

The Pentagon was ultimately restored, and a new World Trade Center rose.

But the attack's scars, both literal and figurative, remain. Chaplain John Goodloe of the Armed Forces Retirement Home in Washington gave the invocation.

"Our land needs healing, O God," he prayed, stressing the importance of diversity and interfaith tolerance.

After remarks from Deputy Defense Director Sajeel Ahmed and Admiral Christopher Grady, Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks delivered the keynote address.

"As someone who remembers vividly the course of my own steps right here at the Pentagon that day," she said, "I can tell you: sharing these personal reflections remains hard."

Hicks highlighted her colleagues' heroism, echoing Ahmed's remarks. All of the speakers shared a common message: resilience.

Hicks and Ahmed noted that the Pentagon's doors reopened a day after the fires were extinguished. The collapsed corner of the building where the plane hit was cordoned off and business resumed. Then-Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, Ahmed said, returned undaunted to where calamity had struck.

Hicks called on adults to continue an intergenerational dialogue. Young Americans, she said, must be taught to appreciate how the events of September 11 have changed the world around them, even if "[t]hey were too young [to remember] or hadn't yet been born."

"You are not alone," she told an audience of surviving family members, first responders, and co-workers who were spared. "We have not forgotten about you or those we've lost. And we never will. Thank you."

After a moment of silence, a trumpeter played taps. The chaplain returned to the stage and his final prayer.

On Monday, there will be a private observance at the Pentagon Memorial for the loved ones of those who died in 2001. Friday's ceremony was for the public.

President Joe Biden plans to pay his respects, though, at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska, a pitstop on his journey back from India's G20 summit and a diplomatic meeting in Hanoi.
The White House calls this years G20 summit a success, saying the final communique contains consequential paragraphs on the war in Ukraine. Even though China and Russias leaders skipped the gathering in India, US officials say members reached consensus on a range of issues. VOAs Anita Powell reports from New Delhi. Camera: AP, AFP, Paris Huang.
Hu Changchun, head of the Chinese Mission to the African Union (AU), speaks at a high-level seminar jointly held by the AU and the Chinese Mission to the AU, in the Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa, on Sept. 8, 2023. The AU and the Chinese Mission to the AU on Friday pledged to further deepen cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) to achieve win-win outcomes by taking the opportunity of the 10th anniversary of the China-proposed initiative.(Xinhua/Wang Guansen)

ADDIS ABABA, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- The African Union (AU) and the Chinese Mission to the AU on Friday pledged to further deepen cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) to achieve win-win outcomes by taking the opportunity of the 10th anniversary of the China-proposed initiative.

The AU and the Chinese mission held a high-level seminar Friday in the Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa, with the participation of senior AU officials, officials from African countries, Chinese government officials, members of the diplomatic community in Ethiopia and academia, among others.

While addressing the seminar, Albert Muchanga, the AU commissioner for Economic Development, Trade, Tourism, Industry and Minerals, said the BRI is a signature program of international development cooperation.

Ten years ago, Chinese President Xi Jinping proposed the initiative. Ten years on, the BRI has evolved from broad strokes to refined details, and become the most popular international public good and largest-scale international cooperation platform with remarkable achievements.

China has signed BRI cooperation documents with more than 150 countries and over 30 international organizations. It has established more than 3,000 cooperation projects and galvanized nearly 1 trillion U.S. dollars of investment, creating an array of national landmarks, livelihood projects, and milestones of cooperation. According to the World Bank, by 2030, BRI transport infrastructure, if fully implemented, is expected to increase global real income by 0.7 percent to 2.9 percent, lifting 7.6 million people from extreme poverty and 32 million people from moderate poverty.

Muchanga said the initiative has connected and integrated countries, while facilitating intra-country, regional, continental and global trade, consolidating interdependence and globalization. He stressed the BRI has spurred worldwide interest in upgrading infrastructure to facilitate faster and cheaper movement of people, as well as the flow of goods and services.

"Africa is part of these benefits, which are, but a sample of several projects in the varied areas of transportation, logistics, communications, trade facilitation, finance, soft quality infrastructure, among others. Virtually all African countries have Belt and Road Initiative projects, some of a regional nature," he said.

The AU commissioner acknowledged China's cooperation with the AU in the development of quality infrastructure under the BRI. "Through this support, we are developing the Made-in-Africa standard, which will greatly contribute to high standards of manufacturing and agro-processing as well as elimination of Technical Barriers to Trade in the African Continental Free Trade Area," he said.

Hu Changchun, head of the Chinese Mission to the AU, said that over the past decade, the BRI has opened up a new direction for China-Africa cooperation and set a model for building a community with a shared future in the new era.

Hu said China will promote market-oriented, enterprise-led and win-win investments in Africa, fostering important growth drivers for Africa's independent and sustainable development. He also underscored the need to enhance synergy between the BRI and Agenda 2063, Africa's development blueprint to achieve inclusive and sustainable socioeconomic development over a 50-year period.

Cong Liang, deputy head of the National Development and Reform Commission of China, addressed the seminar via video link, hailing the successful China-Africa cooperation under the BRI over the past decade. "With the joint efforts made by China, African countries and the AU, cooperation under the BRI between China and Africa has flourished, and has become a fine example of South-South cooperation in the new era," he said.

Temesgen Tilahun, deputy commissioner of the Ethiopian Investment Commission (EIC), said under the framework of the BRI, Ethiopia has strengthened cooperation with China to accelerate its economic development. He said Ethiopia-China economic and trade cooperation has been expanding in scale, diversifying in areas and improving in mechanisms.

Taking the Addis Ababa-Djibouti Railway as one example of Ethiopia-China cooperation, Tilahun said the improved infrastructure has boosted the East African country's productivity in the agricultural and industrial sectors.

At the high-level seminar, participants also shared their experience in promoting investment within the BRI framework and exchanged views on deepening pragmatic cooperation. 

Albert Muchanga, the African Union (AU) commissioner for Economic Development, Trade, Tourism, Industry and Minerals, speaks at a high-level seminar jointly held by the AU and the Chinese Mission to the AU, in the Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa, on Sept. 8, 2023. The AU and the Chinese Mission to the AU on Friday pledged to further deepen cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) to achieve win-win outcomes by taking the opportunity of the 10th anniversary of the China-proposed initiative.(Xinhua/Wang Guansen)
Leaders assembled in New Delhi for the annual meeting of the heads of the G20  the worlds largest economies  are expected to take up a number of pressing global issues, including the threat of a global economic slowdown, the need to fight global warming, and efforts to reform multilateral development banks to better serve the countries of the Global South.

The group is also expected to formally invite the African Union to become a permanent member of the organization, a move that would give that continent stronger representation in the worlds largest bloc of economic powers. The G20 is currently composed of 19 nations and the European Union.

This years summit is notable for the absence of Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Putin also missed last years summit in Bali, Indonesia. The Russian leader rarely travels abroad, having been indicted on war crimes charges by the International Criminal Court for actions taken during his countrys war on Ukraine.

In Xis place, China has sent Premier Li Qiang. Russias representative will be Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

Joint communique under negotiation

The G20 traditionally concludes with leaders agreeing on a joint statement expressing areas on which they have consensus. Negotiations over the statement began well in advance of the meeting, and on Friday, Amitabh Kant, Indias chief negotiator, said that the statement was nearly complete.

"[The] New Delhi Leaders' Declaration is almost ready. I would not like to dwell on it," Kant said at a news conference. "This declaration will be recommended to the leaders."

Various news reports said that specific language about how to address the war in Ukraine remained a sticking point. Many members of the bloc are among Ukraines most ardent supporters and want the group to condemn Russias actions forcefully. However, Russia itself is not going to agree to such wording, and other countries that have offered Moscow tacit support, including China, are unlikely to sign on either.

At last years G20 summit in Bali, the joint communique noted that most members condemned Russias actions in Ukraine, but that there were dissenting opinions among the remainder.

Economic crises

Reporting by the news site Bloomberg revealed that the leaders statement is expected to warn of the cascading crises facing the global economy, including a concerning decline in global economic growth, which the International Monetary Fund has characterized as the worst in three decades.

Adnan Mazarei, a senior fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics and a former deputy director at the International Monetary Fund, told VOA that slowing growth and climate change would be high on the agenda for global leaders over the weekend.

He said that lower than expected growth, particularly in China, could have significant consequences.

It will lower demand for commodities and affect, especially, developing countries, and also all other countries, including the advanced countries that trade with China, he said.

Climate change

Economic growth concerns come at a time when the negative impacts of climate change are becoming more apparent every day, forcing leaders to listen to calls from developing nations, especially in Africa, for assistance in adaptation and mitigation.

For that purpose, there is momentum to reform the multilateral development banks and increase their resources, especially the World Bank, Mazarei said. This could be, theoretically, through an increase in capital. But more likely, through allowing the World Bank to use its resources more efficiently, meaning allowing the World Bank to take more risk with the resources it has.

Mazarei said that he also expects G20 leaders to address the fact that many developing nations are struggling under unsustainably high debt burdens, and to explore the expansion of their digital public infrastructure. He said that he was not overly optimistic about significant progress on either front, though he believed movement on the improvement of digital infrastructure was at least a possibility.

Xis absence

The decision by China's Xi to skip the summit comes as his country is under pressure from multiple directions. China is locked in a simmering border dispute with G20 host India over land on the border of Tibet. At the same time, Xi and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi are vying for leadership of the countries of the Global South.

Some have speculated that Xis absence is part of the Chinese leaders ongoing effort to reshape global leadership. Last month, the bloc of nations made up of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, known as BRICS, announced that it had invited several other countries to join it. If they accept, Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates would become members on January 1.

Other countries have expressed frustration with China in advance of the summit. Before traveling to India, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said that he saw little opportunity for repairing his countrys fractious relationship with Beijing, and he criticized Chinas increasingly aggressive presence on the world stage.

China has made decisions over the past years that have made it more difficult  not just for Canada but for other countries  to engage, Trudeau said.

U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak publicly criticized China for its initial reluctance to sign onto a G20 joint statement on the topics of climate change and the Ukraine war  a stance China appears to have moderated as negotiations continued.

In a Friday news conference, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said, China attaches great importance to the G20 and has participated in the consultations and discussions on the G20 New Delhi Summit document in an active and constructive way. We stand ready to work with other parties toward positive outcomes at the New Delhi Summit under the principle of consensus-building.
Kian Derakhshan, who was badly injured in protests following the death of Mahsa Amini last September, told VOA he believes the Iranian people will ultimately prevail, ushering in a new era of freedom and democracy under the banner of "Women, Life, Freedom" in Iran.

Amini, 22, died September 16, 2022, in the custody of Iran's morality police, allegedly for wearing her headscarf too loosely. "Women, Life, Freedom" has become the rallying cry of protests around her death but also for women's rights in Iran.

During his interview, Kian shared his firsthand account of the events of September 17, 2022, in Saqqez, Amini's hometown in the Kurdish area of Iran. That day  the day of Amini's funeral  he joined a crowd chanting "Women, Life, Freedom," he picked up a tear gas canister fired by security forces, and he threw it back in their direction.

According to Kian, agents of the Islamic Republic shot him with pellet guns, striking him with nearly 100 pellets. Immediately, people at the scene rushed him to a nearby clinic and into Shafa Hospital for treatment, and eventually to a hospital in Tabriz where he underwent multiple surgeries and was in intensive care for 18 days.

Kian said he has more than 100 pellets in his body, with his right arm significantly affected with a pellet embedded in his bone, irritating the nerve. Two pellets struck near his spinal cord, causing severe and constant pain, and he suffered some vision loss in his right eye. He takes medication regularly to alleviate the pain from the pellets.

Since he left the hospital, Kian said, he has been repeatedly summoned and threatened by authorities.

Hundreds killed, thousands injured

The public protests following Amini's death while in the custody of the morality police have been one of the most substantial and critical challenges against the Islamic Republic government in the past 44 years.

According to data furnished by human rights organizations, during the crackdown on the widespread protests, the security forces of the Islamic Republic killed nearly 600 people  including women and children  injured several thousand and detained more than 20,000 Iranian citizens.

In response to this brutal crackdown, Western governments instituted a series of sanctions targeting institutions and officials of the Islamic Republic.

Memorial for Amini

In recent days, Amjad Amini, Mahsa Amini's father, spoke with Voice of America's Persian Service regarding the memorial ceremony for his daughter.

"We are resolute in organizing the anniversary ceremony to honor the name and memory of Zhina [Mahsa], the martyr, the oppressed, the innocent, and to bring joy to her pure soul," he said.

"It also provides solace for the family, relatives and all her supporters," he said. "However, given the current circumstances, we cannot formally extend invitations to the public or dissuade them from attending."
Americans prepare to mark the anniversary of the September 11 attacks, but more than 20 years later, whats the state of global terrorism? Plus, as the war in Ukraine rages on, the challenges facing governments around the world to use frozen Russian assets for post-recovery efforts.
A judge on Friday denied Mark Meadows' request to move his Georgia election subversion case to federal court, ruling that the Trump White House chief of staff must fight the charges in state court instead.

U.S. District Judge Steve Jones in Atlanta wrote in a 49-page ruling that Meadows "has not met even the 'quite low' threshold" to move his case to federal court, noting that the question was whether the actions at issue were related to his role as a federal official.

"The evidence adduced at the hearing establishes that the actions at the heart of the state's charges against Meadows were taken on behalf of the Trump campaign with an ultimate goal of affecting state election activities and procedures," Jones wrote.

"Meadows himself testified that working for the Trump campaign would be outside the scope of a White House chief of staff."

The ruling is a big early win for Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, who spent 2 1/2 years investigating and building the case against former President Donald Trump, Meadows and 17 others before obtaining the sweeping indictment under Georgia's anti-racketeering law. She has said she wants to try all the defendants together.

Others seek move

Trump has indicated that he is considering asking for his trial to be moved to federal court, and several other defendants have already made the request. The ruling by Jones against Meadows could signal that the others may struggle to meet the burden required to win removal when their lawyers make their arguments before the judge later this month, though Jones made clear that he would assess each of those cases individually.

The practical effects of moving to federal court would be a jury pool that includes a broader area than just overwhelmingly Democratic Fulton County and a trial that would not be photographed or televised, as cameras are not allowed inside federal courtrooms. But it would not open the door for Trump, if he's reelected in 2024, or another president to issue pardons because any conviction would still happen under state law.

Meadows is expected to appeal the ruling. In a court filing earlier this week, he asked to separate his case from the other defendants and to halt his proceedings in the state court until a final determination is reached on his attempt to move to federal court, "including through appeal, if an appeal is taken."

A spokesperson for Willis declined to comment.

Meadows, Trump and the others have pleaded not guilty to charges they participated in a sprawling scheme to illegally try to overturn Trump's 2020 presidential election loss in Georgia, even though the state's voters had selected Democrat Joe Biden.

Meadows said his actions were taken as part of his role as chief of staff to the Republican president. He and his lawyers also argued that, since he was a federal official at the time, the charges against him should be heard in federal court and, ultimately, dismissed for lack of merit.

Political acts, prosecutors say

Prosecutors said the actions laid out in the indictment were meant to keep Trump in office after he lost to Biden. They said the acts were explicitly political in nature and are illegal under the Hatch Act, which restricts partisan political activity by federal employees. As such, they said, the case should stay in Fulton County Superior Court.

Meadows served as Trump's fourth and final chief of staff after being tapped in March 2020 to replace Mick Mulvaney. Before being elevated to the position of the president's top aide, Meadows was a congressman representing North Carolina.

First elected in the post-Tea Party wave of 2012, Meadows quickly established himself as a leader of a new generation of conservative Republicans on Capitol Hill. He served as chairman of the right-wing Freedom Caucus, and his actions in the House helped spur Speaker John Boehner's sudden retirement.

As Trump ascended in 2016, Meadows switched from his earlier backing of Texas Senator Ted Cruz and became a Trump supporter.

Jones wrote that the evidence "overwhelmingly suggests" that most of the actions attributed to Meadows in the indictment did not fall within "his scope of executive branch duties."

"Even if Meadows took on tasks that mirror the duties that he carried out when acting in his official role as White House chief of staff (such as attending meetings, scheduling phone calls and managing the president's time), he has failed to demonstrate how the election-related activities that serve as the basis for the charges in the indictment are related to any of his official acts," the judge wrote.

Jones also made clear that he was making no judgment on the merits of the case against Meadows or any defense he might offer.
The URL has been copied to your clipboard

The code has been copied to your clipboard.

Since China reopened its borders in January, thousands of Chinese have traveled to the United States. Some have asked for asylum. Mike OSullivan reports from Los Angeles, where recent migrants are adapting to life in a new country.
One month after the deadliest U.S. wildfire in more than a century leveled the historic town of Lahaina, Hawaii Governor Josh Green said Friday that the number of missing had dropped to 66, the confirmed death toll remained at 115 and authorities would soon escort residents on visits to their property.

Tens of millions of dollars in aid will make its way to families and businesses as they recover, Green said, and beginning October 8, travel restrictions will end and West Maui will reopen to visitors.

"If we support Maui's economy and keep our people employed, they will heal faster and continue to afford to live on Maui," Green said.

Donations from around the world have poured into the American Red Cross, the Hawaii Community Foundation, the Maui United Way and other organizations, Green said, and he has authorized $100 million from the federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program "to support what others donate, magnifying the power of their generosity."

The government is also making $25 million available to help businesses survive, distributed in grants of $10,000 to $20,000, he said.

Fewer missing than feared earlier

The August 8 fire started in the hills above the historic oceanfront town. Within hours it spread through single-family homes and apartment buildings, quaint city streets, art galleries and restaurants, destroying more than 2,000 structures. Dozens of people fled to the ocean seeking refuge from the flames. The blaze is estimated to have caused $5.5 billion in damage.

The new tally of 66 people still missing represents a significant drop from a week earlier, when authorities said 385 remained unaccounted for.

So far, Maui police have released the names of 55 of the dead. Of those, 22 were in their 70s, with another 13 in their 60s. There was one listed victim under age 10.

With about half the deceased still unidentified, Green said he expected there to be significant overlap between the names on the missing list and remains that have already been recovered. Therefore, he said, he did not expect the death toll to rise considerably.

"We're starting to see that the universe of 115 fatalities is about where we are," Green said. "There may be some additional fatalities as we go through the next month."

Residents can visit homes soon

The Maui Police Department said Friday that in addition to the 66 people listed by the FBI as unaccounted for, there were 80 additional names of potentially missing people that the agency was vetting for credibility. In those cases, no information was provided for the reporting party, or the reporting party was not available to provide further details.

The governor said that in the coming weeks, authorities would begin to schedule supervised visits for residents to return to and view their properties. People will have to be careful as they visit, he said, because the ash is toxic.

Green and Maui County officials have come under criticism for allegedly not being ready for the wildfire and for what some have called a chaotic and disorganized response. The danger of wildfires wasn't top of mind on the islands, Green said, when pressed about whether Hawaii should have been more prepared.

"Should we have invested more in fire prevention? Of course, of course. But we'd never had a fire of this consequence," Green said. Instead, he said, people have been more focused on more commonly occurring tragedies such as car accidents or drug overdoses.

The governor suggested lawsuits filed against various state and county entities have prevented those in positions of authority from speaking out more.

"I can't speak to when people will apologize for this tragedy. I'm heartbroken, and I will tell you and anyone out there, 'I'm so sorry you went through this.' Of course, I'm just one person," he said. "It's the world who has to apologize for what we have become, where we have become a world where we turn our backs on global warming and where we didn't prioritize things in advance."

Green said he aimed to set up a victim assistance fund within two to three weeks in the mold of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund, and people who file claims should be able to get compensated in six to nine months. He did not specify which entities would contribute to the fund but said those who were currently parties to lawsuits would likely participate.
Chinese travelers throng the bazaars of old Kashgar, munching mutton kebabs and soaking up heavily commodified Uyghur culture -- part of a government push to remold troubled Xinjiang into a tourism paradise.

Kashgar, an ancient Silk Road oasis, was more recently on the front lines of Beijing's sweeping anti-terrorism campaign in the northwestern region.

The city's outskirts are still pockmarked with facilities that the ruling Communist Party once called vocational schools but Western researchers describe as extralegal detention camps for Muslims -- with the United States linking them to policies of "genocide."

Now, after years of assault on Uyghur traditions and ways of life, the government is pumping cash into repackaging a state-approved version of their culture to attract domestic and foreign travelers.

On a recent visit by AFP journalists to old Kashgar, thousands of tourists crowded streetside stalls that were selling silk scarves and steaming naan.

Other visitors snapped selfies in front of the pastel-yellow Id Kah Mosque.

"The old town is the heart and soul of Kashgar, with a long history, rich culture and unique architecture," said a Uyghur tour guide as she whisked visitors, mainly from China's Han majority ethnic group, through the narrow streets.

"Many tourists like it so much that they come back, start businesses... and live here alongside other ethnic minorities as one big family."

Dozens of stores catered to a trend for "travel snaps" taken by a professional photographer, where tourists can pay more than 1,500 yuan ($205) to don spangled veils and pose around the city in Uyghur clothing.

The celebration of traditional dress comes despite a ban authorities placed a few years ago on Uyghur women wearing veils and men growing long beards.

Looking beyond the tourist activities, there were other signs pointing to a loss of traditions and lifestyles for Uyghur residents.

An expanse of rubble lay at the site of Kashgar's former Grand Bazaar just beyond the fringes of the old town.

The vast market, where thousands of traders once hawked fabrics, spices and other wares, was reportedly razed by authorities last year.

Much of the old town had also been demolished and rebuilt over recent decades as part of the government's development drive.

Tourism boom

Chinese officials have long viewed tourism as a way to develop resource-rich but historically impoverished Xinjiang.

The strategy has gained new impetus this year as the economy staggers out of a hardline zero-COVID policy that gummed up domestic travel and throttled consumption.

Last month, President Xi Jinping called on officials to "strengthen positive publicity and show Xinjiang's new atmosphere of openness and self-confidence."

The region's tourism bureau plans to spend over 700 million yuan in 2023, more than double its pre-pandemic budget in 2019.

A suite of new projects has been announced across Xinjiang, from luxury hotels to campsites, rail routes and activity parks.

They include agreements totaling $1.72 billion with Western hotel brands like Hilton, Sheraton and InterContinental, the ruling party-run People's Daily newspaper reported in June.

Tourism has also provided an opportunity for Beijing to push back against criticism of its policies in the region.

A chorus of researchers, campaigners and Uyghurs overseas have alleged systematic rights abuses in Xinjiang stretching back years -- including mass internment, forced labor, coercive birth controls, political indoctrination and curbs on religion.

"Do people look oppressed? Does the city look like an open-air prison like the US said?" wrote one state-linked journalist in July on Twitter -- the platform rebranded as X, which is blocked in China -- alongside clips of herself dining and dancing with Kashgar locals.

China has dismissed a UN report detailing "serious" abuses that may constitute "crimes against humanity," and blasted U.S. claims of a "genocide."

Its foreign ministry told AFP that in Xinjiang "people's lives are continuously improving, cultural spaces are prospering, and religion is harmonious and agreeable."

The development push has coincided with a relaxation of security in cities where Uyghur residents were once subjected to pervasive body scans and other inspections by armed police.

In Kashgar, AFP saw just a handful of officers, and abandoned or barely used scanners dotted the streets.

Prayers prohibited

But off the main tourist trail, in the mostly Uyghur town of Yengisar, AFP reporters saw a sign in a cemetery prohibiting Islamic "religious activities" such as kneeling, prostrating, praying with palms facing upwards and reciting scripture.

The same sign permitted certain offerings for the Qingming Festival, typically observed by Han but not Uyghurs.

Around a dozen mosques in other towns and villages around Kashgar were found locked and rundown.

Some appeared to have had minarets and other Islamic markings removed, and many bore the same government slogan: "Love the country, love the party."

In Kashgar, no more than two dozen mostly elderly Uyghur men were seen entering Id Kah Mosque for Friday afternoon prayers, vastly outnumbered by tourists -- a stark change from the thousands of believers that would congregate a decade ago.

Three other community mosques within a few hundred meters were shuttered when AFP visited, with a store advertising adult products operating a stone's throw from one of them.

Such closures were largely deemed "unnecessary until the recent wave of repression" beginning in 2017, said Rian Thum, an expert on Uyghur history at Britain's University of Manchester.

"The destruction of religious sites... is part of a larger set of policies that are transforming the landscape and disconnecting Uyghur culture from the geography" of Xinjiang, Thum told AFP.

The sharpest reminders of Beijing's policies still lurk on Kashgar's periphery, which houses many of the alleged internment camps.

While some appear to have been converted or abandoned, others look to still be operating -- and provoke official unease when exposed.

"Don't take any photos!" yelled an unidentified woman in an unmarked car that followed AFP to a nondescript compound on a bleak industrial estate an hour's drive from the city.

"That's not permitted around here."
Afghanistan's Taliban have reportedly arrested 12 operatives of the local branch of the Islamic State terrorist group in a remote northeastern region bordering China, Pakistan, and Tajikistan.

The Al-Mersaad state-affiliated media said Friday that Taliban special forces had launched an operation this week against an "important network" of the Islamic State-Khorasan, or IS-K, in the mountainous Afghan province of Badakhshan.

The four-day operation captured 12 IS-K militants and large weapons caches, including assault rifles, bombs, bullets, computers and other technical equipment, the media outlet quoted unnamed Taliban security officials as saying.

The detainees were allegedly "involved in attacks on civilian and government targets" in the border province.

It was not possible to verify the Taliban's claims from independent sources, nor did the Islamic State comment on them. Al-Mersaad is working to counter IS-Khorasan extremist propaganda in Afghanistan.

Car bombings in Badakhshan last December and in June this year killed the provincial police chief and the deputy governor, respectively. IS-K claimed responsibility for both the attacks.

IS-K has carried out high-profile attacks in Afghanistan since the Taliban seized power from a U.S.-backed government in Kabul in August 2021. The Taliban took control after American and NATO forces withdrew from the country following 20 years of involvement in the Afghan war.

Last year, IS-K carried out a deadly suicide bombing outside the Russian Embassy in the Afghan capital, plotted a failed assassination attempt on the chief Pakistani diplomat, and raided a downtown hotel hosting Chinese citizens.

However, Taliban security forces in recent months have carried out successful raids against IS-K hideouts in Kabul and elsewhere in the country, killing several key commanders and members of the terrorist group.

The Taliban counterterrorism campaign also reportedly killed IS-K chief Sanaullah Ghafari in June. The terrorist group has since not responded to the claims.

The United Nations said in a report in July that the death of Ghafari, widely known as Shahab al-Muhajir, "remains to be confirmed."

On Friday, U.S. officials briefing reporters said that IS-K has been under increasing pressure from the Taliban, and many of its key leaders have fled the country in recent months.

"ISIS-K is a threat that we are certainly concerned about, from an external operations perspective," CNN quoted one of the officials as saying.

"ISIS Khorasan members involved in media, facilitation, and recruitment in support of external operations are increasingly moving to neighboring countries to evade the Taliban [counterterrorism] campaign," the official said.

Speaking to VOA in April, Taliban chief spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid claimed their security forces had arrested and imprisoned up to 1,700 IS-K militants and killed nearly 1,100 others. The claims could not be confirmed by independent sources.

Recent U.N. assessments estimated that up to 6,000 IS-K militants, including family members, operate in Afghanistan.
Maldives President Ibrahim Solih and his main challenger Mohamed Muizzu are likely to face off in a second round of a presidential election, with results from Saturday's first round showing Muizzu ahead but short of the 50% needed to win outright.

With nearly 195,000 votes counted, Muizzu, seen as favoring closer ties with China, led Solih, who has promoted ongoing warm ties with India, 46% to 40%. Authorities said around 75% of the 282,000 eligible voters had cast ballots.

Solih, seeking a second five-year term, had championed an "India-first" policy during his time in power. The coalition backing Muizzu has launched an "India out" campaign, promising to remove a small Indian military presence of several surveillance aircraft and some 75 personnel.

Muizzu entered the fray after former President Abdulla Yameen was banned from contesting the election by the Supreme Court in August following a conviction for corruption and money laundering.

Thousands turned out early at more than 570 polling stations across 187 islands. Maldivians also were voting at polling stations in India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Britain and Abu Dhabi.

"We have been surprised with many people queuing very early," Fuwad Thowfeek, the president of the Elections Commission told Reuters. "So far, everything is moving smoothly without any disruptions or delays."
Ukraine's counteroffensive against Russian forces will continue in the coming months, regardless of inclement weather when fighting would be harder to conduct, Ukrainian intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov said Saturday.

"Combat actions will continue in one way or another. In the cold, wet and mud, it is more difficult to fight. Fighting will continue. The counteroffensive will continue," Budanov said.

Ukraine's much-vaunted counteroffensive has seen some success in the south, where Ukrainian forces have retaken a dozen villages over the past three months.

Ukraine's armed forces are making "gradual tactical advances" against Russia's defensive line east of the town of Robotyne, the British Defense Ministry said Saturday in its daily intelligence update on Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

But Ukraine's military operation has been slower than anticipated because of hurdles that include vast minefields and heavily entrenched Russian forces.

Budanov's comments, made during a news conference in Kyiv, indicate Ukraine does not intend to halt its push when the weather turns harsher later this year.

The slow progress of the counteroffensive has sparked concerns among Kyiv's supporters that the West could face an uphill battle to maintain its support and the military aid needed to keep Ukraine battling at the same intensity level.

Ukraine's advances in the southeastern Zaporizhzhia region, now centered around the villages of Robotyne and Verbove, are seen as a crucial part of an operation that seeks to split Russia's occupying forces in half in the south but remains far from that goal.

"Our counteroffensive is happening in several directions," Budanov said, acknowledging that progress had been slower than he wanted and describing the situation as difficult.

Apart from the huge concentration of Russian mines, he identified the large number of small Russian "kamikadze" drones as a key factor in slowing Ukraine's progress so far.

Russian air defense says it shot down three Ukrainian drones over Crimea on Saturday, one in the northwest and two in the west of the peninsula, Sergei Aksyonov, the Russian-installed head of the local administration, said on a post on Telegram.

Reuters could not verify the claims, and there were no immediate reports of damage or casualties.

Drone debris in Romania

The Romanian defense ministry said Saturday that new fragments of a drone, like those used by Russia, were found on its territory, indicating a breach of Romania's airspace.

"The identification by Romanian authorities on Romanian territory near the border with Ukraine of new drone fragments ... indicates an unacceptable breach occurred of the air space of Romania, a NATO member, with real risks to the security of Romanian citizens in the area," Romanian President Klaus Iohannis said in a statement.

Iohannis said he informed NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg of the drone  the second to crash in Romanian territory this week  and that Stoltenberg reiterated the alliance's complete solidarity with Romania.

Since July, when Moscow abandoned the Black Sea grain deal, Ukraine has been shipping grain from its river ports across the Danube from Romania. And Russia has repeatedly struck those Ukrainian river ports.

These attacks, just hundreds of meters from the Romanian border, have increased security risks for NATO, whose members have a mutual defense commitment.

The U.S. State Department said earlier this week it would rotate additional U.S. F-16 fighter jets to bolster NATO's air policing mission in Romania.

G20 summit

The leaders of the world's 20 wealthiest countries adopted a consensus declaration Saturday at the G20 summit, calling on all states to refrain from the use of force to seize territory but stopped short of condemning Russia for its war on Ukraine.

Despite the consensus declaration, the group remains deeply divided over the war. Western nations were pushing for a strong denunciation of Russia in the Leaders' Declaration, while other countries demanded a focus on broader economic issues.

On the war in Ukraine, the declaration says that all states must refrain from threats or use of force to seek territorial acquisition against territorial integrity and sovereignty or political independence of any state. It also called the use or threat of use of nuclear weapons "inadmissible" and urged for peaceful resolution of conflicts using diplomacy and dialog.

The G20 noted "different views and assessments of the situation," regarding the war in Ukraine.

They called on Russia and Ukraine to ensure immediate and unimpeded deliveries of grain, foodstuffs, and fertilizers from Russia and Ukraine for the sake of global food and energy security and asked for the end of military destruction or other attacks on relevant infrastructure.

The White House hailed this year's G20 summit as a success, saying Saturday the final communique contains "consequential paragraphs" on Russia's invasion of Ukraine  despite the notable omission of the word "Russia" in those paragraphs, which drew sharp criticism from Ukraine's government.

Washington's argument for supporting Ukraine hinged on the significant economic consequences of the conflict, the White House told VOA.



"The war in Ukraine has put a huge strain on lower- and middle-income countries when it comes to food security, energy security, inflationary pressure  you can't discount the effect that Mr. Putin's war has had on the global economy," John Kirby, the National Security Council coordinator, told VOA on the summit's sidelines in New Delhi.

The New Delhi declaration did not explicitly condemn Russia's devastating war against Ukraine, as was the case at the G20 summit last year.

Russian G20 representative Svetlana Lukash told journalists in New Delhi the joint declaration reached at the summit was "balanced" and welcomed by Moscow.

The top leaders of Russia and China were absent from the summit but were represented by their envoys.

VOA White House Correspondent Anita Powell contributed to this report from New Delhi. Some information was provided by The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters.
JOHANNESBURG, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- The skills exchange with other BRICS nations will help South Africa improve its critical skills and benchmarking with other countries, South African Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation Blade Nzimande said Friday.

"We look forward to sharing best practices with our BRICS counterparts and being part of the journey to remodel and align the educational outcomes in our institutions with the demands required by the economy," Nzimande said when commenting on the BRICS Future Skills Challenge, a competition scheduled to take place in Johannesburg from Sept. 12 to 15 with hundreds of competitors from around the BRICS nations.

"We are confident that this initiative will serve as a conduit of innovative entrepreneurs and highly skilled workforce for industries, not only in South Africa and the continent but across BRICS countries and beyond," said Nzimande.

The minister said they would like to generate the skills required to drive the growth of new industries and fuel the digitization of South Africa's economy.

The youths aged 18 to 35 from BRICS countries will take part in the skills challenge in aircraft maintenance, agri internet of things, building information modeling, cyber security, data science and digital twin. They will be tested in drone technologies, internet marketing, manufacturing robotics, renewable energy and robotic process automation, according to South Africa's BRICS Business Council, the organizer. 
The United Nations is growing increasingly alarmed at the rising volume of unregulated chemicals for making methamphetamine headed to Myanmar, the hub of the regions billion-dollar drug trade, and is ramping up efforts to get its neighbors to stem the tide.

U.N. staff have been holding meetings and training governments across the region to persuade and teach them how to spot and seize seemingly anodyne shipments of chemicals with legal applications that are likely headed for Myanmars booming meth labs as precursors.

Falling street prices for methamphetamine across Southeast Asia and record seizures in recent years suggest the labs are churning out more drugs than ever, much of it headed as far away as Australia and Japan.

For many of the chemicals used to make that meth, there [are] no real regulatory measures, Inshik Sim, a research officer for the U.N. Office on Drugs and Crime, or UNODC, for the Asia-Pacific region, told VOA in recent days.

It is quite important to know ... whos the end user for these chemicals, but that is really missing in this region, he said.

Some of the chemicals are closely watched.

The 1988 U.N. Convention Against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances lists 33 chemicals commonly used to make methamphetamine and other narcotics. Whenever any one of them crosses international borders, the exporting country must notify the country it is destined for, to help them track the shipment and make sure it ends up where it is supposed to and is not shunted, or diverted, along the way.

As those chemicals become harder to source, however, creative chemists working in Myanmars drug labs are learning to make them on their own with other, noncontrolled chemicals not on the list. Sim told VOA the pace at which Myanmars drug gangs are making the switch has picked up in the last few years, judging by the growing number of noncontrolled chemicals suspected of heading for the labs that authorities in the region have been seizing.

Out of control

As organized crime groups have been trying to circumvent the existing regulatory framework, either at the global level, like [with] the U.N. drug convention, or at the national level, they continuously look for alternative chemical substances, Sim said.

Sourcing the controlled chemicals is not easy anymore for those organized crime groups. Thats why theyve been relying increasingly on those noncontrolled chemicals, because its easier for them, he said.

According to data compiled by the UNODC, seizures of ephedrine, pseudoephedrine and other controlled chemicals popular with Myanmars meth cooks have been suspiciously low in the last few years across the region.

Yet in Myanmar itself, local authorities last year seized more than 3 million pseudoephedrine tablets that had arrived in two massive shipments from India. While pseudoephedrine in its raw form is controlled, tablets of it mixed up with other ingredients are not.

In its latest annual report on Asias synthetic drugs trade, the UNODC called the growing use of noncontrolled chemicals one of the most serious challenges to efforts to control the flow of precursor chemicals into Myanmar.

At the same time, it called the response of regional governments to the problem ineffective, riddled with major gaps in regulation and enforcement.

To help fill those gaps, the UNODC has been holding meetings with the pharmaceutical and drug enforcement agencies of a number of countries to highlight the problem and advise them on solutions.

It held a meeting on drug precursors in Vietnam late last year, in Malaysia and the Philippines in July, and in Laos last month. Sim said the trafficking of precursor chemicals also featured prominently at a meeting last week on combating the regions drug trade in China with the lower Mekong countries and would likely figure at a regional meeting on the drug trade in India next month.

China and India make most of the chemicals ending up in Myanmars meth labs.

Part of the challenge, Sim said, is that some officials are focusing on controlled chemicals only, thinking their noncontrolled building blocks, or pre-precursors, are not a problem.

We have seen that for many, many, many times, he said. Thats why we try to change their mentality of [how to] look at the chemical issues  even if its noncontrolled, you really need to pay attention. Thats our job.

Making the list

Another part of the job is making it easier for countries to notify each other when chemicals with drug-making potential cross each others borders.

The U.N.s International Narcotics Control Board, or INCB, launched an online Pre-Export Notification, or PEN, system for government agencies to report the export of controlled chemicals in 2006, and a light version for noncontrolled chemicals last year.

The continued evolution of illicit drug manufacturing and the growing importance of synthetic drugs are at the core of the development of the PEN Online Light system, Antonio Mazzitelli, head of precursors control for the INCB secretariat, told VOA.

PEN Online Light offers countries the opportunity for moving towards a more proactive, preventive approach, he said.

Yet another approach is to reclassify more precursor chemicals from noncontrolled to controlled. The U.N. Commission on Narcotic Drugs meets annually to decide whether to add more chemicals to the 1988 convention; it has added 10 in the past eight years.

Sim said the drug gangs are learning to substitute and make their own precursors faster than the commission can add them to the list, so it encourages countries to add internationally noncontrolled chemicals to their own national lists. He pointed to Thailand, a popular thoroughfare for the chemicals headed to Myanmars drug labs, as a good example.

Thailand added sodium cyanide to its list of controlled chemicals in November.

Prin Mekanandha, director of law enforcement at Thailands Office of the Narcotics Control Board, said sodium cyanide is commonly, and legally, used by the countrys gold mines. It can also be used to make meth but is not covered by U.N. convention.

Days after Thailand designated sodium cyanide a controlled chemical, it seized 220 tons shipped from China and likely headed for the drug labs. Prin said the delivery would have been enough to make some 4.8 million meth tablets.

He agreed that the drug gangs use of noncontrolled chemicals was a growing problem.

In the past they didnt use sodium cyanide to produce the methamphetamine, but right now we control the sodium cyanide, Prin told VOA Monday.

We have to follow them and [find] the evidence that they use the noncontrolled [chemicals], and then we try to [change] the noncontrolled to controlled, he added. We follow the situation.
The United States confirmed Friday that it seized a tanker load of Iranian oil in April, just before Iran seized two vessels in the Gulf region, in the Justice Department's first official statement about the incident.

The department said it had seized the Suez Rajan, a Greek-managed tanker, and its cargo of 980,000 barrels of crude oil, allegedly being sold by Iran's powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps to China.

That sale allegedly violated U.S. and international sanctions, and the U.S. government obtained a warrant early this year for its seizure.

On April 19, about the time of the seizure, the vessel's owner, Suez Rajan Ltd., pleaded guilty of sanctions violations and was fined $2.5 million.

Subsequently the Greek vessel operator, Empire Navigation, agreed to cooperate with U.S. authorities and ordered the ship, located in Southeast Asia at the time, to take its load of oil to the United States.

At the time U.S. authorities would not confirm it was taking control of the cargo and that the ship was sailing to the United States.

But Iran's seizure of two tankers  the Marshall Islands-flagged Advantage Sweet as it sailed toward the United States in the Gulf of Oman, and then the Greek-owned Niovi as it traveled from Dubai to Fujairah  came just days later.

At the time the United States accused Iran of "harassment" and "interference with navigational rights in regional and international waters."

The seizures elevated tensions in the Gulf region.

In early July the U.S. military said it had blocked two more attempts by the Iranian navy to seize commercial tankers in international waters off Oman.

The Justice Department said Friday that the Suez Rajan case was the first successful disruption of a major crude shipment by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps using U.S. criminal law.

They said the participants in the Suez Rajan scheme had "attempted to disguise the origin of the oil using ship-to-ship transfers" and masking the locations and identities of the vessels involved.

They also said that the charterer of the vessel used the U.S. financial system to facilitate the transportation of Iranian oil, violating Iran sanctions.

The U.S. has moved to formally take ownership of the cargo, worth tens of millions of dollars, which will then be sold.
Descendants of enslaved people who populate a tiny island community are once again fighting their local government, this time over a proposal to eliminate protections that for decades helped shield the Gullah-Geechee residents from high taxes and pressure to sell their land to developers.

Residents of Hogg Hummock and their supporters packed a courtroom Thursday night to oppose a proposal by McIntosh County officials to cast aside zoning ordinances that limit homes to modest sizes in the enclave of 30 to 50 Black residents on Sapelo Island off the coast of the southern U.S. state of Georgia.

After more than 30 people spoke out against the proposal over two hours, the county zoning board made some hasty changes aimed at appeasing island residents and then voted to send the amended ordinance to McIntosh County's elected commissioners. The five-member commission has the final say, and could choose to vote on the original zoning proposal that rattled island residents when it meets next week.

The rules were enacted in 1994 for the sole purpose of protecting one of the South's few remaining communities of people known as Gullah, or Geechee in Georgia, whose ancestors worked island slave plantations. Their isolation from the mainland meant they retained much of their African roots and traditions.

Residents say losing zoning protections would drive out Hogg Hummock residents by attracting wealthy transplants eager to build large beach houses, causing land values and property taxes to soar.

"It's the erasure of a historical culture that's still intact after 230 years," said Reginal Hall, a Hogg Hummock landowner whose family has deep roots on the island. "Once you raise those limits and the land value increases, we only have two to three years at most. If you talk about the descendants of the enslaved, 90% of us will be gone."

Located about 96 kilometers south of Savannah, Sapelo Island remains separated from the mainland and reachable only by boat. Since 1976, the state of Georgia has owned most of its 78 square kilometers of mostly unspoiled wilderness. Hogg Hummock, also known as Hog Hammock, sits on less than a square mile of modest homes amid dirt roads.

Gullah-Geechee communities are scattered along the Southeast coast from North Carolina to Florida, where they have endured since their enslaved ancestors were freed by the Civil War. Scholars say these people long separated from the mainland retained much of their African heritage  from their unique dialect to skills and crafts such as cast-net fishing and weaving baskets.

Hogg Hummock earned a place in 1996 on the National Register of Historic Places, the official list of America's treasured historic sites. But for protections to preserve the community, residents depend on the local government in McIntosh County, where 65% of the 11,100 residents are white.

The current ordinance designating a special zoning district for Hogg Hummock limits homes to 130 square meters of heated and air-conditioned space, prohibits paving except for building foundations and requires a permit to demolish any structure deemed eligible for the National Register.

The proposed changes before zoning board Thursday would eliminate those limits on development. They also get rid of language that recognizes Hogg Hummock as a community with "unique needs in regard to its historic resources" and says the county should help prevent "land value increases which could force removal of the indigenous population."

County attorney Adam Poppell said the square-footage limit had proven impossible to enforce. The zoning board hoped to satisfy Hogg Hummock residents' concerns about supersized homes by voting to limit development to no more than 10% of a lot, as opposed to 40% in the existing zoning ordinance.

Hogg Hummock resident Jazz Watts said he felt the changes were rushed and that the zoning board should have thrown out the entire proposal.

"They need to start over," Watts said. "There are too many questions that they can't even answer."

Patrick Zoucks, the county manager, defended the zoning proposal in a statement issued before the Thursday meeting, saying it was "in the best interest of the residents of Hogg Hammock and all of the citizens of McIntosh County. "

"Nothing about this issue involves race, or the discriminatory application of the regulations," Zoucks said.

Commissioner Roger Lotson, whose district includes Sapelo Island, opposed the original proposal to eliminate the maximum home size in Hogg Hummock. He said the zoning board's changes, while welcome, seemed rushed. And he noted the county commission could reject them altogether and vote on the original plan.

"All they're doing is giving us a recommendation," Lotson said.

It's not the first time Black residents of Sapelo Island have battled with the county government.

Some families have sold to outsiders who built vacation homes. In 2012, dozens of Hogg Hummock residents and landowners swarmed the county courthouse to appeal painful tax increases caused by soaring property values. County officials rolled most of them back.

Residents then sued the county in federal court in 2015, arguing a lack of government services such as firefighters and trash collection were eroding the island community. The case was settled last year, with McIntosh County agreeing to improve emergency services and road maintenance. Some residents also had their property taxes frozen through 2025.

Lotson said he's unsure how his fellow commissioners will vote, though he's trying to persuade them that Hogg Hummock is worth preserving.

"It's a step back in time," Lotson said. "And the fear of many, including myself, is that by allowing any size house over there, soon the uniqueness of Sapelo will go away."
Here's a summary of Uyghur-related news from around the world this week:

Vanishing Uyghurs: Empty Homes, Unanswered Questions

The homes of people who went missing in China's crackdown on Uyghurs in Xinjiang stand empty, according to an investigation by Agence France-Presse this summer in the Uyghur-majority region in China. Leaked Chinese police records suggest that up to half of the adult men in the villages AFP reporters visited in Yarkant County in southern Xinjiang had been rounded up. The news agency was prevented by locals in the villages from finding out what happened to the missing Uyghurs. Police records show the Chinese government detained Uyghurs in large numbers in late 2016 and early 2017 under what it called an anti-terrorism policy.

Uyghurs in Exile Demand Answers as China Claims Graduation From Reeducation Centers

While China says that everyone has "graduated" from reeducation centers in Xinjiang, Uyghurs in exile, such as Dilnaz Kerim in the U.K., struggle to obtain information about their missing relatives who were taken to Chinese internment facilities. A London-based nonprofit, The Rights Practice, calls for international pressure on China to disclose detainee information, close reeducation camps and end arbitrary detentions.

China Rebrands Uyghur Culture for Tourists Amid Assimilation

After years of cultural suppression and the erosion of Uyghur traditions, the Chinese government is now making significant investments in reshaping Uyghur culture to align with state-sanctioned norms. According to The Guardian, this initiative is primarily driven by the goal of promoting a revised version of Uyghur heritage, designed to attract both domestic and international tourists.

One Year After UN Xinjiang Report, Calls for Stronger Action and Accountability Grow

On the one-year anniversary of the U.N. Human Rights Office's report on Xinjiang, international rights groups are urging stronger action, including targeted sanctions and humanitarian aid for affected Uyghurs and Turkic groups, while criticizing the U.N.'s response as inadequate. The Human Rights Office told VOA that the current U.N. high commissioner for human rights, Volker Turk, is committed to engaging with Chinese authorities for the long term, particularly in implementing the report's recommendations. The report highlighted grave issues like arbitrary detentions and family separations, along with recommendations for action.

Labor Delegation Meets Xinjiang Officials Amid Uyghur Forced Labor Concerns

A delegation from the International Labor Organization met with officials in Xinjiang, China, including Communist Party Secretary Ma Xingrui and the chairman of the autonomous government, Erkin Tuniyaz, as reported by the Chinese government newspaper Xinjiang Daily. The ILO confirmed the meeting. Critics viewed the visit as a chance for China to whitewash its image. Reports indicate Uyghurs face forced labor under surveillance and ideological training in Xinjiang, which has prompted U.S. legislation against such practices. China denies Uyghurs work under forced labor conditions in Xinjiang.

In Brief

China is engaging in a media outreach to Central Asia amid alleged rights abuses in Xinjiang. A high-level visit to Xinjiang, involving leaders from 21 mainstream media organizations representing four Central Asian countries  Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan  was recently organized by Chinese authorities in collaboration with China News Service. The main goal of the seminar was to jointly promote the stories of China-Central Asia friendship and enhance mutual understanding. While some experts believe such visits may have limited impact on shaping perceptions of Xinjiang, others argue that they play a role in promoting China's preferred narrative about the region. Central Asian media have generally echoed Beijing's narratives, contributing to China's perception-shaping efforts in the region.

Quote of note

"The ILO delegation visit comes at a time when the issue of Uyghur forced labor is increasingly important on the global agenda. Although well-intended, such visits do not help improve the situation. It gives the CCP the chance to whitewash their crimes and promote their propaganda messaging. The forced labor schemes will not be lifted with such visits; it will take creative and tangible steps from the international community, including from the ILO, to put an end to this oppressive and exploitative system.  Zumretay Arkin, advocacy manager at the Munich-based World Uyghur Congress, to Voice of America.
Editor's note: Here is a look at immigration-related news around the U.S. this week. Questions? Tips? Comments? Email the VOA immigration team: ImmigrationUnit@voanews.com.

Children Fleeing Latin America in Record Numbers, UN Says

A record number of children from Latin America and the Caribbean are leaving their homes in search of better lives, risking disease, injury and abuse, a U.N. Children's Agency report said Wednesday, urging a stronger humanitarian response. Driven by violence, destitution and severe weather, at least 40,000 children crossed the perilous Darien Gap jungle separating Central and South America last year, compared with 29,000 in 2021 and several times more than in previous years. Agence France-Presse reported.

US Judge Orders Texas to Move Floating Barriers in Rio Grande

A U.S. judge ordered Texas to move floating buoys that had been placed in the middle of the Rio Grande to block migrants from illegally crossing the U.S.-Mexico border, a tentative win for President Joe Biden, whose administration sued the state, Reuters reported.

Berlin Wall Relic Has 'Second Life' on US-Mexico Border

As the U.S. government built its latest stretch of border wall, Mexico made a statement of its own by laying remains of the Berlin Wall a few steps away. The 3-ton concrete slab sits near a bullring, a lighthouse and the border wall, which extends into the Pacific Ocean, The Associated Press reported.

Smugglers Steering Migrants Into Remote Arizona Desert, Posing New Border Patrol Challenges

Border Patrol agents ordered young Senegalese men to wait in the scant shade of desert scrub brush while they loaded a more vulnerable group of migrants  a family with three young children from India  into a white van for the short trip in triple-digit heat to a canopied field intake center. The Associated Press reports.

Around the world

Sudanese Artists Work to Heal From Trauma of War

It has been nearly five months since civil war erupted in Sudan. The U.N. Refugee Agency estimates that by year's end, 1.8 million people will have fled to neighboring countries. VOA Nairobi Bureau Chief Mariama Diallo reports on a group of Sudanese artists who came together recently to deal with the trauma of the war by showcasing their work in the Kenyan capital.

Sudanese Orphans in Chad Traumatized by Darfur Atrocities

At a refugee encampment in eastern Chad, Sudanese children say Janjaweed militias in Darfur have made them orphans in recent months. As media and rights organizations continue to report atrocities, reporter Henry Wilkins speaks to the children who are left to fend for themselves in a foreign country with little help.

UN Now Expects 1.8 Million People to Flee Sudan by Year End

The U.N. Refugee Agency on Monday said it expected over 1.8 million people from Sudan to arrive in five neighboring countries by the end of the year and appealed for $1 billion to help them amid reports of rising disease and death rates. The estimate for those fleeing violence is about double what UNHCR projected in May, shortly after the conflict began, and an increase of 600,000 from an interim estimates. Reuters reports.

France Evacuates Five Afghan Women 'Threatened by Taliban'

France on Monday saw the arrival of five Afghan women "threatened by the Taliban" after repeated requests to create a humanitarian corridor for women shut out of public life, an official said. Since returning to power in August 2021, Taliban authorities have imposed a strict interpretation of Islamic law, with women bearing the brunt of laws the United Nations has labeled "gender apartheid." Women and girls have been banned from attending high school and university, as well as barred from visiting parks, fairs and gymnasiums. Agence France-Presse reports.

Conditions for Sudan Refugees in Eastern Chad Appalling, Humanitarians Say

The charity Doctors Without Borders has called on the international community to prevent a "catastrophic" humanitarian disaster in Chad, as an influx of refugees from neighboring Sudan overwhelms aid groups' abilities to cope. In this report from Adre, Chad, Henry Wilkins meets refugees whose children are suffering from malnutrition.

Eritrean Factions Clash in Israel, Netanyahu Wants Those Involved Deported

Following violent clashes on the streets of Tel Aviv, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday that he wanted the Eritrean migrants involved in the bloody skirmishes to be deported immediately. The prime minister said he had also ordered a plan to remove all African migrants from Israel. Violent clashes broke out Saturday in Tel Aviv between supporters and opponents of Eritreas repressive government and the East African countrys authoritarian leader, President Isaias Afwerki. The confrontation between the two factions occurred at a pro-Eritrean event at Eritreas embassy.

In Brief

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security launched a national campaign for noncitizens who are work-eligible but who have yet to apply for an Employment Authorization Document, also known as a work permit.

Hundreds of thousands of email and text notifications have been sent by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services in English, Spanish and Haitian Creole, with additional notifications in Ukrainian and Russian planned in the coming days, DHS said.
One on One with Joe Korkowski, is heard Saturdays on KXRA-1490AM / 100.3fm/105.7fm (@7:40am) and KXRA-92.3FM (@7:00am), as well as each Sunday morning on KXRZ Z99.3fm (@10:15am).

The interview is also re-broadcast on Monday mornings on KX92 at 10:00am and on Z99 at 9:10am.
On his personal Telegram account, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky posted a short video (see at the foot of this page) of his visit to troops in Bakhmut in the company of his chief of staff.

He is seen there with white fuhrer Andriy Biletsky, military leader of the Ukrainian integral nationalists. According to the latter, Ukraines mission is "to spur the white races of the world towards a final crusade...against the Semite-led Untermenschen [sub-humans]".

Integral nationalism is an ideology devised by the Ukrainian Dmytro Dontsov (1883-1973), modeled on the tenets of French national Charles Maurras, and rooted in the hatred of Jews and Russians. Serving at first as a Reich secret agent, in the course of World War II Dontsov became one of the main planners of the final solution of the Jewish and Gypsy questions, exploiting his managerial position at the Reinhard Heydrich Institute in Prague. He was not tried at Nuremberg, but was picked up and groomed by the CIA. Contrary to what his Wikipedia entry falsely indicates, he did not die in Canada, but in the U.S. location of South River, New Jersey.

After founding the Azov regiment and suffering a defeat at Mariupol, Andriy Biletsky set up a mechanized infantry unit, the 3rd assault brigade - currently the main Ukrainian unit engaged in the Battle of Bakhmut.

Russia claims to be carrying out a special military intervention in Ukraine with a view to achieving its denazification. However, it lined up the private military company Wagner against the neo-Nazis of the Azov Regiment in Mariupol, then against the 3rd Assault Brigade in Bakhmut. Yet, the Wagner group, owned by Yevgeny Prigojine, was commanded by a Russian admirer of the Third Reich, Dmitri Outkin. The Kremlin has just eliminated him on the heels of an internal clash which was characterized by the Western media as an attempted coup.

Andriy Biletsky made it mandatory for all his men to read and study the writings of Dmytro Dontsov. In addition, he reveres Dontsovs henchman, Stepan Bandera, who massacred more than 1.5 million Ukrainians during World War II. Bandera was also not tried at Nuremberg but was roped in by the CIA, and tasked with directing the Ukrainian broadcasts of Radio Free Europe from Munich during the Cold War.

"By placing a man of Jewish origin [Volodymyr Zelensky], from a Jewish background, at the helm of Ukraine, Western leaders wanted to cover up the anti-human essence that lies at the foundation of the Ukrainian state of today () And this makes the whole situation extremely disgusting, in that an ethnic Jew is whitewashing the glorification of Nazism and those who orchestrated the Jewish genocide in Ukraine, which caused the death of one and a half million people, Russian President Vladimir Putin said at the meeting. of the Pobieda Committee last week.
NAIROBI, Sept. 9 (Xinhua) -- The just-concluded Africa Climate Summit, held this week in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi, reaffirmed the urgency of securing a just, green and resilient future for the continent that bears the brunt of the devastating impacts of planetary warming.

Hosted by Kenya in partnership with the African Union and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the Sept. 4-6 summit that ran parallel with Africa Climate Week showcased the continent's determination to chart a low-emission growth trajectory, subject to the availability of funding, cleaner technologies, know-how, and innovations.

In his opening remarks at the summit on Monday, Kenyan President William Ruto said the continent is ripe for a green transition, but financing bottlenecks and shifting goalposts by Western lenders stood in the way. According to Ruto, Africa was receiving a partly 3 percent of global climate finance, yet the continent suffered most from global warming as evidenced by mounting hunger, water stress, and fragility of vital ecosystems.

More than 20,000 delegates, including a dozen heads of state and government, ministers, industry leaders, innovators, campaigners, and researchers, attended the Africa Climate Summit held under the theme "Driving Green Growth and Climate Finance Solutions for Africa and the World." Heavy on the call for robust financing, the three-day summit generated over 26 billion U.S. dollars in pledges from public and private sector entities, multilateral lenders, and philanthropies to help implement climate resilience projects in Africa.

The Nairobi Declaration, which was read by Ruto during the summit's closing on Wednesday, called for a carbon tax, reform of the global financial system, and debt relief to boost Africa's response to the climate crisis. In addition, African leaders, in their declaration, challenged major emitters in the Industrial North to honor the 100-billion-dollar pledge they made in 2009 to help developing countries deal with climate-induced catastrophes.

During the three-day Africa climate summit, delegates made a strong case for innovative financing to catalyze green energy transition, establish resilient cities and transport systems, and enhance the health of natural habitats.

African countries are spending an average of 2 percent of their gross domestic product (GDP) to respond to climate emergencies including floods, droughts, wildfires and cyclones, noted Josefa Sacko, commissioner for agriculture, rural development, blue economy and sustainable environment at the AU Commission.

Stressing that a green transition is imperative to sustain economic growth, health and well-being of local communities, Sacko said Africa must explore innovative financing instruments and implement community-centered adaptation projects.

While lauding ambitious and bold resolutions that were adopted at the Africa climate summit, campaigners insisted the journey ahead is laden with pitfalls unless governments make deliberate efforts to bridge the financing gap.

Mithika Mwenda, executive director of Nairobi-based Pan African Climate Justice Alliance, noted that the continent required 160 to 240 billion dollars to support climate adaptation by 2030. To unlock climate financing, Mwenda said, African governments should incentivize institutional investors and green start-ups through friendly taxation and abolishing cumbersome regulations.

Olufunso Somorin, a regional principal officer at the African Development Bank, said realizing a green and just transition in the continent is feasible once governments prioritize policy reforms to attract nature-positive investments. 
Photo: Danielle Del Valle/Getty Images for E3 Chophouse Nashville

Julie and Todd Chrisley have had their prison sentences slightly reduced, USA Today reports. The married Chrisley Knows Best reality stars were originally sentenced to separately serve a combined 19 years in federal prison after they were found guilty of criminal bank fraud and tax evasion. Todds 12-year-sentence in Florida has now been shortened to 10 years, while Julies 7-year-sentence in Kentucky has now been shortened to 5 years. Jay Surgent, the couples lawyer, told USA Today that the Federal Bureau of Prisons decided to cut down the time because the Chrisleys were convicted of nonviolent offenses and have been model inmates since going behind bars in January.

Savannah Chrisley, has claimed that her parents have faced inhumane treatment in the prison system. She recently alleged to Daily Mail that her dad has been held in 100-degree heat without air conditioning, with ice machines being padlocked to retaliate against inmates. Where mom is, they just dont its bad, she added. She also alluded to corrupt prison guards, arguing that the federal prison system as a whole is all out of whack and needs to be reformed. Representatives for the prisons where the Chrisleys are being held told Insider that the Federal Bureau of Prisons does not discuss specific security practices, internal procedures, or potential allegations of employee misconduct, but emphasized in identical statements that every effort is made to create an environment that is both secure and human, prioritizing the physical and emotional well-being of those in our care and custody.

Savannah told Daily Mail that her parents feel no guilt in prison. They were offered a plea deal and they turned it down because they are not going to say something they havent done, she said. She added that she communicates with them on a daily basis, though their contact with each other is limited to emailing a little bit. Savannah hinted that there might be legal action taken in regard to her parents imprisonment. Its not exactly clear what that would specifically be about, but were sure well find out on the docuseries thats reportedly in the works about the other Chrisleys adjusting to life after Julie and Todds lockup. When life gives you lemons, make more reality TV?
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United States yesterday (September 8) signed a MoU that provides a framework for developing a protocol for establishing intercontinental green transit corridors through the Kingdom to connect the continent of Asia with the continent of Europe, reported SPA.

This project aims to facilitate the transit of renewable electricity and clean hydrogen via transmission cables and pipelines as well as constructing rail linkages, stated the report.

The kingdom said it welcomed the role of the US to facilitate and support the negotiations, establishment, and implementation of the green corridors transit protocol with the relevant countries.

The project was also aimed at enhancing energy security of the country as well as support efforts for the development of clean energy, promote digital economy through digital connectivity and transmission of data via fiber cables, and promote trade and transport of goods by rail and through ports, it added.
Children stand by a damaged building after a 6.8-magnitude earthquake in Tahannaout, Morocco on Sept. 9, 2023. A 6.8-magnitude earthquake hit Morocco Friday at 11:11 p.m. local time (2211 GMT) at a depth of 18.5 km, said the United States Geological Survey. The epicenter of the earthquake was near the town of Ighil in Al Haouz Province, some 70 km southwest of Marrakesh.

The quake has claimed the lives of 2,012 people and injured 2,059, with 1,404 of them in serious condition, according to the latest update from the country's Interior Ministry on Saturday. (Photo by Saouri Aissa/Xinhua)

RABAT, Sept. 9 (Xinhua) -- Morocco on Saturday declared three days of national mourning after a devastating earthquake jolted the kingdom late Friday night.

Flags will fly at half-mast on all public facilities during the national mourning, according to a statement released by the Royal Office after Moroccan King Mohammed VI chaired a meeting on the disaster.

A 6.8-magnitude earthquake hit Morocco Friday at 11:11 p.m. local time (2211 GMT) at a depth of 18.5 km, said the United States Geological Survey. The epicenter of the earthquake was near the town of Ighil in Al Haouz Province, some 70 km southwest of Marrakesh.

The quake has claimed the lives of 2,012 people and injured 2,059, with 1,404 of them in serious condition, according to the latest update from the country's Interior Ministry on Saturday.

Morocco has not experienced a disaster of this magnitude since 2004 when a 6.3-magnitude earthquake hit the port city of Al Hoceima, killing around 630 people.

The Moroccan state TV said the majority of casualties in the earthquake were from the remote and inaccessible mountainous regions near the epicenter, with damaged roads further hindering rescue efforts.

Rescuers have been sent to the quake-hit areas to search for survivors, local media reported. TV footage showed rescuers digging through rubbles and debris in an effort to save survivors.

The earthquake was felt in many cities across Morocco, including the capital Rabat and Casablanca. Numerous houses collapsed in the cities of Taroudant and Marrakesh, local media reported.

Rows of buildings were leveled to the ground in Imlil, a small village in the High Atlas mountains about 60 km south of Marrakesh, video footage showed.

The earthquake damaged many buildings in the old city of Marrakesh, the nearest big city to the epicenter, and many residents had to spend the night in the open space for fear of potential aftershocks, said Zhang Kai, an overseas Chinese living in Marrakesh.

Xinhua correspondents at Ouarzazate, about 190 km southeast of Marrakesh, saw residents taking shelter in an open space after the earthquake.

"There have been earthquakes before, but none of them were as strong as this one," said a resident who requires anonymity.

On the way from Ouarzazate to the epicenter, rocks and rubbles from the mountains and buildings were seen scattered along the road.

COUNTRIES OFFER SOLIDARITY, AID

The Red Cross Society of China (RCSC) announced on Saturday that it would provide the Moroccan Red Crescent with 200,000 U.S. dollars in cash as emergency humanitarian assistance to assist in its rescue operations.

The RCSC said it would keep abreast of the relief needs in Morocco and pledged to offer assistance to the best of its ability.

Arab countries and organizations, including the Arab League (AL), Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Tunisia, Algeria, Lebanon and Libya, on Saturday sent condolences to Morocco over the devastating earthquake. They have expressed solidarity with Morocco and pledged support for its rescue and relief efforts.

Ahmed Aboul-Gheit, secretary-general of the Cairo-based AL, said he hoped Morocco would quickly overcome the crisis.

Other countries that have offered condolences or assistance include Iran, Turkiye, Israel, France, Germany, the U.S., etc. 

Rescuers work near the epicenter at Amizmiz Village in Morocco, Sept. 10, 2023. A 6.8-magnitude earthquake hit Morocco Friday. The epicenter of the earthquake was near the town of Ighil in Al Haouz Province, some 70 km southwest of Marrakesh.

The quake has claimed the lives of 2,012 people and injured 2,059, with 1,404 of them in serious condition, according to the latest update from the country's Interior Ministry on Saturday. (Xinhua/Wang Dongzhen)

A rescuer works near the epicenter at Amizmiz Village in Morocco, Sept. 10, 2023. A 6.8-magnitude earthquake hit Morocco Friday. The epicenter of the earthquake was near the town of Ighil in Al Haouz Province, some 70 km southwest of Marrakesh.

The quake has claimed the lives of 2,012 people and injured 2,059, with 1,404 of them in serious condition, according to the latest update from the country's Interior Ministry on Saturday. (Xinhua/Wang Dongzhen)

Rescuers carry the body of a victim near the epicenter at Amizmiz Village in Morocco, Sept. 10, 2023. A 6.8-magnitude earthquake hit Morocco Friday. The epicenter of the earthquake was near the town of Ighil in Al Haouz Province, some 70 km southwest of Marrakesh.

The quake has claimed the lives of 2,012 people and injured 2,059, with 1,404 of them in serious condition, according to the latest update from the country's Interior Ministry on Saturday. (Xinhua/Wang Dongzhen)

Residents take shelter in an open space near the epicenter at Amizmiz Village in Morocco, Sept. 10, 2023. A 6.8-magnitude earthquake hit Morocco Friday. The epicenter of the earthquake was near the town of Ighil in Al Haouz Province, some 70 km southwest of Marrakesh.

The quake has claimed the lives of 2,012 people and injured 2,059, with 1,404 of them in serious condition, according to the latest update from the country's Interior Ministry on Saturday. (Xinhua/Wang Dongzhen)

Children take shelter in an open space near the epicenter at Amizmiz Village in Morocco, Sept. 10, 2023. A 6.8-magnitude earthquake hit Morocco Friday. The epicenter of the earthquake was near the town of Ighil in Al Haouz Province, some 70 km southwest of Marrakesh.

The quake has claimed the lives of 2,012 people and injured 2,059, with 1,404 of them in serious condition, according to the latest update from the country's Interior Ministry on Saturday. (Xinhua/Wang Dongzhen)

Rescuers carry the body of a victim near the epicenter at Amizmiz Village in Morocco, Sept. 10, 2023. A 6.8-magnitude earthquake hit Morocco Friday. The epicenter of the earthquake was near the town of Ighil in Al Haouz Province, some 70 km southwest of Marrakesh.

The quake has claimed the lives of 2,012 people and injured 2,059, with 1,404 of them in serious condition, according to the latest update from the country's Interior Ministry on Saturday. (Xinhua/Wang Dongzhen)

This photo shows a temporary shelter in an open space near the epicenter at Amizmiz Village in Morocco, Sept. 10, 2023. A 6.8-magnitude earthquake hit Morocco Friday. The epicenter of the earthquake was near the town of Ighil in Al Haouz Province, some 70 km southwest of Marrakesh.

The quake has claimed the lives of 2,012 people and injured 2,059, with 1,404 of them in serious condition, according to the latest update from the country's Interior Ministry on Saturday. (Xinhua/Wang Dongzhen)

Rescuers carry the body of a victim near the epicenter at Amizmiz Village in Morocco, Sept. 10, 2023. A 6.8-magnitude earthquake hit Morocco Friday. The epicenter of the earthquake was near the town of Ighil in Al Haouz Province, some 70 km southwest of Marrakesh.

The quake has claimed the lives of 2,012 people and injured 2,059, with 1,404 of them in serious condition, according to the latest update from the country's Interior Ministry on Saturday. (Xinhua/Wang Dongzhen)

A child takes shelter in an open space near the epicenter at Amizmiz Village in Morocco, Sept. 10, 2023. A 6.8-magnitude earthquake hit Morocco Friday. The epicenter of the earthquake was near the town of Ighil in Al Haouz Province, some 70 km southwest of Marrakesh.

The quake has claimed the lives of 2,012 people and injured 2,059, with 1,404 of them in serious condition, according to the latest update from the country's Interior Ministry on Saturday. (Xinhua/Wang Dongzhen)

Residents take shelter in an open space near the epicenter at Amizmiz Village in Morocco, Sept. 10, 2023. A 6.8-magnitude earthquake hit Morocco Friday. The epicenter of the earthquake was near the town of Ighil in Al Haouz Province, some 70 km southwest of Marrakesh.

The quake has claimed the lives of 2,012 people and injured 2,059, with 1,404 of them in serious condition, according to the latest update from the country's Interior Ministry on Saturday. (Xinhua/Wang Dongzhen)

Residents take shelter in an open space near the epicenter at Amizmiz Village in Morocco, Sept. 10, 2023. A 6.8-magnitude earthquake hit Morocco Friday. The epicenter of the earthquake was near the town of Ighil in Al Haouz Province, some 70 km southwest of Marrakesh.

The quake has claimed the lives of 2,012 people and injured 2,059, with 1,404 of them in serious condition, according to the latest update from the country's Interior Ministry on Saturday. (Xinhua/Wang Dongzhen)

Residents take shelter in an open space near the epicenter at Amizmiz Village in Morocco, Sept. 10, 2023. A 6.8-magnitude earthquake hit Morocco Friday. The epicenter of the earthquake was near the town of Ighil in Al Haouz Province, some 70 km southwest of Marrakesh.

The quake has claimed the lives of 2,012 people and injured 2,059, with 1,404 of them in serious condition, according to the latest update from the country's Interior Ministry on Saturday. (Xinhua/Wang Dongzhen)

Residents take shelter in an open space near the epicenter at Amizmiz Village in Morocco, Sept. 10, 2023. A 6.8-magnitude earthquake hit Morocco Friday. The epicenter of the earthquake was near the town of Ighil in Al Haouz Province, some 70 km southwest of Marrakesh.

The quake has claimed the lives of 2,012 people and injured 2,059, with 1,404 of them in serious condition, according to the latest update from the country's Interior Ministry on Saturday. (Xinhua/Wang Dongzhen)

A resident takes shelter in an open space near the epicenter at Amizmiz Village in Morocco, Sept. 10, 2023. A 6.8-magnitude earthquake hit Morocco Friday. The epicenter of the earthquake was near the town of Ighil in Al Haouz Province, some 70 km southwest of Marrakesh.

The quake has claimed the lives of 2,012 people and injured 2,059, with 1,404 of them in serious condition, according to the latest update from the country's Interior Ministry on Saturday. (Xinhua/Wang Dongzhen)

Residents take shelter in an open space near the epicenter at Amizmiz Village in Morocco, Sept. 10, 2023. A 6.8-magnitude earthquake hit Morocco Friday. The epicenter of the earthquake was near the town of Ighil in Al Haouz Province, some 70 km southwest of Marrakesh.

The quake has claimed the lives of 2,012 people and injured 2,059, with 1,404 of them in serious condition, according to the latest update from the country's Interior Ministry on Saturday. (Xinhua/Wang Dongzhen)

Tents are erected at a temporary shelter in an open space near the epicenter at Amizmiz Village in Morocco, Sept. 10, 2023. A 6.8-magnitude earthquake hit Morocco Friday. The epicenter of the earthquake was near the town of Ighil in Al Haouz Province, some 70 km southwest of Marrakesh.

The quake has claimed the lives of 2,012 people and injured 2,059, with 1,404 of them in serious condition, according to the latest update from the country's Interior Ministry on Saturday. (Xinhua/Wang Dongzhen)

Residents take shelter in an open space near the epicenter at Amizmiz Village in Morocco, Sept. 10, 2023. A 6.8-magnitude earthquake hit Morocco Friday. The epicenter of the earthquake was near the town of Ighil in Al Haouz Province, some 70 km southwest of Marrakesh.

The quake has claimed the lives of 2,012 people and injured 2,059, with 1,404 of them in serious condition, according to the latest update from the country's Interior Ministry on Saturday. (Xinhua/Wang Dongzhen)

Residents take shelter in an open space near the epicenter at Amizmiz Village in Morocco, Sept. 10, 2023. A 6.8-magnitude earthquake hit Morocco Friday. The epicenter of the earthquake was near the town of Ighil in Al Haouz Province, some 70 km southwest of Marrakesh.

The quake has claimed the lives of 2,012 people and injured 2,059, with 1,404 of them in serious condition, according to the latest update from the country's Interior Ministry on Saturday. (Xinhua/Wang Dongzhen)

Children take shelter in an open space near the epicenter at Amizmiz Village in Morocco, Sept. 10, 2023. A 6.8-magnitude earthquake hit Morocco Friday. The epicenter of the earthquake was near the town of Ighil in Al Haouz Province, some 70 km southwest of Marrakesh.

The quake has claimed the lives of 2,012 people and injured 2,059, with 1,404 of them in serious condition, according to the latest update from the country's Interior Ministry on Saturday. (Xinhua/Wang Dongzhen)

A resident takes shelter in an open space near the epicenter at Amizmiz Village in Morocco, Sept. 10, 2023. A 6.8-magnitude earthquake hit Morocco Friday. The epicenter of the earthquake was near the town of Ighil in Al Haouz Province, some 70 km southwest of Marrakesh.

The quake has claimed the lives of 2,012 people and injured 2,059, with 1,404 of them in serious condition, according to the latest update from the country's Interior Ministry on Saturday. (Xinhua/Wang Dongzhen)

This photo shows a temporary shelter in an open space at Azrou Village near the epicenter in Morocco, Sept. 10, 2023. A 6.8-magnitude earthquake hit Morocco Friday. The epicenter of the earthquake was near the town of Ighil in Al Haouz Province, some 70 km southwest of Marrakesh.

The quake has claimed the lives of 2,012 people and injured 2,059, with 1,404 of them in serious condition, according to the latest update from the country's Interior Ministry on Saturday. (Photo by Saouri Aissa/Xinhua)

Residents take shelter in an open space near the epicenter at Amizmiz Village in Morocco, Sept. 10, 2023. A 6.8-magnitude earthquake hit Morocco Friday. The epicenter of the earthquake was near the town of Ighil in Al Haouz Province, some 70 km southwest of Marrakesh.

The quake has claimed the lives of 2,012 people and injured 2,059, with 1,404 of them in serious condition, according to the latest update from the country's Interior Ministry on Saturday. (Xinhua/Wang Dongzhen)

A man cleans his damaged house after a 6.8-magnitude earthquake in Tahannaout, Morocco, Sept. 9, 2023. A 6.8-magnitude earthquake hit Morocco Friday at 11:11 p.m. local time (2211 GMT) at a depth of 18.5 km, said the United States Geological Survey. The epicenter of the earthquake was near the town of Ighil in Al Haouz Province, some 70 km southwest of Marrakesh.

The quake has claimed the lives of 2,012 people and injured 2,059, with 1,404 of them in serious condition, according to the latest update from the country's Interior Ministry on Saturday. (Photo by Saouri Aissa/Xinhua)

People clean their damaged house after a 6.8-magnitude earthquake in Tahannaout, Morocco, Sept. 9, 2023. A 6.8-magnitude earthquake hit Morocco Friday at 11:11 p.m. local time (2211 GMT) at a depth of 18.5 km, said the United States Geological Survey. The epicenter of the earthquake was near the town of Ighil in Al Haouz Province, some 70 km southwest of Marrakesh.

The quake has claimed the lives of 2,012 people and injured 2,059, with 1,404 of them in serious condition, according to the latest update from the country's Interior Ministry on Saturday. (Photo by Saouri Aissa/Xinhua)

This photo taken on Sept. 9, 2023 shows damaged buildings after a 6.8-magnitude earthquake in Tahannaout, Morocco. A 6.8-magnitude earthquake hit Morocco Friday at 11:11 p.m. local time (2211 GMT) at a depth of 18.5 km, said the United States Geological Survey. The epicenter of the earthquake was near the town of Ighil in Al Haouz Province, some 70 km southwest of Marrakesh.

The quake has claimed the lives of 2,012 people and injured 2,059, with 1,404 of them in serious condition, according to the latest update from the country's Interior Ministry on Saturday. (Photo by Saouri Aissa/Xinhua)

This photo taken on Sept. 9, 2023 shows a damaged house after a 6.8-magnitude earthquake in Tahannaout, Morocco. A 6.8-magnitude earthquake hit Morocco Friday at 11:11 p.m. local time (2211 GMT) at a depth of 18.5 km, said the United States Geological Survey. The epicenter of the earthquake was near the town of Ighil in Al Haouz Province, some 70 km southwest of Marrakesh.

The quake has claimed the lives of 2,012 people and injured 2,059, with 1,404 of them in serious condition, according to the latest update from the country's Interior Ministry on Saturday. (Photo by Saouri Aissa/Xinhua)

A man walks among the rubble of a damaged building after a 6.8-magnitude earthquake in Tahannaout, Morocco on Sept. 9, 2023. A 6.8-magnitude earthquake hit Morocco Friday at 11:11 p.m. local time (2211 GMT) at a depth of 18.5 km, said the United States Geological Survey. The epicenter of the earthquake was near the town of Ighil in Al Haouz Province, some 70 km southwest of Marrakesh.

The quake has claimed the lives of 2,012 people and injured 2,059, with 1,404 of them in serious condition, according to the latest update from the country's Interior Ministry on Saturday. (Photo by Saouri Aissa/Xinhua)

A man searches for his belongings among the rubble of damaged buildings after a 6.8-magnitude earthquake in Tahannaout, Morocco,Sept. 9, 2023. A 6.8-magnitude earthquake hit Morocco Friday at 11:11 p.m. local time (2211 GMT) at a depth of 18.5 km, said the United States Geological Survey. The epicenter of the earthquake was near the town of Ighil in Al Haouz Province, some 70 km southwest of Marrakesh.

The quake has claimed the lives of 2,012 people and injured 2,059, with 1,404 of them in serious condition, according to the latest update from the country's Interior Ministry on Saturday. (Photo by Saouri Aissa/Xinhua)

A man walks among the rubble of a damaged building after a 6.8-magnitude earthquake in Tahannaout, Morocco on Sept. 9, 2023. A 6.8-magnitude earthquake hit Morocco Friday at 11:11 p.m. local time (2211 GMT) at a depth of 18.5 km, said the United States Geological Survey. The epicenter of the earthquake was near the town of Ighil in Al Haouz Province, some 70 km southwest of Marrakesh.

The quake has claimed the lives of 2,012 people and injured 2,059, with 1,404 of them in serious condition, according to the latest update from the country's Interior Ministry on Saturday. (Photo by Saouri Aissa/Xinhua)

A man walks among the rubble of a damaged building after a 6.8-magnitude earthquake in Tahannaout, Morocco on Sept. 9, 2023. A 6.8-magnitude earthquake hit Morocco Friday at 11:11 p.m. local time (2211 GMT) at a depth of 18.5 km, said the United States Geological Survey. The epicenter of the earthquake was near the town of Ighil in Al Haouz Province, some 70 km southwest of Marrakesh.

The quake has claimed the lives of 2,012 people and injured 2,059, with 1,404 of them in serious condition, according to the latest update from the country's Interior Ministry on Saturday. (Photo by Saouri Aissa/Xinhua)

A man walks among the rubble of a damaged building after a 6.8-magnitude earthquake in Tahannaout, Morocco on Sept. 9, 2023. A 6.8-magnitude earthquake hit Morocco Friday at 11:11 p.m. local time (2211 GMT) at a depth of 18.5 km, said the United States Geological Survey. The epicenter of the earthquake was near the town of Ighil in Al Haouz Province, some 70 km southwest of Marrakesh.

The quake has claimed the lives of 2,012 people and injured 2,059, with 1,404 of them in serious condition, according to the latest update from the country's Interior Ministry on Saturday. (Photo by Saouri Aissa/Xinhua)

A woman cleans her damaged house after a 6.8-magnitude earthquake in Tahannaout, Morocco, Sept. 9, 2023. A 6.8-magnitude earthquake hit Morocco Friday at 11:11 p.m. local time (2211 GMT) at a depth of 18.5 km, said the United States Geological Survey. The epicenter of the earthquake was near the town of Ighil in Al Haouz Province, some 70 km southwest of Marrakesh.

The quake has claimed the lives of 2,012 people and injured 2,059, with 1,404 of them in serious condition, according to the latest update from the country's Interior Ministry on Saturday. (Photo by Saouri Aissa/Xinhua)

This photo shows damaged buildings near the epicenter at Amizmiz Village in Morocco, Sept. 10, 2023. A 6.8-magnitude earthquake hit Morocco Friday. The epicenter of the earthquake was near the town of Ighil in Al Haouz Province, some 70 km southwest of Marrakesh.

The quake has claimed the lives of 2,012 people and injured 2,059, with 1,404 of them in serious condition, according to the latest update from the country's Interior Ministry on Saturday. (Xinhua/Wang Dongzhen)

This photo shows damaged buildings near the epicenter at Amizmiz Village in Morocco, Sept. 10, 2023. A 6.8-magnitude earthquake hit Morocco Friday. The epicenter of the earthquake was near the town of Ighil in Al Haouz Province, some 70 km southwest of Marrakesh.

The quake has claimed the lives of 2,012 people and injured 2,059, with 1,404 of them in serious condition, according to the latest update from the country's Interior Ministry on Saturday. (Xinhua/Wang Dongzhen)

This photo shows damaged buildings near the epicenter at Amizmiz Village in Morocco, Sept. 10, 2023. A 6.8-magnitude earthquake hit Morocco Friday. The epicenter of the earthquake was near the town of Ighil in Al Haouz Province, some 70 km southwest of Marrakesh.

The quake has claimed the lives of 2,012 people and injured 2,059, with 1,404 of them in serious condition, according to the latest update from the country's Interior Ministry on Saturday. (Xinhua/Wang Dongzhen)

Residents pass by damaged buildings near the epicenter at Amizmiz Village in Morocco, Sept. 10, 2023. A 6.8-magnitude earthquake hit Morocco Friday. The epicenter of the earthquake was near the town of Ighil in Al Haouz Province, some 70 km southwest of Marrakesh.

The quake has claimed the lives of 2,012 people and injured 2,059, with 1,404 of them in serious condition, according to the latest update from the country's Interior Ministry on Saturday. (Xinhua/Wang Dongzhen)

This photo shows a damaged building near the epicenter at Amizmiz Village in Morocco, Sept. 10, 2023. A 6.8-magnitude earthquake hit Morocco Friday. The epicenter of the earthquake was near the town of Ighil in Al Haouz Province, some 70 km southwest of Marrakesh.

The quake has claimed the lives of 2,012 people and injured 2,059, with 1,404 of them in serious condition, according to the latest update from the country's Interior Ministry on Saturday. (Xinhua/Wang Dongzhen)

This photo shows a damaged building near the epicenter at Amizmiz Village in Morocco, Sept. 10, 2023. A 6.8-magnitude earthquake hit Morocco Friday. The epicenter of the earthquake was near the town of Ighil in Al Haouz Province, some 70 km southwest of Marrakesh.

The quake has claimed the lives of 2,012 people and injured 2,059, with 1,404 of them in serious condition, according to the latest update from the country's Interior Ministry on Saturday. (Xinhua/Wang Dongzhen)

A resident inspects a damaged building near the epicenter at Amizmiz Village in Morocco, Sept. 10, 2023. A 6.8-magnitude earthquake hit Morocco Friday. The epicenter of the earthquake was near the town of Ighil in Al Haouz Province, some 70 km southwest of Marrakesh.

The quake has claimed the lives of 2,012 people and injured 2,059, with 1,404 of them in serious condition, according to the latest update from the country's Interior Ministry on Saturday. (Xinhua/Wang Dongzhen)

This photo shows a damaged building near the epicenter at Amizmiz Village in Morocco, Sept. 10, 2023. A 6.8-magnitude earthquake hit Morocco Friday. The epicenter of the earthquake was near the town of Ighil in Al Haouz Province, some 70 km southwest of Marrakesh.

The quake has claimed the lives of 2,012 people and injured 2,059, with 1,404 of them in serious condition, according to the latest update from the country's Interior Ministry on Saturday. (Xinhua/Wang Dongzhen)

This photo shows damaged buildings near the epicenter at Amizmiz Village in Morocco, Sept. 10, 2023. A 6.8-magnitude earthquake hit Morocco Friday. The epicenter of the earthquake was near the town of Ighil in Al Haouz Province, some 70 km southwest of Marrakesh.

The quake has claimed the lives of 2,012 people and injured 2,059, with 1,404 of them in serious condition, according to the latest update from the country's Interior Ministry on Saturday. (Xinhua/Wang Dongzhen)

A cat walks along damaged buildings near the epicenter at Amizmiz Village in Morocco, Sept. 10, 2023. A 6.8-magnitude earthquake hit Morocco Friday. The epicenter of the earthquake was near the town of Ighil in Al Haouz Province, some 70 km southwest of Marrakesh.

The quake has claimed the lives of 2,012 people and injured 2,059, with 1,404 of them in serious condition, according to the latest update from the country's Interior Ministry on Saturday. (Xinhua/Wang Dongzhen)

This photo shows damaged buildings near the epicenter at Amizmiz Village in Morocco, Sept. 10, 2023. A 6.8-magnitude earthquake hit Morocco Friday. The epicenter of the earthquake was near the town of Ighil in Al Haouz Province, some 70 km southwest of Marrakesh.

The quake has claimed the lives of 2,012 people and injured 2,059, with 1,404 of them in serious condition, according to the latest update from the country's Interior Ministry on Saturday. (Xinhua/Wang Dongzhen)

A resident inspects damaged building near the epicenter at Amizmiz Village in Morocco, Sept. 10, 2023. A 6.8-magnitude earthquake hit Morocco Friday. The epicenter of the earthquake was near the town of Ighil in Al Haouz Province, some 70 km southwest of Marrakesh.

The quake has claimed the lives of 2,012 people and injured 2,059, with 1,404 of them in serious condition, according to the latest update from the country's Interior Ministry on Saturday. (Xinhua/Wang Dongzhen)

Residents pass by damaged buildings near the epicenter at Amizmiz Village in Morocco, Sept. 10, 2023. A 6.8-magnitude earthquake hit Morocco Friday. The epicenter of the earthquake was near the town of Ighil in Al Haouz Province, some 70 km southwest of Marrakesh.

The quake has claimed the lives of 2,012 people and injured 2,059, with 1,404 of them in serious condition, according to the latest update from the country's Interior Ministry on Saturday. (Xinhua/Wang Dongzhen)

This photo shows damaged building near the epicenter at Amizmiz Village in Morocco, Sept. 10, 2023. A 6.8-magnitude earthquake hit Morocco Friday. The epicenter of the earthquake was near the town of Ighil in Al Haouz Province, some 70 km southwest of Marrakesh.

The quake has claimed the lives of 2,012 people and injured 2,059, with 1,404 of them in serious condition, according to the latest update from the country's Interior Ministry on Saturday. (Xinhua/Wang Dongzhen)

A resident inspects damaged building near the epicenter at Amizmiz Village in Morocco, Sept. 10, 2023. A 6.8-magnitude earthquake hit Morocco Friday. The epicenter of the earthquake was near the town of Ighil in Al Haouz Province, some 70 km southwest of Marrakesh.

The quake has claimed the lives of 2,012 people and injured 2,059, with 1,404 of them in serious condition, according to the latest update from the country's Interior Ministry on Saturday. (Xinhua/Wang Dongzhen)

A resident bursts into tears near the epicenter at Amizmiz Village in Morocco, Sept. 10, 2023. A 6.8-magnitude earthquake hit Morocco Friday. The epicenter of the earthquake was near the town of Ighil in Al Haouz Province, some 70 km southwest of Marrakesh.

The quake has claimed the lives of 2,012 people and injured 2,059, with 1,404 of them in serious condition, according to the latest update from the country's Interior Ministry on Saturday. (Xinhua/Wang Dongzhen)

Residents pass by damaged buildings near the epicenter at Amizmiz Village in Morocco, Sept. 10, 2023. A 6.8-magnitude earthquake hit Morocco Friday. The epicenter of the earthquake was near the town of Ighil in Al Haouz Province, some 70 km southwest of Marrakesh.

The quake has claimed the lives of 2,012 people and injured 2,059, with 1,404 of them in serious condition, according to the latest update from the country's Interior Ministry on Saturday. (Xinhua/Wang Dongzhen)

This photo shows damaged building near the epicenter at Amizmiz Village in Morocco, Sept. 10, 2023. A 6.8-magnitude earthquake hit Morocco Friday. The epicenter of the earthquake was near the town of Ighil in Al Haouz Province, some 70 km southwest of Marrakesh.

The quake has claimed the lives of 2,012 people and injured 2,059, with 1,404 of them in serious condition, according to the latest update from the country's Interior Ministry on Saturday. (Xinhua/Wang Dongzhen)

Residents pass by damaged buildings near the epicenter at Amizmiz Village in Morocco, Sept. 10, 2023. A 6.8-magnitude earthquake hit Morocco Friday. The epicenter of the earthquake was near the town of Ighil in Al Haouz Province, some 70 km southwest of Marrakesh.

The quake has claimed the lives of 2,012 people and injured 2,059, with 1,404 of them in serious condition, according to the latest update from the country's Interior Ministry on Saturday. (Xinhua/Wang Dongzhen)

A resident inspects damaged building near the epicenter at Amizmiz Village in Morocco, Sept. 10, 2023. A 6.8-magnitude earthquake hit Morocco Friday. The epicenter of the earthquake was near the town of Ighil in Al Haouz Province, some 70 km southwest of Marrakesh.

The quake has claimed the lives of 2,012 people and injured 2,059, with 1,404 of them in serious condition, according to the latest update from the country's Interior Ministry on Saturday. (Xinhua/Wang Dongzhen)
Recipes

What do you want to cook today?
Shes right. But Tully and Joyce seemed to think that they were the ones drawing the line in this exercise. Ultimately, Joyce decided to make a concession. He told the airlines to start answering some of the phone calls from customers who wanted back the half-billion dollars in flight credits Qantas had stashed. A special Joyce touch? He presented this as some sort of special treatment  Qantas called it a concierge service. Others call it answering the phone. Illustration: John Shakespeare. Credit: And the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission is now pursuing Qantas in the Federal Court for deceptive conduct for allegedly selling tickets to 8000 flights it had already decided to cancel. And yes, Qantas abused its workers, of course. No less an authority than the Federal Court has ruled illegal its 2020 decision to outsource the jobs of 1700 ground crew so the company could cut their wages and conditions. The Transport Workers Union describes it as the biggest illegal mass sacking in Australian history. The High Court is expected to rule on Qantas appeal against this decision next week.

Either way, this was just one small part of Joyces larger problem of degrading his staff. Qantas has dispersed its workforce among 38 companies including 17 subsidiaries and 21 external suppliers so that, altogether, 48 per cent of its employees have agreements with companies other than Qantas. Workers on less pay and worse conditions while Joyce took some $100 million in pay over the 15 years of his tenure. But he also abused the airlines quasi-monopoly position and plundered the national Treasury. When the pandemic struck, the Morrison government let Virgin go to the wall but paid Qantas $2.7 billion in subsidies to keep a flag carrier in operation. This taxpayer support included $900 million in JobKeeper payments which the airline took. Then cut its staff anyway  illegally, as the Federal Court found. And once it was back in profit it refused to repay any of the federal subsidies. Even now, Qantas is granted special privileges because of its flag-carrier status yet it acknowledges no special responsibilities. This week the opposition instigated a Senate inquiry into whether the Albanese governments Transport Minister, Catherine King, was protecting Qantas profits when she knocked back a Qatar Airways request to fly 28 more flights into Australia per week. Joyce took the flying kangaroo and turned it into a rapacious boar. Ultimately, it was public opinion, with senators holding the stick, that drew the line in the sand for Joyce. Yet he resigned only a couple of months earlier than planned, and leaves with a reported $24 million in bonuses pending.

This is a classic Joyce move: pretend to take responsibility while pocketing obscene amounts of money, thundered TWU national secretary Michael Kaine. He wants the bonuses withheld. Loading Some big investors are unhappy too. Australian Council of Superannuation Investors chief executive Louise Davidson has called on the Qantas board to carefully consider the matter: The question investors will ask is, how does the board justify any bonus outcomes given the legacy issues Mr Joyce is leaving behind. Yet why should we have expected anything different? Qantas was a publicly owned entity that the Keating government privatised. Joyce might have been worthy of criticism in the way he ran the business, but in essence he did what the CEO of a private business is expected to do under the theory of shareholder value. Milton Friedmans theory was published in 1970 under a New York Times headline: A Friedman Doctrine: The Social Responsibility of Business is to Increase Its Profits.

In other words, a corporation has no responsibility other than to its shareholders. Qantas shareholders were happy with the returns Joyce made for them. Shareholder value theory has dominated. The Spirit of Australia, by government decree, was profit maximisation. Joyce was acting within that spirit. Privatisation is now going through a reckoning. Qantas is one case study. A business that should have public responsibilities was allowed to renounce them. Anthony Albanese said last month that he probably wouldnt have sold off the Commonwealth Bank, a process that began in 1991 under Keating. Albanese said he supported a market economy because its a pretty useful way to allocate resources, he told Neil Mitchells podcast, but government intervention was necessary at times of market failure: I also think that there is a role for state-owned enterprises in competing, in keeping the private sector a bit honest.

Privatisation became a dirty word in Australia around decade ago. It was a reason for the 2015 rejection of the Campbell Newman government in Queensland. The pendulum has started swinging back. Last year, Victorias Daniel Andrews returned electricity supply to public ownership. Loading Yet the problem is not necessarily privatisation. Or socialisation. The problem is establishing a sensible balance of responsibilities. Its about governance, not ideology. One example is Australia Post, which was corporatised by the Hawke government. So its still in government ownership but run along corporate lines and generates a modest profit. Critically, it has public responsibilities in its charter  running a mail delivery service foremost among them. Its boss wants to close the mail service because it loses money. But thats the price of serving the community. Could privatisation still have a useful place? Yes it could, but not according to the Joyce doctrine. For example, the model that the Rudd government proposed for the National Broadband Network. The original plan was that the federal government would build a nationwide, high-speed fibre network with a mixture of public and private investment. The service would repay the government investment over the course of a decade and a half. Then itd be sold to the private sector. The nation would establish the infrastructure, be repaid its investment, and the private sector ultimately would own and operate it. Of course, the Abbott government, opposed ideologically and politically, eviscerated it, left the copper wires in place and Australias half-arsed internet system is the result.

Its amazing that we somehow managed to get universal water supply, sewerage and electricity throughout our cities. Loading Its possible to have well-functioning, responsible businesses that are in private hands. Or public hands. Theres been too much emphasis on ideology and not enough on governance. This is where the Albanese governance is headed now with Qantas. Its not proposing to re-nationalise the airline. In launching a discussion paper this week on how to make the aviation sector more competitive, Catherine King floated the idea of imposing a charter of consumer rights on Qantas. Alan Joyce need not be an argument against privatisation, just a case study in poor governance structure. Many of the economic ideas that attained dominance in the 1980s, not only privatisation, are subject to a new reckoning. Including the role of market forces in labour markets and supply chains. And the theory of shareholder value is now fighting to survive in the era of corporate social responsibility.
Children who have mastered eight core skills when they start their first year of school have a greater chance of success in primary-age tests of reading, writing and maths, a national analysis of 2500 students has revealed.

A study by the government-funded Australian Education Research Organisation (AERO) found that children who have certain skills before starting school  including being able to count to 20, write their name and match letters to sounds  have a head start on their peers and achieve higher results in year 3 NAPLAN tests.

Teacher Madeleine-Jane Smith with students in year 1 at Hunter Valley Grammar in Ashtonfield. Credit: Peter Stoop

The report underscores the need to renew efforts to identify children at risk of falling behind, said the head of AERO Jenny Donovan, who also called for a national standardised screening test in the first weeks of school.

Students who already have key skills as they start formal schooling have a greater chance of success in national tests than those from similar socio-economic backgrounds, she said. The sooner we target children who are more likely to slip behind the better their outcomes will be.
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 This story is part of the September 9 edition of Good Weekend. See all 14 stories . Heat rises from the inky asphalt as half a dozen people fall into line, each wearing a pristine yellow uniform. The task seemed easy enough when the instructor walked us through it  with a flick of her wrist, 30 metres of white fire hose unrolled before her, dead straight. And so I wind up my arm, imagine Im bowling and assured of a strike. Instead, my sad attempt twists the hose like the coiled cord of an old landline. As with everything taught during this training course for new volunteers to the NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS), hose bowling proves harder than it looks. Over the two-day intensive course held at the RFSs northern beaches HQ in Sydney, experienced members will teach us nearly two dozen skills, from creating fire breaks to using radio communications, identifying and fighting different types of fire, and even what to do in the nightmarish scenario of an

overrun, when the only option is to shelter in your truck until the blaze passes. Essentially, everything new volunteers need to know to be useful and safe once theyre out on the fireground. Bushfire season is just months away, and three years after the Black Summer, Australias east is impossibly green. A rare triple-dip La Nina brought record-busting rain, which has spurred prolific growth and scuppered hazard reduction. Fuel loads are high and the risk of a bad summer is real. Its not even noon and Ive already sweated through my new RFS shirt. Lead trainer Zach Fogerty, whos been with the RFS for a decade, surveys the windless scene as we bowl out the hoses. Its an unseasonably warm day, he tells us, unreadable behind dark glasses. You dont have your jackets on. Theres no active fire. We need to be prepared for heat: at a scene things are going to get real hot, real quick. Loading During the Black Summer of 2019-20, when fires burned through more than 24 million hectares and claimed 33 lives, the RFS and its Victorian counterpart, the Country Fire Authority, loomed large in the public imagination. Every day, firefighters were on the front lines, battling towering blazes that looked more like molten tsunamis. The bravery shown, the selflessness, was inspiring and mind-boggling in equal measure. Each time a firefighter appeared  on TV, or in a viral clip on social media, their uniform streaked with ash  I found it hard not to wonder, who volunteers to run towards this inferno? Whose instinct, in the face of all this horror, is to fight instead of flee?

Advertisement

As it happens, a lot of people. Black Summer brought nearly 8500 new volunteers to the RFS, including 2600 women; the highest intake on record. But in March 2020, just after the final fires were contained, COVID-19 hit and everything froze. In a way, this was a useful sorting mechanism, a long-time firey tells me, because anyone who still wants to become a firefighter after three years of pandemic and record floods is truly committed. There are 12 people in our training group, including teenage cadets and retirees, who will undertake their Bushfire Fighter assessment in two weeks. Everyone has joined a brigade on Sydneys northern beaches, a district that sprawls from beachside suburbs to Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park. I feel like something of an interloper, the journalist trying to wrap my head around what makes people  tens of thousands of them across Australia  volunteer to fight bushfires, particularly after Black Summer. When people are in emergency situations, a lot of them are helpless. I dont want to be one of those people. Craig Sloane, volunteer recruit Most of the newcomers tell me that the devastating fire season was the catalyst to sign up. Watching that on the news, it does have a profound effect on you, says Craig Sloane, a recruit in his 50s who lives in the

isolated community of Coasters Retreat, tucked inside the national park. Seeing people be displaced  seeing the amazing work that volunteers do: youre sitting there going, Wow, Id better get my hands dirty.  Coasters has to be completely self-reliant in terms of firefighting, Sloane explains, because its accessible only by boat or on foot via a rough bush track. And with very few full-time residents, every RFS volunteer makes a difference. The tight-knit community is a world away from corporate adland, where hes spent most of his career. I think you come of an age when you just go, What am I doing? What am I giving back?  Sloane reflects. And this is not a lot, but its an immediate community activity that I can get involved with. Its on my doorstep. Its with my neighbours. As with everything else on the training course, hose bowling proves harder than it looks. Credit: Nick Moir Sandra Odwazny, whos in her 20s, tells me firefighting skills are necessary for her dream job as a park ranger. You could be on a search for somebody [in a national park]  and if theres a fire, you might be the only person for hundreds of kilometres, she says. But what first pushed her to sign up was when she heard a story on the radio in 2019  the 10th anniversary of the Black Saturday fires  about a family who were among the 173 who lost their lives on that devastating day.

Advertisement

There needs to be more people to help. There might have been a chance, she says. How can you not want to help when you hear things like that? Its just heartbreaking. Firefighting 101, as our instructor David Joyce explains it, sounds simple enough: You put the wet on the red. To do that though, we need to learn how to use scores of different pieces of specialised equipment. Joyce tours our group around the fire truck, pop-quizzing on various tools, hoses and nozzles. Whats this? he asks, holding up a metal tube with a spout. A new volunteer, who clearly did their homework, jumps in with the correct answer  its a standpipe, the device that taps into the water-main. Loading Well learn to ship a standpipe  to ready it for use  and connect it to the intricate pumping system on the back of the truck, which, replete with pressure gauges, knobs and switches, resembles the cockpit of an aeroplane. If the main runs dry or were in a remote area, we may need to commandeer water from a dam or pool  so we practise that, too, using a small portable pump. The motor screams with effort as it draws water from a huge inflatable pool used for training. The sheer volume of information is overwhelming. Theres so much to know and these are just the basics. The RFS has more than a dozen training courses, covering everything from fighting village fires to understanding how bushfires behave.

Advertisement

The more I train, the more I realise how little I knew, says Nick Moir, chief photographer at The Sydney Morning Herald, who by coincidence is in our training group. Firefighting skills that looked simple from a photographers perspective are actually quite refined and need to be practised constantly to be used effectively in the field. After photographing countless disasters over the decades, Moir decided to sign up for the RFS in the wake of Black Summer. He wants to become formally trained in wildfire behaviour  to be able to fight them, of course, but also to help other photographers on the fireground. For many, Moirs photos defined Black Summer; his striking tableaux capturing the David-and-Goliath nature of firefighting. The one shot I always come back to is from the Green Wattle Creek fire, which burnt through the Blue Mountains for three months and claimed the lives of RFS volunteers Geoffrey Keaton and Andrew ODwyer. In Moirs image, two firefighters run together through a strange red landscape, flipping up their collars to protect their necks from the heat. All around them, glowing embers fall like glitter. Teamwork, says Joyce, whos been with the RFS for seven years, is as important as the technical skills were learning. You need to be able to communicate with anyone, he says, because youll have to jump on the truck with people youve never met. As we work through the different skills and stations, the first-day-of-school feeling starts to fade. By the time lunch is served by the volunteer catering brigade, the experienced volunteers and new recruits are huddled around long wooden tables, swapping stories. There are lawyers, civil servants, students and business types. Many, it turns out, have served in the

defence force. It soon becomes clear that no one was unscathed by Black Summer. Even here on the northern beaches, which wasnt directly impacted, RFS members were deployed to help at major fires. Long-time volunteers speak of blazes that just wouldnt go out that summer, no matter what was thrown at them; of fronts that seemed to defy the laws of physics to jump containment lines. Of exhaustion and grief, and flares of anger at every leaf-filled gutter, every barbecue lit on Total Fire Ban days. Many fear the public has grown complacent about fire risk because the past few years have been so wet.

Advertisement

When you go out there and help other people  Its kind of allowing yourself to be bigger than just yourself. Zach Fogerty, lead trainer But they also talk about the sense of community in the RFS, what its like to meet people who you come to trust with your life. Those situations when you get to go out there and help other people and see what youre able to do, trainer Zach Fogerty later tells me. Its kind of allowing yourself to be bigger than just yourself. For Nick Fraser, a new volunteer in his 30s who worked previously on oil rigs, the warm welcome feels novel. In most industries, as the new guy, for lack of a better term, I find that you get a lot of hazing. You get the poor tasks, you kind of get looked down upon a little bit, he says. Whereas this  this is like nothing Ive seen before in this sort of hands-on industry. Trainee Sandra Odwazny ships a standpipe to tap into mains water. Credit: Nick Fraser Frasers goal is to work his way up to the Remote Area Firefighting Team (RAFT), a highly trained unit thats dropped into remote areas by helicopter to firefight with only the supplies they can carry. It sounds to me like something even contestants on Alone would think a bit extreme. But RAFTs play an important role in containing fires before they can spread and become too big to fight. The northern beaches launched its own RAFT last year, one of many changes that have come in this district and across the RFS since Black Summer. Much of the $110 million donated by the public during that deadly season  including via comedian Celeste Barbers contentious fundraiser  has been spent upgrading trucks, facilities and vital safety gear, including helmets and respirators. The RFS has also been trialling aerial firefighting at night to be able to suppress more fires, and recently acquired a $9 million Chinook helicopter, which will be capable of carrying 11,000 litres of water. As fire seasons around the world become longer, big investments like this are needed  Australia can no longer rely on being able to borrow equipment from the northern hemisphere during its winter.

Advertisement
Boys in regional and disadvantaged parts of the country are joining the National Disability Insurance Scheme at up to three times the rate of their inner-city counterparts, in a sign the scheme has become a lifeline for families of children who lack school support or the ability to get help privately.

Families who cant get help for learning delay at school or access services such as speech therapy in the private system are driven to the NDIS for support. Once eligible, children can linger on waitlists for months, especially in regional areas where services are in short supply, and stay in the system for years.

Families who need help with development delay are forced into the NDIS, where their sons linger on waitlists for specialist treatment. Credit: istock

More than one in eight boys are on the NDIS in some parts of the country, demonstrating the scale of the challenge that school systems and early childhood centres face when they are asked to step up support for children with autism and developmental delay, who continue to make up the bulk of new participants on the NDIS.

Education ministers are under pressure to turn around results for thousands of children struggling with reading and maths, and to fix a stark achievement gap between students in cities and regions exposed in last months NAPLAN results.
RABAT, Sept. 9 (Xinhua) -- A devastating earthquake, the deadliest in decades, struck Morocco Friday night, claiming the lives of more than 1,300 people.

The 6.8-magnitude earthquake struck the High Atlas mountain range shortly after 11:00 p.m. local time on Friday (2200 GMT) at a relatively shallow depth of 18.5 kilometers, as reported by the United States Geological Survey (USGS).

The epicenter was located approximately 70 kilometers southwest of Marrakesh, the fourth-largest city in the North African kingdom and a popular tourist destination.

The earthquake has claimed the lives of 1,305 people and injured at least 1,832, with 1,220 of them in serious condition, according to the latest update from the country's Interior Ministry on Saturday.

After the devastating earthquake, Morocco declared on Saturday three days of national mourning, and flags will be flown at half-mast on all public facilities during the national mourning.

HEAVY CASUALTIES

Morocco has not experienced a disaster of this magnitude since 2004 when a 6.3-magnitude earthquake hit the port city of Al Hoceima, killing around 630 people.

The Moroccan state TV said the majority of casualties in Morocco's Friday night earthquake were from the remote and inaccessible mountainous regions near the epicenter, with damaged roads further hindering rescue efforts.

The Royal Moroccan Armed Forces issued a warning urging residents to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions in light of potential aftershocks.

"We emphasize the importance of exercising caution and implementing safety measures due to the potential for aftershocks," the military wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Fearing aftershocks, many Moroccans spent Friday night outdoors as witnessed by Xinhua reporters who were in Ouarzazate, about 190 km southeast of Marrakesh.

Following the earthquake, the Marrakesh Regional Blood Transfusion Center promptly issued a call to all citizens, particularly those who lived in Marrakesh, to donate blood to help the injured, Morocco's official news agency Maghreb Arabe Press (MAP) reported, adding residents in the city had flocked to the blood center since early Saturday morning to donate blood, "in an exceptional show of solidarity."

Friday night's earthquake was particularly potent for this region, which rarely experiences such events and is typically unprepared for such a disaster.

The USGS reported that within a 500-km radius of the earthquake's epicenter, there hasn't been a single earthquake of magnitude 6 or higher since 1900, and only nine earthquakes with a magnitude of 5 or higher have been documented nearby. This worries seismologists because the region's buildings are not well-prepared for strong earthquakes.

Videos and pictures circulated online have shown many collapsed buildings near the epicenter, with people trapped under rubble awaiting the arrival of heavy machinery for their rescue.

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) said on Saturday that responding to Morocco's deadliest earthquake in decades could be a protracted effort, possibly extending over months if not years.

"We are mobilizing now to support the Moroccan Red Crescent," Hossam Elsharkawi, IFRC's regional director for the Middle East and North Africa, said in a statement. "We are looking at many months if not years of response."

HISTORIC MARRAKESH BADLY DAMAGED

The earthquake caused significant damage in the old city of Marrakesh, which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

In addition to human casualties, the earthquake also ruined several structures and parts of the city walls, as witnessed by Xinhua reporters.

Some of the historic red walls that encircle the ancient city center, created in the early 12th century, crumbled due to the powerful tremor, while squares and traffic roundabouts were crowded with people seeking refuge.

Some local residents in Marrakesh on Saturday prepared makeshift beds as they braced for an overnight stay in the open.

The earthquake's tremors were also felt in the capital city Rabat, situated some 350 km to the north of the High Atlas mountains, according to local reports.

INT'L COMMUNITY SHOWS SOLIDARITY

The Red Cross Society of China (RCSC) announced on Saturday that it would provide the Moroccan Red Crescent with 200,000 U.S. dollars in cash as emergency humanitarian assistance to assist in its rescue operations.

The RCSC said it would keep abreast of the relief needs in Morocco and pledged to offer assistance to the best of its ability.

The Cairo-based Arab League offered its condolences to Morocco soon after the earthquake, hoping the country will quickly overcome the crisis.

Israel, which normalized ties with Morocco in 2020, also offered its condolences and assistance to the North African kingdom. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant held a phone call with his Moroccan counterpart to express Israel's desire to assist the earthquake-stricken country "as much as is required."

Turkiye, which suffered massive earthquakes in February, said it was "ready to provide all kinds of support to heal the wounds," its state-run Anadolu news agency reported Saturday, citing the Turkish Foreign Ministry.

Other countries that have offered condolences or assistance include Iran, Egypt, France, Germany, the United States, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Tunisia, Algeria, etc. 
Peter Dutton might just be experiencing a form of wreckers remorse. How else can voters make sense of his campaign this week for a second referendum to recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders in the Constitution while he undermines the referendum to be held on October 14 to give them a Voice to parliament?

Perhaps the opposition leader has allowed himself to think ahead to what the relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians might look like if the Voice fails. What happens when the first welcome to country is given at an event after the referendum? If Dutton is in the audience, will he feel the room divided by his presence? If he is at the podium, will he acknowledge Indigenous leaders past, present and emerging, as he did for the opening of the federal parliament last year?

Illustration: Simon Letch. Credit:

Or was he was just spooked this week by the Youre the Voice ad from The Uluru Dialogue, which has surprised the official Yes campaign and many in Anthony Albaneses government for its clarity of passion, and generosity of spirit.

Either way, the awkward attempt to deliver a positive message with a second referendum suggests Dutton understands that Australia will change in some fundamental way on October 15 if the vote is no.
Scott Hudson wasnt even supposed to move into his Chadstone rental. In a sliding doors moment, the tenants selected by the landlord turned down the lease and he and his partner were offered the home instead.

At the time, he felt lucky; now, hes not so sure.

Scott Hudson says his home did not meet minimum standards when it was first let to him. Credit: Wayne Taylor

We assumed that that meant that they had found somewhere else that was better, Hudson said. But now were always going to wonder what did these people find in this house, of the gazillion things that are wrong with it that we didnt?

And why is it on us to have found it?
This masthead has discovered that the PNG government is now in talks with a corporation partly owned by a sanctioned Russian oligarch to revive a project to mine Binns smoker.

The strange underwater world Binns stumbled upon that day  where immortal jellyfish glow and whales dive to bone-crushing fathoms to hunt giant squid  may soon become the site of the worlds first deep-sea mine.

We call them black smokers, explains Binns. When he winched his camera back on deck, chunks of copper and gold were still lodged in its casing. The yield was unusually pure  with 15 to 30 times as much metal as ore mined on land.

Binns had spent five years searching the Pacific for them but that day, to outrun a cyclone, he ordered the CSIROs Franklin vessel into the Bismarck Sea off Papua New Guinea. And, suddenly, the ships instruments told him they were right above a vent.

Thirty years ago, Australian geologist Ray Binns threw a camera over the side of his science ship and hit a goldmine on the bottom of the sea. A kilometre down, his camera had slammed into a hydrothermal vent chimney: a tall spire of copper and gold reaching up from a seafloor hot spring .

Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time.

Now the UN is poised to open these waters to mining. But an investigation by this masthead has found a small group of companies are likely to reap the greatest rewards.

Over decades of negotiation, high-value areas of this seabed have been set aside for developing countries.

The latter is seen as the mother lode  the high seas cover about half the planet. In the 1980s, nations agreed that the riches there are the worlds common heritage, to be used for  the benefit of mankind .

There are two routes to this treasure: deal with nations in their territorial waters, such as PNG, or stake claims in international waters where the rules are still being thrashed out.

The prize is billions of dollars in metals on the seafloor, including those urgently needed for the clean energy transition .

If production begins next year as planned, it would kickstart the race to mine valuable metals from the deep  and Australians are among the key players pushing for this new frontier to open.

At the front of the pack is Nasdaq-listed The Metals Company (TMC), run by Australian chief executive Gerard Barron. It has contracts for about half of the seabed that the ISA has so far allocated to developing nations (via partnerships with the island nations of Nauru, Tonga and Kiribati) and hopes to start mining the Pacific in 2025 .

Its a Wild West, says Sandor Mulsow, a marine geologist who held top positions at the ISA before leaving in 2019. The seafloor is all of our common heritage. But a monopoly is forming. 

If something goes wrong, scientists warn, everything from the planets carbon cycle to our seafood could be affected.

High-stakes decisions about one of the most important places on Earth are now being made behind closed doors at the International Seabed Authority (ISA)  a little-known but powerful UN regulator with a competing mandate to oversee deep-sea mining and protect its unique environment.

These companies have partnered with small island nations to access their seabed claims. And the same people are behind many of them, including a shipping magnate who tried to name the worlds biggest ship after his Nazi father; an Australian mining executive convicted of insider trading; and a man once called Russian president Vladimir Putins favourite oligarch.

This masthead confirmed that TMCs founder, Australian David Heydon, is also the majority shareholder and financier of Circular Metals.

Allseas ultimate ownership of the licence hadnt been disclosed , not even by the ISA in public documents. Together with its large stake in TMC, Allseas is linked to nearly two-thirds of the seabed so far allocated for developing nations. We plan to develop our licence block parallel to our endeavours with [TMC], an Allseas spokesman confirmed.

This masthead has now discovered that The Metals Companys major investor and partner, the private shipping giant Allseas, has its own ISA licence ( through a subsidiary sponsored by Jamaica).

The company has spent millions of dollars on environmental research, even contracting Australias CSIRO to develop a management plan, and promises investors billions in profit. It also has a colourful history, including an attack by a short-seller in 2021 that triggered lawsuits from shareholders, and an SEC investigation . No public findings of wrongdoing have yet been made.

The risks are high too. The extreme conditions of the deep are often compared to space, and scientists fear storms of sediment stirred up by mining machines could spread for tens of kilometres, smothering important ecosystems. Toxic metals and even radioactive particles could be released back into the food chain.

TMC estimates the haul from its claim in the Pacific alone could electrify 280 million electric cars , about the size of Americas entire car fleet.

In 2019, one of TMCs sponsoring states Nauru ceded its seat at the ISA council to Gerard Barron so he could speak directly to member countries.

Some economists expect electric battery metals will become as important as oil is today as demand soars , and Barron argues these metals can be harvested with less impact under the sea than on land, where reserves are dominated by China , Russia and Africa, and mines run off the back of deforestation (and sometimes child labour ).

TMCs Barron is sometimes styled as Australias Elon Musk . Hes cast deep-sea mining as critical to both accelerating clean energy and lifting island nations out of poverty.

Its like the Gulf of Mexico, says Heydon of the new deep-sea frontier. OK, there was one prospector at first, but once they showed how to do it, others moved in, costs fell and an industry sprung up. Were first so its hard, but were also first .

Sir David Attenborough and other experts say its beyond reason to open the deep for mining until more is understood about the impact, and pressure is building on Australia to join more than 20 nations (and about 800 scientists and experts) calling for a global moratorium.

Speaking to this masthead as the ISA met in July, Barron laughed off the Musk comparison as ridiculous. But am I pushing new frontiers? Sure, he said. Its not easy to get a new industry started and disrupt another one at the same time.

The keys to the kingdom

Barron s dive into the deep began more than two decades ago when he invested in Nautilus, the Australian start-up that secured the worlds first deep-sea mining licence. To Barron, it sounded like the start of a mining revolution.

Nautilus was chasing copper and gold on Binns hydrothermal vents in PNG.

Back then, Binns discovery had made headlines around the world. But when he returned to shore in 1993, only one journalist came to see samples from this Broken Hill beneath the sea: Sydney mining writer Julian Malnic.

Binns didnt realise that Malnic was also a geologist. Or that, within months of photographing his research, Malnic would stake a claim for the very same smoker with the PNG government  founding Nautilus.

I used Rays charts, everything, but I didnt tell him, says Malnic, whose great-uncle was an explorer in the Pacific. Ray was really upset until he realised it was a great idea. I couldnt believe no one else was moving on this.

Still, Malmic did return to offer Binns and the CSIRO a stake in the venture. It wasnt the done thing then, so we had to say no, says Binns.

Binns went on to work for Nautilus as a science adviser, diving down in submersibles through a ring of undersea volcanoes to map PNGs particularly rich metal deposits.

Malnic also staked claims for smokers in Tongas coastal waters, and for polymetallic nodules (containing key battery metals) out in the high seas.

The Tongan mining act was only a page and a half long then, Malnic recalls. They gave me the keys to the kingdom, their office, one weekend, sweet people. And I literally wrote up the mining forms myself, covering a huge tract of seafloor. I put in a fee for $300 dollars Tongan for each licence; I just made it up.

He says the Tongan government later reverse-engineered its mining act to grant his applications.

But Nautilus went bust in 2018, costing the PNG government $A170 million in lost investment and sparking fury from locals.

By then, Barron, Malnic and Heydon had all cashed out. Barron and Heydon, along with other Nautilus figures, were chasing polymetallic nodules in international waters through a new company, TMC, which picked up some of those original Nautilus licences.

If were going to do all the heavy lifting starting an industry, I thought we should position ourselves with some of the key locations for those offshore resources, says Heydon.

Meanwhile, SEC filings reveal that when Nautilus collapsed, it was largely bankrolled by two shareholders  Omani oil billionaire Mohammed Al Barwan and oligarch Alisher Usmanov, one of Russias richest men.

Jonathan Mesulam leads the Solwara warriors of PNGs New Ireland coast fighting against deep sea mining and the old Nautilus project.

Sharks and oligarchs

Solwara warrior Jonathan Mesulam lives only 25 kilometres from the old Nautilus site Solwara-1 on PNGs New Ireland coast. He recalls how its early exploration work chased sharks out of the bay.

The sea is what has kept us for generations, he says. The cost of mining was just too high for a quick buck.

Now the sharks are back. But so is Nautilus. Locals and conservationists fear PNG is now being used as a guinea pig on a venture that could disrupt the wider marine food chain Pacific nations rely on  and potentially funnel profits back to sanctioned oligarchs.

Solwara warriors have protested for years against deep sea mining on PNGs New Ireland coast.

Today, the project is completely owned by a private group called Deep Sea Mining Finance (DSMF), which bought Solwara-1 from the corporate wreckage of Nautilus.

The PNG government has confirmed that DSMF plans to start testing this year - and production the next, under the projects original licences.

DSMF is headquartered in tax haven the Virgin Islands, and its chief executive is listed as Australian Chris Jordinson, who was convicted of insider trading in 2014. But this masthead can reveal that the company was created by Metalloinvest and USM Holdings, the sanctioned companies of the oligarch Usmanov, as well as Al Barwanis MB Holding, in 2017.

PNG Mining Minister Sir Ano Pala told this masthead that he wasnt personally aware of who owned DSMF but that some further checks and environmental approvals may be needed before mining begins.

The main thing is we want them to explain how they will pay back the money they lost us, hundreds of millions, he said. Potentially doing business with a sanctioned oligarch may be a bigger issue for the government to look at, he added.

References to USM and Metalloinvests ownership of DSMF were scrubbed from its website in April 2022 (shortly after Usmanov was sanctioned by the United States, Australia, the EU and Britain over the war in Ukraine), yet official meeting notes from recent talks between DSMF and the PNG government leaked to this masthead suggest the oligarchs companies still own half.

Court records also list another key figure at DSMF: Matthias Bolliger, who was disqualified as a director by authorities on tax haven the Isle of Man in 2021 for money laundering breaches, and flagged in the Panama Papers for his links to Usmanov.

In an information memorandum prepared for the PNG government, DSMF claims the undersea mine will pull up 182 kilotonnes of ore annually, running 300 days a year, and that new target zones have been identified for further mining beyond the original site, creating local jobs.

Its happening behind closed doors. The people wont stand for it. Sir Arnold Karibone Amet, former PNG attorney-general

Heydon secured $100 million in investment from Usmanov when he was at the helm of Nautilus, alongside other mining giants such as Anglo-American.

Usmanov owned half of Russian iron ore and steel, and brought a lot to the table on shipping, Heydon says. He only had one board seat then, so his influence was limited and no money flowed back to him in the end. Still, now [after Usmanovs sanctions], youd think the PNG government would be concerned.

Whos keeping watch on the high seas?

If the smoker in PNG is set to be the first deep-sea mine, it is the high seas where the real money will be made, even as the rule book is still being written.

Companies such as TMC have their eyes on a huge stretch of ocean floor between Hawaii and Mexico that is so studded with polymetallic nodules it is said to hold more rare metals than all the reserves on land.

Countries at the UNs ISA need to adopt a deep-sea mining code before any commercial mining in international waters can begin.

The original Nautilus mining ship which was reclaimed by its Chinese owners when the company failed to pay its debt.

After the ISA councils latest sitting, the secretariat conceded the code wouldnt be adopted until 2025 (rather than this year as it had flagged), sending TMCs share price into a nose dive.

But, even with that delay, some countries worry that the ISA secretariat is itself trying to push through mining rules without robust environmental safeguards and company oversight  or even a fair means of divvying up the proceeds for the benefit of mankind.

ISA observers including NGO environmental lawyer Duncan Currie say a number of country delegations received suggested talking points from the secretariat encouraging them to raise the urgent need for battery metals during council debate on the code, in an apparent attempt to influence deliberations.

Especially countries new to the ISA, says Currie. The dot points they were given all steer the debate towards the need for mining.

We need to understand the inventory of our planet  We need more metals but land is rare. The most common spot on the planet is 3200 metres below sea level. We should start there. David Heydon

Diplomats from Germany, Costa Rica and elsewhere have accused ISA secretary-general Michael Lodge of stepping out of line in his efforts to get the code through the council.

Lodge has played down scientific concerns about mining and appeared at promotional events for companies (including in an ad for TMC in a company hardhat), but has defended the authoritys neutrality and integrity. The ISA did not answer an extensive list of questions and declined an interview request for Lodge.

Previously, Lodge has noted that the ISA was created to open the deep sea to mining, but has called it the slowest gold rush in history because of the authoritys careful checks and balances, especially concerning environmental protection, praising companies for their investment in research and technology.

There are many complicated and delicate trade-offs to be made, Lodge has said of environmental concerns, stressing the metals required for the green energy transition need to come from somewhere.

Now an obscure rule could mean companies may no longer have to wait for the mining code to get mining licences. As of July, the ISAs operational arm  the Legal and Technical Commission (LTC)  can consider commercial, not just exploratory, applications.

First to use the loophole will be TMC, after its sponsoring state Nauru opened it with a notification two years ago. TMC says it will apply next year.

Loading

If the LTC grants the application, the ISAs structure will make it difficult for country delegates to rescind the licence.

The ISA was designed that way to avoid politicising mining, lessening the power of country blocs, says marine law researcher Pradeep Singh. But in practice, he says, it has allowed key decisions to be made behind closed doors by a powerful few  lawyers and geologists on the Legal and Technical Commission, sometimes with ties to industry.

The ISA charges half a million dollars for a licence, and hasnt rejected an application yet.

And the same people are behind many of these claims, says Singh. It was thought states would be the ones that monopolise this  you know, China having five contracts  but I think whats more dangerous is company monopolies.

And once they get a contract, control can shrink down even further, he says, as ownership is changed or offtake agreements and subsidiaries are structured.

The seabed could very well end up in the hands of a few.

So far, the LTC has refused to name or penalise companies not complying with the requirements of their exploration, such as environmental surveying. It has also rejected requests from diplomats to hold open meetings. When it approved its most recent licence, to Blue Minerals Jamaica, for example, the ultimate owner Allseas was referred to publicly only as an unnamed multinational enterprise with offshore experience.

Sandor Mulsow sat in closed-door LTC meetings for years and thinks its public reports were not just brief  two or three pages to summarise reams of documents  they were watered down.

Our final warnings to companies became, The LTC notes not all contractors have submitted data accordingly, he says. I thought it was my English being bad at first.

In 2016, Mulsow and another ISA scientist sounded the alarm over the quality of contractor environmental surveys, concerns echoed in an audit of the ISA that year that found the authority was not yet fulfilling its obligations to ensure that activities  are carried out for the benefit of mankind.

By 2016, some contractors had collected just one biological sample for every 10,000 square kilometres of their licence area. Mulsow recalls a company that included amphibians in its species survey.

There are no frogs in the deep sea, he says. When I rang them, they said it was a mistake and that whole column of numbers vanished. Where did they come from?

That company was not TMC, which has just uploaded another large tranche of environmental data  more, it says, than any other licence holder.

But, in the past, data has flowed both ways between those at the company and the ISA. Documents leaked to The New York Times show that, starting in 2007, the ISA sent confidential data to key people at Nautilus (now at TMC)  information meant to give developing nations an advantage finding the most mineral-rich mining sites.

Heydon admits his memory is hazy on how Nautilus got the data first, but he says, We werent given any confidential information that wasnt available to others if theyd asked, as far as I understand.

When asked about a potential monopoly forming, Heydon notes only a handful of companies typically have the skills for complex offshore work. You turn to these Halliburtons of the world. Now Allseas has developed more deep-sea expertise, at its own cost, so countries will partner with them because they know the chance of success is higher. Still, he adds, theres plenty of room out there.

Benefit of mankind?

The deep-sea rush was meant to be different. But Currie and Singh say deals intended to give poorer countries a stake in mining have instead put companies in control.

Literally, they just need an office and a business registered there, says Singh. TMCs subsidiary NORI has an office in Nauru, for example. But if something goes wrong, TMC can cut the rope to NORI and leave.

When NORIs licence was approved by the ISA in 2011, it said it was a Nauruan company not owned or affiliated with any foreign entity or person. Yet, Heydon confirmed that he was on NORIs board of directors at the time, and that TMC already provided funding. Heydon even signed its licence agreement with the ISA.

Currie, Singh and other experts view these kinds of arrangements as predatory.

Barron insists they will benefit TMCs partner nations, who would otherwise not have the technology or money to develop the new industry.

If youre an island in the middle of the Pacific, watching the sea levels rise, this is an opportunity that just wouldnt come your way, he says.

Most of Nauru is itself uninhabitable, stripped by the phosphate mining of colonial powers in the last century. Heydon says he saw in Nauru a chance to put the ISA vision of benefiting mankind into practice, helping mining give back to the tiny nation without actually touching it.

That giving back comes in the form of royalties to the sponsoring country and the ISA. TMCs royalty deal with Nauru has not been disclosed, but Barron says it is a little more than the $2 a tonne previously quoted by a Nauruan official, which worked out to less than 1 per cent of expected profit.

Its less than five dollars a tonne, Barron concedes.

Even after an extra royalty (probably between 2 and 10 per cent) is paid to the ISA and its member states, the lions share of profit will still go to companies, not nations.

Naurus deal with TMC appears to also waive corporate tax, usually about 25 per cent. Barron says that Nauru and TMC have just put it on hold.

Were back negotiating that amount now, he says.Because normally, when a country taxes someone, its for services provided. Whereas Nauru, we dont plan to process there or put any infrastructure there other than we have an office there.

After tax, TMC expects its profits from the claim with Nauru to total $US30 billion over its life.

Barron argues that the alternative is a government-type entity mining. And these assets are typically more successfully developed in private hands. But to do that, youve got to attract a lot of capital and offer [a return].

Barron sees the benefit for mankind as more than profit, but the nodules themselves  battery metals that will turbocharge the clean energy transition and, once in the system, can be recycled. He keeps one in his pocket at all times so he can show people the ancient rock.

Still, some economists are sceptical that deep-sea metals will ever rival land mining, or even offer the right chemistry mix, as battery technology evolves.

Currie, meanwhile, worries it will be developing nations left with costly clean-ups if something goes wrong.

The Nautilus failure stands as a warning for the Pacific, says Australian environmental campaigner Helen Rosenbaum, who has worked across the region. I cant believe PNG is considering risking that again.

Financial expert Andy Whitmore has been tracking what he calls the quiet privatisation of the seabed for Rosenbaums NGO Deep Sea Mining Campaign, and says prospectors can make a career out of failure.

Theyre selling potential, he says. Didnt Twain say a gold miner is a liar standing over a hole in the ground?
Rescue team members work at the site of a truck accident in Kahramanmaras province, Turkiye, on Sept. 9, 2023. Five people were killed, and 25 others were injured after a truck crashed into a crowd of people gathered for a funeral prayer in southern Turkish Kahramanmaras province, the state-run TRT broadcaster reported Saturday. (Mustafa Kaya/Handout via Xinhua)

ANKARA, Sept. 9 (Xinhua) -- Five people were killed, and 25 others were injured after a truck crashed into a crowd of people gathered for a funeral prayer in southern Turkish Kahramanmaras province, the state-run TRT broadcaster reported Saturday.

The truck traveling along the Kahramanmaras-Andirin highway crashed into cars first and then dashed into the crowd due to a brake failure, the TRT reported.

Governor of Kahramanmaras Province Mukerrem Unluer told reporters about the casualties, adding some of the injured were in critical condition.

Many medical teams were dispatched to the scene of the incident.

Turkiye has a poor record of road safety. According to official data, a total of 5,229 people lost their lives in more than 197,000 traffic accidents last year. 

This photo taken on Sept. 9, 2023 shows the site of a truck accident in Kahramanmaras province, Turkiye. Five people were killed, and 25 others were injured after a truck crashed into a crowd of people gathered for a funeral prayer in southern Turkish Kahramanmaras province, the state-run TRT broadcaster reported Saturday. (Mustafa Kaya/Handout via Xinhua)
ZF Group CEO Holger Klein gives an interview with Xinhua on the sidelines of the IAA Mobility 2023 auto show in Munich, Germany, Sept. 4, 2023. (Xinhua/Zhang Fan)

MUNICH, Germany, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- As the company's business continues to grow in China, German auto parts and components supplier ZF Group is doubling down on China, which will become a major contributor to its future growth in the Asia-Pacific region, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Holger Klein said.

Klein made the remarks in an interview with Xinhua, conducted on the sidelines of the ongoing IAA Mobility 2023 auto show.

He said his company aims to grow the proportion of its Asia-Pacific region in its global revenue from the current 24 percent to 30 percent, "and China will be a major portion of that."

Klein considers China "a very interesting market" that is "innovation-driven," saying that the customers there are on average much younger than those in the established markets and they are open to innovation.

A lot of ZF's new products have made their world premiere in China. "We enjoy playing in that market so much, because it's very dynamic and very demanding."

Over 70 Chinese automakers participated in the IAA Mobility auto show this year, according to a spokesperson. Klein was happy to see the presence of ZF's Chinese and international customers.

Among the highlights of ZF Group at the IAA are two technologies, one on e-mobility and the other on chassis technology.

"With this magnet-free e-motor without rare earth materials, we have another innovation to consistently improve our electric drive portfolio to create even more sustainable, efficient and resource-saving mobility," Klein said.

As Chinese carmakers seek to establish themselves in the European market, they are also creating new opportunities of cooperation for ZF. Klein said that his company is in talks with such Chinese automakers. "ZF would like to cooperate along the full spectrum of products we have." 
Allentown, PA (18103)

Today

Cloudy with bouts of showers and light rain, mainly during the morning through midday. Seasonably cool and drier later in the afternoon with perhaps a few breaks of sun. It will turn breezy as well..

Tonight

Becoming partly cloudy and colder overnight. Still breezy.
BETHLEHEM, Pa.  Bethlehem police are investigating two separate overnight shootings that each left one person injured.

In a press release published on Facebook, Bethlehem police chief Michelle Kott said the first shooting occurred around 11:30 p.m. Friday in the 200 block of East Ettwein Street  just south of Liberty High School.

Upon arriving at the scene, officers found a man suffering from gunshot wounds to his arm and leg. The man was transported to the hospital but is expected to survive, Kott said.

Police said the second shooting occurred near Third Avenue and West Union Boulevard.

According to Kott, Bethlehem police were notified that a man "arrived at an area hospital suffering from a single gunshot wound to his leg" around 1:20 a.m. Saturday.

The man was conscious and told police that he encountered two people in the area, one of whom "displayed a handgun and began shooting" at him.

Bethlehem police did not comment on extent of the second man's injuries.
BETHLEHEM, Pa. - The men, women and animals that serve and protect Bethlehem are back with a special event this weekend.

Saturday is the sixth annual "Bridles and Badges" event.

Organizers were setting up tents and getting the horses ready Friday at the arena, at the 600 block of Langhorne Avenue.

This year the band, The Large Flower Heads, will perform from noon to 3 p.m.

Then, the Mounted unit will hold a demonstration of skills, educating folks on what it's like to be the rider of a police horse.

All the money raised goes to taking care of the horses.

"Sometimes people are here for the very first time, seeing this presentation. And sometimes people come year after year to see it, and every time they come, they're delighted and excited to be here," said Friends of the Bethlehem Mounted Police President Diane Mack.

The event will also feature a food truck, artisan vendors, and fun activities for the kids, including pony rides and a hula-hoop contest.

It will run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
HACKETTSTOWN, N.J. - Centenary University's new president is starting his first full semester on the job. He's the Warren County, New Jersey school's 15th president and the first African American to serve in the role.

"My dad is a United Methodist minister, who knew and marched with Dr. King," said Dale Caldwell. "My mom was a school teacher for 50 years, so they valued education."

Caldwell does too. He's also president of the state Educational Services Commission and previously led Fairleigh Dickinson University's innovation and entrepreneurship institute.

The founding executive director of the Newark Alliance spent years working in consulting and was deputy commissioner of New Jersey's Department of Community Affairs.

"I have over 40 years of experience with school boards while I was doing those other jobs," said Caldwell.

Caldwell officially started in Hackettstown in July, and just helped move in his first set of freshmen.

"It's really been exciting," said Caldwell.

He's focused on making the university even more welcoming, a family-like atmosphere. Plus, he's all about growth. He says campus won't look the same in the coming years.

We have a top five equestrian program, said Caldwell. We're joining D3, and so, you're going to see us on the map nationally."

One of the programs that's expanding is the consultation co-op. Students are helping local businesses with social media, marketing and finances for free.

"The students get real-world experience, said Caldwell.

The school says theres more options and pathways for students interested in nursing and computer science.

We're also creating institutes, where we want to provide some professional degrees for students, so we want to expand our footprint, said Caldwell.

Caldwell's induction ceremony is scheduled for October.
UNION TWP., N.J. - A former senior corrections officer in Hunterdon County, New Jersey who admitted to sexually assaulting a female inmate has learned his sentence.

Tyrell Harris-McLaughlin, 29, who was an officer at Edna Mahan Correctional Facility in Union Township, was sentenced to a five-year state prison term, according to a news release from the Hunterdon County Prosecutors Office.

During the prison term, he will be ineligible for parole for a two-year period, the prosecutor's office said. He will also serve a concurrent eighteen-month term.

On June 27, 2023, Harris-McLaughlin pleaded guilty to third-degree tampering with a witness and fourth-degree criminal sexual contact, the prosecutor's office said. Harris-McLaughlin was charged in October 2021 for sexually assaulting a female inmate over whom he had supervisory and disciplinary authority through his position as a correctional officer.

The charges stemmed from a joint investigation by the Hunterdon County Prosecutors Offices Special Victims Unit, the Attorney Generals Office of Public Integrity and Accountability, and the Department of Corrections Special Investigations Division.
GOODHUE, Minnesota  As Goodhue Police Chief Josh Smith struggled this summer to fill vacancies in his small department, he warned the town's City Council that unless pay and benefits improved, finding new officers would never happen.

When nothing changed, Smith quit. So did his few remaining officers, leading the Minnesota town of 1,300 residents to shutter its police force in late August.

America is in the midst of a police officer shortage that many in law enforcement blame on the two-fold morale hit of 2020  the coronavirus pandemic and criticism of police that boiled over with the murder of George Floyd by a police officer. From Minnesota to Maine, Ohio to Texas, small towns unable to fill jobs are eliminating their police departments and turning over police work to their county sheriff, a neighboring town or state police.

The trend isn't altogether new.

At least 521 U.S. towns and cities with populations of 1,000 to 200,000 disbanded policing between 1972 and 2017, according to a peer-reviewed 2022 paper by Rice University Professor of Economics Richard T. Boylan.

In the past two years, at least 12 small towns have dissolved their departments.

Goodhue County is now under contract for law enforcement duties in the town of Goodhue, even as Sheriff Marty Kelly tries to fill four vacancies in his own department. He said he has around 10 applicants for those jobs. By comparison, one open position in 2019 drew 35 applicants, he said.

Kelly knows that to get to full staffing, hell have to hire new deputies away from other towns or counties  creating vacancies in other places that will struggle to fill them.

Its scary, Kelly said. We are robbing Peter to pay Paul. And were not alone.

At the heart of the problem is the exodus from law enforcement. Officer resignations were up 47% last year compared to 2019  the year before the pandemic and Floyds killing  and retirements are up 19%. That's all according to a survey of nearly 200 police agencies by the Police Executive Research Forum, a Washington, DC.-based think tank. Though the survey represents only agencies affiliated with PERF, a fraction of the more than 18,000 law enforcement agencies nationwide and is not representative of all departments, its one of the few efforts to examine police hiring and retention and compare it with the time before Floyds killing.

Compounding the exodus of veteran officers, young people are increasingly unwilling to go through the months of training necessary to become a police officer, said Chuck Wexler, executive director of the Police Executive Research Forum.

Fewer people are applying to be police officers, and more officers are retiring or resigning at a tremendous rate, Wexler said. Theres a shortage of police officers across the country.

Agencies of all sizes are struggling to fill open positions. But the problem is especially dire in smaller communities that can't match the pay and incentives offered by bigger places.

Another Minnesota town, Morris, dissolved its police department last year after continued departures of officers. The town of 5,100 residents was down to two officers at the time. In Maine, the town of Limestone disbanded its police department in March. Neighboring Van Buren did the same two years earlier.

Generally, crime rates were unchanged in towns that dropped their departments, the Rice University study found. Leaders of several towns said they've been happy with the change.

Town leaders in Washburn, Illinois, dissolved their department in 2021 and let the county take over law enforcement duties for its 1,100 residents.

You really cant tell much of any difference, Mayor Steve Forney said. The sheriffs department is very responsive. I like it. I was always one who was very hesitant to go this direction, but I feel its working for us.

Lott, Texas, a town of about 700 residents, disbanded its department last year. Mayor Sue Tacker said the town was going broke and couldn't afford to pay two officers and two other employees.

With county deputies now patrolling Lott, the crime rate remains low and response times have been good, Tacker said. She believes residents are OK with the change.

I haven't had any griping or fussing, Tacker said.

Goodhue occupies about one square mile of land 65 miles south of Minneapolis. Its made up of tidy homes with a few small businesses  a bakery, a florist, a cafe, a supermarket, a taxidermist  most of them in brick storefronts in the small downtown area.

The town struggled for years to recruit and retain officers. The City Council had boosted pay by 5% earlier this year and gave Smith a $13,000 raise.

It wasnt enough. Smith told the City Council at a meeting on July 26 that it was virtually impossible to attract applicants for a job starting at $22 an hour. That's about $10 per hour less than Goodhue County deputies earn.

There's zero incentive to come out here to a small town, Smith said.

Goodhue resident Ron Goebel, a retired accountant, said he believes the sheriffs department will do a good job, but fears the loss of the police department is another challenge for Goodhue and towns like it across the nation.

As you lose your schools, you lose your businesses and you lose your police force, how much longer can the town actually be viable as a town? Goebel asked.
MARRAKECH, Morocco (AP)  A rare, powerful earthquake struck Morocco, sending people racing from their beds into the streets and toppling buildings in mountainous villages and ancient cities not built to withstand such force. More than 2,000 people were killed, and the toll was expected to rise as rescuers struggled Saturday to reach hard-hit remote areas.

The magnitude 6.8 quake, the biggest to hit the North African country in 120 years, sent people fleeing their homes in terror and disbelief late Friday. One man said dishes and wall hangings began raining down, and people were knocked off their feet. The quake brought down walls made from stone and masonry, covering whole communities with rubble.

The devastation gripped each town along the High Atlas steep and winding switchbacks in similar ways: homes folding in on themselves and mothers and fathers crying as boys and helmet-clad police carried the dead through the streets.

Remote villages like those in the drought-stricken Ouargane Valley were largely cut off from the world when they lost electricity and cellphone service. By midday, people were outside mourning neighbors, surveying the damage on their camera phones and telling one another May God save us.

Hamid Idsalah, a 72-year-old mountain guide, said he and many others remained alive but had little future to look forward to. That was true in the short-term  with remnants of his kitchen reduced to dust  and in the long-term  where he and many others lack the financial means to rebound.

I cant reconstruct my home. I dont know what Ill do. Still, Im alive, so Ill wait, he said as he walked through the desert oasis town overlooking red rock hills, packs of goats and a glistening salt lake. I feel heartsick.

In historic Marrakech, people could be seen on state TV clustering in the streets , afraid to go back inside buildings that might still be unstable. The city's famous Koutoubia Mosque, built in the 12th century, was damaged, but the extent was not immediately clear. Its 69-meter (226-foot) minaret is known as the roof of Marrakech. Moroccans also posted videos showing damage to parts of the famous red walls that surround the old city, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

At least 2,012 people died in the quake, mostly in Marrakech and five provinces near the epicenter, Morocco's Interior Ministry reported Saturday night. At least 2,059 more people were injured  1,404 critically  the ministry said.

The problem is that where destructive earthquakes are rare, buildings are simply not constructed robustly enough to cope with strong ground shaking, so many collapse, resulting in high casualties, said Bill McGuire, professor emeritus of geophysical and climate hazards at University College London.

In a sign of the huge scale of the disaster, Moroccos King Mohammed VI ordered the armed forces to mobilize specialized search and rescue teams and a surgical field hospital, according to a statement from the military.

The king said he would visit the hardest hit area Saturday, but despite an outpouring of offers of help from around the world, the Moroccan government had not formally asked for assistance, a step required before outside rescue crews could deploy.

The epicenter of Fridays tremor was near the town of Ighil in Al Haouz Province, roughly 70 kilometers (44 miles) south of Marrakech. Al Haouz is known for scenic villages and valleys tucked in the High Atlas Mountains.

Police, emergency vehicles and people fleeing in shared taxis spent hours traversing unpaved roads through the High Atlas in stop-and-go traffic, often exiting their cars to help clear giant boulders from routes known to be rugged and difficult long before Fridays earthquake. In Ijjoukak, a village in the area surrounding Toubkal, North Africas tallest peak, residents estimated nearly 200 buildings had been leveled.

Couch cushions, electric cords and grapes were strewn in giant piles of rubble alongside dead sheep, houseplants and doors wedged between boulders. Relatives from the town and those who had driven from major cities cried while they wondered who to call as they reckoned with the aftermath and a lack of food and water.

It felt like a bomb went off, 34-year-old Mohamed Messi said.

Morocco will observe three days of national mourning with flags at half-staff on all public facilities, the official news agency MAP reported.

World leaders offered to send in aid or rescue crews as condolences poured in from countries in Europe, the Middle East and the Group of 20 summit in India. The president of Turkey, which lost tens of thousands of people in a massive earthquake earlier this year, was among those proposing assistance. France and Germany, with large populations of people of Moroccan origin, also offered to help, and the leaders of both Ukraine and Russia expressed support for Moroccans.

In an exceptional move, neighboring rival Algeria offered to open its airspace to allow eventual humanitarian aid or medical evacuation flights to travel to and from Morocco. Algeria closed the airspace when its government severed diplomatic ties with Morocco in 2021 over a series of issues. The countries have a decadeslong dispute involving the territory of Western Sahara.

The U.S. Geological Survey said the quake had a preliminary magnitude of 6.8 when it hit at 11:11 p.m. (22:11 GMT), with shaking that lasted several seconds. The U.S. agency reported a magnitude 4.9 aftershock hit 19 minutes later. The collision of the African and Eurasian tectonic plates occurred at a relatively shallow depth, which makes a quake more dangerous.

Earthquakes are relatively rare in North Africa. Lahcen Mhanni, Head of the Seismic Monitoring and Warning Department at the National Institute of Geophysics, told 2M TV that the earthquake was the strongest ever recorded in the region.

In 1960, a magnitude 5.8 tremor struck near the Moroccan city of Agadir and caused thousands of deaths. That quake prompted changes in construction rules in Morocco, but many buildings, especially rural homes, are not built to withstand such tremors.

In 2004, a 6.4 magnitude earthquake near the Mediterranean coastal city of Al Hoceima left more than 600 dead.

Friday's quake was felt as far away as Portugal and Algeria, according to the Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere and Algeria's Civil Defense agency, which oversees emergency response.

Associated Press writers Angela Charlton in Paris, Ahmed Hatem in Cairo, and Brian Melley and Hadia Bakkar in London contributed to this report.
Weather Alert

Bulletin: ...FROST ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 AM EDT THIS MORNING... ...FREEZE WATCH IN EFFECT FROM LATE WEDNESDAY NIGHT THROUGH THURSDAY MORNING... * WHAT...For the Frost Advisory, low temperatures ranging from 33 to 36 degrees will result in frost formation. For the Freeze Watch, sub-freezing temperatures ranging from 26 to 29 degrees possible. * WHERE...In New Jersey, Sussex and Warren. In Pennsylvania, Berks, Lehigh and Northampton. * WHEN...For the Frost Advisory, until 9 AM EDT this morning. For the Freeze Watch, from late Wednesday night through Thursday morning. * IMPACTS...Frost and freeze conditions will kill crops and other sensitive vegetation. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Take steps now to protect tender plants from the cold. &&

Info:

Type: Frost Advisory

start_time_local: 2023-10-31T04:00:00-04:00

end_time_local: 2023-10-31T09:00:00-04:00

county_name:

state: NJ

headline: Frost Advisory from TUE 4:00 AM EDT until TUE 9:00 AM EDT

county_fips:

category: Met

url:

urgency: Expected

severity: Minor

certainty: Likely

geographicname: Warren County

state_name: New Jersey
LOS ANGELES, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- North America's leading clean energy show will convene in Las Vegas in the U.S. state of Nevada next week, showing the latest development in clean energy solutions.

The event, named "RE+ 2023," will bring together clean energy industry experts, leaders and professionals across the United States and overseas to share the best practices and expand business prospects.

The show draws over 30,000 attendees and 1,300 exhibitors around the globe, the organizer told Xinhua.

"RE+ 2023", running from Sept. 11 to 14, will show breakthroughs in the smart energy industry, ranging from solar, energy storage, hydrogen, to electric vehicle infrastructure, microgrids, wind and more.

Hundreds of Chinese companies are expected to join the show floor at The Venetian Convention & Expo Center in Las Vegas. 
OTTAWA, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- Canada's employment rose by 40,000, or 0.2 percent in August, which was outpaced by the population growth of 103,000, or 0.3 percent, Statistics Canada said Friday.

Employment gains have continued to occur in the context of record-high population growth, the national statistical agency said.

According to the agency, the population aged 15 and older grew by 81,000 on average per month since the start of 2023. Given this pace of population growth, employment growth of approximately 50,000 per month is required for the employment rate to remain constant. However, since January 2023, employment has increased by 25,000 on average per month.

Accordingly, the employment rate, the proportion of the population aged 15 years and older who are employed, fell 0.1 percentage point to 61.9 percent in August and it was down 0.6 percentage points compared with January 2023, the agency said.

The unemployment rate was unchanged at 5.5 percent, following three consecutive monthly increases in May, June and July, Statistics Canada said. 
The Bristol-Myers Squibb Company is a leading global biopharmaceutical company with a long and impressive history of innovating and developing medicines that improve the lives of patients around the world. Founded in 1887 when William McLaren Bristol and John Ripley Myers purchased the Clinton Pharmaceutical Company, the company was initially named Bristol, Myers and Company. Its first nationally recognized product, Sal Hepatica, was released in the 1890s.

Bristol Myers-Squibb offers chemically synthesized drugs and biologics administered through injections or infusions to patients. The company's pharmaceutical portfolio includes a large number of well-known products. BMS's primary research and development sites are in New Jersey, California, Spain, Massachusetts, New York, Belgium, Japan, India and Massachusetts. The company's products sell to wholesalers and distributors around the world.

Bristol Myers-Squibb has a robust pipeline of investigational medicines in its pipeline. In addition, the company has established strategic collaborations and partnerships with various companies, successfully launching new products. These partnerships and investments generate portions of the company's revenue.

Bristol Myers-Squibb has acquired several companies over the years, including Medarex in 2009, ZymoGenetics in 2010, Inhibitex Inc. in 2012, Amylin Pharmaceuticals in 2012, iPierian in 2014, Flexus Biosciences in 2015, Cardioxyl in 2015, Padlock Therapeutics in 2016, Cormorant Pharmaceuticals in 2017, IFM Therapeutics in 2017, Celgene in 2019, Otezla in 2019, Forbius in 2020, MyoKardia in 2020 and Turning Point Therapeutics in 2022.

In 2005, the company divested individual consumer products and its subsequent consumer products businesses. In December 2014, the company received FDA approval for its cancer drug, Opdivo, used to treat skin cancers that do not respond to drug therapies. In 2019, the company divested its consumer health business, UPSA, to Taisho.

The company has also faced several scandals, lawsuits and investigations over the years, the biggest of which is the ongoing $1 billion lawsuit from Guatemala for the company's role in a 1940s experiment that infected hundreds with syphilis. In 2001 BMS faced an accounting scandal that resulted in a restatement of revenues from 1999 to 2001. In 2002, BMS faced a lawsuit based on illegally maintaining a monopoly on Taxol, a chemotherapy medication. The former head of the pharma group and the ex-CFO were indicted for federal securities violations in 2005. In July of 2006, an FBI raid on the company's corporate offices revealed that the company took steps to delay the release of a generic version of one of its drugs.

BMS began a significant restructuring in 2009, focusing on the pharmaceutical business and biologic products, productivity initiatives and cost-cutting. The U.S. attorney forced the company into oversight and appointed a monitor as part of a deferred prosecution agreement. Lou Schmukler joined Bristol-Myers Squibb in 2010 as global product development and design president.

In 2013, Forbes magazine ranked the company as the drug company of the year. Dr. Giovanni Caforio took the reigns as CEO in 2015. In 2017, reports began to surface that activist investor Carl Icahn took a stake in the company, widely seen as a signal for a potential future takeover.

As Bristol-Myers Squibb continues to experience success and growth, the company is committed to delivering innovative treatments to patients and staying ahead of the curve in the biopharmaceutical industry. With its focus on research and development and a long and rich history of delivering innovative medicines, BMS offers an excellent long-term investment opportunity.
MSCI Inc., together with its subsidiaries, provides investment decision support tools for the clients to manage their investment processes worldwide. It operates through four segments: Index, Analytics, ESG and Climate, and All Other Private Assets. The Index segment provides indexes for use in various areas of the investment process, including indexed product creation, such as ETFs, mutual funds, annuities, futures, options, structured products, over-the-counter derivatives; performance benchmarking; portfolio construction and rebalancing; and asset allocation, as well as licenses GICS and GICS Direct. The Analytics segment offers risk management, performance attribution and portfolio management content, application, and service that provides an integrated view of risk and return, and an analysis of market, credit, liquidity, and counterparty risk across asset classes; managed services, including consolidation of client portfolio data from various sources, review and reconciliation of input data and results, and customized reporting; and HedgePlatform to measure, evaluate, and monitor the risk of hedge fund investments. The ESG and Climate segment provides products and services that help institutional investors understand how ESG factors impact the long-term risk and return of their portfolio and individual security-level investments; and data, ratings, research, and tools to help investors navigate increasing regulation. The All Other Private Assets segment includes real estate market and transaction data, benchmarks, return-analytics, climate assessments and market insights for funds, investors, and managers; business intelligence to real estate owners, managers, developers, and brokers; and offers investment decision support tools for private capital. It serves asset owners and managers, financial intermediaries, wealth managers, real estate professionals, and corporates. MSCI Inc. was incorporated in 1998 and is headquartered in New York, New York.
Abbott Laboratories is a global healthcare company specializing in developing, manufacturing and marketing a wide range of healthcare products. The company has its headquarters in Abbott Park, Illinois and operates in more than 160 countries worldwide.

The company was founded in 1888 by Dr. Wallace C. Abbott, and it has since grown to become one of the world's largest and most respected healthcare companies. Abbott Laboratories has a diverse portfolio of products, including medical devices, diagnostic tests, nutritional products, and branded generic pharmaceuticals. The company is committed to developing innovative products that improve the quality of life for people worldwide.

Robert B. Ford is the current President and CEO of the company. He was appointed to this position in 2020 after serving as the company's Chief Operating Officer. He has been with Abbott Laboratories since 1996 and has held various leadership positions.

Abbott Laboratories has delivered strong financial performance, declining as investors seek growth. The company's net earnings have been increasing steadily. Abbott Laboratories has a solid balance sheet with a low debt-to-equity ratio. The company has consistently delivered strong cash flow, allowing it to invest in research and development and return value to shareholders. Abbott Laboratories has a higher price-to-earnings ratio than the industry average, and the company's price-to-book ratio is also higher than the industry average. These metrics suggest that the market has a positive outlook on Abbott Laboratories and is willing to pay a premium for the company's shares. Over the past year, Abbott Laboratories' stock has declined as consumers seek to see what the company will do post-pandemic. The company's shares have experienced some volatility, but overall, they have outperformed the broader market.

Abbott Laboratories operates in the healthcare industry, which is highly regulated and complex. The industry is characterized by rapidly evolving technology, changing regulatory requirements, and shifting consumer preferences. Abbott Laboratories competes with other large healthcare companies such as Johnson & Johnson.

Abbott Laboratories' robust product pipeline is expected to drive growth in the coming years. The company is focused on developing innovative products that address unmet medical needs and improve patient outcomes. In addition to its core businesses, Abbott Laboratories is expanding into new markets and investing in digital health technologies.

Like any company, Abbott Laboratories faces a range of risks and challenges. One of the most significant risks facing the company is regulatory uncertainty. Changes in regulatory requirements could impact the company's ability to bring products to market and could also increase the cost of doing business. Another risk facing the company is the threat of competitive pressures. The healthcare industry is highly competitive, and Abbott Laboratories faces competition from established companies and new entrants. Changes in consumer preferences could also impact the company's performance, particularly in the nutritional products segment.

Additionally, Abbott Laboratories is exposed to geopolitical risks, such as changes in trade policies or political instability in key markets. The company's international operations also expose it to currency fluctuations, which could impact its financial performance.
The Charles Schwab Corporation is a financial services company that offers a wide range of investment services, including brokerage, banking, and financial advisory services. Founded in 1971 and headquartered in Westlake, Texas, the company operates through two main segments: Investor Services and Advisor Services. The Investor Services segment offers individual investors retail brokerage and banking services, while the Advisor Services segment provides custodial, trading, and support services to independent investment advisors. In 2020, the company completed its acquisition of TD Ameritrade, further expanding its client base and offerings.

Charles Schwab Corporation's management team is led by Walt Bettinger, who has been the company's President and Chief Executive Officer since 2008. Mr. Bettinger joined the company in 1995 and has held various leadership roles, including Chief Operating Officer and Head of Schwab Institutional.

Over the past few years, Charles Schwab Corporation has experienced steady growth in its key financial metrics. It is reporting increased revenue and increased profit margin. Charles Schwab Corporation's valuation metrics are generally in line with industry peers. The company's price-to-earnings ratio is slightly lower than the industry average, and the company's price-to-book ratio is also somewhat lower than the industry average. Charles Schwab Corporation's stock has generally performed well over the past few years, with some fluctuations in response to broader market conditions and regulatory changes. The company's stock price has outperformed the S&P 500 for several years. The company has also experienced increases in trading volume in response to changes in market conditions and regulatory changes.

Charles Schwab Corporation operates in the financial services industry, which has experienced significant growth and transformation over the past few years. The industry has been impacted by a range of factors, including advances in technology, changing consumer preferences, and regulatory changes. Charles Schwab Corporation competes with other financial services firms, including traditional brokerage firms, online investment platforms, and banks.

Charles Schwab Corporation has a range of potential growth opportunities, including expanding its offerings to meet the evolving needs of its clients. The company has been investing in technology and digital platforms to improve its services and attract new clients. In addition, the company's acquisition of TD Ameritrade has provided new opportunities for growth and expansion. The company also focuses on expanding its international presence and exploring new markets.

Charles Schwab Corporation faces a range of potential risks and challenges, including changes in regulatory and political environments that may impact the company's operations and profitability. The financial services industry is subject to a wide range of regulations, and changes in these regulations could significantly impact the company's operations. In addition, the industry is subject to intense competition, which could affect the company's ability to attract and retain clients.

Another potential risk is the impact of market volatility on the company's operations. Charles Schwab Corporation generates a significant portion of its revenue from commissions and fees, which are impacted by changes in market conditions. In periods of market volatility, clients may reduce their trading activity, which could affect the company's revenue and profitability.

The company also faces risks related to data security and privacy. The company collects and stores sensitive financial and personal information on its clients. Any breach of this data could significantly impact the company's reputation and financial performance.

To address these risks and challenges, Charles Schwab Corporation is focused on maintaining a robust regulatory compliance program and investing in data security and privacy measures. The company is also focused on diversifying its revenue streams and expanding its offerings to meet the evolving needs of its clients.
Exxon Mobil Corporation is the largest direct descendent of John D. Rockefellers Standard Oil and one of the worlds largest companies. Its earliest roots lie with Vacuum Oil which got its start in the 1860s. Vacuum Oils primary product was kerosene, an important advancement for heating and lighting in rural America. Vacuum Oil was later merged with Standard Oil of New Jersey which was the parent operation of the Standard Oil empire prior to its breakup. Standard Oil of New Jersey would merge with other independent operators over the next few years until settling on the brand Exxon for most of its operations.

Meanwhile, Standard Oil of New York was operating under much the same impetus, merging and growing, until it became known as Mobil. Then, in 1999, the two giants became one with a merger of equals that on paper had Exxon buying Mobil. Now, the combined company operates under the Exxon, Mobil, and Esso brands as an international vertically integrated energy and petrochemical business.

Today, the company explores and produces crude oil and natural gas and their derivative products globally. As of 2022, it was ranked 6th on Forbes Fortune 500 list and 12th on the Global 500 list but it has held positions from #1 to #10 over the years. In terms of its operations, it is the worlds second-largest oil refiner and the largest refiner outside of China. In terms of reserves, ExxonMobil claimed about 18.5 million barrels of oil and oil equivalents at the end of 2021 and was ranked 15th globally.

ExxonMobil operates through three segments that are the Upstream, Downstream, and Chemical segments. The Upstream segment explores for and produces oil and oil equivalents and represents roughly 70% of the income. The Downstream segment gathers, receives, stores, transports and refines oil and equivalents and their derivatives. The Downstream segment also markets and delivers fuel products to consumers and businesses. The Chemicals segment produces the full range of petrochemicals including plastics, resins and synthetic rubber.

ExxonMobil is committed to advancing sustainable and carbon-free energy solutions. The company is targeting 2050 for net-zero emissions and its 2030 interim targets are in alignment with the Paris Accord, the EU's Global Methane Pledge, and US Methane Emissions Reduction Action Plan. The companys plans include investing $15 billion into reducing greenhouse emissions by 2028.






MALDIVES: Maldivians cast their votes in the presidential election, marking a pivotal moment in a virtual showdown between India and China for dominance in the Indian Ocean archipelago. President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, seen as aligning with India, sought re-election against his main rival, Mohamed Muiz, who accused him of permitting an unchecked Indian presence in the Maldives.

Muiz pledged that, if elected, he would withdraw Indian troops stationed in the Maldives and address the trade imbalance, which he argued heavily favored India. Muiz's political party, the People's National Congress, is known for its pro-China stance. During Abdullah Yameen's presidency from 2013 to 2018, he integrated the Maldives into China's ambitious 'One Belt One Road' initiative, aimed at expanding trade and China's influence across Asia, Africa, and Europe through the construction of ports, railways, and roads.

Mohamed Shareef, a senior official from Muiz's party, asserted that the removal of Indian military personnel was a non-negotiable demand. He claimed that the exact number of Indian troops and their activities remained undisclosed to Maldivians, and they enjoyed exclusive access to specific areas and airports in the country.

India and China both vie for supremacy in this tiny archipelago consisting of around 1,200 coral islands strategically positioned along the main shipping route connecting East and West.

Solih was considered the frontrunner among the eight candidates, especially since his primary rival, Yameen, was disqualified from running by the Supreme Court due to his imprisonment on corruption and money laundering charges. Muiz hoped to capitalize on a division within Solih's Maldivian Democratic Party, which prompted Mohamed Nasheed, a charismatic former president, to break away and field his own candidate.

Over 282,000 eligible voters participated in Saturday's election, with a candidate needing to secure more than 50 percent of the vote to win outright. Otherwise, the top two candidates would face off in a runoff election later this month.

China and India Agree to De-escalate Tensions in the Himalayas: A Path to Peace

China's Controversial Clothing Ban: What You Need to Know
The earliest precursor to U.S. Bancorp was founded in 1863 and is now headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The company owns the 24th national charter, issued in 1863, and is the second oldest original charter holder still in existence. Today, the bank is the 5th largest financial institution in the U.S. and is considered to be systemically important by the FSB. The companys revenue in 2021 topped $22.7 billion, it listed more than $573 million in total assets and employed more than 68,700 people.

U.S. Bancorp Is now operating as a financial services holding company. The company provides various financial and banking-related services to individuals, businesses, institutions, and governments under the U.S. Bank, Elavon, and Elan Financial Services banners. Elavon is a payment processor for merchants while Elan Financial Services is a credit card issuer that works in conjunction with small banks and credit unions across the U.S.

The U.S. Bank's name got its start in 1891 as the United States National Bank of Portland. That bank was merged with several others over the years before the one resulting in US Bancorp of Oregon. That bank lasted until the late 1990s when it was merged with the First Bank System of Minnesota. That merger created the now-recognizable U.S. Bancorp but the mergers do not end there. A final takeover by Firstar, another bank with a long history of mergers, resulted in the bank being traded on the New York Stock Exchange today.

U.S. Bank operates in 5 segments that include Corporate and Commercial Banking, Consumer and Business Banking, Wealth Management and Investment Services, Payment Services and Treasury and Corporate Support segments. The companys long-term debt all carries AA or A+ ratings and are considered investment quality.

U.S. Bancorps financial services include deposits, checking, savings accounts, and CDs as well as a range of lending and investment services. Lending services include consumer and business loans, lines of credit and credit cards as well as personal loans, and others. Investment and insurance services include asset management, fund administration, IRA, and access to markets. Services are available through a network of 2,213 branch offices throughout the western and midwestern U.S. Accounts are also accessible through 4,052 ATMs, mobile, online, and telephone. U.S. Bancorp has operations in 26 states.
Merck & Co., Inc. is a US-based multinational pharmaceutical and healthcare company. It was officially founded in 1891 as the US arm of Merck Group, headquartered in Germany. Merck Group was founded in 1668 when Friedrick Jacob Merck purchased a pharmacy in Darmstadt, Germany. The company transformed from a pharmacy into a drug manufacturer in 1827 with the commercialization of morphine and the perfection of the manufacturing process. The company will later gain recognition for isolating and commercializing the manufacture of cocaine as well.

Merck Group sent Theodore Weicker to New York as its representative in 1889 and he quickly began to set up operations. The original investment of $200,000 resulted in a facility in lower Manhattan and the addition of Merck family member George Merck to the project. They began operations in 1891 and were in business as the US branch of Merck Group until 1917 and the onset of World War I.

World War I brought about the Trading With The Enemy Act of 1917 and the nationalization of Merck Groups US operations. Those operations were repurchased at a government auction only 2 years later with the help of Goldman Sachs and Lehman Brothers, but the split was done. The company retained rights to the Merck name in the US but remained independent. One of many noteworthy achievements in the post-War period is the discovery of streptomycin, which was revolutionary in treating tuberculosis.

In 1953 the company merged with Sharp& Dohme to form the then 2nd largest US drug manufacturer. The merger brought smallpox vaccines to the portfolio and opened a new avenue of research for the business. Since then, advancements in vaccine technology include treatments for mumps and chickenpox. Other notable advancements include the discovery of statins as a cholesterol inhibitor and work in veterinary medicine.

Today, Merck & Co operates through 2 segments and under 2 different names with a headquarters in Kenilworth, NJ. The company operates as Merck & Co in the US and as Merck Sharp & Dohme outside the US and Canada. The 2 segments are Pharmaceutical and Animal Health. Revenue topped $49 billion in 2022 and employed more than 68,000 people. The company has 8 research facilities near major university systems, including 7 in the US and 1 in the UK. As of 2022, the company had 82 pipeline products in Phase 2 trials, 30 in Phase 3 trials and 3 under review.

The Pharmaceutical segment researches discover and commercializes human health products in several areas of medicine. These include but are not limited to oncology, acute care, immunology, neuroscience, virology, cardiovascular, and diabetes. This segment has 6 blockbuster drugs as of late 2022, with each generating more than $1 billion in revenue. The leading treatments are Keytruda for treating cancer-related immune conditions, Gardisil which is a vaccine for HPV and Januvia for treating Type-II diabetes. The Animal Health segment discovers, develops, manufactures, and markets veterinary healthcare products and services. Both segments sell to healthcare facilities and distributors.
Schlumberger is an international oilfield services company with facilities in many countries worldwide. Founded in 1926 in Paris, France, by brothers Conrad and Marcel Schlumberger, it is currently the world's largest offshore drilling company and the most significant offshore drilling contractor in revenue. Schlumberger Limited was incorporated in 1956 as a holding company and listed on the New York Stock Exchange in 1962.

Schlumberger is a Fortune Global 500 company, listed in Forbes Global 2000, and has a 33-acre campus in Sugar Land, Texas. In 1981, Schlumberger became the first international company to link computers with email, and in 1983, the company opened its Cambridge Research Center in Cambridge, England.

In 2005, Schlumberger purchased Waterloo Hydrogeologic and relocated its U.S. corporate office from New York to Houston. It has since made numerous acquisitions, including Smith International in 2010, a deal valued at $11.3 billion. In 2010, Schlumberger acquired Geoservices in a deal valued at $1.1 billion. In 2014, Schlumberger purchased the remaining shares of SES Holdings Limited (Saxon). Schlumberger agreed to acquire oilfield equipment manufacturer Cameron International in 2015 for $14.8 billion.

As a global provider of technology, integrated project management and information solutions, Schlumberger supplies the petroleum industry with services such as formation evaluation, seismic data processing, well cementing and stimulation, well testing and directional drilling, artificial lift, low assurance and consulting, well completions and software and information management. Schlumberger is at the forefront of the industry with its carbon capture and storage industries and its continued investment in geothermal and hydrogen power.

Schlumberger has had environmental and legal issues, including a radioactive canister recovered in the Western Australian outback in 2006. Schlumberger was also a contractor on the Deepwater Horizon oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico. Despite these issues, Newsweek ranked Schlumberger 118 out of 500 in 2009.

In 2021, Schlumberger made news with the announcement of pilot project agreements between critical industry leaders and the French state. They also made news headlines due to a report of 21,000 layoffs, accounting for 15% of the company's workforce due to the global COVID-19 pandemic.

As an established player in the oilfield services industry, Schlumberger looks poised to continue to expand its presence in the industry and further its mission of providing innovative solutions to the world's energy challenges.
Gabriels International Injury: A Bitter Pill for Arsenal

The vibrant streets of North London have witnessed the rise of many Arsenal stars. One of them, in recent times, has been Gabriel Magalhaes. Yet, the adoration from the terraces could be heard with a tinge of concern after recent events on international duty.

A Star Sidelined

Its been reported by The Mirror that the Gunners might be bracing themselves for a substantial setback. Gabriel, the ex-Lille sentinel who has grown to be one of the mainstays in the Arsenal defensive line, faced a heart-stopping moment against Bolivia while donning the yellow of Brazil.

Ever since his move to North London, Gabriel has graced the Emirates with commanding performances. However, the initial days of this Premier League season saw him on the bench more often than not. It was only during a nail-biting encounter against Manchester United that the Brazilian truly announced his presence this term.

But as fate would have it, the enthusiasm around Gabriels resurgence could be short-lived. In a rather disturbing turn of events during Brazils game against Bolivia, where they emerged 5-1 victors, the Arsenal stalwart was seen applying ice to his thigh, a consequence of a gruesome tackle.

Anxious Times Ahead for Arteta

The anticipation around Arsenals trip to the Merseyside blue half  Evertons Goodison Park  is rife. Gabriel, with his imposing physique, seemed like the perfect antidote to the robust Everton frontline. But now, Mikel Arteta might have to rethink his tactics.

The Gunners season so far has been dotted with challenges. Jurrien Timber, Mohamed Elneny, and Thomas Partey  all faced the wrath of injuries. The situation with Elneny stands out, as a knee injury took him out of the frame since January. While hes expected to bounce back as predicted by the medical team, Arsenal fans would be raring to see him marshal the midfield again.

Young Timbers spell in London had barely begun before he faced a massive setback. An anterior cruciate ligament injury against Nottingham Forest cut short his promising run. And as for Partey, the Ghanaian dynamos recent injury means he might be absent for some pivotal matches against the Spurs and Manchester City.

An Uphill Battle for the Gunners

If theres one thing thats clear, its that for Arsenal to challenge Manchester Citys recent supremacy and improve on their previous second-place finish, Arteta will need all hands on deck. Keeping his primary stars in optimal shape is pivotal.

To put it simply, in the symphony that is the Premier League, Arsenal will need every note to be perfect. The recent events around Gabriel may have caused a slight discord, but the seasons tune is far from over. As always, in football, hope springs eternal.
General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee

Xi Jinping, also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, inspects a forest farm in Mohe in the Dahinggan Mountains, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Sept. 6, 2023. Xi inspected northeast China's Heilongjiang Province from Wednesday to Friday. [Xinhua/Yin Bogu]

HARBIN, Sept. 8 (Xinhua)  Chinese President Xi Jinping has called on the northeastern province of Heilongjiang to firmly grasp its strategic position in China's overall development, and strive to open new ground for its high-quality development.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks during his inspection in the province from Wednesday to Friday.

Xi stressed that Heilongjiang should turn its strengths into new development impetus and build and strengthen itself as an important national commodity grain production base and a heavy equipment manufacturing base, an important energy and raw material supplier, a vital guardian of ecological security in northern China, and a pivotal gateway for the nation's northward opening up.

He urged the province to play an active part in safeguarding national defense, food, ecology, energy, and industrial security.

At a forest farm in Mohe in the Dahinggan Mountains on Wednesday afternoon, Xi underscored that afforestation and protection of forests should be given equal priority, urging precaution against potential dangers to ensure that long-term achievements will not be swept away overnight.

At the Beijicun, or "North Pole Village," a riverside border village, he stressed the importance of increasing green coverage and protecting forests, calling for measures to enable people to increase their income on the basis of ecological protection.

Noting the importance of tourism sector in achieving high-quality development, Xi urged policy support to ensure that local scenery and snow and ice tourism resources generate more income for local people.

Concerned with the post-flood reconstruction, Xi on Thursday came to a village in Shangzhi City of Harbin, which bore the brunt of the recent flooding, where he checked the damage to rice crops and the reconstruction progress of damaged buildings.

Xi said that he felt reassured seeing that reconstruction was proceeding smoothly and that life and work are ensured.

Urging efforts to make sure those affected by the floods stay warm during the winter, Xi asked the local authorities to make detailed and sound plans as soon as possible on all matters related to people's livelihood such as food, accommodation, employment, education and health, leaving no loopholes.

He called for accelerating post-disaster reconstruction, minimize the agricultural losses caused by the disaster, and guarantee the disaster-stricken people relief and security.

At Harbin Engineering University, Xi underscored the work in education, science and technology and talent, and called for more accomplishments in building China into a leading country in those respects.

In light of the upcoming Teachers' Day, Xi extended festival greetings to faculty members of the university as well as all teachers across the country.

Xi heard a work report by the CPC Heilongjiang Provincial Committee and the provincial government.

Xi noted that sci-tech innovation should lead the overall industrial revitalization, urging concrete efforts to promote the high-quality development of advanced manufacturing, accelerate the upgrading of traditional manufacturing, and improve the primary, secondary and tertiary industries in all respects.

Sci-tech innovation resources should be integrated to spearhead strategic emerging industries and future industries, Xi said, adding that the province should enhance the core competitiveness of state-owned enterprises and guide the sound development of private enterprises.

The province should actively link with national industrial and supply chains, better integrate into the unified national market, and play a bigger role in bridging domestic and international economic flows.

He also emphasized the adherence to green development and establishing a sound economic system that facilitates green, low-carbon and circular development.

Heilongjiang should serve as a "ballast" in ensuring national food security, Xi stressed, urging the province to prioritize developing modern agriculture and take the lead in achieving modernization regarding agricultural equipment, science and technology, and operation and management, as well as in realizing agricultural informatization and the sustainability of resource utilization.

Xi said digital technology and biotechnology should be reinforced, and agriculture-related science and technology should be given greater prominence.

He also ordered efforts to create new modes of agricultural operation, forge industrial clusters, and speed up advancing rural revitalization to ensure modern production and living conditions are accessible to rural residents.

Tourism with distinctive cultural features should be vigorously developed, Xi said, noting that the winter economy should be fostered as a new source of growth, promoting the overall development of sports, culture, equipment, and tourism related to ice and snow.

Xi highlighted the efforts to maintain the original views of forests, rivers, lakes, wetlands and snow, improve the infrastructure in border areas and develop tourism in those areas.

A pivotal gateway for the nation's northward opening up should be built, Xi stressed, adding that more efforts should be made in coordinating trade, investment and platforms, as well as introducing measures in market access and flows of production factors to form a new pattern of all-round opening up.

Xi also stressed the need to improve the transport network oriented to the opening up toward Northeast Asia, while integrating more deeply into the Belt and Road cooperation, and participating more actively in regional cooperation.

On the ongoing education campaign launched by the CPC, Xi urged efforts to turn good practices refined during the campaign into long-term mechanisms.

He called for sound and coordinated planning for the campaign under specific guidance to ensure that concrete results are achieved.

Cai Qi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and director of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee, accompanied Xi on the inspection tour.

General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee

Xi Jinping, also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, inspects a memorial hall at Harbin Engineering University in Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Sept. 7, 2023. Xi inspected northeast China's Heilongjiang Province from Wednesday to Friday. [Xinhua/Xie Huanchi]

General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee

Xi Jinping, also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, talks with local residents while inspecting the Beijicun, or "North Pole Village," a riverside border village, in Mohe, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Sept. 6, 2023. Xi inspected northeast China's Heilongjiang Province from Wednesday to Friday. [Xinhua/Ju Peng]

General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee Xi Jinping, also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, inspects the yard of a homestay run by villager Shi Ruijuan at the Beijicun, or "North Pole Village," a riverside border village, in Mohe, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Sept. 6, 2023. Xi inspected northeast China's Heilongjiang Province from Wednesday to Friday. [Xinhua/Ju Peng]

General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee

Xi Jinping, also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, inspects the Beijicun, or "North Pole Village," a riverside border village, in Mohe, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Sept. 6, 2023. Xi inspected northeast China's Heilongjiang Province from Wednesday to Friday. [Xinhua/Xie Huanchi]

General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee

Xi Jinping, also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, inspects a forest farm in Mohe in the Dahinggan Mountains, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Sept. 6, 2023. Xi inspected northeast China's Heilongjiang Province from Wednesday to Friday. [Xinhua/Xie Huanchi]

General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee

Xi Jinping, also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, talks with representatives of faculty members and students while inspecting Harbin Engineering University in Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Sept. 7, 2023. Xi inspected northeast China's Heilongjiang Province from Wednesday to Friday. [Xinhua/Xie Huanchi]

General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee

Xi Jinping, also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, inspects a memorial hall at Harbin Engineering University in Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Sept. 7, 2023. Xi inspected northeast China's Heilongjiang Province from Wednesday to Friday. [Xinhua/Xie Huanchi]

General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee

Xi Jinping, also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, greets local residents while inspecting the Beijicun, or "North Pole Village," a riverside border village, in Mohe, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Sept. 6, 2023. Xi inspected northeast China's Heilongjiang Province from Wednesday to Friday. [Xinhua/Ju Peng]

General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee

Xi Jinping, also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, talks with local residents while inspecting the Beijicun, or "North Pole Village," a riverside border village, in Mohe, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Sept. 6, 2023. Xi inspected northeast China's Heilongjiang Province from Wednesday to Friday. [Xinhua/Yin Bogu]

General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee

Xi Jinping, also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, talks with villager Shi Ruijuan and her family members at the Beijicun, or "North Pole Village," a riverside border village, in Mohe, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Sept. 6, 2023. Xi inspected northeast China's Heilongjiang Province from Wednesday to Friday. [Xinhua/Ju Peng]

General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee

Xi Jinping, also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, inspects the Beijicun, or "North Pole Village," a riverside border village, in Mohe, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Sept. 6, 2023. Xi inspected northeast China's Heilongjiang Province from Wednesday to Friday. [Xinhua/Yin Bogu]

(Source: Xinhua)
BEIJING, Sept. 9 (Xinhua)  General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Chinese President Xi Jinping on Saturday sent a message of congratulations to Kim Jong Un, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) on the 75th anniversary of the country's founding.

(Source: Xinhua)
BEIJING, Sept. 9 (Xinhua)  Chinese President Xi Jinping on Saturday sent a congratulatory message to the 10th China-Central Asia Cooperation Forum, which opened Saturday in the eastern Chinese city of Xiamen, Fujian Province.

Xi noted in the congratulatory message that, since the establishment of the forum, its scale and influence have been expanding gradually. Through the forum, China and the Central Asian countries seek common cooperation and shared development, and have greatly enhanced mutual understanding and traditional friendship and written a new chapter in good-neighborly friendship and common progress.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the proposal of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), and the China-Central Asia Summit was successfully held in May, Xi said, emphasizing that China and Central Asian countries have taken the lead in jointly promoting BRI and their relations have entered a new era.

China-Central Asia cooperation has much to achieve and will achieve much under the new circumstances, Xi said.

Xi expressed the hope that all parties will take the forum as an opportunity to strengthen mutual learning, deepen cooperation in jointly developing BRI, and promote more fruitful results in developing China and Central Asian countries relations.

The 10th China-Central Asia Cooperation Forum was organized by the Good-Neighborliness, Friendship and Cooperation Commission of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and Fujian Provincial People's Government, with the theme of advancing friendly relationships and deepening mutually beneficial cooperation.

(Source: Xinhua)
Weather Alert

...FREEZE WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 9 PM CDT /10 PM EDT/ THIS EVENING TO 9 AM CDT /10 AM EDT/ TUESDAY... * WHAT...Sub-freezing temperatures between 21 and 27 degrees expected. * WHERE...All of southern Illinois, southwest Indiana, western Kentucky and southeast Missouri. * WHEN...From 9 PM CDT this evening to 9 AM CDT Tuesday. * IMPACTS...Frost and freeze conditions will kill crops, other sensitive vegetation and possibly damage unprotected outdoor plumbing. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...This hard freeze will bring an end to the growing season. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Take steps now to protect tender plants from the cold. To prevent freezing and possible bursting of outdoor water pipes they should be wrapped, drained, or allowed to drip slowly. Those that have in-ground sprinkler systems should drain them and cover above- ground pipes to protect them from freezing. &&
In this article, we are going to discuss the 20 most famous breweries in the US. You can skip our detailed analysis of the economic contributions of the beer industry, the social responsibility initiatives by breweries, and the recent buyback in the brewing industry, and go directly to 5 Most Famous Breweries in the US.

Breweries have become engines of economic development. They often do this by revitalizing old buildings that are no longer in use and usually in areas with cheaper real estate  all in an effort to minimize startup costs. However, this choice quickly becomes beneficial for all concerned. New businesses begin to surround these newly opened breweries to help take advantage of the increased foot traffic around the establishment. In many cases, one singular brewery has been the impetus for a whole towns revival.

Economic Contributions of the Beer Industry:

The country has come a long way since Prohibition and with 28.2 gallons per capita, beer was the most consumed alcoholic drink in America in 2022. As we mentioned in our article  Top 20 Oldest Breweries in America  the beer industry supported more than 2.4 million local jobs last year, and contributed around $409 billion to the national economy  equivalent to 1.6% of GDP. The industry also paid more than $132 billion in wages and contributed $63.8 billion in taxes to the national exchequer.

Americas beer industry has been flourishing for a few decades now and there were 9,709 breweries operating in the country in 2022  the highest figures ever in history.

Social Responsibility Initiatives:

As breweries have become part of the local community fabric, many have started giving back. Whether it is based on a portion of sales or through hosting a charity event, these small and independent breweries know they are only as successful as their small towns.

Raising money for local charities was a priority for Mitten Brewing Company in Grand Rapids, MI, from the day they opened. Since their launch in 2012, the brewery has raised over $350,000 for more than 50 local non-profits. And they are not alone.

Story continues

Local breweries all across the U.S. are dedicated to supporting the communities they inhabit. They do this by promoting a culture of social responsibility, collaboration, and involvement. Today, The Boston Beer Company (NYSE:SAM) remains a pioneer in the industry, and for more than just beer. Programs like Brewing the American Dream, in partnership with Accion Opportunity Fund, provided more than 3,900 loans totaling $91 million to food and beverage businesses in 41 states. Additionally, the program has helped these businesses create over 9,000 jobs and provided free business coaching to over 14,000 entrepreneurs.

At the end of Q2, 2023, The Boston Beer Company, Inc. (NYSE:SAM) was held by 30 hedge funds in the Insider Monkey database, with Southeastern Asset Management boasting the largest stake of 127,274 shares, valued at around $39.25 million.

Recent Buyback in the Brewing Industry:

The beer world is accustomed to hearing about big companies acquiring smaller craft breweries, but Boone-based Appalachian Mountain Brewing has recently bought its operation back from the brewing giant Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (NYSE:BUD). The beer behemoth originally inherited the North Carolina-based business in 2020, when it bought outright control of the Craft Brew Alliance. The craft co-operative, which was absorbed into the Budweiser owners Brewers Collective division, acquired Appalachian Mountain in late 2018.

Its surprising to see a small brewery purchase its brand back from a beer giant, especially in todays craft beer market. Acquisitions of craft brands have slowed in the past five years, as large corporations find less success in sales. AM founders, Kelischeck and Zieber, didnt divulge their reasoning for purchasing the brand back from A-B, but its a strategy that stands out among a sea of corporation-held craft beer portfolios.

Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (NYSE:BUD) is the Largest Beer Producer in the World but the company has been facing some headwinds in the American market after the recent controversy regarding its best-selling brand Bud Light, which resulted in the iconic brand losing its crown as the Top-Selling Beer in America after nearly two decades. Due to its falling beer volumes in the domestic market, the beer giant had indicated three months ago that it was looking to focus its efforts on fewer brands.

Although, as we mentioned in our article  17 Countries with the Highest Percentage of Non-Drinkers  billionaire Bill Gates portfolio management decided to initiate a $96 million position in the firm during the second quarter.

Broyhill Asset Management said the following about Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (NYSE:BUD) in its second quarter 2023 investor letter:

The largest detractors to performance over the quarter were First Horizon Corp (FHN), Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (NYSE:BUD), and Bayer (BAYRY). Problems at Anheuser Busch InBev began on April 1 with Dylan Mulvaneys social media post, which ignited a fiery backlash amongst Bud Light customers across Merica. With volumes down sharply, and competitors gaining share at BUDs expense, operational deleveraging is set to weigh heavily on US margins amid peak demand pressure in the second quarter. Despite severe US headwinds (second-quarter operating profit maybe half of last years levels), we still expect BUD to grow consolidated operating profit at a mid-single-digit rate for the full year. With current issues well understood and investor sentiment in the gutters, we see significant upside in a stock, which is approaching a double-digit FCF yield. With FX headwinds and rising input costs reversing course, increasing margins are likely to drive positive surprises into FY24 as continued deleveraging accrues more value to shareholders.

With that said, here are the Most Popular Breweries in the U.S.

20 Most Famous Breweries in the US

wavebreakmedia/Shutterstock.com

Methodology:

To collect data for this article, we referred to a number of sources, such as VinePair, 24/7 Wall St., Food & Wine, Reddit threads on breweries etc., looking for the Most Famous Breweries in America. We picked breweries that appeared multiple times in these sources, assigned them a score based on their number of appearances, and ranked them accordingly. When two breweries had the same score, we ranked them by their total number of check-ins on Untappd.

If youd rather have your alcohol distilled, here are the 20 Most Popular Liquor Brands in America.

20. Boulevard Brewing Co.

Insider Monkey Score: 5

When John McDonald tried out some Belgian beers on his trip to Europe in 1984, he became absolutely captivated with them. So much so that one day he decided to sell his house and invest in a craft brewery that eventually became the largest specialty brewer in the Midwest.

Boulevard Brewing Company was acquired by the Duvel Moortgat Brewery in 2013, in a deal worth an estimated $100 million.

19. New Glarus Brewing Company

Insider Monkey Score: 6

In 1992, Deb Carey raised the capital for a craft brewery startup as a gift to her husband Daniel Carey, establishing herself as the first woman to found and operate a brewery in the U.S. The Careys then converted an abandoned warehouse into the New Glarus Brewing Companys original Riverside Brewery. The first barrels rolled out in November 1993  the fastest micro brewery startup ever. New Glarus uses 100% natural ingredients to produce world class, hand-crafted beers.

18. Toppling Goliath Brewing Co.

Insider Monkey Score: 6

Founded in 2009, the Iowa-based Toppling Goliath Brewing Co. was a runaway success and is world-renowned for its IPA and barrel-aged beers.

Rated not only as the #1 Craft Beer in America, but also the Best Beer in the World by BeerAdvocate and RateBeer, Toppling Goliaths Kentucky Brunch Brand Stout is chocolate chip pancakes drenched with maple syrup, served with espresso and a shot of bourbon, all in one sip.

Toppling Goliath ranks among the Top 50 Most Famous Breweries in the United States.

17. Tree House Brewing Co.

Insider Monkey Score: 6

Tree House has eight of the 30 highest rated beers in the world on Beer Advocate and eight of the 40 highest rated beers on Untappd. Considering the sheer number of breweries in the world, it is crazy to believe that so many of the top-rated beers could be made by a single establishment. It wouldnt be an exaggeration to say that the Charlton-based beer maker is among the top breweries in the world.

Tree House produced 48,400 BBLs of beer in 2018 and had an estimated revenue of $48 million.

16. Lagunitas Brewing Co.

Insider Monkey Score: 6

The Chicago-based Lagunitas boasted $162.1 million in dollar sales in 2022, a 10.9% decrease from 2021. Lagunitas Brewing Co. and Alvarado Street Bakery, both from Petaluma, have recently joined for a neighborly collaboration to prevent waste and produce a beer made from leftover bread. The results are on tap as a limited-edition lager  The Toast of Petaluma. Lagunitas was acquired by Heineken N.V. in 2017. Lagunitas sits among the Most Famous Breweries in the U.S. in 2023.

15. Goose Island Beer Co.

Insider Monkey Score: 6

Anheuser-Busch acquired the Chicago-based Goose Island in 2011, in a deal worth $39 million. Since then, the beer giant has invested aggressively to establish a chain of Goose Island brewpubs in America, as well as internationally. The Goose Island So-Lo sits among the Best Low-Alcohol Beers in America.

14. Stone Brewing

Insider Monkey Score: 6

Stone Brewing was founded by Greg Koch and Steve Wagner in 1996 in San Marcos, California. Their mission was to create flavorful, amazing beers and provide an alternative choice for those who were unsatisfied with the industrialized beers dominating the market at the time.

Stone Brewing is among the Best Breweries in California. The brewery was acquired by Sapporo this summer, in a deal worth $165 million.

13. Firestone Walker Brewing Co.

Insider Monkey Score: 7

Known for its best-selling beers like 805 and Mind Haze, this California-based brewery was named the World Beer Cup Champion Brewery in 2004, 2006, 2010, and 2012. Firestone Walker merged with Duvel Moortgat USA in 2015, in a deal worth an estimated $250 million.

California is among the States with the Most Craft Breweries.

12. Bells Brewing Co.

Insider Monkey Score: 7

The Michigan-based Bells Brewery was acquired by Kirin-owned Lion World Beverages for an undisclosed amount in 2021. The deal brought Bell's into the same portfolio of fellow craft beer pioneer New Belgium Brewing Co.

Bells Brewery ranks among the Most Popular Breweries in America.

11. Deschutes Brewery

Insider Monkey Score: 8

Deschutes Brewery has always been family-owned and operated. An Employee Stock Ownership Program was set up in 2013, so employees now own a percentage of the company.

In its first year in operation in 1988, the public house sold 310 barrels of beer and today Deschutes is one of the Largest Craft Breweries in the US by Volume.

10. The Alchemist

Insider Monkey Score: 9

The Alchemist is a Vermont-based family-run brewery specializing in fresh, unfiltered IPAs. Today, The Alchemist operates two breweries in Waterbury and Stowe and distributes Heady Topper and Focal Banger throughout the state, with the occasional out-of-state shipment.

Heady Topper is an American Double IPA that ranks among the 60 Highest Rated Beers in America.

The Alchemist is one of the Top 10 Most Famous Breweries in America.

9. Allagash Brewing Co.

Insider Monkey Score: 9

During its 27-year history, this Portland-based brewery has won its fair shares of accolades and honors, while developing an almost cult-like following with its Belgian-focused beers. Their signature brew, Allagash White, has won four gold medals at the Great American Beer Festival.

Allagash donates 1% of its revenue to charity, with over $500,000 given to the local community in 2022.

8. Russian River Brewing Co.

Insider Monkey Score: 9

Russian River Brewing Company was established in 1997 by Korbel Champagne Cellars among the majestic redwoods in West Sonoma County. After 6 years, Korbel decided to get out of the beer business and agreed to transfer the brand and all recipes to their head brewer, Vinnie Cilurzo.

7. 3 Floyds Brewing

Insider Monkey Score: 9

The 3 Floyds brewery is known for making some of the best craft beers in the U.S. and for commissioning artists to design bizarre labels for their beers. The Zombie Dust Undead Pale Ale is a medium-bodied single hop beer that ranks among the Best Craft Beer Brands in the U.S.

6. Dogfish Head Craft Brewery

Insider Monkey Score: 9

Dogfish Head Craft Brewery was acquired by The Boston Beer Company, Inc. (NYSE:SAM) in 2019, in a deal that paid the founder Sam Calagione and his family $127.7 million in shares of the Samuel Adams maker, and $173 million in cash to its shareholders. Both, The Boston Beer Company, Inc. (NYSE:SAM) and Dogfish Head have each maintained their status as independent craft breweries.

Dogfish Head ranks 6th in our List of the Most Famous Breweries.

Click to continue reading and see the 5 Most Famous Breweries in the US.

Suggested Articles:

Disclosure: None. 20 Most Famous Breweries in the US is originally published on Insider Monkey.
The Raac concrete scandal is among the biggest public safety scandals in living memory. Amid the mass disruption of childrens education, it is becoming clear that thousands of lives are threatened by the possible catastrophic collapse of schools, hospitals, public buildings and social housing.

The structural collapses in schools that finally forced Prime Minister Rishi Sunaks Conservative government to reveal the danger posed, just days before the beginning of term, occurred without warning.

Over a hundred schools are fully or partially closed. At least 450 suspect the presence of RAAC (Reinforced Autoclave Aerated Concrete). In over a thousand, even the initial work of checking for the material has not been completed.

Successive governments, Tory and Labour, did nothing despite known risks. Concerns had been raised about the safety of Raac roof planks as early as the mid-1990s. The government only initiated an investigation into the use of Raac in schools in 2018 following the collapse of the roof of a primary school in Kent, just 24 hours after the onset of structural stress indicators.

In September 2022, the Cabinet Offices property arm told Whitehall property leaders, Raac is now life-expired and liable to collapse. In December 2022, the Department for Education (DfE) annual report warned, There is a risk of collapse of one or more blocks in some schools. A leaked email sent to Downing Street from senior officials at the DfE in December said many school buildings posed a risk to life. In August 2023, the Health and Safety Executive announced that Raac is now life-expired. It is liable to collapse with little or no notice.

The government only agreed to remedial work on 50 schools of the 150 confirmed to have Raac through its own survey and subsequent inspections. More than one in seven schools on the list, 22, were denied any urgent funding.

In Scotland, a Freedom of Information request revealed in May that at least 37 schools were built with some Raac. To date, 13 universities have announced closures of lecture theatres, science labs, student union facilities and other buildings.

The problem is far wider in scope. Raac was used in many public buildings projects from the 1950s until the mid-1990s. Unlike traditional concrete, it is estimated to have a lifespan of approximately 30 years and is susceptible to structural failure, particularly when exposed to moisture. It was often used improperly during construction, especially in roofing.

Reinforced Aerated Autoclaved Concrete (RAAC), close-up view [Photo by Marco Bernardini, own work / CC BY-SA 3.0

Matt Byatt, president of the Institution of Structural Engineers, said that any high-rise buildings with flat roofs constructed between the late 1960s and early 1990s may contain Raac, which he described as a bubbly, breezeblock type material which acts like a sponge.

Building surveyor Rapleys has suggested 5-10 percent of public buildings, including social housing, built in the 1950s-1980s are likely to contain Raac. Estates still occupied by residents have already been identified, with the social housing regulator writing to landlords warning them to investigate their stock urgently.

In the National Health Service (NHS), Raac planks are thought to be present in at least 34 hospitals in England, with more than 250 NHS buildings possibly built using Raac in Scotland. The government has said it will rebuild seven hospitals most affected, but only by 2030.

At the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Kings Lynn, ceilings built with Raac are presently supported by more than 2,400 props. Hinchingbrooke in Cambridgeshire has banned obese patients from having surgery in any operating theatres not on the ground floor. Collapse, as with schools, could release deadly asbestos fibres.

NHS England has sent a letter to all 224 NHS Trusts telling them to familiarise themselves with evacuation plans in the event buildings start to collapse.

Last month, Harrow Crown Court in north-west London was shutone of six court buildings using Raac. The Ministry of Justice is investigating whether prisons have been built with Raac and the Ministry of Defence has been examining hundreds of barracks and training facilities.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak meets Secretary of State for Education Gillian Keegan. [Photo by UK Government / Flickr / CC BY 2.0

The response of the government has been a stream of lies seeking to play down the scale of the emergency and justify its sociopathic disregard for life, with Education Secretary Gillian Keegan protesting against media sensationalism and Schools Minister Nick Gibb arguing that the response to Raac has been world-leading.

If the UK is world-leading in anything, it is in the destructive greed of its financial-corporate-political ruling class. The Raac scandal underscores the scale of social vandalism in a society run as a feeding trough for super-rich parasites, fuelled by the exploitation of the working class.

A decades-long looting operation, with wealth transferred from the working class and state services to the major corporations and the financial oligarchy, has gutted society. In 1991, the top 1 percent owned 18 percent of national wealth and the next 9 percent owned 33.4 percent; by 2021, this had climbed to 21.3 percent and 35.8 percent. What remains of the post-war welfare state is being starved to death.

Britains failed state

Even before news of Raac broke, schools were in deep financial crisis. The education capital budget was cut in half between 2010 and 2022, with warnings that up to 90 percent of schools will be in deficit in the next two years. The proportion of universities reporting a deficit has increased from 5 percent in 2015/16 to 32 percent in 2019/20.

In the NHS, between 2010 and 2019 the government spent 20 percent less per person on health each year than the average of 14 similar European countries, a cumulative underspend of 400 billion. Per person spending on social care fell by between 2.8 percent and 6.8 percent in the poorest three fifths of local authorities between 2011 and 2020.

In housing, around 165,000 social homes were lost (either sold or demolished without replacement) between 2012/13 and 2021/22, even as the waiting list for social housing grew to 1.2 million and private rents and mortgage costs spiralled out of control.

In public transport, more than half of trains departing Britains 15 busiest rail station were delayed or cancelled in 2022. Two-thirds of local bus routes have been cut since 2010, with a massive 20 percent drop last year alone.

Twenty six local authorities providing vital local services to millions of people are on the verge of bankruptcy, with several already going bust. They face a collective funding gap of 3 billion over the next two years.

Millions of workers are being thrown into destitution. Of the 6 million families in poverty, a third are in deep poverty (50 percent or more below the breadline) and struggling to buy food, energy and clothes, and to pay rent and bills.

Capitalist crisis, austerity and the Labour Party

The attempt by the Labour Party to capitalise on the behaviour of the Tories is grotesque. Much of the privatisation and enriching of the top one percent was carried out by Tony Blairs government (1997-2007), which proclaimed itself intensely relaxed about people getting filthy rich. His successor Gordon Brown ended his time in office by handing hundreds of billions to Britains banks and boardrooms following the 2008 financial crash.

From left, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer, former Prime Ministers Tony Blair and Gordon Brown ahead of the Accession Council ceremony at St James's Palace, London, London, Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022, where King Charles III is formally proclaimed monarch [AP Photo/Kirsty O'Connor]

Today, party leader Sir Keir Starmer heads a cabinet of ultra-Blairites committed to the continuation of Tory austerity, low taxes for the rich and nothing for workers and essential services. His Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves has denounced the Tories for overspending and his Shadow Health Secretary Wes Streeting has declared war on the NHS.

If Starmer were in office, the war on the working class would continue unabated, as would the war waged by NATO in Ukraine against Russia. He is just as reliant as the Tories on the trade union bureaucracy to suppress and betray the growing militancy in the working class that produced last summers strike wave and will break out again.

Multiple, interacting world crises, driven by the relentless pursuit of profit at home and abroad, have undermined all the parties of big business and created the conditions for an explosive eruption of class struggle.

In Ukraine, the NATO-Russia war continues to produce mass casualties so appalling that the media is under instruction not to report them. There is a constant threat of an escalation into a global conflict, with Britainwhich may soon host US nuclear weapons again for the first time in more than 15 yearsin the frontline. The order of the day is a rapid increase in military spending, reversing the post-Cold War peace dividend through the decimation of health, education and welfare provision.

The world economy is stuttering, even in previous engines of growth like China and Germany, with economists warning of storm clouds ahead and other euphemisms for crisis and recession.

Almost 230,000 people have been killed by COVID-19, and 2 million left with long-term debilitation thanks to an official policy of letting the virus rip. New variants of the virus are expected to surge again this autumn and winter.

For rank-and-file committees and a new socialist leadership

The working class faces not merely a struggle against a hated government, but against capitalism. It is the ownership and control of production exercised by the financial oligarchy and the division of the world into antagonistic nation states that is the root cause of deepening social inequality, the turn to dictatorial forms of rule, and the explosive growth of militarism and war.

Striking workers demonstrate in London, March 15, 2023

The attempt to make the working class pay for the deepening crisis of British and world imperialism has brought social and political tensions between the super-richplus the affluent upper middle class layers that serve themand the mass of working people to breaking point. This must now be given organisational and political expression.

The betrayal of almost every strike that has erupted over the past year, including those involving postal workers, rail workers, teachers, lecturers, nurses and other NHS workers confirms that no effective struggle can be mounted against the government and the employers without an organised rebellion against the trade union bureaucracy. This means building rank-and-file committees, democratically led by the most trusted workers, to organise a fightback which ties the struggle in defence of jobs and wages to one for measures to protect children, students and workers from the threat to life posed by Raac, and renewed surges of Covid-19.

This pitches the working class against the entire ruling elite, its Tory, Labour and Scottish Nationalist parties, and the state apparatus wielded as a weapon against workers. It is a political struggle against austerity, militarism and capitalism, and for socialism. It demands the building of a new party of the working class. The Socialist Equality Party, British section of the International Committee of the Fourth International, must be that new leadership.
A study recently published in Nature Medicine comprehensively assessed for the first time a broad range of impacts of COVID-19 up to two years after SARS-CoV-2 infection. It found that of 80 long-term consequences or sequelae of the disease, individuals with past infection remained at risk for 48 or 60 percent of them at two years post-infection. This compared to an elevated risk at one year post-infection for 69 or 86 percent of sequelae.

The implications of this fundamental result are staggering. It means that long past infection, people remain at risk for a broad array of serious, life-threatening health events impacting over half their body systems.

These events include hospitalization, stroke, chest pain, development of a variety of heart arrhythmias, heart failure, blood clots, dizziness, diarrhea, vomiting, kidney failure, loss of hearing, and loss of smell. They also include the onset of a variety of disorders including diabetes, inflammation of the pancreas, irritable bowel syndrome, liver abnormalities, mental disorders, opioid use disorder, joint pain, muscle pain, arthritis, headache disorders, memory disorders, and shortness of breath.

Relative risks by days after infection plotted for time periods of 3090, 91180, 181360, 361540 and 541720 days after infection, labeled by the last day of the corresponding time period. Heatmaps include (top row) nonhospitalized for COVID-19 during the acute phase of the disease (n = 118,238) corresponding to each sequela and (bottom row) COVID-19 hospitalization during the acute phase of the disease (n = 20,580). Relative risks were estimated in comparison to a noninfected control (n = 5,985,227). Sequelae are grouped by organ system. ACD, acute coronary disease; AIM, abnormal involuntary movements; AKI, acute kidney injury; CKD, chronic kidney disease; DVT, deep vein thrombosis; ESKD, end-stage kidney disease; GAD, general anxiety disorder; GERD, gastroesophageal reflux disease; IBS, irritable bowel syndrome; ICM, ischemic cardiomyopathy; ILD, interstitial lung disease; MI, myocardial infarction; NCD, neurocognitive decline; NICM, nonischemic cardiomyopathy; PTSD, post-traumatic stress disorder; PUD, peptic ulcer disease; TIA, transient ischemic attack; VTE, venous thromboembolism. NS, non-significant. [Photo by Bowe, B., Xie, Y. & Al-Aly, Z / CC BY 4.0

If there is any good news in the study, it is that the risks nearly all declined over time, including a return to baseline risk relative to the control group for some of the most serious events such as heart attack, pericarditis and myocarditis, cardiac arrest and death.

However, the risk did increase over two years for some events such as the development of inflammation of the bile ducts, called cholangitis. Furthermore, for the 60 percent of sequelae where the risk remains elevated, the rate of reduction of risk is considerably flattened over time, suggesting these risks could remain elevated above normal for a long time to come.

The study, conducted by noted Long COVID researcher Dr. Ziyad Al-Aly and his team at the Washington University in St. Louis, examined the differential risks for COVID-19 patients who had been hospitalized with the disease vs. those who had not. It found that individuals who had been hospitalized with COVID-19 had significantly higher risks over time for all sequelae, including at two years post-infection, than those who had not been hospitalized.

Notably, hospitalized individuals remained at significantly increased risk of death at two years post-infection, whereas individuals not hospitalized for COVID-19 had a risk of death similar to the control group after two years. The hospitalized cohort remained at elevated risk for 65 percent of COVID-19 sequelae at two years versus 60 percent for the overall COVID-19 population.

Individuals infected but not hospitalized for COVID-19 remained at elevated risk for 31 percent of sequelae at two years, including cardiovascular, coagulation, endocrine, gastrointestinal, kidney, mental health, musculoskeletal and neurologic sequelae.

Looking at changes in risk over time, these non-hospitalized individuals risk of death returned to baseline after 6 months post-infection. Their risk of hospitalization only returned to baseline in the final three months of the two-year period, meaning they were at increased risk of hospitalization for approximately 1.75 years post-infection. This was also the case for another 20 sequelae for which non-hospitalized patients returned to a baseline risk at two years, meaning that non-hospitalized patients are at risk for 57 percent of sequelae for 1.75 years.

Another important finding of the study is that at two years, Long COVID sequelae among non-hospitalized patients generated 80.4 disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) for every 1,000 people. By this metric, a DALY represents a year of healthy life lost to illness. Among hospitalized patients, the figure rose to a staggering 642.8 DALYs per 1,000 people. These figures are far higher than the burden of disability caused by both heart disease and cancer, which cause roughly 52 and 50 DALYs for every 1,000 Americans, respectively.

Commenting on the elevated DALY figures associated with COVID-19 infection, Dr. Al-Aly told CNN, When I looked at that initially, I was really shocked. Thats actually a huge number. He added, I think that we need to understand that infections lead to chronic disease and we need to take infection seriously.

Lines present the cumulative disability adjusted life years (DALYs) due to COVID-19 per 1000 persons (y-axis) by days after infection (x-axis). Bands represent the 95% confidence intervals. Plots are ordered, from left to right and up to down, by cumulative burden at two years after infection. PASC, post-acute sequelae of COVID-19. [Photo by Bowe, B., Xie, Y. & Al-Aly, Z / CC BY 4.0

The study had numerous strengths that increase the confidence in its results. It used a large electronic health record data set from the United States Veterans Affairs administration. This data set included large numbers of patients, with 138,818 COVID-19 patients and nearly 6 million control patients.

The researchers also conducted a number of sensitivity analyses to check for possible impacts of certain inclusion criteria for both the COVID-19 and control groups, as well for possible biases of the particular statistical methods used. These sensitivity analyses found that the results were not impacted. They included varying criteria related to vaccination status over time, re-infection with SARS-CoV-2, and the probability of healthcare utilization.

The study also used a negative outcome control. This means that they also studied outcomes that have not been reported in Long COVID patients, and thus they did not expect to see an elevated risk with COVID-19 at only two years post-infection. This was to ensure that there was as expected no differential risk between the COVID-19 and control groups. If they also found elevated risks of these kinds of outcomes, it would indicate potential problems with their statistical methodology.

For the negative outcome control, they looked at a number of cancers and confirmed that there was no differential risk in the development of cancer between the COVID-19 and control groups. Cancer is a particularly useful outcome to study at two years, because the development of cancer nearly always occurs over a longer timeframe. Thus, even if COVID-19 does end up being associated with increased risks of cancer at 5, 10, 15, etc., years post-infection, it would not be an issue at merely 2 years.

There are some limitations to the study. One limitation is that the researchers could not exclude from the control group individuals who developed COVID-19 but either were not tested at all, or self-tested or otherwise had a test outside the Veterans Affairs healthcare system. These tests would not be available in their data.

The net effect of this limitation, however, would be to improperly assign some risks of COVID-19 sequelae to the control group, and thus it would lower the differential magnitude of risks between the COVID-19 and control groups. So if anything, the study likely somewhat understates the risks of developing COVID-19 sequelae.

Another limitation is that being a US Veterans Affairs study, the population is not representative in two key respects. First it is an overwhelmingly male population and thus women are underrepresented. The researchers did not detect sex-specific differences in risk, but had too few women to detect anything but very large differences that one would not expect based on what is already known about Long COVID. Second, being a US-based study, the results are not representative of the entire world.

Of course the United States is an advanced industrialized nation, and as noted by leading worldwide COVID-19 experts in a recent Lancet editorial, its healthcare system has access to resources unavailable in most nations.

Even studying Long COVID sequelae in underdeveloped, resource poor nations is enormously challenging due to a lack of requisite infrastructure and resources, let alone their ability to manage tens of thousands and possibly millions of debilitated citizens. As the authors of the editorial note:

As we learn from the COVID-19 pandemic and better prepare for emerging threats, it is crucial to further investigate post-infection syndromes. These investigations will contribute to future pandemic preparedness and ensure that [low and middle income countries] are not once again marginalised in these efforts.

The pandemic has proven to be a global mass disabling event, as Long COVID advocates began to warn as early as 2020. As noted by the editorial, anywhere from 10 to 45 percent of those who suffer COVID-19 end up with Long COVID. Assuming conservatively that half of the 8.1 billion people alive worldwide have had at least one infection with SARS-CoV-2, that leads to a minimum of 405 million people now living with Long COVID globally, a monumental figure which exceeds the population of the United States.

A separate review article recently published in Nature detailing the specific biological mechanisms by which COVID-19 is thought to cause Long COVID notes that uncovering these mechanisms has been challenging because SARS-CoV-2 infection has an unprecedented array of effects on the body.

Despite the intensity and diversity of the research summarized, there is still much to learn and no theory about the causes of Long COVID is yet emerging as a leading one. The review article concludes:

The oncoming burden of long COVID faced by patients, health-care providers, governments and economies is so large as to be unfathomable, which is possibly why minimal high-level planning is currently allocated to it.

However, the authors are too charitable. The ruling class is not merely failing to plan for the oncoming burden of Long COVID because the burden is unfathomable. Rather, they are simply criminally indifferent to it and will not let any amount of human suffering come between them and their accumulation of wealth through the exploitation of the working class.

If adequate resources are to be invested worldwide in confronting the present and growing burden of Long COVID, the working class must organize and overthrow the capitalist system, take control of societys wealth and invest it in human need.
Forty-six Indian workers, most of them poor migrants, were killed last month in two accidents involving the collapse of bridge-construction equipment.

The second and more deadly of these occurred on the morning of Wednesday, August 23 in the northeastern state of Mizoram, near the town of Sairang located about 20 kilometres northwest of the state capital, Aizawl.

At least 26 poverty-stricken laborers died when a construction-gantry erected to build a section of a railway bridge collapsed shortly after it was put into operation. A construction gantry is a metallic structure that is built during construction and afterwards dismantled. It is used to place bridge segments on to the piers built to support them.

Mizoram bridge disaster. Collapsed gantry can be seen in the middle. [Photo: Facebook/Mercy Pa]

The workers were apparently crushed to death after the gantry-girder collapsed on them. A further three workers were reportedly injured and treated in hospital.

The portion of the bridge where the collapse occurred straddles a deep ravine in a terrain with undulating ground.

The workers killed in the collapse came overwhelmingly from a single district in the neighboring state of West Bengal. In many instances they were their familys sole breadwinners. The grieving widow of Saidur Rahaman told Outlook magazine that she cant take her eyes off a selfie he had sent on the morning of the fateful day. She further explained that on the day of the accident her husband had told me not to call him due to work pressure. So our two daughters asked him to send a photograph. He sent a selfie with the bridge in the background on Wednesday morning, which will be a lasting memory for us now.

The girder was built by a company named STUP Consultants and approved to commence operation by a committee of noted structural engineering professors and experienced bridge engineers under the leadership of the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) in nearby Guwahati.

That the structure collapsed despite this expert oversight indicates that those involved were grossly negligent, incompetent, or allowed themselves to be bullied by company and government officials eager to meet building deadlines (which often have bonuses or penalties attached to them.)

The Northeast Frontier Railways (NFR) has announced it is striking a 4-member commission to investigate the causes of this entirely preventable tragedy.

Prime Minister Narendra Modis office responded to the migrant workers deaths with a pro forma tweet. Pained by the bridge mishap in Mizoram, it declared. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. May the injured recover soon. Rescue operations are underway and all possible assistance is being given to those affected.

It has announced a measly ex-gratia Rs 200,000 ($2,400) payment for the next of kin of the dead from what is known as the Prime Ministers Fund. The injured are to be given the princely sum of Rs 50,000 ($600).

The Indian Railway Ministry also announced a further Rs. 1,000,000 ($9,600) for the deads families and Rs. 50,000 for the injured. Family members of the deceased, including mothers now compelled to work to feed their children, have demanded that they be provided suitable jobs.

The bridge is part of the state-owned NFRs 51 km. Bhairbi-Sairang New Line Railway Project, which the Modi government has touted as of national significance, because it will connect remote and strategically important parts of Indias northeast to the rest of the country.

The NFR is using all sorts of corrupt private contractors and, as is the case with every project of this sort, workers are paid a pittance and workplace safety is essentially non-existent.

Just three weeks earlier, a very similar accident took place in the western state of Maharashtra. At around 11:30 pm August 1, 20 workers including four engineers were killed after a girder spanning a high-tech mobile-gantry crane weighing 700 metric tonnes collapsed while it was being moved to build the next section of a bridge. Villagers residing nearby were the first to rush to the scene to rescue the workers.

Wreckage from Samrudhi Highway bridge tragedy [Photo: National Disaster Response Force, India]

The bridge is part of the 700-km long six-lane, fee-charging Samruddhi Expressway connecting Mumbai, Indias financial centre and second most populous urban agglomeration, to Nagpur, the states third largest city. This incident took place at Sarlambe village which is located about 80 km northwest of Mumbai.

According to the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC), a government entity that is operated like a for-profit private corporation, around 25 workers were standing on the top of the girder while the mobile-gantry crane was being moved to the next section.

Most of the dead were migrant workers from the northern state of Uttar Pradesh and the eastern states of Bihar and West Bengal. The fact that they are compelled to work at midnight performing such dangerous tasks speaks volumes about the utter criminality of the Indian ruling elite.

As is the case with the Mizoram NFR bridge, the Samruddhi Expressway is being built by private contractors whose sole motivation is to meet a deadline so as to preserve their profit margins.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde of the fascistic Shiv Sena party which rules in a coalition with the pro-business Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) condoled the deaths as is the usual ritual of these utterly cynical and corrupt politicians.

He announced a payment of Rs 500,000 ($4,800) to each family of the deceased and an insulting Rs. 50,000 to the injured. The principal contractor and the various subcontractors it has hired have also promised a Rs. 500,000 payment to the deads next of kin, and Modis Prime Minsters Fund is to allocate Rs. 200,000 to each of the deceaseds families. All told, this means that each family of the 20 killed in the gantry collapse will receive Rs. 1,700,000 ($20,000), a miserable sum.

The Chief Minister and his deputy, Devendra Fadvanis of the BJP, have announced a commission of inquiry. This is a ritualistic exercise.

The Indian ruling class and their political representatives are utterly indifferent to worker safety.

Most construction work in India is performed by day labourers who lack proper footwear (many go barefoot) or helmets, and neither the central nor state governments have moved a finger to insist that building contractors supply them. The embedded video in this article documents the horrendous conditions to which female construction workers, including those who are pregnant, are subjected.

Fatal accidents even on large government infrastructure projects are common if not daily occurrences.

On June 4, a portion of a highway suspension bridge under construction by a private contractor in the eastern state of Bihar collapsed killing one person and injuring at least 4. This was the second collapse of the same bridge during construction. Even today the reason for the first collapse has not been properly identified.

There were several other such tragedies in the past year. Last October, shortly after it had been refurbished and declared fit for reopening, a 143-year old suspension bridge collapsed in the city of Morbi in the western state of Gujarat, killing at least 141 persons.

All the empty government condolences, meagre compensations and commissions of enquiries are meant to divert attention from the real causes that are fueling these unending accidentsthe subordination of workers lives and livelihoods to the profit system.

Modis far-right BJP government has spearheaded the dismantling of an already notoriously weak regime of workplace safety and environmental laws. It has also gutted the labour laws that govern the so-called formal sector (comprised of large-scale enterprises) to promote the further casualization of employment through contracting-out.

The Indian governments statistics on workplace deaths and accidents are next to worthless since there is no rigorous mechanism for collection of data.

The British Safety Council cited a 2016 study performed by the National Institute of Technology Surat and IIT, Delhi. This study estimated 48,000 fatalities in workplaces every year, out of which construction work accounted for at least 11,614 of the fatalities.

Even these numbers are highly understated. The International Labour Organization conservatively estimates that over 1 million workers die worldwide every year due to workplace accidents and also notes that India and China are among the worst contributors.

In so far as the so-called commissions of inquiry ever find anyone responsible for major workplace tragedies, it is petty officials or low-level subcontractors. Left untouched are the top corporate executives, multi-millionaire owners and investors and the politicians in successive Indian and state governments who have created the legal framework whereby the employers can ruthlessly exploit the countrys workers without restraint.
This essay was submitted to the WSWS by Maxim Goldarb, the head of the Union of Left Forces of UkraineFor New Socialism party in Ukraine which opposes the NATO war against Russia and has been banned and persecuted by the Zelensky government. The WSWS unequivocally opposes the state repression of his and other left-wing parties in Ukraine and has published several articles of Goldarb over the past few months.

Recently, almost every day, we have been reading in the Ukrainian news or hearing on TV about state traitors who were exposed by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) or the State Office of Investigation (GBR) and prosecutors, because they are suspected of anti-state activities and treason. As a rule, traitors include well-known public figures or politicians who disagree with the governments policy, criticize it, speak out against the war and advocate peace, and reveal the corrupt motives and intentions of the current regime. More rarely, it is ordinary citizens who are exposed as state traitors for absolutely minor offenses: posts and likes on social media, public statements of their opinion, etc.

With this, the authorities pursue several goals:

1) Distracting the attention of Ukrainians from the governments miscalculations, mistakes, crimes and failures;

2) The formation of the image of enemies of the people;

3) The criminal prosecution of political opponents and rivals;

4) The creation and cultivation of an all-encompassing atmosphere of fear, mutual distrust and hatred in Ukrainian society, based on the principle, divide and rule.

Points 1, 2, 4 are above all aimed at achieving psychological results: it is an attempt at mass deception of society, plunging it into an abyss of fear and distrust, while distracting attention from reality. Point 3 allows the government to deal with its opponents by removing them from the political scene, by throwing them into prisons, mutilating and even killing them, persecuting them, by taking away their property and business.

For the uninitiated, the question undoubtedly arises: Why are opponents of the government and others often accused based on this particular article of the Criminal Code, this particular crimetreason? The answer is as follows: The definition of the crime of state treason in Article 111 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine is very vague and abstractly written. This gives the repressive apparatus the opportunity to charge anyone under it whom the president or his team decide to pick out.

It should be remembered that the current version of this law was written and adopted by the deputies of President Zelenskys ruling Servant of the People party. Thus, it is not surprising that it turned out to be just such a multilateral and vague law that can be interpreted in different ways, depending on the task at hand or the instructions received from above.

After all, you must agree that the concept of an act committed to the detriment of the sovereignty, territorial integrity and inviolability, defense capability, state, economic and information security of Ukraine can be interpreted in almost any possible way. Anyone can be described with these words. The most important and basic issue is this: Who in Ukraine today has the right to apply, interpret and evaluate this law? It is definitely not the courts, but, rather, the special services and prosecutors, and both of them are completely dependent on the president or his structures who appoint and remove them. Having come to power, Zelensky did everything to influence the appointment of all heads of the law enforcement system, and to place his people there. Now, during the war, he has managed to concentrate all the power over the judicial system in Ukraine in his hands, even though this goes entirely against the provisions of the Ukrainian Constitution.

The leadership of the investigative bodiesthe state office of investigation (GBR), the Secret Service (SBU), the prosecutors office, the police, and the office of economic security (BEB)and the judicial system are now fully controlled by and accountable to the office of the president. In fact, they are appointed and removed by it.

US President Joe Biden and Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kiev. [Photo: @POTUS Twitter]

Moreover, state treason is a particularly serious crime, and Article 111 provides for imprisonment of up to 15 years, while the criminal procedure law allows for the arrest of a suspect under this article without any right to bail or release.

Undoubtedly, any sensible lawyer from a democratic country would raise the concern: But to prove a persons guilt in such a serious crime, there must be obvious and irrefutable evidence collected in an exclusively legal way, such as materials of operational activities (e.g., wiretapping, reading correspondence, surveillance, video and audio recordings of conversations, meetings, actions, physical evidence, qualitative agents reports, etc.). And only on the basis of the totality of all such evidence and its comprehensive evaluation in court would it be possible to have a fair and objective judicial decision on the guilt or innocence of the accused person. And such a lawyer would be absolutely right...

But with one correction. In the lawyers country, in their judicial system it may be necessary to thoroughly prove the guilt of a person before the judge to bring him to justice. In Ukraine, since the beginning of the war, there is no such need. None at all. All that is needed is to simply detain and place the opponent of the authorities, the victim, in custody and thats it. Then, in the detention center the accused is confronted with unbearable conditions: He is subject to torture and ill-treatment, blackmail and abuse, and that for an indefinite period. The case is investigated, as it were, in a slow, very slow manner, and even if it goes to court, the arrested person continues to be held in custody. This is what is happening today. The whole world knows the terrible situation confronting left-wing activists and anti-fascists, such as the brothers Alexander and Mikhail Kononovich, the publicist and blogger Dmitry Skvortsov, the lawyer and human rights activist, Elena Berezhnaya, who is well known for her anti-fascist position, and many other public figure who have expressed oppositional views.

But, the reader will ask: Is it not impossible to grab and throw a person behind bars, accusing him of one of the most serious crimes against the country, just as the Gestapo once did in Nazi Germany, without even the slightest legal justification? It is possible. Today in Ukraine it is possible. But in order to give the appearance of at least some legitimacy to the ongoing complete lawlessness, the prosecution authorities (the SBU, the state office of investigation, and the prosecutors office) have learnedattention!to conduct expert examinations of a persons words and statements, their comments and posts on social media.

For this purpose, employees of the prosecution bodies take the words of any opponent of the current governmentwhether it is a post on social media, a speech on TV, or an article in a newspaperand appoint and conduct a special forensic linguistic examination, where the expert linguist answers the following questions posed to him by the investigation:

1) Is there anything bad directed against Ukraine in these words?

2) Is there anything in them that indicates that the person indirectly or directly supports the enemy?

3) Is there a causal relationship between these words and any following consequences?

And so on and so forth. As you will understand, any words, position, statement, can be called bad, simply because the forensic expert is operating based on highly relative and subjective evaluations and subjective perception. And the main question in such a case is to find the right expert, who will correctly evaluate the words of the victim of the regime and write the necessary expert report.

Where does this expert come from? How is this expert report written? And here it becomes particularly interesting for those who have not yet encountered the machinations of the current system of persecution of dissent in Ukraine. Part of the expert review can be carried out in state institutes of forensic expertise, where the expert will be given an order by the director of the institute, will fulfill it, and write what is necessary. Because in Ukraine now experts do not bear responsibility for anything, they can write anything they want.

In addition, there are also appointed experts whom the state system of persecution has helped to obtain the necessary license from the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine, allowing them to conduct linguistic examinations. They are on the payroll of the state system of persecution and receive a very decent salary, for which they simply clamp the expertise needed by the system. If you want a bad expert report, they will write a bad one; if you want a good one, they will write a good one. Then the conclusions of this expert report are made the basis for bringing charges and for the initiation of the prosecution of a person: First he is charged, then he is put on a wanted list, he is detained, arrested, imprisoned, and so forth.

This is how Metropolitan Pavel, the vicar of the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra, the main Orthodox monastery in Ukraine, was treated and this is how many opposition members of parliament, public figures, politicians, leaders of political parties that have been banned by Zelenskys government, and other state traitors were treated. This is how those are treated whom the current government considers its enemies but against whom the government has no evidence of guilt.

Think about how frankly silly and delusional the accusation of state treason against a former MP who owns a TV channel that was closed by President Zelensky sounds: He created a TV channel where anti-state opinions were voiced? Is it possible to believe that a conscientious, intelligent, real expert has checked the entire terabyte array of information, has reviewed several years of footage from the TV channel with thousands of politicians, activists, public figures, journalists, experts, specialists, viewers, and has checked and weighed billions of words and sentences and speeches? And that, on this basis, the conscientious expert was able to come to the conclusion that this TV channel had an anti-state, treasonous policy? Of course not. It is absurd. And yet in Ukraine, they amicably prepared an absolutely unsubstantiated expert report. And on the basis of this reports accusatory conclusions, a former peoples deputy was accused of state treason and put on the wanted list.

In total, over the last year and a half, more than 1,500 criminal cases have been opened in Ukraine under the article of high treason. In other words, on average, two or three criminal cases are opened under this article every single day.

To repeat: The conclusions of the investigative body (in our country, this is, in fact, the prosecution) which are arrived at in accordance with the law mean nothing to the court and are not proof of a persons guilt. Until the case is considered in court, no evidence plays any role at all. Only the evidence that is presented in court or investigated by the judge during the trial matters. But in order to accuse someone of a crime, the investigating or prosecuting authority must collect at least some data that would somehow testify to the correctness of the opinion of the investigating or prosecuting authority about the guilt of a person. This is where this inherently deceitful examination of a persons allegedly anti-state views comes in.

This does not mean that the accused will necessarily be convicted and found guilty. Rather, on the contrary, a normal court will find them innocent and their guilt unproven. But obviously, this will not happen anytime soon, certainly not until the current regime changes. And which of the political prisoners will live to see this, is, unfortunately, an open question 

Is information that is distributed about peace and that advocates for peace anti-Ukrainian information? For the current government, the party of war, for those who want this war to continue, who make money off it, and for whom the war means a prolongation of their political life cycle, the answer is: yes.
On August 31, the Socialist Equality Party (SEP) and International Youth and Students for Social Equality (IYSSE) held a memorial meeting in Jaffna, the largest city in Sri Lankas war-ravaged north, to honour former SEP general secretary Wije Dias. It followed a July 29 meeting in Colombo, marking the first anniversary of his death.

SEP/IYSSE meeting in Jaffna to commemorate the life and struggle of Wije Dias.

About 50 people, including workers, farmers, fishermen, youth and students from Kilinochchi, Jaffna, Karainagr, Pungudutivu and Velanai areas, attended the meeting. The Tamil daily Thinakkural carried an announcement about the meeting and Shakthi TV covered the event, broadcasting brief footage in its news bulletin the following evening.

SEP and IYSSE members campaigned among workers at Jaffna Teaching Hospital, Telecom and the Electricity Board and students at Jaffna University, prior to the meeting. The campaign attracted enthusiastic support from workers and students who wanted to learn more about a comrade who had dedicated his entire adult life to building the Trotskyist movement as the revolutionary leadership of the working class.

In accordance with the serious response of the SEP/IYSSE to COVID-19, the meeting was held with proper health precautionary measures, including mask wearing and maintaining safe social distancing. The meeting was chaired by T. Sambanthan, a longtime party member from Jaffna.

Commemorating of Comrade Wije Dias is equivalent to reviewing the history of not just the Sri Lankan working class but the international working class. Wije lived as a consistent revolutionary fighter for Trotskyism and its internationalist socialist perspective from a young age and until his death, Sambanthan said.

Sambanthan reviewed the decisive role played by Wije in leading the SEP, and its predecessor the Revolutionary Communist League (RCL), against Colombos anti-Tamil racialist war and in opposition to the separatist perspective of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).

This struggle, he said, was to unite Sri Lankan workers across Sinhala, Tamil, Muslim and other communalist divisions and for socialist internationalism, and he quoted from 25 Years of the Racialist War, a book written by Wije Dias.

It is important to bring a government of workers and peasant to power in line with socialist equality by overthrowing the capitalist government in order to end the racialist war and defeat the Tamil capitalists separatist program, and save the oppressed masses from poverty, the quote said.

SEP Political Committee member M. Thevarajah explained the political consequences of the decision of the Lanka Sama Samaja Party (LSSP), which claimed to be Trotskyist, to join a bourgeois coalition government led by Prime Minister Sirima Bandaranaike. This betrayal of the working class paved the way for successive Colombo governments to intensify their anti-Tamil discrimination, ramping it up to an open racialist war in 1983.

The ability of the RCL/SEP to fight against the racialist war, the speaker said, was made possible because of the struggle waged by the founders of the party, including comrade Wije Dias, to establish the RCL in 1968 in opposition to the LSSP betrayal. They responded to the political lead provided by the International Committee of the Fourth International (ICFI), which explained that the roots of the LSSPs actions were not in Sri Lanka but in Paris and in the role played by the Pabloite revisionists.

Speaking on behalf of the IYSSE, Dilaxan Mahalingam called on youth and students to continue the fight for the international socialist perspective waged by Wije Dias. The LSSPs betrayal created confusion and saw the emergence of petty-bourgeois nationalist formations, such as the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) and its eclectic mixture of Maoism, Castroism and Sinhala populism in late 1960s, and armed Tamil militant groups, he said.

Mahalingam explained the SEP/IYSSE campaign to build an international anti-war movement of workers and youth to stop the US-NATO war against Russia in Ukraine and to prevent the outbreak of an open nuclear world war and called on the youth in attendance to join this struggle.

SEP assistant national secretary Saman Gunadasa delivered the main report. He reviewed the courageous fight waged by RCL/SEP under Wijes leadership against successive Sri Lankan governments communalist war, and the LTTEs separatist political program.

Saman Gunadasa (right) addressing the Jaffna meeting with M. Thevarajah (left) translating into Tamil.

Gunadasa quoted from a WSWS perspective written by Wije following the bloody end of civil war in Sri Lanka in 2009: The SEP says to workers: this was not your war, and it is not your victory. We warn that behind the victory parades, a savage new assault is being prepared on the economic and social position of the working class.

Gunadasa then asked: Isnt this the stark truth what we have seen in last 14 years?

The speaker referred to last years mass uprising, across communal lines, against the then government of President Gotabhaya Rajapakse. He pointed out that Wije, in collaboration with the ICFI, had played a key role in writing the SEP statement, For a Democratic and Socialist Congress of Workers and Rural Masses in Sri Lanka! This Trotskyist perspective, the speaker said, was the only program advanced to prepare the working class to take power.

Gunadasa explained that the reactionary call for a bourgeois interim government advanced by opposition parties, such as the Samagi Jana Balawegaya and the JVP, with the assistance of the trade unions and pseudo-left parties like the Frontline Socialist Party, opened the way for Ranil Wickremesinghe to power.



The countrys grave crisis emanating from the global economic crisis, exacerbated by the US and NATO war against Russia and the COVID-19 pandemic, is being intensified and further imposed on working people through Wickremesinghes brutal IMF program, he said.

Gunadasa said the recent ICFI meeting in Turkey titled An Island at the Center of World History: Leon Trotsky on Prinkipo, was a confirmation of Wijes lifelong fight for socialist internationalism.



Comrade Wijes six-decade political battle against all reformist-revisionisti.e., capitalisttendencies, is reflected in this decisive meeting. It marks a new stage in the relationship between the international working class and Trotskyism and one that we must recognise by intensifying our fight in the coming days, weeks and months, Gunadasa said.

The speaker concluded by calling on those present to rekindle our faith and determination in Trotskyism by celebrating the revolutionary life of Comrade Wije and appealing to those not already members to join the SEP/IYSSE and fight to bring revolutionary leadership to the working class.
Friday marked the one month anniversary of the deadly Maui wildfires. The full scale extent of the devastation following the wildfires which erupted on August 8 is not being reported to any serious degree by the mainstream media. The confirmed death toll has remained at 115 for the last two weeks despite hundreds of people who remain unaccounted for. The official missing person list stands at 385, dropped from the previous 850 claimed to be missing, with many residents stressing that this is a gross underestimate.

Crosses honoring victims killed in a recent wildfire are posted along the Lahaina Bypass in Lahaina, Hawaii, August 21, 2023. Over a month after the deadliest U.S. wildfire in more than a century killed scores of people, hundreds remain missing. [AP Photo/Jae C. Hong]

While the fires are now mostly contained and do not pose a threat to any communities, water contamination continues with an unsafe water advisory being issued for some residents in the Lahaina and Upper Kula areas. Entry into the disaster areas is still prohibited in Lahaina and a health advisory remains in effect due to toxic chemicals and carcinogens in the burnt out ruins.

Although the media has essentially stopped reporting on the latest news from Maui, residents are still reeling from an ongoing disaster. A little over a week after President Joe Bidens short obligatory visit to Maui, claiming US government would be with the survivors of the fire for as long as it takes, impacted residents have been largely left to their own devices, many of whom either stay in hotels in the north of the island or are now homeless.

Anger is boiling over the pittance of help being offered by the local, state, and federal government. The Biden Administrations insulting offer of $700 per household and the overall negligent response of the authorities to a disaster that was long predicted continues to cause outrage.

At a Maui City Council Meeting on August 22, third-grade teacher Justin Hughey, who worked in Lahaina, pleaded with the council over allowing predatory private developers to prey on victims, saying, This is disaster capitalism... five billion dollars are coming to Maui and sticky fingers are here to take it all and develop everything without any input. Lahaina needs to decide what happens in Lahaina. And its not just there, its everywhere.

Residents pointed to the State of Emergency Proclamations issued three weeks prior to the fire with the stated purpose of streamlining development on the island and handing all decision making to an unelected official, Governor Josh Greens housing officer, Nani Medeiros.

The proclamation regarding homelessness is particularly disturbing as it waives numerous regulations for builders. Issued July 18, the proclamation suspends several laws, including historic preservation, environmental review, sunshine and collective bargaining, and replaces them with different rules designed to speed development under conditions where the median cost of a home is $1.1 million

At an August 24 meeting of the Department of Education in Lahaina, over 600 parents, teachers, and students expressed major opposition to the total lack of communication from the DOE and any assistance to families. Parents were livid over the DOE sending out an email to parents encouraging them to enroll their children at other schools in Maui.

The Superintendent said of the 3,000 students in the Lahaina schools, 1,200 had either registered for the distance learning program, had enrolled at other schools in central or south Maui, or had transferred to the schools on the other islands or the mainland US. This meant that over 1,700 students were still not enrolled amid the devastation.

Malia, a Maui resident, told the WSWS, Maui is a crime scene. Both Mayor Bissen and Govern Green are responsible for thisand Biden? Him too! Where is the $700 per family? That was pathetic. People still dont have that money, once it became clear what a disaster this was, he was an accomplice. He cant say, I didnt know. That money should have been immediately put in everyones bank account.

Malia also spoke to the massive social inequality on the island saying, Hawaii is the most expensive place to live in the country. Its in the top 10. $1,200 (a month) lands you a studio. People need everything because they lost everything. The Rock and Oprah are all millionaires, and are fine living up there. No one up there is coming down here to Lahaina. Theyre afraid to.

She described the homelessness on the island, saying, It exploded less than five years ago. Lahaina was the capital of homelessness. There are many disabled people. There were homeless people on Front Street, and now theyve had to move elsewhere. Theyve moved to the parks and endanger other people. The government is supposed to be helping them out, but theyre not.

Malia was also skeptical of official casualties lists, saying What happened to the 183 people that were floating in the water that the Coast Guard picked up? Bodies were being beached up on Lanai, which faces Lahaina. 115 is ridiculous. That number is mostly the elderly. The elderly cannot run. No children? No young adults? People in their 40s?

She added, I saw four 40-foot refrigerator trucks transporting people who died. They moved them somewhere. What about them?
The death toll from a powerful earthquake that struck central Morocco on Friday night has risen to over 800 with nearly 672 people injured, including 205 in serious condition, according to a preliminary report from the country's interior ministry.

The quake - measuring 6.8 - sent people rushing into the streets in Marrakesh and other cities.

Many of the deaths were said to be in hard-to-reach mountain areas - and at least 600 people were injured, said BBC.

It struck just after 23:00 local time on Friday night, at a relatively shallow depth 71km south-west of Marrakesh, according to the US Geological Survey.

Unverified video clips on X (formerly Twitter) show damaged buildings and rubble-strewn streets.

People are said to have been trapped under ruined buildings, and local hospitals have reportedly experienced an influx of arrivals, said reports.
(Bloomberg) -- Airlines and aircraft engine makers are racing to identify bogus spare parts that have infiltrated the global fleet via an obscure UK supplier, a potentially costly and complicated forensic endeavor affecting the worlds most widely flown passenger jets.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Southwest Airlines Co. said Friday that it had removed two suspect parts traced to closely held AOG Technics Ltd. from one of its Boeing Co. 737 aircraft, becoming the first major carrier to publicly disclose doing so. Hours earlier, CFM International Inc., the joint venture of General Electric Co. and Safran SA that makes the engines for many older-generation Airbus SE A320 and Boeing 737 aircraft, said parts with fraudulent documentation had been put on 68 of its power plants.

The widening scandal has shaken an industry where safety is the guiding principle, with exacting standards for aircraft manufacturing and maintenance that demands each component be verified. Regulators, airlines and other industry players have been scouring their records to hunt down the suspect components sold by AOG, the obscure supplier at the center of the crisis.

CFM, the worlds largest jet-engine manufacturer, filed a lawsuit in the UK against AOG Technics. The suit seeks an injunction to force AOG to provide more information to aid the aviation industrys search for suspect components. It also seeks to recover any parts in AOGs possession purported to be from CFM or GE.

In response to questions from Bloomberg News, which first reported on the AOG case, Southwest said that two low-pressure turbine blades were the components it pulled from one of its engines. The carrier took precautionary and immediate measures to remove them based on the fact they were supplied by AOG.

Story continues

The parts were found in an engine on a Boeing 737 NG, an older version of Boeings most popular model. CFM supplies engines to both the Airbus and the Boeing planes. In the last decade, both models have undergone a technical upgrade with new engines  the Airbus A320neo and the Boeing 737 Max  that use different powerplants not affected by the AOG case.

Still, the CFM56 model is the most widely used jet engine in service today. It has been used on single-aisle planes for decades, with more than 33,000 engines delivered to more than 600 operators worldwide. The single-aisle Airbus and Boeing jets are used by millions of passengers each day and by most airlines, mainly on short-haul flights.

To date, CFM and GE Aerospace have found 78 documents they say are falsified and which cover 52 CFM56 engine part numbers, along with two faked records for CF6 components. AOG has no direct affiliation with CFM or its partners.

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency earlier this week determined that the components backed by forged documentation included turbine blades, a critical component of an aircrafts propulsion system.

Airbus has said its aware of reports surrounding AOG, while Boeing has deferred to regulators on the topic.

Representatives for AOG could not be reached for immediate comment. Based on the UKs Companies House records, AOG was established in 2015. The supplier of parts to third-party engine repair shops was created by Jose Zamora Yrala, who hasnt responded to emails or phone calls seeking comment.

Safety is our first priority, and we are taking aggressive legal action against AOG Technics to accelerate the industrys ability to identify parts sold by this third-party with falsified documentation, a CFM spokesman said in a statement.

No incidents linked to the suspect parts have been identified, CFM and GE have said. EASA said last week that while the parts of questionable origin are a matter for concern, to date there have been no reports of problems resulting from the suspect unapproved parts.

Aircraft manufacturers, airlines and engine makers go to great lengths inspecting their equipment to identify faults or fatigue, a practice that has contributed to ever-lower incidents in an industry priding itself as being among the safest modes of transport. When unforeseen faults to crop up  even those that are not deemed a safety issue  they can lead to lengthy and costly repairs.

--With assistance from Albertina Torsoli.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2023 Bloomberg L.P.
A special purpose grand jury impaneled in Georgia last year to investigate interference in the 2020 election recommended charging 39 Republican politicians, operatives and lawyers with serious crimes related to former President Donald Trumps dictatorial efforts to overturn the vote. The number of criminals identified by the special grand jury is significantly greater than the 19 people charged last month by a Fulton County (Atlanta) grand jury overseen by Democratic District Attorney Fani Willis.



The report rebuts the central claim of the now-defunct House Select Committee on January 6, i.e., that the January 6 attack on the Capitol and the efforts to overturn the 2020 election were the work of Trump alone and a few enablers. After six months of witness testimony and careful deliberations, a majority of the 26 Fulton County residents who comprised the panel recommend charging dozens of Republicans politicians with felonies.



The 26-page report was released on Friday on the order of Fulton County Superior Court Judge Robert C.I. McBurney, who issued a redacted version of the report in February that did not include any names. McBurney waited to release the full report until after District Attorney Willis released her indictment last month.



The special grand jury met from June 2022 through December 2022 and heard testimony from 75 witnesses. Unlike the regular grand jury that was impaneled earlier this year, the special purpose grand jury did not have authority under Georgia law to issue indictments, only recommendations. Charges recommended by the special grand jury included a variety of feloniesfrom criminal solicitation to conspiracy to commit a crime, Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization (RICO) violations, forgery, filing false documents, perjury and influencing witnesses.



Eighteen of the 19 people indicted last month by the regular grand jury were recommend for charges in the special grand jury final report, including Trump, his coup lawyers John Eastman, Kenneth Chesebro and Jenna Ellis, and former US assistant attorney general Jeffrey Clark.



Those listed in the special purpose report, but not indicted last month, could still be charged with crimes related to attempting to overturn the election. That over half of them have yet to be charged with a crime, nearly three years after many of them began engaging in criminal activity, is a testament to the ongoing cover-up of Trumps failed coup, which had, and retains, immense support not only in the Republican Party, but also in major government institutions and in the ruling class.



In its report, the special grand jury recommend charges against Trump related to his January 2, 2021 phone call to Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger in which Trump implored Raffensperger to find the 11,780 votes he needed to overcome Bidens margin of victory in the state. The report also focused on crimes related to other efforts to pressure Georgia officials, false statements given before the Georgia state legislature, harassment of election workers, the breach of voting equipment in Coffee County, Georgia, and the gathering of fake electors.



While the final report does not include witness statements or jurors notes, it does include a breakdown of the statutes and the votes of each juror as to whether individuals should be criminally charged. Jurors could vote yea nay or abstain. In the case of Trump, jurors overwhelmingly recommended charges for RICO violations, witness tampering, filing false documents, criminal solicitation and intentional interference in an election.



The jury likewise recommend that the same charges be filed against top Republican lawyer Cleta Mitchell. Mitchell was on the January 2 phone call with Trump, Mark Meadows and Raffensperger. The New York Times previously reported that on the call, Mitchell pressured Raffensperger to turn over confidential voter data to be used by the Trump campaign to advance its stolen election lie.

Ex-President Donald Trump and Cleta Mitchell at the White House, August 18, 2020. [Photo: Tia Dufour]

Mitchell is a self-declared very dear friend of Virginia Thomas, the wife of arch-reactionary and notoriously corrupt Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas. Prior to the November 2020 election and in the lead-up to the coup, Mitchell served as a direct conduit between Ginni and Clarence Thomas and Trumps coup lawyers, including former Thomas law clerk John Eastman. As previously explained by the WSWS, the anti-democratic legal theory that state legislatures, not voters, choose presidential electors emanated not from Trump, but from Clarence Thomas and the Supreme Court.



It is highly revealing that Mitchell was not charged by the regular grand jury last month, despite the special grand jury overwhelmingly voting to charge her with the same crimes as those committed by Trump. The most likely explanation for this is the consistent attempt by the Democratic Party to conceal the fact that Trumps coup was not the product of one deranged fascist and a few enablers, but a wide-ranging plot that had the backing of virtually the entire Republican Party and high-level elements in the US state, including the Supreme Court. In failing to charge Mitchell, the Democrats are protecting the Thomases and the Supreme Court as an institution of class rule.

The special grand jury investigated the broader conspiracy, beyond Georgia, to overturn Biden victories in other highly contested swing states. Its report refers to the national effort to overturn the 2020 presidential election, focused on efforts in Georgia, Arizona, Wisconsin, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and the District of Columbia. In this connection, a majority of the special grand jury voted in favor of charging, under the Georgia RICO statute, former senators Kelly Loeffler and David Perdue of Georgia and current South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham.



Racketeering charges were also recommended against former Trump national security advisor and retired General Michael Flynn, as well as Cleta Mitchell and the current lieutenant governor of Georgia, William Burt Jones.

Former Trump National Security advisor and retired Gen. Michael Flynn on fascist Alex Jones InfoWars program, September 2, 2023. [Photo: Alex Jones]

Flynn, a prominent supporter of the fascist QAnon conspiracy cult, is an important link to forces within the military command who played a critical role in enabling Trumps mob to lay siege to the US Capitol in order to delay the official counting of the Electoral College vote on January 6. His brother, Gen. Charles Flynn, was among the Pentagon Brass who conspired to block the dispatch of D.C. National Guard troops to clear the insurrectionists from the Capitol. Since the failed coup, Gen. Charles Flynn has been promoted to the post of US Army Pacific commanding general. The Democrats failure to indict Michael Flynn is part of their cover-up of the role of the military in the January 6 coup attempt.

Then-senators Loeffler and Perdue were very public in their support for Trumps efforts to overturn the vote in Georgia. On November 9, 2020, two days after most media organizations declared Joe Biden the winner of the presidential election, Senators Loeffler and Perdue released a joint statement calling on Raffensperger to resign due to unspecified failures in regard to the election. Seeking Trumps support in their January 5 run-off elections, which they both lost, Perdue and Loeffler echoed Trumps lie that masses of illegal votes had been cast.



Less than a week later, Raffensperger publicly accused Senator Graham of calling his office and hinting that he should discard mail-in ballots from certain counties. Raffensperger said he was stunned that Graham, who at the time was chair of Senate Judiciary Committee, appeared to be suggesting that Raffensperger find a way to toss out legally cast votes.

On the same day that Graham called Raffensperger, Trump-aligned lawyer Lin Woodalso recommended for RICO charges by the special grand juryfiled a lawsuit seeking to block the certification of the election until every single mail-in ballot envelope had been inspected.



Responding to being named in the special grand jury report, Senator Graham obliquely threatened his political opponents should charges be filed against him. Im very worried about the country right now, he said. Fulton County is one of the most liberal jurisdictions in the country. I fear this will spread.

Former President Donald Trump listens as Senator Lindsey Graham, Republican-South Carolina, speaks at a campaign event at the South Carolina Statehouse, Saturday, January 28, 2023, in Columbia, S.C. [AP Photo/Alex Brandon]

Graham also reiterated his support for Trump, saying, I proudly stand with him. He denounced the special grand jury report as another effort by the Democrats to weaponize the law.

For his part, Trump claimed on his social media platform that the special grand jury report had ZERO credibility and was the work of an out of control prosecutor.
Nearly three months after Republican Texas Governor Greg Abbott, a fascistic acolyte of former president Donald Trump, deployed a 1,000-foot-long barrier of buoys accompanied by traps of razor wire in the Rio Grande, a federal judge in Austin ordered the state to remove the obstruction and stop building other barriers in the river.

A young man and a small child walk past a floating border buoy barrier on the Rio Grande. Tuesday, August 1, 2023, in Eagle Pass, Texas. [AP Photo/Eric Gay]

Governor Abbott announced that he was not asking for permission for Operation Lonestar, the anti-immigration program under which Texas constructed the floating barrier. Unfortunately for Texas, permission is exactly what federal law requires before installing obstructions in the nations navigable waters, Federal District Judge David A. Ezra wrote in his order on Wednesday.

Ezra ordered Texas to remove the floating barrier by September 15, however, on Thursday the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals put a stay on his order in place until a final decision was made on the matter.

Governor Abbotts office had immediately appealed Ezras order to the US Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit and released a statement saying the state is prepared to take this fight all the way to the Supreme Court.

The statement continued: Todays court decision merely prolongs President Bidens willful refusal to acknowledge that Texas is rightfully stepping up to do the job that he should have been doing all along.

The statement went on to openly defy the authority the federal government holds over matters of immigration and state Abbotts intention to ignore Ezras order.

We will continue to utilize every strategy to secure the border, including deploying Texas National Guard soldiers and Department of Public Safety troopers and installing strategic barriers.

The floating barrier, deployed in the waters next to Eagle Pass, Texas, consists of a long chain of orange buoys separated by serrated saw blades and was first deployed in the Rio Grande in July. Each buoy is designed to spin to make the barrier unscalabe and a submerged mesh net runs the length of the barrier so migrants cannot travel under it. Texas authorities have also placed barrels wrapped in razor wire as traps in sections of the river.

These inhumane obstructionswhich have already been attributed to at least three deathsare a product of Abbotts Operation Lone Star, a collection of anti-immigrant policies first launched in March 2021 shortly after Trump incited a coup in a failed attempt to takeover the government and Joe Biden was sworn in as President.

The umbrella that is Operation Lone Star consists of actions and policies such as empowering state police to arrest migrants and deport them across the Mexican border, lining the Rio Grande with empty shipping containers, and busing more than 30,000 migrants to Democrat-controlled cities across the US.

Every action taken under Operation Lone Star has resulted in the further immiseration of some of societys most vulnerable. Just last month, a three-year-old child died on one of Texas migrant shuttles on the way to Chicago.

Up until this year, the Biden administration has avoided any major political or legal confrontation with Abbott and the state government over Operation Lone Star. The Justice Department filed a lawsuit last month saying Texas did not receive necessary authorization for the buoy barrier from the US Army Corps of Engineers and that the barrier obstructs navigation on the river.

Judge Ezra said he believed that the Justice Departments lawsuit would likely succeed on the grounds that the buoys were erected on navigable waters.

Cynically, Texas attorneys argue the US Constitution gives the state the authority to repel invasions, which they say includes the illegal entry of asylum seekers crossing the Texas portion of the US-Mexico border. In a July letter to Biden, Abbott accused the President of impeding his states sovereign interest in securing its border.

The state also claims it did not need federal permission to construct barriers in the Rio Grande since it notified the International Boundary Water Commission, a body jointly operated by the US and Mexico, before it began construction.

The 5th US Circuit Court of Appeals is an all-Republican body. Only three weeks ago, the appellate court supported further restrictions on access to the abortion pill. Given the rapid stay on Ezras order, it is likely the court will send this case to the Republican-dominated Supreme Court as well.

Moreover, Texas escalating attacks on migrants has played a crucial role in the transformation of the Republican Party into a party that is fascist in all but name. In both his 2016 and 2020 presidential campaigns, Trump denigrated immigrants, called for vigilante action against them and promised to build a wall to block immigration. This years Republican presidential debate featured Florida Governor Ron DeSantis proclaiming he would dispatch US Special Forces into Mexico on his first day as president and called for migrants to be shot stone cold dead.

Regardless of which faction of the American ruling class prevails in this latest legal struggle, the plight of asylum seekers will continue. The Biden administration has also demonstrated it is no friend to immigrants, the overwhelming majority of whom are workers seeking escape from violence and poverty stoked by American imperialism.
A week ago, a Russian delegation led by Deputy Defense Minister Yunus-Bek Yevkurov visited Burkina Faso and met with the head of the military junta, Ibrahim Traore. Russia has not had a formal diplomatic presence in Burkina Faso since 1992, when the Soviet embassy closed as the Stalinist bureaucracy dissolved the Soviet Union.

After meeting with Traore, Yevkurov told reporters they had discussed military aid, nuclear energy and economic ties. He said, We will do our best to help you develop in all these spheres. I have already reminded your president of this. In the field of military cooperation, we will discuss the training format of your cadets and officers of different levels, including pilots, in our country.

The Russian-Burkinabe military talks highlighted both the explosive international geopolitical tensions emerging amid the NATO war with Russia in Ukraine, and complex political issues raised by the growing mobilization of African workers and youth against imperialism.

In this photo released by the Russian Defense Ministry Press Service on Saturday, March 4, 2023, Russia's Deputy Defense Ministers Yunus-Bek Yevkurov, left, Viktor Goremykin, center and Valery Gerasimov attend Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu's meeting with military commanders in Russia. (Russian Defense Ministry Press Service photo via AP) [AP Photo]

The junta in Burkina Faso, like those in nearby Mali and Niger, came to power amid deep popular opposition to French imperialisms 2013-2022 war in Mali and across the Sahel. All three juntas have asked France, the former colonial power, to withdraw troops from their countries. While Paris has called for Nigeria, Ghana, Ivory Coast and other countries in the French-backed Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to invade and topple the three juntas, Moscow is offering these juntas support.

Denunciations of Russian operations in Africa by NATO imperialist powers such as France reek of hypocrisy. They are part of a thinly-disguised attempt to maintain these powers crumbling domination of the region, including, potentially, by plunging the entire Sahel into war.

Thus French President Emmanuel Macrons dismissed the Nigerien, Burkinabe and Malian juntas ties with Moscow as anti-democratic and a baroque alliance of self-proclaimed pan-Africanists with neo-imperialists. Given Frances colonial past, and its wars against Algerian and Cameroonian independence that cost hundreds of thousands of lives, such remarks have no credibility. After a decade of bloody French operations in Mali and across the Sahel, masses of African workers and youth legitimately view them with contempt.

Nevertheless, bitter historical experience shows African workers cannot rely on military alliances with Moscow to oppose imperialism. The struggle against imperialism, which has deep ties with the African capitalist class, requires an African and international mobilization of the working class and oppressed masses on a revolutionary, socialist program, aiming to overthrow the economic power of the ruling elites. This is the lesson in particular of the French-backed ouster and murder of pro-Soviet Burkinabe President Thomas Sankara by Blaise Compaore in 1987.

Neither the post-Soviet capitalist regime in Moscow, nor the military juntas in the Sahel aim to carry out such a struggle. The Kremlin views the Sahel primarily as a bargaining chip in its dealings with the NATO imperialist powers amid the war in Ukraine. It would readily abandon African workers, as it did in the 1990s, if it believed it could thereby reach a deal with NATO.

As for the junta, it sits atop the state machine of the old Compaore regime. The junta now criticizes certain French imperialist interests, in response to mass popular sentiment in Burkina Faso and across the Sahel. However, the regime retains close ties to European and US capital, and especially the powerful international mining and energy conglomerates active in the Sahel.

Traore, a 34-year-old officer, came to power through coups in January and September 2022, shortly after French troops left Mali at the demand of the junta there. Last years coups in Burkina Faso removed President Roch Marc Christian Kabore, a puppet of French imperialism and longstanding ally of Compaore. During the coups, protesters in the capital, Ouagadougou, waved Russian flags.

The day after he took power, Traore gave a televised speech which did not cut ties with Paris but declared he would seek an additional partnership with Moscow. Referring to the bloody war France had waged in the Sahel as a partnership with the Burkinabe military, Traore said: The French have long been our partners, but we could have other partners now to support us. We are in fact in a partnership with Russia. We need to strengthen it.

Three months later, the Burkinabe junta ultimately requested that French troops leave the country.

Traore then traveled to Russia for talks with President Vladimir Putin at the July Russian-Africa summit in Saint Petersburg. This came just after protests in Niger, the country in the Francophone Sahel with the largest population and the most strategic uranium and oil reserves, led to the installation of a military junta in Niger via a coup on July 26. After mass protests outside NATOs main military base in Niger, the junta has now asked French troops to leave its territory.

Speaking to Putin in Saint Petersburg, Traore again hailed cooperation with Russia but also stressed that he views French imperialism not as an oppressor of working people and youth in Burkina Faso, but as a traditional partner.

He said, Let me assure you that our people support you and our government. You talked about the Russian Embassy, the Soviet Embassy that was closed in 1992, but we have already taken a number of steps to reopen it. I hope this will be done as soon as possible, whether it is an embassy or a Russian military mission. At present, our subregion is going through difficult times. It has found itself in a zone of turbulence. We want to change our policy. Some of our traditional partners are turning their back on us, and we see who our true friend is.

This is a more or less overt admission that, unlike workers and youth across the Sahel who want to expel imperialism from Africa, the Burkinabe junta is seeking to maneuver between the imperialist powers and the Kremlin. It is not leading, but rather blocking a struggle against imperialism.

This poses enormous dangers for the working class in the Sahel. Some of the issues raised by Putins alliance with regimes in the Sahel emerged this week, in reports that the Kremlin may provide security for the Niger junta. RIA Novosti cited a Russian intelligence report analyzing Washingtons plans to intervene against pro-Russian regimes in Africa and referring to CIA targeting of pro-Soviet African bourgeois nationalist figures in the 20th century:

The White House is working on different options to reinforce democracy in Niger. It does not support doing this via an intervention of ECOWAS, which has close ties with Paris. The Americans consider the physical elimination of putschists who count upon the support of the majority of the population as a more effective option. 

Starting in the 1960s, the Americans have sought to provide the African continent with strong national leaders. The CIA notably contributed to the assassination of Patrice Lumumba in the Congo, the toppling of Kwame Nkrumah in Ghana, and the arrest of Nelson Mandela in South Africa.

Today, the imperialist powers are doubtless seeking allies and support inside the regions ruling elites, to plot wars and the installation of new dictatorships to crush the anti-imperialist mobilization of workers and youth.

In the 20th century, they found anti-communist dictators like Mobutu Sese Seko, who led the ouster and murder of Lumumba in 1960, or Compaore, who ousted Sankara. Ruling circles in Africa were terrified that the social promises to the population made by figures like Lumumba or Sankara cut across their privileges and ties to imperialism. This took place, moreover, at a time when the African bourgeois regimes were much further to the left. Figures like Lumumba or Sankara were popular internationally and made a far stronger social and political appeal than the leaders of todays juntas in the Sahel.

The decisive question is a politically independent, Trotskyist strategy for unifying the working class internationally in struggle against imperialism and war. This is the great social force that can and must be mobilized in strikes and mass protests to cut across the counterrevolutionary schemes of imperialism and its local political allies. But this means overthrowing the bankrupt, national capitalist framework which the juntas and the Moscow regime seek to impose on the class struggle.

Mobilizing the revolutionary energy of workers and youth across Africa against imperialism requires making a political break with the national military juntas backed by Moscow, unifying workers and oppressed rural masses across Africa with their class brothers and sisters in America and Europe in a struggle against capitalism and for socialism.
According to multiple press reports, President Joe Biden has rejected requests by lawyers for five prisoners illegally held by the United States, first at CIA black sites and then at the Guantanamo Bay prison camp, that a possible plea deal include medical treatment for the physical and psychological damage resulting from years of systematic and sadistic torture.

Biden has also reportedly rejected the request of the prisoners, accused of conspiring to carry out the September 11, 2001 terror attacks on New York City and Washington D.C., that they not be held in solitary confinement if they agree to plead guilty in return for a life sentence.

In this February 6, 2002, photo a detainee is led by military police to be "interrogated" by military officials at Camp X-Ray at the U.S. Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. At the time the image was taken there were 158 alleged al-Qaida and Taliban prisoners being held at Camp X-Ray. At its peak, in 2003, the detention center illegally held nearly 680 prisoners. [AP Photo/Lynne Sladky]

The five men, including the alleged mastermind of 9/11, Khalid Shaikh Mohammed, were abducted shortly after the 9/11 attacks under the pseudo-legal provisions of war on terror legislation passed overwhelmingly by Congress. This legislation sanctioned the rendition of enemy combatants anywhere in the world, including citizens of the US, and their indefinite detention, without formal charges or a trial, at CIA sites and military facilities, where they were subjected to enhanced interrogation, i.e., torture.

A total of 30 prisoners remain in legal limbo at the Guantanamo Bay Naval Base in southeastern Cuba, outside of any constitutional judicial system and subject to the rules of so-called military commissions, in which the prosecutor, judge and jury are all military officers. The prisoners include, in addition to the five 9/11 detainees, Abd al-Rahim al-Nashiri, a Saudi national who is alleged to have helped organize the suicide bombing of the USS Cole in 2000.

For the past year and a half, the US government has been scrambling to resolve the cases of the 9/11 defendants while avoiding trials, which, even under the conditions of the military tribunals, could expose damning details of the government-sanctioned torture inflicted on the defendants. This would shatter US claims to be fighting for democracy, human rights and a rules-based international order in the proxy war in Ukraine against Russia and the escalating provocations against China, as well as other US interventions around the world.

Moreover, the undeniable use of torture to extract confessions of guilt could undermine the prosecutions even within the prosecution-friendly confines of the tribunal at Guantanamo. Under international law, the use of torture against defendants automatically renders the process illegal and requires the release of the detainees.

Military prosecutors and lawyers for the 9/11 prisoners have been seeking to negotiate a deal that would forgo trials and drop the potential for death sentences. They have been awaiting a signal from Biden on both the overall question of avoiding trials and reaching a plea deal, as well as the terms of such a deal. The White House, itself implicated in the torture regime and fearful of attacks from Republicans and even Democrats for anything short of a show trial followed by executions, has avoided weighing in.

On Wednesday, the New York Times and other news outlets cited reports from an anonymous member of the National Security Council that Biden had rejected the above-cited plea deal conditions requested by the defendants, while remaining silent on the presidents attitude to a possible plea in itself, as well as possible life sentences for the accused rather than executions. In this, Biden was following the recommendation of his Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin.

The five 9/11 defendants and al-Nashiri have been held by the US for more than two decades. Since 2006, when they were brought to Camp X-Ray at Guantanamo, the military has been seeking to bring them to trial. In an attempt to remove the taint of torture from confessions extracted from the prisoners, in 2007 the military prosecutors brought clean teams of interrogators to Guantanamo to obtain voluntary confessions, supposedly free of the barbaric methods previously used.

Those methods include sexual abuse, such as so-called rectal feeding, waterboarding, prolonged isolation, sleep deprivation, the pointing of live drills at the hooded heads of prisoners, and other depraved torture techniques. As the World Socialist Web Site wrote on September 1, in relation to the torture of al-Nashiri:

The depravity of al-Nashiris torture exceeds the most depraved of the depraved films in the horror film genreand is all the more horrifying because it really happened, and at the direction and with the approval of the highest levels of the US government.

Last month, in an exceptional ruling in the pre-trial phase of proceedings against al-Nashiri, the presiding judge, Army Colonel Lanny J. Acosta, Jr., threw a wrench into the clean team scheme of military prosecutors by ruling as inadmissible a confession supposedly obtained without coercion. In a 50-page ruling, the judge found that the clean team confession was categorically tainted by torture because any resistance the accused might have been inclined to put up when asked to incriminate himself was intentionally and literally beaten out of him years before.

The judge continued: Even if the 2007 statements were not obtained by torture or cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment, they were derived from it.

Acosta, Jr. is scheduled to retire next month, and military prosecutors have already filed an appeal of his ruling.

Writing on the judges ruling, the New York Times noted on August 26:

The government argues that Mr. [Khalid Shaikh] Mohammed voluntarily incriminated himself in his fourth month at Guantanamo Bay, nearly four years after he was taken into US custody. By then, CIA interrogators had waterboarded Mr. Mohammed 183 times. He had also been kept in chains, left nude, deprived of sleep and isolatedmany of the same techniques that were first used on Mr. Nashiri. Both men were threatened with return to the hard times if they did not cooperate with their captors in the black sites under the rendition, detention and interrogation program.

These methodswar crimes under international lawhave left prisoners irredeemably traumatized to the point of being functionally incompetent. One of the five accused 9/11 plotters, Ramzi bin al-Shibh, has been excluded from the plea talks because of questions about his sanity. Last month, a military medical board ruled him incompetent to either face trial or offer a plea.

In August, prior to Judge Acosta, Jr.s ruling in the al-Nashiri case, the Pentagon met with selected families of 9/11 victims and then sent a notice to all of the families alerting them to the discussions on a plea bargain that would forgo a trial of the five alleged conspirators and entail lifetime prison sentences rather than death sentences.

Aside from the fact that such an intervention would be entirely illegal in a civilian court, it was designed to elicit vocal opposition from a section of the families as well as from right-wing lawmakers.

More than 2,000 family members of victims of the 9/11 attacks signed a letter urging Biden to oppose any plea agreement with the alleged Al Qaeda plotters. This was followed two days later by an open letter to Biden authored by Republican Representative Michael Lawler of New York and signed by 32 other Republican members of Congress plus one Democrat, Representative Pat Ryan from New Yorks 18th Congressional District.

Ignoring the savage torture of the accused, the letter declared: We owe it to the victims and their families to deliver justiceand that should mean the death penalty for these murderers.

No one has been held accountable for the systematic state torture carried out under successive Republican and Democratic administrations, including the two-term Obama-Biden administration. These latest developments once again demonstrate the criminal complicity of the entire US political establishment in war crimes and police state methods.
Wildfires continue to devastate parts of the western Canadian province of British Columbia in the worst fire season on record for the province and the country.

Flames from the Donnie Creek wildfire burn along a ridge top north of Fort St. John, British Columbia, Canada, Sunday, July 2, 2023. [AP Photo/Noah Berger]

Although recent cooler weather and firefighting efforts have halted the rapid growth of many of the fires that were sparked during July and August heat waves, high winds and hotter weather at the beginning of this month caused fire activity to flare up on several active blazes in the provinces central fire zone.

These include the Wells Creek wildfire, which has grown to 79 square kilometres and forced the evacuation of remote areas north of Burns Lake including the Cheslatta Carrier Nation. The Rossmoore Lake fire, burning since July 21 approximately 10 kilometres south of the city of Kamloops, has grown to an estimated 110 square kilometres in size and is considered out of control.

The Great Beaver Lake wildfire burning in the Fraser-Fort George region since early July has grown to 107 square kilometres. New evacuation orders have been issued for the second time in a month.

The government has extended the Provincial State of Emergency to September 14 as hundreds of wildfiresalmost half of the 415 active fires scattered across the provinceare designated out of control and dozens of new wildfires continue to ignite every week.

The current 14 wildfires of note, which pose a serious threat to life and property, are mainly concentrated in the central and southern regions where hundreds of residents remain on evacuation order and over 20,000 on evacuation alert.

In the Shuswap area northeast of Kamloops, some residents have been allowed to return to a charred landscape described by one local firefighter as pure hell, after the Adams Complex wildfire sparked in mid July rampaged through the towns scattered around the lake, destroying some 200 properties.

To date, more than 2 million hectares of land have been destroyed by fire across the province. Roughly three-quarters of the fire damagearound 1.7 million hectareshas been in northeast British Columbia, which is covered in tinder dry boreal forest.

The Donnie Creek wildfire burning near the BC-Alberta border, the largest wildfire ever recorded in British Columbia, has burned more than 553 square kilometres of forestan area larger than Prince Edward Island. According to the BC Wildfire Service, the fire is still out of control and is expected to burn through the fall and winter.

This years wildfires in British Columbia have contributed to a record-setting increase in carbon emissions from wildfires in Canada. According to a recent report from the European Unions Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service, between January 1 and July 31, Canadas carbon emissions from wildfires totalled 290 megatonnes, already more than double the previous record for an entire year set in 2014. The emissions represent over 25 percent of the global total for 2023.

The wildfire smoke from BC has drifted eastward, prompting poor air quality advisories in prairie provinces of Saskatchewan and Manitoba and as far east as western Ontario. Forest fires can have a significant impact on local air quality and visibility and even at a low concentration are harmful to human health.

Capitalist-induced climate change producing extreme heat and extended droughts has weakened the resilience of forests already ravaged by the decades-long infestation of the invasive mountain pine beetle. These conditions, coupled with years of cost-cutting to fire emergency preparedness and response budgets, have led to an explosive increase in the scope and intensity of fires across the province.

In mid July, David Eby, premier of BCs pro-business New Democratic Party (NDP) government, called fire conditions in the coming months the worst in a century as fires sparked by lightning sprouted up in almost every corner of the province. Yet his government did nothing to prepare for the record-breaking fire season scientists had forewarned of as early as March.

Instead, it slashed its summer wildfire emergency budget from $801 million in 2021 to a meagre $204 million in 2023. The budget was already depleted by June, less than a month into summer. Over the past two years, with the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change warning that rising greenhouse gas emissions are pushing the world to the brink of disaster, the provincial government handed out $1.3 billion in fossil fuel subsidies.

Decades-long funding cuts have resulted in a woefully inadequate amount of firefighters to battle the increasingly monstrous fire season. Only a third of the provinces 126,000 firefighting jobs are permanent. The remainder are volunteers recruited on an ad-hoc basis, often lacking the training and skills critical to fighting fires safely and effectively. Already this year, four firefighters have needlessly lost their lives in Canada.

In August, the province allowed contracts for hundreds of critical international firefighters to expire. According to the Canadian Interagency Fire Fighting Centre, there are only 680 international firefighters left to battle the provinces wildfires, compared with a peak of 1,754 in early July, even though wildfires remain an extreme threat.

This year is Canadas worst-ever wildfire season on record, with more than 6,000 wildfires reported across the country. More than 15 million hectares of land have burned, shattering the previous record of 7.6 million hectares in 1989 as well as the 10-year average of 2.5 million hectares. Nearly 200,000 Canadians have been placed under an evacuation order this season.

In early August, when the province was being devastated by hundreds of fires during an extreme heat wave, the BC NDP announced that it would provide an insulting $880,000 in funding to help communities improve evacuation plans and local emergency alerting systems.

When it comes to protecting the population from climate related disasters, the BC NDP has adopted a policy of malign neglect together with its Liberal allies at the federal level. The ruling class as a whole in Canada is determined to make the working class pay for its imperialist war against Russia and China while underwriting the personal accumulation of wealth by the ultra-rich. Whether it is allowing the elderly and immuno-compromised to die needlessly from the COVID-19 pandemic or allowing fires to spread unchecked through vulnerable communities, the governments homicidal policy is the same.

In the aftermath of fire devastation in West Kelowna, big-business Liberal prime minister Justin Trudeau visited the areas evacuees who had lost their homes to the blaze. He was careful to avoid any commitment of any new federal spending or announce initiatives to help communities prepare for future fires.

In his signature hollow and sanctimonious manner, Trudeau announced that the government has a lot to learn, ignoring the glaring fact that for decades scientists have been warning about forests littered with highly combustible fuel in drought conditions that governments of all political stripes willfully ignored. When he took office in 2015, Trudeau neglected to reinstate the emergency preparedness funding that was eliminated by the right wing Conservative government under Stephen Harper in 2012.

The right wing BC United Party, formerly the Liberal Party, is exploiting the difficult situation to cynically advertise its own pro-business policy toward firefighting by peddling the Stay or Go model, a criminal program pioneered in Australia which effectively absolves the government authorities of any responsibility for evacuating residents threatened by fire or providing a fully professional, technologically advanced emergency fire service for all citizens. BC NDP premier Eby stated that his government is also considering better models to fight fires including Australias Stay or Go model.

The efforts of BC United to attack the NDP are thoroughly hypocritical. The social democrats are, after all, continuing the former BC Liberal governments policy of brutal austerity for public spending enforced by BC Liberal premiers Gordon Campbell and Christy Clark. When the NDP was elected after 15 years of Liberal Party rule in 2017, then NDP leader and subsequent Premier John Horgan boasted repeatedly that the NDP was sticking to the Liberals fiscal framework.
On Wednesday, students at West Virginia University in Morgantown rallied outside a meeting of the Faculty Assembly to support a vote of no confidence against university president Gordon E. Gee.

West Virginia University students protesting outside the faculty assembly, Wednesday, September 6, 2023

The vote was originally called by WVUs Faculty Senate on August 25th, following last months announcement of an academic transformation plan by the university administration aimed at addressing a budget deficit of $45 million, a deficit projected to grow to $75 million.

The plan aims to eliminate 169 faculty positions (7 percent of faculty) and 31 academic programs (9 percent of majors), affecting departments across the disciplines. At stake is the existence of the entire Department of World Languages, Literature and Linguistics; one of the best ceramics programs in the country; the only mathematics PhD program in the state; as well as other program in geography, music, art, urban planning and more.

The cuts are a frontal assault on the social and cultural rights of the working class in one of the poorest states of the US. In 2020, 17 percent of state residents were living below the federal poverty line of $26,500 for a family of four. That same year, 29 percent of children reported living in a family that did not get enough to eat or were behind on housing payments.

In a major show of opposition to the cuts, faculty on Wednesday passed the resolution of no confidence by a margin of 797-100. While the vote took place inside, students also expressed their opposition to the plan. After the resolution was passed, departing faculty were greeted by overwhelming support from those assembled outside.

Wednesdays events are only the latest in protests on campus, including a walkout by hundreds of students on August 21 and petitions circulated opposing these cuts that have gathered tens of thousands of signatures. In an open letter published on Thursday, three faculty members of WVU explained their opposition to these cuts, based on their defense of the democratic right to public education. They warned that, if the cuts went through, WVU will be left a Potemkin university; a false front; a gutted shell, and insisted on the critical role of public university education.

The immense opposition to the cuts at WVU has far-reaching political implications. There is a recognition that at stake in this struggle are fundamental social and cultural rights of the working class. Many students and faculty spoke to a WSWS and IYSSE reporting team on what motivated their opposition to these cuts, expressing great concern with the attack on culture, critical thinking, education and the militarization of American society.

Indeed, the attacks at WVU are inseparable from the explosion of US militarism and the preparations for a new world war. While students at WVU are told that there is no money for language, mathematics, music, and other essential elements of culture and education, the Biden administration and the Democratic party are continuing to send billions of dollars to arm Ukraine in a war that was deliberately provoked by US imperialism.

The same day that faculty and students protested the cuts at WVU, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken traveled to Ukraine to reaffirm the USs involvement in the war for as long as it takes, while also announcing the provision of a further $1 billion dollars from the US for weapons.

In the case of the cuts at WVU, the connection between war abroad and war at home is even more immediate. While the cuts are justified on the basis of a $45 million budget deficit, both Democratic and Republican lawmakers voted in August to fund a new cybersecurity center with the exact same amount$45 millionat Marshall University, 20 miles away from WVU. The same session rejected sending any funds to WVU to help address its budget deficit. The so called Marshall project is praised by Democratic and Republican politicians as a new East Coast hub for cybersecurity, which is playing an increasingly prominent role in all wars waged by the US abroad, including the proxy war against Russia in Ukraine.

Moreover, in June, less than two months before the cuts at WVU were announced, Democratic Senator Joe Manchin for West Virginia announced $3 million from the Department of the Army for a WVU program which, since 2019, has been engaged in the extraction of rare earth elements from acid mine drainage in West Virginia. The aim of the facility is to establish a domestic supply of rare earth minerals and critical minerals, which are central to any modern-day economy.

In announcing the funds, Manchin stated, I proudly secured this funding to support West Virginia Universitys efforts to increase our domestic supply of these minerals, strengthening our national security and economic prosperity. I cant wait to see how the entire nation benefits, and I will continue to advocate for resources for West Virginia University as they continue to lead the way in energy innovation. Joe Manchin, who is currently a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee and the Senate Armed Service Committee, is rumored to be considering taking over the presidency of WVU from the 80-year-old Gee who may retire next year.

As the World Socialist Web Site has explained, the presence of rare earth materials and critical minerals especially in China but also in Ukraine and Russia, are a major economic driving force behind the imperialist powers war against Russia in Ukraine, and the war preparations against China.

The provocative and aggressive character of the cuts at WVU can only be understood in this context. While the anger of faculty and students about President Gee, a multi-millionaire who takes home an annual $800,000, is understandable, neither the vote against him nor his actual removal would signify a solution to the problems. Behind the cuts at WVU is a definite strategy and policy of the entire ruling class.

They are part of a systematic effort to divert all social resources to the war effort and the enrichment of the financial oligarchy. From the standpoint of the ruling class, the cuts at WVU are but an opening shot for a frontal assault on whatever remains of the cultural and social rights of the working class, all of which were won through bitter struggles in the past. Unless opposed, the destruction of the languages, arts, mathematics and cultural programs at WVU will become the new benchmark for what is to come at universities across the United States and internationally.

Workers and students at WVU can only carry forward their struggle against this attack on their rights based on their own, independent class strategy. They must link up their fight to the struggles of other sections of the working class. In just under one week, the contract of 170,000 autoworkers expires across Canada and the US. The UAW leadership and the Biden administration are feverishly working to negotiate a deal to preempt a strike under conditions in which a former Ford CEO has stated that electric vehicles will require 30 percent fewer labor hours per car, signaling preparations by the UAW bureaucracy to push through major job cuts in the years to come.

The enormous opposition to the cuts among students and faculty at WVU and beyond, as well as a growing rebellion of rank-and-file workers in the UAW, at UPS and in other industries, are an indication of a rapidly growing militancy in the American and international working class. The critical question is now that of political program and organization.

In order to fight against imperialist war and the attacks on living standards at home, workers and youth must fight against their root cause, the capitalist system, and take up a fight for a socialism. A central component of this struggle must be the development of the International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees (IWA-RFC), which works to link up, coordinate and advance the struggles of workers on a national and international level, independent from the union bureaucracies. We urge students, alumni and faculty who want to discuss these questions with us to reach out to the WSWS and the IYSSE today.
I no longer know any parties, I only know Germans, declared Kaiser Wilhelm in his infamous speech to the Reichstag on August 4, 1914, when Germany began World War I and the Social Democrats (SPD) agreed to war credits. Chancellor Olaf Scholz's (SPD) call for a Germany Pact stands in this dark tradition. In order to impose its policies of austerity and war against the growing opposition, the ruling class is closing ranks.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz speaks on the second day of the budget 2024 debate at the German parliament Bundestag in Berlin, Germany, Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2023. [AP Photo/Markus Schreiber]

We need a national effort. Let's join forces! Scholz explained in his Bundestag (federal parliament) speech on Wednesday. I would therefore like to propose a pact, lets say: a Germany pacta Germany pact that makes our country faster, more modern and safer. Speed instead of stagnation, action instead of sitting out, cooperation instead of quarrels. This is the order of the hour.

His proposal is not only explicitly addressed to the Christian Democratic Union/Christian Social Union (CDU/CSU) as the largest opposition fraction in the Bundestag, but to all parties and organisationsthe federal government, the federal states, cities and municipalities, companies and authorities, associations and trade unions. Only together will we shake off the mildew of bureaucracy, risk aversion and despondency that has spread over our country for years and decades, said Scholz.

It is clear what the Chancellor means. The budget, which is currently being discussed in the Bundestag, is a declaration of war on the working population. It contains massive cuts and aims to launch the largest rearmament offensive since the end of World War II. According to the plans of the SPD/Green/Free Democrat (FDP) coalition government, 85.5 billion will flow into the military next year. This represents an increase of one third compared to the estimated figure for 2023 of 65 billion.

The new draft budget for 2024 shows only an increase of 1.7 billion to 51.8 billion (plus 1.68 percent) in military spending. But in addition, 19.17 billion will be spent from the 100 billion Special Fund for the German army (Bundeswehr), which the government decided on last year with the support of the opposition parties. And numerous other military expenditures are hidden in other budget areas. For the regime in Kiev alone, the government has estimated annual military aid of 5 billion.

Scholz made clear in his speech that the rearmament orgy will be intensified in the coming years and decades. We are now spending the 100 billion so that the Bundeswehr has the NATO quota of 2 percent (of GDP) available from next year. He continued that already today it is clear that we will have to finance an additional 25 billion, perhaps almost 30 billion for the Bundeswehr directly from the federal budget by 2028 at the latest.

Scholz justified the permanent militarization of the budget with well-known propaganda. The Russian war of aggression represents a turning point and threat to the security architecture in Europe and will occupy Germany not only in this, but many, many legislative periods to come. In fact, the leading NATO powers provoked Putins reactionary invasion of Ukraine and are now escalating the war further and further. German imperialism, which invaded Ukraine twice in the 20th century and tried to subjugate Russia, is once again pursuing the goal of becoming the dominant European military power.

In order to finance the German war offensive, the ruling class is organizing historically unprecedented social spending cuts. The seriousness of the situation was not served by rhetoric and populism, Scholz warned, but with everything we are doing now, we are helping to ensure that we will be able to raise this budget in the year ahead.'

The current draft budget already contains the deepest cuts in post-war history. The health budget alone is slashed by 33.7 percent from 24.48 billion to 16.22 billion, after it had already been cut by almost 40 billion euros the year before. There will also be far less money for education and numerous social benefits. For example, expenditure on the maternity convalescence centre and family holiday homes is reduced by 93 percent each, for youth education and youth meeting places by 77 percent, for free youth welfare by 19 percent, for student aid by 24 percent and for housing benefits by 16 percent.

And this is only the beginning. A campaign for even greater savings is already underway in the political establishment and the media. A column in Der Spiegel entitled The rollback of the welfare state has begun praises the German government for having drastically curtailed the original wishes of the Federal Minister for Family Affairs Lisa Paus for new billions for children in need.

Now, there is already a demand for able-bodied recipients of citizens benefit to become volunteers, and the next target is likely to be the pension at 63. For the ruling class, the current budget of 172 billion for the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs is simply unacceptable and will have to fall victim to the red pen in the futurewith devastating consequences for millions of workers and their families.

The deliberate impoverishment of the population in the name of rearmament and war goes hand in hand with massive attacks on democratic rights and anti-refugee agitation in the style of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD). In his speech, Scholz praised the governments decision to classify Georgia and Moldova as safe countries of origin as important progress in the fight against irregular migration.

I am very grateful to Federal Minister of the Interior Nancy Faeser (SPD) that she has also made very concrete suggestions for improvement to the federal states concerning repatriation in connection with the expansion of deportation detention and in many other areas. This too must be part of the Germany Pact, he stated.

Workers and young people must understand that the Germany Pact is a threat of war. Behind the official phrases of security, digitization and reduction of bureaucracy, it is about rearmament, war, social spending cuts and the establishment of a de facto dictatorship against the population. All parties and organisations of the ruling class are already working closely together. In eight federal states, the SPD, Greens, and FDP, which make up the so-called traffic light coalition at the federal level, rule with the CDU and in three with the Left Party. At the municipal level, all government parties have long been openly pacting with the far-right AfD, which is also integrated into political work at the state and federal level via the parliamentary committees.

The unions are part of this all-party conspiracy. Verdi, IG Metall and the entire DGB (German Trade Union Federation) already concluded a pact with the government last year, the so-called Concerted Action. They support the war policy and play a key role in enforcing the attacks. In the public service, the postal service and, most recently, the railways, in close cooperation with the government and companies, they enforced massive real wage reductions and a further deterioration in working conditions.

But the resistance to this is growing. This is demonstrated by the massive opposition across workplaces, which is increasingly reflected in the establishment of independent rank-and-file committees. The coalition government is despised just halfway through its legislative term. According to the current ARD Germany trend poll, only 19 percent of the population are satisfied with the government's work. Above all, Scholz's Germany Pact aims to conceal the fear of a social storm brewing beneath the surface. In their speeches in the Bundestag, the Chancellor and many other speakers repeatedly invoked social cohesion.

In order to prepare for the upcoming class confrontation and repel the reactionary offensive of the ruling class, workers need their own organizations and a clear political perspective. The Socialist Equality Party (SGP) supports the establishment of rank-and-file committees to organise the fight against social spending cuts and rearmament and war policies independently of all capitalist parties and the trade unions and unite internationally.

The only social force that can prevent another world war is the international working classthat is, the vast majority of the world's population, which today is more numerous and more connected than ever before, the SGP explained in its election manifesto for the European elections. It emphasized: Together with its sister parties in the Fourth International, the SGP is building a worldwide socialist movement against war and its cause, capitalism.

Stop the NATO war in Ukraine! No sanctions and arms deliveries!

Two world wars are enough! Stop the warmongers!

100 billion for daycare centers, schools and hospitals instead of armor and war!
In what was clearly meant as a declaration of solidarity with filmmakers Woody Allen, Roman Polanski and Luc Besson and a firm rebuff to the #MeToo campaign, which has relentlessly persecuted the trio, critics and the public at this years Venice Film Festival gave all three standing ovations on the occasion of the respective showings of their new films.

Director Woody Allen poses for photographers upon arrival for the premiere of the film 'Coup de Chance' during the 80th edition of the Venice Film Festival in Venice, Italy, on Monday, September 4, 2023. [AP Photo/Vianney Le Caer/Invision]

With their films effectively blocked from distribution in the US by the pressure of the #MeToo witch-hunt, both Allen and Polanski are currently blacklisted as thoroughly as the victims of the McCarthyite Red Scare in the 1940s and 1950s. There are no protests against this shameful state of affairs in the cowardly, intimidated US media generally or the film industry press in particular.

On Monday Allen, now 87, was cheered by admirers as he walked the festivals red carpet and was greeted with a lengthy ovation before and after the screening of his new film Coup de chance (Stroke of Luck). Visibly moved by the reaction, Allen left the Lido cinema, thereby cutting short what would have undoubtedly been even longer applause. The cheering crowd vastly outnumbered a group of around 15 who, in a side show on the red carpet, bared their chests to protest against what they claimed was the presence of rapists at the festival.

Disgracefully, Allen has been driven out of the American film industry, on the basis of decades-old claims, which were thoroughly investigated and found to be without the slightest merit. Coup de chance is Allens first French-language film.

Owen Gleiberman in Variety commented that in recent years, the drama of Allens career has all been offscreen, related to the refusal of companies to distribute his movies in the U.S., all due to the accusations of sexual abuse made against him by his daughter, Dylan. He has not had a film released in America since Wonder Wheel, in 2017.

The limit of Gleibermans protest against this shameful business is to ask mildly whether Coup de chance should be released in America? As a culture, I wouldnt be too surprised if we found ourselves debating whether the time has come to give Woody Allen, as a filmmaker, another coup de chance. Hardly a militant stance, but probably one that will nonetheless bring wrath down upon the critics head.

Woody Allens Coup de chance

The world premiere of Roman Polanskis film The Palace, a drama set on New Years Eve 1999 in a luxurious Swiss hotel, received a three-minute ovation from the audience at its screening. French director Bessons new film Dogman was also applauded after its showing at the festival.

In regard to Polanskis work, Reuters cites the comment of the films producer Luca Barbareschi that he had sold distribution rights across continental Europe, but not in France, Britain or the United States, despite the fact well-known actors from all three countries appeared in the film. The 90-year-old Polanskis last film, Jaccuse [An Officer and a Spy], a major work about the Dreyfus Affair, has never been seen in the US, Britain, Australia or New Zealand.

Predictably, the Venice event was preceded by a host of articles in the media referring to the controversial choice by the festival and its artistic director Alberto Barbera to include films by the three directors.

In a principled reply to such critics, Barbera told the Guardian: Im not a judge who is asked to make a judgment about the bad behaviour of someone. Im a film critic, my job is judging the quality of his films. (Another article in the Guardian on Friday about Allens situation referred to the fog of accusation that wont lift. It wont lift as long as publications like the Guardian continue to keep alive discredited and reckless allegations.)

Referring to Polanski, Barbera noted that three years previously the director had won the Grand Jury Prize for Jaccuse. Barbera commented to Deadline: Why would we have any doubt about inviting his new one if his last one just a few years ago did so well?  Were stuck in this useless situation that doesnt make any sense from my point of view. Roman has admitted his behaviour and accepted it was wrong. The victim has forgiven him multiple times. Why do we need to continue to attack an 89-year-old master of cinema? Barbera added that no one on his entire team, including its female members, objected to Polanskis inclusion in the festival.

Regarding Allen and Besson, Barbera rejected the main argument put forward by #MeToo that the claims and opinions of alleged victims should outweigh all considerations of democratic process and declared: For which reason should we ban a film from [either of them] when theyre not guilty in the face of justice? Why should we be more strict against them? We need to have faith in the justice system. He added that Allen had been completely absolved of any criminal offence, and he found the continuing hostility against the veteran director absolutely incomprehensible.

Barbera also noted that Besson had been cleared of all charges, adding that Were discussing things that dont exist. As a festival, my position is that we need to make a distinction between the behaviour of the artist and the art itself. Otherwise we need to reevaluate art throughout all of history.

Roman Polanski directing The Palace

Polanski continues to suffer from the attacks and sanctions. Based on an extradition treaty agreed between Italy and the US, the acclaimed filmmaker could not attend the festival, fearing if he did so he could be shipped off to the US in regard to events that happened nearly a half-century ago. Polanski is effectively barred from travelling to any country which has an extradition agreement with the US.

In addition, a recent documentary film by Mateusz Kudla and Anna Kokoszka-Romer, Polanski, Horowitz. Hometown (2021), dealing in part with Polanskis experiences as a child at the hands of the Nazis in the Jewish ghetto of Krakow, has only had a limited release in France and internationally. According to the individual in charge of the films distribution, Michele Halberstadt, cinema operators have told her they were not prepared to include the film in their programmes due to the climate of hostility against Polanski.

Polanskis mother was deported from the Krakow ghetto to the Auschwitz concentration camp, where she was murdered in 1943. Roman Polanski was 10 at that time. His father was imprisoned in the Mauthausen concentration camp but managed to escape death.

As a result of the unrelenting campaign by the #MeToo crowd, cinema-goers are being deprived of the right to see important films by some of the worlds leading directors.

The applause and the positive reaction to the three directors in Venice indicate that it is becoming increasingly difficult for the privileged middle class layers behind the #MeToo movement to maintain their campaign of slanders and misrepresentations. A series of court cases against prominent actors and cultural personalities accused of sexual abuse have collapsed ignominiously, most notably the cases against Johnny Depp and Kevin Spacey.

At the same time, masses of actors, writers and filmmakers confront existential issues in terms of their working conditions and incomes, a circumstance that has also served to push the #MeToo campaign into the background. Significantly, the Venice festival commenced with a boycott of the red carpet by a number of leading actors and filmmakers who expressed their full support for the demands raised by striking actors and writers in the US.
Heres how much you could save under the Alabama grocery tax cut  and what other tax relief you can look forward to.

An Alabama grocery tax reduction is now in effect, but Alabamians will only pay slightly less when they check out at the grocery store. Thats because the legislation only reduces the state tax by 1% for 2023, and food items will still be subject to local sales taxes.

When legislation for the tax reduction was finalized early this summer, Gov. Kay Ivey told reporters she is hopeful that the decision by the Legislature to slightly reduce the sales tax on certain food items will be truly felt by Alabama families.

The state can further reduce its portion of the grocery tax next year, but that additional reduction is not guaranteed. However, some taxpayers can look forward to additional relief in the form of Alabama tax rebate checks that will begin going out this fall (more on that below).

Alabama grocery tax

Alabama is one of only 13 states that still tax groceries . Before September 1, the state taxed groceries at a 4% sales tax rate.

The new law reduces the tax on certain food items to 3% through August 2024. This means shoppers may save $1 for every $100 spent on groceries. However not all items qualify for the grocery tax reduction. Here are some items still taxed at 4%:

Any prepared foods (for example, warmed slices of pizza)

Pet foods

Vitamins and supplements

Household items (such as toilet paper and laundry detergent)

Personal care items (for example, shampoo)

Alabama residents will still need to pay applicable state and local taxes on groceries, which can reach 7.5% in some areas of the state, according to the Tax Foundation .

That means that even with the reduced grocery tax, some shoppers will pay a 10.5% tax on grocery items (or $105 in taxes for every $1,000 spent on groceries).

Is Alabama getting rid of the grocery tax?

There is a possibility for another Alabama grocery tax reduction in September 2024. If enacted, the grocery tax will drop another 1%, making the state sales tax on food 2%. However, its unclear whether this reduction will happen. Thats because the reduction depends on tax revenue for the states Education Trust Fund. If the fund doesnt grow by at least 3.5% from the previous fiscal year, the additional grocery tax reduction will not happen.

Story continues

Even if the additional Alabama grocery tax cut becomes effective in 2024, shoppers will still pay local taxes on food items. Heres how much Alabamians would pay in taxes in the highest-taxed cities, even with a state grocery tax of 2%:

$9.50 on every $100 grocery purchase

$95 on every $1,000 spent on groceries

Approximately $895.28 per year (based on average yearly grocery costs for middle-class families as previously reported by Kiplinger).

Residents in lower-taxed parts of Alabama will pay less sales tax on groceries, but if the additional tax reduction isnt enacted in 2024, some Alabamians could pay even more in taxes than the amounts listed above.

Tax relief check for Alabama in 2023

Although Alabamas reduced grocery tax may only provide slight relief for residents, more relief will soon be on the way for many Alabama taxpayers. Income tax rebate checks of up to $300 ($150 for single filers) will start going out to eligible Alabamians later this fall. To qualify for the Alabama rebate check, taxpayers must meet the following criteria:

You must have filed a personal Alabama income tax return for the 2021 tax year.

You cannot have been claimed as a dependent on a tax return for the 2021 tax year.

Estates and trusts do not qualify for a tax relief check.

If you are due a rebate payment, you could see a deposit hit your account as early as Nov. 30, 2023. Taxpayers who did not list a bank account on their 2021 tax return will receive their rebate payment via a paper check in the mail.
SEATTLE, Sept. 8, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Alaska Air Group Inc., the parent company of Alaska Airlines Inc. and Horizon Air Industries Inc., today announced it will webcast a fireside chat with CFO Shane Tackett at 3:15 p.m. ET, Tuesday, September 12, 2023, from the Morgan Stanley Conference. The presentation will be webcast live at https://investor.alaskaair.com.

Alaska Airlines and our regional partners serve more than 120 destinations across the United States, Belize, Canada, Costa Rica and Mexico. We strive to be the most caring airline with award-winning customer service and an industry-leading loyalty program. Alaska is a member of the oneworld global alliance. With the alliance and our additional airline partners, our guests can travel to more than 900 destinations on more than 20 airlines while earning and redeeming miles on flights to locations around the world. Learn more about Alaska at news.alaskaair.com Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air are subsidiaries of Alaska Air Group.

Cision

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/alaska-air-group-to-webcast-from-the-morgan-stanley-11th-annual-laguna-conference-301922478.html

SOURCE Alaska Airlines
CHICAGO  Despite Chicago having one of the most lenient moonlighting policies for big-city police officers, some aldermen are looking to make the rules even looser and allowing off-duty cops to begin working security at bars and liquor stores.

A panel of City Council members is expected later this month to tackle the controversial idea that is part of a citywide policy that also prevents police officers from owning taverns or being bartenders. The ownership restrictions would remain in place under the proposal.

The measure is supported by some aldermen but was first pushed by West Side Alderman Jason Ervin, 28th. While Ervin said bars and liquor stores can be magnets for negative activities he doesnt think it is right for the city to forbid those businesses from hiring security guards who can arrest people, if needed, or for the city to prevent officers from legitimate employment.

Regular security officers dont have the power to arrest, dont have any statutory authority to do anything other than security, Ervin said, adding private security guards can only detain people until an officer arrives. A police officer can work at Home Run Inn but not a liquor store. I didnt understand the logic of that.  Everyone should be able to have off-duty (Chicago police officers). If (Home Run Inn) can have it, anybody else should.

But the proposal has drawn criticism from watchdogs who note the expansion could contribute to officer burnout and open up the city to liability issues.

Critics also said there was no pressing justification to expand outside employment when Chicago cops already have a more lenient policy than peers in other big departments and that if the policy was to change it should be done thoroughly and not on a piecemeal basis.

Inspector General Deborah Witzburg said Ervins proposed order is not only an unusual mechanism for CPD policymaking, but noted officers are already subject to fewer rules around outside jobs than other city workers.

Story continues

Most city employees have to get permission to work a job outside their city job. Most CPD employees do not, she said.

Ervins proposal was initially scheduled to be debated Friday during the councils Police and Fire Committee meeting, where Mayor Brandon Johnsons appointment of Larry Snelling as Police Department superintendent also faced its first aldermanic vote. Although aldermen canceled that meeting, its chair, Alderman Chris Taliaferro, 29th, said he planned to have both items heard later this month and Taliaferro, a former Chicago cop, voiced general support for loosening the moonlighting ban.

Taliaferro said he worked multiple jobs and went to law school while he worked for the Police Department and noted he does not support another proposed ordinance prohibiting aldermen from any type of outside employment.

In my opinion, to say you can or cannot work somewhere to help meet your needs is somewhat out of what I believe we should be dabbling in as elected officials, Taliaferro said. Theres a justice system if someone decides to go astray.

Alderman Brian Hopkins, 2nd, who chairs the councils Public Safety Committee, said he supported Ervins proposal. He has sometimes required businesses operation plans to include security that are staffed by off-duty police  most are from suburban departments.

Why are we purposely denying Chicago residents who happen to be police officers extra income if they want? Hopkins asked.

During his tenure as an alderman, Ervin has supported efforts pushed by liquor stores both citywide and in his ward.

The Tribune previously detailed that Ervin didnt stand in the way of allowing Da Icehouse, the only stand-alone liquor store in the ward at the time, to extend its hours despite violence and liquor license violations there in the past. Ervin also received thousands of dollars in campaign contributions from the liquor stores operators. Ervin was also one of the aldermen who pushed back on former Mayor Lori Lightfoots liquor store curfew during the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to current directives  last updated in April  CPD employees are barred from working in bars, liquor stores, as well as engaging directly or indirectly in the ownership, maintenance, or operation of a tavern or retail liquor establishment, or serving as a bartender to dispense intoxicating liquor or to serve as a cocktail waiter/waitress.

There is a separate CPD rule that has been in place since 1979 barring officers from engaging directly or indirectly in the ownership, maintenance, or operation of a tavern or retail liquor establishment.

Police Department employees are also not allowed to work for licensed cannabis dispensaries, growing operations or transportation companies; businesses that would bring either the Department or the Department member into disrespect or disfavor; or result in a conflict of interest. Nor are officers supposed to work when they are on the medical roll for any reason.

But CPD does not have a way of tracking where most of its employees work in their off hours. Exempt and civilian employees are required to fill out an outside employment form and receive approval to work outside jobs. Captains, lieutenants and sergeants must fill out a secondary employment notice that reports their expected hours and employer if they want to hold an outside job.

But sworn, unionized members are not required to disclose outside employment or seek permission to work a second job, according to the directive. Contract provisions for sworn officers represented by the local Fraternal Order of Police state cops arent required to disclose any item of his or her property, income, assets, source of income, debts, or personal or domestic expenditures.

CPDs secondary employment policy is one of the weakest of the nations largest police departments, a 2017 review by the Chicago Reporter and WBBM-Ch. 2 found. Of the 50 biggest departments the news outlets reviewed, 48 required officers get permission to work a second job and more than half required officers fill out paperwork about those second jobs at least annually. More than two-thirds of departments limited the number of hours officers could work outside their police hours, and 28 banned work for specific industries such as casinos, strip clubs or acting as a broker for a private security company.

Though records and interviews suggested cops worked at bars anyway, the departments bureau of internal affairs did not discipline any officers for violating the policy between 2010 and 2017, the report found.

There is also more of a liability risk if the city loosens the policy, Witzburg said.

The Department of Justice and others raised concerns about CPD officers moonlighting in its 2017 investigation into police use of force in Chicago. A DOJ footnote stated a significant amount of alleged officer misconduct involved off-duty work. While federal authorities did not fully investigate CPD oversight of secondary jobs, the review that we did undertake indicated that there is a need for a thorough review of the policies and accountability measures related to officers secondary employment.

The Reporter/CBS-2 report found the city had paid more than $10 million in settlements for 32 lawsuits involving cops working other jobs.

A 2017 city inspector generals office review also raised concerns about officer fatigue, stress and burnout from secondary employment. The IGs office  at the time led by Witzburgs predecessor Joe Ferguson  encouraged the city to pursue a more rigorous secondary employment policy when it was negotiating its new contract with officers.

Staffing issues and morale make the burnout question even more relevant, Witzburg said.

We need officers well enough rested to make decisions that are safe, she said. How much time people are spending working second jobs is part of that question, part of that concern.

But no moonlighting changes were included in the agreement Lightfoot signed with the FOP in 2021. It was a risk management issue that Lightfoot told Axios she wanted to still address in arbitration talks with the union.

Ervin said he hadnt discussed the change with union leadership.

FOP President John Catanzara confirmed that loosening the policy was not an idea he or the union proposed, saying he had no idea what prompted the sudden and bizarre attempt to change the rules.

Its not something we championed or pushed or even asked about, he said. He added the city has for the last two years sought to implement a secondary employment agreement with the FOP that, he said, would restrict our ability and amount of hours we can work secondary employment, where we can work, we have to notify the city and all this stuff.

Catanzara was previously disciplined for working a side job as a security guard for a restaurant when he was supposed to be on medical leave for a back injury.

Ed Yohnka, a spokesperson with the ACLU of Illinois, said in an email that the proposal is a bad idea and a distraction.

Already, staffing shortages have led to CPD delaying critical steps toward reform  including trainings and implementation of a community policing model, he said. Officers long have been barred from these jobs; there is not a good argument for changing that policy at this critical moment.

But Taliaferro also offered a potential middle ground on the proposal, saying perhaps officers working second jobs could be required to carry their own liability insurance.

Its at the risk of his own insurance having to possibly pay out any claims as a result of negligence or liability, he said.

____
Brussels-based company Best Friend Forever has revealed a raft of deals for key territories for Ramata-Toulaye Sys feature film debut, Banel & Adama, which played in competition in Cannes and makes its North American premiere in Toronto. Variety reviewed it as a dreamlike debut in May.

The film just won the Melbourne International Film Festivals top prize, the Bright Horizons Award.

More from Variety

The film was sold in Benelux (Cherry Pickers), Switzerland (trigon-films), Scandinavia (Njuta Films), Australia and New Zealand (Ahi), South Korea (Green Narae Media), Spain (Filmin), Greece (Cinobo), Portugal (Alambique), Poland (Afrykamera), and Baltics (From Afar). North America, U.K. and Japan are in discussions among others.

Previously announced deals are Tandem Films for French distribution, who just released the title in France and Pathe BC Afrique is releasing in Senegal on Oct. 4.

Ahead of TIFF, Best Friend Forever also unveiled the international trailer in exclusivity with Variety.

Ramata-Toulaye Sy is a Femis alum, and is known for the 2022 short film Astel, which was awarded IMDBPro #ShareHerJourney Award in TIFF and Special Jury award in Clermont ISFF. It played in more that 80 festivals, including Fespaco and New Directors/New Films, and won more than 20 awards. Ramata previously co-wrote TIFF and Berlinale 2019 Our Lady of the Nil and Locarno Competition and TIFF 2018 Sibel.

The Pulaar speaking film is set in North of Senegal in a small remote village today. Banel and Adama are fiercely in love. Longing for a home of their own, they have decided to live apart from their families and that Adama will not accept his blood duty as future chief. But when Adama informs the village council of his intentions, the whole community is disrupted. The rain that is supposed to come does not come. Soon enough, Banel and Adama learn that where they live, there is no room for passions, let alone for chaos.

Banel & Adama is produced by Eric Neve and Maud Leclair Neve for La Chauve-Souris (The Pirogue, Wulu), Margaux Juvenal for Take Shelter, and coproduced by Souleymane Kebe for Astou Production.

Best Friend Forever Fall line-up also includes Venice Horizons competition and TIFF title City of Wind by Lkhagvadulam Purev-Ochir, Directors Fortnight and Fantastic Fest Belgian thriller The Other Laurens by Claude Schmitz, and Sundance and Berlinale winner Mutt by Vuk Lungulov-Klotz.

Best of Variety

Sign up for Varietys Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Click here to read the full article.
Industry delegates sent a clear message to the filmmakers behind Nothing But the Truth about Extraterrestrials: We want to believe.

A non-fiction dive into the latest science behind little green men, the multilingual doc proved quite a hot item at this years Venice Production Bridge gap-financing market, fielding three bids for distribution, another three co-production offers, and an invitation to screen as a work-in-progress from a leading international festival, Extraterrestrials co-director Eric Ruel told Variety.

More from Variety

Longtime creative partners Ruel and Guylaine Maroist are co-directing and producing through their joint La Ruelle Films banner, which recently scored a sizeable non-fiction hit with the social doc Backlash: Misogyny in the Digital Age. After tackling political spectacle with 2014s satirical God Save Justin Trudeau, and online malaise with Backlash, the filmmakers now look to the stars for a so-called cinema verite meets sci-fi expose on the state of the alien unknown.

We want this to be a cinematic and philosophical journey, says Ruel. We want to question the existence of extraterrestrials and to question our perception of the world, because its getting all the more difficult to know whats true and whats false these days. So were going to get to the bottom of it.

When researching another project, Ruel and Maroist made the surprising discovery that nearly all the scientists interviewed  including several eminent academics from the worlds most august institutions  shared a belief in extraterrestrial visitations, thus planting a new question in the filmmakers minds: What do those scientists know that we dont?

Forgoing interviews, graphics, or talking heads, this direct cinema investigation will follow the fields leading academics, scientists, adventurers, debunkers and ironclad believers as they all twist around this alien topic. Alongside astrophysicists and astrobiologists, the film was also embed with political scientists, government agents and psychologists, exploring the subject and the latest developments in ufology from every angle.

We dont fully know what well find, says Ruel. But one thing is for sure: Reality is no doubt stranger than fiction.

Best of Variety

Sign up for Varietys Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Click here to read the full article.
Defense for Man Charged with Killing Hollywood Sex Therapist Suggests She Fell from Balcony While Fleeing Him

Lawyers for the man accused of killing sex therapist Amie Harwick claim she fell from her Hollywood Hills balcony rather than being thrown off by the defendant, as prosecutors have alleged.

During opening statements at Gareth Pursehouse's murder trial last week, his lawyers suggested that while Harwick was running away from her ex-boyfriend when he showed up at her home three years ago, she tried climbing over her balcony railing and accidentally fell off, according to People.

RELATED: Well Known Therapist Amie Harwick's Cause Of Death Confirmed

Pursehouse is charged with murder and burglary, with the Los Angeles County District Attorneys Office accusing him of throwing his ex to her death on February 15, 2020.

Harwick, a marriage and family therapist who wrote a 2014 book titled The New Sex Bible for Women, was once engaged to comedian and game show host Drew Carey before the pair called it off in 2018.

At around 1:16 a.m. on the morning of Harwick's death, patrol officers in Hollywood responded to a radio call of a "woman screaming," the Los Angeles Police Department stated in a press release days after the incident.

Amie Harwick Ig

Amie Harwick Photo: Instagram

When police arrived to a residence on Mound St. in the Hollywood Hills, Harwick's roommate met them in the street, telling cops that Harwick was being assaulted inside her home. The roommate had climbed over a wall and headed to neighbors to call for help, the LAPD stated.

"When officers went to make entry, they found the victim on the ground beneath a third story balcony," the LAPD said at the time. "The victim was gravely injured. She suffered significant injuries consistent with a fall. The victim was unresponsive."

The local fire department took Harwick to a hospital, where she died from her injuries at age 38.

RELATED: Amie Harwick, Slain Sex Therapist, Fought Attacker Before Being Pushed Off Balcony, Autopsy Reportedly Shows

"The investigation revealed possible evidence of a struggle in the upstairs as well as forced entry to the residence," the LAPD said in the days after the incident. "A canvass of the area located further evidence of an intruder (suspect) entering the property and leaving after the murder.

"Detectives learned that victim had recently expressed fear about a former boyfriend and had previously filed a restraining order against this person," police added. "The restraining order had expired and the victim had seen this former boyfriend two weeks ago."

Pursehouse, who was 41 at the time and lived in Playa Del Rey, was arrested on February 15, 2020, the day Harwick died. He was released after posting bond, but later arrested again on a no-bail warrant, according to previous Oxygen.com reporting.

Amie Harwick G

Dr. Amie Harwick attends the "Rock To Recovery" bvenefit at The Fonda Theatre on October 2, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. Photo: Getty Images

The Los Angeles Medical Examiner ruled Harwick's death a homicide and previously confirmed to Oxygen.com that she died of blunt force injuries to her head and torso and that there was also evidence of manual strangulation."

In their opening statements last week, prosecutors said that Harwick and Pursehouse began dating in 2011, and that the following year, the therapist put an end to the relationship and filed a protective order against Pursehouse, alleging he'd physically and emotionally abused her, according to Law&Crime.

Years later, during a January 2020 event in Hollywood, Pursehouse was working as a photographer when he spotted Harwick on the red carpet, according to prosectors. Deputy District Attorney Victor Avila said at the trial that after the red carpet run-in, Pursehouse tracked down his ex's number and texted her, asking to speak with her.

She allegedly refused to, Law&Crime reports. But Pursehouse continued to push to see and talk to her, Avila said, outlining multiple calls, texts and a voicemail Pursehouse left for his ex, in which he was crying.

Harwick, allegedly concerned for her safety, blocked her ex-boyfriend's number, had security cameras installed at home, and changed the locks on her windows, prosecutors said. They added that Harwick also emailed herself a note about how frightened she was after seeing Pursehouse, stating in her memo that her ex was "obsessive and scary."

RELATED: Sex Therapist And Ex-Model Dr. Amie Harwick Filed Restraining Order Against Alleged 'Stalker' Killer

She rejected his advances, she cut off all communication with him, so he punished her, broke into her house, and killed her, Avila said in court last week.

Prosectors also said that DNA collected from blood found on French doors that opened into Harwicks's home  which were broken when emergency workers arrived on the morning of her death  matched Pursehouses DNA. They also allege that DNA taken from under the victim's nails is a match for DNA from Pursehouse.

The defendant's lawyer, Evan Franzel, acknowledged in court that his client running into Harwick at the Hollywood event sent him into a deep, debilitating depression he was not able to overcome.

The evidence will show that running into her at that event sent him into a thick fog of depression and made him feel that the only way he could get relief from that pain was to go and talk to her, Franzel added. The evidence will show he never intended on killing her.

The defense lawyer also claimed that a syringe discovered at the crime scene  which was loaded with a lethal dose of nicotine  was intended by his client to use to kill himself, not Harwick.
Disney Parks, Experiences and Products Chairman Josh DAmaro provided a little more clarity on long-gestating expansions of Walt Disney World and the resorts Animal Kingdom experience at the companys annual D23 fan event this morning.

First, he brought on Bruce Vaughn, Chief Creative Officer at Walt Disney Imagineering, for a Blue Sky look at possible developments at Disney Parks.

More from Deadline

The future expansion plans for Magic Kingdom in Florida are the largest ever for the park, according to Vaughn. Imagineers are looking to tell stories similar in scale to things like Star Wars: Galaxys Edge and Pandora  The World of Avatar, which will include new attractions, restaurants, shows and more.

Zootopia has long been rumored to be one of the elements to be included in the expansion, and Parks officials revealed that a new show based on the film is being created for the Tree of Life theater at Animal Kingdom. Its still in the works, but the current concept for the new Zootopia experience has guests visiting the different biomes from the film while traveling along with characters from the film.

More grandly, Dinoland U.S.A. at Disneys Animal Kingdom will become a new land inspired by a region sometimes referred to as tropical Americas.' Imagineers are exploring regions just north and south of the equator  the northern part of South America, stretching up into Central America  for inspiration. As part of that land, new experiences inspired by Encanto and Indiana Jones are being considered.

Vaughn indicated theres a long way to go yet, but the details may mean ideas are solidifying.

Disney Parks first teased the Animal Kingdom transformation back at Expo D23 in 2022, but details have been scant. Interestingly, filings in April indicate construction to come at Dinoland.

DAmaro closed with a promise of more to come.

Over the next decade, were going to have more projects underway than at any point in our history, he said. Our sole purpose is to give you more and more of what you love about a Disney experience. And then surprise and delight you with things you never dreamed possible.

Best of Deadline

Sign up for Deadline's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Click here to read the full article.
Danny Collins, a former Trump fan, shared why he stopped supporting him.

He said being a Trump supporter made him realize "how horrible of a person" he was.

He said he used to agree with Trump's words, then realized they reflected the "worst" of himself.

A former Trump fan has gone viral after explaining why he stopped supporting the former president in a TikTok.

Danny Collins said he used to agree with Trump's words, then realized they reflected the "worst" of himself.

Collins responded to another creator who was asking Trump's critics why they "hate him so much."

"It's simple for me," Collins said in his video, which has been viewed over a million times. "Because he made me realize how horrible of a person I really was."

Collins said he "drank the juice" and "joined the cult."

"I was on the Trump train, baby," he said.

This embedded content is not available in your region.

Collins said when Trump would speak about building a wall around Mexico and keeping immigrants out of the US and that Muslim people were a threat to the US, he agreed.

"All of those internalized beliefs, the worst of me that I used to keep suppressed, he brought to the surface," he said. "He showed me how much of a racist, homophobic, transphobic, xenophobic, misogynistic, woman-hating, Christian white nationalist I truly was."

He said he felt Trump's slogan, Make America Great Again, with "every fiber" of his being.

"And he made me believe as a white, straight Christian male, that I was under attack, that I was being discriminated against in America today," he said.

Collins said he was an inmate in the Florida Department of Corrections for 10 years and was never tempted to join a gang until he was convinced that "the white man was under attack."

In 2021, he was an inmate at the New River Correctional Institution and was "cheering" on the crowd during the January 6 US Capitol attack while in the TV room. He said at that time, he believed people were taking their country back.

Collins said he was released in June 2021 and had "every intention of telling the world how great Trump is."

"You know what I hate most about Donald Trump? Is that I actually believed the lie," Collins said. "I believed that he actually cared about me, the poor, common folk. I hate that he brought out the worst in me and everybody else that I was closely associated with."

Collins started to change his perspective thanks to a friend he made in prison, who was a Black Muslim man. He realized that everything he identified in Trump was reflected in something in himself.

"He didn't make me be a bad person  he just emboldened me to be the person I already was," he said. "Donald Trump appeals to the worst of America. In 2024, we need to bring out the best of America."

Collins' video hit a nerve with thousands of people, who thanked him for his "self-awareness" and "humility."

"Sir, this level of self awareness, personal growth and humility is something most people never achieve," one person wrote. "Much respect. Thank you for making this video."

Another said the video was "the single most inspiring thing I've seen all year."

"We can all do better," they said. "Bless you for your journey."

Read the original article on Insider
In 1990, Jia Yann James Chao, an immigrant from Taiwan, had established himself as a top programmer at IBM in Atlanta.

Jim really was a shining star, IBM employee Mike Massey told The Real Murders of Atlanta, airing Fridays at 9/8c on Oxygen.

But on April 25, Chao, who was always on time for work, never showed up. Jimmy Ku, another colleague, was asked by a manager to go to Chaos apartment for a welfare check.

A security guard at Chaos apartment complex opened the door. He and Ku saw Chao lying on the floor. They closed the door and alerted authorities.

Police arrived at 11 a.m. They determined that Chao was deceased and sealed the scene, according to Eddie Herman, a former Cobb County Police Department detective.

RELATED: Georgia Banker Shot, Dumped in a Well By Man Who Used Voodoo to Scare Witnesses

Chao had arrived in Atlanta a few months earlier from Austin. His wife and their 8-year-old son were set to join Chao in Georgia. In fact, the day Chaos body was found, his wife had flown to Atlanta to house-hunt with him.

Police processed the crime scene for fingerprints and other evidence, according to Pat Banks, who is currently an undercover investigator with Cobb County PD. Only the victims prints were found.

Cocaine found at James Chao murder scene

White powder found on a table was tested and confirmed to be cocaine. A drug killing didnt fit the profile for Chao, a family man with a rising career. Moreover, investigators wondered, why did the killer leave the drugs?

Chao had been shot in the chest and behind his left ear. He had a pair of scissors in his right hand, said Herman. It looked like perhaps they had been placed there.

The apartment had not been ransacked. Chao had cash in his wallet. The crime scene didnt appear to be a robbery gone wrong.

At the scene it was determined that Chao had been shot twice at close range. The wounds were up close and personal, said Banks.

Detectives found that Chaos apartment had been locked from the outside. That meant the killer had taken a key and left with it.

Investigators believed that Chao let the murderer into his home, so there was some sort of relationship between them. Chaos lack of defense wounds supported this theory.

The building had no security cameras. Police canvassed Chaos neighbors, but the efforts turned up no leads.

Why Was Cocaine at the Scene of James Chao's Murder?

When Chaos wife arrived at the scene, she said she spoke with her husband the night before. Theyd made plans for him to pick her up at the airport.

Chao had no drug issues, she told Herman. The investigator considered that Chao could have been living a double life.

Detectives looked into drug-related trafficking and other crimes in Chaos area of Cobb County. This line of investigation led to a dead end.

Chaos autopsy revealed that he had no cocaine or any narcotics in his system, according to Tom Charron, former district attorney for Cobb County. The cocaine didnt seem to fit in with the murder itself, he said.

Detectives theorized that both the scissors awkwardly placed in Chaos hand and the cocaine had been planted to stage the scene and throw off investigators.

During the autopsy two 38-caliber bullets were removed from Chaos body. Detectives searched to see if any weapons fitting that description had been reported stolen. They found none and issued a BOLO  be on the lookout  for a .38-caliber handgun.

Love letters reveal affair

Detectives considered that Chao had lived in Atlanta for just four months. He only knew his coworkers, so they went to IBM to search for leads.

In Chaos desk they found love letters that were not from Chaos wife, but another woman. The nature of the correspondence indicated that it wasnt just a friendship, said Herman.

Chaos colleagues knew nothing about the possible extramarital affair. Herman handled the delicate task of asking Chaos widow about the letters.

She told him that shed heard rumors that Chao was seeing the ex-wife of Texas IBM employee Chien-Chyun CC Lee. But when his wife confronted Chao about the rumor, he denied it, Herman told The Real Murders of Atlanta.

According to Herman, Chaos wife told him that after Jim had moved to Atlanta, CC Lee came to her house in Austin. He asked her if she knew where her husband was, Herman said. I had a bad feeling about what she was telling me.

The investigators focused on Lee. Had he come to Atlanta and committed murder over his ex-wife? Jealousy is one of the oldest motives in the books, said Herman. Thats when I reached out to the Texas Rangers.

CC Lee Emerges as Main Suspect

A mugshot of Chien-Chyun CC Lee, featured on The Real Murders of Atlanta 216

Chien-Chyun CC Lee, featured on The Real Murders of Atlanta 216 Photo: Oxygen

Ranger Joe Haralson went to IBM in Houston to get information on CC Lee. He found that Lee called out sick on April 24 to 26. Chao was murdered on April 25.

Coworkers said Mr. Lee said he was mad about an extramarital relationship between Mr. Chao and Mr. Lee's former wife, said Charron.

When Haralson interviewed Lee he admitted he knew about the affair and that he was out sick with the flu as reported. He had no one to back up his alibi but denied being involved in Chaos murder.

Lee also admitted that he had just pawned a 38-caliber handgun  a match for the make and model of the murder weapon.

Herman and Banks flew to Texas. Haralson went to the pawn shop where CC Lee allegedly sold his gun. In addition to the gun, Lee had also brought in a box of bullets with two shells missing from it.

RELATED: Woman Conspires With Boyfriend to Kill Her Husband in a Backwoods Homicide

On May 4, Cobb County detectives met with Lee at Houston PDs Clear Lake substation. Lee continued to deny any involvement in Chaos murder.

Then Herman pressed harder. He told him that he was going to test the gun hed pawned to see if it matched the murder weapon.

He looks at me and says, You mean you can match one gun with one bullet, said Herman. The detective responded, Yes, its called ballistics.

Lee asked for a lawyer, shutting down the interrogation. But after a break, Lee said he wanted to talk. After being re-read him his Miranda rights, he confessed.

Was James Chao Killed Over an Affair?

CC Lee Confesses to James Chao's Murder

He said Jim Chao was still calling his ex-wife and that it needed to stop, said Herman, adding that hed checked his weapon at the airport. Before 9/11 you could take a Bazooka on an airline.

Lee went to Chaos apartment. He claimed that Chao was confrontational before he shot him.

He said that when he had gotten into town he saw an individual standing on the street. He said he paid $50 for two packets of cocaine, said Herman. He bought the drugs to stage the crime scene.

Lee was charged with murder. The ballistics test definitively proved that Lee's gun fired the bullets that killed Chao. It was a rock solid case, said Herman.

On May 11, 1991, Chien-Chyun Lee was found guilty of felony murder and sentenced to life in prison.

To find out more about the case and others like it, watch The Real Murders of Atlanta, airing Fridays at 9/8c on Oxygen.
Sarah Pratt got into butter sculpting by accident.

In 1991, she started working with Norma "Duffy" Lyon in Iowa helping out on her dairy farm. Pratt wanted to work with the dairy cows, but soon figured out that wasn't going to work. She was new to the farm, and herding cattle was a tall task for a 14-year-old, no matter how much willpower filled her boots.

Her apprenticeship with the cattle quickly morphed into a job helping out with the butter operation that the farming family had been known for. At that time, Pratt said she had no idea her experience would fuel a passion for supporting agriculture, and specifically dairy farmers.

"Now, I'm so thankful," Pratt said.

Sarah Pratt, left, and her husband, Adam Pratt, begin work on the 2023 Kansas State Fair butter sculpture Friday morning. This year, the sculpture is of famous Kansan and aviation legend Amelia Earhart.

A hard-working farming family leaves a lasting impression

Pratt, the Kansas State Fair butter sculptor, has been shaping solidified cream since the 1990s as a teenager. She's been the head sculptor at fairs since 2006, following in the footsteps of a family who made the activity a state fair tradition across multiple states.

In the 1980s, the Lyon family brought butter sculptures to Kansas and other state fairs. Pratt grew up in the same town that Norma "Duffy" Lyon raised her family. During her apprenticeship on the dairy farm, she learned the craft.

When Duffy retired, Pratt took over the butter sculptures at the Iowa State Fair. She was 26, with 2-year-old twin girls.

I really thought that I had hung up my hat on butter sculpting, but when (Duffy) retired, she really encouraged me to take over, Pratt said.

And 17 years later, her family has fully embraced the art.

Adam Pratt, left, and Sarah Pratt stand near a cooler set between 38 and 42 degrees. They will spend approximately 90 hours in the cooler to complete this year's Kansas State Fair butter sculpture of Amelia Earhart.

Inspiration behind the 2023 Kansas State Fair Amelia Earhart butter sculpture

Pratt is a special education teacher and lives in the Cumming, Iowa, area. She traveled more than five and a half hours to create this year's sculpture.

Her son, Dean, helped research famous Kansans for a list of people she might want to sculpt. Naturally, Amelia Earhart was at the top of the list.

At first, the task of sculpting an airplane felt like too big of an aspiration.

I said, Dean, how am I supposed to sculpt an airplane in this cooler?'  Pratt said.

But eventually, she came up with a way to do it.

The Pratt family did extensive research about Earhart over the past year in preparation. Pratt said she learned that while Earhart was known for her independence and free-bird spirit, she was also a collaborator and had other jobs beyond aviation.

An early rendition of the 2023 Kansas State Fair butter sculpture is seen through large panels of glass. The thick glass panels keep the room cool enough for the butter to keep its shape.

Earheart worked in a settlement house helping immigrant families. She also quit flying for a while to become a teacher.

Being a teacher myself, I can relate to that part of her, Pratt said. I try to do that when Im researching  I try and find a way to connect with what Im sculpting.

In Pratt's research, she discovered that Earhart got her pilot's license 100 years ago this year. In 1923, the origin story of an ambitious woman with fortitude began. It felt right to celebrate that this year, she said.

Where to see the Kansas State Fair butter sculpture

Pratt said she anticipates completing the butter sculpture of Earhart on Sept. 10. Until then, visitors can see her process in the Pride of Kansas building at the Kansas State fairgrounds, where upon completion, it will remain on display throughout the remainder of the fair.

A man reads facts about the Kansas State Fair butter sculpture early Friday morning. A sign reading "Better ... with butter" is pinned above the glass.

Pratt may have gotten into the butter sculpting profession by accident, but its no accident shes still here.

Her passion for agriculture, farming and dairy has kept her coming back.

I like getting people excited about dairy, Pratt said. Norma (Lyon) and her family raised dairy cows, and so growing up with them I saw how hard they worked as dairy farmers. Plus, I eat a lot of dairy.

Kendrick Calfee has been a reporter with the Salina Journal since 2022. You can reach him at kcalfee@gannett.com or on X @calfee_kc.

This article originally appeared on Salina Journal: Here's how to see the 2023 Kansas State Fair butter sculpture
Kim Kardashian has issued a public plea for President Joe Biden to stop another Armenian genocide, asking the U.S. to protect Armenians from Azerbaijan.

In a Rolling Stone piece published Friday, the reality TV star urged Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken to take a stand immediately by bringing sanctions and cutting off foreign aid to Azerbaijan, writing that the country has blockaded the only lifeline between the indigenous Christian Armenians of Artsakh (also known as Nagorno-Karabakh) and the rest of the world since December.

We are the descendants of Armenian Genocide survivors, and we do not want to be talking about the recognition or commemoration of yet another genocide in the future, read the op-ed, which was co-written with physician Eric Esrailian.

Their message follows decades of conflict in the disputed territory of Nagorno-Karabakh, a region thats internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan but is known to Armenians as the Republic of Artsakh.

The op-eds authors said that the blockade of the Lachin Corridor, the only road that connects Armenia to Nagorno-Karabakh, has emboldened the autocratic Azeri government to use starvation as a weapon against the Armenian population in the region.

My Plea to President Joe Biden to Stop Another Armenian Genocide. Its time for America (and the world) to take action to protect Armenians from Azerbaijan. https://t.co/s53lRb59izpic.twitter.com/k9UzoUejW2  Kim Kardashian (@KimKardashian) September 8, 2023

Blocking human rights groups, such as the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), and the hateful rhetoric accompanying the blockade are signs of genocidal intent, they wrote, asking Biden and Blinken to pressure Azerbaijan to open the corridor without preconditions.

It is clear that this ruthless blockade has crossed all red lines of human rights and humanitarian law.

The two also pointed to reports that attacks on Armenian soldiers have persisted, despite a cease-fire agreement after a war between Azerbaijan and Armenia in 2020.

The pair later said that American taxpayer dollars are facilitating and enabling this behavior via foreign aid to Azerbaijan.

The United States has the ability to mobilize a response. Leaders who are effective and help our people will be remembered for their heroism, they wrote. The ones who are inert and ineffective will be remembered for allowing a genocide to take place under their watch. The choice is theirs.

In the past, Kardashian has frequently advocated for formally recognizing the mass killings of Armenians under the Ottoman Empire a century ago as a genocide. Biden did so in 2021.

You can read more from Kardashians op-ed here.

Related...
Lil Baby is making sure that his fans get their hard-earned money back after they were filled with disappointment when his concert in Memphis abruptly ended due to a shooting.

As previously reported by REVOLT, on Thursday (Sept. 7), the Atlanta native rolled into town for his Its Only Us Tour with GloRilla, Rylo Rodriguez, Gloss Up, and Hunxho in tow. The Do We Have A Problem rapper had just stepped onstage to perform his verse on Rylos Real Type but quickly exited when a single shot rang out inside the FedExForum arena around 10:30 p.m.

One man was critically injured, but he is reportedly recovering. According to Fox 13, the victim is believed to be the target of a premeditated shooting. Other concertgoers were not injured. At the time of this report, police are still looking for the gunman. They have asked that anyone with information contact CrimeStoppers at 901-528-CASH.

Memphis icon GloRilla addressed the incident during an Instagram Live that evening. These folks just got they gun in the f**king arena, fool insane, she said. Yes, yall, Memphis is ghetto as f**k. Weve been on the tour this whole f**king time, and today, they wanna f**king shoot. There hasnt been a shootout at not one of these shows. The tour kicked off in late July and will hit 32 cities, with the final performance taking place on Sept. 22 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

On Friday (Sept. 8), Lil Baby broke his silence to inform his followers that refunds were forthcoming. Due to the unforeseen events that took place in Memphis last night, I was not able to give my fans a full performance. As a result, a full refund will be issued to all those in attendance. Further details on how ticket holders can receive their refund will be provided by Ticketmaster directly, he wrote in his Instagram Story.

Tonight (Sept. 9), the tour continues with its preplanned stop in Nashville, Tennessee, where the chart-topping lineup will hit the stage at the Bridgestone Arena. The cross-country trek is in support of his most recent album, Its Only Me. The project was released in October 2022, and in April, it was certified platinum by the RIAA.

Trending Stories
Mads Mikkelsen shuts down reporter who questions 'lack of diversity' in his new film at Venice premiere

Mads Mikkelsen was less than impressed with a question about how the lack of diversity in his upcoming film The Promised Land could affect its Best Picture chances at the Oscars.

The actor, accompanied by the movie's director, Nikolaj Arcel , was asked to weigh in on the Academy's new diversity and inclusion regulations by an unnamed reporter during a recent Q&A session at the Venice Film Festival. These new standards, set to go into effect in 2024, require that a project meet two out of its four criteria  which focus on onscreen representation, the creative leadership and project team, industry access and opportunities, and audience development  in order to be eligible for the Oscars' Best Picture category.

"This is a cast and Danish production that's entirely Nordic, and, therefore, has some lack of diversity, you would say," the reporter asked the pair, referring to The Promised Land. "There's also new rules implied in Hollywood"

"What are you on to?" Mikkelsen interjected, laughing and shaking his head. "From the get-go?"

"From the get-go," the reporter acknowledged. "There are some rules of diversity across the Atlantic for competing in the Best Picture [category], the equivalent of this competition. As I see, you don't live up to these standards with this cast. I'm just curious: It's not because of artistic reasons, it's because of a lack of diversity, that this can't compete in that competition. Are you worried about it?"

"Are you?" Mikkelsen instantly fired back. "I'm serious and honest, because you're putting us on the spot, so you answer the question."

The reporter called the standards "a conundrum" and seemed to try to explain that, under the new rules, even Bong Joon-ho's film Parasite, which won the award for Best Picture in 2020, would not be eligible for the category in the future.

Arcel then cut in to note that The Promised Land does feature a character of color.

VENICE, ITALY - SEPTEMBER 01: Mads Mikkelsen attends a photocall for the movie "Bastarden (The Promised Land)" at the 80th Venice International Film Festival on September 01, 2023 in Venice, Italy. (Photo by Alessandra Benedetti - Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images)

Alessandra Benedetti - Corbis/Corbis via Getty Mads Mikkelsen

"Well, first of all, the film takes place in Denmark in the 1750s," the director said. "We do have a big plotline about a girl of color who is being subjected to racism, which was very rare, any people of color in Denmark almost nobody. She was probably at the time the only one in the entire country of Denmark."

Still, Arcel admitted, "It wasn't a thought in our mind."

"I think it would be a little weird," he continued. "It's just historical  how it was in the 1750s."

Mikkelsen stars as Ludvig von Khalen in the historical drama, a soldier who "arrives in 1755 on the barren Jutland heath with a single goal: to follow the king's call to cultivate the land and thereby achieve wealth and honor himself," per its IMDb description.

The Promised Land does not yet have a U.S. release date.

Want more movie news? Sign up for Entertainment Weekly's free newsletter to get the latest trailers, celebrity interviews, film reviews, and more.

Related content:
A man in Indiana who recorded a voicemail while committing a murder was sentenced to 85 years, according to court documents obtained by PEOPLE .

Cody Allen Wade received his hefty sentence on Wednesday as Clay County Superior Court Judge Robert A. Pell made the decision. Wade was convicted on August 3 of murdering his mothers boyfriend, Carl Haviland, back in June 2020.

Wade was sentenced to 60 years for the murder, with an additional 15 years added for being a habitual offender. He had another ten years tacked on for two counts of felony battery on a public safety official with injury and was given concurrent sentences for three other charges, including misdemeanor resisting law enforcement.

Judge Pell stated Wade had stabbed Haviland multiple times while he was unknownkingly recording himself. Fox 59 reported that prosecutors said Wade left his mother a voicemail before committing the crime. However, he didnt hang up the phone, and the entire murder was recorded on the voicemail, which was played in the courtroom.

After Haviland was stabbed, Wade kicked him and threw several taunts as he was bleeding. According to the sentencing document, Wade was diagnosed with bi-polar disorder.

The defendant repeatedly stabbed Carl Haviland not only in front of the defendant's own mother but did so in spite of her efforts to physically prevent him from committing the crime, wrote Judge Pell.

Before he attacked Haviland, Wade attended a cookout and left for his mothers house but stopped at another persons home to announce he was going to murder someone.

More on this
The actress is an executive producer on the documentary "Swan Song," which premieres at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival

Kevin Mazur/2020 MTV Movie & TV Awards/Getty

Neve Campbell is grateful for the life lessons she learned as a trained dancer before embarking on her Hollywood career.

The Canadian actress, best-known for playing horror heroine Sidney Prescott over five Scream films, has roots in the dance world, having trained at Canada's prestigious National Ballet School from age 9 to 14.

She's now in Toronto for the city's International Film Festival to debut the new documentary Swan Song, which takes audiences inside the National Ballet of Canadas 2022 production of Swan Lake. Campbell served as an executive producer on the project.

"I have very few pictures of myself at the National Ballet School, but JJ [Feild], my partner, said, 'Oh, there's that one photo of you, and you look so determined,' " Campbell, 49, tells PEOPLE while looking back on her early dance days ahead of the festival from her Los Angeles home.

Never miss a story  sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Christopher Sherman 'Swan Song'

"All of the discipline that I have, I take from dance," she continues. "The capacity to be able to listen and take direction, with humility, and an understanding that you're never going to be perfect, and that it takes work and drive to be good, and that no matter how hard you work, you'll never completely get there  that is the journey."

"That's what I learned, and I've taken that into the acting world," adds Campbell. "I think it certainly has fed me and it's helped me stay sane in a very challenging world."

Related: Neve Campbell Says 'It Was Sad' to Leave 'Scream 6' but She 'Couldn't Bear' Feeling 'Undervalued'

Campbell says she became hooked on dance after her father took her to see a National Ballet of Canada production of The Nutcracker.

"I was 6 years old. It was my Christmas present," she recalls, smiling. "I said, 'I want to do that.' "

At 9 she auditioned for the National Ballet School and got in. Campbell describes her training there as "hard in many, many ways."

"It's hard for anyone," she adds. "The technique that comes out of the dancers there, and the love for the world and for dance that comes out of there is pretty phenomenal."

Campbell made the difficult decision to drop out of training at 14 despite having "loved the school," she says.



"I had just been having some mental challenges, just difficult to find the balance between wanting a childhood and following this dream," she explains. "I had had already quite a bit of injury. From 9 years old, at the National Ballet School, I was in physiotherapy weekly."

Just a year later, Campbell got a role in a Toronto production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's Phantom of the Opera. "Suddenly I was dancing professionally," she recalls of the early experience. "I was doing what I love to do. I was making friends. I was earning a living already at 15."

Related: Young Ballerinas Celebrate Black History Month with Fierce, Misty Copeland-Inspired Photo Shoot

An agent happened to be in the audience one night, and "the rest is history," as Campbell describes it.

All these years later, Campbell says she can't believe she's experiencing a "full-circle" moment of bringing a dance documentary to audiences after all of her success in Hollywood. (Most recently, her Netflix series The Lincoln Lawyer was renewed for a third season.)

She's still pinching herself that she got to collaborate with legendary Canadian ballet dancer Karen Kain, one of the main stars of Swan Song, which follows the ballet company as it mounts a new production of Swan Lake directed by Kain on the eve of her retirement.

Christopher Sherman 'Swan Song'

"She's one of the big reasons I became an artist," says Campbell. "She was the prima ballerina of Canada, one of the world. The ultimate goal was to get to where Karen was. I still remember watching her do Swan Lake when I was, I think, 9 years old. She was pure grace."

"It was one of those moments in my life where I went, 'Oh, this is what art can do,' " she says. "So getting to create this project with this team and acknowledge the work that she's done and watch her teach other dancers, pass the torch, basically, it was a really beautiful experience."

Swan Song will be released theatrically in Canada on Sept. 22. In Canada, it will later air as a four-part limited series on CBC Gem and CBC TV, premiering Nov. 22.



For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on People.
Torontos Platform is set to be enriched by Jaione Cambordas poignant second feature The Rye Horn. The film, set against the backdrop of 1970s Galicia, unravels the tale of Maria, a midwife thrust into a life on the run following a devastating incident. Her path to freedom takes her from Galicia to Portugal, retracing ancient smugglers trails.

The film, supported by the Galician broadcaster TVG and the regions Agency of Cultural Industries (Agadic), was brought to life under the banner of Andrea Vazquezs Miramemira (Fire Will Come, Sica) and Cambordas own label, Esnatu Zinema, and Elastica Films, behind Alcarras and Creature. Portugals Bando a Parte and Belgiums Bulletproof Cupid co-produce. Elastica also distributes in Spain.

More from Variety

With the film also bound for San Sebastian main competition, for its European premiere, Cambordas return to her hometown is particularly poignant. For me, its like a gift I grew up in the Basque Country, and I am from San Sebastian.

Cambordas vision shines through her representation of the bond between nature and humanity. I wanted to make a film where nature was the protagonist, Camborda explained, emphasising her desire to showcase humans as a part of the natural cycle, almost as an animal.

The casting of the lead role was a crucial element, with Janet Navas, a contemporary dancer, embodying the raw physicality Camborda sought. For me, what was really important [was] Janet she moves and carries herself very physically, Camborda elaborated, highlighting the dancers powerful presence.

Galicia during the 70s was a time fraught with political tension, marking the twilight of Francos reign. The regions border with Portugal made it a focal point for escape. Camborda sought to infuse this ambiance into the film subtly, stating, I think it was important to work with this atmosphere not to show, explicitly, the dictatorship.

Reflecting on her journey from Arima to The Rye Horn, Camborda shed light on the evolution of her filmmaking process. Having felt at times very alone in the production of Arima, due to its much smaller scale and budget, she sought a more collaborative experience for her sophomore effort. For the next, I wanted to be more to make [a] family around the film, she said.

Beyond the films narrative, Cambordas creation is a symphony of sisterhood. As she put it, sorority was necessary to guide the film. As a female filmmaker in Spain, where discussions on womens rights are paramount, Camborda navigates this intersection with grace. We need to continue fighting for our rights, she affirmed.

Camborda is looking forward to seeing what reactions come before committing to the intensity of developing her next project. I think its important to be sure and I am giving myself a little time to be surethen I will start to write.

Camborda, an alumna of Pragues FAMU film school and Munichs University of Film and Television (HFF Munich), began her career with experimental shorts, such as Wild Mane Crop and Nimbos, These paved the way for her debut feature, Arima, which received the New Waves Award at the Seville European Fest in 2019.

Having been nurtured in renowned Spanish labs like San Sebastians Ikusmira Berriak and Madrids ECAM Incubator, The Rye Horn also benefited from the guidance of the TIFF Filmmaker Lab. Camborda was selected by Variety as a Spanish talent to track.

Best of Variety

Sign up for Varietys Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Click here to read the full article.
Beijing, China--(Newsfile Corp. - September 8, 2023) - The awards ceremony of the Fifth Belt and Road Initiative Short Video Competition was held in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan province, on Sept. 7.

Ninety-nine works were honored with the following awards: The Integration of Civilizations Award, the Most Beautiful BRI Co-builders Award, the Voice of the Generation Z Award, the Popularity Award (China), the Popularity Award (Overseas), the Best Technology Award, and the Excellent Work Award. Besides, 10 special awards were presented to eight enterprises and organizations for their long-term support for the competition.

Themed "Open Up a New Chapter Together through Connectivity," the Fifth BRI Short Video Competition included a global competition zone and five overseas regional competition zones. It invited builders of and participators in the BRI to tell stories of the close people-to-people bond between China and foreign countries via short videos, aiming to strengthen the international community's understanding of the BRI and China and demonstrate how Chinese modernization is assisting global development.

The event was also joined by Chinese online influencers living abroad, as well as foreign students who study in China and Gen-zers from Belt and Road countries. They recorded cultural integration with their cameras and promoted connectivity with their stories, showcasing the strong vitality of the BRI.

Over 1,000 entries from nearly 100 countries and regions across the world were submitted to the Fifth BRI Short Video Competition, which received a total of 1.3 billion views globally, including 200 million from outside China.

Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister Hua Chunying delivered a speech to the competition via video, saying the BRI, a China-proposed initiative, creates opportunities for the whole world.

(Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister Hua Chunying delivers a video speech)

She noted that more and more countries, international organizations and enterprises have expressed their confidence and trust in the initiative and gained tangible benefits from Belt and Road cooperation.

Story continues

It is a common aspiration of both China and other participating countries to continuously tell the stories of Belt and Road cooperation and build a community with a shared future for mankind, she added.

The BRI Short Video Competition has hosted five sessions since 2019. This time, it for the first time set up overseas regional competition zones in Cambodia, Mexico, Egypt, Papua New Guinea and Croatia. Fifteen entries from these arenas won the Regional Awards.

The Fifth BRI Short Video Competition was co-hosted by the China Public Diplomacy Association, the Information Center of the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council, and Global Times Online.

Company: Huanqiu

ContactPerson: HaoSiqi

Email: haosiqi@huanqiu.com

Website: huanqiu.com

City: Beijing

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/180019
At a film festival with plenty of big picture movies about race (Roger Ross Williams Stamped From the Beginning and Ava DuVernays Origin among them), Raoul Peck s  Silver Dollar Road  is a specific and damning case study of one place, one family and one monumental case of injustice.

Peck, director of the Oscar-nominated James Baldwin doc I Am Not Your Negro, is attuned to exploring larger issues through the reverberations of a single incident, in this case the eight-year jail terms served by two Black men for remaining on the land that had been taken from them in North Carolina.

The film, which premiered on Friday at the Toronto International Film Festival, would be baffling, except that cases of racial injustice can and have been both inexplicable and predictable. Its infuriating, to be sure, but Peck makes sure that the takeaway is not so much talking points about why this happened but an understanding of the human beings to which it happened.

The documentary, which counts Viola Davis among its executive producers, begins with a history lesson but soon moves to a birthday party. The history lesson starts with General Sherman asking Black leaders what they needed in the aftermath of the Civil War and the emancipation of enslaved people, and then ordering that 400,000 acres of former Confederate land be given to Blacks. (The order gave rise to the phrase 40 acres and a mule.)

But over the course of the 20th century, as white supremacists launched a reign of terror against Black landowners, the film says that they lost 90% of the farmland theyd owned at the beginning of the century.

But one family, the Reels, retained much of the land that Elijah Reels bought in 1911  65 acres of land along Adams Creek in Carteret County, North Carolina. The birthday party depicted in Silver Dollar Road is a celebration for the 95th birthday for the clans matriarch, Gertrude Reels, who says that before her father died, he told her, Whatever you do, dont let the white man have my land.

That land stretched along the road that gives the film its title, and contained three cemeteries and one of the few beaches where Blacks were allowed to swim during the Jim Crow era.

But in the 1970s, Mitchell Reels died without a will, which made the land heirs property. The designation is common in the South, but it can make property vulnerable to being taken away, a common practice to disenfranchise Black property owners.

At the end of that decade, Mitchells brother, Shedrick Reels, produced a deed (from New Jersey, not North Carolina) that said he owned 13 acres of prime waterfront land where Melvin and Licurtis Reels had been living. A court agreed with his claim under the Tarrens Act, a questionable piece of legislation that had been used to take land away from the rightful owners in the past. Shedrick then sold the land to the Adams Creek Associates developers, who sued the Reels family for trespassing on their land.

Melvin and Licurtus were adamant that they would not leave property theyd lived on for virtually their entire lives. If they say we have to sign the rights away or go to jail, Im going to jail, Melvin said. So go to jail he did, sent there for civil contempt. And he and Licurtis stayed in jail for a couple of weeks shy of eight years, the longest-ever jail time for that violation. The day Melvin and Licurtis were sent to jail, their lawyer quit.

It just defies logic that any of this constitutes justice, says one lawyer and judge in the film, one of the few outside commentators that Peck uses. With a few explanatory titles but no narration, the director chooses to have the Reels family tell this story, particularly the members of the family who were sent to jail or victimized by the land grab.

The look of the film, meanwhile, backs in the rich, verdant land around Silver Dollar Road, underlining with every drone shot just how tragic the loss was. This is all set to a soundtrack of blues and gospel music  blues for the pain but also the grit, gospel for sorrow but also for healing. (When my mother was really stressed out, shed play her church albums, says one of Gertrudes daughters.)

For the most part, Peck follows the beats of a ProPublica and New Yorker story published in 2019. But by putting these people and this land onscreen, he takes a single case study and gives it a face and a heart.

Silver Dollar Road will be released in theaters on Oct. 13 and on Amazon Prime Video Oct. 20.

The post Silver Dollar Road Review: Raoul Peck Gives Racial Injustice a Face and Heart in Latest Doc appeared first on TheWrap.
Criminal gangs in Sweden are allegedly using Spotify to successfully launder money.

According to a report by Svenska Dagbladet, criminal networks in the country have been using the streaming platform to launder money acquired in drug deals, robberies, contract killings, and fraud. The gang members have been able to launder money by converting cash into Bitcoin, which is then used to pay for false Spotify streams of artists connected to the gangs. When the money is paid back to them by Spotify, it has effectively been "cleaned," so to speak.

At least four anonymous gang members from different criminal networks in Sweden's capital, Stockholm, and a police investigator, confirmed the method of laundering has been used. I can say with 100% certainty that this goes on. I have been involved in it myself, said one of the anonymous gang members.

The individual added that the gang he's involved with started using the method in 2019 in response to the rise of popular Swedish hip-hop. "We have paid people who have done this for us systematically," he said. The police officer investigating the money laundering, who also wishes to remain anonymous, said he has been unable to speak with Spotify, a Swedish company, about it.

"Spotify has become a bank machine for the gangs. Theres a direct link to the gangs and the deadly violence, he said.

In a statement shared with AFP, the company said it was not unaware police had attempted to make contact over the alleged money laundering. Additionally, they said there is no "data or hard evidence that indicates that the platform is being used at scale in the fashion described." However, they did acknowledge that paid-for streams remain "an industry-wide challenge and Spotify has been working hard to address this issue."

The statement added, "Less than one percent of all streams on Spotify have been determined to be artificial and those are promptly mitigated prior to any payout."

More on this
Blink-182 resumed the European leg of their tour in Antwerp, Belgium on Friday

Monica Schipper/Getty Travis Barker

Travis Barker is back behind the drum kit.

Blink-182 resumed their live appearances on Friday for the first time since Barker, 47, left the U.K. leg of their tour last week to be with his pregnant wife Kourtney Kardashian, 44, as she underwent an emergency surgery.

After postponing three shows in Glasgow, Belfast, and Dublin, citing an urgent family matter regarding Barker at the time, the pop-punk group was able to return to the stage in Antwerp, Belgium.



Related: Kourtney Kardashian and Travis Barker's Relationship Timeline

Barker shared footage on Instagram, captioning the post, "1st day of tour ." The video shows Barker walking up to the venue and giving his drumsticks to a fan, who broke down in tears after meeting the musician.

The drummer also posted several photos from Belgium to his Instagram Stories, taking followers on a tour of a church.

The band hit the stage in Antwerp later that night to perform their hits. Fans shared video from the concert, with one posting footage of fans singing along to "I Miss You" on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Several days before the concert on Wednesday, the musician confirmed the All the Small Things rockers would be able to resume their European dates with a post on X (formerly known as Twitter). He shared his gratitude for both his fans and his wifes health, as the reality star experienced a pregnancy complication.

The recording artist wrote on X, God is great. I flew home for a life-threatening emergency surgery for our baby that I'm so grateful went well. I want to say thank you for all the support. Tour resumes Friday."

The Lemme founder confirmed on Wednesday that she went into an urgent fetal surgery and opened up about the experience with a post on Instagram. Along with a black and white photo of her hand in a medical bracelet holding her husbands, she wrote, I will be forever grateful to my incredible doctors for saving our babys life."

Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic Kourtney Kardashian and Travis Barker

Related: Charli D'Amelio Is Sending Kourtney Kardashian 'Happy and Healthy Vibes' After Fetal Surgery (Exclusive)

"I am eternally grateful to my husband who rushed to my side from tour to be with me in the hospital and take care of me afterwards, my rock. And to my mom, thank you for holding my hand through this," the star of The Kardashians shared.

"As someone who has had three really easy pregnancies in the past, I wasnt prepared for the fear of rushing into urgent fetal surgery. I dont think anyone who hasnt been through a similar situation can begin to understand that feeling of fear," she continued. "I have a whole new understanding and respect for the mamas who have had to fight for their babies while pregnant."

The post concluded, "Praise be to God. Walking out of the hospital with my baby boy in my tummy and safe was the truest blessing. ."

Related: Here's Everything You Need to Know About Kourtney Kardashian and Travis Barker's Blended Family

Never miss a story  sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Kardashian is pregnant with her first child with Barker. The two were married in May 2022.

Each star was previously a parent of three: Kardashian shares Mason, Penelope and Reign with her ex Scott Disick, while Barker is father to his son Landon, daughter Alabama and his stepdaughter Atiana, all of whom he shares with ex-wife Shanna Moakler.



For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on People.
The use of French in The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon not only adds to the authenticity within this bold new landscape in the TWD Universe  after all, the show is set in France  but it also gives non-French speaking viewers the same sense of disorientation that Daryl (Norman Reedus) experiences. (Thankfully though, we get subtitles!) Hes in a new place with new people and there are many things he doesnt understand, including the language.

Its more than a little unsettling, and all the credit goes to the incredibly talented cast who masterfully navigate this new apocalyptic world in both French and English.

What to Watch had a chance to speak with Louis Puech Scigliuzzi (Laurent), Romain Levi (Codron) and Anne Charrier (Genet) about striking a balance when working in French and English, and how it influenced their performances.

"For me, it was very fun [to speak French and English]," said Levi. On the show, Levis Codron is stern and almost always angry while the actor is almost always smiling in real life.

"In the first season I dont speak much English," he said. A bit, but not much. But I loved it. And its very interesting as an actor because the words are different and the way its resonating inside is different. So you can play it subtly and in a different way. I wanted to be sure that I was understanding everything because we could improvise sometimes. So in English, I had to be a little more focused on the words, but it was very fun to do. I love it. And in a way, it gave me freedom in English. I felt a kind of freedom playing in English.

Charrier, whose Genet quickly becomes one of the more intriguing villains in the TWD Universe, agreed with Levi. You know, theres something very thrilling about playing in a language that has been the language of the cinema youve been watching. We didnt have to work on much as we didnt have to speak perfect English. We would cover [mistakes] with our accents, so the pressure wasnt huge. But being able to swap like that from French to English and to see how the acting would resonate was very exciting.

During the interview, Charrier noted that Scigliuzzi is the most fluent English speaker of the group. Daryl Dixon is the tweens first major role, and being able to use French and English helped him to improve his language skills. Previously hed practiced English with his father, but the role of Laurent gave him a chance to develop his English accent.

"Its really exciting," Scigliuzzi said. "Being on the show and being able to switch to French and English has really helped me improve my languages. Its starting to get better every day Im on set, and its a nice thing to know its improving."

The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon airs Sundays at 9 pm ET/PT on AMC and AMC Plus beginning September 10.
Three generations of women from a Wisconsin family have begun their fall semester together at Carthage College in Kenosha.

Mia Carter, an 18-year-old freshman accounting and marketing student, is starting her first semester at the liberal arts college alongside her mother, 49-year-old Amy Malczewski, and grandmother, 71-year-old Christy Schwan, the school told People. Meanwhile, Samantha Malczewski, Carters 19-year-old sister, is in her sophomore year at Carthages nursing program.

Samantha says she was shocked when she found out that her mother and grandmother would be joining her and her sister on campus. They were like, Oh, were going too, she told Good Morning America. It was really surprising. Mia, on the other hand, told the outlet that she wasnt too surprised. Both her mother and grandma had been interested in going back to school since Amys great-grandmother died, according to Mia.

I think my mom had a realization that your moms not always gonna be there, the 18-year-old explained, saying that the idea was to spend some quality time together and also strike out on an adventure together while they can. The duo are now enrolled in the schools 10-month masters degree programme in business design and innovation.

Life is short, so I tell people to push their doubts aside and go for it, Amy stated to People. Its especially sweet to go through this experience with my mom. Having worked at the college for over 20 years, Amy told CBS affiliate WDJT-TV: I just feel proud to be watching my daughters grow up and be more mature and have new experiences, but now also to see my mom accomplish something that shes always wanted to, and then even to accomplish something that Ive always wanted to I could probably burst Im so proud right now.

My mom raised me, obviously, to face my fears. I always say I think Im afraid every day of my life, but I just do things anyway and my mom taught me that, Amy continued.

Before retirement, Schwan was a small business owner and at one point, climbed the corporate leader. She has also published several books, according to the school. It has always been Schwans dream to pursue her masters during retirement, and thanks to her daughter, she was given that much-needed push to go after her goals. On her website, Schwan lists among her core beliefs as together is better than separate and it is never too late for a new beginning.

Age is no deterrent in education, Christy told People. Older students bring a valuable perspective to class discussions.

Carter said that although all of them have separate schedules, having each other nearby has its perks. Its nice that we can walk them to class, meet for a study session, or just meet in the cafeteria for meals, the 18-year-old added. I really love having that touch of home right here on campus.
Experts recommend how to explore the Nordic country.

skynesher/Getty Images

There are few places in the world quite as magical as the country of Iceland. From natural wonders like Gullfoss Waterfall and the Northern Lights to the buzzing culinary scene and fascinating history and culture of this Nordic island, Iceland has much to offer travelers.

If youre planning a trip to the land of fire and ice, it can be challenging to narrow down what sights and activities to put on your itinerary. I experienced this myself when I planned a hot springs tour around the country a couple of years ago; this time, I turned to the pros for advice.



Travel + Leisure spoke with three local experts to gather their thoughts on the best of Iceland. Davi Logi Gunnarsson, head guide of Nordic Luxury, shared his favorite museums, food and drink, and outdoor activities to check out; Dofri Hermannsson, expert hiking guide and owner of Reykjavik Erupts, shared top hikes to tackle and small businesses to frequent; and Aggi Sverrisson, executive chef at Moss Restaurant at the Retreat, offered restaurant and bar recommendations for every type of occasion. Without further ado, here are 25 of the best things to do in Iceland.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Related: The Perfect Three-day Weekend in Iceland



The National Gallery of Iceland

Grady Coppell/Getty Images

The National Gallery of Iceland is located in the heart of downtown Reykjavik and has more than 14,000 pieces in its expansive collection. The gallery features 19th-, 20th-, and 21st-century works celebrating and preserving Icelandic culture, and there is a large variety of international art as well. From traditional to contemporary works, [The National Gallery of Iceland] offers a captivating glimpse into the nations creative heritage, says Sverrisson.

The Akureyri Art Museum

The Akureyri Art Museum is located in the center of Icelands second-largest city, and its collection focuses solely on visual arts. Showcasing work from both local and international artists, the museum serves as a cultural hub for the artistic community in North Iceland. Explore the museum at your own pace or visit on a Thursday, when guided tours are available.

Bjarnarhofn Shark Museum

Martin Zwick/REDA&CO/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

Fermented shark is one of Icelands most unique culinary traditions, and you can take a deep dive into the connection between Iceland and Greenland sharks at the Bjarnarhofn Shark Museum. Located in West Iceland on the Snfellsnes Peninsula, this museum highlights the destination's long history of shark fishing, the fermentation process, and the importance of these predators to Icelandic culture. You can even try fermented shark yourself here.

National Museum of Iceland

Spencer Platt/Getty Images

This museum showcases paintings, statues, and other artifacts from Icelands storied past. Its located within walking distance from Reykjavik's center and is the perfect way to spend a rainy day or lazy afternoon in the city.

Radagerdi

A local favorite, this restaurant is tucked away on the western edge of Reykjavik and is surrounded by the sea in a nature reserve, says Gunnarsson. Its cozy, and the menu emphasizes locally sourced ingredients while drawing inspiration from the simplicity of Italian cuisine. While the restaurant is great to visit any time of year, winter can bring the backdrop of a lifetime, when you might see the Northern Lights right from your table.

Moss Restaurant

Courtesy of Moss Restaurant

Moss is a fine-dining restaurant located inside The Retreat at the Blue Lagoon in Grindavik. The restaurant's innovative tasting menu features the best of Icelandic meat and produce, and it was awarded its first Michelin star earlier this year. With breathtaking views of the mystical Blue Lagoon, a meal at Moss makes for an unparalleled culinary experience.

Monkeys

Monkeys is the perfect place to kick off a lively night out in Reykjavik. Located near the popular Laugavegur street, the eclectic Nikkei restaurant boasts bright and colorful decor that complements the exotic dishes and spectacular cocktails it serves. The Peruvian Japanese-inspired menu showcases a large selection of small dishes and tasting menus bursting with flavors that celebrate the palate, says Gunnarsson.

Pakkhus Restaurant

For some of the best seafood in the country, head to Pakkhus Restaurant in Hofn. Set in a converted warehouse along the harbor, the unpresuming restaurant features a top-class menu focused on fresh and locally sourced ingredients. Sverrisson notes that the restaurants specialties include unique langoustine creations, so make sure to add one or two fresh lobster dishes to your order.

Kaffibarinn

One of the oldest bars in the city, Kaffibarinn is a staple of Reykjaviks nightlife scene. During the day Kaffibarinn operates as a coffee shop, but at night tourists and locals alike flock here for the high-energy DJ sets, the hip atmosphere, and of course to dance all night long. This is the place to see and be seen, Gunnarsson says.

Port 9

Accoridng to Sverrisson, Port 9 is "A pioneer in Icelandic wine culture. Tucked away on a quiet residential street in Reykjavik, the intimate wine bar has an unbeatable selection of international wines, plus small bites to nibble on between pours. The inviting ambiance of the wine bar makes it the perfect spot for a date night or small group tasting.

Kaldi

Even though its located on the busy Laugavegur street, this cozy bar feels more sophisticated than your typical brewery. [Kaldi] is popular with locals and offers a great selection of Icelandic microbrews, says Gunnarsson. This place is bustling every evening, so be early.



Grotta Lighthouse

Rudolf Ernst/Getty Images

Escape the city lights with a leisurely hike from downtown Reykjavik to the Grotta Lighthouse on the Seltjarnarnes Peninsula. On a summer evening, it is great to hike from Harpa Conference Hall towards the lighthouse, says Hermannsson. Stunning sunsets are a treat in the summer, and in the winter months the clear skies are perfect for watching the Northern Lights.

Mount Esja

James Hartshorn/Getty Images

If you have access to a car, Hermannsson recommends driving to the base of Mount Esja, which is located about 50 minutes outside of Reykjavik in the southwest region of Iceland. Arrive ready for a heart-pumping hike at this year-round spot. There are many different hikes to choose from, and signage along the way to keep you on the path that best suits your experience level. Once you reach the nearly 3,000-foot summit, you can take in the jaw-dropping views of the city, the bay, and beyond.

Litli-Hrutur Volcano

Sner/Getty Images

Hiking a volcano is one of the most thrilling adventures you can embark on in Iceland, and Litli-Hrutur is the newest eruption. This particular hike is no easy trek, and since conditions are ever-changing, make sure youre adequately prepared if you want to make the journey. For a full experience, hire a local expert guide who knows everything about the volcanic activity of the Reykjavik area," says Hermannsson. "It really makes the Earth come alive under your feet."

Landmannalaugar

Neurobite/Getty Images

This otherworldly landscape captivates even the most experienced hiker, Gunnarsson says of Landmannalaugar. Located in the highlands of Iceland, the colorful mountains, hot springs, and steam vents in this unique place provide an unforgettable landscape and a silence that only a few have experienced in nature. The best time to visit is mid-June to mid-September, when the long summer days allow you to take in as much of the boundless beauty of the reserve as you can.

jorsardalur

skynesher/Getty Images

Scenic views take on a new meaning on this hike alongside jorsa, Icelands longest river. The breathtaking trek leads to Haifoss, one of the tallest and most dramatic waterfalls in Iceland. Along the way youll encounter much more natural beauty, including the Burfell Forest and Fossalda mountain.

Kaffitar

Kaffitar is a small coffee chain with four cafes located around Reykjavik. Founded in 1990 by Adalheidur Hedinsdottir, the company is now one of the leading coffee names in Iceland, in part thanks to its emphasis on nurturing relationships with the farmers who supply its coffee beans. [Hedinsdottir's] specialty coffee and the original cafe she opened were a hit, and now she runs several cafes, still getting her beans directly from farmers in South America," says Hermannsson.

Skool Beans

Joshua Schumacher

Skool Beans is Icelands smallest micro-roaster. On the southern coast of Iceland inside a classic yellow school bus, you will find this unique cafe in the small town of Vik. The rustic ambiance, as well as the exemplary coffee and chocolates, make for the best casual conversations with fellow travelers, notes Gunnarsson.

Reykjavik Rost

What better way to start your morning than a cup of coffee with a great view? Located near the water on the Old Harbor, Sverrisson dubs Reykjavik Rost one of the best coffee shops in the city. It offers all your standard coffee drinks, as well as maple sage lattes, keto coffee, and magic mushroom coffee. It also has a great selection of Icelandic cakes and traditional pastries, as well as amazing views.

Blue Lagoon

Makito Umekita/Travel + Leisure

This geothermal spa has gained international fame as a modern wonder of the world. Located in a black lava field in Grindavik, visitors can soak in the milky-blue waters known for their healing properties due to the silica and sulfur found in the water. Just 15 minutes from the Keflavik Airport, its the perfect activity right after landing or just before leaving Iceland

Hallgrimskirkja

1Tomm/Getty Images

One of Reykjavik's most historic landmarks, this gorgeous church rests on top of a hill in the center of Reykjavik and stands out due to its height and distinctly shaped spire and side wings. Built to resemble basalt columns, the 244-foot church is the tallest in Iceland, and in addition to operating as a church it serves as an observation deck. My favorite way to visit is to go up the bell tower and take in the panoramic views of the city from the observation windows, says Gunnarsson.

Solfar

Kridtin Wongpoovarak/Getty Images

Set on the coastline of Reykjavik, Solfar (or Sun Voyager) is a striking sculpture meant to serve as an ode to the sun. Created by Jon Gunnar Arnason, the stainless steel sculpture was inspired by world expeditions and symbolizes light, hope, and the promises of undiscovered territory. Check out the artwork at sunset for a stunning view that will leave you just as inspired as Arnason was when he created this masterpiece.

Mlifell

imageBROKER/Robert Haasmann/Getty Images

Awe-inspiring in its perfect conical shape, this ancient volcano sits like an island of greenery in a vast field of black sands and glacial streams, says Gunnarsson. Standing more than 2,500 feet above the highlands of Southern Iceland, Mlifell is a monstrous volcano and an ode to Icelands otherworldly landscapes. It's a must-see for adventure seekers, but note that due to its remote location, Mlifell is only accessible in the summer months. Those who manage to make it to this natural wonder will marvel at its truly majestic setting.

Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon

patmeierphotography.com/Getty Images

Jokulsarlon is Icelands most famous glacier lagoon, with massive icebergs looming over Jokulsarlon lake. This is one of Icelands most popular landmarks, and it's the deepest lake in the country, notes Sverrisson. Its located on the south coast and offers awe-inspiring views of floating icebergs, black-sand beaches, seals, and so much more.

Grjotagja Cave

Gannet77/Getty Images

This small lava cave is a hidden gem on Icelands famed Ring Road. Located near Lake Myvatn, the inconspicuous hideout is known for the bubbling geothermal hot springs found inside the cavern walls. The jagged rocks and turquoise waters make Grjotagja a hauntingly beautiful landmark to visit.

For more Travel & Leisure news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on Travel & Leisure.
Its time to expand your dessert repertoire.

There are dozens of things to love about fall, including the changing leaves, an excuse to drink pumpkin spice lattes, and the myriad of cozy meals you can enjoy as the days get shorter and cooler.



Greg DuPree



Another one of our favorite things about autumn are the dozens of desserts you can indulge in. While apple pie is a given, and a great way to put your apple-picking haul to good use, there are a plethora of other desserts that shine from September to November. From Chocolate-Hazelnut Swirl Cake to Pumpkin Caramel Pie Bars, check out this roundup of fall desserts that arent apple pie.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Related: 19 Fall Dinner Ideas to Make All Season Long

Orange and Clove Basque Cheesecake

Jennifer Causey

Wow your autumn dinner guests with this photo-worthy dessert. This crustless cheesecake originates from the Basque region of Spain, and as its cloud-like appearance suggests, it has a lighter texture than your typical American cheesecake. For a gluten-free take on this dessert, just swap in an all-purpose gluten-free flour blend.



get the recipe

Chocolate-Hazelnut Swirl Cake

Antonis Achilleos

This swirl cake boasts an eye-catching marble pattern thats bound to impress. To get the marbled look, youll use the zebra cake method, which creates more intricate, thinner stripes. Once the dessert sets in the oven, a crunchy streusel made with hazelnuts adorns the top, resulting in an irresistible crunchy contrast to the tender confection.



get the recipe

Cherry-Vanilla Bundt Cake

Antonis Achilleos

While this might look like a classic bundt cake from the outside, this treat has a major wow factora cascade of cherries hidden inside the sweet, tender crumb. To create this showstopper, youll add a cake batter enhanced with yogurt to the pan in two batches, with a store-bought cherry pie filling sandwiched between. If you need a make-ahead dessert, prepare this cake a day in advance and dust with confectioners sugar just before putting it on the table.



get the recipe

Pumpkin Swirl Cheesecake Bars

Greg DuPree

Pumpkin is the star of many fall desserts, including this sweet and savory number. Here, spiced pumpkin puree mingles with a tangy cheesecake mixture, as well as a delicious Speculoos cookie crust, to create some visually appealing cheesecake bars.



get the recipe

Sheet-Pan Apple Crisp

Caitlin Bensel

While this dessert might be similar to apple pie, its crispy in a way that a pie could never be. To get those perfectly golden corners, use a sheet pan instead of the typical glass baking dish to bake this treat in. And while this recipe calls for Gala apples, feel free to use Braeburns, Honeycrisps, or Pink Ladies. Its time to put all of those fresh apples to work!



get the recipe

Pumpkin Bread Trifle With Pepita Streusel

Antonis Achilleos

A cream cheese-spiked trifle with a pumpkin spice streusel? Yes, please. Youll start by baking a simple loaf of pumpkin bread. Then, bake a crumbly and sweet streusel made with flour, sugar, butter, pumpkin pie spice, and pepitas for some delightful crunch, and dont forget the sweetened cream cheese, which is the glue that holds this fall confection together.



get the recipe

3-Layer Magic Cake

Bahareh Niati

This magic cake is a hit no matter what time of year it is. The magic happens when the cake batter separates into three distinct layers in the ovena thick, fudgy bottom layer, a custard center, and a top layer of delicate sponge cake. Wanna make this treat more fall-like? Add cinnamon, nutmeg, and pumpkin puree to the batter for an unmistakably autumnal take.



get the recipe

Ginger Apple Tarte Tatin

A standard tarte tatin is a French upside-down apple tart, but this take is a tad different. In this recipe, you'll infuse caramel with fresh ginger. Then, youll drape thawed puff pastry on top and let it turn flaky and golden in the oven. Flip the entire thing over for the big reveal table-side, and expect your guests to be impressed.



get the recipe

Malted Chocolate Brownies

Victor Protasio

Chocolate is delicious no matter what season it is, and these brownies are wonderfully chocolatey. Chocolate or vanilla malted milk powder is mixed with cocoa powder to add another layer of flavor, and before the brownies bake, a generous handful of chopped malted milk balls (we like Whoppers!) and a pinch of flaky sea salt get sprinkled on top. The result is brownies with a caramelized crunchy topping thats equal parts malty, salty, and sweet. Yum!



get the recipe

Apple Cider Donuts

Grace Elkus

Making donuts might seem daunting, but we promise its not as intimidating as you may think. These fried treats, which are perfect for fall, are made with apple cider, flour, and plenty of sugar. Pro tip: If you don't have a donut cutter, use an upside-down water glass and a bottle cap (for the hole) to punch out the donuts.



get the recipe

Hazelnut Swirl Blondies

Greg DuPree

Blondies never disappoint, and what makes these blondies particularly outstanding are the dollops of Nutella-like, chocolate-hazelnut spread that you'll swirl into the batter before baking. For a nice, crunchy texture, feel free to add chopped hazelnuts to the batter and sprinkle the finished dessert with flaky sea salt. You wont regret it.



get the recipe

Jammy Hand Pies

Fred Hardy

If youre not using your air fryer to make dessert, youre missing out, and this recipe is proof. Here, frozen strawberries are cooked down with sugar and cornstarch until theyre irresistibly thick and jammy. Then, youll spread the jam inside circles of store-bought pie dough, fold, and crimp, before cooking these puppies in your trusty air fryer.



get the recipe

Apple Rugelach

Victor Protasio

While these little crescent-shaped pastries make for a great Hanukkah treat, that can totally be enjoyed all-year-round. The filling is a simple mixture of apple butter, honey, cinnamon, and a sprinkle of slivered almonds, but feel free to experiment with other fillings, such as chocolate hazelnut spread, strawberry jam, apricot preserves, and more.



get the recipe

Pistachio-Walnut Cheesecake

Greg DuPree

The combo of Biscoff cookies, nuts, and honey makes this cheesecake an all-star dessert, especially in the fall. The finishing touch is a sweet-and-tangy sour cream topping that balances out the desserts other flavors. To ensure a lump-free cheesecake, start with room-temperature cream cheese.



get the recipe

Heavenly Coconut Pound Cake

Kelsey Hansen

Sure, the shredded coconut in this cake brings the tropical vibes, but we assure you that this treat is just as delicious in the fall. The glaze (topped with shredded coconut, of course) kicks things up a notch. Enjoy a slice with a cup of hot chocolate or apple cider and youre ready for autumn!



get the recipe

Related: 15 Delicious Hot Chocolate Recipes That Are Over-the-Top Decadent

Red Velvet Brownie Torte

Victor Protasio

What happens when red velvet cake and brownies join forces? The answer is this rich and decadent multi-layered treat. The brownie batter is spiked with red food coloring, and the chocolatey result is almost fudgy. A tangy cream cheese frosting officially takes the dessert over-the-top, while sprinkles add plenty of color and texture.



get the recipe

Gingerbread Pretzel Popcorn

If you love fall but are already itching for winter, give this festive popcorn a whirl. Each kernel is slathered with a vanilla caramel sauce made with cinnamon, cloves, ginger, and nutmeg for a flavor that's reminiscent of freshly baked gingerbread cookies. When you head to Thanksgiving dinner or a holiday potluck, bring this popcorn as a delicious gift.



get the recipe

Pumpkin Spice Bread

Victor Protasio

What's more festive than serving pumpkin spice bread in the fall? Not much. This recipe actually calls for real pumpkin puree, so you know the pumpkin flavor will deliver. Plus, since the sweet streusel is made with real pumpkin seeds, this loaf is also a looker. Slather some butter or cream cheese on a slice and dig in.



get the recipe

Cranberry Pistachio Biscotti With White Chocolate

Caitlin Bensel

If youve never combined pistachios and dried cranberries, now is your chance. This recipe calls for both of those ingredients and adds some white chocolate to the mix to take this dessert to the next level. And while biscotti has a reputation for being tough to chew, these pieces are soft enough to take a gentle bite while holding firm for a quick dip in coffee or tea.



get the recipe

Potato Chip Crispy Treats

Antonis Achilleos

Lets be honest, crispy treats transcend all seasons. In this recipe, the classic kids treat boasts a white chocolate drizzle and pieces of crushed wavy potato chips in each bite. The chips, which are a welcome addition, keep this easy dessert from being cloyingly sweet like the crispy treats you devoured as a child.



get the recipe

Mini Pumpkin Pies With Speculoos Crust and Whipped Cream

Jennifer Causey

If youre having a small fall dinner party, or just dont feel like whipping up an entire pumpkin pie, try these mini desserts. Here, each small pie features a press-in crust made with Speculoos cookies, as well as spicy sweet pumpkin filling. The pies also get a kick from grated fresh ginger, but it mellows under a pillowy dollop of whipped cream.



get the recipe

Honey-Apple Galette With Pistachio Sugar

Anna Williams

This decadent fall dessert combines honey and apple flavors into a flaky dough for a beautiful galette. As delicious as that may sound, a homemade pistachio sugar sets this confection apart from other apple desserts. To make the tasty topping youll blitz pistachios with sugar and a pinch of salt until ground, then liberally sprinkle the mixture all over the dough.



get the recipe

No-Bake Pumpkin Pie

Greg DuPree

A pie that doesnt require an oven? Consider us intrigued. This no-bake dessert boasts a press-in graham cracker crust, which encases a pumpkin puree filling with white chocolate, warm spices, and cream cheese. Pro tip: Make sure the cream cheese is truly at room temperature and that the chocolate is cooled before whisking it into the pumpkin puree. That way, the ingredients will come together easily.



get the recipe

Vanilla Sweet Potato Cheesecake

Victor Protasio

This vanilla sweet potato cheesecake is easy to whip up, but it looks gorgeously fancy. It includes a clever combination of just-enough sweet potato, plenty of cream cheese, and a brown butter-based graham cracker crust that youll want to make over and over again. Those three elements come together to create a mouth-watering dessert thats especially tasty once the temperatures start to dip.



get the recipe

Apple Cider Doughnut Tower

Jennifer Causey

Why have just one apple cider doughnut when you can make an apple cider doughnut tower? To assemble this masterpiece, youll procure some doughnuts (perhaps from your favorite orchard or farmers market) and whip together some cream with cream cheese and maple syrup. That combo acts as the glue that holds the tower together, while store-bought caramel sauce and chopped pecans top the whole thing.



get the recipe

Pumpkin Pecan Crisps

Max Kelly

A creamy warmly-spiced custard hides beneath a nutty crunchy streusel topping to create a dessert thats ready in about an hour. Before you serve each crisp, we suggest that you top it with a dollop of whipped cream. Creme fraiche also works, as does Greek yogurt if you want to eat this treat for breakfast.



get the recipe

Slow Cooker Apple Spice Cake

Victor Protasio

Yes, you can cook cake in the slow cooker, and yes, its delicious. This fall dessert is made with walnuts, brown sugar, buttermilk, apple pieces, and more, along with autumnal spices such as cinnamon and allspice. When the cake is done, dust it with a light coating of powdered sugar and serve.



get the recipe

Pumpkin Caramel Pie Bars With Toasted Coconut

Brie Passano

If you like pumpkin pie and salted caramel, this is the fall dessert for you. In this recipe, a pumpkin pie-inspired filling encased in a buttery crust is spiked with a homemade caramel sauce, and the whole thing is topped with crispy toasted coconut. Are you drooling yet?



get the recipe

Slow Cooker Pineapple Upside Down Cake

Victor Protasio

Though pineapple is generally viewed as a summer fruit, this recipe calls for canned pineapple rings, which you can find at the grocery store year-round. Here, the fruit pieces are studded in a brown sugar cake batter. Garnish with maraschino cherries and unsweetened whipped cream, which will cut the sweetness and acidity of this dessert.



get the recipe

Dark Chocolate-Pumpkin Dump Cake

Caitlin Bensel

While dump cake doesnt sound glamorous, we promise that this seasonal offering is delicious. For this dessert, youll find a classic pumpkin pie base with chopped semi-sweet chocolate in each bite. In other words, each forkful is a combo of custardy pumpkin and melted chocolate. Serve with a scoop of vanilla or pumpkin ice cream and enjoy!



get the recipe

Related: 45 Canned Pumpkin Recipes That Are Incredibly Easy to Make

Slow Cooker Cinnamon-Pecan Monkey Bread

Heather Meldrom

Who doesnt love monkey bread, especially when you can make it in the slow cooker? This dessert, which can also be enjoyed as a decadent breakfast treat, includes a nifty shortcut in that its made with refrigerated biscuits. Coat each biscuit in a cinnamon and brown sugar mixture, set your slow cooker on low, and enjoy in about two hours time.



get the recipe

Pumpkin Cream Puffs

Max Kelly

Pumpkin pie is a classic fall dessert, but if you want to experiment with other recipes that star the popular gourd, we suggest giving these cream puffs a try. For this dessert, choux pastries get filled with brown sugar and pumpkin pastry cream for a dreamy contrast in textures that any pumpkin fan will adore.



get the recipe

Chocolate-Almond Cake

Greg DuPree

The beauty of this chocolate-almond cake is that it isn't too sweet, and it comes together simply, thanks in large part to a food processor. Here, bittersweet chocolate combines with finely-ground almonds, sugar, vanilla, and egg whites. Once baked, the mixture becomes a decadent, naturally gluten-free treat that's best enjoyed with a dollop of whipped cream.

Chocolate-Almond Cake

For more Real Simple news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on Real Simple.
Frugal shoppers know that Aldi is the place to be if you're looking for affordable groceries, like store-brand alternatives to favorite snacks or fresh produce. But, that doesn't mean every product is a winner, and Aldi has a somewhat mixed reputation when it comes to its meat products. Whether you're an Aldi regular or trying out the grocery chain for the first time, you may want to think twice about buying these meats.

There are lots of reasons why a certain meat product might not live up to a customer's expectations, from the inconsistency of the food quality and the value of the cost to the texture and taste. From issues with food products expiring early to issues with high fat or water content, there may even be ethical concerns around the sourcing, production, or packaging of certain meat products, like seafood. Before you rush out to take advantage of Aldi's low prices, let's take a closer look at various meats like Aldi's chicken, beef, seafood, and deli cuts and uncover the reasons why you're probably better off buying them somewhere else.

Read more: Why Aren't You Already Buying These Foods From Aldi?

Deli Meat

deli meat display - Bloomberg/Getty Images

It's not only fresh meat that gets a bad rap at Aldi -- you may also want to be cautious of the store's deli meat. To cut down on costs and to keep prices low, Aldi doesn't have a deli counter like some other larger grocery store chains do. That means that Aldi shoppers can't get fresh cuts of deli meat straight from the store, and instead need to purchase prepackaged slices of meats like ham, turkey, or roast beef.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

While Aldi provides convenience with pre-packaged deli meats, the offputting texture might leave some shoppers worried about whether the meat has expired. Critics of Aldi's, including a Facebook user, called the lunch meat "slimy" and "NOT deli counter quality." One Reddit user complained about Aldi's deli turkey, saying, "The slime on it is the reason I no longer buy it. I just couldn't get past the slime." Other Aldi shoppers haven't sworn off the store's deli meat completely, advising others to only purchase deli meat that comes in hard plastic tubs.

But, is slimy deli meat really safe to consume? Utah State University food-safety expert Brian Nummer, Ph.D. told Mens Health, "Strong off-odors, not slime, indicate spoilage." So it seems that, while the slimy coating that you find on older slices of deli meat is certainly offputting, it won't hurt you. A better way to tell if your meat has gone bad is by smelling it -- a rotting smell indicates the growth of harmful bacteria, and you're better off tossing it.

Chicken Breast

Raw chicken breasts - Sirozy/Shutterstock

Chicken breasts are one of the most popular cuts of meat that Americans purchase, mainly because of its versatility and low price point compared to other more expensive meats like beef. In fact, each American eats at least 100 pounds of chicken on average every year so, with such a high demand, one would hope that Aldi's chicken breasts could offer a low-cost and delicious option. Unfortunately, the grocery chain is notorious for its low-quality chicken breasts with odd, unappealing texture and high fat content.

While a little bit of fat is good for flavor, too much can lead to an unappealing dish, so fat is often trimmed from the breasts before cooking. Aldi shoppers often find that the fresh chicken breasts have an overabundance of fat that has to be trimmed off before they can cook, only to realize that they've lost a substantial amount of mass from the breast. All that extra prep still doesn't stop shoppers from finding pieces of bone in their chicken breasts on occasion. One customer even took to Reddit to warn others they found bones in their chicken breasts, even claiming to have damaged a tooth.

Ground Beef

package of ground beef - Deutschlandreform/Shutterstock

Chances are, you and your family regularly enjoy ground beef -- it's by far the most popular way that Americans consume beef products, with up to 60% of all beef being bought in ground form. There's a lot to love about ground beef; it's relatively affordable, easy to cook, and versatile, making it a standout choice for families everywhere. But, if you're looking to get a deal on ground beef, you might want to think twice about getting it from Aldi.

the budget supermarket hasn't had the best luck with its ground beef quality control recently -- in August of 2023, the USDA Inspection Service put out a public health alert informing the public that they'd received reports of soft, clear plastic found in the store's ground beef. However, no recall was issued because Aldi no longer sold that particular brand of ground beef. But, customers aren't just finding plastic in their hamburger meat, one Reddit user claims they "have to be very careful when chewing to not hit a bone piece or [gristle]."

Unfortunately, it looks like the quality of Aldi's ground beef is inconsistent, even within the same brand with a Redditor claiming, "The first time I bought the 80/20 one it was absolutely vile, like [there] was something wrong with it. The second time I got it, it was delicious." Regardless, if you do decide to purchase ground beef from Aldi, make sure you keep your receipt and proceed with caution.

Fish

Aldi seafood department - shutterupeire/Shutterstock

Since Aldi is such a great place to get deals on practically anything, it's understandable if you want to buy your fish there, too. But, if you're thinking about buying seafood of any kind from Aldi, you should know about some reportedly unethical practices of some of Aldi's seafood suppliers, as well as the quality of the products themselves.

For one thing, an investigation by the Associated Press revealed that the grocery chain has sourced seafood from China, a country known for employing North Korean workers in harsh conditions. North Korean workers are sent to China to prep seafood that would end up in stores like Walmart and Aldi, and while these workers are paid, as much as 70% of their salary is given to the North Korean government. Additionally, a class action lawsuit filed in 2021 challenges Aldi's claims that its seafood products are sustainably sourced. The lawsuit alleges that Aldi falsely markets its fresh Atlantic salmon as sustainably sourced while using harmful industrial practices that harm the environment.

Aldi's seafood has also received mixed reviews from customers, who love the fresh frozen salmon sides, but recommend against the tilapia, with one Redditor calling it "terribly thin" with "no flavor." Other reviewers strongly advise staying away from the Fremont frozen seafood mix, which contains calamari, shrimp, mussels, and scallops. One disgruntled Reddit user mentioned that the seafood released lots of liquid into the pan, leaving a soupy texture and overwhelmingly "fishy" smell.

Turkey

Raw whole turkey with vegetables - Gmvozd/Getty Images

While some meats from Aldi have notorious reputations and should always be avoided, others aren't necessarily known for their bad quality. But, a few bad experiences could be enough to put shoppers off certain products, like Aldi's whole turkey. If you're planning on purchasing your next holiday turkey from Aldi, make sure to do your research and consider what other shoppers have to say.

Aldi's whole turkeys do not have the greatest reputation. The supermarket was hit with quite the scandal in 2019 when angry U.K. shoppers claimed that the whole turkeys they bought for Christmas dinner were "spoiled" and "rancid", having already gone bad by the time they were ready to be cooked. While that incident might have been an unusual occurrence, Aldi's turkey can also have texture issues. One Aldi reviewer called the Kirkland bone-in turkey breast "very tough and dry with a game-like flavor despite brining and using moist cooking methods." Another called it "stringy," or "inedible".

If you do decide to enjoy an Aldi whole turkey, make sure you double-check the expiration date, and keep your receipt, since Aldi will accept returns. Remember to cook your turkey at an even temperature to avoid drying out the meat in the oven -- keep it between 325 to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

Bacon

Appleton thick sliced bacon - Deutschlandreform/Shutterstock

The best bacon is sliced thick enough that it can hold up to frying, with just the right amount of fat compared to pork meat. Unfortunately, not all bacon is created equal. The quality of bacon at any grocery store can range from fantastic to downright nasty, but Aldi seems to have issues with inconsistent quality from pack to pack, so you may have to gamble on whether the Aldi bacon you're buying will be any good.

Luckily, there haven't been any major complaints about Aldi's bacon going bad too quickly. The majority of the issues with bacon at Aldi have been with its fat-to-meat ratio; frustratingly, it seems that the results are inconsistent even with packs from the same brand. While some shoppers may enjoy Aldi's Appleton Farms bacon, one Reddit user called it "basically uncooked pork fat" and noted that there was very little meat in each strip. The same reviewer lambasted Aldi for having "ZERO quality control." Other annoyed shoppers emphasized how the bacon strips don't easily separate from each other. Some had issues with the bacon shredding when they tried to pull the strips apart, with one Aldi reviewer even going as far as to call it "one of the worst bacon experiences I've ever had!"

Read the original article on Daily Meal.
A Work for Humankind volunteer explores Robinson Crusoe Island, Chile. Expats working abroad have the opportunity to explore new places, like Chile, Spain, Portugal, Belize and various others. | Business Wire

So, youre daydreaming about  or seriously considering  moving abroad? Youre not alone.

Summer holidays are over, and gone with them is the delusion that youre a step away from picking up and moving away to your most recent vacation spot.

Or maybe youre like me, and your social media feeds are full of how I moved to London content  and as Mamma Mia season nears its end, Donnas relocation to Greece is looking better by the day.

Regardless of the reasoning behind your expat dreams, theres a fair bit of research that needs to be done regarding the more tedious parts of life, especially taxes, visas and housing.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Here are six options  and a couple of wild cards  to whet your expat whistle.

1. Mexico

Basilica De Guadalupe, Tepeyac Insurgentes, Mexico City, Mexico. | Crisoforo Gaspar Hernandez, Unsplash

Besides its proximity to the U.S., Mexico has much to offer expats. The cost of living is much lower than practically every U.S. city. On average, you can expect to pay between $400 and $1,000 for rent, per the Thrillist. Thats compared to the average one-bedroom price tag of $1,200 in the U.S. Then, theres the rich food and culture at your disposal across the country.

Find Temporary Resident visa information here.

2. Spain

Edificio Metropoli, Gran via - Madrid, Spain. | Jorge Fernandez Salas, Unsplash

This sunny European vacation spot probably wont surprise you, especially if youve done even a quick Google search into long-term visas. Still, its earned its place on this list with the relative ease of securing one, a lower cost of living than the U.S. and, like all of the destinations on this list, a thriving food scene. And if travel outside of the country is a priority, Spain has cheap and quick flights across Europe and boasts a close proximity to the African continent. Bonus: If you do freelance work, you can apply for Spains self-employment visa, per Go Visa Free.

Find visa information here.

3. Portugal

Aveiro, Portugal. | Ricardo Resende, Unsplash

Like Spain, Portugal is a no-brainer for inclusion on this list. The Iberian country also plays host to a low cost of living, nearness to the rest of Europe and mouth-watering cuisine. Even more enticing is the Digital Nomad Visa, which, among other things, requires that you make about $3,192 a month, as earlier reported by the Deseret News.

Find visa information here.

4. Singapore

A visitor walks between the Supertree structures at Gardens by the Bay as dusk settles over the city skyline in Singapore, Monday, July 17, 2023. | David Goldman, Associated Press

Due to safety, a sizable English-speaking population and cultural scene, Singapore is an enticing country to relocate to, per CNBC. Its a more expensive location, though that means amenities are easily accessible. It may not be as ideal for everyone, but if you can hold a mid- to senior-level position and get a position there, getting a visa shouldnt be too difficult. Another possible route to take is the working holiday visa, which U.S. citizens aged between 18 and 30 (25 for Singapore) can use. The visa allows entry into Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, South Korea and Canada, per Go Abroad.

Find visa information here.

Related

5. Thailand

This photo shows a general view of Benjakitti Park in Bangkok, Thailand, Sunday, May 8, 2022. Bursting with trees, ponds, plants and birdlife, the new inner-city park is delighting residents of Thailands bustling, congested capital. (AP Photo/Krit Phromsakla Na Sakolnakorn) | AP

Every East Asian backpacking trip stops in Thailand, or at least thats how it seems on social media. Theres a reason so many people flock to this corner of the world; for one thing, its inexpensive, and you get more for your money than you will in the U.S. According to Go Visa Free, Thailand boasts a large expat community and a range of lifestyles, as well as some of the best food youll eat. Just remember: If you think you can handle spice, think again.

Find long-stay visa information here.

6. Australia

Brisbane, QLD, Australia | Patrick McGregor, Unsplash

Similarly to Singapore, a working holiday visa could secure you at least a year in the land down under. With this visa, you can do short-term work to pay for your long holiday. Though this visa isnt for people moving for a career, there are other visa options to look into for that move. Plus, theres no language barrier, as the national language is English.

Find visa information here.

Related

Wild cards

Georgia

View of Tbilisi, Georgia. | U.S. Department of State

No, Im not referring to the Peach State. Georgia is a small country nestled between Europe and Asia. Despite it still being in development, Georgia is a breath of fresh air compared to its popular European counterparts. It already hosts an expat community, boasts a low cost of living and adventure abounds in one of Europes youngest countries. And according to the Thrillist, the locals will embrace you as long as you arent Russian (due to the countrys fraught history with Russia, including the 2008 Russo-Georgian war and conflict in the former U.S.S.R.).

Find visa information here.

Belize

Fresh fruits at a fruit stand on the side of Hummingbird Highway, Belize. | Meritt Thomas, Unsplash

If youre looking to escape the fast-paced life of the U.S. for the sun and sea, Belize might just be the ideal spot. Belize is unique on this list for various reasons, chief of which are that the national language is English and, according to Frommers, the country accepts U.S. currency.

Find visa information here.

Related
Looking for new movies and shows to watch this weekend? We've got you covered with plenty of treats ready to be binged on Netflix , Apple TV Plus, Disney Plus and other top streaming services .

The weekend lineup is led by two big premieres. The first is the spinoff The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon, which sees Norman Reedus head to France to fight off zombies. The other is The Changeling, a horror mystery starring LaKeith Stanfield as a desperate dad.

More great TV awaits, as Virgin River season 5 and Star Trek: Lower Decks season 4 drop new episodes. And on the movie side, The Little Mermaid makes its streaming debut. Here's our guide on what to watch this weekend.

TV Premieres

The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon (AMC)

A hardened fighter is tasked with escorting a special child across a ravaged post-apocalyptic landscape  no, this isnt The Last of Us, though it sounds awfully similar. In his own standalone spinoff of The Walking Dead franchise, Daryl Dixon (Norman Reedus) becomes the Joel to a French boy named Laurent (Louis Puech Scigliuzzi).

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

But lets back up for a moment. After leaving the Commonwealth at the end of the flagship series, Daryl washes ashore in France, ground zero of the zombie virus. He has no idea how he got there but soon falls in with warrior nun Isabelle (Clemence Poesy). She recruits him for a mission to take Laurent to a refuge where his miraculous nature can turn the tide against the zombies.

Premieres Sunday, Sept. 10 at 9 p.m. ET on AMC (via Sling or Fubo )

Streaming now on AMC Plus

The Changeling (Apple TV Plus)

Just in time to kick off spooky season comes this eerie, horror-mystery fable based on Victor LaValles novel of the same name. LaKeith Stanfield stars as Apollo, an antiquarian book dealer who has a whirlwind courtship with librarian Emma (Clark Backo). Soon, she becomes pregnant and Apollo is thrilled to welcome a child.

But after Emma gives birth on a subway train, things take an unexpected and maddening turn. Whether shes experiencing postpartum depression or taking a shamans pre-delivery words too seriously, Emma decides little Brian isnt actually their baby. It leads her to commit a drastic act, one which Apollo struggles to comprehend.

Streaming now on Apple TV Plus

Virgin River season 5 (Netflix)

Baby on board  and in danger, on multiple fronts. Last we visited the small town of Virgin River, nurse practitioner Mel (Alexandra Breckenridge) and bar-owning boyfriend Jack (Martin Henderson) were expecting a little one. But Mel is experiencing a high-risk pregnancy and must make a difficult decision about her job. Things get even more stressful when the entire community is threatened by a devastating wildfire.

Elsewhere, Doc (Tim Matheson) and Hope (Annette OToole) are grappling with how their respective impairments are changing their identities. Still, theres a silver lining on the horizon, as Preacher (Colin Lawrence) finds new love.

Streaming now on Netflix

Star Trek: Lower Decks season 4 (Paramount Plus)

The thoroughly unimportant crew members of the U.S.S. Cerritos return for more adventures in deep space. Season 4 begins with an unknown force destroying starships and threatening galactic peace. But thats no business of Ensigns Mariner (Tawny Newsome), Boimler (Jack Quaid), Tendi (Noel Wells), Rutherford (Eugene Cordero) and Provisional Ensign TLyn (Gabrille Ruiz). Theyre just here to keep busy and do the mundane tasks assigned to them  until zany occurrences derail them.

Streaming now on Paramount Plus

Selling the OC season 2 (Netflix)

Bigger listings, bigger paydays, bigger drama. The spinoff of the hit reality show Selling Sunset is back on the market. Reputations, romances and relationships are on the line for The Oppenheim Group's Orange County team, who are navigating a hot real estate market and even hotter rumors. Tension is (still) brewing between agents in the office, which only grows with the arrival of a new face, Alexandra Harper. As Gio Helou snarks, "Shes pretty, charismatic, but overrated." Tell us how you really feel!

Streaming now on Netflix

Scouts Honor: The Secret Files of the Boy Scouts of America (Netflix)

The Boys Scouts of America was an institution that was not just respected but revered as trustworthy, morally upright and as American as apple pie. Then, it all came tumbling down in 2020 when the organization filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy and more than 82,000 former Scouts came forward with claims of sexual abuse. Using interviews with survivors, whistleblowers and former employees, this documentary exposes one of the worst scandals of all time.

Streaming now on Netflix

Notable New Episodes

The Afterparty season 2 finale (Apple TV Plus)

And now we finally get the answer to whodunit? The previous nine episodes have laid out clues, dropped red herrings and revealed dark secrets about all of the guests at Edgar and Graces wedding, which was marred by his murder. Now, the finale brings us the perspectives of Zoe (Zoe Chao) and her mother Vivian (Vivian Wu), told in the alternating styles of campy horror and 80s soap opera. By the end, Detective Danner (Tiffany Haddish) may slap handcuffs on whatever man, woman or lizard killed Edgar.

Streaming now on Apple TV Plus

Movie Premieres

The Little Mermaid (Disney Plus)

Disneys nostalgia machine revs up another live-action remake of one of their animated classics. This time, The Little Mermaid gets the treatment, following in the footsteps of Cinderella, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin and Mulan. Like those remakes, this one has its naysayers, though the high level of vitriol targeting Black actress Halle Bailey is truly disturbing.

Of course, a fictional cartoon mermaid doesnt have to look a certain way, nor does any remake need to be 100% faithful to its predecessor. As Ariel, Bailey is an utterly charming screen presence with a powerful voice. The story of an outsider yearning for a different life is as familiar and comforting as ever. Plus, the ubiquitous Lin-Manuel Miranda adds new music to make this IP-plumbing cash grab a little more interesting.

Streaming now on Disney Plus

Sitting in Bars With Cake (Prime Video)

Inspired by true events, this celebration of female friendship follows best friends Jane (Yara Shahidi) and Corinne (Odessa Azion) as they navigate life in Los Angeles in their twenties. Jane is a shy but very talented home baker, and the extroverted Corinne convinces her to commit to a year of baking cakes and bringing them to bars with the goal of meeting people.

Their year of cakebarring is filled with joy and madcap adventures. Then, Corinne gets a life-changing diagnosis and the friends face the biggest challenge of their young lives.

Streaming now on Prime Video

More from Tom's Guide
Key Insights

Institutions' substantial holdings in Bank of America implies that they have significant influence over the company's share price

48% of the business is held by the top 25 shareholders

Insiders have sold recently

A look at the shareholders of Bank of America Corporation (NYSE:BAC) can tell us which group is most powerful. And the group that holds the biggest piece of the pie are institutions with 58% ownership. Put another way, the group faces the maximum upside potential (or downside risk).

Because institutional owners have a huge pool of resources and liquidity, their investing decisions tend to carry a great deal of weight, especially with individual investors. Therefore, a good portion of institutional money invested in the company is usually a huge vote of confidence on its future.

In the chart below, we zoom in on the different ownership groups of Bank of America.

Check out our latest analysis for Bank of America

What Does The Institutional Ownership Tell Us About Bank of America?

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 Bank of America. This suggests some credibility amongst professional investors. But we can't rely on that fact alone since institutions make bad investments sometimes, just like everyone does. If multiple institutions change their view on a stock at the same time, you could see the share price drop fast. It's therefore worth looking at Bank of America's earnings history below. Of course, the future is what really matters.

Since institutional investors own more than half the issued stock, the board will likely have to pay attention to their preferences. Hedge funds don't have many shares in Bank of America. The company's largest shareholder is Berkshire Hathaway Inc., with ownership of 13%. In comparison, the second and third largest shareholders hold about 7.7% and 6.0% of the stock.

Story continues

Our studies suggest that the top 25 shareholders collectively control less than half of the company's shares, meaning that the company's shares are widely disseminated and there is no dominant shareholder.

While it makes sense to study institutional ownership data for a company, it also makes sense to study analyst sentiments to know which way the wind is blowing. Quite a few analysts cover the stock, so you could look into forecast growth quite easily.

Insider Ownership Of Bank of America

The definition of company insiders can be subjective and does vary between jurisdictions. Our data reflects individual insiders, capturing board members at the very least. Management ultimately answers to the board. However, it is not uncommon for managers to be executive board members, especially if they are a founder or the CEO.

Most consider insider ownership a positive because it can indicate the board is well aligned with other shareholders. However, on some occasions too much power is concentrated within this group.

Our information suggests that Bank of America Corporation insiders own under 1% of the company. Being so large, we would not expect insiders to own a large proportion of the stock. Collectively, they own US$419m of stock. It is always good to see at least some insider ownership, but it might be worth checking if those insiders have been selling.

General Public Ownership

With a 29% ownership, the general public, mostly comprising of individual investors, have some degree of sway over Bank of America. While this group can't necessarily call the shots, it can certainly have a real influence on how the company is run.

Public Company Ownership

We can see that public companies hold 13% of the Bank of America shares on issue. This may be a strategic interest and the two companies may have related business interests. It could be that they have de-merged. This holding is probably worth investigating further.

Next Steps:

While it is well worth considering the different groups that own a company, there are other factors that are even more important. For instance, we've identified 2 warning signs for Bank of America (1 is a bit concerning) that 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.
Brazilian model Cintia Dicker is the definition of a seasoned SI Swimsuit model. She appeared in five consecutive issues of the magazine, beginning in 2009 and ending in 2013. While all of the photoshoots she starred in were fantastic, one of the more unique ones was her sophomore feature with the magazine.

In 2010, Dicker traveled to Portugal with photographer Stewart Shining for her second consecutive feature. The photoshoot included dips in a picturesque pool and walks through vineyards of the Portuguese countryside. The final photos werelike all of Dickers SI Swimsuit capturesincredible.

By the time she made her way to Portugal for that second feature, she was 24-years-old and had already been working in the industry for more than nine years. In a 25 Facts About Me that she did for SI Swimsuit in 2013, the model shared bits about her beginnings, including her decision to move to New York City at the age of 15 to pursue a modeling career.

The now 36-year-old likewise shared her desire to marry and to have children in her list of factsa wish that she has recently fulfilled. The model married professional surfer and fellow Brazilian Pedro Scooby in 2020, and they welcomed their first child, a daughter named Aurora, last December.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

The SI Swimsuit team is grateful to have had the chance to work with Dicker for that five-year stretch and happy that she is now fulfilling some of her other aspirations. Below are nine of our favorite photos from her second year with the magazine in Portugal.

Stewart Shining/Sports Illustrated

Stewart Shining/Sports Illustrated

Stewart Shining/Sports Illustrated

Stewart Shining/Sports Illustrated

Stewart Shining/Sports Illustrated

Stewart Shining/Sports Illustrated

Stewart Shining/Sports Illustrated

Stewart Shining/Sports Illustrated

Stewart Shining/Sports Illustrated

Make sure to follow SI Swimsuit on YouTube!
This article originally appeared on Backpacker

On Tuesday, September 5, a wet-looking hiker entered the frame of a game camera on Dumpling Mountain in Alaska's Katmai National Park and Preserve. As a handful of viewers watched on the live stream, he mouthed what appeared to be the word "help."

Viewers of the Explore.org camera quickly jumped into action and started posting comments about the man in distress. The comments soon caught the attention of the stream's moderator.

"Katmai Law Enforcement Rangers are going to head up the Mountain to check on this visitor," posted a moderator going by the handle GABear. "Hike can take a couple hours at least."

Bear Cam saves a hikers life! Today dedicated bear cam fans alerted us to a man in distress on Dumpling Mountain. The heroic rangers @KatmaiNPS sprung into action and mounted a search saving the man.  more details to come. pic.twitter.com/JzgfApK371 -- explore.org (@exploreorg) September 6, 2023

"Explore staff immediately alerted the national park that there might be a man in distress on the mountain," Candice Rusch, the Director of New Media for Explore.org told Backpacker. "We then pulled clips of the incident from our live stream to send to the park for review."

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

In a statement, Explore.org said that while moderators cut the public live feed after becoming aware of the situation, they kept monitoring it and sharing updates with the NPS.

"The weather on the mountain that day was poor with extremely limited visibility, strong wind, and rain," the statement read. "The person looked into the camera lens and gave a thumbs down signal. A few minutes later, the person returned to the camera and audibly asked for help."

Explore.org is better known for its live cameras in the park's Brooks Falls area, home to the popular Fat Bear Week competition every year. The organization placed the camera on Dumpling Mountain partially to give viewers visual access to the park's grizzly bear population, some of which hibernate near Dumpling Mountain. No one imagined that it could save a life.

"Our cameras focus on nature and wildlife," Rusch said. "This is the first time our cameras have been used in a search and rescue operation."

The part of the mountain where the man was located is known for its strenuous character. From the nearby campground, the trail to the overlook is 1.5 miles long and it climbs 800 feet in elevation. On the day of the rescue, weather conditions were also less than ideal, featuring 50 feet of visibility, cold and wet conditions. Cell service is not available on the mountain.

"Dumpling Mountain is in a remote section of Katmai and this is the first rescue that Ive heard of in that area," Peter Christian, public information officer for Katmai, said.

A quick response from Explore.org and Katmai National Park officials resulted in a successful rescue, Rusch said, with park officials dispatching a search party just minutes after finding out about the distressed hiker. Within a few hours of his on-camera appearance, the still unidentified hiker was on his way back to safety.

For exclusive access to all of our fitness, gear, adventure, and travel stories, plus discounts on trips, events, and gear, sign up for Outside+ today.
New London Mayor Michael E. Passero lights an effigy of Benedict Arnold as guns fire during the annual Burning of Benedict Arnold Festival, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023, in New London, Conn. The burning of Arnold marks the anniversary of the day in September 1781 that the Connecticut native led British troops into the city and burned most of it to the ground. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)

NEW LONDON, Conn. (AP)  A month before the British surrender at Yorktown ended major fighting during the American Revolution, the traitor Benedict Arnold led a force of Redcoats on a last raid in his home state of Connecticut, burning most of the small coastal city of New London to the ground.

It has been 242 years, but New London still hasn't forgotten.

A crowd of several hundred revelers, some in period costume, marched through the city's streets Saturday evening chanting, Burn the traitor! before watching as officials set Arnold's effigy ablaze for the Burning of Benedict Arnold Festival, recreating a tradition that was once practiced in many American cities.

I like to jokingly refer to it as the original Burning Man festival," said organizer Derron Wood, referencing the annual gathering in the Nevada desert.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

For decades after the Revolutionary War, cities including New York, Boston and Philadelphia held yearly traitor-burning events. They were an alternative to Britain's raucous and fiery Guy Fawkes Night celebrations commemorating the foiling of the Gunpowder Plot in 1605, when Fawkes was executed for conspiring with others to blow up King James I of England and both Houses of Parliament.

Residents "still wanted to celebrate Guy Fawkes Day, but they werent English, so they created a very unique American version," Wood said.

The celebrations died out during the Civil War, but Wood, the artistic director of New Londons Flock Theatre, revived it a decade ago as a piece of street theater and a way to celebrate the citys history using reenactors in period costumes.

Anyone can join the march down city streets behind the paper mache Arnold to New Londons Waterfront Park, where the mayor on Saturday cried, Remember New London, and put a torch to the effigy. The crowd chanted U-S-A as the life-sized Arnold burned.

Ellen Warfield, of Mystic, brought her 9-year-old son, Lucian Bace, because she said their ancestors fought in the Revolution and she hoped to get her son excited about the history that surrounds him.

It's wild to show the kids something like this, she said. You get to see it in real life, rather than see it play out on TV. They spend too much time on their screens today.

Lucian had a singular focus.

I just can't wait to see them burn that man," he said. Burn that turncoat!

Arnold, a native of nearby Norwich, was initially a major general on the American side of the war, playing important roles in the capture of Fort Ticonderoga and the Battle of Saratoga in New York.

In 1779, though, he secretly began feeding information to the British. A year later, he offered to surrender the American garrison at West Point in exchange for a bribe, but the plot was uncovered when an accomplice was captured. Arnold fled and became a brigadier general for the British.

On Sept. 6, 1781, he led a force that attacked and burned New London and captured a lightly defended fort across the Thames River in Groton.

After the American victory at Yorktown a month later, Arnold left for London. He died in 1801 at age 60, forever remembered in the United States as the young nation's biggest traitor.

New London's Burning Benedict Arnold Festival, which has become part of the state's Connecticut Maritime Heritage Festival, was growing in popularity before it was halted in 2020 because of the pandemic. The theater group brought the festival back last year.

This project and specifically the reaction, the sort of hunger for its return, has been huge and the interest in it has been huge, said Victor Chiburis, the Flock Theatre's associate artistic director and the festival's co-organizer.

The only time things got a little political, Chiburis said, is the year a group of Arnold supporters showed up in powdered wigs to defend his honor. But that was all tongue-in-cheek and anything that gets people interested in the Revolutionary War history of the city, the state and Arnold is positive, he said.

In one of the early years after the festival first returned, Mayor Michael Passero forgot to notify the police, who were less than pleased with the yelling, burning and muskets firing, he said.

But those issues, he said, were soon resolved and now he can only be happy that the celebration of one of the worst days in the history of New London brings a mob of people to the city every year.

A mob that included a very satisfied 9-year-old.

The coolest part was probably the head falling off, Bace said. I really liked it.
Burritos are hefty meals wrapped in flour tortillas and typically loaded down with a protein, rice, beans, veggies, salsas, and other sauces and condiments such as sour cream and guacamole. They're the kind of heavy food that generally requires a nice, long siesta afterward. But if you thought that the one-pound carnitas burrito you took down at lunch was impressive, the biggest burrito in the world would drop your jaw.

According to the Guinness Book of Records, the biggest burrito ever made on planet Earth weighed 12,785 pounds and was constructed in La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico, on Nov. 3, 2010. By comparison, the average weight of a car is 4,094 pounds, meaning the beastly burrito weighed slightly more than three typical automobiles. Just to provide some further perspective, the African elephant, the world's largest land mammal, weighs, on average, over 12,000 pounds. This was truly an elephantine burrito.

Read more: The 15 Absolute Best Burgers In The US

Rolling Up A Mile-Long Tortilla

Traditional Burrito - smspsy/Shutterstock

Astoundingly, the burrito behemoth was rolled using only one flour tortilla, tipping the scales at 2 tons and measuring 2.4 kilometers (1.49 miles). What ingredients were used to stuff this baddest of all burritos? Since it was crafted in the Baja California region of Mexico, renowned as the birthplace of the fish taco, the filling consisted of fish with onion, chile, and refried beans.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

As one might imagine, preparing this record-shattering burrito involved a collaborative effort. Overall, 54 restaurants teamed up for the endeavor, and a grand total of 3,000 people, including chefs, culinary students, and volunteers, contributed their collective labor. A specially designed machine was used to roll out the nearly mile-and-a-half tortilla, which took 9.5 hours. The entire burrito-building project lasted 12 hours.

It seems like you would need to recruit the help of an entire town to take down such a massive burrito. Not even competitive eater Matt Stonie, who once devoured an 18-inch burrito in under two minutes, could handle a monster like this on his own. The finished product was served to thousands of people who came to indulge in La Paz's burrito-making history.

Read the original article on Mashed.
Fruit flies are a nuisance wherever you may be. But growers in California are dealing with an insect problem on a whole other scale.

Crops on the West Coast are facing a fruit-fly infestation, thanks to smugglers who are shipping fruit into the country illegally, SFGate reported on Thursday. Throughout California, a number of quarantines are taking place, and insects are preying on some of the states most valuable produce.

More from Robb Report

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

This is serious and reckless behavior. If they spread, these flies can destroy crops, Santa Clara County District Attorney Jeff Rosen said in a statement. This Countys farms and everybodys food prices are at stake.

The problem occurs when smugglers send exotic fruits like langsat, mountain apples, June plums, and mangoes into the United States, disguising them as meat, clothing, or paper products to evade detection, according to SFGate. Once the fruit has made it through the shipping process, its sold online to unsuspecting buyers, sometimes for as much as $22 a pound, with dealers making a couple thousand dollars. When the fruit arrives to the person who bought it, it may at first appear normal. But after about 10 days, a soft spot will appeara sign that the inside of the fruit is teeming with maggots.

These bugswhich come from countries like Vietnam, India, Cambodia, China, and Laosthen infect Californias crops, including avocados, cucumbers, tomatoes, peppers, and citrus fruits. In August, for example, Santa Clarita Valleys Stevenson Ranch area was put under quarantine thanks to the presence of the Tau fly. And this month, Santa Clara County and parts of Cupertino, Milpitas, San Jose, and Sunnyvale were placed under a quarantine that will probably last until next June.

Its definitely from smuggling in my opinion, theres just too many flies, Michelle Thom, Santa Claras deputy agricultural commissioner, told SFGate. You need a large number of maggots to be able to get a population up and going, and so this is quite a number of pieces of fruit that are coming in.

In fact, Thom said that officials have been coming across illegal fruit shipments at least once a week, and that fighting the problem has become a losing battle. So for now residents are being asked to not move homegrown produce from their properties, while California works to get rid of the fruit flies.

Shoo fly, dont bother me has never seemed so serious.

Culinary Masters 2023

Dont miss the food event of the year. Register for Robb Reports Culinary Masters now. Or, for more information on Robb Report experiences, visit RR1.

Best of Robb Report

Sign up for Robb Report's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Click here to read the full article.


"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links."



A 2021 study out of Japan showed how targeting genes can regrow teeth in animals. Now, the team has turned to a human clinical trial.

By targeting the USAG-1 gene, researchers believe that they can help people without a full set of teeth regrow teeth.

The team says that humans have a third set of teeth available as buds, ready to grow as needed.

A sliver of what makes sharks so intriguing comes with their ability to regrow teeth. And while a group of Japanese researchers arent claiming that we should be trying to be the most shark-like possible, theyd like for us to maybe, someday, share that same ability.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Following up on a 2021 study (published in Scientific Reports) that showed how medicine targeting the protein synthesized by the USAG-1 gene could impact the number of teeth grown in animals, the team has turned its attention to humans. Theyve announced a 2024 clinical trial of the medicine, which they in turn hope to have ready for general use in 2030.

The idea of growing new teeth is every dentists dream. Ive been working on this since I was a graduate student. I was confident Id be able to make it happen, Katsu Takahashi, lead researcher and head of the dentistry and oral surgery department at the Medical Research Institute Kitano Hospital in Osaka, told Mainichi. Were hoping to see a time when tooth regrowth medicine is a third choice alongside dentures and implants.

Takahashi has spent years researching teeth regrowth potential, and has focused on the role of genes in teeth growth. The number of teeth varied through the mutation of just one gene, he said. If we make that the target of our research, there should be a way to change the number of teeth (people have).

Researchers found that the USAG-1 protein could limit the growth of teeth in mice, so ensuring that the protein didnt form could potentially invite teeth to grow. The team developed a medication to block the protein, and successfully allowed mice to grow new teeth.

A 2023 paper published in Regenerative Therapy decries the lack of treatments available for tooth regrowth, but highlights how the anti-USAG-1 antibody treatment in mice could offer a breakthrough in treating tooth anomalies in humans.

With about 1 percent of humans suffering from anodontia, a genetic condition that doesnt allow a full set of teeth to grow, there is hope for teeth regrowth in humans beyond just mice-centric trials.



And that hope, Takahashi claims, should be further encouraged by the fact that we already come pre-loaded with the starting point. His said that his previous research shows that humans have the start of a third set of teeth already embedded in our mouths. This is most visibly exhibited by the 1 percent of humans with hyperdontia, the growing of more than a full set of teeth. And Takahashi believes that activating that third set of buds with the right gene manipulation could promote teeth regrowth.

If all goes well in the upcoming clinical trial, the world may have more teeth as soon as 2030.

You Might Also Like


"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links."



At this point, comedian-slash-actor-slash-Real Husbands of Hollywood star (yes, some of us are *still* hoping for a sixth season, TYVM) Kevin Hart is a household name. And through all of the ups and downs of his longstanding career, one person in particular has stood by the his side through it all: Kevin's wife, Eniko Hart (nee Parrish). Here's what to know about Eniko, from how she began her career as a model to the sweet story behind her and Kevin meeting.

Robin L Marshall - Getty Images

Eniko began her career as a model

Back in 2013, Eniko appeared on BET's Rip the Runway, which was a program hosted by Kelly Rowland that focused on the merging of fashion and music. The show featured tons of celebrity appearances, including Rick Ross, Meek Mill, Omarion, and even Jaden Smith, who presented his forever-iconic clothing line MSFTS (a Jaden/King Kylie era staple) during an episode.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

In the time since, Eniko has forged a path of her own, boasting over 3.4 million Instagram followers and amassing tons of collaborations with brands!

She met Kevin at a nightclub in Washington D.C.

Kevin's 2019 Netflix special Dont F**K This Up follows the comedian over the span of a year and gives viewers an intimate look behind the scenes at the way he juggles his life as an entertainer, a husband, and a father.

During the docuseries, Eniko makes an appearance and reflects on the first time she met Kevin at a Washington D.C. nightclub in 2009. Turns out, the comedian practically fell in love with the model as soon as he saw her. No, like, seriously...he bolted straight to the DJ booth to serenade her.

Watch 'Dont F**K This Up' Now

"One thing led to another, and it just happened," Eniko recalled. "We couldnt resist each other. It was nonstop."

Despite the fact the couple met in 2009, their first public appearance together wasnt until 2011, after Kevin's divorce from his first wife, Torrei Hart, was formally finalized in 2010. But rest assured, there was no actual overlap in the relationships; Kevin has since addressed any speculation in his Netflix special: "The biggest misconception is that Eniko was the home-wrecker. This woman came in and destroyed this mans family. Reality is, I was done with my first marriage. We were done. In separate homes."

Kevin proposed on Eniko's birthday

Yep, turns out the comedian officially popped the question on Eniko's 30th birthday in 2014, and the surprise proposal was caught on video. 

"On this perfect day I chose to make the most perfect decision," Kevin said during his proposal before getting down on one knee and pulling out a ring.

Eniko uploaded the video to Instagram and wrote the cutest caption to celebrate the special moment: "I said YES!!!!! To the most amazing man in the world.. Thirty has been GREAT to me thus far, I wouldn't trade it for anything..Thanks to my dearest friends, fam, and the LOVE of my life..for making this day a memorable one! You all hold a special place in my heart! xO #nikosdirty30."

^^@ my future husband, if you're reading this, take notes!

After being engaged for two years, Eniko and Kevin officially became husband and wife on August 13, 2016. The couple tied the knot in a stunning ceremony in California surrounded by family and friends, including Kevin's two children from his previous marriage with Torrei, Hendrix and Heaven Leigh.

They partner together on business ventures

Clearly the couple that collaborates together, stays together! Back in 2021, Eniko and Kevin joined forces and partnered with Fableticsthe *chef's kiss* fitness apparel line co-founded by Kate Hudsonto release two lines of activewear.

Shop Now The Go-To Hoodie fabletics.com $59.95

While discussing her and Kevin's first collection during a convo with InStyle, Eniko gushed that she "had a good time" working with her husband to create the line. "It was the first time ever doing something together, so I wanted to jump on [the] opportunity immediately," she shared.

Kevin added that they culled inspiration for the collection from their own relationship: "[It's] a representation of our love, our connection, our bond, our story. You know, ups, downs. There's hard, there's good, there's bad, but the idea is to stay with it and stay true to it."

Shop Now All Day Every Day Bra fabletics.com $39.95

During a convo with the Hollywood Reporter, the comedian specifically opened up about how "having an opportunity to make a real impact was top of the list in terms of priorities."

"With Fabletics, Ive been able to get in at the ground level where I have input on the direction of the mens line, the quality of the product, and the relationship with the customer. Ive worked with a lot of brands but no one has had the ability to connect directly with the customer base like Fabletics. I love how I am able to build a dynamic with not only the brand team, but also our customers because we are direct-to-consumer," he said.



They have welcomed two kids together

Over the course of their 7-year marriage, Eniko and Kevin have welcomed two kids: a son named Kenzo Kash in November 2017 and a daughter named Kaori Mai in September 2020. The cutest pics from when each bb was born, incoming:

Eniko and Kevin share tons of content featuring their family, including this post from when Kaori Mai was a newborn:



And this iconic Christmas pic that definitely rivals my early 2000s JC Penny ones:

They got through a cheating scandal together

In September 2017, Kevin took to Instagram to explain a "bad error in judgment" in a cryptic video where he suggested that someone was threatening him for their own financial gain.

At the time, Eniko was pregnant with Kenzo. Soon after, it was revealed that a secretly-filmed video and photos taken in Las Vegas of Kevin and a model were being used for extortion (reportedly for the sum of $10 million, per the comedian's Netflix docuseries).

Three months later, the celebrity came clean about the ordeal when he sat down with the Breakfast Club:

But that wasn't the last time Kevin opened up about the scandal, and he even enlisted Eniko to share her own thoughts on the matter during his Netflix special. In it, the model revealed the way she initially found out about the infidelity was through an anonymous message on Instagram: "They sent me an edited video of Kevin and, you know, another woman. I was about seven to eight months pregnant and I was having breakfast and I opened my phone and immediately I just lost it. I called him, I'm crying, I'm like pissed. Right then and there, I just kept saying, 'How the fuck did you let that happen?'"



The couple said the aftershock of it all was difficult to navigate, but they stuck together throughout the situation and even welcomed their son Kenzo in November that year. During an appearance on The School of Greatness podcast, Kevin elaborated on his wife's decision to stand by him: "[Eniko] came to an amazing conclusion of, 'I like the fact that we have a family, that we have a household, and I like the fact that we now got a job to do to get better.'"

"And she held me accountable," he added, saying the model is "the strongest person in the world."

Eniko was by Kevin's side after his car accident in 2019

On September 1, 2019, Kevin was involved in a terrible car accident after the vehicle's driver crashed into a wooden fence on Mulholland Highway and down a ditch in a Calabasas neighborhood. The actor was subsequently left with back injuries and rushed into emergency surgery.

Eniko never left her husband's side during the entire ordeal, and Kevin later on reflected on the experience during an interview with Men's Health.

"It all boiled down to four walls," he began. "And in the space of those four walls was my wife and my brother, my kids and my friends, all on rotation. And I got a chance to think about what matters, and it's not fame. It's not money. It's not jewelry, cars, or watches. What matters are relationships. You know, the people that were helping me get up and out of the bed."

The celeb also discussed how the accident gave him a new outlook on lifeone that included prioritizing his family: "Now I'm doing a lot of little things that are important."

"There were times where he was here but not really here," Eniko confessed to the outlet. "Not to say he wasn't a family man before, but he's expressed that the accident made him make up for some of the time missed because of work." It's called growth, people!

And that's pretty much all we know about Eniko and her 'ship with Kevin, but we'll keep you updated with the latest!

You Might Also Like
Kim Kardashian published an emotional plea on Rolling Stone, asking for President Joe Biden to prevent another Armenian genocide by cutting ties with Azerbaijan.

The Skims founder, who is Armenian on her late father Robert Kardashian's side, began her joint statement with Dr. Eric Esrailian by sharing that, as descendants of Armenian genocide survivors, she and Esrailian "do not want to be talking about the recognition or commemoration of yet another genocide in the future."

The Kardashians star gave background on the situation, writing, "Since December of last year, Azerbaijan has blockaded the only lifeline between the indigenous Christian Armenians of Artsakh (also known as Nagorno-Karabakh) and the rest of the world."

She then noted that due to the war in Ukraine, countries have seen Azerbaijan as a "seemingly more favorable alternative to Russian oil and gas for some countries. However, this reliance has emboldened the autocratic Azeri government to use starvation as a weapon against the Armenian population in the region."

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

>>> Sign up for Parade's Trending News newsletter and we'll keep you in the know on the viral pop culture moments and celebrity news everyone is talking about <<<

Kardashian wrote that "there is no more time for thoughts, prayers, or concern," and Azerbaijan's unprovoked 2020 attack on Armenians in Artsakh "never ended in the minds of Armenians around the world."

She added, "Despite a cease-fire agreement, the attacks on Armenian soldiers have been constant and without repercussions. Armenophobic policies have been designed and widely promoted by the Azeri government and others."

Her statement continued, "Regional peace should not involve sacrificing the sovereignty of the Armenians in Artsakh, but regardless of what anyone believes about our opinion, it is clear that this ruthless blockade has crossed all red lines of human rights and humanitarian law. Blocking human rights groups, such as the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), and the hateful rhetoric accompanying the blockade are signs of genocidal intent."

Kardashian donated $1 million to the Armenia Fund in 2020, which provided aid to Armenians affected by the attack. Her siblings Khloe, Kourtney, and Rob joined in on donating as well. The family also spoke in support of Armenia on social media, spreading awareness to their fans.

You can ead Kardashian's statement in full here.

Next: Smash Mouth Defends Kim Kardashian After Steve Harwell Tribute Backlash
Patrick Anthony Burke Jr. holds an O.G. chopped sandwich from his food cart, NuChopped Sandwich. The food cart opened in August at Beehive Station in south Salem.

This is part of a weekly series introducing readers to individuals who are passionate about our Mid-Valley community.

Have you ever eaten a NuWay burger? Or a Maid-Rite? These loose meat sandwiches hail from the Midwest, and you can find a version of them now in Salem. The voluminous sandwiches are a spin-off of the chopped cheese sandwich, another popular sandwich but from New York.

These are served up by Patrick Anthony Burke Jr., who runs the kitchen and co-owns Nu-Chopped Sandwich food cart. These Nu-Chopped sandwiches pay homage to his wife's family in Iowa and his family from New York. He mans the kitchen and co-owns the cart alongside Alexio Aguirre of Viking Supreme Motors.

Running a sandwich restaurant has been a dream of Burke's for the past six years, while he still lived in Arizona and worked as a cook.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

The food truck came to fruition after Burke and Aguirre partnered up in June. The cart was finalized in late July, and opened Aug. 1.

Now, Burke is all smiles greeting folks when they come to the cart window. They ask questions about the overflowing sandwiches, point to the descriptions and find themselves immersed in the story of Burke's food. They laugh as he points to a photo of a small boy with a face full of burger  Aguirre's son.

But behind his smile and sloppy sandwiches is a long path of hardship, including homelessness and family health issues.

Homelessness and more hurdles

Burke, his wife Jessica Ringgenberg and their daughter moved to Oregon in 2019. However, they would become homeless shortly after their arrival in Salem.

Their daughter, who is autistic, was just months old. Burke recalled getting support from Arches and scraping together enough money to get a hotel room before they found the place they live now. Burke and Ringgenberg went back and forth between whatever jobs they could.

"We've had to struggle outwardly with our living situation at the time, and then inwardly too," Burke said. "I just wanted to give my family the financial freedom from all the hardship."

He said he faced similar situations growing up. After getting situated in an apartment, it took a few years before things started to change for Burke and his family.

Meeting Aguirre was fortuitous, although the meeting itself wasn't for a positive reason.

Burke and his family were sick with COVID-19, but he needed help selling his vehicle. After becoming acquainted with Aguirre, who eventually helped him figure out his car situation, Burke offered to help him whenever possible. Eventually, he shared his dream of opening the food cart and the two developed a plan.

"We believe in moving forward and it's our motto," Burke said. "If this succeeds, great  because honestly, it's all I have left after everything."

NuWay? Maid-Right?

At the back of the Beehive Station, the turquoise food cart with photos of sandwiches plastered all over emits the scent of burgers.

Burke said he hopes people will give the burger a chance because it's unlike what is typically offered in the state. Plus, if ground beef isn't what you would like, there are also pork and chicken options. The burger is still the standard 8 oz. of meat, but because of how it's cooked it becomes much bigger in size.

An O.G. chopped sandwich from NuChopped Sandwich food cartat Beehive Station in south Salem.

A NuWay burger or a Maid-Rite are loose meat sandwiches, which are sauteed or steamed ground beef burgers with ketchup, mustard and pickles. Their origins come from the Midwest chain restaurants they are named after.

The chopped cheese twist is the additional seasoning, sauces and amount of cheese. What Burke ends up making is a saucy, yet layered burger/sandwich that is a pleasant mix-up from the standard burger.

The classic that is most true to the traditional NuWay or Maid-Rite is the O.G. chopped. The most popular would be the Manhattan chopped, which features grilled mushrooms.

A side of fries or tots are available, with the smoky fries dusted in a unique seasoning blend Burke keeps secret.

Burke said he plans to offer merchandise with the cart's logo on it for sale soon. The logo has Air Force wings behind a Nu-Chopped burger. Ringgenberg's father was an Air Force veteran.

Burke said he hopes to soon offer fundraisers to support the Paralyzed Veterans of America in honor of his father-in-law and autism awareness for his daughter.

For more on Burke and Nu-Chopped, check out the Facebook page and Instagram page, @the_nuchopped_llc.23.

Em Chan covers food and dining at the Statesman Journal. You can reach her atechan@gannett.com or follow her on Twitter @catchuptoemily.

This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Nu-Chopped Sandwich honors Patrick Anthony Burke Jr.'s family roots
"The Count of Monte Cristo" is an epic story of adventure, justice, and revenge  but the Monte Cristo sandwich is a savory and sweet delight made of ham, turkey, and Swiss cheese that gets dipped into an egg mixture and fried on a stove. While eating the sandwich may or may not evoke the same feelings as reading the book, the two may actually be connected in a different way. Many believe that the food was named after the novel by French author Alexandre Dumas and, therefore, it is thought that the sandwich has origins in France. The general consensus is that the Monte Cristo is an offshoot of the classic croque monsieur, which is close to the same thing except it doesn't get the turkey and French toast treatment, and it includes a bechamel sauce which the Monte Cristo does not.

The croque monsieur was first created in a Parisian cafe, but once people started eating it in the U.S. in the 1930s, it appeared in cookbooks as the French sandwich or toasted ham sandwich. The first true Monte Cristo was likely served in southern California in the 1950s, but Disneyland in 1966 gets credit for making it as popular as it is. To this day, the park's Cafe Orleans serves a Monte Cristo adaptation of the original French croque monsieur with ham, turkey, Swiss cheese, powdered sugar, and preserves.

Read more: Ranking The Best Philly Cheesesteaks From Worst To First

How To Make A Monte Cristo Sandwich

monte cristo sandwich halves - Elena Shashkina/Shutterstock

A classic Monte Cristo sandwich is a simple combination of ham, turkey, and Swiss cheese with the bread dipped into an egg mixture and fried on the stove. You could use white bread, but challah or any other thick slices that can hold their own in an egg mixture would work well too.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

The process for making these sandwiches is similar to that of grilled cheese. First, you slather one slice of bread with mayo and the other with mustard. Then you arrange your meat and cheese between the slices and dip the whole sandwich in a mixture of eggs, milk, salt, and cinnamon or nutmeg. After you've melted a little butter in a skillet, fry the sandwich for a few minutes on each side until it's golden brown, just like you would with a grilled cheese. Typically, the sandwiches are then topped with powdered sugar and served with a side of jam or honey.

Variations On A Classic Monte Cristo Sandwich

monte cristo crepe - Jiujiuer/Shutterstock

There are ways to adapt a Monte Cristo if you're not a fan of the usual ingredients. Try swapping out the Swiss for provolone, muenster, or Gruyere, the latter of which is a staple in croque monsieur sandwiches. To switch up the protein options, go with any sliced meat you enjoy, including prosciutto, mortadella, pepperoni, or even bologna. And while jam is a typical dipping sauce for a Monte Cristo, there's no rule saying it has to remain that way. If you'd like to fully incorporate it into your sandwich, spread it on the bread slices instead of mustard. To amp up the cheesy flavor even more, you could add cream cheese to your bread, as was recorded in one of the earliest known American recipes from Los Angeles.

While a sandwich is the most common way to enjoy the flavors of a Monte Cristo, why stop there? The sweet and savory combination also works well with crepes and waffles instead of regular bread. Feel free to get a little creative when you make yours, as the Monte Cristo is a meal that was built on adaptations.

Read the original article on Tasting Table.
A branch of Barclays Bank is seen, in London

By Svea Herbst-Bayliss and Nupur Anand

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Barclays hired Christian Oberle from JPMorgan Chase to oversee its relationships with private equity (PE)firms in the Americas region, Barclays confirmed on Friday.

Oberle will join the British bank as the head of its financial sponsors group in the Americas, and report to Jean-Francois Astier, who leads the group globally. Barclays has long wanted to grow its relationships in PE.

JPMorgan declined to comment. Oberle did not immediately respond to a phone call and voicemail seeking comment.

Oberle's hire comes at a time when Barclays is drawing up plans to cut hundreds of jobs in its domestic retail business and separately as part of its annual review of investment bankers' performance.

CEO C.S. Venkatakrishnan installed new leaders atop the investment banking division this year. While the unit has added more than 20 managing directors, it has also seen a wave of departures.

Oberle's exit from JPMorgan comes months after Marco Caggiano, another former senior JPMorgan banker, left the U.S. bank to join rival Morgan Stanley as vice chairman of mergers and acquisitions.

Wall Street banks have cut thousands of employees in recent months in response to a slowdown in deals. The doldrums have also prompted veteran bankers to move from firms including Goldman Sachs and Bank of America to join large rivals or smaller competitors.

(Reporting by Svea Herbst-Bayliss and Nupur Anand in New York; Editing by Lananh Nguyen and Diane Craft)
When you travel, do you try each destination's specialty cocktail or alcohol? If you're planning an international getaway, you might. Because just like cuisine, each country has its go-to liquor. This choice of spirits is heavily influenced by the country's geography, culture, and history.

While some of these liquors may be popular around the globe, others are little known outside their country's borders. You might not know what's commonplace in the Balkans or the Levant. And while whiskey or rum might be widespread, we stuck with popular liquors that reflect the spirit of each location.

Whether you're globe-trotting or just want to spice up your liquor cabinet, we've got you covered. Through research, travel, and taste-testing, we've rounded up the most popular liquors in different locations. These spirits are loved in their homelands and carry unique traditions that give you a window into each country's culture. So keep reading to explore the wide world of liquor and get a taste of what each place is all about.

Read more: Complete List Of Brunch Cocktails Ranked

Argentina: Fernet

fernet bottle and coke - martin SC photo/Shutterstock

Fernet is a bitter liqueur with an intensely herbal flavor. It definitely has a medicinal quality, which is no surprise, seeing how it's made with 27 different herbs, roots, and spices. Among these are camomile, cinnamon, rhubarb, and myrrh -- and in A Global Lifestyle interview, descent of the Fernet-Branca line Edoardo Branca claimed the company uses 75% of the world's saffron supply.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Although Fernet-Branca is simply a brand name, this company put fernet on the map, specifically in Argentina. The Fernet-Branca company hails from Italy. However, according to CNN, Argentina is estimated to consume 75% of the global supply and houses the only Fernet-Branca distillery outside Italy. But unlike Italy, Argentineans prefer to mix their Fernet with Coke. This cocktail is a cultural mainstay, and if you simply order a "Fernet," a bartender will know exactly what you mean.

Balkans: Rakia

pouring unmarked plum rakia - Minoli/Shutterstock

Rakia is the spirit of the Balkans. This double-distilled fruit brandy has existed since the 14th century. While moonshine versions are still popular today, the Balkan countries have capitalized on this liquor. In this region, you'll find bottled varieties of all flavors, including honey, walnut, quince, pear, and the popular plum, or "slivovitz."

This booze has a notoriously high alcohol content, with commercially produced bottles ringing in around 40% and homemade ones reaching 80%. Despite its strength, it's not meant to be shot. It might still be served in a shot glass or a fancier tulip-shaped one. But as a sign of respect, always cheers with eye contact and sip slowly.

Brazil: Cachaca

cachaca shot by sugarcane - Rhj/Getty Images

Cachaca, pronounced "kuh-sha-saa," is undoubtedly Brazil's national liquor. This spirit is made of distilled sugarcane juice and can be aged or unaged. When traveling through Brazil, you'll more likely encounter the unaged, clear version, which is generally cheaper. Unaged versions have grassy, fruitier notes, while the aged varieties absorb richer flavor from the barrels.

In a CNN interview, cachaca producer Carlos describes the tradition of this beverage, "For the older generations like my father, it's a sip before lunch, a sip before dinner, to spark your appetite...the essence of cachaca is to drink it pure."

However, you might be more familiar with cachaca in Brazil's national cocktail, the caipirinha. The classic caipirinha is made by muddling sugar and lime and adding liquor and ice. However, many less traditional flavors exist, including passionfruit, kiwi, tangerine, or berries. This is a fruit-loving country, after all.

The Caribbean: Rum

mojito by mint springs - Marian Weyo/Shutterstock

From mojitos to mai tais, rum is ubiquitous in cocktails worldwide. While you'll find this liquor just about everywhere, it hails from the Caribbean. Here, it was born as a byproduct of sugar making.

Depending on where you go in the Caribbean, you'll find different types of rum. Cuban and Puerto Rican rums are made from molasses, giving them a rich smokiness and adding a hint of brown sugar. Jamaican rum is traditionally 100% pot still, which provides it with a full flavor that tastes of overly ripe fruit -- but in a good way. Whether you prefer dark or white rum, you've got options -- and there are plenty of delicious rum cocktails to choose from.

Chile & Peru: Pisco

person garnishing pisco sour - Photokool/Getty Images

Where does pisco come from? It's a contentious question, and the answer depends on who you ask. To the outside world, pisco is synonymous with Peru, and in 2013, the European Commission declared the town of Pisco, Peru, the birthplace of this spirit. However, if you've ever traveled to Chile, you'll learn that pisco has a long history here -- and locals would contest evidence that it originated elsewhere.

There's no question that pisco holds a special place in both Chilean and Peruvian hearts. Both countries produce pisco but serve it slightly differently. On a night out, Chileans might enjoy a piscola (pisco and Coke) and their own version of a pisco sour. The Peruvian pisco sour is made with lime juice, sugar, eggwhite and bitters. However, the Chilean version omits the egg whites and bitters, resulting in a simpler, more sour drink.

Colombia: Aguardiente

pouring aguardiente in glass - Facebook

Loosely translated, aguardiente means "fire water," and if you've ever had a shot, you'd understand why. Aguardiente, or "guaro" as some locals call it, has an aggressive anise flavor and is traditionally consumed neat.

Commercial bottles contain roughly 28% alcohol, but rumor has it this liquor used to be much stronger. Perhaps companies tried to create a more palatable version for consumers, with bootleg versions still retaining their past potency. In an interview with Vogue, liquor producer Moises Mendal confesses, "Traditional aguardiente has a connotation of being very hard to swallow, as it burns your throat."

However, lowering the proof doesn't make it any less Colombian, and according to Mendal, "This spirit embodies Colombia's way of life, its music, culture, and traditions." So if you get your hands on some aguardiente -- enjoy that burning fire -- and a little taste of Colombia along with it.

Georgia: Chacha

chacha and khinkali - Katerynap/Getty Images

In Georgia, no celebration is complete without chacha, the national liquor. Chacha is a pomace brandy, and as the birthplace of wine, it's no wonder locals found other uses for their wine residue. This spirit is upwards of 40% alcohol, and homemade varieties tend to be even stronger. Chacha is everywhere in this country, and often in unmarked plastic bottles.

As soon as you take a sip, you'll feel its potency. It has a biting taste, which is softened by the addition of fruit and herbs. You can find chachas distilled with pear, plum, tarragon, or figs, to name a few. It's usually served neat and accompanies Georgian feasts, or "supras." However, local mixologists have also been experimenting with chacha cocktails. Regardless of how it's consumed, chacha is a symbol of national pride in Georgia and truly represents the country's spirit.

Greece: Ouzo

two ouzo shots and food - Rawf8/Getty Images

Greece's national spirit is ouzo, which is oozing with anise flavor. Ouzo's distinct licorice-like flavor isn't for everyone but is beloved in its homeland. True ouzo must be produced in Greece and contain a minimum of 37.5% alcohol.

Ouzo is consumed as an aperitif and is meant to be sipped and savored. We recommend tasting the ouzo neat and at room temperature before adding some ice or cold water. As you do this, you'll notice a distinct cloudiness forming in the glass. This is because diluting the liquor changes the composition, releasing the essential oils and aromas of the beverage.

Iceland: Brennivin

Brennivin by book and shot - J. Csiki/Shutterstock

Brennivin is marketed as the "Original Icelandic Spirit" and belongs to the aquavit family of spirits, which are distilled from grain or potato and flavored with caraway. The caraway flavor hits strong, and some may describe this liquor as a "herby vodka."

Whether for novelty, tradition, or taste, this beverage is best consumed ice cold with a beer chaser. It's often served alongside fermented fish called hakarl, Iceland's national dish and a potentially dangerous food.

Brennivin translates to "burning wine," and you'll definitely feel that warming sensation as it trickles down your throat. Locally, it's also called the "Black Death," perhaps a nod to its understated label. At the time of this drink's introduction, Iceland was experiencing a semi-prohibition. It opted for simple branding to avoid attention. But despite attempts at being inconspicuous, this liquor grew a cult following, becoming a beloved national treasure.

Ireland: Irish Whiskey

Jameson Irish whiskey on table - Leron Ligred/Shutterstock

In the whiskey world, Irish whiskey is known to be smooth and light. So, if you're just starting to explore whiskey, the Irish variety might be more inviting. This smoothness is due to a triple distillation process, which the Irish have been doing for centuries. Despite the extra distillation, Irish whiskey makers have more flexibility than scotch or bourbon producers. They can use a mixture of grains, including corn, wheat, and barley, and Irish whiskeys can vary significantly from one to the next.

If you truly want to savor the flavor, go for room-temperature whiskey. But if you prefer mixed drinks, start with something simple like a Jameson and ginger. Almost all bars carry the two, and the bubbly, sweet notes of ginger ale complement the whiskey's fire.

Japan: Sake

sake poured into overflowing glass - masa44/Shutterstock

Sake has existed for over 2000 years, although distillation methods have -- thankfully -- changed significantly over time. Originally, rice grains were chewed, spat out, and left to ferment with human saliva and yeast. On the other hand, modern sake is made from rice, koji, yeast, water, and occasionally alcohol using a much more standardized process.

During this production process, sake can be filtered for clear alcohol with a smooth taste or unfiltered, leaving a grittier consistency and milky flavor. Whether filtered or unfiltered, sake sits around 1316% ABV. And although rice can be quite bland, sake is a flavorful delight with a characteristic umami quality and fruity notes. It's also surprisingly versatile, pairing well with many dishes and consumed either warm or cold.

The Levant: Arak

two friends toasting arak - Yacoub Rabah/Shutterstock

Arak may be experiencing a revival, but this licorice-like liqueur has existed for thousands of years. It was discovered accidentally when eighth-century chemist Jabir ibn Hayyan attempted to improve eyeliner. Although he quickly disregarded the discovery, not everyone was so quick to let go of arak. The liquor somehow survived -- and today, it has become a staple at celebrations across the Levant.

The clear spirit is generally 53% ABV and is distilled from grapes and anise with no added sugars. Because it's so strong, it's sipped alongside snacks or mezze platters. While some consider it a drink of older generations, this region has seen a resurgence of arak thanks to craft distilleries. They aim to stay true to tradition with a modern revamping. And with the recent creation of a World Arak Day, they just might bring a new generation of arak lovers to the table.

Mexico: Mezcal

chili-rimmed mezcal shots - Etorres69/Getty Images

Mexico is no stranger to agave-based alcohol. Even Aztecs fermented agave juice to make pulque, a milky, low-alcohol beverage still served in Mexico today. But the country took it up a notch when they created mezcal. Mezcal encompasses a wide array of liquors distilled from the agave plant. The flavors can vary wildly because it's often made in small batches. But traditionally, the heart of the plant, or the pina, is roasted underground before fermentation, giving mezcal its characteristic smokiness.

Mezcals are made all over the country and are often given the name of where they originate. Tequila is one mezcal variety from -- you guessed it -- the town of Tequila! In Mexico, mezcals, including tequila, are sipped at room temperature. But as this spirit is becoming popular internationally, more people are mixing it into Mexican-inspired cocktails.

The Netherlands & Belgium: Genever

beer with genever shot - Lowlander Beer

If whiskey and gin had a baby, it would be called genever. As master distiller and former food scientist Myriam Hendrickx describes, "You have all elements from gin in terms of having flavors from so many botanicals, and all the variables in whiskey, grain-wise, and aging-wise. Plus, you can age it or not" (per the Washington Post).

Genever translates to "juniper" in English, and this beverage is actually the forebearer of gin. But like many national liquors, it must be produced in the Netherlands, Belgium, or specific regions of France or Germany.

A shot of genever is often served with a beer chaser. This centuries-old tradition is called a "head butt." When ordered, the shot comes in a small tulip glass filled to the brim -- forcing you to gently slurp just enough before downing the whole thing.

Norway: Aquavit

bareksten aquavit with shot - Facebook

Aquavit, or akevitt, is a quintessentially Norwegian spirit. It's spotted all over Scandinavia. However, locals or travelers will tell you to avoid the clear stuff and opt for an amber-hued aquavit instead. Some might mistakenly refer to aquavit as any spiced spirit, but the Norwegian variety has a neutral backbone with caraway top notes.

While you can drink it chilled and unadulterated, many bartenders love to use it in creative cocktails. If you have a bottle in your cupboard -- or can get your hands on one -- replace aquavit for the primary liquor in classic drinks. Add a splash of caraway flavor with a Norwegian Negroni, or swap a Moscow Mule for a Nordic one.

Poland And Russia: Vodka

vodka bottle with glasses - Miguel Tamayo Fotografia/Shutterstock

Both Poland and Russia lay claim to this famous spirit. However, although the origin of vodka is disputed, its popularity is not, and both countries are known for their widespread vodka production and consumption.

Compared to other liquors, vodka has a neutral flavor, which has worked in its favor. It can be mixed into a plethora of cocktails without overpowering the taste. Most of the vodkas that come out of Poland and Russia aren't flavored. Still, many manufacturers have gone wild with this "little water," producing everything from strawberry lemonade to spicy tamarind vodka.

Generally speaking, when Polish and Russians drink vodka, they keep things simple, sticking to a plain, neat vodka. They'll also pair it with salty snacks, like sausages and pickled foods, to coat their stomachs.

Scotland: Scotch

scotch whiskey barrel and bottle - Evgeny Karandaev/Shutterstock

If you love scotch, you can thank monks. It's thought that as early as the 15th century, Scottish monks swapped grapes for grains to ferment this popular spirit. All scotch is produced in Scotland, and despite its small size, the country has over 140 distilleries.

Scotch whiskey has three primary ingredients: malted barley, fresh spring water, and yeast. As such, scotch has a malty flavor. After aging a minimum of three years in an oak cask, it also takes on fruity or vanilla notes. If you're a scotch connoisseur, you'll want to drink it with a side of spring water, not tap. If you really want to get into the Scotch spirit, open up the aromas by adding a splash of spring water to your glass.

South Africa: Mampoer

africa liquor bottle and shot - Richard van der Spuy/Shutterstock

Mampoer is South Africa's favorite moonshine. When making a batch, brewers aim for an alcohol content between 50-80%. While peach might be the most popular mampoer, this home-distilled brandy can use just about any fruit, including apricots, plums, prickly pears, or figs. But when grapes are used, this schnapps-like spirit is called witblitz, which translates to "white lightning."

Mampoer and witblitz might be moonshine, but that doesn't always mean they're low quality. Many home brewers take great pride in perfecting their recipes, which they gift, sell, or keep for themselves. And if you're ever offered a bottle of this "firewater," drink responsibly, or you'll be hit with a serious hangover.

South Korea: Soju

soju cheers over food - THANAPHON SUBSANG/Shutterstock

Soju is a rice liquor with a mildly sweet flavor, making it surprisingly potable. Today, the soju scene is booming. But when you think of the quintessential soju, Jinro's classic 350-milliliter green bottle comes to mind - and this soju is actually the world's top-selling liquor per the Spirit's Business.

Jinro's plain soju is popular, but flavors like peach, grapefruit, and green grape also dominate the scene. Although small, these bottles generally contain 10-20% alcohol. So don't be fooled by the smooth flavor; soju shots will sneak up on you. And in this country, soju is traditionally consumed neat.

Korea is a country of etiquette, and this extends to soju. Whether pouring or receiving, the bottle and shot glasses should be held with your right hand and supported by your left. Contrary to American tradition, you should avoid eye contact. And never, ever leave a glass empty.

United States: Bourbon

maker's mark bourbon - Dmitry Melnikov/Shutterstock

Just as tequila is a type of Mezcal, bourbon is a type of whiskey. However, this particular type of whiskey is the pride of the United States. In 1964, Bourbon was declared a distinct product of the U.S. with specific regulations for production.

All bourbon is made in the United States, and according to Kentucky Tourism, 95% of all bourbon is made in the state of Kentucky. Since it's aged in a charred new oak barrels, bourbon often takes on the flavor of vanilla and spice. It's gentler than other whiskeys, and there's no wrong way to drink it. Whether you like it on the rocks, neat, or mixed into a Manhattan, you really can't go wrong.

Read the original article on Daily Meal.
Mocktails are a fun way to make some creative, fun drinks. The absence of alcohol makes them suitable for people of all ages to drink. While searching for recipes, you might come across the Italian soda and the egg cream.

At first glance, both drinks may seem pretty comparable. Both are sweet drinks made with bubbly seltzer and flavored with sweet syrup. However, egg creams are a specific kind of drink, with a standard ingredient list set to make the beverage correctly. Italian soda, on the other hand, is a generic term that encompasses an entire variety of drinks, and its instructions leave more room for experimentation when it comes to mixing one up in a glass.

Additionally, the flavors of the drinks differ. Egg creams rely on chocolate and milk to create a creamy, sweet sip. Italian sodas generally favor fruitier, lighter flavors, which can be pretty refreshing on a warm summer day.

Read more: What's The Difference Between Coffee And Espresso?

Egg Creams Require Specific Ingredients

Egg cream in a glass - Facebook

If you want to make an egg cream, you'll only need three ingredients: milk, your favorite brand of chocolate syrup, and seltzer. To start off, you'll need to combine the milk and chocolate flavoring. Whole milk is generally best since it will fare well with the seltzer's bubbles. Once the syrup has been dissolved into the milk, add in a can of plain seltzer. Then stir the whole drink together quickly to create some foam, and drink quickly afterward.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

The resulting flavor will be smooth and sweet. The chocolate should be fairly mild so as not to overpower the frothy, milky flavor. It was originally invented in New York sometime between the late 1800s and early 1900s. The drink's invention is credited to Jewish candy store owner Louis Auster, though some speculate that actor Boris Thomashevsky may have had a hand in it as well.

And, despite the name, the ingredient list is notably missing eggs. The name may instead come from the Yiddish term "echt keem," which translates to "pure sweetness."

You Can Get Creative With Italian Sodas

Italian soda in a cup - gowithstock/Shutterstock

While egg creams are a specific drink, Italian soda is actually a more general term. To make one, you'll need to combine flavored syrup and seltzer. When making these drinks, however, you can swap in your preferred flavors. To get some carbonation in the drink, you can opt for your favorite brand of seltzer or club soda. The flavor is traditionally fruity, but any flavor of syrup can technically work.

Despite its name, Italian soda isn't actually from Italy. The drink was actually created by two Italian immigrants in the United States. Rinaldo and Ezilda Torre created the drink category in order to promote their flavored syrups, sold under the Torani brand. Torani syrups are still sold in a variety of flavors today, but you can also make your own syrups with fresh fruit.

Although the drinks share two similar ingredients  the syrup and the seltzer  the key differences separate the two. If you're looking for something refreshing and fruity, mix up an Italian soda. But if you're craving something a little creamier and richer, an egg cream may be the way to go.

Read the original article on Daily Meal.
"It was actually in response to a decrease that would have made the Dutch East India Company's tea more competitive with the smuggled tea that some of the founding fathers were getting rich off of."

Anonymous

Yeah, contrary to popular belief, the colonists weren't throwing tea into the harbor because it was too expensive; it was due to taxation without representation. The East India Company was one of England's most successful trading companies, and after the French and Indian War, the business was about to go under. So, parliament decided to create the Tea Act, which essentially made the East India Company a monopoly. The Tea Act gave the East India Company a tax break on the tea they were selling, making the product cheaper than what was being smuggled in by the colonist. The Tea Act didn't change the price of tea, but the act did spark a fire under the colonists, as they weren't going to pay a tax imposed by a government they had no say in.
People are saying that they don't want you to have the information Megyn Kelly and Tucker Carlson are surfacing.

For instance, there's Kelly's report to Newsmax host Eric Bolling earlier this week about the belief shared with her by "a lotta people" that "the Obamas are already running the government and that there is some sort of shadow puppet situation going on that they're controlling."

Couple this with Tucker Carlson's interview with convicted con artist Larry Sinclair, who also qualifies as "people," and who resurfaced his never-proven claims from 2008, when Barack Obama was running for president, that the then-Senator from Illinois paid Sinclair for drugs and sex in 1999.

At the top of his interview posted on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, Carlson asserted that Obama "came from nowhere" and that nobody knew anything about him. There's a tool called Google anyone can visit to fact-check that noise, but why bother? Carlson assures his wide-eyed followers that Sinclair had firsthand knowledge of Obama back then, claiming that the "media" shilling for the presidential candidate  you know, they  summarily dismissed Sinclair's claims as absurd.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

That's because the claims were absurd and remain absurd.

Related

Don't look away: It's a mistake to ignore Donald Trump's interview with Tucker Carlson

Even if you don't believe that, one thing you can trust reporters to do is pursue any potential scandal mixing politics and sex to ground. When said tawdry whispers involve a Black politician quickly rising to national prominence  in an election year, no less  newsrooms press the nitro button on that task.

Yet Sinclair's fable remains unsubstantiated while his lengthy rap sheet, including multiple charges for larceny and forgery, is very real and easy to track down, as Politico did in 2008.

"But the claims weren't absurd," Tucker insists, adding this telling statement: "We're not claiming they're true, but they were certainly credible"  emphasis mine, and with purpose.

Not true, but "certainly credible" is the meat of both Carlson and Kelly's pundit strategies. It's the reason Kelly can blurt, "People are saying" without pointing to a poll or naming names. It's why Carlson would promote a salacious accusation by a ludicrously untrustworthy source with a 27-year record of fraud and trust his followers will applaud him for it.

According to Merriam-Webster, credible means "good enough to be effective." Et voila. There you have it.

Fox News honed Kelly and Carlson into experts on stoking rage and fear. In their new guises  as a podcast host in Kelly's case, and whatever Carlson's fiddling with on X  they're doubt peddlers with a mainstream pedigree and the appearance of being politically connected.

It's a lazy and desperate tactic. It's also unwise to ignore it. While neither Carlson nor Kelly pulls the average audience numbers they once took for granted on Fox News or NBC, each knows they don't necessarily need to. (Kelly is doing just fine. Variety reports that she just extended her multi-year, first-run deal with Sirius XM for "The Megyn Kelly Show," which as of this writing is the second most popular news commentary podcast on Apple. Chartable ranks it fourth on its list of the most popular news podcasts, according to audience data collected between Monday, Aug. 28 and Sunday, Sept. 3.)

Not true, but "certainly credible" is the meat of Carlson and Kelly's pundit strategies.

All either needs is a slice of the attention economy fed by right-wing skeptics and a few "open-minded" visitors from the left end of the conspiracist continuum to have an alarming impact on national politics. It doesn't take much. Conservatives can't stand the Obamas, making them easy to cast in the roles of Shadow President and Cruella de Veep. Liberals bristle at establishment politicians of all kinds, even Democrats.

For Kelly going after Michelle Obama might as well be a hobby, dating back to at least 2008 when she defended a Fox News chyron referring to the soon-to-be First Lady as Obama's Baby Mama.

Insinuating that Michelle Obama might throw her hat into the presidential race, which she's gone on the record saying she'd never do, is throwing chicken feed to the cluckers. Remember when they floated similar threats about Oprah Winfrey? In a way, that makes Michelle Obama the new Oprah.

Now there's a triggering headline for some . . . people.

Donald Trump interview notwithstanding, if Carlson wanted to be taken seriously by what he recently described to Adam Carolla as "permanent Washington," he would be pursuing other GOP figures, not platforming a convict with a story designed to rile up homophobes. Obviously, that's not his aim; before interviewing Sinclair, Carlson welcomed misogynistic influencer Andrew Tate, who has been charged by Romanian officials with rape, human trafficking and forming a criminal gang to sexually exploit women.

Besides, promoting policymakers' agendas isn't Carlson's strong suit. Reeling in the disaffected by providing them with reasons for their rage, regardless of whether they're factual or even real, is his true artistic medium. He's spent years persuading his audience to disbelieve or ignore empirical facts, including what they see with their own eyes, such as his successful rebranding of the Jan. 6 riot as a peaceful demonstration. So when he tells people a con man is "certainly credible," trust that they will not switch on their critical faculties to test that statement.

We need your help to stay independent

Subscribe today to support Salon's progressive journalism

Kelly prefers to trawl for clicks by attacking Dr. Anthony Fauci or, say, amplifying a Hamptons bartender's flimsy claim that Don Lemon assaulted him long after the man dropped his lawsuit and released a statement saying that he inaccurately recalled the events of the night in question.

This was cited in a Mediaite column from May which observed that after wearing "a lot of prominent hats in the media industry . . . it seems [Kelly] has taken on a new role as a conspiracy theorist." We're going to assume the writer was being facetious  trafficking in conspiracy theory is nothing new for the former Fox News and NBC host.

In 2010 Media Matters for America reported that Kelly devoted 45 segments to a conspiracy theory that the Obama administration was intentionally allowing the New Black Panther Party to intimidate voters, linked to one member standing outside a polling station in 2008. This focus didn't play out over months but through a two-week carpet bombing.

And that's merely one memorable incident in a Fox News tenure built on anti-Black racism, homophobia, Islamophobia, climate change denial and platforming bigots. She'd go on to be hired by NBC and fired soon afterward for defending blackface on "Today."

Carlson easily outdid her on every front, promoting the racist "Great Replacement" conspiracy theory and assuring his mostly white audience that white supremacy is a hoax on a near-nightly basis.

The larger takeaway here is that each of them excels at tossing accelerant on dim embers of credulity lurking in the eternally suspicious or the plain old hateful.

Via his still-under-construction home on X, Carlson continues to capitalize on white Obamaphobia to keep the MAGA trolls content while tapping the shoulders of Robert Kennedy Jr.- curious Democrats. (Those folks may never vote for Donald Trump but could be disillusioned enough with Joe Biden, already considered to be a weak option, to search for moral failings they can seize upon. One that might stick is the suggestion that Biden's decisions may not be his own.)

It's a lazy and desperate tactic. It's also unwise to ignore it.

Few strategies are more adept at solidifying compunctions than suggesting that a revered political figure might be hiding something that the lamestream media  including Fox News since they fired Carlson  is too timid to share. In that conversation with Carolla, when the host asked if they were ever going to let Trump be president, Carlson responded with an emphatic no before leaping straight to shouting fire in a crowded theater.

"I mean, you know, graph it out, man. We're speeding toward assassination, obviously. And no one will say that!" Does Carlson have evidence to back up this claim? Ha. No. What a silly pondering. "But I don't know how you can't reach that conclusion. You know what I mean?" he said.

Mind you, the Sinclair interview may have been a bridge too far even for those who ordinarily glom on to free-thinkers who are "just asking questions."

X owner Elon Musk, for one, found the interview suspect. "Mr Sinclair is not super convincing," he posted afterward, adding in a subsequent response to another user's post, "Of course, the probability that his claims are true would have to rest on objective evidence, rather than claims made by someone with a dubious history." Musk's sway may outstrip Carlson's by a broad margin.

He's also known for pulling an about-face when it suits him, and ultimately he and Carlson tend to be in sync philosophically. That matters more than any moral responsibility to deal in accuracy or truth, since in the final estimation they know something most of the media doesn't, which is how unifying the Church of Conspiracy Theory can be.

Want a daily wrap-up of all the news and commentary Salon has to offer? Subscribe to our morning newsletter, Crash Course.

Commiseration remains an inadequately considered motivator in American politics, if not the greatest one. This version of commiseration is distinct from the GOP's long-successful strategy of falling in line behind those knighted by their leadership, including Kelly and Carlson's former employer. It refers to an entrenched disillusionment among young right-wingers who are apprehensive about losing their political and cultural power, and believe they're being socially rejected for remaining loyal to what they view as conservative values.

When you feel like no one is taking your anxiety seriously, you may indulge anyone who claims to and gives you someone or something to blame for it, regardless of whether those justifications hold water. That's a booming business in an age when mistrusting "mainstream" information, the new term for whatever was previously known as an agreed-upon set of facts and truths, is viewed as heroic.

Anybody who remains baffled as to why Kelly and Carlson still command strong followings as they amplify conspiracist lunacy needs to sit with that, especially as we barrel toward 2024. But don't take my word for it. Ask people.

Read more

about this topic
The data shows long-term protection against HPV-related illnesses and cancers, such as cervical cancer, in vaccinated patients.

Anchiy / Getty Images

Fact checked by Sarah Scott

Your teen or preteen may dread getting shots. In particular, the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine is said to be a painful one. But parents, listen up, there's new research that shows it's worth it. It sheds light on the efficacy and safety of GARDASIL 9, a vaccine designed to protect against cancers and diseases related to HPV later in life.

The peer-reviewed research, published September 5 in Pediatrics, showed that children who received a three-dose vaccine regimen at 9-15 years old had sustained HPV antibody responses 10 years later. Not only that, but they had not experienced HPV-related high-grade disease, specific cancers, or genital warts. From a safety standpoint, no participants reported any serious adverse events or deaths linked to GARDASIL 9.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Healthcare providers are encouraged by the results of the study.

The new study shows sustained immunogenicity, meaning maintenance of the anti-HPV antibody 10 years after vaccination, says Preeti Parikh, MD, a board-certified pediatrician and the executive medical director at GoodRx. To simplify, the HPV maintains effectiveness for 10 years after vaccination. This leads to reduced rates of HPV-associated cancers in patients who received the vaccine.

The vaccine has been a target of anti-vaccine and hesitancy, partly because it is recommended for people ages 11 to 12 and can be started at 9, per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The vaccine has been controversial due to the relation of HPV to STIs [sexually transmitted infections] and the need to give it to patients prior to sexual debut, explains Zachary Hoy, MD, a board-certified pediatric infectious disease specialist and medical director at Pediatrix Medical Group in Nashville, Tennesse. The vaccine can lead to difficult but important conversations.

However, Dr. Hoy and other providers agree the study adds evidence to the vaccines importance, which can help prompt conversations between parents, children, and doctors.

Related: The Most Important Vaccines for Children: An A-Z List for Parents

Effectiveness of the HPV Vaccine

Elmar Joura, MD of the Medical University of Vienna, the base study investigator, explains that the long-term follow-up (LTFU) study was conducted between 2009 and 2021 across 13 countries and five continents. Researchers followed 971 girls and 301 boys (1,272 participants) who received their three-dose series between the ages of 9-15. Participants had not initiated sexual activity before receiving their third dose.

The results demonstrated the vaccines effectiveness at sustained protection against HPV-related cancers and diseases, as well as its safety. The results of this study are very reassuring for parents who have already vaccinated their children and also for those considering HPV vaccination of their children in the near future, says Dr. Joura, who vaccinated all four of his children.

One of the studys limitations was that there wasnt a control group. However, experts say thats common in research like this study.

This study intervention group was compared against other study control groups, says Mundeep Kainth, DO, MPH, a pediatric infectious disease doctor at Northwell Healths Cohen Childrens Medical Center. This was done because the HPV vaccine is recommended for everyone, and it is not ethical to have a control group that is unvaccinated.

Dr. Kainth believes the research and findings add to the evidence that the HPV vaccine is safe and effective. It shows long-term data that the HPV vaccine works to prevent acquiring viruses that cause cervical cancer, Dr. Kainth says. Vaccine protection is long-lasting to protect against viruses 10 years after initial vaccination.



What Is HPV?

Dr. Parikh explains HPV is a term for a group of more than 200 viruses. Typically, the viruses dont cause cancer. Research from 2021 notes that 80-90% of HPV infections clear spontaneously in about two years.

But in about 10 percent of cases, these viruses dont resolve themselves and can lead to cellular mutation, increasing the risk of cancer, says Dr. Parikh. These cancers include cervical, anal, mouth and throat, vulvar, vaginal, and penile cancer.

Unfortunately, HPV spreads easily, and symptoms often go unnoticed. Many individuals are infecting others without knowing they even have the virus. This also makes it harder to know that you need to seek treatment, Dr. Parikh says.

Dr. Kainth says that HPV-related complications can cause the need for hysterectomy, leading to infertility. The best way to prevent cancer is to prevent acquiring the virus in the first place, Dr. Kainth says.

Experts understand that parents may have concerns, including because of the misinformation about the vaccine. Resources are available to help.

If parents have concerns, they should make specific appointments with their child's pediatrician to specifically discuss this vaccine, Dr. Hoy says, adding that pediatricians can counsel parents on the timing of the vaccine. They can look to the CDC website for general answers and information.



Related: FDA Approves RSV Vaccine for Pregnant People To Protect Newborns

For more Parents news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on Parents.
Coffee table books were a foundational part of my automotive enthusiasm. Even before I could read, I often spent time flipping through the pages of those large format books, admiring (and occasionally modifying) the photos throughout. When I was old enough to understand the text found on each page, I was enthralled by the cars and the places behind them. By ten years old, I was eager to regurgitate information about Ed Cole, Enzo Ferrari and Butzi Porsche to anyone whod listen.

Toyota, Honda and other Japanese brands werent prominently featured on the pages of my fathers book collection, however. To the mind of a child, it seemed that those brands didnt have any history or cars worth commemorating on those expensive, glossy pages. Publishers were still putting Hispano-Suizas and Delahayes in books, after all.

Courtesy of Myron Vernis / Mark Brinker

Of course the assumption from my youth couldnt have been more wrong. Japan's influence and impact on the automotive world was never limited, it just hadnt been celebrated. Japanese cars and the culture that surrounds them have exploded in popularity over the past few decades, with fanbases much younger (and more alive) than the likes of De Soto and Packard. In fact, it was the excitement among young people at the annual Japanese Classic Car Show in Los Angeles that inspired Myron Vernis to start this project in the first place. A project aimed at ensuring a continued passion for these historically overlooked cars.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

It has taken a long time for Japanese car brands and their dedicated fans to receive the same level of appreciation as their partners from Europe and the United States. While you can buy any number of encyclopedia lengths takes on Ferrari or the American auto industry, there hasnt been anything similar for the JDM fans among us. Thats no longer the case, as Myron Vernis and Mark Brinkers A Quiet Greatness brings a 1395-pages of Japanese automotive excellence into your hands.

Vernis is a lifelong automotive enthusiast, and in his sixties, hes not your stereotypical JDM fanboy. That said, Vernis collection has become littered with a number of obscure and tantalizing cars from Japan, which hes likely introduced many of you to by way of his social media accounts. Frustrated by the lack of an easy resource to research cars like his own, Vernis reached out to fellow enthusiast and collector Mark Brinker with an idea.

Courtesy of Myron Vernis / Mark Brinker

The goal was to research and write a coffee table book about the Japanese automotive industry, which Vernis told R&T was initially supposed to be around 300 pages. Things quickly spiraled once the research process began however, as the pair realized how many vehicles deserved a spot on the page. The end result is a four-and-a-half volume collection that spans nearly 1400 pages, which contain some 2200 photos. The volumes themselves are split up by automaker, though this is not a complete encyclopedia of every car from post war Japan. Each car that is featured is well represented, with information ranging from technical specs to development stories and trivia. The visual layout of the book is striking, ranking higher than most of the books in my collection. The cover of each volume is a beautiful piece worth displaying on its own. Of course I might be the ideal target for the design work, as Road & Tracks former art director Richard Baron was responsible for the layout.

Ferrari was the brand that captured my interest as a child, thanks to those aforementioned glossy book pages. If A Quiet Greatness had been on my desk as a young car fanatic, I might very well be yearning for a Suzuki Alto in place of a 275 S. The collection is truly a wealth of information, full of plenty of vehicles youve likely never heard of or seen before. As Vernis explained to R&T, the Japanese kept their best cars to themselves, much like France is known to do with its wine. While I can't speak to their wine consumption, the two authors did collectively purchase over a dozen JDM cars during the writing process. Good stuff, indeed.

Courtesy of Myron Vernis / Mark Brinker

Vernis and Brinker struggled to find a large publisher willing to commit to a book about the Japanese collector car world, as the companies feared there would be a limited number of customers for such a niche product. As such, the pair went ahead and self-published the book, which is no small financial feat. While the $395 is nothing to scoff at, you simply wont find a better book for the Japanese car fan in your life. There are currently no plans to release the book once supplies are gone, with an extremely limited number remaining. Don't expect me to give up my copy any time soon.

You Might Also Like
Last night, a group of fashion editors loaded into a sprinter with grins so wide youd never know they were heading to Brooklyn. The outer boroughs appearance on fashion week invites often elicits groans, but yesterday was different because the trek was for Ralph Laurens first show in New York City since 2019.

The fashion landscape is in flux, with bigger houses ping-ponging between Milan and Paris for its runways. Despite the lineup of exciting new, smaller brands that the city is known for, Lauren's post-pandemic absence has left a hole in the New York calendar. So his return to the city he was born in 83 years ago felt like a warm hug  even if it did require a journey to the Brooklyn Navy Yards.



ANGELA WEISS

The venue was decorated like Laurens Colorado Ranch by way of the Big Apple, with plush white chairs, chandeliers hanging by ropes, and walls lined with empty gilt frames. New York Fashion Week finally feels like New York Fashion Week, because of him, said one guest. The surroundings were giving artists loft but the vibes were purely New York, illuminated by the sparkling lights, candles, and champagne glasses fit for a party straight out of The Great Gatsby.



It felt like New York because Ralph Lauren is New York  a boy from the Bronx who has dressed the city for decades and whose Polo Bar and uptown coffee shop have charmed a new generation. Before the runway began, guests beamed in their seats with the distinct pride of New Yorkers celebrating one of their own. His show felt like a declaration: Hey! New Yorks still got it.

Courtesy of Ralph Lauren





And if New Yorks still got it, then New Yorkers still need glamor, which Lauren was more than happy to provide. The show offered punched-up iterations of brand staples, all designed for going out and being seen. On the runway, there was still denimlots of itbut it was embroidered in beads, sequins and floral prints, or lined with chiffon and tulle.

Courtesy of Ralph Lauren

One stand-out look was a full-denim ensemble with a strapless, midriff-exposing corset top, styled with a denim maxi skirt covered in a floral print so delicate, it looked like a painted beam ceiling from the French renaissance. When it appeared online, commenters posted things like omfg; in person, guests showed their admiration by raising their phones to capture video. If you have followed Laurens work for years, it may remind you of a look from the spring 2003 collection, where a long denim skirt was worn with a floral corset top and gold fringed bag. Lauren often references himself, as all great designers do  his latest iteration feels on-brand but still perfectly crafted for 2023.

Courtesy of Ralph Lauren

Another look that oozed cool involved a strappy tank top, black trousers, some dramatic accessories, and a flowing shawl, its fringed edges dancing like luxe hay. What followed was a slew of party looks, accessorized with layers of colorful beaded necklaces; bright, bold dresses that draped around the body before collapsing into a fringe that swayed with each model's step; and two gold looks that closed the show.

Courtesy of Ralph Lauren

The first was a leather macrame gown detailed with woven patterns and tiers of gold fringe. It took 15 specialized embroiderers to make it, and they put in over 800 hours of cutting, weaving, and knotting the leather fringe. The second was a gold lame gown modeled by Christy Turlington, another legend whose star hasnt faded.

Courtesy of Ralph Lauren

After the show, Lauren took his bow to a standing ovation before leading guests to a seated dinner in another room illuminated by the lights of yet more chandeliers. On four separate occasions, four different fashion editor friends described the show to me as Very Ralph. Period. And it struck me how the brand has turned a fairly common first name into shorthand for classic Americana. No elaboration needed; I knew exactly what they meant.



Ralph Lauren





At the dinner, with long tables covered in vintage wine glasses and blue floral tablecloths, I struggled to find my seat. When I approached a server for help and apologized for being lost, he said, Dont worry, youre Ralphs guest! And behind me someone turned to say, God, I love New York!

Photo credit: Ralph Lauren

Photo credit: Ralph Lauren

Photo credit: Ralph Lauren

Photo credit: Ralph Lauren

Photo credit: Ralph Lauren

Photo credit: Ralph Lauren

Photo credit: Ralph Lauren

Photo credit: Ralph Lauren

Photo credit: Ralph Lauren

Photo credit: Ralph Lauren

Photo credit: Ralph Lauren

Photo credit: Ralph Lauren

Photo credit: Ralph Lauren

Photo credit: Ralph Lauren

Photo credit: Ralph Lauren

Photo credit: Ralph Lauren

Photo credit: Ralph Lauren

Photo credit: Ralph Lauren

Photo credit: Ralph Lauren

Photo credit: Ralph Lauren

Photo credit: Ralph Lauren

Photo credit: Ralph Lauren

Photo credit: Ralph Lauren

Photo credit: Ralph Lauren

Photo credit: Ralph Lauren

Photo credit: Ralph Lauren

Photo credit: Ralph Lauren

Photo credit: Ralph Lauren

Photo credit: Ralph Lauren

Photo credit: Ralph Lauren

Photo credit: Ralph Lauren

Photo credit: Ralph Lauren

Photo credit: Ralph Lauren

Photo credit: Ralph Lauren

Photo credit: Ralph Lauren

Photo credit: Ralph Lauren

Photo credit: Ralph Lauren

Photo credit: Ralph Lauren

Photo credit: Ralph Lauren

Photo credit: Ralph Lauren

Photo credit: Ralph Lauren

Photo credit: Ralph Lauren

Photo credit: Ralph Lauren

Photo credit: Ralph Lauren

Photo credit: Ralph Lauren

Photo credit: Ralph Lauren

Photo credit: Ralph Lauren

Photo credit: Ralph Lauren

Photo credit: Ralph Lauren

You Might Also Like
A late summer trip to Italy calls for high fashion, a fact that actress Shay Mitchell knows well. The Canadian more than delivered on the request for black tie attire at a recent wedding that she attended at a Roman villa.

The Pretty Little Liars star shared a series of photos from the destination event to her Instagram on Sept. 6, highlighting her absolutely gorgeous outfit and makeup. She donned a red hot bodycon dress with chic feather detailing from The New Arrivals for the black tie occasion. With a clear pair of high heels, Mitchell really put her best spin on a fabulous Cinderella fit.

wedding tip: slippers are a must, she noted in her caption. Congrats @sarahpeluser & @ambassadorshah on your beautiful celebration of  Thank you for giving me a place to wear this dress to. Jk Love you both.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Mitchell highlighted both her unique princess-inspired shoe choice and the beautiful gown she wore for the occasion. She slicked back her dark brown hair for the night, adding an even greater level of sophistication to the look.

The 36-year-old rounded out the look with a chic pair of small black sunglasses, diamond drop earrings and a bright red lip. The series of photos featured Mitchell prancing around in her high fashion evening wear and taking to the dance floor alongside the bride.

She certainly rocked the red dress and slippers, which, according to her, are the new wedding must-have. And after seeing the photos, we might just have to get our own.

Make sure to follow SI Swimsuit on YouTube!
Attention Little House On The Prairie fans!

Courtesy of Welcome Valley Village

If youre looking for a special getaway, it doesnt get more memorable than sleeping in a covered wagon nestled in the woods of Benton, Tennessee. But unlike in pioneer days, the Conestoga Wagons have (almost all) the modern day comforts: air conditioning, a refrigerator, fluffy pillows and bedding, wifi, and even a private bath house.

There are three wagons available to rent, and they are corralled around a shared firepit, making this an ideal shared spot for a family or a group of friends. Picture it: Youre surrounded by three cozy wagons, roasting marshmallows in a crackling fire, while strings of lights and the stars twinkle above in the night sky.

Welcome Valley Village

The wagons are one part of Welcome Valley Village, a 17-acre property with six rental cabins, including the wagons. The Ocoee River runs right alongside the village, and the Cherokee National Forest is just one mile away, providing plenty of opportunities for river rafting, fishing, hiking, or just enjoying the spectacular views from your car. Or, you can head north to explore the Great Smoky Mountains; its about a two-hour drive.

Welcome Valley Village

Welcome Valley Village



Each wagon has a king bed and twin bunk beds, and can accommodate four guests. While the wagon itself consists of one room, it comes equipped with chairs and a kitchenette with thoughtful touches like mugs, a coffee maker, a microwave, and a rustic wash basin sink. There is an outdoor grill and a covered pavilion for shared meals. The bathrooms, which are located just outside the wagons, are far from the bare-bones bathhouses you may have experienced at RV parks and campgrounds. They are designed with pretty blue tiles, and each one includes a shower, toilet, and sink, plus linens.

Welcome Valley Village



Comfy enough for the camping-averse, but rustic enough to still feel like an adventure, the Conestoga Wagons are sure to please anyone youre traveling with.

For more Southern Living news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on Southern Living.
Todd and Julie Chrisley will be released from prison earlier than expected.

The Chrisley Knows Best stars had been sentenced to a combined 19 years of prison after being found guilty of federal fraud charges and hiding their wealth from tax authorities.

The couple reported to their respective prisons in January, with Todd Chrisley serving 12 years at Federal Prison Camp Pensacola in Florida, while Julie Chrisley reported to the Federal Medical Center (FMC) Lexington in Kentucky for her seven-year sentence.

However, on Sept. 8, it was confirmed by the Federal Bureau of Prisons that Todd Chrisley will be released on Jan. 22, 2033, two years less than his original sentence.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

As for Julie Chrisley, her sentence was reduced by 14 months and will now be released on Oct. 19. 2028.

Since they reported to prison, their children  Savannah and Chase Chrisley  have kept people updated on their nightmare conditions.

Here's everything to know about Todd and Julie Chrisley's legal case.

E3 Chophouse Nashville Grand Opening Party (Danielle Del Valle / Getty Images for E3 Chophouse Na)

March 2017: Todd Chrisley is investigated in Georgia

According to Atlanta area television station WSB-TV, the family patriarch was under state investigation after it was exposed that he failed to pay Georgia income taxes for years.

August 2019: Todd and Julie Chrisley are indicted

The reality stars were indicted by a federal grand jury in Atlanta for 12 counts of wire fraud, conspiracy to commit bank fraud and conspiracy to defraud the United States, according to a copy obtained by NBC News.

The family accountant, Peter Tarantino, was also charged in Georgias Northern District.

At the time, Todd Chrisley maintained his innocence, stating in a lengthy statement that they had done nothing wrong.

We have nothing to hide and have done nothing to be ashamed of, he wrote in part on Instagram. Not only do we know weve done nothing wrong, but weve got a ton of hard evidence and a bunch of corroborating witnesses that proves it.

October 2019: Georgia tax case against the couple is settled

The couple settled their Georgia state tax-evasion charge, agreeing to pay $147,944.75 to settle the case with the Georgia Department of Revenue and got a refund of more than $66,000 for the tax years from 2013 to 2016, NBC affiliate WXIA of Atlanta reported at the time.

However, the couple still faced the 12-count federal indictment.

At the time, their reps told NBC News that while they have been accused of evading nearly $2 million in taxes between 2008 and 2016, they actually overpaid the state in four of those years.

Julie and I knew all along that we had done nothing wrong and that when the facts all came out, we would be fine, Todd Chrisley said in a statement released by their representatives. Were just glad that the Department of Revenue was willing to keep an open mind and look at all the evidence.

June 2022: Todd and Julie Chrisley are convicted on federal fraud charges

After starting their trial in May, on June 7, 2022, Todd and Julie Chrisley were found guilty of wire fraud, conspiracy to commit bank fraud and conspiracy to defraud the United States.

According to NBC News, investigators accused the spouses of submitting false documents to request bank loans and using a production company to hide income from the IRS.

November 2022: Todd and Julie Chrisley are sentenced to prison

On Nov. 21, 2022, Todd Chrisley was sentenced to 12 years in prison, while Julie Chrisley was sentenced to seven years, according to the U.S. attorneys office.

Tarantino, their accountant, was also found guilty of tax fraud for filing false corporate tax returns on their behalf. Julie Chrisley was additionally found guilty of wire fraud and obstruction of justice.

At the time, lawyers for the Chrisleys said that neither of the two purposely sought to inflict the harm upon the banks and Todd Chrisley intended to repay the bank loans.

Additionally, Julie Chrisleys lawyers said she had a minimal role in the conspiracy and asked to instead get probation, restitution and community service, the Associated Press reported at the time.

The couple's attorney stated at the time that they would plan on appealing.

In a Nov. 29 episode of the Unlocked with Savannah Chrisley podcast, Julie Chrisley said she never intentionally tried to do anything wrong.

Ive never gone out here and hurt a soul, she told her daughter. I have never gone out here and intentionally tried to do anything that I wasnt supposed to do and look where Im standing right now.

January 2023: Todd and Julie Chrisley report to prison

On Jan. 17, 2023, the pair reported to their respective prisons. Todd Chrisley began serving his 12 years at Federal Prison Camp Pensacola in Florida, while Julie Chrisley reported to the Federal Medical Center (FMC) Lexington in Kentucky to serve her seven-year sentence.

A few weeks later, Savannah Chrisley shared how her parents were spending their time while incarcerated. During a Jan. 31 episode of her Unlocked podcast, she said her father was focusing on his religion, working in the chapel and communicating with him via email.

She said her mother was playing cards and also going to church. My mom, shes made friends. Shes keeping busy. Shes going to church, she explained. Shes working. Shes playing some spades.

July 2023: Chase Chrisley says the prison environment is a 'nightmare'

Months after Savannah Chrisley said her parents aren't able to speak to one another, her brother, Chase Chrisley, recalled visiting his parents and seeing them living in inhumane conditions.

Its a nightmare, he said on the July 25 episode of Unlocked with Savannah Chrisley. Now they both have no air conditioning. They are both in states where it gets to be 100+ degrees and theres no air conditioning.

Savannah Chrisley added that at her moms prison she has rattlesnakes just casually slithering on the floor in front of her. Her brother clarified that they werent rattlesnakes but they were poisonous snakes.

So she just had snakes literally right there where her bed is, Savannah Chrisley continued, with Chase Chrisley adding, And then the way they think to apprehend the snake is to mace it.

This article was originally published on TODAY.com
Chinese President Xi Jinping is physically absent from New Delhi, but Beijing remained in the backdrop when US President Joe Biden met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday ahead of the G20 summit this weekend.

Amid escalating superpower competition between Beijing and Washington, Modi hosted Biden at his official residence shortly after he landed in the Indian capital on his first India visit since becoming president in 2021.

According to a joint statement released by the White House, the leaders pledged to sustain engagement at government, industrial and academic "high level" to contribute to a "free, open, inclusive and resilient Indo-Pacific".

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.

They also reaffirmed the importance of the Quad, a strategic security dialogue including India, US, Japan and Australia that aims to counter Beijing's influence in the region. The next Quad leaders' summit will be hosted by India in 2024.

Both leaders also recommitted to building "resilient technology value chains and linking defence industrial ecosystems" as well as promoting policies that "facilitate greater technology sharing, co-development, and co-production opportunities".

In 2024, the statement added, Washington and New Delhi will also collaborate on the International Space Station, 5G and 6G technology, semiconductors and diversifying critical supply chains.

During their meeting, Biden praised India's G20 presidency and reaffirmed US support for the country's campaign for a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council.

The statement said that Biden expressed confidence that this G20 summit would "advance the shared goals of accelerating sustainable development, bolstering multilateral cooperation, and building global consensus around inclusive economic policies to address our greatest common challenges, including fundamentally reshaping and scaling up multilateral development banks".

Story continues

Modi flanked by Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping during a G20 meeting in Japan in 2019. Both Putin and Xi have chosen not to attend this year's session. Photo: Sputnik/Kremlin via Reuters alt=Modi flanked by Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping during a G20 meeting in Japan in 2019. Both Putin and Xi have chosen not to attend this year's session. Photo: Sputnik/Kremlin via Reuters>

However, analysts have called producing a leaders' declaration at the end of the Group of 20 summit an insurmountable task for Modi, given members' differences over the Ukraine war. New Delhi has not been able to produce a single joint statement after the group's ministerial meetings in the past year.

To work toward consensus, Modi will reportedly hold bilateral talks with heads of 15 countries including France, Canada and South Korea.

After the talks, Kurt Campbell, the senior White House official for Indo-Pacific policy, described the relationship between Biden and Modi as one of "undeniable warmth and confidence", and called the absence of both Xi and Russian President Vladimir Putin "a disappointment for India".

Campbell said that an announcement could be expected on Saturday regarding a "major breakthrough" on infrastructure and communications that would connect India with the Middle East and Europe.

According to Reuters, the US, India, Saudi Arabia as well as other nations in the Gulf and Europe have been discussing a possible rail-and-port deal to enhance trade links as a counter to China's multibillion-dollar global infrastructure Belt and Road Initiative.

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.
Bivvi delivers customizable A-frames on trailers. At $33,000, its new Base Camp model comes with even more options.

Clients can customize the cabin's exterior paint color, and this one shows a black shade that blends into the woods.

Welcome to Prefab Profiles, an ongoing series of interviews with people transforming how we build houses. From prefab tiny houses and modular cabin kits to entire homes ready to ship, their projects represent some of the best ideas in the industry. Do you know a prefab brand that should be on our radar? Get in touch!

Dylan Woock, the founder and CEO of Bivvi, grew up under a blanket of pines in the Pacific Northwest. Thats also where he met his longtime friend Kyle Robeson, the partner and COO of Bivvi; the two shared a deep appreciation for the rugged beauty and outdoor activities that beckoned them from their homes in Central Oregon. In 2019, they had the idea to build a cabin inspired by the states familiar sites"the backcountry huts, fire towers, and yurts," Woock saysand that spark led to months of research. Then the pandemic hit.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

"With more time on our hands, we decided to launch Bivvi in 2020," Woock continues. "We began prototyping the first cabin in our driveway in Portland, which led to our first A-frame." This year, the company unveiled the Base Camp, which has that famed letters structure but includes a wider range of features than its previous design. "So far, weve sold them to private landowners and campground resorts," Woock says.

Read on to learn more about this clever cabin and the two men behind it, who hope to make the wide open spaces they hold dear a little more accessible to like-minded adventurers.

The cabins are entirely built from materials sourced in the United States.

Whats the most exciting project youve realized to date?

Our most extreme and exciting projects has been sending a cabin all the way down to a client who owns several acres outside Big Bend National Park in Western Texas. We developed a totally off-grid solution for the client, who will use a water cistern as well as solar power to supplement their Base Camp cabin.

What does your base model cost and what does that pricing include?

Our Base Camp cabin starts at $33,000, and this is for a fully finished, stick-built cabin. We use 4x6 premium-grade and exposed Douglas fir rafters, tongue-and-groove pine decking, plywood, and framing lumber on a trailer with a 50 amp electrical service, an interior LED triangle cove light, and an exterior LED light. Theres also white oak flooring, premium tongue-and-groove pine on the interior, and Sierra Pacific aluminum-faced wood windows and doors. Everything is fully insulated under a clip-lock, factory-painted metal roof and trim. The cabin measures about 13-feet tall, 18-feet long (including the trailer tongue) and a little over eight feet wide, and is 120 square feet.

The Base Camp is prefabricated in our shop directly on a black-painted, dual-axle trailer chassis that acts as a subfloor and a insulation layer with rigid foam. We build each cabin to order and customize it based on clients needs and wishes. We source all of our materials from American companies, too.

Clients can customize the kitchenette, which is stationed next to a small desk or dining table.

What qualities make your prefab stand apart from the rest?

The most unique quality of the Base Camp is the trailer. Given that its structure is on a trailer, we are able to eliminate costly on-site delivery and construction. We consider our cabins to be free-range cabins, meaning that clients can move their structure anywhere they want once theyre on site our cabins are as adaptable to the landscape as you can make a building.

We also take great pride in the craftsmanship and quality that goes into every cabin we build. We use the highest quality materials that are locally available, and employ craftsmanship that allows us to strive toward our 100-year lifespan goal.

Bivvi's Base Cabin is the latest offering from the company, which started in 2020.

See the full story on Dwell.com: Two Friends Started This Prefab Company Where the Cabins Come on Wheels

Related stories:
Do something. Thats what Eric Choy, executive director of trade remedy and law enforcement at U.S. Customs and Border Protections Office of Trade, tells companies struggling to comply with the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act, or UFLPA, to do first and foremost.

Choy is quoted in a new white paper by research and data analytics firm Kharon about the laws transformative first year. Since enforcement began last June, CBP has detained more than $1.7 billion worth of goods suspected of containing inputs made with the coerced labor of persecuted Muslim minorities from Chinas Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. This includes entities both within and outside China that use labor or incorporate materials from Xinjiang.

More from Sourcing Journal

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Apparel, footwear and textiles, together with industrial and manufacturing materials, have been CBPs primary detention targets with a combined 1,806 detained shipments worth $98.8 million as of July. The numbers dovetail with the agencys announcement last June that it would prioritize UFLPA enforcement for cotton, polysilicon and tomatoes, though this was later amended to include red dates and other agricultural products, vinyl products and downstream products, aluminum and downstream products, steel and downstream products, lead-acid and lithium-ion batteries, copper and downstream products, electronics and tires and other automobile components.

So far, just over 36 percent of shipments stopped by customs officials hailed directly from China, with Malaysia and Vietnam proving to be significant offenders as well. In terms of value, however, goods shipped directly from Malaysia and Vietnam have been worth more than six times those shipped directly from China$1.4 billion versus $223 millionunderscoring the challenge of third-country manufacturing when it comes to due diligence.

The risk is compounded by the lack of a de minimis threshold that allows the admission of seemingly insignificant amounts of materials with a nexus to Xinjiang, Kharon said.

Since there is no de minimis threshold for the UFLPA, any product that contains even a trace amount of inputs made with forced labor is subject to a possible enforcement action, it said. The lack of a de minimis threshold combined with third-country detention statistics illustrate why due diligence into all suppliers, not just those located in China, is a core component for any forced labor risk management program.

To avoid detentions, CBP recommends that importers establish robust due diligence procedures, including tracing the supply chain from raw material to the imported product, to verify the absence of forced labor risks such as labor transfers and ties to the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps. It has worked to continually update its tools and guidance, including its Entity List of bad actors that engage in business practices that target Uyghurs and other ethnic groups. In March, the agency added a so-called UFLPA Region Alert function to the Automated Commercial Environment, which documents imports and exports, flagging any invalid or Xinjiang-based postal codes with warning messages, though it warned that this shouldnt replace actual supply chain mapping.

But the sheer volume and scope of goods targeted under the UFLPA pose significant compliance hurdles for industry at large, especially as supply chains have increasingly become globalized, complex and opaque, Kharon said.

As the UFLPA enters its second year, these challenges necessitate doubling down on government guidance and cutting-edge data analytics to manage exposure to potential violations, the report said.

And Choys advice continues to ring true, particularly with the growing number of countries outside the United States, such as Canada, Germany and the broader European Union, that have enacted or are poised to introduce legislation to outlaw products made with forced labor. Others, like Australia, France and the United Kingdom brandish laws targeting human rights abuses.

Adopting a proactive, risk-based approach to UFLPA compliance by adopting the necessary due diligence tools before a detention occurs will ensure [that] industry is prepared to manage evolving enforcement trends, Kharon said.

Click here to read the full article.
Welcome to the magical Mana Pools National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with a gorgeous new safari camp.

Courtesy of Molori Mashuma

Northern Zimbabwes Mana Pools National Park sits along the Zambezi River and is known for its unspoiled beauty, canoe trails, and extraordinary wildlife that flock here to drink water from its natural pools. And a new camp allows travelers to fully immerse in this stunning landscape, which has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1984.

Molori Mashuma, the second property from South African company Molori Safari, opened on Aug. 15 with only six tented accommodations offering privacy, unobstructed views, and access to the wildlife-rich grasslands of Mashuma Pan.

Courtesy of Molori Mashuma

Courtesy of Molori Mashuma

Mana Pools represents the most unique truly African wilderness experience that I have ever come across in all my years of being in the bush," Eric Ichikowitz, co-owner of Molori Mashuma, told Travel + Leisure. "It is a game and wilderness experience unlike anything else because you are not chasing the wildlife to tick off a list, you are immersed and present in the moment, with the open landscapes, fauna and flora, and the wildlife that roam."

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

The spacious air-conditioned accommodations feature private decks for game viewing and relaxation as well as amenities such as soaking bathtubs, outdoor showers, and beautiful design and decor by local artists. Two two-bedroom family tents with private plunge pools are also available.

Courtesy of Molori Mashuma

Courtesy of Molori Mashuma

Molori Mashumas main lodge boasts a 5,457-square-foot deck with several lounge and dining areas, a pool, and a bar, perfect for enjoying the views of the lush surroundings. Visitors can also observe and photograph wildlife on guided walking safaris (there are three locations for game viewing in the area).

Walking through the fever tree forests and watching elephants in their droves, moving through the forest and interacting with big herds of eland and zebras frolicking and playing around them, while the monkeys jump from the trees, is one of my ultimate wilderness experiences, Ichikowitz added.

Courtesy of Molori Mashuma

Mana Pools National Park is home to the countrys largest crocodile and hippo population, many predators, and hundreds of bird species.

Molori Mashuma is open seasonally from the beginning of April to the end of October. Nightly rates start from $1,725.

For more Travel & Leisure news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on Travel & Leisure.
(NEXSTAR)  An American speleologist exploring the Morca Cave in Turkey is currently trapped at a depth of more than 1,000 meters after becoming ill during the expedition.

Mark Dickey, 40, was co-leading an expedition on Saturday, Sept. 2, to map new passages within the Morca Cave  Turkeys third-deepest  when he became severely ill, according to Gretchen Baker, the National Coordinator of the National Cave Rescue Commission (NCRC), an all-volunteer organization based in Huntsville, Alabama.

Dickey, from New York, is the NCRCs international exchange program coordinator, and has been teaching instructional classes on cave-rescue techniques for 10 years, Baker told Nexstar.

Currently, Mark is improving and is not as sick, said Baker, who did not provide additional details on the cause of Dickeys illness.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

3 sailors safe after sharks nearly sink catamaran on round-the-world trip

The European Cave Rescue Association (ECRA) provided slightly more information, publicly stating that Dickey had experienced a bout of severe gastric pain at a depth of around 1,040 meters.

He [had] gastrointestinal bleeding and when the report was received, he was clearly unable to leave the approximately 1,000-meter deep cave on his own, the ECRA wrote. (Baker said it would take an experienced spelunker around 15 hours to exit the cave from Dickeys position.)

Rescue crews from Hungary descended to Dickeys location on Sunday to set up a tent and provide emergency care, the ECRA wrote. This included emergency blood transfusions, a representative for Hungarys team told the Associated Press. His circulation has since stabilized, the ECRA confirmed.

Additional teams from Turkey, Bulgaria, Croatia, Italy, and Poland are assisting with the rescue, the outlet reported.

Baker told Nexstar that the NCRC estimates the rescue to take between four and eight days, as the Turkish-led rescue teams will need to enlarge some of the tightest passageways in the cave to accommodate the stretcher that Dickey will need to be carried out on.

Yusef Ogrenecek, a representative for the Speleological Federation of Turkey, wasnt quite as optimistic, telling the AP it could take weeks before Dickey is brought to the surface.

Marks condition continues to improve, the federation tweeted. Doctors will decide whether it is possible for him to leave without a stretcher.

National parks can ban you from visiting: Heres how

The ECRA has set up a page for those who wish to donate to Dickeys rescue efforts, and to the rescue teams directly.

The leaders of the expedition asked for international help through Turkish federation of speleology and Turkish cave rescue, which are members of ECRA, the organization wrote. Rescue missions from such deepness are very rare, extremely difficult and need many very experienced cave rescuers.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
Watch Erin Burnett Out Front tonight at 7 p.m. ET for more on this story.

As Covid cases spread in 2020, visitors to the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences were greeted by a colorful sign put up by grateful neighbors outside the universitys medical center: Heroes Work Here.

The university adopted the message in glossy promotional videos it posted online, introducing viewers to individual nurses, doctors, and health workers who described their jobs. Sometimes its easy for people who pass through here to see our frontline caregivers as the heroes, or our educators as the heroes  its really everybody, Cam Patterson, the university chancellor, declared in one video.

But at least a dozen of the heroes that UAMS featured in online advertisements and other videos werent just employed by the university  theyve also been sued by it.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

UAMS, Arkansas flagship public health sciences university, has been aggressively suing thousands of former patients over medical debt in recent years, including hundreds of its own employees, a CNN investigation found.

Since 2019, UAMS has sued more than 8,000 patients to collect on unpaid medical bills, according to court records. It filed more debt collection lawsuits in recent years than any other plaintiff in the Arkansas court system other than the state tax office.

The universitys use of the courts ballooned during the coronavirus pandemic. It filed 35 lawsuits in 2016 but more than 3,000 in 2021  an average of nearly nine a day.

CNN reviewed court documents from thousands of UAMS lawsuits and identified more than 500 defendants who were listed as working for the university itself. The employees ranged from nurses and patient services associates to clinical technicians and lab workers to housekeepers and cooks.

Twenty people sued by UAMS, including more than a dozen current or former employees, spoke to CNN about their cases. Keri Whimper, a former UAMS medical assistant, said the universitys lawsuit against her  demanding a total of about $700 for a bill she thought had been covered by insurance  felt like a betrayal after she contracted Covid while working at the medical center.

I worked for them through Covid, and theyre still doing this to me, she said. This really shows they dont care about their employees at all.

UAMS, which is part of the state government and is Arkansas largest public employer, operates a major teaching hospital in the state capital of Little Rock and runs clinics around the state. Its legal practices, which have not been previously reported, are an example of how aggressive medical debt collection efforts arent limited to corporate, for-profit hospitals.

Most of the lawsuits UAMS filed in recent years involved unpaid medical bills of about $1,000 or less, with some cases over as little as $100. In its complaints, the university tacked on hundreds of dollars of court filing fees, attorney fees, service fees, and interest charges, sometimes doubling or tripling the original amount owed. It moved to garnish defendants wages or bank accounts in thousands of cases.

In an interview, Patterson, the chancellor, said he hadnt been aware of the number of employees UAMS was suing until CNN informed him, and said the university was evaluating changes to its collections policy. But he defended the lawsuits as important to the institutions finances, especially at a time that it has faced budget shortfalls and layoffs.

We cant fulfill our mission if were not getting paid for the work that we do, Patterson said, adding that the university provides free care to many low-income patients and we dont take legal action against people who cant pay.

Renee Russell said the university's lawsuit and wage garnishment against her devastated her finances. - CNN

State financial records show that UAMS regularly takes in more than $1 billion in payments from patients and insurers each year  suggesting that individual debts of a few hundred dollars were a drop in the bucket.

But the lawsuits had dramatic consequences for some defendants. Some patients declared bankruptcy after being sued by the university, and others, like Renee Russell, told CNN that the lawsuits and garnishments forced them to take on second jobs or cut down on food for their families.

What they took from me was life-altering during a hard time, said Russell, who was sued over about $3,000 in bills.

Berneta Haynes, a lawyer with the National Consumer Law Center whos studied medical debt, said UAMS appeared to be using some of the industrys most egregious types of collections practices.

Hounding people for money, wage garnishments, seizure of bank accounts, all over minimal amounts of money it feels draconian and cruel, Haynes said. This is why people end up avoiding necessary healthcare, because they dont want to face the spiral of medical debt.

Suing their own employees

In one of the universitys pandemic-era promotional videos, which features employees discussing the slogan UAMS Strong, a student recruitment director says that the phrase means to me that were all in this together, that were supporting each other, that were lifting each other up.

But the day before the video was posted to YouTube, the director was served with a lawsuit from her employer over $700 in unpaid medical bills. The university went on to garnish a portion of the very same wages it was paying her, according to court documents.

Her experience was hardly unique. In addition to the more than 500 current and former UAMS employees that CNN found had been sued, about 100 other defendants were listed as working at Arkansas Childrens Hospital, which is affiliated with UAMS. Those numbers are likely undercounts, as thousands of additional cases did not include employment information or did not have case documents available in Arkansas online court database.

Employees being sued told CNN they had gone to their employer for medical treatment either out of convenience or because of incentives in their insurance. UAMS health insurance program offers employees lower deductibles and copays if they go to UAMS doctors and facilities for their medical care instead of other in-network providers that arent part of the university.

Current UAMS employees  who asked to speak anonymously to avoid retaliation  said the cases against them were demoralizing and infuriating.

One nurse sued by UAMS worked long hours coordinating Covid care during the height of deadly surges in case numbers. She remembered calling hospital after hospital trying to find beds for patients who needed to be intubated, knowing that if she couldnt find them a spot, they would likely die.

An aerial view of UAMS. - CNN

Around the same time, she said, she was personally receiving collection calls about years-old medical bills from her own employer. UAMS sued her and, after winning a default judgment, moved to garnish part of the wages it was paying her, according to court documents.

Getting sued after working through the worst of the pandemic was a punch in the gut, the nurse said. Were a revenue source, and if they dont get their revenue, they sue us for it.

Another nurse, who was sued by her employer over a bill for medical treatment provided to a family member, said that the lawsuit was a bombshell in my finances.

Its a crappy way to treat anybody, especially somebody who comes to work for you, working their butt off during Covid, she said. Just the humiliation of it, and feeling like they dont really have your back, it hurts.

Some employees were making annual salaries of about $30,000 or less when they were sued, according to financial records.

A housekeeper at the hospital said she didnt realize she had been sued by her employer until they started garnishing part of her paycheck, because court documents were sent to her old address. She said she was forced to get a second job at Walmart to keep up with her bills.

Yall say youre for the people, but how am I going to survive when youre taking hundreds of dollars out of my paycheck? she asked.

On the other end of the pay spectrum, a handful of the defendants were doctors, professors or departmental leaders. The university sued its chief of pediatric emergency medicine over nearly $2,000 in medical bills in 2021. He resigned his job in the following months to take a position elsewhere  but UAMS still garnished a portion of his last paycheck, according to court records.

A UAMS spokesperson said the university couldnt comment on individual cases due to health privacy laws, but would review the examples CNN cited.

Patterson, the chancellor, said UAMS hadnt previously received complaints from employees about the collections process, but that it breaks my heart to hear some of what workers told CNN about being sued. He said that the university had recently convened a working group to evaluate its billing and collections policies and make recommendations for changes.

We dont like to think about pursuing legal action for anybody, he said. And were very interested in finding ways in which we can accomplish the same goal without having to resort to legal action.

A barrage of lawsuits

For years, UAMS only filed a few dozen medical debt lawsuits annually. But that changed in 2019, as the university pursued cost savings and partnered with a new debt collection firm  and the numbers skyrocketed during the pandemic.

In 2021, UAMS filed more than 3,000 lawsuits  nearly 100 times the number it filed five years earlier.

The jump in lawsuits appears to be linked to UAMS work with Mid-South Adjustment Company, an Arkansas debt collection firm. Court documents in some of the lawsuits state that bills should be paid to Mid-South, and most of UAMS debt collection lawsuits are represented by Brad Dowler, an attorney who also represents Mid-South.

UAMS first began paying Mid-South during its 2019 fiscal year, according to financial records  the same time the number of lawsuits jumped. Since then, its paid the company more than $3.1 million. In addition to collections, Mid-South also provides UAMS other services such as patient communications and insurance verification, according to a contract bid. Dowler and Mid-Souths president declined to comment on the lawsuits.

As UAMS increased its lawsuits, it was in the process of rebuilding its finances. In early 2018, the university cut several hundred jobs as it faced a large budget deficit. Patterson, the universitys new chancellor, arrived in June 2018 and declared in an interview on his first day at work that the mission of UAMS is not to make money but to serve the people of Arkansas.

In recent years, the university has seesawed between a stronger and weaker financial picture. It recently announced plans to lay off 51 employees amid a $30 million deficit. But in its 2021 fiscal year, UAMS recorded its highest increase in net position in more than a decade, thanks in part to federal Covid-related funds  and it still sued thousands of people.

Patterson said that UAMS does not collect debt owed by patients with a household income less than 200% of the federal poverty level  a total of about $60,000 for a family of four  or people who are unemployed or on Medicaid or Medicare. Each year, he said, the university writes off about $100 million in medical care for people who cant afford to pay. And people who are not eligible for free care can set up payment plans to avoid lawsuits, in some cases paying as little as $5 or $10 per month, he said.

Dr. Cam Patterson, chancellor of the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, speaks during an interview with CNN. - CNN

But those policies are not publicized anywhere on the universitys website. While UAMS has posted an application for financial assistance, some of the patients sued told CNN they dont remember being informed about the possibility of receiving financial assistance or being encouraged to apply.

In contrast, UAMS largest competitor in Little Rock, Baptist Health Medical Center, has posted detailed online policies offering free care to families whose income is less than 300% of the federal poverty level, with exceptions based on assets. Baptist also lays out a litany of requirements and income checks that must take place before any collections lawsuit is filed.

A UAMS spokesperson said that hospital employees give patients a one-on-one personal explanation about their bills and available assistance.

Meanwhile, some other hospitals around the country have moved to limit or end their use of lawsuits to collect on medical debt. The University of Virginia Health System and Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare in Memphis both reformed their collections policies after reporting from the nonprofit news outlets KFF Health News, ProPublica and MLK50 revealed the hospitals had sued thousands of former patients.

States such as New York, Maryland, New Mexico and California have also passed legislation in recent years banning or limiting the use of wage garnishments and other measures to collect on medical debt, although theres been no similar move in Arkansas.

Nationally, nonprofit and public hospitals were among the most litigious at collecting medical debt, a Johns Hopkins University study from 2021 found. The study counted lawsuits by the 100 largest hospitals in the US  which did not include UAMS  and found that nine of the 10 most litigious were nonprofit or government-run.

Some longtime UAMS patients said they noticed a pronounced change in the hospitals approach to collections in recent years. Suzanne Saettele, who got an emergency liver transplant at the UAMS Medical Center in 2005, has returned multiple times a year for tests and checkups since then. Living paycheck to paycheck, she said she struggled to pay the bills at times over the years, but the university was always willing to give her time to pay or set up payment plans.

UAMS was 1000% on our side, she remembered, citing their flexibility with bills and the hospital social worker who helped her apply for financial benefits. I could just cry, they helped me so much.

That changed in May 2021, when she got a knock on her door on the day of her daughters high school graduation. She expected flowers  and it turned out to be a man with a lawsuit from the hospital.

Even though she had been making regular payments on a previous UAMS payment plan, Saettele said, the university still sued her over several outstanding bills totaling $295. After attorneys and court fees, she owed $525, part of which the hospital garnished from Saetteles bank account after winning a default judgment.

It just broke my heart because they had been so good to us, Saettele said. I had such good care and felt so safe with them  and now I dont.

It hurt me big time

Some patients sued by UAMS told CNN that the lawsuits against them had dramatic and long-lasting consequences for their personal finances.

The vast majority of defendants sued did not have an attorney and made no court filing. The university typically filed for default judgment, which was granted if defendants didnt respond within 30 days of being served.

UAMS added hundreds of dollars of attorneys and court fees onto the hospital bills in its court complaints. After winning judgments, the university earned interest on the amount owed at rates that in some cases reached 9% each year.

Those fees were horrible, said Tonya Dixon, who was sued over about $1,000 in bills after giving birth to her son Lukas at UAMS. The amount she owed rose above $1,500 after attorney and court fees. I told them, theres no need to get a lawyer, Im willing to pay you. But nobody listened.

Tonya Dixon plays with her son, Lukas, who was born prematurely at UAMS in 2019. - CNN

To collect on its judgments, UAMS moved to garnish defendants wages or seize money from their bank accounts in at least 5,000 cases since 2019, according to CNNs analysis of court records. Some other defendants were allowed to set up monthly payment plans to avoid garnishment.

Notably, UAMS also exploited a loophole in state law that allowed it to collect on debts that may have been too old for most hospitals to bring to court. Arkansas statute of limitations blocks debt collectors from suing over medical debt if more than two years have passed since the debt was incurred or the last payment was made.

But in some cases, UAMS sued over debts that were three or four years old, because that statute of limitations doesnt apply to the state government.

In one case, after the hospital sued a patient in June 2022 for medical treatment she received in March 2019, the defendant objected that the statute of limitations had passed. UAMS attorney, Tim Cullen, responded by citing an Arkansas Supreme Court ruling and wrote that Plaintiff is an arm of the State of Arkansas. The statute of limitations does not run against the state. The judge ruled in the universitys favor, and Cullen moved to garnish the defendants wages from the Department of Veterans Affairs.

A UAMS spokesperson objected to the idea that the law allowing the university to sue over older bills amounted to a loophole, and said the university waits at least a year before filing suit, and often longer, in order to reach out to patients multiple times and give them an opportunity to pay

Patterson said the universitys policy is to be transparent with patients about their bills and that defendants should have received plenty of notice before it gets to a lawsuit. If people are being sued without understanding that they have unpaid bills, thats of course too aggressive, thats not our process, he said.

Still, some patients sued said the university was unwilling to give them reprieves, even when they faced financial distress.

In 2021, UAMS sued Renee Russell for about $3,200 over a medical bill for treatment of her diverticulitis, plus more than $800 in attorney and court fees. The hospital garnished part of Russells wages from a dog grooming business, which she said had already dropped dramatically due to the pandemic.

Russell told CNN she called UAMS and its collections firm and asked about their financial assistance policy in light of her reduced income. I told them Im trying to pay this, but I am in a horrific financial bind right now with Covid  Im barely keeping my head above water, she said. But Russell was told it was too late for her to qualify for financial assistance because the lawsuit had already made its way through the courts, she said.

The garnishment, which took hundreds of dollars out of Russells paycheck, devastated her finances at the same time she was taking care of a disabled brother after her mothers death and adopting a child, she said. To cope, she cut down on food for the family, took on extra jobs cleaning houses, and postponed crucial dental work.

As her savings evaporated, Russell wrote two handwritten letters to the court explaining her financial situation and asking for a reprieve. I am begging for some relief, she wrote. UAMS did nothing until a judge scheduled a hearing months later. The day the hearing was set to take place, the university agreed to lift the garnishment, and Russell said an employee of the universitys lawyer told her they would forgive the remaining $82 of her debt. But then, about two months later, UAMS moved to reinstate the garnishment  and took that last $82.

The impact of the lawsuit against her has been long-lasting, Russell said: Her credit score dropped from 750 to 480, and shes still working to build up her savings again.

It hurt me, it hurt me big time, Russell said. What did they gain from literally crushing me?

CNNs Curt Devine and Ashley Killough contributed to this report. Student journalist Emily Kennard also contributed for CNN.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
SAN DIEGO (Border Report)  With no end in sight for the long lines at ports of entry in Tijuana, tourism officials south of the border say public restrooms are sorely needed, especially along pedestrian crossings.

Right now, most people who need to use a bathroom while waiting in line, must seek access to a restroom located inside an area business and pay a fee.

Its time the city built these facilities, said Julian Palombo Saucedo, president of Tijuanas Chamber of Commerce. We need public bathrooms at both the San Ysidro and Otay Mesa ports of entry.

Border commuters want popular pedestrian crossing open soon

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Palombo believes the long wait times arent going away any time soon.

Its also time for commuters from both sides of the border to get used to these long lines, he said. As we get used to these waits, sanitary facilities need to be accessible to people waiting in line in case they need to use the bathroom.

Palombo says another thing that needs to happen is for Ped West, the second pedestrian crossing at the San Ysidro Port of Entry, to finally reopen completely.

It was closed when the coronavirus pandemic began more than three years ago, and while northbound foot traffic was allowed to start up again earlier this year, the southbound lanes remain closed.

This is keeping Southern Californians from visiting, many arent bringing their families for a visit and theyre not coming down for medical and dental services offered throughout the city.

Visit the BorderReport.com homepage for the latest exclusive stories and breaking news about issues along the U.S.-Mexico border

Palombo added that as long as the southbound lanes at Ped West remain closed or operate under limited hours, the long waits will persist along with the need for public bathrooms.

The city of Tijuana says it has considered building public restrooms at ports of entry, but as of now, there are no imminent plans to build them.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego.
GOP candidate Blake Masters is reportedly planning to run for Senate again in Arizona.

But two of his closest ideological allies  Josh Hawley and JD Vance  declined to formally back him.

"I've got to focus on my own race," said Hawley. Kari Lake may also run for the Arizona Senate seat.

If Blake Masters mounts a second campaign for Senate in Arizona, he may be going it alone this time.

The 2022 GOP Senate nominee  who lost to Democratic Sen. Mark Kelly by nearly five percentage points last year  is planning to run for Senate again, according to the Wall Street Journal and POLITICO.

Masters won the GOP primary in 2022 with the endorsement of not just former President Donald Trump , but Republican Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri, who Masters has frequently named as being the senator he most agrees with.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

"Josh Hawley is calling me saying, 'give me some backup!'" Masters told attendees at an event in Apache Junction last year while condemning Big Tech. "He's the only one in the US Senate who really understands this stuff."

But Hawley, who encouraged Masters to run last cycle, told Insider that he hasn't spoken to the Arizona Republican about a second campaign, and was unaware that he planned to run again. And he said that while he's a "big fan" of Masters, he'd be "really surprised" if he got involved in the Arizona Senate race this cycle.

"I've got to focus on my own race in Missouri," he said. "I wasn't up for re-election last time."

"I thought he was a great candidate, I thought he worked really hard," Hawley also said. "I wish he were here serving."

Masters did not respond to Insider's request for comment.

Both Masters and Republican Sen. JD Vance of Ohio won their primary elections in 2022 with the help of billionaire Peter Thiel, who spent tens of millions of dollars funding super PACs supporting each candidate. But Thiel has recently indicated that he plans to withdraw from political spending.

Thiel, Hawley, Vance, and Masters are each affiliated to some extent with the "New Right," a growing populist movement within the Republican Party that's critical of corporate power and the excesses of capitalism, more openly nationalistic, and more socially conservative than other strands of Republicanism.

But Vance isn't ready to endorse Masters either, despite calling him a "good friend" and acknowledging that Masters is "thinking hard about" mounting a second campaign.

"We have not talked details about him running this cycle, but I think that he's a great guy that has a great future in the party, and in the movement," said Vance. "Let's see what he actually wants to do first, and I'll make decisions about who I'm endorsing once candidates actually enter the race."

One of those candidates  and the elephant in the room in any discussion about the 2024 GOP primary for Senate in Arizona  is Kari Lake.

'Still a lot of time for that race to shape up'

Lake, the failed 2022 GOP gubernatorial nominee and Trump acolyte who has contested the results of her own election, remains popular with the Republican base. She has repeatedly said that she's considering a Senate bid, and earlier this year, she met with several GOP senators in Washington as she mulled a run, including Vance.

A Masters campaign could put him on a collision course with Lake, an erstwhile ally during the 2022 campaign. Still, the 2024 election could offer the GOP nominee a better chance at winning a Senate seat in Arizona than last time.

While incumbent Sen. Kyrsten Sinema has not said whether she will seek re-election, she's fundraising as if she is, and the race could ultimately develop into a three-way contest between the Democrat-turned-Independent, a Republican, and presumptive Democratic nominee Rep. Ruben Gallego.

However, Masters' campaign was seen by some as the embodiment of Senate Republicans' "candidate quality" problem in 2022, and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell has frequently mentioned Arizona as being among the states where Republicans failed to nominate the right candidate.

"We underperformed among independents and moderates because their impression of many of the people in our party, and leadership roles, is that they're dogged in chaos, negativity, excessive attacks," McConnell told reporters in November. "And it frightened independent and moderate Republican voters."

Masters, for his part, recently argued that Republicans  including himself  did not raise enough money to compete in the state.

"I needed to raise a lot more to be competitive, and I will in any future race," said Masters. "But part of it is on the Republican Party and its affiliated super PACs and donor networks."

Republican Sen. Steve Daines of Montana, the chairman of Senate Republicans' campaign arm, told Insider that he'd spoken to Masters about running but otherwise said little about the Arizona Republican's potential candidacy.

"Arizona is going to be one of the most competitive Senate races in the country," said Daines, adding there's "still a lot of time for that race to shape up."

And Republican Sens. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and Ted Cruz of Texas, both of whom campaigned for Masters after he became the nominee, also demurred when asked about a second run.

"That'll be for the voters of Arizona to decide," said Cruz.

"Seems like a nice guy," said Graham, adding "I don't know, I hope so" when asked if Masters can win.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Jeannie Morrill pulls back a bandage on her ankle, revealing an ugly wound, two tear-drop-shaped pockets of blood burrowing into her skin. She has another festering on her arm, and on her hip, she has a deep scar from the worst wound of all.

"This put me in the hospital," Morrill says. "It tunneled five and a half inches down and four and a half inches over. I almost lost my leg over it."

Morrill, 41, is addicted to heroin, but none of these wounds are at injection sites on her body. Instead they are caused by xylazine, a large animal tranquilizer being mixed into Burlington's illicit drug supply, along with fentanyl and other substances. Morrill had no idea at first she was injecting the drug along with heroin.

Jeannie Morrill, as seen on Aug. 30, 2023, at the offices of Vermonters for Criminal Justice Reform in Burlington.

"The drug supply has gotten more dangerous, more deadly, more potent," said Erin O'Keefe, who runs the Howard Center Safe Recovery program. "People who use drugs have less clarity about what they're even using. You think somebody who wants heroin goes and buys heroin. But really someone who goes and buys heroin buys something that probably has no heroin in it, but is likely some mixture of fentanyl, unknown other substances and then maybe xylazine."

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Xylazine, also known as tranq, has deepened Vermont's already daunting drug crisis, causing flesh-eating wounds like Morrill's, and putting people into a comatose state that Morrill compares to zombies. Dealing with xylazine has ratcheted up the stress on a health care system that's already straining from the pressure of rising drug overdoses.

A report released by the Vermont Department of Health in April showed a 10% increase in opioid-related fatal overdoses from 217 deaths in 2021 to 239 deaths in 2022. There were 158 opioid-related overdose deaths in 2020. Xylazine was involved in 28% of fatal opioid overdoses in 2022, up from 13% in 2021, more than doubling.

To make matters worse, xylazine does not respond to naloxone, the drug doctors and first responders rely on to resuscitate those who have overdosed on opioids. Xylazine is not an opioid, and there is currently no antidote available.

Bill from Sen. Welch would improve drug detection technologies

Sen. Peter Welch , D-Vermont, co-introduced a bill with Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, aimed at developing an antidote, and directing the National Institute of Standards and Technology to develop new tests to detect the drug in patients. Both Welch and Cruz serve on the Senate's Commerce Committee. Cruz is the ranking member of the committee.

Xylazine wounds on Jeannie Morrill's ankle, as seen on Aug. 30, 2023.

"Xylazine is now implicated in many of our overdose deaths," Welch said. "(The TRANQ Research Act) would do a number of things. It's going to get some research done about what this drug can do and form partnerships to come up with an antidote. One of the big challenges is not being able to test for this drug in a person's system for immediate intervention."

TRANQ stands for "Testing Rapid Analysis and Narcotic Quality."

While there are currently test strips available to check for the presence of xylazine and fentanyl, Welch's bill directs the NSIT to develop better and faster ways to detect and analyze the drugs, as well as other novel synthetic opioids. The current test strips only determine the presence or absence of a drug; they do not measure how much of the substance, whether fentanyl or xylazine, is present.

Such a measurement requires spectrometer technology to provide chemical breakdowns, a technology that is not portable. Personal use spectrometers are still being developed and researched. Welch's bill would invest in that research and provide funding to develop this technology into a rapid, point-of-use tool that goes beyond test strips.

Jeannie Morrill shows the size of a xylazine-caused wound on the back of one of her friend's head, as seen on Aug. 30, 2023.

"At its core the bill funds research into better harm reduction technologies, so we can give folks more tools to protect themselves from an ever-changing drug landscape," Welch said.

As of this writing, the TRANQ Research Act had passed both chambers of Congress. The Senate amended the House-passed version, and Welch is waiting on the House to advance the Senate-passed version. Once that happens, the bill will go to President Joe Biden's desk for his signature, making it a law.

Whispers of xylazine give way to an aggressive assault

Dr. Daniel Wolfson began hearing about xylazine long before it showed up in the emergency department at the University of Vermont Medical Center, where he has taken care of patients for the past 20 years.

Dr. Daniel Wolfson in the emergency department at the University of Vermont Medical Center, as seen on June 9, 2023.

"We started hearing whispers of it five years ago on a clinical basis," Wolfson said. "Then it's really only been in the last couple of years that it's actually been impacting us. When it did start it came out of nowhere, very aggressively. It ramped up really fast."

From Wolfson's perspective, the skin wounds like Morrill's are one of the most horrifying aspects of xylazine.

"Xylazine causes small vessel vasal constriction, so it inhibits the blood supply to your skin, not just where you're injecting it, but anywhere in your body," Wolfson said. "So people have been coming in with these horrible  and I mean horrible  necrotic disfiguring wounds. You couldn't even imagine how bad they look, and they're on their face, their legs, their arms. It's not just where they inject."

Worse, the wounds often become "super infected," he said, turning into "deep, necrotic ulcers."

"I've never seen wounds like that before," Wolfson said. "Patients have been in the hospital for weeks and months with some of these wounds. Some require plastic surgery and multiple skin grafts. They're awful."

When dealing with an overdose patient, Wolfson and his colleagues in the emergency department still have to administer naloxone to counteract opioids, but with xylazine in the picture, they also have to be ready to give immediate respiratory and cardiovascular support if a patient doesn't wake up right away. Sometimes CPR is required.

Dr. Daniel Wolfson explains that many people with substance use disorder end up just trying not to be in withdrawal, rather than experiencing a high, as seen on June 9, 2023.

"They don't always go into cardiac arrest, but a certain percentage do," Wolfson said.

As a result of all of these complications, overdose patients are spending up to 24 hours in the emergency department.

"They used to come in, give them the naloxone, they'd wake up and want to leave," Wolfson said. "That still sometimes happens but more and more we're seeing these episodes of prolonged sedation that don't respond to naloxone. You have to do supportive care. That's a big change."

Fear of withdrawal can override desire to avoid xylazine

For those unwittingly using xylazine, said Jess Kirby, director of client services at Vermonters for Criminal Justice Reform, many, like Morrill, are not liking its effects. Kirby, who is in long-term recovery from opioid use disorder, said she has a "trusting relationship" with her clients, who talk to her openly about xylazine, revealing its cruel ironies.

Jess Kirby and Tom Dalton of Vermonters for Criminal Justice Reform, as seen on June 16, 2023.

"They're like, 'No why would I like it better? I'm completely gone, asleep and then I wake up in withdrawal,'" Kirby said. "If you're someone who has opioid use disorder, and you're going to have withdrawal if you don't use opioids, and the only opioids you can access have xylazine, even if you don't want the xylazine you're going to use that because you're physically dependent on it, and you're trying to avoid withdrawal."

Morrill said she has learned which bags of heroin to avoid.

"I'm not going to intentionally put something in my body that's going to put holes all over me," she said.

A further complication, according to Kirby, is the problematic relationship many addicted people have with the medical community.

"People have major concerns about judgment and stigma and being treated poorly, and it happens," Kirby said.

Dr. Daniel Wolfson explains how an app used to determine the severity of a patient's withdrawal symptoms works, as seen on June 9, 2023.

Kirby remembers overhearing a nurse and doctor discussing her case after she had told them she was going into a treatment program. She was excited, and determined to succeed.

"What do I hear him say behind my back?" Kirby said. "'They're always back here in a couple of weeks anyway. Just give her seven days of whatever.' You hear the whispers and little things people say."

Someone you can trust is the key to recovery

Kirby struggled with substance abuse disorder for more than a decade before she found someone she could trust, and who believed in her  Tom Dalton, executive director of Vermonters for Criminal Justice Reform, now her co-worker and colleague.

"He was the person I came to when I was doing well, but also when I was not doing well," Kirby said. "The most important thing is having somebody that you can go to, that you trust. The relationship wasn't contingent on a desire for recovery. The important part is that you're cared about with whatever's going on."

More: Burlington's City Hall Park: How city's centerpiece reflects community's pain and beauty

Dalton said Vermonters for Criminal Justice Reform began in 2013 as an advocacy organization focused on criminal justice reform, but was soon drawn into providing concrete help and support for "justice-involved people with substance use disorder."

"System change is sometimes slow and incremental and takes time, so being able to help people in concrete ways every day is very rewarding and a good balance for us," Dalton said.

Working directly with addicted people also informs VCJR's advocacy work. In the last year the organization has worked with more than 150 people.

"Seventy-nine percent of the people we're working with tested positive for xylazine," Kirby said. "That's how big the problem is, and if we didn't have this direct service program we wouldn't be able to say that."

'We need a regulated, safer drug supply'

Before he became VCJR's executive director six years ago, Dalton founded the Howard Center Safe Recovery program in 2001, providing comprehensive care and counseling for people with substance use disorders. After so many years helping those battling with drug addiction, Dalton is clear on what he believes needs to be done about drugs. It's the same thing that has been done about alcohol and cannabis, he said. Legalize it and regulate the supply.

"We had alcohol prohibition and a lot of people were dying of alcohol poisoning because we had a dangerous, unregulated poisoned alcohol supply," Dalton said. "So instead we legalized it and we regulated it and so people have access to safer alcohol. There are still risks with alcohol, but we have safer versions. With cannabis we made it legal and we now have this whole apparatus in Vermont where the cannabis has to be tested for dangerous chemicals and contaminants.

"So it's a logical model to follow when we have a really dangerous supply of opioids that we need to come up with a safer version for people. We need a regulated, safer drug supply."

A life hanging by a thread

Even if Dalton's dream of a safe drug supply somehow came true, it would be unlikely to help Jeannie Morrill. Morrill credits Jess Kirby with saving her life  by caring about her unconditionally  but it's a life hanging by a thread. In addition to xylazine-induced wounds, Morrill is battling a blood infection that is eating holes in the valves of her heart and in her spine. She was headed to UVM Medical Center with Kirby after her interview for treatment.

More: Overdose deaths in Vermont soared by 70% amid COVID. It's the highest increase in the US.

"They're hoping a lot of antibiotics will help it, but nothing's guaranteed," Morrill said. "I might have to have open heart surgery."

Morrill also has Stage 4 liver disease, a legacy of contracting Hepatitis C. She says she's not interested in receiving a transplant, her best shot at extending her life.

"I don't want one," Morrill said. "This fight is tiring. I'm tired, I'm defeated, I've seen enough."

Dealing with a hurt deep inside

Morrill was not always so hopeless. In 2006, she was raising her two young sons and her two younger brothers while taking criminal justice courses at Community College of Vermont.

"I wanted to be a lawyer," she said. "That was my dream."

Jeannie Morrill sits on the steps of the downtown office of Vermonters for Criminal Justice Reform, as seen on Aug. 30, 2023.

But Morrill also had a boyfriend who beat her. She started taking pain pills to make the beatings hurt less, she said. In 2007, police raided her house and she lost her children.

"I found a needle full of heroin and a pipe full of cocaine and I just tried to die every day, because I didn't know how to live without the pitter patter of my kids' feet," Morrill said. "And then it's just been a vicious cycle since, because you get an addiction and you can't afford the addiction."

Morrill shoplifted and hustled drugs to support her habit.

"Once you're caught up in the law, you're in and out of incarceration, so it's hard to get the children back," she said. "You're dealing with the guilt and shame and blame of that every day, and you just try to bury that more and more with drugs."

Morrill lives on the streets. She is trying to spend fewer nights in City Hall Park.

"I try not to be there as much anymore because it's scary," she said. "There's more shootings, there's more fights, there's more craziness, people robbing people. I'm too sick for it. When I can I stay at a friend's or a relative's."

Learning for the first time that Morrill is not considering a liver transplant, Kirby offered to take her to an infectious disease appointment, just to learn what her options are. Morrill agreed to go.

"I hope that I could help a little bit and that this (interview) will make people look at addicts in a different light," Morrill said. "We're not wonderful people. We're not honest people. We've stolen. We've lied. We've manipulated. That's what addicts do, trying to survive. But when you go by and you see people with their head between their ankles, just know they got that way from a hurt deep inside."

Contact Dan DAmbrosio at 660-1841 or ddambrosi@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter @DanDambrosioVT. This coverage is only possible with support from our readers.

This article originally appeared on Burlington Free Press: Vermont's street drugs now include animal tranquilizer Xylazine
An attorney advising former President Donald Trump , who has ties to North Carolina and has pushed for changes in the states election laws, was recommended for charges due to her alleged involvement in trying to overturn the 2020 election.

A special grand jury in Fulton County, Georgia, recommended that Cleta Mitchell face charges, but Mitchell has not been charged in the case. A judge ordered Friday the release of the special grand jurys recommendations, including proposed charges against Mitchell of:

criminal solicitation to commit election fraud.

influencing witnesses.

forgery.

criminal solicitation.

intentional interference with performance of election duties.

concealment of facts and fraudulent documents in matters within jurisdiction of state or political subdivisions.

false official certificates or writings by officers or employees of state and political subdivisions.

two counts of false statements and writings.

Mitchell found herself on a list that includes names like Rep. Lindsay Graham, a Republican from South Carolina and former Sens. Kelly Loeffler and David Perdue, Republicans from Georgia.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Twenty-six Fulton County residents served on the special grand jury, though three of its members were alternates. They heard from 75 witnesses over a six-month period.

The Grand Jury heard extensive testimony on the subject of alleged election fraud from poll workers, investigators, technical experts, and State of Georgia employees and officials, as well as from persons still claiming that such fraud took place, they wrote in a court document. We find by a unanimous vote that no widespread fraud took place in the Georgia 2020 presidential election that could result in overturning that election.

Mitchell is not a North Carolina native, but moved to Pinehurst. She has close ties to the family of former Rep. Mark Meadows , a Republican from Highlands, who went on to serve as Trumps chief of staff.

The recommended charges against Mitchell stemmed from two specific events in a scheme to help Trump retain the White House in 2021.

The first occurred on Dec. 14, 2020, when 16 Republicans met at the Georgia State Capitol and signed documents falsely claiming that Trump won the Georgia electoral college. The second occurred on Jan. 2, 2021, when Mitchell participated in a phone call between Trump and Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger in which Trump demanded Raffensperger find the extra votes he needed to win. Audio of that phone call has since been leaked to the media.

More broadly, Mitchell was also swept up in allegations in the grand jury recommendations that there was a nationwide effort to overturn the 2020 presidential election focused on Georgia, Arizona, Wisconsin, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C. At least three people with ties to North Carolina were recommended for those charges, including Meadows and Sidney Powell, an attorney from the Triangle who now resides in Texas.

The Fulton County district attorneys office ultimately charged both Powell and Meadows for their alleged attempts to overturn the 2020 election results, but not Mitchell. Powell is also believed to be an unnamed co-conspirator in a federal case regarding the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.

Earlier this year, reports uncovered that Mitchell, who now leads the Election Integrity Network, met with North Carolina lawmakers and gave a presentation to Republican donors.

North Carolina Republicans have proposed stricter election rules this year. A vote was expected this week on an elections-related bill, which drew protests at the state Legislative Building, but legislators punted the bill to another week.
Some legal experts believe that the constitutional amendment disqualifies Trump from holding office again, a theory likely to be tested in court this year

JOED VIERA/AFP via Getty 2024 presidential hopeful Donald Trump speaks at an Erie, Pennsylvania, campaign rally on July 29, 2023

A growing number of critics of Donald Trump are embracing a long shot legal strategy by arguing that the former president should be barred from holding office again based on a Reconstruction Era amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

Advocacy organization CREW  Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington  was the latest to make the argument when it filed a lawsuit Wednesday in Colorado, seeking to block Trump from appearing on the state's ballot based on the 14th Amendment.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Section 3 of the Constitution's 14th Amendment states that anyone who has previously sworn an oath to support the Constitution of the United States, and who has "engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same, or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof" can be disqualified from holding future federal or state office.

Related: Jan. 6 Committee Recommends Barring Trump from Holding Office Again in Final Report

Trump, who is handily leading the polls among Republicans running for president in 2024, has argued on social media that there is no legal basis for barring him from the presidency.

But some disagree.

In announcing its lawsuit Wednesday, CREW argued that, in January 2017, Trump "stood before the nation and took an oath to 'preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.' After losing the 2020 presidential election, Donald Trump violated that oath by recruiting, inciting and encouraging a violent mob that attacked the Capitol on January 6, 2021 in a futile attempt to remain in office."

Related: The Cases Against Trump: What to Know About the Various Investigations Surrounding the 45th U.S. President

Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images Members of Congress are supplied with gas masks and escorted out of the Capitol chambers as Donald Trump supporters attempt to stop the Electoral College vote certification on Jan. 6, 2021

Trump has not been convicted of a crime for his role in the attempted insurrection in Jan. 2021, though he was quickly impeached by the U.S. House of Representatives (and later acquitted by the Republican-controlled Senate).

In August 2023, he was indicted on four federal felony charges over his striking attempts to overturn the election  which include the events leading up to Jan. 6, 2021. He pleaded not guilty and is currently awaiting trial.

Still, Trump  who lost both the popular vote and the Electoral College vote to Joe Biden in 2020  has continued to publicly insist that he won the election.

Related: Mike Pence Questions Donald Trump's Candidacy After Jan. 6 Indictment

Joe Raedle/Getty Donald Trump announces his third presidential campaign at Mar-a-Lago on Nov. 15, 2022

Legal experts say that the 14th Amendment is vague, noting that it's only been used a handful of times in the country's history (including at least twice to bar Confederates from holding office after the Civil War).

But the organization suing to block Trump from holding office in Colorado  CREW  has used it effectively in the past, and was behind the successful push to get a Jan. 6 rioter removed from his elected position as a county commissioner. In that instance, Trump supporter Couy Griffin (who was convicted of trespassing in the Capitol last year) was removed from office on 14th Amendment grounds.

The ruling was the result of a lawsuit seeking Griffins removal, which alleged that he violated a clause in 14th Amendment of the Constitution by participating in an insurrection against the US government.

Related: First Politician Involved in Jan. 6 Capitol Riots Is Removed from Office Following Judge's Ruling

Brandon Bell/Getty Donald Trump holds a 2024 campaign rally in Waco, Texas, on March 25, 2023

The newest lawsuit is not the first time the 14th Amendment has been brought up in discussions of Trump.

In its 845-page final report released in 2022 , the bipartisan House committee that investigated the Jan. 6, 2021 Capitol riots recommended that Congress "consider creating a formal mechanism for evaluating whether to bar those individuals identified in this Report under Section 3 of the 14th Amendment from holding future federal or state office."

Never miss a story  sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

As CREW President Noah Bookbinder said in the group's news release Wednesday, it's rare to attempt to block someone's access to the ballot  especially someone who served as president once before.

While it is unprecedented to bring this type of case against a former president, January 6th was an unprecedented attack that is exactly the kind of event the framers of the 14th Amendment wanted to build protections in case of," Bookbinder said. "You dont break the glass unless theres an emergency.



For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on People.
SSE prefers offshore wind projects due to advantages of scale - AFP/ANDY BUCHANAN

The UKs largest wind farm developer has ruled out building new onshore wind farms in England and Wales in a blow to the Governments net zero plans.

Alistair Phillips-Davies, chief executive of SSE, said his company was unlikely to build a single wind farm in England or Wales despite the Governments recent relaxation of planning rules.

Mr Phillips-Davies said there was too little space, too many protests and not enough wind. He added that England and Wales were particularly awkward places to try to do business.

He also warned that future onshore projects in Scotland were likely to be limited.

The statements are a blow to the Governments ambitions to boost onshore wind development in England. Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove and Net Zero Secretary Claire Coutinho last week relaxed planning rules to make it easier to build onshore wind farms.

Ms Coutinho said onshore wind farms had a key role to play in help[ing] us provide a cleaner, cheaper and more secure energy system for the UK.

Mr Phillips-Davies said the future of Englands wind industry lay offshore, where developers could build on a far greater scale with far fewer protests.

His faith in offshore wind is despite Fridays disastrous renewables allocation round where the Government set the price for offshore wind so low that no developers came forward with new projects. It means the UK is increasingly likely to miss its target of building 50 gigawatts (GW) of offshore wind by 2030.

The Government had set the price at 60 per megawatt hour in todays money. Mr Phillips-Davies contrasted this with the 74 on offer from the Irish government in its recent offshore wind allocation and called on the UK government to consider offering similar sums.

He said: Net zero and renewables will take money but its better than buying oil and gas from ever decreasing sources in the Middle East, the Far East or anywhere else for that matter. The capital costs may be high but once its built the wind is free.

Story continues

Offshore developments are largely free of the controversy, conflicts and planning rules afflicting onshore wind farms.

Until last week, onshore developments could effectively be blocked by just one objection. The system had become highly politicised, with backbench Conservative MPs and the Labour party successfully campaigning for their removal.

Despite last weeks rule change to make it easier for developers, Mr Phillips-Davies said the industry itself was losing interest in onshore developments because they were inherently small-scale.

SSE's Alistair Phillips-Davies is betting on offshore projects to generate the bulk of wind power in coming years - Chris Ratcliffe/Bloomberg Finance LP

I think onshore wind has a role to play in the UK but going forward it just does not have the scale of offshore wind, he said. The UK is a relatively small landmass with a high population. In Scotland there are also issues about protecting wild lands, and there are also many wind farms out there already.

Building in Wales had been particularly difficult because of backlashes from local communities, he said.

Theres no point going to war with people, which is what its felt like in Wales. The ones Ive been involved with in Wales, it was pretty full on trying to persuade people.

Basically onshore is for smaller stuff but its offshore that has the scale. Scotland alone has got 25GW offshore capacity  whereas I would not expect SSE to be able to build 4GW more onshore in the UK. From where we are today, we might do 1GW.

The latest data on UK windpower shows offshore turbines are far better at producing energy than onshore ones. The UK has 9,000 onshore wind turbines collectively capable of generating about 15GW  roughly the output of around 15 gas fired power stations.

However, roughly the same amount of electricity is generated by just 2,652 offshore turbines. This is because offshore wind turbines tend to be much larger and benefit from steadier, stronger winds.

Offshore turbines also generate none of the complaints around visual intrusion, low-frequency rumbling noises, or the flickering produced by sun shining on rotating turbine blades that have beset communities around some onshore developments.

Mr Phillips-Davies said: We already own hundreds of onshore wind turbines and tens of wind farms across the UK and Ireland. We own just one in England and theres not going to be much more built in England or Wales. Many companies have given up there.

SSE is already building more offshore than any other company in the world, including the giant 3.6GW Dogger Bank development. This will be the largest offshore wind farm in the world covering several hundred square miles, an area roughly equivalent to Greater London, and able to power 6m homes.

Further north, its next project will be Berwick Bank, an even bigger project potentially producing 4.1GW of electricity. And it is also completing Seagreen, Scotlands largest and the worlds deepest tethered offshore wind farm able to power 1.6m homes.

Mr Phillips-Davies said: You can do things on a massive scale offshore, And theres a lot of sea out there.

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.
Ruby Franke, who once operated her own YouTube channel about the lives of her six children, has been placed under arrest on charges related to child abuse.

Franke first made headlines back in 2015 for her controversial parenting advice that she shared on the YouTube channel 8 Passengers, which featured her husband Kevin Franke and their children: Shari, Chad, Abby, Julie, Russell, and Eve. The now-deleted channel was once popular, having accumulated more than two million subscribers before speculation and concern began to mount in 2020 about the familys daily activities.

Two years later, the Utah-based mother went on to announce that she was joining a new YouTube channel called ConneXions - which has since been deleted - alongside Jodi Nan Hildebrandt. The pair also sparked controversy with their videos, including one in which they made claims about what loving children unconditionally means.

On Wednesday, the mother-of-six was arrested after officials said they discovered a malnourished minor with visible injuries and duct tape on their limbs. In a press release, the Santa Clara-Ivins Public Safety Department explained that, based on the evidence gathered, officers proceeded to a nearby residence where they discovered another juvenile in a comparable condition.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Two of Frankes children were taken to a hospital for medical treatment, according to court documents. Those children, along with Frankes other children, were placed into the custody of the Department of Children and Family Services.

Franke and her business partner, Jodi Hildebrandt, were set to appear in court in St George, Utah on Friday afternoon but the virtual hearing was delayed by tech issues.

Both women were ordered to be held without bail. Their bond hearings are slated for 21 September.

Since her arrest, Frankes family, including her daughter, has made several statements about the situation, including that they are so glad justice is being served.

Heres everything we know about Frankes rise to fame on YouTube  as a former family vlogger  and her arrest.

Who is Ruby Franke?

In January 2015, Franke first launched the 8 Passengers YouTube channel, which highlighted her familys life in Springville, Utah. One year after sharing the channel, she told local news stations KSL that her page was a way for her to just let [her] heart rate come down and to just enjoy being with the kids as they are right now. She also expressed that, as her children were getting older, she gained an even bigger perspective about why her family was so important.

I just want women who are still nursing babies, women who are still trying to get their families, women who are not sleeping through the night to see what it looks like at the finish line, to see that there is a light at the end of the tunnel, and its beautiful and its powerful and its worth it, its worth all the effort that families put into their family, she said at the time.

After making headlines for her videos about her controversial parenting choices, which racked up millions of views, she went on to become a part of ConneXions, in which she and Hildebrandt gave daily advice. The now-deleted YouTube channel, which Franke joined in June 2022, had more than 4,800 subscribers, with videos also racking up thousands of views.

How have her parenting choices sparked controversy online?

Following her rise to fame with 8 Passengers, Franke went on to spark criticism after she said in a video that one of her sons, Chad, had been sleeping in a beanbag for seven months, after playing a prank on his sibling. In June 2020, concerned viewers contacted local child protective services, with a Change.Org petition created to encourage a CPS Investigation of 8 passengers.

Amid the backlash, Franke told Insider at the time the sleeping arrangement was Chads choice after he stopped sharing a room with his younger brother amid behavioural concerns. A letter from DCFS, seen by Insider, said the claims were unsupported and that the case  which alleged that Franke was the perpetrator  was closed.

In August 2022, she also faced criticism for refusing to bring lunch to her then six-year-old, after her daughter said shed packed food but had actually forgotten it. Franke alleged that she didnt want anyone to give her daughter lunch, since she wanted the child to realise how painful it is to be hungry all day, so shell make sure to always pack a lunch.

As a teacher, Id be filing a report if a parent had this reaction to me asking them to fulfill basic needs, one person responded to Frankes comments, which were shared on TikTok.

This embedded content is not available in your region.

My hope is it will be painful all day. No maam, another commented, while a third wrote: Kids cant learn if theyre too hungry or tired!! Most schools will have a sandwich or something even if you forget one or something.

Franke and Hildebrandts joint channel has also sparked outrage. In December 2022, they shared a now-deleted video about the concept of love, and gave examples in which they claimed children allegedly dont love their family unconditionally.

The Utah-based mother claimed that if her child doesnt love or trust her, after offering them the gift of truth, then they are refusing to love unconditionally. She alleged: If my child will only love me if I give them what they want, then thats not really love, is it?

What are the accusations against Franke amid her arrest?

On 31 August, Santa Clara-Ivins Public Safety said in a statement that it had received a report regarding a juvenile asking for help. The caller told officials that the child appeared to be emaciated and malnourished and had open wounds and duct tape around the extremities.

After another child was found in similar physical condition of malnourishment, Santa Clara-Ivins Public Safety said that the Department of Child and Family Services was contacted, and four minor children were taken into the agencys care.

Along with Franke, Hildebrandt was also arrested. Due to the sensitive nature of this case, no additional information will be released at this time, officials said in the statement.

The charging documents accuse both women of causing or permitting serious injury to two of Frankes children in three different ways, according to the Washington County attorneys office. This includes through a combination of physical injuries or torture; through starvation or malnutrition that jeopardizes life; and by causing severe emotional harm.

The alleged abuse adds up to the six aggravated child abuse counts each woman faces. Each count carries a sentence of 1-15 years in prison, and a fine up to $10,000.

Springville Police Department records later revealed that the authorities had responded to Frankes home numerous times over the years, twice regarding the welfare of her children.

The most recent check was on 18 September 2022, when her daughter Shari Franke reported to the police that her sisters and brother had been left home alone for five days while her mother visited a friend in St. George, the Salt Lake Tribune reported, according to court documents.

The daughter called for a welfare check on the children and asked police to make sure they had enough food for the extended period.

But when the police responded to the home, the children would not answer the door. They were able to see the children through the window.

There are several other reports from neighbors who told police video cameras on their property showed that Frankes car would be continuously gone for four days or more.

Everyone who came to the scene was very concerned about the children and them being left at home alone, an officer wrote in a police report.

[They] expressed great concern about the two youngest children being homeschooled while the two older ones go to public school. Mostly because it shows they are home alone during the day by themselves, and there isnt any way for them to contact emergency services if needed.

An earlier incident was reported on 16 April 2022, according to the documents, in which a DCFS caseworker alerted police that two unsupervised children were running in the street near Frankes Springville home. But the officer who responded to the house said he did not see any children in the street.

What has her family said about her arrest?

Following her mothers arrest, Shari Franke, 20, has taken to Instagram to make several statements about the situation. She started off by posting a photo of a police car and an officer, as she wrote: Finally.

Me and my family are so glad justice is being served, she wrote in another post. Weve been trying to tell the police and CPS for years about this, and so glad they decided to finally step up. Kids are safe, but theres a long road ahead.

Shari also created a document asking followers to share questionable or concerning information about ConneXions or 8 Passengers.

Frankes sisters Ellie Mecham, Julie Deru, and Bonnie Hoellein released a statement saying that, for the last three years, they have kept quiet on the subject of their siblings for the sake of her children.

They went on to say that they tried everything they could to ensure the children were safe.

The post said: For the last three years we have kept quiet on the subject of our sister Ruby Franke for the sake of her children. Behind the public scene we have done everything we could to try and make sure the kids were safe. We wouldnt feel right about moving forward with regular content without addressing the most recent events. Once we do, we will not be commenting on it further.
The Blink-182 drummer is no stranger to giving back to his fans

Travis Barker/Instagram Travis Barker gives Blink-182 fan his drumsticks

Travis Barker just made a fan cry  in a good way!

The Blink-182 drummer, 47, posted a clip to Instagram, showing him surprise a pop-punk fan with the ultimate treat: A pair of Barker's own drumsticks from tour.

"1st day of tour ," Barker captioned the video.

The clip, taken in Antwerp, Belgium outside of the group's show this week, was also posted by tour photographer Clemente Ruiz on his Instagram Story. It starts with a shot of a Blink fan holding a homemade cardboard sign with the phrase, "Can I have a drumstick" written across it, and the band's logo hand-drawn underneath.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

The fan is seen rocking a Blink shirt, flashing a giant smile with the sign in hand, before the camera pans to Barker, who walks all the way out of the venue to greet him. Barker hands the fan his drumsticks from the tour, after which the two share a wholesome hug while surrounded by crowd cheers.

At the end of the video, the fan can be seen crying tears of joy into another guy's arms. "Travis Barker just gave me drumsticks," he said. "What the f---?"

The video also includes a caption from Ruiz, who wrote over it that Barker "was down as soon as we saw the sign when we drove in the venue."

Related: Travis Barker Returns to the Stage After Postponing Shows for Wife Kourtney Kardashian's 'Urgent Fetal Surgery'

The show wasn't just a big moment for the fan; it was a big one for Barker, too, as it marked the continuation of Blink's live performances after he departed from their U.K. tour to support his wife, Kourtney Kardashian, 44, who underwent an emergency surgery, last week.

Initially, the trio announced the postponement of three shows in Glasgow, Belfast and Dublin due to an urgent family matter," and Barker later clarified via a post on X, formerly Twitter that he "flew home for a life-threatening emergency surgery for our baby that I'm so grateful went well." Kardashian opened up about her experience on Instagram.

"I am eternally grateful to my husband who rushed to my side from tour to be with me in the hospital and take care of me afterwards, my rock. And to my mom, thank you for holding my hand through this," she wrote, adding that she "wasnt prepared for the fear of rushing into urgent fetal surgery" as a mother of three.

"I dont think anyone who hasnt been through a similar situation can begin to understand that feeling of fear," she added. "I have a whole new understanding and respect for the mamas who have had to fight for their babies while pregnant. Praise be to God. Walking out of the hospital with my baby boy in my tummy and safe was the truest blessing. "

Never miss a story  sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Barker is no stranger to giving fans his drumsticks, either, as he did the same in August when he handed off his sticks to a 9-year-old fan in Los Angeles. As Billboard notes, Barker surprised blind musician Grayson Roberts at his lemonade stand late last month, and even performed with the young man.

I brought you some drumsticks and I also brought some donations, I brought some money, Barker said.

For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on People.
A view of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant seen from the nearby Ukedo fishing port in Namie town

By Casey Hall and Albee Zhang

BEIJING (Reuters) -Chinese consumers stayed away from sea food stalls and rushed to stock up on salt following Beijing's condemnation of Japan's release on Thursday of treated radioactive water into the Pacific Ocean from the wrecked Fukushima nuclear plant.

During the past few weeks, China's state media and government officials repeatedly criticised the plan, saying the Japanese government had not proved that the water discharged would be safe, emphasising its danger to neighbouring countries.

Hours after Japan went ahead with the release, China issued a blanket ban on all aquatic products from Japan.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

At the Jiangyang Seafood Market in Shanghai's Baoshan District, two vendors said that the market's management toured stalls on Thursday afternoon and requested the removal of Japanese products.

Though Japanese seafood was no longer on sale, some vendors voiced concerns that customers would be put off all seafood, regardless of origin.

"I think it will influence people eating seafood a little, even if it's not from Japan, there's nothing we can do about that," said a vendor surnamed Wang, who declined to give his first name for privacy reasons.

Prior to Thursday's action by Japan "we had a lot of people coming here every day," said Chen Yongyao, an employee at a frozen seafood store in Jiangyang.

Now, he said "it's not busy at all, no one is buying."

The scare has also impacted demand for salt.

The state-run National Salt Industry Group, the world's biggest common salt maker, urged people not to panic buy in a statement issued late of Thursday, reassuring consumers that it was ramping up production and the shortfall would be temporary.

Supermarket shelves were emptied of salt and online sales platforms were sold out in some places, including Beijing and Shanghai, as people rushed to stock up.

According to an data published by Chinese media outlet Jiemian, 6.73 million orders for salt were placed on the e-commerce platform JD.com since Aug.22.

Salt was also a hot commodity in China in 2011 following the initial Fukushima nuclear disaster. Aside from the concerns about the potential contamination of sea salt, there is also widespread belief in China that iodised salt can help protect against radiation poisoning.

Shanghai shopper Wang Kaiyun, 56, said she knew many people who believed salt protects against radiation poisoning, but she was in the supermarket to stock up before it ran out.

"I saw all of the videos online showing no salt in the supermarkets," she said. "I thought I should buy it now in case I need salt for cooking in the near future."

Japan has criticised China for spreading "scientifically unfounded claims" and maintains the water release is safe, noting that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has also concluded that the impact it would have on people and the environment was "negligible."

(Reporting by Casey Hall, Xihao Jiang, Albee Zhang and Brenda Goh; Editing by Simon Cameron-Moore)
Oil powers Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have been invited to become members of the BRICS group of developing nations in its first expansion in over a decade.

Also invited are Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia and Argentina, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said Thursday as he wrapped up the annual summit of the group in Johannesburg.

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan said the kingdom was awaiting details from the BRICS group on the nature of the membership, and would take an appropriate decision accordingly.

All six countries invited had already expressed an interest in joining. The BRICS group currently includes Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

The membership will take effect from the first of January, 2024, Ramaphosa said.

In a video message, Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated the new BRICS members, adding that the blocs global influence would continue to grow.

I would like to congratulate the new members who will work in a full-scale format next year, Putin said.

And I would like to assure all our colleagues that we will continue the work that we started today on expanding the influence of BRICS in the world, the Russian president added.

Chinas President Xi Jinping called the blocs expansion historic, reflecting its determination to unite and cooperate with developing countries.

[It will] inject new impetus into the BRICS cooperation mechanism and further strengthen the power of world peace and development, Jinping said.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also welcomed the expansion, saying his country had always believed that adding new members would strengthen the bloc.

Speaking to Saudi TV channel Al Arabiya, the Saudi foreign minister added that the bloc had proven itself to be a useful and important channel to strengthen economic cooperation with countries of the so-called Global South.

Bin Farhan told the BRICS conference earlier Thursday that the kingdom would continue to be a secure and reliable energy provider, adding that total bilateral trade between Saudi Arabia and BRICS nations exceeded $160 billion in 2022.

An anti-Western bloc?

If Saudi Arabia accepts the invitation, the worlds largest crude oil exporter will find itself in the same economic bloc as the worlds biggest oil importer, China.

It will also mean that Russia and Saudi Arabia  both members of OPEC+, a group of major oil producers  will join each other in a new economic bloc. The two countries often coordinate their oil output, which has in the past put Saudi Arabia at odds with its ally, the United States.

The blocs expansion raises the question of potential de-dollarization, a process by which members would gradually switch to using currencies other than the US dollar to conduct trade. The BRICS countries have also been talking about a common currency, an idea analysts have described as unworkable and unlikely in the near future.

Putin said the issue of a common currency was a difficult question but added we will move towards solving these problems.

The expansion takes place at a time when some BRICS members, namely Russia and China, are locked into rising tensions with the West.

Experts have said that choosing to include countries that are openly antagonistic toward the West, such as Iran, could swing the group further toward becoming an anti-Western bloc.

Built off a term originally coined by former Goldman Sachs economist Jim ONeill to describe key emerging markets, the group has persisted despite deep differences in political and economic systems among its members.

Economically, not many of the countries that are applying to join are particularly large, ONeill told Bloomberg earlier this week.

Existing BRICS members have had enough difficulty trying to agree just between the five of them, he added. So beyond the admittedly hugely powerful symbolism, Im not quite sure what having a lot more countries in there is going to achieve.

BRICS held its first summit in 2009 with four members and then added South Africa the following year. It launched its New Development Bank in 2015.

The United Arab Emirates President Mohamed bin Zayed al Nahyan said on X, formerly Twitter: We appreciate the inclusion of the UAE as a member to this important group.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi said his country looked forward to joining BRICS in order to strengthen economic cooperation among its members, as well as raise the voice of the Global South, according to the presidential spokesperson.

 Manveena Suri, Mostafa Salem, Lizzy Yee, Mengchen Zhang and Nadeen Ebrahim contributed to this article.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
The News

A special grand jury empaneled in Georgia to help investigate efforts to overturn the 2020 election had recommended that prosecutors charge more than 30 people, including South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham and two former senators from Georgia, David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler.

The recommendations were included in a report the special grand jury completed earlier this year after hearing from dozens of witnesses for over a year. The report was publicly released Friday.

The Fulton County District Attorney ultimately decided to indict 19 people, including former President Donald Trump , over an alleged criminal scheme to subvert the 2020 election.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Graham, Perdue, and Loeffler were not charged.

Know More

Graham, who made calls to Georgia election officials after Trumps loss, testified before the grand jury last year.

Perdue and Loeffler, who both lost their reelection bids in an early 2021 runoff, cast doubt on the results of the presidential election in Georgia and called for Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger to resign.

The special grand jury also recommended charging the entire slate of fake electors that signed documents stating that Trump won in Georgia. Ultimately, only some of them were indicted.
Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs on Friday accused schools Superintendent Tom Horne of putting politics before pupils by stonewalling her attempts to allocate millions of dollars in federal COVID-19-related funding earmarked for private schools and their students.

Horne shot back, calling Hobbs a liar in what became a bout of Friday afternoon finger-pointing that, if unresolved, could cause the state  and schools  to give up nearly $28 million, according to Hobbs' estimate.

At issue are grants given to states as part of two federal coronavirus relief bills in 2021, the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act and the American Rescue Plan Act.

The Emergency Assistance to Non-Public Schools grants were calculated based on non-public school enrollment, designed to aid those institutions alongside the billions of relief dollars that flowed to public schools. Arizona's allocation was about $109 million.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Those grants are different than money Horne announced earlier in the week he would claw back from community groups and redirect to a tutoring effort. That action is expected to result in about $70 million in grants coming back to Horne's office, with at least $40 million that will fund tutoring to curb pandemic-connected learning loss.

Hobbs, in a letter to Horne that her office released publicly on Friday afternoon, charged that Horne's office was holding the funds hostage and wrote that his continued refusal to cooperate with her office "will cause millions of dollars that should be spent for educational purposes in Arizona to revert to the federal government."

"Horne is sending a clear message that he believes his politics are more important than giving every Arizona student the education they need to thrive," Hobbs said in a statement. "Its a gross dereliction of duty and it needs to come to an end, immediately.

Hobbs' office said that Horne failed to spend the money in a six-month time frame set in the federal laws, meaning the funds revert to Hobbs to spend. That also triggers a provision of law that allows the money to be spent not just on private schools but on "general education purposes," according to Hobbs' letter.

Hobbs' letter says the federal Education Department on Thursday directed her office and Horne's to work together to reach an agreement that will ensure already earmarked grants continue to be paid out.

She wrote that her office cannot fulfill its commitment to those grantees because the Arizona Department of Education has refused to turn over documentation of award amounts and dollars already distributed.

If the money is not obligated  via a contract with a grantee  by Sept. 30, it goes back to the federal government, according to Hobbs' office.

"Every word in the governor's letter is a lie," Horne said in a statement in response.

"The governor arranged with the federal government to be the fiscal agent for this program for private schools," Horne said. "The Arizona Department of Education has no ability to pay anyone for work done, or to authorize further work, because the governor has now become the fiscal agent."

He accused the governor of hypocrisy, saying her action to secure the non-public school funding stands in contrast with her office's decisions earlier this year to pull COVID relief dollars from summer school programs favored by former Gov. Doug Ducey.

The governor's public admonishment is yet another example of the ideological disagreements between the top elected officials in Arizona. Horne, a Republican, often has found himself at odds with Hobbs and Attorney General Kris Mayes, both Democrats.

Horne announced this week he would sue Mayes and Hobbs over dual language programs he has long opposed, and Horne and Mayes have publicly battled for months over whether such programs are allowed under state law.

Reach reporter Stacey Barchenger at stacey.barchenger@arizonarepublic.com or 480-416-5669.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Hobbs, Horne clash over nearly $28M in unspent aid for private schools
This painting of Myrtle Hubbard by artist Rose Frantzen was commissioned for a library at Oaknoll Retirement Residence in Iowa City which will be named in Hubbards honor next week. At left is the daughter of the late honoree, Dorothy Housel, now an Oaknoll resident, with committee chairperson Jean Lloyd-Jones.

If you lived in Iowa City in the 1940s and 1950s, chances are you opened your morning Press-Citizen to another daily column by Mother Hubbard.

And probably enjoyed it.

The late Myrtle Hubbard was a stalwart and beloved feature of the newspaper for 20 years, dispensing recipes, offering subtle advice, and often linking her own family experiences to those of her readers with a homespun flare six days a week.

She was also a sparkplug in local civic affairs, including establishing Oaknoll Retirement Residence, and was named Iowa Mother of the Year in 1951.

And this coming week, Oaknoll plans to honor her memory by officially naming one of its libraries after her, plus installing a commissioned portrait of her on the library wall.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

She was the catalyst for Oaknoll, said Bob Downer, a longtime governing board member. She had a good idea and kept it alive.

More: New swimming hole? Iowa City plans to build new City Park pool replacing 75-year-old structure

Mother Hubbard was a native, small-town Iowan

Hubbard was raised on a farm near Casey, Iowa, taught in a one-room school and later married WWI veteran Gene Hubbard, a University of Iowa-trained dentist, and settled in Iowa City. Classic rural Iowa stories often punctuated her newspaper writing, such as this paragraph from a Christmas meal column describing her fathers elaborate prepping of the familys main course:

The goose was Dads job. He always bought a live one and dressed it himself, then hed know it was a worthy bird. Hed scald it good, then wrap it up in an old carpet we kept on the back porch to let it steam through. Then hed save the feathers in a big bag and for the last removal of the down, hed give it a thin coat of paraffin and then let it stand until it was cold so the down would peel right off with the hardened paraffin. Then with a brush and soap hed give that bird such a scrubbing such as you never saw. A good rinse and it was ready for Mom to take over. He drew the line at the final dressing. That was three days before Christmas, then it was put in the cold back bedroom to lie in state until THE day arrived.

Hubbard held leadership roles in church groups, womens clubs, Red Cross, a youth employment service, Community Chest, and the Iowa Centennial board to name a few  plus she was a substitute teacher in the public schools here for 30 years.

It was when her elderly father came to live in her home in his final years that she realized the need for a local retirement residence where elderly people could live comfortably and free of home maintenance. She found a successful project developed by a Jewish community in New York as a model and even made a trip east to investigate it. Back home, she organized a group of local religious and community leaders receptive to the idea and pushed for the facility and its fundraising.

Oaknoll becomes central to Mother Hubbard's life

Oaknoll opened in 1966, after which she and her husband became residents. She immediately filled the hallways with her favorite artwork, a tradition that lives on. My recent stroll through Oaknoll hallways showed images of Kinnick Stadium, NYC cityscapes, wildlife prints, Roman ruins, flowers, cows  a gallery of residents cherished art.

Gene died a year later and Myrtle in 1971. The Hubbards raised three children and their daughter, Dorothy Hubbard Housel, is a current resident of Oaknoll.

Housel remembers her mother encouraging her social development by organizing parties and other events with her young friends and their parents during her early years.

She changed our lives in many positive ways, she said. I think she knew more about my wedding than I did. All I had to do was show up!

Jean Lloyd-Jones heads Oaknolls Myrtle Hubbard Library committee which contracted with internationally recognized artist Rose Frantzen of Old City Hall Gallery in Maquoketa to paint Hubbards portrait. She said Sandy Boyd instigated this commemorative library project which will be celebrated by Oaknoll residents during a Sept.14 celebration.

We wanted to create some form of permanent recognition honoring her for getting this place started, said Jean. And were very proud of how the portrait turned out.

Richard Hakes is a longtime columnist for the Iowa City Press-Citizen.

This article originally appeared on Ames Tribune: Richard Hakes reflects on "Mother Hubbard's" impact at Oaknoll
The Hop streetcar has resumed service after being shut down for more than a week due to a water main break in downtown Milwaukee.

City officials said full service of The Hop resumed at 5 p.m. Friday. The Hop operates Monday through Friday from 5 a.m. to midnight, Saturday from 7 a.m. to midnight, and Sunday from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., according to the streetcar's website.

In The Hop's absence, officials arranged for MCTS buses to travel the route.

Streetcar service was suspended following the discovery of a large void beneath the pavement where The Hop had been operating after a water main break on Aug. 30 at the intersection of East Wisconsin Avenue and North Broadway.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

The broken water main caused substantial damage to the underground electrical system, closed workplaces due to power and water problems, and affected traffic around the intersection for days.

Milwaukee Water Works Superintendent Patrick Pauly told a Common Council committee on Thursday that crews will be working in the intersection until early next week.

Portions of Wisconsin and Broadway were opened to traffic on Friday, however, and other portions will be opened on Monday with full traffic flow resuming by Wednesday night.

Alison Dirr contributed to this report.

Our subscribers make this reporting possible. Please consider supporting local journalism by subscribing to the Journal Sentinel at jsonline.com/deal.

DOWNLOAD THE APP: Get the latest news, sports and more

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: The Hop resumes full service after suspension due to water main break
Hurricane Lee downgraded to Category 3 storm as US impacts still too soon to know: Live

Hurricane Lee exploded into a powerful Category 5 storm within 24 hours as it whirled across the open Atlanta Ocean but has downgraded to a Category 3, though forecasted predict could gain strength over the weekend and into next week.

Confidence in the intensity forecast is low at the moment, although it is likely that Lee will remain a dangerous hurricane for at least the next [five] days, according to the National Hurricane Center.

It remains too soon to know what its potential impacts if any along the US Atlantic seaboard could look like, though dangerous surf and rip currents are expected on Sunday and Monday and could worsen in the coming week, the center announced.

Lee was roughly 400 miles east-northeast of the northern Leeward Islands as of Saturday, with maximum sustained winds of 115 mph.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

The storm is expected to pass north of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and the northern Leeward Islands, according to forecasters, but life-threatening surf and rip conditions generated by the hurricane could impact the British and US Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Hispaniola, the Turks and Caicos Islands, the Bahamas and Bermuda.

Key Points

Hurricane Lee rapidly intensifies to extremely dangerous Category 5 storm

Heres how quickly the storm picked up speed

Where is the storm currently and where will it head?

Spaghetti models show Hurricane Lees potential paths

Latest Lee advisory: Hurricane expected to pass north of Leeward Islands while generating dangerous waves over weekend

22:10 , Alex Woodward

Hurricane Lee, still a Category 3 storm, is expected to pass pass well to the north of the northern Leeward Islands, the Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico into early next week, according to an afternoon advisory from the National Hurricane Center.

Maximum sustained winds are near 115 mph with higher gusts, and gradual restrengthening is possible during the next couple of days, the center predicts.

Swells generated by Lee are affecting portions of the Lesser Antilles and will spread westward to the British and US Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Hispaniola, the Turks and Caicos Islands, the Bahamas, and Bermuda through the weekend. Those swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions, according to the report.

Dangerous surf and rip currents are also expected along the US East Coast on Sunday and Monday and then worsen through the week.

Hurricane #Lee Advisory 18: Lee to Pass Well North of the Leeward Islands During the Next Day Or So. Hazardous Beach Conditions Expected to Develop Around the Western Atlantic Through Next Week. https://t.co/tW4KeGe9uJ  National Hurricane Center (@NHC_Atlantic) September 9, 2023

Too soon to tell but too soon to rule out significant impacts, forecasters say

22:00 , Alex Woodward

Hurricane Lee was significantly disrupted by wind shear within the 24 hours after it accelerated into a Category 5 hurricane, as it then degraded into a Category 4 then Category 3 into Saturday morning.

Models are suggesting that the shear will subside by Sunday morning, which could allow Lee to gain more strength as it continues to track east, according to Levi Cowan with Joint Typhoon Warning Center.

Regardless of Lees exact intensity, it will be a major hurricane tracking north of the Caribbean and then turning northward over the western Atlantic over the next week, he said.

It remains too soon to rule out impacts from Lee as models predict it could track forwards Bermuda, Canada and the northeastern US, he added.

Hurricane #Lee has been disrupted significantly by some mid-level wind shear in the past 24 hours, with max winds down to 115 mph after being as high as 160 mph at one point. Models suggest that the shear will subside by Sunday morning, probably allowing Lee to regain strength. pic.twitter.com/vOikNUrYQs  Dr. Levi Cowan (@TropicalTidbits) September 9, 2023

Lee shattered rapid intensification standards, a warning of future storms amid growing climate crisis

21:02 , Alex Woodward

Hurricane Lees acceleration from an 80 mph Cat 1 to a Cat 5 with 160 mph winds within 24 hours has surpassed the standards meteorologists typically associate with rapid intensification, or when winds increase by 35 mph within that same time period.

It not only makes Lee the fastest-intensifying Atlantic storm on record, it has set a new threshold that scientists see as a potential harbinger for whats to come as the climate crisis accelerates.

This one increased by 80 mph, Marshall Shepherd, director of the University of Georgias Atmospheric Sciences Program and a past president of the American Meteorological Society told the Associated Press. I cant emphasize this enough  we used to have this metric of 35 mph, and heres a storm that did twice that amount and were seeing that happen more frequently.

Lee and Margot could mingle in the Atlantic

18:57 , Alex Woodward

Newly formed Tropical Storm Margot is expected to grow into a hurricane next week, raising the possibility that Hurricane Lees path could be changed, though it is still far too soon to project whether the two major storms could get close to one another in the Atlantic.

Such a phenomenon, when two storms rotate around each other and spin in the same direction, is called the Fujiwhara effect. The National Weather Service describes it as an intense dance around their common center.

That could then push them both around the Atlantic and alter their paths.

The phenomenon occured with hurricanes Hilary and Irwin in the East Pacific in 2017.

Watch Lee intensify from Category 1 to Category 5 storm

18:04 , Alex Woodward

Lee marked the first Category 5 hurricane of this years Atlantic season when it rapidly grew from a Category 1 within 24 hours this week. There have been seven other Cat 5 storms from the Atlantic since 2016, with one  Michael  making landfall in the US in 2018.

Within thouse 24 hours, Hurricane Lee intensified from an 80 mph Cat 1 to a Cat 5 with 160 mph winds, likely making it the fastest-intensifying Atlantic storm on record.

Lee has since diminished to a Cat 3 storm and is expected to maintain its strength over the weekend.

#Lee's life story, Chapter 1: From African easterly wave to sudden extreme intensification into a Category 5 #hurricane (wait for it) pic.twitter.com/1EWakTRkBe  Stu Ostro (@StuOstro) September 8, 2023

Lee maintaining strength but little change expected on Saturday

16:25 , Alex Woodward

Hurricane Lee is maintaing strength as a recently downgraded Category 3 storm as it moves across the Atlanta Ocean with maximum sustained winds of 115 mph with higher gusts, according to the latest advisory from the National Hurricane Center.

Little change in strength is expected today, but gradual restrengthening is forecast to occur on Sunday and Monday, according to the advisory.

11AM AST Sep 9: @NOAA_HurrHunter & @53rdWRS find #Lee maintaining strength this morning. Hazardous beach conditions are expected around the western Atlantic through next week. Visit https://t.co/tW4KeGe9uJ for the latest information pic.twitter.com/xXiy8NY8Ux  National Hurricane Center (@NHC_Atlantic) September 9, 2023

Lee is in rare company during an already-historic storm year

15:35 , Alex Woodward

For the first time on record, Category 5 storms have formed in every tropical ocean basin within one year.

Lee, which has since downgraded to a Category 3 as it tracks along open Atlantic Ocean, accelerated from Category 1 strength into a Category 5 this week.

I think its reasonable to hypothesize that the abnormally warm ocean temperatures around the world made this more likely to happen, University of Miami, hurricane expert Brian McNoldy told The Washington Post. Gives everything a boost.

Saturday, Sept 9th 5 AM AST Key Messages for Hurricane #Lee: It is too soon to know what level of impacts, if any, Lee might have along the U.S. East Coast, Atlantic Canada, or Bermuda late next week. Continue to monitor forecasts at https://t.co/tW4KeGe9uJ for the latest. pic.twitter.com/2106DvFQFh  National Hurricane Center (@NHC_Atlantic) September 9, 2023

Way too soon to chart US impacts, if any, but Lee could strengthen as it moves across open ocean

14:30 , Alex Woodward

Hurricane Lee ramped up to a Category 5 storm within 24 hours this week, but it has been downgraded to a Category 3 and will likely lose strength over the course of the day as it struggles with wind shear.

The National Hurricane Center continues to stress it is still way too soon to know what impacts, if any, the storm could have along the East Coast of the US, and the storm could gain strength as it continues to move with sustained winds at 115 mph as of Saturday morning.

Dangerous and life-threatening rip currents are affecting parts of the Leeward Islands, according to NHC. Those conditions are expected to impact parts of Puerto Rico, Hispaniola, the Turks and Caicos Islands, the Bahamas and Bermuda over the weekend.

Saturday, Sept 9th 5 AM AST Key Messages for Hurricane #Lee: It is too soon to know what level of impacts, if any, Lee might have along the U.S. East Coast, Atlantic Canada, or Bermuda late next week. Continue to monitor forecasts at https://t.co/tW4KeGe9uJ for the latest. pic.twitter.com/2106DvFQFh  National Hurricane Center (@NHC_Atlantic) September 9, 2023

Will Hurricane Lee reach New York?

11:06 , Louise Boyle

Some forecast models suggest that Hurricane Lee could graze the US East Coast - but the jury is still out.

Regardless, dangerous surf and rip currents are expected along most of the US East Coast beginning Sunday, the National Hurricane Center warned.

Joe Sommerlad reports

Will Hurricane Lee reach New York?

Watch: Inside the eye of Hurricane Lee

10:07 , Louise Boyle

Lee gains elite status

09:03 , Louise Boyle

Lee is expected to keep strengthening and reach winds of up to 180mph (290kph).

Only seven Atlantic hurricanes have had winds of that magnitude since 1966, according to Colorado State University hurricane researcher Phil Klotzbach.

Among those was Hurricane Dorian, which pummeled the northern Bahamas in 2019 as a Category 5 storm, hovering over small islands for some two days.

The Associated Press

Lee gains elite status

05:05 , Louise Boyle

Lee is expected to keep strengthening and reach winds of up to 180mph (290kph).

Only seven Atlantic hurricanes have had winds of that magnitude since 1966, according to Colorado State University hurricane researcher Phil Klotzbach.

Among those was Hurricane Dorian, which pummeled the northern Bahamas in 2019 as a Category 5 storm, hovering over small islands for some two days.

The Associated Press

Watch: Inside the eye of Hurricane Lee

04:04 , Louise Boyle

Hurricane Lee powers through Caribbean as forecasters warn too soon to know of US impact next week

01:01 , Graeme Massie

We will see waves between 10 and 15 feet, so we dont want anyone on the beaches.

Hurricane Lee powers through Caribbean as too soon to know on US impacts next week

Ocean warnings

Saturday 9 September 2023 00:03 , Louise Boyle

The National Hurricane Center said that dangerous surf and deadly rip currents will likely hit the northern Leeward Islands later Friday from Hurricane Lee.

They would spread to Puerto Rico, Hispaniola, the Turks and Caicos, the Bahamas and Bermuda over the weekend.

We will see waves between 10 and 15 feet (3 and 5 meters), so we dont want anyone on the beaches, said Ernesto Morales with the National Weather Service in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

The National Hurricane Center said dangerous surf and rip currents were forecast for most of the US East Coast starting Sunday. (AP)

Will Hurricane Lee reach New York?

Friday 8 September 2023 23:02 , Louise Boyle

Some forecast models suggest that Hurricane Lee could graze the US East Coast - but the jury is still out.

Regardless, dangerous surf and rip currents are expected along most of the US East Coast beginning Sunday, the National Hurricane Center warned.

Joe Sommerlad reports

Will Hurricane Lee reach New York?

FEMA prepared for worst-case scenario in Puerto Rico in response to Hurricane Lee

Friday 8 September 2023 22:00 , Graig Graziosi

Hurricane Lee strengthened to a Category 5 storm on Thursday evening. The same day, Joe Biden was briefed by the Federal Emergecy Management Agency about its preparations in the event the storms force caused disruptions in Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands.

FEMA said it had prepared approximately 4.5 million meals and nearly 8.9 million liters of water for Puerto Rico. Another 250,000 meals and more than 600,000 liters of water were made available for the US Virgin Islands.

The agency also deployed rapid response teams to both of the US territories in the event the storm turned and threatened the islands.

Thankfully, Hurricane Lee did not make landfall on any of the islands and is continuing north along the US east coast.

No reason for east coast US residents to be fearful of Hurricane Lee

Friday 8 September 2023 21:40 , Graig Graziosi

Jamie Rhome, the director of the National Hurricane Centre, said that right now there is no reason for east coast US residents to fear Hurricane Lees trajectory outside of rip current risks.

Theres absolutely no indication in front of us that this is going to be a huge threat to Florida, other than its going to be a huge rip current risk, Mr Rhome told USA Today. Right now, save the rip current risk, which is extreme, theres no reason for people on the East Coast to be fearful. We need them to be informed and aware and check back for details but right now theres no reason other than rip currents for people to be fearful.

Hurricane Lee underwent rapid intensification, strengthening from a Category 2 to Category 4 storm in just six hours, according to the National Hurricane Centre.

The storm became a Category 5 hurricane on Thursday night, but has since weakened to a Category 4.

Tracking Hurricane Lees evolution

Friday 8 September 2023 21:10 , Graig Graziosi

Tropical Storm Lee formed in the Atlantic Ocean and under went rapid intensification into an extremely dangerous hurricane, eventually reaching Category 5 before it slowed to Category 4 on Friday morning.

Tropical Storm Lee was announced by the National Hurricane Center (NHC) at 5pm (eastern time) on Tuesday.

Its wind speeds picked up on Tuesday afternoon and was forecast to become a major hurricane.

The depression is forecast to become a major hurricane by this weekend and could bring impacts to the Leeward Islands by that time, NHC reported at the time.

READ MORE:

Tropical Storm Lee expected to become extremely dangerous hurricane by weekend

Hurricane Lee: What is the path of the monster storm?

Friday 8 September 2023 20:50 , Graig Graziosi

Hurricane Lee reached Category 5 on Friday, after rapidly strengthening as it stirred through the Caribbean, the US National Hurricane Center reported on Thursday.

Hurricane Lee began to strengthen over the very warm waters of the Atlantic, growing from a tropical storm into a Category 1 hurricane on Wednesday and by late Thursday night, it had grown to Category 5, with maximum sustained winds of 160mph.

By Friday morning, forecasters said Lee could become a monster 180mph storm.

The storm reached its peak Thursday night and became to be a vicious hurricane over the southwestern Atlantic before weakening to a Category 4 on Friday morning.

READ MORE:

Tracking Hurricane Lee: What is the path of the monster storm?

Will Hurricane Lee reach New York?

Friday 8 September 2023 20:30 , Graig Graziosi

Hurricane Lee, currently barreling westwards through the Atlantic towards the Caribbean islands, rapidly intensified into a Category 5 storm on Thursday night and it is feared the storm could soon work up to wind speeds of 180mph.

It is expected to pass well to the north of the northern Leeward Islands, the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico over the weekend and into early next week, according to forecasters.

After that, however, its path is less clear cut, with different models reaching different verdicts as to precisely how close it could pass along the US East Coast as it steers northwards, already inspiring some premature and slightly hysterical tabloid headlines.

More credibly, CBS has warned that Hurricane Lees path might bring it to New York City and the Tri-State Area, reporting that initial forecasts suggested a landfall in the Mid-Atlantic region, and then riding up the coastline towards New York before drifting out to sea.

READ MORE:

Will Hurricane Lee reach New York?

National Hurricane Centre warns of surf, rip currents in the Caribbean, US east coast

Friday 8 September 2023 20:07 , Graig Graziosi

The National Hurricane Centre has warned that Hurricane Lee  now a Category 4 storm after it strengthened into a Category 5 storm on Thursday  could produce high surf and life-threatening rip currents in the northeastern Caribbean on Friday and throughout the weekend.

The centre also said that rough surf and hazardous ocean conditions were likely along much of the US east coast by Sunday evening.

Hurricane Lee is continuing to churn in the Atlantic basin, with spaghetti models predicting a northern track, with a possible threat to New England and Canadas east coast.

Hurricane Lee still very powerful despite weakening

Friday 8 September 2023 19:30 , Graig Graziosi

The National Hurricane Centre said that Hurricane Lee is still a very powerful storm despite weakening from a Category 5 to a Category 4 storm between Thursday night and Friday morning.

Although Lees current intensity is lower than the overnight peak, the hurricane remains very powerful, the centre said.

Hurricane Lee is expected to remain a strong storm into early next week as it continues north through the Atlantic. It is still unclear what impact it might have on the US, but some spaghetti models show the storm on a course for New England and Canadas east coast.

Half of worlds population suffered under climate crisis-fuelled extreme heat this year

Friday 8 September 2023 19:10 , Louise Boyle

Half the world was exposed to at least 30 days of extreme heat driven by the climate crisis between June and August, a new study has found.

Over 3.8 billion people suffered extreme temperatures for more than a month, while nearly every living human  around 98 per cent of the world  was exposed to extreme heat at least once between June and August 2023, an analysis released on Thursday by the nonprofit Climate Central showed.

The longest duration of extreme temperatures, approximately three months, was experienced by at least 1.5 billion people, the study says.

Virtually no one on Earth escaped the influence of global warming during the past three months, Dr Andrew Pershing, vice president for science at Climate Central, said.

Stuti Mishra reports

Half of worlds population suffered under extreme heat this summer, study says

Hurricane hunter' pilot captures lightning show inside Hurricane Lee

Friday 8 September 2023 19:00 , Graig Graziosi

A user on X/Twitter recorded video from the inside of Hurricane Lee, capturing a stunning lightning storm inside the churning storm.

Hurricane Lee underwent rapid intensification yesterday, strengthening from a Category 2 to a Category 4 storm in just six hours.

The storm reached Category 5 on Thursday night before weakening back to a Category 4 on Friday.

Nice lighting show in the eye of #HurricaneLee this morning pic.twitter.com/F3Spj54syS  FlyAnon (@FlynonymousWX) September 8, 2023

Ocean warnings

Friday 8 September 2023 18:38 , Louise Boyle

The National Hurricane Center said that dangerous surf and deadly rip currents will likely hit the northern Leeward Islands later Friday from Hurricane Lee.

They would spread to Puerto Rico, Hispaniola, the Turks and Caicos, the Bahamas and Bermuda over the weekend.

We will see waves between 10 and 15 feet (3 and 5 meters), so we dont want anyone on the beaches, said Ernesto Morales with the National Weather Service in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

The National Hurricane Center said dangerous surf and rip currents were forecast for most of the US East Coast starting Sunday. (AP)

Will Hurricane Lee reach New York?

Friday 8 September 2023 18:05 , Louise Boyle

Some forecast models suggest that Hurricane Lee could graze the US East Coast - but the jury is still out.

Regardless, dangerous surf and rip currents are expected along most of the US East Coast beginning Sunday, the National Hurricane Center warned.

Joe Sommerlad reports

Will Hurricane Lee reach New York?

Watch: Inside the eye of Hurricane Lee

Friday 8 September 2023 17:33 , Louise Boyle

Lee gains elite status

Friday 8 September 2023 17:10 , Louise Boyle

Lee is expected to keep strengthening and reach winds of up to 180mph (290kph).

Only seven Atlantic hurricanes have had winds of that magnitude since 1966, according to Colorado State University hurricane researcher Phil Klotzbach.

Among those was Hurricane Dorian, which pummeled the northern Bahamas in 2019 as a Category 5 storm, hovering over small islands for some two days.

The Associated Press

Distant but deadly'

Friday 8 September 2023 16:40 , Louise Boyle

US forecasters had this warning for Americans on Friday as Category 5 Hurricane Lee roars through the Caribbean.

Distant hurricanes can be deadly, NOAA warned and said that beach-goers should be aware of rip currents and powerful waves.

Distant hurricanes can be deadly, NOAA warned on Friday (NOAA)

Inside the eye of Hurricane Lee

Friday 8 September 2023 16:15 , Louise Boyle

The US Air Force Reserves Hurricane Hunters shared dramatic footage from inside Hurricane Lee on Thursday night.

The 403rd Wing Reserves posted on X, formerly Twitter, footage of the rotating thick clouds with lightning bursts.

Heres last nights flight inside the eye of Cat 5 Hurricane Lee, they wrote.

Heres last nights flight inside the eye of Cat 5 #hurricaneLee pic.twitter.com/I9Gmy4sHut  Hurricane Hunters (@53rdWRS) September 8, 2023

Will Hurricane Lee make landfall?

Friday 8 September 2023 15:43 , Louise Boyle

The current forecasts show that Hurricane Lee is not expected to make landfall in the coming days - but that doesnt rule out life-threatening impacts.

The storm is forecast to pass well to the north of the northern Leeward Islands, the Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico over the weekend and into early next week.

However, it is way too soon to know what level of impacts, if any, Lee might have along the US East Coast, Atlantic Canada or Bermuda, late next week, according to the National Weather Service.

Watch: Hurricane Lee gathering strength in Caribbean waters

Friday 8 September 2023 15:27 , Louise Boyle

Waves up to 15 feet

Friday 8 September 2023 15:50 , Louise Boyle

The hurricane is not expected to make landfall, but meteorologists warned it would generate dangerous waves of up to 15 feet (5 meters) across the northern coast of Puerto Rico and other nearby islands from today.

While Lee is on a path that would take it a couple hundred miles northeast of the Caribbean, tropical storm conditions are not forecast for the region.

Although the hurricane is incredibly powerful, its wind field is not particularly large, the National Hurricane Center said.Associated Press

Florida residents share heartbreaking photos of Hurricane Idalias wrath

Friday 8 September 2023 14:50 , Louise Boyle

Just a week ago, the southern United States was dealing with the last major storm to barrel in from the ocean, its residents suffering the same anxieties and making the same last-ditch preparations that many Caribbean islanders will be readying now.

Hurricane Idalia smashed into Cuba, northern Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas before blowing itself out over the Atlantic and the photographs posted on social media by the people living in those states provide a fresh reminder, if any were needed, of the devastating impact of the climate crisis in action.

Read more here.

Can sharks help predict hurricanes?

Friday 8 September 2023 14:20 , Louise Boyle

As the climate crisis continues to deliver more and more extreme weather events and intensify hurricane season in North America, scientists are looking at new ways to gather information from the natural world to provide advanced warning of coming storms and avert disaster  and some believe sharks could play a key role.

Currently, meteorologists grounded on terra firma can predict a hurricanes path up to five days in advance using costly satellite technology and atmospheric equipment.

But, by closely monitoring the behaviour of sharks, which can sense the shifts in barometric pressure that indicate a storm approaching through the pores in their snouts, even from as far away as 100 miles, that notice period could potentially be extended to as much as two weeks in advance, according to researchers.

Read more here.

5am update on Hurricane Lee

Friday 8 September 2023 13:50 , Louise Boyle

Hurricane Lee was declared a powerful Category 5 storm on Friday and is expected to maintain its intensity as it moves through the Caribbean with life-threatening conditions.

The system will bring dangerous beach conditions to Caribbean islands today, then dangerous surf and rip currents along most of the US East Coast from Sunday, the US National Hurricane Center (NHC) said in its 5am advisory.

Lee was located 630 miles (1015km) east of the northern Leeward Islands with sustained winds of 165mph (270km/h).

Fluctuations in intensity are likely over the next few days, but Lee is expected to remain a major hurricane through early next week, NHC reported.

The storm is not expected to make landfall and pass well to the north of the northern Leeward Islands, the Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico over the weekend and into early next week.

No one wants this one

Friday 8 September 2023 13:30 , Joe Sommerlad

Weather Twitter is (as usual) awash with dramatic GIFs of Hurricane Lees predicted progression this morning, as well as the usual deluge of alarming but unrelated flooding footage from around the world and earlier storm events.

But Lee does indeed appear to be a powerful beastie and warnings about it should be taken seriously once it does look like making landfall.

What a sight to see-



Cat 5 Hurricane Lee. This hurricane rapidly intensified yesterday faster than almost every other RI event in the books.



Models this morning still keep consistency in the forecast, which of course is a good thing for us.



No one wants this one pic.twitter.com/PzpZhse26I  Eric Burris (@EricBurrisWESH) September 8, 2023

Here's how quickly Hurricane Lee intensified

Friday 8 September 2023 13:00 , Joe Sommerlad

Hurricane Lee is being termed one of the fastest if not the fastest-developing storm ever recorded in the Atlantic, as it went from Category 1 on Thursday morning to Category 5 by the days end.

The storm is expected to intensify further to reach wind speeds of 180mph by Friday morning.

Heres how Lees rapid intensification played out:

Lee was a Category 1 storm with 80 mph winds at 5am ET on Thursday. Within 12 hours, its maximum sustained winds had increased to 130 mph, making it a Category 4 storm on the Saffir-Simpson intensity scale.

By 11pm ET, the storms maximum sustained winds were 160 mph, making it now a Category 5 hurricane.

The storms maximum sustained winds increased by just over 80 mph in 24 hours, according to the NHC. The escalation greatly exceeds the 35 mph increase needed to fit the definition of rapid intensification.

What is El Nino and why is it intensifying this years hurricanes?

Friday 8 September 2023 12:30 , Joe Sommerlad

The UNs World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) has announced the return of the weather cycle El Nino, which could lead to record global temperatures this year.

After three years of the cooler La Nina pattern, which often lowers global temperatures slightly, the WMO announced on Tuesday that El Nino conditions were present and are expected to gradually strengthen into the winter.

The last significant El Nino event occurred in 2016, which has gone down as the warmest year the world has seen since records began.

Its recurrence in 2023, when global heating driven by man-made carbon emissions has only accelerated, threatens a double whammy, according to the WMO, which has warned there is a 90 per cent probability of it lasting to the years end.

That means the likelihood of extreme weather events that could prove life-threatening has also increased, prompting the organisations officials to caution world governments that they must be prepared.

Read more here.

Hurricanes are getting stronger. Heres why

Friday 8 September 2023 12:00 , Stuti Mishra

As the global average temperature increases, largely due to the carbon emissions from burning fossil fuels, the ocean is taking a major hit.

The ocean has absorbed 90 per cent of warming in recent decades and all that extra heat is driving historically high water temperatures.

Warmer waters supercharge tropical cyclones with more heavy rainfall and storm surge as they come ashore.While the frequency of hurricanes of tropical storms is not increasing, the chance that they become stronger, more destructive systems has increased by about 8 per cent per decade in the past 40 years, according to climate scientists.

The proportion of Category 4 and 5 tropical cyclones is projected to increase around the world in the coming decades due to human-caused warming, according to the latest report from the UNs Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).

The Atlantic hurricane season, which runs from 1 June to 30 November, is forecast to be above average this year.

Latest forecast: Lee maintining its intensity as Margo strengthens

Friday 8 September 2023 11:45 , Joe Sommerlad

Heres the latest from the National Hurricane Center, which says Hurricane Lee is expected to maintain its current intensity while Tropical Storm Margo is now expected to strengthen too.

The centre says it is way too soon to know what level of impacts, if any, Lee might have along the US East Coast.

5 am AST - Hurricane #Lee is a powerful category 5 hurricane. Here are the Key Messages. Visit https://t.co/tW4KeGe9uJ for details. pic.twitter.com/wERUw5oN5x  National Hurricane Center (@NHC_Atlantic) September 8, 2023

Tropical Storm #Margot Advisory 4: Margot Forecast to Strengthen. https://t.co/tW4KeGe9uJ  National Hurricane Center (@NHC_Atlantic) September 8, 2023

Meteorologist says eastern Canada, New Englanders are watching Hurricane Lees trajectory and hoping for an northeast swing

Friday 8 September 2023 11:00 , Stuti Mishra

John Morales, NBC6s hurricane expert, said residents of Canadas easternmost provinces and New England in the US are likely watching Hurricane Lees expected trajectory as it intensified to a Category 5 storm.

While Hurricane Lee is expected to miss landfall in the Caribbean and Florida, it may take a northward turn, which could bring its effects  like significant storm surges and high winds  to the northeastern portion of North America.

Residents of Canadas easternmost provinces, and even New Englanders in the US, are aware of Lee and hoping that a northbound track will be followed by another turn to the northeast, sparing them, Mr Morales said in his analysis.

Above normal

Friday 8 September 2023 10:15 , Stuti Mishra

The National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration warned in August that this years season would produce an above-normal number of storms. Between 14 to 21 named storms are forecast. Of those, six to 11 could become hurricanes, with two to five of them possibly becoming major hurricanes, the agency said.

Meanwhile, AccuWeather updated its forecast, predicting there would be three to five hurricanes Category 3 or stronger this season, compared with one to three in its previous analysis.

AP

How strong will Hurricane Lee become?

Friday 8 September 2023 09:30 , Stuti Mishra

Hurricane Lee is expected to continue intensifying into Friday and it could attain wind speeds of 180mph or more in the next 12 hours, making it one of the strongest storms in the Atlantic.

Hotter ocean waters this year are contributing to rapid intensification of storms this year, experts have said. Water temperatures in this part of the Atlantic Ocean were record warm in August driven by man-made climate crisis.

Hurricane Jova continues to churn in Pacific as Category 4 storm

Friday 8 September 2023 08:45 , Stuti Mishra

In the Pacific, Hurricane Jova churned through open waters far from Mexico's southwest coast as a Category 4 storm. It posed no threat to land.

It was located about 600miles (965km) southwest of the southern tip of Baja, California, and was moving west-northwest at 17mph (28kph) with winds up to 145mph (230kph). The storm was expected to start to weaken starting late on Thursday or early Friday.

Lightning strikes can be seen around Hurricane Jova's eye as it achieved category 5 status for a brief time last night. pic.twitter.com/vIKM6jDpgl  CIRA (@CIRA_CSU) September 7, 2023

Another tropical storm, Margot, forms in the Atlantic

Friday 8 September 2023 08:03 , Stuti Mishra

While all eyes are on rapidly intensifying Hurricane Lee, another tropical storm has formed in the Atlantic, the National Hurricane Center reported.

Tropical Storm Margot is expected to become a hurricane over the weekend, the NHC said,

The storm was spotted about 355 miles west of The Cabo Verde Islands with maximum sustained winds of 40 mph. It was moving west-northwest at 16 mph.

Tropical Storm #Margot Advisory 3: Margot Moving West-Northwestward Across the Tropical Eastern Atlantic. https://t.co/tW4KeGe9uJ  National Hurricane Center (@NHC_Atlantic) September 8, 2023
Tractor Supply is bullish on the North State.

With locations already in north Redding and in Anderson, the Tennessee-based retailer is working to open a second location in Redding.

Reddings Board of Administrative Review recently approved an amendment to Cascade Stations use permit for an expanded garden area and greenhouse that will complement the Tractor Supply store next to Burlington, which opened last year.

The amended permit also allows for a trailer and equipment display area, indoor pet grooming services and an outdoor merchandise display.

Of course, Cascade Station is the old Kmart shopping center. Kmart closed in 2018, and the centers owner rebranded the strip mall on Hilltop Drive.

The old Kmart store was subdivided and includes Big Lots! and Burlington. Tractor Supply will be third tenant in the former discount store building.

Tractor Supply's location in north Redding on Mountain View Drive.

The shopping center also includes Ross Dress For Less and 99 Cents Only Store.

Tractor Supplys media team did not return a phone call seeking comment.

More details on downtown restaurant, apartment project

Local company K2 Development has had big plans for a long-vacant downtown Redding lot for some time now.

Now more details about what will be built there are being revealed for the property on the northeast corner of Shasta and Market streets next to Enjoy The Store.

In December, K2 applied for a building permit for the Ribcage Restaurant. The permit is going through the plan review process.

That permit application was submitted several months after K2 applied for another phase of the project, market-rate apartments.

The long vacant lot at the corner of Market and Shasta streets in downtown Redding is next to Enjoy the Store.

Daniel Knott of K2 said construction could start next year and that it would take about 16 months to build the restaurant and apartments.

While the building application for the restaurant says the Ribcage, Knott said theres a good chance the restaurant will not be named that.

That is what we are calling the project internally, the Ribcage, but the (restaurant) operator will have a different name for the restaurant, he said.

Story continues

K2 was considering incorporating shipping containers for the apartment building architecture.

More: The Buzz: Baby boutique opening soon in downtown Redding; work starts on new pub house

But as the plans played out, we decided its going to be done more conventionally with some contemporary features. Were still working through the permitting right now," Knott said.

Stay tuned.

Introducing Whistle Stop Park in Redding

An artist rendering of Whistle Stop Park is attached to the fence that surrounds the area where the park will be built in downtown Redding.

On Tuesday, the Redding City Council approved plans to build a pocket park downtown between the Shasta College Health Sciences and University Center on Market Street and Shenanigans Baby Boutique.

Work should start soon on transforming what was a parking lot into a public, neighborhood park.

And at the next Redding Community Services Advisory Commission meeting, they're expected to recommend to the City Council naming it Whistle Stop Park.

The park will be right across the street from the working steam whistle at the corner of Butte and Market in front the Market Center building.

Both the whistle, which doubles as a public art, and the park are an ode to the citys railroad roots.

In 1872, the railroad built a town to accommodate the people traveling through the area referred to as Poverty Flats. The town was later officially named Redding following the successful installation of the railroad hub and subsequent town, the Community Services Advisory Commission staff report says.

SnL Group of Redding, which submitted a low bid of $3,985,883, is the contractor for the project. The project is being funded by Clean California Local Grant Program funds and Redding park impact fee funds, the latter in an amount that wont exceed $780,000.

The city collaborated with the McConnell Foundation on the state grant application.

Whistle Stop Park will be built between Shasta College Health Sciences and University Center and Shenanigans Baby Boutique in downtown Redding.

Were hoping to be done by the end of the year but that will be weather-dependent, Redding parks director Kim Niemer said.

The park will feature landscaping, irrigation, a fog misting system, walking path, boulders, lighting and a pavilion.

We really see this as being an urban park. We do see music, we see events, small ceremonies  an example would be nursing-pin ceremony for Shasta College," McConnell Chief Operating Officer Shannon Phillips said. "Perhaps a farmers market, makers market. We see the (Redding) Chamber of Commerce could host events there. It could be things that fit in nicely with First Friday or other downtown events.

David Benda covers business, development and anything else that comes up for the USA TODAY Network in Redding. He also writes the weekly "Buzz on the Street" column. Hes part of a team of dedicated reporters that investigate wrongdoing, cover breaking news and tell other stories about your community. Reach him on Twitter @DavidBenda_RS or by phone at 1-530-338-8323. To support and sustain this work, please subscribe today.

This article originally appeared on Redding Record Searchlight: Tractor Supply to open Redding's 2nd store; downtown restaurant update
WASHINGTON  The Biden administration on Friday asked the Supreme Court to maintain broad access to a commonly used medication abortion pill.

The court filing from the Justice Department sets the stage for a possible final resolution to a contentious legal fight mounted by abortion rights opponents over federal approval of the drug mifepristone. The dispute lands at the Supreme Court in time for the justices to potentially take it up, hear oral arguments and issue a decision by next summer.

In urging the Supreme Court to intervene, Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar wrote that the case marked the first time a court has ever second-guessed the "expert judgment" of the Food and Drug Administration in approving a drug.

If lower court rulings were left in place, they "would impose grave harms on the government, mifepristones sponsors, women seeking medication abortions, and the public," Prelogar added. Among other things, access to the pill by mail  which the FDA formally approved in 2021  would be curtailed.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Danco  the maker of Mifeprex, the brand version of mifepristone  filed a similar appeal Friday.

Before making a decision on whether to hear the case, the justices will receive a response from the challengers as part of a process that can take months.

The justices have already intervened once, back in April, when they blocked in full a decision by Texas U.S. District Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk that had invalidated the FDA's original approval of the drug from more than 20 years ago. At that time, conservative justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito said they would have allowed part of Kacsmaryk's ruling to go into effect.

Kacsmaryk's decision threatened access to the pill, including its availability by mail, but the Supreme Court order resulted in it remaining available as normal while the litigation continues.

The challenge has been brought by a group of doctors and other medical professionals represented by the conservative Christian legal group Alliance Defending Freedom. They claim that the FDA's 2000 approval was flawed, as were later decisions that made the drug easier to access, in part because they failed to take into account safety risks to women. The FDA and Danco say that serious adverse effects are "exceedingly rare."

Since the Supreme Court's action in April, the case has moved as normal through the appeals process, with the New Orleans-based 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals last month upholding part of Kacsmaryk's decision on the steps the FDA took to loosen restrictions on the pill, including making it available by mail. That prompted the Biden administration and Danco to turn once again to the high court.

If the justices refuse to take the case, then the 5th Circuit decision will take effect nationwide. This "would upend the regulatory regime for mifepristone, with damaging consequences for women seeking lawful abortions and a health care system that relies on the availability of the drug under the current conditions of use," Prelogar said.

In that scenario, access to the pill would be curtailed in significant ways. Women will no longer be allowed to receive it by mail  and instead will need to make several trips, in person, to a doctor's office. A higher dose of the medication will be required as well, since the older dosing regimen was changed in 2016.

A White House spokesperson said if the 5th Circuit's decision were to take effect, "it would have devastating consequences for women and undermine the FDAs process for regulating safe and effective medications that patients rely on."

"The biopharma industry, physicians and medical organizations, former FDA and former DOJ officials, and patient advocates have made clear: this lawsuit poses an unprecedented threat to the FDAs authority to review and approve a wide range of safe and effective drugs," the spokesperson added.

Although the Supreme Court in 2022 overturned the landmark Roe v. Wade decision that ensured a constitutional right to abortion and has a 6-3 conservative majority, the mifepristone litigation raises very different legal issues, and the courts earlier intervention means the challengers could face an uphill battle to prevail.

The FDA-approved regimen for a medication abortion involves a combination of two drugs: mifepristone, which blocks the hormone progesterone, and misoprostol, which induces contractions. A majority of abortions in the U.S. are carried out using those pills, according to a survey conducted by the Guttmacher Institute, a research group that supports abortion rights. Access to misoprostol was not at issue in the lawsuit.

Lawrence Hurley reported from Washington, Laura Jarrett reported from New York.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Kanye Wests rumoured wife, Bianca Censori, has sparked confusion with her latest outfit, which saw her holding a pillow over her chest while walking around Italy.

On Wednesday 6 September, the rapper  who legally changed his name to Ye  and Censori were photographed in unique ensembles while walking through the streets of Italy. The outing came days after the pair were reportedly banned from a boat company in Venice due to their alleged behaviour on board one of its vessels.

In recent photos that circulated online, Censori was seen walking in sheer beige stockings and a matching spaghetti strap bodysuit. She was also holding a purple cushion over her chest, seemingly in an effort to cover the top half of her body. The architect completed the look with a pair of heels.

Meanwhile, West opted for an all black look, which included a short-sleeved shirt, pants, slippers, and hooded scarf, which covered the majority of his face.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

On X, formerly known as Twitter, people expressed their confusion over Censoris look, with some questioning the pillow accessory.

Is [Ye] going to use her as a couch? one person asked, while another wrote: I hate all her looks and theyre always nylon, like quit playing with the pantyhose.

Others suggested West had been styling Censori  who reportedly married the rapper in a non-legally binding ceremony  and criticised him for it. They also acknowledged that West previously styled his ex-wife, Kim Kardashian, when they were together.

I feel like Kanye is making her dress like this, one fan wrote, while another asked: Why is he making her dress like this?

Remember Kim and then all his GFs after her started dressing similar to this [during his] whole dating them, a third wrote. Then they break up and theyre back to normal human clothes!

He does. Remember Kim and then all his GFs after her started dressing similar to this whole dating them. Then they break up and theyre back to normal human clothes!  Gay vanilla latte (@AlexTheAight) September 7, 2023

I feel like Kanye is making her dress like this  Lunadeus  (@LunadeusLilitu) September 7, 2023

Other social media users offered their own suggestions as to why the pair were walking around in the surprising outfits, with one claiming theyre clearly doing it for reaction purposes but it is very bizarre.

Following the outing, The Daily Mail reported Censori was spotted with the pillow while she and West were leaving their hotel in Florence on 6 September. A source alleged to the publication that Censori wore the ensemble throughout the day, including during a shopping trip in the city.

However, according to another source, Censori had changed into a long-sleeved bodysuit by the time she went to dinner with West that evening.

This isnt the first time that one of Censoris outfits has sparked mixed reactions. In June, the pair made headlines when they were pictured heading to Wests church service in all-black ensembles, with West wearing a black T-shirt with the word Polizei, the German word for police, emblazoned on it. He also sported a pair of black leggings that covered his feet in what appeared to be sock shoes.

Meanwhile, Censori wore a stocking-like ensemble that covered her entire body, including her face. She also wore her arms inside the black pantyhose, while a ring of black fabric circled the lower half of her face and neck.

Days before they were photographed in Florence, a Venice boat company, Venezia Turismo Motoscafi, issued a statement declaring that they were no longer welcome on future trips. The ban came after they were photographed on the boat in what appeared to be a compromising position, as West had his trousers down and bottom exposed, while Censori appeared to be crouching between his legs.

Following the release of the photos, a spokesperson for Venezia Turismo Motoscafi  whose celebrity clientele reportedly includes Lady Gaga, Harry Styles, and Ben Affleck  explained that the driver had not seen these obscenities because they were looking out for traffic on the water.

The statement added that, if the driver had witnessed the couple engaging in any lewd behaviour, they would have immediately disembarked and reported the transgressors to those in authority.

In recent years, the rapper has been at the centre of several controversies, making headlines for a slew of antisemitic remarks. In 2022, West was dropped by both Adidas and Balenciaga over his hateful and dangerous comments relating to Jewish people. CAA, one of the biggest celebrity talent agencies in the US, also cut ties with the musician.

You can read more about West and Censoris summer antics in Italy here.
Hikers hoping to complete the newly reopened Decalibron trail in Colorado's high country lately have come across a surprising new feature  a brand new pickup truck that's gotten stuck on the popular hiking trail.

Most people wear hiking boots to climb 14ers, but user posts on the Colorado 14ers Facebook page reveal that someone attempted it in a 2023 GMC Canyon AT4 and has been stuck on the side of Mount Cameron for over a week. Hiker Elizabeth Bennet posted a picture of the truck on September 3, showing it stuck in an area of scree with a rough trail through it.

"Apparently someone thought it was a good idea to drive up the Decalibron trail? This was on the side of Cameron looking towards Bross. Looks like they got themselves into quite the predicament," commented Bennet.

The truck is built for off-road adventures, but has proven no match for Colorado's highest peaks, with pictures showing the truck has partially slid off the trail at close to 14,000 feet above sea level, leaving no possibility of turning around or bailing out.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

The Decalibron trail is a seven-mile trail that takes around 30,000 hikers each year to the summits of four 14ers: Lincoln, Cameron, Bross and Democrat. Part of the trail lies on private property and the landowner closed access to Lincoln and Democrat earlier this year after state senators quashed a bill that would have limited the liability of property owners who allow public access to private land.

They reopened the trail in July and we have no doubt they are already regretting their decision to do so. Comments on the Facebook post suggest that the truck has Arkansas plates, leading some to speculate the driver was an out-of-towner who did not know what they were getting themselves into. They most likely set off on a road from the east that is appropriate for such vehicles before becoming lost and ending up on the hiking trail. There are old mining roads which can be used by 4X4 vehicles on Bross, but many are on private property and not well-marked.

Other hikers have commented that at least one attempt has been made to extract the vehicle, without success. We're sure the truck's owner will be keen to reclaim his property before the snow arrives, which could happen any minute now.

All trail users are reminded to know how to read a map and research their route before setting off on foot or on four wheels.
Marooned in Morca

A man ventured thousands of feet underground into the Morca cave system in southern Turkey. But along the way he became gravely ill, and now rescue teams are scrambling to get him out.

The spelunker, a 40 year-old American named Mark Dickey, is an experienced speleologist, or cave scientist, and is renowned in the caving community.

Dickey had entered Morca with 14 others. Nothing could prepare him, however, for his untimely diagnosis: gastrointestinal bleeding, stranding him at his camp around 3,400 feet into the cave.

Word arrived at the European Cave Rescue Association (ECRA) on Saturday, and with support from the Turkish caving community and government, they've quickly made progress in ensuring Dickey's safety.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

On Sunday, a doctor accompanying a Hungarian rescue team was able to reach Dickey and provide emergency medical care, according to a statement by ECRA.

The next day, two additional Bulgarian rescue parties also made it to the camp. Dickey is, for the time being, safe, and thanked rescuers in a video message shared by the Turkish government on Thursday.

"The caving world is a really tight-knit group and it's amazing to see how many people have responded on the surface," Dickey said, as quoted by the Los Angeles Times. "I do know that the quick response of the Turkish government to get the medical supplies that I need, in my opinion, saved my life. I was very close to the edge."

Plan B

Still, Dickey and the rescuers' hardest challenge is still ahead of them, as it's unclear how exactly they'll be able to extract the stranded spelunker.

Initially, rescuers had hoped that after administering Dickey with the proper medicine, he would be able to exit on his own.

Yet after doctors assessed his condition, they realized that he was in no shape for that to happen.



At a depth of 4,186 feet, Morca is the third deepest cave in the country and one of the deepest in the world  not to mention being nearly 2.5 miles long. The cave's tunnels are as winding as they are treacherous, and certain stretches are too narrow to let a stretcher through.

"It would take 15 hours for a perfectly healthy, experienced caver to come out from that depth," Yaman Ozakin, a spokesman for one of the rescue teams, told The New York Times.

Ozakin added that rescuers are working on using a special harness to lift Dickey out of the cave. It may be days or even weeks, however, before he can be extracted.

More on: Woman Confined to Cave for 500 Days Says She Had a Nice Time
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR)  Back in May, just weeks after State Superintendent Ryan Walters called teachers unions terrorist organizations, the Oklahoma Department of Education released a Public Awareness Campaign video railing against the National Education Association and Oklahoma Education Association.

Within a day of the videos publication, KFORs Kaylee Olivas filed an Open Records Request to find out how much it cost state tax payers.

Oklahoma Ethics Commission investigating several campaign finance violations by Supt. Walters

Now, 107 days after the formal request, News 4 has received the quote for services, the purchase order and the requisition  showing the state has paid out $22,500 to a Houston-based company for 30 minutes of produced video.

According to the requisition, OSDE used state funds to hire Precision Outreach LLC, who registered as an Oklahoma City business less than two weeks before the teachers union video was published online, to create promotional video for the department through May 21, 2024.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

This vendor was selected due to the expedited time constraints needed for production of the video. OSDE Requisition

Oklahoma County Jail fails another inspection

According to Precision Outreach LLCs quote issued May 24, one day before the first video was published, each minute of produced video costs the state $750  meaning the teachers union video, coming in at just over five minutes, cost about $3,750.

It is unclear how many of the OSDEs videos already published on its YouTube page are made by Precision Outreach.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City.
The U.S. Forest Service will close a trail, parking lots and a road at one of Idahos most popular camping areas as it works on improvements, the agency said in a news release.

Sawtooth National Recreation Area officials said work will begin at the Redfish Lake Recreation Complex on Monday. According to the news release, the project will include improvements to Forest Road 214, the paved shoreline trail, the North Shore Picnic Area, and the Visitor Center parking lot.

The closure will impact the area south of the Redfish Trailhead parking lot where Forest roads 213 and 214 meet, and east of Redfish Lodge. Officials said Redfish Outlet Trail Bridge will also be closed.

Susan James, the recreation manager for the SNRA, told the Idaho Statesman in an interview that the project will realign the portion of Forest Road 214 to remove the curve near the visitor center and improve traffic. James said the agency will also realign the paved path near the newly installed trail bridge, improve the visitor center parking lot to add spaces and reduce flooding issues and rebuild the North Shore Picnic Area.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Finally, the Forest Service will improve the area near the Redfish entrance station, moving the parking area to the other side of the road away from riparian habitat and increasing parking capacity.

The closed portion of Forest Road 214, which begins at Idaho 75 and becomes Redfish Lake Road near the lodge and north shore of the lake, is expected to reopen in May. Glacier View Campground, a popular site accessible via Redfish Lake Road, will reopen at the same time. James said there is no construction planned for the campground.

Access to the North Shore Picnic Area, Redfish Cabin, the visitor center and the paved shoreline trail will resume on June 26.
Playing with our Constitution for the purpose of partisan advancement is wrong.

For years weve heard Democrats champion the idea of lowering the voting age to 16. This would have to be by Constitutional Amendment and will not happen, but the reason is transparent. As the old, yet misattributed, adage goes, If you are not liberal when you are young, you have no heart, and if you are not conservative when old, you have no brain. (There are several variations of this quote, often claimed to be spoken by Winston Churchill, but no one seems to be able to verify that. Its basically folklore.)

Alicia Preston Xanthopoulos

Personally, I think if your parents still have to be legally responsible for the basic tasks of feeding and housing you and making sure you catch the school bus in the morning, you don't get to be responsible for who our elected officials are. Adults are adults. Theres good and bad that comes with that. Wait for it. Those championing it are simply trying to pad the voting boxes with young peoples ballots because, well, whoever said the quote above, is right. Young people are more liberal and will vote for Democrats en masse.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Now, here comes the reverse of that effort, with Presidential-wannabe Vivek Ramaswamy wanting to raise the voting age to 25. Despite all claims of wanting civic engagement, the actual reasoning is quite obvious  its to disenfranchise young adults because they tend to vote Democrat. There are several reasons they vote that way, but thats for another day.

Ramaswamy's non-starter plan to change the Constitution would require you to be eligible to vote only if you are 25, or 18 if you serve in the military, as a first responder or pass the immigration test offered to incoming citizens. I took that 100-question test the other day and 6th graders currently learning these things probably have a better chance of acing it than any adult over 25, who long forgot these things. Im not quite sure knowing how many amendments to the Constitution there are (28 if Ramaswamy gets his way) is pertinent in determining who should write tax laws or engage in foreign diplomacy, but, if thats the determination, we need to lower the voting age to 12, they remember that stuff better than we adults.

As for serving in the military or as a first responder, Im all for encouraging that kind of civic engagement, but not by holding one of our greatest rights as Americans hostage in exchange.

Ive heard some championing this noting that, An 18-year-old today and an 18-year-old when the Constitution was written are very different. That is absolutely true. However, 236 years ago, the voting age was 21. It was changed in 1971 after decades-long discussions from WWII to Vietnam about how a government can draft 18-year-olds to go to war, and they don't have the right to choose who sends them there.

Moreover, a 25-year-old isn't what one was in 1787, nor is a 38-year-old. As a matter of fact, that was the life expectancy of a man in 1787. However, by this standard, shouldnt we just raise all constitutionally dictated ages by Ramaswamys arbitrary 7-year standard? If so, he's not eligible to be President. Hes that 1787 life expectant 38, but, one would have to be 42.

I don't like messing with the Constitution for political reasons and that's all this is. There is a lot of angst toward young people these days. We don't like how "woke" they are. We don't like how entitled they seem. We're annoyed they get a four-year degree in something like 13th-century Greek Art and still want to make 60 grand their first year out of school and when they dont, they want us to pay for their dumb choice in a college major because they can't afford to. We don't like that they keep supporting extreme liberal ideologies because, well, they've never had to pay real taxes and dont want to pay their bills. I agree in part with those complaints to be honest, but that's not a reason to take away a fundamental right. If we want young people to vote Republican, let's tell them why. Not tell them we don't want them to participate in the civic process.

We put a lot of pressure on a person the day they turn 18. Legally and societally. All of a sudden, and we just went through this the past year, we cant sign documents for them, and unless they sign a document, we can't even help them with health care needs or other adulting realities. As far as the government is concerned, in most cases, when you turn 18, you're immediately on your own. But, you don't get to vote for who that government is?

I asked the 18-year-old college freshman, who proudly and thoughtfully voted for the first-time last November what she thought of this proposal. Her simple reply was, How can so much be expected of us, yet we can't be trusted to vote?

Well, I guess thats the question and the answer. I shouldve started there.

Alicia Preston Xanthopoulos is a former political consultant and member of the media. Shes a native of Hampton Beach, where she lives with her family and two poodles. Write to her at PrestonPerspective@gmail.com.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Preston Xanthopoulos: Call to change voting age driven by politics
Prosecutors in Montana say Isaac Carrier was murdered by two acquaintances over a child custody dispute (Facebook)

Two men allegedly shared a clip from Ben Afflecks Boston crime drama The Town as they plotted a murder in small-town Montana.

Prosecutors say Jake Burghduff, 21 and Sterling Brown, 30, discussed a scene from the 2010 thriller before they murdered Isaac Carrier, 30, in the small town of Fallon on 23 January, according to The Daily Beast.

Authorities say Carrier was shot in the head in his apartment before the building was set alight over a bitter child custody dispute with his former wife.

Burghduff was found guilty of murder at a trial in August, while Mr Brown, who was in a relationship with Carriers ex-wife Katie Bivens, is scheduled to go on trial next year.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

According to The Daily Beast, Burghduff told investigators that Mr Brown sent him a YouTube video of Afflecks character asking a fellow bank robber played by Jeremy Renner for help pulling off a crime.

I need your help, Affleck says in the clip. I cant tell you what it is, you can never ask me about it later, and were going to hurt some people.

The characters then break into a home and beat and threaten two men.

According to prosecutors, Burghduff replied in a text: Im confused lol.

Mr Brown then urged him to listen to it again and asked if he could come over.

Jake Burghduff was found guilty of deliberate homicide of Isaac Carrier during a trial in Montana in August (Dawson County Correctional Facility)

Im still confused, we gotta hurt someone or something? Burghduff responds.

Something like that, Mr Brown then says. You available for pickup?

Investigators say the text exchange is evidence of the two mens deadly intent. The men reportedly admitted to meeting at a bar in Ludlow, South Dakota, that night, but have provided investigators with varying accounts of what took place.

Burghduff allegedly confessed that he knew of the child custody dispute, and that Mr Brown told him he was gonna take care of Carrier.

Sterling Brown allegedly sent a clip from Ben Afflecks movie The Town while plotting to murder Isaac Carrier, according to authorities (Dawson County Correctional Facility)

He told police that the pair left their cell phones in Ludlow and drove three hours via back roads to Fallon, stopping to fill up a gas can in Baker, Montana.

They entered Carriers apartment on Whittier Ave, and Mr Brown allegedly shot the ranch hand in the back of the head at close range. Authorities say one or both of the two men poured gasoline over Carrier while he was still alive, and set the apartment ablaze.

Burghduff claimed he did not enter the apartment and was not aware of Mr Browns intentions.

Last month, a jury took less than three hours to find Burghduff guilty of deliberate homicide. He faces up to 100 years in prison when he is sentenced on 17 October.

Mr Brown, who maintains his innocence, is due to go on trial in March.

Carrier, who liked to dress in cowboy attire, was a devout Christian and loving father to his son Stetson, according to an obituary.

Fallon is an unincorporated town of around 200 residents 390 miles east of the state capital of Helena.
Rudy Giuliani has filed a new legal challenge against the criminal charges hes facing in Georgia over his attempts to subvert the 2020 presidential election.

The former Trump attorney on Friday asked Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee to quash the indictment, or at least to set a hearing on the matter. Giuliani argued in the filing that there were deficiencies in the indictment that render it invalid, and that prosecutors are violating his rights against double jeopardy by how they structured the racketeering conspiracy allegations.

The indictment is a conspiratorial bouillabaisse consisting of purported criminal acts, daily activities, and constitutionally protected speech, the filing argues.

Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis charged Giuliani last month with 13 crimes, including violating the states racketeering law (known as RICO), soliciting public officials to violate their oath of office, conspiring to commit forgery, and making false statements.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

State prosecutors argue that Giuliani participated in a criminal enterprise by peddling false claims about voter fraud to state legislators and by orchestrating the fake electors scheme. He pleaded not guilty, as have the other 18 defendants in the sweeping case.

In the weeks since his indictment, Giuliani has railed against Willis, saying in a recent podcast that she is so damn stupid and doesnt even know what the RICO statute is.

The former New York City mayor held a fundraiser Thursday to help with his growing legal bills. CNN previously reported that he owes millions of dollars in legal expenses.

Giuliani also is an unindicted co-conspirator in Trumps federal election subversion case. And he faces defamation suits from Dominion and Smartmatic, voting technology companies that he falsely said rigged the 2020 election. In a separate case, a judge ruled that he defamed two Georgia election workers, and a jury will decide what he owes damages.

Georgia election workers want another $100,000 in attorneys fees

The Georgia election workers who won a defamation lawsuit against Giuliani for his bogus fraud claims in the 2020 election say they are entitled to another $104,000 in attorneys fees stemming from the discovery disputes that arose in the case.

It will be up to US District Judge Beryl Howell to approve the amount Giuliani must pay.

The ask would be in addition to the nearly $90,000 in sanctions the judge previously ordered for Giuliani in the case.

Last month, Howell determined that Giuliani had lost the lawsuit brought by Georgia election workers Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss after he failed to provide information sought in subpoenas.

A trial to determine the amount of damages for which Giuliani will be held liable will be set for later this year or early 2024.

CNNs Tierney Sneed contributed to this report.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
TUCSON  Arizona Sen. Kyrsten Sinema blasted the Biden administration Friday for not allocating enough money toward humanitarian aid organizations along the Arizona-Mexico border.

Sinema, I-Ariz., met with representatives from various migrant aid nonprofits in a roundtable discussion at Casa Alitas Drexel Center in Tucson. Sinema expressed her frustration with the amount of funding that was handed out to the groups under the new Shelter and Services Program.

Sinema described the amount of funding given to Arizona as an egregious action that was ridiculous and outrageous. The lack of federal support is hurting nonprofits ability to do their job while also endangering migrant lives and harming Arizona communities, Sinema said.

The administration completely shortchanged Arizona border communities, Sinema said.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Sinema criticized the administrations sluggishness in giving funds to communities that need it in real time. Fluctuations in where the majority of migrant arrivals occur along the border have changed often in recent months.

Questions raised: Federal funding process for humanitarian aid at border comes under scrutiny

Arizona Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, I-Ariz., meets with migrant aid nonprofit leaders at the Casa Alitas Drexel Center in Tucson on Sept. 8, 2023.

Within the past 14 months, four different Border Patrol sectors have been the busiest along the Southwest border, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection data. Before then, the Tucson and the Rio Grande sectors were the busiest for years at a time.

The Border Patrols Tucson Sector set a 15-year high in migrant encounters in July. The sector became the busiest along the Southwest border.

The government has shown a real inability to respond in real time to the change in the patterns, Sinema said. It's a strategic choice on the part of cartels, on who they're pushing to which ports.

Sinema said shes working to get another round of funding approved that will go directly toward border communities.

It has to be adequate to actually meet the needs of the border communities that are actually meeting the challenge, Sinema said.

Teresa Cavendish, Casa Alitas executive director, also raised concerns about the Biden administrations reported proposal to force asylum-seeking families to remain in Texas, and possibly other border communities, while they wait for their asylum screening.

The proposal is an effort by administration officials to manage the recent increase in family units arriving along the Southwest border. The families would be tracked with GPS monitoring systems, including ankle bracelets, while they wait for a decision on whether theyre able to stay in the country and continue their asylum claim.

There are no or very, very limited resources available to support these folks, Cavendish said.

The new program would strain shelters in Arizona that arent equipped to service asylum-seeking families for extended periods of time as they wait for their screening, Cavendish said. Arizona is often only a stop along the journey for most migrants who arrive in the state.

Many have family members or sponsors waiting for them elsewhere in the interior of the country.

Anything that makes it more difficult for our families to move through as expeditiously as possible is a bad thing, said Dr. Francisco Garcia, deputy Pima County administrator.

It will always be a bad thing.

Sinema said that the proposed program would cause total disruption across all of Arizona.

Housing guidance: ICE issues new guidelines for housing migrants in hotels, short-term facilities

Arizona Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, I-Ariz., meets with migrant aid nonprofit leaders at the Casa Alitas Drexel Center in Tucson on Sept. 8, 2023.

Frustrations arise around new federal program

The federal SSP program was created to help reimburse non-governmental organizations and local governments for providing assistance to migrants, including transportation and housing. Under the previous reimbursement program, called the Emergency Food and Shelter Program, the funds were almost all limited to communities along the U.S.-Mexico border.

The new program allows for nonprofits and governments across the country to apply for reimbursement, not just those in border communities.

As a result, Arizona will only receive $5.9 million of the $77 million that the Federal Emergency Management Agency announced in the second round of funding under the program. The state has received $29.8 million of the $368 million available under the program this year.

Meanwhile, New York City has received more money than any single border state under the program, being given $106.8 million. Almost $56 million of second-round funding is slated to go toward governments and nonprofits in four states along the U.S.-Mexico border.

2024 Senate race: Why Sinema attended Biden's Grand Canyon event and why Gallego didn't

Pima County only received nearly $11 million under the program. Casa Alitas provides services in Santa Cruz and Cochise counties as well, despite only receiving SSP funds through Pima County.

Sinema, alongside Sen. Mark Kelly and Rep. Ruben Gallego, has raised concerns about the program in the past. Sinema and Kelly, D-Ariz., sent a letter to the Department of Homeland Security on Aug. 11, outlining their concerns with the program and its management.

The senators wrote that Arizona governments and nonprofits will run out of funding by early 2024 with the amount of funding allocated.

Casa Alitas is servicing roughly 750 people a day, which doesnt include daily unannounced arrivals, according to Cavendish. The Regional Center for Border Health in Somerton is receiving roughly 350-400 people per day, according to Amanda Aguirre, president and CEO of the center.

In order to alleviate the situation, Cavendish asked Sinema to fully fund Arizona nonprofits with the money that they say they need, allowing the organizations to be nimble.

Trust that we know how to respond, what it's going to take to respond to what comes to us, because we are the folks on the ground and have been for many years now, Cavendish said.

Have a news tip or story idea about the border and its communities? Contact the reporter at josecastaneda@arizonarepublic.com or connect with him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @joseicastaneda.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Arizona Sen. Sinema blasts Biden administration for border aid funding
Chinese President Xi Jinping. Getty Images

It's highly unlikely that China will implement large-scale stimulus, Mohamed El-Erian said.

Without it, markets shouldn't expect China's previous rate of growth to come back, he wrote in the Financial Times.

"Despite what many may continue to tell you, it is no longer a given that China will become the world's largest economy."

Bets that the Chinese economy still has a shot at reaching the top might have to be reconsidered, Mohamed El-Erian wrote in the Financial Times.

Though blowout growth of past decades has helped China become the second-largest economy in the world, Beijing's approach towards the current slump has dampened views that it will overtake the US.

"It is time for the markets to recognize that China is not reverting to its old economic and financial playbook, and its return as a powerful driver of global economic growth is unlikely in the near future," El-Erian wrote. "Economic performance is likely to remain lackluster for the remainder of 2023 and the first half of 2024."

After China lifted pandemic restrictions late last year, the economy saw a brief rebound early this year. But since then, consumption, industry activity, investment, and exports have been disappointing, while youth employment hit record highs and prices have tipped into deflationary territory.

Though analysts and investors have loudly voiced hopes that China's authorities implement a large-scale stimulus program to uplift its economy and fuel domestic spending, Beijing is unlikely to do so in the face of larger structural issues, El-Erian wrote.

That's because previous stimulus strategies are responsible for high debt levels now seen in China's local governments and teetering property market. In place of this, the country's authorities have implemented a series of smaller-level measures.

Leaders are further unlikely to pursue traditional stimulus, out of a worry that continued reliance on it would increase the chances China would fall into the middle-income trap and also encourage corruption, El-Erian wrote.

Story continues

Instead, he predicted Beijing is likely to continue with smaller-level measures, while looking to transition towards new growth industries, such as green energy, healthcare, supercomputing, and artificial intelligence.

But challenges to growth will persist, and China will have to implement larger debt restructuring measures. Added to that, Beijing may need to rethink its role in domestic markets, El-Erian said:

"The authorities will also need to overcome their now overwhelming inclination towards centralization and, instead, enable but not micromanage the emergence of powerful private sector engines of growth. Despite what many may continue to tell you, it is no longer a given that China will become the world's largest economy."

Similarly, Bloomberg Economics said on Tuesday that China is unlikely to permanently take the top spot, predicting gross domestic product would briefly surpass the US's in the mid-2040s, but by "only a small margin" before "falling back behind."

The economists  who previously saw China overtaking the US in the 2030s  believe GDP growth will slow to just 1% by 2050, revised down from an earlier prediction of 1.6%.

Read the original article on Business Insider
A large Confederate flag has been flying beside Interstate 85 for almost a year while the property owner and Spartanburg County fight over the flag's future.

"We, of course, support free speech and will continue to defend our Constitutional right to fly flags of our choice," said Greenville attorney Robert K. Merting on behalf of the Adam Washington Ballenger Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp 68.

Merting said flying the flag is a way to honor soldiers of South Carolina who fought and died during the Civil War and other wars.

Opponents said the flag is offensive to many people.

"The flag "sends an unwelcoming message to a large group of people," said Monier Abusaft, the lone African American member of County Council. "Constituents care about how it reflects on their community."

Michael Brown

Michael Brown, president of the Spartanburg NAACP chapter, said t he flag is an "eyesore" that should come down. He mentioned the Confederate flag being removed from the Statehouse after the killing of nine Black church members in Charleston in 2015.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

"As a true son of the South who has personal and familial standing to speak about the devastation and pain that the I-85 eyesore brings to all of us, it should come down," Brown said.

Both the county and the SCV said it boils down to a land use issue and a new ordinance adopted after the flagpole was erected.

"We treat it like any other land use issue," Abusaft said. "They're out of compliance, but they want special treatment. Sorry, we don't give special treatment in Spartanburg County."

Here's how the Confederate flag dispute evolved

The SCV group raised the 30-by-50-foot Naval Jack flag atop a 120-foot tall flagpole last Oct. 22 on its property at Teaberry Road, which fronts the heavily traveled interstate near U.S. Highway 221 and Business 85. An estimated 80,400 vehicles drive past the flag each day, said the S.C. Department of Transportation.

County spokeswoman Scottie Kay Blackwell said prior to Oct. 22, a South Carolina state flag was being flown on the flagpole.

She said on Oct. 21, the day before the flag-raising ceremony, the county issued its a notice of violation to the SCV, saying a permit is required. The notice gave the SCV until Nov. 10 to comply.

Five months since being raised, the Confederate flag is still flying high atop a 120-foot flagpole along Interstate 85 in Spartanburg County as a lawsuit works its way through the courts.

"Remove the flagpole or obtain a permit for principal use and lower the flagpole to 30 feet," wrote Jay Ford, county zoning inspector.

The SCV neither obtained a permit nor lowered the flagpole, and on Nov. 29, filed a lawsuit against the county.

The SCV also appealed the notice of violation to the county's Board of Zoning Appeals.

Planning Director Joan Holliday argued the flagpole represented a change of use in the property, and the owner was required to apply for a permit, based on the county's Unified Land Management Ordinance. She said that never happened.

Zoning board member James Langford said there is no mention of a flagpole in the Unified Land Management Ordinance. SCV attorney Ethan Jedziniak said because of that, there was no need to apply for a flagpole permit.

Sons of Confederate Veterans attorney Robert Merting said the Confederate flag and other flags are being raised to honor South Carolinians who fought and died in wars.

Merting said he was told multiple times by different county officials a permit was not required for a flagpole. He said his client was cited only after complaints about the content of the flag  a Confederate flag.

On Jan. 31, the Zoning Board, then ruled in favor of SCV's appeal, stating the Planning Department erred in issuing the notice of violation. The county appealed the Zoning Board ruling to the Common Pleas Court. The SCV asked the court to dismiss the appeal. That case is pending.

Meanwhile, the SCV's lawsuit against the county claims the flagpole is in compliance with the county's zoning laws and should be grandfathered from any new regulations. In part, the lawsuit claims free speech protections because the county only sought to remove the flag after objections were raised.

The county's motion to dismiss the lawsuit is pending.

"We are waiting on the courts ruling on the countys motion to dismiss," county attorney Charles Turner said.

Spartanburg County Councilman David Britt, who supports the county's efforts to make the SCV comply with zoning regulations, said he is confident the county will prevail.

"It is in the hands of the court system and I trust them," Britt said.

This article originally appeared on Herald-Journal: Confederate flag still flying along I-85 in Spartanburg County
State 23rd District Rep. Tarra Simmons, center, poses with Washington State Supreme Court Justice Steven Gonzales, for a photo taken by State 23rd District Sen. Drew Hansen, during a celebration Friday at the Marvin Williams Center in Bremerton. Earlier that afternoon Simmons had her criminal history vacated through the New Hope Act.

Tarra Simmons didn't sleep well for a week, in preparation for a Friday Superior Court hearing. That was the place the 23rd District legislator, attorney and, until Friday, felon, would have a case heard to vacate her criminal history.

I can't believe it's finally here, Simmons said during the week approaching her hearing. I haven't been able to completely heal from that whole thing. You can't heal when you're so worried about how you're going to provide for yourself when you get out of (prison) because prisons are an oppressive and traumatizing place to be. You're exposed to violence if you're not victimized yourself, you're talked down to by the staff and the guards because you're quote-unquote a bad person.

Long before she became a state representative, Simmons struggled with a traumatic upbringing and a substance abuse disorder that led her incarceration for more than three years for an assortment of crimes. After she was released from prison in 2013 following convictions on theft and drug crimes, Simmons trained as a nurse, graduated from Seattle University School of Law, became a member of the Washington State Bar Association and was elected to the state legislature.

Though Simmons feels safe and secure many years out of prison now, her criminal history has followed her into many aspects of her life, from volunteering at her childrens schools to renting an Air BnB, crossing international borders or being an executor of her mothers estate.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

When I think about today, finally having these convictions off my record, I'll no longer have to face the rejections that I face in all these ways, Simmons said. It's a legal act, but it's also healing and gives me more security that I'll be able to always provide for my kids based on my own merit, my own qualifications, and I will no longer be subjected to abuse, exploitation. I won't be part of an underclass.

On Friday Judge Kevin Hull presided over the State v. Simmons, a case that vacated her criminal history before a full courtroom in Port Orchard and online attendance. Among those watching were Washington Supreme Court Justice Mary Yu, former Washington Supreme Court Justice Bobbe Bridge and Mike McCready, lead guitarist for Pearl Jam.

Newly appointed Washington State Senator for the 23rd District and friend of Simmons, Drew Hansen , represented Simmons and Kitsap County Prosecutor Chad Enright represented the state.

It's not every day that you get to argue a motion to vacate a criminal conviction for someone who deserves it as much as Tara Simmons does, Hansen said. Tara Simmons is Exhibit A for why we allow people to clear their convictions. She is a totally different person than she was when she was convicted of these crimes.

Hansen is connected to Simmons' case beyond just the political affiliation in the Legislature. He sponsored House Bill 1041, known as the New Hope Act, which passed the House and Senate unanimously in 2019 and created the provisions through which Simmons was able to vacate her criminal history.

The bill expanded the types of convictions that could be vacated previously, including second-degree felony assault, of which Simmons was convicted, third-degree assault when not committed against police, and second-degree felony robbery as long as it wasnt committed with a deadly weapon or was sexually motivated.

The bill doesnt automatically clear anyones criminal history, but makes it easier for someone to request a court vacate their convictions after theyve been crime-free for a period of time. The bill also makes it easier for an ex-criminal to get a certificate of discharge to show theyve satisfied the conditions of their sentence.

If you want to totally turn your life around and stay crime free for a long period of time, you should have the right to go to court and argue for why you should be able to vacate that conviction, Hansen said. We should recognize that by clearing her convictions to recognize the fact that she's turned her life around just like we should with anyone else.

Simmons is now the Vice Chair of the House Civil Rights Judiciary Committee and the founding director of the Civil Survival Project to help previously incarcerated people with vacations and pardons and help them overcome barriers to employment and housing.

Simmons was eligible for vacation in May, but admitted she procrastinated on the process because she had mixed feelings.

I also feel a little bit of guilt that there are so many people who deserve to have their record vacated and to be free as well and they're not eligible because of the type of crime they have, Simmons said. It's not fair and so I didn't want to benefit from something that I felt other people didn't have access to.

When her case was brought before the court, Judge Hull vacated Simmons criminal history.

Simmons and Hansen hope that Fridays hearing will inspire other individuals with criminal records whove turned their lives around, and educate them on the legal right to seek vacation.

Maybe they've been suffering in silence and living with the stigma and the rejection and I hope that they'll go to the Civil Survival website and see that there's a lot of information there about whether you're eligible, if you can request your criminal history, Simmons said.

Formerly incarcerated people can also navigate the vacation process step by step with Clearviction, an interactive online tool that will help users assess their eligibility, collect documents and find legal aid.

Simmons celebrated her vacation with friends and colleagues at the Marvin Williams Center in Bremerton following her court hearing. Next week, shell be heading to Norway with representative from Washington State prisons to tour the countrys approach to incarceration.

Im not a changed person, Simmons said. Im a healed person.

This article originally appeared on Kitsap Sun: State Rep. Tarra Simmons vacates criminal history at Friday hearing
PORTSMOUTH  A heart-shaped contrail could be seen for miles above Pease Air National Guard Base after two Warbird Thunder planes opened the Thunder Over New Hampshire Air Show on Saturday.

Thousands of spectators shielded their eyes from the sun and turned to the sky to view high-flying military and civilian performers, such as aerobatic performer Rob Holland. Jets and smaller aircrafts sped off the runway, flew straight up-and-down, descended at full speed and did a series of dips and dives to dazzle the crowd.

Saturday's show start time was moved to 11 a.m., one hour earlier than originally scheduled, due to possible thunderstorms in the forecast for later in the day. The same 11 a.m. start time was announced for the Sunday's second and final show, too.

The weekends headlining act was billed as the U.S. Air Forces F-16 Viper Demo Team, a two-jet team which arrived at Pease on Wednesday from Toronto, where they performed in an air show on Monday, Sept. 4.

The team, led by commander Capt. Aimee Rebel Fiedler, flies Lockheed-Martin F-16C Fighting Falcon Block 50 aircrafts. The planes are 16 feet tall, over 49 feet long and can hit a speed of upwards of 1,500 miles per hour.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Fiedler is a pilot stationed at Shaw Air force Base in Sumter, South Carolina. The F-16 Viper squadron commander closed out Saturday's show with a solo finale, looping around the base and booming over crowds hundreds of feet below with her charcoal and yellow aircraft.

Fiedler performed a four-point turn and a falcon turn, soaring up into the sky and getting lost in the clouds before dropping down and zipping over the runway. Pockets of intense sound blasted across the base after Fiedler flew parallel above the runway and turned away from the crowd.

The second Viper plane at Pease for the weekend, flown by safety observer Capt. Christopher Danieli onto the base earlier in the week, didnt appear in the closing act.

A Warbird Thunder plan pilot waves to the crowd as thousands of spectators gather for the Thunder Over New Hampshire Air Show at Pease Air National Guard Base in Portsmouth Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023.

The eight-member F-16 Viper Demo Team annually performs at 20-plus air shows. The team has appeared at shows in Texas, California, Louisiana, New York, New Jersey, Georgia, Wisconsin, South Dakota, Montana, Illinois, Nebraska and Toronto so far in 2023.

The Thunder Over New Hampshire Air Show is featuring the New Hampshire Air National Guards KC-46A tankers, the Vermont Air National Guard F-15 Eagle, the KC-135 Demo Team from Fairchild Air Force Base, the U.S. Special Operations Command Pura Commandos, aerobatic pilot Rob Holland, the N.H. Army Guard UH-60 Blackhawk, aerobatic pilot Kent Pietsch, the P-51C Mad Max with pilot Lou Horschel and the Smoke-N-Thunder Jet Truck.

Holland performs in Pease air show and over Hampton Beach Seafood Festival

Hollands plane, an MXS-RH, was designed with a cockpit fit for his exact specifications.

His 13-minute act featured a prolonged mid-air suspension, a dive resembling a free fall, endless spinning and a runway race with Smoke-N-Thunder Jet Truck driver Hayden Proffitt. The 4,300-pound truck, a 1957 Chevy pickup with a drag racing parachute, was installed with a twin jet engine and can reach 350 mph.

Saturday proved to be a busy day for Holland, who helped open the Pease show before flying to perform at the Hampton Beach Seafood Festival and coming back to Pease for his individual routine. The 49-year-old Nashua resident plans to do the same on Sunday.

80,000 people expected over two-day event at Pease

Seated far back from the bulk of the crowd was Adela Booth, who drove with her husband from Ridgefield, Connecticut, for the show. Daughter to a World War II veteran, Booth said her first visit to Pease allowed her to fulfill a dream of stepping onto a U.S. Air Force refueling tanker, reinforcing her respect for the military.

The Booths, who have seen air shows at Hanscom Air Force Base in Massachusetts and in the Seattle area, were in the region to attend a Boston Red Sox game on Sunday. The pairs son-in-law works for the Federal Aviation Administration and was able to secure parking passes for the show, which has free admission.

I have great reverence for what those guys went through, she said of veterans like her father. We have never known war. Our generations have always known safety. Weve always known security.

Thousands of spectators gather for the Thunder Over New Hampshire Air Show at Pease Air National Guard Base in Portsmouth Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023.

The U.S. 157th Air Refueling Wing, stationed at the base, anticipated 80,000 people in total will attend the air shows Saturday and Sunday, similar to attendance at the last air shows in 2021.

As visitors walked among the base campus, stopping at busy food vendors and perusing through the days interactive science, technology, engineering and mathematics booths, the show went on in the background. A persistent buzz around the base lingered throughout the day as performers flew high above the crowd, with a group of five Para Commandos jumping out of aircrafts and descending down to the ground to heavy applause.

Warbird Thunder planes open the Thunder Over New Hampshire Air Show at Pease Air National Guard Base in Portsmouth Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023.

Lots to see at Pease Air National Guard Base

Dozens of aircraft are on display for the weekend air shows, including the Pease Air National Guard Base's 12 KC-46A Pegasus refueling tankers, which are flown by the157th Air Refueling Wing.

Also featured are the F-15 Eagle, the F-22 Raptor, F-35 Lightning II, LC-130 Hercules, C-17 Globemaster, C-5 Galaxy, KC-10 Extender, KC-135 Stratotanker, UH-60, AH-64 Apache, CH-47 Chinook and the B-52 Stratofortress.

Army Chief Warrant Officer 4 Steve Gorski, stationed in Fort Drum in New York, talked to visitors in front of the AH-64 Apache, the Armys only attack helicopter currently in service. The model on display at Pease was built in 2009 and has been used in combat in the past.

Curious children approached Gorski and his colleagues to learn the ins and outs of the helicopter.

Weve been doing a lot of civilian interaction this year, he said.

Seacoast aviation fans thrilled

Thousands of spectators gather for the Thunder Over New Hampshire Air Show at Pease Air National Guard Base in Portsmouth Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023.

South Berwick couple Sue and Charlie Lynch positioned themselves next to a loudspeaker as the days emcee rattled off facts about each aircraft as they sped off the runway.

The two, like many, have been to multiple air shows at Pease in the past. The action-packed day reminded Sue Lynch of her fathers time fighting in the Vietnam War. Her anticipation began earlier in the week.

They go right over our house. We can hear them loud and clear, she said of the planes, which arrived mid-week.

The Pegasus fleet, which recently celebrated the 100th anniversary of military refueling in the United States, are individually named after each New Hampshire county, as well as Newington and Portsmouth. The 52-foot tail of the Spirit of Portsmouth tanker is painted in red, white and blue stars and stripes with a 16-foot-tall minuteman. The tanker is the only KC-46A in the United States with a painted tail and is the refueling wings heritage jet.

'Historic flight': On board 157th Air Refueling Wing's special centennial mission

According to the 157th Air Refueling Wing, a KC-46A tanker and an F-35 from Vermont will be flying over Gillette Stadium in Foxborough on Sunday afternoon to help kick off the New England Patriots' home opener against the Philadelphia Eagles.

As one of the Pegasus tankers took flight for the Pease crowd Saturday alongside a KC-135 Stratotanker, the remaining KC-46A jets stood spread out across the base on display.

Lee mother Katie Carlton, her two sons, Ray and Leo Carlton, and her brother and sister-in law, Brian and Julie Cassidy of Nottingham, beat the heat by finding shade beneath the nose of the Spirit of Strafford County jet.

The group of five watched the 2021 air show from a Target parking lot, but decided this year to make the jump to the base and watch the show among a crowd of thousands.

I think its exciting. The planes are great when you see the formations you fly in, Brian Cassidy said. Not everybody gets to see things like this.

Emotional day at Pease air show for grandfather

Air show attendees took advantage of the display of aircrafts around the base, with thousands of spectators roaming the premises before the flying started. They spoke with active military members about the capabilities of each aircraft.

The day was emotional for Rick Odess, a Middleton resident attending his second Thunder Over New Hampshire Air Show. He watched on as his grandson, attending his first air show in Portsmouth, climbed through one of the ground displays.

Last month, Odess brother died. He was an Air Force veteran who was stationed at the former Pease base and the brothers had hoped to attend the show together.

Its a little overwhelming, Odess said. I wanted him to come and he wasnt able to make it.

The day was bringing out feelings of patriotism in Odess, who explained that his brother specialized in reconnaissance cameras.

Though somber with his brother on his mind, Odess was eager to share the day with his grandson.

Im always awestruck by the capabilities of the planes and the pilots. Im not normally super patriotic but this just brings it out, he said. Seeing them, I feel a little bit safer and a little bit prouder to be an American.

Family outing at air show

Amy and Brian McSweeney of Salem, New Hampshire, along with their two daughters, check out an Apache Army attack helicopter on display prior to the start of the Thunder Over New Hampshire Air Show at Pease Air National Guard Base in Portsmouth Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023.

Amy and Brian McSweeney of Salem brought their two daughters to Pease on Saturday for their first air show experience.

The last time the couple attended a Pease air show, they said, it was individually with their fathers when they were children around the same age their daughters are now.

Brian McSweeney said his father was a Vietnam veteran. Amy said her father was a military veteran who subsequently worked in the aerospace industry.

Were looking forward to seeing the planes fly, Amy McSweeney said as the crowds gathered.

Air show fan: 'If they're here, I'm here'

Coming from a family of service members, Ken Kierstead has always had a deep appreciation for the military and a specific fascination with high-flying aircraft. He is drawn to air shows and the military and aerobatic performers.

How strong is the Auburn, Maine residents love for air shows? Dating back to the late 1970s, Kierstead  seated in a stadium chair in the very front row bright and early for the Thunder Over New Hampshire Air Show at Pease  has been to between 35 and 40 individual air shows.

Thousands of spectators gather for the Thunder Over New Hampshire Air Show at Pease Air National Guard Base in Portsmouth Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023.

The majority of his air show experiences have been at Pease and the Great State of Maine Air Show at Brunswick Executive Airport in Maine.

If these guys come back here next year, Ill be here. I love it, he said. I cant get enough of it.

Son to a U.S. Army veteran, Kierstead recalled staying up late as a child to hear stories of World War II from one of his uncles, who flew in the Air Force during the war. His memories of those conversations with his uncle furthered his curiosity and prompted him to attend his first air shows when he was younger.

Decades later, Kierstead traveled over an hour early Saturday morning with a Saco-based friend to get onto the base as early as possible. The two arrived on-site at 8 a.m., lugged their belongings and set up shop, ready to take in the show hours ahead of liftoff.

If theyre here, Im here, he said of the air show performers.

More air show coverage:

Here's everything you need to know before you go to air show at Pease on Saturday or Sunday

Can't make it to Pease? Here are great Seacoast spots to watch air shows

Aerobatics pilot Rob Holland shares how he's flying in Pease air show and over Hampton Beach Seafood Fest

Here's what it looked like when Air Force F-16 Vipers arrived at Pease before air shows

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Thunder Over NH Air Show: F-16 Viper brings thousands to Pease
Editor's Note: This article has been updated to clarify the process of federal projects within designated critical habitat areas.

A tiny freshwater mussel that starts its life attached to salamanders is being proposed for addition to the federal endangered species list.

The aptly named Salamander mussel, which wildlife officials say are disappearing in many places due to water contamination and other environmental factors, is still found in Indiana and about a dozen other states stretching from New York to Arkansas.

Freshwater mussels: 'Mussel men' plucked tons of shells from Indiana rivers and streams in the name of fashion

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

If approved, the endangered designation will require federal agencies to work with USFWS on projects to avoid and minimize disturbance of areas identified as "critical habitat" for the thin-shelled, elliptical bivalve that grows to about the size of a quarter.

They really need clean water and dont like a lot of sediment, said Georgia Parham of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. They need access to a host fish, or in this case a salamander, and if it cant get to it because of dams, that affects how abundant they are.

Water streams out of a fragile papershell mussel as it is pulled out of the water. The foot, at right, looks like a tongue and retreats back into the mussel as it is pulled out of the water. Indiana Department of Natural Resources biologists found a variety of mussels, including this one, while doing a freshwater mussel survey in Wildcat Creek, Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2023 in Cutler.

Freshwater mussels, according to the Center for Biological Diversity, "are the most endangered group of organisms in the United States." The center reports 35 species have become extinct "and more are likely gone."

In Indiana, the proposal calls for habit protection along about 395 miles of streams and rivers, including sections of Big Pine Creek, Graham Creek, the East Fork White River, Laughery Creek, Wildcat Creek, Otter Creek and Tippecanoe River.

Mudpuppies, a type of salamander found in some Indiana rivers and streams, play a crucial role in the lifecycle of a small mussel that is being proposed for a federal endangered species designation. The connection is so strong that the mollusk found in Indiana and about a dozen other states is named the salamander mussel.

Parham said the critical habitat designation under the Endangered Species Act means that federal agencies may not adversely modify those areas. Included in the protection would be the river or stream channel, up to the high-water mark, as well as the stream beds. The banks and associated riparian areas would not fall under the federal protections.

It does not affect private landowners unless theyve got like a federal permit to drain a wetland, or theyve got federal funding to do some kind of project," Parham explained. "Then theyd have to consult with us.

Indiana Department of Natural Resources Assistant Non-Game Aquatic Biologist Jacob Adams, left, and Non-Game Aquatic Biologist Brant Fisher look for mussels in Wildcat Creek on Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2023, near Cutler. The biologists were doing a freshwater mussel survey in the creek and looking for certain species for a Purdue University student working on a project about mussel health in some Indiana creeks.

Salamander mussels have a complex life cycle. The mussels rely on mudpuppies, a type of salamander, to host the species microscopic larvae (called glochidium). It is believed to be the only mollusk to use a non-fish host for the larvae, which are smaller than a grain of salt. As the parasitic larvae attached to the salamander's gills grow into tiny mussels, they drop off into stream beds, Parham said. The young then find rocks and crevasses to burrow down into and hide.

Biologists who study the species found salamander mussels are at risk of extinction. There are only 66 known populations across 14 states and part of Canada, and more than 80% of them are at high risk from changes in water flow and contaminants, landscape alteration, invasive species and threats to the mudpuppies the mussel relies on, according to USFWS.

Meet Indiana's largest salamander: Indiana biologists find young hellbender in wild for first time since at least the 1980s

Brant Fisher, a nongame aquatic biologist with Indianas DNR, said mussels are a sort of natural janitor for the states freshwaters. They filter algae and pollutants from the water as they breathe, but the accumulated contaminants can harm or even kill the mussels.

Not only do they help keep water clean, Fisher said the creatures live and die in the stream beds, where their partially buried shells help stabilize the substrate. Other wildlife also use those shells to lay eggs and colonize.

If you have a stream with a nice diverse and abundant mussel population," Fisher said, "thats a good sign that good things are going on in that stream.

Just because mussels are not present in a stream or river doesnt necessarily mean its a bad sign, Fisher said. But if a known, robust population is dwindling, thats a sign that something might be wrong.

Fisher and a DNR colleague, Jacob Adams, were surveying mussel populations in a section Wildcat Creek near Cutler one day last week. The pair found a variety of mussels, but no salamander mussels or even shells, while accompanied by an IndyStar photographer. Fisher said that wasn't a surprise. They hadn't expected to come across any on the trip, he said.

"Because it uses mudpuppies as a host, where you find it a lot of times is up under big rocks, because that's where mudpuppies hide," Fisher said. "So trying to find them takes a lot more effort. They're small and a lot of times they're up under big rocks, or under ledges, you know, coming out the side of a stream under the water. So it just makes surveying for them so much more difficult than like here where you can just walk out and a muscle a big as, you know, like the size of your hand is sitting there in the bottom of the stream."

The proposed federal designation means the salamander mussels would be protected from any harm to the species by the federal government, including projects done with federal funding. It also would allow USFWS to put together recovery plans to bring the species back from the threat of extinction.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposed listing the salamander mussel as an endangered species The small mussel, which only grows to about the size of a quarter, is still found in some rivers and creeks throughout Indiana and the Midwest.

While the federal proposal moves forward  public comments are being sought through Oct. 23 at regulations.gov under docket number FWS-R3-ES-2023-0058  the Indiana Department of Natural Resources is working to give salamander mussels full state protections.

The mussel is currently listed as a species of concern in Indiana, but if the proposed USFWS rules go through, the species will automatically be listed as state threatened, Fisher said.

Karl Schneider is an IndyStar environment reporter. You can reach him at karl.schneider@indystar.com. Follow him on Twitter @karlstartswithk

IndyStar's environmental reporting project is made possible through the generous support of the nonprofit Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Here's why feds want to list Indiana freshwater mussel as endangered
Former President Trump warned Blake Masters that he is likely to lose an Arizona Senate primary to Kari Lake in 2024, The New York Times reported Friday.

The Times report claims Trump called Masters on Sunday to make the blunt prediction, in what would be a move inconsistent with his 2024 strategy so far of generally staying out of down-ballot Republican races.

Masters lost a 2022 Senate race to Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) and Lake lost the same years gubernatorial election to Gov. Katie Hobbs (D-Ariz.). Neither have announced their intent to challenge Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (I-Ariz.) in 2024, though they have both been considering campaigns.

Sinemas seat is expected to be one of the closest races in 2024, with the Democrat-turned-Independent facing challenges from Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) and an expected Republican candidate. She has not announced whether she will seek reelection.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Some Democrats have even encouraged Sinema to run, after polling showed that a three-way race between the senator, Gallego and Lake would end with Gallego winning. Another poll found that Sinema took more votes away from the Republican candidate than from Gallego.

Both Masters and Lake embraced the 2020 election denial rhetoric which has landed Trump in legal trouble in recent months. Lake notably refused to concede the 2022 gubernatorial race, and considered herself to be the rightful winner of that election months after Hobbs took office.

Masters did step back from those claims slightly, and was criticized by Trump for doing so. In a senate debate, Masters did admit that Biden rightfully won the 2020 election. Trump called Masters shortly after.

If you want to get across the line, youve got to go stronger on that one thing, Trump told Masters in the call, which was captured by Fox News cameras.

Look at Kari  Karis winning with very little money, Trump said, referring to Lake, then the gubernatorial nominee. And if they say, How is your family? She says, The election was rigged and stolen. Youll lose if you go soft. Youre going to lose that base.

Trumps strategy shift away from endorsing candidates comes after few of his endorsed candidates won in 2022. Significant endorsements in Arizona  both Masters and Lake  and in critical Senate races in Pennsylvania and Georgia fell short.

Some Republicans have even encouraged Trump to stay out of the 2024 races, citing the previous elections failures.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Vice President Kamala Harris speaks during the Everytown for Gun Safety Action Funds annual Gun Sense University conference at McCormick Place in Chicago on Aug. 11, 2021. | Mark Black, Associated Press

As students go back to school this fall, Vice President Kamala Harris readies for a monthlong tour of American universities to win support from college-educated Gen Z voters.

During this Fight for Our Freedoms College Tour, where she will visit roughly a dozen campuses, mostly in battleground states, Harris is expected to talk about abortion, gun reform, climate action, gender and sexuality issues, and book bans. And her position on this range of culture war issues is the opposite of the anti-woke stance of her 2024 GOP challengers, including businessman Vivek Ramaswamy and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.

The long list of colleges she will visit includes at least three historically black colleges and universities  Hampton University, North Carolina A&T and Morehouse College, signifying a homecoming of sorts for Harris, who graduated from Howard University, another historically black college.

Starting Sept. 14, she will also visit community colleges, apprenticeship programs and state schools in swing states  including the University of Wisconsin-Madison, College of Southern Nevada and Northern Arizona University  to talk about issues the White House says disproportionately impact young people.

The youth voter bloc

College-educated Gen Z and millennial voters could be key to the Democratic Partys future success. Together, the two generations will make up at least 48% of the population by 2024, according to expert predictions, which could explain why Harris is embarking on this tour.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Democrats have, election cycle after election cycle, touted the support they receive from younger voters  and that remains true to an extent.

In purple states like Arizona, Georgia, Michigan and Pennsylvania in the 2020 election, young voters preferred Biden by a 25 point margin. They also played a critical role in the 2022 midterms when they helped break voter turnout records in heavily contested states following the U.S. Supreme Courts decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, as the Los Angeles Times reported.

But since then, President Joe Bidens popularity among young adults has dropped.

If your own activists, the people who are supposed to be convincing other people, are wondering, Are we convinced at all whether hes doing a great job or not? then how are we supposed to go out and convince other people? Noah Lumbantobing, from the anti-gun violence group March for Our Lives, told CNN.

Biden has done good things. He hasnt done enough in terms of using his bully pulpit, he said.

In the White House press release about the tour, Harris is quoted as saying, My message to students is clear: We are counting on you, we need you, you are everything.

It is young leaders throughout America who know what the solutions look like and are organizing in their communities to make them a reality, she says.

Harris, who is currently representing the U.S. at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit in Indonesia, is seeing her role in the Biden-Harris reelection campaign elevated. Bidens reelection campaign manager Julie Chavez Rodriguez wrote in an August memo that Harris is uniquely popular among several groups of voters that are key to our victory in 2024.

Still, Harris doesnt enjoy a high approval rating and her net favorability is lower than that of the past four vice presidents, including Mike Pence, Dick Cheney, Al Gore and Biden, according to the Deseret News.

Harris vs. DeSantis

Regardless of her lack of popularity, Harris has shown she is willing to engage in partisan battles on behalf of the administration. After DeSantis defended his states African American studies curriculum, and said he is fighting woke indoctrination in schools, Harris flew to Orlando to make a statement.

Im here in Florida, Harris said to an audience at the African Methodist Episcopal Church in August, per The Associated Press. And I will tell you there is no roundtable, no lecture, no invitation we will accept to debate an undeniable fact: There were no redeeming qualities of slavery.

Harris is the first African American and first South Asian, as well as the first woman, to occupy the office of vice president.

She also visited Jacksonville, Florida, where she denounced a new guideline in the states curriculum that slaves developed skills which, in some instances, could be applied for their personal benefit.

DeSantis quickly responded: Democrats like Kamala Harris have to lie about Floridas educational standards to cover for their agenda of indoctrinating students and pushing sexual topics onto children. Florida stands in their way, and we will continue to expose their agenda and their lies, he said.

Although Harris has recently been fighting battles on the presidents behalf, she has also had to defend herself against attacks, like when she earned criticism for her handling of challenges at the southern border.

In 2021, DeSantis criticized Harris for her delayed visit to the U.S.-Mexico border because her administration realized its a disaster.

If she goes, its going to highlight it even more, he told Fox and Friends at the time.

DeSantis isnt the only one fighting the woke mind virus, which, he says, goes against truth.

Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy has written a book called Woke Inc., and waged war against corporate diversity, equity and inclusion and environmental, social and corporate governance practices.

We have obsessed so much over our diversity and our difference that we forgot all the ways were really just the same as Americans, Ramaswamy, a businessman, said in his campaign launch.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN)  A Jan. 6 rioter from Nashville known as Zip Tie Guy was sentenced on Friday to nearly five years in prison for his role in the deadly riots at the U.S. Capitol.

Eric Munchel, 32, was found guilty of five felonies and three misdemeanors earlier this year.

Munchels mother Lisa Eisenhart, 59, who also breached the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, was sentenced on Friday to two-and-a-half years in prison. Eisenhart was found guilty of two felonies and five misdemeanors, including conspiracy to commit obstruction.

Prominent activists son convicted of storming Capitol and invading Senate floor in Jan. 6 riot

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Prosecutors shared photos in documents filed this week showing Munchel and Eisenhart at the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. Munchel was photographed carrying flexible plastic handcuffs in the Senate chamber while armed with a stun gun.

Prosecutors initially requested Munchel be sentenced to four years and nine months in prison along with three years of supervised release. They said his mother should have been sentenced to three years and 10 months incarceration with three years supervised release.

Dr. Edward Rubin, a distinguished professor or law and political science at Nashvilles Vanderbilt University, explained one thought the judges might have weighed in their sentencing.

This was planned activity, said Dr. Rubin. Everybody in Nashville knows whats involved in traveling from Nashville to Washington, D.C.  you dont just do that casually. And it was planned and coordinated, coming from superior forces of various kinds, and instructing them what to do and what they did.

Court document: 15 firearms, tactical gear found in home of Zip Tie Guy

Munchel had been a bartender in the Nashville area at the time of the attack. His mother was a nurse from Woodstock, Georgia.

Munchels defense attorney, in a sentencing memorandum, claimed the riot had been mischaracterized as a threat to democracy. He also blasted what he described as fearmongering descriptions of the events of Jan. 6.

To speak of those events in this manner particularly when discussing an individual defendant is unjust and misleading, Munchels defense attorney, Joseph W. Allen, wrote. From 1776 to the present, Americans have always undertaken to voice their freedom of self-rule in a boisterous manner.

Dr. Rubin explained why the judge, and other legal experts, would feel differently.

The revolution of 1776 was an effort to oppose oppression by a foreign power. What happened on January 6 was an effort to impose oppression by violence against the U.S. government, said Dr. Rubin. Those are two very different uses of violence. And I dont even think the second one merits the term revolution, certainly not as we use it in our history books.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego.
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.
You have permission to edit this article.

Edit Close
Value-focused investors are always on the hunt for stocks that are priced below their intrinsic value. One such stock that merits attention is Controladora Vuela Compania de Aviacion SAB de CV (NYSE:VLRS). The stock, which is currently priced at 10.19, recorded a gain of 12.22% in a day and a 3-month decrease of 29.93%. The stock's fair valuation is $21.53, as indicated by its GF Value.

Understanding the GF Value

The GF Value represents the current intrinsic value of a stock derived from our exclusive method. The GF Value Line on our summary page gives an overview of the fair value that the stock should be traded at. It is calculated based on three factors: historical multiples that the stock has traded at, GuruFocus adjustment factor based on the company's past returns and growth, and future estimates of the business performance.

We believe the GF Value Line is the fair value that the stock should be traded at. The stock price will most likely fluctuate around the GF Value Line. If the stock price is significantly above the GF Value Line, it is overvalued and its future return is likely to be poor. On the other hand, if it is significantly below the GF Value Line, its future return will likely be higher.

Is Controladora Vuela Compania de Aviacion SAB de CV (VLRS) Too Good to Be True? A Comprehensive Analysis of a Potential Value Trap

Unpacking the Risks

However, investors need to consider a more in-depth analysis before making an investment decision. Despite its seemingly attractive valuation, certain risk factors associated with Controladora Vuela Compania de Aviacion SAB de CV should not be ignored. These risks are primarily reflected through its low Altman Z-score of 0.75. These indicators suggest that Controladora Vuela Compania de Aviacion SAB de CV, despite its apparent undervaluation, might be a potential value trap. This complexity underlines the importance of thorough due diligence in investment decision-making.

Story continues

Decoding the Altman Z-score

Before delving into the details, let's understand what the Altman Z-score entails. Invented by New York University Professor Edward I. Altman in 1968, the Z-Score is a financial model that predicts the probability of a company entering bankruptcy within a two-year time frame. The Altman Z-Score combines five different financial ratios, each weighted to create a final score. A score below 1.8 suggests a high likelihood of financial distress, while a score above 3 indicates a low risk.

Company Snapshot

Controladora Vuela Compania de Aviacion SAB de CV is a low-cost airline flying to Mexico, the United States, Central and South America. It operates up to 500 average daily flight segments on routes that connect 44 cities in Mexico as well as 22 cities in the United States, four in Central America and two in South America. The company uses promotional fares to stimulate demand and the base fares are priced to compete with long-distance bus fares in Mexico. Revenues from the air transportation of passengers are recognized earlier when the service is provided or when the non-refundable ticket expires at the date of the scheduled travel.

Is Controladora Vuela Compania de Aviacion SAB de CV (VLRS) Too Good to Be True? A Comprehensive Analysis of a Potential Value Trap

Analyzing Controladora Vuela Compania de Aviacion SAB de CV's Low Altman Z-Score

A dissection of Controladora Vuela Compania de Aviacion SAB de CV's Altman Z-score reveals the company's financial health may be weak, suggesting possible financial distress. This potential instability could significantly impact the company's future performance and return on investment, making it a potential value trap.

Conclusion: A Value Trap?

While Controladora Vuela Compania de Aviacion SAB de CV may initially appear to be an undervalued investment opportunity, the company's low Altman Z-score and potential financial instability suggest that it may be a value trap. Investors should exercise caution and conduct thorough due diligence before making an investment decision.

GuruFocus Premium members can find stocks with high Altman Z-Score using the following Screener: Walter Schloss Screen .

This article first appeared on GuruFocus.


You are the owner of this article.
For beginners, it can seem like a good idea (and an exciting prospect) to buy a company that tells a good story to investors, even if it currently lacks a track record of revenue and profit. But the reality is that when a company loses money each year, for long enough, its investors will usually take their share of those losses. While a well funded company may sustain losses for years, it will need to generate a profit eventually, or else investors will move on and the company will wither away.

In contrast to all that, many investors prefer to focus on companies like Tianjin Pharmaceutical Da Ren Tang Group (SGX:T14), which has not only revenues, but also profits. While profit isn't the sole metric that should be considered when investing, it's worth recognising businesses that can consistently produce it.

Check out our latest analysis for Tianjin Pharmaceutical Da Ren Tang Group

How Quickly Is Tianjin Pharmaceutical Da Ren Tang Group Increasing Earnings Per Share?

The market is a voting machine in the short term, but a weighing machine in the long term, so you'd expect share price to follow earnings per share (EPS) outcomes eventually. So it makes sense that experienced investors pay close attention to company EPS when undertaking investment research. It certainly is nice to see that Tianjin Pharmaceutical Da Ren Tang Group has managed to grow EPS by 23% per year over three years. If the company can sustain that sort of growth, we'd expect shareholders to come away satisfied.

One way to double-check a company's growth is to look at how its revenue, and earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) margins are changing. Tianjin Pharmaceutical Da Ren Tang Group maintained stable EBIT margins over the last year, all while growing revenue 22% to CN8.6b. That's a real positive.

The chart below shows how the company's bottom and top lines have progressed over time. Click on the chart to see the exact numbers.

Story continues

Fortunately, we've got access to analyst forecasts of Tianjin Pharmaceutical Da Ren Tang Group's future profits. You can do your own forecasts without looking, or you can take a peek at what the professionals are predicting.

Are Tianjin Pharmaceutical Da Ren Tang Group Insiders Aligned With All Shareholders?

It's pleasing to see company leaders with putting their money on the line, so to speak, because it increases alignment of incentives between the people running the business, and its true owners. So it is good to see that Tianjin Pharmaceutical Da Ren Tang Group insiders have a significant amount of capital invested in the stock. Holding CN60m worth of stock in the company is no laughing matter and insiders will be committed in delivering the best outcomes for shareholders. This should keep them focused on creating long term value for shareholders.

While it's always good to see some strong conviction in the company from insiders through heavy investment, it's also important for shareholders to ask if management compensation policies are reasonable. Well, based on the CEO pay, you'd argue that they are indeed. The median total compensation for CEOs of companies similar in size to Tianjin Pharmaceutical Da Ren Tang Group, with market caps between CN15b and CN47b, is around CN11m.

Tianjin Pharmaceutical Da Ren Tang Group's CEO took home a total compensation package of CN1.1m in the year prior to December 2022. That looks like a modest pay packet, and may hint at a certain respect for the interests of shareholders. While the level of CEO compensation shouldn't be the biggest factor in how the company is viewed, modest remuneration is a positive, because it suggests that the board keeps shareholder interests in mind. It can also be a sign of good governance, more generally.

Should You Add Tianjin Pharmaceutical Da Ren Tang Group To Your Watchlist?

For growth investors, Tianjin Pharmaceutical Da Ren Tang Group's raw rate of earnings growth is a beacon in the night. If that's not enough, consider also that the CEO pay is quite reasonable, and insiders are well-invested alongside other shareholders. Everyone has their own preferences when it comes to investing but it definitely makes Tianjin Pharmaceutical Da Ren Tang Group look rather interesting indeed. However, before you get too excited we've discovered 1 warning sign for Tianjin Pharmaceutical Da Ren Tang Group that you should be aware of.

The beauty of investing is that you can invest in almost any company you want. But if you prefer to focus on stocks that have demonstrated insider buying, here is a list of companies with insider buying in the last three months.

Please note the insider transactions discussed in this article refer to reportable transactions in the relevant jurisdiction.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
Our directory features more than 18 million business listings from across the entire US. However, if we're missing your business, add your business by clicking on Add Your Business.
A Lincoln judge sentenced a 41-year-old prisoner to six to 10 years more Thursday for stabbing a fellow inmate in the face, damaging his optic nerve.

Jason Palmateer pleaded no contest to second-degree assault for what happened May 16, 2019, at the Community Corrections Center-Lincoln.

According to the affidavit for Palmateers arrest, Nebraska State Patrol Investigator Pedram Nabegh said a 54-year-old inmate was attacked while sleeping, the wound puncturing his nose and exiting inside his mouth.

He was treated at the hospital and an eye surgeon later determined his optic nerve had been damaged, causing a vision deficit.

Nabegh said video footage showed three inmates, including Palmateer and the injured man, in the room when it happened and Palmateer going to another room to change clothes. The clothes were found and tested for DNA, which tied him to the crime.

A search turned up a broken, paint-roller handle outside the fence with the injured inmates DNA on it, and video showed Palmateer with it in his waistband, Nabegh said.

Lancaster County District Judge Kevin McManaman sentenced him Thursday.

Palmateer is serving the rest of his original sentence of five- to six years in prison for assaulting a man with bolt cutters in Butler County in 2021 and would have been eligible for parole early next year.
LINCOLN  From the ashes of a destroyed 4-H camp at the Nebraska National Forest, an ambitious plan is rising for a $47 million center for tourists, conferences and local and regional events.

A feasibility study is underway for the proposed Sandhills Discovery Center near Halsey after the Nebraska Legislature, earlier this year, allocated $10 million towards replacing the State 4-H Camp, which was destroyed in a fire that swept through the forest 11 months ago.

State Sen. Mike Jacobson of North Platte, who represents the Halsey area and obtained the state funding, said that if the Sandhills center is done right, it could rival eastern Nebraskas Mahoney State Park and Lied Lodge.

All too often we dont dream big enough, Jacobson said in a press release.

He called the Nebraska National Forest and the Sandhills on which it sits two of our states greatest treasures.

The Nebraska Community Foundation, which helps dozens of Nebraska communities raise funds for local projects, has already done an economic impact study that estimates such a facility would bring a $4 million a year benefit to Halsey and nearby communities.

Now the foundation is conducting a feasibility study to gauge interest among donors for such a project, and what exactly should be built.

We want to figure out how to do this right, Jeff Yost, executive director of the Nebraska Community Foundation, said Wednesday.

This idea makes an enormous amount of sense to me, he added, because this is a unique part of the world, and people want experiences.

On Wednesday, the Nebraska 4-H Foundation announced that its board, in a special meeting, had voted to commit a $2 million insurance settlement from the fire toward development of the Discovery Center. The states funding must be matched dollar-for-dollar.

We look forward to working with the community in a statewide effort to provide a future, first-class educational opportunity for 4-Hers and an economic driver for the wider community, said Roberta Pinkerton, president of the 4-H Foundation.

The 4-H Camp, which had been a fixture at the Halsey forest for 65 years, hosted a variety of events, from family reunions and weddings to 4-H conferences and a Becoming an Outdoors Woman retreat.

Hard to imagine

Dianna Rodocker, Halseys village clerk, said losing the camp was a blow to the community and the nearby ranching area because so many weddings and reunions were held there and because it generated traffic for local businesses.

She was among an estimated 60-70 people equaling the population of Halsey  that packed a town hall meeting last month to hear about the plans from Jacobson and the Community Foundation.

Everyone in town would be happy to see it, Rodocker said. But its hard to imagine that were going to have a facility out here that costs that much money thats not in Omaha or Lincoln.

But Yost and Stuart Shepherd, executive director of the Nebraska 4-H Foundation, said that such a facility in Halsey has a lot going for it.

The 4-H Camp, which could accommodate up to 200 overnight visitors in its lodge and cabins, was almost always busy, Shepard said.

On route to Black Hills, Yellowstone

Yost said people want to experience the Sandhills, a vast area of grass-covered sand dunes that became a National Natural Landmark in 1984. The same holds true for the 90,000-acre forest near Halsey, the largest hand-planted forest in North America.

The Middle Loup River adjacent to the forest hosts canoe and float trips, he said, and visitors could access nearby agri-tourism attractions.

The center is being envisioned on private land, near the forest and possibly on Nebraska Highway 2, a route that leads to the Black Hills and Yellowstone.

Yost said the facility, if deemed feasible, would be built in stages, with the first phase possibly opening by 2026. He said hes been encouraged by the initial response.

This is perfectly reasonable based on what tourists in 2023 are doing and say they want to do, Yost said.

30 must-see Nebraska state and national park gems Pine Ridge National Recreation Area Snake River Falls Ashfall Fossil Beds Johnson Lake Nebraska National Forest Lake McConaughy Wildcat Hills State Recreation Area Calamus Reservoir Agate Fossil Beds Box Butte State Recreation Area Bridgeport State Recreation Area Buttes Cub Creek Recreation Area Chadron State Park Gavins Point Dam Courthouse and Jail Rocks Jeffrey Lake Toadstool Geologic Park Fort Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge Fort Robinson Ponca State Park Platte River State Park Scotts Bluff National Monument Indian Cave State Park Niobrara National Scenic River Wildcat Hills State Recreation Area Halsey Lookout Tower Smith Falls State Park Lewis and Clark Lake State Recreation Area
Seven-time "American Ninja Warrior" competitor and Lincoln resident Maggi Thorne is no stranger to flying on Southwest Airlines, now traveling the country as a motivational speaker, but something unexpected happened on a recent flight.

On a midday Southwest flight from Omaha to Orlando, Florida, she says she was shamed for her outfit by a flight attendant and told she might have to cover up. The flight attendant told her she, didnt think I was appropriately dressed, Thorne said. Thorne posted the story to Twitter/X on Friday with a photo of her outfit: an athleisure crop top and loose, high-waisted pants.

Thorne refused to cover up and reported the incident to another flight attendant after looking for and failing to find a passenger dress code policy. Thorne also said she messaged a friend, who happens to be a Southwest flight attendant, and asked her if she was aware of any such policy, to which her friend responded no. Initially, the second flight attendant said there was a policy for appropriate dress, but the situation diffused and Thorne was able to travel to her destination uninterrupted.

Other similar incidents involving Southwest have been reported in the past. Melinna Bobadilla claimed last summer that she was removed from a flight for defending a young woman being shamed and harassed by an employee for wearing a tank top that was deemed too revealing, she said in a viral Twitter thread that has since been made private.

In October 2020, Chicago woman Kayla Eubanks said she was stopped from boarding her flight for her attire and that, after demanding to see the policy that allowed that, the gate agent could not find the policy but would not relent until the flight captain loaned her a t-shirt. The Independent reported on the event, which was also posted to Twitter/X.

There are more, and the vast majority of incidents like Thornes happen to women.

While other airlines have come under fire for attire-related incidents, notably American, United and Alaska Airlines, Southwest appears to make headlines quite often for its interpretation of appropriate attire.

Chris Perry, a representative for Southwest, said in an email that Southwest does not have a customer dress code policy.

However, Southwests guide to traveling on a guest pass states travelers should dress to impress. While Southwests dress code is relaxed and casual, you will be expected to present a clean, well-groomed and tasteful appearance.

Additionally, the airlines ticket contract  its so-called contract of carriage that defines terms of use for flying on a plane  specifies that the carrier may, in its sole discretion, refuse to transport, or may remove from an aircraft at any point, any passenger ... engaging in lewd, obscene or patently offensive behavior, including wearing clothes that are lewd, obscene, or patently offensive.

Other airlines have similar clauses in their ticket fine print.

Delta may refuse to transport passengers when the passengers conduct, attire, hygiene or odor creates an unreasonable risk of offense or annoyance to other passengers. United singles out passengers who are barefoot, not properly clothed, or whose clothing is lewd, obscene or offensive.

Americans contract says, Dress appropriately; bare feet or offensive clothing arent allowed.

The vaguely-worded policies leave much room for interpretation. In the case of Southwest, Perry said: Our employees are responsible for following our contract of carriage.

Many have responded to these incidents on social media and beyond, calling out the disproportionate effect attire policies seem to have on women.

Incidents such as what happened to Thorne are rare in the grand scheme of things, but they are not without a lasting impact.

(I felt) shamed, embarrassed, Thorne said. I was definitely singled out, so I was frustrated.

She also took issue with the fact that the flight attendant did this in front of other passengers and not in private.

It wasnt discreet.

Southwest has filed a formal complaint with senior leadership on Thornes behalf, but there is no specific policy on recourse for passengers like Thorne who feel they have been unfairly judged for their dress.

Southwests contract of carriage says, A passenger who is so refused or removed is without further recourse to the carrier for any damages claimed by passenger, including the refund value of any unused portion of their ticket, and may be liable to carrier for costs and damages.

In the case of Eubanks, whose Twitter post received over 40,000 likes, Southwest refunded her fare as a gesture of goodwill, according to The Independent.

I havent previously had any issues, Thorne said. I was in disbelief.
A Guangzhou-bound Emirates flight was diverted to Delhi on Friday due to a medical emergency, the airlines said. The passenger in the need of medical attention was met by local medical staff and was off-loaded necessary treatment.

According to an Emirates spokesperson, "Flight EK362 from Dubai to Guangzhou was diverted to Delhi due to a medical emergency. Upon arrival in Delhi, the passenger was met by local medical staff and offloaded to receive the necessary treatment."

Also read: Air India-Vistara Merger: Airline Attempting To Receive Nod From Overseas Competition Regulators

He said that the the flight departed later and is continuing its journey to Guangzhou.
New Delhi: The spotlight has suddenly shifted to the snack food manufacturer Haldiram, as reports suggest that Tata Consumers are in talks to acquire the well-known brand. Tata Group's consumer products division appears to be interested in purchasing over 51% of Haldiram's stake, positioning itself for direct competition with Reliance Retail and Pepsi.

Have you ever wondered how Haldiram became a renowned snack maker, or dare we say, a household name? Let's take a closer look to understand the journey of this snack food manufacturer from the city of Bikaner in Rajasthan.

The Humble Beginnings of Haldiram's

In 1937, the streets of Bikaner, Rajasthan, witnessed the birth of Haldiram's, a modest shop offering traditional sweets and namkeen. Founded by Shri Ganga Bhishen Agarwal, this establishment set itself apart in a market already saturated with bhujia vendors. Haldiram's quickly became a household name, marking the beginning of a remarkable journey.

A Legacy Across Generations

Spanning six generations of business acumen, the Agarwal family's expertise in spices and adeptness in handling legal disputes have led to the accumulation of significant wealth. Haldiram's outperformed global giants, establishing a solid presence in Indian households.

A Diverse Portfolio of Brands

Haldiram's boasts an impressive array of products under recognizable brands like Haldiram's, Haldiram's Prabhuji, Bikanervala, Bhikharam Chandamal, Bikaji, and Bikano. This diverse portfolio has contributed to its widespread popularity and success.

Geographic Divisions and Expansion

In the early 1990s, the Agarwal siblings, who are the grandchildren of Ganga Bhisen Agarwal, strategically divided Haldiram's outlets geographically for independent operations. This move allowed Manoharlal and Madhusudan to oversee the North, while Shiv Kishan managed the South and West. Prabhu Shankar and Ashok took charge of the east Indian markets.

Growth and Competition

In 2013, due to a court ruling, Prabhu Shankar and Ashok were prohibited from using the 'Haldiram's Bhujiawala' brand. They subsequently rebranded it to 'Prabhuji: From the house of Haldiram's.' Despite these internal challenges, Haldiram's flourished, splitting into three geographical divisions comprising approximately 12 companies. In FY19, it recorded revenue of Rs 7,130 crore, placing it in direct competition with major players like Hindustan Unilever's food and refreshment segment.

The Rise of Branded Snacking

Despite occasional shadows cast by internal family disputes, Haldiram's played a pivotal role in elevating the branded snacking category. The growth of this market is evident as consumers shift from unbranded to branded products, boosting revenue for major brands. Branded goods also enjoy a strong presence on e-commerce platforms, outperforming regional and loose brands.

Factors such as increasing urbanization, higher per capita income, and growing brand consciousness among consumers are driving the transition from unbranded to branded products.

Legacy and Resilience

Today, the Agarwal family's legacy is firmly rooted in the Indian food sector. Their brands are staples in countless households, consistently purchased by consumers nationwide. While the family navigates legal challenges, the Haldiram's brand symbolizes the resilience and innovation characteristic of Indian business dynasties.
In a historic turn of events, the G20 Summit in New Delhi has concluded with the long-awaited achievement of consensus on the Leaders' Declaration, as proudly announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This breakthrough comes after prolonged and arduous negotiations, marked by a contentious reference to the Ukraine crisis, which had held up the summit's outcome document. Prime Minister Modi's announcement, made during the summit's second session, resonated with a sense of triumph and unity as he declared the adoption of the leaders' declaration. The applause and support from fellow G20 leaders underscored the significance of this diplomatic milestone. However, the details of how consensus was reached, particularly concerning the Ukraine crisis paragraph, remain shrouded in mystery, leaving the world eager for further insights into this landmark agreement.

1. Successful Conclusion:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi declares that the G20 member states have reached a consensus on the Leaders' Declaration during the New Delhi Summit.

2. Prolonged Negotiations:

The announcement follows extensive negotiations that had been delayed due to a reference to the Ukraine crisis within the outcome document.

3. Modi's Announcement:

During the second session of the summit, PM Modi, speaking in Hindi, shares the achievement with the world.

4. Immediate Adoption:

Modi proposes and subsequently declares the adoption of the leaders' declaration, marked by a symbolic gavel thrice and applause from fellow G20 leaders.

5. Acknowledgment of Efforts:

PM Modi expresses gratitude to ministers, sherpas, and officials for their dedicated efforts in achieving this consensus.

6. Details on Consensus:

No immediate details are available regarding how the G20 states reached a consensus on the leaders' declaration, particularly concerning the contentious paragraph related to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

7. Twitter Response:

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman takes to Twitter to emphasize PM Modi's vision of human-centric globalization and the concerns of the Global South, thanking all G20 members for their cooperation and support.

8. Resolution Efforts:

Hours before the announcement, the Indian side circulated new text among G20 states to address the Ukraine crisis reference in the draft leaders' declaration, marking a significant effort to break the impasse.

9. Global Repercussions:

The breakthrough in the G20 leaders' declaration carries significant global implications, as it addresses crucial issues impacting international relations.

10. Outcome of Diplomacy:

The consensus reached demonstrates the power of diplomacy and international cooperation in addressing complex global challenges.


New Delhi: Andhra Pradesh Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in the wee hours of Saturday arrested the former Chief Minister and Telugu Desam Party (TDP) senior leader, N Chandrababu Naidu, in Nandyal district in connection to the alleged corruption charges. High drama was witnessed at Nandyal as a team of police officials reached the area to take the TDP leader in custody in the early hours of Saturday. Naidu was arrested by the Nandyal Police in the early hours of Saturday, a party spokesperson said.

#WATCH | Criminal Investigation Department (CID) arrest former Andhra Pradesh CM and TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu.



(Video Source: TDP) pic.twitter.com/W2KN3BDUjY  ANI (@ANI) September 9, 2023

According to media reports, a substantial police contingent, led by DIG Raghurami Reddy from the Nandyal range, along with the Crime Investigation Department (CID), executed an operation at RK Function Hall in town around 3 am to apprehend Naidu, who was resting in his caravan at the time.

The police encountered significant resistance from a large assembly of TDP cadres who had gathered at the location. Even the SPG forces responsible for Mr. Naidu's security declined to grant access, citing adherence to regulations that prohibited anyone from reaching Mr. Naidu until 5:30 am. Ultimately, around 6 am, the police approached Mr. Naidu's vehicle, escorted him out, and placed him under arrest.
New Delhi: India on Saturday launched the Global Biofuels Alliance with Prime Minister Narendra Modi urging the G20 nations to join the initiative with a plea to take ethanol blending with petrol globally to 20 per cent. The Alliance was launched on the sidelines of the G20 Summit by Modi along with a host of global leaders, including US President Joe Biden, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Bangadesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.

Besides India, the initiating members included Argentina, Bangladesh, Brazil, Italy, Mauritius, South Africa, the UAE and the US, while Canada and Singapore are observer countries. Earlier while speaking at the G20 Summit session on 'One Earth', Prime Minister Modi also proposed launching the 'G20 Satellite Mission for Environment and Climate Observation' and urged leaders to commence work on the 'Green Credit Initiative'.

"Today, the need of the hour is that all countries should work together in the field of fuel blending. Our proposal is to take an initiative at a global-level to take ethanol blending in petrol up to 20 per cent," he said.

"Or alternatively, we could work on developing another blending mix for the greater global good, one that ensures a stable energy supply while also contributing to climate security," Modi said at the session attended by US President Biden, Saudi Arabia Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak among others.

Prime Minister Modi said energy transition is a significant need of the 21st century world considering the challenge of climate change. He said trillions of dollars are required for an inclusive energy transition and that the developed countries play a very crucial role in this.

"Along with India, all the countries of the Global South are pleased that developed countries have taken a positive initiative this year, in 2023. Developed countries have expressed their willingness to fulfil their commitment of USD 100 billion for climate finance for the first time," he said.

At the Copenhagen UN climate talks in 2009, developed countries had committed to providing USD 100 billion per year by 2020 to support developing countries in combating climate change. However, the wealthier nations failed repeatedly to fulfil this commitment.

The Global Biofuels Alliance, which the world's third biggest oil consumer wants to push during its G20 presidency, mirrors the International Solar Alliance (ISA) piloted by New Delhi and Paris in 2015 to bring clean and affordable solar energy within the reach of all.

Earlier this month, Prime Minister Modi in an exclusive interview told PTI that India's proposal for a global alliance on biofuels among members of the Group of 20 major economies would help accelerate sustainable biofuels deployment in support of the global energy transition.

"Such alliances are aimed at creating options for developing countries to advance their energy transitions," he had said. "Biofuels are also important from the perspective of a circular economy. Markets, trade, technology, and policy all aspects of international cooperation are crucial in creating such opportunities," Modi had said.

Biofuel is a renewable source of energy which is derived from biomass. India, which imports over 85 per cent of its crude oil needs, is gradually building capacity to produce fuel from such items as crop stubble, plant waste, and municipal solid waste.

While India is on schedule to double the mixing of ethanol extracted from sugarcane and agriculture waste to 20 per cent with petrol by 2025, it is also setting up dozens of compressed biogas (CBG) plants.

The Global Biofuels Alliance is aimed at facilitating cooperation and intensifying the use of sustainable biofuels across sectors, including transportation.

Its focus is primarily on strengthening markets, facilitating global biofuel trade, developing concrete policy lesson-sharing and providing technical support for national biofuel programmes worldwide.

Such an initiative is also aimed at helping India's transition to alternative fuels and cutting its import bill, as it seeks to achieve its net zero carbon emissions goal by 2070.

On the other hand, the ISA aims to mobilise more than USD 1,000 billion of investment needed by 2030 for the massive deployment of solar energy.

The International Energy Agency (IEA) estimates that global sustainable biofuel production would need to triple by 2030 to put the world's energy system on track towards net-zero emissions by 2050.

Liquid biofuels provided more than four per cent of the total transport energy supply in 2022
At the ongoing G20 Summit in New Delhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Global Biofuels Alliance. The alliance between 9 initiating countries and 12 organizations aim to produce cleaner and greener energy for decarbonization of the environment. "The launch of the Global Biofuels Alliance marks a watershed moment in our quest towards sustainability and clean energy. I thank the member nations who have joined this Alliance," Tweeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The Alliance was launched on the sidelines of the G20 Summit by Modi along with a host of global leaders, including US President Joe Biden, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Bangadesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. Besides India, the initiating members included Argentina, Bangladesh, Brazil, Italy, Mauritius, South Africa, the UAE and the US, while Canada and Singapore are observer countries.

What is Biofuel?

A biofuel is an ethanol based fuel derived from various plant based sources and when blended with petrol, can be used as a power source to obtain relatively lesser carbon dioxide emission. Ethanol is a form of Bio Fuel, a term which is enjoying a great buzz around automotive OEMs and governing agencies. A pre-defined quantity of petrol and methanol/ethanol is mixed to form a Bio Fuel.

There are various compositions used across the globe, namely E85, E80, E10, E20 and more. For reference, the E85 Flex Fuel comprises 15 per cent petrol by volume and 85 per cent biologically-obtained ethanol. In India, governing agencies earlier notified that a policy on the use of E80 biofuel will be introduced. In this composition, 80 per cent ethanol by volume will be used while blended with 20 per cent petrol by volume.

The launch of the Global Biofuels Alliance marks a watershed moment in our quest towards sustainability and clean energy.



I thank the member nations who have joined this Alliance. https://t.co/3wgUkmKCyA pic.twitter.com/MOmP1q6g2r  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 9, 2023

Sources of Biofuel

The ethanol used for the composition of Bio Fuel is generally obtained from various plants, vegetables, and biological sources. For example, Jatropha oil is one of the most researched sources of biofuel in our country. Alongside, rice, corn, and other oils can also be used to obtain the ethanol of desired calorific value.

Benefits of Biofuel

Using Bio Fuel as a fuel source brings down the content of carbon monoxide, hydrocarbon, and other hazardous products obtained from the combustion of fuel. For example, the E20 blend brings down carbon monoxide emissions by close to 50 per cent in two-wheelers and around 30 per cent reduction in four-wheelers in comparison to E0.

Also, the blend further brings down the cost of fuel as a whole, as ethanol is cheaper to produce as compared to petrol. Furthermore, the BTE (Brake Thermal Efficiency) is also increased with the use of biofuel. However, the biofuel application also increases the brake-specific fuel consumption.
At the opening of the G20 Summit, a significant message was sent as Prime Minister Narendra Modi's nameplate read "Bharat," amidst the ongoing debate between "Bharat" and "India." The decision to replace "India" with "Bharat" in President Droupadi Murmu's invitation to world leaders has ignited a political dispute. Speculations abound that an upcoming special session of Parliament will formalize this shift.

"Bharat" on Global Stage

"Bharat" is prominently featured in a G20 booklet for foreign delegates, titled "Bharat, The Mother Of Democracy." The booklet asserts that "Bharat" is the country's official name, as stated in the Constitution and historical discussions from 1946-48.

Opposition's Attack

The opposition has fiercely criticized the government, accusing it of distorting history and fostering division within India. Members of the INDIA bloc contend that this move is against the nation's unity.

Government's Defense

In response, BJP leaders argue that the opposition's stance is anti-national and unconstitutional, citing Article 1 of the Constitution. Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan applauds the use of "Bharat" as a statement against colonial mindset, expressing pride in the country's official name.
New Delhi: As India geared up for the much-anticipated G20 Summit here in the capital over the weekend, researchers from homegrown cyber-security company CloudSEK on Friday uncovered a plan by multiple hacktivist groups from Pakistan and Indonesia to launch cyber attacks on India.

CloudSEK's contextual AI digital risk platform, XVigil, observed that the government's digital infrastructure is the primary target of hacktivists.

This orchestrated campaign, known as #OpIndia, is motivated by a complex web of political factors, with many attacks seen as retaliatory strikes in the ongoing hacktivist warfare between nations. The primary attack methods anticipated in this campaign are Mass Defacement and DDoS (distributed denial of service) attacks, the researchers noted.

The ominous call for action was sounded on September 7, when Team Herox, a hacktivist group, issued a message on encrypted messaging platform Telegram.

They sought support from fellow hacktivist organisations to join forces for a series of attacks scheduled for September 9-10, aligning perfectly with the G20 summit's timeline, the researchers informed.

The hacktivist groups have been plotting cyberattacks on both public and private Indian organisations in the past, with tactics ranging from DDoS attacks to compromised account takeovers and data breaches.

These hacktivists consistently exploit significant political events like the G20 Summit to gain visibility, making the government's digital infrastructure a prime objective. The coordinated efforts by hacktivist groups from Pakistan and Indonesia to target India's G20 Summit with planned cyberattacks are a stark reminder of the digital threats nations face, said Darshit Ashara, Head of Security Research and Threat Intelligence at CloudSEK.

The researchers highlighted a similar insight into a recent hacktivist campaign that targeted over 1,000 Indian websites as part of their Independence Day campaign in August.

The campaign, orchestrated by hacktivist groups from various countries, utilised tactics such as DDoS attacks, defacement attacks, and user account takeovers, echoing the patterns previously highlighted in CloudSEK's hacktivists warfare report.

The report also reveals a significant spike in hacktivist attacks during the first quarter of 2023 with India emerging as the primary focus of attacks.

Our mission is to stay ahead of these evolving risks and empower organisations and individuals to fortify their digital defenses, Ashara added. CloudSEK urged organisations and authorities to remain vigilant and bolster their cybersecurity measures to thwart these malicious activities.
As the holiday season draws near, a number of new models are about to enter the Indian auto market. Automakers want to increase sales by luring customers with these new vehicles. Additionally, the new models can have a strong start in terms of sales with the approaching holiday season. For the benefit of potential car buyers, we have assembled a list of upcoming models below. Before we get to the list, it's important to note that some of these models are upgrades to already-available vehicles while others are brand-new creations.

Tata Nexon Facelift

Unquestionably, the Tata Nexon is one of the most popular SUVs in India. Tata Motors will therefore launch the Tata Nexon Facelift on 14 September 2023 in order to uphold this history. Meanwhile, the company has started taking bookings for the vehicle with a token amount of Rs 11,000. With the facelift, the SUV's appearance has been updated, and its feature set has undergone numerous modifications. The model will continue to compete against rivals like Maruti Suzuki Brezza, Hyundai Venue and others in India.

Also read: Maruti Suzuki Discounts In September 2023: Offers Upto Rs 60,000 On Swift, Wagon R

Tata Nexon EV Facelift

Along with the ICE version of the SUV, the Tata Nexon EV facelift will be launched in India. The car comes with a body design very similar to its ICE counterpart. Furthermore, the electric SUV has two variants including Mid Range and Long Range. The mid-range variant of the car comes with a 30 kWh battery pack and offers a range of 325 km while the long range pack gets a 40.5 kWh battery pack and offers a range of 465 km. The Mahindra XUV400 will present the electric SUV with stiff competition whenever it is released.

Citroen C3 Aircross

The Citroen C3 Aircross will be the French automaker's third model to continue using the C3 name in India and its fourth overall. Once it is released, cars like the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara, Toyota Urban Cruiser, and the future Honda Elevate will compete with the SUV. The SUV has five and five plus two seats available.

Mercedes-Benz EQE

The very following day, the German auto giant will go to India in a brand-new SUV that is all electric. The EQE electric SUV will be Mercedes' third electric vehicle. The Mercedes EQE receives a 90.6 kWh battery pack in global markets and is built on the automaker's EVA platform. The electric SUV claims to have a 500 km or more range per charge. Along with an AMG version, the EQE that is available overseas has three further variations.
The G20 Summit, hosted at Bharat Mandapam, promises a whirlwind of diplomatic activity. Leaders and heads of delegations are set to arrive at the venue, engage in welcome photographs with Prime Minister Modi, and gather in the Leaders' Lounge.

The summit kicks off with Session 1: "One Earth" at Summit Hall, followed by a working lunch. Bilateral meetings occupy the afternoon, leading to Session II: "One Family." After returning to their hotels, leaders reconvene for a dinner event, including conversations over dinner and photo opportunities. Over the next two days, PM Modi will engage in 12 bilateral meetings, spanning countries from the UK and Japan to France, Comoros, Turkey, UAE, South Korea, Brazil, Nigeria, and Canada.

President Droupadi Murmu will be hosting a dinner on the opening day of the G20 summit in New Delhi on Saturday at a hall of Bharat Mandapam, the venue of the summit in honour of the world leaders.

Notably, former PMs Manmohan Singh and H.D. Deve Gowda will be absent due to health reasons, while Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi have packed schedules, including international engagements.

G 20 Itenary For September 9, 2023

09:30 am -10:30 am- Arrival of leaders and heads of delegations at the Summit Venue, Bharat Mandapam.

Welcome photograph with the Prime Minister at Tree of Life Foyer, Level 2, Bharat Mandapam.

Leaders and heads of delegation assemble in the Leaders' Lounge, Level 2, Bharat Mandapam.

Between 10:30 am-1:30 pm Session 1: One Earth at Summit Hall, Level 2, Bharat Mandapam.

Working lunch

1:30 am-3 pm Bilateral meetings at Level 1, Bharat Mandapam

3 pm-4:45 pm Session II: One Family at Summit Hall, Level 2, Bharat Mandapam

Also Read: Live Updates | G20 Summit In Delhi: PM Modi Welcomes African Union In Group As Permanent Member

Return to hotels

Later between 7 pm to 9 pm Arrival of leaders and heads of delegation for dinner 

Welcome photograph on arrival

8 pm-9:15 pm Conversation over dinner

9:10 pm- 9:45 pm Leaders and heads of delegation assemble in Leaders' Lounge, Level 2, Bharat Mandapam

Departure for hotels from South or West Plaza

PM Modi will hold 12 bilateral meetings in the next 2 days

September 9- UK, Japan, Germany and Italy

September 10 - France, Comoros, Turkey, UAE, South Korea, Brazil and Nigeria

There will also be talks with Canada on the sideline on September 10.

The heads of state of Germany and France will arrive on September 9. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz will be arriving at 8 am and he will be received by MOS Bhanu Pratap Singh Verma.

French President Emmanuel Macron will arrive at 12:35 pm and he will be received by MOS Anupriya Patel.
New Delhi: The African Union has been made a permanent member of the Group of 20 countries, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Saturday. In his opening remarks at the 18th G20 Leaders Summit, PM Modi invited the AU, represented by Chairperson Azali Assoumani, to take a seat at the table of G20 leaders as a permanent member.

"With everyone's approval, I request the AU head to take his seat as a permanent G20 member," Modi said in his address. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar accosted President of the Union of Comoros and Chairperson of the African Union (AU), Azali Assoumani as he took his seat among world leaders.

#WATCH | G 20 in India | President of the Union of Comoros and Chairperson of the African Union (AU), Azali Assoumani takes his seat as the Union becomes a permanent member of the G20. pic.twitter.com/Sm25SD80n9 September 9, 2023

Adding the African Union as a member of G20 was among India's key aims to achieve during the ongoing G20 summit. The move to include the African Union into the G20 grouping was proposed by PM Modi earlier this June.

Before we start the proceedings of G20, I want to express my condolences over the loss of lives due to an earthquake in Morocco. We pray that all injured recover at the earliest. India is ready to offer all possible assistance to Morocco in this difficult time, PM Modi said in his inaugural address.

#WATCH | G 20 in India | PM Modi at the G 20 Summit says "Before we start the proceedings of G20, I want to express my condolences over the loss of lives due to an earthquake in Morocco. We pray that all injured recover at the earliest. India is ready to offer all possible pic.twitter.com/ZTqcg11cKI  ANI (@ANI) September 9, 2023

Chairperson of AU Assoumani had arrived in the national capital on Friday. He was received by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Railways, Raosaheb Danve at the New Delhi airport.

In June 2023, Prime Minister Modi said that he had written to G20 counterparts to provide the African Union with full membership at this G20 Summit.

PM Modi had proposed that AU, a bloc of 55 countries from the African continent that was launched in 2002, be given full membership on their request.

In a recent editorial that has been published across newspapers, PM Modi wrote The voice of Global South Summit, which witnessed participation from 125 countries, was one of the foremost initiatives under our Presidency. It was an important exercise to gather inputs and ideas from the Global South. Further, our Presidency has not only seen the largest-ever participation from African countries but has also pushed for the inclusion of the African Union as a permanent member of the G20.
New Delhi: India, the United States, Saudi Arabia and the European Union on Saturday announced a historic agreement to soon launch a mega India-Middle East-Europe shipping and railway connectivity corridor. Prime Minister Narendra Modi made the announcement for the ambitious project on the sidelines of the G20 Summit and was flanked by US President US Biden, Saudi Arabia Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman and leaders of the EU. This is a historic and first-of-its-kind initiative on cooperation on connectivity and infrastructure involving India, UAE, Saudi Arabia, EU, France, Italy, Germany and the US.

Speaking after the launch, PM Modi said, I cordially welcome you all at this event. I am very happy to co-chair this event with my friend President Joe Biden. Today we all have seen the conclusion of a historic and important agreement. In the coming days, it will be an effective medium of economic integration between India, South Asia, and Europe.

Speaking at the Bharat Mandapam venue of the G20 Summit here, PM Modi said the mega-deal will give a sustainable direction to connectivity and sustainability across the world. He also congratulated all the leaders who were part of the connectivity corridor.

Strong connectivity and infrastructure are the foundation of the development of human civilisation. India has given this issue utmost priority during its course of development. Along with physical infrastructure, unprecedented investments are being made in social, economic and financial infrastructure as well, PM Modi said.

He added, Through this, we are laying a strong foundation for a developed India. As a reliable partner, India has set up infrastructure projects in the field of railways, energy, and technology partnerships, among the nations of the Global South. We have laid special emphasis on a demand-driven and transparent approach.

The Prime Minister further stressed respecting sovereignty and regional integrity and stated that connectivity between different countries not only increases business but also trust between them. "We believe connectivity between different countries increases not only business but trust between them. By promoting connectivity initiative, we need to ensure we stick to philosophies, that is, adhesion to international rules, respect for all nations' sovereignty and regional integrity," PM Modi said.

The infrastructure deal is expected to connect countries in the Middle East via a network of railways. The network will also connect to India through shipping lanes from ports in the region.

White House Deputy National Security Advisor Jon Finer had earlier said that The deal will benefit low and middle-income countries in the region, and enable a critical role for the Middle East in global commerce. We see this as having a high appeal to the countries involved, and also globally because it is transparent because it is a high standard because it is not coercive.

Delving more on the initiative, Finer noted it was not just a railway project but more of a shipping and railway project. "It is not just the Railway project, it is a shipping and Railway project and it is important for people to understand how expansive, ambitious and ground-breaking this will be" Finer added. Finer termed this to-be-built project as affirmative positive aimed at serving the underserved.

The way we see the infra project, it is an affirmative positive project. It has appeal for countries underserved by infra. We are not asking countries to make a zero-sum choice. We have seen other efforts that are not as ambitious, we feel good about the contrast of what we provide, White House Deputy National Security Advisor said.

Addressing the the Partnership for Global Infrastructure Investment (PGII) and India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor programme at Bharat Mandapam US President Joe Biden said, "This is a real big deal. I want to thank PM. One Earth, One Family, One Future that's the focus of this G 20 Summit. And in many ways, it's also the focus of this partnership that we're talking about today. Building sustainable, resilient infrastructure, making quality infrastructure investments and creating a better future...

Speaking at the same forum, Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia Muhammed Bin Salman said, "... We look forward to the integration of the initiative and the Economic Corridor project which is announced in this meeting. I would like to thank those who worked with us to reach this founding step to establish this important economic corridor..."

French President Emmanuel Macron said, " So now with the European Commission here, we commit to invest alongside with you on this road. And this is a very important project from Asia through Middle East to Europe to offer big opportunities and connect people.

But our intention is as well to make it real and to be sure that after this commitment we have concrete results and especially to have the first global green trade road meaning having net zero transport infrastructure..." Macron said.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said, "More large-scale projects are seeing the light...We are presenting two of them today. First the India-Middle East-Europe economic corridor...It will be the most direct connection to date between India, the Arabian Gulf and Europe...This is also the spirit of the second project we announce today the Trans African Corridor..."
Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed G20 leaders and delegates upon their arrival at Bharat Mandapam in Pragati Maidan in New Delhi, for the G20 Summit. As the leaders arrived one by one, they were greeted by PM Modi, in the backdrop was showcased the Konark Wheel from Odisha.

The Konark wheel was built during the 13th century under the reign of King Narasimhadeva-I. The wheel with 24 spokes has been adapted into India's national flag embodying India's ancient wisdom, advanced civilisation, and architectural excellence.

Also read: G20 Summit India: As Delhi Preps, Here's What's On Agenda

The rotating motion of the Konark Wheel, symbolizes time, Kalachakra as well as progress and continuous change. It serves as a powerful symbol of the wheel of democracy that reflects the resilience of democratic ideals, and commitment to progress in society.

World Health Organisation chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Managing Director of IMF (International Monetary Fund), Kristalina Georgieva, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and World Bank president Ajay Banga were among the first few leaders to arrive at th eBharat Mandapam venue. India is hosting the G20 Summit, scheduled for today and tomorrow, under its Presidency amid divisions in the grouping over the Russia-Ukraine war.

World leaders including US President Joe Biden, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Japan PM Fumio Kishida, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres are among leaders who arrived in the national capital yesterday.

The summit is being attended by more than 30 heads of state and top officials from the European Union and invited guest countries and 14 heads of international organisations.

At around 10.30 the first session of the G20 Summit: 'One Earth' will take place. One Earth will be one of the main topics of discussion during the session at the G20 leaders' summit. This session will focus on accelerating climate action through increased mitigation and strengthening the agenda of global net zero emission as soon as possible.

The theme of this year's G20 Summit, which is taking place under India's presidency is Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam or One Earth  One Family  One Future - is drawn from the ancient Sanskrit text of the Maha Upanishad. Essentially, the theme affirms the value of all life  human, animal, plant, and microorganisms  and their interconnectedness on the planet Earth and in the wider universe.

After the conclusion of the 'One Earth' session, and followed by lunch, another session of 'One Family' would be conducted at 3 p.m. as a part of the Summit. At around 7 pm there will be a dinner hosted by President Droupadi Murmu. Besides, the foreign delegates parliamentarians and ministers in the current Cabinet, the G20 Summit dinner will be attended by some of the former senior leaders of the nation.

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin will not be taking part in the weekend summit. China, however, will be represented at the summit by Chinese Premier Li Qiang. Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will represent Russia.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday called upon the international community to transform the global trust deficit into one of trust and reliance. He stressed that it is time for the world to move together.

In his address at Session-1 on 'One Earth' during the G20 Summit being hosted under India's Presidency, PM Modi said, "Following the COVID pandemic, the world faced a new challenge of trust deficit and unfortunately, the wars have further deepened this. But we must remember that if we can defeat a pandemic like COVID, we can also win over the challenge of this trust deficit. Today, as the President of the G20, India calls upon the entire world to transform this global trust deficit into trust and confidence. This is the time for all of us to move together."

Also read: G20 Summit In New Delhi Admits African Union As Permanent Member

He further said, "In this time, the mantra of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas' can be the torch bearer for us. Be it the divide between North and South, the distance between East and West, management of food and fuel, terrorism, cyber security, health, energy or water security, we will have to find a solid solid solution to this for future generations."

PM Modi also invited the head of the African Union to take his seat as a member of the G20 as the first session of the Summit started in Bharat Mandapam, Pragati Maidan. Following this President of the Union of Comoros and Chairperson of the African Union (AU), Azali Assoumani took his seat as the Union and became a permanent member of the G20.

Before the start of the proceedings of the G20 Summit, PM Modi offered condolences over the loss of lives due to an earthquake in Morocco. PM Modi said, "We pray that all injured recover at the earliest. India is ready to offer all possible assistance to Morocco in this difficult time."

Before the G20 Summit commenced, PM Modi welcomed world leaders, including US President Joe Biden, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, UK PM Rishi Sunak, and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

As the leaders arrived one by one, they were greeted by PM Modi, in the backdrop showcased the Konark Wheel from Odisha. The Konark wheel was built during the 13th century under the reign of King Narasimhadeva-I. The wheel with 24 spokes has been adapted into India's national flag embodying India's ancient wisdom, advanced civilisation, and architectural excellence.

The rotating motion of the Konark Wheel, symbolizes time, Kalachakra as well as progress and continuous change. It serves as a powerful symbol of the wheel of democracy that reflects the resilience of democratic ideals, and commitment to progress in society.

The theme of this year's G20 Summit, which is taking place under India's presidency is Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam or One Earth  One Family  One Future." Notably, India assumed the G20 Presidency on December 1 last year.
Visakhapatnam: Telugu Desam Party (TDP) leaders and workers staged a protest following the arrest of party supremo and former Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu, in connection with an alleged corruption case in Visakhapatnam on Saturday. The party leaders and workers assembled at the Peddagadili BRTS road and raised slogans against the Jagan Mohan Reddy government in the state.

However, police reached the spot and detained them. The TDP leaders were later shifted to the Arilova Police Station. Protests were also held at the Annapurna Sarukulu Centre in Tirupati. The State Police also detained several party leaders including Naidu's son Nara Lokesh in East Godavari district as a preventive action to maintain the law and order situation in the state.

Former HRD minister and MLA Ganta Srinivaasarao was also detained as a preventive action. He said that arresting Chandrababu was a heinous act.

Chandrababu played a key role in national politics. Jagan Mohan Reddy arrested Chandrababu only for pleasure. People will teach an appropriate lesson to the CM. My name was also added to the skill development case for the first time. We are ready for any inquiry, Srinivaasarao said.

#WATCH | Andhra Pradesh | TDP supporters staged a protest at Peddagadili BRTS road in Visakhapatnam today against the arrest of former Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu. They also raised slogans against YSRCP and CM YS Jagan Reddy.



The protestors were later detained by the pic.twitter.com/lPZXcoHLUh  ANI (@ANI) September 9, 2023

#WATCH | Telangana | TDP supporters staged a protest against the arrest of TDP Chief and former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, at KBR park in Hyderabad. They also burned the effigy of Andhra Pradesh CM YS Jagan Mohan Reddy.



The protesters were later detained. pic.twitter.com/m17bahcRRD  ANI (@ANI) September 9, 2023

After the arrest of the former CM, protests were held across the state following which commuters face inconvenience as buses from Tamil Nadu to Andhra Pradesh are being stopped at the state border. The former chief minister was arrested by the CID around 6 a.m. from R K Function Hall at Gnanapuram in Nandyala town.

A First Information Report (FIR) in the case was lodged in 2021. As police arrived early this morning to arrest the TDP Chief, they faced resistance from TDP cadres. A minor scuffle also broke out between officials and Naidu's supporters during his arrest. Naidu has been named as accused number 1 in the case, which involves over Rs 250 crore.

However, Naidu said that the CID made the arrest without any proper information and that they refused to show him evidence. Talking to media persons ahead of police taking him into custody, Naidu said, I did not commit any malpractice or corruption. CID arrested me without any proper information and I asked them to show the evidence but they refused to show and attached my name to the FIR without my role.
In an age dominated by the incessant buzz of social media, the idea of disconnecting from the digital world might seem counter intuitive, especially when it comes to event planning. However, social media-free events are gaining momentum for their unique ability to foster genuine interactions and create immersive experiences.

Amit Relan, Co-founder WOOT Factors Brand Architects spoke to IANS on how to plan a social media free wedding.

A meeting or an event where attendees are urged to switch off from their electronic devices and participate in the present moment is known as a social media-free or unplugged event. Hosting a social media-free event offers several advantages, including the assurance that there will be no awkward or unwanted pictures of you and your guests circulating online.

You have the freedom to control what gets shared on social media platforms, ensuring that only moments you are comfortable with are made public. Moreover, such events prioritise the privacy of every attendee, including your own, creating a respectful and secure environment where everyone can enjoy the occasion without concerns about their personal lives becoming public. Here are some fun and meaningful tactics one can implement to have a successful social media-free event.

Start Positively from the Entry Point

When they arrive, visitors are gently asked to give up their devices, which are safely stored. In return, they get fun, vibrant bands or tokens that, when the event is over, will reunite them with their technology. The addition of interesting bands or tokens makes the process more enjoyable. The tangible memento also serves as a fantastic conversation starter, turning attendees into active participants in the event's subject.

Keep The Unplugged Spirit Alive

The event's unplugged vibe is reinforced in part by strategically placed placards throughout the area. These signs are intended to draw attention to the event and subtly remind participants of its theme. The signage can be placed in crucial locations including the entrance, the registration desk, and other busy areas. These placements operate as quiet reminders for participants, enabling them to fully engage in the activities taking place at the event.

Keep The Guests Engaged

Attendees will be fully absorbed in the experience if interactive events are designed within a social media-free environment. For instance, silent discos provide conventional dance gatherings with a twist. Each participant dons a set of wireless headphones allowing them to tune into different music stations. As a result, a lively atmosphere is created where guests can select their chosen genre and groove to their own beat.

This promotes involvement and dialogue about musical preferences, boosting relationships and creating ties based on common interests. The use of interactive games is another great idea. Whether it be a physical or mental challenge, they add a sense of teamwork to the event. Board games, trivia contests, or even collaborative challenges encourage guests to interact, communicate, and work together.

Create A Thematic Booth for Pictures

The lack of their phones will prevent people from capturing photos and creating memories of the occasion. In this scenario, it would be a great idea to have a separate booth and a camera person to capture photos that can be shared with the guests. In the context of a social media-free event, designing distinctive photo booth locations provides an attractive element that allows participants to capture memories. These areas go above and beyond the typical photo ops by giving visitors a creative opportunity to express themselves and have fun with one another. For participants to record their memories, disposable cameras, instant film, or Polaroid cameras can be made available.

Ensure There Is a Phone Zone

A careful and compassionate response to the attendee's requirements while upholding the fundamental tenets of the event can be shown with a designated phone zone. This area provides a solution to the unavoidable situation where participants might need to be reachable or respond to urgent calls. The idea behind a phone zone is to designate a spot where guests can leave the main event area for a short while to use their phones. This room can be equipped with cosy seating, charging stations, and, if necessary, soundproofing to give attendees a private and practical place.

Feedback is crucial for determining success. The effect of the event need not diminish once it is over. Follow up with participants through feedback forms, emails, newsletters, or get-togethers after the event. Due to this, attendees continue to participate even after the event has ended.
New Delhi: Google has announced that it is updating its Android logo and 3D bugdroid to give a modern touch in order to align with its the open platforms visual and brand identity. In the constant age of growth and vision, Google believed Androids logo new visuals draw inspired from Material design to complement the Google brand palette will reflect individual passion, personality, and context.

The new updates will start appear very soon from this year as well.

As the worlds largest operating system, Androids open platform serves a diverse community of developers, device makers and users. And as weve grown  with over 3 billion Android devices worldwide  so has our vision. We believe our brand system and how we show up visually to the world as Android should reflect Androids core ethos of being open, iterative and inclusive, Jason Fournier, Director, Android Consumer Brand Management said in the Google blog.

The first version of Android was launched in 2008 by Google. Due to its adaptability and open source, it has become a great hit among developers and tech companies. Since then, the company has been updating the open source platform to keep up with growing trend and demand and ahead of the competition.

In the new update, Google is moving away from its longstanding lowercase stylization of android and switching to capitalizing the A in the Android logo. Moreover, the company adds more curves and personality unique to Android so the new Android stylization more closely mirrors Googles logo and creates balance between two.

Android Constant Makeover

For the past few years, Google is constantly updating the look of its open source platform Android in order to keep pace and evolve with the community.

In 2019, it changed its logo to be more accessible and easier to read. Moreover, it moved away from the naming convention for Android releases from fanciful names such as Android Lolipop to simple number such as Android 14.

Android Logo Becomes Prominent Fixture

Google announced that it is giving the Android robot a new 3D look, reflecting the playfulness people have come to expect from it.

The bugdroid  the face and most identifiable element of the Android robot  now appears with more dimension, and a lot more character, the blog said.

We've also updated the robots full-body appearance to ensure it can easily transition between digital and real-life environments, making it a versatile and reliable companion across channels, platforms and contexts, it added.
The analysts might have been a bit too bullish on Ashmore Group Plc (LON:ASHM), given that the company fell short of expectations when it released its yearly results last week. Ashmore Group missed analyst forecasts, with revenues of UK191m and statutory earnings per share (EPS) of UK0.12, falling short by 2.8% and 4.6% respectively. This is an important time for investors, as they can track a company's performance in its report, look at what experts are forecasting for next year, and see if there has been any change to expectations for the business. We thought readers would find it interesting to see the analysts latest (statutory) post-earnings forecasts for next year.

View our latest analysis for Ashmore Group

Following the recent earnings report, the consensus from nine analysts covering Ashmore Group is for revenues of UK177.5m in 2024. This implies a discernible 7.1% decline in revenue compared to the last 12 months. Statutory per-share earnings are expected to be UK0.13, roughly flat on the last 12 months. Yet prior to the latest earnings, the analysts had been anticipated revenues of UK176.0m and earnings per share (EPS) of UK0.13 in 2024. So it looks like there's been a small decline in overall sentiment after the recent results - there's been no major change to revenue estimates, but the analysts did make a minor downgrade to their earnings per share forecasts.

The consensus price target held steady at UK2.12, with the analysts seemingly voting that their lower forecast earnings are not expected to lead to a lower stock price in the foreseeable future. Fixating on a single price target can be unwise though, since the consensus target is effectively the average of analyst price targets. As a result, some investors like to look at the range of estimates to see if there are any diverging opinions on the company's valuation. There are some variant perceptions on Ashmore Group, with the most bullish analyst valuing it at UK2.85 and the most bearish at UK1.60 per share. There are definitely some different views on the stock, but the range of estimates is not wide enough as to imply that the situation is unforecastable, in our view.

Story continues

Of course, another way to look at these forecasts is to place them into context against the industry itself. We would also point out that the forecast 7.1% annualised revenue decline to the end of 2024 is roughly in line with the historical trend, which saw revenues shrink 6.6% annually over the past five years By contrast, our data suggests that other companies (with analyst coverage) in a similar industry are forecast to see their revenue grow 0.2% per year. So while a broad number of companies are forecast to grow, unfortunately Ashmore Group is expected to see its revenue affected worse than other companies in the industry.

The Bottom Line

The most important thing to take away is that the analysts downgraded their earnings per share estimates, showing that there has been a clear decline in sentiment following these results. Fortunately, the analysts also reconfirmed their revenue estimates, suggesting that it's tracking in line with expectations. Although our data does suggest that Ashmore Group's revenue is expected to perform worse than the wider industry. There was no real change to the consensus price target, suggesting that the intrinsic value of the business has not undergone any major changes with the latest estimates.

Following on from that line of thought, we think that the long-term prospects of the business are much more relevant than next year's earnings. We have forecasts for Ashmore Group going out to 2026, and you can see them free on our platform here.

Don't forget that there may still be risks. For instance, we've identified 1 warning sign for Ashmore Group 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.
gas bill

Households face an estimated bill of 2,300 each to shut down Britains gas grid as part of the Governments drive towards net zero, a leaked draft of an official report suggests.

The cost of decommissioning the grid could reach a total of 65bn, according to a draft National Infrastructure Commission (NIC) report.

It is the first time a public body has examined the future of the 176,000-mile network of buried pipes, which serves eight in ten homes but risks becoming obsolete under plans to reach net zero carbon emissions. Unused pipes must be removed or they risk decay and experts fear the potential collapse of roads.

Households could be left to foot the bill through higher energy bills or taxes since there is no provision for decommissioning in current government budgets, and energy companies are not obliged to cover the costs.

The NIC did not dispute the figures when contacted, although an insider insisted the report was a draft and could change before final publication next month.

The NIC believes the grid could theoretically be converted to carry hydrogen, which is cleaner, but that would also come at cost of tens of billions of pounds and there are doubts over the suitability of hydrogen as a mass heating solution.

Senior Conservatives said the figures raised serious questions about the Governments plan to reach net zero by 2050.

Craig Mackinlay, a Tory MP who chairs the Net Zero Scrutiny Group in Parliament, said: Bit by bit, the true astronomical cost of net zero is being revealed, and its far from clear the products we are being forced to switch to are any better than their forebears.

The forced conversion from gas boilers to heat pumps appears to be a case in point; it will also leave the country with a vast network of redundant infrastructure that will take tens of billions of pounds to decommission.

Im worried the command and control approach to net zero that the Government is taking will leave us with a cost of living crisis that stretches far into the future.

Story continues

The prospect of hydrogen heating looked dead in the water, Mr Mackinlay added, after Grant Shapps, the former energy secretary, appeared to rule it out in July.

Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg, the former business and energy secretary, said the Governments net zero plans were stuck in cloud cuckoo land.

He said: The Government cannot decommission the gas grid, because it cant afford to.

They have got to look very seriously at whether the legal obligation to reach net zero is realistic.

However, Kwasi Kwarteng, another former business and energy secretary, said the costs of decommissioning was hypothetical.

He said: Given the infrastructure weve got, it doesnt make sense to decommission the whole grid at vast expense. I cannot see a government doing that.

Its unrealistic to expect that all household heating in this country will be electrified.

Under current proposals for households and businesses to stop unabated burning of natural gas, ministers are backing electric heat pumps as the main replacement for gas-fired boilers.

But if most households ditch their boilers, the existing gas grid cannot just be switched off and left in the ground due to safety concerns.

One industry source said: Weve got large-diameter pipes criss-crossing major cities. If we were to just turn them off and not maintain them, they would decay  and roads could start falling in.

Shutting down the gas grid would be a complex but gradual process as people switch to alternative technologies, requiring engineers to safely close off certain areas while allowing gas to keep flowing in others.

The ultimate fate of the network, which was privatised by Margaret Thatchers government in 1986, will depend on how much is repurposed to carry hydrogen.

At least some of the grid is likely to be used to supply hydrogen to heavy industry, which cannot easily decarbonise, in future. But ministers are waiting until 2026 to decide whether hydrogen will also be used for home heating.

Many experts have also poured cold water on that idea, pointing out that hydrogen is energy-intensive to produce and must be burned in much higher quantities than natural gas to produce the same amount of heat.

In the meantime, the monopoly owners of the gas networks continue to invest billions of pounds in upgrades, replacing metal pipes with plastic ones, in a programme that stretches into the 2030s.

These investments will be paid for by consumers through their bills  in addition to any future cost of decommissioning.

Dr Richard Lowes, an expert in heating at Exeter University, said the Government should review whether the upgrade programme was still good value for money or would make energy bills unnecessarily higher.

He also warned that as more households abandon gas, those still using the network could be forced to shoulder an ever-larger share of decommissioning costs  raising the risk that those who cannot afford a heat pump become financially trapped.

Dr Lowes said: Its a huge issue and no one [in the Government] has got their head around this properly.

Fundamentally, theres two options: You pay for it through bills, or via the tax system.

One way to ensure the burden is spread fairly would be for the Government to nationalise the network, which is valued today at about 20bn, he said.

A spokesman for NIC said: We dont comment on leaked reports.

We will publish information on different options for the future of the gas network as part of the next National Infrastructure Assessment in October.

The Government was approached for comment.

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.
An expat working overseas looking for a financial advisor

Whether youre preparing to embark on an overseas adventure as an American expat or have already made the plunge, you may feel as exhilarated about the move as you are overwhelmed by the financial implications. Fortunately, a financial advisor can disentangle all the details and give insight into the ins and outs of expat life. Their expertise will help you make wise investments and dodge tax pitfalls. Investing in an expat financial advisor is like having a seasoned co-pilot on your expat journey. Theyll help you navigate unfamiliar terrain, avoid snags and reach your financial destination with a smile. Heres what to know and how to access robust resources online to aid you during your time as an expat.

Finding a Financial Advisor as an American Expat Overseas

Expats looking for a financial advisor can struggle due to their unique circumstances. Heres how to find a professional who can address your needs and optimize your finances:

Determine What Your Needs Are

Before finding a financial advisor while living overseas, assessing your financial needs and goals is crucial. Then, identifying and communicating your needs to a financial advisor will help you find one with the necessary expertise. For example, expats often have tricky tax situations that require help. For example, the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion is an essential benefit for many expats, but taking advantage of it can be complicated. In addition, Americans generally need retirement planning and investment services regardless of where they live.

Research Your Options

Its best to shop around when selecting your financial advisor. Friends and family who have gone the expat route can provide recommendations. In addition, online platforms can connect you to the right advisor. For example, you can peruse NAPFA (The National Association of Personal Financial Advisors) to find an advisor who specializes in expat services.

Likewise, you can reach out to international financial advising firms with a presence in both your host country and your home country. These firms often have experience in cross-border financial planning and can provide tailored advice for expatriates.

Story continues

Choose a Fiduciary

Selecting a fiduciary financial advisor is crucial because they are legally obligated to act in your best interest. Remember, not all financial advisors are fiduciaries, so its essential to separate the wheat from the chaff in this regard. Otherwise, your financial advisor may conduct trades because of generous commissions instead of suitability for your portfolio. Heres how to ensure your chosen advisor is a fiduciary:

Ask Directly: When interviewing potential advisors, ask them directly if they operate as fiduciaries. They should be transparent about their commitment to putting your interests first. Check Credentials: Look for advisors with recognized certifications like Certified Financial Planner (CFP), Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) or Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC). These designations require adherence to fiduciary standards. Read Agreements Carefully: Review the advisory agreement or contract provided by the advisor. Ensure it explicitly states their fiduciary duty to you.

Understand the Fees

Different advisors charge fees in various ways. Make sure you fully understand the fee structure before committing to an advisor:

Commission-Based vs. Fee-Based: Some advisors earn commissions from selling financial products, which can lead to potential conflicts of interest. On the other hand, advisors may charge an hourly or fixed fee. For example, you might pay a few hundred dollars per hour or several thousand as a one-time charge. Lastly, some advisors charge a percentage of assets under management. The average rate across the industry is about 1% of assets managed. Fee Transparency: Ask for a clear breakdown of all fees, including management fees, trading costs, administrative expenses and specific charges for expats, such as managing foreign investment accounts. Make sure youre comfortable with the total cost. Comparative Analysis: Dont hesitate to request fee information from multiple advisors. Comparing prices will help make an informed decision.

Questions to Ask a Financial Advisor

An expat working overseas from a coffee shop looking for a financial advisor

Once you pick a financial advisor, you can get down to brass tacks about your situation. The following questions will provide crucial information and actionable steps to organize your finances:

What Country Should I Bank In?

While mobile banking makes your account accessible around the world, banking policies, international regulations and exchange rates influence how banks serve expats. For instance, the HSBC Global Money Account allows expats in the UK to bank with no monthly or foreign currency transaction fees, making it a solid long-term choice. However, its critical to remember that American citizens with over $10,000 in foreign bank accounts must report these assets when filing taxes.

On the other hand, keeping your U.S. bank account may be viable if you arent planning on moving permanently. If youll be an expat for a just few years, you can ask your financial advisor about U.S. banks that provide advantages for overseas members.

Should I Move My Investments?

While switching to a local bank account can benefit expats, its typically best to keep your investments in the U.S. because of its investing environment. For example, the Morningstar Global Investor Experience report for 2022 gives investing services in the United States top marks in numerous categories, such as regulation, customer experience, fees, sales and disclosures. That being said, check with your financial advisor about how the country youre living in handles investments to maximize your returns and avoid penalties.

Should I Change My 401(k) or IRA?

When moving abroad, you might be unsure about what to do with retirement accounts like a 401(k) or IRA (Individual Retirement Account). Your financial advisor can provide insights into the tax implications and potential benefits of leaving your retirement accounts in the U.S., rolling them over into a foreign retirement plan or taking other actions based on your long-term retirement goals and the retirement options available in your host country. Remember, withdrawing money early from your retirement plan can result in heavy fees and taxes, so its best to do your homework and create a plan before receiving distributions.

What Do I Need to Know About Filing Taxes?

Taxation is a critical consideration for expats. Inquiring about the best way to file taxes is essential to ensure compliance with tax regulations in the U.S. and your host country. Ask your financial advisor about tax treaties, potential tax credits, deductions and any reporting requirements that you need to be aware of as an expatriate. They can guide you on whether to file as a resident or non-resident and whether you need to hire a tax professional specializing in taxes for expats.

Should You Invest in a Financial Advisor as an Expat?

Investing in a financial advisor as an expatriate can be an intelligent decision that offers several potential benefits, but it ultimately depends on your individual circumstances and financial goals. Expatriate life often brings unique financial challenges, making professional guidance invaluable in navigating the complexities of living and working in a foreign country.

Furthermore, a financial advisor can provide peace of mind. Living abroad can be overwhelming and having a professional who understands your unique situation can alleviate the stress of managing unfamiliar financial systems, regulations and investment landscapes. A well-structured financial plan can help you maintain financial stability and adapt to changing circumstances more effectively.

Therefore, investing in a financial advisor as an expatriate means receiving expert guidance to navigate the complexities of international finances, tax implications and investment decisions. These outcomes lead to optimized financial decisions, reduced stress and increased financial well-being.

Resources for Americans Abroad

The following resources offer detailed information on effectively managing finances, making prudent investments, planning for retirement and minimizing risks for expatriates.

American Citizens Abroad (ACA): ACA has organized an array of resources tailored for American expatriates. From taxation to healthcare to opening a bank account, this database covers a spectrum of topics to address expats diverse concerns.

American Citizens Abroads Estate Planning for U.S. Citizens Living Overseas : This section of the ACAs website delves into estate planning considerations for U.S. citizens residing abroad. For example, ensuring your will is valid internationally is essential.

Internal Revenue Service (IRS): The IRS website offers a wealth of information for expats who need clarity on tax obligations, timing and procedures. These materials aid in comprehending the nuances of filing taxes as an American citizen living abroad.

InterNationss Expat Insider: The 2023 Expat Insider by InterNations provides an in-depth exploration of global expatriates financial management approaches. This comprehensive report extends insights into optimal countries for relocation, taking financial aspects into account.

InterNations Financial Checklist for Expatriates: If you want to become an expat or hone your financial organization skills as a new expat, this checklist will help. This comprehensive rundown allows you to set goals and envision a future as a financially stable expat living in the country of your choice.

Bottom Line

An expat living in Europe who needs a financial advisor.

Finding a financial advisor as an American expat overseas helps you overcome the unique challenges and embrace the opportunities that expatriate life presents. The journey begins by identifying your financial needs and goals, ensuring that the chosen advisor aligns with your requirements. Thorough research into available options allows you to make an informed decision.

Financial Planning Tips

If organizing your finances for an overseas move is making your head spin, a financial advisor can help. Whether you need advice on rolling your 401(k) into a foreign investment account or want to know the bank with the best exchange rates, a financial advisors knowledge can streamline the process of becoming an expat. Finding a financial advisor doesnt have to be hard. SmartAssets 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 youre ready to find an advisor who can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now.

Once you sign an agreement with a financial advisor, youre committing to pay for their services. So, its essential to understand how your financial advisor gets paid, whether through investing commissions or hourly out-of-pocket fees. Heres how to know if you should try a fee-based advisor or pay an advisor 1% of your manageable assets.

Photo credit: iStock.com/Armando Oliveira, iStock.com/Srdjanns74, iStock.com/Maja Coric

The post Finding a Financial Advisor as an American Expat Overseas appeared first on SmartReads by SmartAsset.
Whilst it may not be a huge deal, we thought it was good to see that the Lindsay Australia Limited (ASX:LAU) Independent Non Executive Chairman, Ian Williams, recently bought AU$100k worth of stock, for AU$1.15 per share. Although the purchase is not a big one, by either a percentage standpoint or absolute value, it can be seen as a good sign.

See our latest analysis for Lindsay Australia

The Last 12 Months Of Insider Transactions At Lindsay Australia

Notably, that recent purchase by Ian Williams is the biggest insider purchase of Lindsay Australia shares that we've seen in the last year. That means that an insider was happy to buy shares at around the current price of AU$1.21. While their view may have changed since the purchase was made, this does at least suggest they have had confidence in the company's future. We do always like to see insider buying, but it is worth noting if those purchases were made at well below today's share price, as the discount to value may have narrowed with the rising price. Happily, the Lindsay Australia insider decided to buy shares at close to current prices. Ian Williams was the only individual insider to buy shares in the last twelve months.

You can see the insider transactions (by companies and individuals) over the last year depicted in the chart below. If you want to know exactly who sold, for how much, and when, simply click on the graph below!

Lindsay Australia is not the only stock insiders are buying. So take a peek at this free list of growing companies with insider buying.

Insider Ownership

I like to look at how many shares insiders own in a company, to help inform my view of how aligned they are with insiders. Usually, the higher the insider ownership, the more likely it is that insiders will be incentivised to build the company for the long term. Insiders own 15% of Lindsay Australia shares, worth about AU$57m. While this is a strong but not outstanding level of insider ownership, it's enough to indicate some alignment between management and smaller shareholders.

Story continues

What Might The Insider Transactions At Lindsay Australia Tell Us?

It is good to see the recent insider purchase. And an analysis of the transactions over the last year also gives us confidence. When combined with notable insider ownership, these factors suggest Lindsay Australia insiders are well aligned, and that they may think the share price is too low. So while it's helpful to know what insiders are doing in terms of buying or selling, it's also helpful to know the risks that a particular company is facing. Every company has risks, and we've spotted 2 warning signs for Lindsay Australia you should know about.

Of course, you might find a fantastic investment by looking elsewhere. So take a peek at this free list of interesting companies.

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.
On September 7, 2023, David Gray, the Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Aviat Networks Inc (NASDAQ:AVNW), sold 206 shares of the company. This move is part of a broader trend of insider selling at Aviat Networks Inc, which we will explore in this article.



David Gray is a seasoned executive with extensive experience in the technology sector. As the CFO of Aviat Networks Inc, he is responsible for the company's financial strategy and operations. His insider trades provide valuable insights into the company's financial health and future prospects.



Aviat Networks Inc is a leading provider of wireless transport solutions. The company designs, manufactures, and sells a range of wireless networking products, solutions, and services to mobile and fixed operators, private network operators, government agencies, transportation and utility companies, public safety agencies, and broadcast network operators around the world.



Over the past year, David Gray has sold a total of 206 shares and purchased 500 shares. This indicates a net positive insider trading activity, which could signal confidence in the company's future performance.



The insider transaction history for Aviat Networks Inc shows a total of 2 insider buys and 5 insider sells over the past year. This trend suggests a mixed sentiment among the company's insiders.



Insider Sell: Sr VP and CFO David Gray Sells 206 Shares of Aviat Networks Inc

On the day of the insider's recent sell, shares of Aviat Networks Inc were trading for $34.44 apiece, giving the company a market cap of $381.255 million. The price-earnings ratio is 34.81, which is higher than the industry median of 22.12 and the companys historical median price-earnings ratio. This suggests that the stock may be overvalued compared to its peers and its own historical performance.



However, with a price of $34.44 and a GuruFocus Value of $35.94, Aviat Networks Inc has a price-to-GF-Value ratio of 0.96. This indicates that the stock is fairly valued based on its GF Value.



Story continues

Insider Sell: Sr VP and CFO David Gray Sells 206 Shares of Aviat Networks Inc

The GF Value is an intrinsic value estimate developed by GuruFocus. It is calculated based on historical multiples that the stock has traded at, a GuruFocus adjustment factor based on the companys past returns and growth, and future estimates of business performance from Morningstar analysts.



In conclusion, the insider's recent sell of Aviat Networks Inc shares, along with the company's valuation metrics, suggest a complex picture. While the stock appears to be fairly valued based on its GF Value, the higher-than-average price-earnings ratio and the trend of insider selling could be cause for caution among investors.



This article first appeared on GuruFocus.


Quite a few insiders have dramatically grown their holdings in Jupiter Fund Management Plc (LON:JUP) over the past 12 months. An insider's optimism about the company's prospects is a positive sign.

Although we don't think shareholders should simply follow insider transactions, we do think it is perfectly logical to keep tabs on what insiders are doing.

See our latest analysis for Jupiter Fund Management

The Last 12 Months Of Insider Transactions At Jupiter Fund Management

Over the last year, we can see that the biggest insider purchase was by insider Andrew Formica for UK469k worth of shares, at about UK0.93 per share. That implies that an insider found the current price of UK0.94 per share to be enticing. While their view may have changed since the purchase was made, this does at least suggest they have had confidence in the company's future. We do always like to see insider buying, but it is worth noting if those purchases were made at well below today's share price, as the discount to value may have narrowed with the rising price. In this case we're pleased to report that the insider purchases were made at close to current prices. We note that Andrew Formica was both the biggest buyer and the biggest seller.

Over the last year, we can see that insiders have bought 507.84k shares worth UK471k. But insiders sold 506.17k shares worth UK468k. In total, Jupiter Fund Management insiders bought more than they sold over the last year. The chart below shows insider transactions (by companies and individuals) over the last year. If you want to know exactly who sold, for how much, and when, simply click on the graph below!

Jupiter Fund Management is not the only stock that insiders are buying. For those who like to find winning investments this free list of growing companies with recent insider purchasing, could be just the ticket.

Insider Ownership

For a common shareholder, it is worth checking how many shares are held by company insiders. I reckon it's a good sign if insiders own a significant number of shares in the company. Our information indicates that Jupiter Fund Management insiders own about UK643k worth of shares. This level of insider ownership is notably low, and not very encouraging.

Story continues

So What Do The Jupiter Fund Management Insider Transactions Indicate?

It doesn't really mean much that no insider has traded Jupiter Fund Management shares in the last quarter. But insiders have shown more of an appetite for the stock, over the last year. We'd like to see bigger individual holdings. However, we don't see anything to make us think Jupiter Fund Management insiders are doubting the company. While we like knowing what's going on with the insider's ownership and transactions, we make sure to also consider what risks are facing a stock before making any investment decision. While conducting our analysis, we found that Jupiter Fund Management has 1 warning sign and it would be unwise to ignore it.

Of course, you might find a fantastic investment by looking elsewhere. So take a peek at this free list of interesting companies.

For the purposes of this article, insiders are those individuals who report their transactions to the relevant regulatory body. We currently account for open market transactions and private dispositions of direct interests only, but not derivative transactions or indirect interests.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
Potential Restore plc (LON:RST) shareholders may wish to note that the Interim Chief Executive Officer, Jameson Hopkins, recently bought UK99k worth of stock, paying UK2.10 for each share. We reckon that's a good sign, especially since the purchase boosted their holding by 639%.

See our latest analysis for Restore

Restore Insider Transactions Over The Last Year

In fact, the recent purchase by Jameson Hopkins was the biggest purchase of Restore shares made by an insider individual in the last twelve months, according to our records. That means that an insider was happy to buy shares at above the current price of UK2.00. While their view may have changed since the purchase was made, this does at least suggest they have had confidence in the company's future. In our view, the price an insider pays for shares is very important. Generally speaking, it catches our eye when insiders have purchased shares at above current prices, as it suggests they believed the shares were worth buying, even at a higher price.

While Restore insiders bought shares during the last year, they didn't sell. You can see a visual depiction of insider transactions (by companies and individuals) over the last 12 months, below. If you want to know exactly who sold, for how much, and when, simply click on the graph below!

Restore is not the only stock that insiders are buying. For those who like to find winning investments this free list of growing companies with recent insider purchasing, could be just the ticket.

Insider Ownership

For a common shareholder, it is worth checking how many shares are held by company insiders. A high insider ownership often makes company leadership more mindful of shareholder interests. From what we can see in our data, insiders own only about UK190k worth of Restore shares. It's always possible we are missing something but from our data, it looks like insider ownership is minimal.

So What Does This Data Suggest About Restore Insiders?

The recent insider purchase is heartening. And an analysis of the transactions over the last year also gives us confidence. But on the other hand, the company made a loss during the last year, which makes us a little cautious. While the overall levels of insider ownership are below what we'd like to see, the history of transactions imply that Restore insiders are reasonably well aligned, and optimistic for the future. While we like knowing what's going on with the insider's ownership and transactions, we make sure to also consider what risks are facing a stock before making any investment decision. For example, Restore has 3 warning signs (and 1 which is potentially serious) we think you should know about.

Story continues

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.
With a daily gain of 3.13%, a 3-month gain of 10.39%, and an Earnings Per Share (EPS) of 2.91, International Paper Co (NYSE:IP) has attracted significant investor attention. The question remains: is this stock significantly undervalued? This article provides a comprehensive valuation analysis to answer this question. Read on to gain valuable insights into the intrinsic value of International Paper Co.

Company Overview

International Paper Co, a prominent player in the packaging products and cellulose fibers industry, commands approximately one third of the North American corrugated packaging market. Despite having operations in Brazil, Russia, India, and China, over three-fourths of its sales are generated from North America. The company caters to a diverse range of end markets, including industrial, consumer products, and manufacturing.

Considering the current stock price of $34.63 and the GF Value of $53.46, it appears that the stock is significantly undervalued. This discrepancy paves the way for a deeper exploration of the company's intrinsic value.

Is International Paper Co (IP) Significantly Undervalued? An In-Depth Analysis

Understanding the GF Value

The GF Value is a unique measure of a stock's intrinsic value, calculated based on historical trading multiples, a GuruFocus adjustment factor derived from past performance and growth, and future business performance estimates. The GF Value Line provides a visual representation of the stock's ideal fair trading value.

International Paper Co's stock is believed to be significantly undervalued, according to the GuruFocus Value calculation. The current price of $34.63 per share and a market cap of $12 billion suggest that the stock is trading below its fair value. Given this undervaluation, the long-term return of its stock is likely to be much higher than its business growth.

Is International Paper Co (IP) Significantly Undervalued? An In-Depth Analysis

Link: These companies may deliver higher future returns at reduced risk.

Evaluating Financial Strength

Assessing the financial strength of a company is a crucial step before investing in its stock. Companies with poor financial strength pose a higher risk of permanent loss. A glance at the cash-to-debt ratio and interest coverage can provide a good understanding of a company's financial strength. International Paper Co has a cash-to-debt ratio of 0.12, which is worse than 75.75% of the companies in the Packaging & Containers industry. The overall financial strength of International Paper Co is 5 out of 10, indicating fair financial strength.

Story continues

Is International Paper Co (IP) Significantly Undervalued? An In-Depth Analysis

Profitability and Growth

Investing in profitable companies, especially those with consistent profitability over the long term, is typically less risky. International Paper Co has been profitable for 10 of the past 10 years. The company had a revenue of $20.20 billion and an Earnings Per Share (EPS) of $2.91 over the past twelve months. Its operating margin is 7.43%, ranking better than 64.11% of the companies in the Packaging & Containers industry. Overall, International Paper Co's profitability is ranked 7 out of 10 by GuruFocus, indicating fair profitability.

Growth is a critical factor in a company's valuation. A faster-growing company creates more value for shareholders, especially if the growth is profitable. The 3-year average annual revenue growth of International Paper Co is 7.9%, ranking better than 53.52% of the companies in the Packaging & Containers industry. However, the 3-year average EBITDA growth rate is 3.1%, ranking worse than 58.58% of the companies in the industry.

ROIC vs WACC

Comparing a company's return on invested capital (ROIC) to its weighted average cost of capital (WACC) can provide valuable insights into its profitability. If the ROIC exceeds the WACC, the company is likely creating value for its shareholders. Over the past 12 months, International Paper Co's ROIC was 9.57, while its WACC was 9.16.

Is International Paper Co (IP) Significantly Undervalued? An In-Depth Analysis

Conclusion

In conclusion, International Paper Co's stock appears to be significantly undervalued. The company has fair financial strength and profitability. However, its growth ranks worse than 58.58% of the companies in the Packaging & Containers industry. For more information about International Paper Co's stock, you can check out its 30-Year Financials here.

To discover high-quality companies that may deliver above-average returns, visit GuruFocus High Quality Low Capex Screener.

This article first appeared on GuruFocus.


Key Insights

Using the 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity, Applied Industrial Technologies fair value estimate is US$218

Applied Industrial Technologies is estimated to be 28% undervalued based on current share price of US$157

Peers of Applied Industrial Technologies are currently trading on average at a 49% premium

Does the September share price for Applied Industrial Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:AIT) reflect what it's really worth? Today, we will estimate the stock's intrinsic value by taking the forecast future cash flows of the company and discounting them back to today's value. 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.

We generally believe that a company's value is the present value of all of the cash it will generate in the future. However, a DCF is just one valuation metric among many, and it is not without flaws. If you still have some burning questions about this type of valuation, take a look at the Simply Wall St analysis model.

See our latest analysis for Applied Industrial Technologies

What's The Estimated Valuation?

We're using the 2-stage growth model, which simply means we take in account two stages of company's growth. In the initial period the company may have a higher growth rate and the second stage is usually assumed to have a stable growth rate. In the first stage we need to estimate the cash flows to the business over the next ten years. Seeing as no analyst estimates of free cash flow are available to us, we have extrapolate the previous free cash flow (FCF) from the company's last 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.

Story continues

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) forecast

2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 Levered FCF ($, Millions) US$368.2m US$408.7m US$442.8m US$471.6m US$496.0m US$517.2m US$536.1m US$553.2m US$569.1m US$584.3m Growth Rate Estimate Source Est @ 14.81% Est @ 11.01% Est @ 8.35% Est @ 6.49% Est @ 5.19% Est @ 4.28% Est @ 3.64% Est @ 3.19% Est @ 2.88% Est @ 2.66% Present Value ($, Millions) Discounted @ 7.7% US$342 US$352 US$355 US$351 US$343 US$332 US$319 US$306 US$292 US$279

("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St)

Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = US$3.3b

After calculating the present value of future cash flows in the initial 10-year period, we need to calculate the Terminal Value, which accounts for all future cash flows beyond the first stage. The Gordon Growth formula is used to calculate Terminal Value at a future annual growth rate equal to the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield of 2.2%. We discount the terminal cash flows to today's value at a cost of equity of 7.7%.

Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2033  (1 + g)  (r  g) = US$584m (1 + 2.2%)  (7.7% 2.2%) = US$11b

Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= US$11b ( 1 + 7.7%)10= US$5.1b

The total value, or equity value, is then the sum of the present value of the future cash flows, which in this case is US$8.4b. In the final step we divide the equity value by the number of shares outstanding. Compared to the current share price of US$157, the company appears a touch undervalued at a 28% discount to where the stock price trades currently. Valuations are imprecise instruments though, rather like a telescope - move a few degrees and end up in a different galaxy. Do keep this in mind.

dcf

The Assumptions

We would point out that the most important inputs to a discounted cash flow are the discount rate and of course the actual cash flows. If you don't agree with these result, have a go at the calculation yourself and play with the assumptions. The DCF also does not consider the possible cyclicality of an industry, or a company's future capital requirements, so it does not give a full picture of a company's potential performance. Given that we are looking at Applied Industrial Technologies as potential shareholders, the cost of equity is used as the discount rate, rather than the cost of capital (or weighted average cost of capital, WACC) which accounts for debt. In this calculation we've used 7.7%, which is based on a levered beta of 1.107. 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 Applied Industrial Technologies

Strength

Earnings growth over the past year exceeded the industry.

Debt is not viewed as a risk.

Weakness

Dividend is low compared to the top 25% of dividend payers in the Trade Distributors market.

Opportunity

Annual earnings are forecast to grow for the next 2 years.

Trading below our estimate of fair value by more than 20%.

Threat

No apparent threats visible for AIT.

Moving On:

Although the valuation of a company is important, it is only one of many factors that you need to assess for a company. DCF models are not the be-all and end-all of investment valuation. Rather it should be seen as a guide to "what assumptions need to be true for this stock to be under/overvalued?" If a company grows at a different rate, or if its cost of equity or risk free rate changes sharply, the output can look very different. Why is the intrinsic value higher than the current share price? For Applied Industrial Technologies, we've compiled three fundamental aspects you should consider:

Risks: To that end, you should be aware of the 1 warning sign we've spotted with Applied Industrial Technologies . Future Earnings: How does AIT's growth rate compare to its peers and the wider market? Dig deeper into the analyst consensus number for the upcoming years by interacting with our free analyst growth expectation chart. Other Solid Businesses: Low debt, high returns on equity and good past performance are fundamental to a strong business. Why not explore our interactive list of stocks with solid business fundamentals to see if there are other companies you may not have considered!

PS. Simply Wall St updates its DCF calculation for every American 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.
Stephanie Heredias promotion came a year too late and more than a few dollars short. Heredia, 29, started an accountant job at a small Tampa, Florida firm, with the promise that her $60,000 base salary would rise to $100,000 after one year.

But at the last minute, she told Fortune, the timeline became two years. Her eventual salary$90,000, plus commissions. As the firm grew from four people to 25, Heredias responsibilities ballooned. She was charged with opening a new unit in Puerto Rico, which went on to generate an additional $2 million annually for the firm, but asking for a raise felt like talking to a brick wall, Heredia said.

I'd have sales over $300k annually but was only making $90k while doing ALL the work of the clients I brought in [and] the other work at the firm, Heredia said, adding, I sadly have way too many spreadsheets comparing the money I was bringing in [versus] bringing home!

I was starting to realize I was burning out pretty quickly, she recalled. I made the decision that I couldn't keep building someone else's dream.

Heredia is far from alone. Workers promoted into management positions are increasingly under stress, new research shows. Indeed, workers who get their first promotion into management are more likely to leave their employer immediately after, compared with workers who dont get promoted, according to recent research from payroll processor ADP. And a Gallup poll this week found that managers are more likely to be burned out or disengaged than workers overall.

[B]eing the boss usually comes with its perks. Unfortunately, today its mostly just a tough job, Gallup concluded.

Nearly two-thirds of poll respondents said their job responsibilities increased, while 42% said that their budgets had been cut. Perhaps not surprisingly, a majority of managers are currently looking for new jobs, Gallup found.

For Heredia, it was right after she had made the decision to leave that her long-awaited promotion came. Her boss called her into his office and offered her a promotion to partner, complete with a stake in the firm.

Story continues

This would bring her total salary to $120,000, but she would no longer be eligible for commissionsmeaning her total compensation would be cut. Still, Heredia said she accepted out of exhaustion. I had worked so hard that I thought accepting would undo my resentment and make me whole again, she said.

It didnt. Six months later, Heredia started her own firm, Taxes Tampa. A year after leaving, she insists she has never felt better.

This story was originally featured on Fortune.com

More from Fortune:

5 side hustles where you may earn over $20,000 per yearall while working from home

Want more for your money? These 14 savings accounts have rates of 5% APY (and higher)

Buying a house? Here's how much to save

This is how much money you need to earn annually to comfortably buy a $600,000 home
Midwich Group plc (LON:MIDW) will increase its dividend on the 27th of October to 0.055, which is 22% higher than last year's payment from the same period of 0.045. This takes the dividend yield to 3.7%, which shareholders will be pleased with.

View our latest analysis for Midwich Group

Midwich Group's Payment Has Solid Earnings Coverage

While it is great to have a strong dividend yield, we should also consider whether the payment is sustainable. The last payment made up 74% of earnings, but cash flows were much higher. In general, cash flows are more important than earnings, so we are comfortable that the dividend will be sustainable going forward, especially with so much cash left over for reinvestment.

Looking forward, earnings per share is forecast to rise by 30.2% over the next year. If the dividend continues on this path, the payout ratio could be 68% by next year, which we think can be pretty sustainable going forward.

Midwich Group's Dividend Has Lacked Consistency

Midwich Group has been paying dividends for a while, but the track record isn't stellar. This makes us cautious about the consistency of the dividend over a full economic cycle. Since 2016, the dividend has gone from 0.0306 total annually to 0.15. This means that it has been growing its distributions at 25% per annum over that time. It is great to see strong growth in the dividend payments, but cuts are concerning as it may indicate the payout policy is too ambitious.

The Dividend's Growth Prospects Are Limited

With a relatively unstable dividend, it's even more important to see if earnings per share is growing. Midwich Group has seen earnings per share falling at 2.3% per year over the last five years. If earnings continue declining, the company may have to make the difficult choice of reducing the dividend or even stopping it completely - the opposite of dividend growth. However, the next year is actually looking up, with earnings set to rise. We would just wait until it becomes a pattern before getting too excited.

Story continues

An additional note is that the company has been raising capital by issuing stock equal to 15% of shares outstanding in the last 12 months. Trying to grow the dividend when issuing new shares reminds us of the ancient Greek tale of Sisyphus - perpetually pushing a boulder uphill. Companies that consistently issue new shares are often suboptimal from a dividend perspective.

Our Thoughts On Midwich Group's Dividend

Overall, we always like to see the dividend being raised, but we don't think Midwich Group will make a great income stock. In the past, the payments have been unstable, but over the short term the dividend could be reliable, with the company generating enough cash to cover it. We would be a touch cautious of relying on this stock primarily for the dividend income.

Companies possessing a stable dividend policy will likely enjoy greater investor interest than those suffering from a more inconsistent approach. Meanwhile, despite the importance of dividend payments, they are not the only factors our readers should know when assessing a company. For example, we've picked out 3 warning signs for Midwich Group that investors should know about before committing capital to this stock. Looking for more high-yielding dividend ideas? Try our collection of 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.
A southern Minnesota meat processor accused of employing eight teenagers in illegal, hazardous work  including operating meat grinder and forklifts on the graveyard shift  will pay $300,000 in an administrative fine, according to a Watonwan County judge's consent order issued Friday.

In the consent order, Tony Downs Food Company, which produces an array of fully-cooked and frozen protein meals, said it disagreed with the allegations first raised by the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry in March.

But the company agreed to pay the fine and comply with other stipulations, including hiring a third-party watchdog and communicating labor policies to employees in both English and Spanish.

Employing minors in such environments violates the state's child labor laws. Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry completed an overnight inspection of the plant in January when it discovered the underage workers.

The consent order, issued by Watonwan County Judge Stephen Ferrazzano II, and signed by Tony Downs president Mike Downs, said the company has "fully cooperated" with investigators with DLI.

"The consequences of child labor violations are substantial and the Department of Labor and Industry is committed to combatting these violations," said DLI Commissioner Nicole Blissenbach, in a statement.

In a statement, issued by David Ross, Vice President of Human Resources, the company maintained the consent order is not an admission of guilt.

"We believe that the administrative penalty included in the settlement was grossly disproportionate, not supported under the law, and an attempt by the DLI to make our family-owned company an example for a serious issue that is pervasive among employers in the food sector and many other industries across the U.S.," the statement said.

A rash of child labor employment  and subsequent federal and state investigations  has rippled across meat-packing plants in the U.S., including in Minnesota. Last year, federal investigators with the U.S. Department of Labor unearthed dozens of children working for a janitorial service in meatpacking plants in Worthington and Marshall.
A woman making a lot of money with dividends

Popular conceptions of investing involve trading company stock when its value appreciates. However, dividends allow you to profit from holding company stock without selling it. Dividends offer investors regular cash payouts from companies theyve invested in, resulting in passive income. Whether youre a seasoned investor seeking to optimize your portfolio or a newcomer curious about the power of dividends, heres what you can expect to receive if you have $100k to invest. You may also want to discuss your strategy with a financial advisor to maximize your returns.

How Much Can You Make in Dividends with $100K?

Your earning potential with $100,000 in dividends depends on how well the companies you invest in perform and how they distribute dividends. One way to measure performance is through dividend yield. You can calculate dividend yield by dividing annual dividend payments by market price per share. For example, lets say you received $100 in dividends last year. You held one share of stock worth $1,000. As a result, $100/$1,000 = 10%. So, the dividend yield means you would estimate a 10% return in dividends through your investment next year.

With this concept in mind, heres a table demonstrating how your portfolios dividend yield increases your earning power with $100,000:

Portfolio Dividend Yield Dividend Payments With $100K 1% $1,000 2% $2,000 3% $3,000 4% $4,000 5% $5,000 6% $6,000 7% $7,000 8% $8,000 9% $9,000 10% $10,000

What Is a Portfolio Dividend Yield?

While the example above mentioned your dividend investment in one company, investors typically invest in numerous companies. This practice is known as diversification, meaning investors spread their money across a host of companies and industries. Diversification prevents you from putting all your eggs in one basket; instead, you give yourself exposure to many sectors, increasing your chances of success.

Diversifying your investments results in a portfolio of shares in various companies. Therefore, your portfolio dividend yield is the average dividend yield from all the stocks you hold. For instance, you split your $100,000 by investing $10,000 in one company and $1,000 in ninety more companies. Or, to allocate your investments evenly, you could invest $500 in 200 companies. Either way, youll have a stock portfolio earning dividends annually. You can track your earnings by calculating your overall portfolio dividend yield.

Story continues

How to Calculate a Portfolio Dividend Yield

A woman excited to learn about how much she will make in dividends with her $100,000

Calculating your portfolio yield is like calculating the dividend yield for one company. The difference is you take all your investments into account. For example, lets say you have 10 investments of $10,000 each in various companies. The first five companies you invest in each provide a $500 dividend yield. The next two companies provide a $2,000 yield each. Another company provides a $3,000 yield and the last two companies fail to pay dividends at all.

Given these figures, your total annual dividend payout is $2,500+$4,000+$3,000=$9,500. Now, you divide this total by your investment amount of $100,000. So, $9,500/$100,000=9.5%. Therefore, your portfolio dividend yield is 9.5%.

How to Pick Dividend Stocks

Incorporating the following considerations into your investment strategy can help you select dividend stocks that contribute to a resilient portfolio. Remember that thorough research, diversification and periodic portfolio reviews are essential for successful dividend investing.

Plan for the Long Haul

When selecting dividend stocks for a strong portfolio, adopting a long-term perspective is essential. While purchasing a stock when its underpriced and selling it a few months later for a profit is a valid investment approach, dividend investing means holding the stock and receiving payments as the company thrives. Therefore, its best to buy stock in companies with strong fundamentals and a proven track record of weathering market fluctuations. Likewise, a history of consistent dividend payments and a commitment to maintaining or increasing dividends over time is crucial. Reliable dividends can contribute to stable returns and compound growth, especially when reinvested.

Look for Consistent Cash Flow

A companys ability to pay dividends hinges on its consistent cash flow generation. Analyze the companys financial statements to ensure its operating cash flow consistently covers dividend payments. Companies with diversified revenue streams, recurring business models and time-tested products or services are better suited to maintain stable cash flow, even during economic downturns. In turn, these companies can better sustain dividends over the long term.

Consider Debt-to-Equity Ratios

A companys debt-to-equity ratio reflects the proportion of its debt to shareholder equity. Therefore, the number reflects financial health, indicating whether the companys debt is too burdensome. A rule of thumb is to avoid companies with more than twice the debt of their equity. Companies with more debt than this will likely direct excess cash to pay down the debt than dividends. In addition, high debt levels can strain a companys ability to survive tough economic times.

Evaluate the Companys Position in the Industry

Companies succeed when they beat the competition. Therefore, a company at the forefront of its industry is better positioned to sustain dividends. Look for companies with long-term competitive advantages, such as widespread brand recognition, intellectual property or a large market share. Likewise, companies with a wide economic moat are more likely to withstand industry disruptions, regulatory shifts and economic challenges, ensuring their ability to continue dividend payments.

Rules for Successful Dividend Investing

The rules below will allow you to build a dividend-focused investment strategy that balances stability, growth and risk management, ultimately contributing to your portfolios long-term success.

1. Choose Reliable Companies

Companies with a history of consistent dividend payments, strong financials and a commitment to maintaining or growing dividends over time tend to offer more stable dividends. And companies that have raised dividends for the past 25 years or more have the dividend aristocrat status. These companies often have well-established operations, strong brand recognition and the ability to navigate economic cycles. Investing with them provides predictability regarding dividend payments. While newer companies might offer higher growth potential, they often come with increased risk.

2. Dont Forget the Growth Potential

While stability is essential, its also crucial to consider the growth potential of dividend-paying stocks. Seek companies that operate in industries with long-term growth prospects. Companies with innovative products, expanding markets or opportunities for market share gains are more likely to experience both capital appreciation and dividend growth. In other words, a balance between stability and growth potential can enhance the overall performance of your dividend portfolio.

3. Prioritize the Payout Ratio

The payout ratio, which represents the proportion of earnings paid out as dividends, is a critical metric to monitor. A high payout ratio might indicate that a company is distributing too much of its earnings as dividends and could be unsustainable in the long term. This situation may seem counterintuitive, but companies must address essential expenses, such as operating costs and debt payments, to stay in business. Hefty dividend payments for a few quarters or a year may seem fantastic, but not at the cost of the company going under.

Conversely, a meager payout ratio can mean the investment isnt worthwhile. Aim for a balanced payout ratio that leaves room for both dividend payments and reinvestment in the business.

4. Diversify, Diversify, Diversify

As stated earlier, diversification is a fundamental principle of successful dividend investing. It may be tempting to dump your money into a few companies youre excited about, but you could be setting yourself up for disaster if those companies or market sectors experience a downturn. On the other hand, spreading your investments across different sectors and industries reduces risk.

5. Adjust As You Go

Dividend investing requires understanding when to sit tight and when to cut your losses. Regularly review your holdings and assess whether the companies youve invested in continue to meet your criteria for quality and growth potential. If a companys fundamentals deteriorate significantly, you can sell and reallocate your funds to more promising opportunities. Balancing loyalty to a company committed to maintaining a robust and resilient portfolio is key.

Bottom Line

A woman calculating how much she will make in dividends if she invests her $100,000

The potential earnings from investing $100,000 in dividends can range above 7% when approached with a thoughtful and strategic investment strategy. By selecting quality dividend-paying stocks, focusing on established companies with growth potential and being mindful of factors like payout ratios, investors can aim to create a balanced and resilient portfolio. While the exact amount of dividends earned will vary based on market conditions and the specific stocks chosen, diligent research and a long-term perspective can contribute to building a robust income stream and capital appreciation over time.

Dividend Earning Tips

Dividends are an excellent income stream for retirement. As a form of passive income, your dividend investments can provide solid payments for the rest of your life. Heres how to know how much you need to live off dividends.

Dividend investing requires similar knowledge as stock investing. Fortunately, a financial advisor can guide both. Finding a financial advisor doesnt have to be hard. SmartAssets 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 youre ready to find an advisor who can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now.

Photo credit: iStock.com/PeopleImages, iStock.com/Hiraman, iStock.com/fizkes

The post How Much Can You Make in Dividends With $100k? appeared first on SmartReads by SmartAsset.
News Corp boss Robert Thomson has warned that artificial intelligence could unleash a new wave of job losses in the media industry

One of Rupert Murdochs top lieutenants has warned that AI threatens a tsunami of job losses and could crush readers under a weight of maggot-ridden mind mould.

News Corporation chief executive Robert Thomson this week told a conference in San Francisco that the rapid rise of artificial intelligence was epochal.

Thomson said that AI will lead to a tsunami of job losses. From 2008 to 2020, 57pc of newsroom jobs in the United States have been lost, he said.

Were facing another wave, in this case, a tsunami potentially of job losses because of the impact of AI. And these are not just jobs lost, but its insight lost. And so its important that all media companies understand the impact, but also, its incumbent on the big AI players to understand their impact.

While warnings about AI job losses are not limited to newsrooms, Thomson warned that there was a greater societal risk: that we will become deluged by a stream of AI-generated rubbish.

People have to understand that AI is essentially retrospective. Its about permutations of pre-existing content. And the danger is, its rubbish in, rubbish out, and in this case, rubbish all about, Thomson said.

Instead of elevating and enhancing, what you might find is that you have this ever shrinking cycle of sanity surrounded by a reservoir of rubbish. That instead of the insight that AI can potentially bring, it will evolve into essentially a maggot-ridden mind mould.

Concerns about technology are not new. Rupert Murdoch has spent much of the last decade and a half at war with Google, claiming the internet giant has been ripping off his content.

The Australian media tycoon has called the search engine a parasite and kleptomaniac, accusing it of stealing work from a newspaper empire that includes The Times, The Sun, The Wall Street Journal and the New York Post.

Rupert Murdoch has clashed with Google for over a decade over the tech giants usage of News Corp content - Victoria Jones/PA Wire

Murdoch briefly went so far as to block Google from including The Times within its search results. His company, News Corporation, complained to the European Commission, accusing Google of exploiting a dominant market position to stifle competition.

Story continues

His hard line has seen results: Australia, where Murdoch retains a lasting influence, introduced pioneering laws that effectively make Google and Facebook pay for news in 2021.

After a stand-off, Google backed down, striking deals with dozens of outlets. Now, countries around the world are following, and News Corp and Google have signed a multi-year partnership deal that involves significant payments from the tech company.

While AI now poses a fresh threat, there is also an opportunity.

Mr Thomson told shareholders last month that it would allow the company to reduce costs. He has suggested that this will be in back office functions, although the companys local Australian titles are already using AI to author stories about weather and fuel prices.

Murdochs loudest critics would find it ironic that Thomson is complaining about AI poisoning peoples minds. But most would concede that he has a point.

While chatbots such as ChatGPT can appear omniscient, at a fundamental level they are simply consuming and repackaging huge quantities of existing knowledge that they have already ingested. Creating that knowledge is another matter altogether.

Major news sites such as the New York Times, Reuters and CNN have already begun blocking ChatGPT software that scours the web for material to ingest.

That may only be an initial step. The New York Times is reportedly considering legal action against OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT as negotiations between the companies over a licensing deal fail to bear fruit.

In July, The Telegraph revealed that DMGT, the owner of the Daily Mail, was considering potential action against Google for using its online articles to train its ChatGPT competitor, Bard.

News Corp, despite Murdochs previous fiery past rhetoric against Google, has been less confrontational.

What you will see over time, [is] a lot of litigation, Thomson said. Some media companies have already begun those discussions. Personally, were not interested in that at this stage. Were much more interested in negotiation, and we have various negotiations going on.

News organisations including the Associated Press have already agreed deals with OpenAI.

However, Thomson is likely to strike a hard bargain. His critique is not only that AI companies are scraping huge quantities of copyrighted data, but that it is producing biased content that is corrosive to society.

Woke chatbot

Thomson has complained about what he sees as AI programmes churning out left wing articles.

In a separate talk, he added: It really is incumbent on these companies to recognise that responsibility in the end to their own products and certainly, to society.

These comments may be directed at regulators.

Britains Intellectual Property Office, among others, is currently assessing how copyright laws apply to AI.

Murdochs fight with search engines may have reached a truce. But a new one is just beginning.

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.
Averitt Express has purchased 15 acres in Ocala.

A national transportation and logistics company has paid $4.6 million for a 15-acre parcel in the Ocala/Marion County Commerce Park, just east of Interstate 75 and north of U.S. 27.

Here's what we know about the deal:

Who bought the land?

Averitt Express, a national transportation and logistics company based in Cookeville, Tennessee.

Who sold the land?

Ocala 489 LLC, whose managers are listed in state records as William Kearns and Joe Nisbett of Orlando.

Where exactly is the parcel?

It's behind the AutoZone, Chewy and Amazon facilities in the commerce park. It was the last unspoken for parcel in the park.

This embedded content is not available in your region.

What are the plans for the land?

Nothing has been announced yet. Two emails sent to an Averitt spokesman received no reply. Local officials expect to hear plans by the end of the year.

What do we know about Averitt?

According to its website, averitt.com, the company is "a leading provider of freight transportation and supply chain management with international reach to more than 100 countries."

"Averitt operates at 143 locations and serves thousands of points throughout the Southern United States, Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean. Averitt also provides international transportation services to 100 different countries and more than 300 international destinations," the site says.

Previous coverage: In less than a decade, 97% of land in Ocala/Marion County Commerce Park is sold

Previous coverage: New road helps lead to creation of industrial park

About the commerce park

As the Star-Banner has reported in the past, the park dates back to 2009, when Kearns and Nisbett shaped their vision for the 489 acres that were once collectively known as the Magna land. They worked with Marion County, the city of Ocala and other stakeholders to create a park that FedEx, AutoZone, Chewy and Amazon, among others, now call home.

Other major activity in the area

UF Health is building a neighborhood hospital adjacent to the park at the south end. The government is fast-tracking a new Interstate 75 interchange at Northwest 49th Street to help handle all the truck traffic from the park. Buc-ee's plans to build at that new interchange.

jross@gannett.com

This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: Commerce park north of I-75/U.S. 27 is getting another major tenant
NEW YORK  The New York attorney general on Friday told a judge her office was low-balling when it said Donald Trump pumped up his net worth by up to $2 billion when running his dads real estate empire  and that he actually exaggerated it by $3.6 billion.

In papers opposing a request from the Trumps to toss her sweeping civil fraud case, lawyers for Letitia James said they found the former president exaggerated his net worth by $812 million to $2.2 billion when they did the math based on evidence he doesnt dispute.

But James office, which has asked a judge to rule on one of the seven claims against the Trumps before their trial next month, said it was ready to make the case that he falsely inflated it by as much as $3.6 billion.

There is far more evidence beyond just what is undisputed that the People will present at trial, as necessary, to establish the enormous extent to which Mr. Trumps net worth was overstated in each year from 2011 to 2021, lawyers for the AG wrote in Manhattan Supreme Court filings.

James lawsuit seeks $250 million in ill-gotten gains and to severely restrict how the Trumps do business in the Big Apple. Her September 2022 lawsuit accused him and his executives of inflating the value of Trump Organization assets to secure better loan and insurance terms.

Valuation experts and accountants working with AG investigators found Trump inflated his net worth by $1.9 to $3.6 billion during the decade James case covers when accounting for modern-day market factors, the AG said.

The evidence Trump doesnt dispute  like valuing his Trump Tower Triplex based on it being around 33,000 square feet when, in reality, its around 10,000 square feet  shows him annually inflating his worth by between $812 million to $2.2 billion, James showed in court filings last week.

James described the astonishing $3.6 billion sum as still conservative when considering that many of the inputs and assumptions used by Trump and his co-defendants that valuation experts accepted for arguments sake would otherwise be rejected in a full-blown appraisal review.

Story continues

The AGs office said Trump and his associates grossly and deceptively inflated his assets and net worth to banks and insurers based on this mountain of evidence establishing fraudulent business transactions.

As Trumps lawyers asked for the case to be thrown out, James office asked state Supreme Court Judge Arthur Engoron on Aug. 30 to find them liable for one of her chief claims alleging their financial statements from 2011 to 2021 were false or misleading and repeatedly used in business transactions.

On Friday, she said ample evidence supports her remaining claims Trump and Co. made false entries in business records, falsified financial statements, committed insurance fraud, and conspired to break the law.

In their effort to get the case thrown out, Trump lawyers have argued that most of the AGs claims are time-barred and further that she lacks authority to bring them.

In the NYAGs obsessive, compulsive attempt to get President Trump, she even continues to unfairly drag his children Eric Trump and Donald Trump, Jr. along for the ride, despite their having had no direct involvement in the creation, preparation, or use of the (financial statements).

"Its time for the Court to put an end to this crusade by dismissing this action in its entirety, attorney Michael Madaio wrote the court Friday, opposing the AGs request that Engoron rule in her favor on the top claim.

Engoron is expected to hear arguments on James' and Trumps motions for summary judgment, which could dodge a trial, at a hearing on Sept. 22. And he is still to rule on a request by James office to issue sanctions against the former president, his co-defendants and their lawyers for repeating legal arguments rejected several times in the last year, related to her ability to bring the case.

On Wednesday, the judge rejected Trumps effort to delay the case by three weeks as completely without merit. Logistics announced Friday estimate that the trial will run five days a week from Oct. 2 to Dec. 22. Lawyers for Trump and co did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The AGs office declined to comment beyond what was said in court filings. The case is one in a litany facing the former president, including his four criminal cases, as he seeks the Republican presidential nomination. It will be his first trial of potentially six before the 2024 presidential election.
Viewing insider transactions for First Hawaiian, Inc.'s (NASDAQ:FHB ) over the last year, we see that insiders were net buyers. This means that a larger number of shares were purchased by insiders in relation to shares sold.

While we would never suggest that investors should base their decisions solely on what the directors of a company have been doing, we do think it is perfectly logical to keep tabs on what insiders are doing.

View our latest analysis for First Hawaiian

First Hawaiian Insider Transactions Over The Last Year

Over the last year, we can see that the biggest insider purchase was by Chairman of the Board Robert Harrison for US$508k worth of shares, at about US$21.61 per share. So it's clear an insider wanted to buy, even at a higher price than the current share price (being US$18.30). While their view may have changed since the purchase was made, this does at least suggest they have had confidence in the company's future. In our view, the price an insider pays for shares is very important. It is encouraging to see an insider paid above the current price for shares, as it suggests they saw value, even at higher levels. Robert Harrison was the only individual insider to buy during the last year.

You can see the insider transactions (by companies and individuals) over the last year depicted in the chart below. If you want to know exactly who sold, for how much, and when, simply click on the graph below!

First Hawaiian is not the only stock insiders are buying. So take a peek at this free list of growing companies with insider buying.

Does First Hawaiian Boast High 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. A high insider ownership often makes company leadership more mindful of shareholder interests. Insiders own 0.6% of First Hawaiian shares, worth about US$13m. We've certainly seen higher levels of insider ownership elsewhere, but these holdings are enough to suggest alignment between insiders and the other shareholders.

Story continues

So What Do The First Hawaiian Insider Transactions Indicate?

It doesn't really mean much that no insider has traded First Hawaiian shares in the last quarter. On a brighter note, the transactions over the last year are encouraging. Insiders own shares in First Hawaiian and we see no evidence to suggest they are worried about the future. In addition to knowing about insider transactions going on, it's beneficial to identify the risks facing First Hawaiian. Case in point: We've spotted 2 warning signs for First Hawaiian you should be aware of, and 1 of these doesn't sit too well with us.

But note: First Hawaiian may not be the best stock to buy. So take a peek at this free list of interesting companies with high ROE and low debt.

For the purposes of this article, insiders are those individuals who report their transactions to the relevant regulatory body. We currently account for open market transactions and private dispositions of direct interests only, but not derivative transactions or indirect interests.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
The leader of Poland's ruling party Jaroslaw Kaczynski ,right, during parliament vote to confirm that a government-planned controversial referendum on migration will be held alongside key parliamentary elections on Oct. 15, at the lower house of parliament in Warsaw, Poland, on Thursday, Aug. 2023. Critics say the referendum is a campaign ploy by ruling Law and Justice party to discredit the opposition and rally voters around government politics. (AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

WARSAW, Poland (AP)  Polands conservative governing party and the opposition showered potential voters with promises on Saturday as the country's political parties revealed their campaign programs before the Oct. 15 parliamentary election.

The nationalist ruling Law and Justice party, which took power in 2015, wants to win an unprecedented third term. The government's tenure, however, has been marred with bitter clashes with the European Union over the government's rule of law record and democratic backsliding.

At a party convention, leader Jaroslaw Kaczynski, who is Poland's most powerful politician, made promises of new spending on social and military causes for the nation living in the shadow of Russia's full-scale invasion of neighboring Ukraine.

The government has already largely increased the state budget deficit with spending on benefits for large families and retirees, its own voter base as well as on purchasing armament.

The main opposition Civic Coalition also laid out its program tenets, vowing to reverse the negative trends in foreign and home policy, mend fences with Brussels and to secure funds frozen now by the EU amid the rule of law dispute.

Party leader Donald Tusk, who is a former prime minister and former top EU figure, also promised to free state media and cultural activities from their current restrictions and censorship.

With five weeks to go to the election that will shape Poland for the next four years, opinion polls suggest that Law and Justice may garner the most electoral votes, but not enough to continue its current narrow control of the parliament, and may need to seek an uncomfortable coalition where the most probable partner would be the far-right Confederation.
Princeton University was ranked the No. 1 university in the U.S. by Wall Street Journal/College Pulses 2024 ranking.

When it comes to ranking universities, the usual players are almost always going to come out on top: The Princetons, the Stanfords, the Yales, the Harvards. They will jockey for those first few spots on whatever ranking you happen to be looking, provided the ranking is at least somewhat reputable and not focused on any particular major or specialization.

Wall Street Journal/College Pulses 2024 Best Colleges in the U.S. has all the schools youd expect at the very top: Princeton University at No. 1, followed closely by Massachusetts Institute of Technology (No. 2), and Yale University (No. 3). Stanford, Columbia and Harvard universities round out the top six. (See table of the top 10 WSJ ranked colleges in the table below.)

Rank School State Score 1 Princeton NJ 91.6 2 MIT MA 90.4 3 Yale CT 90.3 4 Stanford CA 90.1 5 Columbia NY 89.7 6 Harvard MA 89.5 7 University of Pennsylvania PA 89.4 8 Amherst College MA 88.4 9 Claremont McKenna College CA 88 10 Babson College MA 87.9

But, after changing up its methodology this year, WSJs ranking strives to look beyond the big name reputation of the Ivies and the Ivy-Pluses. It gives room for smaller, less endowed schools the chance to rise through its ranks and be measured on the impact they actually have on student success.

BABSON RISES 116 SPOTS

Take Babson College, a small private college near Boston. It ranked No. 10 of the best U.S. colleges after ranking No. 126 a year earlier. The large jump is the result of the WSJ putting more focus on value added to student success as a result of their college of choice.

Babson  a longtime powerhouse for entrepreneurship, No. 4 in P&Qs latest MBA entrepreneurship ranking  was rewarded for its strong salary impact on its graduates careers. It ranked No. 10 in the Salary Impact category and had the fourth highest earnings above a high school grads yearly salary at $81,604. In fact, the Class of 2022 set a record for Babson undergraduates, earning $71,385 at their first jobs  a 14% increase over the previous class.

Story continues

This top-10 ranking is a clear validation of Babsons strength in the market, not just in entrepreneurship and business education, but across all of higher education, says Babson President Stephen Spinelli Jr. in a press school press release on the WSJ ranking. This comes at a time when many colleges and universities are facing steep enrollment challenges and broader questioning of the value of a college degree. It is validating to see that the strategic vision that we created together as a community is yielding clear and definitive results for Babson.

The new methodology also allows room for some public ranked schools to rise to the top 20. University of Florida landed at No. 15 while the New Jersey Institute of Technology ranked No. 19. While public colleges are generally considered more of a deal for students, especially those that offer in-state tuition and generous aid packages  the big brand private institutions, like the Ivies, still wield outsized power in the marketplace.

METHODOLOGY

WSJ has published its college rankings since 2016 along with its research partners College Pulse and Statista. This year, it made some significant changes to its methodology.

For one, it eliminated the academic survey on schools reputations which rewards big brand schools superior name recognition. It also no longer rewards schools for the amount of money it spends on instruction.

Instead, it puts more weight on student outcomes such as graduation rates and graduate salaries while measuring the impact schools actually have on student success. Some colleges doing great things for students who would otherwise struggle have previously received relatively low marks in our rankings. By contrast, some colleges doing less for students who would do well regardless of where they went to school have previously been lauded, writes rankings editor Harry Carr in WSJs ranking methodology.

For students, we believe this ranking will help them identify which colleges will do the most to help them graduate and make more money.

As such, the rankings are divided into four categories: The full college rankings, Student Experience, Salary Impact and Social Mobility.

See the full ranking methodology here.

THE 50 BEST U.S. COLLEGES

WSJ evaluated 400 U.S. private and public universities. For its full, overall ranking, it scored each school on student outcomes (70% weight), learning environment (20%) and diversity (10%).

It employed one of the largest independent student surveys and combined it with a rigorous statistical analysis of government data to calculate its school scores. It also factors cost of attendance (average net price) against student outcomes.

As an example, consider our top performer on this metric, Baruch College, where the estimated average net price across four years is $7,744, Carr writes.

The additional median annual salary its graduates enjoy over and above that of high-school graduates in New York state is $45,078so an education at Baruch pays for itself in just two months by this measure.

Baruch College, a public school in New York, ranked No. 47 in WSJs overall ranking. Interestingly, it is one of just 10 public institutions in the top 50 colleges on the list. The first 14 are all private institutions which are typically more expensive, sometimes much more expensive, than public schools.

The full list of WSJs 2024 Best Colleges in the U.S. are shown in the table below. The full list is available here.

Rank School State Score Type 1 Princeton NJ 91.6 Private 2 MIT MA 90.4 Private 3 Yale CT 90.3 Private 4 Stanford CA 90.1 Private 5 Columbia NY 89.7 Private 6 Harvard MA 89.5 Private 7 University of Pennsylvania PA 89.4 Private 8 Amherst College MA 88.4 Private 9 Claremont McKenna College CA 88 Private 10 Babson College MA 87.9 Private 11 Swarthmore College PA 85.9 Private 12 Georgetown University DC 84.6 Private 13 Vanderbilt TN 84.3 Private 14 Lehigh University PA 84.3 Private 15 University of Florida FL 84.2 Public 16 Duke University NC 84.1 Private 17 Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology IN 84 Private 18 California Institute of Technology CA 83.8 Private 19 New Jersey Institute of Technology NJ 83.5 Public 20 Brigham Young University UT 83.4 Private 21 Dartmouth College NH 83.4 Private 22 University of Southern California CA 83.4 Private 23 Illinois Institute of Technology IL 83.3 Private 24 Cornell University NY 82.7 Private 25 Northwestern University IL 82.6 Private 26 Washington University in St. Louis MO 82.1 Private 27 Lake Forest College IL 81.9 Private 28 University of Michigan  Ann Arbor MI 81.6 Public 29 Florida International University FL 81.3 Public 30 Davidson College NC 81.2 Private 31 Williams College MA 81.2 Private 32 University of Notre Dame IN 81.1 Private 33 University of La Verne CA 80.9 Private 34 Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute NY 80.4 Private 35 University of Illinois Urbana  Champaign IL 80.3 Public 36 Stevens Institute of Technology NJ 80.1 Private 37 The University of Chicago IL 80 Private 38 Texas A & M University  College Station TX 79.9 Public 39 Georgia Institute of Technology  Main Campus GA 79.7 Public 40 Colgate University NY 79.6 Private 41 Haverford College PA 79.4 Private 42 Emory University GA 79.4 Private 43 The University of Utah UT 79.3 Public 44 Washington & Lee University VA 79.2 Private 45 Boston College MA 79.2 Private 46 University of Connecticut CT 79.2 Public 47 Baruch College NY 79.2 Public 48 Thomas Jefferson University PA 78.9 Private 49 Pomona College CA 78.8 Private 50 Colby College ME 78.7 Private

NEXT PAGE: How colleges rank on salary impact, school experience, and social mobility

Babson College ranked No. 10 in the Salary Impact category and had the fourth highest earnings above a high school grads yearly salary at $81,604.

SCHOOLS RANKED BY SALARY IMPACT

Here, three of the top 20 schools are public institutions, including No. 7 Missouri University of Science & Technology.

Still, the Ivies and big brand powerhouses still dominate. Think Stanford, Harvard, and Princeton. University of Pennsylvania comes out on top with a salary score of 99.1.

The salary impact rating looks at the impact the school has on its graduates salaries in relation to the cost of attending. While the schools at the top generally have high price tags, the salaries their graduates earn 10 years later make up for the high cost. As one example, a graduate of the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania earns an average starting salary of $100,665 three months after graduation, and up to $111,902 with bonuses, according to Poets&Quants most recent undergraduate business school ranking.

Below, you can see the 20 schools with the highest salary impact from WSJs ranking. More detail and the full list can be found here.

Rank School State Score 1 University of Pennsylvania PA 99.1 2 Princeton University NJ 98.9 3 Columbia University NY 98.4 4 Massachusetts Institute of Technology MA 98.2 5 Harvard University MA 97.3 6 Stanford University CA 97.1 7 Missouri University of Science & Technology MO 96.9 8 Claremont McKenna College CA 96.7 9 Yale University CT 96.3 10 Babson College MA 96 11 Georgetown University DC 95.6 12 Michigan Technological University MI 95 13 Brigham Young University UT 94.6 14 Lehigh University PA 9.4 15 New Jersey Institute of Technology NJ 94 16 Illinois Institute of Technology IL 94 17 Duke University NC 93 18 Vanderbilt University TN 92.9 19 Amherst College MA 92.6 20 Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute NY 92.5

STUDENT EXPERIENCE AND SOCIAL MOBILITY

The WSJ/College Pulse Student Experience ranking looks at the schools where students enjoy waking up to go to class.

Student perceptions were measured by an independent survey of verified college students and recent graduates. In this category, public schools have the edge claiming 13 of the top 20 spots.

Dalton State College in Georgia has the best score in this category at 75.6. It also scored a 77 in community and social life and 81 in diversity. The average net price of attendance is $5,240 with a value added to graduate salaries of $14,230.

See the top 20 schools for student experience in the table below. For the full list and more school detail, click here.

Rank School State Score 1 Dalton State College GA 75.6 2 California Baptist University CA 75.5 3 University of Houston  Downtown TX 74.4 4 Savannah State University GA 74.3 5 Alcorn State University MS 73 6 Florida Institute of Technology FL 72.8 7 Texas Womans University TX 72.3 8 Oral Roberts University OK 72.1 9 Pomona College CA 71.9 10 Florida International University FL 71.7 11 University of La Verne CA 71.7 12 California State University  San Marcos CA 71.5 13 Southern New Hampshire University NH 71.3 14 Clayton State University GA 71.2 15 California State University  Fresno CA 71.1 16 University of California  Los Angeles CA 71 17 Prairie View A & M University TX 70.9 18 California State University  Sacramento CA 70.9 19 Iona University NY 70.7 20 California State University  Northridge CA 70.6

For social mobility, WSJ looked at how much schools enhance students social mobility after graduation. Institutions with the highest proportion of students that come from lower-income families, high graduation rates, high salary impact for graduates, and lower costs do the best in this metric.

Again, public schools dominate here with 16 of the top 20 spots.

California State University  Los Angeles is the best school for social mobility at 99.6. It scored a perfect 100 in salary and a 99 in graduation rate. It has an average net price of $2,037 with a value added graduate salary of $26,419.

A table with the top 20 schools for social mobility is presented below. For the full list and more school detail, click here.

Rank School State Score 1 California State University  Los Angele CA 99.6 2 University of California  Merced CA 99.6 3 Berea College KY 99.5 4 Fresno Pacific University CA 99.3 5 California State University  Northridge CA 98.8 6 California State University  Fresno CA 98.6 7 Baruch College NY 97.5 8 University of Illinois  Chicago IL 97.1 9 Florida International University FL 97.1 10 California State University  Sacramento CA 97 11 California State Polytechnic University  Pomona CA 96.9 12 University of La Verne CA 96.2 13 Albion College MI 96.2 14 California State University  Long Beach CA 95.3 15 California State University  Monterey Bay CA 94.6 16 Montclair State University NJ 94.5 17 California State University  San Marcos CA 94.2 18 New Jersey Institute of Technology NJ 93 19 San Francisco State University CA 92.3 20 The University of Texas at El Paso TX 91.6

DONT MISS: POETS&QUANTS BEST UNDERGRADUATE BUSINESS SCHOOLS OF 2023 and NEW TOOL RANKS COLLEGES BASED ON YOUR PERSONAL PREFERENCE

The post Ranking: Wall Street Journals 2024 Best Colleges In America appeared first on Poets&Quants.
If you really want to be rich, use these 3 Warren Buffett techniques that no one ever talks about

Regarded as one of the most successful investors of all time, billionaire Warren Buffett has become a guru for millions of investors.

The CEO of Berkshire Hathaway made his first stock investment at age 11and has since grown his fortune to more than $100 billion.

Don't miss

Thanks to Jeff Bezos, you can now use $100 to cash in on prime real estate  without the headache of being a landlord. Here's how

Worried about the economy? Here are the best shock-proof assets for your portfolio. (Theyre all outside of the stock market.)

Super-rich Americans are snatching up prime real estate abroad as US housing slumps  but here's a sharp way to invest without having to move overseas

Buffett's investment philosophies have made him a household name, but there are three lesser-known tactics the Oracle of Omaha has used to grow his wealth that don't get as much attention  even though they should.

1. Pick managers, not stocks

In his most recent letter to shareholders, Buffett writes, "Charlie and I are not stock-pickers; we are business-pickers."

When choosing companies for Berkshire, he looks for "long-lasting favorable economic characteristics and trustworthy managers."

It's this latter element that doesn't get enough attention, likely because it's easier to research a company's financials than to understand its management team.

"When large enterprises are being managed, both trust and rules are essential," Buffett writes. "Berkshire emphasizes the former to an unusual  some would say extreme  degree."

A good manager, according to Buffett, requires little management. "Hire well, manage little," he writes in his 2010 letter to shareholders.

"Many of our CEOs are independently wealthy and work only because they love what they do," Buffett writes in the same letter. "They are volunteers, not mercenaries."

2. Avoid commodity-like companies

Buffett avoids companies selling products for which price is the main determinant as to whether consumers will choose it over the competition: in other words, companies that sell interchangeable products.

Story continues

He favors a quote from Peter Lynch that such companies should come with a warning label saying, "Competition may prove hazardous to human wealth."

You can spot commodity-like companies by their customers' lack of brand loyalty as well as the business's low profit margins and low return on equity.

Read more: Warren Buffett gets gloomy: America's 'incredible period' is coming to an end. Here's what nervous investors can do right now

3. Sell put options

Derivatives such as put options may seem counter to Buffett's devotion to blue-chip stock investing, but the Oracle of Omaha has actually used equity index put option contracts throughout his tenure at Berkshire. His winning strategy is essentially a bet that the underlying indices will increase in value over time.

Buffett sold put options on equity stock indices such as the S&P 500 with maturities of 15 to 20 years so that they would mature between 2019 and 2027. He received $4.5 billion in premiums when the options were first sold.

A put option is a contract that gives buyers the right to sell a security at a predetermined price in a specific time frame.

Since Buffett sold put contracts, he may need to pay the buyer the difference between the index's current market value and the value on the put contract at expiration. If the index market value is higher at maturity, Berkshire owes nothing  and in fact makes money from the initial premium it collects when the contract is struck. As of December 2022, just three open contracts remained.

Given the nature of the stock market to always trend up over the long-term, Berkshire's strategy may not seem too risky.

But make no mistake: Its not for the faint of heart. Berkshire lost $276 million on its derivatives contracts in 2022.

What to read next

It makes an enormous difference: Warren Buffett says this simple trick is the key to earning a generous retirement nest egg

Jeff Bezos and Oprah Winfrey invest in this asset to keep their wealth safe  you may want to do the same in 2023

Rich young Americans have lost confidence in the stock market  and are betting on these 3 assets instead. Get in now for strong long-term tailwinds

This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
If we want to find a potential multi-bagger, often there are underlying trends that can provide clues. Ideally, a business will show two trends; firstly a growing return on capital employed (ROCE) and secondly, an increasing amount of capital employed. Put simply, these types of businesses are compounding machines, meaning they are continually reinvesting their earnings at ever-higher rates of return. Having said that, from a first glance at Boston Scientific (NYSE:BSX) we aren't jumping out of our chairs at how returns are trending, but let's have a deeper look.

Return On Capital Employed (ROCE): What Is It?

For those who don't know, ROCE is a measure of a company's yearly pre-tax profit (its return), relative to the capital employed in the business. Analysts use this formula to calculate it for Boston Scientific:

Return on Capital Employed = Earnings Before Interest and Tax (EBIT)  (Total Assets - Current Liabilities)

0.077 = US$2.2b  (US$34b - US$4.6b) (Based on the trailing twelve months to June 2023).

Thus, Boston Scientific has an ROCE of 7.7%. Ultimately, that's a low return and it under-performs the Medical Equipment industry average of 9.7%.

See our latest analysis for Boston Scientific

roce

In the above chart we have measured Boston Scientific's prior ROCE against its prior performance, but the future is arguably more important. If you'd like to see what analysts are forecasting going forward, you should check out our free report for Boston Scientific.

What The Trend Of ROCE Can Tell Us

When we looked at the ROCE trend at Boston Scientific, we didn't gain much confidence. Over the last five years, returns on capital have decreased to 7.7% from 11% five years ago. On the other hand, the company has been employing more capital without a corresponding improvement in sales in the last year, which could suggest these investments are longer term plays. It may take some time before the company starts to see any change in earnings from these investments.

Story continues

On a side note, Boston Scientific has done well to pay down its current liabilities to 14% 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.

What We Can Learn From Boston Scientific's ROCE

To conclude, we've found that Boston Scientific is reinvesting in the business, but returns have been falling. Since the stock has gained an impressive 44% over the last five years, investors must think there's better things to come. However, unless these underlying trends turn more positive, we wouldn't get our hopes up too high.

If you want to continue researching Boston Scientific, you might be interested to know about the 3 warning signs that our analysis has discovered.

While Boston Scientific 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.
Russia's President Vladimir Putin (front, R), Chinese President Xi Jinping (front, L), his wife Peng Liyuan (2nd row, L), and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (2nd row, R), arrive for a gala show to mark the 70th anniversary of the end of World War Two, in Beijing, China, Sept. 3, 2015. Reuters/Kim Kyung Hoon

Russia expects to sell gas to China at almost half the price compared to European buyers, Bloomberg reported.

Gas for China will average $271.6 per 1,000 cubic meters in 2024, versus $481.7 for buyers in Europe and Turkey.

The move marks the latest sign that Russia and China's economic ties are still deepening.

A new economic outlook revealed that Russia expects to sell gas to China at a steeply discounted rate over the next three years, far below the price European buyers will pay, according to a Bloomberg report.

The report, citing an outlook through 2026 from Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, showed that Moscow will sell pipeline natural gas to China at an average price of $271.6 per 1,000 cubic meters next year.

Buyers in Europe and Turkey, on the other hand, will face an average price of $481.7.

Those prices should remain through 2026, with gradual reductions over time, per Bloomberg.

This year, meanwhile, Russia expects to sell gas to China at an average of $297.3 per 1,000 cubic meters, while the remaining clients in Europe and Turkey will pay an average of $500.6.

Meanwhile, Moscow anticipates state-run energy giant Gazprom to supply natural gas to China on a $400 billion contract, via the Power of Siberia connection.

Russia and China's economic ties have deepened since last February, when Vladimir Putin ordered the "special military operation" in Ukraine.

Because Russia's standing on the global economic order has weakened significantly, it has become increasingly reliant on China for trade.

Thousands of companies have left the country, it's navigating historic economic sanctions, and most of its Western trade partners have turned elsewhere  leaving China with the upper hand.

"Clearly Russia is much more dependent on China to provide it with the imports and advanced manufactured products it needs, while Russian markets represent a negligible secondary opportunity for Chinese businesses," Yale researcher Jeffrey Sonnenfeld told Insider in a July interview.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Many Salesforce, Inc. (NYSE:CRM) insiders ditched their stock over the past year, which may be of interest to the company's shareholders. Knowing whether insiders are buying is usually more helpful when evaluating insider transactions, as insider selling can have various explanations. However, when multiple insiders sell stock over a specific duration, shareholders should take notice as that could possibly be a red flag.

While insider transactions are not the most important thing when it comes to long-term investing, we do think it is perfectly logical to keep tabs on what insiders are doing.

Check out our latest analysis for Salesforce

The Last 12 Months Of Insider Transactions At Salesforce

In the last twelve months, the biggest single sale by an insider was when the Co-Founder, Marc Benioff, sold US$105m worth of shares at a price of US$211 per share. That means that an insider was selling shares at slightly below the current price (US$225). As a general rule we consider it to be discouraging when insiders are selling below the current price, because it suggests they were happy with a lower valuation. However, while insider selling is sometimes discouraging, it's only a weak signal. We note that the biggest single sale was only 1.8% of Marc Benioff's holding.

In the last year Salesforce insiders didn't buy any company stock. You can see the insider transactions (by companies and individuals) over the last year depicted in the chart below. If you click on the chart, you can see all the individual transactions, including the share price, individual, and the date!

If you like to buy stocks that insiders are buying, rather than selling, then you might just love this free list of companies. (Hint: insiders have been buying them).

Insiders At Salesforce Have Sold Stock Recently

The last quarter saw substantial insider selling of Salesforce shares. Specifically, Co-Founder Marc Benioff ditched US$105m worth of shares in that time, and we didn't record any purchases whatsoever. In light of this it's hard to argue that all the insiders think that the shares are a bargain.

Story continues

Does Salesforce Boast High Insider Ownership?

I like to look at how many shares insiders own in a company, to help inform my view of how aligned they are with insiders. Usually, the higher the insider ownership, the more likely it is that insiders will be incentivised to build the company for the long term. Salesforce insiders own about US$6.6b worth of shares (which is 3.0% of the company). This kind of significant ownership by insiders does generally increase the chance that the company is run in the interest of all shareholders.

So What Do The Salesforce Insider Transactions Indicate?

An insider sold Salesforce shares recently, but they didn't buy any. And even if we look at the last year, we didn't see any purchases. But it is good to see that Salesforce is growing earnings. It is good to see high insider ownership, but the insider selling leaves us cautious. While we like knowing what's going on with the insider's ownership and transactions, we make sure to also consider what risks are facing a stock before making any investment decision. For example - Salesforce has 2 warning signs we think you should be aware of.

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.
Scorpio Tankers Inc (NYSE:STNG) recently observed a daily gain of 5.56% and a 3-month gain of 15.81%. The company's Earnings Per Share (EPS) stands at 14.35. But does this performance justify its current valuation? Is the stock modestly overvalued? This analysis aims to provide a comprehensive exploration of Scorpio Tankers' intrinsic value. Let's delve into the details.

Introduction to Scorpio Tankers Inc (NYSE:STNG)

Scorpio Tankers Inc is a leading provider of marine transportation of petroleum products. The company owns, lease finances, or bareboat charters-in 113 product tankers, including 39 LR2 tankers, 60 MR tankers, and 14 Handymax tankers. Scorpio Tankers boasts the largest, newest, and most eco-friendly fleet on the water hauling clean petroleum products.

As of September 08, 2023, Scorpio Tankers (NYSE:STNG) trades at $51.48 per share, which is above its fair value (GF Value) of $43.43, suggesting that the stock might be modestly overvalued.

Scorpio Tankers (STNG): A Comprehensive Analysis of Its Market Value

Understanding GF Value

The GF Value is a unique measure of a stock's intrinsic value, derived from historical trading multiples, an internal adjustment factor based on past returns and growth, and future business performance estimates. The GF Value Line provides an overview of the stock's fair trading value.

According to GuruFocus' valuation method, Scorpio Tankers' stock appears to be modestly overvalued. If the share price is significantly above the GF Value Line, the stock may be overpriced, potentially leading to poor future returns. Conversely, if the share price is significantly below the GF Value Line, the stock might be undervalued and could offer higher future returns. Given Scorpio Tankers' current price of $51.48 per share, the stock appears to be modestly overvalued.

Because Scorpio Tankers (NYSE:STNG) is somewhat overvalued, the long-term return of its stock is likely to be lower than its business growth.

Story continues

Scorpio Tankers (STNG): A Comprehensive Analysis of Its Market Value

Link: These companies may deliver higher future returns at reduced risk.

Assessing Scorpio Tankers' Financial Strength

Investing in companies with low financial strength could lead to permanent capital loss. Therefore, it is crucial to carefully review a company's financial strength before purchasing its shares. Scorpio Tankers has a cash-to-debt ratio of 0.17, which ranks worse than 72.28% of 1021 companies in the Oil & Gas industry. Based on this, GuruFocus ranks Scorpio Tankers' financial strength as 6 out of 10, suggesting a fair balance sheet.

Scorpio Tankers (STNG): A Comprehensive Analysis of Its Market Value

Profitability and Growth of Scorpio Tankers

Investing in profitable companies, especially those with consistent profitability over the long term, generally poses less risk. Scorpio Tankers has been profitable 5 years over the past decade. The company's operating margin is 59%, which ranks better than 94.21% of 967 companies in the Oil & Gas industry. Overall, GuruFocus ranks Scorpio Tankers' profitability at 5 out of 10, indicating fair profitability.

Growth is a critical factor in a company's valuation. The faster a company is growing, the more likely it is to be creating value for shareholders, especially if the growth is profitable. Scorpio Tankers' 3-year average annual revenue growth rate is 20.3%, which ranks better than 71.65% of 850 companies in the Oil & Gas industry. The 3-year average EBITDA growth rate is 32.5%, which ranks better than 70.85% of 820 companies in the Oil & Gas industry.

ROIC vs WACC

One can evaluate a company's profitability by comparing its return on invested capital (ROIC) to its weighted average cost of capital (WACC). ROIC measures how well a company generates cash flow relative to the capital invested in its business. WACC is the average rate a company is expected to pay its security holders to finance its assets. If ROIC exceeds WACC, the company is likely creating value for its shareholders. In the past 12 months, Scorpio Tankers' ROIC was 23.51, while its WACC was 4.95.

Scorpio Tankers (STNG): A Comprehensive Analysis of Its Market Value

Conclusion

In conclusion, Scorpio Tankers (NYSE:STNG) appears to be modestly overvalued. The company's financial condition is fair, and its profitability is fair. Its growth ranks better than 70.85% of 820 companies in the Oil & Gas industry. For more details about Scorpio Tankers stock, you can check out its 30-Year Financials here.

To find high-quality companies that may deliver above-average returns, please visit the GuruFocus High Quality Low Capex Screener.

This article first appeared on GuruFocus.


FILE - Trucks with humanitarian aid for Artsakh parked in a road towards the separatist region of Nagorno-Karabakh, in Armenia, on July 28, 2023. Armenia called on the U.N. Security Council to hold an emergency meeting on the worsening humanitarian situation in Azerbaijans Nagorno-Karabakh region, which is mostly populated by Armenians. In his letter to the president of the U.N. Security Council, sent Friday and released by Armenias Foreign Ministry on Saturday Aug. 12, 2023, Armenian U.N. ambassador Mher Margaryan said the people of Nagorno-Karabakh were on the verge of a full-fledged humanitarian catastrophe. (Hayk Manukyan/PHOTOLURE via AP, File) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

YEREVAN, Armenia (AP)  Lawmakers in Nagorno-Karabakh, a breakaway Armenian-populated region of Azerbaijan, voted to elect a new separatist president on Saturday in a move that was strongly condemned by the Azerbaijani authorities.

Samvel Shakhramanyan's election as the new president of Nagorno-Karabakh follows the resignation of Arayik Harutyunyan, who stepped down on Sept. 1 as president of the region  which the Armenians call Artsakh. It comes amid soaring tensions between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

Azerbaijan's Foreign Ministry denounced the vote as a gross violation of the country's constitution and a serious blow to the efforts of normalization in the region. The ministry emphasized that the only way to achieve peace and stability in the region is the unconditional and complete withdrawal of the Armenian armed forces" from Nagorno-Karabakh and "the disbandment of the puppet regime.

Since December, Azerbaijan has blockaded the only road leading from Armenia to Nagorno-Karabakh, severely restricting the delivery of food, medical supplies and other essentials to the region of about 120,000 people.

Nagorno-Karabakh is a region within Azerbaijan that came under the control of ethnic Armenian forces backed by the Armenian military after a six-year separatist war that ended in 1994. Armenian forces also took control of substantial territory around the region.

Azerbaijan regained control of the surrounding territory in a six-week war with Armenia in 2020. A Russia-brokered armistice that ended the war left the regions capital, Stepanakert, connected to Armenia by just one road known as the Lachin Corridor, along which Russian peacekeeping forces were supposed to ensure free movement.

Armenia repeatedly has complained that Russian peacekeepers have done nothing to help lift the Azerbaijani blockade of the road that has led to dire food shortages in Nagorno-Karabakh, and the situation has led to an increasing estrangement between Moscow and Yerevan.

Story continues

Russia has been Armenia's main economic partner and ally since the 1991 Soviet collapse. Landlocked Armenia hosts a Russian military base and is part of the Moscow-led security alliance of ex-Soviet nations, the Collective Security Treaty Organization.

But Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has become increasingly critical of Moscow, emphasizing its failure to help lift the Azerbaijani blockade of Nagorno-Karabakh and arguing that Yerevan needs to turn to the West to help ensure its security.

To Moscow's dismay, Armenia called a joint military exercises with the United States starting Monday, provided humanitarian aid to Ukraine amid the war and moved to ratify a treaty that created the International Criminal Court, which this year indicted Russian President Vladimir Putin for war crimes connected to the deportation of children from Ukraine.

On Friday, the Russian Foreign Ministry summoned the Armenian ambassador to lodge a formal protest over what the moves it described as unfriendly.
How am I going to get it all done? That is a question every new entrepreneur asks once they start their own business. Remember to use your time for what you have a passion and talent for. Consider hiring/paying others to do the tasks you are not proficient at. In the future you may be at a point where it makes sense to hire an employee or several employees to do these functions. Most likely you will not be in a financial position to do so for a while, if ever. And, your brothers uncle is probably not the best person to assist you at this time.

SCORE mentors clients before they even start their business to have available an accountant, a banker, a lawyer, an insurance agent, and a lot of other help. You dont need to hire a cleaning crew to clean your office / restrooms on day one. You yourself should be doing this at the start and probably for a while. For example, I learned early on that doing payroll takes a lot of time. When my small business started having employees in multiple states the payroll tax rules became overwhelming and we decided to hire a firm that specializes in payroll in multiple states.

Utilize the resources, free ones if possible, that are available. SCORE.org has a vast library of webinars, presentations, papers, etc. on their website that can help you with what may be required in many areas of running your business. Local libraries are also a valuable resource.. And never forget your local chamber of commerce. Their links to local businesses and available help is priceless. The MI SBDC (Michigan Small Business Development Center) also has resources you can utilize for most business needs, including research. When you are stuck on how to price your service/product, where your competition is, or how big your market is the SBDC can link you up with resources to help.

One last area that should not be overlooked is your business taxes. No matter what form of business entity you have established, a sole proprietorship, an L.L.C, a corporation (of which there are several forms), you need to use your accountant to at least review what you are doing and your tax requirements. Each form of business has different state and federal and possibly local tax requirements. This can be daunting to figure it out on your own. You may be an expert in searching on the web for answers to your questions, but the time it takes is time away from what you do best. Remember, the government NEVER FORGETS your tax burden. Ten years after we closed our business we were still answering question about withholding taxes, and others.

Story continues

In conclusion, dont try to do it all yourself. Focus on your skills and passion and dont be afraid to ask for help.

SCORE is a nonprofit association dedicated to helping small businesses get off the ground, grow and achieve their goals through education and mentorship. We have been doing this for more than 50 years. SCORE is associated with the Small Business Administration (SBA) and has 11,000 volunteers nationwide. SCORE.org has some wonderful resources available to everyone.

Tip of the Mitt SCORE is partnered with the Petoskey Regional Chamber of Commerce and mentors there on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to noon. We mentor in pairs and if the scheduled times dont work for you, we will schedule a meeting outside of those hours at various locations such as the library in Petoskey, the library in Boyne City and various coffee shops. To make an appointment with SCORE in Petoskey, just call (231) 347-4150.

Jim Abbey is a Charlevoix resident and volunteer business mentor with SCOREs Tip of the Mitt chapter. He worked in event management in the automotive industry prior to his retirement. He also has experience teaching business classes at the college level.

This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Time management for entrepreneurs
Despite a daily loss of 2.7% and a 3-month loss of 12.76%, Mettler-Toledo International Inc (NYSE:MTD) maintains an impressive Earnings Per Share (EPS) (EPS) of 39.78. The question we aim to answer: is the stock modestly undervalued? This article offers an in-depth valuation analysis of Mettler-Toledo International, encouraging readers to delve into the subsequent analysis for a comprehensive understanding.

Company Introduction

Mettler-Toledo International, a leading supplier of weighing and precision instruments, has an extensive customer base spanning the life sciences, industrial, and food retail industries. The company's diverse product range includes laboratory and retail scales, pipettes, pH meters, thermal analysis equipment, titrators, metal detectors, and X-ray analyzers. Mettler-Toledo International dominates the market for weighing instrumentation, controlling over 50% of the market for lab balances. The business boasts a geographically diversified sales distribution: approximately 30% in the United States, 30% in Europe, 20% in China, and 20% in the rest of the world.

Unveiling Mettler-Toledo International (MTD)'s Value: Is It Really Priced Right? A Comprehensive Guide

Understanding the GF Value

The GF Value is a proprietary estimation of a stock's intrinsic value, calculated considering historical trading multiples, a GuruFocus adjustment factor based on past performance and growth, and future business performance estimates. The GF Value Line provides an overview of the stock's ideal fair trading value.

According to GuruFocus Value calculation, Mettler-Toledo International (NYSE:MTD) appears to be modestly undervalued. The stock is currently traded at $1130.7 per share, with a market cap of $24.70 billion, indicating that the stock is modestly undervalued. As Mettler-Toledo International is relatively undervalued, the long-term return of its stock is likely to be higher than its business growth.

Story continues

Unveiling Mettler-Toledo International (MTD)'s Value: Is It Really Priced Right? A Comprehensive Guide

Link: These companies may deliver higher future returns at reduced risk.

Examining Financial Strength

Investing in companies with low financial strength could result in permanent capital loss. Therefore, it's crucial to review a company's financial strength before deciding to buy shares. Mettler-Toledo International has a cash-to-debt ratio of 0.04, ranking worse than 96.07% of 229 companies in the Medical Diagnostics & Research industry. Based on this, GuruFocus ranks Mettler-Toledo International's financial strength as 5 out of 10, suggesting a fair balance sheet.

Unveiling Mettler-Toledo International (MTD)'s Value: Is It Really Priced Right? A Comprehensive Guide

Profitability and Growth

Investing in profitable companies, especially those demonstrating consistent profitability over the long term, poses less risk. Mettler-Toledo International has been profitable 10 over the past 10 years. Over the past twelve months, the company had a revenue of $4 billion and an EPS of $39.78. Its operating margin is 29.61%, ranking better than 94.69% of 226 companies in the Medical Diagnostics & Research industry. Overall, GuruFocus ranks the profitability of Mettler-Toledo International at 10 out of 10, indicating strong profitability.

Growth is one of the most important factors in the valuation of a company. The average annual revenue growth of Mettler-Toledo International is 12.7%, ranking better than 56.1% of 205 companies in the Medical Diagnostics & Research industry. The 3-year average EBITDA growth is 19%, ranking better than 61.38% of 189 companies in the Medical Diagnostics & Research industry.

ROIC vs WACC

Comparing a company's return on invested capital (ROIC) to its weighted cost of capital (WACC) is another way to evaluate its profitability. ROIC measures how well a company generates cash flow relative to the capital it has invested in its business. WACC is the rate that a company is expected to pay on average to all its security holders to finance its assets. If the ROIC is higher than the WACC, it indicates that the company is creating value for shareholders. Over the past 12 months, Mettler-Toledo International's ROIC was 35.64, while its WACC came in at 11.49.

Unveiling Mettler-Toledo International (MTD)'s Value: Is It Really Priced Right? A Comprehensive Guide

Conclusion

In conclusion, the stock of Mettler-Toledo International (NYSE:MTD) appears to be modestly undervalued. The company's financial condition is fair, and its profitability is strong. Its growth ranks better than 61.38% of 189 companies in the Medical Diagnostics & Research industry. To learn more about Mettler-Toledo International stock, you can check out its 30-Year Financials here.

To find out the high-quality companies that may deliver above-average returns, please check out GuruFocus High Quality Low Capex Screener.

This article first appeared on GuruFocus.


Pampa Energia SA (NYSE:PAM) recently recorded a daily loss of -4.87% and a 3-month loss of -1.52%, with an Earnings Per Share (EPS) (EPS) of 10.29. This raises the question: is the stock significantly overvalued? Based on our valuation analysis, it appears so. Read on to gain deeper insights into Pampa Energia SA's financial performance and intrinsic value.

An Overview of Pampa Energia SA

Pampa Energia SA and its subsidiaries operate in the energy sector, with business segments that include electricity generation, electricity distribution, oil and gas, petrochemicals, and holding and other businesses. The company generates most of its revenue from energy distribution. With a current stock price of $38.84 and a market cap of $4.50 billion, our GF Value suggests that Pampa Energia SA's stock is significantly overvalued.

Unveiling Pampa Energia SA (PAM)'s Value: Is It Really Priced Right? A Comprehensive Guide

Understanding the GF Value

The GF Value is a proprietary measure of a stock's intrinsic value, based on historical trading multiples, a GuruFocus adjustment factor, and future business performance estimates. If the stock price is significantly above the GF Value Line, it is overvalued, and its future return is likely to be poor. Conversely, if it is significantly below the GF Value Line, its future return will likely be higher.

Currently, Pampa Energia SA's stock is believed to be significantly overvalued, suggesting that the long-term return of its stock is likely to be much lower than its future business growth.

Unveiling Pampa Energia SA (PAM)'s Value: Is It Really Priced Right? A Comprehensive Guide

Link: These companies may deliver higher future returns at reduced risk.

Financial Strength

Investing in companies with low financial strength could result in permanent capital loss. A company's cash-to-debt ratio and interest coverage can provide a good initial perspective on its financial strength. Pampa Energia SA has a cash-to-debt ratio of 0.53, ranking better than 65.62% of 413 companies in the Utilities - Independent Power Producers industry. GuruFocus ranks Pampa Energia SA's financial strength as 6 out of 10, suggesting a fair balance sheet.

Story continues

Unveiling Pampa Energia SA (PAM)'s Value: Is It Really Priced Right? A Comprehensive Guide

Profitability and Growth

Investing in profitable companies carries less risk. Pampa Energia SA has been profitable 9 years over the past 10 years, with revenues of $2 billion and an EPS of $10.29 in the past 12 months. Its operating margin of 26.66% is better than 69.85% of 398 companies in the Utilities - Independent Power Producers industry. GuruFocus ranks Pampa Energia SA's profitability as strong.

Growth is a crucial factor in a company's valuation. Pampa Energia SA's 3-year average annual revenue growth of 70.8% ranks better than 91.39% of 360 companies in the Utilities - Independent Power Producers industry. The 3-year average EBITDA growth rate is 63.6%, which ranks better than 88.79% of 339 companies in the same industry.

ROIC vs WACC

Comparing a company's return on invested capital (ROIC) to its weighted cost of capital (WACC) can also help evaluate its profitability. ROIC measures how well a company generates cash flow relative to the capital it has invested in its business, while WACC is the expected rate that a company is supposed to pay on average to all its security holders to finance its assets. If the ROIC is higher than the WACC, it indicates that the company is creating value for shareholders. Over the past 12 months, Pampa Energia SA's ROIC was 12.2, while its WACC came in at 10.62.

Unveiling Pampa Energia SA (PAM)'s Value: Is It Really Priced Right? A Comprehensive Guide

Conclusion

In conclusion, Pampa Energia SA (NYSE:PAM) is believed to be significantly overvalued. The company's financial condition is fair, and its profitability is strong. Its growth ranks better than 88.79% of 339 companies in the Utilities - Independent Power Producers industry. To learn more about Pampa Energia SA stock, you can check out its 30-Year Financials here.

To find out the high-quality companies that may deliver above-average returns, please check out GuruFocus High Quality Low Capex Screener.

This article first appeared on GuruFocus.


Paragraf boss Simon Thomas, a frequent critic of UK chip policy, was recently overlooked for a position on the Government's new advisory panel - Eddie Mulholland

The founder of one of Britains most prominent computer chip companies has warned that red tape and planning delays are holding back Britains semiconductor industry.

Simon Thomas, chief executive of graphene chip company Paragraf, said it had taken him 12 months and 1m to install just one power cable.

It would surprise you, I tell you, what has to be done just to plug something in, he said.

Mr Thomas raised the alarm about Britains bureaucracy as he said that businesses like his were being feted internationally.

He told The Telegraph: We get approached by the US frequently. Whether its Arizona, whether its Indiana, whether its North Carolina, were constantly being approached and theyre putting things on the table: We can offer you this, we can offer you that.

Mr Thomas contrasted this approach with Britain, where Paragraf has had to battle against local planners and electricity companies to install a power cable to supply a new building at its Huntingdon headquarters.

Paragraf is one of a handful of British computer chip businesses whose future is a matter of governmental interest.

It is the only company in the world that uses graphene to make semiconductor chips using the same industrial processes as silicon, the material that currently dominates.

The 2004 discovery of graphene by researchers at the University of Manchester prompted some to dub it a wonder material. 200 times stronger than steel yet highly electrically conductive, the ultra-thin carbon-based substance has huge potential for a wide range of applications.

Graphene has the potential to operate a processing chip over 1,000 times faster than silicon because of its electrical conductivity, said Mr Thomas.

Simon Thomas' Paragraf has pioneered the use of graphene in semiconductors from its Huntingdon base - Jason Bye

Such a technological leap would affect all of modern computing, from the giant data centres powering todays advances in artificial intelligence down to the smartphones in our pockets.

He asserts that graphene can not only achieve this hoped-for jump in processing speed but do so while consuming 10pc less electricity than silicon-based chips.

Story continues

By using similar processes to those adopted by silicon chip manufacturers, Paragraf hopes it can take advantage of existing technology to leapfrog its silicon rivals.

However, the promise has not yet been fully realised.

Paragraf currently produces chips for its own limited product line, which include magnetic field sensors and sensors for use in life sciences.

The products are a stepping stone towards the ultimate dream of manufacturing fully fledged graphene-based processors of the type that power PCs and smartphones.

Commercialising the technology is a slow march. The new Huntingdon foundry  the facility at the heart of the planning dispute over its power cable  will be capable of producing a million devices a month once it is up and running, said Paragrafs boss.

You might think wow, thats great. TSMC [Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company] make a million devices every 20 minutes.

Still, the potential of graphene-based chips has helped thrust Paragraf to prominence in the $574bn (460bn) semiconductor industry.

The companys promise is not obvious when looking at its headquarters inside a former double glazing factory. Staff joke that Paragrafs building is a shed surrounded by sheep, presenting a very British contrast between the millennia-old scene of livestock farming and the cutting edge development that goes on inside.

The global semiconductor industry has rapidly risen up the political agenda in recent years amid growing concerns that China is preparing to invade Taiwan.

The island nation is the linchpin of the global semiconductor industry, manufacturing around a fifth of the worlds supply and a far greater proportion of the most advanced chips.

Mr Thomas, who spent his early career working in Taiwan, said: They invested heavily. They made the science parks, they invested in schools and universities for people to understand what high technology was.

Taiwans gross domestic product trebled between the late 1990s and the present day, from around 250bn to 620bn, in large part thanks to world-renowned computer chip makers such as TSMC.

Mr Thomas, who has a doctorate in materials science and engineering, criticised the lack of openness around UK science parks and similar industrial innovation zones.

We have the clusters like the semiconductor cluster down in South Wales, we have the catapult centres and so forth. But you try and get information between those different clusters or between those different investment activities. Its really difficult to get a clear landscape picture.

Rishi Sunak unveiled a 1bn support package for the semiconductor industry in May, split into an initial tranche of 200m followed by 100m per year.

However, the package is dwarfed by the Biden administrations CHIPS Act in the US, which includes $52bn (42bn) in subsidies to tempt chip companies to move to America.

UK chip companies including Pragmatic Semiconductor and London-listed IQE are setting up US subsidiaries as a result of Bidens sweeteners.

Meanwhile, European Union leaders published plans in June to plough 8bn (6.8bn) into similar subsidies, with Brussels expressing the hope this would be match-funded by around 14bn from private investors.

Mr Thomas said he is committed to the UK, but has been critical of the Governments support in the past.

While we welcome the publication of the semiconductor strategy and finally the Governments commitment to driving this industry forward, the content is quite frankly flaccid, he memorably said when the Governments Semiconductor Strategy document was unveiled in May.

Other industry figures also criticised the package. Amelia Armour, a partner at Paragraf-backing venture fund Amadeus Capital, labelled it disappointing, adding that the UK needs to try to keep pace with the investment levels announced as part of the EU and US chip acts.

Scott White, founder of rival chip company Pragmatic Semiconductor, described the Government funding as definitely at the low end of whats going to be meaningful.

Armour and White are both now members of the Prime Ministers Semiconductor Advisory Panel, a body made up of academics, senior figures within the industry and prominent British investors. It is chaired by tech minister Paul Scully.

Mr Thomas, a fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering, was rewarded for his outspokenness by being overlooked for a position on the panel.

I keep my fingers very tightly crossed that the Semiconductor Advisory Panel will cause a change in the attitude of how the Government reacts towards industry needs, he said, adding that the advisory body has to be answerable to industry.

Because thats the big thing thats always been a problem in the past. Government or Civil Service application of assistance to commercial entities have always been done from the perspective of the civil service. And thats not worked.

While his criticisms are fierce, Mr Thomas insisted he is an optimist when it comes to the prospects for Britain.

Were going to make money out of it here, he said, adding that he had a pigheaded desire to prove we can do it in the UK.

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.
Leon Cooperman. Jeff Zelevansky/Reuters

Warren Buffett wrote to Leon Cooperman about stock buybacks, taxing the rich, and Henry Singleton.

When Cooperman was mulling a presidential run, Buffett joked he could "deliver Nebraska" for him.

Cooperman shared a trio of messages he received from Buffett in his newly published memoir.

Warren Buffett wrote to Leon Cooperman about subjects ranging from Henry Singleton and Teledyne to stock buybacks, income taxes, and Cooperman's potential presidential bid.

Cooperman, the former CEO of Goldman Sachs' asset management division, shared three missives from Buffett in his newly published memoir: "From the Bronx to Wall Street: My Fifty Years in Finance and Philanthropy."

Here are the three messages and the context around them:

1. Dear editor

Cooperman, who converted his Omega Advisors hedge fund into a family office in 2018, penned an open letter to the editor of Business Week in 1982. He was annoyed by the magazine's critical profile of Henry Singleton, the cofounder and CEO of Teledyne.

In his letter, the billionaire investor trumpeted Singleton's skill at growing his conglomerate through acquisitions, and driving performance at Teledyne's subsidiaries. Cooperman also praised the industrialist for buying back stock at attractive prices, investing the spare cash from Teledyne's insurance business into stocks, and building the company's cash reserves.

Buffett wrote him a note after reading the letter, which Cooperman still keeps framed in his office:

Dear Lee,

I always enjoy both the quality of your writing and the quality of your thinking. Your letter to Business Week regarding Teledyne was 100% on the mark.

Best regards,

Warren

2. Buybacks, good and bad

Cooperman praised Singleton again at a value-investing event in 2007. He pointed to the Teledyne chief as an example of an executive who conducted buybacks the correct way, as he only repurchased shares at a discount to their intrinsic value.

Story continues

Buffett wrote to Cooperman after his speech to express his agreement:

Henry was a manager that all investors, CEOs, would be CEOs, and MBA students should study. In the end he was 100% rational and there are very few CEOs about whom I can make that statement. The stock repurchase situation is fascinating to me. That's because the answer is so simple. You do it when you are buying dollar bills at a clear cut and significant discount and only then.

As a general observation I would say that most companies that repurchased shares thirty years ago were doing it for the right reasons and most companies doing it now are wrong when doing so. Time after time I see managers who are attempting to be 'fashionable' or, perhaps subconsciously, hoping to support their stock.

Loews is a great example of a company that has always repurchased shares for the right reason. I could give examples of the reverse, but I try to follow the dictum 'praise by name, criticize by category.'

Best regards,

Warren

3. Delivering Nebraska and taxing the rich

Cooperman briefly mulled a presidential run in 2011. He drew up a nine-point platform that included pulling American troops out of Iraq and Afghanistan, rebuilding US infrastructure, deregulating the domestic energy industry, and reining in government spending.

The veteran investor also took aim at people earning over $500,000 a year, proposing they should face a 10% income surcharge for three years. Cooperman sent his plan to Buffett, and directly asked the Berkshire chief what he thought the maximum tax rate on the highest-earning people in the US should be.

Buffett voiced his support for both Cooperman 2012 and a minimum tax in his reply:

Dear Lee:

If you run for president, I can deliver Nebraska. Just let me know when to gear up.

There are two possible approaches to increasing the rates on those having taxable $1 million or more with a second step-up at $10 million. One would be to increase the rate at $1 million by five points and at $10 million at ten points.

Another approach would certainly be to have a minimum tax (counting both income tax and payroll taxes paid by or on behalf of the taxpayer) of, say, 30% at $1 million and, say, 35% at $10 million. The latter tax would hit me much harder and I lean toward it. Just changing the marginal rate would hardly hit me at all.

Let me know your thoughts. Whatever they are, you've still got my vote.

Warren

Read the original article on Business Insider
Biden's SAVE plan for student loan repayment may seem confusing. Here's how to use it.

David Edwards, 31, heard all the buzz about signing up for President Joe Biden's SAVE program to significantly cut his student loan bill each month. And even in light of all the hype, the Wayne State University graduate decided against it.

An English teacher who doesn't avoid math, Edwards ran his own numbers for dealing with roughly $21,000 in student loan debt still on his plate. He decided to look at the SAVE plan after he spotted an email in his inbox from the U.S. Department of Education. More than 30 million borrowers received information from the Education Department and their loan servicers inviting them to sign up for the new income-driven Saving on a Valuable Education Plan.

The SAVE plan offers the lowest monthly payments of any income-driven repayment plan out there  even triggering a $0 a month payment for those living on limited budgets. Payments are based on the borrower's income and family size.

Borrowers already on the old Revised Pay As You Earn or the REPAYE Plan will be put on the SAVE Plan automatically; they won't need to sign up. SAVE replaces REPAYE.

Unfortunately, the SAVE plan is so new  and potentially confusing  that some student loan borrowers might rule it out when they shouldn't if they only read a few Tweets or talk with friends. No one-size-fits-all answer exists.

How to find out more about the Biden student loan SAVE plan

"Most borrowers will see their payments lowered by the SAVE plan, but every borrower needs to understand and use the online calculators to make sure moving into that plan is best for them," said Scott Buchanan, the executive director of Student Loan Servicing Alliance, an industry trade group.

An online loan simulator at StudentAid.gov/loan-simulator can help you review your options. See StudentAid.gov/save to study the details relating to the SAVE plan.

More: Thousands of Michigan student loan borrowers already signed up for new SAVE payment plan

More: New SAVE student loan plan will drive down payments for many: Here's how it works

The new SAVE program, Buchanan said, provides a huge taxpayer subsidy for many borrowers, but added: "Dont assume its financially best for everyone."

SAVE is not a slam dunk, and might not be good for you, if you've got graduate school debt or you're likely to end up in a dramatically higher-paying job soon. Or your income is relatively high already and your student debt load is pretty low.

SAVE is a game changer, however, if you already live paycheck-to-paycheck; you've got a family or have a lower-paying job and are fearful that you won't be able to cover a $300 or $400 student loan bill each month  or one that's even higher  once payments resume in October.

How do you get a $0 student loan payment?

Some who make $15 an hour now could owe nothing each month under SAVE. Your monthly payment is based on your discretionary income  the difference between your adjusted gross income and 225% of the poverty line for your family size, up from the 150% guideline used in other repayment plans. The objective is to protect a minimum amount of income to ensure that borrowers can cover basic necessities like food and housing costs.

As a result, SAVE offers more families smaller student loan payments. "This means a family of four who had to earn roughly $45,000 or less to qualify for $0 a month payments could now earn as much as $67,500 for $0 payments," said Andy Manthei, an associate business development representative for Farmington Hills-based GreenPath Financial Wellness.

Plus, the $0 payment is still building credit toward loan forgiveness.

David Edwards, 31, of St. Clair Shores, studied the new Biden SAVE student loan plan and learned it would lower his payment to $114 a month from $334.31 a month under a standard 10-year repayment plan. His payments resume Oct. 5.

The good news: While the Education Department has encouraged early sign-up to deal with the restart of loan payments in October, there's no real deadline. You can sign up later.

SAVE offers benefits now but also adds attractive benefits next July, which likely aren't understood by many borrowers.

The first step

Know what you owe when your student loan bills resume if you don't make any changes. You can find that information through your StudentAid.gov account.

Many student loan bills should start arriving as early as mid-September. Billing statements are to arrive at least 21 days before your payment is due in October. It's good to update your account at StudentAid.gov and make sure your servicer can find you, especially if your servicer changed.

Next step

Know what kind of payment plan you're in now. Just because you can afford a $150 payment doesn't mean you're in a repayment plan that will save you money in the long run. You might be in a graduated repayment that starts off with a monthly payment that covers mostly interest and then is set to automatically go up every two years. Depending on the amount you owe, such payment plans can extend 20 years to 30 years.

What Edwards saw when he researched the SAVE plan

Edwards, who is starting his fifth year at the Academy of Warren on East Eight Mile Road, owes $334.31 a month beginning with his first restart payment due Oct. 5. He's on the standard 10-year repayment plan.

To figure out if SAVE might be a better deal for him, Edwards turned to the online simulator at StudentAid.gov and then directly imported his tax information from 2022 when his adjusted gross income was $46,520 that year. It didn't take long to see his numbers.

They were:

$114 a month under SAVE when monthly payments are 10% of discretionary income. Under the SAVE plan, the payoff date is April 2040. Total to be paid: $32,618.

$166 a month if he signed up for an income-contingent repayment plan, based on income and family size. This plan limits monthly payments to the lesser of the following: 20% of discretionary income or what you would pay with a fixed payment over 12 years. Under that plan, Edwards payoff date is May 2038. Total to be paid: $29,948. Others could see remaining debt forgiven after 25 years of payments.

$205 a month under the Pay As You Earn  or PAYE plan  that limits monthly payments to 10% of his discretionary income. Under that plan, the payoff date is December 2032. Total to be paid: $26,904. Others could see remaining debt forgiven after 20 years of payments.

The SAVE plan clearly would free up more cash each month. His monthly payment would be about $220 a month lower under SAVE, compared with what he owes now.

While many would opt to sign up for SAVE to cut monthly payments by nearly two-thirds, Edwards isn't jumping at the chance. He fears that he'd owe more in interest in the long run  and the numbers online suggest that, too, in his case.

Edwards thinks he will stick with what he has now. Edwards, who is not married and doesn't have children, thinks he can cover it.

He also has the financial advantage of being able to live at home with his parents in St. Clair Shores, rent-free. "I'm one of those millennials," Edwards said with a smile.

David Edwards, 31, of St. Clair Shores, and an English teacher at Academy of Warren looks up his student loan on Thursday, Aug. 31, 2023 from his classroom. Edwards is looking at paying $334.31 a month when his student loan payments resume.

How public service loan forgiveness could help

For Edwards, the SAVE plan would have been a clear winner if as a teacher he qualified for public service loan forgiveness and saw his remaining debt forgiven after he made payments for another three years or so, said Mark Kantrowitz, a student loan expert and author. Public service loan forgiveness can take place after 10 years of repayments under an accepted repayment plan for qualified borrowers who work full-time for an eligible government or nonprofit employer.

But Edwards researched that, and his charter school is a for-profit school. The Education Department website says he does not qualify for public service loan forgiveness through that employer.

Kantrowitz noted that borrowers who are pursuing public service loan forgiveness are in a unique situation after the COVID-19 payment pause.

Take a borrower who made three years of payments toward public service loan forgiveness before the payment pause hit in 2020. That borrower would then get credit toward loan forgiveness for another 3 years of payments during the payment pause  even though no money was paid then. With 6 years credited, Kantrowitz said, that borrower would have only 3 years of making payments left before the remaining debt is forgiven.

Without public service loan forgiveness, Kantrowitz said, it seems like a safe bet that Edwards stick with paying $334.31 a month if he can afford it. Other possible twists exist, too.

Of course, Edwards' situation could change. Now, he is able to avoid paying rent. But what if he wants to move into an apartment and needs to start paying rent of $1,000 or more a month?

"Every persons situation  and goals  are different," said Manthei, of GreenPath.

Someone who does seasonal work  or doesn't have a steady paycheck  might want to sign up for the SAVE plan to keep payments low, Manthei said. If their situation improves, they could add money to the principal to pay down the debt more quickly.

What the Education Department calculator doesn't say

And there's another key twist. The SAVE plan is going to undergo two important changes in July 2024 that would reduce both monthly and lifetime payments significantly for those with only undergraduate debt.

The online simulator didn't spell that out for Edwards  so it's not likely to be obvious.

First, the plan is to cut monthly payments on undergraduate loans  and all of Edwards' loans are undergraduate essentially in half beginning in July 2024. The Education Department notes that payments on undergraduate loans will be reduced from 10% to 5% of discretionary income when the SAVE plan is fully implemented next July.

Also, those borrowers who have undergraduate and graduate loans in the mix will pay a weighted average of between 5% and 10% of their discretionary income based on the original principal balances of their loans.

David Edwards, 31, of St. Clair Shores, and an English teacher at Academy of Warren is photographed preparing for the school year in his classroom on Thursday, Aug. 31, 2023. Edwards is looking at paying $334.31 a month when his student loan payments resume on Oct. 5.

Based on the same income level, Edwards would see his payment drop to $57 a month next year from the $114 listed online at the calculator, Kantrowitz noted. As a result, SAVE could be far more beneficial and actually save more money for Edwards in the long run, too, Kantrowitz said, especially if he only sees modest raises in the years ahead.

For borrowers with undergraduate loans only, the maximum time for forgiveness is 20 years of qualifying payments.

How much payments change each year and add up over 20 years would depend on one's income and it's tricky to project into the future. But if payments ended up being roughly $87 a month or less over 20 years, Edwards would pay less than he would under a standard 10-year repayment. "It will even be lower than the $21,000 he owes now," Kantrowitz said, adding: that "5% vs. 10% makes a big difference, so it is perturbing that the U.S. Department of Education calculator doesn't reflect this."

But Buchanan offered one possible explanation, saying that generally online calculators dont make assumptions about the future rollout of regulatory changes before they actually happen. "They reflect what is true and available today," Buchanan said. "Its possible that the rollout of the other components could get delayed or tied up in litigation."

The Education Department notes online that its loan simulator should not be considered financial advice.

A key change for loan forgiveness ahead

A second important change beginning in July 2024 involves loan forgiveness. Under the SAVE plan, borrowers will see their loan balances forgiven after 10 years of repayments, instead of 20 years, if they had original loan balances of $12,000 or less.

Even borrowers with slightly higher balances win. The maximum repayment period before remaining debt is canceled rises by one year for every additional $1,000 borrowed. Loan forgiveness could happen in 12 years, for example, if your original principal balance was $14,000.

"Payments made previously (before 2024) and those made from now on will count toward these maximum forgiveness timeframes," the Education Department notes online.

The department estimates that this reform will allow nearly all community college borrowers to be debt-free within 10 years.

Why your career path can influence SAVE payments

Every 12 months, you need to recertify your income; and your monthly payment can change in future years. Beginning next July, the Education Department notes, an automatic recertification process will be available if you apply for income-driven repayment electronically in August 2023 or later and you agree to securely share your tax information.

"Part of the challenge of all income-driven repayment plans is that knowing today what plan is best depends upon projecting what future career and earning power looks like in the coming years," said Buchanan.

Borrowers might want to talk with loan servicers or seek outside direction from nonprofits, such as GreenPath.

What are some advantages of the SAVE plan?

Loan balances don't grow: Unlike making only the minimum payment on a credit card, you're not digging a deeper hole with SAVE. If you make your monthly payment, your loan balance wont grow due to unpaid interest.

Say $50 of interest accumulates on your student loans each month but, based on your income and family size, you're only required to make a $30 monthly payment under SAVE. The extra $20 a month in interest each month in this example wouldn't be added to your loan balance, instead it would be canceled by the Education Department.

It's a very unique twist in the income-driven repayment plans  and one that frankly could have saved much heartache for a lot of borrowers if it had been in place under earlier programs.

The $0 monthly payment: Scott Thompson, CEO of Tuition.io, a California-based platform for employee student loan contributions, said many borrowers might not realize that if they had a low income in 2022 -- say if they weren't working much or just started in their field -- they could qualify for $0 monthly payments for 12 months under SAVE.

Thompson noted that if someone didn't work in 2022 -- and then maybe was hired in May or June this year -- they still might qualify for another 12 months of $0 monthly payments next year.

No doubt, the SAVE calculation can be simple for some and harder for others.

Again, Edwards would have to review his numbers and consider what a $57 payment might mean to him next year and what he might pay in future years.

Edwards, who graduated in December 2016, has been on a 10-year repayment plan since 2017. He will owe student loan payments until 2030 -- not 2027 -- as a result of the payment pause.

Think of his loans as being put in hibernation. The principal balance, if no payments were made, is the same as it was before the pandemic. As a result, Kantrowitz said, a borrower on a standard 10-year plan who had made three years of payments before the 2020 pause will need to make seven years of payments when repayment restarts this year. Payments made during the pandemic count toward forgiveness.

Edwards paid about $10,000 on his loans for a while during the payment pause that began in March 2020 but he requested, as was allowed, a refund when it seemed likely that he'd qualify for Biden's widespread loan forgiveness plan.

The refund wasn't spent and, while he'd rather use it toward a down payment on a house, he says he plans to tap into it for student loan bills now.

On June 30, the U.S. Supreme Court blocked Biden's plan to forgive up to $10,000 in student loans for many borrowers and up to $20,000 in student loans for borrowers who had Pell Grants in college.

Edwards says he would have qualified for the $20,000 in forgiveness -- which would have erased most of his debt. He likely would have shopped for a home and helped his brother some with his student debt, which wasn't going to be forgiven.

Some 26 million people already had applied for or were automatically eligible for one-time student loan debt relief, including 864,000 people in Michigan, according to a White House fact sheet issued in January.

Like many borrowers, Edwards said he was disheartened and angry when he lost an opportunity for $20,000 in loan forgiveness. But he's also thankful that he's living at home, working and able to address his situation and pay his bill in October.

Edwards who now makes about $52,000 a year  estimates he's already paid off about $13,000 in student loans -- including $4,000 in interest.

Edwards has been taking his overall costs into account ever since he started college.

He attended Macomb County Community College after graduating from Lakeview High School in St. Clair Shores, where he ran cross country and track. Tuition was so reasonable then, he said, he covered those bills basically by working at Burger King.

Right now, his bills are modest, too. He has some low-cost hobbies, like running. On Aug. 31, a board in his classroom noted that Mr. Edwards ran 1,108 miles so far this year and 1,259 miles in 2022.

He realizes that many student loan borrowers owe more money, face far higher payments and have other expenses, like mortgages.

"I'm better off than a lot of people," he said.

Contact personal finance columnist Susan Tompor: stompor@freepress.com. Follow her on Twitter @tompor.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: SAVE plan for student loans: Answering your key questions
As the expansion and renovation of Fremont Keene Memorial Library nears completion, a shortfall of $3 million in funds to pay the entire costs of the project have led to a renewed push for more private donations.

In addition to seeking more donations from residents, foundations and corporations, the City of Fremont is also planning to devote a portion of city funds in the next bi-annual budget cycle toward helping pay for the full costs of the expansion and renovation project.

According to the budget document which has been approved by the Fremont City Council in two of three required readings, a total of $550,000 has been set aside for library capital improvement costs in the 2023-2024 fiscal year budget. There is also funding in the next years budget for the addition of one full-time employee at the library.

The city council has already approved purchasing new bookshelves for the library, and on Tuesday, Sept. 12, the council is scheduled to possibly approve a purchase of furniture for the library.

A private donor-only fundraising event set for Nov. 9 is being planned by the city, with Keene Memorial Library Director Laura England-Biggs and library advisory board President Linda McClain continuing to lead the charge in seeking out additional donations from a group of about 200 donors.

The library has a total cost of $10.7 million, and much of the more than $7.63 million already secured or pledged came via fundraising efforts from Mayor Joey Spellerberg as well as England-Biggs and McClain that brought in more than $4 million. A $2 million bond was also approved by Fremont voters to assist with funding for the project.

McClain was confident that the needed funds would be acquired, both by continued fundraising as well as the city finding money in the budget to pay for the project.

On Friday, Sept. 8, both McClain and England-Biggs granted an interview with the Tribune to discuss the funding gap and their continued efforts to raise money from donors to help close the estimated $3 million shortfall.

We will have what we need. The city has money to cover the costs in the budget, McClain said on Friday, noting that the final cost is a moving target.

There is an expectation that we still need to raise some money, McClain added.

McClain, England-Biggs, mayor spearheaded donation efforts

On June 13, England-Biggs gave a presentation to the Fremont City Council on the renewed fundraising efforts. She said letters would be mailed to major donors with an update on the project and requests for additional donations.

That letter was mailed in mid-August to donors and had a message explaining why the extra donations were needed. The two-page letter was signed by McClain, England-Biggs and Spellerberg.

Maybe youre aware of the projected shortfall in our budget. Originally, the project was estimated to be $9.4 million; this was a number used in all of our fundraising materials, the letter states. Due to price increases in materials and labor, cost of the building was $1.3 million higher than anticipated. This amount is part of the guaranteed maximum price to our contractor. We have worked hard to cut costs wherever possible, however this is the current situation.

In June, England-Biggs said the city still needs money to complete the library project, an amount totaling $3.11 million at the time of the council meeting.

But, on Friday, Sept. 8, both England-Biggs and McClain said the maximum needed is slightly more than $3 million and that amount could possibly be reduced as library and city officials seek ways to save money in the final stages of the project.

Raising the money for the project has not been easy, England-Biggs noted, explaining on June 13 that she and others are new to the task of asking donors for philanthropic monetary gestures.

Most of that (fundraising) work has been done by a small team of first-time fundraisers, including myself, Linda McClain, Mayor (Joey) Spellerberg and the Friends of Keene Memorial Library, she said. And were not done.

Source of many donations revealed

In response to a public records request made by the Tribune, officials with the State of Nebraska Department of Economic Development provided the list of donors to the library project as of Feb. 15. The list was part of a lengthy application made by city officials seeking a $1.125 million CCCFF grant, which the city was not awarded.

The list of donors to the library expansion project includes both individuals in the community, as well as regional and state charitable foundations and corporations. Many donations were committed in segments, with an initial sum being paid and the remainder of funds pledged in years to come.

Among the individual donors, the largest amount donated to the project was from Linda McClain and her husband, Terry McClain.

The McClains committed a donation of $500,000 to the expansion project, of which $200,000 had already been paid by the couple to the city as of Feb. 15, 2023. A third payment of $100,000 was going to be made sometime in 2023, according to information Linda McClain shared with the Tribune in an email.

In a letter to city officials announcing their donation, the couple wrote that they believed the Keene Memorial Library was a much-needed asset to all residents.

We firmly believe in the power of libraries to level the playing field for those without access to resources many of us take for granted, the couple stated in their letter.

On the corporate and foundation donation list were several local and regional firms and charitable organizations.

Wholestone Farms pledged $500,000 to the project spread out in five payments of $100,000 per year, citing a request for funding assistance made to the company by Spellerberg. The donation is specifically for a dedicated computer lab at the library.

The Valmont Foundation pledged $50,000. Terry McClain is a former senior executive at the company.

RVR Bank  formerly called First State Bank & Trust  pledged $50,000 spread over five years in exchange for the right to name the Young Childrens Library area for a period of at least 20 years and also included a requirement to post a commemorative plaque in the lobby of the library noting the banks donation.

The First National Bank Omaha pledged $50,000 in donations over four years in a gift made through the Friends of the Keene Memorial Library, which maintains a library expansion and renovation fund. The donation began with a $12,500 payment in 2022, with the final payment due in 2025.

The Fremont Kiwanis club pledged a donation of $25,000 made in three payments in exchange for the naming rights to the librarys childrens activity room.

The Fremont Area Community Foundation, led by board president Terry McClain, agreed to donate $100,000 in two donations. One payment had been received by the city as of Feb. 15, 2023, with another $50,000 slated to be paid, according to documents.

The Hawks Foundation committed $100,000 to the project; and the Robert B. Daugherty Foundation committed to donating $750,000 to the expansion project, which company officials stated in a letter would be paid to the city on or before Jan. 31, 2024.

The Peter Kiewit Foundation also pledged to commit a donation of $500,000 to the project, to be paid only when the library renovation and expansion construction is 100% completed.

The donation had a requirement that city officials provide the foundation with photographs of the completed project, an official certificate of occupancy allowing use by employees and patrons; as well as a letter from the construction manager certifying that 100% of the work had been finished.

At the county level, the Fremont and Dodge County Convention and Visitors Bureau agreed to donate $100,000 to the expansion of the city library, a decision that was approved by the Dodge County Board of Supervisors in July 2021.

Critical need for renovation, expansion

The library opened at its current location in 1971 and has served the greater Fremont area for more than 50 years. Renovation work was designed to preserve the historical quality of the building while also almost doubling the usable space. It also will provide Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessibility, updated technology infrastructure and a dedicated computer lab.

It will include designated areas for adults, teens and children, expanded community meeting room space and an outdoor courtyard. The project was designed by Spangenberg Phillips Tice (SPT) Architects of Wichita and is being constructed by MCL Construction of Omaha.

I think the separation for the different age groups is going to be a big thing. I think the new computer lab, where we will be able to hold computer classes for up to eight folks at a time is important, England-Biggs explained in late April. Weve never had a lab setting. It was always out in the open. Weve always wanted to do classes, but weve just never had the space.

In a late April interview, England-Biggs said the new additions and renovations to the library will wow the public. During the June 13 city council meeting, she told council members that the project was on time and on budget.

On Sept. 8, both England-Biggs and McClain said the project is still on schedule and following the timeline originally set, however, both declined to specify a completion date or when it will open.

In early promotional materials about the project, city and library officials have repeatedly stated that the project should be finished by the end of November or early December, with a grand opening shortly after completion.

That date came into question during the Aug. 29 council meeting during discussions of the bi-annual budget when a January opening date was mentioned.

On Friday, England-Biggs said, weve never stated an opening date, and McClain added, we dont know when the library would open.
District staff of Congressman Mike Flood will be hosting mobile office hours from 2-3:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 11, at Fremont Area Chamber of Commerce, 128 E. Sixth St., in Fremont.

During the office hours, district office team members will be available to assist with challenges regarding federal agencies, military academy nominations, scheduling requests and other needs constituents might encounter.

Congressman Flood maintains permanent offices in Lincoln and in Washington, D.C. Location and contact information for the permanent offices can be found at https://flood.house.gov.
The investigation continues into a fatal accident that occurred early Saturday morning south of Fremont.

A press release from the Dodge County Sheriffs Office said at about 5 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 9, the driver of a gray Hyundai SUV was driving west in the area of 400 S. Ridge Rd. when they lost control of the vehicle, crashing into a wooden fence.

The Dodge County Sheriff's Office arrived on scene and located a male passenger with significant injuries, the press release stated. The passenger was transported and later declared deceased at Methodist Fremont Health.

The crash remains under investigation, and the name of the deceased is being withheld pending next of kin notification. Alcohol and speed are believed to be factors in the crash, the sheriffs office said.

The Dodge County Sheriff's Office was assisted by the Nebraska State Patrol, Fremont Fire Department, Fremont Rural Fire Department and Saunders County Sheriff's Office.
Earlier this year, I had the pleasure of meeting with Candice Price, the owner of Home Team Auto Sales in Omaha. Candice traveled out to Washington to speak with her federal representatives about the challenges shes faced as an entrepreneur and business owner. She and I hit it off immediately, and I was grateful for the many insights she shared with me. During that meeting, we came up with the idea to organize a roundtable with other female business owners in Omaha.

A couple of weeks ago, that idea came to fruition. Candice organized an amazing event with a detailed agenda and a cohort of impressive businesswomen. It was a great opportunity for me to hear about their work, their successes, the challenges they face, and how I can help them as their Senator.

Each of these women shared her story, including the obstacles shes faced over the years of starting and running a business. The business owners discussed how difficult it can be to apply for loans and the challenge of being awarded loans after applying for them. One of the businesswomen shared that she struggled to find mental health resources tailored to the high-stress environment of running a business. The pandemic especially affected small businesses, placing new strains on their operations and creating new mental health challenges.

Many of the roundtable participants concerns revolved around the existence and accessibility of resources, whether for the health of business owners or the growth of their businesses. One woman commented that the biggest problem facing entrepreneurs is a lack of resources.

At the roundtable, we brainstormed ways to remedy these problems. Earlier this summer, I reintroduced the Achieving Thorough Transparency & Accessibility for Information Navigation (ATTAIN) Mental Health Act with my colleague Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.). This legislation would create a user-friendly online dashboard that would help prospective applicants identify federal grants that support mental health and address substance abuse. A streamlined online dashboard of resources would go a long way in making it easier for people to find the help they need.

The roundtable attendees agreed that a dashboard system similar to this could aid business owners in locating their own resources, ranging from loans to mental health resources. A tool like this would get rid of some of the unnecessary obstacles entrepreneurs and business owners face in Omaha, throughout Nebraska, and across the country. I look forward to keeping in contact with these business-savvy, experienced women and hearing more about what we can do in the Senate to support entrepreneurship. In fact, one of them is visiting me in Washington this fall to continue the conversations we began at the roundtable.

Im confident that this event will produce constructive results that help the women who sacrificed time and effort to visit with me. Each of them cares deeply about the Omaha community and focuses on accomplishing goals that will have ripple effects on others around them. My time with them was inspiring, and I know many more are being inspired by their leadership.

As your Senior Senator, the most important part of my job is meeting and listening to Nebraskans. This roundtable was just one of the great opportunities I had this August to hear local concerns. During my time in the Senate, I will always continue listening to and working for the people of Nebraska, from Omaha to Scottsbluff and everywhere in between.

Thank you for participating in the democratic process. I look forward to visiting with you again next week.
In the Colorado Springs area, the need for affordable housing - and fears that growth is not being managed responsibly - is at an all-time high, some economic and development experts believe.

During a town hall meeting hosted by The Gazette and KOAA on Thursday, panelists from several city and El Paso County departments, Colorado Springs Utilities, the Colorado Springs Chamber & Economic Development Corp. and more weighed in on the topics of water availability, public safety and the job market and addressed discrepancies between what officials and the public may see as "good growth."

The Springs has gained almost 109,000 people over the past 20 years, reaching a population of just over 485,000 at the halfway point of last year, according to the most recent estimate available from the Colorado Demography Office, which tracks population and other demographic trends.

El Paso County's population has grown from about 500,000 to 755,000 since 2000 - a 43% increase - and about 10,500 people are moving to the county each year, according to Tatiana Bailey, executive director of Data Driven Economic Strategies.

"Most of the growth that's happening in the state of Colorado, percentage wise, is here in El Paso County," Bailey said.

Affordable housing

Those surges have made the issue of affordable housing one of the top hot-button topics in recent years and Thursday.

Bailey said that kind of demand warrants a need for roughly 8,500 new permits for multifamily and single-family units per year, but could fall about 14,000 units short by 2028, accounting for projected growth.

Just before the COVID-19 pandemic struck in early 2020, the percentage of homes sold in the county that were affordable - costing less than 30% of one's household income - was just under 75%, Bailey said.

That number is now 25%, up from 18% at the worst quarter of the pandemic, she said.

According to city chief housing officer Steve Posey, the lack of affordable housing is affecting people across generational and socioeconomic groups.

This is no longer an issue that is just touching lower income households, "Posey said. "This is an issue that is of concern for everybody in Colorado Springs and El Paso County.

The region's average age is trending younger, around 35, and younger people tend to average lower salaries. More and more high school and college graduates are staying in their parents' homes, leaving both groups "stuck" with few options, he said.

Posey said even many of those moving to the region for professional work, like X-ray technicians and other health care workers, for example, qualify for the kind of housing authorized under Proposition 123, an initiative passed in November that will direct $300 million per year in TABOR refund revenues into affordable housing programs statewide.

Residents over age 65, the county's second-largest demographic and many of whom live on fixed income, have also seen home, apartment and senior living rent prices skyrocket, Posey said.

Even so, residents have repeatedly voiced in many a city and county planning commission hearing, online discussion platform and question submitted to the panelists that water use and growth - especially of apartment buildings and massive subdivisions on the urban fringe - has gone too unchecked for too long.

Sign up for free: Gazette Business Receive a weekly roundup of business news around El Paso County. Sign Up View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters.

"I am concerned with the number of multifamily apartment buildings currently in our city in addition to the number of new units being built," one resident wrote. "Why is there such emphasis on this type of housing and high rent costs versus encouraging residents to invest in property and more permanent housing?"

"Why is our housing so low?" another asked.

Meggan Herington, director of planning and community development for the county, said that while nearly everyone recognizes the need for affordable housing, many residents have voiced opposition to the building methods - mixed and high-density land use - experts say are needed to address the issue.

"What we typically hear from citizens is ... that (new development) is 'too dense, there's not enough transition, we don't have enough buffers,'" Herington said. "I ask the question back to the citizens, what does smart growth mean to you?"

Herington said any perception that swaths of project requests brought before the county are rubber stamped is mostly false.

In 2023 so far, her department has received over 400 major development applications, such as for rezoning or subdivision plats, she said. Of the 500 "early assistance meetings" held so far with applicants before submitting plans, only 40 of those were about rezoning, just half of those went forward and even less were approved.

"If you ask me if we have a growth problem, I would say no," Herington said. "I would say that we are doing something right because people want to come and live here."

Bailey said the things that are "working right" are not as "sensationalized" as what's not.

"We do have to compromise and think about what type of growth do we do we want and how can we embrace it?" she said. "Were going to have to make some concessions.

Water

In the arid west, residents and officials agree that development and water discussions go hand in hand.

Lisa Barbato, chief officer of system planning and projects for Colorado Springs Utilities, said its supply of roughly 95,000 acre-feet of water exceeds its customers' current demand of 73,000 acre-feet and is being mitigated through the service's "sustainable water plan," a 50-year "roadmap" for meeting future needs.

That comprehensive plan involves adding water supplies, replacing invasive grass species and using other conservation techniques and mitigating fire danger around watersheds, she said.

"We are using the same amount of water we used 40 years ago with our population on nearly doubling," Barbato said. "Our community has really responded in a responsible way, and that is really allowing us that buffer to grow within our community."

The Colorado Springs City Council in January approved a controversial water ordinance that requires CSU to have 128% of the water necessary to serve existing city demand and the projected demand from new properties, a move that benefits existing developers within the city and could block large annexations planning to build new neighborhoods.

Posey, the city housing officer, encouraged residents to continue to participate in planning hearings regarding new developments, but said many applications that do make it that far have done the work to adhere to master growth plans.

"We should be able to rely on the folks who have done the hard work of figuring out whether or not we've got that supply available," he said. "I hope that we don't need to revisit it every time we get a new subdivision plat ... or a new apartment building that comes up."
Beneath a sliver of moon and the hum of a small plane, the first astronaut to graduate from the Air Force Academy, Col. Karol Bo Bobko, was buried Friday morning at the bases cemetery.

Bobko is the only astronaut to fly on the maiden voyages of two shuttles, the Challenger and the Atlantis, as part of a career with NASA that spanned almost 20 years.

A member of the Academys first class of 1959, Bobko died on Aug. 17 at 85 in Half Moon Bay, California.

At the service Friday, he was remembered for his calm leadership and humble spirit.

He was soft spoken and not at all arrogant, said Patrice Welsh-Benjamin, his sister-in-law.

When asked about his work at NASA, he would say that he worked at NASA as an engineer. Only when someone pressed would they find out he was an astronaut, she said.

Bobko went to space three times and logged 386 hours in space, according to NASA. In 1983, he served as a pilot on the Challenger, followed by a trip to space on Atlantis as a commander in 1985. Both maiden expeditions for the shuttles.

Also in 1985, he commanded the Space Shuttle Discovery and landed it safely even though the main gear tire was blown, according to NASA. Sen. Jake Garn was on the flight, the first senator to go to space.

All three missions involved deploying communications satellites, among other experiments, NASA said.

His friend and Air Force Academy classmate Max Miller recalled him as his smartest roommate and the one with the greatest sense of humor. He also pursued his passion.

Sign Up for free: Military Brief Your weekly local update on local military news and events, sent straight to your inbox. Sign Up View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters.

I would say, if you had to give one word to Bo's life, it would be space, Miller said.

Bobko left the Air Force after flying F-100s, supersonic jets, and F-105s, a fighter bomber, among other aircraft.

He was always at the leading edge of technology, Miller said.

During his later career in private industry, he worked on space-related projects such as space station development and training simulations.

In 2011, he was inducted into the Astronaut Hall of Fame alongside Susan Helms, who completed a world-record space walk.

At the time, he recalled always choosing a career path toward space.

"All spaceflight is beautiful and inspiring," Bobko said at the time.

While he retired in California, Colorado Springs held special significance for Bobko, who met his wife Dianne as a freshman at the Academy, while she was still in high school. The couple had two children, Michelle and Paul.

Throughout his career, his family provided solid support and he had an amazing relationship with his wife, over their 62 years together, Welsh-Benjamin said.

I think today part of it is recognition of a life that's bigger than your work, she said.
Colorado Springs Utilities is appealing a city order to halt construction of a new 5 million-gallon concrete water tank the agency is building in the Mountain Shadows neighborhood.

The city-owned utility announced Friday it filed a formal appeal this week of the stop work order the city issued Aug. 30. Residents pushed this summer for a pause in construction after they identified in June the new Wilson water tank at the intersection of Wilson Road and Alabaster Way in northwest Colorado Springs was 20 feet taller than the utility was permitted to build. A development plan city planners administratively approved in June 2022 limits the new tank's height to no more than 45 feet.

Appeal documents say that when the development plan was originally submitted the tank's true overall height was uncertain because the utility hadn't yet contracted a vendor to build it.

A note on page 12 of the plan states, "All measurements above are estimates. Final elevations will be designed by tank manufacturer during structural design phase."

The subcontractor building the tank developed it based on certain structural design specifications, the utility said in its appeal documents, making its final height about 60 feet.

On May 5, city planners approved an application for a building permit from the Pikes Peak Regional Building Department; that application included the development plan and construction drawings showing the overall tank height at about 60 feet, Utilities said in its appeal.

About a month later on June 13, resident Larry Starr, whose home is directly in front of the construction site, contacted the utility to say he believed the tank was built too tall. The agency investigated and found its building permit wasn't in compliance with its development plan, appeal documents state.

When city code enforcement officers came to the construction site June 29 and June 30 they did not issue a stop work order, according to appeal documents. Utilities said its land use consultant informed the agency the city had "erroneously issued the building permit" and Utilities wasn't required to take remedial action.

Residents have said this summer they are upset Colorado Springs Utilities didn't "properly" follow the city's process for land use applications and felt "deceived."

"I still do not think Colorado Springs Utilities is owning the fact that what they built was not to the approved plan, and that was their responsibility to make sure that it was," Starr said Friday. "It wasn't somebody stamping plans or not stamping plans. ... Colorado Springs Utilities seems to not believe that they have to follow the same rules that everybody else would if they had built something that wasn't to plan."

After the consultant recommended the utility amend its development plan, it filed a request to do so on July 18, continuing work on the tank "in reliance on the building permit," appeal documents state. The work was necessary to mitigate cost overruns and destruction of materials the agency said would occur if construction was delayed and work not completed before the cooler seasons.

Sign up for free: Springs AM Update Your morning rundown of the latest news from Colorado Springs and around the country overnight and the stories to follow throughout the day delivered to your inbox each evening. Sign Up View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters.

The utility is now formally proposing a major modification to the approved development plan with city planners to reconcile the height difference.

Senior planner Bill Gray said in an email Aug. 25 the Planning Commission will hear that request during a public meeting sometime in the future. The modification will not be administratively decided, he said, as the original development plan was.

As of Friday more than 80% of the tank has been constructed per the regional building permit, Colorado Springs Utilities said in its appeal.

The agency estimates it has spent about $3.42 million constructing the tank, with just under $3 million of that spent before the time Utilities claims it knew the building permit had been "erroneously" approved.

The building permit has not expired and hasn't been revoked or forfeited, the agency said.

"Regardless of the outcome of the (development plan) amendment, under well-established law, Utilities has a vested right in the building permit based on its reliance thereon. Because Utilities has a vested right in the building permit under Colorado law, city planning is estopped from contesting the validity of the building permit and Utilities' right to build the tank in conformance with the building permit. As such, the (stop work order) is erroneous and clearly contrary to law," the appeal states.

Since receiving the stop work order late last week the utility did halt construction on the tank and limited the construction contractor to cleanup work at the site, officials said in a Friday news release.

While the appeal is pending, Utilities said it will continue working on the tank as permitted, including working to complete a tie-in to an existing water line and applying a final layer of cover coat to the tank.

"Springs Utilities feels it is in the best interest of its customers to avoid costly delays and complete construction," the news release said.

The release said the agency is "committed" to following the amended development plan and appeals processes "to ensure alignment between the development plan for the tank and the building permit."

It was unclear late Friday afternoon how long the appeal process may take.
After a 2-year stint of bitter infighting, calls for resignation and voting against the grain, Ivy Liu is no longer a School District 49 board member.

D-49s legal counsel cited her recent move outside of her director district as reason for vacating the position and said she is ineligible for reelection because her candidate petition failed to receive enough valid supporting signatures to make the ballot.

Liu moved houses in August to retain eligibility in Novembers school board election after the lines of her director district were changed last spring. Those boundary changes will not take effect until after the election, meaning that although her move would have allowed her to seek reelection with proper signature support, she is no longer eligible to serve out the remainder of her term. Board members must at all times reside within the districts they represent.

Although it is sort of complicated, bottom line is this is about maps and math, and maps and math are not really subjective, Superintendent Peter Hilts said. The map is, do you or do you not live in the area that you aspire to represent? The math is, did you or did you not get the required number of signatures?

D-49 legal counsel Brad Miller said Liu failed to receive 50 valid signatures supporting her candidacy, the minimum amount required to run for election. Documents Liu shared with The Gazette show more than 60 people signed her petition, including several people she said were from outside her district. As a result, she claims she had 54 valid signatures.

Miller, whom Liu has publicly criticized and who in November launched an investigation into her conduct, said Liu only received 46 valid signatures. Although he did not have anything to do with the verification process  a responsibility reserved for a trained and certified district election officer  it is possible several more signatures were invalidated because the signers did not reside within the correct director district, he said. Liu refutes these claims.

As of Thursday, Lius position was listed as vacant on the D-49 website. Liu told The Gazette she has not yet been notified about her removal nor told she was disqualified from running for reelection after filing her candidate petition last week.

He will keep coming at you until he gets you, and he thinks hes succeeded, but Im not done with it, Liu said of Miller.

Lius school board tenure includes alleged attempts at strong-arming her from her position, she said. She twice endured public censures for her conduct, which the board said violated district policy.

Tensions notably came to a head at a Nov. 10 meeting when a 3-2 board majority passed a resolution asking Liu to resign. Liu had earlier that month come under fire for quoting Hitler on Facebook in what she said was an attempt to point out toxic ideologies and indoctrination infiltrating Americas education system.

She said she helped spearhead the districts moves to ban critical race theory and end its mask mandate. She also regularly challenged the districts approach to improving academic performance, which she says garnered her many enemies right away.

Theyve been trying to get rid of me, Liu said. They are thinking this might be it with the election, but they dont know who theyre dealing with. Im going to do everything I can to fight this.

Voters in D-49 chose in 2015 to transition away from an at-large model, in which all board members represent the district as a whole, to a director district model, in which each board member is elected to represent one of five areas within D-49. Board members must live in the area they represent, and per statute, director districts must be nearly equal in population size.

Sign up for free: Springs AM Update Your morning rundown of the latest news from Colorado Springs and around the country overnight and the stories to follow throughout the day delivered to your inbox each evening. Sign Up View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters.

Growth has since dramatically changed D-49s layout. Boundaries that in 2015 saw 3.2% variance between director district population sizes had more than 43% by 2023. The board voted 3-2 this spring to redraw its director district boundaries to better comply with statute, thereby writing Liu out of her district in a move she characterized as dishonest gerrymandering.

Theyre counting on the fact that if they just wear you down  they want to take out the enemies, and Im just not going to let them, Liu said. This is it. This is their last resort.

Liu searched for ways to retain her board position despite the new boundaries.

Experts say there is a gray area in state law regarding a school board candidates residency requirements. Whereas state Legislature candidates must live in their districts a year before election, law is less specific for school board elections.

On Aug. 24 Rachel Amspoker, a staff attorney with the Colorado Association of School Boards, told Liu in an email obtained by The Gazette that the statute is unclear whether you need to be a resident of the director district at the time of the election or the time you file the petition and said it would be safer to reside in her director districts new boundaries at the time she files her candidate petition, which had a deadline of Sept. 1. Amspoker sought additional clarity from the Colorado Secretary of States Office.

My interpretation of that statute has been that it is something required of the candidate on the day they are elected. I have based this conclusion on the fact that the statute does not set a time-limit of any kind on how long the candidate must have been at the residence to qualify, Caleb Thornton, the legal, policy and rulemaking manager for the Secretary of States Office, wrote in an email to Amspoker.

Interpretations from CASB and the Secretary of States Office suggest Liu would be eligible for election as long as she moved by Election Day. Liu said she moved on Aug. 25 out of an abundance of caution, but district officials still challenged the legitimacy of her candidacy.

Miller said his legal opinion is that Liu would be ineligible for election based on residency requirements, but that matter is irrelevant because she did not receive enough signatures in her support.

Thats a black and white line, Miller said.

The confusion surrounding Lius candidacy is unprecedented because most school districts do not follow director district models, and candidates rarely go to such lengths for elections, according to Hilts. As such, D-49 is navigating uncharted territory and facing new residency questions.

Its very unusual for a person to try to change their residency for the purpose of establishing a candidacy, so theres not a lot of precedent, and we had to rely on plain language interpretation and guidance from others, Hilts said. Once you know any one of the requirements are missing, then the other ones become either irrelevant or moot.

Before the district reached a final ruling on whether Liu met residency requirements, it found she lacked enough valid signatures.

Headed into November, three of five school board seats will be up for grabs. District two has two verified candidates, district three has three verified candidates and Lius director district, district five, has one verified candidate. Liu is not among them, but her campaign partners Deb Schmidt and Mark Cravens are seeking election to director districts two and three, respectively. She intends to support their campaigns.

In a season when accusations fly and are easy, its more important than ever to trust and verify proven processes. Thats why I have such confidence in our county clerk and recorder and in our elected official because theyre trained, theyre certified, and we trust them with reason to do a great job, Hilts said.
Kroger Co. has agreed to pay Colorado $70 million as part of a settlement for its role in the opioid crisis, Attorney General Phil Weiser announced Friday.

In total, the grocery chain will pay $1.37 billion to participating states.

The number of overdose deaths from opioids is a clarion call for action, Weiser said in a news release. By holding accountable those who contributed to this crisis, we are continuing to take action and we are bringing back funds to Colorado to support much needed prevention, treatment, and recovery services.

In Colorado, Kroger (NYSE: KR) owns and operates King Soopers and City Market.

The United States has been in the grip of an overdose crisis for decades with the first wave coming the 90s with prescription opioids. The latest wave involves synthetic opioids  specifically illicitly manufactured fentanyl  which the Centers for Disease Control identified about decade ago.

Sign up for free: Springs AM Update Your morning rundown of the latest news from Colorado Springs and around the country overnight and the stories to follow throughout the day delivered to your inbox each evening. Sign Up View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters.

Nearly 1,800 Coloradans died from overdoses last year.

After a reprieve from fentanyl overdoses last year, opioids appear to be making a deadly come back with preliminary numbers in Denver showing a roughly 16% increase, public health data shows.

Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic 50 times more potent than heroin.

Including prior settlements, Colorado is expected to receive more than $770 million in opioid settlements from drug manufacturers, distributors and pharmacy chains, among others, to tackle the crisis.
The Air Force Academy Foundation and Association of Graduates raised $270 million 16 months earlier than planned as part of a multi-year campaign to fund numerous initiatives, such as a new cyber innovation center, an honors program and Falcon Stadium.

The fundraising goal for the campaign, called Defining our Future, was increased to $300 million this week to support some of those key projects, a news release said.

Thanks to the support of nearly 18,000 donors, including more than 11,000 graduates, were proud to reach the original fundraising goal 16 months ahead of schedule. A lot of work remains, however, to fully fund key Academy projects and broaden graduate participation in the campaign. Thats why we are increasing the goal, said Alex Gilbert, chairman of the Air Force Academy Foundation board of directors and an alumnus in the release.

Reaching the impressive fundraising goal of $270 million came down to several factors, said Kelly Banet, senior vice president for development at the Foundation in an interview. She noted that donors tend to have a strong sense of duty to prepare cadets for tomorrow's challenges and donors often have a passion for the programs they support.

The campaign started in 2018 and will continue through 2024 to supplement federal support the Academy receives.

"Private philanthropy enhances what the government is able to provide," Banet said.

Sign up for free: News Alerts Stay in the know on the stories that affect you the most. Sign Up For Free View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters.

For example, the campaign is helping to fund the programming and staff for the new Institute for Future Conflict, focused on preparing cadets for challenges such as artificial intelligence that will change warfare.

The new Madera Cyber Innovation Center still under construction will receive new technology through the donations and the gifts support the Martinson Honors Program aimed at creating a community of warrior scholars, Banet said, among many other projects.

The campaign is also aiming to pay off $20 million in bonds used to fund the new Hotel Polaris under construction outside the Academy's north gate in order to accelerate taking ownership of the building. When the hotel is paid off, it will be gifted to the Association of Graduates and the Foundation to provide funding for the school, she said.

"It will be transformative for the Air Force Academy," she said.

But that transfer is a long-term goal, she said.

In the short term, through the end of the campaign, the nonprofits are aiming to increase engagement among alumni, not only in giving but in activities such as attending class reunions, volunteering, mentoring cadets and graduates, getting involved with a chapter or affinity group, and joining the Association of Graduates.

Philanthropy is an expression of ones values, and the message donors have sent thus far is clear, said Mark Hille, president of the Association of Graduates and Air Force Academy Foundation in a news release. They feel strongly about the Academys mission and its vital role in our nations defense."
While running for the Colorado House of Representatives, Rep. Stephanie Vigil spent her days and nights knocking on constituents doors. Sometimes to ask for their vote. Sometimes to deliver them food.

On a typical day, Vigil started her mornings with campaign meetings at 8 a.m., before jumping in her car at 10:30 a.m. to make deliveries for apps, such as DoorDash and GrubHub, her sole paying job before taking office. After the lunch rush, Vigil would work on her campaign until around 7 p.m., canvassing, making fundraising calls and responding to emails. Then, on some days, it was back to delivering from dinner hours until she was too tired to stay out.

Since prime delivery hours overlapped with prime canvasing hours, Vigil often had to prioritize the election over her paid work. Along the campaign trail, she racked up personal debts and had to make some difficult financial decisions, Vigil said. Doctors visits and car payments were put off. Credit card bills received minimum payments, while other, older debts went to collections.

It was a rather trying time for me, Vigil, D-Colorado Springs, said. We really were putting a significant gamble into this. ... You've got to hustle to win.

Vigil is now one of few working-class members of Colorados state legislature.

Nationally, less than 3% of state legislators worked in manual labor, service industry and clerical jobs at the time of their election, while 52% of their constituents hold those working-class jobs, according to data compiled in 2018 by Duke University political science professor Nicholas Carnes.

In theory, citizen legislatures like Colorado's are meant to assure its members are ordinary citizens, providing a part-time structure and low pay to keep legislators in the workforce and in touch with their communities. But in practice, the financial burdens of public office often shut out lower-earning individuals from the candidate pool and make it doubly difficult for those who must balance policymaking with other jobs, including running businesses.

Most Colorado legislators earn $43,977 per year, though senators who entered office before 2023 earn $41,449. That means the highest-paid legislator in Colorado makes less than the lowest paid county commissioner, sheriff, treasurer, accessor or clerk. For comparison, the median income for Colorado households with one earner was nearly $71,000 in 2022, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

Former Sen. Chris Holbert estimates he gave up $1 million dollars of earning potential during the 12 years he served in the House and Senate.

I took a huge pay cut, Holbert, R-Douglas County, said. (But) I knew what I was doing. ... I cant think of any legislator who got rich from being in the Colorado General Assembly, he said.

People who serve in Congress often get criticized because they  or a family member  got rich while they served, he noted.

Thats not how your state Capitol works, Holbert said.

Legislative dreams and financial realities

While I'm very happy and overjoyed to have the opportunity to serve in the legislature, it's just about the worst financial decision I could make for myself, said Rep. Mandy Lindsay, D-Aurora. I'm in my mid-40s, which is kind of prime earning years for wealth building and preparing for the future.

Lindsay said her legislative salary, combined with her husbands income, is enough to pay their rent and put food on the table for their four children, but not much else. The family cant afford to buy a house in Lindsays Aurora district, making her one of only a handful of Colorado legislators who rent their home.

Lindsay is among the legislators who dont have another job outside of the legislature and who, as a result, struggle with finances. Lindsay said when she ran for office, she accepted that she wouldnt be able to become a homeowner for the foreseeable future.

Financial constraints also seep into Lindsays legislative work. Lindsay said she cant afford to attend most professional conferences offered to state legislators. While legislators can request reimbursements for conferences and travel expenses, that can take months, requiring legislators to pay hundreds of dollars upfront. Thats money Lindsay doesnt have, she said, joking about having only $20 in her checking account while awaiting direct deposits at the end of the month.

Lindsays legislative pay has become a running joke between her and her husband, with the couple quoting thats like a dollar an hour from the movie Napoleon Dynamite every time Lindsay comes home in the middle of the night following lengthy debates at the Capitol.

The number of hours you spend compared to the amount we make, it's kind of laughable," Lindsay said. Even as I'm saying I am postponing homeownership, I feel stupid. It feels like a bad financial decision that an adult wouldn't make."

The state legislature meets for 120 days out of the year, from January to May, a decision imposed on the Colorado General Assembly just over three decades ago.

This part-time structure is intended to allow legislators to work a second job, but Lindsay and other legislators say the workload and hectic schedule make holding other employment difficult.

Rep. Elizabeth Velasco, D-Glenwood Springs, ran her own interpretation and translation business for over 10 years. But Velasco lost her business when she ran for office last year. Before she was even elected, the time commitment of campaigning made it impossible for Velasco to manage her business time-sensitive requests and forced her to refer clients to other agencies.

Now in the interim after her first legislative session, Velasco said she is looking for work in consulting. But even though shes not in the Capitol voting on legislation every day, Velasco said she still doesnt have the time to draft a business plan.

Velasco said shes still working full-time: leading the interim Wildfire Matters Review Committee, sitting on the air quality committee, hosting town hall meetings, drafting legislation for next year, meeting with elected officials, and launching her reelection campaign.

"The job of being a legislator, it definitely doesn't feel like it's a part-time job, Velasco said. I want to do a lot. I want to do as much as I can because there's such a big opportunity for change for our communities.

Velasco said she makes way less money as a legislator than she has in the last decade. Since she lives more than 50 miles from the Capitol in Denver, Velasco gets an extra $237 stipend every day of the 120-day legislative session to cover her living expenses away from her district. But Velasco said even with that added money, she spends the session living out of a basement 20 minutes away from the Capitol  because its all she can afford.

And since shes required to spend four months of the year in Denver, around 160 miles away from her Glenwood Springs home, finding another job to work half of the year between her frequent interim work is proving difficult.

"It feels like I'm starting from zero, Velasco said. "I have to come up with something different to do.

During his 16 years as a legislator, former state Sen. Jerry Sonnenberg said he lost more money trying to keep his businesses running than the legislature paid.

While he was in the Capitol during the session, Sonnenberg was forced to use his legislator's salary to hire someone to manage his cattle trucking business, ranch and farm until his sons were old enough to take on that responsibility.

"Back then, my salary was $30,000 and it would cost me over $20,000 a year to hire my spring work done, such as spraying and planting corn," Sonnenberg, R-Sterling, said.

When she entered the legislature, Rep. Dafna Michaelson Jenet expected to take a pay cut, but she didnt realize how substantial it would be. Her nonprofit, the Journey Institute, which provides community building training, lost its biggest client when she took office because Michaelson Jenet was no longer nonpartisan, she said.

That single contract paid more than Michaelson Jenets entire legislative salary.

Each month, it's a struggle to keep the house, Michaelson Jenet, D-Commerce City, said. It's tough. We made the decision that we're going to figure it out, but it's tough.

Michaelson Jenet said even if she hadnt lost the contract, she couldnt have possibly given the client the time and attention they needed while being a legislator. Almost seven years into her legislative career, she does very little work for her nonprofit because the legislature takes up all her time. She said she works full-time every day  during the session and in the interim.

Now, Michaelson Jenet is moving from the House to the upper chamber, chosen on Aug. 31 to fill a vacant Senate seat after the resignation of Sen. Dominick Moreno. Despite their financial difficulties, Michaelson Jenet said she and her husband have committed to continue scraping by for as long as she is able to serve.

I want to give the legislature all I can and my constituents all I can because this is a once in a freaking lifetime experience, Michaelson Jenet said. If I'm going to do my public service, I'm going to do it all the way.

Lindsay similarly said she is fully dedicated to her job as a legislator, but lamented how her love for this job clashes with the financial realities of her life.

I want to ask my colleagues: How do you make this work? Lindsay said. Does your spouse make a ton of money? I know some people are retired or have pensions or some people are lawyers. ... I just don't have a situation like that. What am I supposed to do?

Splitting myself in half

The most common profession among Colorado's 2023-24 class of legislators is attorney, accounting for at least 15 of the 100 lawmakers. Next is retired with 11 legislators, and business owner with 10. Another six legislators run nonprofit organizations and six more run farms and/or ranches, arguably adding to the business owner tally.

Rep. Javier Mabrey, D-Denver, is one of the lawyers overrepresented in the legislature, but hes not the high-earner one might expect from the title. Mabrey is a nonprofit attorney doing eviction defense work for the Community Economic Defense Project.

So, I already wasnt making the big bucks, said Mabrey, who is among the legislators who hold day jobs in addition to legislating, leading to struggles with overlapping time commitments.

Mabrey continues to work as an attorney during the legislative session, though he doesnt take on a full caseload. This still leads him to spend whatever evenings, nights and weekends that hes not in the Capitol working on cases, he said. After the session ends, Mabrey works more than 40 hours per week as an attorney, on top of around 30 hours per week of legislative work, such as meeting with constituents and drafting legislation.

"My schedule is not atypical. I think a lot of legislators work around as much, or at least as much, as me and a lot of them have kids and families, Mabrey said. "But it is a lot. I don't get a lot of time for myself.

Mabrey said he makes about as much money as a legislator as he loses from cutting back on his work as an attorney  though he now works way more hours. He said he couldnt survive on just his legislative salary while helping to support his mother and brother, paying his mortgage and dealing with a six-figure student loan debt.

If the pay were such that I could afford to only be a legislator, I would love to do that. That's just not where things are in reality, Mabrey said. Being a legislator is a full-time job. Even in the off session, there's so much we can do and should do to engage with our communities and stakeholders across the state who are involved in the crafting of legislation that will improve or harm our constituents lives.

When Rep. Lorena Garcia was asked to fill a vacancy in the state House in January, she couldn't afford to quit her day job, either.

Sign up for free: News Alerts Stay in the know on the stories that affect you the most. Sign Up For Free View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters.

Garcia, D-Adams County, runs the Colorado Statewide Parent Coalition. She said she works 70 to 80 hours a week for the nonprofit outside of the session. During the session, she works reduced hours, but theres not a chance she could afford to only work as a legislator.

Garcias days during the session typically started at around 5 a.m. to handle daily tasks for her nonprofit and to attend an organizational meeting at 8 a.m. Then she was ready to start her legislative work when the House convened at 9 a.m. Garcia scheduled her nonprofit duties and meetings between her afternoon legislative committee hearings, though she often had to cancel on her nonprofit when debates ran late. And the work only continued whenever she was home: Weekends didnt exist, she said.

It is difficult, Garcia said. And I am incredibly privileged to have such a flexible job. I don't have to clock in at 9 a.m., clock out at 5 p.m., like most other jobs where it would be impossible to balance the two.

Garcia said she can't financially afford to go to the legislative conferences, receptions and galas she would like to, in particular because she entered office through a vacancy, so she doesnt have the campaign fundraising money many other legislators have. But the biggest effect is on her schedule and mental load.

"When you have to work another job, it absolutely limits your ability to be as engaged and as participatory as you would like, Garcia said. Yes, its hard economically, but it's also your obligation to your other job.

Former Rep. Serena Gonzales-Gutierrez, D-Denver, spent five years in the House balancing her legislative work with directing a collaborative management program in Denver as an independent contractor. She worked both jobs during and out of the legislative session. And on top of that, she raised three young children, the youngest of whom was only two years old when Gonzales-Gutierrez took office.

I didnt have the luxury of not working during session. Im running legislation, Im doing stakeholder meetings and I'm splitting myself in half doing this other work, Gonzales-Gutierrez said. I worked nonstop and then tried to be a parent and be at my kids' activities and be a part of their lives.

Gonzales-Gutierrez resigned from the state House this month to begin her new job as a member of the Denver City Council, which she was elected to in April. Gonzales-Gutierrez said her primary motivation for changing offices was to serve the public on a local level, but she said the more manageable schedule and ability to focus on only one job played a big part in her decision.

After becoming a councilwoman, Gonzales-Gutierrez's government salary more than doubled overnight, from under $44,000 in the legislature to more than $110,000 in the city council.

Thanks to this raise, Gonzales-Gutierrez was able to leave her second job. She said it significantly improved her sense of financial security and stability, but the most substantial change is how she gets to spend her time, such as eating dinner with her family.

With this work, you sacrifice a lot, Gonzales-Gutierrez said. Spending more time with my family, going to my kids' games, taking my daughter to practice. Things that are just normal activities, I wasn't able to be a part of.  Its an impact on your quality of life.

As it is now, Gonzales-Gutierrez said the state legislature is simply not working  at least not for people from working families like hers.

I don't think it's set up for people like me, she said. It shouldn't be that you sacrifice everything to be in these places.

When Sen. Byron Pelton, R-Sterling, went from a Logan County Commissioner to a state senator, his salary fell by nearly 45%. On top of that, his electrician business dropped off because he can no longer take on big projects. Pelton said he had to turn down a contract that would have started in October because it wouldnt have finished until mid-session. Were it not for his wifes job, finances would be a lot tougher, he said.

Pelton, like his cousin and fellow state senator Rod Pelton, is also a rancher.

Byron recently moved his herd to his dads ranch near Strasburg when his leased pasture was sold. He then sold off half his herd. The price of cattle was too good to turn down, he said.

Rod, too, must change how he manages his herd during the legislative session. This last session, the cattle stayed at Byron's dads, so he and Byron could take turns keeping an eye on the heifers while they calved in early spring. Hed be up half the night watching over a heifer in labor and then grab a couple of hours of sleep before heading to the Capitol.

So, why does he serve, with all the adaptations hes had to make? He pointed to his herd.

To protect this, he said, meaning the rural way of life that his family has been part of for four generations.

A citizen legislature?

Not all state legislatures are run like Colorados. Each varies drastically from state to state.

When it comes to legislative pay, Colorado is in the middle of the pack. Colorados legislative salary of $43,977 is the 19th highest in the nation. New York, California and Pennsylvania all pay state legislators six figures, with New York paying the most at $142,000. But New Mexico doesnt give its legislators any annual salary, and six other states pay less than $10,000 per year.

While Colorados legislature meets for 120 days each year, in nine states, legislatures meet year-round, including Massachusetts, New York and Ohio. Other states meet more infrequently, such as Texas, Nevada and Montana, which only convene every other year, some for only 90 days.

In concept, state legislatures that are part time and low paying are meant to assure that legislators can relate to their constituents, said Seth Masket, professor of political science and the director of the Center on American Politics at the University of Denver.

The idea is that people shouldn't be politicians professionally, that it's something they should do for a time out of a sense of service and then return to whatever their life was before that, Masket said. If someone spends too long working in the legislature, they become out of touch with what the citizens of the state need. By intentionally not paying them enough to live off year-round, that forces them to be more connected with their home community.

But in practice, this doesnt usually pan out, Masket said. Instead of assuring that legislators are regular working people, part-time schedules and low pay can make the job too difficult for those who are not wealthy, retired or working abnormal jobs that allow them to take months off at a time.

This helps account for fewer than 3% of state legislators nationally coming from working-class professions, compared to 52% of the U.S. population.

"You end up with a somewhat less representative legislature, one that doesn't necessarily represent the diversity of the state, Masket said. "Whichever groups of people have more money tend to be better represented. So, you end up with somewhat older, somewhat whiter legislatures as a result.

As someone who grew up in poverty and has experienced homelessness, Mabrey said the disconnect between most of his fellow legislators and average citizens is painfully evident.

Mabreys experiences color his perspective on policy issues, he said, recounting having his power and water shut off as a child, being evicted from his home as a teenager, and working as a janitor, cook and delivery driver as he put himself through law school.

"If you've never faced housing instability, or eviction, or harassment in the workplace, or lived paycheck to paycheck, you're going to approach these issues differently, Mabrey said. Are you more likely to approach the issue of fair workweek from the perspective of a restaurant owner, or from the perspective of a dishwasher? Those dynamics absolutely play out in the legislature.

Holbert, the former senate minority leader, believes that the citizen legislature still works.

Holbert said people dont want career politicians in the state house. He noted that the full-time equivalent of the maximum 16 years legislators can serve across the Colorado House and Senate is about 7.2 years. In the private sector, such experience translates to senior level manager position, Holbert said.

And we make them go away after that, he said.

Senate Minority Leader Paul Lundeen, R-Monument, said legislators who spend their entire careers working in government bring a very different value set to policymaking than someone who gets up at four in the morning to vaccinate calves and brings that experience into the legislature.

Lundeen said a professional legislature leads to lawmakers who seek greater professional status and greater expansion of government  because thats all theyve ever known.

Lundeen, a business owner, said he has to put in extra work to take care of his clients and function as a lawmaker, and to take care of his family and raise his children. He said he sympathizes with lawmakers who are members of the working class.

An individual who has a shift job and who wants to serve in the General Assembly, that would be very challenging. Theyd have to have a very supportive employer, Lundeen said.

But whether they are sympatric or not, Vigil said shes struggled to get some of her colleagues to understand what its like to have no money, to have to choose which bills will get paid at the end of the month and to know her phone will be shut off so she can pay rent on her apartment.

I was trying to explain to someone what it means to be poor in America in the 21st century, and they were looking at me like I had three heads or something. ... It just doesn't register to people unless they've lived it, Vigil said. We can't fix those systems if rich people keep deciding what's acceptable for the rest of us.

When asking working-class legislators how the legislature could work better for them, two primary answers arose: A full-time structure and higher pay.

This would also allow legislators to focus their energy on public service year-round and provide more time for policy drafting and debates, some argued. Others said the part-time structure should remain to give legislators time to spend in their own communities, working directly on constituent issues.

But raising the pay or the number of session days would be tricky to pull off, Masket said.

"(A full-time legislature) is possible, but I think that's pretty far off in the future. ... We're generally, across the nation, in a somewhat different political environment today, where it's harder to make the argument for more active government," Masket said. And it's always an unpopular political move for legislators to raise their own pay. It's fairly easy to demonize.

To get around the raise issue, Masket and a few legislators suggested creating an independent commission to set legislator wages.

But where Colorado thrives in improving legislative representation is party outreach, Masket said, attributing that to the Colorado legislature being more economically diverse than state legislatures nationally.

Vigil, too, said state leaders should actively recruit and mentor people who have experienced poverty to run for office. To start encouraging others, legislators should be vocal and vulnerable about their own experiences, she said.

I want more poor people in office with me, Vigil said. If I could do it, you probably could, too.
A compromise was reached this week between a local nonprofit and Colorado Springs Utilities over previous plans to run a series of power lines through the nonprofit's established park.

We met with the CSU leadership team and followed up with their technical team. They were easy to work with and actually motivated to find a solution that would work with our organization and the work we are doing on site, said Concrete Couch Executive Director Steve Wood, whose organization spearheads efforts behind the development in recent years of the Concrete Coyote park on the south side of the city.

According to Steve Berry with Colorado Springs Utilities, an overhead powerline may still cross a small corner, of the property, but will not inhibit Concrete Couchs ability to realize plans for longer-term projects and related programming such as studio spaces and live-in caretaker housing.

Thanks to Concrete Couchs commitment to this process, we were able to find an alignment that minimizes impacts to the Concrete Coyote Park property, Berry said.

As a community-owned utility, the driver for this agreement is we greatly appreciate Concrete Couch and other non-profits that serve our city. 

Sign up for free: News Alerts Stay in the know on the stories that affect you the most. Sign Up For Free View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters.

Wood said he was grateful for the outpouring of community support throughout the negotation process.

We know that several hundred people wrote letters to the CSU board and Mayor (Yemi) Mobalade, Wood said.

With questions of potential high-voltage looming overhead now in the past, folks involved with Concrete Coyete are looking ahead to the parks grand opening scheduled for Oct. 7.
Forty Years Ago This Week: After several months facing discontent from critics within the General Assembly, Gov. Roy Romer opened a special session he called with a speech to both legislative chambers, appealing to lawmakers to pass at least some of his 14-point plan as a first step toward dealing with an explosion in youth violence around the state.

Romer did not waste the opportunity of his high profile speech to blast the Eastern lobbyists of the NRA who were not in touch with Colorado.

Youre dead wrong on this issue. Get out of our way, Romer exclaimed.

Present in the House chamber for the speech was Jim Brady, former White House press secretary, who had been partially paralyzed after being shot in the head during an attempted assassination of former President Ronald Reagan in 1981.

Brady had also spoken at an anti-gun rally in Denver, sponsored by PUNCH (People United, No Childrens Handguns).

The special session proceeded and after several days of hard graft, House Bill 93-1001, largely drafted by Attorney General Gale Norton, was passed. The measure prohibited anyone under 18 from possessing a handgun and penalized adults who furnished them. Nearly all legislators, lobbying groups and their stakeholders, including the National Rifle Association, PUNCH, and Denver Mayor Wellington Webb were on board with the bill.

But the legislation had its dissenters. A group of rural sheriffs argued that the problem belonged solely to the Denver metro area and the rest of Colorado neednt be penalized for it.

Largely described as the Republicans answer to Romers iron fist proposal, which came in the form of SB 93-10 sponsored by state Sen. Don Mares, D-Denver, and state Rep. Diana DeGette, D-Denver. There was in fact little difference between HB 93-1001 and SB 93-10.

Before Romer signed the bill into law, it was amended to include language from other special session bills, and the result Romer said was, truly bipartisan.

Sign up for free: News Alerts Stay in the know on the stories that affect you the most. Sign Up For Free View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters.

For a first offense of the new law, juveniles would be charged with a Class 2 misdemeanor including a possible year in jail and a $1,000 fine. A second offense would be a Class 5 felony with three years in jail or a $100,000 fine. Any adult found to have furnished a handgun to a juvenile would be charged with a Class 5 felony with a fine of $500,000 and a six-year jail sentence.

But Romer did not succeed in passing the one portion of the legislative package that he was most passionate about  the Youthful Offender System (YOS) for dangerous offenders between 14 and 18, which would have included a 300-bed prison.

Twenty Years Ago: Businesswoman and Democrat Joanna Conti called on her fellow 6th Congressional District residents to join her in the fight to get the country back on the right track as she announced a bid for the congressional seat.

Conti said that in her conversations with Coloradans, shed heard over and over their concerns about the economy, sky-rocketing budget deficits, people whod lost their jobs and lack of affordable health care.

I think most of us reach a point once or twice in our lives where the issues are so overwhelmingly important that we have to make a stand for what we feel is right, Conti said. Regardless of the cost. That time has come for me.

A self-described international businesswoman, Conti also said that the United States reputation had suffered after its strategic attack on Iraq without the support and backing of the United Nations.

Coloradans are also concerned about Republicans in D.C. weakening environmental laws and opening up wilderness areas to unnecessary logging, Conti said.

Incumbent U.S. Rep. Tom Tancredo had not officially announced that he would run for reelection, but Republican U.S. Rep. Scott McInnis, R-Grand Junction, made a unexpected announcement that he wouldnt seek reelection  prompting a flurry of activity among Republican hopefuls.

Rachael Wright is the author of the Captain Savva Mystery series, with degrees in Political Science and History from Colorado Mesa University, and is a contributing writer to Colorado Politics and The Gazette.
An 85-year-old Albany man died from injuries suffered after being hit by an allegedly intoxicated driver at around 9:15 a.m. Friday, Sept. 8.

Percy Kropf was walking south on Waverly Drive Southeast and crossing 47th Avenue when a northbound driver left his lane of travel, went over the right curb and continued into the crosswalk and intersection of 47th Avenue, hitting Kropf, according to an Albany Police Department news release.

The driver, 43-year-old James Lee Howe of Albany, came to a stop after he hit the entrance sign at Mennonite Village head-on in a white 2009 Toyota Camry, according to the release.

Kropf was taken to Good Samaritan Hospital in Corvallis and died from his injuries, the release states.

Howe was arrested and charged with driving under the influence of intoxicants, second-degree manslaughter and reckless driving.

In November 2016, Howe was convicted of driving under the influence and third-degree assault in Linn County. He was sentenced to eight months in jail and five years drivers license suspension, according to court records. His license was reinstated in December 2020.

Howe also has previous convictions for driving while suspended and uninsured, felon in possession of a firearm, careless driving, delivery of controlled substance, unauthorized vehicle use, possession of controlled substance, and forgery among other charges.

Waverly Drive was closed until 12:25 p.m., while the Multi Agency Investigation Team investigated and processed the crash scene. The suspects Camry was taken to the Albany Police Department to be processed for further evidence.

The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to call Albany Police Detectives, 541-917-7686.
Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.
Understanding the Passage



Five years ago, as part of a plan to encourage citizens of Levaska to increase the amount of money they put into savings,-

Levaskas government introduced special savings accounts in which up to $3,000 a year can be saved with no tax due on the interest unless money is withdrawn before the account holder reaches the age of sixty-five.

Millions of dollars have accumulated in the special accounts, so the governments plan is obviously working.

The Gap:

1. Money in these SSAs need not mean more savings. For example, the citizens could have diverted their savings from other modes of savings to these accounts.

2. More savings need not mean more savings of the citizens of Levaska. For example, there are probably non-citizens of Levaska living in Levaska. Maybe, these are the people who invested in these SSAs. In such a case, the plan (to increase citizens savings) is not working.

Option Evaluation

A. A substantial number of Levaskans have withdrawn at least some of the money they had invested in the special accounts.





Incorrect .

a substantial amount

B. Workers in Levaska who already save money in long-term tax-free accounts that are offered through their workplace cannot take advantage of the special savings accounts introduced by the government.





Incorrect .

C. The rate at which interest earned on money deposited in regular savings accounts is taxed depends on the income bracket of the account holder.





Incorrect.

D. Many Levaskans who already had long-term savings have steadily been transferring those savings into the special accounts.





Correct.

E. Many of the economists who now claim that the governments plan has been successful criticized it when it was introduced.





Incorrect.

The plans objective is: to encourage citizens of Levaska to increase their savings.- The plan: Launch of SSA (Special Savings Accounts)  if the money is not withdrawn before the age of 65, no tax on the interest amount for up to a principal amount of $3000 per year.- Since millions of dollars have accumulated in these SSAs, the author concludes that the governments plan is working.What is the governments plan?Launch SSAWhat is the governments goal?To encourage citizens of Levaska to increase their savings.When can we say that the governments plan is working?When the plan is leading to the goal. Or, in other words, when the launch of SSA is encouraging citizens of Levaska to increase their savings.Can we be sure that the governments plan is working, given that millions of dollars have accumulated in these SSAs?If not, we have gaps in the argument.Here are the gaps I can think of:There can be more gaps in the argument. Can you think of any? Id like to hear from you.This option has NO IMPACT on the argument.Let me create a stronger version of this option:A: A substantial number of Levaskans have withdrawnof the money they had invested in the special accounts.What is the impact of A on the argument?No impact.That 90% of the people have withdrawn 90% of the money they had invested in the special accounts also has NO IMPACT on the argument. Why? Because its given in the argument that millions of dollars are lying in these accounts. Thus, the savings seem to have increased. So, the plan (to increase savings) seems to be working.The fact that savings have not increased to the level they could have increased has NO IMPACT on our plan.This option says that a particular category of workers (who already save money in long-term tax-free accounts that are offered through their workplace) cannot use SSAs.This option has NO IMPACT on the argument.Let me create a stronger version of this option.B: Most of the workers in Levaska cannot take advantage of the special savings accounts introduced by the government.B also has NO IMPACT on the argument.Even if 90% of the workers in Levaska cannot take advantage of these SSAs, the argument will not be impacted. Why? Because its given in the argument that millions of dollars are lying in these accounts. Thus, the savings seem to have increased. So, the plan (to increase savings) seems to be working.Given that the argument has already given that there is an amount lying in SSAs, were not concerned with what proportion of the population has contributed to that amount (whether its 1% of the population or 90% of the population). Irrespective of the proportion of the population that contributed to the amounts in SSAs, the savings seem to have increased. Thus, this option is irrelevant.This option says that the tax rate applicable on interest earned from money in the REGULAR savings account depends on the income bracket of the account holder. (Please note that this option is about regular savings accounts. For special savings accounts, were given that interest is anyway tax-free if the money is not withdrawn before the account holder reaches the age of 65.)Thus, some people would need to pay higher taxes than others.This option has NO IMPACT on the argument.Whether people have different or the same tax rates on their interest income is irrelevant to the argument.This option is around the first gap we identified. If people are just transferring their savings from another mode of savings to SSAs, then money in SSAs doesnt mean more savings. Thus, this option creates doubt on the conclusion that the plan is working.Please remember that the question asks to find an option that weakens or creates doubt on the argument. Were not necessarily looking for an option that demolishes the argument.This option says that many economists (who now claim that the governments plan has been successful) criticized the plan when the plan was introduced.Whether these people criticized the plan at the time of its introduction or not has NO IMPACT on our argument.
In some respects, the local health department flew under the radar for residents until the coronavirus pandemic upended life in March 2020.

Then the voices of public health  most notably Dr. Scott Spillmann, the director of the Pittsylvania-Danville Health District  started to broadcast advice to navigate the new era.

Then when worries started to calm down, the health department also subsided from the minds of folks eager to get on with a life put on a years-long pause.

But the health department hasnt gone away. In fact, COVID-19 helped to spark bonds with the community. Thats something they are building upon as they aim to become a steady face of engagement.

I think weve established some pretty good partnerships and relationships on the community side, Spillmann said in a recent interview.

COVID-19  a time he calls hair, teeth and eyeballs  helped to put the health department more in line with industry.

What we found is business as usual is no longer business as usual, he explained in a recent meeting with senior leaders attended by the Register & Bee.

The work goes far beyond vaccines and tips to stay healthy. They are charged with everything from checking to make sure requirements are met for pools, campgrounds and concession stands.For example, theyve been preparing for this weekends Blue Ridge Rock Festival since January.

With more than 40 food vendors, local health department workers will be busy on-site making sure everything is safe. If theres a complaint  like someone selling food out of their home  they will have to address it.

The health department also deals with rabies, making sure bites get reported properly and ensuring no one else was involved or exposed.

On the nursing side theres everything from screenings for long-term care, lead case management and sexually transmitted disease infections.

Little-known services include access to vital records. Virginia residents can go into a health department to get birth, marriage and death certificates,.

Thats an important service that we provide, Krystal Davis, the business manager for the local district, said.

Getting into public health

Davis also explained that people go into this field because they have a servants heart.

McKenna Luzynski ventured into a public health career after experiencing latent tuberculosis.

Even though she wasnt infectious, when she went to the doctor they treated her as if she had the plague.

It made me feel terrible, she explained.

Then she was treated by someone at the Roanoke Health Department.

His name was Steve, she said. He was amazing.

That experience not only guided her career into public health, but specifically steered her to the health department.

Luzynski is now a district epidemiologist and uses her personal experience to go out into the community and recruit others into the field of public health.

We believe in our cause, Spillmann said.

Spillmann transitioned to the health department from another specialty that paid quite a bit more money.

The reason?To offer an opportunity for a greater impact on my community, he said. So we can all try to be that rising tide that floats more boats.

There are other perks of his job that come from the inside.

For example, he said they recently hosted a town-hall meeting with workers and staff to generate ideas.

They decided to put up little free libraries for children inside the facilities. Not only attending to health needs, they are looking to help literacy also.

This is how committed our people are to this community, Spillmann said of the idea that sprouted from a talking session. This is what makes me so proud to be a part of this.

Staffing

The Pittsylvania-Danville Health District works in tandem with the Southside District  an area that includes Halifax, Brunswick and Mecklenburg Counties  essentially as one large department.

Both districts certainly arent immunity from the employment pains of the pandemic.

When asked if they were up to staff, Spillmann wasted no time answering.

Oh, heck no, he said, starting a wave of sighs and head shakes that extended around the room.

Its short handed all over, he said. We just dont have enough folks.

All together, both districts have about 64 full-time employees.

There are 16 open positions of everything from clerical jobs to a nurse practitioner.

Some positions have been open for more than a year.

Even when they find a qualified candidate, that person often backs out before starting because theyve landed A more lucrative job in the private sector.

So pay is an issue, Spillmann confirmed.

And these are just the slots that are funded. Even if all of the jobs were filled, it still wouldnt truly be enough to get it all done.

Actually, we need more people that that, in virtually every department, Spillmann said.

And when the new casino opens in Danville, more workers will be needed, especially in the environment health fields.

You look at all the growth that is happening, and more hands on deck will be required to keep up, Spillmann said.

Community link

Brenna Link heads up the newest sector of the local health district as the population health manager.

Her goal is outreach and engagement.

Last year they worked with more than 100 partnerships in the community.

Basically they go to any and all events they can find.

We do a lot of the events that churches will put together and the back-to-school events, she explained. We also help work with community-based organizations.

In July, they had a tent at back-to-school festival in Danville, handing out like water bottles and literature on health. Vaccines also were available for children.

The community link is something positive that came from COVID-19.

It started with churches, since those were essential meeting places.

First they did COVID-19 testing, then giveaways for personal protective equipment. It rounded out with vaccine events.

Since then, weve been able to really develop those partnerships and work together, Link said.

Now those churches have invited the health department back just to do presentations.

One major focus is opioid overdose training for some groups.

Population health tries to caulk a lot of those health gaps by reaching out, Spillmann said.

As an example, its not always about finding a doctor. Its about having a way to get to the doctor.

Sometimes they health department cant be the answer. Instead, they want to be an advisor for the community.

Ideally the community takes hold of this and runs with this, Spillmann said. I think weve established some pretty good partnerships and relationships on the community side, including our NAACP partners, they are great folks, and many others.

Clinical health and more

Julia Gwaltney, the nurse manager for the Pittsylvania-Danville Health District, said theres a lot of non-clinical aspects of nursing.

Nursing is incredibly busy. Keeping up with that is almost like air traffic control and Julia is our air traffic controller, Spillmann said.

That includes the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, commonly known as WIC.

The pandemic forced all of the WIC clinics to move to a virtual mode, but as of August, they are all now back home.

They are steaming forward doing face-to-face with clients, Gwaltney said.

For parents, services include training on properly installing a car seat. They come in and go through a class and for parents who cant afford one, a car seat can be provided.

Theres also family planning and a large variety of birth-control methods.

Gwaltneys team also handles the Every Womans Life program, a federal initiative that has some state funding as well. It covers women that are 40 and above who dont have insurance to get mammograms.

So we provide a clinical breast exam, Gwaltney said. They can get a free mammogram.

If it comes back abnormal, then they can get the client set up with diagnostic testing. If the woman has cancer, social services will get involved to help the patient obtain treatment via Medicaid.

Lead testing also comes under her territory. When a young child goes to the doctor, thats a routine part of blood work. If the figures come back high, the health department gets involved.

There are a lot of different ways these children could get it, she explained. Depending on the severity level, a team could be dispatched to the capture water, paint or even dirt samples.

The nurses also take part in special events, like National Night Out.

Its a good way for us to meet people in the community and give out information to them, she said.
Guy Blanchard, the president and chief financial officer with AeroFarms, is scheduled to lead a keynote address at the second annual Controlled Environment Agriculture Summit East.

The event is planned Sept. 19-20 at the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research.

Blanchard is expected to speak at 9 a.m. Sept. 20.

AeroFarms is an indoor vertical farming company with its largest facility in the world located in Ringgold. In June, the company announced it was filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, a move that will shift even more focus and energy to the Dan River Region plant.

Blanchards keynote will share how AeroFarms is emerging stronger in the months following the bankruptcy filing, a news release stated.

The CEA Summit East is co-hosted by Indoor Ag-Con and the CEA Innovation Center, a partnership between the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research and Virginia Techs School of Plant and Environmental Sciences and the Virginia Seafood Agricultural Research and Extension Center.

We are excited to welcome Guy Blanchard to our CEA Summit keynote stage, Brian Sullivan, CEO of Indoor Ag-Con. AeroFarms has been a trailblazer in the indoor farming industry, and his address will undoubtedly provide invaluable insights into the path forward for the indoor farming sector as it confronts new challenges, and new opportunities, head-on.

Blanchard also will touch on things like growing retail partnerships with leaders like Walmart, H-E-B, The Fresh Market, Whole Foods and Amazon Fresh, according to the release.

The idea behind the indoor vertical farm involves a process that grows crops in stacks at a rate company officials report is 390 times more productive than field-grown plants. Doing so uses no soil, sunlight or chemicals.

In announcing the bankruptcy filing, the company said it entered an agreement with an already-established group of AeroFarms investors. Those investors will provided $10 million in debtor-in-possession financing. That, along with cash from ongoing operations, is expected to provide AeroFarms with the necessary liquidity to support its operations during the bankruptcy process, a June news release stated.

A ribbon-cutting event celebrated the Local plants opening in September 2022.

Having Guy Blanchard share his perspective on AeroFarms journey through recent challenges aligns perfectly with our mission to foster collaboration and innovation within the CEA community, Dr. Scott Lowman, co-director of the CEA Innovation Center and vice president of applied research at the Institute, said.
Kimberly Mims, director of child nutrition for Danville Public Schools, is looking to spice things up when it comes to lunch menus for schools.

This spice in this case isnt necessarily a hot seasoning. Its something she calls the yum factor.

Mims presented a nutrition report Thursday evening to members of the Danville School Board during a work session

In August, city schools served more breakfasts and lunches to students than a year ago.

Our goal is, of course, to keep growing and growing, she said.

Each year, she would like breakfast consumption to increase by about 3% and lunches to rise by about 2%.

Without food, its hard to focus, she explained. Just being a little bit hungry can distract you.

Now enter the yum factor with some new experiments.

Yeah, please, board member Philip Campbell said as Mims started to talk.

Campbell said last month he went to schools on the first day and tried some meals only calling it healthy. The expression on his face seemed to tell more to the story of offerings lacking in flavor.

Although Mims is trying new items, she also said they arent just thinking about children today. Instead, they want them to look at healthy choices down the road.

Plus, some students already have health issues as it is.

The goal is a balancing act to mix the calories and serving sizes with some new tasty options.

Its not an easy task when it comes to substituting food on the menu. They are operating under the current food service vendor and can only add about 10% to the menu without going off of the contract.

We have to be careful of our spending and add ons to our menus, she explained.

For breakfast, theres a five-day rotation of options. And the first meal of the day doesnt have to have a protein, according to federal nutrition standards. But it does have to have at least two grains.

For lunches, there are some new choices featured this month including homemade lasagna, honey sriracha chicken, cherry blossom chicken and chicken nachos.

It is a process to add new menu items, she explained.

Last week they had the homemade lasagna with sauce made from scratch as a trial run.

Kids where really, really excited about it, Mims said. She also sampled the dish and said it was tasty.

Even that goal comes with another lofty task: Making it standard across all schools.

If you think about the schools, they are like a franchise, Mims said. Every school should have a similar taste.

They want the quality and standards to look the same through the schools.

At the same time they also have to keep in mind other options for students who are vegetarians or vegans, the latter being a lifestyle of not eating anything from an animal product including dairy.

In addition to taste, Mims also wants to speed the lunch line up a little. For that, theres the energy box option.

Its a container-style meal that has a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, a fruit or vegetable, and a grain.

We are looking at ways at helping to build their plates at different ways, but still keeping it as a reimbursement meal when it comes to funding. That means having certain items included.

Mims has even spent time in cafeterias timing how long it takes for a student to enter a line, get the food and sit down, all in her effort to make things better.

With the holidays approaching, they also are looking at the traditional Thanksgiving and Turkey meals not only in the taste category, but also in the presentation aspect.

Danville School Board Chair TyQuan Graves asked what was the most popular item, besides from pizza thats always a hit.

The new taco salad and chicken fajitas seem to be some favorites, Mims siad.

Other items

The board also heard a financial audit report from Susan Chapman, a certified public accountant.

She had high praise for the school system and credited the staff for keeping the numbers orderly. In the audit for the 2022 year she found no major issues.

As a whole, you guys look really, really stable, Chapman said.

However, she did point out one thing to watch for in the coming budget cycle: the evaporation of federal funding in the post-COVID-19 era.

Youll see more difficultly in budgeting, Chapman said. I think well see whats going to happen on the next budget cycle.

The state will be in the same boat.

All in all, Danville Public Schools had about $27.5 million in federal funding flowing to the budget following the pandemic.

Trustees also heard an update from Tim Scearce, director of transportation services.

A total of 86 staff members complete 280 daily bus routes. But if a child misses a bus, all hope is not lost.

Theres something called a second chance shuttle to get students to school, all in an effort to boost attendance.

For the first 15 days of school, the shuttle averaged about a dozen students daily.

Most of our children take advantage of it once or twice, Danville Public Schools Superintendent Angela Hairston said.

When it becomes a chronic issue, thats when a social worker will get in involved.

We try to problem solve, Hairston explained. Most of our parents are at work, they get home and realize the child missed the bus.

So far they arent seeing an abuse of the system, but have policies in place in case that happens.
This story is part of a weather partnership between The Virginian-Pilot and WTKR News 3.

On Dam Neck Annex, the beaches are quiet.

Sporadic sunbathers dot the 4-mile stretch, and an occasional paddleboarder or surfer paddles out. Behind them, the dune grasses sway in the breeze. During the summer, though, hundreds of tiny swimmers are born on the military posts dunes. Small armies of sea turtles hatch and march toward the water line, ready to start their new life in the sea. As the nesting season comes to a close, some of the last turtles are expected to emerge. Only about 1% will survive to adulthood.

Michael Wright, Naval Air Station Oceanas natural resources manager, said the beach hosts three species of sea turtle: loggerhead, Kemps Ridley and green sea turtles. So far, there have been three nests on the base this year, each with dozens of eggs. Every morning from the middle of May to the end of August, members of the team are on the dunes before dawn in order to complete nest patrols. They look for signs of sea turtle crawls  prints in the sand that show a turtle has climbed onto the beach.

Once a biologist has confirmed theres a nest, they will decide whether the eggs need to be relocated. A runway, or planks of wood that create boundaries for a path from the nest to the ocean, is built to guide the babies once they hatch.

When we relocate, its either because its in a designated area authorized for relocation, or its because theyve nested at or just below the high-tide line, Wright said. I will say it is nerve-wracking. When youre having to relocate a nest, you have to be very precise. You have to be gentle. You cant just willy-nilly tip an egg, because if theyve started attaching to their egg, you dont want to separate them. Its a straight up and out (of the nest) and relocation. You have to be careful.

However, with changes in the climate and the environment come changes in nesting. Sand temperature is very important to the turtles, she said. If the sand is too warm, more of the babies in a nest end up female rather than male. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, if a turtles eggs incubate below 81.86 degrees Fahrenheit, the turtle hatchlings will be male. If the eggs incubate above 88.8 degrees Fahrenheit, the hatchlings will be female. Temperatures that fluctuate between the two extremes will produce a mix of male and female baby turtles.

Typically, well see what things happen is changing weather events occur and we may have to extend (patrols) a little bit. But what we typically find is the end of August timeframe is the latest that we usually see nests coming up, Wright said. There have been a few September nests that were surprises, but usually anything after September, those nets will typically fail because it gets too cold here for them to survive.

Sea-level rise also affects nesting. In some cases, human intervention is necessary to make sure the nest does not get swept away.

Anytime you have elevated tides, it just encroaches on where they can lay and have a successful nest, she said. So hopefully, they adapt and just instinctively know to move their nests up further. But until then, were here and well help them with relocating them and allowing those juveniles to imprint on the beach.

Cpt. Josh Appezzato, who assists with the patrols, said the lack of commercial development on Dam Neck makes for an ideal nesting spot. Earlier this summer, a nest was discovered at Virginia Beachs North End. This was the first on the North End since 2019, though more remote areas like False Cape State Park have hosted the hard-backed creatures for nesting. Wright said lights from development, such as large building on the Oceanfront, can confuse babies that have just emerged from the sand. The turtles use lights reflecting off the ocean to guide themselves to the water, so when nests are laid in an area where resorts or other buildings are shining lights at night, the turtles become disoriented.

Wright said human items like Mylar balloons or other pieces of trash can look like jellyfish, a big food source for the turtles. Once eaten, pieces of plastic can cause serious health issues. Other threats like ghost crabs can cause issues, so Wright said volunteer nest-sitters watch the nest  also called a boil, since the turtles moving until the sand make the area appear to be boiling  to make sure there are minimal impacts on the turtles overnight.

Wright said she receives texts from nest-sitters while they are off-duty, and they usually send updates on the nests during the day.

You feel like a parent, she said.

WTKR News 3 meteorologist Kristy Steward contributed to this report.
It was the 1980s and our small Oregon town was in deep trouble.

Like many other Willamette Valley towns, our local economy was timber-based and this was a really bad time to be dependent upon the wood products industry. It seemed that hardly a month went by without news of a large-scale layoff or another mill closing down. With the resulting high unemployment came a host of other ills: substance abuse, failing marriages, child abuse/neglect, etc.

I recall one year in particular.

As the holidays neared, I felt a lot of concern in my role as bishop (congregation leader) that some of our families were going to have really difficult Christmases if we as a ward didnt intervene in some way. Feeling that same concern, a very generous member of the congregation stepped forward with a large financial donation to help fund Christmas food baskets and gifts for those in need.

In late November, I appealed to the ward council to be especially sensitive to the needs of those they came in contact with and to share with me any situations that caused them concern.

Not long after making that request Dave (not his real name), one of our council members, came to see me. He had been out to visit a family that had recently moved into our ward.

Bishop, he said, I asked Sister Reed (not her real name) if they were OK for Christmas and she said they were just fine. Then almost apologetically he added, I cant put my finger on it, Bishop, but I just feel like something isnt right in that home.

I knew Dave to be a very spiritually sensitive person and if he felt something wasnt right, we needed to act. We quickly set a day and time to visit the home.

Sister Reed greeted us warmly at the door and invited us in, apologizing that her husband wasnt home at the time. There were several rambunctious small children and we enjoyed playing with them for a few minutes and getting to know the family. We observed a Christmas tree with a few wrapped presents under it and some other holiday decorations. Sister Reed was cheerful and everything seemed to be fine.

As we prepared to leave, I remembered Daves clear, undeniable feeling that something wasnt right in the home and I decided to very gently press the matter. As we shook hands to leave, I looked at Sister Reed and said very softly, Would you please tell us how things really are in your home?

The floodgates of emotion opened and Sister Reed burst into tears. They had moved to the area a few months earlier for her husband to accept employment with a local roofing company. There had been an accident and her husband was injured and could no longer do the strenuous work required of a roofer.

To make matters worse, they discovered that her husbands (now former) employer carried no workers compensation insurance so getting medical bills paid was challenging. To make matters worse, they were a long way from home and this was the first time either she or her husband had ever been away from home during the holiday season.

We asked if she would let the church help her family and she replied positively. We had anticipated there might be an opportunity to help and had loaded down the back seat of Daves car with food and gifts, which we now brought into the home. There were lots of tears all around.

It was a Christmas none of us would ever forget.

So whats the takeaway from this story?

Simply this: Dave listened. Whether you call it the still, small voice, the light of Christ, the Holy Spirit, intuition, or a nudge from the universe, Dave listened to what he was feeling. And then he acted. In his case, acting meant coming to me and saying, I dont know what it is, Bishop, but somethings not right there.

And because he listened and acted, a wonderful young familys life was blessed at a very special time of year.

Will we always get it right when we experience the feeling that someone is in need and we need to reach out to them? No, probably not.

A very wise religious leader made the observation once that we should assume that everyone we come in contact with is currently experiencing the greatest challenge of his/her life, and that more often than not well be correct.

I like those odds.

If you feel something, do something. Its that simple.
Helenas Thomas Booth served two tours in Vietnam, in 1965-66 and 1969-70, with the 101st Airborne.

During his second tour, at the age of 37 and the father of nine, he garnered a coveted Bronze Star.

Master Sergeant Thomas E. Booth distinguished himself by exceptionally meritorious service in connection with military operations against an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam during the period 2 October 1969 to 1 October 1970, according to Booths Bronze Star Medal certificate, while serving as the maintenance noncommissioned officer, office of the assistant chief of staff, G-4, Headquarters, I Field Force Vietnam.

Sergeant Booth made numerous visits to combat and logistical units to observe and to provide technical assistance to these units in their field positions. Through application of his technical knowledge and characteristic he always accomplished assigned missions in an outstanding manner.

The document describes how the 5-foot-5 , 160-pound paratrooper assisted units in improving their material readiness posture through expediting the flow of critical repair parts and keeping them current with the latest maintenance directives.

Master Sergeant Thomas E. Booths professional competence, unfailing loyalty, exceptional devotion to duty and outstanding achievements were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his organization, and the United States Army, the certificate concludes.

Booth, now 91  years of age, wound up spending a total of 46 years with the military  24 active duty and 22 in the Reserves. Stories of Honor recently visited his home in the Birdseye area for an interview.

Tom Booth was born in East Rainelle, West Virginia, in 1932. Subjected to an adverse childhood, he enlisted in the U.S. Army 2 years younger than the legal age.

My brother Frank had served in World War II with the 38th Cyclone Division, and was wounded in the Philippines, Booth related with his slight Southern drawl, and for the rest of his life one leg was shorter than the other. I thought if I joined maybe I could get even (for his injuries), even though the war was over.

Booth enlisted in the Army at just 15 years, 11 months old, with his older sister Genny as his acting guardian, at Fort Hays, Ohio, in February 1947.

No I didnt lie about my age, he explained. My sister did. Shes the one that signed for me.

He turned 16 the next month while attending basic training in Fort Bragg. He first served in Puerto Rico, until 1949, when he was transferred to Tooele Army Depot, Utah, where he met his future wife, Fern Okey.

Next he went to the Panama Canal Zone, in 1950. In 1951, Fern and Tom were married in Panama, and honeymooned at the El Viaya Resort on the Isthmus of Panama.

While in Panama, they lived on the other side of the Canal and had to cross over for shopping and work. One night were driving through a portion of the jungle in our convertible with the top down, Booth wrote in his memoirs. All of a sudden a black panther jumped off the hillside, landed on our hood and bounded over to the other side of the road.

After a stint at Camp Roberts, Louisiana, he served at the Aberdeen Proving Grounds, Maryland, in 1953. He then signed up for the paratroopers and took jump school at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, and later with the 11th Airborne.

Then came stints at Germany and Lebanon, and back to Fort Campbell, before his first tour in Vietnam, in July 1965 for 13 months.

With the 101st Airborne, they arrived at Cam Rahn Bay and he was assigned to the First Field Forces in Nah Trang.

Among his many close calls was the time he was leading a patrol through the jungle, and having to make a decision on whether to take a shortcut. A voice came into my mind that said, Do not go through there, he wrote.

When he told his troops they needed to avoid that route, they tried to talk him out of it, but he stuck to his guns. It was learned later that the trail was booby trapped.

Next came Fort Bragg and Germany, before his second tour in Vietnam.

One day in 1969, Captain Pretty flew me out to check on a fire base, Booth wrote, and right after he dropped me off there the enemy opened fire on the base. Well then the captain just flew off and left me stranded there.

I took cover under an armored personnel carrier, and was stuck there all night, through non-stop firing and shrapnel bouncing off the vehicle. When the captain returned the next day and picked me, and I asked why he left me, he said he didnt want his copter to be blown up.

Another time Booth was supposed to go on a flight with Capt. Pretty, but his company commander told him not to because the general needed a graph made for a meeting that day, which had never happened before, he related. So while Pretty was out flying, his chopper was shot down and he was killed.

Mrs. Booth told about the time she was watching the news on the war from home, when she recognized her husbands unit.

I knew which outfit was his, and they were showing how the soldiers were out on a mission, and had been surrounded in an open field. They were being fired on from every angle and sustained devastating casualties, Fern said. Well I was just worried sick about Tom until I learned later that he actually missed the mission  he had contracted malaria and stayed back at the base having passed out with a raging fever.

One time while out on patrol, a sniper opened fire on them from behind a stand of trees, until a fellow soldier with a big gun  blew the shrubs and trees clear out of the area. Another time, jumping out of a plane behind Lt. Davis, Booth landed on top of the other parachute. We were able to get down but he broke a couple ribs, Tom recounted.

After returning stateside, he served at Fort Lewis, Washington, and Tooele, Utah, where he retired in 1971 after 24 years of active duty. He then went to work for General Motors, and joined the Army Reserves at Fort Douglas, Utah.

Next, Tom and Fern moved to Helena, where he served as an instructor with Fort Harrisons maintenance and assistance team. He then went to the Reserve building on Euclid Avenue. At first he assisted with paperwork, before becoming involved with M-1 Tanks.

Booth retired in 1994, after 22 years of helping with the Guards, at the rank of first sergeant (E8), having spent a combined total of 46 years with the armed forces.

Thomas and Fern are celebrating their 72nd anniversary this month. In addition to their nine children, they have 31 grandchildren, 85 great-grandchildren and 15 great-great-grandchildren.

At 91 , Tom Booth is still as tough as a cobb. In a segment of his memoirs titled ButI Survived, he writes about surviving combat duty and exposure to Agent Orange; along with several motorcycle wrecks, being struck by lightning and a near-drowning off of Louisianas Pontchartrain Beach. Hes had numerous broken bones, two back surgeries and two open heart surgeries.

But hes also lived on four continents. Hes deep-sea fished in the Gulf of Mexico, and hiked the mountains and fished the rivers and lakes of places like West Virginia, Panama, Germany, Utah, Alaska and Montana.

Ive had a very interesting and full life, and have been very blessed, he said. But the best part was when I married the most beautiful girl Ive ever met  Fern Ockey.
I love to watch them on these Maxfield Parrish mornings as I take my walk near the neighborhood school: the fourth-grader flashing by on his bike, eager to get to the playground  the first-grader, rocking her Barbie backpack but fuming because two older sisters are clearly ditching her  an impossibly beautiful mom pushing a stroller while reassuring the hesitant kindergartner beside her, Youve got this! Youll see!

So it begins: Montanas 158th public school year. And as always in September, memories lap like waves.

I remember rushing to school like that fourth-grader, hungry to play four-square before the first bell.

I remember pulling up to Lincoln Junior High in an airport limousine stuffed with squirming siblings, my dad commenting as I opened the door, Whatever that makeup is, its too much.

I remember being a teacher that first month of school, just as excited as the kids  but so tired at days end I went to bed the nanosecond dinner was done.

I remember walking my own kids to school  then watching them ride off on bikes  then watching the eldest drive the other two to middle school before zipping over to Helena High.

I remember all the kids through all the decades and all the people who cared about them and, through that common bond, came to care about one another  classmates, students, colleagues, parents, townfolk at games, concerts, meetings, ceremonies. So much happens at those intersections. In no small part, thats where this fabric we call Montana is woven.

Absent continued judicial disapproval, next year well begin turning those intersections into cul-de-sacs. After 14 years of beating back a carpet-bagged agenda that will divide our children and our communities, the 2023 Legislature bowed to the carpet-baggers, authorizing community choice schools. Like education freedom, the term beguiles. The community doesnt choose these schools. Parents who want a separate community for the like-minded or like-situated do.

Proponents tout the ability of choice schools to innovate to meet childrens unique needs. Thats not just beguiling. Its insulting to thousands of Montana teachers who innovate in their public school classrooms to meet students unique needs every single bleeping day. More importantly, it masks whats really going on here.

Weve seen this movie before.

Remember when Montanas city recreation programs engaged kids in activities all summer long? When you left your house after breakfast and swam, played ball, twirled and tumbled till dinnertime? Today when you drive by a city park, youd never dream they once teemed with kids of every class and creed, kids who discovered talents and found friends whose families soon became friends and knitted people who lived on the same few blocks into a neighborhood.

Over time, some parents found that the country club pool was better-suited to their childs unique needs. Others found that traveling teams expanded their childs opportunities. At least they paid for these innovative environments themselves. But a distinct loss of community  that sense of shared lives in a shared space  resulted. We no longer thrill to the All-Star Oriole who played 500 with us at the park. We no longer trade stories about a girl we twirled with there who went on to be Miss Montana. Now our city parks are all but empty and neighbors are polite strangers.

This week, a judge pressed pause on community choice schools. Lets hope other courts press delete. Meanwhile, keep reading this series about the looming threats to public education.

As a friend observed, its the last bastion that unites us. If it goes, only tribalism  and jarring inequity  will remain.
DECATUR  Lakendra Fisher moved to Decatur specifically so her little girl, Khloe Ellington, could attend Decatur schools.

They live in the west end, in the Dennis Lab School boundary, but after both the Kaleidoscope and Mosaic buildings were deemed unsafe, Dennis was moved to the former Garfield Learning Academy building at 300 Meadow Terrace Place.

The move and the necessity for obtaining and setting up modular classrooms to accommodate all of the more than 500 students in grades K-8 meant that Dennis' first day was two weeks later than the rest of the district, and the first day was Sept. 5.

At an open house on Thursday, Fisher told Principal Kamie Meador she couldn't be more pleased, both with the campus and with Khloe's third grade teacher, Olivia Triplett.

Thank you for this, Fisher said to Meador, indicating Triplett's homey classroom, filled with bright decorations and photos of her past classes. And thank you for her.

Triplett smiled, and she said it took a lot of time to get the classroom ready, but it was worth it to her.

Having Khloe's school across town from their neighborhood doesn't bother Fisher, who said she drives her daughter to school by choice but is considering having her ride the bus part of the time.

I love it, Khloe said of her new school.

At first everybody was coming to the front door, and it was too congested, said Superintendent Rochelle Clark, who greeted families at the Sept. 7 open house. So now we have the car riders in the front, buses in the back, and we cut 20 minutes off our time just by doing that, so it's running really well.

The next phase is to build a sidewalk between the main building and the modular units behind the school, she said, to make going between the two more convenient.

Students in fourth through eighth grades are in the modular units, with the younger students in the main building. Each modular unit is self-contained, with air conditioning and heating and their own restrooms.

Jackson King, a sixth grader, likes his new classroom, but one thing he doesn't like is having to see the new playground, right outside his modular unit.

Since we're in middle school, we don't have recess anymore, he said. So every day I have to walk past the playground.

His mother, Rebecca, said she didn't know what to expect when she heard the school would be using modular units.

I'm actually more impressed with the outcome than I originally expected, she said. I didn't know what to expect. It turned out very nice and I'm excited to see what they have.

Special education teacher Ashley Tyler also didn't know what to expect, she said, but her classroom in one of the modular units is nicer than she anticipated. Her classroom furniture is a bit of a hodgepodge, because things are still getting moved, but things have gone well this first week, she said.

The kids have been resilient and they're adjusting, and it's going really great so far, she said.

They're a lot nicer than I thought they were going to be, said Brianna Thompson, whose son, Kayden, is in sixth grade.

Thompson and friend Maija Holmes brought their kids to the open house for the moms' first look at the modular units.

They're a decent size, Holmes said. They look sturdy. I was worried about how they were going to fit all the kids in the building, but this is nice. I actually like it. Her daughter, Aiyanna, is in fifth grade. I hope they can keep (the path) clear in the wintertime. That's the only thing I'm worried about.

Principal Kamie Meador said she's just happy the kids are back in school, with all of them on the same campus, and things are going as well as can be expected.

I still have to get the library set up and ready, she said. And then we'll be fully functioning and ready to go.

It still remains to be seen what the future holds when it comes to housing these students.

The district announced early in June that both Dennis Lab School buildings will be closed for the 2023-2024 school year due to structural concerns.

The Mosaic campus  the original footprint for Dennis  needs its original staircase fully repaired or replaced, consultants found. At the Kaleidoscope campus, engineers have recommended partial demolition and replacement of the original 1913 three-story building.

Clark has asked the school board for authorization to begin the process of seeking a structural analysis of the buildings throughout the district as the first step in creating a plan for buildings' utilization.

Photos: Open house for Dennis Lab School
DECATUR  Becky Nims, 41, was offering free hugs on Saturday during the Decatur Pride Fest in Fairview Park.

I thought it was such a fun way to love on this community, she said.

During the local Pride Fest, members of the community were encouraged to stop by nonprofit and retail vendors to learn more about the services they offer. Other activities included the Pet Pride Parade, a drag queen story hour, a youth talent show, live music and a drag show.

Nims booth advertised her simple hugs and free small teddy bear. She said she is familiar with members of the LGBTQIA+ community and some of their stories of rejection from their families.

Its incomprehensible to me, she said. So if I can come here and make people feel a little bit better by just giving them a hug, then thats what I want to do. Everybody deserves love.

According to Mark Schleeter, president of Decatur Illinois Pride, the festival is a celebration of LGBTQIA+ pride.

Its for persons of the community, who are able to be here, to feel affirmed, to celebrate who they are, he said. Its also an opportunity for other people to come and experience diversity.

Decatur Illinois Pride hosts other events throughout the year, including the Everyone Eats food drives for pets and people and a fundraising dinner.

Dom Harris, 27, and Addison Harris and Mars Altig, both 16 years old, attended Saturdays event to have fun.

But theres a lot of vendors, so its really cool to learn a lot of new information, Addison Harris said. I love that theyre exploring topics that normally stigmatize some bad things.

Tom Wray, editor of Illinois Eagle, Illinois online LGBTQ newspaper, has connected with several people in the Central Illinois gay and lesbian communities.

People dont think theres gay life outside the cities, he said. But theres this amazing community that is active, vibrant.

Saturdays Pride Fest brought together other organizations that have connections with the LGBTQIA+ community.

We want to make folks know were a safe place to come to, said Mary Garrison, president and CEO of Heritage Behavioral Health Center.

Heritage staff were available during the festival to discuss their Its OK to be OK approach about mental health in the LGBTQ community.

Weve seen such an increase in mental health (issues), Garrison said. So its OK to say Im not doing OK today. You dont have to fake it.

Stefan Woods, 26, represented St. Johns Episcopal Church, one of four churches greeting visitors at Pride Fest.

We adopted our statement of inclusion last year, he said. We respect the dignity of every human being.

The inclusion statement focuses on other communities as well, regardless of race, national origin, age, gender, physical, mental and emotional condition or ability, political perspective, personal history, marital status, sexual orientation, economic or social situation, one of the fliers stated.

Everyone is welcomed to worship with us, Woods said.

The Macon County Conservation District brought a representative, a snake named Marbles, to Pride Fest.

We want everyone to make sure they know this is a safe place, Marketing Specialist Ashton Nunn said about the nature preserves in Central Illinois. Nature is for everyone.

Nunn brought samples of animal furs and bones representing the various programs the nature center offers. Marbles, in the meantime, curled around Nunns hand and wrist, checking out the visitors who stopped by.

Shes one of those groups that are kind of misunderstood, Nunn said. We wanted to bring her out so people can see that snakes arent all that bad.

Growing trans population sparks need for senior housing geared to LGBTQ+ community
A Maiden man pleaded guilty Friday to voluntary manslaughter in the death of a man who was struck by a car and killed in the parking lot of Party City in Hickory.

On Aug. 28, 2021, Jason Michael Foley was struck by a car during an altercation. Foley was from Conover and was 40 at the time of his death, according to the Hickory police report. That car was driven by 22-year-old Austin Wayne Edmonson.

Edmonson was sentenced to 73 to 100 months in prison for voluntary manslaughter during Catawba County Superior Court on Friday.

The charges of felony hit-and-run inflicting serious injury or death and two counts of assault with a deadly weapon were dismissed, Superior Court Judge Aaron Berlin said.

Six of Foleys family members and friends spoke during the hearing, including his daughter Brooklynn Pogue.

On Aug. 28, I woke up to 58 missed phone calls, Pogue said. As soon as I realized that not a single one of them were from my dad, I knew that those phone calls were about him. But nothing could have prepared me for the nightmare that I was going to be living in from there on.

Six friends and family members also spoke on behalf of Edmonson.

My son is very well aware of what hes done, Austins mother Toni Edmonson said. He has remorse and I want to say Im sorry to the Foley family. I know a loss of a family member is very hard.

Edmonson was a Marine stationed at Camp Lejeune in Onslow County. Edmonson went AWOL and drove from Camp Lejeune to Hickory on Aug. 27 after a Snapchat argument with Andrew James Blackburn, of Newton, Assistant District Attorney Hayden Duncan said.

I dont know the exact distance and time it would take to drive to get (to Hickory from Camp Lejeune), Judge Berlin said to Edmonson. But every minute of driving gave you the opportunity to turn around and not be a part of this.

The argument was about a sexually explicit video that Blackburn took of Edmonsons sister and posted online, defense attorney Scott Matthews said. Edmonsons sister was 17 at the time. Later, Blackburn would plead guilty to third-degree sexual exploitation of a minor, Matthews said.

Blackburn and Edmonson agreed to meet at the Party City parking lot. Shortly after 1 a.m. on Aug. 28, Edmonson arrived at the parking lot of 1942 Catawba Valley Blvd. SE. There, Edmonson met with Blackburn and several other people, Duncan said.

Edmonson exited the vehicle and began arguing with Blackburn. According to witnesses, Edmonson turned to Blackburns girlfriend and threatened her. Blackburns girlfriend is Foleys niece. Foley and Edmonson began arguing over the threat. Foley punched Edmonson in the face after Edmonson spat on Foley, Duncan said.

Edmonson got into his car and spun six large circles in the parking lot. Three people, including Blackburn and Foley, were struck by the vehicle.

On approximately the fifth lap, (Edmonson) hit Jason Foley with the vehicle which threw him up into the air and into the parking lot, landing on his head, Duncan said. An autopsy listed the cause of death as blunt force trauma to the head and said the manner of death was homicide.

Edmonson left the scene and was located in the parking lot of the movie theater next to the Party City, Duncan said.

The prosecution played a security camera video that captured the scene. Before it was played, the judge allowed family members to leave the courtroom if they wished. Foleys mother said she did not want to see and left the courtroom while the video played. Foleys daughter stayed but averted her eyes from the screen.

A second video taken from a Hickory police officers body camera was also played. In the video, Edmonson was seen wearing green military clothing with blood smeared across his face. In the video, Edmonson says he hit a man because he was angry. Edmonson says repeatedly that he cannot go to jail because he is about to be deployed.

After roughly 90 minutes of impact statements and evidence presentations from the defense and prosecution, Judge Berlin issued the sentence.

Edmonsons family cried out We love you, as he was taken away in handcuffs. Judge Berlin ordered the bailiffs to escort each family out of the courtroom. Judge Berlin offered his condolences to Foleys family as they left.
HICKORY  The Salvation Army of Greater Hickory and High Country announced the new shelter director for its Shelter of Hope Homeless Shelter.

Cheri Bennett stepped into the role Aug. 1. Bennett has been serving as a case worker at the Salvation Army Crisis Help Center since January of 2022 and started working with transitional housing residents in January of 2023. Bennett has her Associates of Applied Science degree and is currently working on her Bachelor of Science in Social Work from Appalachian State University.

I am looking forward to building on the foundation that has already been laid and making positive changes in the program, Bennett said.

The Salvation Army has operated a homeless shelter since 1986 in Hickory and is currently the only homeless shelter for men, women, and children in Catawba County. The current facility is a 94-bed program designed as an emergency shelter to provide a safe place for individuals who do not have a place to call home. There is an initial 90-day allowance for all individuals. Their stay can be extended to six months if they enroll in the Stepping Up Program, which includes in-depth case management to help move them from homelessness into permanent housing.

Bennett believes in family. On Labor Day we had a family cookout, she said. My goal was to encourage fellowship with one another. Many of our residents dont have families in the area and my hope is that they will discover a family amongst each other. As a mother of five boys and a large extended family I feel that having a family offers hope and encouragement to people.

When asked what she thought the community should know, Bennett said, That the people who walk through our doors every day are just that, people, just like us. They are someones brother, someones mother, someones daughter, someones family. They just happen to be facing different circumstances than those of us who have a place to call home.

The Salvation Army is a global nonprofit organization founded in 1865 by Catherine and William Booth. Every day the Salvation Army of Greater Hickory and High Country strives to meet human needs without discrimination throughout Alexander, Ashe, Avery, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, McDowell, Watauga, and Wilkes counties.

The Salvation Army offers unique, local programs, designed to meet the specific needs of the community.

To support your local Salvation Army, and the Shelter of Hope send contributions to P.O. Box 1167, Hickory, NC 28603, or donate securely online on the Salvation Army of Hickory website salvationarmyhickory.org. For a tour of the campus contact Andrea Beatty at 828-322-8061.
Clint Walker Community Content Coordinator Follow Clint Walker 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 first thing I learned when I woke up last Saturday morning was that Jimmy Buffett had passed away. I knew instantly I was going to write a column about that, despite the fact that I come to this forum with virtually no knowledge of the man or his music.

I dont own any Jimmy Buffett records and unless its escaped me, in the tens of thousands of songs in my music library, the man isnt represented once, not even on a cover song or a guest appearance. Unless thats him doing the close harmonies on Pink Floyds The Wall. I just checked, and hes not. It was Bruce Johnston of The Beach Boys.

While there are some who truly despise the mans music, I must admit that I remain neutral on the issue. Jimmy Buffett was probably my first realization that there was such a thing as grown folks music. I remember seeing that boat anchor of his 1992 box set on the shelves of many a friends parents and thinking, Ew. At that age, who wants to imagine anyone your parents age getting tipsy at C.W. Dandys on a Saturday night to the tune of any song mentioning big kosher pickles.

But who among you didnt stride into the expensive section of your local record store like a Fancy Dan and peel a crispy half-hundo off that bank roll for that box set just so you wouldnt have to go splashing through the endless tide pools of his albums just to find the few songs you wanted? That kind of thing is for folks who can walk you through the bland, samey-same discographies of Hall and Oates, George Strait and Chicago. Folks like me. Except for Chicago. Talk about a band I despise.

So for a roadmap I turn once more to The Rolling Stone Album Guide. And they handle him the same way any snooty rock scribe would when tasked with writing about an artist whos technically lame but whose work is cheerily interchangeable and ultimately critic proof. They laud his 70s albums as authentic, dump all over the slick 80s efforts (after that flash of insight Buffett retreats to his own personal Margaritaville  at least he knew was he was getting into. Good one), and then throw a few four star ratings at the comeback 90s albums where he was (ahem) buffeted by a clutch of country artists who claimed theyve always been fans when its more likely they all realized that the wine-coolers-on-the weekend demographic were the only ones still buying records.

For the archival word on Jimmy Buffett, there are plenty of mentions of The Boat Drunks, a Champaign-based tribute band that gigged around our little corner of the beach a lot in the aughts. A Rob Stroud profile on them as they were about to play during the Laker Homecoming festivities says they describe their music as Tangy, Tropical Rock and Roll. Ew. Im guessing that title comes from the Buffett song Boat Drinks. Speaking of that, just because Jimmy Buffett sang about boats does not make him Yacht Rock. Hes mellow. But hes not smooth.

You know who is smooth? You guessed it, Kenny Rogers. And theres no better example of how smooth than his ultra-slick 1983 album Eyes That See in the Dark, which besides having one of my favorite album covers of all time, with The Gambler looking perpetually frozen in an eternal Old Spice ad, is also definitely more in the marina of what actual smooth Yacht Rock is. Its an album mentioned in the same 1984 column from local country and western critic Rickey Ferguson that mentions how, on the flipside of things, Jimmy Buffett was heading back to Nashville for a country oriented album to be released on MCA records.

Now I cant guess what country audiences of 1984 possibly thought of the resulting album, Riddles in the Sand, with a cover that portrays Buffett in a canary yellow button up with matching cowboy hat, and standing on a beach behind what looks like a saddle and a life preserver half-buried in the sand. What I can tell you is that it must have dropped out of print awful quick, as neither edition of my Album Guides give a rating for it. Parrotheads in the audience please check your record collections and get back to me.

While finding myself overwhelmed by a search for Best Jimmy Buffett deep cuts, I came up with a song called Livingston Saturday Night, which probably isnt eligible given that its on a greatest hits album that as of this writing has gone platinum seven times and that is currently still found in your kitchen junk drawer with the twist ties, tropical-flavored Certs, and those little screwdrivers for the readers you need while pouring over the liner notes from that box set. But he did perform the song in the 1978 hipster crazy DJs take over the radio station movie FM, which at the very least proves that at the time, he was once considered as cool as Boz Scaggs and Steely Dan.

Monday morning, I woke up to discover that Gary Wright had passed away. You know, Gary Wright? The Dream Weaver guy? I dont know much about his music either, other than the 1975 album of that same name was claimed to be one of the first recorded entirely on synthesizers (probably not true); and that it was an album I bought from the Habitat Re-Store in Charleston, looking like it had been dragged behind a pontoon boat through some haggard pond foliage, on the very day I inherited my late grandmothers vintage record player and needed something to play on it. I probably could have written a whole column about that, but geez, now Im done with this one.

Oh, well. Like the man sang, its my own fault.
100 years ago,

Sept. 9, 1923

50 years ago, 1973

25 years ago, 1998

CHARLESTON  As a large fire spread within feet of him, Brandon Stewart of Charleston pushed a two-ton truck out of harm's way as he saved thousands of dollars in equipment from a blaze Sunday at a Fuqua Excavating storage building. Stewart said he was visiting his friend, Nicole Wochner of Charleston, at the Fuqua family's home at around 2 p.m. when the fire began. Wochner said Kendra Pickens, a friend of the Fuqua family, had driven by the Fuqua's home and nearby storage building on Illinois Route 16 and had noticed the beginnings of the fire. Pickens pounded on the door of the Fuqua home, Wochner said, and alerted her and Stewart to the fire. Wochner said she called 911 as Stewart ran to the storage building. Stewart, who is a freshman at Lake Land College, said he reacted to the fire on instinct and started pulling as many of the welding tanks as he could from the 40-by-60 foot building. The building lit up like a Christmas tree, Stewart said, as the electric wires and outlets began to arc. After seeing the light display, Stewart began to drive the Fuqua family vehicles out of the adjacent storage building. Stewart said he successfully moved three trucks and a Suburban. The only problem was the two-ton grain truck. "The battery was dead but I just put it in neutral and pushed it out," Stewart said, and added that he was surprised at how easily the truck moved. As the fire fighters began to arrive, Stewart said he stepped back and watched them work...MATTOON  The middle school construction project will have to wait at least a few months. The Mattoon school board Tuesday rejected all bids for the addition and renovation project because the bid totals exceed the budget. The board authorized Gilraltar Design to rework specifications and develop a timetable to rebid the project. The project budget is about $4.4 million, but even without taking any alternates the bids received a couple weeks ago exceed $5.2 million...CHARLESTON  Jacqueline "Jackie" Bacon of Charleston has announced that she will resign her seat on the Coles County Board. Chairman Eugene Bauer read Bacon's resignation letter during the board's meeting Tuesday. "It was a letter I hated to read," he said. Bacon, a Republican, was in the middle of her second term representing County Board District 9. She was also Coles County clerk from 1974 to 1986...MATTOON  The city's fall yard waste program likely will resemble the program as it ended last year. Street Superintendent Mike Dow suggested that the city retain its dropoff site behind the department office this fall. Residents may bring bagged leaves in either plastic or paper bags and grass and brush to the site. The city also likely will offer a curbside pickup program for leaves put in paper bags on a limited basis, perhaps four weeks in the fall and two in the spring, Dow said...CHARLESTON  The controversy surrounding Coles County's property tax situation continued Tuesday as the County Board voted to not reappoint Supervisor of Assessments John Snider after his current term expires. Board member Jon McKenzie led the push to end Snider's 15 years as head of the county's assessment office, though Snider's term won't end for more than a year. After Tuesday's meeting, McKenzie said he wasn't happy that Snider didn't follow the board's instructions concerting the property tax problems. "What he forgot in the equation was that he works for the 12 members of the county board," McKenzie said. McKenzie said some board members asked Snider not to implement property assessment "multipliers" on the county's townships, bu Snider did so anyway.
The chief executive of Unifi Inc. had a 23.1% decline in total compensation to $1.24 million in fiscal 2023 as top executives did not qualify for incentive pay, according to a regulatory filing Friday.

For fiscal 2023, Unifi reported an overall $46.3 million loss and an adjusted loss of $41.3 million compared with $15.2 million in net income.

Eddie Ingle, Unifis chief executive, said in the fourth-quarter earnings report that its recent losses reflect continued demand instability across apparel and textile supply chains, which were once again impacted by low levels of brand and retailer demand.

Ingle took a 1.6% pay cut in base salary to $775,000. He had received $357,408 in incentive play in fiscal 2022.

Ingle received stock awards valued at $387,500 on the date they were awarded.

Ingle received $82,210 in all other compensation, which represented: $65,875 in company contribution to a senior executive retirement plan; $10,143 in a matching 401(k) contribution; and $6,192 in company paid life-insurance premiums.

Unifi disclosed that the ratio of Ingles executive pay to that of the companys median employee was $39-to-$1 in fiscal 2023.

Median is defined as the middle value in a list of numbers. The ratio was based on Ingles $1.24 million in total compensation with $43,042 in annual compensation for its median employee.

Unifi confirmed in August that a combined 200 job positions at its Yadkinville and Reidsville plants were eliminated through attrition between July 2022 and December.

The reduction represents about 10% of Unifis domestic workforce, said A.J. Eaker, the manufacturers vice president of finance and treasurer who became interim chief financial officer on Aug 25.

Prior to the job reduction, Unifi had about 1,330 production employees in Yadkinville, as well as more than 250 in Rockingham County and 110 at its Greensboro headquarters.

Executive chairman Albert Carey was paid $700,000 in base salary, down 1.9%, no incentive pay for the fourth consecutive fiscal year, and total compensation of $1.05 million, down 1.1%.

Chief financial officer Craig Creaturo had a 1.7% reduction in base salary to $520,000 and total compensation of $720,082, down 20%. Creaturo stepped down from Unifi on Aug. 25, being replaced on an interim basis by Eaker.

Hongjun Ning, president of Unifis UTSC and UAP divisions, received a 9.3% increase in salary to $375,000 and total compensation of $746,525, down 23.7%.

Gregory Sigmon, general counsel and corporate secretary, was listed for the first time as a top-five executive. He was paid $246,000 in base salary and total compensation of $310,251.

Unifi will hold its annual shareholder meeting at 8 a.m. Oct. 31 at its headquarters, 7201 W. Friendly Ave. in Greensboro.

There are no shareholder proposals on the agenda.

The board requests shareholder approval for amending its 2013 incentive compensation plan to increase the number of shares of common stock reserved for issuance by 1.1 million.
The former Rural Hall town manager received another legal setback recently after the N.C. Court of Appeals upheld a lower-court ruling that invalidated her settlement agreement with the town.

In a unanimous ruling, a three-judge panel determined that Judge Richard Doughton of Forsyth Superior Court correctly ruled in favor of the town in a lawsuit officials filed in 2021 against Megan Garner.

(Garner) can neither recover in contracts nor upon any equitable theory as allowing (Garner) to do so would effectively negate state laws that require local governments to follow guidelines regarding allocating money from their budgets, the appellate court ruled.

Garner and Rural Hall didnt enter into a valid contract as the settlement agreement did not include a pre-audit certificate as required by state law, the appellate court ruled.

Garner, now the Graham city manager, couldnt be reached for comment.

June Allison of Charlotte, one of Garners attorneys, declined to comment on the ruling because she said she hadnt an opportunity to study it.

Randy James of Winston-Salem, the attorney for Rural Hall officials, argued in court that Garner failed to get a stamp on the agreement certifying that the towns finance director, Wade Gilley, had done a pre-audit, and that she did not get the towns council to approve a budget amendment to ensure there was enough money to pay for the settlement agreement.

Therefore, Rural Hall didnt waive its sovereign immunity, which protects a local government from lawsuits, the court ruled.

The lawsuit was over a $150,000 settlement agreement, which Garner said she was owed after leaving her job.

James said that Rural Hall officials are pleased with the courts ruling.

The court of appeals correctly ruled and affirmed Doughtons earlier finding in the case, James said.

There has never been a basis for this case as the court ruled, James said.

Town officials maintained that the agreement was invalid because Garner and three town council members violated state law and town protocols in negotiating it.

Garner denied those allegations and said she had to get the settlement agreement as a way to escape what she described as a hostile work environment and constant harassment.

The legal dispute took a bizarre turn when town officials filed an amended lawsuit that alleged Garner violated the towns ethical rules by having a sexual relationship with the towns former fire chief, Andy Marshall.

Garner and Marshall denied having an affair

All of this started at a meeting in October 2021 when Garner and three council members  John McDermon, Ricky Plunkett and Jesse Stigall  resigned abruptly after the settlement agreement was approved.

Garner then accepted a job as city manager in Graham in Alamance County.

Garner never got the money, though. Thats because the towns transaction limits would not allow the transfer of the money into Garners accounts.

Town officials declined to say how much money was involved in the settlement agreement, even though the information is public record under state law.

The amount, $150,000, was released only after Garner filed a written answer and a counterclaim to the towns lawsuit.

In court, James argued that Garner shouldnt have gotten a settlement agreement because she resigned and took another job.

The lawsuit alleged that Garner needed to give a 90-day notice, and that she could not leave to take another job.

Allison conceded that a pre-audit certification was not done and a budget amendment was not approved.

But she argued in court that between August and October 2021, D. Barrett Burge, the town attorney at the town, Garners attorneys and Patrick Flanagan, an attorney representing the towns insurance company, negotiated the settlement agreement.

Garner believed that the town was operating on a good-faith basis, Allison has said. Garner resigned, thinking that the town would provide the pre-audit certification stamp and seek a budget amendment, Allison said in court.

In court papers, Garners attorneys have argued that the town breached a duty of good faith and fair dealing when town officials refused to pass a budget amendment and place a stamp on the agreement certifying that it was pre-audited.

Doughton didnt agree with Allisons arguments, saying that Garner should have known as town manager what was required for a settlement agreement.
The seventh annual 9/11 Public Safety Challenge, a competition for high school JROTC units, will be held from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday at the Fairgrounds Annex at 414 Deacon Blvd. in Winston-Salem, the city of Winston-Salem said Friday.

The program will begin at 9:11 a.m. with a Sept. 11, 2001 commemoration, the city said.

Monday marks the 22nd anniversary of the terrorist attacks in the United States.

Afterward, JROTC cadets from the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools will compete in marksmanship, close-order drill and an obstacle course that combines elements of the police physical abilities test and the fire agility test, the city said.

The winning unit will take home the Public Safety Challenge Cup, a trophy that is passed to the winner from one year to the next.

The 9/11 Public Safety Challenge is sponsored by the Winston-Salem police and fire departments, the Forsyth County Sheriffs Office and the Forsyth County Emergency Medical Service.

The event is designed to give JROTC cadets an opportunity to learn more about careers in public safety, the city said.

The public-safety agencies are providing a $5,000 sponsorship to the Military Science program of the city-county schools, which oversees the high school JROTC units.
Climate change is complicating life for vacationers like never before.

The same characteristics that draw travelers to many of the most popular travel destinations are also what make those places susceptible to increasingly extreme weather as heat-trapping pollution continues to drive temperatures upward.

Take last months wildfires in Hawaii, where nature actually threw a climatological curve at resort-rich Maui.

Isolated in the warm Pacific Ocean nearly 3,000 miles west of Mexico, Maui and the rest of Hawaiis islands are vulnerable to severe tropical weather.

Hurricane Dora missed Hawaii by hundreds of miles as it passed to the south in early August, but remnants of its powerful winds still buffeted Maui and fanned flames that torched more than 2,000 acres turned to tinder in extremely dry weather.

Lahaina, where the most lethal fire broke out Aug. 8, means cruel sun in Hawaiian. The town is on the hotter, drier west portion of Maui, which browns even faster in consistently warmer conditions.

In this case, Dora delivered not rain, flooding or storm surge, but rather served as bellows for the flames.

That forced an abrupt change in plans for thousands of visitors who were scheduled to arrive in the days and weeks after the fire.

Weve received more than 2,000 travel insurance claims for trips to Maui, with 83% of those claims for trips cancellations, said Daniel Durazo, spokesman for travel and insurance company Allianz Partners.

Burning Man soaked

The disappointment and inconvenience of a scrubbed vacation pale in comparison to the deaths (at least 115) and destruction (2,200 buildings) in Maui. But those disrupted trips underscore the increasingly unpredictability of natural events, said Michael Altman, director of the Hospitality and Tourism Management Program at Meredith College in Raleigh.

We need look no further than the recent events at Burning Man to see how climate change is becoming more overt and continuing to endanger outdoor festivals due to the increasing risk of heat exposure  and in this case torrential rains  to see that the risks of travel are increasing, explained Altman, referring to the festival in the Nevada desert where thousands of attendees were stranded for days by flooding.

Like that desert deluge, other unexpected impacts of climate change are interrupting vacations.

Travelers to New York City this summer likely never imagined encountering the worst air quality in the world when smoke from Canadian wildfires hundreds of miles away shrouded the area and obscured the iconic skyline.

That kind of experience can sour travelers on a destination, even if what they experienced is  or was  out of the ordinary.

This (also) means that weather, and the consistency of it in places like Mexico and other Caribbean hot spots, guarantees that many travelers will return year after year to the same destination if the weather is good, Altman said. So, all things being equal, people will be less likely to travel to destinations where weather and severe weather-related events are becoming more of a factor.

Out of harms way

In the face of uncertainty, there are two key ways for vacationers to protect themselves financially from the fickle forces of nature, experts say: careful planning and travel insurance.

Weather is one of the first considerations when planning any trip, said Ashley Stevens, owner of Trellis Travel in Greensboro. We recommend destinations based on our clients interests, while taking into consideration the time of year and the impact that weather will have on their vacation plans.

A trip to a Florida beach in September might sound enticing, but that also is the height of hurricane season for a state that has been hit by three of the powerful storms in just the last two years.

But that doesnt mean a tropical trip is necessarily out of the question for the same time period, Stevens added.

I introduce (customers) to certain Southern Caribbean destinations that have proven historically to be out of harms way when the big storms blow through, she explained. They have fantastic beaches, world-renowned diving and snorkeling, and a broad selection of villas, resorts and boutique hotels.

Travelers also should let more than price be the guide when mapping out their vacations, suggested Tiffany Wright, spokeswoman for AAA Carolinas.

Certain destinations and resorts can be cheaper than other times of the year because its during the rainy or monsoon season, she said. So while you might save a ton of money on your trip, you could be in danger of rainy days ruining your outdoor activities.

Smart hedge

Insurance can insulate vacationers financially from the impact of weather events while on their trip or reimburse a portion of what they paid ahead of time.

Travel insurance products have always been a smart hedge for travelers worried about increasing severe weather and natural disasters due to climate change, said Durazo of Allianz Partners.

But travelers should take care when shopping for plans, warned Jason Tyson, communications director at the N.C. Department of Insurance.

Travel insurance policies have very specific limitations and exclusions, Tyson said. Read the coverage materials carefully and ask questions as needed, so that you understand the benefits being offered.

Some plans allow vacationers to cancel or interrupt a trip if their destination becomes uninhabitable, if a natural disaster prevents their travel carrier from getting them to their destination within 24 hours of the originally scheduled arrival time, or when government authorities order a mandatory evacuation, noted Durazo.

As travel became uncertain during the COVID-19 pandemic, more customers embraced policies that cover the cost of trip cancellations for virtually any reason.

Those options also apply for travelers if it becomes too hot at their destination, which is a serious concern during climate change and which many travelers experienced first-hand this summer in Europe, Durazo added.
You have no foreign policy experience, and it shows, said Nikki Haley, former ambassador to the United Nations, to a fellow Republican presidential candidate in a recent debate. The target of her summary correction is in good company. What we Americans dont know about our national history and our interactions with other nations could fill a library  and does except, perhaps, in Florida.

Despite a vocal Republican interest in distancing America from supporting Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy knows enough to emulate one important part of American history that most Americans conveniently minimize, disclaim, or never learned. The coming of Constitution Day on Sept. 17 is a good time to reflect on any of our founding documents. Of interest here is the one we still hope to celebrate on its 250th anniversary in 2026, if we can remain a democratic republic that long.

Most Americans probably imagine our Declaration of Independence was issued in a pique of bravado, with the swagger of a Texan and questionable bah-god self-assuredness. Fortunately, our Founders knew better. They were students of the Enlightenment which had advanced science, religion, philosophy and politics throughout the 18th century in the centers of power in Western Europe.

After the Olive Branch Petition of July 5, 1775, and a year of wins and losses in a shooting war with British soldiers and American loyalists, the Founders in the Second Continental Congress knew that reconciliation with Great Britain was lost. If they wanted to separate from the most powerful nation in the world, they would need a good strategy, including winning over powerful allies on the world stage.

We would not be a free-standing, independent nation unless the other free-standing, independent nations said we were. (Zelenskyy knows that too.) No amount of self-puffery would make it so. Our Declaration of Independence was calculated political theater on the international stage with a specific intentional purpose. It was to enable France and Spain to recognize the united States as its own government so these powers could take sides against their longtime enemy, Great Britain, and do so for their own interests. As Ambassador Haley intimated, succeeding in international relations is for those who play chess, not checkers.

France became our essential ally in 1778 after we had demonstrated enough competence to warrant French support through a victory at Saratoga, N.Y., in October 1777. Three years later, French armies and navies were with us in October 1781 at Yorktown, our independence-winning victory, which would not have happened without them. (Viva la France!)

In alliance with the rebelling states in mid-1779, Spanish naval and land forces fought against British interests in the Mississippi River Valley and along the Gulf Coast. Spain also provided money, arms and supplies. America needed powerful friends on our side and the Founders knew where to find such allies and how best to invite their participation  no boast, threat, bluff or swagger needed.

France was the center of the Enlightenment. Indeed, it was 250 years ago, in 1773 and 1774 that one of the leading lights of the French Enlightenment, then only 30, changed the world of science and philosophy forever. Antoine Lavoisier established, with scientific proof, the Combustion Theory, which identified oxygen, and also the Conservation of Mass principle. Thus did he move the world from alchemy to chemistry, from magic to science, from fantasy to fact. Proof was paramount in advancing human understanding of our world, in changing minds. Curiosity and reasoning were embraced and encouraged. Reliance on unquestioned tradition fell away. Blind fealty to divine-right sovereigns (or their wannabes) was a dead end.

The world was changing. Those who found their way forward with the changes survived and thrived. Those who ignored the facts, the new proven reality, found themselves left behind. As today, delusion and denial are parts of a closed system, rendering one devoid of credibility except in the echo chambers of diminishing numbers who choose not to acknowledge reality.

The Enlightenment was a giant step forward for humanity and for American independence. The enlightened Founders did their part. The enlightened framers of the Constitution did theirs as well a decade later. Reassured and grateful for our democratic republic, enlightened Americans celebrate Constitution Day.
Significance Statement

Shiga toxinrelated hemolytic uremic syndrome (STEC-HUS) is a serious condition, characterized by multiorgan thrombotic microangiopathy, mainly affecting children. Renal involvement is severe, with approximately half of patients requiring dialysis. So far, no specific treatment has been proven efficient in STEC-HUS. The use of eculizumab, a monoclonal antibody inhibiting terminal complement complex, has demonstrated remarkable success in atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome, but its use in uncontrolled studies to treat STEC-HUS has yielded inconsistent results. In this Phase 3 randomized, placebo-controlled trial in 100 pediatric patients with STEC-HUS, the findings did not show efficacy of eculizumab during the acute phase of the disease. However, the results indicated a reduction of renal sequelae in eculizumab-treated patients at 1-year follow-up. Larger prospective studies would be needed to further explore eculizumab as a potential treatment.

Background

Shiga toxinrelated hemolytic uremic syndrome (STEC-HUS) in children is a severe condition, resulting in approximately 50% of patients requiring RRT. Furthermore, at least 30% of survivors experience kidney sequelae. Recently, activation of the complement alternative pathway has been postulated as a factor in STEC-HUS pathophysiology, leading to compassionate use of eculizumab, a monoclonal antibody inhibiting the terminal complement complex, in affected patients. Given the lack of therapy for STEC-HUS, a controlled study of eculizumab efficacy in treating this condition is a priority.

Methods

We conducted a Phase 3 randomized trial of eculizumab in children with STEC-HUS. Patients were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive either eculizumab or placebo during 4 weeks. Follow-up lasted for 1 year. The primary end point was RRT duration <48 hours after randomization. Secondary endpoints included hematologic and extrarenal involvement.

Results

Baseline characteristics were similar among the 100 patients who underwent randomization. The rate of RRT <48 hours did not differ significantly between the two groups (48% in the placebo versus 38% in the eculizumab group; P = 0.31) or in the course of ARF. The two groups also exhibited similar hematologic evolution and extrarenal manifestations of STEC-HUS. The proportion of patients experiencing renal sequelae at 1 year was lower in the eculizumab group than in the placebo group (43.48% and 64.44%, respectively, P = 0.04). No safety concern was reported.

Conclusions

In pediatric patients with STEC-HUS, eculizumab treatment does not appear to be associated with improved renal outcome during acute phase of the disease but may reduce long-term kidney sequelae.

Clinical Trials registrations

EUDRACT (2014-001169-28) ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02205541).
Introduction

Structural racism, or the totality of ways in which societies foster and embed racial discrimination, is a fundamental cause of racial inequities in health.14A key example is historical redlining, a federally sponsored housing policy beginning in the 1930s that permitted the HOLC to grade the risk of mortgage lending within neighborhoods on the basis of their racial makeup.5,6 Based on evaluations by local real estate professionals, residential neighborhoods could be assigned one of four grades: A (bestgreen), B (still desirableblue), C (definitely decliningyellow), and D (hazardousred), thus the term redlining. Redlined neighborhoods were considered unsuitable for mortgage lending, codifying discrimination against residents of these neighborhoods, who were disproportionately Black people, those with low-incomes, religious minorities, and/or immigrants.5,7 Individuals residing in redlined neighborhoods could be denied access to credit by lenders because of the conditions or composition of their neighborhoods and the policy limited opportunities for home ownership among Black households.5,8 Historians have debated the extent to which HOLC maps directly influenced lending: Some suggest that access to maps was limited while others suggest that HOLC appraisal practices were widely implemented.8,9 HOLC's Residential Security maps were not the first time that race and notions of creditworthiness and home value were linked in this way. This practice had been in operation in real estate since the 1920s. However, HOLC's practice of redlining standardized and expanded the use of this kind of racial calculus on a large scale.10 The policy, which was not formally outlawed until the Fair Housing Act of 1968, led to systematic disinvestment in redlined neighborhoods and shaped residents' access to wealth and resources.11,12

Studies suggest that HOLC grading contributed to contemporary residential segregation and, importantly, redlining was one of the factors (including blockbusting, Jim Crow laws, covenants, public housing policy, and violence) that created neighborhoods with poorer health outcomes, poorer environmental conditions, higher rates of poverty, and limited access to generational wealth than other neighborhoods.68,10 Some neighborhoods may have changed dramatically since HOLC grading in terms of socioeconomic conditions (e.g., some previously hazardous neighborhoods may now be more affluent) or racial or ethnic composition (e.g., some neighborhoods that had larger communities of Black residents may now have larger communities of Hispanic or Latino residents). However, evidence suggests that residential segregation has persisted in many neighborhoods that were redlined, in part because of persistent and systematic divestment.8,9

To date, several studies have examined the contemporary impacts of historical redlining on a variety of domains, including health.8,13 Historical redlining and racial residential segregation affect health outcomes through multiple pathways, including by influencing socioeconomic status (e.g., educational opportunities), modifying social capital, reinforcing unhealthy neighborhood environments, and concentrating neighborhood disadvantage and housing quality.3,4,11,14,15 Recent work suggests that present-day residence in a historically redlined neighborhood is associated with adverse health outcomes, including late-stage cancer diagnoses, emergency department use, diabetes mortality, and worse self-reported physical and mental health.11,12,1620 These studies have focused on a small number of metropolitan areas or a single state. Because HOLC maps are available for hundreds of metropolitan areas,5 using national data can provide more robust estimates of the association between historical redlining and current disparities in health outcomes.

Kidney failure affects nearly 800,000 American individuals and disproportionately affects racial or ethnic minoritized populationsincluding Black and Hispanic/Latino individuals.2127 There is robust evidence linking neighborhood conditions to racial disparities in kidney disease, including higher rates of mortality, higher rates of kidney failure incidence, and longer time to transplantation for patients with kidney failure.2830 Evidence suggests that present-day neighborhood conditions, such as higher rates of poverty, are linked to historical redlining. Therefore, it is possible that historical redlining could create conditions in present-day neighborhoods (e.g., inequitable wealth, exposure to pollution, food insecurity, housing instability, and worse health care access) that contribute to inequitable rates of kidney failure incidence.27,3040 Although previous studies of contemporary neighborhood conditions account for the impacts of historical redlining and other forces that contributed to segregation, no studies to date have examined the association between residence in a historically redlined area and kidney failure incidence.

We use a national registry of nearly all US adults who initiated treatment for incident kidney failure between 2012 and 2019 to examine differences in kidney failure incidence rates on the basis of residence in a historically redlined neighborhood in 141 metropolitan areas.

Methods

Study Population

Our study population included adult residents (age 18 years and older) in 141 metropolitan areas between January 1, 2012, and December 31, 2019. We examined the association between residence in a historically redlined neighborhood and the incidence of kidney failure during this period (Supplemental Figure 1).

Data Sources

To identify adults with incident kidney failure we used data from the Renal Management Information System Medical Evidence Report (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services [CMS] Form 2728).36 The CMS requires this form to be completed for all people initiating treatment for incident kidney failure and includes detailed sociodemographic characteristics, presence of clinical conditions, and patients' primary mailing addresses.41 Using mailing addresses and ArcGIS spatial mapping software, version 10.5.1 (Esri), we geolocated individuals into US census tracts (CTs).36,4244 CTs are small county subdivisions with an average population of 4000 people.45

Researchers at the University of Richmond's Mapping Inequality project digitized HOLC maps from the 1930s and 1940s for approximately 200 metropolitan areas.5 Using these maps, researchers at the University of WisconsinMilwaukee (UWM) developed a CT-level weighted historical redlining score on the basis of the proportion of HOLC grades contained within current CT boundaries. These scores are available through the Inter-university Consortium for Political and Social Research.12,46 Importantly, CTs in HOLC maps do not always align with today's CTs; as such, this data set accounts for a current CT having multiple historical HOLC grades and assigns each CT a continuous score ranging between 0.5 and 4. More information about how the score was calculated is available in the Supplemental Material. UWM researchers then assigned tracts grades using the following cutoffs: A (best) had weighted HOLC grade between 0.5 and 1.4; B (still desirable) had weighted HOLC grades between 1.5 and 2.4; C (definitely declining) had weighted HOLC grades between 2.5 and 3.4; and D (hazardous) had weighted HOLC grades between 3.5 and 4. We linked CMS 2728 and the UWM historical redlining datasets on the basis of CT.

We used US Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year (20152019) CT Population Estimates, which include annual CT-level estimates of the resident population overall and by age, sex, and race/ethnicity. We used these data to calculate annual adult population counts overall and by age group (1864 years versus 65 years and older) and sex for each CT. We further characterized CTs during our study period to examine differences in poverty, educational attainment, unemployment, and racial/ethnic composition using American Community Survey data (Supplemental Table 1).

Main Measures

Our main exposure of interest was residence in a historically redlined neighborhood using the UWM HOLC grade assignments (A, B, C, or D). We calculated annual CT-level rates of incident kidney failure per million adult population. Building on prior studies,8,14 we also calculated multiple measures of social spatial polarization using the Index of Concentration at the Extremes.47 These CT-level indices, which range between 1 (all deprived) to 1 (all privileged), quantify the proportion of people living at the extremes of distributions. We assessed patterns of economic segregation, racial segregation, racialized economic segregation, and housing tenure (definitions in Supplemental Table 2).

Statistical Analysis

We compared the characteristics of CTs on the basis of HOLC grade (e.g., population size, racial composition, and CT-level educational attainment, unemployment, and poverty rates) using ANOVA. We compared patient-level characteristics on the basis of HOLC grade using Pearson chi-square tests for categorical variables and ANOVA for continuous variables. Characteristics included sociodemographic characteristics, primary cause of kidney failure, presence of comorbidities at kidney failure treatment initiation, laboratory data (e.g., eGFR), receipt of predialysis nephrology care, receipt of home dialysis, and the type of vascular access among individuals initiating with hemodialysis (arteriovenous fistula, graft, catheter, or others). Patient race (White, Black or African American, American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian, Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, or other race) and ethnicity (not Hispanic or Latino, Hispanic, or Latino) were collected on the CMS 2728 by the dialysis provider using patient self-report.41

We used linear regression models to examine the association between residence in a historically redlined neighborhood and current rates of incident kidney failure. We present unadjusted rates and compare unadjusted differences in rates of kidney failure incidence by HOLC grade, using A (best) as the reference group. Because of the biological association between age and sex with kidney failure incidence, our main model adjusts for these two covariates. All models were weighted by the CT-level adult population and standard errors were clustered at the CT level. We do not adjust for any additional sociodemographic characteristics in our main model because these characteristics may mediate the relationship between residence in a historically redlined neighborhood and incidence of kidney failure.11,16 For example, it is possible that historical redlining could lead to different forms of systematic neighborhood disenfranchisement (e.g., limited access to healthy foods or health care providers) that could affect progression to kidney failure. In sensitivity analyses, we adjust for other contextual socioeconomic factors.

Variation by Race, Ethnicity, and Geography

We stratified our main analysis by race or ethnicity assess if the relationship between HOLC grade and kidney failure incidence rate was differential by race or ethnicity. To assess geographic variation, we stratified our analysis by Census region (Northeast, South, Midwest, and West). Because different cities or metropolitan areas may have different patterns of gentrification, redistricting, or displacement, we conducted an exploratory analysis where we assessed metropolitan arealevel (e.g., Boston, MA; Philadelphia, PA) variation in incidence rates between HOLC grades A and D. Specifically, we graphed differences in incidence rates between HOLC grades A and D in the 109 metropolitan areas that had CTs with HOLC grades A and D.

Stratified and Sensitivity Analyses

To further assess potential differences for subpopulations, we stratified our analyses by age group, sex, and primary cause of kidney failure. We conducted several sensitivity analyses to describe CT-level variation and assess the robustness of our estimates. First, we compared patient characteristics and rates of kidney failure incidence for CTs in our study sample with those in CTs where a HOLC grade was not available. Second, consistent with previous work,11 we recategorized CTs that had multiple HOLC grades as mixed and compared rates of kidney failure incidence with CTs that did not have multiple HOLC grades. Third, we built on our main model, which was age-adjusted and sex-adjusted, by adding each Index of Concentration at the Extremes measure separately.8,14 Fourth, we included metropolitan arealevel fixed effects in our models to account for potential city-level conditions that could affect kidney failure incidence. The study was reviewed by the Brown University institutional review board and the CMS Privacy Board.

Results

Characteristics of CTs

Our study sample consisted of 11,723 CTs in 141 metropolitan areas with historical redlining practices between 2012 and 2019, which represented 32.5 million adults (Table 1). The average CT population was 2768 (SD 1227) adults (the mean CT-level proportion of female residents: 52.3% [SD 5.1%]; the mean CT-level proportion of non-Hispanic Black residents: 26.0% [SD 30.5%]). Nearly one third (n=3688 or 31%) of CTs in our sample were historically redlined (or had a HOLC grade D). Compared with CTs with HOLC grade A (n=826 or 7%), historically redlined neighborhoods had higher proportions of residents who were non-Hispanic Black (33.7% [SD 32.6%] versus 13.6% [SD 22.6%]), Hispanic/Latino (26.0% [SD 27.3%] versus 9.6% [SD 13.4%]), and living below poverty (26.5% [SD 14.7%] versus 10.1% [SD 9.6]).

Table 1. - Census tract characteristics by Home Owners' Loan Corporation grade, 20122019a Census tract characteristics by Home Owners' Loan Corporation grade, 20122019 Characteristic, Mean (SD) A or Best (n=826) B or Still Desirable (n=2286) C or Definitely Declining (n=4923) D or Hazardous (n=3688) CTs 826 2286 4923 3688 Total population, n (millions) 2.35 6.79 13.88 9.43 Average adult population, n (SD) 2847 (1061) 2970 (1229) 2821 (1194) 2556 (1271) Age category, yr 1844 43.4 (12.2) 48.8 (10.5) 51.6 (10.4) 54.3 (11.1) 4564 34.1 (7.3) 32.3 (6.4) 31.5 (6.5) 30.1 (7.1) 65 and older 22.5 (8.2) 18.9 (6.8) 16.9 (6.4) 15.6 (6.8) Proportion female 52.6 (4.2) 52.6 (4.2) 52.1 (4.6) 52.2 (6.3) Race/ethnicity Non-Hispanic White 68.2 (25.6) 51.6 (30.5) 39.3 (30.6) 31.0 (28.2) Non-Hispanic Black 13.6 (22.6) 21.9 (29.1) 24.3 (29.2) 33.7 (32.6) Hispanic/Latino 9.6 (13.4) 16.6 (21.1) 24.8 (25.9) 26.0 (27.3) Non-Hispanic American Indian or Alaska native 0.3 (0.9) 0.3 (0.7) 0.3 (0.8) 0.3 (0.8) Non-Hispanic Asian 5.3 (7.9) 6.6 (10.2) 8.1 (13.1) 6.1 (10.8) Non-Hispanic native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander 0.0 (0.2) 0.1 (0.3) 0.1 (0.5) 0.1 (0.6) Non-Hispanic other race 0.3 (0.7) 0.4 (1.0) 0.6 (1.9) 0.4 (1.1) Non-Hispanic multiracial 2.7 (2.1) 2.6 (2.3) 2.6 (2.6) 2.4 (2.5) Proportion high school diploma or higher 94.3 (6.0) 88.4 (9.9) 82.4 (12.0) 78.9 (13.0) Proportion employed 65.6 (8.1) 66.3 (8.3) 64.6 (9.2) 62.5 (11.3) Proportion living below poverty 10.1 (9.6) 15.3 (10.9) 20.2 (12.8) 26.5 (14.7) Mean household income, $ 147,212 (88,093) 93,402 (53,042) 73,765 (36,315) 66,264 (39,118) Proportion home renter 31.7 (20.0) 45.6 (21.8) 54.3 (21.4) 63.9 (19.8) ICE: racial segregationb,c 0.55 (0.46) 0.30 (0.55) 0.15 (0.53) 0.03 (0.54) ICE: economic segregationb,d 0.43 (0.29) 0.25 (0.28) 0.13 (0.29) 0.01 (0.33) ICE: housing segregationb,e 0.37 (0.40) 0.09 (0.44) 0.09 (0.43) 0.28 (0.40) ICE: racial and economic segregationb,f 0.43 (0.27) 0.25 (0.28) 0.14 (0.26) 0.03 (0.29) P < 0.001 for all comparisons except percent of census tract population that is non-Hispanic American Indian or Alaska Native (P = 0.30). Sample includes census tracts that had Home Owners' Loan Corporation grades available and had at least one patient who developed incident kidney failure between 2012 and 2019. CT, census tract; ICE, Index of Concentration at the Extremes. aHome Owners' Loan Corporation refers to Home Owners' Loan Corporation. Grade A (green) were considered best, grade B (blue) were considered still desirable, grade C (yellow) were considered definitely declining, and grade D (red) were considered hazardous. n values reflect no. of census tracts assigned to each Home Owners' Loan Corporation grade. bIndex of Concentration at the Extremes refers to index of concentration at the extremes and ranges between 1 (all deprived) to 1 (all privileged) and estimates were derived from 2015 to 2019 Census Bureau's American Community Survey 5-year estimates. cIndex of Concentration at the Extremes: Racial segregation is measured as ([census tractlevel population of non-Hispanic White adult residents][census tractlevel population of Black adult residents])/census tractlevel adult population. dIndex of Concentration at the Extremes: Economic segregation is measured as ([census tractlevel no. of high-income households][census tractlevel no. of low-income households])/census tractlevel adult population. eIndex of Concentration at the Extremes: Housing segregation is measured as ([census tractlevel no. of owner-occupied housing units][census tractlevel renter-occupied housing units])/census tractlevel adult population. fIndex of Concentration at the Extremes: Racial and economic segregation is measured as ([census tractlevel no. of non-Hispanic White high-income households][census tractlevel no. of non-Hispanic Black low-income households])/census tractlevel adult population.

Characteristics of Adults with Incident Kidney Failure

Our study sample consisted of 160,714 adults who initiated treatment for incident kidney failure between 2012 and 2019 in 141 historically redlined US metropolitan areas. Among CTs included in our sample, historically redlined neighborhoods accounted for 29% of US adults aged 18 years and older but 34% of adults with incident kidney failure (Table 2). Black individuals comprised approximately 49.3% of adults with incident kidney failure residing in historically redlined CTs, compared with 36.8% in CTs with HOLC grade A. Compared with individuals residing in CTs with HOLC grades AC, those in historically redlined CTs were significantly more likely to have dual Medicare-Medicaid or Medicaid health insurance coverage, had more chronic conditions, used catheters (versus arteriovenous fistula) at hemodialysis initiation, and had worse kidney function at dialysis initiation (measured using eGFR) (P < 0.001). Adults with incident kidney failure who resided in historically redlined neighborhoods were significantly less likely to have documented receipt of predialysis nephrology care (P < 0.001) and were less likely to initiate home dialysis (P < 0.001). For many characteristics there were monotonic changes or worsening of conditions for adults residing in neighborhoods with progressively lower HOLC grades. We present the number of adults with incident kidney failure in each metropolitan area (Supplemental Table 3).

Table 2. - Characteristics of patients with incident kidney failure residing in 141 metropolitan areas 20122019, by Home Owners' Loan Corporation gradea Characteristics of patients with incident kidney failure residing in 141 metropolitan areas 20122019, by Home Owners' Loan Corporation grade Patient Characteristics A or Best (n=7457) B or Still Desirable (n=28,707) C or Definitely Declining (n=69,914) D or Hazardous (n=54,636) Age, yr, mean (SD) 65.4 (15.0) 62.8 (15.0) 61.6 (15.0) 60.7 (14.8) Female, % 40.6 42.3 43.4 45.4 Race/ethnicity, % Non-Hispanic White 50.7 37.7 32.1 23.7 Non-Hispanic Black 36.8 42.0 39.7 49.3 Hispanic/Latino 8.0 14.4 20.4 21.2 Non-Hispanic Asian 4.0 5.0 6.7 4.9 Non-Hispanic other 0.5 0.9 1.1 0.9 Insurance coverage, % Dual Medicare-Medicaid 11.6 15.5 18.8 20.8 Medicare 53.4 43.8 36.7 34.3 Medicaid 11.0 17.3 22.3 23.7 Employer group 14.6 12.4 11.0 9.4 Others 5.3 5.5 5.4 5.2 Veterans affairs 0.5 0.6 0.6 0.7 Uninsured 3.6 4.8 5.3 5.9 Employment status, % Unemployed 20.6 27.2 31.4 34.1 Employed (full/part) 14.6 12.6 10.9 9.8 Retired (age or disability) 57.4 53.1 50.7 49.5 Others 4.4 4.6 4.8 4.5 Unknown/missing 3.0 2.5 2.2 2.1 Primary attributed cause of kidney failure, % Diabetes 40.5 43.7 47.3 47.0 Hypertension 31.6 31.7 30.5 31.8 Others 31.7 31.8 30.5 31.8 Comorbidities at treatment initiation, % Hypertension 86.6 87.6 88.2 88.7 Diabetes 51.3 54.7 57.8 57.8 Cancer 8.2 6.5 5.9 5.5 Tobacco use 5.6 5.7 6.4 7.2 Alcohol dependence 1.9 1.7 2.0 2.2 Hemoglobin, g/dl, mean (SD) 9.4 (2.7) 9.2 (2.2) 9.3 (8.8) 9.2 (4.9) Albumin, g/dl, mean (SD) 3.3 (1.4) 3.3 (2.4) 3.2 (2.3) 3.2 (1.9) eGFR, ml/min, mean (SD)b 9.4 (5.0) 9.1 (5.1) 9.1 (5.1) 8.8 (4.9) Receipt of predialysis nephrology care, % Yes 65.0 59.7 56.2 54.4 No 20.3 22.9 23.7 25.7 Unknown 14.7 17.4 20.1 19.9 Home dialysis, % 10.0 8.0 7.3 6.6 Hemodialysis access type, %c Arteriovenous fistula 15.4 14.6 14.1 13.9 Graft 3.1 3.2 3.0 3.5 Catheter 68.8 72.4 74.5 75.0 Others 0.1 0.2 0.2 0.2 Unknown/missing 12.6 9.6 8.2 7.4 P < 0.001 for all comparisons. Differences measured using Pearson chi-square tests for categorical variables and ANOVA for continuous variables. aHome Owners' Loan Corporation refers to Home Owners' Loan Corporation. Grade A (green) were considered best, grade B (blue) were considered still desirable, grade C (yellow) were considered definitely declining, and grade D (red) were considered hazardous. beGFR refers to estimated glomerular filtration rate, a measure of kidney function. We calculated eGFR using serum creatinine values reported on the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services 2728 using a modified Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration formula excluding the race term. cAccess type is limited to patients initiating in-center hemodialysis.

Association between Residence in a Historically Redlined Neighborhood and Kidney Failure Incidence

Compared with CTs with HOLC grade A (mean: 326.5 per million), age-adjusted and sex-adjusted kidney failure incidence rates were significantly higher in CTs with HOLC grades B (mean: 504.3 per million; difference=177.8 per million; 95% confidence interval [CI], 149.9 to 205.6), C (mean: 629.4 per million; difference=302.8 per million; 95% CI, 277.0 to 328.7), and D (mean: 740.7 per million; difference=414.1 per million; 95% CI, 386.5 to 411.8) (Table 3). Unadjusted incidence rates and differences are presented in Table 3.

Table 3. - Annual census tract-level kidney failure incidence rates per million by Home Owners' Loan Corporation grade, 20122019 Annual census tract-level kidney failure incidence rates per million by Home Owners' Loan Corporation grade, 20122019 Patient Group and HOLC Grade Unadjusted Mean (SD) Unadjusted Difference (95% CI) Age-Adjusted and Sex-Adjusted Mean (95% CI) Age-Adjusted and Sex-Adjusted Difference (95% CI) All patients with incident kidney failure A (green)best 390.6 (483.5) Ref 326.5 (303.7 to 349.4) Ref B (blue)still desirable 523.5 (552.5) 132.8 (105.8 to 159.9)a 504.3 (488.8 to 519.9) 177.8 (149.9 to 205.6)a C (yellow)definitely declining 624.0 (631.3) 233.4 (208.4 to 258.3)a 629.4 (617.7 to 641.1) 302.8 (277.0 to 328.7)a D (red)hazardous 718.8 (719.8) 328.3 (301.2 to 355.2)a 740.7 (725.4 to 756.0) 414.1 (386.5 to 411.8)a Black patients with incident kidney failure A (green)best 872.2 (1551.1) Ref 1030.5 (970.2 to 1090.8) Ref B (blue)still desirable 858.0 (1275.5) 14.2 (71.4 to 43.1) 1041.2 (1010.9 to 1071.5) 10.8 (56.8 to 78.3) C (yellow)definitely declining 912.9 (1397.1) 40.6 (14.4 to 95.7) 1141.6 (1117.4 to 1165.8) 111.1 (46.1 to 176.1)a D (red)hazardous 968.3 (1263.0) 96.1 (41.1 to 151.1)a 1227.1 (1203.2 to 1251.0) 196.6 (131.7 to 261.5)b Hispanic/Latino patients with incident kidney failure A (green)best 249.6 (894.2) Ref 303.1 (257.6 to 348.5) Ref B (blue)still desirable 317.9 (817.5) 68.3 (29.7 to 106.9)a 421.0 (399.1 to 422.9) 117.9 (67.4 to 168.5)b C (yellow)definitely declining 359.0 (667.6) 109.4 (73.1 to 145.7)a 501.0 (487.4 to 514.5) 197.9 (150.3 to 245.4)b D (red)hazardous 397.8 (652.3) 148.2 (111.4 to 185.1)a 549.3 (533.3 to 565.3) 246.2 (197.9 to 294.5)b Asian American patients with incident kidney failure A (green)best 207.4 (1226.8) Ref 233.6 (193.8 to 273.3) Ref B (blue)still desirable 283.4 (1207.3) 76.0 (35.1 to 116.9)a 314.0 (294.0 to 334.0) 80.4 (36.0 to 124.9)b C (yellow)definitely declining 372.5 (1328.7) 165.1 (125.5 to 204.7)a 422.2 (404.6 to 439.9) 188.7 (145.2 to 232.1)b D (red)hazardous 377.7 (1407.8) 170.3 (127.3 to 213.2)a 410.0 (386.5 to 433.3) 176.3 (130.2 to 222.5)b White patients with incident kidney failure A (green)best 230.4 (581.8) Ref 217.3 (205.2 to 229.5) Ref B (blue)still desirable 308.6 (807.2) 78.2 (62.8 to 93.6)a 298.8 (289.5 to 308.0) 81.4 (65.9 to 96.9)b C (yellow)definitely declining 400.3 (1125.5) 169.9 (154.7 to 185.1)a 358.9 (351.2 to 366.7) 141.6 (127.0 to 156.2)b D (red)hazardous 417.7 (1442.0) 187.3 (168.3 to 206.4)a 364.6 (353.5 to 375.7) 147.2 (130.7 to 163.8)b ap<0.01 bp<0.001 Unit of analysis was the tract-year. Incidence rate was calculated using the annual census tractlevel no. of patients with incident kidney failure (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services 2728) and census-tractlevel population of adults age 18 years and older (2019 American Community Survey 5-year estimates). Estimates are weighted by the tract's adult population. Race-stratified analyses are weighted by tract's adult population of each race (e.g., census tractlevel population of Black adults, census tractlevel population of White adults). Age-adjusted and sex-adjusted models used age-sex cells (two age groups [1864 years versus 65 years an older] and two sex groups). Models were adjusted for age and sex and were weighted for census tractlevel cell population. Standard errors are clustered at the census tract level. CI, confidence interval.

Variation by Race, Ethnicity, and Geography

Compared with national averages of all adults in our sample, rates of kidney failure were higher for Black adults in our study sample, irrespective of neighborhood HOLC grade. Relative to rates for Black adults residing in CTs in HOLC grade A (mean: 1030.5 per million), age-adjusted and sex-adjusted rates of kidney failure incidence for Black adults in CTs with HOLC grades C (mean: 1141.6 per million; difference: 111.1 per million; 95% CI, 46.1 to 176.1) and D (mean: 1227.1 per million; difference: 196.6 per million; 95% CI, 131.7 to 261.5) were significantly higher, although there were not statistically significant differences for CTs with HOLC grade B (Table 3). There were, however, significantly higher rates of kidney failure incidence for White, Hispanic/Latino, and Asian American adults residing in CTs with HOLC grades BD when compared with those in CTs with HOLC grade A. Unadjusted incidence rates and differences and age-adjusted and sex-adjusted rates are presented in Table 3.

Unadjusted differences in incidence rates between HOLC grades A and D were highest in the South (Supplemental Table 4). We present geographic distribution of incident kidney failure by HOLC grade in the five metropolitan areas with the largest number of incident kidney failure cases in our study period (New York, NY; Los Angeles, CA; Chicago, IL; Philadelphia, PA; Boston, MA) (Figure 1). Across all 141 metropolitan areas (e.g., Boston-Cambridge-Newton), there was wide variation in the difference in incidence rates between HOLC grades A and D (Supplemental Figure 2), with a mean difference of 437.5 (SD 426.9) cases per million (median=369.5, IQR=199.4580.8 cases per million). For 95% (n=104) of the 109 metropolitan areas containing CTs with HOLC grades A and D, the incidence rate for residents in HOLC grade D was higher than that of HOLC grade A.

Figure 1.: Incident kidney failure cases by CT HOLC grade for five metropolitan areas. (A) New York-Newark-Jersey City metropolitan area. (B) Los Angeles metropolitan area. (C) Chicago-Naperville-Elgin metropolitan area. (D) Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington metropolitan area. (E) Boston-Cambridge-Newton metropolitan area. Grade A (green) were considered best, grade B (blue) were considered still desirable, grade C (yellow) were considered definitely declining, and grade D (red) were considered hazardous. Each dot represents a patient who initiated treatment for incident kidney failure between 2012 and 2019. The five metropolitan areas presented had the largest number of people with incident kidney failure between 2012 and 2019. CT, census tract; HOLC, Home Owners' Loan Corporation. Figure 1 can be viewed in color online at www.jasn.org (A) New York-Newark-Jersey City metropolitan area. (B) Los Angeles metropolitan area. (C) Chicago-Naperville-Elgin metropolitan area. (D) Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington metropolitan area. (E) Boston-Cambridge-Newton metropolitan area. Grade A (green) were considered best, grade B (blue) were considered still desirable, grade C (yellow) were considered definitely declining, and grade D (red) were considered hazardous. Each dot represents a patient who initiated treatment for incident kidney failure between 2012 and 2019. The five metropolitan areas presented had the largest number of people with incident kidney failure between 2012 and 2019. CT, census tract; HOLC, Home Owners' Loan Corporation. Figure 1 can be viewed in color online at

Stratified and Sensitivity Analyses

Unadjusted incidence rates were relatively higher for adults who were age 65 years and older (versus under 65), were men (versus women), or had a primary cause of kidney failure was diabetes (versus other causes) (Supplemental Tables 57). We present the characteristics of adults and CTs with unknown and mixed historical HOLC grades (Supplemental Figures 2 and 3 and Supplemental Tables 812). Unadjusted incidence rates in CTs with unknown historical HOLC grades were modestly higher than those with historical HOLC grade A (Supplemental Table 13); the relationship between HOLC grade and incidence remained in analyses that included CTs with mixed grades (Supplemental Table 14). Models that adjust for indices of concentration at the extremes suggest that spatial social and economic polarization (e.g., current-day racial segregation) were significantly associated with higher rates of kidney failure incidence (Supplemental Table 15). Furthermore, current rates of area-level poverty were significantly associated with higher rates of kidney failure incidence. The magnitude of disparity associated with historical HOLC grade attenuated on inclusion of other CT measures. Statistical associations between CT-level racial segregation, economic segregation, and poverty were large in magnitude. Models that adjusted for age, sex, HOLC grade, and other CT-level measures are presented in Supplemental Table 16. Addition of metropolitan arealevel fixed effects (e.g., a fixed effect for Boston, MA), which accounted for unobserved city-specific conditions, yielded estimates that were consistent in direction and statistical significance, although the magnitude of association increased (Supplemental Table 17).

Discussion

Among adults with incident kidney failure, residence in a historically redlined neighborhood was associated with significantly higher rates of kidney failure incidence between 2012 and 2019. Compared with neighborhoods with a historical HOLC grade of A, or best, neighborhoods with all other grades had significantly higher rates of kidney failure, with the magnitude of disparity increasing from HOLC grade of B (still desirable) to D (hazardous). The association between residing in a historically redlined neighborhood and greater incidence of kidney failure was evident not only for Black residents but also for nearly every demographic subgroup, all four US Census regions, and in 95% of metropolitan areas.

Our study builds on previous literature in two ways: First, to our knowledge, this is the first study examining the association between historical redlining and current rates of kidney failure incidence. Previous work has assessed the association between residence in a historically redlined neighborhood and health outcomessuch as asthma and preterm birthsas well as the association between residential segregation and kidney health.2,11,16,18,28,48 Historical redlining, through its long-term influences on residential segregation and inequitable distribution of health-promoting goods, can create conditions for inequitable rates of developing incident kidney failure.11 Considering the well-documented relationship between racism and racial inequities in kidney health, our findings illustrate the legacy of historical redlining and structural racism on current kidney failure incidence.49 Second, many studies examining the role of historical redlining on adverse health outcomes limit their analyses to a small number of metropolitan areas. Our analysis, which includes 141 metropolitan areas, builds on this work and suggests strong nationwide associations between residence in a historically redlined neighborhood and higher rates of kidney failure incidence. We note that the kidney failure rate incidence rates are higher than national averages, which may be explained by our focus on adults residing in 141 metropolitan areas that were subject to HOLC grading practices.

Our study has several implications for health policy and public health. First, racism remains a public health issue with substantially negative health impacts on people of color. Our findings suggest that historical racist policies continue to have long-lasting associations with present-day health outcomes with respect to kidney failure. Current neighborhoods are the product of discriminatory policies: Recent work suggests that compared with neighborhoods that were not historically redlined, historically redlined neighborhoods presently have lower median household incomes, less healthy food environments, higher proportions of population in poverty, and have higher proportions of people of color.1113,19,31,50 Such conditions may directly affect racial health inequities through several pathways including exposure to racism, limited access to health-promoting resources, and limited access to quality health care.1,11 Our sensitivity analyses also indicate that neighborhood-level poverty and racial segregationwhich cannot be disentangled from the legacy of racist policies such as historical redliningare strongly associated with higher rates of kidney failure incidence. Several pathways may account for this relationship, including inadequate access to care to slow the progression to kidney failure, increased exposure to environmental toxins (e.g., lead, cadmium), and lower availability of health-promoting goods (e.g., healthy foods).2,11,49,51,52 This is particularly important considering the well-documented impact of social drivers (e.g., poverty, housing stability, food insecurity) and structural racism on the progression of chronic kidney disease to kidney failure.26,27,3639,53,54 In addition, our study presents contemporary characteristics of CTs on the basis of their historical HOLC grades and suggest that a substantial proportion of residents in historically redlined CTs are Hispanic or Latino. Furthermore, in stratified analyses of Hispanic or Latino populations, we identified a substantial gradient in kidney failure incidence across HOLC grades. As such, it will be critical to continue monitoring rates of kidney failure incidence in racially segregated neighborhoods, and future work may specifically focus on CTs with higher proportions of Hispanic or Latino residents.

Second, our study has implications for measuring and addressing structural racism. Importantly, residence in a historically redlined neighborhood is one measure of structural racism that can extend to other contextual measures. In addition to other neighborhood-level measures used in our study (e.g., neighborhood racial residential segregation), some scholars have either operationalized or suggested use of state-level measures (e.g., political participation, employment and job status, incarceration), measures of neighborhood divestment, and other multidimensional indices.1,14,55,56 As measures of structural racism continue to advance, applying them to identify and eliminate inequities in kidney care is critical. Because structural racism operates through interconnected and mutually reinforcing systems, emphasis on upstream interventions that facilitate economic opportunities (household income, education, employment) and improve neighborhood conditions, in particular, could reduce kidney disease inequities.2,4,36 Advancing kidney health equity requires understanding that racial disparities in kidney disease are largely the product of structural causes that have systematically disadvantaged Black individuals compared with others and are rooted in historical racist policies (such as historical redlining).27

Limitations

Our study has several limitations: First, a large proportion of CTs (84%) did not have a HOLC grade and were therefore excluded from our study. Although this is a national study, our sample included 16% of all CTs and approximately 15% of the population of people with incident kidney failure between 2012 and 2019. We note that 239 cities assigned HOLC grades, suggesting that our sample reflects about 60% of these cities.5 We present the characteristics and rates of kidney failure incidence for CTs with unknown HOLC grades but are unable to account for potential heterogeneity across CTs. As such, our estimates may not be fully nationally representative. Second, we are unable to attribute causality to the relationship between residence in a historically redlined neighborhood and incidence of kidney failure. Particularly, we are unable to account for an individual's life course trajectory and how long they have resided in their neighborhood. Third, because CMS 2728 is only completed for people who receive treatment for incident kidney failure, it is plausible that our study is not representative of all patients with kidney failure (e.g., individuals who did not or were unable to seek treatment); however, our classification of patients with incident kidney failure aligns with the US Renal Data System's approach.21 Fourth, some measures in the CMS 2728 (e.g., primary cause attributed to kidney failure, receipt of predialysis nephrology care) may be limited. For example, the primary cause of kidney failure may not be known for many socially marginalized people, who may present too late in their disease course to receive a kidney biopsy or never receive a kidney biopsy. Fifth, although CTs are more granular than other units of geography (such as counties), they are smaller compared with census block groups and may therefore mask some heterogeneity. Sixth, our analysis may be underpowered to detect statistical differences in some of our exploratory subgroup analyses. Finally, although HOLC maps are a unique data source that illustrate how racism was historically deployed and institutionalized in the United States, other forms of spatial racism have perpetuated since and a neighborhood's HOLC grade alone does not capture the interconnected and multifaceted nature of structural racism. HOLC grades, although representing an important historical example of structural racism, are an incomplete measure and other place-based policies both predate and succeed redlining of access to mortgage lending.

In conclusion, residence in a historically redlined neighborhood was associated with modern-day higher rates of kidney failure incidence in 141 metropolitan areas, underscoring the legacy of historical policies on contemporary racial inequities in kidney health.
Introduction

Vascular access remains one of the most challenging aspects in the clinical management of hemodialysis patients. There has been an enduring controversy about the relative merits of arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs) and grafts (AVGs) for hemodialysis, particularly in patients initiating hemodialysis with a CVC.1 Early studies, reporting on vascular access outcomes in relatively young hemodialysis patients with low comorbidity, concluded that AVFs were superior to AVGs.2 On the basis of such studies, consensus vascular access guidelines publicized by the National Kidney Foundation in 2006 strongly encouraged clinicians to maximize placement of AVFs in preference to AVGs.3 Widespread adoption of these Fistula First guidelines dramatically increased the use of AVFs and decreased the use of AVGs in the US hemodialysis population.4

However, subsequent observational studies highlighted the high nonmaturation rate of AVFs in high-risk populations, especially older hemodialysis patients and those with a high cardiovascular comorbidity profile.58 AVF failure leads to prolonged dependence on CVCs and results in multiple surgical and percutaneous procedures to promote AVF maturation, maintain AVF patency once it has been established, and place a new vascular access if the initial one is abandoned. A previous observational study from our center reported that when an aggressive approach to maximizing AVF placement was instituted, patients receiving an AVF incurred more frequent access procedures and access management costs, as compared with those receiving an AVG.9 Recognition of the unintended consequences of an overly aggressive approach to AVF placement led to more nuanced, updated vascular access guidelines in 2019, encouraging clinicians to place the right access in the right patient at the right time.10 However, there is a paucity of information on the effect of implementing the revised guidelines on the burden of access procedures and the overall cost of access management.

In this study, we report on vascular access outcomes and costs in two consecutive periods at a large academic medical center. During the first period, we followed the Fistula First philosophy, with the goal of maximizing AVF placement. During the second period, we implemented a more selective approach, whereby patients preferentially underwent AVG placement if the nephrologist and surgeon believed that AVF maturation was unlikely. We focused our attention on patients who initiated hemodialysis with a CVC and subsequently received an AVF or AVG. We collected detailed information on three prespecified, clinically relevant outcomes: the frequency of vascular access procedures, the overall cost of vascular access management, and the proportion of time during which patients were CVC-dependent.

Methods

Dialysis Operation

The University of Alabama at Birmingham oversees the medical care of approximately 500 hemodialysis patients, who receive their dialysis treatments at one of 10 units in metropolitan Birmingham, Alabama. University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) clinical faculty serve as the medical directors of these dialysis units. UAB nephrologists and nurse practitioners round at these dialysis units and make the referrals for vascular access procedures.

Vascular Access Infrastructure

Our interventional program is a collaborative effort between interventional radiologists and nephrologists, who provide the full spectrum of vascular access procedures, including CVC placements, CVC exchanges, fistulograms, angioplasties, and thrombectomies. A small cohort of transplant and vascular surgeons place all vascular accesses (AVF and AVG), and perform surgical revisions, as indicated. The Section of Ultrasound performs all preoperative vascular mapping procedures and postoperative ultrasounds to assess for AVF maturity. Finally, two full-time vascular access coordinators, who are experienced dialysis nurses, act as the liaison among the nephrologists, surgeons, radiologists, nurse practitioners, and dialysis nurses.11 They schedule all vascular access procedures and maintain a prospective, computerized vascular access database that enables them to track the access history and plans in each dialysis patient. At least 95% of all vascular access procedures and hospitalizations in our dialysis population occur at UAB Hospital or clinics.

Vascular Access Management

Patients initiating hemodialysis with a CVC were referred to surgery for placement of a permanent vascular access (AVF or AVG). Each patient initially underwent a standardized preoperative sonographic vascular mapping to determine suitability of the vessels for an AVF or AVG.12,13 The minimal criteria for an AVF were an arterial diameter of 2 mm and a venous diameter of 2.5 mm. The minimal criteria for an AVG were an arterial diameter of 2 mm and a venous diameter of 4 mm. In addition, the entire draining vein was mapped up to the shoulder to exclude stenosis or thrombosis. The results of the preoperative mapping studies were documented and provided to the surgeons ahead of the preoperative visit. The surgeon combined clinical judgment and the vascular mapping findings to plan the optimal type and location of vascular access for the patient.

Patients were routinely seen by the surgeon for a postoperative visit to assess clinical AVF maturation. In addition, patients receiving an AVF underwent a standardized 6-week postoperative ultrasound, which measured the diameter, blood flow, and depth of the AVF.1417 The minimal criteria for AVF maturity included a diameter 4 mm, blood flow 500 ml/min, and depth from the skin 5 mm. In addition, the ultrasound assessed for perianastomotic or draining vein stenosis and the presence of large collateral veins. After their creation, immature AVFs frequently underwent angioplasty, surgical revision, or ligation of collateral veins, to promote their maturation.18 New AVFs were cannulated at 68 weeks if they were mature or at later periods if they required maturation interventions. AVFs were initially cannulated with 17-gauge dialysis needles and a dialysis blood flow of 200 ml/min. The needle caliber and dialysis blood flow were increased weekly, until the AVF was reproducibly cannulated with a 15-gauge needle and a dialysis blood flow of 400 ml/min. The CVC was removed by radiology or nephrology, once the nurses were confident that the AVF was suitable for dialysis. If an AVF failed to mature despite interventions to promote its maturation, it was abandoned, and the patient referred to the surgeon for placement of a new AVF or AVG.

AVGs were typically cannulated with 15-gauge needles 23 weeks after their placement, provided that the postoperative edema had resolved. Ultrasounds of AVGs were obtained only if there was a difficulty in cannulation. The CVC was removed after three consecutive, successful AVG uses for hemodialysis.

Patients with a functioning AVF or AVG were referred to radiology for a fistulogram whenever there was a clinical suspicion of access stenosis (difficulty with cannulation, prolonged bleeding from the cannulation site, edema distal to the access, weak thrill or bruit, or unexplained progressive decrease in the delivered dialysis dose [Kt/V]).19,20 If the fistulogram revealed a >50% stenosis, the radiologist performed an angioplasty. Patients with a clotted access were referred to radiology for a mechanical thrombectomy procedure, in conjunction with angioplasty of the underlying stenosis.21 If an access underwent two thrombectomy procedures in a 3-month period, the patient was referred to surgery for a surgical access revision. If the thrombosed access could not be salvaged, a CVC was placed, and the patient referred to surgery for a new AVF or AVG.

CVCs were used for hemodialysis until the AVF or AVG could be cannulated for dialysis reproducibly. Catheter dysfunction was treated initially by instillation with tissue plasminogen activator into each catheter lumen. If this did not restore adequate dialysis blood flow, the patient was referred to radiology for a CVC exchange. Catheter-related blood stream infection (CRBSI) was suspected in patients with a fever or rigors and confirmed by the growth of a pathogen from blood cultures obtained from the dialysis line.22,23 All patients with CRBSI were treated with systemic antibiotics, in conjunction with an antibiotic lock solution instilled into the catheter lumen.24 If this did not resolve the infection, the CVC was replaced by interventional radiology or nephrology. Patients with milder cases of CRBSI were treated as outpatients, whereas those with more serious infection were hospitalized.

Change in Vascular Access Strategy Over Time

The patients were divided into two study periods. Period 1 (patients initiating hemodialysis from January 1, 2004, to December 31, 2012, and followed through December 31, 2015) corresponded to the less selective (Fistula First) period, during which we attempted an AVF in most patients with a suitable vascular anatomy, regardless of patient characteristics. In late December 2012, our nephrologists and access surgeons discussed the outcomes obtained with an aggressive strategy of maximizing AVF placement. We concluded that this strategy was counterproductive because it resulted in a relatively high rate of AVF failures, and we modified our vascular access strategy moving forward. During period 2 (patients initiating hemodialysis from January 1, 2013, to December 31, 2019, and followed through December 31, 2022), we were more selective in placing AVFs, with AVGs being placed preferentially if the nephrologist or surgeon believed that AVF maturation was unlikely. There were no formal criteria for AVF placement during period 2; rather the decision was left up to the clinician's judgment based on the perceived risk of AVF failure, after considering the patient's demographics, comorbidities, and preoperative vascular measurements. In other words, during period 2, the decision about which access type to place was based not only on the preoperative vascular diameters but also on clinical factors including age, sex, and cardiovascular comorbidities.

Data Collection

We obtained expedited approval from our local Institutional Review Board for retrospective analysis of existing data on the study patients. This study adhered to the Declaration of Helsinki. We queried our prospective, computerized vascular access database to identify all patients who initiated hemodialysis with a CVC and then underwent placement of an AVF or AVG. The UAB electronic medical record was used to retrieve information about patient demographics (age, sex, and self-reported race) and comorbidities (diabetes, hypertension, coronary artery disease, heart failure, cerebrovascular disease, and peripheral vascular disease). The vascular access database was queried to identify all percutaneous vascular access procedures (CVC placement or exchange, angioplasty, and thrombectomy) and all surgical access procedures (access creation or access revision). Each patient was followed from hemodialysis initiation until death, kidney transplant, transfer to a non-UAB dialysis unit, transition to peritoneal dialysis, recovery of kidney function, or end of study follow-up, regardless of the number of new access placements or interventions. The total duration of CVC dependence was calculated as the total number of days the patient had a CVC in place, which in some patients could consist of several noncontiguous periods. For example, one patient was CVC-dependent for 4 months from initiation of dialysis until the AVF was used and the CVC removed. Two years later, the AVF failed, and a new CVC was placed. The CVC was in place for 3 months until the second access (an AVG) was ready to use. When the second vascular access failed, the patient had a new CVC placed and then died 2 months later. Thus, the total duration of CVC dependence was 9 months (4+3+2).

Data Analysis

The study exposure of interest was the type of vascular access (AVF or AVG) placed initially after starting dialysis with a CVC. The three prespecified primary outcomes of interest were (1) frequency of vascular access interventions, including subtypes; (2) the median annual cost of vascular access management, which included the cost of all surgical and percutaneous interventions, as well as the cost of hospitalizations for a catheter-related bloodstream infection (CRBSI). We did not include the cost of CRBSI without hospitalization because the antibiotics administered were included in the outpatient dialysis bundle; and (3) the fraction of follow-up time that the patients were CVC-dependent.

Patients in each study period were followed until their death, kidney transplant, transfer to a non-UAB dialysis unit, transition to peritoneal dialysis, or recovery of kidney function. If none of these events occurred, patients were followed until December 31, 2015 (Group 1), or December 31, 2022 (Group 2), i.e., 3 years after the end of the respective study dates (Figure 1). The annual frequency of vascular access interventions was calculated by dividing the total number of procedures by the total number of years of follow-up. The cost of vascular access management was calculated for each patient by using the 2015 Center of Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) reimbursement rates for each procedure (https://www.cms.gov/apps/physician-fee-schedule/search/search-criteria.aspx) and the Diagnostic Related Charges for hospitalization due to dialysis catheter-related infection (Table 1). We multiplied the number of each type of access procedure by its corresponding CMS reimbursement and the number of CRBSI hospitalizations by the corresponding Diagnostic Related Charges reimbursement. After adding all these costs, the total cost was divided by the number of years of follow-up for that patient.

Figure 1.: Flow diagram summarizing patient follow-up in each study period. The median duration of patient follow-up was 2.96 and 3.05 years in Periods 1 and 2, respectively (P = 0.10). AVF, arteriovenous fistula; CVC, central vein catheter; HD, hemodialysis; PD, peritoneal dialysis. Figure 1 can be viewed in color online at www.jasn.org The median duration of patient follow-up was 2.96 and 3.05 years in Periods 1 and 2, respectively (P = 0.10). AVF, arteriovenous fistula; CVC, central vein catheter; HD, hemodialysis; PD, peritoneal dialysis. Figure 1 can be viewed in color online at

Table 1. - 2015 Center of Medicare and Medicaid Services reimbursement for access procedures and complications 2015 Center of Medicare and Medicaid Services reimbursement for access procedures and complications Procedure Procedure or DRG Code Reimbursementa Surgical procedures New AVF 36821 $3923 New AVG 36825 $4067 Surgical access revision 36832 $4025 Percutaneous procedures Thrombectomy 36870; 36147; 36148 $2996 Angioplasty 36147; 35476; 75978 $2451 Catheter exchange 36581 $786 Hospitalization because of catheter-related sepsis 999.32 $13,528 DRG, diagnosis-related groups; AVF, arteriovenous fistula; AVG, arteriovenous graft. aIncludes professional and facility fees.

We assessed basic demographics (age, sex, race) and comorbidities (diabetes, hypertension, coronary artery disease, heart failure, cerebrovascular disease, and peripheral vascular disease) on the placement of an AVF or AVG in a stepwise fashion and then tested whether period 1 or 2 further explained the differences in AVF or AVG. Continuous variables were compared between groups using t tests and discrete variables by the 2 test. The frequency of access procedures was compared between groups using negative binomial models to account for the relatively high number of patients with zero counts. The median annual cost of access management was compared between groups using the MannWhitney test. A P-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results

Characteristics of the Patient Populations

We included in our analysis all 692 patients who initiated hemodialysis with a CVC from 2004 to 2019 at our academic medical center, if they subsequently underwent placement of an AVF or AVG. Period 1 (less selective for AVF placement) included 408 patients between 2004 and 2012, and period 2 (more selective for AVF) included 284 patients between 2013 and 2019 (Table 2). The mean number of patients enrolled annually was 45 and 41, respectively, during the two study periods. The median duration of patient follow-up was very similar in the two study periods (2.96 and 3.05 years, P = 0.10). As compared with the patients in period 1, those in period 2 were 3 years older (P = 0.02), less likely to be Black patients (80% versus 88%, P = 0.003), less likely to have hypertension (90% versus 95%, P = 0.007), and more likely to have cerebrovascular disease (21% versus 14%, P = 0.01). The groups in both study periods were similar in the frequency of male patients, diabetes, coronary artery disease, heart failure, and peripheral vascular disease. During period 1, 72% of the patients received an AVF and 28% an AVG; during period 2, 59% of the patients received an AVF and 41% an AVG (P < 0.001).

Table 2. - Comparison of vascular access practices in the two periods Comparison of vascular access practices in the two periods Parameter Period 1a (Less Selective for AVF) Period 2 (More Selective for AVF) P Value Years of enrollment 200412 201319 Patients enrolled 408 284 Patients enrolled per year 45 41 Median (IQR) years of follow-up 2.96 (1.185.32) 3.05 (1.084.53) 0.10 Age in years, meanSD 5214 5515 0.02 Male sex, N (%) 221 (54%) 158 (56%) 0.70 Black race, N (%) 358 (88%) 226 (80%) 0.003 Diabetes, N (%) 212 (52%) 154 (54%) 0.43 Hypertension, N (%) 389 (95%) 256 (90%) 0.007 Coronary artery disease, N (%) 92 (22%) 76 (27%) 0.20 Heart failure, N (%) 113 (28%) 95 (33%) 0.10 Cerebrovascular disease, N (%) 57 (14%) 61 (21%) 0.01 Peripheral vascular disease, N (%) 47 (12%) 45 (16%) 0.10 Patients receiving an AVG, N (%) 113 (28%) 116 (41%) <0.001 AVF, arteriovenous fistula; IQR, interquartile range; AVG, arteriovenous graft. aData for Period 1 previously reported in 9. Data for Period 1 previously reported in

During period 1, patients receiving an AVF were more likely to be male than those receiving an AVG (60% versus 38%, P < 0.001) (Table 3). Otherwise, the AVF and AVG groups were similar in age, race, and the frequency of diabetes, hypertension, coronary artery disease, heart failure, cerebrovascular disease, and peripheral artery disease. During period 2, patients receiving an AVF were younger (mean age 51 versus 61, P < 0.001), more male (62% versus 46%, P = 0.005), less diabetic (48% versus 64%, P = 0.007), and less likely to have peripheral vascular disease (10% versus 25%, P < 0.001). However, the two access groups were similar in race, hypertension, coronary artery disease, heart failure, and cerebrovascular disease. Using multiple variable logistic regression analysis, four factors predicted AVG use: age (odds ratio 1.30 [95% confidence interval, 1.14 to 1.46] per 10 years), female sex (2.19 [1.55 to 3.08]), peripheral vascular disease (2.12 [1.30 to 3.47]), and period 2 (2.23 [1.36 to 3.66]), P < 0.001 for the model.

Table 3. - Comparison of baseline demographics of patients with an initial arteriovenous fistula surgery or graft surgery during the two study periods Comparison of baseline demographics of patients with an initial arteriovenous fistula surgery or graft surgery during the two study periods Parameter Period 1a (Less Selective for AVF) Period 2 (More Selective for AVF) AVF AVG P Value AVF AVG P Value N of patients 295 113 168 116 Age in yr, meanSD 5214 5414 0.11 5114 6115 <0.001 Male sex, N (%) 178 (60%) 43 (38%) <0.001 105 (62%) 53 (46%) 0.005 Black race, N (%) 260 (88%) 98 (87%) 0.70 134 (80%) 92 (79%) 0.93 Diabetes, N (%) 145 (49%) 67 (59%) 0.07 80 (48%) 74 (64%) 0.007 Hypertension, N (%) 281 (95%) 108 (96%) 0.89 151 (90%) 105 (90%) 0.86 Coronary artery disease, N (%) 66 (22%) 26 (23%) 0.89 42 (25%) 34 (29%) 0.42 Heart failure, N (%) 81 (27%) 32 (28%) 0.86 52 (31%) 43 (37%) 0.28 Cerebrovascular disease, N (%) 40 (14%) 17 (15%) 0.70 34 (20%) 27 (23%) 0.54 Peripheral vascular disease, N (%) 31 (10%) 16 (14%) 0.30 16 (10%) 29 (25%) <0.001 AVF, arteriovenous fistula; AVG, arteriovenous graft. aData for Period 1 previously reported in 9. Data for Period 1 previously reported in

Effect of Vascular Access Strategy on Frequency of Access Procedures

We compared the frequency of vascular access procedures between patients receiving an initial AVF or AVG in each study period (Figure 2 and Table 4). During period 1, as compared with patients receiving an initial AVG, those with an initial AVF placement had a lower frequency of vascular access thrombectomy, a similar frequency of CVC exchange or access angioplasty, and a higher frequency of new access placements and surgical access revisions. Looking at broad categories of access procedures, patients with an initial AVF had a similar frequency of all percutaneous procedures, a higher frequency of all surgical procedures, and a higher frequency of all vascular access procedures (248 versus 217 per 100 patient-years, P < 0.001).

Figure 2.: The annual frequency of vascular access procedures in patients initiating hemodialysis with a central vein catheter and subsequently receiving an initial AVF or AVG during the two study periods. AVF, arteriovenous fistula; AVG, arteriovenous graft; CVC, central vein catheter; PTA, percutaneous transluminal angioplasty. *P < 0.001.

Table 4. - Frequency of vascular access procedures and complications in patients receiving an initial AVF versus AVG Frequency of vascular access procedures and complications in patients receiving an initial AVF versus AVG Parameter Period 1a (Less Selective for AVF) Period 2 (More Selective for AVF) AVF AVG AVF-AVG Difference (95% CI) AVF AVG AVF-AVG Difference (95% CI) N of patients 295 113 168 116 Total years of follow-up 1008.6 446.4 607.2 294.7 CVC exchange, total N 490 225 268 105 N per 100 pt-year (95% CI) 48.6 (44.4 to 53.1) 50.4 (44.0 to 57.4) 1.8 (9.7 to 6.0) 44.1 (39.0 to 49.8) 35.6 (29.1 to 43.1) 8.5 (0.1 to 17.1) Angioplasty, total N 637 261 199 125 N per 100 pt-year (95% CI) 63.2 (58.4 to 68.3) 58.5 (51.6 to 66.0) 4.7 (3.9 to 13.3) 32.8 (28.4 to 37.7) 42.4 (35.3 to 50.5) 9.6 (18.3 to 0.9) Thrombectomy, total N 349 231 216 241 N per 100 pt-yr (95% CI) 34.6 (31.1 to 38.4) 51.8 (45.3 to 58.9) 17.1 (24.7 to 9.5) 35.6 (31.0 to 40.6) 81.8 (71.8 to 92.8) 46.2 (57.6 to 34.8) All percutaneous procedures, total N 1476 717 683 471 N per 100 pt-year (95% CI) 146 (139 to 154) 161 (149 to 173) 14.3 (28.2 to 0.01) 112 (104 to 121) 160 (146 to 175) 47.3 (64.1 to 30.6) Surgical access revisions, total N 428 60 150 61 N per 100 pt-yr (95% CI) 42.4 (38.5 to 46.6) 13.4 (10.3 to 17.3) 29.0 (23.7 to 34.3) 24.7 (20.9 to 29.0) 20.7 (15.8 to 26.6) 4.0 (2.5 to 10.5) Access creations, total N 594 190 290 162 N per 100 pt-year (95% CI) 58.9 (54.2 to 63.8) 42.6 (36.7 to 49.1) 16.3 (8.6 to 24.0) 47.8 (42.4 to 53.6) 55.0 (46.8 to 64.1) 7.2 (17.3 to 2.9) All surgical procedures, total N 1022 250 440 223 N per 100 pt-year (95% CI) 101 (95.2 to 108) 56.0 (49.3 to 63.4) 45.3 (36.0 to 54.6) 72.5 (65.8 to 79.6) 75.7 (66.1 to 86.3) 3.2 (15.2 to 8.8) All access procedures, total N 2498 967 1123 694 N per 100 pt-year (95% CI) 248 (238 to 258) 217 (203 to 231) 31.0 (14.3 to 47.8) 185 (174 to 196) 236 (218 to 254) 50.6 (71.1 to 30.0) CRBSI per patient-year, total N 602 269 68 21 N per 100 pt-year (95% CI) 59.7 (55.0 to 64.6) 60.3 (53.3 to 67.9) 0.6 (9.2 to 8.1) 11.2 (8.7 to 14.2) 7.1 (4.4 to 10.9) 4.1 (0 to 8.2) CRBSI hospitalizations, total N 247 81 22 10 N per 100 pt-year 95% CI) 24.5 (21.5 to 27.7) 18.2 (14.4 to 22.6) 6.3 (1.4 to 11.3) 3.6 (2.3 to 5.5) 3.4 (1.6 to 6.2) 0.2 (2.4 to 2.8) AVF, arteriovenous fistula; AVG, arteriovenous graft; CI, confidence interval; CVC, central vein catheter; CRBSI, catheter-related blood stream infection. aData for Period 1 previously reported in 9. Data for Period 1 previously reported in

During period 2, patients with an initial AVF had a lower frequency of angioplasty and thrombectomy, but a similar frequency of CVC exchange, new access creations, and surgical access revisions. Looking at broad categories of access procedures, patients with an initial AVF had a lower frequency of percutaneous procedures, a similar frequency of surgical access procedures, and a lower frequency of all vascular access procedures (185 versus 236 per 100 patient-years, P < 0.001). Finally, the total frequency of CRBSI, as well as the subset of CRBSIs requiring hospitalization, was similar for patients with an initial AVF or AVG, both in period 1 and period 2.

Effect of Vascular Access Strategy on the Cost of Vascular Access Management

We next calculated the median annual cost of vascular access management, using CMS charges for individual vascular access procedures and reimbursement of CRBSI hospitalizations. During period 1, the median annual cost in patients receiving an AVF was higher for surgical procedures but similar for percutaneous procedures and hospitalization for catheter related bacteremia (Figure 3 and Table 5). The overall median annual cost of access management was almost $4000 higher for patients with an initial AVF, as compared with those with an initial AVG ($10,642 versus $6810, P < 0.001). During period 2, the cost for patients with an initial AVF was lower for percutaneous procedures, but similar for surgical procedures and hospitalizations for CRBSI. The median annual cost for overall access management cost was approximately $3000 lesser in patients receiving an initial AVF, as compared with those with an initial AVG ($5481 versus $8253, P < 0.001). The median annual cost of access management in patients with an initial AVF was 48% lower in period 2 versus period 1; the corresponding cost in patients receiving an initial AVG was approximately 21% higher in period 1, as compared with period 2.

Figure 3.: The median annual cost of vascular access management in patients initiating hemodialysis with a central vein catheter and subsequently receiving an initial AVF or AVG during the two study periods. AVF, arteriovenous fistula; AVG, arteriovenous graft; perc, percutaneous procedures; surg, surgical procedures. *P < 0.001.

Table 5. - Median annual vascular access-related costs in patients with an initial arteriovenous fistula or an initial arteriovenous graft in both periods Median annual vascular access-related costs in patients with an initial arteriovenous fistula or an initial arteriovenous graft in both periods Parameter Period 1a (Less Selective for AVF) Period 2 (More Selective for AVF) AVF AVG P Value AVF AVG P Value N patients 295 113 168 116 Percutaneous procedures, median $/yr (IQR) 1879 (3714290) 2438 (4444593) 0.28 1425 (03168) 3164 (7857396) <0.001 Surgical procedures, median $/yr (IQR) 4857 (25238835) 2819 (14114274) <0.001 2907 (15365950) 3880 (17109341) 0.14 CRBSI hospitalizations, median $/yr (IQR) 0 (06345) 0 (07171) 0.13 0 (00) 0 (00) 0.05 Total access cost, median $/yr (IQR) 10,642 (540619,878) 6810 (371813,651) 0.001 5481 (276712,284) 8253 (405121,460) 0.001 AVF, arteriovenous fistula; AVG, arteriovenous graft; IQR, interquartile range; CRBSI, catheter-related blood stream infection. aData for Period 1 previously reported in 9. Data for Period 1 previously reported in

Effect of Vascular Access Strategy on Duration of CVC Dependence

During period 1, the duration of CVC dependence was three-fold higher in patients undergoing an initial AVF versus those with an initial AVG (23.3 versus 8.1 catheter-years per 100 patient-years, P < 0.001) (Figure 4 and Table 6). As compared with period 1, during period 2, the duration of CVC dependence decreased by 11% in patients with an initial AVF, but doubled in those with an initial AVG. The net effect was that CVC dependence during period 2 was only 30% higher in patients with an initial AVF, as compared with those with an initial AVG (20.8 versus 16.0 years per 100 patient-years, P < 0.001).

Figure 4.: CVC dependence per 100 patient-days in patients initiating hemodialysis with a central vein catheter and subsequently receiving an initial AVF or AVG during the two study periods. AVF, arteriovenous fistula; AVG, arteriovenous graft; CVC, central vein catheter. *P < 0.001.

Table 6. - Duration of catheter dependence in both study periods Duration of catheter dependence in both study periods Parameter Period 1 (Less Selective for AVF) Period 2 (More Selective for AVF) AVF AVG AVF-AVG Diff (95% CI) AVF AVG AVF-AVG Diff (95% CI) N of patients 295 113 168 116 Total years of follow-up 1008.6 446.4 607.2 294.7 CVC years 234.8 36.3 126.1 47.2 CVC years/100 patient-years (95% CI) 23.3 (23.1 to 23.4) 8.1 (8.0 to 8.3) 15.2 (11.2 to 19.1) 20.8 (20.6 to 21.0) 16.0 (15.8 to 16.3) 4.8 (1.1 to 10.6) AVF, arteriovenous fistula; AVG, arteriovenous graft; CI, confidence interval; CVC, central vein catheter.

Effect of Vascular Access Strategy on All Patients Initiating Hemodialysis with a CVC and Then Receiving an AVF or AVG

Finally, we assessed the aggregate vascular outcomes in all patients initiating hemodialysis with a CVC who subsequently received a permanent access (AVF or AVG) during the two study periods (Table 7). As compared with period 1, patients in period 2 had a lower annual frequency of percutaneous access procedures and of surgical access procedures and a 15% lower annual frequency of all vascular access procedures (202 versus 238 per 100 patient-years, P < 0.001). In addition, the median cost of access management per patient-year was $9781 (4858, 18,310) in period 1 and $6757 (3315, 15,576) in period 2 (P < 0.001) or approximately $3000 lower in period 2. The reduction in vascular access management cost between period 1 and 2 was observed across multiple patient subgroups (Figure 5). The duration of CVC dependence was virtually identical in both periods, at approximately 19 catheter-years per 100 patient-years.

Table 7. - Comparison of outcomes for all comers (AVF and AVG) in the two periods Comparison of outcomes for all comers (AVF and AVG) in the two periods Parameter Period 1 (Less Selective for AVF) Period 2 (More Selective for AVF) Period 1-Period 2 Difference (95% CI) Patients enrolled 408 284 Total years of follow-up 1455.0 901.9 CVC exchange, total N 715 373 7.8 (2.2 to 13.3) N per 100 pt-year (95% CI) 49.2 (45.6 to 52.9) 41.4 (37.3 to 45.8) Angioplasty, total N 898 324 25.8 (20.2 to 31.4) N per 100 pt-year (95% CI) 61.7 (57.8 to 65.9) 35.9 (32.1 to 40.1) Thrombectomy, total N 580 457 10.8 (16.5 to 5.1) N per 100 pt-year (95% CI) 39.9 (36.7 to 43.2) 50.7 (46.1 to 55.5) All percutaneous procedures, total N 2193 1154 22.8 (13.1 to 32.5) N per 100 pt-year (95% CI) 151 (144 to 157) 128 (121 to 136) Surgical access revisions, total N 488 211 10.1 (5.8 to 14.5) N per 100 pt-yr (95% CI) 33.5 (30.6 to 36.6) 23.4 (20.3 to 26.8) Access creations, total N 784 452 3.8 (2.2 to 9.7) N per 100 pt-year (95% CI) 53.9 (50.2 to 57.8) 50.1 (45.6 to 55.0) All surgical procedures, total N 1272 663 13.9 (6.5 to 21.3) N per 100 pt-year (95% CI) 87.4 (82.7 to 92.4) 73.5 (68.0 to 79.3) All access procedures, total N 3465 1817 36.7 (24.5 to 48.9) N per 100 pt-year (95% CI) 238 (230 to 246) 202 (192 to 211) CRBSI per patient-year, total N 871 89 50.0 (45.5 to 54.5) N per 100 pt-year (95% CI) 59.9 (56.0 to 64.0) 9.9 (7.9 to 12.1) CRBSI hospitalizations, total N 328 32 19.0 (16.3 to 21.7) N per 100 pt-year (95% CI) 22.5 (20.2 to 25.1) 3.5 (2.4 to 5.0) CVC years, total N 271.1 173.3 0.5 (4.2 to 3.0) N per 100 pt-years (95% CI) 18.6 (67.5 to 68.6) 19.2 (19.1 to 19.4) AVF, arteriovenous fistula; AVG, arteriovenous graft; CI, confidence interval; CVC, central vein catheter; CRBSI, catheter-related blood stream infection.

Figure 5.: Median annual vascular access management costs in Periods 1 and 2 among subsets of patients initiating hemodialysis with a central vein catheter and subsequently receiving any permanent accessAVF or AVG. AVF, arteriovenous fistula; AVG, arteriovenous graft; CHF, congestive heart failure; DM, diabetes; PVD, peripheral vascular disease. *P < 0.01.

Discussion

This study assessed the effect of a change in vascular access strategy from a less selective one (Fistula First) to a more selective strategy avoiding AVF creation in patients believed to be at high risk for AVF failure. During the period with the more selective access strategy, the proportion of patients receiving an initial AVG increased from 28% to 41%. The change in vascular access strategy resulted in three major changes in patients with an initial AVF. First, it decreased the annual frequency of vascular access procedures by approximately 25%. Second, it decreased the median annual cost of vascular access management by almost half. Third, it resulted in a modest (11%) decrease in the duration of CVC dependence. When the aggregate analysis was performed for all patients (whether they received an AVF or AVG), the more selective access policy decreased the annual frequency of access procedures by 15% and decreased the median annual access cost by $3000, but it had a minimal effect on the duration of CVC dependence.

What might account for these striking differences in vascular access outcomes with the two vascular access strategies? It has been previously documented that the frequency and cost of access procedures is particularly high among patients with AVF nonmaturation.25,26 AVF nonmaturation is known to be higher in older patients and those with cardiovascular comorbidities.5,6,8 A less selective AVF policy effectively combines patients who are at low risk for AVF failure (who incur a lower access procedure frequency and cost) and those who are at high risk for AVF failure (who incur a higher access procedure frequency and cost). Selectively removing the high-risk patients from the AVF pool would be expected to reduce the access burden in this group. This change in strategy was reflected in the younger age and lower prevalence of cardiovascular disease in patients receiving an AVF versus an AVG during period 2. In other words, older individuals or those with severe cardiovascular disease judged to be at high risk for AVF failure were now more likely to receive an AVG, while younger patients with a lower risk of AVF failure continued to receive an AVF preferentially. This approach is consistent with the updated 2019 Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative vascular access guidelines.10

Importantly, the overall effect of changing the vascular access strategy on vascular access outcomes was not a zero-sum game, wherein one simply shifts the entire burden of procedures and their costs from patients receiving an initial AVF to those receiving an AVG. It is apparent that the decrease in access procedure frequency and cost between period 1 and 2 was substantial in the AVF group, whereas the corresponding increases in the AVG group were much more modest. The net effect was a decrease in both the frequency and cost of access procedures in the overall dialysis population initiating hemodialysis with a CVC and subsequently receiving an AVF or AVG.

The changes in duration of CVC dependence during the two study periods is particularly instructive. Whereas many studies have reported on time to CVC independence after placement of the initial vascular access, only two have investigated the long-term duration of CVC dependence in patients receiving an AVF or AVG, extending beyond successful use of the initial access.27,28 Neither of these studies directly compared long-term CVC dependence between patients receiving an AVF and an AVG. This study observed that during a less-selective vascular access strategy, the duration of CVC dependence was substantially higher in patients receiving an initial AVF, as compared with an AVG. Transitioning to a more selective vascular access strategy, decreased CVC dependence in the AVF group and increased it in the AVG group, greatly diminishing the differences between the two groups. The overall effect of the initial vascular access on long-term CVC dependence could not have been easily predicted because placing an initial AVG decreases CVC dependence before its successful use for dialysis (as AVGs can be used sooner than AVFs), but it also increases CVC dependence after the AVG (with its shorter secondary patency) fails. Fortunately, the differences in the duration of CVC dependence did not translate into differences in the frequency of CRBSI, suggesting that the infection control policies at our dialysis units were effective in minimizing the risk of CRBSI in CVC-dependent patients.

It is important to recognize that we did not provide the clinicians with prediction algorithms to guide their decision making. Rather, we provided them with a review of the relevant medical literature, and simply asked them to avoid AVF placement in those patients in whom they believed AVF maturation was unlikely. Given the relevant information from published studies, and their personal experience with vascular access outcomes in different patients, clinicians made the optimal risk-based choice of access in most patients.

This study has several major strengths. First, the vascular access data were collected prospectively, providing a high degree of confidence in their accuracy, completeness, and unbiased assessments. Second, each study period lasted for several years, so that the frequency of vascular access procedures reflects a balanced view of the relative tradeoffs between AVFs and AVGs.29 During short-term follow-up, AVGs are superior to AVFs because they have a lower nonmaturation rate and are less likely to require an intervention to assist maturation. During long-term follow-up, AVFs are superior to AVGs because they have longer secondary patency and require fewer interventions to maintain this patency. Third, our study represents a long-term intent-to-treat analysis that incorporates not just the outcome of the initial vascular access but also the outcomes of subsequent accesses placed after the first one fails. Fourth, this study is one of only a handful which has quantified the cost of vascular access management.9,26,30

Our study also has some limitations. First, it represents the experience of a single large academic medical center, and the results may not generalize to all dialysis practices. For example, our dialysis population had a high proportion of Black patients, and AVF outcomes are worse in Black than White hemodialysis patients.31 Second, this study focused only on patients who had already initiated hemodialysis with a CVC before receiving an AVF or AVG. A comparison of AVFs and AVGs placed in pre-ESKD patients may be quite different because those patients are not CVC-dependent. Third, our analysis of vascular access management costs represents the fee-for-service medical reimbursement schedule inherent to most of the US health care system. A similar analysis in other countries may yield different results. Finally, this was an observational study comparing two periods using two different patient cohorts, and the analysis did not adjust for possible confounders.

The approach to vascular access in the United States has evolved dramatically over the past few years. The 2006 KQOQI vascular access guidelines were highly prescriptive and strongly encouraged clinicians to maximize AVF placement.3 The updated 2019 guidelines are much more nuanced, suggesting that clinical judgment is paramount.10 Our study demonstrates that if you give clinicians leeway in determining the optimal access for each patient, there is a large benefit in overall reduction in the burden of access procedures and access costs. At our academic center, a relatively modest increase in AVG placement, from 28% to 41%, resulted in substantial benefit in the frequency and cost of vascular access management. It is likely that the optimal proportion of initial AVF and AVG placements will differ at different dialysis centers, depending on the relative patient age and burden of cardiovascular comorbidities.
Robber's Cave tour guide and author Joel Green will present History of Robber's Cave as Postcards from Lincoln, a speaker series about the history of Lincoln, Nebraska, returns Monday to Saint Paul United Methodist Church, 1144 M St.

In this fourth season of the speaker series, Saint Paul will welcome back Lincoln historians Ed Zimmer and Jim McKee as well as new speakers to share their expertise. The series is open to everyone, and it will feature some of Lincolns most preeminent figures specializing in our citys history and individuals who helped make that history.
Naphis Temple No. 66, Daughters of the Nile, welcomed Her Supreme Majesty Patricia J. Larimore of the Supreme Temple, Daughters of the Nile, to Lincoln on Friday, Sept. 8. She is a member of Arok Temple No. 94 in Lewiston, Maine.

Larimore is making her way through the Midwest with visits to temples in Minnesota, South Dakota, Nebraska and Kansas.

Daughters of the Nile is an international fraternal organization for women 18 or older. They are related by birth or marriage to a Shriner, Master Mason or a Daughter of the Nile. They may also be a majority member in good standing of a Masonic-related organization for girls or a former patient at a Shriners Childrens Hospital without Masonic family affliation.

Founded in Seattle, Washington, in 1913, Daughters of the Nile members total over 16,910 in 130 cities in the United States, Canada, and Central and South America. Members have a long association with Shriners International and continuing support of Shriners Childrens Hospitals and Medical Care Clinics.

Naphis Temple No. 66 was chartered by 22 founding members on Oct. 6, 1944, in the State Suite of the Hotel Cornhusker. The Scottish Rite Temple, Valley of Lincoln, has hosted the Temple since 1945.

This past year, members of Naphis Temple No. 66 contributed over $300,000 to support the Shriners Childrens Hospitals and Medical Care Clinics by making a difference in the life of a child, one child at a time, providing a better quality of life.
Fall Out Boy will stop in Omaha in April as part of the sequel to the band's So Much For (Tour) Dust tour, the band announced Thursday.

The Grammy-nominated and multi-platinum selling rock band will perform at the CHI Health Center Arena on April 5, according to a press release.

The band announced the So Much For (2our) Dust tour, which includes more than 20 stops across the U.S., "due to overwhelming demand," the press release said. The tour will follow the band's initial So Much For (Tour) Dust tour, which wrapped up its North American leg on Wednesday.

The Omaha concert will fall near the end of the tour, which will kick off Feb. 28 in Portland, Oregon, and end April 6 in Minneapolis.

Fall Out Boy released its eighth studio album "So Much (for) Stardust" in March. The band is known for tracks such as "Sugar We're Going Down" and "My Songs Know What You Did in the Dark (Light Em Up)."

Ticket pre-sales will begin Wednesday, at 9:30 a.m. and general tickets will be available Sept. 15 at 10 a.m. More information is available at falloutboy.com/tour.

Top Journal Star photos for August 2023
(This is a reprint of a Jim McKee column that ran on March 17, 2013.)

Elizabeth Dolan, perhaps known by most only for her painting Spirit of the Prairie in the state Capitol and her wall-sized background paintings at the Nebraska State Museum in Morrill Hall on the University of Nebraska campus, was once considered one of the finest fresco painters in the United States.

Elizabeth Honor Dolans childhood is difficult to chronicle, and though her parents, John and Mary Dolan, emigrated from Ireland and she was born in Fort Dodge, Iowa, even the year of her birth is difficult to nail down. Various biographical articles have her born in 1871, 1875, 1884 and 1887.

The Dolans and their six children were said to have moved to Tecumseh when Elizabeth was a baby. Elizabeth Dolan enrolled at the University of Nebraska in the 1891-92 school year, indicating that the 1871 birth year, as reported by a cousin well after she died, is probably a fairly accurate one. Although Dolan did not register for 1892-93 or the following year, she did pop up again in 1894 when she studied art with Sarah Hayden. Although her father does not ever show up in Lincoln, her mother, Mary, is noted as being a teacher at Park School, the widow of John Dolan, and living at 1320 D St. in 1895.

After a considerable unexplained gap, Dolan enrolled at the Chicago Art Institute in October of 1912, then continued as a scholarship student until graduating in 1914. One of her teachers called her the most talented student he had ever had. Dolan then spent three years at the Art Institute League in New York City before attending the Julian Academy in Paris. Another scholarship at the Conservatoire Americain Fontainebleau south of Paris, enabled Dolan to study fresco painting, which, in turn, led to commissions for frescoes in France and Italy. In 1925, while designing windows for Tiffany, she also exhibited at the Paris Salon.

In 1926, Dolan received a commission to do a series of murals for the new Elephant Hall and adjacent rooms at Morrill Hall and thus returned to Lincoln, living at 1637 D St. These paintings were applied directly to the plaster walls, some of which were not smooth surfaces, enabling her to match brush strokes and designs so that they appear three-dimensional. It was noted in an article at the that time that she was probably the only woman in the country practicing the once lost art of fresco painting.

Bertram Grosvenor Goodhue, architect of the state Capitol, amidst an argument as to whether he had to put out for bid artwork for the new building, as you do plumbers, commissioned Augustus Vincent Tack as the first artist. His works were all to be oil on canvas which in turn would be glued to the walls. Elizabeth Dolan then became the second artist to be hired. Her work, Spirit of the Prairie, was, though also oil on canvas, painted on site and literally donated, because she charged the state $85 for paint, $25 for canvas and two months living expenses of $200. The painting, which is above the north door to the state library, depicts a mother with a baby in her arms, a boy and dog at her feet, looking to the east. With no damaging direct sunlight but east and west-facing windows, the large painting, which slightly surrounds the upper portion of the door, is nearly perfectly placed.

The year 1930 also saw Dolan selling Miller & Paine department store 10 paintings for its ever-growing collection in honor of the stores 50th anniversary; the most famous of this set was placed in the ladies lounge and visible from the stores interior. When Miller & Paine closed, the painting was placed in an O Street window and offered for sale. Then-Gov. Kay Orr suggested it be purchased by the state, and it then was moved to the south wall of the mall level of the State Office Building. From there it traveled to the conference room of then-State Auditor John Breslow and today is in the Supreme Courts ladies lounge in the southeast quadrant of the Capitol.

In 1932, Dolan received a commission to paint a mural for The Age of Man in the American Museum of Natural History in New York City. In the early 1930s, she had maintained a studio in Lincoln on the second floor of the Lansing/Oliver Theatre building on the southwest corner of 13th and P streets and for at least a year said it was her residence as well.

Still, today, the once widely renowned, chain-smoking, strikingly red-haired, Elizabeth Honor Dolan, who was said to have stunning large blue eyes and literally was paranoid about people watching her at work, is largely unknown/forgotten outside Lincoln.
Creighton University recently unveiled a new institute focused on improving health outcomes in Nebraska, with specific goals of improving access to health care and helping to address health inequities in the community.

The Rev. Daniel Hendrickson, Creightons president, announced the creation of the Institute for Population Health in an address on the universitys Omaha campus and in another on its Phoenix, Arizona, campus.

The Institute for Population Health embodies our mission of service and justice, bringing together our Creighton community with our partners to identify concrete solutions that enhance individual well-being and eliminate systemic barriers to health equity broadly, Hendrickson said in a statement.

Dr. Scott Shipman, a Lincoln native who earned his medical degree at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, serves as executive director of the new institute. He returned to Nebraska last fall after serving as director of clinical innovations and primary care initiatives with the Association of American Medical Colleges in Washington, D.C.

In that position, he said, he worked with large academic health systems to think about ways to redesign clinical models to root out inefficiencies and improve communication and coordination among providers.

Driving the creation of the institute is the high cost of health care in the United States, which despite that investment has the lowest life expectancy among other, lower-spending wealthy nations. The U.S. spent more than $4.3 trillion on health care in 2021, which represents 18.3% of the nations gross domestic product.

Shipman said one focus of the institute is promoting high-value care. That is generally considered to be preventive care such as childhood immunizations and certain cancer screenings that can head off more serious and costly problems later on but that often is underused by people with multiple chronic health conditions and low-income and minority groups.

The new institute is going to focus a significant part of its attention on how we can make the delivery of health care better, improve access and root out waste and inefficiency, he said.

The institute also will focus on health disparities created by the health care system, including barriers to access for certain populations and implicit biases in health care, Shipman said.

Accessing health care is a challenge for many in the U.S. and is a particular challenge in rural areas. Some 35% of Nebraskans live in rural areas, according to the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, more than double the national average.

Rural access to surgical care was the focus of the inaugural Creighton-CHI Health Equity in Rural Surgery Symposium Friday in Omaha. Shipman hosted the symposium with Dr. Waddah Al-Refaie, the new chairman of the Creighton School of Medicines surgery department.

But while the health care system will be one focus, Shipman said, the institute also recognizes that 80% of the factors that determine health outcomes are not medical. They include individuals health behaviors and the conditions in which they are born, live and work, such as access to affordable food and housing.

Given that, he said, the institute will focus on supporting population health at the community level by working with community-based organizations, those that already have established, trusted relationships in the community, to help them do even better at what they do. That could mean bringing the universitys resources to bear to help such groups build capacity and skills, as well as supporting their evaluation of interventions in the community.

The institute, he said, will be building an approach known as implementation science, which he used in his previous position. It involves applying best practices, turning ideas into successfully executed interventions and evaluating those interventions along the way to find out whether theyre working. Those that are can be scaled up in ways that will be sustainable.

Its building on that experience that I want to bring here, said Shipman, who also trained in pediatrics at Dartmouth College and earned a masters degree in public health at Johns Hopkins University.

In addition to partnering with community groups, another key to the institutes work will be leveraging data to raise awareness about needs in the community and to drive action. Shipman will work in partnership with CHI Health, Creightons clinical partner, and CyncHealth, which provides health care data to providers throughout Nebraska.

A second symposium Oct. 23-24, which will be open to the public, will focus on using population health to build healthier communities. The symposium, Building Bridges for Healthier Communities, will include national experts on population health and breakout sessions with Creighton faculty and community leaders. Registration and additional information are available at https://www.creighton.edu/events/university-symposium-population-health-building-bridges-healthier-communities.

Top Journal Star photos for August 2023
The Nebraska State Fair had its best year for attendance since before the coronavirus pandemic.

The fair on Friday announced that 311,900 people attended the 11-day event in Grand Island, 8.5% more than last year. It was also the first time the fair broke the 300,000 mark since 2018.

State Fair Executive Director Jaime Parr said she was pleased with the numbers, especially considering unseasonable heat over Labor Day Weekend.

We had plenty of heat, as well as some rain and lightning, but we had some really pleasant weather days, too," Parr said in a news release. "A little bit of everything. Despite the hot closing weekend, attendance was really solid.

Photos: 2023 Nebraska State Fair

This day in history: The last State Fair in Lincoln Midway on the last day Getting ready Camel rides Salute Picking prizes Color Guard Racing pigs Steer Last night Wii gaming Trains Serving food Snake handling Enjoying the rides Fire swalllowing At the fair At the fun house Waiting to show Waiting for a shirt
Registration is open for the 2023 Nebraska Youth Climate Summit, a free event that will take place from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Friday, Sept. 22, at the University of Nebraska-Lincolns East Campus Union.

The summit will feature youth-led presentations and interactive activities, conversations with climate action leaders from across Nebraska, lunch and a keynote presentation by Louise Mabulo, a young environmentalist, farmer and chef from the Philippines.

Participants can also interact with each other in breakout sessions.

The event is open to young people ages 15-25. Educators and adult sponsors who wish to bring student groups to participate are also encouraged to register.

Were excited to have Louise Mabulo share her story of the power of resilience, imagination and courage to address the causes and impacts of climate change, said event organizer Ken Winston.

We are also excited that young people will be able to learn from experts, share experiences and expand their imaginations about solutions to the climate crisis.

This years summit will also feature presentations on renewable energy, new agricultural methods and sustainable business, as well as an update on climate planning by Nebraska State Climatologist Dr. Martha Durr.

The Nebraska Youth Climate Summit started in 2016. The summits provide unique opportunities for young people to have conversations with elected officials, learn about methods of civic engagement from a variety of perspectives, including conservative policy ideas, foster intergenerational connections and advocate for solutions to the climate crisis.

The event is supported by a grant from Humanities Nebraska. Sponsors include Nebraska Interfaith Power & Light, Nebraska Sierra Club, Nebraskans for Peace, Nebraska Elder Climate Legacy, Conservation Nebraska, Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute, Carson+Co Global, and multiple UNL colleges, departments and organizations.

Learn more and register at www.nebraskaipl.org/nebraska_youth_climate.
AURORA OFFERS CLASSESBURLINGTON  Aurora Health Care is offering these classes:

Free Blood Pressure Clinic  8 a.m. to noon and 1-4:30 p.m. every Wednesday. To make an appointment, call 262-767-8000.

Exercise class  3:30-4:30 p.m. Sept. 19, 26; Oct. 3, 10, 17, 24, 31; Nov. 7, 14, 21, 28. Wisconsin Parkinson Association Movement and Music Exercise Classes are free and held in Classroom C at Aurora Wellness Center, 300 McCanna Parkway, Burlington. The classes incorporate stretches, strength training, posture, balance and walking drills, as well as vocal exercises. Modifications will be provided to ensure a safe and effective setting for all participants. Caregivers also are welcome. To register, email maryw@wiparkinson.org or call 414-430-3561.

Preparing for Labor and Birth  6-8:30 p.m. Oct. 11 and 18, and Nov. 8 and 15 via Zoom. This two-session class will teach expectant parents what they need to prepare for the childbirth experience, including anatomy, the process of labor and delivery, and medical and non-medical care options. Relaxation techniques for coping with contractions will be briefly practiced. To register, visit aurora.org/events.

Memory Cafe  9:30-10:30 a.m., Oct. 20 and Nov. 17 at Aurora Wellness Center, Classroom C. The free Memory Cafe is a comfortable social gathering that allows people experiencing memory loss and a loved one to connect, socialize and build new support networks. For information, or first-time attendees, contact Chad at 262-212-3596 or csutkay@touchinghearts.com.

Walk with a Doc  8:30-9:30 a.m., Oct. 21 and Nov. 18. The topic for September is vaccine updates (Kristin Cassidy M.D.). Octobers topic is Whats in with Skin? (Sarah Kaldem N.P.) and the topic for November is foot health and longevity (Kevin Liberty DPM). Walk with a Doc is free and no registration is required. Participants should meet in the front entrance vestibule by the flagpole at Burlington High School.

Stepping On Workshop  1-3 p.m. Mondays, Sept. 18 through Oct. 30 at Aurora Wellness Center, Classroom C, 300 McCanna Parkway, Burlington. This free workshop is for those age 60-plus who live independently and can help participants avoid dangerous and costly falls. Attendees will learn to identify and remove or avoid fall hazards both inside and outside their homes; how vision, hearing, medication and footwear affect their risk of falling; strength and balance exercises they can adapt to their individual level; and how to get back on their feet the right way if they do fall. To register, visit aurora.org/events or call 800-499-5736 for more information.

Infant CPR & Safety  6-7:15 p.m. Sept. 27, Oct. 25 and Nov. 29 via Zoom. This non-certification class is recommended for families with infants and small children to learn rescue breathing, CPR, safe sleep guidelines, SIDS reduction strategies and infant/child safety. To register visit aurora.org/events.

Breastfeeding Basics  6-7:30 p.m. Oct. 5 and 7:30-9 p.m. Nov. 2 via Zoom. This course will help expectant mothers have a better breastfeeding experience by learning how to establish a healthy supply of milk; how to help baby latch; how to know if baby is getting enough milk; different breastfeeding positions and who to call if help is needed. To register visit aurora.org/events.

Stroke Support Group  1-2:30 p.m. Oct. 16 in Classroom C, lower level, at Aurora Lakeland Medical Center. This free group provides emotional support through opportunities to interact with other who have experienced stroke. Informational programs also will be provided about topics related to stroke/brain attack. The group welcomes individuals newly diagnosed, as well as those with a history of stroke. To register, visit aurora.org/events, call 800-499-5736 or email communityeducation@aah.org.

Bringing Baby Home  Nov. 2 via Zoom. This class helps families prepare for their baby by covering the essentials of caring for baby during the first few months, including feeding, diapering, comforting, sleep schedules, signs of illness and when to call the pediatrician. To register visit aurora.org/events.

Nonprofit organizations can submit class/workshop press releases to to community@journaltimes.com.

Nonprofit organizations can submit class/workshop press releases to Loreen Mohr, Lmohr@journaltimes.com.
Look out next weekend for John Rileys 1955 Ford Thunderbird, his 1967 Ford Mustang, or even his 1914 Model T  theyll all be out at the Hill and Valley Antique Auto and Americana Show.

So will 15 more of Rileys restored vintage cars, along with another expected 100 vehicles brought in from across southern Wisconsin with a lot of years  and history  under the hood.

The Hill and Valley show will return to Cross Plains for its 40th year Sept. 16 with not only a scenic parade of antique cars, but also a field of nostalgic displays, including demonstrations in old-time arts such as blacksmithing and woodcarving. Visitors can eat corn on the cob cooked on a working steam engine, try a cider press or learn how to spell their name in code for an old-fashioned telegram.

Let me step back 30 years or so, said Don Chandler, an organizer of the show. At that time there were people who still had, in their past, a mom or uncle who had a Model A or a Chevrolet and maybe drove them to high school in it. And now they come here and see that car, and theyre bubbling over with joy. Its something that can take you back and make you happy.

Anyone with a car 20 years or older is welcome to bring their vehicle for display, and to participate in the 22-mile hill and valley scenic auto tour departing around 10 a.m. Horse-drawn vehicles, antique tractors, stationary engines, antique trucks and more will be on view.

In another popular event, visitors can wager a guess at how long it will take a team to turn a pile of Model T Ford car parts into a working engine. The best guess wins a door prize.

Sponsored by the Wisconsin Capital Model T Ford Club, the Hill and Valley Antique Auto and Americana Show was the brainchild of Chandler, who as a baby in 1937 was brought home from the hospital in a 1928 Model A coupe.

He recalls when his dad came home with a 1934 Ford during World War II. It was a very exciting car to us that helped kindle a lifelong love of cars, he said.

Chandler recruited friend Don Mahoney, now 96, to share his skills as a railroad telegrapher at the Americana show, and Mahoneys been participating ever since, too.

With a partner, he sets up a Western Union office to demonstrate how telegrams are sent around the world, said Mahoney, who taught himself how to telegraph when he was a 15-year-old high school sophomore during World War II.

Its always a big attraction at the show, he said. It brings back the old memories of how it used to be.

Riley, 49, helps with the set-up and logistics for the show. Hes been restoring cars as a hobby since he was 12 years old, working alongside his late father, Bob Riley. While he has a vast collection of gleaming antique vehicles, Rileys sentimental favorite is a creamy-white Chevrolet Corvette dating from 1953, the year the model debuted.

My dad always had an old Thunderbird or Corvette in the garage he was tinkering with, said Riley, whose late mother was longtime East High School principal and community volunteer Vera Riley.

Riley's own education in the restoration of cars and even military vehicles has all been trial and error, he said. The first car I painted, I think I had to paint eight times.

Over the years one of his own daughters, Lainie, also caught the car restoration bug and is a regular presence at the show. This year shell be home from college to flip pancakes at the events early-morning pancake breakfast.

Organizers are looking for more exhibitors who want to demonstrate their old-time skills for visitors, such as quilters, wagon wheel makers, and more, Riley said. Interested craftspeople should email lrchandler@tds.net.

"Its more than just an old car show," Riley said. "Its trying to re-create a time past, of early American life.

The most popular cars people are financing in every state The most popular cars people are financing in every state Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Washington DC Florida Hawaii Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Vermont Virginia West Virginia Wyoming
UNION GROVE  The No Nukes movement is alive and well, and is visiting Racine County to deliver a message of peace.

The Golden Rule Peace Boat, a symbol of the movement since the 1950s, stopped in the Racine area this week during a voyage to promote its quest for banning nuclear weapons.

The sailboat docked for several days at the Racine lakefront, and members of the crew visited Racine and Union Grove to spread the word.

Gerry Condon, a coordinator of the Golden Rule project, told a Union Grove audience that nuclear weapons remain a serious threat, despite decades of deterrence.

It may seem like its old stuff, Condon said. But its very much present.

On an 11,000-mile journey around the Great Lakes and the Midwest, the Golden Rule pulled into Racine on Tuesday and docked at Reefpoint Marina. The crew then visited Union Grove for an event Wednesday at the Ground Zero Veterans Outreach center.

Condon and others showed a video documentary about the Golden Rule, and fielded questions about the No Nukes movement.

Donna Kelly, a manager of the Ground Zero center, 1011 Main St., said she hopes the event persuades Racine County residents to think about the risks of nuclear war.

Since the U.S.-Soviet Cold War ended 30 years ago, Kelly said, many people seem to have forgotten about nuclear weapons.

Theyre still out there, she said. And theyre still easily accessible.

Nine countries currently possess nuclear weapons: the United States, Russia, China, France, the United Kingdom, India, Pakistan, Israel, and North Korea.

After the United States dropped nuclear bombs on Japan in World War II, a group of American peace activists launched the Golden Rule in 1958 and headed for a U.S. nuclear testing site near Hawaii to protest. The activists were arrested and their boat was seized.

The sailboat later sunk, but it was salvaged, rebuilt and returned to No Nukes activism starting in 2015.

From Racine, the group was headed for Chicago.

Condon told his audience in Union Grove that even though nuclear weapons have not been used in battle since WWII, the threat seems significant in Russias current war against Ukraine.

The political leaders of the worlds nine nuclear nations have shown restraint and chosen diplomacy for more than 70 years, Condon said.

But, he said: I dont think we can count on that forever. We have to learn a new way.

25 facts about nuclear weapons 25 facts about nuclear weapons Countries armed with nuclear weapons Trying to stop nuclear proliferation Refusing to agree to the accord Large arsenals of the late 1960s China's "modest" nuclear weapons stockpile Lost bombs and other missing nuclear devices To launch or not in 12 minutes Assassinating Iran's top nuclear scientists Blackout at Iran's nuclear fuel enrichment facility U.S., Iran negotiate nuclear deal Iran steps up uranium enrichment A weapon as large as a minivan Largest weapon in U.S. stockpile Billions for nuclear deterrent $600 billion to modernize nuclear arsenal U.N. tries to ban nuclear weapons U.S. offers a "nuclear umbrella" Withdrawing forward-deployed weapons in the Pacific Estimates on North Korea's nuclear capabilities North Korea unveils enormous new missile North Korea tests nuclear bombs Trump, Kim Jong-un meet in historic summit Second North Korea, U.S. summit held in Hanoi Trump crosses into DMZ separating two Koreas Russia-Ukraine War raises concerns about Russia's use of nuclear arsenal
1. Yes. If KHA cant continue to run it, the city should step in. Its a necessary asset to the area.

2. Yes. The city already uses it as a warming and cooling center. It would be a smart move.

3. No. It may be in the citys interest to help subsidize insurance for the center, but nothing more.

4. No. The city doesnt need the added burden of staffing and insuring the center. Its a bad idea.

5. Unsure. It may be seem like a good idea, but other options should be explored as well.

Vote

View Results
The town of Campbell may have some extra help soon in its fight against high PFAS levels in its water.

U.S. Rep. Derrick Van Orden stopped by Campbells town hall Friday to discuss $2 million included in the proposed Interior and Environment Appropriations Bill that, if passed by Congress after it reconvenes this month, will go to the town of Campbell Water Utility to help provide drinkable tap water to residents.

Campbell Town Chairman Dan Kapanke said over 1,400 homes have used bottled instead of tap water for the past 3 years due to the contamination of private wells.

The town aims to create a municipal water system utilizing deeper wells, but a cost estimate for the project likely wont be available for another six months to a year.

Van Orden said Friday that a firefighting mandate created by the federal government is to blame for the contamination, though at the time the dangers of the chemicals used were unknown.

The fire suppressant Aqueous Film Forming Foam, which contains PFAS, was once required to be used on airfields like the La Crosse Airport and by fire departments. Actual firefighting activities as well as training with the chemicals caused water in the area to be contaminated by PFAS, sometimes called forever chemicals because they do not break down in the environment.

If the federal government said that you are going to do this and it turns out theres negative consequences of this, its the federal governments responsibility to clean this up, Van Orden said.

The federal government has a financial responsibility directly to these communities that were mandated to use these chemicals, he said.

Van Orden said the funding, which would be distributed through the United States Environmental Protection Agencys Drinking Water State Revolving Fund, has been worked on by a bipartisan group in Washington, D.C.

Theres no reason that you should have to have bottled water in your house provided by the state, Van Orden said. This is the United States of America in 2023, you should be able to turn your tap on and drink out of it.

Van Orden emphasized that funding for Campbell, along with other area communities like Eau Claire, is a top priority for the group working on it.

We will leverage all of the power that we have from the federal government, all of our resources, he said.

Van Orden said the funding, which he said starts at $2 million but may grow, will hopefully start to be distributed next year.

A group of French Island residents whose wells have been contaminated with PFAS filed a $42M lawsuit against the city of La Crosse. The city operates the airport.

The 2023-25 state biennial budget approved in June includes $125 million to remove PFAS contaminants in the states ground and drinking water. How and where that money will be spent is not outlined in the budget document.
Seven-time American Ninja Warrior competitor Maggi Thorne is no stranger to flying on Southwest Airlines, now traveling the country as a motivational speaker, but something unexpected happened on a recent flight.

On a midday Southwest flight from Omaha, Nebraska, to Orlando, Florida, she says she was shamed for her outfit by a flight attendant and told she might have to cover up. The flight attendant told her she, didnt think I was appropriately dressed, Thorne said. Thorne posted the story to X, formerly known as Twitter, last week with a photo of her outfit: an athleisure crop top and loose, high-waisted pants.

Thorne refused to cover up and reported the incident to another flight attendant after looking for and failing to find a passenger dress code policy. Thorne also said she messaged a friend, who happens to be a Southwest flight attendant, and asked her if she was aware of any such policy, to which her friend responded no. Initially, the second flight attendant said there was a policy for appropriate dress, but the situation diffused and Thorne was able to travel to her destination uninterrupted.

Other similar incidents involving Southwest have been reported in the past. Melinna Bobadilla claimed last summer that she was removed from a flight for defending a young woman being shamed and harassed by an employee for wearing a tank top that was deemed too revealing, she said in a viral Twitter thread that has since been made private.

In October 2020, Chicago woman Kayla Eubanks said she was stopped from boarding her flight for her attire and that, after demanding to see the policy that allowed that, the gate agent could not find the policy but would not relent until the flight captain loaned her a T-shirt. The Independent reported on the event, which was also posted to X.

There are more, and the vast majority of incidents like Thornes happen to women.

While other airlines have come under fire for attire-related incidents, notably American, United and Alaska Airlines, Southwest appears to make headlines most often for its interpretation of appropriate attire.

Chris Perry, a representative for Southwest, said in an email that Southwest does not have a customer dress code policy.

However, Southwests guide to traveling on a guest pass states travelers should dress to impress. While Southwests dress code is relaxed and casual, you will be expected to present a clean, well-groomed and tasteful appearance.

Additionally, the airlines ticket contract  its so-called contract of carriage that defines terms of use for flying on a plane  specifies that the carrier may, in its sole discretion, refuse to transport, or may remove from an aircraft at any point, any passenger.  Engaging in lewd, obscene or patently offensive behavior, including wearing clothes that are lewd, obscene, or patently offensive.

Other airlines have similar clauses in their ticket fine print.

Delta may refuse to transport passengers when the passengers conduct, attire, hygiene or odor creates an unreasonable risk of offense or annoyance to other passengers. United singles out passengers who are barefoot, not properly clothed, or whose clothing is lewd, obscene or offensive.

Americans contract says, Dress appropriately; bare feet or offensive clothing arent allowed.

The vaguely worded policies leave much room for interpretation. In the case of Southwest, Perry said: Our employees are responsible for following our contract of carriage.

Many have responded to these incidents on social media and beyond, calling out the disproportionate effect attire policies seem to have on women.

Incidents such as what happened to Thorne are rare in the grand scheme of things, but they are not without a lasting impact.

(I felt) shamed, embarrassed, Thorne said. I was definitely singled out, so I was frustrated.

She also took issue with the fact that the flight attendant did this in front of other passengers and not in private: It wasnt discreet.

Southwest has filed a formal complaint with senior leadership on Thornes behalf, but there is no specific policy on recourse for passengers like Thorne who feel they have been unfairly judged for their dress.

Southwests contract of carriage says, A passenger who is so refused or removed is without further recourse to the carrier for any damages claimed by passenger, including the refund value of any unused portion of their ticket, and may be liable to carrier for costs and damages.

In the case of Eubanks, whose Twitter post received over 40,000 likes, Southwest refunded her fare as a gesture of goodwill, according to The Independent.

I havent previously had any issues, Thorne said. I was in disbelief.

Top 10 safest airlines to fly on right now Top 10 safest airlines to fly on right now Hawaiian Airlines Delta Airlines Alaska Airlines American Airlines United Airlines International: Qatar Airways International: Qantas Airways International: Etihad Airways International: Air New Zealand International: Singapore Airlines Safest low-cost airlines in 2023
The Economist Proclaims Love for Neoliberalism, but That Argentinas Milei Wont Do as President

Sept. 8, 2023, 2022 (EIRNS)The Economist is getting picky about which neoliberal it thinks would be the best choice to most effectively destroy Argentina, when people go to the polls on Oct. 22. In its Sept. 7 article entitled Can Radical Libertarianism Save Argentina? the City of London weekly rag reports that, after a three-hour interview with self-proclaimed anarcho-capitalist Javier Milei, the extremist devotee of the Austrian School of economics who came in first in the Aug. 13 primaries, it has concluded that hes not the right man for the job.

Does London fear that if elected, Milei might become a Frankensteins monster who couldnt be controlled? Of course The Economist wants to see a return to real liberalism in bloated statist Argentina, which it describes as a place of venal and incompetent politicians plagued by sclerotic state companies. But the problem with Milei is that he is too intemperate, rash and outlandish and could become an authoritarian, if things dont go his way. So, it asserts, little about Mr. Milei suggests he is the savior Argentina needs. The article proceeds with various explanations as to why Mileis proposed dollarization wont workthe country, in fact, has no dollars; why getting rid of the central bank isnt feasible, and that, even if dollarization could stop the state from printing money, it wouldnt automatically restrain Argentinas profligate fiscal policy.

The Economist doesnt mention that some of Mileis top advisers have begun to walk back his plans for dollarization, shutting down the central bank, and ending all social welfare programs, apparently trying to give him a more moderate face. But, warning that Argentina is close to default, the article cautions that the next President will have to go to the IMF cap in hand and Milei plainly lacks the right temperament for the kind of delicate, diplomatic task negotiating with the IMF would require.

Mileis support for Brazils Jair Bolsonaro and for Donald Trumps anti-democratic tactics are problematic, The Economist considers, and even points to the troubling fact that his running mate, Victoria Villarruel, is a former defender of soldiers accused of atrocities during the 1976-83 military dictatorship, and plays up the crimes of left-wing guerrillas who fought the junta, rather than the bloodier acts of the junta itself. Thats pretty rich coming from the City of London, whose bankers never shed a tear over the atrocities carried out by the military junta, whose Finance Minister Jose Martinez de Hoz, was their Eton-bred man, and whose fascist economic policies were enforced by the juntas brutal repression.
VOA Learning English presents Americas Presidents.

Today we are talking about Warren Harding. He was the 29th president of the United States.

Harding was very different from the 28th president, Woodrow Wilson.

Wilson supported change; Harding promised a return to normalcy.

Wilson took steps to protect American workers; Harding often worked to protect business owners.

Wilson was slow in supporting voting rights for women, and in accepting African-American people as equal to whites. Harding supported womens suffrage and civil rights for African-Americans.

Yet both men were popular during their years in office.

Today, however, historians usually think of Wilson as one of Americas best presidents. But Harding is remembered as one of the worst.

Early life

Warren Harding was the eighth president from the state of Ohio. His parents were both doctors.

Harding spoke about having a happy childhood, growing up on a farm with his brothers and sisters. Some of his favorite early activities were performing in a band.

Later, Harding  along with two friends  bought a newspaper. The paper became successful for several reasons.

Harding was kind to his employees and shared the companys profits with them. He also tried not to publish stories that criticized politics or politicians from any party. Finally, he married a woman who had an excellent head for business.

Florence Kling Harding led the newspapers circulation department. She also helped to direct her husbands political career.

In time, Warren Harding became a state senator, a lieutenant governor of Ohio, and then a member of the U.S. Senate. He especially liked being a senator  and many of the other lawmakers liked him.

One reason is because Harding rarely took a controversial position on any issue.

Instead, he accepted most of the ideas of the Republican Party. He was also good-looking and had an excellent speaking voice.

These qualities helped earn him the Republican presidential nomination in 1920. A few months later, he easily won the national election.

Presidency

President Harding took office shortly after World War I ended. He promised to make Americans feel calm again, and also improve the nations prosperity. Two of Hardings goals were to support business and to limit immigration.

He succeeded on both issues. His administration reduced taxes for big businesses and wealthy people. It also increased tariffs -- taxes on foreign imports.

And the Harding administration put in place new rules on immigration. The rules made it easier for immigrants from northern Europe to enter the country, but harder for immigrants from Russia, eastern and central Europe.

Harding also took steps to improve the effectiveness of the federal government.

But his administration is remembered mostly for its problems.

At the beginning of his term, Harding reportedly told friends that the job of being president was too much for him. He appeared to want to do well, and he worked hard. But he turned over most of the responsibility to his friends in the cabinet.

A few were very able. But some were dishonest. They abused their positions to gain wealth for themselves and their families.

One of the most famous examples of corruption during Hardings administration is known as the Teapot Dome Scandal.

The name Teapot Dome comes from a rock in the state of Wyoming. The rock looked like a teapot. Scientists correctly believed that oil could be found in the ground underneath it.

At the time, the U.S. navy depended on oil to fuel its ships. So, the federal government claimed the land in case the navy needed to use the oil in an emergency.

But a cabinet official who was a friend of Harding took control of the land. He gave a private company permission to search for oil on it in exchange for a large amount of money.

Some lawmakers became suspicious. So they opened an investigation.

In time, lawyers proved the act of corruption. Hardings friend was the first person to be found guilty of a crime while serving as a cabinet official.

But President Harding did not live to see his friend go to jail.

The investigation was just beginning when Harding took a trip to the West Coast to campaign for his policies.

Some say that Harding was also trying to escape the problems in his administration. He reportedly told one reporter that worrying about what his friends were doing kept him awake at nights.

During the trip, Harding showed signs of not being in good health. Doctors thought he could have food poisoning or pneumonia. He was taken to a hotel in San Francisco, California. For a day, he appeared to be feeling better.

He was sitting up in bed. And then suddenly, his body shook and collapsed. He died instantly.

Reports at the time differed on the cause of Hardings death. Some even said that his wife poisoned the president to protect him from being punished for the wrongdoing in his administration.

But most historians think that he had long suffered from heart failure, and was struck by a heart attack. He was 57.

Legacy

Millions of Americans mourned over Warren Hardings death. They stood beside railroad tracks as his body traveled from California back to Washington, DC.

The following year, Florence Harding also died. She and her husband are buried together under a grand memorial in their hometown in Ohio.

But in the years after his death, Hardings public image worsened. More corruption scandals in his administration came to light. And some historians have criticized him for not having a clear idea about how he wanted to lead the country.

In 1927, a woman published a book saying she had a long, but secret relationship with Harding, both before and during his presidency. She also said he was the father of her daughter. Genetic testing has confirmed her claim.

More than 30 years after her book was published, a lawyer discovered love letters from Harding to a different woman. They confirmed that he had a long romantic affair with the wife of one of his friends. Harding had also been married at the time.

These reports, as well as the corruption during his administration, damaged Hardings public image. But he also seemed to know that he would not be remembered as one of the best occupants of the White House.

Instead, he tried to be likable and modest. He called himself a man of limited talents who was not fit for the office of president.

Im Kelly Jean Kelly.

Kelly Jean Kelly wrote this story for Learning English. George Grow was the editor.

____________________________________________________________

Quiz - America's Presidents: Warren G. Harding Start the Quiz to find out Start Quiz

____________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

band - n. a usually small group of musicians who play popular music together

circulation - n. the average number of copies of a newspaper that are sold over a particular period

prosperity - n. the state of being successful usually by making a lot of money

instantly - adv. without delay; immediately

grand - adj. impressive because of size or importance

talents - n. special abilities that allow someone to do something well
Thirteen American colleges and universities recently announced the creation of a plan to support freedom of speech.

The plan is part of an effort designed to fight what the schools call threats to U.S. democracy.

Among the schools taking part are Cornell University in New York state; Rutgers University in New Jersey; Notre Dame, the Catholic university in the Midwestern state of Indiana; and Benedict College, a historically Black school in South Carolina.

The effort is called The Campus Call for Free Expression. The organizer of the group is The Institute for Citizens and Scholars based in Princeton, New Jersey. It is paid for by the Knight Foundation, a private group based in Miami, Florida. The aim is to build respect for freedom of expression in colleges. Another goal is to help students bring opposing groups together.

The effort for free speech comes after students at several schools blocked people invited to speak in recent years. The students said they disagreed with the writings, comments, ideas or actions of the invited speaker.

Jonathan Alger is the president of James Madison University in Virginia, one of the schools in the group. He said the group is concerned about deep polarization in the U.S. where people cannot discuss their different ideas in constructive and civil ways. He said colleges and universities need to be an example for the nation.

The group started preparing for The Campus Call for Free Expression in March 2022. That was when college presidents gathered to discuss ways to get their students involved in democracy.

The group came up with five principles of free expression and pushed for each school to design its own programs. The principles are to be used for new student orientations, educator training and special campus gatherings called convocations.

The principles include developing knowledge that challenges common beliefs and assumptions; reaching decisions based on evidence; understanding ones own values and gaining respect for others who have different opinions; feeling a sense of responsibility to others and the need to work toward change; and learning that free expression has consequences and does not always lead to approval.

Jonathan Holloway is the president at Rutgers. He said he saw a growing lack of respect for American institutions, and he wanted to push back against those feelings. In a discussion with the Associated Press, he said he was concerned by seeing the Confederate flag marched through the U.S. Capitol building during the riot on January 6, 2021. Thats when things shifted for me, he said.

Holloway will lead a first-year class at Rutgers this year that looks at the meaning of democracy. The aim is for the class to create a program that will improve civic education.

The nonprofit groups who are supporting the presidents say they are concerned that students may not be learning about how to be good citizens while in college.

Rajiv Vinnakota is president of the Institute for Citizens and Scholars. He said students become part of a community with more different kinds of people than they have ever experienced while in college. He wants students to learn how to interact with people who have different opinions and experiences. And he hopes the 13 schools will be able to lead the way for others who will soon join the group.

Vinnakota questioned if educators can get above issues of free expression to get people to see that higher education can and should play a leading part in what he called civic preparedness.

Some other colleges and universities in the group include Wellesley College in Massachusetts, Wesleyan University in Connecticut, Claremont McKenna College in California, Duke University in North Carolina and the University of Pittsburgh in Pennsylvania.

The Knight Foundation gave Vinnakotas institute $250,000 to organize discussions among university leaders over the next year-and-a-half.

Alberto Ibarguen is the head of the Knight Foundation. He said the group is interested in supporting the project because, we believe in the free exchange of ideaswe believe in an informed citizenry

PEN America is a nonprofit group that works with colleges and universities on free expression programs. It is not involved in the Campus Call for Free Expression. Kristen Shahverdian is the groups Free Expression and Education program senior manager. She said her group tells students about writers and artists around the world who have faced attacks or suffered for their ideas.

They understand the ramifications of squashing anothers speech, she said.

Lucas Morel is a professor of politics at Washington and Lee University in Virginia who is not involved in the project. He is the head of a group called the Academic Freedom Alliance. He said more universities should work on programs that permit students to learn by discussing different evidence-based ideas. He said colleges are not just for helping students get a job, but they should help young people become citizens who care about the world around them.

If we dont do a good job of helping them be careful readers and careful listeners, it stands to reason that as citizens they wont be careful listeners and careful expressers of their own thought, he said. And it will be difficult for us to function as a self-governing society.

Im Faith Pirlo. And Im Dan Friedell.

Dan Friedell adapted this story for Learning English based on a report by the Associated Press.

Quiz - Thirteen US Universities Form a Free Speech Group Start the Quiz to find out Start Quiz

_________________________________________________

Words in This Story

polarization n. to cause people to separate into opposing groups

constructive adj. useful in some way; not useless

principles n. (pl.) a set of ideas rules and beliefs that guide how people see right and wrong

orientation n. a process of giving people who are new to a job or school information and training

challenge v. to question something or dispute it

assumption n. something that a person believes to be true, but that is not known to be true

consequences n. (pl.) the results of some action or decision

institution n. an established organization that has a part in society or an established belief or behavior

shift v. to change position

ramifications n. (pl.) a result of an action or decision that are not easily realized or understood

squash v. to crush or smash

function n. to operate; to do a specific job correctly

We want to hear from you. Do you think American universities need to teach their students more about how to have difficult discussions?
And now, Words and Their Stories, from VOA Learning English.

On this program we explore words and expressions in the English language. We give definitions, examples, and notes on usage.

Today we talk about a word from the animal world  a nest. For some animals, especially birds, a nest is a shelter and a place to raise their young. So, it should not be surprising that we use the word nest to talk about our homes.

A nest can describe a comfortable home. And if you like to nest , you like to make your home comfy and cozy. In fact, a childbirth expert may tell pregnant women to expect strong nesting feelings to develop late in their pregnancy. This common experience is a way a womans body prepares for the arrival of the new baby.

However, feathering your nest is quite a different thing. If you feather your own nest , you are not making your home comfortable by adding feathers. You are making yourself rich, especially in a way that is unfair or dishonest.

But lets get back to nesting.

An empty nest is a family home where the children have grown up and left. So, an empty nester is a parent whose children have grown up and left home.

Some parents may feel sad or lost when they become empty nesters. This is called empty nest syndrome . While parents may feel sad, most children are happy to become independent and fly the coop . To fly the coop is a very informal expression that means the children have left the family home.

A coop is a small structure people make for domesticated birds -- namely chickens: hens and roosters. We call these shelters either a chicken coop or a hen house. But, for some reason, we never say hen coop or chicken house.

Online, you might see the expression fly the nest. That might be more of a British English saying. In the States, when often fly the coop rather than fly the nest to mean children have left home.

However, the expression fly the coop has another meaning. If someone flies the coop, they leave suddenly or secretly. For example, we could say a criminal who snuck out of prison flew the coop.

And thats all the time we have for this Words and Their Stories. Once you are finished learning all the English you can, you might have to fly the VOA Learning English coop! But until that happens, keep listening!

Until next time  Im Anna Matteo.

Anna Matteo wrote this lesson for VOA Learning English.

_________________________________________________

Words in This Story

comfortable adj. a pleasant feeling of ease without tension

comfy (comfortable) and cozy adj. feeling at east, warm and secure

domesticated adj. not wild, cared for humans for farm or home use

sneak out of v. to quietly or secretly get out of a place or a requirement
To much of the world, Richard Davis  whose versatility and mastery of the bass is legendary on recordings such as Van Morrisons Astral Weeks and Eric Dolphys Out to Lunch  was a jazz great. To Madison, he was much more.

Davis, the famed bass player, music educator, recording artist and local advocate for racial equity and understanding, died Wednesday at age 93 after two years in hospice care, according to his daughter Persia.

Davis served as professor of bass, jazz history and jazz ensemble at UW-Madison for decades. A memorial page set up by Davis' family teemed on Thursday and Friday with tributes and fond recollections describing a virtuosic musician who loved his craft.

"He was like a big brother to me," wrote Billy Harper, a jazz saxophonist who played with Davis in the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra. "Everybody knows him as a great musician, but he was also a great person."

Former students added their memories of Davis as a dedicated educator with a contagious passion for music, equal parts intimidating and approachable.

John Bowen, who said he studied under Davis from 1982 to 1987 as the university's first electric bass major, cited Davis as a profound influence in his life and career.

"My approach to the instrument, my appreciation for Black music history, and how I interact with others were all deeply influenced by Richard," Bowen wrote. "Thinking back, I cannot imagine a musician of Richard's stature enthusiastically taking on a beginning student! But those of you that know Richard know that that was absolutely consistent with his character!"

Born in Chicago in 1930, Davis settled in Madison after 23 years in New York City, where he established himself as one of the worlds premier bass players, performing with stars such as Frank Sinatra, Leonard Bernstein, Barbra Streisand, Miles Davis and Dexter Gordon. From 1967 to 1974, he was named Best Bassist in the Downbeat International Critics Poll.

He was wooed from that full-time performance career by UW-Madison and came here as a novice teacher in 1977. But he soon proved himself to be a master at teaching as well, helping to develop the musical skills of students who would become Grammy winners or university professors themselves.

His own musical career bridged many genres. Davis, who in 2014 was named a Jazz Master by the National Endowment for the Arts (joining the ranks of Count Basie, Ella Fitzgerald and Art Blakely), was also known for his classical skills and range, working with musicians from Bruce Springsteen to conductors such as Leonard Bernstein, George Szell, Igor Stravinsky and Pierre Boulez.

In 1993 he created the Madison-based Richard Davis Foundation for Young Bassists, a group that continues to this day with weeklong workshops each spring at the Pyle Center that bring together young bass players and skilled master educators.

Over its three decades the foundation has become a huge family, said executive director Catherine Harris, who met Davis in 2008 when she attended a foundation workshop as a high school student.

Its made up of so many bass players who care about each other and want to pass along their knowledge, she said.

'Let's play it'

Davis himself started playing bass at 15. He told the Wisconsin State Journal in 2018 that he based his teaching style on what he learned from Walter Dyett, his own music teacher at Chicagos DuSable High School.

He didnt put up with any jive  and he made you want to be the greatest, Davis said of his early mentor.

He had ideas about music that made you feel you could do anything. You know, sight-reading is a big thing with musicians. And he would say, Theres no such thing. Youve seen all the music before  just in different forms. And Ive thought that ever since he said it. I think, Oh yes, Ive seen this all before. Lets play it.

Davis also became known in Madison for his work on racial justice and understanding. He created the Retention Action Project at UW-Madison, designed to bring together people to discuss cultural differences, and the Madison Wisconsin Institutes for the Healing of Racism, a forum to explore the history and pathology of racism.

In 2019, the Madison named an East Side street in his honor, Richard Davis Lane, connecting Darbo Drive and Webb Avenue.

Known for his warmth, Davis took special care with the students who were signed up to attend classes in the early days of his foundation. Before they traveled to Madison for the Young Bassists conference, he would phone each participant to introduce himself and calm the young musicians nerves.

I would call the house and say, Is your son or daughter home? Put them on the extension, because I want the kids to know me through my voice, Davis recalled in his 2018 State Journal interview.

That pays a lot of dividends, he said then. On the phone with them, Id say, How do you feel about coming here? And theyd say, Im nervous. Know what Id say? So am I. So right away they felt like this person they hadnt met yet was just like them.

Final years

The last years of Davis's life were a reminder to his daughter Persia of just how loved her father was, she said.

Visitors flocked in from states away to soak up whatever time they had left with the jazz legend, offering support to his family that Persia, 41, says took her aback at times.

"Not many elderly people have so many people in their corner as my father did," she said in a phone interview Friday.

Davis had been in hospice for the past two years, a time Persia says turned her life upside down.

"We really don't talk about how difficult this part of life can be," she said, noting how important it is for aging people to have plans in place.

"A lot of people are not prepared for it," she said.

Even with Davis' passing, his work continues, Harris said. Along with his groundbreaking recordings, the bass musician touched the generations of musicians he trained and inspired, she said.

Even if hes not there with us anymore, hes still with us because he is there, she said. The foundation continues because of those connections he made for us.
Geraldine F. Higgins

May 2, 1941 - July 15, 2023

IRON RIDGE - Geraldine Faye (Valentino) Higgins, 82, passed away on Saturday July 15, 2023 surrounded by her loving family. Geraldine was born the daughter of Frances (Dubberstein) and Rocco Valentino on May 2, 1941 in Fond du Lac. She was a graduate of North Fond du Lac high school. Geraldine married her high school sweetheart, Thomas Higgins, on May 5, 1962.

Geraldine is survived by her husband, Thomas, of 61 years, and their two children, Thomas II and Holly. Thomas II is married to Ana - they live in Alabama and have three children: Joana, Thomas III (daughter Hollis) and Nicole. Holly is married to Chris Raykowski - they live in Sussex and have three children: Eden, Bella and Liam. Geraldine is also survived by a foster son and daughter, Erik and Heather. Erik Lange is married to Julie - they live in Jackson and have two children: Dominic and Maverick. Heather Scharf is married to John - they live in Slinger and she has four children: Robert, Alyssa (husband Josh and son Cory), Blaine, and Nicodemus. Geraldine is further survived by her half-brother, Victor Valentino and his wife, Sue and many, many other family and friends. Geraldine was preceded in death by her parents Frances (Dubberstein) and Rocco Valentino and step-brother, Thomas Aasen and his wife Ardis.

Geraldine's life began in Fond du Lac. When she was almost four she tragically lost her mother. She and her father then moved to Minot, ND for his job with the rail road and then seven years later the rail road moved them back to N Fond du Lac. In N Fond du Lac she met our father, Tom Higgins. They married when she was 21 and Dad was 22. Eventually Dad's job moved them to Beaver Dam with their two young children. Mom had several jobs through the years. She worked as a candy striper in the hospital, for Giddings and Lewis and for a liquor store all before she got married. After she was married, with children at home, she would type papers for various publications (pre computers) but ultimately her clerical expertise landed her a job in her favorite place of all, working for the Beaver Dam school system.

Education was of utmost importance to Mom so she was extremely happy to be part of the education machine. Being a positive influence on children in need was also something that was very important to both Mom and Dad. While they had two children of their own, they had more love to share and decided to become foster parents. Over the years they fostered 17 children. As a testament to their positive influence, some of those children chose to stay in our lives. She had a dozen grandchildren and wouldn't dream of missing a birthday, concert, game or recital, all with the marvelous adulations of just how wonderful their performances where. She also wouldn't turn down a request to grab a bite and chat with friends and family alike. She will be missed.

Celebration of Life will be held at Chapel of the Archangels in Beaver Dam on Sunday Sept. 17, 2023 from 12:00 until the service at 2:00 p.m. Pastor Jack Harris will officiate. Cornerstone Funeral & Cremation Services, 135 Keller Blvd., Beaver Dam is honored to be serving the family. You may send private online condolences or sign the family's guest book at www.cstonefs.com.
GAMBLING | TECHNOLOGY

New technology is headed to a casino near you that can give you a lift when you're down on your slot machine luck or celebrate with you when you win big.

Acres Technology will begin field-testing its new "ticket in-bonus out"  TIBO  system in the weeks ahead in Elko, Nevada. It's an update to the "ticket in-ticket out"  TITO  system that most slot players are familiar with.

But not everybody is enamored with what TIBO would do.

For decades, slot players would drop coins into machines and become overjoyed with the sound of nickels, quarters and dollar coins clattering as they dropped into a metal bin at the base of the machine whenever a jackpot was hit.

Then in the early 1990s, slot machine manufacturers found a new way to generate revenue with the introduction of penny slots.

While most players didn't play for pennies, they got satisfaction knowing they'd be able to play more because that low denomination meant a gambling budget could last longer.

Penny slot popularity

That's when TITO came to be because players inserting pennies into slots would have resulted in an overwhelming abundance of copper coins.

So instead, the bill validator was invented and players could acquire 100 credits valued at 1 cent apiece on their machines every time they put a $1 bill in. No pennies required.

A small company, Five Star Solutions, is credited with inventing TITO. The concept was acquired by the old MGM Corp., and slot machine giant IGT negotiated the patents from MGM to perfect the modern slot machine-player transaction.

Under TITO, once play is completed, a button can be pushed to "cash out"  some with sound effects of coins hitting the coin hopper. When a player cashes out, the slot machine prints a bar-coded slip of thermal paper showing how much money was won.

That slip of paper could be taken to a kiosk or a cashier to convert winnings to cash.

But one of the brilliant aspects of printed slips in the later versions of TITO is that slot machines have a reader that enables printed tickets to be replayed on other machines.

If your luck sours on one machine, cash out and play at a different one by inserting the ticket produced by the first machine.

Field test pending

Flash forward to today. Sometime later this year, TIBO is scheduled to make its debut if Acres Technology's field test is successful. Several casino companies say they're interested in the concept once it's been proved. A field test will be underway at Gold Country Inn & Casino in Elko.

What TIBO will do is produce the same types of payment slips to players as TITO  but they may appear randomly, even before you cash out, and for different reasons.

John and Noah Acres of Acres Technology say the goal is to deliver growth in slot machine play through new incentives for the player.

What kinds of rewards can be given and when would they be delivered? The possibilities are limitless.

Let's say you're playing a machine with TIBO, but you don't have the casino company's loyalty card. One of the tickets you may receive could tell you how many bonus points you could have just earned had you been playing with the card.

That's certainly something casino companies would like  more loyalty card members to which they can market their events.

Let's say you're in the midst of an unlucky streak in your slot play. Through millions of slot plays over the years, casino companies have collected data suggesting at what point a player is most likely to stop playing. TIBO can gauge when a player is reaching that quitting point and print out a ticket that offers the player some free bonus spins to encourage continued action.

And that's where problem gambling issues could come into play.

"My gut reaction was to be mostly appalled by the idea that you would develop individual algorithms around people to try to engage them, especially at that point when it's been determined they're likely to take a break," said Ted Hartwell, the community engagement liaison for the Nevada Council on Problem Gambling, who describes himself as a recovering gambling addict who made his last bet on Sept. 14, 2007.

But Hartwell is hopeful that the artificial intelligence offered by TIBO might also be able to help compulsive gamblers with messages dispatched to players that encourage them to seek help with their addictions instead of playing more.

Personalized rewards

There are other ways TIBO can encourage more play.

Let's say you luckily hit a big payoff . TIBO can help celebrate the moment with a special bonus of free spins or maybe something even grander  how about a free or discounted dinner at one of the casino's restaurants or a show?

If someone is playing with a loyalty card, the bonuses can be even more personalized.

Having a birthday or an anniversary celebration? If it's on your player profile, TIBO can deliver something special for you to celebrate those days.
The Jewish High Holy Days, also known as the Days of Awe, include both Rosh Hashanah (the Jewish New Year) and Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement) and the days in between the two holidays.

Although these two holy days are only eight days apart on the calendar, they could not be more different in theme.

Rosh Hashanah is a time when we celebrate the creation of the world that God gave us. We celebrate the new year at synagogue with prayer, the lighting of candles, the sounding of the shofar and the eating of sweet foods (which symbolize the hope and promise for a sweet new year). In case you were wondering, the shofar is a hollowed-out ram horn that sounds like a trumpet. When you hear the 100 intense blasts of a shofar, it makes you stop and listen to the voice inside you and calls you to a time of repentance.

Rosh Hashanah is a day of judgment, when God considers our past years actions and deeds and decides what our next year will hold. God weighs our past with our future and (we hope) inscribes us in the Book of Life for the upcoming year.

The eight days between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are the most difficult days for most Jews. If you have thought badly about your neighbor, gossiped in the breakroom at work or acted falsely against someone, these Days of Awe can be very long.

In Jewish tradition, you dont just ask God to forgive your sins. You must first directly ask those that you have sinned against for their forgiveness. The purpose for this tradition is to help us recognize that it is easy to sin and very difficult to rectify those sins. In todays world, we have so many electronic apps which make it easier for us to gossip and post falsehoods about others. Thus, our list of sins can expand exponentially and asking for forgiveness can be quite a lengthy task.

Yom Kippur, or the Day of Atonement, is the holiest and most somber day of the Jewish year. It is a time of total fasting, i.e. no food or water for 24 hours. The day is devoted to repentance for the sins that we committed during the previous year. Yom Kippur is a time to focus our hearts and minds on our relationship with other people and foremost our relationship with God. It is also the time that we ask God for forgiveness of our sins. We pray, we reflect and we promise to do better in the new year.

As the sound of the last blast of shofar signals the end of Yom Kippur and the Days of Awe, we imagine that the gates of heaven are closing until the next year. We hope that, with repentance and forgiveness, we have been sealed in the Book of Life for another year.

The High Holidays are joyful and intense. They fill us with hope that the coming year will bring us peace and a better world.
Magic Valley Unitarian Universalist Fellowship

Failure of KindnessWe all have moments in our lives when we see someone, stranger or friend, who could use a helping hand. Reaching out and touching someone was a marketing slogan used many years ago, but this really apply to helping someone in need of assistance. How many times have we stopped and helped a stranger or friend in need? How many times have we not stopped and helped a stranger or friend in need? Opportunities for helping others as well as being helped can provide positive benefits in out lives. When we miss or decline the opportunity to help someone in need is a failure of kindness.

Our service Sunday will be both in person at our location 160 9th Avenue East in Twin Falls as well as on ZOOM beginning at 10:30 AM Mountain Time.

To access ZOOM please email mvuuf83301@yahoo.com for ZOOM sign-in information. In the subject line write ZOOM Service.

Newcomers of all religious paths or none at all are always welcome. Unitarian Universalists believe in the dignity of every person regardless of race, creed  or none at all  immigrant status or sexual orientation.

Everyone is welcome NO EXCEPTIONS. We believe in justice, equality and compassion in human relations; and acceptance of one another. We are handicapped accessible.

Please park at the rear of the building or on the street. Childcare is available.

Join us Sunday at 10:30 a.m. at 160 Ninth Ave. E. in Twin Falls.

For further information, please call 208-420-1345 or email us at mvuuf83301@yahoo.com.

The Episcopal Church of the AscensionAll are welcome at Ascensions services of worship, including children.

During the month of September, Ascension Church is gathering pet food to be given to the Twin Falls Animal Shelter. Bring your donations of pet food to the church on any Sunday.

Ascension Churchs Sunday service is available online at Ascensions YouTube channel The Episcopal Church of the AscensionTwin Falls. The building is handicapped accessible and located at 371 Eastland Drive N., Twin Falls. More information about Ascension can be found at www.episcopaltwinfalls.org or 208-733-1248.

First Presbyterian Church of Twin Falls209 Fifth Ave. N.

Pastor: Don Hammond

Worship Time  10 a.m.

Adult Bible Study  8:30 a.m.

Everyone is Welcome!

Community Outreach:Sandwich Saturday  Free bag lunch at 10:30 a.m. every other Saturday (Sept. 16) located outside the church.

Blessing Box  Always available. Food for the needy, take some food or be a blessing to someone else and leave some. Located outside the church entrance.

To submit an item, email it in plain text to frontdoor@magicvalley.com.
CSIs director of Jerome and Gooding centers, Cesar Perez, has stepped down after working with the college for 19 years.

Perez, Hispanic community liaison, officially left his role on Sept. 8 after working with the college in various roles for 19 years. He oversaw the development of Hispanic communities and bicultural learning environments to address concerns and issues within the areas diverse communities.

As you may have heard, my last day at CSI will be this Friday, Sept. 8, 2023, Perez said in a Thursday email to the Times-News. Its been one of my lifes greatest honors and privilege working with such a great group of individuals who have the students and communitys best interest at the forefront.

For 19 of those years, Perez served CSI as a student advisor, director of student advising, associate dean of extended studies. In 2018, he started his role as an off-campus center director and Hispanic recruitment based at the CSI Jerome Center.

His community outreach has been recognized by the Idaho Commission on Hispanic Affairs, as a recipient of the Martha A. Torrez Humanitarian of the Year and Premio Inspiracion awards, and the Latinos in Action En Accion national award for his contributions in education and development of Latino youth.

Perez told the Times-News that although he wont be working with the college anymore, he will stay close to home and work at Glanbia as an export specialist.

He will be supporting and managing foreign sales and transactions for the company.

As you can imagine, its going to be a learning curve. Ive never done this type of work before, Perez told the Times-News. But its also an opportunity that I wanted to take. Its time to move on.

Polly Hulsey, dean of student access and outreach, will temporarily take over his role while CSI searches for the right candidate to fill the position.
Idaho Career Ready Students Council awards second round of grants for Career Technical Education

The Idaho Career Ready Students Council awarded a round of grants to applicants looking to expand Career Technical Education (CTE) for students in Idaho schools.

The council was created by legislative action, HB 267, signed by Gov. Little in March 2023.

With over $16,000,000 awarded today, its evident that our educational communities not only have a need when it comes to CTE, but that theyre motivated to take steps to capture funds and reform their programs for the benefit of their students and communities, Superintendent Debbie Critchfield said in a Wednesday press release about the grants.

Four Magic Valley schools were among the 11 programs statewide that received funding:

Minico High School in Rupert was awarded up to $4,146,910 to fund a multi-program CTE expansion.

Kimberly High School in Kimberly was awarded up to $1,320,000 to expand their agriculture education facility.

Cassia Regional Tech Center in Burley was awarded $1,659,491 to expand its diesel program facility.

Murtaugh High School was awarded $20,324 to update equipment in the existing agricultural welding shop and to expand its metal fabrication program.

The Idaho Career Ready Students program is part of a $45 million investment in career technical education. Grants are designed to increase the capacity of CTE in middle and high schools across the state by rewarding districts for creating programs that prepare students to meet workforce needs for local and regional industries. More information is available at www.sde.idaho.gov/icrs/

Idaho Launch application period opens Oct. 3

Idaho LAUNCH is a grant program that provides students a one-time opportunity to have 80% of the tuition and fees at an eligible institution covered, up to a maximum amount of $8,000. With approximately $75 million dollars available for Idaho LAUNCH funding, it is possible for this program to offer between 9,000 and 10,000 awards per year.

Students can receive up to one-half of the initial grant award in the first year of a program. However, for programs less than 12 months in length, students can use the full awarded amount (80% of tuition and fees up to $8,000) in one year.

Information on how to apply can be found at nextsteps.idaho.gov/resources/idaho-launch

Idaho Governors Cup Scholarship

The Idaho Governors Cup Scholarship provides approximately 25 awards to Idaho high school or home school seniors planning to attend an Idaho college or university. Funds are awarded to students pursuing academic or career technical education. This is a $3,000 award, renewable up to four years for academic programs and up to three years for career and technical programs.

The Idaho Governors Cup was established in 1974 by then-Governor Cecil Andrus. It is a 501(3) organization with a mission to help Idaho kids pursue their higher education goals at in-state postsecondary institutions.

To qualify, applicants are required of the following:

Be an Idaho resident

Be a graduating senior of an Idaho high school or home school, or a first-year student in a CTE program for CTE applicants

Enroll as a full-time student in an academic or technical program at an Idaho college or university

Have a cumulative GPA of 2.8 or above

Attend the first semester of college following graduation

Write a 500-word personal essay about your goals and interests

Submit information for two letters of recommendation

High consideration for selection will be based on a demonstrated commitment to public service. Documentation of volunteer work, leadership, and public service is required

More information can be found at idahogovernorscup.org/
A Heyburn man has been found guilty of first-degree murder in the January 2022 death of a man in which he beat the victim with a sledgehammer before shooting him.

Kalob W. Morrison, 33, was found guilty Wednesday after an eight-day trial. No sentencing date has been set.

The jury also found Morrison guilty of destruction of evidence and conspiracy to destroy evidence.

The body of Julio Caesar Lopez was found in the Lincoln County desert on Jan. 2, 2022, along with his vehicle which had been set on fire. According to court testimony, Lopez had been beaten and shot.

Morrisons brother, Klee Morrison, of Littleton, Arizona, was also charged with murder and awaits an Oct. 30 trial.

During the preliminary hearing, a witness said Klee Morrison hit Lopez on the head with a sledgehammer-like object that he swung and Kalob Morrison held Lopez down as he pleaded for his life.

Kalob Morrison had argued with Lopez at Morrisons home and after Lopez was killed the brothers put his body in Lopezs vehicle and drove it to the desert before setting it on fire, the witness said.

A GPS monitor, which Lopez wore because he had recently gotten out of jail, was found at the scene of the fire, investigators said. Pings from a monitor helped them develop a case against the brothers.
A plea deal is in the works for Jerome County Prosecutor Brad Calbo, who was caught in a snare of legal problems following a domestic dispute this spring while on the Oregon coast, officials say.

Online court records show Calbo, 55, pleaded no contest to a pair of misdemeanor charges  attempting to commit a Class C/unclassified felony and assault in the fourth degree  with two charges, including a felony, being dismissed. Sheila Voge, records clerk for Lincoln County, Oregon, said, however, that the plea deal has not been finalized.

The court has until Sept. 18 to put the deal on paper, Voge said.

I have seen plea deals fall apart before, she said.

Calbo continues to be listed as an inmate in the Lincoln County (Oregon) Jail, having been booked there on Aug. 14, five days after he was found to be in violation of a no-contact order in Jerome, police say.

Jerome County deputies said they found him in the same house as the victim. The victim was charged with resisting police, records say.

The violation of the no-contact order led to Calbos release agreement in Oregon being revoked.

The start of the charges against Calbo began when police were called to a dwelling on the Oregon coast, and a woman said Calbo had physically assaulted her on June 3.

The woman said he strangled her and committed other acts to place her in fear of imminent serious physical injury, the indictment says. The woman said she recorded audio of Calbo making threats against her.

Jerome County commissioners, meanwhile, had hoped to meet with Calbo to discuss his intentions but have been unsuccessful, and this week were awaiting information from his attorney.

Commissioners have also hired a law firm to help them navigate the situation.
The Palawan Group of Companies, one of the best success stories that unfolded in the local business setting, celebrated its 38th founding anniversary on August 17, 2023.

Founded by Bobby and Angelita Castro, the Palawan Group did not only become the most trusted pawnshop brand in the Philippines and in the remittance industry, it has also woven its story into the fabric of countless Filipino lives.

Our journey is all about continuous innovation and setting new industry standards. Our goal is to offer the very best products and services. But beyond innovation, the true heart of our success thrives within our company culture  the genuine kindness we show to each other, the genuine concern that we extend to our customers, the unwavering passion that fuels all our efforts, our steadfast commitment to honesty and integrity, and the profound love we hold for our company and the communities we serve, said company founder Bobby Castro.

The Castros opened their first shop in Puerto Princesa City on August 17, 1985 with only P40,000, marking the beginning of a journey that would touch millions of lives.

Recognizing the pressing demand for pawnshop services, especially among the marginalized sectors, Bobby and Angelita decided to expand their business, introducing money remittance services under the sub-brand Palawan Express Pera Padala.

The new business unit became a lifeline for many Filipinos here and abroad, providing an affordable and efficient means of sending and receiving money. It started offering international money remittance, foreign currency exchange, e-loading, bills payment, SME loans, and accident insurance ProtekTODO.

With technology reshaping the landscape of transactions, they introduced PalawanPay, the fastest-growing e-wallet, addressing the evolving needs of their loyal customers.

The companys expansion transcended geographical boundaries with over 10,000 branches and authorized agents nationwide. It has extended its reach to cities, municipalities, and remote towns aiming to empower the unbanked and underbanked.
The presence of the China Coast Guard (CCG) in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) is misplaced bullying amid Chinas continued aggression in the countrys territorial waters, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said.

AFP spokesperson Colonel Medel Aguilar, in a forum, also cited the latest harassment of the CCG and Chinese Maritime Militia (CMM) after Chinese vessels reportedly made dangerous maneuvers against Philippine ships in a recent resupply mission.

The AFP successfully resupplied its Marine contingent on the BRP Sierra Madre on Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea Friday but condemned illegal actions by Chinese vessels that interfered with the operation.

The National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea, which includes key Philippine government agencies, said it strongly deplores and condemns the continued illegal, aggressive, and destabilizing conduct of Chinese coast guard and militia vessels in the waters.

On Friday, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) escorted supply vessels to Ayungin Shoal in the Spratly Islands, where a handful of Filipino Marines are stationed on a crumbling navy ship, the BRP Sierra Madre, the task force said.

While the mission was successful, the task force said it was informed that CCG and CMM vessels had carried out harassment, dangerous maneuvers, and aggressive conduct toward the Philippine boats.

Aguilar also said a Chinese rubber boat experienced bad fortune while tailing Philippine ships going to the Ayungin Shoal for the resupply mission as the rubber boat got entangled in a mooring line.

One of their RHIBs (rigid hull inflatable boat) got entangled with the mooring line of a fishing boat that was near the BRP Sierra Madre, Aguilar said.

The AFP spokesperson added that troops stationed at the BRP Sierra Madre offered to help, but of course, China refused because they dont want Filipinos to be helping them.

The National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea meanwhile stressed that China has no authority to carry out any law enforcement operations inside the countrys exclusive economic zone, National Security Council (NSC) Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya said.

China claimed that they were conducting law enforcement operations in the area when the Armed Forces of the Philippines and PCG ran its rotation and reprovision (RoRe) mission in the Philippines waters.

Malaya refuted Chinas words, citing that the law enforcement operations within the countrys exclusive economic zone (EEZ) are well within its sovereign rights and responsibilities.

Law enforcement operations in the exclusive economic zone are within the purview of elements of the Philippine government  and that is why the Chinese Coast Guards statement is wrong, Malaya stressed.

In the recently concluded 43rd Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Indonesia, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. asked world leaders to take action on the dangerous use of coast guard and maritime militia vessels in the South China Sea.
The P15,000 financial assistance for qualified rice retailers affected by the price cap on regular and well-milled rice varieties could be increased, Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian said.

This was as an estimated 25,000 qualified micro rice retailers began receiving their Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) cash assistance from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Saturday.

We got to talk to the President. He instructed the DTI (Department of Trade and Industry) and DSWD to calibrate and check the financial assistance. If it is not enough, it should be increased, Gatchalian said in a TV interview.

The DSWD chief said the agency and the DTI started distributing the cash assistance to affected retailers in three cities  Caloocan, Quezon City, and San Juan.

For the President, it is important that the MSMEs be assisted. We know they have made sacrifices during this time, so the government wants to help them. We know that although they are traders, they are small traders, Gatchalian said.

Even sari-sari (retail) stores outside wet markets and public markets are eligible for a P5,000 subsidy, he said in a statement late Friday.

Unlicensed rice retailers and sari-sari store owners selling rice are also included in the SLP payout, which is in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.s directive that the list of beneficiaries should be inclusive, he said. With Jun David

Mr. Marcos ordered the SLP disbursement after the Sept. 5 effectivity of Executive Order 39, which mandates that regular milled rice be sold at P41 per kilogram and well-milled rice at P45 a kilo.

Gatchalian attended the payout in Quezon City with Mayor Joy Belmonte, DSWD Undersecretary Pinky Romualdez, Department of Agriculture (DA) Undersecretary Domingo Panganiban, and DTI  Fair Trade Enforcement Bureaus Director Phillip Sawali.

In San Juan City where 48 retailers received the SLP aid, Mayor Francis Zamora was joined by Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual, DSWD Assistant Secretary Ada Colinco, and DA Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa.

Zamora said San Juan City would add P5,000 to the DSWD aid, and that he spoke to the market building owner to waive next months rental for rice retailers.

A total of 136 micro rice retailers in Caloocan received their assistance from Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos Jr. and Mayor Dale Malapitan. With Jun David
The Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF) on Saturday mourned the death of Philippine Eagle Geothermica, whom they credited for bringing international attention to the species plight.

In a Facebook post, the organization said Geothermica, a 19-year-old male eagle, died on Thursday, Sept. 7., in a Singapore zoo.

Sambisig, a female Philippine eagle, and Geothermica were on a breeding loan program under a Wildlife Loan Agreement between the Philippines and Mandai Wildlife Group in Singapore, the foundation said.

They are the first eagle couple placed under an international cooperation in 2019 to save this Philippine national bird from extinction, the PEF said.

The Philippine Eagle is listed as critically endangered  considered to be facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild  by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

There are an estimated 392 pairs of Philippine Eagles left, PEF said on its website. The species is threatened by deforestation, which forces them away from their hunting grounds and closer to the risk of being shot by people.

Let us remember Geothermica for his huge contribution as a Species Ambassador in Singapore where over 1.2 million guests from around the world experienced the majesty of the Philippines national symbol and how important global cooperation is to save its kind, it added.

The Mandai Wildlife Group also mourned Geothermicas passing, saying he was not eating well because of an infection.

Our early diagnosis indicated that it was an infection and we began treatment. For a while, he seemed to be recovering. All this time, the different teams at Bird Paradise came together to provide the best care for Geo, the Mandai Wildlife Group said in a Facebook video.

The Singapore-based zoo said they were in close contact with the PEF on this. The eagle was then hospitalized until his medical condition became worse.

It took 10 years before the plan of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to loan the Philippine Eagles to other countries for breeding and conservation was realized. It was approved under former environment secretary Roy Cimatu in 2019.

The measure also aimed to protect Philippine Eagles from bird flu and effects of natural calamities.

Cimatu had also said that both eagles would serve as ambassadors for Philippine wildlife diversity.
With its war zone imagery and macho voiceover it could be a movie trailer  but the sunglasses-clad star of a new campaign ad is none other than 80-year-old US President Joe Biden.

Facing a battle in the opinion polls, Americas oldest ever commander-in-chief is using his surprise trip to Kyiv in February to sell himself as a true leader ahead of the 2024 election.

The 60-second spot  which debuted on social media on Thursday and will air on TV in US battleground states during prime time on Saturday  draws a stark contrast with his Republican rivals over the Ukraine war.

The message is simple: the Democrats support against Russias brutal 2022 invasion shows global leadership, while Republicans including Donald Trump have wobbled all over the place on the issue.

It was a political gamble for Biden to give Kyiv his full backing  and more than $43 billion in military aid  but he is now doubling down that it could help him at the ballot box.

It was the first time in modern history that an American president went into a war zone not controlled by the United States, the ad starts, narrated by a gravelly voiced man.

Airing as Biden attends the G20 summit in India  which Russian President Vladimir Putin is skipping  the ad shows photos of Biden taking a train from Poland to Kyiv under cover of night.

It then describes him walking shoulder to shoulder with our allies in the war-torn streets, standing up for democracy in a place where a tyrant is waging war to take it away.

Cue a picture of Putin raising a glass of champagne. Then footage of soldiers firing cannons, followed by Biden in his trademark aviator sunglasses meeting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

In the middle of a war zone, Joe Biden showed the world what America is made of. Thats the quiet strength of a true leader who doesnt back down to a dictator, the ad concludes.

 American leadership 

Quietness is part of the problem for Biden, though.

Biden is struggling with tepid approval ratings and low visibility ahead of a possible rematch with airtime-hogging Trump next year.

And literally too. Reporters sometimes strain to hear the octogenarian  yet more fuel for concerns among Republican and Democrat voters alike that hes too old for a second term.

But while foreign policy is rarely a key theme in US elections, the ad shows Team Biden sees his Ukraine stance as crucial for a counteroffensive against Republican contenders.

Its also airing as the US Congress is to debate whether to keep funding Ukraine, with some Republicans threatening to block the latest tranche.

Biden-Harris campaign manager Julie Chavez Rodriguez said in a statement that Biden had restored true American leadership on the world stage.

While the MAGA (Make America Great Again) Republicans running for president have sided with dictators over democracy, President Biden rallied the West, she said.

Republican candidate Ron DeSantis stumbled earlier this year when he downplayed Russias invasion as a territorial dispute. Upstart rival Vivek Ramaswamy has called on Ukraine to make major concessions to Moscow.

Then there is Trump. The 77-year-old former president has claimed he could end the war in 24 hours and declined to say who he wants to win, while his frequent statements of praise and admiration for Putin have long raised eyebrows.

Many Republican voters appear increasingly Ukraine-skeptic, swayed by messaging in the right wing of the party and conservative media that US funds should go to fighting illegal immigration, not helping Ukraine.

Unproven allegations about the business dealings of Bidens son Hunter in Ukraine have also fed into growing lack of support on the right for the pro-Western government in Kyiv.

With some polls showing him now neck-and-neck with Trump, Biden has clearly decided it is time for the big guns.

Im Joe Biden and I approve this message, he says at the end of the ad.
U.S. Rep. Morgan Griffith, R-Salem, presented the Carnegie Medal to a Stuart resident on Wednesday.

Rayna Michele Montgomery was the recipient of the honor, awarded by the Carnegie Hero Fund Commission, for helping to rescue a girl from drowning in Kure Beach, North Carolina, on April 18, 2021.

An 11-year-old girl was struggling to stay afloat in rough waters of the Atlantic Ocean more than 100 feet from shore. A woman had responded and reached the girl and her older sister, but all submerged several times and the woman became unresponsive in the water.

A man also entered the water, but the current took him farther from the shore.

Montgomery, 17 at the time and a high school student, was alerted and she swam to the girl and grasped her by the arm. The girl was panicked and caused Montgomery to submerge multiple times, but Montgomery succeeded in towing the girl to within about 15 feet from shore, where a man took the girl and brought the child to the beach.

Montgomery made her way to the beach, vomiting from water she had swallowed. She was taken to the hospital and self-treated with an inhaler for three days before recovering.

The girls sister managed to reach the shore safely on her own and the woman and man who swam out were rescued by firefighters.

Established in 1904 by Andrew Carnegie, the Carnegie Hero Fund was created to recognize outstanding acts of selfless heroism performed in the United States or Canada. The commission awards the Carnegie Medal to those who risk death or serious physical injury to an extraordinary degree while saving or attempting to save the lives of others.

The awarding of the medal took place at the Wood Brothers Virginia Motorsports Museum & Hall of Fame in Stuart.
Photo: The Canadian Press Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is officially welcomed to the G20 Summit by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi, India on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023.

The G20 has kicked off in New Delhi, with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau arriving alongside other leaders from the world's richest and powerful countries.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who wants to make this summit about the Global South, also welcomed the African Union as its newest permanent member.

The European Union is the only other regional bloc that holds permanent membership.

Trudeau will spend most of the day sitting in sessions with the other leaders, with the first one focused on "One Earth."

He will also meet with World Bank President Ajay Banga and U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on the sidelines of the summit.

Later tonight Trudeau will attend the G20 leaders' dinner hosted by Modi.
SPRUCE PINE  The 32nd annual Overmountain Victory Celebration will be held Sept. 14-16 on the grounds of the Museum of North Carolina Minerals at milepost 331 on the Blue Ridge Parkway. This three-day living-history encampment commemorates the route local patriots, known as the Overmountain Men, took on their way to the Battle of Kings Mountain in October 1780.

School groups are invited to attend the event on Thursday, Sept. 14, or Friday, Sept. 15, by reservation. Student activities are planned each day from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and groups will rotate every 25 minutes through a series of stations featuring elements of colonial life and the story of the Overmountain Men. To make a reservation for a school group, email blri_info@nps.gov.

The encampment continues Saturday, Sept. 16, and is open to the public from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Park visitors are invited to stroll through the encampment taking part in various demonstrations and visiting with re-enactors to learn what life was like during the colonial era.

The march to Kings Mountain took place during the Revolutionary War as the American fight for independence was struggling. British Maj. Patrick Ferguson demanded allegiance to the King of England from the people living in the Carolina backcountry and the Appalachians, which was known as the over-the-mountain area. At that time, this geographic area was the informal boundary dividing the 13 American colonies from the western frontier. His demand was a strategic blunder and it forced Scotch-Irish frontiersmen, now known as Overmountain Men, from the area into the patriot camp.

More information about the Overmountain Victory Celebration is available on the Blue Ridge Parkways website at www.nps.gov/blri/learn/historyculture/overmountain-men.htm.
King Mohammed VI, accompanied by Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan, chaired, on Saturday afternoon, September 9, 2023, in the Royal Palace in Rabat, a working session devoted to examining the situation following the earthquake that hit Morocco on Friday, causing human and material losses in various regions of the kingdom, said a press release issued by the Royal Office.

During the working session, King Mohammed VI has given his instructions to expeditiously continue field relief efforts and provide care to the victims of the deadly powerful quake that hit Morocco, killing at least 1,037 people and injuring over 1,000, according to an updated death toll.

The Monarch declared three days of national mourning with the half-masting of national flags on all public facilities.

During this session, the Monarch was briefed by the officials on the latest developments in the affected prefectures and provinces, notably in some localities that were inaccessible during the evening and where the situation point and relief intervention were not possible until sunrise, said the press release of the Royal Office.

The King was also informed about the measures taken to quickly address this large-scale natural catastrophe. These emergency measures, subject to royal instructions and constant follow-up by since the first moments that followed the earthquake, included the intervention of the Royal Armed Forces, local authorities, security services, Protection civil units as well as the ministries concerned.

The emergency measures focused on reinforcing the national blood stock, supplying drinking water to affected areas, distributing food kits, tents and blankets to the affected population, quickly resuming public services.

Upon the Instructions of King Mohammed VI, Supreme Commander and Chief of General Staff of the Royal Armed Forces (FAR), the Royal Armed Forces urgently deployed significant human and logistical air and land resources, as well as specialized intervention modules based on search and rescue teams and a medical-surgical field hospital, said the Royal Office statement.

King Mohammed VI has given his instructions to immediately set up an inter-ministerial commission in charge of carrying out an emergency rehabilitation and aid program to reconstruct as soon as possible the destroyed homes in the affected areas.

The goal is to encourage economic operators for a quick resumption of activities in the affected areas. It was also decided to open a special bank account at Treasury and Bank Al Maghrib to receive the voluntary solidarity contributions of citizens as well as private and public instructions.

With all its components, the Mohammed V Foundation for Solidarity will ensure full mobilization to support citizens in affected areas. The emphasis has also been placed on creating stocks of basic necessities (medicines, tents, beds, foodetc.) in every region of the Kingdom to prepare for any type of disaster.

The King, Commander of the Faithful, also gave his Instructions to the minister of Islamic Affairs to perform the Absent Prayer (Salat Al Ghaib) in all mosques throughout the Kingdom, for the rest of the victims souls.

The Sovereign also expressed the sincere thanks of the kingdom of Morocco to all brotherly and friendly countries that expressed their solidarity with the Moroccan people on this situation, and many of which expressed their readiness to provide aid in these special circumstances.
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:

Different coloured sputum used as indicators of the degree of inflammation in the lungs. Credit: Dr Megan Crichton

The color of the phlegm from patients with the lung disease bronchiectasis can indicate the degree of inflammation in their lungs and predict their future outcomes, according to new research presented at the European Respiratory Society International Congress in Milan, Italy.

The study of nearly 20,000 patients from 31 countries is the first time that the color of phlegm (also known as sputum) has been shown to provide clinically relevant information that reflects prognoses and, therefore, can aid decisions about treatment.

Bronchiectasis is a long-term condition for which there is no cure. One or more of the tiny branching airways, known as bronchi, widen and this leads to a build-up of excess mucus that can make lungs more vulnerable to infection. Over time, this can lead to gradually worsening damage to the lungs.

Causes can include having a lung infection such as pneumonia or whooping cough, cystic fibrosis, underlying problems with the body's immune system that make the bronchi more vulnerable to infection, or aspergillosisan allergy to a certain type of fungi that causes the bronchi to become inflamed if fungi spores are inhaled. Bronchiectasis is one of the three most common chronic inflammatory airway diseases (along with asthma and COPD); it is prevalent in between 67 to 566 per 100,000 inhabitants in Europe, North America, the UK and the U.S., and it can affect people of any age, although symptoms do not normally develop until middle age.

Dr. Megan Crichton, a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Dundee, UK, who presented the research, said, "One of the main characteristics of bronchiectasis is a productive cough, with almost three quarters of bronchiectasis patients producing sputum daily. When patients develop chest infections, their sputum color darkens, and this color change is due to a protein called myeloperoxidase or MPO, which is released from the inflamed cells; hence sputum color can be used as a biomarker for inflammation.

"We know that the level of lung inflammation is important for long term health in bronchiectasis, so we wanted to know whether the sputum color, when assessed when the patient is healthy with no chest infection, had any relationship to long-term outcomes such as lung function and frequency and severity of exacerbations."

Dr. Critchton and her colleagues recorded the sputum color in 13,484 out of 19,324 patients who regularly coughed up sputum and who were enrolled in the pan-European bronchiectasis registry, EMBARC. They followed the patients for up to five years to look at the number of exacerbations they had, their severity and how many people died.

Sputum is classified into four levels: mucoid, which looks clear, frothy and gray-colored; mucopurulent, which begins to show a creamy yellow color; purulent, where the color darkens into a dirtier yellow or green and the texture thickens; and severe purulent, which is the most severe and is a darker green turning into brown, sometimes including streaks of blood [see color chart at note 3]. Forty percent of the sputum-producing patients (5,541) had mucoid sputum, 40% (5,380) had mucopurulent, 18% (2,486) had purulent, and 1% (177) had severe purulent sputum.

Dr. Crichton said, "We found an increased risk of exacerbations, hospitalizations and death with more purulent sputum. For each 1-point increase in sputum purulence, there was a 12% increased risk of death."

Sputum color chart. Credit: Sputum color: a useful clinical tool in non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis. Murray et al, Eur Respir J 2009, DOI: 10.1183/09031936.00163208

She continued, "As this is a large study conducted across multiple countries and with five years of follow-up data, it provides the evidence that sputum color reflects prognosis. Sputum samples can be easily collected from most patients, and the color has shown to be a useful indicator, thereby making sputum a readily available and easy-to-interpret clinical biomarker for disease progression. We believe that implementation of this biomarker into clinical practice will improve treatment and monitoring of bronchiectasis patients.

"Sputum sampling is non-invasive for patients, and they are actively encouraged to cough up sputum whenever possible to improve their lung function. Knowing that by looking at their sputum color as a means of self-monitoring and self-management can empower patients and gives them some control over their condition, which we know is important for improving patient quality of life."

The researchers are investigating introducing the sputum color chart into clinical practice and the best way of helping patients to use it to monitor their own disease severity. They will be reporting these further findings in order make patients, clinicians and researchers aware of them.

Professor Carlos Robalo Cordeiro is President of the European Respiratory Society, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Coimbra and Head of the Pneumology Department at Coimbra University Hospital, Portugal, and was not involved with the research. He said, "The findings from this study offer doctors and patients an easy, non-invasive way of monitoring their symptoms. If this is rolled out into clinical practice, it could make a real difference to managing this disease, and allow clinicians to intervene at an earlier stage if it becomes clear from the change in sputum color that patients' symptoms are worsening."

More information: Abstract no: PA397. "Sputum color assessment and clinical outcomes in bronchiectasis: data from the EMBARC Registry", by Dr. Megan Crichton et al. Poster session, "Bronchiectasis registries, cohorts and subgroups" at 08.00-09.30 hrs CEST on Sunday 10 September 2023. https://k4.ersnet.org/prod/v2/Front/Program/Session?e=379&session=16436

Provided by European Respiratory Society
Its never too early to consider how to make a donation to an important cause without spending more money.

Think about making a donation to a Montana public school district using a portion of your state income taxes for that purpose. A bill passed by the Montana Legislature in 2021 allows individuals and corporations to make donations to Montana public schools to support Innovative Educational Programs (Mont. Code Section 15-30-3110). You can donate up to $200,000 in a dollar-to-dollar tax credit toward your state income tax bills. For most of us, that $200,000 limit is a fantasy, but you can donate a lesser amount (say $5,000 to $10,000) to public schools and erase that same, full amount from your state income tax liability. You can also carry the donation forward; that is, if your state income tax liability in the year of the donation is less than the donation amount, the balance of the credit can be applied against your tax liability in the two subsequent tax years. In 2023, the total amount set aside for tax credits was $2 million. For the 2024 tax year, it will be $5 million. Note this is a tax credit, not a deduction.

Several changes were made to the program this past legislative session to ensure a more equitable distribution of the $5 million across the state, given how this program unfolded in past years. The rules allow school district administrators to enter the DOR Education Donations Portal on a particular day, a sort of lottery. The administrators provide a list of donors and the amount of each proposed gift. In 2022 the credit limit ($1 million) was reached quickly, within 6 minutes of the opening at 8 AM on January 3. Twenty-three individuals/corporations received tax credits; the donated funds went to eight school districts. Big Sky Public School District with 3 schools and about 400 students received nearly $700,000 of the $1 million. For 2023, the cap of $2 million was reached in just under 48 hours, with seven donations totaling $895,500 going to the Big Sky school district. Therefore, in 2024 HB 408 was passed to place limits on how much a single school district can receive.

It is critical for interested donors to contact their public school district early so that district administrators can submit a list of donors and amounts at the moment the portal opens in late 2023 or early 2024. Its a first-come, first-served situation. For donations to the Missoula County Public Schools district, go to mcpsmt.org/domain/3972 for more information and a form to make it easier to register your intent.
A procession of forlorn individuals extends from the dull reception area of a Billings government office all the way out the glass front doors and to the sidewalk outside.

Each of them is armed with small stacks of documents and manila folders, and most are on their second or third trip to the Yellowstone County Office of Public Assistance where they are trying to restore the services they lost during the Medicaid unwinding.

The unwinding describes the massive, federally mandated, reprocessing of every Medicaid recipient in the United States. It comes at the end of the three-year COVID-19 public health emergency, during which Congress enacted a requirement that states relax parameters around Medicaid eligibility.

Medicaid programs were required to keep people continuously enrolled through the end of the emergency in exchange for enhanced federal funding. As a result, no one was reevaluated for Medicaid for three years, even if there was an increase in income or access to other health insurance.

By the time the continuous enrollment requirement ended on March 31, 2023, there were more than 320,000 Montanans enrolled in Medicaid. Workers at the state health department will need to process every individual to either re-enroll them, or if they are no longer eligible bump them off the public insurance.

So far, 55,000 people have lost coverage since April.

Many unaware they're dropped

After five months of unwinding, the redetermination process is going horribly across the country, including in Montana, said Mary Windecker, CEO of Behavioral Health Alliance of Montana.

State data shows that 1,638 renewal packets were returned in the mail due to an incorrect address for the target individual and nearly 34,000 people lost coverage because of failure to provide requested information.

Most people dont know that theyve fallen off Medicaid until they arrive in a providers office, Windecker said.

Amanda Medina has been trying for a month to get her children re-enrolled in Medicaid. Shes waited on hold for hours just to be redirected to another department. Shes receive contradictory information at every turn and taken at least two days off work to stand in line at the OPA.

Her daughter has unique health issues that require treatment at the Childrens Hospital in Denver, Colorado.

She has an appointment in October. I cant imagine if we got there and didnt have insurance, Medina said.

Without Medicaid, Medina would run the risk of having to pay the full amount of the service out of pocket.

Medina was aware that the unwinding was happening, but missed her redetermination paperwork in the mail. What she didnt realize was that her children would be affected by the unwinding.

Theres lack of communication between departments. (Medicaid) has always been a headache, but this is a disaster, Medina said.

Providers weighed down

There doesnt seem to be a pattern as to who falls through the cracks and who may be automatically re-enrolled, said Erica Schuppe, occupational therapist and owner of Wild Roots Therapy in Billings.

Schuppe and her team of therapists spent at least six hours combing through their list of Medicaid patients, checking their enrollment status online, and calling the patient if they were listed as inactive.

The man power weve put into this  I dont think smaller practices would be able to do it. And a lot of those practices in rural Montana are small, Schuppe said.

Wild Roots offers occupational therapy, speech therapy, integrated listening systems and counseling with a focus on serving kids on Medicaid.

The bulk of her clientele have experienced early life adversity such as abuse, neglect or exposure to violence. As these kids get older, they often present with, broadly speaking, behavioral problems.

Schuppe has made it her mission to serve this patient population. She has never capped the number of Medicaid patients she takes, like many other providers. She has never sorted her waitlist by insurance. At least not until now.

July was the first time in her career that she started looking for clients with private insurance, and its because the state health department has been six-to-eight weeks behind on processing Medicaid claims since the unwinding began.

The state government reimburses providers at a fixed rate for services delivered to a Medicaid recipient. In the past, the claims were processed and payment distributed in a timely manner, making it so Schuppe could continue on her mission. But with at least 180 Medicaid patients in the books per week, Schuppe cant afford to take anymore.

I didnt fill my open spots with Medicaid patients, and it made me feel sick. It goes against my values, but I have 12 employees I have to pay, Schuppe said.

At the same time, a multitude of claims are being denied because of noncompliance with the Passport to Health Program. This Medicaid program works to strengthen the relationship between a patient and a provider. The patient chooses one provider to manage all their referrals, and in order for the state government to pay for the service, the claim documentation must indicate that the Passport provider gave the referral.

This program was suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the state health department did not adequately inform providers that the program would start back up this year, according to Schuppe.

No one was notified. Doctors werent, therapists werent, families werent. These doctors are getting hundreds of calls a day now for referrals ... No one knew that this hiccup existed, Schuppe said.

Providers throughout the state are capping the number of Medicaid patients they take. Others refuse to accept the public insurance at all.

Families who have fallen off Medicaid have discontinued treatments for their children, Schuppe said. They dont want to accumulate medical debt in case theyre unable to get back on Medicaid.

During the final weeks of summer Schuppe usually focuses on getting her clients ready for the school year, working hard on things like fine motor skills and emotional regulation. But because of the Medicaid disruptions, many kids missed out on this.

Being unsafe as a little kid creates a plethora of developmental issues. Thats why they come here, to get help with that, Schuppe said. So to have additional stressors put on families is very sad to me.

Now what?

Jackie Jones, director of Montana government relations for PacificSource Health Plans, recalled a letter sent by the state health department to every Medicaid recipient in the state and the panic that followed.

State officials aimed to inform enrollees of a different change to Medicaid, a change that is completely separate from the unwinding.

The letter was confusing, even for me, Jones said. People panicked, they thought they missed (the unwinding).

The letter addressed the end of continuous eligibility, which keeps Medicaid recipients enrolled for 12-months before they are reevaluated.

During the 2021 legislative session, state lawmakers voted to remove funding for continuous eligibility. Now, most adults covered by Medicaid will need to send proof of income to the state health department more frequently. This change, however, will not affect children.

Between the unwinding and the end of continuous eligibility, there has been a misunderstanding around re-enrolling children for Medicaid, Jones said.

Parents will need to return redetermination packets for their children in order to stay on Medicaid, but once the application is accepted, the kids will be covered for a year.

We all need to become helpers in getting services to people, Jones said, calling on others to help friends and family get their paperwork together and submitted.

The most important thing to do now, Jones said, is to know the status of your Medicaid enrollment. Recipients can check online at apply.mt.gov.

The website will show when the recipient should expect to see their redetermination packet in the mail. Contact information and addresses should be up-to-date online too.

Upon receiving the packet, individuals will have about 30 days to return the information to the state health department. Even if the packet doesnt get in the mail right on time, Jones says to send in the information anyway. If its close to the final day, the department might just process it anyway.

For those who are no longer eligible because their employer offers health insurance benefits, there will open a temporary enrollment period in which you can apply for private insurance without a life changing event.

A local group called Cover Montana partnered with the state health department to help people through the unwinding process. An enrollment assister will walk a client through the application process or help them identify other subsidized health insurance plans if they're no longer Medicaid eligible.

Really I just want people to know that fight or flight is a normal human response to something stressful. Its a totally normal response to run away from that letter and its okay, Jones said. It doesnt mean youre lazy or stupid. There are still things you can do to get covered.
MUSCATINE  This month, the Community Foundation for Greater Muscatine officially opened applications for the 2024 Muscatine-China Friendship Education Study Abroad program. Having ran since 2014, this program is once again being sponsored by the Sarah D. Lande Education Co. and Wanxiang American Corporation.

For four weeks abroad, those who are accepted into the program will get the opportunity to explore Beijing, Hangzhou and Shanghai with other students from across the US during the summer of 2024. During the trip, participants will learn about Chinas culture, language and the green energy technology being developed at Wanxiang Polytechnic as well as visit various historical and cultural sites.

This is a rare and rewarding opportunity for local students, Marci Clark, Communications Coordinator for the Community Foundation said. The program will provide students with an immersive experience that can improve their academic and personal development. Students will gain exposure to China's culture, language, and green energy innovation, expanding students' global experience and improving their cultural competence. Studying abroad also teaches adaptability, independence and problem-solving.

Clark also emphasized the friendship aspect of this program, emphasizing the long-standing relationship that Muscatine and China have had with each other, with this relationship first starting in 1985 when current president of China Xi Jinping visited the community for the first time.

This program will continue to deepen the relationship and collaboration between our two countries by allowing local students to interact and learn about China's rich history, culture, and values, she continued. This trip is also available at a low cost to students with a scholarship through the Friendship Education Charitable Fund, allowing those who might not otherwise have the financial means to study abroad.

Scholarships for the program are open to current 10th-12th grade Muscatine High School (MHS) students, 2023 MHS graduates who participated in the Chinese Language Program, and current Muscatine Community College (MCC) students residing in Muscatine County. Additionally, eligible students need to have either a cumulative MHS GPA of 2.0 or higher or a cumulative MCC GPA of 2.5 or higher. They must also demonstrate a sincere interest in learning about Chinese language, culture, and clean energy science.

Once accepted for the program, students are expected to obtain their own passport, pay a $200 nonrefundable deposit upon being selected for the program, and provide their own personal spending money. All other expenses, including airfare, accommodations, and meals will be covered through the scholarship.

As for residents who may be interested in volunteering as trip chaperones, Clark stated that while chaperones will be recruited for the trip by invitation only, residents interested in the position may apply for this opportunity as well.

To apply for the program, students will need to submit their application alongside a video essay and two letters of recommendation to the Community Foundation by Wednesday, November 1, 2023 at noon. Applications can be submitted online at www.givinggreater.org/china. For questions or assistance with the scholarship/chaperone application, students and residents can contact the Community Foundation of Greater Muscatine at programsmanager@givinggreater.org or 563-264-3863.
The Davenport Hotel has a long history of maintenance and structural issues. A 113-page preliminary investigative report conducted by White Birch Group and SOCOTEC Engineering released Thursday morning analyzes the ongoing issues over the years and the lead up to the partial building collapse in May 2023.

Key findings

The report cited two root causes of the collapse at 324 Main St. including the inadequate capacity of the wall system and inadequate shoring. The authors of the report cite Select Structural Engineering reports as containing multiple contradictions, questions and improper assumptions regarding the composition of the subject buildings structural system" and had provided "minimal oversight" to repair projects.

The report said if members of Select Structural Engineering visited the site in late May 2023, they possibly would have found that the temporary shoring protocol they indicated in their February 2023 sketch was not being implemented in the field and required the contractor to make the necessary modifications.

Video in the days immediately prior to the collapse on May 28, 2023, displays the contractor prying large sections of masonry off the wall. More frequent oversight may have allowed Select Structural to be alerted to this condition and adjust the repair protocol accordingly, stated in the investigative report.

The timeline below details new elements highlighted by the report and was created by Quad-City Times/Dispatch-Argus and Lee Enterprises Public Service Journalism Team.

August 2020

Townsend Engineering performed a site visit at the building due to an incident of falling brick (in response to this: Fire Marshal Jim Morris flagged that bricks were falling from the building onto the sidewalk at the east-facing side of the building, according to inspection logs. The city blocked off sidewalks and closed traffic lanes on West 4th and Main streets. Loose blocks were removed and the wall secured with lumber, a city inspector noted.

Aug. 18: Townsend sent a follow up email to city officials with a memo addressing the north, south and east elevations of the building. The email did not discuss the need for any repairs to the west elevation. (pg 12)

Aug. 20: City issued an Official Notice and Order citing numerous code violations through the building, including several instances of interior walls deteriorating and structurally unsound brick exterior walls.

The notice also required that a professional structural engineer registered with the state of Iowa attest to the buildings structural stability or deficiencies and provide the city with the report

October 2020

Oct. 23: Davenport Neighborhood Services issued a Final Official Notice citing many of the same concerns as the Aug. 26, 2020 notice and included the same requirement for a structural engineers report regarding the condition of the exterior walls

January 2021

Jan. 11: An inspection was performed and photographs of the west wall were attached to the city report despite the fact that the permit did not include any work completed on that side, the investigative report stated.

It is interpreted that the (city) note deteriorated bricks in the lower south-west portion has been removed and replaced refers to work completed as indicatedreport also states there were some masonry joints/spalled bricks above this area that would be addressed once the temperatures rise,'" the report released Thursday said.

February 2021

Feb. 16: Davenport Neighborhood Services issued a follow-up notice granting an extension to allow for extra time for the building owner to correct code violations, with repairs required to start before the May 14, 2021 reinspection date.

Photographs indicated numerous incidents of missing, loose and delaminated brick on the west wall and the location of a crack in the wall.

May 2021

May 26: Another final notice was issued by the Davenport Neighborhood Services and again cited the exterior wall repair work was in violation.

October 2021

Oct. 21: A letter was issued stating the owner failed to provide access to the property for inspection and that a follow-up inspection would be performed on Nov. 1, 2021

December 2021

Dec. 9: Davenport Neighborhood Services issued an Official Notice to Vacate for unit 105 due the code violations not being met by its deadline.

February 2023

Feb. 2: Chief Building Official Trishna Pradhan noted, part of the southwest wall has been gradually failing. This is seen to continue on the inside wythes of brick masonry as well. There is visible crumbling of this exterior load bearing wall under the support beam. The exterior brick veneer has separated allowing rain/ice to build up causing further damage.

Emergency vacate orders will be posted on the building if the failing masonry area is not secured per this letter, she wrote.

Select Structural Engineering conducted an emergency visit and concluded the building is not an imminent threat.

The preliminary investigative report states the following: "Further, the reports and letters produced by SSE contain multiple contradictions, question and improper assumptions regarding the composition of the subject buildings structural system:

February 2, 2023: It is unclear whether it bears on the brick wall directly or rather on a steel column encased in brick.

February 8, 2023: The clay brick wall appears to be three or four wythes thick.

February 8, 2023: It is unknown if there is a north south steel beam inside the wall at the second floor level, or if there is a steel post encased in the brick

February 8, 2023: It will therefore be conservatively assumed that the east-west beams bear directly on the brick wall to be replaced.

February 28, 2023: This will soon cause a large panel of facade to also collapse, creating a safety problem and potentially destabilizing the upper areas of brick facade.

Feb. 8: SSE sends a letter outlining work to be done on the building, but according to the preliminary report, the memo contains incomplete shoring and stabilization information. Bi-State Masonry was slated to perform the work at the building.

Feb. 28: SSE sends the city an email detailing a follow-up visit to the property performed on Feb. 23. At the meeting, the mason pointed out that the area immediately to the north of the work area has a large and potentially dangerous void beneath the facade of clay brick.

It was also stated in this letter that a new finding came to the surface. What has recently come (to) the attention of the team is that this area has a large void space, roughly 12-14 wide, between the clay brick facade and CMU layer. This void appears to have been caused by the collapse of some mass of clay brick between the facade and CMU. This collapsed mass is now settled and piling up against the inside face of the facade, pushing it potentially destabilizing the upper areas of the brick facade. This condition was not visible in the early inspection(s) and did not become apparent until repairs were under way and an opening was made by a smaller area of failing facade.

March 2023

Trishna Pradhan, chief building official at the time, emailed Justin Smith from Bi-State Masonry and David Valliere from Select Structural asking whether SSE has been on-site to ensure the work outlined in his Feb. 9 designs was being done. Valliere replied, I am not on-site regularly, but I was there last week on Feb. 23 and saw that the work is being done per my design. I was able to meet with Justin, and Bi-State Masonry is doing a good job from what I can see.

May 2023

The preliminary report states that Select Structural specified a limited repair scope but did not address other areas of distress that appeared to be in need of repair on the building. Other deficiencies found included:

May 1: The building was exhibiting cracks and displacement that indicated vertical movement of the facade beginning to come loose

May 24: Safety hazard identified as ...several large patches appear of clay brick facade which are separating from the substrate. These large patches appear ready to fall imminently, which may create a safety hazard to cars or passersbythe brick facade above the windows should be secured. This is to keep the entire face of the building from falling away when the bottom area(s) come loose.

Diagonal cracks located beneath apartment windows started appearing, suggesting a downward movement of the wall

Found in SSES report, photographs showed that interior finishes in Unit 105 indicated significant downward deformation and deflection, indicting movement of the masonry substrate that the finishes were anchored to.

SSEs letter also specified the removal of several sections of wythes, or bricks or other masonry, south of the Unit 105 doorway on the west side elevation of the building and the exterior facade starting separating from the interior, making the wall visibly bowed

Photos: One week after the partial collapse of The Davenport
How is the city of St. Helena doing?

Thats the admittedly broad question weve decided to investigate over a series of editorials, based partly but not exclusively on interviews with city officials.

We started with Vice Mayor Eric Hall, the hard-charging, business-oriented councilmember weve always admired for his creative and forward-thinking ideas about improving city operations and finances.

Hall started by praising the citys executive staff for embracing a long-range approach to city finances and infrastructure  the same kind of approach Hall has been pushing for since he was elected in 2020. He and Councilmember Billy Summers serve on a revenue subcommittee with staff and consultants, and Hall wants every council decision to occur within the context of St. Helena's long-term financial viability.

Hall has said the city should plan for $175 million worth of capital projects over the next 20 or 30 years, and officials' estimates are bearing that out, with at least $180 million worth of projects on the to-do list. And that doesnt count whatever will have to be done to fix the discolored water originating from the Water Treatment Plant at Bell Canyon.

So wheres the money going to come from? Halls not keen on new taxes. His reasoning is that St. Helenas tax base is shrinking and taxpayers are getting older, so increasing their tax burden is not sustainable over the long term.

Instead he thinks that part of the solution lies in hotels  three or four of them, in fact  along with outside investment in the community and new businesses to fill empty downtown storefronts.

Were not sure if the community has the stomach for three or four hotels  one or two in addition to Farmstead might be more realistic  but were on board with the rest of that agenda.

Hall wants to make St. Helena more competitive in competing for grants. He noted that even with the hearty support of Rep. Mike Thompson and other regional elected officials, it still took over a year to secure a $500,000 state grant for safety improvements at the Main/Spring intersection.

The problem, Hall frankly admitted, is that St. Helena is perceived, whether we agree or not, as too rich and too white to receive funds that could otherwise go to less privileged communities. Those of us who live here know that high land values and high median incomes dont translate into a rich city government. As a diligent networker, Hall is ideally suited as an ambassador to communicate a realistic picture of St. Helenas needs to outside investors and grantors.

Hes also an effective cheerleader for the downtown. As a businessman, hes had to navigate cumbersome bureaucracies, so he can empathize with entrepreneurs who see St. Helena as unfriendly to business.

But he can also make a valid case that the city government has turned a corner. Last week when the new clothing boutique Veronica Beard had to close because it hadnt obtained the proper licenses and permits, city officials had the store up and running the next day. This isn't the tourism-managing, Wine Train-hating St. Helena of 20 years ago.

Hall said there are a dozen businesses getting ready to open in St. Helena. NoMa House Cafe and Collective, which opened Friday, is an intriguing reimagining of whats possible downtown, and Charlies, Elliot Bells soon-to-open restaurant at the old Cindys space, promises to bring some life back to sleepy Railroad Avenue.

Hall touched on the critical need for affordable housing  to the point where he even floated the idea of turning the defunct Hotel St. Helena into housing.

Hall is also interested in mental health issues, as he looks to establish a Napa County affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness.

For a councilmember whos sometimes been tarred as a doom-and-gloom alarmist, Halls view of St. Helena seems quite optimistic. He acknowledges that tough challenges are ahead, but the city seems to be on the right track to tackle them.

Halls perspective, however, is only one of many inside city government. Expect more as this series continues.
For nearly 30 years, Chaplain Lee Shaw has comforted, aided and ministered to thousands of Napans during the worst moments of their lives.

Now it's Shaw who needs aid and comfort.

Shaw, 76, was recently diagnosed with stage 4 prostate cancer, which has also spread to his lymph nodes and into his bones. Hes currently undergoing treatment at a cancer center in Irvine in Orange County.

I'm doing my best to try to ride through the day-by-day challenges, said Shaw. I just have to fight through all that.

Shaw first moved to Napa in 1976, becoming an assistant pastor for Calvary Chapel. Later he was lead pastor at Morning Star Ministries, which used to meet in the auditorium at Napa High School and later on Industrial Boulevard.

After being recruited by Napa's then-police chief Dan Monez, Shaw started his chaplain training in 1994.

I really had no idea what was involved in being a chaplain, admitted Shaw, but the job turned out to be a perfect fit.

While Shaw loved being a pastor, "there was a missing part of my heart that the chaplaincy filled, he recalled  the chance to help people in distress in his community.

In Napa County, law enforcement chaplains respond to counsel, assist and support victims and witnesses of critical incidents, crises and other traumatic events. Chaplains are specially trained in handling such situations and are available to provide follow-up counseling and intervention for residents. They also serve the first responders and staffs of those agencies.

Over the years, Chaplain Shaw has personally responded to more than 6,000 deaths, and participated in more than 700 funerals and thousands of other emergencies. Its a calling and a privilege for us to serve people," he said of his work.

In addition to Napa Valley, Shaw has also served as a chaplain at crises across the U.S. His work has taken him to ground zero of the World Trade Center site and into the aftermaths of Hurricane Katrina, the 2012 Sandy Hook school shooting in Newtown, Connecticut; the 2012 movie theater attack in Aurora, Colorado; the 2017 massacre at First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, Texas  as well as to crises closer to home, like the 2018 slayings of three Pathway Home staffers in Yountville and the California wildfires of recent years.

On top of that, Shaw is officially a member of the International Conference of Police Chaplains and a volunteer chaplain for the U.S. Secret Service.

As chaplains, said Shaw, we will spend anywhere from two hours to months to years with these families  whatever the need is.

Surprisingly enough, Shaw is not a police officer or on any city or county payroll.

I've never been paid by any government agency or city agency, said Shaw. His salary is paid by donations to the nonprofit Law Enforcement Chaplaincy of Napa County Inc. That's what keeps the beans on the table.

That group also includes a small but dedicated team of volunteer community chaplains.

Shaw's cancer treatments begin

Shaw and his wife Mary and family arrived at the Cancer Center for Healing at the Center for New Medicine in Irvine on Aug. 12. His treatment will run from eight to 12 weeks.

So far, hes feeling very weak, said Shaw.

Ive lost over 30 pounds, and its challenging to keep up my strength. But I'm smiling and hopeful, he said.

Shaw is happy with the care at the center where hes undergoing treatments that address many different factors that contribute to cancer, he wrote. That includes extensive comprehensive testing, immune boosting protocols and specific cancer therapies, he said.

Shaw chose that center because of its focus on strengthening the immune system while applying specific treatments.

The biggest challenge so far is the uncomfortable nuisance and pain of a catheter, admitted Shaw. It is said that pain makes sissies of us all, but I try to rely on the mental toughness I have.

After comforting so many people over the years, Shaw said hes comforted by knowing that I am the loving and secure hands of my Heavenly Father and the love and support of dear family and friends who are tracking with me along this difficult journey.

The biggest contributing factor is keeping that eternal perspective," he admitted. "Because if all I had was the here and now, I could not do this.

Cancer treatments dont stop chaplain's call

Shaw and his wife Mary celebrated their 52nd wedding anniversary on Monday. Mary Shaw said that even while undergoing his own treatments, Lee continues to minister to others at the Irvine center.

People are just so down and so sad," she said. "And he'll start talking to them and ministering to them and pretty soon they've got a smile. They've got a different perspective. They just have a different frame of mind after they talked with him.

He has the ability to do that, and really bless people and minister to them and become their friends. That's the kind of man he is, so loving and caring about anybody else. It's a very unique gift.

Yes, Shaw faces a serious health emergency, but at the same time, nothing has really changed for me. Except for my audience, the chaplain said. I haven't stopped anything. I've just changed directions.

The mans unstoppable, said his daughter Jamie Shaw Matison.

Matison said she and her family are touched by the response to GoFundMe and CaringBridge websites created to support Shaw.

To see so many people respond with so much care and encouragement is validation of how widely he has impacted the community, she said. Its endearing to know how many people spiritually support and pray for him.

When asked what he misses about Napa, Lee Shaw said: I really miss all the friends within the agencies I serve. And being able to carry out the trash on Monday mornings.

How to help Napa Chaplain Lee Shaw CaringBridge: caringbridge.org/visit/vleeshaw47 GoFundMe: gofundme.com/f/chaplain-lee-shaw-crucial-cancer-care Letters and cards can be sent to: Residence Inn Lee Shaw #522 10 Morgan Lane Irvine, CA 92618 Chaplain program info: cityofnapa.org/545/Law-Enforcement-Chaplaincy-Program

Photos: Napa Chaplain Lee Shaw fights cancer with faith, family and friends Napa chaplain Lee Shaw Napa Chaplain Lee Shaw Napa Chaplain Lee Shaw Napa Chaplain Lee Shaw Napa Chaplain Lee Shaw Napa Chaplain Lee Shaw Napa Chaplain Lee Shaw Napa Chaplain Lee Shaw Napa Chaplain Lee Shaw Napa Chaplain Lee Shaw Napa Chaplain Lee Shaw Napa Chaplain Lee Shaw Napa Chaplain Lee Shaw Every 15 minutes 02 Faces and Places May 21 Napa Coffin Races
Karabakh ombudsman: Who needs forums, lengthy speeches if international community fails to prevent genocides?

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

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

Martin Schuepp: Red Cross is helping people left in Karabakh

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

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

Parliament deputy speaker: Armenia has no contender in high tech

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

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

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

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

4.8 magnitude earthquake strikes Turkey

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

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

Mher Grigoryan and EU Ambassador exchanged ideas on regional developments

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

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

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

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

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

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

Dollar drops, euro rises in Armenia

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

Lawyer: Maestro Sergey Smbatyan is acquitted

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

Armenia, Ukraine officials underscore Pashinyan-Zelenskyy first meeting

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

Russias Makhachkala airport resumes operations

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

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

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

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

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

Pashinyan: Armenia government expects 7% economic growth in 2023

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

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

Hurricane Otis kills at least 48 people in Mexico

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

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

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

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

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

Pashinyan: Current world orders collapse is serious threat to Armenia

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

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

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

Biden, Netanyahu discuss ongoing Israeli airstrikes in Gaza

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

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

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

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

Russia researchers develop water evaluation system using smartphones

Russias Makhachkala airport closed until November 6

France releases city electric cars that can be driven without driver's license

Thugs attack bus carrying women, children in Russias Makhachkala

Anti-Israel protest in Russias Dagestan, crowd storms into Makhachkala airport

Slovenia donates 120,000, through Red Cross, to forcibly displaced people from Karabakh

Overall 3342 children died in Gaza since start of war

Israel bombs areas near Al-Quds Hospital in Gaza

Palestinian Red Crescent: Israel demands evacuation of Gaza hospital

UN peacekeeper wounded in Lebanese shelling

Israel Armenians newspaper: Situation in Israel still difficult

Iran President: Zionists were defeated, forced to retreat

Death toll of Palestinians in Gaza exceeds 8000

Azerbaijani Defense Minister also visits China

Israeli airstrikes on two houses in Gaza kill 13 civilians

Israeli army names main priority

UN Secretary General criticizes Israel again

Building of Jewish cultural center is set on fire in Russia

UN Security Council to hold emergency meeting

Russian MoD: Crimea was attacked by 36 Ukrainian drones at night

Armenian Defence Minister leaves for China

Forcibly displaced teachers from Artsakh can continue work in Armenia

Death toll of mine accident in Kazakhstan reaches 42

Israeli PM deletes controversial post from social media, apologizes

Israeli opposition leader, National Security Minister criticize PM

At least 331 Israeli soldiers killed since start of war with Hamas

Baku arrests Iranian spies who wanted to create Kerime state in Azerbaijan

Lemkin Institute calls on UN to prepare proper mission to Artsakh

Moscow, Ankara effectively coordinate efforts to tackle important regional issues

Israeli army boosts contingent in Gaza, enters deeper into enclave

Aide to Aliyev, Iran Ambassador discuss Azerbaijani-Armenian relations

US Eisenhower aircraft carrier enters Mediterranean Sea

Road accident in Armenia leaves 2 dead

Iranian President: Israel has crossed the red lines

Artsakh President: Russian side was in observers position

Armenia Security Council Secretary meets assistants to US Secretary of State, France President

Armenia PM sends condolences to Kazakh President over mine accident

Death toll of mine accident in Kazakhstan reaches 33

Russian and Azerbaijani Foreign Ministries confirm the need for normalization between Baku and Yerevan

Hamas ready to release eight hostages at Russia's request

RA Economy Ministry, JP Morgan discuss international market accessibility

Hamas says there is no progress in hostage negotiations

Germany ready to send over 1 thousand military personnel to Middle East

Fatal car accident occurs in Yerevan

Tunis President says Palestinians have right to stand firm against Israel

Armenia Economy Minister, British Chamber of Commerce reps discuss coop

Israel promises to allow trucks carrying aid into Gaza

Erdogan: Israel should end madness and stop attacks on Gaza

If Gaza is destroyed, it will create catastrophe for decades, if not centuries
At its best  the first two-thirds cast enough of a spell to render the wait-what? final third pretty frustrating  The Changeling does more than merely depict the sleeplessness and no-exit despair of so much postpartum depression. No, this one goes further. Apple TV+s eight-part adaptation of the 2017 Victor LaValle fairy tale actually feels like its had some sleepless nights itself.

I liked it, a lot, until I didnt. But some things are worth eventual disappointment. Series creator and co-screenwriter Kelly Marcel has taken on a nervy project, creating a densely interwoven world of dark forces populated by humans, fairies, witches, curses and everyday nightmares.

Advertisement

Not all of LaValles story has made it into the adaptation, which plainly hopes to be a two-season affair. Its chances of a second season? Well, who knows. As the series itself contends, anythings possible.

The star is LaKeith Stanfield, who also executive-produced. He plays Apollo, a rare-books dealer raised from age four by his mother Lillian (Adina Porter, with Alexis Louder taking the younger version). Apollos father ditched the family suddenly one day, or so Apollo has been told. The courtship between Apollo and his future wife, librarian Emmy (Clark Backo), feels like the best kind of fate, with a healthy child in the wings.

Advertisement

Getting there, however, means trouble. In remote Brazil, on her own, Emmy was told by a sorceress she can make three wishes and theyll come true, as long as the blood-red string the witch ties around Emmas wrist is not deliberately cut. Apollo, back in New York on a date with Emma, cuts it, pretending hes the almighty god, Apollo. From there The Changeling starts piling up the ramifications.

Their baby Brian, named after Apollos policeman father, is difficulty incarnate. He doesnt sleep, doesnt breastfeed, and doesnt seem like hes truly Emmys baby, at least from her exhausted perspective. The Changeling slides into a maze of flashbacks to Apollos parents lives; to Emmys time in Brazil; and in and out of bits of painful reality as lived by countless working parents and immigrants, but particularly Lillian and Emmy, navigating the storms of a forbidding new world.

Apollo suffers a great deal here, as Episode 3  with Emma now over the edge  reveals. Hes not a routinely heroic protagonist, but the story, both in novel form and in these eight parts, is less about heroes and foes and freight-train velocity, and more about Underground Railroad mystery. (Though, to be sure, Barry Jenkins masterly Amazon Prime series is a considerably greater achievement). This one, borrowing from the Greeks, Shakespeares Midsummer Nights Dream and plenty more, takes its time. Its all about the planting; a hint is dropped and then, three or four episodes later, we get the story behind it.

Theres a consistent elegance of visual form at work here, thanks to the primary director, Jonathan van Tulleken, a trio of shrewdly compatible cinematographers, composer Dan Deacons eerie flourishes and other design and production elements. Stanfields terrific; always is, actually. Backos alternately yearning, desperate and haunted Emmy drives the material, at least when her character is allowed to claim the drivers seat.

So much goes on here, back in time or in various present tenses. Episode 1 starts with an early 19th century Norwegian ship on a stormy Atlantic voyage to America, while much of the later material takes place in or on real New York locations, from the notorious Times Square flophouse Elk Hotel (scene of Lillians lowest point, and most painful memory) to South Brother Island, not far from Manhattan. Here its a variation on Themyscira of ancient Greece or Wonder Woman territory. Jane Kaczmarek takes a major role in those later episodes, engagingly, though the storytelling grows more tangled and opaque in the closing laps. The final third leans extra-hard on authorial voice-overs.

Im sure others could give you a straighter account of The Changeling, or a clearer up-or-down thumb. Actually, I dont; I dont wish that. Wildly mixed results defy easy assessment. In this case, you wont necessarily know where you were going even after you get there. So basically its like real life, fairies and curses optional.

The Changeling  3 stars (out of 4)

Rating: TV-MA (violence, language)

Advertisement

Running time: 8 episodes, approximately 7 hrs. total

How to watch: Episodes 1-3 now streaming on Apple TV+; new episodes added weekly.

Michael Phillips is a Tribune critic.

mjphillips@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @phillipstribune
RBD members descend onto the stage during a performance at Guaranteed Rate Field in Chicago on Sept. 8, 2023. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)

In the same way many rushed home to watch the Mexican telenovela Rebelde after class almost two decades ago, thousands made their way to see RBD, the then-teenage band born from that show, in concert once again in Chicago on Friday night.

After 15 years, the legendary Mexican Latin pop group reunited and came to Chicago as part of their global tour  a dream for many Latino millennials and Gen Zers who grew up watching the show but were never able to attend one of their concerts. For others, the reunion meant pure nostalgia, reliving younger years, but now being able to sing the same songs as their children.

Advertisement

They meant so much to me because at the time I was trying to figure out my life, and began to finally live my life after coming out of the closet, becoming trans, so I really connected to being rebellious, said Sammy Martinez, 41.

RBD member Anahi is projected on screens flanking the stage during a performance at Guaranteed Rate Field on Sept. 8, 2023, in Chicago. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)

More than 60,000 other fans joined Martinez over two sold-out concerts at Guaranteed Rate Field on Thursday and Friday, where beloved band members Anahi, Maite Perroni, Dulce Maria, Christopher von Uckermann, and Christian Chavez sang the bands greatest hits.

Advertisement

Including Tras de Mi, Quedate en Silencio and Este Corazon.

But perhaps Salvame, a song about finding healing and purpose, is one that strikes the hardest for those fans who grew up finding comfort in the turbulence of life by watching the show, but are adults now.

While singing along, many cried. Martinez was one of them. The song was one of strong significance, she said, because it reminds her of her emotional healing process.

It means a lot to me because its so true that you can come out from a dark place and its going to get better, said Martinez.

But the song also struck younger fans.

Sitting next to her mother, tears rolled down the cheeks of Analia Topete Jaurer, 14, as she sang along. The mother and daughter drove two hours from Elkhart, Indiana, for the show. It was a dream to attend the concert for Valentina Jaurer, 46, who has passed the love she has for RBD to her daughter.

Concertgoers watch RBD perform at Guaranteed Rate Field on Sept. 8, 2023. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)

When the band was at its peak, Valentina Jaurer had moved to the United States from Mexico and her daughter was born, but because her life was changing too quickly, she said, she couldnt afford to attend the concert.

My daughter hadnt even been born when the show was airing. Sharing this moment with her makes me so happy because some things will never be the same, said Valentina Jaurer.

Advertisement

Most fans wore RBD-inspired outfits and exchanged star stickers and bracelets, two accessories that symbolize the Rebelde generation.

Many more wore the iconic red tie and flashy hats, miniskirts, and tall boots.

Its surreal to be here. To see everyone dressed this way, I never thought it would happen and Im emotional, so excited to be here, said Isabel Bautista, 22.

A street vendor set up shop outside the field selling Anahis iconic pink hat, which was popularized after she wore it for RBDs Salvame music video. Another one was selling the Rebelde red tie, which was a part of the school uniform in the telenovela.

RBD performs at Guaranteed Rate Field on Sept. 8, 2023. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)

On Thursday night, while his three children were inside listening to RBD, their favorite band, Jose Perez sold more than 200 hats. He said he came up with the idea after realizing that the bands return was going to be a special time for many in the city.

Videos of hourlong lines to get into the bands concerts have gone viral since the beginning of the tour. Many other fans have posted anecdotes about the bands significance and impact on their life.

Advertisement

I dont think people understand how much this means for us, Latinos in the country, Bautista added.

The last concert that RBD held in Chicago was in 2008 at the Allstate Arena, but before that, one of the bands first visits was to perform at Hispano Fest, a small food and music festival in Melrose Park, right outside Chicago.

We have a bond with Chicago because it was one of the first U.S. cities that we visited as a band, band member Christian Chavez told the Tribune.

Thank you for never stop dreaming, Dulce Maria told the crowd as thousands of fans cheered, yelling Rebelde.

larodriguez@Chicagotribune.com
The constitutional rules for appointing a new president during a transitional phase in the event of a vacancy in the incumbent president's office due to martial law are aimed to prevent immediate presidential and extraordinary parliamentary elections when a democratically elected president prematurely leaves office with unfinished pre-election plans, the newly elected President of Artsakh Samvel Shahramanyan stated in his speech.

Dear Speaker of the National Assembly and members of Parliament!

The Basic Law of the Republic of Artsakh proclaimed Artsakh a sovereign, democratic, legal, and social state and established that power in the Republic of Artsakh belongs to the people, who exercise it through free elections, referendums, as well as in other ways provided for by the Constitution and laws.

The norms enshrined in the Constitution provide for certain counterbalance mechanisms designed to ensure the coordinated and uninterrupted operation of all branches of government. The institution of the president has its place in this system, whose task is to take responsibility in overcoming existing challenges. To realize the latter, it is extremely important to soberly assess reality and dispel illusions.

Dear members of parliament, I am not going to set out the election program in its classical sense. It is evident that the purpose of constitutional norms regarding the election of a new president during a transitional period in the event of a vacancy in the office of the incumbent president under conditions of martial law was to ensure that if the president, elected through direct democracy, prematurely departs from office for any reason and their pre-election plans remain unfinished, the country does not immediately proceed to presidential and extraordinary parliamentary elections.

The latest phase of the Artsakh conflict, which began on September 27, 2020, and was frozen by a trilateral agreement on November 9, not only made it impossible to implement the election program of the current president, but also gave rise to a number of new pressing problems.

Therefore, in the current situation, a candidate applying for the position of president should focus more on overcoming the crisis situation, solving ontological, security and humanitarian problems facing the state. The main provisions of the latter and the envisioned outcomes of the proposed actions have already been discussed during meetings held with the factions.

I would like to thank all the deputies who took part in the discussions for the questions raised, opinions and proposals expressed, as well as concerns voiced.

At the same time, I thank all the political forces that nominated my candidacy for the National Assembly.

Dear MPs, the essence of the vision presented to you can be summarized in the following brief formulation: strengthening the state and maintaining internal stability, protecting Artsakhs right to self-determination, ensuring its free life and security, promoting the economic development of the country, gradually improving the social situation of the people and strengthening the rule of law.

What challenges is Artsakh facing now?

Dear deputies, I am not revealing a secret when I say that the partial and then complete blockade of the Republic of Artsakh by Azerbaijan since December 12, 2022 has created a number of problems for the republic.

There is no doubt that the geopolitical conflict between Russia and the West and the Russian-Ukrainian war are influencing the current situation. This conflict is reflected in our region, considering the settlement of the Artsakh issue as part of the steps taken against each other within the framework of this conflict.

By reevaluating its security concept in light of post-war realities, the Republic of Armenia has effectively shifted away from its long-term role as the guarantor of Artsakh's security and adopted an approach known as the "peace agenda." The core of this agenda is the recognition of Azerbaijan's territorial integrity, including Artsakh, with the condition of safeguarding the fundamental rights and the rights of Artsakh Armenians.

In turn, Azerbaijan, taking advantage of the fact that international players have not taken objective steps, is gradually violating the provisions of the Tripartite Statement of November 9, 2020 and increasing pressure on Artsakh in order to implement its own integration program. At the same time, Azerbaijan continues to trumpet on all international platforms that the Artsakh conflict has already been resolved, that there is no such thing as Nagorno-Karabakh, and the issue of ensuring the rights and freedoms of local Armenians is an internal issue of its country.

On the contrary, prominent players in global politics are satisfied only by the daily increasing volume of concerns, exhortations and appeals. The implementation of decisions of international and European courts of human rights also remains incomplete. It is obvious that not a single international player is currently interested in applying harsh measures to influence Azerbaijan. Moreover, there is a belief that it is realistic to engage Stepanakert in discussions regarding the integration agenda.

In other words, we can state that the rights and legitimate interests of the Armenians of Artsakh are not protected within the framework of international law. Accordingly, I consider our ideas and expectations regarding international law to be unrealistic and divorced from reality, since it is obvious that international politics, geopolitics, even wars do not occur within the framework of international law.

The above leaves Artsakh no other choice but to try to find intermediate solutions based on the situation, said the President of Artsakh Republic.

Even though Russia and the collective West hold opposing views on the conflict, it's important to acknowledge that there is global consensus on certain aspects of the Artsakh conflict, including the following:

1) The Artsakh conflict has not been resolved, as Azerbaijan claims, therefore Nagorno-Karabakh is a disputed territory that should receive a specific status.

2) Artsakh and Armenia must have direct transport links  the [Berdzor] Lachin Corridor. Contrary to Baku's claims, the latter has been closed for a long time and should be opened. Other regional roads should also be launched, but they cannot replace the Lachin Corridor or be considered as an alternative to it.

3) Stepanakert should negotiate with Baku. Moreover, in this matter, both the Russian Federation and the collective West are ready to provide a platform and act as a mediator, which Azerbaijan is categorically opposed to.

The above-mentioned points are the basis for building Artsakhs foreign policy within this framework. Therefore, the priority of the future president should be to transform Stepanakert from an object for resolving the Artsakh conflict into a subject of negotiations. At the same time, depending on the scale of the issues currently being discussed, the format of negotiations can be either multilateral or bilateral. The only mandatory condition should be the organization of negotiations by a third country with its guarantee of implementation of the agreements reached.
23:53





In his address at the book launch event, former CEC, T S Krishnamurthy said if Election Commission's history were to be written, it would be categorised into two parts, pre and post-Seshan era.





Such was the magnitude of change he had brought out by just doing his duty, pursuing his mandate diligently, the former CEC said.





A press release said the book release event was held on September 6 here. Krishnamurthy handed over the first copy of the book to DGP, prisons, Amaresh Pujari.





Commissioner of Greater Chennai Corporation, J Radhakrishnan, Flag officer commanding Tamil Nadu and Puducherry Naval Area, Rear Admiral Ravi Kumar Dhingra and founder Trustee of Arcot Foundation, Nawabzada Mohammed Asif Ali were among the special invitees.





The book can be purchased by clicking on the following link: https://www.sankalpbeautifulworld.org/product/through-the-broken-glass-an-autobiography-paperback-5-june-2023/





Seshan (1932-2019) was the founder-chairman of SBW, which is dedicated to the mission of eradicating cancer while alleviating suffering. -- PTI

Autobiography of late Chief Election Commissioner, T N Seshan's, was officially released in Chennai by Sankalp Beautiful World chairman Latchumanadhas Kalidoss.
16:07





India managed to hammer out an unexpected consensus among the G20 countries on the contentious issue of Ukraine through a series of hectic negotiations with emerging economies such as Brazil, South Africa and Indonesia playing a leading role in reaching the breakthrough on the first day itself.





Leaders gathered for the two-day annual Group of 20 Summit managed to agree on a 'G20 New Delhi Leaders' Declaration' laying out shared views on climate change and economic development but showed the fractures within the group by stopping short of explicitly condemning Russia's invasion of Ukraine.





Diplomats had been working furiously to draft a final joint statement in the lead-up to the summit but hit snags on language to describe the Ukraine war.





The New York Times said a painstakingly negotiated declaration Saturday evening at the Group of 20 summit in New Delhi omitted any condemnation of Russia's invasion of Ukraine or its brutal conduct of the war, instead lamenting the suffering of the Ukrainian people. "This year there were low expectations that the divided group would reach any sort of consensus with Ukraine," it said. "The eventual compromise statement amounted to a coup for the summit's host, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, but still reflected a position far softer (than) those the United States and its Western allies have adopted individually," CNN commented.





The G20 summit in New Delhi was one of the most complicated in the history of the bloc, Russia's G20 sherpa, Svetlana Lukash, said on Saturday. "I believe that it was probably one of the most complicated G20 summits in the almost 15-year history of the forum's existence. It took almost 20 days before the summit and five days on the ground to agree on a declaration," Lukash was quoted as saying by Russia's official Tass news agency.





The NYT also highlighted a project announced during the summit to create a rail and shipping corridor linking India to the Middle East and, eventually, Europe.





The paper said though the project lacked key details, including a time frame or budget, it represented much softer than usual rhetoric about Russia from US President Joe Biden and other Western leaders, who have spent the better part of two years spending billions on arming Ukraine and burning untold domestic political capital building support for the war.





Biden spent most of his time at the summit quietly nurturing his relationship with Narendra Modi, it said. Biden, like previous presidents, is trying to bring India closer, the paper quoted Richard N. Haass, a foreign policy veteran and former president of the Council on Foreign Relations, as saying. "He's having limited success, but that's the nature of the relationship. That's baked into the cake here," Haass said.





India's G20 presidency comes at a moment of contradiction for the country: Its rise to a bigger role on the world stage coincides with increasing divisions at home, the paper said.





The Delhi declaration appears designed to allow both the West and Russia to find positives. But in the process, it has used language that is not as strong in its condemnation of Moscow as it was in Bali last year, BBC said. Importantly, the declaration specifies "the war in Ukraine" rather than "the war against Ukraine."





This choice of words could have increased the likelihood of Russia endorsing the declaration. Ukraine -- which took part in the Bali summit -- was not invited this year, and its response to the declaration has been critical, it said.

The G20 declaration, which hit snags on the language to describe the Ukraine war, amounted to a "coup" for host Prime Minister Narendra Modi though the final compromise statement reflected a stand far softer than those the US and its Western allies have adopted on Russia, the world media said on Sunday.
North Korea marks its founding anniversary

Kim Jong-un also held talks with a visiting Chinese delegation. Photo: Shutterstock

North Korea's Kim Jong-un marked the country's founding anniversary on Saturday with a parade of paramilitary groups and diplomatic exchanges in which he vowed to deepen ties with China and Russia.



Leader Kim observed the parade at Kim Il-sung Square in Pyongyang and held talks with a visiting Chinese delegation, according to state media KCNA.



President Xi Jinping sent a letter expressing his willingness to strengthen strategic communication and working-level cooperation.



Russian President Vladimir Putin also sent a letter to Kim, saying the two countries will expand bilateral ties to ensure security and stability in the Korean peninsula and Northeast Asia.



Kim is expected to travel to Russia this month to meet Putin to discuss weapons supplies to Moscow to support its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.



North Korea supplements its already large military with various paramilitary, reserve, and security groups such as the army-affiliated Worker-Peasant Red Guards (WPRG). (Reuters)
Chrisley Knows Best stars Todd Chrisley and Julie Chrisley will be released from prison earlier than expected, Deadline reported. They were sentenced to a total of 19 years in jail for offences such as conspiracy to defraud community banks, conspiracy to defraud the IRS, and tax evasion. According to the couple's attorney, Jay Surgent, their prison sentences have been reduced. Todd Chrisley's original sentence of 12 and a half years was reduced to 10 years. Julie Chrisley was sentenced to 7 years in prison, which was reduced to 5. They began their sentences earlier this year, as per Deadline. The US Attorney's Office stated at the time that before the couple became reality TV stars, they submitted false bank statements, audit reports, and personal financial statements to banks in order to obtain millions of dollars in fraudulent loans, which they then spent on luxury cars, designer clothes, real estate, and travel, as well as using new fraudulent loans to pay back old ones. Todd declared bankruptcy after spending all of the money and walking away from more than $20 million in fraudulently obtained loans. It comes while the rest of the family is already working on another reality show. Chase, Savannah, Chloe, Grayson, and "Nanny" Faye Chrisley are scheduled to star in a new reality series from Queer Eye producer Scout Productions. Their sentences were reduced as a result of the application of the First Step Act in which they were given upfront credits to their sentences, Surgent told Deadline. They have also been model incarcerated individuals in full compliance with Bureau of Prison regulations. Also, they will be given credits effective November 1st, 2023 with the adoption of the new Sentencing Commission recommendations providing credits for non-violent, first time offenders. (ANI)
Taking to Instagram, Shamita dropped a picture of herself with Raj.

She captioned the post, "Warmest birthday greetings Jiju. may your day be filled with true joy and peace lots of special moments to cherish love u #jijusali #love #gratitude."

https://www.instagram.com/p/Cw9jXCXrDa4/

In the picture, Shamita wore a golden and pink Lehenga and opted for a light makeup look.

Raj, on the other hand, wore a pink kurta with golden embroidery.

Her picture garnered several likes and comments, as fans wanted to send Raj their birthday wishes.

A user wrote, " Happy birthday ."

Love u samzi," a fan wrote.

Another fan commented, " Awwww so gorgues#shamitashettystunning hpy bday jiju."

Shilpa and Shamita Shetty share a great bond and the duo never fails to shower love on each other on social media.

Shamita made her Bollywood debut with Shah Rukh Khan's romantic drama film 'Mohabbatein'. She was seen in the music video Tere Vich Rab Disda by SachetParampara alongside Raqesh Bapat. Shilpa tied the knot with businessman Raj Kundra on November 22, 2009.

In May 2012, the two became parents to a son Viaan. And in February 2020 the couple welcomed Samisha, who was born via surrogacy. Recently, the couple offered prayers at the Bagalmukhi Mata temple in Agra, Uttar Pradesh. (ANI)
From animated figures to the use of vibrant hues, Pithora paintings are a unique and traditional art form that is taking a backseat amidst contemporary styles. However, artists like Padma Shri awardee Pareshbhai Jayantibhai Rathwa are making all the attempts to preserve the art form. He discussed the Pithora painting heritage, stating that it is a 12,000-year-old art form and also spoke about the efforts being made by him to preserve this art form. His paintings at in G20 exhibition are characterised by animated figures and extravagant use of colour, propagated by the Rathwa, Bhilala, Naik, and Bhil tribes of Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh, transcend beyond the domain of decorative art and are a labour of love linked with tremendous holiness. The painting is used as a medium of propitiation, thanksgiving and commemoration of auspicious occasions. Rathwa told ANI, The name of these paintings refers to Pithora dev (tribal deity). This is a 12,000-year-old art form which was found in caves. Now it is made on the walls of the houses to bring positivity and good luck. However, in modern times this art form is being extinct and 5 or 6 families are left who do these paintings. I am teaching young kids and students about this art form so that we can preserve this art form. He added, In 2022, G20 Summit PM Modi gifted a painting made by me to the Australian PM. Ministry of Tribal Affairs invited me to the G20 exhibition to showcase my art form. Rathwa has been bestowed with the Padma Shri Award by the Government of India for the year 2022 -23 for his exceptional contribution to Pithora Art. He is a forerunner artist for wall art in Tribes India Interior Design Studio. (ANI)
Chicago police are questioning a person of interest after a 30-year-old man was fatally wounded and a woman, 31, was left in critical condition in a shooting Saturday morning in the West Pullman neighborhood.

About 8 a.m., the victims were inside of a residence in the 12000 block of South Prairie Avenue when someone opened fire striking both multiple times throughout the body, Chicago police said.

Advertisement

The man was taken to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn where he was pronounced dead. The woman went to the same hospital and was listed in critical condition, police said.

The circumstances leading up to the shooting were not immediately known. A person of interest was being questioned.
The meeting was convened after a delegation of protesters from Jalna came and met CM Eknath Shinde in Mumbai.

The protesters have been demanding reservation for the Maratha community.

"There has been a positive discussion with the delegation sent by Maratha agitation leader Manoj Jarange Patil. This delegation will discuss with Manoj Jarange, and we hope that this will find a way, CM Shinde said while speaking to reporters after the meeting.

Dy CM Devendra Fadnavis, Minister of State for Central Railway Raosaheb Danve, Revenue Minister Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil, Rural Development Minister Girish Mahajan, MLA Bharat Gogawle, Former MLA Arjun Khotkar, President of Annasaheb Arthik Vikas Mahamandal Narendra Patil, Advocate General Dr Birendra Saraf, Chief Secretary Manoj Saunik along with Additional Chief Secretaries of various departments, Principal Secretaries, Secretaries were also present during the meeting.

On September 1, a clash broke out between police and who were demanding reservations for the Maratha community, with police resorting to a lathi-charge to disperse the demonstrators.

Several Opposition leaders condemned Chief Minister Eknath Shinde-led state government for the incident.

Later on September 4, in response to the Jalna Lathi-charge incident and mounting opposition pressure, a cabinet sub-committee meeting on the Maratha reservation, chaired by CM Shinde, was convened at the Sahyadri Guest House in Mumbai, Maharashtra.

It was also attended by Deputy Chief Ministers Ajit Pawar and Devendra Fadnavis. (ANI)
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, on Friday extended greetings to the foreign delegates coming to India to attend the G20 Summit, and said it is an extremely proud moment for India. "It is an extremely proud moment for India. Today India, under the leadership of PM Modi, is presiding over the G20. On this occasion, I welcome all the Country heads and the guests with my heart..." said Chouhan. He further mentioned that India was the nation that thousands of years ago gave the idea that 'The World Is One Family' in the form of 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' which is the theme of G20 today. "...The whole world is one family and this is the theme of G20...Today I am extremely happy and proud while saying that today PM Modi is leading the whole world..." said Chouhan. He further said, "I have complete faith that this G20 summit will pave a new path for global welfare." India is hosting the G20 Leaders Summit in the national capital at the newly inaugurated Bharat Mandapam on September 9-10. The summit is being attended by more than 30 heads of state and top officials from the European Union and invited guest countries and 14 heads of international organisations. India aims to achieve the twin objectives of adding the African Union as a member of G20 and resolving disagreements about a joint statement related to the war in Ukraine at the Summit. During the presidency, India has focused on various issues like inclusive growth, digital innovation, climate resilience, and equitable global health access. By leveraging its presidency, India is fostering collaborative solutions that benefit its own population and contribute to the broader global well-being. The countries taking part in the G20 Summit include Nigeria, Argentina, Italy, the AU (represented by Comros), and South Africa. Bangladesh, the United Kingdom, Japan Saudi Arabia, the Republic of Korea, Egypt, Australia, the United States, Canada, China, the U.A.E, Brazil, Indonesia, Turkey Spain, Germany, France, Mauritius, the European Union and Singapore. (ANI)
The accused persons have been identified as Durya Matpadia residents of Badapada village and Kartik Harizan hailing from Majhiguda village, they said.

According to the official statement of the STF, on the basis of reliable information regarding the dealing/possession of wildlife products by wildlife criminals near Khadupadar Chhaka on Jeypore-Baipariguda Bypass, a team of STF conducted a raid with the help of Forest Officials of Jeypore Forest Division and Koraput district police on Thursday evening.

During the search one Live Pangolin along with other incriminating materials were recovered from the possession of the accused. The accused persons could not produce any authority in support of possession of such Live Pangolin, for which they were arrested, the statement said.

The statement further said that under sections 379/411/120(B) IPC r/w Sec 51 of Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 has been registered and the accused persons will be forwarded to the Court of SDJM, Jeypore.

The Live Pangolin was handed over to DFO, Jeypore for safe custody. Further investigation is underway, the statement said.

Special drive against the wildlife criminals/poachers is continuing, the statement added. (ANI)
The highly anticipated historic G20 Leader's Summit begins today, September 9, in the country's capital city. The world leaders who have arrived in Delhi have gathered at the Bharat Mandapam International Exhibition and Convention Centre. The first session of the G20 Summit would begin at around 10:30 am under this year's theme 'One Earth'. This global meeting, a culmination of various ministries, meetings and the engagement of different groups that happened throughout the year, aims to address key issues around the globe. A look at the complete schedule of the G20 Summit 2023: Day 1 (September 9) 9.30 am to 10:30 am: The event will start with the arrival of leaders and heads of delegations at the summit venue, Bharat Mandapam. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, along with the world leaders, would take photographs with the Tree of Life Foyer. The leaders will then assemble in the Leader's Lounge, at Bharat Mandapam. Between 10:30 am and 1:30 pm: The first session under the theme "One Earth" will take place at the Summit Hall at Bharat Mandapam, followed by a working lunch. Between 1:30 pm and 3:30 pm: Various bilateral meetings will take place. From 3:30 to 4:45 pm: The second session, 'One Family, will be held. After concluding this session, the leaders would then return to their hotels. Between 7 pm and 8 pm: Leaders and heads of delegation will attend dinner, beginning with a welcome photo on arrival. 8 pm to 9 pm: The leaders will engage in conversation over dinner. 9 pm to 9:45 pm: Leaders and heads of delegations will then gather in the leaders' loungue at Bharat Mandapam and return to their hotels. Day 2 (September 10) 8:15 am to 9 am: The leaders and heads of the delegations will arrive at Rajghat in individual motorcades. 9:00 am to 9:20 am: The leaders will then lay a wreath at Mahatma Gandhi's Samadhi. Also, a live performance of Mahatma Gandhi's favourite devotional songs. 9:20 am: Leaders and Heads of Delegations will then move to Bharat Mandapam's Leaders' Lounge. 9:40 am to 10:15 am: Arrival of leaders and heads of delegation at Bharat Mandapam 10:15am10:30am: Tree planting ceremony at Bharat Mandapam's South Plaza 10:30 am12:30 pm: The third session of the summit, called 'One Future', will take place at the venue, followed by the adoption of the New Delhi Leaders' Declaration. US President Joe Biden, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida are among the key leaders who will attend the event in the country's capital city today and tomorrow. Notably, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin will not be taking part in the weekend summit. China, however, will be represented at the summit by Chinese Premier Li Qiang, and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will represent Russia.(ANI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday arrived at Bharat Mandapam in Pragati Maidan, the venue of the G20 Summit in the national capital ahead of the beginning of the Summit. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval welcomed PM Modi at the G20 venue. India is hosting the G20 Summit, scheduled for today and tomorrow, under its Presidency amid divisions in the grouping over the Russia-Ukraine war. World leaders including US President Joe Biden, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Japan PM Fumio Kishida, Australia Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres are among leaders who arrived in the national capital yesterday. [{007ad7e1-b2df-4de2-b589-9db32fe963bf:intradmin/ANI-20230909034143.jpg}] The summit is being attended by more than 30 heads of state and top officials from the European Union and invited guest countries and 14 heads of international organisations. The Summit would commence with the arrival of the world leaders at the venue (Bharat Mandapam) from 9.30 am onwards. At around 10.30 the first session of the G20 Summit: 'One Earth' will take place. One Earth will be one of the main topics of discussion during the session at the G20 leaders' summit. This session will focus on accelerating climate action through increased mitigation and strengthening the agenda of global net zero emission as soon as possible. The theme of this year's G20 Summit, which is taking place under India's presidency is Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam or One Earth One Family One Future - is drawn from the ancient Sanskrit text of the Maha Upanishad. Essentially, the theme affirms the value of all life human, animal, plant, and microorganisms and their interconnectedness on the planet Earth and in the wider universe. After the conclusion of the 'One Earth' session, and followed by lunch, another session of 'One Family' would be conducted at 3 pm as a part of the Summit. At around 7 pm there will be a dinner hosted by President Droupadi Murmu. Besides, the foreign delegates parliamentarians and ministers in the current Cabinet, the G20 Summit dinner will be attended by some of the former senior leaders of the nation. Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin will not be taking part in the weekend summit. China, however, will be represented at the summit by Chinese Premier Li Qiang. Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will represent Russia. This is the first time that the G20 Summit is being hosted by India. Extensive preparations have been made to portray India's traditions and strengths. During the presidency, India has focused on various issues like inclusive growth, digital innovation, climate resilience, and equitable global health access. By leveraging its presidency, India is fostering collaborative solutions that benefit its own population and contribute to the broader global well-being. The countries taking part in the G20 Summit include Nigeria, Argentina, Italy, the AU (represented by Comros), and South Africa. Bangladesh, the United Kingdom, Japan Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Egypt, Australia, the United States, Canada, China, UAE, Brazil, Indonesia, Turkey Spain, Germany, France, Mauritius, the European Union and Singapore. A warm welcome was accorded to leaders who arrived in Delhi for the G20 Summit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressing confidence that the gathering of world leaders will chart a new path in human-centric and inclusive development. (ANI)
As per the reports, four passengers in the car have been identified as Purushothaman (owner of the car) and his friends Venkatesan, Gurumurthy and Poovarasan died on the spot in the head-on collision while another passenger in the car identified as Raghu has been admitted in ICU in Chengalpattu Government Hospital and is undergoing treatment.

The four people in the van, including the driver, were seriously injured and have been admitted to the Cheyyur Government Hospital for treatment, said officials.

Purushothaman (36), a resident of the Madhuranthakam Vannarpet area, was returning home from the Chengalpattu Ellai Amman Temple in his car with his friends when the car collided with the van.

As per the reports, the van was carrying employees who all were working in a private export company operated in Uthiramerur area, Kancheepuram District.

The Cheyyur Police has recovered the bodies of the deceased and sent them to the Chengalpattu Government Hospital for post-mortem. An investigation into the accident is on,said officials. (ANI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday welcomed his counterparts from Bangladesh, Australia, Canada and Mauritius among others at the Bharat Mandapam venue at Pragati Maidan where India is hosting the long G20 Summit. PM Modi welcomed Canadian counterpart Justin Trudeau at the G20 Leaders' Summit venue. The two leaders shook hands and warmly greeted each other. Trudeau was among the leaders who arrived in New Delhi on Friday. PM Modi welcomed Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at Bharat Mandapam. The two leaders shook hands and greeted each other. PM Modi welcomed Sheikh Hasina at the G20 venue and the two leaders posed for the camera. The two leaders had held a bilateral meeting on Friday. After his meeting, PM Modi on X posted, "Had productive deliberations with PM Sheikh Hasina. The progress in India-Bangladesh relations in the last 9 years has been very gladdening. Our talks covered areas like connectivity, commercial linkage and more." PM Modi met with Mauritius Prime Minister Pravind Kumar Jugnauth at Bharat Mandapam. Earlier on Friday, the two leaders held a bilateral meeting at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg in Delhi. As the leaders arrived one by one, they were greeted byPM Modi, in the backdrop was showcased theKonark Wheelfrom Odisha. The Korark wheel was built during the 13th century under the reign of King Narasimhadeva-I. The wheel with 24 spokes has been adapted into India's national flag embodying India's ancient wisdom, advanced civilisation, and architectural excellence. The highly anticipated historic G20 Leader's Summit begins today, September 9, in the country's capital city. The first session of the G20 Summit would begin at around 10:30 am under this year's theme 'One Earth'. This global meeting, a culmination of various ministries, meetings and the engagement of different groups that happened throughout the year, aims to address key issues around the globe. At around 10:30 am, the first session of the G20 Summit: 'One Earth' will take place. One Earth will be one of the main topics of discussion during the session at the G20 leaders' summit. This session will focus on accelerating climate action through increased mitigation and strengthening the agenda of global net zero emission as soon as possible. The theme of this year's G20 Summit, which is taking place under India's presidency is Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam or One Earth One Family One Future - is drawn from the ancient Sanskrit text of the Maha Upanishad. Essentially, the theme affirms the value of all life human, animal, plant, and microorganisms and their interconnectedness on the planet Earth and in the wider universe. After the conclusion of the 'One Earth' session, and followed by lunch, another session of 'One Family' would be conducted at 3 pm as a part of the Summit. At around 7 pm there will be a dinner hosted by President Droupadi Murmu. Besides, the foreign delegates parliamentarians and ministers in the current Cabinet, the G20 Summit dinner will be attended by some of the former senior leaders of the nation. Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin will not be taking part in the weekend summit. China, however, will be represented at the summit by Chinese Premier Li Qiang. Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will represent Russia. This is the first time that the G20 Summit is being hosted by India. Extensive preparations have been made to portray India's traditions and strengths. During the presidency, India has focused on various issues like inclusive growth, digital innovation, climate resilience, and equitable global health access. By leveraging its presidency, India is fostering collaborative solutions that benefit its own population and contribute to the broader global well-being. (ANI)
Congress veteran P Chidambaram sharpened his attack against the central government for not having invited the Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge for the G20 state dinner. There were media reports that the Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge was not invited to the G20 state dinner. I cannot imagine any other democratic country's government not inviting the recognised Leader of the Opposition to a state dinner for world leaders, Chidambaram wrote on X. This can happen only in countries where there is no Democracy or no Opposition, he further wrote, noting he hopes India, that is Bharat, has not reached a stage where democracy and the opposition would cease to exist" he added in the post. On Friday, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi addressing a press conference in Brussels, also criticised the Government for not inviting its senior leader and Rajya Sabha LoP Mallikarjun Kharge. What is contrary about it? They have decided not to invite the Leader of the Opposition. It tells you something. It tells you that they don't value the Leader of 60 per cent of India's population. It's something that people should think about - why they are feeling the need to do that and what is the type of thinking that goes behind that" said Rahul Gandhi. The Congress MP is on a tour of Europe organised by the Indian Overseas Congress. Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel also weighed in on the debate, stating it was unfortunate. This is a very unfortunate thing that he is not being called in the summit. The dissent of the Opposition should be respected. Leaders of the opposition have a very important role in a socialist society, Baghel said while speaking to the reporters in Raipur. President Droupadi Murmu will host a dinner on the opening day of the G20 summit in New Delhi on Saturday at a hall of Bharat Mandapam, the venue of the summit. Among those invited for the dinner include former Prime Ministers Manmohan Singh, HD Deve Gowda and various chief ministers of different states. India assumed the G20 presidency on December 1 last year and about 200 meetings related to G20 were organized in 60 cities across the country. The 18th G20 Summit in New Delhi is a culmination of all the G20 processes and meetings held throughout the year. (ANI)
As President Biden and Prime Minister Modi shook hands in the backdrop of the Konark wheel Prime Minister Modi was seen giving the US President a brief introduction to this symbol of India's ancient wisdom, advanced civilization and architectural excellence.

Minister of Education and Minister of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Dharmendra Pradhan, shared the significance of this cultural exchange on social media.

Pradhan posted on X, Odishas magnificent culture and heritage finds a place of pride at G20 India. The Konark chakra is an architectural marvel illustrating the civilisational concepts of time, space, continuity and the future. PM Narendra Modi explaining the significance of Indias heritage and knowledge traditions to US President Joe Biden is truly a beautiful sight.

The Konark Wheel, built during the 13th century under the reign of King Narasimhadeva-I, stands as a testament to India's historical prowess.

With its 24 spokes, it not only served as an architectural masterpiece but also found its place in India's national flag. This incorporation symbolizes the nation's deep-rooted heritage and its commitment to preserving its cultural legacy.

This iconic structure, with its intricate design and symbolic importance, has long been admired not only for its artistic value but also for its representation of India's profound cultural heritage.

The Konark Wheel's presence at the G20 Summit served as a reminder of India's rich and diverse cultural tapestry.

The showcasing of the Konark Wheel at this international stage also highlights the importance of preserving and celebrating the nation's historical treasures, ensuring that they continue to inspire and educate future generations both in India and around the world. (ANI)
"One of the main operatives of PFI Riyaz Maroof has been arrested," confirmed Motihari SP Kantesh Mishra.

Riyaz, who came into the limelight after the Phulwari Terror Model, was being searched by the Anti-Terror Squad (ATS) and NIA teams for a long time, said SP Mishra.

He further said that a case was also registered against him in Phulwari police station.

Chakia police arrested Riyaz from the Chakia Shubhash Chowk on the instructions of SP Kantesh Mishra.

SM Mishra said that Riyaz is currently being interrogated at a secret location by the district police.

"Information about Riyaz's arrest was given to NIA and ATS," said SP Mishra.

NIA has carried out extensive investigations in the case relating to unlawful and anti-national activities of members of PFI.

It had earlier arrested 15 accused in the instant case and also seized several incriminating articles and documents relating to the radical organisation which was raising a PFI Army by radicalization and indoctrination of youth through false and communal narratives, at the behest of anti-national forces operating from across the border, to wage a war against the country.

The accused had been promoting the unlawful and violent agenda and activities of the PFI and channelling illegal funds from abroad to the PFI members or accused persons in this case for carrying out violent terror acts.

Investigations by the agency have also exposed the sinister agenda of the PFI, which had been engaged in organizing arms and terror training camps to train the radicalized youth in the use of weapons, swords and iron rods to wreak terror and vengeance on their enemies. (ANI)
An outbound flight at OHare International Airport returned to the gate Friday night when a 31-year-old mans erratic behavior caused the flight crew to halt the flight, Chicago police said.

About 8:45 p.m., the outbound flight was headed toward the runway when an announcement from the cockpit was made about an earlier incident that caused the flight to be delayed, police said.

Advertisement

A passenger exited his seat and began pacing the cabin talking in a repetitive manner. A decision was made to return to the gate, where the man was escorted off of the plane. He was taken to a local hospital for an evaluation, police said.

No one was hurt during the incident.
French President Emmanuel Macron on Saturday arrived in New Delhi to attend the G20 Summit hosted by India under its Presidency on September 9-10. Union Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Anupriya Patel received Macron at Delhis Palam airport. He was given a rousing welcome at the airport with a cultural dance performance. Macron is due to have bilateral meetings over the two-day summit with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva among others. Macron, who was among the last leaders to arrive in the country is slated to have a working lunch meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on September 10, according to sources. Previously, the two leaders met in July during PM Modi's visit to France to attend the Bastille Day Parade. The French president will also have bilateral meetings with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva Brazilian president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, and Indonesian President Joko Widodo among others, according to the Embassy of France in India. A statement from Macrons office said, "The G20 Summit will enable Frances Head of State to continue his ongoing dialogue with his counterparts from every continent, so as to combat the risks of fragmentation of the world. It will also be an opportunity to make progress in implementing joint responses to the major global challenges that can only be tackled effectively through multilateral action: peace and stability, poverty alleviation, protection of climate and our planet, food security, and digital regulation." It further said, "The Summit will also provide an opportunity to follow up on the Summit for a New Global Financial Pact held in Paris last June. This had led to the establishment of the Paris Agenda for People and the Planet, providing a framework for collective action to ensure that no country has to choose between fighting poverty and protecting the planet." India is hosting the G20 Leaders Summit at the newly inaugurated Bharat Mandapam Convention Centre at Pragati Maidan on September 9-10. India assumed the G20 presidency on December 1 last year and about 200 meetings related to G20 were organized in 60 cities across the country.The 18th G20 Summit in New Delhi will be a culmination of all the G20 processes and meetings held throughout the year among ministers, senior officials, and civil societies. Prior to his departure, Macron is likely to hold a press conference at the venue on Sunday afternoon, according to the Embassy of France in India. He will depart for Bangladesh for a bilateral visit on Sunday afternoon. India and France have traditionally close and friendly relations. Since the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two nations in 1947, and the upgrading of the partnership to the strategic level in 1998, India and France have consistently acted together, building on a high level of mutual trust, shared commitment to the principles enshrined in the United Nations Charter and common values rooted in international law, according to the Ministry of External Affairs. To mark the 25th anniversary of the Indo-French partnership, both countries agreed to adopt a roadmap to set the course for the bilateral relationship up to 2047, which will celebrate the centenary of Indias independence, the centenary of the diplomatic ties between the two countries and 50 years of the strategic partnership. (ANI)
Soren is accompanied by his father and Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) national president, Shibu Soren, who is coming to Delhi for a medical checkup.

The departure of Chief Minister Hemant Soren to the G-20 Summit, hosted in India, reflects the nation's commitment to engaging with global leaders on pressing issues.

As he prepared to represent the state of Jharkhand at the event, his presence underscored the importance of regional leaders in contributing to India's diplomatic efforts on the international stage.

Shibu Soren, a political figure and the national president of the JMM, joined his son on the trip to Delhi. His visit, though primarily for a medical checkup, added a personal touch to the journey.

Shibu Soren's presence also hinted at the continued involvement of seasoned leaders in the state's political landscape.

The G-20 Summit in Delhi has drawn leaders from across the globe to discuss critical issues ranging from economic policies to climate change.

Hemant Soren's attendance at the summit reflects Jharkhand's commitment to playing an active role in shaping these discussions and contributing to the nation's stance on global matters.

India, as the host of the G20, has welcomed leaders and heads of delegation from across the world for the historic summit that is set to conclude on Sunday (September 10). This global meeting, a culmination of various ministries, meetings and the engagement of different groups that happened throughout the year, aims to address key issues around the globe.

US President Joe Biden, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman, and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida are among the key leaders who are in India to attend the two-day event. (ANI)
As the much anticipated G20 Summit kick-started with global leaders being welcomed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the venue, Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said that it has been a successful presidency of G20 for India under the leader of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "It has been a successful G-20 presidency under the prime minister's leadership... I welcome all the G-20 guests in our country. Once again a big congratulations to Prime Minister Narendra Modi," Pramod Sawant said on Saturday while speaking to ANI. The first session of the summit under the theme One Earth started at Bharat Mandapam, the venue of the conference. India assumed the G20 presidency on December 1 last year. This is the first time that a G20 Summit is taking place under Indias presidency. Sawant arrived in the national capital to attend the G20 dinner hosted by President Draupadi Murmu. Apart from foreign leaders and heads of delegates, Chief ministers of all the states, cabinet and state ministers, secretaries in the Central government, and other distinguished guests have been invited to the gala dinner that will be held at the multi-function hall of the Bharat Mandapam on Saturday (September 9). The event's host, President Murmu, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar with his wife Sudesh Dhankhar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, former President Ram Nath Kovind, and former Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu will join the dinner party. However, leaders from other political parties have not been invited. The list of cabinet ministers who are going to attend the event includes Rajnath Singh, Amit Shah, Nitin Gadkari, Nirmala Sitharaman, Narendra Singh Tomar, S Jaishankar, Arjun Munda, Smriti Irani, and Piyush Goyal, Dharmendra Pradhan and Pralhad Joshi. Former Prime Ministers Dr Manmohan Singh and HD Deve Gowda have also been invited to the special occasion. However, Deve Gowda on Friday informed that he won't be able to attend the G20 dinner hosted by President Murmu due to health reasons. (ANI)
Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Saturday said that he would not attend the G20 special dinner hosted by President Droupadi Murmu, claiming that the approval for his helicopter was denied by the Ministry of Home Affairs. Responding to the reason given by the Rajasthan CM for not attending the G20 dinner, MHA said that no request from the Rajasthan CM has been denied. "In a news report, the Rajasthan Chief Minister has claimed denial of approval for his helicopter flight by the MHA. Four requests were received from CM Rajasthan for flight permissions, including for Sikar, and all were approved by the MHA, the MHA posted on X. "No request from CM Rajasthan has been denied. While all scheduled flights of commercial Aircrafts and the movement of Governors and State Chief Ministers on their State aircraft are allowed, private chartered flights require specific MHA approval," it added. Gehlot's absence from the G20 dinner came amid Congress' displeasure overnot inviting the Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge to the G20 state dinner. A big-ticket event featuring world leaders, including US President Joe Biden and UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, as well as delegates of leading international organisations, the G20 summit will be hosted at the state-of-the-art Bharat Mandapam in Delhi's Pragati Maidan on September 9 and 10. Former Prime Ministers Manmohan Singh and HD Deve Gowda are among the invitees to the G20 dinner. However, Deve Gowda informed me that he won't be able to attend the dinner, hosted by President Droupadi Murmu, due to health reasons. A total of 170 guests are on the list of special invitees to the G20 dinner hosted by President Draupadi Murmu in the national capital. Apart from foreign leaders and heads of delegation, Chief ministers of all the states, cabinet and state ministers, secretaries in the Central government, and other distinguished guests have been invited to the gala dinner that will be held at the multi-function hall of the Bharat Mandapam on Saturday (September 9). The event's host, President Murmu, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar with his wife Sudesh Dhankhar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, former President Ram Nath Kovind, and former Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu will join the dinner party. (ANI)
After the arrest of former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu in connection with an alleged corruption case, his wife Nara Bhuvaneshwari expressed her hope that Naidu should win the fight which he has been fighting for the freedom of the people of the state. "Chandrababu Naidu continued his fight not for his family but for the freedom of the people of Andhra Pradesh. I want him to win the fight," Bhuvaneshwar said. Chandrababu Naidu's wife Nara Bhuvaneshwar earlier visited to Durga Devi temple to offer prayers. "A child goes to a parent when they are upset. That's why I came to the deity (at Durga Devi temple) to share my pain. I prayed to the deity to protect my husband and give him courage," she added. The TDP chief was taken into custody by the Andhra Pradesh Criminal Investigation Department (CID), in connection with the alleged skill development scam case. A First Information Report (FIR) in the case was lodged in 2021. As police arrived early Saturday morning to arrest the TDP Chief, they faced resistance from TDP cadres. A minor scuffle also broke out between officials and Naidu's supporters during his arrest. Meanwhile, N Chandrababu Naidu, who was later arrested on an alleged case of corruption, said that the CID made the arrest without any proper information and that they refused to show him evidence. Talking to mediapersons prior to his police custody, Naidu said, I did not commit any malpractice or corruption. CID arrested me without any proper information, and I asked them to show the evidence, but they refused to show it and attached my name to the FIR without my role. Naidu has been named as accused number 1 in the case, which involves over Rs 250 crore. Details of the FIR and other details were provided to Naidu's advocates, who also demanded prima facie evidence, pointing out that the former chief minister's name was not mentioned in the FIR report. The former Andhra Chief Minister has been charged under sections for criminal conspiracy, cheating, and dishonestly inducing the delivery of property. It is to inform you that you have been arrested under CrPcs Sections 120(8), 166, 167, 418, 420, 465, 468, 471, 409, 201, 109 rw 34 and 37 IPC and other sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, the notice issued under Section 50 (1) (2) of the Criminal Procedure Code. The State Police also detained several party leaders, including Naidu's son Nara Lokesh, in East Godavari district as a preventive action to maintain law and order in the state. (ANI)
After the INDIA alliance won four seats out of seven seats in the bypolls, Chhattisgarh Deputy Chief Minister TS Singh Deo has said that it is good news for the alliance in the coming 2024 Lok Sabha elections. It is a matter of happiness that the new alliance that is being formed keeping in mind the current situation of the country and with a view to securing the future, has got the majority support of the people in the bypoll. This indicates that it may be good news for the alliance in the coming Lok Sabha elections, TS Singh Deo said. The results for the bypolls in seven Assembly seats across six states Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Tripura, Kerala were declared on Friday. Out of the seven Assembly seats that went to polls, BJP has won three Boxanagar, Dhanpur and Bageshwar, while INDIA alliance won four Dumri, Puthupally, Ghosi and Dhupguri. Meanwhile, former CM of Andhra Pradesh Chandrababu Naidu was arrested by Andhra CID in connection with an alleged corruption case on Saturday. Deputy CM of Chhattisgarh said "What to say about this government which is continuously taking action from Delhi purely out of political vendetta. For these reasons, the country needs equations like the INDIA alliance and there is an urgent need to rid the country of such a mentality. Further, on being asked about Rahul Gandhis statement in which he has said that due to the privatization of education and health, people are not able to reach it, TS Singh Deo said This is the right thing, we and you all know that if Rahul ji has raised this matter on the national and international platform, then he is again warning for the times to come. On many occasions, he has many suggestions through his medium. This is another very serious suggestion which we all discuss but also let happen. There is a need to stop privatization in the field of health and education and promote public institutions. The Aam Aadmi Party on Friday released its first list of candidates for the upcoming Madhya Pradesh assembly polls. Deputy CM of Chhattisgarh said, Best wishes, this is an open platform of politics, we all have to go before the voters and the voters will give their verdict. (ANI)
The Chief Minister briefed the Power Minister about the unprecedented 26 per cent increase in power demand due to growth of productive sectors of the economy.

Power Minister Singh assured that he would consider the personal request of the Chief Minister to allocate at least 300MW of power to Assam to tide over the current power deficit.

Later, taking to X (formerly Twitter), the Chief Minister said, "Had an excellent discussion with Honble Union Power Minister Shri RK Singh ji. I briefed him on the unprecedented 26% increase in power demand due to growth of productive sectors of the economy. He has assured to kindly consider my personal request to allocate at least 300 MW of power to Assam, which will aid in tiding over the current power deficit." (ANI)
"A man named Sonu Yadav had a fight with his wife. Later, he climbed up tower. One hour later, he was brought down. The couple will be provided counselling," the police told reporters.

Meanwhile, visuals showed that the man had climbed up the tower. And people had gathered at the spot asking him to get down.

The State Disaster Emergency Response Force (SDERF) team was deployed to help the man get down.

Further details are awaited. (ANI)
No casualties or injury to anyone was reported in the incident as no one was present at the factory when the fire broke out, they said.

According to officials said that fire tenders are on the spot and efforts to douse the fire are underway.

Further, according to the officials, the fire broke out earlier on Saturday evening in the industry area behind Pacific Mall in Ghaziabad.

The fire spread to two adjacent factories, prompting fire department officials to call for more fire tenders from four nearby districts including Hapur, Meerut, Noida and Tata, Ghaziabad Chief Fire Officer Rahul Kumar said.

Kumar further said that it may take another 3-4 hours for them to bring the situation under control. The exact reason behind the fire is yet to be ascertained, he added.

More details awaited. (ANI)
Her lips are sunburned-chapped, her face browned by the wind. And although her nails are lined with the dirt of the fields, her hair is streaked by the sun to shades of honey that any fancy hair salon would envy.

Bringing their weekly harvest to the local farmers market, this woman and her husband have laid out their meager produce: a small stack of sweet corn, a basket of heirloom beans, a few jars of maple syrup and a handful of tomatoes.

Advertisement

Even though other vendors have more robust offerings, it is this farmers table that draws me over. Perhaps it is the gentleness of the womans smile: patient, sweet and kind. Perhaps it is the love and affection that shines from the mans tired brown eyes when he speaks to her. The two of them obviously share a prideful passion for the small yet delicious bounty they have produced: sweet corn so tender it melts in your mouth, heirloom beans crisp and succulent, and tomatoes juicy red, fragrant with the scents of the earth from which they came.

It is so easy to forget these humble farmers and others like them when I walk into a mega grocery store and see the abundance of food shipped from who knows where, laid out in neat rows, produce polished to perfection, so much of it tasteless. I wonder if we as a people will ever recognize and appreciate the disappearing national treasure that is the family farm.

Advertisement

For despite all their hardships  the late spring snows, the summer droughts, the short season  these local farmers toil not only to provide us with their scrumptious real food, but the fruits of their spirit as well.

And for this, I am abundantly grateful.

 Marnie O. Mamminga, Batavia

One Fair Wage a bad idea

I have been reading with interest and dismay the opinion pieces concerning the subminimum tipped wage and the One Fair Wage campaign. I have been a server for three years in a long-standing, family-owned restaurant. The other servers and I make at least $30 to $40 in tips per hour, plus our wages. Our 20 servers come from different economic and ethnic backgrounds, and we are all happily working together. An older server is a schoolteacher but serves part time to put her kids through college. A few other servers are single moms who use Section 8 housing assistance, and this job helps provide for their children. I like to travel, and this gives me the flexibility and funding to travel, as well as save money for my own home.

We like the idea that the better servers we are, the more tips we get. We try very hard to make our customers happy, and it is reflected in our generous tips. Most of our guests pay with a credit card now, and our tips are automatically taxed. If the mayor allows One Fair Wage to pass, we will all be quitting. We do not want to work for $15 per hour when we make at least double that right now.

I fear that if this measure passes, it would hurt a lot of people  the people Mayor Brandon Johnson thinks he is going to help. Servers would quit their jobs from making only half as much, guests would get terrible service with the absence of incentive and employers would be forced to put a service charge on the bill to cover additional payroll expenses. Guests would not likely tip more.

Besides that, several restaurants potentially could go out of business since their payroll has already skyrocketed from minimum wage increases and COVID-19. I do not think a restaurant could sustain another wage increase for its employees.

If any servers are making less than $20 per hour now, they should probably reconsider their serving position and look for a new career.

Advertisement

 Angelina Montes, Chicago

Inspired by Bill Richardson

As a Mexican American and son of Mexican immigrants who came of age in southern New Mexico, I am very sad to learn that Bill Richardson, a former New Mexico governor and a widely known American diplomat, has passed away. Throughout the 1980s, when I was a young college student and Richardson represented New Mexico in Congress, he was a role model for me. After all, he was the only Mexican American politician with a national presence at a time when I wanted to be successful in my profession in American academia.

More recently, Richardson has been recognized for his vitally important role in the release of hostages and American military personnel from countries like North Korea. He also served in a number of prominent positions as a public servant. In addition to being a congressman for almost 15 years, he served two terms as New Mexico governor and was a U.S. ambassador to the United Nations and the secretary of energy under President Bill Clinton.

In 2008, Richardson inspired many of us once again when he ran, though very briefly and unfortunately without success, for the Democratic nomination for president of the United States. I cant wait for the time, sooner rather than later, when well see another human rights-oriented Democratic candidate of Latin American descent, one who can address our 21st century challenges, running for president.

 Alejandro Lugo, Park Forest

Impressed by TSA at OHare

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 >

On the morning of Aug. 3, I flew out of OHare International Airport. Approaching security, I got in the queue with 100 or so other travelers. I took a deep breath, preparing to remain calm while inching through the security labyrinth. Instead, in just a few minutes, I was showing my boarding pass and identification card. As I started to take off my shoes, the Transportation Security Administration agent instructed me: Dont stop! Nothing needed to be removed or unpacked  I was so confused!

Advertisement

I walked through the old scanner rather than assuming the position in the swirly scanner. And just like that, I was in the main terminal.

Kudos to the TSA for always improving the process to tighten security and get travelers through as quickly as reasonably possible. Great job!

 Jerry Caldwell, Chicago

Join the conversation in our Letters to the Editor Facebook group.

Submit a letter, of no more than 400 words, to the editor here or email letters@chicagotribune.com.
The Supreme Court Bar Association of Pakistan called on bar associations to participate in a nationwide strike on Saturday, Dawn reported. The apex lawyers' body demanded the release of political prisoners, an end to the military's involvement in politics, and effective solutions to the economic crisis during an event on Thursday. Following remarks by attorneys Hamid Khan, Latif Khosa, Aitzaz Ahsan, and SCBA President Abid Zuberi during the All Pakistan Lawyers Convention hosted by the SCBA's 25th Executive Committee at the SCBA premises, a resolution outlining all of these objectives was passed, according to Dawn. Zuberi noted that the Pakistan Bar Council was noticeably absent from the meeting and expressed concern that, despite an invitation, the PBC did not attend the moot. The convention's resolution, which supported civilian supremacy, called for the bar councils to hold rallies and marches in their individual bar associations as a form of peaceful protest to support and protect the Constitution and the rule of law. It stated that every institution in Pakistan was bound by the Constitution and was not permitted to deviate even the smallest amount, Dawn reported. The resolution notably referenced the armed forces and emphasized that they are expected to rigorously defend the Constitution and abstain from any political actions as the Constitution was drafted by officials of all ranks. Additionally, it opposed the trial of civilians in military courts, arguing that such courts violated the Constitution's guarantees of due process, a fair trial, and other fundamental rights. A case challenging these courts is currently before the Supreme Court. All citizens being kept in the custody of military or intelligence agencies be transferred to the custody of the relevant and concerned civil law authorities for their presentation before civilian courts, the SCBA resolution read, according to Dawn. Those responsible for their illegal arrest and detention should be proceeded against in accordance with law, it read, as it demanded the immediate release of those detained illegally. "The arrests, detentions, and harassment of women over the past few months are strongly condemned, and those found to be responsible for such acts be punished under the law," declared the attorneys' association. The organization also urged that individuals responsible for the harassment of advocates who were carrying out their professional responsibilities be brought to justice. Possibly suggesting that Imran Khan, the leader of the PTI, is being harassed by state officials, whose party is in disarray following the events on May 9. After Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chief and former prime minister Imran Khan was taken into custody on May 9 at the Islamabad High Court (IHC), violent confrontations broke out throughout Pakistan. Due to the party workers' agitation over the detention of their chairman, rallies were held in both remote and populous towns, and Balochistan, Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Islamabad called in the armed forces to maintain peace and order. During a demonstration by PTI activists, army installations and the house of the corps commander in Lahore came under attack. (ANI)
Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud who is on a State visit to India till September 11 will attend the G20 Summit being hosted under India's Presidency on September 9-10, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Saturday. India is hosting the two-day-long G20 Leaders Summit in the national capital at the newly inaugurated Bharat Mandapam starting today. The Summit would commence with the arrival of the world leaders at the venue (Bharat Mandapam) from 9:30 am onwards. The theme of this year's G20 Summit, which is taking place under India's presidency is Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam or One Earth One Family One Future. Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince has travelled to India at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, according to the Ministry of External Affairs statement. Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud is accompanied by a high-level delegation, including Ministers and senior officials. On September 11, Saudi Arabia's PM will call on President Droupadi Murmu. Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud will hold a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and both the leaders leaders will co-chair the First Leaders Meeting of the Strategic Partnership Council. The two leaders will review the progress made under the two Ministerial Committees of the Strategic Partnership Council i.e. the Committee on Political, Security, Social and Cultural Cooperation and the Committee on Economy and Investments Cooperation. PM Modi and Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince will discuss all aspects of bilateral relations, including political, security, defence, trade and economic, cultural and people-to-people ties. Both the leaders will also discuss the regional and international issues of mutual interest. Earlier, Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince visited India on a State visit in February 2019 and the current visit will be his second State visit to the country. "India and Saudi Arabia have historically close and friendly relations with extensive people-to-people contacts. The trade between both countries reached all time high of USD 52.75 billion in FY 2022-23, the External Affairs Ministry said. India is Saudi Arabias second-largest trading partner whereas Saudi Arabia is Indias fourth-largest trading partner. Both countries also have a strong partnership in the area of energy. According to the MEA there is a vibrant Indian community of around 2.4 million in Saudi Arabia. Their contribution towards the development of the host country and role as bridges to deepen the multifaceted ties between the two countries is highly appreciated. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia also facilitates Hajj pilgrimage of over 175,000 Indians every year." (ANI)
India and Saudi Arabia enjoy cordial and friendly relations reflecting the centuries old economic and socio-cultural ties. The establishment of diplomatic relations in 1947 was followed by high-level visits from both sides.

Moreover, Saudi Arabia is Indias fourth largest trading partner. More than 18 per cent of Indias crude oil imports are sourced from Saudi Arabia.

Whereas, the year 2021-22 commemorates 75 years of Indias independence as Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav. This celebrations also coincides with 75 years of establishment of diplomatic relations between India and Saudi Arabia.

After the BRICS Summit concluded, Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated leaders and people of Saudi Arabia, along with other five nations over their full membership of BRICS and said India has always supported the expansion of the organisation.

In a statement in the presence of other leaders from BRICS countries, PM Modi said India has always believed that adding new members will strengthen BRICS as an organisation.

PM Modi said India has historic ties with all the new members of BRICS.

In July, PM Modi and Muslim World League Secretary General Mohammad Bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa held discussions in New Delhi on furthering the inter-faith dialogue, countering extremist ideologies, promoting global peace and also deepening the partnership between India and Saudi Arabia.

Following their meeting, the Muslim World League chief said that he appreciated PM Modis passionate perspective towards inclusive growth.

While delivering an address at an event at the India Islamic Cultural Centre in the national capital organised by the Khusro Foundation, Saudi Arabia's former Minister for Justice said that India with its diversity, is "a great model for coexistence" and that the country can send a message of peace to the world.(ANI)
Jose Manuel Albares Bueno is attending the G20 Summit on behalf of Spain's President Pedro Sanchez, who tested COVID positive recently.

Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Sanchez said, "This afternoon I have tested positive for COVID and will not be able to travel to New Delhi for the G20 Summit. I feel fine."

Apart from Sanchez, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin are other two leaders who are not attending the G20 Summit in person.

The G20 Summit is being held at the newly inaugurated Bharat Mandapam.

This is the first time that theG20 Summitis taking place underIndias presidency. The event will be graced by many global leaders and delegates.

Extensive preparations and arrangements have been made for the summit, with the intention of showcasing bothIndias soft power as well as modern face.

Formed in 1999, the G20 was formed to maintain global financial stability by incorporating middle-income countries.

Indiaassumed the G20 presidency on December 1 last year and about 200 meetings related to G20 were organized in 60 cities across the country. The 18thG20 SummitinNew Delhiwill be a culmination of all the G20 processes and meetings held throughout the year among ministers, senior officials, and civil societies.

A G20 Leaders declaration will be adopted at the conclusion of the Summit, stating Leaders commitment towards the priorities discussed and agreed upon during the respective ministerial and working group meetings.

The next G20 presidency is going to be taken over by Brazil in 2024, followed by South Africa in 2025. (ANI)
As the footfall of global leaders begins at the G20 Summits venue, Bharat Mandapam in Pragati Maidan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed the heads of States with handshakes and hugs. Japanese PM Fumio Kishida, President of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, President of South Africa Cyril Ramaphosa were seen shaking hands with PM Modi. President of South Korea Yoon Suk Yeol, President of the European Council Charles Michel, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and many other leaders have reached the G20 venue in the national capital. India is hosting the G20 Summit, scheduled for today and tomorrow, under its Presidency amid divisions in the grouping over the Russia-Ukraine war. The summit is being attended by more than 30 heads of state and top officials from the European Union and invited guest countries and 14 heads of international organisations. The first session of the G20 Summit: 'One Earth' will take place now gets underway. This session will focus on accelerating climate action through increased mitigation and strengthening the agenda of global net zero emission as soon as possible. The theme of this year's G20 Summit, which is taking place under India's presidency, Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam or One Earth One Family One Future - is drawn from the ancient Sanskrit text of the Maha Upanishad. Essentially, the theme affirms the value of all life human, animal, plant, and microorganisms and their interconnectedness on the planet Earth and in the wider universe. This is the first time that the G20 Summit is being hosted by India. The countries taking part in the G20 Summit include Nigeria, Argentina, Italy, the AU (represented by Comoros), and South Africa. Bangladesh, the United Kingdom, Japan Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Egypt, Australia, the United States, Canada, China, UAE, Brazil, Indonesia, Turkey Spain, Germany, France, Mauritius, the European Union and Singapore. A warm welcome was accorded to leaders who arrived in Delhi for theG20 Summitwith Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressing confidence that the gathering of world leaders will chart a new path in human-centric and inclusive development. (ANI)
Kaesang Pangarep is an Indonesian entrepreneur and YouTuber. He is the third and youngest child of the Indonesian President.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo arrived in India on Friday for attending the G20 Summit, which will be held on September 9-10.

He was received by Minister of State Shantanu Thakur at the airport.

Notably, Widodos visit to India comes just a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the 18th East-Asia Summit and 20th ASEAN-India Summit in Jakarta, Indonesia.

Indonesia is the chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) this year.

India is hosting the G20 Leaders Summit at the newly inaugurated Bharat Mandapam Convention Centre at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi on September 9-10.

This is the first time that the G20 Summit is taking place under Indias presidency. Formed in 1999, the G20 was setup to maintain global financial stability by incorporating middle-income countries.

India assumed the G20 presidency on December 1 last year and about 200 meetings related to G20 were organized in 60 cities across the country. The 18th G20 Summit in New Delhi will be a culmination of all the G20 processes and meetings held throughout the year among ministers, senior officials, and civil societies.

A G20 Leaders declaration will be adopted at the conclusion of the G20 Summit, stating Leaders commitment towards the priorities discussed and agreed upon during the respective ministerial and working group meetings. The next G20 presidency is going to be taken over by Brazil in 2024, followed by South Africa in 2025. (ANI)
White House posted on X, President Biden met with U.S. Embassy staff and their families today after arriving in New Delhi.

Bidenarrived in India on Friday for theG20 Summitand was received at the airport by Minister of State for Road Transport & Highways and Civil Aviation Gen VK Singh (retd).

After his arrival, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met American PresidentJoe Bidenin New Delhi at his official residence.

During the meeting, PM Modi conveyed his appreciation for President Bidens vision and commitment to further strengthen the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership, which is based on shared democratic values, strategic convergences and strong people-to-people ties, according to the Ministry of External Affairs press release.

The two leaders commended the progress in implementing the futuristic and wide-ranging outcomes of PM Modi's historic State visit to the U.S. in June 2023, including under the India-U.S. Initiative for Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET).

The Indo-US joint statement added that the leaders also welcomed the sustained momentum in bilateral cooperation in the areas of defence, trade, investment, education, health, research, innovation, culture and people-to-people ties.

Biden congratulated PM Modi and the people of India on Chandrayaan-3s historic landing near the lunar south pole and highlighted deepening cooperation between the two countries in Space.

The two leaders also exchanged views on a number of regional and global issues. They agreed that India- US partnership was beneficial not only for the people of the two countries but also for global good.

Prime Minister Modi thanked President Biden for the consistent support received from the United States in ensuring success of Indias G20 Presidency.

The 18thG20 Summithas begun at the state-of-the-art Bharat Mandapam Convention Centre in New Delhi today. (ANI)
Crown Point first responders will host a First Responders Twilight Bike Ride, starting from the Summit Street Trailhead of the Erie Lackawanna Trail, 299 W. Summit St. Check-in begins at 6 p.m. on Saturday and kickstands go up at 7 p.m. No registration is required. - Original Credit: Photo courtesy of City of Crown (Photo courtesy of City of Crown/HANDOUT)

A Crown Point man suffered minor small inhalation but all his animals came out fine, having been rescued from a house fire in the 600 Block of Alice Street earlier this week.

Crown Point Fire & Rescue responded to the blaze at 4:40 p.m. on Sept. 4. They met the owner and his dog outside but learned that there were other animals still inside, so the crew headed into the home and rescued a rabbit and several birds, according to Fire Chief Mark Baumgardner.

Advertisement

None of the animals required medical attention, he said. The man was treated and released from Franciscan Health Crown Point.

Baumgardner said that the crew contained the fire within seven minutes of arriving at the scene, but the home is a total loss, adding that the cause of the fire remains undetermined.

Advertisement

Several neighboring agencies also responded to the scene, including the Cedar Lake Fire Department, Lakes of the Four Seasons Fire Department, Lake Hills Fire Department, Lowell Fire Department, Merrillville Fire Department and St. John Fire Department.

Baumgardner commended the work of everyone involved, especially on a day when temperatures soared into the 90s.

The brave men and women of the Crown Point Fire Department along with our mutual aid partners had a difficult fire fight with the oppressive heat and humidity that day, but they still managed to extinguish the intense blaze in less than 10 minutes, he said.

First Responders Twilight Bike Ride this Saturday

Crown Point first responders are saying goodbye to summer with a First Responders Twilight Bike Ride, starting from the Summit Street Trailhead of the Erie Lackawanna Trail, 299 W. Summit St. Check-in begins at 6 p.m. on Saturday and kickstands go up at 7 p.m. No registration is required.

This is the second time the Crown Point Police Department has hosted this free event this year, with participation from Crown Point Fire Rescue and the Crown Point Emergency Management Agency.

Community partners Loopy Cases and Trek will be on site with free handouts for attendees.

We had a great turnout for our first twilight ride earlier this summer, said Crown Point Police Chief Ryan S. Patrick. It was a great way for our officers to connect with the community. We hope the community can join us for another successful event.

The Crown Point Police Department has eight members in its bicycle division, who will patrol the bike trail, Patrick noted. Following the bike ride, attendees will be able to enjoy beverages and ice cream sandwiches provided by the police department.

Advertisement

Having our public safety officials out on the bike trail is a great way for our first responders to connect with residents, Crown Point Mayor Pete Land said. We received great feedback from the first twilight ride this summer and look forward to making this an annual tradition.

Jim Masters is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday held a bilateral meeting with Japanese Prime Miniser Fumio Kishida on the sidelines of G20 summit being hosted under Indias presidency this year. The meeting was held at the G20 summit venue, Bharat Mandapam in Pragati Maidan. Kishida arrived in the national capital yesterday to attend the G20 Leaders Summit. At the G20 summit in India, Kishida plans to show Japan's stance of proactively contributing to various global issues, based on the results of the G7 summit in Hiroshima in May, Japanese media reported. "The agenda in India will include global food security, which has been affected by Russia's invasion of Ukraine, as well as development, digital transformation and other international issues," according to NHK. Earlier this May, PM Modi had met with his Japanese counterpart in Hiroshima at the G7 Summit in Hiroshima. The cooperation between India and Japan continues to deepen over time as the two nations share historical linkages with exchanges between the two countries being traced to the 6th century when Buddhism was introduced in Japan. As both nations deal with the challenges provided by an aggressive China in the Asian region, India's political ties to Japan have grown significantly over the past few decades. In the lead-up to both the G20 and G7 summits, the visit of Japanese PM Kishida to India in March bolstered further commitment between the two countries to work together for the realisation of a Free and Open Indo-Pacific. India and Japan have already developed various frameworks of security partnership including a 2+2 Dialogue involving Foreign and Defence ministers. The two countries regularly participate in joint military exercises such as the Malabar Exercise and have various partnership agreements ranging from defence equipment trade to military logistics. Japan is India's 13th-largest trading partner, whereas India is Japan's 18th-largest. With Japan's private sector investment in India steadily increasing, it is among the top five foreign investors in India. India and Japan's joint efforts to foster a free, open, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region demonstrate the strength and potential of their ever-strengthening relationship. This is the first time that the G20 Summit is taking place under Indias presidency. Formed in 1999, the G20 was setup to maintain global financial stability by incorporating middle-income countries. India assumed the G20 presidency on December 1 last year and about 200 meetings related to G20 were organized in 60 cities across the country. The 18th G20 Summit in New Delhi will be a culmination of all the G20 processes and meetings held throughout the year among ministers, senior officials, and civil societies. A G20 Leaders declaration will be adopted at the conclusion of the G20 Summit, stating Leaders commitment towards the priorities discussed and agreed upon during the respective ministerial and working group meetings. The next G20 presidency is going to be taken over by Brazil in 2024, followed by South Africa in 2025. (ANI)
United Kingdom Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who is in India for the G20 Summit, is scheduled to visit Delhi's Akshardham temple on Sunday. While talking with ANI, the UK PM said that he will visit Delhi's Akshardham temple tommorrow. Expressing pride for his Hindu roots, Rishi Sunak yesterday expressed his hope that he will find time to visit a temple, here in India, during his stay for the G20 Summit. Sunak said that he has enormous respect for PM Modi and said that he is keen to support him in making G20 an enormous success. Speaking exclusively to ANI, Rishi Sunak said, I am a proud Hindu. Thats how I was raised, thats how I am. Hopefully, I can visit the Mandir while I am here for the next couple of days. We just had Rakshabandhan, so from my sister and my cousin, I have all my Rakhis. I didnt have time to celebrate Janmashtami. But hopefully, as I said I can make up for that if we visit a Mandir this time, he added. He further said that faith is something very important as it gives strength and resilience during stress. Earlier today, PM Sunak held a bilateral meeting with his UK counterpart Rishi Sunak on the sidelines of the G20 Summit being held in the national capital under India's presidency. The meeting between the two leaders was held at the Bharat Mandapam in Pragati Maidan, the venue of the Summit. Talks between the two leaders followed their meeting held on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Hiroshima in May this year in which they had discussed the India-UK free trade agreement, innovation, and science along with ways to strengthen the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries.The two countries are negotiating a Free Trade Agreement, talks for which had begun in 2022. The 12th round of negotiations for the UK-India Free Trade Agreement (FTA) took place from August 8 to 31 this year.In August this year, Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and the UKs Secretary of State for Trade Kemi Badenoch took stock of the FTA and agreed on ways to progress the negotiations. The 13th round of negotiations is due to take place in September. Earlier today, PM Modi and Rishi Sunak participated in Session 1 on 'One Earth' during the G20 Summit. Sunak said that the world is looking to G20 to provide leadership and that the leaders are meeting at a time of enormous challenges. He expressed confidence that the leaders will together be able to address the challenges. In a post shared on X, Sunak stated, "15 years ago, #G20 leaders came together for the first time to restore global growth after the financial crisis. We meet at a time of enormous challenges the world is looking to the G20 once again to provide leadership. Together I believe we can address these challenges."PM Modi welcomed world leaders, including US President Joe Biden, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, UK PM Rishi Sunak, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and others as they arrived to attend the Summit at the Bharat Mandapam venue. Rishi Sunak and PM Modi warmly greeted each other with Namaste and shook hands. They two leaders also hugged each other as they posed for cameras. Sunak, accompanied by wife Akshata Murty had arrived in Delhi on Friday. This is Rishi Sunak's first visit to India as Prime Minister since he assumed the office of Prime Minister of UK in October last year. India and the UK are bound by strong ties of history and culture, according to the Ministry of External Affairs. Indias multifaceted bilateral relationship with the UK intensified with its upgradation to a Strategic Partnership in 2004. (ANI)
US President Joe Biden and Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday shared a candid moment as they took a selfie at Bharat Mandapam at the G20 Summit in New Delhi. Joe Biden, Sheikh Hasina on Friday arrived in India to attend the G20 Summit in New Delhi. Indiais hosting the G20 Leaders Summit in the national capital at the newly inaugurated Bharat Mandapam on September 9-10. The summit is being attended by more than 30 heads of state and top officials from the European Union and invited guest countries and 14 heads of international organisations. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday addressed the first session of the G20 Summit and called for the need to further human-centric development. He noted that India with a spirit of One Earth has worked on initiatives like the LiFE Mission and emphasised on International Year of Millets. Sharing a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, PM Modi stated, "Spoke at Session 1 of the G20 Summit on the subject of One Earth. Highlighted the need to further human-centric development, which is also something Indian culture has always emphasised. It is with a spirit of One Earth that India has worked on initiatives such as the LiFE Mission, emphasised on International Year of Millets, launched the Green Grids Initiative - One Sun, One World, One Grid, harnessed solar power, encouraged natural farming and the National Green Hydrogen Mission." PM Modi said that he had a "productive meeting" at theG20 Summitin Delhi. He shared glimpses of himself along with world leaders when he welcomed them at Bharat Mandapam, Pragati Maidan. He also welcomed the inclusion of the African Union as a permanent member in the G20 grouping. PM Modi in a post on X stated, "Honoured to welcome the African Union as a permanent member of the G20 Family. This will strengthen the G20 and also strengthen the voice of the Global South." PM Modi addressed Session-1 on 'One Earth' during the G20 Summit being hosted under India's Presidency. In his opening remarks, he began by expressing condolences for the victims of the recent earthquake in Morocco. (ANI)
Terming the announcement of a mega India-Middle East-Europe shipping and railway connectivity corridor as " a real big deal" US President Joe Biden expressed that in the next decade, the partner countries will address infrastructure gaps across low-middle-income countries to maximize investments in economic corridors." India, the United States, Saudi Arabia and the European Union announced a historic agreement to launch a mega India-Middle East-Europe shipping and railway connectivity corridor. Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the ambitious project on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in the presence of US President US Biden, Saudi Arabia Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman and leaders of the EU. "This is a real big deal. I want to thank PM. One Earth, One Family, One Future that's the focus of this G20 Summit. And in many ways, it's also the focus of this partnership that we're talking about today, the US President said while addressingthe Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment (PGII) and India Middle East Europe Economic Corridor event. The corridor is a historic and first-of-its-kind initiative on cooperation on connectivity and infrastructure involving India, UAE, Saudi Arabia, EU, France, Italy, Germany and the USA. The US President said: Building sustainable, resilient infrastructure, making quality infrastructure investments and creating a better future... Last year, we came together as one to commit to this vision. And this afternoon I want to highlight the key ways in which the United States and our partners are working to make this a reality. The US President further said you are going to hear the phrase Economic corridor more than once and I expect, over the next decade as we work to address infrastructure gaps across low-middle-income countries, we need to maximize the impact of our investments. That's why a few months ago announced that the United States will work with our partners to invest in economic corridors." Prime Minister Narendra Modi while addressing the event said strong connectivity and infrastructure are the base of development of human civilization. India has given the highest priority to this topic...we believe connectivity between different countries increases not only business but trust between them...by promoting connectivity initiative, we need to ensure we stick to philosophies...that is, adhesion to international rules, respect for all nations' sovereignty and regional integrity... the PM said. PM Modi said that it will give a new direction to connectivity and sustainable development."The corridor will become an effective medium for economic integration of India, the Middle East and Europe," he said. Indiais hosting theG20Leaders Summit in the national capital at the newly inaugurated Bharat Mandapam on September 9-10. The summit is being attended by more than 30 heads of state and top officials from the European Union and invited guest countries and 14 heads of international organisations. Meanwhile, PM Narendra Modi also launched the Global Biofuels Alliance in the presence of US President Joe Biden, President of Brazil Luiz Inacio, President of Argentina, Alberto Fernndez and Prime Minister of Italy Giorgia Meloni. The Global Biofuel Alliance is one of the priorities under Indias G20 Presidency. Brazil, India, and the United States, as leading biofuel producers and consumers, will work together during the next few months towards the development of a Global Biofuels Alliance along with other interested countries. This Alliance will be aimed at facilitating cooperation and intensifying the use of sustainablebiofuels, including in the transportation sector. It will place emphasis on strengthening markets, facilitating globalbiofuelstrade, developing concrete policy lesson-sharing and providing technical support for nationalbiofuelsprograms worldwide. It will also emphasize the already implemented best practices and success cases. (ANI)
UN chief Antonio Guterres on Saturday urged the G20 leaders to show more ambition on reducing emissions and supporting climate justice. He further emphasized that half-measures will not prevent full-climate breakdown. Taking to his social media 'X', Guterres tweeted, "Half-measures will not prevent full climate breakdown. Today I urged the #G20 to demonstrate far more ambition on reducing emissions & supporting climate justice. We have one planet. Lets save it." https://twitter.com/antonioguterres/status/1700478212642369695?s=20 Earlier,UN chief Antonio Guterres on Friday expressed hope that Indias G20 presidency would help in bringing the transformative change that the world desperately needs. At a press conference in the national capital, Guterres, who is here to attend the G20 summit, called for much-needed reforms in the international forum including the UN security council, saying the world is in a difficult moment of transition and its multilateral institutions reflect a bygone age. Listing the challenges that the world is facing, the UN chief explained climate crisis is worsening dramatically while the response is lacking in ambition, credibility, and urgency. Wars and conflicts are multiplying but efforts to advance peace are faltering. New technologies are raising red flags but actions to contain the risks remain too slow and too piecemeal, he said. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres arrived in New Delhi on Friday to participate in the G20 Summit. The UN chief received a rousing welcome, with a group of dancers performing a folk dance. However, European Council President Charles Michel said on Saturday that climate change and the fight against poverty are two challenges that need to be addressed together, and for this, you can count on the European Union. At One Earth, Michel emphasized that we must fight for peace with nature.At One Earth, we want a better future for the generations that follow us. We must fight for peace with nature, the fight against climate change, he said. (ANI)
The project aims to facilitate the transit of renewable electricity and clean hydrogen via transmission cables and pipelines as well as constructing rail linkages. It is also intended to enhance energy security, support efforts for the development of clean energy, promote digital economy through digital connectivity and transmission of data via fibre cables, and promote trade and transport of goods by rail and through ports, as per a release issued by Saudi Arabias Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Saudi Arabia welcomed the role of the US in facilitating, and supporting the negotiations for the establishment, and implementation of the green corridors transit protocol with the relevant countries.

Meanwhile, United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken recently began his Saudi Arabia visit with a meeting with Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

The two held talks at the start of a diplomatic mission focused on stabilisingSaudi Arabia-US tiesafter years of deepening disagreements on issues like human rights in Iran, regional security and oil prices as well, reported Al Jazeera.

Bliken and Crown PrinceMohammed bin Salmancommitted to "advance stability, security, and prosperity across the Middle East and beyond, including through a comprehensive political agreement to achieve peace, prosperity, and security in Yemen," US State Department spokespersonMatthew Millersaid in a statement.

The Secretary expressed appreciation for Saudi Arabia's leadership in hosting the D-ISIS Ministerial and stressed joint continued efforts to fight terrorism.

Blinken also emphasized that US-Saudi Arabia bilateral ties were strengthened by progress on human rights.

The two also discussed deepening economic cooperation, especially in the clean energy technology fields. (ANI)
Indias G20 Presidency has walked the talk, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on Saturday, noting that Indias concerns of Global South and emphasis on human-centric globalisation have found a resonance and recognition. "We assumed the presidency at a challenging time of geo-political tensions...Today I can confidently state that the Indian G-20 Presidency has walked the talk, she said at a joint press conference after the G20 declaration was adopted on the first day of two-day summit. In the declaration, the G20 countries said they re-emphasise the importance of addressing debt vulnerabilities in low and middleincome countries in an effective, comprehensive and systematic manner. We continue to stand by all the commitments made in the Common Framework for Debt Treatments beyond the DSSI, including those in the second and final paragraphs, as agreed on November 13, 2020, and step up the implementation of the Common Framework in a predictable, timely, orderly and coordinated manner. To this end, we call for continued discussion on policy-related issues linked to the implementation of the Common Framework for making appropriate recommendations. We welcome the recent agreement between the Government of Zambia and the official creditor committee on debt treatment and look forward to a swift resolution, the declaration said. We welcome the formation of the official creditor committee for Ghana and look forward to an agreement on a debt treatment as soon as possible. We also call for a swift conclusion of the debt treatment for Ethiopia. Beyond the Common Framework, we welcome all efforts for timely resolution of the debt situation of Sri Lanka, including the formation of the official 22 Zero Draft creditor committee, and we call for the resolution as soon as possible, it added. The G20 countries welcomed the efforts of private sector lenders who have already contributed data to the joint Institute of International Finance (IIF)/OECD Data Repository Portal and continue to encourage others to also contribute on a voluntary basis. We encourage the efforts of the Global Sovereign Debt Roundtable (GSDR) participants to strengthen communication and foster a common understanding among key stakeholders, both within and outside the Common Framework, for facilitating effective debt treatments. We welcome joint efforts by all stakeholders, including private creditors, to continue working towards enhancing debt transparency. We note the results of the voluntary stocktaking exercise of data sharing with International Financial Institutions, the declaration said. (ANI)
Intersection closure in East Chicago

Work is set to begin Monday to replace aging sewer and water lines in the intersection of Indianapolis Boulevard and Chicago Avenue. A complete closure of the intersection will be necessary to complete the work, which will consist of new sewers, water lines, concrete walks, curb and asphalt restoration. This portion of the project should be complete by end of October. Crews will work from approximately 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Residents will be notified in advance of any disruptions that might affect them, such as water service. For more information, call the City Engineering Office at 219-391-8355.

Indiana Senate Republicans offering paid internships

The Indiana Senate Republican Caucus is offering paid spring-semester internships in its communications, information technology, legal, legislative, page and policy offices during the 2024 session of the Indiana General Assembly. Qualified candidates may be of any major and must be at least a college sophomore. Recent college graduates, as well as graduate and law school students, are also encouraged to apply. Positions are open to Indiana residents, as well as nonresidents who attend a college or university in Indiana. Interns earn a $900 biweekly stipend and benefit from scholarship and academic credit opportunities, professional development, community involvement and networking. Senate internships are full-time positions at the Statehouse in downtown Indianapolis that typically begin with a mandatory orientation in late December and conclude at the end of the legislative session in March 2024. For more information and to apply, visit www.IndianaSenateRepublicans.com/Intern.

Advertisement

RDA to hold public engagement session

The Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority (RDA) will hold a public engagement session to present the Transit Development District (TDD) for the Hammond South station area at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday at Hammond City Hall, 5925 Calumet Ave. A TDD is a half-mile area anchored on a train station that promotes transit-oriented development. For more information on TDDs, visit www.nwitdd.com.

Purdue Extension offers Five Hands, Lanes End farm tours

Five Hands Farm and Lanes End Farm will partner with Purdue Extension-Lake County to provide an in-person farm tour from 9 a.m. to Noon CT on Wednesday beginning at Five Hands Farm in Lowell. The tour is free. The farm addresses will be emailed to participants prior to the tour day. Register at https://tinyurl.com/LowellFarmTour. For more information contact Rebecca Koetz at 219-755-3240. Those requiring reasonable accommodations are asked to contact Koetz at busser@purdue.edu.

Advertisement

Highland Arts Council to host reading with Michael Martone

The Highland Arts Council will present Words from the Sandhills, a reading by Indiana Author Michael Martone, from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday at the Promise You Art House, 8830 Kennedy Ave., Highland. The event is free and open to the public. His reading with a Q&A will be followed by an in-person, all-arts open mic. Attendees are encouraged to bring written, music, or visual art for the arts open mic. No advanced sign up is needed. Register in advance at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/words-from-the-sandhills-tickets-610156653977.

South Shore Roller Derby returns to Valparaiso

The South Shore Roller Derby will be held Saturday at the Urschel Pavilion at Central Park Plaza, 63 Lafayette St., Valparaiso. Doors open at 5 p.m. The South Shore Roller Derby Runaways take on Prairieland Punishers at 5:30 p.m.; the Derailers go against the Iliana Derby Dames at 7 p.m. Tickets will be sold at the door: $10 for adults; $5 for children 5 to 13; free for children younger than 5. A portion of the proceeds will go to Habitat for Humanity Northwest Indiana. Bring a chair as seating is limited. Concessions will be available for purchase. More information can be found at www.SouthShoreRollerDerby.org.

VU Innovation Hub to host speakers

Valparaiso Universitys Innovation Hub will host three free expert talks in September to learn how to turn ideas into a business, according to a release. All events take place at the IHub, McMillan Hall, 1806 E. Lincolnway, Valparaiso.

 Sept. 13: Whats My First Step? Presented by Dushan Nikolovski, director of the Innovation Hub, will cover some of the basic steps necessary to start your business.

 Sept. 22: Insights from a Serial Entrepreneur and Engineer Extraordinaire. Presented by Cary Conrad, president of Silversky, a cloud-based cybersecurity platform, learn tips of effective fundraising strategies tailored to your startup and business needs.

 Sept. 27: Business Law 101: Tips & Tricks for Launching or Re-Launching Your Business. Angela Crossin, a business lawyer, will explore key business law subjects crucial for every business owner.

For more information, visit the website at valpo.edu/innovation-hub, or send questions to dushan.nikolovski@valpo.edu.
Twenty Heads of State, including US President Joe Biden and UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, are scheduled to leave Delhi on Monday, September 11, following their participation in the two-day G20 Leaders' Summit hosted in the national capital. According to sources, the Centre has assigned responsibilities to Union Ministers of States to see off the foreign delegates after the summit. A directive in this regard was issued by the foreign secretary. The Heads of State of countries including UAE, US, Bangladesh, Egypt, China, Australia, UK, Argentina, Indonesia, France, Germany, Netherlands, Turkey, Japan, Italy, Spain, South Africa, Republic of Korea, Canada and Singapore will depart from Delhi on Monday, they said. US President Joe Bidens departure from India is scheduled at around 10.20 am, and MoS Rajeev Chandrashekhar will see him off. UK PM Rishi Sunak will depart from Delhi at 2.15 pm, where MOS Kailash Chaudhari will see him off. Similarly, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will depart from Delhi at around 10.20 am, and MoS Anupriya Patel will see her off. Apart from the 20 heads of state, seven G20 leaders of countries including Brazil, the African Union (represented by Comoros), Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, the European Union and Mauritius will also depart from Delhi on Monday. US President Biden on Saturday emphasized the importance of the India-Middle East-Europe Corridor and said that the United States will work with its partners to invest in building sustainable, resilient infrastructure, and making quality infrastructure investments. He was addressingthe Partnership for Global Infrastructure Investment (PGII) and India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor programme at Bharat Mandapam, Delhi. "This is a real big deal. I want to thank PM. One Earth, One Family, One Future that's the focus of this G20 Summit. And in many ways, it's also the focus of this partnership that we're talking about today, Biden said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi met his British counterpart Rishi Sunak on the sidelines of the summit on Saturday and discussed ways to deepen trade linkages and boost investment. Rishi Sunak held talks with Modi after the first session of the G20 Summit. In a significant milestone under India's G20 presidency, the 55-member African Union became a new permanent member of the grouping of the largest economies of the world. It is the first expansion of the influential bloc since its inception in 1999. (ANI)
As India successfully wraps up day one of the G20 Summit on Saturday under its Presidency, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the G20 stands resolute in its mission to deliver for global good. Taking to X, formerly Twitter, PM Modi wrote, "Under the collective commitment of its members, the G20 stands resolute in its mission to deliver for global good." Meanwhile, the summit took an interesting turn when PM Modi along with World Bank President Ajay Banga, Brazil President Lula da Silva, President of South Africa Cyril Ramaphosa, and US President Joe Biden, posed for a group picture. "A picture with Brazilian President, Luiz Incio Lula da Silva, President of South Africa Cyril Ramaphosa, US President Joe Biden, World Bank President Ajay Banga," Prime Minister Narendra Modi posted on X. Notably, the first day of the G20 Summit remained full of heavy engagements for the world leaders here in New Delhi. Prime Minister Modi met UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Delhi. "Was wonderful meeting His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Delhi. India deeply values his insightful views and passion towards furthering global good," he wrote on X, regarding the meeting with Al Nahyan on the sidelines of the G20 Summit. The US, India, Brazil, and South Africa reaffirmed their shared commitment to the G20, which is to deliver solutions for the shared world. US President Joe Biden on Saturday posted on X, formerly Twitter, "Together, the United States, India, Brazil, and South Africa reaffirm our shared commitment to the G20 delivering solutions for our shared world." Highlighting about the focus of the G20 Summit, Biden wrote on X, "One Earth. One Family. One Future. Thats the focus of this G20 Summit: building resilient infrastructure, making quality infrastructure investments, and creating a better future that represents greater opportunity, dignity, and prosperity for everyone." The leaders of the four countries, who met on the sidelines of the G20 Leaders Summit in New Delhi on Saturday, vowed to build on the "historic progress" of Indias G20 Presidency to address global challenges. "In this spirit, together with the World Bank President, we welcome the G20s commitment to build better, bigger, and more effective multilateral development banks. This commitment underscores what we can do, by working together through the G20, to support our people toward a better future," a joint statement read. The opening day of the G20 summit on Saturday witnessed several crucial developments, including the formal induction of the African Union to the group, 100 per cent consensus on the Delhi Declaration, a biofuel alliance and the announcement of the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IECC EC). India, the US, UAE, Saudi Arabia, France, Germany, Italy and the European Union, on Saturday, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish the IECC EC. (ANI)
Oleksandr Vilkul , the head of the Kryvyi Rih's defense council, reported on Sept. 9 that the number of people injured in the Sept. 8 missile strike has risen to 74.

Thirty-four of the injured are hospitalized, and three are in serious condition, Vilkul added.

Russian forces launched a missile strike against Kryvyi Rih on the morning of Sept. 8, targeting a police station. According to initial reports, a police officer was killed in the attack.

Dnipropetrovsk Oblast Governor Serhii Lysak reported that 62 apartment buildings, seven houses, and over 50 cars were also damaged.

Russian forces also targeted the northeastern Sumy and the southeastern city of Zaporizhzhia on the morning of Sept. 8.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Read also: Russian missiles hit 3 Ukrainian cities, killing 1, injuring at least 64

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Another bus full of migrants from Central and South America that departed from the Texas-Mexico border region arrived in L.A. on Saturday morning.

According to a statement from the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA) on behalf of the L.A. Welcomes Collective, 46 migrants arrived at Union Station shortly before 9 a.m.

The Texas-sponsored bus contained 12 families comprised of 32 men and 14 women, 15 of whom were children.

Migrants aboard the most recent bus are from Colombia, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua and Venezuela. According to CHIRLA, many of them reported having little or no food for over 24 hours.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Powerful quake in Morocco kills more than 1,000 people and damages historic buildings in Marrakech

Despite their traumatic experience migrating to the U.S., asylum seekers want to be self-sufficient, get a work permit and contribute to their new home, said CHIRLA Communications Director Jorge-Mario Cabrera. In the history of Los Angeles, migrants become workers and power our city and state, and [they] will continue to do so, no matter how they arrive to our communities.

As part of his plan to mitigate the influx of migrants in the Texas-Mexico border region, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has been busing migrants to sanctuary cities around the country, including Los Angeles, New York, Washington D.C., Philadelphia, Chicago and Denver.

Sofia Pop Perez contributed to this report.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
The Trump campaign has accused advocates of 'stretching the law beyond recognition'

A longshot legal bid to disqualify and remove Donald Trump from the 2024 US presidential ballot is being considered in court for the first time.

The strategy involves trying to block Mr Trump from the primary ballot by invoking a rarely used provision of the US Constitution - Section 3 of the 14th Amendment - that bars those who have "engaged in insurrection or rebellion" against the country from holding federal office.

Initially backed by liberal activists, the theory gained more prominence in recent months as some conservatives also embraced it.

But critics warn that, if it moves forward, it risks robbing voters of the right to deliver their own verdict on whether the former president should return to the White House.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

On Monday, a judge in Colorado started a five-day hearing over the matter. A similar hearing will take place in Minnesota on Thursday, with lawsuits also filed in critical states like New Hampshire and Michigan.

The untested legal gambit is a last-ditch effort to bar the candidacy of an ex-president who remains popular with his base.

Its ultimate arbiter could be the conservative Supreme Court he helped shape - if it even gets that far.

What is the theory?

The 14th Amendment was ratified after the American Civil War, and Section 3 was deployed to bar secessionists from returning to previous government posts once southern states re-joined the Union.

It was used against the likes of Confederate president Jefferson Davis and his vice-president Alexander Stephens, both of whom had served in Congress, but has seldom been invoked since.

It re-emerged as a political flashpoint in the wake of Mr Trump's effort to overturn his 2020 election defeat, which culminated in the riot at the US Capitol in January 2021.

In the attack's aftermath, the US House of Representatives impeached the then-president on a charge of "incitement of insurrection".

Had the US Senate voted to convict him, it would have had the option to take a second, simple-majority vote to bar him from ever serving in office again.

But that never happened: the Senate failed to reach the two-thirds majority required to convict Mr Trump, so there was no second vote.

Does Section 3 apply to Trump?

Free Speech For People, an advocacy group, is arguing that it does.

Last year, the group filed challenges against Trump-backing lawmakers whom it labelled "insurrectionists".

Free Speech for People targeted Trump-backed lawmakers Madison Cawthorn and Marjorie Taylor Greene (centre)

The 14th Amendment was not written solely to apply to the post-Civil War era, but also to future insurrections, argues Ron Fein, the organisation's legal director.

He told the BBC the US Capitol riot succeeded "in delaying the peaceful transfer of power for the first time in our nation's history, which is further than the Confederates ever got".

"The particular candidates we challenged in 2022 had participated or assisted in the efforts that led up to the insurrection," Mr Fein said.

And, he argued, their cases established important legal precedents that can be applied to show "Trump is the chief insurrectionist".

How will it move forward?

Free Speech For People intends to seek Mr Trump's disqualification in multiple states. It is also separately petitioning the top election officials in at least nine states to remove him from the primary ballot.

Either move already has, or will, inevitably draw an objection from the candidate himself - triggering a process that could ultimately place his fate in the hands of the US Supreme Court.

The legal challenge may end up at the Supreme Court Mr Trump helped shape as president

The legal strategy has picked up steam since August, when Mr Trump was accused of election subversion in two separate criminal cases.

That same month, conservative legal scholars William Baude and Michael Stokes Paulsen wrote in a law review paper that Section 3 is "self-executing, operating as an immediate disqualification from office, without the need for additional action by Congress".

Mr Trump could therefore be rendered ineligible for the ballot "by every official, state or federal, who judges qualifications", the pair concluded.

Mr Baude and Mr Paulsen are members of the Federalist Society, a highly influential conservative advocacy group.

They believe the Constitution must be interpreted as its authors intended at the time, and their stance has since been backed by other legal experts with conservative credentials.

Even the Supreme Court, with its conservative majority and trio of Trump-appointed judges, may be receptive to their argument, said Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, a dean at the Yale School of Management who supports the Baude-Paulsen perspective.

"All that is needed is that one of 50 state election officials has to find him ineligible," he told the BBC.

"Just one will send it to a state court review, which will be appealed by either side and sent to the US Supreme Court for a speedy resolution."

With Republican primary voters heading to the polls early next year, the case will be decided quickly, he predicted.

What's the argument against it?

Georgia's top elections official has called the move an effort 'to short-circuit the ballot box'

Detractors have questioned both the theory's viability, and whether it should even be implemented in a highly partisan America.

In an opinion piece for Bloomberg, liberal professor Noah Feldman wrote: "Donald Trump is manifestly unfit to be president. But it's up to voters to block him. Magic words from the past won't save us."

"To make a tortured legalistic logic to try to stop people from voting for who they want to vote for is a Soviet-style, banana republic argument," said New Hampshire Republican Party chairman Chris Ager.

"I'm not a Trump supporter. I'm neutral. But this whole attempt is bad for the country."

Even Brad Raffensperger, the top elections official in Georgia and a target of Mr Trump's ire, rejected the move as "merely the newest way of attempting to short-circuit the ballot box".

The challenge in New Hampshire - the first state in the nation to cast ballots in the Republican primary - is notably being touted by Bryant "Corky" Messner, a top Republican attorney who ran for the US Senate in 2020 with Mr Trump's endorsement.

Mr Messner, who intends to finance any 14th Amendment challenges to Mr Trump in his state, wants the courts to deliver their verdict before he can decide on whether to support Mr Trump.

"To me, it's purely about the Constitution," he said. "The US Constitution is more important than any one individual, be it Donald Trump or anyone else."

"If he ends up being the nominee of the Republican Party and he's not disqualified, I'll vote for him."

What does Trump say?

Mr Trump is dominating his Republican rivals ahead of the party's primary election

Despite his mounting legal troubles, Mr Trump remains the dominant frontrunner for the Republican nomination and is polling neck-and-neck with President Joe Biden ahead of their expected rematch.

The Trump campaign has said that the legal challenge is "stretching the law beyond recognition" and has no basis "except in the minds of those who are pushing it".

"Joe Biden, Democrats, and Never Trumpers are scared to death because they see polls showing President Trump winning in the general election," spokesman Steven Cheung told the BBC's US partner CBS News in September.

But Colorado's top elections official, Jena Griswold, criticised the Republican for not wanting "to come and give their side of the story" at her state's hearing this week.

"He's not planning to testify, he's not giving deposition, and for someone who just loves to grandstand about the cases against him, his silence, compared to what his testimony would be under oath, is deafening," she told MSNBC.
EL CAJON, Calif.  Two people including a juvenile were arrested on suspicion of vehicle theft in El Cajon this week with the assistance of license plate reading cameras, police said.

The first arrest was made Wednesday evening, according to El Cajon police, after officers began receiving alerts about a possible stolen vehicle from automated license plate readers (ALPR) near the intersection of Greenfield Avenue and Main Street.

Officers were able to locate the vehicle, a 2018 Dodge Ram stolen earlier that day, in the 1200 block of Broadway shortly after.

According to ECPD, the vehicle was stopped and the driver, identified as 31-year-old National City resident Allan Irvin, was arrested on suspicion of vehicle theft and an outstanding federal warrant.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

San Diego International Airport warns travelers about upcoming I-5 closure

The second arrest came the following day, Thursday. Around 1 a.m., officers received an ALPR notice of a stolen 2016 Hyundai Sonata near the intersection of Chase and Mollison avenues, the department said. Officers in the area spotted the vehicle and made a traffic stop.

The driver, identified as a 17-year-old boy, was currently on probation for auto theft. He was arrested and later released to a parent, according to ECPD, after Juvenile Hall refused to take custody of him for an undisclosed reason.

These arrest come after El Cajon ramped up its license plate reading program last month, introducing 40 new cameras to streets throughout the city. The neighboring city of San Diego has also approved a similar program, which is expected to be deployed as early as fall.

Since their introduction to the El Cajon, the ALPR cameras have assisted police in resolving numerous incidents throughout the city, including the locating of the suspect in an armed robbery and the recovery of a stolen motorhome.

Anyone with additional information regarding the incidents this week is encouraged to contact the El Cajon Police Department at 619-579-3311. Individuals with information who wish to remain anonymous can call the Crime Stoppers tip line at 888-580-8477.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego.
Two Tarrant County restaurants were closed due to refrigeration issues and four mobile food units failed Aug. 20-Sept. 2 inspections, according to county data compiled by the Star-Telegram.

Mai Thai Restaurant at 201 Highway 156 N in Haslet, scored 30 on Aug. 24. Restaurants that receive more than 29 demerits require a follow-up inspection.

The inspector found several flies in the kitchen and food debris on knives in the knife holder. Three refrigerators werent cooling properly, and the owners voluntarily closed the restaurant until the refrigerators could be repaired.

The establishment scored 6 on a follow-up inspection the next day and was allowed to reopen.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Big Joes Pizza and Pasta at 1195 FM 156 in Haslet scored 28 on Aug. 25. The inspectors found spaghetti inside a container in the mop sink and no hand soap at one of the hand sinks.

A walk-in cooler and reach-in freezer werent maintaining food at a safe temperature, and the facility voluntarily closed due to the refrigeration issues.

The restaurant scored 3 on a follow-up inspection the next day and was given permission to reopen.

Benbrook Cafe at 4902 Highway 377 S in Benbrook scored 16 on Aug. 22. The inspector noticed several uncovered food items in the coolers and found flies in the kitchen and a dead cockroach in the dry storage area.

Two mobile food units, Crown Catering Texas and El Atoron, failed inspection due to refrigeration issues. El Atoron scored a perfect zero on a follow-up inspection and the inspector noted the mobile unit was OK to operate.

R and R Food Truck Tacos required a follow-up inspection of its sandwich unit and was not issued a permit on Aug. 28.

A fourth mobile unit, Flavor After Flavor, failed because of no hot water but scored a perfect zero on the follow-up inspection several days later.

Tarrant County Public Health inspects and scores all restaurants in Tarrant County except for those located in Fort Worth, Arlington, Euless and North Richland Hills, which do their own inspections.

Here are the inspection scores and violations for restaurants that Tarrant County Public Health (TCPH) inspected for Aug. 20th - Sept. 2nd, 2023. TCPH inspects and scores all restaurants in Tarrant County except for those located in Fort Worth, Arlington, Euless and North Richland Hills. Scores are based on a demerit system. When the total exceeds 29, a follow-up inspection is required. To search the restaurant inspections, type in a keyword or restaurant name. You can also sort by score.
Instead of calling your family to tell them how college is going, how about meeting up with them on campus after classes? These four women can do just that.

Carthage College welcomed three generations of women on campus this fall semester, a grandmother, a mother and her two daughters.

Samantha Malczewski, a sophomore nursing student at the Kenosha, Wisconsin, school, said people have already started asking her the million-dollar question: Does your grandma go here?

And Im like, She does go here! Samantha said. Its been a good icebreaker.

Not only does her grandma, Christy Schwan, share the lakeside campus with her, but so do her mom and younger sister.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Its the first time three generations of the same family have attended Carthage at the same time, a school spokesperson said.

Bringing a piece of home with you

The two sisters are roommates in a dorm, which brings an extra layer of familiarity since they shared a room growing up.

I could just come in and do whatever I want because I know shes not going to judge me, Samantha said.

Its kind of bringing a piece of home with you, and its a great support system, said her sister Mia Carter, a freshman marketing and accounting major.

A childhood picture of Mia Carter, center, holding a Carthage banner. - Courtesy of Amy Malczewski

The Carthage campus was a familiar place for the girls, even before they were accepted into the school.

Ive been coming here since I was 5, Mia told CNN.

Actually, since you were born, her mother, Amy Malczewski, said.

Amy, representing the middle generation of the family tribe, has worked at the college for over 20 years, and cant get enough of Carthages culture, she said.

She serves as a graphic design instructor and a career specialist for students.

I have so much school spirit, Amy said. Even with all of her commitments to the college, she still felt, I need to find more ways to be on campus.

I had a space to fill on Tuesdays and Thursday nights, and I thought maybe I should get my masters degree now, Amy told CNN.

And who else would be a better study partner than someone youve known your entire life?

Im not a helicopter grandma

Amy Malczewski, left, with Carthage College's Firebird mascot, and Christy Schwan are pictured on campus. - Courtesy of Amy Malczewski

When Amy suggested going together, I thought, Well, yeah, why not? said Christy Schwan, Amys mother  and Samantha and Mias grandmother.

Christy needed to locate her records from her freshman year at Valparaiso University in 1969 before applying to Carthage.

Im like, Gosh, do they even have those records from back then? Christy said. To her surprise, the records existed. Fortunately, everythings electronic now, she said.

As of this fall semester, the mother and daughter are first-year graduate students at Carthage, both pursuing a masters degree in business design and innovation.

Although she is sharing the campus with her two granddaughters, Christy wants them to be independent and experience college for themselves.

Im not a helicopter grandma, Christy said.

While they dont run into each other often on campus, Amys office in career services is a common spot for the three generations of women to meet up.

The girls said they visit the office between classes, or usually when they want money for Starbucks, Amy noted.

A first in Carthage history

There have been families where all of the children have attended Carthage, and they have parents and grandparents who have attended, said Ashley Hanson, the schools vice president of enrollment. But never at the same time.

For the fall semester of 2023, we have approximately 70 students that had a former family member attend Carthage, Hanson told CNN.

The college is relatively small, with 2,600 students, and has established a culture of closeness. Its a very tight-knit community, Hanson said. Our staff, our faculty, theyre always bringing their families to events.

Christy going back to school after retiring is motivational, said Hanson. I hope it inspires more people to want to do the same thing.

Age shouldnt be a barrier, as long as you keep learning throughout your life, said Christy.

I just might go for Ph.D. when Im 80.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
(The Hill)  A Fulton County, Ga., special grand jury recommended charges against 39 people for their involvement in former President Trumps efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 election in Georgia, according to its final report.

Only 19 people were ultimately charged last month in Fulton County District Attorney Fani Williss (D) years-long investigation.

Some of the most notable names in the report released Friday who werent among those ultimately charged were Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), former Sens. Kelly Loeffler and David Perdue, both Georgia Republicans, and former Trump national security adviser Michael Flynn.

Heres the fill list of the 39 people the special grand jury recommended charges against:

Former President Trump

This booking photo provided by Fulton County Sheriffs Office, shows former President Donald Trump on Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023, after he surrendered and was booked at the Fulton County Jail in Atlanta. (Fulton County Sheriffs Office via AP)

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Former President Trump was charged with 13 counts in last months indictment, marking his fourth criminal indictment this year.

The special grand jurys final report shows that Willis filed some, but not all, of the recommended charges against the former president and brought additional charges in connection with the fake elector scheme that were not recommended by the jurors.

Cleta Mitchell

Cleta Mitchell speaks at the Pennsylvania Leadership Conference in Camp Hill, Pa., Friday, April 1, 2022. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Cleta Mitchell, a longtime conservative attorney who sat in on Trumps infamous January 2021 call with Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, was included in the special grand jurys charging recommendations but was not indicted last month.

The jurors unanimously recommended that Mitchell be indicted on four counts over the call, in which the former president asked Raffensperger to find him 11,780 votes. However, they were more split on other possible charges related to the call.

The special grand jury also suggested charges over Mitchells role in a December 2020 meeting of Republican electors at the Georgia Capitol, as well as with respect to the national effort to overturn the 2020 presidential election.

Rudy Giuliani

This booking photo provided by the Fulton County Sheriffs Office shows Rudy Giuliani on Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2023, in Atlanta, after he surrendered and was booked. (Fulton County Sheriffs Office via AP)

Rudy Giuliani, who served as Trumps personal attorney, was charged in the August indictment on 13 counts.

Many of the former New York City mayors charges were connected to the scheme to submit a fake slate of pro-Trump electors and efforts to promote false claims of election fraud at Georgia state legislature committee hearings.

David Perdue

FILE  Former Sen. David Perdue speaks during a gubernatorial republican primary debate on May 1, 2022, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson, Pool)

Former Sen. David Perdue (R-Ga.) is one of three current or former senators that the special grand jury recommended charges against in its final report. None of the senators were ultimately indicted.

Jurors suggested that Perdue face charges for the persistent, repeated communications directed to multiple Georgia officials and employees between November 2020 and January 2021, as well as for taking part in the national effort to overturn the 2020 presidential election.

Jacki Pick

Jacki Pick, an attorney who walked Georgia state legislators through a video showing election workers counting ballots at the State Farm Arena in Atlanta, was also included in the special grand jurys final report.

Jurors unanimously recommended that she be indicted for making false statements, but she was not charged in the August indictment.

Robert Cheeley

This booking photo provided by the Fulton County Sheriffs Office shows Robert Cheeley on Friday, Aug. 25, 2023, in Atlanta, after he surrendered and was booked. (Fulton County Sheriffs Office via AP)

Robert Cheeley, a Georgia attorney, was charged in the final indictment with 10 counts primarily related to the fake elector scheme.

He also faces the indictments sole perjury charge for knowingly, willfully and unlawfully making at least one false statement about the fake electors plot and his communications with Trump lawyer John Eastman.

William Ligon

Georgia state Sen. William Ligon, R-Waverly, looks over paperwork at his desk on the Senate floor Tuesday, March 27, 2012, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/David Goldman)

Georgia state Sen. William Ligon (R), who called for a special legislative session to respond to the false claims of election fraud, was not charged in the final indictment.

However, the special grand jury recommended that he faces charges for filing false documents and participating in the national effort to overturn the 2020 presidential election.

Ray Smith

This mug shot provided by the Fulton County Sheriffs Office shows Ray Smith on Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2023, in Atlanta, after he surrendered and was booked. (Fulton County Sheriffs Office via AP)

Trump attorney Ray Smith was indicted alongside the former president and the 17 others in August.

He faces several charges in connection with the push to promote election fraud claims at three committee hearings in the Georgia state legislature, as well as the fake elector scheme.

John Eastman

John Eastman, the Trump lawyer who engineered the legal strategy behind the former presidents push to overturn the results of the 2020 election, was charged on nine counts in last months indictment.

Scott Hall

This booking photo provided by the Fulton County Sheriffs Office shows Scott Hall on Tuesday, Aug. 22, 2023. (Fulton County Sheriffs Office via AP)

Scott Hall, who owns a bail bond business, was indicted over his role in the Jan. 7, 2021, breach at an elections office in Coffee County, Ga.

Trevian Kutti

This booking photo provided by the Fulton County Sheriffs Office shows Trevian Kutti on Friday, Aug. 25, 2023, in Atlanta, after she surrendered and was booked (Fulton County Sheriffs Office via AP)

Trevian Kutti, a former publicist for the rapper formerly known as Kanye West, was charged on three counts last month for pressuring Fulton County election worker Ruby Freeman to make false statements about election operations.

Harrison Floyd

This booking photo provided by the Fulton County Sheriffs Office shows Harrison Floyd on Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023, in Atlanta, after he surrendered and was booked. (Fulton County Sheriffs Office via AP)

Harrison Floyd, a leader of Black Voices for Trump, was also charged on three counts for pressuring Freeman to make false statements.

Stephen Lee

This booking photo provided by the Fulton County Sheriffs Office shows Stephen Cliffgard Lee on Friday, Aug. 25, 2023, in Atlanta, after he surrendered and was booked. (Fulton County Sheriffs Office via AP)

Stephen Lee was indicted for traveling to Freemans house on two occasions in December 2020 in an effort to influence her testimony.

He faces charges on five counts.

Kurt Hilbert

Kurt Hilbert, a Georgia-based lawyer who represented Trump, was not charged in the August indictment.

However, the special grand jury recommended charges over his role in the December 2020 gathering of the pro-Trump electors at the Georgia Capitol.

Alex Kaufman

The special grand jury similarly recommended that Alex Kaufman, another Georgia-based lawyer who represented Trump, face charges over the gathering of Republican electors in December 2020.

However, he was not included in the final indictment.

Kenneth Chesebro

This booking photo provided by the Fulton County Sheriffs Office shows Kenneth Chesebro on Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2023, in Atlanta, after he surrendered and was booked. (Fulton County Sheriffs Office via AP)

Kenneth Chesebro, a lawyer who helped coordinate the fake electors scheme, was charged with seven counts in the August indictment, including conspiracy to impersonate a public officer, conspiracy to commit forgery, conspiracy to make false statements and conspiracy to file false documents.

David Shafer

This booking photo provided by the Fulton County Sheriffs Office shows David Shafer on Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2023, in Atlanta, after he surrendered and was booked. (Fulton County Sheriffs Office via AP)

David Shafer, the former chairman of the Georgia Republican Party, was one of several pro-Trump individuals who signed documents purporting to be the states presidential electors.

He was indicted last month and faces charges on eight counts, including impersonating a public officer, forgery, making false statements and attempting to file false documents.

Joseph Brannan

Joseph Brannan was one of the fake electors who attempted to pass off fraudulent Electoral College votes for Trump.

The grand jury recommended he be indicted by a 19-2 vote, though he was not.

He was a delegate to the 2016 Republican National Convention from Georgia and voted for Trump.

Vikki Consiglio

Vikki Consiglio, a supporter of Republican candidate for Senate U.S. Sen. David Perdue cheers results as she attends an election-night watch party Tuesday Nov. 3, 2020 in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Vikki Consiglio is a Georgia Republican Party leader and was one of the fake electors who attempted to pass off fraudulent Electoral College votes for Trump.

The grand jury recommended she be indicted by a 19-2 vote, though she was not.

Carolyn Fisher

Carolyn Fisher is a Georgia Republican Party leader and was one of the fake electors who attempted to pass off fraudulent Electoral College votes for Trump.

The grand jury recommended she be indicted by a 19-2 vote, though she was not.

Burt Jones

FILE  Burt Jones, then a candidate for Georgia lieutenant governor, participates in a Republican primary debate, Tuesday, May 3, 2022, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson, Pool, File)

Georgia Lt. Gov. Burt Jones was one of the fake electors who attempted to pass off fraudulent Electoral College votes for Trump. The grand jury recommended he be indicted by a 19-2 vote, though he was not.

Fani Willis, the Fulton County district attorney, was barred from indicting Jones after a judge found that she had a conflict of interest.

Willis hosted a fundraiser for the lieutenant governors opponent while he was running for office.

Gloria Godwin

Gloria Godwin is a rural Georgia Republican leader and was one of the fake electors who attempted to pass off fraudulent Electoral College votes for Trump.

The grand jury recommended she be indicted by a 19-2 vote, though she was not.

Mark Hennessy

Mark Hennessy is a Georgia car dealer and was one of the fake electors who attempted to pass off fraudulent Electoral College votes for former President Trump.

The grand jury recommended he be indicted by a 19-2 vote, though he was not.

He was appointed to the states Board of Natural Resources in May.

Mark Amick

Mark Amick is a Georgia businessman and was one of the fake electors who attempted to pass off fraudulent Electoral College votes for Trump.

The grand jury recommended he be indicted by a 19-2 vote, though he was not.

John Downey

John Downey was one of the fake electors who attempted to pass off fraudulent Electoral College votes for Trump.

The grand jury recommended he be indicted by a 19-2 vote, though he was not.

Cathy Latham

This booking photo provided by the Fulton County Sheriffs Office shows Cathleen Latham on Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2023, in Atlanta, after she surrendered and was booked. (Fulton County Sheriffs Office via AP)

Cathy Latham is the former chair of the Coffee County Republican Party and was charged in relation to the voting machine plot in the county.

She was also one of the fake electors.

Brad Carver

Brad Carver is an Atlanta attorney who was one of the fake electors who attempted to pass off fraudulent Electoral College votes for Trump. The grand jury recommended he be indicted by a 19-2 vote, though he was not.

Shawn Still

This booking photo provided by the Fulton County Sheriffs Office shows Shawn Still on Friday, Aug. 25, 2023, in Atlanta, after he surrendered and was booked. (Fulton County Sheriffs Office via AP)

Shawn Still is a Georgia state senator who was one of the fake electors who attempted to pass off fraudulent Electoral College votes for Trump.

He was charged with seven counts in the August indictment.

C.B. Yadav

C.B. Yadav is a business owner and Republican donor in Georgia who was one of the fake electors who attempted to pass off fraudulent Electoral College votes for Trump. The grand jury recommended he be indicted by a 19-2 vote, though he was not.

Misty Hampton

This booking photo provided by the Fulton County Sheriffs Office shows Misty Hampton on Friday, Aug. 25, 2023, in Atlanta, after she surrendered and was booked. (Fulton County Sheriffs Office via AP)

Misty Hampton, a former Coffee County elections official, was indicted last month on seven counts over her involvement in the scheme to access voting equipment at an elections office in Coffee County.

Sidney Powell

This booking photo provided by the Fulton County Sheriffs Office shows Sidney Powell on Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2023, in Atlanta, after she surrendered and was booked. (Fulton County Sheriffs Office via AP)

Sidney Powell, a Trump-aligned attorney who litigated cases across the country challenging election outcomes, was also charged on seven counts in relation to the Coffee County voting machine scheme.

Powell has requested for a speedy trial, and will be tried alongside fellow Trump attorney Kenneth Chesebro beginning Oct. 23.

Jenna Ellis

This booking photo provided by the Fulton County Sheriffs Office shows Jenna Ellis on Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2023, in Atlanta, after she surrendered and was booked. (Fulton County Sheriffs Office via AP)

Jenna Ellis, a Trump-aligned attorney, was charged racketeering and soliciting a public officer to violate their oath in connection with a Georgia Senate Judiciary subcommittee hearing in December 2020.

Mark Meadows

This booking photo provided by the Fulton County Sheriffs Office shows Mark Meadows on Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023, in Atlanta, after he surrendered and was booked. (Fulton County Sheriffs Office via AP)

Mark Meadows served as Trumps chief of staff through the last year of his presidency. He was similarly indicted on charges for racketeering and soliciting a public officer to violate their oath.

Meadows has sought to move his portion of the Georgia case to federal court, arguing that the charges relate to his then-role as a federal official.

Lin Wood

FILE - In this Dec. 2, 2020 file photo, Attorney Lin Wood, member of President Donald Trump's legal team, gestures while speaking during a rally in Alpharetta, Ga. Wood has asked officials in his home state of Georgia to retire his law license, a move that comes as multiple states have sought to discipline the lawyer for his false insistence that former President Donald Trump actually won the 2020 election. Wood made the request Tuesday and posted it to his Telegram account. (AP Photo/Ben Margot, File)

FILE  In this Dec. 2, 2020 file photo, Attorney Lin Wood, member of former President Donald Trumps legal team, gestures while speaking during a rally in Alpharetta, Ga. (AP Photo/Ben Margot, File)

Lin Wood is a former attorney to Trump who litigated cases contesting the 2020 election alongside Sidney Powell. Wood claimed that Democrats, the communist Chinese and anti-Trump Republicans were responsible for Trumps loss in the election, which he said was stolen.

The grand jury recommended charges against him in a 20-1 vote, but he was ultimately not indicted.

Lindsey Graham

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.)

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) questions OpenAI CEO Sam Altman during a Senate Subcommittee on Privacy, Technology, and the Law hearing to discuss oversight of artificial intelligence.

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) is the most senior sitting politician that the grand jury recommended charges against.

The grand jury voted 13-7 to charge Graham in relation to national effort to overturn the 2020 presidential election. He was not charged.

Graham testified to the grand jury after a lengthy legal battle which ended in the Supreme Court.

Michael Flynn

Michael Flynn

Former National Security Advisor to President Trump, Michael Flynn, appeared in court Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2022, in Sarasota, Fla., to try to quash an order to appear before a Georgia special purpose grand jury investigating attempts to overturn the 2020 presidential election. (Mike Lang/Sarasota Herald-Tribune via AP, Pool)

Michael Flynn served as a senior military advisor in both the Obama and Trump administrations, first as the director of the Defense Intelligence Agency and then as National Security Advisor. He was not indicted in August, although the grand jury recommended charges related to the national effort to overturn the 2020 presidential election, in a 20-1 vote.

Flynn has been a prominent supporter of Trump and was a key figure in the Stop the Steal movement to overturn the 2020 election results. Since leaving the White House, Flynn has traveled the country on speaking tours and has been associated with the QAnon conspiracy theory.

Kelly Loeffler

FILE: Former Sen. Kelly Loeffler (R-Ga) speaks during an election-night watch party Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore, File)

Former Sen. Kelly Loeffler (R-Ga.) is one of three current or former senators the grand jury recommended charges against. Jurors voted 14-6 to recommend charges related to the national effort to overturn the 2020 presidential election, the same charges recommended for Graham and Purdue. She was not charged in the indictment.

The report states that one member of the grand jury decided to vote against charges for Loeffler and Purdue because their statements, while pandering to their political base, do not give rise to their being guilty of a criminal conspiracy, the report reads.

Boris Epshteyn

FILE  Boris Epshteyn, former special assistant to President Donald Trump arrives for the 2019 Prison Reform Summit and First Step Act Celebration in the East Room of the White House in Washington, April 1, 2019. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

Former Trump attorney Boris Epshteyn was not charged in the Georgia case despite the grand jury recommending charges in a 20-1 vote. The special grand jury suggested charges related to the national effort to overturn the 2020 presidential election.

Epshteyn also served as a senior advisor to the president and a strategist for the 2016 and 2020 presidential campaigns.

Jeff Clark

This booking photo provided by the Fulton County Sheriffs Office shows Jeffrey Clark on Friday, Aug. 25, 2023, in Atlanta, after he surrendered and was booked. (Fulton County Sheriffs Office via AP)

Jeffrey Clark, a former Justice Department official whom Trump sought to install as attorney general near the end of his term, was charged with racketeering and making false statements in last months indictment.

Prosecutors allege that Clark made false statements to senior DOJ officials urging the officials to let him convey the false information to Georgia State Officials.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City.
More than 1 million charging piles have been built in east China's Zhejiang Province to power up electric vehicles (EVs) that are increasingly popular in not only cities but also rural areas.

According to State Grid's Zhejiang subsidiary, by the end of August, Zhejiang had had 119,500 public charging piles and 929,200 private charging points. These charging piles provided more than 3.4 billion kWh of electricity from January to August this year, an increase of 70 percent year on year.

Additionally, Zhejiang's rural areas now have more EV charging facilities than ever. By the end of August, a total of 269,100 private charging piles had been installed in 792 villages and townships. About 84 percent of EV owners in rural areas have private charging piles.

Zhejiang will have more than 2.3 million EV charging piles, including at least 900,000 in rural areas, by 2025 to meet the charging demand of over 4 million new energy vehicles, according to a plan of the province.
One person is behind bars after officials say they caused a crash that left multiple people in the hospital.

Georgia State Patrol told Channel 2 Action News on Sept. 4 at 12:11 p.m., troopers received reports of an accident involving two vehicles on Bethany Bowersville Road in Hart County.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

According to the investigation, a 2014 Kia Optima was traveling west on Bethany Bowersville Road and attempted to turn left into a private drive.

After failing to yield, the report said the car crashed into a 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan traveling east on Bethany Bowersville Road.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

The impact of the crash caused the Kia to travel off the south shoulder of the road and come to an uncontrolled final rest. The Volkswagen came to a stop in the westbound lane.

TRENDING STORIES:

According to the report, the Volkswagen was being driven by a 23-year-old man and had a 27-year-old woman, a 6-year-old child and another young child inside at the time of the crash. All four were taken to the hospital, where their conditions are unknown.

The Kia was driven by a 20-year-old woman who was pregnant at the time and had an 18-year-old woman and 3-year-old girl inside, according to the report. All three were taken to the hospital with serious injuries. Their current conditions are unknown.

[SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]

The identities of the seven victims have not been released.

GSP confirmed that the 23-year-old driver of the Volkswagen was arrested and charged after troopers determined that speed played a factor in the crash.

IN OTHER NEWS:
MURFREESBORO, Ark. (KARK)  A young explorer made a nice discovery at an Arkansas park last Friday.

Officials with Arkansas State Parks said 7-year-old Aspen Brown, of Paragould, dug out a 2.95-carat golden brown diamond from Crater of Diamonds State Park during a trip on Sept. 1.

The diamond, at 2.95 carats, is the second-largest found at the Crater of Diamonds State Park in 2023. (Arkansas State Parks)

In a news release detailing the find, officials with the department said Brown was celebrating her birthday with her dad and grandmother at the park.

She got hot and wanted to sit down for a minute, so she walked over to some big rocks by the fence line, her father, Luther Brown, said. Next thing I know, she was running to me, saying Dad! Dad! I found one!

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Powerball: 5 wildly rare occurrences that are more common than winning the jackpot

Browns diamond was the second-largest discovered at the park this year, after a 3.29-carat diamond was found in March. But after inspection, a superintendent at the park called Browns diamond one of the most beautiful hes seen in years.

The Murfreesboro park is one of the only locations in the world where the public can search for real diamonds. It has a 37-acre field where visitors find and can keep a variety of rocks, minerals and gemstones from the one-time volcanic crater.

Park officials state that more than 35,000 diamonds have been found since the state park was established in 1972. According to park officials, a notable find was the 40.23-carat Uncle Sam diamond discovered in 1924. It remains the largest diamond ever unearthed in the United States.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com.
The 2.95-carat "golden brown" diamond, that was found by Aspen Brown, a 7-year-old girl from Paragould, Arkansas. Courtesy of Arkansas State Parks

A 7-year-old was visiting the Crater of Diamonds State Park in Arkansas to celebrate her birthday.

When she was taking a break from the heat, the girl stumbled upon a 2.95-carat diamond.

The child will be able to keep the diamond, per the park's "finders, keepers" policy.

Aspen Brown received a surprise gift when she was visiting the Crater of Diamonds State Park in Murfreesboro, Arkansas, on September 1, for her 7th birthday.

While taking a break from the heat, Brown stumbled upon a 2.95-carat brown diamond the size of a green pea, according to Arkansas State Parks.

"She got hot and wanted to sit down for a minute, so she walked over to some big rocks by the fence line," her father Luther Brown told the park agency. "Next thing I know, she was running to me, saying 'Dad! Dad! I found one!'"

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

To come across a gem of that size at the 37.5-acre diamond search area is an "exceptionally rare" find, Aaron Palke, a research scientist for the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), told Insider.

Palke and his team of researchers visited the park last year. They searched for two and a half days and didn't find any diamonds while at the site, Palke said.

An average of one to two diamonds are found by visitors each day, according to the state park agency. But the size of the gems is typically small.

"Most of the ones you find are smaller than a rice grain," Palke said of the diamonds.

In more technical terms, a diamond found at the park typically might be .05 to .20 carats, Palke said. One carat is one-fifth of a gram.

"It's very unusual to find a diamond like that in Arkansas," Palke said of Brown's discovery.

Brown's family could not be reached for comment.

The Arkansas site itself is unique as it's the only place in the world where members of the public can dig for diamonds and keep them, Palke said.

Stephen Morisseau, GIA's director of communications, told Insider that the diamonds at the park most likely formed "deep in the earth billions of years ago." But the gems didn't come up to the surface until about 95 million years ago  or "relatively recently," as Palke put it  after a volcano erupted.

"In total, over 75,000 diamonds have been unearthed at the Crater of Diamonds since the first diamonds were discovered in 1906 by John Huddleston, a farmer who owned the land long before it became an Arkansas State Park in 1972," according to the state park.

About half of those diamonds were found by visitors after the park opened in the '70s.

The largest diamond ever to be unearthed at the site weighed 40.23 carats or 8 grams. The diamond, named Uncle Sam, was found in 1924 during a mining operation, the state park wrote.

In 2020, a 33-year-old man found a 9.07-carat "marble-sized" diamond. One woman found a 4-carat yellow diamond the following year.

It's unclear how much Brown's 2.95-carat diamond would cost especially because Arkansas diamonds are so rare, Palke said, adding that they are not appraised the same way commercial diamonds are priced.

"They're basically collectors' items," he said.

Per the state park's "finders, keepers" policy, Brown was able to take her diamond home.

The family plans to name the gem Aspen Diamond.

Read the original article on Insider
According to U.S. officials, Washington will likely send long-range Army Tactical Missile Systems, or ATACMS, to Ukraine in an upcoming security assistance package, ABC News reported on Sept. 8.

"They are coming," a source told ABC News.

Another official said that ATACMS are "on the table," but that it could take months for the weapons to reach Ukraine.

President Volodymyr Zelensky has been lobbying the U.S. government for the long-range missiles, which can travel up to 190 miles.

While France and the U.K. have delivered long-range Storm Shadow missiles to Ukraine, the U.S. has refused, until now, to send ATACMS. The Storm Shadows have a slightly shorter reach than the U.S.-made weapons.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

The two officials who spoke with ABC News also said that the U.S. discovered it had more ATACMS in its arsenal than previously believed.

Concerns over the U.S. supply of weapons were among the reasons the Biden administration rejected Zelensky's bid for ATACMS.

The administration has also cited concerns over unnecessary escalation with Russia. In response, Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba pledged that Ukraine would only deploy long-range missiles, including ATACMS, within its own borders.

Earlier this week, on Sept. 6, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in Kyiv to announce a new $1 billion military aid package for Ukraine.

The officials who spoke to ABC News had access to upcoming security assistance plans, but said that the final decision on ATACMS is subject to change until a public announcement is made.

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Dr. Heather Skanes team at the Oasis Family Birthing Center in Birmingham, Alabama, started turning away patients this spring as state officials cracked down on alternative childbirth options.

The center had offered patients with low-risk pregnancies a place to deliver their babies outside of a hospital, where cesarean sections werent performed, epidurals werent administered and midwives took the lead. Some women labored in an inflatable aqua birthing pool, in what Skanes saw as a more supportive environment in which Black women in particular would feel more comfortable and heard.

But in March, officials with the Alabama Department of Public Health told Skanes that they considered the previously unregulated facility to be a hospital that didnt have proper permission to be open, according to her attorneys.

Only patients who were in their third trimesters when the clampdown occurred could still have their babies at Oasis.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Everyone else would have to go elsewhere.

Oasis Birthing center in Birmingham, Ala. (Bethany Mollenkof for NBC News )

Many of them felt that their voice in their choice had been taken from them, Skanes said.

The American Civil Liberties Union is suing the state Public Health Department on behalf of Skanes over what it has called a de facto ban on freestanding birth centers. The court battle is unfolding as the agency is weeks away from implementing licensing regulations for the facilities.

Alabama has an alarming record on keeping expectant and new mothers alive, with a higher share of residents dying in pregnancy and during or shortly after childbirth than almost any other state. More than a third of counties in Alabama lack hospitals with labor and delivery units or practicing obstetric providers, according to a report last year from the March of Dimes.

The new rules could drastically change how some birth centers, including Oasis, are staffed and whether they can operate at all. Midwives, who are trained to assist in out-of-hospital births, wouldnt be able to take the lead unless they also met certain nursing qualifications.

The rules would also require birthing centers to secure agreements with local hospitals to transfer patients if needed. And the centers would be allowed to open only within a 30-minute drive of hospitals with obstetricians on staff  a significant hurdle in a state where many communities lack nearby options.

Along with Skanes, the ACLU is representing Stephanie Mitchell, a midwife in Gainesville, and Dr. Yashica Robinson, an OB-GYN in Huntsville, who both planned to launch their own birth centers in the coming months but now are unsure whether to go ahead.

Stephanie Mitchell. (Bethany Mollenkof for NBC News)

The state Department of Public Health declined to comment, citing the litigation, and instead referred to its previous defense of the new requirements as important safety measures.

After several groups, including the American Association of Birth Centers, objected to the regulations, state officials wrote in August that the inclusion of each requirement is considered necessary to ensure the health and safety of families seeking the services of a birthing center in this state.

The agency also defended its requirement for transfer agreements to hospitals, writing that at least 13 states have such requirements.

Not all of the state's new policies, though, are as widespread.

Alabama's rules are stricter than those in other states by limiting midwives to an assistive role in birth centers, according to Kate Bauer, executive director of the American Association of Birth Centers.

Birth centers have the ability to empower people in their health care, she said, and they come from birth, feeling empowered, with a yes, I can do this feeling.

A spokesperson for the Medical Association of the State of Alabama said the physicians group did not take a position on the rules.

Although there is limited research about birth centers, a multiyear study by the Urban Institute found that Medicaid patients who used birth centers for prenatal care had lower rates of preterm births and cesarean sections compared with patients who did not.

Alabama is not the only state where people interested in opening birth centers have faced difficulties. In Georgia, a proposed facility in Augusta was blocked from opening when none of the citys three hospitals would grant a transfer agreement. In New York, new rules may help grant midwives the ability to be in charge of their own birth centers, after previous restrictions made that a challenge.

Critics of Alabamas new rules have argued that they could cut off a potential avenue to addressing maternity health care deserts.

What the Department of Public Health has been doing over the past year has been taking steps to make it more difficult for pregnant folks to access out-of-hospital pregnancy care, said Whitney White, an ACLU attorney on the case. They are closing off access and preventing skilled providers from offering this care to their communities during a time that it is so critically needed.

Advocates say the need for such care goes beyond making sure those who are expecting have access to doctors and transportation to appointments; its also about making sure that patients who are particularly vulnerable, like Black women, have access to spaces where they feel respected.

Black women of all economic backgrounds, including people as high-profile as Serena Williams, have shared experiences of having to fight to be listened to by medical staff members, sometimes under life-threatening conditions. Nationally, the maternal mortality rate for Black women is almost three times the rate for white women, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. And Alabamas Maternal Mortality Review Committee found that more than half of deaths that the group assessed that occurred in 2016 and 2017 were preventable.

Skanes saw her birthing center, which opened in September 2022, as a place where patients, especially women of color, would feel theyre not just servicing me; theyre servicing me with joy and see not only could I have a Black midwife; I have a Black OB whos going to back me up if anything happens.

Dr. Heather Skanes (Bethany Mollenkof for NBC News)

But the midwifery team she has at Oasis doesnt meet the states new staffing requirements, according to the ACLU; the birth center would have to bring on certified nurse midwives and registered nurses. Skanes would also be likely to face costly renovations to meet some of the new facility requirements, her attorneys wrote in a court filing.

One reason Mitchell, the Gainesville midwife, wanted to open a birth center is the desperate need for maternal health care she sees in Alabamas Black Belt  its 37 miles from her town to the nearest hospital with a labor and delivery unit.

The need is particularly urgent in a post-Roe era, when some Alabama residents may find themselves with little choice but to continue their pregnancies in a state that has banned nearly all abortions.

Its very narrow-sighted to just go ahead and enforce pregnancy upon individuals but then offer nothing in terms of how to optimize someones long-term health and outcomes after that, Mitchell said.

But now Gainesvilles distance from the nearest hospital that meets the states rules is exactly what could prevent Mitchell from completing her birth center, which shed planned to open in January.

There are some things that are insurmountable that we can't change, she said.

Under the new rules, an ambulance would need to be able to reach a hospital with an obstetrician and a pediatrician on staff within 30 minutes. The closest provider to Mitchell is an estimated 44 minutes away.

Stephanie Mitchell's Birth Sanctuary. (Bethany Mollenkof for NBC News)

Stephanie Mitchell walks through the construction of the Birthing Sanctuary in Sumter County, Ala. (Bethany Mollenkof for NBC News)

The new regulations are expected to go into effect on Oct. 15, unless a group of state legislators raise objections as part of a final review. At a court hearing Sept. 28, the ACLU will ask a judge to stop the health department from blocking birth centers from operating.

Montgomery, where the case will be heard, has its own chapter in the states long, troubled history on reproductive rights, particularly for Black women. In 1973, two Black sisters  12 and 14 years old  were sterilized without their consent. A lawsuit on the childrens behalf resulted in a ban on using federal funds for forced sterilizations.

Just half a mile from the circuit courthouse is Mothers of Gynecology, a monument honoring three of the enslaved Black women who were operated on by Dr. James Marion Sims. Sims, a white physician sometimes referred to as the father of gynecology, didnt provide anesthesia during the operations and was only required to obtain consent from the women's owners.

The Mothers of Gynecology Monument Park in Montgomery, Ala. (Andi Rice for The Washington Post via Getty Images)

Michelle Browder, who gives civil rights tours in the city, is the sculptor behind the installation.

As a self-described artivist, she also founded a group that sends doulas and certified professional midwives into communities that lack robust access to maternal health care.

The group, the Mothers of Gynecology, doesnt deliver babies, but it provides basic services like weighing newborns and educating pregnant women about staying healthy.

On some of the outings, Browder has met girls and women who are afraid of giving birth in hospitals because of poor interactions with staff members, she said. During a home visit, a young woman with a newborn shared that shed wound up giving birth unassisted at home because she was afraid to go to a hospital after a previous negative experience there.

Michelle Browder in the studio where she designed and constructed The Mothers of Gynecology Monument. (Andi Rice for The Washington Post via Getty Images)

Browder is interested in opening a birth center to offer a space for women wanting options other than hospitals or home births, but she doesnt see a way to do that now.

I would love to have a birthing center one day  not until all of this is cleared up, she said.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
ALGIERS (Reuters) - Morocco's deadly earthquake prompted Algeria, which cut ties with its neighbour two years ago, to put aside the countries' bad relations and open its air space to aid flights.

The border between Algeria and Morocco, the most powerful countries in the region, has been closed since 1994 and Algiers closed its air space to Morocco and suspended diplomatic relations in 2021, accusing Rabat of "hostile acts".

It accused Morocco of using spyware against it, supporting a separatist group and failing in bilateral commitments including over the disputed territory of Western Sahara, allegations that Morocco rejected as "absurd".

Algeria was slower to offer condolences than many other countries in North Africa and Europe on Saturday but the Foreign Ministry said it was "following with great sorrow and sadness" the aftermath of the earthquake.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Algeria's presidency said later it would open its airspace for humanitarian or medical flights.

The ministry said it was ready to respond to any Moroccan request for aid. During deadly wildfires in Algeria during each of the past three summers, Morocco has made offers of aid that Algiers has publicly ignored.

Despite the shaky relations between governments, the two countries, sharing a long border stretching from the Mediterranean to the Sahara, share deep historical and cultural ties, so many ordinary Algerians and Moroccans enjoy better personal relations.

Many Algerians voiced solidarity with Morocco on social media, some saying they hoped the bad political ties would not get in the way of helping their neighbour.

"Despite the zero diplomatic ties between our two countries, we as Algerians have a moral obligation to help the Moroccans because they are brothers and neighbors," Djalal Hamdaoui, a retired teacher, said by phone.

Abdelkader Bengrina, head of the Islamist party Harakat Al Bina, said in a statement: "We urge the government to go beyond the differences and provide all help to the brotherly people of Morocco."

Friday night's earthquake, Morocco's deadliest since 1960 with more than 1,000 confirmed dead by Saturday afternoon, brought expressions of condolences from around the world and offers of aid.

(Reporting by Lamine Chikhi and Tarek Amara; Writing by Angus McDowall; Editing by Mark Heinrich and Frances Kerry)
The search for a missing 14-year-old boy with autism ended Saturday when a good Samaritan found him in an Apple store. Miami police searched by land, sea and air for the teen who had disappeared from his Liberty City home Friday.

Around 8 p.m. Saturday, police said Jose Bolanos was found in a Brickell City Centre Apple Store. A store manager called in a tip just hours after an Amber Alert was issued to find him. Police say Jose is in good health.

On Friday afternoon, he was reported missing from his home in the 1800 block of Northwest 55th Terrace, in the Liberty City area, Miami police said. Detectives, bloodhounds, helicopters and marine patrols were searching for Jose for over 24 hours.

Police turned to the public for help after they said they exhausted all measures.

MISSING JUVENILE: We need assistance locating 14-year-old, Jose Bolanos who is autistic. He was last seen on 9/8/23 at around 4:00p.m. at 1800 block of N.W. 55 Terrace. If you know his whereabouts please call 305-579-6111. pic.twitter.com/zhgsRepLaF  Miami PD (@MiamiPD) September 9, 2023
The 23rd China International Fair for Investment and Trade (CIFIT) opened Friday in Xiamen, east China's Fujian Province, to boost investment and bolster global economic recovery.

Guests visit the 23rd China International Fair for Investment and Trade (CIFIT) in Xiamen, east China's Fujian Province, Sept. 8, 2023. (Xinhua/Lin Shanchuan)

The four-day event, themed "Open and Integrated: Key to High-Quality Development," kicked off with an opening ceremony, and will encompass a range of activities including forums, seminars, exhibitions, and business matching sessions.

The theme of this year's CIFIT reveals China's resolution to advance high-standard opening up and desire to promote international exchanges and cooperation, while sharing opportunities in its vast market with the rest of the world, said Chen Chunjiang, assistant minister of commerce, at the opening ceremony.

Cross-border investment is a crucial force in driving global economic growth, technological advancement and industrial upgrading, Chen said, stressing that "boosting investment confidence and promoting open cooperation have become more urgent than ever given the uncertain global economic recovery."

Chen noted that the country will implement the 24 measures unveiled by the State Council to beef up foreign investment inflow, leverage the role of roundtable meetings with foreign enterprises, and create a market-oriented, law-based and first-class business environment that is up to international standards.

"China's investment environment has always been good and it continues to be good," said Harley Seyedin, president of the American Chamber of Commerce in South China, adding that the new policies introduced by the government made it easier and more preferable for foreign companies to invest in China.

Data from the Ministry of Commerce (MOC) showed that 24,000 new foreign firms established themselves in China in the first half of the year, marking a 35.7-percent rise year on year. Investments from developed countries continued to grow, with investments from France, the United Kingdom, Japan, and Germany increasing by 173.3 percent, 135.3 percent, 53 percent, and 14.2 percent, respectively, during the period.

Electric Glass (Xiamen) Co., Ltd., a leading Japanese manufacturer and supplier of liquid crystal glass blocks, and participant of this year's CIFIT, expressed confidence in the Chinese economy and expansion of investment.

Ohashi Nobuo, general manager of Electric Glass (Xiamen), said the company had completed capital increases and capacity expansion four times up to now in the world's second-largest economy, and is currently stepping up its Phase V project, which is planned to start operation next year.

"We will invest about 500 million yuan (69.3 million US dollars), and after completion, the output value will increase accordingly," he said. Over the past eight years, the company's total investment in China has reached more than 8 billion yuan.

Covering around 120,000 square meters, this year's CIFIT has a distinct focus on the digital economy, intelligent manufacturing, green and low-carbon development, as well as rural revitalization. Various research reports on investment will also be released during the event.

More than 1,000 organizations and enterprises from all over the world participated in the exhibitions.

With several international organizations, including the United Nations Industrial Development Organization, present at the fair, this year has seen an increase in both the number and level of participation compared to previous editions.

Rebeca Grynspan, secretary-general of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, hailed China's dynamism, development perspective and scale in promoting inclusive and sustainable growth and investment.

"Your commitment to the principles of multilateralism and open markets can help shape a better future, especially through the Global Development Initiative," Rebeca Grynspan said.

Brazil, Serbia and Qatar are the guest countries of honor at this year's fair.

"In 2024, we will celebrate 50 years of diplomatic relations between Brazil and China and, in this half century, we have developed a deep and strategic relationship," said Geraldo Alckmin, Brazilian Vice President and Minister of Development, Industry, Trade and Services, via video.

"China has been our largest trading partner since 2009. Brazil is the fourth highest recipient of Chinese investment," he said.

Data from the MOC revealed that China-funded enterprises in foreign countries pay more than 50 billion U.S. dollars of taxes and fees to the host countries every year, creating nearly 2.5 million local jobs and making positive contributions to the economic recovery of the host countries and the world at large.

Chen said that China will continuously improve the quality and level of outbound investment cooperation, continue to promote the high-quality development of the Belt and Road Initiative, and actively participate in the formulation of global economic and trade rules.

China's non-financial outbound direct investment increased 18.1 percent year on year to 500.94 billion yuan in the first seven months of the year, MOC data showed.

First launched in 1997, the CIFIT has become an important platform to boost bilateral investment and facilitate global development.
American politics, like the man who jumps from a plane and only then considers his parachute, is in a bad way. Joe Biden's administration has some important successes  a few of them even "bipartisan"  but the political system seems unable to gain substantial traction on a wide array of dire problems. Climate change, voter suppression, reproductive rights, gun violence  all these afflictions fester while Republicans flog Hunter Biden and fulminate, with no apparent irony, about the Biden "crime family."

If we reach for a cliche to describe this situation, we might alight on "fiddling while Rome burns" as a natural candidate, especially if our focus is on global warming. But fiddling is an activity that requites actual effort; this obstinate stasis in the face of existential challenges is an outrageously perverse refusal of action, undertaken simply because Republican politicians consider it to be in their political self-interest.

In other words, the parlous state of American democracy is deeply rooted in the ongoing crisis of the Republican Party, a crisis that has been unfolding in real time for at least sixty years now. The seed of this crisis, the dark singularity from which it bloomed, was the decision by GOP leaders to pursue the support of white Southerners repulsed by the Democratic Party's embrace of the Civil Rights Movement in the nineteen-sixties. These voters, who had generally shunned Republicans since the hated Lincoln broke the Confederacy, were not a natural fit for the GOP as it existed in those years. A party with historical ties to the capitalist class and the aspirational bourgeoisie, it suddenly found itself inundated by millions of working-class voters whose instincts did not always align with its more traditional audience.

To secure the long-term loyalty of these voters- and to cement a tectonic shift in the American party system- it needed to show them that their new electoral house was in fact a home. The forward-facing, commercial ethos of the old GOP would have to accommodate itself to the atavistic, Lost Cause-nostalgia of the American South. Individual rights would have to make room for states' rights; optimism for pessimism; a republic of consumers for an apartheid state; capitalism for feudalism.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

We need your help to stay independent

Subscribe today to support Salon's progressive journalism

Republican success in squaring this circle cannot be denied: Beginning with Richard Nixon in 1968, their presidential nominees won five of the next six elections and states across the South and Midwest gradually came under GOP control. But it came at a price, one paid in two different coins. The first was demographic. The darker, harsher rhetoric the party used to succor its new Southern voters struck some old-line adherents as shrill and extreme; over time, they drifted away from the GOP and ended up as Democrats or Independents. In 1944, the year FDR won his fourth term as president, 38% of Americans identified as Republicans; by 2022, that number had dropped to 28%.

This demographic cost had ideological consequences. The voters who left were not interchangeable with the ones who stayed. The "conservatism" of the old GOP, anchored then in the small towns and cities of the North and Midwest, was really a form of classical, laissez-faire liberalism. It saw public life as transactional, and wanted a state large enough to facilitate those transactions but too small to interfere with them. (In this it inherited the interest of its ancestor, the Whig Party, in "internal improvements"- that is, economic infrastructure.) The post-1964 GOP evolved into a party whose electoral capital is invested in the rural and exurban spaces of the South. (The Party also dominates in some Western states, but they are too sparsely populated to provide much political heft.) Here "conservatism" has a much different connotation: it signals a social vision based on hierarchy and exclusion, on the idea that some people, simply by virtue of their identities, are not suited for citizenship. Its politics is not transactional, but existential. It sees social life as a kind of guerilla war in which the "real" America must constantly defend itself against outsiders and usurpers who seek to overwhelm it.

The burdens of liberal selfhood of accepting the presence of creeds, conduct, and beliefs that strike you as absurd, of agreeing to be ruled (depending on the election results) by people whose lives you cannot fathom  are not easily borne.

Donald Trump, with his thinly veiled bigotry and misogyny, is the tribune of this Republican Party. But he did not invent it; he merely inherited it. With the feral insight of a born grifter, he saw very clearly what GOP mandarins by 2016 were unable to see, or at least admit: that their political choices had delivered the Party to voters disgusted and appalled by the very existence of certain kinds of people.

It is this sense of threat and dread, this deeply personal shuddering from difference, that I want to explore in what follows. Doing so, I hope, will help us understand the central fact about American politics at this time: how one of our major political parties sold itself to a virulent strain of irrationalism. Liberalism has, to put it bluntly, driven many Republicans insane. But why?

******

Western liberalism arose as a response to two different aspects of modern history: the Protestant Reformation in the sixteenth century and the absolute monarchies that emerged as commercial and demographic change dissolved the feudal world of medieval Europe. These developments, of course, differed greatly in their sources and details, but liberalism's relation to them was roughly the same. In the religious realm, it came to stand for toleration and a removal of sectarian passions from public life. In politics, it sought to replace arbitrary monarchical regimes with representative governments in which power was dispersed and limited by law. The effect, in both cases, was to shelter difference and to accept a public sphere in which plurality was preferred to a coercive unity.

Want a daily wrap-up of all the news and commentary Salon has to offer? Subscribe to our morning newsletter, Crash Course.

This attempt  to trade social complexity for social peace  struck many as doomed to failure. Civilized life is largely life lived with strangers. Critics of liberalism, such as the French authoritarian Joseph de Maistre, drew the necessary conclusion that social peace depends on our ability to cooperate with strangers. But this could only happen, they argued, when we share certain "essential" features with them, including a religiously-informed fear of punishment. We might not know our rulers (or many of our fellow citizens) personally, but we could coexist with them on the basis of these common traits and the social trust they create. In their eyes, the liberal quest to conjure political order out of pluralism was quixotic at best and dangerously demented at worst.

What modern forms of anti-liberalism such as fascism add to this is more of a tweak than a novelty. For de Maistre and his ilk were always disingenuous in arguing as if their main concern was order and only secondarily who gets to impose it. Definite ideas about who deserves to exercise authority are always in the background of this kind of view; fascism's only contribution was to move it into the foreground. Whether it's defined in cultural/national terms, as in Mussolini's Italy, or in predominantly racial terms, as in Hitler's Germany, the point is always the same: There is some element of the population which, given the specified features, is entitled to wield power over the rest. If they do so, the political regime is ipso facto legitimate; if they do not, it is ipso facto illegitimate. Period.

Modern history testifies to the enduring power of this vision of political life. So do the last eight years of American politics. It's easy to dismiss it as a discredited mythology, a remnant of bigotry, intolerance, and hatred. It's easy, because in large part that's exactly what it is. But a credo does not sustain itself over such long periods of time  especially when competing with even stronger rivals  without speaking to something large numbers of people find compelling.

The demands of liberalism

The literary and cultural critic Lionel Trilling is no longer a central presence in American thought, but at the middle of the twentieth century he was the archetypal "public intellectual," a person who work was valued not just by academic colleagues  Trilling taught English at Columbia University for decades and now has an endowed chair named after him  but also by that hallowed audience, the "educated middle class." His book The Liberal Imagination, published in 1950, sold over one hundred thousand copies, a previously unheard-of success for a scholarly work.

The book includes a famous essay on Henry James's novel The Princess Casamassima. James's book, briefly, follows a young working-class man in late nineteenth-century London as he falls under the spell of a radical organization. Leveraging his horror at the injustices of industrial capitalism, the radicals enlist him to perform a political assassination. But as he moves toward the date of his appointed deed, the young man develops a love for the artistic and cultural achievements of ancien regime Europe, achievements, he understands, that in important ways depended upon the inequalities of wealth he has come to loathe. When the assassin's hour arrives, he is unable to fulfill his promise; he cannot strike down the embodiment of privilege he has been sent to kill because he cannot affirm the broader objective he knows it would symbolize: the death of the social order that enabled the works of art he loves so much. And so he kills himself instead.

In Trilling's view, the protagonist's psychology has led him to an impossible choice: He cannot abandon his commitment to social justice, but neither can he renounce his sense of art as something of intense and supreme value. He holds both passions within himself, and his act of suicide is to be understood as signaling his desire for an end to the conditions, personal and cultural, that place these things in tension with each other.

For our purposes here, what matters is something Trilling himself does not dilate on: the role of the liberal society of Victorian England in precipitating the protagonist's crisis. The Victorians were, of course, very imperfectly progressive, but their society was visibly moving in a liberal direction. And we can see this in the fact that it readily provided the materials for the experience that drives the hero to suicide  the experience, that is, of contradiction. The young man looks around himself and sees great wealth side-by-side with great misery; he also absorbs the reforming and radical sentiments the society allows to circulate. At the same time, the world he experiences includes numerous examples of beautiful objects that unjust fortunes have made possible. It is the complexity of a liberal culture- its social manifestation of visible difference- that ultimately imposes a demand he cannot reconcile or manage. In a socialist utopia cleansed of ill-gotten gains, or a pure plutocracy without reforming voices, he might have found a simpler, seamless world of less spiritual- and therefore less lethal-strain.

But it is just this demand- the requirement that citizens find ways to navigate a social world which will, necessarily, often baffle and horrify them- that liberal societies must impose. They arise when coercively monolithic social forms come under new pressures that weaken and subvert them. By insisting on a pluralistic regime, they then drive a relentlessly ramifying scene of social complexity. (This is why the late critic Joseph Frank was wrong to argue that Trilling was mistaken in thinking of liberalism as having special connections with complexity.) Citizens must develop habits of thought and feeling that allow an experience of difference as one of the natural facts of democratic life  not as the perverse evidence of a disordered society.

This demand gives the lie to a common misconception of liberalism, namely, that it is an ethic of insouciant self-indulgence, a politics for blithe egoists. In fact, just the opposite is true. The burdens of liberal selfhood of accepting the presence of creeds, conduct, and beliefs that strike you as absurd, of agreeing to be ruled (depending on the election results) by people whose lives you cannot fathom  are not easily borne. They are difficult and strenuous, and the chaos of our own political moment is ample evidence of this. They are, clearly, more than some people can bear. There is a certain kind of personality that is unmoored when it looks at the world and does not see a reflection of itself. And when a politics decides that its main problem is not the management of competing interests, but the very fact of difference itself, then all its solutions must be authoritarian ones.

The Princess Casamassima gives us a tender soul crushed by his inability to deal constructively with the visible difference on display in his time and place. Our anti-liberals are not tender. They are, rather, adherents of a social vision that figures large numbers of their fellow citizens as permanent outsiders, as active threats to peace and security who cannot be cooperated with, only dominated. The violence, rhetorical and literal, of the Trumpist Right flows directly from this sense of social life as necessarily and unavoidably coercive. Unlike James's hero, they will not be pointing the gun at themselves when they pull the trigger.

Read more

about this topic
(Bloomberg) -- President Andres Manuel Lopez Obradors big projects are a driving force behind the Mexican governments plans to boost spending and widen the budget gap in 2024, consolidating his legacy before the next presidential election.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Under the Finance Ministrys budget proposal, spending would increase 4.3% in real terms next year, or 9.3% nominally, to 9 trillion pesos ($512 billion). The fiscal deficit would widen to an estimated 4.9% of gross domestic product, the biggest since 1988  a reflection of AMLOs projects such as the Maya Train, the ocean-connecting Tehuantepec Isthmus rail link, social programs and his growing support for Pemex, the highly indebted state oil company.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Read more: Mexico Plans Biggest Budget Gap in 36 Years as AMLO Ends Term

Here are some of the detailed allocations in the budget draft sent to Congress on Friday:

Maya train

Billed as the governments principal priority project for 2024, its set to receive 120 billion pesos, bringing the total to 368.5 billion pesos in budget drafts since 2019. But actual spending to date is 515.8 billion pesos according to the Mexican Institute for Competitiveness (IMCO), a think tank that says the train will cost 3.3 times more than originally budgeted. The government says the train will boost tourism and economically benefit all Mexican regions.

Pemex

The government envisages a 2024 budget surplus of 145 billion pesos for Pemex to help it meet 2024 debt service obligations that the company estimated at about $11.2 billion in a presentation in June.

The government contribution is subject to a Pemex commitment to maintain a moderate debt, which is now the highest of any oil major, reaching $110.5 billion at the end of June. The Finance Ministry also wants that as far as possible the balance of Pemexs public debt shows a reduction compared to the previous year.

The government also proposed a reduction of 5 percentage points in the companys profit sharing duty payments to 35%, so the company receives a greater share of oil income.

Mexicos support will considerably help Pemex to meet its maturities for 2024, Barclays strategist Gabriel Casillas said in a note. The DUC reduction to 35% from 40% could free up about $2.5 billion in cash for the oil company. Combined with the $8.2 billion capital injection, Pemex could receive as much as $10.7 billion in government help, he said.

It is our take that this budget proposal is supportive to have a swift and smooth transition to the next administration, Casillas said in the report.

Lopez Obradors increased support for Pemex aligns with his nationalist energy policy and preference for fossil fuel over cleaner energy.

Read More: Pemex Gets Billions for Debt Payment in Mexico Draft Budget

Isthmus of Tehuantepec

The corridor for the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, a strip of land that separates the Pacific Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico, would get 21.1 billion pesos in 2024, almost triple the funding level in last years spending plan. AMLOs goal is to reduce travel time between the Pacific and the Gulf of Mexico by 70%, according to the document.

Lopez Obrador views the corridor as an alternative to the saturated Panama Canal, which is dealing with shrinking water levels. AMLO also wants southern Mexico to compete with the north as foreign companies expand operations closer to the US.

Retirement benefits

But the biggest chunk of the priority projects is for public retirement benefits, rising to a proposed 465 billion pesos from an approved 336 billion pesos this year  a 38% increase thats the biggest in AMLOs administration since the 2021 budget plan. Increased spending on social programs is a key selling point of his leftist government and an anchor of his popularity.

It could also be a boon for Claudia Sheinbaum, the governing Morena partys candidate in the June 2 election and a close AMLO ally.

--With assistance from Michael O'Boyle and Amy Stillman.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2023 Bloomberg L.P.
Palmer Luckey told Breaking Defense the ChatGPT hype is making politicians interested in AI weapons.

Luckey said people on Capitol Hill and the Pentagon had a "come-to-Jesus moment" on AI capabilities.

Luckey, who founded defense tech startup Anduril, said he's happy to leverage the interest.

The buzz around AI-powered chatbots like ChatGPT is helping politicians get more comfortable with AI  and that's been a boon for business, according to Palmer Luckey.

While Luckey may be best known as the founder of Oculus, in 2017 he created a defense tech startup called Anduril Industries. In a recent interview with Breaking Defense, Luckey said "ChatGPT has probably been more helpful to Anduril with customers and politicians than any technology in the last 10 years."

Luckey, who referred to Anduril as an "AI company," clarified to Breaking Defense that ChatGPT wasn't actually powering Anduril's products. It builds military technology including drones, surveillance towers, and underwater vehicles powered by its AI software system, Lattice.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Yet the AI hype cycle, propelled by accessible chatbots like ChatGPT, has helped those on Capitol Hill and the Pentagon have a "come-to-Jesus moment" around AI's applications to military technology, Luckey said.

"All of a sudden, you'll have congressman who will go and use ChatGPT and he'll type some stuff in and he's able to use it and he's able to see that it does things that he never imagined a computer could do," Luckey told Breaking Defense. "And then when I see him next he says, 'you know, I think I really understand what you guys were talking about with AI being a big deal, this seems like it's gonna be really important.' It sounds crazy, but it's just been so true."



An Anduril representative declined to comment futher to Insider.

On Thursday, Anduril also announced the acquisition of Blue Force Technologies, a company developing an autonomous fighter jet that will run on Lattice once it starts flying, according to TechCrunch.

The company  which has raised more than $2.3 billion from venture firms including Andreessen Horowitz and Founders Fund, according to Pitchbook  is among a growing fleet of smaller tech firms going up against giants like Boeing and Lockheed Martin.

By 2019, just a couple of years after launch, Anduril had contracts with more than a dozen agencies of the Department of Defense and the Department of Homeland Security, CNBC reported.

Last year, Anduril won a near-$1 billion contract with the Special Operations Command to support its counter unmanned systems, according to a blog post.

In 2020, the company won a $250 million contract from the US Customs and Border Protection to build a "virtual wall" with AI-powered surveillance technology to monitor crossings in and out of the country  a high-tech alternative to the controversial border wall proposed by former president Trump.

And Luckey has been open about his ambitions for becoming a prime contractor for the defense world, telling Breaking Defense that the company is "positioned super well" to hit that goal.

"I can't talk about the specifics, but I can tell you: there are multiple Anduril products that are selling at already larger scale than some of our products that are on our website, we've been selling them for well over a year, they're doing things that are incredibly cool," he said.

Despite Luckey's enthusiasm for Washington's growing interest in AI, others have raised concerns about its implications for military use.



Jaan Tallinn, a founding engineer at Skype and cofounder of the Cambridge Centre for the Study of Existential Risk and the Future of Life Institute  which studies the existential risks of AI technologies  recently said: "Putting AI in the military makes it very hard for humanity to control AI's trajectory, because at this point you are in a literal arms race."

Read the original article on Business Insider
A widow is facing the prospect of losing her home unless she can pay back 80,000 that her late husband borrowed before a "perfect storm" of crises led to him to taking his own life.

In August 2022, 39-year-old composer and musician Alastair Putt killed himself after suffering from serious mental health problems for a prolonged period of time. It followed a crash - in which a stolen car smashed into their home - that his wife, Anyssa Neumann, says was the start of her life unravelling.

One year on, Anyssa tells Yahoo News she is still picking up the pieces and feels like she is "in triage".

"I am constantly trying to stop the bleeding and in that sense I can't take time to grieve," she says.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

She says the experience has left her exhausted, angry, petrified and unable to plan her life more than three weeks in advance.

"I am constantly asking myself when will I be sectioned? Who's going to come and pick me up off the floor?"

The couple planned on buying a second home in Sweden where Anyssa had a temporary postdoctoral role and, in preparation for this, Alastair took out an 80,000 mortgage from Nationwide, putting their home in Bromley, south-east London, up as collateral.

When COVID and then later his mental health problems disrupted the plans for the Swedish home, Alastair then invested the mortgage on the stock market - unknown to Anyssa - and ended up losing over 50,000.

Alastair and Anyssa on their wedding day. (Brian Hatton)

When he passed away his accounts were closed at a huge loss and transferred to his estate.

Nationwide has now advised that they will repossess the home if the loan is not paid back. Anyssa says she is unable to borrow from another bank because she is freelance and most of her income over the past few years has come from abroad.

Anyssa, 39, says Nationwide have instead demanded she pay it back in full by October or she may lose her house, a warning she describes as "unreasonable and inhumane."

When contacted by Yahoo News, Nationwide said: "We sympathise in what must be difficult and upsetting circumstances.

"We have been regularly communicating with Ms Neuman and have agreed a period of non-repayment until April 2024, six months more than our standard policy.

"This gives her more time to consider her options and we will continue to work with her to help find a solution."

(Ambria Neumann)

Annysa told Yahoo News in response to this: "I haven't had any updates since 28th July, despite several attempts on my side to follow up. Last I heard they were looking into the 6-month extension, but I was given no confirmation."

This final, unmanageable bill has come after more than a year of sudden and unwelcome expenses costing tens of thousands of pounds as a result of Alastair's death.

All of this has led to a state of permanent crisis for Anyssa who is facing financial ruin, and homelessness while also grieving for her husband.

In a Facebook post marking the eighth anniversary of their wedding, Anyssa described herself as a "broken record," constantly dealing with the fallout of her husband's death.

Anyssa Neumann's Facebook post on her and Alastair's 8th wedding anniversary. (Anyssa Neumann)

She added: "Dinner tonight is frozen veggie rolls because I can't even summon the energy to assemble a salad. Happy anniversary to me."

In response, Anyssa's sister, Ambria Neumann, has set up a GoFundMe to crowdfund the money needed to pay back the debt. At the time of writing it has raised over 60,000.

Ambria said her sister had had some "alarmingly low" moments that scared her family, adding: "Strong as she is, she cannot keep fighting alone, which is why I invite the world to stand with and support her."

Anyssa said: "I have to remind myself that all this help was available to Alastair if he'd asked, but he was too proud and eventually too sick, I can't make the same mistake."

Stolen car crash sparks crisis

The crisis in Anyssa and Alastair's life began in December 2021 when a stolen car was driven into their house resulting in severe damage to the property. Police have never found the culprit.

The crash was the second car to hit their house in two years after a collision in 2019 forced them to move out for eight weeks while repairs were carried out.

The car that crashed into Anyssa's and Alastair's house. (Ambria Neumann)

In January 2022 Alastair suffered a mental breakdown and over the next few months he was admitted to A&E several times.

The problems were compounded by the constant moving between London boroughs they had to do because of the damage to their house meaning "none of the hospitals or practices seemed to talk to each other," and added "there was no continuity of service."

She said at one point, in May 2022, the NHS mismanaged his records and he "disappeared from the system" leaving him with no treatment plan.

On 30 May 2022, Alastair attempted suicide and was sectioned. At this time he was completely emaciated, barely eating and showing signs of psychosis.

The house needed major repair work. (Ambria Neumann)

In response to this, his family and Anyssa paid for him to spend five weeks in a private mental health hospital.

It was only around this time Alastair revealed to Anyssa he had lost a huge chunk of the mortgage money on the stock market.

When he was returned to the NHS from private his care was reduced from home treatment to community care.

Anyssa said she told the community care team he was still making suicidal comments but "they didn't respond in any meaningful way."

In her statement to the coroner, Anyssa said: "As I desperately sought intervention and treatment for him, we came up repeatedly against indifference, dismissiveness, unprofessionalism, miscommunication, negligence, and malpractice."

(Ambria Neumann)

Yahoo News has contacted the NHS for comment, but understands it has previously acknowledged that protocols can be difficult to follow in some circumstances.

Alastair took his life less than two months after leaving the private hospital. When he died he had no pension or life insurance.

Despite receiving support from family members and the Royal Society of Musicians, the total cost of dealing with the funeral and getting Alastair's tax affairs in order was almost 20,000.

Anyssa pinpointed the beginning of Alastair's decline to the crash at their home, which forced him to move out of the house and made him unable to work from home.

Alastair and Anyssa both appealed to the council for bollards to be installed outside of their house to protect their property but they were refused.

The junction where the house is situated is close to the sites of fatal accidents in recent years. In 2016 a 10-year-old boy was killed when a police officer in pursuit of another car mounted a curb and hit him.

In 2019, an eight-month-old boy and her mother died after being struck by a car near the junction.

Anyssa said Bromley Council's indifference to the issue had been "appalling and utter negligence."

Bromley Council has been approached for comment.

To make matters worse if the bank does take the house from Anyssa it would be sold far below market value due to its current state of repair and further issues from a burst water pipe in a neighbouring park that drained into her home.

The damage done to the grade II listed building. (Ambria Neumann)

Anyssa said it took several months for her to accept she needed help from her sister.

Ambria said: "When Alastair first started spiralling it was like he was drowning and Anyssa dropped everything to dive in and save him - the institutions whose job it was to throw in life preservers failed to do so.

"Anyssa was trying to keep Alastair up almost entirely by herself and ultimately he kept thrashing and he ended up drowning.

"Since then she's just been treading water to keep herself afloat and as a sister who loves her none of us want to see her sink and we are now asking anyone and everyone to throw in a life preserver so she can stop treading water and get out of the ocean."

You can donate to the GoFundMe page here.

If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts, call 911 or the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-8255, or text HOME to the Crisis Text Line at 741741.

For confidential emotional support contact The Samaritans at any time by calling 116 123 or emailing jo@samaritans.org.
A federal appeals court on Friday said the Biden administration likely violated the First Amendment in some of its communications with social media companies, but also narrowed a lower court judges order on the matter.

The US 5th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that certain administration officials  namely in the White House, the surgeon general, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation  likely coerced or significantly encouraged social media platforms to moderate content in violation of the First Amendment in its efforts to combat Covid-19 disinformation.

But the three-judge panel said the preliminary injunction issued by US District Judge Terry Doughty in July, which ordered some Biden administration agencies and top officials not to communicate with social media companies about certain content, was both vague and broader than necessary to remedy the Plaintiffs injuries, as shown at this preliminary juncture.

The Biden administration had previously argued in the lawsuit brought by Republican attorneys general claiming unconstitutional censorship that channels with social media companies must stay open so that the federal government can help protect the public from threats to election security, Covid-19 misinformation and other dangers.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

In briefs submitted earlier this summer, the administration wrote, There is a categorical, well-settled distinction between persuasion and coercion, adding that Doughty had equated legitimate efforts at persuasion with illicit efforts to coerce.

The 5th Circuit left in place part of the injunction that barred certain Biden administration officials from threatening, pressuring, or coercing social-media companies in any manner to remove, delete, suppress, or reduce posted content of postings containing protected free speech.

But, the appeals court said, those terms could also capture otherwise legal speech. So, the injunctions language must be further tailored to exclusively target illegal conduct and provide the officials with additional guidance or instruction on what behavior is prohibited.

The appeals court reversed several aspects of Doughtys sweeping order, concluding that those pieces of it risked blocking the federal government from engaging in legal conduct.

The 5th circuit left the order, which had been temporarily blocked earlier in the summer, on pause for 10 days so that the case can be appealed to the Supreme Court.

The opinion was handed down jointly by Circuit Judges Edith Clement, Jennifer Walker Elrod and Don Willett  all appointees of Republican presidents.

The conservative appeals court sided with many of the arguments put forward by the plaintiffs, which included private individuals as well Missouri and Louisiana, but also narrowed the injunctions scope so that it only applied to the White House, the surgeon general, the CDC and the FBI. Doughty had included other agencies in his July order.

This story has been updated with additional information.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
Sacramento County fire officials are investigating a Friday morning blaze at an abandoned commercial building in North Highlands as possible arson, one of two blazes crews fought overnight in the area.

Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District firefighters were called to well-established flames about 6:15 a.m. near the 5700 block of Garfield Avenue, at a property the district said has burned five times since July.

The building has been boarded up and abandoned since at least 2017 and once housed an above-ground pool sales business.

Metro Fire spokesman Capt. Parker Wilbourn said crews made quick work of the flames but arson investigators were called to the scene because of the multiple incidents crews have faced at the site in the past two months.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Another fire nearby kept crews busy earlier in the night.

Crews were called to a commercial fire on the 5300 block of Arnold Avenue in nearby McClellan Park just after midnight.

That building was under renovation at the time of the blaze, Wilbourn said, and no one was inside when firefighters arrived.

No injuries were reported in either blaze, he said.

12:12a: Crews arrived to a well involved commercial fire in McClellan Park. They initiated fire attack, and called for a 2nd alarm to pull additional resources. Fortunately the building is currently under renovation so no occupants were inside. The fire was knocked down, no pic.twitter.com/euhbk57D6J  Metro Fire of Sacramento (@metrofirepio) September 8, 2023
On Aug. 18, Prime Ministers Fumio Kishida of Japan and Yoon Suk-yeol of South Korea met with President Joe Biden at Camp David to complete a historic accord. The three nations will significantly expand trilateral military exercises. Seoul and Tokyo will also significantly expand communication and cooperation related to security.

This follows up on a March meeting in Tokyo between the leaders of the two Asia nations. At that time, they reached positive agreements on trade and security

Also in March, South Koreas foreign minister, Park Jin, announced that a foundation funded by Korean companies would compensate victims of forced labor during Japans occupation of Korea. U.S. President Joe Biden immediately praised this generous South Korea initiative.

Arthur I. Cyr

The two nations share a complex, difficult history. Japans long-term occupation of Korea in the twentieth century, which continued until 1945, included forced prostitution of Korean women and more general exploitation of the population. Totalitarianism has now faded, but legacies and painful memories continue.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

South Koreas Supreme Court ruled in 2018 that a comprehensive settlement of wartime compensation claims, reached in 1965, does not prevent individuals from seeking reparations. This opened the door for individuals to sue Japanese companies for compensation.

In reaction, Japan announced that special trade relations with South Korea would end. Japanese companies would have to make a formal application, which can be quite cumbersome, for any technology-related deals with South Korea. South Korea retaliated. This dispute has been ended.

The two economies are world leaders in scale, production and overall effectiveness, but are notable for remaining surprisingly separate from one another. This directly reflects their extremely difficult history.

South Koreas earlier chief executive, President Moon Jae-in, helped encourage the current progress. In August 2019, he took the occasion of the tenth anniversary of the death of South Koreas great leader Kim Dae-jung to underscore the importance of a 1998 Joint Declaration between Japan and South Korea, and the fundamental need for partnership.

Kims effectiveness in fighting South Koreas earlier harsh dictatorship marked him as a special target, and he survived at least five attempts on his life. One of the most dramatic incidents occurred in 1973, when South Korea government agents kidnapped him from a Tokyo hotel and took him to a ship, where they intended to kill him at sea.

Donald Gregg, the highly experienced U.S. Central Intelligence Agency station chief in South Korea, acted decisively. After a U.S. helicopter flew low over the ship, and Gregg intervened personally, and forcefully, kidnappers reluctantly released Kim.

Gregg, whose intelligence career dates back to training commandos during the Korean War, later served as U.S. Ambassador to Seoul during the George H.W. Bush administration and more recently provided outstanding professional leadership to the Korea Society based in New York City.

Ambassador Gregg was also national security adviser to Vice President George H.W. Bush. Most of his career was spent with CIA. He personified the commitment and dedication of career professionals crucial to our success in the Cold War.

Kims courage and commitment to representative government were rewarded when this great leader was elected President of the Republic of Korea in 1997. Without hesitation, he moved to begin detente with the North Korea regime. This culminated in a dramatic summit meeting in 2000 with the leader of North Korea, beginning the fitful interchange with Pyongyang.

Kim Dae-jung received the 2000 Nobel Peace Prize for his leadership, which resonates well beyond Korea.

Preoccupation with China should not distract from remarkable, positive developments in Asia.

 Arthur I. Cyr is author of After the Cold War. Contact acyr@carthage.edu.

This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Arthur Cyr: Japan and South Korea reach important accord
As a longtime friend of Dennis Prager since the 1970s, I was personally distressed to read an Aug. 28 guest column by three members of the League of Women Voters  as well as a subsequent Sept. 1 letter to the Herald-Tribune  denouncing both Pragers integrity and his enormous contribution to our society.

Dennis Prager's work with Prager U has changed the landscape of our discourse about social, religious and cultural issues perhaps more than any other intellectual endeavor in our nations recent history. That's why to label the work of hundreds of lectures from scholars, theologians, academicians and medical experts as fake propaganda  which was the phrase used in one recent Herald-Tribune headline regarding these extremely articulate, well-documented presentations  is just part of our nasty culture that focuses on the individual rather than the content of ones words.

Rabbi Stuart Altshuler

In addition, to call Prager an advocate for pornography  in light of the distortions made from an intellectual conversation he had with Dr Jordan Peterson earlier this year  is the height of character assassination. In fact, Prager, Peterson and the other members of the panel were discussing a verse in the New Testament regarding whether one can commit adultery in ones heart rather than in behavior.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Prager was simply making the point that Judaism values the deed more than the thought. But instead of properly addressing Prager's comments in this full context, the assault on his character has been driven more by political agendas than actual reality.

Radio host and author Dennis Prager meets guests at a VIP reception before a program held on the Arizona State University campus in Tempe, Arizona on Feb. 8, 2023.

More: Sarasota school parents must protect their kids from PragerU's indoctrination effort

I would suggest to the Herald-Tribune's readers that they decide for themselves and watch the hundreds of videos on Prager U that cover just about every subject of importance to our troubled world  including religion, the Ten Commandments, history, ethical monotheism, the teaching of values to our children, science and the environment.

Rabbi Stuart Altshuler is the leader of Temple Beth Sholom in Sarasota. The views expressed in this guest column are solely those of Rabbi Altshuler and not of the entire Temple Beth Sholom congregation.

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Dennis Prager doesn't deserve attacks on his character, integrity
Austin is officially home to one of the fastest-growing private companies in the U.S.

CharterUp, a bus and shuttle chartering marketplace, recently ranked second on Inc. Magazines 2023 Inc. 5,000 list. The list ranks privately held, for-profit, U.S.-based companies by percentage revenue growth from 2019 to 2022, according to the magazines website.

CharterUp

During that period, CharterUps revenue grew by 111,130%, earning it the second spot on the list. CareBridge, a health services company, took the first spot with 157,144% revenue growth over three years.

More: Texas metro hotel revenues show growth everywhere but San Antonio and Austin in Q2

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

CharterUp was started in 2018 by Armir Harris, the subject of a profile by Inc. Magazine detailing his escape from civil war in Albania.

Harris company allows people to track the availability of charter vehicles in real-time and book instantly as part of its mission to deliver an unmatched experience of accessibility, accountability and transparency never seen before in the charter bus space, according to the companys website.

More: Austin metropolitan area lands atop list of best U.S. cities to launch a career

The company targets corporations, governments, individuals and operators with its services. It operates more than 4,000 vehicles and is the top shuttle provider for Fortune 500 companies, according to a post on CharterUps LinkedIn page.

Dozens of companies on the list are also headquartered in Austin. Publishing.com, an online education company founded in 2018 that helps people run their own online book publishing businesses, ranks 19th on the list. The company experienced 16,497% revenue growth from 2019 to 2022.

More: Austin e-bike tour company wins TripAdvisor's top tour award. We put them to the test.

Human resources company Norwood ranked 90th on the list for its 5,189% revenue growth during that period. Founded in 2016, the company is focused on staffing and consulting in the healthcare industry.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Austin's company ranks among fastest-growing private companies in U.S.
As Chinese electric vehicle (EV) brands are under the spotlight at the birthplace of modern automobiles, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz welcomed international automakers at the ongoing IAA Mobility 2023 in Munich and encouraged Germany's carmakers to embrace competition from Asian rivals and not be intimidated by the rise of China's EV makers.

Even with late-mover advantages, it was next to unthinkable that Chinese car companies could one day soon make Germans feel "intimidated" a few short years ago. At that time, brands like BYD, Nio and Xpeng were known only to analysts and industry insiders in the West.

Regarding the development of EVs as an important driver to meet the nation's carbon peaking and neutrality pledges, China has become a leader in automobile electrification.

The growing popularity of Chinese EVs in Europe is an indisputable fact. Chinese brands accounted for 8 percent of new EVs sold in Europe in 2023, up from 6 percent last year and 4 percent in 2021, according to auto consultancy Inovev.

That is only one of the factors behind the steadily growing momentum of China's auto exports. Data from the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers showed that in the first half of 2023, exports of new energy vehicles surged 160 percent year on year to 534,000 units.

Facing the trend of Chinese automotive brands entering the European market, expanding partnerships with these rising manufacturers is emerging as a popular strategy for those along the industrial and supply chains.

Auto supplier Bosch expressed its willingness to support car companies from China, the group's largest market in the world, as they seek localized production. Following this very trend, German car rental company SIXT announced a long-term partnership with China's EV leader BYD in October on the purchase of 100,000 EVs for its European fleet by 2028.

China and Europe have a long history of cooperation in the automobile industry. By setting up joint ventures or exporting vehicles, well-known European brands like Volkswagen, Citroen, Volvo and BMW have been favored by a vast number of Chinese consumers.

China is a big market, and so is Europe. The advantages in battery technology innovation and automobile software research and development will help boost Chinese EV makers' development in the European market. Such healthy competition will also prompt their European counterparts to quicken their pace.

Chinese EVs have already established themselves domestically. Seeking to make their mark in the international arena is merely a natural progression. For European car companies, instead of being stunned by the fine quality, advanced functions and competitive pricing of Chinese EVs, wouldn't it be better to embrace the new possibilities for win-win results?
Both domesticated and feral cats  like the one pictured above in New York  pose a threat to Australia's biodiversity, experts say. Roselle Chen/Reuters

Cats kill two billion animals in Australia every year. They are considered an invasive species.

Australian officials want to curb the negative impact so many cats have on the environment.

Proposals include cat curfews, ownership limits, and indoor mandates in suburban areas.

Australia has an invasive species problem  and unlike other infamous invasive critters, like the spotted lanternfly or Burmese python, these ones are soft to the touch, enjoy the occasional pet, and love to lounge in patches of sunlight.

There are 8.1 million cats in Australia, and there is almost no part of the country they aren't found roaming about. At such huge numbers, Australian felines  both domestic and feral  pose a real threat to the continent's biodiversity.

Experts estimate cats in Australia kill about 2 billion animals each year. There are 57 species in Australia labeled "highly susceptible" to cat predation, including 47 mammal species, according to a report from Australia's Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment, and Water.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

To protect the country's biodiversity, the government is looking for solutions to their cat problem, according to The New York Times. While there are several measures in place to curb feral cat populations  including euthanasia  a new government proposal is targeting domestic cats too. Officials are weighing the possibility of cat curfews, indoor mandates, and capping the number of cats households can own.

These ideas for curtailing cat populations aren't new. Several local governments in Australia already rely on rules like these to protect their ecosystems. The proposal would standardize the rules and give local governments more authority to expand them according to their needs.

Despite the vaunted status enjoyed by cats, The Australian public appears largely supportive of the measures.

"Maybe our job is easier in Australia, unfortunately, because we've lost so many species," Sarah Legge, professor at the Australian National University, told the Times. "The public is much more supportive of managing cats, including pet cat owners."

Read the original article on Insider
(NerdWallet)  The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recently revealed the most reported text message scam: bank impersonations.

Reports of bank impersonations by text in 2022 jumped to 20 times the number reported in 2019. According to the FTC, consumers reported a loss of more than $330 million to text message scams in 2022. And cash thats lost because of bank fraud or scams isnt covered by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. or National Credit Union Administration.

Banks are a safe place to keep your money, but there are still a few basic but important precautions you can take to ensure you dont fall for a bank-impersonation text scam. Heres how to protect your money from text message scams impersonating your financial institution.

 LEARN: How to stay safe from financial scams

Dont make money moves under pressure

Text message scammers will try to make you feel like action is required immediately  at the risk of losing your money. It may come as an urgent message warning you to call or click on a link because of alleged suspicious activity.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Scam losses in Tennessee have quadrupled in last four years

Any type of pressure tactic is not legitimate  that is not your bank, said Paul Benda, senior vice president of operational risk and cybersecurity at the American Bankers Association.

As with any decision about your finances, avoid taking actions when you feel scared, stressed out or pressured.

 RELATED: Learn how to avoid three common banking scams

Dont click on any links from an unsolicited message

If you receive a text message youre not expecting, be wary  especially if it looks like it might be from your bank.

In a recent poll by security experts at Security.org, 66% of respondents said that they had received a suspicious text from someone they didnt know, and about 20% clicked on links texted from strangers, which is never advisable.

Look at any type of unsolicited communication very cautiously, said Benda.

Major banks were popular choices for scammers to impersonate in 2022. According to the FTC, the most common scam text messages often claimed to be from large banks, including Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Chase and Citibank.

 MORE: How to avoid Zelle scams, plus what to do if you cant

Dont call a phone number thats texted to you

Just as you shouldnt click on a link texted to you from someone you dont know, dont click on or dial a phone number you receive in a text. Instead, find the official phone number for your bank by going to its website or mobile app. Initiate contact with your financial institution at its official phone number to ensure youre talking to a legitimate representative, and verify whether there actually is an issue.

Time to update your iPhone: Apple just pushed out a significant security update

Making that phone call can be the difference between getting scammed versus not getting scammed, said Tremaine Wills, a financial advisor and founder of Mind Over Money, a financial literacy company in Newport News, Virginia.

One particular kind of text scam resulted in a median loss of $3,000 in 2022, according to the FTC: a text from someone impersonating your bank, instructing you to reply with a Yes or No to confirm or deny a suspicious transaction. Once you replied, the scammer would call you under the guise of helping you. Their ultimate goal was to either fraudulently transfer money out of your account or obtain personal information such as a Social Security number.

 RELATED: Learn how to stay safe when using mobile banking apps

What to do if you were unable to avoid a scam

If you should happen to fall for a text scammer impersonating your bank, there are a few critical steps to take.

First, alert your bank to the incident and get its help in making sure no more money leaves your account fraudulently. Next, report the scam to local law enforcement. Those first two actions are key for trying to recover any cash that was wrongfully taken from your account.

Finally, file a complaint with the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and/or report the instance to the Federal Bureau of Investigations Internet Crime Complaint Center. The FTC also recommends that you forward suspicious text messages to 7726, which helps wireless providers identify and intercept similar text messages. You can also report and block suspicious text messages within your messaging app.

 Read todays top stories on wkrn.com

Having a good idea of your account activity is a key part of protecting your money from scams.

Have a regular practice of knowing whats going on with your account, said Wills.

If youre not completely sure of whats happening in your account, then you might be more likely to be alarmed by a text message claiming to be from your bank, she added.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.
New polls showing President Biden tied or trailing several GOP presidential candidates and deep concerns among voters over his age are stoking Democratic angst about third-party candidates stealing a victory in November 2024.

Democrats have long been worried that in a close race, a third-party candidate could be the difference between winning and defeat in hard-fought states such as Georgia, Arizona, Wisconsin or even Florida.

But the new polling is exacerbating unease that liberal candidate Cornel West or a centrist contender backed by No Labels could end up being spoilers for Biden.

Groups on the left are among those expressing discontentment, arguing that the only candidates who will have a chance to actually win the White House are Biden and the eventual Republican nominee.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

The 2024 presidential election is a binary choice between Joe Biden and the MAGA GOP nominee, Rahna Epting, executive director of MoveOn, told The Hill on Thursday.

She pointed her criticism squarely at No Labels, which has seen an influx of attacks from all corners of the party in recent weeks. Thats why we are so alarmed that, despite this urgent and unique moment of peril for our democracy, No Labels remains determined to push forward with a reckless 2024 third party bid.

No Labels has no theory to win and no infrastructure or plausible case to get to 270 electoral votes, Epting added, sharing common sentiments among Democrats who see the effort as detrimental to a blue win.

One poll released by CNN this week has put a fine point on the Biden problem. While its presumed that the 80-year-old president will be the nominee, Democrats are coming around to the view that outside figures could damage his chances after he locks up the contest.

According to the survey, a whopping 67 percent of voters who identify as Democrats or lean left said that theyd prefer someone else as the nominee. At the same time, just as many voters believe Biden will ultimately nab the nomination, creating a difficult position for those helping to prop up an unpopular candidate.

Another data point also signals a potential issue: Biden is in close contention not only with former President Trump but with lesser-known candidates like former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, who led him by several points.

Other polls separately show deep dissatisfaction over Bidens age, with the majority of voters in recent Wall Street Journal and Associated Press/NORC surveys saying hes too old to seek a second term in office.

The anxiety over third-party campaigns has grown in tandem with Bidens relatively poor standing.

Democrats were reassured when he didnt see a prominent primary challenger, but fears that someone without as much name recognition could run as a different partys option have taken hold as candidates embark on the year leading to the general election.

West, a leftist aligned with Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) who has a considerable grassroots following, is now running on the Green Party ticket, a political maneuver some progressives have found more concerning than his previous Peoples Party identification.

The Green Party skews to the left of the progressive movement and is most recently remembered for the uproar it caused in 2016 when outsider Jill Stein ran as the partys choice. Her bid caused what some Democrats saw as a nonviable alternative to former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and helped aid a surprise Trump victory in some states. While Green Party supporters want more than a two-party system, mainstream Democrats view those third-party political efforts as generally beneficial to the GOP.

Historically, third-party candidates have been a boost to Republicans. The same could be true with this cycle, said Michael Starr-Hopkins, a Democratic campaign operative and commentator.

This season, moderates are frustrated with West as the newest Green Party option, with strategists now working to downplay his bid. While many respect his academic contributions, they also see him as a troublesome figure in an already tough cycle for Biden.

And while theres anger directed toward the left, centrists are just as perturbed by their own flank. No Labels in particular has caused worries for moderates who see the same possible Green Party-style doomsday scenario playing out from their wing of the party.

A third-party bid from No Labels is quite different from the current landscape of RFK Jr., Marianne Williamson and Cornel West running in the Dem primary, said Ameshia Cross, a Democratic strategist. Neither of the three have gained enough traction to be considered threats remotely to President Biden.

No Labels, though a highly conservative driven group, has the funding to run ads, and though a No Labels candidate or any third-party wont make it to the White House, it could provide [an] off ramp in a tight race where pulling even a small percentage of voters could throw the election to the Republicans, she said.

A third-party candidate has no chance of becoming president, Cross stressed.

The bipartisan group sees it differently. Ryan Clancy, chief strategist for No Labels, said the group is emboldened by the latest poll findings, saying that it shows a rejection of the Biden-Trump duality.

The CNN poll reinforces a truth we have known for a long time now at No Labels: most Americans do not want a rematch of the 2020 election, Clancy told The Hill in a statement. Theres growing enthusiasm for another choice who can bridge the partisan divide that is tearing our country apart.

If No Labels ultimately offers its ballot line to an independent Unity ticket next year, it will be because we think it has a real path to the White House, he added.

Skeptical Democrats, however, are still looking at ways to minimize the potential damage. Some are eyeing high profile surrogates as ways to help Biden squash voter curiosity about other candidates, regardless of whether it comes from the left or middle.

Sanders and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) are sought after from progressives to get young people and infrequent voters inspired about Biden, and moderates are open to finding a similar vote-getter on their side.

I believe Joe Biden will win reelection in a one-on-one race against Donald Trump or any other Republican nominee, said Jim Kessler of the centrist Democratic group Third Way, which is working against third-party bids on both sides of the party. But it may not be a one-on-one race.

A possible No Labels candidacy will require moderate voices to do the same thing from the center, Kessler added.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Donald Trump may have spent the past year creaming his wan Republican competition in the polls, but the news has not been all wine and roses for the former presidentat least not in Americas legal venues. He has collected a scavenger hunts worth of indictments and faces a formidable calendar of dates as a professional defendant. What Trump is about to endure has few historical precedentslimp comparisons to Eugene V. Debs notwithstanding. This is shaping up to be a strange campaign, fought on large patches of undiscovered country.

But even as we fantasize about the consequences catching up with Trump, it must be said that once again he has us right where he wants us: at the center of a newshole that he is dominating. The Man Who Ate the Discourse is back, devouring whole news cycles, his attendant Gorpmans and Bleemers hopping in and out of the headlines. And with the news that the Georgia trial will be televisedfor months on endthe potential for a feeding frenzy seems likely. But should this become a demented spectacle, remember: Its not the fault of those who are seeking to hold the former president to account.

Its not out of the realm of possibility that the media will either catastrophize the effort to hold Trump accountable or turn the justice-seekers into the villains of the story. The campaign trail is long and dull, and this time out it will wind through numerous courtrooms, in which Trump will be arrayed against a constantly shifting cast of opponents. Ever on the hunt for the mythical balance that they believe defines pure, mountain-grown political coverage, the press may well endeavor to cover these trials neutrally, as opposed to fairlythat is to say, to locate some imaginary middle ground between a criminal and his victims to defend, instead of considering the substance of the matter.

In a recent piece for The Wall Street Journal, Peter Funt convincingly argues that the transparency gained from televising the trials offsets whatever media circus is created. But along the way, he identifies a litany of concerns that we might soon hear spilling out of the hyped-up mouths of the hand-wringers on your local cable news panelthat the substance of the cases against Trump will be lost amid the grandstanding, cheapening the whole affair and thus contributing to an overall erosion of faith in the judiciary.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

As Funt reminds, some fairly dubious theories about Trump have already been marshaled to argue that this moveable media feast will prove disastrous, such as the belief that the former president is some kind of inimitable maestro of the televisual arts and the idea that all of these indictments are a secret boon to his campaign. I am sorry to use this particularly overused term, but these notions are all just vibes. None of it is tethered to a quantifiable reality. It is clearly preferable to not get indicted, four times over, if you want to run for president. And Trumps reputation for being some kind of teevee trickster all stems from the fact that he has benefited immensely from promiscuous cable news coverage.

Trumps also already benefiting from some early carping about the media circus thats lying over the horizon. Last week, New York Times columnist Ross Douthat complained about the logistics of Trumps federal trialthe one in which hell face charges for conspiring to overturn the 2016 election. At issue was Judge Tanya S. Chutkans decision to begin proceedings on March 6 of next year, the day before Super Tuesday. This, to Douthats mind, was an extremely suboptimal convergence.

If you take the judicial process seriously, he wrote, then clearly under ideal circumstances the trial of a major presidential contender would be completed before voters begin passing judgments of their own. Well, sure? But what is Judge Chutkan supposed to do about this? As writer Tom Scocca pointed out in his newsletter, Chutkan had to fit her obligations into a calendar already crowded with Trump trials: The only way to keep one or another of Trumps trials from happening during a sensitive part of the primary season is by pushing things back into a sensitive part of the general election season.

Yes, its true, these are suboptimal choices, all the way down. Court dates are mashing up against court dates, which in turn are abutting important dates on the primary calendar. I think one thing that maybe every party involved in these matters can agree on is that none of this is ideal. But who, then, should fill the blank space that Scocca locates in Douthats argument, the person to whom the blame, formless and insinuating, should attach?

Heres a thought: Maybe its Trumps fault! Trumps allies keep darkly muttering, If they can do this to Trump, they can do it to you too. And my response is: Well yes, thats the whole point! My one neat trick for avoiding indictments charging me with trying to overturn an election is to not try to overturn an election. And in the parallel universe where Trump had offered a dignified concession, no ones worried about whether his federal trial is too close to Super Tuesday. It was a failure of accountability that gave rise to the media circus thats coming down the pike. Maybe a strong dose of it will actually end this spectacle once and for all.

This article first appeared in Power Mad, a weekly TNR newsletter authored by deputy editor Jason Linkins. Sign up here.
A Lacey teen accused of breaking into his ex-partners home and shooting two people is being held in Thurston County jail in lieu of $500,000 bail.

Ethan Ray Kirk, 19, and two other suspects attended their preliminary appearances in Thurston County Superior Court on Tuesday.

Court records show Lacey officers arrested Kirk Sept. 3 on suspicion of two counts of first-degree assault while armed with a deadly weapon and first-degree burglary, domestic violence.

The incident occurred that Sunday at a Lacey apartment. Officers responded to the home after Kirks ex-partner told dispatch that Kirk broke into her home and shot her as well as her boyfriend while her two children were there.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Two other people have been arrested in connection with the crime. Justin Shane Ingalsbe, 18, and Willie Jordan Da-Sani Jackson, 21, have been accused of first-degree burglary and first-degree assault.

Judge John Skinder found probable cause for the alleged crimes and set bail at $500,000 for all three suspects. In doing so, he found they may commit a violent crime or interfere with the case if simply released.

None of the suspects have criminal convictions as adults, but court records show they each have sealed juvenile criminal records.

The Thurston County Prosecuting Attorneys Office charged all three suspects Wednesday. They are due back in court for their arraignment hearings Sept. 19.

Court records describe the investigation into the incident from the perspective of law enforcement.

Officers reported arriving at the home at 9:21 p.m. and finding the two injured victims as well as two uninjured but upset children, ages 1 and 4.

Kirks ex-partner told police Kirk entered through her bedroom window and she and her boyfriend fought back against Kirk. During the struggle, she said Kirk shot them and she stabbed him, according to court records.

The womans boyfriend told police Kirk tried to open the front door to allow other suspects in. Court records say multiple masked men entered the home with large guns but quickly ran away.

Both shooting victims were treated by medics at the scene and later transported to Providence St. Peter Hospital in Olympia, according to court records. The children were released to their grandparents with their mothers permission.

Officers later found and detained Kirk near an apartment complex after following a vehicle that was associated with him. Court records say he had blood on his hands and back.

While officers responded to the victims home, other officers reportedly spotted another vehicle associated with Kirk.

The officers initiated a traffic stop and detained two occupants, later identified as Ingalsbe and Jackson, according to court records. Jackson allegedly admitted to having weapons in the trunk of the vehicle.

All three suspects were interviewed at the Lacey Police Department and later booked into the Thurston County jail.
John Dixon, 64, an undischarged bankrupt who owed the taxman almost 1 million

The former head of taxation at one of the worlds largest accountancies has been accused of moving properties and luxury vehicles into his wifes name to avoid his creditors.

John Dixon, 64, an undischarged bankrupt who owed the taxman almost 1 million, carried out a string of sham transactions designed to mislead his creditors into believing he had no assets or income, court documents allege.

Now his trustees in bankruptcy have turned to the High Court in London, where they are seeking orders to set aside the transactions, and orders forcing Janet Dixon to hand over half of the sale price of two properties.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Mr Dixon was the managing partner and head of taxation at top firm Ernst & Young until about 2014, and was ruled bankrupt in 2017, owing the taxman 627,302.59 for the years from 2009, a High Court claim says.

This amount had risen to 949,716.36 by March 2022, and Mr Dixon remains bankrupt after his automatic discharge from bankruptcy was suspended by Peterborough County Court in 2018. Usually debtors are automatically discharged from bankruptcy after a year.

Royal Apartments Westmoreland Barbados

Undischarged bankrupts face restrictions, including being unable to borrow more than 500 without disclosing their financial status, being banned from acting as company directors without the courts permission, and from acting in certain roles, including as a charity trustee.

Mr Dixon worked for some time as principal of the consulting arm of Pure Search, a recruitment company with offices in London, Hong Kong, New York and Charlotte that advises multinational companies, accountants, law firms and private equity firms, despite his financial status.

In September 2010 he tried to get rid of his assets by declaring that they were held in trust for his wife absolutely, the High Court will hear.

These included Pennymore House and Stable Cottage on the shores of Loch Fyne near Inveraray in Arygll, a six-bedroomed house and three-bedroomed cottage, and the imposing Stonehouse at Woolhope in Herefordshire, an eight-bedroomed period property with a swimming pool, which was valued at 2.1 million.

He passed over to his wife a 1.78 million flat at Tea Trade Wharf, in London and four vehicles, including a 2008 black Range Rover and an orange Audi Quattro, his capital account and undrawn profits from his partnership at Ernst & Young, and his residual estate of assets and income, according to the court documents.

And he also bought a three-bedroomed flat in Barbados in her name in 2014, the claim says. In 2015 and 2016, The Stonehouse was sold for 1.2 million, leaving a shortfall of 115,302.95 secured on the property which Dixon paid off, and another property in Cambridge was sold for 470,000, providing a balance of 126,202,82 which was paid to Mrs Dixon.

Pennymore House, Argyll

The Argyll house was sold for 600,000 just before Dixon was made bankrupt, and the net proceeds of sale amounting to 126,155.70 were paid to Mrs Dixon. The couple now live at Toad Hall in Eardisland, Herefordshire, a picturesque half-timbered grade II listed property.

The trustees claim the declarations of trust and loan agreement were shams, created to give the false impression and with an intention to mislead third parties that Mr Dixon had divested himself of all his assets and income.

The declarations of trust he made were to put his assets beyond the reach of anyone who might make a claim against him, and were transactions defrauding creditors, the court will hear. The trustees, Emma Sayers and Jeremy Willmont of BDO LLP, claim Mrs Dixon made a loan agreement with her husband in an unsigned letter, offering him interest-free loans repayable on demand.

They are asking the court to set aside the transactions, and ordering her to pay the current market value of the Barbados flat, and pay half the value of the properties in Cambridge and Argyll which have been sold.

Mr Dixon could not be contacted for comment.

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.
Local outlets reported that Greece's tax and customs authorities recently raided bars in Corfu.

Authorities said some bars took unfinished drinks and repurposed them into shots for tourists.

The businesses were forced to close for 48 hours and are facing fines.

Some bars in Corfu, a popular tourist destination in Greece, saved patrons' unfinished drinks and then re-sold them to tourists as shots, Greek authorities said.

Officials discovered the practice during an operation to identify businesses that evade taxes or sell illegal drinks, according to CNN Greece and the Athens News Agency.

Auditors, led by the Independent Public Revenue Authorities with help from local police, raided several bars and restaurants between August 30 and September 1. Specifically, authorities investigated bars around the village of Kavos.

Some bars were repurposing unfinished alcohol. Royalty-free/Getty Images

Although authorities were trying to determine if establishments were issuing receipts and serving smuggled or tampered alcohol, they discovered something else instead: repurposed drinks. Local news outlets reported that some establishments collected what was left from patrons' unfinished glasses, poured it into a barrel, and later served it to tourists as shots.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

The operation also found tens of thousands of unissued receipts and several catering establishments that were serving alcohol that may been smuggled or even tampered with.

The businesses were forced to close for 48 hours and were issued fines, the outlets reported.

A photo of Corfu. Petroos/Shutterstock

Representatives for Independent Public Revenue Authorities did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The incident in Confu comes as Europe faces an influx of tourism this summer, according to The New York Times. The spike in visitors coincided with a number of stories about tourists behaving badly, including people drunkenly falling asleep in the Eiffel Tower and defacing the Colosseum.

In Greece, officials decided to limit the number of tourists who can visit The Athens Acropolis to 20,000 a day in an attempt to curb overcrowding.

Read the original article on Insider
A bat infestation has closed a Shelby County elementary school, school district officials said Friday.

Thank you for your patience as we navigate the eviction of bats at Wright Elementary School, said a letter to parents posted on the district website on Friday.

For the week of September 11th through September 15th, Wright Elementary students and teachers will utilize classroom space at Southside Elementary and the Blair Center, the letter said.

Roanya Rice, an official with the North Central Health Department, told WDRB that bats are also in the nearby Shelby County High School gym. That school has stayed open, but students and staff are staying out of the gym.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

WDRB reported officials have captured and tested nine bats. Four were found at Shelby County High School and five inside Wright Elementary.

As soon as we can determine that its a safe environment for the students and staff to return, then we will reopen the school and were working to get that done as quickly as we can, Rice told WDRB.

This embedded content is not available in your region.

The Sentinel News in Shelbyville reported earlier in September that the bats showed up in the school attic in July.

Shelby County Public Schools spokesperson Cyndi Skellie Chaney told the Sentinel News that the district received permission from the state to evacuate the bats because they are protected wildlife.
A popular tourist area is finally safe from bears in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, a month after a bear reached into a car and scratched a man, rangers said Saturday.

The monthlong closure of Rich Mountain Road made it safe for black bears to forage for natural foods, according to a park news release.

The road is in the Cades Cove area in Blount County on the Tennessee side of the park.

The bear became habituated to humans and vehicles, according to an Aug. 5 park news release, issued the day of the incident. The visitor experienced minor scratches and did not contribute to the bears habituation.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

The bear reached into an open window, park spokeswoman Emily Davis told The Charlotte Observer at the time.

The visitor, an adult male, was scratched on the arm, Davis said in an email.

The park straddles the border between North Carolina and Tennessee.

Bears have trouble finding the natural food they need in August, rangers said. Berry season is over, and fall acorns havent ripened.

Were to blame, too.

Too often, visitors to Great Smoky Mountains National Park and residents of nearby communities feed human or dog food to bears, sometimes directly from vehicles and by leaving food in the road, according to the news release Saturday.

The illegal and dangerous practice conditions bears to unnatural food, as well as people and vehicles, rangers said.
Chinese President Xi Jinping has called on the northeastern province of Heilongjiang to firmly grasp its strategic position in China's overall development, and strive to open new ground for its high-quality development.

General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee Xi Jinping, also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, inspects a forest farm in Mohe in the Dahinggan Mountains, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Sept. 6, 2023. Xi inspected northeast China's Heilongjiang Province from Wednesday to Friday. (Xinhua/Yin Bogu)

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks during his inspection in the province from Wednesday to Friday.

Xi stressed that Heilongjiang should turn its strengths into new development impetus and build and strengthen itself as an important national commodity grain production base and a heavy equipment manufacturing base, an important energy and raw material supplier, a vital guardian of ecological security in northern China, and a pivotal gateway for the nation's northward opening up.

He urged the province to play an active part in safeguarding national defense, food, ecology, energy, and industrial security.

At a forest farm in Mohe in the Dahinggan Mountains on Wednesday afternoon, Xi underscored that afforestation and protection of forests should be given equal priority, urging precaution against potential dangers to ensure that long-term achievements will not be swept away overnight.

At the Beijicun, or "North Pole Village," a riverside border village, he stressed the importance of increasing green coverage and protecting forests, calling for measures to enable people to increase their income on the basis of ecological protection.

Noting the importance of tourism sector in achieving high-quality development, Xi urged policy support to ensure that local scenery and snow and ice tourism resources generate more income for local people.

Concerned with the post-flood reconstruction, Xi on Thursday came to a village in Shangzhi City of Harbin, which bore the brunt of the recent flooding, where he checked the damage to rice crops and the reconstruction progress of damaged buildings.

Xi said that he felt reassured seeing that reconstruction was proceeding smoothly and that life and work are ensured.

Urging efforts to make sure those affected by the floods stay warm during the winter, Xi asked the local authorities to make detailed and sound plans as soon as possible on all matters related to people's livelihood such as food, accommodation, employment, education and health, leaving no loopholes.

He called for accelerating post-disaster reconstruction, minimize the agricultural losses caused by the disaster, and guarantee the disaster-stricken people relief and security.

At Harbin Engineering University, Xi underscored the work in education, science and technology and talent, and called for more accomplishments in building China into a leading country in those respects.

In light of the upcoming Teachers' Day, Xi extended festival greetings to faculty members of the university as well as all teachers across the country.

Xi heard a work report by the CPC Heilongjiang Provincial Committee and the provincial government.

Xi noted that sci-tech innovation should lead the overall industrial revitalization, urging concrete efforts to promote the high-quality development of advanced manufacturing, accelerate the upgrading of traditional manufacturing, and improve the primary, secondary and tertiary industries in all respects.

Sci-tech innovation resources should be integrated to spearhead strategic emerging industries and future industries, Xi said, adding that the province should enhance the core competitiveness of state-owned enterprises and guide the sound development of private enterprises.

The province should actively link with national industrial and supply chains, better integrate into the unified national market, and play a bigger role in bridging domestic and international economic flows.

He also emphasized the adherence to green development and establishing a sound economic system that facilitates green, low-carbon and circular development.

Heilongjiang should serve as a "ballast" in ensuring national food security, Xi stressed, urging the province to prioritize developing modern agriculture and take the lead in achieving modernization regarding agricultural equipment, science and technology, and operation and management, as well as in realizing agricultural informatization and the sustainability of resource utilization.

Xi said digital technology and biotechnology should be reinforced, and agriculture-related science and technology should be given greater prominence.

He also ordered efforts to create new modes of agricultural operation, forge industrial clusters, and speed up advancing rural revitalization to ensure modern production and living conditions are accessible to rural residents.

Tourism with distinctive cultural features should be vigorously developed, Xi said, noting that the winter economy should be fostered as a new source of growth, promoting the overall development of sports, culture, equipment, and tourism related to ice and snow.

Xi highlighted the efforts to maintain the original views of forests, rivers, lakes, wetlands and snow, improve the infrastructure in border areas and develop tourism in those areas.

A pivotal gateway for the nation's northward opening up should be built, Xi stressed, adding that more efforts should be made in coordinating trade, investment and platforms, as well as introducing measures in market access and flows of production factors to form a new pattern of all-round opening up.

Xi also stressed the need to improve the transport network oriented to the opening up toward Northeast Asia, while integrating more deeply into the Belt and Road cooperation, and participating more actively in regional cooperation.

On the ongoing education campaign launched by the CPC, Xi urged efforts to turn good practices refined during the campaign into long-term mechanisms.

He called for sound and coordinated planning for the campaign under specific guidance to ensure that concrete results are achieved.

Cai Qi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and director of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee, accompanied Xi on the inspection tour.
JAMESTOWN  In four months, the Beavertail Lighthouse Museum Association charity license plate collected enough preorders, 600, to start being distributed.

The first batch of license plates will be handed out on Saturday morning, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Beavertail Lighthouse Museum Association member Ursula Parenteau ran the marketing campaign, helped find a sponsor for the enabling legislation, found an artist to design the plate and carried it from an idea two years ago to a reality.

Preorders opened in February and by the end of May, they had enough to make the license plate official, she said.

In just two months, the Beavertail Lighthouse charity license plate received enough orders, 600, to go into production.

"The association is very excited to get it out there," she said. "Everybody loves coming to Beavertail, to enjoy the lighthouse and museum."

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

With the exception of the frenzy over the great white shark plate put out by the Atlantic Shark Institute, the Beavertail plate was the quickest to reach the number of required orders, Parenteau said.

"I'm thrilled," she said. "It was just an idea that came to my head one day and with a lot of support of our board members, we decided to go ahead with it. I'm very happy it's out there."

The group chose artist Don Mong to do the watercolor that forms the basis of the plate.

"We liked his timeless style," she said.

The lighthouse will soon be turned over from the feds to the state

The lighthouse, the third oldest in North America, is in the process of being turned from federal property to part of the Beavertail State Park, run by the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management.

What's next? The plan for Beavertail Lighthouse when Rhode Island takes ownership from the feds

The lighthouse association will continue to maintain the property and museum, while the state is the property owner.

The lighthouse's history dates back to a request from 1712. The first iteration was built by 1749, the third, which is still standing, was built in 1856.

How much money do charity plates bring in?

All new plates bring in $20 donations to the charity and when they are renewed, it's another $10 donation. Those initial 600 plates mean a $12,000 donation to the organization. The total cost is $42.50.

"It'll be an ongoing thing to support the museum itself, preserve the historic buildings, help the fund to keep the lighthouse open," Parenteau said.

What other Rhode Island charity license plates are out there?

Released around the same time, the Atlantic Shark Institute plate, featuring a great white shark, quickly surpassed the 600 preorders needed, surpassing 5,000 by the end of May, followed by the opening for orders of a motorcycle version of the plate.

Frenzy: Orders for charity shark plate surpass 5,000

"We've had a run this summer," Department of Motor Vehicles spokesman Paul Grimaldi said. "When people saw the noise around the shark plate, I think they said, 'Let's try for it.'"

The Gaspee Days license plate, featuring a burning ship, neared the 600-preorder goal by the end of May. By the middle of July, the Providence College Friars license plate went into production.

The Boston Bruins Foundation license plate took nine years to get the required number of preorders, Grimaldi said.

Other charity plates include:

Bristol Fourth of July

Conservation Through Education supporting the Audubon Society of Rhode Island or Save The Bay

Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Resource Foundation

New England Patriots

Plum Beach Lighthouse

Rhode Island Community Food Bank (featuring Mr. Potato Head)

Red Sox Foundation

Rocky Point Foundation

Wildlife Rehabilitators Association of Rhode Island

What charity plates haven't hit the 600 preorders needed?

The other plates that have not hit the 600 preorder threshold include those for The Autism Project, the Narragansett Council of the Boy Scouts of America, the Friends of the Pomham Rocks Lighthouse, the RI Day of Portugal group and the Rose Island Lighthouse and Fort Hamilton Trust.

Thanks to our subscribers, who help make this coverage possible. If you are not a subscriber, please consider supporting quality local journalism with a Providence Journal subscription. Here's our latest offer.

Reach Wheeler Cowperthwaite at wcowperthwaite@providencejournal.com or follow him on Twitter @WheelerReporter.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Beavertail Lighthouse charity license plate starts distribution
Oklahoma City will become the place for hugs this weekend when more than 400 expected people attend the first national conference of the group Free Mom Hugs.

The conference will feature speeches from educator, dad, and author Chasten Buttigieg, husband of U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. It will also feature nonbinary Oklahoma state Rep. Maureen Turner.

We empower the world to celebrate the LGBTQ+ through visibility, education, and conversation, Free Mom Hugs Founder Sara Cunningham told Oklahoma City ABC affiliate KOCO.

She founded the organization after she stopped looking down upon the LGBTQ+ community and accepted her gay son after he came out to her. As she grew to accept her sons sexuality, in 2015, she started giving free hugs to queer attendees of the Oklahoma City Pride Festival, knowing that some of them had been rejected from their families.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

On that day, the organization was founded, and it has grown ever since.

The group hopes the weekend event will go a long way in advancing their campaign for acceptance throughout the United States.

All in an effort to educate and empower families with gay children to be able to make sure we make Oklahoma a safe place, and the country really, for our gay kids, Cunningham said.

As far as Parker is concerned, an event like this is vital for Oklahoma because of the message it conveys.

Were in this ultra-conservative place reminding people theres people who love you everywhere, Parker Cuningham told KOCO.

Free Mom Hugs work benefits the LGBTQ+ community as a whole, he said proudly.
President Biden shook hands with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the G20 summit on Saturday, despite the backlash he faced for fist-bumping the de facto Saudi leader last year.

Biden greeted bin Salman at the summit in New Delhi, following the announcement of a new rail and shipping corridor to connect India with the Middle East and Europe.

The president faced criticism last July for appearing too chummy with the Saudi crown prince, who U.S. intelligence officials have concluded was involved in the killing of Washington Post journalist and Saudi dissident Jamal Khashoggi.

Fred Ryan, the former publisher and CEO of The Washington Post, slammed Bidens fist-bump with bin Salman at the time, saying it was worse than a handshake and shameful.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

It projected a level of intimacy and comfort that delivers to MBS the unwarranted redemption he was been desperately seeking, Ryan said.

Khashoggis fiancee, Hatice Cengiz, also suggested after the fist-bump last year that Biden was reneging on his campaign promises.

Hey @POTUS, is this the accountability you promised for my murder? Cengiz wrote in a post from the perspective of her late fiancee on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. The blood of MBSs next victim is on your hands.

When asked if he regretted the fist-bump upon his return to the White House, Biden responded to reporters, Why dont you guys talk about something that matters? Im happy to answer a question that matters.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
NEW DELHI  President Joe Biden spent the first 24 hours of the India-hosted G20 doing his best to fill the power vacuum left by Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinpings absences, wooing their friends and bidding to take their business.

The animating theme of Bidens foreign policy is that democracies can deliver while autocracies, despite bursts of strength and activity, eventually fade away. The American leader aimed to prove his theory true in the Indian capital, with a series of appearances, meetings and initiatives aimed at cementing the United States as the worlds undeniable power.

Fresh off Air Force One on Friday night, Biden met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a one-on-one chat to draw the worlds largest democracy closer to its oldest. A joint statement released after the meeting showed a new stage in the Washington-New Delhi partnership, most notably an agreement to maintain and repair forward-deployed U.S. Navy ships in the Indo-Pacific region. India-based experts said that such a pact wouldve been unthinkable merely a decade ago, a sign of how far the relationship has come.



On Saturday, the first official day of the weekend gathering, Biden made sure his presence was felt  drawing attention to the Putin- and Xi-sized holes in the lineup of world leaders.



ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

He took a photo with the honchos of India, Brazil and South Africa  the three democracies of the BRICS consortium that also includes Russia and China. Administration officials said the moment was designed to highlight the G20s staying power, as all four countries are set to host the gathering in the same number of years ahead.

Jon Finer, Bidens deputy national security adviser, hinted that the photo op was a near-explicit signal to Beijing. Some have speculated that China's absence indicates that it is giving up on the G20, that is building an alternative world order, that it will privilege groupings like the BRICS, but the participation of those three countries shows they are committed to the G20s success.

The U.S., along with its European allies, also secured a diplomatic victory by finalizing communique text that features support for Ukraines defense against Russia.

The official version, a draft of which was first obtained by POLITICO, states that all countries should refrain from action against the territorial integrity and sovereignty or political independence of any state. Moscow approved the wording, which Western countries wanted to signal a condemnation of Russias invasion, likely because it could also apply to the Kremlins complaints that attacks inside Russia have escalated since Kyiv launched its counteroffensive.

The Ukraine-related section was a sticking point for negotiators here, leading to haggling as Friday turned into Saturday. There was concern that failure to reach a compromise would sink any meaningful statement on Ukraine  or possibly, though less likely, the joint message altogether. Before the draft text became public, Finer told reporters that weve made a very compelling case for how we see that conflict to the other countries at the G20.

But critics argued that Biden could have gotten more. Svitlana Romanko, founder and director of the pro-Ukraine group Razom We Stand, called it weak and cowardly by not even mentioning Russia or its ongoing war crimes.

To cap off the flurry of diplomatic activity, Biden and his colleagues announced a new economic corridor from India through the Middle East to Europe. A new railway will help link the countries and regions as new sea cables will improve connectivity and promote clean technology development, they asserted in the cavernous Bharat Mandapam convention center, with an eye toward tying all the players economically and politically.



Alongside Jordan and the United Arab Emirates, the other two regional partners are Saudi Arabia and Israel  countries the U.S. hopes will soon normalize relations with one another.

This is a game changing regional investment," Biden said at the table aside world leaders. We continue to make big investments in infrastructure around the world."

Analysts on the sidelines of the gathering were quick to note that this play looks like a direct counter to Chinas Belt and Road Initiative, its loose framework to tie the developing nations closer to Beijing with development projects. In New Delhi, Biden showed he wasnt above simply making a better financial offer  in essence, buying them off.

There are still many questions for Biden to answer in India, among them how he plans to fund the investments and reforms to multilateral institutions for the initiatives. Biden is asking for money from Congress and allies to contribute to a Western-led rebuke to Chinas pay-for-play scheme, but its unclear that hell get the $200 billion he needs just for World Bank and International Monetary Fund changes.

Theres how his administration plans to deal with criticism of the U.S. sidelining human rights concerns in pursuit of its geopolitical project. Ahead of the G20, for example, India forcibly bulldozed slums to make New Delhi look more economically robust than it is. Finer, asked if the president brought that up in his Friday talk with Modi, didnt say yes explicitly.

The broad category that issue falls into  democratic governance in the United States and in India  was very much on the agenda, he said.

Biden also cant claim that the successes on Saturday came solely because of his and his teams acumen. Chinas economy is sputtering and is locked in a territorial and economic dispute that has led Modi to look westward. Russias invasion has also made it a global pariah, alienating itself on the world stage. The U.S., then, is also taking advantage of a momentous opportunity to step into their void.

But if Biden aimed to leave the first of two days having made the U.S. look stronger compared to Russia and China, he seems satisfied that he accomplished that goal.

Speaking specifically of Xi, Biden said, it would be nice to have him here, but no, the summit is going well."
As a Vietnamese American who left Saigon on a wooden boat more than 40 years ago, I believe that the establishment of a comprehensive strategic partnership, likely to be announced by President Joe Biden during his visit to Hanoi on Sunday, carries both historic and cultural importance.

As both countries hail the agreement as a historic step toward greater economic and security ties, I see it as an opportunity to include an initiative that focuses on reconciliation of people and communities as a pathway toward true healing between two former enemies.

It could also bring a new era of mutual understanding for the millions of people on both sides of the conflict who are still suffering from the consequences of a war that ended nearly 50 years ago.

Vietnamese designer Truong Thanh Duc displays a shirt with an image of U.S. President Joe Biden at his souvenir shop in Hanoi on Sept. 6, 2023. Biden is scheduled to visit the capital city on Sept. 10.

First, researchers from the Veterans Affairs Department's National Center for PTSD found that a large majority of Vietnam War veterans struggled with chronic post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms, with 4 out of 5 reporting recent symptoms when interviewed two decades after their Vietnam service.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Second, while Vietnamese Americans have made great strides since settling in the United States, deep unresolved wounds of war continue to traumatize the community across multiple generations.

Finding home in Hanoi: Learning about our past in Vietnam helps my kids see beyond legacy of war

Trauma lives on across generations, but art emphasizes empathy

South Vietnam fell in 1975. The trauma still lives with its government political flags flying high over Vietnamese American community centers and its national anthem still sung at diasporic events. I witness generations divided over the old and new Vietnam, and young minds being shut down in fear of rebuke  resulting in young people who do not acknowledge their Vietnamese heritage and roots, or who remain confused about what to believe.

While the topic of addressing consequences of war has been at the forefront of the bilateral relationship, I believe it is time for both Washington and Hanoi to take more deliberate and greater steps toward addressing reconciliation and reconnection between people and communities, not just at an economic level, to foster deeper healing.

One approach to this is to leverage the transcendent power of arts and culture to aid in the reconciliation process, and their ability to facilitate dialogue, build trust and promote intercultural competency.

There are hundreds of examples of successful programs and studies around the world, including in the former Yugoslav countries where some of the bloodiest wars in Europe took place in the 1990s. Art, in all its forms, has provided a new form of communication through creativity.

Vietnamese artists amplify our stories: 48 years after fall of Saigon, Vietnamese voices crucial to understanding Vietnam War's impact

An example is Pontanima (bridge of the souls), a choir from Sarajevo made up of individuals from all ethnic groups performing songs from four major religious traditions. The choir brought together people from different entities, and through joint concerts, tours and socializing, all groups were able to begin a dialogue in a nonthreatening space.

Such participatory art emphasizes empathy because it allows all participants to identify with and learn about the other through artistic expression and participation.

The United States has also had successful experiences in this area. I was once an intern at the Japan-U.S. Friendship Commission, established to strengthen the bilateral relationship through educational, cultural and intellectual exchange with a mission of advancing common interests between Japan and the United States.

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 richness of the American and Vietnamese art and cultures present incredible opportunities for leveraging art in all its forms to rebuild and reconnect people, creating a pathway to help them move on from a painful past to a healthier future for new generations.

A dual identity, and a historic opportunity

Being Vietnamese American, I identify with two beautiful cultures that make up the fabric of who I am. Having become a U.S. citizen more than 30 years ago, cultural touchstones like listening to Frank Sinatra, eating apple pie, going to the county fair or celebrating Thanksgiving are all ways in which I describe the true essence of what it means to be American.

On the Vietnamese side, hearing songs of Trinh Cong Son or seeing a painting of Ha Tri Hieu reminds me of my childhood. Eating simple pork stew and pickled cabbage reminds me of my grandmas kitchen in the Mekong Delta. Films such as "Heaven and Earth" and "Three Seasons" remind me of the grit and resilience of my people. These are the cultural identities and true essence of what it means to be Vietnamese.

Fall of Saigon: Half a century later, the ghost of South Vietnam still haunts my family

This is why my husband, Peter Steinhauer, an American photographer from Colorado who spent 30 years photographing Vietnam, and I founded Vietnam Society, a nonprofit organization dedicated to deepening understanding and connections between Vietnam and the United States through art and culture, while fostering greater ties between people and communities.

Erin Phuong Steinhauer is the co-founder and executive director of Vietnam Society.

We believe art and culture is a uniting medium that transcends political lines and helps people to connect and appreciate each others uniqueness. Through our work, including the annual autumn Vietnam Week in Washington, D.C., we aim to play a part in helping the American public and Vietnamese diaspora move on from the painful past of the Vietnam War and build a new legacy for younger generations.

As we move forward on the comprehensive strategic agreement between our two countries, lets use this historic opportunity to establish a strategic initiative focused on people and community reconciliation and reconnections, using the power of arts and culture to create a new bridge for communication between our two countries  but which can also span from one generation to another.

Erin Phuong Steinhauer is the co-founder and executive director of Vietnam Society.

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: Biden's trip to Vietnam may lead to partnership in politics  and art
WEST PALM BEACH  A boat captain arrested last month by the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office in an alleged human-smuggling attempt out of Haiti is now facing federal charges.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security recently filed a criminal complaint against Bazelais Francois, court records show. Local authorities initially took him into custody Aug. 25 after he allegedly rammed his boat into a sheriff's office vessel just east of the Jupiter Inlet. Federal investigators say he unlawfully brought 17 migrants into Palm Beach County.

Francois, 30, now faces charges of illegally bringing migrants into the United States, failure to heave and assaulting law-enforcement officers. The sheriff's office said he caused about $60,000 worth of damage to its boat. No one was injured during the confrontation.

Busch Wildlife Sanctuary: It's a bittersweet Saturday as Jupiter site closes ahead of move to new campus

State Attorney deciding what charges to bring against captain

Sheriff's deputies and Jupiter police officers arrested Francois shortly after 9 a.m. that day after he had beached his vessel just north of the Juno Beach Pier. He appeared the following day for a hearing at the Palm Beach County Jail, where County Judge Robert Panse set bail at $30,000 and ordered that Francois be placed under court supervision.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Francois is scheduled to appear for a hearing this month in Palm Beach County Circuit Court and have an initial case conference in October.

A boat carrying a group of migrants capsized offshore and the people aboard had to swim to shore in Palm Beach, on November 15, 2020. Economic and political troubles in Caribbean nations such as Cuba and Haiti have led to a wave of attempts to migrate to the U.S. by residents desperate for better opportunities.

The Palm Beach County State Attorney's Office had not made a decision regarding filing formal charges as of Friday. Francois faces two state counts of aggravated battery on a law-enforcement officer, in addition to charges of fleeing to elude and of criminal mischief. It's unclear how the federal charges would affect the state's case.

"Generally speaking, defendants can face charges in state and federal court at the same time. Scheduling matters can be determined along the way," State Attorney's spokesperson Marc Freeman said.

Sweet 16 shooting: Teen accused of murder in Boynton extradited to Palm Beach County from Texas

Border Patrol set to return 17 migrants to Haiti

South Florida has seen scores of boats from the Caribbean try to bring migrants to its shores in the past few years. Political and economic turmoil in Cuba and Haiti have led many residents to try to flee to the U.S. in hopes of better opportunities.

At the time of Francois' arrest, he told investigators he lives in the Bahamas and had traveled with the migrants that morning from the Bahamian city of Freeport. However, he reportedly told deputies in an earlier conversation that he was coming from Haiti.

It was later determined that Francois is a citizen and national of Haiti and that he had no documentation to enter the United States, according to a federal complaint.

After Francois beached his vessel, sheriff's office and U.S. Customs and Border Protection helicopters assisted as officers on the ground located 17 migrants  16 adults and one child  who fled into the surrounding neighborhood and a wooded area. All were from Haiti, the complaint said.

They were taken to the U.S. Border Patrol facility in Riviera Beach, where they were interviewed and processed for removal proceedings.

Lake Worth Beach: Florida city declares itself a sanctuary city for LGBTQ people: 'A safe place'

Investigators: Captain used infant to deter deputies from shooting

During Francois' initial encounter with deputies, he entered the vessel's cabin and re-emerged holding an infant, the complaint said. He reportedly told investigators he held the baby because be feared the deputies would shoot him and wanted to deter them.

Francois said he crashed into the sheriff's office boat when it pulled in front of him because he did not know how to stop his vessel in time.

When asked why he didn't stop after striking the law enforcement vessel, Francois said he feared he and his passengers would be returned to Haiti if they were caught on the water.

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: Captain faces federal charges in South Florida migrant landing case
A 69-year-old Boligee man died in a Thursday afternoon crash in Greene County, according to a news release from the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency.

Lesley V. Carlisle was pronounced dead on the scene of the crash, which involved three vehicles, at around 1:30 p.m. on Alabama Highway 14 about 5 miles west of Eutaw.

Troopers said Carlisle was driving a 1990 Chevrolet 1500 that collided head-on with a 2017 Chevrolet Silverado, driven by Rhianna M. Smith, 22, of Vance.

Smith was airlifted to DCH Regional Medical Center in Tuscaloosa for treatment of her injuries.

After the initial collision, Carlisle's vehicle was struck by a 2017 International tractor-trailer driven by Nicholas L. Bell, 43, of Saltillo, Mississippi, according to troopers.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

ALEA released no further information about the crash. Troopers with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agencys Highway Patrol Division are conducting an investigation.

This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Boligee man dies, Vance woman injured in Greene County crash
Boston Police are investigating after a woman was fatally shot early Saturday morning in Dorchester.

Around 5:26 a.m. officer responded to the area of 12 Greenock Street for reports of a person shot.

Upon arrival, officers located an adult female suffering from a gunshot wound. She was transported to a local hospital where she was pronounced dead.

According to police, a second victim, who was shot multiple times at the same location, was located at a local hospital suffering from non-life-threatening gunshot wounds.

No arrests have been made and the investigation is ongoing.

The Boston Police Departments Homicide Unit is actively reviewing the facts and circumstances and asking anyone with information to contact them 617-343-4470.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

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 Kansas City Royals shuffled their roster amid a couple of key injuries. Royals reliever Austin Cox and catcher Freddy Fermin were added to the injury list Saturday afternoon.

Cox was placed on the 60-day injured list with a left knee sprain. He suffered the injury against the Toronto Blue Jays on Friday night. Meanwhile, Fermin was placed on the 10-day injured list with a left middle finger fracture.

We believe its an ACL (injury), Royals manager Matt Quatraro said regarding Cox. He felt a pop in there on the play he reached for the bag. We wont have the full diagnosis until he flies back to Kansas City.

In the seventh inning, Cox tumbled to the ground in pain after attempting to cover first base. He was helped to the clubhouse and underwent further testing. This season, Cox has posted a 4.79 ERA in 24 appearances.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

The Royals believe Fermin fractured the finger during a catchers interference Friday night. He has a fractured knuckle that will require additional testing.

He has to go back as well, Quatraro said. They got the X-ray to confirm that the fracture was there. But we have to get the full extent of it when he gets back and sees the doctors in Kansas City.

The Royals also made a pair of corresponding moves. KC reinstated veteran pitcher Brad Keller from his rehab assignment and promoted catcher Tyler Cropley from Double-A Northwest Arkansas.

Keller has been sidelined since May 19 with right shoulder impingement syndrome. Cropley, 27, has never caught above Double-A and will make his MLB debut with the Royals.

Keller has made multiple rehab assignments since the injury. He appeared in six games with Double-A Northwest Arkansas recently.

The Royals plan to utilize Keller out of the bullpen going forward. He had four scoreless outings and pitched two relief innings on Monday night.

Im excited for him as its been a trying year for him, Quatraro said. As of late, the last three weeks or so, he has been throwing the ball well on his rehab assignment. Its well-deserved and hes earned his way back.

Cropley will be used as a backup catcher.

The Royals plan to keep team captain Salvador Perez behind the plate down the stretch. Cropley, who was a non-roster invite to spring training, will be the eighth different Royals player to debut this season.

Hes a guy we were around in big-league camp, Quatraro said. He is a tremendous person and a guy that does a great job behind the plate receiving and blocking. This will shift Salvy back there more (as a starter) and he will be the backup.
Chinese President Xi Jinping has stressed "writing a new chapter" in striving for the full revitalization of northeast China as he convened a key meeting in Heilongjiang Province earlier this week.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks at the meeting held in the provincial capital Harbin on Thursday afternoon.

To revitalize northeast China in the new era, the president called for both increasing support and stimulating self-motivation. He emphasized the need to blaze a path of high-quality and sustainable development with more courage and concrete actions.

Cai Qi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and director of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee, and Ding Xuexiang, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and vice premier of the State Council, attended the meeting.
Some buildings in the UK were made with a type of concrete called RAAC that's now unsafe.

The "crumbly concrete" was used in hundreds of schools and some have been shut over fears of collapses.

The crisis has ignited a new debate about the government's past spending cuts.

More than 100 schools in the UK have been closed because the type of concrete used to build them has become unsafe and means they could collapse.

The announcement was made just as the new school year began and it's caused havoc for many parents and teachers  and ignited a debate about what the government knew, and when.

What's happening?

The UK government said more than 100 schools faced closure because they contained reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC), a material typically used in roof planks and wall panels.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

"RAAC is now life-expired. It is liable to collapse with little or no notice," the Health and Safety Executive wrote.

The concrete has repeatedly been blamed for roof collapses and has been the subject of several reports warning of the risks. These issues have only become more apparent as the material, mostly constructed some decades ago, has aged.

The decision to close some schools, or stop using certain buildings, comes at the start of a new school year, exacerbating a policy crisis for the UK government.

Most schools have made alternative arrangements such as moving students to other sites, the government said, but nearly 40 have either resorted to pandemic-style remote learning, or delayed the start of their school term altogether.

There are now questions over how many other buildings might be fitted with RAAC, and whether those too might be forced to shut. A report in June by the National Audit Office identified 572 schools with a potential RAAC problem.

Other structures such as hospitals, theaters, universities and some apartment buildings are also being checked for the concrete. Several theaters have partially or fully closed because they contain RAAC, The Guardian reported, forcing productions to shut down.

Heathrow and Gatwick, Britain's two biggest airports, told the Financial Times they had found the concrete in some of their buildings.

Matthew Byatt, president of the Institute of Structural Engineers, told the FT that a building containing RAAC "could be at risk of collapse with little or no warning."

Two of the UK's busiest international airports, Heathrow and Gatwick, told the Financial Times that they had detected the sometimes-fragile concrete on their estates.

The crisis has reignited a debate about "austerity," with the opposition Labour party blaming cost-cutting by the ruling Conservatives for creating a ticking time bomb.

Why is the concrete crumbling?

RAAC is dangerous because its components are vulnerable to water seepage, rusting the reinforcing bars the concrete surrounds and reducing their structural integrity.

When RAAC was used on flat roofs, the danger was more pronounced as water could remain for extended periods after rainfall.

There have long been concerns that these issues would eventually make RAAC building unusable. A collapse in the 1980s was blamed on the concrete and some buildings were subsequently ordered to be demolished.

Way back in 1999, the Standing Committee on Structural Safety published a report advising the inspection of any structures built with RAAC before 1980.

Fresh concerns were raised in 2018 after a school collapsed in Kent.

The Standing Committee published another report in 2019 with a fresh warning about the dangers of RAAC, saying that those made before 1980 were now past their use-by date.

Why was the concrete used?

RAAC became popular in the second half of the 20th century amid a construction boom. Before its dangers became apparent, the material  which originated in Sweden in the 1920s  was seen as a cheaper and easier construction method.

RAAC was particularly popular between the 1960s and 1980s, which Professor Chris Goodier of Loughborough University said was the period of most concern to policymakers.

Unfortunately, this was also when many UK schools were constructed, owing to the baby boom and an increase in the school-leaving age to 15 in 1947, and to 16 in 1972.

According to a survey by the Department for Education (DfE) published in 2021, nearly 10,000 school buildings were constructed in the 1960s, and about 8,000 in the 1970s.

What's being done?

The government is scrambling to take action, but the crisis was a long time in the making.

The Tories took power in 2010 after 13 years of Labour and the financial crisis of 2007/8 with a promise to revive the economy on a policy of aggressive spending cuts labelled austerity.

According to the think-tank the Institute for Government, those cuts are linked with schools' RAAC closures. It estimates that the DfE's capital budget dropped by more than a third between 2007/08 and 2020/21, from 7.9 billion to 5.1 billion.

As part of the cuts, the government scrapped Labour's Building Schools for the Future programme, which might have replaced some of those now affected. Maintenance of school buildings is the responsibility of local councils and academy trusts, but many have also suffered cuts to their funding, further complicating the picture.

In the House of Commons on Wednesday, Labour leader Keir Starmer likened prime minister Rishi Sunak's Tory government to "cowboy builders" over the crisis.

In an article for the The Times of London, NAO chief Gareth Davies also criticized the government's cavalier approach to maintaining schools.

"The underlying challenge is that adequately funding responsible capital programmes for our public services leaves less for higher-profile projects. Failure to bite this bullet leads to poor value, with more money required for emergency measures or a sticking plaster approach," he wrote.

The Education Secretary said the government would fund emergency maintenance measures and longer-term rebuilds where necessary.

What happens now?

Despite making spending cuts over the past decade, the repair bill could be huge.

An estimate by the Financial Times suggested the cost of rebuilding blocks at the 572 affected schools could be just over 3.1 billion ($3.9 billion.)

Some see the crisis as another blow to the UK's standing as a well-run first-world country, and follows ongoing problems with the National Health Service, soaring cost of living and issues connected with the departure from the European Union.

A column in the current issue of the right-leaning political magazine The Spectator is headlined Broken Britain: what went wrong?

While he's in India this weekend for the G20 summit, the crumbly concrete conundrum will still be waiting for Rishi Sunak upon his return.

Indian prime minister Narendra Modi welcomes his UK counterpart Rishi Sunak to the G20 summit in New Delhi on Saturday. Dan Kitwood/Getty Images

Read the original article on Business Insider
Rishi Sunak has confronted Chinas premier over his countrys unacceptable interference in British democracy but faced a backlash from Tory MPs to stop kowtowing to China and take a tougher stance.

The Prime Minister raised his concerns with Li Qiang at the G20 summit in India on Sunday as it emerged that a parliamentary researcher has been arrested on suspicion of spying for Beijing.

Downing Street said Mr Sunak conveyed his significant concerns about Chinese interference in the UKs parliamentary democracy in what was characterised as a business-like 20-minute conversation.

The Chinese PM is understood to have responded by saying the two leaders obviously have differences in opinion during the conversation, which also touched on Ukraine and trade.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Mr Sunak cited his confrontation with Mr Li as an example of the benefits of his policy of engagement rather than shouting from the sidelines  a comment seen as a slight by Tory MPs who have called for tougher action.

Former Tory leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith said the emergence of a potential spy in the heart of the Commons gives the lie to the Governments attempt not to see China as a systemic threat.

Rishi Sunak confronted Chinese Premier Li Qiang at the G20 summit in India on Sunday - Reuters

Time for us to recognise the deepening threat that the CCP under Xi now poses. What price was Cleverlys kowtow visit to Beijing? he said.

Sir Iain and former minister Tim Loughton, a member of the Home Affairs Committee, urged Mr Sunak to respond by expelling Chinese embassy staff and imposing sanctions on officials linked to suppression of the democracy movement in Hong Kong.

They have to expel some people because of this from the embassy and they need to tighten their line and start talking about China as a systemic threat, said Sir Iain.

Mr Loughton said: There should be official sanctions. Those associated with the crackdown on democracy in Hong Kong should be sanctioned in the same way that we as MPs have been sanctioned by China.

If there is a spy operating for the Chinese government that has now been uncovered, there has to be implications for people from the Chinese embassy in the UK.

Mr Sunak has riled some of the more hawkish Tories, including his predecessor in No 10, Liz Truss, for describing China as a challenge rather than a threat.

Justice Secretary Alex Chalk had to correct himself for initially using the more severe diplomatic language in an interview on Sunday morning.

The Prime Minister has been very clear when it comes to China it is an epoch-defining threat ... challenge, forgive me ... so of course we have got to take it extremely seriously, he told Skys Trevor Phillips.

The Prime Minister told broadcasters he raised a range of different concerns that we have in areas of disagreement.

And in particular my very strong concerns about any interference in our parliamentary democracy, which is obviously unacceptable, he said. And, actually, I think the right thing to do is take the opportunity to engage, to raise concerns specifically, rather than just shouting from the sidelines.

Rishi Sunak says it's better to engage with China rather than'just shout from the sidelines' - Reuters/Susannah Ireland

He insisted it is the right approach to be in the room talking to the Chinese directly about those, face to face as he defended Foreign Secretary James Cleverlys recent visit to China.

Theres no point carping from the sidelines  Id rather be in there directly expressing my concerns, and thats what I did today, he added.

A report from Parliaments spy agency watchdog, the Intelligence and Security Committee, warned in July that Beijing is targeting the UK prolifically and aggressively.

Last year, MI5 issued a rare security alert, warning MPs that a suspected Chinese spy called Christine Lee had engaged in political interference activities on behalf of Chinas ruling communist regime.

Mr Loughton said: Our big concern throughout the last few months is that no one from China has been sanctioned. Theres no follow through. There are no consequences.

It looks like we have a spy in our midst at the behest of the Chinese Government. What are the implications going to be? Someone has to take the trap for that. There needs to be sanctions or expulsions.

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.
It didnt take long for Milan Lucic to reconvene his old fight club.

Looch threw out the first pitch before the Red Soxs Friday night matchup against the Baltimore Orioles, one of the first opportunities for fans to welcome back the 2011 Stanley Cup winner since the 35-year-old forward signed a one-year deal to return to Boston this summer.

Known for doling out bone-crunching punishment and dropping the gloves as a physical presence and enforcer on the Bruins top lines, Lucic instead delivered a pitch slightlyyyyyy outside Friday, that Sox infielder Justin Turner had to extend for.

As Lucic stepped off the mound, Turner welcomed back the Bruins legend in a fitting manner. By quickly putting up the dukes and inviting Lucic to take a trip to the penalty box with him.

After spending the first eight years of his career in Boston, spent the next eight splitting time between the Los Angeles Kings, Edmonton Oilers and Calgary Flames. Lucic signed a one-year, $1,000,000-deal this summer to return to Boston as a likely capstone to his career.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

To be honest, it just feels like Im home again. Thats probably the best way to put it, Lucic told the Boston Globe this week. I could say a restaurant or a place or something like that, but at the end of the day it just feels like Ive come back home and thats the feeling that Ive felt so far being here since Sunday.

Glad to have you back in Boston, @27MilanLucic ! pic.twitter.com/WHKGPvWy5l  Red Sox (@RedSox) September 8, 2023

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
California health care workers could get a $25 minimum wage as a key labor union and employers close in on a sweeping deal.

The emerging agreement between SEIU State Council and health care industry players would secure the $25 pay rate and impose a truce on recurring ballot fights over dialysis clinics. The industry agreed to the wage hike in exchange for a moratorium on bills and ballot initiatives targeting dialysis clinics, according to six people with knowledge of the negotiations. Community clinics would potentially be covered in a separate bill.

Were encouraged by talks and hopeful we can finalize an agreement soon that will provide dialysis caregivers with additional wage increases while also protecting patients from the ongoing threats at the ballot and in the legislature that put them at risk, California Dialysis Council spokesperson Jaycob Bytel said in a written statement.

The framework could still fall apart if players balk. Details remain fluid, and it is not clear Gov. Gavin Newsom would sign a bill reflecting the agreement.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

But a compromise would cap a multiyear battle over industry wages. SEIU-UHW ramped up the pressure in recent years by pushing a series of local $25 wage ordinances around the state  including in Los Angeles  and sought to cut a deal with hospitals last year in exchange for relief from seismic retrofit requirements.

This year the labor unions backed legislation to boost pay statewide, launching one of this years most prominent labor battles. The bill cleared the Senate floor by a single vote and was awaiting an Assembly floor vote as the mid-September end of the legislative session bore down.

Lawmakers may have been motivated to act by a looming ballot fight. It was widely expected that SEIU-UHW President Dave Regan, a prolific backer of ballot initiative politics, would launch a campaign if the bill failed. Regan is already pursuing three measures in the San Diego area, and the Los Angeles City Council has already put an SEIU-UHW-backed measure on the ballot limiting hospital executives pay.

The wage fight was also effectively a continuation of SEIU-UHWs long struggle with the kidney dialysis industry. The union has qualified three separate statewide ballot initiatives to regulate dialysis clinics, contending they are poorly run and endanger patient health, while pursuing legislation.

The industry has defeated all three initiatives but has been forced to spend tens of millions of dollars in the process. Dialysis companies have also ramped up their spending on legislative campaigns and lobbying.

CORRECTION: The story has been updated to reflect that the SEIU State Council is involved in the negotiations.
Candidates for the next California U.S. Senator gathered for a town hall in Monterey Park on Friday night to discuss gun violence and policy reform.

The four Democratic candidates gathered at East L.A. College, which sits less than three miles from the site of the Monterey Park mass shooting that claimed 11 lives on Jan. 21, 2023.

The discussion was hosted by the youth-led organization March for Our Lives, in partnership with Peoples Town Hall and Southern California Crossroads.

The appearance also marked the first time all four candidates appeared together on stage.

The candidates include Rep. Katie Porter of Irvine, Rep. Adam Schiff of Burbank, Rep. Barbara Lee of Oakland, and Lexi Reese, a businesswoman from San Mateo.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

The town hall discussion allowed students and attendees to question candidates on their plans to tackle rising gun violence across the nation.

Candidates for the next California U.S. Senator gathered for a town hall at East L.A. College in Monterey Park to discuss gun violence and policy reform on Sept. 8, 2023. (KTLA)

David Hogg spoke at the town hall on Sept. 8, 2023. Hogg is a co-founder of the youth-led March for Our Lives, and a survivor of high school mass shooting in Parkland, Florida in 2018. (KTLA)

The subject of gun violence, especially for students, is a pressing one as there have been 386 school shootings since the Columbine shooting, according to Washington Post data.

The report notes over 356,000 students have experienced gun violence at school since 1999.

Town hall attendees not only wanted to hear what the candidates had in plan to prevent violence but theyre also hoping they will stay true to their promises when in office.

Five years ago, after 17 people were killed during the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., David Hogg organized a march against gun violence that led to a movement called March for Our Lives.

Weve been registering tens of thousands of young people around the country to vote and making sure as many candidates as possible at the state and federal level support stronger gun laws to protect against what happened in Parkland, Hogg said.

On Friday night, Hogg joined California Senate candidates on stage to discuss their plans to combat rising gun violence.

We need to pass policies that save lives, said Rep. Katie Porter said. It really is that simple.

There are footsteps, there are heartbeats, there are birthdays that never happen, said Lexi Reese, a political newcomer and businesswoman.

Reese the one thing that has evolved and should be used in the safekeeping of guns is technology.

Guns are dumb, theyre dumb, Reese said. Our phones are smarter than our guns. Our phones unlock around our thumbs and our face. So should our guns.

Hogg said hes not giving up on gun reform in hopes one of the elected leaders will push to ban the AR-15, the firearm that killed 17 students and staff at Parkland High School.

You dont need that to defend yourself with a 30-round magazine, Hogg said. If you need 30 rounds to defend yourself, you need more range time, not a larger magazine.

With limited exceptions, California currently prohibits anyone from possessing an AR-15 and the Golden State is home to some of the strictest gun laws in the nation.

On Friday, all four candidates spoke of their continued support for gun policy reform and all have previously voted in favor of gun control policies.

Building a society where nobody wants to do that harm other people, we have still not finished our job, Hogg said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
Candidates for the next California U.S. Senator gathered for a town hall in Monterey Park on Friday night to discuss gun violence and policy reform.

The four Democratic candidates gathered at East L.A. College, which sits less than three miles from the site of the Monterey Park mass shooting that claimed 11 lives on Jan. 21, 2023.

The discussion was hosted by the youth-led organization March for Our Lives, in partnership with Peoples Town Hall and Southern California Crossroads.

The appearance also marked the first time all four candidates appeared together on stage.

The candidates include Rep. Katie Porter of Irvine, Rep. Adam Schiff of Burbank, Rep. Barbara Lee of Oakland, and Lexi Reese, a businesswoman from San Mateo.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

The town hall discussion allowed students and attendees to question candidates on their plans to tackle rising gun violence across the nation.

Candidates for the next California U.S. Senator gathered for a town hall at East L.A. College in Monterey Park to discuss gun violence and policy reform on Sept. 8, 2023. (KTLA)

David Hogg spoke at the town hall on Sept. 8, 2023. Hogg is a co-founder of the youth-led March for Our Lives, and a survivor of high school mass shooting in Parkland, Florida in 2018. (KTLA)

The subject of gun violence, especially for students, is a pressing one as there have been 386 school shootings since the Columbine shooting, according to Washington Post data.

The report notes over 356,000 students have experienced gun violence at school since 1999.

Town hall attendees not only wanted to hear what the candidates had in plan to prevent violence but theyre also hoping they will stay true to their promises when in office.

Five years ago, after 17 people were killed during the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., David Hogg organized a march against gun violence that led to a movement called March for Our Lives.

Weve been registering tens of thousands of young people around the country to vote and making sure as many candidates as possible at the state and federal level support stronger gun laws to protect against what happened in Parkland, Hogg said.

On Friday night, Hogg joined California Senate candidates on stage to discuss their plans to combat rising gun violence.

Can you speak about your views about how young people can engage and make a difference in our society? one attendee asked Rep. Barbara Lee.

I believe young people need the power of their vote at 16, Lee said.

We need to pass policies that save lives, said Rep. Katie Porter said. It really is that simple.

There are footsteps, there are heartbeats, there are birthdays that never happen, said Lexi Reese, a political newcomer and businesswoman.

Reese the one thing that has evolved and should be used in the safekeeping of guns is technology.

Guns are dumb, theyre dumb, Reese said. Our phones are smarter than our guns. Our phones unlock around our thumbs and our face. So should our guns.

Hogg said hes not giving up on gun reform in hopes one of the elected leaders will push to ban the AR-15, the firearm that killed 17 students and staff at Parkland High School.

You dont need that to defend yourself with a 30-round magazine, Hogg said. If you need 30 rounds to defend yourself, you need more range time, not a larger magazine.

With limited exceptions, California currently prohibits anyone from possessing an AR-15 and the Golden State is home to some of the strictest gun laws in the nation.

On Friday, all four candidates spoke of their continued support for gun policy reform and all have previously voted in favor of gun control policies.

Building a society where nobody wants to do that harm other people, we have still not finished our job, Hogg said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to YourCentralValley.com.
"Bad news: your car is a spy," Gizmodo reported, citing new research from the nonprofit Mozilla Foundation that found new cars to be the worst category for privacy of any product it had ever reviewed since 2017. "If your vehicle was made in the last few years, you're probably driving around in a data-harvesting machine that may collect personal information as sensitive as your race, weight and sexual activity."

Mozilla's *Privacy Not Included testers said they spent more than 600 hours researching the privacy practices at 25 of the top automakers in the U.S. and Europe. None of the automakers met the team's minimum standards for data use and security, and most also got black marks on data control and privacy and security track records. "We can't stress enough how bad and not normal this is for an entire product guide to earn warning labels," Mozilla's researchers wrote.

"Many people think of their car as a private space  somewhere to call your doctor, have a personal conversation with your kid on the way to school, cry your eyes out over a break-up, or drive places you might not want the world to know about," said Jen Caltrider, director of Mozilla's *Privacy Not Included project. "But that perception no longer matches reality. All new cars today are privacy nightmares on wheels that collect huge amounts of personal information."

How do cars spy on you?

Automakers have been openly "bragging about their cars being 'computers on wheels' for years to promote their advanced features," but those advanced features, mixed with internet connectivity, have turned new cars into "powerful data-gobbling machines," Mozilla reported. Today's vehicles have cameras facing inward and out, microphones, and a wide array of sensors. They collect or access your data when you pair your phone and when you use their apps, maps, and connected services.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

"Whenever you interact with your car you create a tiny record of what you just did," Mozilla noted. Your car knows "when you turn the steering wheel or unlock the doors," but it can also detect when you are "singing at the top of your lungs, engaging in hanky panky in the back seat, or driving to a domestic violence shelter."

"Increasingly, most cars are wiretaps on wheels," Albert Fox Cahn, a technology and human rights fellow at Harvard's Carr Center for Human Rights Policy, told The Associated Press. "The electronics that drivers pay more and more money to install are collecting more and more data on them and their passengers." There is "something uniquely invasive," he added, "about transforming the privacy of one's car into a corporate surveillance space."

Why are cars harvesting your data?

When you read their voluminous privacy policies, as Mozilla did, "most major car manufacturers admit they may be selling your personal information  though they are vague on the buyers," AP reported.

Of the 25 automakers, 84% said they can share your personal data  "with service providers, data brokers and other businesses we know little or nothing about"  and 76% said they can sell your personal data, Mozilla's researchers said. "So while you are getting from A to B, you're also funding your car's thriving side-hustle in the data business in more ways than one."

More than half said they can share your information with law enforcement or the government in response to a "request," not a court order, displaying a "beyond creepy" eagerness to share your data, the *Privacy Not Included team added. "A 2023 rewrite of 'Thelma & Louise' would have the ladies in custody before you've had a chance to make a dent in your popcorn."

Which automakers are the worst offenders?

Each of the 25 car brands  Subaru to Toyota, BMW to Mercedes, Chevrolet to Ford  "collects more personal data than necessary and uses that information for a reason other than to operate your vehicle and manage their relationship with you," Mozilla's privacy team said. But some brands were singled out for special mention. Tesla, for example, was "only the second product we have ever reviewed to receive all of our privacy 'dings,'" after an AI chatbot.

Nissan had "probably the most mind boggling creepy, scary, sad, messed up privacy policy we have ever read," Mozilla's privacy team wrote. "Here's why: They come right out and say they can collect and share your sexual activity, health diagnosis data, and genetic information and other sensitive personal information for targeted marketing purposes." Not to be outdone, "Kia also mentions they can collect information about your 'sex life' in their privacy policy," they added. "Yes, reading car privacy policies is a scary endeavor."

How do Nissan and Kia track your sexual activity?

They "didn't explain how," AP reported.

What do the automakers say?

Kia told the New York Post the kind of information it collects "depends on the context in which a consumer interacts with us," adding, "To clarify, Kia does not and has never collected "sex life or sexual orientation" information from vehicles or consumers in the context of providing the Kia Connect Services."

Nissan, like most of the automakers who responded after Mozilla's report, said in a statement it takes "privacy and data protection for our consumers and employees very seriously" and complies "with all applicable lies." The car companies that responded to Mozilla's request for comment  "Mercedes-Benz, Honda, and technically Ford"  "still didn't completely answer our basic security questions," the researchers said.

What can car consumers do?

Unless car buyers opt for a used, pre-digital model, they "just don't have a lot of options," Caltrider told AP. Automakers seem better behaved in the European Union, where the laws are stricter, and the U.S. could pass similar laws, she added. Mozilla is hoping that raising awareness among consumers will raise awareness and fuel a backlash, as happened with TV makers in the 2010s and other surveillance-heavy "smart" devices. "Cars seem to have really flown under the privacy radar and I'm really hoping that we can help remedy that because they are truly awful," Caltrider said.

You may also like

Homepage
By Jay Ereno

SOUTH CHINA SEA (Reuters) - The Philippines has completed a supply mission for troops stationed in a rusty World War Two-era ship, but not without a usual cat and mouse chase with Chinese vessels in the South China Sea.

Reuters went onboard one of the Philippine Coast Guard's vessels escorting the mission to the Second Thomas Shoal on Friday and witnessed how the Chinese Coast Guard and maritime militia vessels tried to chase and block the Philippine contingent from reaching their destination.

China said the vessels entered the waters without its permission.

During the mission, two Chinese ships blocked two Philippine coast guard vessels. In another instance, a Philippine ship was surrounded by a Chinese coast guard vessel and three maritime militia vessels.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

One of the Chinese ships was also seen heading dangerously close to the Philippine vessel which Reuters was onboard, while several Chinese militia vessels tried to block its path.

"We always encounter dangerous manoeuvres, shadowing activities, blocking not only from China coast guard vessels, but also from China militia vessels," Philippine Coast Guard commanding officer Emmanuel Dangate told reporters after the mission.

"It is imperative that the supplies be delivered to BRP Sierra Madre to support our soldiers stationed there."

The Philippines intentionally grounded the warship in 1999 as part of its sovereignty claim to the shoal, which is located inside its 200-mile exclusive economic zone.

China's coast guard said on Friday two Philippine supply boats and two coast guard ships had entered the waters adjacent to the shoal without permission from the Chinese government.

China claims that the Philippines is bringing construction materials that reinforces the rusty warship and violates Chinas sovereignty in the shoal. The Philippines says it is taking water and food to its troops.

A U.S. Navy plane was also spotted overhead during Friday's mission.

In a radio message to its Chinese counterpart, the Philippine coast guard warned that the Chinese actions would affect relations between the two countries.

The actions are "illegal, aggressive and destabilising," it said.

It was the second successfully completed resupply mission since Aug. 5 when China's coast guard used a water cannon to deter the Philippine ships.

In 2016, the Philippines won an international arbitration award against China, with the tribunal invalidating Beijing's sweeping claim to sovereignty over most of the South China Sea. Malaysia, Vietnam, Brunei, Taiwan and the Philippines have various claims to certain areas.

(Reporting by Jay Ereno, Writing by Neil Jerome Morales, editing by Clelia Oziel)
Orange County Fire Rescue honored the lives lost on 9/11 on Saturday.

Firefighters and community members came together for the 9th annual 342 Hero Challenge.

The high-intensity competition is hosted yearly to remember the 343 firefighters and all first responders who gave their lives for others on that day.

Competitors used fitness moves and went through obstacles that firefighters would have gone through on 9/11.

Read: 9/11/2001: A timeline of attacks

Its been 22 years since two planes struck the Twin Towers in New York City, and Orange County firefighters promised to carry the legacy of all lives lost.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

We actually have a lot of people in the department who werent even born when 9/11 occurred. So its up to us to make sure that we can continue the memorial and continue to honor the fallen firefighters who paved the path before us, said firefighter Belinda Dotson.

Money raised at Saturdays event will go towards the Florida branch of the Firefighter Cancer Support Network and the Childrens Foundation of Florida.

Read: Remembering 9/11: Tools to teach kids about Sept. 11





Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
Elon Musk, the owner of X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, set off an online storm this week when he threatened to sue the Anti-Defamation League, whose mission is "to stop the defamation of the Jewish people." Musk claimed that the organization's allegations of increased antisemitism on the social media platform after his 2022 acquisition have resulted in significant revenue losses for the company.

"Our US advertising revenue is still down 60%, primarily due to pressure on advertisers by @ADL (that's what advertisers tell us), so they almost succeeded in killing X/Twitter!" Musk tweeted.

If this continues, he warned he would have "no choice," but to file a defamation suit against the ADL  whose mission is "to stop the defamation of the Jewish people, and to secure justice and fair treatment to all." The ADL and the Center for Countering Digital Hate also found that the daily use of the n-word tripled the 2022 average and the use of slurs against gay men and trans people were up by 58% and 62%, respectively, CNN reported.

Musk has called these reports "utterly false," claiming that "hate speech impressions," or the number of times a tweet containing hate speech has been viewed, "continue to decline" since his ownership of the company. He even sued the CCDH in July, saying its research into hate speech was false or misleading  a claim the center denies.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

We need your help to stay independent

Subscribe today to support Salon's progressive journalism

But anti-extremism experts point to Musk's leadership failures and argue that the tech billionaire is responsible for Twitter's decline. Now, they argue, he is leveraging widespread antisemitism to scapegoat for his business shortcomings.

"It's ironic. Elon Musk creates the conditions on his platform for hate speech and disinformation to run rampant, gets criticized by a whole chorus of people and institutions, not just ADL, loses revenue because his platform is now a cesspool for bigotry, and then singles out a Jewish identifying organization fighting antisemitism as the one to blame  thereby peddling more disinformation," Jill Garvey, chief of staff at Western States Center, an anti-extremism watchdog, told Salon.

Since Musk took over X, antisemitic tweets more than doubled in the following months, according to research by the Institute for Strategic Dialogue, a nonpartisan think tank, and CASM Technology, a start-up that researches disinformation and hate speech online.

Between June and Oct. 26, 2022, the day before Twitter's acquisition by Musk, there was a weekly average of 6,204 tweets deemed "plausibly antisemitic," meaning at least one reasonable interpretation of the tweet fell within the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's definition of the term as "a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred towards Jews," Carl Miller wrote for Salon. But from Oct. 27 until Feb 9, 2023, the average was 12,762  an increase of 105%, Miller pointed out.

At least two companies even suspended ad campaigns on the social media website when their ads appeared alongside an account promoting Nazism, CNN reported. X suspended the account once the problem was brought to their attention and noted that the ad impressions on that page were minimal.

"It's clear that the ADL has been having effective conversations behind the scenes with advertisers," said Nandini Jammi, the co-founder of Check My Ads, a nonprofit watchdog. "Elon has in many ways destabilized the platform and implemented a number of bewildering policy decisions. It's no surprise that advertisers are looking to outside groups for guidance on how to proceed."

Related

Experts: Elon Musk offers "economic incentive" to spew "most shocking and hateful" rhetoric on X

X placed ads for several brands directly on Holocaust denial, white nationalist and neo-Nazi accounts with ads even appearing next to content from the accounts of extremists that have been restored under Musk, Media Matters found.

Now, after his most recent threats of a lawsuit against ADL, the group's CEO Jonathan Greenblatt issued a statement saying that "the real issue is neither ADL nor the threat of a frivolous lawsuit... Musk is engaging with and elevating these antisemites at a time when ADL is tracking a surge of bomb threats and swatting attacks of synagogues and Jewish institutions, dramatic levels of antisemitic propaganda being littered throughout Jewish and non-Jewish residential communities, and extremists marching openly through the streets in Nazi gear."

Musk's failure to address the spread of antisemitic messages is "incredibly dangerous" because antisemitic conspiracies often lead to more violence, pointed out Sophie Bjork-James, a professor at Vanderbilt University, who researches the white nationalist movement.

"For someone with the public standing of Elon Musk, to be threatening the Anti-Defamation League, it really kind of increases people's interest in what's going on and it can bring more people into white supremacist ideologies," Bjork-James said.

Historically, antisemitism has redirected people's economic anxiety onto a fear of Jews as opposed to a recognition of the economic system, she added. Musk's actions of blaming the ADL for his own business shortcomings is employing the same tactics.

"Over the last 20 years, there's been literally a $50 trillion transfer of wealth from the bottom 90% to the top 1% so billionaires really don't want us to be questioning the economic system because it's working very well for them," Bjork-James said.

But what is particularly dangerous about antisemitism is its link to violence. People are more susceptible to it today because of widespread ignorance and economic anxiety, she explained. Musk's threats of lawsuits have also resulted in anti-hate groups and civil rights organizations reaffirming their commitment to combat hate speech on social media and expressing they would not be deterred by legal threats from Musk, NBC News reported.

Want a daily wrap-up of all the news and commentary Salon has to offer? Subscribe to our morning newsletter, Crash Course.

More than 60 organizations, including the ADL and the CCDH, are participating in a campaign, known as #StopToxicTwitter, which urges corporations to stop advertising on X as long as Musk maintains lenient regulations concerning hate speech, harassment and similar behaviors, which the app's previous management addressed rigorously.

Musk has largely defended himself and claimed that he's "against anti-Semitism of any kind," despite fuelling antisemitic tropes, including attacks against fellow billionaire George Soros, who is Jewish.

In a late Friday statement, the company's safety team wrote that "X is committed to combating antisemitism on our platform."

Now, as groups like ADL and the CCDH try to hold the Tesla owner accountable, he has "unfairly couched this argument around free speech," Garvey said.

However, his threats of a lawsuit against the ADL is representative of a much larger problem, she added. It's a "collision" of the Jewish cabal conspiracy theories and the "great replacement theory," which claims that liberal elites are deliberately trying to replace white Americans to further a political agenda.

"This reference to Jewish people or institutions  sort of pulling the strings behind the scenes  is deeply rooted in false conspiracies that argue that Jewish people are all powerful controllers of wealth and politics," Garvey said. "It's really dangerous and it's really prevalent."

On a platform like X, which should set the standard for civil discourse and discourage attacks on people that are rooted in racism, antisemitism, and misogyny, Musk's leadership has done the opposite, she added.

"By loosening their policies and regulations and welcoming back the very worst offenders, they have done the opposite of setting the standard," Garvey said.

Read more

about this topic
AKIACHAK, Alaska (AP)  Theres nothing more universal than kids enjoying themselves at a summer carnival, whether its in the middle of a heat wave in New York City or in much cooler weather on the Alaska tundra.

In mid-August, the children of Akiachak, Alaska, eagerly shelled out dollar after dollar hoping to win a stuffed animal when the village held its annual carnival before the start of school. Children stood in long lines waiting their turn to throw rings around soda bottles, roll a bowling ball to knock down pins, or throw darts.

Many children proudly displayed their prizes, including some wearing stuffed snakes around their necks  perhaps an odd prize choice in Alaska, which is famous for its complete absence of snakes, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game notes on its website. (For the record, the nation's largest state has no lizards or freshwater turtles, either.)

Makeshift carnival booths were framed of wood and covered with a blue tarp to protect workers from the ever-present drizzle falling in the community on the west bank of the Kuskokwim River, about 400 miles (644 kilometers) west of Anchorage. There are almost 700 residents  a third of them children under the age of 10  in the community that is accessible only by boat or plane in the warmer months.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

In the winter, the frozen Kuskokwim River becomes an ice road, serving as a motorway to other nearby villages and Bethel, a hub community for southwest Alaska about 20 miles (32 kilometers) southwest of Akiachak.

Children on bikes and older kids and adults mostly on four-wheelers navigate the muddy streets or run through the village filled with dogs and few  if any  cats. And even though it was well past the Fourth of July, some boys seemed to have a never-ending supply of fireworks to keep things lively.

___

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.
Adrian Gonzalez

The Childrens Museum of Oak Ridge will host a literacy event featuring Adrian Gonzalez, author of the Lola Derez STEM Mystery series, fro 5:30 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 26, at the Childrens Museum, 461 West Outer Drive, Oak Ridge.

The event is a fundraiser to support the Childrens Museum of Oak Ridge and its programs, and is in celebration of National Hispanic Heritage Month

WBIR-TV journalist Maria Guzman, a native of Nicaragua, will interview Gonzalez about what inspired him to become a scientist, how and when he decided to inspire youth to explore STEM, and his journey in learning the craft of storytelling and how he applies it to the Lola Derez series.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Gonzalez, an environmental scientist, and director of the University of Tennessees Water Quality Core Facility, was inspired to write the series to help children from underrepresented populations connect to the world of STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) - and hopefully motivate them to pursue STEM careers. The first book in the series was published in 2022 and the second is scheduled to come out later this year, according to a museum news release.

Books will be available for purchase and personalized signing by Gonzalez. Appetizers and wine will be served. Guests will have a chance to win door prizes. Tickets are $50 per person and can be purchased online at https://www.simpletix.com/e/anevening-with-author-adrian-gonzalez-tickets-142123.

For more information, call the Childrens Museum at (865) 482-1074, or visit the Childrens Museums website at http://childrensmuseumofoakridge.org.

Maria Guzman

This article originally appeared on Oakridger: Children's Museum of Oak Ridge event features STEM Mystery author
By Nandita Bose

NEW DELHI (Reuters) - Only China can explain the reason for the absence of President Xi Jinping from the annual G20 summit in New Delhi this weekend, a U.S. official said on Saturday.

The summit had been seen as affording a venue for a possible meeting between Xi and U.S. President Joe Biden following months of efforts by the two world powers to mend ties frayed by trade and geopolitical tensions.

"It's incumbent upon the Chinese government to explain" why its leader "would or would not participate", Jon Finer, the U.S. deputy national security adviser, told reporters in the Indian capital.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Although the United States was often called upon to explain the actions of the Chinese government, that was not its role, he said, adding that it was "unfortunate" if China was not committed to the success of the bloc.

"Some have speculated China's absence indicates that it is giving up on the G20, building an alternative world order, that it will privilege groupings like the BRICS," Finer said.

Premier Li Qiang is leading China's delegation in the Indian capital. Also absent from the summit is President Vladimir Putin of Russia, which is being represented instead by Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.

Biden arrived on Friday for the summit.

Last Sunday, reacting to news that Xi would not attend the G20 summit, Biden said he was "disappointed" but would "get to see him".

India, the chair of the summit, along with the next two, Brazil and South Africa, as well as the United States, were committed to its success, Finer added.

"If China does not, that's unfortunate for everyone," he added. "But much more unfortunate, we believe, for China."

(Writing by Sudipto Ganguly; Editing by Clarence Fernandez)
A man walks past a model of the G20 logo outside a metro station ahead of the G20 Summit in New Delhi

BEIJING (Reuters) - India has been trying to take advantage of its role as the host of the G20 Summit to promote its own agenda and harm China's interests, a Chinese think tank affiliated with the country's top spy agency said on Saturday.

The harsh criticism by the China Institute of Contemporary International Relations, which is under the Ministry of State Security, comes as G20 leaders began their annual two-day summit, in India's capital New Delhi, with Chinese President Xi Jinping not attending.

The think tank accused India of bringing geopolitical "private goods" onto the global stage, which it said would not only help the country to fulfill its responsibility as the host of G20 but also create further problems.

India held two earlier G20 meetings in disputed territories -- one in Arunachal Pradesh that China also claims, and another in Kashmir, contested by Pakistan.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

"In addition to causing diplomatic turmoil and public opinion turmoil, India's actions in hosting meetings in disputed territories have also 'stole the spotlight', sabotaging the cooperative atmosphere of the G20 meeting and hindering the achievement of substantive results." the think tank said in a commentary published on its Wechat account.

The remarks may shed some light on Xi's absence from the summit hosted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Chinese officials have declined to explain the absence. Premier Li Qiang is representing China instead.

The two Asian neighbours have been searching for ways to ease simmering military tensions along their vast border, but New Delhi has described the situation as fragile and dangerous. Since 2020, New Delhi has also ramped up scrutiny of Chinese businesses and investments.

Last Sunday, reacting to news that Xi would not attend the G20 summit, U.S. President Biden said he was "disappointed" but would "get to see him".

The think tank also said India has been trying to use the issue of debt restructuring to attack China, and has frequently cooperated with the United States and the West in hyping the "debt trap" theory, when Beijing has offered loans to poorer countries to build needed infrastructure likes ports or roads.

India's move could "further create differences and rifts, hinder the international community from reaching consensus and substantive results, and will ultimately cause damage to its own international image and global development interests", the think tank added.

Xi, during a tour to the northeastern province of Heilongjiang, has promised to take more steps to revive the flagging northeast, state media said on Saturday.

(Reporting by Kevin Yao; Editing by Kim Coghill)
The mayor of London, Sadiq Khan , has recently faced criticism from political opponents for seeking to expand ultra-low emission zones in the city.

If you drive a car in certain areas of the United Kingdoms capital and it doesnt comply with ULEZ standards  which follow European emissions standards  you may be liable to a 12.50 (around $15.75) daily charge.

The move is intended to help reduce toxic air pollution in the city, which Khan noted in a 2021 article for The New Statesman is a contributing factor to worsening asthma and potentially increasing the risk of dementia.

Despite opposition from local councils and drivers of cars powered by internal-combustion engines  which produce a number of harmful emissions that damage public health and exacerbate global heating  there are very obvious benefits of trying to keep polluting vehicles off the roads.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

In Spain, for example, one city banned most cars in 1999 and has seen some remarkable changes.

As of 2022, Pontevedra, in northern Spain, had seen no car-related deaths for over 10 years. According to comments made by the citys mayor, Miguel Anxo Fernandez Lores, in a Politico article, total air pollution had been reduced by as much as 67%.

We decided to redesign the city for people instead of cars, and weve been reaping the rewards ever since, Fernandez Lores said.

Parking has since been moved from outside of the city center, with a number of underground parking areas emerging to deal with the vehicles of residents. A 2018 video from the World Economic Forum cited information from Smart Cities that said 70% of travel in the city was on foot at the time.

Adopting these kind of measures initially requires political courage, Fernandez Lores said. But fear of losing elections shouldnt condition the actions that responsible politicians take.

Since the introduction of ULEZs in London, the citys government has reported a 50% reduction in nitrogen dioxide pollution; between 2016 and 2020, the pollution rate decreased five times faster than in the rest of the U.K. Its also said that 1 million hospital admissions were avoided thanks to the policy.

Its obvious that encouraging the takeup of tailpipe-emission-free electric cars or just simply banning cars from city spaces can deliver significant benefits to residents. Pontevedra has seen it already, and London is hoping the expansion of ULEZs will produce similar results by cutting the presence of toxic gases in the citys air.

Join our free newsletter for cool news and actionable info that makes it easy to help yourself while helping the planet.
Vitalii Barabash, head of the Avdiivka city military administration, said on national television that Ukrainian forces launched the national flag into the sky over Avdiivka on Sept. 9 to commemorate the 245th anniversary of the city's founding.

Avdiivka is located in the center of Donetsk Oblast. Before Russia's all-out war against Ukraine, it had a population of over 31,000 people. Now the city is nearly destroyed by constant shelling.

According to Barabash, the flag headed in the direction of Donetsk, the regional capital that has been under Russian occupation since 2014.

"(Russian occupation authorities) tried to shoot it down," Barabash said. "But the state flag is already flying over the Kyivskyi District of Donetsk."

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Local Telegram channel, Typical Donetsk, published footage of the flag flying over various parts of the Russian-occupied city.

Read also: Ukraine war latest: Ukraine controls most of Klishchiivka south of Bakhmut, commander says

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
U.S. Senate candidates Rep. Katie Porter , Rep. Barbara Lee , Rep. Adam Schiff and Lexi Reese attend a gun control forum Friday at East L.A. College sponsored by March For Our Lives. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Just few miles from the site of the fatal mass shooting in Monterey Park, four top Democratic candidates running for Dianne Feinstein 's Senate seat told a youthful crowd Friday that making progress on the national scourge of gun violence will require changes in Congress.

Reps. Adam Schiff of Burbank, Katie Porter of Irvine and Barbara Lee of Oakland and Silicon Valley executive Lexi Reese spoke for about 90 minutes at a town hall discussion organized by March For Our Lives, the youth-led movement that emerged from the 2018 shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., that left 17 people dead.

David Hogg, who was among the students who survived the Parkland school shooting and is the co-founder of March For Our Lives, said he wanted to see "a bold gun-safety policy platform that speaks to us and involves us in the process, and that will safeguard the future."

All four candidates are running to replace Feinstein, who has been a fierce advocate for tightening the nation's gun laws since first being elected to the Senate in 1992.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Feinstein, 90, remains frail after being hospitalized earlier this year with shingles and is not seeking reelection in 2024. The San Francisco Democrat will leave behind a Senate legacy that includes key roles in enacting the nation's only assault weapons ban and efforts to reinstate it after its expiration in 2004.

The town hall was held at East Los Angeles College in Monterey Park, the suburb where 11 people were killed in a mass shooting in January during a Lunar New Year celebration.

Lexi Reese, a candidate for Dianne Feinstein's Senate seat, speaks at a town hall hosted by March For Our Lives at East L.A. College. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

No Republican candidates for Senate were included. A March For Our Lives spokesman said the organization only invited candidates who raised more than $1 million by June 30. Republican attorney Eric Early, who launched his campaign in April, did not meet the threshold.

The clearest takeaway was how closely aligned the four Democratic candidates are on the need for more funding for mental health services and stronger federal protections against gun violence  not a major revelation, since the majority of California's left-leaning electorate supports tougher gun laws.

In Congress, Schiff, Porter and Lee have all supported bills that would tighten requirements to buy firearms, and all three are members of the House Gun Violence Prevention Task Force.

"There's no issue that angers me more than this one, because the answer is so damn obvious," Schiff said during the town hall. "We just need a few more people in the office that have the guts to take on the gun industry, and have the guts to take on the NRA, and get the job done."

Most efforts in Congress to pass new gun control laws have failed, including bipartisan bills introduced after some of the deadliest shootings in the nation's history.

In 1999, after the Columbine High School shooting, a measure to close loopholes in the federal background check law for gun buyers passed the Senate and failed in the House. A bipartisan bill to strengthen criminal background checks for gun buyers failed in the Senate after the 2012 Sandy Hook shootings. And after the 2017 Las Vegas shooting, the deadliest in U.S. history, a bipartisan bill to ban bump stocks  which allow semiautomatic rifles to fire hundreds of rounds per minute  stalled in the House.

Too many members of Congress are cowards, Schiff said, "utterly beholden to the special interests. ... And their cowardice is killing people."

Schiff has repeatedly sought to roll back a 2005 law that largely protects gunmakers, dealers and distributors from being sued in civil court.

He also has co-sponsored bills that would require background checks for most gun sales and extend the time that the FBI is allotted to complete background check investigations for firearm purchases. Schiff also voted against allowing a national conceal-carry law in 2017, which passed the House but stalled in the Senate.

After Schiff's comments, a lone audience member shouted that none of his ideas would work "in the real world."

Reese, the only candidate at the town hall who has not held elected office, said she is running for the Senate to reduce gun violence. She said she was held at gunpoint 16 years ago in another country, and "breathed a sigh of relief" after getting home to the U.S., a sense of safety that she said young Americans no longer have.

Reese, a former technology executive in Silicon Valley, unveiled a six-point plan to end gun violence, including giving the Consumer Product Safety Commission the power to oversee firearm safety. She said the body should "issue a massive recall" for guns without smart technology designed to shut down the firearms within 15 square miles of schools and civic gatherings.

Lee has co-sponsored multiple bills calling for stronger background check laws and barring the sale of some firearms to those under 21. She also pushed three times, unsuccessfully, to repeal the so-called Tiahrt Amendments, current laws that limit the use of firearms tracing data to law enforcement agencies and prosecutors investigating crimes, and which require that records of criminal background checks for gun purchases be destroyed within 24 hours.

Last year, Lee also urged Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra to declare a public health emergency for gun violence.

Lee said she wanted to see more investment in community organizing, mental healthcare services and violence intervention workers, telling the crowd: "The people closest to the pain should be closer to the power."

Senate candidate Lexi Reese poses students from San Gabriel High School at the gun control town hall. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Porter was among the co-sponsors for bills proposing federal rules for gun storage, authorizing funding for the CDC to study gun violence prevention, and closing the "ghost guns" loophole that allows buyers to avoid background checks when buying nonassembled firearms online. All three bills stalled in the House, though Congress later began funding firearm injury prevention research again after a nearly 25-year hiatus.

"There's no doubt that our heart breaks in a particular way when it is a kid, when it is a school," Porter said of gun violence in the U.S. "But the truth is, we're not safe anywhere, because we don't have gun safety policies that keep us safe everywhere."

During three decades as a senator, Feinstein was a consistent and vocal advocate for federal gun reform.

In 1978, Feinstein was at her office in San Francisco City Hall when former county supervisor Dan White walked into the building and fatally shot Supervisor Harvey Milk and Mayor George Moscone. Feinstein, the president of the board of supervisors, was the first to find Milk's body and became mayor after Moscone's death.

In 1993, less than a year after Feinstein was elected to the Senate, a gunman killed eight people and wounded six others inside a San Francisco high-rise office building. The mass shooting is still the deadliest in the city's history.

Feinstein cited the shooting as she authored and advocated for the Federal Assault Weapons Ban, which banned the manufacture, import and sale of some types of semiautomatic weapons and ammunition magazines containing more than 10 rounds. The bill, signed into law in 1994, was the first major effort by Congress to stem the flow of guns in the U.S. since the 1968 assassinations of Robert F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jr.

Congress allowed the bill to expire in 2004. Initial studies about the ban's effect, including from the Justice Department, were mixed. More recent research has suggested that the ban did make a difference, at least in mass shootings. (The vast majority of U.S. gun violence involves handguns, not assault-style weapons.) Stanford University researchers found a 25% drop in mass shootings and a 40% drop in fatalities during the decade that the ban was in effect, compared to the 10 years prior.

Feinstein has tried repeatedly to resuscitate the ban, including after the attempted assassination of then-Rep. Gabrielle Giffords in 2011, and, most recently, after the Monterey Park shooting left 11 people dead.

When the Senate voted down a proposal to attach the assault weapons ban to a broader gun-control bill a few months after the Sandy Hook shooting, Feinstein told her colleagues: "Show some guts."

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.
Migration trends show that Mississippians are using U-Haul vehicles, as seen at the U.S 80, Pearl, Miss., location Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2023, to leave the state.

Moving to a new place sparks that feeling of fresh adventure and new opportunities as you leave everything in the rear-view mirror.

But moving all that furniture you see in your rear-view mirror is never fun. Especially when you can't find a moving truck to fit all of your essentials into.

Such is the case in Jackson right now. A shortage of U-Haul trucks has been reported as the amount of one-way travelers leaving the city is causing limited availability, according to Jeff Lockridge, U-Haul's manager of media and public relations. Lockridge spoke with U-Haul's president of Mississippi, Charles Johnston, who confirmed the shortage, while also noting the shortage is affecting Mississippi's Gulf Coast as well.

"Our Jackson teams have very limited inventory of available one-way equipment right now. This can and does happen when migration trends in a given market lead to more equipment leaving than arriving," Lockridge said in an email.

Migration trends show that Mississippians are using U-Haul vehicles, as seen at the U.S 80, Jackson, Miss., location Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2023, to leave the state.

Lockridge ran a migration trends report for the past year, discovering, which states Mississippian's are using U-Hual trucks to leave for. Those Top 10 destinations:

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Texas Alabama Louisiana Tennessee Florida Georgia Arkansas North Carolina Missouri Illinois

Jackson police chase: A police chase began after JPD responded to reports of a stolen vehicle. Two suspects dead

The U-Haul shortage is illustrative of a bigger issue in Jackson: decreasing population. The Clarion Ledger previously reported the latest U.S. census results, discovering that Jackson has received the title of the fastest-shrinking city in the United States with at least 50,000 residents. The 2021 census saw Jackson's population drop below 150,000 for the first time since before 1970. The current population is 145,995.

"The shrinking of Jackson's population is a historical issue. In the '60s when you had white flight and you started to see a lot of white residents move out of Jackson to Madison and Rankin counties had a dramatic impact on the infrastructure and is why you continue to see some of the problems that Jackson is facing today," said Jamiko Deleveaux, the interim director for the center of population studies at Ole Miss.

Jamiko Deleveaux, the interim director for the center of population studies at Ole Mis, explained what Jackson can improve on to retain and bring more residents into the city.

Jackson is still experiencing the fallout of that migration, Deleveaux said. But his studies differ from what the U-Haul shortage tells us. His studies have shown that the decrease in Jackson's population isn't mostly because residents are moving out of the state but because they are moving to areas outside of the city's limits such as Madison and Rankin counties, as well as other parts of Hinds County. This is a sort-of silver lining, because it means residents are still living in the metropolitan area and could one day move back to Jackson.

"The good news is that even though people are leaving Jackson's city limits, they're still staying in the state," Deleveaux said. "They're just relocating to different parts of Hinds County, Rankin and Madison. I think that's also part of the story that has to be be told: Jackson can get those residents back eventually."

Deleveaux suggested three areas the city could improve to attract more people: creating more jobs, improving public education and infrastructure development.

"If you had more businesses coming to Jackson that definitely helps brings people and attract people to the city," Deleveaux said. "It also gives them a new economic base, new individuals coming in and living and working in Jackson. That increases your tax base."

Top paid city employees: The highest paid city employee is a position Jackson can't keep. See which one

This is something Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba is working on, said Melissa Payne, the city's director of communications.

"The mayor is making a concerted effort to work more closely with local businesses, community developers, and city leadership to continue to help Jackson evolve into a place that residents will want to call home," Payne said.

As far as improving public education, Deleveaux stated it's something that not only Jackson, but the entire state of Mississippi should be working on. The 2022-23 Mississippi Academic Assessment Program showed that the state's students achieved record results in mathematics, English language arts (ELA), science and U.S. History. But last week, the Mississippi Department of Education invalidated over 900 state assessments in five districts and 12 schools due to testing irregularities. It's not certain whether those invalidations have impacted the improvements the state has made in education.

"Public school education is something we can work on more in the entire state," Deleveaux said. "As we continue to improve in Mississippi and in Jackson, that would be a gold standard to attract younger people to want to come into the state and the city."

Lastly, improving the city's infrastructure is key, which Deleveaux reiterated starts with creating more jobs and heightening the tax base.

"Jobs will help disburse some of the revitalization efforts because the more people coming in increases the tax base, which will help bring more money to improve things like roads and the water system," Deleveaux said. "A great infrastructure is going to attract companies to want to relocate there and bring their employees."

If the infrastructure gets fixed, then Jackson may be able to build a public transportation system, which would help the city be on the same level as other cities such as Nashville and Atlanta.

"In Jackson, a lack of public transportation is problematic. Having something like a light-rail can actually help Jackson and the downtown corridor," Deleveaux said. "Those sort of things really could help drive more people to come back into Jackson."

Overall, Deleveaux still sees a lot of potential for Jackson and thinks city leaders, as well as residents, should start spreading the word on the city's positives more when it comes to revitalization efforts.

"The city has the potential to really be one of the best cities in the U.S," Deleveaux said. "If you reverse some of the trends we are seeing, by 2030 or 2040 we can see where Jackson has subsided in population loss and hopefully rebounding with a strong population increase."

This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: U-Haul shortage illustrates Jackson's shrinking population
LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  Clark County is hosting a series of town hall events aimed at addressing concerns about sidewalk vendor ordinances.

The town halls will provide an opportunity for residents to learn more about the timeline, and proposed regulations.

It will also give residents a chance to share their thoughts and ideas and in turn shape the future of sidewalk vending, according to Clark County.

Lombardo signs law protecting street vendors working in neighborhoods

The first of 11 town halls begin on Tuesday, Sept. 12, at 5:30 p.m. and will be held at the Clark County Government Center inside the Commission Chambers.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Clark County Commissioner Marilyn Kirkpatrick will host Tuesdays town hall.

The proposed sidewalk vending regulations aim to ensure that sidewalk vending operations are conducted in a safe, legal, and controlled manner while providing opportunities for economic growth and cultural diversity.

Nevada Secretary of State encourages street vendors to apply for task force as part of Senate Bill 92

The new regulations call for specific rules and licensing requirements for sidewalk vendors, including health and safety standards, location restrictions, and designation of zones in neighborhoods and commercial areas where sidewalk vending can occur.

The town hall will be broadcast on all Clark County Social Media Channels including Facebook, Twitter (X), and YouTube. Clark County Channel 4 will broadcast the event live.

The following is a list of dates and locations for upcoming town halls:

Wednesday, Sept. 13 at 5:30 p.m. | Parkdale Community Center  3200 Ferndale St, Las Vegas, NV 89121

Monday, Sept. 18 at 5:30 p.m. | Monaco Middle School  1870 N Lamont St, Las Vegas, NV 89115

Tuesday, Sept. 19 at 5:30 p.m. | Desert Breeze Community Center  8275 Spring Mountain Rd, Las Vegas, NV 89117

Wednesday, Sept. 20 at 2 p.m. | Cora Coleman Senior Center  2100 Bonnie Ln, Las Vegas, NV 89156

Wednesday, Sept. 20 at 5:30 p.m. | Desert Breeze Community Center  8275 Spring Mountain Rd, Las Vegas, NV 89117

Thursday, Sept. 21 at 6 p.m. | Paradise Recreation Center  4775 S. McLeod, Las Vegas, NV 89121

Monday, Sept. 25 at 5:30 p.m. | Paradise Community Center  4775 S. McLeod, Las Vegas, NV 89121

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
Dutch police used a water cannon to disperse protestors who blocked a highway during a climate protest of Extinction Rebellion and other activists near the Dutch parliament in The Hague, Netherlands, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong)

THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP)  Several thousand climate activists blocked a Dutch highway on Saturday in anger at billions of euros in government subsidies for industries that use oil, coal and gas  before police dispersed them with water cannons.

A report earlier this week detailed 37.5 billion euros ($40.5 billion) in such subsidies in the Netherlands, notably related to the shipping industry, prompting calls for a quick halt to the practice.

The protesters  from Extinction Rebellion, Greenpeace and other organizations  broke through a police barrier Saturday morning and sat on a main road in The Hague heading to the temporary venue for the lower house of parliament.

They threatened to stay until the subsidies are lifted, and to come back every day if the police remove them.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

This is much larger than any one of us. This concerns the whole world, activist Yolanda de Jager said.

The activists brandished signs with sayings like Fossil Fuel Subsidies are Not Cool, and warned that the extreme temperatures seen around the world this summer are a sign of the future, if fossil fuels arent abandoned.

After several hours, police moved in and fired volleys from water cannons at the crowd, and picked up or dragged some protesters away, wheeling them away in special orange wagons.

Protesters on the front line held up their fists in resistance or put their heads down to protect themselves from the jets of water. Those farther back danced and jumped up and down under the spray, appearing to enjoy the shower on an unusually hot September day for the Netherlands

The roadblock is part of a series of protests led by Extinction Rebellion targeting the Dutch parliament.

The report published Monday said the Dutch government spends tens of billions per year in subsidies to industries that use fossil fuels. It was published by the The Centre for Research on Multinational Corporations, known as SOMO, the Dutch arm of Friends of the Earth and Oil Change International.

The country is often seen as a leader in renewable energy and progressive climate policies, and Minister for Climate and Energy Rob Jetten acknowledged that the country has to end the subsidies, but has offered no timeline.

The report calls on lawmakers to begin phasing out the subsidies before the countrys Nov. 22 general election.

A new protest is planned for Sunday.

___

Angela Charlton in Paris, and Ahmad Seir, in The Hague contributed to this report.

___

For APs climate and environmental coverage, visit https://apnews.com/hub/climate-and-environment
A critically endangered species of wild horse has been successfully cloned for the second time ever and is now thriving at San Diego Safari Park.

A Przewalskis horse, sometimes called the Last Wild Horse, was born at ViaGen Pets & Equines cloning facility in Texas on Feb. 17. The foal and his mother, a domestic quarter horse, are now settling in at San Diego Safari Park, according to the organization.

The Last Wild Horse born in San Diego

The cloned horse has been given the name name Ollie in honor of Oliver Ryder, Ph.D., who works as the Kleberg Endowed Director of Conservation Genetics for the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Dr. Ryder oversees research activities in the areas of molecular genetics, genomic studies and genetic rescue efforts. The Wildlife Alliance says his efforts have been focused on reducing extinction risk and contributing to species recovery.

It is an honor to have studied and worked with so many others on the conservation of this special animal, and to see come alive the possibility of using advanced genetic and reproductive technologies to sustain resilient populations in human care and in their native habitat, said Dr. Ryder.

Przewalskis horse

The foal is a clone of a male Przewalskis horse stallion whose living cell line was cryopreserved over 40 years ago in the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance Biodiversity Banks Frozen Zoo, the organization explained.

The worlds first cloned Przewalskis horse, Kurt, also lives at the Safari Park. He was born in August 2020 from the same stallions living cell line, making him Ollies genetic twin, the organization explained.

Park officials say this type of horse was formerly considered an endangered species and was categorized as Extinct in the Wild until 1996. The park said the Przewalskis horse has survived for the past 40 years almost entirely in zoos around the world.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
CLOVIS, N.M.  The Clovis Police Department is seeking a suspect in connection to the fire that significantly damaged a Walmart store last week.

After the major retailer was closed for several days due to extensive damage and the ongoing active criminal investigation, Clovis police said in a Saturday morning update on social media that enough information has been recovered to seek a warrant for the arrest of Jimmy Guillen, 59, on charges of arson, aggravated burglary, tampering with evidence, and felon in possession of a destructive device.

The Clovis Police Department is seeking a suspect identified as Jimmy Guillen in connection to the Walmart fire, as seen in these provided photos on social media. A warrant has been issued for the arrest of Guillen, 59, on charges of arson, aggravated burglary, tampering with evidence, and felon in possession of a destructive device.

The Clovis Police Department is seeking a suspect identified as Jimmy Guillen in connection to the Walmart fire, as seen in these provided photos on social media. A warrant has been issued for the arrest of Guillen, 59, on charges of arson, aggravated burglary, tampering with evidence, and felon in possession of a destructive device.

Police said additional charges may be filed pending the outcome of the investigation. The whereabouts of Guillen are unknown at this time, and police are seeking assistance from the public in locating him.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

As previously reported, on Sunday, Sept. 3 at about 3:36 a.m., Clovis first responders including fire, police and EMS arrived at the Walmart located at 3728 North Prince St. in reference to a structure fire. "Due to the size of the building and the aggressive nature of the fire, additional fire units from surrounding agencies were requested to assist the Clovis Fire Department," a release read at the time, and firefighters from Cannon Air Force Base, Melrose, Ranchvale, Pleasant Hill, Texico, Portales and Grady in New Mexico and Farwell and Bovina in Texas assisted with the incident. The store was closed when the blaze began. All employees were able to evacuate, and no injuries were reported.

Clovis police said that immediately after the fire was extinguished, a joint investigation began, including members from the 9th Judicial District Major Crimes Unit, the Clovis Police Department, the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the New Mexico State Fire Marshals Office, and the Clovis Fire Department.

"This has been a time-consuming process and we appreciate the publics patience as we work through this investigation," the Saturday, Sept. 9 update notes. "Currently, we are not prepared to release any conclusions or evidence from this investigation. Any further information or items will not be available until they can be reviewed and this investigation is determined to be completed by all agencies involved."

The Clovis Police Department is asking for the publics help with information related to this fire. Anyone who may have information related to this incident is asked to contact the Clovis Police Department at 575-769-1921 or have information provided anonymously by using the tip411 program, accessed by going to www.police.cityofclovis.org or via the Curry County Crime Stoppers at 575-763-7000.

Clovis Walmart management said in a social media post that while the store is closed, they will "continue serving customers at our store on 1604 E Spruce Street in Portales, NM and on Walmart.com."

Clovis police noted that while Walmart property is secured as a crime scene, "Only authorized persons, investigators and workers associated with the cleaning and restoration of the Walmart, are allowed within the property. Unauthorized entry to this property may result in an immediate arrest for criminal trespass."

This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Clovis police issue arrest warrant for Walmart fire suspect
The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department announced they have arrested the suspect in the assault investigation they held a media briefing about on Saturday.

Police say officers found the suspects vehicle shortly after 7:30 p.m.

Officials say the suspect in these incidents has been taken into custody and will release more information later.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police held a news conference Saturday to discuss several assault investigations, two of which involved sexual assaults.

During the conference, detectives described the suspect in the investigations as a Hispanic man around five feet, five inches, in his 20s or 30s with a medium build. The suspect was wearing a dark-colored hoodie and dark pants during the incidents.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Officials also shared a picture of the suspects vehicle, a silver Jeep, possibly a 2010 edition of a Liberty, Commander, or Patriot.

Detectives with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Departments Sexual Assault Unit are looking for a suspect in multiple assault cases, including two sexual assaults, that occurred across multiple CMPD divisions.



The suspect vehicle is pictured below. pic.twitter.com/KHlQEhxRfC  CMPD News (@CMPD) September 9, 2023

We are very confident that is our suspect vehicle in multiple cases, CMPD Lt. Jim Ivie said, there have been attempts to get them in the vehicle and sometimes he has succeded.

Police say in all of the assaults, the victims have been women. All of the victims were followed by the suspect in his vehicle before he intimidated the victim with a weapon, forcing them to leave with him.

ALSO READ: Suspect physically, sexually assaulted victim in south Charlotte

According to officers, the most recent assault happened on Saturday morning. At this time, the department says they have multiple cases and are interviewing the victims involved, as well as collecting physical evidence.

Officials say all of the incidents happened in the area of Archdale Road, Nations Ford Road, or East Arrowood Road.

Channel 9s veteran crime reporter, Glenn Counts, spoke with local residents about the impact of todays conference.

I feel fear anyway because there are so many people standing on the street, Ruby Metcalf told Counts.

Henry Vargas says he will keep his eye out for the women in his life.

I hope they dont do it if they were me, Vargas said, I promise you something is going to happen, Im just saying because of my family.

Police say they have stepped up patrols in the area and are asking anyone who sees the suspects car to call 911.

Be aware of your surroundings, if you see something suspicious stay in your vehicle, or in your residence call 911, Ivie said, Dont feel like you need to get outside your car or your house.

This is a developing story; check back at wsoctv.com for updates.

(WATCH BELOW: Man accused of sexual assault, break-in at Belmont Abbey dorm turns himself in)
























(Bloomberg) -- Colombias government and the National Liberation Army, or ELN, will continue peace talks in Mexico in November, Colombian President Gustavo Petro said during a conference on illegal drugs with his Mexican counterpart Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador.

Most Read from Bloomberg

The new meetings in Mexico will be the fifth cycle of talks between the government and the ELN, which is the nations oldest guerrilla group. The last meetings ended this week in Caracas, Venezuela.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

The peace process between the State, the society and the ELN has been advancing with firm steps like never before, Petro said in the conference, which took place in the Colombian city of Cali.

NOTE: Colombia Agrees Cease-Fire With Guerrillas Fighting Since 1964

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2023 Bloomberg L.P.
BOGOTA (Reuters) - Colombian President Gustavo Petro proposed on Saturday an alliance between Latin American countries to bring a unified voice to the fight against drug trafficking, by recognizing drug consumption as a public health problem instead of confronting it with what he called a "failed" militarized approach.

Petro, the first leftist president in Colombia's history, closed the Latin American and Caribbean Conference on Drugs, which was held in the city of Cali, by saying that 50 years of a failed war on drugs had resulted in immeasurable bloodshed and pain in Latin America.

"What I propose is to have a different and unified voice that defends our society, our future and our history and stops repeating a failed discourse," said the Colombian president.

"It is time to rebuild hope and not repeat the bloody and ferocious wars, the ill-named 'war on drugs', viewing drugs as a military problem and not as a health problem for society," Petro said.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Colombia, like other Latin American countries, faces persistent violence resulting from drug trafficking and the presence of cartels with growing firepower and economic might, according to security sources and analysts.

The countries participating in the conference said in a joint statement that demand for illicit drugs must be reduced by educating the public and combating inequality, poverty, lack of opportunities and violence.

They also agreed on the need to break the harmful links between drug and firearms trafficking, transnational organized crime, illegal logging, human trafficking, migrant smuggling, money laundering and corruption.

Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, who attended the event, said countries must strengthen family unity with love, combat poverty, and encourage the planting of corn, beans, cocoa, coffee, fruits and timber to reduce land area dedicated to illicit crops like marijuana, as well as opium poppy and coca leaf - the raw materials for drugs such as heroin and cocaine.

The Mexican president said Latin American countries need to support the United States in its fight against fentanyl out of a "moral obligation" and "humanism."

"They are facing a pandemic," Lopez Obrador said. "Regardless of our differences, above partisan ideas and ideological positions are human rights and the main human right is the right to life."

(Reporting by Luis Jaime Acosta in Bogota and Raul Cortes in Mexico City; Writing by Jackie Botts; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama)
SARASOTA, Fla. The U.S. Department of Education has launched an investigation into New College of Floridas trustees and administration following a civil rights complaint filed on Aug. 22, according to a letter sent Friday from the agency to the college's president.

The DOEs Office of Civil Rights said it plans to investigate New College on the basis of disability discrimination to determine whether it "excluded qualified persons with disabilities from participation in, denied them the benefits of, or otherwise subjected them to discrimination in its programs, activities, aids, benefits, or services."

The federal agency also plans to investigate whether New College failed to ensure that its communications with individuals with disabilities were as effective as its communications with others.

The civil rights complaint filed against New College's leadership also alleged an ongoing trend of discrimination against "protected groups" such as LGBTQ students, and the creation of a hostile environment toward those students. It requested that federal agencies launch a formal investigation into the college's leadership and compel action to remedy damages the complaint claims leaders have caused.

What is the New College of Florida?

New College has been undergoing a conservative transformation since January when Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed a new majority to its Board of Trustees tasked with shaping the small liberal arts school into the "Hillsdale College of the South." Hillsdale College is a private, conservative Christian liberal arts school in Michigan.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

The trustees swiftly dissolved the college's diversity department, abolished the gender studies program, fired an LGBTQ librarian and denied tenure to five faculty members set to receive it.

Amid the changes, more than a third of faculty have left New College causing course cancellations and staffing vacancies for the fall semester.

New College did not respond to requests for comment about the complaint. The DOE was not immediately available for comment, and its open investigations web page was not updated to reflect the investigation into New College as of Saturday morning.

Jennifer Granick, a New College alumna and lawyer, helped compile evidence and interviews in preparation for the nearly 40-page complaint.

Following the confirmation of an investigation, Granick said it was a first step in ensuring all students have equal access to an education at New College.

"The ultimate goal is for (marginalized) students ... (to) be welcomed and to be able to get a good education because they are not being subjected to ridicule or exclusion or policies which disproportionately burden them and interfere with their ability to get an education," Granick said.

Christopher Rufo, a conservative activist, vocal opponent of diversity policy and trustee appointed by Gov. Ron DeSantis, was named several times in the complaint for allegedly creating a hostile environment for students. He took to social media to attack the DOE for its investigation.

Its time to abolish the Department of Education, Rufo wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Its time to abolish the Department of Education.  Christopher F. Rufo  (@realchrisrufo) September 8, 2023

On his substack, he wrote that President Joe Biden was weaponizing the DOE against conservatives.

We are ready for the fight, Rufo wrote. When Governor DeSantis appointed the new board of trustees, he told us: 'If the media isnt attacking you, youre not doing your job.' The same could be said of the Biden Administration.

Students describe hostile environment, complaint says

Rufo's past posts Twitter, now known as X, are cited as exhibits in which he quotes New College students from news articles with laughing emojis, and posts about pressing misdemeanor battery charges against Libby Harrity, who was a student at the time but now attends Hampshire College.

Harrity allegedly spat on Rufos shoe at a protest on May 15, and Rufo later dropped the charges when Harrity withdrew from New College to attend Hampshire.

The complaint claims that Harrity was "forced" to withdraw because of the charges filed by Rufo and that her leaving New College was "exactly what (Rufo) wanted, pushing out an LGBTQ student leader who was not aligned with the 'little Hillsdale' mission."

A screenshot of a Twitter post from Christopher Rufo. Rufo was named in a complaint to the U.S. Department of Justice and Department of Education where it accused the trustee of creating a hostile environment for LGBTQ+ students at New College of Florida.

Rufo has also posted on social media that he thinks being nonbinary, or identifying with a gender other than male or female, is "entirely fake." New College of Florida previously had a large LGBTQ population and has historically been seen as a safe space for the groups.

The removal of gender-neutral bathroom signage was also cited in the complaint. The college removed bathroom signs across campus that read "all gender restroom" or "gender neutral restroom" in favor of traditional bathroom signage. Students rewrote the gender-neutral language on the signs, but the college erased the writing, the complaint said.

The signage removal contributed to the creation of a hostile environment for nonbinary New College students, the complaint claims.

The filing also claims the Board of Trustees abolished the college's diversity program with no plan to support minority students. With the abolishment of the Office of Outreach and Inclusive Excellence, Muslim students were left without access to food during Ramadan last spring, when Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset. The outreach office's funding historically provided meals for Muslim students, since meal plan hours ended before they were allowed to eat.

The actions requested in the complaint include the federal departments ordering New College to implement mandatory training for staff, administration, and the Board of Trustees on supporting LGBTQ and minority students.

The complaint also asks that federal departments order the college's leadership to rescind discriminatory policies and directives, and provide safe and equivalent housing for students who wish to live on campus.

Follow Herald-Tribune Education Reporter Steven Walker on Twitter at @swalker_7. He can be reached at sbwalker@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: New College of Florida under investigation after DeSantis overhaul
St. Louis Cardinals catcher Willson Contreras congratulates teammates following the team's victory against the Cincinnati Reds in a baseball game Friday, Sept. 8, 2023, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Joshua A. Bickel)

CINCINNATI (AP)  Willson Contreras hit a three-run, first-inning homer, Luken Baker added a three-run double and the St. Louis Cardinals beat Cincinnati 9-4 on Friday night, dropping the Reds 1 1/2 games back for the NL's final wild card berth.

Nolan Arenado had three hits and snapped a career-long 11-game streak without an RBI. The Cardinals have won four of five and scored five or more runs for the sixth straight game.

Cincinnati led the NL Central at 59-49 at the start of August but is 14-21 since. The Reds (73-70) trail Arizona (74-68) and Miami (73-68) for the last wild card.

Hunter Renfroe hit a two-run homer and Nick Senzel had a solo drive in the third inning for the Reds. who stranded 12 runners and went 0 for 7 with runners in scoring position.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Cincinnati twice left the bases loaded, when Harrison Bader hit into an inning-ending forceout in the second against Drew Rom and when Matt Liberatore (3-5), the fourth of six Cardinals relievers, struck out Tyler Stephenson in the sixth.

I didnt feel any more adrenaline than I have any other time, the left-hander said. I thought hed be aggressive, but he wasnt. I figured he was looking fastball middle, middle-in, and try to beat me, but I wasnt giving in.

Liberatore fanned Stephenson with a four-seam fastball.

That was a big moment, Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said. "Its a credit to him for not letting the game speed up on him.

St. Louis bullpen pitched five scoreless innings.

Liberatore made the pitch of the game right there," Reds manager David Bell said. "You get into a position like that when youre down and have an opportunity to come back and break through and maybe even take a lead. Tyler has been swinging the bat well. Hes had a lot of success a pinch-hitter. We got him up there, they made a pitch and got out of it.

The Reds opened a stretch in which they play 17 of their last 20 games against teams with losing records.

Andrew Abbott (8-5) tied his career high by allowing six runs. He pitched four innings, giving up four hits and three walks.

Contreras hit a 440-foot homer into the second deck in left.

It looked like 760 feet from where we were, Marmol said, That ball went a long way. It gave us momentum.

Baker, who entered with one RBI in 18 games of his rookie season, boosted the lead to 6-0 in the third.

He hasn't gotten a lot of steady opportunities, but he's done a nice job with the opportunities he's had, Marmol said. He hits the ball hard.

Rom, a 23-year-old left-hander who went to Highlands High in Fort Thomas, Kentucky, gave up four runs and seven hits in 3 2/3 innings.

The Reds' Noelvi Marte scored on a double steal in the fourth.

JORDAN RULES

Right fielder Jordan Walker made a diving stop in the gap of Harrison Baders line drive single and quickly got the ball back to the infield, throwing out Bader when he overslid the bag while also holding Noelvi Marte at third.

RUNNING WILD

Marte and Spencer Steers double steal increased Cincinnati's major league-leading total to 165, the most by the Reds since 190 in 1997.

TRAINERS ROOM

Reds: INF Joey Votto (left shoulder strain) and INF Jonathan India (left foot plantar fasciitis) each hit two-run doubles for Triple-A Louisville on rehab assignments. Votto was 1 for 4 and India 1 for 2 with a pair of walks. Bell expects them to be back in Cincinnatis lineup on Sunday.

UP NEXT

Cardinal LHP Zack Thompson (4-5, 3.91, 53 strikeouts) is scheduled to start Saturday against RHP Carson Spiers (0-0, 6.75, seven strikeouts), who will be making his second career appearance and start.

___

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
FILE  Controversial South African politician and traditional minister of South Africa's large Zulu ethnic group, Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi, in traditional dress March 26, 2009. Buthelezi has died at the age of 95, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa announced on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023.. (AP Photo/File) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

JOHANNESBURG (AP)  Controversial South African politician and traditional minister of the Zulu ethnic group Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi has died at the age of 95, South African president Cyril Ramaphosa announced on Saturday.

Buthelezi founded the Inkatha Freedom Party, the third largest political party in South Africa when the country transitioned from the racist apartheid system to a democratic one in 1994.

He was admitted to hospital in July following a failed medical procedure to ease his back pain, his family said at the time.

Prince Buthelezi, who served as the democratic South Africas first Minister of Home Affairs, passed away in the early hours of today, Saturday, 9 September 2023, just two weeks after the celebration of his 95th birthday, Ramaphosa said in a statement on Saturday.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

According to Ramaphosa, arrangements for his mourning and funeral will be announced after consultations with the Zulu royal family.

Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi has been an outstanding leader in the political and cultural life of our nation, including the ebbs and flows of our liberation struggle, the transition which secured our freedom in 1994 and our democratic dispensation, said Ramaphosa.

Buthelezi was part of the late Nelson Mandela s first cabinet when the latter became South Africas first democratically elected president in 1994.

Mandela appointed him as a minister of home affairs, a position he continued to hold in the second administration of former president Thabo Mbeki.

His legacy has remained a contested one due to the role he played during South Africas apartheid era, including heading the administrative region of Zululand, a part of the homelands regions that were the cornerstone of the apartheid governments policy of separate development.

His party was also blamed for the pre-election violence that engulfed the country and the province of Kwa-Zulu Natal before the countrys historic 1994 elections.

Now known as KwaZulu-Natal province, the region was one of the 10 homelands created by the white-minority government meant to group Black South Africans according to their ethnicity in the countrys mostly rural areas.

These were meant to keep the apartheid system intact by installing so-called puppet leaders leading to Buthelezi being labeled a sell-out by liberation movements like the ruling African National Congress at the time.

A former member of the ANC Youth League, in 1975 he formed what was later to be known as the Inkatha Freedom Party, an outfit founded on an ideology of Zulu nationalism which he initially aligned to the African National Congress but later got involved in violent clashes with ANC supporters in the 1980s and early 1990s.

The violence that erupted between Inkatha and the ANC in the 1980s and early 1990s remains one of the bloodiest in South African history and a dent in Buthelezis political career. Many were killed in the clashes which took place in the then Zululand and later spread to areas including the Transvaal, now the Gauteng province.

These culminated in what got to be known as the Shell House Massacre in 1994.

Nineteen IFP supporters were shot and killed by ANC security guards after nearly 20,000 of them marched to Shell House in Johannesburg, which was then the headquarters of the ANC, banned in 1990.

They were opposing the upcoming elections and accused the ANC of undermining Zulu leaders and chiefs.

In the early 1990s, leaders of the apartheid government admitted to funding the Inkatha Freedom Party as they sought to destabilize the struggle against apartheid and what was increasingly looking like a road to the end of white minority rule.

Buthelezi opposed apartheid but his stance on controversial issues regarding the oppressive system put him at odds with ANC leaders.

This included his opposition to international sanctions against apartheid and his support for free markets at a time when most liberation movements were largely socialist and African nationalists.

His leadership of the Zululand administration was considered a betrayal to Black South Africans as the homelands system was an integral part of the apartheid machinery.

With the growth and significance of his IFP party, Buthelezi wanted his party to play a bigger role during the negotiations for a peaceful transition to democracy, but he withdrew from the negotiations and threatened to boycott the historic 1994 elections after his proposals, including the autonomy of the Zululand region, were rejected.

However, he agreed to participate in the elections about a week before they were held, winning 10% of the national vote and forming part of Mandelas coalition government which also included the National Party.

He remained a lawmaker in South Africas Parliament from 1994 until his death and the leader of the Inkatha Freedom Party until he was replaced at its national conference in 2019.

Throughout his political career, Buthelezi remained deeply involved in the affairs of the Zulu nation, serving as a traditional prime minister and advisor to the late King Goodwill Zwelithini and his successor, his son King Misuzulu KaZwelithini.

In 2022, he oversaw the installation of Misuzulu as the new king of the Zulu nation amid fierce, internal disputes within the Zulu royal family about who was the rightful heir to the throne.

During his last days, it had become apparent that the two had fallen out, with a sickly Buthelezi questioning the new king.

Buthelezi turned 95 last month.
A Minnesota woman has resuscitated her effort to sue a police officer who jailed her as a teenager for two years on false charges associated with a sham sex trafficking investigation that the FBI once billed as its largest human trafficking crackdown. The case is another example of the legal labyrinth victims are required to navigate when attempting to get recourse after the government infringes on their rights and once again raises the question: How inoculated should those government officials be from civil suits for violating the Constitution?

Hamdi Mohamud's odyssey began over a decade ago when St. Paul police officer Heather Weyker had her arrested on witness tampering charges concerning a woman named Muna Abdulkadir, who allegedly attacked Mohamud and her friends at knifepoint. Abdulkadir was crucial to Weyker's sex-trafficking case, which, as the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit conceded, was "plagued with problems from the start." Some of those problems included Weyker lying under oath, coercing witnesses, editing police reports, and making up evidence.

The groundless charges against Mohamud were ultimately dropped, but not until she spent about two years in federal prison, where those accused of federal crimes are typically held pretrial.

When Mohamud sued, Weyker was denied qualified immunity, the legal doctrine that makes it difficult to sue state and local government actors unless their alleged misconduct was "clearly established" in a prior court precedent. Yet the 8th Circuit in 2020 overturned that decision, citing Weyker's position on a federal task force. Government employees at the federal level receive an even more muscular immunity.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

"Qualified immunity makes it very, very difficult to sue government officials," Patrick Jaicomo, an attorney at the Institute for Justice (I.J.), told me in 2021. "This makes it impossible." The U.S. Supreme Court further strengthened that protection in June 2022.

But previously unearthed documents on Weyker's cross-deputization call into question the notion that her activity was exclusively carried out under federal authority. "Weyker's deputization form listed her employer as the 'St. Paul Police Department' and explicitly disclaimed: 'This appointment does not constitute employment by the United States Marshals Service, the United States Department of Justice, or the United States Government,'" I.J. wrote in a complaint filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota, adding that the form "made clear that her federal authority was narrow."

In other words, Mohamud's attorneys have to convince the court that Weyker, in some sense, had a lower level of power than she previously claimed. It's a perverse concession to makethat elevated authority comes with an even lower standardbut it's the only one that, in our current system, gives them any shot at success.

The post A Cop Jailed Her for 2 Years on Fake Charges. Will She Ever Get Justice? appeared first on Reason.com.
Experts say U.S. military hegemony wrecks peace, violates human rights

Xinhua) 16:53, September 08, 2023

BEIJING, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- U.S. military hegemony over the past decades has brought chaos and conflicts worldwide, trampled on human rights and violated other countries' sovereignty, while causing damage to itself, experts have said.

The United States has a long and bloody history of military intervention and expansion, causing immense human suffering and instability around the world, said Mohamed A. Elchime, professional associate of political science at Helwan University in Egypt.

"The United States must change its ways and adopt a more peaceful and cooperative approach to foreign policy," said Elchime.

Contrary to the hegemonic stability theory, the U.S. military hegemony has not brought peace and stability to the world, said Dmitry Suslov, deputy director of the Center for Comprehensive European and International Studies at the National Research University Higher School of Economics in Moscow.

"On the contrary, the so-called unipolar moment was characterized by violations of international law and illegal military interventions," Suslov argued.

Speaking of the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan two years ago, Jalal Bazwan, a lecturer at Kardan University in Kabul, said it damaged America's reputation in the world.

The United States was seen as a superpower that could project its power and influence around the globe. However, the withdrawal from Afghanistan has shown that the United States is not invincible, and that it can be defeated by determined adversaries, Bazwan said.

"This has led to a decline in confidence in the U.S., and made it more difficult for the U.S. to build alliances and maintain its influence in the world," he said.

"We are in a transition of the world system, with very profound changes," noted Gabriel Merino, adjunct professor at the National University of La Plata, Argentina.

"It should be noted that the United States reproduces the pattern of development of the Western powers, combining capitalism, militarism and imperialism," Merino added.

The experts made the comments upon the release by Xinhua News Agency's think tank of a report that uncovers the damage and threats of U.S. hegemonic pursuits.

Xinhua Institute on Tuesday published "Origins, Facts and Perils of U.S. Military Hegemony," which outlines the formation of the U.S. military hegemony, summarizes the means Washington has adopted to maintain it and delves into its perils through facts and data. The institute also held a seminar attended by multiple experts either in person or virtually.

"We see how Washington, today more than ever, is promoting this war-military hegemony, and it is in this way that we applaud the report recently prepared by Xinhua in the part referring to the war-military expenditures of the United States, mainly around new zones of influence that Washington is increasingly trying to control," said Ignacio Martinez Cortes, a researcher at the National Autonomous University of Mexico.

"Within the United States, military spending is having an increasing impact on taxpayers. And it is at this point that we have this dilemma: U.S. military spending is increasing, but inwardly, U.S. human development is becoming weaker and weaker," said Cortes.

Since 2001, the United States has launched wars and military operations in more than 80 countries worldwide in the name of "anti-terrorism," which have directly resulted in the death of about 929,000 people, including 387,000 civilians, and displacing about 38 million people, the report said.

"History has shown us that hegemony in whichever form is neither necessary nor sufficient for global order. In most cases, the quest for hegemony or dominance has resulted in instability among civilizations," said Dennis Munene Mwaniki, executive director of the China-Africa Center at the Africa Policy Institute.

U.S. military hegemony is bound to backfire. "The pursuit of absolute security, political exclusion and military containment ...will not help establish a security framework, but lead to a dilemma and even turmoil," the report said.

The report is "of historic significance," said Zivadin Jovanovic, president of Belgrade Forum for a World of Equals.

"I have no doubts that this document will play an important role in strengthening global understanding, solidarity and coordination of efforts toward building a polycentric, more just, inclusive, truly democratic new world order," Jovanovic said.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Donald Trump s campaign for a second term alongside his prosecution for seeking to block the transfer of power following the 2020 election has raised questions over whether the former president can be barred from the ballot under a 14th Amendment provision targeting those involved in insurrections.

A handful of Colorado residents have launched a suit to remove Trump from the ballot there, a challenge that hinges on a clause in the 14th Amendment that states no person shall hold elected office who engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the United States.

Noah Bookbinder, president of Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW), which helped file the suit on behalf of six Republican and independent voters, equated the provision to other qualifications for running for office.

The 14th Amendment says that anybody who swore an oath to support the Constitution and then engaged in insurrection is disqualified, Bookbinder told The Hill.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

The Constitution says you need to be 35 years old to be president, [you need] to be a natural born citizen. And there are procedures in place for ensuring that only qualified candidates can run and can serve  This is sort of just another constitutional qualification.

While Trump has railed against the effort as another trick being used by the Radical Left Communists, Marxists, and Fascists, the renewed look at the little-used provision was sparked by a law review drafted by two conservative law professors.

It disqualifies former President Donald Trump, and potentially many others, because of their participation in the attempted overthrow of the 2020 presidential election, William Baude and Michael Paulsen wrote of Section 3 of the amendment.

But the rarely cited provision leaves open questions about how Trump would be removed from the ballot  or if proactive measures are even needed to do so.

While some legal experts and lawmakers have argued the clause clearly applies to Trump over his role in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol, others cast more doubt and note any challenges are likely to be tied up in court.

Legal experts split

Michael Luttig, a former federal judge appointed by former President George H.W. Bush, and Harvard law professor Laurence Tribe have argued in recent weeks that Trump is barred from being on the ballot again because of the 14th Amendment clause.

The two wrote in a piece for The Atlantic that Trumps efforts to overturn the 2020 election and the resulting attack on the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6 place him squarely within the scope of the clause.

The most pressing constitutional question facing our country at this moment, then, is whether we will abide by this clear command of the Fourteenth Amendments disqualification clause, the two wrote.

What is the 14th Amendment?

However, Michael McConnell, director of the Constitutional Law Center at Stanford Law School, expressed doubts about the likelihood of efforts to remove Trump from the ballot being successful.

This is uncharted territory. Any lawyer or scholar who tells you confidently one thing or the other is making it up. No one really knows, McConnell said. I think its pretty unlikely that these challenges are gonna succeed.

Further, McConnell argued that the claim that Trump himself engaged in insurrection, as stated in the amendment, could be difficult to prove based on his role in Jan. 6.

During his second impeachment trial, Trumps attorneys sought to make that case, arguing Trumps speech that day didnt meet the criminal bar for incitement.

But Bookbinder pushed back on that.

How we view the law is that engaging in insurrection is quite broad. It doesnt necessarily mean that youre involved in hand-to-hand combat. It can be organizing and inciting and inspiring and normalizing and some of those kinds of things, Bookbinder said.

Brian Kalt, a law professor at Michigan State University, noted that some have argued that a conviction should be necessary for any disqualification from the ballot, but that is not settled. He added that a conviction would certainly strengthen the case for disqualification.

While Trump is facing charges on numerous counts for his conduct leading up to Jan. 6, he was not charged under the Insurrection Act  a criminal statute that includes its own bar on holding elected office.

Bookbinder argued such a conviction would be unnecessary for determining whether Trump qualifies to hold office.

The case law and the history is strong that you dont need any criminal charges or conviction  you certainly dont need a criminal charge or conviction for insurrection  to have somebody be disqualified under the 14th Amendment. Its not a criminal punishment; its a qualification. And so its a totally separate legal standard, he said.

Uncertainty about enforcement

Where the parties agree is on the general confusion over how the constitutional provision would even be triggered.

While some states like Colorado allow for lawsuits, others prompt residents to petition the secretary of state for removal.

Free Speech For People has stopped short of any formal efforts, but it has flagged the issue for 15 secretaries of state, from both parties.

Still, Baude and Paulsen say election officers need not take any action at all.

They argue it would take an act of Congress to allow Trump to be listed as a candidate for office, citing a line in Section 3 that states Congress may by a vote of two-thirds of each House, remove such disability.

Trump on Friday filed a motion to remove the Colorado case to federal court, a nod to a potentially lengthy legal battle that could touch on any number of issues raised by the amendment.

Kalt noted that whoever loses the case would appeal, and he hopes the result of these challenges will be a more clear picture from the Supreme Court on what is considered an insurrection and what the right process is for determining the applicability of the 14th Amendment in a candidates eligibility.

Whoever wins the initial decision, it would get appealed up to the Supreme Court, which would hopefully provide some much needed clarity here, Kalt said.

The effort to remove a candidate from the ballot isnt entirely unprecedented.

A similar suit from CREW in New Mexico proved successful, with a state judge ordering Otero County Commissioner Couy Griffin removed from office immediately, citing his participation in the mob that stormed the Capitol.

It was the first time someone had been disqualified from holding office under the amendment since 1869.

I think its hugely significant as proof of concept that this is a protection for our democracy. That applies now, just as it did when it was put into place in the 1860s, Bookbinder said.

Secretaries of state weigh in

Still, further judicial clarity is appealing to secretaries of state as they face greater pressure to evaluate Trumps candidacy.

Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold (D) said she has been speaking with other secretaries of state on the issue and is hopeful that the case will provide guidance should it come up in other states.

I think its good that a court is considering these questions, Griswold said. And I hope the case provides guidance, particularly on Colorado law and that constitutional provision to my office and to offices across the nation about Trumps eligibility as a candidate.

She acknowledged that the situation is unprecedented.

My job ultimately is to follow the law and uphold the Constitution, and where there are questions of the Constitution or the law, its appropriate for a court to weigh in, Griswold said.

In New Hampshire, state Attorney General John Formella and Secretary of State David Scanlan, both Republicans, issued a statement in late August saying they were aware of discussion around the potential applicability of the 14th Amendment.

Neither the Secretary of States Office nor the Attorney Generals Office has taken any position regarding the potential applicability of Section Three of the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution to the upcoming presidential election cycle, the two said in a statement, adding that the attorney generals office was carefully reviewing the legal issues involved.

Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes, a Democrat, said late last month that he does not have the ability to bar Trump from the ballot because of a ruling by the Arizona Supreme Court.

McConnell, the Stanford law processor, was skeptical that the Supreme Court would ultimately throw a candidate with widespread support among the public off the ballot.

It was a concern also raised by Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, who has been a central figure in both a federal and state indictment brought against Trump for election interference.

In a Wall Street Journal op-ed this week titled I Cant Keep Trump Off the Ballot, he argued that using the 14th Amendment to boot the former president from the ballot would amount to short-circuiting the voting process.

For a secretary of state to remove a candidate would only reinforce the grievances of those who see the system as rigged and corrupt, he wrote.

Jared Gans and Julia Manchester contributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Councilman Kevin Phillips and Mayor Joe DeVito will square off in the Nov. 7 election for the Port Royal mayors job.

The filing deadline for the Nov. 7 election was noon Friday, and Phillips and DeVito both filed for mayor.

Phillips, an attorney, was first elected to a council seat in 2019. DeVito, a retired utility operator, was elected mayor in the same election after serving on the Planning Board for many years.

Two council positions also will be up for election, but they wont be contested because just two people filed.

One of the seats is currently held by Phillips. The other is held Councilman Jerry Ashmore.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Ashmore, the director of workforce development and safety at The Greenery, a landscape contractor, has filed to run for a third term. Also filing for a position on the council is Jorge A. Guerrero. Guerrero, a retired Marine sergeant major, is director of talent management for ERA Evergreen Real Estate Co.

The election comes as a major waterfront redevelopment is getting underway in the town. Officials also are preparing to overhaul Paris Avenue, the main street through historic downtown. A redesign of Ribaut Road is another big project the town will tackle in the coming months with other local governments and the state.
A couple is demanding Singapore Airlines refunds their 13-hour flight from Paris to Singapore.

Gill and Warren Press said they were sat next to a drooling, farting dog on the flight.

They said they ended up switching seats as it was too much to bear.

A couple is demanding that Singapore Airlines refunds plane tickets for their flight from Paris to Singapore because they were sat next to a dog that was farting, drooling, and "snorting" throughout the flight.

Gill and Warren Press, from Wellington, New Zealand's capital, told Stuff that they wanted Singapore Airlines to give them their money back for a 13-hour flight because of their unpleasant experience.

The couple said that they bought two premium economy seats on a Singapore Airlines flight but ended up moving to economy because they were sat next to another passenger's dog that was drooling and farting throughout the journey.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

The couple said they weren't informed that they were going to be sitting next to a dog prior to the flight.

"I heard this noise  a heavy snorting," Gill said. "I thought it was my husband's phone, but we looked down and realised it was the dog breathing."

She said it became too much to bear when it began farting midway through the flight and taking up Warren's legroom.

"[The passenger] couldn't have the dog out in the aisle because they couldn't get the trolleys through, so it had to come in further, which meant his head was under my husband's feet," she added. "My husband was in shorts, and was getting the dog's saliva goo on his leg."

She said they complained to a flight attendant who eventually offered them two seats in economy that had been reserved for Singapore Airlines staff.

She said the couple were assured that they would be contacted by the airline after they landed.

However, they said it took two weeks for the airline to reach out with an apology and an offer of two SG$100, or around $73, gift vouchers.

After Gill and Warren responded saying it wasn't enough to reflect the difference in value of the seat switch, they said the airline took nearly a month to make a counteroffer: two travel vouchers worth NZ$200, which is around $118, each.

But the couple say this still was not acceptable, and they are continuing to seek a full refund.

In a statement to Insider, a Singapore Airlines representative apologized to the couple for experience on their flight from Paris to Singapore.

"SIA endeavors to notify customers who may be seated next to an assistance dog prior to boarding," the representative said. "In circumstances where customers seated next to an assistance dog request to be moved, we will assist to re-seat customers within the same cabin if space permits."

"In this instance, we were unable to move Mr and Mrs Press within the same cabin as the Premium Economy Class cabin was full," they said, adding that the airline continued to be in contact with the couple.

Read the original article on Insider
A Broward judge has ordered the city of Miramar to pay $3.6 million to Anthony Caravella, who spent nearly 26 years in prison for a rape and murder he did not commit before he was released in 2010.

Broward Circuit Judge Carlos Rodriguez said the city of Miramar is on the hook for nearly half of the $7 million judgment Caravella won in a federal case against the officers who allegedly coerced him into confessing to the 1983 murder of Ada Jankowski, 58. Caravella was 15 at the time, and mentally challenged, when Miramar police and the Broward Sheriffs Office framed him for the slaying.

DNA evidence freed Caravella in September 2009 and he was formally exonerated six months later. The exoneration came after the South Florida Sun Sentinel and Caravellas youngest brother raised concerns about the case in 2001.

The lawsuit was filed in federal court, and a jury found in Caravellas favor in 2013, awarding him $7.5 million.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

That judgment came against the two Miramar now-retired police officers accused of coercing a false confession from Caravella, which ended up convincing a jury to convict him. Of that judgment, $4.5 million was punitive and leveled against the officers personally. The rest was against them in the course of their official duties, and thats where Caravellas lawyers had to go to Broward Circuit Court to compel the city of Miramar to honor the judgment.

Rodriguez ordered Miramar to pay $2.5 million in compensatory damages and nearly $1.1 million in interest and attorneys fees.

Related Articles

Its frustrating not to see that judgment come to fruition, said Donald Spadaro, an attorney acting as Caravellas legal guardian. We got that judgment in federal court 10 years ago and were still fighting for it.

Spadaro said he is expecting the city of Miramar to appeal Rodriguezs decision.

Caravella was the most prominent case in Broward County of a convicted inmate exonerated by DNA evidence. His lawsuit accused law enforcement of fabricating evidence and covering up information that would have cleared his name.

His lawyer, Barbara Heyer, declined to comment on the case Friday, She had also represented Jerry Frank Townsend, a mentally challenged man who won a $2 million judgment against the Broward Sheriffs Office after he was exonerated by DNA. Townsend had spent 22 years of a life sentence for the murders of six women.

The 1983 murder of Jankowski remains unsolved. Testing in 2010 linked the DNA found on her body to Anthony Martinez, the victims neighbor. He was the last person seen with Jankowski alive. Martinez, 44, died of a heart attack in November 2010.

Rafael Olmeda can be reached at rolmeda@sunsentinel.com or 954-356-4457.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba has admitted that the creation of the special tribunal for Russian war criminals was the only case where he failed to fulfil President Volodymyr Zelensky's order.

Source: Kuleba during the Yalta European Strategy forum on 8-9 September in Kyiv, as reported by European Pravda

Quote: "We need a special tribunal to create a precedent for punishing the Russian leaders, including President Putin, a prime minister whose name I cannot remember yet, and Foreign Minister Lavrov. Instead, the hybrid tribunal does answer the question of how to punish this trio."

Details: "Those who stand against the creation of the special tribunal make it clear that they consider Russia's crimes in Ukraine less important than the crimes committed during the war in Yugoslavia," Kuleba said.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

The Ukrainian minister admitted that the position of the G7 is leaning towards a hybrid tribunal even though a lot of countries, including Ukraine, support the creation of a special tribunal.

"The president has recently asked me what we created [to promote the idea of a special tribunal  ed.], and for the first time as a minister, I admitted that I could not propose a solution," Kuleba said.

Despite this, the Minister remains a supporter of such a tribunal.

"If the law does not meet the goal of achieving justice, then the legislation must be changed. So, then justice will become possible," Kuleba summarised.

Background: The Ukrainian authorities admitted that they would not be able to get support for the creation of the tribunal they proposed based on the UN General Assembly resolution, and instead agreed to a slightly modified format of the so-called hybrid tribunal.

Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron!
In the fight against students learning loss, numerous states and school districts have implemented new curriculum in reading and math, bringing fresh urgency to another important issue that needs to be tackled post-pandemic: educating the educators.

Since 2021, 23 states have switched their reading instructional style to the science of reading, according to a count by Education Week. And California, the nations largest state, has adopted a controversial new math framework that switches what math is taught in different grades.

While these new strategies could be useful tools against decades of progress lost in reading and math, educators are going to need time and resources to learn how to properly implement the changes in order for them to work, according to experts.

We are grateful that districts are revisiting curriculum, but theres another under-addressed or under-appreciated component of this equation, which is getting from the what we are teaching to the how we are teaching it, said Chase Nordengren, principal research lead for Effective Instructional Strategies at NWEA, an educational research organization.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

While many of these curriculum changes have been in discussion for years, the pandemic propelled officials to move forward  and the relief money schools have received from the federal government is fueling multiple lesson plan transitions.

The science of reading, for example, is an approach to teaching literacy that focuses on phonics, or sounding out words and knowing what sounds certain letters make together. It is replacing the long-used balanced literacy, which focuses on a whole language approach that teaches larger sounds and speech.

Nordengren said the school districts his organization works with are asking educators to go through several hours of professional learning around the core principles of the science of reading and some of those things they might have not gotten as much of in teacher education.

The State University of New York at New Paltz is launching Science of Reading Fundamentals cohorts this fall to help educators learn the pillars of the method, which will be used across New York Citys 32 school districts.

The microcredential at New Paltz will empower teachers with the knowledge and information needed to more effectively administer the educational programs within their school districts, Sarah Holbrook, instructional leader in the Middletown City School District and co-creator of the microcredential, said in the programs announcement.

The ability to get these changes implemented takes time as educators will have to learn how to teach this new method on top of all the other responsibilities they have during the school year.

This is an important time to make that shift happen because we know there are better ways to teach kids to read. But we also have to have the hold the expectation that its going to take a little while to build trust with educators to help them understand why these approaches that are based in science are better and more effective, said Benjamin Powers, director of the Global Literacy Hub at the Yale Child Study Center.

Then its going to take significant time to really train them and how to apply this in the classroom, Powers added.

The switch in curriculum in critical subjects comes as students have been found to be decades behind in learning from the pandemic.

The latest National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) in June showed average scores for 13-year-olds in reading dropped to levels seen in 2004. In math, scores matched those seen in 1990.

In California, the state sent out new guidelines restructuring when and how math is taught in different grade levels, sparking objections from critics.

Im thankful for everyone who worked tirelessly to develop this framework to ensure Californias students have equitable access to rigorous and high-quality math instruction that will prepare them for the future. The framework has struck a great balance in new ways to engage students in developing a love for math while supporting those on an accelerated path, said Mary Nicely, Californias chief deputy superintendent of public instruction.

California is now prioritizing data science, moving classes such as algebra to higher grade levels and using inquiry-based instruction.

Elementary school teachers, however, have already been shown to have high anxiety over teaching math even before the curriculum changes.

The National Survey of Science and Mathematics Education found in 2018 that only 3 percent of elementary school teachers have a degree in math or math education.

The Stanford Graduate School of Education is hosting an upcoming workshop focused on teachers in grades three through five called Teaching Mathematics through Big Ideas in the Elementary Years. The one-day, six-and-a-half-hour online workshop is available to all elementary school teachers and focuses on Big Ideas, a concept that aims to raise individual standards to a higher level so that students can learn mathematics as a meaningful subject of connected ideas.

Educators also have access to other organizations that aim to help them overcome math anxiety and provide support to bolster their skills.

John Mighton, founder of JUMP Math, a nonprofit that aims to give teachers resources to improve math instruction, advocates for the science of learning and says the way some teachers are asked to approach math changes can be challenging.

The actual math content can be a problem because a lot of, through no fault of their own, many elementary school teachers are mathphobic, or dont know the math deeply, Mighton said. Our solution was to write very detailed lesson plans for them and also even give them slides where they can project all the questions you want to ask the kids.

We tried to take that load off teachers and I think thats the only way you do it. You have to have a resource that allows them to learn the math as they teach it, he added.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Residents flee their homes after an aftershock Saturday in Morocco's Moulay Brahim village, near the epicenter of the deadly earthquake outside Marrakech. (Mosa'ab Elshamy / Associated Press)

Moroccan Americans across Southern California rallied together and expressed support Saturday in the wake of the deadly magnitude 6.8 earthquake that struck the historic city of Marrakech and surrounding villages.

By Saturday afternoon, the death toll from the Friday quake had risen to more than 2,000 with 2,000 more injured, officials said. The epicenter was in the High Atlas Mountains, about 45 miles southwest of Marrakech, a major economic center and popular tourist city of about 900,000 people.

What a devastation, said Anis Habib, owner of Casablanca Moroccan Kitchens, a Moroccan restaurant in Hollywood.

Habib said Moroccan Americans gathered at the restaurant after news of the earthquake broke, using the communal space to reminisce, vent and remember home.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Everybodys asking, 'How can we help? Weve been reaching out to NGOs in Europe to find ways to chip in. Send money or water, whatever we can do, he said. Everybody is Moroccan right now.

Read more: Photos: Powerful quake in Morocco kills nearly 3,000, topples homes and historic buildings

Habibs wife, Naimi, is originally from Marrakech. Her family still lives there. None of her relatives were injured, but their home was damaged.

Moroccans are strong," he said. "Rebuilding will be easy. Remembering those who died will be the hardest part."

The earthquake was the biggest to hit the country in 120 years, toppling buildings not designed to withstand such powerful shaking. In Marrakech, infrastructure dating to the 12th century was damaged or destroyed.







Said Lakhlifi, 59, traded text messages over WhatsApp with a friend in Morocco on Friday night when the earthquake struck.

The messaging app became indispensable as the temblor downed phone lines.

At that moment, I called to check on my parents, my brothers and sisters back home, said Lakhlifi, a Los Angeles resident. I have a brother who lives in Marrakech. It took him some time to get back to me. I was worried about him, but thank God he finally called me and said that he was good.

All of Lakhlifis family and friends escaped the earthquake unharmed, he said, but some of their homes had minor damage.

Lakhlifi, who grew up in Morocco before immigrating to California in 1989, serves as the chair and president of the Moroccan American Assn. of California.

The organization started in the early 1990s. Since then, it has hosted several cultural events over the years while offering charitable and social help to the local Moroccan American community.

With news of the earthquake, the association held a series of emergency meetings Saturday to coordinate relief efforts with larger organizations across the United States.

Lakhlifis group is looking to send food and money back to Morocco to help with the rebuilding effort.

We feel bad for all the people that have died, for those that have lost loved ones, Lakhlifi said. The real work starts now. As Moroccans, we have to do our part. We have to help as much as we can.

Others offered words of support on social media. The Instagram account Moroccans in L.A. on Saturday posted the message, Praying for our Morocco.

Los Angeles County Supervising Fire Dispatcher Ed Pickett said that the Federal Emergency Management Agency has alerted the county Fire Department, but that the State Department hasn't made an official request for aid.

We're on alert, but we haven't been officially requested, Pickett said.

That request could come as soon as Sunday morning.

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.
Ukrainian defenders held the initiative on the Avdiivka, Marinka and Shakhtarsk fronts over the past day, where they conducted assault operations to regain Ukrainian territory.

Source: General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, information as of 06:00 on 9 September

Quote: "The Ukrainian Defence Forces continue defensive operations in the east and offensive operations in the south of Ukraine, crushing the enemy and liberating the temporarily occupied territories step by step."

Details: Over 30 combat clashes took place over the past 24 hours.

Russia launched 13 missile attacks, 64 air strikes and more than 50 attacks using multiple-launch rocket systems on the positions of Ukrainian troops and civilian facilities.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

The Russian Federation launched another drone attack on Ukraine using 20 Shahed-136/131 attack drones, 16 of which were downed by Ukrainian air defence forces. The civilian population of the cities of Sumy and Kryvyi Rih were also affected by missile attacks.

The Russians launched airstrikes targeting the settlements of Bolohivka, Petropavlivka and Kyslivka in Kharkiv Oblast; Bilohorivka in Luhansk Oblast; Yampolivka, Zarichne, Siversk, Vesele, Bila Hora, Pivnichne, Stepove, Krasnohorivka, Urozhaine and Staromaiorske in Donetsk Oblast; Novodarivka, Chervone, Mala Tokmachka, Chervona Krynytsia, Robotyne and Yasna Poliana in Zaporizhzhia Oblast; and Kozatske and Odradokamianka in Kherson Oblast.

More than 50 settlements in Chernihiv, Sumy, Kharkiv, Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson oblasts came under Russian artillery fire.

On the Sivershchyna and Slobozhanshchyna fronts, the Russians continue to maintain a group of troops to cover the state border and conduct active sabotage activities in the border areas to prevent the deployment of Ukrainian troops to fronts under threat.

On the Kupiansk, Lyman and Bakhmut fronts which are within the scope of responsibility of the Khortytsia operational-strategic group of troops, the Russians ar continuing to attempt to break through the defences of the Ukrainian Armed Forces near Synkivka, Novoiehorivka, Orikhovo-Vasylivka and southeast of Dibrova, as well as to regain control of positions in the areas of Klishchiivka, Andriivka and Kurdiumivka. To replenish irrecoverable losses, the Russians are continuing to deploy reserves to these fronts and are forming assault groups mainly composed of convicts.

In the area of responsibility of the Tavriia operational-strategic group of troops on the Avdiivka, Marinka and Shakhtarsk fronts, the Defence Forces are holding the initiative and are continuing to put pressure on the Russians, conducting assault operations and recapturing Ukrainian land metre by metre.

Ukrainian defenders are successfully holding the defence near Avdiivka and Marinka, where the Russians made more than 10 unsuccessful attempts to drive the Defence Forces units out of their positions over the last day. In addition, all Russian attacks near Novokalynove, Krasnohorivka and Prechystivka in Donetsk Oblast resulted in significant losses in both manpower and equipment for the occupiers.

On the Melitopol front, the Ukrainian Defence Forces continue their offensive, inflicting significant losses in manpower and equipment on the occupation forces, forcing the Russians to withdraw from their positions. In turn, Russia is redeploying the most combat-ready units from the airborne forces to this front and is trying to regain lost ground. Thus, the Defence Forces repelled more than 10 such attempts in the area of Robotyne in Zaporizhzhia Oblast.

On the Kherson front, the defenders continue to hold the positions captured on the left bank of the Dnipro River, conducting counter-battery combat, destroying ammunition storage points and successfully striking at the Russians rear.

Over the past 24 hours, the Ukrainian Air Force carried out nine strikes on areas where Russian military personnel and equipment were concentrated. They also hit one command post and one anti-aircraft missile system.

Ukraines Rocket Forces and Artillery, as well as UAV units, hit an ammunition storage point, nine artillery pieces, six command posts and one electronic warfare station.

Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron!
Delaware native Sophia Andrews has recently been chosen to be in the running for a $100,000 award in the 2023 Chegg.org Global Student Prize.

The prize recognizes an exceptional student who is making a real impact on learning, the lives of their peers and on society beyond," according to Chegg.org.

Andrews selection comes seven years after her life changed in 2016.

At 14 years old, she was inspired to teach ballet to underprivileged kids after attending a trip to Kenya to visit a facility for abandoned children in Nairobi. It was there that she discovered that the students  who shared the same love as her for music, song and dance  lacked access to lessons. To help unlock the kid's passion for the creative arts, she created Ngoma Kenya, a nonprofit focused on bringing arts education to kids living in parts of Kenya.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Growing up in Bear, Andrews always loved helping others. When she founded Ngoma Kenya in 2017, Andrews envisioned the nonprofit as a creative way to combine her love for the arts and volunteering.

Now, Andrews is on the cusps of winning $100,000 through Chegg.org. The 21-year-old is one of 10 finalists selected out of nearly 4,000 students who applied from about 122 countries. She is the only American student among the 10 finalists.

If Andrews wins, the prize money will go toward her nonprofit's work, which has impacted at least 5,000 kids in Kenya. The winner will be announced later in the year, according to Chegg.org.

The Varkey Foundation partnered with Chegg.org to launch the annual Global Student Prize in 2021 to highlight students who make the world a better place. The prize is open to all students who are at least 16 years old and enrolled in an academic institution or training and skills program.

Delaware Online/ The News Journal caught up with Andrews to discuss the prize, her nonprofit and the joys of creative expression.

The following Q&A has been edited for length and clarity.

Question: What was your reaction when were told you had been selected as a top ten finalist in the 2023 Chegg.org Global Student Prize?

Answer: I was really speechless and trying not to cry because you just never think it's going to be you, especially with the contest having so many applicants. I'm really honored and excited that the work we're doing is being recognized. It's also really cool and exciting to represent Delaware and the United States.

Question: When did you initially become interested in advocacy work?

Sophia Andrews, founder and creator of Ngoma Kenya, leads a class in Kenya.

My aspirations started at a young age. I started at a performing arts group in Delaware called The Imagination Players. We would perform all over Delaware at different hospitals, schools, and nursing homes. We would perform music and dance in its largest repertoire and every week we would perform at different places. I did this from around 7-years-old to 16-years-old. During this time, I fell in love with using the arts of dance/song as a tool for advocacy and using it as a way to connect with people and improve their lives.

Question: What doors have been opened for you since starting this advocacy work in Kenya?

My work has opened up a lot of opportunities for me to meet new people. I ended up going to a American University in D.C to study international relations and Swahili. Also, I've had the opportunity to talk on various talk shows, meet new peers and connect them with work that were doing in Kenya and get young people from not only Delaware, but across the United States involved in the work that we're doing.

Question: What type of programs does your nonprofit, Ngoma Kenya, offer?

Sophia Andrews, founder and creator of Ngoma Kenya, working with kids from Kenya.

We have a few different types of programs. We have a menstrual health and hygiene program for girls called "Stand By Her." A few times a month we meet with girls mostly from marginalized communities and we use dance and music to connect with them in an empowerment session. Then we would give each girl three to four months' worth of pads. This is something we've done in jails, schools and churches. Also, during COVID we have worked to help single mothers and struggling families in a different communities across Kenya.

Question: If you won the $100,000 prize money from Chegg.org, how would you use the funds to support Ngoma Kenya?

The funding would be amazing because there are a lot of things on the horizon and a lot of impacts that we want to have, not only in Kenya but in other parts of the continent. A lot of it would go into the community center that were building and the work we already doing right operating with our classes and art education. It would help heighten those programs and expand our impact to different communities in Kenya and also help fund our fellowship program that we're looking to launch next year as well.

To learn more about Ngoma Kenya, visit www.ngomakenya.org.

More: DSU students offered chance for scholarship & career after military during college tour

Contact local reporter Cameron Goodnight at cgoodnight@delawareonline.com, or by calling or texting 302-324-2208. Follow him on Twitter at @CamGoodnight.

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Bear native named as top 10 finalist for $100,000 global student prize
FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE)  Homicide detectives are asking the public for information regarding a baby boys death in Fresno, the Fresno County Sheriffs Office said Friday.

According to deputies, around 10 a.m. on June 10, 2021, the Fresno County Sheriffs dispatchers took a call regarding a baby who was not breathing.

Deputies say they responded to the home on the 3800 block of Kenmore Drive in Fresnos Mayfair District. Deputies tended to the eight-month-old boy and found him to be deceased.

The Fresno County Coroners Office performed an autopsy and they say the baby boy died due to blunt force trauma, thus making it a homicide.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Sheriffs homicide detectives took over the investigation and say they interviewed several people at the childs home. Two years later, more information is still needed in order to determine exactly was happened.

Anyone with information regarding this case is encouraged to contact the Fresno County Sheriffs Offices Detective Aurelio Flores at (559) 600-8208 or aurelio.flores@fresnosheriff.org.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to YourCentralValley.com.
The N.C. Department of Environmental Quality is monitoring an ongoing fish kill in the Neuse River that environmental watchdogs are largely attributing to warm temperatures and a lack of rain.

The state agency has received about a dozen citizen complaints about ongoing fish kills in the Neuse River since Aug. 17. The fish kill is taking place around New Bern near Bridgerton and Union Point, downstream from Riverdale, according to a DEQ press release.

Hot temperatures and low amounts of rain could be contributing to low oxygen levels in that stretch of the Neuse, according to DEQ. Agency staff are also monitoring for algal blooms that could be contributing to low oxygen levels and said there is no indication of chemicals contributing to the fish kill.

Still, the agency is recommending that residents avoid water near the kill.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Sam Krop, the Neuse Riverkeeper for Sound Rivers, called the fish kill unsurprising due to this summers hot temperatures. Still, Krop said it is very significant.

Its been so hot and with the hot weather and lack of rain  even with the hurricane (Idalia) coming through, we didnt get nearly as much rain as we thought and the creeks didnt recharge. We still have really low water levels so we basically just had lack of oxygen in the water, Krop told The News & Observer.

The National Weather Services Newport/Morehead City office reported that in July, Eastern North Carolina was about two degrees Fahrenheit above average and saw about two inches less rainfall than average.

Those conditions persisted into August, with the New Bern area seeing about 5.5 inches of rain, less than the 6.81 inch average. The average temperature around New Bern was 81.2 degrees, up from a 78.9 degree average.

Many of the dead fish have been the more delicate menhaden, Krop said. But flounder and sunfish have also died in the area recently, showing that stronger species are now being impacted.

Thursday, Rocky Carter reported to DEQ finding 30 flounder dead on his lot near Bridgerton, northeast of New Bern on the Neuse. Carter also found countless dead croaker and pin fish.

If that extrapolates out over 2-5 miles, could possibly be a major event in these waters, Carter wrote.

Carters report was one of several DEQ has received around New Bern in recent weeks.

Another observer wrote on Thursday, Huge quantities of juvenile and adult menhaden swimming at the surface randomly and very lethargically. Seem to be gasping for air. Some swimming/floating on their sides.

Other observers have reported visible discoloration of the water, with thousands of dead menhaden floating in it. On Sept. 3, someone from Cherry Point Marine Corps Air Station reported finding a beach covered with dead menhaden.

There have also been at least two reports of algae blooms in the area. On July 20, a Cherry Point environmental affairs official reported finding a potential two-mile long bloom in the Neuse downstream of New Bern. DEQ did not investigate due to resource limitations, but recommended that people and animals stay away from the area.

The Neuse has chronically struggled with nutrient pollution. DEQ has reported the excessive amounts of nitrogen and phosphorous entering the river have contributed to past fish kills and algal blooms.

When that pollution overlaps with hot temperatures, Krop said, algal blooms develop. When the blooms die, they suck up oxygen in the water, creating low-oxygen hypoxic zones where fish cannot live. Then, from either wind or rain or other factors the hypoxic zones spread into other areas of the river and fish are left with nowhere to go.

We need rain and we also need to address nutrient pollution in the Neuse River, Krop said. Its an ongoing issue, and this is a symptom of it.

Anyone who sees a fish kill happening can make a report to DEQ via a public form or by calling 1-800-858-0368.

This story was produced with financial support from the Hartfield Foundation and the 1Earth Fund, in partnership with Journalism Funding Partners, as part of an independent journalism fellowship program. The N&O maintains full editorial control of the work.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) spoke Friday about the testy exchange he had with an audience member at a press conference the previous day, claiming his arguments were outrageous.

Its just outrageous to take an incident thats really been a gut punch to our state as well as to the Jacksonville community and to try to leverage that as a political cudgel to use against somebody that you disagree with politically, DeSantis argued in an interview on Fox News.

I am not going to sit there and stand for that, he said. I am not going to let anyone impugn me in that way. And we will fight back.

His comments come after an unidentified audience member shouted during a Thursday press conference that the Florida governor was responsible for the recent racist shooting in Jacksonville, Fla., that left three Black people dead.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

The audience member also accused DeSantis, who is also a 2024 presidential candidate, of enacting policies that hurt people like myself and the people that I love, including his children.

You have allowed weapons to fill the street into immature, hateful people that have caused the deaths of the people who were murdered a few weeks ago, he said.

The governor shot back on Friday, claiming the audience members issue was politically motivated and that he had nothing to do with the Jacksonville shooting.

I think it shows, you know, part of the problem with our society that people would stoop to that level, he said. We can have disagreements on issues, we can even be heated on issues, but to take some nutjob and to try to act like we were a part of that is absolutely absurd.

DeSantis has condemned the Jacksonville gunman for what authorities described as a racially motivated shooting.

This shooting, based on the manifesto they discovered from the scumbag that did this, was racially motivated, the governor said in a video message after the incident. He was targeting people based on their race. That is totally unacceptable.

But DeSantiss exchange with the audience member was not the first time he faced criticism following the attack. Despite his words, the governor was met with boos while he attended a vigil for the victims of the shooting, with one in the crowd yelling, He dont care.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Republican presidential candidate Ron DeSantis spoke in an interview with The Blazes David Rubin about his first GOP debate in Milwaukee, saying, he wasnt necessarily a target because of his record of success as governor in Florida.

Ive done the things that people are talking about that we need to do for this country  So, Im armed to say that Ive done it, DeSantis said.

DeSantis was asked about former President Trump not attending the first debate, saying, he [Trump] owes it to the public and him being entitled to the nomination is absurd.

During the interview, the Florida governor said he is ready for the next GOP debate as he believes it will be on a smaller stage due to some candidates not qualifying.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Its far be it from me to tell anyone who to run or not run, but you either have a path or you dont. And if you dont have a path, then we should focus on the candidates that have a conceivable shot at this, DeSantis said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Vehicles enter the main security gate at the Louisiana State Penitentiary  Angola Prison, the largest high-security prison in the country in Angola, La., Aug. 5, 2008. In a federal court filing dated Monday, July 17, 2023, advocates said that juveniles held in a former death row building at the Louisiana prison for adults are suffering through dangerous heat and psychologically damaging isolation in their cells with little or no mental health care, inadequate schooling and foul water. In the filing, advocates asked a judge to order that the youths be moved.



Vehicles enter the main security gate at the Louisiana State Penitentiary  Angola Prison, the largest high-security prison in the country in Angola, La., Aug. 5, 2008. In a federal court filing dated Monday, July 17, 2023, advocates said that juveniles held in a former death row building at the Louisiana prison for adults are suffering through dangerous heat and psychologically damaging isolation in their cells with little or no mental health care, inadequate schooling and foul water. In the filing, advocates asked a judge to order that the youths be moved.

After significant out-cry from juvenile justice advocates, the children housed at the infamous Angola prison in Louisiana will now be removed. On Friday, Chief District Judge Shelly Dicks ordered the removal of the minors from the adult maximum-security prison by September 15th.



Judge Dick ruled that the living conditions amounted to cruel and unusual punishment, violated the 14th amendment and federal law protecting children with disabilities. Dozens of children were housed within the former death row unit of Angola prison  a former slave plantation.

Read more

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

More from The Root

Sign up for The Root's Newsletter. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Click here to read the full article.
Children are pushed in their stroller as a family visits Disneyland. FREDERIC J. BROWN/Getty Images

Disney is agreeing to make individual payments to people who had a "Magic Key" pass to their parks.

The lawsuit arose when Magic Key pass-holders could not go to Disney parks on certain dates.

All Magic Key pass holders will benefit from the agreement if approved.

After over a year and a half of litigation, Disney is agreeing to pay out settlements to people who purchased Magic Key park passes in 2021.

The class action lawsuit was filed by Jenale Nielsen in Dec. 2021 in the Supreme Court of California in Orange County after she bought her Dream Key for visits to the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California.

Shortly after Nielsen bought her Dream Key pass for almost $1,400, she found out the pass description wasn't all she'd imagined  despite the promise of no blackout dates, over half of the days in the month she wanted to visit, November 2021, were unavailable.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

After more research, Nielsen found that there were still new tickets available for purchase, meaning the parks were not at capacity, according to the filing, but instead just blacked out.

The suit alleged that thousands of people may have been similarly impacted.

Now, in a proposal for the settlement's approval, Disney has agreed to pay out $9.5 million in the form of $67.41 to all of the class members. According to the settlement, the class includes over 100,000 people.

The individual settlement payment will not cover even one standard theme park ticket, which starts at just over $80 per day.

David Marcus, a law professor at the University of California, Los Angeles, told CNN that a judge will now have to give approval to the settlement preliminarily, and then assess its terms.

Those who were impacted will likely have to wait several months to receive a check, said Marcus, but can expect to get a notice of the settlement beforehand.

Lawyers for Disney and Nielsen did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment, sent outside regular business hours.

Read the original article on Insider
BELLAIRE, Mich.  Hed had enough of being at the animal shelter, so Scout the dog climbed over one tall fence and then another, crossed a busy highway in the darkness, entered the automatic doors of a nursing home down the road, walked unnoticed into the lobby, hopped onto a couch, curled into a ball and quietly went to sleep for the night.

An astonished nurse there found him the next morning. She called Antrim County Animal Control, whose shelter happens to be just down the road. The shelter discovered he had escaped from there the night before.

Scout was a stray mutt. He had no identity, no history. The shelter staff gave him his new name, but otherwise they knew nothing about him, though they noticed he had the distinct demeanor of an abused dog. Somebody apparently once shot him too, with BBs or birdshot, because his jowl still had some kind of round pellets embedded in it. You couldnt see them, but you could feel them if he let you touch him.

The sheriff came and took him back to the shelter.

Scout the dog sits on the couch in the lobby of Meadow Brook Medical Care Facility on Thursday, July 13, 2023. It's the spot where staff found him after he escaped from a nearby animal shelter.

But a few nights later there was Scout, back on that same couch in the nursing home lobby. Somehow he again scaled a 10-foot chain-link fence, then a 6-foot solid privacy fence, crossed a highway without getting run over, entered the front door unnoticed, jumped onto the same couch as before and made himself at home for the night.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

A call was placed again. He was brought back to the shelter again.

Just a couple of nights after that, Scout was back on the couch for the third time. And the staff had a decision to make.

Firefighters adopt hot car puppy: 6-month-old pup finds home with a Connecticut fire department after being rescued from hot car

Lost and found

Meadow Brook Medical Care Facility is a long-term medical care residence about an hour northeast of Traverse City. It cares mostly for seniors, some of whom have terminal illnesses or dementia or simply nowhere else to go or nobody to look after them. There are 82 beds split between several smaller households.

For some reason, this is the place Scout the dog decided to make his home.

Im a person who looks at outward signs, and if its meant to be, its meant to be, said Marna Robertson, 57, the nursing homes administrator. He did that one time, two times, three times, and obviously thats something that you should pay attention to. And I asked the staff: Well, he wants to be here. Would anybody like to have a dog?

Scout walks past residents of Meadow Brook Medical Care Facility in Bellaire on Thursday, July 13, 2023.

The staff formally adopted him. Suddenly the nursing home had its own pet. And the residents were delighted.

I think it reminds them of being home, said Rhonda Thomczak, 49, administrative assistant at Glacier Hill, the household where Scout was first discovered. When youre home you have your pets, and you dont get to have that here. Having a dog around makes it feel like home.

Scout has free rein here at Glacier Hill, which houses about 20 seniors. He wanders the halls at will, lies down wherever he wishes and visits residents whenever the mood strikes him. He learned how to get into their rooms by jumping up and using his paw to pull down on door handles. And he knows which residents keep dog biscuits in their walkers to give to him.

To each and every one of them, its their dog, said Jenni Martinek, 49, the nursing homes household coordinator, in whose office Scout has his bed and his toys.

'We woof you!'

Earlier this year, the nurses held a fundraiser in Scouts honor. They put his photo on social media and asked for donations to the animal shelter that brought him in off the street, and thus to them. Hundreds of dollars came in from strangers who heard how he got there. Someone even came by just to meet this dog they saw online. And in February, he was named Resident of the Month. We woof you! said the poster announcing the honor, written by the staff. Thank you for adopting us!

Meadow Brook Medical Care Facility resident Butch Craig, 80, gives a bone to Scout after shaking his paw on Thursday, July 13, 2023.

It was just after lunch on a summer weekday, and Scout was making his rounds to see his favorite residents. He visited Butch Craigs room, where the 80-year-old creates arts and crafts that are displayed along his windowsill. Scout comes here for biscuits, which he then buries in Craigs chair for later use.

The dog then walked down the hall to see Bob Shumaker, 84, whose room he enters in the middle of the night to wake him by pressing his wet snout against Shumakers face. It was startling at first, but now Shumaker likes it, so he pretends to be asleep while Scout repeats the snout press until Shumaker gives him a biscuit.

Watch how Scout brings joy to residents and staff at this nursing home in the video below.

Scout made his way to the living room, just outside the dining area, where he found Shumakers sister, Shirley Sawyer, 82, who now lives under the same roof as her brother, just like they did as kids. And like the others he visited before, her face lit up when she saw him. Hell always let you pet him and lets you talk to him if you need someone to talk to, she said, petting the dog. Its very nice.

Wherever did you come from, pup?

But Scout is still a mystery. Nobody knows where he came from, what his original name was, how he wound up a stray that was picked up and brought to the county shelter. And nobody knows what bad things happened to him.

All they knew is he was abused, Martinek said. He was just very scared.

Even now, his walk still has the slight hint of a cower, and his tail stays a little lowered even when its wagging. Hes frightened by loud noises. Hes leery in general of men who dont live there. Even jangling keys get him nervous for some reason. And his expression is softly somber.

Scout sits in a hallway next to Jenny Martinek, household coordinator at Meadow Brook Medical Care Facility in Bellaire, on Thursday, July 13, 2023. After finding the stray dog sleeping on a couch in their lobby, nurses at the facility had to decide what to do with him.

But most of all, nobody knows why he wanted to be here so badly.

You know, its really hard to say, Robertson said. Maybe he felt like it was a safe environment. He certainly has a penchant for the elders. Hes very in tune with what they need, especially our very vulnerable population. If they have dementia or if theyre dying, he knows that, and he will go and be with them and comfort them. He mustve just felt like he needed to be here.

Self-appointed protector

Indeed, as soon as he was given a home, he appointed himself its protector.

Hes always watching, making sure everybodys OK, Martinek said. If somebody is in the passing process, hes in and out of the room, checking on them. Hell even want to climb in bed with them.

He can sense that, added Stephanie Elsey, 42, the facilitys clinical care coordinator. Weve had a few in the past whose room he wont leave. We had a resident that when he was passing away, Scout wouldnt leave his room. He makes a good nursing home dog. He knows his job and hes good at what he does.

Cheryl Patton, director of nursing at Meadow Brook Medical Care Facility, pets Scout as he makes his way around the facility in Bellaire with clinical care coordinator Stephanie Elsey on Thursday, July 13, 2023. "He makes a good nursing home dog," Elsey said. "He knows his job and hes good at what he does."

Scout came home with Martinek one time, the night the facility held a loud disaster drill that they knew would scare him. I thought hed climb in bed with me and sleep, but he laid in front of my bedroom door, one eye open, watching to make sure I was safe all night long, because he was protecting, she said. He was so exhausted by the time he came back here.

A visitor rang the doorbell. Scout headed to the door, barked a few times and sat there waiting to see who was there. Hes not big and hes not menacing, but he goes through the motions anyway. He just kind of knows who belongs or doesnt, Martinek said. "So if the doorbell rings, he barks to let them know hes guarding.

Dog, woman rescued in Utah flood: Crews rescue woman, dog 150 feet down Utahs Mary Jane Canyon after flood swept them away

'He knows his job and hes good at what he does'

Later that day, Craig inched his walker down the hallway until he reached Martineks office. She was out, and he looked concerned. Im supposed to have pizza, he said to nobody.

Last fall, a friend he has known since childhood told him shed come by on July 13 this year to have a pizza dinner with him. They could go outside, she said, and sit in the sunny courtyard and enjoy pizza together in the fresh air of summer.

Scouts lays in the shade and remains on the lookout as Meadow Brook Medical Care Facility resident Bob Shumaker talks with household coordinator Jenny Martinek during an outdoor pizza party for another resident on Thursday, July 13, 2023. Hes always watching, making sure everybodys OK, Martinek said.

On July 13, Craig waited for the doorbell to announce her arrival. The dinner hour came and went, but the friend never showed up. He called her at her downstate home. It turned out she simply forgot her offhand promise to him.

But he didnt forget, Martinek said. And so he has looked forward to this for months. Months and months. Since before Christmas. And he was devastated.

The sight of him sitting in his room, alone and downhearted, was too much. When you spend five days with them you become close with them and they become part of your extended family, Martinek said. And you dont want to see them hurt.

Guarding the people he adopted

The next day, she threw him a pizza party of her own to show him he has friends who dont forget about him. In fact, she was out getting pizzas when Craig came looking for her. But he didnt know that. Im supposed to have pizza, he said again, roaming the halls, leaning on his walker. It started looking to him like a repeat of the day before.

This time, though, he wasnt stood up. Here came Martinek, his favorite nurse, with the pizzas she promised. Here came Shumaker and Sawyer, the brother and sister, who sit with Craig every day in the dining room at lunch, now summoned for the special party. And here came Scout, the dog that knows when someone isnt feeling great, as if sensing yet again where he was needed the most.

Meadow Brook Medical Care Facility household coordinator Jenny Martinek checks on resident Butch Craig, 80, as Scout lurks behind her during a pizza party for Craig and a couple of his friends on Thursday, July 13, 2023.

They all gathered at a table under the shade of a wide umbrella. Scout sat at their feet. Someone offered him a bite of pizza, but he didnt eat it. Maybe he had too many treats from the residents that day and wasn't hungry, they speculated. Or maybe he was just content to be included in the party with his favorites. Instead, he lay his head down between his paws, resumed his somber expression and went back to guarding the people he adopted.

I think he knows that this is his home and he is all of ours, so that gives him a sense of security, Thomczak said. And I think he just wants to protect that.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Dog repeatedly escapes animal shelter to sneak into nursing home
 Flash

A Chinese envoy on Friday called for international peace efforts to solve the Ukraine crisis.

As the crisis in Ukraine drags on, tensions on the ground remain high and the spillover effects are spreading more rapidly. The UN Security Council should work with a greater sense of responsibility and urgency to find ways to achieve cease-fire and restore peace at an early date, said Geng Shuang, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations.

"Priority should be given to making good use of the mediation tools granted by the (UN) Charter to promote the implementation of various peace initiatives and to leverage the core role of the international collective security mechanism," he told the Security Council.

The Ukraine crisis has complex causes and there is no easy fix. Its resolution takes concerted efforts of all parties, he said. "No matter how challenging it is, the door of political settlement cannot be closed; efforts to promote cease-fire and peace talks cannot relent; the process of diplomatic negotiations cannot stall."

China's position on the question of Ukraine has been consistent and clear. China has always maintained that the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries should be safeguarded, the purposes and principles of the UN Charter should be upheld, the legitimate security concerns of all parties should be taken seriously, and all efforts conducive to the peaceful settlement of the crisis should be supported, said Geng.

China stands ready to strengthen dialogue and communication with all parties and will continue to make constructive efforts to promote the political settlement of the Ukraine crisis, he said.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN)  At the end of the month, billions in government funding for childcare centers will run out, leaving Tennessee facilities concerned.

The American Rescue Plan Acts Child Care Stabilization program has been a lifeline for families and childcare facilities over the past couple of years, but in just a few weeks, the program is expected to end unless lawmakers act.

People are really scrambling to go, Okay, now what do we do? How do we address this moving forward? How do we make sure that we can keep the staff we have and recruit new good staff?' said Fannie Battle Day Home for Children Executive Director Kristie Ryan.

Fannie Battle is one of the oldest daycare facilities in the country and the second oldest in Tennessee, according to its website.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Meals on Wheels needs volunteers for Rutherford County food deliveries

The non-profit has received three rounds of government funding over the past couple of years. Ryan said the funds have helped keep the facilitys rates low and its staff quality high.

Staffing is still an issue. Its better than it was, I dont know, this time last year, for sure, but were still having challenges with keeping the good staff that we have, making sure that theyre, you know, they want to stick around, she said.

With many department stores and fast food chains raising their wages, childcare centers like Fannie Battle have been using these funds to stay competitive and retain talent, Ryan explained.

Many people dont realize how much is involved financially with operating a childcare center. There are lots of expectations as far as rules and regulations and continuing education. Thats really, really important for us to do, so in order for us to do just the basics, salaries are usually kind of at the tail end of what were able to fund at the end of the year, she said.

University of Tennessee approves new rule to admit top 10% or any student with a 4.0 GPA in every high school graduating class

At the moment, Ryan has made a promise to the parents of the more than 100 children under her care that Fannie Battle will not raise prices. However, she cant make that same guarantee for the years to come.

I dont know what next year will bring, she said. But thats always just the first step to go to is raising those rates and seeking additional funding from other sources.

The second step is either reducing her staff members salaries or not providing them with the bonuses and benefits shed like. This could potentially lead to employees leaving and the facility being able to care for fewer children.

The less we can do to change a situation for a child, the better. We want to try to be as consistent with the care as we possibly can, Ryan explained. Thats already been a challenge over the last couple of years, and thats not what we want to do.

 Read todays top stories on wkrn.com

A Better Balance, which is a worker advocacy non-profit, said this potential lack of funding in the future will impact more than childcare facilities.

When working mothers have to either potentially cut down on their hours at work or even leave the workforce altogether because they simply do not have access to affordable childcare, that has consequences for the entire family, said Feroza Freeland, the policy manager for A Better Balance.

Freeland wants to see lawmakers address the high prices, underpaid staff, and limited availability of childcare in the short term by giving out another round of funding, but she also wants to see them implement new initiatives to raise workers wages and make childcare more accessible.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.
President Donald Trump claims that his approval ratings among Black voters have increased fourfold since his Fulton County Jail mugshot became public.

However, five national public polls contradict this notion pushed by the former president and many other Republican pundits, indicating that any observed increase falls within the margin of error, which is typical for a relatively small voting demographic.

Former President Donald Trump after being arrested in the Georgia RICO election interference case after they allegedly worked to overturn the election results in Georgia. (Photo: Fulton County Sheriffs Office)

During an interview with conservative commentator Hugh Hewitt on Sept. 6, Trump made a grossly exaggerated claim that he had proof that many Democrats would be supporting him in the 2024 election.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Related: Youre Prohibited from Using It: Donald Trump Made Millions Selling Merchandise with His Historic Mugshot, But Legal Expert Says He May Have Violated Copyright Law

According to the twice-impeached Trump, since he was photographed for his Aug. 24 mug shot, Black Democrats, in particular, are more inclined to vote for him because they believe he is being unfairly prosecuted in the four criminal cases he has been indicted for.

The Black community is so different for me in the last  since that mug shot was taken, I dont know if youve seen the polls; my polls with the Black community have gone up four and five times, he said to Hewitt.

Fox News and conservative media figures suggested that Black voters might lean toward supporting Trump.

During a panel discussion, they proposed that his arrest could be seen as a badge of honor and potentially be appealing to Black voters. They also argued that, in their view, Trumps arrest could make him more relatable to the everyday experiences of Black individuals.

MSNBCs Joy Reid called this theory creatively racist.

News sources looked deeper at the polling numbers to see if the former commander-in-chief was telling the truth. They found that he stretched the facts a little. According to their research, there are no national public polls that support Trumps claim of a four and five times increase in Black support since his mug shot release.

Most polls conducted after the release of the mug shot did find a higher level of Black support for Trump than he had in previous polls  but the increases were within the polls margins of error, not massive spikes, so its not clear whether there was a genuine improvement or the bump was just statistical noise, CNN reported.

One poll found a decline in Trumps strength with Black voters in a race against Biden, while another found a decline in his favorability with Black respondents even as he improved in a race against Biden.

Trumps support among Black respondents saw modest increases, but those changes fell within the margin of error.

A poll by The Economist and YouGov showed he gained 3 percentage points, from 17 percent to 20 percent, in a race against President Joe Biden. At the same time, their survey showed Trumps favorability with Black respondents dropped by 9 points to 18 percent.

Messenger/Harris X also did a poll showing a 3-point gain, from 22 percent to 25 percent among Black registered voters.

Premises poll indicated a 6-point increase among Black adults, from 12 percent to 18 percent. Lastly, Echelon Insights reported the most significant jump, showing an 8-point gain, from 14 percent to 22 percent among Black registered voters.

Given the sample sizes, pollsters note that all these shifts remain statistically uncertain. They also do not reflect that his mug shot is the reason for the extremely slight rise in his numbers.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE.
Alabama teenager Mason Sisk was sentenced to life in prison for murdering his parents and three younger siblings as a judge said the crime was draped in unmitigated evil (WHNT)

An Alabama teenager was sentenced to life in prison for murdering his parents and three younger siblings as a judge said the crime was draped in unmitigated evil.

Mason Sisk, who was just 14 when he shot each of his family members through the head, was unmoved by the sentencing in Limestone County, reported WHNT.

Sisk did not face the death penalty because of his age at the time he committed the crime in September 2019.

Handing down the sentence of life without parole, Limestone County Circuit Judge Chad Wise said that Sisks crime was ghastly, disturbing, and draped in unmitigated evil and deserved the utmost punishment.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

A jury in the case deliberated for only two hours before finding 18-year-old Sisk guilty of the murder of his father John Sisk, 38, adoptive mother Mary Sisk, 35, and half-siblings Kane, six, Rorrie, four, and Colson, six months.

Ive prosecuted a lot of people in my career, and I can tell you that out of all of those people, only four out of five people scare the hell out of me and hes at the top of my list. Limestone County District Attorney Brian Jones said in a statement.

Mason Sisk is clearly one of the most dangerous people who will ever be sentenced in Limestone County. With this sentence today, Judge Wise has ensured that Mason Sisk will NEVER threaten another childs safety and wellbeing.

Prosecutors said that Sisk stole the murder weapon from a family friend and then confessed the crime to his then-girlfriend.

He also claimed he wanted to become a contract killer after bragging that he killed his family in four seconds.

Sisk explained his motivation for the murder to investigators in a taped conversation obtained by The Associated Press.

Yeah, they argue a lot, and I got fed up with it, Sisk told authorities, according to the news organisation. And the kids were going through a lot.

Authorities also stated that Sisk had previously tried to fatally poison his stepmother by putting peanut butter in her coffee, which she was severely allergic to.
Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) on Friday said the Supreme Court is in a crisis of its own making as justices continue to take a wrecking ball to the courts reputation.

Durbin made the comments in a Friday statement criticizing Justice Samuel Alito s decision not to recuse himself from a case involving an attorney with whom he has previously sat down for interviews.

Justice Alito, of the originalist school of thinking that empty seats on an airplane dont count as gifts, surprises no one by sitting on a case involving a lawyer who honored him with a puff piece in the Wall Street Journal, Durbin said in a statement on Friday. Why do these Justices continue to take a wrecking ball to the reputation of the highest court in the land?

The Court is in a crisis of its own making, and Justice Alito and the rest of the Court should be doing everything in their power to regain public trust, not the opposite, Durbin continued.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Attorney David Rivkin, who has sat down with Alito for two interviews, is representing the plaintiffs in a case before the court this term. Durbin previously demanded Alitos recusal from the case in a letter to Chief Justice John Roberts after The Wall Street Journal published the interviews.

Senator Durbins request for my recusal is presumably based on the theory that my vote in Moore will be affected in some way by the content of the articles that resulted from the interviews, but that theory fundamentally misunderstands the circumstances under which Supreme Court Justices must work, Alito wrote in response.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
McALLEN, Texas (Border Report)  Members of the Eagle Pass Border Vigil Coalition say they are disappointed by a federal appeals court decision late Thursday that allows the controversial border buoys put in the Rio Grande by the State of Texas to remain.

Court order allows Texas floating barrier on US-Mexico border to remain in place for now

Im very disappointed with everything having to do with the buoys, and I really want them out of the Rio Grande, Amerika Garcia-Grewal, of the Coalition, told Border Report on Friday.

A federal judge Wednesday ordered Texas must remove a string of border buoys from the middle of the Rio Grande in Eagle Pass. But on Thursday, an appeals court said the string can stay. (Sandra Sanchez/Border Report)

Along with the $1 million string of buoys, she says her group also wants other structures that the State of Texas has put in the river in Eagle Pass to be taken away.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

We want the concertina wire to come out of the river. The razor wire is very damaging to the environment. It cuts up animals. More than that it cuts up people  asylum-seekers, who are just wanting a better life. And so we very much want to have the buoys out. We want to have the concertina wire out and want the containers removed from where they are along the Rio Grande, she said.

Judges ruling ordering Texas to remove border buoys from river draws praise, ire

The Justice Department has sued Texas to get the 1,000-foot-long string removed from the river. A federal judge in Austin earlier this week ordered it removed by Sept. 15.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott visited the border buoys with four other Republican governors on Aug. 21, 2023. (Sandra Sanchez/Border Report)

But late Thursday, the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans said the marine barrier can remain in the river  at least for now.

Gov. Greg Abbott has vowed to appeal all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court.

After Wednesdays ruling, Abbott tweeted on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter: This fight aint over. Its only just begun.

During court testimony, the Justice Department said it would cost the state an estimated $300,000 and several weeks to remove the border buoys and heavy machinery currently in the Rio Grande in Eagle Pass across the border from Piedras Negras, Mexico.

Mexican officials have openly spurned the marine barrier.

State officials last month moved it closer to the U.S. shoreline after a report found most of the buoys were on Mexicos side of the international waterway.

The State of Texas moved the buoys closer to the U.S. shoreline in late August after a survey found the string was mostly on Mexicos side of the Rio Grande. (Sandra Sanchez/Border Report)

The Biden administration says it violates the Rivers and Harbor Act of 1899.

Abbott says it deters illegal immigration from Mexico.

Amerika Garcia-Grewal, right, of the Eagle Pass Border Vigil Coalition, wants the border buoys removed. (Sandra Sanchez/Border Report File Photo)

It is part of the over $5 billion that the state has spent on Operation Lone Star, the state border security initiative launched in 2021.

Garcia-Grewal says funds could be better spent improving education and infrastructure, specifically ensuring all South Texas residents have access to water.

A humanitarian approach to the border would have the additional benefit of boosting diplomatic relations between the U.S. and Mexico and beneficial to wildlife and the environment as well, the Coalition said in a statement Friday stressing border security without cruelty.

Visit the BorderReport.com homepage for the latest exclusive stories and breaking news about issues along the U.S.-Mexico border

Garcia-Grewal said if all structures are removed, then her coalition wants the shoreline of the river, which has been bulldozed for law enforcement access, to be turned into a river trail for Eagle Pass residents to use and enjoy the waterway.

Her group is planning another vigil to be held Oct. 2 in Eagle Pass at Shelby Park, which is where Texas DPS and Texas National Guard stage operations on the river.

Sandra Sanchez can be reached at SSanchez@BorderReport.com.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego.
(NEXSTAR)  For nearly a decade, a stunning but destructive invasive species has been spreading throughout the U.S.: the spotted lanternfly. With its dazzling spots and pair of bright red wings, it can be hard not to admire the bug  but would you consider eating it?

If you arent familiar, the spotted lanternfly is a moth-like insect native to China. It was first detected in the U.S. by a Pennsylvania forester in 2014. While it cant go very far on its own  with the help of wind and clear air space, the spotted lanternfly can only travel about a mile under its own steam, Shannon Powers, press secretary for the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture tells Nexstar  the invasive species has been found in more than a dozen states.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, that includes Connecticut, Delaware, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Rhode Island, Virginia, and West Virginia.

This insect is the spotted lanternflys worst enemy

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

The spotted lanternfly feasts off of fruit as well as ornamental and woody trees, especially the tree of heaven, a fellow invasive species native to China, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Specifically, the spotted lanternfly feeds on sap from over 70 different plant species, PennState Extension explains. The damage left behind can cause the plant to stress, draining its health and potentially killing it.

The insect also poses a threat to the wine industries across many states, like New York and Michigan.

If you find an adult spotted lanternfly, like the one pictured below, agriculture officials say to destroy it. To kill the spotted lanternfly, Virginia officials say to squash, stomp, or smash it.

If the insect hasnt been detected near you yet, make sure to take a photo of it, record where you saw it, and share that information with agriculture or wildlife officials before killing it.

This Thursday, Sept. 19, 2019, photo shows a spotted lanternfly at a vineyard in Kutztown, Pa. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

But what about eating it?

While it isnt an outright suggestion, the spotted lanternflies have not proven to be toxic to humans or animals, Powers says. In areas where the lanternfly is native, people have been known to consume them.

You may even find yourself eating a spotted lanternfly by-product.

As Powers explains, lanternflies largely eat sap, which they then shoot out as what entomologists call honeydew. Its part of the reason why the insects are so destructive  that honeydew can coat leaves, like those on grape plants, and block photosynthesis, thereby killing the plants.

Bees, however, eat the honeydew, which can create a darker-colored honey. It does have a smokey odor, according to PennState Extension, and is not as sweet as other kinds of honey. It also carries a lingering aftertaste, but Powers says people have eaten this honey with no ill effects.

There are other species that will eat the lanternflies as well, Powers notes.

Research has found that birds like chickens and cardinals have been spotted eating the spotted lanternfly, Anne Johnson, an entomology doctoral candidate at Pennsylvania State University told WESA. Other insects, including praying mantises, ants, wasps, and spiders, have also been known to feast on the bug.

Dont be mesmerized  you should kill this dazzling bug

There is even one species, known as the wheel bug, that has been known to lay its eggs next to spotted lanternfly egg masses, co-researcher and Penn State entomology professor Kelli Hoover told WESA. The wheel bugs hatch first, then wait for the spotted lanternfly eggs to hatch before devouring them.

Still, Powers warns the native species dont appear to eat the spotted lanternfly in the droves that they occur in.

For now, officials are still warning that if you see the spotted lanternfly kill it, and if you live in an area where it isnt known to be present, report it to local wildlife officials.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
Joseph Lawson has been charged in connection to the 2015 disappearance of Crystal Rogers (Nelson County Sheriffs Office)

On a sweltering summer day in 2015, Crystal Rogers car was found abandoned on the side of the Bluegrass Parkway in Bardstown, Kentucky. Her belongings were inside the unlocked vehicle, but the mother-of-five was nowhere to be found.

For years, the mystery of what happened to the 35-year-old has puzzled law enforcement, tortured her loved ones and haunted the small town of Bardstown, a place marred by a slew of unsolved killings in recent years.

Three months after Ms Rogers disappearance, Brooks Houck, her then-boyfriend, was named a suspect in the case. Investigators at the time said they believed she was dead. But her body has never been found. And he has never been charged.

Ms Rogers family never gave up the search for her and never stopped fighting for justice as her story continued to be shared on true crime podcasts and TV series.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Tommy Ballard looked for his daughter every day, never giving up his quest to find her. He created a Facebook page Team Crystal to help spread the word.

But 16 months later, the dedicated father was preparing to go on a hunting trip when an unknown assailant approached him at his family property and shot jim in the chest, killing him instantly. His case also remains unsolved.

Ms Rogers mother Sherry Ballard believes he was targeted because he was close to a breakthrough in their daughters case.

My husband is dead because he looked for my daughter, she told The Daily Beast in 2018.

The eighth anniversary of Ms Rogers disappearance passed in July. There had been no updates, and no arrests. Until now.

This week, the investigation took a sudden turn when it was announced a suspect had been charged in connection to the case. His name is Joseph Lawson and he has never been publicly named as a suspect or having any connection to this case.

Crystal Rogers (Nelson County Sheriffs Office)

On Thursday, 32-year-old Joseph Lawson was indicted on charges of criminal conspiracy to commit murder and complicity to tampering with physical evidence, according to court records. Kevin Coleman, Mr Lawsons attorney confirmed to WDRB that the charges are related to the missing womans case.

The arrest is the first major development in years.

So what happened to Crystal Rogers and what led to the first arrest in her case after eight years? Heres what we know.

What happened to Crystal Rogers?

Crystal Rogers has not been seen or heard from since the evening of 3 July 2015.

Later the same day, her red Chevrolet Impala was found abandoned with a flat tire at mile marker 14 on Bluegrass Parkway. Her keys, phone and purse were inside the car, according to the FBIs office in Louisville. But she was nowhere to be found.

In October of that year, Ms Rogers boyfriend at the time Brooks Houck, who is also the father of her youngest child, was named a suspect in the case.

Its believed he was the last person to see Ms Rogers at their Bardstown home where they lived with their son. He had never been charged.

Arrest of Joseph Lawson is major breakthrough in 2015 case

After eight years, a major breakthrough in the case came when authorities announced on Thursday that an arrest had been made in the case.

Joseph Lawson, 32, was charged with criminal conspiracy to commit murder and complicity in tampering with physical evidence.

The conspiracy to commit murder charge was filed 24 July and the charge of tampering with evidence was filed in June, according to Nelson County circuit court documents.

Mr Lawson has not been charged with Ms Rogers murder, but instead faces a conspiracy charge which means prosecutors believe he was involved in some way.

The indictment accused Lawson of tampering, saying he destroyed, mutilated, concealed, removed or altered physical evidence.

On Thursday, he appeared on Zoom as he was arraigned in Nelson Circuit Court. He has not previously been publicly identified as a suspect in Ms Rogers case.

Joseph Lawson is charged in connection to the death of Kentucky mom Crystal Rogers, who went missing in 2015 (Nelson County Sheriffs Office)

Ms Rogers was not mentioned by name in the indictment, but Attorney Kevin Coleman, who represents Mr Lawson, acknowledged his clients case is in relation to the mothers death, according to WDRB. He declined to comment further.

Its unclear if any other suspects will be arrested in the case.

A spokesperson for the FBI declined to comment on the indictment and did not give details or elaborate on whether investigators have arrested or will arrest others.

Mr Lawson was being held at the Grayson County Detention Center Friday on a $500,000 bond for the conspiracy to murder charge and a $50,000 bond for the complicity to tampering with physical evidence charge, according to court records.

He is due back in court on 26 October.

This isnt Mr Lawsons first brush with the law. He has a criminal past with charges including for the possession of methamphetamine, burglary, trespassing, and assault, WHAS11 reported.

Online sleuths in the Facebook group Team Crystal pointed out that one of Mr Houcks employees Steve Lawson was mentioned in a police interview following Ms Rogers disappearance.

In the recording of the interview, Nelson County detective Jon Snow is questioning Mr Houck about a late -night phone call with a specific number on the night that she vanished.

He dials the number and as its ringing, tells the detective its Steve Lawson.

Who is Steve Lawson? Snow asked.

Thats somebody who works for me, he replied.

A search of public records by The Independent revealed that Steve Lawson in Bardstown, Kentucky is related to Joseph Lawson, who is the same age as the one who was arrested this week.

The call between Mr Houck and Mr Lawson was captured on the recording with Mr Houck asking the man to remind him why he called him late on the night Ms Rogers went missing.

Just before that, he can be heard telling Mr Lawson, Its a difficult and trying time.

Mr Lawson responded that he had called him about a rental house and that he told him to speak to Katie who handles the properties and that she would get back to him. Mr Houck interjects and corrects him by saying it was Crystal.

After the phone call, Detective Snow asked Mr Houck why he told Steve Lawson that shed call him back when she apparently had been beside him in his truck at that moment.

Shes not gonna wanna mess with that kind of stuff that late, Mr Houck replied.

Crystal Rogers boyfriend was named a suspect in the case in 2015

Brooks Houck in a booking photo dated 3 November 2022, when he was arrested for non-payment of court costs, fees or fines. The charges were not related to Ms Rogers case (Nelson County Detention Center)

Brooks Houck, who was Rogers boyfriend at the time of her disappearance, was named a suspect in the case in 2015 by the Nelson County Sheriffs Office.

He was believed to be the last person who saw her.

Ms Rogers parents have said in previous interviews that they believe Mr Houck had something to do with their daughters disappearance.

But Mr Houck has never been charged with anything in relation to Ms Rogers disappearance.

When Nelson County Sheriff Ed Mattingly announced that Houck was a suspect, he said he believed Rogers was dead. Her body has not been found.

Fatal shooting of Crystal Rogers father remains unsolved

More than a year after Ms Rogers vanished, her father, Tommy Ballard, was shot and killed by an unknown assailant on his familys property.

It happened in November 2016 as he was preparing to go hunting, according to FBI Louisville. His case remains unsolved.

Before his death, the 54-year-old had searched endlessly for his daughter and created a Facebook group called Team Crystal to try to find her.

Tommy Ballard (FBI Louisville)

Mr Ballards father, Till Ballard, said he believes the two deaths were related. He spoke to the Lexington Herald-Leader on Friday and said he hopes the arrest in Ms Rogers case will lead to a break in his sons killing.

Tommy wasnt going to stop searching ... somebody had to stop him, Till Ballard said. I think he knows something about Tommy, too, he added about Mr Lawson.

The FBI, which is investigating both cases, has not commented on the latest in Ms Rogers case or Mr Lawsons arrest.

FBI renews investigation in 2020

Crystal Rogers case has gone unsolved for years as it was turned over several times between agencies.

It was transferred from the Nelson County Sheriffs Office to Kentucky State Police before the FBI took over in August 2020.

In January 2023, Attorney General Daniel Cameron appointed a special prosecutor to investigate Ms Rogers and Mr Ballards deaths.

On 3 July, the eighth anniversary of her disappearance, FBI Louisville tweeted it made significant progress in bringing this case to its rightful conclusion over the past year.

The FBI took over the Crystal Rogers case in 2020 (FBI Louisville)

The FBI is also investigating the fatal shooting of Ms Rogers father, who was killed 16 months after her disappearance (FBI Louisville)

We continue to pursue every available lead until those responsible for Crystals disappearance are held accountable, FBI Louisville said at the time.

In October, the FBI searched a farm in Bardstown that was one of the last places Rogers was seen alive before vanishing. Its a farm that belongs to Mr Houcks family.

The FBI office declined to comment on Mr Lawsons arrest.

Multiple Houck family properties searched

Federal authorities announced in August 2020 that they were taking over the investigation in Ms Rogers disappearance which led to a slew of searches at properties belonging to the Houck family.

One of the properties was the home of Mr Houck and another belonged to his brother, Nick, who in a bizarre twist, was a former police officer who was fired for allegedly interfering in the Rogers investigation.

Another search was conducted in 2021 with the FBI Louisville office claiming they had found multiple items of interest at one of the Houck properties.

And in October 2022, the feds launched a five-day search at Mr Houcks farm. The FBI says it wont comment on exactly what was collected.

Search operations have concluded in Bardstown. FBILouisville, @Nelson_Sheriff, @BardstownPD, @kystatepolice want to encourage the public to continue to come forward with information regarding Crystal's disappearance. Contact us at 1-800-CALL-FBI or visit https://t.co/AmXmuc2NAI. pic.twitter.com/dvrvZ5E6RW  FBI Louisville (@FBILouisville) October 21, 2022

Unsolved killings have haunted Bardstown for years

Ms Rogers case is not the only unsolved mystery in Bardstown, Kentucky. There are also four unsolved murders that have thrust the small town into the headlines over the past few years. The FBI is investigating all four murders.

Year after year, tragedies struck this small town, Jessica Noll, journalist and host of the podcast, Bardstown, previously told Nancy Grace. Ms Noll created the podcast to attempt to figure out if the crimes are connected and examine how the brutal murders impacted the small town of about 13,000.

In May 2013, Bardstown Police officer Jason Ellis was on his way home around 2am when he noticed the road was blocked by freshly cut trees. When he got out of the car to investigate, someone shot and killed Mr Ellis.

A year later, in April 2014, mother and daughter, Kathy and Samantha Netherland, were found brutally murdered at their home. Kathy had been shot multiple times and Samantha was found stabbed with her throat slit.

The fourth person murdered was Ms Rogers father, Tommy Ballard, whose death in November 2016 has been investigated as a murder, according to the Kentucky State Police.

The FBI has created a website called crystalrogerstaskforce.com where updates are provided on the cases.
Elon Musk defended his decision to block a Ukrainian attack that could have decimated Russia's navy.

Per a new biography, he refused Ukraine use of his Starlink network to make the attack in 2022.

Musk appears to believe that by blocking the attack he prevented a nuclear war.

Elon Musk spent Thursday and Friday scrambling to justify his decision to thwart a major Ukrainian attack on Russia's navy by denying it access to Starlink internet.

Musk argued repeatedly that he had avoided a nuclear war by thwarting the attack, believing that would have been Russia's response had it gone ahead.

He was under pressure after an outraged response from Ukrainian officials, who said Musk was responsible for the deaths Russia's ships had gone on to cause, and was trying to "play god" by intervening.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

The attack, in September 2022, was with underwater drones strapped with explosives, and was aimed at the Russian navy in Crimea, the Ukrainian peninsula Russia has occupied since 2014.

The attack features in the forthcoming biography of Musk by the writer Walter Isaacson and became public knowledge Thursday when The Washington Post published an excerpt describing the details.

Per the excerpt, when Musk realized the attack was underway, he asked Starlink engineers to cut service within 100 kilometers of Crimea, meaning that as the drones approached they stopped working and drifted away. It said he feared the attack would be a "mini Pearl Harbor."

Ukrainian officials soon hit back. Mykhailo Podolyak, an adviser to Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's office, wrote: "By not allowing Ukrainian drones to destroy part of the Russian military fleet via Starlink interference, Elon Musk allowed this fleet to fire Kalibr missiles at Ukrainian cities. As a result, civilians, children are being killed."

Olexander Scherba, an official in Ukraine's foreign ministry, said Musk was trying to "play god" by intervening.

Prominent critics of Russia, like the famed chess player Garry Kasparov and the anti-corruption campaigner Bill Browder also criticized Musk.

He defended his actions, posting on X that to allow the Starlink access would have left its operator SpaceX "explicitly complicit in a major act of war and conflict escalation."

Per Isaacson's excerpt, the Russian ambassador to the US had told Musk that an attack on Crimea would prompt Russia to use nuclear weapons, a threat he believed.

Most of Musk's justification came in replies to a post on X making a similar point, titled "ELON PREVENTS NUCLEAR WAR?"

Musk also argued that his decision was more passive than reported.

He said "SpaceX did not deactivate anything," and that, contrary to Isaacson's excerpt, there was not any service around Crimea to begin with.

Instead, Musk said, Ukraine asked him to create coverage, and he declined.

In a later post, Isaacson said Musk was correct and that he also agreed with Musk's assessment that the decision prevented a war.

"The onus is meaningfully different if I refused to act upon a request from Ukraine vs. made a deliberate change to Starlink to thwart Ukraine," Musk wrote in another post.

He also cited Starlink's terms of service, claiming they "clearly prohibit Starlink for offensive military action, as we are a civilian system, so they were again asking for something that was expressly prohibited."

A copy of the terms on Starlink's website was more limited  it said the system was "not designed or intended for use with or in offensive or defensive weaponry" but did not say that was prohibited. It does say that Starlink can cut service to military users if it chooses to.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Elon Musk 's biographer clarified a key detail from his upcoming book on the SpaceX CEO.

It had said that Musk thwarted a Ukrainian offensive by turning off Starlink coverage near Crimea.

His biographer clarified that "Ukrainians THOUGHT coverage was enabled all the way to Crimea, but it was not."

Elon Musk's biographer clarified a key detail about how the SpaceX CEO thwarted a major Ukrainian attack on a Russian fleet in Crimea.

Musk had come under fire for reportedly foiling the Ukrainian plot to strike the Russian fleet in Sevastopol in occupied Crimea.

The botched attack, which happened in 2022, required Musk's Starlink satellites, which have been active in parts of Ukraine almost from the outbreak of Russia's full-scale invasion.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

In an excerpt from the author Walter Isaacson 's upcoming biography on Musk, published by The Washington Post on Thursday, it said that Ukraine was planning a "sneak attack" using Starlink to guide six drone submarines laden with explosives to its target.

But Musk, fearing a nuclear war, "secretly told his engineers to turn off coverage within 100 kilometers of the Crimean coast," which foiled the attack as the drones lost connectivity.

Isaacson has since posted on Musk's platform X, formerly known as Twitter, to clarify the details of what happened, saying: "To clarify on the Starlink issue: the Ukrainians THOUGHT coverage was enabled all the way to Crimea, but it was not. They asked Musk to enable it for their drone sub attack on the Russian fleet. Musk did not enable it, because he thought, probably correctly, that would cause a major war."

Initial reports said that Musk turned off a Starlink network that was already covering Crimea, but Isaacson's clarification claims that there was no coverage in the area to begin with.

Musk responded to Isaacson's post, thanking him for the edit and providing further details of Starlink's operations in Ukraine.

"Much appreciated, Walter," he wrote. "The onus is meaningfully different if I refused to act upon a request from Ukraine vs. made a deliberate change to Starlink to thwart Ukraine. At no point did I or anyone at SpaceX promise coverage over Crimea."

He added that, as a "civilian system," Starlink was prohibited from use in military offensives.

"So they were again asking for something that was expressly prohibited," he added.

Read the original article on Business Insider
 Flash

Voices affirming unity and the need to reject bloc confrontation have come under the spotlight in the just-concluded three-day summit by ASEAN leaders with Asian and Western counterparts.

ASEAN must not be an arena of destructive rivalries, Indonesian President Joko Widodo said during the opening of the 43rd ASEAN Summit on Tuesday. He urged the regional grouping to stay united and not be a proxy to any power.

"Don't make our ship, ASEAN, become an arena of rivalry that causes damages to each other," he said. "Make our ship the foundation to build cooperation and create prosperity, stability and peace, not only for the region but also for the world."

Widodo called on the United States to become a positive force in ensuring that the Indo-Pacific remains a stable, peaceful, and prosperous region through concrete and inclusive cooperation. "ASEAN has agreed to continue to serve as the locomotive of peace and stability in the region, where the Indo-Pacific must become a platform for collaboration."

The biggest challenge facing the Asia-Pacific region, especially East Asia, is that the United States is attempting to provoke geopolitical confrontation in the region, said Zhai Kun, deputy dean of the Institute of Area Studies of Peking University.

"Apparently, ASEAN countries do not want to follow suit," Zhai said.

Other ASEAN leaders share similar views. Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong once said, "We do not want to end up with rival blocs forming or countries having to take one side or the other."

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres commended such a spirit and said "ASEAN has been an important factor for unity in the divided world."

The world has been stretched to the breaking point by a cascade of crises, from the worsening climate emergency and escalating wars and conflicts, to growing poverty, widening inequalities, and rising geopolitical tensions, said the UN chief.

Amid rising geopolitical tensions, Southeast Asia is fulfilling a "vital role in building bridges of understanding" worldwide, he said.

The truth is Asia-Pacific countries are seeing vibrant development and mushrooming opportunities ahead. The path they choose to embark on determines the future of the region.

In his first participation in the ASEAN summits, Chinese Premier Li Qiang highlighted commonalities among Asian countries and called on them to properly handle disagreements and disputes.

Li travelled Wednesday aboard a train on test run along the Jakarta-Bandung high-speed railway connecting Indonesia's capital Jakarta and the country's cultural hub Bandung, the site of the legendary Bandung Conference of the Third World.

When Bandung Conference was held in 1955, similar choices were put on the table for Asian countries: united for development or entangled in confrontation. For coping with the complex international situation at that time, then Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai proposed "seeking common ground while reserving differences."

This week during the ASEAN summits, Li also said, "to keep differences under control, what is essential now is to oppose picking sides, oppose bloc confrontation, and oppose a new Cold War and to ensure that disagreements and disputes among countries are properly handled."

The more difficult it is, the more regional countries need to stay together, show solidarity and coordinate with one another, Li said.

The current momentum of China-ASEAN cooperation remains robust, Kao Kim Hourn, secretary-general of ASEAN, told Xinhua. "It's going very strong," he said.

China and ASEAN remain each other's top trading partner. Latest data from China's General Administration of Customs showed, for the first seven months in 2023, the total trade value between China and ASEAN was 3.59 trillion yuan (519 billion U.S. dollars).

Analysts said Washington's de-risking binge failed to contain China but pushed it away. China's largest export market is no longer the United States, but Southeast Asia.

According to a list of China's initiatives for the ASEAN summits, future cooperation between the two sides is going to involve more innovation areas like digital technology, new energy vehicles, the photovoltaic industry and artificial intelligence.

Kao, the ASEAN chief, said that there will be continuous collaboration, focusing particularly on "economic cooperation and economic integration" as well as boosting trade.

ASEAN groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. It is aligning ASEAN community's Post-2025 Vision, a roadmap for common prosperity, with the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative.

"We want to see proposal that will be visible to the people," he said. "They will bring in more investment, more trade, many more jobs for the people."

In the meeting between ASEAN and China on Wednesday, Lee Hsien Loong said that the two have forged close bonds of friendship over the past three decades.

"As we look ahead to the next phase of our comprehensive strategic partnership, I am confident that we will build an even stronger ASEAN-China relationship based on mutual trust and respect," he said.
X, the company formerly known as Twitter, is suing California over a state law passed last year that lawmakers say aims to make social media platforms more transparent.

The law, Assembly Bill 587, requires social media companies to disclose their policies, including what content users are allowed to post on their platforms and how it responds when they violate the platform's rules. The companies are required to submit this information to the California attorney general by January 2024. The attorney general's office would then make those reports public online.

In the lawsuit, filed in a federal court in Sacramento on Friday, X alleges the law violates the 1st Amendment's free speech protections and would pressure social media companies to moderate "constitutionally-protected" speech the state finds "undesirable or harmful."

"The legislative record is crystal clear that one of the main purposes of AB 587  if not the main purpose  is to pressure social media companies to eliminate or minimize content that the government has deemed objectionable," the lawsuit states.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Read more: California lawmakers pass new social media protections for minors

The lawsuit highlights the ongoing challenges lawmakers face as they try to make social media platforms safer amid concerns about hate speech, child sexual abuse and misinformation. It also comes after X started to rethink how it enforces its own policies since Elon Musk, who has described himself as a "free speech absolutist," took over the social media platform last year. The company says it restricts the reach of tweets that may violate its rules  which prohibit harassment, hateful conduct and other potentially harmful speech  but stopped publishing formal biannual reports about how it enforces those policies.

Content moderation, the practice of reviewing users' posts and deleting those that violate standards, has been a political issue. While Democrats say social media platforms haven't done enough to moderate content, allowing harmful messages to spread, Republicans have accused these companies of censoring speech. NetChoice, whose members include X, also sued the state last year to block a children's online safety law from taking effect, alleging it would lead to removal of lawful speech.

Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel (D-Encino), who wrote the bill that X is challenging, said in an interview he's a "believer in free speech" and when lawmakers drafted the legislation they were mindful of constitutional concerns.

The law, he said, doesn't require companies to have content moderation policies and is purely about transparency.

"I'm very hopeful and optimistic that this lawsuit is not going to succeed and that the courts are ultimately going to find this law is constitutional," he said. "We put a lot of thought into that."

The attorney general's office didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.

Read more: California lawmakers kill bill aimed at making social media safer for young people

Social media platforms such as X already publicize what content users are and aren't allowed to post. But X says in the lawsuit it has a problem with providing the attorney general's office with more detailed information about how it's moderated content on "controversial and politically-charged issues."

The lawsuit also alleges that it would burden social media companies with keeping track of its daily content moderation decisions. A social media company that violates the new law would also be liable for a penalty of up to $15,000 per violation per day.

Since Musk's takeover of Twitter, the company has lost roughly 80% of its employees and struggled to attract more ad dollars.

Get the best of the Los Angeles Times politics coverage with the Essential Politics newsletter.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Turkiye President Recep Tayyip Erdogan calls on G-20 leaders to meet some of Russia's demands to renew the grain agreement.

Source: Bloomberg

Details: The media, citing three Turkish officials, notes that Turkiye is asking world leaders to help insure Russian food and fertiliser exports by London's Lloyd's Bank and reconnect Moscow to the SWIFT system for international payments.

G20 members are expected to speak out about the importance of the grain agreement to meet demand in developing countries, especially in Africa, and call for an end to "military destruction" or other attacks on relevant infrastructure.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

In addition, they will call for "immediate and unimpeded deliveries of grain, foodstuffs, and fertilizers/inputs from the Russian Federation and Ukraine".

Turkish officials report that Turkiye is telling its partners that the way to renew the agreement is to ease some of the sanctions that Moscow says are preventing it from importing agricultural equipment such as tractors or spare parts for them.

Turkiye's efforts are unlikely to affect Ukraine's allies in the United States and Europe, and Erdogan's acceptance of Russia's demands underscores the challenges he faces in balancing after Moscow's invasion of Ukraine. Turkiye is seeking to resume supplies as part of a UN-backed agreement that Moscow withdrew from in July.

Ukraine is also negotiating with Romania and Bulgaria on an alternative sea route that would pass from Ukrainian ports through Romanian territorial waters. However, this route can potentially only cover a fraction of the needs.

Background:

Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron!
Escaped prisoner Danelo Cavalcante was spotted twice Friday within the Chester County search area, Pennsylvania State Police said, as officials appear to narrow in on the fugitive by reducing the search zone.

Authorities said these were "visual sightings" in the zone around Longwood Gardens, a public esplanade in the county. They did not provide further details. A new wanted poster was released Saturday.

Escaped prisoner Danelo Cavalcante. (Chester County Prison via AP)

Cavalcante, who was sentenced last month to life in prison without the possibility of parole after he was convicted of fatally stabbing his former girlfriend, slipped out of the Chester County Prison in Pocopson Township on Aug. 31.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Surveillance video showed that he stretched himself across the brick and cinderblock walls in the exercise yard and climbed to the roof. Inmate Igor Bolte had briefly escaped in a similar fashion in May, prompting the prison to install razor wire on the roof, which Cavalcante was able to evade.

A prison guard who was on duty when Cavalcante, 34, escaped has since been fired, a Chester County spokesperson said Friday. The guard, who has not been identified, violated prison policy by having a cellphone in the tower, the spokesperson said.

Around 400 law enforcement officers from various agencies have assisted in the search. A perimeter of about 4 square miles was being searched Saturday, down from the roughly 10-mile perimeter they had on Friday.

Officers have used heat-sensing technology, K9 dogs and helicopters as they combed through portions of Chester County. Lt. Col. George Bivens with the Pennsylvania State Police said the search had been complicated by heat and high humidity, but officers "are up to the task."

A reward of up to $20,000 is being offered for tips that lead to Cavalcante's arrest.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
As investigators continue the manhunt for Danelo Cavalcante, the escaped prisoner and convicted murderer from Chester County Prison, the story has sparked interest worldwide, particularly with internet sleuths who have covered a wide range of topics on the case.

From going to the area where the search continues for him to people in the area expressing their safety concerns, to those even trying to figure out his potential escape route, the posts are endless.

The story has taken on a life of its own, especially on TikTok.

Teenagers in the area have posted memes thanking him for getting them out of school after district cancellations. True crime TikTokers have done in-depth videos on what the media knows about Cavalcante, and even conspiracy theories have swirled on the app pertaining to his escape.

This embedded content is not available in your region.

Cavalcante is one of many that internet audiences have focused on, as true crime continues to be a high interest for many around the world. Other cases include the death of Gabby Petito, a woman who was killed by her fiance Brian Laundrie while traveling together in 2021, to even stories of American serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer and his life before and during the killings, which happened at a time long before social media existed.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Television companies like Netflix have also cashed in on the incredibly high interest expressed for true crime stories, a plethora of options offered to viewers that offer a look into the life of criminals.

THE LATEST: As manhunt shifts to Longwood Gardens, Delaware ready if prisoner crosses state lines

How social media impacts ongoing cases

The interest on social media can create an issue, however, for ongoing cases. People want to figure out where Cavalcante is, what his motive was, and how he was able to escape the prison. This has led to theories and assumptions about the case, spreading misinformation about the manhunt.

"He isn't in there any longer," said one commenter on a TikTok video about Cavalcante. "He's long gone from that area."

"I heard he's in Pittsburgh," said another.

One video depicting Cavalcante's escape asked why he was wearing high tops instead of prison slippers. Users in the comment section agreed. (According to Chester County Prison's website, if worn into the institution, sneakers with no metal parts are allowed.)

U.S. Marshals and local officials have offered a $10,000 reward for Danelo Souza Cavalcante after he escaped from a Pennsylvania prison on Aug. 31, 2023

As the hunt for Cavalcante continues, those on social media now have to figure out what is real about the case, while sifting through theories and misinformation about his escape.

But, social media sleuths can also have the opposite effect, providing information to their audiences that media and police may not be offering, with one example being a video looking at an aerial view of the prison and analyzing his escape. It has also provided a place for those in the area to update worldwide audiences of their local perspective.

This embedded content is not available in your region.

"Perimeter has moved again and now includes the roads I use to run my errands," read one TikTok of a local resident. "They also have been searching our local dairy farm."

A comment on the video read, "I live in England, we have our own manhunt going happening but I'm more hooked on a manhunt across the pond instead."

As TikTok and other social media platforms have become a place to get news, citizen journalists have also grown exponentially, providing coverage on mass interest events such as Cavalcante.

SEE SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING: Tips on escaped Chester County convicted killer keep coming in. Which are credible?

Some users have been seen at press conferences hosted by police, interviewing local people in the area, and showing the perimeter where Cavalcante is possibly located.

One TikTok captured a scene of authorities with weapons in the area, saying that "this is getting serious now."

As police continue to search for Cavalcante in Pennsylvania, the world seems to be watching the case through social media, wondering when he will be captured.

"I live in PA," read one commenter on a TikTok video explaining the case. "It's crazy how I'm hearing more about this through TikTok than anywhere else."

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Search for Danelo Cavalcante is taking social media by storm
In recent weeks, swastikas and anti-Semitic graffiti have appeared on multiple campuses in our region, including Del Dayo Elementary School in Carmichael. Last November, a known Proud Boy got 21% of the vote for a competitive school board seat in the region. And now, a school board member within the same district, Tanya Kravchuk, has rejected funding for anti-bias training. Her reason? Shes worried the states curriculum will create bias against people with deeply held religious beliefs, insisting that sections on gender do not force teachers to violate their conscience.

These incidents all occurred at a school district right here in Sacramento County: the San Juan Unified School District.

Opinion

You might be wondering why a city council member from Sacramento is concerned about what happens at a school district outside her area. I know and care about a lot of people who work at, govern and attend San Juan schools. A lot of city of Sacramento residents attend and work at these campuses. More than that, though, is my concern about how schools  and our children  are becoming increased targets for political extremists.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

A recent series of articles from ProPublica, Chaos at the School Board, puts stories and photos to this scary trend.

Once considered tame, even boring, school board meetings have become culture-war battlegrounds in recent years, the ProPublica series states. On dozens of occasions, tensions have escalated into not just shouting matches and threats but also arrests and criminal charges.

Whats happening at San Juan is a warning bell for our region that we should all be taking very seriously. Influencing actions at school boards is not the end goal: The same Proud Boy who ran for school board at San Juan, Jeffrey Perrine, now routinely calls into Sacramento City Council meetings to spew anti-Semitic rhetoric and other hateful speech. He is not alone.

Scholars have warned that people may be less likely to run for office if they fear for their safety. Its just common sense. Intimidating qualified candidates from putting their names on the ballot is just one of many tactics currently being used to shift the politics of our elected bodies.

As someone who has faced threats to my safety, I understand how real that dynamic is. While I decided to run for reelection, I have talked to many who havent  or who have decided to sit out an election entirely  due to fear for their personal safety and their families well-being.

San Juan is only one of many targets, but we cannot allow our kids futures to be influenced by people who only seek to spread their harmful agendas. This will not stop until we loudly and clearly declare, in every space it appears, that hate is absolutely not welcome here.

You have an opportunity to help. The San Juan Unified School Districts Board of Education has their next meeting on Tuesday, September 12 at 6:30 p.m. in the board room of the district office, located at 3738 Walnut Avenue, Carmichael. You can also email the board at boardmembers@sanjuan.edu.

Please show up and speak up. We cannot allow hate and bigotry to go unanswered.

Katie Valenzuela is a city council member in Sacramento.
Claim:

Honeybees were not considered endangered in the U.S. as of September 2023.

Rating:

Rating: True

Context:

Honeybees are not native to North America and have never been considered threatened or endangered in the U.S. However, as of August 2023, there were at least nine bee species (not honeybees) native to the continent that were listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act.

Whether North American honeybee populations were endangered in the U.S.  and thus awarded special protections by the government under the Endangered Species Act (ESA)  has been the topic of online discourse since at least 2017. Some social media users have suggested that the small, buzzing insects are under threat, while others claim that honeybees face no threat of extinction:

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

U.S. wildlife officials have never considered honeybees endangered or threatened, and they've never been listed under the ESA.

"[Honeybees] are not endangered, threatened, or even all that imperiled. In fact, there may be more honeybee hives on the planet right now than ever before," Rich Hatfield, a conservation biologist with expertise in endangered species, told Snopes via email.

As of this publication, Hatfield worked for the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation, a science-based nonprofit organization with a focus on the conservation of invertebrates. He told Snopes that there are over 20,000 known bee species in the world, roughly 3,600 of which are native to North America.

Honeybees, however, are not included in the latter category. Honeybees, most notably the species Apis mellifera, were introduced to the continent in the 17th century from Western Europe, Africa, and parts of Asia. Just as their origins differentiate from native U.S. species, so do their life-cycle characteristics.

"The main difference between honeybees and most [U.S.] native bees is that native bees are largely solitary. They don't live in hives, they don't have a division of labor, they don't have queens, they don't make honey, [and] they don't make honeycombs," Hatfield, who is also a member of North America's International Union for the Conservation of Species Bumblee Specialist Group, told Snopes

Actually, due to bee-keeping efforts, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Economic Research Service reported that U.S. honeybee colonies were on the rise between 2010 and 2020.

All of this is not to say that no bee species have ever been considered endangered in the U.S. Indeed, there were nine species of bee listed as "endangered" under the ESA as of Sept. 5, 2023.

Passed in 1973, the ESA protects plant and animal species that are of "esthetic, ecological, educational, recreational, and scientific value to our nation and its people." At-risk species undergo an evaluation by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, after which the agencies determine whether a given species is endangered or threatened:

Endangered species are "any species which is in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range."

Threatened species, meanwhile, are "likely to become an endangered species within the foreseeable future throughout all or a significant portion of its range."

Though honeybees are important for the U.S. agricultural community, it is thought that their populations impact native pollinators and compete with endemic bees for the environment and resources. Honeybees may transmit diseases and could pose risks to other native plant species and wildlife

Sources:

Are Honey Bees Native to North America? | U.S. Geological Survey. https://www.usgs.gov/faqs/are-honey-bees-native-north-america. Accessed 6 Sept. 2023.

Berberis. "Can We Drop the 'save the Honeybees' Thing, Please?" R/Beekeeping, 10 Oct. 2018, www.reddit.com/r/Beekeeping/comments/9n1l32/can_we_drop_the_save_the_honeybees_thing_please/.

Fisheries, NOAA. | NOAA Fisheries. https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/topic/laws-policies/endangered-species-act. Accessed 6 Sept. 2023.

---. "Endangered Species Act | NOAA Fisheries." NOAA, 13 June 2023, https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/national/endangered-species-conservation/endangered-species-act.

How Many Species of Native Bees Are in the United States? | U.S. Geological Survey. https://www.usgs.gov/faqs/how-many-species-native-bees-are-united-states#:~:text=There%20are%20over%2020%2C000%20known,sized%20species%20of%20carpenter%20bees. Accessed 6 Sept. 2023.

Ididitthestupidway. "TIL That Honey Bees Are *not* Endangered." R/Todayilearned, 21 Aug. 2023, www.reddit.com/r/todayilearned/comments/15x18qm/til_that_honey_bees_are_not_endangered/.

Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/p/CFpKd5ljAyc/. Accessed 6 Sept. 2023.

Listed Animals. https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp0/reports/ad-hoc-species-report?kingdom=V&kingdom=I&status=E&status=T&status=EmE&status=EmT&status=EXPE&status=EXPN&status=SAE&status=SAT&mapstatus=3&fcrithab=on&fstatus=on&fspecrule=on&finvpop=on&fgroup=on&header=Listed+Animals. Accessed 6 Sept. 2023.

"North America - BumbleBeeSpecialistGroup.Org." IUCN SSC Bumble Bee Specialist Group, https://bumblebeespecialistgroup.org/north-america/. Accessed 6 Sept. 2023.

Number of U.S. Honey Bee Colonies Rises as Honey Yield per Colony Drops. http://www.ers.usda.gov/data-products/chart-gallery/gallery/chart-detail/?chartId=102065. Accessed 6 Sept. 2023.
Claim:

An authentic NASA photograph taken by the Hubble Telescope shows the "Serenity Nebula."

Rating:

Rating: Fake

For years, an alleged photograph of a giant cloud of dust and gas in the far reaches of space called the "Serenity Nebula" has been circulating across the internet. Some posts claim the image was captured by NASA's Hubble Space Telescope, which is known for its ability to observe distant stars and galaxies.

Serenity Nebula by Hubble. pic.twitter.com/5NatEYKW8D  The Science World (@scienceworld224) August 22, 2023

https://www.facebook.com/journeytospacex/photos/a.2013744042178031/3246059288946494/?comment_id=585615939848160if_id=1660832503476711if_t=feedback_reaction_generic&ref=notif

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

The above image is not a real photograph of a so-called "Serenity Nebula." No such nebula has been documented, and the image is in fact a digital rendering of a nebula.

The image has been circulating through social media posts since at least 2017, and has been reposted on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram, among other sites.

NASA describes nebulae as "clouds of gas and dust that can be the birthplace of stars, the scene of their demise  and sometimes both." We searched for evidence of this image on NASA's "Hubble's Nebulae Gallery" photographs series and could not find it, though many of the real nebulae look similar to the image in question. We also searched the NASA website for more information about the so-called "Serenity Nebula" and found no research, coverage, or even mention of it.

Some posts credited "Casperium" on the website DeviantArt, which features an online community of artists who upload their works, as the image's creator. It had indeed originally been uploaded onto DeviantArt back in 2012 by the artist "Casperium," who wrote in the caption, "THIS IS NOT STOCK. It gets me that people can not respect my copyrights. NO REPOSTING OF MY ART UNLESS YOU ASK PERMISSION FIRST. Found it on tumblr and who knows where it is out there now. grrrrrrrrrrrr."

Social media posts featuring the image appeared to have rotated it before uploading.

Many comments under the post on DeviantArt alerted the artist to where the image was being uploaded. The artist said individuals who uploaded the image would be contacted and asked to take it down. "Casperium" also responded to one comment with: "Lots of them on there are credited wrong. Unfortunately people think it is a NASA image. Thanks for letting me know."

Given that the image appeared to be an original artwork on DeviantArt, and that we found no evidence of such a nebula on NASA's online resources, we rate this so-called photograph as Fake.

Sources:

Belleville, Michelle. "Discoveries - Hubble's Nebulae." NASA, 26 Oct. 2021, http://www.nasa.gov/content/discoveries-hubbles-nebulae. Accessed on 6 Sept. 2023.

Belleville, Michelle. "Hubble Space Telescope." NASA, 24 Sept. 2019, http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/hubble/main/index.html. Accessed on 6 Sept. 2023.

Belleville, Michelle. "Observatory." NASA, 24 Sept. 2019, http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/hubble/observatory. Accessed on 6 Sept. 2023.

NASA Hubble Space Telescope. "Tarantula Nebula." photo, 11 Jan. 2023. Flickr, https://www.flickr.com/photos/nasahubble/52689428666/. Accessed on 6 Sept. 2023.

"Serenity Nebula by Casperium." DeviantArt. 29 Mar. 2012, https://www.deviantart.com/casperium/art/Serenity-Nebula-292954219. Accessed on 6 Sept. 2023.
(Reuters) - Leaders of the world's biggest economies begin a two-day G20 summit on Saturday in India's capital of New Delhi.

As India hosts such a powerful group of world leaders for the first time, New Delhi has been adorned with ornamental flowers and fountains at traffic roundabouts, with a fresh coat of paint for public buildings and sidewalks were spruced up.

Security is being provided by 130,000 police and para-military troops, along with anti-drone systems and cutouts of langurs to scare off monkeys, while stray dogs have been cleared from the streets.

WHAT IS THE G20?

The world's 20 major countries formed an economic grouping after the Asian financial crisis in 1999 on the understanding that crises spilling across borders needed better international economic co-operation to tackle them.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

The bloc accounts for 80% of global gross domestic product (GDP) and 75% of international trade.

It includes Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Britain, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, the United States and the European Union.

Although only treasury chiefs met in initial years, the heads of all member nations decided to meet once a year for a summit after the 2008 financial crisis.

The G20 is discussing a plan for the African Union to join.

WHAT ARE THE KEY ISSUES THIS YEAR?

India's year-long presidency has seen discussions centre on issues such as more loans to developing nations by multilateral institutions, reform of international debt architecture, regulations on cryptocurrency and the impact of geopolitics on food and energy security.

The bloc has failed to issue any joint statements this year, as it is deeply divided over language referring to the war in Ukraine.

While Russia and China oppose blaming Moscow for the war, Western countries, such as Canada, France and the United States, have sought a strong condemnation as a necessary condition for a joint statement.

A draft circulated among members on Friday left blank a paragraph on the geopolitical situation, suggesting that differences remained unresolved.

SUMMIT THEME

India's G20 theme derives from the Sanskrit phrase "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam" which translates to "The World is One Family".

WHEN AND WHERE IS THE NEXT MEETING

India will hand the presidency to Brazil on Dec. 1.

(Compiled by Aftab Ahmed and Shivangi Acharya; Editing by Raju Gopalakrishnan and Jacqueline Wong)
 Flash

An influential Bangladeshi lawmaker has voiced confidence in China playing a positive role at the Group of 20 (G20) summit in building an open, inclusive and balanced climate resilient world that benefits all.



Hasanul Haq Inu, chairman of Bangladesh's Parliamentary Standing Committee for Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, told Xinhua that some progress needs to be seen on certain issues at the G20 summit on Saturday and Sunday in India.

There exists nations and countries with diverge objectives on one Earth. So to make a harmonious world, bilateral, regional, multilateral differences need to be reduced, Inu said, stressing the need for common approach on economic-social-environmental issues to reduce differences.

"According to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), food security, poverty, energy security, climate security needs to be addressed seriously. At the same time, protectionism tendency is visible which also needs to be resolved," said Inu, president of the Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal, an ally of Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's ruling Grand Alliance.

"I see China has very positive on all these issues," the Bangladeshi political veteran said, adding, "Therefore China can play a very positive role in the upcoming G20 meet."

Although G20 members have differences, said Inu, there are some common issues which provide potentiality for further unified decision for progress.

With regard to the field of green development and addressing climate change, Inu said, "China has successfully reduced carbon emissions. And its international commitment is also good."

"China is now the leading country in renewable energy development, especially in wind and solar sector," he noted, saying China can show the way within G20 and be a global leader in climate financing.

Noting that there is a possibility of extending G20 by including the African Union, Inu said, "This is good."

He said the Global South voice and representation is very weak in these institutions, such as United Nations, World Bank and International Monetary Fund. "China also can address these issues within G20 and be a champion of Global South's interests."

Within G20 there is a need to discuss reinvigorating the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) agenda by 2030 and for that South-North Initiative is necessary, he added.

Noting that political issues should not affect the decisions on economic issues, the politician said there are trade restrictions in many countries, which is harmful for smooth supply chain.

He believed that China can help promote and encourage others for food security, flow of smooth international trade, and on innovation of new technologies.
Daniel Khalife

A close family member of the suspected terrorist Daniel Khalife has urged him to hand himself in as the search for the escaped fugitive entered its fourth day.

Khalife, a 21-year-old former soldier, broke out of HMP Wandsworth on Wednesday and has been spotted walking away from a food delivery lorry less than a mile from the prison gates.

Detectives are offering a 20,000 reward for information that leads to his capture.

On Friday evening, a family relative called for Khalife to give himself up and blamed the British Army for the turn of events.

If I could talk to him, I would tell him to end this and give himself up, even though I understand he is afraid, the relative told the Times newspaper adding that the 21-year-old is a very, very intelligent, easy going and kind boy.

The chef outfit Daniel Khalife was wearing when he escaped - Metropolitan Police

It is believed Khalife is of Iranian descent and had visited Iran twice as a child, the newspaper reported.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Once as a baby, when he was taken by his mother to see his family, and again when he was aged six or seven.

Khalifes family reportedly believes the Army had failed to give him proper guidance and has to answer for what happened.

It came as the Metropolitan Police offered a 20,000 reward for anyone with information that leads to the arrest of Khalife.

More than 48 hours after he escaped from the category B jail in south London on Wednesday morning clinging to the underside of a food delivery truck, a member of the public came forward to report a sighting.

The former soldier who was wearing a distinctive chefs uniform including red and white gingham trousers, was seen by a member of the public walking away from the Bidfoods lorry and heading to Wandsworth town centre, only minutes after he had successfully escaped.

Police released CCTV of the lorry - Metropolitan Police

It is the first confirmed sighting of Khalife, who was awaiting trial on charges he tried to pass military secrets to Iran, and police said it could be very significant.

Commander Dominic Murphy of the Mets counter-terrorism command, said: This remains a fast-paced and dynamic investigation, but I want the public to know that a large number of officers are working extremely hard to locate Khalife.

We have now received more than 100 calls from the public, and we thank everyone who has contacted us with information.

The sighting near Wandsworth Roundabout could be very significant, and this is one of many useful lines of inquiry that officers are pursuing.

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.
In her Spring/Summer 2024 collection, designer Marrisa Wilson brings new life to the aesthetics of Guyana and old Americana.

Wear your soul is the tagline of CFDA designer Marrisa Wilsons eponymous label. That ethos was clear as she presented her Spring/Summer 2024 lookbook in tandem with New York Fashion Week.

In a departure from recent Fashion Weeks, the first-generation Guyanese-American designer didnt bring her collection to the runways this season. Instead, she is inviting fashion lovers on a journey to the Caribbean for a fantastical homage to her heritage titled Wild Coast.

Looks from Wild Coast, featuring custom fabric by Marrisa Wilson. Photo: Karston Tannis for Marrisa Wilson

Per a release to theGrio, This dynamic line of ready-to-wear styles envisions a harmonic blend of Caribbean cultures within Guyana, finding beauty through unexpected balance. The clothing exudes inspiration from both the Rupununi region, a remote savannah grassland made up of sprawling ranches and inhabited by indigenous cowboys, and the vibrant coastal plain where lush tropics and native fishermen reside.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

The collections inspiration may be specific, but much like the biodiversity throughout the Caribbean islands, it is yet another manifestation of Wilsons multifaceted aesthetic.

Through my collections, theres an opportunity for people to see Caribbean culture in a more nuanced light, Wilson told Womens Wear Daily in August as she participated in the Buy From a Black Woman initiative. The Caribbean is not one monolithic culture. Its so much more than just idyllic beaches and white sands.

As the release notes, Wild Coast bears the hallmarks of Wilsons label  handpainted prints, bold colorways, and expertly crafted textiles. New innovations include a garment-dyed cotton netting she developed in tribute to Guyanas cast net fishing trade. Blending both sides of her cultural identity, the Spring/Summer 2024 collection fuses elements of Guyanese history with the classic Americana aesthetic  specifically, Western wear.

Clever, unexpected pairings include cowrie shell accents embroidered onto trucker jackets, cotton netting combined with tailored suiting, tropical floral-lace applique motifs embellished onto maxi dresses, and self-fabric laser-cut palm fringe on cargo skirts, the label explains. Much like the merging of the Indigenous people and European settlers who have informed Guyanas history, In MW SS24, these two distinct cultures and aesthetics are merged, creating one beautiful, soulful Calypso sound.

"<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Cw5XlLKgrdN/">Wild Coast</a>" Look 1

Photo: Karston Tannis for Marrisa Wilson

Look 2

Photo: Karston Tannis for Marrisa Wilson

Look 3

Photo: Karston Tannis for Marrisa Wilson

Look 4

Photo: Karston Tannis for Marrisa Wilson

Look 5

Photo: Karston Tannis for Marrisa Wilson

Look 6

Photo: Karston Tannis for Marrisa Wilson

Look 7

Photo: Karston Tannis for Marrisa Wilson

Look 8

Photo: Karston Tannis for Marrisa Wilson

Look 9

Photo: Karston Tannis for Marrisa Wilson

Look 10

Photo: Karston Tannis for Marrisa Wilson

Look 11

Photo: Karston Tannis for Marrisa Wilson

Look 12

Photo: Karston Tannis for Marrisa Wilson

Look 13

Photo: Karston Tannis for Marrisa Wilson

Look 14

Photo: Karston Tannis for Marrisa Wilson

Look 15

Photo: Karston Tannis for Marrisa Wilson

Look 16

Photo: Karston Tannis for Marrisa Wilson

Look 17

Photo: Karston Tannis for Marrisa Wilson

Look 18

Photo: Karston Tannis for Marrisa Wilson

Look 19

Photo: Karston Tannis for Marrisa Wilson

Look 20

Photo: Karston Tannis for Marrisa Wilson

Wild Coast Look 1

Photo: Karston Tannis for Marrisa Wilson

While the new collection presents an exciting evolution for Wilsons namesake label, she is nevertheless missed on catwalks this season. The two-time Fashion Scholarship Fund Winner and the winner of the 2023 FGI Rising Star Award for Ready-to-Wear is one of few Black women designers to regularly present at Fashion Week, a disparity Wilson noted when speaking with WWD.

The challenge as a Black woman in the fashion industry is that we are so often the muse, the source of inspiration, but you dont see us placed in positions of thought leadership or being the voice of fashion brands, she said.

Maiysha Kai is theGrios lifestyle editor, covering all things Black and beautiful. Her work is informed by two decades of experience in fashion and entertainment, great books, and the brilliance of Black culture. She is also the editor-author of Body: Words of Change series.

TheGrio is FREE on your TV via Apple TV, Amazon Fire, Roku, and Android TV. TheGrios Black Podcast Network is free too. Download theGrio mobile apps today! Listen to Writing Black with Maiysha Kai.

The post For Fashion Week, designer Marrisa Wilson honors her Guyanese heritage with Wild Coast appeared first on TheGrio.
SOMERSET  Seekonk Police have identified one of their own, patrolman Kourtny DeForitis, as having been killed in an early-morning motorcycle and vehicle crash on Saturday.

"The men and women of the Seekonk Police Department offer their sincere condolences to Ptlw. DeForitis' family and friends, as we also mourn the loss of one of our own," reads a notice posted to the department's Facebook page. "Rest in peace, badge 3334, we'll take the watch from here."

DeForitis, 28, resided in East Taunton.

Seekonk Police Patrolman Kourtny DeForitis, 28, of East Taunton was killed in an off-duty motorcycle crash on Sept. 9.

Somerset police said the crash occurred around 1:15 a.m. near the Route 103 rotary. When first responders arrived on-scene, they found a motorcycle and a vehicle with two victims lying in the road.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

DeForitis is believed to have been the passenger on the motorcycle.

Gregg Miliote, spokesman for the Bristol County District Attorney's Office, said the motorcycle's driver was Daniel Glover, 44, of South Easton.

Glover was pronounced dead on the scene. Somerset police said DeForitis was taken by Somerset EMS to a local hospital, where she was later pronounced dead; the vehicle's driver was also hospitalized out of an abundance of caution.

The Somerset Police Department is investigating an early-morning crash on Saturday that left two people dead.

Police said the preliminary investigation suggests that the motorcycle entered the rotary in the wrong direction, colliding with the vehicle.

The Somerset Police Department is investigating the crash, working with the assistance of the Massachusetts State Police Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Section Unit and detectives assigned to the Bristol County District Attorney's Office.

Miliote said no charges will result from the accident.

Seekonk Police said DeForitis graduated from the Cape Cod Municipal Police Academy in 2021 and had been an officer for just under three years.

"Since that time, she has been assigned to the Patrol Division and was outstanding in her various roles as a community outreach officer," the post reads. "Kourtny had a particular fondness for the youth of Seekonk and could be found playfully interacting with them in the schools and at community events, usually with a bright smile on her face and a contagious laugh."

This story will be updated as more information becomes available.

This article originally appeared on The Herald News: Somerset motorcycle crash kills off-duty Seekonk police officer
Local Telegram channels reported that a large fire had occurred at a Russian military unit in Simferopol in Russian-occupied Crimea on Sept. 9.

According to the "Chp Simferopol" Telegram channel, explosions were heard prior to the fire.

Oleg Kryuchkov, an advisor to the head of the Russian occupation government in Ukraine's Crimea, claimed on Telegram that it was a regular household fire. He also claimed that the fire had already been "localized."

There have been increased attacks inside Russian-occupied Ukrainian territory and on the territory of Russia in recent months.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

In an Aug. 23 interview with Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov said that Ukrainian forces are able to strike any target within occupied Crimea.

"We can reach the enemy absolutely anywhere," Budanov said.

Read also: Ukraine wipes out Russian missile system in occupied Crimea

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
In the Land of Saints and Sinners, the new film starring Liam Neeson and Ciaran Hinds, has released its first trailer.

The thriller film follows Finbar Murphy (Star Wars and Taken star Neeson), a recently retired assassin who finds himself drawn into a lethal game of cat and mouse with a trio of vengeful terrorists.

The action-packed trailer shows Finbar settling down for a quiet life in a small village in Ireland, before coming into contact with a figure (The Banshees of Inisherin actress Kerry Condon) from his shadowy past. Hinds, who played villainous Mance Rayder in Game of Thrones, appears to be playing the local police officer.

Madman Films - YouTube

Related: George R R Martin reveals favourite Game of Thrones episode

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

In addition to Neeson, Hinds and Condon, the cast for the film also includes Jack Gleeson, Sarah Greene, Conor MacNeill and Colm Meaney, with the script being penned by Terry Loane and Mark Michael McNally. Robert Lorenz, who previously collaborated with Neeson on The Marksman, is directing the film.

In the Land of Saints and Sinners had its world premiere at the 80th Venice International Film Festival earlier in September, with the film garnering mixed reviews thus far as it boasts a 60% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes at the time of writing.

It is expected to stream on Netflix in the coming months, but a release is yet to be announced for the feature.

Hinds appeared as Mance in three seasons of HBO's fantasy-drama Game of Thrones, which has since been expanded with spin-off, House of the Dragon.

Madman Films - YouTube

Related: Game of Thrones star lands next lead movie role

Following the success of the first season, a follow-up run was promptly ordered, with the sophomore instalment running at a shorter length of eight episodes.

"There are eight wonderful episodes with so much happening in every episode, and we have trouble, at times, bringing them down to one hour," teased director Claire Kilner.

"They're jam-packed with emotional and visually exciting events," she added.

In the Land of Saints and Sinners will stream on Netflix. Game of Thrones seasons 1-8 are available on DVD and Blu-ray. House of the Dragon airs on HBO in the US, and on Sky Atlantic and NOW in the UK.

You Might Also Like
A male American Airlines flight attendant was removed from a flight by state troopers for allegedly filming a teenage girl in a plane bathroom, according to reports.

Authorities were called to meet American Airlines flight 1441 from Charlotte to Boston on 2 September after a woman complained that the air host had secretly filmed her daughter with a cell phone, according to Boston 25.

Massachusetts State Police said in a statement they were notified of a potential criminal act that occurred mid-flight. They have handed over the investigation over to the FBI, who have jurisdiction over crimes that occur on domestic flights.

In a statement to The Independent, an American Airlines spokesperson said: We take this matter very seriously and are fully cooperating with law enforcement in their investigation, as safety and security are our highest priorities.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

The flight attendant, who has not been identified, reportedly stopped the teenager while she was on her way to use the first-class restroom, and told her he needed to wash his hands as he had been collecting trash.

After the girl left the restroom, the attendant was seen going back in, a passenger on board the flight told Boston 25.

As another passenger was about to enter the bathroom, the girls mother came up from the economy cabin and warned them not to go in as there was a hidden camera.

State police boarded the flight and inspected the restroom, before taking the male attendant away, the witness said.

After three or four different people checked the bathroom, they took the male flight attendant off, and thats when they let us off, the passenger said.

The Independent did not immediately hear back from the FBIs Boston bureau.

The investigation is continuing.
Floridas public university system on Friday voted to approve the Classic Learning Test (CLT), a college entrance exam, making it the first state to accept an alternative to the SAT.

Backed by Christian schools and conservative political groups, the CLT was first introduced in December 2015 and is currently accepted by over 250 American colleges and universities, according to its website. The $59 online test consists of a three-section, two-hour exam that assesses verbal reasoning, grammar and writing as well as quantitative reasoning.

Students will also have the ability to view their scores the same day they complete the test.

The CLT places a strong emphasis on classical education, which includes a focus on reading, writing, and critical thinking skills, Ray Rodrigues, Chancellor of the State University System of Florida, said in a statement, as reported by Reuters. It is designed to align with a classical liberal arts curriculum, which some educators and institutions believe provides a more well-rounded and meaningful education.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Fourteen of the Board of Governors, who voted to approve the test, were appointed by Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis . DeSantis has repeatedly challenged the nonprofit College Board by calling for a ban on the organizations new Advanced Placement( AP) high school curriculum in African American Studies and by advocating for restrictions on LGBTQ+ material in the classroom .

Those seeking entry to Floridas 12 public universities will now be able apply with an ACT, SAT or CLT score. Applicants hoping to qualify for the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program, a lottery-funded scholarship that honors Florida high school graduates for high academic achievement, may also submit CLT test scores.

The only vote of dissension came from board member Amanda Phalin, a University of Florida associate professor, who raised several concerns over just how much is known about the relatively new test.

Phalin compared the CLT with the current standardized tests, which she said are taken by more than a million students each year and undergo constant examination and refinement.

Im not against allowing the use of the CLT, Phalin said. I oppose the use of it at this time because we do not have the empirical evidence to show that this assessment is of the same quality as the ACT and the SAT.

In a statement published on the school systems website, the Board celebrated the addition of the CLT to its college admission process, saying that it was not intimidated by controversy or critics.

The system is pleased to add the CLT to reach a wider variety of students from different educational backgrounds, they wrote. Because we reject the status quo, todays decision means we are better serving students by giving them an opportunity to showcase their academic potential and paving the path to higher education.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
A nine-year-old girl who was allegedly kept captive in her own Florida home since 2017 had to beg to eat, according to Miami-Dade Police Department investigators who arrested the childs mother this week.

Kelli McGriff-Williams, 42, appeared before a judge on Thursday and pleaded not guilty to a felony child neglect charge.

McGriff-Williams is accused of refusing to let her daughter leave their Miami house from 2017 to 2023 and confining her "the majority of the time to a bedroom," according to the arrest report.

The victim would have to beg to eat, and the defendant would not always provide food to the victim, police wrote in the report.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Officers responded to the home on 26 August following a Florida Department of Children and Families investigation into the allegations.

McGriff-Williams, who confirmed the allegations, was then involuntarily admitted under the Baker Act criteria at Jackson South Hospital due to her altered mental state, according to the arrest report.

McGriff-Williams has also been accused of not enrolling her daughter in school. The report claimed the child was never given an education.

The victim is unable to read and write, police wrote in the report. The defendant has never taken the victim to a doctor even when she has been very ill.

The childs father, who was not named, told police he had been trying to gain custody since 2017. He also confirmed the allegations of neglect.

McGriff-Williams was discharged from the hospital and immediately taken into custody on 1 September.

She is being held on a $5,000 bond.
When the student newspaper at the University of Florida was asked this week to run an advertisement for mail-order abortion pills, which are legal to use in the state up to 15 weeks of pregnancy, the general manager quickly rejected it.

His reasoning: an all-but-forgotten law from 1868, still on the books in Florida, that would prohibit the publication of advertisements for abortion-inducing drugs.

It is the same law that prompted the newspaper, now called The Independent Florida Alligator, to break ties with the university in 1973. And the Alligator is the same publication where, over 50 years ago, students mounted a First Amendment challenge to the archaic ban on abortion-related advertising and editorial content  and won.

The law  F.S. 797.02  was struck down in a unanimous decision by the Florida Supreme Court in 1972, according to news articles from that time, after the 21-year-old editor of the University of Florida student paper was charged with a first-degree misdemeanor under that same statute after publishing a list of abortion providers as an insert in the paper.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Ultimately, the case against the student was thrown out, the law invalidated and the student paper broke ties with the university following the administrations attempt to prevent the students from challenging the law.

Now, The Independent Florida Alligator has come under some criticism for its decision to not run an ad about abortion services following a spate of new laws pushed by Governor Ron DeSantis that critics say unlawfully limit discussion of certain topics on college campuses.

Although it was never officially repealed, the law lay dormant and forgotten following the Supreme Courts decision, until it was referenced this week in the days before the state Supreme Court heard arguments in a case that will determine whether abortions after six weeks of pregnancy will be illegal in Florida.

In anticipation of Floridas abortion hearings, Mayday Health, a nonprofit that provides reproductive health educational materials, tried to place an ad in The Independent Florida Alligator.

Abortion pills. Through the mail. Even at UF, the ad stated. It included a QR code that connects to the organizations website offering information on birth control, morning after pills and abortion.

Learning the ad was rejected, president of Mayday Health, Jennifer Lincoln, took to social media to protest what she called a free speech crisis.

We believe the students have the right to know that abortion pills can still be sent via mail, including in FL, and that people shouldnt be intimidated by the attempt to chill free speech, Lincoln said in a statement to the Miami Herald.

The general manager of The Independent Florida Alligator, Shaun OConnor, told the Herald he made the decision not to run the ad based on a legal opinion that its publication could open the paper up for litigation under Florida statute 797.02.

OConnor said he was not aware that the Supreme Court had ruled the statute unconstitutional when he decided to reject the advertisement.

This was a decision made relatively quickly. I am learning more now, he said. OConnor insisted his decision was not due to the content of the ad, and said he ran a Planned Parenthood campaign last year in the Alligator with no problems. He said he could not recall whether he had consulted attorneys in that case.

On Thursday, The Independent Florida Alligator published an editorial addressing the situation and echoing OConnors position that the publication could have faced legal repercussions if it ran this advertisement under the defunct century-old law.

While we support fair reporting and pride ourselves on informing the public, an advertisement is not an article, the students running the paper wrote. The editorial board will personally be reaching out to interview all parties involved to address and explain what occurred.

Its not clear whether the students at the time of their editorial were aware of the Supreme Court decision prompted by their predecessors.

Lindsie Rank, a student press council attorney at The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, said although The Independent Florida Alligator has a right to decide what to publish, the decision should not be based on legal concerns about a law ruled to be unconstitutional.

Student journalists shouldnt have to think about oh God am I going to be charged? Rank said.

Aaron Sharockman, the chair of The Independent Florida Alligator board of directors, said the board was not consulted about the decision to reject the advertisement based on the law previously deemed unconstitutional.

As a defender of the First Amendment I find that statute overly broad, overly restrictive, and infringing on the right for Florida to exercise the right to free speech and free press, Sharockman said.

He said, based on the Supreme Court ruling, he hopes Mayday will consider resubmitting the advertisement.

A decades-old battle

Just weeks into his stint as the 1971 editor of the University of Florida student paper, then called the Florida Alligator, 21-year-old Ron Sachs decided to use his platform to take a stand against the law banning the publication of information regarding abortions and abortion pills.

We are questioning its constitutionality, Ron Sachs was quoted saying by the Tampa Tribune in October 1971.

To do that, Sachs decided to publish a list of abortion providers in the student paper. The university president forbade it. The publisher refused to print it. Undeterred, Sachs mimeographed the list of abortion service providers and stuffed them inside the paper as a pamphlet.

For him, it was a free speech issue, and not about womens liberation, Sachs said in an interview at the time.

Sachs was arrested for the stunt, but a judge declared the law unconstitutional and dismissed the charges. In 1972, the case went to the state Supreme Court which upheld the ruling of the lower court.

This past week felt like a trip down memory lane to Sachs.

The pendulum has swung back to the right and it seems that on many issues we are going back to the future but not in a good way, he told the Miami Herald.

Advertisements informing the public about abortion services have been commonplace in Florida in the past decades. Planned Parenthood has placed advertisements despite this statute, as have groups like Floridians for Reproductive Freedom. The Miami Herald has run ads about abortion, including one from Mayday Health, which tried to place the ad in The Florida Independent Alligator this week.

But the current political and social climate around abortion has led to fear and hesitancy from publishers, advocacy groups and healthcare providers.

Limiting health care information from being advertised stokes shame and stops people from getting timely, high-quality care, and medically accurate information, Planned Parenthood said in a statement.

At the same time, anti-abortion centers are using an increase in funding from the state of Florida to continue deceptive advertisements and tactics that attempt to encourage not getting an abortion.

No one should live in fear of a 1868 law which was declared unconstitutional, Sachs said.
Anita Earls is a great justice. One of the very best in the long history of the North Carolina Supreme Court. She is immensely knowledgeable, deeply intellectual, stunningly articulate, relentlessly honest, unfailingly fair, unflinchingly courageous, thoroughly steeped in the theory and practice of American constitutional law, and a lifelong devotee of democratic equality and civil rights.

These attributes are no longer to be tolerated in North Carolina. The forces of darkness here (and I mean that literally) have decided she must be erased.

Gene Nichol

I was heartbroken to learn that Justice Earls had sued the North Carolina Judicial Standards Commission. Heartbroken to read the complaint. The document described being subjected to a series of months-long intrusive investigations concerning her comments regarding the NC judicial system. The on-going Commission campaign  directed at Earls public comments concerning diversity, racism and sexism in our courts  was meant to stifle (her) free speech rights and expose her to punishment ranging from a letter of cautionto removal from the bench.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Shocking words.

Its even more shocking to think of what a vile crusade it must have taken to get this soft-spoken, but unfalteringly solid and truth-speaking woman, to become a federal plaintiff. And then I remembered, of course, that Republicans have threatened Earls with impeachment throughout her entire tenure.

Ill concede I dont know who filed the anonymous charges. But I do know that the Commission, dominated by powerful judges and lawyers, took the absurd claims seriously, and intrusively, and then opened the review a second time  again threatening the nationally renowned jurist.

It is embarrassing to contemplate that any commission member who went to law school could fail to understand how certainly, how securely, Earls public statements fall within the core protections of the First Amendment.

As Justice Thurgood Marshall explained in Renne v. Geary (1991): if a state chooses to tap the energy and legitimizing power of the democratic process (to select judges) it must accord the participants the First Amendment rights that attach to their roles. (Earls is a candidate for re-election).

It can be tough, on occasion, to square the tumble of democratic selection with traditional norms of judicial expectation and discipline. But no system of democracy and constitutionalism would countenance this.

The Commission notified Earls of its concerns that she has claimed that her Supreme Court colleagues are acting out of racial, gender and/or political bias in some of their decision-making, thus, wounding public confidence in the integrity and impartiality of the judiciary. Really.

Commission recommendations are forwarded for review to the N.C. Supreme Court. Yeah, that Supreme Court. Paul Newbys Supreme Court. Where Chief Justice Newby wrote, a few months ago in Harper v. Hall, that his (now former) colleague Robin Hudsons earlier opinion for the court reflected partisan biases that have no place in a judiciary dedicated to the impartial administration of justice and the rule of law (but sought) the singular aim of reaching the political outcome desired.

Earlier, as a candidate for reelection, Newby famously declared his Democratic colleagues were six AOCs (referring to Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez)  Its six to one...Im the last man standing. And, just a few months ago, Associate Justice Phillip Berger Jr. taunted his fellow justices in a dissenting opinion by giddily citing a WRAL article entitled How Republicans gained a lasting grip on the NC Supreme Court. Never seen that before.

I despise these statements by Newby and Berger. But theyre protected by the First Amendment. I much admire Justice Earls needed remarks. Theyre protected too.

Contributing columnist Gene Nichol is a professor of law at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill.
 Flash

At the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping, President of the Republic of Zambia Hakainde Hichilema will pay a state visit to China from Sept. 10 to 16, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying announced on Friday.

"Zambia is an important country in southern Africa. China and Zambia enjoy a traditional friendship. The two countries have deepened political mutual trust, achieved fruitful outcomes in practical cooperation and maintained sound cooperation in international and regional affairs," spokesperson Mao Ning told a daily press briefing, when responding to a question on the visit.

The year 2024 will mark the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Zambia.

She said during President Hakainde Hichilema's visit, President Xi Jinping will hold a welcome ceremony and banquet for him, and the two heads of state will hold talks and jointly attend a signing ceremony of cooperation documents. Premier Li Qiang and Zhao Leji, chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, will meet with President Hichilema. President Hichilema will also travel to Jiangxi and Fujian provinces, and Shenzhen City.

"We believe that President Hichilema's visit will give a new boost to the all-round, in-depth growth of China-Zambia relations and further advance our friendly cooperation," Mao added.
By Ricardo Brito

BRASILIA (Reuters) - Brazil's Supreme Court on Saturday authorized a cooperation deal between former President Jair Bolsonaro 's former aide and the country's Federal Police, tightening the vice on the ex-leader who faces multiple criminal probes that could land him in jail.

The aide, Mauro Cid, has been at the center of various investigations into the former president, including allegations of falsified vaccination records and a scheme to sell off expensive jewels given to the Bolsonaro administration.

The news that Cid, jailed since May, has agreed to cooperate with the Federal Police likely spells bad news for Bolsonaro, who has been under growing legal jeopardy since narrowly losing last year's presidential election.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Bolsonaro is accused of forging an election denial movement that culminated with the Jan. 8 storming of government buildings in Brasilia by thousands of his supporters. He has already been ruled politically ineligible until 2030 by Brazil's federal electoral court.

In Saturday's decision, seen by Reuters, Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes ruled that Cid fulfilled the criteria for a cooperation agreement, and released him from jail. He will need to use an ankle tag, cannot leave the country, and will need to present himself to authorities once a week, among other restrictive measures.

Any failure to comply with those measures would land him back in jail, the decision states.

(Writing by Gabriel Stargardter; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama)
Oleksandra, the daughter of former MP and Transport Minister Yevhen Chervonenko, has returned to Kyiv with her two children from Geneva, where she had lived for a year and a half since the start of the full-scale invasion.

She posted this on Instagram a few hours before Ukrainska Pravda released a video showing that her husband, Oleksii Kavylin, had been at the villa of Russian oligarch Vyacheslav Kantor, who is under sanctions, in Geneva in July.

From 2016 to 2019, Kavylin was the head of the main department of the State Fiscal Service in Kyiv Oblast. They have two children with Oleksandra: son Ivan and daughter Varvara.

In a comment to Ukrainska Pravda, Chervonenko's son-in-law said he "does not remember" whether he was in Geneva at Kantor's house on 17 July 2023. But his wife did not hide where she and her children were during the full-scale war. And it seems to be no coincidence that it was in Geneva.

Kavylin on 17 July at Kantors villa

Kavylin entering the villa with his belongings

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

"A year and a half of living between Kyiv and Geneva, which has sheltered us since the beginning of the war and which my children and I have come to love. The best medicine, education for children, security, and mostly well-behaved and tolerant people. But we will be waiting for our victory at home, because it has long been known that there is no place like home," Oleksandra posted on 8 September and showed herself with suitcases and children.

Oleksandra Chervonenko with her children and suitcases on the way to Ukraine

Oleksandra posted in November 2022 that her husband was in Kyiv, but Ukrainska Pravda found out that he travelled abroad to see his family

Oleksandra Chervonenko

Oleksandra never showed the father of her children online and hid his name

Ukrainska Pravda stated in the video that Yevhen Chervonenko himself, when asked about his son-in-law at Kantor's house, said that he "does not like people snooping in his underpants". He also noted that he had a long-standing relationship with Kantor. In particular, Chervonenko was the vice president of the European Jewish Congress, and Kantor was the president of this association.

Chervonenko stated that his son-in-law works and lives in Ukraine and hinted that his son-in-law travelled abroad with official permits or letters for a reason.

Ukrainska Pravda obtained the information that Chervonenko's son-in-law has travelled from Ukraine five times since the beginning of the year, including with official permission letters from the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine. During one of the trips, Kavylin stayed at the house of a Russian oligarch who is under sanctions.

Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron!
SpaceX wrapped up the work week late Friday night by launching a Falcon 9 rocket with more Starlink internet satellites  the first of two back-to-back launches planned for the weekend from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.

After lifting off at 11:12 p.m. EDT Friday, the 260-foot rocket skirted along the state's Atlantic coast on a southeast trajectory before stage separation and an eventual booster landing aboard a drone ship stationed at sea.

The flight from Launch Complex 40 marked the 47th mission from Florida's Space Coast this year.

The next rocket slated to fly is a United Launch Alliance Atlas V. The SILENTBARKER/NROL-107 national security mission for the U.S. Space Force and National Reconnaissance Office is set to liftoff at 8:47 a.m. Sunday morning from the Cape's Launch Complex 41.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

ULA originally targeted the launch of the Atlas V rocket for Saturday morning, but teams were forced to scrub the attempt for "an issue found during a prelaunch ordnance circuit continuity check," ULA said in a statement. Another opportunity to launch the national security mission is set for roughly around the same time, 24 hours later on Sunday.

Check FLORIDATODAY.com for the latest updates on that mission, including Space Team live coverage 90 minutes before liftoff.

SpaceX Starship: FAA investigation of test flight explosion is over but the rocket remains grounded

'Asteroid Autumn': NASA's Psyche mission to orbit and study rare metallic asteroid

What is Starlink?

SpaceX's Starlink is a low-Earth orbit constellation that includes more than 5,000 satellites. The spacecraft operate about 340 miles above Earth to provide nearly global internet connectivity to more than 1.5 million subscribers.

Starlink is available for a wide range of applications, stretching from in-flight services aboard airplanes to providing connectivity to remote and hard-to-reach destinations around the world for commercial and military customers. Service fees start at $120 a month for residential customers after an initial $599 hardware fee and $250 a month for business customers after a one-time hardware cost of $2,500.

More SpaceX Starlink missions are expected to be launched from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station next week, but the company hasn't yet announced when the next mission is targeted to liftoff. For the latest schedule updates, visit floridatoday.com/launchschedule.

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

Space is important to us and that's why we're working to bring you top coverage of the industry and Florida launches. Journalism like this takes time and resources. Please support it with a subscription here.

Launch Sunday, September 10

Company / Agency: United Launch Alliance for Space Force and National Reconnaissance Office

Rocket: Atlas V 551

Location: Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station

Launch Time: 8:47 a.m. EDT

Trajectory: East

Weather: 85% "go"

Landing: None; Atlas V is expendable

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

About: ULA's Atlas V rocket will launch the classified NROL-107 national security mission for the U.S. Space Force and the National Reconnaissance Office. The payload is part of the Space Force's Silent Barker satellite constellation network intended to provide space situational awareness, orbital surveillance, and tracking.

This article originally appeared on Florida Today: After Friday's SpaceX launch, ULA resets for Sunday morning liftoff
New Frontier Aerospaces chief operating officer, David Gregory (at left), lays his hand on the companys Mjolnir rocket engine while CEO Bill Bruner strikes what he calls his Wernher von Braun pose with a 3D-printed model of the companys hypersonic rocket ship. (GeekWire Photo / Alan Boyle)

TUKWILA, Wash.  Thirty years after the first flight of a pioneering reusable rocket ship known as the Delta Clipper Experimental, or DC-X, a commercial venture is aiming to bring its legacy to life in the Seattle area. Even its name  New Frontier Aerospace  is a callback to the earlier days of Americas space effort, going back to John F. Kennedy references to outer space as part of his New Frontier.

Were sort of like the grandson of DC-X, New Frontiers co-founder and CEO, Bill Burners Bruner, said at the startups headquarters in Tukwila.

But he doesnt see New Frontier as a space launch venture in the strictest sense of the word. Were not doing the squat, or cylindrical or conical shapes that we were talking about in those days, he told GeekWire. Were proposing to combine the hypersonic research of the 50s, 60s and 70s, and some of those geometries, with reusable rockets to attack the trillion-dollar air transportation market instead of the $11 billion space launch market.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

New Frontier was founded in 2020 by Bruner, whose aerospace experience includes stint as an assistant administrator at NASA, as a policy director at the Pentagon, and as an Air Force colonel; Jess Sponable, who handled space programs at DARPA and the Air Force Research Laboratory and is now New Frontiers president and chief technology officer; and chief operating officer David Gregory, a veteran of rocket engine programs at Blue Origin and Ursa Major Technologies. The chairman is Alex Tai, who previously served as Virgin Galactics chief operating officer.

The startup is one of several companies whose prospects are on the rise partly because of the U.S. militarys interest in hypersonic aerial vehicles that travel at more than five times the speed of sound. Like Stratolaunch  a company founded by the late Seattle billionaire Paul Allen more than a decade ago  New Frontier aims to help the Pentagon counter hypersonic threats from Russia and China.

Bruner said New Frontier is taking a step-by-step approach, starting with the Pathfinder, a hypersonic vehicle that could be used for weapons testing or suborbital point-to-point cargo transport. The company has been awarded $2.25 million to develop the crafts 3D-printed Mjolnir rocket engine, which is named after the hammer wielded by Thor in Norse mythology (and in Marvel movies). In June, New Frontier received an additional $150,000 from NASA for Mjolnir development.

Component testing for Mjolnir is ramping up, with a full-up test firing scheduled for next spring. Meanwhile, New Frontiers hypersonic flight system one of 20 tech projects vying for prizes in the Armys xTechPacific competition for cutting-edge technologies that range from jet guns to wall-building robots. Up to 10 projects could be selected to receive cash prizes and opportunities for follow-up grants.

Winners of the xTechPacific contest are due to be announced later this month, and Bruner said the recognition could accelerate New Frontiers drive to get its Pathfinder off the ground.

The program plan there is to start in earnest bending hardware for that, he said. It would be about two years to an integrated ground test, and then the start of the flight test campaign.

New Frontiers team doesnt intend to stop there  but future development depends on future funding. At about $15 million, we could fly that single-engine airplane, Bruner said. It would be north of 30 [million dollars] to fly the three-engine airplane that really has practical utility.

The company aims to leverage several innovations that werent around when the DC-X flew. For example, the engine as well as the airframe would make use of 3D printing  a technology pioneered by Relativity Space, another aerospace startup with Seattle roots.

Bruner said the engine is designed to run on renewable natural gas, which makes use of the smelly gases produced by decomposition at landfills and water treatment plants, or by defecation in livestock facilities. Renewable liquid natural gas is net carbon-negative, because youre removing the methane that would otherwise have been dumped into the atmosphere, he explained.

New Frontier could also take advantage of the work thats being done to foster the return of commercial supersonic flight  including Boom Supersonics development of a new faster-than-sound passenger jet and NASAs efforts to turn down the volume on sonic booms.

If New Frontiers vision becomes a reality, its hypersonic aircraft could be used not only for weapons systems and cargo delivery, but for intercontinental passenger travel as well. Bruner has already called dibs on his preferred term for what New Frontier plans to build. Just like in the 50s  when everybody said, Well, thats a jetliner  people will call these rocketliners,' he said. And on the chance that that happens, I trademarked it.

Does New Frontier have a realistic chance of opening up the rocketliner age? Bruner noted that one of his co-founders, Jess Sponable, was a program manager for the DC-X  and that David Gregory, New Frontiers third co-founder, helped create Blue Origins BE-3 engine as well as Ursa Majors Hadley engine.

I would say our odds of success, if properly funded, are pretty darn near 100%, Bruner said. All theyve got to do is replicate what they did before.

Washingtons other xTech entrants

New Frontier Aerospace is one of eight Washington state ventures on the Armys list of finalists in the xTechPacific competition. Other Washington finalists include:

Other finalists are headquartered in Alaska and Hawaii. Up to 10 projects will be selected to receive $25,000 cash prizes and the opportunity to seek small-business grants worth up to $1.9 million. Winners are to be announced Sept. 19.

More from GeekWire:
The closing statement of this years G-20 summit doesnt condemn the Russian invasion of Ukraine, instead including a generic request for nations to respect each others borders.

The statement, released Saturday on the eve of the summits conclusion, is a carefully crafted and thoroughly negotiated piece of diplomacy usually agreed to by every G-20 member.

We call on all states to uphold the principles of international law including territorial integrity and sovereignty, international humanitarian law, and the multilateral system that safeguards peace and stability, the declaration reads.

[We] welcome all relevant and constructive initiatives that support a comprehensive, just, and durable peace in Ukraine, it continued. The use or threat of use of nuclear weapons is inadmissible.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Last years G-20 summit in Bali resulted in a joint statement that harshly denounced Russias invasion of Ukraine. The Russian delegation to the summit criticized that effort.

Our Western colleagues tried in every way to make that declaration politicized and tried to push through language that implied condemning the actions of the Russian Federation on behalf of the entire G20, which includes us, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said last year. But lets do this in a fair way and lets make it clear that, on this topic, we have differences.

The 2023 statement chooses instead to not overtly go against Russia. That choice has already garnered criticism from the Ukrainian government, which has been fighting against an invasion since last February. The countrys foreign ministry called it nothing to be proud of, Reuters reported.

Razom We Stand, a Ukrainian advocacy group focused on anti-Russian energy policy, said the statement is cowardly and completely fails to address the responsibility the G20 should have to stop Russia and its geopolitical weapons.

The G-20 declaration did call on Russia to re-implement the Black Sea Grain Initiative, a deal which allowed Ukraine to export grain to bolster global food supplies and its economy. Russia pulled out of the initiative in July.

China, Russias largest ally, did support the final statement, Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar said.

Differing viewpoints and interests were at play, but we were able to find common ground on all issues, he said at a press conference.

In his opening statement at the New Delhi, India, conference, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that the African Union will be the groups 21st permanent member.

India also announced a new global biofuels initiative as well as the facilitation of an Indian-Middle East economic corridor based around extensive rail infrastructure, both with U.S. backing.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
By Shivangi Acharya and Sarita Chaganti Singh

NEW DELHI (Reuters) -The African Union was made a permanent member of the G20, comprising the world's richest and most powerful countries, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said at the bloc's summit in New Delhi on Saturday.

The African Union, a continental body of 55 member states, now has the same status as the European Union - the only regional bloc with a full membership. Its previous designation was "invited international organisation".

Modi, in his opening remarks at the summit, invited the AU, represented by Chairperson Azali Assoumani, to take a seat at the table of G20 leaders as a permanent member.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

"Honoured to welcome the African Union as a permanent member of the G20 Family. This will strengthen the G20 and also strengthen the voice of the Global South," said a message on Modi's official account on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter.

The move was proposed by Modi in June.

Reuters earlier cited the draft declaration admitting the African Union as a permanent member.

Other issues being decided on at the summit include more loans to developing nations by multilateral institutions, reform of international debt architecture, regulations on cryptocurrency and the impact of geopolitics on food and energy security.

The 38-page draft which was circulated among members left the "geopolitical situation" paragraph blank -- reflecting deep division over the war in Ukraine -- but 75 other paragraphs indicated broad agreement on issues such as cryptocurrencies and reforms in multilateral development banks.

The G20 previously comprised 19 countries and the European Union, with the members representing around 85% of global GDP, more than 75% of global trade and about two-thirds of the world population.

(Writing by Chris Thomas; Editing by Jacqueline Wong and Kim Coghill)
The Group of 20 nations (G20) adopted an agreed declaration at its summit in New Delhi that avoids condemning Russia for waging war on Ukraine, but calls on all states to "refrain from the threat or use of force to seek territorial acquisition," Reuters reported on Sept. 9.

The consensus in the text of the statement itself came as a surprise to many participants, as it revealed a deep split between member states. Earlier, Western countries insisted on a strong condemnation of Russia in the final declaration, while other countries demanded a focus on broader economic issues. The countries that did not belong to either of these two camps showed no reaction.

The text of the declaration, according to Reuters, reads as follows:

All states must "uphold the principles of international law including territorial integrity and sovereignty, international humanitarian law, and the multilateral system that safeguards peace and stability."

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

G20 representatives welcome "welcome all relevant and constructive initiatives that support a comprehensive, just, and durable peace in Ukraine".

Threats or use of nuclear weapons "are inadmissible".

The declaration also calls for the implementation of the Black Sea Initiative for the safe transportation of grain, food, and fertilizers from Ukraine and Russia.

A French diplomat who participated in the talks told Reuters that the communique was "very satisfactory." The French diplomat "appreciated the wording on the war in Ukraine," especially the part that says "countries should refrain from seizing territory by force."

"Only one country does this. It is Russia. This will help us reach a consensus later," the French diplomat said.

On Sept. 8, Reuters reported that on the eve of the G20 summit in India, the countries had not yet agreed on the wording regarding Russias full-scale war on Ukraine.

On Sept. 9, Bloomberg wrote that G20 diplomats agreed on compromise wording on Russia's invasion of Ukraine. They are generally similar to those adopted at the G20 summit in Indonesia in 2022.

G20 summit in India - What is known

The G20 summit is taking place in New Delhi on Sept. 9-10. It is being attended by U.S. President Joe Biden, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.

On Aug. 20, Deputy Head of the Presidents Office Ihor Zhovkva said that Ukraine continues to work on getting an invitation to the G20 summit in India "in one format or another."

India did not invite Ukraine to the New Delhi summit, saying that the G20 is not engaged in "conflict resolution."





Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron!

Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
By Shivam Patel

NEW DELHI (Reuters) - G20 leaders on Saturday agreed to pursue tripling renewable energy capacity globally by 2030 and accepted the need to phase-down unabated coal power, but stopped short of setting major climate goals.

The world's 20 major economies have had disagreements on commitments to reduce fossil fuel use, cut green house gas emissions and increase renewable energy targets.

One such sticking point was a proposal by Western countries to triple renewable energy capacity by 2030 and cut green house gas emissions by 60% by 2035, which was opposed by Russia, China, Saudi Arabia and India during sherpa level meetings, three officials told Reuters.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

The declaration adopted by G20 leaders on the first day of the two-day summit in New Delhi did not mention cutting green house emissions.

It said member nations "will pursue and encourage efforts to triple renewable energy capacity globally ... in line with national circumstances by 2030."

The G20 member countries together account for over 80% of global emissions and a cumulative effort by the group to decarbonise is crucial in the global fight against climate change.

Climate talks at the bloc's summit will be keenly watched by the world ahead of the COP28 U.N climate summit in the United Arab Emirates later this year.

The G20 has agreed that "national circumstances" will be factored into the phasing down of "unabated coal power" but did not mention reduction in usage of crude oil, suggesting that countries like oil-rich Saudi Arabia prevailed during the negotiations.

On phasing down fossil fuels, the declaration said the leaders "recognise the importance" to accelerate measures that will help transition to low-emission energy systems, "including accelerating efforts towards phasedown of unabated coal power, in line with national circumstances".

The bloc had failed to reach consensus during previous ministerial meetings on environment and energy. The declaration also does not commit to reaching net zero commitments faster than 2050, something that the G7 nations were pushing for.

Instead, the declaration said: "we reiterate our commitment to achieve global net zero green house gas emissions/carbon neutrality by or around mid-century, while taking into account the latest scientific developments and in line with different national circumstances".

It also noted the need to provide low-cost and sustainable financing to developing countries to support their transition to lower emissions.

(Reporting by Shivam Patel; Editing by YP Rajesh and Kim Coghill)
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, right, shares a light moment with African Union Chairman and President of the Union of the Comoros Azali Assoumani (via REUTERS)

The African Union has been granted permanent membership to the G20, host nation India has announced, in an historic expansion of the economic bloc.

Indian prime minister Narendra Modi invited the president of the 55-member African Union (AU) to take a seat at the table among permanent members at the opening of the two-day summit on Saturday morning, saying there was consensus among existing members to approve the move.

The current AU president Azali Assoumani , who is also president of the Comoros, was escorted by Indian foreign minister S Jaishankar to a seat and Mr Modi rose to hug him amid a round of applause from delegates.

The inclusion of the AU in the grouping of the worlds richest countries will mean the first expansion of the bloc since it was formed in response to an Asian financial crisis in 1999, comprising the worlds 19 largest economies as well as the European Union.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

It is set to give AU the same status as the EU, the only regional bloc with full membership currently.

The decision came as a victory for Africa, which has long complained of having only a single representative  South Africa  on the bloc, saying this effectively denied a whole continent a role in global decision-making.

Speaking to The Independent at the summit venue in Delhi, South African government spokesperson Vincent Magwenya hailed it as a very significant development... one that we had been advocating for for quite some time.

The G20 is the premier platform for international economic cooperation, and it was never sustainable that you were excluding a continent of more than 1.4 billion people. Africa is an integral part of the global economy.

The AUs invitation to join as a permanent member had been expected, with India trailing it as one of its key goals for a summit where it wanted to establish itself as the leading voice of the Global South.

Mr Magwenya said the AU had stepped up its push for membership at last years summt in Indonesia but that we owe [this development] to Indias leadership. It has finally happened, he said. We are grateful to PM Modi.

"Honoured to welcome the African Union as a permanent member of the G20 Family. This will strengthen the G20 and also strengthen the voice of the Global South," said a message on Mr Modis official account on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter.

The expansion means the G20 will need a new name, with observers working on the basis that it will be called the G21 going forwards, though this has not been confirmed.

Mr Modi first backed calls for the inclusion of the African Union back in June.

In an article published across Indian and international newspapers on Thursday, Mr Modi wrote: "Our presidency has not only seen the largest-ever participation from African countries but has also pushed for the inclusion of the African Union as a permanent member of the G20".

Premeshin Naidoo, head of the Middle East and Asia Corridor department at financial services company Absa Group, told The Independent the expansion of the bloc could open up untapped opportunities for collaboration and investment in Africa.

Spurred by an attractive trade opportunity with Africas rich resources in crude oil, edible fruits and nuts, India is now one of the top five investors in Africa, with around $74bn in investments. India and Africa have historic links, but in recent years, India has undertaken huge investment initiatives to strengthen this strategic partnership, he said.

He said there are huge opportunities now in sectors including, pharmaceuticals, renewable energy and agriculture.

The agreement between the G20 members marks the first victory for hosts India as it struggles to forge sufficient consensus among members to end the summit with a joint communique from leaders.

India is hosting the summit amid bitter geopolitical divisions over Russias war in Ukraine with Western nations pushing for strong condemnation of Russia while others are demanding a focus on broader economic issues.
The Group of 20 summit in New Delhi adopted a "consensus" declaration on Sept. 9 that called on countries not to use force to seize territory but fell short of condemning Russia for its war in Ukraine.

Reuters reported that the consensus "came as a surprise" as the group has different views on Russias war in Ukraine, with Western nations "pushing for strong condemnation" of Russia while other countries demanding "a focus on broader economic issues."

The declaration, announced earlier by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, calls on the states "to uphold the principles of international law, including territorial integrity and sovereignty, international humanitarian law, and the multilateral system that safeguards peace and stability."

"The peaceful resolution of conflicts and efforts to address crises as well as diplomacy and dialogue are critical," reads the declaration.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

"We will unite in our endeavor to address the adverse impact of the war on the global economy and welcome all relevant and constructive initiatives that support a comprehensive, just, and durable peace in Ukraine that will uphold all the Purposes and Principles of the UN Charter for the promotion of peaceful, friendly, and good neighborly relations among nations in the spirit of 'One Earth, One Family, One Future'."

In response to the G20 declaration, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Oleh Nikolenko wrote on Facebook that even though Ukraine is grateful to its partners who "tried to include strong wording in the text," the Group of 20 "has nothing to be proud of" regarding its stance on Russia's aggression against Ukraine.

"It is obvious that the participation of the Ukrainian side would have allowed the participants to better understand the situation. The principle of 'nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine' remains as key as ever," Nikolenko wrote.

In his post on Facebook, he also attached an edited version of an excerpt of the declaration in which certain words have been crossed out and rewritten to show how the text could have "better reflected reality."

The G20 summit brought together the leaders of the world's largest economies for a two-day meeting on Sept. 9-10. For the past 20 years of summits, the G20 has culminated in a leaders' declaration, expressing commitments to joint priorities.

The newly adopted declaration also called for the "full, timely, and effective implementation" of the Black Sea Grain Initiative that Moscow withdrew from earlier in July, causing spikes in wheat prices and fears about food security worldwide.

It also "expressed deep concerns" about the war's adverse impact on civilians' security, as well as called for the "cessation of military destruction or other attacks" on food and security infrastructure.

"Todays era must not be of war," the declaration says.

On Sept. 8, Reuters reported that negotiators at the G20 summit had left the paragraph on Ukraine blank in the leaders' draft declaration due to unresolved disagreements.

According to a draft seen by the media, the paragraph relating to Ukraine and the "geopolitical situation" was left blank, while 75 others on topics ranging from climate change to cryptocurrency had been agreed upon by members.

Modi, who hosted this year's G20 summit, has not imposed sanctions against Russia for its war in Ukraine. He has said he does not want the invasion of Ukraine to dominate the meeting, which is intended to highlight the needs of the Global South.

Modi did not invite Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to attend the summit.

Read also: George Monastiriakos: The best reason why Russia must be defeated in Ukraine? Because it is weak

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
 Flash

At the invitation of President Xi Jinping, President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela Nicolas Maduro Moros will pay a state visit to China from Sept. 8 to 14, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying announced on Friday.

China and Venezuela are each other's comprehensive strategic partners. In recent years, thanks to the personal commitment of President Xi and President Maduro, the China-Venezuela relations have withstood the test of the evolving international landscape and remained rock-solid, said Mao Ning, another spokesperson for the Chinese foreign ministry, at a regular press briefing on Friday.

"The two countries' political mutual trust has grown more solid, and our cooperation in various sectors has further deepened," said Mao.

Through President Maduro's visit, China hopes and stands ready to work with Venezuela to draw a blueprint for the growth of bilateral relations in the new era, bring the comprehensive strategic partnership to a new level, and make new contribution to world peace and stability as well as international fairness and justice, she added.
A day ahead of G20 Summit in New Delhi

(Reuters) - The Group of 20 nations adopted a consensus declaration at a summit on Saturday that avoided condemnation of Russia for the war in Ukraine but called on all states to refrain from the use of force to seize territory.

The consensus came as a surprise as the group is deeply divided over the war in Ukraine, with Western nations earlier pushing for strong condemnation of Russia in the Leaders' Declaration, while other countries demanded a focus on broader economic issues.

Following are excerpts from the declaration (for full official text see )

UKRAINE WAR

- Concerning war in Ukraine, all states must act in a manner consistent with purposes and principles of UN charter in its entirety

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

- On war in Ukraine, all states must refrain from threat or use of force to seek territorial acquisition against territorial integrity and sovereignty or political independence of any state

- On war in Ukraine, use or threat of use of nuclear weapons is inadmissible

- On Ukraine crisis, "there were different views and assessments of the situation"

- Peaceful resolution of conflicts, and efforts to address crises as well as diplomacy and dialogue are critical

- "Todays era must not be of war."

GRAIN/FOOD/ENERGY SECURITY

- Calls on Russia and Ukraine to ensure immediate and unimpeded deliveries of grain, foodstuffs, and fertilizers/inputs from Russia and Ukraine

- Emphasizing importance of sustaining food and energy security, called for cessation of military destruction or other attacks on relevant infrastructure

- Potential for high levels of volatility in food and energy markets remains

ECONOMIES AND FINANCIAL MARKETS

- "Will protect the vulnerable, through promoting equitable growth and enhancing macroeconomic and financial stability"

- Reaffirm April 2021 exchange rate commitment made by our finance ministers and cenbank governors

- We endorse financial stability boards high-level recommendations for regulation, supervision and oversight of crypto-assets, activities

- Our finance ministers, central bank governors will discuss taking forward the cryptocurrency roadmap at their meeting in October

- Renew our commitment to ensure a level-playing field and fair competition by discouraging protectionism, market distorting practices

CLIMATE CHANGE

- Need to accelerate efforts to phasedown unabated coal power, in line with national circumstances

- Will work towards facilitating low-cost financing for developing countries to support their transition to low carbon/emissions

- Will pursue and encourage efforts to triple renewable energy capacity globally through existing targets and policies, in line with national circumstances by 2030

- Reiterate our commitment to take action to scale up sustainable finance

- Reiterate use of carbon pricing and non-pricing mechanisms and incentives toward carbon neutrality and net zero

- Recognise need for increased global investments to meet our climate goals of the Paris agreement

- Note need of $5.8-5.9 trln in pre-2030 period required for developing countries, in particular for their needs to implement their emission targets

- Calls on parties to set an ambitious, transparent, and trackable New Collective Quantified Goal of climate finance in 2024, from a floor of $100 billion a year

GLOBAL DEBT VULNERABILITIES

- Commit to promoting resilient growth by urgently and effectively addressing debt vulnerabilities in developing countries

- Call for swift conclusion of the debt treatment for Ethiopia

HEALTH

- Remain committed to strengthening global health architecture

- Will enhance resilience of health systems and support development of climate-resilient and low-carbon health systems in collaboration with multilateral development banks (MDBs)

(Compiled by Kim Coghill, Global News Desk, Singapore, and Sakshi Dayal in New Delhi)
G20 diplomats have agreed on compromise language to describe Russia's war of aggression and full-scale invasion of Ukraine, news agency Bloomberg said in a report on Sept. 9.

The wording is reportedly similar to that adopted at last year's summit in Bali.

Read also: Russian foreign minister to attend G20 summit instead of Putin  report

According to the sources, the wording still needs to be approved by the G20 leaders, but once the diplomats have agreed on the text, such approval is likely.

Reuters wrote that Western countries are ready to adopt the communique, provided that it contains a strong condemnation of Russia's war against Ukraine. At the same time, India proposes that the G20 "condemn the suffering" caused by Russian aggression, but that the declaration also "reflect Moscow and Beijing's view that the forum is not the place for geopolitics."

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Read also: Hollywood actor Sean Penn returns to Kyiv for mental health summit

The G20 summit is held in New Delhi on Sept. 9-10 and will be attended by U.S. President Joe Biden, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.

On Aug. 20, Deputy Head of the Presidents Office Ihor Zhovkva said that Ukraine continues to work on getting an invitation to the G20 summit in India "in one format or another."

India did not invite Ukraine to the summit in New Delhi, explaining that the G20 does not deal with "conflict resolution."

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
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced, taking into account that India is presiding over the G20 at the moment, that the G20 summit has agreed on a joint declaration, finding compromise wording in the blocks related to Russia's war against Ukraine.

Source: European Pravda, referring to Reuters

Quote: "On the back of the hard work of all the teams, we have received consensus on the G20 Leaders Summit Declaration. I announce the adoption of this declaration."

Details: Modi said that the approval of the declaration shows that the participants were able to find compromise wording in the blocks related to Russia's war against Ukraine.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

The Prime Minister did not provide details on what wording was agreed upon.

The G20 countries have very different positions on the matter of Russia's war against Ukraine: Western countries are in favour of a stronger condemnation of Russia, while the countries of the Global South want a greater focus on economic issues.

Reuters suggests that the wording could be similar to that of the declaration for the 2022 summit in Indonesia. They noted that most countries condemn Russia for the war, but there are also other views.

The draft declaration of the summit, which the journalists took a look at, did not yet contain any text in the section on the geopolitical situation.

Background:

Chinese President Xi Jinping did not attend the summit, nor did Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Media outlets cited diplomatic sources as saying that the EU plans to take advantage of the absence of the leaders of China and Russia from the G20 summit to establish contacts with leaders of the Global South.

Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron!
In an NBC News interview on Friday, California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) went after Robert F. Kennedy Jr., asserting that the Democratic presidential candidate is being used by conservatives.

When asked by NBCs Chuck Todd whether he thought Kennedy was being used, Newsom said, Hes smart enough not to be used. But he knows what hes doing, and hes being used.

Kennedy is a conspiracy theorist and the face of the anti-vaccine movement, spreading false claims that immunization causes children to develop autism, allergies, cancer and other conditions.

In April, he announced he would be running as a Democratic candidate for the 2024 presidential nomination. Right-wing Fox News host Tucker Carlson and Infowars host and conspiracy theorist Alex Jones have praised his run for president. Former Donald Trump adviser Steve Bannon said that Kennedy would make a great running mate for Trump, who is seeking the Republican presidential nomination in 2024, NBC News reported.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Newsom said in the interview that, although he reveres Kennedy as one of his great inspirations on the environment  a reference to his past work as an environmental lawyer and activist  he disagrees with Kennedy on many of his politics and stances today, such as his remarks about vaccines.

Last year, the two clashed in their opinions on the prison release of Sirhan Sirhan, who assassinated his father, Sen. Robert F. Kennedy, as he ran for president in 1968. Newsom blocked the release and Kennedy insisted that Sirhan is innocent, Politico reported.

I wish him only the best, and I mean that. I have great respect for  for him, and his kids and his wife. But boy, his politics have shifted, and I just dont buy it, Newsom said.

HuffPost reached out to Kennedy for comment but did not receive an immediate response.

Related...
California governor Gavin Newsom is offering reporters and critics of Joe Biden a reality check in terms of the 2024 election.

Mr Newsom was speaking to the Today show for an interview when he was once again presented with murmurs that he could enter the race for president. Many in the media have speculated that the governor would launch his own bid if the incumbent president, Joe Biden, 80, reconsidered his decision to stand for another four years.

The governor responded by pointing out that the structure of the presidential campaign cycle meant that any Democrat jumping into the race now would be at a significant disadvantage.

I think the vice president is naturally the one lined up, and the filing deadlines are quickly coming to pass, and I think we need to move past this notion that hes not going to run, Mr Newsom said in the interview.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Hes not wrong about the filing deadlines: The earliest hard deadline is coming up on 16 October, when the state of Nevada will cease accepting major-party entrants for the 2024 caucuses. Other states have deadlines throughout November; were Mr Newsom or another Democrat to decide to run after those deadlines, they could be locked out of receiving delegates from those primaries simply because they werent on the ballot.

As it stands, only two semi-prominent Democrats are campaigning against Mr Biden for the Democratic nomination  author Marianne Williamson and Robert F Kennedy Jr, a conspiracy theorist whose biggest supporters are on the Trumpworld right.

Mr Biden is the wide favourite to win every Democratic primary and caucus in 2024 as it stands. The Democratic National Committee (DNC), with little incentive to endanger an incumbent, has scheduled no debates for the 2024 cycle. Mr Bidens challengers and a handful of others have protested that decision, but to no avail.

Most polling of the 2024 race shows Mr Biden neck-and-neck with Donald Trump , the four-times-indicted former president who was defeated by Mr Biden in 2020. Surveys of key swing states like Georgia, Michigan and Pennsylvania all show Mr Biden within the margin of error or even slightly ahead, however, giving him a possible edge in the Electoral College.

In California, Mr Newsom has built a reputation for himself as a champion of left-leaning policies including strong reforms on gun ownership and availability in America, while also using his sizable war chest to build alliances with Democrats around the country. That all has contributed to speculation that the governor has national ambitions, though he has long denied any desire to challenge Mr Biden.

He has even taken the rare step of accepting a challenge to debate Ron DeSantis, a 2024 presidential candidate and the biggest rival to Donald Trump for the Republican nomination. A matchup between the two would come as Mr DeSantis was unable to secure that same opportunity to take on Mr Trump, thanks to the latters refusal to attend the 2024 debates.
Not all furry friends are stuck on the ground, some have wings. Now, a Georgia sheriffs deputy can cross rescuing a fluffy baby to her list of heroic acts.

The Bibb County Sheriffs Office said they were called to a Macon home on Thursday, and confronted a situation that they could only describe as...batty.

Thats right, the sheriffs Animal Enforcement team had to rescue a tiny bat when the homeowners found it in their bathroom.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

TRENDING STORIES:

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

According to the sheriffs office, Animal Enforcement Officer Rebecca Galeazzo was the lucky deputy asked to help the teeny critter of the night.

The uninvited furry friend was released unharmed in a nearby tree, according to the sheriffs office.

Deputies also reminded the public that bats are a helpful part of the natural ecosystem, helping with pest control and eating bad bugs like mosquitoes and ticks.

The Georgia Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Resources Division lists 16 species of bat that call the Peach State home.

[SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]

OTHER NEWS:
A Georgia grand jury investigating efforts to overturn the 2020 election recommended charges against an adviser to former President Donald Trump who was accused of groping a woman at a Scottsdale bar, according to documents released Friday. The grand jury also recommended charges against several other Trump affiliates as well, according to the documents.

The grand jury report recommended criminal charges against adviser Boris Epshteyn, Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham and former Sens. David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler , former national security adviser Michael Flynn , lawyer Cleta Mitchell and lawyer Lin Wood.

Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis didn't bring charges against any of those people when a grand jury handed up an indictment against Trump and 18 others in August. The special grand jury report acknowledged that Willis would seek indictments only with sufficient cause.

This grand jury contained no election law experts or criminal lawyers," the special report said. "The majority of this grand jury used their collective best efforts, however, to attend every session, listen to every witness and attempt to understand the facts as presented and the laws as explained."

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Epshteyn in 2021 was charged in Scottsdale with assault touching, attempted sexual abuse, harassment-repeated acts and disorderly conduct-disruptive behavior or fighting, after a woman told police he repeatedly groped her and her sister at a nightclub.

The first three charges were dismissed, but Epshteyn pleaded guilty in Scottsdale City Court to disorderly conduct and served probation. The conviction was set aside by the court in January 2023.

After a 2014 fight at Dierks Bentley's Whiskey Row, Epshteyn was charged with "assault - touched to injure." Epshteyn punched a man in the nose, according to an accusation included in a Scottsdale police report obtained by The Republic. Epshteyn agreed to a plea deal that required him to avoid contact with the victim and barred him from going back to the establishment. He also had to pay court fees and complete 25 hours of community service.

Running afoul of the law: Trump adviser was accused of groping 2 women in 2021 at Scottsdale club

Epshteyn also was involved in efforts to reverse the 2020 election in Arizona. But unlike Arizona, Georgia has indicted people involved with similar efforts to overturn Trump's loss in that state.

A Fulton County grand jury indicted Trump and 18 co-defendants on Aug. 14, charging them with racketeering in a wide-ranging conspiracy to steal the 2020 election. The 41 charges span allegations of false statements to public officials, impersonating presidential electors and tampering with Coffee County election equipment.

All 19 co-defendants have pleaded not guilty. Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee scheduled a trial for Oct. 23 for at least two of the defendants: Kenneth Chesebro and Sidney Powell.

McAfee is still considering when and how to try the rest. At least five of the defendants have asked to move their case to federal court, where U.S. District Court Judge Steve Jones is considering their request.

Graham, of South Carolina, who was chairman of the Judiciary Committee in 2020, told reporters on Friday that he was concerned about the potential for criminalizing his work as a lawmaker. Graham said he called officials in Georgia and other states to ask about the 2020 election. He didnt find evidence of mass voter fraud but said he had concerns about mail-in ballots in Georgia and elsewhere.

This is troubling for the country, Graham said of the grand jury report. You cant criminalize senators for doing their job when they have a constitutional requirement to fulfill.

Loeffler said in a post on social media site X that she makes no apologies for representing her state and giving voice to millions of Americans who felt disenfranchised in 2020.

Trying to jail your partys leading political opponent ahead of 2024 is election interference, Loeffler said.

Trump blasted the report as having "ZERO credibility" in a post on Truth Social.

"Essentially, they wanted to indict anybody who happened to be breathing at the time," Trump said. "It totally undermines the credibility of the findings, and badly hurts the Great State of Georgia, whose wonderful and patriotic people are not happy with this charade of an out of control 'prosecutor' doing the work of, and for, the DOJ. ELECTION INTERFERENCE!"

The special grand jury investigated Trump from June to December 2022. A partial report from the panel released in February had recommended perjury charges against some witnesses but found no widespread election fraud that Trump had alleged.

Fulton County Superior Court Judge Robert McBurney released the full report.

Making local headlines: Boris Epshteyn: What to know about the possible 'Co-Conspirator 6' arrested in AZ in 2021

In contrast to the indictment against Trump and his allies, the special grand jury report didnt detail why it was recommending charges. The report simply listed names of potential targets and the statutes that they may have violated.

Perdue and Loeffler were Georgia's Republican senators, who campaigned for reelection with Trump in 2020, but both lost their races. Others, such as Flynn and Epshteyn, were advisers to Trump.

Mitchell, a longtime Republican campaign lawyer, participated in Trumps Jan. 2, 2021, call to Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger asking him to find enough votes to win the election.

Flynn attended a White House meeting on Dec. 18, 2020, with Trump and other defendants in the criminal case to argue that Trump could use the military to seize voting machines, according to the House committee that investigated the Capitol attack on Jan. 6, 2021. The meeting is cited in the indictment with the attendance of lawyers Rudy Giuliani and Sidney Powell, who are co-defendants.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Trump adviser involved in Scottsdale bar incident named by grand jury
A seven-year-old girl discovered a 2.95-carat black diamond while celebrating her birthday at a state park in Arkansas earlier this month.

Aspen Brown made the surprise discovery during a visit to Crater of Diamonds with her father and grandfather on 1 September, according to a statement from the state park.

The precious stone Aspen found is the second-largest registered by a park guest this year, Crater of Diamonds added, noting it was topped only by a 3.29-carat brown diamond discovered in March.

It is also the largest diamond registered since the completion of an excavation project at the 911-acre park, situated in Pike County.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

A contracted company dug a 150-yard trench in August to help manage erosion on the north side of the search area, said Caleb Howell, park superintendent.

Several tons of unsearched diamond-bearing material were exposed and its very possible that this diamond and others were uncovered as a result. 

A park employee said the diamond is among the most beautiful shes seen in recent years.

As per park policy, guests can name the diamonds they find and the Arkansas-native decided to name the rock after herself.

Her father Luther Brown said its the perfect name for the brown diamond because there was no skill required for her to find it but instead Aspen was simply in the right place at the right time.

Aspen and her family were exploring the north side of the parks sprawling diamond search area, a 37.5-acre field on the eroded surface of an ancient, diamond-bearing volcano, when she struck gold.

Mr Brown said: She got hot and wanted to sit down for a minute, so she walked over to some big rocks by the fence line. Next thing I know, she was running to me, saying Dad! Dad! I found one!

The size of a green pea, the stone was identified at the parks Diamond Discovery Centre.

Aspens diamond has a golden-brown color and a sparkling luster. It is a complete crystal, with no broken facets and a small crevice on one side, created when the diamond was formed, said Waymon Cox, assistant park superintendent.

Its certainly one of the most beautiful diamonds Ive seen in recent years.

It was discovered around the same place that a park visitor stumbled upon another large diamond, the 3.72-carat Caro Avenger, in 2019.

This year, a total of 563 diamonds have been registered at Crater of Diamonds, totalling around 89 carats, the park said.

One to two diamonds are found by visitors to the state park on a daily basis.

Since the first diamond was discovered in 1972 by John Huddleston, a farmer who owned the land before it became the state park, more than 75,000 stones have been found in total.
Rudy Giuliani , a longtime ally and former attorney for former President Trump, asked a Georgia judge Friday to rescind the charges levied against him in the Fulton County election interference case, citing several deficiencies in the indictment.

The former New York City mayor was indicted alongside the former president and 17 others by a Fulton County grand jury last month over their alleged efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 election in Georgia.

However, Giulianis lawyers argued in Fridays filing that the 41-count indictment fell short on several fronts and that the charges against their client should be dismissed.

Defendant moves this Court to quash the indictment against him, as it is not perfect in form and substance, fails to provide sufficient notice as to what he must defend against at trial, and the pleadings in said indictment are insufficient to protect him from double jeopardy in a separate prosecution, they wrote in a new filing.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

His attorneys alleged that the indictment fails to separate criminal acts from legal acts, describing the 98-page document as a conspiratorial bouillabaisse consisting of purported criminal acts, daily activities, and constitutionally protected speech.

They also argued that the indictment does not clearly lay out the essential facts that constitute the charges against Giuliani and suggested that it places him at risk of double jeopardy.

Giuliani, along with the other 18 defendants, pleaded not guilty earlier this month, and he waived his right to an in-person arraignment.

The Georgia indictment comes on top of several other legal battles facing Giuliani, including three defamation suits from two voting machine companies and a pair of election workers he accused of manipulating ballots in the 2020 election.

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

Chinese Premier Li Qiang holds talks with Indonesian President Joko Widodo in Jakarta, Indonesia, Sept. 8, 2023. (Xinhua/Liu Bin)

Chinese Premier Li Qiang said on Friday that China is ready to work with Indonesia to implement the important consensus reached by the two countries' heads of state, further enhance the synergy of development strategies, promote the common development of the two countries, and inject lasting impetus to regional stability and prosperity.



In talks with Indonesian President Joko Widodo, Li first conveyed to him the cordial greetings from President Xi Jinping. Under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, bilateral relations have maintained a strong momentum of development, Li said.

Li noted that over a month ago, the two presidents met in Chengdu, and reached a new important consensus on the "reality map" of building a China-Indonesia community with a shared future.

The Chinese premier said firstly, the two sides should continue to deepen strategic mutual trust, and build a solid political foundation for jointly building a community with a shared future.

China and Indonesia should grasp their own fundamental and long-term interests, boost mutual support on issues concerning each other's core interests and major concerns, jointly respond to various risks and challenges, continue to expand exchanges at all levels, make good use of mechanisms such as bilateral high-level dialogue and cooperation, and learn from each other, promote each other, and go forward hand in hand in the process of modernization in their respective countries.

The premier said secondly, the two sides should continue to expand practical cooperation and tighten the bond of interest for jointly building a community with a shared future.

China, Li said, is ready to work with Indonesia to make full preparations for the official operation of the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway (HSR).

Li said China will work with Indonesia to make the Regional Comprehensive Economic Corridor and the "Two Countries, Twin Parks" new flagship projects of Belt and Road cooperation.

China stands ready to work with Indonesia for high-quality implementation of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), expand imports of bulk commodities and quality agricultural and fishery products from Indonesia, and encourage Chinese enterprises to invest and do business in Indonesia, he said.

China supports the construction of Indonesia's new capital, and stands ready to work with Indonesia to foster "new engines" for cooperation such as digital economy and green development, and further strengthen exchanges and cooperation in agriculture, pharmaceuticals and health, youth, education, culture, and tourism, Li added.

Thirdly, Li called for closer multilateral cooperation and enriching the connotation of building the China-Indonesia community with a shared future.

The two sides should continue to carry forward the Bandung Spirit, uphold true multilateralism, and make global governance more just and equitable, he said.

China stands ready to work with Indonesia to actively implement the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative at bilateral, regional and multilateral levels.

The Indonesian president, for his part, asked Li to convey his sincere greetings to the Chinese president, saying that the comprehensive strategic partnership between Indonesia and China has yielded fruitful results in recent years.

He said Indonesia appreciates China's firm support for Indonesia's role as the rotating ASEAN chair and its support for maintaining ASEAN centrality.

Noting that Indonesia adheres to the one-China principle, he said Indonesia is willing to strengthen cooperation with China in areas such as trade and investment, agriculture and fishery, infrastructure, digital economy, new energy, tourism and health care, and push forward strategic cooperation projects such as the "Two Countries, Twin Parks" to lift bilateral relations to a new level.

The Indonesian president said his country will continue to carry forward the Bandung Spirit and stands ready to work with China to promote regional cooperation and jointly safeguard regional peace, stability and prosperity.

During the visit, the two sides signed a number of bilateral cooperation documents on industry, agriculture, fishery, e-commerce, and scientific and technological innovation.

Ahead of the talks, the Indonesian president held a grand welcoming ceremony for the Chinese premier at Merdeka Palace.

Wu Zhenglong, among others, was present at the above events.




G/O Media's vision of the future continues to come into focus. Unfortunately, as it stands, that vision seems increasingly human-free.

To recap: last week, Gizmodo owner G/O Media fired the human employees at the blog's Spanish-language site, Gizmodo Espanol, replacing those writers and their work  which included original reporting as well as translation work  with an AI tool that translates and republishes Gizmodo's English-language articles. Worse, upon closer inspection, the AI doesn't seem to be particularly good at its new job. The bot's translations, which appear to be free of any human editing process, are plagued with basic formatting errors, punctuation chaos, and even the occasional bit of HTML gore.

But apparently, according to new reporting from Insider, the publisher's AI-powered translation engine is only just getting started.

"We are using an advanced translation service that provides context and intent while running the translations," G/O Media editorial director Merrill Brown told the company's remaining employees in a Wednesday memo, which was shared with Insider by a G/O representative. "This is the first step in our efforts to create local language editions of our journalism. In the coming months we'll see more of our brands published in additional languages. We're confident we'll be bringing new and expanding audiences to our sites. "

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

"There is a disclaimer explaining our approach and a link to the original article published beneath each translated story," the note continued, adding that "the stories are running without bylines."

At first glance, the "no byline" note feels bizarre. After all, the AI isn't actually writing anything; it mostly seems to function like an automated Google Translate, copying the work of Gizmodo's English-language writers and auto-publishing the translated version to the blog's Spanish site. But in a Thursday thread on Twitter-formerly-X, the Gizmodo Media Group Union explained that the site's writers specifically "objected to having their bylines attached to machine translations"  which seems fair, considering that the translations are embarrassingly bad.

According to the union, however, G/O leaders took the pushback way too far.

"Instead of relying on the talented journalists at Gizmodo Espanol," reads the thread, "G/O Media has enacted an automation that takes English-language Gizmodo articles, translates them poorly into Spanish, and posts them on Gizmodo Espanol almost immediately, with no Spanish-language editing."

"Adding insult to injury, when the Gizmodo staff objected to having their bylines attached to machine translations, G/O management removed all bylines from Gizmodo Espanol," it continues, "even the bylines of the four journalists who were laid off by G/O Media this week."

https://twitter.com/gmgunion/status/1699495719369851198

Indeed, the grim claim appears to be true. If you scroll back through Gizmodo Espanol's vast archive, bylines are nowhere to be found. So not only were Gizmodo Espanol workers fired, but the public accreditation of years of work  according to another post in the union's Thursday X thread, the workers counted about 25 years of G/O employment between them  has been wiped from the web. It doesn't get much colder than that, and if it seemed like G/O didn't value the former Gizmodo Espanol employees' work before, it certainly does now.

The worst part, though? Per a report from The Daily Beast, a source at the company claims that Gizmodo Espanol's traffic has "doubled" since it started rolling out the automated translations  another unfortunate proof-of-concept hit for the publisher's execs, who according to the company's employees continue to break promises in favor of an automated future.

"Unfortunately this move to eliminate the Espanol team represents yet another broken promise from G/O Media CEO Jim Spanfeller and Editorial Director Merrill Brown," continues the union's X thread, "who have repeatedly said that the company's AI experiments were intended to supplement human writing, not replace it."

We reached out to G/O for comment, but have yet to receive a response.

More on G/O Media's AI efforts: G/O Tells Staff Not to Worry About Everyone Mocking Their Horrible AI Content
Russian troops shelled the village of Soniachne in Kherson Oblast, killing a 48-year-old man, Governor Oleksandr Prokudin reported on Sept. 9.

The attack hit residential buildings in the settlement, Prokudin said.

According to the governor, as of 3 p.m. local time, Russia was continuing to shell the area.

Russia launched air and mortar strikes against two settlements in Kherson Oblast the day before, killing three people and wounding another five.

Ukraine liberated Kherson and other regional settlements on the Dnipro Rivers west bank in November 2022.

Russian forces were pushed to the river's east bank, from where they have since been firing at the liberated territories, regularly resulting in civilian deaths and injuries.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Read also: As counteroffensive presses forward in southeast, every meter costs a life

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Lindsey Graham should have a mugshot, too.

The senior U.S. senator for South Carolina is as responsible for the legal mess Donald Trump is in as anyone other than the former president himself, particularly the charges Trump faces in Georgia for allegedly trying to overturn the 2020 election in the Peach State.

On Friday, we learned that a special grand jury recommended a few dozen people for indictment, including 21 people who werent. Graham was among those recommended for charges but who face none. (Trump and 18 others were indicted.)

Thats a shame because Graham was open-eyed in his complicity. He is the king of Trumps sycophants.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

From the beginning, he recognized the fraud Trump was and the danger the real estate guy from New York represented. From the beginning, Graham called out Trump and warned the Republican Party to stay far, far away from a man who opened his 2016 presidential campaign by labeling Mexican immigrants as rapists and criminals, then only got worse from there.

Graham knew. And he said so pointedly, so eloquently, so unapologetically  until he didnt.

If we nominate Trump, we will get destroyedand we will deserve it, Graham tweeted on May 3, 2016.

The party was destroyed in 2016, just not in the way Graham imagined. He suggested an electoral and political blowout, which didnt materialize. Instead, the party regained power and took back the White House on the back of Trumps indecent-bigoted candidacy while destroying itself morally and ethically to embrace a man who bragged about sexually assaulting women and was recently found liable for having raped one. Graham, after speaking truthfully about Trump, led the GOP into an unprincipled-abyss from which it has yet to emerge, and Im not sure if it ever will.

Thats not all he did. Graham picked up the phone multiple times and interfered in the 2020 election in states that were not his native South Carolina in ways a U.S. senator should not have. In addition to Georgia, Graham called officials in Arizona and Nevada.

Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger said Graham suggested he throw out legally cast votes in a way that would possibly hand the states Electoral College votes to Trump even though Joe Biden had won the state, which was confirmed by multiple recounts.

It sure looked like he wanted to go down that road, Raffensperger told the Washington Post.

Graham denied it, of course. He seemed to narrowly escape an indictment because there was no recording of his phone calls as clear as the one Trump outright asked Raffensperger to find enough votes to hand him an election he didnt win. He could dispute the interpretation in court, raising reasonable doubt.

Legally speaking, Graham should not have been charged if the prosecutor wasnt confident she could convince a jury hes guilty. But in every other way, Grahams duplicity and culpability are clear.

Graham abandoned what had seemed like a principled stance in 2016 to cozy up to power once it became obvious Trump was the choice of the GOPs base.

Graham went beyond his responsibilities as a U.S. senator for South Carolina when he picked up the phone and called election officials in states critical to a potential Trump victory. He had no business making those calls despite his frequent claims that he essentially was doing it out of a sense of patriotic duty because the future of the country hangs in the balance.

Because of men like Graham, a large segment of the Republican Party is convinced Trump won in 2020 and is being unfairly prosecuted in 2023.

It would have been poetic justice had he been forced to submit to a mugshot in that inhumane Fulton County Jail as well, lined up right next to Trump, the man Graham has worshiped for the past 7 years more than he has loved this democracy or the state he supposedly represents.

Graham escaped the reckoning Trump and other Trump sycophants are having to contend with. He got to throw a rock and hide his hand. Thats the real scandal.
ATHENS (Reuters) - Rescue teams took people out of floodwaters in inflatable boats and in bulldozers on Saturday as they moved into villages hit hardest by a sweeping rainstorm that killed at least 10 people in central Greece this week.

Storm Daniel, which meteorologists said was the worst to hit the country since records began in 1930, pummelled Greece for three days from Tuesday, leaving a trail of ruin after a record summer heatwave that had touched off huge wildfires.

Homes were swept away by torrents, bridges collapsed, roads were destroyed, power lines fell and crops in the fertile Thessaly plain were wiped out.

Authorities, who have struggled to evacuate people from flooded areas, raised the death toll to 10 people on Friday afternoon. Four people have been reported missing, they said.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

On Saturday, rescue teams were moving into villages near the city of Larissa and close to the River Pineios.

The fire brigade has so far evacuated 2,806 people across the country. In Thessaly region, many residents were airlifted from the rooftops of submerged homes on Friday and Saturday.

An 80-year old fisherman with a small blue fishing boat helped evacuate at least 15 people in a village in the area of Karditsa, one of the worst-hit areas, according to iefimerida website on Friday night.

"I'm an old boatman, I have experienced another four floods in the village. This was the worst," he told media.

Authorities shut the national highway connecting Athens with the northern city of Thessaloniki on Saturday due to the floods.

The deluge in Greece followed a huge wildfire in the north and the country's hottest summer on record. Scientists say the country is on the front line of climate change, with freak weather incidents increasingly common.

Extreme weather events have struck across the globe in recent weeks, with floods in Scandinavia, southeast Europe and Hong Kong. In contrast, India had its driest August since records began more than a century ago.

(Reporting by Stamos Prousalis, Renee Maltezou, Lefteris Papadimas and Michele Kambas; Editing by Frances Kerry)
President Joe Biden continues to be plagued by approval ratings well below 50%. Under normal circumstances, that might be worrying for an incumbent heading into his reelection year. But Biden likes to rely on a common refrain: Dont compare me to the Almighty, compare me to the alternative.

In other words, Biden may not be the most likable guy, yet voters will prefer him to whomever Republicans put up.

Theres just one problem with Bidens thinking: The polling shows he could be fundamentally wrong and it could cost him the election next year.

Right now, the likely Republican alternative to Biden in a hypothetical 2024 general election matchup appears to be Donald Trump. The former president leads every GOP primary poll by a wide margin, including our latest CNN/SSRS survey.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Trump, like Biden, is quite unpopular. His favorability rating in our latest poll is 35% among registered voters. Thats basically the same as Bidens 36% favorability rating among registered voters.

Voters who like Trump favor him by more than 90 points over Biden, while those who like Biden favor him by more than 90 points over Trump.

This means the election will come down to the 29% of voters (according to our poll) who hold a favorable view of neither Biden nor Trump. (Note that this 29% includes the 9% of voters who hold an undecided view of at least one of the two men; when we concentrate on the 20% who hold an unfavorable view of both  sometimes called double haters  all of the following analysis still holds.)

If either of these large percentages (20% or 29%) sounds familiar, its because we had a similar dynamic in 2016, when nearly 20% of voters liked neither Democrat Hillary Clinton nor Trump. Trump won that group by 17 points  and with it, the election.

Earlier this year, Biden seemed to hold a small lead over Trump among voters who did not hold a favorable view of him or of his likely GOP opponent.

But in our latest poll, Trump leads Biden by 7 points among the 29% of voters who view neither of them favorably. Significantly, a large chunk of this group (21%) said they either wont vote or will vote for someone else in a Trump-Biden matchup.

Now a 7-point margin isnt big enough to be too demonstrative; its within the margin of error. But recent polls from Quinnipiac University and The New York Times/Siena College also examined similar groups  those who liked neither man or those who disliked both. Both polls found Trump with a single-digit advantage and a lot of voters who said they wouldnt vote for either likely major-party nominee.

Putting it all together, theres a clear signal here: A lot of people who dont like Biden are judging him against the alternative, whom they also dont like, and deciding that the alternative doesnt sound as bad. Additionally, plenty of them are not willing to choose and say theyll go with someone else or no one at all.

If this continues to hold, Bidens theory of the case for 2024 is in major trouble.

Now, its possible the president isnt too worried, thinking that those who hold favorable views of neither him nor Trump come from segments of the electorate that are, on the whole, voting for Biden and that they could be persuaded to move back into the presidents camp as the election progresses.

Our poll, however, doesnt show that to be the case. Among this group, 42% are Republicans (or independents who lean Republican), 41% are Democrats (or independents who lean Democratic) and 17% are pure independents.

The margin between Democrats and Republicans basically matches what we see in the electorate overall.

Even if we limit ourselves to those who like neither man and who say they arent voting for either one at this point, Democrats are still not overrepresented. In other words, theres no reason, at this time, to think this block of voters will move toward Biden, unless something changes.

There are about another 14 months until the 2024 election. Things can and often do change within this time frame. That is a rare piece of good news for Biden in a sea of otherwise very worrisome data.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
Ukraine did not get what it wanted at the Vilnius NATO summit, as Alliance leaders did not risk taking too much responsibility.

Source: Olha Stefanishyna, Ukraines Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration, during the Yalta European Strategy forum on 8-9 September in Kyiv, as reported by European Pravda

Quote: "Our main lesson from Vilnius is that the leaders [of NATO countries  ed.] are not ready to take responsibility for a more ambitious statement because they did not feel the support of society," Stefanishyna said.

Details: She added that the provision of guarantees in Vilnius for Ukraine's accession to NATO could change the course of the war with Russia.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

"These are only five additional words in the Vilnius summit declaration, but they would change the course of the war: Putin would have to die. However, there was no political will to include these five words," the deputy prime minister said.

"We were outraged by this situation at first, but then we realised that we need the support of the societies and parliaments of these countries so that their leaders have enough will to make such a decision next time," Stefanishyna summed up.

Previously: Stefanishyna stated that Ukraine would be ready for EU membership within two years, but it could join NATO before joining the European Union.

Background:

The NATO summit in the summer 2023 agreed to remove the Membership Action Plan requirement on Ukraines path to joining the Alliance.

At the same time, the Allies made it clear that they will invite Ukraine to join NATO "when the conditions are met", but not now.

At the NATO summit in Vilnius, the G7 countries agreed on a framework document on security guarantees for Ukraine. The leaders did not agree on the specific parameters of the security guarantees but on their framework, and specific bilateral agreements will be signed later.

Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron!
The Muscogee Nation courthouse is pictured Thursday, Dec. 1, 2022, as plaintiffs and supporters attend a preliminary hearing regarding whether the Muscogee Nation is violating the terms of an 1866 treaty by not recognizing descendants of freedmen as citizens.

In 2023, there are places in the United States where some Black people are still denied the right to vote, access federal services and receive unequal criminal justice rights in spite of U.S. law. This discrimination originates from the Five Tribes with the knowledge of the federal government, which ignores its treaty obligations to descendants of tribal freedmen. In 1866 after the Civil War, treaties between the United States and the Five Tribes granted people of African descent rights of citizenship within these same tribes that held them as slaves. Nearly all the freedmen of the Five Tribes had been generationally enslaved by tribal law long before the Trail of Tears.

More: Clash over jurisdiction: What tribal leaders, Gov. Stitt, others say will move Oklahoma forward

After 1866, freedmen and their descendants flourished as tribal members, attending tribal schools, holding tribal office, building businesses, especially in the Muscogee (Creek), Cherokee and Seminole nations. However, 1907 Oklahoma statehood and subsequent segregation laws renewed the acceptance of beliefs of Black inferiority and Black lower social status regardless of tribal membership since segregation and grandfather clause laws applied to all persons with African ancestry.

Beginning in the 1970s after U.S. law encouraged tribal elections and economic development, tribal leaders began to pass laws under the guise of tribal sovereignty to block freedmen and freedmen descendants from exercising their tribal membership rights. This was done by only allowing current tribal membership for people whose ancestors were listed on the "by-blood" sections of the Dawes rolls, which were made by the U.S. government about 1900 to divide tribal land. Degrees of blood  a concept foreign to tribes  was set up solely to determine when tribal members' land would be sellable.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

The U.S. government has approved tribal constitutions allowing disenrollment even where freedmen tribal members were barred (or almost completely barred) from voting. Tribal leaders have used freedmen citizenship as wedge issues, falsely asserting that freedmen were non-Indians (although many freedmen had documented Native American ancestry), were forced on the tribe, were Black squatters from Arkansas, or only gained the right to live on tribal reservations through 1866 treaties. Descendants of non-Black adopted citizens have generally continued tribal membership.

Currently, only the Cherokee Nation upholds its treaty obligations to the freedmen after the 2017 federal case Cherokee Nation vs. Nash & Vann was won by freedmen litigants. Cherokee Nation leadership has worked to ensure freedmen tribal members may vote, are awarded contracts and may access tribal annuities such as from CARES Act provisions on the same basis as other tribal members. However, in the Seminole Nation, the tribe has passed laws only allowing freedmen tribal members to vote and hold office, even though the tribe was directed by the U.S. government to allow freedmen to access services after the 2001 federal case Seminole Nation vs. Norton.

Seminole Nation leaders acknowledged that freedmen's ancestors fought to save the tribe prior to removal but asserted that was the past. Muscogee (Creek) Nation leaders assert that the United States signed the current constitution and that freedmen know little language and culture. I say the United States violated the treaty by signing the tribal constitution and it is common knowledge there are few living Muscogee language speakers. 21st-century Muscogee (Creek) freedmen descendants continue to fight for their rights in tribal and federal court. Choctaw and Chickasaw freedmen descendants have no rights under current tribal law. In 2020, the Choctaw chief blamed poor economic conditions of freedmen on the United States and not the tribe.

The tribes ignore their history regarding freedmen rights. Freedmen descendants seek justice as they still face lack of opportunity and more poverty due to federal and tribal government decisions.

Marilyn Vann

Marilyn Vann is president of the nonprofits Descendants of Freedmen of the Five Civilized Tribes Association and African Indians of the 5 Civilized Tribes Foundation. Vann was a litigant in federal court cases: Vann et al v. Zinke and Cherokee Nation v. Nation and Vann. To learn more about freedmen, go to www.freedmen5tribes.com.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Guest: Tribes ignore their history regarding freedmen rights
Scars litter the arms of retired Navy Capt. John Cole.

The fresher scars are pink while the lighter ones had healed over the years. Dozens more are hidden beneath his clothing, from the tops of his knees up the front of his body.

I have had 51 carcinomas.  I averaged  in the melanoma clinic at Portsmouth Naval Hospital  four biopsies and one positive every quarter. So thats 16 biopsies and four carcinomas a year, Cole said. Since Ive done this, going on 20 months, I have had just nine biopsies and one carcinoma.

Mentally, Cole said, he is a new man.

I am back in control of my body and my mind, Cole said.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Cole, a Virginia Beach resident, is one of hundreds of military veterans who have been treated at Tier 1 Therapy Centers, formerly Hampton Roads Hyperbaric Center in Norfolks Neon District. The female veteran-owned private clinic at 129 W. Virginia Beach Blvd. attracts patients from Williamsburg, Richmond, and Elizabeth City, North Carolina.

For the hyperbaric therapy, up to four people climb inside what looks like a small submarine to go diving. Once inside, the chamber is slowly pressurized to simulate 16-33 feet below sea level. Patients are administered 100% medical grade oxygen through a lightweight hood worn over their heads for 60-90 minutes before gradually returning to normal pressure levels.

The center also has a mono chamber designed to hold a single patient.

When you have illness, injury or disease, a lot of times your cells dont function properly. They dont get the oxygen that they need, said Cara Mae Melton, president of the therapy center.

Holding the tip of her finger tightly, making it turn purple, Melton added, If you cut off oxygen, even at this small little level, your finger starts to turn. If you kept that like that, eventually the cells would die. The same thing happens when you have an injury. You knock out the blood flow, and sometimes it doesnt come back.

The treatment forces 100% oxygen to permeate through the blood plasma, eventually creating new blood cells that carry more oxygen further into the tissue at a greater rate. This treatment encourages the body to heal itself, the clinic website says. It is considered adjunctive and should be used in conjunction with other treatment options.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy can be used to treat a myriad of injuries, illnesses and diseases, Melton said, such as neuropathy, chronic pain, inflammation and stroke. But it also treats wounds that are invisible to the eye  depression, anxiety, anger, insomnia, which can all lead to suicidal ideations. The Food and Drug Administration has cleared its use for certain medical conditions, but other uses are considered off-label.

Our niche has organically become traumatic brain injury treatment and post-traumatic stress disorder treatment for special operation forces veterans, Melton said.

Tier 1 Therapy Centers originally opened under a different name in 2012. Since then, the center has treated hundreds of military veterans for service-related injuries and illnesses.

Military training in itself is detrimental on the body. Members experience concussions and minor brain injuries all the time. They are around concussive incidents, like repeated gunfire, which creates little bubbles in the brain, said Melton, a Navy veteran who served from 1995 to 2000.

The toxic environment combined with the high tempo, high stress nature of training and deployment cycles, she said, can overtake the body, which is when patients will begin to experience persistent headaches, insomnia and changes in mood and behavior.

When you have that over and over again, your body stops healing it, Melton said.

The treatment plan is expensive, averaging $7,000 per patient, and demanding as it requires most patients to commit to coming to the center Monday through Friday for eight weeks.

There are 14 health conditions that can be treated with hyperbaric oxygen therapy for which insurance will pay. Off-label treatments for service-related traumatic brain injuries and post-traumatic stress disorder are not covered by insurance.

So, the center seeks other funding sources like donations and grants from nonprofit organizations to help pay veterans treatment bills, particularly with more than 700,000 veterans across Virginia and 200,000 living in Hampton Roads, Melton said.

She said nonprofits have to go out into the community and drum up awareness, interest and money at a time when people think that everything is fine with our veterans because we are not actively at war.

In March, Virginia lawmakers passed Senate Bill 1082, which allows the Department of Veterans Services to recommend hyperbaric oxygen therapy for veterans with traumatic brain injuries and post-traumatic stress disorder. This, Melton said, is a glimmer of hope that veterans will eventually receive insurance coverage for their invisible wounds.

Until then, Virginia Beach nonprofit Coastal Authority Care Foundation works to raise funding for veterans to receive the oxygen therapy. Jill Crist created the foundation in 2015 after her husband, a retired Navy SEAL, received the treatment in Texas.

My husband was saying I dont want to be here anymore, Crist said. Doctors were giving him medication for sleep. They were giving him medication for migraines. They were giving him medication for depression. And it was just all making him feel drugged. It was all he could do to make it through the day.

Another retired SEAL told the Crists about hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Crist said the paperwork for a consultation sat on their kitchen counter for two months before she filled it out for her husband.

He was being obstinate because he felt others needed it more than him, Crist said, but I was thinking no one needed it more than him. The spouse sees the burden they carry.

Her husband participated in a brain stimulation therapy and followed it up with eight weeks of hyperbaric oxygen therapy in March 2015.

He was golden, just positively golden  and his body was healing, Crist said. He was sleeping again, and he started working out again, training for a crazy 32-mile paddleboard race from Molokai to Oahu. He completed the race in 2018.

Crist and her husband returned from Texas and immediately launched the nonprofit organization in an effort to raise awareness and funding for the therapy. In 2022, it donated $40,000 in grants to 11 veterans.

I was one of those veterans, Cole said.

Cole went through about six weeks  or 30 sessions  of hyperbaric oxygen therapy in February 2022 and about two weeks of maintenance hyperbaric oxygen therapy in the fall.

Cole said he was about halfway through the therapy when he noticed an improved mood and consistently better sleep  a departure from the sleep deprivation and mood swings he had experienced. Then, he realized his body was no longer riddled with carcinomas, which were a side effect of intense radiation he was exposed to while flying F-14 and F-18 fighter jets for three decades.

The military trains everybody to compartmentalize  to ignore everything that is going on around and unto themselves so they can focus on the mission, Cole said. So you dont go to the doctor when you have a problem. You try and hide the problem so you can deploy, so you can fly the airplanes, so you can do your job. And when you get out, you dont know where to start.

Cole said his medical battle overwhelmed him. He was prescribed pill after pill and bounced from doctor to doctor before he began hyperbaric oxygen therapy.

You take strong people and just assume they are going to be strong for the rest of their life, Cole said. It is a trapdoor.

Motioning to Melton and Crist, he added, I owe my life to them, because thats what they are doing  saving lives.

Caitlyn Burchett, caitlyn.burchett@virginiamedia.com
 Flash

General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and Chinese President Xi Jinping on Saturday sent a message of congratulations to Kim Jong Un, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) and president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) on the 75th anniversary of the country's founding.

Under the strong WPK leadership and with the unremitting efforts of the DPRK people, new achievements have been made in the socialist construction of the DPRK over the past 75 years, Xi said.

He said that in recent years, Comrade General Secretary Kim has led the WPK and the people of the DPRK in fully implementing the spirit of the 8th WPK Congress and the plenary sessions of the 8th Central Committee, focusing on economic development and improvement of people's livelihood, and has achieved important results.

Xi expressed his confidence that under the leadership of Comrade General Secretary Kim and the WPK, the brotherly DPRK people will surely continuously advance the socialist cause of the country for new development and lift it to a new level.

China and the DPRK are friendly neighbors linked by the same mountain and river, Xi stressed, adding that the traditional friendship between China and the DPRK, established and cultivated by the elder generations of leaders of both parties and both countries, has been deeply rooted in the hearts of the two peoples and has grown stronger with time.

Xi noted that he and Kim have met five times in recent years, maintained close communication through various forms, and jointly led the traditional friendly and cooperative relations between China and the DPRK into a new era.

Noting that momentous changes unseen in a century are accelerating across the world, Xi said it has always been the unswerving position of the CPC and the Chinese government to maintain, consolidate and develop the traditional friendly and cooperative relations between China and the DPRK, no matter how the international and regional situation changes.

Under the new circumstances, China is willing to work with the DPRK to strengthen strategic communication and deepen practical cooperation, push China-DPRK relations to advance with the times and achieve greater development, so as to better benefit the two peoples and make greater contributions to regional peace, stability, development and prosperity, Xi added.
Vice President Kamala Harris celebrated the 50th anniversary of hip hop on Saturday with a host of artists and more than 400 guests at her home.

In the first of its kind celebration, Harris addressed the impact the genre has had on the world and its importance to the Black community.

Hip hop is the ultimate American art form, said Harris. Born at a back to school party in the Bronx, raised on the streets of Philadelphia, Chicago, Oakland and Atlanta, hip hop now shapes nearly every aspect of Americas popular culture and it reflects the incredible diversity and ingenuity of the American people.

Hip hop was created in New York Citys Bronx borough and for 50 years, it has helped highlight the experiences that Black, Brown and poor people face in America. It has often brought attention to instances of injustice and police brutality.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

To be clear, hip hop culture is Americas culture, Harris said. It is music and melody and rhyme. Hip hop is also an ethos of strength and self-determination; of ambition and aspiration; of pride, power and purpose. Hip hop is a declaration of identity. It says I love who I am. I represent where I come from, and I know where Im going.

Saturdays commemoration was in collaboration with Recording Academys Black Music Collective and Live Nation Urban. Artists Common, D-Nice, Omarion, Jeezy, MC Lyte, Roxanne Shante and many more were present for the celebration.

Meanwhile, Congressional Black Caucus members including chairman Rep. Steven Horsford (D-Nev.), Rep. Cori Bush (D-Mo.) and Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), as well as Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (D) were spotted mingling and dancing among the crowds as well.

Comedian Deon Cole introduced Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. at the start of Saturdays remarks.

Mason shared how hip hop has influenced his career over the years.

Hip hop changed my world, said Mason. I was growing up in the 80s right when hip hop was bursting onto the scene. It was on the radio, it was on MTV, it was in magazines, it was in culture. It was everything that I love about the genre.

Mason said he wasnt alone and that hip hop has affected artists of all genres over the years.

Now 50 years later, theres not a single genre that has not absorbed something essential from hip hop, said Mason.

Still, hip hop has had its fair share of criticism over the years, with many often criticizing the genre as overtly sexual, violent or misogynistic.

But Harris addressed this in her remarks Saturday.

[Hip hop] has always channeled the voices of the people, she said. It tells the stories that dont make the news. But as the great Chuck D once said, rap is black Americas CNN. And by telling the truth, hip hop calls us to action.

From Grandmaster Flash to Queen Latifah and Lauryn Hill to Kendrick Lamar, Harris said, generations of hip hop artists helped to elevate the collective conscience through their voices.

And those artists have expanded from the streets of New York to countries around the world including Ghana, France, Japan and Brazil.

Half a century later, it is clear hip hop will not be erased. Hip hop is here to stay, said Harris.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
SAN DIEGO (KSWB)  Two popular hiking trails in Cleveland National Forest near San Diego will be closed through the weekend due to extreme heat.

Starting Friday, Cedar Creek Falls and Three Sisters Falls trails will be closed to hikers by the U.S. Forest Service, according to the San Diego County Sheriffs Office. The closure will run through Monday, Sept. 11.

This comes as the National Weather Service has issued an Excessive Heat Warning for San Diego Countys desert areas, including Borrego Springs, Ocotillo Wells and El Centro.

The warning will be in effect from 10 a.m. Saturday to 8 p.m. Sunday. According to NWS, dangerously hot conditions are expected to set in for areas under the warning during this time with temperatures forecast to peak around 106 to 112 degrees.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Both the Cedar Creek Falls and Three Sisters Falls trails have been closed by the Forest Service for several prolonged periods this summer due to heat warnings and advisories. However, there have still been multiple notable deaths on San Diego County trails.

Scuba diver dies in La Jolla Cove

In June, two hikers, a 28-year-old man and a 48-year-old woman, were killed at Three Sisters Falls trail after drowning in the water at the bottom of the waterfall.

A 24-year-old mountain biker in Jacumba died while trying to help four hikers suffering from dehydration a few weeks later in July. Later that month, an 81-year-old man was also found dead one mile into a Rancho Bernardo hike, where authorities believed extreme heat played a factor.

In early August, a 34-year-old man was found dead on one of the hiking trails on El Cajon Mountain. The hiker was found on Aug. 1, about a day after he was initially reported missing by loved ones.

Local health officials urge that people are cognizant of the signs of heatstroke or exhaustion, including having a body temperature of 103 degrees or higher, dizziness, nausea, confusion and headache. If youre suffering these symptoms, call 9-1-1 and try to get cooled off immediately.

(National Weather Service)

For those in areas under the warning, NWS urges residents to drink plenty of fluids, check up on relatives, avoid strenuous activities, stay out of the sun and in air-conditioned rooms when possible.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego.
Millions of people are anxiously waiting to see what Hurricane Lee will do in the coming days as it approaches the U.S. coastline.

For days, Lee's forecast track has appeared to be aimed in the direction of the East Coast, even as the storm rapidly strengthened into a Category 5 hurricane. But there's good reason to believe Lee won't continue in a straight line: Some routine weather systems are expected to save much of the East Coast from catastrophe.

As of Saturday evening, Lee was moving west-northwest  roughly in the direction of the United States  at 10 mph as a Category 3 hurricane. The storm is still hundreds of miles out to sea and had weakened slightly, but forecasters said it was likely to strengthen again.

A 5 p.m. forecast cone from the National Hurricane Center showed that forecasters expect Lee to begin to turn sometime around Wednesday, moving northward roughly parallel to the East Coast, still well off shore. The forecast cuts off as the storm is expected to make that turn.

The National Hurricane Center's forecast cone for Hurricane Lee as of 5 p.m. Saturday.

Jamie Rhome, deputy director of the National Hurricane Center, understands the concern when a massive hurricane appears to be barreling toward the United States. "People want a yes or no answer  Is it coming, is it not coming?" Rhome said Friday. But this far ahead of a storm  Lee was still hundreds of miles east of the Leeward Islands  "science doesn't let you directly answer that question."

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

The long-range forecast into next week hinges on the interactions between several key weather systems over the next few days: the hurricane, a high pressure ridge that expands and shrinks across the western Atlantic Ocean that often steers hurricanes and a southward dip in the jet stream that will push a low pressure area toward Lee.

Highly advanced forecast models help meteorologists understand the potential interplay between these large atmospheric systems, but uncertainty remains, Rhome said. "That's why we cant say there will or wont be direct impacts to the Northeast U.S. Coast and Canada."

"Right now, save the rip current risk, which is extreme, theres no reason for people on the East Coast to be fearful," he said. "We need them to be informed and aware and check back for details."

What's the risk to the East Coast right now?

"Florida is in all likelihood out of the direct impacts of wind and rain, but still very much in the crosshairs of rip currents," Rhome said.

Much of the rest of the U.S. East Coast could be spared direct impacts beyond rip currents, rough surf and erosion, but it's too soon to say for sure.

Coastal residents in the northeastern U.S. and Canada need to remain alert and regularly check the forecast. Direct impacts to those areas may be the biggest unknown at this early stage.

Major Hurricane Lee is seen on satellite on Friday afternoon, Sept. 8, in this image provided by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Visual How rip currents endanger swimmers

Where is Hurricane Lee?

By 5 p.m. Saturday, Lee was about 310 miles northeast of the northern Leeward Islands, moving west-northwest with maximum sustained winds of about 115 mph, the National Hurricane Center said.

Will Lee turn to the north?

Everything depends on these large-scale weather patterns that are constantly in motion in the upper atmosphere, said David Nolan, a professor of atmospheric science at the University of Miamis Rosenstiel School.

Right now, every computer model is showing theres a big dip in the jet stream over the United States that seems very likely, Nolan told USA TODAY on his way to catch a flight to St. Croix for a hurricane hunter flight on Saturday. If that occurs, Lee will be pulled northward.

One way to understand what happens is to think of Atlantic hurricanes as a storm river running north between two enormous mountain ranges. The ranges are the high pressure ridge in the mid-Atlantic and the trough of low pressure pushed by the jet stream.

Its a squeeze play, said Andrew Orrison, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service Weather Prediction Center in College Park Maryland. These storms track along the path of least resistance.

These otherwise routine weather systems are expected to save much of the East Coast from catastrophe.

For the next few days, the Atlantic high pressure will drive Lee along its southern edge, AccuWeather senior meteorologist Alyson Hoegg told USA TODAY. By Wednesday and Thursday, the low pressure area moving across the eastern U.S. will come into play.

By week's end, Hoegg said, winds associated with the two systems will work together to drive Lee toward the north. The publicly available model plots indicate a north or northeastward turn is likely to take place somewhere east of the Bahamas.

Hurricane Lee, as seen by a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Satellite on Friday night, Sept. 8, 2023. The storm is forecast to bring rip currents and erosion to the U.S. East Coast.

Could Hurricane Lee surprise forecasters and keep going straight?

Not likely. Twenty years ago the influence of the jet stream and other atmospheric conditions might have led to last-minute surprises, but not today, Nolan said.

Once upon a time when the models were not as good, there could be surprises, he said. The capability of the computer models over periods of 5-10 days has just been increasing steadily for the last 20 years. We know with near certainty Hurricane Lee is going to turn to the north."

A colleague of Nolan's also pointed that out in a post on X on Friday.

"This isn't 1990 anymore," said Andrew Hazelton, an associate scientist with the University of Miami and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Cooperative Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Studies.

"Global models are solid," said Hazelton, who flew into Lee on Friday. Forecasters have added confidence because the models remain in consensus about Lee's northward turn, but it could be to the left or right a couple of degrees.

Too soon to know impacts to New England

While its too early to know how close Lee might come to the U.S. East Coast, New Englanders are keeping a wary eye on the storm as some models have projected it tracking perilously close to New England  particularly Maine. It has been 69 years since a major hurricane made landfall in New England, said Brian McNoldy, a scientist and hurricane researcher at the University of Miami.

On Sept. 8, 1869, a Category 3 hurricane known as the September Gale of 1869 struck Rhode Island, the National Weather Service in Boston noted on Friday. The storm cut all telegraph lines between Boston and New York and capsized a schooner, killing 11 crew members.

If Lee actually does make landfall in New England, theres no doubt the storm surge would be a huge threat, he said.

Hurricane center's forecast track for Lee

The official forecast track cone shows the most likely path of the center of the storm, not the full width of the storm or its potential impacts. The center of the storm is likely to travel outside the cone up to 33% of the time.

What the spaghetti model plots show

Model plot illustrations include an array of forecast tools and models, and not all are created equal. The hurricane center uses the top four or five highest-performing models to help make its forecasts.

Contributing: Doyle Rice, USA TODAY; The Associated Press

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Hurricane Lee path from NHC explained: Will powerful storm miss US?
This story originally aired on Feb. 25. It was updated on Sept. 8.

On a wintery night near Rochester, New York, retired Detective Marc Liberatore shows "48 Hours" how he helped bring one of the coldest cases in America to trial. On Feb. 19, 1982, police officers arrived at the Brighton home of Jim and Cathy Krauseneck and encountered a horrific scene.

The body of a 29-year-old mother Cathy Krauseneck dead in bed with an ax lodged in her head.

Det. Mark Libertore: It was a single blow to the head. And she died instantly according to the medical examiner.

Jim Krauseneck told police he arrived home from work and found his wife's body. His 3-and-a-half-year-old daughter Sara was there and unharmed. Minutes later, he showed up at his neighbor's house  seemingly traumatized  with Sara in his arms. The neighbor called 911 after Jim told her he thought Cathy was dead.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

NEIGHBOR TO 911: Her husband's here and he can't even talk.

911 DISPATCHER: OK. I'll have someone right over there 

Dispatch immediately sent first responders. Brighton Police Lieutenant Bill Flood arrived to get a statement from Krauseneck.

Det. Bill Flood: He was moaning, he was crying.

Jim, Cathy and Sara Krauseneck / Credit: Annet Schlosser

Krauseneck, a Kodak company economist, said he'd left for work that morning at the usual time  around 6:30 a.m. He said he'd been gone all day. Cathy had planned to stay home to take care of Sara.

Det. Bill Flood: You could tell that little girl had been left alone  it looked obvious to us that she had dressed herself.

It seemed obvious to Detective Flood that Sara was confused about what had happened. Sara said she'd seen a "bad man ... sleeping in mommy and daddy's bed with an ax in his head." Asked if the man was black or white, she said he was "many colors." But Flood thinks Sara hadn't seen a man at all; that it was her mother in bed, covered with blood.

Gary Craig: And what does a 3-and-a-half-year-old do?

Gary Craig reports for the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle.

Gary Craig: The murder in and of itself is baffling and hard to believe  But you add this element where Cathy's daughter has been left in the house  with her murdered mother  It's inconceivable that somebody could do that.

Liberatore and his partner Steve Hunt of the Brighton Police Department, say the first investigators at the scene found no significant forensic clues like fibers or fingerprints. And in 1982, DNA had not yet become an investigative tool. But there was something about the scene that struck them immediately. It looked like someone had pushed the pause button on a burglary.

Det. Steve Hunt: And there was a door leading into the house that had a pane of glass broken out and there was a maul, which is like a heavier ax, on the ground leaning up against the wall right next to that.

At first glance, it looked like someone had pushed the pause button on a burglary. But investigators say the scene lacked one of the most important hallmarks of a burglary: nothing was taken. / Credit: Monroe County Court

The ax found at the door, and the one in Cathy's head, both belonged to the Krausenecks. In the dining room, there were valuable items scattered.

Det. Steve Hunt: And on the floor was Cathy's purse, with the contents  strewn about.

There was a tea set on the floor, too.

Det. Steve Hunt: Everything was standing straight up like it was set there neatly.

And a black garbage bag next to it. Inside, was a faint shoe print as if someone had stepped in it to hold it open. But despite many apparent signs of a burglary, Liberatore and Hunt say the most important one was missing.

Det. Steve Hunt: Nothing was taken.

Det. Mark Liberatore: There's an officer involved in this case from the 1980's  who hits the nail on the head: We in Brighton do not handle a lot of homicides. We do handle a lot of burglaries  And this was not a burglary.

Investigators suspected the burglary was simply staged to cover up the real crime  Cathy's murder  and they began to focus on her husband.

Gary Craig: Let's face it, I mean, more often than not  it's the husband, it's domestic  so police are going to go there.

But could Jim Krauseneck have committed such a brutal murder and left his baby daughter alone in that house? "48 Hours" spoke to friends and family who said the couple had seemed happy.

Cathy and Jim had grown up in the same small town in Michigan, but on opposite sides of the tracks. Cathy's father was a trucker; Jim's owned a successful carpet store. They met in high school, began dating in college, and married after graduation.

Jim and Cathy Krauseneck cut their wedding cake on May 3, 1974. / Credit: Annet Schlosser

Susie Jackimowicz: It was a fancy wedding.

Cathy's cousin Susie was just a kid.

Susie Jackimowicz: Like a princess wedding kinda deal. Jim was pursuing an economics degree in Colorado when they had Sara in 1978.

Cathy Behe: She was just so excited about her daughter, just so excited about her.

Cathy Krauseneck's friend, Cathy Behe, says she was a warm soul who lived for love, but remembers feeling that the last time they saw each other  just six months before the murder  something just didn't seem right.

Cath Behe: Not the vivacious Cathy that I remembered.

Erin Moriarty: What was the next thing you heard?

Cathy Behe: I got a call from my sister, and she told me about Cathy being murdered.

If Cathy and Jim were having trouble, they kept it to themselves. But police grew suspicious when they discovered a pamphlet in the couple's car that offered services including marriage counseling. And there was more. When they went to Kodak, they learned that Jim Krauseneck had gotten his job under false pretenses, claiming to have a Ph.D. when he'd never actually completed the program. There was also Krauseneck's behavior. Newspaper reporter Gary Craig says initially, he was cooperative.

Gary Craig: He was willing early on to give statements.

Krauseneck had spoken to investigators that night and the next morning, even agreeing to another meeting that afternoon. But when the time came 

Gary Craig: He was gone.

Erin Moriarty: Less than 24 hours after he found his wife murdered?

Gary Craig: Yes.

Krauseneck's parents had driven from Michigan and returned there with Jim and Sara. Police say Jim left town without telling them.

Det. Mark Liberatore: I wouldn't consider it normal  but this is America and he's free to do so.

When Rochester authorities followed them to Michigan, Krauseneck continued answering their questions and even provided hair and blood samples. Ten days after the murder, he hired a lawyer.

By this point, police were focused squarely on Jim Krauseneck. But they had a problem. They needed to establish exactly when the murder had happened. Had Jim even been home at the time? Remember, he told police he left for work at about 6:30 a.m.

Gary Craig: Back in 1982, the time of death gave a very broad range. And the science was that you really could not pinpoint.

Autopsy findings reportedly narrowed the time of death to between 4:30 a.m. and as late as 7:30 a.m.  an hour after Krauseneck claimed to have left the house. With no direct evidence against him, nor any clear motive, authorities didn't want to try their luck with a jury. The investigation went cold.

Sara and Jim Krauseneck / Credit: Sharon Krauseneck

Krauseneck and Sara eventually moved out west. He would briefly wed twice more before marrying his current wife, Sharon, 23 years ago  Never dreaming that his past would come looking for him.

A SURPRISE VISIT

In 1997, Sharon James ran into Jim Krauseneck, an old friend, at a trade show when sparks flew.

Sharon Krauseneck: And he asked me out. And from then on, for two years, we dated.

They both lived near Seattle. Krauseneck and his daughter Sara had moved there 10 years earlier but couldn't leave the past behind.

Sharon Krauseneck: He was devastated with the death of Cathy.

Sharon says Jim told her about Cathy's 1982 murder but didn't offer details.

Sharon Krauseneck: And I didn't want to pry because he would start getting emotional.

Erin Moriarty: What was it that made you fall in love with him?

Sharon Krauseneck: Jim is  so honest. He's so loving  I wanted to be a part of his family.

They married in 1999.

Sharon and Jim Krauseneck married in 1999. / Credit: Sharon Krauseneck

Erin Moriarty: You like to spend a lot of time together?

Sharon Krauseneck: Oh, absolutely.  people will say we call each other everything but our names. We'll call each other lovey-dovey, honey  and they say well, you act like newlyweds.

As the years rolled by, Sharon had no idea that more than 2,000 miles away in Rochester N.Y., someone else would set her sights on Jim Krauseneck: Monroe County District Attorney Sandra Doorley.

DA Sandra Doorley: Cathy really needed to have justice.

In 2015, the FBI had provided resources to help Brighton police with their investigation.

Det. Steve Hunt: I mean you look at all those boxes of paperwork and evidence.  It's daunting.

Detectives Mark Liberatore and Steve Hunt of the Brighton Police Department took the lead. Pouring over the file, they, too, became convinced the evidence pointed to one person: Jim Krauseneck. So, on April 16, 2016 

Sharon Krauseneck: We were just having a lazy Saturday morning. And then all of the sudden, the doorbell rang.

DET. MARK LIBERATORE: Hi.  Mark Liberatore, how are you?

Erin Moriarty: You wanted to surprise him?

Det. Mark Liberatore: Yes.

Det. Steve Hunt: Absolutely.

DET. STEVE HUNT: You're probably a little bit surprised why we're here.

Erin Moriarty: Did Jim at that point think maybe I'd better call a lawyer?

Sharon Krauseneck: No, no not at all.

On the contrary. She says her husband welcomed them in and allowed them to record the conversation:

JIM KRAUSENECK: Hopefully you've got some good news. DETECTIVE: We just want to kind of revamp everything, go through everything again with you.

She says they sat around the kitchen table talking for more than an hour.

Sharon Krauseneck (upbeat): They said  "we think we know who killed Cathy and we need your help." And in that type of a tone.

DET. STEVE HUNT: I'm sure you think about this, "who could possibly have done this?" JIM KRAUSENECK: I did, for a long time.

But then, Sharon says, detectives Liberatore and Hunt suddenly turned up the heat.

DET. MARK LIBERATORE: Did you have anything to do with this? JIM KRAUSENECK: I didn't kill Cathy. DET. MARK LIBERATORE: I disagree. JIM KRAUSENECK: Well then  DET. MARK LIBERATORE: I think you did.

Det. Steve Hunt: You could see his heart pounding through his shirt.

Erin Moriarty: That would be a very scary thing  that somebody is accusing you of killing someone.

Det. Mark Liberatore: I would say scary  if you did it.

Erin Moriarty: Was that the first time then you started hearing details of what happened to Cathy?

Sharon Krauseneck: Yes

Sharon says it also was the first time she'd heard any suggestion that her husband was involved.

Erin Moriarty: Did you ever ask him point-blank?

Sharon Krauseneck: No, I didn't. I didn't have to.

Erin Moriarty: You didn't have to know?

Sharon Krauseneck: No  I know. I know he did not murder his wife.

Erin Moriarty: Sharon, how can you be so sure? You only have Jim's word for it.

Sharon Krauseneck: No  When you're married to a man, you know his heart and you know his soul.  Jim could never, Erin, never in this world do something so horrific.

Erin Moriarty: You know, somebody listening to you would say, you sound a little naive. Didn't you have some doubts? Didn't you want to know more?

Sharon Krauseneck: I  you can call me naive I suppose.

But she insists that no one who has known Jim Krauseneck as well as she has  for as long as she has  could possibly have doubts.

Sharon Krauseneck: No, I'm not going to question him. I don't doubt for a moment he was innocent.

But the detectives still hoped to find what investigators 40 years ago were never able to find: a smoking gun that tied Jim Krauseneck to the Brighton ax murder.

DA Sandra Doorley: You have to remember, back in 1982, there was no such thing as DNA testing. So, my first thought was, y'know, what can we test?  Are we going to find someone else's DNA on any item within the home?

Det. Mark Liberatore: We sent  the evidence from '82 back to the FBI lab.

The ax used to murder Cathy Krauseneck. / Credit: CBS News

The results: there was no DNA evidence that directly tied Krauseneck to the crime, but none tying anyone else to the murder, either. And although DNA evidence can degrade over time 

DA Sandra Doorley: The most important thing was finding the absence of someone else's DNA within that home.

But to charge Jim Krauseneck, they wanted to prove his wife had died before had he gone to work. Jim claimed to have left the house at around 6:30 a.m., and Cathy had been fine.

Det. Mark Liberatore: We need a definitive time of death.

Back in 1982, the medical examiner was unable to narrow the time of death enough and, since then, other experts have agreed with her. In 2018, prosecutors turned to Dr. Michael Baden.

For over 50 years, Baden  a forensic pathologist  has been hired to work on a "who's who" of whodunnit cases, from the assassination of JFK to the reported suicide of disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, often raising eyebrows and generating controversy.

In this case, using the same file from 1982, Baden said in his analysis, it appeared Cathy died at about 3:30 a.m. That would be hours before Jim Krauseneck said he left for work that day.

DA Sandra Doorley: You know, some people may say that we were looking  for an opinion.

Erin Moriarty: That you were just looking for somebody who would pick a time of death that was before Krauseneck left the house in order to secure an indictment.

DA Sandra Doorley: Absolutely.

Erin Moriarty: But if, in fact, Dr. Baden had agreed with the other medical examiners  would you have hired him?

DA Sandra Doorley: Absolutely not.

Jim Krauseneck was indicted on Nov. 1, 2019, and surrendered to authorities in Rochester, N.Y., a week later. The then-67-year-old pleaded not guilty. / Credit: Monroe County Sheriff's Office

Armed with Dr. Baden's opinion on Cathy's time of death, along with what they believe is evidence of a staged burglary, prosecutors went before a grand jury. Jim Krauseneck was indicted on Nov. 1, 2019. He voluntarily surrendered to authorities a week later.

Erin Moriarty: Do you have any doubt about Jim Krauseneck's guilt in his wife's murder?

DA Sandra Doorley: I have absolutely no doubt.

Erin Moriarty: None?

DA Sandra Doorley: None, whatsoever.

But Jim Krauseneck's attorneys say there's a mountain of doubt in this case because Jim Krauseneck is not the Brighton ax murderer.

Bill Easton: There was someone who could be responsible for it.

A serial predator had been living in the neighborhood who actually confessed to killing Cathy.

ED LARABY: CAREER CRIMINAL

Attorneys Bill Easton and Michael Wolford are trying to save James Krauseneck.

Bill Easton: There really is no evidence that Jim Krauseneck killed his wife.  He is the most reserved, humble, gentle person.

A man both believe had zero motive for murder.

Michael Wolford: They had a wonderful relationship. They had a wonderful family.

And so, his lawyers insist that Feb. 19, 1982, was a typical morning, in a home defined by love, until a stranger slipped in and took it all away.

Bill Easton: Jim Krauseneck went to work  someone came in and killed Cathy Krauseneck. We think that someone was Ed Laraby.

Ed Laraby  a monster just down the road.

Gary Craig | Reporter: He was just a violent son of a gun and terrible, terrible human being.

Edward Laraby had a reputation and record as a violent sexual predator. / Credit: Monroe County District Attorney's Office

From Rochester's back streets to New York's toughest prisons, Ed Laraby had a reputation and record as a violent sexual predator.

Michael Wolford: Laraby hunted women.  He was a psychopath.

Before dying in prison in 2014, Laraby was locked up for a total of 32 years on charges that ultimately included attempted murder, robbery and his sick specialty  rape. But all too often, Laraby was released back on the streets.

Rachel Rear: And every time he was free, he would rape again.  He liked to laugh at women and humiliate them.

Erin Moriarty: You probably know as much about Ed Laraby as anyone.

Rachel Rear: I think so.

Erin Moriarty: Right?

Rachel Rear: Yeah.

Rachel Rear wrote "Catch the Sparrow," a harrowing story, painfully close to home.

Rachel Rear: It's about the murder of my stepsister in 1991.

Stephanie Kupchynsky, 27, was a music teacher and violinist when her life tragically intersected with Ed Laraby's.

Rachel Rear: It's mind-boggling to me that he was ever free.

In 1991, freshly paroled after serving a sentence for robbery, Laraby had come back to the suburbs of Rochester  his familiar hunting ground.

Rachel Rear: He got the job at Newcastle apartment complex which is where my stepsister lived.  Laraby himself said that they were foolish to hire him.

It wasn't long before Stephanie went missing.

Rachel Rear: It was like she evaporated.

LOCAL NEWS REPORT: Stephanie Kupchynsky's death rattled many when she disappeared from her apartment in 1991. Her remains found 7 years later.

Edward Laraby confessed to the 1991 murder of Stephanie Kupchynsky, 27. / Credit: Rachel Rear

The remains of Stephanie Kupchynsky lay scattered in a shallow stream bed. She had been strangled.

More than a dozen years later, Laraby, by then convicted of other crimes and back in prison, admitted he was her killer.

Erin Moriarty: What made him confess to Stephanie's murder?

Rachel Rear: What ultimately made him confess was that he was dying.

Laraby, who was suffering from ALS, came up with a bucket list of a dying man: pizza, sandwiches, and he was angling for an agreement to be buried off prison grounds. So, in 2012, Ed Laraby confessed.

Rachel Rear: He went into Stephanie's apartment  And then she screamed  And then he choked her  And she died. And he confessed to killing her.

But Ed Laraby didn't stop with Stephanie Kupchynsky.

Rachel Rear: Once he confessed to Stephanie's murder and realized that he could get things in exchange for confession, all of a sudden then he started wheeling and dealing and making more deals.

Ed Laraby contacted the FBI claiming he was a serial killer, and one of the victims he listed was a Rochester housewife murdered on a February morning in 1982: 29-year-old Cathy Krauseneck.

Michael Wolford: Laraby lived very close by  And she was someone that he was going to prey on.

The idea that decades earlier Ed Laraby might have murdered Cathy doesn't come as a surprise to investigators and those who know him best.

Det. Mark Liberatore: Everybody from back in that time frame is familiar with Ed.

Rachel Rear: He would've been out of prison at the time that Cathy was killed.

Free, violent and just down the road. Police went to question him, shortly after Cathy's murder. But Ed Laraby wasn't talking back then. They filed their report, and then backed off.

Erin Moriarty: And is it fair to say the police dropped the ball in that case?  Because you've got a sexual predator within minutes of the house and they  they don't do anything more than visit him once?

Gary Craig: Oh, I think it's very fair to say that.  To have apparently ignored Ed Laraby in 1982, whether he did or didn't do it, is clearly  was just a major lapse in the investigation.

Det. Mark Liberatore: I don't know that I'd used the phrase drop the ball  And unfortunately  the officer and the sergeant who approved that report are both deceased.

Still, the FBI and detectives Liberatore and Hunt don't believe Ed Laraby murdered Cathy.

Det. Steve Hunt: He was a bad man, he was.

Erin Moriarty: That's one way to put it.

Det. Mark Liberatore: He's a bad man, but he's not our bad man.

Erin Moriarty: This is a guy who has a long history of hurting women and he's confessing to killing Cathy Krauseneck.

Det. Steve Hunt: Yeah, but his confession 

Det. Mark Liberatore: Inappropriately 

Det. Steve Hunt:  was way off base.

Det. Mark Liberatore:  way off.

Erin Moriarty: Why are you so sure it's not Edward Laraby?

DA Sandra Doorley: Because his confession didn't match up to the facts, as simple as that.

Cathy Krauseneck / Credit: Annet Schlosser

Laraby said Cathy had dark hair when in fact she was blonde, that she was heavyset when she wasn't. Even Rachel Rear, who knows all too well the damage Laraby can do, doesn't believe he killed Cathy.

Rachel Rear: To me, I was like, it's not his M.O.  I don't think he was a serial killer. He's a serial rapist.

After four decades of dead ends, law enforcement was convinced that Jim Krauseneck, not Ed Laraby, wielded that bloody ax.

Sharon Krauseneck: This man is an innocent man.  He's been treated so unjust.

But come 2022, James Krauseneck, the successful businessman and father, headed to trial. The 40-year-old murder case could hinge on mere minutes, and prosecutors proving that Krauseneck was home when Cathy was killed.

PROSECUTOR PATRICK GALLAGHER (closing argument): You look at the evidence, it's clear. She was killed in her sleep.

WHAT TIME DID CATHY DIE?

After four decades, as James Krauseneck finally came to trial, prosecutors were betting on Michael Baden, that forensic pathologist they had engaged, and his theory of when Cathy most likely died  about 3:30 a.m.

Michael Wolford: Well, they needed a Dr. Baden, who said basically that it happened at 3:30 in the morning.  That was different than any other medical examiner that was involved in this case.

One of them was Katherine Maloney, a forensic pathologist who would testify for the defense  something she had seldom done before.

Erin Moriarty: Can you pinpoint the actual time of death?

Dr. Katherine Maloney: No. Oh my goodness I wish I could  The best you're going to do is  is a window of several hours.

Doctor Maloney thinks it's possible Cathy could have died much later in the day.

Erin Moriarty: I mean, so you're saying Dr Baden is wrong?

Dr. Katherine Maloney: I disagree with him. I think he's wrong.  I think she likely died sometime between like 5 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Timing of the death seemed crucial. If Cathy was murdered in the dead of night, before Jim Krauseneck went to work, then prosecutors say her killer wasn't an intruder  it had to be her husband.

Forty years after Cathy Krauseneck was killed in her sleep, her husband Jim Krauseneck stands trial for her murder. / Credit: Shawn Dowd/Pool

The stage was set for a gruesome drama in search of its final act.

NEWS REPORT: What makes this case so unique is it happened over 40 years ago.

Over those decades, hearts had been broken and relationships shattered.

Erin Moriarty: Really, how would you describe the last 40 years on your family?

Susie Jackimowicz: It's been a terrible  It's just god-awful.

Cathy Krauseneck's father Bob Schlosser and cousin Susie Jackimowicz. / Credit: CBS News

Cousin Susie Jackimowicz witnessed the shift in Cathy's now 95-year-old father Bob Schlosser  who today believes Krauseneck is a killer, but for years was certain his son-in-law was innocent.

Bob Schlosser: I just didn't think that he would  that he would do such a thing.

Erin Moriarty: I mean, had there ever been a real serious problem in their marriage that anybody had heard of?

Bob Schlosser: No, not that I knew of.

Jim and Cathy Krauseneck / Credit: Annet Schlosser

But investigators believe the marriage was secretly crumbling.

Det. Mark Liberatore: He snapped is what we believe. He just snapped.

Erin Moriarty: People look at Jim Krauseneck, he just doesn't look like an ax murderer.

Bob Schlosser: What's an ax murderer look like?

Schlosser believes that over time, Krauseneck began separating Sara from her mother's family  the child who was home when her mother was murdered.

Bob Schlosser: We didn't see Sara anymore.

Susie Jackimowicz: Not only was Cathy taken away, Sara was taken away.

Jim Krauseneck's daughter Sara gives her father a hug in court. / Credit: Shawn Dowd/Pool

Sara's a grown woman now, firmly standing by her dad as sure that he's innocent, as prosecutors Constance Patterson and Patrick Gallagher are certain he's Cathy's killer.

Prosecutor Patrick Gallagher: No doubt at all.

Prosecutor Constance Patterson: Absolutely no doubt in my mind.

But as the trial moved forward, lawyers on both sides confessed they had a daunting challenge: time itself.

Patrick Gallagher: Dealing with  with memory issues, dealing with deceased witnesses.

Bill Easton: Witnesses can't recall what happened 40 years ago.

So, investigators pursued evidence that didn't rely on the frailties of memory. They homed in on the physical crime scene.

Prosecutor Patrick Gallagher: I wanted to not only prove that that Cathy was clearly killed in the early morning hours, but also prove that it was a staged burglary.

Det. Steve Hunt: There's a lot of questions and things just didn't make sense.

Authorities argued the scene was staged by someone who had no idea what a burglary looked like.

Det. Steve Hunt: The house wasn't ransacked.

Det. Mark Liberatore: In fact, there was cash on the dresser in the room where Cathy was killed, that wasn't taken.

The broken glass, the seemingly precise placing of that maul.

Det. Steve Hunt: They wanted us to believe that the maul was used to break that pane of glass.

That silver tea set, barely disturbed.

Patrick Gallagher: And when you looked at the pieces that don't fit, the reason they don't fit is because it was a staged burglary.

The faint shoe print (circled) investigators found inside a garbage bag at the Krauseneck crime scene. / Credit: Monroe County District Attorney

Then there was that faint shoeprint investigators found inside a garbage bag. Prosecutors thought the print told a story.

Patrick Gallagher: The only way that gets in there is when the bag is being opened, when items are being placed in that bag.

Erin Moriarty: And somebody is putting their foot on there, so they can hold it open?

Patrick Gallagher: So  You're stepping on the edge of that bag  you're holding one edge and you're placing that silver in the bag.

Investigators say the print was from special footwear: a boat shoe.

Erin Moriarty: And why a boat shoe?

A crime scene photo shows a pair of boat shoes, like her husband was known to wear, by Cathy Krauseneck's bed. Forty years later, detectives believe the faint shoe print in that garbage bag was made by those boat shoes, which were not tested. / Credit: Monroe County District Attorney's Office

Patrick Gallagher: And, so, there's a picture in that bedroom where you can see next to the bed  You can see these boat shoes.

Erin Moriarty: And whose shoes are those?

Patrick Gallagher: And those are James Krauseneck's shoes.

Det. Steve Hunt: He's a boat shoe wearing guy, and we don't have murderers running around in February in the wintertime wearing boat shoes and killing people.

But the shoes Krauseneck wore back then were not tested to see if they were a match. And his lawyers say it's not just the wrong theory  it's the wrong man.

They say it's Ed Laraby, that career criminal, who, before he died, had confessed to killing Cathy.

Bill Easton: He lives four-minute walk away.

But there's the problem of Laraby's M.O. Remember, he was a repeat sex offender.

Erin Moriarty: Was there any sign that Cathy had been sexually assaulted or that she had had any contact at all with her killer?

Det. Mark Liberatore: None whatsoever.

Erin Moriarty: Do you believe that there was tunnel vision in this investigation?

Bill Easton: I think it would almost be the dictionary definition of tunnel vision  There was this overwhelming  urge and desire to solve the crime, and it had to be Jim Krauseneck.

Susie Jackimowicz: I know he did it. I know it was him.

Come closing statements, cameras were allowed into the courtroom as lawyers made their final pleas:

BILL EASTON: The mystery of Cathy Krauseneck's death remains to this day, and we submit it has not been resolved by this trial.

PATRICK GALLAGHER: Common sense tells you this was a staged burglary.  Those are the only reasonable inferences that can be drawn from this case.

BILL EASTON: There are no eyewitnesses. There are no earwitnesses.  There is no direct evidence. That was the case 40 years ago and that's the case now.

But Gallagher reminded the jury of that time-stamp  3:30 a.m.  that pathologist Michael Baden put as Cathy's possible time of death.

PATRICK GALLAGHER: Common sense tells you she died early that morning.

Michael Wolford: As we said at the outset, there is no new evidence, simply a new opinion by Dr. Baden.  We don't think that cuts it.

Forty years after that awful day, the case would now go to a jury.

Erin Moriarty: Were you worried?

Sharon Krauseneck: I was worried, yes.  And Jim being the husband  and that's being the typical fall guy, the husband must have done it.  I was very fearful.

A JURY DECIDES

Jim Krauseneck's fate will be determined by 12 strangers.

Sharon Krauseneck: They want to hold someone accountable for this  I was very fearful.

Because it's Sharon and Sara's future as well.

Sharon Krauseneck: On Friday night. The jury hadn't finished their deliberations. And I was so thankful. I thought, "Oh  give us this weekend (cries).

Erin Moriarty: Did you think this could be the last weekend you could spend with him?

Sharon Krauseneck: I think deep down, I probably did.

James Krauseneck is led away in handcuffs after he was found guilty for the 1982 murder of his first wife Cathy in Brighton, New York. / Credit: Jamie Germano

Altogether, it takes the jury less than 10 hours of deliberations to reach a verdict: Jim Krauseneck is guilty of second-degree murder.

Sharon Krauseneck: I remember standing up. I saw this one deputy across from me and I said, "Oh, please  let me hug my husband.  he said "no." No  I can't.

BOB SCHLOSSER (to reporters outside courtroom) We got our justice. It took 40 years.  Thank God, we got it.

SHARON KRAUSENECK (walking through court lobby with Sara): He's innocent. He's innocent!

Michael Wolford: Unfortunately, there is a presumption of guilt.  if the husband is  living in the home and the wife is killed  he's almost presumed guilty,

Defense attorney Michael Wolford says that Jim Krauseneck was convicted because of who he was, not what he did.

Michael Wolford: I think there was a gut reaction on the part of the jurors, that "well, he probably did it."

But the jurors "48 Hours" spoke to insisted they decided this case on the evidence  evidence they admit had divided them at the start.

Jane | Juror: I just kept thinking someone else really could have done this.

Helen | Juror: The forensics did not point to anybody else.

The first time they voted, we were told six said guilty, three not guilty, three undecided.

Ivan | Juror: The most important thing to me  was the staged burglary scene.

They said that staged scene was a critical clue. And there was something else they seemed to agree on. That, in the end, it was impossible to say exactly when Cathy died.

Jane: We threw out all of that testimony  We  It meant nothing to us.

But their verdict means everything to Krauseneck's heartbroken daughter Sara, who tells the judge at sentencing it adds insult to deep injury.

SARA KRAUSENECK (in court): I've been blessed with the most extraordinary parents. Sadly, they have both been taken from my life. My mother's killer got away with her murder, and my father's life has been taken by a failed justice system that convicted him of a crime he did not commit.

But Sara's grandfather  Cathy's father  wants to make sure Jim Krauseneck spends the rest of his life paying for her death.

BOB SCHLOSSER (to Jim Krauseneck in court): And Jim, I hope you live to be 100 years old and enjoy your new home!

And finally, it's up to Jim Krauseneck himself to take one last opportunity to address the court.

JIM KRAUSENECK (in court): To this day it's still very difficult for me to talk about the circumstances that surrounded her death. All I see is Cathy with an ax in her head, and Sara standing in the hallway, disheveled, with an empty and distant look on her face. I did not murder Cathy. I loved Cathy with all my heart and with all my soul.

The judge is unmoved, giving the 71-year-old Krauseneck 25 years-to-life behind bars.

Before his own life is over, there's one more thing Cathy's father wants to do.

For decades, Cathy has been buried in Jim's family plot.

Bob Schlosser: I want to move my daughter's remains  where her mother and brother are.

But to move her, Bob Schlosser needs Sara to agree and that may never happen. Sara and Sharon continue to support Jim, who intends to appeal his conviction.

Erin Moriarty: You're going to stand by him no matter what?

Sharon Krauseneck: Oh, absolutely.

Sharon Krauseneck rejects the possibility that her husband has permanently traded his golden years for the hardened metal of a prison cell.

Sharon Krauseneck: We have a lot of hope. We have a lot of faith.  This is not our retirement. This is a hiccup. This is just a  just a  a pause.

And Krauseneck's lawyers say that forcing him to defend a 40-year-old case violated his constitutional right to a fair trial.

Erin Moriarty: Are you worried at all about that  if an appellate court ruled in favor  of Jim Krauseneck, and said that his rights had been violated  then it would all be for nothing?

DA Sandra Doorley: It wouldn't be all for nothing. Cathy's story was able to be told and that family was able to get justice  Justice has been done for Cathy.

Six months after Jim Krauseneck was sentenced, he died of cancer in prison. Sharon, Sara and Jim's legal team are appealing the verdict, hoping to clear his name.

Produced by Josh Yager and James Stolz. Marc Goldbaum and Charlotte Fuller are the development producers. Michael Loftus and Liz Caholo are the associate producers. Richard Barber is the producer-editor. Atticus Brady is also an editor. Patti Aronofsky is the senior producer. Nancy Kramer is the executive story editor. Judy Tygard is the executive producer.

"Starfield" looks to entice players with vast universe

2024 trends to look out for at New York Fashion Week

World leaders gather for G20 summit
Silver Beach Elementary School is one of several schools in the Bellingham Public School District that now has a new, inclusive playground on its campus.

Construction of the new playground began in June and was finished Aug. 28, just before the start of the 2023-24 school year.

The playground replaced the elementary schools older playground with an expanded footprint and new equipment that is designed to accommodate recreation for children in different ways. It still has the traditional elements of a playground, like swings and a slide. But the slides have a wider base at the bottom to support a safer landing while some of the swings have supportive backs and secure straps.

Playgrounds that are thoughtfully designed to provide access for all (kids) make our schools more welcoming, inclusive and fun places to learn and be active, said Bellingham Public Schools spokesperson Dana Smith in a statement to the Bellingham Herald.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

The new playground at Silver Beach Elementary School cost a total of $1.38 million, including materials and construction. It was funded by the $122 million 2022 Bellingham Public Schools bond passed by voters.

The slides at the new inclusive playground at Silver Beach Elementary School have wider bases at the bottom to support a safer landing. The new playground was completed on Aug. 28. 2023, in Bellingham, Wash. Rachel Showalter/The Bellingham Herald

The playground has a base of rubberized tiles instead of woodchips in order to make the area more accessible for those who may have trouble navigating an uneven surface.

The playground also includes equipment like chimes and interactive games that encourage diverse types of play. There is a separate playground for preschool students.

Some of the swings at the inclusive playground at Silver Beach Elementary School have supportive backs and secure straps so that differently-able children are able to use them. The new playground was completed on Aug. 28. 2023, in Bellingham, Wash. Rachel Showalter/The Bellingham Herald

Mary Gutierrez has two kids who attend Silver Beach Elementary School. Her family lives nearby and often walks to school.

Weve been coming here since before the kids went to school here and it was not a very accessible playground, especially for younger kids or kids with limited mobility, Gutierrez said about the schools former playground. Were really glad that all of (our kids) friends can play on it with them now, too.

Gutierrez told The Herald her children cant get enough of the new equipment.

They love it. They want to get to school early now, Gutierrez said. Every waking moment they want to come up here and play.

Children play at the Silver Beach Elementary School playground Friday, April 14, 2023, in Bellingham, Wash. The playground is expected to be replaced with an inclusive playground by the 2023-2024 school year. Rachel Showalter/The Bellingham Herald

In addition to serving the schools students, the playground also serves as a community park for the neighborhood. Silver Beach Elementary School Principal Teri Herda told The Herald she has seen it completely full on the weekends.

We just wanted to come up with a design that was super inclusive and would fit everybodys needs, Herda said. And  wow  if you look at the playground, there is something for everybody to do.

The Silver Beach Elementary School playground, on Friday, April 14, 2023, in Bellingham, Wash., is expected to be replaced with an inclusive playground by fall 2023. Rachel Showalter/The Bellingham Herald

This project is part of a plan by Bellingham Public Schools to create inclusive playgrounds at every school in the district. The district created a playground advisory committee in 2021 to guide that process, according to previous reporting by The Herald. The designs are based on the concept of universal design, which aims to create an environment that is usable by all people, to the greatest extent possible, without the need for adaptation or specialized design.

The district is working on prioritizing universal design as the new standard for all of its playgrounds.

A sign posted in front of the newly finished inclusive playground at Silver Beach Elementary School on Sept. 6, 2023, thanks voters for approving the bond that funded the project in Bellingham, Wash. Rachel Showalter/The Bellingham Herald

Sunnyland, Parkview and Alderwood elementary schools also have inclusive playgrounds. The district anticipates planning a new playground for Northern Heights Elementary School next. Geneva and Wade King elementary schools are also listed as high priority for new playgrounds, according to Smith.
It may be missing two key invitees but this weekends Group of 20 (G20) summit affords Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi an opportunity to extend his leadership beyond his countrys borders as he looks to burnish his credentials on the world stage ahead of a tough election battle.

Modi is bringing together global leaders at the summit in New Delhi as enduring divisions over Russias war in Ukraine continue to deepen, taking charge of delivering discourse around some of the most pressing issues, including global economic jitters and a climate crisis that needs urgent action from the worlds wealthiest nations.

Its an event that has dominated headlines at home and comes at a pivotal time for the Indian leader as he prepares to contest the general election for a rare third term next year.

Yet, as the Ukraine war rages on, friction between China, Russia, and several of the G20 members could put Modis statecraft to the test.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Chinese leader Xi Jinping will be absent from the gathering, with Beijing giving no reason for the surprise miss  a move widely seen as a snub to India. Russian President Vladimir Putin , who cannot risk travel in case of arrest, will remain in Moscow, instead sending his foreign minister to represent the Kremlin.

US President Joe Biden however has made it to New Delhi and met with Modi, hoping to seize on an opening created by the absence of the Russian and Chinese leaders.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese leader Xi Jinping at the 2019 G20 Summit in Osaka, Japan. - Mikhail Svetlov/Getty Images/File

As the fractured G20 grouping comes together, reaching a consensus agreement looks unlikely  an unprecedented outcome for an event that each year seeks to deliver a statement that lays out common goals for the worlds richest countries.

Nevertheless, analysts say the gathering affords Modi a unique chance to shine on the world stage and flex Indias geopolitical muscle.

There is polarization between the East and West, and a gap between the North and South. India can act as a bridge, said Kajari Kamal, associate professor at the Takshashila Institution in India. This presidency is an important way to showcase that India is a power of consequence.

Moment of pride

Hailed as Indias event of the year, the G20 has been heavily promoted domestically, with billboards featuring Modis face plastered across New Delhi and freshly planted trees lining the capitals pavement.

The worlds largest democracy is taking no chances to let anything ruin the event, deploying hundreds of security and fortifying large areas in the city.

Life-size cutouts of angry langurs have popped up across the capital to dissuade smaller monkeys from wreaking havoc in public areas. Hidden from sight are rows of slums, with many demolished by authorities or barricaded by newly constructed walls ahead of the summit. Local news channels have spared no detail in covering the leaders summit.

While prior to the arrival of European colonization, the many kingdoms that made up what is now modern India were among the wealthiest in the world, for decades after independence, Indias image had been synonymous with underdevelopment and poverty.

But that is a reputation that Modi has long been eager to shake off and while extreme disparities in development continue to persist in the country of 1.4 billion, the G20s campaign has been clear: India is becoming a force to be reckoned with.

Modi, whose calendar this year included diplomatic trips to Australia and the United States, is presenting himself as a statesman who is cementing the country as a modern superpower.

And 2023 has been a remarkable year in that respect.

Last month India made history by soft landing a rover on the moon, becoming just the fourth nation in the world to have completed such a feat  and it launched its first spacecraft dedicated to studying the sun last week.

This year was also the moment it overtook China to become the worlds most populous nation while the year before it surpassed its former colonial ruler Britain to become the worlds fifth largest economy.

For a long time, India was perceived as a nation of over 1 billion hungry stomachs, Modi said in an interview with the Press Trust of India on Sunday. Now, India is being seen as a nation of over 1 billion aspirational minds.

There is a sense of pride among Indians because of the grand ecosystem developing around these summits, said Kamal, from the Takshashila Institution.

Its giving a great boost to infrastructure domestically, and to the world, its showcasing Indias culture and its rich heritage, she added. India is at the heart of the North, South, East and West. Its a voice of the developing world.

Xis absence, Putin in Moscow

Visibly absent from the meeting this weekend, however, is Xi. The no-show of Chinas top leader, unprecedented since the first such summit was held in 2008, comes as tensions simmer between China and India, especially over their disputed border as well as New Delhis growing ties with the United States.

While many have been quick to comment on the unprecedented move, calling Xis actions a snub to Modi, some analysts say his absence might not necessarily be a bad thing for the Indian leader.

I think Modi will use this as an opportunity to place India as the leader of the Global South with Biden there, said Akhil Ramesh, a senior fellow from the Pacific Forum, a Honolulu-based foreign policy research institute focused on the Indo-Pacific. The worlds largest and worlds oldest democracies can create a new era that represents the needs of all.

Yet, since assuming the presidency of the G20, India has been unable to deliver a joint communique from previous meetings and with Xi and Putin  two leaders with immense control and jurisdiction in their respective homes  sending their second in command instead, the possibility of delivering one this weekend looks like a hard task.

In my view, only Putin and only Xi would have the authority or the political capital to make concessions and compromises that would be required for there to be any chance of a successful negotiation, said Michael Kugelman, director of the South Asia Institute at the Wilson Center in Washington.

Xi Jinping with Vladimir Putin in Moscow on March 21, 2023. - The Kremlin Moscow/dpa/picture-allia/AP

Indias carpe diem moment

India has, since the start of Putins devastating war against Ukraine, repeatedly abstained from votes condemning the Kremlin. It has instead skirted Western sanctions and stocked up on Russian oil and weapons.

At the same time, Modi has spoken to the US Congress and dined with US President Joe Biden at the White House.

A member of the Quad security grouping with the US, Japan and Australia, India also has a seat at the table of two Moscow-friendly groupings, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and the BRICS bloc, which includes Russia and China.

Modis careful maneuvering of todays divided world has Western governments lining up to court the Indian leader. The US and its allies are looking at India as an important counterweight to China, as Xi pushes an aggressive foreign policy, while making bolder moves in key flashpoints across the region.

At the same time, emerging and developing nations are looking to India to help secure vital financial lifelines from rich countries, and reach a decision on important issues, including climate change.

Speaking in New Delhi last month, Modi spoke of Indias vision of inclusiveness and said New Delhi has invited the African Union to become permanent members of the G20.

The fact that India has shown a willingness to represent these voices should be seen as a win, said Kamal from the Takshashila Institution. Even if there is no joint communique, the G20 will be a successful summit.

For Modi, a leader whose ambitions and clout have only grown during his decade in power, there is no doubt that the meeting will be sold as an India success story.

This year is unique because New Delhi is not just chairing the G20, but it also hosted the SCO and its been active with the Quad, said Ramesh, from the Pacific Forum.

Its Indias carpe diem moment.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
NEW DELHI (Reuters) -Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Saturday that the G20 had reached a consensus on a leaders' declaration and announced its adoption during the first day of its annual summit.

"On the back of the hard work of all the teams, we have received consensus on the G20 Leaders Summit Declaration," Modi told the bloc leaders in New Delhi, before clapping the table for a few seconds in celebration.

"I announce the adoption of this declaration," Modi said, flanked by India Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.

The announcement came after delegates from the world's most powerful countries reached a compromise on language to describe the war in Ukraine, Reuters reported earlier.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

The group was deeply divided over the war in Ukraine, with Western nations pushing for strong condemnation of Russia in the Leaders' Declaration to be issued at the end of the summit, while others demanded a focus on broader economic issues.

There were no immediate details on the language that was agreed to describe the war.

(Reporting by Chris Thomas; Editing by Jacqueline Wong and Kim Coghill)
The phrase, "It's not the heat, it's the humidity," might be on the minds of more than a few Hoosiers as dangerously high temperatures crawled across Central Indiana this week. Forecasters with the National Weather Service in Indianapolis say the heat index Thursday could reach as high as 115 degrees.

As if that wasn't bad enough, Indianapolis just broke a dew point record not seen in 13 years.

On Thursday, NWS Indianapolis posted the following on X (formerly Twitter): "Dewpoint at IND is officially 80 degrees. This is the first time since August 3rd 2010 that we've seen a dewpoint at or above 80."

Dewpoint at IND is officially 80 degrees. This is the first time since August 3rd 2010 that we've seen a dewpoint at or above 80. Let us know what you think about this heat! #INwx  NWS Indianapolis (@NWSIndianapolis) August 24, 2023

Dangerous heat hits Indiana this week: What you should know about the forecast

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

"It's not very often in Indianapolis we see those really high dew points," said Andrew White, a meteorologist with NWS. "In fact, it's only happened three times since 2000. It's difficult to get this much moisture, especially in the Indianapolis area. We tend to run a bit drier."

What is the dew point?

Dew point, explains White, is a measure of how much moisture is in the atmosphere while humidity is a combination of dew point and temperature. Thursday's record-breaking dew point is contributing to why Central Indiana is sweltering under heat indexes of between 105 and 115 degrees, White said.

While Thursday could be the hottest it's been all summer, according to NWS, relief is in sight.

"Warm temperatures and humid conditions continue into tomorrow, but thankfully for this weekend, we are expecting things to start to cool down," White said.

NWS forecast calls for cooler temperatures next week in Central Indiana

Thursday afternoon: Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 96. Heat index values as high as 110. West southwest wind 10 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph. Thursday night: Mostly clear, with a low around 78. Southwest wind 10 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph.

Friday: Sunny and hot, with a high near 93. Heat index values as high as 106. North northwest wind 6 to 8 mph. Friday Night: Isolated showers and thunderstorms after 2 a.m. Partly cloudy, with a low around 70. North wind around 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Saturday: Isolated showers and thunderstorms before 8am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 83. North northeast wind 6 to 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 10%. Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 65.

Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 81. Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 63.

Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 83. Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 62.

Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 81. Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 57.

Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 76.

More: 6-digit UPS salary has Hoosiers asking what brown can do for them

John Tufts covers evening breaking and trending news for the Indianapolis Star. Send him a news tip at JTufts@Gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indianapolis just broke a 13-year weather record. It's not the heat.
An Indianapolis police sergeant who stomped on a handcuffed mans face during an arrest was sentenced to one year and one day in prison Friday, federal prosecutors said.

Eric Huxley, 45, pleaded guilty in May to a civil rights charge. The violent incident during a Sept. 24, 2021, arrest for disorderly conduct was captured on body-worn camera.

In addition to the trauma inflicted on victims, police officers who break the law and use excessive force damage the communitys trust in the law enforcement profession, Zachary Myers, U.S. attorney for the Southern District of Indiana, said in a statement.

The police body-cam video of a forceful arrest on Sept. 24, 2021 appears to show an officer, Sgt. Eric Huxley stomping on Jermaine Vaughn's face. (Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Dept.)

Huxley raised his foot and brought it down on the face of Jermaine Vaughn, who was already handcuffed and who was already being restrained by another police officer, prosecutors said and video shows.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

The body-worn camera video shows Vaughn was face up and on his back when he was kicked in the face.

Huxley was indicted in October on a count of deprivation of rights under color of law, which is a civil rights violation.

"We appreciate the Judges thoughtful consideration of this matter and are prepared to serve the sentence," Huxley's attorney, John Kautzman, said by email Friday night. "Eric has apologized to the victim and the community for his out of character actions that day, and looks forward to putting this matter behind him so he can focus on taking care of his family."

Huxley has been suspended without pay and has been recommended for termination before the Civilian Police Merit Board, the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department said.

The recommendation remains pending before the board, and a determination will be made after the criminal process is complete, the department, known as the IMPD, said. There's also a state case against him.

Police Chief Randal Taylor said in 2021 he was shocked and angered by the incident and that what occurred does not represent IMPD and the work our officers do each day to keep our community safe.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
For nine years, a covert CIA-run operation called "Operation Barrel Roll" dropped more than 580,000 bombs on Laos.

The US was trying to stop North Vietnamese forces from transporting weapons and soldiers through Laos.

But the bombs' impact continued long after an estimated 80 million bombs were dropped but failed to detonate.

Between 1964 and 1973, the US dropped about 2 million tons of bombs on Laos in a covert campaign known as"Operation Barrel Roll."

The CIA covertly executed the bombings, which is referred to as the US "secret war" on Laos.

The bombings were indiscriminate. They killed about 200,000 people in Laos, which was around 10% of the country's population. Another 400,000 people were wounded and 750,000 people were forced to flee due to the devastation.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Here's what happened and why the bombs are still hurting Laos today.

Laos is a landlocked, mountainous country, which at the time had a population of about 2.5 million.

President John F. Kennedy points to a map of Laos at a news conference. Bettmann/Getty Images

The small Asian country, which is about the size of the state of Michigan, is located between China, Vietnam, Thailand, and Cambodia.

It was an impoverished, former French colony and most of its people were farmers.

In 1961, President Dwight D. Eisenhower told President-elect John F. Kennedy in a briefing that Laos was the "cork in the bottle."

John F. Kennedy and Dwight D. Eisenhower sit at a table in Washington, DC. Abbie Rowe/PhotoQuest/Getty Images

What he meant was that Laos could be used as a buffer to stop communism from overtaking Asia.

The following year, in 1962, the US signed an international agreement that stated none of the signing countries  including the US, Russia, and China  would invade Laos.

The agreement was to ensure Laos remained neutral during the Vietnam War.

Two years later, in 1964, after Kennedy was assassinated, President Lyndon B. Johnson ordered the first bombings in Laos.

Smoke billows from bomb blasts along the Ho Chi Minh Trail in Laos. AP

The earliest bombing was in June, but Operation Barrel Roll didn't officially launch until December.

Johnson made the order about three weeks before he signed the Civil Rights Act.

The US was in the midst of the Vietnam War and was trying to stop the North Vietnamese from transporting weapons and soldiers through Laos.

Several trucks, belonging to communist forces, lay overturned on a rural road, part of the Ho Chi Minh Trail, after the US Air Force bombed the road. Bettmann/Getty Images

The North Vietnamese had been using a route called the Ho Chi Minh Trail, which weaved through Laos. They also wanted to hurt Laos' local communist forces.

Due to Laos' terrain, it was decided bombing was the most efficient way of stopping them.

For the next nine years, the US undertook more than 580,000 bombings, dropping more than 2 million tons of bombs on Laos.

A US Air Force Boeing B-52 Stratofortress dropping bombs over Vietnam. Pictures From History/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

It was more than the total amount of bombs the US dropped during World War II on Germany and Japan.

The bombing wasn't just along militant routes.

Bomb craters in the Laos region of Xiang Khwang. Gerhard Joren/LightRocket/Getty Images

The bombs destroyed villages and fields, killing thousands of civilians as well as soldiers.

Pilots who failed to find a suitable target in Vietnam would drop bombs randomly on Laos rather than return to base with unused bombs.

In 1969, when President Richard Nixon entered office, he decided to increase the bombing, thinking it would force Laos and Vietnam to surrender.

President Richard Nixon pointing to a map of Vietnam and Laos. STF/AFP/Getty Images

Under Nixon, the campaign reached a point where approximately 300 bomb flights were being conducted every day.

Back in the US, people were aware of the Vietnam War. There, the military action was run by the US State Department and the media had covered it extensively.

The US 173rd Airborne are supported by helicopters during the Iron Triangle assault in Vietnam. Tim Page/Corbis/Getty Images

But the Laos bombings were run by the CIA, and for years, national media didn't report on it.

Along with the bombing, the CIA also trained and funded Laos soldiers against the local communists, according to the South China Morning Post. By 1970, the cost of the Laos campaign was about $3.1 billion per year.

But in other countries, it wasn't entirely a secret war. The international media had been covering it and people in the region knew what was going on.

It was only in 1971 that the bombings were officially confirmed in the US during a congressional hearing.

Aircrafts and 250-pound bombs at a CIA base in Laos. Bettmann/Getty Images

Senator Stuart Symington of Missouri, then the subcommittee chairman, said it was an "encouraging sign that the executive branch has finally agreed that much of what the United States Government has been doing in Laos may now be made public."

But he was critical of the fact a lot of information had not been provided.

"The veil of secrecy which has long kept this secret war in Laos officially hidden from the American people has been partially lifted," he said.

Even after the campaign was made public, the bombings continued.

A sketch by villagers in refugee camps of the bombing in Laos. Bruce Bisping/Star Tribune/Getty Images

It wasn't until 1973, when the US withdrew from Vietnam that the bombs stopped falling on Laos. Two years later, in 1975, the US left Laos, and its communist party took over the country.

By then, the bombings had killed approximately 200,000 people, many of whom were civilians  about 10% of the country's population. At least 400,00 more were wounded and 750,000 had to seek asylum due to the devastation.

In contrast, 728 Americans had died in the Laos conflict.

Even after the war ended, the bombings' impacts continued. Their shells were used for a variety of things, including as the base of stilt houses.

Stilt houses built with American bombs in Laos. Dea Giannella/Getty Images

They were sold for metal.

Two men pick up half of a cluster bomb casing bought by the woman behind a scrap metal shop in Phonsavanh. Jerry Redfern/LightRocket/Getty Images

Some were even used as animal troughs.

A water buffalo eats from a trough made from the shell of a cluster bomb in Laos. Jerry Redfern/LightRocket/Getty Images

But they also continued to kill people. Cluster bombs in particular were deadly.

Villagers show off a cluster bomb in Laos. Peter Charlesworth/LightRocket/Getty Images

Cluster bombs are small bombs that disperse waves of shrapnel and ball bearings when they explode.

An estimated 30% of all the bombs the US dropped didn't detonate, meaning 80 million bombs remain scattered across the country. They were dangerous because their design allows them to explode under the slightest pressure or movement.

Bombs have exploded while farmers plow their fields or when people cook meals on fires.

Since the campaign ended, more than 20,000 people have been killed or wounded by dud explosives.

Children have been the most common victims.

Kids in Vang Vieng, Laos pose for a photo while sitting on a disarmed US bomb dropped during the Vietnam War. Gerhard Joren/LightRocket/Getty Images

The first detailed study of the impact of the leftover bombs found that 42% of the bomb victims were children.

The bombs don't look like bombs and the children in many of these areas often live in poverty and can't afford toys.

"They look more like toys than weapons of death and maiming," Lewis M. Simons, the author of "To Tell the Truth: My Life as a Foreign Correspondent," wrote for NPR. "Bright yellow, red or black, some resemble whiffle balls, others miniature windmills, robots and Transformers."

In recent years, the US has taken steps to make amends for Operation Barrel Roll.

A worker uses a metal detector to search for bombs in Laos. Jerry Redfern/LightRocket/Getty Images

In 1993, the US began to help with the clean-up. Then, in 2010, the US increased its funding for the clean-up.

In 2016, President Obama visited Laos  the first US president in office to do so. He promised $90 million more in funding to help remove the remaining bombs.

However, experts believe the bombs are so numerous it could take another hundred years before they are all removed.

Despite the funding, less than 1% of the remaining bombs have been removed since the war ended.

A farmer stands beside a live mortar he found on his land in Laos. Jerry Redfern/LightRocket/Getty Images

"Laotians are a forgiving people, but as long as Laos remains riddled with explosives, nobody can forget, because forgetting can kill you," T.D. Allman, who broke the story of the CIA's secret war in Laos, said in National Geographic.

Laos is still a farming nation, and unfortunately, the danger is part of daily life.

A banana farmer named Sang Kham, whose relative was killed by a bomb while farming, told Al Jazeera, "We are always afraid in the field."

Read the original article on Business Insider
This is a locator map of Israel and the Palestinian Territories. (AP Photo) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

JERUSALEM (AP)  Israeli security forces on Saturday killed a 16-year-old Palestinian in a confrontation in the southern occupied West Bank, Palestinian health officials said, the latest violence to roil the territory during one of the most violent stretches of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in nearly two decades.

The death of Milad al-Rai brings to 185 the number of Palestinians killed in the West Bank so far this year by Israeli fire, including over 30 youths under the age of 18. This year's death toll in the West Bank and east Jerusalem has already overtaken that of 2022, which had been considered the deadliest year since the United Nations began tracking in 2005.

The Israeli military said that it unleashed tear gas and opened fire at a group of Palestinians outside the Al-Aroub refugee camp in the southern West Bank who had lobbed Molotov cocktails at troops across the way. It said it was aware that one of the Palestinians had been shot and said there were Israeli military casualties.

The Palestinian Health Ministry identified the Palestinian killed as 16-year-old Milad al-Rai and said he was struck in the back by bullets.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Nearly half of Palestinians killed in the violence this year have been affiliated with militant groups, according to a tally by The Associated Press. Israel says most of those killed were militants, but stone-throwing youths protesting the incursions as well as people not involved in the confrontations have also died.

Palestinian attacks against Israelis have spiked as the Israeli military intensifies its arrest raids in the West Bank. More than 30 people have been killed in Palestinian attacks against Israelis since the start of 2023.

Israel says the raids are meant to dismantle militant networks and thwart future attacks. Palestinians say the raids undermine their security forces, inspire more militancy and entrench Israeli control over lands they seek for a hoped-for future state.

Israel captured the West Bank in the 1967 Mideast war.
JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Tens of thousands of Israelis protested in cities across the country on Saturday ahead of a key decision by the Supreme Court over legislation passed by the coalition which stripped the court of some of its oversight powers.

Earlier this year, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu 's far-right coalition presented plans to strip the court of much of its powers with a package of legislation but, due to overwhelming public pressure, passed only one part of the plan.

Proponents say the judicial overhaul plans would restore balance to the branches of authority but critics say it removes vital checks on government powers.

The latest legislation, an amendment to one of Israel's basic laws, removes the court's power to strike down government decision's or appointments on the basis of being "unreasonable."

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

"I am demonstrating for Israel democracy," protester Nattie Schwartz-Kershberg said in Tel Aviv. "I want to make sure that Israel will stay democracy and not a dictatorship."

The overhaul plans have sparked weekly nationwide protests but the latest demonstrations held special significance as they came before the Supreme Court, for the first time in Israeli history, convenes its entire 15-judge bench on Sept. 12 to hear an appeal against the amendment.

(Reporting by Emily Rose; Editing by Daniel Wallis)
Russian forces are changing their communications structures and adapting their electronic warfare systems in response to the Ukrainian counteroffensive's continued advance, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) wrote in its Sept. 8 report.

According to the ISW, Russian units are attempting to improve information sharing and strengthen command positions at the front.

Officials from the Center for Security and Emerging Technology (CSET) said that "Russian forces have improved communications between command posts and units at the front by laying field cables and using safer radio communications."

The officials also said the Russian military had moved key command posts and headquarters to better-protected positions out of range of Ukrainian artillery.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

However, they noted that "Russian personnel still frequently communicate sensitive information through unsecure channels."

The ISW said that Russian forces still faced a formidable communications challenge due to the disparity of units operating in the same regions of Ukraine.

"Russian command is likely struggling to share information and create a common command space across these widely disparate forces defending against Ukrainian counteroffensive operations," the ISW said.

In addition to efforts to streamline communications, Russian forces are reportedly ramping up production of laser-guided shells and Lancet drones in hopes that improved accuracy can compensate for artillery shortages.

"Russian forces are prioritizing strike accuracy over volume because they lack the ammunition to sustain mass indirect fires," the ISW said, citing information shared by the Royal United Services Insitute (RUSI).

The ISW said that the Russian military was also changing its deployment of electronic warfare (EW) systems at the front. The new dispersal pattern, from a concentration of roughly 10 EW systems for every 20 kilometers to one system per 10 kilometers, indicates that the Russian military has improved the coverage a single EW system provides.

The ISW reported that Ukrainian counteroffensive troops continued to advance in western Zaporizhzhia Oblast and south of Bakhmut.

Read also: Ukraine war latest: Ukraine controls most of Klishchiivka south of Bakhmut, commander says

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
ROME (Reuters) - Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni met with China's Premier Li Qiang and discussed deepening ties between the two countries on the sidelines of the G20 summit in New Delhi on Saturday.

During the meeting, the two premiers discussed the common intention to strengthen and deepen the dialogue between Rome and Beijing on key bilateral and international issues, Meloni's office said in a statement.

Italy is seeking ways to resolve a difficult diplomatic call on whether to withdraw from China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), a global trade and infrastructure plan modelled on the old Silk Road that linked imperial China and the West.

Beijing is willing to work with Italy to boost mutual trade and investment, but Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, who visited China earlier this week, reiterated on Thursday that a strategic partnership would be more valuable than the BRI.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

"Italy and China share a Global Strategic Partnership whose 20th anniversary will recur next year and which will be the beacon for the advancement of friendship and cooperation ... in every area of common interest", the statement said.

(Reporting by Federico Maccioni; Editing by Alexander Smith)
Fifty years after adopting its current name, Jacksonville Area Legal Aid is updating its branding with the release of its 2022 annual report, the first document to bear JALAs new logo.

>>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<<

Titled Housing Takes Center Stage, the report shines a spotlight on JALAs work to prevent unlawful evictions and foreclosures, ensure fair housing laws are enforced, and resolve other landlord-tenant issues.

Out of the 6,724 cases JALA handled in 2022, JALA closed 2,618 housing cases, representing nearly 40% of its closed cases.

Preserving shelter is our highest and best use, and we remain focused on that mission, the report states.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

JALAs annual report also cites a recent report by the City of Jacksonvilles Special Committee on Critical Quality of Life Issues, which states that The City should work with and financially support the Jacksonville Area Legal Aid office in efforts to reduce eviction rates, human displacement and homelessness.

That work gets a boost in Mayor Donna Deegans new budget, which recommends greater funding for legal aid.

JALAs 2022 annual report includes a full-page infographic with data on JALAs services in housing and other areas, including family law and domestic violence prevention, veterans legal services, disability benefits, and services provided to seniors and to children with a combination of medical and legal issues.

Among the data on JALAs services in the annual report:

286 evictions avoided through attorney intervention and $472,832 in financial relief secured for renters

124 foreclosures prevented and $468,415 secured in financial relief for homeowners

3,643 people used JALAs online eviction prevention tool

$661,000 in class action settlements for landlords failure to rectify substandard conditions and refund deposits for 2,836 tenants

$939,725 in income and assets protected by averting predatory lending and illegal debt collection

$1,164,497 in family support secured for domestic violence survivors and others

These are just a few of the data points that underscore the tremendous return on investment legal aid provides, said JALA President & CEO Jim Kowalski.

JALAs impact in providing access to justice in Northeast Florida is illustrated by its new logo, which blends the scales of justice with an image of a bridge.

We wanted the logo to speak more to the work JALA does, which is to bring justice to the people of Northeast Florida, a region known for the bridges that connect its various communities, Kowalski said. But the bridge also represents access to the justice system, which many people desperately need. For some people, there is no way to arrive at justice without the bridge that legal aid provides.

JALAs new branding will be rolled out over the coming weeks.

About Jacksonville Area Legal Aid

Jacksonville Area Legal Aid is a nonprofit law firm focused on delivering economic, social, and housing justice to low-income and at-risk individuals and families on the First Coast.

[SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter]

Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live.
Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.) on Friday said former Trump economic adviser Peter Navarro s contempt of Congress conviction is a just verdict.

Its a just verdict. And its important, Lofgren told CNNs Wolf Blitzer, claiming the conviction brought her relief when asked how she felt.

Mr. Navarro was the trade adviser, but his role in the Trump administration was far wider than that, she added.

Navarro was found guilty of contempt of Congress on Thursday, following a jury deliberation that lasted nearly five hours. He faces two counts of contempt of Congress for refusing to cooperate with a subpoena issued by the House select committee investigating the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol attack.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

The first charge pertained to his failure to produce requested documents and the second was for failing to appear for a deposition in the investigation.

Lofgren, who served on the Jan. 6 subcommittee, said she was glad Navarro and another former Trump adviser, Steve Bannon , were being held accountable for refusing to answer questions about the Jan. 6 riot. Bannon was convicted of contempt of Congress in July 2022.

We had a lot of questions for Navarro, she said. And for Bannon. They illegally refused to answer. And Im glad that theyre being held to account its about upholding the rule of law.

Asked what kind of message the charges could send to others who try to ignore subpoenas, Lofgren said, Its not a suggestion. Its a requirement.

She also suggested Bannon and Navarro could both serve time behind bars.

I would guess they will spend some significant time in custody, Lofgren said. And frankly, I think they should not only because of their illegal activity, but also as a message to others who might think that its okay to violate the law.

Following Navarros conviction, his attorney Stanley Woodward called for a mistrial, claiming the jurors during their break were exposed to protesters with signs related to the Jan. 6 insurrection. Prosecutors claimed they did not see any protesters outside.

U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta said he would not rule on the mistrial until the defense provided video or photo evidence.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
A man who carried zip-ties on him while during the Jan. 6, 2021, riot on the Capitol was sentenced to almost five years in prison Friday, according to the Justice Department.

Eric Munchel, 32, and his mother, Lisa Marie Eisenhart, 57 were both sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Royce Lamberth on Friday for felony and misdemeanor charges related to their actions during the insurrection.

Munchel and Eisenhart were both convicted of conspiracy to commit obstruction and obstruction of an official proceeding, both felonies, as well as entering and remaining in a gallery of Congress, disorderly and disruptive conduct in a Capitol building, and parading, demonstrating, or picketing in a Capitol building on April 19, 2023, following a stipulated bench trial before Judge Lamberth, the DOJ release said.

Munchel, dubbed the Zip Tie Guy, was found guilty of two more felonies than his mother. These included disorderly or disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds with a deadly or dangerous weapon and unauthorized possession of a deadly or dangerous weapon on Capitol grounds.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

According to the stipulated facts, Munchel and Eisenhart, both of whom were wearing tactical vests, entered the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, to disrupt Congresss certification of the 2020 presidential election, the release said. Munchel also carried a Taser holstered on his hip. As they approached the Capitol building, they saw other rioters fighting with police and encouraged them to do so.

Munchel and Eisenhart observed police wearing body armor and using chemical irritants and gas to repel rioters like themselves but were not deterred, it continued Instead, even though they were aware their actions were unlawful, they pushed forward, past police lines, and entered the Capitol building.

Photos and video, according to the DOJ, also captured the defendants carrying flexi-cuffs, or handcuffs made from zip ties that were stolen from the Capitol.

Eisenhart was sentenced to two-and-a-half years in prison for her actions, with three years of supervised release after that and ordered to pay $2,000 in restitution. Her son faces the same amount of supervised release and restitution owed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Xi stresses opening new ground for Heilongjiang's high-quality development

Xinhua) 09:19, September 09, 2023

General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee Xi Jinping, also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, inspects a forest farm in Mohe in the Dahinggan Mountains, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Sept. 6, 2023. Xi inspected northeast China's Heilongjiang Province from Wednesday to Friday. (Xinhua/Yin Bogu)

HARBIN, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping has called on the northeastern province of Heilongjiang to firmly grasp its strategic position in China's overall development, and strive to open new ground for its high-quality development.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks during his inspection in the province from Wednesday to Friday.

Xi stressed that Heilongjiang should turn its strengths into new development impetus and build and strengthen itself as an important national commodity grain production base and a heavy equipment manufacturing base, an important energy and raw material supplier, a vital guardian of ecological security in northern China, and a pivotal gateway for the nation's northward opening up.

He urged the province to play an active part in safeguarding national defense, food, ecology, energy, and industrial security.

At a forest farm in Mohe in the Dahinggan Mountains on Wednesday afternoon, Xi underscored that afforestation and protection of forests should be given equal priority, urging precaution against potential dangers to ensure that long-term achievements will not be swept away overnight.

At the Beijicun, or "North Pole Village," a riverside border village, he stressed the importance of increasing green coverage and protecting forests, calling for measures to enable people to increase their income on the basis of ecological protection.

Noting the importance of tourism sector in achieving high-quality development, Xi urged policy support to ensure that local scenery and snow and ice tourism resources generate more income for local people.

Concerned with the post-flood reconstruction, Xi on Thursday came to a village in Shangzhi City of Harbin, which bore the brunt of the recent flooding, where he checked the damage to rice crops and the reconstruction progress of damaged buildings.

Xi said that he felt reassured seeing that reconstruction was proceeding smoothly and that life and work are ensured.

Urging efforts to make sure those affected by the floods stay warm during the winter, Xi asked the local authorities to make detailed and sound plans as soon as possible on all matters related to people's livelihood such as food, accommodation, employment, education and health, leaving no loopholes.

He called for accelerating post-disaster reconstruction, minimize the agricultural losses caused by the disaster, and guarantee the disaster-stricken people relief and security.

At Harbin Engineering University, Xi underscored the work in education, science and technology and talent, and called for more accomplishments in building China into a leading country in those respects.

In light of the upcoming Teachers' Day, Xi extended festival greetings to faculty members of the university as well as all teachers across the country.

Xi heard a work report by the CPC Heilongjiang Provincial Committee and the provincial government.

Xi noted that sci-tech innovation should lead the overall industrial revitalization, urging concrete efforts to promote the high-quality development of advanced manufacturing, accelerate the upgrading of traditional manufacturing, and improve the primary, secondary and tertiary industries in all respects.

Sci-tech innovation resources should be integrated to spearhead strategic emerging industries and future industries, Xi said, adding that the province should enhance the core competitiveness of state-owned enterprises and guide the sound development of private enterprises.

The province should actively link with national industrial and supply chains, better integrate into the unified national market, and play a bigger role in bridging domestic and international economic flows.

He also emphasized the adherence to green development and establishing a sound economic system that facilitates green, low-carbon and circular development.

Heilongjiang should serve as a "ballast" in ensuring national food security, Xi stressed, urging the province to prioritize developing modern agriculture and take the lead in achieving modernization regarding agricultural equipment, science and technology, and operation and management, as well as in realizing agricultural informatization and the sustainability of resource utilization.

Xi said digital technology and biotechnology should be reinforced, and agriculture-related science and technology should be given greater prominence.

He also ordered efforts to create new modes of agricultural operation, forge industrial clusters, and speed up advancing rural revitalization to ensure modern production and living conditions are accessible to rural residents.

Tourism with distinctive cultural features should be vigorously developed, Xi said, noting that the winter economy should be fostered as a new source of growth, promoting the overall development of sports, culture, equipment, and tourism related to ice and snow.

Xi highlighted the efforts to maintain the original views of forests, rivers, lakes, wetlands and snow, improve the infrastructure in border areas and develop tourism in those areas.

A pivotal gateway for the nation's northward opening up should be built, Xi stressed, adding that more efforts should be made in coordinating trade, investment and platforms, as well as introducing measures in market access and flows of production factors to form a new pattern of all-round opening up.

Xi also stressed the need to improve the transport network oriented to the opening up toward Northeast Asia, while integrating more deeply into the Belt and Road cooperation, and participating more actively in regional cooperation.

On the ongoing education campaign launched by the CPC, Xi urged efforts to turn good practices refined during the campaign into long-term mechanisms.

He called for sound and coordinated planning for the campaign under specific guidance to ensure that concrete results are achieved.

Cai Qi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and director of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee, accompanied Xi on the inspection tour.

General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee Xi Jinping, also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, inspects a memorial hall at Harbin Engineering University in Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Sept. 7, 2023. Xi inspected northeast China's Heilongjiang Province from Wednesday to Friday. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)

General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee Xi Jinping, also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, talks with local residents while inspecting the Beijicun, or "North Pole Village," a riverside border village, in Mohe, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Sept. 6, 2023. Xi inspected northeast China's Heilongjiang Province from Wednesday to Friday. (Xinhua/Ju Peng)

General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee Xi Jinping, also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, inspects the yard of a homestay run by villager Shi Ruijuan at the Beijicun, or "North Pole Village," a riverside border village, in Mohe, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Sept. 6, 2023. Xi inspected northeast China's Heilongjiang Province from Wednesday to Friday. (Xinhua/Ju Peng)

General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee Xi Jinping, also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, inspects the Beijicun, or "North Pole Village," a riverside border village, in Mohe, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Sept. 6, 2023. Xi inspected northeast China's Heilongjiang Province from Wednesday to Friday. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)

General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee Xi Jinping, also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, inspects a forest farm in Mohe in the Dahinggan Mountains, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Sept. 6, 2023. Xi inspected northeast China's Heilongjiang Province from Wednesday to Friday. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)

General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee Xi Jinping, also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, talks with representatives of faculty members and students while inspecting Harbin Engineering University in Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Sept. 7, 2023. Xi inspected northeast China's Heilongjiang Province from Wednesday to Friday. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)

General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee Xi Jinping, also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, inspects a memorial hall at Harbin Engineering University in Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Sept. 7, 2023. Xi inspected northeast China's Heilongjiang Province from Wednesday to Friday. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)

General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee Xi Jinping, also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, greets local residents while inspecting the Beijicun, or "North Pole Village," a riverside border village, in Mohe, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Sept. 6, 2023. Xi inspected northeast China's Heilongjiang Province from Wednesday to Friday. (Xinhua/Ju Peng)

General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee Xi Jinping, also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, talks with local residents while inspecting the Beijicun, or "North Pole Village," a riverside border village, in Mohe, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Sept. 6, 2023. Xi inspected northeast China's Heilongjiang Province from Wednesday to Friday. (Xinhua/Yin Bogu)

General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee Xi Jinping, also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, talks with villager Shi Ruijuan and her family members at the Beijicun, or "North Pole Village," a riverside border village, in Mohe, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Sept. 6, 2023. Xi inspected northeast China's Heilongjiang Province from Wednesday to Friday. (Xinhua/Ju Peng)

General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee Xi Jinping, also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, inspects the Beijicun, or "North Pole Village," a riverside border village, in Mohe, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Sept. 6, 2023. Xi inspected northeast China's Heilongjiang Province from Wednesday to Friday. (Xinhua/Yin Bogu)

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Sheng Chuyi)
By Katya Golubkova

NEW DELHI (Reuters) - Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has explained the release of treated water from the Fukushima nuclear plant to the sea to the G20 leaders who gathered in New Delhi for a two-day summit on Saturday, an official with Japan's foreign ministry said.

Japan started releasing treated radioactive water from the wrecked Fukushima nuclear power plant into the Pacific Ocean last month, and faced harsh criticism from China which immediately banned all seafood imports from Japan.

Japan says the water release is safe, noting that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has also concluded that the impact it would have on people and the environment was "negligible."

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

At a G20 session on Saturday, Kishida addressed leaders of the Group of 20, including U.S. President Joe Biden, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak , French President Emmanuel Macron and Saudi Arabia's Mohammed bin Salman, on issues ranging from the global economy to food security and the water release.

"Prime Minister Kishida explained that the data monitored since last month's (water) discharge has been made public in a prompt and highly transparent manner. And that no problem has arisen from a scientific standpoint," Hikariko Ono, press secretary at Japan's foreign ministry, told reporters.

This week, Japan has brought China's decision to ban Japanese seafood imports to the World Trade Organization, also promising to explain the safety of the released water at diplomatic forums.

"Unfortunately, some countries have been taking uncommon actions such as suspending all imports of Japanese marine food products in response to the recent (water) discharge into the sea," Ono said without naming any countries.

This week, Kishida has explained Japan's stance on the release of the treated radioactive water to Chinese Premier Li Qiang on the sidelines of a regional meeting in Indonesia.

"Japan will continue to work closely with the IAEA and to provide explanations to the international community based on scientific evidence in good faith and in a highly transparent manner," Ono said, referring to Kishida's remarks at the G20.

The Fukushima water release was among topics at Kishida's meetings with Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the G20 summit, Japan foreign ministry said in separate statements.

(Reporting by Katya Golubkova; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama)
Visitors are seen at the fifth stage on the slopes of Mount Fuji in Fujiyoshida, Japan

Visitors are seen at the fifth stage on the slopes of Mount Fuji in Fujiyoshida, Japan

By Mariko Katsumura

FUJIYOSHIDA, Japan (Reuters) - On a grey, rainy Saturday a steady stream of tour buses arrive at a base station of Japan's Mount Fuji depositing dozens of lightly dressed foreign tourists in front of souvenir shops and restaurants.

The scene evokes a theme park image, not the veneration most Japanese would expect below the 3,776-metre (12,388 ft) mountain worshipped as sacred by the Japanese, and a source of pride for its perfectly symmetrical form.

"Hey, no smoking here!" a souvenir store attendant barked, addressing a man dressed in shorts and holding a can of beer in front of the red 'torii' gate symbolising the entrance to the Shinto shrine up ahead.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Mt Fuji, which straddles Yamanashi and Shizuoka prefectures in eastern Japan, has always been popular with local and overseas tourists.

But a recent surge in inbound tourists to Japan has led to extreme levels of pollution and other strains, authorities say, adding they may be forced to take drastic measures such as restricting the number of visitors by making the mountain only accessible by a yet-to-be-built tram system.

"Fuji faces a real crisis," Masatake Izumi, a Yamanashi prefecture official told reporters during a tour for foreign media on Saturday, the last weekend before the trails close for the year.

"It's uncontrollable and we fear that Mt Fuji will soon become so unattractive, nobody would want to climb it," he said.

Mt Fuji was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site 10 years ago, further boosting its popularity. But the distinction came with conditions that Japan reduce overcrowding, environmental harm from visitors and fix the artificial landscape, such as the large parking lots constructed to accommodate tourists.

However, overcrowding has worsened. "Subaru", the fifth and largest base station, had about 4 million visitors this summer, a 50% jump from 2013.

Despite the frenetic pace of cleaning by janitors, businesses, and volunteers, social media is rife with posts about soiled bathrooms and mounds of litter along the climbing path.

Izumi worries that the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS), which advises the World Heritage Committee, could come knocking any day to ask for an update.

"Bullet climbing", where climbers attempt to scale Japan's tallest peak for sunrise and descend on the same day, is also a growing headache, authorities say.

Rescue requests totalled 61 this year, up 50% from last year, with non-Japanese tourists accounting for a quarter, according to Shizuoka prefecture police. An official said most were poorly equipped, suffering hypothermia or altitude sickness. Yamanashi police had no comparable data.

One local visitor said restrictions may be inevitable.

"Any Japanese person would want to climb Mt Fuji at least once in their life," said 62-year-old Jun Shibazaki, who arrived on a tour. "But it's so crowded. Limited entry might be something we have to live with."

(Reporting by Mariko Katsumura, Writing by Chang-Ran Kim; Editing by Michael Perry)
Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Yoshimasa Hayashi during a meeting in Kyiv, September 9, 2023

Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi , on an official visit to Kyiv, met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Prime Minister Denis Shmyhal to bilateral security guarantee agreement for Ukraine.

During their meeting, Hayashi and President Zelenskyy mutually agreed to initiate negotiations concerning a security guarantee agreement.

Zelenskyy expressed his gratitude, saying, Im thankful to Japan for being a key partner in Asia, and supporting Ukraine.

Before this pivotal meeting, Hayashi also held discussions with Prime Minister Shmyhal and representatives from prominent Japanese companies in Ukraine. The conversations revolved around enhancing Japanese-Ukrainian cooperation in business and investment.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Japanese entrepreneurs presented specific collaborative projects, with a focus on telecommunications, infrastructure, and healthcare.

The talks also delved into potential collaborations in housing reconstruction, global food security, support for small and medium-sized enterprises, and humanitarian demining efforts.

Read also: Japan to provide $7 billion in aid to Ukraine  PM Kishida

Prime Minister Shmyhal extended his gratitude to Japan for its steadfast support for Ukraines sovereignty, territorial integrity, financial and humanitarian aid, as well as its sanctions against Russia.

Hayashi reiterated Japans commitment to supporting Ukraine, strengthening anti-Russian sanctions, and assisting Ukraine during the upcoming winter season.

Read also: Japan to provide Ukraine with drone detection system

Japan also pledged to provide Ukraine with 24 demining cranes.

Hayashi also visited the memorial in Bucha, Kyiv Oblast, dedicated to the victims of Russian army mass murders of civilians in the town in February and March 2022, the Japanese embassy reported.

This visit by Hayashi to Ukraine, which began on Sept. 9, was announced on the same day of his arrival.

It marks the first visit by a Japanese foreign minister to Ukraine since the commencement of the full-scale conflict. In March of this year, Japans Prime Minister Fumio Kishida visited Ukraine.

Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron!

Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi is paying an unannounced visit to Ukraine on Sept. 9, Kyodo News reports, citing the Japanese government.

This is the first visit of the Japanese Foreign Minister to Ukraine since the beginning of Russias full-scale war against Ukraine. Top diplomats from other G7 countries have already visited Ukraine after the Russian invasion last February.

On Sept. 3, Hayashi traveled to the Middle East and Poland. The trip to Ukraine was not on his officially released itinerary.

Read also: Japan strengthens sanctions against Russia: Export restrictions extended to automobiles

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

In Kyiv, he will hold talks with his Ukrainian counterpart, Dmytro Kuleba, with whom he will share Japan's plans to organize a conference next year to promote Ukraine's economic recovery, the Japanese Foreign Ministry said.

He is also expected to take part in a ceremony to hand over to Ukraine Japanese crane trucks designed to remove unexploded bombs.

Read also: Japan to provide Ukraine with drone detection system

Hayashi became Japan's foreign minister in November 2021.

Earlier this week, he visited Jordan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Poland, where he met with his counterparts and the leaders of these countries. During the talks, the Japanese minister spoke, among other things, about the war in Ukraine, emphasizing its aggressive nature and the need for international support for Ukraine, Kyodo News writes.

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida visited Kyiv in March 2023,. He met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy before the May G7 summit in Hiroshima, Japan, which the Ukrainian leader attended in person.

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
In this photo provided by the Ukrainian Presidential Press Office, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, left, shakes hands with Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi in Kyiv, Ukraine, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. (Ukrainian Presidential Press Office via AP)

TOKYO (AP)  Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Saturday during his visit in Kyiv, promising Tokyo's backing and agreeing to start negotiations on security cooperation between the two countries.

Hayashi, who had been on a tour of the Middle East and Poland earlier this week, made an unannounced visit to Ukraine and visited Bucha, one of the hardest-hit towns on the outskirts of Kyiv, before holding talks with Zelenskyy in Kyiv.

Hayashi told Zelenskyy that Japan was ready to start negotiations on security cooperation based on an agreement between the Group of Seven and Ukraine made during the NATO summit in July.

Zelenskyy thanked for Japan's humanitarian and financial assistance that helped Ukraine through the winter as well as overcome problems in the energy supply due to Russian attacks, according to a statement from the office of the Ukrainian president.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Hayashi also told Zelenskyy that Japan was committed to Ukraine and will continue to impose tough sanctions against Russia while cooperating with other G7 countries. He also promised support for Ukraine's economic recovery and reconstruction.

Japan plans to host a Japan-Ukraine conference aimed at economic reconstruction early next year, Hayashi told Zelenskyy, according to the Japanese Foreign Ministry.

It was Hayashi's first visit since the war began over a year ago. Japans Prime Minister Fumio Kishida traveled to Ukraine in March.

Hayashi brought along a delegation of Japanese business leaders, including Rakuten Group CEO Hiroshi Mikitani and Teppei Sakano, president of a medical equipment maker Allm Inc.

This is very important because we are actively working on the recovery of the Ukrainian economy and attracting new investmets to Ukraine, Zelenskyy told the delegation.

Japan donated more than $7 billion to Ukraine, mostly for humanitarian assistance, and military equipment limited to non-lethal weapons because of the legal limitations under its pacifist constitution.
A contentious battle over whether Prairie Village residents will vote this fall on restructuring the city government reached a screeching halt Friday afternoon.

As the city and a group of homeowners awaited clarification on a judges ruling over proposed ballot initiatives, the Johnson County election office said the fight is essentially over for now. Election Commissioner Fred Sherman said the deadline has passed for his office to have time to place new questions on the Nov. 7 ballot.

But the group of homeowners behind the initiatives, PV United, hasnt given up. In a letter to the election office shared with The Star, the group urged Sherman to place the issue on the ballot.

Its been a confusing week in Johnson County, as Prairie Village has waited for answers on whether residents in November will vote on limiting the mayors powers and cutting the city council in half. PV United, which formed to oppose the citys affordable housing initiatives, submitted three ballot initiatives last month to make sweeping changes to how the city is run.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

On Wednesday, Johnson County District Court Judge Rhonda Mason issued an oral ruling throwing out two of those petitions. One would have restricted rezoning, while the other would have adopted a new form of government with weaker mayoral powers and only six council members, as opposed to the current 12. Half of the council would have been ejected midterm, which some called unconstitutional.

But the judge ruled that one petition, which would abandon the citys mayor-council form of government, met the legal requirements to be placed on the ballot. City Attorney David Waters said if that proposal were to pass, nothing would change: State law requires a citys form of government to remain in place until a new one is adopted.

Residents, the city said, would need to bring forward another petition for the next election to actually restructure the city government. PV United said it planned to appeal the judges decision.

But then there was a twist. Later on Wednesday, the judge submitted a written ruling amending her oral order. Going against what she had said in court that morning, the judge wrote that the abandonment petition was not valid. Instead, she said the petition that would adopt a new form of government and halve the council could be placed on the ballot.

Confusion over the contradictory rulings led the city and PV United to file a deluge of motions in court. The city asked the judge to reverse the written ruling and instead find that the adoption petition was not legal. PV United, though, argued that the written order should remain in place, allowing residents to vote on changing the form of government.

The city also filed a motion asking the court to certify the judges written decision so it can appeal. And it requested a stay on the order pending a decision from the court of appeals.

The judge held a hearing over Zoom on Thursday with both parties, where they made their case. Mason said she would take the arguments under advisement and issue a more detailed, final ruling in the coming days.

Attorneys blamed the expedited process for the confusion. Under state law, the judge said she had 20 days to issue a ruling. And she said the election office gave her a deadline on Wednesday to have time to place any initiative on the ballot.

Before the issue made its way to court, Sherman told The Star that his office needed ballot language by Sept. 1.

With the ruling still up in the air, the election office said its now too late.

We are one week past our stated ballot deadline, and, due to logistics required to prepare ballots and the need to meet legally mandated deadlines, the Election Office is now past the point at which it can accept additional items for the November ballot, Sherman said in a statement.

These timelines exist to ensure we are able to conduct elections with the necessary diligence. The Election Office must have time for proofing ballots, programming and conducting logic and accuracy testing on voting machines, printing advance mail ballots and meeting requirements for providing overseas military ballots, as well as other legal and logistical considerations.

Sherman said that, additional ballot questions may be placed on the ballot for future elections, depending on the relevant law.

Attorney Rex Sharp, representing PV United, argued in a letter to the election office on Friday that the judges written ruling still stands.

By statute, the Court had 20 days to rule on the issues before it, and did so. That written Judgment still stands, and is the last ruling of the Court, Sharp wrote. I realize that the City filed a flurry of motions to have that judgment reconsidered, but that is outside the 20 day statutory window, and the Court has not even indicated that her judgment was or should be different. Thus, the Adopt Petition should be placed on the November 7 ballot, and we would urge you to do so promptly.

City Administrator Wes Jordan said Friday evening in an email to The Star that, It is apparent that from Mr. Shermans statements that any petition decision by Judge Mason would not be considered for placement on the ballot this November.

Regardless, the courts decision will offer clarity on whether homeowners stand a chance at placing such an initiative on the ballot in the future.

During Thursdays hearing, Joseph Hatley, attorney representing the city, took a jab at PV United for submitting the petitions so late, when many signatures were gathered by June. Hatley in court documents called it a crisis of defendants making.

This fact should weigh heavily on the Courts decision.  The timing crunch the Court is facing was avoidable, and is one of Defendants own strategic creation. Neither the Court nor the City should be responsible for the problem Defendants created, Hatley wrote.

Sharp, who is the husband of council candidate Lori Sharp, responded on Thursday that the group had not collected enough signatures on the rezoning petition, which is why they submitted all three in early August.

PV United, made up of residents, former council members and candidates, organized over the past year to oppose the citys efforts to amend zoning laws to allow for more duplexes, apartments and other affordable housing options. Another faction of residents, Prairie Village for All, formed to support the citys plans and push for more affordable housing in the city where average home prices topped $536,000 last year.

But the opposition group has now turned its sights on removing council members and limiting the mayors powers.

Even though the initiatives will not be on the November ballot, Prairie Village residents will still vote to elect six council members. And PV United has been promoting candidates that oppose the citys affordable housing efforts, arguing that Prairie Village is too dense to allow more apartments or other multi-family housing.
Former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson arrived in Lviv on Sept. 9 for a meeting with the city's mayor, Andriy Sadovyi.

Sadovyi posted a photo of him meeting Johnson at the Lviv railway station.

"We welcome a great friend of Ukraine, Boris Johnson, to Lviv," the mayor wrote.

The state railway transport company Ukrzaliznytsia reported that Johnson had travelled from Kyiv to Lviv by Intercity+ in the company of ordinary passengers. This is Johnson's fifth trip by Ukrainian train.

Johnson and Sadovyi together honored the memory of the fallen Defenders of Ukraine and the Heroes of the Heavenly Hundred at the war memorial in Lviv.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Afterward, Johnson visited the Ivan Franko National University of Lviv, where he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate last October. The former UK prime minister had come to personally receive this honorary title, said Maksym Kozytskyi, head of the Lviv Oblast State Administration.

Johnson arrived in Kyiv on an unannounced visit on Sept. 8 to participate in the Yalta European Strategy (YES) forum, where he met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Read also:

Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron!

Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Judge Nancy Baskin was more than generous in granting a request by far-right activist Ammon Bundy to delay his trial.

His excuse? He needed to pick apples and pears from his orchard.

As an apple and pear producer, October is harvesting season and a crucial and busy time, Bundy wrote in his motion to delay his trial. Having (a) trial at the beginning of the harvest season would prove to be very difficult for both attending to the trial and to harvesting my crops. I cannot do both at the same time. ... The loss of the (apples) and the distraction in trial would not be fair to my family or I.

Over the past year, Bundy has repeatedly ignored court dates, doxxed judges, encouraged his followers to show up at their houses, screamed at sheriffs deputies who were simply doing their jobs by serving him court papers, and called court rulings tyrannical and unjust.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

In fact, the whole reason hes going on trial is to answer contempt of court charges. Bundys accused of intimidating and harassing witnesses in a defamation lawsuit filed against him by St. Lukes in which Bundy and his co-provocateur Diego Rodriguez spread lies about St. Lukes and its employees in the child welfare case of Rodriguezs grandson.

Bundy and Rodriguez lost the case in a default judgment because they couldnt even be bothered to show up for court hearings. They refused to participate, part of Bundys history of either ignoring or tormenting the legal system.

And now he wants a court to show him some mercy?

Granted, Bundys livelihood is his orchard of 360 trees, and he argues that if hes not allowed to harvest his crop, it would hurt his ability to pay what he owes as part of the $52.5 million judgment against him in the defamation lawsuit.

Perhaps Bundy could put the call out to his Peoples Rights Network followers  the ones who showed up at his Emmett ranch to defend him against police officers (so much for back the blue) when they thought Bundy was being arrested  and ask them to pick his apples and pears while hes in court.

Since Bundy has shown so little regard for law enforcement and the judicial system in the past, we question whether the apple-picking excuse is simply another ruse to avoid a court date.

Baskin scheduled the new date for November. We hope Bundy wont argue that he cant make that date because he has to rake leaves. Because if theres another delay, were into snow plowing season, then irrigation season, then pretty soon were back to harvest season again.

Where will it end?

Were not faulting Baskin for being a fair and magnanimous judge. And her decision probably preempts any inevitable accusations and petty complaints from Bundy that the court system isnt being fair to him.

But were not so sure wed be able to show the same grace to a man whos thumbed his nose at the justice system time and time again, treating it with nothing but disdain.

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.
A judge on Friday denied former Trump White House chief of staff Mark Meadows ' bid to move the Georgia criminal case against him to federal court, ruling that his alleged involvement in efforts to pressure state leaders to overturn the 2020 election results was not part of his official duties as a government official.

U.S. District Judge Steve C. Jones issued the ruling after holding a hearing on the matter in Atlanta federal court last week that included five hours of testimony from Meadows, who, along with former President Donald Trump was charged last month in Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis sweeping election interference case.

"The Court concludes that Meadows has not shown that the actions that triggered the States prosecution related to his federal office," Jones wrote, adding, "Meadows alleged association with post-election activities was not related to his role as White House Chief of Staff or his executive branch authority."

State prosecutors, Jones said, had put forth evidence that at various points during the time of the alleged conspiracy Meadows worked with the Trump campaign, which he admitted was outside of the role of the White House Chief of Staff."

Mark Meadows (Patrick Semansky / AP file )

"In light of the States evidence that Meadows undertook actions on behalf of the campaign during the time period of the alleged conspiracy, Meadows was required to come forward with competent proof of his factual contention that his actions involving challenges to the outcome of the Georgias Presidential election results were within his role as Chief of Staff. His efforts fall short, the judge wrote.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Meadows later notified the court that he would appeal the ruling. His attorney did not immediately respond to a request for comment Friday night.

To date, five of the 19 defendants in the DA's case have moved to have their case heard in federal court. In a court filing this week, Trump said he might move to do so as well. Under court-ordered deadlines, he has until the end of this month to decide, according to the filing.

Jones said in Friday's ruling that his decision "does not, at this time, have any effect on the outcome of the other co-Defendants who have filed notices of removal."

The indictment in Fulton County alleges Trump, Meadows and the 17 others engaged in schemes aimed at subverting the 2020 presidential election results in Georgia, a 2020 battleground state that was won by Joe Biden.

Meadows is charged with violation of Georgia's anti-racketeering law and solicitation of violation of oath by a public officer for his involvement in Trump's Jan. 2, 2021, call to Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger asking him to "find" the exact number of votes needed to defeat Biden. He's pleaded not guilty.

Meadows lawyers argued that the charges all pertain to official actions he took while he worked for the president, and the case should therefore be heard in federal court, where he could assert additional defenses, including immunity from the criminal charges.

Mr. Meadows has the right to remove this matter. The conduct giving rise to the charges in the indictment all occurred during his tenure and as part of his service as Chief of Staff, Meadows lawyers wrote in a 14-page filing.

The DA's office countered that White House officials shouldn't be involved in political campaigns. Federal law prohibits employees of the executive branch from engaging in political activity in the course of their work, they noted, pointing to the Hatch Act, a law that Meadows once told Politico nobody outside of the Beltway really cares about.

The law bars a federal employee from us[ing] his official authority or influence for the purpose of interfering with or affecting the result of an election  exactly the conduct Meadows is charged with, prosecutors noted.

In his ruling, Jones agreed that "engaging in political activities exceeds the outer limits of the Office of the White House Chief of Staff. He also declined to consider Meadows' immunity claim, since he found he was acting outside the scope of his duties.

The judge further noted that the purpose of the removal stature is to prevent interference with federal functions, and said that's not what's happened in this case.

"Assuming jurisdiction over this criminal prosecution would frustrate the purpose of federal officer removal when the state charges allegenot state interference with constitutionally protected federal activities, but federal interference with constitutionally protected state actions," Jones wrote.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
A judge on Friday denied a request by former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows to move his Georgia criminal case to a federal court.

Meadows, who served as a top adviser to former President Donald Trump , was charged last month along with Trump and 17 others by a Georgia grand jury for allegedly attempting to overturn the results of the 2020 election. Meadows had argued that his case should be moved to federal court because he was employed as a federal official at the time of the alleged crimes.

However, U.S. District Judge Steve C. Jones of Atlanta denied Meadows' request, writing in his ruling that the former chief of staff was not acting in an official government capacity when he allegedly attempted to overturn the election. Jones added that Meadows had "not shown that the actions that triggered the state's prosecution [were] related to his federal office," writing that his "alleged association with post-election activities was not related to his role as White House chief of staff or his executive branch authority."

Meadows' attorney later said he would be appealing the ruling. The former chief of staff is facing charges pertaining to violations of Georgia's anti-racketeering laws. He's also charged with solicitation of oath violation regarding a phone call in which Trump asked Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger to "find" the exact number of ballots needed to defeat then-President-elect Joe Biden. Meadows has pleaded not guilty.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

While Meadows would face the same charges whether he is tried in state or federal court, the latter would likely have given him a more favorable jury pool, The New York Times reported. A federal trial would've also given the case a greater chance of making it to the U.S. Supreme Court, which is now unlikely to occur.

You may also like

Homepage
Long before it became Glacier National Park, the park says, the Kootenai called the area Yaqawiswitxuki, meaning the place where there is a lot of ice. 

Theres still ice. The park is home to about two dozen glaciers. But there are also beautiful bodies of water.

Of all the things that make Glacier special, if its public information officer, Gina Icenoggle, had to pick one, she said, I think it would be the pristine waters, including our rivers and lakes, and how clear and clean they are."

"When you hike to a lake, its just magnificent. The rivers that you walk along or that you drive along are magnificent. The waterfall. The water's just amazing.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

The park is careful about keeping it that way.

We are the headwaters of three major watersheds, Icenoggle said. If an invasive species gets in these waters, then it can potentially pollute the whole system, several watersheds all the way from the Pacific to the Atlantic to the Gulf (of Mexico)  and up into Canada.

Visitors, particularly boaters, need to be mindful. Heres what else travelers should know about Glacier, the latest national park in USA TODAYs yearlong series.

Glacier Park Boat Company offers tours of numerous lakes in Glacier National Park. The tour boat Little Chief has carried visitors since 1926 and now docks at St. Mary Lake.

Where exactly is Glacier National Park?

Glacier National Park covers more than 1 million acres of northwest Montana. Blackfeet Indian Reservation borders it to the east, Flathead National Forest to the southwest and Canadas Waterton Lakes National Park to the north.

The nearest airport is Glacier Park International Airport in Kalispell, Montana. Some travelers fly into Missoula and Great Falls, which are much farther away. Spokane International Airport in Washington is the largest airport within a days drive.

Another option is to take Amtraks Empire Builder. But travelers should note the train drops them off outside the park, and there are no park shuttles to and from the train stations, though some lodges may provide transportation for guests.

People don't realize that once you get here, you don't just call Uber, Icenoggle said. Were the wilderness.

Can you drive your car through Glacier National Park?

Because of weather and road conditions, you can drive through Glacier National Park only during a few months of the year.

A significant stretch of the parks famous Going-to-the-Sun Road doesnt open until mid- to late June. Last year, it didnt open until mid-July. It closes again around mid-October, or sooner, depending on snowfall.

Definitely check the status for whether or not the Going-to-the-Sun Road is even open yet, Icenoggle said.

Because of its popularity, reservations are required to drive along Going-to-the-Sun Road throughout the summer.

Historic red buses, operated by Glacier National Park Lodges, take visitors along Going-to-the-Sun Road in this file photo.

What is the best month to visit Glacier National Park?

If they're coming to see Going-to-the-Sun Road, they have to come when it's open, so I would book late June through September, she said. But definitely check the weather reports. We can get snow in September. So the earlier in September that you can come, the better.

She loves autumn in the park and notes that the leaves are just starting to change color.

Spring is another good time to visit, when Going-to-the-Sun Road is still closed to cars but open to bikes and hiking.

Glacier has become somewhat of a biking park, especially since the e-bikes have been allowed in the national parks, she said. People who typically aren't big bicyclists can get an e-bike and at least ride a portion of the road. The thing to know is youve got to make sure and check where the closures are because we will have avalanche closures in place."

Portions of Going-to-the-Sun Road also close so crews can clear the roads. Park conditions and closures can be found on Glaciers website.

Snow covers the entrance sign to Glacier National Park in West Glacier, Montana, in this file photo from Dec. 11, 2012.

Do you need a reservation to get into Glacier National Park?

Going-to-the-Sun Road isnt the only place visitors need a vehicle reservation.

Through Sunday, Sept. 10, reservations are also required for vehicles and motorcycles entering the park through its North Fork, Two Medicine and Many Glacier entrances between the hours of 6 a.m. and 3 p.m.

You really have to be prepared in advance, Icenoggle said. That would be the biggest thing I've made sure visitors know, because it's so disappointing when they decide Hey, let's fly to Glacier for the weekend and go see the park, and they get here and they can't get in because they don't have a reservation.

Reservations also are required for backcountry wilderness camping, some campgrounds and certain ranger-led activities. Though not required, reservations are highly recommended for lodges, which fill quickly.

National park reservation requirements: See which parks require timed entry

How many days do you need in Glacier National Park? Are two enough?

The east and west sides of Glacier National Park are very different, so visitors want at least two days to see both.

Four days would be ideal because you could spend two days on this side and the two days on the other side, Icenoggle said.

A tourist takes pictures of Wild Goose Island while on a scenic tour of St. Mary Lake at Glacier National Park.

Can you see the northern lights at Glacier National Park?

You can as long as the weather is cooperating, she said. You know how the northern lights are  they show up when they want to. We do have people who have taken some spectacular photos of northern lights in the park.

Did Native Americans live in Glacier National Park?

Physical evidence of human use dates back more than 10,000 years within the boundaries of Glacier National Park, according to its website. Numerous Native American tribes utilized the area around and within what is now the park for hunting, fishing, ceremonies, and gathering plants.

They include the Blackfeet Nation, whose reservation lies to the east of the park, and the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes of the Flathead Reservation. Icenoggle also noted historic ties to the Blackfoot Confederacy, which includes tribes in Canada.

What else should visitors know about Glacier National Park?

The elevation change between West Glacier to the alpine area is pretty drastic, and with that change in elevation can come a change in weather, Icenoggle said. It can be so foggy at the top that it's like condensation in your hair. It can be snowing.

She again advised checking the weather before heading out.

Contributing: Jayme Fraser

Predawn at Swiftcurrent Lake in Glacier National Park.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Why is Glacier National Park so special? Its not just the glaciers
Kaiser Permanente agreed to $49 million in settlement after an investigation by the California attorney general and six different district attorney offices found that the healthcare giant illegally disposed of hazardous medical waste and protected patient information in unsecured dumpsters.

State Atty. Gen. Rob Bonta announced the settlement on Friday that also requires that Kaiser take significant steps to prevent future unlawful dumping.

The illegal disposal of hazardous and medical waste puts the environment, workers and the public at risk, Bonta said. It also violates numerous federal and state laws. As a healthcare provider, Kaiser should know that it has specific legal obligations to properly dispose of medical waste and safeguard patients medical information.

The state attorney general partnered with six district attorney offices  including Alameda, San Bernardino, San Francisco, San Joaquin, San Mateo and Yolo counties  in the undercover probe of 16 Kaiser facilities statewide that first began in 2015.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Investigators found hundreds of hazardous and medical waste items such as syringes, tubing with body fluid and aerosol cans destined for public landfills. The inspections also uncovered more than 10,000 pages of confidential patient files.

During a news conference on Friday, Bonta said that investigators also found body parts in the public waste stream but did not elaborate.

Oakland-based Kaiser, which is the largest healthcare provider in the state with 700 facilities and nearly 9 million members, was cooperative with the state attorney generals office, officials said.

The healthcare giant hired a third-party consultant to carry out more than 1,100 trash audits but denied being aware of any body part being found during the investigation.

We take this matter extremely seriously and have taken full responsibility to acknowledge and, in cooperation with the California Attorney General and county district attorneys, correct our performance regarding landfill-bound trash where it may have fallen short of our standards, Kaiser said in a news statement.

Kaiser pledges a three-step approach to improving its waste disposal, which includes mandatory annual staff training to ensure compliance.

As part of the settlement agreement, the healthcare provider must retain an independent third-party auditor approved by the state and local law enforcement involved in the investigation.

Kaiser faces a $1.75-million penalty if adequate steps are not taken within a five-year period.

As a major corporation in Alameda County, Kaiser Permanente has a special obligation to treat its communities with the same bedside manner as its patients, said Alameda County Dist. Atty. Pamela Price. Dumping medical waste and private information are wrong, which they have acknowledged. This action will hold them accountable in such a way that we hope means it doesnt happen again.





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.
Ukrainian kamikaze drones attacked the so-called election headquarters of the occupiers in the village of Skelky, Vasylivka district, Zaporizhzhia Oblast.

Source: Ukrainska Pravdas sources in the Security Service of Ukraine

Quote: "They [kamikaze drones] visited the election headquarters of the Ruscists in the village of Skelky, Vasylivka district. The occupiers use it to store ballots and documents. But the elections here ended early."

Details: After the explosions, the occupiers cordoned off the nearby streets, began checking people, and took their drones into the air.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Ukrainska Pravdas source said that the Security Service of Ukraine was behind the attack.

Previously: Two explosions occurred on the territory of the municipal lyceum in Berdiansk on the night of 7-8 September. The occupiers located one of the so-called polling stations for their sham elections there. They were supposed to start on 8 September, but the polling station never opened. It was reported that the Security Service of Ukraine was behind the explosions.

Background:

Russia has announced that sham elections to local fake administrations will be held on 8-10 September 2023, in the temporarily occupied territories of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson oblasts of Ukraine and in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea.

Artem Dekhtiarenko, spokesman for the Security Service of Ukraine, said the Ukrainian security service has identified more than 3,500 collaborators and their Russian handlers involved in organising illegal voting and "candidates" in these sham elections.

At the same time, Dekhtiarenko said, after the explosions at the so-called polling station in the temporarily occupied city of Kamianka-Dniprovska, Zaporizhzhia Oblast, there are fewer people willing to help the Russians. Ukrainska Pravdas sources state that the Security Service of Ukraine was behind the explosions in Kamianka-Dniprovska.

Local residents in the occupied part of Kherson Oblast are reportedly trying to avoid participating in the sham elections organised by the Russian occupiers.

Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron!
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre has separated from her longtime partner, journalist Suzanne Malveaux .

Jean-Pierre revealed the news in an interview with Vogue that was published online Thursday. It came in the context of parenting  Jean-Pierre and Malveaux have a 9-year-old daughter, Soleil.

Parenting has gotten more challenging lately, Vogue reports. Jean-Pierre and Malveaux have separated.

Im a single mom who is co-parenting this amazing kid, Jean-Pierre told the publication. Our number-one priority is her privacy and to make sure we create an environment thats nurturing.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Jean-Pierre and Malveaux met at the Democratic National Convention in 2012. Malveaux was White House correspondent for CNN for more than a decade. She left the position in January.

Jean-Pierre is the first Black person, first out member of the LGBTQ+ community, and first immigrant to be White House press secretary. She assumed the post in May 2022, succeeding Jen Psaki. Jean-Pierre was previously principal deputy press secretary in the White House.

Before that, she worked in the Biden-Harris campaign, first as a senior adviser and then chief of staff to Kamala Harris, making her the first Black person and first lesbian to hold that position for a vice-presidential nominee. She had previously been a staffer in President Barack Obama's administration and in both his presidential campaigns, chief public affairs officer for MoveOn.org, and a commentator for NBC and MSNBC.

In press briefings, she has often commented on LGBTQ+ issues, condemning anti-LGBTQ+ laws in Uganda and in American states such as Florida and Tennessee, and praising the passage of the Respect for Marriage Act, which wrote marriage equality into U.S. law. She shared her coming-out story last October on National Coming Out Day. She has also used her platform to denounce racism, gun violence and the lack of effort to curb it, and far-right Republicans.

The Vogue profile discusses her hectic schedule and the criticism she has endured on social media, from reporters, and even from some Democratic politicians. The social media comments are sometimes threatening. People who love me are concerned, Jean-Pierre told Vogue. But I do not walk around fearful for my life or my security. That is not something I worry about. I worry more for my daughter.

Earlier in her life, she didnt plan on becoming a parent, and it was Malveauxs idea to adopt a child, Vogue notes. But Jean-Pierre has found that having a daughter has helped fuel her activism even more. Everything that we do, being led by the president, is going to matter, not just today, but tomorrow and for the rest of our lives, she told the magazine. What we do is certainly going to change the trajectory of her life.

The Advocate is seeking comment from Jean-Pierre on the separation.

Pictured, from left: Karine Jean-Pierre and Suzanne Malveaux
Rep. Adam Smith (D-Wash.) is calling for the Senate to change its rules amid Sen. Tommy Tuberville s (R-Ala.) continued blockade of more than 300 military promotions continues.

I wish the Senate would change their rules so that one senator doesnt have that kind of power, so that we actually would have a democracy where you have a fair vote, Smith said of the upper chamber of Congress in an interview on CNN.

He added that its clear to him that Tuberville doesnt believe in democracy.

He doesnt believe in the system of government that weve set up, Smith argued. You have a vote, you lose, you move on.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Sign up for the latest from The Hill here

Smith, who served as a state senator in Washington in the 1990s, called the House Freedom Caucus and Tubervilles approach to governance incredibly destructive.

What he and the Freedom Caucus believe is, If you dont get what you want, do as much damage as you possibly can to the government, he said.

In this case, its incredibly destructive to the defense of this country, to the national security of this country; to not be able to have top leaders appointed to their position nearly undermines our ability to protect this country, bottom line, Smith added.

Tuberville began his blockade in April in protest of a Pentagon abortion policy enacted late last year. The policy, which covers travel expenses for abortion care, hit the six-month mark earlier this week.

Smith acknowledged that Tuberville doesnt support the travel policy, but said it isnt an excuse for what he has done.

Joe Biden won. Okay. Joe Biden put that policy in place, Smith said. If Senator Tuberville doesnt like that, well go support a Republican candidate for president next year, go to the ballot box and make your case.

But, to undermine the ability of our country to defend itself just because you didnt get your way on one piece of policy is destructive and wrong, he argued.

The Senate returned from a monthlong recess Tuesday, and the pressure to do something about the holds has mounted. Military secretaries  including Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro, Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall and Army Secretary Christine Wormuth  have all criticized the Alabama senator this week, and the Pentagon warned his tactic could bring the Senate to a complete halt.

Tuberville has also faced strong criticism from Alabama voters, Democrats and the White House. GOP leaders in Congress have tried to negotiate with him and have been unsuccessful thus far.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Russia has summoned Armenian Ambassador Vagarshak Harutyunyan to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for a "tough conversation" over Yerevan's latest steps, which Russia considers unfriendly, including, according to the Kremlin, the visit of the prime minister's wife to Kyiv and the transfer of humanitarian aid to Ukraine.

Source: European Pravda, referring to the statement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation.

Details: The Russian Foreign Ministry said it had noticed hesitation in Armenia regarding further participation in the Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO) and bilateral treaties with Russia, as well as the viability of agreements involving Russia to normalise relations with Azerbaijan.

"Against this background, in recent days, the leadership of Armenia managed to take a series of unfriendly steps, including launching the process of ratifying the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, the trip to Kyiv by the wife of the Prime Minister Anna Hakobyan with the transfer of humanitarian aid to the Kyiv Nazi regime, and the holding of military exercises on Armenian territory with the participation of the USA. In this regard, V. Harutyunyan, the ambassador of Armenia in Moscow, was summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia, and harsh remarks were made to him," Moscow says.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

In addition, the ambassador was given a note of protest due to the speech of Simonyan, the Speaker of the Parliament, against Maria Zakharova, the spokeswoman of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the entire department, and they were indignant at the detentions in Armenia of a pro-Russian blogger and a representative of the Armenian branch of "Sputnik".

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation expressed the hope that Russia and Armenia will remain allies and that Armenia will cooperate in the issue of exercises along the lines of the CSTO and "the expected direction of the organisation's observation mission to the republic to facilitate the settlement between Armenia and Azerbaijan".

Background:

Recently, Nikol Pashinyan, the Prime Minister of Armenia, called it a strategic mistake that Armenia relied only on Moscow in security matters.

The other day, he announced the accumulation of Azerbaijani troops and the threat of a new escalation.

Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron!
MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia said on Saturday the top foreign guest at an economic forum in Vladivostok next week would be the vice president of Laos, and that it had "nothing to say" about a possible visit by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

The New York Times reported on Monday that Kim would meet President Vladimir Putin in Vladivostok in Russia's Far East this month, fanning speculation he might visit during the forum which runs from Sunday to Wednesday.

But Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the senior foreign guest at the event would be the vice president of Laos, Pany Yathotou, with whom Putin would hold a separate bilateral meeting. Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Guoqing is also due to attend, he said.

The annual forum is aimed at developing economic cooperation in the region and encouraging foreign investment. Past attendees include the Japanese prime minister and the Chinese president, but Western sanctions against Moscow have slashed foreign participation in such events.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Last year, after Russia sent its army into Ukraine, the prime ministers of Armenia, Mongolia and Myanmar were among the most prominent guests, while Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the forum via video link.

(Reporting by Reuters, editing by Mark Trevelyan and Ros Russell)
(Reuters) -Russia said on Saturday it was sticking to its conditions for a return to the Black Sea grain deal which it quit in July.

In particular, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia needed its state agricultural bank - and not a subsidiary of the bank, as proposed by the United Nations - to be reconnected to the international SWIFT bank payments system.

"All our conditions are perfectly well known. They do not need interpretation, they are absolutely concrete and all this is absolutely achievable," Peskov said.

"Therefore Russia maintains its responsible, clear and consistent position, which has been repeatedly voiced by the president."

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

The Black Sea deal was brokered by Turkey and the United Nations in July 2022 to enable Ukraine to export grain by sea despite the war and help ease a global food crisis.

It was accompanied by an agreement to facilitate Russia's own exports of food and fertiliser, which Moscow says has not been fulfilled. Since quitting the grain deal, Russia has repeatedly bombed Ukrainian ports and grain stores, prompting Kyiv and the West to accuse it of using food as a weapon.

Moscow's uncompromising restatement of its position came five days after President Vladimir Putin met his Turkish counterpart Tayyip Erdogan and discussed the grain issue.

Russia appears to have drawn encouragement from Erdogan's statement at that meeting that Ukraine should "soften its approaches" in talks over reviving the deal, and export more grain to Africa rather than Europe. Ukraine said it would not alter its stand and would not be hostage to "Russian blackmail".

BANKING ISSUE

Russia says its grain and fertiliser exports, though not specifically sanctioned by the West, face barriers in practice because of sanctions affecting port access, insurance, logistics and payments - including the removal of agricultural bank Rosselkhozbank from SWIFT.

The U.N. has proposed that a Luxembourg-based subsidiary of Rosselkhozbank could immediately apply to SWIFT to "effectively enable access" for the bank within 30 days.

"The agreements say that SWIFT should be open to Rosselkhozbank, and not to its subsidiary. That is, we are talking about the need to return to the basics, to the agreements that were in place originally and which we were promised would be fulfilled," Peskov said.

"The president clearly said that the moment they are fulfilled, then the deal will immediately resume. But not vice versa," he added.

(Reporting by Reuters, Writing by Mark TrevelyanEditing by Ros Russell)
FILE PHOTO: A grain ship carrying Ukrainian grain is seen in the Black Sea near Ukrainian port of Odesa

FILE PHOTO: A grain ship carrying Ukrainian grain is seen in the Black Sea near Ukrainian port of Odesa

(Reuters) -Russia said on Saturday it was sticking to its conditions for a return to the Black Sea grain deal which it quit in July.

In particular, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia needed its state agricultural bank - and not a subsidiary of the bank, as proposed by the United Nations - to be reconnected to the international SWIFT bank payments system.

"All our conditions are perfectly well known. They do not need interpretation, they are absolutely concrete and all this is absolutely achievable," Peskov said.

"Therefore Russia maintains its responsible, clear and consistent position, which has been repeatedly voiced by the president."

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

The Black Sea deal was brokered by Turkey and the United Nations in July 2022 to enable Ukraine to export grain by sea despite the war and help ease a global food crisis.

It was accompanied by an agreement to facilitate Russia's own exports of food and fertiliser, which Moscow says has not been fulfilled. Since quitting the grain deal, Russia has repeatedly bombed Ukrainian ports and grain stores, prompting Kyiv and the West to accuse it of using food as a weapon.

Moscow's uncompromising restatement of its position came five days after President Vladimir Putin met his Turkish counterpart Tayyip Erdogan and discussed the grain issue.

Russia appears to have drawn encouragement from Erdogan's statement at that meeting that Ukraine should "soften its approaches" in talks over reviving the deal, and export more grain to Africa rather than Europe. Ukraine said it would not alter its stand and would not be hostage to "Russian blackmail".

BANKING ISSUE

Russia says its grain and fertiliser exports, though not specifically sanctioned by the West, face barriers in practice because of sanctions affecting port access, insurance, logistics and payments - including the removal of agricultural bank Rosselkhozbank from SWIFT.

The U.N. has proposed that a Luxembourg-based subsidiary of Rosselkhozbank could immediately apply to SWIFT to "effectively enable access" for the bank within 30 days.

"The agreements say that SWIFT should be open to Rosselkhozbank, and not to its subsidiary. That is, we are talking about the need to return to the basics, to the agreements that were in place originally and which we were promised would be fulfilled," Peskov said.

"The president clearly said that the moment they are fulfilled, then the deal will immediately resume. But not vice versa," he added.

(Reporting by Reuters, Writing by Mark TrevelyanEditing by Ros Russell)
Thirteen Albertsons supermarkets in Idaho  one in every three in the iconic Boise companys home state  would be sold to a New Hampshire billionaires wholesale grocery business under a sale agreement that Kroger has just disclosed.

The agreement is part of Krogers effort to win federal regulators approval of the Cincinnati supermarket chains planned takeover of Albertsons, a competitor.

Here are nine important points for Idahoans about the latest disclosure.

1. What the chains are  and arent  saying about Idaho stores.

The plan announced Friday calls for selling 413 stores from both companies across 17 states and the District of Columbia to C&S Wholesale Grocers, a little-known grocery-supply firm that also oversees two retail supermarket chains in the South, Midwest and Northeast.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Kroger, in a joint news release with Albertsons, declined to say which 13 Idaho Albertsons stores would be sold. Albertsons has 39 stores in the state. Thirteen are in Boise, where Joe Albertson founded the company in 1939 and where the corporate headquarters stands at 250 Parkcenter Blvd.

Because we are still in the regulatory process, we are not able to share the specific locations included in the agreement, Tiffany Sanders, corporate affairs manager for Krogers Fred Meyer and QFC divisions, told the Idaho Statesman by email Friday after the sale announcement.

Fred Meyer and QFC serve the Pacific Northwest. QFC has no Idaho stores, but Fred Meyer has 11, including three in Boise.

Kroger made two promises: No stores in the nation will close as a direct result of the merger, and all front-line associates will remain employed.

The companies announcement included a broad summary of store divestitures by state  the summary that mentioned the 13 Idaho Albertsons stores. It made no mention of selling any Fred Meyer stores in Idaho.

An Albertsons spokesperson in Boise did not immediately return a call and an email seeking comment.

A Fred Meyer store at 5230 W. Franklin St. in Boise. Fred Meyer and Kroger merged in 1998.

2. Albertsons prominence in Idaho may be affected.

The limited disclosure left other questions unanswered, including why some Idaho stores are being sold but not others, whether those stores would be rebranded or retain the Albertsons name, and how Albertsons Boise headquarters may be affected.

As the Statesman reported in October, Albertsons is Idahos largest company, with $72 billion in yearly sales, about 290,000 employees nationwide and more than 5,000 employees in Idaho. It has 2,272 retail food and drug stores under 24 banners in 34 states, including the 39 stores in Idaho, 24 of which are in Ada and Canyon counties.

Kroger is even bigger. Kroger has 2,750 stores in all and employs nearly half a million people nationwide.

Its Fred Meyer unit, based in Portland, competes directly with Albertsons in the Boise area. Fred Meyer employs more than 2,000 Idahoans and has seven Treasure Valley stores.

Under Krogers plan to buy Albertsons, the combined company would have stores in 48 states, excluding only Minnesota and Iowa, though some stores would be sold to offset antitrust concerns.

3. Its a merger  but its Kroger calling the shots.

Kroger and Albertsons call the proposed union a merger, though it is Kroger that intends to buy all of Albertsons stock and take on all of Albertsons debt, and it is Krogers chairman and CEO who would run the merged company.

Its Kroger that would divest the stores after the merger.

Kroger CEO William Rodney McMullen speaks during a Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Competition Policy, Antitrust, and Consumer Rights hearing on the proposed Kroger-Albertsons grocery store merger, at the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2022. (AP Photo/Mariam Zuhaib)

4. Kroger would sell more stores than it had said. Maybe a lot more.

The merger must pass an antitrust review. Anticipating that, the companies said in October that they planned to spin off 100 to 375 stores into a new company to head off Federal Trade Commission concerns about excessive market concentration. Fridays announcement boosted the number of stores to be unloaded, and it killed the spinoff-company plan, replacing it with a sale to a sole buyer, C&S.

Kroger Chairman and CEO Rodney McMullen argued that the merger and divestitures would sustain competition in the retail grocery sector and benefit communities.

We embarked on a robust and thoughtful process to identify a well-capitalized buyer who will operate as a fierce competitor and ensure divested stores and their associates will continue serving their communities in the ways they do today, McMullen said. C&S achieves all these objectives.

C&S would pay $1.9 billion. The purchase price includes eight unspecified distribution centers, two offices and five private-label brands along with the stores.

Its possible the number of stores sold could grow dramatically. If necessary to secure FTC approval, Kroger said, it may require C&S buy up to 237 additional stores. Thats part of the sale agreement too. It would boost the total to 650 stores, about one in every eight of the two companies 5,000-plus stores.

5. Hundreds of other stores would be sold in these 16 states.

The companies have significant overlap in Washington state, Oregon, Nevada, Wyoming, California, Colorado, Alaska and the Washington, D.C., area, the Statesman previously reported.

The state-by-state summary of divestitures suggests that most of the stores Kroger would sell after the merger would come from Albertsons, not Kroger.

The summary says 157 Albertsons-owned stores would be sold in seven states, and just 14 Kroger-owned stores would be sold in one state. An additional 219 stores from both companies would be sold in the three West Coast states  Washington, Oregon and California  but that portion of the list did not say how many would come from which grocer.

Besides the 13 Idaho stores, the summary said the sale to C&S would include:

Washington: 104 Albertsons Cos. and Kroger stores.

Oregon: 49 Albertsons Cos. and Kroger stores.

California: 66 Albertsons Cos. and Kroger stores.

Nevada: 15 Albertsons Cos. stores.

Montana, Utah and Wyoming: 12 Albertsons Cos. stores.

Colorado: 52 Albertsons Cos. stores.

Arizona: 24 Albertsons Cos. stores.

New Mexico: 12 Albertsons Cos. stores.

Alaska: 14 Albertsons Cos. stores.

Texas and Louisiana: 28 Albertsons Cos. stores.

Illinois: 14 Kroger stores.

Maryland, Virginia and District of Columbia: 10 Kroger-owned Harris Teeter stores.

C&S would receive a license to operate stores under the Albertsons banner in California, Colorado, Wyoming and Arizona.

6. C&S is what, again? And who owns it?

C&S was founded in 1918 in Massachusetts as a supplier to independent grocery stores. The C is cofounder Israel Cohen, the S his fellow cofounder, Abraham Siegel.

C&S today is owned by Rick Cohen, of Keene, New Hampshire, who is Israels grandson and the third generation of the Cohen family to lead the company, according to a bio on C&Ss website.

A screenshot of Rick Cohen, the billionaire owner, chairman and CEO of C&S Wholesale Grocers, from C&Ss website. The business would buy more than 400 stores from Kroger and Albertsons if the two supermarket chains succeed in merging. Thirteen of Idahos 39 Albertsons grocery stores, one in every three, would be sold to C&S.

Forbes said C&S has $33 billion in annual revenues, ranking No. 8 in Forbes 2022 tally of Americas top privately held companies. In comparison, Boises family-owned Simplot Co. ranks 49th with $7.8 billion, the top Idaho firm on the Forbes list.

But Forbes said most of the Cohen familys real time net worth  which Forbes pegged at $16.2 billion as of Sept. 8, making him the 105th richest person or family in the world that day  comes from warehouse automation firm Symbotic, which has a partnership with Walmart to automate its 42 regional distribution centers. Symbotic was founded by Rick Cohens grandfather.

Today C&S supplies more than 7,500 independent supermarkets, retail chain stores and military bases, Kroger and Albertsons said.

The company also operates 160 stores, including Grand Union grocery stores in New York and Vermont and Piggly Wiggly franchise and corporate-owned stores in the Midwest and Carolinas.

Said Albertsons CEO Vivek Sankaran: I have long respected C&S and its leadership team.

Dignitaries celebrate the opening of a Piggly Wiggly store in 2022 in Spartanburg, South Carolina.

7. Why the companies want to merge.

Kroger is the largest traditional supermarket company in the U.S. Albertsons is the second largest. But pressures on their businesses persists.

The grocery chains say they must merge to compete with Walmart, Amazon and other major companies that have stepped into the grocery business, The Associated Press reported. And there is significant consolidation throughout the grocery sector as companies fight with rising prices for everything from food to workers.

Krogers financial performance recently has been mixed. Its revenues fell to $33.9 billion in the quarter that ended Aug. 12 from $34.6 billion the same quarter in 2022, though sales rose 1.1% when fuel sales are excluded. Its earnings swung from profit to loss because of a $1.4 billion charge to pay for opioid claims.

Albertsons is arguably doing better, with $24.1 billion in revenue in the latest 16-week quarter, up from $23.3 billion the same period in 2022, though its profits fell to 72 cents per share compared with 84 cents a year earlier.

Both companies stock prices rose Friday after the news of the divestiture plan and Krogers earnings report. Albertsons closed at $23.63 per share, up 63 cents. Kroger closed at $46.94, up $1.41.

Kroger CEO Rodney McMullen, right, speaks with associate Cheri Vandervort in the produce section of the Oakley Kroger Marketplace in Cincinnati.

8. When the merger and divestitures may take place.

The companies expect the merger to close in 2024, though they are still awaiting clearance from the FTC.

The sale to C&S would follow.

Some unions and Democratic state officials outside Idaho have called on the government to reject the merger. Senators from both parties expressed concerns at a congressional hearing on the merger in November.

9. Employees worry. The CEOs tell them not to.

Still another unanswered question is how many Idaho employees would be transferred from Albertsons to C&S.

In Fridays news release, Kroger and Albertsons emphasized the divestitures benefits to workers.

All existing collective bargaining agreements will continue, and associates will continue to receive industry-leading health care and pension benefits alongside bargained-for wages, the companies said.

As the Statesman reported previously, both companies have heavily unionized workforces, although not in Idaho.

McMullen and Sankaran sought to reassure Kroger and Albertsons employees that C&S would be a good company to work for.

C&S will offer exciting opportunities for associates to advance their careers, from front-line associates and store leaders to merchants and other professionals, McMullen said in the release.

Sankaran added, I echo Rodneys confidence in the bright future ahead for the associates joining the C&S team.

Vivek Sankaran, CEO of Albertsons Cos., speaks on the proposed Kroger-Albertsons merger at a U.S. Senate hearing in November.

Could merger close Boise stores? Albertsons, Kroger plan to sell hundreds of locations

Sure, you know about Idahos potatoes. But do you know about these 5 other farm products?

These apartments are coming to site of popular former Boise shop. And theyre affordable

5 apartment buildings. 2 subdivisions. Starbucks, Dutch Bros, Cafe Zupas. Coming soon
Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Kyle Bradish throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Boston Red Sox, Friday, Sept. 8, 2023, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)

BOSTON (AP)  Kyle Bradish struck out nine batters in six strong innings, Adley Rutschman homered and drove in three runs, and the AL-best Baltimore Orioles beat the fading Boston Red Sox 11-2 on Friday night.

After going 5-1 on the western portion of its nine-game trip, Baltimore posted its sixth straight victory and 12th in the last 15 games. The Orioles extended their streak of series without being swept to 85.

I saw probably as dominating of a five innings as I've seen, Baltimore manager Brandon Hyde said of Bradish. Every pitch working. ... He's just getting better and better, and that's fun to watch.

Ryan OHearn also homered for the Orioles. Cedric Mullins had a two-run double during a four-run sixth inning that chased Boston starter Tanner Houck (4-9).

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Connor Wong hit a solo homer for the Red Sox, who have lost three straight and eight of 11. On the fringe of the AL wild-card chase, Boston entered the day five games out of the third and final spot.

Mixing his fastball, curve and slider, Bradish (11-6) breezed through five scoreless innings with seven Ks, allowing only one hit before giving up two runs on three hits in the sixth.

I was really locked in out there, Bradish said. Every (breaking pitch) was over the plate, I was throwing a lot of strikes, minimizing damage. I felt really good.

OHearns homer sailed a few rows behind Baltimores bullpen, making it 1-0 in the fourth.

A nice round number like that is cool, O'Hearn said of his 50th career homer.

The Orioles made it 5-0 in the sixth. Mullins hit his double over the head of Alex Verdugo and Austin Hays followed with a single through a draw-in infield. Rutschman added a sacrifice fly.

The first five innings, good, Houck said. The sixth inning past two starts I need to clean it up a little bit. I need to get better. I need to execute pitches a little better. All in all, continue to learn, continue to push myself to get better each time.

After Baltimore batted around in the top of the inning, Boston got to Bradish in the bottom half. Wong cleared the Green Monster with his shot that left Fenway Park completely and Justin Turner had an RBI double.

The Orioles added two runs in the eighth and four more in the ninth. Aaron Hicks pinch-hit for O'Hearn in the eighth and went 2-for-2, including a two-run single in the ninth.

HIGHLIGHT PLAY

Baltimores Ryan McKenna, a defensive replacement, made a leaping grab with his back to the plate before banging into the right-field wall to take an extra-base hit away from Rafael Devers in the eighth.

FOR STARTERS

Bradish has allowed two or fewer runs in six consecutive starts and didnt walk a batter for just the second time in his 27 outings this season.

Houck looked strong in the first five innings, relying on a sharp slider to strike out five and allow only a run. Hes made it past six innings just once in 17 starts this year.

He threw the ball well, Boston manager Alex Cora said. There was some traffic the third time around. His stuff was good, got some swings and misses.

TRAINERS ROOM

Red Sox: Right fielder Verdugo returned to the lineup after missing the last three games with hamstring tightness. ... Right-hander Corey Kluber (injured list since June, right shoulder inflammation) and Pablo Reyes (IL since late August, left elbow inflammation) both started rehab assignments with Triple-A Worcester.

UP NEXT

Orioles: RHP Jack Flaherty (8-8, 4.84 ERA) is slated to make his first career start against the Red Sox on Saturday.

Red Sox: LHP Chris Sale (6-3, 4,46) is set for Boston. He has a 4.18 ERA in five starts since being sidelined with left shoulder inflammation for two months.

___

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  A man is facing several charges after police say he shot and killed a man, stole a vehicle to leave the scene, and was later found waving a gun around while stripping in front of a familys home, according to an arrest report.

The Homicide

On Sept. 2, at around 7:40 p.m., police were called to the 6400 block of Plumcrest Road after several calls were made to 911 after a man was shot.

The report stated arriving officers found the victim, identified as Glen Cooper, 48, in the driveway of a home with a gunshot wound in his chest. He was taken to a local hospital, where he later succumbed to his injury and was pronounced dead.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Man shot, killed in driveway after argument near Lone Mountain

The owners of the home told police they witnessed the shooting. According to the report, a witness told police that an ex-boyfriend of hers, Parnell Gaines, 46, shot Cooper after an argument took place in front of the home.

The report stated the witness told police she dated Gaines for two to three years, but their relationship ended in April 2023 because Gaines was physically abusive to her and her aunt.

She told police both she and her aunt got protection orders against Gaines, which Gaines routinely ignored and violated.

She told police that Gaines would show up at her home and work and try to rekindle their relationship.

Parnell Gaines faces several charges after police say he shot and killed a man. (LVMPD)

According to the report, the witness was friends with Cooper and invited him to stay with her when he lost his home.

The witness told police Gaines showed up at a church where she was doing community service and stayed there until she finished. The two drove to the witness home, the report stated.

While the witness went inside to change her clothes, she asked Cooper if he would like to join them on a run to the store. He agreed.

Outside, the witness aunt approached Gaines where he was sitting in the passenger seat of the car and told him he was not allowed to be at the house because of the protection orders.

According to the report, Gaines called the aunt several derogatory terms for women, at which point, Cooper stepped in, telling Gaines not to talk to her so disrespectfully. The report stated that Gaines called Cooper a name then Cooper slapped him.

The report stated that Gaines then pulled out a gun and shot Cooper in the chest. The bullet ended up going through the wall of the home and into the bedroom of the witness children.

According to the report, Gaines then threatened to shoot the witness if she did not let him take her vehicle, which he drove away before police arrived. His brother later returned the vehicle to the home while police were on the scene.

The History

According to the arrest report, Gaines was arrested for several domestic violence incidents against the witness and was a person of interest in two additional domestic violence incidents against her aunt.

A records check showed that Gaines was a five-time felon in Nevada for the following offenses:

Robbery, convicted in 1998

Robbery with a deadly weapon, convicted in 1998

Possession of controlled substances with the intent to sell, convicted in 1998

Attempted invasion of a home, convicted in 2016

Carrying a concealed firearm or other deadly weapon, convicted in 2017

The Arrest

On Sept. 4 at around 4:30 p.m., police were called to a home on West Lake Mead Boulevard after a woman said a man was in front of her house, taking off his clothes, and armed with a gun. The report stated she told police she thought he was under the influence of narcotics.

Suspect arrested after man found shot in northwest Las Vegas driveway: police

The woman told police that she and her pre-teen daughter got home from the store when a man, later identified as Gaines, approached them and attempted to grab her twice. She was able to pull away and ran into her home with her daughter.

According to the report, Gaines entered her front yard and began to take off his clothes. He tried to enter her home, kicked her front door, and waved his gun around while the woman and her family hid inside.

Police arrived and took Gaines into custody. He is being held at the Clark County Detention Center on a $100,000 bail.

Gaines faces the following charges:

Open murder with a deadly weapon

Four counts of assault with a deadly weapon

Robbery with a deadly weapon

Grand larceny of a motorized vehicle

Assault domestic violence with use of a deadly weapon

Owning or possessing a gun as a prohibited person

Carrying a concealed weapon without a permit

His next court appearance is scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 11.

For a list of local and state resources for domestic violence and abuse victims, visit this link.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
Water is pumped into a canal on a ranch in the Central Valley. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)

California legislators have passed a bill that aims to close a long-standing loophole in the states water laws: Until now, regulators havent had clear authority to investigate the water rights of some of the biggest water users.

These senior water right holders, with claims dating to before 1914, use roughly a third of the water that is diverted, on average, from the states rivers and streams. They include cities and individual landowners, as well as agricultural irrigation districts supplying farms that produce nuts, rice and other crops.

The bill, Senate Bill 389, passed in a 50-17 Assembly vote on Tuesday and is expected to be among the bills presented to Gov. Gavin Newsom for signing.

The legislation expressly authorizes the State Water Resources Control Board to investigate all water rights claims  including riparian rights and pre-1914 rights  and to determine whether the rights are valid.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

It's about giving the water board the tools that it needs to do its work, said Sen. Ben Allen (D-Santa Monica), who introduced the bill.

Read more: 'Improvised, spotty and belated': Will California reform its oversight of water rights?

Allen pointed out that Californias existing water rights allocate far more water than is available in an average year, and said the State Water Board is tasked with making the system function at a time when climate change is putting growing strains on water supplies.

He said the agency needs to have this oversight authority to make sure the system is working and that we actually have enough water for everybody.

This is essential to their ability to ensure that we have a sustainable water system in our state, Allen said.

The legislation says state water regulators may investigate claims of pre-1914 or riparian water rights, issue an order for information, and, after a hearing, curb any unauthorized water use.

If an investigation reveals that a water supplier has been taking more water than it is entitled to, the State Water Board can use its enforcement powers to make that stop.

The bill is among a list of reform proposals that experts have suggested to improve oversight and management of Californias water rights system.

The bill is long overdue and provides the State Water Board "clear and unchallengeable authority to enforce the water rights system," said Jennifer Harder, a law professor at University of the Pacifics McGeorge School of Law.

She noted that prominent advocates of the change included the late Clifford Lee, a retired deputy attorney general who last year helped lead a group of experts in presenting reform proposals, as well as Jonas Minton, a water policy expert and environmentalist who organized the group. Both men died last year.

Lee and Minton believed the bill "was a critical first step to ensuring a sensible and cohesive water rights system" for California in the 21st century, Harder said. "The passage of this bill is a tribute to their memories."

Read more: Climate crisis and systemic inequities drive push to reform California water laws

The bill doesnt actually give water regulators new powers, but it adds specificity to what was previously a vague section of the states water law, said Nell Green Nylen, a senior research fellow at the UC Berkeley School of Laws Wheeler Water Institute.

The State Water Board has previously gathered information about such water rights just as the bill describes, Green Nylen said. But because this power wasnt spelled out in the law before now, she said, the agency has almost certainly been hesitant to use it, fearing lawsuits and political backlash.

Imagine if a large segment of California taxpayers were not convinced the state's Franchise Tax Board had the power to audit high-earning residents, she said. That wouldnt be a good situation.

Green Nylen and other legal experts recently published a state-funded report with recommendations for legislative and policy changes to improve oversight and management of water rights. She said the legislation partially addresses one of their recommendations, and should make it easier for the board to exercise its authority more frequently.

Californias complex system of water rights took shape starting in the mid-1800s, when settlers saw the states water as abundant, and when a Gold Rush prospector could stake claim to river flows simply by nailing a notice to a tree.

State officials are now working on a project to modernize Californias water rights information system by digitizing millions of paper records. Officials have said that even those extensive records in many cases dont include original documents that show proof of pre-1914 water rights, which were grandfathered in under the 1913 Water Commission Act. That act established a permit process for rights from then on.

Some other bills that would reform water laws have stalled in the Legislature but may still be voted on next year. They include Assembly Bill 460, which would strengthen the State Water Boards enforcement powers to stop illegal water diversions and increase fines for violators, and AB 1563, which would require local groundwater management agencies to weigh in on applications for well-drilling permits.

Read more: 'A foundation of racism': Californias antiquated water rights system faces new scrutiny

Some Californians would like to see deeper changes, arguing that the current water rights system should be dismantled. Those who are pushing for such an overhaul argue the water rights system is antiquated and unjust, with roots in Californias history of violence against Indigenous people and racism that prevented non-white people from securing rights in the 1800s and early 1900s.

They also argue the existing system shortchanges environmental needs and wont be sufficient for dealing with scarcity in the future.

The bill that was approved focuses on ensuring that those with senior water rights are obeying the rules and have valid rights, but that measure, like other proposals in the Legislature, doesnt address the systems inequities or negative consequences, said Max Gomberg, a former State Water Board official who works with environmental advocates and has criticized the Newsom administrations policies.

It's the whole system that needs to be redone, Gomberg said.

There is no good reason to have continued priority for stuff that was just claimed over 100 years ago, not when we face all these issues of scarcity, Gomberg said. Everyone who is not one of those water rights holders would benefit from a change in the system.

He said hed like to see the existing water rights system scrapped and replaced with a new framework that prioritizes the needs of communities, the environment and basic food security. He suggested that a ballot measure would be one way to remake the system.

I think there is no effective and equitable climate adaptation in the West  this goes beyond California  without remaking it, Gomberg said. If it doesn't get remade, every other thing that we do to try to adjust to our changing and aridifying climate will be insufficient.

Read more: EPA to investigate California State Water Board for alleged civil rights violations

Last year, a coalition of tribes and environmental groups sought to challenge how the state manages water by filing a civil rights complaint with the Environmental Protection Agency, accusing the State Water Board of discriminatory practices and mismanagement contributing to the ecological deterioration of the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta.

The EPA announced in August that it has begun an investigation.

In their complaint, the tribes and environmental groups said the decline of the ecosystem in the Delta is rooted in white supremacy because the rights of tribes were ignored when the water rights system was established, and because people of color were prevented from securing water rights well into the early 20th century.

They argued that out-of-date water quality standards in the Delta have led to collapsing fish populations and worsening toxic algae blooms, and demanded that the State Water Board update water quality standards.

State water officials have said they are committed to working with tribes and have taken various steps to address historical inequities, such as adopting a racial equity plan.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
The claim: Ebola at Burning Man led to LAX quarantine, evacuation

A Sept. 3 Facebook post (direct link, archive link) includes a screenshot of a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, claiming a serious incident recently occurred at Los Angeles International Airport.

Private jet from Burning Man lands at LAX and get (sic) quarantined on runway and airport evacuated, reads the text in the post, which includes the hashtags #Ebola, #outbreak and #lockdown.

The X post was reposted more than 200 times in four days. Other versions of the post continue to circulate on Facebook.

Follow us on Facebook! Like our page to get updates throughout the day on our latest debunks

Our rating: False

Authorities say there have been no reports of Ebola or requests for Ebola testing in Nevadas Black Rock Desert, where the Burning Man festival takes place. An LAX representative said the partial evacuation of the airport was related to a suspicious item, not a contagion.

LAX evacuation unrelated to Burning Man or viral outbreak

Heavy rains in the Black Rock Desert created flooding and untraversable muddy conditions, prompting organizers to issue a shelter-in-place order for attendees of the Burning Man festival.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

As thousands of people were stranded at the festival grounds, erroneous reports began circulating of a connection to Ebola.

Fact check: No reports of Ebola outbreak in connection to Burning Man, contrary to posts

While part of LAX was briefly evacuated on Sept. 2, the incident was unrelated to a plane arriving from Burning Man or anywhere else, said Victoria Spilabotte, an LAX spokesperson.

On the evening of Sept. 2, 2023, due to a police investigation related to a suspicious item, part of LAX was briefly evacuated, Spilabotte told USA TODAY in an email. This was not related to a plane landing, a virus outbreak or a quarantine of any kind.

USA TODAY reached out to the Facebook user who shared the post for comment but did not receive an immediate response.

Reuters also debunked this claim.

Our fact-check sources:

Thank you for supporting our journalism. You can subscribe to our print edition, ad-free app or e-newspaper here.

Our fact-check work is supported in part by a grant from Facebook.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Evacuation at LAX not linked to Burning Man or Ebola | Fact check
Catch an all-new episode of The Hill with April Ryan every Thursday on theGrio.com and theGrios social media platforms.

On this weeks edition of The Hill With April Ryan, theGrios Washington Bureau Chief and White House Correspondent, April D. Ryan, looks at efforts to combat anti-Black hate in Florida following the mass shooting of three Black Americans on Aug. 26.

Civil rights leaders are converging in Jacksonville to push back against the rise of hate and white extremist violence.

JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA  AUGUST 27: People walk past the Dollar General store where three people were shot and killed the day before on August 27, 2023 in Jacksonville, Florida. Police say that the attack by a gunman on Black customers at the store that killed three is being investigated as a hate crime. (Photo by Sean Rayford/Getty Images)

Melanie Campbell, president and CEO of Coalition for Black Civic Participation, is launching the Power of the Ballot tour in October. Advocates will participate in door-to-door engagement in the Sunshine State, where racial tensions have been exacerbated amid actions taken by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, including banning Black history courses and books by Black authors.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

John C. Yang, president and executive director of Asians Americans Advancing Justice, spoke to theGrio about an effort raised by civil rights leaders during a meeting with President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris.

The leaders asked the administration to bring last years United We Stand anti-hate summit, which was held at the White House, to Jacksonville, Florida. Yang said the choice of location is not just about the Jacksonville shooting but about the racist policies we have seen in Florida.

No date has been set for the anticipated summit. It is not certain that the president will attend.

The Hill also discusses the latest sentencing of an Afro-Cuban member of the Proud Boys and his involvement in the Jan. 6 insurrection.

Henry Enrique Tarrio received the longest sentence thus far, with 22 years in prison. It is the harshest penalty of any of the insurrectionists charged and sentenced for the violent 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol building.

ORLANDO, FLORIDA  FEBRUARY 27: Enrique Tarrio, leader of the Proud Boys, stands outside of the Hyatt Regency where the Conservative Political Action Conference is being held on February 27, 2021 in Orlando, Florida. Begun in 1974, CPAC brings together conservative organizations, activists, and world leaders to discuss issues important to them. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

And as COVID-19 cases climb with some high-profile names like first lady Jill Biden contracting the virus, Ryan also looks at the latest updates and its impact on Black America.

Dr. Melissa Clark, president and CEO of the BHE Group and co-founder of Black Coalition Against COVID-19, told theGrio that Black communities often see the highest number of COVID-19 cases during surges like the current outbreak.

During surges, people of color, specifically Black people, are getting COVID, so its not over, said Clark. We still must be vigilant, especially if were in a high-risk group.

TheGrio also caught up with Dr. Anthony Fauci, former chief medical advisor to President Joe Biden, about masking and concerns over the timing of a new vaccine coming this month. Dr. Fauci affirmed as the cases rise, particularly in high-risk areas, Americans should consider masking up.

Im not talking about mandating anything, he said, adding, You should consider if the CDC begins to recommend in certain regions that masks be worn.

The former director of the National Institutes of Health acknowledged the vulnerabilities by age and condition should determine if you should wear a mask.

Catch an all-new episode of The Hill with April Ryan every Thursday on theGrio.com and theGrios social media platforms.

TheGrio is FREE on your TV via Apple TV, Amazon Fire, Roku and Android TV. Also, please download theGrio mobile apps today!

The post Leaders to convene in Florida to combat anti-Black hate and suppression of freedoms appeared first on TheGrio.
Rescuers are digging through the rubble of collapsed homes in Morocco for survivors of one of the worst earthquakes to strike the country  with more than 2,000 already declared dead.

The quake that struck in Moroccos High Atlas mountains late on Friday night also damaged historic buildings in Marrakech  the nearest city to the epicentre  while most of the fatalities were reported in mountainous areas to the south. Many more have been left homeless.

The Interior Ministry said 2,012 people had been killed and 2,059 injured, including 1,404 in a critical condition following the biggest quake to hit the North African country in 120 years.

In the village of Amizmiz near the epicentre, rescue workers picked through rubble with their bare hands. Fallen masonry blocked narrow streets. Outside a hospital, around 10 bodies lay covered in blankets as grieving relatives stood nearby.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

When I felt the earth shaking beneath my feet and the house leaning, I rushed to get my kids out. But my neighbours couldnt, Mohamed Azaw told Reuters. Unfortunately no one was found alive in that family. The father and son were found dead and they are still looking for the mother and the daughter.

People woken by the quake ran into the streets in terror and disbelief. State television showed people clustered in the streets of Marrakech late at night, afraid to go back inside buildings that might still be unstable.

The epicentre of the quake was reported to be in the Ighil area, about 70km (40 miles) south of Marrakech.

The focal point was said to be about 18km below the Earths surface by the US Geological Survey (USGS), while Moroccos own National Seismic Monitoring and Alert Network, estimated it to be 11km below. Shallow quakes such as this are said to be more dangerous.

The quake had initially registered a magnitude of 6.8 when it hit at 2311 local time [2211 GMT] on Friday, with an aftershock that measured 4.9 on the Richter scale about 20 minutes later, according to the USGS. The initial tremor was measured at a magnitude of 7.2 by Morocco.

A woman in front of her earthquake-damaged house in the old city in Marrakech (AFP)

Tremors were felt in Huelva and Jaen in southern Spain, as well as Portugal and Algeria, the Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere and Algerias Civil Defence agency said.

Rescuers stood atop the pancaked floors of one building in Amizmiz, bits of carpet and furniture protruding from the rubble. A long queue formed outside the only open shop as people sought supplies. Underlining the challenges facing rescuers, fallen boulders blocked a road from Amizmiz to a nearby village.

Nearly all the houses in the area of Asni, some 40km (25 miles) south of Marrakech, were damaged, and villagers were preparing to spend the night outside. Food was in short supply as roofs had collapsed on kitchens, said villager Mohamed Ouhammo.

Montasir Itri, a resident of Asni, said the search was on for survivors. Our neighbours are under the rubble and people are working hard to rescue them using available means in the village, he told Reuters.

The Interior Ministry said the tremors hit the provinces of Al Haouz, Ouarzazate, Marrakech, Azilal, Chichaoua, and Taroudant. Officials urged residents to remain calm.

Locals shared videos on social media platforms showing the collapsed buildings, including the famous red walls surrounding the old city of Marrakech, a Unesco World Heritage site.

A damaged vehicle in Marrakech (Reuters)

In Marrakech, where 13 people were confirmed dead, injured people arrived from the surrounding areas seeking treatment. In the heart of its old city, a mosque minaret had fallen in Jemaa al-Fna Square.

Morocco declared three days of national mourning, during which the national flag will be flown at half staff throughout the country, the royal court said on Saturday.

The Moroccan armed forces will deploy rescue teams to provide affected areas with clean drinking water, food supplies, tents and blankets, it added.

A map by the United States Geological Survey shows the location of the quake (EPA/USGS Handout)

The UN said it is ready to assist the government of Morocco in its efforts to assist the impacted population.

The European Unions commissioner for crisis management Janez Lenarcic said the EU is ready to provide any assistance necessary.

Central Morocco has been hit by a devastating earthquake taking a heavy toll on human life, Mr Lenarcic said.

The G20 summit, that kicked off on Saturday in India began with a condolence message from prime minister Narendra Modi. Before starting the official proceedings, I would like to express my condolences to the people impacted by the earthquake in Morocco, Mr Modi said.

People take shelter outside their homes in the capital Rabat (AP)

The world is with Morocco and we are really to provide them with all the possible help.

Turkey, where powerful earthquakes in February killed more than 50,000 people, was among the other nations expressing solidarity and offering to provide support.

Algeria, which broke off ties with Morocco in 2021 after escalating tensions between the countries focused on the Western Sahara conflict, said it would open airspace for humanitarian and medical flights.

Despite an outpouring of offers of help from around the world, the Moroccan government had not yet formally asked for assistance by Saturday night, a step required before outside rescue crews can deploy.

Countries have, meanwhile, called for caution for those travelling to Morocco. The US embassy in Morocco has advised American citizens to exercise caution for the next 24 hours in case of additional earthquakes or aftershocks.

Residents take shelter outside shops in Marrakech (AFP)

People in Moroccos capital city of Rabat, about 350 km (217 miles) north of Ighil, and in the coastal town of Imsouane, about 180 km (112 miles) to its west, also fled their homes, fearing a stronger quake.

In Casablanca, some 250 km (155 miles) north of Ighil, people who spent the night in the streets were too scared to return home.

"The house rocked aggressively, everyone was scared," said resident Mohamed Taqafi.

Earthquakes are relatively rare in North Africa. In 1960, a magnitude 5.8 tremor struck near the Moroccan city of Agadir and caused thousands of deaths. That quake prompted changes in construction rules in Morocco, but many buildings, especially rural homes, are not built to withstand such tremors.

In 2004, a 6.4 magnitude earthquake near the Mediterranean coastal city of Al Hoceima left more than 600 dead.

Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report
More Kansas public school students than ever are attending classes only four days per week.

Data from the Kansas State Department of Education lists 71 public schools with four-day weeks this year, up from 69 schools last year and just 56 the year before.

These schools are located in 31 different school districts, mostly located in the southern and western portions of the state. New to the list this year is the West Elk school district, where two schools are adopting 4-day schedules for the first time.

As in years past, none of these districts are located in the Kansas City area.

An estimated 7,069 students are returning to classes this fall on a four-day week schedule  an increase of over 10% from last year and nearly 50% from two years ago. This years total represents around 1.5% of Kansas roughly 484,000 public school students.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Kansas State Department of Education spokesperson Denise Kahler told The Star this data is preliminary  the true number of four-day week schools may be slightly higher.

There are still 17 districts that havent submitted their information, she said Wednesday.

In Missouri, the number of students on four-day week schedules is also on the rise. Nine school districts serving more than 21,000 students adopted a four-day week schedule for the first time this fall.

The largest among them is the Independence School District just east of Kansas City, which serves over 14,000 students. An estimated 11% of Missouris public school students now attend class only four days per week.

Do you have more questions about education in Kansas or Missouri? Ask the Service Journalism team at kcq@kcstar.com.
More Kansas public school students than ever are attending classes only four days per week.

Data from the Kansas State Department of Education lists 71 public schools with four-day weeks this year, up from 69 schools last year and just 56 the year before.

These schools are located in 31 different school districts, mostly located in the southern and western portions of the state. New to the list this year is the West Elk school district, where two schools are adopting 4-day schedules for the first time.

An estimated 7,069 students returned to classes this fall on a four-day week schedule  an increase of over 10% from last year and nearly 50% from two years ago. This years total represents around 1.5% of Kansas roughly 484,000 public school students.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Kansas State Department of Education spokesperson Denise Kahler said this data is preliminary  the true number of four-day week schools may be slightly higher.

There are still 17 districts that havent submitted their information, she said Wednesday.
State Sen. Joey Hensley, R-Hohenwald (District 28)

The 113th General Assembly has adjourned for 2023, and it was a very successful year. We have taken measures for Tennessee to be a better place to live, work, and raise a family. I will go over some of the laws passed in this session.

Protecting senior citizens from stalkers - This new law expands aggravated stalking offenses to include anyone who stalks a person 65 years of age or older and is at least 15 years younger than the victim. The change increases the punishment from a Class A misdemeanor to a Class E felony, punishable by up to six years in prison and a $3,000 fine.

Deaf mentor and parent advisor program - This law will help improve communication among families with young children who are deaf. It creates a deaf mentor and parent advisor program to assist families in implementing bilingual and bicultural home-based programming for young children who are deaf, hard of hearing, or deaf-blind. The program would be available at the West Tennessee School for the Deaf in Jackson as well as the Tennessee Schools for the Deaf campuses in Knoxville and Nashville.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

It will focus on preventing language deprivation or gaps through insufficient language access, providing a positive impact on a childs social and emotional development, and ensuring they have equal access to learning opportunities at home and in the community. Parent advisors will make regular visits to the homes of young children who are deaf, hard of hearing, or deaf-blind to interact with the children and their families using American Sign Language and spoken English and to support families in understanding how to provide accommodations and access to communication.

Protecting ABLE funds for people with disabilities  To protect funds in the Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) program, a tax-free personal savings account for people with disabilities, the General Assembly passed a law prohibiting the state from seeking recovery of those funds to pay for medical bills on behalf of the designated beneficiary upon their death. The ABLE program gives people with disabilities and their loved ones the opportunity to save and invest in a tax-free savings account which helps the beneficiary maintain independence and improve quality of life by using the funds to pay for various living, educational, and medical expenses. This protection will help encourage those with disabilities and their loved ones to invest in the ABLE program because they can trust the funds will be secure from outside intervention. Tennessee was one of the first two states in the country to implement the ABLE program after it was authorized by the federal government.

Protecting property owners from bad actors  This year, the General Assembly passed the Real Property Records Integrity Act which prevents service agreements, such as a real estate listing agreement, that can create a lien on a property from being filed with the Register of Deeds. Bad actors can take advantage of citizens, especially elderly citizens, through real estate listing agreements that place a lien on properties and prevent the owner from selling the property. The law provides civil penalties for anyone who violates provisions in an attempt to prey upon vulnerable homeowners.

Increasing accountability for service animals  This law expands the penalty for misrepresentation of a service animal to include 100 hours of community service for an organization that assists individuals with disabilities. It also subjects anyone who utilizes or is training a service dog to liability if the animal causes any damages. This law will protect businesses when enforcing guidelines and holding those abusing the ADA accountable. Furthermore, it offers more clarity to individuals with trained, legitimate service animals, specifically stating that misrepresentation of a service animal results in a Class B misdemeanor.

Defining financial abuse to protect older and vulnerable adults  In an effort to crack down on elder abuse, the General Assembly passed a law to establish a legal definition for financial abuse as behavior that is coercive, deceptive, or that unreasonably controls or restrains a persons ability to maintain economic resources to which they are entitled. Older populations are at a significantly higher risk of becoming victims of financial abuse. The law is part of the General Assemblys efforts over many years to crack down on elder abuse.

Disabled License plates - A new law grants licensed physical therapists the same authority that a physician has to allow disabled persons to obtain disabled license plates and placards.

Silver Alert Awareness Month - Since the Silver Alert program was signed into law in 2021 to ensure the safe return home of those with dementia or an intellectual, developmental, or physical disability, the General Assembly has permanently designated May as Silver Alert Awareness Month. This move will help spread the word about the program to the public and aid the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation in safely returning these individuals to their families. The program has had tremendous success and has safely returned 153 Tennesseans since June of 2021.

Rep. Joey Hensley, R-Hohenwald, provides a weekly update on laws passed during the Tennessee General Assembly.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Legislative update: Bills to protect senior citizens, provide funds for disablities, protect homeowners
Whether you grew up watching Zoboomafoo or DreamWorks' Madagascar," you are likely somewhat familiar with lemurs. Did you know there are 36 of them just outside of Lubbock?

While Lubbock does not have a zoo, it does have Ringtail Ranch, an animal rescue people can visit. There are three different types of lemurs, two red kangaroos, two bearded dragons, two miniature horses, two rabbits and a macaw.

Out of those animals, 31 ring-tailed lemurs are rescues from across the U.S. Many of them came from people who wanted a new pet, but very few of those owners were prepared to raise one.

It started with wildcats in Montana, then lemurs in Texas

Jeanna Treider is licked by Marley at Ringtail Ranch Lemur Rescue, Friday, June 16, 2023.

Jeanna Treider, a lifelong animal advocate with a background in veterinary medicine, knew she wanted to operate an animal rescue since she was 4 years old. Her rescue efforts began in Montana, moved to Nevada and eventually settled in Texas. Initially, she rescued bobcats and lynx.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

"After we lost our Siberian Lynx, we didn't have any pets in the house," Treider said. "So we made a trip to the pet store, and saw a lemur in a cage, fell in love, and brought him home. He was an intelligent being, this guy didn't belong in a cage. We had no idea what was in store."

Their first lemur, a ringtail named Chach, started to change when he reached maturity. She began researching lemurs and learned they are as smart as the average 3-year-old child, can live up to 40 years, and typically live in troops of more than 10 members. This led her to adopt three more lemurs - a mother, a father and a baby.

"The guy did say the male was aggressive, and I thought, 'well, how aggressive can a five pound lemur be?'" Treider said.

Her answer came in the form of 64 stitches, an infection, and two days in the hospital.

"They don't make good pets," she said. "They're taken from their mom days or weeks old, and when that happens, you're 99.999% going to have an aggressive lemur. You can go and get a lemur without a permit, without education, and that's not good."

The experience spurred her on to create a haven for the lemurs. As she researched, she heard experiences from other lemur owners. Those owners eventually asked her to provide a home for their former pets.

"By the time I got to 10, I realized this is a serious problem, and we needed to do something," she said.

That something was to purchase a junkyard just outside the city limits, clean it up, and create Ringtail Ranch. Rescued lemurs now have plenty of space to live out their lives, and several animals are ambassadors for their species.

The ambassadors include Komet, a Tri-Colored Ruffed Lemur; Marley, a Brown Lemur; Pongo the Red Kangaroo; and Penelope, the miniature horse.

Two-year-old Pongo the Kangaroo hops at Ringtail Ranch Lemur Rescue, Friday, June 16, 2023.

"This is the closest thing to a zoo Lubbock has," Treider said. "We're here, and people can learn about the animals. Education is key, and teaches respect and responsibility. It's important that Lubbock embraces this."

The space officially opened in January, hosts weekly events, visits farmers' markets, and is open for tours by reservation. Ringtail Ranch is a 501c3 nonprofit and USDA approved. People can make a reservation for $15 per person by calling or texting 806-781-1076, or emailing ringtailranchtx@gmail.com.

What goes into operating a lemur rescue? Grapes, Disney movies and heart.

Long hours went into preparing the space, and even now that the ranch is open, Treider spends most of her time caring for the animals.

"It is 24/7, it's a lifestyle," Treider said as fed Komet a grape, his favorite treat. "I work 15 hours a day, sometimes more, but I love them. I absolutely love this, it's my sanctuary, and now I get to share it with people."

Along with daily operations, there are the moments when she has to take in a rescue. Two cases she recalled were regarding Layla Grace, 1, and Max, 16, ring-tailed lemurs from the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Max was one of the worst cases she had ever seen.

"He was almost dead, he was starved, lived in a little crate, had no muscle," Treider said. "The vet said we need to let him go. The circumstances that some of these guys have gone through are unimaginable."

Layla Grace was purchased as a pet for a woman's three-year-old daughter. The young ring-tailed lemur weighed less than a newborn lemur, though she was four months old at the time of rescuing.

Not only have both recovered, but they are thriving under the care of Ringtail Ranch. All animals at the ranch have climate-controlled rooms, their favorite snacks (lemurs love grapes), toys, and enjoy Disney movies as part of their enrichment.

Komet jumps to a bookcase at Ringtail Ranch Lemur Rescue, Friday, June 16, 2023.

"They seem to like Rio, Finding Nemo, Monsters Inc., and Beauty and the Beast, the most" Treider said.

Treider hopes to continue expanding the sanctuary by adding a pond and larger enclosures. Future animals could include zebra-donkey hybrids and capybaras.

More animal news: Lubbock animal rescuer hopes to open cat cafe; here's how to help

How can you help Lubbock's Ringtail Ranch?

USDA licensed Ringtail Ranch last year and they received a grant that allowed them to build climate-controlled enclosures. What initially would have been lemur enclosures became the education room, where people can attend their Zoo Crew weekends or book for events like school visits.

Each of the animals have a stuffed toy version of themselves, which people can purchase online at ringtailranch.com, or in-person. Donations to the non-profit can be made through the website, which also lists an Amazon Wishlist for needed items for the animals. All funds go toward the care of Ringtail Ranch's residents.

"We really need support," Treider said. "We're here, and we love to share information about the animals. Help our community by getting the zoo going, and help us continue our mission."

People can keep up with the rescue at ringtailranch.com, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.

This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Lubbock's Ringtail Ranch offers sanctuary, education on lemurs, more
Do children who are shot not matter?

Our governor now is worrying about safety of children on school buses. Losing any child is awful, but what about all the ones shot? Do they not matter at all?

Carol Hill, Heath

Natural gas and oil important part of America's energy future

There has been lots of discussion in the news recently to move away from energy sources like oil and natural gas. But many Americans dont appreciate the solutions American natural gas and oil can provide for the energy and climate challenges facing our country and the world. The industry creates significant economic opportunities while providing energy and power for families like mine. According to a recent analysis by the American Petroleum Institute, there are nearly 11 million people supported by the oil and natural gas industry in the United States and the industry contributes close to $2 trillion annually to the countrys total GDP.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

In states like Texas, California, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, and Louisiana, they have at least 90,000 workers supported by the industry. Americans across the country have benefited greatly in a variety of ways from all of the resulting economic activity. The sheer volume of the sectors supported employees are significant, and it would be nearly impossible to replicate an alternative stable energy supply that supports our power grid and the economy. The reliability of oil and natural gas is not mentioned nearly enough. One simple way to make sure our power grid supply is stable for generations to avoid erecting regulatory barriers on these American engines of commerce. America needs us to commit to a future that includes natural gas and oil.

Natalie Stephens, Grove City

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Letters: Do children shot not matter? Natural gas and oil energy need
A resurfaced chat show clip of Danny Masterson takes on a chilling new light in the wake of his sentencing of 30 years to life in prison for multiple rapes.

The video is taken from 2004 when the 47-year-old actor, who starred in That 70s Show, appeared on the NBC series Late Night with Conan OBrien . The rapes he has been convicted of happened one year earlier.

In the clip, Masterson, then 28, is asked by OBrien why he no longer has a Long Island accent despite being from the area. Masterson tells him that it just goes away naturally, and then theres also certain words that theres nothing you can do about.

The sitcom actor, who starred in Netflix comedy The Ranch, then says that his friend, the actor Bodhi Elfman, always teases him about his voice, launching into an impression Elfman does of him. Hi, my name is Danny Masterson, would you like to touch my balls? he says.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Here, a confused OBrien asks, So why are you asking people to do that? Thats the more important question, to which Masterson replies: I mean, you got em, you know what I mean? Everybody should grab.

OBrien, in what could be construed as continuing the joke, then says after a pause: Ive heard about you. And youll be caught soon. I know you will. Without missing a beat, Masterson fires back: I will.

Masterson was found guilty of two counts of forcible rape by a jury of seven women and five men on 31 May, following seven days of deliberation. The sentence was handed down on Thursday (7 September) by Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Charlaine F Olmedo, after she had rejected a defence motion for a new trial.

Mr Masterson, you are not the victim here. Your actions 20 years ago took away another persons choice and voice. Your actions 20 years ago today were criminal, and thats why you are here, Judge Olmedo said.

Danny Masterson sentenced to 30 years to life for raping 2 women.Conan knew pic.twitter.com/KEE596oqdl  Wu Tang is for the Children (@WUTangKids) September 7, 2023

He will be eligible for parole after serving 30 years.

The Independent has contacted OBrien for comment.

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)
CRAIG COUNTY, Okla. (KFOR)  Oklahoma native country music singer Zach Bryan ran into problems with Oklahoma law enforcement this week, not once, but twice. Oklahoma fans said, this wont stop them from loving the country singer.

Bryans second encounter with an Oklahoma Highway Patrol trooper led to his arrest in Craig County on Thursday night.

A newly released affidavit reveals more information on what led up to the incident.

The singer took to social media roughly an hour after bonding out of jail. He apologized and owned up to his actions.

Bryan has now apologized several times since the arrest on X and released a nearly five minute social media video explaining what happened.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

This new one comes in just before 3:00 p.m. CST on Friday.

To be clear in the video I posted, Im not trying to save face or act like the good guy, I was a complete spoiled a****** to these police officers and Ill spend the next few weeks trying my best to right my wrongs and take back what I said. I do respect police officers and I made a massive mistake. I am embarrassed for myself, my family and the people I love but all I can do now in sincerely apologize, said Zach Bryan.

Bryan admitted he was out of line with troopers, he respects police officers and he made a massive mistake.

Oklahoma fans KFOR spoke with said his actions are out of character.

I was a little bit surprised I thought that was really cool of him to admit he was wrong, said Kylee Goodwin, Zach Bryan fan.

I think he needed to make a statement He could have went about it a better way, said Gage Vanrosendale, Zach Bryan fan.

Country music star Zach Bryan arrested in Oklahoma

Oklahoma fans reacted to Oklahoma Country music star Zach Bryans arrest from Thursday night.

Bryan said he was headed to Boston when his security guard, who was driving in a different car, was pulled over in Craig County by an Oklahoma Highway Patrol trooper.

According to the affidavit, during the traffic stop, Bryan pulled up along the passenger side of his security guards SUV.

Ill go to jail, lets do it. Zach Bryan quoted in law enforcement affidavit

Due to the nervous behavior of his security guard, the trooper said he was already at a heightened sense of a potential threat to his safety.

Bryan eventually got out of his car to ask the trooper what was taking so long.

The trooper told Bryan twice to get back into his truck and he didnt comply. Thats when the trooper said Bryan was interfering with his police duties, and if he did not comply, he would go to jail.

Bryan responded quote, Ill go to jail, lets do it.

He could have went about it a better way, said Vanrosendale.

After that comment was made, the trooper attempted to complete the initial citation for the traffic stop, but Bryan began to argue.

Slowly bleeding: Family wants answers years after brothers jail-related death

The affidavit says, By this time, Bryan was clearly aggravated and argumentative. He told the trooper to let him out of the handcuffs, while also stating If you dont, it is going to be a mistake sir. I promise.

The Craig County Assistant District Attorney gave the trooper confirmation that an arrest was appropriate.

Zach Bryan was booked into the Craig County Jail for allegedly obstructing an investigation.

Zach Bryan mugshot on KFOR background

He quickly bonded out.

According to the affidavit, Bryan told his dad on the phone about open containers of beer inside the truck.

The arrest report does not include any charges related to open container violations.

Bryans Oklahoma fans seem ready to forgive him for his bad behavior.

People make mistakes, it happens and well move on from it, said Goodwin.

During Bryans arrest, he told the trooper he would call the Mayor.

Bryan also put his dad on speaker phone and told the trooper he would be calling the governor.

Close

Thanks for signing up!

Watch for us in your inbox.

Subscribe Now

KFOR News Alerts

KFOR reached out to Governor Stitts office to ask if Bryans dad made contact to get involved in the arrest, but we havent heard back yet.

A spokesperson for the Craig County District Attorney told KFOR they are reviewing everything and putting together a litigation file.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City.
CRAIG COUNTY, Okla. (KFOR)  Country music singer Zach Bryan ran into problems with Oklahoma law enforcement this week, not once, but twice.

Bryans second encounter with an Oklahoma Highway Patrol trooper led to his arrest in Craig County on Thursday night.

A newly released affidavit reveals more information on what led up to the incident, according to arresting officers.

Are men still afraid of wearing pink?

The 27 year-old Bryan, an Oklahoma native, said he was headed to Boston when his security guard, who was driving in a different car, was pulled over in Craig County by an Oklahoma Highway Patrol trooper.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

According to the affidavit, during the traffic stop, Bryan pulled up along the passenger side of his security guards SUV.

Ill go to jail, lets do it. Zach Bryan quoted in law enforcement affidavit

Due to the nervous behavior of his security guard, the trooper said he was already at a heightened sense of a potential threat to his safety.

Bryan eventually got out of his car to ask the trooper what was taking so long, according to the document.

The trooper said he told Bryan twice to get back into his truck but Bryan didnt comply. Thats when the trooper said Bryan was interfering with his police duties, and if he did not comply, he would go to jail.

INDIO, CALIFORNIA  APRIL 30: Zach Bryan performs onstage during Day 2 of the 2022 Stagecoach Festival at the Empire Polo Field on April 30, 2022 in Indio, California. (Photo by Rich Fury/Getty Images for Stagecoach)

Bryan responded quote, Ill go to jail, lets do it, the affidavit reads.

The trooper attempted to complete the initial citation for the traffic stop, the affidavit continues, but Bryan allegedly began to argue.

By this time, Bryan was clearly aggravated and argumentative, the trooper wrote. He allegedly told the trooper to let him out of the handcuffs, saying, If you dont, it is going to be a mistake sir. I promise.

According to the affidavit, Bryan threatened to call the mayor.

The Craig County Assistant District Attorney gave the trooper confirmation that an arrest was appropriate.

The star was booked into the Craig County Jail for allegedly obstructing an investigation and quickly bonded out.

How big will Facebook settlement checks be? Lawyers reveal estimated payment per person

According to the affidavit, Bryan told his dad on the phone about open containers of beer inside the truck, however no charges related to open container violations are pending. Bryan also put his dad on speaker phone and told the trooper he would be calling the governor.

Nexstars KFOR reached out to Governor Stitts office to ask if Bryans dad actually tried to get the governor involved in the matter, but there was no reply as of publishing time.

A spokesperson for the Craig County District Attorney told KFOR they are reviewing everything and putting together a litigation file.

Bryan posted a statement about the incident Thursday on X, formerly known as Twitter, about an hour after bonding out of Craig County Jail.

Today I had an incident with the Oklahoma Highway Patrol. Emotions got the best of me and I was out of line in the things I said, Bryan wrote.

I support law enforcement as much as anyone can, I was just frustrated in the moment, it was unlike me and I apologize. They brought me to jail, and there is a mug shot of me floating around, he added. Prayers we can all move on from this and prayers people know Im just trying the best I can, I love you guys and I am truly sorry to the officers.

Country music star Zach Bryan arrested in Oklahoma

Bryan has now apologized several times since the arrest on X and released a nearly five minute social media video explaining what happened.

The latest, posted around 3 p.m. CST on Friday, reads:

To be clear in the video I posted, Im not trying to save face or act like the good guy, I was a complete spoiled a to these police officers and Ill spend the next few weeks trying my best to right my wrongs and take back what I said. I do respect police officers and I made a massive mistake. I am embarrassed for myself, my family and the people I love but all I can do now in sincerely apologize. Zach Bryan

Its been a wild week for Bryan, whose self-titled fourth album Zach Bryan debuted at no. 1 on the U.S. Billboard 200 this week, in addition to topping five other Billboard charts. His current single, I Remember Everything, a duet with fellow country star Kacey Musgraves, also debuted at no. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 plus three other song charts  a new record, according to Billboard.

Its unclear if or how Bryans arrest will impact his upcoming tour, which is set to begin Sept. 24 in Franklin, Tennessee.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City.
London's Metropolitan Police announced Saturday they have captured escaped terrorism suspect Daniel Khalife, who had been the subject of an intense manhunt the city. Photo courtesy Metropolitan Police

Sept. 9 (UPI) -- British terrorism suspect and former soldier Daniel Khalife was apprehended by London police Saturday after his escape from prison this week triggered an intense manhunt.

Khalife, who was awaiting a terrorism trial, was captured in the Chiswick area of West London just before 11 a.m., Metropolitan Police said in a statement posted on X, formerly Twitter.

The 21-year-old "is currently in police custody," authorities said, adding, "We thank the public and media for their support with info & appeals."

Prosecutors charged Khalife with violations of the Official Secrets Act and the Terrorism Act, as well as with planting a fake explosive device. They accused him of working on behalf of a hostile foreign state while working at the British Ministry of Defense's station in Stafford, England.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Authorities said Khalife escaped from Wandsworth Prison in London on Wednesday while working in its kitchen and slipping through security by dressing as a chef and hanging on to the bottom of a food truck.

Metropolitan Police officers have arrested Daniel Khalife who escaped from HMP Wandsworth on 6 Sep Officers apprehended him just before 11am today in the #Chiswick area, and he is currently in police custody We thank the public and media for their support with info & appeals Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) September 9, 2023

Police launched a large-scale manhunt, describing Khalife as dangerous and warning he was using the skills learned as a soldier to evade not only capture but even being seen.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak hailed Khalife's capture while attending the G20 Summit in New Delhi.

"I'm very pleased with the news and my thanks to the police officers for their fantastic work over the past couple of days, but also to the public who came forward with an enormous number of leads to help the police in their inquiries." he told reporters.

"Great work by the Met Police," added Home Office minister Chris Philp in a social media post. "Well done for a rapid and effective piece of work to catch this fugitive. An example of policing at its best. Congratulations to all Officers involved in this operation."

Police were investigating whether guards at the prison helped Khalife escape.
Last Monday we observed Labor Day. For many it marks the end of summer and a new academic year. But its historical importance should not be lost. So, while some see the day now behind us, and millions of youths are already involved in school activities we should continue to reflect on the dignity of human labor and the rights of workers.

Labor Day originated in connection with a General Assembly of the Knights of Labor in New York City in September 1882. It took decades to become a federal holiday and was only a holiday for federal employees at first. Ultimately, Congress approved a federal holiday for all. At its heart its a celebration of the dignity of human labor for every man and woman. Though our society has strengthened the rights of all workers improvements are still needed.

More Keep the Faith: Looking to the Sermon on the Mount as a balm for an anxious world

More Keep the Faith: For smaller parishes, it's imperative to look to the future

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Id like to offer a perspective on the importance of labor and the labor movement from the vantage point of the moral teaching of the Catholic Church. Catholic principles of social justice are as old as the Church itself. And in the modern era Catholic social teaching on the rights of workers, specifically on their right to organize in labor unions, has been clear, consistent, and explicit for more than a century. Several key documents demonstrate this.

An encyclical letter written by Pope Leo XIII in 1891, Rerum Novarum (Of New Things), is often considered the founding document of modern Catholic social teaching. Alarmed that industrialization and laissez-faire economics were becoming the occasion of great injustice and misery for the working classes, the pope called on the faithful to save unfortunate working people from the cruelty of men of greed, who use human beings as mere instruments for money-making. He argued that the workers right to a living wage took precedence over the free market.

Pope Leo also wrote that if employers laid burdens upon their workmen which degraded them or if health were endangered by excessive labor, or by work unsuited to sex or age, it would be right to invoke the authority of the law. He endorsed the formation of unions, arguing that they should become more numerous.

In 1931, Pope Pius XI, on the fortieth anniversary of Rerum Novarum, reaffirmed its teaching. His letter, Quadragesimo Anno (Forty Years), expressed continuing concern about the unjust distribution of wealth. He noted the grave evils due to the huge disparity between the few exceedingly rich and the unnumbered propertyless. He insisted that social regulation of the market was essential to justice and the common good.

One of the key documents that emerged from the historic Second Vatican Council was Gaudium et Spes (Joy and Hope) in 1965. The Council Fathers, thosee bishops from around the world, declared that the right to form labor unions without fear of retaliation was a basic human right. Unions should be able to represent workers and contribute to the organizing of economic life in justice.

In 1981, on the 90th anniversary of Rerum Novarum, Pope John Paul II revisited the themes laid out by his predecessors in a new encyclical letter, Laborem Exercens (On Human Work). The pope observed that the experience of history teaches that organizations of this type are an indispensable element of social life and that they serve as a mouthpiece for the struggle for social justice. He made further clarifications. Workers should be assured the right to strike, without being subjected to personal penal sanctions for taking part in a strike. He also wrote that work is in the first place for the worker and not the worker for work. Work itself can have greater or lesser objective value, but all work should be judged by the measure of dignity given to the person who carries it out.

Americas Catholic Bishops issued A Pastoral Letter on Catholic Social Teaching and the U.S. Economy in 1986 to help our nations faithful think through the implications of Catholic Social Teaching for our social and economic life. They taught that the most urgent priority for domestic economic policy is the creation of new jobs with adequate pay and decent working conditions. The bishops defended the right to organize in the strongest terms and called for labor law reform to better protect that right. They said that migrant agricultural workers today are particularly in need of protection, including the right to organize and bargain collectively.

As citizens we must be vigilant in defending the rights of all workers.

Monsignor Thomas J. Sullivan is the pastor of Christ the King Church in Worcester.

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Keep the Faith: On the dignity of labor ...
Visitors enjoy the view at Schoolhouse Beach, one of the few beaches in the world composed of naturally polished white limestone rocks.

DOOR COUNTY, Wisconsin  Washington Island is not quite heaven, but you still have to cross Deaths Door to get there.

The lovely island in Lake Michigan, off the northern point of the Door Peninsula, is the largest in Wisconsin  five times larger, in fact, than Ohios Kelleys Island.

But like Kelleys and Ohios other Lake Erie islands, Washington Island is a big tourist magnet for many good reasons.

To get to the island, visitors must cross by ferry over the small strait that early French explorers named Porte des Morts  the door of death, because of its treacherous waters. Door County gets its name from the old moniker.

A ferry returns to the Door County mainland from Washington Island.

Fortunately, Charon, the ferryman of Hades, does not captain this particular crossing, and the view is anything but infernal as the boat passes several smaller scenic islands during the short trip to the Washington Island dock.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

The island was first settled in 1850, with a group of Icelandic immigrants arriving in 1870, making it the second oldest Icelandic community in the U.S. after Spanish Fork, Utah  go figure.

Local lodging: Antiques on High's Airbnb features 'elevated grandpa's basement' vibes

Many reminders of the islands history remain, including a wooden stave church, or stavkirker, built in traditional Norse style with multiple gables that make the building reminiscent of a Viking ship.

At more than 30 square miles, Washington Island is dotted with many orchards and farms, many of which cater to visitors.

The grounds of Fragrant Isle lavender farm are fragrant as well as beautiful.

Fragrant Isle

One favorite and aromatic destination is Fragrant Isle (fragrantisle.com) lavender farm and shop, where 14 different varieties of the herb are grown and processed into aromatic oils, soaps and scrubs, sachets and comestibles. The delicately flavored ice cream, macarons and, in warmer weather, lavender-rose wine slushies are not to be missed.

Most of the lavender had already been harvested during my visit late last month, but the delicious scent lingered in a processing barn where long ropes of the plants were drying like a much-better smelling version of tobacco. Also pleasantly odiferous was the cute gift shop where all the farms products can be found. (The farm also sells products online, but not the slushies, unfortunately!)

Washington Hotel on Washington Island has been welcoming visitors for more than a century.

Natural beauty is everywhere on the island, but I especially loved the lakefront vistas at places like Schoolhouse Beach, which, instead of sand, features small white limestone rocks that have been polished smooth by eons of waves and winds  natures own rock tumbler. The palm-sized stones are surprisingly satisfying  one might say soothing  to hold. But dont take one: Theres a $250 fine for stone-stealing.

(Officials say the beach once extended much farther inland before folks began carting away stony treasures. Given the volume of the rocks and the size of the beach, I questioned the math behind that contention. But I wasnt there to do homework. Just dont take a rock.)

Historical home: Ohio-born President Benjamin Harrison's remodeled Indiana home a treasure trove of history

Several lodging options are available on the island, including the Hotel Washington, opened by Icelandic immigrants in 1904. Now featuring eight rooms and two cottages, the hotel also is home to a popular restaurant presided over by talented young chef Ian Milosek, who fashions a highly seasonal menu with much of the food sourced from small island farms practicing sustainable agriculture.

The Great Hall and Boathouse on Rock Island are now on the National Register of Historic Places.

Rock Island

Other island eateries include Jackson Harbor Soup (jacksonharborsoup.com), serving a satisfying variety of soups, salads and sandwiches. The restaurant is conveniently located next door to the Karfi Ferry (wisferry.com/rock-island), which takes foot passengers another step out into Lake Michigan to diminutive Rock Island, a 906-acre Wisconsin state park (dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/parks/rockisland).

Taking a ferry to an isolated island is an inherently romantic venture. Taking a ferry from the first island to an even more isolated island offers an almost ridiculous  and truly delightful  level of travel charm.

Motorized vehicles are prohibited on Rock Island, but getting around is easy on the islands 10 miles of hiking trails.

The Pottawotoie Lighthouse on Rock Island, built in 1836, is the oldest in Wisconsin.

Day-trippers can tour Pottawatoie Lighthouse, the oldest in Wisconsin; or marvel at the great hall and boathouse built by Chicago inventor Chester Thordarson. Thordarsons beautiful limestone structure, built in 1929, is an architectural marvel that he called his Jewel House of Art and Nature, and is now on the National Register of Historic Places.

And for a real lesson in magnificent isolation, visitors can bring their camping gear to Rock Island and camp at one of the parks 35 primitive sites. Dont forget to wave goodbye to the last ferry, leaving the island at 4 p.m. daily.

Suite adventures: Secret passages, hidden tunnels and slides. This isn't your average Ohio luxury resort

So, heaven? No.

But heavenly? No doubt.

Door County is about an hours drive from Austin Straubel International Airport in Green Bay, and about 150 miles north of Milwaukee. For more information about Washington Island and Door County, visit Destination Door County at doorcounty.com.

Steve Stephens is a freelance travel writer and photographer. Email him at sjstephensjr@gmail.com.

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Wisconsin's Washington Island attracts tourists with natural beauty
Viewers of a wildlife livestream who hoped to see one of Alaskas famed fat bears earlier this week spotted an entirely different creature  a lost human hiker.

The unidentified man made his appearance Tuesday afternoon on the Dumpling Mountain live camera at Katmai National Park.

In the summer months, viewers flock to the parks livestreams to see brown bears in the process of fattening up for their winter hibernation. Dumpling Mountains bear cam provides a view of a landscape that, on Tuesday, was blanketed in fog and devoid of much action.

That changed with the sudden appearance of a soaking wet hiker, who hugged himself with crossed arms in the cold. Footage shows him approaching the camera and saying a few words, though he cannot be heard clearly in the audio.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Viewers quickly realized something was wrong. Some thought they could make out the words lost and help me on his lips, and he also gave the camera a thumbs-down, according to the BBC.

There is someone distressed on the camera, one viewer commented at 3:15 p.m., per the BBC. Some contacted Explore.org, the organization that partners with the park to provide the livestreams.

A

A "bear cam" livestreams brown bears fishing for salmon on Aug. 12 at Brooks Falls, Alaska.

Park rangers were able to get to the Dumpling Mountain location, which has no cell service, and bring the hiker to safety.

The park sent a search and rescue team to find the hiker, who was caught in windy and rainy conditions with poor visibility, National Park Service spokesperson Cynthia Hernandez told The Washington Post. Park rangers found the hiker a few hours later, unharmed, and brought the hiker back to safety.

While the rescue was underway, Explore.org naturalist Mike Fitz also told the hiker to stay put in a recorded message that was played through the camera.

The camera is located just 2 miles from a visitor center at the parks Brooks Camp, but it can feel like a world apart, Fitz told USA Today. The weather gets rapidly worse with elevation, and because the weather is so fierce, its just really difficult to get your bearings, he added.

Related...
Blue-green algae is toxic to animals and can cause illness in humans (file image)

After a summer of blue-green algae, bathing bans, and pondweed and silt causing problems for boats, Belfast City Council recently added its voice to calls for Lough Neagh to be brought into public ownership.

But who owns it now and who is responsible for its operation and management?

The simple answer is... it's complicated.

Why Lough Neagh matters

The largest freshwater lake in the UK supplies half of Belfast's drinking water and 40% of Northern Ireland's overall.

It is also home to the largest commercial wild eel fishery in Europe.

And sand-dredging, though controversial, has been a business on the lough for over a century.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

The lough and its catchment area is also a vast ecosystem, where species such as the curlew and the barn owl could be found in years gone by.

It has numerous environmental designations - special protection areas, special areas of conservation, areas of special scientific interest and Ramsar status.

And the peatlands that surround it are a potentially huge carbon sink, helping to fight climate change.

What's gone wrong?

The blue-green algal bloom over the summer has caused havoc, not just in Lough Neagh but right up to Northern Ireland's north coast.

Water from Lough Neagh flows down the Upper Bann and into the Atlantic Ocean at the Barmouth between Portstewart and Castlerock in County Londonderry.

That brought the algae to the coast, where it could not survive but caused a bathing ban on several beaches at the height of summer.

There were also bathing bans in areas around the lough.

Some traders blamed the effect of those bans for putting them out of business.

Anglers have been advised to catch and release fish that have been within Lough Neagh because of the risk the algae poses.

The bloom was the result of settled weather, invasive species and water pollution mostly due to agriculture.

The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (Daera) has released images and maps showing the extent of the problems facing the lake.

Excess fertiliser runs off from fields into the water, taking growth-stimulating nitrogen and phosphorus into the lough.

Almost two decades ago the zebra mussel invaded the lough.

It filters water, making it clearer and allowing the sun's light to penetrate deeper into the depths.

That, combined with the excess nutrients from fertiliser - eutrophication - caused the algae to "bloom" or grow rapidly.

The algae compounded the woes of rescue volunteers who were already worried about safe access due to silt building up.

Pondweed is also a prominent invasive species in the lough.

And the lough is showing signs of the effects of climate change, with water temperature now more than a degree higher than in 1995.

So who is responsible?

Let's start with who owns what.

The Shaftesbury estate owns the lough bed and the soil, the banks, the rights to sand extraction and shooting licences for wildfowl.

That ownership dates back to the Plantation of Ulster in the 17th Century.

Ownership of and responsibility for Lough Neagh does not sit with any single department or group

The National Trust, various councils, different charities and the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs all own areas around the lough, including national nature reserves.

But no single body owns the lough, its water or the water that flows in and out of it.

Because no one individual or body or government department is responsible, many organisations and community groups have formed to try to protect and restore the lough.

The Lough Neagh Partnership was established 20 years ago to help manage and protect the lough.

Swimmers at Ballyronan on the edge of Lough Neagh were warned against entering the water in June

It is comprised of elected representatives, landowners, fishermen, farmers and communities.

"Save Our Shores! Protect Lough Neagh and our inland waterways" is a group on Facebook with more than 2,500 members, including swimmers, conservationists and environmentalists.

And the Love Our Lough group held a wake for the lough on 17 September calling for cohesive management and protection of it.

Action is also being taken by scientists.

They are advising farmers through the Soil Nutrient Health Scheme, which aims to enable those in the agriculture industry to apply fertiliser strategically, reducing run-off and the resulting pollution.

Northern Ireland Water, the government-owned body that provides water and sewerage services, is replacing its treatment facility at Ballyronan in County Londonderry to improve how it deals with waste-water and enhance water quality in the lough.

Can it not just be taken over by someone?

That would be very complicated given that so many bodies have interests in the lough.

But that has not stopped different administrations considering it over the years.

Now a motion by Green Party councillor Brian Smyth, passed by Belfast City Council, is the latest in a long line of discussions about getting the lough into public ownership.

Five rivers flow into Lough Neagh, the largest freshwater lake in the UK

It is a prospect also on the mind of Gerry Darby, the manager of the Lough Neagh Partnership.

He said the partnership had recently received a significant grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund, which would allow it to carry out an economic appraisal to address the future ownership and the management of Lough Neagh.

The group signed a letter of offer and expects the process to take about two years.

"It will also allow us to submit a business proposal, which would look at how much this would cost and the risks there are if one of the local government departments or one of the stakeholder bodies takes it over," said Mr Darby.

"We have spoken to Lord Shaftesbury and in principle he is interested in the option of selling.

"The price is one thing but it is also about liabilities and risks in terms of negotiating the cost."

The partnership believes the single solution is for a government department to set up and lead a taskforce, in conjunction with stakeholders, to reverse what it described as the "neglect" of statutory agencies over the past 20 years.

But that would require a functioning Northern Ireland Executive.

The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs says Lough Neagh's problem is a complex, multi-factoral issue that will take years, if not decades, to solve.

"Part of that solution is to review the impact of current policies and interventions and exploring what we can do better in the short, medium and long term," said a department spokesman.

"This needs to be informed by science and evidence, including lessons from those other parts of the world which are also grappling with this same problem, and working with partners to deliver better outcomes."
NATO Allies have launched a major maritime exercise, North Coast, near the coasts of Latvia and Estonia, involving about 30 vessels and up to 3,000 troops to practice repelling a potential Russian attack and counterattacks.

Source: European Pravda, referring to ERR

Details: During the two-week manoeuvres in the Baltic Sea, about 30 ships and up to 3,000 troops will practice repelling a potential Russian attack and counterattacks. The military will also train to conduct airborne operations and land strikes from the sea.

German Vice Admiral Jan Christian Kaack noted that reliable deterrence against the Russians requires both defensive and offensive capabilities.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

The exercise involves states from the Baltic Sea, including Sweden, as well as the United States, Canada, the Netherlands, Belgium and France.

The United States is participating with the 200-metre-long amphibious assault ship Mesa Verde, which can carry about 800 marines.

The exercise will also include training in defending sea routes through the Baltic Sea, as these are critical logistics routes for Estonia and Finland.

"If the Suwalki Gap (a conditional "isthmus" in Lithuania and Poland that separates Kaliningrad Oblast of Russia and Belarus) were blocked  and this is quite easy because there are only two roads and one railway  we would only have the sea route and would have to rely on it," Kaack explained.

Kaack noted that this is the first exercise of this scale to be led by the largest naval formation in the Baltic Sea from the new headquarters in Rostock.

Germany wants to prove that this centre can serve as a regional naval headquarters and lead Alliance operations in the Baltic in the event of a conflict.

Background: The US and Romania announced exercises in the Black Sea and Danube Delta with Ukraine's participation.

Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron!
President of the Maldives Ibrahim Mohamed Solih Casts his vote at a polling station in Male, Maldives, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. Voting started in the Maldives presidential election Saturday, a virtual referendum over which regional power India or China will have the biggest influence in the Indian Ocean archipelago state. (Mohamed Sharuhaan )

MALE, Maldives (AP)  The Maldives presidential election Saturday was headed toward a second round between the top two candidates after none of the eight contestants secured more than 50% of the vote for an outright win, local media reported.

Main opposition candidate Mohamed Muiz secured a surprise lead with more than 46% of votes, while the incumbent President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih secured 39% in an election that turned into a virtual referendum over which regional power  India or China  will have the biggest influence in the Indian Ocean archipelago state.

The elections commission was scheduled to announce its official results Sunday morning. A second round, if confirmed, will take place later this month.

Saturday's vote was to choose the country's fifth freely elected president since Maldives became a multiparty democracy in 2008. Eight candidates are vying for the post with Solih, perceived as pro-India, facing off against his main rival Muiz, who is seen as pro-China.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Solih is seeking a second term and is battling allegations by Muiz that he had allowed India an unchecked presence in the country.

Muiz promised that if he wins the presidency, he will remove Indian troops stationed in the Maldives and balance the country's trade relations, which he said is heavily in India's favor.

The People's National Congress, Muizs party, is viewed as heavily pro-China. Its leader, Abdullah Yameen, was president from 2013-2018, during which he made the Maldives a part of China's Belt and Road initiative. The initiative envisages building ports, railways and roads to expand trade  and Chinas influence  across Asia, Africa and Europe.

Mohamed Shareef, a senior official for Muiz's party, told The Associated Press that the removal of Indian military personnel was a non-negotiable position for the party. He said the number of Indian troops and their activities are hidden from Maldivians and that they have near-exclusive use of certain ports and airports in the country.

Both India and China are vying for influence in the tiny state made up of some 1,200 coral islands in the Indian Ocean, located by the main shipping route between East and the West.

Solih was considered the front-runner in the field of eight candidates since his strongest rival, Yameen, was blocked from running by the Supreme Court because he is in prison for corruption and money laundering convictions.

Muiz seems to have taken advantage of a split in Solih's Maldivian Democratic Party that led Mohamed Nasheed, a charismatic former president, to break away and field his own candidate. Nasheed's candidate, Ilyas Labeeb, has secured 7% of the vote.

Sahida Saeed, a university student who was voting in the Maldives Embassy in neighboring Sri Lanka, said she wanted a leader who can take care of current issues. Due to the population increase, the employment rates are at risk (of decreasing)," she said.

Indian influences are a threat to us since military bases are coming to Maldives. And I dont believe that any other countrys military forces should come to our country and try to take over," said Isaq Nuhan, a school teacher also voting in Colombo.

Nasheed is backing Labeeb who, though not highly critical of India, has accused Solih of not being transparent in his dealings with New Delhi, said Azim Zahir, a political science and international relations lecturer at the University of Western Australia.

The India Out campaign  spearheaded by Muizs party  has been ubiquitous on social media in the runup to the election and almost all candidates except Solih adopted the India vs. the rest rhetoric, said Zahir.

Solih was widely credited with having brought stability to the country and adeptly handling the COVID pandemic, which was expected to help him gain support.

Solih also had no corruption allegations against him, unlike Muiz, who had served as a housing minister.

There is also a possibility that the mostly Sunni Muslim nation could become more socially conservative because both sides are backed by religious hard-liners. The groups are not known to espouse violence but they want more control over women and are against music and art and religious freedom, Zahir said.

Maldives is believed to have sent the highest number of fighters per capita when the Islamic State group was at its height. A local group with the IS ideology set off a bomb targeting Nasheed in 2021, seriously wounding him.

More than 282,000 people were eligible to vote in the election.

___

Associated Press writer Krishan Francis in Colombo, Sri Lanka, contributed to this report.
A man who was fatally stabbed while riding on a Metro platform in downtown Los Angeles Thursday evening has been identified as the search for his killer continues.

The incident occurred around 5:20 p.m. at the Pershing Square train station, according to the Los Angeles.

Responding transit officers found the victim suffering from a stab wound. He was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead.

The victim was identified Friday as 23-year-old Jesse Rodriguez.

Man fatally stabbed on Metro platform in downtown Los Angeles

A preliminary investigation determined that the victim was on the train when he was approached by a man armed with a knife, police said.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Without warning or provocation, the suspect stabbed the victim in the upper torso and fled the train on foot, LAPD said in a news release.

The assailant is described as a Black man with a thin build, a mustache and a goatee. He is around 6 feet 2 inches tall and was wearing a black wave cap, a black long-sleeve shirt, dark-colored pants and black shoes and was carrying a black Puma backpack.

Police provided an image of the suspect on Friday.

LAPD released an image of a man wanted in connection with the fatal stabbing of a man riding a Metro train in downtown Los Angeles on Sept. 7, 2023.

Safety on Metro buses and train continues to be a concern for residents and elected officials alike.

In a statement Thursday, Metro said:

It is distressing that a senseless act of violence occurred within our Metro system. Safety is, and always has been Metros utmost priority and we are deeply committed to providing a secure environment for our customers. Metro is working with the Los Angeles Police Department to investigate this incident.

Our sympathies go out to the victims family and friends. We are asking for your help in providing any information regarding the incident. If you see something, say something. Please call 888.950.SAFE (7233) or 911. You can also anonymously report information using our Transit Watch smartphone app now available for both iPhone and Android. Working together, we can all help ensure a safer and more secure Metro system.

Anyone with additional information about the assailant or the incident is asked to call LAPDs central bureau homicide Detectives Sharman or Gonzales at 213 996-4142.

Anyone wishing to stay anonymous can call L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477) or visit www.lacrimestoppers.org.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
Braddock police are investigating after a man was found outside a Pittsburgh hospital with a gunshot wound to the leg.

Pittsburgh police said the man was found on Sandusky St. at Hemlock St. around 11:45 p.m. Friday. Staff from Allegheny General Hospitals ER got him inside for treatment. He is in stable condition.

Originally, police were unsure of where the shooting happened, but the victim later said he was shot in Braddock.

Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts.

Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW

TRENDING NOW:

SKYLIGHTS 2023: Week 2 high school football final scores Cause of deadly explosion came from inside Plum home, Allegheny County Fire Marshal says Man, woman allegedly posed as Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank volunteers to steal cash VIDEO: Channel 11 speaks with 2 new WPIAL coaches in 6A division DOWNLOAD the Channel 11 News app for breaking news alerts
For the record:

6:10 p.m. Sept. 12, 2023: A previous version of this story misstated the date of sale of Marilyn Monroes former home as happening in July. Escrow closed in August. Also, Andrew Schures name was given incorrectly as Sahure.



Marilyn Monroe's Brentwood home was granted a temporary reprieve from demolition after a unanimous L.A. City Council vote on Friday.

Councilmember Traci Park was rushing against the clock to save Monroe's final residence after learning Wednesday that the owner, Glory of the Snow Trust, had requested a permit to have the iconic Spanish Colonial residence demolished.

"Immediately my team and I sprung into action. ... But unfortunately, the Department of Building and Safety issued a demolition permit before my team and I could fully intervene and get this issue resolved," she said at a press conference held shortly before Friday's City Council meeting.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

The 11th District councilmember wore red lipstick and styled her short blond hair a la Monroe as she gave an impassioned speech announcing she would be bringing a motion to initiate consideration of historic cultural monument status for Monroe's home.

"I am here with you today as the custodian of the district which is home to Marilyn Monroe's beloved final residence. I am also here today as a defender of our city's rich history and heritage," Park said.

The motion presented to the council called for immediate action to initiate consideration of the home as a city historic-cultural monument. It further stated that this would not deprive the property owner of any rights but said the historic and cultural merits of the property need to be assessed.

Many Angelenos weighed in on the matter during the public comment portion of the meeting. Some slammed the urgency around preserving Monroe's home while the city faces a homeless crisis, while others spoke to the importance of honoring women by saving the home.

"Preserving our history is a dignity that we as Angelenos have," said Stacey Segarra-Bohlinger, a Sherman Oaks neighborhood council representative. "It is our duty and our honor to preserve and protect historical monuments. Developers are destroying our city for personal gain. It is a disgrace and should not be allowed."

The City Council then voted unanimously to move forward in considering the home for historic-cultural monument status.

Read more: Marilyn Monroe look-alike is mistakenly blamed as icon's home faces demolition; Brentwood hopes to save it

"This is a great win for the time being," Park told The Times in an interview after the meeting. "What is most important about what we achieved today is that this automatically and immediately triggers a temporary stay on all building permits while this matter is under consideration by the cultural heritage commission and the City Council."

As for the property owner  Glory of the Snow Trust, whose trustee is Andrew Schure  paperwork issued Friday by the citys Department of Building and Safety and shared by Parks office stated that the department intends to revoke the demolition permits.

This is the first major step toward saving the home. Moving forward, the issue will proceed to the Office of Historic Resources for research, assessment and analysis. It then will go to the Historic Cultural Commission for findings and recommendations that will make their way back to the full City Council. The entire process must be completed within 75 days.

"It has been a whirlwind 48 hours," Park told The Times. "We are all extremely relieved that things went the way they did today."

Read more: Conservators 'speechless' that Kim Kardashian wore Marilyn Monroe's dress to Met Gala

During Park's press conference, she voiced the importance of fighting demolition of the only home the "Some Like It Hot" actor ever owned.

"Like the many, many hundreds of people from all over the world who have contacted my office over the last 48 hours, I am extremely concerned about this and I recognize the need for urgent action by the city," Park said.

"For people all over the world, Marilyn Monroe was more than just a movie icon. Her story from her challenging childhood growing up in orphanages and foster homes to becoming a global sensation is a shining example of what it means to overcome adversity."

The councilmember quoted Monroe in her speech, saying, "Sometimes good things fall apart so that even better things can fall together."

Read more: Who, me? Kim Kardashian denies she damaged that Marilyn Monroe dress

Park said the statement echoed the actor's life's journey, which she called "a testament to everyone who has faced hardship and risen above it."

"Her path was full of obstacles, but she knew no limits, and she left an indelible mark on Hollywood and the entire world. Despite her iconic status, Marilyn Monroe constantly battled for fair compensation, often earning far less than men, and far less than what she was actually worth. An issue that women are still fighting to correct today."

Park said Monroe's Brentwood home stood as a "touching reminder of her final days" and was a place where the troubled starlet, who died in 1962 at age 36, found peace. The star handpicked from her journeys from around the world "each detail of the home, from its wooden beam ceilings to the tiles," she said.

Read more: Photos: Marilyn Monroe's star still shines bright, 60 years after her death

The residence, built in 1929, was the only home the actor owned independently. Monroe bought the property in the early 1960s after the end of her third marriage, to playwright Arthur Miller, for $75,000.

Earlier this year, the home's owner was listed as Glory of the Snow LLC, managed by Dan Lukas of Emerald Lake Capital Management and his wife, Anne Jarmain. Lukas and Jarmain did not respond to The Times request for comment.

They bought the 2,900-square-foot hacienda for $7.25 million in 2017. In August, Glory of the Snow LLC sold the property to Glory of the Snow Trust, i.e., Andrew Schure, for $8.35 million. According to Park, Schure hasn't submitted any plans indicating what he intends to do with the property after demolition of the house.



"This home is more than just a brick-and-mortar building. It is a symbol of her journey, and our identity as Angelenos," Park said. "The global concern that has flooded my office over the last couple of days about the potential demolition of this historic site reaffirms its significance. The overwhelming sentiment here is clear: This home must be preserved as a crucial piece of Hollywood's and the city of Los Angeles' history, culture and legacy."

The Times' staff writer Julia Wick contributed to this report.

Sign up for L.A. Goes Out, a weekly newsletter about exploring and experiencing Los Angeles from the L.A. Times.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
As dusk settled on a quiet neighborhood in Northern Virginia on Thursday night, dozens of electric candles began to materialize in the hands of admirers and well-wishers of Cpl. Spencer Collart, a Marine crew chief who -- along with two other Marines -- was killed in a V-22 Osprey crash in Australia almost two weeks ago.

Looking like blinking fireflies, they gathered around a light green bungalow that's just 10 minutes away from where Spencer will be laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery. The home belongs to his family and, by the time the sun completely set, the street was lit by roughly 200 people carrying flickering lights, waiting for the vigil to begin.

In front of the Collarts' porch was a table that held pictures of the three Marines who died in the crash. Spencer's photo was flanked by those of Capt. Eleanor LeBeau and Maj. Tobin Lewis, the two pilots who were operating the aircraft that carried 20 other troops. Those 20 service members survived the immediate crash, which occurred during a multinational exercise in Australia. Some were rushed to a hospital in the Northern Territory of the country, just south of the Tiwi Islands where the Osprey went down.

Read Next: By Court Order, Department of Navy Begins Process to Reconsider 3,770 Medical Discharges for Retirement Upgrades

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

The vigil came two days after the Marines' remains arrived at Dover Air Force Base, Delaware, on Tuesday. Only one of the 20 Marines who made it out of the crash remained in the hospital on Friday, the family and Marine Corps told Military.com.

An investigation into the crash is ongoing, and the cause is still unknown.

Pastor Greg O'Dell, an elder from Cherrydale Baptist Church where Spencer attended, led moments of silence for each of the fallen three. As the crowd hushed and bowed their heads, the sounds of the neighborhood where Spencer grew up filled the silence -- the distant hum of Interstate 66, dogs barking and late-summer cicadas.

"He was the one that would go up and down and pull their straps to make sure they were buckled down," O'Dell said, recalling the last conversation he had with Spencer in which they talked about his job as crew chief -- a highly respected and important position in Marine Corps aviation that, along with the pilots, is responsible for the well-being of the aircraft and crew.

"He was the one if they needed to bail out, he would open the back door and start bailing them out," the pastor said. "He protected his Marines that came on to that Osprey, and so did the pilots."

The Osprey was flying alongside another aircraft when it went down. While the Osprey's incident rate per 100,000 flight hours is lower compared to some other airframes, the tiltrotor aircraft has experienced a troubling clutch issue that caused a crash that killed five Marines last year.

A separate deadly Osprey crash in March was blamed on pilot error, according to service investigators.

There are no answers yet as to what caused the crash late last month. But the three stewards of the aircraft -- who were charged with protecting those onboard -- landed the Osprey in a way that let 20 Marines live another day, even though they themselves died.

"They have been called heroes by those that were there, and they're the best judge of that," O'Dell said.

Many memorializers wept as they listened to stories from Spencer's friends and family. Some recalled that he put up a hard exterior, sometimes bristling at authority as a teenager. But he was also remembered as sweet and caring, and as someone who would always pick up the phone when a loved one was in need.

His father, Bart Collart, was wearing his son's much-too-large size 12 sandals and boonie hat. He described his son as his "superhero buddy" and recalled watching him grow up from the comic book-loving kid he was to the Marine he became.

"He was a tough brother, but he was the best and he was also the most selfless, kind and gentle giant," his sister Gwyneth Collart said.

As lightning rumbled in the night sky, Mitchell Downing, a former camp counselor to Collart, played a rendition of "Africa" by Toto -- one of the Marine's longtime favorite songs.

One by one, the crowd began to sing as Downing played the keyboard.

Spencer's mother, Alexia Collart, wore a gold pin from his squadron. She had shown the gathering a patterned shawl -- a gift from an artist from the Tiwi Islands that another Marine brought back to the U.S. for the Collarts.

"Spencer was my protector," his mother said. "He was your protector. He was an extraordinary young man who found his tribe with the Marines."

-- Drew F. Lawrence can be reached at drew.lawrence@military.com. Follow him on Twitter @df_lawrence.

Related: Marine Corps Identifies 3 Troops Killed in Osprey Crash During Australia Training
Seattle Mariners starting pitcher George Kirby (68) reacts as Tampa Bay Rays' Rene Pinto (50) runs around the bases after his two-run home run during the seventh inning of a baseball game Friday, Sept. 8, 2023, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

ST. PETERBURG, Fla (AP)  Seattle Mariners pitcher George Kirby apologized to manager Scott Servais for saying he wished he wasnt sent back to the mound for the seventh inning of a 7-4 loss to Tampa Bay after reaching the 90-pitch mark.

Servais said he talked with the 25-year-old right-hander for a long time both Friday night and Saturday morning.

He said Skip, thats not who I am, Servais said before Saturday's game. We all know George is a very fiery  he's a competitor. He's learning. It's an opportunity to learn moving forward. The biggest think with George is, we move forward. Love having him out there.

Seattle led 4-2 when Kirby returned to the mound in the seventh. After Taylor Wells grounded out, Jose Siri doubled and Rene Pinto followed with a tying homer on Kirbys 102 and final pitch.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Obviously, I screwed up, Kirby told reporters before Saturdays game. Thats not me. Skips always got to pry that ball out of my hands. Just super uncharacteristic of me as a player and who I am out on that mound. I love competing. Like I said, I just screwed up.

Kirby is 10-9 with a 3.48 ERA in 27 starts this season.

When you make mistakes that only affects yourself, its not that big of a deal, Servais said. But once it starts affecting other people, thats kind of when you take notice. I think this is one George will learn from.

___

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB
This homemade fiberglass vessel was used to transport up to two tons of cocaine by Colombian drug smugglers.



This homemade fiberglass vessel was used to transport up to two tons of cocaine by Colombian drug smugglers.

If youre part of the U.S. Marine Corps and you need to design a new, tough to track boat, you might be tempted to turn to heavy-hitting scientists and engineers to develop the vessels you need to move weapons in contested waters. Or, you could take inspiration from the people who are already building those hard-to-find boats: drug runners.

Wednesday saw Lt. Gen. Karsten Heckl share some key information at the Defense News Conference in Arlington, VA. The Marines have been trying to find a way to move weapons through contested waters. When it comes to resupplying allies with things like food or spare parts, the Marines can just leave those things in pre-determined locations that the allies can pick up later.

Read more

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

The prototype the Marines hav e today can carry two Naval Strike Missiles into about 4 feet of water, where Marines would then pull the missiles onto the beach and to the nearest missile battery in need of resupply, Heckl explained. The Naval Strike Missile is the anti-ship missile used in the NMESIS weapon, or Navy/Marine Corps Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System. Heckl, who is the Marine Corps requirements officer, told reporters after his on-stage remarks that he wasnt sure how many of these Autonomous Low-Profile Vessels the service may buy. But because of their low cost, he said, theyre almost expendable  something that will be important in contested waters where, if spotted, theyd likely be the targets of enemy weapons.

Drug running vessels, also called narco boats, narco submarines, or Go Fast Vessels, are kind of engineering marvels. Theyre designed to be both fast and stealthy, which helps them evade capture by the U.S. Coast Guard. While plenty of these vehicles have been captured, plenty more have evaded the best efforts of the law  which has made them a point of interest for the Marines. It only makes sense to use those vessels as inspiration for future military technology.

More from Jalopnik

Sign up for Jalopnik's Newsletter. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Click here to read the full article.
Ceserino Borelli, a Watertown man charged in connection with a serious crash that left a teenage girl in a coma, was reported dead at the Suffolk County House of Corrections, according to a report.

The Suffolk County Sheriffs Department reported 45-year-old Ceserino Borelli was walking with an officer into a housing unit on Friday afternoon when he informed the unit officer that he wasnt feeling well.

According to the report, Borelli took a seat at a table in the unit before slumping to the floor just over a minute later. Officers immediately responded to Borelli until additional medical assistance. Borelli was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Per standard Department procedure, the Boston Police Department was notified and foul play is not suspected in Borellis death.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

No further information is available at this time, pending review by the Medical Examiners Office.

Borelli had been held at the House of Correction since July 11, 2023 after he was charged with numerous motor vehicle offenses by Chelsea Police including Assault & Battery with a Dangerous Weapon (car).

State police said on June 18, Borelli was driving a 2020 Mercedes Benz sedan at a high rate of speed when he exited the roadway into the Dunkin parking lot at 276 Beacham St., causing property damage and then driving through a metal fence that surrounded the parking lot of the RISE Dispensary cannabis shop at 200 Beacham St.

Borellis car then struck a parked and occupied Mercedes SUV in the Rise Dispensary parking lot before striking 14-year-old Milina Tene, of Everett who was standing in the parking lot, according to state police.

I saved my daughters life: Father performs CPR after car strikes daughter in Chelsea parking lot

After hitting the girl, the car continued driving through the parking lot and struck a parked Nissan SUV. The suspect exited the vehicle and walked toward the front of RISE before lying down on the sidewalk. Borelli was transported to a Boston hospital after complaining of back pain after the crash and was still hospitalized under Chelsea police guard as of Monday, according to state police.

During his arraignment, Borelli pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against him. Barrett said Borelli believes the car malfunctioned before the crash, which caused him to lose control of the vehicle and led to the collision.

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 field photo of the Stone Age arrow found in Norway. Secrets of the Ice

Archeologists just found an arrow from the Stone Ages previously caught in ice.

The discovery predates other findings in the area by over 2,000 years.

It was likely lodged in the ice while ancient hunters chased reindeer.

Archeologists in Norway were thrilled when they discovered a rare find in late August  a 4,000 year-old arrow from the Stone Age, previously frozen in ice.

Archeologists from the group Secrets of the Ice  part of Norway's Department of Cultural Heritage  found the arrow on the side of Mount Lauvhe, co-director Dr. Lars Holger Pil told Insider.

Lauvhe is part of the Jotunheimen Mountains in Norway. In recent years, the ice around the mountain has melted more, exposing more ground to researchers. Pil said the archeologists were last at the site in 2017 when there was less area to survey.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Before this most recent arrow was found, Pil said, the oldest arrows found in the ice dated from 500 to 1,700 years ago, during the Iron Age and the Middle Ages.

"This new find adds a lot more time depth to the site," said Pil in an email. "The site of Lauvhe is one out of 66 such ice sites in our county alone. We currently have more than 4,000 finds from the ice."

According to NPR, the archeologists originally thought the arrow was from the Iron Age, but discovered it was much older after cleaning off the glacial silt.

Likely, Pil said, the arrow ended up in the ice while hunters were pursuing reindeer, which gathered near ice and snow on hot days to avoid botflies.

"The ancient hunters knew this and would have hunted the reindeer en route to and on the ice patch," said Pil in an email. "Sometimes, when an arrow missed its target, it burrowed itself deep into the snow and was lost. Sad for the hunter but a bull's eye for archaeology!"

Moving forward, archeologists will continue their search in the area, which remains fruitful.

"We have just found a horse bit and bridle, possibly from the Viking Age," Pil said.

Read the original article on Insider
Correction: The date of the 2020 presidential election has been corrected in several places. We regret the error.

Democrats are fretting about President Bidens low approval ratings, exacerbated by widespread concerns about his age.

Those factors seem to be getting worse rather than better. A CNN/SSRS poll released this week showed just 39 percent of adults approving of Bidens job performance, his lowest number in more than a year.

Almost three-quarters of the population, according to the poll, believes Biden lacks the stamina and sharpness to serve effectively as president.

Even among Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents, 67 percent asserted the party should choose someone else as its standard-bearer in the 2024 election.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Despite all that, most Democrats believe Biden, 80, will indeed be the partys nominee in the next election.

It is extremely difficult to defeat an incumbent president in a primary, and the presidents two declared opponents, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Marianne Williamson, are going nowhere fast.

Even so, plenty of Democrats are at least daydreaming of alternatives, just in case Biden would decide to step aside or circumstances would change unexpectedly.

Here are five possible alternatives to Biden in 2024 or beyond.

Vice President Harris speaks July 24 at the UnidosUS 2023 Annual Conference in Chicago. AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast

Vice President Harris

Harris is the obvious heir apparent to Biden as an incumbent vice president more than two decades his junior.

The vice president can stir controversy with even the most innocuous of remarks on a possible succession, as happened this week when she stated in two interviews  one with The Associated Press and another with CBS News  that she was ready to be president. Both times, she emphasized this was hypothetical since Biden is going to be fine.

The only scenario for Harris right now is one in which Biden abandons his run for reelection.

But even under those circumstances, there are plenty of Democrats who arent thrilled about the concept of a Harris White House bid.

For a start, her poll ratings are often worse than those of her boss.

In an Economist/YouGov poll this week, Harris and Biden had an identical unfavorable rating  55 percent. Slightly more people, 41 percent, had a favorable view of Biden than the 36 percent positively disposed toward Harris.

The skeptics fear Harris would struggle even more than Biden in some of the Midwestern states that are vital in the Electoral College. Memories of her disappointing campaign for the Democratic nomination in 2020 are also still fresh.

Its certainly possible Harris would become the Democratic nominee if Biden left the field, but it would not be an automatic coronation by any means.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) announces the May budget revision May 12 in Sacramento, Calif. Hector Amezcua/The Sacramento Bee via AP

California Gov. Gavin Newsom

At one point last year, Newsom seemed as if he could be edging toward a primary challenge to Biden  much to the chagrin of the White House.

It wasnt just that Newsom was upping his profile with headline-grabbing moves like buying TV time on the other side of the country to attack Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R).

He was also criticizing his party  and, some felt, criticizing Biden by implication.

Were getting crushed on narrative, Newsom told CBS News in early November 2022. Were going to have to do better in terms of getting on the offense and stop being on the damn defense.

Newsom has not been so critical of his party of late, and any speculation of a 2024 primary challenge has dried up.

But the California governor is staking his claim to be part of the national scene, including by continuing his feud with DeSantis. The two men have agreed to debate each other later this year, though that clash could still be derailed over details.

Could Newsom win if he were the Democratic nominee?

He is an energetic advocate for the progressive cause. But his detractors wonder how he would fare in battleground states given his image as an archetypal California liberal.

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg speaks to the Transportation Research Board gathering in Washington on Jan. 11. AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg

Buttigieg, like Harris, was one of Bidens rivals for the 2020 nomination. Unlike her, he surpassed expectations  though he never became a serious contender to win.

Buttigiegs key strengths are his intelligence and his communication skills, especially on television.

The Transportation Secretary is firmly located in the mainstream of the Democratic Party. In 2020, he withdrew from the presidential race at least in part to help Biden vanquish the progressive threat posed by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.).

But Buttigieg has become a frequent target of Republicans and their media allies. His touch has sometimes deserted him, as when it took him almost three weeks to visit East Palestine, Ohio, in the wake of a disastrous train derailment.

Buttigieg is a likely presidential candidate at some point in the future, but its yet to be determined how many Democrats are truly passionate about him. His poor performance with Black voters in 2020 is another source of concern.

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer addresses the crowd during inauguration ceremonies, Sunday, Jan. 1, 2023, outside the state Capitol in Lansing, Mich. AP Photo/Al Goldis

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer

Its easy to make the case for why Whitmer could go national.

As the female governor of a state won by former President Trump in 2016, she has built broad appeal, foregrounding practical problem-solving rather than dogma. Fix the damn roads was one of her signature battle cries in her first gubernatorial campaign in 2018.

At the same time, Whitmer has other political assets that would draw approval from the Democratic activist base.

She has made the defense of abortion rights a central issue, particularly since the Supreme Court struck down Roe v. Wade.

Republicans at one point thought Whitmer would be vulnerable in her reelection bid last year. Instead  given a tailwind by an abortion-related ballot measure on the same day  she trounced Republican challenger Tudor Dixon by more than 10 points.

Meanwhile, the fact Whitmer was the target of a kidnapping plot in 2020 makes her an even more sympathetic figure.

Speculation about an eventual White House bid by Whitmer has been building steadily. Why Not Whitmer? was the headline of an Atlantic story on the topic in June.

Perhaps Whitmer has vulnerabilities that have yet to be exposed but, in a Biden-free field, she would be an extremely serious contender.

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) speaks during a July 13 press conference outside the Capitol in Washington. Tierney L. Cross

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (N.Y.)

Ocasio-Cortez endorsed Biden in July, though hardly with extravagant enthusiasm.

I think hes done quite well, given the limitations that we have, Ocasio-Cortez told the Pod Save America podcast. Bidens opponents, Kennedy and Williamson, were mentioned before the New York congresswoman was asked if she would support Biden. Given that field, yes, she replied.

An AOC White House quest, if Biden stepped back, would be electrifying to fans and detractors alike.

Her supporters thrill to her forceful advocacy for progressive positions, her capacity to connect with the new generation of voters and her charisma.

Her detractors on the right blast her as a left-wing extremist, while more centrist members of the Democratic Party argue she is unelectable in a national election.

There are clear challenges, for sure.

An Economist/YouGov poll in February asked respondents if they had a favorable or unfavorable view of the congresswoman. Forty-three percent viewed her unfavorably, while just 32 percent viewed her favorably.

Still, her net negative margin of 11 points was not vastly different from Bidens 7-point net negative rating in the same poll, nor from Harris, who was 10 points underwater.

In the event Biden does not run in 2024, Ocasio-Cortez is old enough to be president just about.

She will turn 35, the minimum age for the nations highest office, roughly three weeks before the 2024 election.

Updated at 10:46 am.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Sitting before a parliamentary panel in a bare-walled function room of a hotel on the southeastern Australian coast, Naomi Bowden broke down several times as she recounted a series of distressing events after her daughter Stellas stillbirth in 2009.

Having to identify her body to the police and being forced to watch the police officer put her in a cold Styrofoam box and transfer her to the coroner.

Being kept in the maternity ward overnight, listening to the sounds of other mothers giving birth and then hearing their babies cry.

Going into my six-week check-up appointment with the hospital staff and being asked, Wheres your baby?

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

This week, Bowden was among several Australian mothers who gave evidence at a parliamentary inquiry in New South Wales into birth trauma that one expert likened to the MeToo of childbirth.

No means no, except apparently in childbirth, and its time to change that, Hannah Dahlen, a professor of midwifery at Western Sydney University, told the inquiry when it opened on Monday. This is the MeToo movement of birth.

The inquiry was called after dozens of women complained about their care in one part of the state, but the deluge of submissions suggests the problem goes far wider.

More than 4,000 submissions were received in just six weeks, mostly from mothers who say they were ignored, belittled, and denied the opportunity to give informed consent.

Some lost their babies, others carried their infants home along with mental and physical trauma  for which many blame themselves.

Women are telling us that it is basically their fault that it happened to them, said Dahlen, who co-authored a paper that asked women across Australia if theyd do anything differently with their next birth. Of more than 6,000 replies, more than 85% said yes.

Women take on a lot of self-blame and they feel a lot of failure and, therefore, they often dont feel they have a right to complain because they feel it was their fault, Dahlen said.

Dr Hannan Dahlen, a leading midwifery researcher, told the inquiry that women often blame themselves for bad birth experiences. - NSWParliament/YouTube

What is birth trauma?

International studies suggest at least one in three women have experienced birth trauma, defined by the inquiry as inappropriate, disrespectful or abusive treatment before, during and after birth, that leaves them with emotional or physical scars  and often both.

In medical literature, birth trauma is also referred to as obstetric violence, which the Lancet journal says can be interpersonal and structural, arising from the actions of health-care providers and also from broader political and economic arrangements that disproportionately harm marginalized populations.

In its submission to the inquiry, the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG) said it strongly believes the term is incorrect as it suggests the obstetrician intended to cause harm and that is unfair.

No-one goes to work to cause trauma, Jared Watts, RANZCOG Board Director told the inquiry. If we need to come to the party and actually work out a solution for this, we need to use language that engages the doctors, he said.

Birth trauma may not be the intention  and in some cases its unavoidable when medical staff intervene to save the life of the mother and child. But in other cases, its preventable, say mothers who submitted their stories to the inquiry.

Carly Griffin said she got the impression she was creating a backlog by not birthing her son fast enough. - Parliament of New South Wales

Carly Griffin told the inquiry she felt ready to deliver her son but the process was cut short by an obstetrician. The OB came in, did an examination and said, No, were going for a C-section. This is an emergency, your babys in distress, but Im just going to go for dinner first, she said.

I dont want to assume, but I feel that they wanted my birthing room, she said. I feel like maybe I wouldnt have as much trauma if I knew 100% that that C-section saved my babys life (but) I dont think it had any effect on him at all.

Others told of distress that tainted their pregnancy but not the actual birth.

Jessica Holliday recounted her experience of being shamed for her weight during pregnancy. - Parliament of New South Wales

Jessica Holliday said her joy at becoming pregnant turned to shame when she was told that she was high-risk due to her weight.

Despite testing negative for gestational diabetes three times in the first 20 weeks, I was encouraged to act as if I had it. I was warned of a big baby due to my size and advised early induction. The birthing pool was off limits because of my BMI (body mass index) as it was considered a workplace health and safety issue, Holliday said.

At 30 weeks she found a private midwife and had a homebirth, delivering an average-sized baby. Still, she said her journey was fraught with emotional turmoil, disappointment and frustration.

Amanda Macaulay's son was stillborn after she suffered a uterine rupture. - Parliament of New South Wales

Then theres the heartbreak of losing a baby, as Amanda Macaulay recalled, telling the inquiry that she felt broken, physically and psychologically, after her son was stillborn days after she begged a hospital for help for severe pain.

The grief has stayed with her entire family, she said, including her husband, a shift worker who was told shed been taken to hospital by ambulance. He arrived and was handed his stillborn son and told that my life was uncertain at that point in time, she said.

Afterward, she was sent home with little support.

You feel lost, you feel alone, you leave hospital, and you still look pregnant. People ask, when are you due? and its heartbreaking.

A global problem

Committee Chair Emma Hurst says the point of the inquiry isnt to lay blame on individuals. Its about finding out where the system is failing and making sure we can work towards changing those systems so it doesnt continue to happen to other women, she told CNN.

NSW is the first Australian state to examine the issue, and there are already calls for a national inquiry because the problems arent limited to that one state  or even to Australia. The research is showing that its worldwide, she said.

Amy Dawes founded the Australasian Birth Trauma Association (ABTA) after sustaining life-altering injuries during the forceps delivery of her first child in 2015. Since then, thousands of women have approached the group, a charity staffed by volunteers that relies on donations, for support and guidance.

We are contacted by women across the world who want to start up birth trauma associations, for example, in the US. We know that there are systemic problems, and theres actually no US-based support services for people who have experienced birth-related trauma. So thats our second biggest market after Australia, Dawes told CNN.

Amy Dawes, founder of the Australasian Birth Trauma Association, with her two children ages 9 and 6. - Courtesy Amy Dawes/ABTA

She doesnt think the incidence of birth trauma is increasing, just that more women are starting to talk about it.

I think that there has just been a shroud of silence, a stigma associated with it. And its just simply been accepted as part of becoming a mother, Dawes said.

However, Fiona Reid, a clinical midwife with more than 36 years of experience who has trained midwives, told the inquiry the increasing intervention by medical staff has increased the risk of birth trauma.

We are creating the culture that is increasingly medical at the expense of patient satisfaction, and we havent improved maternal or infant outcomes. And that is the crux of it, she told the inquiry.

Australia has a cesarean rate of 38%, according to government figures, higher than many other countries in the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)  despite longstanding advice from the World Health Organization that maternal health and newborn mortality rates dont improve beyond rates of 10-15%.

The global cesarean rate is currently 21%, up from about 7% in 1990, and predicted to rise closer to 30% in the next few years, according to the WHO. As of 2018, the highest rates were in the Americas at 39%, Europe at 25.7% and Asia at 23.1%.

Reid said medical interventions had been used to make birth safe, but for many its creating alternative risks.

We need to look at the quality of care, not the rate of interventions, Reid said. We are not improving maternal and infant outcomes. In fact, we are breaking mothers.

Fiona Reid, a clinical midwife with decades of experience, said birth trauma was not only affecting others but also midwives. - Parliament of New South Wales

And medical staff are also suffering, she said, a claim supported by the Australian College of Midwives whose submission to the inquiry includes quotes from midwives conveying secondary trauma.

Ive seen women berated like children and told they will kill their baby if they dont do what theyre told. Ive seen gross omissions of information resulting in a failure to obtain true consent, wrote one unnamed midwife from regional NSW.

Some midwives had become so tired and disillusioned they were leaving the industry, putting pressure on other staff who were already overworked, the submission said.

Reid said birth trauma will never be eliminated  its an impossible request.

But she said attention should focus on eliminating preventable birth trauma and raising standards so the measure of success isnt merely survival.

Its an act of erasure to be told that the only important part of the birth experience is the end: the live baby and the live mother, she said. We know that this is an inadequate measure of outcome.

The inquiry is expected to take several months with a final report due in February 2024.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
Democratic New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham talks prior to President Joe Biden speaking about the economy at Arcosa Wind Towers factory Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2023, in Belen, N.M. Ross D. Franklin/Associated Press

New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham declared gun violence a public health emergency.

Grisham said she was inspired to act after a rise in gun violence against kids.

Grisham, a Democrat, said she expects legal challenges to her executive order.

New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham issued an emergency order on Thursday suspending the right to carry guns in public in the city of Albuquerque and surrounding county for the next 30 days after a spate of recent gun violence against kids.

Grisham, a Democrat, said she was declaring gun violence a public health emergency in a post on X, the social media site formerly known as Twitter.

Today, I signed an executive order declaring gun violence a public health emergency. To my fellow citizens: get loud. Step up. Demand change: from your neighbors, from your friends, from your communities, from your elected leaders. Enough is enough. More coming from me tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/jOt4fv4YDC  Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham (@GovMLG) September 7, 2023

According to Grisham, gun violence is the leading cause of death for children and teens in New Mexico. Since July 28, gun violence in the state has led to the deaths of a 13-year-old girl, a 5-year-old girl, and a 10-year-old boy.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Grisham also said in the order that New Mexico has had a rise in mass shootings, pointing to a shooting at a motorcycle rally in Red River that left three people dead in May and another May shooting in a Farmington neighborhood that left four people dead.

"The impact of gun violence extends beyond physical injuries and fatalities  causing emotional trauma, economic burdens, and long-lasting consequences for those affected individuals and their families," Grisham wrote.

Grisham says she expects legal challenges to the order, according to the Associated Press.

New Mexico is an "open carry" state, which means it is legal to carry a gun in public as long as it is not concealed. The New Mexico Department of Public Safety offers concealed carry permits.

In June 2022, the Supreme Court struck down a New York law that required people to show a "proper cause" or reason to carry a gun in order to get a license to carry a firearm in public.

The landmark decision dramatically expanded gun rights for the first time since 2008, when the court decided that individuals have the right to own a gun for personal use in the home, rejecting the century-old interpretation of the Second Amendment as a collective right to "bear arms" for a "well-regulated militia."

Read the original article on Insider
Michigan State University Board of Trustees Chair Rema Vassar speaks during a groundbreaking ceremony for the MSU student recreation and wellness center on Thursday, Sept. 7, 2023, on the MSU campus in East Lansing.

EAST LANSING  Michigan State University Board of Trustees Chairperson Rema Vassar implied that racism played a role in a vote by trustees to change how the board chair is selected.

Vassar, the first Black woman to chair the board, was elected under the previous rules to a two-year term as chair in January in a 5-3 vote. Trustee Renee Knake Jefferson received the other three votes. Dianne Byrum, the boards previous chair, voted for Jefferson.

Friday morning, the board voted 5-2 to change its bylaws to automatically appoint the longest-serving member as chair for a one-year term. The vice chair also will be appointed by seniority and then automatically succeed to the role of chair the following year. The text of the amendment was not publicly available by time of publication, but trustees suggested the line of succession would continue and move to the next most senior trustee.

After the vote, Vassar suggested the proposal was advanced to prevent her from having power and detailed an interaction she had with an unnamed alumna during a visit to Detroit.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

She said, theyre probably already trying to change the rules, arent they? And I said, How did you know? And she said, 'Ive been Black all my life, Vassar said following the vote.

Vassar introduced the bylaw proposals Friday as acting chair of the Academic Affairs Committee in place of Trustee Dennis Denno, who was absent because of illness. Trustee Brianna Scott then made a motion to amend the board's bylaws.

I feel wholeheartedly that to change our board chair is for the greater good of this board. Every two years that has been an issue. We have relationships that have been fractured on this board because of that very one election, Scott said. Its a broken system. If we continue to do this over and over again and expect a different result, we're fools  and a fool I am not.

Vassar and board Vice Chairperson Dan Kelly voted against the change.

Previously, the chair was elected to a two-year term by a majority vote of the board in January following even-year statewide elections. The vice chair was selected after the chair.

Under the new system, the most senior trustee automatically becomes chairperson. If two trustees have equal seniority, the chair will be chosen through a random selection.

Currently, the longest-serving member is Byrum, followed by Kelly, Scott, Kelly Tebay, Jefferson, Vassar, Sandy Pierce and Denno.

An amendment also was approved to allow an individual who forfeits their ability to serve as chair for a one-year term to later exercise that option in subsequent years. The amendment passed 6-0, with Vassar abstaining.

The chairperson selection policy won't go into effect until January 2025, and Vassar's current two-year term is unaffected by the change.

Kelly said its his belief the board should elect a chair.

This is a close call. We've talked endlessly about the pros and the cons, and there's definitely pros and cons  but in my mind, I think the board should decide who their chair is," he said.

Scott, who also is Black and supported Vassar in the January vote, said Friday she was tired of personal squabbles having an impact on the business of the board.

None of these things should be part of what we are dealing with when we have to make decisions, she said. Scott was elected to the board in 2018 and said her first vote for a chair in 2019 caused personal strife that members shouldnt expect from their place of work.

Scott said she was told by an unnamed person the day before that she need(s) to read more books and is losing (her) identity as a Black woman.

I think I'm making this decision for the greater good of this university that I love, and I am tired of seeing the fractionalization on this board, she said. And so I'm very happy with the changes that were made  it has nothing to do with who's in leadership now, these changes were coming as a four years ago and anybody that was around at that time can attest to it. This is not anything new.

Scott said she hopes the decision by the board will allow members to focus on work rather than personal divisions.

I hope that this board can start to heal. I really do. Because if we can't, we're doing this university a disservice, she added.

MSU board members have had unusual public disagreements in recent years. Trustee Pat O'Keefe, who was set to serve until 2029, resigned Nov. 30 citing a lack of transparency by the board as the university struggles to move beyond the Larry Nassar scandal. Nancy Schlichting was appointed to the board by former Gov. Rick Snyder in 2018 following the death of Trustee George Perles. She resigned in October 2019 over frustrations with the board, including transparency issues, specifically the boards reluctance to release the thousands of documents related to the Nassar scandal.

Contact Sheldon Krause at skrause@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @sheldonjkrause.

This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: MSU board chair Rema Vassar says racism prompted bylaw change
MyPillow businessman Mike Lindell went after and repeatedly insulted attorneys questioning him over claims the 2020 election was fraudulent in newly released video of his deposition, in which the prominent Republican donor and conspiracy theorist yells and curses at them.

The video is from Lindells deposition for a defamation suit from Dominion Voting Systems employee Eric Coomer, recorded in March.

Youre just a lawyer, youre an ambulance-chasing lawyer, so dont start with me. I got all day, Lindell said. Ill take as much time as you want, so lets go. Youre not my boss, youre just a lawyer, frivolous lawyer.

Lindell repeatedly blasted Coomers attorneys and called the basis of the defamation claim into question.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

This is a frivolous case and if youre representing this guy and youve read this case, you are a disgusting lawyer, period, he said. I cant believe anybody would take this. This is absolutely disgusting, its a disgrace to our country, its a disgrace to you.

The deposition came just over a month after Lindell unsuccessfully ran to be the chair of the Republican National Committee. Coomer filed the defamation suit against Lindell in May 2022.

Coomer claims Lindell and his company are the most prolific vectors of baseless conspiracy theories claiming election fraud in the 2020 election, the lawsuit reads.

According to the suit, Lindell claimed that Coomer is a traitor to the United States, due to his work with Dominion. Lindell also worked alongside a Colorado conspiracy theorist who repeatedly blamed Eric, the Dominion guy for rigging the 2020 election against former President Trump.

Dominion separately sued Lindell for defamation in early 2021 seeking $1.3 billion in damages. The company previously sued and settled with Fox News over similar defamation claims.

In the deposition, Lindell continued to insult Coomers attorneys.

Rotten, horrible lawyers like you and the media saying, Oh Mike Lindell is trying to save this country just to make money. I have lost everything Ive had so far, you got it? he shouted. Youre an evil, evil man. There, thats on the record. Very evil.

In another line of questioning, the attorney asked Lindell about the companys customer service protocols. The attorney asked what happens when he receives lumpy pillow calls.

No, theyre not lumpy pillows, thats not what they call on, Lindell said. When you say lumpy pillows, now youre an a***hole, you got that? Youre an a**hole is what you are!

Lindells attorney attempted to stop his client before being interrupted. No, hes an a**hole, hes an ambulance-chasing a**hole! Lindell continued.

Thats what you are, Lindell told Coomers attorney. Lumpy pillows, kiss my a**! Put that in your book Nobody calls because of a lumpy pillow.

In another deposition session last month, Lindell reportedly cut the session short to appear on an episode of former Trump advisor Steve Bannons podcast, Coomers attorneys claim.

Lindell was vulgar, threatening, loud, disrespectful to Dr. Coomers counsel and the Court, evasive, and largely non-responsive to questioning, Coomers attorneys said in a court filing.

The attorneys are seeking to get Lindell to pay for the defamation sessions and force him to sit with a judge for additional questioning.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Back in 2013, Miley Cyrus famously rebelled against her squeaky clean Disney star image with her studio album

David Livingston / Getty Images

Back in 2013, Miley Cyrus famously rebelled against her squeaky clean Disney star image with her studio album "Bangerz."

This time in her career is now looked back on as her

Jeff Kravitz / Getty

This time in her career is now looked back on as her "Bangerz era," and coincides with many of Cyrus' biggest controversies  like when she twerked on Robin Thicke at the MTV Video Music Awards, and her infamous naked music video for "Wrecking Ball."

This era culminated with her iconic 2014 tour, which was named after the album and heavily leaned into her newly established wild public persona.

Julio Cesar Aguilar / AFP via Getty Images

This era culminated with her iconic 2014 tour, which was named after the album and heavily leaned into her newly established wild public persona.

This included Cyrus entering the stage by sliding down a giant replica of her tongue after she became renowned for sticking her tongue out and even licking a hammer in her music video.

Ullstein Bild / ullstein bild via Getty Images

This included Cyrus entering the stage by sliding down a giant replica of her tongue after she became renowned for sticking her tongue out and even licking a hammer in her music video.

And although Cyrus' huge change in direction drew heavy criticism from parents and her former Disney channel fans, the

The Washington Post / The Washington Post via Getty Images

And although Cyrus' huge change in direction drew heavy criticism from parents and her former Disney channel fans, the "Bangerz" tour was a huge success. In fact, it was the 16th highest-grossing tour of the year and earned a reported $62.9 million.

However, Cyrus has now revealed that she

Gary Miller / Getty Images

However, Cyrus has now revealed that she "didn't make a dime" from it.

Last month, on the 10-year anniversary of her VMA performance, Cyrus released her new song

Angela Weiss / AFP via Getty Images

Last month, on the 10-year anniversary of her VMA performance, Cyrus released her new song "Used to Be Young," which is a celebration of her controversial past. She coincided this with a "Used to Be Young" TikTok series, where she reflects on moments from her career so far and offers fans insider insight.

In the latest episode of the series, which was released on Sunday, Cyrus looked back at the

Ronaldo Schemidt / AFP via Getty Images

In the latest episode of the series, which was released on Sunday, Cyrus looked back at the "Bangerz" tour and revealed that she "paid for it all" herself because she didn't want to compromise on what she believed the fans deserved.

Cyrus also said that her vision for the tour was so

Steve Russell / Toronto Star via Getty Images

Cyrus also said that her vision for the tour was so "outlandish" that she received little outside support, and many were left baffled that she was willing to embark on a 78-date tour even though it wasn't going to make her any money.

Speaking in the TikTok video, Cyrus said:

TikTok @MileyCyrus

Speaking in the TikTok video, Cyrus said: "The 'Bangerz' tour was an investment in myself. A lot of the ideas were kind of so outlandish that no one really wanted to support me in making these pieces. I had big puppets, oversized beds, I came out of my own face, on my tongue."

Kevin Mazur / WireImage

"I wanted to end it with a 'Truman Show' reference," the star went on to explain. "So I flew out on a giant hotdog, obviously, and I left through all the clouds and the exit sign like Jim Carrey does. Because I felt like 'The Truman Show' was really a reflection of my life."

Getting into the financial side of things, Cyrus then shared:

Christopher Polk / Getty Images

Getting into the financial side of things, Cyrus then shared: "I didn't make a dime on this tour because I wanted the tour to be excellent. And when everyone kept saying: 'Why are you doing this? Youre going to do, like, 100 shows and you're not going to make any money?' I said: 'There's no one I would rather invest in than myself.'"

This embedded content is not available in your region.

Cyrus' revelation comes shortly after she admitted that touring isn't

Mauricio Santana / Getty Images

Cyrus' revelation comes shortly after she admitted that touring isn't "healthy" for her. She said at the time: "The show is only 90 minutes, but that's your life. If you're performing at a certain level of intensity and excellence, there should be an equal amount of recovery and rest."

She went on to explain that she felt like her

Nbc / Vijat Mohindra / NBC via Getty Images

She went on to explain that she felt like her "ego" gets "overused" when she is on tour and that "it's hard to turn it off." Cyrus added: "I think when you're training your ego every single night to be active, that's the hardest switch, for me, to turn off. Having every day the relationship between you and other humans be subject and observer isn't healthy for me because it erases my humanity and my connection."

And this wasn't the first time that Cyrus had shared her views on touring either, with the star telling British Vogue earlier this year:

Stefanie Keenan via Getty Images

And this wasn't the first time that Cyrus had shared her views on touring either, with the star telling British Vogue earlier this year: "Singing for hundreds of thousands of people isnt really the thing that I love. Theres no connection. Theres no safety.
A fire broke out on the territory of a military unit in the occupied city of Simferopol on Saturday.

Source: local Telegram channels; Oleg Kryuchkov, the so-called adviser to the head of Crimea, on Telegram

Details: After 16:00 on Saturday, local Telegram channels reported a fire on the territory of a military unit in Simferopol.

Oleg Kryuchkov, a representative of the occupiers and the so-called adviser to the head of Crimea confirmed the information about the fire, but assured that it was "an ordinary domestic fire".

"Ukrainian propaganda is trying to turn any fire in Simferopol into a 'victory'. It will not work. There is an ordinary domestic fire in a military unit in Simferopol. Two fire trucks are working. The fire was contained," he wrote.

Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron!
Miramar city commissioners unanimously passed a resolution Wednesday night requesting that Broward County study lead emissions at North Perry Airport as soon as possible, the second of the three cities surrounding the airport to do so.

Pembroke Pines, the city where the airport is located, passed its own resolution last month.

The original resolution, proposed by Pembroke Pines Commissioner Tom Good, came after a South Florida Sun Sentinel investigation revealed that North Perry ranks fifth in the country for lead emissions based on calculations from the Environmental Protection Agency, but Broward County, which operates the airport, has never studied lead levels or air quality there or in the surrounding neighborhoods.

Related Articles

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Miramars resolution, which Vice Mayor Yvette Colbourne proposed after speaking with Good, strongly urges Broward County to fund, implement, and produce the findings of a comprehensive study of the air pollution levels, including lead concentration levels, present in and around the North Perry Airport and within the surrounding residential community.

Broward County owns and operates North Perry, but the airport sits within the city limits of Pembroke Pines and borders Hollywood and Miramar. Residents in all three cities live directly across from the airport grounds. The small piston-engine planes that run on leaded fuel and emit the toxin into the air fly low over their homes.

Studies show that children living near general aviation airports like North Perry have higher levels of lead in their blood than those living further away.

The cities of Pembroke Pines, Miramar and Hollywood all breathe North Perry Airport twenty-four-seven, three-sixty-five, said George Koren, a Pembroke Pines resident and member of the North Perry Community Advisory Board, in a public comment Wednesday. Im here tonight to ask for your support on what could really be the concern of a lifetime.

Koren has long questioned the air quality surrounding the airport and advocated for the county to study it.

Meanwhile, Hollywood, the third and final city bordering the airport, decided not to consider a similar resolution when Commissioner Kevin Biederman raised it at a meeting Wednesday. Good had also brought the issue to Biedermans attention.

Related Articles

At the meeting, Commissioner Traci Callari said that she needed more information in order to make a decision.

Were creating more work and more problems, so Id like to get more facts, Callari said.

Mayor Josh Levy said that, since Broward County is already planning to include the study in its budget, passing a resolution wouldnt be necessary.

I dont think we need to be too activist with doing something when we already know they have it budgeted, he said.

The passage of the resolutions in Miramar and Pembroke Pines also comes after several plane crashes at North Perry and in the surrounding neighborhoods in recent months, adding to tensions between the cities and the county.

My whole disappointment with this North Perry Airport thing continues, Miramar Commissioner Winston Barnes said Wednesday. Im convinced that Broward is not going to do anything about this situation one way or another.

Arlene Satchell, the spokesperson for the Broward County Aviation Department, had previously told the Sun Sentinel that the department is continuing to evaluate the EPA data on estimated lead emissions for general aviation airports and is monitoring developments on the federal level, such as the FAA Reauthorization Bill, regarding this subject matter to determine any feasible alternatives we may be able to explore.

The department has put $30,000 in its requested budget from the county for an environmental study, Mike Nonnemacher, deputy director of the department, told Pembroke Pines commissioners at the meeting last month.

But Miramar and Pembroke Pines want the county to study lead specifically and they want it to happen as soon as possible, without waiting for the budget to be approved. The EPA is already poised to issue a final endangerment finding about the fuel by the fall, the first step towards regulating it.

Related Articles

It remains unclear whether the aviation department has updated its plans since the passage of the two resolutions. Satchell did not respond to a request for comment Saturday.

Meanwhile, Miramar commissioners are planning to visit the FAAs local office, which sits inside the city limits, Vice Mayor Alexandra Davis said, so that we can express our concerns, and hopefully along with that, get some answers to the crashes and the quality of the air in surrounding areas.

The commission is also working to hold a public meeting with the different parties involved, Colbourne said, where they can hear more about whats going on with the safety and health of our residents.
The number of people injured in a missile attack on Kryvyi Rih has increased from 72 to 74.

Source: Oleksandr Vilkul , Head of Kryvyi Rih Defence Council, on Telegram

Quote: "The number of casualties from yesterday's missile attack has increased to 74 people, 34 of them are in hospital, and 3 of them are in a serious condition. They are being provided with all the necessary care."

Details: Vilkul said that a headquarters is open from 08:00 to 17:00 at 2 Tserkovna Street near the monument to St Nicholas to help residents whose houses and apartments have been damaged. Teams of public utilities and management companies are working to deal with the aftermath of the attack.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Vilkul also said that there had been no attacks in Kryvyi Rih district so far.

In Nikopol district, the Russians attacked the city of Nikopol and Myrove hromada with heavy artillery [A hromada is an administrative unit designating a town, village or several villages and their adjacent territories  ed.]. There were no casualties, and the consequences of the attack are being investigated.

"All important infrastructure, public transport, social and medical institutions are working steadily in Kryvyi Rih," he said.

Background:

On the morning of 8 September, a Russian missile destroyed one of the police administrative buildings in Kryvyi Rih. The Interior Ministry reported that nine law enforcement officers had been injured.

The Air Force said that the Russian occupiers likely hit Kryvyi Rih with an Iskander cruise missile.

Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron!
KANSAS CITY, Mo.  A woman from Dixon, Missouri, has been charged for a fatal shooting outside an Independence motel in August.

Courtney Joe Wilcox was charged with second degree murder and armed criminal action.

FOX4 newsletters: Get the latest news delivered to your inbox

According to court records, Independence Police Department officers were called to the area of 9800 E. US 40 Highway to shots fired.

They found a victim on his back in the parking lot of the motel. An autopsy showed he had been shot once in the back.

Wilcox was taken into custody in St. Roberts, Missouri, earlier this week as a person-of-interest. She told the police she gave the victim $1,000 to buy narcotics but later felt she was deceived.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Kansas, Missouri could see major hike in gas prices soon

She alerted another person, and he began to look for the victim. She later saw the victim shot in front of the motel.

A co-defendant is also in custody and already faces charges.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports.
More than 2,000 people are dead and another 2,000 are injured following a devastating earthquake Friday in Morocco, officials said.

The magnitude-6.8 earthquake struck the North African country's Al Haouz province around 11 p.m. local time, according to a seismic reading from the U.S. Geological Survey. Its epicenter was located less than 50 miles from the historic city of Marrakesh, causing widespread damage. Residents were seen scrambling for cover as the earthquake began, with videos posted online later showing buildings reduced to piles of rubble. The earthquake also caused major damage in other cities throughout Morocco, including Rabat, Casablanca and Fez.

As of Saturday evening local time, 2,012 people had died and 2,059 people had been injured, the Moroccan state TV channel Al Aoula reported, citing the country's interior ministry. Officials said this death toll was expected to rise as rescue efforts started to get underway. Moroccan King Mohammad VI ordered the mobilization of the army in order to assist search-and-rescue teams.

The massive earthquake is the deadliest and strongest to hit the region in over 100 years, the U.S. Geological Survey said in its preliminary report. Since 1900, the survey has documented nine magnitude 5 earthquakes in the area, but none over magnitude 6 until now.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Many of the deaths reportedly occurred in small settlements throughout Al Haouz. "We found casualties and people running and kids crying," Ayoub Toudite, a resident of the small village of Moulay Brahim, told The Associated Press. "We never saw anything like this, 20 deaths in the area, 30 injuries. We are all terrified that this happens again."

Dozens of world leaders have offered condolences and aid to Morocco. President Biden said in a statement he was "deeply saddened by the loss of life and devastation," and was ready "to provide any necessary assistance for the Moroccan people."

You may also like

Homepage
One month after the deadliest US wildfire in more than a century devastated the historic Hawaiian town of Lahaina, there are still more than 60 people missing.

Hawaii Gov Josh Green said Friday that the number has gone down to 66, which is a significant drop from a week earlier when authorities said 385 people were unaccounted for.

The deadly wildfires started in the hills above Lahaina on 8 August, and within hours spread through the oceanfront town, sending people into the ocean to seek refuge from the flames, destroying more than 2,000 structures and causing an estimated $5.5 billion in damage.

The death toll remains at 115 and Maui police have released 55 names of those deceased. Out of that number, 22 people were in their 70s, and 13 people were in their 60s. There was one victim who was under the age of 10.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

The governor said Friday that with half the deceased still unidentified, he expected there to be significant overlap between the names on the missing list and remains that have already been recovered.

Because of this, he did not expect the death toll to rise considerably.

Were starting to see that the universe of 115 fatalities is about where we are, Mr Green said. There may be some additional fatalities as we go through the next month.

(Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

In an update on Friday, Maui police said that in addition to the 66 people confirmed missing, there are 80 additional names of potentially missing people that the agency is vetting for credibility, The Associated Press reported.

In those cases, no information was provided for the reporting party or the reporting party was not available to provide further details.

In the coming weeks, authorities will begin to schedule supervised visits and escort residents back to the area to survey their properties, Mr Green announced, adding that people must be careful and take precautions as the ash is toxic.

As residents return and the island is reopened to tourists, there will be tens of millions of dollars in aid flowing in to help as the community recovers.

Travel restrictions to West Maui are set to end on 8 October.

The hall of historic Waiola Church in Lahaina and nearby Lahaina Hongwanji Mission were destroyed in the fires

If we support Mauis economy and keep our people employed, they will heal faster and continue to afford to live on Maui, Mr Green said, adding that donations have poured in to the American Red Cross, the Hawaii Community Foundation, the Maui United Way and other organizations.

The governor announced that he has authorized $100 million from the federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program to support what others donate, magnifying the power of their generosity.

The government is also making $25 million available to help businesses survive, distributed in grants of $10,000 to $20,000, he added.
At least 632 people have died and 329 injured in Morocco after an earthquake struck near the historic Marrakech city, according to state-run television.

The death toll has surged from the initial 296 figure that was reported by the interior ministry earlier today.

The tremor struck late Friday night and had an initial 6.8 magnitude when it hit at 11.11pm local time, with shaking that lasted several seconds. Moroccos National Seismic Monitoring and Alert Network, however, said the earthqauke struck at a magnitude of 7.2 on the Richter scale.

The epicentre of the earthquake was in the Ighil area of the High Atlas mountains, said the agency. A 4.9-magnitude aftershock was reported just 19 minutes after the earthquake, according to the US Geological Survey.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Most of the deaths have occurred in mountainous areas that are hard to reach, the interior ministry said earlier.

Videos have emerged of several buildings being reduced to rubble and have left parts of the famous red walls in Marrakech damaged.

Some buildings in the old city, a Unesco World Heritage site, with photos of smashed cars and rubble all over emerging.

Key Points

US Geological Survey releases map revealing location of 7.2-magnitude earthquake

In photos: Earthquake in Morocco that killed 296 led people to rush out of their homes and turned buildings to rubble

Cause of Morocco's disastrous earthquake decoded

USGS estimates up to 2 per cent of Morocco's GDP may be affected by quake

Modi begins G20 by paying tribute to Morocco

Death toll surges after powerful tremor strikes near Marrakech in one of strongest quakes ever felt in years in country

07:50 , Anuj Pant

The death toll from the earthquake that struck near Marrakech in Morocco late Friday night has surged, in what is one of the most powerful tremors ever faced by the country in many years.

The toll went up to at least 632 dead and 329 injured, reported state television. A local official earlier said most deaths were in mountain areas that were hard to reach.

The epicentre of the quake was in the High Atlas mountains, according to the countrys National Seismic Monitoring and Alert Network.

In 1960, an earthquake in the country had led to the deaths of thousands of people.

Pakistan's PM expresses condolences for victims: 'Our hearts ache for those affected'

08:26 , Vishwam Sankaran

Pakistans interim prime minister Anwaar ul Haq Kakar tweeted his support for Morocco where the devastating earthquake has claimed over 600 lives.

Our hearts ache for those affected by the severe earthquake in Morocco. Pakistan extends its hand in unity and support to Morocco in this trying time, Mr Kakar said on X, formerly Twitter.

Former prime minister Shehbaz Sharif also expressed his condolences on X.

In these trying times, we stand in solidarity with the people of Morocco. Special prayers for the bereaved families and those injured and trapped under the rubble, Mr Sharif said.

EU says it is 'ready to provide' any assistance to Morocco

08:05 , Vishwam Sankaran

The European Unions Commissioner for Crisis Management Janez LenarAiA tweeted that its emergency response coordination centre is closely monitoring the situation in Morocco where a powerful earthquake has led to the death over 600 people.

Central Morocco has been hit by a devastating earthquake taking a heavy toll on human life, Mr Lenarcic said.

Central #Morocco has been hit by a devastating #earthquake taking a heavy toll on human life.



EUs Emergency Response Coordination Centre is closely monitoring the situation.



We stand ready to provide any assistance necessary if requested.https://t.co/zkBzqviz1R  Janez Lenarcic (@JanezLenarcic) September 9, 2023

Moroccos interior ministry said it has mobilised all the necessary resources to intervene and help the affected areas.

We stand ready to provide any assistance necessary if requested, Mr Lenarcic added.

Videos from Morocco show building turned to rubble

06:50 , Vishwam Sankaran

A number of videos and photos shared on social media by Moroccan citizens and tourists show entire buildings turned to rubble and dust.

Some parts of the famous red walls surrounding the old Moroccan city of Marrakech  a Unesco World Heritage site  were damaged, the Associated Press reported.

A 6.8 magnitude earthquake has struck Morocco 



May Allah make it easy for those affected  pic.twitter.com/u9IyDmW64O  ilmfeed (@IlmFeed) September 9, 2023

Local television showed pictures of a fallen mosque minaret in Morocco with rubble lying on smashed cars.

Damage reports from the M6.9 #earthquake that hit #Morocco



"I am shocked !!! There was an earthquake in Morocco Allahu Akbar! This is in my village 1 hour from Taliouine (in the south) May Allah help them"pic.twitter.com/4Za9bZYltw  Volcaholic  (@volcaholic1) September 8, 2023

A resident of the mountain village of Asni told Reuters that most houses there were damaged.

View of a damaged car and debris from the earthquake in Marrakech (via REUTERS)

Our neighbours are under the rubble and people are working hard to rescue them using available means in the village, he said.

How rare is Morocco's devastating quake?

06:20 , Vishwam Sankaran

The USGS says tremors of this magnitude in the region are uncommon but not unexpected.

A magnitude 5.8 tremor struck near the city of Agadir in Morocco in 1960, leading to thousands of deaths and prompting changes in construction rules.

Then in 2004, a 6.4 magnitude earthquake near the Mediterranean city of Al Hoceima caused over 600 deaths.

While there have been no tremors of magnitude 6 and larger about 500 km within the range of the current earthquake, most of these events have occurred east of Friday nights quake, according to USGS.

Modi begins G20 by paying tribute to Morocco

06:20 , Vishwam Sankaran

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences to the people impacted by the earthquake in Morocco before beginning the official G20 proceedings in New Delhi.Before starting the official proceedings, I would like to express my condolences to the people impacted by the earthquake in Morocco, Mr Modi said, at the event attended by the worlds top leaders.The world is with Morocco and we are really to provide them with all the possible help, he added.Mr Modi earlier tweeted that India is ready to offer all possible assistance to Morocco in this difficult time.

Cause of Morocco's disastrous earthquake decoded

05:50 , Vishwam Sankaran

The origin of the tremors has been traced to Moroccas High Atlas Mountain range about 75km southeast of the old city of Marrakech.

A USGS report suggests the quake occurred due to oblique-reverse faulting at a shallow depth of about 18.5km within the mountain range.

Such types of faulting have rock mass moving down an inclined fault, and also some moving in a horizontal direction.

The September 8, 2023, M 6.8 #earthquake near Oukaimedene, Morocco, occurred due to oblique-reverse faulting at shallow depth (18.5km) within the Moroccan High Atlas Mountain range, roughly 75 km southeast of Marrakech:https://t.co/yBFRNDKcVl#deprem



PGA and PGV values: pic.twitter.com/rraru401UB  Alemdar Bayraktar (@abayraktar_tr) September 9, 2023

This earthquake occurred within the Africa Plate, approximately 550km south of the plate boundary between the Africa and Eurasia plates, the American agency said, adding that quakes of this size in the region are uncommon but not unexpected.

But since 1900, it said there have been no earthquakes of magnitude 6 and larger within 500km of this earthquake, and only nine tremors of magnitude 5 and larger.

USGS estimates up to 2 per cent of Morocco's GDP may be affected by quake

05:33 , Vishwam Sankaran

The US Geological Survey has issued a red alert for economic losses due to the earthquake in Morocco.

Extensive damage is probable and the disaster is likely widespread, the American agency noted.

The regions population lives in buildings highly vulnerable to earthquake shaking, according to USGS, which said the estimated economic losses are likely 0-2 per cent GDP of Morocco.

Past events with this alert level have required a national or international level response, it noted.

IMF head expresses condolences to victims and families

05:14 , Vishwam Sankaran

Kristalina Georgieva, the managing director of the International Monetary Fund, expressed her condolences to the victims and families who lost their kin due to the earthquake in Morocco.

I am deeply saddened to hear about the devastating earthquake that has struck Morocco, Ms Georgieva said.

I am deeply saddened to hear about the devastating earthquake that has struck Morocco . My heart goes out to the victims and their families as they cope with this tragedy, and to those on the frontline of rescue efforts.  Kristalina Georgieva (@KGeorgieva) September 9, 2023

My heart goes out to the victims and their families as they cope with this tragedy, and to those on the frontline of rescue efforts, the Bulgarian economist, attending the G20 Summit in New Delhi, tweeted.

Indian PM Modi offers condolences for lives lost in quake

05:05 , Vishwam Sankaran

Indias prime minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences for the loss of lives due to the earthquake in Morocco, adding that India is ready to offer assistance to the country.

Extremely pained by the loss of lives due to an earthquake in Morocco. In this tragic hour, my thoughts are with the people of Morocco, Mr Modi tweeted.

Extremely pained by the loss of lives due to an earthquake in Morocco. In this tragic hour, my thoughts are with the people of Morocco. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. May the injured recover at the earliest. India is ready to offer all possible assistance to  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 9, 2023

Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. May the injured recover at the earliest. India is ready to offer all possible assistance to Morocco in this difficult time, he said.

The quake struck Morocco a day before India is set to host the worlds top leaders for the G20 summit.

In photos: Earthquake in Morocco that killed 296 led people to rush out of their homes and turned buildings to rubble

04:53 , Anuj Pant

The late night tremor that struck Marrakech has killed at least 296 people and left 153 injured. The earthquake has been felt in several countries outside of the African nation.

This handout frame grab of video footage courtesy of Michal Bizet and provided to AFPTV early 9 September shows a damaged building in Marrakesh (Michal Bizet/UGC/AFP via Getty)

Social media videos and photos have showed how the tremors have collapsed buildings and forced people to go out into the streets.

People gather on a street in Casablanca, following a powerful earthquake in Morocco (REUTERS)

People walk past debris from the earthquake in Marrakech, Morocco on 9 September (via REUTERS)

View of a damaged car and debris from the earthquake in Marrakech (via REUTERS)

People gather on a street in Casablanca, following a powerful earthquake in Morocco (REUTERS)

Quake that struck Morocco in 1960 had killed thousands

04:46 , Anuj Pant

A 5.8-magnitude earthquake that had struck near Agadir in Morocco in 1960 had resulted in thousands of deaths.

The current 7.2-magnitude earthquake that struck near Marrakech late night on Friday has led to the deaths of at least 296, according to the countrys interior ministry. At least 153 have been injured in the tragedy.

The interior ministry said the figures are preliminary and more casualties are expected. Most of the deaths have occured in hard-to-reach, mountainous areas, it said.

US Geological Survey releases map revealing location of 7.2-magnitude earthquake

04:36 , Anuj Pant

The US Geological Survey has issued a map that has shown the location where the 7.2-magnitude earthquake struck in Morocco. The late night tremor that struck on Friday has left at least 296 dead and 153 injured.

The countrys interior ministry says the toll is preliminary as several deaths have occured in hard-to-reach mountainous areas.

A handout shakemap made available by the United States Geological Survey (USGS) shows the location of a 6.8-magnitude earthquake hitting near Marrakech on 8 September (EPA/USGS)

Tremors of powerful 7.2-magnitude quake felt as far away as Portugal and Algeria

04:28 , Anuj Pant

The tremors of the powerful earthquake that struck Morocco were felt as far off as Portugal, the countrys Institute for Sea and Atmosphere confirmed. Algerias Civil Defense agency reported tremors were felt in the country as well.

The quake that measured a magnitude 7.2 toppled several buildings. Its epicentre was high up in the Atlas mountains, about 70km south of Marrakech and about 18km below the Earths surface, according to the US Geological Survey.

About 20 million people likely felt shaking from powerful earthquake, US Geological Survey estimate says

04:22 , Anuj Pant

About 20 million people felt the impact of the earthquake that has struck Morocco, while over 2 million people experienced strong to very strong shaking, according to an estimate by the US Geological Survey (USGS).

The epicentre of the quake was said to be high in the Atlas Mountains about 70km south of Marrakech and about 18km below the Earths surface, according to the USGS.

Late night tremor kills 296 and injures 153 in one of strongest quakes ever felt in country in years

04:18 , Anuj Pant

A late night earthquake that struck Morocco has led to at least 296 deaths and 153 left injured, said the countrys interior ministry in the strongest earthquake that it has faced in several years. The quake was followed by an aftershock just 19 minutes later. The epicentre of the quake is said to have emerged in the Atlas mountains about 70km south of Marrakech.

04:18 , Anuj Pant

Welcome to The Independents live coverage of the earthquake in Morocco that has left 296 dead and 153 injured.
A mother in northern Mississippi is asking for an apology and the firing of several police officers at the Senatobia Police Department after her 10-year-old son was arrested for urinating in a parking lot.

LaTonya Eason, the mother of 10-year-old Quantavious Eason, said she was at an appointment August 10 at a business and her son, who was outside, saw a sign saying there was no public restrooms, so he decided to relieve himself on private property near her vehicle, Eason told reporters Wednesday during a news conference with her attorney. An officer who was driving by spotted the boy, she said. He stopped and went inside the business looking for Quantavious mother, she said. Eason said she admonished her son for his behavior and the officer seemed satisfied.

She thought the ordeal was over.

I said, Well you know better, dont let it happen again. The officer was like you handled it like a mom just make sure he doesnt do it again. He can get back in the car, Eason said.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Then four other Senatobia police officers, including a lieutenant arrived, according to Eason. She said her son was arrested, put in a police vehicle and taken to a police station.

Eason said the arresting officer said he had to take action. He was like, Yeah, I got to arrest him. He cant do that. He made my son get out of the car, told my baby to put his hands behind his back and they took him to the patrol car. Senatobia is located in northern Mississippi, less than 30 miles south of the Tennessee state line.

Senatobia Police Chief Richard Chandler said in a statement that the child was not handcuffed during the incident.

An officer personally witnessed a 10-year-old child committing an act in public which would have been illegal for an adult under these circumstances, Chandler said in the statement, which was posted on Facebook.

The boys mother was not present when the incident happened, according to Chandler, but once she was located, she was advised that her child was going to receive a Youth Court Referral for this matter. The officers then transported the 10-year-old to the police station to complete the paperwork where the child was released to the mother, the statement said.

Attorney Carlos Moore, who is representing the family, told CNN Quantavious was charged in Youth Court with Child in Need of Supervision. Moore also said the boy was held in a cell at the police station sometime between 45 minutes and an hour. CNN has reached out to Senatobia Police for comment.

LaTonya Eason questioned whether race played a role in the incident. Would you have put a white child in a cage? If it had been a white child, you know what he probably wouldnt have even stopped, she said at the news conference.

In the statement on Facebook, the police chief said, it was an error in judgment for us to transport the child to the police station since the mother was present at that time as a reasonable alternative.

The officers decisions violated our written policy and went against our prior training on how to deal with these situations, a separate statement from police department said. The incident triggered an internal investigation and as a result of this investigation one of the officers involved is no longer employed, and the others will be disciplined. We will also have mandatory Juvenile training department-wide, just as we do every year.

Moore and the family are demanding an apology, and that the police chief, the lieutenant on scene, and the arresting officer be fired. The family also wants the arresting officer to be named and for the charge against Quantavious to be dropped.

Nearly a month after the incident, Moore told CNN, 10-year-old Quantavious is distraught and now afraid of police, and he will start counseling.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  A man riding a motorcycle was critically injured after police said he drove past a stop sign at an intersection in the northwest Las Vegas valley.

It happened on Friday shortly before 6:30 a.m. at the Skye Village Road and Eagle Canyon Avenue intersection near Grand Teton Drive and Hualapai Way.

Based on evidence at the scene, Las Vegas Metropolitan police determined that the driver of a Kia Soul stopped at a stop sign on the west side of the intersection and then drove across Skye Village Road.

At the same time, the motorcyclist was driving south on Skye Village Road at an excessive speed while approaching the intersection, he then failed to stop for the stop sign, and hit the drivers side of the Kia Soul, according to police.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

The motorcyclist was taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries, police added.

The driver of the Kia stayed at the scene of the crash and showed no signs of impairment.

The crash remains under investigation by the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Departments Collision Investigation section.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
In an excerpt from a new biography on Elon Musk, author Walter Isaacson alleges the SpaceX owner admitted to secretly ordering engineers at SpaceX's satellite-internet company Starlink to turn off the network, sabotaging a Ukrainian military operation. As reported by CNN, the Starlink service would have allowed Ukraine to run Russia's Black Sea Fleet out of Ukrainian turf via surprise ambush by drone submarines.

Isaacson is the former editor of Time magazine and a current history professor at Tulane University. His prior work includes highly acclaimed biographies of Steve Jobs and Albert Einstein.

On Thursday night, Musk only partially disputed the account  saying he refused a 2022 emergency request from Ukrainian officials to activate Starlink service in the Ukrainian peninsula of Crimea, currently occupied by Russian forces. The Crimean coast is a critical point of control in Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and upending Russia's legendary Black Sea Fleet would almost certainly mark a significant turning point in the war.

Related

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Welcome to the Big Tech company town, where democracy and labor rights are a farce

Citing conversations with Musk, Isaacson reports Musk personally sabotaged the Ukraine operation as it was in-progress, secretly directing Starlink engineers to "turn off coverage within 100 kilometers of the Crimean coast. As a result, when the Ukrainian drone subs got near the Russian fleet in Sevastopol, they lost connectivity and washed ashore harmlessly."

In a tweet, Musk denied deactivating the coverage  but also defended his move to deny emergency requests.

https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1699917639043404146

"How am I in this war?" Musk asked Isaacson. "Starlink was not meant to be involved in wars. It was so people can watch Netflix and chill and get online for school and do good peaceful things, not drone strikes."

I can answer that question for Musk. He's in this war because he aggressively lobbied for  and four months ago successfully won  a Pentagon contract. Specifically, Musk was contracted to provide the Ukraine with battlefield communications via Starlink so Ukraine could defend against Russian invasion and root out occupiers of its territory  territory like the Crimean coast.

But that doesn't seem to matter to Musk now that he's seemingly crowned himself Ukraine's de-facto turn-coat.

"Both sides should agree to a truce. Every day that passes, more Ukrainian and Russian youth die to gain and lose small pieces of land, with borders barely changing. This is not worth their lives," he tweeted Thursday.

Both sides should agree to a truce.



Every day that passes, more Ukrainian and Russian youth die to gain and lose small pieces of land, with borders barely changing. This is not worth their lives.  Elon Musk (@elonmusk) September 7, 2023

Musk wanted in this war, and now that he's in it, he's admitted to sabotaging the side that contracted him. And none of us should be surprised. In October 2022, Musk proposed just letting Russia have, via referendum, whatever Ukrainian territory it had already invaded and occupied. One wonders if Musk would agree to hand over half of SpaceX in appeasement if some gun-toting maniacs broke into his launch sites.

Or if he would reply as Ukraine's ambassador to Germany did, with "F*** off is my very diplomatic reply."

https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1577077410863775744

And no one should be surprised that SpaceX was wielded like a weapon in this way, either. Gwynne Shotwell, SpaceX's chief operating officer and president, told CNBC's Michael Sheetz in 2022 that SpaceX was "really pleased to be able to provide Ukraine connectivity and help them in their fight for freedom."

That sentiment was immediately undermined, however, when she waffled nonsensically, seemingly oblivious to how freedom is won in warfare. In her caveats, she noted reports of Ukrainian soldiers using Starlink "for drones" in March 2022, and said their use "for the military is fine, but our intent was never to have them use it for offensive purposes."

Let this be a lesson to the U.S. legislative and executive branches: You can't have it both ways when it comes to Elon Musk and Big Tech.

In the same interview, Shotwell's ridiculous remarks also hinted at Starlink's recently revealed Benedict Arnold moment.

"I'm not going to go into the details; there are things that we can do to limit their ability to do that ... there are things that we can do and have done," Shotwell said.

How do Shotwell and Musk think this "fight for freedom" works exactly? Should Ukraine politely ask Russia (if they wouldn't mind terribly, whenever they get a few minutes, if it wouldn't be too inconvenient, of course, no worries if not) to please perhaps consider scootching-over the massive Russian Black Sea Fleet just a wee smidge  just so that it isn't, you know, illegally occupying Ukraine via military force and killing its civilians?

Musk said his sabotage was to prevent a "mini Pearl Harbor." But a Thursday tweet from a senior Ukrainian official suggests Musk's sabotage may have done the exact opposite, accusing Musk of ensuring Ukrainian civilian deaths and "committing evil."

"Sometimes a mistake is much more than just a mistake. By not allowing Ukrainian drones to destroy part of the Russian military (!) fleet via Starlink interference, Elon Musk allowed this fleet to fire Kalibr missiles at Ukrainian cities. As a result, civilians, children are being killed," said Ukrainian presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak.

Sometimes a mistake is much more than just a mistake. By not allowing Ukrainian drones to destroy part of the Russian military (!) fleet via #Starlink interference, @elonmusk allowed this fleet to fire Kalibr missiles at Ukrainian cities. As a result, civilians, children are    (@Podolyak_M) September 7, 2023

If that's true, Musk has Ukrainian blood on his hands.

Isaacson further says Musk conferred with the Russian ambassador to the United States, and President Joe Biden in making the decision.

Let this be a lesson to the U.S. legislative and executive branches: You can't have it both ways when it comes to Elon Musk and Big Tech. You're dealing with an unregulated erratic billionaire while crossing your fingers that he doesn't do what all unregulated erratic billionaires do  whatever they want, whenever they want, however they want, with near-total impunity. You either regulate Big Tech and billionaires, or you let them run your world unchecked.

Want more health and science stories in your inbox? Subscribe to Salon's weekly newsletter Lab Notes.

Musk is being asked by Congress to maintain a free-speech social media platform as a politically disinterested third party, and to be a politically neutral partner to NASA. Meanwhile, the Republican-led House Oversight Committee has turned its Twitter.com investigations into political theater, as the party seeks to smack the platform over its head for allegedly colluding with the government and potentially interfering with an election, even as U.S. intelligence agencies secretly use the site as a surveillance honeypot. None of which has stopped Republicans from jumping to Musk's aid to defend him from Federal Trade Commission investigations.

Even now, as he faces class action lawsuits over mass-firings at Twitter, Congress is still asking Musk to provide some sort of genius insight into the looming artificial intelligence crisis. And finally, in becoming a Defense Department contractor for a war that he's now apparently bored with, Musk has turned himself into a walking conflict of interest. The Biden administration has handed him the power to decide the fate of global conflicts, with results that mean the life and death of U.S. allies.

We need your help to stay independent

Subscribe today to support Salon's progressive journalism

So pick a lane, feds. You can not simultaneously give this man the power to decide the results of global conflict, while also demanding his companies somehow remain politically neutral players. You can't say that Musk meets the standards necessary to be a Pentagon contractor, while also saying he's so reckless that he needs to be investigated by the FTC. So which is it going to be?

As the U.S. Supreme Court weighs the role and impact of Big Tech in America's political and democratic landscape, the government's foolish hypocrisy toward tech billionaires has spiraled so wildly that those billionaires are now taking over actual segments of the U.S. with an invitation to establish their own governments. The government's repeated refusals to regulate billionaires  and the entirely predictable consequences that have followed  are evidence of nothing so much as this country's determination to accelerate the collapse of its own democratic governance.

In which case, maybe Elon's right. Maybe the way to solve the problem of billionaires invading and occupying the country's actual land and it's democratic processes is to just take those billionaire's territory and money by force. Then maybe we should hold a referendum, as he suggested about Russia and the Ukraine, and vote on whether they get to keep any of what we took.

Better yet, let's get it over with and take one last vote on the whole shebang: All in favor of handing over total control to billionaires whom we can never vote out of power, say aye!

Read more

about the encroaching power of Big Tech
Elon Musks X Corp. on Friday sued the state of California over a content moderation law.

The suit challenges the constitutionality and legal validity of the law, signed by California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) last year, which requires social media companies to publicly post their policies on hate speech, disinformation, harassment and extremism on their platforms.

The law, Assembly Bill No. 587 (A.B. 587), also requires social media companies to report data on their enforcement of those policies.

AB 587 violates X Corp.s First Amendment right to not speak about controversial topics and to decide for itself what it will say or not say about these topics, the suit reads.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

A.B. 587 has also faced opposition from tech industry groups, which spoke out against it in the wake of its passage. Some legal experts have raised First Amendment concerns over the law.

California will not stand by as social media is weaponized to spread hate and disinformation that threaten our communities and foundational values as a country, Newsom said in a statement when he signed the measure into law. Californians deserve to know how these platforms are impacting our public discourse, and this action brings much-needed transparency and accountability to the policies that shape the social media content we consume every day.

Musk, who has described himself as a free-speech absolutist, has rolled back content moderation measures on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, since taking over the company last year.

Assembly Bill 587 is a pure transparency measure that simply requires companies to be upfront about if and how they are moderating content. It in no way requires any specific content moderation policies  which is why it passed with strong, bipartisan support, California State Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel, the author of the bill, said in a statement. If Twitter has nothing to hide, then they should have no objection to this bill.

 Updated at 8:54 p.m.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
The former House of Representatives speaker Nancy Pelosi has announced that she will be seeking re-election in 2024. The 83-year-old Democrat representing Californias 11th district announced the news on Wednesday among volunteers and labor allies in San Francisco.

Pelosi went on to tweet about her plans, saying: Now more than ever our city needs us to advance San Francisco values and further our recovery. Our country needs America to show the world that our flag is still there, with liberty and justice for ALL. That is why I am running for reelection  and respectfully ask for your vote.

Pelosi, who has represented San Francisco since 1987, served as House speaker twice. Her first tenure as House speaker was from 2007 to 2011, during which she made history by becoming the first female speaker. Pelosi went on to lead the House of Representatives again from 2019 to the beginning of this year.

Last November, Pelosi announced that she was stepping down as the leader of the Democratic party after Republicans regained control of the House of Representatives with a narrow 222-212 majority with one vacancy.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Her announcement on Wednesday comes amid several politically delicate moments on Capitol Hill, particularly as Democrats prepare to take back control of the House of Representatives. Moreover, it comes as House Republicans entertain the idea of an impeachment inquiry into Joe Biden amid a federal investigation into the business dealings of his son Hunter.

It also comes as growing questions surround the mental competency of older Capitol Hill leaders including the 80-year-old president, 81-year-old Senate minority leader, Mitch McConnell, and 90-year-old California senator Dianne Feinstein.

According to a source close to Pelosi who is familiar with her re-election decision, Pelosi believes that democracy hangs in the balance in the upcoming election as she prepares to help re-elect Biden and appoint the House Democratic leader, Hakeem Jeffries, as the next House speaker, the Associated Press reported.

Throughout Pelosis leadership, she helped lead the Democratic party through a series of legislative victories including the passage of the Affordable Care Act under then-president Barack Obama in 2010, as well as legislation surrounding gun violence prevention measures, minimum wage increases.

Pelosi has also played a key role in international politics, including becoming the first highest-ranking US official to visit Taiwan in 25 years, as well as securing the votes needed to defeat Republicans efforts to disapprove of Obamas nuclear deal with Iran.
Mars, the Red Planet, is seen in this view from NASA's Hubble Space Telescope, taken in 2003.

A scientist recently claimed that NASA may have inadvertently discovered life on Mars almost 50 years ago and then accidentally killed it before realizing what it was. But other experts are split on whether the new claims are a far-fetched fantasy or an intriguing possible explanation for some puzzling past experiments.

After landing on the Red Planet in 1976, NASA's Viking landers may have sampled tiny, dry-resistant life-forms hiding inside Martian rocks, Dirk Schulze-Makuch, an astrobiologist at Technical University Berlin, suggested in a June 27 article for Big Think.

If these extreme life-forms did and continue to exist, the experiments carried out by the landers may have killed them before they were identified, because the tests would have "overwhelmed these potential microbes," Schulze-Makuch wrote.

This is "a suggestion that some people surely will find provocative," Schulze-Makuch said. But similar microbes do live on Earth and could hypothetically live on the Red Planet, so they can't be discounted, he added.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

However, other scientists believe the Viking results are far less ambiguous than Schulze-Makuch and others make them out to be.

Related: Building blocks of Mars life? Perseverance rover digs up diverse set of organic molecules on the Red Planet

Viking experiments

Each of the Viking landers  Viking 1 and Viking 2  carried out four experiments on Mars: the gas chromatograph mass spectrometer (GCMS) experiment, which looked for organic, or carbon-containing, compounds in Martian soil; the labeled release experiment, which tested for metabolism by adding radioactively traced nutrients to the soil; the pyrolytic release experiment, which tested for carbon fixation by potential photosynthetic organisms; and the gas exchange experiment, which tested for metabolism by monitoring how gases that are known to be key to life (such as oxygen, carbon dioxide and nitrogen) changed surrounding isolated soil samples.

The results of the Viking experiments were confusing, and have continued to perplex some scientists ever since. The labeled release and pyrolytic release experiments produced some results that supported the idea of life on Mars: In both experiments, small changes in the concentrations of some gases hinted that some sort of metabolism was taking place.

The GCMS also found some traces of chlorinated organic compounds, but at the time, mission scientists believed the compounds were contamination from cleaning products used on Earth. (Subsequent landers and rovers have since proved that these organic compounds occur naturally on Mars.)

However, the gas exchange experiment, which was deemed the most important of the four, produced a negative result, leading most scientists to eventually conclude that the Viking experiments did not detect Martian life.

And in 2007, NASA's Phoenix lander, the successor to the Viking landers, found traces of perchlorate  a chemical that's used in fireworks, road flares and explosives, and naturally occurs inside some rocks  on Mars.

The general scientific consensus is that the presence of perchlorate and its byproducts can adequately explain the gases detected in the original Viking results, which has essentially "resolved the Viking dilemma," Chris McKay, an astrobiologist at NASA's Ames Research Center in California, told Live Science in an email.

But Schulze-Makuch believes most of the experiments may have produced skewed results because they used too much water. (The labeled release, pyrolytic release and gas exchange experiments all involved adding water to the soil.)

Too much of a good thing

"Since Earth is a water planet, it seemed reasonable that adding water might coax life to show itself in the extremely dry Martian environment," Schulze-Makuch wrote. "In hindsight, it is possible that approach was too much of a good thing."

In very dry Earth environments, such as the Atacama Desert in Chile, there are extreme microbes that can thrive by hiding in hygroscopic rocks, which are extremely salty and draw in tiny amounts of water from the air surrounding them. These rocks are present on Mars, which does have some level of humidity that could hypothetically sustain such microbes. If these microbes also contained hydrogen peroxide, a chemical that is compatible with some life-forms on Earth, it would help them to further draw in moisture and also may have produced some of the gases detected in the labeled release experiment, Schulze-Makuch proposed.

But too much water can be deadly to these tiny organisms. In a 2018 study published in the journal Scientific Reports, researchers found that extreme floods in the Atacama Desert had killed up to 85% of indigenous microbes that could not adapt to wetter conditions.

Therefore, adding water to any potential microbes in the Viking soil samples may have been equivalent to stranding humans in the middle of an ocean: Both need water to survive, but in the wrong concentrations, it can be deadly to them, Schulze-Makuch wrote.

Related Stories:

 Clues to spotting life on Mars are right here on Earth

 Seismic waves inside Mars' core hint at how it became hostile to life

 NASA's Perseverance Mars rover wraps up MOXIE oxygen-making experiment

Alberto Fairen, an astrobiologist at Cornell University and co-author of the 2018 study, told Live Science in an email that he "totally agrees" that adding water to the Viking experiments could have killed potential hygroscopic microbes and given rise to Viking's contradictory results.

Controversial claim

This is not the first time that scientists have proposed that the Viking experiments may have inadvertently killed Martian microbes. In 2018, another group of researchers proposed that when soil samples were heated up, an unexpected chemical reaction could have burned and killed any microbes living in the samples. This group claims that this could also explain some of the puzzling results from the experiments.

However, as McKay suggested, scientists who continue to chip away at the landers' results are wasting their efforts. "I disagree with their logic," he said. "There is no need to invoke a strange new type of life to explain the Viking results."

This article was provided by LiveScience.
An illustration shows the Habitable Worlds Telescope in orbit around Earth with its starshade unfolded

Planning is well underway for NASAs Habitable Worlds Observatory (HWO), which will scour the atmospheres of planets outside the solar system for telltale signs of alien life.

This week, a workshop was held at the California Institute for Technology (Caltech) at which scientists and engineers discussed the state of technology that could be employed by the HWO, one of NASAs next big telescope projects after the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST).

The hunt for signs of life in the atmospheres of planets outside the solar system orbiting distant stars  exoplanets  is akin to hunting for a needle in a cosmic haystack. After all, NASA estimates there are several billion Earth-size planets sitting in the habitable zones of their stars, which regions with the right temperatures to allow liquid water to exist. And that's in the Milky Way alone.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Yet, scientists at least have a good idea of what they should be hunting for as well as knowledge of signs that would potentially indicate life.

"We want to probe the atmospheres of these exoplanets to look for oxygen, methane, water vapor, and other chemicals that could signal the presence of life," NASAs Exoplanet Exploration Program chief technologist, Nick Siegler, said in a statement. "We aren't going to see little green men but rather spectral signatures of these key chemicals, or what we call biosignatures."

Related: NASAs exoplanet hunter TESS spots warm Jupiter with longest known year

The HWO was first proposed as a top priority by the Decadal Survey on Astronomy and Astrophysics 2020 (Astro2020), a roadmap of goals for the astronomy community to take on over the coming decade. This is because, in addition to hunting for signs of life outside the solar system and helping astronomers understand entire planetary systems, the observatory will also play a major role in astrophysics investigations.

Though the mission is set to launch in the late 2030s or early 2040s, advancing technologies the telescope will use now could help prevent cost overruns later down the line, according to Dmitry Mawet, member of the HWO Technical Assessment Group (TAG).

An illustration shows the Habitable Worlds Telescope in orbit around Earth and (inset) the kind of exoplanet the project will investigate for telltale signs of life.

An illustration shows the Habitable Worlds Telescope in orbit around Earth and (inset) the kind of exoplanet the project will investigate for telltale signs of life. (Image credit: (Main) NASA/Robert Lea (Inset) NASA Ames/JPL-Caltech/T. Pyle)

Throwing shade at distant stars

To perform deep investigations of exoplanet atmospheres in order to hunt for signs of life, the HWO will tap into its ability to block out the glares of stars those exoplanets orbit.

Blocking strong light coming from these stars will allow fainter bits of starlight, reflecting off the atmospheres of orbiting planets around these stars, to be seen. Chemical elements and compounds absorb and emit light at unique wavelengths characteristic to their compositions, meaning light exposed to a planet's atmosphere carries fingerprints of elements it is made of.

Scientists take this light and, using a process called spectroscopy, search for these fingerprints. Such chemical fingerprints could include biosignatures indicating chemical compounds exhaled or inhaled by living things.

There are two main ways that the HWO could potentially block out excess starlight. On one hand, it could utilize a large external light block called a starshade, which would unfurl from the HWO after its launch into a massive sunflower-shaped umbrella.

Or alternatively, it could use an internal starshade called a coronagraph, similar to instruments scientists use to block out light from the suns bright photosphere to study its nebulous outer atmosphere, or corona. Siegler added that currently, NASA has decided to focus the HWO around coronagraph technology used on several other telescopes, including the JWST and forthcoming Nancy Grace Roman Telescope.

An illustration shows an Earth-like world in the habitable zone of its star, a prime target for NASAs Habitable Worlds Telescope

A planet that looks like Earth but with yellowish shades and a distant star are seen in space. (Image credit: NASA Ames/JPL-Caltech/T. Pyle)

Located on the Hawaiian mountain Mauna Kea, the W. M. Keck Observatory is already using a coronagraph invented by Mawet in conjunction with the Keck Planet Imager and Characterizer (KPIC) to study exoplanets. The coronagraph lets the KPIC picture thermal emissions from young and hot gas-giant exoplanets, allowing scientists to investigate how these planets and their planetary systems evolve.

Earth-like planets that the HWO will set its sights on can emit light around 10 billion times fainter than that of their stars, meaning a coronagraph for the future space telescope would need to push starlight well past its current limits.

"As we get closer and closer to this required level of starlight suppression, the challenges become exponentially harder," Mawet added.

Suppressing starlight with a shapeshifting mirror

One of the ideas put forward at the Caltech meeting to enhance suppression of light from a distant star is to put a mirror within a coronagraph that can be deformed to control light rays.

Employing thousands of actuators to drive the shape of the mirror as well as push and pull on its reflective surfaces could stop stray light from making its way to the final image, thus preventing unwanted "blobs" of residual starlight. A deformable "active" mirror of this type is the kind set to be used by the Nancy Grace Roman Space telescope, in fact, an observatory set to launch no later than 2027. Roman should let astronomers see gas giants around a billion times fainter than their stars as well as debris around stars left over from the births of planets.

This will be a vital stepping stone towards more powerful technology that will be needed by the HWO, bridging a gap in coronagraph masks and active mirrors too great to cover in a single proverbial bound.

"We need to be able to deform the mirrors to a picometer-level of precision," Mawet explained. "We will need to suppress the starlight by another factor of roughly 100 compared to Romans coronagraph."

During the Caltech session, scientists also addressed the best type of mirror to use for the HWO and what it should be coated with, as well as other potential instruments for the telescope.

Related Stories:

 The deadly atmosphere on Venus could help us find habitable worlds. Here's how

 'Pale blue dot' planets like Earth may make up only 1% of potentially habitable worlds

 Space dust could carry alien life across the galaxy, study suggests

As planning for the HWO continues in earnest, astronomers are also at work selecting Earth-like exoplanet targets for the future telescope to train its gaze on. This hunt will include the use of the Caltech-operated Keck Planet Finder (KPF) at the Keck Observatory, which has been specially designed to look for Earth-like planets in the habitable zones of small red stars.

"The workshop helped guide us in figuring out where the gaps are in our technology and where we need to do more development in the coming decade," Mawet concluded.
Editors note: This story and headline have been updated to reflect that some states said streamers had been turned in despite the roster Army officials provided to Military.com.

Army National Guard units with a Civil War-era lineage were ordered to relinquish any Confederate battle streamers from their guidons, and the Army said it had recovered most of them, which are set to be preserved.

At least 48 mostly southern National Guard units were directed in March to strip their guidons of rebel streamers to be preserved at the U.S. Army Center of Military History. Streamers hang on the top of unit flags, which are often held by a soldier during a formation, and are awarded for participating in wars or specific campaigns ranging from the Colonial era to the Global War on Terrorism.

The Army had collected 384 of 491 streamers as of the Sept. 1 deadline, according to a spokesperson with the Army's Human Resources Command. That was part of an effort mandated by Congress to strip tributes to the Confederacy from military property, including the names of major bases. States that had sent all streamers included Kentucky, Georgia, Maryland, Missouri, North Carolina, South Carolina and Texas.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Read Next: Marine Crew Chief Who Died in Australia Osprey Crash Remembered at Hometown Vigil

Several dozen streamers were still being shipped in from units in other states and in some cases, a few may have been lost or units may have never had the streamers to begin with  despite being authorized to have them.

South Carolina mailed its streamers just before the September deadline, according to a spokesperson for the state National Guard. Other states also claimed to have mailed the streamers but if so, they had seemingly not been inventoried by Army officials. Alabama said it sent its streamers in a week after the deadline.

In some cases, individual units have their own small museums in armories where the streamers could be on display. Also, streamers may have been lost over time or units simply did not get the message they were supposed to mail them to the Army's Human Resources Command. Or soldiers may have acquired some for personal memorabilia collections.

The move to remove the streamers was part of a large set of recommendations from the Naming Commission, a committee created by Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin to carry out a law passed by Congress calling for Confederate names to be scrubbed from military property. That included the largest Army installations in the country and ships, as well as smaller pieces of property such as monuments and flags.

Most recently, Fort A.P. Hill in Virginia was redesignated ast Fort Walker, honoring a union surgeon and the only woman to earn the Medal of Honor for treating wounded soldiers on the front lines of the Civil War.

Though the Naming Commission nixed most Confederate references, the National Guard will keep its famed 29th Infantry Division's patch, a yin-yang of blue and gray, to symbolize units who fought on both sides of the Civil War being reformed into a single division after the conflict.

The patch has since become synonymous with the unit being among the first wave of the Allied invasion of the beaches of Nazi-occupied France.

-- Steve Beynon can be reached at Steve.Beynon@military.com. Follow him on Twitter @StevenBeynon.

Related: Army Scrubs Fort A.P. Hill, Renaming Base in Honor of Female Medal of Honor Recipient
Ukrainian partisans killed one Russian soldier and injured two by blowing up a car in Nova Kakhovka, Kherson Oblast, on Sept. 9, the National Resistance Center reported.

The car was reportedly used to protect polling stations set up for sham "elections" in occupied Ukrainian territories as Russia seeks to consolidate its control over these regions.

Partisans also hacked Russian broadcasts in occupied Crimea, showing a pro-Ukrainian video clip calling for a boycott of the sham "elections" on TV.

The illegal elections in the occupied territories come nearly a year after Russia held sham annexation referendums in Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, Luhansk, and Donetsk oblasts, which Moscow only partially controls, and nine years after Russia illegally annexed Ukraines Crimean Peninsula.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

The sham voting began on Aug. 31 and is scheduled to end on Sept. 10.

Read also: Ukrainians under occupation face deportation, loss of property after Putins new order

The sham elections have been widely condemned in Ukraine and abroad, with officials saying the results will be rigged in Russias favor.

Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba has said that Russias sham elections in the temporarily occupied territories are null and void."

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has called the voting a blatant disregard for UN Charter principles and said that Washington will never recognize the Russian Federations claims to any of Ukraines sovereign territory.

The Kremlin hopes these pre-determined, fabricated results will strengthen Russias illegitimate claims to the parts of Ukraine it occupies, but this is nothing more than a propaganda exercise, Blinken said.

The pro-Kremlin United Russia party's headquarters located in the occupied city of Polohy, Zaporizhzhia Oblast, were destroyed on Sept. 8, Melitopol Mayor Ivan Fedorov reported via Telegram.

Read also: Russia holds sham elections in occupied Ukrainian territory

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Dutch municipalities will organise hundreds of additional places to receive refugees from Ukraine in the coming weeks. The decision was made following consultations between the State Secretary of the Ministry of Justice and Security Eric van der Burg and the country's Security Council.

Source: European Pravda with reference to NOS

Details: In 25 regions, the authorities asked to increase the number of places for receiving refugees to 90,000 in the coming weeks, and then to 97,000. Following the agreement, the municipalities agreed to do everything possible to make this happen.

According to van der Burg, the central refugee reception points in Amsterdam and Utrecht are overcrowded. He added that it is necessary to immediately equip another 500 places to receive refugees.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

It is expected that another 1,000 additional places should be established in the Netherlands by 1 October of this year.

There are 98,000 Ukrainian refugees registered in the Netherlands. Refugee reception centres now have 81,000 beds, of which 80,000 are used.

Background:

Earlier, the Dutch Advisory Council on Migration (ARM), in its report, demanded that the government make the future prospects of Ukrainian refugees in the country clearer.

Ukrainians fleeing the Russian invasion were the main reason for the nearly 60% increase in immigrants to the Netherlands in 2022.

The UK Defence Intelligence estimates that Russia's invasion has displaced a quarter of Ukrainians.

Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron!
A Las Vegas rapper who was previously considered to be a person of interest in a 2021 killing has been arrested after police say he confessed to the murder in the lyrics of one of his songs.

Kenjuan McDaniel, 25, who is also known as The Biggest Finn4800, faces a charge of murder with a deadly weapon in the death of Randall Wallace, who was fatally shot on 18 September 2021.

Mr McDaniel was named a person of interest in the case because of his connection to a vehicle that matched the description of one used during the crime, according to a redacted arrest warrant obtained by CNN.

But it was a music video posted by Mr McDaniel on YouTube this past July that caught the attention of a Las Vegas Metropolitan police detective and prompted a closer look.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

In the music video of Mr McDaniels song "Fadee Free, he allegedly rapped about taking Mr Wallaces life.

Detectives noted the music video bore a sufficient level of similarity to the details of the murder, the warrant read. This includes the fact that Kenjuan confessed to the murder in his lyrics.  Details provided by Kenjuan in his music video were not released to the public and would not be common knowledge.

The arrest warrant included a few of the lyrics investigators believe show Mr McDaniels guilt.

"Brought it with that fire, hear that ah, see your body twitching, he raps, which police say correlates with reports and video evidence that Mr Wallace twitched as he died after being shot.

Kenjuan McDaniel (Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department)

According to authorities, Mr Wallace got into an argument with three formerly unidentified individuals who then fatally shot him at an apartment complex.

The lyrics reportedly revealed details about the murder that have not been made public, according to the investigators.

I be the reason why hes dead, we still taunt him when he die/ not the reason hes dead, so celebrate the reason why his momma cry, one of the lines included in the warrant states.

Another line: Parked the car, double back on feet, the smartest way to slide, drove in, double lock yo man, make sure you get yo bod.

The music video, which depicted Mr McDaniel and his fellow performers faces transforming into demonic images, also reportedly featured the rapper re-enacting the murder in a way that is consistent with evidence at the scene.

The facts gathered during the investigation were obtained separately from the music video. The music video further validated the results of the investigation, the warrant reads.

Mr McDaniel has a preliminary hearing set for 14 September.
The principal of a Florida elementary school where a group of Black students were pulled out of class for low test scores has resigned.

Bunnell Elementary Principal Donelle Evensen stepped down from her role on Thursday, Fox 35 Orlando reported. Evenson and a teacher who was also involved were previously suspended and placed on paid leave amid an investigation into the assembly that prompted significant backlash from parents.

Bunnell Elementary School Principal Donelle Evensen resigned this week. It comes after an assembly where Black students said they were singled out from their peers and had to view a presentation due to low test scores. (News4JAX/ Youtube screenshot)

The incident happened in late August. Students told their parents that they felt singled out after they were reportedly pulled out of class and sent to the cafeteria to view a presentation. The parents were not informed about the impromptu assembly, and the students were instructed to attend regardless of their test scores.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

One of the slides stated: [African-Americans] have underperformed on standardized assessment for the last past three years Only 32 percent are at Level 3 or higher, according to local news outlets.

They were also allegedly told that if they were unsuccessful, they would end up being killed or go to jail. Superintendent LaShakira Moore acknowledged the incident, adding that there was no ill intention behind the assembly. Per the report, Moore issued a statement saying that the school and organization are committed to restoring the rest of this year.

According to Fox 35, the schools former principal will take Evensens place in an interim position. Speaking to the outlet, one parent agrees with the decision.

Regardless whether she resigned or terminated, as long as shes not at the school, Im OK with it, Jacinda Arrington told the news station.

During an interview with WJXT, Evensen said the purpose of the assembly was to motivate the students and that they were not specially targeted because of their race. She also noted that the presentation was the idea of another teacher, who is Black.

Whats being portrayed is not who I am. And thats not what my intent was. That was not the vision, she reportedly said, adding, After talking to families and hearing the frustration, I definitely understand the concern of having the students that were participating only being African-American students. And so I would, in hindsight, do that differently. But I never was looking at it from a racial aspect.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE.
Whataburgers request to operate a drive-thru from midnight to 5 a.m. adjacent to a Greenville neighborhood should be denied, city planning staff have recommended.

The staff report posted Friday on the citys website said late-night use will not be compatible with surrounding lands and has the possibility of adversely affecting neighbors.

The Board of Zoning Appeals will consider the application on Sept. 14.

It is likely residents will echo remarks made at a community meeting in July that traffic and noise overnight would be a problem.

Whataburgers new unit project manager Anita Thomas did not respond to requests for comment.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

The location on Laurens Road, a main thoroughfare into downtown Greenville, is replete with commercial businesses and other fast food restaurants, but the roads beside and behind the former Title-Max building are residences in a neighborhood established in the 1950s. Homes there are in the $300,000 range, according to property listings.

The Title-Max building would be torn down and another to be owned by the Whataburger company would be built. The closest residential property is 175 feet from the property line on Lindsay Avenue.

A summary of the July community meeting, filed with the city by an engineer with BL Company, said neighbors were concerned with overnight traffic, especially people taking shortcuts through their neighborhood. They said drive-thru speakers would be noisy while people are trying to sleep. They also were concerned that Whataburger would become a hangout spot for teenagers like Cookout across the street.

Company officials agreed to get typical traffic from its other locations. Also, they think teens would not drift over to their side of the street because Whataburger does not have outside tables.

They said they would contact Business Sound to see how loud the speakers are and may use only the inside drive-thru lane for late night.

Landscaping at the rear property lines would be evaluated and trees and plants possibly upgraded, Holly Linder, senior engineer at BL, said in her report. BL is the agent for the company.

A document filed with the Board of Zoning Appeals says the Laurens Road Whataburger expects to do $3.4 million in sales a year. All Whataburgers are open 24 years a day, seven days a week except Christmas.

Whataburger is planning other South Carolina restaurants in Irmo, Boiling Springs, Duncan, Anderson and two in Spartanburg.

The company was founded in 1950 as a roadside burger stand by Harmon Dobson in Corpus Christi, Texas.

Dobson died in a private plane crash in 1967, and his wife Grace took over the company. By the time she died in 2005 at age 80, the company had grown to 600 stores.

The family sold its majority interest in the company In 2019 to Chicago-based investment firm BDT Capital, which began the expansion program.
Leaders gathered here for the annual Group of 20 summit managed to agree on a joint statement laying out shared views on climate change and economic development but showed the fractures within the group by stopping short of explicitly condemning Russias invasion of Ukraine.

Diplomats had been working furiously to draft a final joint statement in the lead-up to the summit but hit snags on language to describe the Ukraine war. The eventual compromise statement amounted to a coup for the summits host, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi , but still reflected a position far softer those the United States and its Western allies have adopted individually.

US President Joe Biden was hoping to convince the worlds largest economies to rally behind Ukraine during his two-night stay in India for the summit. He also pressed his case for American investment in the developing world.

On Saturday, as the summit was still underway, the leaders agreed to the joint declaration acknowledging the situation in Ukraine while not papering over the groups major divides.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

All states must refrain from the threat or use of force to seek territorial acquisition, the declaration read, without explicitly singling out Russia for its invasion. The document also stated opposition to the use of nuclear weapons and highlighted the economic effects of the war.

In a reflection of the deep fractures among the G20 nations, the statement acknowledged there were different views and assessments of the situation.

The declaration earned the praise of the United States. US national security adviser Jake Sullivan called the statement a significant milestone for Indias chairmanship and a vote of confidence that the G20 can come together to address a pressing range of issues.

The G20 statement includes a set of consequential paragraphs on the war in Ukraine. And from our perspective, it does a very good job of standing up for the principle that states cannot use force to seek territorial acquisition, Sullivan said.

Still, the language differed from last years G20 declaration, which stated most members strongly condemned the war in Ukraine.

Russia, as a member of the G20, would have to agree on any consensus statement on Ukraine. Russia and China had resisted stronger language in a final statement, making any kind of agreement difficult. No G20 summit has concluded without a joint declaration of some type.

Ukraines Foreign Ministry spokesperson Oleg Nikolenko criticized the declaration.

Ukraine is grateful to its partners who tried to include strong wording in the text, he wrote on Facebook. At the same time, the G20 has nothing to be proud of in the part about Russias aggression against Ukraine. Obviously, the participation of the Ukrainian side would have allowed the participants to better understand the situation. The principle of nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine remains as key as ever.

The absence at the summit of two of Bidens chief global rivals  Chinese leader Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin  provided opportunities for Biden to make a more affirmative case at the summit, White House officials said as the gathering was getting underway in New Delhi.

Biden said Saturday he would have welcomed the presence of his Chinese counterpart at the summit, but that positive outcomes were still possible.

It would be nice to have him here but, no, the summit is going well, Biden said when questioned about the impact of Xis absence.

Biden was hoping to use the gathering to portray the United States as a credible counterweight to Chinas economic outreach.

He announced new plans with partner nations in Europe, the Middle East and Asia to construct a major new transit corridor connecting the regions, a challenge to Beijings own efforts at expanding global trade.

And he unveiled new reforms and investments in the World Bank, which the White House says could unlock hundreds of billions of dollars in grants and loans for the developing world  providing an alternative to Chinas economic ambitions in those regions.

Biden was welcomed by the summits host, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with a smile and a warm handshake.

India calls upon the world to come together to transform the global trust deficit into one of trust and reliance. This is the time for all of us to move together, Modi said as the gathering got underway.

Be it the divide between North and South, the distance between the East and West, management of food and fuel, terrorism, cyber security, health, energy or water security, we must find a solid solution to this for future generations, he added.

It was a message of unity at a markedly fractured moment for the grouping.

While Biden has enjoyed ample success at other summits convincing fellow leaders to step up their military support for Ukraine and tighten their punishment of Russia, many nations, particularly in the Global South, havent been as convinced.

They view the billions of dollars in Western assistance pouring into Ukraine skeptically, and have sought a more balanced relationship with Moscow.

Bidens aides say the president welcomes the opportunity to continue making the case for Ukraine, including to audiences that arent necessarily on the same page.

Part of what makes the G20 an appealing format for the United States is it gives us a chance to interact with and work with and take constructive steps with a wider range of countries, including some, frankly, that we dont see eye to eye with on every issue, US deputy national security adviser Jon Finer told reporters on Saturday.

An alternative to Chinas Belt and Road?

Biden hopes to use new announcements on new infrastructure and investments as demonstration of US commitment to the developing world, and a better option for partnership than China.

He announced the launch of a new economic corridor that will connect India, the Middle East and Europe on Saturday. The plans could potentially transform global trade and directly challenge Chinas own sprawling overseas development initiative, known as the Belt and Road, which has poured billions of dollars into infrastructure projects each year.

Biden along with the leaders of India, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and the European Union signed a memorandum of understanding laying out the new project on Saturday.

While the project will include building integrated infrastructure, the president said it was far from just laying tracks, speaking with a group of global leaders that included the United Kingdom, Japan and the United Arab Emirates.

Its about creating jobs, increasing trade, strengthening supply chains, boosting connectivity, laying foundations that will strengthen commerce and food security for people across multiple countries, Biden said. This is a game changing regional investment and  huge steps forward.

When we invest in low middle income countries, all countries benefit, Biden added. When we invest in emerging economies, all economies benefit, and when we invest in the future of people anywhere, people everywhere benefit.

The plans could pose a challenge to Chinas Belt and Road initiative, which the US says uses coercive lending practices for infrastructure projects in developing countries, an accusation Beijing has repeatedly denied. Bidens proposals on World Bank reform similarly aim to offer a better deal to emerging economies.

During his remarks at the event, Biden singled out particular leaders to thank  including bin Salman. The leaders shook hands afterward, a decidedly different approach than the fist bump Biden offered the prince during a visit to Saudi Arabia last summer.

Speaking to reporters in India ahead of the announcement, Sullivan said the project was about strategically layering transformative investments across multiple sectors across multiple countries, basically to leverage the broader effects of boosting economic development, securing supply chains and bolstering regional connectivity.

He called it a big deal, and important moment, and a milestone, that would translate to a concrete outcome.

Without Xi attending, Biden had the implicit opportunity to demonstrate sustained American commitment while questioning Chinas. American officials said Saturday it wasnt clear to them why Xi decided to skip the G20 for the first time.

Im not sure we have a clear answer to that question, but really its incumbent upon the Chinese government to explain why a leader would or would not participate, Finer said.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
France might withdraw some of their troops from the African country of Niger following a military coup as calls increase to cut ties with the European nation that has imposed a hefty colonial and political presence over the nation.

The former French ambassador to Mali and Senegal told Al Jazeera that those talks are underway, according to his sources.

Security forces in Niger announced a military coup on national television on July 26, 2023. (Photo: YouTube/The Guardian)

Niger soldiers executed a coup against President Mohamed Bazoum and the nations leaders on July 26 due to a reported dissatisfaction with economic, social, and security governance in the country.

Related: Donald Trump Exaggerates His Size Again as He Claims His Mug Shot Led to Increase In Support from Black Voters

Coup ringleaders are demanding the immediate removal of all French troops from the country as well as the French ambassador after abandoning multiple military cooperation agreements and revoking the ambassadors diplomatic immunity. The ambassador has refused to leave, and Bazoum, a French ally, is still in custody.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

In response, France has refused to recognize the Niger governments takeover but has reportedly immobilized French forces since anti-terrorist cooperation was suspended.

About 1,500 troops are stationed in Niger as they work to fight rebels in a nearby region. However, consistent protests have broken out among hundreds of Nigers citizens who urge their country to sever affiliations with their former colonial ruler.

This is nothing new for Niger and neighboring nations that have been overthrown in military interventions which aim to jettison their Francafrique postcolonial ties. Military takeovers in Mali in 2020 and Burkina Faso in 2022 forced France to withdraw their troops to Niger. Now Niger is fighting back against that occupation.

After Niger gained independence from France in 1960, the nation suffered through numerous political revolts, droughts, and poverty. The country is still undergoing the lingering issues with slavery, which wasnt banned in Niger until 2003.

The Associated Press reports that even after decolonization, France continued to use its ties to reap benefits in Africa, and even when opposition emerged, French-backed leaders often returned to power. Even though French connections remained, anti-France sentiment continued to grow and flourish.

Unlike his predecessors, French President Emmanuel Macron has not increased or launched new French military operations in Africa in an effort to move past postcolonial intercessions and encourage more equitable partnerships.

Its tempting to talk about an end to Francafrique, Thomas Borrel, a spokesperson for Survie, an advocacy group that denounces Frances postcolonial policies in Africa, told AP. Francafrique is characterized by institutions still in place  French troops still in Africa; the CFA franc currency; and a French paternalistic culture that must be changed, including at the summit of the French state.

Today, more than 5,500 French troops are spread across six African countries, including more than 3,000 in permanent bases in Gabon, Djibouti, Senegal and Ivory Coast. Along with the 1,500 troops stationed in Niger, there are 1,000 more in Chad.

Niger, a mass producer of uranium, is reportedly counting on increased oil exploration and gold mining to revive its economy.
Joe Jonas and Sophie Turner have been one of the most beloved celebrity couples since they started dating in 2016.

Robert Kamau / GC Images

Joe Jonas and Sophie Turner have been one of the most beloved celebrity couples since they started dating in 2016.

They got engaged a year later, and in 2019 they got married in Las Vegas before having a second wedding ceremony in France.

David Crotty / Patrick McMullan via Getty Images

They got engaged a year later, and in 2019 they got married in Las Vegas before having a second wedding ceremony in France.

In 2020, Jonas and Turner became parents as they welcomed their first child together, with their second daughter born in July of last year.

Dimitrios Kambouris / Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue

In 2020, Jonas and Turner became parents as they welcomed their first child together, with their second daughter born in July of last year.

While the couple have always maintained a level of privacy around their relationship, what fans have been privy to has always been extremely positive.

Kevin Mazur / Getty Images for Philymack

While the couple have always maintained a level of privacy around their relationship, what fans have been privy to has always been extremely positive.

In fact, Turner has gained a bit of a reputation for the way that she gently roasts her husband  like the time that she posted about his ex-girlfriend Taylor Swift's song

Instagram @SophieT / Via Instagram: @sophiet

In fact, Turner has gained a bit of a reputation for the way that she gently roasts her husband  like the time that she posted about his ex-girlfriend Taylor Swift's song "Mr. Perfectly Fine," which is thought to have been inspired by Jonas.

She also won high praise for her witty jokes during Netflix's

Netflix

She also won high praise for her witty jokes during Netflix's "Jonas Brothers Family Roast" in 2021.

And just last month she was spotted looking every bit the proud wife as the Jonas Brothers' new tour kicked off in New York City, with Turner being pictured alongside Kevin Jonas and Nick Jonas's wives in the crowd.

Kevin Mazur / Getty Images for The Recording Academy

And just last month she was spotted looking every bit the proud wife as the Jonas Brothers' new tour kicked off in New York City, with Turner being pictured alongside Kevin Jonas and Nick Jonas 's wives in the crowd.

The 27-year-old actor also posted about the show on her Instagram account, leading the photo carousel with a sweet picture of her kissing Jonas' hand.

Instagram @SophieT

The 27-year-old actor also posted about the show on her Instagram account, leading the photo carousel with a sweet picture of her kissing Jonas' hand.

Which is why fans were so shocked when TMZ reported on Sunday that Turner and Jonas are headed for a divorce.

Ricky Vigil M / GC Images

Which is why fans were so shocked when TMZ reported on Sunday that Turner and Jonas are headed for a divorce.

Less than three weeks after Turner's social media post, sources told the publication that the couple had faced

Amy Sussman / Getty Images

Less than three weeks after Turner's social media post, sources told the publication that the couple had faced "serious problems" for at least six months. Insiders then confirmed to People that Jonas, 34, has retained a divorce lawyer.

TMZ also added in their report:

Roberto Ricciuti / Redferns

TMZ also added in their report: "We're told over the last 3 months, Joe has been caring for their 2 young children 'pretty much all of the time,' even as his band was touring. We're told Joe currently has both kids, as the group plays around the U.S.."

And while many are still struggling to wrap their heads around the fact that Jonas and Turner have apparently split, the vast majority of people are also uncomfortable with the comment about Jonas caring for his children.

Gotham / GC Images

And while many are still struggling to wrap their heads around the fact that Jonas and Turner have apparently split, the vast majority of people are also uncomfortable with the comment about Jonas caring for his children.

While Jonas is currently on tour with his brothers, Turner has also been working. The

Marc Piasecki / WireImage

While Jonas is currently on tour with his brothers, Turner has also been working. The "Game of Thrones" child star has been spotted filming a new six-part crime drama, "Joan," in her home country of England.

Discussing the implications of TMZ's source quotes on a Reddit forum, users claimed that it was an obvious attempt to paint Turner in a bad light while lauding Jonas for parenting his own children.

Karwai Tang / WireImage

Discussing the implications of TMZ's source quotes on a Reddit forum, users claimed that it was an obvious attempt to paint Turner in a bad light while lauding Jonas for parenting his own children.

Reddit

"Sad as hell that a young mother is going to get dragged through the mud because...wait for it... A father had to take care of his own children. You can't make this shit up," one person wrote.

Reddit

"So crazy if the kids were with her this would not be a story headline. Hes a parent wtf," another wrote. One more echoed: "if it was him filming on another continent and she was taking care of the kids, no one would give a fuck."

Reddit

Someone else pointed out:

Reddit

Someone else pointed out: "The comments about the kids  so hes being a dad? Its not like hes a babysitter for a shitty mum. Joe youre parenting."

And the sentiment was echoed over on Twitter, where one user wrote:

Albert L. Ortega / Getty Images

And the sentiment was echoed over on Twitter, where one user wrote: "OK but if Sophie had been caring for their two children for the last three months while Joe was on tour, that wouldnt be a story, right? That would just be what youd expect of a mom."

While another asked:

Bruce Glikas / Bruce Glikas / WireImage

While another asked: "I hate how this is phrased, almost praising Joe and putting Sophie down. Why is him taking care of his kids relevant? Why do men get praised for doing things theyre supposed to do when they have children? What is this meant to imply about Sophie?"

Others argued that the context of Turner working in a different country during this time is pretty integral, with it seemingly making more sense for her and Jonas' daughters to stay with him rather than fly back and forth from England.

James Devaney / GC Images

Others argued that the context of Turner working in a different country during this time is pretty integral, with it seemingly making more sense for her and Jonas' daughters to stay with him rather than fly back and forth from England.

Reddit

"Maybe hes had the kids because shes on location at her job as an actor," one person commented. Another tweeted: "Breaking News: Man parents his own children while his wife is away at work."

Twitter @jennafabulous / Via Twitter: @jennafabulous

Twitter @agetawaykatie / Via Twitter: @agetawaykatie

"shes been filming in the UK why are they acting like she abandoned her family," someone else asked. While another retweeted the quote and wrote: "Isnt she just in another country working?"
South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem gave Donald Trump her full and complete endorsement after delivering a glowing introduction at the former presidents campaign rally in Rapid City, S.D., on Friday night.

He is the leader, the fighter that our country needs. He has my full and complete endorsement for President of the United States of America, Noem said in front of a crowd of supporters holding "Trump Noem 2024" signs, before promising to do everything I can to help him win and save this country."

Soon after taking the stage, Trump praised the South Dakota governor, calling her one of the most successful governors in the entire nation.

Kristi, Im truly honored to receive your endorsement, Trump said.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Noem is widely believed to be in the mix to be Trump's running mate.

Noems endorsement comes just weeks after telling Fox News of course she would consider a spot on the Trump 2024 ticket.

During her speech, Noem touted her teamwork with Trump during the Covid pandemic in 2020, saying: He let me do my job.

When the rest of the country was locking down and ordering people to stay home, we did the exact opposite, Noem said.

Trump later echoed Noems comments on Covid, comparing her to other  notably unnamed  governors who Trump said failed to follow through on similar promises.

Unlike other governors, she never locked down South Dakota, Trump said. You know they all say I kept it open, I kept it open  they didnt keep it open.
The civil defense military parade commemorating the 75th anniversary of the founding of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea is held in Pyongyang

The civil defense military parade commemorating the 75th anniversary of the founding of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea is held in Pyongyang

SEOUL (Reuters) -North Korean leader Kim Jong Un marked the country's founding anniversary with a parade of paramilitary groups and diplomatic exchanges in which he vowed to deepen ties with China and Russia.

Kim observed the parade at Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang and held talks with a visiting Chinese delegation, state media KCNA reported on Saturday.

The parade displayed rocket launchers hidden in delivery trucks and tractors towing troops and weapons, highlighting the militia's role as guerrilla fighters in a war.

Chinese President Xi Jinping sent a letter expressing his willingness to strengthen strategic communication and working-level cooperation.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Russian President Vladimir Putin also sent a letter to Kim, saying the two countries will expand bilateral ties to ensure security and stability in the Korean peninsula and Northeast Asia.

"Growing China-Russia-North Korea cooperation and Xi skipping the G20 Summit in India give the appearance of a widening fissure in Asia's geopolitical landscape," said Leif-Eric Easley, a professor at Ewha University in Seoul.

"Most stakeholders in the region want to avoid a new Cold War, but this looks increasingly difficult as Beijing and Moscow prop up Pyongyang and North Korea aligns itself with China and Russia's challenges to the international order."

An annual two-day summit of the Group of 20 (G20) countries kicks off on Saturday in New Delhi, India, which will be dominated by the West, with China's Xi skipping it and Russia's Putin also being absent.

Kim is expected to travel to Russia this month to meet Putin to discuss weapons supplies to Moscow to support its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

North Korea supplements its already large military with various paramilitary, reserve, and security groups such as the army-affiliated Worker-Peasant Red Guards (WPRG).

(Reporting by Jihoon Lee and Josh Smith; Editing by Sandra Maler, Stephen Coates and Michael Perry)
Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un during a meeting in Vladivostok in April 2019

North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un is ready to conclude an arms deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin , UK newspaper the Financial Times reported on Sept. 8, citing expert assessments.

In the near future, Kim Jong Un is allegedly planning to travel to the Russian city of Vladivostok to meet with Putin on the sidelines of the Eastern Economic Forum. It is rumored he will travel on his armored train with 20 cars.

The two dictators will discuss the sale of ammunition to Moscow for its war in Ukraine. Experts predict the talks will almost certainly be successful, FT writes.

Read also: RussiaNorth Korea talks prove Western sanctions work  White House

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

"It is not yet clear what a deal between North Korea and Russia would entail," the article says.

Pyongyang could offer ammunition, multiple rocket launchers and short-range ballistic missiles  all of which would help Moscow repel Kyivs counter-offensive.

Read also: Russia signing arms deal with North Korea would violate UN resolutions  Washington

In return, Moscow can offer grain, oil, and military technology, as well as hard currency as payment.

In addition, it is possible that the Russian Federation could transfer sensitive military technologies to North Korea that could increase threats to its neighbors, particularly South Korea and Japan.

"Russia-North Korea co-operation may extend beyond conventional arms deals and food/energy assistance, possibly to advanced technology for satellites, nuclear-power submarines and ballistic missiles," experts with whom the publication spoke said.

Read also: Kremlin tight-lipped on potential Kim-Putin meeting amid reports of plans to discuss North Korean arms aid for Russia

The FT noted that North Korea has faced serious economic consequences due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which increases Kim Jong Un's need to sell weapons to Russia.

In July 2022, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu visited Pyongyang and attended an arms exhibition, which featured, among other things, combat and reconnaissance drones and new locally-produced intercontinental ballistic missiles.

North Korea directly supported Russia's war against Ukraine by vetoing a UN resolution condemning the invasion.

"North Korea, China and Russia have become the new axis of evil, all being states run by dictators and threatening the democratic international order," reads the FT article.

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
LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  The North Las Vegas Police Department identified and arrested the second suspect of a homicide that occurred earlier this year.

On May 29 around 10:56 p.m., a homicide occurred in the 2100 block of North Las Vegas Boulevard. Officers found a 17-year-old man suffering from apparent gunshot wounds outside of an apartment building. Medical personnel pronounced the man dead at the scene, police stated.

Through the investigation, detectives identified Hector Paramo-Cervantes, 19, as a suspect. He was arrested Aug. 15 and booked into the North Las Vegas Community Correctional Center on the charge of open murder with a deadly weapon, according to police.

North Las Vegas Police detectives arrest suspects in 2 homicide cases

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Police identified Marco Monroy, 22, as the second suspect in this case and he was taken into custody on Sept. 8 by the Criminal Apprehension Team (CAT) at a residence in Las Vegas. He was booked into the North Las Vegas Community Correctional Center for the charge of open murder with a deadly weapon and conspiracy to commit murder.

Anyone who may have information about this crime is urged to contact the North Las Vegas Police Department by phone at 702-633-9111. To remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers by phone at 702-385-5555 or on the Crime Stoppers website.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
Norways largest gold find of the century was discovered by 51-year-old Erlend Bore, who bought a metal detector after his doctor told him to get more exercise. Bore unearthed nine gold pendants, three rings, and 10 gold pearls, on the southern island of Rennesy last month.



Bore was reportedly planning to head home for the day when he said his metal detector started beeping on the hillside of a farmers property. At first I thought it was chocolate coins or Captain Sabertooth coins, Bore said in a press release issued by the University of Stavanger, referring to a fictional Norwegian pirate. It was totally unreal.

Read more

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

The migration period in Norway lasted from 400 A.D. to about 550 A.D., marking a time when migration was widespread in Europe. Given the location of the discovery and what we know from other similar finds, this is probably a matter of either hidden valuables or an offering to the gods during dramatic times, Reiersen said in the press release.

Although Bore was required to turn over the gold to the museum, he and the landowner will receive a reward for the find. The National Antiquities Authority, which determines the amount, has not yet assessed the finders salary.

More from Gizmodo

Sign up for Gizmodo's Newsletter. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Click here to read the full article.
Two children were killed while crossing Cleveland Avenue on Saturday.

One person is dead and a second person was injured in a stabbing Friday night in the 4000 block of Refugee Road in the Eastland area, according to Columbus police.

Officers responding to the scene found Selena M. Edwards, 19, suffering from a stab wound, according to police. Madison Township medics pronounced Edwards dead at 9:08 p.m.

Officers then found a second victim, who was taken to a local hospital. That individual, whom police did not identify, was in stable condition.

Police arrested Khayir A. Lock, 19, who lives just over two miles away on Refugee Road, on suspicion of murder. He was treated at a local hospital Saturday evening, but was later released and transported to the Franklin County jail. He was scheduled to be arraigned Monday in Franklin County Municipal Court, court records indicate.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

The investigation is ongoing, and anyone with information is asked to call the Columbus Police Homicide Unit at 614-645-4730 or Central Ohio Crime Stoppers at 614-461-8477.

Dispatch staffer Nathaniel Shuda contributed to this report.

mawilliams@dispatch.com

@BizMarkWilliams

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Columbus Eastland stabbing on Refugee Road kills one, injures another
A woman was rushed to the hospital in serious condition after being struck by lightning while she was walking her dog on a Dorchester beach Saturday afternoon.

Multiple Boston EMS crews responded to Savin Hill Beach around 3:30 p.m. for a person struck by lightning, a Boston EMS spokesperson confirmed to Boston 25 News.

The 31-year-old woman was walking her dog Bruce along the boardwalk at the beach when she stopped to speak to another walker, a 49-year-old woman, according to Massachusetts State Police. While they were talking, a lightning bolt crashed down, striking the area they were standing and throwing both women into the air.

The 31-year-old woman landed on the beach where she was unresponsive. Witnesses began to perform CPR on her until first responders could arrive. The woman was transported to Boston Medical Center where she is currently in critical condition.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

The second woman was thrown in a different direction by the bolts blast but isnt believed to have actually been struck by the lightning. She told first responders she did not need immediate hospitalization.

Bruce, the 31-year-old womans dog was frightened by the crashing bolt, and ran off.

According to MSP, the dog was found and returned home.

UPDATE: @MassStatePolice tell me it appears Bruce has been located and returned home!



No update yet on his owners condition after she was struck by lightning while walking along the boardwalk at Savin Hill Beach in Dorchester yesterday afternoon @boston25 https://t.co/bhkAp5X1cQ  Julianne Lima (@JulianneLimaTV) September 10, 2023

While Boston was not included in a severe thunderstorm warning issued by the National Weather Service, parts of Bristol and Norfolk Counties were under a severe thunderstorm warning until 5:00 p.m.

State Police detectives are investigating the incident.

Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.

Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW
Venezuelan president to visit China

Xinhua) 09:28, September 09, 2023

BEIJING, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- At the invitation of President Xi Jinping, President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela Nicolas Maduro Moros will pay a state visit to China from Sept. 8 to 14, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying announced on Friday.

China and Venezuela are each other's comprehensive strategic partners. In recent years, thanks to the personal commitment of President Xi and President Maduro, the China-Venezuela relations have withstood the test of the evolving international landscape and remained rock-solid, said Mao Ning, another spokesperson for the Chinese foreign ministry, at a regular press briefing on Friday.

"The two countries' political mutual trust has grown more solid, and our cooperation in various sectors has further deepened," said Mao.

Through President Maduro's visit, China hopes and stands ready to work with Venezuela to draw a blueprint for the growth of bilateral relations in the new era, bring the comprehensive strategic partnership to a new level, and make new contribution to world peace and stability as well as international fairness and justice, she added.

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Sheng Chuyi)
Only one person is currently facing prosecution for damage to Ulez cameras despite the Metropolitan Police dedicating significant resources to hunting down vandals.

Speaking on LBC yesterday, Mark Rowley, the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, revealed that the force was dedicating a significant amount of resources to tackling Ulez camera-related crime.

However, so far just one person is being prosecuted for alleged crimes, despite hundreds of reports of camera attacks.

It comes after politicians warned Sadiq Khan, the London mayor, that the Ulez expansion was wasting police time, and suggested the cameras should be used to catch criminals rather than imposing fines on drivers.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

The Met has received more than 600 reports of attacks on Ulez cameras since the start of the year, with Ulez vigilantes targeting infrastructure in protest against Mr Khans expansion.

In August alone, there were 222 reported attacks, with widespread reports of vandals smashing, spray-painting and cutting the wires on cameras across London.

Speaking on LBC on Friday, Mr Rowley: We have got other investigations ongoing. Clearly this is quite serious damage it adds up to in terms of property and that is the basis (on which) we judge it.

So it is getting, I guess, a significant amount of policing resources.

The Met has only made two arrests linked to Ulez cameras, with the Crown Prosecution Service only taking one case forward.

In May, Joseph Nicholls, 42, was charged with criminal damage, malicious communications, handling stolen goods and aiding or abetting the destruction of, or damage to, property valued over 5,000.

The CPS confirmed to The Telegraph that Mr Nicholls had now been bailed before his trial in June 2024.

However, it has discontinued the case against Kingsley Hamilton, who was charged in May with criminal da

How many Ulez cameras have been in your area?

mage. The CPS did confirm the victim, TfL, was currently reviewing the decision as part of the victims right to review.

Earlier in the year, the Met set up Operation Eremon, a proactive operation led by a senior officer which targets individuals suspected to have caused damage or stolen newly installed Ulez cameras.

Politicians called for Mr Khan to reverse the expansion of Ulez, saying that the amount of effort that was going towards trying to catch Ulez vandals was putting additional pressure on already stretched resources.

Priti Patel, the former home secretary, told The Telegraph: At a time when we continue to see unacceptable and unsustainable levels of crime in London, the mayors distorted priorities involve attacking and monitoring hard-pressed motorists rather than using these vital resources to going after criminals and keeping our capital safe.

Sir Iain Duncan Smith, the MP for Chingford and Woodford Green and a former Conservative leader, suggested Ulez was a distraction for police and the cameras would be better used detecting crime rather than number plates.

At the end of August, Mr Khan expanded the Ulez zone to all 32 London boroughs.

Under the new rules, those people who drive vehicles that do not meet certain emissions standards must pay a 12.50 daily charge, and potentially a 180 fine for non-payment.

The launch was met with a spate of attacks from anti-Ulez protesters, with widespread reports of cameras being spray painted, or in some cases the poles that carry them completely cut down to try to spare drivers from being caught.

The Met said: Where there are possible lines of enquiry, local investigators will follow up using a range of investigative approaches including CCTV trawls, witness searches and an assessment of forensic opportunities.

It added that it was now aware of recent reports of those admitting damage to cameras on mainstream media.

To combat the attacks, the mayor has deployed a fleet of mobile Ulez camera vans to be positioned to fill gaps across London.

However, the London Borough of Bromley warned TfL that it would fine these vans if it caught them violating its parking rules.

A TfL spokesperson said: Vandalism on our network is unacceptable and all incidents are reported to the police for investigation.

Criminal damage to ULEZ cameras puts the perpetrators at risk of prosecution and life-changing injuries, while simultaneously risking the safety of the public. Camera vandalism will not stop the ULEZ operating London-wide. All vandalised cameras are replaced as soon as possible.

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.
As a student at Harvard University  where she earned a masters degree in Soviet studies  Astrid Tuminez would only sleep a few hours a night, spending the rest of her time studying. When youre the underdog, you have to work double hard. Triple, she says.

Tuminez knows a thing or two about hard work. She learned to read and write from nuns who found her and her family in the slums of Iloilo City, Philippines. That fundamental education, fueled by her innate curiosity, eventually led her to Brigham Young University. There, she graduated summa cum laude with a bachelors degree in international relations and Russian literature before moving on to Harvard University and then the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where she earned a Ph.D. in political science.

Her career is as equally impressive and varied as her education and includes an executive position at Microsoft, roles in philanthropy and venture capital, published works, and government relations. But at every step, she witnessed male colleagues get promoted before her. So she kept working two, three times as hard. I hope to be a source of hope to women and anyone whos ever felt underprivileged or underestimated, she says.

Now, as the first female president of Utah Valley University, shes using the lessons shes learned along the way to empower every student at her institution with an education that is both accessible and valuable. In an interview with Deseret Magazine, Tuminez discusses the future of higher education and the reason why she still believes in it.

As told to Meg Walter; edited for length and clarity.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

I still remember attending a big meeting on campus as an undergraduate. I heard one of the faculty members comment, Shes a doll, isnt she? I was only 20, but I felt so self-conscious when I heard that comment.

When I first arrived in Utah County, I had quite a few people walk up to me and shake my hand. They would look at me with sad eyes. And they would say they felt sorry for me and that they felt nervous for me because I had such big shoes to fill, referring to my predecessor at UVU. Honestly, I was amused by those comments, but it was also a little bit of a microaggression. After six months in Utah County, nobody said those things to me anymore. I think people had gotten to know me. But if I had been a tall, male blond, I dont think anyone would have shaken my hand and told me they felt sorry for me. So it means a lot to me to be the first female president as a woman of color.

My experience, in part, is why I believe we should have a lot of universities like UVU that accept a person no matter what their past was. No matter what their ACT or SAT scores are, we dont care. We want to help.

The old model of academia is snobbery. The new test is whether you know how to get stuff done.

But when you provide access to everyone, the questions become: What are we actually training people to become? Is our instruction actually worth attending? And what Ive seen in the last five years is that it is more than worth it. UVU is ranked No. 1 in Utah among nine colleges and universities for alumni earnings. Business Insider ranked us as one of the top three universities in the nation for the best return on investment. Every year, we graduate 5,000 students to four- and five-star jobs, as defined by the Department of Workforce Services. We place graduate students at MIT, Oxford, Harvard and Cambridge.

The old model of academia is snobbery. The new test is whether you can make it in the workplace, and whether you know how to get stuff done. I know graduates of elite universities who are on their third or fourth internships and cannot transition those internships into jobs. Yet at UVU you can get a two-year mechatronics degree and begin at an $80,000 salary at Micron or Texas Instruments.

It is a moral imperative that we give access and that we make sure students get support and as many of them succeed as possible. Whether or not Im the president of this university, Ill always be blown away by the UVU model because I love what it does for real lives and real potential.

Related

The core values of that model center around care, accountability and results. We must see our students for their struggles in life and their journeys as individuals. We must understand how we can best use our money, time and technology. Then come the results.

We shouldnt be embarrassed to be ambitious. I was at Microsoft for six years before I came to UVU, and that job actually prepared me for the challenges of higher education today. We leverage technology so students can watch lecture recordings if they get sick or their child gets sick. We run data analytics to identify the students who need the most help. We train faculty to teach online. We are constantly examining ourselves.

Historically, academic culture is very slow to change. Hundreds of colleges and universities have already closed in the United States. But we live in a very fast-paced world. We need to read the writing on the wall and ask ourselves how we can be more agile and how we can actually be more impactful. Then we have to really measure that impact.

Outtakes

Deseret Magazine: What is  An essential part of your daily routine?

Astrid Tuminez: Listening to a podcast. One of my favorites is The Way Out Is In. Its Zen Buddhism. Oh, and I listen to Taylor Swift music every day.

DM: The best book youve read recently?

AT: The most entertaining book Ive read recently is Less. It reminded me of T.S. Eliots The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock. Its so entertaining and so well written.

DM: Your favorite motto?

AT: The way out is in. When you have a problem, youve gotta go through it.

DM: One thing you cant live without?

AT: Chocolate. Maybe I should have said my husband.

DM: Your secret superpower?

AT: My husband. There is nobody who has been more supportive of me and more proud of everything Ive accomplished than my husband. After we got engaged, we were walking at Harvard Square and he turned to me and said, You know, youre responsible for your own happiness. That was the wisest thing hes ever said. I am responsible for my own happiness, but he has supported me every step of the way.

This story appears in the September issue of Deseret Magazine. Learn more about how to subscribe.
Back-to-school season is a critical opportunity to focus on one of the most effective strategies to keep children safe and healthy: routine immunizations. Childhood vaccination is one of the lowest-cost and most effective strategies to control and prevent disease over a persons lifespan. In economic terms, researchers estimate that every dollar spent on childhood vaccination saves more than $10 in societal costs and $3 in direct medical savings. Its no coincidence that August was National Immunization Awareness Month. This back-to-school season, state policymakers and school leaders should enforce school vaccine requirements and engage communities in immunization campaigns to catch kids up on these important vaccines.

Unfortunately, since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, rates of routine childhood immunization have declined due to difficulties in accessing health care, vaccine hesitancy and the loosening of vaccine requirements. These put children and communities at greater risk of outbreaks of preventable disease.

Measles provides a helpful case study. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, measles is so contagious that if one person has it, 9 out of 10 people of all ages  will also become infected if they are not protected. Despite this risk, almost 250,000 kindergartners in the 2021-22 school year may not have been protected against measles. Measles cases have resulted in community outbreaks, productivity loss and direct medical costs; the CDC estimates it can cost more than $140,000 to contain one case of measles.

No paywall. No pop-up ads. Keep The 74 free with a donation during our Fall campaign.

State requirements that children be vaccinated to attend public school have a proven track record in producing high immunization rates. These generally are higher in states with more restrictive policies around grace and provisional enrollment periods, which temporarily allow children who are getting but have not completed their vaccinations to attend school. Yet, during the 2021-22 school year, due to pandemic-related health care disruptions, many states allowed students who did not meet school requirements and lacked valid exemptions to continue to attend class. In part because of these lenient policies, 4.4% of kindergartners nationally were not up to date on their measles, mumps and rubella vaccine.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Related

Kids Are Losing Health Care Due to Red Tape. Why Dont School Leaders Speak Up?

This is particularly concerning because a population vaccination rate of 95% is recommended for measles herd immunity. This means that measles is less likely to spread, protecting the 5% percent who are not vaccinated. Of the 33 states and the District of Columbia that have vaccination rates of less than 95% for measles, 31 could potentially reach the 95% goal and prevent outbreaks if they were able to vaccinate kindergartners who do not have valid exemptions. For instance, 93% of Vermont kindergarteners were vaccinated against measles, mumps and rubella, and 6.8% were covered under grace periods or provisional enrollment exceptions. If those children were vaccinated, Vermonts overall rate potentially would exceed 95% and all youngsters  and their surrounding communities  would be protected.

Unfortunately, state immunization programs are facing reductions in federal funding that supports data systems, as the result of unspent COVID funding being pulled back during congressional debt limit negotiations. The country cant afford to waste the investments it made on immunization systems and programs, including data modernization, during the height of the pandemic. Now is the time to build on those improvements, making sure states have efficient and effective systems to track vaccine orders, enroll health care providers as vaccinators, provide patients and families with timely information about their immunization status and their need for updates, and address gaps so all children are protected from preventable disease.

The back-to-school season is a key moment to catch kids up on their vaccines. To do this, schools should reinstate and reinforce vaccine requirements, sending a message to families about the importance of routine childhood immunizations. Schools should also engage community leaders to bolster vaccine confidence, counter disinformation and provide families with timely, accurate, culturally sensitive and evidence-based information about vaccines. Lastly, schools should help families access vaccines through back-to-school immunization drives, which provide an opportunity to identify children who need to catch up, engage their families and connect them to clinical personnel. The CDC provides evidence-based strategies and tools for schools and health care providers to catch kids up on routine immunizations.

Public health systems are often unnoticed, working behind the scenes to prevent diseases and avoid their health and economic consequences. Americans must keep investing in wellness and prevention to promote good health, reduce absenteeism from preventable diseases and promote positive school environments for learning. Catching kids up on routine vaccinations must be a critical priority for advancing community well-being.
Students march outside a meeting of the UC Board of Regents at UCLA on May 17. They demanded that the regents authorize hiring undocumented students who lack work permits. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

What would it be this time, I wondered, as the protesting students rushed into my office a few years ago at Wesleyan University. More trigger warnings or calls to cancel a speaker?

Ive been well aware that students are accused of enforcing political conformity with social ostracism while avoiding hard questions about their own (progressive) pieties. Conservatives have for decades complained about protests and student demands, but today even liberals join in, unhappy to have found themselves the targets of student objections to the language they use, or their blindness to their own privilege.

I joked with the protesters, asking them why they werent waiting for my regular office hours. One pulled out an old campus newspaper article showing me, then a junior at the university, among those occupying the presidents office some 30 years before. Well played, I admitted, as they presented their demands. Some of their ideas, like reducing our carbon footprint, turned out to be quite sensible. Others, like boycotting groups that had any connection to Israel, seemed to me misguided. We worked through our differences in engaged conversation. We all learned something.

Read more: Opinion: College campus hecklers, your disruptions don't count as free speech

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

There is a long history of student protest in this country. And todays demands from students for greater diversity and inclusion  among the faculty, in admissions and in whats taught in the classroom  fall within that tradition. Back in the day, students raised their voices against apartheid and more recently have demanded concrete action to deal with the climate emergency. Students have pushed higher education to live up to the ideals we claim to espouse, and in so doing they have learned how to constructively respond to political differences beyond the campus.

And they have pushed for a long time! Even in the Colonial period young people complained of the dictatorial tendencies of academic authorities, linking them with the tyrannical British. Some years later, Thomas Jefferson tried to provide students at his new University of Virginia with more intellectual autonomy, allowing them to choose classes. But the students there had other liberties in mind and rioted for more freedom from college supervision. Undergrads at womens colleges in the 20th century made similar demands for personal autonomy and student self-governance.

Read more: Opinion: Now that affirmative action is banned, the way to level the field is one Black student at a time

The iconic image of student protest, of course, is not that of undergraduates seeking later curfews or less supervision. Its of young people in the 1960s spurning the world of their parents. At a time of civil rights battles and the acceleration of the war in Vietnam, students rejected the idea that campuses should be separate from society and embraced the principle that their political action mattered.

The Free Speech Movement at UC Berkeley was created not just to defend students rights to express themselves but to challenge the framework of a society that offered what its most famous leader, Mario Savio, called a sick utopia of sterilized automated contentment. The movement engaged in civil disobedience to stop the evils produced by the System. Their aim was to awaken people to societys injustices and the possibilities for radical change.

Of course, many older people found this annoyingly self-righteous  what many today would call performative. More seasoned political folks  even liberals  scoffed at the combination of naivete and hubris. Older generations struggled to understand why so many of those fortunate enough to be in college were turning their backs on the opportunities they were given, while the young were incredulous that their calls for change were falling on deaf ears.

Students and activists gather at UC Berkeley to protest the actions of the university and the police at the nearby People's Park, May 19, 1969. (Garth Eliassen / Getty Images)

We see this dynamic replayed today as students demand that colleges address systemic racism within the institutions themselves, including examining their history, the structure of higher education and the question of who has access to these institutions. Not surprisingly, such demands can at times provoke a familiar response from older people  that concerns even for things like equity and debt relief are disconnected from ordinary Americans.

Read more: Opinion: Want more diversity in schools? Copy the University of California and look to community colleges

When conservatives denounce campus progressives and radicals as out-of-touch elites, when liberals bemoan failures to defend free speech, and when both denounce cancel culture, one can hear the echoes of the 1960s.

Young people today are accused of being censorious, illiberal and careerist  as well as woke. This is all part of the long, cliche-ridden history of accusing the young of failing to live up to an older generations idea of the student.

Founding Fathers complained about drinking in the dorms; in the 1960s musical Bye Bye Birdie, parents sang, Whats the matter with kids today? Today, we hear about coddled minds afraid of discomfort and challenge.

Read more: Op-Ed: Trumps executive order on college free speech is unconstitutional

Student protesters and those complaining about them actually have something fundamental in common. They agree that college should be a time of possibilities as one learns to think for oneself in the company of others. They share the notion that being a student is ideally about learning freedom.

There will, of course, be different views on what it means to exercise that freedom. Students questioning obstacles and opportunities have long experienced pushback from those defending the status quo  and theyve learned from that too.

And thats what campus protests have always been about: young people experimenting with the expectations and limits surrounding them as they try to think for themselves in the context of community. Ill try to remember that next time they come barging into my office. Maybe well all learn something.

Michael S. Roth is the president of Wesleyan University and the author of The Student: A Short History, which will be published on Sept. 12.





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.
Gov. Spencer Cox announces the launch of a new public awareness campaign urging parents to learn about the harms social media has on youth at the Capitol in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Aug. 3, 2023. | Laura Seitz, Deseret News

Utah has been a first mover in childrens online safety legislation. Earlier this year, the state legislature passed two laws that aim to increase online protections for children, empower parents and hold social media companies accountable.

The passage of the Social Media Regulation Act made Utah the first state to pass a law regulating social media use for children and teens. This law will require parental permission for children under 18 to create a social media account, mandate age verification for all users, restrict the hours teens can use social media, and make social media companies liable if young users become addicted to their platforms or experience online harms.

An important, and currently underexplained, part of the law is the requirement that social media platforms must verify the age of all users. Age assurance has the potential to increase online safety by allowing truly age-appropriate experiences, with enhanced protections for the youngest users. However, there are significant tradeoffs that must be considered when balancing invasiveness and effectiveness (or privacy and safety). In other words, how much individual privacy must be sacrificed in the name of online safety? Or vice versa?

The Family Online Safety Institute, or FOSI, has conducted research about how families use and view age assurance and recently published a white paper on the topic. Age assurance can be a key factor in improving online safety, but the regulations need to be thoughtfully crafted and clearly communicated in order to be effective. As state regulators continue to define these requirements, we urge them to consider our findings.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Related

A few months after Gov. Spencer Cox signed these bills into law, he launched a public awareness campaign about social media. While some of the main points in the campaign, including the tips for parents, are online safety best practices that we have been promoting for years, the framing of the campaign lacks nuance and is overly focused on fear-based messaging.

Some of the recommendations for parents from the governors campaign that FOSI fully supports include the following:

Learn about social media platforms and how they work.

Model responsible online behavior for your child.

Make time to connect with your child, device-free.

Create tech-free zones and find opportunities to connect in person with your child.

Have open and honest discussions with your child about the harms of social media and spending time online.

Create a family plan with expectations of how and when to use technology and social media.

Many of these are based in academic research, recommended by child development experts, and considered best practices among the parenting and online safety communities. Our own Good Digital Parenting resources echo these recommendations, and we have seen firsthand how education, modeling and honest family discussions are instrumental in establishing safe online habits.

However, the campaign misses a major opportunity by focusing only on the negative impact of social media. Fear-based messaging, inflexible restrictions and full bans of online content, platforms and experiences are not only ineffective, but they also deprive kids from the chance to establish healthy, realistic and safe boundaries with their devices and in their online lives.

Medical professionals have issued advisories and recommendations about the impact of online experiences on teenage mental health. In 2023, the American Psychological Association acknowledged that using social media is not inherently beneficial or harmful to young people, and the U.S. Surgeon General separately stated that social media has both positive and negative impacts on children and adolescents. The impact of social media on teenage mental health is real and important, but it is also nuanced and requires sober consideration of the tradeoffs.

As a nonpartisan nonprofit organization, we have been working to improve online safety for more than 16 years. FOSI welcomes the interest in online safety policy and commends lawmakers for prioritizing the safety of the youngest users. Parents and guardians have an essential role to play in keeping their children safe online. However, children, especially older teens, have rights as well, and we are concerned that Utahs Social Media Regulation Act will intrude on rights to privacy, expression and education. Before these laws go into effect in 2024, it is vital for regulators to consider thoughtful, balanced, practical age assurance measures that increase online safety while respecting rights.

Stephen Balkam is the founder and CEO of the Family Online Safety Institute.
Editors Note: Tess Taylor is the author of five collections of poetry, including Work & Days and Rift Zone. She is the editor of the new book Leaning Toward Light: Poems for Gardens & the Hands That Tend Them. The views expressed here are her own. Read more opinion on CNN.

This week, US Sen. Tommy Tuberville gave poets a wonderful compliment. It is imperative to root out wokeness, he claimed in an interview on Fox News Wednesday, adding that the world (and the US military) are falling apart because weve got people doing poems on aircraft carriers over the loudspeaker.

Tess Taylor - Adrianne Mathiowetz

From where I am, traveling the country on book tour, reading poems which I hope will spark a seed of joy or empathy in people I meet, I had to laugh. After all, Tuberville, whos also famous for mucking with the work of military confirmations, enjoys his own bombast. He didnt mean to compliment poets! But, in sounding the alarm about how our poor Navy recruits are falling victim to the siren song of poetry, he reminded us that poetry is powerful: It can wake us up in dark spaces. It can call us to ourselves even (and especially) on Navy aircraft carriers.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Tuberville, of course, also revealed his ignorance about the history of the US military, about the inner lives of soldiers and about what poems really do. For context: Reading and writing poetry while at war has been long considered an urgent, humanizing and patriotic act.

Some of the best poems in our literature are the poems of WWIs trenches, including those by Robert Frosts friend, Edward Thomas, who gave his life in the English infantry. Some of Americas best books have been sent alongside American soldiers into battle. Between 1943 and 1947as US military of all stripes were fighting fascism, facing down terrifying missions worldwidethe Council of Books in Wartime sent a dazzling 123 million books to soldiers, in carefully designed editions light enough to fit in a soldiers pocket. The books included bestsellers, classics, books by Ernest Hemingway and Katherine Anne Porter and the reprinted edition of A Boys Will  by none other than Frost.

Books Are Weapons in the War of Ideas, read a poster that circulated widely at the time. The American idea  the patriotic idea  was that having ideas, savoring them, using them to cultivate and feel ones own humanity, was restorative human work, necessary for anyone who was going to put their life on the line. This was the work of freedom, and this freedom  of thought and spirit  made life worth fighting for.

So reading poetry while deployed is not new, nor is it, as Tuberville said, insane. It is, in fact, a way of helping anyone going to war locate the deep sanity from which any of us take moral action at all. Perhaps, ultimately, thats what Tuberville fears about it.

Its not really about the content of the poetry. The poems sent along with WWII soldiers include Frosts Mending Wall, an old chestnut about borders and barriers and laying stone. If its about battle, or politics, or identity, the reference is slant. A WWI masterpiece, Edward Thomass poem As The Teams Head Brass holds the tragedy of war as a charged offstage character which is nonetheless transforming life at home. More recent poems, like Brian Turners magnificent Here, Bullet capture the texture of warfare, bear witness to it for other soldiers and for those left behind.

Heres what poets know and Tuberville fears: that poems can reroute us, dig deep in us, help us turn over some stones in our own soul. Poetry helps us declare our inner lives. Perhaps that is what Tuberville finds most dangerous about it. Personally, I find that danger charged and thrilling. Let us all risk this danger far more often.

As I wrote this article, I called Turner, a poet who served in the second infantry division in Iraq from 2003 to 2004 to ask him what he thought about Tubervilles comments. Beyond being full of ignorance Turner told me, he thought Tubervilles was a comment borne of a fear of humanity or tenderness. Hes using it as a wedge, but he has no idea what its like to be a service member, Turner told me.

The second infantry in Iraq was full of poetry: Turner remembers both a lieutenant in his platoon who read poetry and the open poetry nights at a large base north of Baghdad. Turner, already a published poet before his deployment, wrote in his notebook between missions. When he wrote Here, Bullet, he carried it in a plastic bag in a Velcro pocket in his uniform, so that it would be on his person in case he died. If Id been killed it would have been what they found on my body, he told me.

The poem was a way of being in conversation with the closeness of both beauty and possibility of death, Turner said. Writing poetry was for him also about remembering beauty and knowing that even as I was fighting, I am really in love with the world. Soldiers are not robots, Turner told me. We are human beings in an impossible situation. And we come home and we play guitar, we do the things that reconnect to ourselves.

Tuberville thinks that poetry is a weakness, but its actually a strength, he said. Knowing our feelings, knowing that we care for people, knowing that we care about the world is fundamental to knowing what we want to do with our lives, what we want to protect with them.

In the years since, Turner said he has visited all of the USs military academies repeatedly, to be part of a conversation with the future officer corps. These are people who are working to deepen their imaginations to prepare for the experiences that they are going to have. At West Point or Annapolis, he loves to hear the young soldiers he meets talk about The Iliad. They are deeply engaged with questions of life and death and they need these poems, he said. Poetry is a tool we have to deal with the inexpressible. Its one of the ways we ground ourselves.

Maybe its this grounding that Tuberville fears most. What do those poems on aircraft carriers do? What is their real danger? No poem ever stopped a tank, said Seamus Heaney, the Nobel Prize-winning poet from Northern Ireland who knew a thing or two about living through a deadening tide of ongoing violence. In that sense, Heaney argued that poetry was useless. But he also knew that poetry and the imaginative arts verify our singularity, they strike and stake out the ore of self / that lies at the base of every individuated life.

Which is to say, poems resound inside us, they help us excavate the glinting mettle of our inner lives, the deepest stuff of which we are made. If this is being woke, lets keep waking and waking and waking up.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
As a Superior Court judge in the Bay Area for nearly 20 years, I sentenced hundreds of people to our jails and prisons. Simon Liu was one of them, and his experience has led me to advocate that others be spared what he subsequently endured.

I sentenced Liu to 26 years in prison in 1998 after he was convicted of crimes stemming from a home robbery. A then-16-year-old who had immigrated to the U.S. from China as a young boy, he was charged as an adult.

After serving more than 17 years of his sentence, Liu was released following a rigorous review by the state parole board. While in prison, he had turned his life around. He learned to read and write in English, completed his GED and was trained in programming and other skills.

Read more: Opinion: It seems like we're living through an epidemic of retail crime. Are we?

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Despite earning his release, however, Liu was then detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The agency informed him that he was to be deported to China, where he had no family and only faint memories of having ever lived.

Fortunately, a pardon by Gov. Gavin Newsom , which I supported, put the brakes on his deportation. Today, Liu is a compassionate, productive, self-supporting member of his Bay Area community. The governors pardon noted that he is living an upright life and has demonstrated his fitness for restoration of civic rights and responsibilities.

A bill by Assemblymember Wendy Carrillo (D-Los Angeles) will prevent more people like Liu from facing deportation after imprisonment even if they arent fortunate enough to secure a gubernatorial pardon. Under her legislation, Assembly Bill 1306 , if certain qualifying noncitizens serve their time in prison and earn their release, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation is prohibited from turning them over to federal authorities for deportation.

Read more: Opinion: The L.A. County jails have had 26 deaths this year. When will it stop?

While existing state laws limit California law enforcement officials in conducting and cooperating with immigration enforcement, state prisons have been excluded from these protections and routinely cooperate with ICE. Carrillos bill, which is scheduled for a vote by the state Senate as soon as Monday, would prohibit California prisons from facilitating ICE detention of immigrants who are released under broadly supported criminal justice reforms.

This bill will thereby end the unjust double punishment of incarceration plus deportation of not just undocumented immigrants but also green card holders and even naturalized U.S. citizens . Recent reporting by the L.A. Times demonstrated the alarming extent to which the state prison system goes out of its way to report U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents to ICE, often racially profiling people in custody. The agency has been relying on racist assumptions and ignoring their own records, according to a report by the ACLU of Northern California and others.

AB 1306 is an important step toward addressing these abuses and fully realizing recent reforms that allow resentencing and release to address past injustices. It will help ensure that qualified citizens and noncitizens alike have an opportunity to reunite with their families and communities.

Consider the case of Sandra Castaneda , who was convicted of second-degree murder in 2002 after a man fired from the window of her van, killing a teenager, as she drove friends to Taco Bell in South-Central L.A. The shooter was never arrested, and though Castaneda, then 20, did not commit the crime herself and had no criminal record, she was convicted of felony murder and sentenced to 40 years to life in prison.

Sixteen years later, after the state Legislature narrowed the felony murder law, a state judge vacated Castanedas conviction and ordered her freed. Yet rather than let her go home, prison officials arranged for Castaneda, a legal resident who had been in the U.S. since she was 9, to be transferred to ICEs custody on the very day she was released. As a result, she spent another year incarcerated and fighting deportation at an immigration detention center in rural Georgia before an immigration judge finally freed her.

Castaneda poignantly recalled the ordeal in an interview with KQED: Youre already dealing with the roller coaster emotions of coming home. And then they tell you, Oh, never mind, youre going to go to ICE. So now Ive got to go sit at this place wondering if Im going to get deported.  And being in the detention center, you hear about these people committing suicide because they dont want to go back to their country.

The Senate should pass and the governor should sign this bill to ensure that the state stops unjustly denying second chances to rehabilitated immigrants who have paid their debt to society.

LaDoris H. Cordell is a retired Santa Clara County Superior Court judge and the author of Her Honor: My Life on the Bench ... What Works, Whats Broken, and How to Change it.

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.
OTTAWA COUNTY  A copy of Ottawa County's currently proposed budget shows an increase of more than $200,000 for the Veterans Affairs Department, listed under supplies but intended to create a new department altogether.

An increase of $242,872 is listed under "supplies" for County Administrator John Gibbs. A description states the money is intended to create (a) veterans department and increase overall budget. Under the Veterans Affairs portion of the budget, the supply number differs by a little over $3,500.

Commissioner Sylvia Rhodea sits during public comment Tuesday, May 23, 2023, at the Ottawa County Offices in West Olive.

The move would involve hiring a full-time director of veterans affairs. The overall budget for the Veteran Affairs Department is proposed to increase from $64,106 to $288,498.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

The possibility of creating a new veterans department was first mentioned by Board Vice Chair Sylvia Rhodea during a budget work session meeting Aug. 10. She proposed the board take a look at bringing on a veterans department and looking at serving them in a way similar to Muskegon and Kent."

Muskegon County and Kent County have millages to support veterans programming.

More: Ottawa County commissioners discuss potential budget changes

More: Ottawa County gives initial approval to 2024-29 capital improvement plan

Board Chair Joe Moss and Rhodea said veterans in the county are being referred to or choosing to go to other counties for services. Rhodea said, if the county is going to do more outreach toward veterans, there will need to be more staff and services in place.

But not everyone views the countys services as lacking.

Veteran Counselor Loren Snippe, who leads the countys current department, said  while there's always room for improvement  he and his team provide the services required in Ottawa County. As for supporting the establishment of a new director, Snippe said it would depend on the job description.

Id have to wait and see what that job description of that person is, Snippe said. I know myself and the colleagues I work with have put a lot of work into establishing what does exist and I think were covering the bases pretty well.

Were certainly covering the countys responsibilities by statute and probably doing a little more than that. Pretty much any service thats available in another county is available in Ottawa.

Commissioner Jacob Bonnema said the budget increase doesnt fall in line with whats actually needed.

Ottawa County already provides unmatched services to our local veterans, and our current team does so efficiently and effectively, Bonnema wrote in a statement. If Joe and Sylvia had actually listened to the needs of veterans services staff, they would have realized that the greatest need is a simple street sign telling visitors where the veteran services office can be found.

Joe Moss listens to public comments during the board's meeting Tuesday, June 27, 2023, at the Ottawa County Offices in West Olive.

"Thats a thousand dollar expense compared to a $130,000 expense for a new director who will radically expand the bureaucracy.

Rhodea and Moss said a new department wouldn't replace the work of the current Veterans Affairs Department. They claimed during the Aug. 10 meeting they'd spoken with Snippe about the idea.

Snippe said, after Patrick Waterman resigned as deputy county administrator, he met with Gibbs, Moss and Rhodea to discuss his departments work. He said it was more informational, questioning about what we do and statistics.

Commissioner Jacob Bonnema sits during the board's evening meeting Tuesday, June 27, 2023, at the Ottawa County Offices in West Olive.

Since the topic of establishing a veterans department was introduced, Snippe said hes spoken to two commissioners  Bonnema and Doug Zylstra. He said Gibbs and Moss indicated theyd like to meet again, but that hasn't yet happened.

Meanwhile, the Ottawa County Department of Public Health's budget appears to be unchanged from a version released earlier this week.

Health Officer Adeline Hambley has said, although the budget  which she didnt help create  is larger than first suggested by Moss, deep cuts to individual programs will still put services at risk and could result in state intervention.

Hambley said in a statement Tuesday that, although the total general fund allocation from the county has increased over the past two weeks from Moss original target of $2.5 million  its now at $4.356 million  it's still a significant cut to the original $6.4 million budget Hambley proposed in May, which would've kept the budget at the same level as this year.

More: Hambley: Newly proposed budget is better, but nowhere near enough

More: Moss, Gibbs and Hambley square off over health department budget cuts

More: Hambley: State consequences loom as Gibbs orders cuts

In the latest manifestation, 13 of 16 department programs would see their budgets cut  some by more than half, which Hambley said would continue to put all public health services at risk.

To be clear, these proposed cuts reduce services to the most vulnerable residents in Ottawa County, including women and children, at a time when the county is collecting record tax revenue, Hambley wrote in her statement.

The maintenance of effort, or federal regulations governing grant programs, stipulate the state or locality receiving a grant must maintain or contribute a certain level of financial effort in a specified area, which cannot include administrative costs, which totaled over $1.5 million last year.

Ottawa County Health Officer Adeline Hambley leaves the courtroom Friday, March 31, 2023, at the Michigan 14th Circuit court in Muskegon.

In the 1992-93 fiscal year, Michigan set that funding level for health departments at $2,039,774. The county, in the proposed budget, raised funding after administrative costs to $2,040,000  $226 above the minimal funding requirements set by the state.

Hambley, however, said that isnt the only consideration, as minimum service level requirements also need to be met for the county to comply with state law and receive funding from the state. She says the current budget could mean state intervention.

The state has the authority to take control of a local health department under certain circumstances. That could mean combining Ottawa County's department with a neighboring county, such as Kent County, or taking over delivery of services directly.

Lynn Sutfin, a spokesperson from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, told The Sentinel in February public health code authorizes MDHHS to step in.

"This has happened in limited instances in the past," she said. "These actions have been to add to local health department capacity and to support the ongoing provision of services."

Hambley is currently locked in litigation with the board. She sued commissioners in February, claiming the board's OI majority repeatedly interfered with her ability to do her job and overreached their authority by attempting to limit her state-authorized health duties.

The case is currently with the Michigan Court of Appeals and is scheduled to be heard Oct. 11, after the board appealed a lower courts ruling granting Hambley a preliminary injunction until a trial on the broader issues could take place.

Subscribe: Get all your breaking news and unlimited access to our local coverage

Last week, Hambley asked the Michigan Court of Appeals to intervene, saying Moss and Gibbs appeared to be making a strategic, albeit rushed, case to legally fire her. Gibbs ordered Hambley to attend Tuesday's finance and administration committee meeting, although he didn't say why. She was not fired.

Just after the finance meeting concluded, the COA issued an order denying Hambley's request, saying it had already been considered. However, the court added, "All the parties are cautioned ... that they proceed at their own peril if they take substantial actions before this court hears oral arguments on Oct. 11, 2023, and subsequently issues an opinion resolving the issues presented in defendants' application for leave to appeal."

 Contact reporter Mitchell Boatman at mboatman@hollandsentinel.com. Contact editor Sarah Leach at sarah.leach@hollandsentinel.com.

This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Ottawa slips $200K into budget for new veterans department
Pope Francis cannot serve as a mediator in talks between Ukraine and Russia due to his perceived pro-Russian stance, Mykhailo Podolyak , an advisor to the Presidents Office, told Ukrainian televisions 24 Kanal on Sept. 8.

It makes no sense to consider Pope Francis as a mediator when his pro-Russian position is unmistakable, Podolyak said.

This is not the first time, but initially, they tried to obscure it. They pretended as though we didnt notice, but today its evident that he holds a pro-Russian stance.

Read also: Lithuania summons Vatican ambassador after Pope Francis praises Russian Empire

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Podolyak emphasized the adverse impact of this stance on the ongoing conflict, saying, We cannot expect impartial assessments of this war or a fair model of behavior from the Vatican.

He also said there was a need for closer scrutiny of Russias investments in the Vatican bank, adding, We must delve deeper into this matter.

Read also: What the Pope actually told Russians

In late August, Pope Francis addressed Russian Catholic youth, urging them not to forget the heritage of their great, enlightened empire and mentioning historical figures such as Peter the Great, the founder of the Russian empire, and Catherine the Great, who expanded the Russian empires territory by means of war.

The declaration sparked outrage in Ukraine, prompting the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs to label the Popes words as imperialistic propaganda used by the Kremlin to justify the suffering of thousands of Ukrainians and the destruction of numerous towns and villages.

In response, the Vatican representative in Ukraine swiftly rejected these interpretations, saying that Pope Francis categorically rejects the aforementioned interpretations, as he has never advocated imperialistic ideas and that he remains their critic.

The Vatican assured that Francis did not endorse imperialism in his address but aimed to encourage young people to preserve and develop the positive aspects of the rich Russian cultural and spiritual heritage.

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
Red Handed

A paper published in the journal Physica Scripta last month became the subject of controversy after Guillaume Cabanac, a computer scientist and integrity investigator, noticed that the ChatGPT query to "Regenerate Response" had been copied into the text, seemingly by accident.

Now, the authors have fessed up to using the chatbot to help draft the article, becoming the latest testament to generative AI's worrying inroads into academia.

"This is a breach of our ethical policies," Kim Eggleton, head of peer review and research integrity at IOP Publishing, which publishes Physica Scripta, told Nature.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

The paper has now been retracted for not declaring its use of the chatbot  which, depending on your point of view, is either a storm in a teacup or a sign of the future of academia.

Peer Review Paladin

Since 2015, Cabanac has undertaken a sort of crusade to uncover other published papers that aren't upfront about their use of AI tech, which back then was little more than a curiosity. As computers have gone from spitting out veritable gibberish to convincing, human-like compositions, the fight has gotten harder. But this has only steeled the resolve of Cabanac, who's helped uncover hundreds of AI-generated manuscripts.

"He gets frustrated about fake papers," Cyril Labbe, a fellow computer scientist and Cabanac's partner in crime-fighting, told Nature last year. "He's really willing to do whatever it takes to prevent these things from happening."

Those careful to cover their tracks won't leave behind obvious clues like, "as an AI language model," though thankfully for sleuths like Cabanac, many still do. He recently uncovered another paper, published in the journal Resources Policy, that contained several of those braindead giveaways. The publisher is "aware of the issue," it told Nature this week, and is investigating the incident.

Beyond that, AI models often can jumble the facts, and may simply be too dumb to accurately regurgitate the math and technical language involved in scientific papers  like in the Resources Policy study, which contained nonsensical equations, Cabanac found.

ChatGPT can also produce false claims out of thin air, in a phenomenon perhaps too generously described as "hallucinating." Case in point, a preprint paper last week was also outed as partially AI-generated after a Danish professor noticed that it cited papers under his name that didn't exist.

Overwhelming Numbers

Given how rigorous the peer review process is  or at least should be  it's alarming that AI-made phonies are slipping through the cracks.

Maybe not everyone has caught on. The ubiquity of the technology is still recent, after all. Or, says researcher and fake paper sleuth David Bimler, peer reviewers simply don't have time to look for stuff like that.

"The whole science ecosystem is publish or perish," Bimler told Nature. "The number of gatekeepers can't keep up."

And that may be the bitter truth. It takes a lot of time and expertise to review papers, but it only takes a few minutes for an AI churn one out, however shoddy it may be.

More on AI: Every Single States Attorney General Is Calling for Action on AI-Generated Child Abuse Materials
FILE - Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas speaks during a conference to support Jerusalem at the Arab League headquarters in Cairo, Egypt, on Feb. 12, 2023. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has fired most of the governors in the occupied West Bank. The move follows long-standing demands for a political shake-up as frustration grows with the semi-autonomous Palestinian Authority. Abbas issued a decree dismissing the governors of eight provinces under Palestinian administration in the occupied territory. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil, File) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

PARIS (AP)  Paris has rescinded a special honor it bestowed on Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas because of his recent antisemitic comments minimizing the Holocaust.

Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo published a letter Friday saying that your remarks run counter to universal values and the historical truth of the Holocaust.

Noting that tens of thousands of Jews were rounded up in Paris under the Nazi occupation and deported to death camps, Hidalgo said, We condemn your comments with the utmost firmness. No cause can justify revisionism and negationism.

Hidalgo awarded Abbas the citys highest honor, the Grand Bronze of Paris, in 2015 for his efforts toward peace in the Middle East and a two-state solution.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

In a speech last month to senior members of his Fatah movement, Abbas said that Adolf Hitler killed European Jews not because of antisemitism, but because of their social functions in society, such as money lending.

The United States, Germany and the European Union condemned his comments and accused him of distorting history and promoting antisemitic stereotypes.

In the Holocaust, 6 million Jews and others were murdered by the Nazis and their allies. Hitler considered Jews to be an inferior race and viciously promoted antisemitic stereotypes to incite violence and discrimination against Europes Jews as the Third Reich carried out the genocide.
Ukraine will receive more German-made Gepard air defence systems to protect its energy system.

Source: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in a video address

Quote: "And I want to thank our partners  we have another agreement, Ukraine will receive more 'cheetahs' to protect our energy network.

But we are mobilizing all our forces. To increase the supply of various air defense systems and physical protection of objects even further."

Details: The Ukrainian president reported on the meeting of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief's Staff on 9 September, which, first of all, discussed Ukraine's energy sustainability.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Quote: "We are fully aware that the Russian evil is also preparing for winter  preparing to inflict suffering. And now everyone in the public sector and in local authorities must do everything possible, and when necessary, even the impossible, to help Ukraine withstand the winter and maintain full functionality.

Air defense, preparation of the energy sector, social system, appropriate support packages from partners  all officials and commanders have clear tasks. Regional administration heads will report daily on preparedness, every evening  a report for the government, and the Office. The Minister of Internal Affairs has been instructed to maximize the preparation of the State Emergency Service sector  not only for the Emergency Service's immediate work but also for clearly informing people about how protection will be provided."

Background:

Lieutenant General Serhii Naiev, Commander of the Joint Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, said Ukraine has been preparing for Russian winter attacks on its energy systems and is relying on German-made Gepard air defence systems and large-calibre machine guns such as the American M2 Browning to defend its skies.

This week, Germany delivered ammunition for Gepard self-propelled anti-aircraft guns to Ukraine; these projectiles had been recently produced on a refurbished production line.

Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron!
Amid a flurry of roster moves Saturday, the New England Patriots raised some eyebrows by choosing to place their recently-signed QB on a rarely used list.

Less than two weeks after signing the Ole Miss product, Matt Corral was placed on the teams exempt/ left squad list Saturday. Signed in the wake of Bailey Zappes release during final roster cutdowns, Corral was the sole QB other than Mac Jones on the active roster while Zappe operated out of New Englands practice squad unit.

But Corrals absence during Fridays practice was the first indicator that Zappe would be the backup QB for the Patriots season opener on Sunday. Corrals absence was listed as not-injury related and according to the Boston Heralds Doug Kyed, the 24-year-old signal-caller left the team without notice.

QB Matt Corral left the Patriots without notice, according to a source.



Explains the "not injury related" tag on the practice report Friday and his placement on the exempt/left squad list today.  Doug Kyed (@DougKyed) September 9, 2023

Corral left the Patriots without notice, according to a source, writes Kyed. He doesnt take up a roster spot, but another team cant sign him unless the Patriots formally waive him.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

While the transaction drops Corral from the teams 53-man roster, he can return to the team at any time and be activated once again so long as New England creates space on the active roster.

A 2022 third-round pick by Carolina, Corral missed his rookie year due to a Lisfranc injury and was released during the Panthers roster cutdown this summer.

Cornerback Jack Jones will also miss at least four games after being placed on injured reserve due to a hamstring injury he suffered during practice on Wednesday.

Runningback Ty Montgomery and linebacker Calvin Munson were elevated from the practice squad to the active roster.

The Patriots and Philadelphia Eagles will square off at 4:25 p.m. at Gilette Stadium on Sunday.

Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.

Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW
Escaped prisoner Danelo Cavalcante was spotted two more times on Friday within the densely wooded area law enforcement has been searching, Pennsylvania State Police confirmed on Saturday morning.

The hunt for the convicted killer headed into the tenth day since the 34-year-old convicted murderer escaped from a Pennsylvania prison on Aug. 31.

Police released surveillance footage showing Cavalcante using a crab-walk to climb up the prison's wall until he disappeared from view. He escaped from the exercise yard to the roof area, which is the same escape route that another inmate, Igor Bolte, used on May 19, officials said.

Pennsylvania State Police continue their search efforts for escaped inmate Danelo Cavalcante with assistance from local, state, and federal agencies. There were two confirmed sightings of Cavalcante within the search area yesterday, September 8th. pic.twitter.com/yqSyOTJibx  Trooper Grothey (@PSPTroopJPIO) September 9, 2023

There have been six confirmed sightings of him in the search radius in the days since his escape, police said. The search area now runs from Conservatory Rd. to State Route 52 and Street Rd. to Longwood Rd, police said.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Cavalcante, who is "considered an extremely dangerous man," was convicted of first-degree murder on Aug. 16 for fatally stabbing his 33-year-old former girlfriend in April 2021. Her family has been notified of Cavalcante's escape, authorities said during a news conference. He's also wanted for a homicide in Brazil.

A $20,000 award has been offered for information leading to Cavalcante's arrest.

Reporting contributed by Aliza Chazan

F-16 pilots recall their mission to intercept Flight 93 on Sept. 11, 2001

Dayslong operation to rescue man in Turkish cave may start today

Saturday Sessions: Allison Russell performs "Demons"
A prison guard who was on duty when a convicted murderer escaped from a Pennsylvania prison more than a week ago has been fired, officials said Friday.

The prison guard, who was not publicly identified, was an 18-year veteran and was fired Thursday, a Chester County spokesperson confirmed to NBC News.

The guard had a cell phone in the tower, a violation of Chester County Prison policy, the county spokesperson confirmed.

Danelo Cavalcante, 34, escaped from the prison in Pocopson Township on Aug. 31. About 400 law enforcement personnel are assisting in the search for him, authorities said Friday.

Prisoner Danelo Cavalcante, a native Brazilian who illegally immigrated to the U.S. after a warrant was issued for his arrest for murder, escaping from Chester County Prison in Pennsylvania, on Aug. 31, 2023. (Chester County Prison / Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

According to surveillance video, Cavalcante stretched himself across the brick and cinderblock walls in the exercise yard to push himself to the roof.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

In May, Another inmate, Igor Bolte, had briefly escaped in a similar way. Bolte was captured about five minutes later in a residential neighborhood less than a mile from the prison.

Earlier this week, acting warden Howard Holland detailed how Cavalcante managed to escape and elude some measures that were put in place following Boltes escape.

Razor wire installed on the roof after the May escape  and deemed sufficient by security advisors  did not stop Cavalcante, Holland said.

Though a tower officer saw Bolte on the roof and he was apprehended shortly after, Cavalcante scaled the wall in the exercise yard and made his way onto the roof without being spotted by a tower officer or on surveillance video in a control room, he said.

The tower officer was placed on administrative leave. Its unclear whether that officer was the same prison guard who was fired Thursday.

It took 10 minutes for guards to realize they were missing a prisoner after they returned to their cells from the exercise yard on Aug. 31. And it was another 16 minutes before the public escape siren sounded, Holland said.

Police said Thursday they suspect Cavalcante is within the perimeter of Routes 926 and 52, Hillendale Road and Creek Road. Hes been spotted eight times.

A reward of up to $20,000 is being offered for information that leads to his apprehension.

Cavalcante was convicted Aug. 16 of first-degree murder in the fatal stabbing of his ex-girlfriend. He was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
In what may be a resurgence of an outdated and wasteful custom, people in fishing towns are launching dynamite into the water  to catch fish.

As The Guardian reports, this method known as "blast fishing" is illegal in most parts of the world, including the waters around the island country of Sri Lanka, where an uptick in this harmful practice is devastating local communities.

"Everything within a 100-meter radius of the blast is destroyed  coral reefs, marine plants and animals," Wilson Perera, a fisher and supplier from the Sri Lankan village of Salpayaru, told the newspaper. Waters that once were full of life have been decimated, the fisherman said, by this reckless exercise.

People throw small explosives like gelignite, which consists of nitroglycerine and nitrocellulose gel in a wood pulp stick, or water-gel sticks, into the water and wait for the dead fish to rise to the surface, where they can be captured with nets.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

It's as brutish as it is simple, and as Perera explained, this method's appeal lies in its simplicity and ease given that it only requires two or three people as opposed to the 25 or so needed for a proper fishing crew.

While there are short-term benefits for blast fishers  including that the yield can be up to 2,200 pounds of fish in a single go, versus the 50 or 60 one gets from traditional methods  its long-term implications are numerous. Blast fishing not only destroys marine flora, as the report explains, it can also affect the generation of fish, leading to shortages that are affecting the livelihoods of fishers in Salpayaru and other areas that mainly rely on fishing.

"An entire generation [of fishers] will be destitute [because of blast fishing]," Perera said.

While governments like Sri Lankas have successfully seized explosives near beaches that were likely going to be used for blast fishing, many more slip through the cracks. As government officials told The Guardian, monitoring the seas surrounding Sri Lanka is a difficult task.

"The navy is stationed in limited areas and when we inform of an incident they are deployed to the relevant areas," Susantha Kahawatta, the head of the country's fisheries department, told the newspaper.

While it's by no means a new phenomenon  a 1903 short story by the American writer Frank Norris called "The Passing of Cock-Eye Blacklock" focuses on similar blast fishing enforcement difficulties off the coast of California  there has been an observed increase in the practice in recent years. As a 2021 meta-analysis notes, "blasting is widespread, misreported, and ongoing," and is both the cause and the effect of complex socioeconomic issues in the areas where it appears to be growing.

Overall, this pernicious practice is incredibly harmful to the environments and livelihoods of the regions where people undertake it. But like so many other destructive acts, people will keep doing it as long as they can get away with it.

More on messed-up water: Man Arrested for Dropping Chemical Into Swimming Pools Using Drone
The Philippines has accused Chinese vessels of carrying out dangerous maneuvers in a disputed area of the South China Sea in the latest maritime flare-up between the two neighbors.

The Philippine coast guard said in a statement Friday it had been carrying out a routine rotation and resupply mission near Ayungin Shoal, known in China as Renai Reef, when its vessels were approached by eight Chinese boats.

It claimed the Chinese boats jeopardized the safety of the crew members aboard the Philippine vessels, but did not detail how. It claimed the incident had involved four Chinese coast guard vessels and four Chinese maritime militia boats.

The incident comes just weeks after the Philippines accused Chinese coast guard ships of firing water cannons at its vessels as they tried to resupply troops stationed on the same shoal in the Spratly Islands chain, known in China as the Nansha Islands.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Western marine security experts believe Beijing controls a maritime militia hundreds of vessels strong that acts as an unofficial  and officially deniable  force to push its territorial claims both in the South China Sea and beyond.

The Philippines claims the militia has been involved in both of the most recent incidents at Ayungin Shoal, which is also known as Second Thomas Shoal.

China has never acknowledged that such a militia exists.

Following the most recent incident the Philippine coast guard said it had reached out to its Chinese counterpart and urged them to immediately cease any illegal activities within the maritime zones of the Philippines.

Beijing claims indisputable sovereignty over almost all of the 1.3 million square mile South China Sea, as well as most of the islands within it. That includes the Spratlys, an archipelago consisting of 100 small islands and reefs also claimed in full or part by the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan.

Manila however calls part of the area the West Philippine Sea. In 1999 it intentionally grounded a navy transport ship, the BRP Sierra Madre, on Second Thomas Shoal, manned by Filipino marines, to enforce the countrys claim to the area.

In response to the latest confrontation, the Chinese coast guard issued a statement on Friday, accusing the Philippines of unauthorized entry into the area.

Two Philippine supply ships and two (Philippine) coast guard ships entered the waters adjacent to Renai Reef in Chinas Nansha Islands without permission from the Chinese government, the statement read.

China has indisputable sovereignty over the Nansha Islands, including Renai Reef, and its adjacent waters, and firmly opposes the Philippines illegal transportation of illegal building materials to warships stationed on the beach illegally.

Manilas territorial claims are backed by the international Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague, which ruled in 2016 that China has no legal basis to claim historic rights to the bulk of the South China Sea.

Beijing has ignored the ruling and insists that the Philippines had promised to remove the vessel. Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has said his government has never promised such a move.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
Phoenix police detectives arrested a man on Wednesday after he stabbed his girlfriend to death in their home, according to court documents.

Detectives arrested 53-year-old Erik Islas for the murder of 59-year-old Patricia Hawking, who was found dead Tuesday by police officers who responded to a welfare check, according to a Phoenix police statement.

Court documents say Hawking was stabbed 26 times and was found with defensive wounds to her hands and forearms and a 4-inch piece of a knife blade lodged in her back.

The court documents also say Islas and Hawking lived together in a Phoenix casita near 16th Street and Bethany Home Road. The couple had a tumultuous eight-year relationship in which violence and subsequent hospitalizations were not uncommon, the court documents say.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Notorious case: 'Canal killings' Part 1: Brutal slayings end the lives of 2 young Phoenix women

Hawking had previously confided to her family that Islas had threatened to kill both her and her family by stabbing them with a knife, according to court documents.

On Tuesday, the owner of the casita became concerned after she had not seen Hawking for several days. The owner also tried contacting Hawking in person and by phone, according to court documents.

When one of the homeowners calls finally connected, it wasnt Hawking who answered, but a man who said he found the phone on the side of the road near 32nd Street and University Drive, according to court documents.

The homeowner then retrieved the phone from the man and decided to physically check on Hawking, where she found a slightly open front door that revealed blood on the ground.

The homeowner called for a welfare check that led officers to discover Hawkings body.

The court documents say officers found a trail of blood that led to Hawking's body inside the casita. Police reported there were obvious signs of a struggle, and they also located a bloody knife in the bathroom trash can, according to court documents.

The casita had interior security cameras, which court documents say witnessed Islas and Hawking engaged in a verbal and then physical altercation.

The court documents do not detail if the actual stabbing was recorded.

More on Phoenix crime: Woman charged on suspicion of murder in July shooting case

Once police identified Islas as a suspect, they tracked his Isuzu Rodeo using a law enforcement database software and located him first traveling south of Phoenix to Tucson, and later crossing the border into Mexico early Monday morning.

Islas was armed with a knife when he was detained upon returning to the United States on Wednesday, and transferred from Nogales to Phoenix, where detectives said he later confessed to punching and then stabbing Hawking with the intent to kill her, according to court documents.

Islas has been charged with first-degree murder and is next scheduled to appear in court on Sept. 13.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Phoenix police arrest suspect after woman found stabbed to death
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un attended a celebration for a new 'nuclear attack' submarine on Friday.

He watched the event and gave an address while wearing a cream suit, sun hat, and huge smile.

Experts say the submarine will need to undergo several months of tests and may not work as advertised.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un attended what North Korean officials say was the launch of a "tactical nuclear attack submarine" on Friday. And he showed up to the celebration wearing a bright suit, sun hat, and wide smile.

North Korea state media reported that the submarine is meant to patrol the waters between Korea and Japan. Kim told event attendees that giving the North Korean Navy access to nuclear weapons was a priority.

If it can operate successfully, this submarine will be the first of its kind for North Korea, according to David Schmerler, a weapons expert with the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

"This would, if sea trials are successfully completed, be their first non-test platform ballistic missile submarine," Schmerler told The Washington Post.

Kim Jong Un delivered an address to the launch event attendees on September 8. KCNA/Reuters

However, some experts say the submarine will likely not function as advertised.

"As a platform, it will have some fundamental limitations and vulnerabilities," Joseph Dempsey, a researcher at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, told the BBC.

Yang Uk, a weapons expert at the Asian Institute for Policy Studies, told The New York Times that the submarine will likely have issues with "stealthiness and maneuverability."

"Still, the design reflects Kim Jong Un's policy of increasing his nuclear force 'exponentially,'" Yang said.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Members of the Pismo Beach City Council may have violated the Ralph M. Brown Act, Californias open meetings law, according to agenda and email documentation provided to The Tribune.

Julie Tacker, a self-described community activist and Los Osos resident, filed a complaint with the San Luis Obispo County District Attorneys Office after Tacker said she noticed that the agenda for a May 10 closed session of the Pismo Beach City Council included mention of a city employees pay.

The meeting involved discussion and eventual staff recommendation to promote then-assistant city manager Jorge Garcia to the interim position after former city manager Jim Lewis left to assume the same role for the city of Atascadero.

With the move to interim city manager, Garcia received a $1,575 monthly salary increase for a total of $17,327 a month, a 10% increase for the six-month interim assignment to reflect his additional duties as acting city manager, according to salary information included in the agenda.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Prior to the closed session meeting, Tacker sent a message to somebody that (she) had been in communication with in the city, and said, Be careful  dont talk about compensation in a closed session, and then I found out later that there was a contract in the session, Tacker said. While they may not have discussed it verbally, the document was there.

The Pismo Beach City Council appointed Jorge Garcia interim city manager at a May 10 meeting. Garcia will serve in an interim role until a new administrator has been selected. City of Pismo Beach

Tacker alleged this constitutes a violation of the Brown Act because legislative bodies cannot call special meetings regarding the salaries of its employees under Section 54956(b) of the California Government Code.

Whether or not any councilmember discussed the compensation proposed, the fact remains that the compensation increase was presented for all the councilmembers to consider, Tacker wrote in an email to the City Council notifying them of the alleged violation. Silence is consent. A lack of response to an action is a tacit approval of that action.

Deputy District Attorney Ken Jorgensen later emailed the City Council on Aug. 3 about the countys investigation into the alleged violation, and said the question the District Attorneys Office had to answer revolved around whether the council went beyond oblique references to the terms of Garcias employment.

In the email, Jorgensen also said over the course of communications between the District Attorneys Office and Pismo Beach city attorney Dave Fleishman, Fleishman raised the issue of a separate alleged Brown Act violation stemming from Tackers knowledge of the contents of the closed session.

(Fleishman) noted that he was in the closed session and that the complaints factual description of what happened would seem to indicate that someone who was present impermissibly disclosed confidential information, Jorgensen said in the email. If this did transpire, Mr. Fleishman noted that this too would indicate that either a councilmember or city employee breached the confidentiality of the meeting and violated the Brown Act.

In email exchanges between May 22 and Jul 21, Fleishman and Jorgensen debated Tackers allegation that a draft employment contract was present at the closed session, and whether any City Council members were aware of the salary changes.

In a May 22 email to Jorgensen, Fleishman said it is not clear how Tacker learned what was said in the closed session, or who informed her. Tacker also did not identify this individual to The Tribune.

In a July 20 email, Jorgensen said Fleishman was attempting to stonewall the district attorneys informal investigative inquiry rather than cooperating in good faith after the City Council declined to authorize the release of confidential information at a July 18 closed session meeting.

In his Aug. 3 letter to the City Council, Jorgensen said his office did not have enough information to verify allegations of Brown Act violations.

He also said alleged violations can be addressed through prosecution or civil proceedings, but prosecution is unlikely in this case.

By removing that threat of litigation, I think that kind of opens things up so that (the City Council) can address these concerns openly and without fear of any type of litigation, Jorgensen told The Tribune. Thats what we believe would be in the best interest of justice.

Jorgensen recommended the City Council take the following actions:

City officials and employees that regularly attend closed-session meetings should undertake additional Brown Act training to address Mr. Fleishmans concern that confidential information was impermissibly shared outside the closed-session meeting;

The citys staff and council should take further procedural planning steps to ensure that closed-session discussions and documents are limited to topics permitted under the Brown Act; and

That the council add this letter as a public business item to be discussed at the councils next meeting given the issues raised.

Pismo Beach City Council meeting agendas for the Aug. 15 and Sept. 5 meetings did not list Jorgensens letter as public business items.

Jorgensen said his office has not heard back from the city whether they would move forward with his recommendations.

The Tribune reached out to Fleishman for comment but did not receive a response.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN)  A man is claiming self-defense following a Friday shooting that left another man dead in Antioch, officials said.

The Metro Nashville Police Department said the incident took place in the 4800 block of Goodwin Road shortly before 3:15 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 8.

| READ MORE | Latest headlines from Nashville and Davidson County

According to authorities, a 37-year-old man was working with his uncle on Artelia Drive when the pair suddenly saw someone drive away in the uncles pickup truck.

Detectives said an investigation reveals that the man and uncle began to follow the stolen truck while on the phone with 911.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

CRIME TRACKER | Read the latest crime news from Middle Tennessee

The truck eventually stopped in the 4800 block of Goodwin Road. Thats when the truck driver got out of the vehicle.

Authorities reported the uncle saw the man reach for something, which led to his nephew shooting the unidentified man.

The uncle told officers that his nephew said it appeared the man was armed with a machete. Officers were able to locate a machete at the scene.

 Read todays top stories on wkrn.com

A pistol was recovered from the nephews vehicle as well. The 37-year-old reportedly declined to speak to officers without consulting an attorney first. No charges have been filed at this time, police said.

Police are looking into the self-defense claim as they investigate the fatal shooting, which will be assisted by the District Attorneys Office.

No additional details have been released about the incident.

 Download the News 2 app to stay updated on the go.

 Sign up for WKRN email alerts to have breaking news sent to your inbox.

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

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

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.
This surveillance video image shows a man suspected in the fatal stabbing of a 23-year-old man at the Pershing Square Metro station on Thursday. (Los Angeles Police Department)

Authorities are seeking the public's help in identifying a man they suspect of fatally stabbing a Metro train passenger in downtown Los Angeles in an apparently unprovoked attack this week.

The stabbing was reported at 5:20 p.m. Thursday by transit officers at Pershing Square station, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.

Authorities found the victim  later identified as Jesse Rodriguez, 23  suffering from a stab wound. He was treated by paramedics before being taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

A preliminary investigation determined Rodriguez was on a train at the station when he was approached by an unidentified person wielding a knife. Authorities say the man stabbed Rodriguez without warning or provocation before fleeing.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

The suspect is described as a thinly built man, approximately 6 feet 2, with a mustache and goatee. At the time, authorities say, he was wearing a black wave cap, a black long-sleeve shirt, dark pants, black shoes and a black Puma backpack.

Anyone with information for investigators can contact the LAPD at (213) 996-4142, or (877) 527-3247 outside of normal business hours. Information can also be given anonymously via Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477.

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.
CARLSBAD, Calif.  A police shooting took place in Carlsbad Saturday morning, authorities confirmed.

According to the Carlsbad Police Department, officers contacted a white truck parked in a dirt lot near the intersection of Carlsbad Boulevard and Palomar Airport Road around 12:44 a.m. Saturday.

The Forum Carlsbad adds three new stores

Authorities say one adult and four teenagers were inside the truck, and alcoholic beverages were seen inside the truck. At that time, officers began directing the occupants of the truck out of the vehicle.

According to CPD, a 16-year-old male juvenile was sitting in the front passenger seat. Police say he exited the vehicle before being asked and began reaching under the passenger seat. Officers immediately ordered him to stop reaching under the seat.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Police say the juvenile pulled a firearm from under the seat and turned in the direction of one of the officers. At that point, one officer fired one time from his service weapon, striking the juvenile.

The juvenile ran west towards the ocean and either jumped or fell down the side of the cliff, authorities explained. Officers were able to reach him and take him into custody.

Officers immediately began rendering medical aid including the use of a tourniquet, CPD explained. This is a band thats tied around a limb when bleeding is uncontrollable.

The juvenile was transported for treatment at a local hospital. Police say he was struck in the right arm and is expected to survive his injuries.

A firearm was located in the general area where the juvenile was apprehended down the cliffside, police said.

The CPD officer who fired his weapon has been employed by department since May 2023. His identity has not been released at this time.

Southbound and northbound Carlsbad Boulevard at Palomar Airport Road were temporarily closed during the investigation but have since reopened.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to call the San Diego Police 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.
A SWAT team sniper who accidentally killed a 2-year-old girl last year during a violent standoff and hostage situation in southeastern Kansas will not face criminal charges, prosecutors said on Friday.

The child, Clesslynn Crawford, died of a single gunshot wound to the head in the Cherokee County camper trailer where her father had killed her mother, shot at police and killed himself in March 2022, according to the Kansas Bureau of Investigation.

Investigators determined the sniper mistook Clesslynns silhouette for her father, 37-year-old Eli Crawford, as she stood on a couch and peered out of the trailers window.

On Friday, Cherokee County Attorney Kurt C. Benecke released a 37-page report outlining the fatal police shooting in Baxter Springs, roughly 150 miles southwest of Kansas City, and the legal conclusions behind the decision.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Kansas law did not shield the Joplin, Missouri, police officer from a charge of involuntary manslaughter. But prosecutors ultimately determined there was not sufficient evidence to show at trial that the shooting was reckless, finding that the officer reasonably perceived the child as his intended target.

On March 26, 2022, a 911 call was placed by a woman  believed to be Clesslynns 27-year-old mother, Taylor Schutte  asking for police assistance. A dispatcher could hear arguing, threats and other signs of violence in the background.

Baxter Springs police officers arrived that evening and knocked on the door. Schutte, who had been visiting with Clesslynn, attempted to leave the trailer.

She made it to the steps before she was shot in the head by Crawford, according to the Kansas Bureau of Investigation.

The first responding officers took cover and called for backup. Crawford remained in the trailer with Clesslynn as more police arrived at the scene.

Clesslynn Crawford, 2, was shot and killed by police during a hostage situation, officials said.

Over the course of the evening, Crawford allegedly fired nearly 100 gunshots at police officers, striking patrol vehicles and neighboring homes.

A SWAT team from Joplin, Missouri, roughly 15 miles across the state line, was among the agencies called in for assistance. They came with three snipers, two armored vehicles, two entry teams and three negotiators.

During the standoff, Crawford instructed negotiators to have his sister come to the trailer to retrieve Clesslynn. He also threatened to kill the child, police officers and himself if his sister did not pick her up, according to the summary of facts in Fridays report.

In one recorded phone conversation with a negotiator, Crawford said to send my sister and get my baby and everything is fine.

Other than that, I have hand grenades and fully automatic weapons that I am getting ready to use. Do you hear me?

A few minutes later there was another volley of gunfire that originated from the southeastern-facing part of the camper. One SWAT team sniper, referred to only as Sniper 1 in the deadly-use-of-force report, heard the bullets hit the trees behind him.

He continued to watch the window for about two minutes before firing a round intended for Crawford. Then he heard a muffled gunshot as he reloaded.

Inside the trailer, Clesslynn was found dead of a single gunshot wound ultimately matched to the snipers gun. Crawford was determined to have died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Crawford was on the phone with a friend and reported Clesslynn had been shot through the window before he took his own life, according to the report.

In the report Friday, prosecutors noted the decision applied only to Kansas criminal law, saying police department policies and any potential civil liability were not included within the scope of the review.

In March, family of Clesslyn filed a civil rights lawsuit against the City of Joplin, the City of Baxter Springs and Cherokee County. The lawsuit, which also contains a wrongful-death claim, alleges authorities failed to adequately train those involved, including the shooter, and that police commanders failed to properly supervise the situation.

The Stars Katie Moore contributed to this report.
THE HAGUE (Reuters) - Police deployed water cannon to disperse thousands of climate activists protesting on a highway in the Netherlands on Saturday to demand an end to government subsidies for the fossil fuel industry.

More than 10,000 people marched along the A12 highway into The Hague, ignoring warnings from authorities not to block the major traffic artery into the Dutch seat of government.

The police said in a statement they detained 2,400 protesters, including minors. There were no reports of injuries.

Extinction Rebellion, which organised the event, has said it will continue to hold protests until the government of the Netherlands stops using public funds to subsidise the oil and gas industry.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

"The seas are rising and so are we," chanted the crowd, which included children and the elderly.

(Reporting by Piroschka van de Wouw; Writing by Anthony Deutsch; Editing by Tomasz Janowski and Chizu Nomiyama)
Suspended Attorney General Ken Paxton, center, sits with his lawyers Tony Buzbee, left, and Dan Cogdell at the beginning of the first day of his impeachment trial in the Texas Senate on Sept. 5. Credit: Juan Figueroa/Pool via The Dallas Morning News

The first week of suspended Attorney General Ken Paxtons history-making impeachment trial closed Friday with only four prosecution witnesses taking the stand in the first four days.

Even so, the broad strokes of the cases being presented by lawyers for the House impeachment managers and Paxtons defense team emerged in Tuesdays opening statements and during frequently tedious, sometimes contentious questioning of witnesses.

Among the many subplots, these themes are likely to guide a trial that could take several additional weeks  ending when senators deliberate in private and emerge to cast votes that will determine whether the three-term Republican will return to work or be permanently removed from office.

Paxton attended the opening hours of his trial on Tuesday, during which senators overwhelmingly rejected his attempts to dismiss the articles of impeachment and his lawyer entered not guilty pleas on his behalf. He was absent the rest of the week.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

The trial is set to resume Monday at 9 a.m.

Defense team challenges loyalty, evidence

Under trial rules adopted by the Senate, prosecutors began presenting their case first, and they chose to lead with three former high-ranking officials of the attorney generals office  all of whom reported Paxton to the FBI on Sept. 30, 2020 before quitting or being fired.

Three Paxton lawyers split cross examination of the opening witnesses, and all three hit on similar themes.

Lead defense lawyer Tony Buzbee equated reporting Paxton to the FBI as an act of betrayal. By going behind the attorney generals back, he said, Paxton was deprived of the opportunity to answer questions that could have cleared matters up.

You went to the FBI uninformed, isnt that true? Buzbee asked Jeff Mateer, Paxtons former second in command and the first prosecution witness.

I would not say that, sir, Mateer replied Tuesday.

[Whos who in the Ken Paxton impeachment trial, from key participants to potential witnesses]

Defense lawyer Mitch Little picked up the theme during his aggressive questioning of the third prosecution witness, Ryan Vassar, former deputy attorney general for legal counsel, on Thursday.

In an extensive back and forth, Little suggested that Paxton was due the courtesy of a warning after nurturing Vassars career. More importantly, Little added, failing to let Paxton address their concerns left Vassar and other whistleblowers uninformed when they met with FBI agents to accuse Paxton of criminal acts.

Little said the whistleblowers had no direct knowledge, let alone evidence such as invoices, of wrongdoing regarding allegations that Austin real estate investor Nate Paul offered bribes by paying to renovate Paxtons home and employing the woman Paxton was dating outside of his marriage.

You went to the FBI on Sept. 30 with your compatriots and reported the elected attorney general of this state for a crime without any evidence, yes? Little asked.

Vassar tried to qualify his answer several times, but Little repeatedly objected, stating it was a yes or no question.

Thats right, we took no evidence, Vassar finally stated.

On Friday, Rusty Hardin, a lawyer for the impeachment managers, sought to clear up the impression left by Vassar.

Vassar said he believed Little was referring to documents, documentary evidence, adding that he intended the FBI to find the truth, not conduct his own investigation.

Did you give the FBI evidence? Hardin asked.

Our experience was evidence, Vassar replied. But we did not conduct our own investigation to provide documentary evidence of what we had learned.  I believed that I was a witness to criminal activity that had occurred by General Paxton.

Prosecutors focus on egregious misconduct

State Rep. Andrew Murr, R-Junction, gave the opening statement on behalf of the House impeachment managers. He promised senators would hear testimony portraying Paxton as obsessed with helping Paul  who was under state and federal investigation for his business dealings  despite warnings and objections from his top lieutenants at the agency.

Paxton engaged in egregious misconduct, he said.

The states top lawyer engaged in conduct designed to advance the economic interests and legal positions of a friend and donor to the detriment of innocent Texans, Murr said, adding that Paxton turned the keys of the office of attorney general over to Nate Paul.

Ryan Bangert, Paxtons former deputy first assistant attorney general, testified Wednesday and Thursday that Paxton took an unusual interest in matters involving Paul, such as pressing to overrule two agency decisions that denied Paul access to documents related to an active investigation into Pauls businesses.

We were devoting far more resources to Nate Paul than we ever should have, Bangert said.

I was deeply concerned that the name, authority and power of our office had been, in my view, hijacked to serve the interests of an individual against the interests of the broader public, Bangert added. It was unconscionable.

[Operation Deep Sea: How Nate Paul pulled the strings in the attorney generals office to investigate his enemies]

On Friday, impeachment lawyers called their fourth witness, David Maxwell, Paxtons former director of law enforcement. Maxwell was out of state when seven senior agency officials reported Paxton to the FBI in 2020. Instead, Maxwell took his concerns to other law enforcement officials and was later fired from the agency.

Maxwell said he found Pauls complaint to be absolutely ludicrous, including claims that search warrants were improperly altered in a web of conspiracy that included a federal magistrate judge.

As a result, Maxwell said, he urged Paxton to drop his interest in Paul. I told him that Nate Paul was a criminal  and that, if he didnt get away from this individual and stop doing what he was doing, he was going to get himself indicted.

Defense: Paxton did not exceed his authority

Defense lawyers, in opening statements and in questions to prosecution witnesses, pushed back on claims that Paxton acted illegally when he pressed his agencys lawyers and employees to take actions that were helpful to Paul.

When Vassar testified that Paxton broke internal rules on hiring outside lawyers to appoint Houston attorney Brandon Cammack to investigate Pauls complaint, Little pointed to state law to argue that Paxton  as the elected leader of the attorney generals office  had the power to approve Cammacks contract.

Defense lawyer Dan Cogdell, in opening statements Tuesday, said Paxton hired Cammack in understandable frustration because employees of the attorney generals office did little to nothing to investigate Pauls serious complaint that his home and business had been improperly searched by state and federal officials.

Similarly, several Paxton lawyers disputed allegations that Paxton improperly directed his agencys lawyers to intervene in an Austin charitys lawsuit against Paul, arguing that he had clear authority to run his agency.

Prosecutors push back on several fronts

Under questioning from House impeachment lawyer Dick DeGuerin, Maxwell pushed back on claims that Pauls complaints had been brushed off without proper investigation. A forensic analysis of the search warrants found nothing to support Pauls claim that the documents had been improperly altered, he said.

After Buzbee opened his case by stating that nothing of significance had been exchanged between Paxton and Paul, lawyers for the House impeachment team pressed their witnesses to explain how Paul benefited from Paxtons repeated interventions.

A legal opinion, published with unusual speed at 1 a.m. on a Sunday in 2020, took a highly unusual position at Paxtons insistence, Bangert testified. The attorney generals office had led efforts to reopen Texas several months into the pandemic, yet Paxton demanded that the opinion say local COVID-19 safety rules barred property foreclosure sales.

Only later did it become known that Pauls lawyer referred to the agencys opinion letter to avoid foreclosure sales of several Paul properties two days later, Bangert said.

Buzbee warns of potential political consequences

In opening statements laying out Paxtons case, Buzbee sounded a political warning.

Impeachment could become a common tactic of political retribution if Paxton  a leading conservative legal voice on abortion, immigration and other key issues  were to be convicted and removed from office, he argued.

Lets be clear. If this misguided effort is successful  the precedent it will set would be perilous for any elected official in the state of Texas, Buzbee said.

Buzbee also argued that impeachment thwarted the will of Texas voters.

Texans chose at the voting booth who they wanted to be their attorney general  but because of what this House has done, only 30 [senators] out of almost 30 million will decide if Ken Paxton is allowed to serve in the office he was voted into, he said. Thats not how its supposed to work. Thats not democratic.

Impeachment team counters with its own political focus

Murr rejected arguments that impeachment violated democratic principles, saying the framers of the Texas Constitution did not believe elections alone could protect the public from abusive office holders.

Its too easy to use the powers of office to conceal the truth, Murr said in opening statements. The voters did not, and do not, know the whole truth because Paxton went to great lengths to conceal his misconduct, he added.

Impeachment lawyers also focused on the ultraconservative political beliefs held by their first three witnesses  all attorneys who praised Paxtons priorities that, as one put it, turned the Texas attorney generals office into a beacon of the conservative legal movement.

Mateer worked on Capitol Hill for two Texas Republican stalwarts, Tom DeLay and Dick Armey, and is now chief legal officer of First Liberty Institute, a Christian legal defense organization that focuses on religious liberty issues. His nomination for federal judge by President Donald Trump was thwarted by controversy over statements critical of transgender youth.

Bangert is a senior vice president for the Alliance Defending Freedom, a legal advocacy group focused on religious freedom and limiting abortion and LGBTQ+ rights, and he had previous ties to the Christian Coalition.

Vassar worked for notable conservative judges, including Don Willett, a former Texas Supreme Court justice named to a federal appeals court by Trump. Vassar also was a summer fellow for former Republican Gov. Rick Perry.

Paxton has blamed the impeachment on political opposition to his deeply conservative principles, but Mateer, Bangert and Vassar testified that they reluctantly took their concerns to the FBI after concluding that Paxton was misusing his authority on Pauls behalf.

The full program is now LIVE for the 2023 Texas Tribune Festival, happening Sept. 21-23 in Austin. Explore the program featuring more than 100 unforgettable conversations coming to TribFest. Panel topics include the biggest 2024 races and whats ahead, how big cities in Texas and around the country are changing, the integrity of upcoming elections and so much more. See the full program.
SAN DIEGO (Border Report)  Migrants who identify as members of the LBGTQ+ community arent fleeing their countries due to persecution over their sexual orientation, but other over-riding factors as well, according to Macarena Williamson, a Brazilian social science professor and researcher now in Mexico.

She says her research shows most LBGTQ+ migrants have faced discrimination due to their sexual leanings but the over-riding reason for leaving their hometowns is the lack of job opportunities, poverty and violence.

For LBGTQ+ migrants there are many reasons why they are fleeing their countries of origin, their gender identity is just one of them, said Williamson. Some of the motives include the violation of their human rights, their precarious living conditions and brushes with violence.

She stated that because of Mexicos place on the map many LBGTQ+ members are coming through this country and must be supported and helped.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Mexico needs to strengthen its resources and create a network to meet the needs of the LBGTQ+ community and work with international organizations as a way to provide better services, she said. It needs to create safer and dignified pathways for them as they head to the United States.

And according to Williamson, its becoming more difficult for LBGTQ+ migrants to seek help from government agencies in countries they are passing through.

Along their journey, they see different types of violence from different actors, I mean to say military police officers.

Williamson released her findings during the first day of a cultural conference at the Colegio de la Frontera Norte, a university in Tijuana and think tank for immigration.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
The powerful ATACMS missile Ukraine may soon get from the US has long range, accuracy, and a lot of firepower

The US is leaning towards sending Ukraine the ATACMS long-range missile, per a new report.

The missiles have a range of 190 miles, are accurate, and can cause a lot of damage.

Ukraine has repeatedly asked the US to send ATACMS, but American officials have been reluctant.

The US is poised to supply Ukraine with ATACMS missiles, a report said Friday  potentially giving it a powerful new weapon against Russia.

The development was reported by ABC News, which cited two unnamed US officials. Ukrainian officials have long argued that the missiles would be a crucial part of its efforts to stop Russia's invasion.

ATACMS  a shortening of Army Tactical Missile System  has been one of Ukraine's most pressing requests, because its long range would open up Russian targets too distant to easily attack.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

The ATACMS is a long-range guided missile with a range of around 300 kilometers, or 190 miles, per its manufacturer Lockheed Martin. The US has been using it since 1991.

Here is what the missiles look like in action, as seen in a joint exercise between US and Korean forces in 2022:

And here is a photo showing the scale of the blast, taken from a test in Australia:

An MGM-140 Army Tactical Missile System missile impact in Northern Territory, Australia. US Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Ryan Hageali

ATACMS can be fired from HIMARS launchers, a US-made artillery system which is attached to a truck.

Ukraine already has HIMARS and has been using them for about a year  but with shorter-range rounds that can reach 50 miles. A HIMARS launcher can fire six of the shorter-range rockets in a single salvo, or one ATACMS.

The mobility from being attached to a truck means ATACMS could be fired with "shoot and scoot" tactics, where a round is launched and then the weapon moves on before the enemy can fire back.

ATACMS have a warhead known as the WDU18, which produces a blast equivalent to 500 lbs of TNT.

It is both deadly and precise. The "ATACMS' pinpoint accuracy helps minimize collateral damage," Jim Gribschaw, a director at Lockheed Martin said of the missile.

ATACMS strikes were used extensively by the US in the Gulf War and its later invasion of Iraq.

Retired US general Ben Hodges previously told Insider that the ATACMS would allow Ukraine to reach vulnerable targets behind the front lines, like command posts housing senior officers, or ammunition dumps.

Ukraine has assured backers like the US that it would not use donated weapons for attacks on Russian soil, and it has been using its own drones and missiles for that instead.

A HIMARS launcher. US Army photo

The US had initially been reluctant to provide the missile system.

National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said in 2022 that providing ATACMS could prompt Russia to escalate the conflict.

"There are certain capabilities the president has said he is not prepared to provide," he said, adding that Biden feared "heading down the road towards a third world war," he added.

As the war continued the US has steadily provided Ukraine with strong equipment, and has already dropped its objections to sending HIMARS, advanced Abrams tanks, cluster munitions, and F-16 fighter jets.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Moroccan boys, Rayan and Ali walk amidst the rubble of their home which was damaged by the earthquake, in Ijjoukak village, near Marrakech, Morocco, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. A rare, powerful earthquake struck Morocco, sending people racing from their beds into the streets and toppling buildings in mountainous villages and ancient cities not built to withstand such force. (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy)

MARRAKECH, Morocco (AP)  A rare, powerful earthquake struck Morocco, sending people racing from their beds into the streets and toppling buildings in mountainous villages and ancient cities not built to withstand such force. More than 2,000 people were killed, and the toll was expected to rise as rescuers struggled Saturday to reach hard-hit remote areas.

The magnitude 6.8 quake, the biggest to hit the North African country in 120 years, sent people fleeing their homes in terror and disbelief late Friday. One man said dishes and wall hangings began raining down, and people were knocked off their feet. The quake brought down walls made from stone and masonry, covering whole communities with rubble.

The devastation gripped each town along the High Atlas steep and winding switchbacks in similar ways: homes folding in on themselves and mothers and fathers crying as boys and helmet-clad police carried the dead through the streets.

Remote villages like those in the drought-stricken Ouargane Valley were largely cut off from the world when they lost electricity and cellphone service. By midday, people were outside mourning neighbors, surveying the damage on their camera phones and telling one another May God save us.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Hamid Idsalah, a 72-year-old mountain guide, said he and many others remained alive but had little future to look forward to. That was true in the short-term  with remnants of his kitchen reduced to dust  and in the long-term  where he and many others lack the financial means to rebound.

I cant reconstruct my home. I dont know what Ill do. Still, Im alive, so Ill wait, he said as he walked through the desert oasis town overlooking red rock hills, packs of goats and a glistening salt lake. I feel heartsick.

In historic Marrakech, people could be seen on state TV clustering in the streets , afraid to go back inside buildings that might still be unstable. The city's famous Koutoubia Mosque, built in the 12th century, was damaged, but the extent was not immediately clear. Its 69-meter (226-foot) minaret is known as the roof of Marrakech. Moroccans also posted videos showing damage to parts of the famous red walls that surround the old city, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

At least 2,012 people died in the quake, mostly in Marrakech and five provinces near the epicenter, Morocco's Interior Ministry reported Saturday night. At least 2,059 more people were injured  1,404 critically  the ministry said.

The problem is that where destructive earthquakes are rare, buildings are simply not constructed robustly enough to cope with strong ground shaking, so many collapse, resulting in high casualties, said Bill McGuire, professor emeritus of geophysical and climate hazards at University College London.

In a sign of the huge scale of the disaster, Moroccos King Mohammed VI ordered the armed forces to mobilize specialized search and rescue teams and a surgical field hospital, according to a statement from the military.

The king said he would visit the hardest hit area Saturday, but despite an outpouring of offers of help from around the world, the Moroccan government had not formally asked for assistance, a step required before outside rescue crews could deploy.

The epicenter of Fridays tremor was near the town of Ighil in Al Haouz Province, roughly 70 kilometers (44 miles) south of Marrakech. Al Haouz is known for scenic villages and valleys tucked in the High Atlas Mountains.

Police, emergency vehicles and people fleeing in shared taxis spent hours traversing unpaved roads through the High Atlas in stop-and-go traffic, often exiting their cars to help clear giant boulders from routes known to be rugged and difficult long before Fridays earthquake. In Ijjoukak, a village in the area surrounding Toubkal, North Africas tallest peak, residents estimated nearly 200 buildings had been leveled.

Couch cushions, electric cords and grapes were strewn in giant piles of rubble alongside dead sheep, houseplants and doors wedged between boulders. Relatives from the town and those who had driven from major cities cried while they wondered who to call as they reckoned with the aftermath and a lack of food and water.

It felt like a bomb went off, 34-year-old Mohamed Messi said.

Morocco will observe three days of national mourning with flags at half-staff on all public facilities, the official news agency MAP reported.

World leaders offered to send in aid or rescue crews as condolences poured in from countries in Europe, the Middle East and the Group of 20 summit in India. The president of Turkey, which lost tens of thousands of people in a massive earthquake earlier this year, was among those proposing assistance. France and Germany, with large populations of people of Moroccan origin, also offered to help, and the leaders of both Ukraine and Russia expressed support for Moroccans.

In an exceptional move, neighboring rival Algeria offered to open its airspace to allow eventual humanitarian aid or medical evacuation flights to travel to and from Morocco. Algeria closed the airspace when its government severed diplomatic ties with Morocco in 2021 over a series of issues. The countries have a decadeslong dispute involving the territory of Western Sahara.

The U.S. Geological Survey said the quake had a preliminary magnitude of 6.8 when it hit at 11:11 p.m. (22:11 GMT), with shaking that lasted several seconds. The U.S. agency reported a magnitude 4.9 aftershock hit 19 minutes later. The collision of the African and Eurasian tectonic plates occurred at a relatively shallow depth, which makes a quake more dangerous.

Earthquakes are relatively rare in North Africa. Lahcen Mhanni, Head of the Seismic Monitoring and Warning Department at the National Institute of Geophysics, told 2M TV that the earthquake was the strongest ever recorded in the region.

In 1960, a magnitude 5.8 tremor struck near the Moroccan city of Agadir and caused thousands of deaths. That quake prompted changes in construction rules in Morocco, but many buildings, especially rural homes, are not built to withstand such tremors.

In 2004, a 6.4 magnitude earthquake near the Mediterranean coastal city of Al Hoceima left more than 600 dead.

Friday's quake was felt as far away as Portugal and Algeria, according to the Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere and Algeria's Civil Defense agency, which oversees emergency response.

___

Associated Press writers Angela Charlton in Paris, Ahmed Hatem in Cairo, and Brian Melley and Hadia Bakkar in London contributed to this report.
President Joe Biden applauds dancers as he arrives at Indira Gandhi International Airport to attend the G20 summit, on Friday, Sept. 8, 2023, in New Delhi. | Evan Vucci, Associated Press

President Joe Biden landed at the Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi on Friday. He was greeted by U.S. Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti and his daughter Maya, as traditional dancers moved to Indian-pop fusion on a stage nearby.

After the Bollywood-style welcome party, Biden journeyed straight to Prime Minister Narendra Modis residence for an hour-long meeting, showing Bidens embrace of India as a critical partner of the U.S., ahead of the Group of 20, or G20, summit taking place from Sept 9-10.

The G20 is a working group of 20 countries across Latin America, Western Europe and parts of Asia that have been working to address global issues since 1999.

Hello, Delhi!



It's great to be in India for this year's G20. pic.twitter.com/JBJUAuAYYb  President Biden (@POTUS) September 8, 2023

Biden and Modis bilateral meeting

With India taking on hosting duties this year, it puts the country in a position to lead an influential group that helps to set global policy, said Milan Vaishnav, director of the South Asia Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

It allows India to push for ideas  from climate action to global economic governance and food security  that are especially relevant to it and fellow members of the Global South, he said, describing it as a coming-of-age moment for India.

Related

Vaishnav said its also crucial for Biden and Modi to meet after Modis visit to the U.S. last June. He said he expects the leaders to announce plans for collaborative development and production in defense and in scientific research, as the two whip their respective bureaucracies into shape.

Biden and Modi said in a joint statement that during their meeting they re-emphasized that the shared values of freedom, democracy, human rights, inclusion, pluralism, and equal opportunities for all citizens are critical to the success our countries enjoy and that these values strengthen our relationship.

Biden has visited India twice before, showcasing the importance he places on the relationship between the two countries.

Great seeing you, Mr. Prime Minister.



Today, and throughout the G20, we'll affirm that the United States-India partnership is stronger, closer, and more dynamic than any time in history. pic.twitter.com/bEW2tPrNXr  President Biden (@POTUS) September 8, 2023

Aacharya Chandershekhar Shastri, a historian and journalist who is a resident of New Delhi, said in Hindi that he isnt surprised about the U.S. presidents arrival. India is a huge market that no country wants to distance itself from.

New Delhi is full of energy these days, Shastri said, noting the excitement fueled by the international events and visits.

India makes huge investments for G20

Indias enthusiasm for the G20 was on display as world leaders arrived for the summit. The country has invested more than $100 million in preparation, while New Delhi has spent close to $500,000. Everything from street signage to G20 branding and extensive security was put in place, while encroachments were cleared or covered up.

Authorities are working hard to ensure the safety, security and leisure of the guests, said Vipul Sharma, another New Delhi resident who works for a gas corporation.

The city is on high alert for the next few days  traffic will be closely monitored and restricted while locals were discouraged from visiting tourist spots like Indian Gate or anywhere close to where the summit is being hosted.

Related

All government agencies and institutions were instructed to remain closed. New Delhi has also deployed anti-drone systems in the skies and 130,000 security officers to man the roads.

While Sharma noted the buzz for Biden and the G20 event, he categorized it as a burden on the economy as tax dollars are spent to cover the costs of the summit.

Sanjay Chadha, an entrepreneur who lives in South Delhi, criticized the investments to make the city appear beautiful. It feels like they gave a poor child very elegant clothes. How is Delhi looking? She looks good when she wears pretty clothes. But the goodness that comes from within is different, he said referring to deeper-rooted problems, like income inequality.

Still, they all agreed the summit was an opportunity for India to promote its interests in business and technology. For example, India has made some advancements in space with the Chandrayaan-3s historic landing on the south side of the moon and the countrys first solar mission launch, which Biden congratulated Modi for. This deepens the relationship as both countries prepare for a joint mission to the International Space Station in 2024 and as they coordinate on planetary defense.

Related

China absent from G-20

During the G20 summit, international leaders work together on a final document, the Leaders Declaration, which defines the success of the meeting.

Indias G20 negotiator Amitabh Kant said that the declaration is almost ready, and will be recommended to other leaders.

But with the war in Ukraine, this year it will likely prove tough for countries to come to a consensus, as different nations have different alliances with Russia. And India wants Beijing and Moscows point of view to be included.

The situation is complicated further with Chinas Xi Jinping not in attendance for the first time since he came to power in 2012, said Vaishnav.

Related

Biden has already expressed his disappointment Xi chose not to attend but also alluded to using this time to forge closer ties with his Asian counterparts.

I want a little more ... coordination. I think they both (India and Vietnam) want much closer relations with the United States and that can be very helpful, Biden told reporters in Delaware earlier this week.

Along with Biden, U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has also reached New Delhi, marking his first official trip to the country since becoming the U.K.s first leader of Indian descent.

Prior to his arrival, he said: Its obviously special. I saw somewhere that I was referred to as Indias son-in-law, which I hope was meant affectionately!

Sunak, too, got a Bollywood-style welcome.

Related

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, French President Emmanuel Macron and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will also be attending.

Contributing in New Delhi: Raj Poonia
Russia will be able to increase the production of artillery shells to 2 million pieces per year, but for a war of such intensity as it conducts in Ukraine this will not be enough, sources of Reuters say.

Source: Reuters, citing an unnamed Western official, as reported by European Pravda

Details: The official, who requested anonymity, says Russia fired about 10-11 million rounds during its war in Ukraine last year alone.

"If you expended 10 million rounds last year and you're in the middle of a fight and you can only produce 1 to 2 million rounds a year, I don't think that's a very strong position," the source emphasised.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

The official added that more expenditures by the Russian defence industry might also enable Moscow to construct nearly 200 tanks annually, which would be twice as many as some earlier Western predictions. But even that is a far cry from what it needs in light of the significant losses it sustained in Ukraine.

"When you've lost 2,000 tanks, you've got a decade before you get to where you started," the official said, adding that the Russian Federation lost a total of about 4,000 armoured vehicles, more than a hundred aircraft and about 270,000 personnel killed and wounded.

The article does not specify on which sources the named estimates are based.

Estimates of casualties and armoured forces correlate with Kyiv's estimates: more than 268,000 personnel and more than 4500 pieces of equipment as of 9 September. At the same time, Ukrainian estimates of Russian aircraft losses are much higher than the figure of "over a hundred" mentioned in the article  315, not counting helicopters.

The source of the journalists also said that Moscow's negotiations with North Korea are most likely concerning artillery shells and are evidence of the difficult situation of the Russian Federation.

"It has to go to these dubious partners in order to prop up its catastrophic invasion of Ukraine. And it will cost a fortune because North Korea will squeeze out a good deal," the official said.

He also recalled the difficult state of the Russian economy, which in the future creates risks of social instability and growing dissatisfaction with the authorities.

Background:

The Ministry of Defence of Lithuania has announced the supply of 1.5 million projectiles to Ukraine within the framework of the new military aid package.

The Pentagon's Defense Intelligence Agency believes that the recent successes of the Armed Forces of Ukraine suggest a "realistic possibility" of a breakthrough in the rest of the Russian defence lines by the end of the year, although it would be extremely difficult.

Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron!
On September 11, 2001, I was off-duty helping organize a fundraiser when we got the news about the attack.

The world watched as New York firefighters worked around the clock, putting out fires and searching for survivors while breathing in toxic fumes. I lost 26 friends that day and spent months attending funerals for fellow firefighters.

The trauma of that experience put me on a long path of misery and despair. Over the next 15 years, daily life was a constant struggle, and on many occasions, I thought about ending my life. My world completely changed when I found the healing power of psilocybin, the psychedelic substance found in certain varieties of mushrooms.

Earlier this summer, I testified in front of the California Assembly Public Health Committee and shared my story. I was there in support of Senate Bill 58, a bill to remove criminal penalties for several naturally occurring psychedelic medicines, including psilocybin. Sitting alongside a veteran and psychiatrist, we explained to lawmakers the profound importance of bringing these healing therapeutic substances out of the shadows so people can safely access them without fear of being arrested or stigmatized.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Much of the public is now hearing about the growing body of scientific evidence showing that psychedelics like psilocybin can be powerful tools to help people with serious mental, neurological and pain issues. Renowned institutions like Johns Hopkins University, NYU and UCLA are producing high quality, peer-reviewed research demonstrating that these medicines hold potential to effectively treat major depression, addiction, severe anxiety and other conditions.

For first responders like me, as well as veterans and health care workers, this research represents a tremendous source of hope. People in our lines of work are disproportionately impacted by our nations mental health crisis, and sadly suicide rates among these communities are much higher than the general population. While daily medications and other coping mechanisms help some people get by, these options arent working for many of us.

In addition to my depression, I also suffer from cluster headaches. Its an excruciating condition, and at times I experience 8-10 attacks a day. These cluster attacks are extremely debilitating, and in addition to the physical agony, the condition made my mental health much worse.

I discovered psilocybin mushrooms, which have been used by Indigenous cultures for thousands of years, in the late 2000s. I learned about a Harvard study that showed psilocybin could treat cluster headaches. But at the time, I feared I would lose my job, so I didnt dare to seek them out.

Several years later, after being medically retired from the FDNY, it became clear that none of the prescription drugs and typical medical interventions I was being offered would help. I decided to try psilocybin, and to my amazement, my headaches vanished.

For the first time in many years, I felt hopeful about my health. I stopped taking the cocktail of pills I had been prescribed, many of which caused damaging side effects and were addictive. Since then, psilocybin has been extremely effective at preventing my cluster headaches.

Psilocybin also helped me get back in touch with my former, happy-go-lucky self  the Joe that my friends and family hadnt seen since 9/11. Its not an exaggeration to say that psilocybin gave me my life back. Its been transformative, and allowed me to feel happiness and joy in a way I never thought I would again.

SB 58 is currently pending in the Assembly, just a few votes away from Gov. Gavin Newsoms desk. There are countless first responders, veterans and people across California who could benefit from this legislation. I hope that by sharing my journey, more hearts and minds will be opened to the potential of these medicines.

Joe McKay is a retired FDNY firefighter and patient advocate who worked with Burn Pits 360 to help pass the PACT Act in 2022, and with comedian John Stewart to pass 9/11 health and compensation bills through Congress. He also serves on the board of the Ray Pfeifer Foundation.

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Psychedelic therapies could help Californias ailing first responders
The All Pueblo Council of Governors (APCG) that represents 20 Pueblos is sending a delegation to Washington, D.C. on Monday, September 11, 2023, to meet with congressional representatives and other federal officials to voice their opposition to a House bill that aims to undo the Department of the Interiors recent Public Land Order 7923 that prevents new oil and gas development on public lands around the Greater Chaco Canyon.

The House bill, H.R. 4374, the Energy Opportunities for All Act, was introduced by Republican Representatives Eli Crane and Paul Gosar of Arizona.

Public Land Order 7923 was published on June 7, 2023. The order withdraws public lands that surround the Chaco Culture National Historical Park in northern New Mexico from future leasing and mining claims. Through the new public land order, public lands within a 10-mile radius of the park will be protected for the next 20 years.

Mondays meeting will provide the APCG delegation to vocalize strong opposition to H.R. 4374 that according to a press release issued by the APCG undermines the years of collaborative government-to-government work by the Pueblos, the Hopi Tribe, the State of New Mexico, the New Mexico Congressional Delegation, federal officials, and past Navajo Nation Administrations to establish this protective withdrawal.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Never miss Indian Countrys biggest stories and breaking news. Click here to sign up to get our reporting sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning.

If passed, H.R. 4374 would unravel Public Land Order No. 7923 and years of collaborative efforts and diplomacy to protect these ancestral lands and the communities depending on them.

This APCG delegation is comprised of APCG Chairman Mark Mitchell, APCG Vice-Chairman Jerome Lucero, Pueblo of Acoma Governor Randall Vicente, Pueblo of Laguna Governor Wilfred Herrara, Jr., Pueblo of Jemez Governor Dominic Gachupin, Pueblo of Zia Governor Valentino Pino, and Pueblo of Zuni Governor Arden Kucate.

Alongside opposing H.R. 4374, the APCG delegation intends to correct the record and dispel misinformation surrounding the creation and effects of the protections in Public Land Order No. 7923. This includes describing the long history and collaborative work between the Navajo Nation and the Pueblos to design and advocate for the 10-mile withdrawal, and the significant tribal consultation with the Navajo Nation that preceded the withdrawal.

The APCG delegation will also clarify that the Navajo Nation ensured from the beginning that Navajo Allottees would continue receiving all oil and gas royalties they are currently receiving and that their rights to develop on their own land would not be limited. It was an exercise of tribal sovereignty by the Navajo Nation to seek withdrawal of federal land from new oil and gas developmentas the Navajo Nation alone could not accomplish this act of stewardship without action by the federal government.

Former Governor of Tesuque Pueblo and APCG Chairman Mark Mitchell expressed deep concern about H.R. 4374 and the misinformation supporting it, stating the following: Our visit to the Capital comes at a time of urgency and necessity. The Greater Chaco Region is not just land; it is a living testament to our rich history, our spiritual connection to our ancestors, and our commitment to safeguarding it for future generations. The passage of H.R. 4374 would not only undo years of collaborative work but would signal a disregard for the deep spiritual and cultural significance that Chaco holds for those who are connected to that sacred place. We stand united in opposing this legislation and urge Congress to uphold its trust responsibility by protecting these sacred lands.

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
FILE PHOTO: Hiroshi Mikitani, CEO of Rakuten, attends the annual Allen and Co. Sun Valley media conference in Sun Valley, Idaho

By Max Hunder

KYIV (Reuters) - Hiroshi Mikitani , the founder and chief executive of Rakuten Group (4755.T), on Saturday touted the ability of his company's Viber messaging platform to counter Russian propaganda.

"Unlike other social media, we've made it crystal clear we're going to block all these fake news and propaganda of Russia," Mikitani told Reuters in a Zoom interview during a visit to Kyiv.

The 58-year old was speaking after meeting senior Ukrainian officials earlier in the day as part of a group of Japanese business leaders accompanying Japan's Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi on a visit to Ukraine's capital.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

"We met almost all ministers and they are building a future strategy... they have a macro-economic growth strategy, and I am very encouraged and impressed," he said.

Viber, which launched in 2010 and was acquired by Rakuten in 2014, has a 98% market penetration rate in Ukraine. It is also popular in Russia.

Asked if the app had faced attempts to breach it by Russia, he said there had not been any breaches.

"We have never been breached by Russia in the past. Sometimes, way before the war, we had requests, which we rejected... we do not have any security concerns."

Mikitani did not elaborate on what was requested or by whom, but said that Viber has never given any information to any government.

The billionaire entrepreneur has previously been vocal in his support for Ukraine and made a 1 billion yen ($6.77 million) donation to its government at the start of the invasion.

Rakuten has announced plans to work with Ukraine's largest mobile operator, Kyivstar, to provide Open Radio Access Network (Open RAN) telecommunications technology that uses software to run network functions on the cloud, something Mikitani has touted as a technology of the future.

"All this hardware-based technology is the technology of maybe 2010," he said. "Software is going to be much more efficient, total cost of operation will go down maybe 30% to 50%."

($1 = 147.8100 yen)

(Reporting by Max Hunder; Editing by Mike Harrison)
GOP presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy said Friday he would deport the children of undocumented immigrants with their families, despite them already being U.S. citizens.

There are legally contested questions under the 14th Amendment of whether the child of an illegal immigrant is indeed a child who enjoys birthright citizenship or not, Ramaswamy said after a town hall in Iowa.

Ramaswamy is not the only GOP candidate to question U.S. citizenship rules. Former President Trump announced in late May that on his first day back in office, he would seek to end birthright citizenship by way of an executive order.

Despite the GOP candidates plans, a majority of Americans said the U.S. should continue to provide birthright citizenship in a poll following Trumps announcement. Only a quarter of those surveyed said it should end, with 15 percent saying they were not sure.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) has also pledged to end birthright citizenship. In his immigration plan, DeSantiss campaign said citizenship rules as practiced now in the U.S. are inconsistent with the original understanding of 14th Amendment.

We will take action to end the idea that the children of illegal aliens are entitled to birthright citizenship if they are born in the United States, the plan, which is titled No Excuses, reads.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Rep. John Curtis speaks at the second annual Conservative Climate Summit at Utah Valley University in Orem on Friday, Sept. 8, 2023. | Laura Seitz, Deseret News

Rep. John Curtis hoped light, not heat, would be the outcome of bipartisan conversations about environmental stewardship as he challenged both sides of the political aisle to change how they talk about the climate at his 2nd annual Conservative Climate Summit.

There really is no debate about the fact that we want to leave this earth better than we found it, Curtis said during his opening remarks at the conference Friday. And yet we often times line up on sides and call the other side crazy.

Curtis, a Republican, was later joined on the stage by his GOP colleague Rep. Chris Stewart, whose resignation from Utahs 2nd Congressional District is effective Sept. 15. Celeste Maloy, who won the GOP primary held this week to replace Stewart, also made a brief appearance.

The four-term congressman, who has represented Utahs 3rd Congressional District since 2017, has led out on articulating a uniquely conservative case for energy innovation and environmental conservation as vice chair of the Energy, Climate, and Grid Security and Federal Lands subcommittees, and as the founder of the Conservative Climate Caucus in 2021. The caucus currently has over 80 members, including Stewart, and Utah Republican Reps. Blake Moore of Utahs 1st District and Burgess Owens of Utahs 4th.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Curtis message is simple. Everybody recognizes the value of affordable, reliable and clean energy, and partisan disagreements about the issue largely stem from a misunderstanding that climate action and economic freedom are at odds.

The same policy that is best for our environment is the same policy that is also best for national security, energy independence, agriculture and our economy, Curtis said.

After an opening invitation from UVU President Astrid Tuminez to remember climate change doesnt respect any politics, Curtis addressed his friends on the right.

Im not going to ask you to leave your conservative credentials at the door today, Curtis said. But I do ask that you come with an open mind. I do ask that you reverse the narrative that somehow we dont care about this earth.

He had somewhat more to say for his friends on the left, who he said should recognize that fossil fuels must be part of the ongoing transition to cleaner and more efficient energy; that discussions of reduced carbon emissions must be placed within a worldwide context, keeping in mind that fossil fuels are essential for progress in developing countries; and that it is counterproductive to jump on climate policies that feel good but dont get at the root of the problem.

Rep. John Curtis and Rep. Chris Stewart speak with Celeste Maloy at the 2nd Annual Conservative Climate Summit at Utah Valley University in Orem on Friday, Sept. 8, 2023. | Laura Seitz, Deseret News

Curtis questions Stewart

Following Curtis remarks, the other member of Utahs congressional delegation present, Stewart, complimented him, saying it takes a rare personality to persuade individuals across the political spectrum to rethink their assumptions on such a divisive issue.

Thank you for leading on this. It took political courage. But you have the demeanor and the respect so you were one of the few people that could do this, Stewart said.

Curtis took the opportunity to ask Stewart for an update on his wifes health. Stewart announced his resignation in May, citing his wifes health concerns. He later clarified she had suffered a stroke a year ago and continued to struggle with vision loss.

Things are harder and it wasnt fair to her to be in a situation where her health wasnt what it used to be and to be gone all the time, Stewart said. As much as I loved serving and as much as I wanted to continue to serve, we needed to be together.

Stewart expressed confidence in his likely replacement in Congress, saying of Maloy, who worked as his chief legal counsel in Washington D.C., for the last four years, when it comes to water, climate, energy, natural resources, etc., etc., shes the smartest person on the Hill.

On Wednesday, Maloy was declared the winner of the GOP special primary to fill Stewarts seat. She will face her Democratic opponent in Novembers general election.

Curtis and Stewart were then joined by their colleagues Rep. Marianette Miller-Meeks, R-Iowa, vice chair of the Conservative Climate Caucus, and Rep. Bruce Westerman, R-Ark, chair of the House Committee on Natural Resources.

I think we may have found a new recruit for the Natural Resources Committee, Westerman said, speaking of Maloy. Curtis quipped, No pressure, but I predict shell someday be the chair of natural resources.

Rep. John Curtis and Rep. Chris Stewart speak with Celeste Maloy at the 2nd Annual Conservative Climate Summit at Utah Valley University in Orem on Friday, Sept. 8, 2023. | Laura Seitz, Deseret News

A conservative approach

Curtis, who often speaks of his climate journey  when he came to realize the missed opportunity conservatives were experiencing by not taking the lead on environmental issues  prompted his three House-counterparts to share their own journeys.

Stewart recounted what he learned about conservation and land management ranching as a young man. Stewart said those who work the land and live in rural areas are often mischaracterized as not caring or knowing about environmental issues.

Its often implied, Well, youre a conservative, therefore you dont care about the environment, you dont care about climate, Stewart said, adding, Well, what nonsense.

Stewart said a highlight from his time as a U.S. lawmaker was climbing on top of a 300-foot wind turbine at the Milford Wind Corridor in southern Utah and looking towards the University of Utah site in Milford, Utah, which Stewart helped fund by securing $140 million from the U.S. Department of Energy.

Westerman praised permitting reforms to the National Environmental Policy Act that were included in Mays debt ceiling deal. Curtis has been a vocal supporter of these reforms as well as the importance of nuclear energy.

A common theme of the conference was how decreasing the regulatory burden surrounding new nuclear and other renewable technologies is necessary to produce a resilient electric grid and finding innovative and realistic solutions to clean, reliable and affordable energy moving forward.

As the climate summit came to a close, Curtis was presented with the Bipartisan Policy Centers Legislative Action Award for 2023. The award is given to new members who demonstrate the skill, grace, and tenacity to get things done for their constituents and the nation.

The conference included speeches from Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon and documentary filmmaker John Dennis Liu, as well as nine breakout sessions focusing on emissions reductions, water resources and the nexus of energy independence and national security.

Utah Rep. John Curtis, Utah Rep. Chris Stewart, Iowa Rep. Marianette Miller-Meeks and Arkansas Rep. Bruce Westerman speak at the second annual Conservative Climate Summit at Utah Valley University in Orem on Friday, Sept. 8, 2023. | Laura Seitz, Deseret News
With two prominent Missouri Republicans already in the race, Bill Eigel, a hard-right state senator, launched his campaign for governor Friday, calling for a reckoning in Jefferson City.

Eigel, first elected to the Senate in 2016, has been a vocal member of a right-wing faction of senators in the General Assembly. The Republican from Weldon Spring, just west of St. Louis, enters a primary that features two of the states top Republicans, Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft and Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe.

We need a bold, hard-charging conservative outsider in leadership, and thats why Im running to be the next governor of the great state of Missouri, Eigel said in a statement to The Star. Im running to finally deliver a Missouri that is as conservative as her people. Its time for a reckoning for the Jefferson City Swamp; Im going to be that reckoning.

Eigel had floated an exploratory campaign for months to try to build up support. He was scheduled to hold a campaign event in St. Charles on Friday.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Eigel is certain to run a campaign appealing to the right wing of the Missouri Republican Party. During his time in office, Eigel has led a group of Republicans who have spent hours chewing up floor debates to rail against the more moderate GOP leadership.

One of his priorities has been to eliminate the states personal property tax. He has also frequently delved into GOP social issues, last year calling on Bob Nation, the mayor of Chesterfield in suburban St. Louis, to ensure that a planned drag show did not allow kids.

On the final day of this past legislative session in May, Eigel held the Senate floor for much of the morning to rail against his fellow senators for not allowing his bill cutting personal property taxes to come up for a vote. He delivered an extended Star Wars analogy about how senators faced a Darth Vader moment  a test of their character.

Eigel will likely try to craft a campaign that runs to the right of both Ashcroft and Kehoe. Republican Gov. Mike Parson, who assumed office in 2018 after the resignation of Gov. Eric Greitens, cant run again because of term limits.

Before Eigels announcement, Kehoes campaign criticized Eigel without mentioning him by name in a statement to The Star, saying Kehoe was the only candidate for governor with the character, values, and conservative vision to take on the unhinged Left and secure Missouris future.

Thats why conservatives from every corner of Missouri are investing in our campaign in record amounts while other candidates are focused on writing memos with fake poll numbers and scamming fixed-income seniors out of their hard-earned money using President Trumps name, the statement said.

The statement was referring to a recent article in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch showing that a political action committee supporting Eigel had been soliciting donations using former President Donald Trumps name.

Ashcrofts campaign did not respond to a request for comment about Eigels planned announcement. The secretary of state has tried to craft a campaign appealing to right-wing voters.

Missouri House Minority Leader Crystal Quade of Springfield is the only Democrat to enter the race so far.

Eigel previously served in the U.S. Air Force for eight years and later purchased a remodeling company in the St. Louis area, according to his legislative biography. He lives in Weldon Spring with his wife, Amanda, and their two children.
Rescue efforts have begun for an ailing US researcher stuck 3,000 feet inside a Turkish cave, the Turkish disaster management agency says.

Rescue teams began the challenging process on Saturday of extricating Mark Dickey, who became seriously ill while he was exploring the Morca cave near Anamur in the south of Turkey last week.

However, it could take days to bring Mr Dickey, 40, to the surface since rescuers anticipate he will have to stop and rest frequently at camps set up along the way as they pull his stretcher through the narrow passages.

This afternoon, the operation to move him from his camp at 1,040 meters to the camp at 700 meters began, according to a statement from Turkeys Disaster and Emergency Management Directorate, AFAD, to the Associated Press.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

The 40-year-old experienced caver began vomiting because of stomach bleeding while on an expedition with a handful of others in the Morca cave in southern Turkeys Taurus Mountains.

Teams of rescuers from across Europe have rushed to Mr Dickeys aid.

A Hungarian doctor reached and treated him inside the cave on 3 September, as doctors and rescuers have since been taking turns caring for him.

Recep Salci, head of AFADs search and rescue department, said the rescue will depend on Mr Dickeys condition.

If he feels well, we will assist him, and he will come out (of the cave) fast. But if his condition worsens, we will have to bring him up on a stretcher.

In a statement, the European Cave Rescue Association said he suffered gastrointestinal bleeding, rendering Mr Dickey unable to leave the narrow cave on his own.

The injured caver is a well-known figure in the international speleological community, a highly trained caver, and a cave rescuer himself, the ECRA said in its first update, adding that an international rescue effort is on the way.

Currently, 190 personnel from eight countries are assisting, including doctors, paramedics and experienced cavers, Mersin governor Ali Hamza Pehlivan told media on Saturday.

He added that 153 of them were search and rescue experts.

A rescuer is seen at the entrance of Morca Cave (REUTERS)

We have received information that [Mr Dickeys] condition is getting better, thanks to medical intervention. He has been in stable condition as of yesterday, he added.

Outlining some of the challenges of the mission, Yusuf Ogrenecek, of the Speleological Federation of Turkey, said one of the most difficult tasks of cave rescue operations is widening the narrow cave passages to allow stretcher lines to pass through at low depths.

Stretcher lines are labour intensive and require experienced cave rescuers working long hours, Mr Ogrenecek said, adding that other difficult factors range from navigating through mud and water at low temperatures to the psychological toll of staying inside a cave for long periods of time.

In Rome, Federico Catania, the spokesman for Italys National Alpine and Speleological Rescue, described the cave as one of the deepest in the world.

The cave is made up of many vertical shafts, so many sections that are extremely vertical with few horizontal sections where (the) rescuers are setting up temporary camps, he said.

A stretcher is seen in front of a tent at the base camp for international rescuers near the Morca Cave (REUTERS)

Ahead of the rescue operation beginning on Saturday evening,The New York Times reported that rescuers were using explosives to widen parts of the extremely narrow cave so that a stretcher could fit through these passages.

It typically takes a person in good health around 15 hours to exit.

The parents of Mark Dickey have said our prayers are being answered as the rescue operation gets underway.

In a statement obtained byMail Online, Andrew and Deborah Ann Dickey said: We are extremely grateful to the international caving community volunteers who have demonstrated such support for our son.

Mark is strong, but he needed his fellow cavers, including, of course, doctors to allow a devastatingly scary situation to turn positive, their statement read.

They also said they are thankful Mr Dickeys fiancee and fellow caver, Jessica has been with him during this ordeal.

Our prayers are being answered and we cannot express how much that means, and will always mean to us.

Additional reporting by agencies.
Turkish governor of Mersin, Ali Hamza Pehlivan, front center, during his visit to the Morca cave during a rescue operation near Anamur, south Turkey, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. American researcher Mark Dickey, 40, who fell ill almost 1,000 meters (more than 3,000 feet) below the entrance of a cave in Turkey, has recovered sufficiently enough to be extracted in an operation that could last three or four days, a Turkish official was quoted as saying on Friday. (AP Photo/Khalil Hamra)

TASELI PLATEAU, Turkey (AP)  Rescue teams began the arduous process Saturday of extricating an American researcher who became seriously ill while he was 1,000 meters (3,000 feet) below the entrance of a cave in Turkey, officials said.

It could take days to bring Mark Dickey to the surface since rescuers anticipate he will have to stop and rest frequently at camps set up along the way as they pull his stretcher through the narrow passages.

This afternoon, the operation to move him from his camp at 1040 meters to the camp at 700 meters began, Turkey's Disaster and Emergency Management Directorate, AFAD, told The Associated Press.

The 40-year-old experienced caver began vomiting on Sept. 2 because of stomach bleeding while on an expedition with a handful of others in the Morca cave in southern Turkeys Taurus Mountains.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Rescuers from across Europe rushed to the cave to help Dickey and to extract him, including one Hungarian doctor who treated him inside the cave on Sept. 3. Doctors gave Dickey IV fluids and 4 liters (1 gallon) of blood inside the cave, officials said. Teams comprised of a doctor and three or four others take turns staying with the American at all times.

There are 190 personnel from eight countries assisting in the rescue effort, including doctors, paramedics and experienced cavers, Mersin Gov. Ali Hamza Pehlivan told media on Saturday. He said 153 of them were search and rescue experts.

We have received information that his condition is getting better, thanks to medical intervention. He has been in stable condition as of yesterday," he said.

Speaking with the AP before rescue operations began, Recep Salci, head of AFADs search and rescue department, said the rescue will depend on Dickey's condition.

"If he feels well, we will assist him, and he will come out (of the cave) fast. But if his condition worsens, we will have to bring him up on a stretcher. He said bringing Dickey up in a stretcher could take up to 10 days.

Yusuf Ogrenecek of the Speleological Federation of Turkey says that one of the most difficult tasks of cave rescue operations is widening the narrow cave passages to allow stretcher lines to pass through at low depths.

Stretcher lines are labor intensive and require experienced cave rescuers working long hours, Ogrenecek said, adding that other difficult factors range from navigating through mud and water at low temperatures to the psychological toll of staying inside a cave for long periods of time.

In Rome, Federico Catania, the spokesman for Italys National Alpine and Speleological Rescue, described the cave as one of the deepest in the world.

The cave is made up of many vertical shafts, so many sections that are extremely vertical with few horizontal sections where (the) rescuers are setting up temporary camps, he said.

Turkish authorities made a video message available that showed Dickey standing and moving around on Thursday. While alert and talking, he said he was not healed on the inside and needed a lot of help to get out of the cave. He thanked the caving community and the Turkish government for their efforts to rescue him.
BAILEYS HARBOR - The Ridges Sanctuary is looking to improve, enhance and encourage some of the core aspects of its mission with the final edition of a new 20-year master plan.

Announced last week, the plan for Wisconsin's first nature preserve (founded in 1937) would implement some changes in the general visitor experience, such as more and better accessibility to some areas for those with mobility issues and upgraded rustic trails and boardwalks.

Hikers head out on one of the rustic trails at The Ridges Sanctuary in Baileys Harbor, which recently adopted a 20-year master plan.

But it also aims to expand and improve buildings and facilities for educational programs on site and for researchers and educators who come to the 1,600-acre property to study and learn from its notably diverse flora and fauna, including more than 25 native orchid species and the federally endangered Hine's emerald dragonfly.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

"It's doing what we do, but doing it better and having the space to do it," Ridges executive director Katie Krouse said. "It's no different than what we're doing now. But what it will allow us to do is expand our programming and experiments in scientific research.

"You might not see many changes from the visitor experience. But (you'll see changes) if you're interested in educational opportunities, want to engage more deeply with our operation."

A news release from The Ridges said its ability to meet current demands for programming and research is limited by its current facilities, and the plan lays out a path to improve that ability.

"At its core, the master plan seeks to preserve and protect The Ridges while allowing for changes to buildings and programs to deliver on its mission of education, preservation and research," the release said.

Solitude Swale is one of the many noteworthy land formations at The Ridges Sanctuary in Baileys Harbor, which recently adopted a 20-year master plan that covers improvements to some amenities and looks to expand educational and research opportunities.

The master plan was adopted by The Ridges board after 12 months of development working with SmithGroup, a worldwide integrated design firm, and PROS Consulting, an Indianapolis-based management consulting firm, with input from the sanctuary's board, staff, members, donors, volunteers and community members.

"One of the things we really tried hard to achieve was listening to the community, to find out what they wanted to do," Krouse said.

The news release noted that the sanctuary's recent purchase of The Ridges Inn & Suites, a small resort on an adjacent 2-acre property, helped make some of the proposed changes possible.

Specifically, the plan calls for the inn to become adapted into a research campus with stations for institutional research and citizen science, a place to gather staff in a collaborative space, and a base for research-in-residence programs with lodging for the researchers.

Krouse said the research campus matters a lot, noting that scientific research was a key objective when The Ridges was founded 86 years ago. She said the sanctuary has an internationally recognized orchid restoration program, but it needs to ensure it'll have space to continue. The Ridges also was awarded last month a $73,000 grant from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Coastal Program for its restoration program for the dwarf lake iris, a flower commonly found in Door County but rare almost everywhere else.

"A key component is helping professors and naturalists and researchers who've been coming to The Ridges for years to study (by) having lab and research space available if they need it," Krouse said to the Advocate. "(Research) is one of the mission areas that's been central to the organization for years. We've been doing the work, but sometimes I think we've been doing it pretty quietly."

"Right now, our research area is in the middle of our office," she added.

The new research campus would be one of three on Ridges property under the plan. It also calls for a community campus that reconfigures the Cook-Albert Fuller Nature Center to create a larger gathering space, with enhancements to reach net zero energy and an adjacent open-air shelter for community events; and an education campus for all ages at the site of existing Marshall Cabin and Kaye Cabin, with a North Campus classroom and events pavilion and a reconfigured Family Discovery Trail with a seasonal pavilion, safe drop-off areas and parking.

Krouse said the education campus not only would allow for more classes and programs at The Ridges, it also opens space in the existing nature center for more exhibits and displays, as well as for community members and groups who want to have meetings or gatherings.

"It's really trying to make the best use of the different spaces available," she said. "The nature center is wonderful, but we only have one classroom available. We need bathroom facilities if we want to have a program at the Family Discovery Center or the cabins for three or four hours. We have limited space for our exhibits, but there's so many more stories we want to tell.

"We wanted to find ways to make the nature center the space it was always meant to be."

An educational program takes place in the Cook-Albert Fuller Nature Center at The Ridges Sanctuary in Baileys Harbor. The Ridges recently adopted a 20-year master plan that calls for improved and expanded spaces for programs and making better use of the nature center, among other elements.

The plan also calls for educational and support amenities at The Ridges' outlying properties, including Appels Bluff trails and a new visitor contact station at Logan Creek, along with expanded and improved accessibility, such as to the beach on the other side of Ridges Road from the boardwalk between the Upper and Lower Range Lights.

Another aspect laid out plans for land management, climate resiliency, staffing and governance, and operations. These plans are intended to strengthen the sanctuary's impact and relevance over the years.

Asked how and when elements of the master plan will be implemented, Krouse said some already have been or are being, especially its staffing and organization recommendations so a solid team structure will be in place when the board decides to move ahead with bigger-ticket items.

Looking forward, Krouse said several smaller, more accessible projects likely are the first to be considered. An implementation committee made up of community members as well as Ridges staff and members was established to consider when things can be done and the true costs involved. They'll then work to learn what donors would want to support and to what extent. Krouse said announcements on initial projects are expected within the next couple of months.

And Krouse said she, the staff, volunteers and board are ready to make the plan a reality.

"We have a lot of exciting things on our plan," Krouse said. "And we don't want to just let it sit."

Contact Christopher Clough at 920-562-8900 or cclough@doorcountyadvocate.com.

MORE: Picking your own apples in Door or Kewaunee counties? Here's what you need to know

MORE: Door County apples featured in new Sprecher seasonal soda pop

FOR MORE DOOR COUNTY NEWS: Check out our website

This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press-Gazette: Ridges Sanctuary in Door County adopts 20-year master plan
Negotiators at the G20 summit in New Delhi left a paragraph on Ukraine blank in the leaders' draft declaration due to unresolved disagreements, Reuters reported on Sept. 8.

According to a draft seen by Reuters, the paragraph relating to Ukraine and the "geopolitical situation" was left blank, while 75 others on topics ranging from climate change to cryptocurrency had been agreed upon by members.

The G20 summit brings together the leaders of the world's largest economies for a two-day meeting held Sept. 9-10. For the past 20 years of summits, the G20 has culminated in a leaders' declaration, expressing committments to joint priorities.

Senior sources who spoke to Reuters said that the language on Ukraine was sent to Russia for approval after it was agreed upon by Western members.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

"But so far Russia is blocking a compromise that is acceptable otherwise for everyone else," an EU diplomat said.

This year's G20 host is Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi , who has not imposed sanctions against Russia for its war in Ukraine. Modi has said he does not want the invasion of Ukraine to dominate the meeting, which is intended to highlight the needs of the Global South.

Modi also did not invite Ukrainian President Volodymr Zelensky to attend the summit.

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian dictator Vladimir Putin are both sending representatives to New Delhi, rather than attending the summit themselves.

The G20 summit in India will overlap with the Eastern Economic Forum, held Sept. 10-13 in Vladivostok. Putin is expected to negotiate an arms deal with North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un at the Forum.

Read also: George Monastiriakos: The best reason why Russia must be defeated in Ukraine? Because it is weak

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
RICHMOND, Ind.  A Richmond man is being held for questioning in a fatal fire in Preble County, Ohio.

According to a release from the Preble County Sheriff's Department, the fire, in a mobile home, was reported about 10:45 p.m. Thursday in the 6500 block of Ohio Route 121-W near New Paris.

The body of a man  later identified as Kenneth Doolin, 57  was found in the mobile home. A woman managed to escape from the trailer, according to the release.

An autopsy on Doolin's remains was conducted Friday at the Montgomery County coroner's office in Dayton. Investigators said Doolin, a former Richmond resident, had lived in the mobile home.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Investigators said Anthony Wayne Luker Jr., 23, of Richmond, was at the scene of the blaze and fled in a vehicle that did not belong to him before fire trucks arrived. As a result, he has been charged with receiving stolen property in Preble County.

The stolen vehicle was found in Connersville, about 35 miles southwest of New Paris, where police investigated a report of an attempt being made to steal yet another vehicle at a property along Airport Road about 7:15 a.m. Friday.

According to a release issued by their department, Connersville police joined an "aviation unit" from Indiana State Police to search that area.

That release said Luker "is considered dangerous and should not be approached."

However, Connersville police later reported that Luker had been taken into custody.

On Saturday, Wayne County Sheriff Randy Retter confirmed that deputies with his department had apprehended Luker on Friday evening.

He said the Richmond man was taken to Reid Hospital for an examination before being delivered to the Wayne County jail to await transfer to Preble County.

This was the best outcome to a tragic situation," Retter said in a release. "I am grateful for our deputies who spent the day following up on leads and working in cooperation with Preble County investigators.

"The partnerships we have with other law enforcement agencies do not stop at the state line. We appreciate the efforts of our community who also kept a watchful eye and reported suspicious activity."

Luker was charged Aug. 7 in Wayne Superior Court 2 with possession of meth and driving without ever receiving a license. His trial in that case is set for Nov. 27.

Douglas Walker is a news reporter at The Star Press. Contact him at 765-213-5851 or at dwalker@muncie.gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Muncie Star Press: Richmond man held for questioning in fatal mobile home fire
Romania's military found the debris of yet another drone "similar to those used by the Russian army" on Sept. 9 near Plauru, a village close to the Ukrainian border, Romania's Ministry of Defense reported.

Romania's President Klaus Iohannis condemned the incident "caused by the Russian attacks on the Ukrainian ports on the Danube. "

"The identification today by the Romanian authorities (...) of new fragments of a drone, similar to those used by the Russian army, indicates that there has been an absolutely unacceptable violation of the sovereign airspace of Romania, a NATO member state," Iohannis said.

"These deeply unjustified attacks violate the norms of international law and constitute war crimes," he said.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Romania will introduce new security measures to protect the civilian population near the Danube River in response to Russian strikes against Ukrainian ports, based on a document issued on Sept. 7 by Romania's National Committee for Emergency Situations.

These steps will include identifying areas where drones might fall, issuing warnings through the Ro-Alert emergency system, and building shelters in settlements on the Romanian side of the Danube River, namely in Plauru and Ceatalchioi.

The authorities will also select existing structures that can be used as shelters and will instruct the population in the area on what to do in dangerous situations.

After Moscow's unilateral termination of the Black Sea Grain Initiative, Russian forces have repeatedly targeted Ukrainian ports on the Danube River located near the Romanian border.

Following a drone attack overnight on Sept. 4, Ukraine said that some unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) had fallen and detonated on Romanian soil.

Bucharest initially denied the report, only to change their statement on Sept. 6, when Romanian Defense Minister Angel Tilvar confirmed that what appears to be drone fragments had been found on Romania's side of the Danube River.

According to NATO, there was no indication that the fragments were a result of a deliberate Russian attack against Romania.

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
This photo taken on Nov. 9, 2022 shows a view of Airbus' final assembly line for the A320 family aircraft in north China's Tianjin. Airbus has delivered more than 630 A320 family aircraft assembled at its Final Assembly Line Asia (FALA) in north China's Tianjin Municipality over the past 15 years, according to the European aircraft manufacturer. (Xinhua)

TIANJIN, Sept. 9 (Xinhua) -- Airbus has delivered more than 630 A320 family aircraft assembled at its Final Assembly Line Asia (FALA) in north China's Tianjin Municipality over the past 15 years, according to the European aircraft manufacturer.

This final assembly line, inaugurated in September 2008, is Airbus' first final assembly line located outside of Europe.

In November 2021, Airbus revealed its plans to expand the capabilities of FALA in Tianjin to accommodate A321 production, responding to rising market demand for the aircraft type. In March 2023, Airbus delivered the first A321neo aircraft assembled at FALA in Tianjin to China's Juneyao Air.

In April, Airbus entered into an agreement with its Chinese partners to enhance the final assembly capacity for its A320 family aircraft with the addition of a second final assembly line planned at the same site.

The second final assembly line will have the capacity for both A320 and A321 production and is expected to be operational by the end of 2025. By then, Airbus will have 10 A320 family aircraft final assembly lines worldwide, including two in Tianjin, according to Airbus.

Alberto Gutierrez, chief operating officer of Airbus, said that Airbus will continue to invest in China and cooperation will be deepened, noting that the company is confident in maintaining its advantages in China in the future. 

This photo taken on Feb. 24, 2022 shows a view of Airbus' final assembly line for the A320 family aircraft in north China's Tianjin. Airbus has delivered more than 630 A320 family aircraft assembled at its Final Assembly Line Asia (FALA) in north China's Tianjin Municipality over the past 15 years, according to the European aircraft manufacturer. (Xinhua)
Here's a roundup of recent incidents and announcements from Ventura County agencies:

Smash-and-grab launches pursuit

A pair of smash-and-grab incidents in the east county ended with a multi-agency pursuit over the county line Thursday evening.

At around 5 p.m., Simi Valley Police Department officers were sent to the T-Mobile store in the 2900 block of Cochran Street for reports of two males outside the shop wearing ski masks. Before officers arrived and before any crime was committed, the suspects fled in a black Jeep SUV, the department said in a news release. Officers searched the area.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

About 15 minutes later, deputies from the Ventura County Sheriff's station in Moorpark responded to a smash-and-grab burglary at the T-Mobile store there. The suspect vehicle had the same description and authorities got a license plate number.

Simi Valley officers soon found the Jeep headed eastbound on Highway 118 near Erringer Road and attempted a traffic stop, which turned into a pursuit.

A Los Angeles Police Department helicopter that was already on scene helping with the original check of the area assisted with the pursuit.

Simi officers terminated their chase near Balboa Boulevard over public safety concerns due to heavy traffic and high speeds. The LAPD helicopter kept tabs on the Jeep as California Highway Patrol units responded.

Officers from the CHP's West Valley division ultimately pulled over the Jeep. The driver, a 20-year-old Bakersfield man, and his passenger, a 24-year-old LA man, were arrested by Ventura County sheriff's deputies on suspicion of felony grand theft and felony conspiracy. Simi police also arrested the driver on suspicion of felony evading.

The driver, who also had several out-of-county felony warrants, was in Ventura County jail Friday with total bail set at $505,000, jail records showed. The passenger also remained in custody in lieu of $250,000 bail.

Oak View fire sends up head of smoke

A fire on Alto Court in Oak View Thursday afternoon damaged two detached garages. Two firefighters suffered minor injuries

A structure fire that damaged two detached garages in Oak View Thursday afternoon sent up smoke visible from about a mile away, fire officials said.

The blaze in the 10000 block of Alto Court was reported around 1 p.m. in a residential area east of Highway 33. Incoming crews saw the large head of smoke from about a mile off, Ventura County Fire Department officials reported.

One of the detached garages was fully consumed, officials said, and the fire spread to a second detached garage. Damage was contained to the garages.

Two firefighters who suffered minor injuries were taken to a hospital as a precaution.

The cause remained under investigation Friday, said fire Capt. Brian McGrath.

Flames are visible in a video still as a detached garage burns on Alto Court in Oak View on Thursday afternoon.

Simi officer assaulted near school grounds

A Simi Valley woman was arrested outside an elementary school Thursday afternoon after allegedly scratching an officer's neck over a speeding ticket.

The incident was reported around 2:20 p.m. when a traffic officer initially pulled over the 47-year-old woman for speeding in a school zone near Fitzgerald Road and Roldan Street, the Simi Valley Police Department said in a news release.

When the officer tried to issue the citation, the woman reportedly refused to sign it and drove away, saying she had to pick up her child at Hollow Hills Elementary School.

Officers tried to contact the woman again at the school, at 828 Gibson Ave., to get a signature.

During the interaction, the woman allegedly grabbed at the original officer's shirt collar and vest, scratching the officer's neck. The injuries were minor, a police official said.

Additional officers at the scene restrained the woman, putting her in handcuffs and eventually arresting her on suspicion of battery on an officer, resisting and refusing to sign a citation. She was booked into county jail and subsequently released on a bail bond, jail records show.

Teen arrested with more than 1,400 pills

Oxnard police confiscated more than 1,400 Xanax pills while searching the residence of a 19-year-old suspect Thursday.

A 19-year-old Oxnard man was arrested on suspicion of narcotics sales Thursday after police conducted a warrant search of his residence.

The Oxnard Police Department's drug enforcement unit had been investigating the teen and obtained the warrant for his residence in the 500 block of West Vineyard Avenue.

Detectives and patrol officers found more than 1,400 alprazolam pills, also known by the brand name Xanax, during the search, along with cash and other evidence. The suspect was booked into county jail and subsequently released on a bail bond.

Vehicular assault alleged in Moorpark

A Moorpark woman was arrested on suspicion of hitting an ex with her vehicle Thursday night in Camarillo, leaving him with injuries not considered life threatening.

The 42-year-old woman, who was in a prior relationship with the man, attempted to run him over and struck his leg, said Ventura County Sheriff's Capt. Greg Gibson.

The incident was reported at 10:07 p.m. in the 1400 block of West Chapel Drive, Gibson said.

The woman was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon. It was unclear whether the man wished to press charges, Gibson said. There was no immediate information on whether drugs or alcohol were a factor.

The woman was booked into county jail.

Items may be updated.

This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Roundup: Smash-and-grab sparks pursuit through Simi Valley, more news
The Russian military shelled seven communities on the border of Sumy Oblast on Sept. 8, causing 61 explosions and injuring two civilians, the Sumy Oblast Military Administration reported.

Mortar shelling in the community of Khotin injured one resident and damaged the local house of culture.

In Bilopillia, cannon artillery fire wounded a civilian, who had to be hospitalized.

Shelling in Velyka Pysarivka, Seredyna-Buda, and Krasnopillia caused damage to a number of houses.

The Yunakivka and Esman communities were also hit in the attacks.

Throughout the day, Russian forces assailed the Sumy border communities with artillery, mines, mortar shelling, and drones. The Russian military fired at the border 15 times in total.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

These attacks are a daily occurrence for the people living in the vulnerable settlements along Sumy Oblast's northeastern border with Russia.

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Voting is underway in sham "regional elections" in occupied Ukrainian territories as Russia seeks to consolidate its control over these regions.

The illegal so-called elections in the occupied territories come nearly a year after Russia held sham annexation referendums in Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, Luhansk, and Donetsk oblasts, which Moscow only partially controls, and nine years after Russia illegally annexed Ukraines Crimean Peninsula.

The so-called voting began on Aug. 31 and is scheduled to end on Sept. 10.

The sham elections have been widely condemned both in Ukraine and abroad, with officials saying the results will be rigged in Russias favor.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said Russias sham elections in the temporarily occupied territories are null and void, adding that anyone involved in the voting will be held accountable.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken called the voting a blatant disregard for UN Charter principles, and that Washington will never recognize the Russian Federations claims to any of Ukraines sovereign territory.

The Kremlin hopes these pre-determined, fabricated results will strengthen Russias illegitimate claims to the parts of Ukraine it occupies, but this is nothing more than a propaganda exercise, Blinken said in a statement.

According to Oleksandr Demchenko, a consultant at Come Back Alive, a Ukrainian nonprofit organization that also works closely with the military, "Russia is conducting these sham elections to normalize its system of governance (in these areas).

Moscow seeks to increase control over the local population and identify loyal and disloyal people, he said.

Experts and observers have also warned that the voting could pave the way for the forced mobilization of Ukrainian citizens to fight on Russias side in its war against Ukraine.

Faking the vote

Russia is asking millions of Ukrainians to vote in what it is calling "elections" for regional councils and municipalities of the four illegally annexed territories and parliamentary by-elections in Crimea.

All of the Moscow-installed proxies are running with Putins endorsement and under the Kremlin-controlled United Russia party, according to Russian media reports.

During his 23-year reign, Russian President Vladimir Putin has managed to take control of the vote inside Russia and in occupied eastern Ukraine and Crimea. Experts believe the ruling party, United Russia, will emerge victorious in the 2023 voting in occupied territories.

"Russia has concealed the list of candidates, citing security reasons. Russian troops deployed to these regions are also allowed to vote. The number and locations are classified. It is a black electoral hole that will allow Russia to get any result," said Demchenko, who does analyses on the Russian-occupied territories.

Russia is also using an electronic voting system, previously criticized inside Russia, that will allow the Kremlin to decide the outcome of the "elections" in the occupied Ukrainian regions.



Russia set up the electronic voting system through a nominally secure web portal. Alexei Navalny, a Putin critic currently in prison, repeatedly claimed that Russian officials have used the tool to fabricate results by breaching the electronic counting.

Russia is asking millions of Ukrainians to vote in what it is calling "elections" for Russian-installed regional councils and municipalities of the four illegally annexed territories and parliamentary by-elections in Crimea. (Illustration: Lisa Kukharska)

All the vote results are known before the elections regardless of the count. United Russia candidates will receive 70-80% with a pitiful outcome for the rest if they (even) exist, a Russian analyst told the Kyiv Independent. The analyst spoke on condition of anonymity due to security reasons as he currently lives in Russia.

Despite the ongoing war and the proximity of the occupied regions to the front line, its still important for the Kremlin to stage artificial normality in a place with a bizarre situation, the analyst said.

Russian authorities do not hesitate in situations where fiction degenerates into absurdity. They do not have full control over these regions, but that doesn't stop them from pretending that these are ordinary Russian regions where nothing is happening, he said.

The sham vote is also technically illegal even under Russian law, as these "elections" are being held during the martial law Putin declared in these regions in late October and that is still in effect.

Russia's Central Election Commission also recently postponed a vote in the Shebekino area of the Belgorod region, citing border shelling attributed to Ukraine.

Read also: Belgorod incursion: Meet the anti-Kremlin militia behind the attack inside Russia

Binding them with blood: Life under Russian control

The sham elections will likely lead to even more misery for the millions of Ukrainians currently living under Russian occupation, experts and human rights defenders warn.

Russia has gone to lengths to count the people who have remained in the occupied territories by forcing Ukrainians to obtain Russian citizenship and register with various Russian systems that allow residents to receive critical aid or maintain their property rights.

Demchenko said Russia will cross reference those lists with voter attendance in order to gauge the loyalty of the local population.

(Russians) will verify if the locals living there have voted. Absence at the polling stations may signify a certain disloyalty, leading to potential extra scrutiny (from the Russian security services), he said, adding that the voting is also a population census for Russia.

When Russia held a sham referendum last fall, Russian soldiers brought mobile polling stations door-to-door, said Alyona Luneva, advocacy director at Ukraines Zmina human rights center. She believes Russian troops will again force locals to vote at gunpoint this year.

Photographs published by Reuters recently of the 2023 voting show polling stations set up on the trunks of cars on the side of the road in Mariupol. Other photos published by Russias Central Election Commission show people voting while armed men stand guard.

Read also: Official: United Russia HQ destroyed in Zaporizhzhia Oblast amid sham elections

Similar photos published last year during the sham referendums on annexation showed people voting while armed men stood nearby.

Consolidating control over the occupied territories with a front line spanning over 1,200-kilometers could pave the wave to a mobilization campaign of locals in Kherson and Zaporizhzhia oblasts, experts told the Kyiv Independent.

Russia has forcibly conscripted Ukrainians in occupied Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts and Crimea for its war against Ukraine since February 2022, and thousands are believed to have been killed or wounded in action fighting against their own people, according to the Ukrainian militarys National Resistance Center.

This is a consistent Kremlin practice - to involve as many locals as possible in combat actions against Ukraine. To bind them with blood, as they say, causing locals to suffer losses and to erode loyalty to Ukraine within their families," said Demchenko.

Forced mobilization in occupied territory is a war crime, according to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. Russia originally signed the statute in 2000, but never ratified the treaty. In 2016, the Kremlin formally withdrew its signature.

Read also: Ukrainians under occupation face deportation, loss of property after Putins new order

Collaborating with Russia

Ukrainian authorities and human rights defenders have repeatedly called on Ukrainians living in the occupied regions to avoid Russian elections.

Those who run for office, work in the Russian electoral commissions, or campaign for the sham vote may face criminal prosecution in Ukraine, officials say.

While there is no legal liability under Ukraines Criminal Code for participating in the elections (under occupation), there is accountability for organizing sham elections and calling for participation. Its high treason if proven in courts," Luneva told the Kyiv Independent.

Ukraines Security Service (SBU) reported it had identified over 3,500 collaborators and Russian election officials organizing the 2023 voting in the occupied territories. Multiple charges have been filed against them.

We see verdicts in the court records after past elections that Russia conducted in the occupied territories. All related to organizing sham elections, Luneva said, adding that some collaborators have been convicted to up to 10 years in prison.

Nonetheless, since Ukrainian justice has yet to reach most Russian collaborators, they are being hunted by intelligence agencies and resistance forces.

Those who organize sham elections, set up polling stations or run, understand they become legitimate targets for Ukrainian forces, said Demchenko.

Read also: Escaping Russian army: The story of one Ukrainian forced to fight against his homeland

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
By Phil Stewart

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Russia may be able to increase production of artillery in the next couple years to about 2 million shells annually, about double some previous Western expectations but still far short of Moscow's Ukraine war needs, a Western official said on Friday.

The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, estimated Russia fired between 10 million and 11 million rounds last year in Ukraine. Moscow launched its invasion in February 2022.

"That's the predicament they've got," the official told a small group of reporters.

"If you expended 10 million rounds last year and you're in the middle of a fight and you can only produce 1 to 2 million rounds a year, I don't think that's a very strong position."

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Other Russia investments in its defense sector may also allow Moscow to produce close to 200 tanks a year, double some previous Western estimates, the official said. But that too, the official said, was a far cry from what it needs after suffering heavy losses in Ukraine.

"When you've lost 2,000 tanks, you've got a decade before you get to where you started," the official said, adding Russia had also lost 4,000 armored fighting vehicles, over 100 aircraft and suffered 270,000 casualties in the conflict, including both forces killed and wounded.

Russia's embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

In May, Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu said weapons production and the supply of arms to the front line in Ukraine would be crucial to the success of what Moscow calls its "special military operation."

In July, Shoigu visited North Korea. The White House has said Russia is currently looking to North Korea to help replenish its stocks of weapons, adding that arms negotiations between Moscow and Pyongyang are actively advancing.

The Western official said those negotiations were likely aimed at securing artillery and demonstrated Moscow's desperation in Ukraine.

"It has to go to these dubious partners in order to prop up its catastrophic invasion of Ukraine. And it will it cost a fortune because North Korea will squeeze out a good deal," the official said.

The official said the Russian economy itself was under strain as Moscow redirects resources to Ukraine, hiking defense spending and reducing "spending on everything else."

"That then triggers the risk of social unrest against a fragile political backdrop," the official said.

The remarks about the strains in Russia came as several U.S. Republican presidential hopefuls have questioned American aid to Ukraine, fuelling concerns over whether Washington will maintain its support once the 2024 election campaign intensifies.

The U.S. government has provided more than $43 billion in weaponry and other military aid to Ukraine since the Russian invasion began last year.

(Reporting by Phil Stewart; Editing by Cynthia Osterman)
Russian President Vladimir Putin is extending his propaganda campaign about Ukraine into the countrys high schools.

Russia this week released an updated textbook that supports his narrative about Ukraine, the U.S. and its western allies as he seeks to overhaul the curriculum in the coming year.

Critics say the new textbook lays out a false narrative about the war in Ukraine, which Russia still refers to as a special military operation, and aims to erase Ukrainian history. Putin also appears to be using it as part of a goal of mobilizing youth toward an increasingly militarized culture.

The Russian school curriculum will be disseminated in Crimea, which Putin illegally annexed in 2014, as well as Russian-occupied territories in eastern Ukraine, according to human rights group Amnesty International.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Fedor Krasheninnikov, a Russian political analyst and frequent Kremlin critic, said the textbooks are a special construction of Putins view of reality.

He created this textbook by propaganda, he said. Its not a real textbook.

The new textbook, called the History of Russia 1945  The Start of 21st Century, is designed for older high-school students in Russia and Russian-held territories.

According to images shared by Russian state-run media outlets, the textbooks accuse Ukraine of being an ultra-nationalist state, where any dissent is harshly persecuted, opposition is banned, everything Russian is declared hostile.

The textbooks accuse the West of stealing assets from Russia, say the U.S. was the instigator of the war in Ukraine and accuse Washington of using Ukrainians to destroy the Russian state.

It also falsely states that the western security alliance NATO was plotting to attack the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine and that Russia had to block Ukraine from joining NATO to prevent a wider, destructive war, according to Amnesty International.

Taras Kuzio, a professor of political science at the National University of Kyiv Mohyla Academy, said the textbook exaggerates Russias victimhood, ignores its imperialistic ambitions, and propagates the exceptionalism of Russia.

In this highly distorted and hopelessly partisan reading of history, the largest nation on the planet is also the worlds biggest victim, Kuzio wrote in an analysis. This embrace of exceptionalism encourages Russians to romanticize the violence that has defined much of their countrys history.

Russian Minister of Education Sergei Kravtsov said the new textbooks are designed for 11th grade students and will tell the most important events related to the reunification of Crimea and Sevastopol, the causes and progress of a special military operation, and the entry into the Russian Federation of new regions.

It tells about the feat of our new heroes of the Fatherland, Kravtsov said at a meeting with Russian government leaders in August, according to state-run media outlet Tass.

The book was written by Russian historians Alexander Chubaryan, Anatoly Torkunov, Vladimir Medinsky. Medinsky is an aide to Putin and the Kremlin.

Anna Wright, a researcher of Eastern Europe and Central Asia for Amnesty International, said the new textbook conceals the truth and misrepresents the facts about serious human rights violations and crimes under international law committed by Russian forces against Ukrainians.

Indoctrination of children at a vulnerable stage of their development is a cynical attempt to eradicate Ukrainian culture, heritage and identity and is also a violation of the right to education, Wright said in a statement earlier this month.

The books are part of a larger aim to instill more patriotism and militarism across Russias youth and schoolchildren, a focus Putin has renewed after it dwindled following the collapse of the Soviet Union.

Starting this school year, a new course called Fundamentals of Life Safety, will teach older Russian students military drill formations, how to reload a rifle and use hand grenades.

In 2024, another block of courses called The Fundamentals Of Safety And Defense of the Motherland is expected to teach students more military training basics.

On the first day of the school year this month, Putin attended a classroom and spoke to 30 students, according to the U.K. Defense Ministry.

The new curriculum serves three objectives: to indoctrinate students with the Kremlin rationale for the Special Military Operation, instill students with a martial mindset, and reduce training timelines for onwards mobilization and deployment, the Defense Ministry assessed.

The new school curriculum also leans into a point of pride for Russia: victory in World War II over Nazi Germany. Putin has frequently called Ukraine neo-Nazis and has used the term and claim to justify his war.

Krasheninnikov, the Russian political analyst, said many Russians are unlikely to believe in this ideology about an existential fight similar to World War II.

German armies were inside Russia, he said. And the Ukrainian army is in Ukraine. Its a strange idea to be inside Ukraine and say its [another] World War.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
An air-raid warning has been issued in Chernihiv and Sumy oblasts due to a threat of loitering munitions.

Source: Ukrainian Air Force

Details: The Ukrainian Air Force reported at 23:08 that the Russians might use kamikaze UAVs in Sumy Oblast.

A report emerged at 23:17 that attack drones were also heading towards Chernihiv Oblast.

Later, the Air Force issued an air-raid warning to Nizhyn and Pryluky of Chernihiv Oblast.

Immediately after midnight, a message appeared, saying "a group of attack UAVs is approaching Kyiv Oblast", and an air-raid warning was issued in the oblast.

Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron!
A local resident was seriously wounded as a result of the attack on the village of Kostobobriv, Chernihiv Oblast, on Saturday, 9 September.

Source: Chernihiv Oblast Prosecutor's Office

   9 ,   

Aftermath of Russian attack on Chernihiv Oblast on 9 September

PHOTO: CHERNIHIV OBLAST PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE

Quote: "Following investigation information, enemy troops shelled the village of Kostobobriv, Semenivka hromada (an administrative unit designating a town, village or several villages and their adjacent territories  ed.), on the morning of 9 September.

A 68-year-old local resident was seriously wounded in the shelling, and he was taken to a hospital for receiving qualified medical assistance.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

In addition, outbuildings on the territory of the victim's farm were damaged."

Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron!
Russian forces fired 15 times at the border areas of Sumy Oblast over the past day, with 61 explosions recorded.

Source: Sumy Oblast Military Administration

Details: The hromadas of Seredyna-Buda, Velyka Pysarivka, Esman, Khotin, Yunakivka, Bilopillia and Krasnopillia came under Russian fire. [A hromada is an administrative unit designating a town, village or several villages and their adjacent territories  ed.]

The Russians fired mortars at Seredyna-Buda hromada, with eight explosions. As a result of one of the attacks, two private family homes were damaged.

Velyka Pysarivka hromada was attacked from the territory of the Russian Federation, with five explosions. The attacks damaged a private family home. There was also one UAV explosion.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

The Russians dropped five bombs on Esman hromada.

A mortar attack was carried out on Khotin hromada, and 26 explosions occurred. As a result of one of the attacks, a civilian was injured. A community arts centre was also damaged.

In Bilopillia hromada, there was an attack from tubed artillery, and three explosions occurred. A civilian was wounded and taken to hospital as a result of the attack. There was also one mortar explosion.

Krasnopillia hromada: there was a mortar attack from the territory of the Russian Federation. Eight explosions were recorded, and one private family home was damaged as a result of the attack.

A mortar attack and eight explosions were recorded in Yunakivka hromada.

Background: On the morning of 8 September, the Russians struck the cities of Sumy and Zaporizhzhia, injuring at least five people.

Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron!
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has condemned the latest series of Russian strikes on Ukrainian ports on the Danube River, which play a key role for grain exports, stressing that Russia is trying to block Ukrainian exports by turning food into weapons.

Source: European Pravda

Quote: "This is Russias playbook: strangle Ukrainian grain exports, weaponize food, and make hungry people pay the price."

Details: Blinken stressed that Russia continues to systematically destroy infrastructure in ports on the Danube River, important for the export of Ukrainian grain to world markets, after the Kremlin's withdrawal from the Black Sea Grain Initiative.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Background:

Prior to that, Blinken had a conversation with the head of the Romanian Foreign Ministry. They discussed the investigation into the wreckage of the UAV found on the Romanian bank of the Danube River after the Russian attacks on Ukrainian territory.

Diplomats also discussed additional cooperation to maintain airspace security, including the future rotation of additional US F-16 fighter jets to strengthen NATO's airspace patrol mission in Romania.

In addition, on Friday, the German newspaper Bild published an article claiming that the UN Secretary General is conducting secret negotiations with Moscow regarding the restoration of the "grain agreement" in exchange for sanctions concessions.

Oleh Nikolenko, the spokesman for the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry, emphasised the unchanged Ukrainian position regarding the fact that the easing of sanctions against the Russian Federation would lead to new blackmail from the Kremlin.

Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron!
Officers detained a juvenile who was spotted with a gun Friday afternoon near a shopping center in Sacramentos Curtis Park neighborhood, where evidence of shooting was found, police said.

Shortly before 2 p.m., officers were called to the 3600 block of Crocker Drive in the area of the Crocker Village shopping center. There were reports of a person armed with a gun, according to a social media post by the Sacramento Police Department.

Officers arrived and found the juvenile, who was safely detained. Police said officers determined the juvenile was the same person who had been spotted with the gun.

The officers recovered a firearm and located evidence of a shooting that occurred outdoors, according to the Police Department.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

The officers did not find any victims from the shooting, and police said there was no further threat to the community. The Police Department did not release any further information about the shooting or the detained suspect.

Investigators asked any witnesses with information relevant to this investigation to call the Police Department at 916-808-5471.
Chinese Premier Li Qiang meets with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on the sidelines of the G20 summit in New Delhi, India, Sept. 9, 2023. (Xinhua/Yue Yuewei)

NEW DELHI, Sept. 9 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Qiang expressed on Saturday the hope that the Italian side will provide a fair, just and non-discriminatory business environment for Chinese enterprises to invest and do business in the European country.

In a meeting with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on the sidelines of the Group of 20 summit, Li also called on both sides to continue to expand bilateral trade, saying that China will continue to expand market access to create more opportunities for Italian quality products to enter the Chinese market. 

Chinese Premier Li Qiang meets with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on the sidelines of the G20 summit in New Delhi, India, Sept. 9, 2023. (Xinhua/Yue Yuewei)
The president of South Carolinas Association of School Librarians has resigned after the state Department of Education cut ties with the group.

Michelle Spires resigned Thursday after state education superintendent Ellen Weaver ended the 50-year partnership with the group in a letter, accusing it of creating a hostile environment and taking a political stance by opposing efforts to remove books from schools.

While the decision to step down as President of the SCASL has not been easy, it is a decision that I have made to put the well-being of my family and myself first. I am still committed to the work that SCASL does and will continue to support the organization and its members; however, I am unable to fulfill the role that is needed as the leader the organization, Spires wrote in a statement that was provided to The State.

The news was first broken by the Carolina News and Reporter, a newsroom run by students at the University of South Carolinas School of Journalism and Mass Communications.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Diane Ervin, the executive secretary of the librarian association and a past president, confirmed that Spires resignation was directly linked to Weavers decision to end the partnership between the two organizations.

But in her resignation, Spires made no reference to the split, expressing gratitude for the opportunities she had gained through the librarians association and urging librarians across the state to continue their support for the organization.

South Carolina has phenomenal librarians across the state who are committed to the needs of their students, Spires wrote. I am proud to be amongst those school librarians in our state and will continue to support SCASL in the days, weeks, and years to come.

The State has reached out to the Department of Education for comment.

Tamara Cox, a former president of the library group, is now acting president through the school years end, according to the News and Reporter.

Cox told the News and Reporter that Weavers decision to sever the relationship came without warning as the two organizations had been in the middle of planning a joint event for October.

That letter was the first correspondence we had about (Weaver cutting ties), Cox told the News and Observer. We have been communicating with her staff in the Department of Education all year. We have chosen the venues, chosen the dates, lined up speakers and sponsors and lunch and all that stuff working with her staff.

In a letter sent to the librarian association on Aug. 25, Weaver said the organization had shown a lack of discernment on the issue of censoring books.

As reasons for the split, Weaver cited an advocacy toolkit on the groups website from the American Library Association, testimony about library censorship before the teacher recruitment and retention task force, and a letter sent to school board members that extensively quoted politicized rhetoric from a New York school district employee.

It is my sincere hope that in the future, SCASL will come to recognize and value the role of parents in directing the content of their childrens education and cease the use of hyperbolic rhetoric that politicizes these important issues, Weaver wrote in her letter.

South Carolina was one of the five states in the country with the highest instances of book bans from 2022 to 2023, according to PEN America, a nonprofit that advocates for the free expression in literature and the arts.

Weaver, a Republican and the former state director for then U.S. Sen. Jim DeMint, is in her first year as the superintended of education succeeding Molly Spearman, also a Republican, who didnt seek re-election.

she ran on a platform that emphasized parental rights and school choice, as well as emphasizing literacy and math skills and improving access for special needs students.

Her campaign attracted controversy when it emerged that she entered the race without masters degree, a requirement for the Superintendent of Education position. She ultimately obtained a masters degree in educational leadership from Bob Jones University in October just weeks before the election, having completed the 33-credit program in just six months.

This unusual arrangement drew criticism and scrutiny from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to Bob Jones University, a private evangelical university in Greenville.

The school defended the unusual arrangement. Last fall, BJU chief of staff Randy Page was quoted as saying we would do for any student what we have done for her.

The program, which lists a two-year course schedule on its web page, advertises that graduates will be equipped with a well-rounded education from a biblical worldview that will benefit and guide you for years to come.
Seattle Barrel and Cooperage Companys 55-year-old owner was sentenced on Friday to 18 months in prison and a $250,000 fine for a history of pollution, according to U.S. Attorney Tessa Gorman.

Seattle Barrel was sentenced to five years of probation. The company is accused of dumping gallons of waste into Elliot Bay and the Duwamish River starting in 2013.

These discharges were not done by accident or mistake they were done with disregard for the consequences An enormous amount of caustic waste, an estimated 26,000 gallons of caustic water, into our system with no idea of what harm it could have done. You had no justifiable reason to engage in this deceitful and dangerous activity, said U.S. District Judge Richard A. Jones.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

The company was charged with conspiracy, making false statements, and 33 Clean Water Act violations, according to U.S. Attorney Gorman.

These defendants sent dangerous caustic chemicals into our sewer system once a week for years, said U.S. Attorney Gorman. This risked environmental harm to Elliott Bay and the Duwamish River, damaged critical sewer infrastructure, and could have seriously injured utility workers. At many points, Mr. Sanft and his company could have reformed their ways. The refusal to do so results in these sentences today.

According to court records, Seattle Barrel would collect used industrial and commercial drums and then recondition and resell them. To recondition them they would wash the barrels in a highly corrosive chemical solution.

U.S. Attorney Gorman said since at least 2009, the company was under a discharge permit which means they couldnt dump their waste over a certain pH into the sewer system. Waste over a certain pH would corrode the sewer system and potentially pollute Elliot Bay and the Puget Sound.

In 2013, King County found out Seattle Barrel was illegally dumping. The company was given a fine but didnt stop.

In 2016, the owner of Seattle Barrel said they had become a zero discharge facility and were not dumping any wastewater. However, in 2018 and 2019 cover monitoring by the Environmental Protection Agencys Criminal Investigation Division led them to discover Seattle Barrel was still illegally dumping wastewater.

On March 8, 2019, the covert monitors pinpointed when Seattle Barrel was dumping the wastewater. Agents immediately got a search warrant and inside found a portable pump on the floor near the tank of caustic solution. They found out the pump was being used to pump solution to a hidden drain which led directly to the sewer system.

Seattle Public Utilities said the sewer lines downstream from Seattle Barrel are prematurely damaged and will repaired. The discharges also put utility workers at risk, as such caustic chemicals can cause blindness, skin necrosis, bone damage, and even death.

Seattle Barrels owner was convicted of conspiracy, 29 violations of the Clean Water Act for discharging pollutants to the sewer, four counts of submission of False Clean Water Act Certifications, and making a false statement to special agents of the EPA, according to U.S. Attorney Gorman.

U.S. Attorney Gorman said as part of the sentence, Judge Jones is also requiring the company to certify every quarter that it has complied with all federal, state, and local requirements including compliance with its National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit.

For nearly a decade, the defendants dumped caustic industrial waste into the Seattle sewer system and then conspired to conceal their illegal activities by submitting false monthly reports and lying to investigators, said Acting Special Agent in Charge Benjamin Carr of EPAs Criminal Investigation Division for Washington. Todays sentencing demonstrates the seriousness of these crimes and sends a clear message that businesses will be held criminally responsible if they fail to manage industrial wastes in accordance with laws designed to protect the health of our communities, national infrastructure, and the environment.
By Diadie Ba and Ngouda Dione

DAKAR (Reuters) -Senegal's President Macky Sall on Saturday named Prime Minister Amadou Ba as the ruling Benno Bokk Yakaar (BBY) coalition's candidate for the February 2024 presidential election.

Ba, 62, a former economy minister who had also held the position of foreign minister, is a taxation specialist who was appointed prime minister in September last year.

Sall ruled out running for a third term in July after violent unrest in the West African country, throwing wide open the race to succeed him.

Members of the BBY coalition, seeking to avoid protracted primaries that could cause divisions just a few months before the deadline to submit candidates, had given Sall the green light to name a candidate.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

"After a wide consultation, a task that was complex and difficult... including considering a primary that was rejected by interested candidates and leaders in the coalition, we decided on a consensual and collegial choice," former prime minister Moustapha Niasse said, reading a statement from Sall.

"The selection criteria targeted professional skills, a diversified career... Our decision was also motivated by the qualities of humility, of listening to lead. It is in this spirit that we have selected Amadou Ba," Sall said in the statement.

Ba is tasked with re-energizing the coaling, which lost key cities in the January 2022 local elections to a galvanized opposition that campaigned around Sall's suspected third term ambitions.

It lost further ground to the opposition in the July legislative election, gaining a majority of just one with 82 seats out of 165 seats in the house, compared with 125 seats it won in the 2017 legislative election.

Sall's statement said Ba will be a unifying figure within his party and the coalition, and he will ensure continuity of economic, social and environmental policies.

(Reporting by Diadie Ba and Ngouda Dione; Writing by Bate Felix; Editing by Alexander Smith and Mike Harrison)
The Marine Corps has identified a student who was found dead in his vehicle Saturday while assigned to the Marine Corps University at Quantico, Virginia.

The Marine -- who was studying at the university that houses the service's War College and College of Enlisted Military Education, among other programs -- was Sgt. Jaen Deshun Davis, 24, of the 1st Battalion, 24th Marine Regiment, a reserve unit out of Michigan.

Davis was pronounced dead at the scene by responding officials, according to a Marine Corps press release Thursday. A Naval Criminal Investigative Service investigation was opened and remains ongoing. The cause of death was not listed in the statement.

Read Next: Marines Get More Chances at Upping Their Shooting Scores -- But There's a Catch

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

"His family, loved ones and peers have our deepest sympathies as we continue to provide support during this difficult time," said Maj. Joshua Pena, a spokesperson for Training and Education Command.

Davis was a member of the active-duty, inspector-instructor staff assigned to the Michigan reserve unit, a position that entails liaising between its active-duty and reserve elements, including other duties that ensure continuity between the two.

Prior to attending the Marine Corps University, Davis was assigned to the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit and 1st Marine Logistics Group out of Camp Pendleton, California, according to the press release. He earned the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal and Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, among other awards.

"There is no additional information available at this time," Pena said in the statement. Davis was studying as part of a resident program at the university.

The Marine Corps has had a tragic summer with a string of deadly incidents and losses. In July, three Marines were found dead in their vehicle outside of Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, from what local police say was carbon monoxide poisoning.

Last month, Lance Cpl. Joseph Whaley was killed during nighttime live-fire training at Camp Pendleton, California. August also saw two separate aircraft incidents that resulted in the deaths of four Marines -- one was a single-pilot F/A-18 Hornet and the other was a V-22 Osprey carrying nearly two dozen personnel.

The latter incident triggered the implementation of a service-wide safety review that was originally scheduled for a later date.

Last year, after another deadly Osprey crash included in a string of "six Class-A mishaps since January 2022, resulting in nine fatalities and the destruction of four aircraft," the service enacted a similar stand-down, according to the Marine Corps' website.

-- Drew F. Lawrence can be reached at drew.lawrence@military.com. Follow him on Twitter @df_lawrence.

Related: Marine Corps Identifies Lance Corporal Killed During Night Training in California
The heat that has gripped much of the nation seeped into New England on Friday, forcing some schools to close or send kids home early while powerful thunderstorms also swept through the region.

A Massachusetts man was killed early Friday and his fiancee was seriously injured when a tree fell on them during a storm while they were camping in Somerset, Vermont, police said. High winds downed downs tree limbs and power lines across the region, leaving tens of thousands without power in Massachusetts and Maine.

The mayor of Boston declared a heat emergency with cooling centers opening around the city.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

In Lowell, Massachusetts, where none of the 28 schools have air conditioning, all classes remained closed on Friday for safety reasons. The temperature was expected to reach a high of 90 degrees Fahrenheit (32 degrees Celsius), with the humidity making it feel like 95 F (35 C).

Other schools in Massachusetts, Connecticut and New Hampshire were also closed or sent students home early  and curtailed after-school activities.

Electric fans were delivered to schools to help keep teachers and students comfortable as temperatures approached 90 F on Thursday in parts of New England. Most of the public schools in Boston have access to air conditioning, but the city would supply water and fans to the schools that need them, Mayor Michelle Wu said when she declared a heat emergency for Thursday and Friday.

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
BEDFORD TOWNSHIP  A woman's death after an assault Friday is being investigated by the Monroe County Sheriff's Office.

At about 11:30 a.m., Monroe County Central Dispatch received a 911 call about a domestic assault in progress in the 2200 block of Fountain Circle near Lambertville, Sheriff Troy Goodnough reported in a news release issued Saturday.

"Deputies responded to the scene and met with the 911 caller outside the residence, where it was determined that a physical assault had occurred," the release said. "Information obtained from a witness indicated that an additional assault was possibly in progress and still occurring inside the residence."

Deputy Brian Biegajski entered the residence to check the welfare of the people inside and immediately observed an 81-year-old man assaulting his 78-year-old wife, the release said. Biegajski was able to interrupt the assault and detain the man without incident. Medical personnel responded to the scene and provided medical care to the woman, who suffered significant injuries.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

The woman was transported by ambulance to ProMedica Toledo Hospital, where she later died, the release said.

The man was transported to a local hospital to be medically treated and evaluated.

The investigation is ongoing by the Monroe County Sheriffs Office Detective Bureau. Goodnough said in text messages Monday the names of the suspect and victim won't be released until he is arraigned in 1st District Court. The suspect was arrested in Ohio and is awaiting extradition in the Lucas County Jail.

Bedford Township Fire Department and Monroe Community Ambulance personnel assisted at the scene.

Anyone with information about this assault is asked to contact the Monroe County Sheriffs Office Detective Bureau at 734-240-7530.

This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Monroe County detectives investigating woman's death after assault
U.K. citizen Jordan Chadwick, 31, who went to Ukraine to fight with the International Legion, has been found dead in Ukraine, Sky News reported on Sept. 9, citing the U.K. Foreign Office.

According to the media outlet, Chadwick was found dead "in a body of water with his hands bound behind his back."

No more details of his death were provided.

Sky News reported that Chadwick previously served as a Scots guard in the British Army from 2011 to 2015.

Ukraine has not yet commented on the incident.

Read also: Investigation: International Legion soldiers allege light weapons misappropriation, abuse by commanders

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Exhibitors from China display a product during the 2023 China Smart Industry Trade Exhibition and Digital Forum in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Sept. 8, 2023. (Xinhua/Cheng Yiheng)

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- Strong cooperation and collaborative efforts with Chinese partners will help boost Malaysia's drive towards digitalization, a Malaysian official said on Friday.

Cooperation between Malaysia and China in telecommunications and digital economy will benefit both countries, Malaysia's Deputy Minister of Communications and Digital Teo Nie Ching said in her speech at the 2023 China Smart Industry Trade Exhibition and Digital Forum.

"Malaysia and China have complementary strengths in the telecommunications and digital economy, and we can work together to create new opportunities for businesses and consumers," she said.

The Malaysian government has introduced Malaysia Digital (MD), a national strategic initiative that seeks to grow the digital capacities and capabilities of the nation as well as raise the overall ecosystem value, according to her.

"We look forward to seeing more investment by Chinese companies in Malaysia's digital economy, as well as significant steps in the cooperation between Malaysia and China in the field of digital telecommunications," she added.

In his video message to the forum, Malaysia's Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Chang Lih Kang said the burgeoning collaboration between Malaysia and China in the field of science and technology further strengthens bilateral relations.

"As we jointly venture into the realm of artificial intelligence, we unlock immense potential for its application in key areas such as healthcare, transportation, and manufacturing. Malaysia and China's collaboration efforts extend to the development of new energy technologies, crucial in mitigating pollution and addressing climate change," he said.

For his part, Chinese Ambassador to Malaysia Ouyang Yujing said that China and Malaysia share much in common in social and economic development strategies. Both countries take science, technology and innovation as the important driver for social and economic growth.

China's investment in Malaysia's high-tech fields and related cooperation keep increasing and the exhibition and forum will help promote science, technology and innovation cooperation between the two countries, he said.

Organized by the China Entrepreneurs Association in Malaysia (PUCM), the forum brings together experts from both countries to exchange views and share insights on the latest developments in high-tech industries.

According to PUCM president Keith Li, more than 100 enterprises and organizations from both countries participated in the exhibition and forum. 
A new San Luis Obispo County sales tax could raise $35 million per year for projects ranging from widening the Cuesta Grade to building bike lanes, supporters say.

The San Luis Obispo Council of Governments is developing a 0.5% sales tax to fund transportation projects such as highway improvements, according to SLOCOG Planning Director James Worthley.

Before the sales tax lands on the November 2024 ballot, it must be approved by a majority of the seven city councils in San Luis Obispo County as well as the SLOCOG board of directors and San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors, Worthley said.

The group must submit the ballot measure to the county by Aug. 9, 2024, to qualify for the election, according to SLO County Clerk-Recorder Elaina Cano.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Two-thirds of SLO County voters must support the tax for it to pass.

A cyclist bikes towards Cal Poly in the green bike lane along California Boulevard in San Luis Obispo, which was added to increase safety for bicyclists. The current City Councils plans to add bikeways in the city have been supported by San Luis Obispo Mayor Heidi Harmon and opposed by her challenger, T. Keith Gurnee.

SLO County sales tax would fund transportation projects

The ballot measure would impose a 0.5% sales tax on every dollar spent in the county.

For example, the county would add an extra 15 cents to a $30 pair of shoes and $150 to a $30,000 car, according to a website promoting the sales tax.

The tax is expected to generate $35 million annually for 20 years, according to Worthley.

Potential projects include restoring Harford Pier in Avila Beach and adding pedestrian enhancements at Dinosaur Caves in Pismo Beach.

SLOCOG will rely on community feedback from an online survey, a telephone poll in October and local meetings to determine how to divide the tax revenue between projects.

It really comes down to whos clamoring for what, Worthley said.

If voters approve the tax, they also automatically approve an investment plan that outlines how the funding is spent for 20 years.

According to Worthley, revenue from a standard sales tax measure goes into the General Fund, and the Board of Supervisors or city council decides annually how to use that funding.

Revenue from a transportation sales tax, however, can only be used for transportation projects outlined by the voter-approved investment plan.

Its locked in, and it provides that guarantee and safeguard, Worthley said.

This ballot measure would be similar to Measure J, a failed 2016 initiative that proposed a 0.5% countywide sales tax expected to generate about $230 million for transportation projects, according to Worthley.

In 2016, 66.3% of voters supported the tax  just shy of the 66.7% required to pass the ballot measure.

Measure Js investment plan distributed funding to each city and unincorporated community by population size and other factors, Worthley said, but the 2024 sales tax could be designed differently.

It was SLOCOGs first try at putting something on the ballot, Worthley said, adding that the organization now has more experience with designing a ballot measure and is more likely to succeed this time around.

Projects that could be funded by a new proposed San Luis Obispo County sales tax include restoring Harford Pier in Avila Beach.

Tax could help leverage state funding

According to the countys Long Range Regional Transportation Plan, SLO County needs $5.4 billion to meet its transportation infrastructure goals, but only has $3.1 billion available for such projects.

The sales tax could supplement that $2.3 billion shortfall, Worthley said, partly by strengthening the countys applications for state grants.

According to Worthley, some state grants require applicants to offer up local funding for their proposed projects to win state funding.

The sales tax would create a dedicated funding stream for transportation projects, which can be used to bolster applications for those state grants, he said.

If you can put together a good application and matching funds, you can capture those funds back to your region, Worthley said.

The more local funding a county offers for a project, the more state funding they can get, he said.

For example, SLO County applied for state active transportation funds in 2022, and promised to use $12 million of funding from SLOCOG for the same projects.

The state awarded the county about $36 million in active transportation funding that year, Worthley said.

We were pretty happy, he said.

Meanwhile, Santa Cruz County applied for the same pot of active transportation funding with about $32 million of local dollars generated by its sales tax revenue, Worthley said, and the state awarded that county $115 million.

They were able to leverage more funds out of the state, he said of Santa Cruz County. We just cant compete at that same level. We can win, but were going to win lower amounts.

Whats next?

In December, SLOCOG staff will present the survey and poll results to the groups board, and recommend whether or not the group should proceed with the ballot measure.

If (the survey results are) strongly supportive, then we might encourage our board to move forward to the next step, Worthley said. If its fairly lukewarm  if 50% of the voters want it and 50% dont, then we probably wont go forward at all.

The board will then vote to decide if staff should design the ballot measure to present to the seven city councils and San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors.

There are a lot of steps between today and a measure that lands on the ballot, Worthley said.

To provide input on the proposed sales tax, go to bit.ly/44MAv9E.
Coffee City is a tiny town with a massive police force. The remote berg  outside Tyler, Texas, in the northeast of the state  counts fewer than 250 residents, but it employs more than 50 cops. The force is reportedly five times larger than any other small-town police force in Texas, and Coffee City raked in more than $1 million in court fees from tickets last year.

This outsized police force was recently identified in an investigation by Houston CBS affiliate KHOU, which uncovered an alarming hiring pattern by Chief of Police JohnJay Portillo. The ranks of the Coffee City police have ballooned with bad-apple cops, who had reportedly received demotions and even dishonorable discharges from other jurisdictions for a litany of egregious behavior, including aggravated assault and endangering a child. Portillo defended his vetting of these officers, insisting that many of the cops had just gotten themselves on the wrong side of department politics and had been retaliated against.

coffee city texas police

Now, the Coffee City government has put Portillo on the shelf, pending an internal investigation. Mayor Jeff Blackstone said in a statement this week that he and the city council felt it necessary for us to place Chief Portillo on a 30 thirty-day suspension. A state agency, Texas Commission on Law Enforcement, is also reportedly investigating the Coffee City force.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Portillo did not respond to Rolling Stones interview requests. Despite its more than ample staffing, no one at the Coffee City police department answered the phone either, nor did Mayor Blackstone respond to a request for comment.

Chief Portillo has legal issues beyond his handling of the force. KHOU reports he failed to disclose a 2004 DWI arrest  for which he was a no-show in court and a warrant remains outstanding  when applying to his current post. Portillo told the TV station that the omission was unintentional, insisting he was not not being truthful, adding: I just put down everything that was in my mind when I filled out my application.

Coffee City has a reputation as a speed trap. Call city government offices, and the first option on the phone tree states: For questions about a ticket, or to reach the court, press 1. Remarkably, the KHOU investigation found that several officers on the Coffee City force do not even work in Coffee City. Instead, they work in a division in Houston, 200 miles to the south, tracking down big-city residents with outstanding traffic fines or for a failure to appear in Coffee City court.

Several Coffee City cops also reportedly work private security jobs in the Houston area, Portillo included. (Texas law allows full-time police to hire themselves out for extra cash.) But Portillo reportedly clashed with an elected Houston constable after a February incident in which he felt he didnt get proper backup when he called for help at the apartment complex where he works security. Hes seen on a deputys body camera cussing the constable as a fucking pussy. Portillo is also seen vowing to mess up the constables election prospects.

Portillo himself is a past candidate for a Houston constable post, and has a website for a 2024 campaign, as well. On the site he brags of expanding the Coffee City force from 1 full-time Chief and 2 part-time officers to 8 full-time officers and 57 reserve officers.

Seeking voter support, the now-suspended Coffee City chief touts his professionalism and empathy and vows hell make integrity the hallmark of his elected service. I am committed to the highest performance standards, ethical conduct and truthfulness in all relationships with the public, he adds.

More from Rolling Stone

Best of Rolling Stone

Click here to read the full article.
Darting Around

Nearly a year ago, NASA successfully smashed an asteroid for the first time, in a landmark test to see whether we could divert a killer space rock before disaster  but now, the asteroid in question is behaving strangely.

As New Scientist reports, a schoolteacher and his pupils seem to have discovered that the orbit of Dimorphos, the space rock socked by the Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) last September, has apparently continued slowing down, unexpectedly, in the year since the refrigerator-sized craft smashed into it.

Jonathan Swift, a math and science teacher at the Thacher School in California, and his team of student astronomers have discovered that Dimorphos, which orbits around the larger near-Earth asteroid Didymos the way our Moon orbits the Earth, has been spinning consistently slower around Didymos than it did prior to the DART test.

Slow Down

To be clear, changing Dimorphos' trajectory was the point of the DART test.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

As NASA announced a few weeks after the collision last fall, it succeeded at doing exactly that, bringing the asteroid's orbit down a full half hour, from 11 hours and 55 minutes to 11 hours and 23 minutes. Given that the space agency's "minimum successful orbit period change" was 73 seconds, this meant that the DART test, which showed whether or not Earth can smash near-Earth asteroids out of the way, was a resounding success.

But as Swift and his charges at the Thacher Observatory found when looking at Dimorphos' orbit more than a month after the initial collision, the asteroid's orbit seems to have continued to slow down  an unexplained turn of events, considering that most astronomers expected it to return to its original orbit speed pretty quickly.

"The number we got was slightly larger, a change of 34 minutes," Swift told New Scientist. "That was inconsistent at an uncomfortable level."

Theoretically Speaking

Though NASA did say in its original post-DART findings that the orbit slowing had a margin of error of plus or minus two minutes, the orbit's change is nevertheless a startling result  though some theories suggest that the impact may have "tumbled" Dimorphos' orbit, or unlocked it from Didymos' tidal forces.

"We tried our best to find the crack in what we had done," Swift expounded, "but we couldnt find anything."

NASA will also be releasing a report soon on the DART mission's latest update, a spokesperson told New Scientist  but the agency will have to compete with Swift and his students, whose findings were shared this summer with the American Astronomical Society, which is publishing their paper soon.

More on asteroids: AI Is Now Identifying Killer Asteroids Before They Approach Earth
By Nicoco Chan

DONGGUAN, China (Reuters) - Shop owners in a town in China's southern manufacturing heartland tried to clean up the mess and started to count the cost of Typhoon Haikui on Saturday, as the lingering storm lumbered west after wreaking havoc.

Two days after making landfall, Haikui brought the heaviest rains since records began 140 years ago to Hong Kong with more than 200 mm (8 inches) falling in the territory, killing two people and injuring more than 140, state media reported.

Flooding in the neighbouring tech hub of Shenzhen knocked out subways and transport in the worst-hit district Luohu, although by Saturday the city had largely returned to normal.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

In the town of Tangxia in the sprawling manufacturing city of Dongguan, storefronts flooded and streets became rivers where rescue teams in dinghies helped stranded citizens, images from state media showed.

Zhang Lu, 42, hosed down mud-caked crates while his partner scraped mud from the floor of their fruit shop.

"Everything got submerged, everything," Zhang said. "Even the display screens were all damaged, right? It's very serious."

He showed pictures of the shop front half submerged and said the waters reached the ceiling at the flood's peak. Zhang reckoned it would cost him over 200,000 yuan ($27,000) to replace his damaged things.

"I opened this store with borrowed money," he said. "Everything was funded through loans, and now I have nothing left."

A large pile of plastic packaging, rags and detritus was outside Huang Lizhong's leather shop as the 53-year-old pushed water to his door, saying the flood had been more severe than others in recent years.

Huang reckoned the flood damage would cost him 500,000 yuan.

Nearby, workers carried foliage onto trucks while pedestrians weaved around piles of detritus.

Short but heavy bursts of rainfall were expected to continue in southern Guangdong province as well as the neighbouring Guangxi region and the island of Hainan, the China Meteorological Administration said on Saturday.

($1 = 7.3430 Chinese yuan renminbi)

(Reporting by Nicoco Chan in Dongguan; Writing by David Kirton; Editing by William Mallard)
State Rep. Carl Sherman, D-DeSoto, announced Saturday he is running for U.S. Senate, becoming the latest Democrat to launch a campaign to challenge Republican Sen. Ted Cruz.

Sherman, a pastor, jumped in the race calling for higher salaries for police officers and more hospitals in rural areas of the state.

Texas needs a United States senator who will stand up for all of us, our children, our families, small-business owners and the working people of Texas. We need more good paying jobs in Texas, not just jobs, but good-paying jobs, Sherman said.

Sherman joins a primary that already includes two prominent Democrats in U.S. Rep. Colin Allred of Dallas and state Sen. Roland Gutierrez of San Antonio. Nueces County District Attorney Mark Gonzalez resigned Tuesday to also run in the primary.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Sherman was first elected in 2018 to represent House District 109, a solidly blue district south of Dallas. He previously was mayor of DeSoto.

Sherman currently serves as senior pastor at Church of Christ in Hutchins.

Shermans entrance into the 2024 primary came after his opponents jumped to a head start, with Allred announcing his campaign in May, while Gutierrez launched his bid last month.

Allred has already established himself as a formidable fundraiser, collecting $6.2 million in roughly his first two months.

Sherman did not emerge as a potential candidate until late June. He has shrugged off any disadvantage from the late start.

If God is calling you to do something, then its never too late, Sherman said in a Dallas TV interview that aired last month

Cruz is seeking his third term after a closer-than-expected reelection race in 2018. Still, Democrats have not won statewide office in Texas since 1994.

Shermans U.S. Senate campaign means he will be vacating his seat in Texas House District 109. Shortly after Sherman declared his U.S. Senate bid Saturday, Aicha Davis, a Democratic member of the State Board of Education, announced she would run to succeed Sherman in the state House.

William Melhado contributed to this story.

The full program is now LIVE for the 2023 Texas Tribune Festival, happening Sept. 21-23 in Austin. Explore the program featuring more than 100 unforgettable conversations coming to TribFest. Panel topics include the biggest 2024 races and whats ahead, how big cities in Texas and around the country are changing, the integrity of upcoming elections and so much more. See the full program.
INGRAM, Texas (NEXSTAR)  Its the sequel you didnt know Texas created. The Lone Star States Hill Country may be a long way away from the mysterious Stonehenge monument in England, central Texas Stonehenge II site isnt without mysteries of its own.

The main mystery: What the heck is Stonehenge II and where did it come from? And what does Easter Island have to do with any of it?

Why are Nature Valley granola bars so messy?

The attraction, located in Ingram, is owned and maintained by the Hill Country Arts Foundation, which explains that the site was created by retired Dallas hotel owner Al Shepperd and his neighbor Doug Hill over 20 years ago.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

The idea came to Shepperd after he found a mass of limestone leftover from a patio project near the Guadalup River, Dallas Morning News reported in 2010. It took Shepperd and Hill nine months to build, the foundation says.

Stonehenge II was moved from Shepperds property in Hunt  about 7 miles from Ingram  in 2010, many years after Shepperds death. The stones, which were created at about 90% the height and 60% the width of the original Stonehenge stones, were moved stone-by-stone to where they now sit.

Doug Hill poses for a photo with Stonehenge II, Thursday, July 22, 2010, in Hunt, Texas. The Stonehenge replica, built by Doug Hill and Al Shepperd in 1989, was moved to a new home in Ingram shortly after the photo was taken. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Wilson Farris climbs a structure at Stonehenge II, Thursday, July 22, 2010, in Hunt, Texas. The Stonehenge replica, built by Doug Hill and Al Shepperd in 1989, was moved to a new home in Ingram shortly after the photo was taken. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

But wait! If you happen to visit Stonehenge II, which is free to do, you may notice something (else) that seems out of place, historically. The site is also home to two 13-foot moai, which you probably recognize as the giant head statues famous for their placement on Easter Island.

The HCAF says Shepperd added the two moai to give free range to his fanciful notion.

Can spicy foods kill you?

Stonehenge IIs moai, which are made of Rebar and plaster, are about the same size as the ones youd find on Easter Island  or at least as large as they are from top to the ground. The islands monolithic statues are actually full body figures with most of the bodies buried up to their chests or necks.

Moais in Rapa Nui National Park on the slopes of Rano Raruku volcano on Easter Island, Chile. (Getty Images)

Stonehenge: The Sequel has so far flown a bit under the radar on TikTok and Reddit, two social media platforms with a knack for honing in on attraction oddities (like the Bass Pro Shops Pyramid in Memphis, Tennessee). A few Stonehenge II TikTok tours can be found, however.

Over on the Texas subreddit, a few posts have popped up over the years, with some Texans expressing surprise at this hidden gem.

Are men still afraid of wearing pink?

My mom lives less than 10 minutes from this place and I never knew! writes one Redditor. Ill be visiting next week!

According to the HCAF, Stonehenge II has been visited by thousands since its creation. The site can even be rented for private events like weddings and parties.

Stonehenge II will also be the venue for a solar eclipse festival to be held April 8, 2024, during the total solar eclipse, which will pass right over the area. HCAF says details on the event are to come. Additionally, the site will hosts its second annual Stonehenge Celtic Festival and Highland Games on April 27.

Its been decades since Shepperd and Hill brought a taste of Druid magic to central Texas but their art lives on. Back in 2010, Hill marveled at the sitess long life, saying it is not something he ever could have imagined.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WesternSlopeNow.com.
Our world emphasizes speed. This is the age of artificial intelligence, smartphones and instant downloads. In this first-come, first-served culture, the early bird gets the worm. Who has time to ponder or reflect? Were too busy flitting from one superficial thing to the next.

All of this speed and mobility may undermine our humanity. It contributes to loneliness and anxiety. Many good things require us to slow down, rather than speed up. Wisdom is not quick. Neither is love. The best things in life dwell in a time apart, lingering in slowness.

But artificial intelligence and related technologies push an ever more frantic pace. The speed of the stimuli on our screens can explain some of the negative mental health impacts of social media, video games and other technologies. Our brains are not meant to go this fast. Our souls long for a slower tempo. Human relationships need time to ripen, and genuine happiness is not instant gratification.

Opinion

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Now, sometimes speed is a good thing. Quick computers can churn through data and solve many problems. It is much more efficient to Google information than to go to a library and search the indexes of books on dusty shelves. Social media, online news apps and video games can be useful and fun. We can stay in touch with distant friends. We have immediate access to the latest news. And your phone contains multiple sources of instant gratification.

But moderation is needed. Scrolling for thrills is not the same as digging deep. We dont build wisdom or friendships with a swipe on a screen. We need time for thinking, solitude and soul searching.

The novelist Milan Kundera lamented the lost pleasure of slowness in his novel Slowness where he suggests that we need time to gaze at Gods windows. He says, There is a secret bond between slowness and memory, between speed and forgetting. Speed causes us to forget who we are and what we value. Were not sure where were going. But well get there quickly.

Our bodies and brains evolved in a slower era. Our ancestors needed to think quickly on occasion to escape predators or hunt. But when the sun went down, they contemplated the stars and shared stories and songs. These ancient works of imagination unfolded at a pace that was rooted in the tempo of our beating hearts. With this in the background, its no wonder that most of the worlds wisdom traditions emphasize tranquility, patience, calmness and slowness.

The ancient sages took time to gaze deeply into Gods windows, and into their own souls. Socrates was well known for wandering and wondering. He would sometimes come to a halt as he walked through Athens, completely lost in thought.

In Asian traditions, the practice of meditation aims to cultivate slowness. The Buddha saw restlessness as an impediment to wisdom. The solution is to calm the mind and its restless agitation.

You dont have to be Socrates or the Buddha to understand that many of the most meaningful human activities are best experienced slowly. This is true of grieving, making love and enjoying art. We cant set a timer for grief or for love. The pace of these things transcends the frantic tempo of ordinary life, reflecting the patience of tender intimacy. To insist that Mozart or Shakespeare should speed things up is to misunderstand the nature of their art.

Philosophers describe things that are enjoyed slowly as ends-in-themselves valued for their own sake. These experiences represent moments of completion and fulfillment. Some people even sigh, and say of certain beautiful moments that they want them to last forever. This is also true of life itself. If you love life, you want it to last. Life is enjoyed for its own sake, and those who say that it is better to live fast and die young have probably not thought it over.

But the sages who have thought deeply about these things tell us that we need to relax our pace. The best and most important things  love, beauty and wisdom  are not quick or immediate. If you want to find these goods, you must slow down.

Andrew Fiala is a professor of philosophy and the director of the Fresno State Universitys Ethics Center.
NEW DELHI, Sept. 9 (Xinhua) -- The Group of 20 (G20) members agreed on Saturday to grant permanent membership to the African Union (AU) in an effort to make the group more representative.

The agreement was reached at the inaugural session of the two-day G20 summit held in New Delhi during the weekend.

Amidst applause from other G20 representatives, Azali Assoumani, president of the Union of the Comoros and current AU chairperson, then assumed his seat representing the 55-member-state continental body for the session.

Created in 1999, the G20 is a main forum for international cooperation in the fields of finance and economy. It previously comprised 19 countries plus the European Union (EU).

The AU, whose previous designation was "Invited International Organisation" of the G20, now has the same status as the EU.

China is the first country that explicitly expressed its support for the AU's membership in the G20.

Vowing to work actively to support the AU's full membership in the G20, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said at a regular press conference on Thursday that "China supports the AU in playing a bigger role in global governance." 
A rare earthquake in Morocco killed at least a thousand people late Friday night, shaking the country from the Atlas Mountains to Marrakech and damaging historic structures.

The 6.8-magnitude quake is the strongest to hit the country in 120 years, and its strength toppled entire mountain villages and damaged the historic buildings of Marrakechs old town.

The death toll has continued to climb as the damage to remote mountain settlements is reported. Over 1,300 people were injured by the quake, Moroccos Interior Ministry reported.

The problem is that where destructive earthquakes are rare, buildings are simply not constructed robustly enough to cope with strong ground shaking, so many collapse resulting in high casualties, Bill McGuire, professor emeritus of geophysical and climate hazards at University College London, told The Associated Press.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

I would expect the final death toll to climb into the thousands once more is known. As with any big quake, aftershocks are likely, which will lead to further casualties and hinder search and rescue, he said.

King Mohammed VI ordered the countrys military to mobilize its specialized search and rescue groups and operate a surgical field hospital, a statement from the military said.

Moroccan rescue authorities have struggled to access remote villages as roads have been clogged with traffic and blocked by rock slides.

In Marrakech, sections of the historic red clay walls of the old city were damaged as well as the famous 12th-century Koutoubia Mosque, though the extent of the damage is unknown.

Leaders all over Europe have offered Morocco assistance, including government officials in Turkey  which experienced its own devastating 7.8-magnitude earthquake in February. France and Germany are also among the countries which have offered help.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi opened the G-20 summit in New Delhi, India, with an offer of support Saturday morning.

The entire world community is with Morocco in this difficult time and we are ready to provide them all possible assistance, he said.

The Moroccan government has yet to officially request international aid, meaning foreign rescue crews are yet to set off for the country.

The 6.8-magnitude quake was followed by a 4.9-magnitude aftershock 20 minutes later. Lahcen Mhanni, Head of the Seismic Monitoring and Warning Department at the National Institute of Geophysics, told The Associated Press that it was the strongest earthquake in Moroccos recorded history.

Earthquakes are generally rare in North Africa. A 6.4-magnitude quake on the north coast in 2004 killed 600 people, and a 5.4-magnitude quake in 1950 killed thousands in the nearby city of Agadir.

The Agadir quake sparked changes in construction policy and planning, but many rural buildings are not built to the standard, The AP reported.

Portuguese emergency response authorities said the quake could be felt as far away as their country, as well as Algeria in the east.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Updated at 1:12 pm.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
A Wisconsin school district wouldn't allow first graders to sing "Rainbowland," a song about acceptance.

Melissa Tempel, a teacher, complained publicly about the decision and was eventually fired.

Tempel is now suing the district, arguing it violated her freedom of speech.

A Wisconsin school district fired a teacher after she publicly objected to its decision not to allow her first-grade students to sing "Rainbowland," a song about acceptance.

The firing was such a harsh blow  and illegal, the teacher argues  that she's now suing them.

Attorneys for Melissa Tempel filed the lawsuit earlier this week, alleging the School District of Waukesha violated Tempel's First Amendment rights. They demanded a jury trial and for Tempel, a first-grade dual-language teacher, to be reinstated in her job at Heyer Elementary School.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

"I am devastated that I am not returning to school today," Tempel said in a statement, released by her attorneys. "I am a life-long educator and I have missed my students since I was forced on administrative leave in April. To be preparing for a lawsuit instead of for the first day of school has been very difficult for me."

Tempel was first placed on administrative leave after she tweeted in March that her first graders had been prohibited from singing "Rainbowland," a song by Miley Cyrus and Dolly Parton about love and acceptance.

"I just can't not say anything anymore," Tempel told Insider in April. "And if I have to lose my job, then at least I'll be able to sleep at night knowing that I stuck up for kids."

Tempel wrote the March 21 tweet "as a private citizen, during her off-duty time," the lawsuit said, adding that the district and its superintendent violated Tempel's rights by "retaliating against her for engaging in protected speech."

As teachers and students returned from spring break on April 3, administrators and law enforcement met Tempel at the school's front door, preventing her from entering.

They said she had broken the district's policy on "controversial issues," which was used to prevent employees from displaying items related to "Black Lives Matter, Blue Lives Matter, Thin Blue Line, anti-racist, and other materials," according to the lawsuit.

Tempel was finally fired in July after she had spoken to multiple news outlets about the situation.

Superintendent James Sebert wrote in a report cited in the lawsuit that Tempel's public statements and disagreements with the district were "inappropriate" and "resulted in substantial disruption to the school environment." He added that they violated the district's employee handbook, including a policy called "Employee Expressions in Non-Instructional Settings."

A spokesperson for the School District of Waukesha did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Sebert, reached for comment, said the district would be consulting its own lawyers on how to move forward.

Read the original article on Business Insider
If you wanted to know what a real-life Texas Ranger whos carried out thousands of investigations looks like, look no further than David Maxwell, the man who presented much of Fridays testimony in the Ken Paxton impeachment trial.

By reputation and career accolades alone, Maxwell carries the most weight of the witnesses. Maxwell is the former law enforcement director in the attorney generals office He told the court what he thought about the relationship between Paxton, the suspended AG, and donor Nate Paul  and it wasnt good.

Maxwell is somewhat of a living legend in Texas, boasting a 40-year career with the Texas Department of Public Safety before joining the attorney generals office. Maxwell is among the group of former employees who sued Paxton, alleging that he was fired after he and others blew the whistle on possible bribery to the FBI.

With a deep, gravelly voice and a straightforward manner, Maxwell repeatedly demonstrated that he believed Paxton had gotten tangled up in a friendship with an unethical person, the real estate investor Paul, and needed to extricate himself.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

My opinion was that Nate Paul was a criminal and that we should not be associated with Nate Paul, Maxwell said at one point in the Senate trial.

Maxwell testified that he even told Paxton what he thought of Paul: I told him that Nate Paul was a criminal, he was running a Ponzi scheme that would rival Billie Sol Estes, Maxwell said. He added that If Paxton didnt distance himself, he was gonna get himself indicted. (Sol Estes was a Texas businessman convicted of a complex business fraud scheme involving agriculture and prompting investigations from the FBI via President John F. Kennedy.)

The Texas Rangers testimony added more heft to the 16 articles of impeachment under consideration, including charges of bribery and corruption. He wraps up a strong week of testimony by prosecution witnesses.

Weve yet to hear the defenses full arguments and evidence. Paxtons attorneys will likely attempt to discredit the witnesses observations about Paxton and Paul and their alleged crimes.
Kari Bosley is the lead mission planner for the James Webb Space Telescope at the Space Telescope Science Institute.

She was told growing up she couldn't be part of aviation because of her gender.

She was a stay-at-home mom before she revived her career to work on the world's most powerful telescope.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Kari Bosley, about her career as lead mission planner for the James Webb Space Telescope at the Space Telescope Science Institute, which partners with NASA to run missions. It has been edited for length and clarity.

I wasn't always interested in space, but I always wanted to fly. When I was a little girl, Amelia Earhart was my idol. I wanted to become a pilot, just like her.

When I had to get glasses in the fifth grade, I knew I had to find something else to aspire to because at the time, you had to have 20/20 vision to be able to fly.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

So, since I couldn't be a pilot, and wasn't interested in the idea of becoming a mechanic, I became excited at the idea of becoming an air traffic controller.

But I grew up in the '80s, times were different. I was told that I couldn't direct planes because I was female. So I had to reroute my life plan, again.

When they announced that they were going to send a teacher to the moon for the Challenger mission, I thought that was really cool. It showed me that anyone could go to space.

Of course, it turned out to be an awful tragedy, but it was my first experience of really being able to learn about space.

I didn't really know where to go from there, and I ended up taking some pre-medicine classes at our community college. After about a year, I decided to leave that behind to get married and start a family. I thought being a mom was all I was destined to do.

I find the work fascinating and it's inspired me to go back to school

Eventually, when my three boys were older, I went back to work. Thirteen years ago, I landed a job in the grants department at Space Telescope Science Institute.

They support the daily activities of NASA's different space missions, including the Hubble Space Telescope, Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, and James Webb Space Telescope.

The James Webb Space Telescope is the most powerful space telescope ever built, and has led to numerous scientific discoveries and firsts since it was launched to space. Getty

I eventually moved from the grants department into my current role as mission planner. When I was put on the James Webb project in 2016, I didn't know a thing about the telescope. But I was quickly educated.

The more I learned, the more I loved what I was doing.

Now, I work with another mission planner to schedule the normal activities that happen on each pass of the telescope. To do this job, you need to be detail-oriented and very organized, there is very little that is done on the fly for these missions.

I have to know when the telescope will align with the Deep Space Network, which receives information from the craft, each day. The planning we do ensures people can get the data and photographs they need from up in space.

NASAs James Webb Space Telescope captured the Ring Nebula in unprecedented detail with its mid-infrared instrument. ESA/Webb, NASA, CSA, M. Barlow (UCL), N. Cox (ACRI-ST), R. Wesson (Cardiff University)

Some people might say that the daily work I do is a little boring, but I still find it fascinating.

It's inspired me to go back to school part-time, taking systems engineering courses. I'll be getting my degree in the Spring of 2025.

I can do anything I want to

I may not be an astronomer or a scientist, but I am an organized person who does well under pressure, and I love that I get to play a role in the important discoveries that the telescope makes.

Through working on JWST, I began to realize that I can do anything I want to, it doesn't matter if I'm a female.

An antenna at the Goldstone Deep Space Communications Complex, located in the Mojave Desert in California. NASA/JPL-Caltech

Even though I didn't have an engineering degree, I was a part of the team that worked to get this important scientific instrument operating in space.

There are so many different teams, with people from different backgrounds, and in different roles, that work together to make a space project happen. It's not just one person doing anything here, it's a whole team working towards one objective: a successful mission.

I consider myself pretty lucky.

Not a lot of stay-at-home moms get a chance to revive their careers. My kids are very supportive and encouraging of my choice to go back to school and work. They still encourage me to this day, even though they're all grown up.

The only way the mission works

I have no plans to stop anytime soon. I love what I do, I love this mission.

It's amazing to me that I was told I couldn't be what I wanted to be when I grew up because of my gender, and now I can work in the space industry and be seen as an equal.

I work with so many other females who are respected, and some of my favorite space educators are women too.

I think that's one of the reasons I feel so fortunate, to have a team that accepts, encourages, and respects me and the unique attributes I bring to the table. That's the only way the mission works.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Age is something that does not matter, the Spanish movie director Luis Bunuel once remarked. Unless, he added, you are a cheese.

But what about being sharp and spry and in your prime if you're a world leader or key lawmaker?

Globally, presidents and prime ministers range in age from 35 (Ibrahim Traore, Burkina Faso) to 90 ( Paul Biya , Cameroon), according to the Washington-based Pew Research Center, which describes itself as a "fact tank."

However, most world leaders are in their 50s and 60s. And women leaders tend to be younger than their male counterparts. Finland's recently departed prime minister, Sanna Marin, was just 34 when she took office.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

But outside of the U.S., older leaders tend to be a feature of countries less free politically, according to Freedom House, a Washington research organization. This is a characterization that applies chiefly to despots and authoritarian types; dictators who engineer their systems to stay in power for far longer than democracy typically allows. Russian President Vladimir Putin is 70, Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey, 69. China's Xi Jinping, is 70.

At 80, President Joe Biden is not only the first octogenarian in the Oval Office, his relative seniority puts him among the 5% of world leaders who are in their 80s, according to Pew. Donald Trump , his main presumed challenger for the presidency in 2024, is not far behind, at 77. Mitch McConnell, the Republican leader of the Senate, whose apparent health problems have been on public display in recent weeks, is 81.

How old is Mitch McConnell?: Senator's age under spotlight in increasingly old Congress

Former Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin, who took office age 34.

In the 118th Congress, the median age of House lawmakers, according to Pew, dipped slightly to 57.9 years, down from 58.9 years in the 117th. But the Senate's median age continues to rise. It's now at 65.3 years. Four years ago, it was 62.4 years. Throughout the 1980s, most U.S. lawmakers in Washington were in their 50s.

Biden, Trump, McConnell: united in their dotage

The U.S. is one of only two countries that Freedom House classifies as "free" with a leader in their 80s or older.

Freedom House rates people's access to things such as political rights and civil liberties. In its most recent "Global Freedom Scores," the U.S. pulled in a respectable 83 out of 100. Not as good as Canada and the Scandinavian countries, which were in touching distance of a perfect score. Not as bad as Afghanistan.

Steven Webster, a professor at Indiana University who studies U.S. political behavior and public opinion, said that it's clear that there is a "mismatch" between the median age of the U.S. population, which is 39, and the politicians who represent them. He said this could be explained in different ways.

One of these explanations is that members of Congress are staying in office for longer than ever before. Another is that Americans seem to favor incumbents. Once someone gets elected, they tend to stay elected. Another is that older adults tend to vote more than younger ones and in doing so vote for people closer to their age.

"Americans by and large are dissatisfied with Congress, but reelection rates are astronomically high. Yet we tend to vote for who we know, and who we know is older politicians," he said.

Physically and mentally fit

Biden has no major medical problems. He doesn't drink or smoke. He appears to exercise regularly.However, occasionally he does appear to forget names or words when he is speaking.

Trump's doctors have repeatedly said he is in good health, though some physicians have noted if he has a Body Mass Index in excess of 30 he would be considered clinically obese.

McConnell's doctors have said he is not suffering from a seizure disorder, stroke or a movement disorder such as Parkinsons disease despite two recent "freezes" in front of reporters.

Still, its one of the FBI and CIAs biggest nightmares, now that those entrusted with the nations most sensitive secrets are getting older or could have medical conditions that could result in them blurting out classified information that could be used against America by its adversaries.

Larry Pfeiffer, a former senior CIA, National Security Agency and White House intelligence official, said he did not want to discuss specific individuals.

But generally speaking, he said, For employees of the U.S. intelligence Community, mental fitness is one of the key components used in adjudicating whether someone should have access to our most sensitive information.

If an employee were suspected of suffering from dementia or other diminishment of mental faculties, depending on the severity their access would be suspended until a medical professional could reevaluate their fitness, Pfeiffer said. In some cases, remediation may be possible, Pfeiffer added, but in others there is no other remedy than a medical separation from service.

Unlike intelligence officials, members of Congress get access to classified material by virtue of their being elected to office. As such, without any kind of adjudication, the intelligence community has relied on the collective wisdom of senior leadership, Pfeiffer said, to determine when a member should no longer have the greater access afforded by membership on the intelligence committees.

A system that requires 'massive amounts of money'

A recent poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research found that 77% of those surveyed  89% of Republicans, 69% of Democrats  think Biden is too old to be effective for four more years.

These views held across age groups, not just among the young.

Despite being just three years younger than Biden, there was less concern about Trump's age. (Other concerns were raised about Trump.)

Trump's big lead: Among nonvoters, many agree with him that elections are rigged

Stefan Lehne, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Europe think tank in Brussels, said that many countries in Europe have "fragmented political scenes" that allow for new parties to form relatively easily. This contrasts with the more or less stable two-party system in the U.S. of Republicans and Democrats.

Often these European parties are driven by charismatic, younger politicians who can rise to the top quickly. This is partly what accounts for the rise of far-right and far-left parties in Europe in recent years, whose leaders skew younger. The median age of a head of government in Europe, according to a Bloomberg analysis, is 53.

Lehne said a major factor driving the divergence in age between U.S. and European leaders is, well, money.

He said to get elected to the highest U.S. office requires "massive amounts of money and so therefore there is a political party preference for people who have a high degree of name recognition who are well established because nobody wants to invest in people who have little chance to get to the top."

This, he said, generally favors a ruling political class in the U.S. that has taken a lot of turns around the Sun.

"In most European countries you don't need to raise millions of dollars from private donors to run for office."

Lehne is from Austria. In 2017, his fellow Austrian Sebastian Kurz became the worlds youngest head of government and the first millennial to lead a European country. He was 31.

Narrowing the age gap

Phil Keisling is a former Oregon secretary of state who runs an organization named Vote at Home.

It aims to improve vote-at-home options at the state and local levels.

Keisling said that in order for the U.S. to narrow the age gap between voters and its elected officials, it needs to do more to encourage younger voters to participate in the political process.

This is something that is broadly true right across the world.

But Keisling said it was especially true for the U.S. political party primary votes, which determine who gets to be nominated as a presidential candidate. He said the median age voting age in these contests is 62.

And that those aged 18 to 34 barely vote in the primaries at all.

However, Keisling cautioned over placing too much store in age to address the U.S.'s political challenges.

"The problem of how old our politicians are in America is far less of an issue than how feckless and hyper-partisan they've become," he said. "I'm not sure changing the ages in a big way will cause our politics to be better."

Contributing: Josh Meyer

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: How Biden's age compares to other world leaders
A prominent and award-winning Boston-based transgender activist and lawyer has been unnerved by several bomb threats around the country. Harvard educator Alejandra Caraballo has become a front-row witness to the hoax despite not being directly involved. That's because the would-be bomber has copied her on the threats.

Since February, Caraballo has received at least 35 emails that detail bomb threats, according to The Daily Beast.

These threats have terrorized schools and companies targeted by the emailer.

In recent weeks, Caraballo was copied on emails that threatened an Oklahoma librarian after the online hate account Libs of TikTok, run by Chaya Raichik, targeted the school district by name. As a result of the librarians mocking of liberal woke ideology in a video, Raichik shone a light on the educator to her 2.5 million followers. Throughout the Tulsa area, schools were paralyzed by bomb threats on six consecutive days.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

In an email received by Caraballo on August 22, the librarian, Kirby Mackenzie, was directly threatened.

The innonence [sic] of children is sacred, that is a fact that has been known for the entirety of human history, the bomb threat stated, the Beast reports. Im not going to stand by as you bastards continue to indoctrinate and prey upon our children.

Several Tulsa offices were targeted with an additional email on August 24. Someone emailed on August 28 claiming they had hidden homemade pipebombs and pressure cooker bombs at schools and libraries. We will not stop bombing your city until the right thign [sic] is done, the individual stated.

On August 29, Caraballo received two more similar emails, writing, We are fed up with the incompetence of Union Public schools, and we are here to send a fucking message. You will evacuate the the [sic] school so nobody dies.

Despite notifying the FBI of the emails, Caraballo says she's disheartened that no action has been taken yet. She's curious why no headway has been made to stop the threats.

I dont know how seriously theyre taking this, Caraballo explained to the Beast. Its absolutely terrorism; thats exactly what this is. Even though theyre not going through with it, people can be traumatized.

As an expert in gender and technology, she follows anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric and extremism on X, formerly Twitter. A thread she posted last December linked Libs of TikTok to bomb threats against Boston Childrens Hospital. The hate account had spread misinformation about the institutions gender-affirming care.

Because of that, Caraballo believes the bombing hoax perpetrator continues to copy her.
A Chinese doctor checks up on a local patient in the Akuse community in the Eastern Region, Ghana, Sept. 8, 2023. (Photo by Seth/Xinhua)

ACCRA, Sept. 9 (Xinhua) -- The 12th Chinese medical team dispatched to Ghana on Friday kicked off a three-day free clinical service for more than 100 Ghanaian workers, and residents of a low-income community in Ghana's Eastern Region.

The beneficiaries include local employees of Sinohydro, a Chinese state-owned company, and low-income residents in the Akuse community who have been struggling to pay their medical bills.

According to Du Yushan, chief of the Chinese medical team, the three-day free clinical service was the seventh free outreach program by the team since their arrival in March.

"We have been here almost half a year and see many Ghanaians who need better health care but do not get it. So our medical team aims to do our best and take full advantage of our experience and expertise to offer quality service to the country," Du said.

Starting in the afternoon, the temporary clinic was soon crowded with local patients queuing up for consultations. Chinese doctors offered free medical checkups and treatment for malaria, and later donated a batch of medications to locals.

Benjamin Annim, a Ghanaian worker with the Chinese company, lauded the Chinese medical team and the company for reaching out to help locals.

"They brought us the free health screening and helped the workers know about their health status and take action if necessary. They think about our health, and we are grateful." Annim said. 

A Chinese doctor checks up on a local patient in the Akuse community in the Eastern Region, Ghana, Sept. 8, 2023. (Photo by Seth/Xinhua)
By Mohamed Junayd

MALE (Reuters) -Maldives President Ibrahim Solih and his main challenger Mohamed Muizzu are likely to face off in a second round of a presidential election, with results from Saturday's first round showing Muizzu ahead but short of the 50% needed to win outright.

With nearly 195,000 votes counted, Muizzu, seen as favouring closer ties with China, led Solih, who has promoted ongoing warm ties with India, 46% to 40%. Authorities said around 75% of the 282,000 eligible voters had cast ballots.

Solih, seeking a second five-year term, had championed an "India-first" policy during his time in power. The coalition backing Muizzu has launched an "India out" campaign, promising to remove a small Indian military presence of several surveillance aircraft and some 75 personnel.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Muizzu entered the fray after former President Abdulla Yameen was banned from contesting the election by the Supreme Court in August following a conviction for corruption and money laundering.

Thousands turned out early at over 570 polling stations across 187 islands. Maldivians were also voting at polling stations in India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Britain and Abu Dhabi.

"We thought turnout might be low during the early stages. However, we have been surprised with many people queuing very early," Fuwad Thowfeek, the president of the Elections Commission told Reuters. "So far, everything is moving smoothly without any disruptions or delays."

(Reporting by Mohamed Junayd; Writing by Uditha Jayasinghe; Editing by Nick Macfie and William Mallard)
At a rally in South Dakota Friday, former President Donald Trump said Florida Gov. Ron Desantis had sided with the communists in China over U.S. farmers.

He strongly opposed my protection for our farmers, Trump said of DeSantis. I protected our farmers, very simply, and by the way those farmers got big checks.

When DeSantis was running for Florida Governor in 2018, he stated he didnt like farm subsidies that would try and offset retaliatory tariffs from the trade war between the U.S. and China at the time.

Im not a fan of farm subsidies, and you know, to throw billions of dollars in farm subsidies, I want to get away from doing that, DeSantis said on Fox Business at the time.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

DeSantis signed bills earlier this year attempting to prevent Chinese citizens from buying land in Florida. In a statement at the time, he called the Chinese Communist Party the United States greatest geopolitical threat.

Im proud to sign this legislation to stop the purchase of our farmland and land near our military bases and critical infrastructure by Chinese agents, to stop sensitive digital data from being stored in China, and to stop CCP influence in our education system from grade school to grad school, DeSantis said. We are following through on our commitment to crack down on Communist China.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Donald Trumps legal team sought this week to move a lawsuit filed by a top ethics watchdog seeking to bar him from office to federal court.

But that strategy may not be successful for the former president, who could be facing the most serious threat yet to his 2024 chances.

On Wednesday, Washingtons top ethics watchdog Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) announced the beginning of a major bid to block Donald Trump from winning the 2024 election by seeking his disqualification from the ballot under the US Constitutions 14th Amendment. The plan hinges on language barring those who gave aid or comfort to a rebellion or insurrection from holding any state or federal office.

Multiple news outlets reported this week that Mr Trumps legal team had filed a motion on Thursday seeking that the lawsuit be remanded to federal court. But NBC News reports that in a motion filed a day later, the Trump team appeared to be unwilling to contest the lawsuit remaining in state court, after apparently reconsidering their legal standing.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

The lawsuit could very well be the beginning of a new, massive legal fight for Mr Trump  and may put his ability to win the Republican nomination or 2024 general election in serious jeopardy, depending on how successful the lawsuits launched by CREW and its allies end up being.

Mr Trump complained on Thursday that attempts to use the 14th Amendments clause disqualifying supporters of insurrection was a type of election interference, which is technically true but no less legal; the Constitution has very clearly forbade those who rebelled against the US government from serving since the aftermath of the US Civil War, and the disqualification clause has already been successfully utilised to block a participant of the January 6 attack on Congress from serving in a state-level position in New Mexico.

The former president notably never showed up on Capitol Hill after promising the mobs of his supporters who attacked the complex that he would be there to support them. Nevertheless, he has been accused of supporting them in both word and deed, through his speeches and addresses leading up to and during the attack and by refusing to call in the DC National Guard (which reports directly to the Executive Branch) during the attack.

In addition to the effort to bar him from appearing on the 2024 presidential ballot in Colorado and other states, Mr Trump remains under four criminal indictments, accused of 91 felony counts. He has pleaded not guilty.

The cases relate to his efforts to overturn the 2020 election, his alleged mishandling of classified documents and US defence secrets, as well as a 2016 hush money scheme involving a porn star.
Michel Claise said that everything is in the file - J-M Quinet/Alamy Stock Photo

The truth behind the Qatargate corruption scandal engulfing the European Union will explode one day, the former chief investigator has said.

Michel Claise, a Belgian judge who stepped back from the investigation earlier this year, suggested unnamed individuals were attempting to manipulate the truth.

I never talk about the files I process, he told RTBF, the Belgian broadcaster. But I will tell you one thing  everything is in the file. The truth is there. It is not found elsewhere, neither in the television studios nor in certain magazines.

And the truth will explode one day in the face of those manipulators who try, very simply, to distort it.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Mr Claise, who writes crime novels in his spare time, became involved in the investigation when the Belgian security services handed him their findings into the corruption and graft scandal that has rocked the EU.

Three MEPs, a former lawmaker and his parliamentary assistant stand accused of accepting bribes from Qatari and Moroccan officials in exchange for political favours.

Police have seized 1.5 million in cash, including a suitcase containing more than 750,000 in a Brussels hotel.

Eva Kaili , a former European Parliament vice-president, was arrested after investigators discovered 150,000 at her property. Francesco Giorgi, her husband, was the parliamentary aide detained as part of the probe.

Ms Kaili, who insists she is innocent of any wrongdoing, has since been released from prison while the investigation continues.

Eva Kaili insists she is innocent of any wrongdoing - Independent Photo Agency Srl/Alamy Stock Photo

Mr Claise withdrew from the investigation in June, and has refused to reveal whether he did so following death threats or the emergence of his sons business ties with the son of Maria Arena, a Belgian MEP who is a suspect in the case.

In the interview, he revealed that another judge had been placed in a safe house following threats to their life.

I am not the only one to be targeted by this, he added. And it is extremely dangerous for democracy to consider for a certain moment that the judge must be shot down, when in the end, we should rather spend our time fighting criminal organisations. But I never feared for my integrity.

MEPs in the parliament are still struggling to come to terms with the cash-for-influence scandal, nine months after it came to light.

They have failed to reach an agreement on a rule that would see them required to disclose assets change, which is designed to close loopholes allegedly exploited by Qatargate suspects.

A report published by Transparency International EU this week revealed that the majority of MEPs fail to declare their outside interests. Of 1,678 activities listed by MEPs, just 12 per cent are for businesses on the EUs transparency register.

The rule change would lower the level of outside earnings that an MEP must declare to 5,000 a year.

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month, then enjoy 1 year for just $9 with our US-exclusive offer.
U.S. President Joe Biden on Saturday signed a deal with seven other countries and the European Union that will see them work collectively on developing an economic corridor through India, the Middle East and Europe. Photo courtesy of G20 Leasers Summit India

Sept. 9 (UPI) -- The United States, the European Union and seven other countries on Saturday announced the formation of a wide-spanning rail and shipping corridor linking India, the Middle East and Europe.

U.S. President Joe Biden signed the deal while with leaders from India, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, France, Germany and Italy as well as the EU, while attending the G20 Leaders Summit in New Delhi, India.

The agreement will see the signatories connect India to countries in the Middle East and then Eastern Europe using a system of ports, shipping routes and rail corridors.

Analysts see the initiative as an effort aimed at containing China's influence in the Middle East.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Biden called the deal "a game-changing regional investment" at an event Saturday to make the joint announcement, where he thanked Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

The United States signed the deal with leaders from India, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, France, Germany and Italy as well as the European Union, at the G20 Leaders Summit in New Delhi, India Saturday. Photo courtesy of Brazilian Presidential Press Office

The leaders did not put a timeline on the so-called India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor, but a Biden spokesperson said the leaders would meet to discuss the project within 60 days.

"It is a green and digital bridge across continents and civilizations," European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Saturday.

U.S. President Joe Biden (L) called the so-called so-called India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor "a game-changing regional investment." Photo courtesy of Press Information Bureau

The link will increase the speed of trade between India and Europe by 40%, according to von der Leyen.

Ports in Israel and Jordan will also play a key role in the project.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the economic rail and shipping link will increase the speed of trade between India and Europe by 40%. File Photo by courtesy of G7 Hiroshima Summit

"We aim to usher in a new era of connectivity with a railway, linked through ports connecting Europe, the Middle East, and Asia," the White House said in a statement.

The new corridor will emphasize the development and export of clean energy and will include the laying of undersea cables and linking of energy grids and telecommunication lines, its backers say.

The intent is to "expand reliable access to electricity; enable innovation of advanced clean energy technology; and connect communities to secure and stable Internet."

American officials denied the move amounts to a bid to compete with China's Belt and Road Initiative, under which Beijing has financed and constructed transportation routes spanning across Asia, Europe and Africa.
Russia has highly likely redeployed its forces from other areas of the front line as Ukrainian forces advance beyond Robotyne, limiting Russian forces' chances of carrying out offensive operations, the U.K. Defense Ministry reported on Sept. 9.

Ukrainian forces liberated the village of Robotyne in Zaporizhzhia Oblast in late August, which enables them to continue advancing toward Russian-occupied Tokmak and Melitopol.

Liberating Melitopol would cut off Russia's land route to Crimea.

Ukrainian forces are continuing to advance east of Robotyne and "make gradual tactical advances against Russian positions and attrite Russian forces in the area," the U.K. Defense Ministry wrote.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

According to the ministry, it is highly likely that Russia has redeployed forces from other areas of the front line to replace degraded units around Robotyne. The increasing pressure on Russian defensive lines ultimately lowers Russian forces' chances of carrying out offensive operations.

Additionally, Ukrainian forces have maintained pressure on Russian positions south of Bakhmut, making gradual gains between Klishchiivka and Andriivka.

Read also: Ukraine war latest: Ukraine controls most of Klishchiivka south of Bakhmut, commander says

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
The U.K. has been sending Royal Air Force (RAF) planes to protect Black Sea vessels carrying grain shipments from Ukraine, a Downing Street press release disclosed on Sept. 7.

The U.K. Defense Ministry began providing aviation security to Ukrainian ports following a wave of Russian attacks on grain infrastructure in July, when Russia withdrew from the Black Sea Grain Initiative.

"We will use our intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance to monitor Russian activity in the Black Sea," the press release said. "As part of these surveillance operations, RAF aircraft are conducting flights over the area to deter Russia from carrying out illegal strikes against civilian vessels transporting grain."

On July 19, Russia said it would consider all ships sailing to Ukrainian ports to be military targets.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Attacks on Ukrainian ports have increased again in recent days, with repeated missile strikes targeting grain infrastructure in Odesa Oblast's Izmail district.

The U.K. government also said it would soon announce plans for a world food summit in November, as part of its "efforts to help vulnerable people and economies deal with the impact of Putin s actions."

The Downing Street announcement comes as British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak travels to the G20 summit in India.

Sunak called Russian dictator Vladimir Putin "the architect of his own diplomatic exile," adding that other G20 leaders "are demonstrating that we will turn up and work together to pick up the pieces of Putins destruction."

Read also: Ukraine war latest: Ukraine controls most of Klishchiivka south of Bakhmut, commander says

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry has commented on the final joint declaration of the G20 countries, expressing disappointment with its wording.

Source: Oleh Nikolenko, Ukraines Foreign Ministry spokesman, as reported by European Pravda

Details: Nikolenko expressed disappointment with the part of the document that concerns Russia's aggression against Ukraine, and also noted that the participation of the Ukrainian side would allow the participants to better understand the situation.

Quote: "The principle of nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine remains pivotal like never before."

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

More details: At the same time, the Foreign Ministry spokesman suggested certain changes for the main elements of the text for it to be closer to reality.

He pointed out that in the declaration, it should be noted that Russia is waging war against Ukraine instead of the words about the "war in Ukraine," and also stressed that it is the Russian Federation, and not "all countries," that should refrain from using force for territorial gains.

Nikolenko also pointed out the need for the summit participants to condemn Russia's aggression against Ukraine and urge Russia to immediately stop it.

Background:

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced, taking into account that India is presiding over the G20 at the moment, that the G20 summit has agreed on a joint declaration, finding compromise wording in the blocks related to Russia's war against Ukraine.

In their final declaration, participants in the summit of the G20 countries called for the implementation of the grain agreement, which Russia had previously thwarted.

Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron!